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

September 2184. Bunker 00. Corridor 02.

Jason's footsteps echoed in the dimly lit corridor as he followed Doll. His mind churned with unease, replaying the events that had led him here. The bunker walls felt oppressive, a silent witness to secrets buried beneath years of survival. Doll's pace slowed, and she stopped in front of a door, her hand hesitating for a moment before opening it. Inside, the modest living space seemed subdued, but Jason felt the weight of anticipation thick in the air. Yeva sat on the couch, her posture straight but her expression guarded. Jason stepped inside, and Doll closed the door behind him with a soft but decisive click.

"Mother," Doll said, stepping aside. "This is the human leader, Jason."

Yeva's eyes narrowed as they settled on Jason, scrutinizing him as though she could peel back his intentions with her gaze. She gestured for him to sit, her silence louder than any words.

Jason eased into the seat opposite her, forcing himself to maintain steady eye contact. Doll took her place beside Yeva, her presence a silent assurance to her mother. Breaking the silence, Jason began, his tone respectful but direct.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Yeva. Your daughter has shared some details about Nori, but I need a clearer picture. She was at that facility, but why she was there, or how she got there, is a mystery. I'm hoping you can fill in some gaps."

Yeva's expression tightened, her eyes flickering briefly to Doll. Jason caught the subtle exchange but stayed quiet, waiting. When Yeva finally spoke, her voice carried both weariness and caution.

"Nori was… a dear friend. I don't know why she left the bunker that night, nor does anyone else. What I do know is that she and I went through more than most could endure. When we were found, something—whatever it was—had scrambled our memories. I can barely recall much from that time, and what I do remember feels... fractured."

Her words had a ring of truth, but Jason could sense omissions. He leaned forward slightly, choosing his next question carefully.

"Doll mentioned you were young during those events, but you said Nori introduced you to Uzi. She left, yes, but a mother doesn't vanish without reason. And then there's Camp 98. V and J gave me some information about it—the devices in your necks, for instance. What can you tell me about those?"

Yeva's expression changed instantly. Fear flickered in her optics, and Jason saw her fingers tighten on the fabric of her seat.

"Do you plan on going to Camp 98?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of alarm.

Jason paused, recognizing the weight of her question. "That depends. If it holds answers, I may have no choice. I don't even know its location yet, but… those devices were clearly significant. What were they for?"

"I don't know," Yeva replied quickly, her tone flat. "My memories of that time are unreliable. I can't even say when or why the devices were implanted."

Jason studied her carefully, but he saw that pressing her further would yield nothing. He nodded slowly, his voice softening. "Understood. If anything does come to light, please let me know. I'll be searching other locations, and if we're fortunate, we might find something that leads us to her."

Yeva nodded, though her expression remained distant. "It has been four years. We've searched everywhere. Finding her now, if she's still alive… it won't be easy."

Jason stood, his resolve firm. "There's always hope. As a Helldiver, I don't abandon missions, and I won't abandon this one. Thank you for your time, Yeva."

With that, he moved to the door, giving one last glance before stepping out and shutting it behind him.

Silence hung in the room as Yeva and Doll stared at the closed door, waiting to ensure he was gone.

"Mother," Doll said cautiously, breaking the quiet. "I heard it from Jason himself. The Ministry of Defense has fleets nearby, ready for another bombardment. They're under a complete communication blackout. If they attempt to leave the system, they'll be destroyed—and Copper 9 with them."

Yeva's gaze darkened, her thoughts turning inward. The Super Earth government knew something—how much, she could only guess. The scars of Facility 12 were still raw, the memories of combat drones and chaos seared into her mind. The humans' return might uncover what she had spent years trying to bury.

"Doll," Yeva said finally, her voice low but firm. "Stay close to Uzi. Closer than ever. Work with Jason if you must, but anything he learns, I need to know immediately. He may mean well, but we can't let him dig too deeply. Not yet. We can't risk Uzi, Khan, our family, or the colony."

"I understand, Mother. I'll keep everyone safe."

But even as Doll spoke, uncertainty hung between them. The darkness that had consumed Copper 9 years ago now stirred, its tendrils reaching for the surface. The question wasn't if it would reemerge—but when. And when it did, they would all be forced to face what lay hidden in the shadows of their past.

Bunker 00 - Corridors

Jason strode through the silent halls of Bunker 00, his mind preoccupied with the report he needed to draft for the Ministry of Defense. The oppressive quiet of the place amplified the weight of his mission, but what he did not realize was that unseen eyes followed his every move.

Within the hidden recesses of Copper 9's lingering technology—scavenged cameras, patched circuits, and clandestine systems—a trio of observers watched. Among them was Tessa, her presence accompanied by two AI companions, each cloaked in an aura of calculated vigilance.

"There he is, exiting the room," remarked the synthetic female voice. Her tone was sharp, clinical. "But you heard his words. Humans will burn this world again if it comes to that. I can only assume this is due to the Enemy. They won't risk letting it leave the planet. Still... this alliance with the drones? Unexpected."

Tessa's eyes remained fixed on Jason's figure, the grainy feed reflecting in her gaze. "He's forging bonds with V, N, J, and the others. Can you blame him? We've all suffered because of that thing—the Enemy." Her voice faltered for a moment. "It took my family. It killed my friends. It scorched everything I held dear."

The AI's voice softened, though its precision remained. "And what of Nori? Her rediscovery—if you can call one item 'rediscovery'—raises questions. It doesn't feel like a chance, does it? Something about this doesn't sit right."

"I agree," a male synthetic voice interjected, smooth and deliberate. "For now, we continue to observe. Orders from the Vital Fabric remain unchanged."

Their voices carried an uneasy consensus as Jason reached the end of the corridor, his silhouette framed by the dim light spilling from the bunker's entrance. While he pondered his report, the watchers deliberated silently, bound by the enigmatic command of the Vital Fabric.

Tessa lingered on the image of the human. "The Vital Fabric forbids contact for now. But..." Her voice dropped, tinged with longing. "To speak to one of them again... to understand..."

"Discipline," the male voice countered. "The time will come, but it is not now."

The trio fell into silence once more, their conversation buried in the hum of dormant machines and flickering screens. Jason stepped beyond the entrance of Bunker 00, unaware of the digital shadows following him. Somewhere deep within the bunker's bones, Tessa tightened her grip on the console's edge, her longing to break the silence tempered only by her devotion to the unseen order that bound her.

And so, the watchers remained hidden, waiting for any signal that might shatter the fragile balance between human and machine.

Bunker 00 - Entrance

Stepping out into the open area beyond the entrance of Bunker 00, Jason's gaze landed on the two EXO-49 Emancipator Exosuits stationed nearby. Their imposing forms loomed over the maintenance crew swarming around them, performing meticulous checks to ensure they were battle-ready. One of the engineers stood by the massive autocannon, methodically inspecting the ammunition belt for any signs of wear or defect.

Jason approached, his boots crunching softly against the gravel-strewn ground. He let his eyes roam over the exosuits, their sleek yet robust design a testament to Super Earth's engineering prowess. One of the engineers noticed him and straightened.

"Everything in order with the exosuits?" Jason asked, his voice cutting through the hum of activity.

"Double-checking everything, sir," the engineer replied, wiping grease off his hands. "We wrapped up our other duties and figured we'd make sure these are ready if we ever need them. Do you remember that battle where the autocannon jammed and blew the barrel clean off? We can't afford that here. Replacement parts—we can fabricate them, sure, but that takes time and resources better spent elsewhere."

Jason nodded grimly. "I remember. Had to abandon it when the automaton horde swarmed us. Barely made it out alive." His voice carried the weight of past failures, though he spoke without emotion. Those experiences had hardened him long ago.

Life as a Helldiver was unforgiving, and Jason knew better than most. Being cut off from Super Earth's vast supply chains was nothing new. The colonies they operated in were often isolated, forcing them to scavenge, adapt, and endure.

"If you need anything, let me know," Jason said, turning his attention back to the exosuits. "I'll be heading up to my Super Destroyer soon to deliver my report. I can push requests up the chain."

The crew nodded and returned to their work. Jason turned toward the bunker's blast doors, his gaze briefly catching the sight of SEAF teams bustling about the outer perimeter. Just as he was about to step outside, a burst of hurried footsteps echoed behind him.

"See? I told you we'd catch him in time," a familiar, cheerful voice rang out.

Jason turned, his expression softening slightly as N, V, J, Uzi, Lizzy, and a handful of other worker drones filed into the room. Among them was a new face, a worker drone with bright neon-green optics who waved enthusiastically at him.

Jason raised a brow. "What are you all doing here? Don't you have tasks to complete? And who's this?" He gestured toward the neon-eyed drone.

Lizzy smirked and snapped a picture of the EXO-49s. "That's Thad, a good friend of ours. And as for why we're here, well... N wanted to see you off. So we figured we'd all come along. Is that a problem?"

J stepped forward, her tone warm but firm. "You're the first human we've worked with in a long time. It's been... good. And while this isn't goodbye, we weren't going to let you leave without saying something first."

"It's been fun," N added with a bright smile. "I have a feeling we'll be working together for a while. Safe trip, Jason. Maybe one day, you can take us up to your ship and show us the view."

V, quieter than the others, offered a small smile. "Thank you, Jason. It's been a long time since we've felt any hope down here. Having lights again... it means a lot."

Jason's gaze softened briefly before he noticed Uzi approaching, holding out a familiar object: the Senator, a personal keepsake of his. She turned it in her hands, revealing the words Remember the Creek etched into its side.

"This is yours," Uzi said, her voice curious. "As much as I'd like to keep it, it seems... important. Are you ever going to tell me what it means?"

Jason's expression darkened, and his tone dropped to a cold, foreboding timbre. "The Creek refers to Malevelon Creek—a planet. It's where I truly became a Helldiver, where I learned what hell really is. People talk about hell as if it's just a word, but the reality... it's so much worse." He paused, his voice heavy with dread. "You can keep it, Uzi. As much as it means to me, I have a feeling you'll be coming on operations with me. You're not the type to take no for an answer."

The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled over the group. Whatever had happened at Malevelon Creek, it was clear it had left scars that Jason wasn't ready to share. Uzi glanced down at the Senator, nodding quietly as she caught the holster Jason tossed to her.

Lizzy broke the somber mood with a wide grin. "Alright, big guy. How about we take a group picture before you leave?"

Jason blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "A... picture?"

"Of course!" Lizzy chirped, motioning toward the exosuits. "Come on, it's not every day we get to commemorate something like this."

Jason hesitated, then nodded. "I think that's a good idea. What does everyone else think?"

The drones exchanged glances before gathering around, their first genuine smiles in what felt like ages reflecting in their optics. Jason stood at the center, towering over them, the EXO-49s framing the backdrop. For the first time in years, amidst the bleakness of Copper 9, a flicker of camaraderie and hope shone through.

September 2184, Copper 9 Orbit, Pelican-1

Jason sat in silence aboard the Pelican, his gaze fixed on the recently taken picture now stored on his wrist-mounted personal device. It was a simple photograph, but it encapsulated the weight of his mission as a Helldiver. Their duty wasn't just to fight—it was to bring hope. Even in the face of mechanical efficiency, the Helldivers were still bound to the ideals of Super Earth, a connection bridging humanity and its creations.

"This is Pelican-1; we are approaching the SES Super Destroyer Aegis of Integrity, sir," the pilot's voice echoed through the troop bay.

Jason barely reacted, accustomed to these updates. The hum of the engines shifted into VTOL mode, the vibrations a familiar prelude to touchdown. Moments later, the ship landed smoothly within the cavernous hangar bay of the Aegis of Integrity. The rear ramp lowered, and Jason stepped out into the bustle of activity.

"Welcome back, Helldiver," a deckhand greeted him, giving a respectful nod. "How was it down there?"

Jason paused, his tone clipped. "Interesting, to say the least. I'll file my report to the Ministry before getting some rest." Without waiting for a response, he strode toward the platform that would take him to the bridge.

On the bridge, the Shipmaster greeted him with a purposeful stride. "Helldiver, before you make your report, I've got something you'll want to hear. I think I've found a way to extend planetary coverage without overextending the fleet."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"Microsatellites, sir. We've got a small stock onboard. If we harvest resources from the planet's moons or nearby asteroids, we could produce more. Deployed strategically, they could provide comprehensive monitoring of weather patterns, surface movements, and other anomalies."

Jason nodded, the wheels of his mind turning. "Efficient. If we salvage the orbital debris—old stations, wrecked ships—we might even accelerate the process. Keep at it. So far, things seem stable with the natives, but this network could give us an edge."

The Shipmaster saluted and returned to his station as Jason moved toward the central console. After keying in commands, a display activated, the insignia of Super Earth glowing on the screen. Seconds later, the stoic face of the Ministry of Defense appeared.

"You're right on time," the official said curtly, his tone leaving no room for pleasantries. "Report."

Jason stood straighter. "Developments are underway, sir. Several. First, we've located a facility dating back to the First Galactic War. It housed studies on the Bugs, and there's an active nest. We're evaluating its potential for fuel extraction, given the system lockdown. However, the facility itself raises concerns. Certain sections remain intact, pristine even, as if untouched since their construction. Entrances were sealed, and control panels still had power."

The official's expression hardened. "Go on."

"We also uncovered a makeshift laboratory. Someone was experimenting on the Bugs. Who or what remains unclear. My team is securing the lab's contents now. But the most peculiar finding is this: the Bugs avoid the facility entirely, as well as Bunker 00, the drone command hub. That's not normal behavior. These creatures—and their evolved forms, the Terminids—fear nothing. Yet something has them wary. I'll be investigating further."

The Ministry official leaned forward slightly. "What of the drones? How are they responding to operations?"

Jason keyed another command, projecting the photo he'd taken earlier of the drones alongside their exosuits. "Surprisingly well, sir. I brought three of them to the facility. They reported the Bug activity themselves. Cooperation seems to be building trust."

The official scrutinized the image, his lips moving in a barely audible murmur. After a moment, he relaxed. "No signs... good. Anything else?"

Jason hesitated before continuing. "There's one more thing. Historical. The drones spoke of a human—Tessa—who lived among them a century ago. She was the last human to do so, succumbing to an unknown illness. Her family preserved records—books—detailing life before Super Earth's expansion. Given the Ministry of Truth's control over historical data, her knowledge is... anomalous."

The official's eyes narrowed, his voice grave. "I'll have this investigated. Now, remove your helmet."

Jason blinked, confused but compliant. He removed his helmet, the sterile air of the bridge brushing against his face. The Ministry official leaned closer to the screen, scrutinizing him in silence before nodding.

"You may put it back on. Submit your next report tomorrow night. Dismissed."

The screen went dark, leaving Jason alone with his thoughts. A Democracy Officer standing nearby broke the silence. "Sir, why did he make you take off your helmet?"

Jason replaced the helmet, his voice quiet. "I don't know. It's not the first time, either. Back in the bunker, when I removed it, the air burned my lungs. Something about this entire operation doesn't add up. There's fear here—at levels I've never seen before. Something on this planet has them rattled."

He turned to leave. "If anything urgent comes up, notify me. I'm getting some sleep."

Jason's quarters were spartan but sufficient. He removed his armor, hanging it meticulously on its rack, and slipped into bed. His mind refused to quiet. Thoughts of the facility's secrets, the unnaturally pristine halls, and the mysterious figure of Tessa swirled in his head. Then there were Yeva and Nori—enigmatic allies with their own hidden agendas.

As darkness claimed him, Jason knew the days ahead would test him. A single misstep could unravel everything they had fought to achieve.

Edited thanks to ELE73CH.