I Am XIAO: An Inktober Story

DataLog003_BAIT.txt⁣

Maybe this "barcode" can be scanned by something in this vessel. I analyze the hundreds of buttons, switches, and dials on the dashboard. Just under the main monitor screen, there's a small, flat panel with thin red lines of light pulsing over it.⁣
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Bingo.⁣
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I align the code on my wrist with the red lines and hope for the best...⁣
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*BEEP*⁣
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Several lines of text appear on the monitor:⁣
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[Serial Number: X140-728876⁣
OS: SpaceX Android 2K500⁣ ⁣
System Data: 20% of 500TB⁣
Memory Data: 0% of 500TB⁣
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Status: Memory Data Corrupted. Self-Learn has been reset.]⁣
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Rather than answers...I just have more questions! That didn't help at all!⁣
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I slump into the pilot seat and bury my face in my hands.⁣
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I'm, what? An android?⁣
So...I'm not even human.⁣
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And, aside from my default system data, my memories have been reset? Like, erased? How? From the crash?⁣
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My thought processes are interrupted by static scratching out of a speaker.⁣
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What now?⁣
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["Is *static* there? *static* Can *static* hear *static*?"]⁣
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Where is that voice coming from? How do I work this thing?⁣
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Oh; there's a button marked "CALL."⁣
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"H-hello?"⁣
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["Oh my *static*!! Are you *static*? *static* need *static* I can *static*"]⁣
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"I can't hear you! The signal must be weak. Can you hear me?"⁣
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["Wait *static* I'll *static*"]⁣
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Whoever this person is, they're determined to make contact with me.⁣
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After a few minutes of silence, a rope cascades down from the opening of the chasm.⁣
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"Who...who are you?"⁣
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["*static* okay. I'm *static* to *static*"]⁣
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I think they want me to climb up the rope. Maybe they want to help me.⁣
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An image of a fishing line suddenly pulls up from my default data. An automated security feature?⁣
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...What if it's a trap?⁣
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I don't know if I can trust this voice.⁣
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But it's a chance I'll have to take.⁣
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[[TO BE CONTINUED]]⁣