Metal Poison: Restless Absolution

Chapter 2

[It was time for my departure to Blazer Alpha. I walked out to an airstrip outside of the facility and got a look at my surroundings. It appeared that we were on an island not far off from the mainland, and surprisingly, the surrounding waters were not frozen over. The warm glow of the sun dimly pierced the clouds indicating that it was probably around noon at this point. Some technicians escorted me to my transport, a drone, notably missing any sort of cockpit or carriage.]

Scorpion: Umm, how the hell am I supposed to ride in that?

Technician: Not, in. On.

[I noticed the handlebars on top of the drone and hesitated. Seemed rather unsafe, but then again, it doesn't seem that robotic arms can get tired, nor do I think it's possible for me to fall to my death. I allow the technicians to assist me in mounting the drone. Climbing on top, I grasp onto the handlebars nervously and in a few short minutes I can feel myself being lifted into the air. I had never been flying before, let alone flying like this. To see the ground leave me so quickly and everything shrink in the distance, I thought I was looking at a playset rather than the world below me. A distinct lack of the feeling of frigid wind cutting into my fur was a delightful surprise as I remember that I am far more resilient in this body. As I was lifted above the clouds, I could see the full view of the sun. I basked in a brilliant glow that somewhat resembled a sunset back in the day. Certainly not as bright as it used to be, but certainly this is as bright as I had seen the sun in a long time and I was filled with a bittersweet sense of nostalgia. Looking down, despite being thousands of feet in the air and unprotected, I was unafraid. I lifted my head slightly as much as the air resistance permitted and cheered into the vast expanse of air. Since a very long time, I could feel a single pittance of joy pool at the bottom of my artificial heart.]

Cryo: Having fun?

[I notice an image of Cryo entering the corner of my vision. The surprise almost causes me to release my grip and plummet towards the earth.]

Scorpion: Ahh! Cryo. How long have you been listening?

Cryo: Worry not, I just got on. And I didn't mean to sound condescending if that was the case. I encourage you to take that feeling and hold onto it while you can. No, I'm just letting you know that I will in fact be joining you. Seems the research team was using an old version of my schematics. Idiots. I will convene with you at the base-

[As Cryo spoke, it was too late to notice what appeared to be a ball of fire rocketing towards me. It struck the wing of the drone and blasted me away. I helplessly fell through the air. I could see an indication that Cryo was saying something, but I couldn't hear his words over my own panicked thoughts. After a few short seconds of falling, my vision is obscured with a cacophony of snow and tree branches as I crash through various trees and slam into the ground, causing everything to go black.]

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Arkay: We're doing the right thing yeah? Defending our home, and providing for our families. This is the way.

[I roll my eyes at him. I can feel my jaw clench in frustration and also the lingering uncertainty after conscripting into the army.]

Scorpion: We wouldn't have to do any of this if those demons in their ivory towers would give us some bots to protect us. We're literally their front line of defence against Starblitz, but they basically provide us with nothing.

[Arkay draws to me and places a paw on each shoulder. He shakes me lightly and gives me a snarky grin.]

Arkay, that just means we need to fight better. Become impenetrable. Then those Starblitz slags will stop bothering us.

[I push Arkay off of me, and I can't help but crack a small smile at his enthusiasm.]

Scorpion: You're so hopeless, dude.