I'll be honest of all the things I expected to see when I heard something fall from the sky behind me it was not an ethereal blue suit of glowing plate armor, In fact, I could say with 100% certainty on the list of the things. shows what I know, right?

The armor had landed in what was lovingly referred to in the nerd community as a ‘superhero landing’ and had left Cracks in the cement with its impact.

As I peeked out of Mary's purse to get a bit better look at the newcomer i scanned the thing out of habit, only to be met with quite a surprise.

[ Name: Com (True name: Panoptes)

Species: Artificial life form (software-based)

Blah blah blah you’ve heard all this]

{Com?!} I blurted.

“Hi!” The armor said with a wave That was quite unfitting for it's intimidating form “Funny running into you here!!! actually, it's not I've been pretty much stalking you”

That… wasn't unsettling at all.

“It shouldn't be, I'll have you know I pretty much been your Guardian Angel since you stepped into the city.”

Oh, right telepathy

“Yep”

{So, what are you doing here? I thought you couldn't help…} That came off much ruder than I meant it too I hoped they weren't offended.

“I'm not. and to answer your question, I wasn't able to before but now I am,” they explained giving me a metallic thumbs up, “and you're going to need it. That guy you were fighting earlier is pretty much right behind us. so if you don't want to have to deal with him I'd suggest you follow me.”

Peggy Looked bewildered raising her hand like a child in school “I'm…confused. who are you?” she said looking to Com.

{honestly, I don't know. from what I understand they're the operating system that all the city-based tech runs on}

“that’s correct. But I’m also a friend so…” They pulled back their armors visor revealing a face that this time leaned more towards masculinity and adopted a deadpan expression "come with me if you want to live.”

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

there wasn't very much I could do to argue with that, so I bid Mary to follow, Peggy right behind

As we traveled I felt Com ping me, and my processing speed was forcibly sped up As I was brought onto their level.

{So… collections growing I see.}

{What?} I asked sending over the digital equivalent of a raised eyebrow.

{Collection of metas, I mean. but it's still not complete, right? if I'm remembering correctly and I always do, you still have two more people on your list.}

{That's right, but I'm not really sure what I can do about that. I told Mary earlier that I want to go get them but she's right to say that the danger involved may be too much,} it pained me to say that but, it was ultimately true.

{How about I help you?}

{Really?}

{Yeah, I've actually been meaning to, I just haven't been able to keep my attention on anything for that long about breaking the rules. Now that I'm allowed to assist you directly it shouldn't be much of a problem.}

{what's the catch?}

Come sounded offended, {None. I seriously just wanna help,} they paused, {And if doing this somehow just happened to benefit me wouldn't that be funny?}

I grunted or the digital equivalent {Okay.} what was I supposed to say? No? If com really wanted to force me they could, and it wouldn't hurt to have a powerhouse on my side.

{I'd never force you! But otherwise I'm glad you feel that way, flattered really. 'Powerhouse'} I felt them express the A.I. equivalent of a blush, but their 'expression' soon shifted to a smile equivalent, {Then it's settled.} They grinned {You won't regret this my friend! I don't think either of us will.}