The Unseen Servant forums

Chapter Two

A search of the room finds nothing of particular note.

Andover examines the floor and hallway leading out of the room. Unlike the vegenoids who lefts trails of dirt specks, weeds and leafs, Fingal's soft-booted feet leave no trail on the metal floors.

Then, as if on cue...



It sweeps into the room, hovering three inches above the floor.

"What is the security concern?" it stats in a metallic static voice.

"Shit" mutters Candidiasis under her breath. Her fingers move towards a pouch on her belt. "Any of you have one of those red cards?"

Wulfhart places his hand on the hilt of Fang of Cuthbert, waiting to see what happens.

Porphyry, brandishing his card, addresses the robot: "We have two concerns. Firstly, this... entity seems to have suffered some internal calamity. She is unresponsive. And so are the craftsfolk who should be attending to her in her hour of need. Are you aware of any security problems that would prevent these persons from doing their duty? If not, then I suggest you investigate at once.

"Secondly, the security agent assigned to my party has gone missing. Short, seedy-looking fellow with terrible hygiene and, honestly, not much to recommend him in the personality department. Monkey-legged, like this lot, here. Given that your halls are beset by all manner of abomination, we are worried about his safety. We request help in locating him and returning him, unmolested, to our company."

Getafix's hand tightens on the ray-gun, eyes shifting from the faun to the metal creature awaiting its response.

Guido clenches his eyes shut in a painful-looking grimace, and slowly opens one eye aimed at Porphyry, hoping against hope the charade is holds a margin of water.

Seriouly kick-ass dialog, Pulpatoon!

Porphyry shows his black card to the robot and makes his queries.

"There are no known security threats that are effecting this robot's performance," it states, hovering near the silver woman. "A message will be forwarded to robot maintenance."

"You are not authorized to issue search orders directly to robots, however you may file a missing person report in the security office," the robot intones.

Andover holds up the orange card. "Please comply with this man's request for assistance finding the missing person," he says, indicating Porphyry.

Wrenly leans in, eyebrows raised, waiting to hear how the security bot will react. "Oh! I believe she said something about her power source, as indeed that of the other ro-bots here being intermittent. Do you know where one might open her up, so to speak, to place a new power source inside? Or perhaps I've misunderstood how this all works..." he says.

Brother Puddington fingers the jewels nervously, awaiting to see how the security bot reacts to Wrenly's question. Would the "opening up" talk strike him as indecent? So far these creatures seem more or less "all business," he supposes...

The robot's head swivels to look at Andover the ranger and his orange card.

"I will assist in the search," it says.

"If the Passenger Services robot power is expended," the security robot says to Wrenly, "then Robot Maintenance will provide a recharge. Only they are authorized to make repairs to ship robots."

The other adventurers watch the conversation tensely, weapons at the ready. They are relieved combat has not broken out.

Porphyry leans in towards Andover. "You know, I really think we should trade cards, don't you? Yes, that would be for the best. Everyone would feel more secure if the orange card were in my extraordinarily capable hands."

Asherrion mutters, I need to get one of those cards.

Andover smiles slightly at Porphyry's suggestion to trade cards. "I think I'll pass for now," he says.

"Do you have records of when cards have been used to open doors?" he asks the security robot. "If so, please check them for recent use of a red card. That is most likely where our missing person went."

This is amazing, Guido whispers to himself as he smiles. The learning potential alone, plus the fact that it appears he won't be killed outright yet, sends the young Priest's heart flying.

Groyn listens to all the bantering going on within the group and figures Fingal's just being his thieving loner self and that he'll show up eventually, preferably unscathed! But if not, oh well!

Candy whispers something to Wulfhart. A bewildered look crosses his face, but after Candy hisses at him he stammers to the ro-bot "What causes the red light in the hall to disappear?" he asks, referring to the red line of light they had seen earlier.

Wrenly finds himself losing interest in all the card talk. Cards, cards, cards! So many delightful discoveries to be made here and all anyone wants to talk about is cards! At Wulfhart's non card related question, his eyes brighten. "The red line went South, then East from the Security Room. I have a hunch that if we follow a symmetrical but mirrored route to the one we did to get to the Information Lady here, we will eventually discover the "Medical Bay." Provided we aren't killed outright by plant men or living ceilings.... Well, shall we?" Wrenly smiles, hands on hips, regarding the others for signs of enthusiasm.

"For the love of Ulaa, yes, please." says Brother Puddington, practically begging. "My head is killing me."