--Point of View: Katie--

Tom and I made our way back down the cold, sleek corridors to where everything had happened. The floor and walls were still stained with blood but at least the bodies had been taken care of. Each one, or what remained of it, was placed into a bag and neatly lined up in one corner of the room. Upon emerging from our hiding place, several heads turned swiftly, half expecting another threat, but were relieved when they saw a familiar face. As we made our way towards the exit, the soldier currently in charge strode over to intercept us. You could tell by the look on his face he was not happy about what he had to tell us.

“Katie, Tom. The commander wants to speak with you two but I’m sure you already know that. I’m not going to ask where you were or what you were doing because frankly, I don’t care. Just don’t keep him waiting or he’s going to come back down here and give me another earful. Understand?” he barked, obviously annoyed. He must have been put in charge of finding us and got yelled at when he turned up empty handed.

“We understand. We were just heading that way right now, so you don’t need to worry.” Reassured Tom, standing tall and giving a salute. I followed his example and did the same. That seemed to be enough.

“Well get going then. He’s back on the first floor, stationed right outside the main door. Once that rampaging droid was done in, the security lock down cleared and everything opened again. He refuses to step foot in here again. I can’t blame him.” Explained the solider, returning their salute before spinning on his heals and returning to his work.

“This isn’t going to be easy you know.” I said to Tom as we continued walking, entering the stairwell.

“Of course not, but since when has anything we’ve done been easy?” he remarked, a smile on his face. “We will think of something. We always do.”

The long ramp back up to the surface seemed more imposing when you were trekking back the otherway. Thankfully, we arrived right when we expected to. Everyone was still on edge but thanks to what I assumed was a combination of curiosity and fear of being disciplined, were returning to their stations to resume work. We stopped at every room to check in on everybody, wanting to hear their take on everything. Some of them still had no idea what had happened down below. Perhaps the higher ups were trying to keep this all under wraps. I would not be surprised.

After what seemed like an hour, we finally did make our way out of the facility and to the main entrance. Glancing around, Commander Dawn was nowhere to be found but we were quickly spotted by one of his all too familiar guards and ushered into the door control room. Near the back of the room, a chair and other small comforts had been situated to make the commander’s stay more comfortable. We went unnoticed until we got closer, his eyes glued to various reports laid out on the desk in front of him.

“Hmm, no this won’t do. We will need more than just a single fleet ship to transport everything.” He muttered under his breath, flipping through a few papers before bringing them close to his visor so he could read them better.

“Ahem.” I said politely, stopping in front of his desk, Tom at my side.

The commander looked up from his work, visibly annoyed at being disturbed. It was not until a few seconds later that he realized who we were and changed his tone, if only slightly.

“Ah, yes. Tom, Katie. Good to see you two finally decided to report back. The situation was handled hours ago but here you are now. Care to explain yourselves before I decide it for you?” he threatened, not pleased that we did not show up sooner.

“With all due respect sir, we were hiding from the droid. We managed to take out the one that was down below but could not risk facing off against another. So, we hid until reinforcements arrived. Given Tom and I’s knowledge, we suspected that it would be in the army’s best interest if we remained alive.” I said with confidence, standing tall as I performed my very best salute.

Tom hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by my small lie but recovered quickly enough. “Yes Commander. We could not safely assume only one droid was active after the first one went rogue. The best situation at the time seemed to be finding a place to hunker down until we were sure your highly trained men took care of the threat.” Echoed Tom, doing his best to weave a convincing story.

Commander Dawn listened to our tale and contemplated for a moment. You could tell by the wrinkles on his forehead he did not believe all of what we had told him but was debating if our story would pass with the higher ups. He knew our value but was it enough to have us leave here unscathed? Putting his hands together, he signed and told us to have a seat.

“Okay, I’m going to believe your story for now because it seems reasonable enough. We lost a lot of good men and women today. I can write them off. Solider are made to be expended. They are nothing more than trained bodies. We can get more.” He explained coldly, his value of human life quite clear. “You two though. We can’t replace you. The empire is going to need you to help get all this gear working and integrated. So, your story will stand, and I will do my best to make the higher ups understand as well.”

Tom and I listened to him talk and explain what was going to happen. We did not really have a choice with all the guards surrounding us on all sides. He talked about what transpired down below like it was some sort of successful test. He feigned caring about those that were lost and seemed way more intrigued about what we could tell him about the droid itself. It was at this moment, when we were about to relay information about the battle that the commander asked about Crim.

“Also, this beast that accompanied you down to the lower levels. Where is it? You seem to have forgotten to mention it. Especially after its rude….introduction.” he commented, his face struggling to remain composed. I could tell he was very upset just remembering the encounter he had with Crim.

“Uh, well. You see Commander. He was the one that fought the machine down below and managed to subdue it.” I said quietly, looking down towards my feet. “Unfortunately, his injuries were too great, and he passed a few hours after the encounter.” I hoped he would believe my lie.

“I see. Well good. That’s one less hassle we must deal with. I’ll send a team downstairs to retrieve the body later. Now, where were we.” He said, a slight smile on his face now. I would very much like to slap him.

“Was there anything else you needed from us Commander?” Tom asked, still quite composed.

“Yes, I expect a report of all your findings on my desk before you leave. Once you are done with that, return to the lower levels and begin researching the droids once again. We are going to need to learn how to control them if they are going to be of any use.” He rattled off, his attention now back on his paperwork.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Completely baffled, we both sputtered out in unison. “But sir!”

Both Tom and I turned to look at one another, our minds on the same page. What he was suggesting was far too dangerous and would risk even more lives.

“Sir, I’m sorry but we absolutely refuse. After what happened today both of us think it would be in everyone’s best interest if those droids were destroyed. Even if we could control them, they are far too dangerous. I suggest that..” I started to explain before being abruptly cut off.

“You will do what you are told, Miss Rivers and not question it. Your job is research. I tell you what to research, and you do it. If you can’t do that, then I have no use for you.” Growled the commander through clenched teeth. Nobody would get away with disregarding his orders.

Before I could inject, Tom raised a hand to stop me. “While I understand where Miss Rivers is coming from, I do think the droids will be a valuable asset to our military. Perhaps though we could come up with a safer, more secure room to test them in. To reduce accidents.”

The commander stared at Tom for a solid minute, debating whether his words were true or not. “You could learn a thing or two from this man. Request granted. We will start the process to get you a more secure area to test the droids in. You are correct. I can’t afford to lose any more men like we did today. Too expensive.”

“Thank you, sir. We will get started right away. Come on Katie, let’s get those reports done.” Said Tom in his usual upbeat tone but one look at his face told me he just wanted to get out of this room. I was on the same page.

We both excused ourselves from the room and turned into the facility once again. Things had calmed down even further and if nobody had said otherwise, you would have thought just business as usual. Tom took my hand and tugged me along at a rather hurried pace, pulling me into a random room. We both glanced around before navigating to a back corner away from the rest of the researchers, not wanting to be overhead.

“Tom, this is serious. You know just as well as I do that those droids cannot leave this planet. Who knows what could happen? Actually, I do know what would happen. People would die Tom.” I exclaimed, trying to keep my voice down but I was just so angry at the commander’s total lack of care.

“I know Katie, I know. I’m right there with you. It was the only way we were getting out of that room without iron bracelets. Now listen. We need to think of a plan and fast. Did you hear what he said when we entered the room? He was requesting a fleet ship to transport everything. That does not give us much time.” He explained, drawing out a notepad from his bag and beginning to write everything down.

“You’re right. What does that give us? A day maybe? The fleet was not too far off if I remember correctly. One mention of what we found, and they would not hesitate to make a jump here. They want this stuff just as bad as the commander does. Maybe even more.” I said, pulling at my hair in frustration.

We sat around at the desks for longer than I would have liked, writing down everything we knew and trying to come up with different ways to either persuade the army or destroy the evidence. It did not take long for both of us to realize there was no way we were going to convince the military to abandon this treasure trove. The loss of human life was not a turn off for them. If anything, it proved just how effective the droids would be as a weapon. The only hope we had was to maybe destroy what we could, but how? Crim had a hard enough time dealing with one let alone a small army of them. We did not have the means.

Nor the time as fate would have it. Another explosion shook the building and almost immediately a flood of researchers raced out of the room, heading towards the exit. We both jumped up to follow them, knowing that that regardless of the situation, getting out of here was the best choice. Unfortunately, we would lose that choice. Just as I was about to step foot into the hall, a beam of light shot down the hallway followed by the screams of fellow researchers.

The panicked shouts and calls for help filled the air. It must be another droid? That was the only explanation but how? Tom was the only person capable of activating one. Regardless, we did not have long to consider it. Stepping into view just outside the room was the all too familiar silhouette of a droid. It was marching towards the front door. I only caught a glimpse of it before I ducked down behind the desk, but I very clearly saw a yellow band around its neck.

“Attention all unwelcomed guests. You are in violation of protocol 2712. All exits have been sealed. Any and all unauthorized personal will be eliminated.” Echoed a scratchy, metallic voice that differed greatly from the first. It was still robotic in nature but more fluent. Perhaps a different model?

This declaration was followed swiftly by more explosions and flashes of light from down the hall. It was murdering everyone. If we sat here, we would be next. I nudged Tom.

“We need to get back downstairs. Crim is only chance of making it out of here alive.” I whispered as quietly as I could. He nodded and began to sneak from desk to desk towards the door.

I took the risk and peered out into the corridor, the droid nowhere to be seen. He must be in one of the side rooms. Further down the hall was the exit, propped open with several steel beams which were installed shortly after the last incident. We could make a break for it but I suspected the droid would quickly shoot us down. Tom and I both opted dash back towards the end of the hall. Slowing only enough to prevent hurtling into the wall, we took a right turn and continued our desperate sprint to the lower levels. The ramp came quickly and as much as we wanted to continue our mad dash to safety, we slowed to prevent ourselves from topping over the edge.

We reached the main room in record time and found a fresh collection of bodies askew on the ground. The soldier that had greeted us not too long ago laid in pieces along the north wall. I could only stomach a glance. What was truly concerning though was the west facing room that held the rest of the droids. They were starting to buzz and blink, Tom’s face taking on a look of pure dread.

“That’s what they did when I tried starting up the first one. I don’t know how but it looks like we are about to have a whole army of those monsters on our hands. Not even Crim is going to be able to defend us against that.” He cried, his breath catching in his chest.

“Well then let’s hurry before they spot us. They are not fully awake yet. Come on!” I yelled, taking him by the arm and almost dragging him behind me.

I struggled to pull Tom along through the twisting corridors, but had to stop when I realized I did not remember the way back to Crim.

“Tom, I need you to lead the way.” I asked, grabbing him firmly by the shoulders.

“We are all dead. There is no way we are going to get out of here alive.” Tom muttered, my voice not reaching him.

I grimaced before pulling a hand back “Sorry Tom.” I said quietly before planting a firm smack across his face. He blinked and looked at me in shock.

“What are you doing? What did I do?” he shouted; his voice now full of anger.

“You were being an idiot. How do we get back to Crim?” I said simply even though I did feel bad about having to hit him.

“Oh, right. Sorry.” He said quietly, his anger quickly deflating as he realized how foolish he was being. “He should be this way. Follow me.”

Tom led the rest of the way back, the large iron door coming into view soon enough. A few quick keypad entries and we were back inside. Crim was right where we left him, lounging around on the floor. He must have just woken up.

“Sleep well?” I asked as Tom closed the door behind me.

“Not really if I’m being honest. I was afraid I wouldn’t be seeing you two again. What took you so long?” asked Crim, a yawn stretching across his face.

“Well, it did not go well with the commander but that’s the least of our worries.” I said, somewhat hesitant to reveal just how much trouble we were in.

Crim quickly stood up and dawned a very serious expression. He was probably assuming the worst and he honestly was probably not far off.

“There are more droids. Not just more but probably all of them. A different one, just like the one that attacked your village made an appearance upstairs. It spoke differently but that’s not important. What is important is the fact we are stuck down here.” I explained.

“Well, maybe not as stuck as you think.” Rang in Tom, a smirk on his face and his confidence returned.