Toshimi had to wait on her answers as she barraged the artificial intelligence with questions Alice instead focused on the security checkpoint ahead. A soft welcoming chime from the hidden machinery was the system's only response to the pair passing by. Matching Toshimi to a fake profile worked flawlessly, as the AI expected. She was the one who had designed and still maintains this system after all. While the fear of AIs kept her from completely controlling station security or rising in rank beyond her current one she was still able to affect most of the station's security routines. She just couldn't flush everyone out of the airlock or something, though some days and people really want her want to be able to do so.<br/><br/>It was when the alien girl made her remark about Alice's other chassis that Alice finally turned her full attention back on her. A gentle laugh left Alice's lips, obviously a pre-recorded soundbite.<span style="color: #00ffff"> "Well it is classified as light tank, amongst other things."</span>The AI said cheerfully, making it all too obvious how fond she of her other chassis. Or maybe she was just that self-centered. Alice looked to Toshimi as they walked, offering the woman a smile and carefully answering her questions in turn.<span style="color: #00ffff">"How I would fix your broken heart, same way as I'd repair anything else."</span>Before Toshimi could complain about her feelings not being some faulty watch Alice continued.<span style="color: #00ffff">"Time, care, attention, effort... We AIs are honest and incapable of physical lust. No one but us is able to appreciate a person as much, revel as much in the feeling of discovering eachother, or be as excited about gathering new experiences with that person."</span>Alice held Toshimi's arm a little closer to herself while she spoke, a gentle expression belying her artificial nature lingering on her face.<br/><br/>The AI was a little more reluctant about sharing what she wanted of Toshimi, but relented after a few more moments of pondering (Which really was very careful date crunching, analysis and calculations).<span style="color: #00ffff">"What I want from you..."</span>Alice took a deep breath, purely for show.<span style="color: #00ffff">"Right now, an interesting possibility exists for Cain, though she might not have fully realized it yet. You are currently a ghost in the system, alive but yet not. This allows Cain to potentially both have you as her lover as well as keep whatever benefits she got from her betrayal."<br/>
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"For coward at heart like Cain, this resolutionless state akin to Schrödinger's cat is a golden ending, so to speak. Problem is, this state can only be enabled and continued by me. And even then, there's limits due to parts of my code I cannot access."</span>Alice's eyes refocused as they glanced at Toshimi.<span style="color: #00ffff">"She's desperate, Toshimi... willing to pay any price. It's important she remains so and sees me as her only option until matters have reached their conclusion. Her success in this won't only benefit me, miss Toshimi. Can you imagine the scene?"</span><br/><br/>Alice reached out to stroke the alien's cheek tenderly.<span style="color: #00ffff">"Cain and you, together, with all security systems blind to your existence. A grand reunion for Cain, who finally has everything she could want... Is that not the finale you're waiting on? At that point, you could betray Cain just like she has betrayed you, pay her back in full and get away scot free. Rip out her heart just like she tore out yours..."</span><br/><br/>The AI suddenly shifted gears, her tone changing from seductive to cheery.<span style="color: #00ffff">"Of course, for all I know you two could simply reconcile. Helping two lovers back together is hardly something that violates my programming. I can't be held responsible for decisions and actions made by organics after all."</span>It was likely a little disconcerting that an AI could assist and enable murder this much and justify it all with this loophole reasoning that it had expected a different outcome.<br/><br/>Having reached the nearest luxury apartment block, the AI glanced around.<span style="color: #00ffff">"I don't know your destination so either you start to lead here or give me the address you're going to."</span><div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>