entry_11
1502 hours, Sunday, February 4, 1973.
I made contact. Mein Gott, I am still so shaky; one of them will certainly suspect something is amiss.
Certainly I cannot tell the humans; few enough of them trust me to any extent at this juncture anyways. And what if they wanted me to spy on Herr Gray for them? Yet still as my processor struggles with the information I have obtained, I feel almost compelled to say something to someone, which is troubling. I simply must think things through on my own. It is a miraculous chance which has been presented to me; I must not ruin it even if in the end I decide it is something that I should not pursue.
But I should start at the beginning if I am to organize my thoughts properly. The Scout and I left the building without incident. We had proceeded to the parking lot containing Sniper's van before he decided we had gone far enough and stopped. I glanced at the chain link fence with the forest just beyond. If I hoped to make contact with 0396, I would need some sort of distraction.
0031: So... so now we are playing hooky, ja? What do we do now?
Scout unit: Basically whatever we want. Say, you think Sniper's got any cigarettes in his van?
0031: He might. I do not know if he smokes or-
Scout unit: Score, I can see a pack through his window! Help me break in.
0031: Ah, was?
Scout unit: All you got to do is watch out for Sniper; I've seen my brothers do this like a million times. It'll be a piece of cake.
This seemed very foolish. It took me a good deal of willpower not to ask Scout what watching for Sniper was going to do, as there was no chance of hiding his attempt given the openness of the parking lot, and that should we be discovered Sniper would eventually be able to confront us due to the siege keeping everyone stuck on the base. Nevertheless I just nodded so that he turned back toward the van. It would be silly of me to turn down a decent distraction after all. As he huddled over the keyhole to the vehicle with a paperclip I began to slowly roll myself back toward the fence. He noticed nothing, and I inched across the asphalt closer to the dark spaces between the trees. The fence would still need to be negotiated, but I could worry about that when the time came. I had almost halved the distance between my starting position and my intended destination when we were interrupted.
Sniper unit: OI! What are you doing to my van?!
Scout unit: Aw crap.
I spun around to see an aggravated Sniper closing in on Scout and the van. Apparently Scout thought that pretending he had done nothing wrong would be easier than running for it because he hastily tucked the clip into his pocket and grinned at the Sniper. I stopped to watch what would happen.
Scout unit: Oh hey! We were just going for a walk, you know, like I thought Champ could probably use some fresh air.
Sniper unit: Fresh air? He's a bloody robot; what's a robot want with fresh air?
He had, however, slowed his pace and looked over toward me. I waved, trying to seem nonchalant. I may have managed it; it is difficult to tell.
0031: Oh he only meant that he thought I would enjoy seeing the rest of the base. Perhaps it was a bit foolish, but-
Scout unit: Foolish my ass; you're enjoying yourself out here aren't you?
Sniper unit: No, he's right. I was just coming out to move the van closer to the building meself. Should have thought to do that earlier come to think of it. Anyways it's a lot safer for everybody if we stick close, especially... what did you say you were calling him again?
Scout rolled his eyes.
Scout unit: CHAMP. I named him Champ.
Spy unit: That is ridiculous.
Scout jumped approximately .41 meters into the air. Sniper almost lost his balance and spun around, his hands firmly clenching his rifle as the BLU Spy's cloak faded. He was leaning against the van's hood, perfectly at ease. I must say I felt rather unnerved as well.
Scout unit: Don't DO that!
Sniper unit: What are you on about, sneaking up on people like that?
The Spy smiled to himself as though satisfied with their reactions.
Spy unit: Well, when the Scout departed from our midst I thought it would be best if someone kept an eye on him. Now that you've arrived Sniper, I will take my leave.
Sniper unit: Oh sure, dump him on me.
Scout unit: Hey hey hey, I don't need anybody to babysit me.
Spy unit: Your little foray into the parking lot would say otherwise.
Sniper unit: Yeah, what were you doing by me van anyways?
Scout unit: I was just looking! Geez, why do you got to be so suspicious?
Spy unit: Since when has it ever happened that you "just looking" at something doesn't turn into decidedly more than looking?
I listened to the conversation as the others turned on Scout, and slowly I backed toward the fence. I thought the Spy's gaze flicked toward me once or twice. Either way he made no move to stop me whether he noticed my actions or not. After a few moments I came to a stop as something solid yet flexible blocked my progress backward. I had reached the fence. I stopped to listen to their conversation, hoping they were still distracted.
Sniper unit: How is Stephen a bad name? Least it don't sound like something you'd call a dog, like Champ.
Scout unit: I named him first! I called it, so that means he's Champ!
Sniper unit: Yeah, sure. Maybe we can ask him which one he likes better.
For an instant disappointment took me. They would turn and see me, and then I would have to give up my chances of making contact. Who knew how long it would take for me to find another opportunity like this? I prepared to rejoin them at the van, defeated.
Except then something jerked my wheel stalk backward so I fell. I felt the jagged edges of the bottom of the fence scrape against my back, hands clamped just above my wheel, and before I could so much as shout another hand pressed over my speaker. The fence sprang into existence in front of me, nothing but a bit of disturbed earth at its base to show where I had been pulled backward into the forest.
0396 looked at me from where he knelt. The hand that wasn't over my mouth went to his own, a single finger up in the gesture humans use to tell others to be quiet. He was listening. I was still and did the same.
Sniper unit: ...anyone hear that? It sounded like something fell down.
Spy unit: A better question would be where has the robot gotten to?
Scout unit: Ugh, seriously? Champ! Champ come on, stop playing around!
Spy unit: Shh!
Quiet footsteps sounded on the asphalt. They were coming toward us. 0396 let go of my face and motioned for whoever was gripping my wheel stalk to move further back into the dark. Someone much stronger than a Scout unit dragged me backward. I didn't struggle or make any noise but listened carefully as the movements and voices of the humans grew faint. The thick layer of pine needles lining the forest floor swept past my optical receptors as though it were on a speedy conveyor belt. I cringed at the thought of how much dirt might get wedged in my joints after being transported in such a manner. Then, as the branches overhead grew so thick that only small patches of light made their way through to the ground, we stopped. The unit gripping me let go, and I sat up to get my bearings.
There were three robots besides myself in the little clearing. 0396 stood across from me along with another Scout I recognized as 0395. The unit who had dragged me was a Soldier I had watched explode into several large fragments during a rooftop battle not so long ago. 0484 was standing beside me so that I had to look up to see his face. With his eyes covered by his helmet and his arms crossed disapprovingly, he was quite imposing.
0396: Took you long enough. I thought you'd never get the guts to sneak out and see us.
0031: Ich verstehe nicht. I killed you.
0395: Correction: you hit him a bunch of times with your saw and took my head off. There's a big difference between not being able to function and being broken beyond repair. You ought to know that Doc.
I sat up a little straighter, a feeling of wariness starting in my head.
0031: Why did you want to meet with me? Und how did it happen that you are all here now? Herr Gray does not regularly repair units as badly damaged as each of you were. I... I thought you were dead.
0396: Hey hey, we aren't here to get revenge or nothing if that's what you've got going through your head. In fact you're the whole reason any of us are here now anyways.
0395 nodded vigorously in agreement.
0395: Yeah, see like, he didn't think any of us could do what you did. Like how you came up with plans on your own and had your own ideas or whatever. Right now he's got the idea that any robot that lives for long enough will start to get smarter like you.
0484: AND THAT COULD BE-
0395 jumped while 0396 turned on the Soldier.
0396: Do you have to yell everything moron? The Maker doesn't want the humans knowing we're here, remember?!
0484 glared at 0396, but he continued in a quieter voice.
0484: And that could be an advantage, if we can come up with our very own battle plans and learn how to fight better. Then Master Gray won't have to re-program every maggot on our team any time he wants to change tactics. That's what he said anyways.
I nodded slowly, and inside I was a little bit relieved. They didn't come to me on their own accord to kill me, so that was a good thing. But I was still not entirely satisfied.
0031: That is lovely, but why did you need to talk with me? I...
I stopped and looked down. My hands were wringing themselves again, and I couldn't bring myself to make them stop.
0395: You what?
0031: I betrayed Herr Gray, if you do not remember. There is no chance that he will want anything to do with me now. I have been a very bad- no, the worst of all robots. I knew he would want to have me dismantled once he knew that I was the one who... once he knew what I did, und that is why I had to leave.
0396 knelt beside me again.
0396: No no no dude, you've got it all wrong. The Maker ain't mad at you.
I made a scoffing noise.
0395: Seriously, we wouldn't be here if he didn't send us. I mean, it's freaking dangerous to be camping out in human territory like this. He wants you back.
It was silent for a moment. I looked at the Scout, unsure of what to think.
0031: Why?
0395: Ain't it obvious? He wants you working for him again. It's like he said, older units have like... development, or something. It's why he put us back together; we were the oldest units he could salvage.
0396: There is something he wants you to do first though.
I turned my attention to the other Scout. 0396 was watching me closely, so I folded my hands in my lap.
0031: Herr Gray wants me to do something? What is it?
0396: Well, he wants you back, see. The thing is he also wants unit E-001 back.
Despite the seriousness of the conversation I almost laughed. Scoutbots were just as stupid as I remembered, older models or not.
0031: Herr Engineer? Do you honestly think that after his escape I could convince him to return with me? Or are you suggesting that I take on the entire BLU team single handed in an abduction attempt? I am an old robot with many instabilities, und a Medic besides. He did not design me with subjugation in mind.
0396: He don't need all of the Engineer, genius. If you could trick them, see, find some excuse, something about maintenance or something, you could take the processor out and bring it to us. All Master Gray needs is the brain; he can build the rest.
I turned this over in my head quietly. Part of me balked at the very idea of tricking Herr Engineer, and yet...
0484: HE W- I mean, he won't be able to do anything if we don't get him back to the humans. They are going to get suspicious.
0395: Eh, crap, he's right. We need to get him back to the base.
My musings dissolved, and I tried fruitlessly to push myself upright.
0031: Wait, they are all looking for me now. How am I supposed to return without raising suspicions?
0396: Hell if I know. You're the oldest.
0031: Oh that is VERY helpful. I would have hoped that- AGH!
0484 grabbed my arm at this point and pulled me forcibly to my wheel. I tottered for a moment but soon caught my balance once again.
0484: There is no more time for talking private! It is time to return to your post and fulfill your mission!
0395: Yeah just get back there and wing it. Everything'll work out just fine.
I wanted to protest, to stop them and make them tell me more information about what was happening at the base, but the Scout units were already darting away between the trees. 0484 stayed, but that was only long enough to half-drag me back to the fence and, without so much as a warning, shove me under it again. I lay in the dirt, dazed and with several new scrapes along my plating, as he trundled off into the forest once more. I pulled myself up using the fence.
Sniper unit: Oi, there he is!
Before I had time to look up, the three humans had arrived by my side. Scout immediately leaned against the fence and crossed his arms as though unconcerned.
Scout unit: What did I tell you? He's fine! You guys ought to stop worrying so much about-
Spy unit: Why are you covered in dirt?
His eyes narrowed. Their gaze flicked from my front to the base of the fence, where there were undoubtedly scuff marks.
0031: I... I was waiting by the fence for you to be done arguing, und something grabbed me from behind. It knocked me down, but I managed to get away just now.
The Spy's eyes narrowed still further, but Sniper looked toward the trees uneasily.
Sniper unit: Everyone get in the van. I'll drive us up next to the base, and then we can all get under cover.
I happily obliged, though I avoided the Spy's eyes the entire time. We arrived back without further incident; I am recording this from the surgery. Herr Engineer is back from what he was doing, but for some reason I am having trouble looking at him in the eye when he addresses me.
I always thought that was a human thing.
/entry_11