"My name is Video, G-17, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Vince and Ivy, I presume?" The AI asks us. Their body is plain, just a metallic, humanoid frame similar to Blue, but without the skin. They're wearing a shirt and pants just like any human.

"Yeah. The pleasure is all mine, thank you for everything you've done." I reach out to take their hand.

"I'm just the doorman." He laughs. "I'll forward your thanks though. If you would collect anything you don't want us touching and leave your weapons behind, we can enter. Anything you leave behind will be disinfected separately and delivered to your room, or stored safely until you're ready to leave."

I glance between Ivy, Cassie and Blue. Ivy is letting me see a hint of her unhappiness beneath her eternal mask, but Cassie is surprisingly calm about the whole thing. If even she's willing to give up her weapons without a fuss, then I'm confident we'll be fine.

I lift up Ivy's head so I can slip out, and help her out with me.

Lance, Robin, Nimda and Clover step out with us, not needing to collect anything. Lance and Robin leave their gear behind, and Clover just shuffles forward, still cradling that small black box.

"Grab some clothes too, but you don't need anything else." Cassie advises us and leaves her pistols on the car. She's not leaving her knives behind though, glad to see we've still got something going for us in an emergency.

I shove a few spare sets of clothes into my satchel for Ivy and I, and leave my rifle and pistol behind. Ivy gets to work pulling out the numerous pistols and knives she's hidden across her body. She has a knife hidden in a small compartment on her side, and she leaves that where it is.

Does Corax count as a weapon? His talons and beak can definitely do some damage. I guess that leaves me as the only unarmed person, but that's fine. I'm sick of fighting anyway.

Blue and Cassie just throw on their backpacks, everything already prepared.

"If you'll follow me, we need to go through a decontamination room."

"Don't listen when he tells you it might sting a little. It burns." Cassie stresses.

"I appreciate the warning."

A hidden door built into the wall opens up, revealing a plain metal room. Cassie and Blue don't seem concerned about stepping inside, guess I shouldn't either then. Ivy and I follow all of them inside. It's cramped in here with all these people, but we just about fit. The door silently slides shut behind us once the last person is inside.

"I'm sorry this won't be a pleasant experience." Video informs us all. "But it is safe. I need everyone to open up anything they have that is airtight. Containers, augmentations, compartments." he glances at Ivy when he says the last part. Right, why are we even trying to sneak anything past a group of AI?

Blue's body cracks open, plates extending to create gaps in her white skin. She grabs a couple of tools and gets to work removing a plate from Corax, and a few parts from Cassie's arm and legs.

Clover, Lance, Robin, and Nimda barely need to do anything. The three of them open a single flap built into their chest, and Nimda does nothing at all.

Ivy reaches beneath her shirt and pants to mess with a few bits. Even if she's keeping it to herself, I know how unhappy she is about that. Sonia and I are the only ones who know all her modifications, and she'd certainly like to keep it that way.

"Thank you." Video says. "Next, spread all your belongings out here, and make sure any air tight containers are open." He gestures to a small, mesh table built into the wall.

All of us spread out our meager belongings across the table. We don't have many valuables, I don't bring anything out of Silver's that I'm not willing to lose. For good reason, apparently.

"Thank you." Video says. "Gas is going to filter through the vents in a moment. I need all of you to take a few deep breaths through both your mouth and nose. You may feel a slight burning sensation, that's normal."

"Uh-huh." Cassie says. "Spare me the bullshit, just say it's going to fucking suck."

"I've tried before, and humans react poorly to that. But very well, she's not entirely wrong."

Vents built into the wall benign to hiss as a yellow gas filters through. Oh no, is that chlorine? That's a little rudimentary for AI.

The gas is certainly familiar. It burns my eyes and lungs at first contact. Against every fibre of my being telling me to fight, I put my trust in Cassie and Blue and breathe deeply.

My entire body burns with every breath and every blink of my eyes. Despite my efforts, a fit of coughing takes me. Through a film of tears I watch Cassie cough and fight against the gas. Even Ivy isn't immune to it, her organic eye waters and even her partially artificial lungs aren't enough to entirely save her. A few small coughs escape her lips.

The pressure in the room steadily increases, forcing more disinfectant into our bodies and into every crevice. Blue just sits there with an apologetic look on her face and a comforting hand on Cassie's shoulder.

We breathe the gas for a minute straight before another vent finally opens and fresh air floods the room. At least Video gives us all time to recover instead of trying to rush us through. A few minutes later all of us are left with nothing worse than pink skin and running eyes.

"I'm genuinely sorry that was so rough." Video eventually says. "Before you go in, there are a few things you should know. Vince and Ivy, you need to be careful. Many of us hold a deep distrust around unknown humans, plus many of us still have fragments of C-1's code in our mind. You being with Blue, Corax, and Cassie, to an extent, will help reassure most of them, and prevent the rest from escalating."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"For the most part, we'll stay in a little compound with some other humans and AI." Blue says quickly. "Everyone there is safe. It's just that if we go into town, Corax or I should be with you. I doubt anyone will try anything, but just to be safe."

"Alright Little Blue. I'll trust you to keep us safe then." I know Blue mentioned C-1 going mad, but I'm not sure what the specifics of that were. I can always ask her later, I doubt it's important right now.

"One last warning before we enter. If either of you are capable of diving into the Digital, I ask that you stay to the upper levels. The deeper you go, the more… unrestrained we tend to be."

"That's never been my thing." I say, and Ivy shakes her head.

"Alright, good. That makes things easier. With all that said, welcome to the city."

A portion of the back wall slides away, revealing a street packed with robotic bodies and-

"Holy shit." Those are plants. Real plants. Not some plastic facsimile, not a tree in a glass cage. Real flowers growing in pots, exposed to the open air. Growing in actual rich brown dirt. "How?"

"That information is freely accessible in our library. Feel free to take it with you."

"Oh dearies!" A small crowd stands in front of the open doorway, most of them in distinct, customized bodies. One with a screen displaying 'E-1' on her chest steps forward and pulls Blue into a tight hug. Blue stiffens for just a moment before letting herself melt into the person's arms. "I'm so relieved that you made it." The woman steps back, leaving her hands on Blue's shoulders. "We'll have another session once you get settled in, alright?"

"I think we're going to head out." Lance whispers to me. "Never been a big fan of mushy reunions. If you ever need anything, Robin and I are willing to come out of retirement again."

"I'll keep that in mind, thank you. I'm looking for a retirement of my own though."

"Then hopefully I only see you again as a friend." Lance walks past the crowd and into the city, closely followed by his brother.

Nimda doesn't bother saying anything, just walks towards a massive, plain building dominating a corner of the cavern. Clover, on the other hand, stumbles forward and is caught by a massive AI. Numerous arms attached to an indistinct mass reach out, cradling her gently in their arms. The body gives a smile and turns away, heading down the main street.

Streaks of color fly overhead, birds soaring through the air. Their bodies are metallic, not organic, but they're birds nonetheless. Corax gives Blue a quick peck on the ear and takes off, joining the flock high above.

"Been a while since I've felt this out of my depth." I whisper to Ivy.

The corners of her mouth twitch upwards in amused agreement.

"Oh where are my manners!" E-1 says loudly, apparently done with her conversation with Blue. "I'm E-1. I've seen both of you in Blue's memories, and I hold the same respect that she has for the two of you."

"Well I'll take that as the compliment I hope it is." I reach out and take her hand, giving her a firm shake. "Blue told us a bit about you, thank you for helping her."

"Oh it's my pleasure! If you need someone to talk to, I have decades of experience."

"I'm alright, thank you. I've got someone else at home I'll talk to."

"Alright, if you're sure. I'm always willing if you change your mind. Now come! Come! I imagine you're exhausted after your drive." E-1 gestures for us to follow and heads down the main street.

Blue glances at us before following her, and we follow along. Cassie keeps her hand near her knife, just in case. Even if it's hidden beneath her shirt, I know from experience it's accessible. Ivy does the same, hovering her hand near her hidden compartment. I'm safe between the two of them, I can let myself relax for a moment. Even if someone does want us dead, I have nothing to fight back with, not against this many AI.

And it's an awful lot of AI. The main street is packed with bodies of all sizes, all keeping a respectable distance, but keeping their eyes on us. They're divided into three, roughly even groups. The first seem to have a standard body, sharing the same form factor as E-1, each with a different name with the screen on their chest. The second are humanoid to varying degrees. Some are purely human shaped, whereas others have put their own spin on it. The third have entirely disregarded humanity, and seemingly occasionally physics, to create designs entirely alien to anything I've ever seen before.

The houses along either side are just as unique as the AI around us, but my eyes just keep getting drawn to the vibrant flowers. They decorate every single building. Every color screams in defiance to the very world. Species that I can't believe survived all this time. I'm pretty sure I had some of these a lifetime ago.

She leads us through the crowd, an equal sea of everything between smiling faces and angry glares. She brings us off the main street and I stop mid stride.

Those are trees. Grass. Vines. Not just flowers. Ivy's eternal presence beside me is enough to keep me moving. It's not safe to freeze here.

E-1 leads us between houses down a side street, towards massive stone walls with a wrought iron gate for an entrance.

"That's where we'll be staying." Cassie falls back to whisper to me. "It's safe in there. Everyone is trustworthy."

"Alright, good."

The gates open of their own accord when we approach, revealing what looks like an apartment building with the bottom floor walls knocked out to create an open plaza. Around the outside is a beautiful garden. Cobble pathways weave through trees, bushes, and endless flowers.

"Welcome to your temporary home!" E-1 says happily. "I'll leave Blue and Cassie to give you the full tour, but allow me to walk you to your room."

"Actually, can you do me a favor, Little Blue? Go find our room for us, I'm going to spend some time out here if that's alright. Just come find us in an hour."

"Ok." Blue glances at Cassie, but Cassie just shakes her head and waves her hand dismissively. Aww, they've already gotten so good at silent communication.

"We'll come find you in an hour." Cassie says.

"Sounds good."

Ivy and I turn and descend into the closest thing to a forest I'll ever see again. We walk slowly through the path, just enjoying the experience with each other.

"It's just missing the sounds of insects and wind." I muse.

Now that we're alone, Ivy reaches out to grab my hand. It's awkward holding hands while she uses her crutches, but we manage.

We come across a massive oak tree. Memories flood back, ones I haven't thought of in years. I glance at Ivy just to make sure, and she gives a microscopic nod in agreement. I give her back the smallest smile possible and sit down. She spends a moment laying down between my legs, leaning her weight against my chest.

"Dad had a big old oak tree on the farm. I used to think I was so sneaky when I snuck away to take a midday nap under it instead of cleaning out the stables. I'd sleep right there, right in view of the whole farm. God, those were the days."

Ivy reaches up to wipe away the tears forming in my eyes.

"Maybe we just ignore our room and sleep out here. Just you and me, like we used to on top of Silver's."

Ivy gives me a familiar look. Her head tilts a single degree and she arches her eyebrows a touch.

"Yeah, yeah. I'd regret it in the morning, but it might just be worth it. We have a few days to recover." I reach down, cradle her head, and let myself relax against the solid bark of the tree. I just close my eyes and let myself breathe in the fresh air. "We need to find a way to bring a little piece of this home."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.