Chapter 917 - Personality Traits
"W-Welcome back, oh master of the universe!" Altron made a bowing gesture or at least as much as he could without a lower body.
Hao Xuan's searing glare caught him off guard so he sheepishly rubbed the two robotic hands together and flew closer.
"W-What irks you, master? Did you not like what I did with the city?"
Hao Xuan gestured towards the giant statue, "What is this?"
"In yo-your honor, master! So the Orcs wouldn't forget who the true leader is around here."
"And who IS the true leader? Me or the one I'm holding up?"
"Ahaha-haha, you jest, master. Of course, it is you. That was just because we had some extra materials left and I thought since you were so benevolent you wouldn't mind...did...did I do wrong?"
Hao Xuan sighed inwardly. Altron's personality really was too weird but for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to hate the little guy.
"It's fine. What's this game night show? Why did you start something like that?"
Altron instantly perked up when he heard that.
"Ooh, I'm glad you asked! I remember you used to watch one every Sunday when you were young so I wanted to make it a tradition, to make it feel like a second home for you! And it turns out the Orcs love it too. Arthur always comes to watch in person!" he said proudly,
"Why would that make it feel like a home? Wouldn't other, more personal things be more meaningful?"
Hao Xuan was more than a little curious about his reasoning. Altron was technically a much inferior unit as compared to Baracus when it came to analytical power so if Baracus hadn't mentioned it himself, why did he do it?
Altron rubbed the spot where his chin would have been as he pondered the question for a moment before answering.
"Well, yes, but the database mentioned that you always had the program on at the same time on the same day every week. I analyzed the pattern and found a few correlations between some secondary events."
"Oh, like what?"
"For example, the timing. Why Sunday, and why at night? There could be many reasons or none at all but I concluded it was because of your other family members. The records mention they used to go out almost every Sunday night."
"Wait, the 'records' mentioned that? Baracus!"
Hao Xuan wasn't aware to what extent his memories were cataloged so this really caught him off guard.
*Beep*
"Yes?"
"Is what he's saying true about the records? You kept every little thing like that in?"
"Of course. All memories were recorded as is with three separate backups."
"And you just handed it over to him?!"
"Only the memories from before the transmigration."
"Oh, well THAT makes it okay. My most private memories are being handed out like a fucking tv show but as long as it was in the past you know," Hao Xuan yelled sarcastically.
"I do not see the issue."
"The 'issue' is that they are not for you to give away or even see without my permission."
"Why?"
"BECAUSE THEY ARE MINE! For fuck sakes why is that so hard to understand?! You goddamn-"
Hao Xuan's loud tone of voice did not go unnoticed and caught the attention of several Orcs in the vicinity. Altron noticed that and swiftly reminded Hao Xuan.
"Master, I have prepared your residence, you should go there first."
Hao Xuan stopped midsentence. A crowd was starting to form but none of them were brave enough to step up and ask what was going on.
"Go, lead the way."
Altron guided him through the many city streets until they reached a small house. A very normal-looking small house with a front yard and a garden. Trees all around, away from all the hustle and bustle.
Hao Xuan could hear a few insects but other than that there was nothing. He couldn't help but sigh again. This place was perfect. Almost like a dream home for him.
"How did you know to make this?"
Altron came forward and inspected a bush that had small purple berries growing from them.
"You told me, master. Through your memories. It was all there, everything. I just had to look."
"You had the TV on because you felt alone and left out whenever your family member left you behind. You don't like excessively large or gaudy places because they remind you of what you once had and then lost. You love nature because of your grandfather but are too lazy to care for it. You like to be alone and away from the noise and populated areas but still close enough to be able to feel the presence of the other beings when it gets too much."
"I made the show so you wouldn't feel lonely and it could allow you to see what the Orcs were up to without getting too involved with them. I know you are afraid that you might let them down if they knew what you were really like, if they knew you were so...human."
Hao Xuan was at a loss for words. That was a lot to take in all at once. He felt like someone had reached into his subconscious and brought out his most private thoughts, leaving him completely vulnerable.
"You...got all that from reading about my memories?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't Baracus ever see things that way? He is so-"
"Logical? That is main-unit's purpose. It's the lens 'he' sees through."
"And you don't? He made you. You're also a program, ones, and zeros. He is even sentient."
"I cannot answer that. I just see what is there."
"How is it that Baracus is significantly more advanced, even alive to an extent, but you, a program he created in a few minutes is able to understand me with such profoundness?"
Altron's little arms moved up and down in their sockets to mimic a shrugging gesture, "Dunno, but it's pretty gay either way."
"Aand there is Jin Wang's personality trait coming to the surface," Hao Xuan shook his head, "Anyways, give me a full report.. What is up and running, what is left. Are the forges up? How are the specialized weapons coming alone?"