It was a small relief. "Reboot your optic scans." 03 said. He nodded and his eyes went even darker. "I-I can't see you guys." "Purge your eyes 02. They must have been corrupted." I said. He did so after screaming in agony. He was writhing in pain. When the new eyes came in, they were just as unclear and unfocused as it was when we first brought him in. "I...still can't see you!" he said. We were not able to do much. Healing magic did not work on constructs. Neither of us could give him his sight back. It was a really bad situation. The clan leader refused to plug him into anything. "He might still be infected in some way. We can't risk it." he said. I had to agree. 02 was now permanently blind. "What can you see?" one of his sires asked. "I just see shapes in front of me." was his response. We let him get up and pat him on the back. "I... want to go back now." he said. "You're staying here with us for now." the leader said. 02 reached towards his voice. "Leader? What will I do? I don't think I can see." 02 asked him. "I know exactly what you can do. You will work the desk and talk to humans." he said.
02 did not look happy about that. Volition Clan morale was rapidly declining. "Let's cheer for 02! He's the winner and we need to cheer him up." I said. They looked at each other and then began cheering for him. Humans at the gym also came over and began cheering. Some of the gym bros lifted 02 on their shoulders and paraded him around. 01 and 03 followed. "What did 02 do?" one of the humans asked happily. Brett sighed. "He was in a fight. It looks like his eyesight is fucked though." he said blandly. The human frowned at that. "That's a bummer. He can get one of those new eyes though. You guys look like purists, but it's never too late to start. Hell, he can probably get a medical set from the local doctor. I can get the guys together to pitch in." The clan leader looked skeptical. "You guys. Pay for 02's eyes. You don't even know him." he said. Another human came up and told us "Sure we do! He's always around, trying to help us out with the equipment until the older guys chase him." "He's a beast on the court too. No one can beat them." another added. The clan leader was shocked.
Placing a hand on the leader's shoulder, I said "Looks like our leader here has a real knack with kids. Raising them up so well. 02 is really loved, huh?" I said smugly. All his surliness aside, people loved this place. The humans began to give their praises to the leader too. He rolled his eyes and said "Stop with the sappy shit. He's a fighter not a charity case." The humans nodded and went to say their encouragements to 02 before leaving. When it was closing time, everyone said goodbye. 02 was a bit happy from the small smile on his face. Everyone in the clan had heard and embraced him. 02 hugged and nuzzled against his sires the most. The leader was the last to hug him. "You were the best fighter we had." he said. 02 looked really happy. "Leader, thank you! I'll never let you down. That's why... I have to go back." The leader pulled out a gun and held it right between 02's eyes. I was going to stop him when Brett covered my mouth and held me. The leader pulled the trigger. 02 flew back in surprise. "Leader... run!!" 02 murmured. He pulled out the shotgun I gave him even on the floor.
