𝖘𝖊𝖙𝖚𝖕

—𝕷𝖔𝖘𝖙 𝕮𝖍𝖎𝖑𝖉—

𝕻𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖚𝖊 𝐈𝐈: 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖕𝖊𝖔𝖓𝖎𝖊𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖓𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖇𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖉

To the one that seemest once, perpetual wink; to the one that seemest twice, life—Type XXIa

Send thy fallen to me so that I might send 'em back to whence they stir forth—Type XXIb

| Delta-squad Captain |

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING, NEWBIE!?”

The captain was almost hysterical. 

The whole squad was on edge, but their newest scout treated this mission like a game.

| Delta-squad Scout | D-012 |

“Sir? It's only a lone android, and perhaps it's neutral or even friendly.”

The scout lowered his weapon after spotting the popular household cleaning android in the distance.

He was scouting ahead on his own and headed toward it once he saw it.

The silent android let out a curious whistle.

ᚠᚱᛁᛖᚾᛞ ᛟᚱ ᚠᛟᛖ?

| Delta-squad Scout | D-007 |

“Sir, it's sending us a signal.”

The other scout in the distance also e picked up on its signal and saw the runes on his screen.

| Delta-squad Rear Guard | D-009 |

“S-signals? Sir, is it communicating with us?”

The rear guard was spooked on hearing it.

What was a lone sentient android doing in a place like this?

| Delta-squad Captain |

“Ignore it. It’s just a new program from Psycorp that interprets its electronic sounds as visual runes, and there’s no use for it yet. Now can someone tell that idiot to stop messing with it? We have a mission to finish here.”

The captain, who was more accustomed to seeing military androids used in the field, was more dismissive. 

There were many of them broken down and abandoned in the wastelands of the abandoned section of the city.

| Delta-squad Rear Guard | D-009 |

“B-but captain, what if that thing is trying to warn us?”

However, his unit was relatively new, and they were still spooked upon seeing a lone android.

| Delta-squad Vice |

 “Those things aren’t sentient if that’s what you rookies are thinking. Their only purpose is to clean and follow orders.”

| Delta-squad Special Mobile Unit | D-004 |

“Is there a chance that could be our missing prototype captain?”

| Delta-squad Captain |

“Newbie! Send the details from your scanner.”

| Delta-squad Scout | D-012 |

“Captain, it's harmless and a model RX-07 household cleaning model. But, the poor guy is broken.”

The newbie was shamelessly patting it. 

The android didn't seem to mind. It allowed the scout to pat it while it scanned his suit, trying to decipher the insignia on his uniform.

It was struggling since its sensor was broken. 

| Delta-squad Scout | D-012 |

“That said, is this the newest model? I've only seen it on videos.”

The newbie was further examining it.

| Delta-squad Captain |

“Newbie, stop playing around. We got work to do. Just leave it alone.” 

The captain was quite annoyed and just wanted the day to end.

| Delta-squad Scout | D-012 |

“Alright, alright.”

 The newbie sighed, letting go of his curiosity while walking back toward the rest of the squad. 

| Delta-squad Vice |

“I still don’t understand why you keep him around, captain.”

The vice was asking the captain under his breath so as not to allow the others to overhear their conversation.

| Delta-squad Captain |

“I’m regretting that decision now. But, he comes in quite highly recommended by my friend from Beta squad.”

| Delta-squad Vice |

 “Him? I don’t see it. Kid’s either got nerves of steel or is just an outright fool.”

The vice commented while staring at the carefree newbie who looked out of place compared to the rest of the squad.

| Delta-squad Captain |

“Though for an investigative mission like this, that curiosity of his is perfect for it.”

| Delta-squad Vice |

“It’s going to get him killed, is what it is! Speaking of our mission, do we have a more accurate location for that distress signal? Has HQ given any new leads?”

| Delta-squad Captain |

“We don't—”

 The captain was cut short as the comms flared to life.

| Commander Greywolf |

“Delta squad, come in. Confirm your sector at once!”

The voice on the other end thundered across the comms. It was from Greywolf, the man in charge of the Delta squad.

| Delta-squad Scout | D-007 |

“Captain, I see something ahead.” 

The other scout, further up ahead, interrupted the captain over the comms on finding something from his viewpoint.

| Delta-squad Captain |

“Sector 8. We're outside on the main road. No signs of Anti-psycho terrorists.”

The captain reported to the commander before turning his attention to his scout.

| Delta-squad Captain |

“Acknowledged scout. Report what you see.”

| Delta-squad Scout | D-007 |

“I see several infra-red in my vision, captain. This is the general area from where the distress signal originated.” 

The scout then made a sign to indicate a complete halt. On seeing the signal, the whole squad stopped their advance.

| Commander Greywolf |

“Sector 8!? Wasn't your squad assigned to sector 9?”

| Delta-squad Captain |

“Sir? We got an urgent request to support the Epsilon squad from HQ, and the distress signal originated from somewhere within this sector.”

| Delta-squad Scout | D-007 |

“Oh my god! We've found them, captain. It's the missing Epsilon squad.”

 The scout now confirmed his finding, broadcasting his sight and the findings to the visors of his entire team.

| Delta-squad Captain |

“Good job, rookie!”

The captain praised the scout.

 The captain then signaled to his team to keep an eye on their surroundings while he reported back to the commander.

| Delta-squad Captain |

 “Commander, we've found them! Epsilon squad has been detected.

Do we approach? There might still be hostiles waiting to ambush us. What are your orders, sir?”

| Commander Greywolf |

“Negative. Do not approach. That's not the Epsilon squad captain. That squad is currently investigating sector 12.”

| Delta-squad Captain |

“What on earth are you talking about, sir? We see them clearly on our infrareds, and those uniforms are from the missing Epsilon squad.” 

The captain said in utter confusion, looking to his men for confirmation. 

They all confirmed that they all saw the same thing.

After all, wasn’t Greywolf who had asked them to investigate the missing Epsilon squad just an hour back?

They were only following his orders.

| Commander Greywolf |

“Quick, take off all your scanners. Remove them at once!”

| Delta-squad Captain |

“What are y—”

 The captain spoke his last and slumped to the ground, his lifeless body hitting the pavement.

Soon after, his entire team followed one-by-one.

To be continued…