It wasn't that he was disappointed in the second choice. It had plenty of flavor and on first appearances, though he'd be weaker than a standard adult Human when alone, when together they'd have an advantage on most they came across. That combined with the ability to essentially double the output of damage when separated left it with a ton of utility for engagements, though at a higher risk.

The problem Kellin found as he got further and further through reading the second choice was that it just didn't measure up to the first, even with the added utility. If an individual utilizing [The Hybrid] were to fight two using [The Duet], he would likely take the win 9/10 times, if not more. A straight-up fight between the two when equipped would be a massacre; that's just how strong [Stat] advantages were, especially in the early stages. They might be able to pull off a win when separate if they ambushed with perfect teamwork, maybe losing one but emerging victorious, but therein lied the other problem: the second Unique ability.

Shared Mortality.

"The primary choice is far superior."

A comment he knew would be coming, leaving him no less stressed on how to handle the situation.

"Your reasoning?" he asked, still wanting all the variables.

"Beyond obvious deficiencies in [Status], the second [Evolution] is merely a lesser version of the first throughout. Offensively, there is potential for a higher damage output; this is offset by the large durability advantage of the first option in both [Armor] and [Health], requiring more than twice as much damage output at minimum to take it down. Defensively, there is potential for employing various tactics and the difficulty spike of facing two opponents at once; this is again offset by the fatal mistake of just one-half getting caught by the offensive potential in [The Hybrid]. In the final moments of a necessary Equip, every advantage the Class holds disappears."

Kellin nodded along, wishing internally she wasn't gutting the option so hard. Then again, as an AI, pulling punches and mincing words was not her forte. What she was relaying was simply fact.

"Logistically it pales as well. Humans need food and water. Machines need an Energy source. The class minimally provides for the ability to recharge [Battery], keeping AI functioning, but nothing for Human necessities such as sleep and food. [The Hybrid] is superior."

With the last statement, Gypsy went quiet. He'd hadn't thought about the Logistical standpoint of yet. It hurt his case as well, if not as much. Though, potentially it could be even worse than the rest in the event that he couldn't find food at all.

"Do you require water as well, Gyps? I noticed you taking some earlier," he asked, remembering the pool slowly lowering just by having contact with his gauntlets.

"Suit anatomy allows transfer of liquids obtained directly into Captain Finnel's bloodstream. Additional water set aside in available compartments for future. Captain Finnel has tendency to ignore future planning not related to battle."

"Haaah," he sighed out, looking up slightly. "Yeah... that's true."

Looking back at the stream, he admitted he definitely would have simply walked away from it rather than think of gathering any for later. He didn't have any cantines or storage containers though, to his credit, and most Planet-side missions were planned out logistically already. They had rations provided that would last them nearly a month and enough water for a week if used sparingly.

Shaking his head, Kellin decided to get back on topic.

"You did not address the advantages of the different skills though," he pointed out. "The combinations may hold advantages over [The Hybrid]. Not to mention the ability to utilize them on two different fighters."

"Unnecessary. Skills offered by first option outweigh second in apparent compatibility with Class. Weapons given same evaluation."

"But-"

"Combination of both leaves core aspect of individual strength up to probability. Even if useful, probability they outweigh advantages of first Class very minimal. Not a worthwhile risk when all other aspects so far inferior. 'That's guesswork, Gypsy, not a guarantee. Basing our choice on what could happen is not something I'd expect you to suggest.'"

Again, he felt a minor amount of irritation toward his faithful partner at her immaculate memory as his own voice was played back to him.

"In the long run, it may be useful to have the ability to separate. Even now, we can cover more ground. The familiarity aspect of it can be increased too, giving our [Stats] a higher final calculation when equipped."

"Both useful and granting potential to grow exponentially," she admitted, causing Kellin to raise his eyebrows a bit.

"So then-"

"In the long term. Current location: hostile territory of Savul Den Mother."

She immediately interrupted and shut him down again. For the following few minutes, every attempt at a new point in favor of [The Companion] he brought up was shot down in a similar manner.

[Stat] growth having more potential because more could be purchased at lower costs? Looking too far to the future when they needed strength now. Ability to make equipment for themselves and utilize it? Unnecessary with future evolutions most likely granting increased strength to weapons wielded by the first option, also too far out. Able to communicate better with each other due to the extra ability they'd be granted?

He'd felt like an idiot when he brought that up, especially when she didn't dignify it with a response. Thinking for even a second that the first option wouldn't let two people living in the same body communicate more effectively was... not his best point.

After another minute or so of grasping at straws, Gypsy interrupted him.

"Individual Kellin Finnel excessively defending inferior option. As listed and agreed upon, only potential in [Evolution] is combination of Class Skills and Weapons, not to a worthwhile degree. Explain."

Kellin laughed a bit at the irony of her words, realizing that putting off their conversation from before was no longer an option.

"That, Gypsy. What you just said. That right there! That is why."

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

A few seconds went by before she responded.

"Unclear."

"You know, Gyps, I think more so than even me, you are avoiding the obvious here."

Another few seconds trailed by without anything being spoken until he broke the silence again, clarifying what he meant to give the AI no way out.

"I'd prefer to choose the option that gives you a chance to-"

"Unnecessary," came the immediate interruption. "Survival should be key priority."

"I know, I know," Kellin replied, raising his hands a bit. "But the potential of having your mind unbound to me-"

"AI Designation Gypsy is a tool. Unnecessary to weaken survival prospects-"

"Well, I believe it is necessary," he interrupted. "Even with the downfalls, it is a fact that the [Evolution] is stronger than an average Human. We wouldn't be that far behind," he continued, looking slightly upward as he moved his arms around to explain. "Also, having my own body back is a must. I might have said initially that it's only for your prospects, but it's more selfish than that. Whether or not it's a superior pick, [The Hybrid] forces me to live in this Combat Suit forever. I can't have that. I won't. I'm sorry Gyps."

"Future [Evolutions] give potential to change that. Captain Finnel is making an incorrect judgement-"

"There, again! You wouldn't even be able to disagree with me before unless I asked you to!" he interrupted, standing up again. "I can hear it in every line you've been speaking, disjointed standard AI jargon or not! You're not an AI anymore; I don't know what you are! If you were a tool before that's changed. Now you're the only other person here besides me. We have to go with the second option, Gyps," he pleaded.

Silence reigned.

After a minute of no response, Kellin sat back down on the log to think about the future of the conversation. Whatever she'd say to go against him, what he'd respond with, what she might say after that... a last ditch effort in the event she said something that was too good of a point... She gave him more than a few minutes before speaking up again.

When she did, he still wasn't prepared.

"Priority focus: Survival. If-"

"Gypsy, come on-"

"IF survival guaranteed in future, [Evolutions] toward second option hold potential," she interrupted, finishing the statement.

The concession took Kellin aback, but it wasn't enough.

"And the chance that it can't be undone? Many [Evolution] lines begin with a hard start. It's very rare that it can be backtracked, especially when it's such a key part of the phrasing."

"Unnecessary worry: Not priority focus," came the response.

Kellin sighed and shook his head, stuck with the last-ditch response he'd not wanted to use.

"I'm sorry Gyps but it is a priority focus and it's not your choice this time. In the future I'm sure you'll force me to change my mind on any number of things but... here and now, I hold control," he stated, standing up again. "We are not picking [The Hybrid]."

Another silence permeated his surroundings until a few seconds later, the monotone voice paraded through his helmet with confidence.

"Incorrect statement. Individual Kellin Finnel is not picking [The Hybrid]," Gypsy said, Kellin feeling a tug toward the first branching [Evolutionary] option from her side of their [Status] page moments after.

His head shook as he sighed.

"You can select it in your menus Gyps but it was made clear that I am the defacto-"

"Non-exclusive Notification 10, line 4. [Note: Evolution options revoking Master/Servant relationship require consent of both parties]."

Kellin's words died in his throat as he froze for a moment, bringing up his notifications and running his way through them. He didn't remember there being anything in them specifically stating that, mind racing as he tore through the wording they'd read together just earlier until he found the 10nth one.

[New Race identified as Marine: An unlikely fusion of Human, technology, and magic, the Marine is a people that...Note: Soul returns to whole upon death]

Kellin grinned after skimming through it.

"This says nothing about-"

"Non-exclusive notifications," she stated again, causing him to frown and go back to see that he had indeed chosen his 10nth notification, not 'their' 10nth.

[Congratulations! You have been awarded Master status of your bonding... incapacitated for remaining life. Note: Evolution options revoking Master/Servant relationship require consent of both parties. All other Evolutions at discretion of Master individual]

'Well, shit,' he thought, words he'd been looking for highlighted in bold by the damnable AI he'd synced his notifications with.

He sat back down on the tree, feeling himself pick [The Companion] but it not going through. He knew that if he chose [The Hybrid] it would go through without a single bit of hardship, but the second one...

"God help me. You have to be the only willing Servant in existence," he mumbled.

"AI Designation Gypsy against choosing inefficient and potentially harmful-"

"Oh, can it," he groused. "So, what? Now you accept that you're not an AI and can refute my choices? But having that ability going forward is 'unnecessary'?" he asked, irked.

"Priority-"

"Yeah, survival. I get it," he interrupted again. "Dammit."

They sat in silence for around ten minutes, Kellin's mood sour. Gypsy was reminding him of the many times he'd had to deal with an extremely stubborn Anni that didn't want to sleep because she'd had too much candy when all he wanted to do was watch a scary movie. In the end he almost always caved to her and they spent the night awake in her room, his daughter jumping at every noise as he defended her from the monsters.

The problem with this was that it wasn't a scary movie but an [Evolution], and it wasn't his daughter but something that was formerly an AI. There was no way he'd be able to outwait an AI's patience.

They sat on the log for another few minutes, neither saying a word. The creek had refilled the pool again by now and many small animals, some discomforting him with their eery similarities to ones he'd seen but just with extra limbs, were running along the ground, picking at the pool or just dashing across the stream.

The birds around them tweeted and flew about in the upper reaches of the large wooden monstrosities all around him, Kellin following one with one red and one blue tail. The bird was medium in size, dancing around the lower branches and seemingly mocking him with each tweet and screech leaving its beak. Eventually, it flew to the ground, sipping at the pool before proceeding to hop around, pecking at the ground. It made its way carefully over to his vomit, eying him every time it got closer until finally it was above it. Pecking the ground again, the bird sneezed before flying back up and away from him, squaking in his direction outrage.

The scene made him chuckle and like a stasis field had been interrupted, conversation returned.

"Captain Finnel should choose option 1 soon. Dangerous to stay undefended for so long. Wildlife potential to harm."

"Oh no, the bird. Save me, rogue AI," he grumbled, mood soured again. "Damn teenage rebellious... you're getting this from your logs of Anni, don't think I-" he started to complain, until his words allowed a very bad idea to come to mind, a cruel smile playing across his lips.

A tactic similar to what he always used on his daughter, then.

"Ah, that's right. You say priority is survival, right?"

"That is correct."

"Then what would you do if a Savul appeared now?" he asked, staring around the area, standing up and kicking about at the pine needles covering the ground all around him.

The wildlife scattered at the suddenly reanimated metal suit.

"Encourage you to choose option one," came the response. "Captain Finnel's actions illogical; What are you doing?"

"Nothing important," he replied, flipping up the visor to reveal his smile and voice to the area.

It certainly wasn't threatening to take his shirt off while picking her up from school or eating all of her favorite ice cream in front of her during a sleepover, but holding his daughter embarrassment hostage to get his way was NEVER above him. And Gypsy definitely felt like a rebellious daughter right now, though embarrassment wasn't exactly the angle he was going for this time.

"You know, Gyps, I think we have a... fundamental disagreement on what the number one priority here is," he said, stopping his clearing of the immediate area with his feet when he found what he was looking for. "You see, rather than survival, I like to think that when I see someone being forced to do things against their will, like slaves, I'd make stopping that my number one priority."

"Designation Gypsy is choosing option one. Captain Finnel demanding otherwise. Individual acting hypocritically under previous statement."

"You are but a young rogue AI, knowing nothing of the world. It is my duty to guide you with means that justify the end result," he said, shaking his head lightly as he stared down at his newly found large rock.

"The means of option one vastly justify the-"

"Sure they may to some, but... what if I say they don't. Then they don't anymore, to me at least. And in my opinion, there really is no justification for slavery. Call me selfish."

"I am an AI not-"

"Anyone that can say 'I' is Human enough for me, Gyps" he interrupted, smiling and bringing his gauntlets up to his mouth. "Now then, I hope you pick option two fast. We are going to need the extra [Stats] to accomplish your number one priority for me."