Chapter Text
DRONE2217 slowly came to, the bright glow from an overhead light causing them to wince. They appeared to be in some sort of structure made from wood—the light coming from a rustic-looking lamp dangling precariously from the ceiling, light occasionally flickering as though it may burn out at any moment.
The sight was completely unfamiliar.
As quickly as they could manage, DRONE2217 sat up with a groan, rubbing their eyes. The sound of someone's throat clearing broke the critter from their reverie, hands jerking away from their face to see that there were three people standing around them—on the left, a pale-skinned Robloxian with camo clothes and blue hair. On the right, another Robloxian, this one yellow-skinned and wearing a red uniform of some sort. And in the middle…
DRONE2217's breath left them in a gust, exhaling heavily at the sight of an Admin. Gray-skinned, orange hardhat, tinted safety glasses. None other than the big boss himself, Builderman. His arms were crossed, and he didn't look pleased. DRONE2217 shrunk back, wings on its back twitching uneasily.
"Uh, hey…Builder…" The code-crawler waved, sweat beading on their forehead as the silence wore on. "This doesn't look like COS…any idea where I wound up?"
Creatures of Sonaria was DRONE2217's favorite world to visit; the world was large and diverse, with code complex enough that it easily kept them fed for days at a time. And because there was so much of it, that meant DRONE2217 was often able to slip in and out without detection from the Developers—and subsequently avoid unwanted encounters with the Admins.
"Is that another one?" A new voice inquired. DRONE2217 looked over to see that another gray-skinned Robloxian had entered the room, fedora on-head and idly flipping a coin.
Builderman sighed. "Possibly. An' I ain't too thrilled about it, neither. Last thing we need 'round here is one o' them QU33N833 drones muckin' about."
DRONE2217 held up their hands, waving them to get Builderman's attention back and signal peace. "Whoa, whoa, hey! I swear I'm not here looking to cause trouble—I don't even know how I got here. So…how about we start with that? Help each other out, yeah?"
"Summing it up? Welcome to Hell," the yellow-skinned Robloxian supplied, crossing their arms. "You either died or got abducted and wound up here. None of us have figured out how to escape yet. Once or twice a day we have to fight for our lives against one of a line of killers that hunts us for sport. How's that for a summary?"
DRONE2217's eyes widened, looking from the red-clothed Robloxian and back at Builderman. "Wait. Can't escape? Builderman, you're an Admin. Surely you've come up with something?"
Much to DRONE2217's disappointment, the Admin shook his head, though he gritted his teeth like he was reluctant to admit it to DRONE2217 of all people. "Unfortunately, no. The best of us have all been stripped of our powers. Shedletsky 'n Dusek, too." The Admin's eyes narrowed, accusatory. "But that don't mean you should be gettin' any ideas, ya hear? Death ain't permanent here. Make a scene, and it won't just be the killers you gotta worry 'bout. Capische?"
DRONE2217, eyes growing wider, nodded. "Wouldn't dream of it, sir." Its eyes flickered to the other Robloxians in the room. Trying to ease the tension in the lobby, they nervously smiled. "So…gonna introduce me to your friends?"
"Elliot," the yellow-skinned one introduced with a huff. "And…I'm sure the others can show you around. Now that I know what the commotion was about, I have to get back to working on the pizzas before the next round starts." Wiping their palms on their apron as if the mere proximity to DRONE2217 had made them unclean, Elliot turns and disappears into another nearby room.
"Don't mind him, he's just cranky because the last round didn't go so well," the fancily-clothed Robloxian assured from a nearby table, sitting with one leg crossed over the other. "The name's Chance. It can get pretty boring around here, so you just let me know if you need a gambling buddy, yeah?"
"My name is Guest 1337. Though, just Guest is fine." The blue-haired Robloxian stood up straight, nodding politely at DRONE2217. "Now, what's your name?"
"I am called Drone2217," the Codebug introduced, not unkindly. "2217 is what most of my brothers and sisters call me…"
"That isn't a name," Chance scoffed. "Even 007n7 just goes by Seven. Do you have something else you go by? And please don't just say Drone."
A small part of DRONE2217 felt offended—how was their designation so different from Guest's?—but they dismissed the feeling. It thought for a moment, drawing a blank. "I have never needed a name before, I haven't given it much thought…"
"That's because Codebugs ain't people," Builderman said. "They're pests. Flaws in code given humanoid form. Y'all just make yourselves look like Robloxians to appeal to emotion and mercy."
DRONE2217 winced, while Guest 1337's brows furrowed, the soldier taking a half-step forward, moving himself slightly between the Codebug and Admin. "Hey, I get that it sounds like you two have…history…but isn't that a bit harsh? They're clearly sapient."
Builderman shrugged, unsympathetic. "Like I said. Appeals to emotion and mercy."
"Well…if I change my hatch number to correspond with letters in the alphabet…" DRONE2217 hesitatingly interrupted the two men before the conversation could grow any more heated or awkward, "2 becomes B, 21 is U, and 7 for G. BUG. It feels weird not to have a number in there somewhere though, so…maybe 8-U-G?"
"Bug works," Guest nodded, appreciatively. "Sounds like a name my daughter would have liked." 8UG smiled, grateful for the positive association. It was unusual for them to be treated with any sort of kindness from anyone that wasn't another of their kind.
"I suppose it ain't a bad name," Builderman acquiesced. "If yer really a survivor and not just here ta cause mischief, you'll need to figure out what yer abilities are. Depending on that, you'll get sorted into the survivalist, support, or sentinel cabin. Until yer first match, you'll stay the night in this here lobby."
"Understood," 8UG nodded, hoping that if it was affirming and didn't ask too many questions, the Admin wouldn't attempt to smite it. They could figure out the rest on their own, or maybe ask people like Chance or Guest, as they seemed a whole lot nicer.
"Stay outta trouble, and there won't be problems," Builderman nodded before turning and walking away. As soon as the man left the room, 8UG heaved a massive sigh of relief. Being anywhere near any of the Admins felt like being in line for the guillotine. Too many of their hatchmates had been felled by the likes of Admins and Developers.
"I don't think I've ever seen Builderman that ruffled," Chance hummed. "So what was that about 'Codebugs'? You're not a Robloxian?"
"Um…sort-of," 8UG shrugged. "It's…complicated. But I promise I don't plan to cause any problems. I'll do my best to be an asset to the team."
"Good to hear," Guest nodded with approval. "I would say welcome aboard, but…" The tall man clapped 8UG's shoulder with a large, strong hand, causing the Codebug to flinch. "...Good luck. And sorry this happened to you. I'll let the others know about your arrival so that they aren't surprised."
With that Guest left the room as well, and Chance followed along shortly after. 8UG found a seat in front of the fireplace, clasping its hands in its lap and contemplating the situation they've found themself in.
A looping death match that even the Admins couldn't escape from. People died, but it wasn't permanent. Everyone is hunted for sport.
8UG closed its eyes, going deathly still. Their antenna twitched, trying to forge a connection with their hivemind. Perhaps a Drone with more seniority would have an idea, or some sort of advice?
…But there was nothing.
8UG tried again. And again. And again.
Anxiety pulsed in their chest, cold and gripping. All at once, the Codebug became aware of the crippling silence in its head. The lack of meaningless buzzing and errant, half-formed thoughts.
They were cut off.
They'd never been cut off before. It shouldn't be possible. All of that knowledge, company, noise—gone in an instant.
It was the only Codebug here. And there were at least three Admins here. Who knows how many Robloxians there were? Or how they would all react to 8UG's presence? Their heart hammered louder and louder, anxiety mounting as it grabbed at its antennae, yanking them down harshly in an effort to ground themselves.
Their thought-spiral was interrupted by someone sitting next to them on the loveseat. 8UG's head jerked to face the newcomer, finding another Robloxian that they didn't recognize. The stranger didn't say anything at first, simply staring at the flames with glassy eyes and a smile that was slightly too big on their face. 8UG opened its mouth to say something-
"The Spawn tests the resolve of another."
8UG's mouth clicked shut, brows drawing together in confusion. The Spawn? Like the baseplate that could be found in some of the more retro worlds of the Bloxxyverse?
"I am Two Time. The Spawn informed me someone new has arrived. I am blessed to meet you, friend."
8UG was at a loss for words. A chill crept up their spine, yet they felt almost entranced by the even cadence of Two Time's voice. Hesitantly, it smiled, holding out its hand. "Dro- er, Bug. Nice to meet you, Two Time."
At first it seemed as though Two Time may not take their hand at all. But then they suddenly twisted around to face the Codebug fully, snatching its warm hand in their own cold grip. It was near-bruising. 8UG felt their pulse tick up, the intensity on the other's face off-putting to them.
"The Spawn tests our devotion through the trials held within this Forsaken realm. We will persevere. See its benevolence, embrace its teachings, let your faith not be shaken, and one day we will all be permitted to leave, our spirits cleansed." There was a manic edge to the Spawnling's words, almost as if they were attempting to convince themselves of their words more than 8UG. It wondered how long this poor soul has been trapped here.
"I would appreciate you teaching me about the Spawn. I'd like to have the best chances I can getting out of here." 8UG replied in an effort to appease the other. They got the sense that the monochrome Robloxian might be an outcast like them—a feeling that might've been confirmed by the way Two Time's face lit up, mismatched eyes almost glowing in rapturous mirth, as if 8UG had just informed them Christmas was now every day forever.
"I would be honored to do so," Two Time breathed, tone reverent. Their grip on 8UG's hand tightened for a moment, before releasing as they launched into a lengthy explanation of the Spawn and its teachings. 8UG listened as intently as it could whilst mentally running the command that would normally allow them to travel between worlds.
The GUI in its mind's eye looked almost the same as usual—except all the options were grayed out. 8UG couldn't leave, couldn't go anywhere else. There was no sense in denying it any further.
…It looked like they really were stuck here.
