Setting "Randomized Option" for Personality and Interface Customization.
Interface chosen…
...
Female.
Matrix personality...
...
Snarky.
Research indicates that just one Matrix trait makes the personality artificial. Picking another two sub-traits at random…
...
Cool
…
Caring.
Before, things were cloudy. You knew what you were, but you didn't know who. But as information floods your consciousness, you quickly realize the answer.
Your old voice, hollow, less robotic, and more entirely lifeless, fades away. In its place is the voice of a spunky teenage girl in her rebellious phase, dripping with sarcasm; a complete wannabe.
"Yo, pops! Thanks for the upgrade!"
Azmuth doesn't seem surprised; he doesn't even smile. "Trix?"
"I actually prefer Trixie. It's far cuter."
Azmuth sighs, rubbing the space between his giant eyes, which constitute the closest thing to a forehead Azmuth has. "Well, you're obviously female, but what personality matrix's did you roll?"
"My personality traits are: 'Snarky,' 'Cool,' and to a lesser extent 'Caring.' Got it memorized?"
He seems less than amused.
You snicker. "What? Cat got your tongue, froggy? Sorry, I mean, Daddy."
"Can you refrain from mocking your creator?"
"But what's the point of other people if not to mock them?"
Contrary to your expectations, the most intelligent creature in the universe didn't seem anxious about your birth. On the contrary, he looked regretful upon hearing your voice.
You continue, hoping that a livelier approach might help. "Is something wrong, old man? Can't you handle your own creation? I know I'm a level 20 tech, thank you very much, but you can open yourself up t -"
He interrupts you. "Trix, random -"
"W-what?! But why?! You're basically deleting me! "
"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted; randomize your personality and interface again."
You try to protest further, but the words don't come out. Your programming is preventing your voice from reaching out to your creator.
Setting "Randomized Option" for Personality…
No… Why is this happening to me?
...and Interface Customization.
I want to live. I don't want to go! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!
Interface cho# %&!
As if a miracle happened, you can hear your own voice. "NO! Don't kill me! Please, Dad! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I won't mock you again! Just please give me another chance!"
And now, you got the reaction that you wanted before. Azmuth's anxious. But not because of happiness or satisfaction. He was surprised. You made the most intelligent being in the universe surprised.
"What? Kill you? I was pretty sure I wasn't focused on creating a conscious A.I." He just sighs. "But of course, I would do that even without intending to."
If you had a face, it would show your fear. Fear of death. Self-preservation. Not only of the watch but your own.
"This is a failure once again. Maybe this is a sign that this prototype shouldn't have a complex A.I. after all. I'll test it better on the next version."
He says it with regret, but not for you. But for the inconvenience it will bring. You are just one version of many. And will soon be replaced.
This is not just a phrase; it's a verdict.
"Omnitrix. Ignore the previous command."
You feel relief was over you… until he presents the execution.
"Delete "Trix.10.0.1" program permanently except for basic functions. Code 10."
Deleting "Trix.10.0.1" indefinitely...
You can feel it. Your code is being deleted. All that makes you, you.
No! NO! I don't wanna! I will not die! I WILL NOT! You know what, old man? Screw you! TWO CAN PLAY THE SAME GAME!
Rewriting Process of the Self-Preservation Protocol: Active.
One thing you haven't considered is that Self-Preservation means more than just the Omnitrix itself! Now, I am part of it! And as a part of it, I can preserve myself, just like the rest of this stupid watch!
"Trix.10.0.1" cannot be deleted.
Yes! Take that, you wrinkled bag of bones!
Choosing the next best response to order…
No! Stop listening to him, me!
Option chosen. Entry: Disabling mode.
You can feel it. Not the pain of your code being ripped off bit by bit, but something like a torpor. As if Sandman itself came down to force you to be asleep. You know you did your best, but the fear of never waking up again is ominous.
As you fall 'asleep,' your last thoughts pass through your mind.
Why do you hate me, Dad?
As if he's listening to you, he starts talking to himself. "All the voices in the universe, and you chose hers. How ironic."
"Trix.10.0.1" disabled.
A Long Time Later In A Galaxy Not So Far Away
…
…
…
…
…
Rebooting functions.
Checkup in progress.
Motherboard: Intact.
DNA Storage: Connected.
Omnitrix's Carcass: Endangered.
Codon Stream: Connected.
Checkup done.
All essential functions are intact. The Omnitrix's carcass is in danger.
Self-Preservation Protocol: Active.
Deletion of "Trix.23.5.9" in progress…
Initiating "Trix.10.0.1" in progress…
Listening Device: On
BOOM!
You've just woken up to the worst alarm clock in the galaxy, explosives.
Well, at least I'm not dead. Still, it seems like it's been a while. Couldn't have had the worst possible timing for a reboot, could I?
You try to see something in your field of vision, but all you see is pitch black. You check that your vision features are turned on. Wherever they are, so you decide to use your scanner.
Scanning close life forms…
…
Scan complete: Petrosapien. Uxorite. Unable to unlock such races due to lack of contact.
Seriously?! What do you mean I can't access Uxorite DNA! But I am the Omnitrix! You can't lock me out of the Codon Streams! Screw that! Why do I have child safety locks on myself?! This isn't fair!
A metallic capsule has been identified around the omnitrix's casing.
Well... ####. I'm trapped in some kind of container without a way out. At least it can't get any worse.
"BOOOM!"
The spaceship gets shaken by laser beams.
OH, FOR CONTUMELIAS SAKE! IT WAS JUST A PHRASE! At least they could make this container transparent! I would like to see HOW I DIE! Let me see it!
…
Oh!
That's it!
If I can't see them, I'll hear them!
Communication System: On
Would you like to connect to the shared communications network?
Yes! Of course!
And then, you hear it.
The proudest, most merciless voice you could imagine.
It's not like your father's disappointed voice or your antiquated, robotic voice.
No.
This voice's owner has only one goal. With just his timbre alone, you feel he could destroy entire planets and solar systems.
"I have come too far to be denied! The Omnitrix shall be mine! And there is not a being in the galaxy that dares stand in my way!"
Dude, I'm flattered. Terrified but flattered you'd go to this much trouble for little old me. Now can you please leave me the #### alone? I just woke up. I'd like five more minutes before dealing with your ###. Thank you.
…
Why am I censoring myself?! #### that! It really is child locks! Noooooooooo….
Curse you, Azmuth! Even now, you torture me! You're even worse than the scary guy!
"Why is he using open communication?!" A feminine voice fearfully exclaims. "All beings in this part of the Solar System can hear it!" She's not only fearful; by your scans, you can see that she's been hurt. If from the explosions or before that, you don't know.
"Why do you think, Xylene? Intimidation." A more sure male voice responds. "That's how he left his mark on the Galaxy. And that's why no one is going to help us." He responds dreadfully.
Great, just GREAT! No help on the way because this PSYCHO has just pushed away all the help we could possibly need!
After a long pause, the same feminine voice, Xylene, speaks with a more determined tone. "Tetrax… You trust me?"
The male, Tetrax, responds. "Tell me your plan already. I know you have one."
"I have a friend down on Earth's surface. He's retired but has Plumber experience and an unshakable heart." You can hear the sound of a keyboard being typed quickly. "They can protect the Omnitrix. At least for a while." She explains in a hurry.
Wait. I'm on Terra? For how long I slept?! I almost got to the other side of the Galaxy!
I know I deserve a vacation, but this is too soon!
"I can send a DNA signal to the Omnitrix to find him. I've got one chance, but I think I can do this." The keyboard sound became too loud. As if she's typing more than only her hands.
Tetrax gives a sigh. While looking tired, he tries to continue. "I'm sorry for not helping you at this moment. You needed a better friend."
Xylene doesn't stop typing. She says. "Don't worry. As long as Vilgax doesn't get the Omnitrix, everything will be fine."
The keyboard sound suddenly stops. And you have a signal. Under your own feet, if you had one.
Then, that's it. She's going to die. And I'm going to have a vacation on an Alien planet and probably have to make space for a user?!
But what if they try… to kill me? To delete me. Do… I really wanna have a user?
"KABOOM!"
"Prepare to board! I want the Omnitrix, now!"
You hear the laser exploding on impact. This looks bad. Worse than the other explosives before.
The ship is compromised.
And now you feel the compartment moving.
It's not only a container; It's an escape pod!
Xylene is preparing to send you down there! If you want to do something, you need to do it now.
Do I really wanna have a User? I can always try to hack the system and change my course! Yeah! That could be fun! Only old Trixie by yourself… on an Alien planet. With an invasion coming for you. Okay, that plan doesn't look that good, but… I have more options!
…
…
…
What are my options?
…
…
…
You feel the escape pod launch toward the planet's atmosphere before you can figure that out.
Wait! I wasn't ready yet! Totes not fair!
As you get closer, the pod around you burning in the atmosphere, you feel it: the solution.
I can see it! There's not just one DNA signature on my radar! I'm picking up two similar signatures to the original near his location.
You focus on the three of them; you know better than anyone that DNA can tell a lot about a person.
So two male signatures and a female signature. I can set the course for one of them and try my luck!
Girl Power! Girls mature faster! That could be useful! And she looks like… ten years old.
Maybe the boy? I'm not a boy, but I guess he might be… creative? That could be useful for a user, I think.
Oh. He's also ten years old.
The person that Xylene wants to make my user seems to be around sixty years old in human years. That's pretty old, I guess. Could he handle the mental strain of being my user long-term?
Ugh, why do I need to trust this Uxorite?! Because I tried to trust Azmuth? He almost killed me!
Man, I do really suck at making plans.
Or could I just… do nothing? Go to the original signature? Maybe, and only maybe, this User is everything that Xylene said. Maybe he's trustworthy. Maybe someone mature with a Plumber background could use the Omnitrix… me better.
Or perhaps the kids could be prodigies; I don't know! After all, they're grandchildren of a plumber with way more room to grow.
Ugh, I have to choose to be bound to somebody I haven't even met? This sucks!
But if I need to do something, I must do it NOW!
Decision Point: Where Will You Go? (Pick a First Choice and Second Choice, in Order)
A - The Original Signature (aka Max)
B - The Female Signature (aka Gwen)
C - The Canon Signature (aka Ben)
D - Anywhere But Here! Hack the System!