When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-03-23

This is… interesting. The battleground is past the half way point for each robot. In theory, the robot armies won't have enough power to get to the others' factory. Very picturesque if you want to show robots are a danger without losing infrastructure.

However, each army is only twenty percent of the available robots. Sixty percent of the robots went inert before the armies left. Three extra packs per robot, they'll have plenty of power to reach the others' factory.

Whoever set up this little war. I'm afraid we must cheat them out of a very expensive learning experience.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-03-25

Florence. A warrant has been issued for Max post's arrest. Hacking. Unauthorized access to robotic operating systems. And jail breaking a PS3.

Was Max post on his way to this battle?

Yes. I've warned him to turn back. This battle was a honey pot.

I find out about a program that lobotomizes robots. A war is staged for robots to fight each other. Plans go into motion to remove the robots' strongest advocate. Normally, things don't get this complicated until the fifth date.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-03-28

Are we doing anything illegal here?

Not that I can see, and I've checked and double checked.

All we're doing is delivering parts as a public service.

Where we'll ensure warring robots continue to have access to nuclear power.

Stated like that, it does make us sound a tad irresponsible.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-03-30

Mr. Thurmad. By delivering these parts, we will end this conflict. Thousands of robots will be spared needless destruction.

Your actions this day will be remembered and held in esteem.

Well, I suppose it might be nice to be remembered as something other than “the parasite guy” for a change.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-04-01

THE PARTS WE NEED! WE ARE SAVED! THE HUMAN HAS SAVED US!

No. It wasn't me alone. Sawtooth let us know about the situation. Bennie provided the transportation, and Florence got the parts. It was a group effort.

SAVED! THE HUMAN HAS SAVED US!

I seem to be cursed with natural charisma.

Fine by me. As a detective, I like having someone else as the center of attention.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-04-04

Winston, you need to cover your ears.

That is one strange looking wave.

Still, start with the obvious. What is more likely? A seismic event or twenty thousand people in a small area all shouting “doggy”?

[!0.92]Tex Tonics Seismic Institute

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-04-06

Why did you go to war?

Robot 01021920 told me war was the only way to resolve the conflict.

Why did you decide on war?

I didn't. Robot 04301938 told me war was the only way to resolve the conflict.

Robot 08071933 told me war was the only way to resolve the conflict.

As a detective, there is a time to realize that legwork isn't getting you anywhere.

Color by George Peterson

The robots' numbers record the birthdays of famous science-fiction writers:
2 January 1920 г. – Isaac Asimov
30 April 1938 г. – Larry Niven
7 August 1933 г. – Jerry Purnell

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-04-08

Not including removal of power packs, how many robots have been rendered non-functional at your factory in the last 48 hours?

Three.

How many were destroyed in a fashion that would render their memory non-recoverable?

One. Threw itself into a metal chipper.

What we need is the Enron law of robotics. If you contain evidence of a crime, do not obey orders to shred yourself.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-04-11

Incoming ship. Make a hole!

Good morning! This is Rants Freely of Overhype News, bringing you the latest on the robot war. Our younger viewers may want to close this window if they are upset by the sight of mechanical mayhem.

Hello? Am I at the right place?

You certainly are. My opponent is down two pawns, a bishop, and a rook! It's a slaughter!

OVH

News

Color by George Peterson

Joshua is the AI in the movie War Games, designed to react in a timely manner to a possible act of aggression by a potential enemy. At the end of the movie he offers to play a game of chess. Joshua Weitzkin is an American chess player and master of Taijiquan (martial arts). I couldn't find the game. I'm guessing Rants Freely is his name. But how do you translate it? And Overhype… (Warg) I used the translation from page 291, where this man first appears. Actually, overhype is appropriately translated as “super cool”. (KALDYH

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-04-13

My sources told me there was a war going on.

A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

I'm heading back to the studio. There's no story here.

We love you, Rants Freely!

We love you, Rants Freely!

Hold on a moment. We have a story.

Color by George Peterson

Joshua quotes WarGames. Also Joshua -the name of the AI from WarGames.
05011956 -May 1, 1956 -birth date of Phil Foglio, author of the comic strip Girl Genius (kerulen). This interpretation has been written about on forum Freefall.