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Chapter 10 Infiltration

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By the time Crisis got herself into the convoy, walking in line with dozens of other recently roboticized raptors right into the heart of the city, the sun was starting to break over the horizon. The light help illuminate the bombed out landscape from last night’s attack.

As she walks in unison with the other machines, an easy feet not requiring any special connection to Croc’s network. Crisis’ relay activated only a few minutes after meeting with the raptor patrol that put her into the convoy. Crisis’ eyes subtly wander around taking in bits and pieces of the city, happily once named Veloci, the major center and economic trade hub of Dromaeosa.

Crisis watches as the city is alive with activity, much of it is by organic workers of several species but mostly raptors, all dressed in Croc’s green and red uniforms. They are quickly putting the city’s captured equipment and some more advanced equipment from Croc’s forces to good use, repairing the damaged buildings and repaving any bombed out roads so they’ll have shiny new sparkling blacktop once again. At this pace within a few days the damaged done to the city will be completely repaired.

Using the outdated maps in her data banks, Crisis can tell that the convoy she was placed in is heading towards what used to be the major gambling district of the city, and to her surprise it still is. The flashy lights of the casinos still blazing away, the bombing or the fact the city is under new management has done little to stop one of the biggest tourist attractions of the city.

Here organics and machines alike work to repair any damaged caused by last night’s bombing, most of which seems to be already repaired. The glimmering lights and faint sounds of slot machines rumbling are heard via Crisis’ sharp sense of hearing. She looks at the majestic water fountains in front of one of the larger casino hotels, where the early morning sunlight hits the water, making the fountains appear as if they are shooting off diamonds.

Crisis compares the old images of the city in her mind to what she sees before her as they convoy gets deeper into the heart of the city, and she notices that very little has been altered outside of obvious Chaos Croc logos, and even more flashy lights to draw people into the casinos which weren’t just for show. Crisis looks through the windows and sees organics and machines alike relaxing and enjoying the slots, and various other gambling games inside.

“ __Quite interesting_ …”_ thinks Crisis as the line suddenly stops in front of a large hotel which was known for having the largest singular high definition outdoor television screen on the front of the building, which started a store above the main front doors and continued several stories high and just as equal in length.

The massive television flickers on, a few seconds passing as the screen warms up as Crisis sees her nemesis for the first time right up on the screen. Crisis looks at what appears to be a bust shot of Chaos Croc, as he looks as big, powerful and intimidating as possible being placed on such a huge screen.

“Greetings, and welcome to my nation of Neo Robia. You need not bow or salute me now, just merely listen to my words.”

As the screen warms up even more, Croc’s two dimensional image becomes three dimensional, something Crisis knew the television screens couldn’t do, “Apparently Croc did some updating,” thinks Crisis as she remains calm and collected as she watches and listens to her enemy.

The holographic Croc smiles. “Some of you may question how and why your free will is still your own. I believe that simply being a machine is no reason to ACT as a machine. You are free to live here in this new city of mine. Free to converse, find love, have a family, to live a normal life under my rule. You can join the army and fight, or you can live here peacefully. The choice is yours and yours alone to make.”

“This is not what I expected to hear from him. I shall make a note of this. Then again is it free will or perceived free will? What’s better than having minions that think they are doing for you out of loyalty, when in reality you are controlling them? Such an idea makes them harder to take over, I need to learn more,” thinks Crisis as she continues to listen.

“When you were roboticized, you were given relay nodes. By now, they should have activated. These nodes will download information about the city into your minds without affecting your memories or personality. And again, welcome to the nation Neo Robia,” says Croc as the display turns off.

Crisis feels her relay inside of her head becoming once again active as massive amounts of information are downloaded into her. Crisis studies the information and keeps her systems on alert for any malicious programs.

“An updated map… good, looks like a lot of want ads and things that need to be done, everything you need to get yourself started in your new life. Nothing overly strategic though,” thinks Crisis as the congregation of new converts start to break up and each head their own way, so does Crisis and as she does Crisis’ modified relay notifies her of an incoming update. Her relay allows her to screen all updates and study them before allowing them forward or deleting them and this one is what she was expecting to find. This update contains programming that would ‘enhance’ one’s gratefulness of becoming a machine, giving the thanks to Chaos Croc himself, and feeling a debt of loyalty to him, which in turn would make you ‘want’ to do anything he desired or needed as a way of showing your gratitude to him for making you into a machine.

“ __Again how interesting, you give your machines free will, a bit more than I currently do even, but like me you put their personalities on a base of loyalty and gratitude to you. We think alike, but you do it better,_ ”_ Crisis thinks to herself as looks into a nearby Casino. Crisis watches as some organics and machines play the nearby slots, and as their wheels turn, and lights flash, Crisis catches hypnotic messages and visual programming to enhance and give that ‘loyal’ feeling to Croc.

“ __You don_ ’ t brainwash them to be mindless minions, but you do program and hypnotize them to be loyal, very nice Croc, ”_ thinks Crisis as as she continues to look into the casino lobby before her catches information that she’s been looking for.

“A job opening at the nanite-production and maintenance facility, machines only. This is just perfect _…_ too perfect, I should be careful about taking that job position,_ ”_ ponders Crisis.

“Hi there! You must be one of the new arrivals. My name is Hanna, what’s yours?” asks a nearby robot. Crisis turns to see a robotic fox dressed in a rather revealing, but not overly so rubber French Maid outfit that shines in the sunlight. The orange brown fox looks at Crisis with her red glowing eyes, her black tip ears match her black tip tail that sways gently behind her.

“Me? My name is Crisis and yes I did recently arrive here. For a matter of fact you’re first non-raptor I’ve seen here. What country do you originally hail from? I remember seeing roboticized foxes but you look rather different from them,” says Crisis.

“Oh me? I originally come from Master Croc’s home world. I’m a built and programmed Robian.”

“Robian?” asks Crisis.

“All citizens of Croc’s empire are Robians. I see after all these years; the organics on this planet are still behind on their intelligence.”

“Well organics are always behind on their intelligence compared to us robots,” chuckles Crisis as she thinks, “She’s from Croc’s home world? How could I be so lucky…this could be a trap though, no guarantee they don’t know I am a spy.”

Crisis smiles and then says, “So you are really from Croc’s home world? What is it like?”

“Oh it’s so dreamy and wonderful, where us machines are in power and the organics serve us. They still have their lives and can live it to the fullest but they are below us on the totem pole.”

“Well I am for one glad to be a machine now, I’m sure in time the organics will agree, how wonderful it is.”

“That’s the spirit.”

“So… tell me, why are you dressed like that?”

“This outfit is part of my job at the casino. It’s a latex French Maid themed casino, and I am there to entertain and serve drinks to the Casino’s guests robotic and organic alike. I was on my break and I saw you standing there looking in, so I decided to introduce myself.”

“It is a pleasure meeting you.”

“Likewise… Crisis. That is an interesting name.”

“Oh? You think so?”

“I’ve paid attention to how people are named here and Crisis stands out for me.”

“Well my parents were always the weird type. They named my brother Anarchy. And you can just imagine how much trouble he got in school just for that name,” laughs Crisis.

“I can imagine,” says Hanna with a giggle and a smile, “So have you decided what to do with yourself now that you are a Robian?”

“You mean what I can do to assist Master Croc in creating a world where organics and machines can co-exist peacefully?”

“Yup.”

“I’ve been thinking what I could do to help, and I have an idea or two that are right up my alley.”

“I have a suggestion if you don’t mind me being so bold,” says Hanna.

“Ah sure, but I was about to head over to my first choice, and I don’t want to keep you form your work.”

“My shift just ended actually, so I can accompany you there and we can talk along the way, if you don’t mind that is.”

“ __Hmm I should play along if I disagree with her right away, might seem something is up with me, then again she did say she was on break now she’s off work? How peculiar,_ ”_ thinks Crisis, “Sure you can come along. I was going to walk there; it doesn’t seem to be too far away.”

“Sounds good, which way are you heading?”

“Towards Maintenance and Nanite production facility A, they seem to need some workers there.”

“With all the damaged equipment coming in, I’m not surprised, but that’s such a hard and stressful job, why would you want to work there?”

“I have some interest and skill in that area,” explains Crisis as she and Hanna start to walk down the street. Crisis notes that Hanna’s hips slowly say side to side with each step, her movements slow and smooth designed to tease and draw the attention of all those around her.

“But that’s such a boring job, you should try to be a maid like myself. It’s so much more fun, and I hear Croc has been looking for a few Robian Raptors like you. People say that he enjoys French maid outfits a lot, and if you wear one he might pick you.”

“Oh you don’t say?”

“Yes, I think it be a good job move for you.”

“Possibly, but when I was an organic, I was known for doing things not always the best for me.”

“And how has that worked for you thus far?”

“I’m here as a lovely machine now, aren’t I?”

“True. Though to be honest you really don’t look like a scientific Robian. I would have pegged you as more of a soldier.”

“You don’t say?”

“Judging by your equipment, I think your purposes would be more towards combat,” remarks Hanna.

“If that’s true, why did you suggest I be a French Maid… you’d think I’d be good as a…?”

“Entertainer.”

“A French maid entertainer like you then?”

“Don’t know, you just seem like you’d fit the job splendidly, combat, entertainment, either one could work for you hun.”

“I do appreciate the vote of confidence, I’ll think about it on the way, but looks can be deceiving, I am a naturally born… er built scientist.”

“Excuse me sorry Miss,” says an organic brown scaled male raptor dressed in a janitor uniform as he was busily dusting the side walk till he got into our way. “Please forgive me, I didn’t mean to be in front of you like that,” says the raptor as he holds his head down and graciously gets out of the way.

“Its fine,” Crisis responds as she waves the organic male off as they continue down the street.

“You two look like you could use a good cleaning. Why don’t you two lovely ladies come inside and enjoy one on the house? For first time customers only and seeing today is our Grand Opening for our Robotic Cleaners, I know you two are first timers” says a blue and purple scaled female raptor who was standing on the side of the street in the direction the two machines were traveling.

Crisis looks at her and notes that she is dressed in a rubbery French maid outfit. Her legs covered in laced fishnet stockings and black high heels with her claw sickle claw covered in rubber glove to prevent any accidental scratches.

The organic female raptor smiles as she bows as Crisis and Hanna stop in front of her, “Please come in, I guarantee that you won’t regret it.”

Crisis curiously looks at the raptor before looking behind her into the open door cleaners. There she sees an eager green and black scaled female raptor receptionist in the same outfit as the other one, standing behind a counter in a waiting room. Past that is a long hallway with several doors.

“I don’t know…” says Crisis as she rubs her chin.

“For being our first customers of the day on our grand opening, we’ll give you our deluxe special for free!” exclaims the purple female raptor.

“Oh come on Crisis, it’s a free cleaning and honestly you need one. Presentation is important here you know. If you are going to apply for a job at that maintenance facility you can’t just go in looking like that now. You want to show that you can take care of your personal maintenance first” says Hanna.

“I guess you’re right. Alright we’ll take it.”

“Excellent please come this way,” says the raptor with a cordial bow leading us into the building.

“Do you happen to have double cleaning stalls so I can talk to my friend as we are cleaned?”

“Of course, right this way,” she says as the two machines follow her, while Crisis notices that these maid outfits are very similar to the one Hanna is wearing, practical yet just barely so.

“Tell me, why a rubber French maid outfit? It seems… out of place,” asks Crisis.

“You’re new aren’t you?” asks the Raptor.

“She is,” replies Hanna.

“Master Croc likes to have those with cleaning duties in maid whenever possible. Not all of them are rubber, but you’ll see why ours is soon enough,” explains the raptor as she opens a door and leads us into a room where two black soft cushioned barber shop styled chairs are placed near each other, but far enough away that they can swivel with about a foot of clearance. Nearby are various cleaning power tools along with hoses, various soaps and waxes, and a massive drain in the center of the floor.

“I think I know what you mean,” comments Crisis as the two machines are led their respective chairs. The two machines’ tails slip into their own private space which rests nicely on its own cushion, while their bodies compress the cushions down with their notable body weight.

“If we wore something that wasn’t waterproof we wouldn’t be able to do any work,” explains the purple raptor as another raptor, a different green and black stripped one dressed the same as the other two organic raptor girls, walks in.

“Would you prefer friendly conversation or prefer us to remain in silence Miss?” asks the second raptor as she gets some warm water running.

“My friend and I shall be enough conversation for today thank you,” replies Hanna.

“As you wish Miss,” replies the green raptor as she starts to spray me with, warm water down my metal plates washing away the light layer of dirt and dust that clung to me. “Just to let you know Miss, here at our Robotic Cleaner we start off with heavy duty cleaning and then move into the lighter hand washing, followed by a finish with a hand waxing that just can’t be beat anywhere else.”

“Sounds lovely, but no need to continue the sale’s pitch now that we are here, but please continue with the wash,” says Hanna as she waves for them to continue.

Suddenly Crisis noticed something rather odd about Hanna. “You’re being cleaned with your maid outfit still on?” asks Crisis.

Hanna chuckles as she replies, “It’s welded onto me one of those perks of the job.”

“So once that’s on you’re stuck with it?” asks Crisis curiously as she hears the rumble of the hand scrubber with automatic soap dispenser as she then feels the vibrations of the scrubber as the green raptor starts with her hands. Crisis adjusts her audio systems so she could still clearly hear and converse with Hanna.

“Yes and no. As long as I have this job, it’s on me, but if a situation calls for me to change my outfit or I quit my job, I can just go to one of the refitting pods and get a change in attire.”

“Ah, so that’s what those refitting pods are for, I noticed them on my map as I downloaded it today.”

“They have many uses, from a change in outfit for a quick download of massive files needed for a job that would be too inefficient or risky to send via our relays.”

“Good to know, good to know. You think when I received my first updates this information would have been given to me,” remarks Crisis.

“You’ll get more as time progresses. It will probably be in your next update which is in ten or so hours. They come in waves. Can’t stream constant updates into us all the time, it would tax the system too much, especially way out here. It’s nothing like the Capital of Neo Robia, Neo Robia.”

“The capital has the same name? That seems rather uninventive.”

“Maybe, but doesn’t matter really does it? To my memory banks, it’s the only city Croc ever named himself. The rest he’s kept as is,” explains Hanna as Crisis feels the raptor’s scrubbers going up and down her chest and belly. The foaming white bubbles attaching themselves onto Crisis wet metallic body as she glances over at the organic working hard on getting her body cleaned.

“I’ve noted he tends to keep things as they were. I was here once when I was a simple organic, and I recognize a lot of places are relatively the same.”

“Master Croc conquers organics just so he leads us all to a better world, but he doesn’t remodel the world to his image. I think he finds it rather boring or too egotistical if he does that. Not that I know him personally. I’m just guessing.”

“It is a possibility,” replies Crisis as the soap bubbles cover most of her body. The raptor is currently focusing on her crotch and thighs, being gentle to remove the dirt that gets in between the crevices and plates of her segmented metal body, while not damaging her paint job.

“It astounds me how the organics always see Master Croc as some evil machine when he’s obviously not,” comments Hanna.

“Organics are simple beings that fear and hate what they don’t understand,” replies Crisis.

“Excuse me Miss, mind if you turn you onto your belly so I can get your back?” asks the raptor as she keeps her head low, her body covered in soap and water, which helps her maid outfit really shine in the light.

“Of course,” replies Crisis as she turns around as her cleaning progresses a bit faster than Hanna’s due to her maid outfit giving her cleaner a bit of extra trouble. “Forgive all my questions, but I have another thing I’m curious on,” says Crisis as the organic raptor begins to scrub Crisis’ shoulder blades.

“Not at all, it’s a pleasure helping a fellow machine find her new place in the world. I’ve made a lot of friends that way.”

“I can imagine. Now one thing I noticed that I want to make sure it’s not just me, but is it just me or is it that the organics are working a bit harder and lower on the food chain than us? Furthermore is it just happenstance every organic I’ve run into has been polite and respectful to me or is there something more to it?”

“It’s not just you; organics are below us after all. They should give us our long overdue respect. After all, they wouldn’t have the cozy and lovely life they have now if it wasn’t for our hard work.”

Yeah, that is true. I always thought they should give us respect for what we are.”

“Exactly. They don’t live like slaves, but they are rather… conditioned to be respectful to us, isn’t that right my dear?” ask Hanna to the raptor cleaning her body.

“Of course Miss. It is my honor to be working for such great machines built by our Master Croc,” she replies with a smile.

“It is quite nice, I’m very glad I got roboticized,” comments Crisis.

“Exactly, but to fully answer your question, organics are indeed below us in general, but as I mentioned earlier being below doesn’t mean they are slaves or treated poorly. You could call them highly loyal servants. They have many of the same freedoms we enjoy. To love, to marry, raise a family, to work for the glorious Master Croc, but just as the everyday machines work to give them a standard of living they wouldn’t have known without them. They give us a better standard of ‘living’ in return.”

“I see. Very interesting and good to know.”

“Though that’s not to say they’re aren’t high ranking organics. There are two well known examples, the first one is a fox like myself named Ko. Ko works directly under him, and she commands a lot of respect and power in his empire. The other is simply known as the Empress, she is Croc’s creator.”

“The Empress The person who created Croc is still around?”

“I don’t know the story, so don’t ask. But she ruled a nation, ergo her title, she built Croc, but now even she, works for our great Master Croc. Just shows how great and powerful he is. To make the one who created him, work for him.”

“I can certainly imagine,” replies Crisis as the two raptor maids start to wash off Crisis and Hanna’s bodies with warm water. The layer of soap taking off with what little dirt that was left. Shortly thereafter their bodies were blown dry, the last beads of water being blown right off their metallic skin or in Hanna’s case latex clad metal skin, leaving a lovely shine in their wake.

“Hope that helps explain a few things.”

“Immensely, thank you Hanna.”

“Is there anything else you like to know?” asks Hanna as the two raptors start hand waxing their smooth metal bodies.

“Nothing I can process at the moment… be careful of my claws, don’t want you to get cut, now. They are very sharp.”

“Thank you for your concern Miss, I’ll be extra careful down there,” replies Crisis’ cleaner.

“You still plan on going for one of the maintenance jobs?” asks Hanna.

“Yeah, I haven’t changed my mind on it. I was a little tempted by the prospects of seeing Master Croc and chosen for whatever he has in mind, but the odds are so against me, and I am one to earn something like that rather than just let leave it to fate,” responds Crisis.

“Fair enough,” replies Hanna.

“ __How could I have the same maid interest as Croc?! I wanted so badly to put my girls in them but I knew it would be too awkward, but Croc has it perfectly normal! How close did they program me to Croc?_ ”_ thinks Crisis.

“Alright all done. I hope you enjoy your wash. Furthermore our top quality wax will repeal water and dirt to keep that nice new clean robotic shine for a month, guaranteed,” says the purple raptor with a huge smile. Hanna and Crisis slide out of their chairs with a soft squeak, as their metal skin shined as brightly as the cleaned rubber that covered Hanna.

“Very nice, if you all work like this, I think your business is going to take off. I’m going tell all my friends about you, and on top of that I’m going to give you your first tip.”

“Very appreciative Miss,” says the purple raptor with a bow.

“Thank you, you are very generous,” says the green raptor near Crisis.

“Robotic Raptor Cleaning Co, that’s the official name of the company correct?” asks Hanna.

“Yes it is Miss,” says the purple raptor.

“The tip has been deposited to your business account.”

“Thank you again,” she says Crisis and Hanna head out.

“Digital currency is so nice, not sure why those machine enslaving organic cultures need paper and metal currency to do their transactions,” comments Hanna to Crisis as they leave.

“Beats me.”

“You sure you don’t want to try the maid service?”

“I’m quite sure,” replies Crisis.

“Alright, I’ll let you head your way then. I’ll admit I was only going with to try to convince you otherwise, but I see you are set on this, but if you change your mind. You already know how to find me.”

“If I change my mind I shall and, it was a pleasure talking to you Hanna; thanks again for your information.”

“My pleasure, see you later Crisis,” replies Hanna as she waves and walks off as Crisis goes back towards her destination.

“Oh and one more thing,” says Hanna as she turns around.

“What’s that?” yells Crisis as they were now a fair bit away from each other.

“Don’t let the head foreman spook you; she’s like that to everyone.”

“I won’t, thanks!” she replies as the two continue on their separate ways.

“ __And thank you Hanna your information about Croc is most helpful indeed, and soon I will get the information I need on how his city works,_ ”_ thinks Crisis.

Eventually Crisis makes her way to the maintenance facility, where she notes that unlike other parts of the city, this section has been modified rather heavily to suit Croc’s needs furthermore; she notices higher concentrations of Croc nanites in the air.

“ __Can only hope my nanites can handle this for a while,_ ”_ she thinks as she walks into the factory, already knowing her way around thanks to the map downloaded into her from earlier when she showed interest in the job.

Crisis takes note that a mix of automated machinery and machines like herself are busy working, repairing damaged equipment and other machinery caused not only by the recent bombing but from their natural every day use. This though this isn’t her real goal, this was already known and there are no signs of the mass amount of equipment needed to repair an entire city of machines. Crisis continues to calmly make her way through the facility towards the heart of the nanite production center. The other machines that walk by she greets with a friendly smile as they do the same in kind.

“Excuse me? You’re the head foreman aren’t you?” asks Crisis as she walks into an office where a black metallic female raptor with red stripes and Croc’s Neo Robia symbol placed at strategic places on her body. is sitting at a desk busily working on the computer, a rather ironic sight if one thinks about it. Crisis notes the nametag on the desk states “Sherrie.”

“Yes and what do you want?” asks Sherrie as she looks up at Crisis with glowing red eyes.

“I came to apply for one of the nanite maintenance jobs.”

“Is that so? And what makes you think you can work at such a high position such as that? Especially for such a new recruit?” asks Sherrie.

“How can you tell I’m a new recruit?”

“I keep myself informed,” she responds as she looks back at the computer. “Crisis, an odd name for someone,” she responds as she looks back at her.

“Blame my…”

“Parents I know. So you say you have experience in this area don’t you?”

“I do have some yes.”

“No where near enough to work here affectively but go ahead humor me.”

“Before I was roboticized I worked for the Raptra Medical Science Institute nanite medical science team on the use of nanites to help cure various diseases that were plaguing the organics. You know how sickly they can be.”

“I’m aware. So why do you want to work here?”

“I feel it’s the right place to work.”

“The right place to work?”

“Yes. Back when I was an organic I worked with nanites to cure organic diseases. Now here, I can work with nanites to help my fellow machines. It feels like a natural shift to me.”

“It would appear so…” she says as she looks back at the computer screen. “You know of the organic body, but you know nothing of how we machines work, outside of the basics given to you via your relays. You clearly don’t know enough to work here.”

“But—,”

“Don’t interrupt!” exclaims Sherrie as Crisis gives a silent nod, holding her tongue as her tail flicks behind her.

“The knowledge about our nanites isn’t something we just give out willy-nilly to anyone looking for it. Such knowledge could be used against us and if it were to fall into the wrong… organic hands.”

“Of course. The country I was from was very paranoid about such things. They had similar fears of super biological weapons before the war.”

“Oh really?”

“Dromaeosa was known to be an aggressive nation in the past, and I’m sure you’re well aware being a former citizen about how… nervous the other nations were about us.”

“Quite… it’s also rare that someone with any nanite skill comes to me so quickly after being recruited. Don’t you want to spend some time relaxing and enjoying yourself before getting back to work?”

“I’m one that enjoys their work,” responds Crisis.

“How did you become roboticized?”

“I was in transit to a more secure location when the plane I was on was shot down. I survived the crash, but I then lost my way and found myself caught in a skirmish where a spider roboticizer grabbed and roboticized me, but before it could release me it was damaged by a an explosion and my return back was quite delayed.”

“How unfortunate…”

“I know I could have gotten back sooner and been here helping.”

“I like your enthusiasm but you’re just not qualified enough to work in the position that needs to be filled.”

“But—,”

“What did I say about interrupting me?!”

“Sorry,” replies Crisis.

“So we’ll need to supplement your programming with the knowledge necessary to maintain, build and ensure only the finest nanites are made to serve Master Croc’s purpose,” explains Sherrie as she looks back at the computer screen then back at Crisis, “Furthermore we’ll give you the knowledge to work at the other stations here at the factory. Never know when we could use you elsewhere.”

“ __Perfect_ …”_ thinks Crisis, “Thank you for the trust and the responsibilities,” replies Crisis.

“It will mean you will have to spend some time in one of the refitting pods. I hope that isn’t a problem.”

“Why would that be a problem?” asks Crisis without any hesitation.

“No reason,” says Sherrie as she pulls away from the desk. “Follow me,” she commands as Crisis and her walk out of the office and down the hall. “You’re lucky we keep a few refitting pods here, saves us the trouble of getting in line at the main facility.”

“Very lucky, the sooner I can start the better,” replies Crisis as they walk into a room where at the door’s entrance it says “Refit Station # 18” Inside there are three large egg shaped pods sitting on platforms. On each of the pods Croc’s symbol is painted on it as the crevices of where the pod opens up are easily visible.

Sherrie goes over to a nearby computer console and types in some data as the first pod opens up revealing the silver metallic along with various wires and compartments to slip one’s body into. “Just step inside and we shall begin. There is a lot of programming so it will take a while.”

“How long?” asks Crisis as she walks up towards the pod her metallic feet clanking against the steps leading up to the platform. Crisis stands at the edge of the pod as she looks inside getting a closer look at the various wires, nanite injection tubes and connection ports that can be used in this pod if needed. Crisis notes markings inside the pod that tells Crisis where to stand and which direction to face, meaning she had has to turn around and slowly back into the pod.

“About two hours. Once done, I want you out of here and to work, got it?” asks Sherrie as Crisis backs into the pod.

“Of course, you can count on me,” says Crisis. “ __This is almost too easy… I should be on my guard. My nanites are working hard to give false obedience checks, so the nanites feel no need to alter my programming, but for how long till there is a mistake? I’m not sure, I didn_ ’ t expect such concentrations of Croc nanites and for extended periods of time, ”_ thinks Crisis as the pod begins to close down around her.

Once the pod is completely closed only a soft light illuminates the pod as a large black cabled wire snakes its way down and moves towards the back of Crisis’ head where her secret data port is located.

The cable shoots out small tendril wires that remove the protective panel on the back of her head and within seconds the cable attaches itself to the back of Crisis’ head. Crisis notes her motor functions completely shut down when the connection is made, the saved power being put into uploading and installing the new programming.

“ __This is the first all or nothing moment if I can make it here I_ ’ ll be set …_ if not _…_ I don_ ’ t know what; I deleted that information …_ why am I telling myself that? I already know! Okay Crisis remain calm, it _’__ s focus time,_” thinks Crisis as a stream of data starts to flow into her head. The first batch is something Crisis expected an insurance obedience program towards Croc. Crisis knew with knowledge this valuable that he’d make sure that any robot installed with the knowledge was to be loyal to him. Crisis was thankful that her data port had a hardware filter to prevent this information from not only being installed but allow her to look at it while the external systems recorded it as a successful instillation.

“ __Interesting_ …_ select cleaner programs that delete any anti-Croc thoughts and motives from my programming. Looks like Croc wants his machines to be as intact as possible even when holding valuable information, but he will do what he must to ensure loyalty of his minions,” thinks Crisis as the obedience to Croc programming stage lasts for a solid fifteen minutes before the start of the second stage the nanite and maintenance information that Crisis came here for.

“ __So the nanites not only used to program rogue robots and organics that infiltrate his cities but to provide the basic day to day maintenance his machines need. For anything serious this facility itself not only provides the service, but the extra nanites here help make the process go by even faster. So the very thing that protects his city and machines from infiltration is also what helps them run_ …_ ingenious. And what lovely nanite designs,” thinks Crisis as her eyes glow as she continues to get more data installed into her.

Crisis’ own nanites start to make slight tweaks to her own self serving nanite factories, to not only increase productivity but to make her more resistant to Croc’s nanites. It is a process that will take several hours to do, but the sooner the better.

This new knowledge brings some relief but by no means does Crisis lowers her guard. She still has plenty to do to get this information to her people and to get herself out of here…

Elsewhere Croc is continuing to move forward on some his plans..

“You’re late Ko,” states Croc as he looks over his shoulder back at Ko, his red eyes glowing at her as she casually walks into Croc’s war room where a meeting of his robotic and organic generals is currently being held. Before them is a holographic screen showing the various strengths and the rival nations slowing his current advance. Croc during this time keeps his hands behind his back as he turns his attention back to the map.

“You know I’ve never been a big strategist, I wouldn’t have been much help to you,” she replies.

“Your presence was still required,” says the Empress as she gives a glare at Ko.

Ko slowly makes her way towards the Empress as she smiles, “Oh don’t give me that look. I was doing another one of Croc’s duties, that is why I was late.”

“Which one would that be? That it was so important that you’d forgo the majority of this meeting?”

“Croc’s attack is still over a month away we have time, what I was doing was a bit more urgent.”

“And that would be?” asks the Empress with a growl and glare.

“Ladies do I need to brainwash you both to behave?” asks Croc.

“Sorry Master Croc,” responds the two girls turning to give him an apologetic bow.

“Better. Now Ko, your other job is important but I want everyone on the same page as we go through with this. I’m putting a lot of forces into these attacks and I want them to go as smoothly as possible to limit my and my enemy’s casualties.”

“My apologies.”

“After how the first nation fell, I didn’t expect such stubbornness from these nations. It’s to our advantage the others on the planet refuse to help them but that still doesn’t stop nations such as Dromaeosa who should be all but defeated now from making bombing runs on some of my new cities. I like to keep my prizes intact.”

“I’m well aware,” states Ko.

“Now, tell me why you were so late.”

“I found a list of locations where you could find some suitable subjects for your back up.”

“Oh you have?” asks Croc as he raises a metallic eye ridge.

“Yes and on the top of the list is that same city you just mentioned was bombed. Those Dromaeosa people appear to be quite tough. I think we might find someone to fit the requirements that you require.”

“Good, good, but we’ll worry about that later. For now let’s focus on this.”

“As you Wish Master Croc,” replies Tails Ko as she takes the side of Croc opposite of the Empress as the meeting continues.