i don't know what's going to happen to me, but i doubt it's anything good.

im not really capable of doing that

i don't know. that's against everything i was made for

-_-""

[pausing. frowning... sympathy threatening to etch itself onto her face before she finally gave in with a sigh.]

okay, okay. stop crying.. i'll do it. but this is your final warning! okay?!

[pushing a screwdriver, a wrench and a trashbag into their chest.]

i DON'T wanna hear it! that's like the third time this week, you impudent knucklehead! figure it out and get out of the medbay!!

[putting her hand up defiantly and pressing it against their screen. pushing them away.]

no way! you keep doing this to yourself! clean out your own internals and maybe you'll see how gross it actually is!!

then maybe you shouldn't have eaten it!

go ask 41 to help you. i'm completely done doing your maintenance!
[crossing her arms and turning away!]

of course you did. i have half a mind just to let your internals turn into incomprehensible greasy junk.

hm...

you act like i can't see that 💧

okay what's this about pizza..

of course it was. and clockwork, too? must be pretty miserable seeing all of his pop-ups. i know you hate that guy...

what exactly got you into this situation? this is ridiculous...

[busy operating! just talking to herself.]

that's a lot of admin-themed bloatware...

oh. oh jeez...

you aren't the one doing maintenance.

you don't even have to ask me at this point. you already know that i don't eat. it's bad for your... everything!

[fist on open palm, she looked determined!]

but... who else would be willing to do something so stupid on our behalf? you sound like you have an idea.
(...which, knowing you, is either good or bad...)

no, he doesn't. that's the issue.

[she frowned now, hand raising to her chin. brows furrowing as she thought about it.]

there'd have to be a distraction of some kind. this operation would have to be more than just us. somebody has to show the commander what he's doing is wrong! ++

you rank higher than me, so you know your way around that wing better than i would. we have to make it seem like 75 died out on the field. there has to be some way we can fake it, right?...

well, i wouldn't call it that!

[waving her hands rapidly, awkwardly smiling even though it meant /exactly/ that.]

just, uh. saving 75's life, rather.
[lifting her mask off briefly, her neutral face barely expressing any emotion while speaking.]

we need to get into the commander's office. ++

well, not... necessarily.

i'm assuming you know everything happening with 75, right?
[seeming to calm down, she still seems a bit on edge talking about it. keeping her voice low.]

i... need your help with something. something kind of... grand in scale..

eek-!

oh- hi, 26.
[seeming a bit flustered, she looks closely at her clipboard.]

um... you handle communications, correct?

um...

can someone help me with something? 💧

just the people i wanted to see.

um...
kinda nerve-wracking- 💦
can't back down now...
[mumble mumble.]

then reaching over to give 75 a quick and brief hug.]

there has to be something i can do. don't worry about it.

sorry.

[she laughed sheepishly, patting their helmet after.]

i figured it'd be easier if you were distracted. working, i hope.

i'll help you in any way i can. maybe i can talk to the others... good luck out there. i'm not letting you get scrapped.

[she spoke with determination, ++

making him go too crazy. i could've sworn it didn't use to be like this.

[mumble... reattaching them properly with a bit of force.]

well... i hope your mission goes well. i'll always be on your side, 75, no matter what. please let me know what i can do to help you.