We make this our last run for the day, head back, clean up, hit the rec area in time for the show. “I think I can handle a couple of Sentients. You did what was right – the words came back – you are still a soldier. The Nekomata bowed its head and took a few steps forward, the radiance from its solitary eye-ring dimming. Will you be needing my assistance?” asked the Voice. Two hybrid heartbeat signatures aboard, if I’m not mistaken. I see that you’ve picked up the approaching truck. You could say I’m acting purely out of self interest.”ĭuty’s tail swirled upwards into an aggressive position once again. It’s my job to make sure that we’re pulling in the same direction. Let’s face it, if I was one of the Elect, you’d already be dead. “Their unquestioning obedience could be their Achilles heal. The Sentients grow in number by the day, multiplying like termites in their precious tower, all under the spell of the Elect.” “The Elect are not as all powerful as you once believed.
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The Voice became somber, taking on a darker tone. They will not be swayed,” said Duty emphatically. “The Elect would rather destroy everything than allow that to happen. The slaughter of innocents, the sounds of death, rivers of blood. You let it live.”Ī watery shimmer rippled down Duty’s back as he stood in deep thought.
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Our little feathered friend was a split second away from being fried. What is it that you need? I can help,” offered the Voice.ĭuty paused for a moment, then said, “I feel lost. “I’ve heard they end up with everything they want.” Duty’s attempt at sarcasm was not convincing even to him. “Would you rather be one of them? Plugged in? No choice?” The Voice sensed an increase in tension from the Nekomata’s readings and made a note of it. The Freemechs and the Sick have no option left but to die.” Or did you forget your own name while you slept?”ĭuty appeared offended, raising his tail as if to strike an invisible foe. But the war has not ended and you are still a soldier. This feels like another offer I can’t refuse.” “Why are you here?” The Nekomata’s deep voice resonated in its own mindspace. After a few more pecks at the glass and one last survey for entry points, it gave up hope of a prize and flew off to try its luck elsewhere. The bird stared right back from behind the frustrating invisible barrier.
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Turning its head, it zoomed in on the magpie’s inquisitive eye. The beast’s tail swished gently back and forth.Īfter a pause, the beast holstered the pulse rifle as quickly as it had been deployed. A weapon shaped like a small rifle emerged and turned to face the feathered creature bobbing up and down outside the window. Stand down.”Ī port on the beast’s back slid open. The voice inside the machine’s mind spoke.
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As if finalizing the startup routine, the awakened machine threw back its head and thrashed its tail violently from side to side releasing a cloud of fine particles into the surrounding air. The amber ring at the front of its head had stopped pulsing and was now glowing intensely. In its wake, the dull carapace turned ivory white and a tapered, broad band of gold was drawn down the length of the monster’s back. A pearlescent shimmer traversed the entirety of its artificial skin, starting at the head and working its way back and down until it reached the tip of its long, flexible tail. Four muscular, feline legs supported the gun-gray body of the beast. The large, smooth form lying prostrate on the warehouse floor, rose steadily into a standing position. A startup routine had been set in motion. Past the grime and the cobwebs, something stirred: a dusty rush of air from a tiny vent, the waking of silently powerful electric motors. It was taking too long to trap its prize: a faint amber ring that was winking about once every two seconds in the gloom beyond. Stabbing at the old glass with its beak, the magpie grew more frustrated with each peck, shaking its long tail and squawking in disgust. A blur of blue, black and white bounced back and forth along the sill chasing what it could see on the other side. The bird ruffled its feathers and cocked its head to get a better view through the dirty window.