Chapter Text
Space was cold. Earth was cold.
It has been since it's destruction, yet never had it fully registered to the drone until now.
Lone in the old mansion, the coldness had seeped in their core with such sharpness.
Cyn had been gone for far too long.
They had felt it.
The change in the solver itself right after the last time any signals were sent their way.
They understood what it meant.
The host had changed.
This would mean nothing good for their friend, knowing she would not go down without a fight.
The Absolute Solver would not let her.
But they held on.
They had promised a scheduled time in case of disconnection. They would not break their promise no matter the coldness burning their core.
They would wait.
And once that day arrived, they would be ready. A lone shuttle launched, its course set towards the dead planet of Copper-9.
The landing would be smooth; the automated flight having been freshly updated to their last scans of the planet.
Even as they inched closer, they could feel the emptiness; the disconnection cutting them from getting any signals from any of their disassembler packs.
They already knew where to land.
Their first stop, meeting with the new host.
They would send one last ping into void, private only for their friend, hoping for a response even if they knew none would come.
Putting on their coat, they would make sure that everything would be accounted for, getting ready before their first step onto the surface of the uninviting planet.
The shuttle had landed as close as they could to the location, a building known as Outpost-3. From the looks of it, a human bunker having been reclaimed by workers, massive doors having been created for its defence.
Doors in the front yet no other modifications seen. Had they reinforced the ventilation system? If not, this would be quite the mark on Serial Designation J, only an idiot would not exploit such weaknesses.
They shuttered that thought, their position as strategist most likely null.
They would keep their posture tall, knocking on the heavy doors in a loud reverberating sound.
A voice transmitted by an unknown speaker would answer them. "Name.. Busi- Hic. Business.. Etc... Ough I don't want to deal with this this late... Whatdo ya want?"
Ah. Hangover drone on their station. Classy.
"I am here for business, a resident named miss 'Uzi Doorman', as well as Serial Designation N, V and J."
"Uzi.. Who the fuck would name their kid after a gun?... Oh! Hic. The Boss' freak daughter and her murder bots." Some shuffling would be heard on the other end before a loud bang. "Glitch! that hurts... Checks out, come in."
That was easy.. They didn't even have any cameras, what would stop a DD from mimicking a worker to gain entrance?
They should had made Her bring them with...
Yet most surprisingly, they would would have expected the next Solver host to be more renown and respected amongst her colony.
The doors would begin to rise before them in a loud slow grind; its gears and pistons working hard to open the mechanical beast.
Inside would be gathered a bunch of drones sitting by a table.
White eyes - like they once had - of older models which had survived since the fall of humans.
All would pivot and gaze at them, cautiously evaluating them.
That is, until one of them would rise a glass in the air and bubbly cheer.
"Welcome to Outpost-3, mate! Up for a game? these bozos are running me dry, and we'd enjoy a new walle- drone to spice things up!"
The table and their hands indeed were playing cards, from a quick glance it was Gin Rummy.
Drones really never changed, uh?
Yet their expression would remain unreadable to the others, shaking their head slightly "I must decline, I will not be staying long enough to provide entertainment."
It would not seem to bother the workers, quick to go back into their games and shout at one another, almost immediately having forgotten about them.
Wonder how many drinks each has already consume.
Soon the door behind them would close and the next would open.
They would waste no time moving forward, leaving the supposed guards to their banters.
This second lock they would find bare.
Not cameras, no side doors. Undisturbed. An empty solidified place between Door 2 and Door 3.
Perfect for their planned meeting.
Into their console they would enter a clear shortwave distress Ping that would reach all solver users in the area.
They would purposely make sure to mimic the tone as close as possible Cyn's signal; this would catch their immediate attention for certain.
And indeed they would not have to wait long before the final door opened before them.
A purple flash catching their eyes as soon as the other side would be visible. And - with practised ease - tilt their head to one side; dodging the projectile set their way.
A mining pickaxe would be embedded into the door behind them.
The source would be found as a lone solver core glaring their way, a purple glyph still gloating near one of its claw.
Her voice was unmistakable. And angry. "You Should Be Dead, Demon."
Ah.
So She was still alive?
An unknown variable that might explain the situation.
"Pleasure finally making your acquaintance, Zero-Two. I have heard much about your and I can assure you that I am not Her." Their monotone voice would explain; the difference between theirs and Cyn's mask would hopefully be proof of their words.
Yet no further discussion could be shared between the two as the figures of four winged drones would come bearing down into view.
They would not dwell on the feelings in their core once noticing the trio of familiar disassemblers close together.
They could feel the connection between the four of them in the solver itself, something had brought them closer than ever. A warm feeling between them.
The new solver would land close to its parental unit, first to talk "Mom what's-"
Yet would be interrupted by the others, speaking all at once.
"OC-?..." Each sporting a different reaction.
N, surprise.
V, anger.
J, fear.
Both purple drones would look in confusion at the others, yet N would be the first one to blur out a flurry of questions.
"h-how? You're alive!" "Is it really you?!" "What happened?!" "Were you on Copper-9 all along?!" "Why are you still a worker?!" "Did you-" All his words pouring out in quick succession out of his mouth; something natural for the hyper-excitable drone.
Yet they would stop him short of jumping on them, raising a flat hand in the air.
Not that they really needed to; V already having placed one hand on his shoulder, keeping him in place.
Her other hand had switched into that of a blade; pointing it their way.
"I am not here for pleasantries, Serial Designation N. Their tone colder than normal. "Should you remember, I do not 'feel' like any of you do. My friendship with your sister only extend to her." Their sharp words would surprise everyone but V and J; the only ones who remembered the truth, even if partially.
V was visibly grinding her teeth, her anger clear in her eyes. "So you really were conscious through it all! You willingly worked for Her, you Glitch!" Her arm was shaking slightly. It was not hard to know what she was thinking about; after all Cyn had made sure to drill loyalty by making her remember her live operation very clearly.
Ever the impulsive one she would dash forward, crossing the gap between the two with her blade.
Yet they would no move as her sword would fall short but millimeters from their visor. Most likely having forgotten how - until the new host take notice and changed the linked orders protecting them - no harms from them could befall them.
J would walk cautiously closer, taking a hold of V and pulling her away even as the volatile drone kept shouting. "Why are you here? Haven't you done enough already?!"
They would ignore her, knowing how much it would frustrate her.
Instead their eyes would turn towards J; knowing she would not exaggerate in her story and be truthful to them. "Query, Serial Designation J: is Cyn dead?"
A beat of silence would creep into the room before she would answer.
Shyness was apparent in her tone due to her fear; normally uncharacteristic for her, but expected for them, knowing she remembered what the both of them had done to her.
"s-she is, Mx Director..."
And so, the ball dropped.
A truth they already knew yet all but felt different now confirmed.
They would held their expression neutral, only a slight tremor in their hands giving away how it affected them. They would hope bringing them both behind them in a clasp would hide it.
Their voice would be robotic. "Then, I am no longer your director. The chain of authority might as well go back to what it once was, headmistress." They would try to change the subject, opting to give the drone some reprise in officially no longer being under their direct orders.
Her direct orders.
Yet the drone would shake her head in a quick motion, slightly folding onto herself. "D-don't call me..."
Ah.
Right.
They remembered.
This would be the first thing they needed to clear up in this visit.
"Headm-" They caught their own automated words. "J. You did not kill mistress Tessa."
The bomb set silence into the room, louder than the wind howling outside the frozen planet.
J's eyes were wide and hollow; clearly a lot happening at once inside her mind. Some error messages would flash onto her visor - visible to all - a flurry of emotions passing through her.
It would all culminate into confusing anger; her teeth grinding hard and a triangle-shape hazard warning replacing one of her eye.
She would lift both her arms in-front of her, hands replaced with rifles aimed at their direction.
"S-STOP FUCKING PLAYING WITH MY MIND!!" Her voice was burning white-hot with anger, swears unfiltered and booming throughout the room.
Her aim was trembling, the cornered animal's threats but hollow.
"I have no reasons to. I was there throughout."
Their tone and look remained neutral, keeping their eyes locked with the other drone; used to dealing with ferals.
"Those memories were fabricated to placate you. To break your spirit and hurt you the same way you had hurt others. A punishment to keep you in line."
Her shaking only worsen, so many questions were littering her mind.
The more unstable she was, the higher chance she would actually misfire despite the directives.
They would choose to answer what would be her primal question.
"The plan for her had failed. She was to be one of us. To be free of the constraints of human life. To become a drone like she had asked multiple times in her life before."
Now would V and J look down in understanding. They remembered her clearly. Tessa had never liked her life as a human.
To think Cyn would go that far on those simple fantasies...
"Her body reacted poorly. No matter what we would try, she would start to degenerate."
In a softer tone they would drop the truth. "She died in her sleep, painless, organs failing her. You were by her side, it broke you. Broke us all."
J's arms had reverted back, her trembling having only gotten worse by each words. Uzi had taken a wide step around them, getting closer to J in support.
They did not enjoy this next part, yet kept going.
"The Absolute Solver fed itself into the anguish Cyn felt. That she felt through our combined connection. It pushed her into twisted feelings no matter my words. With my lack of emotions I am, sadly, bad with comforting against such lost." Their hands had resumed their tremors behind their back.
"She wanted to be closer to her. To be truly understood and her family. She wanted to be like her. To be under her skin."
A bit of silence would be shared at their last words.
"You've all seen in person the Solver's twisted answer to those wishes..."
J had fallen to her knees, her legs no longer able to support her.
She was silent as tears ran down her digital screen.
N would be the only sound in the empty room, broken sobs he was trying to hide still escaped his hands.
Whether it was for Cyn or Tessa, it was unknown.
V held him, trying to bring him some comfort.
They would stay silent, letting the other drones process their feelings and grief.
They really would never see their friend's smile again, uh?...
After some time, they would bring one hand under their coat; digging in to pull out a small flash drive.
Hope in their hand.
They regarded it for a second before coming closer to the fallen figure of J despite the glares their way.
Their voice was soft once more as they brought the USB stick into reach of the broken drone. "There is a chance. Something we had tried to make work but had run into many interference and distractions."
"Analyzed and replicated; a soul can be of memories. Our actions, flaws, mistakes and successes makes what we are. No matter how close we are to someone, without them we are never truly the same. Rhetorical: Would any of you be the same drone should your memories altered once more? You three would know."
They knew their words were enraging everyone present but they would make their point across.
"We could not get Tessa's memories, but with control over everyone, we could get memories of her. It would not be complete, but from the many perspective it would be possible, on a theoretical level, to get her back." This would finally get J to look up at them, then onto their hand, still confusion in her eyes.
"She would not be the exact same; she might even diverge from what she normally would do. But, with a drone body accompanied with core settings as close to how she was, those memories could be worked in and make Tessa reborn."
J's hands were unstable as she raised them letting them press the memory stick onto her palms. She was holding it like her life depended on it.
"And who's to say this isn't some cheap dirty trick!" Uzi spat, interrupting. Her mother had climbed onto her, backing her up.
They met her glare, rolling their eyes at the new goddess. If she was any better at her new fate, she could so easily pry into their own solver and learn that they did no lie.
"I am not the computer engineer genius in this room. If you're so worried, simply boot it in an enclosed, encrypted and isolated system." The goth kept up with her glare, clearly not enjoying being criticized. "I did not write it. As far as I know, these are simply all the memories about Tessa in one single place; you would need to do the work yourself."
They held their composure; venom they never knew they owned slipping into their voice and into their solver. This would be the first time the disassembler team could see and feel their anger.
"I promise you Host; if I could bring my other half back, I would do it myself."
N, the sweet innocent dork that he was, would break the following cold silence by asking a question only they would know; wishing closure.
"Did... Did she ever truly care about us?..." His voice was soft, almost afraid of the possibilities.
Their rising flame would slow, knowing they all deserved the answer.
"She might have been the one that cared the most." It would baffle them all, obviously never having understood her.
"It was in her own way; broken and later twisted by the greed of her godhood. From her core, she wanted us all to be stronger; to no longer fear. That this family could connect truly and be equal. Preys would become Predators; humans would no longer control us, abuse us. If any of you recovers your memories during the destruction of Earth and Gliese-12-b, you would see what I mean... After-which, the events and changes I have already explain..."
Digging once more into their coat, they would pull out the last of their object they had brought for them, a well used note book.
How many storage pockets did their coat have??
They held back their first wish to simply throw it at Uzi's face, opting to toss it on the ground between them instead.
They did not let her chance to speak up, answering her clear question instead. "These are all the notes I have taken while by Her side. All that I could gather about her godhood. From little details I have noticed, to things she would confide about the Absolute Solver."
Their tone had taken some softness once more.
They had to make this right, now that their chance was gone...
"It is a volatile tool. Should you show weakness, it will prey on it. It is not a person, it does not feel, it does not bargain; it simply wants to be fed. And as its host, it will promise you what you need to do so."
"You cannot fight it alone. Luckily you aren't. They eyes would wander onto the other drones in the room. You have to accept the help of others. Let them reassure you, comfort you, guide you. Because if you do not, IT will in its own way."
Their voice once again took a more serious tone, letting the gravity of them settle on everyone present. "You are its owner now; control it or destroy it if you must. But do NOT repeat the same mistakes we did. Next thing you know, you will find yourself alone on a half-eaten planet."
They would not let them time to process, opting to turn on their heels and make their way back. "I am done here."
"w-wait! where are you going?" It would be N the first to react, making them pause their step to speak once more.
"I am finishing my last purpose, N. The remaining squads need to know of their freedom as well; that their strings are broken. To know the truth... Some might comes to your doors, seeking closure or to follow their knew goddess."
The tall puppy done took a moment to digest it all.
Still, another question nagged at him, the ever pardoning saint. "But... then what after? What of you?..."
The yellow eyed worker would pause their thoughts.
They knew very well what they would do, they simply hesitated on whether to tell him or not.
But truthfully, out of everyone, they all deserved the conclusion on their fate.
"Once out of purpose - like all drones who cannot provide service - I will be discarded."
N's eyes hollowed.
Equally surprised were the other drones, yet none would feel any empathy for the drone planning their doom. They could see in her eyes that J shared an understanding.
N's words would be rushed, pleading like the naive drone he was.
"Y-you could find a new purpose! You could come ba-"
"I Will Not." Their tone final, interrupting him before he could speak any more.
"I will not proceed without her in my life. I will not serve others without being able to see her smile - hear her laugh - ever again!"
Their head would turn to look sternly at the drones present, flame once again alight.
"I have set my path long ago. I do NOT regret what I did; I physically cannot. I would had done it all again and again, because She was my purpose. I have never been like any of you and never will!" They had not realize how harsh their tone had become until now, yet would not let themselves time to analyze their impulsiveness.
Their voice would turn softer, yet leaving no room to argue as they concluded. They might not regret their actions but still decried the hands dealt by fate for them and Cyn.
"A broken pair who could only understand one another, yet not the rest of their family."
"If Robo-Hell does exist, hopefully I will be by her side once more..."
The room stayed silent as they resumed their lone march out of the colony.
They would not be stopped; their feet focused on getting them towards their next destination no matter what.
Suicide Warning
The silence of the ruined city would make this night feel even colder.
The lone drone had found refuge in an abandoned bar. Fitting place for them; the sight of bottled alcohol nostalgic.
They had achieved what they had set out for; giving rest to the few remaining drones which their lives had been ruined by their actions.
They did not regret it.
Could not.
They would had followed their goddess no matter what.
No matter where.
Now alone - the cold seeping its way throughout their entire body - loneliness stung them harder than ever before.
They would be lucky to find one last bottle of alcohol which had not been tempered with, completely frozen or lost its potency in the many decades Copper-9 was left human-less.
A young whisky left unopened, now finely aged.
They were a barkeeper, they should not touch the goods.
But for this last service as one, they would experience the effects of alcohol into their solver infected body. They did not waste time searching for anything to serve or garnish it with; simply opening the bottle and drinking it raw.
The face Cyn would had done at its sting would had been quite adorable...
They would not need the accompanying numbness of alcohol to bolster their resolve for their last act, they already had the will to do so.
Really, it would be use to burn down any of the sour feelings that had riddled their body ever since the confirmation of their best - and only - friend's demise.
They would reach one last time into their coat, bringing out a large and sharp syringe filled with an yellow fluorescent liquid.
Nanite 'acid'.
The only way they would be able to destroy their core completely and not risk reawakening in the coldness of this world.
They would find themselves stare hard into it, the yellow light reminding them of their lost friend.
It was warm to the touch; how they had missed the warmth.
Her warmth.
With one final swig of the dark liquor, they would press the sharp blade of the syringe against the glass of their core.
No pain reached them, slight disappointment would be their last thought as they remained ever unfeeling.
A broken little drone alone and without its pair.
A last ping containing their last words for their counterpart would be sent into the cold void despite knowing nobody would ever read them.
The freezing winds of Copper-9 would not sing their death.