Chapter 3:
DAYS WITHOUT INCIDENT: 275 DAYS
A new day has come on Copper-9. N slowly activated himself from Sleep Mode and got up, looking down at the floor to find that he fell asleep while reading about the Absolute Solver. It caught his attention a few times due to being focused on living here on this planet and figuring on how to contain the symbiote inside of him.
This last sleep he had however, it was more disturbing as if reading about the Absolute Solver brought back even more memories from the past, good and bad.
He remembered clearly being a worker drone like the ones on this planet, being part of the Elliot family and taken care of by Tessa Elliot. He remembered Tessa, V, J, and Cyn...
Cyn...
The Worker Drone he believed to be his little sister figure. And it was all disguise because Cyn was never real...
Cyn was the Absolute Solver...
The memories of the night of the slaughter were still blurry but all he could remember was...
The traumatizing horror of being ripped apart by Cyn then experimented on.
Experiment after another after another...He couldn't count how many times Cyn did this to him...
Until he became a Disassembly Drone...and the final moments with V still stayed in his head...
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
N: NO! No. No. *closes my eyes and breathes*
N tried to relax himself, block the memories from his mind because when he goes into deep, troubling thoughts that involve anger and fear...
That triggers the monster inside of him...
After the first incident with the Symbiote, N figured out that this thing inside him could only come out when it's hungry, when N feels weak, or when N falls to the darkness. He created a wrist watch that attaches to his system especially his pulse with the Symbiote.
He didn't think it would work yet it would seem like every time he has remained calm, the Symbiote remained in a dormant state. Unfortunately, there have been incidents that the Symbiote has taken over and it has mostly been whenever Disassembly Drones would land on Copper-9.
But this has been the longest it has been dormant and N hoped it stayed that way until he can figure out a cure.
N: *sighs in relief* That should do it...*looks at the time* I should get ready.
Finally getting himself out of bed, N went on to complete his chores first: Breakfast, Water his plants, Clean Up his home once a week, and a 30-minute self-meditation. Once he was finished with all of that, it was time to head off to Outpost 3 for both school and work.
N remained in his Disassembly outfit as most of the outfits offered by the Worker Drones were a bit small for him. He has been learning to sew to patch up clothes taken from the dead human corpses and to make it fit his size. He was thankful that the other Worker Drones did not mind his attire. He headed outside to find it's not snowing or windy which was rare.
N: Perfect day for perfect flying. *Activates my wings* Time to head off.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
It was officially go time!
Removing the bandages around her eye to see it healed fully. Uzi gave herself two thumbs up before grabbing her railgun, her backpack, and her father's keycard to the doors.
A few hours ago, she saw through one of the main cameras of Outpost 3 that a few miles from here, a pod crashed onto Copper-9. But not just any pod...
A Disassembly Drones ship, the same kind as N have once again returned to Copper-9 which also meant another thing...
The Shadow Demon
Uzi: Either this is going to be horrible...or this is going to be AWESOME!
She made her way to the large doors of Outpost 3, slid her dad's card on the scanner as they began to open up. Uzi had a large smile on her face until it dropped...
As her father, Khan Doorman, was right in front of her.
Uzi: Oh, Robo-Jesus!
Khan: And where might you be off to?
Uzi: Mm, sneaking out to make out with my boyfriend that I definitely have? Hehe.
Khan: Hmmmmm. *Glares then laughs* Seriously, though. Where you might be going missy?
Uzi: *Groans* Okay, okay. You caught me. I need to...measure the exterior hydraulic mechanisms of Door 1, because that's...the project I'm working on for school? A big old door! *Laughs awkwardly* Just like what my old man built. I wanna join the WDF and hide behind doors like cowards while playing cards and stuff.
Khan: *Chuckles* Well, we don't just play cards.
Makarov: *opens the doors* Khan, can you grab a fresh pack? We literally only play cards so much that the numbers have faded. Oh! Hey, Uzi.
Khan: *closes the doors* When you build doors so good! *Hugs the door* Good door. Gooooood door. There's no need to fight. Uzi, this is great news! Here- the wrench I used to tighten bolts on my first door prototypes- and to put your mother out of her misery when the Murder Drones got to her with their nanite acid! AHEM! I want you to have it. *Hands the wrench*
Uzi: Neat. *Grabs the wrench slowly* Therapy is fun.
Khan: *opens the doors* Guys! My daughter is into doors! She's gonna be outside for a bit to examine the exterior of Door 1. Your door-specific destiny awaits!
The crew cheered on before the doors opened with a large gust of snow entering and blowing the cards away to the dismay of the crew.
Uzi: Uh, wow. Okay. Just gonna leave then...'cause this worked so weirdly well. Uh, go, doors!
Uzi exited out while her father watched on with proudness on his face until the door closed completely and Uzi sighed in relief at how her excuse somehow worked.
Uzi: Okay! Back to work! Time to-
Something lands in front of Uzi in a flash which startled over and braced herself until she peeked and saw a pair of wings. Her eyes widened at first thinking it was another Disassembly Drone until it stood up, only for the drone to be N.
Uzi: N!
N: *looks at her* Uzi? W-What are you doing outside?
Uzi: Oh! You know...stuff. Cool exploring stuff!
N: *confused* Uh-huh...You're gonna do something risky and lied to your dad didn't you?
Uzi: *blinks* Wow...you're good.
N: You shouldn't do this, Uzi. For all I know, I saw another pod of the Disassembly Drones arrive. Tried to get here faster before I was caught.
Uzi: See! This is what I mean in class! You're a freaking Murder Drone like them but the difference is you have a heart! You could use all those gadgets and weapons to defend yourself and save others but instead you're wanting to hide?!
N: *sighs* Uzi...there's more to it than just gadgets, weapons, and hiding...
Uzi: *sighs softly* Look, I'm sorry for what I said yesterday. I just...want to grab a power source real quick for my railgun then we'll come back inside.
N: We?
Uzi: You're already stuck with me so might as well follow! *Marches off*
N: Uzi, wait! Uzi!
Uzi: BITE ME!
N sighed before looking back and forth between the doors and Uzi. He could just sweep her off her feet and bring her back inside. Or he could help her real quick and server as protection. Sometimes, N hated having a good heart.
N: Better make this quick! *Follows her*
Uzi: I knew you would follow.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
N stood next to Uzi as they walked further to what was once a city now nothing else than just ruins. N only looked around at the destruction that was caused by the implosion as more flashes of the day he crashed to this planet surfaced. He stopped for a moment to hold his head in pain. It didn't help either seeing corpses of both drones: Worker and Murder.
Uzi: N?...
N: *looks at her and gives a thumbs up* I'm fine, Uzi...just...this place gives me disturbing feelings...
He was strange. He was different. Different from the Worker Drones AND the Disassembly Drones. But Uzi realized that maybe being out here where he could be surrounded by his kind is startling him.
Uzi: We'll get the power source quick...and we'll head back. I promise.
N nodded and caught up to Uzi as they continue to walk until they reached an abandoned building. They peeked inside the large, empty building and saw a Disassembly drones ship. And a few feet from it, a power source for the railgun.
Uzi: Bingo. *Looks at N and think* Stay out there and be on the lookout. This won't take long!
N did not like this one bit but nodded quietly at Uzi as she carefully made her way in while N tried to remain calm, checking the watch for both pulses. The Symbiote remained dormant but there were small rises from his nerves. He needed this over with and return to the Outpost.
Uzi crawled her way in and carefully approached the power source to the railgun. It did bother her seeing a few pieces of Worker Drones around but she got what she needed.
Uzi: *whispers* That was easy.
At least that's what she thought...
N looked over and saw Uzi waving at him with the power source as she connected it with her railgun, now fully ready for use. N was relieved but felt something was off. His nerves picked up and eyes slowly widened as he slowly looked up to see multiple Disassembly Drones hanging from the roof of the building, all looking down at Uzi who didn't know she was being watched.
N: UZI, RUN!
Uzi was startled by N's outburst until he switched one of his hands for a missile and shot it up. She looked up and froze at the sight of the killer drones while the missile hits a few of them. She only remained frozen as other Disassembly Drones spread out their wings and dived towards her...
Until she was caught and lifted...
By N. He sped out of the building, carrying Uzi and flying through the city, hoping to make it back to the Outpost until he started getting shot at by the others. They were being followed!
Disassembly Drone #1: CATCH THE ROGUE! FINISH THE GIRL!
This was bad! This was terribly bad! If he flies back towards the Outpost, he'll lead them to where everyone is and they'll be slaughtered. He needed to create a diversion path and flew to a different route.
Uzi: N! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
N: GETTING US OUT OF THIS MESS!
Flying through holes and different pathways, N continued flying on as he noticed most of them got lost in the way but a few were still after him and Uzi. That is until he saw an abandoned factory and flew right in.
Disassembly Drone #2: All units regroup at my coordinates. We got them trapped!
Inside the factory, N placed Uzi down before grabbing her hand and running into more depth of the factory.
Uzi: We can fight them! My railgun! Your weapons and gadgets! We can hold them off! We can show the others-
N: DAMNIT UZI! JUST STOP! *Rubs my face in frustration* What would have happened if you went in alone and I didn't join you? You would have been dead on sight! You just HAD to go out there for some power source for a STUPID GUN!
Uzi: IT'S NOT STUPID! IT'S OUR WAY TO SURVIVE!
N: NO IT'S NOT! IT'S SUICIDE!
Explosions were heard from where they flew in which means all the Murder Drones that were chasing them have arrived. N didn't have time to argue with her and knew she needed to escape!
N: Listen to me! And I DON'T want you to argue back! Take a left then another left then go downstairs. That'll lead you to an exit that will take you back to the Outpost! I'll distract them!
Uzi: That's Crazy?! One against who knows how many are here!
N: UZI JUST LISTEN PLEASE!
He heard the ring on his watch and looked at it. There were heavy spikes coming from the Symbiote which meant it was waking up...
The Shadow Demon was coming...
N: No. No. No. No.
Uzi: W-What? What is it?
N: GO NOW! *Flies off*
Uzi: N?!
N was now out of sight for Uzi as the heavy words from him hit her hard and she hated to admit that he was right...Now he was most likely going to sacrifice himself just to save her...
She looked over to the direction he told her for the exit then looked back at what would soon be a bloodbath...
She charged her railgun and ran her way back to help N and face off against the other Murder Drones.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Gunfire, Missiles, Explosions...
That had been the battle for N against the Disassembly Drones after him. They knew he was a rogue Drone and was perhaps needed to be caught alive to be brought back to Cyn to be reprogrammed. He wasn't going to allow that! Nor allow the monster in him to come out.
N: THAT'S THE BEST YOU GOT!
Unlike these drones, N knew every way through the factory which gave him an advantage with speed and attack. He launched another missile to a group which blasted them to pieces. Until he saw their hearts...
He was feeling the crave. The hunger. He wanted it...It wanted the hearts...
Unfortunately, that was enough to be distracted and pinned to the ground by a few Disassembly Drones. He tried to fight back and find an opening to fly up but he was getting outnumbered by them.
Disassembly Drone #1: A failed version of us. Don't worry. Our boss will take care of you very well!
N: *struggles* No...SHE WON'T!
N spread his wings to release himself until one of them lasered through his wings which caused him to crash on the ground...
BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!
He was outnumbered...Alone...
He was weak...Scared...
It was waking up...
N tried to stay calm...he didn't want it to come out...
N: STOP!...YOU'RE...GONNA AWAKEN IT...
None of them listened as he slowly tried to crawl away before one of them had their giant claws and
SLASH!
N: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
His scream echoed through the factory...
Enough for Uzi to hear which made her freeze completely and remain numb...
She tried to catch up and help...but it was too late...and it was her fault...
DAYS WITHOUT INCIDENT: 275 DAYS
Weakened...Damage...Bleeding...N gave in...
The whispers were crawling to his head as he felt everything go dark for him...
Until his eyes switched from his normal yellow eyes to white, jagged eyes followed by a low growl...
DAYS WITHOUT INCIDENT: 0 DAYS
It had awoken from it's long sleep and was ready to kill...
N's body began to be covered by black goo as the shadow figure of N grew bulkier and larger...
Disassembly Drone #1: Pick him up! Let's take him back to the Boss!
As one of them approached N, they were met with a ferocious punch through the chest then dragged into the shadows...
Disassembly Drone #1: WHAT WAS THAT?! WHERE IS HE?
A low growl was heard from the shadows followed by a loud CRUNCH! The Drones had their weapons and waited for it to come out until the body of the Disassembly Drone, split in half, was launched right at them, knocking a few down as the monster in the shadow rose up completely and the Drones realized this was something else.
Disassembly Drone #1: FIRE!
ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRRRR!
The roar was so loud that it was potentially heard across the entire city. Uzi heard it and covered her ears but the fear realization stuck her...
N's scream lured in the Shadow Demon...and she made a run for it!
The Symbiote went after every Drone trying to fight back, ripping them apart, and ripping out their hearts.
Disassembly Drone #1: FALL BACK! FALL- AAAAAGHHHHH!
The one that gashed N with his claws was now the victim of its own gashing as the Symbiote ripped him into two, drank the oil before munching on his heart. It saw the others trying to escape and gave chase.
Multiple gunshots and explosions were heard as Uzi carefully ran across the factory and couldn't see much but the Disassembly Drones trying to shoot at the Shadow Demon but fall short.
Uzi: What...the...fu-
Another loud roar was heard as the Symbiote grabbed multiple equipment of the factory with its tentacles and launched it at a few of the drones while crushing the others flat dead.
Uzi saw the horror as she didn't want to be found by the Shadow Demon until she saw a long staircase that led to a bridge above. She carefully made her way up and hope to hide there until all of it was over.
The slaughter continues with more drones being dragged into the shadows and killed at the instant. One of the other Drones launched a flash-bang grenade near the Symbiote which it looked at it before
BOOM!
The bright flash displayed the large size of the monster for a second before everything went silent and dark...
The remaining Disassembly Drones alongside Uzi only watched and waited if the Shadow Demon was impacted for once until...
Symbiote N: *low growls* You should have left us alone...
It spoke! It spoke and it frightened the Drones as to what it meant until a large factory piece was lunged towards them and just like that, they were all crushed to death.
The Symbiote looked around and walked its way to an exit while Uzi watched from above. The sheer size and physicality of the creature left her shocked as she quietly and carefully continues to watch on until she felt something drop...
Her eyes widened as a small object falls on the ground near the Symbiote which caused it to stop, look back at what fell then looked right up at Uzi which froze her as if she was staring right at Robo-Death.
Until it emerged to the light to reveal the Shadow Demon...
A monster, all dark, white veins around its shoulder and neck, a large head with jagged, white eyes, and the deadliest sharp teeth she has ever seen. It growled and showed it's long tongue while Uzi remained paralyzed.
It saw her...until the Symbiote used a tentacle to grab a Disassembly Drone above her. It was trying to escape but was caught by the monster, dragged back, heart ripped out, and crushed flat to death...
The Symbiote rammed through a wall of the factory while Uzi felt her body collapse in relief and fear as the monster disappeared to the outer world but not before letting out another bone-chilling roar.
The roar that all of Copper-9 would hear...
That the Shadow Demon has returned...