The Grand Battle [Game Over!]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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Unit VC-035 was now complete, and well ahead of schedule. Eximo decided to check the status of the other units before continuing, in case unforeseen errors had occurred. Besides, this would be a good opportunity to participate in the cleansing itself.

As Eximo patrolled the store, it noticed the fallen form of VC-012. Further examination suggested it had sustained damage from an attack, rather than a malfunction. Fortunately, it was not beyond repair.

Eximo took out its strange tools and began repairing the unit. At the same time, it began scanning the store, looking for a new section to assign 012 once it was functional again; this section was now clear.

And that was when the anomaly became apparent. Eximo paused for a moment, confused, then finished its work and sent 012 over to the washing machines. Eximo then headed towards the source of the anomaly: One of the cash registers.

Eximo was puzzled. None of the VC units had been in this area, so there was still considerable dust on the floor and counter; yet, the register itself was completely clean. Why would this device already be cleansed, when it was surrounded by such filth?

Perhaps the answer lay inside. Eximo identified and pressed the button to open the register. There was money inside, which was not surprising at all. Eximo removed a ten-dollar bill and inspected it - perfectly clean.

Suddenly, Eximo was pushed towards the ground. It picked itself up, surprised, then put the money back in the till.

Then it found itself a few inches off the ground. A moment later, there were a series of loud thumping noises as Eximo and the VC units landed.

Eximo had not been programmed to understand the details of gravity. A more trained observer might have realized that the building's rate of descent had slowed when the money was removed, and increased when it was replaced. But the demonic vacuum merely decided to leave the cash register alone and return to its work. It had become clear that investigating the device would not assist with the cleansing.