Chapter Sixty – Camp Chaos

Naru's cry had barely left his lips when a deafening shrill alarm sounded. Naru was jostled by the androids, the human guard he'd been wrestling with stumbling back as everything ground to a halt. About ten androids threw themselves at the machine holding Mai, all of them non-deviants programmed to assist any human in need. There was confusion between the humans as a pre-recorded voice rang out.

"Warning, biological matter detected in rig two-three-four. Emergency shut down in progress. Warning, biological matter detected in rig two-three-four. Emergency shut down in progress." It said on repeat. Naru couldn't allow himself to hesitate. He forced his way through the stunned crowd to the spider rig, where androids were tearing the metal limbs down in twos and threes. The androids who were stuck were either left hanging limply until the machines were reactivated, or managed to slip down if they hadn't been connected yet.

"Mai!" Naru cried, helping another unit to lower her body to the cold metal floor of the pod. Since Mai had been freed the non-deviant androids ambled back to their previous positions, awaiting execution without a care in the world. "Mai…" The Asian unit trailed off, resting a hand on her bare shoulder. He barely registered as a feminine unit knelt on Mai's other side.

"You know her? Do you know any medical history? I'm a doctor." She said, understanding as Naru shook his head numbly. He looked up at the unit, only able to register green eyes since they were without skin and hair.

"Sh-she runs a coffee shop, she shouldn't be here…She shouldn't be here…" Naru stammered as his plastic hands trembled, the android nodding her agreement as she felt behind Mai's neck with a frown. She looked down intently, likely running some medical scans. She shifted her fingers and tightened her grip on Mai's slick skin, feeling the red blood slow as she pinched down.

"Someone call an ambulance! This human required immediate surgery!" The female unit shouted, unsure anyone heard through the noise. The humans were confused, the deviant androids were in an uproar, and outside a loud thrumming sounded. Naru looked down at Mai, unsure what to do or say as glassy hazel eyes stared up at him. She looked dead, but he could read her vitals. She was still breathing, but she didn't move.

"What happened? Why is she…" He trailed off, keeping a tight hold on one of Mai's limp hands. She made no sign that she could feel him.

"I think the machine severed part of her brainstem, or at least cut some nerves…Her basic functions are still going on autopilot, but I have no idea how much is still working. She clearly can't move or speak, but I don't know if she can hear or see…If she's aware at all she probably wants you to stay close." The medical unit added soothingly, knowing that Naru was going into his own form of shock. Naru nodded his agreement as he raised Mai's hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. There was no way he was going to leave her side. They'd have to shoot him first. They looked up as the doors burst open and a blonde unit strutted in with confident authority, a group of uniformed medical androids behind her.

"Emergency medical team. We're here for the human." The woman announced, one of the soldiers instantly falling in step beside her and leading her down. "You have medical training. Please accompany us to assist." The blonde added kindly as she looked down at the medical unit holding Mai's injury shut. The plastic unit nodded its agreement before shifting to allow the human looking units to carefully get Mai onto a stretcher.

"Please, I don't want to leave her." Naru said desperately, recognising the blonde model as another Chloe, like the one in the truck with them earlier. Her blue eyes dropped to Naru's hand, which still held tightly onto Mai before nodded with a kind smile.

"Of course, please come this way." She added, gesturing to the open path that led outside. A few androids had made a break for the exit, but most were hanging back uncertainly, not to mention the non-deviants that remained in line awaiting instructions. Naru got to his feet and rushed alongside the other androids as they carried Mai outside, never letting go of her hand.