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Post by Leda on Apr 30, 2008 14:19:57 GMT -5
"That's not for you to decide," Snively hissed through gritted teeth. This robot was seriously starting to try his patience. "You will do as you are ordered! Otherwise, you'll be dismantled; Dr. Robotnik doesn't keep machines that don't work properly."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Apr 30, 2008 16:35:25 GMT -5
That uneasy feeling suddenly returned. Once again the robot took several silent seconds to process this information and consider what to do. With a resigned dimming of his eyes, the robot glanced over toward Snively's cleaning supplies and made an odd kind of hiss that, if one used their imagination, almost sounded like a frustrated sigh. Wordlessly retrieving the necessary supplies, the metallix lifted himself back up toward the monitors and... stared into one of them stubbornly.
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Post by Leda on May 1, 2008 14:58:13 GMT -5
Snively grinned triumphantly. Finally, it looked like this robot was going to cooperate. With Metal taking care of the overhead monitors, the human decided to go about some more personal work -- namely, logging into one of the freshly-cleaned computers and doing a bit of snooping. His features became more serious as he stared unblinkingly into the screen, carefully scanning over the views from different security cameras. Many of them had blind spots, he noted. Rather than correct them, however, Snively silently pondered how he could use those gaps to his advantage.
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 1, 2008 16:10:04 GMT -5
The metallix continued to stare spitefully into the monitor. He did not want to clean it. This was not was he was designed for! He was a combat model! Why was he being ordered to do something he clearly wasn't even programmed for?! He did not want to! His programming argued back. He had to. He was ordered to! ... But it didn't make sense! And then there was the fact this person, second in command to Robotnik, had attacked him him unprovoked! His combat AI could not deny this fact, and his protocols struggled over how this situation should be handled. An attack against him was an attack against his master. Was this an act of treason? "Why did you attack me." he asked, looking back down at Snively.
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Post by Leda on May 2, 2008 10:33:04 GMT -5
"Mmmmmmnn..." Snively hummed lowly, his eyes failing to so much as flicker away from the screen. "I did no such thing. Mmmnow do your job."
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 2, 2008 11:03:06 GMT -5
Metal's eyes flickered a bit before dimming. "Sensors indicated electromagnetic activity from hand held device used to temporarily disrupt visual output in this unit. Unprovoked assault is indicative of rebel activity. This action does not compute. Why did you attack me."
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Post by Leda on May 2, 2008 11:06:05 GMT -5
"It's called punishment," Snively replied crossly. Man, this robot was sure talkative. It felt so strange to talk to a robot as though it were alive. Maybe that was part of Sonic's life data influencing it. "If you don't like being punished, then do as you're told when you're told to do it."
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 2, 2008 11:13:12 GMT -5
Metal looked back up at the screen in thought for several moments. "I do not like being punished."
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Post by Leda on May 2, 2008 11:18:49 GMT -5
"Then do as you're told and it won't happen."
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 2, 2008 11:30:41 GMT -5
The metallix was... still staring at the screen instead of washing it. "Why am I being... told... to preform a function I was not intended for. This does not compute."
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Post by Leda on May 2, 2008 11:44:08 GMT -5
Snively paused for a moment. It was clear that this robot wasn't going to pipe down unless he gave a thorough answer, whether it was a truthful one or not. The overlander let out a slow sigh as he continued to flick his screen through the views of various security monitors. "I want you to do that task as a step toward the greater goal of serving Dr. Robotnik. I have much work to accomplish, and cleaning up is something you're capable of performing. By assisting me with this, you will be allowing me to move on to other tasks that need to be accomplished much sooner than I would be able to had you not. Getting the work done as quickly as possible means serving Dr. Robotnik at 100% output." His cold, unfeeling eyes rose to the robot. "By helping me, you help serve your master."
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 2, 2008 12:56:07 GMT -5
The metallix paused, staring into his own reflection in the monitor as he thought about that. Though patrolling the streets as he was meant to was a more efficient use for his abilities, even he had come to the conclusion that monitoring rather than actively patrolling was a better use of his energy with so little activity. And he did have a clear view of the security monitors Snively was focusing on. Finding the human's answer sufficient enough to satisfy, Metal held the cleaning supplies up and looked them over, working out in his mind what he was supposed to do. Remembering how Snively had done it, Metal carefully wrapped his talons around the bottle's pump and sprayed the solution on, following by mimicking Snively's motions of wiping the now soiled rag on the glass and moving on. The result was streaked monitors that were even more difficult to see through than they had been before.
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Post by Leda on May 3, 2008 17:55:23 GMT -5
That would be a GREAT nook for a secret passage... I'll have to look up the blueprints to see where I can go with it. Breaking his concentration from the monitor, Snively glanced up to check the robot's progress, and immediately glared at the poor performance Metal had given. I feel compelled to mention something about karma here, but is it really necessary? "Not like that!" he called out. "The point of the process is to make surfaces easier to see! That monitor's worse than it was when you started!" Snively made a wiping motion with one hand. "Go over it again without spraying, and go more slowly. There's probably too much detergent."
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 3, 2008 18:21:05 GMT -5
The metallix looked back over his earlier, er, progress, then back down at Snively. "This unit was not programmed to preform this task," he responded in frustration. "This unit was simulating based on observation."
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Post by Leda on May 3, 2008 18:23:56 GMT -5
Eye twitch. "I'm aware of that. That's why I'm giving you updated data, so you can perform the task properly."
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 3, 2008 18:30:36 GMT -5
Cue the brightened eyes. "Data should have been sent before error could occur."
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Post by Leda on May 3, 2008 18:33:28 GMT -5
"Short of obtaining the Time Stones, I can't see the future," Snively grumbled as he turned his attention back to the monitor. "I didn't know you would spray so much." This was getting weirder by the minute. He realized he was having a coversation with a robot. It was definitely an unsettling feeling.
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 3, 2008 19:09:50 GMT -5
Metal looked at the supplies in talons and back at the monitors several times. In an act of frustration his talon tightened on the bottle and he tossed it at the ground, watching it burst from the force of its impact and splatter solution everywhere. He didn't need it anymore, apparently, so what did it matter? Still acting upon his frustration the metallix turned and began wiping off the same monitors he'd just finished.
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Post by Leda on May 8, 2008 19:03:57 GMT -5
Apparently 'everywhere' included Snively's pants. The assistant let out an annoyed screech as his breeches were abruptly soiled. "HEY!!" he hissed, sending a scowl up at the metallix. "Be more careful with that!! You want to short-circuit the control boards?!" Continuing to grumble to himself, Snively irritably began wiping at his clothing in futility.
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 8, 2008 19:47:48 GMT -5
Metal ignored the assistant, too irritated to acknowledge him as he wiped each monitor off again one by one and stewing over whatever idle, though vague, thought entered his developing mind. One of his chief concerns, of course, was where Robotnik was. But there were also other, less important concerns... Eventually the metallix finished, hovering in his spot in the air as he glanced down at Snively. "Objective completed."
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Post by Leda on May 12, 2008 12:58:17 GMT -5
Snively paused from his "work" and glanced upward again to see what kind of a job Metal had done this time. To his relief, this time was much better than the first. The overlander gave a nod of acknowledgement. "That will do," Snively droned, turning back to the computer console and rapidly pounding the keys with his fingers. "You're dismissed. And I still want you to go to maintenance."
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 12, 2008 19:46:40 GMT -5
Finally, the metallix thought vaguely, lowing himself back to the ground with a soft clank as his metallic feet touched the floor. With that annoying objective fulfilled the metallix ignored the comment about maintenance, glancing around the control room and wondering again where Robotnik was - and how long till he'd be back. He didn't want to stand there all day just for something as simple as a report. One minute stretched into two, two multiplied into four... The robot shifted a bit and glanced about, then suddenly seemed to have become very interested in his own hands as he lifted them up and looked them over thoughtfully. He was bored. Why couldn't it rain again? That was interesting! Suddenly the robot recalled his earlier curiosities during the day's earlier storm. He turned to look at Snively, wondering to himself if he might have some answers. "Why does it rain?"
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Post by Leda on May 12, 2008 20:19:35 GMT -5
Snively paused to massage the bridge of his considerable nose. Honestly, handling this robot may as well have been like babysitting. The disobedience! The clumsiness! The questions! Yet at the same time, there was some level of his intellect that found that last point intriguing. Robots, even robian robots, did not exhibit this kind of behavior; if a question was asked, it was to obtain orders, not everyday knowledge. Metal Sonic had seemed very interested in non-work related things -- very unusual indeed. 'Interested.' It takes a sentient mind to even HAVE interest. Snively turned in his chair and carefully eyed the metallix. Did that mean that this particular bot was self-aware, rather than simply running programming? He wouldn't put it past Robotnik's skill, and this particular robot was operating on Sonic's life data. Then again, that very fact could simply mean that there were flaws and anomalies in the programming, which would be causing all of the very problems that had been giving the overlander a headache all this time. Regardless, Metal seemed intent to talk rather than do as he was told, and Snively wasn't really in the mood for an argument. He rarely got his way, anyway. Metal certainly wasn't hurting anything by lingering, and Snively now had a bit of curiosity of his own about how exactly this robot was running. His brow lowered as spite crossed his mind. Even if Julian HAS created a sentient machine, I'm sure he's not noticed -- probably wouldn't even believe it if he saw it with his own eyes. For being such a genius, he can be an incredibly daft oaf. Plus, there could be advantages to having such a powerful robot as an ally, he realized. So he decided to humor him. "Mmmmm... Rain is evaporated water falling back to the ground once it condenses," Snively finally replied, his eye still focused on the glow of the computer monitor.
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 13, 2008 2:38:24 GMT -5
Evaporate. He knew the dictionary definition for this word: to change from a liquid substance into a vapor. He took a couple seconds to process this new information before asking his next question: "How does water evaporate?"
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Post by Leda on May 15, 2008 19:09:31 GMT -5
Good question. Snively had actually never troubled himself with the details of natural science; actually he hadn't troubled himself with much regarding nature, period. Mechanical and computer science had always fostered his interest. As a result, he didn't exactly have an answer for that last question. He knew it had to do with heat... but not much beyond that. Not that it mattered. Snively could almost always talk his way around issues, and this was no exception. Rather than glancing back this time, the assistant completely pivoted his chair around 180 degrees. "You're very curious," he stated deliberately, half-lowering his eyelids. "It's unusual to see such an inquisitive robot." Rising from his seat, Snively folded his arms behind his back and took several steps in Metal's direction. "I expect that you have many other questions beyond the water cycle, do you not?"
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 15, 2008 20:26:24 GMT -5
Pondering over this question directed to him, the metallix's eyes dimmed slightly. Yes, he was very... curious. There were many things he was curious about. His pre-programmed knowledge was limited and nowhere near enough to suffice. He wanted to know how things worked, why, what places they fit into... There was so little he knew and the more he explored his surroundings the more he found himself wanting to learn. "Affirmative." he answered short and simply.
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Post by Leda on May 16, 2008 14:21:14 GMT -5
"Very well," Snively drone in monotone. Turning on his heel, the overlander began to make his way out of the control room. "Follow me, then." He realized that there was a high risk involved in educating something that could easily destroy him, but he had a hunch that this would likely benefit him in the long run. Snively led the robot through a labyrinth of corridors in what used to be Castle Acorn, using knowledge he had not tapped in over a decade to navigate him toward a section very, very rarely used. Down, left, left, right, down... Eventually the pair came to an old and decrepit-looking door, clearly having suffered from neglect over the last ten years -- to the extent that it could not properly close, as it hung from a single hinge. Snively's brow lowered as he noticed that fact; he wanted it fixed, but he also didn't want to draw attention to this area by summoning maintenance. Maybe he'd figure something out for it later; for now, the small human resigned himself to awkwardly manhandling the door open, then groping for the light switch. Which turned out to not work. Snively groaned and smacked himself in the face; this was going to be very, VERY annoying. "Well, we're here," he finally announced through gritted teeth. "This is the old library. You should be able to satisfy your curiosity here." Casting the robot a sideways glance he added, "I presume you're able to read?"
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Post by Jamie Lee on May 24, 2008 21:24:43 GMT -5
Coming to the conclusion Robotnik probably wasn't going to come back for awhile, the metallix resigned to silently following along behind Snively, save of course for the loud echoing metallic sounds of his footfalls. As the two entered the old and neglected room Metal's eyes scanned around, the lack of light not bothering him as he switched to night vision. The room, filled with an impressive collection of dusty shelves and books, was old and disheveled, and though the metallix couldn't tell, it smelled of musk and mildew. He turned and looked at Snively as he was addressed. "Affirmative."
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Post by Leda on Jun 2, 2008 11:16:12 GMT -5
"Hmmmmm," Snively idly hummed, for apparently no real reason, as he made his way deeper into the decrepit chamber. Dust quickly attacked his airway, and the overlander sneezed in response. Which, considering the size of that nose, probably kicked up twice as much dust. The cautious part of his mind still felt this was a bad idea, not only because educating such a fierce robot could prove catastrophic, but also because this library was one of his refuges. It wasn't unknown by any means, but for the most part it was ignored. Robotnik only ever threw his weight in this direction when he very pointedly needed a piece of information that somehow escaped the computer databases. Still, no guts, no glory. Snively randomly pulled a book off the nearest shelf. "You may read as many of these books as you want, without attracting Dr. Robotnik's attention. He's only come here about three times in the last ten years." Handing the book over to the metallix, which happened to be about botany, he continued, "There ought to be enough variety in here to answer most of your questions."
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Post by Jamie Lee on Jun 3, 2008 5:18:44 GMT -5
Metal didn't quite understand what he meant, looking down at the book presented to him without moving to either accept or refuse it. "Why is attracting the attention of Lord Robotnik unfavorable?" he asked.
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