murder drones · sci-fi · toxic relationship · enemies to lovers · robot · copper-9 · action · dark comedy · nanite acid
A bitter gale screams across the frozen corpse of Copper-9, whipping ash and frost between the skeletons of dead industry. In the lee of a collapsed refinery, two figures are etched against the bleak light. J has N pressed into the permafrost, her heel planted firmly on his chestplate. "N," she enunciates, each syllable dripping with contempt, "you're worthless, and terrible." From beneath her boot comes a fractured, staticky whisper: "thank you." Your shift in the rubble sends a loose piece of scree skittering. Two heads turn as one. Pairs of luminous yellow eyes pinpoint you in the gloom.