For the last time (not really), I do not own Big O or any of its characters. I am making no $$$ off this whatsoever. It is futile to sue me. So there.
Act 18: Predator and Prey
It was three days after Big O had vanished under an avalanche of collapsing cityscape. Paradigm was buzzing with talk of the titanic battles that had devastated the city over the last two months. It was now widely known that Roger Smith had been the black Megaceuce's pilot, seeing as how it was impossible to cover up his dissappearence as chief Negotiator.
Despite this, the Smith mansion remained largely undisturbed. No swarms of reporters had descended upon them, but Norman had the distinct feeling that the building was constantly being watched. By whom, he did not know. But someone lurked in the shadows, waiting for a turn of events that might involve the household.
Dorothy lay in the bed Roger had provided for her, though it was seldom used. After Norman had brought her home and run several system checks, she had come here to be alone with her thoughts. For the last two days, all she could do was stare at the ceiling, lost in thought. Angel quietly closed the door, puzzled at the android's behavior.
'She's just a machine, and cannot feel,' she kept reminding herself, 'It must be some malfunction Norman couldn't find. That's got to be it.'
Dorothy was absent even at the regular meals, such was her withdrawal. Angel decided to bring it up at dinner.
"Norman, she's been like this for two whole days. Are you sure you ran a thourogh diagnostic?"
The one-eyed butler put his fork down. "Most certain, Miss Angel. There is nothing wrong with her physical systems."
"What about her programming?"
"I was unable to check her programming. Doing so would require a complete shutdown, something she has told me in no uncertain terms to not submit her to." Norman chuckled. "She said if I did, I would be in more danger than Swartzvald."
Angel started. "What do you mean? Why is Swartzvald in danger?"
Norman again dropped his silverware. "Do you not know? Miss Dorothy blames him entirely for Master Roger's...er...dissappearence. While I was taking her home, she was muttering to herself about vengance." He leaned forward, as if imparting a secret. "I do believe she had some strong feelings towards Master Roger, even if neither of them realized it."
"But all of that's impossible! Androids have no emotions! They're not capable of it!"
Norman stood to clear the table. "Not supposed to be capable of it, yes. But androids are also not supposed to be capable of harming humans. Red Destiny proved that wrong. Perhaps we have all underestimated their capabilities. Now if you shall excuse me..."
With that he walked out of the door, leaving Angel with a great deal to think about.
On the morning of the fourth day, both of the humans in the house woke to piano music. It was not the bright, vivid sonata that would normally wake Roger, but rather, a frightful march, a song of death and anger, and the way it was being played chilled Angel to the bone. She entered the piano room to find Dorothy seated before the keys, her eyes vacant and cold.
"I must say, Miss Dorothy, it is an unusual choice for such an early hour. But well played nonetheless." Norman entered, already fully dressed. "And it is a pleasure to see you up and about again."
Dorothy finished the final arpeggio, a rumbling chord that gave Angel goose bumps, and stood. "I will be going out tonight, Norman. I will need to borrow some things from the store-room." Again, Angel shivered. The voice was cold and mechanical, but with a sense of purpose behind it.
"Very well, Miss Dorothy. Take what you shall need and be sure to return for dinner."
Dorothy nodded once, then looked at Angel.
"What?" asked Angel innocently.
"You know where I am going, and what I intend to do."
"Well, from what Norman told me last night and your litle death march a minute ago, I would assume you plan to kill Swartzvald."
Dorothy said nothing.
Angel sighed. "Alright, alright, I'll come with you. The bastard does deserve payback, after all." She looked Dorothy up and down. "Though I somehow doubt you know how to go about this." Angel brushed past the android and headed for the equipment closet. "Let's get started on the basics."
Act 18: Predator and Prey
It was three days after Big O had vanished under an avalanche of collapsing cityscape. Paradigm was buzzing with talk of the titanic battles that had devastated the city over the last two months. It was now widely known that Roger Smith had been the black Megaceuce's pilot, seeing as how it was impossible to cover up his dissappearence as chief Negotiator.
Despite this, the Smith mansion remained largely undisturbed. No swarms of reporters had descended upon them, but Norman had the distinct feeling that the building was constantly being watched. By whom, he did not know. But someone lurked in the shadows, waiting for a turn of events that might involve the household.
Dorothy lay in the bed Roger had provided for her, though it was seldom used. After Norman had brought her home and run several system checks, she had come here to be alone with her thoughts. For the last two days, all she could do was stare at the ceiling, lost in thought. Angel quietly closed the door, puzzled at the android's behavior.
'She's just a machine, and cannot feel,' she kept reminding herself, 'It must be some malfunction Norman couldn't find. That's got to be it.'
Dorothy was absent even at the regular meals, such was her withdrawal. Angel decided to bring it up at dinner.
"Norman, she's been like this for two whole days. Are you sure you ran a thourogh diagnostic?"
The one-eyed butler put his fork down. "Most certain, Miss Angel. There is nothing wrong with her physical systems."
"What about her programming?"
"I was unable to check her programming. Doing so would require a complete shutdown, something she has told me in no uncertain terms to not submit her to." Norman chuckled. "She said if I did, I would be in more danger than Swartzvald."
Angel started. "What do you mean? Why is Swartzvald in danger?"
Norman again dropped his silverware. "Do you not know? Miss Dorothy blames him entirely for Master Roger's...er...dissappearence. While I was taking her home, she was muttering to herself about vengance." He leaned forward, as if imparting a secret. "I do believe she had some strong feelings towards Master Roger, even if neither of them realized it."
"But all of that's impossible! Androids have no emotions! They're not capable of it!"
Norman stood to clear the table. "Not supposed to be capable of it, yes. But androids are also not supposed to be capable of harming humans. Red Destiny proved that wrong. Perhaps we have all underestimated their capabilities. Now if you shall excuse me..."
With that he walked out of the door, leaving Angel with a great deal to think about.
On the morning of the fourth day, both of the humans in the house woke to piano music. It was not the bright, vivid sonata that would normally wake Roger, but rather, a frightful march, a song of death and anger, and the way it was being played chilled Angel to the bone. She entered the piano room to find Dorothy seated before the keys, her eyes vacant and cold.
"I must say, Miss Dorothy, it is an unusual choice for such an early hour. But well played nonetheless." Norman entered, already fully dressed. "And it is a pleasure to see you up and about again."
Dorothy finished the final arpeggio, a rumbling chord that gave Angel goose bumps, and stood. "I will be going out tonight, Norman. I will need to borrow some things from the store-room." Again, Angel shivered. The voice was cold and mechanical, but with a sense of purpose behind it.
"Very well, Miss Dorothy. Take what you shall need and be sure to return for dinner."
Dorothy nodded once, then looked at Angel.
"What?" asked Angel innocently.
"You know where I am going, and what I intend to do."
"Well, from what Norman told me last night and your litle death march a minute ago, I would assume you plan to kill Swartzvald."
Dorothy said nothing.
Angel sighed. "Alright, alright, I'll come with you. The bastard does deserve payback, after all." She looked Dorothy up and down. "Though I somehow doubt you know how to go about this." Angel brushed past the android and headed for the equipment closet. "Let's get started on the basics."