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Post by Oracio Calvarian on Sept 16, 2022 13:41:28 GMT -5
On the bustling docks of Gold Port, within the grand Sol City, large galleons swarming with sailors and deckhands hurriedly shuffled about loading and unloading cargo. The sun was warm and welcoming to those coming ashore, and the sounds of laughter strung about the air. A small cargo vessel came to a halt by one of the smaller landings bringing furs and dried meats from the Moonglade.
Along with the ship's cargo, came a passenger. A young gaunt man, with little more than a makeshift bow and patched garments. He shielded his eyes as he came out of the hold, until his eyes adjusted to the light of day. The towering golden spires of Charon's capital was the first sight his eyes noticed, before drifting to the vast hodgepodge of residences, business, warehouses, and military installations that could be viewed from the ship. Never before had he seen anything larger than a small village when he traded small game for supplies. It was a scene he was certain to never forget.
It was at this time he remembered that while he was here to get information about his heritage, both his belly and pockets remained empty. He would have to find some kind of employment if he was to remain here in the city. His eyes drifted to the many peddlers, recruiters, and performers along the dock's edges, all vying for attention of the many passengers, sailors, and tourists that frequented the area. He hoped one may be willing to give him a chance as he descended to the planks below and began meandering about.
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Post by Veliky on Sept 16, 2022 15:10:35 GMT -5
"Stop!" A feminine, infuriated voice shouts over the noises of the crowd. "Rook-03, command: stop! Now!"
Everyone turns to the voice's source, only to see a highly unusual creature, armed and dangerous, sprinting across the docks. At first, it appears like a human wearing bizarre armor, but it is too thin, and there are gaps in its arms and legs that reveal nothing beneath. No, it is a being made entirely of metal, like a golem. It has a single crimson eye, long and lateral like a knight's visor, and it carries a distinct, thin sword in its hands.
Several bystanders must stumble out of its path or risk being sliced as it heedlessly holds its sword in front of itself. Finally, the voice's source can be seen, running after the golem. Her appearance is nearly as strange. Namely, she's tiny - only two feet tall - but wears dark, neat clothes and speaks with a mature, commanding voice. She stops in her tracks and points forward.
"Bishop, disable it!"
Also coming to a stop behind her is another golem-esque being, much like the first except that it has two lens-like eyes rather than the single thin eye of the first. It carries a heavy-looking crossbow, which it points forward and fires at the fleeing mechanism. But, with astounding agility[1], the target leaps nearly ten feet into the air, kicking off of a nearby post and landing somewhere behind the crowd. Fortunately, the bolt sticks harmlessly into a wooden plank. It crackles with electricity.
The fleeing being can no longer be seen. The little woman's face is red with anger, her gloved fists clenching painfully. The crossbow-machine lowers its weapon and speaks in a low, monotonous, and obviously unapologetic voice.
"Mistress Veliky, report: malfunctioning unit Rook-03 has escaped."
It doesn't help. The small woman smashes her fist into the golem's tin leg. It has no effect, except for relieving frustration and hurting her own hand. It isn't wrong; even those who were knocked down by its charge are gradually returning to their errands, shaken but unharmed. Wherever the golem went, it's no longer causing a ruckus. The woman grits her teeth.
"Stalker, inform the city guards that there's a damn murderbot running amok."
It isn't clear who she's speaking to. Regardless, she starts pacing back and forth, tapping her fingers and glaring at any who dare to look at her. The crossbow-golem now stands on watch, its stance reminiscent of a palace guard.
1. Cat's Grace (Rook-03)
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Post by Oracio Calvarian on Sept 16, 2022 15:25:58 GMT -5
Oracio was stunned as he had witnessed the elegance of the armored golem leaped over him in the crowd before it disappeared. Curiosity dulled the sense of hunger as he turned his gaze to the pursuers.
"Remarkable" he muttered. Without much knowledge of proper etiquette, he approached the remaining golem, stopping only a few paces away to examine the creature closer. "It looks like walking armor with no one inside!"
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Post by Veliky on Sept 16, 2022 17:42:47 GMT -5
The metal being's head rotates mechanically, like a rusty crank, until its round, lens-like gaze at Oracio.
"Thin human, negative: I am a type-II infantry-model Blixtbot™. The entity that just fled is a type-III infantry-model Blixtbot™. Its combative processor and hydraulic actuators are greatly superior to mine. I am comparatively unremarkable." Its voice betrays no emotion, assuming the being has emotions at all, and its every word is accompanied by a scratching sound like creaking wood.
The little woman hops onto a crate - one taller than she is - and sits, resting her chin on her hand. Her voice is more scrutable: she's angry.
"What the tin can means to say is 'that bot's one of the most advanced things ever invented, programmed and equipped to kill as efficiently as possible.' And it just ran off, into a crowded city. Obviously, there are still some quirks to fix."
She rubs her eyes wearily. As if people didn't already hate and fear her Blixtbots™, now one of them is running around, liable to cause property damage and probably even casualties. But, as she looks up, she finally takes a look at the man that approached. Armed, scrappy, wild. Most importantly, he has that distinct 'fish out of water' look to him. Possibly even gullible. He's perfect.
"Hunter?"
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Post by Oracio Calvarian on Sept 16, 2022 18:41:01 GMT -5
"Yes ma'am." Oracio replied without peeling his sights away from the automaton. "From the Moonglade to the south."
He finally turned his attention to Veliky. To him, she looked no bigger than a child, with the garb of someone either influential or rich. He was not fooled however and could tell this person had years of experience under their belt. As such, he refrained from talking about her and focused more on what had just happened. The fact the woman recognized him as a hunter meant he may be able to get a warm meal after all.
"Well I'm not familiar with whatever a bot is, but either that thing appeared to either be afraid of you or rushing to someplace in particular." Oracio chuckled, "If it's the former, then I should probably get on my way... However, I'm guessing it's the later, which in which case I may of some assistance to you."
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Post by Veliky on Sept 16, 2022 20:21:42 GMT -5
And he's already looking for a job. Just as she thought, he's perfect. She leans back, against another crate behind her, and crosses her arms. Her frustration vanishes, replaced by a cold business demeanour.
"Technically, it was neither. The Blixtbots™ don't think in the same way that people do. They just do whatever they're told. However, given that that one didn't listen to me, its friend/foe computer is probably broken, meaning... meaning..." her eyes wander to the planks of the dock as she thinks of how to explain it. She shakes her head. "Bishop, tell him what it means."
The crossbow-bot beside her beeps in acknowledgment.
"Thin human, report: the friend/foe computer is a system that allows a unit to determine the difference between friendly units and hostile units, as well as detect possible, definite, imminent or impending threats. If Rook-03's friend/foe computer is malfunctioning, as Mistress Veliky has intuited, it will be unable to access this function, and will likely cause damage and destruction to nearby units."
"People," the lady interjects. "When it says 'units,' it means 'people,' plus anything else it runs into. Now, if you are willing to help, you can do so by tracking it down and disabling it. Permanently. I'd even send Bishop and another bot with you. Not that it'd be necessary; since the bot you're looking for is malfunctioning, its combat abilities are probably hampered as well. It shouldn't be much of a threat to you[1]."
She stands up on her crate and extends her arm forward, offering a handshake.
"You'll be paid well. Do we have a deal?"
1. Smooth Talking
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Post by Oracio Calvarian on Sept 17, 2022 13:14:49 GMT -5
Oracio appeared to consider the offer carefully. He knew nothing of the bots and was uncertain if he could even disable one. However, the financial compensation was too good to pass up.
"That is a very tempting offer ma'am." Oracio responded, eying Veliky "I'm more than willing to help you track it, but I know next to nothing about your 'bots'. When one hunts for animals, it's always best to hit a critical spot on your first hit to prevent it from running or fighting. Would you be willing to discuss any weak points? And since it sounds like you wouldn't be joining me, where should I go to get my reward assuming I succeed?"
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Post by Veliky on Sept 17, 2022 15:15:32 GMT -5
"Weaknesses?" She looks absentmindedly at the sky. Her eyes are almost as pale. "Can't swim very well. Not very creative, either. I'd say they're noisy, but the Type-IIIs have quieter joints. Head houses the processor, just like a person, so aim there if you can."
She hops off the crate, dusting herself off.
"As I said, you'll be taking Bishop with you, plus another bot."
She reaches into her coat and pulls out... a bat. Except it appears to be made of tin, just like the other bots. Its wings are made of some fabric, or maybe rubber, and it has the same crimson eyes. As she holds it up, it flutters to life, making a grating noise like the winding of a music box. She lets go of it, and it beats its wings, keeping aloft in the air.
"This one's called Vampire. Not exactly a bodyguard, but it has its uses in a fight. It's also a decent scout." She adjusts one of her gloves and begins walking away, towards the city. But she does add an important detail before she leaves. "Find me at Blixt™ Cafe when you're done. Bring me its sword as proof."
With that, she leaves. Her steps are comically quick, probably to make up for her tiny strides. This leaves Oracio and the two bots to their assigned mission. Bishop speaks up.
"Conscript human, report: as you are the designated lead tracker, Vampire-02 and I will defer to your expertise in how to handle this matter."
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