Chapter Text
Things have been unusual today. After getting caught near the door to the Reactor, the rest of the Halberd’s crew have been quiet around me. There’s secrets in there. I wasn’t ever told what they were, and I assume it’s because my superiors believe I have no reason to care. With that assumption, they’ve made one fatal miscalculation.
They gave me a reason.
I’ve been with this crew for as long as I can remember, possibly since my very construction. Then again, there’s no way for me to know for sure. They wouldn’t hide something unless it would truly shake my loyalty to Sir Meta.
Which it won’t. Nothing can drive me away from being one of his most loyal followers, even if he doesn’t recognize me as such. Especially not something so trivial as a change of power source.
I’m “writing” this in front of the door. I’ll continue writing once I look inside. If they have nothing to hide, then surely there’s no reason to keep the reactor door locked.
Which, unfortunately, it is. I can hear something in there, something different from before our last landing. It almost sounds like… no, it couldn’t be. Why the hell would they have any of them in there?
It would make sense, given where we last stopped. It’s an absolute hotspot for their activity. But, and this is no offense to them, what purpose would they serve on an airship like the Halberd? Especially in the Reactor.
No, I have to know this now. No more holding back. This door, right here? It can’t stop me. I’ll take it right off the damn hinges, if I have to!
There’s absolutely going to be consequences if any of my superiors found out I did that.
Now, for a look.
What the FUCK is happening in here!?
They better be paid for this. It looks grueling, immoral, even. Who’s idea was this? WHY?
I need to ask– Wait, that’s the captain.
I’ve gotten my answer. They’re getting paid, at least that’s what the captain said. I’m not sure how much I believe him, but there’s probably a reason Sir Meta put him in this position.
He better be telling me the truth.
Or, when this ship goes down, I’m making sure he drowns with it.
??/??/???? | REPORT ON WHEELIE BEHAVIOR
NUMBER 6118 HAS BEEN SHOWING ODD SIGNS THAT HAVE BEEN SLOWING DOWN PERFORMANCE.
FURTHER INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN DENIED BY CAPTAIN [REDACTED], TOLD NUMBER 6118 TO “STOP SLACKING OFF”.
PERFORMANCE HAS NOT IMPROVED SINCE THIS COMMENT WAS OFFERED.
I was enjoying life. Driving around, enjoying the air. It was true, absolute freedom.
If only it could have lasted.
I don’t know when the sun was blotted out by that large, awful flying vehicle, but I knew that I had to get away. Surely I could drive fast enough, surely I was evasive enough, surely–
Without any warning, cornered. There was no choice, I couldn’t get away. They took me to that horrible thing, and it’s where I’ve been ever since.
Back and forth. Maybe it’s just temporary?
Back and forth. They’ll let me go eventually.
Back and forth. Again, over. And over.
Back and forth. Repeated. Endless. Monotonous. How long has it been?
Back and forth… back and forth… over… and over… and over…
They come in occasionally, not to check on me, but to watch. To watch us, and scold us, telling me that “I’m not working hard enough” and that “I’m slacking off.” I don’t want to be here! I don’t want any of this!
I’ve tried to tell them, but they don’t listen. They don’t even know my name, they don’t care to figure it out. All I am to them is some part of their machine that doesn’t work correctly, because I don’t want to! I don’t want to be powering their stupid ship! Lazy? No! I just…
I don’t want to be here.
Back and forth. Nothing changes.
Back and forth. Again.
Back and–
A sound. A noise. Something shifts out of the corner of my eye. A door is broken down, and I catch a glimpse of the one behind it. He looks horrified. I’ve never seen him before, is he new? No, of course he isn’t. But he looks at us, at me, like he understands.
Please. Please understand.
??/??/????
J2-7 HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE REACTOR, AND HAD TO BE ESCORTED OUT. NUMBER 6118 HAS NOT SHOWN ANY IMPROVEMENTS. IT DEMANDS THAT SOMEBODY LISTENS. IT WANTS OUT. IT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF ALL OF THIS. IF BEHAVIOR AND PRODUCTIVITY DO NOT IMPROVE, BOTH J2-7 AND NUMBER 6118 MAY HAVE TO FACE CONSEQUENCES.