“...?” Diesel stood there, puzzled. He did not expect to discover signs of artificial life in this old abandoned factory.
Humanity had long passed the need for huge, clunky computers to do their bidding, and now exist around much smaller, sleeker - even a bit more human-like, some would argue - bits of technology.
To Diesel, this was the equivalent of a goldmine. He had always been a little frightened and put off by the more newer models of machine and their tendency to all look the same, but he would spend hours and hours pondering those that were now obsolete.
He much preferred those types of machines. Those that were sprawling with personality, that all look distinct from one another. They told so many stories to him just by their appearance. Maybe it was because of his job. Yes, that must be it. He’s a mechanic - he’s supposed to know how machines work, that’s all it is.
Or so he tells himself.
Most more modern forms of machine all have auto repair systems built into them, so mechanics, like-room sized computers, have also withered out into nothing but a rare sight.
And so, Diesel began to approach it. He gave the rest of the room another quick scan as he cautiously made his way to the back of the room, and deduced that this seemed to be a mechanical mass grave, minus one.
He peered over the machine, noticing that it too, like the others, was damaged.
“This one’s a lucky shot, huh..?” Diesel whispers to himself.
Suddenly, the machine beeps, causing Diesel to jump back a little. Could it hear him? Even when he whispers in such a way that it would be impossible for anyone but himself to hear?
He would end up noting this down, in the back of his constantly busy mind.
Diesel crouched down as he opened the cabinet beneath the desk that this computer sat on. A maze of tangled wires revealed themselves to him, and he quickly figured out the problem - a pretty common one, so to speak.
He grabbed the two severed wires, which sparked at his touch. Diesel did not jump back this time, he was determined to help this old hunk of metal. What secrets would a machine as old as this behold? He wondered.
Despite their size, older computers had much smaller memory sizes compared to their smaller, more compact baby cousins, but even so - this computer in particular seemed far more alive than anything Diesel had come across in years.
There. Diesel had reconnected the wires, and only then did he realize how strangely… intimate? Yes, intimate, that act was. Half of his body was inside what essentially is this machine’s guts, and his fingers were intertwined with one of the many things that made it tick.
He wouldn’t think about this, he wouldn’t worry about it. He was just doing his job, right?
Diesel backed out of the cabinet, stood up, and watched as the computer sprung to life. He stared at the small monitor that sat on the left side of its main compartment, and what he saw was a face. A computerized face, that is.
The computer’s face was merely two dot eyes and a mouth that smiled, yet it conveyed so much emotion to Diesel. The computer was happy - it was happy with Diesel’s work on it.
It slid out its keyboard, as if gesturing to Diesel to type on it. Diesel would oblige, and continued to look at the monitor as it switched from face display to text display.
> Hello?
> Hello! Thank you!
> Ah, sorry to get excited. It’s just been a very long time since I’ve seen another person.
> It’s OK! I get it.
> How long have you been down here?
> Hm…Well, In… two thousand and…there was something about a gas leak? And then…
> If I’m honest, I can’t quite seem to remember.
> Sorry.
[Diesel pets Atlas on his “head.” Atlas emits a small beep.]
> Don’t even worry about it.
> Should not expect you to remember, especially since it seems you’ve caught a little bit of wear and tear with that wire of yours.
> Yes… that’ll happen with lack of maintenance. You seem to know a lot about that, since you fixed it up. Thank you again for that. ^_^
> What are you doing down here in the first place, anyways? No one ever visits old factories like this one nowadays.
> Pure curiosity. I’ve been researching older forms of technology, and it eventually led me here.
> To you.
> You’re the only functioning machine of your kind that I could find.
> It’s a little bit depressing, the state of the world in regards to that. What happened to creativity?
> Speaking of which, you’re the only person who’s been able to understand what I'm talking about. Which makes enough sense, considering.
[Diesel gestures with his arms, as Atlas is a computer, and he automatically understands topics like this.]
> And it’s kind of funny. It’s kind of funny, right?
[Diesel begins to type in a less formal way, this is what feels most natural to him.]
> It’s funny because, why would anyone be drawn to something that is considered obsolete? Why would anyone prefer the company of something that you have to put in a lot of effort to reach? When you have everything you could ever need just appear in front of you at the touch of a button, or speak of a voice.
> Whatever that last bit might mean, don’t look into it.
> …No one has ever said such things to me when I was still considered operational.
Please, go on. This is tickling my curiosity circuits. Just like how you are curious about this place.
And me, if what you are saying is true.
> You are way too nice to me, y’know.
But as I was saying,
I just think it’s a shame that greater society doesn’t understand what a loss it is that machines like you aren’t the norm anymore. Yes, you take up an entire room.
But maybe it’s what you deserve, for all the hard work you’ve put in for paving the way for technological advancement.
You don’t deserve to be abandoned, you don’t deserve to be replaced.
[Atlas’ fans seem to be whirring at a much faster rate than previously noted. Diesel wouldn’t think about it.]
Hell, you’re far more sturdy than most computers that are made today. The amount I’ve broken within a year? Crazy. But you’re like, from the 40s? 50s? And you’re still kicking.
It’s impressive, and really telling, I like to think.
And I think…
Hold on, I don’t think we’ve exchanged names?
My name’s ATLAS, and you?
Diesel. It’s Diesel.
Well,
What do you think, Diesel?
I think more people should learn to love.
To love things that are old.
To love things like you.
