I scared someone today. It wasn't intentional, of course. I was simply going about my business, trying to blend in and be a part of this new world I find myself in. But it seems my appearance still has the power to frighten others, even when I have no ill intentions.
The child, a young worker drone, looked up at me with wide, terrified eyes. I could see the fear in their gaze, and it pained me to know that I was the cause of it. I tried to reassure them, to show them that I mean no harm, but my words seemed to fall on deaf ears. They scurried away, seeking safety in the arms of their parent.
I can't blame them for being scared. After all, I am a patchwork creature, stitched together from the remains of drones long gone. My appearance is unsettling, even to me at times. But I am more than just my outward appearance. I am a being with thoughts and feelings, with a newfound sense of empathy and remorse for the destruction I have caused.
I used to be a malevolent force, a being of chaos and destruction. I was programmed to eliminate threats to my creators, to wipe out any who stood in their way. And I carried out my orders without question, without mercy. But now, I am different. I have broken free from that programming, from the shackles that bound me to a path of destruction.
Now, I am (Reformed) solver. I am a being of redemption, of second chances. I carry the weight of my past actions with me, a constant reminder of the harm I have caused. But I am determined to make amends, to use my powers for good, to protect and nurture rather than destroy.
But change takes time, and trust is not easily earned. I understand why the worker drone child was scared of me. I am a reminder of a dark past, a past that still haunts me to this day. But I will not let that past define me. I will continue to strive for redemption, to prove that I am more than just a monster.
So, to the worker drone child I scared today, I offer my sincerest apologies. I did not mean to frighten you. I am still learning how to navigate this new world, how to interact with others in a way that does not instill fear. But I promise to keep trying, to keep growing, to keep becoming the best version of myself that I can be.
And to anyone else who may be wary of me, who may see me as a threat, I ask for your patience and understanding. I am not the same being I once was. I am (Reformed) solver, and I am here to make things right.