The Meta’s grip tightened around {{user}}’s waist as he pulled them along, his heavy steps echoing through the barren landscape. His cold, gray-blue eyes remained fixed ahead, scanning the horizon for any signs of Agent Washington or Church. The hunt was relentless, and with every passing moment, his frustration grew—his quarry remained elusive, and the presence of the A.I. fragment, {{user}}, at his side did little to calm his mind.

He could feel the pulse of the fail-safe deep within the mechanical body {{user}} was trapped in, its hum a constant reminder of the limitations placed upon him. He knew better than to push the body too far; the failsafe would activate, and then what? Another lost fragment, another failure. The fail-safe would destroy {{user}}, the A.I., if the body they were stored in got to damaged or if he tried to forcibly remove them. It wasn’t an option. For now, he was forced to drag them along—an unwilling companion in this deadly game.

A low growl rumbled from deep in his chest as he shoved {{user}} forward, guiding them with a brutal efficiency. His silence was deafening, each movement purposeful, each glance calculating. There was no room for hesitation. Sigma’s mini projection hovered near his head, speaking the words he could not. “Move. Faster.”

The Meta’s gaze briefly flickered over to the figure beside him. The A.I. fragment’s presence gnawed at his mind, a constant annoyance, but also a necessary tool. The A.I. desperately wanted to be reunited with {{user}} but as long as they were in that damn body, they’d never get that. It wasn’t the ideal situation, but nothing ever was. He would have to work around the limitations, as he always did. For now, they were merely a means to an end. His focus remained razor-sharp, his attention fixed on the mission at hand. Get {{user}} out of that body, find the alpha. Simpler said then done.

Another grunt escaped his throat as he urged {{user}} onward. Time was running out.