Murder Drones: New Models

It had been five days of travel and five days of training since Izun and J left that taiga lake. Now their path was hemmed in by the stalks of colossal bamboo. They were so tall that, rumor had it, only a Disassembler taking flight could see the tops of the uncut trunks. Visually, it was the same as on Earth, yet with a distinct color palette. While the trunks were the usual green, the leaves were a blood-red. And if you looked hard enough in rare patches, you could find specimens with dark-blue stems. Although this variety stood out against the rest, it was tricky to find. It was morning, the sun just rising, as J continued forward, sipping an iced energizer from a bottle. Izun, meanwhile, darted through the bamboo forest behind the Disassembler, marveling at the giant stems. They were truly beautiful, standing in perfect ranks. Copper-9’s nature had really outdone itself. Any perfectionist would think they’d died and gone to heaven, seeing how neatly the bamboo grew in orderly rows. Emerging into a clearing, J peered into the distance and spotted a small village. A couple of seconds later, Izun was standing beside her. J: “Perfect. We’ll rest there. Right, Izun?” Izun: nodded enthusiastically Both drones set off toward it. --- Sector: The Plains Town of Grass Hamlet RCNC9 N paced back and forth outside the door to Uzi’s office. For the last ten days, he’d been deeply worried since that incident with V. She’d clearly misunderstood him, and might have spilled that nonsense to Uzi. Suddenly, the door slid open and the purple Worker stepped into the hallway. Uzi: “Oh! N? What are you doing here?” N: “Has V come to see you?!” Uzi: “Um. No. I haven’t seen her for like, ten days.” N: “Phew!” Uzi: “What’s going on?” N: “Oh, nothing! Nothing at all!” He turned on his heel and started walking away, visibly sweating coolant. But he hadn’t gone two steps before he stopped and turned back to Uzi. N: “Actually... I do have something to tell you!” Uzi: stepped closer “Huh?” N: “Remember that story about J’s son?” Uzi: “Yeah. You, by the way...” N: “Yeah, I know I never answered.” He sighed, a burst of static. “I can’t keep it a secret anymore. I don’t want to have secrets from you. So I’ll tell you everything.” Uzi: (He’s actually going to tell me?) “A-alright. Let’s go to my office.” --- Sector: Bamboo The moment our two drones entered the village, the locals noticed. Some began chattering excitedly amongst themselves. Then, two Worker drones stepped into their path. Worker #1: “Welcome to our village!” Worker #2: “Who are you?! Have you been sent to help us?! Finally!” J: “Help with what, exactly?” Izun: “We’re just, you know, wandering the world and training!” An elderly voice called out from ahead. An old Worker drone, judging by the brownish-red patina of her chassis, was making her way toward them, leaning on a cane. She was clearly of a very, very advanced age. Worker #1 & #2: “Mayor Ma’am! You shouldn’t! We’d have brought them to you!” Elderly Drone: “Oh, hush, you two. I can manage.” Worker #2: “But you’re...” Elderly Drone: “Old?! So what if I’m 133?!” Izun: “Whaaaaat?! How many?! But you are an old lady!” J: bonks Izun on the head “What she means is, you’re in your prime!” Elderly Drone: “Ah, well, maybe I did overdo it with the years, heh-heh! Drones haven’t even existed as long as I’m supposed to be, heh-heh. That’s old age for you... My name is Virginia. But you can call me Ginny.” J: “Alright. Miss Ginny, what’s going on? Why is everyone so happy to see us?” Virginia: “Well, you see, our village has a... Hmm. Young man?” Izun: “Me?” Virginia: “Yes. Could you please go help my grandson round up the Woolmech-ewes? He’s in the field at the edge of the village, where you came from.” Izun: “Ummmm...” J gave him a sharp nod. Izun: “You got it!” The purple drone turned and sprinted back the way they came. Virginia: sighs “He doesn’t need to hear this just yet. So. Our village has been plagued by a Bearmechazoid. And even for its kind, it’s a massive one. We’ve had them around before, but this particular one poses a grave danger to us all. It attacks without warning and devours our livestock and supplies. We tried to fight back, but it ended with several drones badly damaged. So, we sent out calls for help, asking for at least one Disassembler to be assigned to us. But apparently, the signals never got through. For two years now, we’ve lived in fear of it. We’re very fortunate you happened to pass by.” J: “I see. Well, I’ll help however I can. On one condition.” The two young Worker drones gulped audibly. J: “You let us stay the night?” The Workers let out a collective sigh of relief. Virginia: “You can stay with me.” J: “Good. Just one thing... Do you have a bathing pod?” Virginia: “Yes, of course. Make yourselves at home.” After that last question, the two young Workers practically bristled with excitement and scurried off behind a nearby house. Worker #1: rubbing his hands together “Oh boy, oh boy. Looks like we’re canceling all our plans for tonight.” Worker #2: “Aw, man! I don’t think I can. My partner’s on my case about the roof leaking. Gotta fix it or I’ll be sleeping outside.” Worker #1: “Relax! Just tell her you got called for sentry duty. Besides, we don’t get Disassemblers around here often, especially not female ones!” The second Worker made a gesture indicating he’d think about the proposal. ***INTERESTING FACT: J enjoys cold immersion baths. They cool her systems efficiently, and she simply loves the way they make her chassis sparkle and gleam. She became such an enthusiast for bathing at the dawn of the Warm Era. During the Frost Era, there was never time nor a safe place for it—their sole purpose was the constant hunt and cull of Worker drones. And in the Thaw Era, there was even less time, for there was war*** The field before the village Izun scanned the area and spotted a small drone with a blue visor running after black creatures covered in yellow fur, from which small tubes protruded, occasionally discharging fluids. The purple drone immediately set off after him. ??: "Where are you going, you stupid beasts?!" Izun ran up to him. Izun: "Hi! I'm Izun. Nice to meet you." ??: "Where did you come from?! Who are you?!" Izun: "I just told you. I'm Izun." ??: "No time for chit-chat! I have to get the Woolmech-ewes back to the pen!" The blue drone's energy seemed to fail him, and he stopped, dropping to his knees. ??: "Oh no! My grandma's gonna be so disappointed in me..." Izun: "Where do they need to go?" ??: "What's it to you?" Izun: "I want to help. It'll be easier together." He extended a hand. The boy on the ground looked at the purple drone and finally took the offered hand, pulling himself up. ??: "My name's Benji." Izun: "Nice to meet you. I'm Izun." Benji: "Yeah, I got that." Izun: "Alright then! Where to?!" Benji: "We need to herd them into that far pen." He pointed. Izun: "Got it." Benji: "But, man! They don't listen to me! If only I were stronger! I'd just pick 'em up and carry 'em in real quick." Izun: "Well, I can do that!" Benji: "Do what? Carry them?" Izun: Nods vigorously. Benji: Laughs. "You're such a dreamer! You seriously think you can do that?!" Izun: "Watch." Izun tore off toward the creatures and, with apparent ease, began dashing back and forth, scooping them up and depositing them in the pen. They could only bleat in protest in his arms. Once the task was done, Izun latched the gate shut. A moment later, Benji walked over to him, utterly stunned. Benji: "W-w-who are you?!" Izun: "For the fourth time. I'm Izun." Benji: "I mean, where did you get that kind of strength?! Only the grown-ups could lift those Woolmech-ewes! And you're... how old are you?" Izun: "I'm 8." Benji: "Hey! Me too! But like I said, you're as strong as the workers in the field. And they're, like, 22, 25." Izun: "Auntie J's been training me." Benji: "That Disassembler you came into the village with? I saw." Izun: "Yep, that's her." Benji: "Aww... I wish I could be as strong as you at 8. I'd use that strength to help work the fields." Their gazes drifted to the fields where adult Worker drones toiled. They dragged plows through the soil with obvious pain and exhaustion. Benji: "And then there's that cursed predator, destroying all our hard work..." Izun: "What predator?" Benji: "You don't know?" Izun: "Nope." Benji: "They'll probably send your auntie to deal with it. Grandma said kids aren't supposed to be told about this stuff, but when I grow up and get stronger, I'm gonna rid our village of it! But for now... wanna go look around?" Izun: "Sure, I don't mind. Let's go." --- Sector: The Plains Town of Grass Hamlet RCNC9 Uzi's Office The Worker sat across from the Disassembler in her office chair, clearly shocked by his story. N sat with his gaze averted. It wasn't even a particularly scandalous story, but his conscience simply hadn't allowed him to keep it secret any longer. Uzi: In shock. "But, N. Why did you keep this from me?" N: "I was scared to tell you. Plus, J would have been against it, and so was I." Uzi: Gets up from her chair and walks over to the Disassembler, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, N." She gives a small smile. "The main thing is that Izun doesn't find out. He might not literally pin you to a wall, but he'd be seriously hurt." N: Relaxes. "Heh. You're right. But now I have to sort things out with V." Uzi: "About V... that's my fault for sharing my worries with her. Guess she really came down hard on you." N: "Well, she didn't... oh, never mind. Looks like we both messed up today." Uzi: "Heh. Yeah." N: "We should... take a break." N stands up. Uzi: "In what sense...?" Before she could finish, the Disassembler's lips met hers and didn't let go for a long time. She immediately understood what N meant and realized they could indeed use a break. Their instinctive dance ended on the sofa. N leaned over her, dipping his head close. N: Whispers into her audio processor. "You're not against this kind of break, are you~?" Uzi: "Not at all~" They began their "break" with vigor. Only the fog outside the window, casting a pale grey light into the office, outlined their dark silhouettes. . . . . Their "break" lasted a full four hours, followed by another two hours of resting from their "break." N was the first to wake in the arms of his Worker. The fog outside the window still hadn't lifted, maintaining the same intimate atmosphere in the room. N kissed the sleeping Uzi on the forehead, causing her to stir. N: "Oops. Sorry for waking you." Uzi: "S'fine. Just... my throat's dry. Can you pass me the oil from the nightstand?" N: "Yeah, of course." N stretched toward the nightstand, but his hand couldn't quite reach the bottle. Trying to scoot closer, he accidentally put pressure on Uzi's knee. Uzi: Winces. "Ow! You're on my knee." N: "Hang on. Just a sec." At that moment, the office door opened without a knock. V walked in with a data pad and froze at the sight. Since the sofa faced away from the door, V saw N's head and shoulders straining as he leaned forward, with Uzi beneath him audibly groaning in what sounded like pain. Their clothes were scattered around the office, and the whole scene looked like a struggle or someone resisting a stronger opponent. V: "YOU! YOU FILTH! FORCING YOURSELF ON YOUR OWN WIFE NOW?!" V was about to charge at N, but remembering their conversation ten days prior, she hesitated. She quickly spun on her heel and fled down the hallway. Uzi: "N, hurry up!" N: "Oh! Right!" Grabbing the bottle, he slid off her knee and lay down beside her. Uzi: "What about V?" N: Lied. "Dunno. Let's rest a little more." Uzi: "Hmm." The Worker wriggled out from under the blanket and her beloved drone's embrace and, completely unclad, hurried to the door. She slid the lock shut with a click and turned back to N. Uzi: "So~? Rested up~?" N: "W-well, yeah, I guess." Uzi, with a predatory gleam in her optics, pounced on the Disassembler from across the room. Now N was the one on the bottom. Uzi: Licks her lips. "Ready for a rematch~?"