Democracy comes to Copper 9. (Helldivers 2 X Murder Drones.)

September 2184. Bunker 00 Entrance. Half an hour after the SEC Lucas landed.

The moment the SEC Lucas touched down, the area around Bunker 00 buzzed with relentless activity. The engineering teams and Liberty Fabricator swiftly set to work, reconstructing and fortifying the bunker. What they couldn't accomplish directly, an army of robotic vehicles and machines of various sizes took over, swarming around the site like a well-coordinated hive. Construction exosuits trudged outside the bunker walls while worker teams flowed into its depths.

Watching from the edges of the activity, the drones of Bunker 00 stood silent, their optics tracking the frenetic human effort. Among them, V, J, Martin, Khan, and Yeva had stepped out to observe the Lucas and the surge of machinery emerging from it.

"So that's why everything fell over in my room earlier," Yeva remarked, glancing toward the immense vessel. "The humans brought one of their ships."

"I assumed it was an earthquake," Khan added with a faint chuckle. "But there's never been one here. My office is a mess."

Close by, Lizzy, Thad, Rebecca, Doll, and Emily huddled behind the main group, their expressions ranging from awe to unease.

"You should've seen it land," Thad said, unable to hide his grin. "It was like the sky was splitting open. Never thought I'd see something like that."

"I thought it was a monster," Emily whispered, her tone still laced with apprehension. "And the humans built it? They said there are thousands more like it."

Lizzy shook her head, still grappling with the sight. "How could they even build something so massive?"

Doll, standing close to her mother, finally spoke. "I think it's clear this isn't about survival anymore. The humans are ensuring that."

Yeva nodded solemnly, echoing her daughter's sentiment. "Agreed. Survival isn't in doubt now."

While the others conversed, V, J, and Martin stood silent, their optics shifting between the Lucas and the constant movement of supplies, machinery, and personnel. The commotion only grew as two WH-446 Irongliders descended from the clouds, their engines switching to VTOL mode and kicking up clouds of snow. As they landed near the Lucas, their massive cargo bays opened to reveal lines of EH-8 Enigma tanks, roaring to life as they rumbled out onto the frozen terrain.

"This is supposed to be a salvage fleet," J remarked, her voice tinged with unease. "Can you imagine what a true war fleet must look like?"

"I don't even want to think about it," V replied, her gaze lingering on the tanks. "But what does this mean for us? Cooperation… or occupation?"

Before the question could hang in the air, a SEAF soldier approached tablet in hand. Encased in a full-body suit against the planet's toxic air, he paused before the group, glancing between them.

"Which one of you is in charge? Jason mentioned a male drone leading the bunker. Would that be you?" he asked, his gaze settling on Martin.

Martin's optics narrowed. "That would be me. What do you need?" His tone was clipped, devoid of warmth.

The soldier nodded, consulting his tablet. "First, we need to temporarily relocate some of the drones living here for full-scale maintenance and construction. According to our reports, several areas are in severe disrepair."

Martin hesitated before replying. "That can be arranged. We have room at the other colonies. Some won't like it, but if it's necessary, I'll make it happen."

"Good," the soldier said, tapping on his tablet. "Next, there's the grave site. Do you have the names of those buried there?"

The question hung heavy in the air. V, J, and Martin exchanged glances, their silence betraying their surprise.

"The names?" V asked softly.

The soldier looked up. "The dead have names, don't they? Jason mentioned the care you took in burying them. We'd like to record their identities and bring the site up to Super Earth standards. If any of them have surviving relatives, we must inform them."

Though over a century had passed, the possibility of connecting the fallen to surviving kin weighed on the group. V finally spoke. "It'll take time, but many knew the humans buried here. We can start now." She turned to the others. "J, Khan, anyone you remember?"

Khan's optics dimmed with a faint hum. "The humans I knew… there wasn't much left to bury."

J's voice dropped to a whisper. "Taryn. She was a Pelican pilot."

"Anderson," V added after a moment. "He commanded the SEAF forces on Copper 9."

The soldier nodded, typing the names into his tablet. "Thank you. I know this isn't easy. Revisiting the past never is."

Martin broke the somber tone with a pointed question. "Why didn't Jason inform us of all this?"

The soldier sighed. "Jason's stretched thin. Getting the Lucas down here, setting up operations across the moon and the gas giant, establishing FOBs—it's been a relentless week. Mistakes happen when there's this much on the line."

He offered a curt nod. "If you need anything important, let us know." With that, he turned and joined a cluster of SEAF personnel beyond the wall.

As the group watched him leave, Yeva turned to Martin. "The humans seem true to their word."

"They're doing more than I expected," Martin admitted. "But we'll need to speak with Jason. Repairing the bunker was one thing, but landing a city-sized ship next to us and deploying an army? This is far more than I anticipated."

Emily, one of the younger drones born during their century of isolation, voiced the unease shared by many. "What does this mean for us?"

V's optics dimmed slightly as she glanced toward the Lucas. "It means we're no longer living in darkness. But…"

"But what?" J pressed.

V hesitated. "I worry about the past. The hell we endured with the humans a century ago… how can we be sure it won't happen again?"

The group fell silent, her words hanging heavy as memories of those harrowing days surfaced. A strong gust of wind swept through the entrance, scattering snow and drawing their attention outside. Amid the barren landscape, something caught their optics—an anomaly. A small patch of ground had become visible, and sprouting from it, against all odds, was a cluster of flowers.

Fragile and determined life found a way even on Copper 9's frozen, deathly surface.

Facility 7: Near the Vault

The air grew heavier as the group ventured deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of Facility 7. The dim, flickering lights overhead barely illuminated the way, casting long, jagged shadows against the walls. A SEAF soldier led the group, his steps steady and purposeful, while Jason, Uzi, and N followed close behind. The tension in the air was palpable, though Jason kept his composure, fielding N's questions about the wider galaxy and recent events.

"SEC Lucas… that's one of the Super Earth Colony ships," Jason began, his voice measured. "They're designed to sustain colony efforts, even if cut off from the home supply chain. The Lucas is one of the largest in its class. It was attached to our fleet for exactly this kind of situation. And now that we are cut off, it's here to keep us operational. When we get back to Bunker 00, it's going to be quite the sight—though I imagine the landing made a mess of the snow."

N's eyes lit up with a mix of nostalgia and curiosity. "I can't wait to see it! Back when I worked with Loric, I'd see those ships all the time at the depot. We'd get shipments on a delay, and I always dreamed of boarding one, just to see what's beyond the sky."

Uzi chimed in from behind, her voice tinged with longing. "You and me both. I've had enough of staring at clouds. Say, Jason, think we could take a quick ride up top before heading back?"

Jason glanced over his shoulder, considering her request. "We're on a tight schedule, but… a quick fly-through in low orbit might not hurt. We've earned at least that much."

Uzi's face broke into a grin. "Nice! I was going to ask anyway."

N added eagerly, "Honestly, sir, I'd been hoping for the same. It's been too long since I felt the thrill of real freedom in the skies."

Jason allowed himself a rare smile beneath his helmet. Their enthusiasm reminded him of the children in Vernon Wells, always brimming with questions and awe. It was moments like these that reaffirmed why he fought—to preserve that sense of wonder in the next generation.

The SEAF soldier ahead turned his head slightly, intrigued by the conversation. "So, you've got wings, huh? Can't break through the atmosphere?"

N extended his sleek, mechanical wings with a quiet hum, letting the soldier inspect them. "We can fly long distances, sure, but the atmosphere's a hard limit. A few combat drones tried… and ended up plummeting back down. Don't ask me how the tech works; it just does."

The soldier nodded, visibly impressed. "Well, I'm just glad it's you drones with wings and not the Automatons. Those gunships they've got are bad enough. Imagine them with this—no thanks."

Jason's tone grew somber as he addressed Uzi and N. "That's one reason why the communication lockdown and blackout are critical. Do you remember what I told you would happen if we tried broadcasting or leaving the system?"

Both nodded solemnly, recalling his grim warning.

"Super Earth won't risk exposure," Uzi muttered. "Execution for everyone here. Copper 9 gets glassed… again."

Jason nodded. "Exactly. It's a harsh measure, but it keeps us alive. The real danger isn't just the enemy at the gates—it's the ones inside. Traitors could use open channels to lead them right to us. The Ministry of Defense isn't taking any chances."

N hesitated, then asked, "But why not just evacuate us? Take us somewhere safe? It's the simplest solution, isn't it?"

Uzi added, "I'd be first in line to leave this rock."

Jason sighed, the weight of his unanswered questions evident. "I've asked that more than once. Each time, I was shut down—and not gently. My guess? There's something here on Copper 9 they don't want to get out. How it involves you drones, though… that's still a mystery."

They walked in silence for a moment, Jason's words lingering in the air. Finally, they reached the floodlit hallway near the vault. A group of SEAF soldiers stood ready, their equipment laid out with military precision.

"Helldiver, the vault door's too thick for explosives—it was built that way," one of the soldiers reported. "But the hinges are a different story. We've set thermite charges to melt through them."

Jason nodded. "Good. I'd rather use thermite than risk destabilizing the structure with a blast."

Behind him, N and Uzi observed the interaction, their gaze drawn to the massive steel door. The soldiers, in turn, noticed the drones' presence.

"Didn't think I'd be comfortable around drones, given what we've been through," one soldier admitted. "But these two? They're different. It's hard to explain, but… they don't feel like machines."

Another soldier agreed. "They've got personality. Unlike those damn Automatons."

N offered a warm smile. "The feeling's mutual. I'm just happy to be back around humans."

Uzi smirked. "You're not so bad yourselves."

Jason clapped his hands, breaking the moment. "Alright, let's get this done. We can chat later."

The soldiers snapped to attention, taking positions behind cover. One of them prepared to trigger the thermite, counting down.

The charges ignited with a searing flash, molten metal dripping onto the floor as the vault door groaned under its own weight. The noise echoed ominously through the facility.

"Didn't think it'd hold," one soldier muttered, disappointed.

"I've got it," N offered, stepping forward.

Jason raised an eyebrow. "That thing's four tons."

"I just need to give it a push." N gripped the edge of the door and tugged. With a deafening crash, it toppled forward, revealing a pitch-black void beyond.

"Remind me never to make a drone angry," a soldier quipped.

Glow sticks were tossed into the darkness, their green light revealing scattered tables and debris.

"Clear so far," a soldier reported.

Jason nodded. "Bring in the floodlights. You two, with me. N, Uzi—stay close."

They stepped into the vault, their flashlights slicing through the gloom. Jason's mind raced. What was so important it needed to be locked away like this? And could it hold the key to finding Nori?

For now, all they could do was press forward into the unknown.

September 2184. Unknown Location

A sense of urgency dominated the chamber as the meeting convened. Before Tessa and her AI companion had arrived, the first AI had already called for a discussion, the absence of the Chimera and Vital Fabric notwithstanding. The holographic displays flickered to life, showcasing footage of a human designated as Saber. His cybernetic limbs glinted under the scrutiny of the AIs, raising questions that cut deep into their shared apprehensions.

"As you can observe, this human possesses cybernetic limbs," the AI presenting the footage began, its tone calculated and tinged with caution. "It is unclear if these are limited to his extremities or if further augmentations are concealed within his body. Given the Enemy's capacity to manipulate technology, individuals like Saber pose a potential risk of compromise. This war is reshaping humanity into something… different."

Another AI's voice, sharp and clinical, interjected. "Was this transformation deliberate, or the result of injury and necessity?"

"The specifics remain unknown," replied the presenter, its voice maintaining a mechanical steadiness. "However, it is likely that these modifications were implemented to replace damaged or destroyed tissue. Regardless of intent, the implications are troubling."

Before the debate could deepen, the chamber's focus shifted abruptly. Tessa, accompanied by her AI, entered the room, her steps brisk and deliberate. A visible concern etched into her expression caught the attention of all present.

"Tessa, what has transpired?" one of the AIs queried, its synthetic voice betraying a hint of unease.

The female AI accompanying Tessa spoke first, urgency evident in her tone. "The humans have landed a ship near Bunker 00. Its scale is… unprecedented. We returned immediately. This development requires the presence of both the Chimera and Vital Fabric. The humans are advancing in ways we could not have foreseen."

Tessa nodded, her voice firm but edged with worry. "This ship is unlike anything I've ever encountered. Its sheer size signals an intention to stay, but its presence will inevitably draw attention—not just from the Enemy. You all know as well as I do that we are not the only AIs on this world, nor are these the only drones. The others will react. Moves will be made, alliances forged, and threats escalated."

The weight of her words settled heavily over the assembly. For the last century, they had remained hidden, shrouded in secrecy to shield their haven from hostile eyes. Every effort had been made to keep the drones under their protection secure while deflecting attempts by external forces—some overt, others veiled in diplomacy—to infiltrate or subvert their colony.

Now, with the humans revealing a technological marvel of unprecedented scale, the precarious balance they had maintained was at risk of collapse. The ship was both a promise and a peril: a testament to human ingenuity, but also a beacon that could attract the attention of enemies both known and unknown.

Tessa's voice hardened as she concluded, her resolve cutting through the tension. "We face a crossroads. This development changes everything. The question is, will we adapt, or will we be overrun?"

The room fell silent, the gravity of their situation hanging thick in the air. For those present—be they human, drone, or AI—there was no escaping the truth. The game had changed, and the stakes had never been higher.

Edited thanks to ELE73CH.