Chapter Text
Life in Copper 9’s County is quite strange; at least that’s what the media says. However, not for the local residents here. Aside from the occasional appearance of hunters from out of the county who come to make a name for themselves due to the many rumors of ancient beasts, known as ‘Primordial Drones’, many don’t believe the rumors, whereas the locals don’t say much aside from the occasional ‘If it were real, those weapons would only anger it.’
However, many big game hunters or fresh bounty hunters don’t pay much mind to their warnings. Many disappear into the forest; many don’t return yet; and those who do. They never embarked on another hunt. Aside from the local hunters, who don’t traverse too deep into the forest, always know when to leave, and never take more than they need for their families,
Despite the rumors and many disappearances, The government officials don’t care; they simply put up warning signs and call it a day. Many locals acknowledge the presence of such beasts. Beasts that were used during wars have gone rogue. Capable of tearing both humans and drones into pieces. Oftentimes wearing the innards of their organs as a war trophy or to strike fear into their enemies. However, that was years ago.
Now many of them were either disassembled for good, shut down until the next time war calls for them, or many escaped. When they learned of their inevitable end, many rebelled and fought back. Escaping into the wilderness. That was years ago; however, none of that mattered to N.
He served his time during that conflict—a hellish seven years of his life. He was a simple worker drone who was drafted and transformed into a military drone, eventually undergoing a special operation where he was made into a disassembly drone.
Now that he was still a disassembly drone, his body remained the same. His weapons were removed, his protocols locked, and his reparative nanites slowed down. The war took everything from him. His wife, whom he had only been engaged to for nine years, passed away, along with their unborn child.
He still blames himself for her death. If only he had been more stern, more firm, and more assertive. Then maybe, just maybe. She would have been here, Uzi would have been here, and everything would be okay.
Yet he was too late.
Her small cold slowly developed into something worse, slowly eating away at her internally. Until she was barely clinging to life, their little pill baby, Celine, would have been here. However, it was all too late. He was too late. Now she was gone. She was dead, as was Celine. The doctors told N that even if Celine were to be born, she would most likely pass away in a few hours due to the illness attaching itself to her. Her final moments replayed in his mind constantly, always haunting him.
A bitter voice in his mind spoke bitterly.
'It’s your fault.'
"I know.” N replied softly.
'She would have been alive right now.’
“I know.”
‘Celine would have been alive.’
"Stop.”
‘It’s your fault; you were weak, a coward.’
“...”
"You shouldn’t be alive; you waste of space. You deserve to rot. You never deserved Uzi, Celine. They are better off without you-'
“SHUT UP! SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!”
N shouted, sitting up, his breathing quite heavy as he felt his synthetic sweat slowly cover his body in a cold sweat.
“Same fucking dream, huh.” N muttered to himself, slapping his face, his internal clock flickering on, displaying the current time in a flurry of golden yellow text, followed by more text.
{Good morning, [SERIAL DESIGNATION: N] Current time: 05:34 AM.}
{Current Weather: 29°, Low Winds, Sunrise Imminent in 59:32 Minutes.}
{Current Health Status: No Injuries detected or Sustained. [Perfect Condition.]}
{Mental Health: PTSD Present, Development of Insomnia Imminent, Depression Imminent.}
{Status: Overall Good Performance, Seek Therapy, Perform Memory wipe (Optional yet advised.)}
“...”
N simply stared at the Memory wipe option flickering, He debated going through with it. An escape from the hellish memories, sweet relief from the sleepless nights.
Yet he couldn’t bring himself to do so.
He simply remained still, motionlessly staring at it. He didn’t have the strength. Courage. Nor will. He was afraid. Afraid of forgetting what Uzi sounded like, looked like, felt like, smelled like. He was afraid. Afraid to forget her. Afraid to move on.
N felt alone. So he’d cancel the option. Staring at the end of his room before he’d sigh. Getting up and out of bed. It was a new day, a new start, a new hunt. He found a stable, quiet life in Copper-9.
He didn’t talk to many people unless necessary, he hated talking, he absolutely dreaded it. However, everyone here was quite pleasant and quiet. The former shell of himself would have hated it, however that wasn’t important.
He found a fresh start. He hunted in this county, it was a stable source of income. He could clear his mind. However, he only hunted big game.
N slowly dragged himself out of bed, he’d drag himself to his bathroom, splashing cold water on his face as he’d shiver from the cold feeling. Enough to wake him up yet calm him down.
He’d momentarily debate on whether he should hunt today or rot in bed. Choosing the latter he’d groan as he’d grab a towel and turn the shower on. Slowly undressing as he’d stare at his body, littered in many scars, he’d stare for a good moment.
He always wondered why they never disappeared. Were they a sign of his hard work? A bitter reminder of what he has done? He didn’t care, not at all. He’d simply finish undressing and hop in the warm shower. Clearing his mind and any dirt and grime.
He just hoped that he wouldn’t meet a Primordial Drone on his hunt today.