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| Habitat: Multilevel | IETS |
| Properties: Itemic; Mechanized; Benevolent | 1U |
Entity 88; Level 283.
Description
Entity 88, colloquially known as "Robotrons," are mechanical beings reminiscent of mid-20th-century "tin robot" toy designs. Robotrons are made of a brushed stainless steel material, featuring a square head, rectangular body, and long jointed arms. Measuring nearly two meters in height, Robotrons are capable of moving at approximately 20 kmh. The entities ambulate using a combination of pivot wheels and continuous tracks, allowing for smooth 360° movement. Their heads and torsos have many blinking lights, including their teeth, which flicker in a wave pattern matching the sounds produced by the entities. These sounds and the whirring of its mechanical components are the clearest indicators that a Robotron is nearby.
Weaponry
Entity 88 have been witnessed displaying two forms of offensive capabilities:
• The Robotrons main form of attack is a red, light-based projectile. These "laser beams" originate from a small hole in the entity's left hand. The weapon causes severe burns, and when used on a biological target several times, the beam will disintegrate the target, leaving behind a small pile of smoldering ash. This attack is accompanied by a harmonic digital tone.
• The Robotrons' right hands possess a slightly larger hole; from it emerges a baton-like device that discharges a powerful electrical pulse. The attack has a far shorter range, though it will typically push its target several meters away, allowing for continued long-range attack.
To date, Robotrons have never been witnessed using these attacks on human-like targets1. Due to the rarity of encounters with Entity 88, it is unknown if these are the full offensive capabilities of the robots.
Behavior
Entity 88 have two primary behaviors: searching and offensive. Typically, a single Robotron will spontaneously manifest within a level and remain in the level for anywhere from several minutes to hours. When the entity arrives in a level, it will begin searching for suitable targets. Each encounter has described the pattern in which the Robotrons search a level differently, with many instances traveling the same path multiple times or taking illogical routes through the levels. Often, when a Robotron seems lost or is unable to locate a target, the entity will spontaneously demanifest similarly to its arrival.2
If the Robotron does find a suitable target, assumed to be defined as any non-human entity, it will enter what is commonly called "attack mode". When in this state, the entity's lights will change to a reddish hue, and the baton on its right hand will extend. The digital sounds that emanate from the entity take on a harsher tone. The Robotrons will then attack the entity using a variety of tactics, with some being far less effective than others.
Sightings
First discovered in 1988, the Robotrons' presence was common for several years. By 2001, sightings of the entity dwindled drastically, though several sightings are typically reported each year. The following is a non-exhaustive list of Entity 88 encounters throughout the years.
| Date | Location | Testimony |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Dec 1988 | Level 3 | Robotron entered the level, searched for a total of 22 minutes before finding and destroying a Hound via laser beam. After 35 minutes of coninued searching, the Entity demanifested. |
| 03 Mar 1988 | Level 10 | Entity wandered through the fields for a total of 45 minutes before demanifesting. |
| 19 Jul 1989 | Level 34 | Entity 88 instance saved witness from a Smiler, disintegrating it with three laser shots.3 The Robotron demanifested after falling into the water. |
| 12 Sep 1992 | Level 5 | The Robotron manifested near a cluster of Deathmoths and immediately entered attack mode. In total, the instance killed a total of 17 Deathmoths before getting jammed in a doorway while pursuing the remaining moths. After seven minutes of trying to dislodge from the doorway, the instance demanifested. |
| 28 Feb 2017 | Level 103 | The instance of Entity 88 manifested on the upper deck of Level 103. It repeated several search and attack cycles during its three and a half hours in the level. In total, it destroyed 2 Smilers, 4 Clumps, 1 Skin-Stealer, 8 Nguithr'xurhs, and 4 Partygoers. Though unharmed and at a significant advantage, the entity demanifested in the middle of an attack sequence against a Skin-Stealer. |
| 26 Jun 2021 | Level 8 | U.E.C. operatives attempt to engage a Robotron near the Cerberus Research Facility, the instance demanifested almost immediately. |
Two or more instances of Entity 88 have never been witnessed in the same location.
Protocols
While Entity 88 instances have never shown hostility towards humans, it is recommended to keep a safe distance when one is in the area. The likelihood of accidental injury during an inter-entity altercation is moderate to high, depending on the entities involved.
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