Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Murder drones, sent by our parent company, JcJenson to eliminate us, runaway ai.” 

“We been trapped behind the compounds of these 3 doors. To remain safe and guarded… but, how long would that LAST? Last week, an outpost’s door malfunctioned, which led to the death of many…” One of the presenters said with much annoyance at the beginning.

“Which is why, we made a freaking hell awesome railgun.” They took out a blue-pink neon traced rail gun behind them and hold it up to show the class. It made the students startled at the sight of it.

”Worry not, it’s not gonna work anytime soon. SOON.” 

The teacher sighed and rolled his eyes. “Valeria and Nathaniel… this was supposed to be a presentation about space.” He tapped his desk in disapproval. “And, I don’t think that railgun is supposed to be that color.” 

The railgun turned from blue-pink to red almost immediately. And then, it kaboom. 

Cough cough… 

“You two go to the medical bay. AND then, go to the principal office.” The teacher said with not anger, but just pure boredom.

“UGH. This sucks so bad.” Valeria said as she rose up from her seat.

“Mom’s gonna kill us…” Nathaniel said, as he hold a pack of ice towards the bandaged area.

“No, not that. The railgun.” Valeria pointed towards the railgun, which had fumes coming out. 

“Yeah… but, don’t you think is just-.” Nathaniel voiced with concerns.

“After all those days of building this railgun, you gonna give up on even trying to fight back against those murder drones?” Valeria was filled with anger. 

“N-no, is just that… never mind.” Nathaniel stopped what he was gonna say. 

Then, two drones came walking pass the door. 

“Ugh, that explosion didn’t kill the nerd?” They began to laugh as if it was even funny in the first place. Then, they trotted off somewhere.

”Those little-.” Valeria was gonna storm off to beat dumb out of them. But, her brother stopped her from doing so, giving her the, ‘Please don’t.’ 

“Fine.” Valeria tapped her foot on the floor in annoyance.

”Alright you two, go to the principal office.” The nurse told them.

”Oh, I am so sorry about my children’s behavior.” Their mother told them.

“This is the 10th times now that they did something stupid, Carla.” Especially making a railgun, like, seriously, we are safe behind the 3 doors.” The principal voiced out, “And as for you two, I will give you a warning this time again.”

”Aw, thank you Charles. We will be going now.” Their mother said with sincerity.

They walked out of the principal office, which, their mother gave the two a big ol’ scolding. And now, they’re grounded.

“Ugh, unfair. WHY MOM.” Valeria was arguing with her mother.

”You TWO have been nothing but pure gremlins. Please, for the sake of your dear mother, be normal for once.” Carla said.

But, Valeria was hearing nothing of it, and walked off storming towards her room. 

“COME BACK HERE YOUNG LADY.” 

Nathaniel was sitting in the kitchen’s seat. Just contemplating. However he got up, and went to check in with his sister.

”Oh hold it right there young man, you also, need a proper scolding.” Carla was having none of it now, as she stomp her foot on the floor.

Nathaniel, on his part, didn’t hear any of it, and continued onwards. His body, on the other hand, was fidgeting as he walked. 

‘God, these kids… what would you have done… if you were still around…’ she thought as she went to the kitchen. 

“Valeria, do you think this is a good plan? I mean, I am  it doubtful… but… you know it’s dangerous.” Nathaniel voiced his concerns.

”Yeah, yeah. You gotta do what you gotta do. We gonna prove to them that we can fight back.” Valeria said as she throw the railgun at him.

“B-.”

“We can fight an energy source for this freaking rail gun outside. If… we’re lucky.” Valeria sat on her bed, making vigorous hand motions.

Knock knock*

“Look, I know it… had been difficult ever since… that event unfolded…” Carla sighed as she tried to find the right words. “Let… just…” As she thought for the right words to say, digital tears were beginning to show on her visor. A low sniff and gasp was heard from her.

Nathaniel came out of Valeria’s room.

“Mom… it’s okay…” he hugged her. Trying his best to comfort her.

The air was filled with silence. Only a low sniff came from Carla. Her visor was filled with tears before, now, they were gone…”

“Ju-just promise me… you two aren’t going to do anything stupid… alright?” Carla broken off from his hug, as she made her way towards the living room. Nathaniel nodded as he made his way back to V’s room.

V was now lying on her bed, her arms were covering her visor. “Mother’s alright?” 

“Y-yeah. Look, I don’t really wanna to… you know. Judge your plan, but, can’t we just-.” He was cut off by Valeria saying something.

“HIDE behind the doors? No… while I care for Mother… we have to fight… and… I am not changing the plans. I don’t care if you’re not coming or not.” V was now crossing her arms while she laid on the bed.

Nathaniel didn’t say anything. His fingers was  moving around anxiously, trying to find his words…

“You know what… I am going to sleep. Tomorrow, I am going outside. Whether you like it or not. Now, get out of my room.” V said the last part in a annoyed tone. Her visor now read, ‘Sleep Mode.’ 

Nathaniel nodded at his sister request and walked outside of her room. Closing the door behind him.

“Did Valeria atleast listened?” Carla asked from the chair of the living room. Her eyes was glued on the ceilings.

Nathaniel remained quiet as he walked towards his room. When he was at his room’s front door, “Sh-she did.” Then, he entered his room.

“Dear…” Carla muttered.

*BEEP BEEP BEEP* 

Valeria slapped her visor. As the time shown on her visor disappeared and replaced by her digital eyes.

“Bout time.” She muttered. As she got ready to go outside and beat some murder butts. She grabbed the failing from the side of her bed. And  slowly went out of her room. 

She quietly walked over to the front door. As she made her way there, she grabbed a knife from the kitchen’s table.

“H-hey Valeria… Ca-can I come too?” Nathaniel whispered loud enough for her to hear.

“I thought you didn’t want to come, scaredy cat.” She whispered back at him. She gave a shrug as she went out of the house type apartment thingy. 

Nathaniel quietly ran over to catch up to her. 

They were in a cold, frozen hall way. As they walked towards the front gate type door thingy panel. 

“Hey, if isn’t the rebellious twins. What are you two doing here?” One drone asked sitting at a table with 3 other drones with them. On all of their jackets, it had a, “WDF,” band on their forearm.

”Tell our mother about  this… and you’re gonna a broken servo…” V threatened them as she made her way towards the panel. While Nathaniel was trailing behind her, holding the railgun tightly. 

The first of 3 gate type doors opened up. Revealing another door behind it. Some air flew inside, as it made the cards on the take fly away. 

“Aw mannnn. I was gonna win.” The other said.

Valeria rolled her eyes as she continued onwards. Nathaniel apologized before walking to Valeria.

It was cold. The breeze from the outside was blowing on their cases. While drones don’t feel the same sensations as Humans, as they posses an internal heating system, they still felt some kinda of coldness. 

The two began to trot towards the big spire at the entrance of the bunker’s door. They walked past many broken cars, worker drones’ parts, and snow piles. 

Nathaniel was gripping the railgun very hard. His head was moving side to side, witnessing the surroundings. Broken…

Valeria on the other hand, was holding the knife close to her. Moving her eyes side to side. 

They were inside of the spire… made out of worker drones parts… 

Valeria began to walk around a bit. While Nathaniel followed her footsteps. He was still fidgeting. 

Nathaniel stepped on something… it was… a worker drone’s damaged head… he jumped and was about to scream, until his sister used her hand to cover his mouth. She quickly shake her hands vigorously.

”S-sorry.” Nathaniel whispered to her.

They continued to explore the spire a bit more. Then, Nathaniel found something glowing… he picked it up, and it was some kind of blue battery energy source. 

He inspected it closely, holding the object close to his digital eyes. Valeria was next to him, checking the object he found. Before a clash was heard behind them. 

Valeria quickly grabbed her brother’s arm and ducked them behind some rubbles. She then grabbed a broken glass and hold it up to her head. It was drinking from it, then it threw the head to the floor. Crawling around the space pod.

Nathaniel was still inspecting it, but, Valeria told him to put it in the railgun, whether it was safe or not. He complied. 

The murder drone then turned it gaze towards the rubble. Valeria’s now had stressed lines under her eyes. As the murder drones visor now turned into a big X. 

Suddenly, it lunges towards the rubble. Causing both the pair to jump in response from it lunging towards them. 

The murder drone then lunges towards Valeria. Using its tail to try and stab her, but she blocked it by using her hand. Nathaniel, was struggling to place to keep hold of the battery, as it was slipping from his hand, but then he finally got it, and placed it inside of the railgun. 

He then looked up from the railgun, and saw that Valeria was getting thrown around. 

The murder drone quickly switched to a submachine gun. It began to shoot at Valeria, as she ran. Dodging the incoming bullets. Then it changed into claw mode, it was going to lunge at her again.

Valeria steadied herself before the murder drone lunges back her, she dodged, and managed to get a good stab on it from behind, but to no avail, as it used it tail to wrap wounds Valeria’s chest and threw her towards a wall of worker drones’s parts. 

Stressed lines appeared under her eyes. Her knife was thrown away from her. She was… defenseless now… this was…

“Biscuits!” Nathaniel shouted as the railgun shot at the murder’s drone head. A bursts of blue green neon lights appeared in a single ray towards the murder drone, it head was, “disintegrated.” 

Nathaniel gasped at the sight of it. But, he then, ran towards Valeria asking her if she was alright. 

She was hyperventilating. Her breathing was unsteadied. It was… almost….

“Y-yeah, I am fine.” Valeria blinked twice. Then she looked at the railgun. It now displayed a UI, which says, ‘7 minutes.’ 

Then, the murder drones head generated. Its vision was… unstable to say the least. Glitches appeared once in a while. It displayed the two worker drones as black figures.

Nathaniel jumped a bit. Valeria quickly grabbed a worker drone’s arm and slapped it. 

“Ow. Was that really necessary? Liek slapping my face with an arm.” It said to them.

”Holy biscuits, it can talk…?” Nathaniel said.

It was blabbing about something regarding the talk part, but, it then asked them, “Hey… are you two new to the squad?” It was squinting at them, one of their finger was rubbing the bottom of their head. “You two… seem short to be disassembly drones…”   

It vision was still showing them as black figures. “Well… My name’s Serial Designation U. Nice to meet you two.” U gave a quick salute to them.

“If you mess with me… I will make you pay…” U said with not much confidence around that, just… a scared tone. “A-Anyways, I am the… second leader of the squad… uhm.”

There was silence. Nathaniel was going to speak up, but was quickly dragged by Valeria on the shoulder. 

As she was dragging him a bit, she suddenly clutched the hand that U stabbed before. It was melting an away some of her hand.

Nathaniel quickly went to her side, making sure she was alright. 

“Stung yourself? You can just use your saliva in your mouth. Our saliva can neutralizes the nanites.” U said from behind them.

Valeria blinked a bit, her eyes were moving from side to side. 

“By that… you mean… Disassembly drones.” Both Nathaniel and U said the last part in unison. 

“Right… I guess. We can go to that space pod thing.” Valeria suggested as she clutch her stabbed hand.

Valeria then quickly took out her hand out of U’s mouth. As her hand was now drooping down saliva. 

“Uh.” U said.

Next to Valeria, Nathaniel was looking around the inside of the pod. 

“You also kinda mentioned… other members of your squad?” Nathaniel asked anxiously.

“And,” Valeria asked, “are they coming back?”

“Ah, well, yes. Just two others, technically for now.” U said to them.

“One of them is… L, she’s, well, sadistic? No, uhm, she’s nice when she wants to… but… she’s always sadistic and mean. To me.” U said the last part in a low voice. Then, she began to explain a bit.

U’s memories: 

L is shown to have a worker drone’s arm in her mouth, as she used her claws to 3 worker drones in front of her. 

“Wa-wuat I have a fam-.” A claw went through their visor, shattering it into pieces. 

L then spit out the worker drone’s arm from her mouth. “Eh, not my problem.” 

She then began to drink the oil that was on the floor and from the worker drone’s bodies.

Behind her, stood U. Her peg like legs were fidgeting as she made her way towards L. 

“What do you want? Can’t you see what  I am trying to do?” L hissed at U. 

“Ye-yeah. Uhm, I was just wondering if you, needed help?” U gave out a… uhm… dumb question. 

“Hah, help out? You are really dumb.” L retorted. 
“Now, you ruined my dinner.” Then a pair of wings retracted fast, as she flew off. 

“Uhh, cya later?” U said from the ground.

“Yeah, uhm, there’s that.” U said nervously. “Oh right, uhm. Oh yeah, the third member, T. He’s kinda… the leader of our squad. Many disassembly drone kinda look up to him… like an unofficial second leader of their own squads?

U’s memories:

On a ledge on top of a tall abandoned, broken building. Sat T, he was holding a worker drone’s head, staring at the severed head. 

Behind him, landed U. “I knew I find you here, T.” Her voice had a bit of worry. 

He didn’t say anything, but stood up and tossed her the severed head. Before revealing his wings. “Drinks the oil… I gonna… head off a bit.” 

Before she could say anything, he quickly flew off somewhere. She raised her eye brows and blinked a bit.

“Yeah… that’s that… he’s been acting a bit more differently than before. Well, he was Liek that before, but now… he just… different.” U couldn’t find the correct words to describe T’s new behavior.

A Loud thud came crashing down. A second later another. “Oh, that must be them. Let’s gre- oh.” U began to look around the pod. 

She then went outside the pod.

”Hey T.” She waved at him, he kinda waved back. “Where’s L?” 

“She’s outside the spire. Scouting the surrounding.” His voice was a mixed of tiredness and sorrow. “Either way, you haven’t been fighting the others have you?” He took one glance around the spire, it was much more messier than before. 

“No, why would I fight those idiots again?” She said. “And also, stop acting like you’re my big brother or something.”

Before T could respond, U was suddenly smacked in the head. Causing her visor to have a big hold, ‘Rebooting,’ moment. 

T gave a sigh, before turning to L, who was giggling a bit. “Instigating another again?”

“Half right. There were two worker drones outside. They are currently heading back to their little bunker. And this idiot probably lost to them. How weak.” L said. 

U finished up rebooting, as her point of view was filled with memories of meeting there worker drones.

”Oh… crap… I-may or may have not been an idiot and left- an… deadly weapon outside. Be right back.” U then rushed outside the spire. 

“Idiot.” L shouted a bit. As her tail swung around near her hips.

“BITE ME!” U shouted back as she made a dash towards the supposed, ‘deadly weapon.’

T stared at U from a distant, as his eyes were filled with tiredness. 

“Coming or what?” L elbowed him, as she made her way towards the spire archway. “It will be a meal, you know. And also see if U gotten better.” 

For his part, he didn’t speak, as he stood watching, before glancing at the sky. 

L shrugged as she walked away from T. As she hummed and her tail swung happily.

Valeria and Nathaniel ran their way towards the bunker doors. 

The door opened up, revealing the WDF drones playing cards still. The wind blew the cards away.

“Hey, I was abo-.” They were quickly cut off when Valeria made another threat to them. 

Nathaniel quickly tapped the card on the control panel, desperately trying to close the door, before the murder drones can come in. 

The door slowly closed itself. The siblings gave a relieved sigh, before a claw stopped it from closing…

”Well… you two aren’t escaping…” U expressed in an almost sadistic tone. “By the way, is that UNO?” 

They shook their heads. One of them said it was checkers.

“Heh. Worse. Time… to… die…” U’s tail then came in, it aimed at what seemed to be Nathaniel.

Then it strike… he closed his eyes as it strike… but… nothing happened… he quickly opened his eyes and jumped away. Then, his eyes grew bigger as stress lines appeared.

The control panel was broken… along with the card… 

Then all 3 of the bunker doors began to open slowly. Sirens were being sound in the hallway leading to doors. The surrounding became red…

”Ah, finally…” U said. Her tail retracted from stabbing the control panel. It began to swing hastily as she walked slowly inside.

The worker drones all began to scramble off… 

“Wait- wait- I got a-.” Their head was instantly sent flying off by U’s claws smacking them.

Valeria, Nathaniel, and a random WDF drone were running away. As they ran, Nathaniel looked back in horror, as the WDF drones fell one by one. 

There was an another drone that was running beside the two siblings. 

“H-hey, I-i know it’s not the good time b-.” Their body instantly came to a crash, as their head began to fume from the hole that it had…

Nathaniel’s oil was rushing inside… the pure… slaughter… the killing… he was gonna faint from it…

Valeria looked behind, as saw U was drinking o ur of a headless drone’s body… her eyes  dilated…  

Nathaniel was now gripping the railgun in his hands. It displayed 2 more minutes before it fully recharged. 

However he was then lunged at and stabbed through the shoulder, and was now pinned on the wall, as U put a claw on his chin.

The railgun was thrown away from his hands and landed next to Valeria, who now has stress lines on her eyes… 

One of U’s eyes returned to a big dot, as the other eye was a X.

“Look buddy, I am sorry… for you… and your sister… but… I have to do this. I won’t let you use that… weapon against my… squad… my family…” She whispered the last part, as her voice was filled with bitterness and sadness. 

“D-drop my brother!” Valeria screamed as she aimed the Railgun at U. It’s color was back to normal, as it was fully recharged.

The air was tense and silence. Only the sounds of the ventilation system was being heard… 

“VALERIA! What are you-.” Carla’s eyes dilated as she saw the situation. “Nathaniel… no… what have you two done…” 

She was behind Valeria, about 5 ft away from her. Valeria turned her head around…

“Mom… get back… I-i am trying to save Nathaniel… I-i don’t want you to get in the way.” Valeria began to stutter a bit.

why… why… did this happened…? 

Valeria’s hands were shaking as she aimed the railgun… 

U could hear the oil in Valeria’s body… it was rushing… 

As Valeria turned her gaze back to the disassembly drone and the pinned Nathaniel, Carla’s shaking hand began to move behind her.

”R-releas-.” Valeria’s words were cut off as the the door suddenly slammed closed… 

Only leaving the railgun to drop on the floor… 

The hallways were still cold… the wall were still  frozen… Valeria’s voice was the only thing that could be heard…

“MOM!” Valeria shouted at her mother, as she was being dragged away. “N-Nathaniel needs-.”

Carla didn’t speak. She just ran as she dragged Valeria with her. 

‘This… cruel… world…’ was the only thing that was on Carla’s mind… 

Chapter Text

“ANSWER ME MOTHER! WHY!.” She shouted at her mother many times as she was being dragged by her. 

Carla, on her part, remained silent for the whole drag session. Her head was down, as many drones were glancing at them. Some classmates of Valeria and Nathaniel, were whispering to each other. 

Valeria turned her head towards them and gave a nasty death glare. 

Many flinched at the sight of the glare that she gave, while others… laughed in behind their hands covering their mouth. 

One thing was for certain… she was going to deal with the later… as of now, her mind was a mess after that… event…

Valeria forcefully un gripped her mother’s hand from hers, as she made another comment about why did she left Nathaniel to die…

Carla gave out a sigh. “You… will understand… for now… your behavior when I dragged you back home, was unacceptable young lady.” Her voice was now filled with anger and disappointment as she said the last part. “You’re grounded for the whole week after that little stunt you did…” 

Valeria’s hand was now twitching, as it now turned into a fist. “UNDERSTAND?! After you LEFT Nathaniel to DIE?!” 

Carla was now getting more annoyed by the moment. She placed her hand on her visor and let out a long sigh. 

Before she could respond, Valeria slammed her room’s door.

Then, she received a notification on her phone… a message. 

Dear Carla, 

We will be holding a meeting about recent events that’s been going on. Please attend this meeting. 

From: The Council Messenger

‘Can this get any worse…’ She thought tiredly.

”Alright young lady, we will be having a discussion later on. I will be out for a few hours. And, remember, you’re grounded.” She said.

Nathaniel was sitting on the ground as U was standing in-front of him. 

“Why… d-didn’t you killed me?” Nathaniel asked.

U was going to respond, but, was interrupted by another voice from behind. 

“Hm? Looks like the bum is finally useful. I’m impressed that you were able to break in.” L was clapping her hands as she walked inside the first hall of the door.

Upon hearing who’s here, U’s tail quickly wrapped around Nathaniel’s waist and threw him besides the railgun that was behind some boxes.

”Ye-yeah. I, also dealt with the weapon.” She lied. 

“Uh-huh. Anyways,” L began to look around, glancing at every nook and cranny. “Hmm, looks like this Outpost doesn't have any ventilation system. Smart move.” 

L walked beside U and gave a slap in the back. Before turning back and walking towards the exit. “Well, since I can’t get inside, I might as well leave…” Then she stopped mid track, as she turned her back towards U again, which startled U. 

“I am also sensing another drone nearby… perhaps… you know?” L pointed her finger towards U, and then, she made the, ‘I got an idea,’ pose.

”N-no, I think, they’re behind the door.” Another lie she made up on the spot. One of her eyes secretly moved where Nathaniel was. 

“Hmm, if you say so,” L began to turned her back again, and walked off. 

U let out a long sigh. She made her way towards Nathaniel and held a hand for him. 

Nathaniel was skeptical, as his hands were trembling. He slowly began to raise his arm and grab U’s hand. 

“I-I guess t-thank you?” 

Without a word, U began to walk off. 

Nathaniel looked at her for a moment, before deciding to grab the railgun and sprinted beside her.

U stopped in her tracks, and glanced at Nathaniel. “And why are you following me? I am a murder drone after all.” She said. “I can kill you any moment…” 

Nathaniel gave her a nervous and scared look, “W-well, you didn’t k-kill me when you h-had the chance.” 

He was right… why did she left him alive…?

U began to walk again, as Nathaniel walked behind her… gripping the railgun closely to his chest…

Chapter Text

Somewhere in the bunker, there was a classified room, where politics were to be made in there. 

Carla made her way towards her seat at the center of the room, where, a circular table was situated. 

The were other drone sat near the table, which were:

Jameson, Chief of the energy department;

Larry, one of the oldest drones in the outpost;

Sarah, head of the health and nursery department;

Cathy, director of the recycling field, the youngest out of the group;

lastly there was, Carla, now leader of the defensive force, or the WDF. 

“Alright, we are having a meeting due to… unexpected events… and… what happened today.”  Larry said in a sternly manner. “Firstly, let’s start off with today…” He glanced at Carla, who rolled her eyes. 

She gave a long sigh, before answering back, “Yes… about my daughter… I apologize for her behavior…” 

“Not just that, what she did today, was… a danger us all. Building a goddamn rail gun and using it? What kind of child did you even raised?” Jameson spoke out. His eyes never leaving the table, as he slammed the table lightly.

“Chill out, I mean, it’s dangerous, I get that. But, I think it’s very exciting that 2 children were able to build a railgun.” Cathy joined in, she swirled her fingers. “Also, I’m sorry about your son…” 

“Alright, alright, let’s get to the real talk.” Sarah pointed out that they were gonna get off topic. “Firstly, let’s talk about Valeria and Nathaniel’s actions.” 

Larry tapped the table to get everyone’s attention, well, not Carla’s: as she was looking at the ceiling.

“Carla, I am sorry to do this, but… we might have to give a punishment. Even a severe one…” 

“WHAT!?” This got her to snapped at the older drone. 

“You heard the old man.” Sarah told, as she was tapping her fingers on the table. “What she and Nathaniel done was unacceptable. Not only did they made a hazardous weapon, but also, almost let some murder drones in.”

“Even then, I don’t think a punishment would be necessary, not even a severe one…” Carla was fuming from the inside. “I can-.” 

“No,” Larry slowly sat on his chair, “I know this is difficult with your… family crumbling a bit… but, you got to learn, I learned that the hard way.” He then began to pick his fake mustache. 

“Larry’s right. Someone who breaks several violations of the outpost shall receive justice.” Jameson pointed out. “You’re like Maven, selfish and ignorable to others.” 

At the last comment that Jameson gave, Carla lost it. A angry vein appeared on her visor… 

She picked him up from the collar and was about to strike him, before Cathy stopped her. 

“Chill out, I know it was a horrible comment to say about one’s deceased love one, but, you got to chill.” 

Carla reluctantly let go of Jameson, as he dropped on the floor. 

“Don’t you make a comment about MY husband again…” She had an angry tone, a snappy, but also, deadly one. 

She slowly returned to her chair and sat down. A fist was formed, as she slammed it onto the table, shaking it. 

“And that’s why you should never mess with a grieving mother…” Sarah muttered.

”As what I was saying… punishment. I think is best to… banish her, for our own sake…” Larry suggested. “I know this is difficult, Carla, but… this is a learning process, not just for you, but also Valeria.”

Carla remained silent. The pinkish purple vein never left her visor.

“I agree with that suggestion.”  Sarah said. “Since, from what I seen and heard, she can be a bit tough and… some actions might get a little ugly.” 

Everybody nodded except for Carla, who had her head down. 

“Alright, I think the majority of the vote as been casted. Banishment it is…” Larry said out loud. “I’m sorry Carla, but… this will be the only way.” He tried his best to reassured Carla.

”ONLY WAY?! YOU THINK I GONNA BANISH MY DAUGHTER FOR A STUPID HEROIC ACTION?!” This made her snapped even more than before. She was fuming more and more as she suddenly slammed the table, snapping it in half. 

All the drones looked at with big hollow eyes. Except for Larry, who remained how he was…

Jameson was gonna make a comment but was stopped by Cathy who placed her finger in a, ‘Be quiet,’ motion. 

“Carla, please under-.” 

“Understand?! Listen up old gramps, the only reason why, your little ass here, at this singular point of time, was BECAUSE, my husband saved you!” She gave a fist in-front of Larry’s face. 

One singular digital drop of sweat was shown… Larry’s hand began to shake uncontrollably. “Yes, I am still grateful for his action… but…” he tried to find his words, as he was nervous and anxious. “Let’s… move her banishment till… next week alright?” 

Without saying a word, Carla stormed out of the room, slamming the door, as if bent a bit. 

Larry was breathing unevenly as he knelt Ont he floor… 

Jameson came next to his side to make sure he’s alright. Sarah was standing behind him, monitoring his well being. Whilst Cathy was checking the damage that Carla had done. 

“Well… that went how exactly how I imaged it going to be. Anyways, still need to discuss about the 3rd door being opened.” Sarah sighed. 

Chapter Text

Carla slammed the front door as she entered the house. The door handle was bend slightly, as she murmured multiple lines.

She grumbled a bit, as she made her way towards the kitchen. She grabbed a cup and a bottle of fermented oil from the cabinets.

She poured the oil into the cup and began to drink. A few oil leaked out of her mouth, as it began to drop down the floor. 

She wiped her mouth as she poured another drink into the cup, as she made her way towards the dinner table. 

She took a seat on the dinner table.

She was a complete mess after that… ordeal. As she took another sip, her eyes glanced around the room. 

Her eyes then landed on one picture… it had 4 people in it… one of the face was covered in black ink.

And around the picture, there were supposed to be more by the outlines left, but… now it was just vacant and… barren a bit.

She bore tired eyes, as she began to muttered something, before placing her head on the table…

“Ugh. If mother’s like this, then I will do it myself…” V muttered as she crawled through the ventilation system. 

It smells kinda clean, except, there were many dust, it was sticking to her frame, as she try to get it off her.

She heard many chit chats from people. Including, her classmates making fun of her and Nathaniel.

She thought about jumping out front the ventilation system and teaching them a lesson, but, she refrained from that… for now…

During this whole crawling session, she had a worried face. The pink eye drone didn’t know if Nathaniel was alive or not…

She just knew, if he was dead… then she would rain hell upon the murder drones… 

Beneath the ventilation system, there were many thud sounds. 

“Did you hear that?” A drone called out of fear. Their legs were shaking, as they glanced around. “I t-think there’s a… a creature in The vents…” 

The other drones that were with them, all stared at him, like he’s nuts. 

“We didn’t hear anything. You must be on the magnets again.” One of the joke around, as he flail their arms to mean something. 

“N_-no, I s-.” He was interrupted by a louder thud from the ceiling, or, the ventilation system. 

“S-se- oh…” As they glanced up and point towards where the sound was, the other two were already gone.

”W-wait p-please don’t leave meeee!” 

To her surprise, the first door was closed, she would have thought it would be opened for sometimes, before the outpost eventually made an effort to fix it… but, that wasn’t the important part, as she stared around through the vents…

There was no sign of his body… nor any parts of him…

She gripped her backpack, as her hands shook. Before continuing through the ventilation system’s path…

Valeria felt a cold breeze touching her casing. The path was now frozen a bit, as ice began to show up on the walls of the vents. 

“I must be nearby the doors now…” she muttered as she drag her backpack.

Then, she the a faint light coming in through a vent. 

She punched it multiple times, before it finally caved in and went flying outwards, hitting the ground. 

She carefully jumped out of the vents and forcefully grabbed her backpack out. 

Then, after much force, she was then pushed backwards and landed on her back, with her backpack on her chest. She made a low groan before getting up and checking around. 

She was surprised that the murder drones didn’t figure out that there was a vent leading to the inside of the bunker… as it was… well, not very hidden.

As it was literally located in the front of the first door to the bunker. 

She began to look around, trying to at least find something, or a trace of her brother…

“Hey, uhm, why do you guys attack us anyways? Like, not just being sent by a company to terminate runaway AIs.” Nathaniel asked.

U gave a long pause before resuming walking, “I… don’t know really. That’s all we been told really.” One of U’s optic eyes was glowing more than the other, as she was trying to locate a meal for herself. “Oh and, why are you following exactly? I spared you, but, I… might not spare you again.” She gave a uncertain answer on the last part

Nathaniel gripped the railgun a bit, as he continued to walk beside U. “W-well, I really got nowhere to go.” 

U stared at him a bit, before returning to her path. 

Nathaniel looked around, there were many tall abandoned buildings, covered in moss and dust. 

Then, a hand stopped him from moving forward, as U motioned him to be quiet. 

There were a couple of voices coming from across themselves. 

Then out of reflex, Nathaniel grabbed U’s arm and dragged both of them behind a wall. It made U confused. 

Nathaniel quickly apologized for his action. While U rolled her eyes as she looked by the wall. 

There were 3 drones coming in from behind a building. They were equipped with some kind of weapon. All 3 of them wore a helmet type mask.

One of them swirled his fingers as if signaling something. 

U squinted her eyes to get a better view on who they were. They didn’t seem like the typical worker drones… 

“Search the perimeter, and you can loot anything that you find interesting or worth the scavenge.” One of them said. 

The other nodded, as they searched around the area. 

U’s hands began to shake a bit, as she inspected them further. 

Nathaniel jumped as the a blast went through the wall they were behind. U’s eyes began to grow a bit, as her eyes became hollow and stressed lines began to formed. They were caught…

”Two suspects behind the wall over there!” One of the masked drone raised their hand, signaling something. 

“Crap… do you know how to-.” U was cut off as she looked around… they were surrounded… 

“Well, well, a murder drone? And…” The drone that raised his hand, glanced at Nathaniel, “And a drone huh? What an unexpected find…”

Chapter Text

The three masked drones surrounded the pair, as each held their weapons up.

They held their aim towards U, who  changed her hands into claws, as her eyes narrows at the enemies…

“W-wait, she isn’t dangerous, I swear.” Nathaniel raised both his hands, trying to deescalate the situation.

The 3 drones began to glance at each other, before the one in the middle, began to laugh a bit. 

“Hah. Not dangerous? You hit your head or something? She’s a murder drone, kiddo.” He then aimed his blaster at Nathaniel, who wobbled back a bit. “Besides… even if you didn’t side with the murder drone… we would still scrap you.”

Nathaniel remained silenced, as his eyes began to change into a hollow circle…

“I thought worker drones would work together… not scrap others for parts…” U voice was now a lot deeper…

”Mhm, look, while we, worker drones, to work together, it doesn’t stop us from scraping others for parts.” He shot a blast towards Nathaniel.  

As the blast went towards him, he closed his eyes, as his arms was held in front of his head…

This was it… really it…

As time went by, nothing happened… he began to open his eyes again.

In front of him, stood U, as her wings were unfurled, and made a shield. 

He blinked twice, before having a shocked face at what happened…

”U-U… are you alright?” He asked in a worried tone, as he inspected her, “Is your back alright? And… why?” 

Without a single word, she turned her back towards the drone who shot the blast. 

The place that the blast was, now healed slowly. 

Nathaniel began to grip the railgun more tightly, he didn’t knew why U protected him…

”Killing others… of your people… is wrong.” Her tone was much more angrier than before, as her eyes changed into a red X… 

Before the drone could speak or react, U lunged quickly at him, grabbing his head. 

A thud was heard, as the two other drones now aimed their blaster at U, ready to shoot. 

Their eyes dilated, as they began to shake a bit. 

Oil began to cover the snow near the thud, as U stood back up, her mouth had oil dripping down. 

“I-I think is-.” 

“Is better to fight and give our colony a chance to kill these bastards.” He then grabbed something from behind him.

The other drones gave a hesitant nod. 

“Get the kid, I will deal with this murder drone here.” He held out some kind of grenade in front of him, as he began to place something in his blaster.

Without a word, the other drones gave a nod, and began to turn his back towards Nathaniel, who was now running.

“Come back here you little turd!” He began to sprint, he shot away towards Nathaniel.

The wind blew on  their casings, as the two other drones stared at each other. Then, U lunged at him. 

The drone sidestepped and kicked her in head, falling back and grunted at the kick. 

“Not so fun huh?” He remarked as he aimed at U again. 

U growled in response, as she change her claws into a sub machine gun. 

Bullet casings rained down towards the ground, as she targeted the drone, who kept running in circle, before, hiding behind a wall. 

Holes filled the wall, as he exhaled a bit. The bullets stopped, he looked through the hole, and saw U changed her sub machine gun into a rocket launcher. 

A explosion appeared from the wall that the drone was hiding at. Bits of the walls began to get thrown around, as the smoke clears. 

U glanced around, one of her head set eyes, began to glow a bit. 

Then out of nowhere, she was hit by a snowball, causing her to shriek a bit. She glanced at the direction where it was thrown, and saw that another snow ball was heading her way. 

She dodged it, as she changed her rocket launcher into sore, and began to fly towards the drone. 

As she was about to hit the drone in the back, he then sidestepped again, and hit her head with the blaster hilt. Causing her to hit the floor, groaning at the hit. 

The drone jumped back a bit, as he aimed his gun once more. 

U stood up again, and lunged at the drone again, with her arms held in front. She wasn’t going to m-

A flash of white appeared on her screen, as her screen turned black, as her body dropped to the ground, making a thud. Her wings began to furled back into her body… her tail laid beside her body, as the X on her Visor began to disappear, being replaced by a, ‘REBOOT,’ text. 

The drone sighed a bit, as he hyper ventilated. His hands began to shake at the events that unfolded…

“I-I finally… beat one. Now time to scrap you.”

Nathaniel hid behind a car, as he viewed the broken wing glass. 

“Where are you kiddo… We promise we won’t scrap you, if you come out peacefully…” 

He had a worried expression, as he continued to view the wing glass, he gripped the gripped the rail gun hard… 

In situations like these… or hypothetical ones, it would usually be his sister or mother that would handle these… but now…

”Found you!” A shot destroyed the wing glass, as glass began to rain down to the ground. 

Nathaniel held his arm out, and he jumped back. 

Multiple shots were aimed towards the broken car, fumes began to appear on the holes. 

Nathaniel tried to slowly crawl out, but was caught as the drone came running in and aimed at his head… 

“Nowhere to run buddy…” Then, a voice came in through his headphones… he listened, as his eyes narrowed… “Wh-what? You’re saying you beat a murder drone? GLORY to outpost 5 and the colony!” 

As he continued to listen in to the other drown speaking through his headphones, Nathaniel slowly crawled away from, grabbing the railgun behind him.

“Yeah, yeah, I- huh?” He looked around  and found that Nathaniel as nowhere to be found. “I-uh, I will be right there!”  He stomped his foot, as he held his blaster. 

“You little-.” Before he could respond, he was suddenly knocked out by Nathaniel hitting him in the head with the railgun,

His hands were shaking, as he made sure he didn’t kill the drone by accident.

After making sure there wasn’t any fatal error sign, or any injuries that could lead the drone to instantly die, he dragged the unconscious drone next to a car, and settle him there.

Then, he took off to where U was at. Strapping the railgun behind his back as he sprinted. 

“What’s taking that idiot so long? We got approximately, 2 minutes before the murder drone reboot herself…” he muttered, as he walked around on the look out for the other drone. 

U’s body was chained and sat nearby a wall. Her screen, read, ‘finishing rebooting in 2 minutes.” 

A foot step was heard behind the drone. Then,  he turned around towards the noise.

“Oh, took you long-“ before he could respond, he held his blaster at Nathaniel, who was trying to unchain U. “I thought that idiot was able to handle a kid.”

”Apparently not.” Nathaniel said, “look, I didn’t kill your partner in crime, so, why don’t you leave us alone?” 

The railgun was strapped around him, instead of gripping it, or holding it, to show that he isn’t going to fight. 

The drone almost laughed at the comment, “You kidding? We missionaries, don’t leave our ‘prey’ alive, we either die or live.” 

Then, he tackled Nathaniel to ground, stopping him from resisting and grabbing his railgun, as he aim the blaster in the back of Nathaniel’s head.

Nathaniel struggled, as stress lines appeared under his hollow eyes. 

“This is the end of the line budd-.” His head dropped neared his body and then rolled next to Nathaniel’s shoulder.

Oil began to spill out from the decapitation, covering the floor with oil.

Nathaniel pushed the decapitated body off of him, as he slowly got up. He let out multiple gasps as he process the events that unfolded.

U sat next the wall, as she licked her blade for any oil, before changing back into her hands… 

Nathaniel looked a bit horrified at the oil and decapitation, before shaking his head violently.

”You good?” U stood up and patted his head a bit. 

“N-no, is-is just…” he tried to talk, but the oil and… the death, made him uncomfortable. 

“Look, I know, this is the first time, but… you can’t change who they are. They chose this path, and… well, that’s how it will be. Get used to it, if you want to survive, you will have to do the necessary.” Then, before she let Nathaniel respond, she held both of Nathaniel’s shoulder, and retracted her wings out.

Before taking off, high into the air. Nathaniel screamed like a little girl, as his arms flailed around. 

”That little punk… I will make him pay one day.” The drone that Nathaniel knocked out, held his hand infront of his visor. Oil, spilled a bit. 

As he continued to walk further into the barren, deserted city, then two thud sounds came  behind him…

A voice came from behind, as his body shook… as he slowly walked inches further from where he stood before.

“Looks like we have ourself a meal…” One of them said sinisterly, as their left eye turned into a small X. 

Next to her, there was a red eyes disassembly drone, she glared at the injured missionary drone… 

“бегать…” (Run…) was all she said, before both the disassembly eyes converted into one big X. 

Frightened by the two murder drones, he began to run for his life. 

But to no avail, as a blade went through his chest, he slowly turned his head, as the Russian speaking Murder drone made a grin behind his back…

Oil spilled from where the wound was inflicted, as the drone fell to his knee, his screen now read, ‘Fatal Error’ before fully collapsing to the ground… 

Chapter Text

“Why…” Carla muttered as her head lay on the dining table. Her left hand was wrapped around on the side of her head, as she kept muttering, “why.”

On her right hand, she held a shattered cup. Oil was all over the table, as it began to slowly move towards the edge.

On the edge of the table, was the bottle of fermented oil, it dripped down droplets of the liquid down to the floor. 

Then, she began to slowly moved her head up, as her eyes were tired. 

The cup was thrown towards the wall, as it began to shatter upon impact. Glass shards began to fly off onto the ground. 

As Carla placed a hand over her face, as she murmured something under her breath. 

Silence. 

After a moment of quiet, she looked around the room, and then let out a long sigh. 

She walked towards Valeria’s room and began to knock repeatedly. 

“Valeria, sweetie, could we… have a talk for a moment?” She tried her best to keep a sweet tone, as her processor was in a drunkish mood. 

No answer came from Valeria.

She began to knock on the door more intensely. Each knocks she inflict on the door, became more and more powerful by the minute.

“Valeria… please answer me. I know you’re not sleeping young lady.” Her tone still had a sweet tone, but… it now bore more of a mother who’s scolding their child for breaking something. 

Still nothing came from Valeria’s room. 

“If you don’t answer me, then, I will force myself in.” There was a moment of silence, before she forced herself inside of Valeria’s room. 

“Alright young lady, let’s have a talk.” Carla said, as she moved towards the bed.

Carla slowly touched the blanket, “Wake up sweetie… let’s talk.” 

The blanket was slowly taken off. 

Her mouth slowly widen as her eyes twitched a bit. 

Under neath the blanket… wasn’t Valeria, but a fake dummy. 

Carla then stormed out of Valeria’s room, stomping away towards the kitchen. 

Her eyes dilated, as she felt a familiar sensation tapping her shoulder. 

She quickly turned around… but nothing. 

The pinkish eyed drone slowly moved away from the kitchen, and sat down near the dining table. 

As Carla slowly placed her head down… she began to sob a bit.

“Nobody’s gonna hear your screaming. And even if they did, you would be attracting the sky demons.” A armed drone pointed his weapon towards a family of 3. 

The child was making a lot of noise, as she cried behind her mother, who was trying to comfort her daughter.

”Papa! P-papa!” She tried to wiggle her way out of her mother’s grip. 

The mother eyes dilated hollow, as she plead them not to shoot them.

“P-please don’t hurt m-my family.” The dad laid  infront of his family, with an almost cracked screen, and  an injured legs dripping a little oil.

A grayish eye drone came from behind a wall. “Finish this quickly. Before the murder drones find us.” 

The orange drone let out a long sigh, before pouting his weapon at them again. “ heh.” 

Before he could trigger his weapon, a loud thud was heard behind them. Snow began to cloud around the air, as it fall back down towards the ground again. 

“Shit. Let’s kill them qui-.” 

Low gunshots were heard.

The orange drone slowly turned towards his side, and saw the grayish eye drone dropped on the floor, with multiple bullet marks on his chest. 

His mouth trembled. From a glimpse, he saw a tall green eyes drone slowly approach him. The murder drone’s tail swung around. 

“D-die you monster.” The orange drone shot his weapon, as he screamed for his life. Smokes began to appear from his weapon, as he began to reload. 

The family of three were trembling, as the father slowly crawled towards his daughter, placing his hand on her shoulder.

Before the poor armed drone could finish reloading, the murder drone lunged at him, as it changed his submachine gun into blades. 

Decapitating the orange eyed drone, as the head flew next to the father.

The body, then flopped towards the ground, as oil began to leak out. 

Horrified, the mother began to gripped her daughter’s arm, and helped her husband up, as they quickly ran in the opposite direction of murder drone: who was cleaning up the oil from the armed drones.Oil began to leaked out from the father’s punctured leg wound. 

The green eyes disassembly drone stood back up after he drank the leftover oil, and closed his eyes, before both of his hands were held up. But… after a moment of silence, nothing… 

T opened his eyes, as he saw that the 3 worker drones were gone.

He let out a long sigh.

“They’re gonna get killed by the others…” His voice was filled with tiredness. 

As he was about to sit near a building, a low thud sound caught T’s attention, as the green eye murder drone glanced around his surrounding. One of his headlights glowed more than the others. 

He tilted his head, as he glanced towards a broken abandoned car. 

The wind was breezing at her frame, as she marched through the snow. 

Valeria held a makeshift crossbow in her hand, and a… pipe attached to her backpack, for some reason. 

Then, Valeria stopped in her tracks and perked up a bit. A loud cry was heard not far away from where she was. 

“Maybe… it’s Nathaniel.” She muttered, sounding hopeful. 

Slowly, Valeria marched towards the sound.

“Would you shut your mouth already? We are gonna get killed.” 

Valeria stopped in her tracks, and ran towards a door, and knelt, as she slowly stood up to check the situation.

Her eyes narrowed, as she squint at the figures from a distance.

Her visions were blurry, as the figures appeared blurred.

“Damn it… I should have brought my glasses.” The pinkish hair drone muttered, before shaking her head.

“Mercenaries?” She murmured under her breath.  She remembers her mother talking about these type of drones…

She gripped her crossbow. As the pink hair drone placed her arms on the hood of the car, as she slowly aim her crossbow at the two armed figures…

The pink eye drone gritted her teeth, as a small angry vein appeared on her visor. Yet… her hands were shaking.

Before she could take a shot with her crossbow, a strong wind knocked her down to the ground, as she fell on her back. 

Valeria her head, as she slowly got back up. 

Eyes narrowed infront of her, as a green light was emitted in the falling snow. 

Low gunshots were heard. She blinked a bit, and then, she saw the two armed drones were downed. 

A gasp escaped from her mouth, as she squinted her pink eyes more… 

She felt a strange sensation crawling on her left leg. Slowly turning to see what it was… 

“A Roboroach-!” A low voice came out of her mouth, as Valeria slapped the car’s door. Generating a thud sound, that scared the roboroach away from her. 

A loud crash came from the top of the car, as the Worker drones jumped, she slowly raised her head…

“Are you lost?” T tilted his head a little bit. Their eyes met, as Valeria grabbed the pipe from her backpack.

“No. I can beat you murder drones up.” Her voice didn’t sound scared… but just…  audacity. She slowly moved away from the car, as T sat on the top edge of the car. 

Inside of T’s head:

As his eyes met Valeria, his vision became… blurred and… distorted a bit. 

For a blitz second, the pink eye worker drone… physicality changed into one of… similar to U and L’s frame. But taller… she also had a similar hairstyle to Valeria, pink eyes, and hair…