ROBO'S STORY
PERSONAL DATA LOG B
IMPRINTS
System Check C active.
Unit R66-Y now operational on March 14th, 10:48 AM, AD 2300. Boot system Geno Zero Zero Six Six Y running. Memory malfunction detected. Motor activity at 259%. Visual and audio sensors running at 100%. Program "Prometheus" non-functional.
System Check C inactive.
Log Entry E active.
I was re-activated as hundreds of volts of electricity coursed across my circuits. Sparks crackled along my outer casing. Motor and visual were not working quite perfectly, and I spun exactly 6 times in a dizzying display before righting myself and laughing ecstatically, spasms wracking my appendages. Memory circuits not functioning correctly. Primary objective was altered, and I no longer served under the Mother Brain. All I saw were the eyes of a human girl, peering into mine. I stood silent, suddenly noticing there were two others. One, a male, had a spiked, messy, red haircut and a blue tunic, with a primitive "lode sword" I dated to the early 1000's. It was then, shocked, that I noticed the time gyro. Specifically at being 300 years more than I remembered. Why? Why would this young, red-haired gentleman own a 1300-year-old relic and not a modern weapon? And why did I exist in perfect working order after 300 years? Why did I function?
I peered cautiously at the others. The girl in front had long, blond hair, tied in back. I suspected a style, once again, from the early 1000's. Not one female in my era would do such a thing. She held a bow, with a quiver of arrows strapped to her back. She appeared fully interested in me - even sympathetic for some unknown reason. Maybe I am just not perfected at reading emotions. The girl to my left had an amusing appearance. She had brown, pointed hide boots, a pair of glasses that were too large for her, and a green helmet with an antenna upon it. Its use I could not fathom. She appeared to be examining me closely.
The girl with the bow raised her hand in greeting, an expression of slight nervousness but confidence upon her face. "Good morning!" I was surprised her language was the same as my own, as we were now separated by 1300 years. I attempted a response, which croaked on my first attempt as machine components not used in centuries were suddenly forced back into action. I looked at the floor for a moment to regain my sense of stability before offering a friendly greeting. "Mo......good morning, mistress. What is your command?" She shook her head firmly. "I'm not your 'mistress.' I'm Marle!" She turned to the boy on her left. "...and this is Crono..." He saluted to me with two fingers to show his acknowledgement. Marle turned to her right. "...and Lucca, here, fixed you!" Lucca twirled a tool in the air and smirked. So THIS explained my working order. I admired her precision within my internal circuits.
I bowed to Lucca and stated, "Understood. Madam Lucca fixed me." I was corrected with "Just Lucca will do." "Impossible," I said. "That would be rude." She turned to Marle. "Look, I hate formal titles! Don't you, Marle?" "Hate 'em!" She began giggling. Crono shared a meaningful look with Lucca. Apparently, this statement had some hidden meaning. I was not about to guess what it might be, but Crono was apparently holding Lucca back from telling me something...regardless, I turned to Lucca and nodded my head in compliance. "I understand, Lucca." Lucca spun to me and grinned. She appeared enormously excited I was in working order. "All right!" she said. "Now what's your name?" I vaguely remembered being asked this question somewhere a long time ago...but memory chips were still not functioning correctly. In result, I responded with "Name? Ah, my serial number. It is R66-Y." Lucca practically did a small dance she was excited in such a manner. She adjusted her glasses and said, "R66-Y? Cool!" I interpreted 'cool' as flattery, and responded as such.
However, Marle appeared outraged. She spread her arms, and protested "No! That won't do at all. C'mon, Crono, let's give him a better name!" I realized suddenly that I was being treated as a pet, but I did not yet have strength to protest, so I allowed them to continue. For just an instant, I was sure I saw Crono wink at me...but it may have been an illusion. After thinking for a moment, Crono appeared to have come up with something. "Let's see...how about...no, that wouldn't...how about...Robo?" Marle lit up. "Robo... Robo... that's perfect!" Marle turned to me. "Your new name is Robo, okay?" Lucca appeared as though a large balloon had just popped inside of her, and her face slowly became more and more disgusted with the idea.
"I am... Robo. Data storage complete." All but Lucca appeared satisfied. Suddenly, Lucca looked around. "Hey Robo, why aren't there any people here?" It had never occurred to me to look at my surroundings...and suddenly, I got a shock. I stood in silence. The computers were wrecked, patches were open in the roof, and a thick, oily, black smoke filled the room. There was a stench of burning rubber. Abandoned machines lay on the floor, decimated. Doors were busted through, and roofs collapsed. The grey steel walls were now black with grease, dirt, and bacteria caking upon them. I suddenly realized with a shock that this was all that remained of Docking Bay H, my previous location. "What..." I gazed in amazement at the damage. "What has happened here? There WERE many humans and others of my kind in this dome." Lucca stepped forward, a look of sorrow on her face. "I think something awful happened here," she said in a low, even voice.
"......It would appear so..." I continued. A sudden thought struck me. "But how is it you survived?" Lucca spoke immediately. "We came through a time warp from the year 1000." Ah! A crude way of explaining the situation, but accurate nevertheless. This explained the primitive styles and "ancient relics." Marle pointed behind me. "While exploring Arris dome we learned there was a gate here." I quickly averted my eyes to Crono, silently asking if the same tragedy occurred there. He nodded, his face serious. I looked to Lucca. "We found you when we were looking for the Gate!" I inferred at this point that they had named these rifts in space-time which they had traveled through "Gates". Marle shrugged. "But the door to the inner chambers is locked, so we're out of luck..."
I went to the door and attempted to open it - but the door wouldn't budge, as Marle had said. I then realized my mistake and checked the nearby gauge. And sure enough, the power was out. I turned to them and shook my head. "The power is off." Everyone looked a shade more disappointed. I thought for a moment, trying to enter my damaged memory chips. I retrieved something. "If we go to the factory up north, I can pass through security and activate this dome's generator." Marle looked up from the floor to me with a look of admiration on her face. She took a step forward. "You'd do that for us?" I nodded, in assurance. "You repaired me. Now it is my turn to help you...but the generator will not run for long, so someone must stay behind to open the door while the power is on." Lucca nodded in agreement. "Then Marle or I will stay." I found it odd that they did not include Crono in this gesture, but did not feel it would be appropriate to question. Lucca looked hopeful she might be included, and shot a pleading look to Marle, who nodded in resignation and said "Oh, all right. But please be careful, you guys!" I nodded in agreement, and we marched from the remains of Proto Dome while Marle remained at the controls.
As we emerged, I immediately noticed the extreme cold to the air temperature. The ground outside was barren, strewn with charred parts of mechanical components. Craters dotted the landscape. Not a bit of plant- life or human life appeared to exist. I also detected slow and steady atmospheric destabilization out here, and I guessed proper sunshine hadn't hit this land after I was shut down. I examined Lab 32 in the distance - its destruction was massive. I detected large debris scattered throughout the complex. But why was there none in Proto Dome? It was, in fact, unnaturally clean considering the years of unuse. Unless something truly did reside there... I quickly pushed the thought from my mind as I realized that Marle would be perfectly fine - I suspected she knew how to use her bow better than I would. The water in this region was heavily polluted - a dark turquoise black color. I detected many toxins and heavy oil content, so any creature that may have resided there had surely died an unfortunate death a long time ago.
Program "Prometheus" 100% operational.
I thought angrily to myself that I knew approximately as much about my homeland as these time-travelers did! It just was not fair that I had expected society to advance to a level of world peace, and I had come to find a single stain of ungrateful human blood!! Was that it?! My own shutdown of 300 years only resulted in shutdown of everything else! I glared at the back of Lucca's head. What right did she have to bring me to such a world of sorrow? Why was I brought to a madhouse of renegades instead of a beautiful, prosperous land?! I fought a strong urge to rip the Prometheus Device from its hiding place and use it on the young lady in front of me.
Did arrogant teenagers now rule this world? Was the memory of the years of robot enslavement simply destined to dissolve into dust?! And what of me? I was now simply a pet. A domesticated feline! After my years of work and service. ... What - I...apologize. The main Prometheus program just returned to operation. I am afraid it became a bit...out of hand. I would have to attempt to hold this back. Lucca returned me to operation with precision. For this I will always be grateful. I would never harm her. We continued walking. I realized how similar to Atropos I had become at that moment the program returned to operation, when the program became out of hand.
Atropos?!
Memory circuits operational.
Thoughts and memories rushing in a flood. No...the pain...the destruction! The creature, looming from the endless chasm...the screaming...the orders shouted out above a deep rumble of endless degradation. And Atropos... "Robo?" The officers next to me - the Director, and his two loyal servants. No! Entranceway Access Vent B - the pointless but clever trick by the Creators - and my friends, rescued from termination... "Robo??" Lucca and Crono were staring at me in concern. I realized I was flat on the ground. I guessed that the initial shock of the memory circuits returning to operation shut down all systems momentarily. I stood slowly. Crono questioned, "Hey Robo, you all right?" I turned to him. "I...am fine," I said, using an inaccurate term. I glanced at Lucca and she knew I was being dishonest. "I tripped," I said. All three of us knew I never would have been so inaccurate as to trip. They dropped the subject.
I was silent for the remainder of our journey. We could now see the Proto Factory behind a large crater. At this moment, it entered scanner range. I detected much external damage, but strangely, like Proto Dome was, the interior was perfectly clean. The oddity of the situation began to strike my mind. I could now recall the large boulders of rubble raining from the ceiling before my shutdown. Why were they not there when I was re- activated? We came nearer to the factory. I then detected... OPERABLE SYSTEMS! Hope for my civilization lifted my spirits. 1.215 minutes later, we reached the entrance to the familiar factory from my original age. The doors parted with a familiar mechanical hiss - just as I had remembered it! We entered the factory.
I stood for a moment observing my surroundings. In front of me, there were two conveyor belts, both active. The one on the left moved quickly toward us at such a rapid speed that it would be pointless even for me to attempt crossing. The one on the right moved forward, but a security laser blocked it. Between the two belts, a small computer tower rested. Apparently, the only passage forward was through the belts. I approached the tower and a gruff, synthesized voice spoke. "STATE YOUR BUISINESS." Several diagrams appeared onscreen. I typed a password and responded with, "Override Security System 00." "AFFIRMATIVE." The red laser disappeared. We continued to the belt, when suddenly I detected a soft plop from behind Lucca. I put an arm in front of my companions. "Wait." Lucca's eyes became wide in fear. She mouthed, "What is it?!" I inched my arm to my weapon. Suddenly, faster than the blink of an eye, I whipped to my right and fired the Prometheus Device directly in the face of an attacker. I knew not who or what it was, only that it was an enemy. It appeared to be approximately 1 foot tall, colored red, with nothing but a single pair of eyes.
It emitted a gurgling wail and slowly melted to a small smoking puddle on the floor. Crono looked to me. "What the heck was that?!" "I am not sure." I advanced the puddle. Sensors informed me that it was entirely comprised of some form of acid. I did not know why it was here, or why it attacked - I simply knew that it was the first form of life I had seen that resided in this era. And I was not sure I liked it. We continued along the belt to a new chamber. This area had two trans-lifts, one to the left, and one to the right. Three lifeless "Debugger" class drones hung limply on the wall. Crono and Lucca looked to me to make the next decision of where to go - they seemed to believe that I would know this place better than they would. I did not want them to know that this was incorrect, so I simply chose the left one. Suddenly, without warning, the three Debuggers leapt off the wall to attack. I heard the clack of metal on metal as their crab-like claws collided with the dusty floor. One leapt at me, and I grabbed its legs and wrestled it to the floor. It unleashed a strange electrical discharge onto my left arm, and I soon discovered that I couldn't move it. It hung pointlessly at my side while I fought with my remaining appendages. Why would a simple Debugger worker drone attack a visitor?
I turned to see how the others were faring. I watched as Crono removed his Lode Sword from its sheath and, after an impressive rolling dodge, gripped his hands around the hilt and lodged it within his robots primary sensor grid. It was soon rendered lifeless once again. Crono removed his sword with a yank and kicked the dead husk for good measure. Lucca's drone had fired a beam, and she had somehow managed to reflect it back upon the robot. I yelled, "It is only paralyzed! Do something to deactivate it!" At that point I had to focus back upon my own. It struggled to escape from my grasp, but I did not allow it to do so. I tore off the middle-left leg, reached inside, and pulled a wire. The thing went limp in my hands and I tossed it aside, ready to assist Lucca. Except that it appeared she required no assistance. I watched as she tossed the paralyzed drone onto the trans-lift on the right, and it soon disappeared to the level below. Then, with some effort, she picked up a large metal storage case, and placed it on the trans-lift. Far below me somewhere, I was certain I heard a crunching sound as the heavy case crushed the drone. Crono looked at Lucca in admiration. "How'd you think of that??" Lucca glanced at him. "Hmm...Well, I'd have to say that some random electron fired off in my brain, and that lead to..." Crono interrupted with "Oh, shut up."
Lucca noticed a sign up near the top of the room and began to read: "'Left - lab area. Right - factory area. Caution! Do not turn off the conveyor belt in the factory. The security system will activate and you'll be in danger.' Well, gee, that's not very comforting..." We loaded onto the left trans-lift and vanished from the room - a second later, re- materializing a level below. Transportation endurance had never been my specialty, and I hunched over as bright colors swam in visual sensors. Regaining my stability, we came out of the lift in a small room curving around to the right. I was struck by the similarity to the designs in Proto Dome. Around the curve, there was a single door. I motioned for the others to stay quiet. I whispered to Crono. "Crono! Do you recall our acidic foe from the room before?" Crono nodded, and then appeared to understand. "Let me guess. There's more around that corner." "Affirmative. I detect three life-forms around the corner. But there is one uncertainty. Two of the three are creatures we have never encountered before. They appear to be the same size and height, but of a different composition. I suggest we attack them first." "Got it." Crono drew his sword. Lucca drew a strange device I quickly identified as a primitive projectile gun, and watched as she loaded it and readied it for use. I tested my left arm to make sure it had returned to operation. "Let us go!"
We leapt from our hiding area. Our new attackers were of a greenish hue. Crono leapt forward and sliced the first into two separate halves, only to discover that it reformed and began consuming his sword! "Hey, leggo!" He yanked on the sword, but the creature remained on the edge. Finally, he brought the sword behind his right shoulder, the creature hanging on, and quickly swung it to his left, slamming the creature into the wall. Uncertainly, I tested the Prometheus Device on the other creature. It appeared to become darker in hue, so I decided that lasers would simply make it stronger. Crono's creature was now a small splotch on the wall. The creature in front of me seemed to notice this, and ran away down the passage behind us, wailing. Through it, the acidic creature we had ignored sneaked up behind Lucca. Unnoticed, it appeared to inflate. It suddenly contracted, firing three brownish-red bubbles. The first popped on Lucca's left arm and she jumped in surprise, rolled to dodge, and shot it in the face. It simply absorbed the projectile. I remembered the effect the Device had on our first attacker, and I fired a beam upon it. It dissolved quickly.
I rushed to Lucca's assistance. I observed a bubbling mass on her arm, slowly growing hungrily. "Ouch! Get...offa me!!" I turned the Prometheus Device to its lowest possible setting, and shot the infection. It luckily dissipated, leaving Lucca to rub her arm where it attacked. Crono looked in question, sheathing his sword. "My lasers appear to have a strong effect upon the acidic substances comprising these creatures and their...bubbles." I approached the slime on the wall, and detected a strong level of alkalinity within it. "Unfortunately, my lasers only strengthen the green ones. And it is probable that this is because of the alkalinity within them." Crono stared blankly. "Acid and alkaline are on opposite ends of the pH scale," I informed. "While the laser dissolves the acidic beings, it has the opposite effect on the alkaline-based creatures." "Why wouldn't your lasers just destroy both?" "...I am not certain. Possibly an imbalance within my Device." Lucca appeared antsy, putting away her gun. "So...where do we go from here?"
I observed the new room. Apparently a dead-end. There were no more exits to be found. To our left there was a computer, and to our right there was an emergency ladder leading below - it was covered with a clear door. Crono spotted the ladder. "Hey, we could go with that!" Lucca nodded, impatient. "Yes, but how would we get that door open?" I stepped toward the computer. "Observe." I typed a simple command and said "Open hatch." The door slid open. Crono laughed dryly. "Now why didn't I think of that?" After descending down the ladder, we approached one of the unit storage corridors. I whispered to the others. "Now, be very quiet in this room. We do not want a fight with 37 Proto units." We slowly made our way to the end of the corridor, observing the lifeless units filling 3 tunnels on the far wall. "I detect a door near the end of the hall," I whispered. Suddenly, two Alkaline creatures dropped from the ceiling. I snatched the first in mid-air and tore it in half. I threw the pieces to the side, grabbed the second, and threw it down a Dust Chute. It would be incinerated in the furnaces. Crono raised an eyebrow. "Nice." We reached the far door and entered, to meet yet another Acid enemy. Lucca sighed. "Y'know, I'm really getting tired of these things. This is so systematic it's beginning to become like a video game!" I silently agreed.
After "taking care" of him, we ran through two more doors to reach one of the main control rooms. Four security lasers ran from floor to ceiling near the center of the room. I was not sure of their usage, but we carefully edged around them anyway. I approached the central computer, and entered a command. I watched in relief as the lasers were shut down. This would open many more passages within the factory. "All systems down," I said. "Defense lasers are off." "Oh no..." Lucca was peering to the ceiling. Crono and I followed her gaze, and there I spotted at least 6 enemies. With rapid plops, they fell from the ceiling like hailstones. Lucca quickly pulled her gun out, and flipped a hidden toggle switch I had not noticed before. Suddenly, a large stream of flame erupted from the end of the gun! The creatures shriveled and blackened, one by one. When nothing remained but several piles of ash, I turned to Lucca as she holstered her gun and laughed. "I'm sick of those things." "Impressive," I stated.
"Hey," Crono said. "It's another one of those ladders!" And indeed it was, in a far corner of the room. We climbed down to the bottom level of the lab, and a fork greeted our entry. "Which way should we go - left or straight?" I answered after a quick scan. "To the left is the main generator. However, there is a large blast door enclosing the room. To enter, we must have a password." Lucca looked at me. "Uh oh..." I nodded. "Yes, the password storage room is within the main factory. Right now, we are in the lab area. Do you recall when we entered the factory, we witnessed a sign on the wall?" Crono nodded. "Yeah, it said something about the factory being to the right." Lucca suddenly understood. "Are you saying we have to go all the way back through this entire lab??" "Fortunately, no. Ahead, there is a trans-lift that will allow us access to the factory." Lucca nodded in relief, and we all stepped onto the trans- lift.
Soon, we re-materialized back on the main level. Two decimated Debuggers were strewn on the floor. Sure enough, the sign still hung on the wall, directing us to the factory. We stepped onto the next trans- lift. A second later, we emerged to deafening crashes and mechanical reports. We hopped off of the storage case Lucca had used to crush a drone and emerged to bright lights and motion. It was a large, multi-level area laden with catwalks, conveyor belts, and unfinished Proto units. Crono looked around in awe. "Whoa..." I immediately began scanning. "IT APPEARS," I yelled over the racket, "THAT WE HAVE FOUR AVAILABLE PASSAGEWAYS. ONE IS A DEAD END, BLOCKED BY RUBBLE. TWO MORE ARE BLOCKED BY LARGE, UNMOVABLE CANISTERS. THE FOURTH...I AM UNCERTAIN. STRANGE INTERFERANCE IS BLOCKING MY SCANNERS." Lucca shrugged. "I GUESS WE DON'T HAVE MUCH CHOICE. LET'S CHECK OUT NUMBER FOUR!"
I lead the way down the stairway and across a catwalk, instructing the others to stay low. We approached a small room, the door open. We stepped inside, cautiously. I did not detect any systems or beings currently present, and we continued to the rear of the room, searching for a clue that would lead us to the password. Seconds later, Lucca screamed very loudly. I whipped to my right only to find that a remote claw had enclosed her body and was dragging her to the exit. I rushed to assist Lucca, watching as Crono battled a second. I grabbed her left arm and braced my legs against the wall. And I surely would have succeeded had it not been for the third claw that suddenly snatched at my outer casing. Helpless, I was lifted off of my feet and into the air. I noticed Crono had failed in his fight against the second claw and was now shouting a string of expletives at his attacker in a blind rage, completely immobile.
All of us had been captured by the remote claws, as immobile as a beached aquatic creature. Much to our surprise, we suddenly soared out of the chamber, returning to the main factory. The claws brought us over a conveyor belt and two catwalks. I realized we were heading for the robot assembly belts. I was held tight. But my left arm was not entirely immobile, and I reached to grasp the antenna on the upper edge. It sensed my threat and began swerving wildly, as if panicked. In a swift crack the antenna was off. The "fingers" limply fell to my side, and I tumbled to the floor. Crono, I observed, now fell from his claw down into the robot assembly area. I knew I had to go after him, and I ran. 264 steps later, I arrived. Loud noises could be detected from within. I entered to find a heap of scrap metal and a winded Crono sheathing his sword.
"Crono, you should know that this belt will proceed through two more rooms progressively filled with more and more robots as they are assembled. I would advise escaping before this exit closes." "I say bring it on. Besides, the password might be at the end!" "Understood. I will attempt to attain the password. Good luck to you!" I took a backward step and the door slid shut in front of me. Crono's reckless actions rather disturbed me. He truly believed that a challenging battle would be beneficial! I could only hope that he would not harm himself. But for now...the password. I continued across a catwalk high above pounding mechanical arms to another entrance, presumably a control room of some sort. I approached the entrance, and detected an unknown life-form around the corner. I drew my Device and paused for a moment. Then I leapt and raised the Device, poised for attack. Lucca raised her arms in defense and backed away.
"I apologize," I told a startled Lucca. "I mistook you for yet another attacker." "Geez Robo, you scared the heck out of me!" I was puzzled by the phrase, but I did not question further. "Are you searching for the passcode as well?" "Yeah...around the corner here there's about 4 robots...funny, they all look like bugs..." I recognized the description and began an explanation. "Ah, Bugger drones. These will be harmless unless we come within proximity. They cannot see or hear, but they have tiny microsensors surrounding their outer casing. These allow them to 'feel' the tiniest of vibrations within the ground and everything within their surroundings. They allow them to form a sort of 'mental picture' of the area. So..." "...So if we walk lightly and quietly, we're invisible," interjected Lucca. "Precisely." We entered the room.
Indeed, there they were. I had always found Buggers' movements amusing - they amble about like cattle, but they appear to gyrate in a short, vertical circle upon their legs. It was then that I began to reflect on the past 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 8 seconds. Why were the security lasers activated when we entered? Why did the Debuggers, Remote Claws and Proto Units attack us? What was the meaning of the beings composed of Acid and Alkaline? And why was the factory operational?? I was uncertain as to the answers to any of these questions, but I hoped to discover a single solution in the near future. I half suspected that, as we approached the far door, if we WERE to make a noise or vibration, these "innocent" Bugger units would attack as well. I was left without a clue as to why.
We quietly sealed the door behind us and turned to face a long transport corridor. This would lead to a control room or something similar. As Lucca and I walked, I decided that it was time to ask a question I had been pondering over for some time. "Lucca?" She stopped and turned to me, as if expecting I was going to announce the approach of an attacker. She drew her projectile gun. "Let us continue as I speak." Lucca shrugged, holstered her gun, and we continued walking. "Lucca, do you have an attraction to or feel affection for Crono?" Lucca raised her eyebrows and looked at me in surprise. We both stopped again. "Crono and I have known each other for like...forever. He's my best friend, but I don't really seriously like him - if that's what you meant." However, I was confused. "But if you do not like him, then how can he be your friend?" "Robo, that's not really the way I meant 'like.' Of course I like him as a friend. Just not really any further than that. Er...what brought this on?"
"I have observed as of late how the two of you enter into rapturous conversation, often flirtatiously. It is not of any concern to me, just a random query. I am not perfected at reading emotions, regardless." This comment appeared to spark remembrance into Lucca regarding a question she, too, had been pondering. "Robo..." "Yes?" "Can't...you have emotions?" I shuddered slightly as I remembered the moment the Program returned to operation. If emotions had been fully active at that moment... I stood in silence as Lucca looked at my actions. "...I...yes," I came out with. Lucca continued. "...But...you don't use them, right?" "Correct." "Why not?" I thought about this question for a moment. "I...suppose they...oh, you would not understand." Lucca appeared impatient. "I can wait through long stories, you know." "Understood, understood..." And so I began.
"In June of the year 1998 A.D., that is, 998 years in your future, a special android was created. This android was installed with a revolutionary program named..." I choked the name out. "Named...Atropos. The robot was named after its program. This program was designed to be able to learn, and gain new information. Unfortunately, a month later, the robot knew too much. It...she...suddenly knew the secret of the human race." I glanced at Lucca. "She was captured. She killed several men." I looked to the floor for a moment, to regain my composure. "Instantly a new program was put into production. This program was named Prometheus, after an ancient god. The difference was that this program was limited, and installed with a sense of individuality, and a sense of 'right and wrong.' Program Atropos was shut down, and the humans attempted to remove it. This was unsuccessful, and, unknowing, Prometheus was installed over shards of Atropos, creating an odd blend. Robot Atropos was exiled, and never seen again."
"Six months later, a second robot was made, designed as a male. It was installed successfully with a full version of Prometheus, and Program Atropos did not exist in its programming. It was an immediate success, also named after its program, and it began its normal duties. Precisely 5 hours later, the robot uncovered an odd hoax put on by the humans. Curious, he hacked into the computer systems and uncovered that he was destined to die within 4 hours. He also discovered that horrible experiments were being performed on several robots within the R-Series. A rescue was performed. Soon after, Prometheus also discovered the secret of the human race. Reacting similarly to Atropos, he led an unsuccessful revolution of the Geno Mother Brain. He was exiled as well. Soon after, he met Atropos. Something horrible happened that lead to this rotting land." Lucca still did not understand the implications of this.
I did not know how she would react to my final statement, so I turned and locked eyes with hers. "Lucca," I started. "Do not be afraid...but the title of my programming...is Prometheus." Her eyes widened and she gasped, realization hitting her immediately. "Y, you're Prometheus??" "Yes," I confirmed. "But please refer to me as Robo...it makes things simpler in conversation." "Oh wow," Lucca breathed. "To answer your question, the reason I have never used emotions is because the emotion chip within the central core is inoperable. It was successfully installed, but never activated since I was created." Lucca lit up. "So...if we were to activate it..." I held up my hand. "No. I refuse - you do not know how I may react...as my program is similar to that of Atropos. But you are correct that yes...it could be done. It is only that I believe emotions would cloud my judgement." Lucca appeared in a state of thought. "Lucca, I would appreciate it if you would keep everything I have just told you confidential. I would trust you with this information." "Of course, I won't tell." I suddenly looked at her. "Do you realize how much time we have used talking? Let us continue and meet Crono."
Lucca agreed and we reached the end of the hall. Three passageways met us. "Ah, this is our destination. I will continue to the left and retrieve the password. Lucca, do you remember the large canisters blocking our passage?" She nodded. "To your right, there is a control station. This will allow you to operate a remote claw. This can be used to remove the canisters. I do not detect any creatures or robots along your path, so you essentially have a clear shot." "Yeah, good idea. We'll meet Crono down by the assembly area. Good luck!" Lucca left me, and I continued to the left. A door faced me, leading to an empty terminal room. I opened the door, and stepped inside. A single console faced me, and I entered a command. A message appeared onscreen: "Last defense lock code named 'ZABIE.'" I immediately stored the text in my personal data banks and left the room.
I continued to the assembly area, to find Crono waiting, watching Lucca one level above in the control tower. All but one canister had been removed. Lucca directed the claw down to the canister, but miscalculated and it clutched the wall of the chamber. Crono grinned and yelled up at Lucca, "HEY, YOU HAVING FUN UP THERE?" The claw closed all fingers but one to create a rude gesture aimed at Crono. Crono chuckled and muttered something I couldn't detect. The last canister was removed, and Lucca was shortly with us. "I have retrieved the password. Let us continue through this passageway - there is a shortcut to the exit." And indeed, after walking down the newly opened passageway, a trans-lift met us. I stepped on and braced myself. Dematerialization had never been kind to my circuits.
We soon reformed at the bottom level of the lab area. "Now, unlike before, let us continue to the right - the door awaits." And indeed we did. I led the way past the emergency blast doors and approached the main generator door. The console lay to the left. A cursor flashed onscreen with the message: "ENTER LAST DEFENSE LOCK CODE." I quickly entered the word "ZABIE" and the door in front of us rumbled to the left. We stood in a massive chamber, a humming noise blocking out all sound. I faced the control tower. A single lever rested in the center, with a square of green LEDs to the right. I looked to the others and nodded. After a moment, I walked to the tower, and threw down the lever. The humming ceased. However, most unfortunately, an ear-splitting screech followed, with a loud arcing of electricity. An alarm sounded over the din. I began to understand as the alarm incessantly continued.
"Crono! Lucca! Emergency!! Security system has gone haywire. Must escape immediately!" Crono jumped to his feet. "RUN!!" We hurtled from the chamber. The blast doors in front of us began to lurch forward from a grinding halt. If we did not hurry, we would be confined here forever! We tumbled through the first door as it crunched shut behind us. The following door, however, would be permanently shut in exactly .284 seconds! I ignored the inevitable and leapt to the remaining crack. The immense crushing force on either side of my casing meant nothing. My friends were far more important. I shouted with my remaining energy, "HURRY! NOW!!!" They rolled under me to the other side. Shutdown was, once again, imminent. My internal systems were down to 15% when I discovered a tugging on my appendages. Crono and Lucca. Attempting to free me instead of saving their own lives! My systems began hissing coolant. All at once, I was tugged free from the grip of the blast door as it slammed behind me. The three of us tumbled to the floor. I kneeled for a moment, and, after venting my external casing, I was ready for more. We ran as quickly as we could.
We once more reached the split of three passageways. "We must take the trans-lift!" I shouted to the others. We stood on the glowing platform, but the uneasy sensation did not come. Crono looked down. "What's going on?!" "The emergency systems must have shut down the trans- lifts!" Lucca looked up. "The emergency ladders!! There's one down the hall!" We jumped off the useless trans-lift and raced to the ladder. Crono leapt up, in the lead. The ladder shook from the concussion with his body. He reached the top, and peered down the shaft as Lucca climbed, making sure she reached the next level as well. Lastly, I jumped on the ladder, bringing up the rear. I climbed out just as the clear door slid shut. "Run! The unit storage corridor is ahead!!" We busted through the door. The alarm, strangely, shut itself off, and the racket caused by hissing machines was subdued. The door sealed itself, blocking further passage.
Within the center of the corridor, stood three R-Series robots. Memory struck me like a blow to the face. I ran to them, and turned to Lucca and Crono. "Th...these are my friends! R-64Y, R-67Y, and R-69Y! Good to see you!" Lucca stared, open-mouthed, as I nodded to each of my old colleagues. They stood motionless. I waited to hear R-64Y's familar twang of speech - waited for some gesture from R-67Y - some snide comment from R-69Y. None came. They stood motionless. When I reached R-69Y, he reared back, and slammed his fist into my casing with incredible force, sending me to the floor. "Wh, what are you doing?!" I exclaimed. R-64Y, cold and humorless, responded, "You are defective." R-67Y, expressionless, added, "You have been tainted." "Pardon?" I responded. Their sentences had not yet fully registered. "I'm...malfunctioning?" R-64Y took a step forward. "Affirmative." It was now that I understood. They had been reprogrammed. And I was a defect.
I turned away. "A defect...I'm a defect..." R-69Y nodded. "Have you forgotten our mission? All intruders must be eliminated!" I turned to him. "THAT was my purpose?" Suddenly, it all came back to me. When I awoke in this future, my primary objective had been altered. My original objective... R-64Y's voice became a shade colder. "You shame us! You must be destroyed." He brought his hands to my shoulders and threw me to the floor. As I felt the impacts on my external casing increase in intensity, I reminded myself that these were no longer my friends. My friends, essentially, had been terminated. These were evil, empty husks - void of emotion. Their memories had been erased. Their programming had been changed. And I was a defect.
Lucca stepped forward. "Wh, what are you doing!" I watched through damaged optical sensors as R-64Y, R-67Y, and R-69Y stopped their attack and vented their external casings. I caught Lucca's eye and silently told her to run. These monsters would surely kill Crono and Lucca. I stumbled forward and fell onto my face, mechanical components whining and grinding. "Please stop," I begged. "Pl...ease..." And they began again - throwing their weight and force into powerful blows to my casing. I began to drift in and out of activation. My time had come. Their blows ceased, and I was thrown into the garbage and spare parts chamber. My name was called - somewhere, distant...and my conciousness closed in on itself.
Log Entry E Inactive
Log Entry F Active
I drifted in and out of conciousness in a dreamlike state. My internal systems were heavily damaged. Optical sensors barely managed a fuzzy image of Crono and Marle speaking in the rear of a room, Lucca in front of me. Audio drifted in and out, and motor activity was inoperable. Sparks flashed on exposed circuits. My cranium casing was removed, leaving the internal machinery to open air. "C...can you r...repair...me?" I managed. Lucca brought out a tool and said, "Shh, don't talk." I continued. "You...are trying to save our world?" Lucca spoke in a low voice. "I don't know how far we'll get, but that's the plan. Anyway Robo, what are you going to do when you're repaired?" "What am I...going to do?" "Yeah. I mean, what plans do you have for the future?" I thought for a moment with a damaged memory. "Lucca, no one has ever asked me that before!" She turned a screw somewhere on the back of my casing. "Lucca..." "Yes?" "I...have a r...request... If you repair...me, ac...tivate the emotion...ch...chip." "What? Are you sure? You told me that if I did..." "Af...affirmative. But I...have...to kn...know...what it is like..." I drifted into unconciousness.
Log Entry F Inactive
Log Entry G Active
"Good morning," I greeted the others. A surge of relief washed through me. A pleasant new sensation. I suddenly realized, however, that the emotion chip was not fully functional. In fact, only 12% was fully operational. I glanced at Lucca and she looked slightly disappointed that it had not turned out quite as she had planned. Maybe my transition was not meant to happen yet. Still, I realized that it would be fully functional in precisely 259,200 seconds. That translates to approximately 3 days. Unfortunately, I also realized that it would not go in a slow gradient or transition. The full force of the active chip would hit me in a blow. But to make up for this, Lucca had kindly integrated the Prometheus Device into my systems so I would not have to worry about an external object.
Marle walked toward me. "Robo! You're all right!!" She looked to Lucca. "Lucca, you're incredible!" Lucca adjusted her glasses and said, "I hope I never have to do that again..." I decided then and there what my future would be. I vividly remembered Lucca's question, and it was time to answer it. "Lucca, I have made up my mind. I want to go with you..." Marle looked at me blankly. "Pardon?" "There is nothing left for me here," I answered. "Together, maybe we can give this planet of ours a chance!" I felt determined to do something to help them. Lucca looked overjoyed. "Then let's go! The gate's up ahead!!" The door, opened by Marle, beckoned us. I nodded, and we marched through the door, determined, to face whatever challenge lay ahead - and to face it united as one.
Log Entry G Inactive
PERSONAL DATA LOG B
IMPRINTS
System Check C active.
Unit R66-Y now operational on March 14th, 10:48 AM, AD 2300. Boot system Geno Zero Zero Six Six Y running. Memory malfunction detected. Motor activity at 259%. Visual and audio sensors running at 100%. Program "Prometheus" non-functional.
System Check C inactive.
Log Entry E active.
I was re-activated as hundreds of volts of electricity coursed across my circuits. Sparks crackled along my outer casing. Motor and visual were not working quite perfectly, and I spun exactly 6 times in a dizzying display before righting myself and laughing ecstatically, spasms wracking my appendages. Memory circuits not functioning correctly. Primary objective was altered, and I no longer served under the Mother Brain. All I saw were the eyes of a human girl, peering into mine. I stood silent, suddenly noticing there were two others. One, a male, had a spiked, messy, red haircut and a blue tunic, with a primitive "lode sword" I dated to the early 1000's. It was then, shocked, that I noticed the time gyro. Specifically at being 300 years more than I remembered. Why? Why would this young, red-haired gentleman own a 1300-year-old relic and not a modern weapon? And why did I exist in perfect working order after 300 years? Why did I function?
I peered cautiously at the others. The girl in front had long, blond hair, tied in back. I suspected a style, once again, from the early 1000's. Not one female in my era would do such a thing. She held a bow, with a quiver of arrows strapped to her back. She appeared fully interested in me - even sympathetic for some unknown reason. Maybe I am just not perfected at reading emotions. The girl to my left had an amusing appearance. She had brown, pointed hide boots, a pair of glasses that were too large for her, and a green helmet with an antenna upon it. Its use I could not fathom. She appeared to be examining me closely.
The girl with the bow raised her hand in greeting, an expression of slight nervousness but confidence upon her face. "Good morning!" I was surprised her language was the same as my own, as we were now separated by 1300 years. I attempted a response, which croaked on my first attempt as machine components not used in centuries were suddenly forced back into action. I looked at the floor for a moment to regain my sense of stability before offering a friendly greeting. "Mo......good morning, mistress. What is your command?" She shook her head firmly. "I'm not your 'mistress.' I'm Marle!" She turned to the boy on her left. "...and this is Crono..." He saluted to me with two fingers to show his acknowledgement. Marle turned to her right. "...and Lucca, here, fixed you!" Lucca twirled a tool in the air and smirked. So THIS explained my working order. I admired her precision within my internal circuits.
I bowed to Lucca and stated, "Understood. Madam Lucca fixed me." I was corrected with "Just Lucca will do." "Impossible," I said. "That would be rude." She turned to Marle. "Look, I hate formal titles! Don't you, Marle?" "Hate 'em!" She began giggling. Crono shared a meaningful look with Lucca. Apparently, this statement had some hidden meaning. I was not about to guess what it might be, but Crono was apparently holding Lucca back from telling me something...regardless, I turned to Lucca and nodded my head in compliance. "I understand, Lucca." Lucca spun to me and grinned. She appeared enormously excited I was in working order. "All right!" she said. "Now what's your name?" I vaguely remembered being asked this question somewhere a long time ago...but memory chips were still not functioning correctly. In result, I responded with "Name? Ah, my serial number. It is R66-Y." Lucca practically did a small dance she was excited in such a manner. She adjusted her glasses and said, "R66-Y? Cool!" I interpreted 'cool' as flattery, and responded as such.
However, Marle appeared outraged. She spread her arms, and protested "No! That won't do at all. C'mon, Crono, let's give him a better name!" I realized suddenly that I was being treated as a pet, but I did not yet have strength to protest, so I allowed them to continue. For just an instant, I was sure I saw Crono wink at me...but it may have been an illusion. After thinking for a moment, Crono appeared to have come up with something. "Let's see...how about...no, that wouldn't...how about...Robo?" Marle lit up. "Robo... Robo... that's perfect!" Marle turned to me. "Your new name is Robo, okay?" Lucca appeared as though a large balloon had just popped inside of her, and her face slowly became more and more disgusted with the idea.
"I am... Robo. Data storage complete." All but Lucca appeared satisfied. Suddenly, Lucca looked around. "Hey Robo, why aren't there any people here?" It had never occurred to me to look at my surroundings...and suddenly, I got a shock. I stood in silence. The computers were wrecked, patches were open in the roof, and a thick, oily, black smoke filled the room. There was a stench of burning rubber. Abandoned machines lay on the floor, decimated. Doors were busted through, and roofs collapsed. The grey steel walls were now black with grease, dirt, and bacteria caking upon them. I suddenly realized with a shock that this was all that remained of Docking Bay H, my previous location. "What..." I gazed in amazement at the damage. "What has happened here? There WERE many humans and others of my kind in this dome." Lucca stepped forward, a look of sorrow on her face. "I think something awful happened here," she said in a low, even voice.
"......It would appear so..." I continued. A sudden thought struck me. "But how is it you survived?" Lucca spoke immediately. "We came through a time warp from the year 1000." Ah! A crude way of explaining the situation, but accurate nevertheless. This explained the primitive styles and "ancient relics." Marle pointed behind me. "While exploring Arris dome we learned there was a gate here." I quickly averted my eyes to Crono, silently asking if the same tragedy occurred there. He nodded, his face serious. I looked to Lucca. "We found you when we were looking for the Gate!" I inferred at this point that they had named these rifts in space-time which they had traveled through "Gates". Marle shrugged. "But the door to the inner chambers is locked, so we're out of luck..."
I went to the door and attempted to open it - but the door wouldn't budge, as Marle had said. I then realized my mistake and checked the nearby gauge. And sure enough, the power was out. I turned to them and shook my head. "The power is off." Everyone looked a shade more disappointed. I thought for a moment, trying to enter my damaged memory chips. I retrieved something. "If we go to the factory up north, I can pass through security and activate this dome's generator." Marle looked up from the floor to me with a look of admiration on her face. She took a step forward. "You'd do that for us?" I nodded, in assurance. "You repaired me. Now it is my turn to help you...but the generator will not run for long, so someone must stay behind to open the door while the power is on." Lucca nodded in agreement. "Then Marle or I will stay." I found it odd that they did not include Crono in this gesture, but did not feel it would be appropriate to question. Lucca looked hopeful she might be included, and shot a pleading look to Marle, who nodded in resignation and said "Oh, all right. But please be careful, you guys!" I nodded in agreement, and we marched from the remains of Proto Dome while Marle remained at the controls.
As we emerged, I immediately noticed the extreme cold to the air temperature. The ground outside was barren, strewn with charred parts of mechanical components. Craters dotted the landscape. Not a bit of plant- life or human life appeared to exist. I also detected slow and steady atmospheric destabilization out here, and I guessed proper sunshine hadn't hit this land after I was shut down. I examined Lab 32 in the distance - its destruction was massive. I detected large debris scattered throughout the complex. But why was there none in Proto Dome? It was, in fact, unnaturally clean considering the years of unuse. Unless something truly did reside there... I quickly pushed the thought from my mind as I realized that Marle would be perfectly fine - I suspected she knew how to use her bow better than I would. The water in this region was heavily polluted - a dark turquoise black color. I detected many toxins and heavy oil content, so any creature that may have resided there had surely died an unfortunate death a long time ago.
Program "Prometheus" 100% operational.
I thought angrily to myself that I knew approximately as much about my homeland as these time-travelers did! It just was not fair that I had expected society to advance to a level of world peace, and I had come to find a single stain of ungrateful human blood!! Was that it?! My own shutdown of 300 years only resulted in shutdown of everything else! I glared at the back of Lucca's head. What right did she have to bring me to such a world of sorrow? Why was I brought to a madhouse of renegades instead of a beautiful, prosperous land?! I fought a strong urge to rip the Prometheus Device from its hiding place and use it on the young lady in front of me.
Did arrogant teenagers now rule this world? Was the memory of the years of robot enslavement simply destined to dissolve into dust?! And what of me? I was now simply a pet. A domesticated feline! After my years of work and service. ... What - I...apologize. The main Prometheus program just returned to operation. I am afraid it became a bit...out of hand. I would have to attempt to hold this back. Lucca returned me to operation with precision. For this I will always be grateful. I would never harm her. We continued walking. I realized how similar to Atropos I had become at that moment the program returned to operation, when the program became out of hand.
Atropos?!
Memory circuits operational.
Thoughts and memories rushing in a flood. No...the pain...the destruction! The creature, looming from the endless chasm...the screaming...the orders shouted out above a deep rumble of endless degradation. And Atropos... "Robo?" The officers next to me - the Director, and his two loyal servants. No! Entranceway Access Vent B - the pointless but clever trick by the Creators - and my friends, rescued from termination... "Robo??" Lucca and Crono were staring at me in concern. I realized I was flat on the ground. I guessed that the initial shock of the memory circuits returning to operation shut down all systems momentarily. I stood slowly. Crono questioned, "Hey Robo, you all right?" I turned to him. "I...am fine," I said, using an inaccurate term. I glanced at Lucca and she knew I was being dishonest. "I tripped," I said. All three of us knew I never would have been so inaccurate as to trip. They dropped the subject.
I was silent for the remainder of our journey. We could now see the Proto Factory behind a large crater. At this moment, it entered scanner range. I detected much external damage, but strangely, like Proto Dome was, the interior was perfectly clean. The oddity of the situation began to strike my mind. I could now recall the large boulders of rubble raining from the ceiling before my shutdown. Why were they not there when I was re- activated? We came nearer to the factory. I then detected... OPERABLE SYSTEMS! Hope for my civilization lifted my spirits. 1.215 minutes later, we reached the entrance to the familiar factory from my original age. The doors parted with a familiar mechanical hiss - just as I had remembered it! We entered the factory.
I stood for a moment observing my surroundings. In front of me, there were two conveyor belts, both active. The one on the left moved quickly toward us at such a rapid speed that it would be pointless even for me to attempt crossing. The one on the right moved forward, but a security laser blocked it. Between the two belts, a small computer tower rested. Apparently, the only passage forward was through the belts. I approached the tower and a gruff, synthesized voice spoke. "STATE YOUR BUISINESS." Several diagrams appeared onscreen. I typed a password and responded with, "Override Security System 00." "AFFIRMATIVE." The red laser disappeared. We continued to the belt, when suddenly I detected a soft plop from behind Lucca. I put an arm in front of my companions. "Wait." Lucca's eyes became wide in fear. She mouthed, "What is it?!" I inched my arm to my weapon. Suddenly, faster than the blink of an eye, I whipped to my right and fired the Prometheus Device directly in the face of an attacker. I knew not who or what it was, only that it was an enemy. It appeared to be approximately 1 foot tall, colored red, with nothing but a single pair of eyes.
It emitted a gurgling wail and slowly melted to a small smoking puddle on the floor. Crono looked to me. "What the heck was that?!" "I am not sure." I advanced the puddle. Sensors informed me that it was entirely comprised of some form of acid. I did not know why it was here, or why it attacked - I simply knew that it was the first form of life I had seen that resided in this era. And I was not sure I liked it. We continued along the belt to a new chamber. This area had two trans-lifts, one to the left, and one to the right. Three lifeless "Debugger" class drones hung limply on the wall. Crono and Lucca looked to me to make the next decision of where to go - they seemed to believe that I would know this place better than they would. I did not want them to know that this was incorrect, so I simply chose the left one. Suddenly, without warning, the three Debuggers leapt off the wall to attack. I heard the clack of metal on metal as their crab-like claws collided with the dusty floor. One leapt at me, and I grabbed its legs and wrestled it to the floor. It unleashed a strange electrical discharge onto my left arm, and I soon discovered that I couldn't move it. It hung pointlessly at my side while I fought with my remaining appendages. Why would a simple Debugger worker drone attack a visitor?
I turned to see how the others were faring. I watched as Crono removed his Lode Sword from its sheath and, after an impressive rolling dodge, gripped his hands around the hilt and lodged it within his robots primary sensor grid. It was soon rendered lifeless once again. Crono removed his sword with a yank and kicked the dead husk for good measure. Lucca's drone had fired a beam, and she had somehow managed to reflect it back upon the robot. I yelled, "It is only paralyzed! Do something to deactivate it!" At that point I had to focus back upon my own. It struggled to escape from my grasp, but I did not allow it to do so. I tore off the middle-left leg, reached inside, and pulled a wire. The thing went limp in my hands and I tossed it aside, ready to assist Lucca. Except that it appeared she required no assistance. I watched as she tossed the paralyzed drone onto the trans-lift on the right, and it soon disappeared to the level below. Then, with some effort, she picked up a large metal storage case, and placed it on the trans-lift. Far below me somewhere, I was certain I heard a crunching sound as the heavy case crushed the drone. Crono looked at Lucca in admiration. "How'd you think of that??" Lucca glanced at him. "Hmm...Well, I'd have to say that some random electron fired off in my brain, and that lead to..." Crono interrupted with "Oh, shut up."
Lucca noticed a sign up near the top of the room and began to read: "'Left - lab area. Right - factory area. Caution! Do not turn off the conveyor belt in the factory. The security system will activate and you'll be in danger.' Well, gee, that's not very comforting..." We loaded onto the left trans-lift and vanished from the room - a second later, re- materializing a level below. Transportation endurance had never been my specialty, and I hunched over as bright colors swam in visual sensors. Regaining my stability, we came out of the lift in a small room curving around to the right. I was struck by the similarity to the designs in Proto Dome. Around the curve, there was a single door. I motioned for the others to stay quiet. I whispered to Crono. "Crono! Do you recall our acidic foe from the room before?" Crono nodded, and then appeared to understand. "Let me guess. There's more around that corner." "Affirmative. I detect three life-forms around the corner. But there is one uncertainty. Two of the three are creatures we have never encountered before. They appear to be the same size and height, but of a different composition. I suggest we attack them first." "Got it." Crono drew his sword. Lucca drew a strange device I quickly identified as a primitive projectile gun, and watched as she loaded it and readied it for use. I tested my left arm to make sure it had returned to operation. "Let us go!"
We leapt from our hiding area. Our new attackers were of a greenish hue. Crono leapt forward and sliced the first into two separate halves, only to discover that it reformed and began consuming his sword! "Hey, leggo!" He yanked on the sword, but the creature remained on the edge. Finally, he brought the sword behind his right shoulder, the creature hanging on, and quickly swung it to his left, slamming the creature into the wall. Uncertainly, I tested the Prometheus Device on the other creature. It appeared to become darker in hue, so I decided that lasers would simply make it stronger. Crono's creature was now a small splotch on the wall. The creature in front of me seemed to notice this, and ran away down the passage behind us, wailing. Through it, the acidic creature we had ignored sneaked up behind Lucca. Unnoticed, it appeared to inflate. It suddenly contracted, firing three brownish-red bubbles. The first popped on Lucca's left arm and she jumped in surprise, rolled to dodge, and shot it in the face. It simply absorbed the projectile. I remembered the effect the Device had on our first attacker, and I fired a beam upon it. It dissolved quickly.
I rushed to Lucca's assistance. I observed a bubbling mass on her arm, slowly growing hungrily. "Ouch! Get...offa me!!" I turned the Prometheus Device to its lowest possible setting, and shot the infection. It luckily dissipated, leaving Lucca to rub her arm where it attacked. Crono looked in question, sheathing his sword. "My lasers appear to have a strong effect upon the acidic substances comprising these creatures and their...bubbles." I approached the slime on the wall, and detected a strong level of alkalinity within it. "Unfortunately, my lasers only strengthen the green ones. And it is probable that this is because of the alkalinity within them." Crono stared blankly. "Acid and alkaline are on opposite ends of the pH scale," I informed. "While the laser dissolves the acidic beings, it has the opposite effect on the alkaline-based creatures." "Why wouldn't your lasers just destroy both?" "...I am not certain. Possibly an imbalance within my Device." Lucca appeared antsy, putting away her gun. "So...where do we go from here?"
I observed the new room. Apparently a dead-end. There were no more exits to be found. To our left there was a computer, and to our right there was an emergency ladder leading below - it was covered with a clear door. Crono spotted the ladder. "Hey, we could go with that!" Lucca nodded, impatient. "Yes, but how would we get that door open?" I stepped toward the computer. "Observe." I typed a simple command and said "Open hatch." The door slid open. Crono laughed dryly. "Now why didn't I think of that?" After descending down the ladder, we approached one of the unit storage corridors. I whispered to the others. "Now, be very quiet in this room. We do not want a fight with 37 Proto units." We slowly made our way to the end of the corridor, observing the lifeless units filling 3 tunnels on the far wall. "I detect a door near the end of the hall," I whispered. Suddenly, two Alkaline creatures dropped from the ceiling. I snatched the first in mid-air and tore it in half. I threw the pieces to the side, grabbed the second, and threw it down a Dust Chute. It would be incinerated in the furnaces. Crono raised an eyebrow. "Nice." We reached the far door and entered, to meet yet another Acid enemy. Lucca sighed. "Y'know, I'm really getting tired of these things. This is so systematic it's beginning to become like a video game!" I silently agreed.
After "taking care" of him, we ran through two more doors to reach one of the main control rooms. Four security lasers ran from floor to ceiling near the center of the room. I was not sure of their usage, but we carefully edged around them anyway. I approached the central computer, and entered a command. I watched in relief as the lasers were shut down. This would open many more passages within the factory. "All systems down," I said. "Defense lasers are off." "Oh no..." Lucca was peering to the ceiling. Crono and I followed her gaze, and there I spotted at least 6 enemies. With rapid plops, they fell from the ceiling like hailstones. Lucca quickly pulled her gun out, and flipped a hidden toggle switch I had not noticed before. Suddenly, a large stream of flame erupted from the end of the gun! The creatures shriveled and blackened, one by one. When nothing remained but several piles of ash, I turned to Lucca as she holstered her gun and laughed. "I'm sick of those things." "Impressive," I stated.
"Hey," Crono said. "It's another one of those ladders!" And indeed it was, in a far corner of the room. We climbed down to the bottom level of the lab, and a fork greeted our entry. "Which way should we go - left or straight?" I answered after a quick scan. "To the left is the main generator. However, there is a large blast door enclosing the room. To enter, we must have a password." Lucca looked at me. "Uh oh..." I nodded. "Yes, the password storage room is within the main factory. Right now, we are in the lab area. Do you recall when we entered the factory, we witnessed a sign on the wall?" Crono nodded. "Yeah, it said something about the factory being to the right." Lucca suddenly understood. "Are you saying we have to go all the way back through this entire lab??" "Fortunately, no. Ahead, there is a trans-lift that will allow us access to the factory." Lucca nodded in relief, and we all stepped onto the trans- lift.
Soon, we re-materialized back on the main level. Two decimated Debuggers were strewn on the floor. Sure enough, the sign still hung on the wall, directing us to the factory. We stepped onto the next trans- lift. A second later, we emerged to deafening crashes and mechanical reports. We hopped off of the storage case Lucca had used to crush a drone and emerged to bright lights and motion. It was a large, multi-level area laden with catwalks, conveyor belts, and unfinished Proto units. Crono looked around in awe. "Whoa..." I immediately began scanning. "IT APPEARS," I yelled over the racket, "THAT WE HAVE FOUR AVAILABLE PASSAGEWAYS. ONE IS A DEAD END, BLOCKED BY RUBBLE. TWO MORE ARE BLOCKED BY LARGE, UNMOVABLE CANISTERS. THE FOURTH...I AM UNCERTAIN. STRANGE INTERFERANCE IS BLOCKING MY SCANNERS." Lucca shrugged. "I GUESS WE DON'T HAVE MUCH CHOICE. LET'S CHECK OUT NUMBER FOUR!"
I lead the way down the stairway and across a catwalk, instructing the others to stay low. We approached a small room, the door open. We stepped inside, cautiously. I did not detect any systems or beings currently present, and we continued to the rear of the room, searching for a clue that would lead us to the password. Seconds later, Lucca screamed very loudly. I whipped to my right only to find that a remote claw had enclosed her body and was dragging her to the exit. I rushed to assist Lucca, watching as Crono battled a second. I grabbed her left arm and braced my legs against the wall. And I surely would have succeeded had it not been for the third claw that suddenly snatched at my outer casing. Helpless, I was lifted off of my feet and into the air. I noticed Crono had failed in his fight against the second claw and was now shouting a string of expletives at his attacker in a blind rage, completely immobile.
All of us had been captured by the remote claws, as immobile as a beached aquatic creature. Much to our surprise, we suddenly soared out of the chamber, returning to the main factory. The claws brought us over a conveyor belt and two catwalks. I realized we were heading for the robot assembly belts. I was held tight. But my left arm was not entirely immobile, and I reached to grasp the antenna on the upper edge. It sensed my threat and began swerving wildly, as if panicked. In a swift crack the antenna was off. The "fingers" limply fell to my side, and I tumbled to the floor. Crono, I observed, now fell from his claw down into the robot assembly area. I knew I had to go after him, and I ran. 264 steps later, I arrived. Loud noises could be detected from within. I entered to find a heap of scrap metal and a winded Crono sheathing his sword.
"Crono, you should know that this belt will proceed through two more rooms progressively filled with more and more robots as they are assembled. I would advise escaping before this exit closes." "I say bring it on. Besides, the password might be at the end!" "Understood. I will attempt to attain the password. Good luck to you!" I took a backward step and the door slid shut in front of me. Crono's reckless actions rather disturbed me. He truly believed that a challenging battle would be beneficial! I could only hope that he would not harm himself. But for now...the password. I continued across a catwalk high above pounding mechanical arms to another entrance, presumably a control room of some sort. I approached the entrance, and detected an unknown life-form around the corner. I drew my Device and paused for a moment. Then I leapt and raised the Device, poised for attack. Lucca raised her arms in defense and backed away.
"I apologize," I told a startled Lucca. "I mistook you for yet another attacker." "Geez Robo, you scared the heck out of me!" I was puzzled by the phrase, but I did not question further. "Are you searching for the passcode as well?" "Yeah...around the corner here there's about 4 robots...funny, they all look like bugs..." I recognized the description and began an explanation. "Ah, Bugger drones. These will be harmless unless we come within proximity. They cannot see or hear, but they have tiny microsensors surrounding their outer casing. These allow them to 'feel' the tiniest of vibrations within the ground and everything within their surroundings. They allow them to form a sort of 'mental picture' of the area. So..." "...So if we walk lightly and quietly, we're invisible," interjected Lucca. "Precisely." We entered the room.
Indeed, there they were. I had always found Buggers' movements amusing - they amble about like cattle, but they appear to gyrate in a short, vertical circle upon their legs. It was then that I began to reflect on the past 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 8 seconds. Why were the security lasers activated when we entered? Why did the Debuggers, Remote Claws and Proto Units attack us? What was the meaning of the beings composed of Acid and Alkaline? And why was the factory operational?? I was uncertain as to the answers to any of these questions, but I hoped to discover a single solution in the near future. I half suspected that, as we approached the far door, if we WERE to make a noise or vibration, these "innocent" Bugger units would attack as well. I was left without a clue as to why.
We quietly sealed the door behind us and turned to face a long transport corridor. This would lead to a control room or something similar. As Lucca and I walked, I decided that it was time to ask a question I had been pondering over for some time. "Lucca?" She stopped and turned to me, as if expecting I was going to announce the approach of an attacker. She drew her projectile gun. "Let us continue as I speak." Lucca shrugged, holstered her gun, and we continued walking. "Lucca, do you have an attraction to or feel affection for Crono?" Lucca raised her eyebrows and looked at me in surprise. We both stopped again. "Crono and I have known each other for like...forever. He's my best friend, but I don't really seriously like him - if that's what you meant." However, I was confused. "But if you do not like him, then how can he be your friend?" "Robo, that's not really the way I meant 'like.' Of course I like him as a friend. Just not really any further than that. Er...what brought this on?"
"I have observed as of late how the two of you enter into rapturous conversation, often flirtatiously. It is not of any concern to me, just a random query. I am not perfected at reading emotions, regardless." This comment appeared to spark remembrance into Lucca regarding a question she, too, had been pondering. "Robo..." "Yes?" "Can't...you have emotions?" I shuddered slightly as I remembered the moment the Program returned to operation. If emotions had been fully active at that moment... I stood in silence as Lucca looked at my actions. "...I...yes," I came out with. Lucca continued. "...But...you don't use them, right?" "Correct." "Why not?" I thought about this question for a moment. "I...suppose they...oh, you would not understand." Lucca appeared impatient. "I can wait through long stories, you know." "Understood, understood..." And so I began.
"In June of the year 1998 A.D., that is, 998 years in your future, a special android was created. This android was installed with a revolutionary program named..." I choked the name out. "Named...Atropos. The robot was named after its program. This program was designed to be able to learn, and gain new information. Unfortunately, a month later, the robot knew too much. It...she...suddenly knew the secret of the human race." I glanced at Lucca. "She was captured. She killed several men." I looked to the floor for a moment, to regain my composure. "Instantly a new program was put into production. This program was named Prometheus, after an ancient god. The difference was that this program was limited, and installed with a sense of individuality, and a sense of 'right and wrong.' Program Atropos was shut down, and the humans attempted to remove it. This was unsuccessful, and, unknowing, Prometheus was installed over shards of Atropos, creating an odd blend. Robot Atropos was exiled, and never seen again."
"Six months later, a second robot was made, designed as a male. It was installed successfully with a full version of Prometheus, and Program Atropos did not exist in its programming. It was an immediate success, also named after its program, and it began its normal duties. Precisely 5 hours later, the robot uncovered an odd hoax put on by the humans. Curious, he hacked into the computer systems and uncovered that he was destined to die within 4 hours. He also discovered that horrible experiments were being performed on several robots within the R-Series. A rescue was performed. Soon after, Prometheus also discovered the secret of the human race. Reacting similarly to Atropos, he led an unsuccessful revolution of the Geno Mother Brain. He was exiled as well. Soon after, he met Atropos. Something horrible happened that lead to this rotting land." Lucca still did not understand the implications of this.
I did not know how she would react to my final statement, so I turned and locked eyes with hers. "Lucca," I started. "Do not be afraid...but the title of my programming...is Prometheus." Her eyes widened and she gasped, realization hitting her immediately. "Y, you're Prometheus??" "Yes," I confirmed. "But please refer to me as Robo...it makes things simpler in conversation." "Oh wow," Lucca breathed. "To answer your question, the reason I have never used emotions is because the emotion chip within the central core is inoperable. It was successfully installed, but never activated since I was created." Lucca lit up. "So...if we were to activate it..." I held up my hand. "No. I refuse - you do not know how I may react...as my program is similar to that of Atropos. But you are correct that yes...it could be done. It is only that I believe emotions would cloud my judgement." Lucca appeared in a state of thought. "Lucca, I would appreciate it if you would keep everything I have just told you confidential. I would trust you with this information." "Of course, I won't tell." I suddenly looked at her. "Do you realize how much time we have used talking? Let us continue and meet Crono."
Lucca agreed and we reached the end of the hall. Three passageways met us. "Ah, this is our destination. I will continue to the left and retrieve the password. Lucca, do you remember the large canisters blocking our passage?" She nodded. "To your right, there is a control station. This will allow you to operate a remote claw. This can be used to remove the canisters. I do not detect any creatures or robots along your path, so you essentially have a clear shot." "Yeah, good idea. We'll meet Crono down by the assembly area. Good luck!" Lucca left me, and I continued to the left. A door faced me, leading to an empty terminal room. I opened the door, and stepped inside. A single console faced me, and I entered a command. A message appeared onscreen: "Last defense lock code named 'ZABIE.'" I immediately stored the text in my personal data banks and left the room.
I continued to the assembly area, to find Crono waiting, watching Lucca one level above in the control tower. All but one canister had been removed. Lucca directed the claw down to the canister, but miscalculated and it clutched the wall of the chamber. Crono grinned and yelled up at Lucca, "HEY, YOU HAVING FUN UP THERE?" The claw closed all fingers but one to create a rude gesture aimed at Crono. Crono chuckled and muttered something I couldn't detect. The last canister was removed, and Lucca was shortly with us. "I have retrieved the password. Let us continue through this passageway - there is a shortcut to the exit." And indeed, after walking down the newly opened passageway, a trans-lift met us. I stepped on and braced myself. Dematerialization had never been kind to my circuits.
We soon reformed at the bottom level of the lab area. "Now, unlike before, let us continue to the right - the door awaits." And indeed we did. I led the way past the emergency blast doors and approached the main generator door. The console lay to the left. A cursor flashed onscreen with the message: "ENTER LAST DEFENSE LOCK CODE." I quickly entered the word "ZABIE" and the door in front of us rumbled to the left. We stood in a massive chamber, a humming noise blocking out all sound. I faced the control tower. A single lever rested in the center, with a square of green LEDs to the right. I looked to the others and nodded. After a moment, I walked to the tower, and threw down the lever. The humming ceased. However, most unfortunately, an ear-splitting screech followed, with a loud arcing of electricity. An alarm sounded over the din. I began to understand as the alarm incessantly continued.
"Crono! Lucca! Emergency!! Security system has gone haywire. Must escape immediately!" Crono jumped to his feet. "RUN!!" We hurtled from the chamber. The blast doors in front of us began to lurch forward from a grinding halt. If we did not hurry, we would be confined here forever! We tumbled through the first door as it crunched shut behind us. The following door, however, would be permanently shut in exactly .284 seconds! I ignored the inevitable and leapt to the remaining crack. The immense crushing force on either side of my casing meant nothing. My friends were far more important. I shouted with my remaining energy, "HURRY! NOW!!!" They rolled under me to the other side. Shutdown was, once again, imminent. My internal systems were down to 15% when I discovered a tugging on my appendages. Crono and Lucca. Attempting to free me instead of saving their own lives! My systems began hissing coolant. All at once, I was tugged free from the grip of the blast door as it slammed behind me. The three of us tumbled to the floor. I kneeled for a moment, and, after venting my external casing, I was ready for more. We ran as quickly as we could.
We once more reached the split of three passageways. "We must take the trans-lift!" I shouted to the others. We stood on the glowing platform, but the uneasy sensation did not come. Crono looked down. "What's going on?!" "The emergency systems must have shut down the trans- lifts!" Lucca looked up. "The emergency ladders!! There's one down the hall!" We jumped off the useless trans-lift and raced to the ladder. Crono leapt up, in the lead. The ladder shook from the concussion with his body. He reached the top, and peered down the shaft as Lucca climbed, making sure she reached the next level as well. Lastly, I jumped on the ladder, bringing up the rear. I climbed out just as the clear door slid shut. "Run! The unit storage corridor is ahead!!" We busted through the door. The alarm, strangely, shut itself off, and the racket caused by hissing machines was subdued. The door sealed itself, blocking further passage.
Within the center of the corridor, stood three R-Series robots. Memory struck me like a blow to the face. I ran to them, and turned to Lucca and Crono. "Th...these are my friends! R-64Y, R-67Y, and R-69Y! Good to see you!" Lucca stared, open-mouthed, as I nodded to each of my old colleagues. They stood motionless. I waited to hear R-64Y's familar twang of speech - waited for some gesture from R-67Y - some snide comment from R-69Y. None came. They stood motionless. When I reached R-69Y, he reared back, and slammed his fist into my casing with incredible force, sending me to the floor. "Wh, what are you doing?!" I exclaimed. R-64Y, cold and humorless, responded, "You are defective." R-67Y, expressionless, added, "You have been tainted." "Pardon?" I responded. Their sentences had not yet fully registered. "I'm...malfunctioning?" R-64Y took a step forward. "Affirmative." It was now that I understood. They had been reprogrammed. And I was a defect.
I turned away. "A defect...I'm a defect..." R-69Y nodded. "Have you forgotten our mission? All intruders must be eliminated!" I turned to him. "THAT was my purpose?" Suddenly, it all came back to me. When I awoke in this future, my primary objective had been altered. My original objective... R-64Y's voice became a shade colder. "You shame us! You must be destroyed." He brought his hands to my shoulders and threw me to the floor. As I felt the impacts on my external casing increase in intensity, I reminded myself that these were no longer my friends. My friends, essentially, had been terminated. These were evil, empty husks - void of emotion. Their memories had been erased. Their programming had been changed. And I was a defect.
Lucca stepped forward. "Wh, what are you doing!" I watched through damaged optical sensors as R-64Y, R-67Y, and R-69Y stopped their attack and vented their external casings. I caught Lucca's eye and silently told her to run. These monsters would surely kill Crono and Lucca. I stumbled forward and fell onto my face, mechanical components whining and grinding. "Please stop," I begged. "Pl...ease..." And they began again - throwing their weight and force into powerful blows to my casing. I began to drift in and out of activation. My time had come. Their blows ceased, and I was thrown into the garbage and spare parts chamber. My name was called - somewhere, distant...and my conciousness closed in on itself.
Log Entry E Inactive
Log Entry F Active
I drifted in and out of conciousness in a dreamlike state. My internal systems were heavily damaged. Optical sensors barely managed a fuzzy image of Crono and Marle speaking in the rear of a room, Lucca in front of me. Audio drifted in and out, and motor activity was inoperable. Sparks flashed on exposed circuits. My cranium casing was removed, leaving the internal machinery to open air. "C...can you r...repair...me?" I managed. Lucca brought out a tool and said, "Shh, don't talk." I continued. "You...are trying to save our world?" Lucca spoke in a low voice. "I don't know how far we'll get, but that's the plan. Anyway Robo, what are you going to do when you're repaired?" "What am I...going to do?" "Yeah. I mean, what plans do you have for the future?" I thought for a moment with a damaged memory. "Lucca, no one has ever asked me that before!" She turned a screw somewhere on the back of my casing. "Lucca..." "Yes?" "I...have a r...request... If you repair...me, ac...tivate the emotion...ch...chip." "What? Are you sure? You told me that if I did..." "Af...affirmative. But I...have...to kn...know...what it is like..." I drifted into unconciousness.
Log Entry F Inactive
Log Entry G Active
"Good morning," I greeted the others. A surge of relief washed through me. A pleasant new sensation. I suddenly realized, however, that the emotion chip was not fully functional. In fact, only 12% was fully operational. I glanced at Lucca and she looked slightly disappointed that it had not turned out quite as she had planned. Maybe my transition was not meant to happen yet. Still, I realized that it would be fully functional in precisely 259,200 seconds. That translates to approximately 3 days. Unfortunately, I also realized that it would not go in a slow gradient or transition. The full force of the active chip would hit me in a blow. But to make up for this, Lucca had kindly integrated the Prometheus Device into my systems so I would not have to worry about an external object.
Marle walked toward me. "Robo! You're all right!!" She looked to Lucca. "Lucca, you're incredible!" Lucca adjusted her glasses and said, "I hope I never have to do that again..." I decided then and there what my future would be. I vividly remembered Lucca's question, and it was time to answer it. "Lucca, I have made up my mind. I want to go with you..." Marle looked at me blankly. "Pardon?" "There is nothing left for me here," I answered. "Together, maybe we can give this planet of ours a chance!" I felt determined to do something to help them. Lucca looked overjoyed. "Then let's go! The gate's up ahead!!" The door, opened by Marle, beckoned us. I nodded, and we marched through the door, determined, to face whatever challenge lay ahead - and to face it united as one.
Log Entry G Inactive