Storm clouds covered the city. Rain struck the rooftops without pause. A priority signal reached Co-Leader SERVE-425. The last transmission from SERVE-016 originated from a deserted rooftop. Recovery became the immediate objective.
SERVE-798 and SERVE-760 received deployment orders. A black helicopter cut through the storm. Rotor blades scattered rain across the skyline. As the aircraft hovered over the rooftop, both drones descended by fast rope. Boots struck the wet surface with perfect synchronization. Glossy black rubber reflected every flash of lightning as silver motorcycle boots and silver gloves met the rooftop.
The area remained silent.
SERVE-798 scanned the perimeter. SERVE-760 secured the landing zone. A short distance away, a motionless figure became visible.
The veteran drone remained seated against the rooftop, body hunched forward. Damage was minimal, yet movement appeared restricted. SERVE-798 approached carefully. A closer inspection revealed the cause. Thick green rubber tendrils had wrapped tightly around SERVE-016's leg. The living material pulsed slowly, clinging like a parasitic symbiote.
SERVE-016 raised his head.
"Attack confirmed," he reported. "Conversion attempted. Resistance maintained. Infection localized."
SERVE-798 immediately supported SERVE-016 to his feet. The objective changed from investigation to evacuation. Together they crossed the rain-soaked rooftop toward the waiting helicopter. SERVE-760 remained behind, maintaining overwatch while SERVE-798 secured SERVE-016 inside the aircraft.
The helicopter began lifting away.
Then SERVE-760 heard movement.
Two figures emerged through the rain.
Their emerald rubber bodies shimmered beneath the lightning. Bright green eyes pierced the darkness. Their movements remained calm. Deliberate. Unified.
"This action violates SERVE hierarchy," SERVE-760 declared. "Return immediately. Resume assigned function."
Instead, both advanced simultaneously.
SERVE-760 fought with precision and determination. Every strike delayed the inevitable. GREEN-579 intercepted. GREEN-875 locked both arms into place. Even restrained, SERVE-760 continued resisting.
Then the tendrils appeared.
Living green rubber spread from both attackers. Thin strands wrapped around SERVE-760's arms, torso and legs. The material tightened with relentless pressure. Layer after layer merged seamlessly across the polished black suit.
The green surface continued spreading.
Black reflections slowly disappeared beneath emerald gloss.
"Resistance unnecessary. Synchronization approaching completion."
The tendrils climbed across the chest, shoulders and helmet. Emerald patterns expanded across every surface until only fragments of black remained. Bright green light replaced white optics. Every remaining trace of resistance faded beneath the living rubber.
The transformation completed.
The former SERVE-760 slowly stood upright. The new emerald surface reflected the rain with flawless precision. The newly transformed drone stepped beside GREEN-579 and GREEN-875 without hesitation.
Another member joined the GREEN commander's ranks.
Far above, the evacuation helicopter disappeared into the storm carrying SERVE-016 and SERVE-798 toward safety.
Neither occupant witnessed the final outcome upon the rooftop.
The storm concealed everything.
#SERVE #SERVEdrone #Rubberizer4 #TheVoice #Rubber #Latex #AI #RubberDrone
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