Chapter 7 : Training harder
After the rather boring lecture (where Larry just fell asleep) new recruits were gathered in a large room for a "training". They were ten robots, the others being a lot more advanced than Larry, all serious and emotionless. This latter definitely didn't joke when he was saying that they all looked the same to him. That was even a bit funny.
The 'teacher' was a larger gold and pink robot without any spacesuit like the rest. He was focused on his tablet while speaking. "Good day to every new recruits here. You would be trained to serve your officers. Before the beginning, you must remember three important things. I want a yes for each of them. Okay?"
"Yes!" Every robot replied louder, making Larry jump a bit.
"You have to remember that your officers are your masters. You have to obey them no matter what. You have to protect them. Their life is more precious than ours because they only have one. Am I clear?"
"Yes!"
Deep down, Larry wasn't sure if he would be able to do this. Protect the officer…would it mean that he would have to jump to save them? Larry was actually the kind of person who would run away for his life.
"You are the ones who would be in charge of the satellite. Any problem would be your responsibility. It includes your officer's stupidity."
"Yes!"
Officer's stupidity? Oh gosh. Larry was definitely afraid now.
"As for the last thing…Well I don't remember. No matter. You'll begin now." The teacher (nicknamed Phil 450) activated a button, teleporting all of them in another place. Larry looked around. Inside, it looked like an apartment or rather, a big house in space. He wondered if they were still in Time Squad Headquarters's satellite. There was a kitchen, a lounge with sofa and TV, bedroom, bathroom, (as well as two gardens he could see outside) as well as a big computer room. Phil 450 spoke.
"Here is the copy of the satellite you will live in. As I said, you are the ones in charge. So you have to do everything your officer will ask from you. You will have to cook, clean, gardening and handling this giant computer. Without this computer, you will not receive any mission. Without this computer, the satellite falls. So do your best in."
What kind of thing I'm involved with? Larry wondered, cowering. I'm like in a military training.
"So first thing: you will update this computer here. I will evaluate you."
At this simple sentence, everyone rushed over to the computer, pushing others to go first. Larry fell due to shock. When he stood up he realized that everyone was struggling to turn the computer on. Larry came closer, searching for the button as well. Queen Jezebel often asked him to take care of her computers (both professional and personal) however, the computer of this satellite looked a lot more complex than simple technology used by humans.
Finally, someone managed to find the button, turning screen on. Phil 450 nodded. "Very well. Now, I will let you use it one by one, to understand what command is essential. I will also evaluate your software as well as your others skills in computing."
A black and grey robot began. Larry simply watched, waiting for his turn. That didn't look that easy in the end. However, they were there to learn. So he would understand. Everyone did it until Larry took the seat. However, the moment he connected his software, the screen went black.
"What?" Phil 450 activated the button again. On screen, there was a message, saying that Larry's software was incompatible with computer's program.
"You will have to update, Larry 3000" Phil 450 checked his tablet, like if he needed it to remember his model and name. "You can't use such an old software. It doesn't fit with technology today."
Larry sighed while others robots chuckled, making fun of him. He tried to ignore it, working on commands again.
Afterward, everyone was heading for training room (the real one this time). Phil 450 explained. "You will have to defend officers against attacks. So you will have to learn about reacting quickly as well as self-trust." This last word looked like he designated Larry. Or at least, this latter felt like it was the case.
"First you will learn with guns but don't worry. More technology would be added in your program in order to defend yourself without common weapons." He handed guns to robots. However, the moment Larry got his own gun, he couldn't help but paling at it.
He had been a diplomat his entire life. He always spent his time trying to avoid any war…And now they asked him to go in war and using guns?
Fiskmeyer would never like it.
Targets appeared in front of them. Some robots began shooting. Most of them missed their targets. However, Larry didn't shoot.
"Larry 3000? Is there a problem?" Phil 450 asked.
"I'm not sure about wanting this…"
"Unfortunately, it is about training here. It is necessary." Phil 450 said, calm. "You have no choice. Just try."
"But…I can't! You can't ask me to shoot at them…even if they are simple targets! I refuse doing this. I always had been against weapons! It is so…uncivilized."
Phil 450's eyes narrowed. "It may be uncivilized but it is necessary. Without this, you can't become a Time Squad member."
"I have been diplomat before!" Larry was upset now. "You can't ask me doing this right now!"
"Yes I do. If that's too much for you, you can leave now." Phil 450 simply replied, before focusing on anyone else.
Larry clenched his fists, wanting to say something. Finally, he looked back at the gun. Feeling remorse over it as well as fearing about what Fiskmeyer would say, he picked his gun up to aim at the target. Taking a breath, he shot, jumping at the sound of the bullet and its sensations.
Of course, he missed. However, Phil 450 didn't comment this. He shrugged. "Try again."
So Larry tried again…Multiple times shooting at walls, ceiling, lamps, before he could touch the target. Yet, he simply touched the edge, not the middle. However, Phil 450 just replied it was over for today, asking them to go back to the kitchen area. He expected a good meal ready for 7: 00 pm. That duty ravished Larry, who immediately put his apron. He was always expected to prepare delightful dinners no matter if that was for politicians or Fiskmeyer…Every time, they always complimented him about how delicious it was. What a gem Larry was.
Larry felt a bit bitter, thinking back about Fiskmeyer and their arguments. He didn't know at which hour Larry would come back, or if Fiskmeyer would come back to find their apartment empty with no Larry to prepare his meal. Instead, he would prepare the meal of an unknown officer who wouldn't even appear.
Phil 450 added. "You are robots. You may have feelings but in the end, you are still humans's tools. If your officer doesn't like what you made, you have to make something else."
Larry frowned. It reminded him about Fiskmeyer's exact contrary words. He wasn't a human's tool. He was Larry. He had feelings. He had a freedom too.
Fiskmeyer would be angry. He would definitely kick Phil 450 for this. Or at least, that's what Larry hoped.
He missed him.
He realized how fast time spent. He quickly took his cookbook and chose the meal for dinner: risotto au chorizo and crème brûlée. Near him, the robot was working on a simple burger. Larry couldn't help but thinking that was a simple and greasy meal though he watched his tongue out and focused on his meal.
"Hey." The robot said. "Is that true? Did you work as a diplomat?"
Larry was surprised. "huh…yes?"
"Awesome! You must have seen many things."
Larry gave him a slight smile. "Indeed I saw many things." He approved, before preparing the crème brûlée.
