Roll carefully scrubbed away at the space and ocean debris clinging to the massive robot Rock had brought back from the depths of the ocean. Several parts of its body had been severely damaged, requiring major repairs, but Dr. Light had managed to analyze the circuitry enough to construct replacement parts that could properly interface with the existing systems. They weren't nearly as advanced as the rest of the robot's systems and were excessively bulky in order to handle the levels of energy the robot could produce, but they would suffice until the robot awakened and was able to give them whatever information it could about its original build data for proper repairs.
As Roll worked, she marveled at the odd color scheme of the machine. Orange chest, blue limbs, white wings...it almost seemed as though this bot had frequently self repaired using whatever was available. She couldn't help but wonder what it had looked like when it was first manufactured.
As she moved up to scrape the debris away from the robot's face, she froze. His eyes were open, and they were staring right at her. He opened his mouth and began to speak, but his words were illegible. However, his tone was plainly an inquiry for information.
Roll managed to respond. "I'm sorry, I can't understand you," she responded. "Given you are designed for interstellar travel, I'm hoping part of your program includes lingual analysis and translation, or things are likely to be an even bigger mess."
The robot stared at her for a time. It attempted to lift his arms, but it was still restrained, and lacked power to all his systems to break those restraints. Instead, he locked his eyes on Roll's lips.
Roll paused, uncertain what it was trying to communicate. "Um...do you want me to talk more?" she asked. "Do you need a larger lingual sample?"
When she stopped talking, the robot lifted his head to look her in her eyes. What could be seen under the debris on his face smiled encouragingly, before once more locking eyes on her lips.
Roll took that as an affirmative, so she continued to speak as she worked on clearing away the debris. "You crashed in the ocean when you arrived here," she explained. "When my brother Rock found you, you were in bad shape. From what we've heard, we aren't sure how much of that was combat damage, how much was reentry, and how much was water pressure, although you're plainly well designed...at least as far as your interior main structure is concerned. As far as I can tell, it looks like your exterior has received several retrofit-repairs over time. I can't imagine how long you've been online to have needed so many repairs." She cleared the last debris off the robot's face. "I've only been online a decade and a half myself, and that's considered a really long time for robots here. I can't even imagine being online long enough to traverse the stars..." She blinked suddenly, and flushed in embarrassment. "Oh goodness, here I am talking your ear off, and I haven't even introduced myself! My name's Roll."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Roll," the robot responded, his voice calm and quiet. "My name is Duo. Why am I restrained?"
"Your power core had barely any energy in it when we found you," Roll explained. "But your body was still thrashing, even in its broken state. We restrained you to keep you from unnecessarily draining your core until you were fully repaired and recharged."
"I see," Duo replied. "My thanks. However, I cannot wait around here. I must complete my mission." He started to sit up.
"You must stay right here!" Roll insisted, pushing Duo back down onto his back. His eyes showed his shock at just how easily she managed that. "Right now you barely have enough power to keep your circuits from decaying, not to mention you still look a mess." Turning, she returned to her work cleaning him of debris.
"But, my mission..." Duo insisted. "The other..."
"If you mean the robot you were fighting in space, Vinyl's got him fully contained," Roll interrupted. "She's already at work finding a way to neutralize the energy he gives off to keep it from getting out of control."
"The Evil Energy is dangerous!" Duo snapped out, trying to sit up again. "Without my Justice Energy to keep it in check-"
"I said lay down!" Roll snapped back, shoving him onto his back again. "And if by Justice Energy you mean the blue energy that was clinging to the robot before he reactivated, Vinyl's got some of that, too. Trust me, she knows what she's doing. She can handle both energies without being influenced by them."
Duo stared at her, stunned. "How is that even possible?" he demanded insistently.
"I'm not going to tell you," Roll countered. "Plainly, thinking too much about this is causing you far too much stress and agitation, so it's time to change the subject."
"But-"
"If you don't calm down, you're going to fry your systems and put yourself offline!" Roll insisted clinically.
"It does not matter if I fall!" Duo shouted out. "I was created to eliminate all traces of Evil Energy from the universe, and I must not rest until my mission is complete! If I fall, another will be sent to complete my mission!"
Roll stood up to stare at him, arms crossed over her chest. "Alternatively, you can take the time to rest and recuperate when there's no danger of the Evil Energy spreading, and then once you're fully restored you'll be able to go after the other robot - who isn't being repaired - and the Evil Energy when you'll actually have a chance of succeeding, with no danger of things getting worse in the meantime!"
Duo hesitated. Logically, he knew she was right. However, his programmed priorities placed the completion of his mission so far above his own personal safety that it was difficult to accept. "...but..."
"Or you can go charging out now, get yourself killed before you even reach him since you don't know where to look, and accomplish nothing but giving him free reign until your replacement can be sent from who knows where," Roll offered.
Sighing, Duo lay back. That logic was acceptable to his priority set. "Very well," he allowed. "But I will leave as soon as I am fit for travel."
"And not a moment before!" Roll insisted. She then went back to work on the encrustations.
Letting himself relax for the moment, Duo took in his surroundings for a time. "...what is the purpose of that uniform?" he asked finally.
"You like it?" Roll asked happily, twirling to show off the white nurse outfit she'd donned for her work in the repair lab. "I thought it looked cute on me!"
"I do not understand its purpose," Duo pointed out. "What is the logic behind it?"
Sighing, Roll returned her focus her work. "Dr. Light thought it looked cute on me..." she grumbled under her breath.
Duo focused his attention on her for a time, and then understanding was reached. She was female. According to his database, they weren't supposed to be logical...and voicing such things was classified as self-destructive. His protocol dictated that if he encountered a female whom he was indebted to, he was supposed to smile, nod, and agree with anything she said unless it interfered with his primary mission, as this was the course of self-preservation. "It looks very cute," he agreed with a smile and nod.
Roll giggled happily. "Thanks."
"There is logic in what she says."
Wise programming, that.
Hmm... Duo and Roll...
i.ytimg.com/vi/OF-VM0jk3Yk/hqdefault.jpg
That programming
On an off related note, I wonder if Wily and Vinyl will ever forgive Dr. Light. I mean, sure he done goofed, but it was in my opinion an honest mistake, with Vinyl being so intelligent, it would probably be easy to forget that she isn't human.
But then again, the moment he is forgiven there would be no more games.
It looks like Duo had just got Rick Rolled!
I need more!
Smart bot.
...
....
Hm, I'm intrigued. Go on.
Could this be... character exploration? I have to say, I'm impressed. Now then, let's see how far you're willing to take this.
She's even more Roll-like than I could ever have imagined...
I know, this doesn't make sense, but because "pony".
Anyone else getting a weird Naruto vibe?... Yeah, it was that one filler with the amnesiac Sound Ninja, and Naruto called him Menma, and Sakura was wearing a white nurse uniform and asked Naruto if it looked cute on her... man, my memories are weird.
Hmm, I have deemed your chapter worthy of praise, as it managed to showcase Roll in an involved manner. It would seem that she isn't going the way of the Ursa, after all. See you later.
Unless his words were showing up on a monitor or something, I believe the word you're looking for is unintelligible. Alternatively, you could use a phrase like "Greek to her."
While this one was more serious than previous chapters, it was still fun to read. Or, maybe it just had references I wasn't familiar with. Still, I look forward to more.
7319936 No shit man...no shit...
7320015
Just to let you know.
This chapter was primarily written with you in mind, since you've harped so much on Roll's absence. Thanks for that, since I was stumped on how to bridge to what happened next.
7320042
Wait, I'm a harpy?
cdn-img.fimfiction.net/user/8db2-1431833825-201887-256
lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YdNeBMU7elM/VgAsRb-pgEI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/F5beyMNAszQ/w426-h360/15%2B-%2B1
Hmm, I can see the resemblance. In any case, no problem, harping on things is my LIFE; that's why I'm an editor for some stories.
Those two...
7319936 Agreed.
7319939 I, too, could smell the shipping from a mile away
7320067
Woo! You made an influence on our author! High-fives and hoof-bumps for everyone!
7320067 Well hey, at least things didn't... flew the coop when Tats did this. If I read his reply correctly too then with your harping he managed to... Roll out this chapter quite nicely. I believe there's also the saying of 'Birds of a feather flock together' but hey, I'm not trying to egg you on but am in fact encouraging you to continue being awesome. As for our friend on the table... Roll's orders are... Absolute Duo.
Yes, I just wanted to do that last pun on purpose if only cause I like that show.
7319936 Quite. Duo is indeed a cut beyond Earthly science.
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
7320191 I'm just thankful she finally has a role in this story. I'm not even sure if she'll answer the call in the future.
This had me giggling uncontrollably.
okay, i found that kind of funny!
7320390 same. I liked the bit about self-preservation.
smile and nod, a basc subroutine implanted in every male since before the dawn of time.... yup still works.
Ah self preservation programming... Nasty mentdowns when it backfires.
"But I complimented you, smiled AND nodded. Why did it fail to please you? Does not compute"
"Oh so now you're not only a liar but I'm poorly programmed too?"
You can't escape. Only delay the inevitable.
Thank you for this as it is very very funny
Aaahh the biggest source of danger... A scorn woman.
What did yo say!
IM SORRY! *runs away*
"females aren't logical"
Even my mother agrees with this, I am not kidding.
7319936
But is he programmed to know what to say if she asks if her butt looks big?
7320996 Logic error resulting in cpu lockdown.
The females don't use logic? Now we can understand Vinyl.
Tats, you're doing some odd ships lately, not saying it's a bad thing, but if you ship the CMC with, that fat guy I seriously can't remember the name of, I'm done.
More Roll! Yeah!
And a possible Duo and Roll ship? Don't think I have seen that one before. What not, I'll support it.
hahahah nice chapter. i cannot at all see this ending poorly
7313060 as is mine well half dragon anyways but he is still far far far more evil than i could ever be
Rouo?
I SHIP IT NOW.
I am still reading.
7321550 Toru? never happen...
Roll still exists? Is a miracle!
7325221 I hate to be the one that does this; I really do. If I don't then somebody worse might take the helm.
oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/write.ign.com/154019/2014/11/megaman-meme-300x208.png
40.media.tumblr.com/1cc91da2a6967286d75b2cfdd6964c18/tumblr_n7js06azdy1r49fsdo1_500.png
Don't follow this LINK unless you are into this Wub Master stuff.
I was going to say something, but 7319936 beat me to it. Still, fun times by all. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
Also, Roll.
Half a slap on account of my sis, otherwise- good choice to stick with "Yes, dear."
Hey! Sometimes we need to be proven wrong! Just... y'know, not when in reach of sharp, pointy objects.
7491411 duo's logic works with both genders! *Smiles and nods*
7491411 i do agree but i think women are superior in my opinion even though i'm a guy
7320996
Programmed response: I'm sorry, I'm not programmed to properly parse vague descriptor adjectives. I do not have a definition in this context for 'big'. Is 'appealing' an appropriate substitute for this situation? (Y/N/V)
If Y: Then yes, your butt looks very appealing in that outfit.
If N: I'm sorry I cannot provide adequate consultation on this matter. It seems I have much to learn. I hope you will continue to advise me in this.
If V (vague answer): ...I'm afraid I do not understand. My social interaction experience is limited. I hope I did not offend.
8002525 . . . That . Was . Awesome
Am I the only one who read his lines in the voice of Optimus Prime?
>>Cookie_Girl
NoPe! I did to.
*nods* Amen bro.Amen
*jumps off a sky skriper* YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME ALIVE FEMINIST!!!!!*DEAD*
8720425
I agree. Now I shall run like heck. :D
This is the way.
He isn’t wrong