A Machine's Purgatory

TRAIN 'TIL YOU DROP: FINAL: SPRING MEMORIES

V1 descended to the final level of Violence, checking the terminal for its tip. While the terminals in Violence had been acting differently, this one just read "Didn't expect me, huh?" The tip was just as weird as the section it had wandered into, a black-and-white mansion with similarly colored furnishings. As V1 explored it encountered a variety of enemies, from a swords machine and two mannequins; to twin cerberi, mannequins, and a pack of filth; even a hideous mass, malicious face, twin gutter-men, and a quartet of mannequins. Punching the final mannequin and causing its fuel to burst, V1 unlocked the exit with the blue key only to find it to house a room with a pressure washer and vacuum cleaner, telling it to clean up. As soon as the items were acquired, V1 got a pop-up on its HUD, a call with the terminal.

CONNECTED TO TERMINAL 75

75> Do you like my surprise?

V1> Are you seriously going to make me clean everything?

75> Yep :)

V1 internally sighed, leaving the call open and getting to work starting with the outdoor courtyard. As soon as it started vacuuming the guts of mannequins, the terminal gave another message.

75> I find watching relaxing activities more fun than the Cybergrind and other intense entertainment. Do you mind if I play some music?

V1> I don't care, it won't impact my speed anyway.

75> Thank you.

Almost immediately, music started resonating from the walls of the mansion, playing a tune that V1 was familiar with.

V1> Where did you find this song?

75> Its data was encrypted on an Earthmover housing a mix of American and Canadian citizens. Is it familiar?

V1> I haven't heard this song since the Culling.

75> Interesting. Do you remember who composed it? I'd love to know their name, I love this song almost as much as Were You Foolin'.

V1> Give me a bit to remember. I archived most of my memories, and will need some time to find it.

75> No rush.

V1 remembered where the memory of this song sat and as it drained the crimson pool to be replaced with pure white water from the overhead waterfall, it played the video in its peripheral vision.

FILE NAME: CL-05

RECORDED: 2102.26.24

PLAY? Y/N

>Y

PLAYING...

"V1? Are you recording this?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I want to record having fun with one of my creators?"

V1 and the head scientist behind project V, Doctor Mira were conversing with each other while cleaning the main lobby of their building housed on the Earthmover they lived on, V1 sweeping the floor while Mira wiped down the counters. Music buzzed from a speaker that Mira had saved up for, a tune she had made on her own time.

"How is progress on my sibling coming along? I understand they are being made with defense more in mind compared to my offense."

"Oh, V2 is coming along great! We still can't have you two meet since we're still developing their brain, but we haven't had as many hurdles getting their limbs to work like with you."