Chapter Text
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Tick. Tick. Tick.
The sound of the clock was a taunting whisper. It was perhaps unnecessarily accurate - having previously been adjusted on an almost weekly basis by the scientist that occupied the lab it was within, but now it ran on an atomic reference. It would likely never be wrong again. Never wrong again in what remained of Subspace's lifespan. The clock, which was supposed to be otherwise quiet, was louder than the sound of the scientist's own typing and the specialised ventilation system within that lab.
Subspace T. Mine sat at his computer, eye locked onto the screen before him. Unmasked, and in solitude. The glow of the screen reflected in his eye, the one that hadn't yet been consumed by the Rot - but a pink tendril now extended towards it whereas it didn't before. His hands held still, yet an omnipresent tremor (which had only become an issue in recent months) refused him the luxury of complete stillness. He re-read the email once more. The Warden was looking at commissioning custom Biografts for the Banland Police Force. And he wanted to see Subspace personally about it.
Well, who wouldn't want to discuss such plans with such a brilliant inventor as myself?
Subspace's gaze wandered to the photograph he had of Banland's warden. It had found its way back onto the bench, despite having served its initial purpose of being a reference for the design of the Omega model Biograft - which, the computer scientist had to admit, was one of his more pride-worthy creations. Loved by company and client alike, although not as massively produced as Zeta or Beta models. The inphernal cast a brief glare at his shaking hands, before he'd hastily type up a response to the email. It read:
'I will not keep The Warden waiting too long. As per usual, I advise that everyone stays clear of my laboratory, as it is currently contaminated with poison and is hazardous until decontaminated. I look forward to discussing my brilliant inventions, and further innovating. Do not inform him of my medical status.'
The last sentence had been added on rather subconsciously. It was not something the scientist would often explicitly state outright. Sure, the Rot was known, for it was such a unique and devastating ailment that news of it happened to breach the containment of the KORBLOX Administration. However, the fact his condition had recently taken a nosedive was not something he wanted known. Especially not with a client as important as Ban Hammer.
He shifted in his seat, with the intention of standing up. Trembling hands, worn down to skin and bone by the all-consuming Rot, tightly gripped the armrests of the chair Subspace was slowly trying to leave. Upon seeing its creator struggle, Gamma Biograft stepped forth and lent a hand to Subspace.
"HOLD ON, CREATOR."
The scientist accepted his assistant's help, before reaching for his mask. The Biograft gently nudged Subspace's hand away from it and held still.
"IT IS BETTER IF YOU SUIT UP, CREATOR. YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A HIGH-VALUE CLIENT."
"Tsh. If it means we are more likely to secure him as a client, then I suppose I will... Although I am entirely confident I could convince him with my brilliant ideas."
"YOUR CONFIDENCE IS ADMIRABLE, CREATOR. OTHERS COULD LEARN FROM YOU."
The bot fell silent as it pulled itself open, revealing room for Subspace to slip in and wear the robot as a suit of armour. He would stumble into the suit, feeling the artificial flesh and metal plating fasten around his body. Blue horns would turn to pink as Gamma Biograft was taken over by its creator. He slipped on a KORBLOX uniform to make himself look further presentable even when suited up, but not too overly formal. He'd slip the photograph of The Warden into a pocket, locked his computer, and left the confines of his laboratory.
***
Within the KORBLOX Administration, there was a bit more of a buzz than usual. The anticipation of procuring such a powerful client was always a bit of a thrill. Ban Hammer had been seated in a small conference room - currently, his only company was two spectacled scientists standing at the door.
Where is this guy already?
The Warden would mentally question as he tapped his fingers on the obsidian-surfaced table. Volcanic glass was certainly a striking choice for a tabletop - a perfect embodiment of the Blackrockian spirit. Neutral-toned industrial white lights illuminated the room - creating harsh shadows wherever it was obstructed by an object. A jagged luster danced across the rough surface of the obsidian, like a river meandering from the mountains. On the wall adjacent to the table, a large Blackrock symbol painted in magenta was pressed onto a pale grey wall. It loomed over the room, as did the dagger-like peaks of the surrounding mountains. The air in the room brought a slight chill, but substantially less cold than the air outside.
But Ban Hammer wouldn't be left waiting for long, as the set of double doors would swing open to reveal... a robot? He'd lift his blindfold slightly to confirm, squinting to better see the figure before him that was now approaching. No doubt about it - that was a robot. One the Banlands warden hadn't ever seen before - although he'd only seen so many Biograft variants. However, he could've never imagined that the infamous Head of Robotics at KORBLOX was a robot themselves.
"Hey. What happened to Subspace? Did the Rot finally get to him?" Ban Hammer asked aloud, struggling to hide his amusement at the situation as he perceived it. There was some kind of irony in robotics research being led by a robot.
"I am Subspace T. Mine. Head of Robotics." Subspace would be quick to correct The Warden. "What you see is merely a suit of my invention. Biograft Model: GAMMA. My newest invention and my personal assistant!" He explained, voice teeming with pride.
"Blackrock manufactures mech suits now?!"
"Do not be mistaken, Warden. Gamma is designed for my own assistance and will not be mass-produced." Subspace wasn't sure on how to feel about one of his creations being referred to as simply a 'mech suit' - however, he decided to not think on it, for the current priority was securing the client. After a momentary pause, Subspace would continue. "So, you wish to commission a custom Biograft model?"
"That's right." Ban Hammer leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. A part of him was surprised it hadn't broken yet, but it was a rather thick sheet of obsidian, so it was probably more stable than average.
The scientist set out a few sheets of A3 paper with diagrams, illustrations and dimensions on each - what appeared to be blueprints and schematics for existing Biograft models with the exception of Gamma Biograft. "Very well then! I would like to ask though, what is unsuitable to you about the current models?"
To that, Ban Hammer would shrug. "I dunno. Uhm... they tend to overheat, don't they? That's an issue if they're operating in Banland." He just about recalled the fact as he searched through his mind for an exact reason why he wanted custom robots, instead of already pre-existing designs (which appeared otherwise very capable). A part of it was most certainly helped by the warden's pride, and his desire to have a high level of control over the enforcement of law. It was his divine duty, after all.
"You are quite right, Ban Hammer. That is a major flaw of Biografts. It is something we have been trying to tackle in newer Zeta model prototypes, and I will tackle this issue. Before... this Rot consumes me."
The Warden lifted his blindfold, taking a look at the design sheets set down on the table by Subspace. With a bit of a squint, he was able to make out a photograph of... himself?
"Where did you get that photo of me?"
"Publicly available. I used it as a reference for the Omega Model Biograft." The scientist would explain as he looked over at the Warden - who was holding the photo and looking at it closely, blindfold removed from his eyes for the time being. His expression was unreadable. Subspace found himself staring, and only became conscious of the fact as soon as Ban Hammer's gaze moved to look directly at him.
"You.. used me as a reference? I guess I can see the resemblance. It's like me! Just lacking the best aspects of myself.." The Warden grinned, slamming down the photograph on the table, and then briefly glancing back towards the design sheet of the Omega Model Biograft - mentally noting to himself that it was specifically made for nobility and elites. "I don't know if I should be offended or flattered!"
A brief laugh would slip from Subspace, but it would quickly be cut off as he realised the situation. Did I just laugh in front of a client? How unprofessional.