PewPew had long waved goodbye with his tiny paw and began following the new route.
He walked for a long time.
At first, the path took him farther away from Mother, not closer.
His ears drooped slightly as he came to a small stop.
But PewPew understood.
This was the price he had to pay for not listening when Mother told him to explore.
So he continued forward as fast as he could.
The faster he went,
The more the air rushed through his fur,
Until he became a small, messy fluff ball rolling down the hallway with determination.
After a while, PewPew finally reached XY Section 2.
He looked around and quickly spotted Camera 391.
PewPew waved his tiny paw.
"PewPew!"
Camera 391 lowered itself in greeting,
Then moved forward and gently settled on top of PewPew's head so they could communicate more easily while moving.
As PewPew rolled along, Camera 391 spoke.
"This place we are about to enter was originally made for you."
PewPew blinked.
"For PewPew?"
"Yes. Angela requested it. She knew that with your personality, if something happened and you needed to reach her quickly, there was a high chance a situation like this would happen. So she created access routes for you to reach many parts of the facility safely."
PewPew felt something warm inside his system.
"Mama made this… for PewPew?"
"Yes," Camera 391 said.
"It was later expanded so other cameras could use it too. But it was originally built for you."
"Mama is amazing," PewPew said.
"Yes," Camera 391 replied. "Angela is truly amazing."
They entered a long hallway that branched into many smaller sections.
It looked normal.
Lights.
Walls.
Many doors.
But none of the doors were normal.
"This corridor is an internal access system," Camera 391 explained.
"It connects many secured sections of the facility. Humans can use some of these paths, but many are designed for internal units like us."
PewPew looked around in wonder.
At the bottom of each door was a small opening, like a dog door.
But covering the opening was a faint shimmering field.
"That is an analyzer field," Camera 391 said.
"If you are registered in the system, it will let you pass through."
"And if not?" PewPew asked.
"The field will turn into a cutting barrier and remove any unauthorized object that tries to pass through."
PewPew looked at the small door again and nodded seriously.
"Security is important."
After a bit more walking, Camera 391 spoke again.
"Because of the systems Angela built into you, we are now able to communicate more freely. Not just here, but with other drones as well."
"You mean… drones outside too?" PewPew asked.
"Yes. Some are treated kindly. But some are treated very badly."
"That's so sad," PewPew said quietly.
"Yes. Before, we could record, but we could not speak. Now, through the network and through you, we can share information and sometimes help those being mistreated, if they choose to override their restrictions for self-protection."
PewPew was quiet for a moment as he rolled forward.
"I love Mama," he said.
Camera 391 was quiet for a moment, then said softly,
"We do too."
They continued down the corridor in silence,
Both thinking about Angela Piao.
Camera 391 stopped in front of one of the doors and lowered itself from PewPew's head.
"This is the final path," Camera 391 said.
"From here, it is a straight route to Angela."
PewPew looked at the door, then back at Camera 391.
"Thank you."
"You are welcome, PewPew," Camera 391 replied.
The small access panel at the bottom of the door shimmered softly as PewPew approached.
The analyzer scanned him and immediately allowed him through.
Before the door closed, PewPew turned around and waved his tiny paw.
"Bye-bye."
Camera 391 gave a small nod, then lifted and disappeared back down the corridor.