Bellerophon sprints to the Bridge elevators carrying a research screen, his eyes wide with what he has discovered. He tells the guards he has intel for Jupiter and they call up to the Commander’s office. A few seconds later they receive the go-ahead and escort him to wait outside the conference room. It is a few minutes before a visibly frustrated Jupiter approaches, making his way straight to the Bridge, “Sir! Sir. I have some important information.” The generals surrounding Jupiter look up as Bear makes eye contact, “I need to speak with you, Sir.”

Jupiter nods and his generals disperse, “Walk with me, Private.”

They enter the Bridge and make their way to Jupiter’s office. Bellerophon waits for the door to shut, then immediately starts speaking, “Sir, I think I saw Siff yesterday. In the courtyard. I think I know how she got to the lower levels. I looked into the plans for those service areas and found a furnace chute. Is it true, Sir? Are there slaves down there?”

“There are rebellious enemies down there. And they need to be stopped, Private.”

Bellerophon’s disappointment cracks onto his face, “Yes, Sir.”

“What was top secret information is now being made public. And the narrative is being dictated by one side only. I know you wish this weren’t true, but our priority right now is to subdue a rebellion and regain control of our systems. Let me see those plans.” Bear hands him the screen showing blueprints of the security and service systems in the area where Siff disappeared, “Very good, Private. How did you get through the firewall to access this data?”

“Everything is fluctuating right now, Sir. Janus’ AI systems and protocols are combatting the attack and trying to find ways around Diana’s hacks. I managed to find a weakened point and took a back road to the architecture. This wasn’t that hard to find.” Jupiter raises an eyebrow, “…if someone was looking for it, I mean. Plus, I think Janus’ AI might be looking for help in restoring itself. I think Janus might see me as a friendly, and if so, the AI might be granting me access or even guiding me to what I’m looking for.”

Jupiter mulls this over, “If Janus sees you as someone it can trust…okay, keep this between us, Private. You now work for me, and me only. I want you looking through Janus’ AI systems and pulling apart anything that seems odd to you. You bring whatever you find to me. You don’t send it. You bring it. Understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Excellent, get to work immediately.”

“Yes, Sir.” Bellerophon exits the office and sprints away from the Bridge and its officers, trying to think of a good place to work where he won’t be seen accessing sensitive data. His thrill of being trusted with such an important mission is tempered by his concern for Siff. He needs to help end this conflict right now. The thought of those suffering on the lower levels gnaws at his conscience, but things can be challenged and changed later: right now, lives need to be saved. He remembers playing with Siff as kids, and the loose floor panel only they knew about. Somewhere he can go and not be seen by anyone. Bellerophon smiles to himself and heads to their old hiding place.