There Is Only One Sonic

[Metal is showing off a completed work at last. Made of scrap metal, it appears to be molded into the shape of a woman wearing glasses, rather expertly painted. In fact, the about two foot tall metal statuette looks exactly like Lucca. He sits there a minute or two more, with one of his rat buddies sitting on his head and staring at his work before the video cuts out.]

I miss Mother and Father.

>>Electrical stimulus from networked communications device expected and accounted for. Systems note discrepancy from regenerative cycles. Time lost is approximately ... five to six weeks?

>I seem to have lost much time during my self repair and diagnostics recoveries. I require information. If someone would please inform me as to the events of the past near six weeks, I would appreciate it.

There is little to report.

I have a question: What is of greatest importance to living, sentient organisms?

( [LOCK STATUS: FAILED: SELF >>40% effectiveness.] )

( ENCRYPTED 90%. TARGET: Yatouji Satsuki )

Subject Trunks, unit is unable to care for Assist-Bot. His joints require lubrication. Would you please do this?

( ENCRYPTED 90%. TARGET: Lucca Ashtear )

Friends, unit thanks you all for offers to visit and for visiting. Unit does not believe mother would approve of people entering workshop in groups, so unit's friends will have to come individually.

[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.]

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".

[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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( 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.