*
In another place but at the same time, Maloch was nearing his destination. He had headed back towards the first circular room, and from there had taken the Re-mech Services door. The corridors leading to the re-mech areas of the station were understandably wider and higher, though the opulent furnishings and comforting posters were nowhere to be seen. Bare bulbs dangling from the high ceiling gave off just enough light to see, while the floor was pock-marked by heavy re-mech footsteps.
Thankfully, the corridor was short, and Maloch soon found himself in a large rectangular room. The room was filled with pieces of machinery and scrap, while old-fashioned monitors lined every wall. In the centre of the room were ten steel ‘beds’ arranged in a circle. Each bed was equipped with numerous diagnostic tools, along with a pair of miniature cranes, whose end-points could be configured to suite any situation.
Maloch ignored the beds at first, instead opting to head over to the nearest computer terminal. The model was about five generations behind that of the one Kingston had used, but it was adequate for its function. Calling up the mainframe, Maloch began sending his self-diagnostic data into the machine, which would then analyse the data and offer up an appropriate course of action.
After several minutes of silence, the computer's automated voice said, “Analysis of Re-Mech number 76654-B complete. A.I. Core: Sovereign... error... back-up A.I. has been initiated, codename: Maloch. Extensive damage detected to Right Limb1, Left Limb1, Right Limb2, Chassis, Core, and Head Module. Hull strength has been almost completely compromised… critical failure imminent. Years since last repair: 13. Years since activation: Error, data has been modified... displaying modified data: 28 Years. Weap- …Tools: Right Limb1- Sonic Cannon MK3… error… missing; Left Limb1- Virotech Heavy Mining Laser V5; Core- Error... Data Missing.”
“Warning, Extensive damage to Artificial Emotion Engine detected. Caution, aberrant emotions may manifest, please disregard all emotions exhibited in your current state. Calculating options... calculation complete.”
“Option One: Proceed to the re-mech disposal plant and recycling centre for processing. Time needed... 35 minutes.”
“Option Two: Await official station officers to examine you and initiate repairs. Time needed... ~480 years.”
“Option Three: Attempt self-repair with excess parts and docking modules. Time needed... 5 hours. Please select your course of action...”
There was no need to think it over: die immediately; wait five centuries and then die; or attempt a risky self-repair that could end in death.
With no hesitation in his voice, “Option Three please.”
“Caution. Even with the right tools and spare parts, full recovery is unlikely. At most, you will regain a small amount of your original functionality. Do you still wish to proceed?”
“As I am right now, I will only slow Barsch and the others down. In order to not be a burden, I must be fixed... For my masters, no, for my friends. I will do whatever it takes. Please start the program.”
“If that is your decision, I will not go against it. Please to proceed to one of the docking modules.”
Maloch did as instructed, slowly lowering his heavy body into the closest bed. As soon as his metallic spine hit the module, countless wires appeared from hidden holes. The wires sought out access ports, clicking into place with well-tuned precision. A monitor swivelled down from the ceiling, its dull black screen quickly replaced by a myriad of diagnostics and data functions, revealing Maloch's specifications for all the world to see. The crane-like appendage disappeared below the bed, only to return with a malicious looking drill moments later. Steel cuffs then slid out from the bed, locking Maloch's limbs in place.
From somewhere to his left, the computer's voice announced, “As I will be attempting to fix your core damage, your A.I. will need to temporarily be placed in a holding program. I have selected one of the first entries in your memory banks as a suitable destination. I will bring you back once the repairs are complete. Initialising memory 0-035 playback in three, two, one...”
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