Nucleus 1: The Dust of Moon [Mature Sci-fi Romance]

11:00, February 10, 2295

Azure Mount Logistics Hub, extension of Songnei Starport, No.31, Bishan Rd, Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan, Imperium of Dragons territory

Jabari's heartbeat was the only sound in the steel container as they moved through the Azure Mount Logistics Hub. The container hid them well as it glided on the hover pad. Seydou worked on a device while Celine kept watch through a small opening.

"High-value cargo in a shipping container," Jabari whispered. "Hope this works."

"We will make it work," Celine said quietly. "Remember, our goal is to retrieve U6-M9 without violence."

Through the one-way glass, the workers outside looked mechanical, focused only on their tasks.

"Literal forced labor. My Gyata hoverbike would have easily passed through unnoticed," Seydou commented. "Although I doubt she could fit in these small boxes."

Jabari frowned at Seydou. "Seydou, the script just doesn't sit right with me. Do we really expect these Imperial Peons to simply comply when we point a gun at them? Wouldn't they fight back?"

Seydou's grin faltered. "Did my research. These Peons are usually poor folks abducted then resocialized in those internment camps on Mercury before coming to these factories. Minimal food, barely humane treatment from their Overseers –"

"That's just wrong!" Jabari's eyes widened.

"They're harmless and can be made to cooperate. As long as you don't go shooting up the place." Seydou raised a hand.

"Alright, cut the chatter," Celine ordered, and the container's side panel opened with a small hiss. They stepped out into the hangar and blended with the workers and machines. The workers wore worn Imperium uniforms in black and red.

Jabari gripped his rifle and pulled it out. He stepped confidently from the container, showing his weapon.

The Plasma Rifle gleamed under the dim lights, with green energy visible in its transparent chamber.

"Okay. Nobody needs to get hurt," he announced. "We're here for Cargo 69."

A nearby Peon in stained overalls turned, fear on his face. The other workers froze.

"Oh no, please, my lord, what have I done wrong?" the Peon begged, shaking. He knelt and raised his hands. "Please, I'll do anything! My lord, I have a wife, a son, a family to take care of. I need this job!"

"You have a family?" Jabari kept his rifle aimed at the Peon while looking at Celine.

"Likely false memory implanted to keep him going," Celine said sadly. "Imperium Peons are seen as expendable. Many undergo forced brain surgery to receive fabricated memories so they can believe they have a future."

Jabari sighed. "Alright. Lead us to Cargo 69. I won't shoot."

"Cargo 69. Right, C-cargo 69." The worker nodded nervously.

"Yes. See what you can do," Jabari kept the gun on him, though he hated doing it.

11:11, February 10, 2295

Cargo Hold 6, Azure Mount Logistics Hub, extension of Songnei Starport, Bishan Forest, No.31, Bishan Rd, Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan, Imperium territory

"Just a few more lines of commands — oops, they've changed the decryption algorithm — wait, the same as the Alliance's back channel password last year? You Imperials, so unoriginal. And — got it," Seydou said as his fingers moved over the terminal. The screen lit up with access granted.

Jabari watched, his rifle now holstered, as he looked at a gray container holding their target.

The container opened with a hiss, revealing a woman's head through the gap.

Jabari was surprised. "Oh. I thought this U6-M9 was a male.".

The container now opened fully. Inside, lay an Imperial woman, her petite form seemingly untouched by time. Her eyes were closed, her face framed by her raven-black hair that was cut in a sleek bob falling just above her shoulders.

The strands contrasted the exquisite paleness of her skin — a complexion like the finest porcelain. Her lips were slightly parted, as if she were merely caught in a tranquil dream.

Jabari's gaze continued downward, captivated by the intricate details of her attire — a traditional kimono and its golden embroidery that depicted scenes of mythical creatures and swirling clouds. The robe cinched at her slender waist with a sash that accentuated her feminine curves.

Her hands were folded neatly across her midriff, as delicate as the rest of her.

"U6-M9," he said quietly. "A Da-Ji android, just like the ones at Maurice's shop."

Her eyes fluttered open, and she took a deep breath.

"Hey, e-easy," Jabari said nervously. "You've been asleep for a long while?"

"Where…am I?" she asked, her voice confused.

"Somewhere safe," he tried to reassure her. "Can you move? We're h-here to bring you back from, umm, death I think? Y-you were slated for a mind-wipe, s-something like that."

"Hey, Jabari, did a crocodile bite off your tongue?" Seydou teased from the background.

The woman gave a small, empty smile.

"Mind-wipe," she repeated flatly. Her brown eyes met his. "Let it happen. I don't mind it."

"Wait, you…" Jabari was shocked by her response. "You don't mind it. What?"

"There is no purpose in my existence. No place where I belong," U6-M9 said without emotion. "If I die, so be it."

"No no, wait. Your life has value," Jabari insisted. "Your memory. Someone planted something important there. It could help us save the world. Uh, I forgot what it is."

"The Moondust Crystal's location," Seydou added. "I guess they don't teach public speech at the Prep School, huh?"

"Save the world…" the android woman said weakly. "I used to have so many things to do. Now there is nothing. Why would I want to save this boring and meaningless world?"

Her hopelessness was unfamiliar to Jabari, who knew more about fighting than handling someone who had given up.

"You know, I've never seen an android as pessimistic as this one. Maybe we should give her a motivational speech?" Seydou joked while typing.

"I'm Jabari, and this is my comrade, Seydou," Jabari said, placing a hand on his chest. "What about you? Do you have a name?"

"Ume," the woman said as she looked at Jabari. "But I don't see the point."

"Right. Pleased to meet you, Ume," he said more firmly. "Do you have a, you know, hobby?"

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"I don't understand," Ume looked confused.

"Anansi's ass, Jabari. She's an android!" Seydou stopped typing to stare at Jabari.

"But, you know, you've got to have something. Something you do even when no one tells you to?" Jabari continued. "Like, I play the djembe drum. It's an, uh, instrument."

"I like to watch the sun. Whenever Xin went outside for work, I'd go to the windows and watch the sunlight. But it's rare to see it here in Taipei with all the rain," Ume shared, tilting her head. "Does that count?"

"It does," Jabari leaned closer, feeling they were connecting. "I come from a place where the sun shines bright. If you come with us, we can go and watch it together."

"We can?" Ume asked.

"Yeah, watch the sun together," Jabari nodded.

Surprisingly, Ume chuckled. "You're so weird."

"Yeah, I mean, uh," Jabari smiled and shrugged. "I guess I am."

"Alright," she said, sitting up in the container. "I'll come with you."

"By Roog," Jabari said, tapping his thigh. "I can't believe that worked."

"And just in time," Seydou turned from the console. "I managed to hack into the surveillance system. All of the cameras and recorders are down. Record deleted, too. Just need to hijack a Cargo Vessel then we'll be good to go."

Suddenly, an alarm went off, causing chaos. Workers scattered throughout the hub.

"Chineke!" Seydou cursed. "We've got company!"

Jabari turned and drew his Plasma Rifle, ready to fight.

"Wilhelm here. I have visual of Radi-Mon movements in the Bishan Forest," Wilhelm said through Jabari's earpiece.

"Celine here. I'm seeing the monsters. What's taking you two so long?" Celine's voice came through.

"U6-M9 experienced a — slight malfunction, let's say," Seydou replied. "But Jabari took care of it with his super smooth talking skills, am I right?"

"Hurry up," Celine urged. "Seydou, do you have our Cargo Vessel?"

"It'll take me a few minutes," Seydou said, returning to the terminal. "There's a ship in the next bay that looks to be in good condition. I'll hijack that one."

"Get your Scarab, Jabari. It's in Cargo Hold 5." Celine ordered.

"Stick with me," Jabari told Ume as she got out of the container. He looked around, trying to find the threat.

As they left the Cargo Hold, Ume tapped his back.

"Do you have a gun I could use?" she asked, looking up at him. She was much shorter than Jabari.

"You...want a gun?" Jabari was surprised.

"My programming tells me it'd be helpful to have a personal weapon in this situation," Ume explained, scratching her head. "That's what a gun is, right?"

After a moment, Jabari nodded and handed her his sidearm - a Plasma Handgun that matched his rifle in green and gold colors.

"Thank you," Ume took the gun with a small smile.

A loud roar filled the air as Bone Fiends appeared, their skeletal forms moving toward them.

"Contact!" Wilhelm shouted as he came out from behind some containers, his Plasma Carbine ready. Tall and muscular in his green Directorate uniform with gold trim, Wilhelm's platinum blonde hair and blue eyes stood out sharply.

"Helionite leak from Bay 3," Wilhelm called, looking at a wall display. "That's what drew them here. Bastards must've been nesting here and getting comfortable."

"Here they come!" Jabari aimed his rifle at the monsters. "For the Directorate!"

He fired plasma bolts at the targets, with Wilhelm joining in. His Carbine fired green energy bolts with precision.

Ume held her handgun nervously, her hands shaking slightly.

"Steady, Ume," Jabari said. "Aim and breathe."

When Ume fired, her shots went wild, hitting walls and equipment instead of the monsters. The Bone Fiends screeched and moved closer.

"Controlled bursts," Wilhelm instructed calmly while taking down another creature. "Lieutenant, take the left flank! I'll handle the right."

"Understood!" Jabari stood firm. The Bone Fiends fell one by one.

"The Helionite's making them aggressive," Wilhelm said between shots. "We need to seal that leak or they'll keep coming."

Jabari turned to see Ume firing with her eyes closed.

"Ume!" Jabari shouted. "Stop! Open your eyes!"

She stopped firing and opened her eyes, looking confused at the gun in her hand.

Jabari quickly moved to her, frustrated. "You cannot — you must not fire blindly, Ume! That could have killed us all!"

Ume tilted her head. "I know," she said quietly. "There is a... disconnect within me. A logical part of me knows I should aim and fire, but it feels so satisfying to ignore that. I can't explain it."

Jabari sighed, unsure what to say.

"Look, you need to —" he started. "How do I say this? It's not — it's not that hard."

"Easy now," Wilhelm approached, holding his carbine ready. "Jabari, check our six. I've got this."

Wilhelm knelt before Ume, who held her gun loosely. "Being human isn't about being perfect," he said gently. "It's about feeling everything – even the parts that hurt."

Suddenly, Ume started crying. "Being human," she sobbed, "is so painful. This freedom... It's so hard. I hate it!"

Jabari watched as Wilhelm put his hand on Ume's shoulder.

"The path of fear and struggle is well-trodden," Wilhelm said. "It leads to places of strength we never knew lay within us. Seen it countless times."

"It doesn't make sense!" Ume continued crying.

"It's not supposed to," Wilhelm said, rubbing her shoulders. "That's what makes us human. Every challenge shapes the soul. And you, Ume, you have a soul. That's why you feel pain."

"I have a soul?" she asked quietly.

Jabari watched, gaining new respect for Wilhelm.

A terrible shriek interrupted them. Jabari turned with his rifle ready as a larger Bone Fiend burst through some containers, its claws leaving marks on the metal floor.

"Large Radi-Mon!" Ume cried. "Like the ones from old world movies—"

"Focus!" Jabari ordered. He fired at the creature, but it absorbed the hits without falling.

"That's an Alpha. Usually mutated after feeding on enough Helionite," Wilhelm fired precise shots. "Target the joints! Ume, watch our pattern!"

Ume steadied her hands and shot at the Alpha's feet, making it stumble. Jabari felt proud that she was trying.

"Hmm. Bay 3," Wilhelm said after killing the monster with a headshot. "I'm going there. 30 Atomic Dollars say I can't shut it down with the next 10 minutes."

Jabari worried as Wilhelm prepared to leave.

"You sure, Wilhelm?" he asked.

"I've seen a few episodes like this before, Lieutenant." Wilhelm grinned before turning away. "Catch you in a minute or two."

After Wilhelm left, Jabari and Ume looked at each other in silence.

"Well," Jabari said, despite his uncertainty. "I'm not good with words. But when we return to the Directorate, I'll teach you. Walk you through – whatever you don't know. You can always come to me with questions. Anytime."

"Thank you," she said with a small smile as her tears stopped.

Before Ume could recover fully, they heard more Bone Fiends approaching.

"Remember!" Jabari shouted, raising his rifle. "Every action must be purposeful!"

Four Bone Fiends charged toward them, jaws snapping and limbs moving rapidly.

Jabari fired precise shots, destroying one monster immediately. It exploded into fragments before dissolving into a green puddle.

Ume steadied herself and raised her gun. "Purposeful," she said to herself. "Every action must be purposeful."

Her first shot hit the second Bone Fiend directly in the head, killing it.

"That's it! Keep it up!" Jabari encouraged her.

The third Bone Fiend jumped at them with its mouth open. Ume's small shoulders visibly tensed as she fired several shots at its body. The creature staggered but kept coming.

Jabari aimed at the wounded monster. Their combined fire destroyed it completely.

The last Bone Fiend tried to run away but got caught in some wires. It fell into a nearby machine with a crunch, disappearing completely.

"Right, umm…clear!" Jabari announced, lowering his weapon. He turned to Ume, who was staring at the remains.

"Hey. Are you hurt?" he asked with concern.

Ume shook her head. "No, I... I am fine, Jabari," she said, though her lips were still trembling.

"Okay. Good." Jabari nodded, looking at the remains of the monsters. "When I first studied at the Reserve Officer School, seeing blood and gore used to scare me too. So I understand if you feel weird about it."

"They were whole creatures. And now...they're just green goo," Ume said matter-of-factly, looking up at Jabari. "Green goo."

"Oh, that." He smiled proudly. "Yes, that's normal. The plasma bolts fired by my people's weapons have that effect sometimes. It happens when you land a critical hit or something."

"Green goo!" Ume suddenly laughed, all her sadness gone. "It's so fun!"

"Well, I mean," Jabari laughed with her. "Our Directorate weapons really pack a punch."

"It would seem so," Ume nodded shyly, calming down.

"I've got to power up my Scarab," he said, getting serious again. "Can you hold this position?"

Her eyes now showed determination as she gripped her gun tighter. "Yes."

"Good. I'll be back soon," Jabari nodded before turning and walking away, his boots echoing on the metal floor.