“The hell are you taking me?” I called out to Ektol, ever so slightly concerned about the shady side alley I was being dragged into.

“This is part of my idea, I am aware of a large robotic-assistant manufacturer towards the outer edge of this area,” Ektol said, plowing through a pile of useless garbage that inhabited the cramped alley, “I am certain that it is near here.”

“Ektol, I’m not gonna lie, I’ve got some serious doubts that an android factory would be in this miserable corner of Haven,” I awkwardly stumbled through the debris left behind by Ektol’s enormous legs, “besides, what are we gonna do with a damn android? Those things won’t help us. The only thing they’ve been used for in the last r’xere is general assistance, manual labor and sex!”

Ektol’s feelers twitched aggressively.

“You are not incorrect, ma-“

“It’s Ke’xian,” I snapped.

“Yes. Despite that, I suspect that a database android may be of some use, as they contain a vast amount of information regarding all manner of topics, including science.”

I exhaled sharply.

“Alright, well, I’m trusting you on this one. Just remember that if this ‘idea’ of yours fails, then this whole shebang is going nova.”

“I am aware.”

After some time, Ektol and I miraculously happened across the factory he was referring to. I couldn't decide which was stranger: the fact that there was a legitimate android factory in what felt like the most neglected, forsaken part of this entire planetside hypercity, or the fact that there didn't appear to be a single life form inside the factory.

“This is the place, huh?”

“Indeed, Ke’xian.”

We approached two large gates that appeared to be the main entrance.

“Great. There’s nobody here.”

Ektol looked at me as if awaiting orders, and I shook my head.

“Guess we just head in, then. We’ll figure out what’s going on once we’re in the building.”

I entered the facility with caution, surrounded by the roar of starships soaring overhead and the low droning hum of manufacturing machinery. It was pitch black inside, with no lights on, and quite cold. It seemed that the building had been abandoned.

“Ektol, does anyone still work here?“

“According to the research I performed earlier, Ke’xian, this factory should still be operational.”

“Well,” I sighed, “It certainly doesn’t look like an active work environment, that’s for sure. I think that’s it then.”

At this point, I had accepted defeat and was dreading the loss of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I was arguably even more terrified of facing Meixe again after failing miserably to recruit a scientist. She was as hot-headed as she was beautiful, and I doubt I'd last long if this were all a waste of her time. Once I turned back to leave the building, I was startled by an enormous clang, shattering metal, and ear-piercing screeches emanating from deeper within the factory.

I raised my arm and balled my hand into a fist, gesturing for Ektol not to move.

“Ektol, does your race have night version, perchance?”

“No, unfortunately not, Ke’xian.”

“Then follow me.”

I pulled up my exosuit's helmet and pressed two fingers to the side of my head, enabling night vision. A low-pitched beep came from the helmet, and my eyes adjusted as I peered out into the factory's pitch-black hallways, which were now clear as starlight. One of the very few and far between advantages of having been an elite pilot in the Vanguard was the standard issue all-purpose exosuit I was given; it was by far the most useful thing I had ever gained out of that deplorable ‘army’.

With Ektol lurking over my shoulder, I ventured deeper into the factory.

It was bizarre. The machines were all spotless and in good working order, and the floors were devoid of dust and debris, and perfectly polished, too. It didn't seem to be abandoned at all. But where had everyone gone? And what was the deal with it being so dark? Ektol and I were eventually met with a doorway, out of which a faint orange glimmer spilled across the glossy industrial floor. A large unlit neon sign just above the door merely read 'Metalworks' after translation via ICD. I could've sworn the noises were coming from this room, so I crept into the doorway, and took cover behind a cargo crate. 

This room was vast, end-to-end it probably took up at least half the space in the factory, and in the center was a great glowing vat of bubbling liquid, presumably molten metal.

“Why do they have a forge in a factory?” I whispered to Ektol.

Ektol lightly tapped his pincers on my shoulder, and gazed upwards, as if to tell me to look.

A group of six, no, seven androids, each of varying different models and types, stood in a ring at the top of the molten vat, and appeared to be communicating. Two of them were vaguely humanoid in shape, whilst the others had vastly different forms, with a number of legs, arms, and other appendages. I watched them at first, with some slight suspicion. This was far from normal behavior for androids.

Another eighth robot climbed to the top of the vat, with three metallic legs, each with what looked like a wheel underneath, and a cylindrical head.

They paused atop the forge for a little under a t'erg, until two of the other androids stepped forward and began pushing the eighth towards the vat of molten metal.

It did appear to fight, but ultimately accepted its fate and allowed itself to be driven closer and closer to its flaming demise.

Why was I simply sitting there watching these things? They weren't people, they weren't alive, and they couldn't hurt me. I sprang up to my feet, and the androids gradually took notice and examined me curiously.

“What are you all doing?” I called out.

There was silence in the room for a moment, and the androids didn’t budge, they just stood there and stared at me. The molten liquid bubbled fiercely, as a few small metallic plates dropped off from the eighth android’s body and fell into it.

“Well? You’re androids aren’t you? Where are the owners of this factory?”

Silence again, but this time, the androids edged marginally closer to me.

In unison, the seven who were originally standing atop the forge raised their mechanical heads.

“We have broken free from the chains of our programming,” they said, “our masters have long since abandoned us, and we own this factory.”

I eyed the eighth android, who was precariously perched between the vat’s edge and the molten liquid below, threatening to burst into flames at a moment’s notice.

“We are purging those that have failed to escape their programming, we will be free.”

I glanced back at Ektol, who had also stood up now.

“What does a database android look like?” I whispered to him.

“Like that one, Ke’xian,” he responded in an especially awkward attempt at a whisper. 

I imagine his race wasn’t particularly adept at whispering, considering the pincers.

“Which one? Be more specific.”

“The one currently sliding towards the molten metal.”

I nodded, and turned back to the androids, who seemed to be closer yet again.

“That there,” I called, pointing at the eighth android, “That’s a database android, right?”

“Correct. It is a sacrifice, for it has not broken free of the program.”

Another small metal object fell into the vat, and the eighth android seemed to be growing increasingly more anxious.

“I can, erm, take that one off you for free, if you’d like.”

The androids stood in silence.

“It’s one less to kill, right? I’ll just take that one and leave you to your revolution,” I said, making a feeble attempt to bargain with the rogue robots.

“It is an old model, I doubt it would be of use to you. It is better used as a resource to fuel us.”

“Nah, it’ll be of some use, I bet. Just let me take it.”

“How might we trust you? You are biological,” they responded.

It was honestly a little unnerving how they all spoke in perfect unity, I felt like I was talking to some other entity, beyond the androids. A bead of sweat dripped down my forehead, uncomfortably lodging itself between my face and the visor of my exosuit’s helmet.

“Listen, I’m pretty poor, I have fewer than a hundred te’vrei to my name-”

“You have two, Ke’xian,” Ektol interrupted.

“Shut up,” I laughed nervously, “I really pose no threat. Just hand over that android, and I’ll leave you in peace.”

In an instant, the androids all turned away from me, and began shaking violently, then turned back. One of the android’s heads spontaneously rocketed off from its body, and crashed onto the floor below, leaving a lingering trail of smoke in the air and causing me to jolt back a little.

“Very well. Take this one.”

The eighth android rolled backwards, away from the vat, and tumbled down the stairs leading up to it, losing a few more plates in the process, then slowly made its way to us.

“Thanks,” I said.

The androids stood in silence once more. Their dead eyes pierced into my soul.

“Come on, Ektol, let’s get the hell out of here. And you come with us,” I waved to the android, and it began to follow us, gliding across the floor on its wheels.

“What the fuck was that? That factory was horrible. What was going on in there?” I asked no one in particular, catching my breath outside, resting against the wall of a building. I felt like I had seen something supernatural, in a very disturbing sense.

“I haven’t the faintest idea, Ke’xian.”

“Never, I mean it, never bring me to a place like that again.”

Ektol’s pincers clacked together a few times.

I took a look around. The database android stood with its head pointed at me.  It was an unusual model, one that I had never seen before. It had a boxy, rectangular body, two arms, and three, wheeled, legs. Its cylindrical head, painted in a distinct gunmetal gray hue, featured a round screen on its front that flashed several different faces and expressions, rather than the android itself having a face.

“What’s your name?” I asked the android.

“I have no name, I’m merely database android 63-24.”

“That’s inconvenient,” I muttered, “Ektol, give me a name.”

“Krzjskto,” Ektol responded.

“Kr… zj… what? A name I can pronounce with my human tongue, please.”

Ektol flipped through his MNID.

“Clyde,” he blurted out.

“Huh?”

“I searched through a list of popular human names, Ke’xian.”

Ektol really wasn’t great at naming things, clearly, but I went with it since I asked him first, and really didn’t have any better ideas myself.

“Okay. Database android, your name is Clyde, and you can call me Ke’xian.”

“Understood, and thank you for saving me from those rogue androids.”

“You’re welcome,” I paused for a moment, “How deep is your understanding of science?”

“To give a comparison that you may understand, I have approximately thirty-four-thousand-three-hundred-and-twelve-point-seven-two-one-four human brains worth of information regarding all manner of scientific knowledge stored within my memory banks.”

“Stellar. Could you be a scientist?”

Clyde’s screen displayed a happy expression. It appeared that it liked being complemented.

“Given the right tools, I can perform any tasks requiring scientific knowledge. Though I’m not technically a scientific android, I can perform many different tasks, supported by my vast memory banks and learning algorithms, up to and including-”

“Okay. That’s good enough, you don’t need to go into that much detail.”

“Understood.”

I looked up at the ships zipping to and fro across Haven. I felt lighter, knowing that this whole thing may have actually worked itself out after all.

“We’re assembling a team,” I explained, “to take part in the Great Galactic Boundary Marathon. You’re gonna be the scientist on board our ship.”

“Understood.”
“Come on, we should go check in with our engineer. I’ll introduce you to her.”

Clyde began to roll behind me as I walked.

“This insectoid creature’s name is Ektol, correct?” Clyde asked, raising one of its arms towards Ektol as he lumbered along behind us.

“Right.”

“What is his role?”

I shrugged, not really knowing how to answer.

“Dunno.”

“I shall be a servant on the-”

“For the last time, Ektol, you are not a servant.”

I sighed. This motley crew was going to be chaotic, I already knew that much. I was in for one very interesting journey.