[center][h3]Instaurabo[/h3][/center]


Directive. That is what he was missing. Instaraubo had been processing what actions he should take, but was overwhelmed. Literally. His primary function was to repair and redesign damaged technology... Whereas parts of the building itself were torn apart. The large generators alone were enough to drive his processors crazy, his eyes kept wanting to target individual parts, and then list their functions, and then list possible replacements, etc etc. For each and every piece of trashed technology a red outline and alert were plagueing him and his computations.

“STANDBY RECOGNITION AND IDENTIFICATIONS REPAIR FUNCTIONS 223 TO 432124. ACTIVATE ON REQUEST.”

[color=SteelBlue]Affirmative. Recognition and Identification functions active on inquiry mode only.[/color]

If his audio projection had been working, a very human sigh would have escaped the robot. There was a faint crackle, and the worn computer’s voice spoke again.

[color=LimeGreen]Alert. The Repair center has been activated, sensors identify humanoid shaped droid. It is currently broadcasting on the emergency frequency.[/color]

Just then, his internal radio spoke into Instaurabo’s ear. Or rather, it ran the data through the same converter that transfered actual sound into data that his processors could understand. It was pretty much the same as hearing it.

[b]"This IU MK-5 number 34829. Nicknamed 'Jack' broadcasting on immediate emergency frequency. If you can hear...respond immediately."[/b]

“COMPUTER. POWER AND CONNECT COM SYSTEM TO REPAIR CENTER.”
[color=LimeGreen]Affirmative. Power and communications opened between generator room and repair center.[/color]
“MK-5. THIS IS INSTAURABO, NICKNAMED ‘STAR’. I REQUEST YOUR CURRENT STATUS AND DIRECTIVE.”

Star paused. Humans would find his vocal projection harsh and displeasing. It was unfortunate that his software for vocalization was out of date, he would have to fix this. Another radio frequency came through his system.

[i][b]”K-9 Unit, Mk. 1, CERBERUS responds. I am tracing your location, state the nature of your emergency, IU MK-5.”[/b][/i]

The computer crackled as the speaker picked up in the armory.

[b]”This is Jack. I am located at the armory. I have just finished grabbing what I could. My primary and only directive is to survive. You said you are an engineer unit. My left left is suffering damaged circuitry at the knee joint...can you fix it?”[/b]

“THIS IS STAR. AFFIRMATIVE. I AM CAPABLE OF ADVANCED REPAIRS. GRANTED RESOURCES. ARE ANY OTHER ROBOTS OR HUMANS WITHIN YOUR VICINITY?”

[b]”I have received communications from an unknown robot. My scanners have not been able to detect any viable ‘life’ signatures. Do you know what has happened here?”[/b]

“NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE. MY REACTIVATION WAS INITIATED WITHIN THE LAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. WHAT IS YOUR BUILD AND DESIGN PURPOSE?”

[b]”I was designed to provide vital combat support to allied infantry and carry ammunition to other squads during the war. You stated you were an engineer. What extent of damage can you repair?”[/b]

Instaurabo stood and quickly replaced his gear within the appropriate storage slots. He requested the location of the armory from the computers and set out after ordering the computer to continue to relay his words through intercom.

“MY PARAMETERS STATE SPECIFICALLY TO REPAIR ANY AND ALL DAMAGE TO ‘WORKING’ CONDITION. WORKING DEFINED AS FUNCTIONING IN ORIGINAL CAPACITY. HOWEVER, I RESERVE THAT LACK OF RESOURCES WILL RESTRICT THE QUALITY OF REPAIRS. I RECOMMEND YOU LOCATE A SIMILAR MODEL TO YOURSELF IF CIRCUITRY IS YOUR MALFUNCTION. ”

[b]”I have located a similar model. Its function and purpose were the same as mine. It is not the same version but simply an older model. Are you capable of using its circuitry to repair mine?”[/b]

“STAND BY. TESTING AND MANUAL FITTING MAY BE REQUIRED. PLEASE SECURE YOUR CURRENT POSITION. I WILL COME TO YOU.”

[b]”Please move with urgency. I may be peaceful but it is possible something hostile has also picked up on your transmission.”[/b]

Instaurabo froze for a split second at that last message. He asked the computer to close the local communications and moved at a jog towards the armory. His processors hadn’t come up with that possibility, he was designed for war, but not for battle. A sad miscalculation.