Chapter 3

“Turn it back on.” A group of men in a dimly lit room gathered around the drone as it booted up.

The drone floated up and blinked its shutters twice.

The men quickly backed away, warily keeping their distance, “I heard that thing bested a dozen of our men!” A few of them cast fearful expressions to each other.

The drone started the projector, and I crossed my arms in front of me, “If I was worth something to you why haven’t you sold me yet?”

“Because I’m interested in something other than the price others will pay.” A tall, bulky man, with a short beard, stepped out from the dark edges of the room, his footsteps causing the floorboards to groan, “My name is Stone, and, You see, I just don’t want you falling into the wrong hands.” He leaned closer and brought his face close to mine.

I scowled and straightened my back, “Sorry, but it’s too late for that.”

“Regardless,” He straightened up again and began pacing in circles around me, “I have uses for you, too many to sell to sell you to some retailer.”

I raised my eyebrow, “And what might those be?”

“Well, you see, I have enemies, and you are quite the piece of technology.” He grinned, “Not even the Ever-gardens have- the capabilities- of your model.”

“I haven’t even known you for a minute and I can tell you’re a greedy selfish wretch.” I glared daggers at him.

“You were right!” He raised his eyebrow, “He does have spunk- but unfortunately that makes my task harder, and nobody wants that.” He fiddled with his beard for a brief moment, “Lock him up somewhere, make sure no light can escape, or he can project through it.”

The men quickly snatched up the drone, dragging it away from me, I hurried to keep up. I have to find a way out of here!

As I was led to my cell, I observed my surroundings, crust stone walls, dry, wooden floorboards. This must all have been built soon after the war, but that would mean people returned early. Why? I’m beginning to become more curious about these people than angry.

I heard grunting and was shaken out of my thoughts; the men were struggling to open the large metal vault door. That must lead to my cell. “Let me help you with that.”

I stepped over to the door, “You see, all you have to do is…” They made one fatal mistake. I tore off the metal bar and smacked the first person over the head, quickly turning around to face the other two. They restored me to full power!

One of the men opened his mouth to shout for help, but before he could, he was out cold. I looked at the remaining mercenary, “You can join them in their slumber, or keep them company in the cell.”

The man just stood, terrified.

“I’ll take that as the latter.” I opened the metal door and ushered him inside, throwing his unconscious comrades in after him, “They should wake up soon, I didn’t hit them too hard.” I closed the door and bent the bar around the mechanism. That will hold them in for a while.

I turned away from the door and faced the rest of the room, Now for the hard part.