My guardian robot and I duck into a cave, staying still and silent as the beast's massive stomps pass by us. When it's finally far enough away, I let out a sigh of relief...

"Handler," my guardian says, "status report."

"Um..." I check over my body. "All clear. No injuries. Research samples secure. Guardian, status report."

"Minor damage to torso armor. Ammunition at 30% capacity. Fuel at 15% capacity." Guardian gives me a moment to process before adding "Requesting emergency biofuel conversion."

I nod without hesitation. "Permission granted." If Guardian runs out of fuel, I'd have to carry it back, and I have neither the strength nor the weaponry to do that safely. I'd much rather let it carry me back.

"Permission received, initiating protocol." Guardian helps me remove my equipment and store the samples, before its head opens to reveal the tube to the conversion chamber. The first time we did this, Guardian rushed through it, and I was terrified. Countless missions later, it now waits for me to approach, and I walk into the arms of my guardian angel. It lifts me up and feeds me down the tube, and I arrive in the rubber conversion chamber.

"Conversion process ready," it says.

"Begin."

At my request, fluid begins to fill the chamber. It's acidic, yes, but it numbs the subject's pain receptors. The real scary part is that I have a fear of drowning, so the rising fluid always makes me me uncomfortable... "Handler, status report," Guardian says, distracting me from my fear.

"All clear. Fluid released as normal, numbing agent functional." The acid works fast; my legs are already melting away. Again, it was terrifying the first few times. "Guardian, fuel status."

"Fuel at 17%. Biofuel conversion is working as normal. Reformation data storage system fully operational and ready for use." It doesn't need to tell me that the storage system is working; protocol is to stop the whole process if the system is malfunctioning, so I already know it must be fine. But my guardian angel always reassures me that I'm safe.

"Copy that."

"Requesting emotional status report."

"Minimal fear, moderate-to-high comfort." Amazingly, I'm not lying; the rubber chamber really is quite nice, and the feeling of my body fading away is uniquely relaxing, especially because I know I'll be safe and sound inside my guardian angel. However, you don't tend to stay conscious for long when your body is dissolving in acid. "Loss of consciousness imminent," I report.

"Copy that. Reformation data storage system fully operational."

I sigh and smile. "Copy that... I trust you, angel."

"... Thank you."

I wish that could be the last thing I hear before fading away... But instead, I hear the enraged roar of a beast outside.




I'm alive. Alive and breathing again in our ship's reformation room. I look around, and beside my bed I spot my guardian- "Angel!" I cry, seeing its torn and dented body.

"Handler, status report."

"Wha- Angel, I'm fine, you need to get to the maintenance bay! How long have you been-"

It puts a hand on my shoulder, gently pushing me to lie back down. "Handler, status report."

... I try to calm down and take stock of my condition. I take a deep breath, move my arms and legs, and recall the mission. "... Body structure normal. Muscle and organ function normal. Memory and mental function normal. All clear."

Guardian takes its hand off me, returning to its neutral pose. "Copy that."

"Guardian, status report."

"All systems stable. Research samples destroyed in combat. Mission-"

"Status. Report." I glare at it.

"... Moderate damage to torso. Severe damage to arms. Moderate damage to weaponry. Moderate damage to legs. Minor damage to fuel tank. No damage to reformation data storage system. Minor damage to primary computing system. Ammunition at 0% capacity. Fuel at 23% capacity."

Damage to computing system... That might sound bad, but it's relative to importance, so minor damage basically means it knocked a few screws loose. I sigh with relief. "Report to maintenance bay for repairs."

"Requesting permission to oversee handler's recovery."

"Permission de..." I get an idea. "Granted." I stand up from my bed, pushing away Guardian's hand when it tries to make me stay lying. My legs are wobbly, and Guardian has to steady me to stop me from falling.

"The recommended resting time after reformation is at least 1 hour."

"That's a recommendation, not a requirement." I find my footing and start slowly walking, holding Guardian's hand. "If you want to oversee my recovery, you'll have to do it in the maintenance bay."

"... Copy that." I'm smiling at my success, but I end up yelping as Guardian scoops me up and starts carrying me.

"H-hey, guardians aren't supposed to do that without permission or an emergency!"

"Approximately 149 days ago, I was given indefinite permission when you said:" Guardian replays my voice. "'You can carry me any time, angel.' Are you revoking that permission now?"

... I smile and relax in Guardian's hold. "No."

"Copy that."




It's the day after the mission, and Guardian and I are taking a couple days off before trying again. We're relaxing in our shared room, when... "Handler."

I look up from my book. "Yes?"

"I have been considering..." Guardian pauses to think. An uncommon occurrence. "I..." Another pause, and then, "Requesting emergency biofuel conversion."

... I tilt my head. "Fuel status?"

"Fuel at 84% capacity."

"... Status of refueling station?"

"Ship refueling station fully operational."

"...... Permission granted."