LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 20: Autopsy
September 2184. Bunker 00. Entrance.
Jason stepped out into the biting cold and snow of Copper 9. The winds cut through the air as he surveyed the area where the SEAF had been working tirelessly. Amidst the organized chaos, one thing immediately caught his attention: a large tent, erected overnight, emblazoned with the symbol of the Ministry of Science. It marked the place where the carcass of the Steel Terror had been dropped off. As he approached, a group of SEAF soldiers stood vigilant, guarding the perimeter.
"Sir," one of the soldiers greeted him, lifting the flap of the tent, "the thing's already being examined, but honestly, it's got the science team spooked. And I don't blame them."
Jason nodded, stepping inside the tent. "If I had to work near that... thing, I'd be on edge too."
At the center of the tent lay the grotesque, mechanical monstrosity—the Steel Terror. Its centipede-like body sprawled out, a twisted fusion of metal and flesh that defied nature. Scientists moved around it, cutting into its strange form, collecting samples, and studying the eerie creature.
"Ah, Jason, you've arrived," a lead scientist greeted him, though his voice held a tremor of unease. "We've been conducting a full study... and to be blunt, this thing is beyond us."
Jason's eyes never left the creature as he replied. "What do you mean, beyond us?"
The scientist sighed, his voice a mix of dread and fascination. "This... aberration defies everything we know about biology and mechanics. It has no organs—no heart, lungs, nothing biological you'd expect. But it also has no mechanical equivalents. The flesh isn't decaying, and it's not just because of the cold. The metal? Not corroding either. We tested it—it's not anti-rust, yet there's no sign of wear. The metal and flesh are... grown together. This isn't some crude cybernetic graft like those from the First Galactic War. This creature was grown this way."
Jason felt a cold pit form in his stomach. The horrors of the First Galactic War had brought nightmarish creations, but this—this was on an entirely different level. And one terrifying question gnawed at him: were there more of these things?
"That would explain why it took so much firepower to bring it down," Jason muttered. "Nothing vital to hit. You'd be dead long before it ran out of ways to kill you unless you brought something big enough to obliterate it. What about the head?" He gestured towards the drone-like remains fused into the creature's front.
The scientist grimaced. "That's where it gets even weirder, sir. The metal and wires extend from that central mass—it's the origin point, as far as we can tell. But there's also this..." He led Jason to the creature's neck and pointed to a small hole. "We thought it might've been damage from the battle, but the way the flesh is expanding outward, not inward... it's as if something came out."
Jason's mind raced. "If that's the case, then whatever it was—whatever came out—is still out there. It could build something like this all over again."
Even with all the firepower they'd deployed, it had taken orbital bombardment to put the thing down.
"Thank you for the information," Jason said, standing up straighter. "Keep at it. If you find anything new, let me know immediately."
As he stepped out of the tent, Jason reached up to his helmet, opening a communication line to the SES Aegis of Integrity.
"Aegis of Integrity, I need two Exo-49s down here. We're going to need the firepower."
"Has something happened, sir?" The officer's voice on the other end was tense with concern.
"Nothing yet. Just being cautious."
Satisfied with his orders, Jason glanced toward the entrance of the bunker. In the dim light, he saw the gleam of different colored optics watching him. Worker drones. At their center stood Khan.
"As I recall, I was showing you which systems you could shut down in the bunker. We didn't finish, but I see you've got your hands full," Khan said, gesturing to his drones. "I could show your men and get them started on the same tasks."
Jason nodded, acknowledging the situation. "Alright. I'll be honest—some of my men are uneasy around you, but we don't have much choice. If anything happens, let me know. We can't afford sparks turning into fires."
Khan smiled, his expression surprisingly warm for a machine. "Understandable. I've briefed my workers on what to expect when dealing with humans again."
It was a worry Jason had harbored since this mission began—how the humans and drones would work together, given their history. Tapping his helmet again, Jason called for the engineering team.
"It's time to get to work," he said.
Minutes later, the team arrived, armed with tools and materials for the repairs. But their eyes were drawn to the worker drones, a mix of unease and curiosity evident in their expressions.
"I know some of you aren't comfortable working alongside self-aware machines," Jason addressed them. "But we've got no other option. Follow Khan's lead. He knows the bunker's systems better than anyone. Once we've got power restored, we can handle the rest."
Khan greeted the team with a polite nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. It's been a long time since I've worked with humans."
One of the engineers muttered under his breath, "We've never worked with sentient machines before... strange to think this place once did."
"Alright, follow me, and we'll get started," Khan said, waving them forward.
Jason watched as his men hesitantly followed Khan, their unease palpable. The worker drones moved in sync behind them, and he couldn't help but wonder if this fragile alliance would hold. As they disappeared into the bunker's depths, Jason turned his attention to the next task: improving the bunker's defenses.
They had to prepare for whatever was coming next—whether it was the storm, or worse, another Steel Terror.
Bunker 00. Martin's Office.
Martin observed the scene unfolding on the monitors, his sharp eyes tracking every movement through the still-functioning camera system. N and V stood beside him, silent but attentive. After relaying orders to the combat drones, they returned to their regular patrol and guard duties.
"Seems like things are going smoothly," N remarked, watching the tentative interaction between the humans and drones on the screen.
"On the surface, maybe," Martin replied, his tone cautious. He flicked through different camera angles, monitoring every corner of the bunker. "But they're tense. Cautious. Agitated."
"Do you need us for anything right now, sir?" V asked, her voice steady, always ready for the next task.
"Not at the moment," Martin said, his eyes still on the monitors. "But soon. I want you two to stick close to Jason. Work alongside him. If we're going to prove to these humans that we can cooperate, it has to start with their leader. If he trusts you, the others might follow."
N and V nodded in unison, understanding the weight of their assignment.
"Until then," Martin added, "take care of any personal matters. Once you're done, head topside."
With a shared glance, N and V left the room. N held the door open for V, then followed, the door clicking shut behind them. Their footsteps echoed in the empty corridors, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere looming over the bunker.
"She was right," N broke the silence, his voice low.
"It's been a long time coming," V responded, her thoughts elsewhere. "Who would've thought the first time we'd see humans again, they'd be the ones to save our lives?"
The memory of the battle with the Steel Terror still lingered. It was something V knew she would never forget—the chaos, the fear, and the unexpected alliance.
Dead City. Warehouse 12. Early Yesterday
V could hardly believe their luck as they scoured the desolate remnants of Copper 9's cities. The warehouses were the last to be searched, and now, looming in the shadows, was the nightmare that had hunted them for years: the Steel Terror. Its massive body blocked the exits, trapping them in a corner. Escape was impossible.
"Dammit... How are you holding up, N?" V's voice trembled with fear. They had fought this mechanical monstrosity for what felt like an eternity, and nothing they did even slowed it down.
"Left leg's lightly damaged, and I'm out of ammo," N replied, his tone resigned. His limited armory supplies had been depleted.
"I'm fine... Still can't believe I missed," Uzi muttered, frustration lacing her words.
Uzi's prototype weapon was powerful but had a long recharge—thirty minutes. It was their only real chance of stopping the Steel Terror, but now, all they had was time they didn't possess.
The synthetic, emotionless voice of the abomination echoed through the warehouse, cold and inhuman. "Your kind never listens... but assimilation is far easier than explanation."
The meaning behind its words sent a chill down their spines, but there was no time to dwell. Just as it seemed their fight would end here, a sudden noise cut through the air. The Steel Terror's attention snapped to the source, its gaze turning toward an open space between stacks of containers. It spoke once more, with a tone that dripped with confusion.
"Humans? But... you're supposed to be dead."
Humans? The thought was jarring. No human had been seen on Copper 9 in nearly a century. The last had perished alongside them. But before they could process it, a sphere of yellow plasma struck the Steel Terror, ripping chunks from its grotesque form. The monster lunged toward the threat, only to be met with a barrage of gunfire and rockets. Emerging from the rows of containers was a figure, clad in black armor and draped in a black cape with yellow trims, unloading everything he had.
"Get out of here!!!" the human bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos as he gestured to a door in the far corner. "We'll take it down!!! Just get the fuck out of here!!!"
It was unbelievable. Humans had returned, and they were fighting the Steel Terror—and winning. The sight was too surreal, leaving V and N frozen in shock. Meanwhile, Uzi had already sprinted toward the door, wrenching it open before shouting back at them.
"Move!!!"
Her command snapped them out of their trance. Both V and N bolted for the exit. As they burst outside, a red beam tore through the clouds above, striking the top of the warehouse. The building erupted in an explosion, consuming everything within.
It was something V and N could never have imagined. Yet, as Tessa had foretold, humans had returned.
Bunker 00. Graves. Present Time
As they walked past the silent mounds, V and N couldn't help but recall the memory—not just of Jason and his men saving them, but of Tessa's final words. She had spoken of the slim chance that humans might return, even as the world around them fell into chaos. The start had been anything but smooth, with the weight of knowing that humanity was at war with another race of sentient machines. Still, the two believed that given time, both species could walk side by side once again.
One grave stood apart from the others. Isolated at the far end of the room, it was the final resting place of the human who had stayed with them until the bitter end.
"Hey Tessa… turns out humans have returned," V spoke softly, her voice tinged with sadness, yet threaded with an unexpected joy.
"It's been a long time coming... I just wish you were here to see it," N added, his tone reflecting the same blend of sorrow and hope. If they could cry, the synthetic lines of their optics would have carried tears.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, neither of them had any idea what the future held. Yet, as they stood before Tessa's grave, for the first time in a long time, both V and N felt a spark of hope.
Edited thanks to ELE73CH.