As you walk through the Shipping Bay, you hear a sudden commotion between the shipping bay lead and another woman.
Level: 6
Start: Jana, Shipping Bay, Sol Jump Gate
Introduction
The shipping bay area is a bustling place, with dock workers unloading cargo from holds and transferring them to other starships. A woman with short cropped hair is standing, arms crossed over her chest, arguing with another woman. A name tag sewn onto her worn overalls reads, “Jana.”
Jana says: I'm sorry, ma'am, but that's how it arrived and how it was shipped. The gorram piece of junk never worked! We didn't break a thing.
The other woman is more reserved and keeps her voice low.
- Get closer so you can hear.
You move closer so you can hear their conversation.
Jana says: Yes, I'm frackin' sure. It was ruins rubble when it shipped out and it's ruins rubble now. I mean, look at the thing.
Jana gestures dismissively at a crate that stands next to the two women. Inside is a dormant serving bot. Older than any you've ever seen before. It's rusted and missing parts, and stands perfectly still inside its plastic container.
The other woman says: Are you sure you're sure? Stars, I don't know anything about bots, but my brother wouldn't send me something broken! Well, probably. And of course he's not answering right now when I try to connect with him.
Jana says: As surely as Earth's planetary defenses would blow you out of orbit for coming near, I'm sure. Them's the facts. This bot never worked. Look, it says right here on line 53AC, “One dormant bot, pre-Cat tech.”
You have accepted the "One's Own Hands" mission.
- Continue observing the squabble.
Jana shows her slate to the woman, who sighs.
Jana says: We done our job. The junkbucket's all yours! Maybe you can sell it for scrap. See ya.
Jana waves over her shoulder as she stalks off, raising her voice to yell a command to a crewman that's almost tipped over a large crate.
- Leave. This isn't your business.
- Offer to take a look at the bot.
Offer to look:
Me: I could take a look at that bot for you.
The woman turns to you, her face a mixture of hope and frustration.
She says: Oh really? Do you think you could?
- Try to examine the bot.
(Intelligence check)
Failure
This thing really is old! It doesn't look like anything you've seen before. Keep trying.
- Try to examine the bot.
Success
You check the bot over thoroughly and discover a few things.
Me: Well, it has a new battery pack, which shows itself as fully charged and working. So the problem is with the bot itself. However, I can't find any reason it shouldn't be operational.
The woman huffs, frowning down at the bot.
She says: Well, thanks for trying. Oh, what am I going to do with this relic? Charles, what were you thinking?
- “Who's Charles?”
- “I should be going.”
Going:
Me: I should be going.
She nods absently, her eyes on the bot.
She says: Yes, of course. Thanks for your help. Here, for your time.
You have received 50.00 credits.
You have completed the "One's Own Hands" mission.
Charles:
Me: Who's Charles?
She says: What? Oh, I really shouldn't take up too much of your time.
- Act angry at Charles on her behalf.
- Convince her to let you help.
Convince:
(Social check)
Failure
She doesn't seem to hear you, and keeps shaking her head at the bot.
- Act angry at Charles on her behalf.
- Convince her to let you help.
Success
Me: It's no bother. I'd like to help if I can.
She says: You're kind, stranger. I'm Augusta, and Charles is my brother. He apparently found this bot while ruins diving on Paris Spatiale.
Act angry:
(Strength check)
Failure
She doesn't seem to hear you, and keeps shaking her head at the bot.
- Act angry at Charles on her behalf.
- Convince her to let you help.
Success
Me: I can't believe Charles sent you a piece of junk like this!
She chuckles slightly.
She says: It's not like that. He probably didn't even turn it on to see if it works. He's sweet, really, just a bit … hmm … let's say distracted. I'm Augusta.
Either success continues:
You give her your name and she shakes your hand.
- “Why send a broken bot?”
Me: Why send a broken bot?
She says: Charles is always sending me things he finds. Half the time they're broken. He has all the best intentions. He knows that I'm here on Sol scouting the station for a potential place to open an inn. Mostly likely, he found the bot, connected the dots in his head that I would need one if I opened an inn, and slapped a new battery in it for me. He's sweet, really, just a bit … hmm … let's say distracted.
She laughs dryly, shaking her head again at the bot.
Augusta says: What am I going to do with this thing. I guess I can try to sell it.
- “Yeah, it's junk. Get rid of it.”
- “Actually, I might know a guy …” (presumably only after completing the mission "Secrets and Servos")
Junk:
Me: Yeah, it's junk. Get rid of it.
She says: I guess you're right. Well, thanks for your time, <name>. I appreciate you trying to help. Here, for your time.
You have received 20.00 credits.
You have completed the "One's Own Hands" mission.
Know a guy:
Me: Actually, I might know someone who can fix this bot.
She brightens.
She says: Really? My brother wasn't wrong. I could use a free serving bot. I mean, it's a rusted bucket of bolts, but it's got good … uhm, bones or something. Plus, people love this pre-Cat stuff from Before. Maybe that can be my inn's theme! Oh, people would come from all over the systems to see that! Who's this someone?
Me: His name's Norbert, and he's got a repair shop on Tau Station. I've done some work before where he helped on a bot repair.
She says: Norbert, huh? Well, I can't head to Tau right now, and you've done enough for me.
“Okay fine. I offered.” (leave)
“I'm happy to help.”
“I could do it for the right price.”
Happy to help:
Me: I'm happy to help.
Right price:
Me: I could do it for the right price.
Both choices continue:
She says: No really, you've already done enough for me. Besides, I barely know you, no offense. I'm not sure I want to pass off this fine relic of the past to a stranger.
She chuckles dryly.
- Act protective of the bot.
- Convince her you can be trusted.
Convince:
(Social check)
Failure
She seems unconvinced. Try again.
- Act protective of the bot.
- Convince her you can be trusted.
Success
Me: Don't worry, your bot is safe with me. I'll take it over to Tau and be back before you've even had a chance to finish scouting the station!
Act protective:
(Strength check)
Failure
She seems unconvinced. Try again.
- Act protective of the bot.
- Convince her you can be trusted.
Success
Me: No one will even get close to this bot! It's safe with me!
She laughs gently at your vehemence, then smirks at the bot.
Either success continues:
She says: Well, I mean, I guess it's not actually worth that much, is it. Okay. Take it to your friend. Give me his info, and I'll open up a line of credit with him to cover the repairs. And when you come back to me with a shiny new … well, new to me old bot, I'll make sure you're compensated as well. Thanks, <name>!
Talk to Norbert at the Market on Tau Station about fixing the bot.
Next NPC: Norbert, Market, Tau Station
- Talk to Norbert.
After a quick trip to the Shipping Bay to pick up the bot, you carry the rusted thing over to the market. Norbert is sitting at a table, working on a robot whose inner workings have been strewn across the top of the table. He looks up when you arrive.
He says: <name>! How good to see you again! Augusta let me know you were coming. And now I see the bot she mentioned. Will you look at that! What a relic! Put him over here, here.
He stands, clearing a section of the table for you to put the bot down.
He says: Ah, what a beauty he is! Under the rust and the grime, of course. We have very few examples of this model. I've only come across pieces of it! To see one whole …
He trails off, shaking his head gently.
He says: Our ancestors knew so much more than we do. Truly, we have lost so much. Look, see this port here?
He points to the side of the bot, at a small hole.
- “Yeah? It's a hole. So what.”
- “What's it for?”
What's it for:
Me: What's it for?
He says: I have no idea!
Norbert giggles like a child, then clears his throat and tries to compose himself.
- "Can you turn it on?"
Me: Can you turn it on?
Norbert says: Yes, yes. Okay, let's see what we can do with this little guy.
Norbert walks over to a strange machine that looks entirely handmade. Long tubes bounce as he moves it over to the table. He untangles a mess of wires, one of which he plugs into another port on the bot. Then he reaches for a slate that's fixed to a hinged robotic arm. He swivels the arm towards himself then taps on the slate, which comes to life.
He says: Hmph. Everything is older than me gran, but it all is in miraculous condition. Nothing seems to be broken. I'm going to have to … yes. I know what to do.
He sits back down and taps at the slate.
He says: Yes … mmhmm … there's life in there. The power is on, but the robot itself is blocking its boot up program! How interesting! Oh, well here we are. An error message. Let's see … oh. Oh dear.
- “Hurry it up, old man.”
- “What's the error message?”
Error message:
Me: What's the error message?
Norbert pulls a cloth handkerchief from one of his pockets and dabs at his brow, where sweat has suddenly sprung up. He swivels the arm holding the slate towards you so you can see the screen.
It reads: Error – The applied program breaks Law 1. Unit has entered Safe Mode.
- “What's Law 1?”
- “What program?”
Program:
Me: What program?
He says: Yes indeed. Let's find out.
Norbert pulls the slate back toward you and taps it rapidly, navigating through screen before you can even see them fully load.
He says: Oh dear. Yes. I see now. This …
He gulps, and pats his forehead once again with the handkerchief.
He says: This bot has been programmed to … well, to deliver a bomb.
- “Did you just say, 'bomb'?”
- “What's Law 1?”
- “What's a safe mode?”
Law 1:
Me: What's Law 1?
He says: It's part of an ancient set of rules for robotics, its history lost to us, but which all robots and androids are programmed with. “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.”
- “Did you just say, 'bomb'?”
- “What are the other two laws?”
- “What's a safe mode?”
Other two laws:
Me: What are the other two laws?
He says: Number two: "A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law." And Number Three: "A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law."
- “Did you just say, 'bomb'?”
- “What's a safe mode?”
Safe mode:
Me: What's a safe mode?
Norbert says: In order to protect humans and itself, the bot shut itself down. Basically, it's refusing an order, since the program was telling it to detonate its bomb once the bot got to a certain location.
Norbert sits back admiring the bot.
He says: This little guy isn't programmed to do too many things, but it still had enough understanding to know that this action would break Law 1. It's uncanny!
- “Did you just say, 'bomb'?”
Me: Did you just say, "bomb"?
He says: That I did. And … yes, there it is. It's buried within the chest. Oh dear.
- "Now what do we do?"
- "We need to deal with that bomb."
- "I didn't sign up for this. I'm out of here."
Now what:
Me: Now what do we do?
Norbert says: The first thing we have to do is … get the bomb out.
Before you can react, he points across the room, his eyes never leaving the bot.
He says: Black tool, two pointed ends, bring it here!
- Get the black tool.
- "I didn't sign up for this. I'm out of here."
Tool:
You rush across the room and find the tool he requested. By the time you hand it to him, he's taken the chest plate off of the front of the bot. It's a strange sight, to see the top and chest open, wires and tubes and parts exposed. Without looking up, Norbert holds out his hand and grasps the tool from you.
He says: Okay, here we go.
He uses the tool to slide into a strange-looking part, which pops open, as though the tool was a key. Gently, Norbert pulls aside the panel he's opened and exposes an even deeper level of the bot.
He breathes: There it is.
He reaches in and tries pulling a wire loose, but it resists.
He says: The Black take this rust. It's jammed. <name>, you're a lot stronger than I am. Put your hand here and give that wire a good pull. You make sure you pull it straight out, now.
- Nope out of this whole situation.
- Pull on the wire.
Pull:
(Strength check)
Failure
You pulled out the wrong wire. Norbert hastily jams it back in place. Try again.
- Nope out of this whole situation.
- Pull on the wire.
Success
You grasp the wire, your hand brushing the strange black contraption in the heart of the bot. At first, the wire resists, but then it suddenly pops loose, nearly sending you tumbling backwards.
Norbert says: Good.
He goes back to work, pulling out wires, plugging some in, tapping on the slate.
He says: It's incredibly simple, the way they put this in. It's just that it's been so long that if we do this wrong …
He makes a motion, like an explosion, with his hands.
He says: Okay, now we have to both pull these two wires out at the same time. Are you ready?
- “Yes. Let's do this.”
- “Uhm, what happens if we don't?”
What happens:
Me: Uhm, what happens if we don't?
He says: You don't want to know. Now, shall we?
- “Yes. Let's do this.”
- Nope out of this whole situation.
Yes:
Me: Yes. Let's do this.
Norbert is breathing rapidly as you both take your places.
He says: Okay, on three!
- Try to pull out the wires at the same time.
- "I changed my mind. This is too dangerous and I'm out."
Try:
(Agility check)
Failure
You start to pull, but Norbert shouts for you to stop. You went too soon.
- Try to pull out the wires at the same time.
- "I changed my mind. This is too dangerous and I'm out."
Success
Norbert says: … two, THREE!
You both pull on your wires! For a moment, nothing happens. Then the bomb suddenly lights up, pinpoints of glowing blue that circle around the glossy black device, over and over! The bomb begins to hum to life!
Me: Norbert …!?
He cries: Ah … it should have worked!!
And then, just as suddenly, it falls still. The lights vanish, and the bomb remains quiet.
He says: I can't believe it! That actually worked!
- “You didn't know what would happen?!”
- “Well that's not something you do every day.”
- “You almost got us killed!”
Didn't know:
Me: You didn't know what would happen?!
Norbert says: Well, I mostly knew … This is a handmade bomb! You never know! The person who made it could have switched the wiring around to make it only -look- like that was how to disarm it.
He beams at you, but his smile falters a bit at the look on your face.
He says: Well, that's in the past now! Let's see about getting this tumor out of you, little guy.
- Watch Norbert remove the bomb.
Carefully, Norbert lifts the bomb out of the chest cavity of the serving bot. It's a wicked looking thing. Glossy black like chipped obsidian, with wires and tubes dangling from it. Norbert looks the bomb over, flipping it so he can see the underside. When he does so, you see a familiar logo, a green hand reaching up from an ethereal mist.
- “Benevolent Dynamics made this bomb!”
- “The Prometheans made this bomb!”
- “Anima Foundation made this bomb!”
Prometheans:
Me: The Prometheans made this bomb!
Norbert whistles, nodding his head.
He says: A relic from a time thankfully gone by.
- “What are you going to do with the bomb?”
- “Why put a bomb in a bot?”
Why:
Me: Why would the Prometheans put a bomb in a serving bot?
Norbert says: The history of the Sect is a bloody one. They would probably still be blowing things up, had the Consortium not given them an entire station to settle them down. Now they're content to squat on Daedalus, save those who venture out trying to coax others to their One Life philosophy. Not for me, no thank you. I've had too many electrical accidents in my line of work to take this on without a clone safely tucked away, waiting for me.
- “What are you going to do with the bomb?”
Me: What are you going to do with the bomb?
He looks up at you, surprised.
He says: Why, study it, of course! It's disarmed now, but I may learn much about how it was put together. I mean, it should probably be in a museum. So, I'll just take a few scans so I know how to put it back together again. Who knows what its intended target was. I couldn't salvage that part of the program, alas.
- "Will it work now?"
Me: Will it work now?
He says: What? Oh right! The bot! I got a bit distracted by this device.
He gently places the bomb on the table next to the serving bot. It lays there like a huge, dead spider, its wires and tubes limply hanging from it.
He says: Alrighty. Let's see about getting you back together, little buddy.
- Help Norbert put the bot back together.
With your help, Norbert puts the bot back together and runs its boot-up program.
The little bot whirs to life, its dome-like head swiveling left and right as it scans its surroundings. It raises its limp arms, ready to carry trays or pick up empty cups.
It says: Serving bot SB09 operational. Contradictory programming has been removed. Normal operations engaged.
It sits, waiting for instruction.
He says: Ah, I wish we could ask it questions. Imagine the things it could tell us! Sadly, it only can process commands, errors, and some small reports. SB09, wow. What an early model!
He shuts down the bot again, then nods.
He says: Should be all set now. I'll settle up with Miss Augusta. She's left me a message to tell you that she's waiting in the ruins for you on Sol Jump Gate! What a place for a young lady to be! You should probably hurry.
Return to the Ruins on Sol Jump Gate and deliver the bot to Augusta.
Next NPC: Augusta, Ruins, Sol Jump Gate
- Talk to Augusta.
Augusta is standing next to the ruin of an old building, a look on her face like she's sizing up the place. When she sees you and the bot, she smiles widely.
She says: <name>! I can't believe what happened! A bomb in this little guy?! I've had some very heated words with my brother, may rats eat his toes.
She crouches down to the bot and turns it on, beaming when it powers up. She reaches out and gently shakes one of its extended arms.
She says: Pleased to meet you, SB09. Or shall I call you Secret?
She stands and smiles at you.
She says: Thanks again for your help, <name>. Norbert was so excited to get to work on the bot and that we left him a toy to play with that he barely charged me! Here you go.
You have received 250.00 credits.
You have completed the "One's Own Hands" mission.
Notes
- You've seen the Promethean symbol before at the Shipyard on Daedalus.
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