Content warning for Fantasy Blood, Gore and Character Death. Reader's discretion is advised.

Mission Parameters Updated
By Random_Canis

Sparks ignited as a pair of swords clashes. Both of the Combat Androids grunts as they tried to push the other back. One of them was far more advance than the other and yet. Why couldn't she gain the upper hand on the other? It was a very simple answer, she processed, sheer combat experience. She grounds her fangs as her opponent deflected her sword away. The opponent then swiftly kicks her away, causing her to lost her grip on the sword as she stumbled backwards. Her opponent quickly closed the distance, his sword already poised for an slash. ‘So this was it... killed in action… by a Prototype no less… How humiliating?’

The sword cleaves the enemy unit in half as her sword skids across the floor. Sparks flew out of the disemboweled android as red plasma splashes down to the floor. The Prototype panted heavily in exertion, even though he clearly didn't need to, as he scans the surrounding area for more enemy units. He lowers his sword slightly when none showed up on his radar. He scanned once more and turns toward a chunk of debris a few feet away from him. “The coast's clear Professor.” He calls out softly as he moved towards it.

“My! You're as efficient as always!” the Professor replied as he steps out from behind the debris. The old wolf anthro dusts himself as he surveyed the now destroyed hallway. Six more androids were strewed across the hall in pieces. He sighed in relief as his meticulous maintenance on the prototype android has finally paid off. He was always questioned on why he maintained and added slight modifications to the decommissioned prototype, out of his own pocket even. Oh how he wanted to rub this moment into his colleagues’ faces. But he wouldn't be able to, for they’ve either been killed or taken against their will.

The old wolf shook his head in grief before he asks the android to follow him. The android looks confused but still followed the professor. Even though he knew that they were heading away from the nearest exit. “We shouldn't go any farther than this.” The android stated as he kept his vigilance. The professor chuckles as he kept venturing deeper into the damaged facility. “I know Ulric, but I have to retrieve this project.” The old wolf stated as he slows down to be beside the android. “I'm sure you can rebuild it again any other time.” Ulric huffed as he peeks into a different hallway scanning for enemies. The old wolf chuckled at the reply before he collapses into a coughing fit. The android took a step towards the wolf but halts as the professor held up a hand.

The old wolf recovers and grumbled at his deteriorating body. He takes a deep breath before he continued his track towards his quarters. The android follows with an concerned expression, he wondered what was so important to the old wolf, that he was jeopardizing his own safety. He shook his head and focuses back on protecting his creator’s great grandson for now, as it was his current mission. The old wolf saw this and smiled, to think that a prototype, his great grandmother had developed, would evolve to this level. He looked forward and nods his head firmly. Ulric definitely deserved an upgrade.

Not long after, they arrived at their destination. Ulric dispatching all of the enemy units they ran into. The professor admired how an old prototype like Ulric, was making short work of the Combat Androids far more advance than he was. The pair arrived at their destination before long. After a small hassle of trying to open the door, they regained access to the professor's quarters. Who rushed towards the adjacent wall, quickly pushing a hidden console open in it. A small compartment whirls open with a click after the old wolf entered the necessary password. He swiftly pulled out a bulky custom-made laptop and places it on top of a pile of debris before he boots it up. Ulric swept his eyes across his charge’s quarters before shifting his focus back to being vigilant.

The old wolf started to type away at his laptop, his digits a blur as they flew across the keys with practiced ease. No enemy units stumbled upon them during the process luckily, as he boots up the necessary programs. He nods and called out to the android to come to him. Ulric scanned the area once more before he walks toward his charge. He went to ask what he can do for the old wolf. “I'm going to link you into the project. It’s a Vessel I’ve been building and developing for years now. And I know you're the perfect candidate to operate it.” The old wolf said as he kept typing away.

Ulric took a step back in surprise. So the project was a Vessel. They’ve been in high demands every since androids pretty much replaced the need for organic soldiers. He should know, since he helped kick-start the new generation of military power. “Why me?” Ulric asked softly as he looks over his shoulder. The old wolf looks up towards the android before he stopped typing and walks towards him. “Because you're the only one I trust enough to operate this vessel. And because it's high time you’ve gotten a permanent upgrade.” The old wolf replied as he raises his hands and caressed the android's cheeks.

Ulric’s visors blinked a bit, he mulled over what the wolf has said before he nodded firmly. The wolf smiles and took a step back. “Dev Command. Eject MCD.” He commanded. Ulric’s body slumps down slightly as it shuts down, a small panel opened up on the vessel's abdomen. Ulric’s Core ejects from it's slot with a whirl. The old wolf gently takes ahold of it and walked briskly towards his laptop. He plugged it into his laptops and watches as a text box appeared. “You have control Professor.” Ulric typed out in the display box. The old wolf nods and immediately started to transfer Ulric's data to his new vessel.

The transfer was going well, until the wolf heard several footsteps coming towards their way. He takes ahold his laptop and ducked behind the makeshift table. Ulric saw the wolf's action through the camera. “Professor! Stop the transfer and put me back into my old vessel!” He typed out. The old wolf shakes his head and sped up the process instead. “PROFESSOR!” the text appeared as the footsteps stopped right outside the room. “Target located!” numerous voices mumbled.

The professor’s ears folded down, the transfer was nearly complete. But the androids outside were entering the room. He grits his fangs, he needed to buy some time. His right hand suddenly split in half, and a gun’s barrel extends out once the hand opened up. Ulric felt dread dug it's claws into him. “NO! DON'T!” He typed out. The wolf stood up, his left hand braced on his right and open fired. He managed to took out two of the nine androids gathered outside the room. Before he felt a high caliber bullet tear through the bottom of his right ribs. He dropped to the floor roughly. He coughs out blood and winced as pain blazes to life across his body. He glanced over towards his laptop. ‘TRANSFER COMPLETED. PURGING ALL DATA.’ He grinned happily through the pain as blood pools beneath him.

The remaining seven enemy units stepped forward to retrieve the coughing wolf. They stopped advancing when the wall adjacent to them hisses open. And a seven foot long sword whistled through the air, cutting through two of the units in half. The sword embeds itself into the wall as a white blur dashes out from the now opened passage in the wall. Three units tried to raise their guns, but the white blur quickly cut the guns in half and disemboweled them with another sword. One of the remaining two tried to gun down the threat. Only for white blur to throw it's sword right into it's head. The last unit, seeing how ineffective long range weapons were, drew it's own sword and lunges for the white blur. The white blur quickly dodged, takes ahold of the sword arm and crushed it. The enemy unit dropped it's sword, it clangs on the ground as it's head was grabbed. The white blur slammed it's head into the wall, denting and cracking it, before it crushed the head. One of it's optics was squeezed out from it's socket and dangles before the android was thrown away. All the enemy androids were taken out in a minute.

Ulric panted softly as all of the enemy androids were strewed across the room in pieces now. He now has the appearance of an anthro wolf with white and grey fur. And the vessel looked more organic than all of the enemy units. His fur and bushy tail swayed in the wind, as his gold eyes swept across the room. Before he quickly ran towards the bleeding wolf and knees down beside him. He gently pushes his hands beneath the coughing wolf and cradles him to his chest. “Hold on! I'll patch you up-“ he was cut off by the old wolf. “We b-both know that I w-won't make it Ulric.” The professor coughed out. Ulric's eyes starts to moisten as he frantically scanned the room for a med-kit.

The professor gazes lovingly at the android as he reached up and caresses the side of Ulric's muzzle. The upgraded android quickly takes ahold of the hand and nuzzled it as tears start to stream down his face. A soft yet content smile spreads across the dying wolf's face at the display of genuine emotions from the android. Years of hard work on the Vessel has reached it's zenith and he gave it to the perfect candidate. “You really are my great grandmother's Magnum Opus.” The professor whispered softly, “And now, you've also became mine as well.” He continued as he wrapped the hand caressing Ulric's cheek around his head. The wolf brought the android closer, pressing his forehead against the android's.

“Dev Command. Set Permanent Mission Parameter.” The professor mumbled. Ulric's eyes glow as he held the wolf gently, tears continued to stream down his muzzle and onto the wolf. “Mission Objective, LIVE.” The wolf whispered quietly. Ulric's eyes flashes briefly before he gently nodded against the wolf's head. “Thank you… for everything.” Ulric whispers as he nuzzled the dying wolf. Memories of every interaction he had with the wolf flashes across his eyes. All the times they just talked about random subjects, all the small modifications he thought unnecessary but later found how useful they were. And every other moments they've spent in each other's company. They surfaced in his mind, making him start to sob softly. The wolf smiled as he nuzzles back before he laid his head against Ulric's chest. “I'll tell great grandmother you said “Hi”. And Ulric… Thank you for always being there for me.” The wolf mumbled as his eyes slow closes and passed away with a peaceful smile. Ulric stared at the wolf for a few moment before he held him close once more. Uncaring of the blood staining his body.

A robot floats out of the open passage in the wall. It’s head shaped like a wolf's, it's hands limp as it's body was just made of a wolf's head, a small abdomen and tail. It floats towards Ulric and stayed silent for a moment before it made itself know. “Greetings U0.” it spoke in a masculine voice. Ulric slowly looked up towards the floating robot. He narrowed his eyes. The swords embedded in the wall and an enemy unit suddenly disintegrated. They then materializes behind Ulric, ready to be drawn. “Who are you?” Ulric asked quietly. “I am Tactical Support Unit Pod 337.” The pod replied. “Tactical Support? I don't remember….” He softly trailed off as he gazes down at the wolf. “Affirmative. No request was received from Unit U0. Rather. This was the final order I have received from the Professor.” The pod replied again. “I see…”

Ulric cleaned the blood off of the professor and himself as much as he could. He then gently places the Professor into a capsule he managed find in the ruined facility. He carried it outside slowly as to not disturb the wolf laying it in with the pod dutifully following him. Ulric now dons an improvised skirt that covers his left leg more than his right. He placed the capsule down with a sad smile and leans his forehead against it.

“Proposal: Unit U0 should state his intentions.” The pod chimed. “Why?” The android mumbled back. “In order to provide optimal support. Pods must be supplied with data relating to the activities of supported units.” The pod recited. Ulric hums softly as he took a deep breath and stands up. “I'm going to carry out the final order I've received from the Professor.” He stated firmly. “Noted. This pod shall provide optimal support for Unit U0.” The pod stated firmly as well. Ulric nods as he gazed down at the content smile on the wolf's face. “Thank you… for everything.” He whispered to the wolf again.

“Alert! Multiple Airborne Allied signatures detected from the West.” The pod chimed as it turns to look in the direction. The android saw a display box open in his hub. The pod was sending a live feed through their link. He saw several transport units approaching the facility rapidly. “Proposal: Regroup with allied units-“ the pod chimed before it was cut off. “No! We are not regrouping.” Ulric barked sharply at the pod. The pod merely tilted it's head, “Why?” it asked confusedly. “I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of wars.” The android replied as he gently caresses the capsule. “Understood. Proposal: Relocate.” The pod stated firmly as it starts floating beside Ulric's shoulder. “Already on it.” The android stated as starts walking away with the pod following close behind. He glanced back towards the capsule one more time before he dashed away. His head and upper body hardly moves as he channels his energy into a full sprint without unnecessary movements that wasted his energy. The pair was long gone by the time the transport units arrived and secured the facility, as well as recovering the professor's capsule for a proper funeral.

This is Prototype Combat Unit U0.
Commencing Operation…
LIVE.

The End

A/N: This is the first time I actually sat down and wrote a story for one of my characters properly. Now I'm going to address some obvious facts in this short story. One being the lack of the name for the Professor. And the second being why I used pronouns to describe an android or two here.

The professor lacked a name because I haven't had the time to actually sit down and thought of a name for him. He’s a heavily WIP character but I couldn’t wait any longer to actually write this. So yeah, that's why he lacked a name.

The pronouns for the androids are there because it has been over 150+ years since Ulric was decommissioned. Several advances had been made in the manufacturing of the Vessel's for the androids that they can slightly replicate organic features. Do note that while they replicate organic features. They're vessels are far less advance compared to the Ulric's Vessel. As it completely replicates an organic life-form, hence why he can cry during one of the scene. The androids don't really mind using the pronouns as they are nothing more than codes of sentient data. But they do adopt pronouns to make them easier for the organic life forms to recognize them.

And that's about it. Hope anyone who’ve read this story enjoyed it as much as I did writing it! Now do I plan to write more of Ulric's story, perhaps. Maybe when I feel like sitting down and writing again. But who knows! Only time can tell.