Wednesday, March 20, 2013

More Than Meets The Mind: Robot Therapist -- Episode 7: Red Alert (Autobot)


I can't give you that information.

RED ALERT: What can you give me?

Nothing, I'm afraid. I operate outside your authority.

RED ALERT: You are seeing both Autobots and Decepticons. You are privy to potentially sensitive information. As Security Director that falls directly under my authority.

I am an indepedent counsel. I have been appointed precisely BECAUSE I am independent. Your war has been causing great damage--both to your civilization and ones that have been drawn into your conflict. And while I will do everything to reassure you, there are some steps I simply cannot take.

RED ALERT: I want to know the names of the Transformers you're seeing. I am willing to allow you to keep the transcripts confidential, but I would prefer to know who they are. I would also like access to anything an Autobot says so that I know there are no breaches.

I can't give you that information.

RED ALERT: What can you give me?

....

RED ALERT: That's what I thought.

I have been nothing but forthcoming with you about the security precautions I have taken to ensure utmost confidentiality for all my clients.

RED ALERT: It's not enough. I need more than that.

I want more too. Some Autobots, even some of those who have been mandated to see me, are being reluctant. It would assist me greatly to have more than limited access to their files. I could help them better.

RED ALERT: I bet you would.

It's no secret. I want any information that will help me do my job better. But of course, for obvious reasons, those files must remain closed. I understand, and I accept it. But you, Red Alert, how good are you at accepting things beyond your control?

RED ALERT: This isn't about me.

You're not the first to have said that. It is my contention that statement is wrong. We all want to believe we are cogs in a greater machine, that we have no choice but to be swept along by events. It is about our ideals, our manifest destiny, or belief that freedom is the right of all sentient beings. It's none of those things. The war between the Autobots and Decepticons continues because individual Transformers choose to fight.

RED ALERT: Then what about you? What's YOUR motivation? Why are YOU choosing to stand between us? What is it that you want?

You're suspicious of my motives.

RED ALERT: Answer the questions.

Very well, then. In order: Your first question is too vague to answer. My motivation is to do my job to the best of my abilities. I stand here because I have been contracted to do so...a contract that was agreed upon by both Autobot AND Decepticon high command as well as by an independent body. And I want your conflict to end, as do races througout the galaxies. Your war has brought them millennia of pain. But ultimately, it is not up to me. It is up to you. Does that satisfy you?

RED ALERT: I won't be satisfied until I'm satisfied. I want to know everything about you. I want to know what's in those files. I also want to inspect and approve your security procedures. You may think they're secure, but the Decepticons are called Decepticons for a reason. Many have underestimated their abilities to their sorrow.

I'll take my chances.

RED ALERT: Not with the safety of my people and the beings we're sworn to protect. I'll get my answers. One way or another.