Ghosts in the Code

by Talguy21

2: Malfunction

The Drone marched on. The dim hallways of the Hive flowed past as he fulfilled his purpose. He was to take the Traitor to her cell, and then guard her. This was his purpose. By the Queen's word would he act, and by nothing else. The Drone shoved the Traitor into a small cell imbedded in the wall of the hallway, and locked the door. She had defied her purpose. She was to be removed. The drone turned to the Warrior.

'What is my purpose?' He chittered.

“You are to guard the Traitor, Josho. By the will of the Queen, those are your orders.” The Warrior replied. The Drone gave an affirmative click, and moved beside the cell. The Warrior left the Drone. He was to guard the Traitor's cell, so she did not escape. This was his purpose. This was all he strived to do. Another Warrior moved beside him, and the Drone hissed at him. The Warrior turned his head and chuckled softly.

“Don't worry, Josho. I'm here to guard Scape too. Queen's orders, supposedly.” he said. The drone chittered slightly before turning back forward. The Warrior shared the Drone's purpose. Together, they would guard the Traitor. That was their purpose. A spark flared across the Drone's vision.

Why is she a traitor? A voice said. A voice the Drone knew as his voice, but it defied his purpose! Why would his voice defy his purpose? Because something doesn't feel right about this. The Voice said. The Drone shook his head. This voice must simply be ignored. Another spark. The Queen has condemned this one to death. Why? I shook my head harder. There's no way these could be my thoughts. They go against all I stand for. Or do they? I thought. Perhaps... It felt as though a fog lifted from my mind, as I moved my head around, as if seeing the room for the first time. The guard next to me shifted slightly.

“Something up, Josho?” He asked. I shook my head.

“No, Entropy... Just... Need to scan the room.” I reply. Entropy cocks his head, but turns back forward and says no more. Why is the one named Scape a traitor? I thought. What has she done that warrants her death? She had spoken against the Queen. That was reason enough, right? She never claimed rebellion. She never spoke as if she was going to act on her words. Surely the Queen was right, though? She is our all-knowing leader! What if the Queen was wrong? I stopped my scanning to think on that. Why would the traitor be right about the strategy? Alerting the guard makes perfect sense! Why? Because... I stop, and try to find a reason. Another spark. Because... It doesn't. There is no reason to execute Scape! Alerting the guard to the attack makes no sense! She was right to say so, it was for the good of the hive! Then why is the Queen executing a loyal Changeling? I faltered. The queen is wrong, and Scape will not die. “Entropy?” I asked.

“Yeah, Josho? What is it?” He replied, turning his head to face me.

“Scape was right about the Queen's plans... wasn't she?” I asked. Entropy's face lit up with some unknown emotion.

“...I'm not sure...” He mumbled. “I mean... Why are you even asking? You're a Drone! How could you even think she's wrong?” I straighten my pose, and look into his eyes.

“Because this isn't right.” I say. “She shouldn't die for trying to help the Hive.” He nodded.

“She's a good soldier, and a good friend. She has been more loyal to the Hive than most I know.” He agreed. “And if I have anything to say about it, she's going to live.” We shared a nod before he fired a burst of magic at the lock on the door. The lock sparked and fell in half, the other pieces levitating in his green magic glow. He lowered them to the floor, and he swung the door open. He picked Scape up, and motioned to the wall of her cell, where sunlight filtered through a small grate. With a nod, I conjure a bolt of magic alongside his, and together, we blast the grate away, alongside a chunk of the wall. He ran his magic over Scape, and she woke, if slowly. She blinked a few times, then gasped.

“What are you doing, Entropy? Do you want to die too?” She asked frantically. I chitter for their attention, and get it quickly.

“Run. Make sure she lives. I'll take the blame. Say I did it. That my failure allowed her to escape. I'll say you tried to catch her... After all,” I smirk, half-sincerely. “Drones can't lie.” Entropy starts to speak, but is cut off by cries from down the hall. “Go.” I say. “What is my life in the grand scheme? I'll die for a greater purpose. That is all I wish. Don't let this be in vain.” He nods, and runs out through the hole, his wingbeats buzzing as he ascended. As they left, several Drones entered my view. One Infiltrator with a tattered frill stepped from amongst them, anger flaring from him.

“What is the meaning of this, Drone? How has the Traitor escaped?” he growled.

'It is my failing, brother.' I chitter. 'I have failed my purpose.' I collapse, falling to my belly before him. 'The Warrior gives chase to the Traitor... Yet I wait, frozen. I have failed.'

“That you have.” He snarled, before his horn lit, and a sharp pain stabbed through the back of my neck. Now brandishing some sort of blade I couldn't make out, He sneered at me. My vision grew green around the edges, before sensation started fading away. “Now, the rest of you: find her... And see if you can--” His words became indistinct as all sound grew to a dull buzz.

I died for a greater good... and perhaps I will be remembered as more than a ghost in the code...

Author's Note:

Fin.

It's short, but I hope you guys like it. Maybe that sorta explains why Dawn is in hiding, those years later, and why Entropy managed to stay in the Hive despite helping her escape.

Shoutouts to everyone from the Fanfiction meetup at Everfree Northwest who I talked to, and it's thanks to you lot this got written. I felt like I had to make use of the advice you guys gave me, and maybe prove to myself I was worthy of being in the company of those such as Pen Stroke.

Hope you all enjoyed! Any and all feedback would be appreciated! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try and work up enough interest to type up Mirrors sometime relatively soon.

Comments

[silentname]

Best album ever, amirite?

[Talguy21]

4659801
It's pretty good, and there are some tracks I really liked, like this fic's namesake, but overall, I liked Mirrors more. I've got 3 stories based on that one. The only one here on Fimfic is about 1/4 - 1/3 typed (Mirrors), the second is complete on paper but also untyped (Momentum), and the third is maybe 1/3 done at most (Zero).

If you liked this, though, Scape, Entropy, Pincer, and Crusher (The first warrior) show up in the future stories, along with some actual ponies here and there. That said, going with the odds here, they're not going to be here any time soon. My handwriting sucks, and I don't often feel like transcribing it into the internet.

[Starlight Nova]

Well, I know the name of the sequel I'll be reading when I get the chance. Have you ever considered submitting this story to Equestria Daily? You can find out how to do so here.

[Talguy21]

5100238

I don't think I'm good enough for EqD, but thanks for the link. I'm nowhere near consistent enough of an updater to have any real number of followers

[tsaukpaetra]

Anomalous drone terminated.