The second chapter of my continuing saga of ACAAu-06. Details the process that led to the creation of the hero. Remember, Reviews=Happiness=More story! UPDATED added more info and fixed some problems, yay!
DISCLAIMER: Yes, it's true, NCsoft Corporation and Cryptic Studios still refuse to sell me the rights to Paragon City and the associated items. I don't know what they found wrong with the platypus, it was still good...... anyway, they own Paragon City, the Rikti, and just about everything except my original characters.
Chapter 2: A Brief History of CyberTech Corp.
Professor Adrian Manisto was once a design technician in the CyberTech Corporation Humanoid Robotics R&D department.
CyberTech was the world's number one cutting edge robotics corporation. They marketed everything from robotic toys for children to advanced robotic military targeting systems, and were successful in every market. They were most successful because, rather than buying patents from developers, they incorporated their own R&D section, and became as famous for their innovative designs as for their successful marketing skills.
The biggest, most funded section of R&D was Humanoid Robotics. Incorporating the technology from all other departments, the humanoid robots were the ultimate in high technology, and everything from menial servants to hard laborers to combat units were developed in CyberTech labs.
Before the Rikti invasion, they were working on an advanced combat prototype called the ACAAu models- Advanced Character Assassination/Assault units. Designed to be the most effective combat units to date, they were fitted with all the best weapons and logic modules. Designed for combat in the modern world, they were also fitted with active camouflage units and other stealth-related abilities.
There were few flaws in the design, but one glaring problem had the development team by the throat. The robots required incredible amounts of energy to function. Huge, unwieldy power packs graced the models, and the robots had to recharge several times in a twenty-four hour operating period.
When the first wave of Rikti invaded, the Paragon City government decided it could spare the power. On contract with Paragon City Hall, CyberTech began pumping out units, but before even the first one was fully completed, the Rikti launched an attack that destroyed the entire compound.
Professor Manisto was deep underground in the lowest level of the compound at the time. He had fled there after witnessing the destructive power of the Rikti. He survived, alone of all the humans in the compound.
However, there was one other survivor. One of the earlier ACAAu models, unit ID 06, was boxed up in the subbasement as well. When Manisto stumbled upon it, he was delighted- all of the research from his department was put into this robot, and so the advanced technology was not lost as he had feared.
Manisto immediately began work to get the unit up to working condition. He reasoned that if he could get it operational, the city could use it to combat the remaining Rikti, as well as the new evils appearing in the city.
Once he ran out of parts from the factory, he began scavenging. More than once he was at odds with the Clockwork, and several times he feared for his life. However, he was able to get enough spare technology together to begin work on the unit. He chose to upgrade the combat computer and outfit the unit with a MS7 All-Purpose Assault Rifle, which he felt most suited the advanced capabilities of the robot.
He hit gold one day while scavenging- he found a large group of deactivated Rikti drones. Jumping at this chance to use advanced technology in his designs, he returned with the drones. Among other technologies, he discovered an advanced AI unit which he was sure would give his robot some degree of free will, and an adaptive processor that would allow the unit to 'learn' new techniques and incorporate new technology into itself, allowing it to grow more powerful as time went on.
Most important of all, he found a lightweight power source within the Rikti technology that could continue powering this unit indefinitely. This unit in one fell stroke destroyed the biggest weakness of the robot model and, perhaps, made the entire effort worthwhile. After two months of work, he declared his prototype complete, and switched it on.