Inedible

Chapter II

My vision flickers back on and the dreaded beep resounded. Today, I plan to remove that terrible indicator of my presence and continue my work on my teleportation device. If any stray Qekti’s cross my path, I will not fight back like usual. There’s a crevice in the rocky stone walls that would be suitable for hiding. My reason being that I would like to keep my new head intact for at least another day. And if there are any more living-dead Qekti, I will not be as kind as I was yesterday and save them. They will stay there for however long it takes for someone to step on their circuit and truly kill them. I know that could take as long as a day to a decade. I’m just glad I’m not them. What a terrible existence.

The beeping problem was taken care of in a matter of an hour. The wrench was tossed into my tool pile, next to my spare parts pile. 

Then, fading into earshot, I heard a flurry of metal clanking and furious yelling. I slip into my hiding spot and watch. 

“I remember what you did! Don't think I forgave you!” An underdeveloped Qekti yelled. About five people were fighting together. All are on separate teams.

“Oh no, I'm so scared!” Another one said sarcastically, “You've done the same thing to millions of others, everyone has! God, you are pitiful!”

A low, angry siren rang through the crowd, followed by another one. Soon enough, sparks were flying and limbs were ripped off. Screams of agony mixed with rage echoed hauntingly. One of the five tried to escape but was quickly tackled. Its eyes were the first to go, and then its chest was mangled. It lay dead next to all the other bodies in the field. Truly dead, I believe. Never to wake again.

I promptly turned off my audio so I didn't accidentally laugh and draw attention to myself. But I doubt I would be heard through the screams of the fight.

Another one- the underdeveloped one- was murdered in a rather excruciating manner. I knew its pain sensors must be heightened due to its raw state. There's a possibility that it could even have meat under the metal. I was proved correct by the way red liquid seeped through its cracks. It screamed so horribly loud. The machine that was killing it was suddenly tackled by the fourth. When it was successfully disfigured, the fourth moved back to the bleeding one and finished it off. It begged and begged for mercy, it pleaded for a medic. I watch apathetically through the crack. Then its screams stopped. That very well could have been the last creature with so much life inside it. They were very, very rare. Most people had the sense to mechanically enhance themselves more to keep up with the times.

The last one standing, the victorious, the champion, stood still. It looked around for any others who may be lurking. I slink further into my crawlspace to ensure it didn't see me. It didn't.

It walked away almost completely unscathed, laughing and talking to itself.

After watching it slowly crawl away, I waited four or five minutes after it was gone, just to be safe. Then I crawl out of the crack and continue working on my teleporting device…