Shard had successfully completed another mission, much more stealthy than he preferred that was more ace's thing but they had managed.
The usual routine was to head straight back to hq, restore energy and await the next order. However, with knowing there was a abandoned base nearby, shard chose to take a quick detour, while it was unlike him to stray like this the possible scraps that could be found here might make it worth it.
And indeed his prediction was correct, but not in the way they had intended. A quick scan found the two immobile bots, not active and definitely damaged but still salvageable.
A mechanical hum comes from the former mecha, a risky choice considering the already perplexing decision to be here but along with his current occupation shard has his own mission, he had to help other eggman bots if he was able, just leaving them their to rust would completely go against that...
So reluctantly he gets closer, its not like they could jump back into motion even if that'd be easier for them Observing once more with intensity unlike Shard most of the time.
A more thorough scan is initiated and the quick recognition of being older models makes his next steps clear. The other one was damaged beyond repair, as unfortunate as it was there was no saving beta, ergo attempting to would just be wasting time. The other though...Yes, gamma was still fixable.
Replacing a flicky with old machines like these wouldn't be easy...But he could find one amongst the ruins he was sure.
"Be right back!" Shard announces even if gamma would absolutely not be able to hear it, rocketing off with his booster he makes swift works of skimming the area for a temporary replacement core, he would find one albeit a bit cracked but he could not afford to be picky right now. Speeding right back he lands carefully as to not disturb gamma's resting place, one foot down then the other the replacement held tight, now all that was left was to open gamma up andddd insert not living batteryyy-
"Voila!" Shard exclaims victorious, gammas chest closing, indicating success as the others hardware accepts the temporary new energy provider, Now stepping back giving gamma space and preparing his welcome back. "Hey there! Welcome back to the living-" They begin but reminds themselves to focus on the important stuff first. "You feeling okay? Nothing feel broken besides uh...The obvious?"
A series of images play out as the light began to return to Gamma's emerald colored optics. Beta, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, the Doctor, the pink girl, everyone who had a profound effect upon him during his short existance. Most of it was an existance fueled by misery as the E100 robots were made to compete with one another. Despite being called brothers the first five E100 units were anything but family.
Again and again, these machines were made to go against one another for their master's approval. Like it was some prize they all needed to compete for, when in reality all of them were expendable. Not one of them were intended to last long despite the effort that went into creating them. Only the Doctor knew why he created robots such as these, why he used them as he did, and why he threw them away when he no longer had need of them. Even Gamma who proved himself the best of the original line of E Series machines was left to rot here upon the Egg Carrier. Like he never mattered.
Gamma had been the one who overcame all the trials the Doctor gave to stand atop his siblings who he barely knew. During that time Gamma simply did as he was told, not questioning these odd sensations within himself that went against what the Doctor said.
Why does Beta hate me for beating him?
Why did the others stare at me with those sad eyes?
Why did seeing Beta be upgraded scare me?
Each time Gamma was met with one of these sensations born from moments of emotional meaning Gamma had denied them. Tried to shove them away because he had to do what he was made for. The Doctor made him he had to obey orders it was his function. It was only near the end that Gamma understood that he had been running away from his guilt. Guilt for not doing more for his brothers, guilt for not standing up to the Doctor, and guilt for not realising the cost that came with the existance of the E Series. The lives being used to fuel them! It was wrong! It was horrible! How could he be so blind?!
It was thanks to the pink girl that Gamma stopped running. He could only say that he started truly living when she had made him look deeper within his metal frame. Or was it perhaps the bird within him that allowed Gamma to begin to seeing the truth? The moment he made his first and last choice was when Gamma chose to erase his master registration so he could "save" his brothers from their torment. Because what was their existance if not torment? Forced to betray one another, forced to destroy one another, forced to tear each other down on the Doctor's orders over and over. It had to end.
So, Gamma made it end by "saving" them from their pain. Taking them down one by one to set free the creatures trapped inside. The E Series shouldn't exist, their very being a blight to the world and each other. Gamma had wished things were different, had loved his brothers more than anyone else. But, being as they were there was no other way this could end. Who else would care for the E Series? Who else would love them? No one...no one but E102 Gamma.
So when seeing the other robotic being before them. There was confusion, because he carried out his mission had he not? So why was he still here? Why was he allowed to go on? Was this a ploy from the Doctor? To use him again for evil? No! He couldn't allow that!
"Will...not...serve...Eggman..."
Those words were all his voicebox could garble out. He tried to aim his gun towards the other but it was so rusted it could barely move. Yet, the intent was still there defiance against what Gamma saw as someone working for his old creator. Why else would it revive him?
