Databrawl Oneshots (kinda)

Never To Return

Warning(s): Death

I didn't proofread this, so there's probably mistakes. Also I wrote most of it at midnight or later.

Thunderhead's POV

I let out a hum as I put a comb through my cloud-like hair, then touched up my makeup. Today was inspection day at the airship, and I needed to look perfect.

I also needed to be on time, though, and my shift was fast approaching. I slipped out of the bathroom and consulted a map; then I was off.

It only took me a few minutes to reach the loading area. Thankfully, I'd gotten there just in time. The shift manager, Contrail, handed me a clipboard with my tasks on it before whisking away to who-knows-where.

I scanned them. They were all simple and mindless; normally, I'd be disappointed about that, but today it was perfect. I set about completing my first task when the inspector walked in. She was a simple Program doing a task for a superior, though she seemed a little off.

I barely restrained myself from flinching as she stopped by to inspect my work. My instincts were telling me something was wrong here, but what was it, and how could I fix it?

My answer came when she spoke. The Program told me, "This isn't up to standards, I'm afraid." I knew for a fact it was, and besides, no inspector would directly confront a worker about it.

I didn't voice that, though. Instead I frowned. "Hm, that's odd. Can I see the section of the manual that states that?"

"I don't have it with me," she said flatly, about to walk away.

I grabbed her arm. "Wait! I think we're carrying it on the ship. Let's go find it."

She furrowed her brow. "Does your Cloud allow that?"

"Of course, of course. Follow me." I pulled her away and led her into one of the deeper areas. This wasn't where the manuals were kept and I knew it, but the important thing was that nobody saw us. I needed to ask her a few questions.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" the inspector hazarded. "We're getting quite far from the main area, and this is already taking too long. I need to get ba-"

I squeezed on her arm and she fell silent. "Listen, I know who you are." She stiffened, trying to pull away, but I held fast. "You may have Contrail fooled, but not me. I'm gonna give you five seconds to explain yourself before I drag you to the Cloud and throw you on their mercy."

"Okay, okay, fine. You caught me," she hissed. "I may be a Corruption, but I don't even want to be here. I'm being forced into this. That's why I don't want you to tell anyone."

I frowned, suddenly feeling much less safe. "Who's making you do this? Why? We don't have any important information here."

"I can't- I can't answer any of those. Please, just let me go. I promise I won't hurt anyone." She glanced at the nearest exit.

I scoffed. "Do you think I'm stupid? Hurting people is the only thing Corruptions know." I need to take her to the Cloud. Now.

The newly-revealed Corruption shook her head. "No, it's not. We have friends and families just like you," she said fiercely. "I can't let you take that from me."

Oh no, was the only thing I had time to think before she was suddenly out of my grasp. I felt a prick in my arm, right as she became a Spyware before my eyes, and I realized dimly that I was probably about to die.

I couldn't think or move right; I wanted to scream for help, but my voice refused to work. I saw the Spyware hold out something, and she became a Program again. "I'm so sorry," I heard her say as the world went completely dark.