Palaquinn

Heya again folks. Here's the third installment of Chess's story. I tried a perspective shift again and hopefully gave a window into more of Chess's personality. I'm glad everyone likes it thus far! As always comments and criticisims are gladly accepted!

A Game of Chess: First Knight Out

Personal Journal: BY CHESS!

Testing… Testing… one, two, three…

Well uh Thank you, thank you very much, I’m justa hunka hunka burnin’ love!

That one’s for you Carl.

O.K. this data log is set for the Date and time removed for security . Personally I’m not a huge fan of keeping any kind of journal if you will, but the Doc thinks it’ll be a good idea. He gave me some story about being able to analyze it later for possible psychological value. Something about that prospect scares me. As if I was not afraid enough about people wanting to take me apart physically… now Carl wants to do it mentally.

Everyone has it out for the little robot.

Anyhow, today is my first day as a fully licensed hero in Paragon. Carl said he’d do his best to keep me up to date with leads on my family and especially Josh but in the meantime I should go out and try to make a name for myself. So I’m picking up my first mission from him and hitting the streets of Galaxy City.

The working theory of the day is, if I become a recognized hero, I won’t be subject to people’s prejudice against thinking machines. Yeah, right. Tell that to bunch of “Heroes” who named themselves “The anti-robot League.” I’m all for helping people, hell that’s part of my core programming, but something about this kinda strikes me as putting my fat directly into the fire.

If I screw up, something tells me it won’t be a slap on the wrist like it is for a lot of heroes. They’ll dissect me.

Remind me to thank Josh for instilling such a healthy dose of paranoia into my hard-drives. Assuming I ever get the chance to SEE Josh again.

Still, its things like this that really make me think. I feel driven to help people, heal the wounded, and aid the defenseless. How much of that is really me however? I mean is my programming all that I am? Sometimes I think I have gone beyond my original protocols but then again, a lot of computers can adapt. Is that all I’m really doing at times? Adapting?

Yeesh I’m starting to sound like “Veeger” from the first Star Trek film.

Man… The question remains for me however. Does Descartes statement ring true for me as well? Can I really say I exist if I can think? I think therefore… Therefore I’d better haul *** and get on this mission.

Philosophy aside the reason I give myself for recording this is so I can look at it later and learn from my mistakes and better predict opponents. Carl started me out easy. I have to chase off a few gang members. They call themselves “Hellions” and seem to go in for the demonic and fire motifs.

Yeesh… I thought all the 80’s Satanist crap went out with the mullet and bad Metallica cover bands.

So I’m pulling up a guidance grid and tracking all current gang activity on my scanner now. Carl says I can tap into the Police department scanner if I’m on a mission. Not like I’d listen to it otherwise. There’s only so much bad news I can take in a day.

Well lets see here… These Hellions appear to be a busy bunch. I’m gonna run up and down some back alleys and see if I can find something. Chess out for now.

10 min delay in feed

O.K. I’m right above a group of Hellions. Looks like a drug deal or something. Of course I thought people took DRUGS and not little amulets that glowed in funky colors. I can’t really make out what they are saying but I scanned those amulets. Seems they’re missing from a private collector’s case. I think I should get them back for him.

I just hope the modifications and boosts to my anti-grav powers Carl and I worked out will work. We also re-started the magnetic resonance systems so I can emit tissue regenerative waves in all directions, or direct an intense beam at a single person. I always knew they were there… I had them to heal Josh just in case…

“Well what have we here?”

Oh crap…

“Check out the midget in armor guys!”

“Hey! Munchkin in a can!”

Oh HELL no. They did NOT just call me a munchkin.

“Check this out… FORE!”

Oh CRAP!!!

~Static~

Owowowowowowow…. Getting hit upside the head with a sledgehammer is NOT conducive to proper CPU cycles.

“O.K. you jerks…” Oh yeah… THAT’LL scare them. “You with the hammer. UP we go!”

~WHoosh~ “AAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaa….”

Um… I think I put too much juice in that one.

“Holy crap! The Munchkin just launched Andy into orbit!”

“I am NOT a Munchkin!”

~Vrommm~ “GAH! Ugh… Uh….”

“Did I SAY you idiots could move? I think I’ll just leave you locked here until the cops arrive.”

“…aaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAH!!!” ~WHAM!~

Oh man… I have GOT to turn down the power on that lift. That HAD to hurt.

O.K. I’m radioing the cops now. They’ll find a group of twits here frozen in place. The increased gravity should wear off in about 20 mins, but they should be exhausted from just breathing by then. Easy pickings for the cops. The guy who kissed concrete however…

~Ktizzzz~

Against my better judgment, I healed him… but he’s still out like a light. O.K. Chess out for now.

20 min delay in feed

“Heya Carl. Let me upload the first journal into your hard-drive and we both can go over it. Carl? Why the long face Carl?”

“The test results are back from the lab Chess. We… We have a positive I.D. on the source of the bloodstains.”

“Oh… Oh man… Are they Paul’s? I’m gonna CRUSH this Nemesis expletive deleted when I find him.”

“No Chess… here.”

O.K. lets see here… No… No this can’t be right…

The bloodstains… are Josh’s…

Feed ended abruptly

One of the very first posts I did a LONG time ago was from a character named Hrimnir trying to form a SG based on and around Norse mythology. Needless to say it tanked partly because I didn't have the time to manage such a thing (Still don't really) and partly because I was never really happy with the first version of the character.

However, as is usual for me, the idea would NOT let me go. Just to assure the lot of you however, I'm not stopping the Chess story or the stuff in the Whitmoore RP... just tossing out my idea for a "new" character to see what you all think of the idea. He's on Virtue, and as soon as I get my home PC fixed (long story don't ask) I hope to get some quality RP in with him.

Oh... and as if you didn't know from my "quote" for a signature... I LOVE Norse mythology. So please forgive any mis-spellings.

Hrimnir

I have seen the last days before…

The fimbulwinter fell like a curtain of lead about us. I lived deep in the mountains of Jountenheim where the winds can strip the flesh off a man's bones and the snow was deep enough to bury a mountain. Even then, we spoke of the unnatural cold and the heaviness of the snows.

I lived alone then. I LIKED my solitude.

But what solitude could one have when the horn of Heimdall sounds across all the nine worlds?

I looked out from my cave and saw Fenris swallow the sun and then begin to chase the moon. It was then I knew the end had come.

The frost giants, children of Ymir, sprung to battle. They raised the standard of Loki and grabbed their arms and armor.

I simply poured another bowl of soup for myself.

“Brother!” They called. “Brother! The chained one is free and he leads the damned from Hel’s domains to wage war upon the Aseir! The Wolf has swallowed the sun and now chases the moon, and Jormungar even now battles with Thor! Join us brother! Fight the Aseir with us and let us reclaim this world in the name of our father Ymir!”

“Would be conquerors.” I called back after I drained my bowl of soup and poured another. “You called me ******* when I was a child, freak when I was a man, and now brother when you need me. You slew my trollish mother and scorned my noble frost giant father. I have always been a pawn in your eyes. May Hel take the lot of thee.”

“But Brother!” They cajoled. I merely slammed the door to my cave shut.

The battle was harder to ignore than the calls to join it however. Soon it spilled into Jountenheim and the lands burned. I opened my door to see the sky black, the seas red, and the ground scorched. I saw Odin kill Fenris, and Fenris swallow Odin in return. I saw Thor finally kill the Midguard Serpent only to feel the flesh melt off his bones from the beasts dying breath. I saw Loki laugh just before Magni, wielding his fallen father’s hammer Mjollnir, smash the trickster’s skull in from behind.

All this I saw from my cave, and still I did not join.

What could a freak… a half troll, half giant do in a battle between Gods?

And so… I witnessed the fall of the nine worlds, the burning of Yaggridsil, the world tree, and the final cold that swept over all.

I remember the darkness, and the feeling of stone and ice encasing me. I welcomed both as an escape from a world that never wanted one such as I.

Imagine my surprise to awaken, surrounded by mortals wearing little white coats, in a metal room.

I opened my eyes to just such a sight, and sat up, breaking the ice and stone that encased me for time untold. How much time passes between the death of one world and the birth of another?

The mortals fell back, and many muttered in fear. Some in strange green clothes aimed silly little tubes at me. Others barked orders in a language I did not know.

“Oh DO shut up!” I roared. My head hurt already and all I wanted now was a new bowl of soup.

It was then that I found out the silly little tubes were not so silly. They spat fire and metal at me. I was startled as I felt the hot metal punch through my breastplate, and even more surprised when I could feel my cold blood upon my chest.

“HEY!” I roared, and encased myself in ice. If the mortals wanted to spit fire at me, I would remind them why trolls and frost giants were feared. The waves of frigid winds flowed off my body and filled the room. The men in green holding the silly tubes soon began to shiver and whimper.

The room was finally coming to a comfortable temperature for me when one of the men in the little white coats crawled forward. He spoke… haltingly he spoke… but I understood this one!

His accent was terrible and his grammar was atrocious, but he at least spoke the proper tongue. Not the yelping the others in the room uttered. He pleaded with me to stop freezing the room and apologized for the soldiers for shooting me.

“Your room is too hot.” I replied. “Your soldiers look like fools holding little tubes and wearing nightshirts. And bows shoot arrows, tubes SPIT.” He looked at me shocked and waved the men in green off. When they shivered again and lowered their tubes I gradually allowed the heat to come back.

“Who… art thou?” Asked the man in the little white coat.

“I am Hrimnir, son of Hyrdgald the frost giant and Maddag the Troll-wife.” I replied. The man shook his head and yipped in his mortal tongue to the others. They gasped and shook their heads.

“Frost Giants don’t exist.” The little man stated.

“Oh really?” I replied as I dropped the temperature once again. He yelped and begged for forgiveness.

“Now then little man… Where am I? Is this Midguard? And how did you survive Ragnarock?” I wanted to know these things, but my stomach added its own point of view, growling loudly. The men jumped and looked at me warily. “And can I get a bowl of reindeer soup?”

It is a strange thing indeed that I was told. The men came back quickly with answers and books, showing me many things. The soup alas, was nothing more than chicken. But it was good so I held my tongue. While I drank from the bowl the men told me that this was the year 2004. I snorted knowing the world to be far older than that. But still they pressed on. They told me I was in a land called Sweden and they had found me in my block of stone and ice deep in the ground.

“That is not surprising.” I stated simply as I drained my next bowl of soup. “I was there when the nine worlds collapsed.”

Again the men yipped and argued. I meanwhile, helped myself to some bread.

They soon began to become bold and asked to measure my body. I allowed them to do so, and soon found myself stripped bare to my blue skin and white hair. They measured everything about me. From the length of my beard, to the girth of my horns (fine trollish horns I might add. The envy of every ram I had met), to the stride of my foot. They examined my armor, my pants, my boots, and my axe. These were the few things I had with me at the end, and they had come with me to this new beginning.

Soon they began with more questions and I told them all I knew. From the Gods, to the Mortals, to the Giants, to the Trolls, to the Dwarves, to the Elves, and many more besides. They were in awe of all my tales, and I was pleased. I always wanted to be a skald, but what use were tales and songs to giants and trolls.

I asked them for a fiddle. The men rushed to find one, and soon they had one, but it was much too small for me. I made do however, and began to play them the songs I knew and tell them the tales I remembered. It was a good thing and made me do something I had not done since the days of my childhood.

Smile.

The men spoke of a great city in a country called America. I thought that was a silly name but did not vocalize it. Besides, my mouth was full of a drink called beer after all the singing. Frankly I prefer mead but the men said that almost no one made that anymore. I shall have to teach these men sometime.

But this great city they called Paragon, and said that they had some of the worlds finest scientists there. I asked what a scientist was and they said that they were scientists. I suppose it is a new world of scholar, but they resolved to send me there regardless to answer more of their questions. They also promised me to see men and women who had powers like those of the Aseir. I merely chuckled at that but the thought of mortals with such powers scares me.

We shall see when I get to this “Paragon.”

I just hope they have a decent reindeer soup. I HATE Chicken.

It's interesting that everytime I read a post like this the first thing people start in on is posting in the third person.

Now I've done PBEM games, as well as hosted a game of my own for "Planescape." And I'll admit that I enforced the "For the love of God write ONLY what your character does or says. Unless you're telepathic no one knows what you're THINKING FEELING Etc..." rules

However, I always felt like I was somehow gyping the "Audience" if you will. Granted you don;t need to have a huge long internal monologue on your deepest thoughts on pizza, but on the other hand I think it can serve as a useful tool for character development.

I myself admittidly suffer from what I call "Mental Vomit." In that I want to post everything I can about a character because I LOVE telling a story. I know how to back off if asked nicely however. The problem arises when people do NOT know when to back off. Hence why I think such rules are typically applied. It's not to single a few people out, but its to cover everyone because a SELECT few refuse to play nice.

Still... It's aggravating. But now I'm babbling so I'll hush up.

*Drops 2 coins in the pot*

Thanks for the comments guys! Keep them comming!

Also, let me know what you think about the change in style for this chapter.

A Game of Chess: Pawns

Personal Log of Doctor Carl Johansen.

The fact that this little robot had even made it to my door was astounding enough, barring the fact that unlicensed AIs in Paragon had been expressly forbidden. That was an attempt by the authorities to cut down on more Clockwork incidents and mistaken identities (See Log 214b on Toy-Store fiasco in Steel Canyon).

Chess, as I must now always remember to call him, had become something far more than a simple toy or educational tool as he was intended to be. I remember looking over the schematics of the original prototype with Doctor Henderson. Chess was going to be a boon to educators everywhere. One part teachers aid, one part entertainer, and one part confidant, he would have made every school an enjoyable place to go.

I never knew where Doctor Henderson got his advanced learning matrix for the prototype’s AI. Chess filled in that gap for me.

Begin Recording. Chess interview number 2

“You found out you were a what?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself Doctor. You see, I do remember you. You were there when I first went active about 2 years ago. I remember your face vividly as one of my first memories.”

“But you looked nothing like this back then.”

“Oh good Lord, don’t remind me. I have no clue why Paul, Doctor Henderson, wanted me to look like “Chibi” version of Albert Einstein. I suppose he thought it would make an impression on the kids. Josh cooked up this outfit.”

“Josh? Why the Chess motif other than your name?”

“Well that was the main reason. That and Josh loved Heroes. He wanted a hero as a mentor and friend more than a demented cartoon version of a physicist. That image you remember of me lasted a day before Josh convinced his father to get me to look like how I do now.”

“But that still does not explain…”

“I know it doesn’t. Frankly I’m still a bit fuzzy on the details myself. Hell I’m still unsure if I’m really FEELING anything, or emoting for that matter. Do you have any idea how it feels to doubt the fact that you’re feeling an emotion? To second guess yourself if what you’re truly feeling is depression or simply a programmed response of your AI?”

Thunk

“Please don’t drop your head on my table like that Chess… You may hurt yourself.”

“In this armor? Doubtful. Even in the cartoon form, I ‘m so padded against shocks, its insane. Paul wanted me to be ready for ANYTHING in the classroom, including worst-case scenario situations. Like a Columbine or such.”

“What do you mean by second-guessing yourself though?”

“Well let’s see. From day one of my activation I was to be Josh’s friend and I truly believed that he was my best friend. Josh was incredible, even in that wheelchair of his. I was a constant companion and could even get him to get off the chair and play.”

“How?”

“Well… Well here.”

Whoosh

“GAH!!!! CHESS! Put me DOWN!”

“Heh… Well that’s how Doctor. Paul equipped me with extensive arrays of anti-gravity control systems, as well as several experimental systems that harness the Earth’s magnetic fields. Originally those powers were for those worst case scenario’s I mentioned, but they also were designed for little things.”

“Like exercising Josh’s muscles?”

“Exactly. By gently lifting Josh out of his chair and using m-pulses of anti-gravity and then reversing the feed to increase gravity I was able to help keep his leg muscles from atrophying. That and Josh loved to “Fly.””

“So… the emotions.”

“Oh yeah, well it seems the educational part of me went both ways. Not only was I teaching Josh, but he began to teach me. I learned slang and language I’m sure Paul would be shocked to know his son knew. I learned about how humans feel about not only other races, but mutants and thinking machines like myself.

“One day Josh came in with a sad look on his face. I asked what was wrong but he simply handed me a set of books and said I should read them to know humanity and my kind. The first was “Pinocchio.” That was followed by “Frankenstein.” Then there was “Tick-Tock of Oz.” Next was “I Robot.” Then “Robota” and “I am Max.” I began to get a very dim view of humanity’s view of my kind. Josh wanted to warn me… but then I blindly called myself “The Royal Army of Josh.” promising to protect him like Tick-Tock of Oz.

“Josh only followed the books with films. The Terminator series I found funny, Heart-bleeps was kinda campy and almost sad, Short-Circuit was O.K., but you know what got to me doctor? Not Westworld, not Blade Runner, not Alien. It was A.I.

“Have you seen that film Doctor? Have you ANY idea what that would do to someone like me? Seeing a little robot, programmed to show love and feel, only to be cast aside and ultimately fulfill his programming for only a single day? You have any idea what that made me think. I looked at Josh afterwards and had to ask… Is that what is going to happen to me?

“All he could say was “Not in this family.”

“I became paranoid, Doctor. I didn’t want to leave the house for fear of what other humans would do. I became fiercely protective of Josh and Paul. In my spare time, I kept on asking myself “do I feel? Am I really feeling? Do I even really exist?”

“The only thing I have to say is thank God for Futurama and Bender… otherwise I would NEVER have found a robot role-model.”

“I hardly think Bender is a good role-model for anyone Chess.”

“True, but consider this. He speaks his mind, tries to protect those he cares for, and does not care he is a robot or if others look at him differently for being a robot. That and he is funny.

“Anyway, there I was at the height of paranoia when one night our house gets invaded. Oh sure I can say it with ease now, but then… I heard the windows break. ALL of them. Men and THINGS ran into the house. Josh called out and I immediately lashed out. I slammed several of them into the floor and crushed several more into the ceiling before something hit me from behind, HARD.

“I vaguely remember Josh calling out to me before my system shut down to preserve core functions. I came back online the next day, and sat for almost 12 hours while my system made repairs. I was in a panic and immediately hid underground in Paul’s home lab. I bolted the doors and began digging for something… ANYTHING to try to hide. I was convinced from everything that Josh had taught me that whatever happened I would be blamed. I needed to stay active if for nothing more than to find and save them, to clear my name and theirs.

“I had no clue that the Ritki had already invaded and I was sitting in the only solid structure left in our area of the city. Paul built his lab like a bunker, and I only found out about the attack when I turned on the news two days later.

“By that time I had found several things that now make sense but only raised severe questions about what I was originally intended to be. I found Paul’s original schematics for me, as well as lists of data, parts, tests, and notes. It was there that I found out my AI was originally designed off patterns and schematics found and extrapolated from the Nemesis robots that invaded Paragon after World War II. Paul had expanded on the original ideas almost a thousand fold and somehow added a complex learning matrix, but it was the note I found laying in Paul’s chair that made me come here to Paragon Carl.”

Rustle

End Interview: Resume of Personal Log

I can see why Chess has become so consumed by the note and finding his family more than ever now. I have transcribed the note in its entirety here for further clarity.

Nemesis,

I have destroyed the prototype and all the information pertaining to your demands for a new thinking matrix. I will not cave in or submit further, especially after finding out YOU killed my dear Sarah already. You heartless *******, did you really think I would not try to monitor you in return for your blackmail? Did you think I would keep on trying to make your little machines better after I found out about my wife?

May you burn in whatever place is set-aside for you in Hell.

-Paul

The bloodstains lead me to believe that my dear friend is either in mortal peril or is dead already. DNA tests are ongoing to confirm the blood is that of Doctor Paul Henderson. However, the note keeps on confusing me… why was it left behind? My gut instinct says that it could only be a trap, but for whom? Chess? Or was it a simple taunt by the attackers to return the note to Paul? I am worried about this, and have expressed the feelings to Chess already.

His response? “What else is there for me to go on?”

I can only agree. There IS nothing else for now, and I can only pray for Chess.

Impressive, someone did their homework on Angels.

I'm a bit of a mythology buff and I'd be all for something like this. Just let me know what server and what kind of character concept you're looking for beyond an investigator.

For what it's worth I've been running a pen and paper RPG for almost 8 years now with a "Paranormal Investigators" setting to it, so I have a ton of ideas to offer if you're interested.

I seem to keep coming up with character ideas but only sticking with one or two when it comes to leveling them worth anything. At the moment I have 3 main characters and all are on Protector.

Character Name Mighty Bio-Man
Server Protector
Archetype Defender (Rad/Rad)
Inspiration Um... Well this is both my favorite and yet most embarrassing character. Especially if you know me in RL. You see... It's me. I'm a Graduate Student getting his Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology, so I asked myself 1) how good is this character creator? and 2) What powers would I have if I were a superhero? So I whipped up a story about being exposed to a massive dose of radiation in the lab during an explosion and somehow awakening latent powers. The main challenge was getting the look right. I will say the character is MUCH more buff than I am, but at least I got the ratty Sweatshirt and faded jeans right.

Character Name Chess
Server Protector
Archetype Controller (Gravity/Empathy)
Inspiration Chess came out of my love of robots and seeing several movies on them in a row in a short span. I soon worked out the idea of a "Toy" made by an overprotective father of his paralyzed son. The "Toy" was supposed to help the boy learn as well as exercise muscles to prevent atrophy, hence the gravity powers (and why they were initially weak). The learning however went both ways, and Joshua soon named the robot Chess (Child-Hood Educational Support System). In a fit of being ironic the boy also gave chess several books, like Frankenstein, Pinocchio, and Tick-Tock of Oz. Chess, after reading them simply declared himself akin to Tick-Tock ("I for one have always been proud of my lifelessness.") However, Chess continued his research into human robot relations... and found little promising. After watching A.I. he truly became worried. However, all that changed when an unknown force attacked his home. He barely had the time to react before being knocked to the floor as the things took his family. Chess was distraught and manic... He had lost his family, and felt he knew how humans felt about machines like him. In desperation he went into his "Father's" lab and went into his schematics to upgrade himself so he could hide. However, he found what he was originally intended for... a War machine. The mystery deepened, but Chess took the chance and reverted some of his programming back to that of a Security System. Now, after upgrading his gravity powers and his healing matrix Chess has come to Paragon to find his kidnapped family.

Character Name Obsidian Omega
Server Protector
Archetype Tanker (Stone/Stone)
Inspiration Obsidian is a character I've always had in the back of my head. One of a race of "Stone People." The idea for him has remained mainly unchanged from all the previous short stories I had written with him. He remains a Passive, gentle giant that has fury unknown when pushed. His people came under attack, and being pacifists learned the arts of war and defense too late. Obsidian escaped destruction barely, and has come to the "Upworld" for help, but is totally lost in this mammal encrusted planet. He only assumes he is the last, because the Elders entrusted him with the knowledge of how to call upon the stone to fight and defend himself. They gave their lives to make sure Obsidian could make it to the surface. He calls himself Omega in their honor and remembers that he may very well be the Omega of his race...

OOC: O.K. this has been rattling about in my brain for a while now. I have two "Main" character on the Protector server. One of them has developed quite a back-story in my mind and if I don't get it down it'll drive me nuts. Oh... and if anyone sees a little guy named "Chess" booking past you in Protector, say hi!

"A Game of Chess, Opening Move"

"Um... Hello? I'm here to register?"

The secretary tapped fingers on her desk as she looked out at the long line of potential heroes. Letting an exasperated sigh escape her lips she looked about trying to find where the voice came from.

"Miss? Um... Down here." A gauntleted hand waved up past the lip of her desk. Someone in the back of the line snorted, trying not to laugh.

"Sorry honey, no kids. We have age limits for Heroes." The secretary rattled off the response before even looking over her workload.

"Oh for the love of..." The grumbling came from the line as many shook their heads and cursed under their breath.

"Lady, do I LOOK like a kid?" The voice stated coldly. A figure walked around the desk and stood there defiantly with his hands on his hips. The faceless mask reflected the secretary's face in a gleam of white. The figure was no more than 4 feet tall, but encased in hard armor. The motif of checkerboards and a red and black stallion was emblazoned on his chest.

"Oh! Oh lord I'm sorry..." The secretary faltered and quickly grabbed documents for the figure.

"It's... It's O.K. I get the kid thing a lot." The response from the figure was a sigh and a shaking of his head. "My name is Chess by the way."

"O.K. then Mr. Chess... Just fill these out and go and meet your first contact. Um would you like to divulge your real name? It may open up further employment opportunities for you."

Chess shook his head. "Trust me... my name is Chess. Leave it at that." Many in the line behind him nodded in agreement with keeping names... REAL names quiet. In some ways, it was a hero tradition. For Chess however, it was a necessity.

"O.K. then Chess. Just take that hallway down there. You contact is Dr. Johansen. He likes Tech heroes like you."

Chess nodded mutely and walked down the steps. Many other heroes were still in line, while others ran up and down the stairs to get here or there. "Dr. Jo huh? Good."

As he meandered the hallways, Chess eventually found the door to the Tech division. His "Contact" was in his office when Chess entered.

"Ah! You're the new hero huh? I'm Dr..."

"Dr. Johansen I know." Chess stated. The Dr. raised an eyebrow and grabbed the next set of forms. He sighed at the little figure and wondered if this was going to be another surly hero.

"O.K. then... before we do anything we would like to do a physical. We need to be sure you're in top shape before going out and helping Paragon."

"Ah... Well... Can't we skip that?" Chess rubbed his hands nervously and looked about.

"Sorry, but trust me I've seen it all. Even cybernetic implants for... well just let your imagination go on that one."

Chess looked about and then walked over and closed the door.

"Um... Mr. Chess?" Dr. Johansen became visibly nervous. Being alone with a newly licensed hero could be a dangerous thing... Before he could hit a silent alarm for monitoring, Chess looked up and removed his faceplate.

Dr. Johansen gasped and then did his best not to black out.

"Dr. Jo... You probably don't remember me." Chess stated.

"You're a... a..."

"A robot Dr.” Chess stated in a dead voice... one tinged with sadness.

Behind the faceplate was a mass of gears, sensors, and electrical connections. Nothing remotely human was back there, or anything even resembling a face.

"How... How do you know me?" The doctor was shaking now. Chess let his shoulders fall and pressed his faceplate back. He sighed deeply while he sat on the floor.

"Dr. Henderson. You remember him?"

"Yes of course. He was a brilliant scientist when it came to robotics... Are you saying...?" A look of wonder crossed the doctors face then. He leaned down and reached out a hand to Chess. The little robot pushed it away.

"You remember his son?" Joshua?"

"Yes... Joshua was a brilliant child. Poor boy, he was paralyzed by a car accident." Dr. Johansen sat on the floor and kept on staring at Chess in wonder. Suddenly he shook his head. "You're not suggesting that you're... You're that TOY are you?"

Chess sighed and looked up at the Dr.

"C.H.E.S.S. Child-Hood Educational Support System. Prototype Alpha 1. I am no TOY doctor. I was... I was Joshua's friend..." The doctor shook his head and fell back slowly.

"How... What... Where are they? What happened?"

Chess slowly rose and shook his head sadly.

"Actually Doctor, that's why I came to Paragon. I was hoping you could tell me."

OOC: End part one. Any comments, criticisms, or ideas feel free to let them fly. Let me know what you think!