Distant Challenges: Shirra and Zent's New Life (eBook)

Chapter 1
Leaving the Starship

So much time has passed since Hop-R made his way to the eastern village. This village is actually comprised of flea markets frequented by alien-leisures, and the name ‘Spongelux’ is used because of the way it sucks credits out of its customers. Most of the items there start out fairly inexpensive, but once five or more customers gain interest in one item, the proprietor of the stand begins auctioning it off to the highest bidder. Pretty much a rip-off, considering some of the items like Binoc-sunglasses generally sell for much less.

What makes Binoc-Sunglasses so special is that they also serve as binoculars and are especially useful if you ever venture to the planet Solarion. A planet that sits just inside the goldilocks-zone of its sun and is popular with space fairing aliens. It remains summer year round, and boasts a huge beach resort that party’s non-stop. Perfect for using the sunglasses to secretly check out the alien babes and buds as they walk along the sparkling blue shores of the coral colored beaches.

Having found a position at one of the stands, building mini-robots and drones at lightning speed, Hop-R’s next challenge was to locate a decent robot hostel. The one he settled in at was nice and cozy for him, except maybe for the occasional robot thieves stealing body parts off of him while he recharged. Some parts are easily replaced; where as others are a definite pain. Especially when you go to sit down and find your metal ass missing.

Now after only six months of enjoying his hidden freedom at Spongelux, enforcers have located Hop-R. Without an updated security code to verify he’s an approved independent-robot, Hop-R has been taken into custody.

Over the course of a month, the robot has sent mega-loads of emails to Aries’ onboard-collector. This has resulted in an over burdened mailbox, which has sent an alert message to her father Mosha. Now as Hop-R sits in his four-by-four, by-eight foot cage collecting dust, Mosha makes his way to the interrogation room to meet up with the robot.

Having lost a full charge, the enforcer plugs an energy source into Hop-R and the robot’s eyes begin to pulse dimly, while his motors slowly warm up. By the time the tech returns, Hop-R has adjusted his lubricants and is currently doing handstand push-ups. The man unlocks the robot’s cage and escorts him to where Mosha is now waiting impatiently for his arrival.

***

After Hop-R takes his seat, Mosha gives him an intensive look. “Regards robot, I have limited time to connect to one, so Hop-R should relate his reasons for bombarding Aries onboard-collector with over a million requests for one’s audience. As well as one’s present classification.”

“Kind regards for making a timespan available for self, sir. Hop-R relays well wishes to Aries, and hopes one is connected to a positive, new beginning.”

“There is negative time available for discussing anything but the matter at hand, but one should comprehend that Aries no longer resides on this starship. Currently, Mosha is to evaluate Hop-R’s psychological condition and postulate whether one is of sound or corruptive software.” Mosha walks over to where Hop-R is sitting and hooks the robot up for diagnostics as the session begins.

Hop-R replies, “Self comprehends Mosha’s directions and will connect only to Univullerum facts.

Over a cycle ago, self was given false information regarding safe passage to a planet that multiple bots could traverse unrestrained. Having been located on this ship for five hundred cycles, plus one half cycle, minus sixty twilights, plus ninety time-segments, plus thirty incremental bits, thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three—.”

“Get on with it robot, before you find yourself stuck in a time-loop,” Mosha states, impatiently.

“Comprehend, sir. With those facts stated to Hop-R, self only wished to explore other realms before one’s parts disintegrated. Unfortunately, after many beginnings, information was relayed that self would be required to help apprehend a single human. Hop-R knows only too well the keeper’s thrice-rules, but Hop-R had already breached a portion of those. Once self escaped from the ship’s underground, Hop-R’s only choice was to find refuge at Spongelux.

“Mosha comprehends one’s need to explore outer planet’s perimeters, but is connected to confused thoughts as to why one did not return to the main ship after Hop-R concluded one’s venture was negative.”

“Hop-R calculated the odds of being reprogrammed at an extreme level, sir.” The robot puts his hands up to his head and begins shaking it. “Hop-R lost out, sir, but not wanting to lose programming, Hop-R began sending messages to Aries for help. Unfortunately, self must have over extended one’s message-collector.”

“Indeed,” Mosha exclaims.

Disconnecting the wires from Hop-R’s neural net, Mosha continues to scroll down the screen looking for any inconsistent data or lies. A moment later he tells the robot to remain seated, then knocks on the door to be let out.

Having thoroughly examined Hop-R’s information, Mosha contacts the council to discuss his recommendations for the robot. The meeting lasts for an hour, and in the end, it’s agreed that Hop-R can remain in the custody of Mosha until a decision for his reprogramming or relocation can be reached.

Returning to the room, Mosha shows his data screen of approval to the enforcer. The man reads over it, then unlocks the door. Mosha quietly tells Hop-R to come with him. The robot is completely overwhelmed as they take an elevator up to Mosha’s quarters. When they arrive, Hop-R is shown to his temporary room and walks over to the virtual window to stare out at the eco system. Tapping the screen menu, Spongelux comes up and Hop-R emits a sympathetic cooing sound as his robot friend, Porthole and others from the village come into view.

***

Shirra and Zent’s approval…

After months of wrangling with the council, Shirra and Zent have finally been given permission to relocate to the planet Fronatilla.

As Zent finishes packing up his things, his wrist-com goes off. “Greetings, Zent.” Mosha states.

“And to one in multiples, sir. How does one relate on this busy twilight?”

“Well enough.” Mosha says, adding, “Unfortunately, I have had the misfortune of becoming guardian to a team of Univullerum robots, and requests one’s assistance in this matter.

“How, so?” Zent asks.

Mosha explains that one of the ship’s robots known as Hop-R has just been apprehended and will need to be reprogrammed if he wishes to remain onboard. “The act of wiping out a robot’s memories after one has reached a supreme level of enlightenment, is an event Mosha does not wish to connect with. Presently, the robots that were involved in the same infraction were destined to be recycled. However, after Council’s assurance negative programming has been erased from their motherboards, it’s been determined multiples could be useful on the planet Zent will be heading to. Therefore, Mosha is requesting permission to transfer self’s guardianship of these machines over to one’s care.”

Zent is taken aback by Mosha’s request, but knows he wouldn’t ask him to do this task unless it was absolutely necessary. “Is Mosha requesting me to maintain constant guardianship over the robot team?”

“False. Self will contact Fronatilla’ security to arrange for another upgrade so these robots can do specific planet duties, with the exception of Hop-R.

Once you arrive on the planet, Hop-R will ensure the three rules of inorganic beings remain intact. But in conjunction to this, self is requesting Zent to maintain contact with Mosha to place robots in a secured environment. Then maintain an overview of these unfortunate, enlightened misfits for a short span of time.”

“Self does not relate to any negatives, sir, but relays the need to contact Shirra regarding this request.”

“Mosha comprehends.” And the communication ends.

***

Hop-R watches his screen as the Leisures continue to mill around his old stand. Porthole buzzes by, and the robot watches as his friend begins unloading more boxes of collectables that were acquired from various dealers.

Hop-R remembers doing this same task, day after day, before he gained more prominence by putting together his first drone. After that, other robots, including Porthole had taken over that duty.

Minutes later, Hop-R turns and makes his way over to where Mosha is now enjoying his twilight meal. The robot excuses himself, then inquires where he’ll be taken next. Mosha sets his fork down, stands, and takes his plate over to his dish cleanser. When he returns, he motions for Hop-R to follow him into his office.

Sitting down at his desk, Mosha pulls up a picture of Fronatilla on his screen and asks Hop-R if he is aware of the planet.

Hop-R tilts his head and stares at the monitor for a few seconds. “Self is not aware of this planet, nor of its relevance.”

“This, Hop-R, is going to be your new home.”

Hop-R continues to stare at the planet, but begins to let out a low cooing sound without being aware of it. “Self relates as confused by one’s acknowledgement.”

“Mosha was left with no choice but to transfer Hop-R to this planet, or watch you be reprogrammed against one’s own will. Zent Trace, who is relocating there with his friend Shirra O’Neal, will be escorting Hop-R and the other robots onto this planet. After which time, Hop-R will be...