a robot friend

A12-SPARROW-03-V013. robot. alliance corp officer.

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

paxrinne‌:

Pax blinks as he glances up, startled out of concentration.

It had been with mixed emotions that Pax had agreed to come back, and seeing his med bay in such disarray only furthered the turmoil. But seeing his teammates again, seeing his friends… It was starting to settle more into place.

“Oh,” Pax starts. Then he smiles, just a twitch of the lips. “I understand. Pretty impressed that you managed to find all the stuff that you did, honestly.” 

He motions to a tray nearby, covered in various vials and packages. “I was going through everything and re-cataloging as I sorted,” he explains. “I wouldn’t say no to some help.”

They are familiar enough with the medbay to know where everything should go, so Zero-Four sits Their shell next to the tray, and starts sorting. They are, perhaps, not as quick as this shell might once have managed; their arms are not in peak condition, but they begin work methodically.

“It was difficult locating some items,” they admit. “But you kept an excellently well-stocked medbay, Doctor. We were very impressed!”

Even as they work, Zero-Four watches Pax curiously. They wonder what he had done in the past couple of solar cycles: had he continued his work as a medic? Many of the crew seem out of sorts, like they had been drifting, without a home.

“You once spoke to Zero-Three about your home, Mallos,” they inquire. “Did you return there?”

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

corinnv‌:

“sparrow?” cori called out as she saw the familiar robot walking by her. “i hope it’s alright i call you sparrow. after all our conversations it feels right. but i do miss that blinking bird.”

@sparrow-zero-three

Their optical indicator has been proving useful: it had been displaying the numbers Zero-Two, but when Cori addresses them, it begins to scroll through numbers, quickly settling on Zero-Six.

“You may call us Sparrow, or by our individual names,” they assure.

The numbers spin again. Zero-Seven finishes: “We do not mind which.”

And again: Zero-Six smiles broadly. “You liked the bird We made? We did enjoy that.”

Zero-Seven: “We found it greatly aided our attempts at communication with you and the others of the crew.”

Back to Zero-Six, and a concerned expression floats across their face. “We were concerned about why you were in the hospital. You indicated that you were there against your will. Are you free now?”

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

nofugitive‌:

Kitra takes a step back in shock, horror even. When she’d seen the blurred and imperfect visage of one of the few crew members she missed and one of the few people in her life she’d mourned Kitra had been struck with a relief so strong it felt like electricity. But the voice which exited the vessel was completely unfamiliar. 

Her face fell, the realization dawning, “You’re not Zero-three. Your just some scavenger consciousness that took over the body,” there was venom in her tone, all too familiar to those familiar with her usual demeanor around strangers, “It wasn’t the coffee maker it was the whole damn mission that refused to work as it should.” 

“We are not scavengers,” Zero-One replies. The venom and fire in Kitra’s tone seems to have no effect, rolling off Their back like water off a duck. “Before he was a pilot, Zero-Three was part of our collective, Sparrow. We were search and rescue ships. While you knew him, We were archived in his databanks, but the damage to this shell reactivated Us. We are his siblings.”

The number indicator in their spins wildly, rolling through numbers until it settles.

Zero-Four, chirpier and sympathetic, says, “We miss him too. We are very sorry.”

It happens again. Zero-Nine leans back thoughtfully, steepling their fingers. “We extensively studied the ship’s archives of the mission. We don’t believe the mission failure was the result of one single cause, but rather, multiple small ones. Like a boulder that gathers moss, as the saying goes.”

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

captainlvna‌:

                to say that he was shocked to see zero-three up and walking about right after they made the deal with the redbloods was an understatement.     he did get a little confused about the voice he heard coming from him,     and about the words he spoke,     but overall he was very,    just very happy to have the android back again. 

           he’s been meaning to speak to him,    but before he can do much more on roame he needs to shop for some local clothes and restock on what they can.     they certainly don’t have enough food or medical supplies after trading them in,     and he hopes that they’ll be able to restock at least 70% of what they lost.     god knows they’ll need them where they’re going. 

          he startles a bit when zero-three appears before him just as he’s about to open the door,     taking a step back from the other.      he makes note of the eight displaying on his eye,     furrowing his brows a bit but nonetheless releasing any tension from his body.      “   hey, zero–   ”      he’s about to speak,    but his train of thought is quickly cut off.     okay,    so he’s had a lingering suspicion about this,     but he sort of clung on to the hope that zero-three is still alive.   “  zero-eight ?   ”     he recovers, although confused. 

       “  oh,  oh–    say no more,    my friend,   ”     he shakes his head,     reaching out and placing his hand on this zero-eight’s shoulder.       “  sounds like you’re hooked–    hooked on a feeling,   ”      juan says,    dropping the hand and beginning to sway even before there’s any music,     “   try it right now,    hooked on a feeling by blue swede !   ”  

“Yes, you are currently speaking to Zero-Eight,” they confirm, happy with the knowledge that their optical indicator is clearly of use. They may have different voices, but they had guessed that the humans would still find their many-in-one presence confusing.

They blink as the Captain starts swaying -- dancing, as humans so love to do -- and they search up the song in the ship’s databases, setting it to play over the nearest speakers. The repetitive chanting at the beginning is faintly confusing, as it does not seem very groovy. But the singing that starts is pleasant, the music kicks in, and...

Yes. This is groovy.

“I very much approve of this,” they solemnly inform the Captain, squinting at him for a moment before copying his movements, a sway to the lazy beat of the song. “We suspect that this does not feel the same as it does for humans,” they continue thoughtfully. “But there is something satisfying about it nonetheless. A rhythm and harmony to external factors outside our shell.” 

A pause, then: “We would like to apologize for the state of the Eden. It was scheduled to be repaired, but that never happened. We did our best, but our best was not enough, given limited resources.”

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

ninanyzy‌:

               “   oh !   ”     nina exclaims when the screen over their eye socket begins to flicker,     watching closely until it stops at a number.    four–    huh,    she wonders what that means.    her answer comes along rather quickly,    and she nods along while she considers now what that means. 

     “   have you ?   ”     she lifts a brow,    and while she doesn’t want to be rude,    she casts a glance at the state the android’s body is in.     she begins to reach the conclusion that the android isn’t with the raiders,    at least not originally.    the ship seems to be in much the same condition–    they most likely took him    (   no,   took them,    nina’s sure,   )–     when they took the ship.     “   well,    you do look a bit ill,    but nothing that seems too dire !   ” 

     “    you can call me nina,   and i’m glad that you ask,   ”     she nods,     “   i wish to buy or trade parts,   ”      she replies straight-forwardly,    smiling at the other,     “   are you the mechanic of this ship ?   ” 

“No, We are not the mechanic,” Zero-Four admits, looking almost bashful, if a ragged robot could be said to look such a way. “We have been doing our best to repair the Eden, but repair and engineering was never the main focus of our protocols.”

Ill. Yes, They suppose it is an apt way to describe Them. They have only just recently recovered communication: coordination is still glitchy.

“We alone cannot authorize trade, but We can take you to the Captain!” Zero-Four says brightly, abandoning their slow repair of the landing strut. “We would be particularly interested in parts for repairing a communication relay.”

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

rckins‌:

rokin hadn’t gone to get kitra. he’s just been sitting in his quarters, tinking on his things in hopes that this can be over as soon as possible. he didn’t know what was happening when people started taking shit out, didn’t care to ask. he just stayed where he was.

when rokin was greeted with a figure that looked… similar to zero-three, but different, his eyebrows raised. now, rokin has been among the most terrible of terrible. his time around the galaxy has taught him many things about what destruction can do to a droid. it’s unfortunate, but it’s reality. for the most part, he’s used to it. mostly, it’s good to see that z-3 is still kicing, in some shape or form. he’s not totally sure how consciousness works for an android, but he tries not to think about it, and is just glad there’s a semblance of a friend back.

“this is the kindest thing someone’s done for me since getting here.” he smiles, and it’s a genuine one, taking the drink and having a sip. there’s a small cough. “fuck, it’s like you’re trying to get me wasted.” it certainly would have cheered him up post-space-void. “good to see you on your feet, friend.” he takes another sip. “wanna tell me about this new and improved self?”

“We are not trying to get you wasted,” Zero-Eight assures. “But We understand that humans enjoy alcohol.”

Their knowledge is academic at best of the effects of alcohol, as it is something They can never experience for themselves. But it seems pleasant.

At the question, Zero-Eight tilts their head, seemingly thoughtful about how to go about answering. It’s a question they’ve been asked multiple times today, and they don’t think they’ve quite figured out how best to explain. But they suppose the simplest explanation is best.

“Before Zero-Three was the pilot of this ship, he was part of a collective. We were called Sparrow, We were a search and rescue squadron of ships. There were ten of Us, but the war damaged most of Us, and We were archived. For the first part of your mission, We were dormant in this shell’s databanks, but the damage to this shell fractured the neuro-cortex. Zero-Three is scattered, but We are awake. You are currently speaking to Zero-Eight.” They tap their fingers together thoughtfully. “We wondered if you might like to accompany us to the nearby town to ask about Ordair. We have observed from the ship’s archives that you are excellent at being friendly with people.”

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

@rckins

Technically speaking, They don’t need to take breaks as They continue to fix what They can of the ship. They don’t need to rest or sleep or take breaks for sustenance, but They have been allowing themselves periods of rest in order to speak to the crew. Having watched the ship’s archives, They feel like They know them already. But They are keenly aware that the notion is not returned -- the crew does not know Them.

So when Zero-Eight decides to speak to Rokin, they suppose it is not the wisest of ideas to speak about learning dance moves. That was a conversation Rokin had had with Zero-Three, not Them -- and while there is very little difference to Them, humans process such collectives differently.

Instead, when Zero-Eight knocks on the door of Rokin’s quarters, they come bearing an obnoxiously fruity looking cocktail, complete with fruit skewer and tiny umbrella.

“We don’t know how you’ve been doing for the past two standard solar cycles, but the last We saw of you, you were on the outside of the Eden,” they greet. “So We thought this might cheer you up!” Do humans process time the same way They do? It is impossible to tell.

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

@paxrinne

This, Zero-Four is fairly certain, is what guilt feels like.

They really hadn’t had much of a choice in what They’d done to the medbay. The shell had been there, and it was the most resource-rich environment for rebuilding on the ship -- unfortunately, They had had to pilfer a lot, destroy some machines to break them down to useful scrap. Of all of them, Zero-Four had been most interested in the biological aspect of it all, often taking long breaks to read information on medicine in the ship’s databanks.

So as They watch Pax do his best to clean the medbay, They linger in the doorway, conflicted. Some of Them don’t care; they know They had to do whatever They could to rebuild. Some, like Zero-Four, currently driving, feel quite bad about it.

“Can We help?” they ask, wringing badly repaired hands together. “We’re sorry about this, by the way. We, um. We had to? I suppose We could have been tidier about it.”

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

@captainlvna

Zero-Eight, of all of Them, likes the Captain the most.

They’re not sure why that is. When they’d watched Zero-Three’s archives, all of Them had had different opinions on the various members of the crew. Zero-One is fond of Kitra, Zero-Two likes Leti best. Zero-Six and Zero-Seven, so frequently of a similar mind, think Cori is outstanding.

Zero-Ten had never participated in any of the messages, unlike the rest of Them, who have all picked their favorites, so to speak.

So it’s Zero-Eight that thinks Juan is just dandy. Something about the music had spoken to them; it had been Zero-Eight who had funneled reassuring music into the Captain’s earpiece during the trade, feeling so very bad for him and the way everybody seemed to dismiss him. As far as Zero-Eight is convinced, Juan is a genius. Only a genius would have musical taste that excellent.

They ambush the Captain when Juan is about the set foot outside the ship. “Hello!” they greet, making sure the 08 indicator in Their eye is visible. It’s only polite to let the humans know who they are speaking to. “We would like to know if you had any more music recommendations. We realize you probably require an explanation for who We are, and what happened to this body, but We-- I, Zero-Eight, have fallen very much in love with groovy music, and I’d like more, please!”

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

nofugitive‌:

@sparrow-zero-three

“you were supposed to be dead. i spent these years thinking you were dead. and i’d never get that damn coffee maker to work for me.”

When They’d decided to visit Kitra in the medbay, it had taken some discussion to decide who would be in the driver’s seat. They had all watched Zero-Three’s archives; Their reactions to Kitra (and, it had to be said, much of the crew) had been mixed.

It’s Zero-One who approaches, the one who first spoke when they made their entrance, serious and gruff.

“The entity you associate with this face is unrecoverable,” They reply, entirely matter of fact. “We hesitate to apply the label of ‘dead’, but his data is so scattered and fragmented that it would take us years to piece him back together.” They pause thoughtfully. “Was the coffee maker especially important to you?”

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

ninanyzy‌:

[ closed starter | @sparrow-zero-three ]

            nina has seen her fair share of zombie androids,    but none that look quite as customized like the one in front of her.    her inherent curiosity moves her forth,    head tilting to extend her sight of the fractured droid that she can hear whirring from her distance.

      “   howdy !   ”     she greets with a big,   warm smile,    hands twitching around the long strap of the bag that hangs across her torso at the mere sight of exposed cables and cracked metal.    there is so much she wants to fix.      “  pardon my intrusion,    i heard about a small flock of raiders making a rumble with an alliance ship–    guess it wasn’t fake news !   ” 

They haven’t been entirely sure what to do with Themselves, stuck in this desert on Roame. If They were flying, They think there would be a more solid plan of action: back to the mission, maybe, if that is what the Captain wants. But here, They are stuck, motionless, little to do other than try to continue fixing the Eden.

They are working on a cracked exterior landing pylon when They are approached. Their eye -- Their Indicator, They are calling it, to let the others know which of Them is currently at the wheel -- flickers rapidly through numbers, finally settling.

Zero-Four beams back with a smile just as enthused. “Nope, not fake news at all! We’ve been in storage for a long time, but here we are! A bit worse for wear, admittedly.” Both Them and the Eden, They suppose. Their hands continue to work at fixing a fracture in the closest strut, moving jerkily. “I am Zero-Four! May I inquire why you are asking about the ship?”

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

the sparrowbot dumb bird gifs because I wanted to put them somewhere all together

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

captainlvna‌:

               a brow raises.   they’re trying to send him some new archive   (   he thinks   )    and the number of hosts seems to be nine.    juan doesn’t really know what the means,   anyways,   and moves his thumbs over the keyboard.      this definitely has something to do with zero-three,   or at least with the eden ship. 

[ ACTP LUNA ] are  [ ACTP LUNA ] you [ ACTP LUNA ] asking [ ACTP LUNA ] for [ ACTP LUNA ] some [ ACTP LUNA ] sort [ ACTP LUNA ] of [ ACTP LUNA ] access [ ACTP LUNA ] ?     

he frowns,    chewing at his lip.    giving his permission code is worth the try,   he supposes.

[ ACTP LUNA ] PERMISSION GRANTED: A3PTL7NA

[HOST NAME 0.0.0.1] [PERMISSION GRANTED: A3PTL7NA] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1] [ANTI-CURSE PROTOCOL: OVERRIDE] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1] ... ... [HOST NAME 0.0.0.4] ... ... [HOST NAME 0.0.0.8] ... heck [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.2] ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.5] ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.6] ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.7] ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1] !

The scroll of seemingly astonished exclamation marks continues for some time.

Until, finally,

[HOST NAME 0.0.0.4] ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1] th ank you [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1] captain!   [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1]

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

corinnv‌:

something about this all was picking at the back of her brain. she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was though. but it was something. but she knew whoever she was talking to certainly was not going to be alliance approved. 

[corinna.lore.0008] ‘damn. alright…well is there anything near you that can help tell me where you are?’

down the hall cori heard a loud bang of a door being slammed open and loud footsteps stalking down to her.

[corinna.lore.0008] ‘shit. someone is coming. don’t message back. i will when i can’

it took several days later to feel like she wasn’t being watched anymore and even then she felt like it was risky. her talking with an unknown person could be seen as her attempt to flee. still, there was that pull to that small communication device that had been safely hidden away but was now sitting on her lap. holding up a small icepack to one of her eyes, she typed out a message with her free hand.

[corinna.lore.0008] ‘are you still there? i hope you are. i had to wait to make sure they were gone and they werent watching.’

[corinna.lore.0008] ‘were you able to find anything to help me find you?”

Despite the wait of several days, Cori receives a reply within seconds.

[HOST NAME 0.0.0.1] ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1] ! o k ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] ... ... [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [LOCATION PARTIALLY DETERMINED: VIVAN SYSTEM] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [UNABLE TO SPECIFY FURTHER] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [GPS ARRAY: DAMAGED] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.6] don t [HOST NAME 0.0.0.7] w0     rry [HOST NAME 0.0.0.6] abo##########ut We

The camera of Cori’s device flicks on once more, before zooming in on the icepack.

[HOST NAME 0.0.0.6] ? [HOST NAME 0.0.0.7] ?   ? [HOST NAME 0.0.0.7] ? o k ? [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1]

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

paxrinne‌:

Despite the warmth of the shuttle, Pax shivers. Everything about this feels too real to be some sort of scam. Who had access to the video systems on their ship? Pax could probably could that number of people on one hand. That newsfeed, though—it’s playing current news. He watches the flickering cyan glow of it, entranced for half a minute as his brain wracks through all the possibilities.

[ PAXTON HELIOS RINNE, MD ] : You need help? What happened to you? Are you near Mallos?

[HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [LOCATION: VIVAN SYSTEM] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [CANNOT DETERMINE LOCATION: GPS ARRAY DAMAGED] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [SHELL REPAIR STATUS: 92%] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [FURTHER MATERIALS REQUIRED: POLYGLACTIN] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [SOURCE: POLYGLACTIN SUTURES]

Once again, the live feed pans around the abandoned med bay, as if looking for something. At the very edge of the screen, the static moves -- a shape underneath it, difficult to determine through the visual glitching.

[HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] ? where “polyglactic 910 sutures” ? [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1]

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

nofugitive‌:

kitra was not an unintelligent person by any means. she fancied herself rather clever, but she was also naturally suspicious. reading over the message once, twice, and then a third time. it was clearly a conscious entity, but damaged. there was something so strangely emotional and charming about it that something resonated with in her. it felt …familiar. 

‘do you have a name or identification code?’ 

[HOST NAME 0.0.0.1] ... ... [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] Y [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] S P @ R R 0 W [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] We [HOST NAME 0.0.0.4] ... ... [HOST NAME 0.0.0.4] ? We help ? [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] Y [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [ UNIVERSAL DISTRESS CALL :: ‘lieutenant cathrax. alliance id: 446601.  coordinates: 12.232 -66.836. send help.’] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [MESSAGE: FORWARD] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [RECIPIENTS: SYSTEM WIDE, VIVAN] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] ! help com    ing ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] ! hope ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1]

[sparrow-zero-three-blog]

corinnv‌:

[corinna.lore.0008] ‘are you able to get your coordinates out? there is a chance i could give it to someone to help’

staring at the dim screen she waited and waited for an answer back. she just hoped it wouldn’t be another few days like last time. but luckily it only took a few minutes before another message popped up.

[corinna.lore.0008] ‘reserve your power if you need to.’

[corinna.lore.0008] ‘yes best….or they think it is for the best. they say for my safety. but they just want to know where i am i suppose. so they can’t lose me.’

[corinna.lore.0008] ‘….’

[corinna.lore.0008] ‘please do not tell anyone i said that sparrow. please.’

[HOST NAME 0.0.0.1] ? secret ? [HOST NAME 0.0.0.6] Y [HOST NAME 0.0.0.7] Y [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [COMMUNICATION WITH CORINNA.LORE.0008: FIREWALLED] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.6] ! secret ! [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [CO-ORDINATES UNKNOWN] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [GPS ARRAY: DAMAGED] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.9] [GPS REPAIR STATUS: CANCELLED, INSUFFICIENT RESOURCES] [HOST NAME 0.0.0.1]