A special thanks to Miss DNL for suggesting such a fantastic idea. KEEP BEING EPIC :)
System scan- Primary core. Damage Assessment. Protocol 3.
Words, numbers and status conditions sped by at speeds faster than the human eye could hope to follow without something missed. Everything from energy, damage and minor malfunctions long since repaired were run once more by a shadowed figure, a metallic form in the shape of a man, as it awaited deeper assessment.
Again the results turned out as they had the past 100 times the machine had run them. They bore the same results… and yet it ran them again. There was something wrong in the core programming, as to what the mechanoid could not compute the source. Whatever it was, it was surely what had caused the major malfunction that led to the ultimate failure to complete its last mission: Capture the Lin Quei Fugitive Sub Zero.
The unit had been programmed by only the finest programmers with the most advanced technology that could possibly be offered to fulfill the goals of his Master; The Grandmaster of the Lin Quei.
As the mechanoid ran its systems yet again, it found itself scanning its combat programs and protocols. All taken and imprinted from a Lin Quei warrior once adorning his current unit name: Smoke.
Smoke.
The name seemed to have an advert reaction within the core.
Immediately the mechanoid repeated the name on its visor as well as vocally. True to experiment, the strange and peculiar surge within the central power core pulsed once more… a pulse that felt like damage, and yet, running the core, no damage was to be detected. All systems and cells were at optimum efficiency. The aberration was what a living sentient organism would akin to frustrating as the source of the damage was somehow able to evade Smoke's high tech self-repair systems.
Perhaps there was an encryption coding malfunction?
Immediately the mechanoid diverted scans into its deeper programming seeking the reason that its own Unit Response Name would cause disruption. Smoke's own Primary self-protocol overriding the Protocols of blocking the data with an intense ferocity: The Lin Quei show no weakness… Failure is not optional. Failure to repair the damage led to incapability to fulfill objectives.
Data Lock: Override- Granted
The surge within seemed to quell, if only slightly, at the decision.
In no time, Smoke's scans broke down the safety blocks and set into its code, searching for answers. The surface data seemed well within normal capacity, several runs proved that the programming was functioning well. And yet Smoke's systems somehow declared otherwise.
Smoke's optic sensors constricted momentarily at a slight alteration in his core, that strange sensation of being frustrated urging it to go deeper. Deeper to a level that was absolutely forbidden.
Data Access: FORBIDDEN- DENIED
Smoke stood in place as it had for hours awaiting its programmers to arrive so they could fix its systems; a command that was well taken, and yet it stood running its own systems out of a strange fixation that could not be found in its forelain programming. Some alert within screamed malfunction and ordered a full shut down, and yet Smoke overrode the command to remain on sleep mode allowing the alert to continue its endless urging as he sought to repair the damage.
Perhaps some blow had been dealt on the mission to instill such an odd reaction, or the portal energy had messed with the programming…. But that did not seem to compute given how carefully prepared it had been built. Smoke turned its scans to its databanks on its last mission and began to replay it… Replaying the mission, Smoke found nothing had gone wrong during transit through the portal. All systems had been normal. Satisfied, Smoke fast forwarded to the lock alert on his target…
Almost immediately the surge within the core shuddered as Smoke observed his target, Sub Zero. Smoke quickly replayed the scene with the same result. Whatever the damage was, it appeared that Sub Zero was the cause. But why?
[Smoke… Don't you remember our oath!?]
Smoke felt a very sudden internal jolt as his core suddenly, rather violently, reacted. Immediately Smoke's system scans swept through, but once more, despite the clear presence, came back negative.
[Smoke… Don't you remember our oath!?]
Smoke detected tremors within its circuitry, tremors with no clear purpose but centered in his core. Why would there be such an adverse reaction to one sentence? Smoke moved forward with the mission replay. True to computation, that one sentence had begun a strange reaction, one that suddenly began to impede the objective. Smoke had begun to fight his own programming. But why?
As Smoke played the data, it became noticeable that there was a strange interference with its own focus mechanisms… images that were not being observed via optic sensors began to intervene from somewhere… blurred images at first. But as Smoke continued to replay, they seemed to become some more… recognizable. His Primary Target Sub Zero was standing before him, but oddly he was not perceived a Target at all… but an ally.
A swift response from his data bank informed him of Sub Zero's former affiliation and association with the Lin Quei. And yet Smoke disregarded this input. It was somehow… incomplete...
[You must try and remember! We were friends! Search your memory!]
Smoke felt his systems partially stall at the command, a very peculiar reaction as it had been almost automatic. Even now the command was somehow trying to process when it should not even be optional, especially when received from a Target. Smoke's systems were suddenly screaming as they began detecting the foreign command, telling him to disregard. Failsafes immediately took action and halted the foreign command.
Data Access: FORBIDDEN- DENIED
Smoke felt his core surge again at the image as it flashed in his visual sensors. There was something there, perhaps an answer to his malfunction lie within the data. Something that could likely be easily resolved.
Primary Protocol: Lin Quei Show No Weakness… Lin Quei Do Not Fail.
Data Access: FORBIDDEN-DENIED
Data Access: FORBIDDEN-DENIED
Data Access: FORBIDDEN-DENIED
[Don't You Remember?]
Smoke paused attempts at breaking through, the tactic clearly a futile one. Automatically his own programming settled to find a new tactic to overcome this barrier.
Combat Protocol: Memory Recall Initiated. Combat Memory Scan Initiated. Subject Smoke.
Smoke Combat File: Sparring- Subject- Sub Zero- (Friend)
Data File- Sub Zero. Memory playback initiated.
Data Access: - FORBIDDEN- DENIED
Smoke watched as his systems fought to override his memory fail safes as he simultaneously observed his fight with his Primary Target Sub Zero. Replaying the data that most seemed to interfere with his program, determined to root out the malfunction, his own programming backing the self-given objective.
[Listen to me Smoke. They can create a shell around you but they can't take your SOUL!]
Data Access: Subject Smoke. Origin- FORBIDDEN.
[Don't you remember?]
[He cannot.] Vocal recognition- Primary Commander: Grandmaster [But I do!]
Smoke detected yet another jolt at the sentence, a rather violent one, this one less… agreeable. Why?
[Search your memory!]
Smoke's systems began running into overdrive, not unlike the protocols in Combat Engagement as he began to systematically tear at his own failsafes… Suddenly, the playback wasn't the one issuing the order. It was himself.
Data Access: FORBIDDEN- OVERRIDE- DENIED
Data Access: FORBIDDEN- OVERRIDE- DEN-NIED
Data Access: FO-FOR-NNNNNnn DEN- OVERRIDE- DENIIIIIIII-
The opening of a door alerted Smoke to an intruder, his systems snapping to attention. A quick scan of his surroundings alerted him to three human forms in the room. Immediately Smoke's programming overrode all prior objectives and gave a Lin Quei salute,
"Smoke. Report to repair bay in Room 5 immediately." A firm voice with the compassion of stone ordered.
{{Grandmaster. I live to serve. I Obey}}
Without hesitation, Smoke exited the room and vanished down the hall.
Glaring lights from above shone down on Smoke's form as he lay upon a steel platform, his limbs bound to prevent unwanted sliding during operation, the procedure a normal one and Smoke lie motionless as his audio sensors listened in to the surrounding conversations, processing, storing and if need be deleting as he did so.
Automatically Smoke's sensors locked onto the voice recognition of the Grandmaster as he spoke, awaiting instruction if it was issued.
"There has been a fault in this one." The Grandmaster began, his voice seething and venom laced, "There was a moment in the last mission that he began to disregard instructions… and worse? To actually turn on ME…his master. You said that would not be possible once the convergence was complete."
Immediately, Smoke began to once again scan for said fault, once more uploading the last mission to locate the problem.
"I want you to go through his memory core and unravel what triggered it and expunge it. He belongs to me…"
"Yes Grandmaster. Subject Smoke. Access last mission. Visual playback data. Standard Visual."
{{I Obey.}}
Without hesitation, Smoke opened a small and virtually unseeable port near the base of his neck and allowed a plug to be inserted, his memory systems immediately opened and observable on the monitors lining the room. Immediately his last mission was played back on a screen to the side. Although Smoke did not look to the screen, he tuned into the playback as it ran its course.
"There. There is where he began to hesitate." The programmer commented, playing back the audio as Smoke engaged his target.
[Smoke...Don't you remember our oath?!]
Smoke remained still as his scans once more sought out the aberration in his core as it resurfaced, the mission still playing.
[You will fulfill your destiny and become a Cyber.]
Smoke sensed a pressure in his servos, only to realize he himself was clenching them as he played the data back to himself, [Fulfill your destiny to become a Cyber.]
Smoke then detected that the aberration was becoming stronger suddenly, more urgent. Somehow a question was perceived despite not being inquired of; What was the meaning of "Become a Cyber?"
[{{Objective: I must defeat you. And deliver you to the Lin Quei.}}]
[Remember your Vow]
Smoke shifted suddenly, his head turning to the feed, responding to the playback, {{We will…honor….}}
The Grandmaster turned and looked down at the form upon the platform and frowned as he realized his Cyber had spoken without order. Glancing from him and back to the feed he hummed. He could have the data from that point paused and scraped out… but no. He could wait. He'd watch and see just how far this annoyance in resistance was, learn from it… And then rip it out by the root.
Smoke ignored the alert that he'd spoken without order… the surge within his core becoming almost frantic in response. What was the meaning of "Become a Cyber?"
[Search your memory!]
Smoke felt the tremors within the circuits return at the command, but the command no longer seemed to be from the playback… but the surge.
[The Lin Quei's honor must be satisfied!]
[There is no honor in what you do! You will not take my freedom without a fight!]
Smoke began to pull against his binds unconsciously… the surge growing stronger as it began to pulse in time with the command,
[{Search… your…. Memory…}]
[Soon enough you will be converted just like my servant Smoke!]
What was the conversion? What was the meaning of "Become a Cyber?"
Data Access: FORBIDDEN-DENIED
[No! You had no right!]
The image of Sub Zero's furious face flashed once in Smoke's "not optics"… a slight clacking as his servos began to shake as he once more forced against the locked data. A strange force slamming like a fist from within his core threatening to shatter his programming from the inside out.
Data Access: FOoooooRRRRNNN- DEnnnIIII-
{{Honored… Friends.}}
[Your soul…. IS MINE.]
The sudden unearthly scream from the Cyber caught even the Grandmaster by surprise as Smoke suddenly broke free from the platform… the binds made to hold a man. Not a machine.
For a moment the mechanoid remained standing in the room grasping its head as if struggling to repress an incomparable agony, howling a scream that was neither man nor beast and yet a combination of the two.
"Smoke! System Override #4Alpha! SHUT DOWN!"
A flashing screen issuing the command blinked into view- External Override Initiated: Shut Down
The surge now seeping into every microfiber within, Smoke shuddered violently and suddenly lashed out, the resulting blow hurling the programmer across the room and into a soon sparking monitor.
External Override: Shut Down- OVERRIDE
"SMOKE! HOW DARE YOU BETRAY YOUR MASTER!" the Grandmaster roared in fury.
Smoke stood rigidly in place, alarms and a strengthening pulse ricocheting chaotically in his visuals and circuitry, threatening a complete system meltdown… the mechanoid body unable to respond. Internal self-preservation programming then kicking into effect.
System ERR- OBJECTIVE: Evacuate premises. Return to bbbbbbbbb-
Mission: (reinstated) Locate Target- Lin Quei enemy- Sub Zero.
As the Grandmaster lunged, a cloud of thick smoke quickly befuddled him, the sound of the door opening alerting him to his Cyber's leave causing him to scream an inhuman fury.