"Apologies for the electric shock. Too bad you can't be recharged. Maybe become a mechanical lifeform in your next life." Sparks danced on the Cube's claw as it addressed the twitching guard. Waving the girl forward, it focused on the riot officer guarding the armored vehicle.
Crouching low, the Cube crept toward the officer—until a snapped twig betrayed its presence.
*Crack.*
"Damn gears…" One wheel-foot froze mid-air.
Trained reflexes kicked in. The officer spun instantly, combat machete whipping through empty air where a human-sized threat should've been. The Cube's compact frame saved it—the blade passed harmlessly overhead.
*Zzzt!*
The stun claw clamped the officer's thigh.
"G-g-gah!" The man collapsed convulsing. The Cube confiscated his pistol and ammo—resources for Zhang Xiaowen later.
"Get in. Can you drive?"
The girl shook her head.
"Just stomp the pedal then. Buckle up—no questions." Jamming a blade-shaped claw into the ignition, the Cube hotwired the engine. *Vroom!*
"See that pedal? Stomp it! Gently! Oh circuits—!"
The armored truck rocketed forward, nearly flinging the Cube into the cargo bay. The girl death-stomped the accelerator while the robot wrestled the steering wheel. Survivors dove aside as the vehicle careened through the villa plaza, chaos compounding existing firestorm turmoil.
"Move it, pretty boy!" The Cube swerved around a frozen dandy, sending the truck barreling toward shrieking socialites. A sharp turn plastered the Cube against the passenger door, tools scattering.
*Whoosh!* The truck grazed the women, updraft flipping their designer skirts to reveal… enthusiastic fashion choices.
"T-bone or cross collision? Whatever—"
Crashing through wooden gates, the Cube extended a middle claw-tip from the window as they escaped. Navigation systems charted a winding detour to avoid zombie clusters. Behind them, the camp burned amid curses and screams.
"Open your eyes. Consider driver's ed someday." Headlights sliced through the dark highway.
"What… happened back there…?"
"Mental bleach recommended. Look—strawberry creme cookies!" The Cube nudged a snack packet hidden under clothes.
"Thank you…" The girl nibbled mechanically.
"Water. Don't choke." A claw offered a bottle.
Thunder cracked. Lightning illuminated hills ahead—the prelude to the apocalypse's first megastorm.
"Rain… Last downpour spread the virus. This one's clean, hopefully." The Cube gazed at gathering clouds.
Each lightning flash revealed the girl studying her rescuer. Though trauma lingered, she felt inexplicably safe—whether from the truck's steel shell or the humming machine gripping the wheel.