//------------------------------//
// Unit Area 4 
// Story: BROKEN 
// by WolfoftheWaves Pony 
//------------------------------//

	We were all stacked side by side together in the large airship. There were six of us, all heading to Unit Area 4. The day had come. Though I wasn't aware. I was down, and I would not be awoken until we reached the area.
But even in sleep, I could feel the other Robot Units around me, their presence radiating through the ship.
But even though this is what I wanted, what every Robot Unit wants, to serve and protect, I still feel, not quite right about all of this. 
After all, I am going to the same place that my own kind killed the ponies we are sworn to protect.

I moved my robotic hoof an inch. I feel myself waking up. Were we there already? Could this be Unit Area 4?
I suddenly began to see. Everything was covered in a hazy, red glaze, until my vision cleared and I could see my surroundings.
I was in a cargo hold of some kind, strapped down to the floor. I was laying on my left side, my head only mere inches from the nearest Robot Unit. 
There where ponies milling about, taking notes and tightening straps. One came over and reached out to my strap with his unicorn magic. I studied him, for I had not seen a pony in real life before. In flesh and blood. 
I looked at my fellow Robot Units. They don't appear to be awake.
"Lets tighten these straps. We still are a little ways away from 4," The unicorn says. An earth pony taking notes nodded, walking over to us. I follow him with my eyes as he goes around to all of us, writing on a sheet of paper with his mouth.
The unicorn had moved on to tighten other straps before the earth pony looked down at me. He took some notes, then his eyes widened and his pupils dilated.
"Holy horse manure! 456770's awake!" He shouted to his comrades. They all rushed over to him, abandoning their work stations.
I felt them all staring down at me, and I wanted to hover away, but alas, I was strapped down.
A lot of the ponies scribbled down data. Others glared at me.
"Has an error occurred?"
"No, no, 456770. It just appears that you were able to break through the recharging sequence," The unicorn said.
"Should we put it under?" A pony asked. 
"No," The unicorn said. "We are too close to Area 4 already. Besides, this is a chance to collect some data."


***********

"Tornado? I never thought that I would see you here!" 
"Yeah well, I just wanted to see what the new pests would look like."
Today was the day. The day that the new Robot Units shipment would be coming in. Most of the ponies in Area 4 had already gathered in front of town hall, mostly to boo and hiss at the Units. My mother had decided not to go, and Little Leaf was in school already, so I thought that I would be attending the shipment alone, that is until I found Tornado in the back of the crowd.
I trotted over to him. "How many do you think are coming this time?"
"Hopefully none."
"Um, I don't think that they would make a special shipment with nothing to ship."
"Then one. I don't want many of them wandering the Area."
Just then, A Robot Unit passed by us. He turned back around and addressed Tornado.
"CITIZEN 734-25. REPORT TO ROBOT UNIT AREA 4 HEADQUARTERS IMMEDIATELY."
Tornado sighed, and walked beside the Robot Unit, who barley came up to his shoulder. "See ya' later, Blossom. Enjoy the show." And then he was gone. And I was alone again.

"Citizens of Unit Area 4, please draw your attention to the podium." I turned around and saw an executive pony from the factory walk up to the stage. "As you all know, a shipment of new Robot Units are coming today, and I am sure that you all are as excited as I am."
Silence. One could hear a bit drop to the floor. The executive adjusted his collar and continued to speak. "Um, well, this is a rare treat for most of you. Some of you have never been to a shipment before, and others have. And each time, there are a different number of Robot Units each Shipment. Today, that number is six."
I smiled. I could imagine the grin falling from Tornado's face if he heard that number. Oh how I wish he was here with me.
Again, the audience did nothing. With no reaction, I saw the executive start to sweat. "Oh, uh, hey, look! The air ship is here!" He pointed to the sky and I looked to where he was pointing, and gasped, seeing the large airship getting closer and closer. The ponies around gasped and oohed and awed, but I just stood there, jaw hanging open.

The airship pulled into the ship landing area, lowering the landing gear that seemed so flimsy, I was surprised that they didn't break under the ship's sheer size. I watched as a hatch door opened, and a unicorn and an earth pony stepped out. They walked over to the executive, and whispered something in his ear. The executive's eyes grew big, and he whispered something back to them. They nodded, and went back into the ship.
"Mares and Gentle colts." His voice cracked. "Here are the new Robot Units for Unit Area 4!"
Six Robot Units hovered out of the hatch door and then made two rows in the air. Three on top, three on the bottom.
I stared at the newcomers. They didn't seem significant in anyway. They all looked exactly the same: A snout made of nothing but metal, a mouth that doesn't move with a grate covering it, red glass coverings on the hooves, and thin sheets of metal for manes and tails. I was about to dismiss them as nothing but regular old Robot Units here to keep us in order when I noticed something about the one closest to me on the bottom row.
It was looking around, as if it was taking in its new surroundings. The others were not doing that. He seemed almost... curious.
No, Blossom. I chided myself. Robot Units do not feel. Yet, this one seemed to. 
"Yes, welcome Robot Units," The executive said. "These Robot Units will explore the area first before going on duty. Good day. You are dismissed" And with that, it was over. The new Robot Units dispersed, but the one that was looking around lingered for a moment, before taking off as well.


***********

This is Unit Area 4? It's so, so,
AMAZING!
The trees! Ooh! Grass! Look! Ponies!
Cool! Buildings! Is that a Robot Unit over there?
Hi... oh, and he's gone.
A bird! 
This place is AMAZING!

************
"Hey, honey. How was the Shipment?" My mom said, counting the money we had left.
I had just gotten home from the ceremony. I was in sort of a daze. I kept thinking about that Robot Unit. The one who was, different than all the others. Why couldn't I get him out of my head?
"Blossom, is something wrong? You seem kind of distant." I realized that I was staring at the wall.
"Oh, um, it's nothing, Mom. I just, I'm going for a fly." I turned around and headed for the door.
"But you just got here!" 
"Yeah, I know. I just, I need to clear my head." I took off.
"Well, be careful! The new Robot Units may be a little, off!" She yelled a me.
A little off? I crashed into a house. How could she have known?

I felt like I needed to see him again that... robot. He was just so... not like the others and...
Oh come on! Think brain, think!
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't think strait. My muddled mind just wouldn't allow it.

Maybe if I... WHOA! Almost ran into that tree!

Then something silver whizzed past me, sending me spinning down to the ground. I grumbled, spitting out a mouthful of dirt. I looked back up to the sky in time to see him whizzing off. "Hey!" I yelled. "Watch where your go-" I noticed that he didn't have wings. 
A Robot Unit. Not surprising, considering they're everywhere. But this one, it was hovering very fast. Unlike any Robot Unit that I had seen.
It suddenly stopped in mid-air and landed in a field. 

I stared at the spot it where I last saw it for a moment, then got up and flew in that direction. I did a few laps around the field before spotting it. It was just standing there, looking down at the ground. I landed a few feet behind it.
It suddenly whirred around to face me, and I almost jumped out of my own skin. A small cry escaped my lips.
"No need to be afraid Citizen..."It tipped its head to the side.  "400-89."
"Aren't you going to ask for my Identification form?" I asked it.
"No. My work begins tomorrow. Today I am exploring your Area."
There was something, off about his voice. It was higher sounding than other Robot Units. Rougher, with different tones, though still monotone.
Could this be the same Robot Unit I saw at the Shipment?
"And, uh, how do you feel about Area 4?" I did not expect to get an answer. Living with Robot Units for years makes their behavior very predictable. They don't tend to answer questions. But then this Robot Unit did something unexpected: He answered. 
"It is very strange. Such as both the sun and moon in the sky. My programming tells me that other areas in Equestria are under either just the sun or the moon."
I stood there, stunned. I am pretty sure that my mouth was hanging open. He cocked his head at me. "Has there been an error?" He asked.
I shook my head to get my thoughts straight. "Uh, no, I..." I said. He had answered. He had ANSWERED! There was no longer a doubt in my mind. This was indeed the Same Robot Unit that was looking around at everything during the Shipment ceremony. The same one that seemed so different than the other Robot Units. And here I was, talking to him.
"What's your name?" I asked him. He stood still, staring at me, then said in his strange, robotic voice,
"I have no name."
"Really? No name?"
"No."
"Not even a title? A label?"
He stood there, and cocked his head to the side. "Yes."
"Then what do they call you?"
"456770."