Cortex: Prelude: Dita Seventeen

[Kajin]

Dita seems momentarily taken aback by the sudden change, but then again who wouldn't be? It takes a moment before Dita manages to shift back into gear and notices she needs to be doing something.

"Alright then... Bye!" Dita says as she makes a break for her Father's office door.

[FreakyBoy]

Dita thinks she might have heard a buzz from somewhere inside the office before she enters, but when she steps in there's no sign of what may have been occupying Father's time. He looks up as she enters, and smiles. "Hello Dita. Have a seat. You wanted to talk about something?"

[Kajin]

"Aren't you the one who wanted to see me?" Dita asks, confused. "Computer told me that you wanted to see me."

Dita is really confused at this. Up until than she'd been led to believe that her Father was finally going to consider whether or not to let her take an extended trip outside to see the world, instead of a guided trip where she was constantly under surveillance. It's all she's ever really wanted.

[FreakyBoy]

Father frowns. "I see." He leans back. "I'm sorry dear, I wish I had time to just chit-chat, but if you didn't have anything you wanted to discuss, I really do have to get back to work. And have a talk with Computer, it seems."

[Kajin]

"Okay... Bye-bye, Father."

Dita is quiet. She's quiet when she leaves the office. She's quiet when she heads back down the halls towards her room. She's quiet when she shuts the door and she's quiet when she starts changing out of her clothing. She's confused, but she's also a little sad. She wanted to see her Papa, but it turns out he didn't want to see her. She wants to know what happened, but she just doesn't feel like talking right now, so she doesn't ask.

[FreakyBoy]

"That was really stupid, Dita," Computer chides as she comes into the room. "You wanted a chance to convince your father you were grown up, and you acted like a little girl."

[Kajin]

"What should I have done, Computer? I thought Father wanted to speak to me, but I was wrong..." Dita mutters somewhat dejectedly.

[FreakyBoy]

"But you wanted to speak to him, didn't you dear?" Computer asks in that 'I know I'm right' tone it gets sometimes. "Little girls don't get to go out and see the world. They don't leave home without Father. They also don't ask for what they want unless they have permission to ask."

A pause. "You father's next appointment isn't for another forty minutes. You could still go act like a grown-up."

[Kajin]

A look of determination not commonly seen falls over Dita's face as she comes to a decision. Turning on her heel, she heads back down the halls and corridors all the way to her Father's office. Not even bothering with Creepy Smiles, Dita walks straight through the door into the office of her Father.

"Papa, I want to speak with you!"

[FreakyBoy]

Father is on the phone when Dita enters - she doesn't recognise the man on the screen. He holds up a finger to the screen. "Just a moment, Frank." He presses a button and the image freezes, and then he turns towards Dita. "You look serious, Dita. What's on your mind?"

[Kajin]

Dita takes a second to compose herself and comes to the realization that she has no idea what she wants to say for a second. After a little bit of thought, she figures out what she wants to say.

"Papa, I want to go out and see the world! I think... No, I believe that I can handle it!" Dita looks firmly into her Father's eyes to let him know that she's very serious.

[FreakyBoy]

Father sighs. "Dita, we've been over this. The world isn't ready for girls like you. You need to stay here, where we can monitor your systems and keep you safe."

[Kajin]

"I'm a big girl now, Papa! I can take care of myself, now. I'm old enough and strong enough and responsible enough to be able to handle the outside!" Dita responds, clenching her fists in determination. "I'm ready. Please, let me do this."

[FreakyBoy]

Suddenly, the screen unfreezes. "Sorry to cut in, Pete. Just can't help myself, you know?" Dita doesn't recognise the man on the other end, whom Father called 'Frank'. Father looks at the screen - no one else could tell, but Dita can see he's slightly surprised.

"The kid's well past prototype," Frank continues, looking serious. "She's due a test run, and we could use a good field op with that sort of hardware. Let her join my team; I'll look after her."

Father thinks about it, then turns an expressionless face towards Dita. "What do you think, Dita?"

[Kajin]

"A team?" Dita cocks her head quizzically. "A team of what? What for?"