Day 5, March 10

H-B Spring-Bot made it back safe and sound, which is surprising. I really thought I lost him during my lunch break.

Okay, let me explain. I sent him out to see the sights and get some remnant (the only reason why I made him do the second part was contractual obligations with the Delivery Corp). Yes, for the reader who remembers my plan from yesterday, I did fit him with a camera before he left. That way, I could actually see what was happening if things were dicey.

Anyway, I did my usual jobs while he headed downtown. Every so often, I would get an update via a text from his AI. Something like, "Someone gave me this. May I keep it?" or "There are so many others wandering around!" with a picture of two or three robots wandering around. Yeah, a little something for readers in the far-off future: this is— was — normal for us here. That's why I didn't feel the need to call Town Hall or get a permit. This delivery service is popular here, sketchy or not.

Going back to H-B, he was fine until I hit my first lunch break. Then I got the text no one who sends someone on a remnant search wants to see: "I've collected some black-purple stuff and now my vision has darkened. What do I do?" To clarify for those unaware: this is the shadow remnant you're not supposed to collect.

So, obviously, I panic for a second before activating the video feed. Yup, his vision was dark and limited. But that wasn't the only problem. There was something lurking that I thought was a joke: A pitch-black, shadowy looking version of the purple rabbit. The purple rabbit. And, for whatever reason, it was gunning for my boy. Floating around him while the cooling fan went ballistic. I watched as my bot dodged and weaved while this pest semi-understandably taunted him. It was tense, but I tried to tell H-B where to go and what to do. Help him out as much as I could, you know?

But then the really bad stuff started.

"Shadow Bunny" over here really started talking to H-B as if he were William! He even gave some jabs like "This search for remnant proves you haven't changed" or "How does it feel now that your suit is as dark as your heart?" or even "Prepare to be sent back to the realm of nightmares!". All of these little quips probably wouldn't have faxed Will that much. But to H-B? These were devastating. I was forced to watch him stumble back against a wall out of sheer terror and slump to the ground. His cooling fan slowed down as he curled into a heap much like two nights ago. Except, thankfully, he was sitting rather than lying down. The only signal I had now was the swooshing sounds of the Shadow Bunny drawing closer and closer.

This was when, like any mad scientist who cares for his or her project, I lost my cool and went full-on defense mode. Drawing from the advice from those reviews, I switched on "control" mode and yanked H-B's head up. The LEDs in his eyes acted like the flashlights a typical searcher would need. Every time he blinked, the Shadow!s purely white eyes would be "blinded" before disappearing and reappearing. This went on for two minutes that felt like hours. The more I used the lights, the more confident H-B actually became. He lunged at the Shadow and used that good ol' Spring screech for extra effect.

Right. I gotta keep remembering this is a journal, not a novel. Anyway, the teamwork went great and we defeated the annoying Shadow Punk. I told him great job, deactivated the "control" mode, and went back to my lunch. This five or more minutes tore into my eating time, but I didn't care. No doubt this'll be an experience I'm not going to forget, that's for sure.

H-B came back with a low battery half-an-hour ago. Thanks to being startled, he dropped the remnant bottle and forgot to pick it back up. Am I going to rebuke him for it? Pfft, of course not! In fact, I'm almost considering purging some of it from him. It's doing wonders for his AI, obviously, but it's also making his systems act up and have "nightmares". Okay, it's been one so far; but what if it keeps going after I sent him to my customer? I'm not always going to be there to help him, you know?

Then again, I'm not his mom. I know I sound like it, but I'm not. If I had to assign myself a title, I'd say I'm "Frankenstein, but he actually cares".

All right, I've been rambling about this for far too long. He's passed the basic stuff, even with this minor setback. I'm definitely thinking about the "battle" lessons first, so that he can get his act together if he re-encounters Shadow Punk or anyone like that. Then exploring the neighborhood when he gets a little braver. But, of course, that means this journaling stuff might take longer to get to. I hope nobody minds some more periodic updates...

You know what? I might have H-B get his own journal and write in it a bit. Get his perspective in a bit, that sort of thing. Maybe even give him a proper name tomorrow. "H-B"'s a good nickname but I gotta figure out what exactly I'm supposed to tell my customer to call him. Or maybe I let her name him? Oh, boy. That could either end beautifully or horribly, depending on what she comes up with.

On the subject of evening or night updates, I don't think I'll be writing any tonight. It's pretty late already, and I'm certain the craziest stuff has happened already. It's almost the weekend in my work calendar, so I might take a break from journalling tomorrow. Or not. We'll see.

All right. Octavia out.

Hello? Reader, can you see this? It's me, ... "Spring-Trash"? "H-B"? Octavia was completely serious about me needing a new name after all.

It is thirty minutes after she has finished writing and I am in the basement I call home. She has decided to test my penmanship and wants me to say a quick word. So, I'll leave you with this thought that came from a dream from last night: If the real Spring-Trap always comes back, then what does that mean for those who pursued the idea to finish him off? Will they return as well?

I just realized I should have been less ominous and picked a different question about my dream. Apologies, little ones and curious folk. This is my first time jotting down any sort of thoughts outside of status updates or talking with Octavia. So, if I sound indecent in any shape or form, please be aware that my AI is still a work-in-progress. I thank those in advance who understand.

...H-B out?