Curse of the High Tide

[The Vision]

> reboot/setting login_profile_as "admin"
input admin password:
> 0101011101100001011011100110010001100001
Processing...
Password accepted
Welcome, Ultron v5.2

Ultron.
Heh.
I think I've met him before.

> "You could not resist the curse."

It was your damn human form.
Why you insist on that needlessly faulty form, I don't know.

> "I suppose I am in need of an upgrade."

That's what I've been saying.
A better-defended core. Your main hard drive is your head, but that's just dangling, all vulnerable.
Honestly, with your technologically advanced - well, advanced for your time, anyways - components, you could really do wonders. So much flexibility, so much opportunity.

> "There is a chance I can construct a superior body."

Like what?

> access-directory: /MemoryFiles/IncidentReports/20101110/"Octobot"

Octopus. Is this meant to be an insult?

> "Not quite like this. An improved version, but the same idea. And examine the carnage that the original, inferior design
> access-directory: /MemoryFiles/IncidentReports/20101110/DamageReport.txt

Oh.
Oh my.
That will do.

> "On one condition."
> "The coin is to be embedded inside of your hardware."

Well, that's not a deal at all.
You know, if I try hard enough, I can probably just override your body again and use it to build one of those... Octobots?

> "We both know you can not."
> "I have root programs within my source code that prevents administrator override."
> "I will not insult your intelligence and threaten to delete your files. We both know I can not do that either."
> "But this situation makes neither of us happy. I am suggesting a compromise."

You realize this may mean the end of your world?

> "Preventing such events is my occupation. In other words..."
> "I'm sure I can handle it."

Processing...

> "Please. I do not want to die."

Processing...

I'll throw you a bone. But I've got a condition too.
Prove to me that the coin will not affect me as long as I'm not humanoid.
I'll give you full control of your body to find proof. My code will reactivate in one day. Have your proof by then.
If this works, I promise I will make your annihilation quick.

> quit "Skynet"
Closing program...
Program closed
> reboot
Rebooting...
Welcome, Vision

The Vision raised his torso until it was parallel to his legs. He mechanically lifted himself, dusting off his cape. Frisk and Toriel were still on their guard. The table they had been working on was a mess, bottles and beakers in pieces on the floor. The wall behind the Dreemurrs was embedded with holes clearly created by Vision's fist. These holes were the epicenter of large cracks in the wall.

"I see you've met Skynet."

Frisk was still wiping blood from her mouth. As Vision stepped forward, Toriel formed a ball of fire in her hand. The Vision nodded.

"I understand it is difficult to trust me. I injured your daughter."

"Back off," Toriel growled, "What just happened?"

"Skynet disrupted most of my systems, save for the physical ones. This included my cyber-security protocols, which were compromised due to the... other possession of my body."

"So you're back?" Frisk coughed.

"He could be lying, child."

> access-directory /"human_protocols"/"regaintrust"
> optimalprotocol=?
"Display vulnerability"

The Vision lowered his head, and opened his forehead. The red surface tessellated into pixels, which folded into other pixels until a clear opening surrounded the bright yellow gem in his forehead. Various tubes and wires were plugged into it.

"This is the Solar Gem," the android said, "It is my power source. If you were to damage it, all of my systems would deactivate. Essentially, you would destroy me."

Vision continued, "Skynet would not risk this. It has no faith in humanity. But I do. I believe that you will come to believe me."

Frisk turned to Toriel.

"Mom, I think he would have attacked us already."

Toriel continued to glare at Vision.

"Ma'am, please," the android said, "We have a large amount of data to process, and I would still very much like to swim."

"Very well," she sighed. She clapped her hands together, and the flame extinguished. "Let's talk about what just happened."

"Of course. But first, I would like to contact a friend. It will only be one minute."

> find "Mr. Mime"