Open Action: Fleet Wide

[killedwithlove]

Who: Cole and anyone who isn't fast enough to get away
Broadcast: n/a
Action: Any ship, though he won't venture onto the Three Twins or Tourist still. He will park next to them, now!
When: First half of the month?


[Cole does this thing. He does this thing where he goes everywhere and sticks his large nose into everything and meets people. He hasn't done it for a while, so clearly, it's time again.

The Pathstone comes in next to a ship, docks and then they spend a while there. There's no pattern to which ship it is. But he'll bring them around to your ship eventually.]

Comments

[thezerothlaw]

Indeed. And truly, no robot could ever harm a human. That they find us disconcerting is... uncomfortable.

[killedwithlove]

Why not? I mean, why couldn't you harm someone?

[thezerothlaw]

The First Law of Robotics states that a robot must not harm a human, nor through inaction allow a human to come to harm. The Second Law states a robot must obey all orders given by a human, except where doing so comes into conflict with the First Law. The Third Law states that a robot must protect its own existence, except where doing so comes into conflict with the First and Second Law.

All robots are subject to that. I cannot act contrary to them.

[killedwithlove]

[Cole nods, listening very intently and humming softly at a few appropriate moments.]

I don't understand. There are lots of laws, but no one seems to listen to them.

[thezerothlaw]

These Laws are built into my brain. Attempting to break them would result in a cascading failure. I would cease to function, permanently. Thinking about a human being harmed is... uncomfortable.

[killedwithlove]

[Cole nods again. It might be becoming apparent... When Cole doesn't understand, he nods like he agrees.]

I really don't understand. I think maybe... there's something fundamental I don't understand about it. Something obvious to you, but not to me.

[thezerothlaw]

Perhaps so.

[He pauses, trying to think of another way to put it. He doesn't really like things going unexplained.]

Suffice to say that this is my nature, and nothing can act contrary to its nature, whether human, robot, or spirit too, I suspect. We are what we are, and cannot be otherwise.

[killedwithlove]

That I can understand.

[More than anything, he can understand that. Spirits can't break their nature.]

[thezerothlaw]

[He nods. Good.]

Then perhaps you understand my position a little better.

[killedwithlove]

Maybe I do, yes. I can't be cruel. I just... I can't. It makes me...

[The thought of it actually has him shaking softly, pale and clammy looking.]

[thezerothlaw]

I know.

[Because it's the same for him, really, and his tone is gentle now.]

Neither can I break the Laws.

[killedwithlove]

[Cole nods.

He understands now.]