Chapter Text
"You're slacking off again…"
Pandah scoffs, taking amusement in Mika's mildly annoyed tone. Even if he did spend the last couple hours of the work day doing absolutely nothing, he knows that Mika would never dare tattle on him. The metallic pump in his chest was far too forgiving for that.
Being the younger model between the two, Pandah probably should heed his requests. 'Respect your elders', or whatever the people of Earth tell each other these days. Though it's not like he has that much more experience than Pandah—they were only released a year, maybe two, apart from each other. And while it is true that Mika has been in rotation longer, its not like either of them are the latest in their lineup. Just cheaper and more easily disposed.
…Making them the perfect candidates for this expedition!
Sure, it wasn't ideal work, but it was work nonetheless. Something to keep them preoccupied because there really aren't many options available to them. Besides, he would much rather work down here where it's dim than in the crimson glow of his previous job.
Despite the darkness, the dampness—despite the gas and sediment that would surely choke them out if they had the lungs to let it—it was quiet. Peaceful, even. Just countless days chipping away at potentially useful material, providing for people what they cannot collect safely themselves.
Hm. Or maybe that's just because Pandah has barely lifted a finger over the past week. Instead, he would trail after the automaton with the closest model number to him (seeing as there are no other V069s on crew) and would give no end to annoyance as the other actually tries to accomplish what they were both rented out for.
"If you're not gonna do any actual mining, could you at least bring this back to the track for me? I need a new crate, this one's full."
"Well, if you asked me on any other day I definitely would, however it would seem that I wasn't fully plugged in last night, and so I'm running a bit low… it'd be a shame if I ran outta steam before I had the chance to make it back!"
His companion sends a sharp glare his way. "Oh, come on, I know that's a lie. I checked on you last night to make sure that wouldn't happen again and wouldn't you know; your charger was completely fine!"
"Oh, checking me out, were you? Unfortunately, it could still have gotten loose. I think mine's faulty."
"Just do it…"
"UGH. Fine. Just remember that if I crash, it's all your fault, okay?"
With the circulation of Mika's optic sensors indicating his objective complete, Pandah gives in and swoops up the box. Mika has always been a bit of an odd guy, having the habit of mimicking human expression. Pandah has no idea where he picked up his tendency to roll his eyes, huff, sigh… must've just spent a lot of time around humans at some point. As for Pandah himself, he never bothered to pay mind to the affairs of people. Only now, when in frequent contact with someone he actually shares some level of innate connection with, is he able to connect his coworker's mannerisms with the conventions of man. With how blatantly Mika flaunts his exasperation, how could Pandah not?
It's not like he would call him a friend per se—but he certainly is the closest thing he's ever gotten to having one.
This gig is far too fleeting to form any real relationship beyond work acquaintance, though. Which he guesses would be upsetting, if he actually cared. Mika's more fun to mess with than have deep, philosophical conversations at three in the morning with, anyways. He's pretty sure that's what this 'friendship' thing is all about.
He sets the crate down next to the cart, and decides that this is a pretty good time to take a quick break! He had done a thing after all, completing his assigned task with such effort and humility. He's earned it. Mika could wait for him, practicing patience would do that guy some good.
He returns to the very important task he had been trudging through earlier when he was so rudely interrupted—beating his high score in Doodle Jump. He boots up the very legitimately acquired software and transfers it to his display view, tracking the creature's bounds with his eyes. Right as he's about to hit a new high, however, the ground shakes and rumbling rings out.
What the fuck?!
Did someone set off dynamite or something? It was prohibited for this job, but he wouldn't put it past anybody to bend the rules a bit to hit their quota faster. Yet as the shaking continues, he becomes certain that no, this is not just someone cutting corners.
Something happened. Something big.
If he doesn't take the initiative to get the fuck out, he knows damn well that he'll just be accepted as collateral damage. Shit, he can't have that—he's nowhere near EoS!
He leaps into the rail cart, already mentally prepared to abandon his post. Just as he's about to close the door, however, a sudden wave of concern crashes into him… fuck, he can't just leave Mika behind, can he?
He dashes back off in the direction where his coworker was, hoping that the cave had hesitated to collapse above him and smash him to scraps.
If he had an organic heart, if he had that finicky hormone "adrenaline", it certainly would pump through his artificial veins. He would feel the heat of the moment, blocking out any sensory distraction that did not serve an immediate purpose. Yet he has no veins, no glands—only a mess of tubing, and a coolant that prevents his circuits from frying in his mad sprint.
"Pandah? Pandah!!"
He screeches to a halt upon seeing Mika, running equally erratically while waving arms for emphasis. Oh, phew. He's okay… what the fuck did he come all this way for, then?!
Mika grabs his shoulders. "What's happening?"
"You think I'm supposed to know?! Things just started shaking—I think it might collapse—we gotta get outta here, man."
"Shit…"
They make their way back to the cart, leaving behind all unnecessary corporate tools, hopping in and letting the tracks take them far, far away.
As air resistance breezes past his face, Pandah wonders how crowded the elevator platform will be. It would be a pain to shove past everyone to get to safety… but at the same time, someone there might know what's going on.
"Hey, Pandah, do you smell that…?"
Pandah glances back in Mika's direction. Odd, he doesn't smell anyth—oh, yeah right, he toggled off his olfactory sensors a couple days back when one of the humans took a nasty shit in the bathroom near his charging quarters. Fucking bastard. Guess he never switched them back on until…
Oh! That's blood!
A sickeningly tangy scent of iron overwhelms him. He's certain that if he could hurl, he'd have done so immediately. His eyes lock with Mika's.
Holy fuck.
----------------------------------
It's gone.
The elevator landing was surprisingly empty, far more so than it ever had been in the time he had worked there. It was… unsettling. The ride up was eerily quiet—felt almost lonely.
There was no clamoring crowd of people aboveground, either.
In fact, the carrier ship, once heavily guarded to prevent theft, was gone.
How could this have happened?
They do realize that they'll have to pay fines for missing or damaged rental property if they leave them behind, right?!
So… why? Were their lives just… worth less than those fees?
Fuck, the blood—something was killing people. It's no wonder everyone rushed off in such a hurry. Guess they really did just leave them on this pebble of a planet, alone with that… thing, didn't they…
How many died? How many escaped? Was anyone else left behind, or is he just stuck here indefinitely with…
Mika.
He isn't alone in this. Does that make it more sad, or less?
"It's getting dark." Mika mumbles. "We should… we should head back to camp. We gotta get up early tomorrow, and…"
"Mika? Dude, they're fucking gone, man. They left us."
He shakes his head. "They'll be back. Tomorrow, they'll come back."
Is he in shock? It's a shitty situation, sure, but at least he can see that they've been abandoned… right?
Well… it could also be that Pandah's just worrying too much. That Mika is right and they'll be back to pick them up by tomorrow. He's worried about hinging too much on hope, but letting fear consume him would be far worse.
…
God, he hopes Mika is right.
"Yeah, alright. Let's get going."