enjoy it. if you enjoy it, it isn't a punishment anymore, and they'll make you do normal stuff as a punishment instead. volunteer for pushups in the mud and rain.

Suggestion 2010/03/20(Sat)00:38 No. 149927 ID: 8a8cc3
File 12690707262.png - (229.93KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-002.png )

The Powers That Be caught a glance at our file and said,
'yea, we're totally going to mess with that for shits n' giggles'.

Suggestion 2010/03/20(Sat)00:40 No. 149929 ID: 8a8cc3
File 126907084045.png - (290.86KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-003.png )

Maybe... it's not uncalled for. But I dont have to like it.

"Dispatch Central, this is Alpha-14."
"Got you, Alpha fourteen. What's your ememrgency?"
"This is punishment duty."
"Uuuuuuuuh, didn't copy, Alpha fourteen."

Suggestion 2010/03/20(Sat)00:42 No. 149931 ID: 8a8cc3
File 126907097577.png - (275.98KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-004.png )

"Its the rescue one at the Grassy Knoll Park."
"Roger, Alpha fourteen. Any questions?"
"Why us?"
"Because in the corps we work as units, and the second smallest unit we have is five people with a van."
"Still--"
"Take your complaints to your superior, Alpha fourteen. Now, do you have any actual inquiries?"

Suggestion 2010/03/20(Sat)00:44 No. 149932 ID: 8a8cc3
File 126907108740.png - (285.44KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-005.png )

"No... negative, Dispatch."
"Then have a good day, Alpha fourteen. Remember, this isn't a hazardous situation, you can't go destroying public property this time. Dispatch Central out."

Suggestion 2010/03/20(Sat)00:46 No. 149934 ID: 8a8cc3
File 126907121443.png - (259.06KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-006.png )

This is so... totally is punishment duty.

Suggestion 2010/03/20(Sat)00:49 No. 149936 ID: 8a8cc3
File 126907134012.png - (463.15KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-007.png )

Meow~

is the cat above your maximum reach? if so, would placing your partner in your palm and lifting her reach?

Yesss its robot guy!

inb4 citywide chase with shitloads of collatoral.

>>149936

Okay, clearly, you should just pick up the tree and lower it so the girl can grab the cat. Then replant it!

>>149949
Too much damage.
Give medic-tan a boost up to the cat so she can retrieve it. Alternatively, go get a ladder.

Also, this isn't punishment, it's an object lesson. They even told you to do this without causing property damage.

>>149952
This one. Let's try to not cause public damage unless we absolutely have to.

Alpha-14 2010/03/20(Sat)09:14 No. 150003 ID: 2426a0
File 126910167962.png - (375.43KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-008.png )

My name is Naomi Nakamura, and this is my partner Andrews. Let's get this over with.

"Spot our subject, Andrews?"
"Affirmative. Up."

"Oh, I can see it." Sometimes, a partner with IR really can be really handy. "What's the plan?"
"Up."
"Yeah, I know, but--"
"Wingman go up. Scale Unit."
".... right."

His choice of words can be... 'confusing' doesn't quite grasps it.

Alpha-14 2010/03/20(Sat)09:20 No. 150005 ID: 2426a0
File 126910200354.png - (366.08KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-009.png )

Climbing Andrews is trivial. Lots of places to hold onto, stable shoulders, you just need to know where you can and you can't hold onto.

"Excuse me."
"No trouble."

Afterall, he's still a piece of machinery with tons of moving grooves and nooks full of sliding machinery, the kind of place you shouldn' put your fingers into if you like them.

Alpha-14 2010/03/20(Sat)09:23 No. 150007 ID: 2426a0
File 126910220412.png - (307.16KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-010.png )

Standing on his shoulders is relatively safe. I used to slip alot, but nowdays...
Hmph. I really should have seen this coming.

"Any new ideas, Andrews?"

>>150007
raise hand, palm flat. "secondary height support"

Hop

>>150010
This.

>>150010
Sounds like a reasonable suggestion. Way better than using Andrews rocket feet to get the kitty. Or his cannon to shoot down the tree.

>>150007

Remember to appear at the cat's front. It might be more likely to jump away, but less likely to try mauling you.

Alpha-14 2010/03/21(Sun)10:48 No. 150315 ID: b05a5f
File 126919371180.png - (329.57KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-011.png )

There are things in life you only learn with live experience.

One of them, is that its pretty safe to stand on someone's shoulders.

"Height support number two?"
"Hey, good call!"

One of them, is that its pretty safe to stand in someone's hands. Not so much on someone's hands. Specially when he lacks a wrist.

Alpha-14 2010/03/21(Sun)10:53 No. 150316 ID: b05a5f
File 126919401035.png - (262.70KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-012.png )

Also, no matter what you do, standing on someone's head is never a good idea.

Specially if he technically doesn't has a neck. It makes for a really really terrible footing.

"Ugh. I think I'm facing the wrong way. I can't see the cat from here..."

>>150316
Looks like it's time for tree climbing. Reach out and grab a branch and hoist yourself up. I no sturdy enough branch is in reach then it's jumping time.

Alpha-14 2010/03/21(Sun)11:53 No. 150337 ID: f306db
File 12691975921.png - (394.76KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-013.png )

"Wingman, pull up."
"Uh, roger!"

3Also, make sure the branch you're grabbing is stable... but most of all?

Cats can feel when you're in a vulnerable position.

"Hello there, little -- oh crap."

>>150337
Very slowly extend your hand towards it.

>>150337
Jesus christ being clawed isn't that bad unless it's the eyes or the balls. Man up and grab the little bastard.

>>150337
"Problem? Back down for safety."

I want Andrews to make Meow noises, for the sake of comedy. Big guy loves cute little things and all that.
"I'll hug 'em and feed 'em and call 'em George."

i have a cat so i know how they work when like this. you have to be fast and grab a hold of the main body or scruff and pull, they wont like it but our skin is just thick enough that they can make ether deep dots or thin scratches. it hurts like a bitch but after a few times my cat stopped trying to fight me cause he knows i wont take that shit.

>>150343

"Tell me about the rabbits, George!"

Alpha-14 2010/03/21(Sun)15:14 No. 150399 ID: f306db
File 126920968062.png - (407.72KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-014.png )

"Trouble?"
"No, no, I can do this!"

Well, I dont know much about felines, really. And being below the subject, it makes a pretty bad position to try to grab one... so I try inching my hand to him slowly. What are just a few scratches, right?

What I was in the middle of it, I heard some heavy grinding noise though. It happened like it was all rehearsed.

"Andrews, is everything allright with y--"

Months later, he'd tell me that's how he sounds when he's giggling.

Alpha-14 2010/03/21(Sun)15:17 No. 150402 ID: f306db
File 126920983550.png - (312.99KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-015.png )

MREEEEOOOOWW!
"GWAH!"

I freak out! And a good part of the blame is mine, I jumped back when I felt it coming at me. The branch couldn't take it, naturally.

>>150402
Andrews, your lady friend is falling. Catch her abd the kitty before they hit the ground!

adrenaline rush SO HARD you bust the armour around your hand and catch her.

>>150402
Catch wingman.

Alpha-14 2010/03/22(Mon)07:49 No. 150809 ID: 15d270
File 126926933928.png - (402.15KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-016.png )

Andrews suddenly jumps to action, somehow becoming ten times limber than he usually shows, and manages to catch me before I hit the ground. The branch slips my hand, and hopefully doesn't hits anyone in its way.

"URK--"

Alpha-14 2010/03/22(Mon)07:53 No. 150811 ID: 15d270
File 126926962112.png - (349.85KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-017.png )

Naturally, I'm just too dizzy after the catch -- its like being hit in the stomach with an iron pipe. I can barely acknowledge Dispatch Central when they call me about... whatever.

"Alpha fourteen, this is Dispatch Central. What just happened, over?"
"N-nothing... urk.. I'm good..."
"... right, Alpha fourteen. Just remember you're not cleared to takeoff within the park's premises. We don't need any bystanders being hit by high speed debris."
"R-roger Dispatch... over..."

Gods, the smell of burn grass. I think I just threw up a little.

>>150811
The cat is still in the tree.

>>150811
"Status report, Wingman?"

Wait. Burned grass? Check to ensure no fires are started, and that no bystanders were harmed.

>>150816
Yes, use atmospheric sensors to search for fire markers and IR vision to locate potential heat sources.

Also check wingman status.

Go find a ladder. Or some sturdy boxes.

Alpha-14 2010/03/22(Mon)09:27 No. 150841 ID: 15d270
File 126927527880.png - (380.40KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-018.png )

Andrews just sets me on the grass. His 'foot', rockets, turbines, it feels warm against my back. In the time I'm catching my breath, he's pulverizing the grass with foam, just to be safe.

"Status report, Wingman?"
"I'm good. Did we catch it?"
"Negative."
Of course "Damn..." I take a deep breath. We're gathering a crowd... I guess robots aren't as common as I thought. At least, not flight-capable ones.

Maybe I could climb the tree or something and approach the cat from behind, but eh... I don't want to sound like I have him in a leash. Or a rail. "Any ideas, Andrews?"

Test how supple the tree is. For the love of crap do not break it.

>>150841
Try to reach the branch by ourselves, and shake it a little to make the cat jump off it.

If that doesn't work, send our wingman up at the trunk, then wait below the cat to catch it.

>>150841
That cat must really like that tree and is rather agile.

Hmmm, Andrews can pick up a branch with some colourful cloth tied to the end of it. Wave it around to distract the cat while Naomi climbs up behind it to grab it.

Andrew make meow noises. "MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW"

ah yes, a stick with string would make a great distraction. then wing-man goes up the tree and we execute a pincer maneuver.
pick up the stick and say 'string-stick, distraction for pincer maneuver'

>>150861

You must do this!

Alpha-14 2010/03/22(Mon)18:10 No. 150947 ID: 15d270
File 126930661787.png - (224.06KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-019.png )

I watch in silence as he just goes to the tree and grabs its trunk -- for a moment I think he'd try to uproot it! -- and he gives the tree a firm, hard shake.

Everyone hears the sound of the trunk creaking under his strength, and soon the air is filled with dried leaves floating to the ground. Heh, maybe if it was a cherry tree, it'd be poetic to the point of cliché...

Whatever he tried with that, I'm not sure if it works. Cat's still in the tree, and tree's still rooted to the ground.

Find a box. Stand on it. Bend the branch down, antagonize the cat enough to move.

>>150947
I have a brilliant idea.

Spray the cat with foam.

I wonder though... We might want to ask our Wingman if she thinks that's a good idea. We might get in trouble!

>>150947
Andrews - Initiate F.I.S.H. runtime 11, code S.A.L.M.O.N.

Alpha-14 2010/03/23(Tue)04:30 No. 151075 ID: 15d270
File 126934383835.png - (338.36KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-020.png )

I see him stop for a longer moment, probably once more deep in his thoughts. After a little waiting, his voicebox speaks up.

"Flank it. Wingman go up tree, Unit make target busy."

Okay, that's not fair. He isn' supposed to suggest the one thing I don't want him to.
"... any better ideas?"

Alpha-14 2010/03/23(Tue)04:34 No. 151076 ID: 15d270
File 126934407477.png - (278.25KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-021.png )

"Grab branch, shake. Need box."
I don't think anything short of an anvil can support his weight. "Next?"
"Have fish?"
Can cats be lured with food? "...well..."
"... engage with fire-clear-gun, push target down?"
...

Alpha-14 2010/03/23(Tue)04:35 No. 151077 ID: 15d270
File 126934414989.png - (302.88KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-022.png )

"I'm going up." I find intersting how I'm doing the dangerous part of the plan.
"Acknowledged. Unit need cloth or line."
"My jacket?"
"Color cloth. Wingman coat is white."
"I'm not giving my shirt."
"Acknowledged."

>>151075
Use presiscion fire to cut off the branch the cat is sitting on? Not really a good idea though.

Use a long branch to bat the cat down from the tree and have wingman catch it? Still not a very good idea.

Best way to do it is probably have Andrews distract it while wingman grabs it from behind.

>>151077
Borrow picnic mat from >>150947, or ask them for food to lure the cat with.

Could we use the hose or skyhooks to make it safer for our Wingman to climb the tree?

Alpha-14 2010/03/24(Wed)05:48 No. 151379 ID: 15d270
File 126943490725.png - (287.95KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-023.png )

While I go up, I glance at Andrews searching for something near... while his hand idlely reaches to tug the fire hose, and knocks lightly on the extinguisher foam's canister strapped to his back. Just checking if everything is OK, I guess. He can't reach the bag hidden over his waist, but it's not like he'll ever need medical supplies... or will ever be able to use them without me.

I have other things to worry, and soon enough we lose sight of each other.

>>151379
Ask nicely for a bright piece of cloth and for someone to tie it to a stick so you can use it to distract the cat.

>>151379
Since we forgot last time, is there a protocol for handling this type of job?

Alpha-14 2010/03/24(Wed)05:56 No. 151382 ID: 15d270
File 126943536966.png - (387.67KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-024.png )

With my attention taken by the branches within my sight, and my ears filled with the sound of the leaves frush-ing all around me, I'm completely ignorant to his doings...
Also, to him finding what he was looking for, and the exchange that follows.

You see, Andrews isn't.. easy to understand. We just spent that much time together in training.

"Morning."
>"Uh, hi?"
"Request for color cloth."
>"What?"
"The cloth. Under--"

>>151382
Verbal communication not viable. Resort to hand signals.

Just tap on it.

Alpha-14 2010/03/24(Wed)06:02 No. 151384 ID: 15d270
File 126943574221.png - (314.82KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-025.png )

>"Awww daddy! I want him!"
>"Honey, don't!"
>"I want him! He's big and strong and can take me to school!"

Yes. And I missed this.

>>151384
Kindly inform the little tyke that you can play with her once your current asignment is completed. To complete it you need to borrow some bright cloth.

>>151384
Turn to the girl and say "Negative. Friendlies in trouble."
Then grab the cloth, lift it up a little, and repeat "Request for color cloth.

Negative. Physical contact is hazardous to those uninformed. Robots have pinchy bits.

Try not to move if she starts climbing on you, or gently keep her from doing it.

Alpha-14 2010/03/24(Wed)08:40 No. 151397 ID: 15d270
File 126944523853.png - (399.13KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-026.png )

I can hear them say something, but I don't pay attention to what. And I find this inversion of our roles rather ironic.

"Negative. Robot is physical danger. Plate with danger bits, can cut--"
>"But I still can ride you, right? I saw the other girl climbing you! Why do you call her Wingman? I she a boy?"
>"Honey, please."
"Negative. Wingman in trouble. After trouble is over--"
>"No after! No over! You'll just fly away 'after trouble is over'!"
"... Request for color cloth?"
>"Oh! Sure, you--"
>"You can have it if you give me a ride now!"

>>151397
Turn to the parents. Tell them that currently allowing her to ride on you would pose a danger. If they will just keep her with them until you have saved the cat, wingman can show her how it's done. Then both she and wingman can climb up and get a to ride around for a bit.

>>151397
Inform them what areas are dangerous and should not be touched. Perhaps the father can place the kid on our shoulders, since that seems to be relatively safe. The kid can wave around the cloth, and we can hold onto her foot to make sure she doesn't fall.

>>151399
This.

Also, medic-tan said the shoulders are safe. ... not so sure about the neck though, is that wire?

And we need the girl to meow meow at the kitty, since Andrews won't :(

>>151397
I read that as
>Wingman is trouble.

It made me laugh.

Alpha-14 2010/03/25(Thu)03:30 No. 151847 ID: c3d11c
File 126951302474.png - (266.95KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-027.png )

Roughly around now, I'm halfway into the tree, trying to be as quiet as possible... the light wind helps, the sounds I make masked by the leaves' own.

"... Acknowledged."
>"Huh?"
"On the shoulders. Safe place."
>"Yaaay!"
>[i]"There you go. Take care, Honey."[/b]

Alpha-14 2010/03/25(Thu)03:44 No. 151850 ID: c3d11c
File 126951389948.png - (275.84KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-028.png )

>"Where are we going, mr. Robot?"
"Help wingman grab target. We."
>"Who?"
"The cat."
>"The kitty's name is Target?"
"Wingman! Unit is ready!"
"Rooogeeer!"

Time for the final approach!

Alpha-14 2010/03/25(Thu)04:18 No. 151853 ID: c3d11c
File 126951589347.png - (325.89KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-029.png )

>"Heeeeeeere kittykittykitty! Meow meow, look at us! Kittykitty!"

I... didn't actually witness this, I could only imagine as I heard those two making as much noise as possible without scaring the poor creature out. Its probably the high point of that kid's summer, maybe for a long string of summers.

There is only hope that she won't grow spoiled from this, heh.

Alpha-14 2010/03/25(Thu)04:53 No. 151854 ID: c3d11c
File 126951801269.png - (282.35KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-030.png )

And when I'm the closest from it, Andrews makes this awful noisy grind, something in between a pair of gears getting it on and a TV tunning on no channel. I'm surprised it didn' scared the kitty away.

>"What was that sound?"
"... I need a new, long, word list."

Alpha-14 2010/03/25(Thu)05:21 No. 151857 ID: c3d11c
File 126951966133.png - (259.85KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-031.png )

But it did keep it distracted enough.

Gotcha!

Andrews, lets talk upgrades.
The most obvious improvements, following an improved word list, is getting proper grasps for wingman and covers for potentially harmful gaps. Request a hand capable of delicate maneuvers, as your
Following that, look into synthetic skin with tactile sensors. Tactile feedback makes judging material stresses and applied force easier, and civilians may respond better to skin than metal. This is primarily useful for calming civilians under stress, as physical contact has powerful psychological properties.

Ideally you will one day be capable of normal function, but for now we must request practical refits.

Alpha-14 2010/03/25(Thu)06:48 No. 151866 ID: c3d11c
File 12695249371.png - (183.98KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-032.png )

MREEEEOW!
"ACK! You're not gonna escape!"

>frsh! frsh! frrrfrrsh!<

Yes, I'm having some trouble... but I don't like to think I'm too incompetent to capture a cat.
I just declare, this was one hardcore cat.

Alpha-14 2010/03/25(Thu)06:52 No. 151867 ID: c3d11c
File 126952515786.png - (225.68KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-033.png )

One defeated hardcore cat.

"SUCCESS!"

Alpha-14 2010/03/25(Thu)07:00 No. 151870 ID: c3d11c
File 126952560343.png - (197.55KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-034.png )

And that's all I really have to say.



My feet are stuck.

>>151870
Ask Wingman to give over the cat to the kid and then tell her to pull herself up into the tree, get her feet unstuck and safely climb down.

I want to know why we don't have Inspector Gadget-esque extendo-limbs.
That said, catch wingman before they fall out of the tree.

>>151867
You're the best.... arooound!

Nothing's ever gonna bring ya down!

>>151870

Andrews, retrieve Cat and Wingman

Alpha-14 2010/03/29(Mon)19:34 No. 155042 ID: 5aab41
File 126991647219.png - (254.74KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-035.png )

From that point and on, things were pretty uneventful.

Alpha-14 2010/03/29(Mon)19:38 No. 155044 ID: 5aab41
File 126991672036.png - (269.84KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-036.png )

They didn' drill me as hard in the debrief. They asked rather off-handedly if anyone got hurt, but they were more worried about Andrews. If anyone recognized him, if was approached by anyone special, journalists, paparazzi.... I really didn' understood what angle they were coming from.

Alpha-14 2010/03/29(Mon)19:42 No. 155046 ID: 5aab41
File 126991697592.png - (264.17KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-037.png )

A few hours later, the social networks were flooded with pictures of Andrews.

Slashdot ran a snippet about how a soldier plucked kittens out of a tree. Some anonymous coward commented about we working with the rescue corps, but I don't think anyone really paid attention.

Just the Internet being itself.

Alpha-14 2010/03/29(Mon)19:44 No. 155047 ID: 5aab41
File 126991709848.png - (236.45KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-038.png )

The video repos, on the other hand...

A recording of my painful performance climbing down the tree. Plastered on a number pf places, embedded, linked, just enough hits to make me feel embarrassed.

Alpha-14 2010/03/29(Mon)20:01 No. 155053 ID: 5aab41
File 126991807584.png - (335.53KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-039.png )

My very own fifteen minutes of shame, all because of a scaredy housecat.

Thank you, Internet.

Alpha-14 2010/03/29(Mon)20:02 No. 155054 ID: 5aab41
File 126991815131.png - (336.30KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-040.png )

"... pretty little ... blasted thing, that's what you are. Now I don' want you, you won't let go of me, huh? How's that fair?
... are you even good for anything 'sides being petted, you sleeping, mewling, annoying little piece of a curse?"

Alpha-14 2010/03/29(Mon)20:05 No. 155057 ID: 5aab41
File 126991830012.png - (12.69KB , 1240x600 , HWC02-042.png )

"I hate you too, Andrews."

I d'aaawwwed. :3