An Ordinary Domestic Helper Robot

[believesinhumanity]

[So, recently, the noted roboticist, Dr. Thomas Light, has chosen to affiliate Light Labs with Unity Group to help them in their continued efforts to protect earth. As a part of this deal, he's decided to lend the help of his lab assistant, a domestic helper robot he built, designated DLN-001 Rock Light.

Rock is currently exploring the hangar, trying not to get in anyone's way while he gets his barrings. He's pretty excited to be here, since he's never gotten an opportunity to see mecha up close before. At least part of why Dr. Light had assigned this new job to Rock was to expand his mechanical knowledge base, though of course he knows enough to start with.

So, have what appears to be a kid wandering around your hangar looking around at the mechs Unity Group.]

Comments

[star_of_sad]

Hello.

[What's this, a young boy exploring the base? Did he sneak in to look at the awesome robots or something? Setsuko is friendly regardless, no need to be grumpy like a certain grumpbot.]

What are you doing here?

[believesinhumanity]

[Rock smiled back at the lady.] Hi!

I'm just looking around. I only just started working here today, so I thought it'd be a good idea to explore the hangar a bit. I hope that's okay.

[star_of_sad]

Yes, that's no problem. I wouldn't tell you to leave anyway.

Umm... you mentioned working? Pilot?

[Setsuko remembers Flit and Volya, but this must be a new record. How will they get?]

[believesinhumanity]

[Rock laughed and shook his head.] Me? A pilot? Nah. I'm here to help the mechanics with repairing the mechs.

My name is Rock Light. What's yours?

[star_of_sad]

Oh. Helping the mechanics, I see.

[Still unusual.]

I am Setsuko Ohara. Nice to meet you, Rock...

Umm. Wasn't that the name of the robot dr Light was supposed to send to help?

[believesinhumanity]

[Another nod.] Yep, that's me.

[And it only just now occurred to him that he probably didn't look much like they were probably expecting when Dr. Light sent him over. Ah, well.]

[star_of_sad]

I didn't expect you to look so... well, so young.

Or human-like.

Dr Light's skill must be amazing.

[Though now Setsuko wonders why would he make a robot that looks like a boy.]

[believesinhumanity]

[It might be for the same reason he gave that robot his surname as part of his designation.

Rock beams at the compliment to his creator. And there's a note of pride in his creator in his voice when he answers.]

Heheh, Dr. Light is one of the foremost experts in the field.

[star_of_sad]

Since dr Light built you, I'm sure you're very skilled too.

I'll be counting on your hard work.

[believesinhumanity]

[Rock nods.] Okay, I'll do my best Miss Setsuko.

[star_of_sad]

[That's cute. Setsuko doesn't know why dr Light made his assistant look and act like that, but somehow she doesn't mind.]

Make sure to tell me if there's anything I can help with or if you have a question, or if there is a problem, okay?

[booty_chaser]

[A hand ruffles the short robot's hair a bit. If Rock turns around, rhere's a teenage girl with a confident smile standing there]

Heyo! You don't look familiar. Did you get lost?

[believesinhumanity]

[Rock is a little surprised at the hair ruffling and he looks at the girl standing behind him with confusion and curiosity.]

Uh, no. I just started working here today, so I was looking around.

[booty_chaser]

Wow, he looks really young.[Model A's voice pops up, curious, from Ashe's pocket]
I was about that age when I got into Legion, you know. Maybe younger.

Anyway, well, hope you like adventure 'cause we get into all sorts of trouble here. [She extends a hand, grinning] Name's Ashe, I'm Legion's best Hunter. [And clearly not big on the faux humility thing] You?

[believesinhumanity]

Heh, well I wouldn't expect working at a place like this to be boring, that's for sure. [Rock takes the hand and shakes it, smiling back.] My name is Rock Light. I'm Dr. Light's lab assistant, but I'm going to be working here part time as a mechanic from now on. It's nice to meet you Ashe.

[And then he has to ask.] ...And who was that you were talking to just now?

[booty_chaser]

Oh, that's just Model A. C'mon, Model A, let Rock see you.
Alright, alright, geez... [And a strange trapezoidal thing in blue red and white colors flies out of Ashe's pocket]
He's my booty. He talks, even if you can't hear him. Something about Mega Men and stuff. Some people think I'm crazy when they hear me talking to someone they can't hear, though.
They think you're crazy because you kinda are, Ashe, don't blame that on me.
Do you want to get turned into a paperweight, smartmouth?

[believesinhumanity]

[Rock is clearly fascinated.] Wow! Where did you find him?

And it's alright, I can hear him. [So it's probably rude for Rock to keep talking like he's not there. Though he have to wonder how that is if most people can't...]

Hi, Model A.

[booty_chaser]

It's a long story involving sky pirates. I can tell you about it and other adventures over some juice if you- [And then rock mentiones that he can hear model A, which makes both the girl and the faceless trapezoid startle in surprise]
Wait, you can hear him?
You can hear me!?
That's... odd. The only people who are supposed to be able to hear the Biometals are peope who can become a Mega Man.
Well, I'm happy I have someone else to talk to!

[believesinhumanity]

[Rock tilts his head, still curious.] You mentioned that term before. What's a Mega Man?

1/2

[booty_chaser]

Oh boy. How to explain this... [Ashe thinks for a few moments. It's really not something you can explain in two sentences]

Well, basically, this crazy evil scientist called Albert created a way so some people could put on these armors and become Mega Men, which he sorta intended to direct the destiny of the world or something like that. Now, the idea of taking people and giving them powers to protect the world wouldn't be that bad on its own, but... since this guy is crazy evil, the people he chose to become Mega Men are also kinda bugnuts crazy.
And then there's us.

[booty_chaser]

Yup. I found Model A by accident, and showing that he does have some good ideas sometimes-
Hey!
-he bonded with me rather than follow Albert's minions. So now I'm a Mega Man. And the way I've chosen to "shape destiny" is by protecting people from Albert's crazy megalomaniac schemes - and everything else I can besides! Sorry, Albert! [Ashe's grin is cheeky as hell as she says this]
...something like that, yeah.
And about what it looks like... well, let me show you! MEGAMERGE!

[And after a flash of light, Megaman Model A stands there, grinning]

[believesinhumanity]

[Rock's eyes are shinning now as he watches her transform.]

Wow! That's so cool! You're like a superhero.

[A scientist named Albert though? That sounded kinda familiar, but then it probably didn't mean anything. Lot's of humans have the same names after all.]

[booty_chaser]

What do you mean, "like"? I AM a superhero!

Well, except for the secret identity thing. I want everyone to remember my name!

[lostamigo]

[Here's a looming... robot? Guy in armor?]

Hey, kid. Are you lost?

[believesinhumanity]

[Rock blinks up at him, curiosity written all over his face.]

Uh, no sir. I just started working here today, so I was taking a look around.

[lostamigo]

Working. I know Unity Group employs kids. There's no helping it. But you're the youngest I've seen yet.

[believesinhumanity]

[Probably even younger than Daniel thinks. Like somewhere around a year old.

He scratches his head, looking a little sheepish.]

Eheh, well, I'm only going to be helping the mechanics here... and anyway, I'm a robot, so it's not that bad.

[lostamigo]

I see. Didn't realize you're a robot. You don't look like one.

...You're the opposite of me. In a way.

[actuallyselfish]

"Yo, kid!" Dido shouts down from a nearby gantry. "Watcha doing? You aren't lost, are you?"

[believesinhumanity]

[Yeah, this is going to happen a lot for a while isn't it?]

No, sir. I just started working here today, so I was looking around.

[actuallyselfish]

"They just keep getting younger and younger, don't they...?" Dido mutters. "What's your name, kid?"

[believesinhumanity]

I'm Rock Light. What's yours?

[actuallyselfish]

"Dido Sybil, Chief Technician to Solaris, on attachment to the UG."

Dido climbs down and offers her hand to shake. "Pleasure to meet you, Rock Light! Got any experience in Mecha-Teching? Which hopefully didn't involve child labor...?"

[believesinhumanity]

[takes the hand and shakes it.] It's a pleasure to meet you too, Chief Sybil.

Ah... I'm a little new to working with mech, but I know the basics, and I have experience working with machines as Dr. Light's assistant.

[He's looking a little sheepish again.] And you don't need to worry about child labor or anything... I'm a robot. Um, didn't anyone tell you about Dr. Light sending me over?

[actuallyselfish]

"..." Dido stares at Rock for a moment. Then she pulls a refrigerator magnet out and sticks it on Rock's hand.

"Wow," she says softly. "Your creator does good work! Um...how long since you went...online?"

[believesinhumanity]

[The magnet sticks of course. Rock stares at it for a moment before peeling it off.]

A little over a year now, I think.