Big guy and rusty the boy robot #32: Absolute zero.
Big guy is the property of dark horse comics and whoever makes the TV series..
Donovan is carrying a bunch of books and passes by a room. He turns his head and drops his book when he sees who’s in it.
“What the hell is he doing back together?” Donovan asks.
Dr. Slate is in there with Earl put back together.
“It’s okay he’s not activated.” Dr. Slate says.
“Forget that. Why is he non disassembled?” Donovan asks.
Dr. Slate does one more adjustment and turns towards Donovan.
“The problem with him really is that he was never finished. We could always use another boy robot just in case something would happen to Rusty. I am trying to see if his emotional matrix is upgradeable.” Dr. Slate says.
“Just don’t activate him anywhere around me.” Donovan says.
He picks up his books and scurry’s off. Dr. Slate shakes her head and chuckles. A loud beeping tells Slate that Rusty is recharged. She goes into the other room and activates Rusty. He comes to life and gets up immediately. Rusty looks over and sees Earl.
“What’s he doing put together again? I thought I took him apart.” Rusty asks.
Slate sighs and tells the same thing to Rusty that she did to Donovan. Meanwhile in the main lab a scientist is working on an experiment. Donovan comes in.
“What are you up to?” Donovan asks.
The scientist looks up.
“I’m doing an experiment that may allow us to get more energy using freezing cold. Absolute zero actually.” The scientist responds.
Donovan scratches his head.
“Absolute what?” Donovan asks.
“It’s the term used when the temperature drops to so low that the molecules stop.” The scientist responds.
“Well how the hell is that going to help us get more energy?” Donovan asks confused as ever.
“I am doing an experiment to see how much energy is released when something frozen to absolute zero is heated. That energy release could be harnessed.” The scientist responds.
“Yeah but wouldn’t it take more energy to bring it to absolute zero?” Jenny says jumping onto Donovan’s shoulder.
“Shut up monkey. I told you I ask the questions here.” Donovan snaps.
Donovan opens his mouth but stops and looks confused.
“Uh what she said.” Donovan says.
“That’s why I am comparing the amount of energy to freeze it compared to the energy released when unfreezing it.” The scientist responds.
“Whatever. Just be careful.” Donovan says.
He walks off in a daze.
“So repeat what you just learned to the teacher.” Jenny says.
“Shut up you little.” Donovan snaps.
Back in Dr. Slate’s lab she is still working on Earl.
“So what you doing?” Rusty asks.
When Slate doesn’t answer he stands closer to her.
“So what you doing?” Rusty repeats.
Slate sighs.
“I’m kind of busy Rusty.” Slate says.
Rusty looks down.
“I’m sorry. I am just frustrated that Earl can’t get to his full potential. There must be a way.” Dr. Slate says frustrated.
“Can’t you just give him a processor like mine?” Rusty asks.
Slate shakes her head.
“Earl’s system can’t handle a processor as complicated as yours. Your line was the first of a kind to handle this new complicated emotional grid processor.” Dr. Slate responds.
“So why did you put him together?” Rusty asks.
Slate sighs.
“I don’t know. I guess I am just having pipe dreams.” Dr. Slate responds.
Meanwhile in the main lab the scientist is ready to start his experiment.
“Computer cool sample to absolute zero.” The scientist says.
“Cooling.” The computer says.
Inside the confinement field the sample slowly freezes and after a few seconds it stops.
“Sample is at absolute zero.” Computer says.
“Computer tap an energy pump into frozen area and prepare to gather energy is it’s released.” The scientist says.
The computer confirms.
“Okay this is it. Computer raise temperature to room level.” The scientist says.
The sample heats up slowly and steam is sucked out. On the computer screen an energy read out appears.
“Computer. Compare the amount of energy needed to freeze to the amount released.” The scientist says.
The screen shows a slight increase on the released side.
“I knew it!” The scientist yells.
The scientist stands up and opens the sample container.
“Now for a test on something bigger.” The scientist says.
He looks at a large room that is completely contained from the rest of the lab. He goes in there and sets up the system inside the room. He then leaves and seals the doorway and glass window.
“Okay computer. Lower the temperature in the room to absolute zero.” The scientist says.
“Warning. Computer system components are in the wall of the room. Bringing it to absolute zero may cause a malfunction.” The computer chimes out.
“I’ll take that risk. This could be scientific gold.” The scientist says.
He turns and watches as the room cools more and more. Suddenly cracks appear in the doorway and the window. The scientist looks on in horror. He can barely get out a scream when the whole lab is instantly frozen. Alarms go off all over quarks. Another scientist looks at a terminal.
“Damn. Readings show that the main lab has been frozen to, this isn’t possible, absolute zero!” The scientist yells.
Another guy looks at the readings.
“And according to this, it’s spreading. Slowly but it’s spreading.” A soldier says.
Donovan jumps into action.
“How long before it reaches the core?” Donovan asks.
The scientist frowns and does some calculations.
“About 3 hours.” The scientist responds.
“Damn. If the core is frozen then we are all dead.” Donovan says.
Jenny shivers at the thought.
“Hey I’m from the tropics. I’m not supposed to be frozen.” Jenny says.
“Sure you are. Haven’t you heard of monkey-sicle?” Donovan asks.
Jenny decides not to justify that with an answer for once.
“How can we stop this?” Donovan asks.
“If we can get someone close enough to the frozen area and set off a heat bomb, it might be enough to reverse the ongoing wave of zero.” The scientist thinks after thinking for a bit.
“Well humans wouldn’t be able to get close enough. Not even in a hazard suit. It’s too cold.” The Soldier says.
“What about a robot?” Donovan asks.
“You thinking of Rusty?” The scientist asks.
“Is the communication system still working?” Donovan asks.
The soldier brings up the communications system.
“Yeah it’s working. But for how long I can’t tell.” The soldier responds.
“This is quarks can anybody read me?” The scientist asks.
But only static answers him. The soldier brings up a diagnostic system.
“Damn it’s been affected enough that we can’t send anything out.” The soldier says.
Dr. Slate comes in.
“So how are we going to do this?” The soldier asks.
“We could send Rusty with the heat bomb but I am afraid that the extreme cold may damage his core processor.” Dr. Slate says.
Rusty walks in.
“What are you talking about?” Rusty asks.
“We need a robot to get close enough to the ice and detonate a heat bomb. But I don’t want to place you in danger.” Dr. Slate says.
Rusty puffs his chest out.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m a big boy.” Rusty says.
Dr. Slate giggles at the sight.
“What about the Ep-327? He’s expendable.” The scientist asks.
“He is not expendable. I don’t consider any robot here expendable. Well most of them.” Dr. Slate says thinking about Donovan’s robots.
“Well he’s the only choice we have.” The soldier says.
Dr. Slate sighs.
“Fine. I’ll go and activate him.” Dr. Slate says.
“Oh boy!” Rusty yells.
They both go to the lab with Earl and Dr. Slate finishes up one more thing. Then she activates Earl.
“Ep-327 online awaiting orders!” Earl yells.
“Earl give me five!” Rusty yells.
“Defense systems activated!” Earl yells.
Earl punches Rusty. Dr. Slate shakes her head.
“Earl. Do you remember me?” Dr. Slate asks.
“Yes sir.” Earl responds.
Dr. Slate takes out a holographic projector.
“Thorton made this just in case we needed Earl again and he wasn’t available to transfer authority.” Dr. Slate says.
She activates the projector and a solid life-size picture of Thorton.
“Attention!” Thorton yells.
Earl comes to attention.
“Yes sir! Awaiting orders sir!” Earl yells.
“I am transferring authority to Dr. Slate and Rusty. You are to obey any orders they give to you without question. Is that understood?” Thorton asks.
“Yes sir!” Earl yells.
Dr. Slate deactivates the projector and sets it aside.
“Okay Earl. These are your orders. You need to take this bomb to the main lab or as close as you can get and place it inside the wall. Then set it for a minute and return here.” Dr. Slate says.
“Yes sir!” Earl yells.
He takes the bomb and takes off.
“Good luck.” Dr. Slate says softly.
“Do you think he’ll make it?” Rusty asks.
Dr. Slate sighs.
“I hope so. He may be an early prototype and flawed but he is a robot and I think all robots are sacred.” Dr. Slate responds.
Meanwhile in the communications center the soldier and scientist are watching Earl go off.
“God speed.” The scientist says.
“He’s a good soldier. Flawed but good never the less.” The soldier says.
Meanwhile Earl reaches the wall of ice.
“Objective in sight! Executing orders!” Earl yells.
Earl burns the ice enough to put the bomb inside a niche, which freezes again instantly. Earl punches some buttons and sets the time to 1 minute.
“Objective completed! Returning to base!” Earl yells.
But suddenly the ice jumps forward and catches Earl’s back half. The ice shorts out his systems and he resets.
“Ep-327 online awaiting orders!” Earl yells.
Back in Dr. Slate’s lab they know something is wrong.
“This isn’t good. He should have been back by now. If he got it in time the bomb should be going off in 30 seconds.” Dr. Slate says.
In the communications center the soldier is watching the malfunctioning earl.
“Dr. Slate. The EP-327 is malfunction. He got caught in the onslaught of ice.” The soldier says.
“Oh no!” Dr. Slate says over the communicator.
“We have to get him out of there. He’s my buddy!” Rusty yells.
The soldier looks to see only 10 seconds left on the bomb.
“Not enough time.” The soldier says.
The bomb goes off and a huge wave of heat shoots out of both directions in the hallway. The ice is melted.
“Systems show that the main lab is thawed. Shutting down the temperature system that malfunctioned.” The scientist says.
After it’s all over they both wipe their brows.
“It’s over. That was too close.” The scientist says.
The soldier looks at the monitor at what’s left of Earl.
“But at what cost?” The soldier ponders.
Dr. Slate rushes to the hallway with Rusty behind her once the temperature reaches safe levels. She kneels down and cries when she sees barely functioning Earl. Most of his outer skin is gone and his innards are sparking.
“Earl!” Rusty says.
“EP…..3…2…7…o..n….l….i….n….e.a…w..” Earl tries to say.
He goes limp and the processor goes dark. Dr. Slate just kneels there stunned.
“Thank you Earl. You were flawed and caused more trouble than good before.” Dr. Slate says.
Her voice breaks from emotion.
“But you saved us when it counted.” Dr. Slate says.
Epilogue.
In the outskirts of the city a man stumbles forward. He is disheveled with a damaged helmet covering his face. He looks around then continues towards the city. When he reaches the edge a young boy greets him.
“Hey spaceman. Just come back from a mission?” The boy asks.
The man pulls the helmet off.
“I don’t remember.” Dwayne responds.
To be continued…