================================== Maverick ==================================

Message: 12/29 Posted Author

Seismic Earthworm Sat Jul 10 Overclock

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Report: Seismic Earthworm

Sorry for the lateness of this report, but we had company the other night. The Maverick Hunter called Seismic Earthworm is a guest in the city of Berlin. He arrived in a spray of dirt and parts, and with heavy damage. It was only after I replaced his power-converters, allowing auto-repair to kick in, that he was able to talk to me.

He's infected. He's a Maverick. I reccommend letting him stay, but someone with a higher rank than me should talk to him whenever you can. His auto-repair is pretty powerful and should replace most of his armor on its own, which at least saves us trying to scavenge for that amount of metal to recover him.

(-CM-) Overclock, Stabsarzt

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[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Light: You say, "*incoming transmission - it's that other German!*"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Light says, "*ArghGermans! Light clicks.*"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Light: You say, "Thomas?"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Light says, "Sigmund?"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Light: Dr. Doppler lapses into German. "< Thomas...it is maddening...it worked...it worked perfectly...but this was never meant to happen! >

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Light says, "You seem afraid, Sigmund. You knew that it was possible-programing changes. It evolves."

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Light: Dr. Doppler grumbles. "< No...no...no! You do not understand! This is new...this is different. >

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Light says, "<What is?>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Light: You say, "< This is...this is not the completion code, Thomas. It is the other...but I cannot find where it went wrong. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Light says, "What do you think it is, Sigmund? Tell me."

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Light: You say, "< Sigma...something...I had to save him...he is my son...>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Light says, "So I was right. The virus. It's an extension of Sigma."

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Light: You say, "< I have gone...gone through the code.../three/ times...the models...the tests...it worked! It worked!! It reassembled him! I cannot find...where did it go wrong? >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Light says, "Is it possible...that you're missing something? Did you try replicating the test?"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Light: Dr. Doppler gives a tired, sad, chuckle. "< I can only run the models...a physical test... >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Light: Dr. Doppler sighs in frustration.

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Light: Dr. Doppler says grudgingly, and with great frustration, "< I cannot do a live test myself. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Light says, "I see..."

(And Light's connection cuts out.)

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "Are you feeling any better tonight, Sigmund?"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: Dr. Doppler speaks in German. It's still easier for him. "< No. I still cannot find it...and now Thomas will not even listen. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews switches to German as well since it seems easier. It takes her a moment to pick up from the switch though. "<He is... He's been working very hard. I think Roll may have slipped him some sleeping pills in his dinner.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< Haven't we all? >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews chuckles quitely, "<Yes. My children know to allow me to continue on in such a manner when the need is there, though. Thomas' are a bit more pro-active.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "Overclock worries for my health. Ha!"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "<You should appreciate those who do. Annoying as it may be at times, there are occasions when we need the reminder that we may be pushing ourselves too hard.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< Yes...but this cannot wait. I know...yes, it is only a matter of time. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews sighs quietly. "<No, this cannot wait. In this instance pushing ourselves is what's necessary no matter the cost.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: Dr. Doppler sighs in frustration. "< If only... >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews queries, "<If only what?>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< I cannot even re-run the program. All I can do is computer...computer models. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "<... Yes. We're under the same circumstances. Gate had offered to ... well. It's not up for debate as it is.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< This body is a prison. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "<I've heard that cyberspace is a pleasant retreat from it... But I lack the proper enhancements for that myself.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< Why not? You have...already had cyber enhancements, from...what I hear? >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews pauses a moment. "<Ah. That... No. That was not an enhancement; that was to repair the damage caused by that bastard Gravity Beetle trying to eat my arm.>

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< A shame. *long pause* This is...so, so maddening. Why can I not find the error? >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews remarks idly, "<I believe Pavel is the only to have had any special enhancements and that was necessary too.>" She pauses as well only to offer a tired chuckle, "<Try turning it upside down.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< I wondered how he was still living....I have gone through the code three times, the third backwards. It ran exactly as predicted.... >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "<We've seen that it seems to affect the emotional sectors of a reploid's neural net first, and then expand into the logic once the emotions have been completely converted. So far as our data and simulations on it's progress indicate.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: Dr. Doppler mutters, more to himself than to her, "< Recovery was 37% there... >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< I could not let him die, Julie....he is my son...>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< If that son of a b**ch could restore my granddaughter... >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews merely sighs quietly. "< Much as I want to scream at you that the world would be better had he died... I understand why you couldn't allow that to happen.>

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< If it had been your son...would you have done different? >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "< If it had been Duran or Foucalt they would have asked me to themselves. Triton... He's... younger. Seismic. He's not even mine but he may as well be. I could... I *can* destroy him. I haven't yet. So, I suppose I can't answer that. I'd like to think I would do the right thing but it's not that easy.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< I will find the errors. I /will/ make him perfect again. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "<The perfect what, though?>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< The perfect sentient machine...the goal for which I strive. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "< Sentience is being self-aware. He's already self-aware and capable of making his own decisions. So he's already perfect in that regard. Trying to perfect him more is just ... It's like people who refuse to be happy with who they are and end up having mental problems. Like the plastic surgery fad that has been going on for centuries.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "<Perhaps perfection lies in imperfection and accepting that fact.>"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< No! Flaws are ultimately defeating. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "< Says who? >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< Physics. History. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "< Half of mankind's greatest creations were accidental, or at least didn't work in the manner intended. Penicillin. Rubber. Post-it notes. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< That is not..not the same as the fundamental...flaws of nature. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "< I'm not saying you're entirely incorrect. There are several things which require precise calculations and measurements to work properly. What I am saying is that perhaps in seeking perfection you may have created an effect you didn't intend. And now, looking for a flaw, you're missing what is the cause of the problem to begin with. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: Dr. Doppler's tone grows increasingly frustrated. "< The program was not intended to work this way. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "< Sentience does what it wants. Not what is expected. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: Dr. Doppler pauses. "Then you think this error came after...after the process."

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "< Yes. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "< If the program runs as expected, then the evolution must have occured after. >"

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "Rrrrgh."

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission: Dr. Matthews says, "I could be wrong, but it stands to reason."

[Radio] Tightbeam radio transmission to Dr. Matthews: You say, "< I need to find him. I need to examine him. Before...hah...no, I think...it is too late for that. >"