TCS: The simulation (Under rewriting)

Post 14: The quartet's return to the bog biome went swimmingly well for the first portion of their visit. As both HLN-A and TK were busy combing through the simulation's code to conduct their studies, Locke and Jay shot the shit while observing the animals in their swampy habitat. A happy pair of Beelzebufos darted about in the murky water, Kapros snatched up colorful fish in their jaws, and a mother Baryonyx was guiding her young back to their nest under a fallen tree.

All went according to plan... that is until a loud shout erupted from behind. Locke had no time to make out just what the newcomer was saying before the two were ambushed by a survivor in a green-lighted TEK suit. The stranger was inexplicably furious, leading Locke to wonder if they were encroaching his territory by accident. Regardless of their motives, Locke did not appreciate the sudden ambush.

In an attempt to protect Jay from the survivor's swift punches, he sandwiched himself between the two. He refrained from returning said punches, instead deflecting them with his arms and demanding the other survivor to relax. "Hey! What's your deal?"

"What's my deal?" the survivor hissed from behind his helmet's shining visor. "My deal is I don't trust any of you people! Not after last time!"

Locke was none the wiser about the survivor's accusations. He had never encountered this person before, let alone did them any harm justifying this explosive act of violence. He parried yet another sharp punch, dreading the moment where he may have to react violently. Jay herself appeared just as bewildered as Locke was, hiding behind his massive shadow while Locke did his best to subdue the irate survivor.

"Last time?" Locke echoed. "This is the first time I've ever met you!" He tried in vain to reason with the survivor, which earned him quite the fierce sucker punch to the head. By no means was he willing to return the favor, as he knew it'd end poorly.

"Always been a bunch of bullshitters!" The unknown survivor was undoubtedly angry, but Locke could sense fear behind his words and actions as well. Something must've happened in this man's past, driving him to behave in such a defensive manner.

Jay stepped in at last, the tremor in her voice betraying her anxiety. This survivor's attitude was bad enough to perturb even her! "We're just here to do some research, that's all. We have no idea who you are or what you're talking about."

"Research?" the survivor paused. "What the hell is there to learn about this place besides the fact everything wants to eat you alive?"

"You don't know?"

"No, I don't. Care to explain then, if you're so sure of yourselves?"

Now that the stranger was somewhat withdrawn, Locke seized the moment to hastily explain their current objective there in the bog, as well as the looming threat seizing control of the simulation. At the mention of Rockwell and the direness of the simulation's fate, the survivor seemed a little convinced of their honesty. He fell silent for a moment before he removed his helmet, revealing a gruff face and dark, unhappy eyes.

"I guess you're right," the survivor admitted, his tone still gruff and distrusting. "Something about the simulation just seems off. The fact no one else is guarding the place besides that one giant eel rubs me the wrong way."

"Because all the other AIs have been deactivated," Jay explained. "She was the only one clever enough to deactivate herself to avoid the same demise."

"Makes sense." The unknown man was nervously fiddling with his TEK gloves. "Call me Moss. Who are you two?"

Locke wasn't sure how to respond to his question. This survivor didn't know who he was? Such an occurrence was startingly rare, so much so that Locke found himself at a loss for words. He figured it was a topic for later, and so he briskly introduced himself, Jay, and their AI companions when the two came to join the party after hearing all the commotion.