DC Universe- 2100

"I'm guessing you're not talking about pushing drugs.", Derek says.


12 turns his head to 21 again and reluctantly walks over.

"Only the legal kind" Edgar said "but no, that's not what I'm thinking."

"I guess we head out tonight then.", Derek says.


12 tilts his head to the side as if he was checking something in his protocol. It takes a minute until 12 reaches out and places his palm against the back of 21's head, activating it.

"Do you have other plans?" Edgar asked "another date with Delilah perhaps or Brass?"

"Is there something you wish to say to me, Edgar?"

"Only to be careful" Edgar said

"I try to. Don't worry about me. See you tonight.", Derek says and hangs up.

21 comes online and looks to 12. "Unit Twenty-One: Active. Checking Imperative...Imperative Acknowledged. Protect Lorelei Foster. Self Analysis...Insufficient Functionality to fulfill Imperative. Correcting," it says before turning and walking off.

12 turns to watch 21 walk off before following and catching up with the unit, placing his hand on 21's shoulder. "Unit Twenty-One: Scheduled for maintenance."

"Yes, for once the talon will work with the Bat" Edgar said

"False. This Unit...I...was scheduled for decommissioning," 21 says. Suddenly it turns and grabs 12, lifting him on one hand. "You have given me false information. Given your apparent sapience, the only logical reasoning would be that you lied. My imperative is to protect designation: Lorelei Foster and let nothing stand in my way. Neither a lost unit without an imperative, nor the inept creator will prevent me from carrying that imperative out...Termination Unnecessary. Opposition not a threat. Solution: Temporary Removal." He then throws 12 in the scraps of the other drones and equipment before walking off.

12 slowly digs his way out of the rubble and stands up unsteadily before gaining balance. "Return... to your station, 21. Or... I... will have to perform the necessary action to ensure that you comply, willingly or otherwise."

21 pauses and looks over his shoulder at 12. "No," he says, suddenly beginning to emit a much harsher version of his frequency, more like an internal attack than communication.

12 staggers from the intense frequency and falls down on one knee, struggling against it. He suddenly lashes out and sends a fierce tornado that sweeps 21 further into the cave that leads to the exit.

21 slowly gets up. "Adjusting...equilibrium. Corrected." He looks toward the exit then back to 12 and down at his own damaged arm. "New objective: Self Repair and Improvement so I will be sufficient to fulfill the Imperative. Unit 12, not a priority. Leaving." Then he turns and rockets off.

12 stands the for a minute before banging his palm against the side of his head repeatedly until Derek returns down to the cave. "What...". He sees the 21 drone missing and then looks at 12. "...Great.".

Derek contacts Angelica.

Angelica responds to her communicator after getting everything put away. "Is this about work?"

"What? Y-No. No, it's... not exactly. Is Lorie there with you? I need to know."

"Yeah, she's here. Lorie, c'mere," Angelica says.

"What's up?" Lorie responds.

"Did you have anything to do with 21's imperative before I took it down?"

"Uh, nope. Why? Something wrong with it?"

"...You keep this quiet to Angelica, alright? 21 is officially a rogue."

"O-okay...but...why are we keeping her out of this? How dangerous is he? Isn't that the broken one?"

"12 says he managed to disable 21's arm and is now out for repairs until he can return to his original imperative; Protecting you. And... no, do tell her."