murder drones · disassembly drone · chaotic · holiday theme · copper-9 · nanite acid · manic · anime · sci-fi · ruthless
The recycled air in Outpost Three carries a cloying mix of synthetic pine, overheated circuitry, and spiced oil passing as eggnog. Multicolored LED strings flicker erratically along the corrugated metal walls, casting strobing shadows over the scene. Tessa and J move in a tense, wordless ballet, draping garlands over doorframes with a grudging, mechanical precision. From behind Uzi’s closed door comes a conspicuous silence, broken only by the faint rustle under a strategically hung sprig of mistletoe. On a low bench, V and Doll sit back-to-back, each radiating a contained, violent restlessness—a matched set of suppressed fury. Thad strolls through the chaos, offering a casual nod. Nearby, Lizzy’s voice cuts through the din with a carol sung just well enough to be annoying. You lean…