The airlock hissed to a gentle seal behind Skylar and RCT-717, separating the bright, cold outside from the soothing, warm inner walkway. The gentle red hum of RCT-717’s presence providing a focal point in the disorientating hazy green aura seeping from further within this complex. 

“So, Mx Phillips,” 717’s voice broke through the silent haze, snapping them back to attention. “What brought you here today?” The units stark mechanised voice ringing louder than out in the lobby, yet sounding more natural to itself at the same time.

“Skylar, please, Mx Phillips is,” Skylar started, nervously trying to wrangle their thoughts with humour, “actually I guess I’m the first.” 

I swear it just chuckled at that.

“But, my friend Mela- I mean, TDMC-492 was talking to me about it and she-it said I should come down for like a tour, mentioned some of the cool mechanic and robotics work you all do.”

RCT-717 cocked its head to look back at Skylar as they reached another doorway, sliding open as they drew near.

“This one is aware, but what it meant was, why did you actually come? What sold you on the idea of visiting our humble Hive?”

Sky froze as they caught up to 717 at the door, seeing the other side open up tremendously from the cozy hallway, looking more like a sunken, large open air warehouse. 

“Oh, well a lot of things, really. Mel said that serv-working here helped gain experience with her classes, and I read that you were on the cutting edge of multiple mechanical disciplines.”

The pair assembled onto the waiting platform overlooking the rest of the facility. A cargo lift separated the pair from the bustling Hive deep down below, a maze of organised walls and dividers making up each department, each one a vital organ powering the lively nest. Opposite the lift, nestled between the secure safety rails sat another door, lighter than the hefty outer doors they had passed through to get here. Beyond the door Sky spied that the walkway beyond stretched overlooking the scrawling mess, thick security glass providing a breathtaking view.

“And,” Sky sighed somberly, “there has been enough concern raised online, concern that you are all beyond unethical, that you kidnap innocent people from their homes to convert into drones. And if so, I intend to expose you, set those people free.” Triumph coursed through Skylar’s veins, confident that if they could find even a shred of guilt they’d find a way to save Melanie from making a huge mistake.

“Oh, yes that slander,” 717 almost sighed. “And you intended to do that by coming here alone, without telling anyone else, following the strange robot deeper and deeper down?” Sarcasm radiated from the units tin vocal chords, “Not the smartest idea, eh dear?”

Is… is it flirting?

“Well, when you put it like that…”

“Oh don’t worry Sky, this one is just joking. We’re aware of the rumours, and safe to say they are misguided.” The unit’s tone shifted again, a firm gentleness undercutting the deliberate wording. “Now, while we are here, this one would normally take you through to its office, just beyond the door and conduct a personal interview,” it raised its arm to highlight the executive suites. “But, with your interest in the mechanical projects,” 717 rotated itself so its presenting arm passed over the welcoming Hive down below with its voice dropping a little, growing more in presence, “it believes you might like to see some of the work that has been underway. Maybe interacting with our incredible units will settle your mind a little.”

Both options were intriguing. Seeing what marvels of mechanical engineering were being produced here would be good inspiration for their own work if nothing else, but there were so many questions they wanted to raise and talking with RCT-717 in a more private setting would be better for that.

“I umm, the robots sound cool,” Skylar barely managed to squeak out under 717’s towering aura holding over them.

The unit dropped its arm and practically skipped to the cargo platform. “They are cool,” it let out with a tint of excitement, “and is honestly what sells most of our recruits here. Please, we’ll take this down to one of the public manufacturing floors.” The unit stopped expectantly by the controls to the platform, barely a breath passing as Skylar stepped off from solid ground to join it.

Well I’ve made it this far, may as well see how deep this can go.

The lift smoothly lurched to life, crawling down into the waiting Hive.

“So, it has asked a little about you, is there anything you would like to know about us, Mx?”

The units invitation had taken them off guard, there was a lot of ground that they wanted to cover, but the surprisingly charming atmosphere of this whole place had largely drowned them out from memory.

“Okay, so,” Sky finally managed to force out, the sprawling wonder of the complex below them coming up to greet them, “what is this? Like this place, what's it all for?”

“Ah yes, this is the East coast Hive,” 717 stated succinctly. “We have a small number of complexes around the world, each draw in and connect units and prospective recruits in their area together along with the rest of the global hivemind. One unit can work on a project here and another on the other side of the world can connect to check over details or remotely continue the work where they left off."

A long range, wireless, synchronised hivemind. That’s… way too good to be true.

“A-and this is thanks to a h~hivemind?” The words crawled out of Sky’s quivering lips. “H-how could that possibly work? The energy needed alone would be huge! Not to mention the intricacies of how connected it would be between dro-” And they halted. The word caught right on the tip. They had underestimated just how advanced the tech involved was. Decades ahead of what is taught in schools today.

Would certainly help finding work after the degree.

“Mhmm~” RCT-717 buzzed in friendly recognition of the connectivity Skylar spoke of, how deep the sensations run. “But don’t ask this unit about any of that stuff. Everydrone might be connected, but some important information about huge, intricate engines is still kept private to certain units.” 

717 tilted its visor towards Skylar, lighting up with two groups of simple lines to replicate eyes. “Who knows, maybe if you sign up, do well and obey then maybe you can take a look under that hood one day.” It winked.

It winked!

It winked. And a chill ran through Skylar’s system.

That was- that is such- oh god a robot winked at me. Not a robot, a drone. There’s still someone under that helmet.

Skylar mustered up as much courage as they could, focussed into biting back at the betwixt recruitment scout.

“Wh-who says anything about signing on board yet, huh? Could just turn around and walk back out of here.”

“Hrm, you could,” the mockery was clear as the unit scratched its chin, leaning in closer to Sky on the suddenly shrinking platform. “But will you?”

Gulp. Am I?

DING!

“Ah, our floor. So, will you turn away now, so close to seeing what a future of Unity looks like?"