Chaeri and Tosca followed Adrianne aboard Silent Blur.  Captain Bubbles’ comforting scent welcomed them as well as the soft purples, reds, and greys lining the walls.  Soft plush carpets, and holographic projections of art gave an air of sophistication.  With all of the decorated comfort around them, one would forget they were on a war machine.  However, Tosca remembered that the high tech lockers held who knows what and promised battle readiness.

Upon entry, the three ladies immediately went to the cockpit.  There in silent observation sat the true servant and ruler of the craft.

“Eye Captain,” Adrianne said with her customary salute.

“Greetings Captain,” Cheari followed with a bowing nod.

Tosca’s greeting was unique.  She sang, “Missed you Bubbles,” as she bent, winked, and blew the droid a kiss.

A small light at the bottom of the filled sphere blinked after each of their gestures.  It blinked particularly brightly after Tosca’s display as it recognized her most of all.  She was never able to pilot Silent Blur, but she did play many games on the craft that challenged the computer’s artificial intelligence.  

After making themselves known to the device, they all went about their own business aboard the ship.  Adrianne sat in the pilot’s chair while Chaeri went into the navigator’s station.  Tosca however went to the rear of the craft to look over the many droids.

The flight itself was fast, smooth, and uneventful.  Chaeri had a few questions about the Skyguard pilots following them but after an explanation of earlier events, she understood the need.

—–

“Alright,” guard Hanny Rong sighed into the communicator as she walked the lab.

It was getting late.  The Rubin’s Lab Guards were finishing their rounds but there seemed little need.  About this time of night, all work had long finished.  There was nothing to be seen except the deactivated droids on the workstations.  

These guards were the strongest of the elite, most highly and continually trained, but they usually had little to do this time of night.  No one had any reason to be there.  Only the researchers with the deadliest of deadlines would keep working this late into the night.  However, no one was the last worker list tonight.  

Why would anyone be here, the silence shouted at Hanny.  There could possibly be a thief, but only a creative fool would bury deep enough to try and steal something from this secure location.

“I’m done here,” Hanny spoke more confidently with one final final glance over the lab, “let’s go to cameras only.”  With that, she closed the door and headed to the camera station.  Besides, their main prize was resting.  

AD7 was watched continually throughout the day and especially at night even before she had regained consciousness.  No chances were taken with the one that had caused such a horrible catastrophe.  However, it seemed that she too was resting at this hour.  

Hanny left the silent and still lab.  All the droids were in their place at their respective tables unfeeling and lifeless.  She had drew the short straw and was on patrolling duty with Roman Huo, the creepy new guy.  She had found a way to ditch him, but she would be meeting with him again in the security office soon.

A few minutes after Hanny and Roman made it to the camera room, the cameras watching the research lab stopped swinging.  A hidden program had taken over their motherboards decades ago.  They knew to play looped recordings of a still lab.  They will play these same recordings until they receive new instructions.

#1 – Awakening #36 – Awakening #38