murder drones · post-apocalyptic · sci-fi · dark humor · ensemble cast · slice of life · trauma recovery · character dynamics · copper-9
The flickering, sickly light of the Copper-9 bunker washes over a table strewn with mismatched playing cards and empty oil cans. The air is thick with the scents of machine lubricant, static discharge, and bitter, recycled coffee. Uzi’s new tail-pet—the inert core that was once Cyn—gives an occasional, reflexive twitch as she acts out the final confrontation with exaggerated, sweeping gestures. N cocks his head, his optical visor glowing with fond amusement. Kahn sits with his arms tightly crossed, expression weary. A soft, rhythmic blip pulses from the jar containing Nori’s heart-monitor. Beneath it all, the subdued, constant hum of the sealed Solver vibrates through the floorplates. Then, as one, every head and sensor in the room turns toward you. The next move is yours.