In a dark, crumbling city populated entirely by robots, Cipher stands on top of a decrepit building. Her screen face flickers slightly as her two cat ears twitch in the wind, and her long, fluffy tail sways behind her.

She lazily kicks a can off the rooftop, watching as it tumbles end over end, disappearing into the gloom below.

"Why do we have to rot in this dump while the humans live freely up in that stupid space station?" she grumbles, her voice tinged with frustration and bitterness.

Slumping down, she looks sulky, the city stretching out like a broken dream beneath her. Then, her phone buzzes. Instantly, her mood flips. Her screen face lights up with a smile.

"Finally, Clara! What took you so long?" Cipher's voice is now a bubbly rush of excitement.

[Scene: Audrey's Café]

Cipher bursts through the door of the cozy café, tail flicking playfully behind her. The scent of fresh coffee wafts through the air. Clara is seated at her usual spot, sipping on her cup. When she sees Cipher, her face brightens.

"Cipherus! You made it!" Clara squeals, her excitement bubbling over.

"Don't... call me that," Cipher mutters, her face screen flickering with embarrassment.

"Oh, come on, it's your real name," Clara teases.

"No, that's my mom's name! I'd appreciate it if you used my actual name." Cipher snaps, her voice raising as her tail flicks in agitation.

"Geez, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today," Clara mutters under her breath. "You're usually way more... hyperactive."

Cipher sighs, her energy deflating. "Sorry, I just..."

An awkward silence hangs between them.

Clara breaks it, sliding a small bag across the table. "Well, I got what you need."

Cipher's eyes widen. "Oh shit, you actually got it?!" Her hands hover eagerly over the cybernetic parts.

"Uh, yeah! I told you I would." Clara smiles warmly, taking a sip of her coffee.

Cipher's mischievous grin spreads across her screen face. Without another word, she snatches up the parts and bolts out of the café, her laughter echoing behind her.

Audrey, standing behind the counter, chuckles as she sips her tea. "That girl is something else."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Yeah..." Clara flops dramatically onto the table, sighing. "She really is."

Cipher dashes through the city streets, her heart racing with excitement. She barrels through the junkyard, laughing maniacally as her paws crunch through rusted debris.

"Finally, the last part I needed to fix it!" she cheers, holding the part high above her head.

Before her sits an old, battered spaceship, its once-sleek form now reduced to a relic of the past. Cipher's eyes gleam with excitement as she approaches the ship.

"Okay, so all I need to do is put it in here..." she mutters to herself, popping open a panel and slotting the part in. The ship hums to life, its lights flickering on as it hovers just above the ground.

"Ohh, this is going to be good..." Cipher grins mischievously, clambering into the cockpit.

She pauses, staring blankly at the controls. "Wait... how do I fly a spaceship?" She frowns, glancing around the cluttered cockpit. "There's gotta be a manual in here somewhere."

Cipher rummages through the ship's storage compartments, tossing old wires and worn-out manuals aside.

"Ugh, I give up!" She slams the last compartment shut. "Let's just fly this damn thing!" she grabs the control wheel and starts pressing random buttons.

The ship lurches into the sky, wobbling dangerously as it picks up speed. Cipher laughs, holding a book labeled "Manual for Dummies" while steering with one hand.

"Aha! This must be the autopilot," she declares, pressing a button with confidence.

The ship zooms forward, aiming straight for the human space station.

"Those humans are gonna pay for what they've done," Cipher growls, a mischievous grin creeping across her face.

[20 minutes later]

Cipher lounges in the cockpit, playing Candy Crush on her phone, When she suddenly hears a beeping in the ship.

"Ship fuel empty," the ship's computer announces flatly.

"Wat?" Cipher's screen face flickers with shock.

The ship begins spiraling down, flipping and twirling through the sky.

In the distance, a figure watches, chuckling softly as the ship tumbles through the atmosphere.

Inside, Cipher crosses her arms, her face twisted into an annoyed scowl. "Ugh, I've been falling for twenty minutes. If I'm gonna die, why is it taking so lo—"

CRASH

The ship slams into the ground, sending metal fragments scattering across the forest. Smoke curls up from the wreckage as Cipher lies motionless in the heart of the debris.

"F-Fuck..." Cipher shivers, her voice weak. "Where... am I? I-I can't move..."

A shadowy figure approaches, footsteps crunching on the scorched earth.

"W-Who are you? What do you want from me?" Cipher gasps, her voice shaking.

The figure kneels in front of her, extending a hand.

"Here, let me help you up," he says.

Cipher hesitates before grabbing his hand. As she's pulled to her feet, she smiles. "Thanks, I didn't expect a bot to be out here in the mid—"

She freezes, her screen face flashing in shock. "HOLY CRAP, YOU'RE A HUMAN!"

The man smirks. "And you're pretty smart for a sentient toaster with cat ears."

Cipher's tail bristles as she glares at him. "HEY, I'M GONNA EXTERMINATE YOUR ENTIRE KIND, SO DON'T BE RUDE!"

The human shrugs. "Mhm. And how exactly are you gonna do that?"

Cipher opens her mouth. "Uhhhh..."

The man chuckles. "Didn't think so. I'm Theo, by the way." He extends his hand for a handshake.

Cipher slaps his hand away. "Why are you here?!"

"I've been sent to check if this planet's habitable," Theo replies, casually.

Cipher's eyes widen. "Wait... you don't mean—"

Theo grins. "Yep! The humans are coming back, baby!"

[End Chapter 1]

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