Murder Drones: Three Days to Live

Episode 11.... Khan Meets Gambit

Another few days passed, and we really didn't want Gambit to go to practice anymore after the recent recital debacle, and we allowed Gambit some time from homeschooling until we could figure out JUST what to do about the other Drones. "We could talk to my dad." Uzi suggested thoughtfully, keeping her voice low so that Gambit didn't wake up. "Are you crazy?! HE'S the one who planted in THEIR heads that we were just beasts who feasted upon their metal flesh!" V exclaimed, eyes wide with shock. "Because for a time we DID, V! Besides, Khan's been wanting to meet Gam for a while now. Who are we to deny him the opportunity to see his grandchild while we're not swamped with work or school?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. "Uh, her PARENTS? Besides, what if he flys off the handle like everyone else?" "Then we'll have no choice but to officially cut ties with him..." Uzi replied in a bold tone, which caught me off gaurd quite a bit! "B-But aren't you trying to FIX things with your dad? I'm sure your mom would want to-" "BITE ME! My mom's been quote on quote "dead", and my dad's been pretty much absent nearly my WHOLE life, N. The only ones who gave a hoot to stay were you, and this one here!" Uzi replied, pointing over at V as she rolled her eyes. ""This One" has a name! Besides, I guess I can see your reasoning enough- talk to the man who influenced the masses to hate us to just STOP hating us isn't going to be a cakewalk." "But we at LEAST need to try.... For us, and Gambit!" She declared, balling her hands into fists. V and I nodded in agreement, but for some reason a sense of dread was lurking in the depths of my very soul.... Like a snow storm brewing that hasn't quite come yet.... I tried to shake the feeling as Uzi reached out to her dad under the guise of a lunch get together to give him the chance to finally meet Gambit, and hopefully to ask of him the only thing we wanted once and for all. We WANTED closure... We WANTED to move on from our pasts, and to stop constantly feel we need to reconcile when we already HAD! Luckily Khan had some things he wanted to discuss with the two of us as well, so he agreed to come to the get together.... Now all we had to do was wait....

Tedious hours passed by slowly as we plotted exactly what topics we wanted to bring up and the food we were making when the time for my in law to show up FINALLY came. There was a knock at the door, and Uzi fixed up her skirt before running to the door to answer. "Uzi, my precocious, weird little cog!" Khan boomed, throwing his arms lovingly around his daughter as she stuttered, "H-Hey, dad.... Y-You look lively..." "Hello Mr. Doorman!" V chimed, trying to keep a lively look about her as she approached my in law with her hand outstretched, expecting him to cordially shake it back only to recieve a cold glare in turn. "Hiya dad! Just in time for lunch I see. Though, you look about ready for work than a family get together." I chirped, setting the table for the Surf an' Turf lunch I prepared. "Nonsense, the nicest outfit you own is the one you look the most professional in, so I'm ready for just about anything ALL the time." He replied dismissively as he pushed his way into the unit, and looked around at the decor. "Sure, just come on in..." I sighed under my breath, beginning to doubt if trying to get through to him was a good idea as I aligned lobster onto plates next to oyster pasta, and we all joined at the table while I placed som of the food in a container for Gambit when she woke up. As we all sat, we did a quick prayer before digging in, and V breathed after gulping a bite of lobster, "Gee N, I didn't think you could pull this off. It's REALLY good!" "Ha! Well, being in a kitchen for a time sure has it's own set of perks. Glad it paid off for SOMETHING, huh?" I replied, trying to remain humble about my abilities as Uzi asked my in law, "So? What do you think, dad?" Khan took a bite of oyster, and looked up in thought as he replied, "The oyster is a little overcooked, but the puttnesca covers it well so nobody would ever suspect unless they took their time. Overall, I just wish he didn't boil the lobster- grilled is MUCH more flavorful!" He took another bite of the food as my memory chip yelled, "THEN DONT EAT IT IF YOU HATE IT!" After he wiped his mouth on a napkin, he cleared his throat and began, "Uzi, I'm sure you all have very..... Erm.... IMPORTANT matters to discuss with me, but if you could be so kind as to let me clear my end of the spectrum with you before you get into your case?" The three of us exchanged worried glances before looking back, and the dread only worsened as I replied slowly, "Prroceeeeeeed?" "Uzi, N, we HAVE to put your personal affairs aside. This Disassembly Drone business HAS to stop!" Our jaws hung in shock as we looked at each other again, and I quickly replied, "S-SAME! That's why we called you up here!" "Y-Yeah, you got one heck of a case of precise insight dad!" Uzi exclaimed, mouth still agape in shock. Our shock seemed to leave him in shock as well before quickly shaking his head, and replying, "Well, what are we going to do about it?" "Well I was hoping YOU could help us with that, actually." Uzi replied, catching him off guard as V added quickly, "We want you to tell off the masses using your fame status in the WDF. We already spent most of our lives reconciling, and paying our dues! Isn't it enough we saved an ENTIRE planet from blowing up because of a Zombie Drone virus that morphed a Drone into a freak of nature?" This made Khan contort his face in confusion, and it took a moment to connect the dots and realize he wasn't QUITE on the same page we were as he asked, "What are you TALKING about?" "Depends on what YOU'RE talking about, dad. Explain where EXACTLY you're getting with this chat." I replied, a little bitter as I guessed his next few words. "This disturbance of public spaces, scaring the wits out of other Worker Drones, bounding them and torturing them in dark rooms, and NOW I hear that you made a SCENE?! Where does it end?!" "I'll have you know, dad, that we have been outcasted, ostracized, beaten, accused- and all WE were doing was trying to LIVE! And for the record those ladies brought their imprisonment on themselves after they battered, and tortured my child, and I raised a scene because my daughter was hurting from their relentless, senseless bullying, and only a handful of Drones are on the RIGHT side! Pray, Doorman, have YOU ever did that for YOUR daughter?" I spat, making him spit back, "I CHANGED MY WAYS, N!" "WELL SO DID WE! IT ISN'T NICE TO BE BATTERED BY YOUR PAST, BUT WE GET IT ALL THE TIME AND YOU HELP TO FUEL IT!" I slammed my fist down on the table as my breathing grew labored, and the atmosphere in the room grew heavy as radio silence echoed through the room. Regaining my composure, I took a deep breath, and calmly began, "Look, all we ask is for you to have-not just my wife's, but mine and my friend's back as well. INCLUDING mine and Uzi's daughter! Please, PLEASE help us...." Khan, whose eyes remained wide for a bit, slowly became downhearted as he replied, "N-No, you're right.... I've tried to change, but the only one that appears to be making good on their promise to is the very things we used to fear...." "Dad..." Uzi said, softly taking his hand in her's as she shared a small smile with him. He took Uzi's hand, and held it to his cheek as he went on, "I-I'm..... Sorry, Uzi... To you, and your friends too..." the two of them hugged, and I could feel the tension melt away as I loosened my tense body. I feel like we've ALL achieved something during this get together.... Or at least I HOPED so..... After Khan and Uzi pulled away, we finished up our lunch, and we all sat in the living room to make small talk when Khan inquired, "Now, where is this beautiful granddaughter of mine?" "Oh yeah! You still haven't met Gambit!" Uzi breathed in realization as I quickly stood up, giddy with excitement to see how he'd react as I stated, "I'll go wake her up!" and made my way to her bedroom. I lightly knocked to check if she was awake, and when I didn't hear anything, I opened the door to find my beautiful robotic angel still asleep peacefully. She was so cute, the way she talked in her sleep, and in fetal position she looked twice as small as I approached her bedside, and gently shook her awake. "Hmmn? Hello, papa..." she yawned, making a little squeak before rubbing her tired eyes. "Afternoon sleepy head. Grandpa's here if you wanna meet him. He seems eager to meet you!" I said quietly, giving her a chance to wake up a bit before taking her into my arms. After she was fully up, I brought her into the living room with the others where her mother greeted happily, "Why, hello sweetheart. Sleep like a log did we?" "Hi Mhamaí." She laughed, reaching out to take her hand. "Hi, cutie pie! Sleep well?" "Yes, I did." She yawned, making another little squeak that melted my heart before turning to face Khan. "Khan, this is our daughter Gambit. Gambit, this man here is your mommy's daddy. His name is Khan, and he's your grandpa!" "Hiiiii!" She exclaimed sluggishly, waving to him, and I smiled as I looked Khan's way, only for it to quickly fade as his eyes filled with fear, and his jaw dropped open. "I-It.... CAN'T be!" "Dad?" "That hair.... Those eyes...! THAT CHILD SHOULDN'T BE HERE!" He sprung up from his seat, and bolted towards me with a speed I didn't know Worker Drones had as he jumped up to try to rip Gambit from my arms. "Wh-What?!" I cried in outrage, angered by his claim towards my daughter as her face displayed confusion, and Khan demanded, "Hand her over. Hand her over, NOW!" "D-DAD! WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO YOU?!" Uzi screeched, rushing over to put space between him and us, but he was like a persistent, rabid dog from the way he pushed past her with hostile eyes. "Uzi! I let you keep those Murder Drones from the kindness of my heart, but THIS! THIS is taking it WAAAAAAYYY too far!" "Dad, WHAT are you talking about!?" "P-Papa?" Gambit asked fearfully, and I tried to console her as I held her away from his reach. "She MUST be handed over to the custody of the WDF! That child is a danger to us, and ALL of Copper Nine!" He declared, and managed to grab ahold of Gam's front collar with both hands before tearing her nightgown. The three of us gasped, and all seemed to go silent as Gambit gave a thousand yard stare.... "Gammy....? Are you- Are you alright...?" I asked, and without a word, she turned her head to me, and began to wail. That wad enough for me, and I yelled out, "WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU!?" "THAT GIRL IS GOING TO DESTROY US ALL- SHE MUST BE DETONATED!" I had heard enough of his crazed ramblings, and I quickly ran outside with Gambit while I shook my head. I consoled Gambit as she cried, "He doesn't like me, my OWN Seanathair!" "Gammy, I'm so, SO sorry you had to-" I stopped as I noticed a glow, the color of her bright, blue eyes, show from the tear Khan had made during the scuffle, and I inquired curiously, "Gambit? Why is your chest glowing?" "Eh? Oh!" Gambit pulled back a piece of the torn fabric to reveal the source of the light, and I only became more confused by the sight of the number four, followed by a bunch of zeros as she explained, "Just a clock. It can't tell time very well though.... Been banjaxed since the day I was born...." a clock? And.... Why would it be counting in days?