un: c a t o , video

[unpurposed]

[It took Cato far too long to interface with what he was internally designating the 'network', though the term was a loose metaphor considering that he could not figure out any of it connected. Assuming, for a long time, that there must be a technological basis to it, he had spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to hack into something that instead seemed to simply work on command. It defied logic, but then, so many things about this place did.

When the image of cato finally appeared, at first it simply looked black. But upon closer inspection, the blackness was reflective, and as he pulled the strange device further from himself, his form became clearer. A robot, of some kind, comprised mainly of haphazardly repaired white panels (tarnished with age) and a very large red cross painted over his chest.

He made a sound distinctly like someone clearing their throat, before continue. ]

Hello.

[ His voice was surprisingly smooth, gentle, calm. Despite his appearance, his voice sounded like it belonged to a soft-spoken young human man. ]

Please accept my apologies for the direct address. I have recently been granted my personhood and have been assigned to a - [ He paused for a brief second ] - family. I am looking for the individuals named Sansa, Wrath, Alina Starkov, and Lan Sizhui. I will serve diligently.

If anyone is in need of medical assistance, please be informed that I am a fully licensed medical unit. [ Well. No one had taken his license away, so that was technically still true. ]

Thank you.

Comments

[unpurposed]

This planet. [ There is a slight pause, and then something almost like a sigh made of whirring gears. ]

Then the “offworld” terminology was literal. Understood.

One moment, retrieving requested data. [ Another pause, before a little red light flashed on his face plate for a moment. ]

Apologies. That query cannot be answered at this time, it is attempting to access locked files. To the best of my knowledge, yes I have been involved in both military and rescue operations, but they are not my primary purpose. However, I am capable of adjusting to circumstances.

How may I address you?

[sergeant_slick]

Correct. Our current location is unknown. Offworld comms are non-existent. [Unless this thing had a full-size subspace transmitter station hiding somewhere off-screen.

But no, apparently there's other stuff that's hidden. He frowns.]

The name's Slick. Infantry sergeant. [He's not about to let another medical droid start calling him by his designation.] You've got a memory lockout? Any idea why?

[unpurposed]

Offworld communications were limited to robotic exploration vehicles, and I never had access to their lines of communication, so I am not surprised.

Slick. It is good to meet you. I am Cato.

[ A pause. ]

Yes. I performed the lock on myself, including the reason for the lock, save that reopening would be dangerous. So you will understand if I don’t answer the question.

[sergeant_slick]

You're from an isolated planet, then? [Seems like everybody here is.] We've got a lot of people like that. Population's almost entirely human here. [Unless you counted the undead, or a friend of his he won't mention.]

Alright, Cato. [If he hadn't seen the username, he'd have guessed it was spelled K-T0.]

Can you still do field operations? We've got limited supplies and sanitation here. [People like Lily and Hermione could probably cook something up, but there's a difference between 'could do' and 'stockpiled'.]

[unpurposed]

I am from Earth, and we were not aware of any planets that had intelligent life beyond ours.

[ He isn't sure what Slick means by 'almost entirely human' but he will enquire later. ]

Yes. I am equipped for field operations - both sanitization as well as basic drug creation and dispension, give the right molecular material should I deplete my onboard resources.