Johnny takes out his notepad and jots down a few notes about the strange robot. "It's definitely revealing some traitorous tendencies for a robot... imagine, not happily shaking hands when you are offered one."

He puts his notepad away again, and takes a seat beside Gene, putting the helmet over his head.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:05, Thu 04 Dec 2014.

Mark nods in agreement and also sits down and puts on a helmet.  "Can robots be traitorous?  If so, wouldn't that mean the programmer is the traitor?"  He ponders this as he fits the helmet over his head and leans back in the chair.

The robot completely ignores Copper's request.  "I only answer to Indigo clearance citizens," it says instead.  "And to the Computer and EVE."

" EVE! Now there's a story! That's who I'd like to speak with, ...EVE!!" Cop says, " Can we schedule an appointment to meet with her please?"

The robot says, "If you check in and cross the R&D factory lines, EVE will determine whether to meet you on the far side."

Cop shakes his head and rolls his eyes with the flow of conversation. Talking with the receptionist was like talking to a wall. Maybe it wasn't as silent as a wall, but the responses seemed all designed to discourage forward progress up the command chain. He sighs and then looks over to the chairs, awaiting to know the results of Gene's 'check-in'. If Gene was finished - and still breathing - Cop would take the next open chair so he could check in.

Each of you "checks in" by getting into the chair and putting on the helmet (some later than others, once you see there does not appear to be any harm to it).

When each of you puts on the helmet, a warm pleasant feeling comes over you, and soothing soft music plays in the background.  The screens behind you light up with your name and date of latest decanting, showing that clearly EVE has access to The Computer's records outside this biodome complex.

Each of you also receives secure messages from your private accounts, even accounts you may not have known you have, and the content of some of them indicates that they are accounts not even The Computer is aware of.



After a minute, when you are ready and indicate you are ready, the screen turns to green writing, which says:

YOU ARE NOW CHECKED IN.  WELCOME TO E.V.E.'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WING, WHERE DAILY RHINOPLASTY IS YOUR ANTISEPTIC AND THE PLACE WHERE REAL BADASSES COME TO STAY...FOREVER.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 22:43, Fri 12 Dec 2014.

Gene disconnects and says, "Well, that was very interesting.  I suppose we can go in now."  He tries to straighten up and check for any mussed up hair or dirt anywhere before waiting for the team leader to take them to the next step.

"Ah well this is simply wonderful. Now that we are in the research wing I'm almost positive we can find just the right tools for this eve business and be back in time for the late meal cycle. won't that be nice. " Rob smiled an honest happy smile. What ever that machine had done had improved how happy he was by a large amount.

Rising from the chair, Cop smiles warmly to his team. " Well, let's go see if we can locate the source of all this traitorous restructuring of clones." he says. Pausing, he adds, " Anyone know anything about a golden pill?"

Mark looks at him and says, "What are you talking about?  Golden pill?  I'll bet you a credit that machine messed with your brain.  Well, as long as you're happy about it anyway.  And as long as you're not contagious or anything.  Anyway, why don't we go through the observation and control door to see what's there first?"

Cop cups his chin and considers Marks response. " Hmm... maybe." he says, " ...it seemed really important though. Anyone know Anything about a golden pill?"

Vilfred looks around the room as she removes her helmet, easing off the chair. "Well, that was surprisingly easy," she says. "I expected us all to die!" She laughs. "Thank you, sir robot," she says. "Now, Cop-R, maybe you tell us about this golden pill as we walk to the observation and control room across the hall?"

" That, ....that, ..machine." Cop stammers, " It kept flashing an image into my brain. Pushing and pushing as if it were really important." he tells the leader, " Not sure what it means, its just an after image burned into memory. Perhaps some kind of subconscious suggestion maybe." he further explains as he follows the team.

"It sounds like you are not very happy about that. I think you need some smiling exercises. Remember those are the two most important muscles in your body. In fact you can lead the entire team in smiling exercises. " Rob smiled and began to search around in his pockets for something.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:58, Sun 28 Dec 2014.

" Right you are! Nothing to concern ourself with here and now! Now time is Happy Time!" Cop says, a big salesman smile gracing his handsome face.

OOC: Thanks, everyone, for your patience.

You leave the check in room and go into the OBSERVATION AND CONTROL TOWER room.

As you enter the room, you see lights above.  They turn from red to green.  "Thank you for checking in," a computer voice gravels from above.  "Please maintain 5 feet of distance between any robotic assistants."

Sitting at controls is another android, this one with red eyes, tentacle like arms, and long, tendrous fingers.  It begins tapping away at computers and turns toward you.

Unlike some of the other robots and things in this area, it has no visible plant or organic parts.

"Welcome," it says.  "Are you ready to enter the Research and Development Laboratories?  If so, please go back in the hall and wait by the large hydraulic doors.  Thank you."  It turns back to its computers as if used to being obeyed.

"By the large hydraulic doors? Why don't you have any non-robotic parts?" Vilfred says as she counts the tentacles. She moves around the room, trying to get a view of the computer monitors.

Vilfred moves about the room, touching the occasional computer screen.  The robot tracks her with its head.  It says, "EVE has not yet found a use for me in mergermatics, but I still play a useful part in Project Merger by overseeing the opening and closing of the hydraulic doors, watching the monitors, and only letting in clones who have checked in."

He doesn't sound so confident of himself, like perhaps he has questioned why these tasks are important, and why they require a separate robot to perform them.

"You don't sound very happy about that friend robot. Normally I would simply prescribe medication to fix that but since you are a robot I feel we must try less traditional methods to improve your happiness index. Why don't we start with why you seem so upset " Rob said in a soft a soothing tone.

The robot twitches nervously.  "I am not upset. Robots are not upset.  Unhappiness results in unhappy Mergers.  Unhappy Mergers result in disappointing EVE.  Disappointing EVE results in summary destruction without hard drive backup."

"It's okay buddy," says Johnny to the robot, "I think you're doing a great job. Sounds like you could use a handshake." He extends his hand towards the robot, trying to keep the requires distance between himself and the machine, but still be close enough for the robot to reach out and shake his hand if it decides to accept the friendly gesture.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:13, Mon 12 Jan 2015.

Rob writes something into his pdc. "I see. Tell me more about how living in a constant state of fear has lowered your happiness index."

The robot shakes hands with Johnny.  "Thank you for your kindness.  Here is an extra credit for the Radiation Booth."  He hands Johnny an odd, square coin with a hole in the center.

To Rob, he says, "I am not in a constant state of fear and my happiness level has never been happy.  I am happy.  Oh, so happy.  Happy as a robot e'er could be."  His head jerks spasmotically toward a security camera nearby.

As he finishes that sentence, another public service message in a pleasant woman's voice comes over the intercom:

"Remember, if you find mold or vegetation growing on any part of your body, report to R&D biomerger labs immediately for analysis and deconstruction.  If you are in pre-Merger, please wait patiently for your chance to have your body altered, and EVE thanks you for your patience."

Cop is quick to record every word spoken and every answer given, continuing to compile evidence and accurate documentation of the Mission progress. He remains silent behind the camera, not wishing to ruin any audible data.