A Heart in the Machine (Serial Designation V x Reader)

A/N: This chapter has some music aspects that are optional, but are what I had in my head while writing, so feel free to play them while you read. I'm using my allotted corny ahh soundtrack coupon for this chapter.

Also, for the purpose of this story, V doesn't know that Tessa isn't Tessa. I've seen some people say she knew in the show, others say she didn't. I don't really care. She doesn't know. K thx bye

You roll across the cold floor, momentum carrying you straight to V's feet.

She stares down at you, her yellow eyes wide with shock before narrowing into an irritated glare.

"Are you stupid?" she growls.

You chuckle, wincing as you push yourself up. "Maybe—but you did say you'd kill me if I left your side again."

She groans, dragging a hand down her face. "Unbelievable."

Before you can say anything else, she grabs you by the collar with one hand, flares her wings, and launches both of you down the hall.

The sheer force of the takeoff knocks the sentinels aside, some tumbling back as the two of you shoot past. The wind rushes against your frame, and for a moment, it almost feels like you might be okay.

Then, more sentinels pour in through the far entrance, blocking your escape.

You grit your teeth. "It's not looking good."

V sighs, shifting her grip on you before setting you down. "Yeah.. my bad. Shouldn't have dragged you into this."

You reach out, grabbing her hand before she can pull away. She blinks, eyes darting up to yours.

"If I'm gonna die again," you say, "I'm glad it's with you. Don't apologize for that."

Her fingers tighten around yours, a small, almost bashful smile pulling at her lips.

Then, an idea sparks in your mind.

"Hey, if we are gonna die, might as well do it in style."

V cocks her head. "The hell does that mean?"

You grin. "Mind if I play a little something?"

Her smile widens, razor-sharp teeth glinting in the dim light.

"Fuck yeah."

With a flicker of internal code, you activate your built-in JCJenson speaker system, with music courtesy of Uzi and a bit of piracy.

A small MP3 player interface pops into view on your HUD:

▶ Ballroom Blitz - Krokus00:00 ◉——————————— 04:01

The opening riff kicks in just as you tighten your grip on your hammer, glancing at V. She meets your gaze with a wild grin, claws twitching in anticipation. "I can work with this. Just try to keep up." she says, her voice nearly lost beneath the wailing guitars.

She surges forward before the first sentinel can even react, her claws tearing through its skull in a violent spray of glowing ichor. You follow in her wake, swinging your hammer into the nearest sentinel's head before it can light up, cracking its visor and sending it reeling. Another lunges from the side, but V is already there, catching it mid-air and hurling it into the wall hard enough to leave a dent.

You focus on watching her back, slamming your hammer into the legs of any sentinels trying to flank her. Each time she advances, you move with her, sweeping up any stragglers before they can become a threat. When a pair of them leap from opposite sides, she lets out a frustrated growl. "Ugh, there's too many of these freaks! Techie, time for a ride."