Phantoms

There was a thump behind the door that Nova-TP had just closed shut. There was no doubt about it; no other explanation- Alpha-TP had committed suicide. The points of interest that Alpha-TP shared with Nova-TP surfaced again in his mind, he would only be safe if the INAC was dead. How times had changed. A lonely Claptrap robot trying to run from the world that brought him everything but happiness, lost and found by the Claptrap Robolution and now he was revolting against the revolt. Nomad-N4V would be useful in the killing of the INAC; hopefully Nomad-N4V would see it that way as well.

Nova-TP had the gun in his hand, the mind-set of rebellion and the keys to escape. The two Claptrap robots sitting behind their computers still had no idea that Nova-TP was standing in the same room. Nova-TP raised his gun, took aim and dropped the two Claptraps with a single bullet each. The alarm was raised. The room was bathed in a red light flashing repeatedly. Nova-TP didn't know that the alarm would trip at the sound of gunfire. Nova-TP wasted no time. He ran across the room and read the signs above each door. He found the sign reading, East Corridor 1 (EC1).

Nova-TP threw the door open and sprinted down the catacomb built joining one part of the Secret Cave to another. Nova-TP didn't know the layout of the Secret Cave very well but he had a vague idea where the holding cells were. While he was managing his way through the lantern-lit corridor, Nova-TP thought about the threat that C4TALY5T-SV boasted about during that time on top of the Lockdown Palace roof.

I've told Mr. Shank where the Secret Cave is and he'll launch his assault shortly

Alpha-TP said he knew about it but what precautions were put in place? It was a logical certainty that Mr. Shank died in the explosion and if he didn't, he would put his attention to his pride and joy which was the prison and forget about the deal he had made with C4TALY5T-SV. Then again, it didn't matter anymore. Nova-TP was out of the robolution.

The end of the corridor came into light; Nova-TP skidded to a halt and slowly opened the door. He looked inside and he noticed the familiar sight of the podium, computer screens and the New-U station. He was right outside the control centre. The alarm was still wailing but no-one was coming. Nobody was blocking the doors, nobody was arming themselves and nobody was hunting him down. It was as if the Secret Cave had declared a deadly virus was unleashed and nobody was trying to contain it. Nova-TP's heresy wasn't spreading and he could be easily eradicated. He was one droid searching for another and the network of underground conspiracy was empty.

Nova-TP bashed the door open and aimed his sights all around the room. There wasn't one Claptrap robot there. Nova-TP again read the signs around the room. He knew there were holding cells beyond this point. When he had left Jakobs Cove, Alpha-TP ushered him inside one and he was held in another after his memory block surgery soon after. Nova-TP punched open the door leading to a holding cell and found it empty. He moved towards another door and it automatically opened. Another narrow endless corridor reached out in front of him. He remembered. This was where he and Alpha-TP walked through after his memory surgery rehabilitation.

He sprinted along the corridor and before he knew it he had reached the holding cells. There were many doors and many prisoners could be inside. Nova-TP didn't know, for all he knew they had always kept traitors here. He could have been listening to them without really knowing it during his time here. There were lights above each door. Green indicating that there was someone inside, red indicating vacancy. Nova-TP called out to the occupied doors and got responses most of the time. He was right, there were prisoners inside. Maybe they weren't robolutionaries, maybe the INAC Clap-knapped Claptraps and kept them for the sick Seraph-NV to experiment on.

Nova-TP approached one of the middle cells and called out to the occupant. He replied, "Get me out!" His cracked voice echoing along the cellblock, it was Nomad-N4V. Nova-TP shot the padlock off of the door and pulled it open. Nomad-N4V was leaning against the wall waiting. He wheeled out and thanked Nova-TP and began to speak over the siren.

"What's going on?"

"It was all a trick. The INAC tried to have me killed and he used me to get you back."

"Then why are you rescuing me, again?"

"He only wanted you so he could clear up whatever the hell you two got up to before all of this. I was told by another robolutionary that you hold the answers that the INAC wants. Something must have happened between the two of you that he is still sour about."

Nomad-N4V, just like when he remembered the INAC's name in Lockdown Palace had drifted off into his own thoughts. He was remembering. "I know exactly what he is talking about."

"What is it?"

"I'll tell the story later on. So, I assume you need me because Avalon-TP needs me and he'll be desperate and become an easy enemy." Nomad-N4V read Nova-TP's expression. "I'm right aren't I?" Nomad-N4V refused to call the INAC by his new pseudonym. He was still, Avalon-TP.

"Yeah, you are right. We need to leave; we need to return to the New-U station. I know a place."

The two Claptraps returned to the corridor and navigated the narrowed catacomb back to the control centre. Just like before, Nova-TP checked past the door to see if the coast was clear. This time, four Claptrap robolutionaries were patrolling the control centre. They weren't sitting by their desks or talking to each other. They were holding assault rifles and they were guarding the easiest escape route. Nova-TP turned to Nomad-N4V and explained.

"I have a gun, you don't. We'll need to advance together. There is plenty of cover here. Chances are if one goes down, they'll replace them instantly. Reinforcements are probably just behind closed doors so we need to act quickly and get out fast."

"Where's the destination?"

"The Overlook satellite station."