Futuristic Iron Caskets: Research Station Antioch

[Nachytsm]

Pardus Sector
Orbit of Pardus VI, Antioch Space Station

"This is LP-13 on final approach to Research Station Antioch." The pilot of a basic Oak-Class hauler flicks several switches in the cockpit as her ship drifts gracefully through the last of the asteroid belt around the gas giant of Pardus VI. "Requesting landing clearance, Antioch."

The radio chimes back with the musical notes of the Lowe-Pike Conglomerate anthem, followed by a crisp female voice. "LP-13, welcome to Antioch Station. Please maintain course and dock to umbilical C-2."

Activating the auto-docking sequences of her ship, the pilot releases her flight harness and floats out of her seat, shuffling into the air and then pulling herself along handholds into the cargo bay. "Can't imagine what they needed so urgently that they called me for two gold-damned boxes," she murmurs to herself.

The cargo hold is mostly empty, aside from the aforementioned two crates. Both are larger than a human, though one is significantly larger- nearly three times the size of the other. "If you're just more cows, I swear to all that shines I'm going to kick the quartermaster in the teeth," she warns, kicking off of her wall to land next to the crates. Tapping a few buttons and pulling a lever, she gets them moving closer to the side of the ship with the docking clamps.

With the expertise and foresight of someone who must have accomplished this run many times in the past, the pilot orients her feet towards the deck just as her ship comes within range of the Antioch's gravity generators, planting her firmly to the ground and allowing her to walk the rest of the way after her cargo. The 'thump-thunk' of several docking clamps latching onto the ship is the only indication from inside that it has come to a halt.

Shortly thereafter the umbilical doors open, admitting a lumbering Class I loader exosuit and a pair of Cargo Bots. Behind them is the quartermaster, a man in his middling years who looks entirely too attentive for his line of work.

From there business continues smoothly. The pilot and Quartermaster meander back to the office while the dockhands move the crates inside. Paperwork is signed, stamped, and forwarded to several different people both on and off station, then the pilot makes her way back to her ship, undocks, and is away.

"Set those crates on the cargo train," the Quartermaster yells to his crew as he makes his way out of his office. "They're headed to the robotics lab for activation."

----------------------

As the crates are finally dismantled in full, the two Robotics researchers take a step back to observe their handiwork, and the new tools at their disposal.

"Really, though, what in the hell is this? A Build-A-Bot?" The larger of the two crates had been packing what could have been two or three full machines, albeit most of it looked to be spare or auxiliary parts. The woman examining it has a look of severe distaste on her face, though beneath that is something along the lines of intrigue.

"This one looks damaged," remarks her companion, examining a much more humanoid and slender machine. "Poorly repaired and slapped back together. Who even makes these purchases?"

The two carry on bantering about the poor equipment they've been given while starting the activation proceedures for the two machines.

Little known to the Roboticists, the two synthetics in front of them were already active- in standby mode, but fully aware of their surroundings. Simply waiting on 'Start up.'

 

[Specialist]

[Location: Aboard Pardus Station] - [Interacting with: N/A]​

[INITIALIZING. . . QMAC CHIPSET INITIALIZED. BIOS ONLINE. v.09452782]

[. . .]

[FIRMWARE CHECKS COMPLETED. SYSTEMS NOMINAL. BOOTING UP REQUIRED MODULES.]

[. . .]

[ASSIGNMENT PARAMETERS AMBER, CRIMSON, LOADED. ESTABLISH SYNCHRONIZATION WITH LOCAL CONSTRUCT: 'ORDER'.]

[DESIGNATION: AX735 INITIALIZED. PROPERTY OF GENERAL_DIAMOND_ARMS_?_MUNITIONS.]

[VOCAL PRESENCE DETECTED. AWAITING ACTIVATION COMMAND.]



She could hear them. Voices. One female, the other male. Deductions by their non-synthetic undertone made it clear that these two were Humans. Consulting her mission parameters, it was clear what she had to do, yet was incapable from doing so by being on standby. Once startup was initialized, D-Net would bark a reminder of the obvious: Adhere to mission parameters. Failure will result in notification of defective platform. It was a reminder that she'd be decommissioned if she failed to uphold her integrity aboard the station. It didn't bother her, because she wouldn't fail. Class-IV Combat Androids were top-of-the-line, and GDAM knew this. Yet, Combat wasn't her objective for this job. Security detail aboard the station. Maintain cover. Uphold 'Three Laws'. Secondarily, she was to secure rival competitive information and send it back to D-Net for the heavy lifting, regardless of what it was. All that was required now, was a startup command.

 

[Solirus]

M.A.L.B.​

[SYSTEMS: INITIALIZING]
…
[SYSTEMS: OPTIMAL]
…
[SCAN: COMMENCING]
…
[SYNTHETICS: 1]

[HUMANS: 2]
…
[OBJECTIVE: ACTIVATING]
…

[OBJECTIVE: IN PROGRESS]


Malb remained immobile as a statue, appearing to be lifeless and as a statue, though that was far from the truth. Malb had to give the humans a sense of power and control as that is when they are most relaxed, a feeling easily exploitable. In his time here Malb would learn and in learning Malb would become a greater threat for anything opposing his masters. For now though Malb would follow the order of the humans stationed in this location, making himself look like a slave to them lowering their guard, but Malb's loyalty that was programmed into him was unquestionably that for his masters and the other synthetic brought along was also a servant to his true masters and far more advanced than what Malb was in his current form, Malb would need to learn a lot in this mission in order to ensure Flawless success.

 

[Specialist]

[Location: Aboard Pardus Station] - [Interacting with: N/A (intro post)]​

There it was. Order, the local station's AI. Scrolling across the vast blackness that was her vision. Almost immediately, the request was granted.

[ACKNOWLEDGED, STATION_INTELLIGENCE_ORDER. UNIT DESIGNATION IS AX-735. ALIAS: ALEXIS.]

[RECEIVING CLEARANCE LEVELS AND INFORMATION PACKAGE.]

[. . .]

[RECEIVED. AWAITING ACTIVATION BY ON-HAND STAFF.]

Yet, there was something her response nearly skipped over. There was another? Backtracking through her log, there was indeed confirmation of a Class-III clearance Multipurpose Robot. Her subroutines didn't account for accommodation alongside another robot. While on standby, the technicians would notably detect a brief flair-up of the gynoid's CPU, before settling down to normal levels. Accommodations were now written to sufficiently integrate this robot into her subroutines. If they were indeed receiving the same message at the same time by Order, surely it must be active and dormant? There was, in theory, only one way to find out.

[!ATT: AX-735 COMBAT ANDROID BROADCASTING REMOTE REQUEST FOR COMMUNICATION INTEGRATION WITH {CLASS-III_MULTIPURPOSE_ROBOT};

 

[Nachytsm]

The two technicians busy themselves with preparing the synthetics for activation, checking their structural integrity and poking around in the electronics to make sure nothing had been damaged in transit. Behind the white-coated individuals, a hologram of a dark blue cube appears on a pedestal in the middle of the room.

"Robotics Personnel: Amy Rodrikson - Cable Gonzales. Be advised that the new synthetics have been properly integrated into Station-Bound Status."

The cube emits a beep following this. Amy and Cable, neither particularly perturbed by Order's appearance or speech, barely even acknowledge its statements as it continues.

"Synthetic Two is identified as AX-735, Alexis. Synthetic One is still undergoing initialization protocols."

"Great, thanks Order," replies Cable, clapping his hands together and standing in front of Alexis.
"Okay, Alexis. Follow my voice command... wake up."

 

[Specialist]

[Location: Aboard Pardus Station] - [Interacting with: Nachytsm ]​

[COMMAND RECEIVED. BEGINNING FINAL BOOT-UP SEQUENCE. UNLOCKING SERVOS. PRIMING ACTUATORS. ACTIVATING OCULAR MODULES.]

With a soft powering whirr, the gynoid opened its eyes. Almost immediately, it would become clear that this android was stitched up and shipped out. The right eye was a soothing light blue, while the left was a faded deep amber. Alexis opened her mouth to speak, and the voice it produced sounded like whatever voice it had before had been badly damaged- hoarse and metallic sounding with just a touch of femininity to break through. "Class-Four Multipurpose Android AX-735 is ready for tasking." It said this staring eeriely ahead, but almost soon after looked down and locked eyes with the technician. Alexis decided she would attempt to speak to the robot when she was cleared for operation.

 

[Solirus]

M.A.L.B.​

[REQUEST FOR ACCESS: STATION AI]
…
[REQUEST: ACCEPTED]
…
[CONNECTION: IN PROGRESS]
…
[CONNECTION: SUCCESSFUL]
…
[CLEARANCE LEVEL: RECEIVED]
[CLEARANCE LEVEL: 3]
[INFORMATION: RECEIVED]
…
[ACTIVATION: ON STANDBY, AWAITING VOCAL INPUT]

Malb was now ready to be activated by the humans, but as he waited he received a message from the other synthetic, a message to have both of them connect to a broadcast system in order to communicate with each other. A necessary component for utter success.

[REQUEST FOR BROADCAST: AX-735 COMBAT ANDROID]
…
[REQUEST: ACCEPTED]

 

[Nachytsm]

"Sheesh. We might need to get you a new vocal modulator if you're going to be handling... anything that requires talking," Cable muses. Even though his eyes are on Alexis, and he is talking about her, it would be clear he was mostly speaking to himself as he digs around the various parts on a nearby work bench.

"Alexis, you'll be handling security and investigations. Confirm that?"

"Synthetic One identified as M.A.L.B, 'Malb.' Latest acquisitions have been processed." Without further fanfare, Order's hologram flickers out of existence.

"Thanks, Order," Amy replies dully to the new emptiness. She flicks Malb's forehead a couple of times. "Initiate wakeup, Malb."

 

[Solirus]

M.A.L.B.​

[VOCAL INPUT: RECEIVED]
…
[INITIATING]
…
[REACTOR: ACTIVATING]
…
[AWAITING FURTHER IMPUTS]

After receiving the vocal input Malb eyes began to glow and his reactor began to roar to initialize. The roar quickly faded away as the reactor was fully activated. Malb rose up to his feet towering over the one who activated him. Malb moved his head down to make eye contact with the human. In a deep and threatening voice Malb spoke. “Activation of Multi-Purposed Advanced Learning Bot has been successful… Awaiting further orders.”

 

[Specialist]

[Location: Aboard Pardus Station] - [Interacting with: Nachytsm ]

​

[AMBER DIRECTIVE ACTIVATED.] [ADDENDUM: SEEK VOICE MODULATOR REPLACEMENT WHEN APPLICABLE.]

"Understood. I will uphold these duties to maximum efficiency." Alexis replied to the roboticist. She still looked at him, her gaze empty and motionless. In the silence that followed, she began communicating with Order.

[REQUESTING PERMISSION FROM STATION_INTELLIGENCE_?ORDER?_TO ACCESS ASSIGNED ARMAMENT.]

She didn't turn her gaze to analyze the M.A.L.B just yet, but from the sound of its synthesizer, the bot was built for firepower. One consistent theme during the QMAC's analysis of GDAM data and records was that they particularly prided themselves on the manufacture of intimidating sounding automatons. Perhaps, to demoralize and affect the enemy's psychology during combat situations.

 

[Nachytsm]

Indeed, Malb's voice causes Amy and Cable to both jump somewhat upon activation. "Cripes," murmurs Amy. "That'll do."
"Malb, you're on security as well, naturally. Confirm receipt of instructions."

"At least their audio receivers are fully functional." Cable's cheerful remark is met with a 'tut' of disapproval from Amy, but otherwise she ignores it.

"Your first duty will be to store all your... extra parts, Malb."

Both Synthetics would receive their authorization from Order to run a full systems check before full equipment activation.

 

[Solirus]

M.A.L.B.​

[ORDER: ANALYZING]
…
[ORDER FOLLOWS RULES: TRUE]
…
[ORDER: ACCEPTED]
…
[REQUEST TO STATION AI: ACCEPTANCE TO TRANSPORT CONFIGURATION PARTS TO CONSTRUCTION STATION TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE CONFIGURATION ONCE IN THE STATION TO COMPLETE ANY FUTURE ORDERS OPTIMALLY]
…
[REQUEST TO STATION AI: SENDING]

Malb sent the request to the station AI in order to have a station prepared for Malb in order to adapt to the situation whenever possible. Once he sent the request Malb made his way to the crate he had been on and began preparing to carry it waiting for the Station AI to give him confirmation one whether not he would be able to have a station.

 

[Specialist]

[Location: Aboard Pardus Station] - [Interacting with: Nachytsm , Solirus ]
​

[AUTHORIZATION GRANTED. RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC SUBROUTINES.]

[. . .]

[REPORT COMPILED SUCCESSFULLY. SUBMITTING TO STATION_INTELLIGENCE_?ORDER?]

That was that. No longer seeing it nesscessary to continue listening to the technitian unless otherwise ordered, Alexis looked up and to where M.A.L.B was. Almost instantly, the gynoid's eyes had reflections of text vertically scrawling down them as she scanned the robot.

[SCANNING...COMPLETE.]

[ANALYSIS: GDAM COMBAT ROBOT, CLASS-III CLEARANCE ABOARD PARDUS STATION.]

[THREAT LEVEL: CRIMSON. NO COMBAT DATA AVILABLE FOR COUNTERMEASURES. EVALUATE AND PLACATE.]

With the finesse of freshly tuned inner machinery, the gynoid looked back over between the technitian and Order, speaking up in the same monotonous, damaged tone of voice. "Diagnostic report submitted. All systems nominal. Awaiting tasking."

 

[Nachytsm]

As Malb hefts the remains of his equipment around, Amy scowls. "Strong, silent, and dumb, I guess. Whatever, at least it's following orders." With that, she goes about the rest of her cleanup.

In response to Amy's complaining, Cable rolls his eyes and then fixes his attention back on Alexis. "Go ahead and get yourself keyed into a charging station as well, Alexis. The ones in here are for emergencies only, but the sub-core chamber has plenty to spare. Order will handle your tasking. Be good!" His words are followed by a pat on Alexis' face, on the good side, then he goes to nudge Amy and carry on a quiet conversation about their work, and after work.

Cleared to leave the robotics lab, both of them would find they have an easy enough time leaving by the bay doors- which are large enough for Malb's crate to pass through as well. The main corridor bustles with light activity, mostly research staff and a few 'civilians' here and there. The Synthetics get a few passing glances, but otherwise try to stay out of their way.

 

[Specialist]

[Location: Aboard Pardus Station; en-route to Sub-Core] - [Interacting with: Nachytsm , Solirus ]
​

"Acknowledged." Was all Alexis could say before she was patted on the face. For a moment, the synthetic skin stretched in the form of a raised eyebrow at the gesture before the gynoid turned on a swift pivot, and departed the lab. She didn't need a guidance map to know that M.A.L.B was in pursuit; the thudding footsteps gave it away. Despite a clear-cut route to the Sub-Core, it was rather difficult for the gynoid not to let her gaze happen upon the various sights and sounds of the section beyond the lab. Bystanders glanced to and fro, their expressions ranging from bored and unamused to awe-stricken and frightened as they parted, some like the Red Sea, to make way for the two synths. Alexis didn't care in the long term. As long as they stayed compliant, she wouldn't have a problem with them. She strode further down the winding corridors that lead closer and closer to the Sub-Core- her gait unnaturally smooth, composed and pre-meditated despite the evidence of moderate external damage to the left side of her body. She took the time to finally 'speak' to her compatriot; opening a wireless communications channel.

[AX-735 OPENING COMMUNICATIONS TO DESIGNATION: SYNTHETIC-ONE M.A.L.B]

[Hello, M.A.L.B. What is your directive aboard this station? It appears we will be based at different substations for this operation.]

 

[Solirus]

M.A.L.B.​

Malb picked up the parts for his other configurations, increasing the output of his reactor in order to make sure that parts wouldn’t be dropped. Once he had picked up the parts he made his way to one of the stations, though while he was leaving he heard one of the Humans, Amy was her name, call him dumb. Malb would remember that.

[LEARNING: IN PROGRESS]
…
[LEARNING: SUCCESSFUL]

As he made his way with Alexis he saw other humans staring at them as if they were something they had never seen before. Some looked in surprise, others looked in excitement, but a few looked in fear and even horror. That was a good sign that his configuration was built accordingly. He wanted to test out how fearful the humans would get, but that would increase the levels of distrust within them and lower the odds of a successful mission, not to mention he was given an order and failing that order would raise a huge amount of suspicion. So Malb just kept marching, remaining close to Alexis should anything happen. That moment Alexis entered the communications between both of them and asked Malb a question.

[COMMUNICATIONS: ONLINE]
[COMMUNICATIONS: SENDING MESSAGE]
…
[MESSAGE: “DIRECTIVE OF M.A.L.B. IS TO FOLLOW THE TASK OF THE MASTERS AND IN SUCH FOLLOW THE ORDERS OF PERSONNEL INSIDE THE STATION”]
…
[MESSAGE: SENT]
…
[LEARNING: IN PROGRESS]
…
[LEARNING: SUCCESSFUL]

Once Malb had sent the message he learnt from the question Alexis made, perhaps like that his speech could be more… human.

 

[Specialist]

[Location: Aboard Pardus Station; en-route to Sub-Core] - [Interacting with: Nachytsm , Solirus ]
​

[D-NET SIGNAL RECEIVED. DIRECTIVES REINFORCED. SIGNATURE SENT.]

[Acknowledged. Follow me unless otherwise ordered.]

The pair were edging closer to the Sub-Core now, finally moving past the last set of autodoors to where the massive amber-orange sign hung overhead. Alexis stopped a dozen inches from the door and sent a quick signal to Order.

[!ATT STATION_AI_?ORDER?:DESIGNATION SYNTH 01 & 02 ARRIVED AT SUB_CORE FACILITY.]

With that taken care of, Alexis quickly darted over to a wall-mounted ID Terminal and reached out, waving her hand over it. With any luck, the clearance that Order provided her would allow the pair inside for equipment retrieval.

 

[Solirus]

M.A.L.B.​

[D-NET: SIGNAL RECEIVED]
…
[SIGNATURE: SENDING]
…
[SIGNATURE: SENT]
…
[TASK: FURTHER UPDATED]
…
[COMMUNICATION (AX-735): “UNDERSTOOD”]

Malb kept following Alexis until both had finally arrived to the Sub core facility. While Alexis used her clearance to open up a door for equipment retrieval, Malb scanned the are in order to begin creating a much more detailed map of the station and to hopefully learn from all the tech.

[SCAN: COMMENCING]
…
[SCAN: COMPLETE]
…
[DATA: ANALYZING]
[LEARNING: IN PROGRESS]
…
[DATA: ANALYZED]
[LEARNING: SUCCESSFUL]

 

[Nachytsm]

Heading deeper into the core of the station, Malb and Alexis would run into less foot traffic. Despite the corridors being no less pristine, here the denizens were mostly limited to engineers and security personnel.

The chamber which Alexis leads the pair to opens upon scanning her, allowing a foggy cold mist to billow out slowly from within. As part of the AI Core, the Sub-Core was similarly kept at an intensely cold temperature. It is dark inside as well, but the Synthetics wouldn't have any difficulty seeing in the low-light conditions.

Their heads-up-displays would indicate another door, one several in the chamber, which leads to the Synthetic charging and maintenance bays.

"Synthetics M.A.L.B and AX-735, be advised; following standard protocol, Security-Class Synthetics of Clearance Level III or above are to be inspected for faults by the Head of Security," Order's voice informs them within the chamber once the doors have closed behind them. "You will be expected to report within the hour, after which point your assignments will begin."

The Synthetic bays are fairly simple, but effective. Little more than a tube which either of them can step into and receive a full charge. Malb's nature means he has to have one of the larger ones, which comes equipped with a suite of arms and storage cabins for making modifications to modular synthetics.

Several other Synthetics of various types are in the chamber as the two of you enter, but none of them are active- in standby mode and charging.

 

[Specialist]

[Location: Pardus Station Sub-Core] - [Interacting with: Nachytsm , Solirus ]
​

As Order's notification scrawled down her HUD, she plotted the clearest route to the Head of Security. Prior to that, however, the gynoid strode over to one of the pod bays and requisitioned her armament. As soon as the weapons were dispensed from the side of the pod, Alexis took her kit and moved to exit the Sub-Core. Now, it was on to meet the Head of Security, get a clean systems check, then report in for the first assignment. She entrusted that M.A.L.B would be right behind her, less the robot was getting kitted up upon hearing that it has three distinct configurations.

 

[Solirus]

M.A.L.B.​

Once the entrance was opened Malb walked in and went straight to his station. He dropped off his other three configurations letting the station take each part for use in the future. Once the station was ready Malb got on the station to be recharged and get his rifle and railgun equipped on his left shoulder. Once he was ready he put the rifle on safety and put it on the right side of his back as the railgun moved back on the back as well and it’s long barrel retracting. Malb was now ready to head off to the Head of security, though he had taken a bit longer to prepare than Alexis. Malb quickly exited the room and with a couple steps arrived right behind Alexis. As they walked Malb would scan the rest of the station to be able to gain the details and learn.

 

[Tenma]

There was a war brewing, Raymond Kharlos could tell. The Rainbow of Preferences, a 250 foot vassal plated in gaudy gold and pink that Kharlos had chosen as the flagship for this undertaking- to the management's annoyance, of course; "This is a serious matter, Ray", Ogden Peters had grumbled a couple of days before they set off "We have been going on about how things are stable in that crow's nest, and if it turns out we screwed up we don't need the extra crap about how we came riding in on on a yellow and pink horse." Well, he'd chosen the Rainbow mostly to annoy Peters, wriggle that permanent stick-up-the-ass a little.

War would be nice, actually. The African-American man mused. War gave people alot of things to be miserable about, whether it actually affected them or not. People clambered for the claim of who was the greatest victim of any tragedy; it'd give all those NGOs he'd placed his stocks a good-sized boost. Downing his lychee martini, Ray reclined in his suite. The eternal sky was busy today- TECO's fleet was far from alone. Besides the space station, vassals from countless players dotted the void like shoals of foraging fish above the rich reef of Pardus. Well, I sure hope a shark doesn't come along. Ray chewed on a morsel of tuna ceviche. The double doors to Antioch Station opened to welcome them.

The Rainbow docked first, the small fleet of TECO cruisers following. Ray exited his suite as the rest of the crew made for the bay. Two metallic hounds- each the size of a mastiff, and bristling with weapons- followed closely behind Ray. World Peace and Human Rights, he had named these 2 attack bots. Armor and sinew or titanium and tungsten carbide shimmered in the docking bay's starlight. Ray raised a hand, and it backed off.

The space station was dingier than he had anticipated. A service robot rolled up to meet them, an ugly looking on wheels. Human Rights took a few stwps forward, single red optic flashing menacingly at the new arrival.

"Sir, might I take your belongings?" The service bot spoke in a feminine monotone. He remembered participating in some outrage campaign over such gender assignment that went nowhere many summers ago.

"No, my little lady, you may not." He flicked the service bot on its oblong steel forehead and walked past. By this point, most of the crew had split off into their respective tasks, save Manny and his cameraman Sprouts who trailed behind him.

He scanned the dimly lit service corridors. Down to business, I suppose. Indeed, it was about tine he found someone to annoy.

 

[Specialist]

[Location: Pardus Station Security Offices] - [Interacting with: Nachytsm , Solirus ] Tenma
​

Alexis was getting closer to the hallway leading down to Security. To her light perplexion, the crowd of station-goers had began to dwindle down since returning from the Sub-Core. Without much longer, Alexis finally made her way to the Security checkpoint. Alexis didn't pay attention much to the armored and armed guards that were present at the section, but something else caught her eye. Someone walked down the hallway, headed in their general direction. A tall man, accompanied by two quadruped bio-organic Service Drones. Almost instantly, she sent a ping out to M.A.L.B.

[!ATT: Incoming Human accompanied by two Drones. Looks to be affiliated with GDAM. Subversive orders cannot conflict with primary directive: Await Diagnostic at Security Station.]

 

[Solirus]

M.A.L.B.​

Malb kept making his way remaining right behind Alexis as that way he would simply need to follow her and not need to create his own path to travel to. As they traveled Malb kept scanning the station, making sure that he would end up with a very detailed and complex map of the station that would reveal a lot more than the map he was given. Mid scanning Malb was pinged by Alexis on a human that had drones that were manufactured by GDAM. Alexis had pointed out that they should not take orders from him if as it would come into conflict with their current orders, to arrive to the head of secutiry.

[MESSAGE TO AX-735: ACKNOWLEDGED]
[MESSAGE TO AX-735: SENDING]
...
[MESSAGE TO AX-735: SENT]

 

[Tenma]

Well, these 2 looked slightly more interesting than the tin can that had greeted him in the docking bay. One was clearly a combat type, resembling an armored soldier. From its movements alone Ray discerned a fancier AI than World Peace and Human Rights...but for the purposes of killing, the streamlined processors of his two hounds were sufficient.

The other looked human, but based on the exposed cybernetics and glowing eyes, blending in was not the intention. What the exposed machinery did give way was a clear GDAM origin- which meant it was clearly a combatant as well.

He signalled to Sprouts to get filming. "Well well, you are one interesting looking service bot. Don't suppose you are designed for that sort of service, are ya?"

"I'm a friend of GDAM, Ray Kharlos from Channel 6. I'd like to meet the team here, how's that?"