Automan and all character names therein are owned by the American Broadcasting Company. All characters are fictional and resemblance to any persons living or dead is coincidental. No copyright infringement is intended.

Automan: Overclocked

By Sailor Chronos

Chapter 9

When the two officers had hauled Argyle away, Roxanne relaxed her official demeanour and embraced her husband. "I'm so happy to see you, Wally. Are you okay?"

"Yes, except for my arm." He showed her the painful burn. "They were using me to force Auto to cooperate. What did they want you to do, anyway?" he asked Auto as they all made their way outside.

"Among other things, they wanted their criminal records erased and replaced with false credentials. However as I worked I instructed the computers to erase my modifications and revert to the original files after six hours. I was confident that we would be free by then."

Lina asked, "But why you, specifically? Couldn't any hacker with the proper knowledge have done it?"

"It was likely the challenge more than anything," Walter reasoned. "They knew what Auto was and went to great lengths to trap him." He paused. "Now I'm worried. If word of this gets out, others might try to do the same. Auto, you'll never be safe."

Auto scoffed, in a very human gesture of defiance, "Every day, people put themselves in danger doing the most mundane things such as climbing a ladder or crossing the street. Why should I behave any differently?"

"He's right," Lina said. "He knows his limitations and the risks involved. You of all people should understand that, Walter."

He turned to her in frustration. "Oh, so you're taking his side? Do you know how many times we've had to stop him from showing what he really looks like? Being what he is, he's more vulnerable in some ways than we are!" His eyes narrowed. "What have you done that's caused him to act like this? Driving you in the Autocar comfortably, merging with you," his voice was rising with each example, "allowing you to command Cursor? You're a programmer too; how do I know that you haven't changed him?"

Lina was shocked. Walter had never given any indication until now that he was jealous of her interactions with Automan. She stared at him, speechless.

Roxanne, however, was furious. "Wally, how can you say that? She risked her job to recover him for you! Not to mention, she just helped save your life! How can you be so selfish?"

"Walter," said Auto softly, with a very hurt look. "You will always be my partner and my friend; that cannot change." He glanced at Lina briefly. "Lina didn't alter my program, she altered my feelings: I'm in love with her. I will admit that I was remiss in seeking your approval, since you are also my parent in a sense. You brought me into this world, gave me knowledge, and showed me how to be more than just a hologram."

"Automan, that's so sweet!" said Roxanne with a grin.

Now Walter was at a loss for words. His creation had once again done the unexpected: he had transcended the boundaries of his original program and become all but human. If Auto were his son he should be proud, not so overprotective. "Forgive me, Auto, Lina. It was wrong of me to accuse you." He smiled wryly, his anger abating. "Seems you two are perfect for each other."

Auto smiled and began to speak, but then he suddenly shut his eyes and doubled over in pain. "No... It can't be," he gasped.

"What is it?" Lina asked quickly as she moved to support him. This was definitely not a power failure. "Another magnetic field?"

"No, it's-" He screamed and fell to his knees, his form beginning to blur.

"Auto!" cried Walter. "Hang on!"

But he couldn't. With a last wistful look at his friends, Automan de-rezzed, immediately followed by Cursor.

The three of them stood in stunned silence for a moment, then Roxanne whispered, "What just happened to him?"

Walter stared at the spot where Auto had been, and said grimly, "I don't know, but I intend to find out!"


An hour later Lina, Walter, and his long-time friend and fellow computer expert Terri were engaged in a video conference through their respective computers.

"I looked at Automan's program," Walter said. "It appears to have been vastly corrupted by something, but I can't tell what. It's not a virus, since I built an anti-viral routine into him a long time ago."

Lina asked, "Could he have been damaged by the magnetic fields that he was exposed to?"

"That would have disrupted his molecular structure and forced him to return to the computer if the damage was severe enough," Walter replied, "but he said it wasn't, remember?"

"What about a power surge?" Terri suggested. "The building you were in was old, and it had been fitted with devices that its electrical wiring might not have been able to handle."

Walter shook his head. "He can process surges up to a point, but too much would either cause him to discharge the excess or shut down. What happened was no ordinary shutdown, and besides, a surge wouldn't have affected his code." He sighed and ran one hand through his hair. "Whatever's causing it, the program is deteriorating and we need to fix it fast or else..." He closed his eyes, his brow furrowing.

Lina knew what he was unable to say. If they couldn't repair the damage, Automan would be lost forever. "Maybe he just... tried to process too much data," she said. "I asked him once if he should be careful and he thought it wasn't necessary." Then it occurred to her that part of it might have been the fact that he had fallen in love with her. The thought caused her chest to compress like a vise.

"Don't lose it," Terri said gently when she saw Lina's reaction. "I can see that you care a great deal about Automan, but we'll need you thinking clearly. That goes for you too, Walter."

Walter cleared his throat and straightened in his chair. "All right, let's do this." They all began to type.

Hours passed.