Chapter Text
“Release me, now.”
Zane’s voice miraculously held steady, despite the fear he felt leeching from his core into his limbs.
He was meticulously strapped to a sturdy chair, wrists and ankles lashed with thick rope. More rope held his waist and neck close to the chair’s back, leaving him with little options – even his words had to be carefully measured, as not much air could get to his voice box with his restraints.
“Hmmm,” Jay – not Jay, Jay didn’t have red eyes or that cruel smile – feigned consideration. “No. You,” he tapped Zane’s forehead. “Got info that we need. Now, if you cooperate…” He flashed a toothy smile. “Then we can talk about letting you go. But til then,” he shrugged and jumped to his feet. “No luck.”
Zane steeled himself against the rope. “I will never betray them.” He vowed.
Not-Jay rolled his eyes. “Ugh. You guys are so sentimental.” He turned away from Zane and stuck his head out of the door. “FROSTY! You’re up!” He called. Zane’s eyes widened as he watched himself walk through the door. This Zane was every inch a perfect copy, except for the red eyes and stark white hair. Not-Jay strolled out of the room, calling after the other Zane to “Call me when he’s ready.”
The two nindroids stared at each other for a moment.
The other Zane shifted on his feet. “I was hoping you would be difficult.” He said.
Zane stared at him with cautious eyes. “Why?”
He lifted the corner of his mouth in a smile. “Because with myself, I know how we work. With you,” He stepped forward, grabbing Zane’s jaw and pressing the hidden switch there, opening his chest panel. “I can find out how we do not.”
Zane tried to keep his breathing steady as open air hissed over his power core and circuits. “W-what are you going to do?” He asked. His voice glitched with anxiety.
A cold hand confidently began brushing aside wires and flipping switches. “I am going to do as Jay said. We need information,” Zane jolted as a wire was pulled, and his leg relaxed. “And I am going to get it.”
Zane clenched his hands to keep the trembling at bay. “I-I cannot feel pain from that,” He said. “Discomfort a-and restraint will n-not turn me against my b-brothers.”
His double scoffed. “I am not aiming for ‘discomfort’ or pain.” Another wire pulled, another switch flipped as Zane jerked in the chair. “I am aiming for achieving our goals.” He sat back, a smug smile on his face. “See you after you reboot.”
Zane’s eyes widened, and he renewed his struggles against the ropes. “D-do not – you can not,”
Red eyes gleamed as a hand hovered over his control panel.
“I can do whatever I wish.”