Cerebral Exchange :: Chapter 3 :: HEXCORP

The Deliverator existed as a unique entity, a privilege unheard of for those assimilated into a drone hive. Despite her looks - a neural-pacification helmet and latex bodysuit, the typical attire of an obedient drone - she could walk and talk how she pleased. She strolled instead of marching. She chatted and flirted with boasts, rather than mindlessly announce affirmation of orders. ‘Pseudo free will’, her beloved Hive Mxtress mocked it. It was what afforded her the confidence and ability to carry out her particular missions single-handedly. 

She had now been called to return to the HexCorp R&D Department. Crossing the square that lay in its shadow, she would never dream of disobeying a direct order.

Due to the nature of her work, The Deliverator had been allowed to make whatever customisations deemed necessary for the completion of her missions. Titanium stilettos fitted with enough psy-cells to fry a Cybrain-Fortress Enforcer clacked upon the marble flagstones. Her black, rubbery second-skin, modded with ophidian-fibre to allow for such athleticism that your standard hive drone simply never needed to be able to perform. Even her helmet had been tampered with. The tinted-black visor and iconic, cat-eared headset were still intact but the usual whine of binaurals had been lowered in intensity. It had taken her some time to persuade her Mxtress that this latter enhancement was essential. Nothing puts you off neutralizing a target quite like your own equipment trying to neutralize you.

The Deliverator stepped through the automatic doors of the monolithic skyscraper that she fondly referred to as home. The expansive foyer awaited her, with its stainless steel pillars and coldly luminescent wall tiles. A heavily industrial look, unusually distinct from the utopian architecture that made up the rest of the upper city. The occasional drone filed past her, focused completely on its own task, as she made a beeline for the turbolifts located far at the back. Hive activity was sparse on the foyer level - marching platoons didn’t play too well for the public image.

Before the lifts, a gaggle of HexCorp employees stood and stared at the distinctive drone before them. The Deliverator could feel their eyes upon her, even when they were hidden behind their standard-issue HexCorp Optical Augmentation Visors. Everyone in the R&D Department had heard the rumours about The Deliverator. A unit with personality. Stepping into the turbolift, she could make out their hushed gossiping behind her. She recalled the calming voice of her Mxtress. “Ignore them, they’re just as brainwashed as you are.”

A long ride up to the administration level later and The Deliverator stepped out into the opulent lobby that preceded her Hive Mxtress’ office. Every department had its own hive and subsequently its own Hive Mxtress to control over all. The R&D Department, for all its specialised personnel, was no different. Swanning past the artificial planting and unspoilt sofas, The Deliverator pulled up in front of the secretary’s desk. Leaning against it, she found a certain comfort in looking down at a blacked-out visor identical to her own.

“Good morning, Secretary-” A smooth glance to the identification number printed on the drone’s upper left chest, above its issued barcode. “-Seven Four Four Two. Can I just say that you’re looking wonderfully mindless today?”

Her teases were met with an emotionless reaction. No matter which secretary or how persuasive her flirting, it was the same response she always got. “The Hive Mxtress is expecting you. Proceed.”

She sighed and pushed herself away from the secretary’s desk, sauntering her way through the double doors and into her Mxtress’ office. Everytime she tried to act relaxed, to maintain some level of composure. Everytime the mere sight of the Hive Mxtress shattered that illusion. In appearance, They looked similar to just a standard drone, but it was the details that made Them shine above the rest. An exquisite jacket graced Their form, Their bodysuit designed for its luxury rather than its practicality. In The Deliverator’s eyes these distinctions were like the difference between a heavenly being and its worshippers. She couldn’t help but quake in Their presence. After all, she was programmed to.

“I see that Elysian Industries got to the excavation site before us.” The Hive Mxtress remarked. They were relaxed at Their desk, idly toying with a miniaturized mind-erasing device in Their perfect hands. “Pity, I know the cuties downstairs would have loved to get their hands on those artifacts.”

“This unit apologises, Hive Mxtress. Despite my best attempts, infiltration proved to be impossible. They outnumbered us 300 to 1. I await whatever punishment you see fit.”

“Oh Deliverator, you know I didn’t call you here to watch you squeal. Though, really, 300 paladins to one archaeological site?” For a moment, the Hive Mxtress was lost in thought, absentmindedly placing the device back into its resting place upon the desk. “No matter. I have another job for you. A substantially easier one. It appears a mosquito is trying to take on a goliath in the hopes that it would be small enough to go unnoticed. Well, we noticed. Guess who gets the fun job of squashing it for me?”

The Deliverator shuddered. Her Mxtress always had a way with words that made it feel like Their hand was softly grasping around her neck. “I’ll begin preparations immediately, Hive Mxtress.”

“Oh yes you will, my little, adorable drone. Go see the cuties downstairs while you’re at it, I hear they have some new toys for you.”

This elicited a groan of protest from the little, adorable drone. “Oh please not them. For all their lab coats and mathematical ramblings their heads are even emptier than that of the standard drones!”

“Don’t disobey me.” Their tone harshen and reverberated throughout The Deliverator’s helmet, so absolute in its utterance that it caused her body to snap to attention. “You are dismissed, go and carry out my will. And who knows, perhaps you’ll even enjoy your new toys?”

Their laughter flowed over The Deliverator as she bowed her head and turned to leave the office. Marching through the doors and directly towards the turbolift, she had her objectives and would focus solely upon them until their completion. Even so, there was a slight hesitation in the immediate matter that she would have to address. She stepped into the large capsule and turned to its interface. Begrudgingly, she instructed it to take her down to the ‘Science Level’ and felt dread as it lowered her into the depths of the R&D Department.