Abnormal arrivals noted. Greetings. Please identify.

[Metal's communicator has a life of its own; the small device activates itself, its camera turned toward the robotic hedgehog. Metal doesn't notice it, however. He seems distracted by the strange mass of metal he's working on. It looks oddly like a snail, save for the lone wheel holding it up. Unpainted, it looks like a crude model. Still, Metal takes painstaking care with it, finally popping it open, revealing a small compartment. He then reaches for a Keese on the counter, untying the wire that held it to the surface. With care, he then sets the Keese inside the compartment, closes it, and watches in satisfaction as the robot lights up and begins to move around simply.]

...

[It's quite simple minded, crashing into walls, but Metal appears to be very proud of his accomplishment, walking over to pick up the robot, shut it down, and then set free the Keese he had captured not long ago.]

>>Electromagnetic discharge detected. Noted.

>Discharge note: non-threatening level. Basic discharge recognized: "Punishment" for lack of communication over network.

>>Anomalous behavior status: ended. Note: Unit will offer assistance to those in need.

Request: General

>>Subject: Expansion of Secondary Skills

>Unit wishes to learn language, dubbed "Japanese". Unit's research notes "Japanese" as commonly spoken language in location: "Discedo".

>>Searching Network Database...|

>Indexing Residential Frequencies. Frequency not found. Status: Subject out of range.

>>Scans return negative.

>>>Subject "Gate", Classification "Father" not present in location: "Discedo".

>>Subject "Father" gone.

[The video feed starts up, showing Metal in Lucca's workshop. The robot is holding lengths of rebar. He begins twisting and bending the metal, turning it into a large stick person. Satisfied, the robot sets it aside, where two other rebar-figures are standing. Looking around, he notices his device has come on, and peers into the camera before "speaking".]

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Unit wishes to visit unit's friend Kadaj.

Unit assumed permission would be required, considering Kadaj's ... circumstances.

May unit please visit unit's friend?

( not cut ICly )

T E X T

Unit requests current date. If possible, requesting information regarding amount of time spent in power-save.

Subject "Lucca Ashtear". Please respond.

Subject "Gate". Please respond.

Subject "Jenny". Please respond.

Subject "Dynamo". Please respond.

Subject "Moa". Please respond.

Unit requests updates regarding subject status and well being.

>>Unit warning. Drastic situational parameter changes noted.

>Erratic behavior noted re.: city populace.

-=Security Precautions Will Be Enabled=-

Lucca, keep time out of lab & contact with others to minimum.

Moa/Lyra/Gate/Jenny: Establish isolationist protocols. Temporary measures.

Gate: Organic behavior is erratic, suggesting neural breakdown. Similarities noted between subject: "Maverick Virus" and current behavior.

Jenny: Current circumstances unknown. Effect on inorganic life unknown. If proper lodgings are yet to be found, please assist unit in establishing perimeter at high school.

[The video feed cuts on, but it seems Metal isn't near the device. It's just Lucca's mini-Robo messing with the thing. Instead, Metal is sitting against a brick wall, staring at a small white rat sitting on his legs. The diminutive critter seems to have a front leg in a tiny, yet meticulous, splint. Reaching into a bag, Metal pulls out a small chunk of food, unidentifiable from the distance he is. From the grubby looks of his clawtips, however, he's been doing this for a while now.

He turns to mini-Robo and sees the device, and merely reacts by gesturing for the small robot to bring him the device. The small robot complies, bringing the rat and Metal closer into the picture, before Metal picks up the device, and the video is cut off.]

Unit has a ... friend present. Friend is injured.

Unit requests information re: doctors and healers.

Thank you.

Unit requires temporary shelter for two.

Unit has spoken to several 'friends'. Lyra Silvertongue stated that purpose is not given, but discovered. Gate states that unit is advanced and cognizant. However...

Is unit--

Am I...

Alive?

Lyra Silvertongue.

Unit requests permission to submit ... personal query.

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- - - T E X T - - -

Greetings, new arrivals.

Unit lacks ... purpose. Sentry duty unfulfilling.

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- - - - - -

Lucca. Unit detects movement on furthest edge of peripheral vision. Tracking reveals no signatures.

Unit may be experiencing undetectable errors.

Unit requests diagnostic support and maintenance.

Friends: Please take care re.: personal well-being. Organics cannot be repaired like unit can.