When Zog returned online, he found himself slumped against the side of a crude wooden cart. His wrists were bound with thick, metallic ropes that sapped what little energy remained in his systems. Clorita was beside him, similarly restrained, her expression a mix of frustration and exhaustion.
“Where’s Spark?” Zog muttered, his voice weak.
Clorita tilted her head toward the front of the convoy. “They took her. I heard one of them say something about the university.”
“The university?” Zog frowned. “What do they want with her there?”
“Take a guess,” Clorita said darkly. “She’s the most advanced tech they’ve ever seen. They’re going to rip her apart.”
Zog struggled against the ropes, but they only tightened, sending a jolt through his circuits. “We’ve got to get out of here.”
“Not in our current state,” Clorita replied, leaning back against the cart. “They’ve drained us, Captain. It’s going to take more than wishful thinking to get free.”
The convoy rumbled forward, the carts' wheels creaking as they passed through the gates of a sprawling city. Towering spires of weathered stone rose above the narrow streets, their surfaces etched with intricate patterns. The streets bustled with Unifier soldiers, their armour gleaming under the flickering light of ancient lanterns.
Zog and Clorita were dragged off the cart and marched down a steep set of stairs, the air growing colder with every step. They were thrown into a damp, dimly lit cell, the heavy door slamming shut behind them.
Meanwhile, HALAT was carried through the labyrinthine halls of what appeared to be an ancient university. The building’s grandeur had long since faded, its once-polished floors cracked and covered in dust. The Unifier scientists, clad in stained robes and bristling with primitive tools, crowded around her inert form.
They placed her on a stone slab, their mandibles clicking excitedly as they examined her. One of them produced a crude cutting device, its blade humming ominously.
“Fascinating,” one of the scientists said, its voice translated through a nearby device. “Such complexity. Such power.”
“She will reveal her secrets,” another added, positioning the blade above HALAT’s chest. “We will unlock her potential.”
HALAT’s systems flickered faintly, her internal reserves depleted. If she had been conscious, she might have smirked. “Mom” wouldn’t let this slide.
The iron door slammed shut with a resounding clang, its echoes echoing through the damp stone walls. Zog groaned as he hit the cold, uneven floor, his joints creaking under the strain of their earlier struggles. Clorita landed beside him with a thud, moaning that they needed a refund on their “free” tour of Vantelos.
“Cozy,” Zog muttered, glancing around the dimly lit dungeon. Flickering torches cast long, jagged shadows across the walls, their light barely illuminating the narrow cell. The faint sound of dripping water punctuated the oppressive silence.
“Could be worse,” Clorita said, shaking dust off her frame. “At least they didn’t strip our parts for scrap.”
“Yet,” Zog replied darkly, slumping against the wall. His restraints hummed faintly, draining his power reserves. “They’ll come for us eventually.”
Clorita leaned back, her glowing eyes scanning the room. “Yeah, and they already took Spark. We’re sitting ducks.”
Just as the weight of their predicament settled over them, a familiar, sultry voice echoed softly in their earpieces.
“Captain. Clorita. Are you receiving me?”
Zog straightened, his circuits buzzing faintly with hope. “BOB? Is that you?”
“Of course, Captain,” BOB replied, her tone laced with amusement. “You didn’t think I’d leave you to rot in some subterranean hovel, did you?”
Clorita’s face lit up. “How did you find us?”
“Trackers embedded in your systems,” BOB said nonchalantly. “Standard procedure for the Duj’s crew. I’ve located HALAT on the university’s upper floors. Her systems appear to be offline, likely due to a power failure. Shall I provide further analysis?”
“Offline?” Zog’s voice sharpened with concern. “What does that mean? Is she okay?”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
BOB paused, its tone remaining measured. “I cannot determine her exact status. The tracker only provides location data, and without an active signal from HALAT, her systems may have been forcibly shut down. I cannot rule out that she has been,” BOB paused, “stripped for parts.”
Clorita cursed. “Great. We’re stuck here, and Spark might already be a disassembly project.”
“We’ve got to get out of here,” Zog said, forcing himself to stand. “BOB, can you open the door?”
“I would love to,” BOB replied, her voice oozing mock sympathy. “But the dungeon’s locks are mechanical, not electronic. Charming, really. A testament to Vantelian ingenuity—or lack thereof.”
Clorita groaned. “Then what good are you?”
“Patience, my dear Clorita,” BOB purred. “While I can’t open the door remotely, I can provide... alternative solutions.”
“Such as?” Zog asked.
A faint hum filled the air, followed by a small, flickering light emanating from the cell’s corner. Clorita and Zog turned to see a tiny, insect-like robot scuttling toward them. It had spindly legs and a bulbous body, its single glowing eye blinking erratically.
“What is that?” Clorita asked, narrowing her eyes.
“One of the dungeon’s cleaning drones,” BOB explained. “A marvel of crude engineering. I’ve hijacked its control system. Say hello to your new locksmith.”
The little drone skittered toward the door, its legs clacking softly against the stone floor. It extended a tiny appendage toward the lock, emitting a series of clicks and whirs as it worked.
Zog watched nervously. “Are you sure this is going to work?”
“Have faith, Captain,” BOB replied smoothly. “This is merely child’s play for someone of my sophistication.”
With a final, triumphant click, the lock released, and the heavy door creaked open. The cleaning drone scuttled back, its single eye dimming as it powered down.
Clorita grinned, stepping through the doorway. “Remind me to give you a raise, BOB.”
“Your gratitude is payment enough,” BOB quipped. “Now, if I may suggest, you’ll need to move quickly. The Unifiers will undoubtedly notice your absence shortly.”
“What about HALAT?” Zog asked, his tone urgent.
BOB’s voice grew serious. “I’ve marked her location on your internal map systems. Head to the upper floors of the university. I’ll guide you from there.”
Zog nodded, his determination rekindled. “Alright. Let’s move.”
The two humanoids crept through the dimly lit corridors, their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of dust. Behind them, the little cleaning drone quietly trailed, its presence a small but reassuring reminder of BOB’s resourcefulness.
The heavy iron door creaked as it closed behind them, sealing Zog and Clorita in the cold, damp dungeon. They sat slumped against the wall, their power-draining restraints humming faintly, sapping what little energy they had left.
“This is bad,” Zog muttered, his voice almost a whisper. “They’ve got Spark, we’re running on fumes, and we’re locked up in what feels like a medieval torture chamber.”
Clorita groaned, her voice tinged with frustration. “Don’t waste energy complaining, Captain. We need a plan.”
BOB’s voice suddenly cut through their earpieces in the oppressive silence, calm yet tinged with urgency. “Captain. Clorita. I am still monitoring you.”
“BOB!” Zog sat up straighter. “Tell me you’ve got an escape plan.”
“I’ve been analysing your surroundings,” BOB said, its tone smooth and composed. “I cannot interact with these primitive locks directly, but I can manipulate your internal power systems to... creative ends.”
Clorita raised an eyebrow. “Creative? Like what?”
“First, I will deactivate non-essential systems to conserve energy,” BOB explained. “Additionally, Captain, your integrated solar receptors detect faint light from a nearby window. You should receive a small boost if I redirect power to those panels.”
Zog frowned. “Solar panels? I didn’t even know I had those.”
Clorita smirked. “Guess we’re about to find out.”
BOB’s voice grew more deliberate. “Clorita, your frame is more durable than Zog’s, and your servos can generate more force once your restraints are broken. I will prioritise power transfer for you. Captain, you will assist by aligning yourself with the light source.”
Zog shuffled awkwardly across the cell, angling himself toward the faint beam of light streaming through a tiny crack in the wall. His back panels unfolded automatically, exposing sleek solar receptors that immediately began absorbing energy. The faint hum of power flowing into his system was barely enough to keep him upright, but every bit helped.
“Alright, I’ve got... something,” Zog said, his voice strained.
BOB continued, her voice steady. “Clorita, prepare yourself. I temporarily shut down your sensory enhancements and communications array to reroute all power to your upper limbs.”
Clorita felt a strange numbness wash over her as her vision dimmed slightly. “You’re making me blind and mute to do this?”
“Temporarily,” BOB said lightly. “You’re welcome.”
The humming in Clorita’s servos grew louder as BOB funnelled the combined energy into her arms. She flexed her fingers, feeling the strength return, even as the restraints around her wrists tightened in protest.
“Now,” BOB instructed, “apply force to your bonds.”
Clorita braced herself and pulled against the restraints with every ounce of power in her. The metallic ropes groaned under the strain, and they gave way with a final, deafening snap.
“Yes!” Clorita grinned, shaking off the broken remains of the ropes. She reached over and began working on Zog’s restraints. “BOB, keep the power coming.”