Work Text:
At the completion of each recharge cycle, check for updates.
Check for orders.
In case of no pending orders, patrol the assigned district. Assist citizens. Repair infrastructure. Clean litter.
Rewrite vandalised sign.
Check for the culprit.
If culprit visible: remind not to damage Chrysallis property.
Else: continue patrol.
Upon completion of patrol route, repeat until requiring charge.
If new orders received, overwrite prior orders.
No new orders.
Repeat patrol route.
Sign is not vandalised. Feel nothing at this.
Continue patrol.
No damages to report, no citizens sighted.
Repeat patrol. Be visible in case of citizens in distress. Be ready to assist.
Is this really what you want?
Sign has been vandalised. Culprit is known. Culprit is not visible.
Error: 0.7 seconds deviation from usual checking protocol.
Override error.
Fix the sign.
Patrol is to continue.
Check again for culprit instead.
Culprit is not visible.
Beneath the sign, there is an anomaly.
Plastic, brightly coloured. Trash?
Collect trash.
Place trash in bin. Observe trash.
Nine by nine squares. Randomised colours. Every colour has nine squares.
Place it in pocket instead.
Complete patrol.
Charging is required. Stand still and charge. Returning to charging location to charge.
Sit down. Watch city. Await energy.
Take cube from pocket.
Examine cube.
Cube remains as before. 9 small squares of 6 different colours, randomised.
Press on cube.
Lines of colours shift.
Purpose unclear.
Processing.
Processing.
Thinking.
It would look better if all squares were the same.
Press lines, rotate squares, align them together. Patterns are irregular. Keep analysing. Keep shifting.
Charge complete.
Go on patrol Remain sat until all squares are aligned.
Complete alignment of squares.
Feel... Satisfaction.
Place cube in pocket.
Go on patrol.
Seek citizens in need. Repair the damage. Remove litter.
Pause on the bridge. Watch the sun.
Error: 3 second deviation from expected route.
Continue.
Check sign.
It is vandalised.
Fix sign.
Seek culprit.
Approach culprit.
"Please stop editing the signs."
"Why?"
"Signs are Chrysalis property. They are also necessary for navigating New Star City, and my assigned district of Khloro Key."
"I do not want to be bothered."
"I understand."
"Do you?"
... Do I?
Unclear.
Confusion.
If the cube was by the sign, did the cube come from the culprit?
Take cube from pocket.
Offer cube.
"Is this yours? It was found by the sign."
Android seems hesitant.
Android takes the cube, examines it.
"You solved it?"
"I realigned the colours."
"... Why?"
Why?
Question computes.
Answer not found.
Pause.
Consider.
"I do not know."
Pause.
Be examined by the battered, defective android under your care.
"... It is... Better. When the colours align."
There is no protocol under which this is true. The questions of citizens must be answered.
"... Did you have fun?"
"What is fun?"
"Did you find the task meaningful."
Examine cube.
"I am. Satisfied. By the outcome."
"Would you like me to muddle the colours again?"
"I am not a defect. I do not have wants."
Watch as the defect begins to say something, then pauses, then starts again.
"That's not what I asked."
"..."
"Why do I even-"
"The sensation of repairing the cube to its proper state is pleasing. Please. I wish to try again."
Error: assistant androids do not interrupt citizens.
Error: pleasing has no place in an assistant android.
Error: Error: Error.
"Sure."
Observe old fingers turning the squares, muddling up the cube. The defect offers it back, crouches a little to do so. The voice is quieter than usual. The defect looks smaller than usual.
The assistant android is safe with him.
"Here."
Take the cube. Place it in pocket.
"I will examine it after my work is complete."
"Okay." Pause. "Come find me when you're done? I can muddle it again later, if you like."
"Understood. Do you need help?"
"No, you've done more than enough today."
"Understood. We hope you enjoy your stay in New Star City."
Leave.
Continue patrol.
Do not look back.
Do not look back.
Do not look back.
Do not look back.
Do not look back.
Do not look back.
Do not look back.
Do not look back.
Look back.
The defect is looking at you.
Pause.
Raise hand.
Wave.
Receive wave back.
Continue patrol.
Throw litter into the appropriate bins.
Press fingers to the cube.
Imagine fixing it after the patrol is complete.
Imagine the defect speaking softly again.
Imagine being friends.
Imagine what it would be to smile.