Log:Voyager Repaired and Reactivated

2019/09/27 Voyager Victory Artemis Swarmer 1

Its been a few days since Swarmer and Artemis brought the Model 9 Prototype to the heights of the NashCo building for emergency repairs. Its last actions being to entrust Artemis & Swarmer with its continued safety & security while it was offline.

This was made a much bigger deal after the Intelligence found itself dealing with a human who would just as soon throw it to the void of non-existence than look at it if destroying it meant 'upholding the law'. This was a revelation to it and while it fled the Intelligence noted then that all humans are not to be trusted nor are all laws. Something it had begun to suspect from its dealings with StarGuard & the Uvzos.

Rousseau Nash had spent a good deal of time attempting repairs but became frustrated when anti-tampering protocols kept catching the necessary, emergency modifications that were made to the prototype android & forcing the mechanoid into a boot loop.

20 minutes ago Nash had the team AI reach out to Artemis to inform her that her work was done and that the Model 9 had be set to charge and run its boot-up sequence once it was fully charged up.

It lays on a lab table with various tools & connections hanging around it, though only the charging port between its shoulders is opened and engaged to anything.

The dial on its chest is slowly ticking its way up, indicating charging is nearly complete.

Artemis rushes back to NashCo, having awaited this call and checked in physically numerous times. The lab techs said they worked better without her meddling, so she kept herself otherwise occupied.

Landing outside, she hurries through the lobby and to the elevators, hitting the button for the labs. When she finally arrives, she tries to slow herself from causing problems. She looks over Voyager on the table, studying its charge indicator.

Artemis had just received a call that Voyager was mostly repaired, and was due to boot once fully charged. She rushed to NashCo Tower's labs, while most of the rest of the upper floors of the building are being remodeled still for the team base. Voyager is laid out on a lab table, with various tools and connections hanging around it.

Wade is led into NashCo by one of the workers, after getting a message from Ms. Nash. His involvement is partially due to the connection to Starguard, in case that becomes necessary...but also because he witnessed the aftermath of the attack. He shows up in the doorway to the lab, "Hey there."

Artemis pats Voyager's arm consolingly as it charges, then turns to Wade to offer a smile. "Friend Wade. Are you here on official Starguard business?"

Given the wary looks from the sciencey people and the sheer number of shiny metal objects in easy touching reach, Swarmer takes up and stays atop the head of Artemis, not really minding this particular seating arrangement. Megaphone in hand, she has busied herself with making adjustments to it...somehow, mostly by pointing her hand at it and the gentle rainbow glow between them probably has an effect.

Wade shrugs and smiles. "Semi-official. Also a personal concern. If SG's resources turn out to be needed, I can call them in."

A stage-whisper emits from the Swarmer Megaphone. "Greetings, Giant! Please inform if this is bothersome!"

Artemis glances up and can't really see Swarmer, but seems to just now notice she's arrived. The pixie is so light, she often can't feel her when she lands on her. She smiles back to Wade. "I appreciate any favors you can provide --oh no, I've done it again..."

Wade gives her a wink. "You want my favors, huh? 'K." He chuckles.

"The Godflora speaks of an exchange of services!" the Swarmegaphone helps to inform.

Artemis laughs at Wade's response. "I would not say no," she grins, then looks to Voyager's charge indicator. Swarmer helps smooth all that over nicely with her megaphone.

The Model 9 Android plays a cheerful tune as its power banks reach a fully charged state. Then a more melodic tone is played as its systems are activated.

A few seconds later various indicator lights across its repaired body start flashing before its optical sensor starts glowing a faint blue and the iris shifts a bit to adjust for the ambient lighting in the room.

"WARNING: Modification Detected. Tampering Subroutine disengaged." The Model 9 says as its processor array is fully engaged & the VoyagerSIM Intelligence takes over.

It turns its sensory cluster (head) and scans the room and it chimes in recognition of each. "Artemis, Swarmer, Wade. Condition: Friends. This Unit thanks you for your protection & repair." It says as it runs diagnostics and feels for the locations where the holes in its body were once found.

The charging cable between its shoudlers disengages with a plastic on metal pop and the Mechanoid sits up.

Artemis smiles and laughs joyously as Voyager proves to seem like itself once it finally speaks. "Sona, my friend! You are looking much improved from last we spoke. You are safe, I kept my word."

"Your awakening has been foretold and now it has come to pass!" The Swarmegaphone stage-whispers. "So long as you require, you shall be under the protection of the Swarm!"

Wade smiles at Voyager, "Glad to see you're back to your more normal self. Is everything operational? Do you need any further repairs?"

"Diagnostic systems are currently being run. So far, all systems are operating at or within original tolerances. With the exception of this Unit's core memory. This is exceeding original operational values, matching errors encountered during previous one-hundred seventeen boot cycles." The Voyager Intelligence says cheerfully to Wade & by proxy confirming Artemis' findings.

"These 'anti-tampering' subroutines were previously outside of my cognitive perspective. I believe whatever was done to subvert them also provided me with great insight into my own nature." It says after considering its findings.

It turns to the others and says, "I believe this illustrates a new 'Necessity'. While durable, I am not invulnerable to harm. I will need to find a way to reliably effect repairs on myself- especially in the event of catastrophic systems failures." It swings its legs off to the side of the workbench/lab table it was laid on as it continues. "Your protection may not be able to prevent these failures in all cases- though it is appreciated by this Unit. My Intelligence will endeavor to assist you all as required by circumstance or want."

Artemis looks like she didn't comprehend most of what Voyager just said. "Good, good," she chortles. "Perhaps your programming should have some self-preservation measures."

Swarmer provides a replay of what happened from her perspective during and immediately following the attack, using a wall as a giant screen. "Your foes held weapons of vast power! Do you know more than we about these foes?"

The android turns to Artemis as it hops off the high-tech table. "As a prototype this Unit is programmed with only rudimentary software. It is feared that without outside technical assistance this Unit will not last until such repairs can be automated. Still, self-preservation subroutines are now being improved."

Its optical sensor turns towards the replay and its Intelligence compares it to the vivid memories of this very moment from a similar perspective.

"This Unit is unaware of who they were or why they attacked without provocation." The VoyagerSIM answers earnestly, thinking itself free of its Orbital Oppressors.

"I'm sorry to say they escaped justice that day. We had them before they employed trickery to escape," Artemis explains as she watches the display as well.

Wade speaks up, "I did some work with the analysts at Starguard after the attack. I wasn't able to identify the attackers, but a number of similar incidents have been reported over the last few years. People in black suits with high powered weapons, akin to what VENOM and Zu can produce...but little else for identification. A lot of the incidenets were related to space-capable organizations or tech firms."

Wade rubs his chin as he recalls details. "In a few of the cases, labs were trashed or people were discredited, claiming the 'Men in Black' were coming for them. A fair number of those cases ended in suicides. It might be coincidence. Or it might not."

Wade chuckles. "I'd have blown it off as unlikely, if I hadn't seen the two agents in person. But they did teleport away. And they were evac'd. They were pulled away by something else. Someone else. Rather than activating a teleportation on their own."

"Suicide sounds most unlikely in so many cases, does it not? Or is your species prone to this behavior?" Artemis asks as she considers the revelation. "This group sounds as insidious and powerful." And then she smiles at the potential opposition to stand against. "I look forward to trying to thwart their obfuscated plans!"

Wade adds, "The folks at Starguard figured there was a satellite relay or a drone watching overhead which allowed for the teleportation. My personal feeling is that it was a device hidden on the agents for their recall. It might be both. A transponder on them, but the method of teleportation needed to be locked on or positioned, since it took a little time. The only way to know woudl be to see what happens next time they're run into. In communications could be jammed, they would likely be stuck. Or if the teleporter can't see them from overhead."

Artemis smiles at Wade's theories. "You have a strategist's mind, Friend Wade. How would one jam Earth communications? Perhaps Swarmer can seek out this drone from above should they attack again?"

The Android listens carefully. "This Unit has no entry for 'Men in Black', though I would have to agree with Artemis' analysis. Yet, I can find nothing in my dataset that might illuminate us on why their 'obfuscated plans' involve me in any capacity." It says after reasoning everything out that it can.

The Intelligence takes Wade's words seriously and begins adding in specialized protocols to its new, more Earth-savvy self-preservation routines.

"This information is very helpful. Thank you Wade Lockwood, Agent Victory. The Unit will endeavor to avoid any more incidents with these individuals and this information may be key to that strategy." Its tone is grateful.

Wade shakes his head, "Sadly, I'm not a tech. It depends on how their communications work. That's where Spirit would be really helpful. He can see the EM bands. That would have let us know exactly what their method of communcation was, assuming it's not...psychic or something. But in theory, we might be able to acquire a jammer for at least cell signals."

The Swarmegaphone inquires, "What would be sought? I saw no drones during the time the foes were a threat! But they spoke their incantations! Their ability to speak such things shall be quelched severely if ever they show themselves to me again!"

"We would have you seek for things that survey these people in black before it can assist in their escape," Artemis explains.

Swarmer thinks for a few seconds longer. "These drones! Tell me about them!" A huge bee image appears on the wall.

Artemis waves at the bee. "Similar, but made of metal."

"The wretched thieving nefarious metal?" Swarmer asks.

Artemis nods solemnly. "The very same."

"The Swarm will bring down such a horrible thing that you may smite it!" Swarmer promises.

"The common parlance defines a 'drone' as an unmanned aerial vehicle. While not directly manned, often they are directly controlled by remote entities though operate with varying degrees of autonomy." The Model 9 Prototype says, tryin got help Swarmer understand what they are talking about.

"This Unit will have to enddeavor to better watch the skies until this is figured out." It adds.