Summary: Mamoru has always considered himself a creature of habit and predictability. He enjoys working as a genetic engineer, the company of his friends, and knowing that the war against Tomoe Industries is going well for Earth Biotech, the good side of the planet.
That is, until a droid named SRNT-3421 is put under his care.
(Or, an AU where Usagi is a droid created in the biotech company Mamoru works for as a weapon for the war against Tomoe Industries, and he's given responsibility for her. I was a little bit inspired by a certain episode of The Twilight Zone. This may or may not be regularly updated. It probably won't. Bear with me, though - I have tons of ideas for this story!)
(Also if anyone has a better title, please tell me! I can't name fanfics worth anything.)
Mamoru Chiba hated surprises.
More than surprises, he hated his nosy coworkers, who thought that sticking their heads in private business was very much their number one priority. He preferred to keep his personal life private and would only share information he deemed appropriate enough to tell to random strangers. Working at Earth Biotech as a genetic engineer was already a demanding job, but no surprises popped up. He liked keeping things quiet and predictable, and that was that.
Which is why, when his friends Motoki and Zoisite presented him with a birthday card and small envelope during their lunch break, he let out a quiet yet genuine "thanks", content and thankful with them laying low about this certain day of the year.
The two watched him read the card ("happy birthday, oldie") and open the envelope with seemingly impatient anticipation, and his suspicion rose. He shook the envelope, but there was no noise.
Was this a joke?
He was about to ask his friends what was going on when a small receipt fell out of the envelope. Mamoru felt his stomach plummet as he recognized the familiar font and structure.
It was a purchase receipt.
"You bought me a droid?!"
"Yes!" Zoisite said excitedly, beaming with self-satisfaction, "Mamoru, your apartment's style is getting pathetic. You need someone to liven it up!"
"Then I'll get an interior designer, not a droid!"
Zoisite's mouth twisted into a scowl, "You're not being very appreciative."
"Zoi-"
"It was actually the boss' idea!" Motoki cut in, "She mentioned how Tomoe was creating a mass-super-weapon for the war, and how we needed one of our own."
Mamoru nodded, his glare softening, "Yeah, I remember - the 'Messiah project'. I helped perform tests for that project."
"Yep. She said that it was going to be a very sensitive droid, though - with more power than a usual senshi droid," Motoki shrugged and downed his iced tea, "So they're going to need someone to look after and care for the thing - you know, make sure its' DNA is replicating itself properly, their chaperone proteins are correctly folding other proteins - the works."
". . .so you mentioned me?!" Mamoru demanded, still not grasping the situation.
Zoisite shrugged, "Actually Nephrite told the boss how you were the best genetic engineer he knew, so Ms. Meioh put you in charge. Effective a few days ago."
Mamoru just stared at them in disbelief, "But Nephrite's in customer relations - what does he have to do with-" he was at a loss for words now. "I just don't-"
"You're welcome." Zoisite said grinning, finishing the last of his lunch.
"I mean we can always tell Setsuna you don't want to take the task," Motoki said, frowning, "But she'd probably be upset because it's a huge responsibility."
"I didn't even volunteer-"
"Mamoru, seriously?" Zoisite frowned, crossing his arms, "You're the lead genetic engineer at Earth Biotech, and you can't show an important droid the ropes? Is your pride that fragile?"
Mamoru opened his mouth to reply but then jammed it shut.
Yep, he hated surprises.
As the weather cooled down a bit, so did Mamoru's temper about the whole droid situation. He figured it wouldn't hurt to work it out, to be responsible for a droid. After all, he had babysat a few friends' children before, so how hard could it be? Droids were like children - they were both susceptible to injury, had a human-like exterior, and listened without question.
At least, the kids he babysat did. He had heard multiple complaints from other co-workers of their young ones asking about where exactly babies came from.
As August came to an end, Mamoru's work had begun to consume more of his time, as reports and layouts had to be taken back home for review. The Messiah project had become even more of a priority when news that Tomoe Industries' weapon had reached midway point in production. His work required almost constant 24-hour focus, and he found himself arriving at Earth Biotech a few hours earlier than the other workers and leaving once the security guard told him they were about to lock up. Needless to say, Mamoru was exhausted.
"Whoaaaa," Jadeite, Mamoru's friend in Advertising, gaped at him one day at lunch in mid-September, "Mamoru, what's up with your eyes?"
"Oh, those are the abs he's built from carrying bags." Motoki joked. When no one laughed, he crossed his arms, pouting, "Oh come on, it's funny! Bags under his eyes? Because he hasn't been sleeping?"
Mamoru rolled his eyes but sighed, rubbing his face with his hands, "Gosh, I'm so tired."
"Mamoru, you need to sleep." Kunzite, Mamoru's friend in Research, said.
"Oh, is that what I needed to do?" Mamoru asked sarcastically, "Wow, thanks Kunzite, I had no idea I needed sleep. Did you learn that from your PhD in pharmaceutical sciences?"
"Um, Motoki's the one with a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences." Jadeite piped up, but Mamoru glared at him.
"You know what I mean."
"Hey, don't go picking on others because you're having a shitty week." Nephrite said, and Zoisite let out a loud laugh.
"Yeah, like you would know anything about that, Mr. 'I hate every useless customer in existence'."
"Mm, at least I don't go making googly-eyes at people to get promotions." Nephrite countered, and Zoisite flushed a deep red, his amused expression turning into one of anger.
"You take that back right now!"
"Don't speak so loud, Zoisite, or you may lose a few of your hairs."
"NEPH-"
"Motoki!" two loud voices called out to him, and the six men turned to face a tall brunette and a small girl with short blue hair, both in senshi uniform, walking over and waving at Motoki, "Hey, guys!"
"Hey Mako, hey Ami," Motoki grinned, high-fiving the taller of the two, "How's it going? How are the other droids?"
"We're doing well, thank you-"
"It's pretty boring up on the front so far," the brunette droid twisted a strand of hair from her ponytail around her index finger, rolling her eyes, "so far we've only encountered a few Daimons, but they're no match for the strongest of the senshi - Makoto, JPTR-4401!" she smacked one palm with her fist, expression determined, and then gently gestured to the other girl with a smile, "and our smartest droid, Ms. Ami, formally known as MCRY-3471!" she held up Ami's hand in the air, cheering loudly. Ami giggled and faced Mamoru as she pulled her arm from Makoto's grasp.
"By the way, Setsuna says that the Messiah droid should be ready by this evening," she said excitedly, "I can't wait to meet them - Setsuna says they're supposed to be very powerful and made with the best genetics in the archives. You must be very excited to take on such a responsibility."
"Oh, uh, yeah," Mamoru nodded shortly, "Can't wait."
"Well, we were just dropping by to get a snack. Can't have those Daimons taking over our front," Makoto waved at the men again, grinning, "We'll see ya guys later!"
"Bye!"
Once the two droids were out of sight, Nephrite raised an eyebrow, a grin on his face.
"So…?"
"What?" Mamoru asked.
"'Very powerful'?" Nephrite leaned back, waving his arms for emphasis, 'Made with best genetics in the archives'? Mamoru, do I have to spell it out for you?"
It seemed like yes, he did.
"So what?"
Nephrite smacked his forehead with his palm, "Someone explain it to him before he loses more brain cells."
"What Mr. Jealous here means to say is that this is a huge, awesome opportunity." Zoisite explained, a proud smirk on his face.
Mamoru frowned, "I was pushed into it without permission."
"Once again, you're welcome."
Mamoru had been lucky enough to take a quick four-hour nap during his shift, as his fellow genetic engineers said they'd cover for him - he "needed his rest for meeting the Messiah".
His friends, unfortunately, were not so nice and insisted on following him to meet the new 'Messiah' droid in Setsuna's headquarters, as it was "new technology and this sort of opportunity cannot be missed, Mamoru".
"What do you think they'll look like?" Jadeite asked, expression excited, "Back in advertising, we're having bets! People are saying that it's gonna be a girl since all the senshi droids are female."
"Well, the senshi certainly are strong," Kunzite noted, "Our male weapons have only been strong in the physical sense, rendering them useless against Tomoe's magic Daimons."
"Whoever they are, I just want them to end this war," Zoisite rolled his eyes, "I'm tired of having to hear Nephrite complain about customers being stupid all day."
"Hey!" Nephrite yelled, glaring at Zoisite, "At least I don't boast of my meaningless victories!"
"You-"
"You guys are doing nothing to calm my nerves," Mamoru interjected, now feeling uneasy with all of this.
Having to take care of a droid. . .again, how hard could it be? It was a weapon, not a person, so it didn't matter, right? He interacted with senshi droids all day and, despite their human-like demeanor, he had enough experience to distinguish human from machine.
It wouldn't be too bad, right?
"Mamoru!" Setsuna greeted him when he knocked on her door, and let them all in, "So glad you are doing this for Earth Biotech."
"Seems like I didn't have much of a choice," Mamoru shrugged, but gave her a small smile, following her into her office.
"Well, the company thanks you for your service," Setsuna grinned, and gestured to the seats in front of her desk, "Motoki should be bringing the droid any moment now."
"So what will Mamoru have to do for the droid?" Jadeite asked curiously.
"Mainly just introduce the droid to humanity," Setsuna replied, sitting behind her desk, "Senshi droids can be created with a pre-knowledge of the human world, but this special one has required too much focus on their genetics and abilities. Thus, there has been next to no work on Earth's social skills or history. Their genetics are fragile too, since we rushed their regeneration, so we need a scientist watching their organs and biological structures."
"Why not just keep them in their cell so they can rejuvenate 100%, then?"
Their boss shook her head, her expression serious, "We don't have enough time, Jadeite. We need this help now."
The door opened and Setsuna brightened, smiling at their new visitors, causing Mamoru and his friends to follow her gaze.
"Ah, thank you, Motoki!"
Standing next to Motoki was a short, blond droid, her long wavy hair reaching her knees, going past the length of the blue hospital gown she wore. Her blue eyes shone as she glanced at the rest of the people present in the small office, momentarily pausing at Mamoru. She smiled and waved at all of them.
"Mamoru," Motoki gestured between the two, "This is SRNT-3421, or just 'Serenity'. SRNT-3421, this is Mamoru Chiba - he will be looking after you."
"Nice to meet you, Mamoru," SRNT-3421 spoke clearly, extending her hand, "I'm very excited to learn all that you have to teach me."
Sure, she was pretty, but so were the rest of the senshi. Each had its own distinctive features that made them beautiful, and this one seemed to have spotted blue eyes, bright as day that seemed to twinkle like stars. Just above those eyes was a small yellow moon symbol, which stood as proof of her stance as a droid - high priority.
"Uh, yeah," Mamoru nodded, accepting her handshake, "I'm honored, too."
The droid smiled and grasped his hand tightly, "Now, where are we going to start?"
"Erm-"
"Let's go to Mamoru's apartment!" Zoisite cut in.
"Zoisite!" Mamoru interjected, frowning at him.
"What?" his friend asked, twirling a strand of his mid-arm length hair around his index finger, "It wouldn't hurt for her to get to know the place. After all, she will be living there."
"Wait, what?"
"Yes," Setsuna nodded and placed a hand on the droid's shoulder, "SRNT-3421 will be living with you, Mamoru. The company is already providing you with several accommodations for her stay."
"Though I don't really require sleep!" the droid said, "I just need some place for charging and frequent check-ups. Other than that, I'll be coming to and from the company with you everyday!"
"Like a companion?" Jadeite asked, "Because Mamoru doesn't date – he stays at home and works."
Nephrite and Zoisite burst out into laughter, and Motoki and Kunzite snorted, covering their smiles with a hand. Even Setsuna was grinning, chuckling quietly. SRNT-3421 and Jadeite were the only two who shared expressions of confusion, and Mamoru fumed quietly.
"I do too date."
"Yeah?" Zoisite asked between laughs, "When was your last date, Mamoru? The mandatory social back in grad school?"
Nephrite clutched his stomach, wiping a tear from his eye, "Oh that was a good one."
The droid blinked in confusion, "I'm not going to be a date, as I'm a droid, not a day of the year."
"No, no," Mamoru shook his head, "A date is like….going out to eat with a person that you like."
SRNT-3421 tilted her head, still lost on the concept, "So…since you don't 'date'…does that mean you don't like people…?" she asked slowly, putting the pieces together.
Now everyone in the room was laughing at the droid's confusion, and Mamoru huffed, glaring at them. What great friends he had.
"I'm sorry!" SRNT-3421 took his hand in hers, genuine concern in her features, "I didn't mean to cause such an uproar – I'm genuinely confused, I don't get human traditions."
Mamoru's temper lowered as the droid looked up at him sadly. He began to feel like an ass – it wasn't her fault at all that her confusion indirectly caused fun at his expense. She honestly had no idea what was going on – she was just a droid.
"No, it's alright," Kunzite shook his head, patting the short droid on the back, "Mamoru's just a little sensitive."
"I am not."
"Shh, don't get touchy," Kunzite said, and turned to the droid, "We're going to go to Mamoru's apartment so you can get used to where you're living – we'll all help out."
"Oh!" SRNT-3421 grinned, "Alright, then. I can't wait!" she turned to Setsuna, "Goodbye, Ms. Meioh!"
Setsuna waved at the droid, a soft smile on her face, "Goodbye, SRNT 3421. I'll see you on Monday."
Mamoru's friends all began talking to the droid at once, complimenting her ("Wow, your eyes are so pretty!"), filling her in on Earth's traditions ("Mamoru snores in his sleep, sometimes"), and overall giving her the pros/cons of living with Mamoru ("Don't ever touch the kitchen, or you'll get a lecture instead of a demand for an apology").
Yeah, Mamoru hated surprises.
