(Kind of Belated) TeST drIVe MeMe

[thewakemods]

It's that time again!



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Comments

[i_superman]

[The footsteps only sound closer, but for his sheer size, the Giant is pretty easy to find sight of. A shadow falls over the smaller figure, the rumbling of the ground underfoot coming to a halt.]

[aemilius]

[The shadow makes him turn, far too slowly to be at all concerned -- like a normal person would be, if something were suddenly towering over them. Even when he has to crane his neck to look upward, his expression remains oddly blank.]

[His optics flash, though, scanning over the Giant. Observing, cataloging. Distantly studying for obvious weapons.]

Your model type is unknown. Specify it.

[i_superman]

[Glowing eyes stare right back, but out of curiosity rather than the steady observation of the other.

And then fifty feet of metal halves as the huge robot crouches for a better look at the little one, head tilting. His design's pretty simplistic, and there don't seem to be any weapons, at least nothing outwardly visible.

The Giant stares a moment more before his jaw shifts.]

....mo...de..l...?

[aemilius]

Yes. Model.

[There's no inflection in his voice. Nothing. It's undoubtedly male, but he might as well be a speaking computer program for how animate he sounds.]

[And... for all he's being towered over by a giant robot, he seems to be used to big things looking down at him. Either that or he's about as emotional as a rock.]

[But those optics.]

[Something in them changes -- brightening a fraction as they narrow.]

What is it.

[i_superman]

[Again the Giant tilts his head, this time to the other side. He even goes so far as to bring a hand up so he can touch a large metal digit to his chin, almost thoughtfully.]

[aemilius]

[He'll just wait. Perfectly still. Which... may or may not be a good sign. It's difficult for even him to tell right now.]

[i_superman]

[It becomes obvious that the little robot is still expecting a response, and the Giant is beginning to realize he hasn't got one. Finally, he shrugs, looking a bit sheepish at that.]

[aemilius]

[His head cocks to one side, at that. His expression, though, that remains unchanged.]

Your data is... lost?

[He flicks a hand, ever so slightly. On one wrist, a panel unfolds, exposing what looks like a USB jack.]

It should be recovered. Do you require... help?

[And there's the first vocal inflection so far, the words coming out a little warped, a little unsteady.]

[i_superman]

[The Giant peers at the thing, not sure what the other means to do, it seems.]

Help..?

[aemilius]

H e l p.

[And once more, his speech changes. More animate, more alive. And a smile flickers, sharp across his face. Like a knife slash.]

Do you w a n t it?

[i_superman]

[There's something wrong in that tone, in that look where only a moment ago there hadn't been anything. The Giant draws back, just a little, which might be almost comical given his sheer size by comparison.]

[aemilius]

[The smile doesn't ease. It doesn't so much as falter. He steps forward as the Giant draws back, hands outstretched.]

Do you?

Everyone wants to H E L P M E... I should do so.

In return.

[i_superman]

[It's then that he seems to remember himself. He shakes his head.]

...I...am okay...

[That's right, right? He thinks it sounds right.]

[aemilius]

But you've forgotten your model... haven't you?

[i_superman]

Don't...need...mo...del...

[Not that he can remember what it is anyway, not exactly. What he can remember...he doesn't want to.

He gestures to himself.]

Have name...

[aemilius]

You are AI. You need a model. Not DECU. Not HCC. Not MCU.

[His voice has fallen back into the flat, toneless pattern. His smile even fades.]

[i_superman]

...what is... [His rumbling voice trails off as he's completely lost for all the letters that had been rambled off.]

[aemilius]

Models.

Model names. For AI units.

[i_superman]

Why?

[aemilius]

Why what?

[i_superman]

Model...names...im...portant?