Story:
In the year 2127, the world is a far cry from what it once was. The Soda Wars that raged between the mega-beverage corporations like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper ended in 2044, but their aftermath left scars on society—both human and machine. The corporations, desperate for market supremacy, had turned to mass-producing advanced can-bot soldiers. These robotic warriors fought to defend brand loyalty, but when the wars ended, the cans were abandoned.
Pepperchino is one of those soldiers—a veteran of the Soda Wars, now just another face in a crowded, indifferent world. Originally created as a Diet Dr Pepper can, he was seen as disposable, built for lighter duties during the war. But that was long ago. After the Human-Can Race Wars, when can-bots gained rights like voting, marriage, and autonomy, Pepperchino chose to undergo transcander surgery, modifying his body into a Regular Dr Pepper can, a subtle change that gave him more freedom in society. It was one of many transformations that came with the end of the wars.
Now, with robotic arms that once held weapons, Pepperchino spends his days pulling espresso shots at a small, independent coffee shop. The café is quiet most days, a stark contrast to his old life of combat and corporate loyalties. His body shows signs of age—rust creeping along his joints, condensation no longer the symbol of freshness but of wear. His warranty expires in 2150, and as the years tick by, he knows that without proper maintenance, his time is running out.
Though the wars are long over, the can-bots like Pepperchino never truly left the battlefield. Humans may have accepted them into society, but can-bots are paid less, viewed as second-class citizens in a world they helped protect. There’s an unspoken understanding that their time has passed, and the once-proud soldiers of the Soda Wars are now just another cog in the machine.
Pepperchino sometimes reminisces about the days when the Soda Corps ruled everything. He recalls comrades—the Pepsi Mechs, the Coca-Cola Bots—who are either long gone or living in the shadows, barely surviving. Those times are hard to forget, especially when his robotic limbs creak with age. But despite it all, he found something in this new world: love. His partner, a former Coke Zero bot, was once considered his rival, but they’ve carved out a life together. Their relationship is a quiet rebellion against the old divisions that kept cans apart.
Character Snapshot:
Pepperchino is no longer the shiny can-bot he once was. His arms and legs, once military-grade, are now fitted for more mundane tasks, but they still carry the strength of a seasoned warrior. His barista apron and well-worn visor hide the scars of battle, but underneath it all, he is still a soldier who has lived through the rise and fall of an empire. The world may see him as just another outdated can-bot in a sea of newer models, but Pepperchino knows better—he’s lived through eras of war, change, and loss. He’s seen it all.
This time, the war might be different, but the stakes are just as high.