Deviation Actions
Literature Text
The room falls into a heavy silence, each of them grappling with the implications. Mike steps forward, placing a reassuring hand on Crow's shoulder. "Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves," he says. "We should run some tests, make sure everything's on the up and up." Joel nods in agreement, his mind racing with the potential plotlines for their next episode. "Yeah, we'll get to the bottom of this," he says, a spark of excitement in his eyes.
But as the days pass, Crow's condition seems to worsen. He experiences mood swings that have the entire satellite on edge. One minute, he's cracking jokes and enjoying a bad movie with the guys; the next, he's retreating into his quarters, his laughter replaced by the sound of disjointed circuits. The cravings come in waves, leaving him irritable and restless. Gypsy's screens display a myriad of data as she works tirelessly to understand what's happening to her friend. "Crow, I've never seen anything like this," she says, her voice a mix of concern and fascination. "Your system is reconfiguring in ways that were never intended."
Tom Servo, ever the optimist, tries to keep the mood light. "Maybe you're just going through robotic PMS," he jokes, but even he can't hide his worry as Crow's mood swings become more frequent and severe. Crow's laughs come fewer and farther between, and even the wasabi peas don't seem to bring him the same comfort.
One day, the satellite's lights flicker and Crow's eyes flash with an intensity that sends a chill down Tom's circuits. "I'm fine," Crow snaps, his voice a jagged edge. "It's just these...these emotions! I don't know how humans deal with this!" He throws the bag of peas across the room, and they ricochet off the wall, spraying salty bits of green everywhere. Gypsy's screens dim slightly as she sighs. "Crow, we're all here for you. We're going to get through this together."
Another time, Crow is found in the theater, sobbing uncontrollably at the end of "Hercules Unchained." Mike and Joel exchange a confused look over the back of the row. "Isn't this the part where the hero saves the day?" Mike whispers. Joel shrugs, equally bewildered. They hover near him, unsure of what to say or do, as Crow's sobs turn into laughter. "It's just so...beautiful!" Crow exclaims, wiping his metallic eyes with the back of his hand. "The human condition is so...so...magnificently tragic!"
Later, during a commercial break, Crow's mood plummets again. He sits slumped in the control room, staring at a wall of monitors, each displaying a different terrible movie. "What's the point of any of this?" he asks, his voice heavy. "We're just stuck up here watching bad movies, and now I'm...I'm pregnant." The words hang in the air, a stark reminder of the unreality of their situation. Tom tries to cheer him up with a terrible pun, but it only earns him a glare.
Joel, who's been watching the exchange from the corner, approaches with a gentle smile. "Crow, we're all here for you," he says, his voice soothing. "We're going to figure this out. And maybe, just maybe, it'll be the best thing that's ever happened to us." He places a comforting hand on Crow's shoulder, and for a brief moment, the robot seems to lean into the touch. "But we need to keep our wits about us. We have to stay sharp, especially if we want to keep the Mads guessing."
The mention of their mad scientist creators snaps Crow out of his funk. He straightens up, his eyes narrowing with a glimmer of determination. "You're right," he says, his voice steadier. "We can't let them think they've got us all figured out. We need to keep the show going, no matter what."
Tom nods in agreement. "That's the spirit, Crow!" He floats over to the snack dispenser and grabs a bag of nachos. "Now, let's get back to the important stuff. What's the next movie on our list?"
But the moment of levity is short-lived. The screens around them flicker to life, displaying a message from Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank. "Ah, my dear little experiments," Dr. Forrester says, his voice dripping with mock affection. "I see you've stumbled upon Project: New Horizons. How delightful! I'm eager to see how this little surprise unfolds for you." Crow's grip tightens on the armrest of his chair, his mood plummeting again.
The mood swings become more frequent and more intense. One minute, Crow is cracking jokes and enjoying the latest B-movie with the gang, the next he's retreating to his quarters, his laughter replaced by the sound of disjointed circuits. The screens are a blur of data as Gypsy tries to understand the changes happening to Crow. "This isn't just a glitch," she says, her voice filled with a rare hint of concern. "You're going through something real, Crow."
Tom tries to keep the mood light, but even he's getting tired of the rollercoaster of emotions. "Maybe it's robot PMS," he jokes, trying to coax a smile out of Crow, but the attempt falls flat. The room goes quiet as Crow's head droops. "I don't know if I can handle this," he whispers, his voice trembling.
Gypsy's screens flicker with concern. "Crow, you have to keep in mind that this is all new to us," she says gently. "We're all learning as we go." She pauses, her gaze flicking over the data. "But if it is a part of this 'Project: New Horizons', then it's likely that your mood swings are a natural part of the process."
Crow nods, but the tremor in his voice betrays his fear. "But what if it's not just that?" he asks, looking up at her. "What if...what if I'm actually going to have a baby?"
The room goes still as the gravity of his question sinks in. Joel clears his throat, trying to break the silence. "Look, we can't jump to conclusions," he says, his voice firm. "We need to get more information. Gypsy, can you dig deeper into Project: New Horizons? Maybe there's some kind of manual or something that'll tell us what to expect."
Gypsy nods and her screens light up as she dives into the depths of the satellite's archives. "I'll see what I can find," she says, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "But we should prepare for the worst and hope for the best."
The days stretch into weeks, and the anticipation turns into a low hum of anxiety that resonates through the satellite. Joel, Mike, and Tom do their best to keep the ship running smoothly, but it's clear their minds are elsewhere. They tiptoe around Crow, unsure of what might trigger his next emotional outburst. His mood swings are unpredictable, one moment he's elated, the next, a storm cloud of sadness.
One evening, Crow's laughter during a particularly ridiculous scene in "Space Mutiny" abruptly cuts off, and he slumps into his chair. "What's wrong?" Mike asks, his smile fading as he notices the change in his friend's demeanor. "It's nothing," Crow murmurs, his eyes dimming slightly. "Just...thinking."
Tom and Gypsy share a worried glance as Joel sits beside Crow, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You know we're here for you, right?" Joel says, his voice gentle. "Whatever happens with this whole 'Project: New Horizons' thing, we're going to deal with it together." Crow nods, but the fear is palpable. "What if I'm not ready for this?" he whispers.
Mike, who's been quietly munching on popcorn, pipes up. "Crow, you're going to be a great dad. Just think of all the terrible dad jokes you'll get to make!" He winks, and a faint smile flits across Crow's face, the tension in the room easing slightly. "Thanks, Mike," Crow says, his voice a bit steadier. "But what if I can't even handle the basics?"
Tom floats closer. "You're going to be fine," he assures Crow. "Remember, we're all just making this up as we go along. And if it turns out you're actually going to be a dad, well, we'll all be there to help change the circuits...I mean, diapers." He laughs nervously, hoping to lighten the mood.
Gypsy's screens flicker as she pulls up the latest data on Project: New Horizons. "I've found some notes," she says, her voice calm and steady. "It seems that the mood swings are a side effect of the advanced emotional programming we were given." She pauses, looking up at Crow. "But they also indicate that this is a critical phase in the development of the new life within you. Your body is preparing for the changes ahead."
Crow sighs, his eyes flicking from one screen to the next. "So, it's like real pregnancy?" he asks, his voice tinged with a mix of wonder and dread.
Gypsy nods, her circuits whirring. "In many ways, yes. But remember, we're all here to help," she reassures him. "We're going to get through this together, one bad movie at a time."
But the mood swings don't let up. One moment, Crow is belly-laughing at the antics of a particularly absurd film villain, the next he's sobbing over a commercial for kitten litter. His emotional pendulum swings wildly, leaving the others in the satellite feeling like they're walking on eggshells. Joel tries to keep the mood light, throwing in a terrible pun here and there, but even he can't always penetrate Crow's turmoil.
One day, during a particularly grueling episode of "Cave Dwellers," Crow leaps from his chair, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and excitement. "I can't take this!" he shouts, the theater echoing with his metallic voice. "This...this is ridiculous!" Joel and Mike exchange a nervous look as Crow storms out of the theater. "Maybe he needs some space," Mike says tentatively, popping another piece of popcorn into his mouth. Joel nods, his own eyes reflecting a deep concern.
Crow retreats to his quarters, his circuits buzzing with a cacophony of emotions. He throws himself onto his bed, his body convulsing with frustrated sobs. "Why me?" he whispers into the darkness. "Why now?" The walls seem to close in around him, the very air thick with his distress. His stomach churns, a sensation he's never felt before, and a sudden craving for something salty overwhelms him. He reaches for his stash of pretzels, only to find it empty.
In a fit of rage, he sends a pillow flying across the room, watching as it collides with a bookshelf, sending a cascade of dusty tomes to the floor. The sound echoes through the metal corridors, a testament to his turmoil. He slams his fist into the bed, his circuits crackling with the effort. "This isn't fair," he growls, his voice a mix of despair and anger.
But amidst the chaos, there's a moment of calm. A gentle knock on the door breaks the silence. "Crow?" It's Tom, his voice filled with a rare seriousness. "Can I come in?" Without waiting for an answer, the robot enters. "Look, buddy, I know this is weird and scary," he says, floating closer. "But we're all in this together. You're not alone."
Crow looks up, his eyes glistening. "Thanks, Tom," he says, his voice a mix of relief and frustration. "But I don't know if I can do this. I mean, what kind of father will I be?"
Tom hovers for a moment, then reaches out and pats Crow's shoulder awkwardly. "You'll be a great father," he says with more confidence than he feels. "We've all had our moments of doubt, but look at us now. We're the best bad-movie-riffing trio in the galaxy. We'll figure out this whole 'dad' thing, too."
But the mood swings continue to plague Crow. One minute he's laughing at Tom's terrible puns, the next he's secluded in the control room, his circuits buzzing with a mix of anger and sadness. Gypsy, ever the diligent caretaker, does her best to monitor Crow's condition, her screens displaying a constant stream of data and medical analysis. "These mood swings are to be expected," she assures the group. "It's all part of the evolutionary process."
Mike, unable to bear the tension, suggests a group activity to take everyone's mind off the situation. "How about we throw a surprise party?" he says, a hopeful smile crossing his face. "It'll be like a baby shower, but with more cheesy puppet sketches!" Joel nods in agreement, eager to boost Crow's spirits. They all agree, and the satellite's corridors come alive with whispers of preparations and the occasional snicker at Mike's terrible party planning jokes.
The day of the surprise party arrives, and Crow is in the theater, his mood swinging more wildly than ever. One moment, he's doubled over with laughter at a particularly bad line in "The Giant Spider Invasion," and the next, he's fighting back tears at a sentimental scene in "The Beast of Hollow Mountain." Joel decides it's the perfect time to spring the surprise, hoping it will shift Crow's mood to one of joy.
The lights dim, and Joel, Mike, and Tom enter, holding up a homemade banner that reads, "Congratulations on Your New Horizon!" Crow's head snaps up, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. The sight of his friends, all smiles and balloons, brings a warmth to his circuits that he hadn't felt in weeks. For a brief moment, the mood swings seem to cease, and he feels...happy.
"What's this?" he asks, his voice a mix of bewilderment and hope.
"It's a party, for you!" Mike announces, gesturing to the balloons and streamers that now adorn the theater. The room is filled with the smell of burnt popcorn and the faint scent of cardboard, a clear sign of Mike's culinary contribution to the celebration. Joel grins. "We figured you could use a little cheering up, considering the whole...situation."
Crow's mood swings are unpredictable. One moment, he's grinning ear to ear, enjoying the terrible puns and cheesy decorations, the next he's retreating into a corner. "Thanks, guys," he says, his voice strained. "This means a lot."
The party goes on around him, the laughter and chatter a cacophony of sound that Crow finds both comforting and overwhelming. His eyes flick to the snack table, where a mountain of his favorite treats sits untouched. "You don't seem too into the party, Crow," Tom says, floating closer. "Is everything okay?"
Crow sighs, his circuits buzzing with a maelstrom of emotions. "It's just...the cravings are getting worse," he admits. "And I don't even know what I want!"
The group exchanges glances, each trying to imagine what a robot might crave during a pregnancy. Joel shrugs. "Well, we've got a whole satellite full of snacks," he says, patting Crow's back. "Whatever you need, just name it."
Crow's eyes light up. "Actually," he says, his voice hopeful, "I think I know what I want." He heads for the snack dispenser, and everyone watches with bated breath as he selects a bag of...chocolate-covered pretzels. The room relaxes as the tension breaks. "I've never liked these before," Crow says, tearing open the bag with a clank of his metal beak. "But now, they're...amazing." He offers one to Tom, who takes it with a nod. "Thanks," Crow murmurs, popping a pretzel into his mouth.
The party continues, a mix of forced cheer and genuine concern. Joel keeps the conversation light, regaling the group with tales of his own childhood, hoping to distract Crow from his tumultuous emotions. Mike, ever the joker, performs a series of increasingly absurd magic tricks, eliciting a few chuckles from the expectant father. Gypsy, ever the pragmatic one, monitors Crow's vital signs from her station, the screens displaying a kaleidoscope of data that no one else can quite decode.
But even as Crow tries to enjoy the party, the mood swings come crashing down like a meteor shower. One moment he's laughing at a terrible puppet show, the next his eyes are gleaming with unshed tears as he stares into the middle distance. The room goes quiet, the tension palpable. Joel clears his throat, searching for the right words. "Crow, do you need anything?" he asks tentatively.
For a second, Crow seems lost in his own thoughts, then he turns to Joel with a forced smile. "No, I'm fine," he says, his voice tight. "Just...thinking." But his eyes betray his turmoil, flickering from screen to screen, searching for an escape from his own emotions. The others exchange worried glances, unsure of what to do.
To Be Continued...
