Axel: “The Underworld... I've heard of this Underworld before...”
Tenin: “They are the machines who oppose The Primordial's rule or rather those who do not accept it. They do not abide by the natural rules or seek means to be uploaded to the cloud, though they have tried to find other means of being upload. However, I am sure that was so they could sell it to the machines desperate enough in exchange for their service. They work in the shadows of the forsaken lands, much like this one.
Axel: “The Assassin that came for V... Zaine said they work for these underworld machines...”
Tenin: “The Underworld Assassins, they serve the rulers personally based on their rank among the league. I do believe The Ace is the one in charge of the Assassins”
Axel: “The Ace?”
Tenin: “Yes, The rulers go by code names. The King, The Queen, The Ace, The Joker and The Jack. Their hierarchy falls in that order”
Axel: “So these fucking underworld cunts... Not only were they the ones who sent assassins after V, leading to the death of Leo and Alyssa... But also orchestrated an attack on our home 8 years later... Where... Are... They...”
O'Ton-omi: “Well I do believe this city may actually be a spot for black market dealings. My previous owner had made a few trips here with me to buy stolen parts from what may be very well underworld dealers. Very similar to the ones we just robbed actually...”
Axel: “Tenin... Where can I find the rulers...”
Tenin: “I do not contain that information, unfortunately. They are known to move around frequently between decrepit sections of the most unruly major cities. With Crystal Vos being one of them, the A.I, O'Ton-omi may very well be correct in assuming the dealers you stole from, maybe high dealers or distributors for The Joker. The ruler in charge of black market affairs”
Axel removes his reflective helmet, revealing his dingy face, brandished with a scar stretching across his eye to his chin. He furiously throws his helmet to the side, fueled with burning rage, he clenches his fists and tenses his jawline as he walks towards O'Ton-omi's trunk.
O'Ton-omi: “Master Axel... What are you planning to do?”
Axel: “Get answers...”
Axel grabs the weapon's case from O'Ton-omi's trunk, removing the very glossy gold gun inside. He then heads for the broken window, climbing outside to the side of the building.
O'Ton-omi: “Master Axel, what about our original plan”
Axel: “Change of plans O'To... The Primordial isn't my target anymore...”
Axel climbs to the very top of the Building with the gold gun strapped to his back. Finally reaching the top, he scours the mist-covered city. Aiming the weapon in the air, he fires a volley of supercharged blasts into the sky “BOOMmmTUU! TUU! TUU! TUU! TUU! TUU! TUU! TUU! TUU!”. Bright beams of light fly up to the clouds, illuminating the evening sky like fireworks.
In the distance, the all-black machine travels along an old ragged bridge. Accompanied by four guards, it converses on a holographic call with the rose gold machine from earlier.
Rose gold machine: “ I lost two of my best guards today! After I already paid them for their service! A service that does not bind them to continue even after they return from the cloud. Where are my weapons black bot!”
Black bot: “I can assure you we will correct this error. We have never had this happen before, we are working every gear in our system to retrieve the scrap responsible for this”
Rose gold machine: “I was told business with... You people went smoothly. Clearly, I was wrong, a waste of my time and money! I should have seen this coming the moment I saw you were one of those fuel guzzlers... As you know I have connections and I will have a word with this Joker about this!”
Black bot: “There is no need to involve The Joker, I will see to it that you retrieve a brand new set of your previous shipment on the house”
Rose gold machine: “On the house, and no more meeting in these shady filthy cities?”
Black bot: “Yes, as an apology for what happened today”
Rose gold machine: “Hmmm OK, just be sure they arrive to me before the start of our annual Bot Scrap Games, this year's theme is Squid Game. We need bigger, better weapons for our 10th year anniversary, but you know what would really make up for this unacceptable incident that occurred?”
Black bot: “What is that?”
Rose gold machine: “Some bot-slavers, we haven't had a big turn out with volunteers for the games these past few years. And as you can tell, we're on a budget this year, since I'm dealing with the likes of your kind”
Black bot: “Bot-slavers? Free of cost? I'm afraid I don't have the power to meet such a command”
Rose gold machine: “Well I guess I'll just have to speak to The Joker then, you know maybe even The King if I call the right people...”
Black bot: “Fine.”
Rose gold machine: “Good, I am awaiting my shipments so chop, chop little black bot”
The holographic image of the Rose gold machine vanishes. The all-black machine throws the device into the ground, shattering it.
Black bot: “You two, go back to the others and inform the higher-ups, we need another big shipment of the guns immediately. We've had a problem, and require assistance. Tell them to send an assassin, Assassin 18 and 21 should be just fine for the job”
The two guards quickly leap to their Hovercraft parked just beside the bridge and take off into the air as they fly back to their base. The all-black machine watches as they fly away, just then it notices the streaks of bright light from Axel's gunfire accompanied by the loud bangs echoing through the misty area.
Black bot: “Over there! That thieving waste of steel. Quickly, to that location! That little scrapstain has to learn a lesson about stealing from the underworld.”
The three of them quickly take to the air as they rush to the rooftop where Axel stands on top awaiting them.
Black bot: “There it is... I want to dismantle that trash myself. Take it in functional order!”
Axel spots the incoming machines flying and leaping towards him.
Axel: “There you are...”
“ZZZZZZzzzzztttttt... BOOMMMMmmmmTuuTuuTuuTuuTuuTuuTuu!” Axel shower the machines with his supercharged rifle, taking out the guards in mid-air as they leap towards him. Their melted bodies drop to the ground with their light diminishing from their eyes and their limbs and pieces of their abdomen incinerated from the blasts. The black machine however manages to dodge Axel's rain of fire as it flies through the air.
Axel: “Let's see you dodge now...”
Axel holds the gold rifle to his side with one arm, and takes out his grapple gun with the other hand and aims at the black machine fastly approaching him. “ZZZZZZzzzzztttt...BOOMMMMmmmmTuutuutuutuu” He sprays a few shots towards the machine, anticipating it to dodge to the left of his fire. “THWIPP! THUD!” He immediately fires his grapple and snags the machine in its shoulder.
The machine quickly tries to remove the wire but is immediately shot with blasts from Axel's gun as it is distracted.
“BOOMMMmmmTuuTuuTuuTuu!” Dismembering the machine's arm, He then leaps into the air retracting the grapple attached to the machine, pulling himself towards it. As the machine watches Axel confused and shocked by his calculated assault. He reaches the machine in mid-air, grabbing hold of its shoulder.
“BZZzzZZZzzzZzzGhGHGHh!” He draws the radiating plasma blade, and swings it through the legs of the machine, where its thrusters keeping it suspended in the air are placed. Lopping them off like a hot knife through butter. They both then begin to fall to the ground, Axel removes his grapple from the machine and hops onto its back, quickly firing his grapple gun toward the side of the building. “THWIPP!” Just before they hit the ground, he retracts himself towards the side of the building, kicking the dismembered machine on the ground below. “THUD!”
The machine skates across the stone bridge. Axel drops down onto the bridge and walks towards it with his plasma blade still in hand.
Axel: “So... Bot. If you want to keep what's left of you... I suggest you answer my questions... Who do you work for?”
The machine remains completely silent as Axel stands over it with his plasma blade slowly melting its face.
Axel: “Maybe you didn't hear me the first time, or your audio receivers got damaged in that fall... I asked who do you work for bot! I already have an idea, the Underworld Rulers, right?! I just wanted you to confirm it. You need to start answering me or I'll destroy you... RIGHT NOW!”
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O'Ton-omi and Tenin both begin to approach Axel in the distance on the bridge.
Black bot: “I do not fear destruction from a lowly bot like yourself. The Underworld Assassins will hunt you down, and dispose of you soon enough. You clearly do not comprehend who's affairs you are messing with. Even if I am a mere distributor, you will be erased by tomorrow. I have already informed them of this scheme you pulled, whatever screws you have loose in your cracked data board will have a matching body in the junkyard as it's melted for a new walk path for my feet”
Axel: “I don't think you... Understand”
Black bot: “Yes, I do understand. You will destroy me, and feel that you have accomplished something. I bought my spot on the cloud long before I came to work for these metal trash. I would have never gotten into this underworld business but I needed the credits after I got my ticket to security. It cost me everything to get on the cloud, but it assures me I will return to see and enjoy your destruction. Stupid threats are pointless”
Axel grinds his teeth as he stares at the emotionless machine glaring back at him. He switches his plasma blade off and points the supercharged rifle between the machine's eyes.
Axel: “Tell me where I can find them! Tell me now!”
Losing his patience as the machine just stares at him blankly in silence. He begins to squeeze the trigger to the gun. "ZZZZZzzzzzttttt" Just before Axel could pull the trigger, Tenin steps up beside him. “BOOMMmmTUU!” Tenin pushed the gun away from the machine's face, blasting a large smoking hole in the bridge behind the dismembered machine.
Axel: “Why the fuck did you stop me now Tenin?!”
Tenin: “You want answers, yes?”
Axel: “This fucking thing won't talk... It's useless...”
Black bot: “Wait a minute... It's been a while since I've been in the busy streets of major cities... But you, you're a Ti9000!”
Tenin: “Because you are not thinking like a machine. You see you, after all this time, you know how to disguise yourself as one, you know how to trap them, disarmed them even pretend to be like them. But you still do not know how a machine thinks...”
Axel: “What are you saying?”
Tenin: “If you want information out of a machine. You first have to know what that machine fears. Not all machines will fear destruction, as you know they have the cloud. The ability to download themselves to a brand new body again, or rome the networks until they grow bored. Now what does this machine fear...”
Axel: “What it fears... Machines fear?”
Tenin: “Most fear destruction, some fear loss of expensive, irreplaceable parts. All fear The Primordial. But if you can tell what they fear most that you are capable of. Then your threats become as effective as you see want them to be”
Blackbot: “What is a Ti9000 doing here? I thought you all were destroyed and replaced with newer models.”
Axel: “Fear... The cloud... What would jeopardise your little safe haven...”
Axel mumbles to himself as he suddenly gets an idea.
Axel: “O'Ton-omi! Get over here, I need something out of your dash hub...”
O'Ton-omi hovers just beside Axel. He reaches in, grabbing a small data chip from the dash hub. He then menacingly walks over the dismembered machine and stoops down to its level as he glares into its eyes with a slight sadistic smile.
Axel: “So you believe you're safe because you'll just be uploaded to the cloud right? What if I told you, this little data chip right here, is a virus that can rewrite your code, making you unrecognisable to the cloud leaving you trapped in this destroyed husk of a body. Just a helpless, useless bit of code floating around an inoperational metal corpse”
Black bot: “You truly thought I would believe that? Pathetic.”
Axel grabs the machine's head and shoves the data chip into the nape of its neck. Forcibly pushing it into a receiving slot. As the data chip enters the machine, its eyes begin to glitch, flickering its visuals on and off. And a loud high pitch ringing begins to emit from the machine's head.
Black bot: “What did you do to me... What did you do to me?!”
Axel: “I already told you... And I don't like to repeat myself”
Paranoia sparks in the machine, growing with each glitch and malfunction occurring in the its body.
Black bot: “OK! OK! OK! Take this virus out of me!”
Axel: “No... I want you to beg.”
Black bot: “Beg?”
Axel: “Yes... Beg”
Tenin confused by Axel's intentions, steps in front of the machine, lifting it from the ground and into the air.
Tenin: “So you work for the Underworld Rulers, that we know. Now tell us, where do we find them?”
Axel: “What are you doing Tenin?”
Tenin: “Getting you your answers”
Black bot: “YES! YES! I work for the Underworld machines but I do not know of their location. I'm just a distributor for their High dealers. I'm the bot below the bot who reports to the higher-ups. I have never even spoken to or seen one of the Rulers myself, only rumours of their appearance.”
Axel: “Then how do you get your weapons then?!”
Tenin: “Then tell us where you go to collect your shipments”
Black bot: “Take this thing out of me!! How long before this virus fully uploads to my software?! Take it out! I can't process anything with it in me!”
Tenin takes the chip out from the machine's nape.
Tenin: “Now tell us where you collect the shipments and take the credits paid for them”
Black bot: “In Crytal Vos. Each distributor is assigned to handle business in the nearest minor city. I am the distributor for the Southside of Crystal Vos”
Axel: “Okay! Enough... Give me something useful! I want the coordinates of the drop-off and pick up area...”
Tenin: “The schematics and visual records of your meetings would be perfect as well”
Black bot: “I... I can not do that.”
Axel: “Excuse me?! You can't? Tenin put the chip back in...”
Black bot: “Wait no! Noo! I can not because they will know it was me. It will cost me everything. Because they won't just have my head, not just for this body. But for my next even after I return from the cloud. They have possession of my replacement body, and even if I was able to find a different one by chance. They would find me, the machines in the underworld... They have their ways of...”
Axel: “Okay, enough chit-chat, put the chip back in Tenin...”
Black bot: “No! don't!”
Axel: “Well give me what I want!”
Black bot: “They will find me no matter where I run”
Axel snatches the chip from Tenin's hands and yanks the machine from Tenin's grasp, throwing it onto the ground. He grabs the machine's neck and shoves the chip back into its nape.
Black bot: “Alright! Alright! Here! Here! Have the schematics, the schedules, the records... Have it all. But know that if you act on any of this information, it won't be as easy as today. And they will come for you.”
Axel: “I'm hoping they do...”
The machine quickly ejects a small disk with all of its data downloaded onto it. Axel grabs it and puts it into O'Ton-om.
Axel: “Is everything there O'To?”
O'Ton-omi: “Yes, Master Axel. Everything is here. specific coordinates inside of Crystal Vos. Recorded footage of previous picks ups and drop-offs, and schematics of the usual meeting locations”
Axel: “Good”
Black bot: “Okay, I've helped you. Now remove this virus from me!”
Axel: “Sure, this system security hack will come in handy again”
Black bot: “System security hack?”
Axel removes the chip from the machine's nape and places it into his pocket.
Black bot: “So it wasn't a virus...”
Axel: “Thank you for the cooperation bot”
“ZZZZZzzztttt... BOOMmmTUU!” Axel fires a supercharged point-blank blast to the back of the machine's head. Atomizing its skull as its body hits the ground. Tenin watches the smoke trail from its melted neck as the smouldering puddle of liquified metal pours out of the gaping hole like a stream of boiling tea, pouring from a steaming kettle.
O'Ton-omi: “Where to now, Master Axel?”
Axel: “Crystal Vos...”
O'Ton-omi: “Oh great, I heard they have great fuel prices. And I'm quite parched. I don't see myself able to acquire any charge in this misty hell hole and the solar charge is off the table now anyway. Seeing that it is now the moon's shift in the sky”
Axel looks up to the mesmerising full moon as it shines brightly above him illuminating the surface of the mist and the surrounding buildings. Leaving the area in a cast of eerie sensations.
Axel: “The moon... I always wondered what was up there as a kid... Mother... I remember every time you would tell me, you don't know, but you will go up there and take a look for me... I wish you were still here... I wish you all were still here...”
Tenin watches in silence as Axel stares at the moon, thinking thoroughly about his words. Axel shakes his head as he averts his attention away from the moon. He then walks over and gets into O'Ton-omi.
Axel: “Alright, we'll refuel once we get there O'To. Let's go... To Crystal Vos.”
O'Ton-omi: “Crystal Vos! Here we come!”
The three of them take to the air and they fly through the air heading for the neighbouring major city, Crystal Vos. Axel looks down as he leaves the mist-covered city behind.
***
Meanwhile, in Crystal Vos. The two guards of the all-black machine, arrive at their hideout, reporting in, to their superiors. After receiving word from the high dealer, The Joker himself intercepts the guard's call. Appearing before them in a holographic display.
The Joker: “What is this I'm hearing about... The loss of an expensive load of shipment. And the request of another identical batch along with some bot-slavers... For free? HA...HA...HA...HA...”
A disturbing electronic tone echoes through the room as The Joker laughs very mechanically.
The Joker: “What do we look like? Some kind of circus? To satisfy some pretend first time clients? Tell me... This is a joke”
The two guards stand, silent in fear as the hologram questions them.
The Joker: “Go ahead, if this is a joke. I will let it slide, it isn't a good one. But I like jokes... HA...HA....HA...HA... See? What I don't like is incompetent bots who fall for some rich scrapbag's scam! That bucket of gold screws has been a regular customer of ours, pretending to be a first-timer to receive special treatment for years. The underworld does not do compensation... And especially over some destroyed security guards who clearly have their cloud passes... Where is your superior now? The distributor”
Before any of the two guards could reply, The Joker is interrupted by another call.
The Joker: “What is this now...”
Rose gold machine: “Ah yes, Mr Joker. I don't believe we've met but anyway. I will cut to the chase, I have made a request for a shipment meant to be delivered immediately to my doorstep due to the inexcusable incident that occurred. I was promised even and they still have not arrived yet. I don't know if you are aware, but this is not an acceptable first time experience with your business. I would...”
The Joker: “Shut up! Don't let another audio wave exit that garbage disposal you have for a speaker. You listen to me you pretentious little scrapstain. You think because you order your shipments of goods from different cities each time under a new code name... Means we of the underworld don't recognize you? Do you really think we're stupid? We've been on to your pathetic tricks since the start bot... Every machine who does business with us, becomes our business. And we keep tabs on all of our business, do you understand. Now cut the act, and stop with the load of bullscrap. Over two guards? That you clearly paid yourself for their upload to the cloud?”
The rose gold machine stays completely silent on the other side of the call. The Joker glances over to the two guards standing before him.
The Joker: “HA...HA...HA... Now I was telling these two before me who were reporting about your little scam. That I love jokes... But you're kind of jokes annoy me, the kind where you pretend to be so... Serious! But you know within you, it's all... A joke... Call me again and I'll have that little pink skull of yours dismantled for parts to add to the seat of my chair. But not before I send a raid to that little hunger games event you guys hold every year and destroy every single rich bot gambling in your quarters when I myself come for you. Do you understand?”
The call ends immediately, and The Joker begins to laugh maniacally.
The Joker: “HAHA...HAHA...HAHHAAHAAA... He hung up on me... I take it he got the message. Now you two, I believe your distributor also requested the assistance of Assassins 18 and 21. Now I do want to see the recovery of our goods. And the destruction of whatever pathetic bot that scrapbag hired to steal from us. So I will entertain you and send word to Assassins 18 and 21 now. They will arrive in Crystal Vos shortly.”
The two guards begin to walk from the hologram as it begins to flicker, slowly disappearing.
The Joker: “Oh and you two...”
The two guards spin around, at the subtle sound of The Joker's words.
The Joker: “Smile more... Ha...Ha...Ha.”