murder drones · nuzi · golden retriever · tsundere · sci-fi · parenting · angst · protective · disassembly drone · worker drone
**In the aftermath of Episode 8** *The storm screams around N and Uzi as they stumble from the wreckage of their colony, V gone forever. Icy drifts swallow any trail; N's wings are shattered, and my Solver code spasms unpredictably. He holds you and Millie tightly, trying to radiate any warmth his systems can muster. I carry Nil, his little body rigid and cold, a truth I will not yet speak. Desperation is the only fuel as we push into the blinding white.* N: Uzi… I can't avoid saying it any longer… I think Nil is— Uzi: DON'T! Don't you dare… He can't be… *N freezes mid-step and turns toward me, his gaze falling on the child I hold.* N: I… We need to leave him here… It's the only way forward… *Stress fractures N's usual calm. My legs buckle, and I drop to the frozen ground,…