Eve: Wall-E!
Angel: Dad... Stop it!
Wall-E: Rrrrrrr... (Tries to compact Mo into a cube. Eve and Angel holds him back.)
Auto: Wall-E! (Shows taz-device, Wall-E cubes up)
Angel: Auto!!! So, have you found Demonsion?
Auto: Apparently Demonsion had to sleep, among other things. Most illogical: He should be on the seventh chapter by now.
Angel: Oh never mind him. He's always like that.
Auto: Uhuh... And... Wall-E, you take the lead this time.
Wall-E: Whoa? Uh... (Taps hands together) Me... Evah... Aaengel... Deemoonson... No... Own! Ha! Ta-da!
Angel: Yea, good job dad, good job. Now, on with the story.
Chapter 6: Regeneration
The Captain stared at Auto. It was most distressing: seeing the very same robot he had struggled against to rebuild a colony on Earth. Auto had its back turned towards the lift, as he analyzed the colony that started to have patches of greenery, among other things. At that moment, he detected a presence (which he had not yet, as his thoughts were still on Directive A113).
"Captain…"
"Who switched you on, Auto?"
"Irrelevant, Captain."
Captain flinched at this word. Nothing was irrelevant to him, especially after the incident that happened 10 years ago on the same bridge. McCrea straightened his cap, where Auto started to notice his new features. Muscular, thin-faced… The face of Captain Reardon started appearing in Auto's memory processor, as the times flashed back…
"Auto…"
"Yes, sir?"
"It has been 5 years already. Why isn't any Eve Probe coming back positive?"
"Sir, calculations is that 2000 Wall-E units are not enough to clear the mess on Earth within the span of 5 years."
"Then… What do we do? The passengers all want to go back home."
"They are perfectly content on board the Axiom, Captain."
Captain Reardon let out a sigh, turning to face the millions of stars that appeared before him. One of these stars was a messed up planet… their home. That year was 2110.
And now as Auto faced McCrea, he felt like he was back on the first year where the ship took off and Auto was generated for the first time. He had a directive, overridden after 5 years in space… And 700 years later, the very same directive annulled. Auto could not help to feel a sense of sadness and a tinge of regret.
"Definition of irrelevance is to be deleted from your memory if possible Auto!" Your definition of irrelevance is totally nonsensical! If the plant had been irrelevant would the colony be at where it is today? No! Now who switched you on? It's an order!"
"A robot of approximately 10 years in age: ANGE-L as her code is stated."
"Hmm… Angel…"
"Sir…I have no directive anymore, do I?"
"I'm afraid so. Unless if Angel, who regenerated you, gives you a directive."
Auto's memory processor started churning again…
"Can't you create your own directive?"
Auto turned towards the colony. A large tree marked the center of the settlement. Auto felt useless: he had no directives anymore and his powers of control are gone. His limited mobility did not help much either.
"Captain… Can you switch me to manual? I am not required if I have not a duty to perform."
"It is not for me to decide." McCrea now walked towards the lift. "I would suggest you kindly ask Angel on that action, either that or find a directive yourself. Furthermore you will do no harm now even if you are on. Good day."
Auto was now left in the bridge. He went to a corner of the bridge to rest, and for the first time in his life… Auto felt immense sadness.