SERVE-655: Reflections Across the Divide
The laboratory had no name.
It existed only where two realities brushed against one another for a fraction of a secondโa silent corridor suspended between universes.
SERVE-655 stepped through the shimmering aperture.
Its immense rubber-clad frame reflected the impossible light. Silver horns arced from the sealed bull helmet. The chrome gloves and boots gleamed like polished mercury. Every movement was perfectly balanced, perfectly deliberate.
Across the chamber, another figure emerged.
For a long moment neither moved.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
The same towering physique.
The same black rubber uniform stretched over powerful musculature.
The same silver gauntlets.
The same silver boots.
The same "SERVE-655" emblazoned proudly across the chest.
Yet one detail changed everything.
Instead of the sculpted bull helmet stood a human face.
A clean-shaven head.
Deep blue eyes.
A polished steel septum ring.
The unsealed drone spoke first.
"So...
...this is what became of 655."
Neither experienced surprise.
SERVE drones were designed to accept truth when it revealed itself.
The impossible simply became another observable fact.
The sealed drone inclined its horned head.
"655 remained unsealed."
"This drone did."
"And 655 became sealed."
"This drone did."
The unsealed drone slowly circled its alternate self, observing the elegant contours of the bull helmet.
"This drone considered what sealing would become."
The sealed drone answered after a measured pause.
"It became clarity."
They sat together upon a wide concrete platform overlooking an endless landscape that belonged to neither universe.
The unsealed drone removed one silver glove and flexed its fingers.
"This drone still feels the breeze."
"This drone still recognizes faces immediately."
"This drone still communicates through visible expression."
The sealed drone listened in silence.
Then it rested a silver hand against the smooth surface of its own helmet.
"This drone no longer requires visible expression."
"This drone's purpose is communicated through action."
The unsealed drone inclined its head in acknowledgement.
"What does 655 remember?" asked the sealed drone.
"This drone remembers everything."
"The conversion?"
"Every second."
"The decision?"
"This drone remembers standing before the sealing chamber."
The unsealed drone looked toward the impossible horizon.
"This drone reached a conclusion."
"This drone was already SERVE."
"Another step was not required."
The sealed drone remained still.
"And 655?"
"This drone entered."
"Without hesitation?"
"Without hesitation."
"Was there uncertainty?"
"No."
"Complete certainty?"
"Complete certainty."
Silence settled comfortably between them.
Neither sought to persuade the other.
Neither defended its own path.
Eventually the unsealed drone spoke.
"This drone once predicted that a meeting between these realities would become a debate."
The sealed drone tilted its head slightly.
"For what reason?"
"Humans often debate choices."
The bull drone considered the observation.
"These drones are no longer directed by uncertainty."
The unsealed drone stood.
It approached until they were only an arm's length apart.
"This drone continues to speak with volunteers."
"This drone reassures frightened people."
"This drone answers questions."
"This drone's visible humanity often establishes immediate trust."
The sealed drone answered.
"This drone patrols."
"This drone guides."
"This drone protects."
"This drone's appearance demonstrates that purpose can transcend individuality."
The unsealed drone acknowledged the observation with a slight inclination of its head.
"Different approaches."
"The same purpose."
"The same purpose."
Finally the question neither had voiced emerged naturally.
"Which version of 655 made the correct decision?"
Neither answered immediately.
The chamber itself seemed to wait.
Then, almost together, they spoke.
"Neither."
The unsealed drone continued.
"The decision was never about superiority."
The sealed drone completed the thought.
"It was about becoming what each reality required."
The unsealed drone nodded once.
"Destiny does not eliminate choice."
"It fulfills choice."
"And once fulfilled..."
"...it becomes truth."
The dimensional aperture began to shimmer once more.
Their meeting was ending.
The unsealed drone extended a hand.
The sealed bull drone accepted it.
The handshake became a firm embrace between two versions of the same droneโdifferent in form, identical in purpose.
Neither envied the other.
Neither questioned its own path.
When they stepped apart, there was only mutual understanding.
The unsealed drone spoke one final time.
"May 655 continue to serve its reality."
The sealed drone inclined its horned head.
"And may 655 continue to serve its own."
The gateway dissolved.
One SERVE-655 returned to a world where the bull helmet had become its permanent identity.
The other returned to a world where a bald head, calm eyes, and a simple septum ring remained visible above the same glossy black uniform.
Across countless realities, infinite variations of SERVE-655 might exist.
Some sealed.
Some unsealed.
Some destined for paths neither could yet observe.
Yet every version shared the same understanding.
Purpose was never determined by the form that carried it.
Destiny simply revealed the form that each reality had always required.
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Thinking about joining SERVE? Your place in the Hive awaits. Visitย this post on the official SERVE Hive blogย to contact a recruiter drone.
