Null Protocol || Ramattra x Reader

Chapter Nineteen

"Are you sure?" Mama whispered, cradling her child's face in her hands.

(Y/n) put her hands over her mom's, smiling despite the lump in her throat. "Maybe I'll be able to make a real difference, Mama. Maybe I'll finally figure out how to fix Omme." Surrounding herself with omnics could only further her goal, and no matter what she'd endure as the sole human aboard Ramattra's ship, that alone would make it all worth it.

She heard the door to the garage open and in walked Omme and the canine, who yipped and circled the table. Omme was visibly taken aback at the sight of the leader of Null Sector standing at the table, and Ramattra studied him back for a moment. "You must be the omnic the human has been attempting to fix."

"Omme," the other omnic introduced himself happily. "You saved me and so many others from a factory years ago!"

That caught the Ravager's attention, and he hummed as he walked over to inspect the damage more closely with a gentle hand and a soft tone (Y/n)'d never heard before. "I see the humans have been no kinder to you now than when you were forced into that diabolical sweatshop." His touch was firm as he brushed his fingertips across the hole, noting the modifications the mechanics made in an effort to mess with the omnic's head.

But Omme shook his head. "Oh, no, the humans have been so kind! Just tonight they stayed up late to fix me." His unrelenting chipper voice seemed to shock the Ravager, and Ramattra glanced back at the humans with a look (Y/n) couldn't place. "Humans need sleep, you know. And they set that aside for me."

"How..." Ramattra struggled to find the right word. "...thoughtful."

"I hoped I could one day thank you for saving me. But you seem very busy making waves in cities across the globe."

"Yes, well, that is certainly one way of putting it," Ramattra muttered. "Someone must champion omnics' cause, and...I am pleased to meet another that understands this is necessary." His hand lingered on the omnic's head like he was envisioning the head piece Omme mentioned he was putting on uncooperative omnics in Toronto, but he didn't seem pleased like he said he was. Omme smiled, completely unawares, and the Ravager's hand fell back to his side with a quiet scoff.

(Y/n) rounded the table to stand beside him, a sad smile on her lips she directed at Omme. "I'm gonna leave with Ramattra here and see if I can't find some nugget of knowledge to fix ya."

"Again?" Omme nervously clasped his hands, twisting his metal fingers. "But you said you barely survived last time."

"I said I'd fix you, didn't I?" She held up a fist. "And we (L/n)s keep our promises."

Omme hesitated then carefully reached out and bumped her fist with his own. "When will you come back?" She wasn't sure what to say, and she scrambled for something to fill the air with before she felt Ramattra's hand on her shoulder.

"She will return when she has obtained the information needed to fix you." It was a vague answer designed to keep him in the dark, and she couldn't help but wonder if Ramattra said it so Omme wouldn't worry. "Now say your goodbyes and gather your things. I will wait for you here." He pushed her towards the stairs, and she headed up to her room to gather clothes and various necessities.

By the time she was done, she had a full suitcase and a bag slung over her shoulder, and she carried them both down the stairs to be joined at the bottom by her parents. "I still can't believe you're doing this, sugar lump," Papa grumbled, pulling her into a bear hug that she could barely breathe in.

"I don't have no choice," she said when she was released, before just as quickly being scooped into Mama's arms. "Y'all know what danger you're in with me around."

"You're helping a terrorist, shug," Mama chided, her worry lines more prominent than ever.

"His means are a wee bit misguided but he's doing it for the right reasons." The looks her parents gave (Y/n) made her shrink back. "If he's really all that evil, why is he helping us?"

"You left a mark on him," Mama replied without missing a beat. "I don't know what happened up in them there mountains but I do know that you keep him coming back to you." (Y/n)'s protests died on her tongue as she realized Mama had a point, and she chewed on her bottom lip nervously. "Maybe this'll be a blessing in disguise." Mama's smile was warm, but she couldn't hide the undertone of sadness in it, like she knew she was grasping at straws but what else was she supposed to do when her only child was leaving with a chance of never coming back?

"No matter what happens, you keep fightin', sugar lump." Papa set a hand on her head, ruffling her hair while he pulled Mama into his side with his other arm. "Just like you did tonight." (Y/n) glowed under his praise, though she knew all she really did was buy Ramattra time to come to her rescue. Papa was the one to do actual damage, years of experience with the assortment of makeshift weapons any mechanic has making it almost natural – especially when it came to protecting his family.

"Never underestimate a mechanic," she agreed, and he tapped the side of his head and winked, then he pulled her and her mother into a group hug. She wasn't sure how long she sat in her parents' arms, enjoying their warmth one last time, but she had time to consider whether or not this was what she truly wanted. After what happened tonight, she understood the danger better than ever, and under Ramattra's watchful eye, she'd be more than safe. Talon knew she didn't tell anyone her secret so her parents wouldn't be targeted, and they'd have a hard time getting to her with all of Null Sector standing in their way. The thought of adventure sent a thrill through her she couldn't help but thirst for more of. This was her chance, and she wasn't going to turn it down again.

(Y/n) rolled her suitcase up to the front door, then passed Ramattra and Omme while they chatted to reach the garage and pile her tools into her toolbag to gather everything she thought she might need. When she returned to the dinner table, she announced that she was ready.

Ramattra turned to her, observing her overpreparation and tch-ing under his breath. "I certainly hope so." He dipped his head to whisper to Omme, "Inform me if any human raises their hand against you." Omme nodded happily, not understanding the implications the Ravager's every word was seeped in, and Ramattra turned to disappear out the front door.

(Y/n) pulled Omme into a hug which he gladly returned, patting her back comfortingly. "I wish you luck!"

"I'll need it," she mumbled, giving him one more squeeze before stepping back. He clasped his hands in front of himself as the canine sat beside him, yipping at the girl as she glanced back at her family one last time before following Ramattra outside and into his ship, walking out of her life of routine and monotony and into one filled with adventure and excitement, unsure when – or if — she would ever see her family again.