Sticking to deep shadows and slinking through back alley ways, Ravage led the squad of numbered Automata and the shop bots through the upper residential area that housed the Knight Watch barracks and to the south.  Once they reached the wall, they followed its edge until they reached the manufacturing district.  Several times, Ravage would stop and appear to sniff the air or listen for something that none of the others could hear before abruptly changing directions. Somehow the group always managed to stay away from any Watch patrols or avoid any sort of contact at all.  When they reached the carriage maker building adjacent to the Haz Brothers’ shop, Ravage had them stop and wait. From around the corner, they could see a light getting closer and a rhythmic tapping sound.  The numbers began to get antsy and

“Why?  Why would she do that?” Number 17 asked, looking at Ram’s charred and smoking remains. “I’m sorry,” Alfred sighed, “It was the only thing I could think of at the time to quickly get our hammer friend free.” “You thought of?” Number 19 accused, “you ordered her to go kill herself like that?” “Not quite,” Rom spoke up, “There’s no sense hiding it from you guys, I suppose.  You see, we’re not normal Automata.” Alfred sighed i

I don’t remember opening my eyes, or rebooting, or anything, I was simply sitting in a chair at a dining room table.  The dining room reminded me of a large open kitchen like you see on shows that take place out in the country somewhere. I was the only one in the room and I was apparently in the middle of breakfast.  On the table before me, sat a bowl of some sort of cereal.  At least, I thought it was cereal until some of it started swimming around. Crap, did I die again?  I looked down at my hands.  They were black.  Jet black, armor covered, and claw tipped.  I was wearing a denim work shirt with the sleeves rolled up and heavy duty overalls.  A second set of arms was holding the bowl and chasing the things inside with a spoon.  I realized that as I was looking at my hands, I coul