Chapter Text
Roman had the best idea ever, and he was sure that his friends would absolutely agree!
After setting course through perhaps what may have been the most dangerous corner of the known galaxy, Logan had voiced his (very reasonable) concerns for how they would deal with the threats along the way. Patton's home planet was by far one of the least accessible planetary body, but with the abundance of faster-than-light gateways in the Perylian wing - aka. "Do we have to go there?", courtesy of a very whiny Patton - it was ridiculous not to at least try.
Now, while Roman was by no means the most intelligent being in the world - that would be reserved for his dear Pars'yte friend Logan, and the deity of his homeworld, Disni - he could still come up with good ideas! Very nice, reasonable, no-Logan-I'm-not-trying-to-get-us-killed ideas!
It was a very simple idea, and it sounded something like this:
"No." Logan shook his head firmly, all four arms crossed over each other in a disapproving V arrangement. "This entire idea is simply preposterous and very prone to failure." The tone of finality in the Pars'yte's voice made Roman's wings wilt, but he still hurried to defend himself.
"What do you mean, 'No'?" The Aeori whined, smushing his body into the table in a gesture of plea. "It's a perfectly sound plan! What failure is there to be had?"
Patton smiled helplessly at Roman, and clasped the the nearest wing-finger with a gentle paw. "Sorry, kiddo. I understand where you're coming from, but Logan's right." Roman couldn't believe his ears (and they twitched in denial at the notion).
Why didn't Patton and Logan think having a robot bodyguard was a good idea?!
"But why?" He persisted, turning back to Logan, who stared at him impassively. "I mean, it's not like robot technology hasn't progressed in the past few polix, and the prices sure have decreased over that time. Besides, I'm sure that there would be plenty of upsides to owning a robot. Like that it never needs to sleep, and can always be vigilant..." He thought for a moment. "...and! It can probably even drive our ship, too!" There were so many possibilities with a robot bodyguard that Roman's feathers were rattling just thinking about it. "Lo, Pat, we gotta have one! Can't you see my vision?"
Patton shook his head, "Roman, I can see your vision... and yeah, the price of a good robot has gone down, but it's still pre-tty high."
Logan quickly followed up. "And, while your... vision... is commendable, you failed to realize that we simply don't have enough power on this ship to sustain a high-power consumption robot for two tix." His fingers flitted up briefly, produced a stylus from a pocket, and scribbled something down on his holo-tab, before his near-neutral expression turned slightly alarmed. "I don't even think it's possible for us to even power it for half a tic."
Roman grew a little sullen, but he nodded. "Then... what ideas do you two have in mind?"
The Hymnion and Pars'yte looked at Roman, and then at each other, and then back at Roman. A beat passed.
Silence.
Roman threw his hands up, exasperated. "Then why must you crush my dreams?!" He whined, flopping back down onto the table. Patton giggled, a little embarrassed, and Logan let a small smile emerge on his lips. "Have you no shame?"
"Sorry, Ro..." Patton said, and Logan added on his own little "apologies", "We really don't mean anything by putting you down, but it's just that we don't know if an android is the only way to go, and I'm not sure how far we could get with it." His fur pulsed slightly, glowing with energy that sought to comfort Roman. The Aeori smiled, and let the soothing feeling wash over him, despite not feeling too ruffled at all.
"I was a little bit too hopeful," he admitted, and his wings fanned open and close as he scooted over to Logan and grabbed one of his hands. Logan blinked, but clasped his fingers around Roman's. "and Logan was right. It isn't sustainable. But I do think that a droid is perfect for us, even if it's a little too far off our budget." He stretched his wing over and wrapped it around Patton, pulling him in so they could lean onto each other. "I guess we'll just have to hire a mercenary again..." They all groaned at the thought of the (very recently) decommissioned Ardak that was all kill and no chill.
"I hope not," Logan confided, voice low. "I certainly don't appreciate how the last one treated Patton."
"And I didn't like how they treated you." Roman frowned. "You and Patton are amazing people. They didn't deserve to even be in either of you guys' presence." He felt Logan's fuzzy little antennae nudging against his head, and Patton's body leaning into his wing.
"None of those jerks do."
C:\Corp\User\cru> SDU-lib comm.summary SDU101916A
Establishing secure connection...
Waiting... [1s]
Waiting... [2s]
[10:29.23] [SD101916A]: Battery... [78.1%] (EST 7.4 MONTHS)
[10:29.25] [SD101916A]: Processor Temperature... [16.7℃] (OPTIMAL CONDITION)
[10:29.27] [SD101916A]: Altitude... [2,231.65 km] (OPTIMAL CONDITION)
[10:29.29] [SD101916A]: Motor Array Status... [ALL FUNCTIONAL] (OPTIMAL CONDITION)
[10:29.31] [SD101916A]: Connectivity Strength... [-30 dBm] (OPTIMAL CONDITION)
C:\Corp\User\cru> prgm tfr VILS.rosf --recieve SDU-lib
Establishing secure connection...
Initializing data transfer... [0%]
Transfer progress... [23%]
Transfer progress... [67%]
Transfer progress... [91%]
Transfer progress... [100%]
Transfer complete.
C:\Corp\User\cru> prgm compat-check VILS.rosf --comp SDU101916A
Establishing secure connection...
Model ID... [SDU101916A]
Model Name... [SDU v3.1]
Firmware Version... [1.09]
Software Version... [1.09]
Package Version... [2.01]
Package Name... [alpha-VersIntgLangSys.rosf]
Support Status... [patch required]
Compatibility Layer... [active, running]
C:\Corp\User\cru> prgm os-install VILS.rosf --send SDU101916A
Are you sure you want to install this operating system onto [SDU101916A]?
You cannot undo this action... [Y/N]
C:\Corp\User\cru> Y
Establishing secure connection...
Initializing installation...
Installation progress... [10%]
Installation progress... [39%]
Installation progress... [44%]
Installation failed. [SDU101916A] is no longer responding.
"We've lost it. Something's wrong with the connection."
"I thought we didn't have any predicted interferences?"
"Well, dipshit, this is about as 'unpredicted' as it gets."
"..."
"This is the third time it's happened. Should we call off the project?"
"Not sure. But I'm done launching robots off into space with faulty software to finish it off."
"Probably the computer man - just throw it out."
"...yeah."
[ ! ] C:\local\User\cru< 3 notifications from SDU-lib.SDU101916A:
[10:32.12] [SD101916A]: Status Update... [Major altitude shift. Requesting remote control.]
[10:35.45] [SD101916A]: Status Update... [Major altitude shift. Requesting recall.]
[10:56.39] [SD101916A]: Status Update... [Major altitude shift. Please help.]