NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 10 (A First Encounter) Part 2
So they were trying to repair that derelict armored robot in the armory? Why are those guys faring so much better without my direct management? But they’re technically operating under my will, so it’s still my achievement, right? The important parts of the bunker were already partly connected to my network, so I had some idea of what was happening in them even without direct vision.
Good luck with that, B2… Finishing my internal well wishes, an alert that we had entered the grid designated for the facility reverberated through my mind. Switching to the view of my drone I groaned. there wasn’t anything remotely inviting about the area; large craters filled the road, forming frozen ponds where water had collected. Scanning around, A few bare tree trunks dotted the road, but I was unsure if their state was due to the season or forgotten death. Three giant iron spheres loomed in the distance, supported in an unsteady equilibrium by steel beams and pipes that ran up their surfaces. It looked like they could have once contained enough fuel to supply a city. Not too far in front of me, surrounded by a few crumbling buildings, was an undecorated concrete box more than two hundred feet long. I was guessing it was something similar to the bunker my body was stored in. Ah, when I put it like that, maybe I wasn’t looking forward to going inside after all. I’d rather avoid seeing any more bodies for the time being, thanks! Still, I came this far; it’s not like I was going to give up so easily.
Trudging through a few dozen meters of snow and rubble, two NUs approached either side of the building's reinforced door. Scaled metal sheets covered the windows, making it impossible to see inside. Gaps had been eroded in the outer wall, allowing a faint sound like something falling continuously to reach my drone.
Rap tap tap rap tap tap tap.
almost imperceptible, the noise was like tiny hurried foot steps. While I was hesitating, B1’s head suddenly snapped towards the door, its lens twisting in rhythm as a warning entered my brain.
“Multiple unknown heat signatures approaching, presiding with defensive reconnaissance.”
receiving my subconscious agreement, the NUs sprang into action. The first one’s foot slammed into the door’s frame from beside it, as the second, backing up, ran its steel body forward, throwing the door to the ground with their combined impact. Bursting inside, they quickly fanned out into the large opening. steel containers were stacked high to the ceiling, covered by crumpled steel scaffolding that still held the remnants of what they once stored, but none of this was what caught my attention.
Eyes. So many slanted, beating yellow eyes. In the dark, I could only get a vague idea of the bodies they came from. It was like some kind of large dog, except wrong. Their heads were almost as big as the rest of their bodies, and two long claws extended outward from their front fur-covered feet. Yet it appeared that they were just as caught off guard as I was, as they shifted their attention from something in the back of the room. For a moment, there was only unsure inaction.
“ insufficient data advising the core to make a withdrawal”
Maybe they aren’t as scary as they seem? Ignoring the combat bot's assessment, I flew forward slightly, attempting to get a better look. Hoping against my better judgment of nature that conflict could be avoided; unfortunately, these hopes were quickly dashed just as my drone tilted to move. Somewhere from within the beast ranks, a low growl emanated. The growl quickly spread, signaling the closest of the beasts to push off the ground with its back legs, flying through the air toward a NU.
The bot’s hand shot out, grabbing the beast. Before throwing its body to the ground as the beast landed in a cloud of dust the NU’s steel foot stomped down. The ground shook with the impact crushing its head into a mass of bloody fur. My heart sank as I rapidly ordered a retreat. Turning to leave, I caught sight of a mass lunging toward my camera. Instinctually, my body tensed, sinking in resignation. Time seemed to freeze for a moment while I contemplated the situation. I’m going to lose a drone. Why did the first living things I encountered have to try and kill me? It really was too unlucky. Just like fate was trying to screw me over. An explosion broke me out of my pouting as the beast suddenly lost control of its body, crashing to the ground in a bloody heap. Through the network's connection, I immediately understood that B1 had opened fire.
Another boom shook the air, sending a pillar of dust and sparks from the round's impact into the air as the head of a beast near a container exploded. Still, they kept coming. Flying in the air to avoid any further accidents, I watched the battle down below. Holding a beast that was gnawing vigorously at its head, a NU twisted the beast's neck backward, while another leaped from the scaffolding only to be shot down midway through its movement. Bodies began to litter the ground, but the bots still remained unharmed.
Metallic rings filled the air as shell casings continuously hit the ground, bullets leaving plumes of debris flitted around the room. The Nus acted in tandem destroying anything that got too close. Finally, after a few minutes, the last creature was bashed against a pillar by a NU. Looking at the bloody surroundings, I could only shake my head internally. I guess there’s no use crying over spilled milk. I doubted anyone would miss those monsters. Judging myself in the right, I decided it’d be best to quickly search the place than return to the bunker in case any more of them showed up.
Without missing a beat, the team began to search the building. Letting the stress fade from my mind I started a search of my own.
I wonder what future tech ended up here! Flying around, I began to get slightly disappointed. Radio, pipes, instant insulation, expired rations. Everything was either broken or useless at the moment. Ah, I guess I can’t be too ungrateful; it was good to have a store of basic items if I ever needed them. Being alerted by the bots, I half-heartedly gave up my efforts.
It looks like at least they’ve found something interesting. While One of the NUs was still searching. B1 and the other had pried off the face of a container, a tight layer of plastic wrapping concealing further view. Carefully, B1 sliced into it. Air rushed through the hole, causing the plastic to loosen. Inside was a wooden crate, free from rot or damage. B1 opened it, revealing a power core that looked the same as the one used to turn on the factory back in the bunker.