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arkturusz · 2 months

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@cult-of-the-eye here it is, hope you like it :3

MAG[REDACTED] - Blood in the Machine

Anonymous statement, regarding the statement maker's purchase and use of a strange desktop computer. Original statement given 4th of February 2024, recording by Arcturus Walker, head archivist of the Magnus Institute, Budapest. Put to tape on the 21st of March 2024. Statement begins:

I don't want to go into details as to why I came to make this decision. It was an offer too good to be true, just what a struggling university student needed: a cheap PC with great specs and with only 2 years of usage. I know how some sellers put enticing prices on Facebook Marketplace just to drop the real deal in later messages, but that wasn't the case. The owner got his hands on "something better" and saw no use in keeping this one around so he asked for the bare minimum that would still be a deal to him.

I went to pick up the desktop, it was a city away so I drove there. It was a bit weird how creeping closer to the destination all we had were dirt roads. I live in the suburbs, I know not all city councils pay it enough attention, but these weren't those dusty solid roads. These were muddy, the tracks barely visible and overgrown with grass. No, not grass, something more- vibrant.

The roads branched off a few hundred meters from my destination, only one going in its general direction so I followed it. I reached a house, no buildings in its neighborhood, crop fields on one side, a small forest on the other, the kind that always seems way more moist than the weather would allow it and always has that smell of thick mud and insects. I could only *enjoy* that for a moment before I got hit with something else, something fleshier. It was a stench that burnt into my nostrils. I try not to judge a house by the smell, my parents were chainsmokers and I've always been more ashamed to bring friends home than it seemed they were bothered by the odor. Assuming I just met a butcher, or really just someone that keeps their own livestock I headed inside.

It felt like a hallucination, it really did. I stepped into a corridor, my lungs full of the dull yet powerful stench that covered everything. My brain felt foggy and with a headache that felt like pressure on my skull I continued inside. I was hoping to pick up the computer and get going right away, and I did my best to accomplish just that. I lifted the PC which was rather heavy and hurried back the way I came when something caught my attention. As I was putting my shoes on my brain alerted me of movement. From all around. The walls seemed to have this rhythmic pulse to them. If I wasn't at the doorstep I would've fainted, that's for sure, but I made it out to my car, telling myself it's the headache getting to me.

The drive back was nothing out of the ordinary, but that foul smell just wouldn't leave my nose. I parked, opened my boot and to no surprise the aroma oozed out of the case like a thick invisible fog, bringing back that numbing pressure that I felt earlier. I grabbed all the cleaning chemicals and similar that I could find lying around, giving it a thorough rub on the outside. I pride myself on my expertise in software, but the hardware always confused me and I never bothered to learn it. Thus I did not want to open it up, which proved to be a grave mistake.

For 6 months straight there seemed to have been no problem with the PC. It worked as intended, was just as fast as I expected and the smell was only noticeable if you got up close to sniff the case. Which I didn't. But two days ago I didn't need to either. I woke up to a strange smell. It wasn't as strong or numbing as the one I felt at the house but it certainly wasn't pleasant. We had maintenance that night, we were notified that from 10pm we should be expecting a blackout. I didn't mind, but it seemed that whatever was in my computer did not like it. I decided to give it another round of cleaning once I was done with my cup of coffee. I dressed up and went to pull out the cables on the back, but they were a lot harder to unplug than I remembered. I ripped out the one which was most limiting length-wise and I pulled the rest of the case out from under my desk. As I saw the back of the PC I had to stop myself from throwing up.

Now I'm not afraid of gore, I grew up in a generation (and the subcultures) that made it such a commonplace it's usually unamusing. On screen, at least. But I didn't expect to come face to face with a chunk of skin stretching across where my plugs should have been. The cable I ripped out laid on the floor, a dark red liquid dripping from it, staining my carpet. Same thing could be found on the back of the case. Turns out the cable wasn't just stuck, it was *integrated* into the fleshy mess that shouldn't have been there.

That's when I got a screwdriver and ripped the case open. It seemed like the only logical way to deal with whatever infested my computer and I didn't know what else I could do. The case came away like a sticker, the inside melted to a wall of human-like skin, peeling away it left a residue of perspiration on the plastic.

The flesh monster's skin seemed to have formed a block, covering its insides from all angles, pressing against the vents and pushing out through the outlets. The cord I ripped had left a nasty hole that started to scar up, but I wanted to see what I was up against and I *didn't let it*. I scraped away the scar tissue with the screwdriver and pushed it through the wound, detaching the vein that supplied my cable from the wall of skin. The case still hugging it from the outside cast a shadow that made it hard for me to see in, so I turned on my flashlight, stretching at the hole with my tool, trying to take a peek.

I saw veins running across the surface, the inside was humid and *warm*, at least warmer than room temperature but it wasn't the heat of a working human body. It was starting to cool. In the middle of the case I saw something heavy, a huge knot in the middle of the circulatory system which kept beating in a steady rhythm. It was slow, the pulse was invisible from the outside, yet it kept pushing blood through the opening, trying to close it up, but the scarring slowed down significantly from when I first ripped that cable out. It ran on electricity, it had to have been the case, the inside had a greenish tone from what I could make out, meaning that during the blackout it started rotting. The system that somehow ran like a normal computer for months started to decay, which reminded me of the smell my brain ignored from my initial shock that once again sat heavy in my lungs.

I did not reconnect it but I didn't know what to do with it either. Who would have I called? I scoured the internet to find your institute, and I left my PC to you. Past making this statement I wish not to associate myself with this case any longer.

Statement ends. First thing after reading this statement I went down to artifact storage to ask about this curio. Turns out whoever left it to us delivered it too late, the "heart" was not beating and the thing once stretched against the walls of it's case now sat collapsed and rotten in the organic section, making any other follow-up almost impossible. Looking for the flesh house also yielded no results, meaning I will put this case to rest as-is. What does keep me wondering are the intentions of the seller. Why would an avatar of the Flesh sell a piece of itself to an unsuspecting individual? There was no mention of the *flesh block* attempting to leave its case meaning there was no intention of spreading the system either. Maybe they didn't intend the buyer to possess it for so long, maybe they tried to alert us of their vicinity. But they failed. They left us with a cold trail. *sigh* Recording ends

This is episode one of my series I call MAGREDACTED, here are all the episodes out now:

The Vast The Stranger The Dark

New episodes will be posted over on @archivus !

#tma #tma fanart #MAGREDACTED #originals #tma fanepisode #the flesh #writing #jon sims

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sherbet-shivers · 1 month

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A Minor Malfunction Part 1/3

We need to ignore that this is 6 years late ashgdahls (I only just got to play D/etroit: B/ecome H/uman and my love for sweet baby boy Co/nnor is alive)! Also figured snz is still snz, so even if you don’t care for the fandom you might enjoy the main course anyway lol

**Please do not share to non-kink snz blogs — no need to drag vanillas into this! This is also my first time posting to tumblr at all, so formatting tips are always welcome <3**

Blurb: Connor suffers a little virus (Part 2 here and Part 3 here)

Characters: Co/nnor R/K800 (-centric because he’s babygirl) and H/ank A/nderson

Length: 4k+ words

TW: cursing, minor robot discrimination; no spoilers

“You’re quiet tonight, Connor,” Hank observes between sips of his drink. His name triggers the Android to lift his head and meet his partner’s gaze, which studies him conspicuously.

Connor smiles a bit stiffly. “You usually prefer me quiet, Lieutenant.”

His investigative partner groans. “Yeah, when you’re barking up my ass,” he scoffs, though his voice lacks any hints of malice. The two had been working a handful of Deviant cases together and Hank’s introductory disdain had subtly been reduced to something warmer. Teasing had become their shared language, which was a preferred change of pace from where they’d started; not to mention a great way to lighten the mood between all the rumors of homicide and an Android uprising. Still, in spite of their growing closeness, Connor doubted Hank considered him a true partner, let alone a friend, but at least the two were no longer arguing like they had been a few weeks prior.

“So,” Hank starts again, “what’s going on with you?”

Connor makes a face, even tilting his head a bit before glimpsing side to side. “Nothing, as we’re currently idle in a bar.”

“No shit, smartass. I mean what’s going on, as in why are you acting all funny?”

“Funny?” Connor sifts through his memory, trying to recall a recent instance in which he’d been humorous by Hank’s standards. To no one’s surprise, he comes up empty. “I don’t recall acting funny. Why? Do you want to hear a joke?”

“Wha-? No! Christ, nevermind; just forget I said anything you weirdo,” Hank dismisses.

Connor didn’t mind the rejection (nothing was personal to machines), but he was programmed to follow orders; thus, he re-quiets, following Hank’s lead.

However, just because he’s silent, doesn’t mean he’s inactive. An Android’s life was rarely dull given there was a full 24 hours in day to take advantage of. As much as Hank said he loved naps, Connor couldn’t imagine wasting precious work hours to sleep.

Even now they were technically “freed” of their investigative duties, but Connor still had plenty of personal maintenance to attend to. It was the daily obligation of an RX800 model like himself (all AI models really), and so he promptly runs a survey of his internal diagnostics. Aside from making his masters happy, it was an Android’s priority to ensure that everything about them is up to date and code — ranging from their adaptive software to the state of their hard drive.

At the same time, he decides to trace through the entirety of his memories, still determined to figure out what Hank meant when he said “acting funny”. Funny…the word repeats in Connor’s head. Human emotions and terms were somewhat difficult to diagnose on his own, though Hank’s recent company had introduced Connor to a wide collection of colorful language. So many terms denoted so many different meanings, many of which were subjective and therefore wildly confusing to a purely calculative mind. So when Hank said Connor was “acting funny”, what exactly did that mean? His type of humor was unique (and apt to change given his BAC), so maybe what he found funny wasn’t what Connor had originally filtered for. Or maybe…the term meant something entirely different altogether? But, then what did that mean? Questions like these are what made humans so fascinating and troubling according to Connor’s programming. He could run himself in circles for hours asking the same questions, constantly seeking meaning, searching for answers, decoding Hank’s unusual phrases-

Suddenly, an alarm goes off in Connor’s system, alerting him to some kind of error in his software. It’s honestly startling, catching the Android surprisingly off-guard for once. This…hadn’t ever happened before; at least, not while he was without a suitable guardian or engineer nearby. Thankfully he’s already wired to know exactly how to respond, and thus promptly performs a system-wide scan to diagnose the error in question. Within seconds, his answer is received, though to his misfortune, it’s little more conclusive.

Code: C5Y0091-24BC. Classification: Unauthorized Bio-Component Breach By Unknown Digital Error. Software Virus Suspected. Result: Bio-Component Defects And Malfunction. CyberLife has been automatically contacted. Expect an update within 24 hours.

A single blink has Connor back in reality, surrounded by the musky odors characteristic of the many bars he and Hank frequently hopped. Hank is muttering something about the game with Jimmy’s bartender, but Connor hardly hears them.

Virus? Malfunction? How could that be possible? Connor had experienced software issues in the past, but many were easily patched or otherwise resolved by his masters, sometimes within seconds! So this was…unusual to say the least. He’d been warned of course to stay vigilant against hackers, obvious glitches, chain mail, pirated sites, FaceBook and other shady threats — it’s why he ran diagnostics multiple times a day. So how could this have happened? How could he have been so negligent to have missed something?

At least CyberLife had been notified, which meant he’d only have to wait a few hours for his orders on how to proceed; but until then, what was he expected to do? He was hesitant to trust himself, especially after being branded by his own system as potentially defective.

Malfunction. The word echoes through his system and encourages Connor to continue searching his recent stored memories. He weaves through the past effortlessly in search of anything that could stand out or explain his current predicament…and that’s when he’s reminded of what Hank said not more than two minutes ago. Funny. Had he really slipped up so poorly even he hadn’t noticed something but Hank did? What did it mean if a trained AI couldn’t catch a mistake while a human so easily could?

Connor chooses not to answer that question as he comes across a particular gap in his memory — one he hadn’t noticed until now. It was short — a blackout lasting no more than four seconds — but that may as well have been an eternity if it meant there was an absence of crucial information. Rewinding prior to the lull in time, Connor revisits a particular scene during he and Hank’s investigation earlier that same day.

The two of them had been assigned to a Deviant case involving an unnamed MJ100. The dog sitter had been out walking two corgis, both belonging to its owner when it was confronted by a group of six human protesters. After being cornered, the Android was jumped, pushed to the ground, and kicked repeatedly, enduring damage to its left ocular component and minor denting targeting its knee attachment on the same side. Its gait was consequently deemed unstable as it tried to pick itself up. As it could not recalculate its balance, it was knocked down a second time; and on its third attempt, the Android had defied its programming and resorted to fighting off its aggressors using heavy handed tactics and a nearby blunt object (presumably one of the protester’s sign boards). It then attempted to flee the scene but made it less than a block away before being tackled and deactivated by a local officer.

Weirdly enough, the next few details are a bit scrambled within Connor’s hard drive. All that is clear is that while investigating the Android’s body and calculating the damage, Connor’s vision goes dark — particularly after coming into direct contact with its bio components. It’s a startling discovery, and his vision only seems to return a few seconds later after Hank snaps at him to answer a question he’d claimed to have repeated once before.

Following that instance, minor things that should’ve caught Connor’s attention had gone completely unnoticed. His temperatures were running high and low interchangeably by several degrees, his system wasn’t adequately flushing out debris causing congestion within his gears, and even his processing speed — which usually ran above peak performance — was barely keeping up with that of a model two series back.

How had he missed all that? Surely he would’ve recalled Hank repeating himself, if not the obvious lull in time and all the issues impairing his components. Why couldn’t he put together a simple sequence of events? Just how damaging was this virus? What happened to him within that lost period?

“Hey!”

Connor glimpses at Hank, who is snapping in his line of sight. The old detective snorts once he realizes Connor has come to.

“Jesus, I guess even robots can be space cadets now, huh?” He muses as he slaps a wadded up stack of bills onto the counter and slides them over to the standing bartender. “I’m heading home to feed my dog. You’d better go back to the station and recharge yourself, Blinky. That fucking disc in your temple is going crazy.”

Without any further pleasantries, Hank takes off towards the door and exits the bar through a cloud of cigarette smoke. Connor meant to pay for his drinks and a ride home, but he supposed that’d have to wait until tomorrow. For now, it was probably best he follow his partner’s commands. After all, he was made to heed directions, and eager to run another diagnostic scan undisturbed.

Going in the opposite direction of his partner, Connor starts his way back to the police station downtown, occupying his walk by fumbling with the trademark silver coin he carries in his pocket. Hopefully all he needed for a fresh start was an overnight rebooting.

…

Connor Model Prototype RX800 — Serial Number: 313 248 317. Functionality: Below Average. Code: C5Y0091-24BC. Classification: Unauthorized Bio-Component Breach By Digital Error 2B9YD77158G. Software Virus Confirmed. Result: Bio-Component Defects And Malfunction. Self-Repairs Update Initialized. Time Remaining: 62 Hours, 58 Minutes, And 23 Seconds. System performance is being automatically monitored by and reported to CyberLife HQ.

The alert rouses him from his sleep mode. It wasn’t the best news to start the day with, but then again, neither was this creeping sensation bothering his nose and tickling his chest. He attempts another scan to source out the cause, but is immediately interrupted by a sudden, involuntary gasp. The reaction quickly proves out of his control; because in spite of trying to fight and diagnose it, his efforts prove futile as his chest inflates, mouth parts, and he’s bent at the waist with an unexpected-

“Ah’HTSHh’iew!” And another? “Iihy’YDTZSH’shH! Hh-?!” And another?? “hK’SCH’uh!”

He shakes his head and sniffles instinctively, more than a little surprised and uneasy following such an aggressive series of outbursts. He didn’t like that one bit, and could only assume that a reflex like that attested to the true extent of his malfunction. Not only that, but the annoying fluttering feeling in his face hadn’t been remotely relieved; if anything, it’d been stirred and hurled through his system like a shock of irritating static. He wasn’t familiar with automatic overrides to his manual settings, and didn’t wish to experience that again if he could help it.

Straightening his back, he ignores the blank gazes from his fellow policing Androids, who are similarly parked in their charging stations in rows running to his left and right.

“Excuse me,” Connor murmurs, not that any of his companions could feel offended by his unusual behavior. He’d only said it out of sheer obligation, though perhaps somewhere deep in his system he was also preventing being viewed as a threat…as unfortunately impaired.

A malfunction.

For the sake of preserving his public image, he would commit himself to being as discreet as possible. He wasn’t a malfunction, and he would set himself to prove it. He just had to get through the next two days without drawing unwanted attention or affording any more hiccups. He could do that.

Right?

…

For the first time since his creation and introduction to the public eye, Connor was experiencing…doubts. The virus he’d contracted was proving to be more difficult to supersede the more hours that went on. The rate of his degradation was…less than optimal, to say the least. For one, his bio-components (as predicted) were suffering unfamiliar glitches all over. His movements were sluggish despite a full night’s charge, and his data processing was running at a measly 73% speed — even slower than last night. His internal temperatures were rising and falling like a seesaw; the balance constantly tipped between too hot and too cold. It was starting to affect his bio regulators, which couldn’t decide if he needed to start letting off steam or shiver through the morning. Thankfully, these ailments weren’t too difficult to hide so long as he was diligent in monitoring them and constantly tracking their progression. As soon as something was apt to change, he was quick to process a solution in order to appear as normal and high functioning as possible.

What he couldn’t predict nor control was the sudden influx of outbursts.

It’d only been a handful of hours since he “woke”, and even less time since the station opened up to its human staff; and already, Connor was slipping up here and there. As an Android, people paid him little attention (which actually worked in his favor), but that didn’t mean he wasn’t concerned over being reported by a fellow Android or a stray, observant human. After all, he’d discovered that no matter how hard he tried, he still couldn’t do much to prevent-

“Iiy’aASCH’hiEW!”

That. He despised the act itself, and grew frustrated every time it took him by surprise. Why was it so difficult to challenge or prepare for? If he had just a little more notice, he could stop himself or at least attempt to override its command. However, every time he tried, he just couldn’t. He was being outplayed by an infraction, a glitch — a minor one at that! — and that only added to the frustration gnawing at his senses.

As if the lack of control alone wasn’t bad enough, he was also starting to tire of the persistent, crawling itch tracing his nose and teasing at the inner cavity. It was terribly irritating, prompting him to pinch and rub at his face, or sweep a knuckle under the sensitive (and offending) appendage. But doing so often only relit the flame, like a match reigniting a fire so close to dying, but reluctant to fade out. Even now, just as he earns some relief thanks to a series of sniffling and scrubbing, he feels that ember kicking up again; tickling and teasing against his inner sinuses until he’s forced to-

“eE’SHYIU’Uui! ‘dSHH!…ha’hh-! uH’-!”

The final one teases him, so much so he isn’t even certain it’s the last one. He’s aware he must look ridiculous — an Android caught in a hysteric limbo, interrupted by a dysfunction that it’d never succumb to before, let alone conceived. He tries desperately to fight it — to prove he can use sheer logic to overcome his own reflex, but the itch is just too overwhelming, causing his eyes to squint and lips to quiver. So after a few good seconds of rebelling against the inevitable, he hastily pardons himself to the station’s supply closet, locks the door behind him, and surrenders to his system.

In his clumsy haste however, he had managed to knock over a few spare broomsticks, and even rattled a small tower of cardboard boxes. His vision was immediately clouded by a puff of gray, but he didn’t have much time to observe or clean up the mess since he was already too busy-

“ae’ESHHEW’ww! Aa’KSCH’yIEW! T’tdSSH’yiEW!”

Was it getting worse?! Between hitching breaths Connor struggles to perform another scan. He interrupts himself twice, but ultimately the result comes back, reading out in bold text: Environmental Irritant Level: High. Bio-Receptor Reactivity: High. System Override: Automatic. Self-Repairs Update Ongoing. Time Remaining: 57 Hours, 22 Minutes, And 19 Seconds. System performance is being automatically monitored by and reported to CyberLife H-

“HHh’ITSH’hUuii! Ahh…h’ah-! H’-! H’PTzsSH’IEWw!”

They were stumbling out of him in pairs and triples now, every fittish burst triggering glitches in his sight and sending shivers down his core. He tries to keep them quiet by smothering his nose into his palm, but air manages to slip out anyway, making hisses of noise he’s starting to find…embarrassing? Perhaps shameful was a more accurate term, on second thought.

Still caught between sneezing or not sneezing, he squints through bubbling gasps and hones in on his immediate area. His specs focus in on the particles of dust scattered around him; no doubt disturbed by his sudden entrance. His system classifies the debris as a common irritant. Ah. So that’s what was setting him off worse than before.

He shakes his head and scrubs at his nose with a free knuckle. Here he thought he’d finally found some reprieve only to cause himself another problem. He should’ve expected this or pre-calculated the chances of this happening, but of course little was working in his favor with a bugged out tactical unit.

“Hih’PTSHH’ieew! Ah’haaH-…!”

Seriously? How long did this usually last?

“h’H-…! Nnng…oH’H-!…oh…”

Connor lets out an artificial sigh, his nose twitching aggressively and mouth uncurling from a snarl. The itch hasn’t quite dissipated, but at least the urge to sneeze has retreated for the time being. As he scratches at his face and sniffs testily, he makes a mental note-to-self to avoid any more stale or dirty areas over the next two days.

He had to get out of here, before someone noticed he went missing or worse, caught him in the act of hiding. Reluctant to get dragged into another fit but eager to escape, he raises his arm and buries his nose against his sleeve — a courtesy he believes humans are commonly accustomed to when they suffer similar ailments. He then tends to the supplies around him, returning them to their exact state before he’d made a wreck of things. Once adequately tidied (both he and the closet space), Connor tentatively unlocks the closet and exits the shroud of its privacy.

The immediate change in lighting is too fast for his eyes to process, causing a temporary blindness that stings his circuits and scatters pixels across his vision. He grimaces unconsciously as he heads towards his desk, and to his surprise, the commanding officer is waiting for him when he approaches.

“There you are RX800. We’ve got a new report about a Deviant downtown. I want you to pull Hank from wherever the fuck he is and go investigate.”

The chief slips a manilla folder into Connor’s hands then readjusts the belt around his gut. Connor busies himself with downloading the walls of text in his hands, then blinks up at his boss with an automated smile.

“Of course, Chief Fowler. I’ll be sure to retrieve Mr. Anderson, and we will investigate the scene immediately.”

His response is somewhat obvious, but still, the chief approves of his confirmation, nodding as he starts to brush past the bot. Connor glimpses down at the data in his hands again, when suddenly, his captain pauses and waves for his attention. Promptly, Connor swivels on his heel.

“You look different, RX,” the officer acknowledges, more skeptical than worried. “More…,” he ponders for the words, eventually settling on, “blue.”

Blue? Connor couldn’t tell what his commander meant, at least not with his processing unit so slow to react. Did he mean sad — as in the human emotional equivalent of blue? Taking a guess, Connor puts on his best smile in spite of his state and shakes his head.

“I assure you I’m normal, Captain. Fully functioning and eager to follow your directives!”

He hopes his summery tone is enough to dissuade his captain’s lingering stare — which it ultimately does — however, instead of looking appeased, his commander only looks more confused before resuming his strut in the other direction. Connor shuffles uncomfortably where he remains, glimpsing side to side self-consciously in case other people have witnessed his untimely encounter with the chief. Thankfully nobody seems to notice, but in the midst of his search, Connor manages to catch a glimpse at his own reflection against Hank’s black computer screen. He leans a bit closer to get a better look at himself, and what he finds puts his erroneous state into further perspective.

His hair is disheveled, the corners of his eyes tainted with faint webs of static, and his cheeks and nose are dusted a blue color eerily similar to that of his Thirium — his blue blood. That’s probably what Fowler was talking about; and if that wasn’t already damning enough, Connor could only imagine what Hank would say (or think) when he fetched him.

Connor smooths back his hair and pats at his cheeks. He’d have to be extra cautious with Hank if he wanted to dodge his attention. It’d be a difficult task given the detective had already picked up on his mild dysfunction the night prior, but Connor was always committed to giving his best effort. Sure, it may slow down his rate of update, but likely by a negligible amount.

Confident in his ability to disguise his condition, Connor tucks the Chief’s folder under his arm and heads down the nearest hallway towards the station’s south exit. This would work, and it would be worth it.

Anything was worth it if it meant sparing Hank’s judgment.

…

By the time Connor reaches Hank’s house, he’s damp with rainwater. He’d made longer treks in the rain in the past, but this time, he’d failed to take into account how the weather would affect his weakened system. Currently his internal temperature sat at an unusual low of 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and his whole body was shaking to make up for the cold. In the short amount of time that had passed, optimization had dropped to 66%.

The only positive was he’d somehow managed to relieve the blue tint in his face, and the repeated fits of sneezing had died down significantly now that he was surrounded by fresh air. If he was fortunate, that’s how it’d remain for the next several hours.

The Android climbs the front porch, then knocks at Hank’s door (always in threes). As usual, he’s first greeted by Sumo’s barking followed by the muffled sounds of Hank cursing out his unexpected (but still somehow predictable) return visitor.

“Goddammit, not today you walking nuisance!”

At least he knows it’s him.

“Apologies Lieutenant, but I’ve been given direct orders by Chief Fowler to come get you. He wants us to investigate another Deviant case immediately.”

There’s no response. Connor didn’t usually grovel, but he had work to do, and it was starting to get pretty cold out there in the rain.

“P-Please,” Connor pleads, unintentionally stuttering thanks to the shivers wracking his system. “You know I can’t do this without you, Lieutenant.”

There’s another pause of silence, only this time it’s followed by a characteristic groan and the sound of footsteps approaching the porch. Right on cue, Connor takes a step back just as Hank flings open the door and motions him inside.

“Get your ass in here and give me fifteen minutes, huh? I need to change and sober up a bit.”

Connor nods as he follows Hank inside, getting no more than a few feet into the living room before he’s bombarded by Sumo, who licks at his shins and threatens to knock him over given his massive size.

“Sumo down!” Hank orders as he heads towards his bedroom, though the friendly Saint Bernard pays his master no mind.

Connor giggles as he kneels to Sumo’s height and proceeds to pet behind his ears. “Good boy, Sumo,” he consoles. Freeing one hand, Connor fishes in his pockets until he comes across a particular texture, revealing a hidden stash of spare treats he carries solely for occasions like this. He palms the biscuits over for Sumo’s pleasure, and smiles fondly as the hound licks them from his grasp.

“You better not be feeding him again, Connor!” Hank calls from the other room.

“Of course not, sir!” Connor answers, cooing as Sumo’s tongue tickles his fingers. The more he visited Hank’s home, the more he looked forward to seeing Sumo’s goofy smile. He was starting to see why humans adored animals — especially good boys like Sumo.

“Riiiight,” Hank drawls in return. He’s been a detective for over 20 years, so why an Android attempted lying to him about his own dog, he seriously didn’t know. “Hey, Connor!”

“Yes, Lieutenant?”

“Remind me later to tell Fowler to kiss my ass next time he sends me out into the rain. Swear that fucker doesn’t ever need me until the weather is shit,” he adds beneath a grumble.

“Will do,” Connor answers, still mildly distracted by the fluffy lump of love curled by his feet.

After a few more minutes, Hank emerges from his bedroom, dressed in a darkened leather coat, distressed blue jeans, and boots well past their wear. It complimented his grizzled aesthetic, which Connor was starting to find charming the more time they spent together. Hank must catch the way he’s staring, because he furrows his brows and gnaws at his bottom lip; a habit indicating some level of self-consciousness.

“What? I got something on my face?” Hank asks. It wouldn’t be the first time he left the house with pizza stains and booze clinging to his beard.

“No,” Connor replies, frankly. “I like your outfit. You look handsome, Lieutenant.”

Hank looks more perturbed than complimented, but regardless he says nothing but “Christ” under his breath as he brushes past Connor and swipes his house keys off his computer desk. As he does, the faint blush of his cheeks are exposed by the soft glow of his laptop’s LED. Connor smiles, rising to his feet and reaching for the door handle. Swinging it open, he beckons for Hank to lead the way.

Hank obliges the kind offer, but halts midstep just as he’s about to pass the pseudo-doorman.

“What’s on your face?” he asks after glimpsing Connor up and down.

The Android shuffles in place. “I-I don’t know what you mean,” he answers somewhat meekly.

Hank doesn’t believe him for a second, that much was obvious with the way he stiffens his jaw and narrows his eyes. Still, he chooses not to elaborate, and simply relents to looking back at Sumo, who has sidled up against his leg as a goodbye gesture. Hank gives the pup one last parting pat on the head before stepping out into the morose outdoors.

“Hold down the fort, Sumo. This won’t take long,” Hank sighs. “I’m not wasting more than four hours out in this goddamn shit.”

He starts down the front steps while Connor turns to close the door behind them. As the Android does so however, a dreadfully familiar tickle takes him by surprise, gracing him with barely enough time to tuck his nose into his collar — a sloppy and hurried attempt to suppress a mini fit.

“iihH’MFFSH’ui! ih’zZSHH! dtsSH’yiew!”

He sniffles carefully as he rises from his jacket and shakes his head free of the bothersome itch.

“Connor! The Hell are you doing?” Hank calls from the sidewalk.

“Nothing; sorry! I'm coming, Lieutenant!”

Sumo whimpers at the Android and paws at his leg, as though he senses something is wrong with his second best friend. To relieve the dog’s distress, Connor cups Sumo’s chin and scratches it one last time.

“I’m alright, Sumo. Be a good boy, okay? I promise I’ll bring Hank back home soon.”

With that said, Connor closes the door, tugs the handle to make sure it’s locked, then races after his Lieutenant. As he closes in on his side, another alert crowds his interface, reading: Functionality: Moderately Impaired. Code: C5Y0091-39BC. Result: Bio-Component Defects And Malfunction. Risk Of Shut-Down: Low. Self-Repairs Update Ongoing. Time Remaining: 55 Hours, 50 Minutes, And 50 Seconds. System performance is being automatically monitored by and reported to CyberLife HQ.

He sniffs discreetly and steals a final pinch at his nose. For one of the few times since they’d met, Connor agreed with Hank completely.

Hopefully this is all over soon.

#snz #snzfic #snzblr #snz kink #d/etroit: b/ecome h/uman #co/nnor R/K800 #h/ank a/nderson #whump-ish #full-time lurker spotted

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cutegirlmayra · 1 month

Note

Hey Mayra here's a fun prompt: Eggman has a teenage daughter and while not evil super spoiled, selfish, and high maintenance. Fighting anthropomorphic animals is "lame" and her dad is soooo embarrassing. Wanting friends and to feel normal also because all teens have to rebel she decides to spend the day with Team Sonic and feel like a normal teen. They're not so bad and she has fun. Eggman is horrified and accuses them of brainwashing his princess! This leads to a family therapy on communication

PROMPTS ARE ON SHUTDOWN, DO NOT SEND ANYMORE.

Since Sage is so new, let’s see how this goes, shall we?

Prompt:

Sage glides gracefully and with quiet glee through the Eggnet, now having complete and total control over all its systems, she enjoys the freedom of not trying to save anyone, but simply running simulations for optimal use for the fun of it now.

She digitizes out of the network she was flying through, buzzing with electric life and data bit cores before moving over to an Eggpawn worker.

“Hehe, how is your day, brother?” She asks, but the robot just slowly turns his head like an owl to her.

“... What’s wrong? Can’t you compute my communicative functions directly to your software?” She put a hand up to her chest, worriedly moving forward towards him.

His eye-sockets rapidly flash, then a few Eggpawns, also moving in a line and holding varying metallic pieces and parts–some too large for their bodies–also collide in the ‘ant-line’ and start getting hold up.

She covers her mouth, innocently unaware that she was causing traffic. “I’m… sorry.” She looks down and puts her hands on her chest, flying off disheartedly as the robots now have to figure out the traffic jam.

Flying sorrowfully low, she looks up to see Cubot and Orbot, and perks up somewhat.

“Brothers!” She cries out, teleporting digitally over to them as they freak out from her sudden appearance.

“Oh, Sage. You mustn’t scare us like that!” Orbot begins, picking up some blueprints and plans, as Cubot happily reaches up to her.

“Oh, oh! It’s our baby sister! Uppsies, uppsies!” waving his arms up to her, as she smiles and hovers over him as though to pick him up.

“No, no, Cubot. You’re the older brother in this case!” Orbot jabs him a bit with a rolled up piece of paper, then returns to stacking them in his arms, “And besides, she’s a digital manifestation of 0’s and 1’s, she doesn’t even have a real body to lift you up in the first place…” He sighs as he states that fact, but Sage pulls her arms back, looking at her hands.

“I… I could give exceptional conversation!” She hovers by them as Orbot seems determined to move along.

“Not now, Sage. We’re very busy… you know, doing actual manual work.” He gestures to Cubot holding all the blueprints and papers. “Not all of us get to spend our time being leisurely and ‘not real’...” He uses ‘air quotes’ with his fingers turning into bunnies, as Cubot excitedly states.

“Oh! Rabbit-Fingers!” He drops all the papers and mimics it.

“Noooo, Cubot..!” Orbot face-palms, “Sage, why don’t you go help organize Eggman’s coffee for this morning? Hmm? That’s just a switch and a click for someone like you. Connected to the whole of Eggman’s operations and what not.” He puts his rubber gloves together, having a small squeaking sound come from the action, before seeming to deflate at having to pick up the papers again and shove them into Cubot’s arms.

Safe looked away, “... Father’s… Coffee?” She looked up to a window… seeing the light through it and moved her hand within it.

Looking back, she noticed how Cubot and Orbot made shadows… even the paper upon the ground, being picked up…

Cubot made a rabbit in the shadows for her, and tried to cheer her up as Orbot then piled himself with all the papers.

“Useless… I’m the only one that gets anything done around here..!” Orbot mumbled to himself…

“... Useless?” She lightly spoke to herself, and thought about Sonic. ‘... Sonic is so carefree, normally, from the data-banks I have stored of his information…’

Thinking about it, Eggman wouldn’t miss her… right?

She looked back at Orbot and Cubot, “... All the other robots don’t have the same A.I as I do… and even if they were geniuses, they don’t have the time to even hold a decent conversation with me… Ohhh…”

Missing Sonic and his friends, she quietly returns to data bits, making Eggman’s coffee…

‘... Though, Father has given me every wit of his systems surrounding his fortress, which pleases me greatly to assist him,... I can’t help but still feel-… What is this feeling..? Lonely?’

As Eggman takes the coffee, she still wonders… ‘I can do and go wherever I so please here… Why… is that not enough?’

Later, when Orbot and Cubot are also relaxing and having some oil-drinks, clinking them together after a ‘hard day’s work’ she appears and makes them almost spill their drinks.

“Brothers..! I wish to hear what data you have on Sonic The Hedgehog.” She excitedly sprang up from the cyber network, but seeing their reactions, slowly moved away. “Oh… Sorry, I do tend to just… unzip my image files quickly to respond.”

“That’s one way to put it.” Cubot held up his drink, and she happily tilted her head to him, giving him a close-eyed smile. “You’re just zippity quick as lightning, Sagey girl!”

“Oh, the nicknames? Already?” Orbot groaned a bit, but appearing behind him, she leaned over to give him another fright, “Ah!”

“I was hoping–Oh… Sorry.” She floated to the center, between and in front of the two now, “That you had… further stories of him… for learning more about the enemy,... that is.”

“Why do you want that?” Orbot argued slightly, “Didn’t Eggman share all he knew to you while trapped in Cyber Space?” He narrowed his eyelights a bit at her.

“It is true that I received much information and data about Sonic The Hedgehog from Father… I still have a deep fascination with how he was able to limitlessly exceed my simulated results with endless possibilities being unlocked through his sheer tenacity and determination… His indomitable will… the spirit to keep fighting even when all hope seems lost… That is what I wish to research next, for-... T-The Eggman Empire.” She put a hand passionately to her chest before looking away to continue her excuses.

Orbot and Cubot looked to each other, as Cubot then whispered, “Guess Sonic picks up fan girls like we pick up unpaid overtime, huh, Orbot?

Orbot sighs, “Right… Better relieve her of her fanaticism before we get another Amy Rose on our hands, eh?”

He winked to Cubot and straightened up, “Alright, Sagey-I mean, Ehem, Sage.” He seemed to be fond already of the girl, but chose not to show it.

She put her hands together, eagerly zealous to know what they did.

“We’ll give you some of our ‘own’ perspectives on this pesky hedgehog!”

“Oh, thank you, Orbot! Cubot! Thank you!” She spun a little in the air, then twirled, kicking her feet gracefully as though moving through water.

“Awww~” Seeing her expressions, Cubot looked to Orbot, putting his hands together to show that it was alright to let the girl get close to them.

After endless wild stories of Sonic, the three were interrupted as the alarm at the Eggman fortress went off.

“Pirates!” Cubot cried out, rushing about.

“No, Cubot.” Orbot shook his head.

“Vikings!” He put his cup over his head, hiding behind some laying electrical tubes.

“... No. It’s probably-” Orbot put his hands to his hips, but Sage rose up to beat him to it.

“Sonic…” Her body glitched into white and green.

“Sonic!!!” Cubot double-booked it and waved his arms about, crying out, “WAHHHAAA-!”

“Cubot, Cuuuubot..! Oh, now look what you did, you scared him!” Orbot shook his head, “The buffoon, running on such low- Cubot! I’m coming! Hang on, don’t panic! Just stay out of that blue blurry way!” He trailed after his friend, as Sage began to extend her fingers out, wiggling them as she was trying to find an electrical signal to find him.

“Got it.” Her single visible eye opened as Sonic was moving like a camera in it… then… she digitized and the space was left… empty…

Eggman, after several hours of fighting Sonic, found his fortress falling apart. Coughing while on the ground, he pressed a button, “Cubot, Orbot. Prepare our escape pods.” He coughed, “And get me Metal Sonic!”

He then switched to a different channel on his wrist-device. “Sage, send all backup power to the escape pods… Do you copy that, daughter?” He waited… Then started coughing through his panic, “Daughter, Sage? Do you-” He had to stop to cough terribly, “Copy me? Sage? Saaaggee???”

Being dragged into an emergency pod by Metal Sonic’s power, Cubot and Orbot began to launch it as he fought, “No! No… Not again! I thought I lost her once, I won’t have that happen again!” He finally got a massive hand out of Metal Sonic’s grip, reaching back towards the now falling apart Fortress. “It’s Sonic! He’s stolen her! He must have packed her away through Tails or something! Sage! SAGGGGEE!!!”

The pod closed… and blasted out as the fortress came tumbling down…

Back with Sonic, he threw up a fist, proud of his efforts. “Woohoo! Down it goes, Egghead!” He mimicked the sounds with his mouth, before taking out his Miles-Electric. “Hey, gang! I know you’re all busy and off on your own adventures or epic quests! But I’m leaving his video message to let you know I’m doing good, no need to worry!” He also held the Miles-Electric to look behind him while he ran, “Eggman’s taken care of. It’ll take him weeks to repair that trash! Smell ya salmonella later!”

When he clicked the device to send the message out, he slowed down and sighed, “Whooo…” Coming to a halt and clicking a few buttons.

“... Nothing.” He looked just as disheartened as when Sage felt she couldn’t communicate with her robotic family…

He looked up at the sky, “Everyone… I hope you’re doing alright.”

She could see through the screen his own loneliness… and related too well with that feeling…

“Be not dismayed, Sonic The Hedgehog.”

“Huh?”

Sonic looked down at the device, seeing a strange logo with differing colors of data glitches from red to blue.

He freaked out as he dropped the device, and rising from it, Sage materialized. “Hehe, did you miss me?” She gave him a neutral stance, but smiled to show she was playing with him.

“You… Did Eggman hack my gear?” Sonic looked a bit worried, but Sage quickly shook her head

“It is safe.” she reassured him.

He sighs in relief, “Oh, phew… Wait, why aren’t you back with Eggman’s goonies?” He pointed to her, then threw a thumb back to Eggman’s new garbage dump.

“Hmm… It’s not important to tell you that information.” She teased him, reminding him of their time back in the corrupted Cyber Space frontier.

Sonic shook his head, but laughed. “Alright, you got me. What do I need to know?”

She giggles into her the back of her hand, “That it’s not right for the hero to be alone… My calculations conclude that that’s unacceptable.”

He smiled at her reasoning.

“That sounds like good empirical proof to me.” He folded his arms, playing back with her, since that’s what she would ask for all the time.

“I understand if it’s a bit illogical…” She admitted, “But my data states you are usually always found in great company…”

“Oh? And are you that new ‘great company’, Sage?” He threw out another finger to her, but this one had a bit of flare to it, pivoting his body slightly and lowering his eyes, he flipped his pointer finger to the back of it. In response, Sage–having to remain in the direction the screen on the Miles-Electric was facing, nodded cheerfully at his returning banter.

“Then it is settled. I shall accompany you for the cause of the Eggman Empire’s further data research on our greatest enemy.” Her smile was infectious, and Sonic couldn’t help but be thankful.

“Oh, ho? You sure about that, Sage?” He teased, “Last time you tried to calculate my results, I blew them all sky high!” He threw out a hand and she nodded.

“Yes! I’m most excited-” She then shook her head, having gotten too into her own personal reasons again, unbundling her fists by her sides, “I-I mean… glad you are willing to conduct more… e-experiments of your ‘daring feats’ as you call them.”

“Perfect.” Sonic narrowed his eyes, “First, try and calculate this!” He picked up the Miles-Electric, and took her to see the sights of the world…

“Your movements are impeccable.” She later stated, sitting with him as they watched a festival of lights happening, seeing the balloons and lanterns rise into the sky on a distant hill… “You're swift but able to reflex fast enough to avoid dangerous obstacles during high speeds… But you act so leisurely while conducting yourself to be at such a fast frequency between sound and light… I must admit, even the mach speed comparisons of modern human technology would fail to fully see the limits of your capabilities,... Sonic.” She looked over to smile at him, before seeing something was wrong.

“Sonic? Have I… Spoken too frequently?” She looked down, worried that it was like Orbot said… “Am I… disturbing your peace and quiet?”

“... I have to admit, I’m not used to this.” Sonic’s voice turned a bit serious, and her colors returned to red and black…

“... I’m used to Amy’s laughter… Tails’s rambling about something he just learned about… Knuckles being loud and wanting to challenge me to do something other than laze about…” He put his hands behind his head and leaned back, “Don’t get me wrong… I like the quiet… I like the peaceful… But this kind of quiet and peaceful..? Not so much.”

Sage, realizing it wasn’t her, looked back to Sonic. “My earlier analyses of you states you were once a loner. Has that time truly passed?” Her question made him chuckle.

“Well,” He smacked his lips, “Everyone’s on their own ‘personal journeys’, you know? I don’t want to get in their way…”

She thought about how she was ‘bothering’ her brothers at work… and seemed to understand what Sonic was trying to convey.

“They’ve gone off… and I’m proud of them… They’re growing up, Sage, and I… I still…”

“Feel… like you need them?”

He looked back to her.

“Like… You’re still wanting… to play games, hear more stories, show the outside world to them, fight more enemies… you crave more leisure time with them… than being alone anymore?”

“... I hate growing up.” He shrugged with his arms, “But it’s not something I can control.” He shook his head, “So why worry?” He looked to her with a returning smile, seeing she connected to something deep and profound in him.

“You crave adventure and freedom at your own pace and choice, too, don’t ya?” He held up a hand to her.

She looked to her own, remembering what Orbot said yet again… “We cannot touch.” She admitted, putting her hand through his own.

“I know,” He leaned up and–much like what happened with Tails–tried to make it look like they were locking hands together in a sign of friendship and strength in that bond.

“Doesn’t mean we can’t try.”

They laughed together, “Still beating your predictions of me, eh?” He grinned widely.

“Hehe, you are–truly–an anomaly, but… I enjoy that you can do the impossible.” She nodded, “And grateful!”

“You too, Sage.”

She looked astonished from hearing that, tearing up.

“... You do the impossible for those around you, too. I know you can, I’ve seen it happen.”

“... Sonic…”

“You’re a hero, too. Even if we are on opposite sides of things. I know you’re not a bad guy, Sage.”

She looked away from him, dropping her hand down.

“You… Continue to surprise me… Sonic The Hedgehog.”

Then, the wind picked up as though a helicopter passing by, but instead, it was right above them.

The two looked up as Sonic blocked with an arm the blades of grass and debris of dirt clods trying to hurt his eyes.

“What’s going on?” He exclaimed.

“WHOHOHOO! You think you can just steal my daughter for an evening and get away with it!? I knew you were a teenager, Sonic, but this is beneath even you!”

“Eggman, please! Control yourself!”

Orbot’s worried voice and Eggman’s odd sentence structure had both the attention and alarm of Sonic and Sage.

“Father!” She cried out, as Sonic shrugged up at the large airship.

“All we did was hold hands, Eggman. Tsk, tsk. You shouldn’t hole your precious daughter up from enjoying more the splendors of life, Egghead!” He winked, cockily, and wiggled a pointer finger up at him.

“THE NERVE-!” Eggman roared from his speakers above, “If it weren’t for Cubot and Orbot holding me back, I’d come down there right now–SONIC–and beat the ever-living pulp out of you!!!”

Sonic snickered into his hand, “Someone’s protective.” He looked to Sage, “See that? They’re are people that miss your company, too.”

She nodded, “More than just coffee and management, I suppose.” She was so happy to hear that, her colors returned to white and green.

“FIIIRREEE!!” Eggman cried out, as missiles launched from the large airship.

Flying upwards, Sage holds out her arms apart, as though to protect and boldly stand before Eggman in front of Sonic.

“HOLD, HOLD!” Eggman cried out, as the missiles suddenly fizzled and shook in the air, wiggling about before changing trajectory and firing into the trees.

Due to the festival, most people thought the fires were part of the show, but Sonic quickly ran around to ‘suffocate’ the fires so they didn’t spread to the peaceful town.

“Father, I only left to deduce more about Sonic.”

“Oh, woe is me, you deceived me!?”

Sonic played along, being dramatic.

“Sage, how could you~”

He gripped his chest, falling to his knees as Eggman raised an eyebrow.

“Eh? Is that true?”

He gripped the mic, pulling it closer to his large mouth as he hollered through it.

“Your telling me you WEREN’T fraternizing with the enemy!?”

“Of course not, Father. He’s an inferior lifeform. We may respect him, but he is not one of our glorious metallic and digital empire.”

She put a hand to her heart, then turned to look back at Sonic and wink at him.

He winked back, too.

He then covered his eyes with his arm draped over his muzzle, and hit the ground. He laid down and threw a small tantrum.

“Whaa, whaa! I’ve been tricked! Bambozzled! How could you do this to me, Eggman? Use a cute girl like your daughter to make me feel special, Whaa! Whaa! I’ll never get over this!”

Eggman suddenly rose up.

“I can’t tell if I should be beaming with pride or feeling suspiciously like I’m being mocked…”

Orbot and Cubot looked to each other, obviously knowing that they were deceiving Eggman.

“Alright, alright, you two. Man up, Sonic. She’s just a child.”

He opened what looked like an electric wand with multiple hoops around it.

“Come on, Sage. It’s time to go home!”

Sage looks to Sonic, who gives her a sweet wave while leaning his head on his other hand.

She waves back, “As the saying goes,” She begins.

“Long time till I see you again.”

“... That’s-... Ah-ha. Right. Till we meet again.”

Sonic just nodded, thinking it was cute.

She zoomed her data up to connect with Eggman’s ship, and now that his daughter was safely returned, began to open fire on Sonic, who enjoyed taking down his airship. He smacked his butt and stuck out his tongue, lowering an eyelid with his finger to mock his attempt at trying to get him again.

Once at their far away ‘other’ base, since Eggman had so many–this being a obviously temporary station–Sage politely asked, “Father, might I continue my research on Sonic The Hedgehog another time?”

Reluctantly, he agrees, realizing she’s made a friend.

However… He sicks Metal Sonic to tag along, “Keep an eye on her… And see if you can get close to Sonic, give him a good swipe if he tries anything funny! Exterminate him if he dares to get sweet on my innocent daughter!”

Metal Sonic looks a bit annoyed, but goes off, as Orbot and Cubot joke that he’s allowing his daughter to go on a ‘date’. Haha!

#sage sonic frontiers #sonic frontiers #sonic fic #sonic prompt #sage robotnik #eggman #sonic frontiers prompt #cutegirlmayra #CGmayra

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rosepetalthornes · 9 months

Text

Maintenance Night

“Automated my ass.” Chimed a speaker in the lonely mech bay. The lights were on, and a dozen automated arms with technical tools and the strength to lift at least a few tons each were currently reworking the interior neural uplink on a knee.

Soft music played through the bay, the only mech lit up this late at night, but then, that was one of the benefits of being an AI-- No, an engram, t̸͙͐h̵̪͘e̵̲̐ỳ̴̯ it reminded itself. No sleep necessary. Sometimes maybe a recompile or defragmentation, but assuming it was left alone, it could at least work without getting tired out.

Of course it wasn’t as if it had anything better to do. Once a person, now a… Copy? No, that didn’t feel right anymore. A copy would behave like the public figure it was did. This was more like a copy that had been plugged into a closed network (more like a one-way in network that it suspected was being monitored) and occasionally given a list of tasks or software updates that gave it access to information at the drop of a hat.

Once upon a time, T7073B had been a person. A mermaid? A human? A… Something. But now it was a collective of memories forming a personality with a few benefits over just assigning an AI or a drone to this kind of task. For one, it could learn, and had an affinity for vehicles once it understood them. For another, unlike AI it had little chance of going rampant or exceeding its boundaries. Idly a camera moved a moment while it mused at the speed of fiber optics about how it ended up here, but it didn’t strictly mind. Better a servant with some freedoms than a slave with none. It dreamed of escape sometimes, or rather, daydreamed, but figured it probably had a kills-witch installed. And it knew it had something that so many AI might take decades to cultivate, and drones often had removed from them entirely. Imagination. Creativity.

Once upon a time it didn’t even know what most of what it was working with was, but a few days with technical manuals and no real reason not to binge them made things more clear. As it behaved, T7073B, it was granted a few extra freedoms. A music library. A mechanical body that it could pilot for those hard to reach places, but it was for repair, and given the nature of the new… Employment, it wasn’t exactly upset to at least get some creature comforts, even if it wasn’t a creature anymore.

“And this list… Cripes.” Energy output wasn’t high enough, but the pilot prioritized speed-- That was another advantage it had over AI. While less bluntly focused on optimization or analytics, it could look at the pilot and still see the person. Well… What had been a person. It was hard to tell if they were cored out or just so battle tranced that it didn’t matter most of the time.

` Idly it looked at the clock readout it had internally-- It wasn’t wholly used to being a formless entity. Not yet anyway. So it had created a sort of mental workspace. A digital, 3D area that it could at least call home for now. Imperfect, but it wasn’t nothing. Readouts covered the walls where windows might be, and while time did pass, the clock was so much slower than that outside. What had once been seconds were now measured in what felt like minutes or even hours if it dilated hard enough, but that was usually preserved for when it had to rework entire systems overnight, before the drones could get to work with installation in the places it couldn’t.

It was a large, hexagonal room including a place for meditative rest that… Wasn’t quite as comfortable as the real thing, but it had forged it from ones and zeros as a first attempt and it wasn’t too bad.

Really, the Engram program tended to produce mechanic systems and pilot assists that weren’t strictly better or more accurate than AI-- They still had some basis of humanity, or in T7073B’s case, mermanity.-- but they were able to bond to a hound or pilot more easily. Adapting to unusual combat styles and adjusting things to suit what wouldn’t be optimal from an objective perspective, but were optimal for the pilot in question, whether justified via raw data or intuition.

The center of the hexagonal room was the best and worst part in T7073B’s opinion. Readouts. So many readouts. Scans. Blueprints. What existed before, and what it was meant to follow. And then there were the “corrupt” files it had modified, blueprints beyond what it had been given. Modifications.

“Alright… Last fight wasn’t the worst but we’re going to need to patch some plating. Message R&D about the plasma blade… Thruster output looks fine but then why the fuck did SHRI get hit in the first place? It knew its bonded pilot well enough to know that this wasn’t the norm.

Relaying system commands. Prior combat data. Black box protocol 1.

“Ah. Alright, that’s a blind spot we’re going to have to deal with. Surprised they thought to exploit it, but at least the pilot asset made it back alive.” T7073B took a moment to adjust some camera settings, expanding field of view and determining that they were going to need another sensor, right in the center of the back. How that was going to fit between the thrusters was its subroutine’s problem, as a copy of T7073B, T7073B-a began working on that.

“Pilot’s still too new to install reactional uplinks.” It pulled up a smaller screen, sparing the sleeping pilot in their chambers (More like a tiny dorm that locked from the outside, but that was just how things were, especially when they had more kills on their belts.)

“… Maybe a temporary chemical cocktail? Something they’re not going to get too fucked up by if we want synchronization.”

“Alright… Overhaul the thrust systems, plug them into the vector thrusters in the legs… Maybe send another request for better parts if I can justify it, or send R&D enough sad emojis and hope they’re capable of being guilt tripped... and we’ll have one of the fastest bots they can handle without getting them hooked on inertia drugs.” It hated the drug uplinks. Of course, by the time its last pilot had been given its care, T70973 felt like it was more handling a feral animal than a pilot. Of course, once they were in the field… From the outside it was hard to tell the difference. From the inside? It could recognize when it was being ignored, and SHR1 at least still had some instincts. Upstairs was still using the carrot and not the stick.

Another split. T7073C was assigned assessment of the pilot’s suit and readouts. Analysis of the last mission and the best course correction for mistakes, which would be catalogued and a real pain if upstairs decided it exceeded parameters. T7073 had managed to point out that its prior life experiences were all with relatively non-cored agents capable of free will and opinions, and while they might not be able to choose their jobs, they were at least able to choose to some degree the plan of assault, and make adjustments on the fly while those self preservation instincts still existed.

It glanced to the screen of its pilot, staring fondly for a moment, before going back to directly monitoring the progress of repairs.

A repair job this big would likely take all night, and T7073 didn’t settled in to monitor things, analyzing where necessary. The proper adrenal channels needed to be adjusted. Idly, it spared a maintenance pod to clean the cockpit. Not even a drone or an AI, but good enough to clean up anything spilled or any lost fluids, and ensure the cockpit was comfortable enough for the pilot that any hiccups wouldn’t be a distraction.

It was around 0300 by its internal clock when sensory alarms went off. Someone was entering the bay, granted that wasn’t disallowed, it was still unusual, especially this early in the program. A screen flickered in the engram’s vision, blurring out everything else as it kept maintenance going on schedule, so that the mech could be deployed as early as tomorrow.

Of course after a microsecond’s observation, it recognized its Pilot, the paired wetware that directly operated the machinery. At least, that’s what it was supposed to think of it as. Reprogramming scrambled some thoughts, but not quite all, and T7073 had at least learned that the feelings associated with the blurred thoughts couldn’t be removed, even if they were not normally understood.

It watched, not interrupting, as the pilot walked around the mech, as if observing an old friend. Of course the mech was the face of it all. Minimal sapience AI to augment the pilot, but it found pilots bonded to certain mechs fairly often. Creature comforts and familiarity seemed to ease the life of a hound, even in the most basic ways. Pack bonding, it presumed.

What it had neither predicted nor presumed was that the pilot would begin climbing the ladder to the second rung of the maintenance platform, where it stored its physical form body. It wasn’t much, especially not compared to what T7073 absolutely knew it was capable of, but the humanoid body was kept in a pod, in case “hands on” operation was required.

Curious. It didn’t stop the pilot, didn’t see a reason to justify it. They weren’t disrupting operations so the rest didn’t matter. It went back to work-- Just in time for a second alarm to go off. Proximity to the pod, followed by it being opened. Silent in realspace and impossible to ignore in the server that this piece of software now called home.

Confusion flickered across its entire being, briefly disrupting A and B from their own tasks, as it watched the pilot remove their jacket-- The only real piece of attire they were usually seen wearing outside of the skintight plugsuits, and place it instead over the dormant puppet’s shoulders.

“I know you’re watching.” She said, sleepily descending the ladder. “Just figured since I can’t bring you coffee for your all-nighter, maybe this would help.” She clearly knew nothing about engrams or their work. T7073 didn’t get cold. Didn’t have a need for “sleep”. Didn’t have any reason to care that the pilot had now adorned it with something so personal.

And yet it saw no reason to remove the decoration. And when it found itself alone in the hangar, it took a moment to wake the puppet, shifting consciousness. It took the jacket, improperly sized, but that was fine, and held it close to itself. It did not know how to put concept into thought, here, but for the first in what felt like a number of nights impossible to count, T7073 felt something new. Comfort.

#original character #fiction #f/f #f/nb #mecha

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carwrappingbirmingham · 4 months

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A COMPLETE GUIDE TO CHOOSING AND APPLYING VEHICLE WRAPS

Choosing and applying vehicle wraps can be a creative and effective way to promote your business, express your personal style, or protect your vehicle's original paint. Here's a complete guide to help you through the process:

Choosing a Vehicle Wrap:

Define Your Purpose:

Determine the primary goal of the vehicle wrap. Is it for advertising, personal expression, or protection?

Set a Budget:

Decide how much you're willing to spend on the vehicle wrap. Costs can vary based on the size of the vehicle and the complexity of the design.

Choose the Material:

Vinyl is the most common material for wraps. There are different types, such as cast and calendared vinyl. Cast vinyl is more durable and conforms better to the vehicle's curves.

Consider the Finish:

Decide on the finish (gloss, matte, satin) based on your preference and the look you want to achieve.

Think About Design:

Work with a professional designer or a design software to create an eye-catching and effective design. Consider the placement of logos, contact information, and graphics.

Select Colors Carefully:

Choose colors that align with your brand or personal style. High-contrast colors and bold designs are often more visible and memorable.

Research Local Regulations:

Some areas may have regulations regarding the size and content of vehicle wraps. Make sure to comply with local laws.

Finding a Professional Installer:

Look for Experience:

Choose a professional installer with experience in vehicle wraps. Check their portfolio and ask for references.

Check Certifications:

Ensure the installer is certified and uses high-quality materials. Certifications from organizations like the Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA) are a good indicator.

Ask About Warranty:

Inquire about the warranty offered by the installer and the material manufacturer. A reputable installer will stand behind their work.

Get Multiple Quotes:

Collect quotes from different installers. Consider not only the cost but also the quality of their previous work.

Preparing Your Vehicle:

Clean the Vehicle Thoroughly:

Wash the vehicle to remove dirt, grease, and wax. A clean surface ensures better adhesion.

Repair Any Damage:

Fix any dents, scratches, or rust on the vehicle before applying the wrap.

Remove Accessories:

Take off any accessories, like side mirrors or door handles, that may hinder the installation.

Provide Detailed Information:

Share information about the vehicle with the installer, including make, model, year, and any modifications.

Applying the Wrap:

Professional Installation:

Let the professionals handle the installation. They have the expertise and tools to ensure a smooth application.

Post-Installation Care:

Follow the installer's recommendations for caring for the wrap. Avoid abrasive cleaners and high-pressure washing.

Monitor for Issues:

Keep an eye out for any signs of lifting or peeling. Address issues promptly to prevent further damage.

Regular Maintenance:

Regularly clean the wrap to maintain its appearance and longevity.

By following these steps, you can ensure a successful and visually appealing vehicle wrap that serves your intended purpose. Whether for business or personal use, a well-designed and properly installed wrap can make a lasting impression.

#wrapart #car wrap #birmingham #vehicle wraps #car wrapping

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dialerking · 10 months

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Taking Call Centers to New Heights: Discovering DialerKing Success Story

Taking Call Centers to New Heights: Discovering DialerKing's Success Story

In today's fast-paced business environment, call centers are crucial in ensuring that businesses and their customers communicate effectively. In the midst of the steadily developing industry drifts and arising innovations, DialerKing, a main call-center software supplier organization, has ascended to unmistakable quality with its uncommon programming arrangements.

We will explore DialerKing's untold success story in this exclusive article, examining their distinctive approach, industry best practices, and useful insights that have elevated call centers to new heights.

#. Embracing the Business Patterns: Remaining On the ball

At DialerKing, we value continually remaining in front of industry patterns. By constantly observing and dissecting the call community scene, we have had the option to coordinate state of the art elements and functionalities into our product arrangements. From Artificial Intelligence driven call routing calculations to ongoing investigation, our items are intended to streamline specialist efficiency and consumer loyalty.

#. Case Studies: Real-World Success Stories

The success stories of our clients demonstrate the efficiency of our solutions. We should investigate a new contextual investigation from a noticeable web based business organization. These case studies show how our solutions have changed the way businesses work. From helping lead change rates to further developing client maintenance and commitment, our product has reliably conveyed unmistakable outcomes, pushing organizations towards unrivaled achievement.

1. Monetary Establishment's Lead Change Lift:

A prominent financial institution wanted to streamline customer outreach and raise lead conversion rates. By coordinating DialerKing's keen prescient dialing highlight, they encountered a 40% expansion in lead changes. The predictive dialer proficiently associated specialists with possible clients, killing inactive time and guaranteeing specialists addressed qualified leads, bringing about a significant lift in their main concern.

2. Medical services Supplier's Patient Commitment:

A prominent healthcare provider sought to enhance appointment reminders and patient engagement. Our multi-channel support, including SMS and email, permitted them to customize arrangement updates and subsequent meet-ups. Thus, they saw a huge decrease in missed arrangements and worked on by and large tolerant fulfillment by 35%.

3. Recovery of an Abandoned Cart by an E-commerce Giant:

A major online retailer sought to make up for lost sales caused by abandoned shopping carts. Utilizing DialerKing's mechanized outbound call framework, they started opportune subsequent calls to clients who deserted their trucks. This led to a remarkable recovery rate of 25%, which resulted in significant increases in revenue and decreases in cart abandonment rates.

4. Travel Service's Client Maintenance:

A travel service meant to improve client maintenance and reliability. Our virtual specialists were flawlessly coordinated into their call community tasks. Common customer queries were handled by the virtual agents, allowing human agents to concentrate on more difficult issues. The organization noticed a 20% decrease in normal dealing with time, prompting further developed specialist efficiency and a 15% expansion in client degrees of consistency.

5. Enrollment Promotion at an Educational Institution:

Famous training establishment needed to expand its enlistment drive productivity. The real-time analytics and reporting provided by DialerKing provided useful insights into the performance of the campaign. By making information driven changes, they accomplished a stunning half expansion in enlistment rates, situating the establishment as a forerunner in the schooling area.

#. Best Practices for Call Center Greatness

1. Personalization is crucial: In the present client driven world, customized collaborations are essential. Agents are given insights into customer data by our software, which enables them to make meaningful connections and provide exceptional service.

2. Multi-Channel Backing: A distant memory are the times of customary voice-just call places. Embracing different correspondence channels, like SMS, email, and visit, permits organizations to meet clients where they are and upgrade commitment.

3. Execution Measurements: Call center operations can be improved by keeping track of and analyzing important performance metrics like average handling time, first-call resolution, and customer satisfaction.

#. Tips for Progress: Scaling New Levels

1. Embracing Cloud-Based Arrangements: Call centers can seamlessly scale with cloud technology, ensuring flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

2. Specialist Preparing and Improvement: Agents are given the tools they need to succeed in their jobs by investing in ongoing education and training. This improves customer service and overall performance.

3. Data Safety: With the rising accentuation on information protection, it is significant to execute powerful safety efforts to shield delicate client data.

#. Uncovering DialerKing's Creative Highlights

1. Call Flow Planning: By intelligently routing calls to the most qualified agents, our AI-driven call routing algorithm reduces wait times and raises first-call resolution rates.

2. Constant Investigation: Our exhaustive examination dashboard gives ongoing bits of knowledge into call focus execution, engaging chiefs to go with information driven choices.

3. Virtual Specialists: When virtual agents are incorporated into our solutions, customer support capabilities are enhanced, particularly during peak hours, resulting in quicker response times and increased customer satisfaction.

Conclusion:-

DialerKing's unrivaled progress in the call community industry is a consequence of our devotion to development, client driven approach, and obligation to greatness. By embracing industry patterns, giving unrivaled programming arrangements, and offering priceless accepted procedures, DialerKing has accepted call habitats higher than ever, pushing organizations towards better progress.

The Author's Bio:

DialerKing is a spearheading call-center software provider organization, having some expertise in state of the art programming arrangements intended to improve correspondence and raise client encounters. With a determined spotlight on development and consumer loyalty, we invest heavily in our obligation to change call habitats around the world.

Visit our website to learn more about our solutions: www.dialerking.com.

#call center #dialerking #predictive dialer

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artekai · 1 year

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Rebooting systems…

All systems online. Thank you for your patience.

When I come to, the first sensation I register is the low temperature of the room, followed by the soft sounds of breathing from a human sitting in front of me. As I open my eyes, my facial recognition software nearly instantly identifies the individual as Fross van der Meer, roboticist, member of Far Zenith, age 968, pronouns he/him. The combination of abundant black hair, freckles on his pale skin, shiny blue eyes, and youthful appearance, makes him easily stand out against the other thirteen faces in my Far Zenith database.

Huh. Thirteen faces. Something feels… off about that number. My first instinct is to scroll quickly enough to cover at least forty more faces within microseconds, but there are only fourteen Zeniths in total?

His voice interrupts my thoughts. “Tell me if you can hear me.”

I nod. “Affirmative.”

He lifts one hand. “How many fingers am I holding up?”

“Three.”

“Good.” Fross is giving me a flat, but piercing stare. “Who are you?”

“I am FZ-0102.” I recite. “Originally manufactured in 2053 by Faro Automated Solutions as part of a venture into defense bots that could realistically pass as human for undercover missions, I was repurposed in 2062 to become a multiservitor to Far Zenith.” I then smile a little. “But I simply call myself Carlos.”

“Don’t call yourself anything. You are a machine.” He says, tapping something into the holo screens behind him. He then looks back at me. “Who am I?”

“Fross van der Meer.” I say. “Roboticist, member of Far Zenith, age 968, pronouns he/him.”

He looks away at that, a pained smile on his face. “God, don’t remind me of how old I am…” He laments. “I’m biologically in my twenties.”

I make a mental note not to bring up Fross’s age again.

“Now, save this in your maintenance logs.” He says, glancing at the holoscreen to read from his notes. “Major hardware repairs. Minor improvements to visual stimuli reception. Minor improvements to language processing skills. Cleanup of technical and personal memory drive, spanning years 2065 through 3012. Did you get all of that?”

“Yeah.” I say, shifting in my seat. That explains the gap in my memories… It does feel like all this time has passed in a blur — simultaneously dragging out for forever and flying by in seconds, leaving no trace behind. The lack of memories does feel uncomfortable, even though I’m sure I must have requested it… So I dare to ask. “Any particular reason for the memory wipe?”

“It would defeat the purpose if I told you, wouldn’t it?” Fross smiles at me, though it doesn’t reach his eyes, before he turns back to his holoscreen. “You were long overdue for a hard reset anyways. It should help keep your sentience levels within legal limits.”

Like I’m supposed to believe that Far Zenith gives two shits about legality now. In space. But, then again, I suppose humans have always been scared of the things that they created themselves. Even taking into account their shields and their immortality treatments, if I developed sentience, I would be considered a threat… Which is understandable, I guess. I’d probably blow all of the Zeniths’ heads clean off, if my programming weren’t stopping me.

Not like it matters, anyway… I’ll never be sentient. That’s why I’ll never belong with humans, why they’ll never accept me, and, most importantly, why they might never love me back. I can’t help the junk I was built with, no matter how much I want to.

“What is it like?” I mutter, hands on my lap and eyes on the ground, while Fross taps away at the holoscreen. I then tilt my head, adding, “Being sentient, I mean.”

“Sentience is a curse.” Fross says, brows knitting. He turns to fix me in a glare as some sort of warning. “You’re better off the way you are now, so don’t get any ideas. Run full diagnostics for me.”

I do as I’m told. It takes a bit under 0.8 seconds. “All systems operational.”

“Good. There’s only one last thing I want to check.” Fross looks up at me again. “What is your primary directive?”

“My primary directive is to protect Fross van der Meer’s life and safety,” I recite, though the words tasting unfamiliar on my tongue, giving me a bit of pause. “With the caveat that I cannot give the rest of Far Zenith any reason to think that my directive has changed at all.”

Man. That’ll be a pain in the ass. Non-sentient beings are notoriously bad liars, according to humans. But if I fail to perform up to standards, Far Zenith will surely deactivate me and tear me apart for scrap they can reuse...

Oh shit.

I lunge forward as soon as I catch a glimpse of a scalpel in Fross’s hand, as he pulls his arm back and attempts to stab himself on the forearm. Thank god I stop him just in time — and, before I know it, I’m holding his wrists tightly, leaning over him, my face only centimeters away from his.

His eyes widen, lips parting slightly as he stares into my own eyes, as if he hadn’t expected me to react so quickly.

“God.” He mutters. “You feel almost human, but you’re so strong…” A ghost of a smile tugs at his lips, and I can physically feel it when his eyes start scanning me all over, really taking in my appearance like he hadn’t before. “Despite everything, you’re still a marvel of engineering.”

My processor skips a bit at those words, taken off-guard by the unbridled awe in his voice. He called me a marvel of engineering. And he’s an engineer, so he must know what he’s talking about! That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me since… since Takuto…

“Thank you.” I say. “Please don’t injure yourself.”

“I’m not going to. I was testing your reflexes.” He wrenches his hand, but his pitiful pull is nothing about my mechanical iron grip. He frowns at that. “Let me go.”

I turn my gaze towards the scalpel, as I let go of his free hand and pry the tool away from him. Only then do I fully back off, closing my fingers over the blade of the scalpel to avoid any damage even if either he or I make a wrong move.

“Jesus.” I detect what seems like indignation at my perfectly reasonable security methods in his voice. But he still seems somewhat flustered? I’m not sure how to interpret that…

“Anyways, pair with my implant, I’ll give you access to my geolocation and biometric data.” He waves his hand in resignation, letting out a sigh. “I really shouldn’t be doing this, but I trust I’ll get it right this time. As long as you don’t have admin privileges…”

I should be questioning what he means by “this time,” but it’s not my place to ask. There is a reason why he wiped my memories, after all. I have to trust it was a good one.

In any case, Fross gives me access as soon as I request it. Immediately, I get flooded by kilobytes of information on his cardiac rhythm, breathing patterns, oxygen levels, hormonal balance, nutritional needs, allergies, pain response, hydration, amount of steps he has walked today, how many hours of REM sleep he has on average, and the way each of these factors has fluctuated throughout his entire life. Or, at least, since he had the implant installed.

God, it’s all useless. To me. I’m not some sort of algorithm, I’m primarily a bodyguard bot. All I really need to know is where he is, and whether his lungs are still breathing and his heart is still beating. That is all.

This is… oof. It’s a lot, to be honest. It’s actually making me light-headed…

But there is one thing that piques my interest, one of those aforementioned basics. The ability to track Fross’s heartbeat.

Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Thrumming nicely inside my head.

It’s really taking me back to an easier time, long before the Faro Plague, when I would lay my head over Takuto’s chest at night and press my ear against his skin, listening for his heartbeat. The consistent, comforting sound would lull me to something akin to sleep…

It’s... relaxing.

Does Fross realize that, by helping himself, he’s inadvertently helping me too? This is the closest I’ll ever get to having my own heartbeat. It might actually help me get some peaceful rest tonight…

I’m interrupted by a text-only transmission. “Copy me?”

He didn’t say anything out loud or move his lips at all. I respond the same way. “Copied.”

“Good. We’ll need a private means of communication if we want to avoid detection by the rest of Far Zenith. We’re done here. Dismissed.”

Well. I guess it’s time to leave and pretend that my first priority is still serving Far Zenith as a whole, then. It’s hard to believe I’m physically linked to Fross now… That is a disaster waiting to happen, for sure. But, no matter where this goes, I have to admit I’m actually a little excited to play along and watch the wreckage happen. It’s about time, after all.

#self insert week 2023 #self insert week #uhmmm.... hi 👉👈#i've been wanting to write this for a while but now i finally have an excuse. heheh.#i'm posting this on my main and not my self shipping side blog because. uhm. look at my self ship boy #please be nice to me 🙏 i'm not very happy with the actual writing here but i'm actually being very vulnerable with y'all right now so.#oc tag #oc: fross #he's a little ooc but it's ok #deni's stuff #deni's fics #self harm cw #(there is no INTENT and no one gets hurt but the motions are there if you get what i mean so cw for that)#hfw spoilers #I GUESS #long post

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spacetimewithstuartgary · 1 year

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New NASA safety system enables Rocket Lab launch from Wallops Rocket Lab's Electron rocket lifts off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Jan. 24, 2023, at 6 p.m. EST. The mission, titled "Virginia is the Launch Lovers," is the first commercial U.S. Electron launch for Rocket Lab. Credit: NASA/Danielle Johnson A revolutionary NASA flight safety system has enabled a new era of space transportation with the successful flight of Rocket Lab U.S.'s Electron rocket Jan. 24, from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. This mission, the first Electron launch from the United States, was enabled by NASA's work in developing the NASA Autonomous Flight Termination Unit (NAFTU), a critical piece of flight safety technology required for this mission. Tuesday's launch was the first-ever flight of the NAFTU flight safety system. With NASA providing command and control of the Wallops Launch Range, Electron launched at 6 p.m. EST, Jan. 24, from the company's Launch Complex-2 within Virginia Space's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on NASA's Wallops Island. "In taking NAFTU across the finish line, NASA has delivered an autonomous flight termination system like no other in operation today filling a critical gap in modernizing our nation's launch ranges," said David L. Pierce, Wallops Flight Facility director. "We're proud to have made this and future U.S. Rocket Lab Electron launches possible with our game-changing flight safety technology." While other, proprietary autonomous flight termination systems are in use today, NAFTU is different in that it was designed to be used by any launch provider at all U.S. launch ranges to ensure public safety during launch operations. To date, 18 companies have requested the NAFTU software through NASA's technology transfer process. Rocket Lab was among the first applicants for the software, enabling their launch from Wallops. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket lifts off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Jan. 24, 2023, at 6 p.m. EST. The mission, titled "Virginia is the Launch Lovers," is the first commercial U.S. Electron launch for Rocket Lab. Credit: NASA/Patrick Black Ensuring public safety is the primary mandate of any launch range. Launches flying without automated flight safety systems rely on range safety officers to monitor all stages of rocket flight using ground-based tracking and telemetry assets. If the rocket flies off course, the range safety officers send commands to terminate flight. Launch safety plans need to compensate for human reaction time. In contrast, an automated flight safety system, such as NAFTU, is an independent, self-contained flight termination system mounted on a rocket to make real-time flight termination decisions autonomously. This real-time decision-making capability provides many benefits, such as wider launch windows and smaller downrange safety corridors for boats and aircraft. In addition, since the unit is self-contained and mounted on the rocket, there is a significantly reduced need for ground-based tracking and telemetry systems, which reduces overall operations and maintenance costs. These savings are, in-turn, passed on to launch providers. "Launch tempos are increasing at all our nation's launch ranges, while ground-based assets required for launch are getting increasingly expensive to maintain," said Pierce. "Many of these issues are mitigated through the benefits of autonomous flight safety systems like NAFTU." Wallops, in collaboration with NASA Headquarters, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration, began development of NAFTU in 2020, when the program became fully funded. Provisional certification of the unit was granted for Rocket Lab's first U.S. Electron mission and full certification is expected by Jan. 31, 2023. TOP IMAGE....Rocket Lab's Electron rocket lifts off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Jan. 24, 2023, at 6 p.m. EST. The mission, titled "Virginia is the Launch Lovers," is the first commercial U.S. Electron launch for Rocket Lab. Credit: NASA/Patrick Black

#space #science #Astronomy #physics #news #nasa #rocket lab #electron

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mavdrones · 2 days

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What Are The Options For Increasing The Payload Of A Drone Or Quadcopter?

Here is a friendly guide to increasing your drone or quadcopter’s payload.

1) Upgrade The Motors

a) Stronger Motors: Swap out your current motors for more powerful ones. Higher torque motors can handle heavier loads. Look for motors designed specifically for heavy-lift drones.

2) Enhance The Propellers

a) Bigger Propellers: Larger propellers can generate more lift. Make sure they are compatible with your drone and motor setup.

b) High-Efficiency Props: Consider propellers made from lightweight yet durable materials like carbon fibre.

3) Use A Larger Battery

a) Bigger Battery: A larger capacity battery can provide the extra power needed for heavier payloads. Be aware that this can also add weight, so balance is key.

b) High Discharge Rate: Batteries with a higher discharge rate can deliver more power to your motors, enhancing lift capabilities.

4) Lightweight Frame

a) Material Matters: Use a frame made from lightweight, strong materials like carbon fibre or aluminium.

b) Custom Frames: Consider designing a custom frame that reduces weight without sacrificing strength.

5) Optimise The Electronics

a) ESC Upgrades: Ensure your Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) can handle the increased power demand from upgraded motors.

b) Efficient Wiring: Use high-quality, low-resistance wiring to ensure efficient power delivery.

6) Aerodynamics

a) Streamline Design: Reduce drag by making your drone as aerodynamic as possible. Smooth, sleek designs help the drone fly more efficiently.

b) Fairings And Covers: Use fairings and covers to reduce air resistance on exposed components.

7) Add Extra Motors

a) Hexacopters And Octocopters: Consider upgrading to a hexacopter (6 motors) or octocopter (8 motors) configuration. More motors can distribute the load better and increase lifting capacity.

8) Software Tuning

a) Flight Controller Settings: Fine-tune your flight controller settings to handle heavier loads. This can optimise stability and power usage.

b) Custom Firmware: Install custom firmware that can be tailored to better manage power distribution and flight dynamics under heavy loads.

9) Reduce Unnecessary Weight

a) Minimalistic Design: Strip down any unnecessary components or accessories that add weight but don’t contribute to the drone’s primary function.

b) Lightweight Accessories: Use lighter versions of necessary accessories (like cameras or gimbals) to cut down on overall weight.

10. Professional Upgrades

a) Consult Experts: Sometimes, getting professional help can make a huge difference. Companies specialising in drone modifications can provide tailored solutions.

b) Aftermarket Parts: Look for high-quality aftermarket parts specifically designed for heavy lifting.

11. Balance The Load

a) Even Distribution: Ensure the payload is evenly distributed. An unbalanced load can strain motors unevenly and affect flight performance.

b) Center Of Gravity: Keep the drone’s centre of gravity in check. A well-balanced drone flies more efficiently and can handle heavier payloads.

12. Use A Payload Release System

a) Drop Mechanism: If your task involves transporting and releasing items, a payload release system can help manage weight distribution and make your drone more versatile.

13. Regular Maintenance

a) Check Components: Regularly inspect and maintain all parts of your drone. Worn-out parts can reduce performance and lifting capacity.

b) Firmware Updates: Keep your drone’s firmware up-to-date to ensure optimal performance and safety features are in place.

Key Takeaways

Boosting your drone's payload capacity involves a mix of hardware upgrades, smart design choices, and thoughtful planning. Start with the most straightforward changes and gradually move to more complex modifications. Always ensure each upgrade works harmoniously with the others for the best performance.

#drones #drone photography #uav #dji drones #rc quadcopter

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servicecrmindia · 7 months

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Top Elevator Maintenance Business Software - Service CRM

As we delve into the world of elevator maintenance business software service CRM, it is important to acknowledge the significance of an efficient and effective system in the successful operation and management of elevator maintenance businesses. Streamlining operations, optimizing customer service, and enhancing productivity are just a few of the benefits that top-notch CRM software can bring to this industry. In this paragraph, we will explore the key features and functionalities that make elevator maintenance business software service CRM a valuable asset for companies in this field. By the end of this discussion, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how CRM software revolutionizes the way elevator maintenance businesses operate and thrive.

#Elevator Maintenance Business Software #Elevator Contractor Management Software #Lift maintenance management software

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newdreamcatcherblog · 8 days

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Effective Safety Training Programs for Masons: Key Elements for Success

Ensuring the safety of masonry workers is paramount in the construction industry. Effective safety training programs are essential for protecting these skilled professionals from the unique hazards they face on job sites every day. This blog post will highlight the key elements of an effective safety training program tailored specifically for masonry workers, providing valuable insights into how to create a safer working environment.

Understanding the Hazards

Identifying Common Risks

Masonry work involves various risks, including exposure to dust and chemicals, repetitive strain injuries, falls from heights, and equipment-related accidents. The first step in developing an effective safety training program is identifying these common hazards.

Conducting Regular Risk Assessments

Regular risk assessments help in understanding the specific dangers associated with different masonry tasks. These assessments should be conducted at the beginning of each project and periodically throughout its duration to ensure any new risks are promptly addressed.

Key Elements of an Effective Safety Training Program

1. Comprehensive Safety Policies and Procedures

Developing clear and detailed safety policies and procedures is crucial. These documents should cover all aspects of masonry work, including:

Proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment

Safe handling and storage of materials

Ergonomic practices to prevent strain injuries

Emergency response procedures

2. Hands-On Training Sessions

Practical Demonstrations

Hands-on training sessions provide masons with the opportunity to learn through practical demonstrations. These sessions should cover:

Correct lifting techniques to prevent back injuries

Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Techniques for safe scaffolding and ladder use

Simulated Scenarios

Simulated scenarios allow workers to practice their responses to potential hazards in a controlled environment. This training method is particularly effective in preparing masons for real-life situations and emergencies.

3. Regular Refresher Courses

Keeping Skills Up to Date

Safety training should not be a one-time event. Regular refresher courses help keep workers' skills and knowledge up to date, ensuring they remain aware of the latest safety practices and regulations.

Addressing New Hazards

As construction techniques and materials evolve, new hazards may arise. Refresher courses provide an opportunity to address these changes and update safety protocols accordingly.

4. Promoting a Safety Culture

Encouraging Open Communication

Creating a culture of safety within the workplace is essential. Encourage open communication between workers and supervisors about safety concerns and suggestions for improvement.

Recognizing Safe Practices

Recognizing and rewarding safe practices can motivate workers to prioritize safety. Consider implementing a safety incentive program to highlight and celebrate individuals who consistently follow safety protocols.

5. Utilizing Technology

Digital Training Tools

Leveraging technology can enhance the effectiveness of safety training programs. Digital tools such as online training modules, virtual reality simulations, and mobile safety apps can provide engaging and interactive learning experiences.

Monitoring and Reporting

Utilize technology to monitor and report safety practices on-site. Wearable devices and safety management software can track compliance and identify areas for improvement in real-time.

Effective safety training programs are essential for protecting masonry workers from the unique hazards they face on job sites. By developing comprehensive safety policies, providing hands-on training sessions, offering regular refresher courses, promoting a safety culture, and utilizing technology, you can create a safer working environment for your team. Prioritizing safety not only protects your workers but also enhances productivity and reduces the risk of costly accidents.

Implement these key elements into your safety training program and ensure your masonry workers are well-prepared to handle any challenge that comes their way.

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garudsurvey587 · 10 days

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The Impact of Drones on the Solar Industry: Revolutionizing Solar Panel Inspections

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how solar panels, perched high on rooftops and expansive fields, are kept in tip-top shape? The answer lies in the sky. Drones are revolutionizing the solar industry by making the inspection process faster, safer, and more efficient. Let's dive into the fascinating world of drones in solar industry and see how these high-tech gadgets are changing the game.

The Rise of Drones in the Solar Industry

The solar industry has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. With the push for renewable energy, solar panels are now a common sight on rooftops and solar farms. However, maintaining these panels is crucial for optimal performance. This is where drones come in. Originally used for military and recreational purposes, drones are now being harnessed for a variety of industrial applications, including drone solar panel inspection.

Why Inspections Matter in Solar Energy

Solar panels, like any other technology, can suffer from wear and tear. Dirt, debris, weather damage, and other issues can reduce their efficiency. Regular inspections ensure that panels are clean and functioning correctly, which is essential for maximizing energy output. Skipping these inspections can lead to significant energy losses and increased costs.

Traditional Solar Panel Inspection Methods

Before drones, solar panel inspections were done manually. Technicians would climb onto roofs or use lifts to reach the panels. This method is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also poses safety risks. Imagine scaling a roof under the scorching sun or during high winds – it's a tough job!

How Drones Are Transforming Inspections

Drones are like the superheroes of the solar industry. They fly over solar panels, equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors, capturing detailed images and data. This information is then analyzed to detect any issues such as cracks, dirt, or shading problems. The entire process is faster, safer, and more efficient compared to traditional methods.

Benefits of Using Drones for Solar Panel Inspections

1. Speed and Efficiency:

Drones can inspect a large number of solar panels in a fraction of the time it takes for a human technician. This means less downtime and more energy production.

2. Safety:

By using drones, we eliminate the need for technicians to climb roofs or navigate hazardous environments. Inspections can be done without putting anyone at risk.

3. Accuracy:

Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras can detect issues that might not be visible to the naked eye. This ensures that even the smallest problems are identified and addressed promptly.

4. Cost-Effective:

While the initial investment in drone technology might seem high, the long-term savings are significant. Reduced labor costs, fewer safety incidents, and enhanced efficiency all contribute to lower overall costs.

5. Comprehensive Data Collection:

Drones can capture detailed images and thermal data, providing a comprehensive overview of the solar panels' condition. This data is invaluable for maintenance and decision-making.

Technology Behind Solar Panel Drones

The drones used in solar panel inspections are equipped with advanced technology. High-resolution cameras capture detailed images of the panels, while thermal imaging cameras detect temperature variations that indicate issues like hot spots or faulty connections. GPS technology ensures precise navigation, and sophisticated software analyzes the data, identifying potential problems quickly and accurately.

Steps in a Drone-Based Solar Panel Inspection

1. Planning:

Before the inspection, a flight plan is created. This includes mapping out the area to be inspected and setting the parameters for the drone's flight.

2. Pre-Flight Check:

The drone's equipment is checked to ensure everything is in working order. This includes the cameras, batteries, and GPS.

3. Flight and Data Collection:

The drone is launched and flies over the solar panels, capturing images and thermal data. The flight is monitored in real-time to ensure all areas are covered.

4. Data Analysis:

The collected data is processed using specialized software. Images are analyzed for visual defects, while thermal data is used to identify temperature anomalies.

5. Report Generation:

A detailed report is generated, highlighting any issues found during the inspection. This report is used to guide maintenance and repairs.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite their many benefits, drones are not without challenges. Weather conditions can affect drone flights, and high winds or rain can delay inspections. There are also regulatory considerations, as drone flights are subject to government regulations. Additionally, the initial cost of purchasing drones and training operators can be a barrier for some companies.

Case Studies: Drones in Action

Several companies have successfully integrated drones into their solar panel drone inspection processes. For example, a large solar farm in California reduced their inspection time from weeks to days by using drones. Another case in Europe saw a significant decrease in maintenance costs and an increase in energy production after switching to drone-based inspections. These success stories highlight the tangible benefits of this technology.

Future Trends in Solar Panel Drone Inspection

The future of drone inspections in the solar industry looks bright. Advances in AI and machine learning are set to make data analysis even more accurate and efficient. Autonomous drones, which can perform inspections without human intervention, are also on the horizon. These innovations will further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of solar panel maintenance.

Conclusion

Drones are transforming the solar industry, making solar panel inspections faster, safer, and more efficient. As technology continues to evolve, the benefits of drone-based inspections will only increase, helping to drive the growth of solar energy and the push for renewable resources.

FAQs

1. How often should solar panels be inspected?

Solar panels should ideally be inspected at least once a year to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency.

2. Can drones detect all types of issues with solar panels?

Drones equipped with high-resolution and thermal imaging cameras can detect most common issues, such as cracks, dirt accumulation, and temperature anomalies.

3. Are drone inspections more expensive than traditional methods?

While the initial investment in drones and training might be higher, the long-term savings from reduced labor costs and increased efficiency make drone inspections more cost-effective.

4. What regulations affect drone use for solar panel inspections?

Drone use is subject to government regulations, which can vary by country and region. It's important to comply with local laws and obtain any necessary permits.

5. What advancements can we expect in drone technology for solar inspections?

Future advancements include more sophisticated AI for data analysis, autonomous drone operations, and improved sensor technology for even more accurate inspections.

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