STORY

STORY

ABANDONED MACHINERY
[Song that plays when you encounter a long caterpillar]
2024-07-24 21:05:11
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Posted by ID #4
Last edit: 2024-07-24 21:09:05
Outside of Naut's ship, where a group of people are seen carrying around various oversized boxes of supplies, a long antidee is seen wandering about. It skitters along, carrying a small snakelike ai in its mandibles, as it appears to be aimlessly wandering around.
Cazkade is trying their best to order the people around the ship. They're single day hires, so technically Cazkade is higher on the employment ladder, but they felt so nervous dealing with people.
They spot the antidee wandering and stop. There was a machine in its jaws. A useful looking one at that.
Cazkade
2024-07-24 21:11:57
Cazkade Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-24 21:12:22
"Uh, hey! Any of you own this piece of equipment? It wasn't on the list by Captain Naut!" they ask the contractors.
The plump smeeper sets down his box of fish or whatever it is sailors need to throw around nowadays and turns to the commotion.
"Not mine! All I brought was a camera and my natural quick wits!"
After a solid grunt, the drakon shifted the boxes from the ground to a cradled position in his arms, before perking his head up to the noise. Rearranging the boxes in his arms as to not drop them or damage anything, he settled them into the crook in his non-dominant arm, keeping pressure on the side.
Colress
2024-07-24 21:18:08
Colress Profile
Posted by ID #155
Last edit: 2024-07-24 21:23:36
"Nope, I still have my pistol on me. Pretty sure my holster's locked too."
Cazkade beamed as soon as they learned the AI wasn't owned. It must have been a product that got accidentally shipped.
They try to grab the Apollo unit from the antidee.
Cazkade rolls a 20 sided die. A 13 is rolled.
With a short tug-of-war, Cazkade steals the Apollo unit from the creature. They grab the key on the back of the Apollo unit and mumble a prayer to themselves as they wind it up. "Please be scrap, please be scrap, please be scrap."
"You good over there, boss?"
2024-07-24 21:23:38
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Posted by ID #4
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:04:39

The wind up key appears to have a small metal bit welded onto the edge of one of the loops, letting out a little clicking sound with each turn of the key. After a moment of gears turning, the shell seems to shift slightly, tail twitching back and forth, as the dull eyes slowly turn on.

("Shoot! There might be a guy in this thing.")
"Uh, I'm doing fine here, uh, Colorless?"
Cazkade really hopes that was the drakon's name.
It was unfortunately not the drakon's name.
"Close, but no cigar. It's Colress."
"Hey, robot, you ok in there?"
The shell shifts back and forth aimlessly, the plates making up its body lightly clicking together as it looks up at Cazkade, examining the creature holding it.
"You ok in there," It mimics back, before seeming to process something.
"I'm ok in here."
Dang. It's a person.
"Uh, hey, do you know how you got here? It's not really normal for a guy to be all disabled and stuff. Do you remember what how you ended up like this?"
"What is this?" The Roman Apollo asks, head slowly tilting backwards as it ends up looking behind itself, body moving in odd little bursts as Cazkade holds it.
Taking a breath, Colress set the boxes down, off to the side on board the ship, before walking to Cazkade's side and motioning for the smeeper to come over.
"I don't...remember anything." It comments, eyes shifting about. "Though I appear to know I'm Roman Apollo version eight."
"What's a Roman Apollo?"
"Ah man, another memory loss victim." Cazkade looks to the others. "Any of you got memory loss too?"
Now's the perfect time for a joke. Totally.
Colress
2024-07-24 21:35:17
Colress Profile
Posted by ID #155
Last edit: 2024-07-24 21:35:30
"My memory is apparently better than yours, boss. I think I'm good."
Colress
2024-07-24 21:35:38
Colress Profile
Posted by ID #155
Last edit: 2024-07-24 21:35:50
Nailed it.
Cazkade doesn't laugh. They're pretty sure that's just a fact.
"Uh, let's see, I don't know what a roman Apollo is much. What does the Cosmosdex have to say about them....?"
Turdurky dumps the boxes on the ground and ambles over. It's not like he was going anywhere fast anyways.
Roman Apollo v.8
2024-07-24 21:38:09
Roman Apollo v.8 Profile
Posted by ID #4
Last edit: 2024-07-24 21:39:09
Roman Apollo v.8 looks down at its noodley body, seeming to connect some dots it wasn't connecting a moment ago.
Cosmosdex
2024-07-24 21:38:21
Cosmosdex Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-24 21:39:36
Entry: Roman Apollo
LEAVE ME / ALONE!!!!



Physical Description
Fuck you

Personality & Traits
Fuck off

Usage
Fuc- NO!!!!!!!!
"Bad news, I think someone griefed this page."
After having his small laugh, he looked to the little serpent-like AI in Cazkade's hands.
"Maybe we should put it down on the ground?"
"Restraining it by keeping it in your mitts might not be a good idea."
"Roman units are just bootlegs. An Apollo is just to be used for typical service work, like waiters or something, so I'm sure that's what you're for." Cazkade places the Apollo unit on the floor after Colress' suggestion.
"Most snakevines spend their time in trees. Might be worth a toss up the mizzenmast."
"Yeah, guess it's best I don't hold you. My bad." The AI was a person after all.
The Apollo unit drops flat to the ground, before slowly rising itself back up. "Oh, I'm useful for service work, and a bootleg?"
"Am I good at that?"
"Oh geez, hey man, I uh, I don't know what you're good at. That's just what I think. I barely know what I'm good at! I just started like, existing just yesterday."
"Oh, I just started existing today! You must be good at it!"
Roman Apollo v.8
2024-07-24 21:44:52
Roman Apollo v.8 Profile
Posted by ID #4
Last edit: 2024-07-24 21:45:10
"So I'm Roman Apollo v.8, they are Colorless. What are you?"
This time, Colorless said nothing. Guess it's official now. He'll play along.
Cazkade gets terrible invasive thoughts about how the AI has no memory, no family, nothing. It'd be easy to exploit an AI that doesn't know why it exists......
Cazkade will....
Chosen Action
Try to be normal
Cazkade tries their best to be normal. "I uh guess we got some things in common!"
"Not good things....I mean, hate to say it, but I don't know what to do with you. I honestly don't know why I'm on this ship."
"It isn't the pay that's for sure!"
"The name is Cazkade. You can call me Kaz for short though. I think that might be the only thing I know."
"Well, that and that I got a little buddy here called Knight of the Ageless Metal."
"Hello Kaz, hello Knight of the Ageless Metal." Roman Apollo v.8 says, looking up as the sapper zips about
"Neat name ain't it? I'm hoping to be a driver of a big mech one day!"
"It is a neat name!"
"Though, what's a mech? Is Knight of the Ageless Metal a mech?"
"I have to admit, it is a neat name."
"Well, Knight of the Ageless Metal isn't a mech yet, but sappers got a really good basic AI base for starting with! You can build up on them to make something amazing!"
"99% of the time they lose their identity, but I'm going to try and avoid that. I don't have money to start this dream yet."
"Uh, I gotta be honest...Why do I feel so guilty.....? I was, kind of hoping...you weren't alive so I could use your body as scrap. Sorry."
"Well, that's pretty barbaric."
"Hey, it isn't that barbaric. Sometimes AIs just leave their shells and dump them for new ones. I wasn't hoping he was dead just....not in his body."
"I'm glad I am alive and not scrap. I like talking with you Kaz."
Roman Apollo v.8 shifts about, head rolling around a little as it figures out how to move. "Maybe I can still help you even if I'm not scrap, if you want!"
"You've got a point there, I'll give you that."
Cazkade
2024-07-24 21:59:12
Cazkade Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-24 21:59:35
"Oh, like, you want a job? Oh jeez, I just started working here. I can call the boss if you'd like." Cazkade takes a deep breath.

"CAPTAIN NAUT!!!!! SOMEONE ELSE WITHOUT A MEMORY WANTS A JOB!!!!"
"Do I need a job?" The Roman Apollo asks, looking up to Kaz as they let out a shout.
Colress
2024-07-24 22:01:45
Colress Profile
Posted by ID #155
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:02:41
The Drakon looks down to the AI.
"In this economy? Yeah, having a job is a good thing."
[Head of the Center of the Universe - PW: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies]
Captain Naut comes up from below deck. "Another victim of memory loss? I haven't ordered another one, Sailor!"
"He's a Roman Apollo v.8. Found him being kidnapped by an antidee I guess."
2024-07-24 22:03:53
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Posted by ID #4
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:04:20

The antidee was still idling nearby, it didn't appear to have anywhere to go.

Captain Naut takes a really close look at the Apollo. "Aah, nice metal coating, a low gen too! The poor lad, likely was thrown away by previous owner."
"Welcome to freedom, my boy! You ain't owned by no one anymore! What does it feel like?"
"Pretty sure like nothing, considering he doesn't remember a thing."
"Feels like a slow winding gear."
"Hmm, right. Considering we're in lawless space, wouldn't be surprised if someone wiped him and tossed him to the fishes on their way back to lawful space."
"That's one way of putting it. Can't hurt to wish the fellow a happy birthday of sorts."
"Why would someone wipe me?"
Colress
2024-07-24 22:09:10
Colress Profile
Posted by ID #155
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:09:55
"Information purposes, perhaps. Maybe you once knew something they didn't want leaking out or anyone else knowing."
"AIs are seen as disposable people. Many of them barely got any rights. They'll make you transport drugs, then wipe you so you can't tell."
"Oh, that doesn't sound nice."
"There ain't no need for an AI to exist in this universe! Scum, trash, all of them!"
"Anyway, you should give yourself a name, lad!"
Roman Apollo v.8
2024-07-24 22:12:52
Roman Apollo v.8 Profile
Posted by ID #4
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:13:06
"A name? Am I not Roman Apollo v.8? Like Cazkade is Kaz, and Colorless is Colorless." Its eyes slowly shift to the large bird that hasn't introduced themselves.
"The name's Turdurky. Pleased to see ya. Though I think you mighta forgotten what the point of names are."
Colress
2024-07-24 22:15:12
Colress Profile
Posted by ID #155
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:16:10
Deep breaths... Deep breaths. In and out. It's just a joke, the AI doesn't understand.
Captain Naut
2024-07-24 22:15:15
Captain Naut Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:16:28
"Roman Apollo v.8 is your unit name! Many AIs keep it. I wish I could spit at the idea. Believing you could be a person while having a name like that! Imagine if the sailor Kaz there was just named "1203 generation Krell, type Geek!" That would be nonsense, my boy!

AIs are already lesser people, scum! They could at least try to be more than that!"
Roman Apollo v.8's head shifts down a bit as it thinks. "How do you choose a name?"
"Just pick a noise that you like, boy."
"The name Cazkade just kind of came to me in my mind. Maybe if you think hard you'd figure it out too!"
"Hmm...think hard...."
"Think...hard..."
Roman Apollo v.8 shifts a bit, seeming to be trying to process something...
A cekeki working at the back of the ship sorting goods perks up. "Your name is Buster."
The sides of the Roman Apollo's head pop out as it jumps up. "My name is Buster."
"You know this, Buster?"
Ray flicks his tail, casually sorting his pile. "Course, course."
"Me and Buster are good friends, I'll have you know."
"We are?"
"Why didn't you speak up before then?"
"You asked if anyone owns this thing, and I don't."
"Buster owns himself. Kind of funny, you asking that question on a ship owned by an AI, though, Kaz."
"Uh, I didn't mean it like that!"
Ray whistles. "Careful around this one, boss. Fishy guys tell fishy lies. Might wake up gutted on the table."
"I own myself! I could own a ship..." It muses
".........................."
"My boy, you wouldn't kill me in my sleep, now would you?"
How would you kill him?
Chosen Action
I would want you to be awake, so the fight is fair.
"If I were to kill you. I'd kill you while you were awake, you know? So the fight is fair."
"Oh geez, why did I say that?!?!"
"GOOD! YOU NEVER KILL A MAN WITH HIS BACK TURNED!"
"This isn't going to become some kind of murder mystery ship now, is it?"
"Kaz didn't kill me in my sleep."
"Makes sense. Never kill a man with his back turned. He can't see you coming."
"Only cowards do that to a man. I agree, boss."
"Uh yeeeah haha, awesome......Uh, anyway, yeah, Buster, you could own a ship! Most AIs own ships..or at least drive them."
"Just like I own my own ship here!"
Turdurky
2024-07-24 22:32:05
Turdurky Profile
Posted by ID #10
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:46:00
Turdurky turns to Colress.
"Did you see any of this on the job application?"
"No, not really. Though I suppose this is a looser contract so, anything goes."
"I just hope I get paid what I'm owed when this is done."
"Could you own a ship too?" It asks Kaz out of curiosity.
"Well, I could, but I rather own a mech on......." Cazkade's voice faltures slightly as they remember the way Naut acted.
Ray
2024-07-24 22:35:11
Ray Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-25 00:13:23
Ray jumps on Cazkade's shoulder. "My buddy, Kaz. He wants to own a mech. It's what krells do. It's in their blood." He says, punching his chest a few times lightly.
"They don't care about who might disagree. They got a passion, and they'll get it done."
"I will????"
"Buster, buddy, pal. You believe Kaz can do it, right?"
"Kaz can do it like they wanted."
It seems to think for a moment.
"Without losing its personality like they said."
"Kaz, as long as you believe you can do it, you can manage it."
"100 to 1? Ain't odds you can't handle, pal." Ray digs out some papers.
"I happen to even have a tidy sum of spare metal I've been collecting for a rainy day. I ain't have the energy to work with it though. Might be something you're interested in, pal?"
Buster seems to notice something, looking down a bit as it tries to look at the sides of its head.
About the metal.....
Chosen Action
You're interested. It's free metal!
Something tells Cazkade they REALLY REALLY shouldn't take this deal. Almost as if friend from the past warned them about something like this.......
...But it's free metal!!! "Yeah I'd love to go get some free metal! Mind if I go pick it up now boss?"
"Don't consult me on your choice."
Ray jumps off Kaz's shoulder. "Buster, Kaz, lets go to my place. Pick up the metal. We'll be back, won't take long."
Buster shifts back up from trying to look at its own hood. "Oh sure, we can do that! Though I don't know where your place is!"
"Just follow me." Ray trots down and off the ship.
Colress
2024-07-24 22:54:01
Colress Profile
Posted by ID #155
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:54:29
Something was awry. Something was very awry, and Colress did not like it. Although he was hired for lifting heavy things today, he is a hired guard first and foremost.
"Oi, Buster, Kaz. Mind if I go with you? Something feels off in the air and I think it'd be a good idea to have an escort, especially considering we're in lawless space."
"Don't see why not. More the merrier."
"Remember, I am not paying you for the hours you don't work."
Colress
2024-07-24 22:55:28
Colress Profile
Posted by ID #155
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:56:03
"Fine by me. I think it'd be better for you and your ship in the long run if your crew stays, I don't know, alive?"
The group heads to Ray's House.
[what remains of her]
Ray unlocks the door to his apartment. He leaves the door open as he jumps on to his couch and curls up in it, staring at the window. He is utterly quite for a few seconds.
Ray
2024-07-24 22:58:19
Ray Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-24 23:00:07
"...................................." Is he staring at the sun?
Ray
2024-07-24 22:59:13
Ray Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-24 22:59:22
He suddenly perks up and points. "Metal is in the closet over there. You'll have to haul it. I don't got the energy to do it. Just don't take all of it, leave me a little bit, just in case."
Buster slithers in behind the others, slower due to getting to grips with the functions of its body, though seeming to have enjoyed the time as they traveled along.
Ray
2024-07-24 23:04:32
Ray Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-25 00:05:38
"Buster, pal. Come here." Ray orders.
Buster looks over to Ray, before slithering its way over to the couch where he rested.
Ray takes out a cloth and polishes Buster's head fins. "They were dirty, pal. Your hood."
Buster
2024-07-24 23:07:59
Buster Profile
Posted by ID #4
Last edit: 2024-07-25 00:06:11
Buster shifts up a bit, the grime that had collected on the mirrors on its hood coming off, as the sun catches it and reflects off. "Oh, that's what that is."
Buster
2024-07-24 23:08:25
Buster Profile
Posted by ID #4
Last edit: 2024-07-25 00:06:13
"I couldn't tell what those were. Thank you."
("Uh, not that I'm worried anything is wrong...but any of you two want to open the closet...?")
Colress nodded his head, clicking the lock off on his holster, just in case.

"I'll open it if no one else wants to."
"Yeah, give it a go, Colorless."
"On it."
Colress stepped towards the closet, keeping his hand by his sidearm, before drawing it, doing a brass check to ensure it was loaded, and slowly pieing ajar the closet door.

Inside the closet, Colress spots it.......

Metal. Piles of it.

The way the metal glinted was alluring. There were many pieces of it in the same size, all stacked up on each other.

"That's my life savings."
"Was suppose to be eating it but-" Ray shrugs. "Didn't feel like it."
"It's anomalous metal. The good stuff."
There is a pause as he looks at it all, before slowly lowering his sidearm back by it's holster and taking a step back, finger off of the trigger.

"Seems legit so far... Just be weary, Caz. Something still feels off."
"Alright... Just like... hauling boxes. With people who were talking about killing each other..."
How much metal do you take?
Chosen Action
About 80% of it, that seems to be about as much Ray wanted you to take.
Cazkade and the others gather about 80% of the metal. "Man, thank you! This is HUGE for my project!"
Ray
2024-07-24 23:16:50
Ray Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-25 05:05:24
"No problem pal. I know another place with some free waste metal. Good big chunk too."
"Really??? Can we go pick up that as well?" Cazkade cannot believe their luck today.
Buster
2024-07-24 23:17:34
Buster Profile
Posted by ID #4
Last edit: 2024-07-24 23:35:12
"That's very kind of you, buddy."
Buster awkwardly holds some metal in its little mouth flap and wraps a little up, but it's not great at carrying
Turdurky gathers the metal hesitantly in his pockets. He's no smith but he doesn't really see the point in making a mech out of what looks to be some sort of physical points.
"Yeah no problem. Don't worry. It's scrap. Guy who owns it didn't want it around anymore. I'll show you it." Ray finally unravels from his couch.
Colress
2024-07-24 23:19:12
Colress Profile
Posted by ID #155
Last edit: 2024-07-24 23:42:38
The drakon was still a little skeptical.
"Now hold on. Are we absolutely sure that we should go for that? It sounds too good to be true, and it probably is."
But there was a pause.
"I mean, either way I'm going with you. Just trying to keep you wary. Something isn't right... I'll ask again, are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Yeah I'm sure it's safe. The guy gave us his life savings. We're good."
Ray makes no comment towards the accusation. He merely flicks his tail and leaves his house. Whoever wanted to follow him, would follow him.
And Cazkade was, and that's the only person he cared about.
Those who wanted to follow, followed......
[Vending Machine Humming | 10 Hours]
Ray walks into a nearly empty office, a skeleton crew at most running the place. He heads down carefully into a basement, turns on a light, and approaches a machine of unknown make and model. He perches on top of it, and curls up once again.
"It's busted."
"Scrap."
"I watched this thing hurt a man when it was running."
"Terrible sounds......."
Ray
2024-07-24 23:25:47
Ray Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-25 05:07:07
"You'd be doing me a favor if you rip it apart."
"If you don't, someone might fix it, you understand?"
Ray
2024-07-24 23:26:36
Ray Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-25 05:07:23
"So, will you do your good ole pal a little favor?"
"Oh! That sounds like a bad machine."
Buster
2024-07-24 23:27:36
Buster Profile
Posted by ID #4
Last edit: 2024-07-25 00:09:21
"I would be happy to help my pal out."
"What's next? A free rug?"
What will you do?
Chosen Action
Take the machine for parts. It's free!
Cazkade
2024-07-24 23:32:26
Cazkade Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-25 00:10:25
"Aww man! You're the best! Uh..."
Cazkade
2024-07-24 23:32:39
Cazkade Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-25 00:10:37
"What is your name?"
"................................."
"Monsieur."
"But just call me, pal, or bud. No need to be so formal."
"Thanks Monsieur, pal!" Cazkade opens the machine and reaches in to see if there's anything loose they could start with pulling out.
Ray presses down on a lever. The machine makes a horrible sound.
Cazkade yelps in fear and bumps their head on the inside of the machine. "What was that!?!?!"
"A joke, pal. Gears got removed and placed to the side. Makes a funny sound when you pull the lever." Ray smiles, showing his glowing teeth.
"Should unplug a machine if you're going to work on it, you know, pal."
Cazkade
2024-07-24 23:41:54
Cazkade Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-24 23:42:03
"Aww jeez, thanks man. Could have totally gotten shocked if I kept poking around like that with it on."
Czakade pulls a plug. The endless drone of the machine ends. They start getting to work, pulling parts out, and handing them to the workers that followed them to bring back to the ship. It took about two hours, but by the end, nothing but the case of the machine was left.
Ray didn't help at all. He just sat happily on top of the machine the entire time, watching.
Ray
2024-07-24 23:44:39
Ray Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-24 23:59:25
"Sorry I couldn't assist, pal."
Ray
2024-07-24 23:45:25
Ray Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-24 23:46:22
"But cekekis can't destroy the machine." Ray hops down, and trots out the basement.
"Tell the boss I ain't coming back for work."
Ray
2024-07-24 23:46:59
Ray Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-07-24 23:58:51
"Might come see you again though. Thanks for the help." Ray slinks away, leaving the building and the group behind.
End of Expo
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