City of Heroes: Hands of The Clock
Rating (whole story): PG-13, for fantasy violence, deaths, mild language and use of a fictional drug.
Copyright Issues: City of Heroes is © 2002 NCsoft Corporation and Cryptic Studios, Inc. All rights reserved.
City of Heroes is a trademark or registered trademark of NCsoft Corporation.
Chapter 2
Zuerst sailed through the air and landed on top of one of many skyscrapers that filled the area of Paragon City known as Steel Canyon. This was his favorite way of relaxing, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, covering great distances with a single jump. It was just so carefree, and it helped take his mind off the problems both in the city and his personal ones. Being a sentient android, he often faces problems with organic prejudice. He has yet to be doubted for his ability as a Hero, but is often put in the same category as the many remote-controlled or otherwise non-sentient androids in the city. Not to say that he is the only sentient android, and he was sure the others must have the same problems he has...
Maybe I should start a Robot Support Group? He thought to himself, looking down from the breathtaking (if he had had breath to take) view of Steel Canyon from the high building. He would have an interesting story to tell the others, about how he owes his existence to crime. His creator, Dr. Hope, had been laughed out of scientific conferences when he had proposed building a sentient android that could learn and choose what to do with it's life, like any human. His supporters pulled their funding, and Hope became desperate for the monetary power to continue his dream...
Zuerst had started his life as a very small robot; his brain was almost completed, but Dr. Hope had only quickly put together a body for him. He would often follow Dr. Hope about his lab as he worked, asking childish questions. And as much like a child Zuerst had been, Dr. Hope had been his father. He did his best to teach Zuerst right from wrong, as well as how human society worked. He never told Zuerst about where his funding came from.
Dr. Hope had finished the skeleton for Zuerst's new body, as well as the final upgrades for his brain. He loaded Zuerst into the Upgrade Chamber, a capsule filled with precise, robotic arms, sensors and other equipment that Dr. Hope would use to make adjustments or enhancements to Zuerst. He deactivated Zuerst, and then ran the procedure. When Zuerst woke up, he found himself in a much larger body that a casual observer would probably remark to resemble a Terminator. Then Zuerst noticed that his own mental capacity had been greatly enhanced. Questions that seemed impossible before he now understood how simple their answers were. He now began to ponder more philosophical things. In fact, he found that he now really enjoyed thinking, questioning, and wondering. He started to feel that maybe he should become a scientist or philosopher when he was complete. Sadly, this was not to be.
Some time later, Zuerst was ready for a new upgrade, which would add an exo- plating to his head, lower arms, legs, and torso. After this, there would be only one more upgrade and he would be complete.
After the upgrade was finished, Zuerst got out of the chamber, and came through the secret door that separated the lab and the upgrade chamber. He was immediately struck with horror. The entire lab had been trashed, experiments and equipment destroyed, computers riddled with bullet-holes, chairs overturned. He immediately began to search for Dr. Hope, calling out his name. He desperately began to search the lab, looking under smashed desks, calling out for Dr. Hope. Finally, he heard a groan, and followed it to one corner of the lab, where he found a streak of blood, leading into a pool of it under a lab table that had overturned and smashed. With his newfound immense strength, he lifted the normally heavy desk with one arm and tossed it away.
Dr. Hope, his father, lay there, with bullets in him. He was bleeding profusely, and was very pale. Zuerst fell to his knees and leaned over Dr. Hope.
"Father!" Zuerst exclaimed. Dr. Hope slowly opened his eyes, and seemed to be searching, as if he couldn't see Zuerst whose face was only a meter away, so Zuerst leaned in closer and said "It's me. It's okay."
"Zuerst..." Dr. Hope barely managed to say, his eyes settling on the unexpressive metal face of the android. "I... I'm going to be going soon..." Hope wheezed out, and then coughed up blood.
Zuerst didn't know what he meant for a second, and was about to ask where, when it donned on him. "N-No." Zuerst stammered, his artificial mind racing to catch up with what was happening with his emotions. "I just need to take you to the hospital, because organic life forms can heal, and when I bring you there, the medical doctors will heal you, just like you always could repair me. And then you'll be fine, right?"
Dr. Hope seemed to shake for a moment. His face was getting paler. "Zu- Zuerst..." His breathing was labored, and his speech barely audible. "You must... the console... the code... it's Z1FW. You will understand. Goodbye, my... son." Dr. Hope's eyes closed, and his head slumped back. Zuerst's sensors detected his heart stopping, and the brain activity slow to a stop. If Zuerst had had the ability to cry, he would have. Instead, he just stayed kneeling over Dr. Hope for hours; silently wishing his sensors didn't work, so he could have at least hoped...
Finally, he picked up the body of his father, and layed it down on a workbench, folding Hope's arms across his chest, and laying a sheet across his body, covering his face. Turning to the large circular console in the center of the room, he examined it, and found it surprisingly undamaged, compared to the rest of the room. He activated it, and entered the code Dr. Hope had given him.
The large lens in the center of the console began to glow, and a holographic projection began to appear above the console. It flickered as the hologram projector focused, and the image became clear. It was Dr. Hope.
"Zuerst," The hologram began, "If you are watching this recording, then I am dead. Murdered by an unknown, criminal organization. At this point, you would probably be wondering why they would select me as a target. You see, no one believed me when I told them I could create a sentient android. And those that did felt that I was trying to play God. So they cut my funding. I became desperate. A shadowy, unknown, organization came to my aid. They promised to rid me of my financial woes, if I were to build them an android, whose intelligence they would use to make it more powerful in battle. I accepted the money, but with the full intention of hiding my creation, you, from them, and letting you escape to make your own life.
"But, it seems, they must have found out about my plans. And have undoubtedly murdered me, and have attempted to take you. If you met the ones who attacked, I doubt they could have hurt you. If you didn't, then I am glad you are safe. Either way, I need to explain your true power to you; even if you have used your powers you need to understand.
"You see, knowing that they would try to take you, I have given you the ability to defend yourself. Your Exo-plating is made from an alloy I discovered. It is extremely powerful and near indestructible, yet, it has the ability to re-arrange it's atomic structure in accordance to your program. In essence, you can heal and evolve yourself to become more powerful without ever need a replacement part. Also, you have a structural integrity field generator, which, when activated, projects precise magnetic fields, effectively causing you to become almost impossible to damage. Finally, your back is equipped with a matter-energy storage device. I have loaded it with a special Battle Axe, made from completely indestructible alloys, which you can use if you are ever threatened. Because of your ability to evolve and better yourself, I'm sure new abilities will manifest themselves.
"Zuerst, whatever you do, I want you to know I'm proud of you. I know that, although I am dead, I have completed my dream, and have completed my purpose in life. And so, my death was not in vain, as long as you live and stand for the side of good. No matter how. Goodbye Zuerst, and, good luck."
The hologram shimmered and disappeared. Zuerst looked to the body of Dr. Hope, then reached back, and a handle materialized in his hand. He held the axe in front of him for a few moments.
"No father, your death will not be in vain. I will see to it. I swear, from this day forth, to devote my life to fighting evil."
Zuerst was awoken from his stupor as his communication system chirped, and he received a transmission on his Super-Group's private com-channel.
"Everyone! Come to Boomtown quick!" It was the voice of Jake Archer. "Something big has happened."
Rating (whole story): PG-13, for fantasy violence, deaths, mild language and use of a fictional drug.
Copyright Issues: City of Heroes is © 2002 NCsoft Corporation and Cryptic Studios, Inc. All rights reserved.
City of Heroes is a trademark or registered trademark of NCsoft Corporation.
Chapter 2
Zuerst sailed through the air and landed on top of one of many skyscrapers that filled the area of Paragon City known as Steel Canyon. This was his favorite way of relaxing, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, covering great distances with a single jump. It was just so carefree, and it helped take his mind off the problems both in the city and his personal ones. Being a sentient android, he often faces problems with organic prejudice. He has yet to be doubted for his ability as a Hero, but is often put in the same category as the many remote-controlled or otherwise non-sentient androids in the city. Not to say that he is the only sentient android, and he was sure the others must have the same problems he has...
Maybe I should start a Robot Support Group? He thought to himself, looking down from the breathtaking (if he had had breath to take) view of Steel Canyon from the high building. He would have an interesting story to tell the others, about how he owes his existence to crime. His creator, Dr. Hope, had been laughed out of scientific conferences when he had proposed building a sentient android that could learn and choose what to do with it's life, like any human. His supporters pulled their funding, and Hope became desperate for the monetary power to continue his dream...
Zuerst had started his life as a very small robot; his brain was almost completed, but Dr. Hope had only quickly put together a body for him. He would often follow Dr. Hope about his lab as he worked, asking childish questions. And as much like a child Zuerst had been, Dr. Hope had been his father. He did his best to teach Zuerst right from wrong, as well as how human society worked. He never told Zuerst about where his funding came from.
Dr. Hope had finished the skeleton for Zuerst's new body, as well as the final upgrades for his brain. He loaded Zuerst into the Upgrade Chamber, a capsule filled with precise, robotic arms, sensors and other equipment that Dr. Hope would use to make adjustments or enhancements to Zuerst. He deactivated Zuerst, and then ran the procedure. When Zuerst woke up, he found himself in a much larger body that a casual observer would probably remark to resemble a Terminator. Then Zuerst noticed that his own mental capacity had been greatly enhanced. Questions that seemed impossible before he now understood how simple their answers were. He now began to ponder more philosophical things. In fact, he found that he now really enjoyed thinking, questioning, and wondering. He started to feel that maybe he should become a scientist or philosopher when he was complete. Sadly, this was not to be.
Some time later, Zuerst was ready for a new upgrade, which would add an exo- plating to his head, lower arms, legs, and torso. After this, there would be only one more upgrade and he would be complete.
After the upgrade was finished, Zuerst got out of the chamber, and came through the secret door that separated the lab and the upgrade chamber. He was immediately struck with horror. The entire lab had been trashed, experiments and equipment destroyed, computers riddled with bullet-holes, chairs overturned. He immediately began to search for Dr. Hope, calling out his name. He desperately began to search the lab, looking under smashed desks, calling out for Dr. Hope. Finally, he heard a groan, and followed it to one corner of the lab, where he found a streak of blood, leading into a pool of it under a lab table that had overturned and smashed. With his newfound immense strength, he lifted the normally heavy desk with one arm and tossed it away.
Dr. Hope, his father, lay there, with bullets in him. He was bleeding profusely, and was very pale. Zuerst fell to his knees and leaned over Dr. Hope.
"Father!" Zuerst exclaimed. Dr. Hope slowly opened his eyes, and seemed to be searching, as if he couldn't see Zuerst whose face was only a meter away, so Zuerst leaned in closer and said "It's me. It's okay."
"Zuerst..." Dr. Hope barely managed to say, his eyes settling on the unexpressive metal face of the android. "I... I'm going to be going soon..." Hope wheezed out, and then coughed up blood.
Zuerst didn't know what he meant for a second, and was about to ask where, when it donned on him. "N-No." Zuerst stammered, his artificial mind racing to catch up with what was happening with his emotions. "I just need to take you to the hospital, because organic life forms can heal, and when I bring you there, the medical doctors will heal you, just like you always could repair me. And then you'll be fine, right?"
Dr. Hope seemed to shake for a moment. His face was getting paler. "Zu- Zuerst..." His breathing was labored, and his speech barely audible. "You must... the console... the code... it's Z1FW. You will understand. Goodbye, my... son." Dr. Hope's eyes closed, and his head slumped back. Zuerst's sensors detected his heart stopping, and the brain activity slow to a stop. If Zuerst had had the ability to cry, he would have. Instead, he just stayed kneeling over Dr. Hope for hours; silently wishing his sensors didn't work, so he could have at least hoped...
Finally, he picked up the body of his father, and layed it down on a workbench, folding Hope's arms across his chest, and laying a sheet across his body, covering his face. Turning to the large circular console in the center of the room, he examined it, and found it surprisingly undamaged, compared to the rest of the room. He activated it, and entered the code Dr. Hope had given him.
The large lens in the center of the console began to glow, and a holographic projection began to appear above the console. It flickered as the hologram projector focused, and the image became clear. It was Dr. Hope.
"Zuerst," The hologram began, "If you are watching this recording, then I am dead. Murdered by an unknown, criminal organization. At this point, you would probably be wondering why they would select me as a target. You see, no one believed me when I told them I could create a sentient android. And those that did felt that I was trying to play God. So they cut my funding. I became desperate. A shadowy, unknown, organization came to my aid. They promised to rid me of my financial woes, if I were to build them an android, whose intelligence they would use to make it more powerful in battle. I accepted the money, but with the full intention of hiding my creation, you, from them, and letting you escape to make your own life.
"But, it seems, they must have found out about my plans. And have undoubtedly murdered me, and have attempted to take you. If you met the ones who attacked, I doubt they could have hurt you. If you didn't, then I am glad you are safe. Either way, I need to explain your true power to you; even if you have used your powers you need to understand.
"You see, knowing that they would try to take you, I have given you the ability to defend yourself. Your Exo-plating is made from an alloy I discovered. It is extremely powerful and near indestructible, yet, it has the ability to re-arrange it's atomic structure in accordance to your program. In essence, you can heal and evolve yourself to become more powerful without ever need a replacement part. Also, you have a structural integrity field generator, which, when activated, projects precise magnetic fields, effectively causing you to become almost impossible to damage. Finally, your back is equipped with a matter-energy storage device. I have loaded it with a special Battle Axe, made from completely indestructible alloys, which you can use if you are ever threatened. Because of your ability to evolve and better yourself, I'm sure new abilities will manifest themselves.
"Zuerst, whatever you do, I want you to know I'm proud of you. I know that, although I am dead, I have completed my dream, and have completed my purpose in life. And so, my death was not in vain, as long as you live and stand for the side of good. No matter how. Goodbye Zuerst, and, good luck."
The hologram shimmered and disappeared. Zuerst looked to the body of Dr. Hope, then reached back, and a handle materialized in his hand. He held the axe in front of him for a few moments.
"No father, your death will not be in vain. I will see to it. I swear, from this day forth, to devote my life to fighting evil."
Zuerst was awoken from his stupor as his communication system chirped, and he received a transmission on his Super-Group's private com-channel.
"Everyone! Come to Boomtown quick!" It was the voice of Jake Archer. "Something big has happened."