Aiyalla slammed her hand down in frustration against the control panel of the HvCft Demonic Tribulation, startling the operator on duty.She paid no mind to his wide-eyed stare, instead focusing her attention on the computer before her.The green-hued glare from the monitors illuminated her face, casting garish shadows beneath her golden eyes.Her lips were curled in an uncharacteristically angry snarl, and her fingers practically flew across the keyboards.It had been days since she last slept, or even left the control room, and still, she pushed herself to work.
It had to be there… somewhere in the data streams…. It had to….
She rubbed her eyes again, forcing herself to focus.This was the time she had been waiting for.Veil had escaped, and all of Zion was in an uproar.She was the one Aiya had been seeking, since Espi had left her with careful instructions.“Seek out the one that will guide us, Aiya.And be mindful.We have been betrayed once before…”
Dear architect, she knew it, too.
Months of preparation… hiding in shadows, speaking in hushed whispers to whomever would listen… The Masked Agenda had become the face of the hidden Cypherites in the redpill society’s eyes, which was, of course, the point.The hidden operatives continued their operations largely unnoticed, weaving their way silently into the ranks of their enemies, spreading the poisons that would eventually bring Zion crumbling down.
Winterbrood had become an increased threat, along with The Glitch Society.Nameaurasu had threatened her own life, along with those of her crew, and Starschwar had tried several times to infiltrate The Masked Agenda, to no avail.Aiyalla allowed herself a cool smile as she considered those working so diligently against her.At least she could now consider SIN to be among her allies, even though she trusted them, as Sorr0w had said, “as far as I can throw a ten ton banana.”
Aiya sighed, pushing back from the monitors, and allowed her eyes to close briefly.Footsteps stopped behind her, and without opening her eyes, she sensed Jamicus’s gaze
“Aiyalla, you haven’t been up here all night, have you?”
She nodded, passing a hand across her hair, smoothing it back from her pale face.
“I have to find her, Jam.It’s not an option any longer.” She finally opened her eyes, turning a grave gaze to her new first mate. “Veil has got to be in their somewhere.She’s the one Zion fears, and the one that will lead us to victory over them.”
Jamicus frowned, gazing in turn down at the small form of his captain.Small, but filled with the determination and drive of men twice her size.He nodded to her.
“I’ll be in the control room, then.”He grinned roguishly at her, and turned on his heel.
Aiya watched his retreating form, and then turned her attention to the operator, Jason.He was a new operator, only a few months from the pods, and already fiercely loyal to the Masked.Jason immediately stood, his gaze on Aiyalla.
“Need me out of here, ma’am?”
She nodded once, and he left immediately, no questions asked.“Good soldier,” she thought.
Turning once more to the monitors, she pressed few keys in sequence, and the door slid shut behind her, and sealed.Nodding once, she pressed a few more keys, and began typing a rapid nonsensical code.The code connected, and a few seconds later, a soft voice was heard.
“…Hello, Aiya.”
She smiled.
“Nothing to report yet… I’ve been searching the code for several days.She’s well hidden, if her code isn’t ghosted completely.”She allowed herself a soft sigh before continuing.“We have many new recruits… all good people… all loyal.We have our people in Zion, and I’ve been receiving reports almost daily.SIN is with us… more or less, and the Codemasons and Venmm’s Wolfpack are among our allies.”
“I’m proud of you, Aiya.You’ve done well.I’ve been monitoring your progress, and that of the Masked.”The voice paused.“And what of our other ruse?”
She chuckled slightly, reclining in her chair.
“So far, no one knows.And I’ve had some rather pernicious suitors coming to ‘rescue’ me several times.”
He laughed softly.“They underestimate your strength… and your loyalty.Don’t fear, Aiya… I’ll return to you soon.I love you.”
She smiled again, allowing his voice, as it always did, to sooth her.
“I love you too… my Espi.”
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