Chapter Text
Astrodude felt nothing but panic throughout his bones, his hands were shaking as he desperately tried to outmaneuver the ship behind him. It had been like this for already over an hour and the situation was not getting any better. It had started out of nowhere, Astro had gone to refill his ship’s fuel tanks using resources from asteroids in the belt, but had been unable to due to SAR. He could only watch in horror as his fuel dropped more and more while SAR was still right on his tail. What did he even want? Astrodude hasn’t even done anything to him, he had left him alone!
“Astrodude” Computer’s robotic voice spoke out, there was a mild undertone of alarm in it. “We only have two more minutes of fuel before we have to resort to solar power at which point we will be unable to continue our current speed. What do you wish to do?” TWO MINUTES? That would not be enough!
His mind worked faster than ever to try and come up with a solution, anything really to keep SAR away for as long as possible. He couldn’t out-race him so he had to use logic. Against a robot. Who only worked on logic… Either he would come up with some sort of master plan or have to talk to SAR. The former would be very difficult to do and the latter sounded like a death sentence. He still remembered SAR’s warnings about not saving him again. But if he could trick him somehow…
An idea popped into his head, that was it! “Computer! Use the rest of our fuel to go as fast as possible then completely cut out the engines. It’s our only hope.” This was it, the only thing he could think of. The trembling within his fingers and hands did not cease in his moment of inspiration. Such tremors did not assist him as he carefully laid his hand upon the ship’s controls. He needed to concentrate for this. For himself, his son, and his wife. Not only this, he was a researcher, making tracks for ballkind. He could not fail. The rocket sped ahead with all the force it could. It simply wasn’t an option.
“Powering down engines in 3..” He would need to use whatever power he could from the sun to propel himself back to the asteroid belt for more fuel. “2” Hopefully it would surprise SAR and Astrodude could go the opposite direction. “1” What if it didn’t work though? What would happen- “0”
All at once the engines were cut and Astrodude pulled a 180 with the ship to have the momentum take him in the other direction. Instantly solar panels on the ship began fueling the engines as best they could. He didn’t even dare to look back on whether or not SAR was following him. Because if he was…
He looked back. Just a small peak. Sure enough, there SAR was, following as easily as if his attempt to out maneuver him had never happened. Shit! Did that seriously do absolutely nothing to him? What could he do now? His heart was jumping out his chest and crawling up his throat. It felt like he couldn’t breathe as he felt his body seize up. It was like SAR had planned the whole thing. But how could he know that Astrodude would need fuel then and that he would get it from that specific part of the asteroid belt? Unless he had been following him around for longer than he thought. That.. was not comforting.
There was a loud screeching thump-like sound. Astrodude felt himself be knocked straight to the ground from the sheer force. On his way down his head smashed into the front console with such brutal power that his vision went spotty. Static raced across what he could see and a ringing sound rattled through his skull. There was something else too, it was all so fuzzy. Pain, all throughout his head, throbbing, aching pain. Noises, maybe? He hadn't even noticed he was on the ground until something or someone lifted his upper half up. There was something warm and wet running down his face.
He couldn’t tell what was in front of him, the blackness was creeping in from the sides, swallowing everything in its path. The thing in front of him was making more noise, it was like trying to decipher words underwater. Cotton filled his skull. He was being shaken, more pain blossomed in his brain. The darkness crept closer. His head felt like those watermelons with rubber bands strung around them, cracking open and bursting with pain.
He couldn’t see.
Darkness.
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SAR had been following Astrodude for a while now, it had started with one of his robots using a throwaway phrase, ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.’ That had got him thinking, that astronaut could be so useful if only he would listen. Having the only human in space be on his side? There were so many potential advantages. The biggest issue would be getting Astrodude to actually join his group of rogue robots. That human was extremely loyal to his own kind, despite how much that company he worked for had put him in danger he still continued to follow their commands flawlessly and even exceed expectations. (When he wasn’t injured or getting tied up in who knows what.)
All that to say that he would be very useful to have. The only downside being, that he knew he wouldn’t be able to convince him with just words. So he began plan making. If he could get the human aboard his ship and talk some sense into him, that would be a good start. There would have to be more though, what else could he do? If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em… Perhaps that saying could apply further. After all, one human against an army of robots? Little to say, SAR liked their chances.
Everything had gone almost perfectly to plan. Almost. The forceful docking of the ship had been much more violent than intended, it nearly knocked him off his feet so he could only assume that the astronaut was struggling greatly, odds are, that would make this whole process easier. Ah, he could only hope. When were things ever easy when humans were involved?
He was within Astrodude’s rocket now, heading towards the cockpit where he would find the reward of this mission. Closer now, the door seemed to be shut extremely tightly, locked from the inside most likely. Everyday the saw within his arm was more and more useful, it glided through the door like a knife through butter. An obstacle no longer, he stepped into the room.
His gaze drifted to the one thing that stood out in this room because there on the floor was Astrodude sitting, and bleeding out at an alarming rate. SAR rushed over to assess the damage. If the human died, this mission would’ve been useless. There was a massive gash all the way from his right eyebrow to past the top of his skull. SAR was just hoping that nothing was broken, he knew there was at the very least, a very bad concussion from the current state the human was in. Blood cascaded down its face as if it were a curtain obstructing the view of a nosy neighbor. It was pooling near the floor and generally making everything more difficult. That wound would at least need to be covered before he did anything.
Astrodude seemed to barely even be conscious, SAR tried shaking him lightly to get him to try to stay awake but that did nothing except for making the human whimper and wince in pain. Such action was ceased immediately due to the fact that it could cause further head damage. That was the opposite of what he was trying to do right now.
Behind him a familiar but angry voice snapped at him. “What right do you think you have to try and mess around with Astrodude?” The Computer seemed utterly pissed and ready to fight SAR at any moment. As if she would win, hilarious.
“Have no fear my fellow robot, I am simply trying to help your human. I will need to take him to assure he gets the proper medical support necessary for these wounds.” He would prefer not to have to fight another robot, especially one like Computer who could easily inform ‘upper management’ about what was happening.
“I was just trying to talk to him and sat him up, I don’t want or need you to mess with him, especially after you were the one who ran into us and caused this whole mess.” Interesting, quite aggressive for a robot that was supposed to just follow orders.
“Listen, you know and I know that you do not have the supplies to treat this sort of wound. I however, do. I will take him aboard my ship, and treat him back to health. You will keep your voice box silent unless ‘upper management’ needs to know of another rogue AI. Is it just me or are you quite emotive for an emotionless computer?” Blackmail should work here, it was also simple logic. SAR had had medical supplies on his ship ever since he was sent up here to aid the human. Computer obviously didn’t want the ones in charge of it to know of its newfound emotions. This deal benefitted both of them, which is why it was obvious that Computer would say-
“Yes, fine. It does seem to be the only option I have at this time.” She got real close to his face, a new threatening undertone in her voice. “But do not harm him. I will make sure you regret it if you do. Got it?” She (metaphorically) stared into his soul. Malice radiated off of her screen.
“Of course! I wouldn't dream of it.” His tone was off, but it’s not like it mattered very much when it was another robot to whom he was speaking. Pleasure at having accomplished his mission so easily filled his framework. Who knew it was so easy to kidnap a human?
He carefully latched his arms around the human and placed him on his shoulder. Extra thought and care had to be put into the action so as to not harm the human any further than he already was. If the human got permanent brain damage it wouldn’t be very useful to him or his plans. Though this could work out in his favor, if he healed up the human and made it trust him more, the main part of his plans to get the astronaut to join his side will be far easier.
He was now entering his ship and headed towards the medbay. This might be the one time he was grateful his ship had come along with one, it might be needed again later anyhow. Especially with how much this specific human seemed to get in trouble.
Some of the SARlings were idlely floating there, they didn’t seem to have a current objective so SAR approached them.
“Hello there, can you two take this human to the medbay and get him prepped to be stitched up? I shall be in there very soon.” The two SARlings quickly took the astronaut and followed the current instructions. SAR headed off to the cockpit.
With a press of one button he undocked his ship from the other. He wanted to cover as much ground as possible to keep his location secret. If anyone found out what he was trying to do… He imagined it would not end well. But if he succeeded, the things he would be able to do. His processors were already running at twice the speed calculating every single outcome. In the end, he concluded that it was a high risk high reward situation, and that was a risk he was more than willing to take.