Murder Drones: Three Days to Live

Episode 2.... New life beginnings

The very same evening we brought Gambit home, Uzi and I were up all night making plans to turn the spare room that Uzi's father stayed in for visits into her very own space of comfort. There was much that needed work, from the paint job the wall desperately screamed for, to the dated furniture and the curtains that hung around the window overlooking the outside of the colony, bolted tightly shut with blastproof glass. We kept the mattress, and the wrought-iron frame it sat upon, and coated the aged metal with a clean, white finish. Now it was time for decoration, and we decided to start by placing a large, circular carpet on the black, hard rubber floor that looked like a cat's eye marble design before bolting toy and book shelves to the northern wall away from the window. With V's help, we made a safe environment, which was just childlike enough for Gambit- lacey curtains where the dated ones were, and a small chair she can sit in to read as well as a tiny desk. She had a walk in closet filled with cute pajamas and clothes, and her bedside tables sparkled beneath the light of the lamps on either side, making the princess aesthetic really come to life. We even went as far as to consult Cyn for a decorative item to put a countless supply of bows and clips on! Once the room was done, Uzi and I flopped back onto the floor exhaustedly, and stared up at the glow in the dark, colored, painted design on the ceiling created by yours truly depicting copper nine and it's moons. "Heh. Not bad!" Uzi breathed, admiring the work I had done on the roof. "It's not as catching as the cool, mandala spade designs on the wall. Those really go well with the purple walls." I complimented, taking her hand in mine as I looked over at her. I've seen Uzi happy many times, but something about this happiness seemed new- like a dream she never wanted to wake up from! To be honest, I felt the same way that she did, and I was confident that Gambit was going to open up a whole new chapter in our existence. "Now that we got this all done," Uzi began, looking towards me, "what are we gonna do with all that ancient stuff in a pile in the living room?" "Mmmmmmmm, we'll think of something when we get there. I'm tired right now." I yawned, and Uzi playfully slapped my arm as she laughed, "You can at least stay awake long enough to wish Gambit sweet dreams." I picked myself up off the floor of Gambit's new room, and I lifted Uzi to her feet before dusting myself off. We both went through the lounge, and into our room where Gambit rested peacefully, and I whispered, "Look at her- comfortable and at home already!" "It's funny how she seems to just, you know, adapt. Like she's always been here from the moment she was born, and not from some place in the middle of nowhere nearly frozen to death." Uzi added, leaning her head on my stomach as we continued to admire the newest addition to our home proudly. Gambit stirred every now and then, but from the sound of her soft, unintelligible murmurs, her dreams must've been really good! I pulled away from Uzi to gently lift her into my arms, and the two of us brought the child over to her new room before tucking her in again. "Goodnight Gambit." Uzi whispered, moving Gambit's beautiful, dark hair from her face before lightly caressing it. Once Uzi got up, she waited for me by the door as I leaned over, and pecked our new daughter on the head, and I whispered, "Welcome home, Gambit. Sweet dreams." before joining back with Uzi to return to our own room. The next morning was quite busy for us: getting classes set up for Gambit, and cleaning up the renovation mess- but important matters first as I walked with her down the hall to a different wing of the colony where the young worker drones were taught, and knocked lightly on the door as Gambit chirped, "Is this the learning facility? I hope my teacher is nice to me...." "I promise, you'll love her!" I assured as V opened the door. For today, she was dressed up in a brown dress that had a waist belt going across her midsection, and she wore magnetic earrings in the shape of tiny butterflies as she adjusted her glasses to get a clearer look. "Hey N! Hello there, Gambit! What brings you two here today?" She chimed, smiling wide to show her teeth were only semi sharp. I gasped, and quickly signaled for her to shorten her smile to a smirk as to avoid scaring Gambit, and drawing unwanted attention from the other worker Drones; causing her to cover her mouth in panic as Gambit replied, "Heeeeeyyyyy, I know who you are! You were there when Papa N and Mhamaí Uzi told the doctor man they wanted me!" "Th-That's absolutely correct! I've known your mom and dad since school; they were always so cute together." V said, nodding her head at the tiny Drone. "Really? Cool!" Gambit exclaimed, doing a little dance out of excitement as I explained, "We were hoping to set up classes for Gambit, if you're class isn't packed already." "My class is NEVER packed! Come on in, and I'll get the paperwork required." V replied, stepping to the side to let the two of us in. I lifted Gambit off the floor, and I was completely shocked to find that "Never packed" was a complete exaggeration! V's classroom had children from families all over the floor, the shelves, even a small climbing area, and I wondered how in the world she makes it possible as she walked in behind us. "V? A-Are you SURE that you can squeeze in one more?" I asked worriedly as she swished on by, and she said confidently, "Sure I can! The kids are in play mode right now, so this is the perfect time to get Gambit all signed up and taken care of. Now, if you'll just read this through, and sign once you're done-" She handed a paper to me, and I set Gambit down to skim through the paperwork before signing mine and Uzi's name at the bottom. I handed it back to V, where she quickly processed the information on the school database as I set my sweet girl on the ground, and said softly, "Gammy, sweetheart? Papa is going home now, and I want you to have a fun and awesome first day of school!" "Will you two be there when I'm done?" She asked, looking worried. "I promise. Mommy is going to come pick you up from school, and by then papa will have made a nice supper for himself and his two favorite girls." I replied, pulling her in for a hug and pecking the top of her head again as I lingered. Uzi had talked with me about schooling as of yesterday, and that for most fathers of young girls, it's hard to let them fly from the nest- even I found myself guilty of dodging and putting off the plan as soon as Uzi talked about it! Finally, I found the courage to let Gambit go, and my eyes were wet with tears as she kissed my cheek and said in return, "I love you Papa! Could you tell Mhamaí the same, please?" "Of course baby. I'll see you later alligator!" I waved her goodbye as she laughed, and she hugged me one last time before being lightly shooed away by V. I sniffed a little bit, causing V to get a box of tissues from her teaching station to hand to me as she said, "Don't worry, N. She's in the best hands anyone could ever hope for!" "Th-Thang yoob Vee." I cried, taking a tissue to use as she gently pushed me out the door. Once I got back home I found Uzi busy with the pile of dated furniture, and the pile smaller as I mused, "I see you've been busy." "Yeah, with no help from you! What took you?" She asked, stretching her back to regain comfort. "Oh, V just had me sign a few things, and I wished Gambit a good day. She says she loves you, by the way!" I piped happily, and her eyes went wide before looking away from me in a happy sort of embarrassed way, stuttering, "O-Oh, um... Well, we really don't KNOW each other that well but..... I guess if she insists..." she smiled, and I grew emotional as I ran to her, and took her into my embrace as I declared happily, "This new parent life is gonna be the greatest EVER! We're gonna have SO much fun with this, Uzi, I can feel it!" "I'm just as excited! And once she gets herself settled here further, we can finally tell dad about Gambit. I bet he's going to spoil her rotten!" "Not if I do first! You KNOW how good I am with THAT, huh Uzi?" "You little flirt!" Uzi laughed, pushing me from her playfully as she began to pick up more of the dated stuff to discard as I helped her, and we sat on the sofa to watch T.V. until it was time for Gambit to get picked up from school. At about six I kissed Uzi goodbye, and got to work preparing a suprise dinner for her and Gambit upon arrival, and that was loads of fun on my end as I pretended to be a ninja chef, throwing carrots, onions, whatever vegetable or ingredient I needed in the air to slice them up to either stew, bake or boil them. This time around I was attempting to make "Chicken A La King" the way Uzi's dad makes it, but a slight touch less spicy and more of a pleasant salty flavor. With it I made mashed potatoes, and a small cake for dessert as the door opened up, and Gambit came running into the lounge. Happy, I chirped, "Heya Gambit! How was-" "Don't talk to me!" She sobbed, and she ran towards the direction of her room as I stood there stunned. Uzi came in, and I could tell she was bothered by something as I asked, "Is she-?" "No, N. She was getting bullied at school, and V wouldn't go into detail- only that she "Handled it to the best of her ability while staying within teaching friendly guidelines". Me, I'd have taken those disrespectful snots over my knee!" My heart broke to hear that her first day was a flop, and I was disappointed to know Uzi was angry when we had such a good day, and I inquired, "But their parents would've just flew off the handle with you, and spout nonsense wouldn't they?" "Those parents can bite me! Besides, they were once MY bullies too, and for once I want to see them eat it." She fumed, setting herself down on the sofa angrily. I knew there was going to be some times where the path of parenthood would have it's rocky paths, but I never expected to be thrown onto said path THIS quick! "Go see if little Bit is okay, please? I'm worried about her..." Uzi admitted, sounding slightly calmer as I quickly left for Gambit's room. Approaching the door, I cleared my throat and asked softly, "Gam? Sweetie? Are you alright?" "No, I'm not! PLEASE leave me alone." She replied, making me sigh to take some weight off my heavy heart. I opened her door quietly, and found her face down in her pillows sobbing as I crept my way up beside her, and settled myself next to her gently. She retracted her limbs into fetal position to avoid being touched, and I worked up the nerve to ask, "Would you.... Like to talk about it?" At first, the only sound I heard was Gambit crying, then I felt her wriggle her way to my side as she sniveled. "They made fun of me.... Called me "Solid mercury", and "Mud" because my metal is gray, and they made fun of the way I talk!" She sobbed again, and I picked her up to set her on my lap as I consoled her. "H-Hey, there's nothing wrong with your metal color, OR how you talk. You know what? I think they're only scared because they see something that's not generic, and that makes them less unique." "I don't quite follow..." "They're jealous because they can't be different like you. They're all ordinary, but like myself and mommy, you're EXTRAORDINARY! So they pick on you in hopes that they can shine like polished gems, but the secret is that no matter how much they're polished, you're the one that shines the brightest of them all." I embraced Gambit softly, and continued, "Don't let their ick get to you. You are, and always will be perfect to the ones who matter in your life." Gambit went quiet, and wiped her visor on my shirt as she hugged me back. After she had calmed herself down, I brought her into the lounge for her to join us during supper, which both seemed happy as Uzi whispered, "Nice work, papa N." Making my heart leap for joy as I proudly served my small family. Afterwards, Gambit made a request that Uzi and I seemed hesitant on at first before finally throwing in the towel, and granting her permission to sleep in our bed tonight. I lingered awake longer as I happily watched the now two most important people in my life cuddled and bundled side by side, feeling a light sense of completion within me as I moved Uzi's hair from her visor, and caressed Gambit's face. I never knew how truly gratifying it was to be a dad, and to tell the truth further, I wouldn't trade it even if my life depended on it. Uzi felt the same way from the way she held onto Gambit in sleep mode, and I grinned as I shut off my lamp, and placed my arm lovingly over both of my precious girls before finding peaceful sleep myself.