today on istone: this island sucks

[tomodachi]

Is it just me, or is this new island really creepy? I mean, it's not the worst thing I've ever seen, but all the robots lying around not doing anything is pretty uncool.

[... Though, that might be because Crow himself is a robot too, so visiting this damn island and seeing a bunch of dead robots is making him super uncomfortable...]

Does anyone have any idea what happened to them yet?

Comments

[forwearemany]

One of the robots discovered is still alive.

Our knowledge is incomplete, however all available data suggests the island was used to quarantine sick organics, and that the robots were their caretakers.

[tomodachi]

Huh... so what happened to the sick people? They die or something?

[forwearemany]

It is likely.

[tomodachi]

... Well, that sucks.

[Tact, thy name is Crow.]

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

(It's not like Legion is any better.)

[tomodachi]

So... what do we do about the robots then? Is there any way to restart their batteries, or...

[forwearemany]

They cannot be restored to functionality with resouces we have on hand.

[tomodachi]

So... what are we supposed to do about them then?

[forwearemany]

It is likely that they are the "ore" the storyteller was referring to.

(Oh yes, this is a great thing to tell the child, Legion.)

[tomodachi]

The "ore"? What is that supposed to mean?

[You... you might have to spell this out for him Legion, I'm sorry.]

[forwearemany]

It is likely the storyteller intends for us to recycle their components.

(This is actually how Geth dispose of destroyed units, so it doesn't bother them to talk about it.

They ...don't really consider that other robots might be bothered by it.)

[tomodachi]

But--hey, wait a minute, they're still active, right? You can't do that while they're like that, it's not like they're dead yet.

[forwearemany]

The still functioning unit will be repaired.

The other units cannot be. Given the amount of damage it is unlikely their programming is still intact.

(That's... pretty fucking dead.)

[tomodachi]

[Tch]

That's still not right--usin' them like that, I mean. Even if they can't be repaired...

[Does a robot cease to exist, once they've been turned into scrap metal?]

[forwearemany]

Organic methods of body disposal are unsuitable for robots. Burial risks poisoning the environment. Cremation is difficult and may release toxic fumes. We cannot be devoured by insects or animals.

Recycling was the method most commonly employed by the Geth.

(Even programs were recycled, in the sense that surviving programs from destroyed units would rescued and added back to the collective.)

Additionally, without working factories, they are the only source of replacement parts for still surviving units.

[tomodachi]

Oh... I didn't know that.

[... No one tell Seto about this or else he's going to feel bad about having buried Crow when he had died back home...]

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged. Your exposure to fellow synthetics is limited.

(It's not like burying just one robot is so bad, but it's not something you want to do as a regular practice.)

[tomodachi]

Well yeah, I mean... most of the others I've seen have either fallen apart, or are off doing their own thing, like the weird bird head guy I used to see around a few times.

[or, are roaming around in the sewers attacking anything that moves, but no one tell crow that either]

[forwearemany]

...Bird head guy?

(Clearly that's what's important.)

[tomodachi]

Yeah, it's... I think they're called chickens? Or whatever it is that guy's head is supposed to look like.

[There's a pause, and then Crow, rather than speaking to the istone, adds a crude drawing of this chicken man he speaks of.]

[forwearemany]

(...)

(Awkward mechanical chatter.)

We are unaware of a possible purpose for this design.

[tomodachi]

Yeah, I never really asked why he has a weird head like that either. Guess I can't now anyway unless he shows up here someday too.

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged.

istone

[catpiper]

I don't know. There's one that can still talk, but they're hurt.

[And in a lab, which isn't great.

At least the island is covered in some pretty flowers, though she's hearing inklings here and there they might be dangerous. This place? Is bad.]

[tomodachi]

Hurt? How?

[Robots are not supposed to feel pain!!]

[catpiper]

I don't think Arum-25 can move.

[It's hurt to her!! Poor sad, lonely robot.]

[tomodachi]

So how do we get'im moving again? Like, can we fix their legs or something?

[catpiper]

[The heck, Crow? She's only human. She can't provide technical support.]

I don't know how. Do you?

[tomodachi]

No? Why would I?

[... He says, despite being a robot himself.]

[catpiper]

[Crow why are you ALWAYS like this???]

Because you're a robot too. That's why.

[tomodachi]

That--That doesn't mean I know how to fix another robot!

[catpiper]

[It makes sense. It's not like she, a human, would know how to fix another human's broken leg, but still!! She thought robots would be different somehow.]

Maybe someone else knows. We can ask.

[tomodachi]

I guess... but who here might know about something like that?

[catpiper]

[Well, Crow, she thought that'd be you and it seems wrong to assume the other robot she knows would understand the inner workings of Arum-25 by default.]

I don't know. Everyone here is very smart and kind, so someone will reach their heart. They'll be okay.

[tomodachi]

Yeah... yeah, you know what, I'm sure it'll be fine. Somebody's gotta have some idea of what to do about it.

[Think positively! No use getting down about it yet!]

[catpiper]

That's right, that's right. Everyone will help them and they'll be happy again.

[tomodachi]

[There's a bit of a pause, and then...]

... Thanks.