Defunct Deconstructor Logbook Entry Draft 3

''So what'd this one get itself into?''

The robot sits in pieces on the greasy workbench, dormant. A beeping sequence of error codes rings out repeatedly.

''Unit 32819. Got 20 more looking about the same as this one. Incident report states:

    'Big panel broke loose after one of the RUS-Ts messed up the drilling order. 50 tons of metal got yanked towards the vessel's magnetic tether with 41 disassembly units in tow, all proceeding to impact the stern of the ship.'

This one's got two damaged locomotive arms and minor dings and dents to the chassis. Pretty easy fix, and a lot better off than some of the others.''

''You ever think they'd try programming some common sense into these dumb little balls?''

''All they're doing is following the instructions that get relayed in.''

''How's about giving it an instruction like 'don't get your dumb ass squished when bits of the ship break off from you purposefully breaking them off'?''

The robot's beeping ceases as repairs continue, replaced with an occasional chirp as each error code clears.

''You gotta admit it's impressive, seeing them swarm over the ship like a colony of ants and break it down into bits to sell off. I think they're kinda cute, even. Reminds me of a little droid in a movie I watched growing up.

''Well, the little ball droids stole our jobs! I miss being out there, breaking the ships by hand. Fastest turnover team in the company! Made a damned good living doing it, too. Now we're just playing nanny while the bots do it for us. ''

''While the bots do it faster, and with fewer casualties. You sure you wanna go out there with an arc torch and atmo suit now, after the last job had you looking worse off than our little patient here?''

''Might get the chance if these things keep getting pancaked at the rate they're going. Hell, I'd even say I'm glad that they're breaking down so often.''

''Anything to relive your glory days, eh?''

The robot remains dormant on the workbench, still listening intently.