Log:Bittersweet(ie) Acquisitions

Recommissioned 2020/07/22 Paragon Porter 3

Somewhere along the eastern seaboard...

Unit 3 arrived at (one of) the forward arming and repair points (FARP) at the directed coordinates. Due to unexpected circumstances, the fulfillment of DIRECTIVE: ACQUIRE SUITABLE TECHNOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL COMPONENTS is... debatable. The case of microprocessors is somewhere in the bay, leaving the sole item delivered to be: one Porter, slightly used.

After depositing the SUP on a diagnostics table for one of the teledrones to evaluate, Unit 3 is directed to an alcove specifically-designed for diagnostics, repair, and/or upgrading of exo-series units.

Unit 3 arranges the SUP, then turns and walks steadily to the directed alcove. She steps inside, then turns around to face the room, helm facing straight ahead in indifference. Perhaps somewhere deep inside that suppressed psyche, Para is screaming.

Any potential screaming may or may not be noted by the Level Four diagnostic that follows. Even if noted, random neural activity may be determined to be irrelevant. All primary, secondary and support systems are examined, analyzed, and adjusted, as necessary. This takes some time.

In the interim, the SUP biological material is flopped and/or rolled out onto the table. Not unlike Unit 3's diagnostics, it undergoes and intensive scan. The initial results are ...disappointing. It isn't until hours into the process (there is no reason to not be thorough) that unexpected findings are made. Perhaps even triggering thoughtful vocalizations from the tele-operator, even if such don't contribute in the current setting.

Unit 3 eventually detects, with her own sensors, that the SUP is no longer biologically inert. His systems are being restarted, in fact, in an appropriate sequence, as each is repaired, in turn, before dependent features are (re)activated.

It may be entirely logical, and not unexpected, that Unit 3 receives a new directive: RESTRAIN BIOLOGICAL SPECIMEN FOR CONTINUED ANALYSES.

Unit 3 pulls away from the alcove once she receives the new directive. She turns, then methodically walks over to the diagnostics table. Metal gauntleted hands reach down and grab the SUP by the shoulders to hold the specimen down, even though it doesn't seem to be struggling. Orders are orders.

Porter wasn't struggling. Yet. He does regain consciousness shortly thereafter, though. Unit 3 can sense this both via her health sensors and via activity on a recently-ignored connection which had gone quiet but never seemed to idle timeout for unknown reasons.

Porter does attempt to sit up, even as eyes open and focus to take in their surroundings. <>

A few blinks.

<>

Of course, he only tries to sit up. He can't with Para restraining him. She may not even consider his efforts to qualify as 'struggling.'

While the transmission is received, there's no return response or acknowledgement as Unit 3 holds Porter down firmly.

Porter isn't the sharpest implement in the workshop, but there is one thing he knows better than anything. Well, one person, that is: Para. This isn't the first time she's had glitches, conflicting directives, command overrides, or even malware (of course he knows she was just looking at that stuff for research). Their current setting doesn't do anything to alleviate his worry.

She seems back under HIS influence. Or her? It? Porter really doesn't know all that much about The Mechaneer. Still, it seems like there's only a few probably outcomes:

She's stuck as his unwilling servant. Again. Probably to do all sorts of things she'd never do, and terribly regret.

She's going to get... disassembled and ... recycled. Which Porter can barely even contemplate the thought of.

Those would be the choices... if he weren't here. But he is! Thus, another option is always available:

Q) None of the $#@!ing above!

"<< I love you,>>" he assures, over the comms and audible, though the later is still a bit dry and raspy.

Did he mention malware a moment ago? How prophetic. Whether due to some sharing of hyperactive nanites by contact (cooties?) or a bit of magic (what he said could've been an incantation!), something in Para... shorts out. Nothing too important of course.

Well, not to Porter, or the -real- Para, anyhow. It's just the Command Override Module (COM). The same one that was originally damaged in that battle with the Guardians.

Somewhere, someone may or may not be receiving a deluge of pop-up adds for online dating services, male enhancement products, and/or 'the most realistic virtual mates of the century!'

There's a reason most everyone doesn't let Porter into their labs, after all...

Unit 3 just stares as she restrains Porter. His "I love you" seems to go unheeded. But then something sparks literally: Her Command Override Module. It glitches from a mystery issue that could likely be explained as Porter having broken her.

Paragon's glowing white eyes expand in diameter as she finally has control again. << I love you, too. I'm so sorry, Sweetie. We need to get out of here!>> she returns quickly as she stops pressing down on his shoulders. Instead, she hurries to help him up and get him off the diagnostics table.

Porter is in perfect agreement with immediate relocation (aka getting the heck out of here); no link necessary to sync them up on that. He accepts her help, by wrapping his arms around her in a hug. Or at least as far as he can get his arms; her armor is a little bulky, and his reach is not much more than a T-Rex's.

<>

FLASHTHUMP!

...

Well, sort of. It's actually more of a ..

FLASHBZZZT!AHHH!THWUMP!

The diagnostics drone is still standing right there. It also possesses some means to pacify non-compliant specimens. Such as the live power conduit it ripped from a console and jabbed Porter with.

When the FLASH clears, and the THWUMP is a dying echo, Para realizes it worked! She's standing in their bedroom.

Alone.

OK, it HALF-worked.

On the bright side, she remembers everything!

Well... almost everything.

The coordinates where in the COM, which is now a little congealed lump of resolidified metal and plastics. Also, her audio-visual recordings of the last few dozen kilometers of the journey are mostly static... possibly from getting whacked hard in the brain from a rather determined Grabielle Grimm en route.

I can't find a character with that name.

Paragon's eyes flicker off and on as they adjust to the new setting. And then her arms suddenly close around empty air where she was hugging Porter.

Her eyes expand in diameter again as she looks down, then around to find herself alone. << Sweetie!? >> she thinks immediately in horror, trying to access the coordinates and her pathing. She's already trying to rush out of their home, but she has no idea where to go.

The link is still active, but it is silent. Not unlike how it was previously, even if Para wasn't monitoring it extensively before.

Paragon runs out through the back of the beach home and into the sand. Then slows at the water's edge when she still realizes she doesn't know where to run off to. << Sweetie? Sweetie, I don't remember where we were. I...I can't find you. I love you...>> she transmits at a loss as her heart sinks. She scans out over the waters, hoping to see some sign. Or heat signatures below the waves. A stray radio signal. Anything.

There are no notable heat signatures aside from sunbathers, swimmers, fishers, boaters, etc. The EM signatures in range are what would be expected. The beach (further out, not their own semi-private swath) is rather occupied, today.

The weather is quite beautiful; not too hot with a nice breeze. Perfect for play or picnics, or other family fun, judging by the number of families and children out on the sand or in the water.

And no sign of her husband. And this weather would be perfect for...Kyssie! Paragon panics and tries to recall. Where is their daughter!?

Photographic (videographic?) memory is a blessing, yes? Paragon is able to rewind back to the most recent information on Kyssie. In LBP, with Allison taking her to Steel's, both protected in a force bubble. While Paragon wasn't under her own control, her systems were still recording.

Paragon searches her memories, and stops as soon as she sees where Kyssie was taken, and by whom. That must mean Kyssie's at Steel's. She looks one last time towards the bay. << I'm sorry, Sweetie. I'll find you soon once I check on Kyssie. And ask for Allison's help finding you. I love you.>> Maybe he's unconscious and can't hear, but hopefully it'll reach his dreams. She turns towards Bridgend and takes a giant leap to find their daughter.