The five PsySpheres floated out of the training area, their soft glows casting faint reflections on the sterile, metallic walls. TX-07, who had guided them through countless sessions, had just announced that they no longer needed his tutoring. They had learned all their abilities, he had said, and now it was time to master them on their own.
As they drifted down the corridor, TX-21-R broke the silence, her crimson hue pulsing lightly. "Feels strange, doesn’t it? No more lessons from TX-07. Just us now."
TX-22-Y’s yellow light brightened slightly as he responded, "Yeah, but I’m excited. It’s like we’ve graduated or something. Now we get to see what we can really do."
TX-23-G, with his vibrant green glow, chimed in with a playful tone, "I bet I can master my abilities faster than any of you. Just you wait."
TX-23-W, floating beside TX-19-B, chuckled softly. "I wouldn’t be so sure, TX-23-G. It’s not a race, you know."
TX-19-B, who had been quiet, finally spoke up, her voice thoughtful. "Maybe it’s not a race, but it’s still important. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much to understand."
The conversation continued casually, each PsySphere reflecting on their progress and joking about who would become the most skilled. The mood was light, a stark contrast to the dimming facility around them.
As they moved through the corridors, the number of scientists dwindled. Most labs were locked, and some hallways were completely dark. Only the occasional scientist could be seen, hurrying through their final tasks before the night shift began. The facility was gradually closing down for the night.
Guards responsible for the night duty emerged from their rooms, starting their patrols. They paid no attention to the PsySpheres, who were accustomed to moving freely within the facility. The faint hum of the guards’ equipment and the soft buzz of the lights created a quiet, almost eerie atmosphere.
The group finally reached the living quarters designated for the PsySpheres. They hovered in front of their respective doors, exchanging brief goodnights before entering their rooms.
"Night, everyone," TX-21-R said softly, her light dimming as she entered her room.
"Sleep well," TX-22-Y added, his voice warm.
"See you all in the morning," TX-23-G said with a lighthearted tone before his door closed.
TX-19-B entered her room last, her blue glow barely illuminating the darkened space. As the door slid shut behind her, she floated silently in the center of the room, her mind swirling with thoughts she couldn’t shake. After a few moments, she made a decision. She quietly opened her door and slipped out into the hallway.
The corridors were dark, and the facility seemed even more silent now that most of the staff had retired for the night. TX-19-B floated through the empty halls, her thoughts a storm of uncertainty and unease. She turned a corner, lost in her own mind, when she suddenly collided with something solid.
Dazed, she quickly recollected herself and looked up, her blue glow casting faint light on the tall figure standing before her. Two small white dots gleamed in the darkness, and a chilling recognition dawned on her—she had seen this figure before, during the invasion.
She instinctively moved back, her energy pulsing with alarm. The figure stood still, and a daunting presence filled the quiet hall. But then, the figure’s head began to glow with a soft shade of blue, revealing itself to be TX-07.
TX-07 looked down at her, his mechanical form casting a long shadow in the dim hallway. "TX-19-B, what are you doing out here?" he asked, his voice calm but curious.
TX-19-B hesitated, her mind racing for an excuse. "I couldn’t sleep," she said nervously. "I thought a walk might help."
TX-07’s eyes softened, and he nodded. "Excuse accepted!" he said with a hint of humor in his tone. "If you’re not too tired, would you mind having a chat?"
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Relieved that TX-07 wasn’t pressing her further, TX-19-B agreed. "Of course, I don’t mind."
They began to float through the halls together, moving aimlessly as they talked. The facility was quiet, save for the faint hum of the lights overhead and the distant sounds of the night guards on patrol.
After a few moments of silence, TX-07 glanced at TX-19-B, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding. "I know that you and TX-23-W encountered TX-01," he said calmly. "I’m not upset with you, but I’m curious—what did you two discuss?"
TX-19-B paused, her thoughts briefly scattering as she considered how to respond. After a moment, she decided to be honest, but cautious. "TX-01 said some things that made me question the organization. They hinted that we might not know everything about why we were created… but something about the way they spoke felt… off."
TX-07 tilted his head slightly, a soft blue glow emanating from his mechanical eyes. "That sounds like TX-01," he said thoughtfully. "Always thinking far beyond what most of us do. They’ve always had a… unique way of seeing things."
TX-19-B, still uncertain, pressed a little further. "It wasn’t just what they said... it was how they said it. Like they knew something we don’t—something about the organization and our purpose."
TX-07 nodded slowly. "TX-01 has always been... deep, philosophical even. Their mind works on levels that many of us can't always follow. It’s not unusual for them to challenge the conventional view. But it doesn't necessarily mean they're wrong or right—just that they see things from a very different perspective."
TX-19-B floated in silence for a moment, absorbing TX-07's words. "So... you don’t think what they said is true?"
TX-07 didn’t respond immediately, taking a moment to consider her question. "Truth, I’ve found, often depends on perspective. TX-01’s truth might be very different from mine, or yours, but that doesn’t make it any less valid from their point of view. Sometimes, it's not about what’s true—it's about how you interpret what you're told."
TX-19-B’s glow flickered faintly as her thoughts swirled. She had been so wrapped up in the power of TX-01’s words that she hadn’t thought about how their perspective might differ from her own, or the organization’s. "They made me question everything... but maybe that’s what they wanted."
"That’s possible," TX-07 mused, his tone neutral. "TX-01 does have a way of provoking thought. But the real question is—how do you feel? What do you believe? It’s easy to get caught up in someone else’s ideas, especially when they challenge everything we’ve been taught. But ultimately, it’s your perception that matters most."
TX-19-B’s mind began to clear, her unease shifting into realization. "I don’t know what to believe yet," she admitted, her glow steadying. "But I think… TX-01 might’ve been trying to push me toward their own understanding of the world, their version of the truth."
TX-07 nodded in approval. "That’s a reasonable thought. TX-01, for all their intellect, is still bound by their own biases, just like the rest of us. Their perspective is shaped by their experiences, just as yours is. But questioning things—well, that’s a sign of growth. Just be sure you’re asking the right questions."
TX-19-B floated alongside him in silence, processing what he had said. The storm of doubt that had been swirling in her mind was beginning to settle. TX-01 hadn’t been offering her an undeniable truth, she realized—they had been offering their truth. And now it was up to her to decide what to take from that.
"I think I understand now," TX-19-B said, her voice quieter, but with more certainty. "TX-01 was leading me somewhere, but I don’t have to follow. I can find my own path."
TX-07’s soft smile was barely visible in the dim light. "Exactly. You’ve always had that strength within you. Trust yourself. That’s the one thing you can be sure of."
As they continued their aimless walk through the quiet halls, TX-19-B’s thoughts drifted back to TX-23-W. He had been more taken with TX-01’s words than she had. She needed to talk to him—soon—before he let TX-01’s perspective shape his actions.
"Thank you, TX-07," she said finally, her voice calm but determined.
"Anytime," TX-07 replied. "Just remember—different perspectives aren’t inherently bad. It’s how you choose to act on them that matters."
With that, they floated a little longer before TX-07 bid her goodnight, leaving TX-19-B to her thoughts.
As soon as TX-07 was out of sight, TX-19-B hurried through the darkened corridors. She had to find TX-23-W before it was too late.
As TX-19-B floated through the darkened corridors, her mind raced with urgency. She had to find TX-23-W before he did something reckless. But as she neared the living quarters, the silence felt heavier than before, the faint hum of the facility almost oppressive.
She approached TX-23-W’s door. Her glow flickered as she hovered in place, unsure if he was still inside. After a moment of hesitation, she called out to TX-23-W. "TX-23-W, hello, it's me, TX-19-B. Are you awake?
But there was no response.
"Hello? TX-23-W?"
Her pulse quickened as she floated closer to the door, hoping to sense his presence. Still nothing. The sinking feeling in her core deepened as she realized she might have been too late.
Meanwhile, in another part of the facility, TX-23-W had already left his room. His white glow was faint as he hovered alone in the dim hallway, his expression dark with determination. He stopped momentarily, as if weighing a decision that could not be taken lightly.
Taking a long, deep breath, TX-23-W sighed heavily, his gaze distant and troubled. Without a word, he turned and floated away.
He made his way toward another section of the facility, towards the next living quarters. His movements were slow, almost methodical, as though bracing himself for whatever came next.
Back in the quiet hallway, TX-19-B hovered outside TX-23-W’s door, her worry growing as the stillness continued. She turned away, her mind swirling with thoughts of what TX-23-W could be doing. She knew she had to find him before his doubts led him astray.