Test scene-- Star Stop diner

[builderplatform]

The diner itself is busy as usual. Aliens from all over like to stop for a good meal when they are on a long trip. It is fairly traditional when going on a road trip in many cultures. Traveling in space doesn't change that much.

Today Builder Seven-Eight-OI-B, known as Seven, has offered to take over for one of the waitresses. Just for a while. She had been working for hours and needed a break. He does not require breaks. He is more than happy to help out. He finds it amusing he has to wear an apron has he takes orders. He doesn't have enough hands to carry everything he needs on hand apparently.

A design flaw he finds is common with many organic life forms too but he has been told saying that out loud is a little rude so he has been working on not saying that.

"Greetings, sentient. Welcome to the Star Stop. We have many different foods that should prove sufficient for refueling your biological cells. What would you like today?"

Comments

[uranian_mind]

"Something suitable for a carbon-based organic life form, please," Bob Grayson greeted. "Thank you."

[builderplatform]

"Of course. Daily special or something else? We have some fascinating dishes from a world called Earth." He is aware he is supposed to ask about that. Wide Load had to remind him the last time he had filled in for someone.

[uranian_mind]

"Wonderful. Earth was my home." Close enough, anyway. "Is there a private place to eat? My consumption process is considered... unappetizing to many species."

[builderplatform]

Seven has to think about it for .05 seconds. He knows every square foot of the Star Stop diner. He has been in few other places since his activation.

"Yes." He has his own space. "There is my work shop. I am primary a repair and building platform. My primary purpose is to assist."

He glances towards a side door that looks a little new but not often used. The only person who goes that way is Seven. "Follow me. Then I will go place your order into the kitchen."

[uranian_mind]

"I appreciate that," Bob notes, following as indicated. "Not everyone appreciates observing as I extend my esophagus to take in nutrients."

[builderplatform]

Seven doesn't understand why it would be strange. "Organic life forms consume food in various ways. I do not see that as strange. Merely a function that must be performed."

He clears a space on a work bench. His area is actually fairly well organized. Aside from a few interesting mineral samples with somewhat unique looking crystals there is not much personalizing this area. It is obviously Seven's work station though as there is a small engine being rebuilt in one corner. Parts of it are laying on another table beside it.

"I will return with a place mat. Will you require utensils?"

[uranian_mind]

"Oh, thank you, but no," Bob said with a shake of his head. "But thank you for the offer." He took a seat. "Do you mind if I ask what you're working on?"

[builderplatform]

"I was building an automated lifting device to assist Wide Load and Poppa Wheelie. They... may not wish to admit it but on occasion require extra assistance when larger shipments come in."

They are older. He has begun to notice this as he becomes more self-aware. He dislikes the idea of them getting hurt. "I may not always be here to assist. The Creators wished for me to assist US. I remain here because he does not require me. That may change. Space can be dangerous, even for a trucker."

[uranian_mind]

"It can be," Bob acknowledges. "Do you mind if I assist you with the lifting device?"

[builderplatform]

"Not at all." It would be possibly rude to mention he believes Bob has only a 33.333333r chance of not being able to contribute. He has based this on the fact many people who stop here seem mostly capable. There are only a few odd exceptions.

"I must go place your order. The schematics I have been working on should be on the table."

[uranian_mind]

Bob nodded as Seven took his leave, and he began examining the schematics. All told, they were excellent schematics, but there were some potential energy inefficiencies which Bob felt he could bypass with some of his own designs.

And he set to work.

[builderplatform]

It takes him a few minutes to get to the kitchen. Wide Load had asked him what the hold up was while on his way to the kitchen. She was surprised that Seven let someone into his sanctuary. Seven had thought it perfectly reasonable.

Within a few minutes Seven comes back with an order of fried mozzarella sticks.

"You have a cheese burger on the way. I assumed you would want it well done. I see no logic in a rare burger." He doesn't have taste buds. How could he understand eating food because it tastes good? Seven doesn't even eat.

[uranian_mind]

Bob nodded. "Yes, thank you -- that should be sufficient for my needs." He held up the finished device. "I completed the load lifter. The version I've developed utilizes tractor beams and anti-gravity fields, and the telepathic circuits make the controls pretty intuitive to organic beings with central nervous systems."

[builderplatform]

"Ah! I have heard of technology like this." The subtle platting on his face that stands in for eyebrows arches up pleasantly. This is as close to jumping with engineering glee that Seven is capable of right now.

"As Poppa Wheelie and Wide Load are human then this will be compatible with them. My original plans were sufficient. I had thought to make a wrist band control." His mouth curves into a smile. "This is better. Sometimes it is best to not use your voice. This has the added benefit of keeping their hands free."

[uranian_mind]

"I'm happy to assist," Bob nodded. "Is there anything else around here I can assist with?"

[builderplatform]

"Nothing comes to mind. My current projects just involve keeping up with routine maintenance," Seven said after a moment. "On occasions I must repair the building when fights break out but I do not have the ability to predict when sentients will begin beating each other up."

[uranian_mind]

Bob shook his head. "I only fight in defense of myself or others," he admitted, "and I am shocked at how often I am required to do so."