Very sorry how long this took. I had part of it written up, I just got distracted by a bunch of other things going on. Nothing bad—I'm not sick or anything, just caught a rut and took time getting up. But here it is!
Turn 4
Is there any way to pinpoint the origin of the signal? Perhaps with a on-site investigation we can determine what the rest of the corrupted data says more accurately. Worst case, it will be untraceable or from a source outside of our current dimension and we will have to seek out a key to try and track it down.
[1] All you know for certain is that the transmission was simply a pre-recorded message, and it certainly wasn't set there recently. You fail to come up with any reliable leads within the structure of the portal device, beyond the fact that the number
'4' on the center pedestal is glowing a soft
green to indicate your current world. Judging from the message alone, though, you're pretty sure the lack of information is... more or less intentional.
Kittens, what happened to you? I saw numerous angry cats, which I think indicates that something’s wrong
Head in the direction of the star shaped fort, looking around and listening as I travel
[5] Alert and cautious, you expertly pick among the craggy terrain and make a steady clip forward. A good thing, too -- a number of interesting features stick out to you quickly. Your immediate vicinity and that of the portal device is clear, except for the odd cactus and curious bird- or lizard-like creature. The sheer biodiversity of plants and animals, especially for hot scrubland like this, strikes you as interesting considering the industrial era-looking structure some ways off -- you infer from this that the greater area is largely untapped and left to nature. A fact that somewhat disturbs your innate robot sensibilities.
Try to detect this key and move towards it. if I fail to detect the key just go in a random direction in search for treasures.
[3] Using the algorithm transmitted by Ongoing_Directives.bat, you detect the signal of a key coming from the general direction of the star-shaped structure. It doesn't say WHAT exactly it IS, however. You cautiously pick your way across the terrain towards the fort.
'What's with the sudden visions of cats, and there seems to be a structure near us I'm gonna go check it out."
Float over to the structure and see what its all about.
[6] BLASTOFF! You gravely overstretch your thrusting capacity, sending you rocketing into the air in a roughly 45-degree arc!
[1] Pinwheeling like a maple seed, you fly out of control, catapulting ungracefully for a good fifteen meters before
slamming back down into the dirt.
[3] Thankfully, the damage is minimal enough, aside from a very unhelpful gathering of dust and sand caked onto your frame.
Attempted to stick gun on body. Failure. Visual sensors damaged.
Head out to the unknown world!
[4] Dejected, you leave the relative safety of the machine for the alien outdoors, following your companions. Your bottom half bumps and crumples the shelf of earth on your way, and you awkwardly lift yourself up higher. Actually seeing anything that goes on out here is difficult.
B.B.8. remains behind for now.
Thoughts: Right, accessing protocol.
Search the locker for legs, arms and a head, preferably of female form, as most humanoid species find that to be calming, among other things. Long Purple hair and eyes if possible. As well as a torso module to disguise myself. After that I'll.. Hmm, skirt, blouse, underwear, and shoes.
Thoughts: B.B.8, Psychological Program, ready to explore.
[5] You notice a distinct lack of torso prosthetics. Not those that would fit your spherical frame. You instead dig out legs, arms, and with a bit of work, cannibalize the chest plate portion of a metal torso that you do find. All are now clipped onto you, somewhat ungainly, but you now have legged propulsion, a second pair of arms, and some features to distinguish your main body from the others. The head is a different story. Those just do not exist, not in the form you imagined. What you get is a cranial plating extension used to augment (or replace) a skull. The face is decidedly robotic. The MCP might even approve.
(Humanoid bionic arms + original robot arms grant +1 to actions requiring hand dexterity/grip. +1 to damage resistance rolls.)-----
333 and
CIWLEAL both reach the fort this turn. On approach, both of you are quick to notice obvious signs of habitation. Aside from the walls, there is a large square asphalt landing pad a short distance away, with four softly blinking strobe lights—just judging by the size, it's likely for smaller shuttle craft to land, not cargo haulers. The walls of the fort are made of a hodgepodge of steel plates and slats, concrete slabs and rebar. Even from this distance, you see a few prominent emplacements at the 'spokes' of the star, what looks to you like defensive turrets and security cameras. Surprisingly, none of them trigger at your presence.
As you draw closer, a number of humanoids start to appear. You didn't notice any manning the walls before, but now that you can make out the presence of what looks like security gates at irregular spacings, you
also notice the very obviously armed guards decked out in heavy-duty plating walking right towards you.
One of them raises an arm, flagging you down. But all of them have their guns pointed low, non-threatening. You hear who seems to be the leader speak, a masculine voice filtered through his helmet.
[2] Unfortunately, none of what he's saying makes
any sense to either of you.
Author
Topic: Minimalist Robot AI Multiverse Adventures [On hiatus] (Read 12327 times)