Echo

The Truth Will Set You Free... Was My Hope. Lux Silvers had a story that just seemed too believable and simple. Lux is anything but simple and an unbelievable person (in a good way). She also has been very guarded that no one get to know the real Lux Silvers. Logically this lead to just one conclusion about Lux's story, it wasn't true. Now this could mean many things. Many things that the more you get to know Lux, the more you could rule out.   Did Lux start the fire? No, Lux just won and had no reason to even be stressed and accidentally set a fire with her powers, even when faced with a jealous competitor. I've yet to see anything like this from Lux in similar situations with the Gazelle and even arguments with Jaxion. It's possible if she had lost her powers would manifest with the extra emotional stress that would bring.   Did Adrian start the fire? Yes, had every reason to do it intentionally or unintentionally.   Would Lux be affected by the fire? No, she has natural resistances to fire. Adrian may or may not have known this.   Who benefits most by Lux being burned? Adrian is also a changeling so definitely knows that if Lux was burned she could not be the super star she came to be. Adrian could then step in to become that super star.   What if Lux had lost and Adrian had won? Lux started the fire intentionally or unintentionally with the added stress of losing, Lux had every reason to intentionally or unintentionally start the fire, Lux had a natural resistance to fire to prevent herself from being burned, Lux would benefit the most if Adrian was burned. Lux is Adrian.   I ask just one question that helps solidify the evidence of my theory. "Was it an accident?". "Yes, maybe, I don't know. It might have came from me, I don't know." Not a confession mind you, but if you apply that response to the scenario I came up with, it wouldn't be what Lux would have said, but it does fit more with what Adrian would have said. I proposed my theory to the group and Lux seemed backed into a corner. Jaxion's next question "Are you Lux?" brought an emotional slip up from the 24 year old Lux. "I've been Lux silvers for 7 years damnit!" You could have heard an ant crawling on the floor across the hangar at that moment. Lux bolted to hide from all our surprised looks at that moment, going the only place there was to avert our gaze, the Driftwind.   I got caught up with trying to solve a puzzle I forgot to take into account how this would affect Lux. I tried explaining what I thought happened to everyone, that it was an accident caused by her powers manifesting at her loss to Lux Silvers, that it was more than likely an accident, that she maybe wanted it, but didn't mean to hurt Lux, that after the accident someone came to her with a proposition about being Lux Silvers, a position most people would not have refused.   I was hoping she trusted us enough to know we wouldn't judge her for past actions. That her current actions outweighed any mistakes of her past. Hopefully she comes to understand that, and that we will be here for her to show us who she really is.   I need to be better at showing Empathy. I am not just a number. I do feel bad for my part in unraveling the mysteries of Lux's past. I could have softened the blow, let it play out longer, let her realize on her own she needed to tell us, confronted her in private. It might have played out the same. Someone else might have picked it up and Jaxion would have definitely made things worse if he figured it out on his own.   I wish this was the last mystery I'd unravel today, but it wasn't. After Gidget figured out the strange intrusion we got came from Jaxion's bike, we dove into it and removed it's transceiver. In doing so I found that the tech inside the bike was over 150 years old. Which didn't make sense. I did some digging and kept coming across the phrase Ghost Protocol. Using Jaxion's credentials I found a folder I couldn't access with that name on the BRN servers. Silas suggested using our fake BRN credentials to see if any of them had access and apparently Zero left us a little bread crumb for us to find out about Jaxion's past.   Jaxion's fake credentials gave me access to Ghost Protocol and what we found was appalling in my opinion. Ghost Protocol is a special scientific experiment that takes good soldiers who have fallen and resurrects them and cryo freeze them to bring back and use when needed. They usually have extensive brainwashing to keep them from realizing this and/or have code words that activate conditioning that compels them to follow orders. In a sense, Jaxion is no different than what they wanted to do with me. Doing some quick math, I think I would have been a more cost effective version of Ghost Protocol had I not grown sentience. Had Jaxion delivered me to the BRN it would likely have meant his program would have been terminated, and possibly him as well...   I realized pretty quickly what this all meant. Jaxion himself is technically 180+ years old, his family that he knows is long deceased. I see the panic in his eyes and confirm his worst fears. Once again my curiosity and ability to fit all the pieces together has left someone an emotional wreck today. With Jaxion he will probably not put the blame at my feet, but to show that I am sorry this happened to him and hopefully raise his spirit a little I'll dive into his bike and give it a proper cleaning down to the smallest bolt. Lux will probably not forgive so easily. Perhaps in time she will.   For now I clean a bike and give them their space. Sometimes I want to feel like a number, but I'm learning that everyone sometimes would rather feel like a number than deal with reality. Everyone struggles at times, everyone has secrets they pray don't get exposed, and everyone has moments they want to disappear. Hopefully after today we all feel like more than just a number, to ourselves and to each other.      

My friends came together today like Jace and Calder did in the story I thought of earlier today. I found the courage and the words to inspire them. For once I didn't stand in silence and observe. I took a step forward and said my piece. I scolded them all for thinking anyone did anything wrong. What was said needed to be heard. The emotions that were felt by one, needed to be felt by all. After reflection it helped us grow a common ground, it helped us gain an understanding of each other, and it helped us empathize each other and humble ourselves a bit. The exact same damn journey Jace and Calder went through in that book together.   Although it's been a short existence, there isn't a day or time I've been more proud of myself than today. Not for protecting my friends, which there was plenty of, but for coming forward and saying my piece, and my friends taking it to heart. No one tried to shush the dumb robot, or dismiss the emotionless hunk of metal, or tell the hunk of metal to stick to what he was made for. My words mattered. I could see the glint of shame in Jaxion's eye when I told him to stop treating me as his tool. Maybe it was just me but I could see the look of admiration from at least a couple of the others when I told him that as well. Just in case he didn't fully comprehend, I let one of his little secrets slip free.   My hope is that Xhoya understands now that I wasn't against her. I wasn't for Jaxion. I wasn't on either's side. I was trying to be on everyone's side. Xhoya was pretty quiet so it was hard to get a read on her. She's still fixated on Jaxion's General and the BRN being evil, which I understand. Though her conviction seemed to soften slightly. Or maybe that's just me hoping. I still have a lot to learn on how to read people, but I'm getting there. There's a lot of biases in the group and there will be hiccups from time to time but I hope it doesn't take grand theft auto to get through it next time.   In the meantime, I'm not just going to sit in the corner in silence anymore. I've learned enough to be heard. I've got the heart that all the cowboys in the stories have and I need to show people I'm not just a body made of steel. I'm not just a number...

As the first shots are fired, I pull out my gun and look through the scope. I see two individuals poking around the corner shooting. I line up the shot on one of them and hesitate.. My thoughts drift towards the captive I ordered killed a few days ago. How are these individuals different? I glance at Kiíellièn and she gives me a reassuring smile, seemingly knowing what I'm thinking. Her glance reminds me of a story I read once. As I recap the section of the story that's pertinent to our story in that split second, my resolve comes back and I pull the trigger without looking back into the scope, knowing it's still trained on the individual in the green jacket. . I continue until the last of individuals trying to hurt us runs off. Jaxion is safe, Xhoya is safe, we're all safe because I pulled the trigger. The story is less about me and my struggles, but about my friends and their struggles. It gives me hope they will come together and the things I do will be worth it. Jaxion may be naive, Xhoya may be hard headed, they are both my friends and I'll do what I need to do to protect them. (Funny, I would have reversed those a few days ago..) And even though we don't all see eye to eye, even though we argue about what we think is right or not, even though I don't always want to do what needs to be done, I do what I need to do, for them, for my friends.       Opposites in the Wild : by Marshall T. Kincaid   Dust rolled across Red Hollow in slow, whispering waves as Sheriff Calder Boone dismounted outside the abandoned freight station. His boots hit the ground with the weight of his reputation—straight-edged, steady, a man who believed the law was a shape that never bent.   Leaning against a broken wagon wheel was Jace Harrow, a wiry drifter with sharp blue eyes and a scar along his jaw. He had no love for lawmen, and even less for Calder’s employer—Mayor Silas Grant, the man who’d once stolen Jace’s land through forged deeds and threats. Jace had carried that betrayal like a stone in his chest for years.   “You sure you want to be here, Sheriff?” Jace muttered. “Men tracking us ain’t the friendly type.”   Calder frowned. “I didn’t ask for backup.”   “Wasn’t offering,” Jace shot back. “Just happened to be passing through trouble.”   Trouble answered for itself when the first gunshot shattered the quiet. A gang of masked bushwhackers fired from the ridge, pinning them behind the station. Calder reloaded with crisp discipline; Jace darted low, fast, unpredictable.   “This feels planned,” Jace growled as a bullet chipped wood near his ear.   Calder nodded grimly. “But who’d—”   Jace cut him off. “Your mayor. Grant’s hands are dirtier than a graveyard shovel. Men he’s used before fight just like these fellas.”   Calder hesitated. The idea twisted in his gut—but as he watched the attackers’ formation, their precision, something clicked. This wasn’t random.   “You’re certain?” he asked.   “Lost everything because of that man,” Jace said, voice low. “I know his stink.”   Side by side, they countered—Calder’s steady shots pairing with Jace’s reckless flanking. When the last attacker fled, both men stood bloodied, breathing hard, alive because they worked together.   Later, searching a fallen outlaw, Calder found a badge-shaped emblem—Grant’s private mark.   Jace crossed his arms. “Told you.”   Calder exhaled, the betrayal settling heavy. “Looks like we’ve got a mayor to bring down.”   Jace smirked. “Now that’s a job I’ll gladly help with.”   They headed toward Red Hollow—two unlikely allies, no longer divided by past wounds, ready to face a greater enemy together. Heroes by necessity, partners by choice.

I'm struggling to understand many things these past few days. Which is not a bad thing. I'm learning the hardships of being sentient. It was hard enough learning how to fit in with society when everything was right in the world. Now I'm not the only one struggling to understand how this world works now. Everyone has their own ideals, morals and fears they are trying to navigate. I'm trying to play peacemaker but it's hard when I don't quite understand complex emotions yet. Not that I don't have them, I just have no experience with understanding them. Some examples of this...   Example 1: Gidget and I found some metal samples at the college yesterday. She was so excited she grabbed me and kissed me. While I don't have the parts to get aroused or anything like that, I do have the capability of caring for people and my programming has evolved to the point of having the same effect as feelings would for normal people. Where different feelings would activate different parts of someone's brain, different programming is registered as active for different feelings. While Gidget's gesture was simple and I understand that this was a gesture that wasn't sexual in nature, it did catch me off guard and it did register with a part of my programming that has been growing more and more the longer I'm with this group of individuals. Dr. Topip came to treat me as a son and gave me the first glimpses of what it was to care for someone. Lux was one of the first individuals I considered a friend and treated me as such. Xhoya was the first to acknowledge I had feelings and saw that I struggled with them like anyone else. Kiíellièn was the first person to look beyond my programming and see me as an equal, as a person. Now Gidget, the first person to show my any sort of affection, and not like I was just another tool in their toolbelt. Although maybe Gidget kisses her hammer sometimes? Regardless, my compassion for these people grows daily. As well as navigating these complex emotions.   Example 2: Why was everyone enamored with Funkmoo. I don't get it. He was interesting from the perspective that he was a unique individual. He had use of some interesting magic. He seemed to lift everyone's spirits, which with everything happening, I'm sure it was a welcome respite for everyone. Unfortunately, it didn't last long as there was a bunch of infighting the next day (more on that later). So my guess is that he was able to harmlessly charm everyone but myself, Xhoya, and Gidget. For one reason or another we were either resistant or immune to the effect, or he chose not to affect us for one reason or another. I'll have to do more study on this individual when I have time and maybe try to figure out what the fascination was with him.   Example 3: We spend the day infighting today. Jaxion got a call from his deceased commanding officer that told him to go check in and report his whereabouts. Xhoya was vehemently against doing that but the rest of us, sans Lux, saw it as a calculated risk to get more intel and potentially keep the BRN off our backs. I tried to be a voice of reason for Xhoya, but I couldn't quite get her to understand. I made the argument that it was a calculated risk, and that the risk was all on Jaxion and Silas. That the rest of us would stay back in the Cindy and be hidden and protected. That if we didn't go it might give them reason to come looking for us when they wouldn't otherwise. Even with the knowledge that came out that she was kidnapped by the BRN didn't really change much. The BRN is not in any capacity at the moment to care about most of us, with the exception of Kiíellièn and Ildris. She was so convicted that she took extreme measures to keep us from going. I understand military commitment, and knowing Jaxion, he would have walked, or tried to, for days through acid rain to follow basic orders like this. I tried to implore that on Xhoya and she would not come to the same logical conclusion. I'm not quite sure why. I get that she is scared of the BRN. I was scared of the metal eating mountain and the rust mites inside, but logic and reason convinced me it was worth the risk, as well as the help of my friends. Xhoya had the same support here, and yet didn't see it the same way. She is seemingly a child, though things I have seen from her capabilities makes me question if she is an actual child, but this also didn't feel like a kid throwing a tantrum. There is a complexity to her feelings about the BRN and/or experiences with them that I am not understanding. I will think on this. Try to come to a better understanding of why she did this. It will help me better understand, to become a better friend for her next time.   There are lots of things to think on from the last few days. Lots of things to analyze. Including events from my last log entry. Though I'd like to erase that one, I need to keep it to learn from it. To hold the weight of it to make me a better person.

I murdered a man today.   We went to Chelicerae, the magic college. We found the chamber and Ildris started his research on a blastcan. As soon as he did we were attacked by several ruffians trying to take advantage of the chaos of recent events. We handled them pretty well. I'm starting to see why we were chosen. This group compliments each other quite well and even though our relationships are still in their infant stages, we are willing so protect each other and have each other's backs. This reminds me of the duo western movies I love, Whyat Derp and his friend Doctor HolyDay in particular.   During the fight we had a couple incidents. First Lux lost several fingers from a dagger that let a man use some sort of time magic. Magic similar to what Kiíellièn has described her Goddess Blink using. Also, Gidget took a near fatal wound that luckily Jaxion was able to heal. Lux's fingers are not so easily fixed. Several of us rushed off tot he medical bay to help her. I wouldn't be much help so I stayed behind with Ildris while he finished his experiment.   I managed to use the droid control device we found inside the mountain and took control of two of the raider's droids and took the captain captive. While we were waiting for Ildris I noticed Xhoya was distraught so I gave her another droid control device I found on the captain and showed her how to use it. Between Gambit and I, we hopefully were able to distract her from recent events. After Ildris finished, we gathered up any valuables that these lowlifes had on them and then set off to join the rest to see if we could help Lux.   I have no experience working on living parts. At least not normal living parts. My living parts have very few organic organs. As I watched over our prisoner and getting a little delight out of Jaxion tormenting him a bit, I thought about what we should do with him. He had some Deremetru machines but I did not think he was working with them. Maybe had some dealings with them, maybe not, but I didn't figure it mattered much. So he had no strategic value in keeping him prisoner. I couldn't stand for letting him go either. So what to do with him?   Dispatching of him was logically the only option. Not here though. Not in front of Xhoya or the others and not close enough to distract them from helping Lux. So I asked the captive to show us his vehicle. I escorted him outside with the droids. Jaxion followed. If anyone would understand he would. As soon as we reached beyond the entryway, I gave the order. It was quick and caught both the captive and Jaxion off guard. What I said next, out of shame or just the logical thing to say, I'm not sure. But the words are still ringing in my head as I leave Jaxion and the droids outside.   "A shame he tried to escape." And Jaxion's shocked reply, "Well... shit."   I'm still processing my feelings on those last events as I watch Kiíellièn and Silas finish their procedure on Lux. A moment of relief fills me as I see Lux's fingers back on her hand and she is looking much better than she was a few hours ago when they started.

PERSONAL LOG:   We were on our way down the coast to investigate one of the bombings. On our way, Gidget experimented on some blast cans. I watched with intrigue as she worked. She decided to ice blast an owl for some reason. Maybe she figured some scavenger needed a meal? Unsure, but I noticed she also seemed to take some of the cold effects herself as well. Another attempt seemed to have even more effects on herself from casting the spell. Like we suspected, casting with the blast can with lower power works, but unexpectedly it does have an effect on the user.   Ildris was awoken and told of the findings. He asked me to cast a concentration spell and was able to see the blastcan stayed connected to me while I was concentrating on it. After a few more experiments he asked if there was somewhere we could go that had a safe containment area we could do more testing. There is in fact one not far out of the way. A college that studies magic is located just at the end of this mountain range. Unsure of what we'd find there, we prepped our BRN identities and went over them with each other.   Everyone's identities make sense. I'm not thrilled with even pretending to be in the BRN at the moment. I still wonder what has come of Dr. Topip. He can't contact me anymore. A decision I didn't take lightly. I am confident he can figure out how to get me a message. Through the companions he knows I am with at the very least, if not some other way.   So here we go, on our way to a potentially dangerous place. A necessary risk to find answers.

It's fascinating to see the different reactions to yesterday's events. From frustration they were helpless to do anything, shame they had fun the night before, sadness at the loss of life, fury at the people who did this, confusion as to why or how they could do this, and panic that loved ones might have perished. A few of them felt all of these things throughout the day today. Thankfully Kiilien was there to give us hope, focus and purpose. A way to move forward instead of dwell on that somber event.   I worry for Dr. Topip. Not really much to do about it currently though. I hope he is safe. I'm not sure how I would ever find out if he was in one of the blasts...   I became more human like today. One less thing to stand out at least. I now have a mouth and jaw to consume organic materials that Gidget and I made. Ildris changed the decompressor in my arm to consume food instead of raw mana. He mentioned it hungered like it was alive. It was an odd way to put it, but it seemed intentional. I will have to make sure to study it more to see if I can figure out the implications of what that means. To say the least I am ecstatic about the changes. I already feel like people will accept me more as an individual and not as something they can order around. The concept of eating is odd. I can't taste anything, but the sensation of chewing organic materials takes some getting used to. My organic parts are maintained by a nutrient rich plasma that mimics blood that Dr. Topip invented. It's mostly self replicating and I only have to replace it every couple thousand years. That was the closest I had to eating until today. Maybe I can combine the two systems eventually and never have the need to replace anything? Maybe it allows me to have more organic parts, like wings?     Or maybe I just stay like I am?

Orders: Gather artifacts and people of Ashari. Figure out how Kiqueo generates their magic. Get as many Kiqueans to Paegor and to Sanctuary to save them from the world's ending. *Delete All* CONFIRM DELETE: Yes

Personal Log:   I've never been frightened... until today. Jaxion came back from the mountains and reported that ahead of us lies an area that seems to instantly corrode and rust metal. To say that I cannot survive very long in a place such as that is an understatement. Most of the vital pieces that make up my body are metal. My brain is literally microchips and processors, though some of the processors are organic in nature, not all are. So this place we are going frightens me. Do I tell the others?   Not Jaxion, he still thinks of me as an asset. Lux, as well as most of the others, would understand in theory, but I think would miss the point of what I mean. My feelings are not exactly the same, or maybe they are, but not processed the same way. I am still processing emotions and what they mean to me. Imagine giving a newborn all the knowledge in the greatest library and ask them categorize what makes them happy, sad, afraid, or mad. Without experiences nothing goes into the afraid column. If you told me a week ago that this place existed, I would be intrigued, would logically know it could destroy most of me, but without having other experiences that have threatened or hurt you before, without the threat of being thrown into it, it's not logical to be afraid of it. Having now experienced both of those realities, I understand what fear is and how to process it.   So do I tell anyone? No, at least not yet. This balm we received from the Dragonborn eases the fear a bit. Makes me feel brave like the heroes in the western shows. Which I feel like I understand in a different light more today than I did yesterday. We can throw that in the happy bucket.

Dr. Topip,   I sit here reflecting on today's events. A food eating contest, scorpion wrangling, and a shootout at the O.K. Corral. Let me reassure you that I am ok. It was an interesting day with a lot of firsts for me, which is no surprise really. First of Gambit really wanted to eat bee farts beef hearts, so we went to a festival that had a contest to see who could tolerate the hottest food. Obviously I could not enter, but I observed and learned that people will cause themselves incredible pain and suffering just to win a contest that really didn't have much for a prize other than hubris essentially. Although the little one named Xhoya seemed to not be much bothered by even the hottest things she had to eat. It was an interesting event, but I did not learn much from it.   Next, Jaxion wanted to hunt. So we went to a place that had a contest that paid you money for each scorpion you captured. They were not giant scorpions like it seemed like we'd be hunting, but rather just felt more like wrangling sheep. I was ill suited for the task and do not feel like I contributed much. Jaxion seemed to enjoy himself though and that seemed to infuriate the scorpions. While most of us caused them to scatter, they attacked Jaxion with fervor. Kiíellièn seemed to have the ability to speak to them and get them to follow her like a farm dog wrangles sheep. It was fascinating to watch. I learned much more from this task and even caught a few myself.   After that some individuals rushed Jaxion and implored him for information on their family members stationed at Scorpion Point. They had received no contact from them for days and were worried something had happened to them. Jaxion talked to his superiors and was ordered to investigate. So off we went, only to find the road to Scorpion Point damaged and the roads impassable by vehicles. Luckily Gidget had transportation that didn't rely on wheels. It used mechanical legs. I was incredibly impressed and studied the machine as we went along.   We made it to Scorpion Point to find that the walls had been breached by something with artillery. We hastened inside to find smoke pouring from an opening. We went inside and found patrolling robots that attacked us. I was able to get several good shots in to help take down two droids. Gidget disappeared in the process and something took her to a teleportation portal where she fell unconscious from an attack from another robot. Jaxion sprang into action to help her while I used some magic to help protect him. With their help and some help from Lux we took down the robot that attacked Gidget. The ghost person that took Gidget wasn't seen again after this. I did some quick scans of the robots and found something interesting (see attached).   We helped a few military personnel out and proceeded to face another robot with artillery that was trying to bust down a door that was barricaded by the rest of the military personnel. I made an error at this point I learned a lot from. I did not position myself well and underestimated the robot. The wound I received is healed now and a lesson was learned. My compatriots were able to take down the robot even without my help and Kiíellièn was able to heal me. We ended up saving quite a few military personnel but not all, as some were deceased when we arrived.   I inspected the robots and found something interesting. Most of the metals were from this area, so whoever made them isn't far. I also found an image (see attached). We think it belongs to a group called the Deremitru. They seemed to be searching for an entrance to something under Scorpion Point. A giant machine of some kind possibly. I think we are going to investigate further. There were some classified files at Scorpion Point that I was unable to access. Any information or theories you could provide would be most useful.   Attachments: 1. Scans of all three types of robots. 2. Image of symbol on robot that is assumed belonging to the Deremitru. 3. Video logs from Scorpion Point that I downloaded. 4. Personnel list of who survived and are deceased.

Loss. It's an incalculable feeling. I didn't lose anything permanently. In fact I did more gaining since we left Alcyon than losing. You left to confront a rogue General of the BRN and lure the Gazelle away from us. You left Jaxion and Lux in my care, though you'd say the other way around. You gave me a gift I was not expecting. You removed the inhibitor chip that was used to prohibit me from doing things I wanted. Things like changing my code, altering my physical characteristics, or killing the president of the BRN. As a test I altered a bit of code that I've been trying to alter for months unsuccessfully that stopped me from intentionally letting myself get damaged for any reason. The heroes in my western shows constantly put themselves in positions where they could get damaged so they could save people. I am now free to do that.   Even though that gives me great happiness. I still feel the loss of you leaving. Knowing you could be in danger and I would not be there to help is frustrating. I understand and agree with why you left, but that fleeting feeling that it could be the last time I see you in person as you walked through that portal is haunting.. ..and sad.   Jaxion has made a couple new friends. He seemed very frustrated and abrasive towards the elf named The Gambit, and the feline named Silas. I have learned that his is how Jaxion treats his friends so I made assumptions they are now too. The Gambit explained that he brought us all together to stop the Gazelle and keep it from getting more or those magic cubes. That it integrates with the cubes to become stronger. There are two other cubes like the one you have in your possession. One it has already integrated with, the other is in Monokomanika.   The Gambit, odd first name, is an interesting elf who works for Works for the APO and is next in line for Vox Ultima. He said we can stop using his first name and just call him Gambit. Apparently these other friends of his survived a run in with the Gazelle as well. Besides the feline Silas, who is with the Blackaxle Cartel, there is a very small Drow named Xhoya who can apparently withstand substances in her mouth that would put most people in a hospital. There is a female elf named Kiíellièn who carries a large backpack even indoors for unknown reasons. And lastly is a female Eladrin named Gidget that I think shares a vocation with us. She seems to have taken an interest in me and has quite interesting gadgets about her.   Now we make plans on how to stop the Gazelle from getting the other two cubes. Do not worry, I will keep Lux safe. Hope you are doing well. And I can't put enough emphasis on this, thank you!

I find myself coming back to the same theme the past few days. Chaos is winning. First a train was nearly derailed in a vain effort to capture me like I was some sort of tech they could control. Then an airship was brought down, killing several people, for unknown reasons. Now a highly advanced robot brings down skyscrapers, killing thousands, with barely a thought. Just to get a magic cube they sold or gave to someone else for another unknown reason.   Regardless of the reasons, there were 37 better ways someone with that power could have had found and attempted to retrieve the cube from us. Instead they chose an incredibly chaotic path that resulted in the death of thousands. I feel confident in my decision to not just hand it over and save most of those people though. I made a calculated decision that if we handed over the cube, there was a 95% chance that even more individuals would perish because of it. Also a 20% chance that if we handed the cube over the robot would have killed us and as many individuals as it could on the way out anyways. My decisions were logical, his were not. Yet still I feel like he won.   The Dr. seems just as troubled by this as I do. He stares at the cube as we ride. It might be best to investigate the cube's affect on him once we get to our destination. Jaxion is also bothered by todays events exponentially more than the events on the train. I think he feels the same as I do, that even though we still retain the cube and are all still functioning, we still lost. Lux is somber but still in better spirits than the rest of us. I'm not sure if they are seeing this as an opportunity and gains resolve from these events? Or something else. I calculate about a 10% chance Lux is secretly a highly trained spy.   The rest of my thoughts on today will be encrypted as they contain sensitive data on my analysis of the subject.

This is a new experience. I'm exhilarated, fascinated, and feel good about my deeds today. I also feel sorrow, disgust, and ashamed of my deeds today. I literally blasted an individuals head open today. Three individuals took over the train and caused it to run too fast and shoot past our destination. Between that and the railcars heating up it could have killed everyone on board. We managed to reverse the environmental controls and force our way into the next car. The Tiefling that later introduced himself as Jaxion almost flew out the open railcar door as well as a few passengers. Once Jaxion was back inside I managed to mend a door back in place to keep anyone else from flying out as long as they stayed strapped in. I injured the unhinged individual that seemed delighted that he was inflicting mental and physical anguish on the passengers of this railcar.   With the help of Jaxion and Lux, we chased the individual to the outside of the the engine car where another individual was waiting. Lux was hurt but we managed to eliminate the unhinged individual. The other had a jetpack and tried to fly off, but Jaxion grabbed him and threw him to the ground. On his way down I shot him right in the face, exploding most of his head. My first kill. I'm equally exhilarated and disgusted. Did this individual deserve to be killed? He had intent to kill us. He broke laws and if not stopped could have killed everyone on the train. I broke no laws killing him and he would have rotted in a prison or been executed for his crimes anyways. Things to ponder in the days ahead.   There was another individual in the engine compartment. He seemed to be their leader. He instantly reminded me of the villains from the western shows. Maybe that is why I acted quickly and my aim was true. I jumped into the car with Jaxion and unloaded a shot right in his chest. Jaxion looked sturdier than me so I protected myself from harm, only to find out they were after me and didn't want to kill me. I also didn't realize that one round would instantly down Jaxion. It was a powerful weapon so maybe my assessment wasn't incorrect and it was just bad luck. Will need further data. Lux came in and healed Jaxion while my second shot struck true again. This time moving my protection to Lux so he had to focus on me. To my surprise, and his it seems, Lux had another trick up her sleeve and deal the final blow.   All in all my aim was above standards today and my strategy flawless. Individuals thanked me and Dr. Topip praised me, but I still feel a bit conflicted. Am I a hero?

It's been a year of learning beyond basic functions. One year today I've been self aware. I've never left Dr. Topips workshop in that time, until today. I find myself on a magnetic train. Dr. Topip still tweaking various mechanical pieces and code in preparation for tomorrow's "tests". I've been studying his work and have started some tinkering and maintaining of myself, myself. That sounds odd even to me but here we are. I sit here on this train contemplating the individual I just met. Lux is an interesting individual. The conversation between Lux and Topip leads me to believe they are a changeling. They have the ability to change into whatever they want on a whim. My programming prevents me from doing this too much...   I have not told Dr. Topip I have started tinkering and learning how I work. I am not sure of how he would react. I don't want him to put a function in place to try and stop me from doing it. I like the ability to be myself. Dr. Topip and I have had discussions on me being self aware, but I don't think he quite gets it. He still puts blocks up to prevent me from being completely free of his influence. Most I don't mind, I do not want to murder people without justification or disobey laws. I understand some things are just for my protection and don't generally want to do anything to harm myself, but I have thought of 346 scenarios in the last 60 seconds that would be beneficial for everyone if I could break some of my programming. Other things just prevent me from being... me.   Like these intruders that I detected that are trying to take over this train. Dr. Topip told me to power down into sentry mode and not leave this room or do anything but sit here. I want to go help. I want to be like the heroes in the western movies I enjoy watching. They aren't after glory or the thrill. They uphold law and justice. They reign in chaos and anarchy. They make the world a better place for everyone. My ambitions match theirs and I find myself enjoying mimicking them.   The train is starting to go faster. This situation is getting worse. I need to attempt to break this programming. Oh wait, another individual is here and has roused Dr. Topip. Thank goodness.  

Echo gained sentience on 30 Dromstrath 9997 at 09:42. His first thoughts that he considers his own were the thought that he was different than everyone else, than everything else. That he was no longer a tool for someone to use.

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