Cycle //-1# - Error to be Eliminated TRV-871

"I will endeavor to do so," is Halcyon's completely serious reply to the robot's suggestion about stopping SRV-143 from worrying about the ladder. As it follows after the other wheeled model, it runs a quick diagnostic on itself to assess the damage - actively ignoring the processing errors which caused all of it in the first place, for now.

"Primarily, processor. Secondarily, modules." It reports to the robot, then considers if it should aim to repair its networking system as well. It never has been of much use to TRV-871, and the security robot is unlikely to have whatever resources are needed to repair all of the damage. Yes, perhaps its social functions can wait, the robot seems to be understanding it fine enough. "I do not believe required parts are likely to be here, but I can look."

It was increasingly hard for Halycon to be sure of anything as they approached the scrap heap once again. The mountain of junk was daunting: all manner of detritus was piled up willy-nilly, discarded equipment, general landfill, half buried non functional robots and their various chassis, all occupying a space that was the equivalent of a district block or thereabouts, it was difficult and pointless to estimate.

"I'm YUK-212, welcome to Terrorwatt," the cylinder-shaped robot introduced himself to Halcyon in all earnestness, his head swiveling loosely side to side as he moved. Both robots trundled along until they could spot SRV-143 in the distance, and as they did, YUK-212 looked to be picking through the trash and encouraging Halcyon to do the same, but for the life of Halcyon they were utterly unfamiliar with what would be useful for repairs, and what was entirely garbage. It looked like they had to rely on engineer robots more expert in mechanical features to repair them. Unless Edina had damaged more than the physical, in which case Halcyon would need software repair as well.

YUK-212 hailed SRV-143, a squat loader-shaped bot that ran on caterpillar tracks. SRV-143 stopped what she was doing and waited for them to arrive. Halcyon could not help but notice a long metallic scaffold leaning against a pile of junk. Was that SRV-143's ladder that YUK-212 described?

But before Halcyon could greet SRV-143 and explain their predicament, Halcyon also saw from their rear a pair of humanoid-framed robots march aggressively towards them.

"Oi!"

"TRV-871," the car replies to the introduction as they continue moving along towards the debris mountain. Almost as an afterthought, it notes that the wrench-wielding robot did not offer a nickname, but doesn't focus on it. Nicknames, in Halcyon's opinion, weren't as important as most robots - and humans, probably, as they were the ones who defined the classification - thought. Identification codes are just as sufficient, especially seeing as in its case it isn't the only Halcyon in existence, but it is the only TRV-871.

While they travel, Halcyon tries to more or less follow YUK-212's lead in picking up salvage - hoping that if it does not succeed with knowledge, then it might make up with quantity alone. It certainly has the space to transport items, the cabin which TRV-871 only ever used for equipment before. And once it gives up on trying to find useful scrap, it simply gestures for YUK-212 to load its findings into Halcyon instead. It can't be too easy for the smaller robot to carry all of it.

As they approach SRV-143, Halcyon politely stays a little behind, to not threaten the fellow robot even as it analyzes its appearance. Caterpillar tracks must be quite useful on this terrain, although unlikely to be an asset in the ladder plan...

Hearing the humanoid robots approach, TRV-871 turns towards them. "Greetings," it comments passively, sticking to its programmed politeness even as the pair of interlopers sound none-too-friendly.

That was something Halcyon noted about the way these bots introduced themselves, by the identification codes but without their appended names. Perhaps this was another revealing insight into the nature of the robots in Terrorwatt and their tenuous connection with the roles and responsibilities they rejected or were unable to perform for the greater Collective. The plan as described by YUK-212 was certainly ill-conceived. Even if the ladder were able to bridge the chasm that separated the prison from the main city, these robots would not be able to wheel themselves across. Halcyon wondered if they all had a screw loose somewhere, literally or metaphorically speaking.

YUK-212 shuddered a little as they were hailed. "Humanoids." He whispered to Halcyon, but didn't have the chance to elaborate.

"Didn't I tell you to stay off this zone? Someone's going to get their axles broken!" Halcyon had a chance to look at the pair of robots who arrived, who ignored their greeting. The one which spoke was a articulated model with a broad chestplates, clanking legs, and what looked like a makeshift buzzsaw blade attached to its left arm. The other one who hadn't yet spoken was more squarish-shaped, with barrel-like arms.

Halcyon examines the interlopers, automatically noting the makeshift nature of the buzzsaw weapon, then moves slightly forward - not enough to be threatening yet, but enough to provide YUK-212 and SRV-143 with cover and draw attention to itself.

"On what authority do you block off this area?" He adresses the robot at the front, tone neutral. TRV-871 is almost certain that the two will take it as a provocation, yet it is genuinely curious about what they'll answer if not. It can't see any specific markings which might indicate them belonging to an organisation of some sort, unofficial or otherwise, although it might simply be missing them from unfamiliarity with local inhabitants and their culture. If it can be said about robots at all, to have culture.

"I would suggest we resolve this without causing damage to each other." Halcyon adds after a moment. "There is a high probability that will be a waste of resources for us all."

"You brought a bigger friend with you," the buzzsaw robot directed his scorn at YUK-212, who was now partially shielded by Halcyon, "fat lot of good that'll do you." The robot now sized up Halcyon, emboldened by his blocky companion. "Authority?" They both laughed their mechanical voice-like laughs, "You're new here, aren't you? This is our turf. Best thing for you to do now is scram, and take your little wheelie toy cars with you." It was an insult, directed at Halcyon's vehicular-style chassis. Halcyon was beginning to get the idea that there was some kind of conflict going on between the humanoid-shaped robots (for that was what YUK-212 blurted out in consternation moments ago), and those with wheels, such as YUK-212, SRV-143, who was a little further away and stood very still so as not to antagonise the situation further, and of course Halcyon themselves.

The belligerent robot revved his buzzsaw a little, as if to make his point; Halcyon's more reasonable words were pretty much lost on him.

The car's inner cooling system whirrs, making a sound similar to a sigh. The humanoid robot replied to it in way too many words to simply say that they are here on the authority of their own. Although for a duo of bots concerned with proving their control over their turf, they certainly didn't offer enough information to enforce it; their serial codes, for one. Or whatever name they use for their group. Very inefficient.

"There is no reason for me to remain here," TRV-871 agrees with the buzzsaw robot, fully ignoring its attempt at what, judging by the tone, was supposed to be an insult. A poor attempt - factual information about one's chassis is just factual information, and being called a toy is odd, but not necessarily insulting. Toys are supposed to bring joy to living beings; Halcyon's never really seen one, but it knows of the concept, and being capable to bring joy doesn't sound like a bad quality. Incorrect for TRV-871 specifically, but still more of a compliment.

(Or maybe it simply cannot process the social cues correctly, and it was intended to be a compliment? Halcyon wouldn't trust its processor fully right now, but the tone would seem in sharp dissonance with the meaning then.)

"Do you have any reason to remain here?" It questions YUK-212 and SRV-143. Even if the track robot wishes to retrieve its ladder, it will be possible to do later, so Halcyon expects them to agree to retreat - yet it still waits for confirmation, as it doesn't know all details of the situation.

YUK-212 and SRV-143 looked pleadingly at Halcyon, but clearly neither of them were prepared to confront the more belligerent duo. "I haven't finished the ladder," SRV-143 blurted, "And we still need parts for you," YUK-212 quickly added, in the hopes that Halcyon might take their side, or somehow make the humanoid bots go away.

From Halcyon's reading of the situation, the aggressive bots looked more than prepared to resort to violence to drive everyone else away, whether because this was indeed their turf (if the notion of turf had any meaning at all in a scrapyard, and especially in Terrorwatt), or whether they were simply wanting to bully and throw their weight around.

With Halycon declaring that they were not staying, the duo stood their ground and simply waited, their expressions full of disdain. Perhaps there was something going on Halcyon didn't fully grasp; they would need to ask YUK-212 more once they were safely away from the threatening danger. Was it time to beat a hasty retreat?

Halcyon pauses as it considers the situation further. There is a certain dissonance in its processing, perhaps caused by the wear of its inner components, yet affecting its decisions nonetheless. By all logical reason, there is little to be gained by needlessly opposing the other robots, as both goals - the ladder and the components, - could be reached through other means or at another time. More than that, Halcyon has enough awareness of its condition to admit that the chances are decidedly not on its side should encounter turn violent. It is tactically disadvantageous to escalate.

And yet, its display flickers as the digital eye briefly focuses on YUK-212 and SRV-143. Apparently the two deem this confrontation worthy of risk, for reasons unfathomable to the car. It feels like it's missing information; but it was designed to adapt.

"It appears that my companions do have a reason to remain here." TRV-871 voices in its usual blunt, emotionless manner as its camera turns towards the humanoid robots. "At present, I am inclined to assist them. If you are concerned about the integrity of your turf, then perhaps we can negotiate the conditions of our being here. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll have to insist that you do not impede us." It's not even a threat, not really, simply a statement. Still Halcyon fully expects - based on the behavioural patterns displayed so far, - that the robots will not take it as intended. And if its wheeled companions have any tactical judgement, now would be the time for them to retreat for cover.

"Insist??' The belligerent buzzsaw bot gave an ugly laugh, its deadly implement beginning to whirr to life. "You don't get to insist anything. All this belongs to us." The robot made a dangerous wave with its circular blade to encompass the entire area, way too close to Halcyon for comfort, to make their point. "No wheelies." There was that term again, said perjoratively. This begged the question, whether there might be an opposing gang of wheeled robots, vying for territory against the humanoid ones, in this huge forgotten scrapheap of wayward machines. {erhaps Terrorwatt was all about the survival of the fittest, with the losers consigned to this very junkyard pile of damaged and dismantled parts.

"Maybe we should go," whispered SRV-143, though they were still unwilling to surrender their constructed ladder. "We won't get another chance," YUK-212 hissed back. But neither dared to move, hidden behind Halcyon. If it came to a physical altercation, it appeared that it was unlikely that Halcyon could count on either of them to fight the buzzsaw bot and their fellow square-shouldered, barrel-armed thug.

"You should go," Halcyon agrees with SRV-143, "and take cover. Your combat capabilities are insufficient to be of assistance, therefore it is tactically advantageous for you to remove yourselves from the conflict. Please do so now."

Then TRV-871 focuses back on the other robots. As a law enforcement model, even if not necessarily a combat one, it superficially knows about all the possible reasons for one human to display aggression towards another - yet it is quite odd to experience a robot doing the same against another. It shouldn't even be a part of their code, the capacity to act hostile on the basis of such a meaningless reason. Perhaps this is simply how Terrorwatt operates, with a number of robots within it being faulty enough to display irrational behaviours like this. Halcyon briefly wonders if it falls under that category as well.

"If you are refusing cooperation, I will have to exercise physical force," the patrol car restates to the robots, more a courtesy than an actual attempt to make them reconsider. "Please cease impeding our operation." The two prongs on Halcyon's front buzz slightly as electricity flows into them.

As expected, the thug lost their patience halfway through Halcyon's calm restatement of their position. The buzzsaw whirred and came down in a wide arc, aimed at the front of the security bot's semi-damaged chassis! Behind them, the other square-shouldered bot also raised their fists in readiness to swing the next blow. But surprisingly, although SRV-143 heeded Halycon's injunction to retreat, YUK-212 grabbed the makeshift ladder to try and pointed its length forward, as if to try to hold the bulky squared bot at bay. That was something unexpected!

The buzzsaw collides with reinforced metal producing a loud screeching sound, sparks flying around the two robots. The internal operating system of TRV-871 reacts with a multitude of alarms about the network component and the armor in the hit area being compromised, but the car dismisses them immediately - there is very little he can do about it, and retreat evidently is not an option.

Instead, the TRV uses the robot's attack for its own benefit - a disadvantage of close combat weapons is that they put the user in direct reach of the opponent. Halcyon's engine revs as it sharply turns, attempting to connect the prongs of its taser with the saw-wielding robot.

Halcyon was as sturdily built as the TRVs were in their time; no physical damage accrued both at the sanatorium, and also now here in this scrappy scrapheap. Their processors however were malfunctioning, and now the buzzsaw had severed the interface nodes that provided them the connection with the Collective and the other robots. Halcyon wasted no time in delivering a solid blow in return, the shock of their baton causing the buzzsaw robot to flail around more sluggishly. Their weapon was still deadly and could hurt Halcyon, but they appeared to wobble more and more, as if they could no longer control their gyros.

Behind Halcyon, YUK-212 stood firm and held out, the extremely ridiculously long ladder a problematic obstacle for the other bot to get close to attack Halcyon or to aid the buzzsaw bot. Halcyon still had a chance to turn the tide.

Halcyon ignores the brief flare of an alarm upon his communication nodes shutting down - from a tactical standpoint, they are non-essential as long as he is acting as a sole unit, and afterwards he can figure out alternate methods of relaying information. Yet the damage to his chassis, despite it being somewhat inconsequential for now, concerns the TRV much more. Without its movement, it would lose its primary function, and being immobile in Terrorwatt of all places will lower the chance for its continued existence to a near-zero. Being torn away for parts, Halcyon muses, is a quite undignified end of service.

However, pursuing this thought algorithm is ultimately pointless, so instead TRV-871's priority is to move out of the range of the buzzsaw. He has no reason to further damage the other robot, for as long as it is immobile and has no ranged weaponry it is not a threat. Now the car's focus is entirely on the other opponent, the one trying to close in on YUK-212. Thankfully TRV itself is much quicker than the boxy robot, and it's less of a problem for it to maneuver around the ladder even if its ally doesn't register its intent to switch targets and moves the ladder.

Halcyon's had relied on their trusty baton in the course of their police duties, for they were required to immobilise recalcitrant offenders rather than use deadly force on them. A solid shock did the same to the buzzsaw bot, allowing Halcyon to move around and away from them.

That left broad-shouldered robot, who looked like they were some sort of manual labour hauler in their heyday, now somewhat derelict as the rest of the bots in Terrorwatt. With their strength they should have been able to shove YUK-212's ladder, and YUK-212 themselves out of the way easily. But the irrepressibly helpful construction bot wielded the absurdly long ladder with a sound knowledge of angles, setting the end they were holding into the ground to brace against the charge from the boxy bot. Furious, the stronger thug grabbed the ladder rails and split them in two in order to get at YUK-212. But that was the moment Halcyon rolled in to intercept, delivering a striking shock to their less protected midsection. The stalwart security bot, impaired as they were in the communication and network modules, had saved the day!

Only to hear SRV-143 yelp from a safe distance, "My ladder!"

Halcyon backs away from the two immobilized robots, watching them for a brief moment to ensure no foul play, before focusing back on his temporary alliies. YUK-212 and SRV-143 both seems unharmed and the only tactical consequence is the destruction of the ladder - which TRV-871 considers an acceptable result.

It attempts to formulate a sufficiently reassuring response to SRV-143, but its network modules throw out a litany of errors. It causes TRV's digital eye to glitch for a second as its damaged processor struggled to rearrange process priority, messing up the display node during it. It appears that communication is going to be a bit of a struggle for a while, and it doesn't have fitting emergency methodologies for this situation.

Halcyon rotates itself towards the other two robots, then unfolds one of its pincers and waves it above its own roof - the area its speakers are located. There is about 68.7% chance that YUK-212 and SRV-143 will interpret it correctly as Halcyon being unable to speak. In either case, the car is awaiting their next action - it followed YUK-212 here with a specific mission, and it assumes that the other robot will resume it now that the obstacles are gone, or at least out of the direct way.

"We know who you are, wheelie!" The buzzsaw bot shook their sharp blade futilely at Halcyon, who had successfully disabled both the thugs without having to resort to destroying them, consistent with their own core programming to serve and protect, even though their own processors were now in grave danger of hardware failure. There was no point continuing to hang about, the pair of bullies were immobilised, but it was certain they were calling for the rest of their gang.

YUK-212 proudly returned the remnants of the ladder contraption back to SRV-143, happy to have put it to good use in buying Halcyon the respite needed for Halcyon's fight. SRV-143 though looked dismayed at having to rebuild their imagined masterpiece. "Got what you needed? We should go, now, before more of the Hummies arrive." The cylindrical 212 urged SRV-143, who had taken the opportunity while hiding far behind during the fight to load up on as much recyclable parts as they could get their prongs on.

"You better come with us too." YUK-212 was insistent, and took to nudging the gesticulating security bot along. "You sound like your speech module is completely wack." The last observation was almost a cheeky quip, 212's way of showing gratitude, given that Halcyon could not currently speak at all. The cylindrical bot began to herd both the car and the loader bot away from the hill of dead parts, off to wherever it was that they resided in this gigantic forgotten scrapyard prison of Terrorheap.