Murder Drones: Perfect Organism | Aliens Vs. Murder Drones

Chapter 30

The dim lights of the briefing room flickered as Yutani cleared her throat, drawing the attention of the drones. "I've come up with a living situation for you," she began, her eyes scanning the group. "But before I delve into the details—"

A sudden whirr and a soft click interrupted her. Uzi leaned over V's prone form, her optics dimming. "Rest easy, V. We'll bring you back online soon."

With V offline to conserve her resources for healing, Yutani continued, "As I was saying, I've arranged for you to live with someone who can... oversee your well-being."

Before anyone could question further, the med bay doors slid open with a creak. Palms hobbled in, his face a mix of confusion and curiosity. "What did I miss? Why does it smell like burning and a little bit of existential dread?"

Yutani's lips twitched into a wry smile. "Congratulations, Palms. You have kids now."

Palms blinked, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

Yutani quickly filled him in on the situation, detailing the drones' predicament and the need for a guardian until they reached Gateway Station. Palms' expression shifted from surprise to resigned acceptance, a weary sigh escaping his lips.

"Alright, fine. I'll take them in," he conceded, looking at the drones with a mix of annoyance and reluctant fondness. "But only because I've run out of people to hang out with. All the humans I know are dead."

Yutani nodded, her gaze softening. "Thank you, Palms. Now, we have one last detail to address." She turned to N and Uzi, her voice taking on a soothing tone. "I'll be going into hypersleep with Palms. You two will be free to stay online until we reach Gateway Station."

N and Uzi exchanged glances, a mixture of surprise and uncertainty reflected in their optics. Before they could respond, Yutani gave a curt nod, turning on her heel and heading toward the exit.

"You'll find the specifics on your new living arrangements in the ship's system when he gets there," she called out, pausing at the doorway. "Good luck."

With that, Yutani and Palms left the room, leaving N and Uzi alone with their newfound responsibilities. The silence that followed was palpable, the weight of their new roles settling heavily upon them.

N glanced at Uzi, his voice softening. "Well, this is going to be interesting."

Uzi's optics flickered with concern as she studied N's overheating systems, the telltale signs of strain evident in his movements. "N, you won't be able to stay online for the entire journey," she said softly, her voice tinged with regret. "There's no worker oil to keep you cool. It's too risky."

N's optics dimmed slightly, a wave of frustration washing over him. "I can handle it, Uzi. We've faced worse."

Uzi shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "It's not worth the risk. We need you to be functional when we arrive at Gateway."

A heavy silence settled between them, N's processors whirring as he weighed his options. Finally, he sighed, his voice barely a whisper. "Alright, I'll do it. But I'm scared, Uzi."

Uzi's optics softened, a warmth filling them as she reached out to touch N's chassis. "I know, N. I'm scared too."

A moment of vulnerability passed between them, their fears and uncertainties laid bare. N looked at Uzi, his voice trembling. "Promise me you'll go offline with me. I don't want to do it alone."

Uzi nodded, her voice firm but gentle. "I promise, N."

"I'm scared, Uzi," N began. "Scared I won't get to tell you that I—"

"I know, N," Uzi interrupted with a general smile. "Me too."

With a sense of finality hanging in the air, Uzi leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against N's lips. She then began the process of shutting him down, her optics locked onto his until they dimmed completely, leaving her alone in the silence of the ship.

As the only conscious being on board, Uzi felt the weight of her solitude, the quietness of the ship amplifying her sense of isolation. Seeking to fill the void, she activated the ship's entertainment system, flipping through the stations until a familiar tune caught her attention.

"We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn filled the air, the melancholy notes resonating with Uzi's emotions. Memories of her parents flooded her processors, their faces and laughter filling her mind's eye.

With a soft sigh, Uzi moved closer to N's offline form, snuggling up to him as the song played on. The warmth of the moment enveloped her, the comforting presence of N beside her easing her anxieties.

As the song neared its end, Uzi felt her systems beginning to slow, the pull of sleep mode becoming increasingly irresistible. With one last glance at N, she allowed herself to drift, the haunting melody of the song accompanying her into the realm of dreams.

And so, in the quiet expanse of space, two souls found solace in each other's presence, their journey together continuing in the depths of their shared dreams.

We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day