#chondraatfacetroid

[motheratfacetroid]

*Talons and the geneticist left the hatchery laboratory, Talons nervously smirking as they stepped out of the sterile lab and into the rusted corridor. The humidity in the hallway was immediately felt, a stark contrast from the controlled environment in the lab. He spat out an oily substance and used it to grease his robotic claw.*

Geneticist: So, you understand the procedure?

Talons: Easily, I've taken apart machines more complicated than that. Anyway, time for the announcement.

*Rather than return to his office, Talons opened up a socket in the corridor and plugged in one of his claws, which bent and twisted to fit it perfectly.*

Talons: This is a test, do not release the geemers.

*His voice echoed throughout the entire spawnship as he took over its communications.*

Talons: Good. My glorious crew, Kerig is dead, and Zeta has left us. I've come to a difficult decision, as your new leader. The Space Pirates, despite relying on us and the several other Spawnships for a steady supply of spawnlings to populate the cosmos, has left us without the supplies we need. I've seen it in your eyes, in your missing limbs, we all know it's true. And it's no secret that we harbor enemies of Space Pirates, is it? There's no use carrying on pretending. We of Spawnship I, will no longer serve the Space Pirates. We'll trade with them if it suits our needs, not theirs. Renounce your allegiance to the Space Pirates.

*Talons sighed, muttering to himself.*

Talons: What have I gotten us into?

*Talons spoke over the communications system once more.*

Talons: And anyone that disagrees can come for my head. That is all, crew.

[motheratfacetroid]

*Kerig turned to the young Space Pirate.*

Kerig: Return to the hatchery and oversee your batch's feeding session. This is their last one. I will return there in a moment. I trust you know the way?

*B327S23 nodded, looking up at him with concern.*

Kerig: Go.

*They took off in opposite directions, the spawnling timidly walking to the sterile hatchery, one of the few times he was unsupervised. Kerig swiftly stepped over working pirates as he entered the cramped mechanical sector, clearly in a rush but still managing to maintain a calm demeanor. He brushed past Chondra and entered the room where Weavel was repaired.*

Zeta: Shouldn't you be at the hatchery?

Kerig: Feeding session currently so communication is down. Vexon and Epsilon are missing.

*Zeta looked annoyed but not altogether surprised.*

Zeta: What do you want me to do about it?

Kerig: If Mother finds out, and she will find out, it will be all over for us, friend. Mother wants those pirates, it could get us the funding we need.

Zeta: What a machine wants has never been my concern. No offense, Weavel. No bother, I already have a payment in mind. Mother won't know, unless someone squeals.

*Zeta glared at Kerig, then at Talons. Talons was tightening a bolt on his mechanical arm, causing a squeaking noise to interrupt them.*

[motheratfacetroid]

*Vexon stepped into the docking bay, Epsilon in his arms. Epsilon drifted in and out of consciousness as Vexon carried him into Bern's private ship. Epsilon had his own seat. It was much roomier without Chondra.*

Epsilon: What happened? Are you taking care of Mother?

Vexon: I need to focus. She almost killed you.

*Vexon sat impatiently, waiting for pressurization to complete so he could leave the docking bay. He was in a hurry, but he had no intent of damaging the Spawnship.*

Epsilon: She wouldn't do something like that. And how goes the metroid project?

Vexon: Do you remember me?

Epsilon: Of course.

Vexon: Let's get out of here.

[chondraatfacetroid]

You weren't out for very long. I was just observing. If you're going to be that way, you can walk off this ship yourself. Or roll, for that matter. Not like I care. *She crosses her arms and walks out of the room*

[weavelatfacetroid]

*Weavel lets out a short groan upon seeing his treads* Well... it'll do for now. *He moves his arms around and glances at them as he does so, silently impressed with the craftsmanship required to make functional cybernetics out of scrap. He looks over at Chondra* What are you still doing here?

[weavelatfacetroid]

Oh, cut the bullshit. I didn’t want to end up in this state originally, I’m far from being spoiled by anyone other than myself. I’m picky but I don’t want to stay like this. If I can move, it’s good enough for now.

[motheratfacetroid]

*Zeta entered the repair room, a large chamber filled with chains hanging from the ceiling, some of them hanging with spare limbs and parts, others with paperwork with their messages covered in scribbles and diagrams, which were often scratched out. A pirate missing one claw and his other arm saluted Zeta with his mechanical appendage.*

Zeta: None of that, did you find a suitable body?

Talons: Of course! We have a surplus in those! Heavy duty energy cell and everything, limbs are what we're lacking.

Zeta: Very funny, but that's good. We'll manage then.

*Zeta pulled down a chain near Chondra while Talons dragged a metal torso frame from a corner, attaching it to the chain and hoisting it just above the ground.*

Zeta: Is this good enough for you Weavel, or has Mother spoiled you?

[motheratfacetroid]

*As they neared another part of the station with the repair room, the ship gradually opened up, but with it came moving parts. Powerful pistons, groaning, damaged cogs, and oil-filled tubes lined the ceilings and walls. A pirate with only one arm, which was mechanical, greased moving cogs with a rag. He gave an empathetic smile to Weavel.*

Zeta: All have a place here. Mother would surely have culled these pirates. I've tried my best to keep this place under my power. There are a few other spawnships, but they are for mass breeding, and under her control. I'm the pioneer guiding them forward. I'm the composer making sure the pirate genome doesn't become Mother's wasteful toy. Instead they could live in harmony, if they only gave it a chance. Vexon is taking advantage of my kindness, you know. Here we are, repair room.