A machine's guide to Divinity

HUNGER /// FIRST: Into The Wild

"Ah, the never-ending Winter in Copper-9. So tranquil. The unending cascades of snow and ash, the pines with leaves stripped from their branches looking like dead husks, and the forests that contain horrors beyond our comprehension that defy nature. But the most notable thing here is the wildlife. No, not the toxic atmosphere that can kill you in twelve different ways, No, not the poisonous snow that somehow burns out skin as well as giving it frostbite, the wildlife. Look! There's a perfect example right over there. A worker, taming a wild school bus into submission over there."

"Whoa, easy there," The driver muttered, slapping the bus with his reins. He was riding a full-sized school bus like a horse. As the bus reared, the driver gave it a nice whip with his lash. The bus stopped. The doors opened and students streamed out. "Alright. Here's your destination. you know when to call me, students. Have fun." The teacher spoke in his usual mundane voice.

Getting off the bus, Uzi looked at the chokers in her hands. [CABIN FEVER LABS-002-] Remembering what Khan had said to her, she looked at the ominous symbol on them.

"After the core collapsed... I... didn't notice the collars. But I did notice your mom being a catch! ...haha. She was always all, "Build doors against the coming sky demons!" "A singularity awakens." "Look at this cool S I can draw!" Turns out, I'm not who either of you needed. Just... Be safe, okay? I'll try my best here, so you do what you're best at."

"Dad, No. you've come so far now. Don't be too hard on yourself. Just don't..."

"I know Uzi, but sometimes, the memories and regrets come to gnaw on you like a growing cancer. I hope you'll never come across these kinds of feelings. Have fun, be safe, and remember. No regrets, okay?"

"Okay..."

Putting Doll's choker in her pocket, she slung hers on. The intricate crystal patterns fascinated her. Looking around, she saw Braidon complain to the teacher. "Uh, teach? What kind of field trip is this?" "Uzi's idea. Don't ask me." Then the teacher returned to the bus, leaving the students behind.

"Uh, who's Uzi?" Braidon asked, despite sitting next to Uzi for more than two years. "Bite me! I asked to go alone. He's just mad at your test scores." The worker drones recoiled as if Uzi were some parasite.

"So we're going to rot here with no supervision-" A loud crash could be heard, and three machines emerged. Two of them had 'X's for eyes, and in the middle stood the angel of death. "This vibe is so thrashed..." A girl muttered before being shot by V's pistol.

"Welcome to camp 98.7! Role call first." N spoke. Fearing for their lives, the drones lined up with utmost precision. "We've got so many distracting activities planned for you, so no sneaking off into the unused cabins behind to find out their origin story!" N continued, being very specific. "Yeah, right. Display obedience and I guess you'll return home in one piece." V added, revving up a chainsaw.

"To the bunks!" N spoke, leading the way. No one followed. But soon, Thad and Lizzy joined in 'for their besties', and the students soon followed. Behind the students followed V1, revolvers out. He had carried the terminal with him via a portable data transmitter, chatting with Gabriel. 

Peace in Copper-9. Unlikely, but blissful.

Uzi looked at them, a twinge of emotion could be felt, but she shook her head and entered the forest, heading for the cabin fever labs. Behind her he could hear the drones talking with N and V about how cool they are, and if they could be friends with them. Uzi looked back, and a sense of anger? envy? sadness? She couldn't tell.