Chapter 3 is here!!!!! Thanks to clouded leopard for the first review, much appreciated, and in response, I put in some action for this chapter. Not much, but don't worry, the next chapter will be a bit more action oriented!

DISCLAIMER: You probably get the idea now, but I don't feel like Cryptic Studios or NCsoft to beat me with pingpong paddles, so I'm making sure to include the disclaimer. Those two organizations own most of my story- the setting, in particular, as well as some of the characters and most of the bad guy organizations. Up to this chapter, all I can claim to own are Prof Manisto, Sophie, and of course Ace.

CHAPTER 3: Prime Directive

The little man looked at the robot, and said, in a squeaky voice, "Your owner is Professor Adrian Manisto. Your operator will be yourself."
"Please confirm," the robot replied. "Owner is Professor Adrian Manisto. Operator is Your Self."
"This may be tougher than I thought," Manisto said, chuckling to himself. "Let me clarify: Your owner is indeed Professor Adrian Manisto- myself. You will be self-operated. Your self-diagnostic should have activated your artificial intelligence chip."

SYSTEM CHECK: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
SYSTEM: HARDWARE CONFIRMEDSOFTWARE CONFIRMED
ACTIVATE SYSTEM AI SUBSYSTEM FULL SELF-OPERATION
SYSTEM ACTIVATED

"System confirmed. This unit is owned by Professor Adrian Manisto, and is self-operated. Professor Adrian Manisto, please provide a prime directive to operate within."
Manisto turned, and looked out a window. Some distance away, over the harbor, sprawled Paragon City. He gazed in silence for a moment, and then spoke.
"I've been thinking about that. It certainly wouldn't do to have you do menial work- your core programming is far more advanced than that. No, I think something more... drastic is in order."
He turned to the robot. "Paragon City is in turmoil. City Hall sent an order to us for ACAAu models during the war, but the models were never completed... I think you should fulfill the order the City Hall send us. "Unit ACAAu-06, your prime directive is to protect Paragon City and its civilian inhabitants, and work to prevent crime." He smiled at the robot, a small smile, half-sad smile. "You may use the MS7AR on the table there—it's been fitted with tranquilizer bullets. Keep the people safe."
"Prime directive acquired. Processing... accepted. Prime Directive: Defend Paragon City and its inhabitants." The robot reached over, picked up the 20 lb. MS7AR and slung it easily over its shoulder. It then got up, and began walking toward the door. A few feet from it, the robot stopped, and spoke.
"Owner Professor Adrian Manisto."
"Yes?"
"This unit may be referred to as 'Ace.'"

She had seen them before. They called themselves the Hellions, or the Blood Brothers, depending on who you spoke to. They wore red and scarves over their faces. She knew because she was staring this one in the face.
"C'mon, lady, just give it up already! I don't want to kill you and you don't want to die, right?"
"Please, just let me go!" Sophie screamed. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because," the other Hellion said, standing behind her, "We need the money. Now, just hand it over like a good little girl."

PROCESSING VISUAL AND AUDIO DATA

"This is crazy! You can't just assault me!" Sophie replied.

PROCESSEDCATEGORY: CRIME SUBCATEGORY: ASSAULT

"Lady, just hand the damn thing over before I get angry!" the first Hellion said, pulling out a handgun and pointing it at her.

DIRECTIVE: END CRIME

Sophie took one look at the gun pointed at her head, and screamed at the top of her lungs!

TARGETING........

There was a loud gunshot, and then a thud. It took Sophie a moment to realize the bullet hadn't hit her, and the thud was not her falling. She opened her eyes, and saw the Hellion lying on the ground, eyes open and gazing at her, a bullet hole in his back.
"Oh my god... is he dead?" she said aloud. The Hellion behind her simply stared at the body on the ground.
"Negative," a deep and grating voice replied. "The bullet was non- lethal; the target is unconscious and will revive within four hours. However, by that time he will be relocated to the Paragon City Penitentiary."
Sophie looked up, a thanks coming to her lips, but it died before it escaped her mouth. Her eyes widened at what she saw.
Standing above her was a man-shaped object. Its arms were simply metal poles with wires running between and past them. Its legs were solid metal, deep gray, with vents along the sides. Its chest was black metal as well, with several lights glowing along the left shoulder, and two more vents on the chest. However, the strangest part was its 'face', or lack thereof... Where its face should be was merely a smooth metal helm with a comms antenna, and a grating through which the strange, metallic voice issued forth; the entire effect was completely inhuman, and for Sophie, completely terrifying.
She screamed again, loudly.
Though the metal face could not change, the strange creature seemed, somehow, surprised.
The Hellion behind Sophie suddenly came to his senses. Pulling out a handgun, he shouted, "You FREAK!" and began firing at the creature.
The bullets pinged harmlessly off the creature as it began to walk forward. Reaching over its shoulder, it pulled out an enormous rifle, which it then aimed at the Hellion.
Another gunshot rang out, and the second Hellion dropped to the ground. Slinging its rifle, the creature turned to Sophie...
...and held out its hand to her. She hesitated, then, deciding that it meant her no harm, she grabbed its hand. Its strength surprised her as it pulled her to her feet, seemingly with no effort.
"You are not hurt, citizen?" it asked her.
"I'm... I'm ok," Sophie replied hesitantly. "A bit shaky, but otherwise, ok."
The creature turned to leave. Sophie realized she still thought of it as 'the creature', though by now she didn't doubt that it was some sort of robot. It must have a name, she thought to herself.
"Hey, before you go... what do they call you?" she asked it.
Turning, it gave her an eyeless glance, and replied, "I am ACAAu-06... but you may call me Ace."
"Well, Ace... thanks."
On that note, Ace turned and left.