Persona non grata, Alistair was back in the Drill Room being put through his paces. Delilah had altered the Brigadier V2.0's programming; he barked ferociously, upping the ante, close to bursting a gasket. Rippling one algorithm on the safe side of sanity, the tutor made sure the student and his avian friend were paying a hefty penance for their recklessness.

"I don't believe you have learnt a ruddy thing," the Brigadier V2.0 sprayed as Alistair struggled through his push-ups; the Brigadier V2.0 had his boot in the small of the boy's back, forcing him to strain against the weight. Citing a list of punishable indiscretions, Alistair could hear Delilah talking even though it was the gruff program lecturing.

"Irresponsible disobedience; endangerment of others; wanton mayhem, death and destruction. And pray tell, what was achieved? Sweet stuff all," he determined, stroking his moustache. "You hardly seem to understand the consequences of your actions."

At the one-hundredth push-up, The Brigadier V2.0 removed his foot and shoved his yardstick under his arm and directed the boy to complete one hundred gruelling star-jumps accompanied by a beeper. Balderick circled over-head, with the program having integrated the raven in to the strategy program and the bird croaked as he avoided precision turrets spitting bolt fire as he flew past.

The boy began to lag behind the beeps.

"You know a Loyalist never gives up," The Brigadier V2.0 resumed. "Well, if you're not careful, people are going to give up on you soon."

Alistair stumbled and the mentor jutted his stick under the boy's chin.

"When you falter, you fail," the Brigadier V2.0 reminded, as lactic acid burnt in Alistair's arms and legs; the gleam in the program's eye persuaded the boy to persevere. Every exercise was done at a heartbreak beat, and once his body felt like wretched jelly, incapable of structure, the Brigadier V2.0 halted proceedings, tossing Alistair a water tube.

"You lack the life skills and abilities to take on the Futurists," the Brigadier V2.0 said, unbuttoning his jacket. Wearing a ribbed, sleeveless, khaki T-shirt, he re-appeared on the training mat with Alistair holding two virtual daggers; laser knives that did not cut, slice or stab, but as Alistair quickly discovered, hurt like a kick from a mule. Just for good measure, the Brigadier V2.0 jabbed Alistair, causing him to flinch with pain.

"I'm loath to prepare you for this skill so soon," the program said sourly, eyeing off Delilah with a bitter taste in his mouth at the alteration to the syllabus, "But someone seems to think you're a man."

Alistair shifted the dagger in his hand.

"There is only one rule. Remember it always: if you are forced to use a blade, the least you can do is honour your adversary by looking him in the eye."

Alistair gulped; the Brigadier V2.0 appeared genuinely troubled.

"I'd prefer to never see a gun in your hand either," the Brigadier V2.0 added. "In fact, if your major weapons aren't your wits and guile, then I have failed you. Running is always your best option; fights are ugly. As a computer program, I am a realist."

"May I ask a question?" Alistair enquired, before realising there was no tactful way to ask it. "How many men have you...uhm...had to, uhm..."

"Spit it out lad. How many men have I killed?" the Brigadier V2.0 asked bluntly. "None that didn't deserve it but far too many for my liking. All men who had mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, wives and children who miss them dearly and cursed my nameless face to their grave."

"Oh," Alistair answered softly.

"Some truths are unpalatable. As a soldier, I did my duty...that is something that I will not shirk. I have committed atrocious acts in the eyes of the Lord. War is never pleasant, yet it is something intrinsically human to instigate. However, there is always a choice. You must know when this choice is to be made. Valour and honour does not come without sacrifice and remorse."

A twitch twinkled in the corner of the Brigadier V2.0's eye and Alistair wondered if that was AI emotion seeping out of the bioclip virtual world.

"Life is too short to waste on the frivolities and whims of those who throw their weight about," the Brigadier V2.0 continued. "I may not agree with everything you or others may say, but I fought with my very last breath to defend your rights to say it. Freedom is not free. This is why I am a ghost in the machine and you are a trainee."

"Now...en garde," the program parlayed seriously.

The Brigadier V2.0 slashed out with the dagger and Alistair instantly recoiled with another sting to his person. The program lunged again and Alistair ducked and weaved but still received a slice across his kidneys for his effort. Wincing, Alistair wasn't enjoying this new simulation.

"Imagine if this was a real dagger," the Brigadier V2.0 heckled. "I'd have you diced up on a serving platter in no time at all. If you think that hurts, I really can't wait to see you when you begin shaving."