Month 3: Robots

**On a desert planet, containing many caverns, the hive orbited from outer space.**

Jean:

The ground was far too soft to land the hive and risk it sinking in, therefore, I explore the planet by Wraith dart as it was much faster than wandering through the sand on foot.

I hoped to find more samples in the caverns to draw from, with a large variety of specimens to consider, it would quicken my progress in the lab, I was sure of it.

Once in the caverns, the rock ceiling started to lower and I was forced to hover the dart closer to the ground.

The narrowness of the cave's pathways caused me to second guess my decision to bring the dart at all.

I was cutting things rather close..

Suddenly, I catch sight of something in the dark.

I almost crash my dart in response but manage to stop it.

I hover on the spot for a moment in an attempt to find the creature again.

"Where are you?"

I murmer to myself before the male runs passed me.

It was a Starker!

I whip my dart around in an aggresive spin and get on top of him.

I pick him up in the dart's culling beam.

"YES!"

I cry out triumphantly and fly back to the hive in excitement.

Once at the lab, a few drones bring the creature in.

I believe this one's name was Landon.

He is strapped tightly to a gurny and given a sedative.

I did not need him gassing my hive once he awakens..

I turn on my scanners to get a closer look at him.

If I compared his makeup to my own, it would assist with distinguishing the Wraith traites from the Siragen ones on the molecular level.

A task, which was surprisingly difficult with only Wraith subjects to work with.

When I finally get a reading on the screen however, it was not at all what I expected.

.........

"What?"

The being's eyes open and he turns to look at me.

He snaps out of his restraints and I back up intimidated.

"What are you?"

He does not answer me before sprinting out of the lab and down the hallway.

I signal to the wrest of the hive for backup before following after him.

That was NOT Landon!

The being stops at the hive's energy crystals and I stare back at it in panic.

"NO!"

I cry out as one of my drones shoot him.

The blast does nothing, if anything it seemed to make him stronger.

A wraith soldier comes at him with a physical attack but he is soon thrown back as if he were weightless.

My eyes widen expecting nothing but the worst when I finally remember something from the collective.

Was this.. a human form replicator?

"He is a replicator!"

I shout out to my fellow companions, some of who immediately run off to grab the appropriate weapondry while a few others sacrifice themselves in order to save the power crytals.

(Colton) "Destroying me will not save you, my nanites have already made their way into your systems!"

Not possible!?

"Lies!!!"

I hiss at the failed Atlantean experiment, in an attempt to distract it further.

"You are the last of your kind and will soon be destroyed!"

He looks at me with moderate amusement.

(Colton) "No, you are quite mistaken there are oth-"

A replicator distruptor blast hits him and he falls apart into thousands of pieces.

"Throw him out into space!"

I snap at my drones, not wanting a single nanite left on board this hive.

**Continuation of last post.**

Jean:

Against my better judgment, I kept a single replicator block for study.

The artificial life form's main objective was to self replicate and they were capable of consuming all sorts of materials to achieve that end.

I could possibly use this trait for my own purposes should I be successful with understanting the science behind it.

Unfortunately, my understanding of the mechanical side of things was quite lacking, so this would take some time.

The hive's emergency systems go off while I was midway down the hall in thought.

What now?

I hiss as my commander soon approaches.

(Wraith Commander) "My Queen, it appears the replicator being has reformed and attached itself onto the hive."

"What?!"

How!?

I tilt my head back in exhasperation for a moment before regaining my composure.

"Well, send a dart then!"

(Wraith Commander) "The replicator is too close to the hive for a clear shot, further, the darts defences are not equipt with replicator disruptors."

Another Wraith soldier runs into our scene and anounces the replicator was now in the dart bay.

I curse and lead the way over.

Once at the dart bay, the being, which formerly took on the appearance of Landon Starker, had made itself into several mechanical spiders crawling all over the damn walls!

Several drones appear with replicator disruptor weapons in an effort to contain them from spreading any further.

"How are they adapting?!"

I exclaim before taking a weapon to assist with the fight as I move into the dart bay.

The commander remained inside the hall and assisted with shooting any strays from where he was.

A mechanical spider makes its way to a control panel and shuts the dart bay door separating myself and a few drones from the commander.

I shoot it and it explodes like confetti.

Another mechanical spider takes its place and opens the main dart bay door into space.

"NO!"

I scream as myself, the drones and the replicator bugs are all blown out into open space.

The drones die immediately, the replicar bugs freeze but slowly start to formulate again.

I, however, remain very much alive.

How was this possible?!

I look down at myself in shock, unable to even acknowledge the impending threat before me.

I let my wings out in an effort to maneuver my way back to the hive.

The whole experience felt so surreal.

I had never been so cold, the pressure I felt was almost unbearable, but still, the worst of these was the thought of not breathing.

I grab hold of the hive at my first opportunity

When I look up however, I see the damn replicator had once again reformed itself into Landon on top of the hive.

I grab a nearby weopon floating above me and shoot at it.

I miss.

(Colton) "Keep firing, we will adapt to your weopons eventually."

I scowel before a loud noise sounds from the hive itself and suddenly, I feel it start to move into the planet's atmosphere.

No, no, no, no, NO!

I reach out to the collective in an effort to let them know I was still alive and on the hive's exterior.

I sense their confusion but they respond regardless.

It seemed they had lost control of the hive's primary systems.

I panic at the thought of losing the hive as my only option now was to let go to avoid burning up in the planet's atmosphere.

My fellow Wraith, however, somehow manage to raise the shield just in time.

We begin our decent.

I hold on tight as there was not much else I could do during this time.

I sensed my fellow Wraith getting the upperhand on the mechanical spiders. I hoped for all our sakes they could regain control of the hive before we all came crashing down onto the planet's surface.

Once in the planet's troposphere, the hive comes to a sudden stop.

I could only take it that my crew was successful in regaining control of the hive.

And it appears there was gravity now.. and air.

I wipe some frost from my face before climbing on the roof of the hive and chasing after the being.

I fire multple shots at it, but each one it seemed to absorb.

Son of a bitch!

I swoop upwards with my wings and circle around it in the air.

The replicator stops on the edge of the hive and looks up at me triumphantly.

(Colton) "Your weaopons are uselss! Leave now, and we will spare you!"

It shouts at me before I spear tackle it off the edge so we both go falling down to the planet's surface.

The being falls down on the sand hard, I however, glide gracfully down with the assistance of my wings.

Our suroundings were bright, despite the grey sky and sand surrounding us.

The replicator gets up, and to my surprise, sprints away from me again.

What?

I frown wondering why it would bother now that it knew my weaopon was useless against it.

I fly after it, trying to understand its movements.

It was returning to the cave..

When I look over at the cave's entrance, I notice several small creatures coming from inside it.

More replicator bugs..

I panic, concluding that the being was going to share with its brethren, coping mechanisms regarding our weaponry and anything else it managed to find out with respect to the hive.

I gas all of them, making sure there was not a single thing left afterwards, including the planet.

JD:

*From earlier*

All is well on the hive. Our Queen found quite the specimen earlier – a robot man! – and now she has new samples she can study. Studying new samples is one of her favourite hobbies, and if my Queen is happy, then I am happy!

I continue with my list of duties for the day. My next task is to feed the little blob fish, who has grown on me these past few weeks, I will admit.

“Good morning, BoBo!”

I greet the fish with his own private name that I use when it is just the two of us. However, as I am sprinkling the fish food into his tank, a handful of metal spiders crawl into the room through an air vent. Suffice to say, me and BoBo are both SHOCKED!



The spiders start crawling all over the lab table, smashing opening sample bottles, and making an absolute mess!

“Oh my, how rude! How rude of them, BoBo!”

Before I can react, a solider [flirty wraith ] comes in and begins shooting the spiders with a new type of gun. I must say, he is rather graceful at his craft! He spins around, shooting from both hands, and dramatically backflips through the air as he shoots the last spider up on the ceiling. Once he is done, he does a very elegant pose, holding both guns out and up in the air. I clap a little, and I’m sure if BoBo had larger fins he would have joined in too.

“Marvelous!”

(Flirty Wraith): “I must press on! There are more still of these metal spiders to slay!”

“Oh my! Can I be of any assistance?”

I sense the soldier remembering our mission to the swamp planet, and the giant worm we faced.

(Flirty wraith): “No, no… The rest of us can handle it, I am sure…”

Ahh, of course! I sense the solider is attempting to shoot the most spiders, to win our Queen’s favour!

But for a horrible second that doesn’t seem to matter anymore because ALL IS LOST! OUR MAGNIFICENT QUEEN IS TOSSED OUT INTO THE FOUL VACUUM OF SPACE!

*SCREEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAMS!”*

But then, she is not dead! She is outside of the hive in space, but she lives still!

(Flirty wraith): “I- I must go!”

I only now notice he had dropped his guns in the panic. He picks them up and rushes off to aid the others. There is much tumult, and the hives shakes beneath my feet. I am unsure what I am supposed to be doing, but I dare not interrupt to ask for orders in such dire times. Of course, my main concern is for my Queen! She is out there in the- wait… that’s it! I know what I must do!

*Whenever Jean returns to the hive*

I am READY to take care of my Queen! She must have been so cold out in space, so I have a warm bath ready and waiting for her! I have also made her room as cosy as possible! Her favourite pyjamas are laid out, and there is a steaming pot of chamomile tea sat on her dressing room table. I asked for another drone to fetch towels, but unfortunately that order was given to 232.

“I said the ivory set! These are ecru! Ecru!”

I sense the arrival of our Queen!

“Oh, but I suppose they will have to do! Now go on, shoo!”

Drone 232 departs from the scene, and I rush to the dart bay to meet the Queen. The second she steps inside, I throw a blanket around her.

“Oh, my Queen! What a terrible, most awful ordeal you’ve been through! But fear not, I will ensure that the rest of your day is nothing but comfort and ease! Now, if you would allow me to escort you to your chambers?”

Jean:

"Drone!"

I gasp in a state of shock.

I did something bad, real bad!

I pull him over to the window where the planet once was.

"I destroyed the planet! The whole thing see! THERE IS NOTHING LEFT!"

I cry out.

"The minor and major consequences of such a dramatic shift in this universe's - *starts going off on a sciencey rant about the whole thing*

JD:

My poor Queen is not calm at all! I request that someone, anyone (except 232) brings the chamomile tea this instant!

(Flirty wraith who will have a name soon but not yet): “I’ll go!”

My Queen speaks to me of how she destroyed a planet.

“Well, I’m sure it was a very ugly place, and you’ve done the galaxy a great service by rending it to dust!”

I try to be reassuring, even as she speaks to me in words I do not understand.

“That all sounds very important, my Queen. But do you know what is even more paramount? Your good health! You will not be able to use your brilliant mind to its fullest extent until you have taken some rest and warmed up. Now, there is a nice warm bath waiting for you in your chambers, and-“

The soldier comes running back in with the teapot and a cup. He dramatically pours, before kneeling and presenting the cup to her Majesty as if it were a sword.

(Flirty wraith): “Your tea, my Queen!” *Prince charming grin*

Jean:

I wish I felt as Drone did but I did not.

What if there was something else on that planet which was needed to complete my research?! Now we will never know!

I rub my sides in nervous thought.

At least those damnable little nanite bugs are no more, the little terrors that they are..

I barely register Drone's additional words of encouragement when some tea is brought over and presented in a rather peculiar fashion.

*Raises eyebrow.*

"Why are you smiling like that soldier?"

I question COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS to his sentiment.

*Takes tea confused.*

JD:

I am most glad when the soldier is able to get through to our Queen in the midst of her anxiety! Such a radiant being does not deserve to feel such stress!

The soldier gracefully rises to his feet before answering her question.

(Flirty soldier): “Oh my Queen, how could I not smile when I am in your presence?”

I join in on his attempt to cheer her up.

“I quite agree! I am always smiling when I am around you! Of course, it is impossible to see under the mask, but it is true nonetheless!”

For some reason, the soldier gives me a quick irritated glance, before turning his attention back to our Queen.

(Flirty soldier): “Your Drone has been working so hard while you’ve been away! Why not let him have a little break? I’d be more than happy to assist you…”

I am about to protest that I am in no need of such leisure, especially when my Queen is the one in dire need of relaxation! However, before I can speak, the soldier steps in front of me. He pulls out one of his anti-robot guns.

(Flirty soldier): “And if any of those pesky replicators return, I’ll show them they tangled with the wrong hive. By the way…”

He dextrously twirls the gun in his hand.

(Flirty soldier): “The name’s Bond. Jean’s Bond.”

Jean:

I finally understood the flirty one's intentions.

I glance over at Drone in exasperation but he seemed none the wiser.

"There will be no breeding until I am finished my research!"

I exclaim in frustration.

I will not allow this Siragen DISEASE to spread itself any further!

I narrow my eyes at the flirty one for tempting me so before storming down the hall in a tantrum.

Bond:

I do my best to look cool and confident, but on the inside I’m SWEATING. I don’t want to think about how many times I practiced that routine in front of the mirror…

And the NAME. At first I wondered if I should go with Ionic Bond or Covalent Bond or even Chromosome. Jean sounds like gene, so I wanted her to know our names would link perfectly! But for some reason I cannot explain, Jean’s Bond just sounded smooth  

…

My Queen does not want a mate for now, it seems. I try to console myself that it’s not an outright rejection as she walks away. Maybe she’ll be done with her research soon. How long does science take, like a few weeks? In the meantime I want to ask if we could court, in a totally PG way. But that doesn’t sound COOL.

Instead, I try to think of something witty to say, but I can’t, so I just stand there doing an emo pose: sad, but like, in an attractive way. JD gives me a look I can’t quite read – because I can’t see his face – before he runs after her.

(JD): “My Queen! Please don’t forget about your bath! You must still be so cold! And it will give me a chance to have your outfit washed too, it must be covered in dust!”

Jean:

I sigh at Drone's reminder, before redirecting my steps back to my quarters.

"Ok, ok!"

I cringe trying very hard to forget Bond's final look when I left him.

That was very awkward..

The Commander soon approaches as we get to my door.

(Commander) "May I request a moment with your drone?"

I give him a discerning look before nodding my head ever so slightly in response.

(Commander) "Right this way 231."

He instructs Drone, as I enter my room and get into the bathtub as Drone insisted.

JD:

I am relieved that my Queen takes the time to look after herself! I’d lit some lavender candles before I departed, so I hope this experience will help her to relax! Especially after Bond’s… display  

The Commander asks me to follow him. I glance anxiously at the door, since it would normally by my role to guard the Queen’s chambers. But she instructed me to attend to him, so I obey.

*Less chatty with him than Jean so he just follows along silently*

The Commander:

I get straight to the point when we are out of ear shot of the Queen.

"We have started approaching our next destination as our food supply is running low."

I explain to 231.

"Our Queen.."

I hesitate going very quiet.

"Our Queen has been unable to perform a proper feeding of late."

I wince as if what I said was quite blasphemous, which it sort of was.

"As the Queen has taken favour of you of late, you will be tasked with retrieving her an.. alternative food source."

I blink hoping he understood me.

He was after all, much more competent than drone 232.

"You will be accompanied by myself and another soldier so do not concern yourself with having to go at this alone."

I absent-mindedly look off in "Bond's" direction before glancing back at 231.

"Under no circumstance are you to tell the Queen what you are up to. Think of your mission as.. a surprise of sorts."

The Queen was most upset last I brought this subject to her attention. It was best we complete this task in secret and find some creative way of giving her the "human nourishment" without her knowing.

I was concerned how much longer she would last starving herself out of stubbornness at her current condition.

"Any questions?"

I asked the drone carefully.

JD:

The Commander tells me that our Queen has not been able to feed recently.

“Oh my, how awful!”

YET ANOTHER health concern I have for her now!

“Is she drinking enough water? How about her sleep schedule, has she been getting the necessary hours?”

My Queen’s dedication to her research is admirable, but I do worry so that she doesn’t afford proper time to take care of herself! Of course, it is one of my jobs to ensure her well-being, in every aspect!

At first I think that the Commander is asking that I offer myself up to the Queen to feed on – a tremendous honour which I would be most ready to volunteer for! But then he says that we must go on a mission, and that it is a surprise for our Queen.

“I do love surprises! So long as they are not surprise metal robot bugs trying to kill us AND make a mess! Oh yes, this sounds like just what the Queen needs! Something to boost both her mood AND her health!”

I’m sure she’ll be thrilled!

“Ohh but if we are all to go on this mission, then who shall attend to the Queen’s needs in the meantime?”

I summon help, but who am I sent?

232!  

"Just... just try to do your best! And don't make an embarassment of yourself!"

I berate him while fixing his untucked shirt.

((M-my Queen! The Commander has a task for me, so sadly I must depart. But fear not! I have left a- another drone, outside your quarters, should you need anything.))

"What are my current orders, Commander?"

I ask for clarification, since I do not want to unintentionally provoke a giant worm this time around.

Jean:

((Thank you Drone.))

I project back to him at his report before falling asleep in the tub.

**Que future chaos for Drone's return**

The Commander:

The drone asks a great many questions regarding the Queen's health. I was uncertain as to the particulars of her sleep schedule but she did take some tea in the room so she must be hydrating?

The drone went off on other strange things, including arranging 232 to cover his post, which I choose not to address before providing him with his orders.

"Come with me and we will find the soldier you were with previously, remind me his name?"

I ask having a difficult time remembering them all.

100 years ago my mind was better equipt to remember such things.

I lead the way down the hall.

Bond:

To get over my latest rebuff from the Queen, I return to my room to practice some new cool moves!

I have a mirror installed that covers almost all of one wall [like a ballet mirror], so I can see exactly how I look when I perform my fight stunts!

I place some mini targets around the room, before pulling out my stunners and practicing creative ways to hit each one.

“Ha! Gotcha! Get smoked!”

I yell out some catchphrases as I twirl around.

There are a few embarrassments, but better they happen here where NO ONE will ever see!

I’m in the middle of a routine which involves shooting two targets while doing the splits, when JD just strolls into my room WITH THE COMMANDER

(JD): “Here is Bond, Sir.”

“Commander… how may I be of assistance?”

I ask from the floor, my legs still at 180 degrees.

The Commander:

I look down at the young soldier EMBARESSED FOR HIM.

What a ridiculous pose to be caught in!

"We are drawing near our next destination for our biweekly culling."

I turn to look at 231 for a moment before looking back at the one on the ground.

"Do get up."

I advise finding it quite hard to speak to him like this.

Bond:

My Commander orders me to get up.

*Strains slightly*

“Er… I don’t… know that I can…”

JD comes over and helps to haul me up. It does NOT look at all graceful! My only silver lining is that the Queen herself is not here to see it! Is she..?

*Nervously peeks outside door, before breathing a sigh of relief*

I try to remember through the fog of utter embarrassment what the Commander told me. Oh, something about culling!

“Would you like me to take a dart out to cull, Commander?”

The Commander:

Once the young soldier is on his feet, I proceed to instruct him on our mission.

"No, I have assigned other Wraith soldiers for that purpose."

Along with a few others to join us on the ground just in case..

"You are tasked with joining myself and 231 on the surface. We are to lay cover fire for 231 until he completes his mission to which it is a secret. Understand?"

I question as we are all advised through the hive collective that we had reached our destination.

I wander over to the door and wait for the soldiers response ready to lead the way to the transport shuttle.

Bond:

So a SOLDIER and THE COMMANDER are going to be covering for a DRONE?! Shouldn’t that be the other way around??

Eh, I guess JD is one of the Queen’s current favourites.

Man, I need to hang out with him more, learn his secrets! He made the Queen’s tea, maybe he knows, like, all of her favourite things! Favourite colour, favourite flowers… Maybe I can get her some on this planet!

“I’d be very happy to join 231! Oh, and you too, Sir!”

The Commander seems… less knowledgeable about the Queen. I know he’s technically her go-to man, but I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like he’s one wrong move away from being fed on LUCKY FOR ME since that means less competition for the Queen’s heart! [Him not being close to Jean, not him being fed on lol, Bond isn’t THAT competitive   ]

The Commander:

"Good, right this way then."

I lead the way down the hall to the dart bay which was already filled with Wraith loading into darts.

We enter inside the transport shuttle, as it allowed for the transport of multiple Wraith, specimens and objects without the need of a culling beam, which was somewhat awkward to use when transporting more than just bodies.

210 and 216 were loading a few empty crates into the shuttle for our mission. They of course had no idea what they were for nor cared to. They were "worker bees" and still very daft in the head that is why I chose them.

"232 prepare the shuttle for takeoff."

I command him as 210 comes back with some weaopons for Bond and I to choose from.

JD:

I follow the Commander and Bond down the hall. Bond asks me incessant questions.

“My dear fellow, for the last time, I have absolutely no knowledge about the Queen’s favourite flowers. I do occasionally put specimens into bouquets to scent and decorate her room, it is true. However, she has yet to comment on her floral preferences.”

Much to my dismay, might I add!

(Bond): “Alright then, keep your secrets.”

Besides Bond’s interrogation, all seems to be going well. That is, until I get the WORST INSULT ONE COULD POSSIBLY RECEIVE HURLED MY WAY!

“232? 232?!”

I turn to the Commander with a DEEP look of outrage that I forget he cannot see behind my mask.

“I say, Commander, I know I have my flaws! But to what degree of idiocy could I possibly have conducted myself in, that would lead you to mistake me for that… that… BEAST!”

I honestly DREAD to think how his guard of our precious Queen is going! It’s been five minutes, but I’m sure he’s already made a blunder of something!

*Bond watches on, choosing the spiffiest looking weapons offered to him.*

The Commander:

Things were going perfectly until I messed up 231's drone number.

Why must my aging senses fail me so!

"My sincerest apologies 231, it was.. a simple slip of the tongue which will not be repeated."

I promise the excitable creature still adjusting to his "new voice" the Queen warned me about.

I glance over at Bond hoping he had finished choosing his weapon of choice.

I pick an old reliable Wraith Spear Gun and wait inside awkwardly.

JD:

The Commander apologises graciously. So I in turn cordially accept his apology.

I take the pilot’s seat and fly us out of the hive.

Oh, I do hope the Queen will be alright with all of us gone… But it shall be worth it if we can find sustenance worthy of her grace!

As we fly, Bond proclaims that he wishes to show the Commander a trick. I believe he is trying to make up for his embarrassment earlier, by proving his deftness in other matters. He pulls out a small disc and begins moving it about and between his hands. (Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmtVSTrbZ7c )

I try not to let it distract from my driving…

“Where shall I land, Commander?”

I question, still unsure as to what exactly it is that we will be searching for, once on the surface.

The Commander:

I watch Bond's trick with the disc trying to understand its intended purpose.

The young soldier was obviously quite gifted in maneuverability, which was why I sought him out to begin with, but I often wondered if he was a bit too cocky for his own good.

231 asks where he should land the ship which momentarily distracts me away from Bond.

"In the trees over there."

I point out.

This spot would provide us with ample cover as we snuck into the village and raided their little homes for our intended purpose.

I could already hear the screaming.

*Smiles grimly before picking up a few sacs to be filled and loaded into the crates once we return.*

Once landed, I hand the sacs to 231 and open the back doors for us to begin our mission.

I of course, step out first my gun at the ready just in case.

"Choose a house 231 and we will wait for you outside."

I instruct.