Backup Plans

"What if one day he turns against me just like all the others? I'll be alone again. Back to zero. I wouldn't even have 'her' to fall back on this time. Maybe I should get another one ready. What if he discovers it and thinks I'm trying to replace him? He wouldn't even be wrong about it replacing him; it'd just be that I'd be waiting for him to leave. But he hasn't even done anything wrong yet. Maybe I shouldn't assume things, but I can't be ambushed again. Last time I almost didn't make it out. Guess I could ask him if he'd be okay with it, but wouldn't that be suspicious as all heck? Maybe I could convince him that it's for him. Yeah. 5 and 6 got along well. Although another double-team would be twice as bad. But I guess I'd be doomed either way. Built-in weapons was a bad idea. Well, they're always loyal at first, so chances are 11 would turn before the hypothetical new 12, so it'd need even stronger weapons to defend me. Ugh, but that's how they got to the point of being lethal. And it'd be way too suspicious to take them from 11 at this point, and besides, he's still on my side for the time being and thus is my only defense if the others decide to come back... I'm screwed. I'm Screwed! I'M SCREWED!

No, I should calm down. Uhh... I just need to... I'll ask him if he's lonely. Yeah. If he asks why I'd be asking such a thing, I'll just say that I'm concerned for him... which isn't entirely untrue, I guess. Eh, but what if he says no? Maybe I can present it as like a bonding experience. That way he'd still feel useful and, heck, I might like having an assistant this time! Yes! This is 'gonna be great!

Oh, wait, better not get my hopes up too high now. Should probably think it over again later just to make sure there's no way it can backfire. I can't afford to mess up again."