<the cat started to sweat a little now, as clearly they were going to be insistent on this matter. He winced as the bots tugs at his limbs and fur, shaking more as they get more aggressive in their actions. Curiously though, a different planet...he thinks hard; if they were using him to attack you think they'd have insisted on the same planet? Could they just have multiple targets in mind, or was there something else at play. He had to stall anyway, so only one way to find out...>
Ok, new planet, charming desert place. I'm telling you though, I can't just be shown a photo, really! I need to know where it is to go there!! I have to feel it inside my mind before I can open a portal anywhere, and frankly I'm a little too freaked out to concentrate!!! Give me a few minutes and stop poking and pulling at me and maybe I can get you somewhere? You got coordinates? A star chart? Anything useful aside from a picture guys?
<he sighs deeply and shrugs> Ummm, are you even understanding a single word I'm saying anymore?? Here, maybe I can get some help in translating, my partner was really good at talking. One sec..."MARIUS, HELP!"..."MARIUS...HELP!!!" Er...that's his name, "Marius Help" It's an odd name but he likes it, ok? If he's nearby and heard he'll come and translate anything you need. Great duck but a terrible prisoner...works best when free roaming, just so you know. <giggles weakly>
<gulp> Ummm, look, maybe tell me why you want to go there to pass the time? New home? What's in the canisters, terraforming stuff? 'Casue I have some experience in that matter and I think you'll need something more nutrient-rich, and I don't even know what spiderbots eat but I suspect it doesn't grow on trees so...what's the deal? Whatcha need to go there for that can't wait?
The drones gave pause, ceasing their pulling and tugging as Mambi explained the very simple nature of his inability to preform on command. The bots seemed to take his explanation to heart, understanding completely his explanation, and apparently at least a little sympathetic as they let go of him. Fortunately, they seemed invested in this endeavor, and the drones perked up with solutions to solve any of the feline's potential roadblocks.
The screen began flashing with other windows beside the planet, just quick blips of what looked like encyclopedic information about the location, despite it lacking much in the way of detail. There were even coordinates, and dates, possibly indicating a survey mission. The last one seemed to be about a century and a half ago, and the planet didn't really even have a name.
Reasonably understanding that wouldn't be enough, one of the drone's climbed out a nearby vent with something in its mechanical mandibles. It hurried over to Mambi, carrying a large rock, possibly from one of the biospheres.
They were all cooperating, coordinating like an intelligent swarm to accomplish whatever odd objectives they had in mind! It was exciting to say the least!
The drone with the rock climbed up the wall beside Mambi, then jumped onto Mambi's shoulders, digging its spider legs into his back and chest! It began viciously smacking the rock against the side of Mambi's head- repeatedly against his skull before trying to shove the piece of sediment into his ear! The others chittered more excitedly, as this may have been the final step in accomplishing their ultimate goal... others began to arrive with other pieces of sand, dirt, and rocks, ready to force them into his head so that he could, in fact, feel it inside of his mind...
From somewhere distant, the cat heard an echoing, but familiar voice.
"Hang on @Mambi!"
Suddenly, there was a very loud bang followed by "OW!", and then after a short pause, there was a loud and constant stream of cursing that even the robots seemed unsettled to hear. The colorful tirade ended with a far less enthusiastic, "Hang on, Mambi." This was followed by the ear piercing sounds of squeaking and grinding metal.
"Wait, I almost got it."
The bolts securing the grate didn't fail with Marius's kick and he had to bend the dented grate back and forth to weaken the metal. After three more kicks, the metal grate finally fell to the floor with a loud clatter and Marius cautiously hopped out of the vent.
"Okay, this party is over!"
Marius jumped out of the vent in a glorious display, crashing down into the swarm of bots who were chittering, seemingly chanting excitedly as several of the mechanoids viciously beat Mambi with rocks and dirt in some twisted macabre mechanical ritual!
Whatever torture they were trying to preform, they attempted to shove rocks into his ears, holding him down while they did so with ruthless and sadistic fervor!
Even though he landed on top of them, they paid Marius no heed as their number covered the floor, walls, and ceiling in their entirety like some cult temple.
