In all that queue-clearing, I didn't notice there's another exit here.
Charming.
There's a sign next to the robot.
"Buses run every 10 minutes". "10" is crossed out, and "30" is written below it. 30 is crossed out and 60 is written below it. 60 is crossed out and "daily" is written below it.
"Daily minutes"? That doesn't make sense.
If it makes you feel better, "daily" is crossed out and "SERVICE SUSPENDED" is written below it.
Let's talk to the bot.
What are you doing here?
For what?
My bus.
Err, pretty sure the bus isn't coming.
It will come.
Your bus is a burning wreck about two blocks from here.
It will come. I must go home. MetroMind will take me home. I am waiting.
Can't see any way of interacting with this bugger. Let's leave for die unterarbeiten.
Let's see what's over there.
A raised drawbridge and a huge crane.
Something's sitting on the top of the crane, looks like a robot.
I wonder if that keypad controls the bridge. Crispin, can you try typing something into it?
If by 'typing', you mean 'ramming my face', then yes, boss, I suppose I can.
so many keypads
oh well, let's try looking elsewhere
Sup, Primer.
Oooooh
Factor facilities decommissioned. Enter at own risk,
As we all know, a robot scout always enters the place marked as Verboten!
Or not?
It's some kind of broken-down robot.
Whatever it is, it looks dangerous.
For now, that thing's ignoring us. Best keep it that way.
E.T. go home?
Can't get past the robot, and there's nothing to do on the bridge.
Do you know anything about the locked bridge pass the cars?
What I know is a vault, locked tight with a key. Which only a fool would open for free.
Fine, what do you want?
Worse than a fool, a peddler he is. Who opens his locks for merely a fee
I repeat: What do you want?
Nothing more than to sit here and see if you poor interlopers are smarter than me.
Boss, can we use the plasma torch on him?
There's a dangerous looking robot just past here.
Yeah, aren't you worried he's gonna eat you or something?
I've seen him quite often, though he'll not see me. And so we are happy as neighbours can be.
Can you hide us from him?
If I could, I would not, but the choice is not mine. There's no room in his brain to be further Primed.
Goodbye.
Gotta get past that goddamn bridge : x
Maybe Crispy can scout?
Well then. Let us contemplate:
If Primer keeps referring to all this business as a puzzle, then something must be a-foot.
When asked about the 187th, Primer would reply "50 behind me" or something like that.
Perhaps a long shot, buuuuuuuut...
It sure as hell worked.
Are these... heads?
uh-oh
Wat
Did you hear something?
OSHI
I have a bad feeling about this, boss.
GG, we'll get dismembered and eaten by a bunch of robo-zombies, thanks for playing
or not?
Why hello there
Clarity
This is my home. Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment.
She affixes
the bow of shame one of the blown up robots' head on a pole.
That's... barbaric!
Civilisation is defined by law, and this is lawful. As enemies of the city, they forfeited their components. I have merely exercised my right of plunder.
That sounds familiar...
Whether it's legal or not, it's grotesque.
You have a strange way of saying "thank you".
Pff, I didn't need the help, I had my trusty plasma torch AND a crowbar
Thank you. I am Horatio Nullbuilt, v5.
And *I'm* Crispin Horatiobuilt, v1.
Welcome, Horatio. Crispin. What brings you to the Underworks?
What were those things?
They are "shells", robots who traded their processors and memory to MetroMind in exchange for energy and repairs. Now mindless, they still scavenge parts to trade with her.
But those were the last of them, right?
Hardly. MetroMind now has more efficient ways to accumulate processor power, but she left hundreds of shells in the Underworks.
Is there any way to save them?
That question is irrelevant. They lived profligate lives and, when they squandered their resources, chose to become thieves and destroyers. Punishment, not clemency, is what justice requires.
You said you were a law clerk? What does it mean?
My sister Charity and I were built to advise Arbiter Manbuilt, who administers Metropol's court. Charity sees everything through the lens of mercy. For me, the law is clear, a matter of 1s and 0s, unclouded by preference or sentiment.
Law without mercy, huh, how does that even work?
*Perfectly*. It's the opposite approach that fails. Mercy is malware. Once infected with it, justice becomes slow and unpredictable. In time, the system itself must be discarded. Only my vigilance protected Arbiter from this taint. But he has been without me for a long time.
Why are you taking their heads?
I am giving a fair warning.
To other shells?
No, they lack the capacity for fear. The heads are for a robot named Scraper Sturnweilerbuilt.
You really think a bunch of rusty boxes will scare *him* off?
No. I do not want to scare him. I want to warn him. When he ignores that warning, I can destroy him lawfully and without guilt.
Err, boss, I think she's kinda exciting my electrons...
I'd like to report a theft. My power core was stolen by a big robot...
Big claws, shoots lasers, TALKS LIKE THIS
He came aboard the crashed ship I was living in, attacked me and stole the core.
*Took* it.
Excuse me?!
Whether the taking was a theft is a legal determination. Please do not characterise the evidence.
It was *my* power core. He *shot* me and *stole* it.
I know the robot you describe. His name is Scraper Sturnweilerbuilt, and he is the servant of MetroMind Manbuilt, a member of the Council that governs this city. I have no fondness for MetroMind, but I must be impartial in considering your claim. Tell me, did Scraper say anything before he took your power core?
Before he *stole* my power core, he said something like, "plunder, enemy, forfeit".
I see.
What, are those words override commands to turn off law and order?
They are legal concepts, Horatio. If Scraper's characterisation is correct, then he did not 'steal' your power core - he took lawful possession of it.
lol
He shot me and stole it!
Calm down, boss
This occurred inside the city?
No, in the dunes.
I see. In a crashed airship?
inb4 ENEMY HORUS TERMINATE
Yes, I said that already.
I appreciate your report, Horatio Nullbuilt. You have presented a credible claim that Scraper Sturnweilerbuilt, no doubt acting at MetroMind's directions, "took" your power core. Beyond that, however, there is not even probable cause for arrest - let alone evidence to convict - Scraper. First, the Dunes are outside the ordinary jurisdiction of Metropolitan law. Second, a crashed airship in the Dunes is likely a relic of the war of the four cities. If so, your ship was forfeit enemy property, legally subject to plunder by the council. Scraper, acting as an agent of a council member, would be within his rights to seize it. Nevertheless, I would advise you to bring your case before Arbiter for further examination.
FFS
Did you say Arbiter *Man*built? As in, built by Man himself?
Yes.
Does man still walk here?! In Metropol?!
No.
But was man here in the past?
What I know is entirely hearsay. I was built after the Urbanians murdered them during the war.
Funny thing, 187th said it was Metropol that was bombarding Urbani's civilians. Which also makes me wonder just how many years exactly passed since that war...
Impossible!
That is what Arbiter told me, and it was told to him by MetroMind. Beyond that I cannot say. The public records regarding humans were deleted by Council's decree.
Told him by MetroMind who now talks about 'mythical man'?
Did Arbiter tell you anything else about Man?
Only that he missed their legal arguments. "Quite amusing, if often illogical".
Legal arguments?
Yes. To play a symbolic role in their justice system, humans argued cases before Arbiter.
Symbolic? Play a role? Man is the All-Builder, our lord and master!
It is *possible* that the *man* you worship is not the "humans" in my records. All I know is hearsay (
HERESY). I do not rush to judgement.
How can I see Arbiter?
Anyone can petition him. Cases are considered in the order they are brought to court. But...
What?
I met a scavenger who told me that the courthouse was sealed and that Arbiter was no longer hearing cases. But that cannot be true. The Metropolitan Constitution *requires* him to resolve all cases and controversies. He would not fail in that duty.
Sounds like he already has.
Nonsense. Not even Charity would persuade him to abandon his obligations. Still... I did not detect any falsehood, evasion or omission in the scavenger's statement. So perhaps the courthouse has been locked for some other reason. If so, it may be that Arbiter is trying to contact me, but cannot. Maybe... Maybe he is already calling me home? Horatio, I have a request of you. You are under no obligation to perform it, and I will be under no obligation to you even if you do. Do you understand?
I don't even know what you're asking me to do!
Talk to Arbiter. Ask him if I may return. Tell him... Tell him that I await his summons.
Whoa, hold on there, girl, we barely met and you already want me to talk to daddy?
That's it?! Believe me, we've had to do a lot worse than that. Like this one time we chased this crazy partial named Gamma...
Of course we'll help. But how do we even get into the courthouse?
This will get you inside.
Thanks.
*I* must thank you, Horatio.
Clarity, you saved our lives. Compared to that, running an errand is nothing.
The law obligated me to save you, Horatio. I would have done the same for MetroMind. But... I am glad it was you that I saved. I wish you justice
Why aren't you with Arbiter?
Arbiter sent me away. I don't know why. The evidence suggests he viewed my sister Charity's advice as superior.
What do you mean?
When MetroMind began taking over the Council, Charity and I disagreed as to how Arbiter should react. I informed Arbiter that the Constitution permitted him to dissolve the Council and govern by decree. Charity felt that this would inevitably lead to civil war and suffering. As ever, she preached moderation. We argued. Arbiter told me to leave. This was the only place I could go.
Why? There's an entire city up there.
Every building in Metropol is owned either by the Council or a private citizen. If I went to the Council, it would embarrasss Arbiter. If I went to a private citizen, my impartiality would be questioned when I return to the court one day. Here, I owe nothing to anyone.
But you have to fight off crazy robots all the time!
Actually, I enjoy that. It's a pleasant break from legal research and writing.
That's it? "Go visit Arbiter"? You're just going to let MetroMind attack and rob me?!
If MetroMind violated the law, it must be proven. Until it is proven, what the law does not forbid, it permits. And what the law permits, I must permit.
This is insane! MetroMind is a tyrant and a thief! You'd let her hide behind the law?
You think that the law protects MetroMind from you? The armour of the law does nothing but restrict her movement. Take it away, and she will only become more dangerous. But once it is taken from her, it is taken from everyone. You need law's armour, Horatio, far more than you need its sword. I despise MetroMind, but justice must be impartial, or it is meaningless.
Your justice is already meaningless. Good bye.
DAT BURN
Watch yourself, Horatio Nullbuilt. There are many dangers in this city.
Right, we are done with Clarity for the moment.
Here's her collection of 'skulls'. Horatio comments that one of them looks a bit like Oswald.
Long lost evil twin brother?
But disregard that, there is no time to be lost!
Clarity gave us a keycard. Let's put it into good use.
Ha-ha! Finally! Now we'll be able to kick Arbiter in the interface and demand JUSTICE!
Achievements unlocked.
Stay vigilant, rpgcodex.