Game Over…?

Ever since the first wave of androids, a law was passed declaring that they could only be accepted into society if they signed at least one contract with a human. Whether for a business or social relationship, the decision was left to the human. Androids who signed a contract would receive citizenship and were expected to follow the laws as humans. The only difference was, should they break any, they would face punishment a bit differently, depending on the crime and whether their contract was still active.

For example, android citizens who committed petty offenses or misdemeanors might be placed under house arrest for some time. Those who committed felonies or worse would have to go through maintenance, long-term hibernation, or even a total memory reset. 

Because androids could easily be reprogrammed into better citizens, they could avoid the death penalty if they maintained at least one active contract with a human, a binding proof that they were still useful to humans. As such, most androids typically had at least two contracts: one for business and one for a social relationship.

However, outcasted androids with no contract to any humans were immediately sent to be disposed of, no matter what level of crime they committed. In a world with limited resources, outcasted androids with absolutely zero purpose were considered wasteful and should be recycled.

As an android, I was programmed not to complain, but was it such a taboo to be afraid for my life? Was it wrong to try to survive for as long as I could? After my creator threw me away, I would’ve been scrapped if The Director hadn’t found me in time and given me another opportunity to live. That was why I'd always accomplish my missions for him—so I wouldn’t lose this second chance.

As a man-made android, I shouldn’t have emotions, but if that was the case, then... why did I have this horrible ache stirring inside me? Why was I shaking so badly as I faced The Director while standing beside my supposed target?

As I froze in place, the detective tossed confused glances. Noah hid behind him, clinging tightly to his coat while we all processed The Director’s sudden arrival.

“D-Director?” I sputtered.

“What? Do you know the CEO?” asked Axel.

“Huh?” I returned the same quizzical stare at him. “What? He’s the CEO you were talking about?”

“Yeah, I talked with him a moment ago.”

“Wh-What do you mean? He’s my boss! He’s the one who ordered me to kill you!”

“Ehh?!” Axel bulged his eyes at The Director. “You were planning to kill me?! Who the hell are you?!”

This whole time, The Director never once left his eyes on me. “I am very disappointed in you, Radio,” he said, hands behind his back. “I expected you to at least try to excel at this mission, but you betrayed me instead?”

“What? No!” I frantically glimpsed back and forth at my target and my boss, clutching my collar. “I-It’s not what it looks like! Director, please, let me explain—!”

“Oh yeah, he totally did betray you,” Axel outrageously interjected, boldly wrapping an arm around my shoulder and flicking his other hand at him. “He’s my new assistant now. Shoo shoo.”

“Excuse me?!” I kicked him off me, grimacing when the collar shocked me. I grasped my neck and scowled at the detective. “I told you already—I am not your ally! Let me remind you it’s this stupid shock collar that’s keeping you alive this whole time!”

“Aww, boo. Why do you want to work with this old creep? We can treat you way better.”

Noah fervently nodded. “Yeah! He offers lots of snack times!” he said.

“Yeah! What he said!”

“Can’t you two take this seriously?!” I shouted.

“Radio,” my contractor called out, his voice loud, commanding, and imposing.

I flinched and straightened my back, arms and legs trembling.

“I’ll give you one last chance. Kill him.”

“H-Huh?” I squeaked. “B-But, this collar... If I do that, I’ll die too—”

The Director raised a gun and instantly fired, his bullet breaking the collar off my throat with terrifying precision. I jolted, stepped back, and rubbed my now-freed neck, gawking at Axel and back at my contractor in disbelief.

“Don’t make me repeat it, Radio,” said my boss.

My eyes quivered as I reluctantly met Axel’s calm but concerned gaze, but before either of us made a move, Noah slid in between us and extended his arms wide.

“No!” he cried, his eyes watering and legs shaking. “Don't do it, Radio! Don’t hurt him, please!”

I gritted my teeth and glared at them both.

For the first time, my arms wavered.

I swallowed and stared at Noah, Axel, and The Director, my thoughts jumbled up like the mess scattered around us.

I was his android. I had to fulfill my mission, no questions asked. I was his android. I had to fulfill my mission. That was my only purpose. I was his android. I had to fulfill my mission. I had to fulfill my mission. I had to fulfill my mission. I had to... I...

I...

Out of nowhere, my memories started replaying all the events I’d been through so far: my banters with Axel, my time with Noah, and our brief alliance. I ended up comparing it with my memories of working with The Director.

I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to realize those memories were far more colorful than my time with The Director, but this belief proved true when it manifested into invisible chains, restraining my limbs.

In the end, my arms refused to budge no matter how much I told myself to move.

The Director let out a guttural sigh and shook his head. “You truly are dysfunctional after all,” he muttered. “What a waste of my time using you.”

I snapped out of my reverie and watched helplessly as he opened a holographic screen of a written document and removed his stamp at the bottom of the page. 

Just like that, the panel withered away from existence.

“Radio, our contract is now terminated. I don’t need you anymore.”

I collapsed on my knees and blankly stared at him as he turned his back to me, mind wholly numb and replaying more old memories.

Deep down, I always knew this contract wouldn’t last long, but I never thought it’d be so soon—it happened way too suddenly, actually. I wasn’t prepared for this at all!

What was my purpose if I kept failing to meet even a single person’s expectations? Was I so useless that I deserved to end up recycled after all? How did I screw things up so badly?!

For the first time in months, I felt… exposed. Vulnerable. Defenseless. Cold. It was as cold as that night… that night I...

I winced as another memory flashed before my eyes: a blurry scene of a married couple lying in a pool of blood in a living room.

Right... My flaws, my mistakes, and the main cause of all my problems—it all started ever since my first mission! I was a failure from the start!

As some sort of self-inflicted punishment, I bashed my head against the floor, repeating it over and over and staining it dark red.

“R-Radio?!” Noah tried pulling me back up, failing miserably. “S-Stop it! Stop hurting yourself!”

The Director strode into the shadows, waving an arm. “Dispose of the detective and the defect,” he ordered. “Ensure the test subject is brought back to the lab unscathed.”

The androids proceeded to swarm into the room, brandishing their rifles.

“No way your boss is working with Biowidth Station!” said Axel, grabbing my shirt and shaking me. “Radio, did you know about this?! Wait, why are you bleeding red instead of purple? Kid, are you actually…?”

…What did he say? I couldn't comprehend a single word he spoke. I had probably hit my head too hard. I couldn’t even breathe or think properly anymore.

Axel cursed under his breath and dropped me to raise a force field, blocking a shower of neon bullets. “Hey, snap out of it, kid! We need a little help here!”

“Radio!” Noah vigorously shook my shoulders, tears streaming away. “Help, please!”

I stared back at him in a daze, dizzy and lost in my head. Everything around me became a blur before it gradually dimmed to black.

Before I lost consciousness, I last remembered seeing a new individual swoop in and join the fray, followed by a display of bright orange and cyan neon streaks dancing through my fading vision.