Three functions


The mecha suddenly found itself in a completely alien
environment, but its quantum computer was far too primitive to be
confused by this fact. The word "primitive", however, is perhaps
not appropriate, as the instructions encoded within its "brain"
surpassed the contents of a healthy encyclopaedia. And yet, for
all its knowledge, the mecha was only capable of three functions.

The first, which it had already begun, was to contact any other
robots in its vicinity. It sent a series of low energy pulses in
a radial direction, and waited for a response. It repeated the
process ten times, without success. It was alone.

The eigenfunction within its CPU shifted slightly, and the mecha
proceeded with the second task it was capable of. Its new
environment, as strange as it was, still provided the robot with
a rich variety of materials for its purpose. It began to quickly
analyse its surroundings, probing, searching: oxygen, hydrogen,
carbon, calcium, potassium, iron.

The electromagnetic fields the mecha generated started to
manipulate all these elements, quickly breaking and recombining
chemical bonds, catalyzing reactions, ionizing selected
constituents. It was fast and efficient, and after a few minutes
it stopped, pausing for a moment, as if admiring its work. It
then sent out a strong, precise pulse through its creation.

The second robot, identical to the first, came to life. For an
instant they simply faced each other. Almost immediately,
however, each began the manufacturing process again.

Soon, there would be enough to commence the third procedure...

-----

    "What the Hell was _that_?!?"

    "I don't know, Linna," Sylia answered, "and I'm not sure if
I really want to find out..."

    "Priss! You're bleeding!" Nene cried, her eyes opening wide
with concern.

    "Don't worry, Nene," answered Priss, giving the redhead a
twisted smile, "Genom will have to build something better than
Frederick to take me down. This is nothing, just a scratch, just
a scratch..."



_________________________________
marco@chinook.physics.utoronto.ca
Gunnm: Broken Angel
http://128.100.80.13/marco/alita.html