13 – The Hoarders

Ciara and I headed northwest the next day, about 10 miles from our shelter.

"That's…." Ciara peeked from the roof of one of the buildings. "That place looks normal."

I also looked at the warehouse guarded by two robots with metal colors. As a sign of identity, they stripped anything that wrapped their bodies. Whether it's a skin like human's or anything that doesn't show that they are robots.

"Remember, Ciara. Attack as soon as you get a signal from me." I repeated my instruction. "Let's hope this ends without any complications."

"Very well, my master." The super soldier answered as a third robot came carrying another android into the warehouse.

I floated down from the building, then hovered towards that warehouse. From the large and open gate, I could see many other robots standing in a row. Those things don't move anymore, usually because the owner left or died. That is the usual protocol in robots that are sold in the market.

"How are you, fellow robots." I greet the two guard androids. "My name is Axel. I hope I didn't bother you."

They exchanged glances, then the one with a female body responded with a feminine voice. "Welcome. My name is Katherine, and this is James. Is there anything we can help you with?"

The robots adopted such a name because they consider themselves equal to humans. That's ironic. They seem so jealous of humans that they imitate their names.

And that is very contrary to their principle of not wanting to take on a human-like appearance.

"Nice to meet you, Katherina and James." I continued. "I am a military companion drone and can bypass computer systems. I can help you bring some of our friends to life, but maybe not all of them. Only a few."

James tilted his head. His eyes—in the form of bare lenses—are fixed on me. "Why do I sense that you want something?"

These are crucial moments. I have to choose the right words.

"Well, I just wanted to borrow one of your technician robots. I need it to repair my friend, an android maid." I started telling the story I had made up. "If you don't have a live technician, I can revive one of your friends inside."

Katherine rubbed her chin. "Hmmm…. Maybe we'll think about it…."

"Where's your friend?" James glanced around. "Why don't you bring them here?"

"He's not in a state where he can move very well," I answered carefully.

"Stop being suspicious of him, James." Katherine tapped her friend on the shoulder. "We really need him to activate our friends. Aren't you sad that it was just the three of us all the time?"

Instead of following Katherine's words, James pointed at me. "Then take me to your friend's place. Let me bring him here. I want to prove what you said."

Ah, looks like this is not going to end peacefully.

"Follow me then. It's not that far." I turned around and started to leave. The metallic clatter of James' feet followed me.

"What the…." Katherine's voice suddenly cut off. James and I looked back and found that the female robot's head had been detached from the neck and was rolling on the ground.

"What happened!? Was this your doing, you damn drone!?" James was about to attack me, but I quickly pulled away.

Ciara appeared from beside James and swung her sword, but the male robot was able to dodge.

"What the fuck!" James cursed with all his might. "Why are you teaming up with a human!?"

"It's nothing personal, James," I replied. "We just need a technician, but you guys won't give it to us."

"You are a robot!" Katherine, whose head still had consciousness, shrieked. "The humans have enslaved us and mistreated us! We should be killing them, not cooperating with them!"

"No use talking to him!" James raised both fists, posing like a boxer. "You will die with your mistress!"

Ciara blitzed to attack again, but James took nimble steps to dodge again.

Meanwhile, I flew in various directions to avoid the gunshots from the third robot that had just exited the warehouse.

James managed to give a combination of fists to Ciara's face and stomach, making the super soldier stagger backward. But she survived and slashed James in the leg. The male robot fell, and Ciara stabbed him in the chest.

"His core may not be there, Ciara." I reminded her while still avoiding the bullet shots.

The super soldier then stabbed the male robot in several parts.

"James!!!" Katherine sounded like someone crying, then shouted at the third robot. "Trevor, stop shooting that companion drone! Kill that human!!!"

However, when Trevor changed his aim, Ciara was already approaching him at high speed. The super soldier cuts off the robot's hand, then performs a combination of sword swings.

In a short time, the robot's body parts fell to the ground.

"You can't control us." Katherine was furious with rage. "Better for us to be destroyed than controlled by you guys! You guys…."

Ciara stopped the robot woman's words by stabbing her head.

"Well, that's quite easy." I'm trying to act normal. Yes, they are robots, but their gestures are very similar to humans. They are alive.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel anything after doing this.

"Let's go." I entered the warehouse with Ciara on guard. It's amazing that we got this many robots early in the gameplay. I thought the robot hoarders would only have one or two androids that I could bypass.

"Sir, what's that?" Ciara pointed to the center of the room.

I froze, looking at that tiny box. It has a timer and a blinking red light. Without a doubt, it's a ticking time bomb.

"That…." I can't believe my eyes. "Did that things activate once we defeated them!?"

Shit.

"What shall we do, sir?" Ciara asked.

"Find a robot with orange markings on its arms!" I gave the order while starting to move again.

"Roger that!" Ciara ran the other way.

Running away is not an option. The technician is very crucial for our survival.

But we have to hurry. We only have three minutes left.