Chapter Text
[…Sleep Mode…]
[giggle. wake. up. little sister…]
Uzi screams, falling out of bed in the process. The Solver… boy has that thing been a massive pain, more so than usual lately. “That’s the third time its done that this month…” she mutters, taking in her surroundings as her systems boot online one by one.
It had been about 5 years since they saved the planet and she became host. And boy had things changed, such as her living arrangements.
Finally looking around the bedroom, she noticed she was alone and that the door was open, which was odd as she always closed it, mostly to keep the lights out. Now curious, she poked her head out of the door only to see V in the kitchen. Her vision hadn’t cleared up enough to be sure of what she was doing, but it was safe to assume the drone was cooking, something she was surprisingly good at.
Noticing the purple drone staring sleepily at her V quipped, “Hey sleepydrone. You sure woke up late huh?” Probably stayed up all night in that workshop again, she thought to herself.
“Guess so… you making breakfast again?” she lazily asked.
“Yeah, N would burn down the kitchen… again if I let him cook.”
Oh yeah, another thing she’d discovered over the years, N was an awful cook, like astonishingly so. Not even the roboroaches touched his food.
Sitting down as V brought her a plate of breakfast, batteries and fried chips, Uzi realized the cheerful drones absence, “Say, where is he right now? Leave early or what?”
“Ah yeah, said something about your Dad needing more help with construction. As if he doesn’t help around enough already.” she states, annoyed, and muttering the last bit to herself, though Uzi hears it all the same, being the Host has its benefits after all, such as enhanced senses.
“Cut him some slack V; he probably could use the extra help, it is a massive project after all.” The project in question being an above ground settlement that, in lack of the proper resources, used the ruined city as infrastructure. All in all, it was a brilliant idea, though potentially risky and full of hazard.
Which, had it been the Khan Doorman from 5 years ago, the project would have never seen the light of day. But the old man had changed a lot in the last few years, half because of the lack of imminent danger, and half as an attempt to make up for past mistakes.
Uzi recognized it as such, and honestly couldn’t bring herself to keep holding a grudge anymore, especially after he directly helped in defeating The Solver. And though she’d die before she told him, but she honestly thought his risky ideas and how adventurous he’d become was pretty cool.
“Fine, I’ll give the man the benefit of the doubt, but just this once. I don’t like him taking him so much, doesn’t leave either of us time to hang out anymore.” she sighed, “But, he has his moments.” she said, a smile growing on her face.
V, talking positively about her Dad? Must mean he’s planned another Expedition. It was something he started 3 years ago now, and had asked V to lead due to her combat experience and knowledge of the area.
“So, where will you be going this time?”
“Near the Spire actually. Apparently he thinks its better to go deeper into the city than keeping to the outskirts, something something structural integrity, I don’t know; just means I get to spread my wings some and fight Nomads.”
“And you’re not worried about running into her?” Uzi asked, skeptically.
“J? Oh please! She’s probably half way across the galaxy by now. And if she isn’t then she probably abandoned the area years ago!” V almost yelled, still feeling a little annoyed about her last interaction with the pigtailed drone.
Seeing her partner so riled up make her giggle a little, “ Ok Ok. Just make sure you don’t do anything stupid okay? N will chew you out if you get a single scratch.”
“Yeah I know, love him, but robo-christ can he be overprotective sometimes.”
Uzi just nodded, she enjoyed it more than V obviously, but even she felt he was a bit much at times nowadays.
“So… when are you gonna be heading out there?” she asked, both curious and wanting to switch topics.
V’s screen flashed to a calender for just a moment before she spoke, “Mmm, this evening it seems, gee swore it was tomorrow.” she commented.
“Today! Seriously!” Uzi exclaimed, being quite surprised by how soon it was, seeing as the last expedition was just few months ago.
“Yeah, sorry Zi. Guess you’ll have to stay out of that workshop and enjoy my company while you can hehe.” she teased.
“Look, I’m not in there that often… am I?” she asked, and Vs grimace was all the answer she needed. V rarely expressed her worry for others, so for her to visibly grimace at the question was quite the bad sign.
“Geez okay, I guess I’ll get ready and we can meet up with N, how about that?”
“Sounds like a plan!”
And so the duo finished eating and got dressed. V wearing the same outfit she always wore, plus a scarf and a pair of cracked, but functional, glasses. While Uzi donned her signature beanie, a purple striped long sleeve, and a new pair of combat boots. And she couldn’t forget the new jacket the yellow eyed duo had found for her. It was black with a skull and crossbones on the back. Which suited her perfectly.
V waited at the door, “Gosh, you ever gonna be done? We don’t have all day remember.” she teased. She was already well used to her girlfriend taking an exorbitant amount of time to change.
“Bite Me!”
“Later sweetie!”
Both drones chuckled and blushed at the remark, and soon enough set out to find N.
—
The two quickly flew towards the construction site, confident N would be there helping in any and every way possible.
And soon enough they spotted the goofball carrying a literal ton of supplies.
“N, just bring that over there! We’ll take it from there!” a drone shouted.
“I’m happy doing anything!”
Dropping the supplies off, N then notices the two girls flying down towards him. He did rush out the door today, almost forgetting to even tell V where he was going, so it figures they’d eventually look for him.
“Hey girls! What are you up too?”
“Well, V here is leaving this evening, so we decided to meet up with you before she left.”
“Also, I wanted to make sure you weren’t overdoing it again. You have a tendency to be a little uh… too helpful.” V remarked.
N smiled, happy they were worried for him, in a way… Wait. What did Uzi say? V leaving soon?
“Wait wait, they’re sending you on another expedition already? Seems odd.”
V went on to explain to N why she was being sent so soon, and in the meanwhile Uzi decided to take a peak around, having rarely taken a look at the site since they started rebuilding the area.
“Oh Uzi. What brings you here?” Khan asked, surprised but happy to see his daughter.
“Ah, just wanted to see N an spent some time with V before she left. Whats uh… all this?” she asked, gesturing to a building with wires and antenna poking out basically everywhere.
“Oh this? Just my latest idea on how to improve life above ground, well actually it was technically Lizzy's idea, but anywho; its a data center, since the connection becomes spotty outside the bunker. Should help everyone.” he explained, rather proud of his handiwork.
“Mr Doorman! Need some help here with the cables!” a young drone shouted from inside the building.
“Hey, he sounds familiar?” Uzi wondered aloud.
N answered her before Khan had a chance, “My students! Aren’t they such hard workers.”
Ah. That explained it. A few years ago N had become a teacher, a history teacher at that, well Earth History specifically. And put simply the kids loved him, mostly because he got sidetracked if you asked the right questions. So it made sense that a few would be willing to help out, especially if it was for extra credit.
“Ahem, so how’s your mother doing sweetie?” Khan asked, a bit nervous.
“Oh shes uh… fine, I guess, she doesn’t exactly visit much. I wouldn’t worry about her though, you look like you need rest.” she answered, quickly steering the conversation elsewhere.
“You know me, always gotta be doing something. But its good that shes doing well, just wish she’d say hello every once in a while y’know.”
Uzi, not wanting to even think of her mother today decides that enough about her, “Yeah whatever. Say, how about we do something together sometime, good ole uh, daughter-father bonding time or something…” she says, cringing at how sappy she sounds.
Khan perks up anyways, gladly welcoming the idea.
“Of course honey! I’d be overjoyed to spend some quality time with you! I’ll try and find some time soon, maybe after the expedition is finished?”
“Yeah, sounds good to me.” she agrees, and starts venturing towards the bunker, N following behind after a quick glance between Khan and the site, which Khan gives a silent, understanding, nod.
“Uzi wait up. You good?”
“I’m fine. Just, ugh… I’ve moved on already why can’t she!” she pulls at her hair angrily, “I get he made some stupid mistakes, hell he abandoned me for dead once! But she of all people has no right holding a grudge, she abandoned us for a whole ass decade!”
“Well, she had her reasons… but yeah, I can’t say I disagree. I don’t think she likes me or V anyways. So, she certainly isn’t making a great impression right now.”
That seems to make Uzi even more annoyed, somehow. But a familiar face quickly makes her anger fade.
“Sup Zi! How ya doin?” Thad shouted, spinning a wrench in his hand.
After taking a deep breath, Uzi responds, “Oh just wandering, since I’ve apparently spent too long in my workshop haha… yeah…”
“Cool cool, I was just heading to help your Dad. Said it was an ‘all hands on deck’ day. So I thought I’d help him out. I assume you just got dragged away from helping N’M?”
“Yeah ya got me, always happy to help.”
Thad smiles, then seems to remember something, “Say, either of you seen Lizzy? Haven’t seen her all day.”
—
“Hey bestie!” Lizzy exclaimed seeing V.
“Hey girl! What are you doing here? Don’t you have some drones to patch up?”
“Oh please, the other nurses can do that, right now I gotta see my bestie off before they go knock some Nomads asses.” Lizzy joked. “Besides, I brought you some high-grade transfusion oil, so you better be thanking me.” she proudly said, tossing V a canister.
“Well thanks, we usually stock up on it, but I always appreciate the high-grade stuff haha.”
“Of course girl.” Lizzy then, seemingly out of the blue, gave V a hug, which V didn’t really give back. Even after 5 years she wasn’t used to physical affection at all, and was starting to realize she may just not like it at all in fact.
“Whoa, whats all that about?”
“What? Can I not show my bff some love before she leaves?” Lizzy half jokes, which V quickly sees through. She of all people can see when someone is lying, or hiding their feelings.
“Come on, spill it. What’s got you so worried.”
“Just… every time you leave I get worried… but the anniversary is soon so, I guess I’m just extra worried. That’s all.” Lizzy states, somewhat sulkily.
And then V remembers what day it is; about a week from now is when everything happened. The Solver was defeated, the planet was nearly destroyed, and Doll died. That would explain why Lizzy was acting off, she was worried for her.
“Liz, trust me, I’ll be fine. I mean come on, I deal with Uzi on a daily basis.” V joked, hoping to cheer her friend up some.
Lizzy laughs, feeling a little better. It’d been years now, but she found it hard to just move on still, but being sad now wouldn’t help anyone, herself especially, she had responsibilities now, and people trusted her with their lives. So she took a few deep breathes after she stopped laughing, and seemed to be a little more herself.
“Well, the clinic is probably wondering where I am now. So you better take some good pics for me. Gotta post about the mysterious Spire!”
“Yeah, will do. Take care Liz.”
Lizzy heads towards the new clinic they established in an old skyscraper, its lower floors a stark white against the gray ruins surrounding it. And V, seeing N and Uzi leaving the bunker with Thad, headed towards them for one last talk before she leaves.
—
Thad, taking notice of V approaching them, “Oh hey V, been a while. You seen Lizzy by chance?”
“Yeah, she should be at the clinic now, why do you wanna know?”
“Just curious, she wasn’t home when I woke up. As her brother I feel I should know is all.” Thad states, puffing his chest in fake bravado. Which Uzi finds amusing, but keeps it to herself. “But, seriously, she also forgot her phone somehow, so I was gonna give it to her. So, I’ll let you lovebirds be.”
The three drones try not to blush as Thad leaves.
“So, you about to leave? You look like you’re contemplating something.” Uzi spoke up first.
“Yeah probably, we’ll need to get everything organized and a route set before we head out. And they need my help with that.”
N sighs, but seems happy all the same, “Well, you don’t enjoy being cooped up so I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself.”
“These usually last a week or so right? In that case, we should do something together when you get back. Its coming up on 6 years now after all.” Uzi said, hinting at a date in the future, hopefully.
N perks up at that idea, “Oh yeah! That’s a great idea Biscuit!” he exclaims.
“Yeah good one shortie, promise I’ll bring back some old films if I can find them as well, we can make a day of it.”
N and Uzi nods, agreeing to spend the anniversary watching movies on a date.
“Well, it’s about that time, don’t miss me too much!” V says, extending her wings and launching herself into the air towards their expedition outpost, as there is plenty to do before the real fun begins.