October 1st, 2184. SEAF Pelican. Copper 9 Surface. Bunker 00 Entrance.Snow fell relentlessly around the SEC Lucas and the entrance to Bunker 00. The skies above were filled with Pelicans and other transport aircraft, all bustling with activity as they ferried engineering teams and resources to colonies and FOBs across the region. Amidst this flurry of movement, one SEAF Pelican descended towards the landing platform at Bunker 00, having just completed a pickup at Colony 02. Inside, Lizzy, Thad, Rebecca, and Emily sat silently, their thoughts drowned out by the roar of the Pelican's engines.
"This is SEAF Pelican 4, landing at Bunker 00. Four drones onboard," the pilot announced over the radio as the craft settled onto the platform with a soft jolt.
"I could get used to this," Lizzy remarked with a grin.
The SEAF soldier securing their straps smirked. "Don't count on it, ma'am. This was a special request. If the Helldiver didn't need you here, you'd still be waiting for a lift."
"Still beats walking. Last time, we had to trek through the snow to get here. The storms can get brutal. I've heard older drones would freeze up in blizzards like this," Thad added, rubbing his hands together for warmth.
The soldier chuckled. "I've seen worse. I've seen exosuits freeze solid in storms. This planet doesn't hold back."
Rebecca turned to him as she stepped out of her seat. "Say, is it true you humans have tech that could reverse this kind of weather?"
"We do, but nothing on hand. Fixing something like this would take more than what we've got here. Small-scale, maybe, but the whole planet? Not likely."
Emily sighed, joining the group. "Even small changes would be nice. I heard Copper 9 was once teeming with life—a paradise."
The soldier moved to the door, opening it to the biting wind outside. "Alright, you're good from here. We're needed elsewhere. Take care, and we'll probably cross paths again."
Lizzy gave him a quick wave as they stepped out onto the steel platform. "Thanks for the ride! Safe travels wherever you're off to next."
He returned the wave before the Pelican roared back to life, lifting into the air and disappearing into the stormy horizon. Lizzy quickly snapped a photo with her phone, capturing its ascent.
"How many pictures are you planning to take?" Rebecca teased.
"What? Our friends want to see what we've been up to. Pictures explain it better than words," Lizzy replied, tucking her phone away.
"True," Thad agreed with a chuckle. "It's hard enough explaining this in a way they'd understand. Pictures help."
As the group approached the massive blast doors of the bunker, a shadow appeared overhead. Snow whipped into the air as Alia landed gracefully, retracting her wings. She scanned the group before focusing on the entrance.
"Lizzy, Thad, Rebecca, Emily. What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone sharp but curious.
"Jason asked for us. Something about speaking on what we know from working with the older drones. He's not here yet, though; his Pelican hasn't landed," Lizzy replied, gesturing toward the empty platforms.
Alia's gaze lingered on the platforms before she sighed. "I had hoped he'd already arrived. There are things I need to discuss with him. Important things."
Rebecca interjected, "Pretty sure the meeting's in the command room. V, J, N, Martin, Uzi, and Doll are supposed to be there too."
Alia nodded, her expression shifting. "Then that's where we'll go. I have information to share with him. And... personal matters."
Lizzy tilted her head, curious. "Personal matters? What kind of—?"
"That's between him and me," Alia interrupted firmly. "Let's leave it at that."
Rebecca quickly changed the subject, pointing toward a group of soldiers gathered around a TV. "Hey, looks like there's a new broadcast. Want to check it out?"
The screen flickered to life, displaying the insignia of the Ministry of Truth before cutting to live footage from a Watchdog drone. The camera panned over a massive pile of Terminid corpses, their twisted forms heaped together in grotesque finality.
"Freedom's greetings. I'm Coretta Kelly," the announcer's voice rang out. "We're reporting live from Turing, where the Terminid hordes have launched multiple attacks over the past few days. Thanks to the Helldivers and SEAF, the line has held, but intelligence suggests another wave is imminent."
The feed shifted to a field reporter standing before the pile, her expression grim. The sight was sobering, a chilling reminder of the relentless war they faced.
One of the soldiers watching muttered, "You'd think those damn bugs would learn to back off by now."
Walking up to the TV, Lizzy, Thad, Rebecca, and Emily focused on the broadcast. The reporter, the first human they had seen without a suit, stood out starkly. For Alia, however, her attention remained fixed on the unsettling pile of corpses.
"So that's what a human looks like? She seems nice," Rebecca said, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"Strohmann News makes sure their reporters are attractive—it draws attention. But they really shouldn't let her near those bodies. Terminids have a nasty habit of playing dead. I once shot one, blew a chunk of its head off, and it still kept coming," a soldier remarked grimly.
As if in answer to their unease, the distinct roar of a jetpack broke the silence. A Helldiver descended into view, much to the reporter's visible surprise. Landing a few feet away, the armored figure strode purposefully toward the pile, surveying it before turning to face her.
"Oh, it seems we've got some unexpected guests here. Umm… Helldiver, what brings you here?" the reporter asked, trying to maintain her composure.
"Samples. Seems we missed a few in this sector. Also, make sure everything here is dead. My advice, ma'am? Pull back. I get that you're doing your job, but this is still a hot zone. We've lost enough people. Plenty of Terminids are still crawling around," the Helldiver replied, his tone professional but firm.
"May I ask a few questions first? Is it true there's a plan to launch an attack on Acamar IV if you manage to hold the line here?" she pressed, undeterred.
Acamar IV had long been the origin of the relentless attacks on Turing. A counterstrike could shift the tides of war, easing the relentless pressure on this embattled world.
"I can't comment on operational plans, ma'am," the Helldiver said cautiously. "But I won't deny we're considering it. Securing Acamar IV could cut off their spores from reaching here, but we've got to survive this assault first."
"Where exactly are Acamar IV and Turing located?" Alia interjected, her curiosity piqued.
"The Eastern Galactic Front, far from here," a nearby soldier explained. "Acamar IV's been under their control since the 24th of September. Ever since they've been hammering Turing, retaking it would relieve the pressure on this sector."
The conversation shifted abruptly as a Terminid Hunter clawed its way over the corpse pile. Its insectoid eyes locked onto the Helldiver and then the reporter. With small, membranous wings, the creature had the terrifying ability to leap great distances.
"Move!" the Helldiver shouted, opening fire as the Terminid launched through the air.
Bullets riddled the creature, but it still slammed into the Helldiver, pinning him to the ground. Through the camera's feed, the chaos unfolded. The reporter turned and fled, though the lens stayed trained on the struggle.
"Dammit! Where are the others?" a soldier yelled. Helldivers rarely operated alone, yet none were nearby.
For the five drones observing, the scene was a horrifying display of the Terminids' ferocity. The pinned Helldiver gritted his teeth, drawing his P-19 Redeemer. With a desperate shove, he pressed the weapon into the creature's chest and unleashed a hail of rounds. The Terminid's body erupted in blood and gore.
With the creature dead, the Helldiver shoved it aside and activated his jetpack. Bloodied and bearing an open wound on his chest, he sprinted after the reporter. Injecting a stim into his neck mid-run, he scooped her up effortlessly, moving faster than she could on her own.
Behind them, more Terminid Hunters appeared on camera before the broadcast abruptly cut to the Ministry of Truth's symbol.
"We apologize for the interruption," anchor Kelly said solemnly. "Until we can confirm their safety, we will not resume the live feed. As you saw, the Helldivers are fighting valiantly, but the Terminids remain a grave threat, even in areas previously cleared."
"That… That was terrifying," Emily whispered, her voice trembling. She hoped desperately that the pair were safe.
"That thing moved so fast and pinned him like it was nothing," Thad said, his awe tinged with fear. The Helldivers, despite their strength, suddenly seemed all too mortal.
"Hunters are strong and fast. I've seen their claws cut through Helldiver's armor like paper. Thank liberty it wasn't a Stalker. If it had been, the reporter and Helldiver would both be dead," a soldier explained grimly.
The stark reality painted a sobering picture: even the mighty Helldivers were not invincible. Jason and Meus had demonstrated their power, but they were still human—fragile and vulnerable to death. Alia's thoughts darkened. If a single Hunter could do such damage, it stood to reason that the Siege Mech had annihilated the Helldiver unit she had been attached to. She concealed her grief but felt its weight nonetheless.
"He had moves, I'll give him that. It's clear why people respect the Helldivers," Lizzy said, attempting to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, and that jetpack was something else. Do all Helldivers have them?" Rebecca asked.
"They're called LIFT-850 jump packs, but most just call them jetpacks. Yes, every Helldiver has one, but they're only used when mobility is crucial," a soldier replied.
Outside, the roar of engines filled the air. Pelican 1 descended onto the platform, its VTOL thrusters kicking up snow in swirling clouds. As the craft landed, the rear ramp lowered, and Jason emerged, his imposing frame cutting through the frosty haze.
"There's the big man… Hey, Jason! Over here!" Lizzy called, waving him over.
Jason's gaze swept across the group gathered around the TV. He was surprised to see them here so early, but his focus lingered on Alia—the last person he had expected.
"Good to see everyone on time. I didn't expect you to beat me here. Alia, might I ask why you're here?" he inquired, his tone measured.
"Personal reasons," Alia replied. "I wish to speak with you privately when time permits. For now, I assume you're preparing for the briefing?"
"We are. Alright, I won't press you now. Let's get moving. We need to check on the others before we start." Jason gestured for them to follow.
The group fell in step behind Jason as he led them deeper into the bunker. Though his expression remained stoic, his curiosity about Alia's presence gnawed at him. Whatever she needed to discuss, was important.
Bunker 00. Uzi's Room.
As the others stirred awake and began moving about in Uzi's room, N hung from a single pipe near the foot of Uzi's bed—a common sight for combat drones. The two had stayed up late, with Uzi bombarding N with questions about Super Earth and humans until he drifted into sleep mode. Something strange played across Uzi's optics as she slept—a fleeting set of words that echoed within her mind. Her optics flickered, briefly forming a purple X before she sank back into sleep mode.
"Callback Ping."
The phrase reverberated again, jolting her awake. Her optics snapped open, glowing with their usual purple hue.
"What? Who? N?" she muttered, glancing around the room. Her gaze fell on N, still suspended from the pipe.
Relieved they were alone, she rubbed her optics, trying to shake the lingering echoes. It wasn't the first time she'd heard something like this, but she pushed the thought aside. Moving to the edge of her bed, she poked N.
"N, time to get up... Come on. V or J are probably on their way, and I'd rather be up and ready before they get here," Uzi urged.
Her persistent prodding finally roused him. His optics blinked to life, glowing yellow as he stretched before letting go of the pipe and landing lightly on the floor. Retracting his wings, N looked at her with a cheerful grin.
"Morning! Sleep well? I thought we'd oversleep, but it looks like we're ahead of V and J for once," N said.
"I slept fine," Uzi replied, hopping off the bed. She headed toward her closet. "Just want to get this day over with."
Rummaging through her clothes, she picked out a black striped beanie with a glittery bobble, black boots, and long dark-purple-and-light-purple striped socks. She completed the outfit with a black hoodie adorned with a white emblem: a battery over crossed bones forming an X. After dressing, she reached into the hoodie's pocket, pulling out a black choker. Her mother's choker. Gently, she fastened it around her neck.
"Looking sharp. But why the choker today?" N asked as she shut the closet door.
"It just feels right," Uzi said, her voice soft. "Keeping it in my pocket didn't feel... right. This does. Call it a gut feeling."
"Ah, I get it. Makes you feel closer to her, huh?" N said, slipping on his black hat from Uzi's table.
"Yeah," Uzi murmured, offering him a small smile.
Before they could say more, three sharp knocks came from the door, followed by V's voice.
"Time to get moving!"
"We're up. Just five minutes!" Uzi called back.
"Better hurry. Jason's probably on his way down, and I don't want to be late," J chimed in.
"Be out in a sec!" N replied.
"Jeez, I know this is important, but we've got time," Uzi muttered.
N chuckled. "Come on, we'll have plenty of time to relax tonight once today's over," he said, heading for the door.
With a sigh, Uzi followed him. She opened the door, revealing V and J waiting in the hallway.
"Had fun, you two?" V teased with a smirk.
"We did," N replied cheerily. "Uzi wanted to know about humans and Super Earth, so I filled her in. What about you two?"
"Paid our respects at the graves," J said. "The humans are doing some work there, and I'm thankful for it. Other than that, not much."
"Sorry I didn't join you last night," N said apologetically.
"It's fine," V replied. "I just hope we can finally sort out this mess."
"Relax. Jason's here to help us address everything—the Illuminate attack, the nuclear bombardment, Tessa, and..." Uzi hesitated. "...my mother. We need clarity."
J nodded. "Agreed. For me, it's Bunker 05. I need answers about what happened that day."
"Same here," V added, her tone uneasy. "So much about that day still doesn't sit right. Sometimes I think back to something strange I saw in the command room, but... never mind."
"What is it?" Uzi asked.
"It's nothing," V said quickly. "Even if we get answers, there's still a long way to go. Jason's Fortress Protocol has frozen all external operations for weeks at best."
"At least we're making progress," N said optimistically. "Think Martin's already in the command room?"
"Knowing him? Definitely. He doesn't slack like some of us," J teased, casting a glance at N and Uzi.
"Hey, we were on time!" N protested.
"Bite me," Uzi shot back.
As they walked, V added, "Even Lizzy and the others were probably up before us. They're eager to help, even with small tasks. They're not much older, but their knowledge has been invaluable."
The four drones exchanged glances. They had much to discuss—and much more to uncover.
Bunker 00: Command Room
Standing over the holographic table, James sifted through what little was salvageable from the bunker systems. The drones had kept some systems operational, but there was hardly enough to work with. It was clear they needed input from the drones to fill the gaps.
"I figured I'd find you here. What's got your attention this time?" Martin's voice cut through the quiet hum of the room as he entered through the door.
"Trying to link with the ship's systems in orbit," James replied, fingers gliding across the holographic keyboard. "It's becoming evident this will require a more hands-on approach. The microsatellites have been scanning the region, but the weather's rendering them nearly useless. Last night, they picked up some odd energy spikes—the problem is, they're deep within the red zones. Groundside LIDAR stations and radar could help pinpoint the locations, but setting them up will take time."
Martin studied the holographic map James was manipulating. "And by hands-on, you mean sending teams out into the unknown to get a clear picture of what's out there?"
"Exactly. But for now, all outside operations are on hold by order of the Helldiver. Until then, we monitor our surroundings as best we can."
Martin crossed his arms, nodding slowly. "The drones have been navigating those red zones for years. We know the risks and the dangers. Still, I understand his caution. Since we exhausted the ruins near the colony, we've had to expand. But I'd be lying if I said it hasn't come at a cost. Even before encountering the Steel Terror, we lost patrols—combat and worker drones alike. That creature's arrival only made things worse. There's a city not far from here, rich with resources we could use, but it's been damn near impossible to retrieve anything from it."
James nodded grimly. "Jason's been to that city—it's where the communication hub we salvaged came from. Dead as could be. But things might've changed. We pushed them back once, but something tells me they won't just give up."
Martin frowned. "Speaking of Jason, shouldn't he be here by now?"
As if on cue, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the corridor. V entered first, followed by J, N, and Uzi. Each made their way to the table, their expressions serious.
"Sir," V addressed James, "Jason's still not here, is he? Do you know where he is?"
"Last I checked, Pelican 1 had left his Super Destroyer not long ago. He's probably at the entrance," James replied.
"Should we check on him?" J asked.
"No need," Martin interjected. "He'll be here shortly, along with the others. Let's not rush him. He has enough on his plate as it is."
"I agree," N said, glancing at the others. "We can wait a little longer."
But the next set of footsteps wasn't who they expected. Yeva entered, Doll trailing close behind her.
"Yeva? What are you doing here?" Uzi asked, surprise evident in her voice.
"My daughter told me about the meeting, and I decided to come along with Doll. Is that a problem?" Yeva's tone was firm, her eyes sharp.
"No, not at all," Uzi replied, shaking her head. "Just… unexpected."
Doll stepped forward, her voice calm yet deliberate. "We're here because Nori is one of the topics. My mother has insight to share—something that might help in the long run if you're willing to hear it."
All eyes turned to Yeva and Doll. While their reasoning was sound, Yeva's presence—given her usual reclusiveness—felt off to everyone. Before the silence could stretch further, more footsteps filled the air.
Jason finally entered, followed by Lizzy, Thad, Rebecca, Emily, and an unexpected addition—Alia, who closed the door behind them.
"Well, this day just keeps getting more interesting," James remarked, eyeing the group.
"You're not wrong," Jason said, striding to the holographic table. "Yeva, good to see you here. Nori is indeed on the agenda today." Typing a series of commands, he zoomed the map out to display the planet. "But first, let's discuss the Illuminate invasion. What can you all tell me about its onset and the events leading up to it?"
V stepped forward. "The first sighting of Illuminate vessels occurred around 2083. It was just one ship, always skirting the system's edges, never coming close. It was enough to alarm Anderson, who requested reinforcements and began building defenses. But the ship wasn't a military warship—still, its presence was unnerving."
Jason nodded thoughtfully. "Could've been a scout, testing the waters. Or something more. From what you've told Ryle, this invasion wasn't normal. J, N, Martin—anything unusual among SEAF personnel or drones before it began?"
N hesitated. "At the ammo depot where I worked, things were normal—except for one oddity. About a week before the invasion, there was a recall for a large group of drones—combat and worker alike—for a supposed software update. I wasn't part of it, but when those drones returned, some of them acted… off. One in particular kept muttering to herself, pulling at her hair. When I asked if she was alright, she suddenly switched, all smiles, brushing it off. I reported it, but nothing came of it before the invasion."
"I hadn't heard that before," V said, her tone edged with concern.
"Neither had I," Martin added. "But I can confirm there was a recall. Mira and I tried to investigate, but we were stonewalled. I flagged it to Anderson, but the invasion put everything on hold."
Jason crossed his arms, his expression darkening. "Hijacked drones turning on their operators during an invasion… It's possible the Illuminate orchestrated it. But if they did, it raises the question: why target Copper 9? It's a peripheral colony, offering no significant strategic or tactical value. And given the pressure Super Earth's military was putting on them in 2083, it doesn't add up. There's something we're missing here."
The room fell silent as Jason's words sank in, the weight of unanswered questions pressing heavily upon them.
"The second possibility is traitors," Jason began, his tone measured but grave. "Even back then, there were those who sought to stab Super Earth in the back. Yet, that theory has its flaws. Just like with mind control, this would require someone high-ranking within the palace—someone capable of issuing orders or taking actions without drawing attention."
"Umm… Jason," Lizzy interjected, drawing everyone's gaze. "We might have something to add about drones turning on humans."
Jason's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you have for us?"
Lizzy hesitated but then spoke up, her voice steady despite the weight of the revelation. "There's this old combat drone—he goes by the number 217. Never took a name, a real loner. I only know this because I overheard him talking to another drone. A few of us listened in," she admitted, glancing at her friends. "He spoke about a battle with the SEAF. They were tasked with taking out an Illuminate commander, and they succeeded. But then, something strange happened. According to what I heard, he said some of the drones just… went crazy. Their optics displayed an X, and nearly the entire SEAF unit was wiped out. Only a handful survived, along with a few drones that hadn't turned on them."
This revelation hung in the air, a chilling unease settling over the group. V, J, N, Martin, and Alia exchanged worried glances—none of them had ever heard of such a thing, but it hinted at something deeply troubling.
"Where is this combat drone now?" Martin asked, his voice edged with urgency.
"I think he's at one of the outposts. I've only seen him a handful of times near the colony," Rebecca offered.
"I saw him once," Thad added, shaking his head. "Not much for conversation. He shoved me out of the way when I tried to make small talk."
"We need to find him," Jason said firmly. "This information is critical. If any drones can be controlled to turn on humans—be combat of worker—it's a vulnerability we can't ignore."
Jason took a moment to gather his thoughts, grateful for the intelligence they had uncovered. "Let's move on to the invasion itself. Besides the sabotage, did anything unusual stand out in the numbers or locations they targeted?"
V nodded, her expression grim. "Yes. I was in the command center with Anderson. I saw the numbers myself, and they were… unreal. By the last count, before we evacuated, there were over 217 Illuminate warships."
"I remember that day," J said, his voice tight with emotion. "I was working with Taryn on her Pelican when the alert went out. We saw an SES station explode in orbit. Not long after, an Illuminate ship was heading straight for us. We barely made it out. Our task was search and rescue, but it was chaos—the Illuminate ships flattened everything they touched."
"For me," N added, "I was with Loric, counting artillery shells. When the sky caught fire, one of those ships was directly overhead. That's when we realized the main defense guns weren't coming online. Loric figured out a workaround, using me as the fire control. It nearly burned me out, but we managed to take down the shields on one of their ships and brought it crashing down."
Jason nodded thoughtfully. "Smart man, Loric. But with that many ships… When exactly did this happen?"
"June 21, 2084," Martin said without hesitation. "I'll never forget that day."
Jason's expression darkened. "That date… This entire operation was a suicide mission for the Illuminate. According to the records, the Battle of Squ'bai Shrine—their homeworld—occurred around the same time, during the First Galactic War. They must have scraped together every last ship for this attack. The question is—why?"
James spoke up. "I might have a suggestion, sir. It's a long shot, but there's bound to be Illuminate wreckage scattered across the surface. If we locate those three tripods, we might track their ships and search for clues. It could tell us something about their mission."
"That's a solid lead," Jason agreed.
V frowned slightly. "We know where some of the ships came down. During the battle with the SES, debris rained down across vast areas. But those sites are far beyond our current boundaries. Martin's rules have kept us from venturing that far."
Martin sighed. "That was then. This is now. Still, it's risky. Even if the Illuminate are long gone, their machines might not be. If we're still operational after all this time, there's a chance they are too."
Jason nodded, acknowledging the danger. "The risk is real, but the potential reward is worth it. If we uncover anything about their motives, it could change everything."
He shifted focus. "Now, let's discuss the Illuminate targeting Tessa's home. Then we'll move on to Nori and any other critical details."
Pausing, he looked towards Lizzy, Thad, Rebecca, Emily, Uzi, Doll, and Yeva. "Since you're young or, in Yeva's case, within that camp, I'll exclude you from the questions around Tessa. But if you have anything to share, speak your mind. V, let's start with you."
"Alright. We know a lot about Tessa. J, N, and I had a deep bond with her, but there's more to this than her home being attacked. This has troubled us for years. When we found Tessa, she was in a bunker like this one, designated 05. She was the only survivor. The others had placed themselves in cryopods—19 out of 20 failed. I need to ask, what are the chances of those pods failing? They'd been in them for about four years when we found them in 2088."
"The only way they could've failed is through external interference or sabotage before they entered," Jason explained. "To give you context, some Helldivers are over a hundred years old. After the first galactic war, many were put into cryopods to preserve Super Earth's investment in their training. My operations often involved securing launch stations housing them to prevent enemy access."
Alia's optics widened slightly, the information striking a chord. "Jason... may I ask this: Are the names of the Helldivers in those cryopods recorded?"
"They are. Why do you ask?" Jason inquired.
"I'd prefer to discuss it privately. For now, I'll take my leave. This isn't something I can contribute to at the moment," Alia said, heading for the door. "When you're done, meet me outside the entrance."
"What was that about? I thought I saw tears in her optics," Uzi remarked.
Jason sighed. "I'll speak with her later. For now, let's focus on Tessa. As I said, the pods' failure indicates tampering."
"That makes sense," J agreed. "Her pod was on the verge of failure when we found her. But here's where it gets strange. The three of us have gaps in our memory of the event. According to Tessa, a snowstorm hit hard and fast as we left the bunker. She said she used her suit's heater and servos to help us back, but I recall blacking out in the snow."
"Oh, yeah," N added. "It feels fragmented. We woke up back in the bunker. Tessa claimed she dragged us back, but the details don't add up."
"Could she have managed that?" V asked.
Jason considered. "It'd be tough but not impossible if her suit had the right capabilities. I've been on frozen worlds with blizzards like this. Even so, dragging three people implies multiple trips unless she somehow carries two at once. Do you still know where that bunker is? Is it intact?"
"It is," V replied. "We salvaged everything useful long ago. Do you think we might find something there?"
"It's worth investigating. Now, was there anything unusual about Tessa?"
"Well, one thing—she suffered terrible night terrors," N said. "She'd scream loud enough to wake drones in the rooms around her."
"Night terrors?" Jason prompted.
"Yes. They were so bad we had to sleep in her room to keep her calm. But she only ever shared the details with Martin," J explained, gesturing toward him.
"For your sakes, I'll keep that private," Martin said. "But as for her home, Tessa told me the Illuminate sent a single ship. The attack resulted in her family's death. She didn't share many details, only that it was ash and dust—nothing but pain remained."
"Did she ever tell you where it was?" Jason pressed.
"No," Martin replied. "Her family was part of a program involving drones. She bonded with four of them: A, G, T, and Cyn. She feared they survived but were left alone in Copper 9's wasteland."
"They reminded her of us," J added. "That's why she bonded with us so easily. But there's still so much about her that's a mystery."
"Another site to flag," Jason said. "It's clear things aren't as they seem around her. We need to dig deeper."
For now, though, he turned his attention to Nori and the nuclear bombardment. Questions were still to be answered, and each revelation only unearthed more mysteries.
Edited thanks to ELE73CH.