*Elec sits down rather hard on the floor of the cave, stunned by the news. For a few moments he can't say anything, shivering at the thought of two of the Alphas going through what he'd heard on the little part of the recording that he'd listened to. He doesn't ask who. The thought of that happening to any of them is horrifying.*
*He looks up from where he's sitting, visibly shaken, but still able to notice the way Air is looking at the floor, and note the regret in the Beta's voice.*
Air, you said you wouldn't have been allowed to repair them. Did Wily give you orders to report that kind of damage? You know we can't disobey, no matter how much we hate the orders.
*He's quiet for another second at a warning from his choke chip, but this needs to be said. He stands up and goes over to Air.*
Whatever you did then, you regret it now. And unless the way you care for your brothers is an elaborate act and I'm mistaken about what's in those boxes we carried over here, you've done a lot to make up for it since.
As for anything like that recording, Wily did that, not you. *Elec winces at a sharper warning, but continues to speak despite the pain.* If anyone's to blame for that, it's him.
*He's silent for a moment again, waiting for the choke chip to leave him alone, before he continues quietly*
I think the two you sent to him would forgive you, based on what you've done since.
*Quint is disturbed, at the memories of the recording, not at Air's actions. He doesn't interrupt Elec, letting the older Wilybot handle this, though he looks a bit concerned when he notices Elec is setting off warnings from his choke chip as he speaks.*
*He really didn't know what he could say. He barely knew most of the Alphas, and some not at all - they'd been in the Gallery most of the time he could recall.*
You wouldn't do something like that any more, 'niisan. I know you wouldn't.
*sadly* I may have done it on orders Elec, but at the time... I didn't feel any regret. I was actually glad I wasn't the one being recycled. That's all I felt. Is there anything I really could do to make up for being a monster then? As for disobeying orders, Elec, I disobeyed them with every one of those boxes being filled...
*softly* I just wish I could apologize to them.
*directed at Quint* That's just it, Quint. My personality changed so fast due to that damage. What's to keep my systems from eventually undoing the damage and making me that monster again? If that happened...
*Air looks over at the screen to watch the CR's progress. Better to try to not think about the memories. The others needed Air stable enough to finish this.*
*Quint shivers, not wanting something like that to happen to Air*
Maybe there's some way to be sure it won't. Like trick your self-repair program into not fixing that. Or.. maybe the CR. It made a scan when you were hurt before, and that means there's a record of the damage, and maybe if that starts to happen it can undo what your self-repair does. I-I don't know.
*a little more certainly, he adds* It won't happen, 'niisan. There'll be some way to make sure it doesn't.
People change, Air. So do we, sometimes. That you regret it now matters. *there's a trace of bitterness in his tone as he adds* If you think I'm going to keep rubbing your face in past mistakes, sorry.. I'm not Rock.
*Elec sighs, the way the choke chip had been acting up had made him a little snippy, and he hoped Air didn't misunderstand the irritation in his voice.*
*Quieter, he adds* Your brothers are lucky to have you. And lucky that you can disobey. *He winces slightly* It's more than I could have done if I were in your place.
*If Air expected disgust from her, it never comes. Steadfast remained quiet for a bit, letting the Wilybots talk among themselves, but now she speaks up.*
Sometimes we condemn people to die - kill them, even - out of necessity. I once killed my own wingmate. He was wounded and... I had to leave him behind, but I wasn't going to let the Autobots get him alive. It's... it's life.
Not having felt shame for what you did out of necessity doesn't make you a horrible monster. Neither is there shame in thinking about your own survival. If we're not alive, how can we do good for others?
*Her gaze is that of an ancient, battle-hardened warrior. For a moment, it's easy to tell that she's millions of years old.*
And you've been a good brother ever since. You filled those boxes. You did what you could.
Air... *sighs* those two... I understand that you feel bad and you miss them and you need to grieve. It's normal. *emphatically* But I bet they'd want you alive, and able to be there for your surviving brothers. If you want to die or give up - let alone surrender yourself to Wind - you dishonour them.
((Drawing on ficverse!Steadfast's backstory here 'cause it fits the context so well...))
*to Quint* All I've been able to do to keep the self repair system from going to my personality matrix is by doing things to make sure it has other things to fix that it sees as higher priority. Even if it means causing myself damage occasionally, I'll keep doing that... Just scared it won't last.
*Air stays quiet for a little while, unsure of what to say. He's confused because the response is far from what he was expecting to receive. Almost exactly the same as what Quick and Crash keep telling him...*
*softly* I couldn't leave family to suffer like that if I had the chance. I didn't want to have to watch as another brother went through that... And I sometimes thought that I could make up for the siblings I did fail by doing what I did. Even if it didn't help them...
*sounding almost bitter* Even if I want to die or give up, there's no way I'll ever be able to. They won't let me, and they need me. I'm the oldest. I can't let them down.
*Elec's not sure what else he could say, and he's pushed his luck enough with the choke chip for a while. He looks at the computer again to see how the repairs on Quick are progressing*
*Air starts a little at hearing Blues come in but keeps himself from reacting too much.*
It's not that bad. Really. I'm fine. It's no worse than a lapse is, anyways. And it doesn't hurt for long, when I do feel it. Don't tell Quick or Crash about it, alright? They don't need to have something else to worry about.
*Air lets his attention go back to the screen and the progress indicator. It looks like it's just about finished. It would have taken a lot longer to do the repairs manually, so Air's grateful he didn't have to.*
*softly, with a slight tinge of annoyance present* I just hope Quick actually manages to use logic rather than immediately force his systems into a shutdown...
*Blues almost smiles at what Air says. Not that he's not concerned about Quick, but the comment reminds him of something.* Did you know, there used to be a steriotype of sorts in science fiction years ago. Humans thought any robots would, by nature, be extremely logical.
Funny how wrong assumptions like that can be. *he moves closer to the CR, curiously*
*snickers* Logical. Yea right. If robots were that logical, ones like Wind wouldn't exist.
*Air watches as the CR finally completes and the grating is raised. He's a bit nervous now that it's done, worried about the reaction that his brother might have. Quick didn't exactly shut down in a safe situation...*
(( Interesting. Had to hit Wikipedia to figure out that reference, since I'd never heard of it before. ))
(Also into RL AI-research. RP lead to renewed interest in that, which lead to a few terms being spread about on AIM. Interesting to find they already have robots with instinctual/emotional responses - look up info on 'Kismet' - which is something I think would be a necessary factor in any AI that could/would become self-aware.)
*As Quick's systems reactivate slowly, he keeps still, running through the internal diagnostics to see how badly he was damaged. He knew that he hadn't been able to move when he forced the shutdown. What happened? Why isn't he still damaged? Quick panics a little bit at all this, almost ready to trigger another shutdown but stops himself, deciding that, since he can move, he ought to be safe.*
*Quick starts moving cautiously, looking around a little as he attempts to get to his feet. He remembers this place at least.*
*sounding a little confused* What happened? How'd I get here?
*As for Air, he's not exactly sure letting Quick know he disobeyed that little order is such a good idea right now, so he stays where he is, watching quietly. Quick's gonna find out and be angry soon enough. Why rush things?*
(( Sophomore Computer Science Major here, so I find that AI stuff interesting. Especially since I've been considering AI as a possibility when I pick up my specialization. :) ))
*Quint's reaction perhaps isn't exactly well thought out - he hugs Quick, looking relieved.*
It's ok, 'niisan. Wind showed up in the Nexus and he kinda spilled that he'd attacked you 'cause he was trying to scare Air into leaving with him. Except it was a trap that didn't work. And I think my brothers did something to him, but I don't know what.
*It's not the best explanation, but it seems the best Quint can manage at the moment.*
*Blues half-grins.* We still couldn't lynch Wind inside the Nexus, so we settled for rescue-party work.
(No money for college here, so I'm a mostly self-taught former Mensa brat. Interests in psychology and sociology, AI, robotics, and agribuisness (because I want a farm someday). The last actual programming language I used was Basic, unfortunately. If I ever plan to work on AI, I have a lot of brushing up to do on some topics. It's one of the fields I have the most interest in, though. I'm one of those people who tends to have a lot of ideas, and not enough understanding of the details of how to make them work.)
(Oh yeah. And don't take the 'Uncanny Valley' as a line of impossibility. That's one of the reasons not many people are working on actual android/gynoid designs. I think it's a reaction that can be beaten in most people - why else would so many be fond of Data from Star Trek? :) )
((Deleted previous post cause I realized it was as little confusing looking doing it that way...))
*Quick is a bit surprised at the hug, but doesn't really mind it. Quint's as good as family in his eyes. He looks a bit worried on hearing what happened with Wind.*
*After looking around, Quick focuses on where Air is, by the computer* You alright, Air?
*Air looks a little bit uneasy. However, he doesn't really want to worry Quick.*
*Air responds, sounding rather insistent* I'm fine, Quick.
(( To be honest, no money here for college either. I just get the joy of being up to my eyeballs in debt when I graduate. :( Parents insisted I was going to go to college, so here I am. As for the 'Uncanny Valley', I prefer to see that sort of thing as a challenge. Why limit yourself when eventually society is likely to adjust to a new concept like that? ))
Considering the nature of the Nexus, we would never have found you without Air.
We'd have been there sooner, but we ran into a bit of a delay outside. *Elec looks away for a moment, supresing a shiver - he doesn't want to think about what the delay was.*
(My family didn't want me to go the one time I had the chance. I actually had a scholarship to John Hopkins as part of some research thing they did when I was in 7th Grade. But no, "too young", it wouldn't be "normal". Right, like I'm 'normal' anyway? Define 'normal'...)
(At least most of my regrets so far aren't of my own making, and I don't owe anyone anything. :) )
(And yes, I see it as a challenge too. I really don't think it would be long - 10 years at the most - before the bodies are possible (and a decently fudged job, somewhat unrealistic in appearance and motion) could be done now), it's the AI itself that will be the real trick.)
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*He looks up from where he's sitting, visibly shaken, but still able to notice the way Air is looking at the floor, and note the regret in the Beta's voice.*
Air, you said you wouldn't have been allowed to repair them. Did Wily give you orders to report that kind of damage? You know we can't disobey, no matter how much we hate the orders.
*He's quiet for another second at a warning from his choke chip, but this needs to be said. He stands up and goes over to Air.*
Whatever you did then, you regret it now. And unless the way you care for your brothers is an elaborate act and I'm mistaken about what's in those boxes we carried over here, you've done a lot to make up for it since.
As for anything like that recording, Wily did that, not you. *Elec winces at a sharper warning, but continues to speak despite the pain.* If anyone's to blame for that, it's him.
*He's silent for a moment again, waiting for the choke chip to leave him alone, before he continues quietly*
I think the two you sent to him would forgive you, based on what you've done since.
I know I would.
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*He really didn't know what he could say. He barely knew most of the Alphas, and some not at all - they'd been in the Gallery most of the time he could recall.*
You wouldn't do something like that any more, 'niisan. I know you wouldn't.
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*softly* I just wish I could apologize to them.
*directed at Quint* That's just it, Quint. My personality changed so fast due to that damage. What's to keep my systems from eventually undoing the damage and making me that monster again? If that happened...
*Air looks over at the screen to watch the CR's progress. Better to try to not think about the memories. The others needed Air stable enough to finish this.*
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Maybe there's some way to be sure it won't. Like trick your self-repair program into not fixing that. Or.. maybe the CR. It made a scan when you were hurt before, and that means there's a record of the damage, and maybe if that starts to happen it can undo what your self-repair does. I-I don't know.
*a little more certainly, he adds* It won't happen, 'niisan. There'll be some way to make sure it doesn't.
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*Elec sighs, the way the choke chip had been acting up had made him a little snippy, and he hoped Air didn't misunderstand the irritation in his voice.*
*Quieter, he adds* Your brothers are lucky to have you. And lucky that you can disobey. *He winces slightly* It's more than I could have done if I were in your place.
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Sometimes we condemn people to die - kill them, even - out of necessity. I once killed my own wingmate. He was wounded and... I had to leave him behind, but I wasn't going to let the Autobots get him alive. It's... it's life.
Not having felt shame for what you did out of necessity doesn't make you a horrible monster. Neither is there shame in thinking about your own survival. If we're not alive, how can we do good for others?
*Her gaze is that of an ancient, battle-hardened warrior. For a moment, it's easy to tell that she's millions of years old.*
And you've been a good brother ever since. You filled those boxes. You did what you could.
Air... *sighs* those two... I understand that you feel bad and you miss them and you need to grieve. It's normal. *emphatically* But I bet they'd want you alive, and able to be there for your surviving brothers. If you want to die or give up - let alone surrender yourself to Wind - you dishonour them.
((Drawing on ficverse!Steadfast's backstory here 'cause it fits the context so well...))
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*Air stays quiet for a little while, unsure of what to say. He's confused because the response is far from what he was expecting to receive. Almost exactly the same as what Quick and Crash keep telling him...*
*softly* I couldn't leave family to suffer like that if I had the chance. I didn't want to have to watch as another brother went through that... And I sometimes thought that I could make up for the siblings I did fail by doing what I did. Even if it didn't help them...
*sounding almost bitter* Even if I want to die or give up, there's no way I'll ever be able to. They won't let me, and they need me. I'm the oldest. I can't let them down.
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I.. maybe I can ask Cole if she knows another way to trick your self-repair system into not fixing that, when I go home. There's have to be a way.
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It's not that bad. Really. I'm fine. It's no worse than a lapse is, anyways. And it doesn't hurt for long, when I do feel it. Don't tell Quick or Crash about it, alright? They don't need to have something else to worry about.
*Air lets his attention go back to the screen and the progress indicator. It looks like it's just about finished. It would have taken a lot longer to do the repairs manually, so Air's grateful he didn't have to.*
*softly, with a slight tinge of annoyance present* I just hope Quick actually manages to use logic rather than immediately force his systems into a shutdown...
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*He glances towards the CR, worried about Quick* I hope.. maybe he'll know we're here, and it's ok.
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Funny how wrong assumptions like that can be. *he moves closer to the CR, curiously*
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Made them very uncomfortable.
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*Air watches as the CR finally completes and the grating is raised. He's a bit nervous now that it's done, worried about the reaction that his brother might have. Quick didn't exactly shut down in a safe situation...*
(( Interesting. Had to hit Wikipedia to figure out that reference, since I'd never heard of it before. ))
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(Also into RL AI-research. RP lead to renewed interest in that, which lead to a few terms being spread about on AIM. Interesting to find they already have robots with instinctual/emotional responses - look up info on 'Kismet' - which is something I think would be a necessary factor in any AI that could/would become self-aware.)
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*Quick starts moving cautiously, looking around a little as he attempts to get to his feet. He remembers this place at least.*
*sounding a little confused* What happened? How'd I get here?
*As for Air, he's not exactly sure letting Quick know he disobeyed that little order is such a good idea right now, so he stays where he is, watching quietly. Quick's gonna find out and be angry soon enough. Why rush things?*
(( Sophomore Computer Science Major here, so I find that AI stuff interesting. Especially since I've been considering AI as a possibility when I pick up my specialization. :) ))
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It's ok, 'niisan. Wind showed up in the Nexus and he kinda spilled that he'd attacked you 'cause he was trying to scare Air into leaving with him. Except it was a trap that didn't work. And I think my brothers did something to him, but I don't know what.
*It's not the best explanation, but it seems the best Quint can manage at the moment.*
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(No money for college here, so I'm a mostly self-taught former Mensa brat. Interests in psychology and sociology, AI, robotics, and agribuisness (because I want a farm someday). The last actual programming language I used was Basic, unfortunately. If I ever plan to work on AI, I have a lot of brushing up to do on some topics. It's one of the fields I have the most interest in, though. I'm one of those people who tends to have a lot of ideas, and not enough understanding of the details of how to make them work.)
(Oh yeah. And don't take the 'Uncanny Valley' as a line of impossibility. That's one of the reasons not many people are working on actual android/gynoid designs. I think it's a reaction that can be beaten in most people - why else would so many be fond of Data from Star Trek? :) )
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*Quick is a bit surprised at the hug, but doesn't really mind it. Quint's as good as family in his eyes. He looks a bit worried on hearing what happened with Wind.*
*After looking around, Quick focuses on where Air is, by the computer* You alright, Air?
*Air looks a little bit uneasy. However, he doesn't really want to worry Quick.*
*Air responds, sounding rather insistent* I'm fine, Quick.
(( To be honest, no money here for college either. I just get the joy of being up to my eyeballs in debt when I graduate. :( Parents insisted I was going to go to college, so here I am. As for the 'Uncanny Valley', I prefer to see that sort of thing as a challenge. Why limit yourself when eventually society is likely to adjust to a new concept like that? ))
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We'd have been there sooner, but we ran into a bit of a delay outside. *Elec looks away for a moment, supresing a shiver - he doesn't want to think about what the delay was.*
(My family didn't want me to go the one time I had the chance. I actually had a scholarship to John Hopkins as part of some research thing they did when I was in 7th Grade. But no, "too young", it wouldn't be "normal". Right, like I'm 'normal' anyway? Define 'normal'...)
(At least most of my regrets so far aren't of my own making, and I don't owe anyone anything. :) )
(And yes, I see it as a challenge too. I really don't think it would be long - 10 years at the most - before the bodies are possible (and a decently fudged job, somewhat unrealistic in appearance and motion) could be done now), it's the AI itself that will be the real trick.)
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