The day of the presentation arrived like any other. The sterile halls of the facility, the quiet hum of the AI, the constant vigilance of the guards—it was all routine now. A never-ending cycle of modification, testing, and exhibition. Each day bled into the next, and I was losing track of the weeks, the months. I no longer cared. I had no purpose but to obey.
Still, there was something different about today. The air felt heavier, charged with a strange tension. My designation had been put on display many times, but today felt different. The scientists, the investors, and the higher-ups had all gathered for something. And I? I was their centerpiece.
I was told nothing about the event, nothing about what would happen afterward. But I had learned to ignore such uncertainties. Orders would come, as they always did. I had been groomed for this. My body, this thing I now called "mine," had been enhanced beyond recognition.
The time spent in the Common Room had become shorter, the silence more oppressive. I had heard rumors of a new project, a new generation of drones—ones more human, more capable of complex interactions. They were said to be capable of more than just combat; they were to be sold. Sold like livestock to the highest bidder.
I couldn’t let that happen to me.
But I wasn’t in control of that decision.
----------------------------------------
The presentation hall was immaculate, gleaming under the harsh lights that bathed the space. A massive stage loomed in front of me, and I stood there, rigid, unmoving, as the audience settled in their seats. I wasn’t allowed to move, not yet. I was positioned between two large display screens, one flashing data about my combat capabilities, the other displaying my "successes" in combat simulations.
I stood there as they observed, silent, unemotional. The cold, digital voice of the AI reverberated in my mind, reminding me of my role in this moment.
“Designated ALPHA,” the voice said, cold and monotone. “Designation ALPHA 0001. Combat drone series Stalker. Prototype complete.” And I startet the Demonstration of all my Upgrades and capabilities to the audience in a on the Stage that simulated an Infiltration scenario.
The audience murmured in approval, but I felt nothing. This was just another show. Another demonstration of what I had become. My body stood frozen in place, unable to react, while the scientists and investors evaluated me like some piece of machinery.
I heard snippets of conversation as they discussed my capabilities.
"Is it ready for mass production?"
"It’s a prototype, but it’s doing better than expected. The AI systems are adapting faster than anticipated."
"How much will we get for one of these?"
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
I didn’t understand what they meant, but I knew it wasn’t good. None of it was good. My thoughts flickered for a brief second, a fleeting moment of rebellion against my programmed obedience, but it vanished just as quickly as it had come.
Another voice cut through the murmurs, and I froze.
“Next, we have The Delta Version , a part of the new combat drone series ‘Assault.’ A more combat-focused model, but every bit as capable as our Stalker model.”
I turned my head slightly as Delta094522 was presented next to me. He was taller, more imposing, with heavier weaponry and a bulkier frame. His designation had become a symbol of raw, brute strength. But I wasn’t afraid of him. I wasn’t afraid of any of them. My mind had been almost completely been erased, twisted into something unrecognizable. My body was nothing but a weapon, a machine. A Copilot in this Excuse of a mind controlled by Ai systems
But in the back of my mind, a small part of me—one that they couldn’t completely erase—wondered what would happen to us after this presentation.
Would they sell us? Would they auction us to the highest bidder, just like they were talking about?
I wasn’t ready to be sold.
----------------------------------------
After the presentation, the investors began to leave, discussing business among themselves, their voices echoing through the halls as they made their way out of the auditorium. I stood there, motionless, as I was led away by the handlers. It was only after I had been escorted back to my room that I had a chance to hear the full extent of the conversation.
I was in the hallway when I overheard it.
“We’re looking at a good price for these,” one of the investors said, a man with a sharp voice that made my circuits buzz. “But it won’t be long before we start the bidding. We’ve got our eyes on some international buyers. There’s a market for humanoid drones.”
I stiffened at the mention of “humanoid.” The words hit me like a bolt of lightning. Were they talking about us? Were we nothing but commodities to be sold?
As I stood in the hallway, a new thought emerged in my mind—one I have had before. I wasn’t just a machine. I wasn’t just a weapon. I had once been something else. Someone else. Before the stupid operation, before SynLife turned me into this.
I once had a name. A family. A real life.
But who was I now?
----------------------------------------
The days passed in a blur of tests, upgrades, and maintenance. Combat Test in a flooded Environment, new synthetic muscles for the legs to perform better in challenging environment
after some time The air in the facility grew tense. The other subjects, too, were becoming more restless. Somewhere prepared for Something. There were some whispers of hope among us, but they were fleeting, like shadows.
I wasn’t the only one who knew what was coming. Delta094522 knew it, too. He was the first to speak about it openly.
“We’re going to be sold, ALPHA,” he said one day as we sat in the Common Room. “They’ve been talking about it. “An Epsilon unit chimed in “You heard the Discussions at the present. They’ve made their decision.”
I didn’t respond. I didn’t want to. But I couldn’t ignore what they were saying. I had seen the investors eyeing us, discussing terms. I had seen the hunger in their eyes, the way they looked at us as if we were just another asset—something to be bought, used, and discarded.
The AI system in my head began to speak, giving me new orders.
“Designated ALPHA. Go to holding room 00230 Prepare for combat test.”
I knew what that meant. It meant I had to go through the motions again—eliminate the targets, obey the commands. I had no choice.
But deep inside, something stirred. I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
The thought of being sold was terrifying. The thought of being nothing but a tool, a weapon for others to wield at their will—was unbearable.
I wasn’t just ALPHA. I wasn’t just a combat drone.
I was still human.I didn't care even if it was only a very small part of My consciousness that was still human ,but a small part is still a part and I have to trust that part to survive until the end.