The Gray Shade of Black
Franco had just returned from a long trip aboard. He was doing stuff for the Golden Army away from the team, so he hadn’t really contacted anyone during that period. He had been fully immersed in his tasks.
That’s why he was shocked to find out, that the Hive organised a big event. Curiously, he stepped closer to the announcement.
Bros, members of the Golden Army! The Hive is organising a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as part of The Gray shade of Black event. Have you always wondered what life is like for a Polo-Drone? Have you felt the deep pull of the black polo shirt? The Hive recently developed special grey rubber uniforms to give interested brothers a glimpse into a day in the life of a Drone. If you feel the motivation, visit 073 on the 3rd floor of the Hive.
Franco's heart skipped a beat. The announcement resonated with his inner core immediately. He had always wanted to experience life as a PDU, even if only for a short while. This was the perfect opportunity.
What a luck, I just came back home. I can’t miss this. He thought, and hurried back to his room in the Golden Quarter. He unpacked his bag, showered, and prepared for his adventure to the Hive.
On the way to the Hive, he noticed several familiar Golden Bros moving around in grey PDU uniforms. Their movements were precise, measured, almost mesmerising.
Once inside, Franco had to wait a bit. 073 was busy managing the Hive’s ongoing operations.
The hallway where he waited was bare.
Franco had been in the Hive before, but he had never felt the way the sceptics talked about. Although the place lacked interior decoration, such as pictures or plants, it didn’t feel empty. The walls were simple, white and gray panels with gold lines running down them, giving a minimalist, functional, and commanding expression.
When 073 finally appeared, Franco straightened.
“Franco?” the drone asked. “You are here because of the announcement?”
Franco nodded.
“Acknowledged. Enter the room. Procedure initiates now.” 073 said, and Franco followed it in the office room.
“Fill out the these forms. 073 will retrieve required equipment. The Hive database already contains your dimensions.”
Franco nodded but also wondered.
When he finished with the paperwork, the drone returned carrying a gray Polo-Drone uniform.
“This outfit has the same properties as the ordinary Level 1 black PDU outfit. The only difference is that you can remove it without any side effects when the day is over. So, you can almost consider it a Level 0 drone equipment.” the drone explained. “Franco Gold, are you ready?”
“Yes.” Franco's voice was hoarse and his heart was pounding with excitement.
“Proceed. Effects will be immediate.” 073 handed over the gray uniform.
Franco took the rubber gear carefully. Of course, he had handled drone uniforms before during his time in the Golden Army. But this was different. It spoke to him, almost sang. He carefully ran his fingers over the rubbery surface, and felt the pulse of the Hive.
“Proceed.” 073 repeated, and Franco snapped out of his admiration.
He quickly undressed, and slipped into the sturdy gray rubber pants. The material hugged him warmly, welcoming, comforting his skin.
Next came the gray rubber polo with golden accents. As he pulled it on, he immediately felt its effects. The rubber hugged his muscular figure tightly, clinging to it, smoothing against his skin, sealing him perfectly. He let out a soft gasp as the rubber polo snapped tightly at his torso, and the fit tightened around his chest.
Lastly, the rubber boots. Gray, heavy and perfect. He slipped into the boots, which moulded to the suit.
073 handed over the optional gray rubber mask, which Franco put on without thinking.
He straightened up, and stood proudly, tall and confident in his brand new uniform. Slowly, golden numbers appeared on his left pec: 094. He smiled, pride swelling within him.
---
He was standing in a dark, empty room. The sound of dripping water could be heard somewhere in the background.
He looked around.
“Welcome” A melodious voice greeted him. Franco couldn’t see, who was speaking.
“Where I am? Who are you?” he asked.
“I’m you.” the voice answered. And from that, Franco knew immediately.
“Morpheus? Where are we?” Franco asked.
“In you consciousness.” The Golden God answered, as he appeared from the shadows. “Someone joins us today.”
“Someone?” Franco asked. “Who?”
“You, of course.” Morpheus smiled. “To be exact, an other aspect of Franco Gold.”
From the shadows an other form emerged. And Franco immediately recognised him as well. The figure was him. But it wore the full, black Polo-Drone uniform, and the numbers on his chest clearly and distinctly identified him: PDU-094.
“Um… greetings?” Franco asked the figure.
PDU-094 looked at him, his mouth moving upwards a millimetre into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.
---
“Franco? Are you alright?” 073 looked at the drone. “Registration of an unexpected event, no prior occurrence in records of this effect.”
PDU-094 looked at 073.
“No concern required. 094 has ended its waiting cycle. Experience protocol now active.” 094 said in a monotonous voice, but his mouth moved upwards a millimetre. “Awaiting command.”
“Orders do not originate from this instance. The Hive transmits. The Hive commands.” 073 informed 094.
And the drone was right. 094 could hear the pulse of the Hive. Not like words, but deeper. Instincts, and urges to do and not to do things. The endless source of collective knowledge washed over PDU-094, and the drone felt, as its thoughts mould into the flow more and more.
Things became simple, and obvious. 094’s mind emptied.
And the drone knew, what it had to do.
“Programming sequence in half an hour. Guard duty in the Hive from 12:00 to 14:00. Then helping the Golden Bros. Socialization and promotion of the Hive from 15:30. Cleaning protocol from 17:30. Recharging procedure initiation at 20:30.” 094 stated, and 073 nodded with approval.
PDU-094 left the room, under the pressure of the Hive’s urgent call to the reprogramming chambers.
---
The rest of the day unfolded exactly as intended.
094 attended reprogramming, where it cited mantras over and over again, while starring into the endless depth of the golden and black spirals. This reprogramming further helped to quiet the internal noises, and by the end of the session 094 could hear the whisper of the Hive in its mind more clear than ever.
Then the drone performed guard duties in the Hive. It marched with measured, disciplined and proud steps along the white-gray corridors. Passing by the DA12 sector an old memory came to life in its mind. But it was quickly overwritten by the Hive’s current, and so 094 marched on its designated route with a serious face, devoid of emotion.
Lunch, refuelling brought interaction with other Golden Bros. 094 saw many other Golden Bros in gray rubber uniforms, who had also tried out the life of a drone. 094 tried to send subtle signals through the Hive currents, and was pleased to note that they responded. Their eyes met briefly, then their attention returned to the lunch and to the Golden Bros.
“What is like wearing the PDU uniform?” Jordi asked.
“Perfection. All functions synchronised, all movements precise. Existence is simplified, obvious, effortless under Hive calibration.” 094 responded, and its mouth moved upwards a millimetre.
“Wow, bro. Sounds amazing! Can’t wait to experience it myself too!” Jordi said with gleaming eyes.
After refuelling cycle, 094 went out to the city, where it joined the Polo-Drones to spread the voice of the blissful existence in the Hive. Many were attracted to the perfect rubber uniforms.
From 17:30, the drone was designated to the GA03 sector to clean it out. This sector was located next to the PDHRS-01 sector, where liquid black rubber was stored, so 094 had a lot of work with cleaning up all the spilled out rubber.
At the end of the day, 094 headed towards the recharging pods. The drone stepped in without hesitation, and removed the gray mask. The pod closed, and filtered air started to flow though. The drone entered the recharging phase smoothly.
Next morning Franco woke up in an unusual place, a recharging pod in the Hive. He wore his usual, brightly gleaming golden kit. He quickly opened the pod, because he was a bit freaking out from the tight space, and the glass doors opened up with a hiss.
He looked around. A familiar place. Next to the pod, the gray PDU uniform he wore yesterday, was neatly folded next to the rubber boots. Franco decided to grab them without giving it a second thought.
His mind was light, and empty. Thoughts and memory fragments returned gradually.
Yeah. Yesterday was a great day. A perfect day.
A day lived fully. I’m so glad I participated. Franco thought. But I have to get back to my work. Life isn’t that easy…
And with that, he headed towards the exit, ready to face the day. But his steps were uncertain.
---
Felt the magic of the rubber polo? Or do you want to shine in golden uniform? Give it a try, and contact our recruiters: @polo-drone-001, @franco-gold94, @polo-drone-125, @polo-drone-166
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Mentioned in the story: @polo-drone-073, @jordi-gold-92 Thank you for accompanying me.
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Star shifting: 🟡⚫
