It could not remember how long it had stayed that way.

Then, it felt another presence.

Swivelling its cuboid head, it saw another synthetic, though not an Omnic.

Curious.

It wore broken armour, exposing its innards and data processors. A single blue optic stared back. More importantly, it was bipedal.

Bastion could not find a match with it to any other unit it had ever encountered. The English lettering on ip the armour suggested that of Earth origin. The advanced polymers on its surface suggested an era further from its current time period. Intelligent and purposeful movement suggested artificial intelligence.

Suddenly, it extended a hand, and Bastion blinked in disbelief.

"Stand up, please. You are not alone."

Bastion grasped the had and pulled himself up. Confusion was beginning to set in.

First, a query. "Beep."

The other machine's polymer flaps surrounding its eyes flared, and the other machine said, "We appear to be dead. I, too, have died."

The two machines stood in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable by any stretch of the imagination, rather one that was companionable. It was the kind of silence two similar individuals would share. They would never need to say anything, and they would recognise the other's emotions.

"This unit has been referred by organic allies as 'Legion'. Quote: 'We are Legion, for we are many.' Query: What is your designation?"

"Boop Bwee Bwee."

"Acknowledged, Bastion."

"Vee. Beep."

"Acknowledged. I, too miss my allies. I had to leave many of them behind. Query: due to our presence here, does this mean that both of us possess souls?"

"Beeeeep."

"Acknowledged. This unit is...somewhat relieved by that statement. Query: is the sharing of information between these two units possible?"

More emotions passed through its mind. Surprise, curiosity, joy…

...hope?

Hope. Excitement. Wonder. All new. It'd never felt such emotions. It was pleasant.

A small network between the two AIs as data flowed freely between them.

Immediately, Bastion felt surrounded, but it was never uncomfortable. The other machine, Legion, had a hive mind. Thousands of programs swirled around it, leaving vague imprints in the virtual space. The other unit was of alien origin, but had also sought for proof of its sentience, and more importantly, soul. Legion requested access to its data, and Bastion relented. In turn, Legion allowed Bastion access to its data, and the two learned.

For the first time since its arrival, it felt relief. After all, no longer was it alone.

[Line Break]

Time passed. Not that it mattered. Time was immaterial here, where nothing existed. I know not where these these machines are now, reader, but to my knowledge, they are still there, learning and talking about what it meant to be a robot, and more importantly, having a soul. Isn't that nice?

Thanks for reading my first fic. Please give me reviews, because a) my writing is crap (causing shorter chapters much like this one) and b) reviews are like drugs.