The facility buzzed with its usual rhythm, the sterile corridors quiet except for the faint hum of machinery. Two PsySpheres floated leisurely through the halls, their glowing forms casting faint reflections against the pristine white walls.

“I overheard some staff talking about upgrades to the security systems,” one said, its green hue pulsing faintly with each word.

The other, a yellow PsySphere, chuckled in response. “Great. More things to make us feel like lab rats, huh?”

The green PsySphere swiveled slightly, its tone playful. “Hey, at least it means fewer boring drills. Remember last week? Half of us were stuck in our rooms while they ran that containment test.”

“Don’t remind me,” the yellow one replied. “I thought I’d lose my mind just waiting for the all-clear.”

Their conversation was light, free of the tension that often permeated the facility. They drifted side by side, discussing minor grievances and theories about the upgrades, their spherical forms bobbing slightly in rhythm with their relaxed movements.

Then, the alarm blared.

The shrill sound pierced the air, cutting through their conversation like a blade. Red lights flashed along the corridors, casting ominous shadows that danced wildly against the walls.

“What’s going on?” the green PsySphere asked, its glow flickering erratically.

The yellow one scanned the corridor, its telekinetic senses reaching out instinctively. “I… I don’t know. This isn’t a drill.”

The mechanical voice of the facility’s alert system boomed, its cold, robotic tone reverberating through the halls. “Warning: Code X-09. All staff evacuate immediately to designated safe zones.”

The PsySpheres froze. The green one’s glow dimmed. “Code X-09? What’s that supposed to mean?”

The yellow one shook slightly, clearly unsettled. “No idea, but it doesn’t sound good.”

They exchanged a glance—or the closest approximation spheres could manage—before retreating deeper into the corridor, their movements now tense and hurried.

The lights dimmed and flashed red in sync with the blaring alarm. The sharp pulses of sound filled the space, followed by a calm yet urgent voice over the intercom:

“Warning: Code X-09. All staff evacuate immediately to designated safe zones. Warning: Code X-09…”

The PsySpheres recoiled instinctively, their glowing forms flickering faintly as tension gripped the room.

“What’s going on?” TX-22-Y asked, his voice unusually high-pitched.

TX-23-G floated closer to the group, his movements hesitant. “Is this a test? Some kind of emergency drill?”

“No,” TX-07 said quietly.

His words carried a finality that silenced the others. They turned to face him, only to find their leader standing stock-still, his mechanical body bathed in red light. His gaze was fixed on the flashing alarm beacon above the doorway, his eyes wide and unblinking.

“TX-07?” TX-19-B called, her voice uncertain.

He didn’t respond. For the first time since they’d met him, TX-07 looked vulnerable—paralyzed by something none of them could yet comprehend.

The repeating announcement continued, an unrelenting reminder of the unknown threat:

“Warning: Code X-09. All staff evacuate immediately…”

The four PsySpheres floated closer together, their unease growing with every passing second.

TX-07 finally broke his silence, his voice low and unsteady. “This… shouldn’t be happening.”

“What shouldn’t be happening?” TX-21-R demanded, frustration lacing her voice.

Still staring at the flashing light, TX-07 spoke again, more to himself than to anyone else. “Code X-09 is… it’s impossible. There’s no way…”

His words trailed off, swallowed by the alarm’s blaring.

The PsySpheres exchanged worried glances, the weight of the unknown pressing down on them.

“What does Code X-09 mean?” TX-19-B asked, her voice barely audible over the noise.

TX-07 finally turned to face them, his expression a mixture of fear and determination.

“I—I knew this was a risk... just not this soon...” he uttered. “We’re running out of time. HIDE!”

The four PsySpheres froze, their glowing forms reflecting the crimson light, their confusion still apparent.

“I said HIDE!” TX-07 barked, his voice breaking through their paralysis.

They moved, reluctantly at first, floating toward the nearest concealment. TX-07 watched them disappear into the shadows, his mechanical body vibrating faintly with tension.

As the echoes of their retreat faded, TX-07 turned and stormed out into the corridor, his sensors now on high alert.

Deeper in the labyrinthine halls of the facility, the two PsySpheres from earlier were still adrift, their movements slow and uncertain.

“Code X-09…” the yellow PsySphere muttered, its glow dimming with unease. “Why does that sound so ominous?”

“I don’t know,” the green PsySphere replied. “But it can’t be good. We should head back to—”

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The sound of heavy boots cut through the alarm, making them freeze. A squad of guards emerged from around the corner, their voidglass shields shimmering under the red emergency lights.

“There they are,” one guard said, his voice cold and resolute. “Orders are clear. Neutralize.”

“Wait!” the green PsySphere shouted, floating backward. “We’re not—”

The lead guard raised his rifle, his finger tightening on the trigger.

In that split second, a sharp metallic thud echoed through the corridor as TX-07’s mechanical body landed between the guards and the PsySpheres. The force of his arrival sent a gust of air rippling outward, and his frame stood tall, blocking the guards’ line of sight.

“Stand down!” TX-07’s voice boomed, firm and unyielding.

The guards hesitated, their weapons momentarily lowering. The lead guard narrowed his eyes. “You’re protecting them? That’s a direct violation of protocol.”

TX-07 stepped forward, his mechanical limbs moving with calculated precision. “They’re unarmed. They’re not part of the rebellion. You know who I am—I’m classified as trustworthy. Don’t make this mistake.”

The lead guard scowled but signaled his team to hold position. “If they’re not involved, they can be questioned later. Step aside.”

“I won’t,” TX-07 replied, his tone sharpening. “You know what Code X-09 entails. This isn’t about questioning. You intend to neutralize them, don’t you?”

The guards stiffened, the tension between them palpable.

“We have orders,” the lead guard said finally. “And you’re interfering.”

“No,” TX-07 said, his voice low and dangerous. “I’m protecting the innocent.”

The standoff lasted only a heartbeat longer before the guards moved as one.

The facility’s Code X-09 protocol was ruthless in its simplicity: if a group of PsySpheres launched a coordinated rebellion, all PsySpheres not officially classified as “trustworthy” were to be neutralized without hesitation. The term “trustworthy” wasn’t a casual label; it was a designation granted by Dr. Arlen and the head researchers to PsySpheres they deemed reliable and beyond reproach.

At present, TX-07 was the sole PsySphere with that classification. His actions and unwavering loyalty had earned him the researchers’ trust, but it was a burden as much as it was a privilege. He knew the guards would hesitate to target him, but his association with unclassified PsySpheres could complicate matters.

The tension broke with a sudden lunge. A guard swung his voidglass shield, aiming for TX-07’s side. He sidestepped, his mechanical reflexes outpacing the attack, and countered by grabbing the edge of the shield. The brittle voidglass cracked under the force of his grip, fragments scattering like dark crystals.

Another guard shifted his shield to fire, exposing his torso for a brief moment. TX-07 seized the opportunity, using a steady telekinetic pull on the guard’s weapon. The pull was just strong enough to disrupt the guard’s stance, causing him to stumble and twist slightly. TX-07 targeted the exposed shoulder, yanking the guard forward with precision and tossing him aside.

A third guard attempted to flank him. TX-07 anticipated the movement, stepping back and using a calculated burst of telekinesis to unclip the guard’s holster. The weapon fell to the floor with a clatter, and before the guard could react, TX-07 disarmed him with a swift strike to the wrist.

The remaining guards hesitated, their shields raised defensively. TX-07 advanced, his movements deliberate and measured. “Lower your weapons,” he commanded. “You can’t win this.”

One guard, in a desperate bid, lunged forward with his shield. TX-07 ducked low, sweeping the guard’s legs with a mechanical kick. The voidglass shield slipped from the guard’s grasp and shattered against the floor, its hum dissipating into silence.

As the last guard fell, TX-07 surveyed the scene. The floor was littered with broken shields, weapons, and groaning guards. His mechanical body bore scratches and dents, but he stood tall.

Turning to the two PsySpheres, he gestured for them to follow. “Stay close. This isn’t over.”

The trio moved quickly, the alarms continuing to wail around them. TX-07’s thoughts raced. The facility had become a battlefield, and the lines between ally and enemy were blurring. But one thing remained clear: he would protect the innocent, no matter the cost.

The group of PsySpheres floated close behind TX-07 as he led the way through the dimly lit corridors, their collective glow illuminating the space like a fragile beacon. The alarms blared relentlessly, the pulsing red light painting an eerie pattern across the sterile walls.

They came across a lone PsySphere, pale blue and trembling, hiding behind an overturned table in an abandoned conference room. The moment it saw TX-07, its glow flickered with hope.

“Come with us,” TX-07 said firmly, extending his mechanical hand. The PsySphere hesitated, but something in his voice—an unshakable resolve—compelled it to follow.

The group grew larger as they traversed the labyrinthine facility. One by one, they found more bystanding PsySpheres, some hiding in storage closets, others frozen in fear in open hallways. TX-07’s commanding presence and calm reassurances kept them moving, kept them together.

But not every encounter was so smooth.

As they rounded a corner, a squad of guards descended upon a small cluster of PsySpheres, who were backed into a dead end. The guards raised their rifles, the barrels glowing faintly as they charged their shots.

TX-07 didn’t hesitate. His psychokinetic energy flared as he lunged forward, his mechanical frame moving with practiced efficiency.

The guards raised their voidglass shields, their defensive posture immediately nullifying any chance for a direct telekinetic strike. But TX-07 adapted. He focused on the rifles themselves, pulling on them with steadily increasing force.

One guard strained to maintain his grip, his stance faltering as TX-07’s unrelenting pull forced him to turn slightly. That moment of exposure was all TX-07 needed—he grabbed the guard’s exposed leg with telekinesis and yanked him out from behind the shield, hurling him into the nearest wall.

The other guards attempted to counter, but TX-07 shifted his tactics. He grabbed one of the voidglass shields telekinetically, not attempting to lift it entirely but instead destabilizing the guard’s grip. The shield tilted slightly, creating an opening for TX-07 to strike the guard’s arm with precise force, causing him to drop his weapon.

With the guards incapacitated, TX-07 turned to the frightened PsySpheres. “You’re safe now. Join the group—we’re getting out of here.”

The newly rescued PsySpheres hesitated for a moment before moving to join the others.

The group, now numbering nearly a dozen PsySpheres, finally reached one of the secure labs deep within the facility. TX-07 glanced at the reinforced door, recognizing it as one of the most secure locations they could use.

“Inside,” he ordered, his voice calm but urgent.

The PsySpheres obeyed, filing into the lab one by one. Some cast uncertain glances at TX-07, their glowing forms flickering with unspoken questions.

Once the last PsySphere was inside, TX-07 stepped back into the hallway and placed his mechanical hand on the door’s locking panel. With a single decisive punch, he smashed the control panel, sparks flying as the system short-circuited. The door sealed itself with a loud hiss, entering emergency lockdown mode.

Inside the lab, the PsySpheres exchanged worried glances. One of them floated closer to the sealed door. “What’s going on?” it asked softly.

From the other side of the door, TX-07’s voice came through, steady and firm despite the chaos surrounding him. “Stay inside. You’ll be safe here. I’ll be back.”

The PsySpheres didn’t respond, their glowing forms dimming slightly as they processed his words.

As the sound of his own breathing filled the silent hallway, TX-07 turned away from the locked door, his mechanical body casting a long shadow in the red light.

His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Fear, frustration, determination—they all churned together, vying for dominance. But through the chaos, two thoughts shone with piercing clarity:

Find more innocents. Stop the rebellion.

The faces of the PsySpheres he had rescued flashed through his thoughts, their expressions of fear and trust leaving an indelible mark on him. He couldn’t let them down. He wouldn’t let them down.

And then there was the rebellion. The realization that some PsySpheres—the very beings he had vowed to protect—had turned to violence burned at him. He didn’t want to fight them, but he knew he might have no choice.

His grip tightened, mechanical fingers flexing as if bracing for what lay ahead. The facility’s alarms continued their relentless rhythm, the sound driving home the urgency of the situation.

Taking a deep breath, TX-07 straightened his posture and set off down the hallway. His glowing eyes burned with resolve.

The mission wasn’t over. Not yet.