Snippet #2525949

"I'm just a lost kid," Emily shrugged, her gaze directed toward the floor. "I'd like to tell you more, but I can hardly remember anything, to be honest. We'll join the resistance."

"So you're the one in command," Reaver said in a clearly synthesized, artificial voice. Emily nearly jumped out of her skin, hearing Reaver speak aloud for the first time without using her voice.

"Y-You can talk?" she stammered.

"There was no reason to speak if I could simply convey messages directly to your brain," Reaver answered. The tendrils stretched out and curled around, observing Chase. "You think you can fight the Empire? You are a silly, deluded little creature. I could wipe out half of your pathetic base on my own, not to mention the fact that there are many other imperial combat drones such as myself, many of which are even stronger than I am. You serfs are fortunate that my host has volunteered assistance - I have the entire layout of the Empire bound to memory - their supply depots, weapon manufacturing facilities, underground hideouts and the like."

"As I've said before, I apologize for his behavior," she added anxiously, using her hand to push the probing tendril down in a comical kind of forced bow. "Really, no common decency at all." Her eyes shifted toward Reaver. "Please stop insulting them," she whispered. "We already agreed to help them out."

"Emily, I appreciate your cooperation in this partnership," Reaver said, "but I am not growing fond of this farce. I am the one who issues orders, not you."

"Wait-!"

Emily's brown eyes began to glow its brilliant crimson sheen as they were when she had first entered the base.

I didn't mean it that way-

I will only transfer command to you when necessary, Reaver interrupted. Remember this. Until then, you are to sit back and continue to serve as my vessel.

"Hello, Chase," Emily said with a narrowed stare. "Quite the circumstances, don't you think? Face-to-face with the leader of the Resistance after more than a century of service to the Empire - but surely, we can put these facts behind us." She put her hand out for a shake and stared him dead in the eyes in all seriousness. "I look forward to working with you, leader."