Murder Drones: New Models

Uzi: Is it really you? J: Yep, it’s me. Why are you acting like you’ve seen a ghost? N: But… where have you been these past 9 years?! We thought something happened to you. J: To me? Something happened? Didn’t think you saw me as that weak. I’m actually a bit stronger than you, remember? Izun (thinking): What?! She’s stronger than my dad?! J: Looks like you two didn’t waste time. Your son’s already grown. Uzi (blushing): So what? J: I’m not judging. Well, except for the fact that he’s a Hybrid. I’ve got a son too—full Disassembly Drone. Uzi (smirking): Pfft! You?! A son?! I’ll never believe that! J (irritated): Quit laughing! I’m serious! He’s probably the same age as yours. And you said the same thing about V, but she had a daughter even before you did. Uzi: Wait… how do you know all this? J: What do you mean how? I live three streets away from you. Uzi: Seriously?! Then why haven’t we crossed paths once in nine years? J: Beats me. So… you gonna let me in? N: Oh—right! Come in. The Disassembly Drone stepped inside, walking past Uzi, who was holding Izun by the shoulders. J gave the boy a sideways glance. Uzi: Izun. Go to bed. Izun: Okay. He headed upstairs—but didn’t go to his room. Instead, he lay down on his stomach near the stairs, listening in. --- Kitchen Uzi: So… what brings you here? J: Just visiting. Uzi: With your proud personality, that’s… suspicious. Or at least weird. N: J, I know our relationship hasn’t changed much since we first landed on this planet… But maybe it’s time to let go of the past? We’ve known each other practically since the beginning of our lives—if you can call it that. And honestly, there’s no reason to be enemies anymore. --- Stairs Izun (thinking): Creepy lady. Her stare gave me chills. But Dad’s words are interesting… He realized this Disassembly Drone was someone his parents knew. But phrases like “since the beginning of our lives” and “when we first landed on this planet” raised big questions. --- Kitchen J: You know… First, you should’ve said that nine years ago. Second, I still don’t trust you—because of my suspicions about your connection to my son… N (visibly nervous): … J: And third… I don’t really care anymore. You’re right—we’ve got no reason to fight. But because of point two, I won’t fully trust you. Not until things are clear. Uzi: Hold on! N, what do you mean “connection to her son”? And why didn’t you tell me he existed?! N: Uzi, you’re misunderstanding! It’s a long story… Uzi: Then tell it! I’d LOVE to hear it! J: Me too, by the way. N: W-w-well… uh… Izun (from the stairs): ACHOO! N: What was that? Uzi: Something from the stairs. N: I’ll go check. The Disassembly Drone stood up and walked toward the stairs. N (thinking): Whew! Dodged that one. --- Stairs Izun (thinking): Crap! He quickly ran to his room and dove under the blanket. N reached the second floor, checked around, then peeked into Izun’s room. Seeing him in bed, he turned and headed back downstairs. Exactly what Izun wanted. He got up and returned to his spot on the stairs, watching the kitchen. --- Kitchen N sat back down. But the earlier tension between the Worker and the Disassembly Drone had faded. Uzi: So why now? J: Heard there was panic at your complex. Wanted to see what’s going on. Uzi: Makes sen— J (interrupting): At least, that’s what I thought two days ago. N: Why? J: It was night. I was flying over to your place—but it was late, and I didn’t want to wake you. Just as I turned to leave, a massive green light beam shot from your house. Huge power. I flew closer and saw your son collapsed in the backyard—completely exhausted. The ground was torn up. Since then, I’ve been watching him. Uzi: And you show up only now… I see. So—how do you like my invention? J: Wait—you made that?! Why the hell would you do that? Uzi: Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe I just wanted to prepare him for the outside world? J: What do you mean? N: Well… we suspected Izun might be… --- Stairs Izun: ACHOO! (Stupid dust!) --- Kitchen N (thinking): Knew it. J, let me whisper it to your audio processor. We’ve got extra listeners. J and Uzi seemed to understand. While N quietly explained everything to J, Uzi went to check the stairs. Izun ran back to his room. This time, the Worker Drone blocked his door with a cabinet. --- Uzi: So? N, did you fill J in? N: Yeah. J: Wow. That’s intense—even for me. I thought I was a harsh parent. But compared to you two, I’m a role model. So now you have to work around the clock? Uzi: Pretty much. J: Then I’ll watch him. Uzi and N: WHAT?! J: What? You think I’m not qualified? My own son’s his age. N: It’s just… strange that you volunteered. Uzi: We mean—are you really doing this out of kindness? J: Wrong guess. I was impressed by the power and the photon beam idea. I’m curious to keep an eye on him. Besides, you’ve got no choice. Tomorrow you’ll barely roll out of bed—and the babysitter’s already here. Isn’t that perfect? Uzi: But— N: We’ve got no choice, Uzi. We’ll have to trust J. Uzi: Fine. It’s bedtime anyway. J, if you want, you can stay the night. J: That’s sweet of you. Sure—why go far? ***INTERESTING FACT: In the early years after the war between Humans and Drones, J lived just a few streets away from her old acquaintances—but actively avoided crossing paths with them. Later, when she actually wanted to reconnect, her own habits got in the way. She couldn’t catch them anywhere. It’s almost unbelievable: J’s daily schedule was so precise and tightly structured, even if she tried to meet them, fate itself seemed to block the way. And this went on for nine whole years!*** Morning had come. The sun had just risen above the horizon, but the light was already as bright as midday. A thin mist still blanketed the town, hugging the ground in a soft, silvery veil. --- Izun’s Room Uzi: Izun. Time to wake up. Izun (groggily): Huh? Why so early? Uzi: Come on, up you get. Today marks the beginning of your new life. Izun instantly perked up and jumped out of bed. Uzi: Let’s go. Everyone’s waiting at the door. --- Outside Uzi: Here he is, J. I got him up. J: Perfect. You two can head to work—we’re leaving right now. N: Wait—leaving? Where to?! J: Wherever the wind takes us! Our little world tour won’t be long. Just… two years. Uzi, N, and Izun: TWO YEARS?! N: J-J-J, you’re joking, right? J: Not even a little. Uzi: J! What the heck kind of trip?! Two years?! J: Let the kid see the world. And while we’re at it, I’ll teach him a few things that might help him survive the future. Uzi: But…! N: Actually, I think it’s a good idea. Uzi: What?! N: Think about it—we’ll finally be able to focus completely on work. Uzi: I don’t know… it just feels— N: Don’t worry. I’ve known J a long time. She doesn’t say things she doesn’t mean. Uzi: Fine! But if anything happens to him…! J: Yeah, yeah. Got it. Uzi: By the way—what about your son? J: He’s trained enough to live without me. He’ll be fine. N: Uzi! We’re late! Uzi: All right, let’s go, N. Bye, sweetie—see you in two years. Uzi climbed onto N’s back, and they flew off toward the complex. Izun stood frozen, completely stunned, with no idea what to expect next. J: Well, kid. Let’s go. Izun: Go… where?! J: I already told you. Wherever our eyes lead us! End of Part 1