Chapter Text
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
Click.
Hyperlaser groaned, pulling himself up from his bed. Princess meowed and hopped off the bed at the stirring, running to her food bowl and looking up at Hyperlaser expectantly. He smiled, filling her food bowl and getting dressed.
The drive to Blackrock's HQ was slow. A layer of ice had formed, prompting civilians to drive slower than normal. Hyperlaser considered turning around and not showing up to work that day. He could probably excuse it because of the snowier-than-average conditions, but found himself in the driveway before he could decide. Upon walking into the building, Subspace summoned him to his office before he’d even gotten a second to breathe. He made his way down the corridor, taking his sweet time. Once he was in, he was met by Subspace standing there, hands behind his back, like a shitty comic villain. Oh joys.
"So!" Subspace began cheerfully. "I have a job for you!!"
"What is it?"
"Kill Katana."
Hyperlaser paused. For a moment, he thought he'd misheard. He tried to remain calm, though the subtle tremble in his hands betrayed him.
"What?" he muttered.
"You heard me! Don’t think I didn’t know about your friend, Hyperlaser~ Do you think I’m stupid? Huh?"
"The hell are you on about—"
"Ah, ah, ah!" he spoke over the mercenary’s protest. "I can’t let any important info fall into the wrong hands, Hyper! I’m even being kind!! You get to be the one to kill him instead of a Biograft! Aren’t I so nice?"
"You’re. Telling me to kill someone close to me."
"Oh, details, details. I don’t really care! You’re gonna kill him, or I’ll find another way. He dies regardless, Hyperlaser. Don't be difficult! Just cooperate!"
Hyperlaser's stomach dropped. A brief silence followed, tension filling the air. Sure, he could say no. But who knows what Subspace will do with Katana’s life in his hands. He could drag it out. He could experiment on Katana, and Hyperlaser would be unable to do anything but stand to the side and watch.
At least death by his hands would be quick and painless. Or so he told himself, trying to justify his decision.
"Fine," he conceded. "I’ll do it."
"Good!" Subspace clapped his hands together. "I'll give you a day!! Say your goodbyes!!!" He then dismissed Hyperlaser, getting back to whatever slop he was scribbling in his notebook. Great. Just wonderful.
Regret gnawed at his conscience instantly. Was that really the right choice..?
Whatever. Best not to think about it.