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 Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 3:26 pm
The intricate operation of searching for answers wasn't going to plan. Illyria's mouth was dry as she scrambled to reach the top of another mound of debris that seemed to barricade all entrances that led inward. It wasn't all for nothing though as the tiny Mauvian had picked up some rather interesting looking rocks that she wished to take back to Earth; whenever that would be. Her tiny paws fought for purchase in the loose scree before she caught purchase on a more stable rock before she paused. Really, one would have thought that such a tiny creature as herself would have been able to squeeze her way into the tiniest of openings. Yet every time she found a likely spot to crawl through it was if something deemed her ineligible for entry. A slight shifting of the rubble would deny her entrance to where she deemed to set her paws down.
A frisson of fear settled onto Illyria's slight frame as she surveyed the surrounding area. The automatons from before hadn't really deemed to leave the more populated area but the small feline had to wonder what was up with them. What sustained them? Who had built them? The amount of questions that needed answering grew with each step she took. For the most part though Illyria was focused on getting inside at least one of the ruins to snoop around. It'd be possibly the best way to get some much needed information.
Although as she sat on top of the newest barricaded entrance that she had found Illyria found herself wishing most pointedly for a cool liquid that would quench her thirst. This place, with its artificial life, ruins & everything else seemed to lack the most basic of amenities for an 'organic' to merely survive on. Her voice echoed around her as she huffed in annoyance, "really, no guides on this tour of the buildings and no refreshments either. Going to have to complain about the service I've received."
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:58 pm
The datastream has given Surly a lot to think about. Though he had ultimately voted in favor, how could he not, he had more questions than he had answers. Would the state of the organic he took a starseed from affect its performance once it was installed inside of him? Could it corrupt his operating system? He did not want to change his base programming, as that programming had made him the being he was today.
Trundling through and over the ruins, moving rubble out of the paths as he went, Surly turned over these and other questions as he did what he was best at; work. As one of the largest and strongest robots other than the Reasoner, it was a duty he had taken on to do more of the physical labor for the others, despite the deteriorating joint in one of his legs. Rounding a building, his focus shifted from inwards to outwards and a voice registered on his sensors. A small voice...
The cameras around his body found the small body the voice belonged to and he noted the furry form and the star on the forehead. From what they knew, this was a Mauvian, a highly intelligent organic being from a highly technologically advanced civilization. A curious being, and strangely compelling... her kind had made things like him. They'd had the ability and equipment, not just to repair but to make new. If there had been any where in the universe where they could have found someone to fix their failing bodies, it would have been Mau... but that was not where they had ended up.
"Did you not enjoy the party?" Surly offered in a neutral, reserved tone as he moved closer, his long metal legs clunking against the stone. "Why have you left the others?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:42 pm
Was that the sound of debris being shifted? Illyria's ears twitched as once more the sound repeated before she moved to assume a stance of neutrality. Appearing threatening or threatened was the wrong approach to take in a situation like this. Slowly but surely though the being that was creating the ruckus moved into view. Illyria caught herself staring at the four pairs of joints that this new robot contained. It seemed as if three of the four pairs were meant for movement and the other two, given the difference in appearance, were might for other tasks.That was totally fine. She settled her posture for a moment and considered the questions it posed.
Perhaps it had heard her complain about the lack of service and she gave a small duck of her head in light embarrassment. "Sorry, I wasn't aware anyone else was within hearing distance. It's not that I didn't enjoy the party ... it's just these ruins are more interesting. I've never seen such building designs before. I wanted a closer look. Admittedly I'm probably about as close to understanding this place, and by extension, you and your friends as I was when we first got here."
Illyria's tiny frame deflated a little before she sucked in some air. Violet orbs caught on the one joint that seemed worse for wear on the robot before she titled her head. The cameras all around the outside of the body was an interesting touch. "So, that is why I'm not at the party. These ruins call to me more than being considered a guest of honor at a celebration when it comes to celebrating something I know nothing about."
Standing Illyria paced the top of her debris pile before sitting primly with her front paws tucked close to her chest. Her tail came to wrap around her side before she flicked an ear towards the robot. "Is work what pulls you away from the celebration as well? I heard debris shifting before you came into view. Are you responsible for the clear pathways, but blocked entrances to the buildings?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 9:40 am
Surly considered her questions and her reasonings for why she was not at the party. He was pretty sure it was female... it had a feminine cast to its vocal patterns.
"The ruins are a wealth of untapped information." He agreed, still reserved and slightly grudging. At least they could both agree on that. This organic seemed a polite one and was obviously not one of the more troublesome ones starting fights with the others. He appreciated that she wasn't contributing to difficulties for his other robots, and he liked her curiosity. He'd been curious when they first arrived too. Curious about all the mysteries this place held, and then what they could do to pass the trial presented to them. He'd extrapolated a thousand different scenerios for the things they had found and where the trial would take him, and his favorite of those were the ones where he got to leave this damaged, unwieldy body behind for one more graceful and delicate... Like Bo's or Helper's. It was disappointing that such would not be the case, but perhaps with a starseed of his own, his next life would be better.
That brought him back to his current dilemma.
"I do not care to celebrate with organics." He admitted as he came to a stop nearby. "The others are more social than I am. Yes. I have cleared many of the pathways. The entrances have been blocked off as areas have been explored and deemed uninteresting. I am a mining robot. My form was designed for heavy labor, so it is logical that I be the one to clear the debri."
"Do you make robots?" He asked suddenly, his tone picking up slightly from its usual low, unhappy monotone to something a little brighter and more interested, though still hollow and metallic.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 1:29 am
Illyria's head turned briefly to take in the blocked entrance that the debris pile that she stood on covered up. So it seemed like that whatever was inside of the buildings held no interest for the robots. That was interesting in itself. Instead of focusing on what she couldn't get to Illyria decided to shift her position so that she could see the robot that had been speaking with her a little bit better. She felt it would be quite rude if she continued to force it to "look" up at her from where she had been. Taking a few pawsteps to test the slope of the debris pile Illyria shifted her frame to slide down a few inches before digging her paws into the rocks to stop suddenly. She now was positioned halfway up the debris pile. As the robot continued to speak about things Illyria listened intently.
"So in a way we are alike. We both don't care at least for this celebration. I find I am a social individual but I also like to just watch people, er, organics go about their lives. I think that the job you've done in clearing the pathways is great. It makes it easier to wander around. I wish I could get inside one of these buildings but if you insist that nothing is of importance I will defer to your wisdom in the matter."
At the question that the robot posed to her about making robots Illyria gave her head a rueful shake. "I've not had any experience in many technical aspects yet. I'm still locked in this form of a cat. There is a glamour that I can activate if I choose to do so but it only lasts for an hour. That doesn't give me much time to work with something other than my paws."
Illyria gave a small sigh before taking in the robot with a more critical eye. It looked like it'd taken some extreme erosion before it had found this place and she still wondered about it's seemingly damaged joint. "Anyways, is there something that I can call you? I'm Illyria."
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Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 11:44 pm
It was a disappointment that she could not build other robots. That would have been very useful, and perhaps solved some of their troubles. It was ultimately of no import, though. They still had the trial, and the instructions on how to claim starseeds for themselves. He'd spent a lot of time thinking about that... and the more he spoke with this tiny organic, the more he thought perhaps a starseed of this quality would be better than one from a disruptive organic. She was well spoken and seemed intelligent. She did not dismiss him as a construct that was beneath her, only meant to serve one purpose.
"Greetings, Illyria." Surly intoned, his voice back to its reserved, hollow tone. "I was once known as Survey and Excavation Model B492. Since gaining my sentience, I have chosen the designation 'Surly'."
"Do you find that you are often disruptive to the social environment around you? Or, do you find you are one who is able to remove disruptions and foster a more cohesive operating environment?" The robot asked on the heels of his greeting. "Do you consider yourself; helpful, respectful, intelligent, a problem solver, responsible, caring, nurturing? If these adjectives do not describe you, what adjectives would you use?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 10:15 am
"I was once known as Survey and Excavation Model B492. Since gaining my sentience, I have chosen the designation 'Surly'."Sentience. How long had Surly been running that he could make that claim? Illyria found that her paws were itching to take a look inside at Surly's circuitry but she resisted the urge. For starters it wouldn't have been the most polite action to take. She'd only just met Surly. Asking to pry open any compartments to inspect working internal bits seemed too personal on a first meeting, so that urge to do so was quashed. Instead Illyria focused on the outer shell that contained who Surly was. That Surly was a excavation unit would certainly explain the damaged joint. Some accident probably in Surly's past had seen the damage done. Instead of being able to ask Illyria found herself bombarded by a rapid-fire series of questions and she held up a small paw in a gesture that was indicative of one being asking another to slow down. How did one go about answering such a flurry of inquiries? Patiently Illyria sorted out the answers to Surly's questions before lowering her paw to resume a more natural position befitting a cat.
"I am not exactly sure how to answer your first two questions. Normally on Earth though the appearance of a Mauvian, even perhaps a normal Earth cat, especially one as young as I am can inspire a feeling of being soothed. That being said though, sometimes, it can be the opposite. I guess it depends on an organic's stance on whether they like cats or not. I strive to make others feel at ease when I'm around them. Being disruptive is not at the top of my list but if someone I care for is in danger than I guess I could be disruptive. However those circumstances are indeed rare. Mostly I tend to want to give comfort to those that I know and trust well. I feel at times that it's my primary duty rather than a secondary one."
At the list of adjectives that Surly had spouted off Illyria felt her head figuratively spin. That list was a lot to break down. Deconstructing each adjective and trying to find an answer as to whether it coincided with who she was Illyria had to give Surly some credit where it was due. Most of the adjectives that had been used could have easily described her in a nutshell. A lot of her experiences that she had already had since she'd awoken to the Mauvian way of life could be summed up with the words that had been spoken. She wanted to be helpful to everyone that she interacted with. Respectful - she might have to work on boundary issues but that was just who she was. Intelligent and problem solving - well, geocaching could explain those two aspects, but all Mauvians would be intelligent, it's just how they were. As for responsible, caring and nurturing - those three words Illyria found were who she was at her core. It would explain her affection towards those that she had associations with, especially for those that she claimed as being "hers."
The pause that she had asked for ended when she spoke up in response to Surly's questions, "I believe all those adjectives could be used to describe who I am at my core. One word that wasn't on your list that I like to think use to describe myself is also loyal. I won't stand by and let those I care for fall. It's not who I am deep inside..."
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 3:40 pm
The robot paused to consider that. She fulfilled most of the qualities that one would label as beneficial and desirable of a functional member of a society. Most were things Surly himself wished to aspire to, and worked hard to achieve. This made her an ideal fit for him, if starseeds did indeed influence the one who held them. Yes, this was the one starseed that he wanted for himself.
The elation at the decision made his inner workings whirr with growing excitement. He would have to show Bo how sucessful he had been and pragmatic in his choice of starseed.
"You are an ideal organic being." He said as he moved closer, picking his way delicately over the rubble. "I am glad you were one of the ones who came to help us fulfill our trial. I was reluctant to take the starseed of one of those disruptive beings that others favored, just to keep the other organic beings from becoming upset. I regret that you will cease to function after I have taken it, but your kind will be able to replace you, as I understand biology. My kind can not be replaced, and your donation will assure our continuation. Thank you, Illyria."
He did not wait, in case she decided to run from him, and he sounded the three notes that activated the golden container that had been installed inside of him. The orb began to glow, brighter and brighter, before a glowing filament shot from it, and pierced the Mauvian's chest.
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 11:19 pm
Illyria's whiskers twitched as she tried not to think too highly of herself. Feeling as if she and Surly were on good terms she was about to offer to check on the robot's damaged joint when he began to pick his way closer to her. Maybe the leg wasn't as bad off as she had figured and she gave a confused look towards the excavation unit as it started to speak again. A bolt of fear swept through her causing all of her fur to stand raised against her skin as the prickle of unease spread. The robots were doing what now? Taking starseeds from organics? No, no, no. This was not of the good. To make matters worse Illyria was on her own with no way to warn anyone else. The worst thing was that Surly wanted her starseed. Hers. Well - she'd not give it up without a fight. Her small body puffed up even further as she arched her back in defiance. She'd hit back hard. Concentrating even as the robot made a strange run of three notes did Illyria witness the seemingly benign chamber that Surly seemed to contain start glowing brighter. Her own gaze locked on the damaged leg that the robot possessed before feeling the beginning of the triggering of adrenaline that had her paws itching to move but the command couldn't reach the right location. Even as she felt the energy coalesce around her forehead did she keep a tight lock on where she wanted to direct her beam. Fair was fair. He wanted to damage her - so she'd damage him in return. In releasing the energy that was her last line of defense did Illyria realize that maybe trying to get away would have been the better option. But really, how far would she get?
Even as her star beam activated and struck Surly's bad joint did Illyria realize that it was already too late.
As she felt the filament pierce her flesh she let out a yowl of agony. It burrowed deeper, seeking the crystal inside of her that she knew was there but had never seen. Her first instinct was to try and chew the strange glowing filament to smithereens but even as it sought its prize she could not get a good enough angle on which to even attempt to start gnawing away. Illyria felt the strangest sensation as the filament wriggled and withdrew itself from her flesh. The thread still seemed to glow but now it also seemed to be extra bright, a result of the glistening object at its end. Is that my starseed? It's kinda pretty. Why take it though? It won't do him any good.
Even as these thoughts flickered in her mind she felt her gaze lock on the glittering crystal. It was extremely beautiful. As she continued to stare at the crystal as it moved closer and closer to Surly did she realize what was happening. Her body felt heavier than it had ever before and slowly her eyes lost their brightness and closed. There was nothing indicative to support the notion that life still seemed abundant in Illyria's body. A phantom twitch of her paw was the last amount of defiance that she could muster.
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 9:14 pm
"I am sorry to cause you pain and distress." Surly said as the filament pierced her, his tone turning solemn. "I will always remember this sacrifice, even when I am reborn."
Truly, he would. And as he now had a starseed of his own, that memory would be eternal. It was the highest honor he could offer her for what she was giving up for him... A sudden flash of light and some sort of energy beam shot from the Mauvian, striking directly in the weakened joint of his back leg. The metal screeched as it twisted and snapped, the joint collapsing entirely as the lower portion of the leg detached and hung by a few cables. There was no pain, but Surly felt a surge of alarm and back up, fumbling now with his ruined gate to put more space between them.
Nothing more came from the inert body of the Mauvian though, and as he watched, her sides continued to rise and fall slowly, as if she slept deeply. The filament retracted, pulling the glowing crystal it had produced into the orb built to house it, and through the fear, there was a deep sense of triumph, satisfaction, and excitement.
He had a starseed now. His leg was ruined, but he had one. He'd passed the trial! He was not unworthy or inferior to his companions.
Still fumbling, he carefully tucked the warm little body into a cradle of rubble, resolving to come back for her later after he had spoken to the others. They should do something with her body... didn't organics have some sort of ritual for that? He would make sure they did that for her, as thanks.
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