medic2

It's not like I'm saying you're annoying, even though having someone constantly up in your grill is, uh, kinda annoying, but that's 'cause you, like, care about me, right? I do get that, yeah.

In that case, Operator Aciddrop, what bother do you mean...?

If I have to put it some way, man, I feel like a total mess... like I kinda, uh, miss home? It's not like I MISS that whole place, but... ugh, it's a mess, yeah? It's just a freaking mess!

I admit it! It's not even cool, is it? I know it's not cool! Say whatever you want, I don't care!

C'mon, why aren't you saying anything?

Every time you're like 'do not' this, 'do not' that, you make me think of someone... dunno how the hell that old geezer's doing now.

Doctor, do I sound very old?

I only have two years of factual age, and per certain young operators' feedback, Closure selected a voice for me that should sound proximal to their ages. Does it not?

Haha, I'm not saying you're old.

It's just how you say things sometimes.

The old man used to really like harping on at me. Man, don't go skating there, it's dangerous. Don't be running around the block too late. Don't get too close to this or that...

...Made me feel like my ears were gonna start shedding.

Ah, I more or less see the picture now.

Operator Aciddrop, you feel that I'm constantly nagging.

Ohh... It really isn't a charming mannerism at all... but whenever I see you utilizing your skateboard in the corridors, I just can't help but analyze the possibility of injury.

And within a period where your condition has not been better stabilized, excessive exercise can lead to the elevation of certain risk indicators...

I dig, I dig. You're looking out for us, yeah.

Honestly, it's kind of a weird feeling. Thinking about it now, like, back then it'd tick me off, and now I don't even get to hear it.

Operator Aciddrop, are you reminiscing about the past?

Reminiscing, huh... Kinda tough to say I am, I guess. It ends up kinda lame, y'know, always thinking about the past and whatever.

Hey. Rhodes Island's a pretty solid place. It's got radical robots like you, too. Haha.

*Sigh*.

I'm sorry.

Um, are you apologizing to me, Operator Aciddrop?

I'll try to stop skating in some places. That's what you want, right?

I was just kinda talking crap yesterday, and E... uh, said there was something real fun I could try playing with.

At first I didn't actually think it'd work, and then when I heard you telling me in your normal voice to go to bed too late, it felt... a little awkward, deep down. Super awkward.

It was pretty wack. I mean, freedom is freedom... but I didn't feel any more relaxed. Actually just felt even more messed up.

Basically, I was wrong to do this.

And now you've busted me. What's my sentence? Do I get detention?

Oh, Rhodes Island has no custom of arbitrary detention. Besides, this isn't that big of a problem, is it?

Operator Aciddrop, in your hometown, convenient modification of otherwise inconvenient machines was quite a common sight, wasn't it?

I've seen it in your files. Both your hand crossbow and your skateboard have been through a certain degree of modification.

No, that's twisted.

You're not that kinda machine.

Hm?

As in, you're more than an ordinary machine.;I'm guessing she sees Lancet-2 as a friend?

Then that's all the less to worry about. As I view it, it's only a tiny, harmless prank.

Does it count as a prank?

A practical joke between friends conducted with mutual understanding. In my judgment, this meets the definition of a prank. Of course, robots cannot actually understand any sort of comedy.

Doctor, what do you think?

Haha.

As you see, even the Doctor laughed. This proves that it truly is a prank, correct?

As it is a prank, I believe Dr. Kal'tsit and Amiya won't need to know about this. As of now, I have already resumed normal operation, and the Engineering Department will not save any files or data on an issue as minor as this.

Huh. Thanks.

You really are a—super-rad—friend.

'Kay. See ya 'round.

Er, please don't utilize your skateboard in the corridors—

Doctor, I have a question.

Do you also believe me to be a nag?

Not at all. You're right to say what you do.;Just the tiniest little bit.

Whenever you particularly want to drink coffee, I always advise against your continued consumption of it. Hearing it constantly does tend to be a bother, doesn't it?

Compared to one that always says 'do not,' I'm sure you'd much prefer a robot at your side that automatically serves you coffee when you want it—that would be far more obedient of a machine.

In that case, I ought to seek out Closure to decrease the frequency at which I say 'do not,' shouldn't I?

But that would be mutually incompatible with my intended purpose.

I am a medical robot. My purpose lies in ensuring the robust health of everyone at Rhodes Island.

And what I speak, you don't always listen to. It goes for Closure, too. She's just like you, Doctor. Constant overtime work, and an unhealthy diet.

If my nagging was undesirable, I wouldn't have been designed with this function, would I?

Ohhh... I don't understand... There's a contradiction in logic here.

It's not a contradiction.;......;It's because that's who you are, Lancet-2.

Is it not contradictory? This is just me? My nagging self?

If any of you don't like it, you can always change these behavioral habits of mine.

I don't want you to change.;Closure doesn't want you to change.;Not even Aciddrop wants you to change.

Alright. Maybe I don't understand your meaning at all, Doctor. But it's likely you're comforting me, so thank you.

Hi, Doctor. Nice to see you again.

Good morning, Lancet-2.

Good morning.

I see you rested at the appropriate time last night, and that is truly wonderful.

Doctor, are you here to observe Operator Aciddrop's training too? This is the first time she's taken part in morning drills. Oh, and Operators Ethan and Vigna are also training alongside her.

Not that I know why, but I feel today's instructors are especially strict. The rate at which I consume disinfectant fluid has risen dramatically.

Huff... pff...

You all monsters or something?! How the hell do you see me here?!

Rhodes Island training is this tough, huh...

Even I'm...

I'm serious, did either of you do something wild and get caught?!

So full of energy.

It seems as if their excess activity actually works to their benefit... Perhaps I really am able to lower my frequency of 'do not' now.

Lancet-2, something's on your back.

Um... um?!

It's bright green, a very pretty color. Um, I think it's graffiti.

Graffiti, is it...? How fortunate it's not anything else. I do worry about having issues crop up again.

Come to mention it, I wonder what this means... let's scan and see.

Hm? It's Columbian slang? My language library has no phrases that match it.

You might call them words of praise.;......;A prank between friends, you could say.

Are they really kind words? I'm not too certain...

But in any case, they're quite pretty, aren't they? And Miss Melantha said so too.

So, for the time being, I'll accept them.