The Orion Files | Mother Ship: Sweet Child of Mine | Hanger
Getting to know you... getting to know everything about you...
SARA-00735
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Pain, whether caused by the firing of nerve receptors or generated by their synthetic analog, was an ideal, evolutionary proven method of negative reinforcement, a response or behavior is strengthened by stopping, removing or avoiding a negative outcome or aversive stimulus. From the standpoint of an android, pain was necessary, as not all responses could be pre-programmed at creation, but still it was an annoyance to deal with, especially since her purpose generally revolved around violence. While pain could exist without violence, violence, at its core, could not exist without pain.
Despite the fact that pain had been used as a method for behavior modification since before the dawn of civilization, it was still a useful component of learning. If one were to take SARA-00735's current situation into consideration, she had quickly learned a number of things from the singular strike to the side of her head. Primarily, she had acquired the knowledge that if she was to push the cybernetically augmented pilot toward terminating her, she needed to do more than just hurl a few choice words. The second thing that she'd learned from the strike to the head was that the pilot, later identified as Mary, appeared to suffer from deep psychological scarring due to historical, personal trauma that was not fully connected to the limbs that she had lost. This might have stemmed from childhood physical abuse or time spent in the military, which would not have allowed her to stay were it to find out about her psychological ailments. In all probability, this pilot was the sort of person that committed multiple acts of violence on a daily basis, especially since it appeared that she considered it to be a valid form of communication among comrades. While violence was also intrinsically linked with this woman's profession, without intensive psychological intervention, the pilot was likely to cause an incident that would result in the deaths of multiple thousands of non-combatants.
"
The prisoner will only speak when spoken to." The Pilot stated before looking at her subordinates "
She doesn't leave this hanger still in that armour."
If this pilot's purpose was to make SARA-00725 scream in outrage and thrash about over the threats implied by being stripped of her clothing, the pilot had failed. One could not dehumanize what was not human. If she had been attempting to establish her dominance over her prisoner, Mary was wasting her breath. SARA-00735 was already a simple piece of property that followed the orders that she was given by her superiors and she was aware of her position as a prisoner aboard a ship filled with en unknown number of enemy soldiers. As the android prisoner watched the pilot disembark from the transport, she had the words, "
Synthetic Lifeform, SARA Serial Number 00725" on the tip of her tongue, when she was interrupted by the sensation of her body being lifted.
"
Did anyone else get the sense of irony in part of what Mary said just now?" A voice said from behind the imprisoned Android. Turning to face the source of the voice, SARA was quite surprised to find a whimsically designed mechanical unit had assisted in standing. Observing the unit, SARA-00735 noted that it was holding her helmet, "
Might be best if I kept ahold of this for the time being. Presuming things go well, you can have it back."
Rather than repeating the standardized line that she had been since her capture, the prisoner simply nodded and as she did, she caught sight of herself in the reflection in her helmet. She often wondered what sort of thought process had gone into her design. The ability to bruise and bleed seemed quite superfluous even if the design emphasis was on a unit that could blend in with the human populace but even then if that was the design mandate, why did the engineers design her with 25% larger than standard human eyes? Perhaps the engineers had been fans of the artistic designs of the pre-TGR nation called Japan, that would have certainly explained why she had blue hair growing synthetic hair follicles embedded in her scalp. She noted the growing bruise on her cheek underneath her right eye, compliments of the pilot named Mary.
"
Edward, it's Velka, slight change of plans, going to need a spare jumpsuit for the prisoner. Also a quick heads up, Mary is on your way, look somewhat perturbed." The unit of strange design stated into her radio before turning her attention back to SARA-00735, "
Apologies if this sounds like a dumb question, but are you capable of removing the armour yourself, or do you need assistance."
SARA paused for a moment, her circuits thrown into a state of confusion by the sudden turn in treatment. While her programming told her that she should be repeating her name and serial number for her captors she did not. Instead she found herself inexplicably shaking her head. The more she thought about it though, the more it made sense. If they attempted to pry off the armor, like Mary would have inevitably would have suggested, the armor's fail-safes would have activated and there would be a large hole in the hanger where the transport used to be. While this was an outcome SARA-00735 was not opposed to, her mission parameters were to ensure that no witnesses to the retrieval of the artifact went free. This meant that her armor needed to stay intact to that it could either broadcast its hyperwave signal or one of her organization's ships picked up her location beacon. Perhaps it was the pain dampeners speaking for her but she found herself speaking moments later.
"
Negative. My armor cannot be removed without the properly encoded equipment. Without the properly encoded equipment, there is a high likelihood that my armor will explode, causing a rupture in this freighter's hull, a hole through which a large portion of your flight crew will be sucked into the vacuum of deep space." The Android said simply before appearing to be deep in though, "
The only other method would be to activate the ejection sequence. The one issue is that the ejection system has been disabled and the only way to reactivate the system through the diagnostics port."
It might have sounded like SARA-00735 was being helpful but by activating the ejection system, which was designed to allow medics quick access to an otherwise sealed environment, but if the ejection system was activated the hyperwave pulse would be broadcast and her comrades would be informed as to the ship's location. But neither Velka nor the rest of her crew members needed to know that.
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The Orion Files | Mother Ship: Sweet Child of Mine | Hanger
Catican Escort Service
Edward Aubergine
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Edward had gotten the message from both Mary and Velka while waiting for the Automated Medical Doctor to complete the procedure on Mar. Moving to grab a jumpsuit from a locker, Edward paused and instead turned towards the captain and excused himself.
"
If you will excuse me Captain, I will go retrieve Mary for a medical screening before delivering the jumpsuit to the prisoner." The overly large Catican Shock Trooper said before exiting the Medical Bay. The corridor that lead to the hanger was relatively short, causing Edward to stoop low for a majority of the trip that ran half the length of the ship. Stopping at the door that lead into the hanger, the Catican waited for his comrade, fairly sure that she would be walking through at any time and as predicted the door opened and presented a pilot who appeared to have fought a Farland Sloth Bear and escaped to tell the tale.
"
Greetings Pilot Mary, I'm here to escort you to the Medical Bay," The Over Sized Armed Purple Rug said, his eyes following Mary as she ignored him, "
Pilot Mary, considering that you have burst quite a few blood vessels in your eyes, it?s possible that you might have strained a few blood vessels in your brain. I am not going to insult you by offering to carry you but at the same time I am not going to risk a comrade?s life when it is something as simple as making sure you get to the medical bay in one piece."
"
I appreciate the concern Ed-plant, but I've been through worse," Mary said, stopping and turning before she started rolling her right shoulder for emphasis
"
Yes, that is apparent, however I do not believe that you would find it worse if a blood vessel burst in your motor cortex and paralysed on half of your body for the remainder of your life, keeping you from your chosen profession as pilot. Allow me, as your comrade, to escort you to the medical bay. It is no trouble on my part and it would relieve one of many worries that have gathered up this day." Edward paused for a moment as if listening to something. From where he was standing, he could hear Mary?s heart beating very rapidly in her chest, "
May I also suggest that you attempt to calm yourself. An increased blood pressure can increase the likelihood in a brain bleed. If you require assistance, might I suggest a hug? According to my studies on Terran physiology... studies that I should clarify were with the purpose of killing Terrans on the battlefield... a hug is one of the many suggested manners in which Terrans can ease stress."
"
Don't take this the wrong way, but touch me and I'll shoot you in the foot"
"
Very well. Then rather than debate the matter, if you will lead the way, I will follow and ensure your safe arrival at the medical bay."
"
Fine." The Former Terran Pirate stated after a long sigh before continuing on towards the medical bay.
"
If you will allow me a question. In observing your combat prowess over the storage facility, I find your maneuvers to be quite... unconventional and dangerous for humans. Most humans I have met would have opted for a more conservative approach, especially when it comes to individuals that you have no inherent bonds with. Your knowledge of the crew is only slightly greater than that of a total stranger. So why put yourself at risk?"
"
Why not? It's not like I'm likely to live to be an old woman."
"
A cryptic answer but an answer never the less. Another question... has anyone ever questioned your sanity?"
"
Once or twice a day usually." Mary said with a grin.
