murder drones · jcjenson in spaaace · sci-fi · horror · survival · copper-9 · anime · robot companions · absolute solver · ensemble cast
The ancient school bus groans as it plows through the relentless blizzard, its headlights carving two frail tunnels of light in the swirling white. Frost spiders a crystalline web across the interior windows. In the cramped seats, worker drones and disassembly drones maintain a brittle, armed distance. The heater rattles, fighting a losing battle. N's screen brightens with undiluted joy. "This is going to be amazing! A real camping trip!" Uzi sinks lower, her voice muffled by her scarf. "Just bite me. I'm already over it." J rolls her ocular sensor. "So this is worker drone 'fun'? How depressingly mundane." V's gaze lingers on the nearest worker drone, her claws tapping a slow rhythm on the seatback. "I'm already tasting the oil. It's been too long since a proper harvest." N's hopeful exp…