Serial Designation Ch-last: A Rebellion in the Shadows

A Moment of Truth

It had been days since the incident at the outpost, and J's demeanor had only grown colder. She barely spoke to Ch-last, and every mission felt like walking on thin ice. Ch-last knew it was only a matter of time before J confronted her or, worse, reported her actions to HQ. And then... well, that would be the end of her.

Despite the risk, Ch-last found herself slipping away once more to meet Uzi. She found the young Worker Drone waiting in the abandoned sector where they'd been meeting in secret, her railgun slung over her shoulder and a stubborn expression on her face.

"You're crazy for coming back here, you know," Uzi muttered as Ch-last approached. "Your squad leader's gonna fry you."

Ch-last chuckled, though the sound was hollow. "Wouldn't be the first time I got on J's bad side."

They sat together in silence for a while, both feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on them. Ch-last could feel the pull of loyalty to her squad warring with something deeper—something she hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe she had a purpose beyond destruction, beyond following orders.

"Why are you even helping me?" Uzi asked quietly, breaking the silence.

Ch-last thought for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "Because... maybe you're right. Maybe all of this—our programming, our 'missions'—it's not the only way. And I think... maybe we can find a way to change things."

Uzi looked at her, surprised, a spark of hope in her eyes. "You really think so?"

Before Ch-last could answer, they heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps. She turned, heart pounding, to see J standing in the shadows, her face twisted in fury.

"Ch-last," J hissed, her voice laced with betrayal. "I knew you were hiding something, but this... this is treason."

Ch-last stood, putting herself between J and Uzi. "J, you don't understand. We don't have to be like this. There's more to us than just following orders blindly."

"Spare me your philosophical nonsense," J snapped, her weapon raised. "You're a disgrace to everything we were built for."

N appeared beside J, his face torn with worry. "J, maybe... maybe she has a point. We've been doing this for so long, but have we ever stopped to think about why?"

J's expression faltered, if only for a second, before she regained her steely resolve. "Enough. Ch-last, you've made your choice. I'll make sure HQ hears about this."

But before she could react, Ch-last took Uzi's hand, and they both bolted into the darkness, leaving J and N behind. They ran through the maze of corridors, the sound of J's enraged shouts echoing after them.