Out in the desert wastes, far below the wealthy airships that treat the barren earth they'd left as a waste dump for their lavish livelihoods, lay miles and miles of trash and metal and parts. It was a surface-dweller's best bet on getting materials worth anything to sell or work with, and especially for those who loved to make little automatons and robots.
This day, cooler due to cloud cover and safe due to the lack of ships, seems to be one like any other, still and quiet and dead as all things left here should be.
Remus tramped through the trash heaps, salvaging bolts, wires, and honestly anything he could find that looked like it was made of undiluted metal and would be safe to remelt without letting out fumes. He cleared away a hunk of a tin roof only to drop it in surprise. Was that a.... hand?
"always."
"Then let him know you love him even when hes broken."
"i do. every day."
"Alright. Ready to go?"
Roman nods, drifting off.
Janus carried him out to the car.
Emile helps load everything and everyone in. "We're taking the car a few miles out, then hopping the nearest train."
"Alright. Thats for the best." Janus nods, placing Roman in the back next to Remus.
Patton and Virgil stay cuddled up with their respective people.
Emile starts driving, trying not to look back. He tries not to think of Remy, or his workshop, or the people he'd grown to appreciate in town. He could save grieving for another day.
Janus takes a deep breath, looking at the five in the back, knowing hed do anything to keep them all safe. Hed do anything to keep Emile safe too. He just hopes they got out in time.
"What do you think it was?"
"Some sort of trackers or data transferring software. Malware."
"Some kind of interference, had to be. Maybe it was... speakers? If so, that could explain why Patton has some processed audio that no one would've told him. Someone could've been poisoning his data, and when it didn't work, they tried to get rid of the evidence."
"That could be too. I didnt have time to take it apart."
"I wasn't worth it. But we might want to look over Patton's memories just in case."
"Thats smart. Youre always sosmqrt, Em."
Emile smiles softly, before sighing. "I'll need to come back one day. I don't want to leave him to rot in the desert alone..."
"We will. But hed want us safe." Janus softly assures.
Emile nods. "i know..."
They sit in a tense silence for most of the drive till Janus goes pale. "Em... we're being followed."
Emile curses. "You trust me, love?"
"With all my heart."
"Then hold on." He spins the car a full 180, and waits as he watches the other car get closer.
Remus yelps, gripping Virgil close.
Logan braces them against the car frame.
Janus watches Emile and the approaching car.
Roman jolts awake, confused.
Patton and Virgil shudder in terror.
Emile stays quiet, silently mouthing something as he focuses on the car rapidly approaching them.
Logan pulls Patton into his chest then scoots closer to Virgil and Roman, ready to protect them.
Janus watched the car, taking deep breaths to keep trusting Emile.
"Hold on." That's all the warning they get before Emile FLOORS it, using the speed and momentum of the other car to vault over it while also puncturing the other car's tires in the sharp shards of glass and gravel. He keeps the speed up, taking off into the desert with a grin.
Patton and Virgil both shriek, but settle as they watch the broken-down car fade into the distance.
Roman clings to Remus and Logan, not letting go until the car is in the distance.
Remus curls up in a ball, his breathing shallows.
Janus grips the mid counsel, but then looks at Emile in shock and admiration. "That was stunning. Where did you learn to do that??"
"Haven't done this since school." Emile says, laughing a bit. "Can't believe I've still got it. Used to run from the chasers more often than you'd approve of. Rem got me in all kinds of trouble." He keeps driving, trying to get some distance.
Roman notices, and curls up closer with his twin.
Janus chuckles too. "You always were a fast learner.
Remus slowly begins to breathe less raggedly. He leans against his twin for comfort.
Roman smiles a bit, settling.
Emile hums. "Been doing this since before Patton and Logan, honey. I've been a rebel for far longer than you give me credit for."
"I know, you two made life fun." Janus sighs.
Emile laughs, and starts off towards the nearest town.
Remus manages to catch his breath and holds Roman for comfort, enjoying the warmth of something else thats alive.
Roman settles in the cuddles. Something about the other just feels right in a way Roman hasn't ever really felt.
Remus settles, feeling complete.
Patton watches quietly, feeling a bit lonely.
Virgil shifts to Logan, trying not to watch cause he's a little upset.
Logan pulls the two dolls close, trying to comfort them.
Patton settles at the closeness.
Virgil squeezes in beside Patton, both of them now halfway in Logan's chest.
Logan expends his chest as much as he can,making a mental note to rearrange so they could both fit. But he holds them safe.
They cuddle inside of him, both settling to the sound of Logan's gears. Almost by magic, the two music sources start to play at once, harmonizing together for a beautiful song.
Remus instantly fell asleep to the music, having used all his energy in the panic.
So does Roman.
Emile smiles softly at the sound as they continue driving as the sky darkens.
Janus relaxed too, enjoying seeing them all relax.
"So... it's going to be a crazy few months." Emile admits, keeping his voice down.