2482 = LOVE

2482 = LOVE by Jeremy M. Thayer

All characters and places mentioned and their derivatives (with the exception of "Clunky") are property of Hasbro Inc.

“Robot probe 2482… do you copy?” Command Central called with a hint of urgency

“Yes I copy… I am at 100% functionality” The weather-worn space probe returned. Its decades of flight into the unknown, still had not affected its abilities. “I am 139054.2121 nautical earth miles in passing away planet of Neptune.” The robot sounded with broken English, as it always has. This was because many of the programmers that built it could not speak English very well. They basically created its speech module with no real knowledge of the English language.

“Good probe 2482. Be advised… Central is picking up a high voltage anomaly in your vicinity. Take proper maneuvers.” Command told the far-space probe.

“Copy… Turning 1.4444 degrees, due NW away from highvol. Over.” the robot said in its electronic voice. Robotic deep-space probe 2482 was one of the only robots left searching for new life. At one time Command had over a thousand probes, soaring throughout the heavens. However, over the decades many of them were victim to design flaws or stray space junk slamming into them. Even though many had met their demise, they were all far advanced for the time. Each one had the ability to land upon and launch from planets. They could take samples and pictures of everything they came in contact with. Also, with new (for the time) technology they could use logic, deduction, and reason; along with expression and voice.

Probe 2482 had already landed upon every major planet past Earth in our solar system. Neptune was its last stop and now it was onward to the dwarfs of Pluto and Eris. Because of this, the probe became a kind of mascot for all of Command Central.

“Is you doing well?” The robot said. It was preprogrammed with many human-like expressions like these. However, hearing them repeated often was very annoying.

“Yes 2482.” Someone at Command central returned with sarcasm.

“Good. Over.” The robot said.

After a few minutes, Command again called with annoyance.

“Robot probe 2482… the high voltage anomaly is getting closer. Deviate flight path now… copy?” The dispatcher said with a tone of authority.

“Copy… Deviation of flight path NW 14.8462 degrees… Thrust at 24% for 2.843 seconds. Deviation completed. over.” The probe returned.

“Excellent 2482. Good job… over.” The dispatcher said in release. Even though their probe was considered an antique by technological standards, Command Central certainly did not want to lose another one.

“How is family?” The robot said.

“Good… 2482” the radio operator said with a sigh.

“Good to hear… over.” The robot said.

Within a few minutes of time, many of the operators and scientists at Command Central started to stir with a sense of panic. Suddenly, the Chief Commander appeared and gave the countersign to start High Alert. Sirens blared throughout the complex, as hundreds stopped everything. They dashed and quickly converged upon the control room.

“Probe 2482… This is Chief Commander. Initiate Emergency Alpha course 4545! Alpha Stat Alpha! Collision with anomaly is imminent!” The Chief Commander of Command Central shouted into the microphone. The robot was heading directly on a collision course with the unknown!

“Copy… Initiating Emergency Alpha Stat Alpha 4545. All thrusters firing at 100% Course Correctio… 34… 8… r…” The robot sounded with screeches and static.

Everyone in the control room held their breath, as Probe 2482 fell silent.

“Probe 2482… This is Chief Commander. Do you copy?”

“Probe 2482… This is Command Central. Do you copy?”

“Probe 2482… Do you copy?”

“Probe 2482…”

“DANG!!! We lost another one!!!” The Chief Commander shouted as he threw the microphone hard, smashing it on the ground. He walked away shaking his head in disgust. There was a feeling of dread that overwhelmed everyone, as more worked furiously around-the-clock to reclaim contact.