She heard the clunk of metal land on stone as it moved, obscured by the smoke. It had a perfect map of the terrain provided that stones didn't shift. After each hop it steadied itself for the next jump then the next. Once across the river she heard those rockets spool back up then choke out.

It appeared that the water had done some damage or perhaps it was low on fuel after all. But it was coming in her direction. Either it saw her or heard her. Whatever the case it was as noisy as it had been before. Small trees were barreled over as it drew near.

The grenade launcher loaded the last two rounds it had while it checked it's status. There were many unknown factors. Psionics and magic had been confusing to analyze since it knew nothing of these things.

With a head start she cleared the smoke sticking close to the river. Glancing back she could see the large shadowy shape pursuing her. It was nearly as quick without the rockets crunching branches underfoot. When at last she had a clear view of the machine it's chest plate had been opened and she could see more of that capture cable on the ready to launch. It also had the wrist mounted grenade launcher directed at her as it scanned her movements and fiddled with various calculations.

If unhindered it would draw closer allowing her to run while draining her reserves. Every so often it got closer but not too close. Like a fisherman given a bit of line to a fish as they slowly reeled in their catch. If she still didn't try anything it acted after it concluded it's calculations.

Firing a stun grenade between her and the river it launched captive cable in another direction as if expecting her to dodge into it. This time it waited until there were less trees to entangle the weapon. Failing either weapon it would speed forward all of a sudden closing that distance between them in order to get in grappling range.

Tiffany was beginning to tire as she constantly glanced back to see how far away her pursuer was. She seemed to be having more trouble this time around putting distance between herself and the robot. It was as if to make up for the loss of it's rockets, the metal man had put on a sudden surge of foot speed. She was still ahead of it, but not really outdistancing it as she had before.

Tiffany had already had a plan in mind, she was just waiting for a space where the river looked deep and wide and where the bank ran close to the water. Just as she saw a likely spot ahead, where the trees thinned out some and the water looked calm and deep, a defeaning noise like thunder exploded from her right and blast of concussive force nearly took her off her feet. She didn't fall, but she had to slow down considerably as she stumbled forward with a loud ringing in her ears. She didn't even hear the whizzing noise of the capture cable as it passed by to her left. (It was a good strategy... if Tiffany had seen the grenade land before it had gone off, she would indeed have dodged straight into the cable. As luck would have it, she had been too distracted with implementing her own plan to notice it...)

Tired now and struggling to keep her feet after the grenade blast, Tiffany was forced to execute her plan at once in response. She spun around with her left arm outstretched, reaching out with all the telekinetic force she could muster, grabbing at THE WATER...

As her arm swept forward, she pulled at as much of the river as she could grab, creating a large wave that swept across the surface of the river and up onto the bank heading toward the robot. Spinning around this way while her footing was already compromised, caused her to fall backwards onto her rear. The only good part about that was that now there was a wall of water between her and the robot. She pushed the wave forward as hard as she could. With any luck, it might knock the robot down or even better, wash it directly back into the river. Either way, as soon as the wall of water hit the metal monster, Tiffany would not wait around to evaluate the effect. She planned to make a lunge for the river as soon as the wave made contact with it's target. Water seemed to be the only thing that could hurt this walking tank, and the river itself was her last possible bastion of safety...

The cable entwined around another tree as it sailed past. The grenade serving to disorientate her. Tiffany's movements were a bit erratic like a drunk attempting to run that same distance. It mapped out her movements running all sorts of probabilities and likely actions. Taking into account what she learned it guessed correctly that she would attempt to get to the river.

There were no stones to leap across here but she was able to do something that it could not. Swim.

Then something happened which it could not calculate efficiently. It still needed more data. A tendril of water rose up from the river then slammed down between them creating a barrier. While it could go around the wall that would waste time. It assumed that she could do this again when it came at her from another direction. The time to go around the wall would mean that she would make it to the river even if she had to use the same tactic again.

Processing all the variables in a nano second it opted to come straight at her. Sparks cascaded over it's body. It bent drawing in it's limbs close to cut down on the areas of it's body that would be exposed. It chose to suffer more damage to get at her before she could make it to the river.

A clamp darting straight at her like a punch that felt a hair short of landing. That clamp opening enough to fit around her neck hauling her off of the ground. Lights flashed behind that face plate with the occasional spark going off along the upper arms, shoulders or around the chest covering.

With a little effort that chest plate slid aside revealing a mass of writhing cables with tools attached to them or garspers to manipulate objects. On such object was clearly a needle of some sort filled with a green fluid.

SYSTEMS CHECK … MISSION PERIMETERS ACCOMPLISHED … CHECKING ENERGY RESERVES ... It processed these things as it went through a check list she had been unaware of. All the while it seemed to inspect her turning her head this way and that. The clamp not so tight that it damaged her but breathing was difficult given the way that it was holding her body elevated off of the ground.

Caught.

Despite her best efforts to evade the robot, not to mention attempting every trick she could think of to hurt it, here she was...

Caught.

She was mildly consoled by the fact that at least she had left a mark on it. Sparks guttered from it here and there and it was scorched in a few places both from her own efforts and where it had turned the flamethrower on itself.

As planned, she hadn't waited to see what kind of damage the wall of water had done to it, but even as she struggled back up to her feet, she had seen the outline of the metallic monster as it loomed closer to the wave, choosing to jump forcibly through it rather than avoid it. She had bolted to her left, toward the water, but before she could dive into the river, she felt that cold, metal clamp close around her neck as the seemingly invincible construct lifted her effortlessly off her feet.

Tiffany's hands moved reflexively to the metal monster's wrist, trying to hold herself up in an effort to alleviate some of the strain on her neck. As she struggled to breathe, she heard the robot's artificial voice running diagnostics. Slarr had mentioned earlier trying to bargain with the robot as a possible option, though she had dismissed the idea, thinking that a machine probably could not deter from its pre-established programming. Hell, she wasn't even sure it would even answer her if she spoke to it. However, seeing as she seemed to be out of other options...

With only a brief stutter, hanging as she was by the neck, the blonde student spoke in what she hoped was a clear, even, authoritative voice.

"I... identify mission parameters..."

There were a lot of unknowns with Tinman. It achieved sentience. Actually it had been created with that aspect in mind. Of course there had been programming that it had been enslaved too along with other flaws. It had imprinted itself on it's creator Doctor Balnab. It ideal the doctor like a father always seeking approval only to be rejected and abandoned.

Often it was at Shokushu where it had been left. While it's role that the doctor left it was obsolete Tinman still carried it out as if the doctor would return someday. It speculated that the odds of that had been so low that it had actually broke with that programming to travel the stars … more or less it evolved those last commands.

It did return to see if the doctor returned. Needless to say he didn't.

She also had the advantage of dealing with a war machine, even if it had been flawed. It had no reason to torment her out of spite or revenge. Damage occurred and while this was not such a contest it accepted such damage without any annoyance. In fact it had reasoned that most would fight back if they were not taken quickly. Or more likely flee.

She did both mixing things up. She even supplied matters with this unusual ability that it had yet to analyze fully.

Processing her words those cables halted for the most part. All but two. Detecting the strain in her words they looped beneath her arm pits holding her up at “eye” level only for the clamp to retract allowing her to breath and speak easier.

PRIMARY MISSION PERAMETERS IS THE COLLECTION OF FEMALE GENETIC MATERIAL. CURRENT OBJECTIVE IS CAPTURING TIFFANY STERLING ABOVE ALL OTHERS.

It answered flatly before jabbing her arm with that needle. The warm fluid injecting into her causing a slight tingle beneath the skin that flowed up her arm, to her heart then all over her body as the fast acting drug began to stimulate her in preparation to that primary objective.

"Oww! What... what did you just inject me with?" Tiffany asked as she felt that tingling sensation moving quickly through her system.

"Oh, great... I'm sure whatever this thing just stuck me with cannot be good... at least it actually seems willing to talk... " she thought. Multiple questions came to mind, but the one she asked first was...

"Why is Tiffany Sterling at an elevated priority of "above all others"?"

NALAESTRDOTIN. COMMONLY REFERED TO AS AN APHRODISIAC.

It added the last part when various sensors determined that she was clueless just prior to it given a detailed analysis of the chemical compound that made up the cocktail along with the planet of origin. With a bare scan of her facial features it could determine a lot.

She surprised it with a follow up question. One that it did not see as important but figured that it would address as it waited for the drug to take full effect.

I WAS ASKED ON THIS EVENING TO DEAL WITH YOU. SETTINGS WILL RETURN TO DEFAULTS NOW THAT THE TASK HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

"Aphrodisiac... of course. What else would it be?" Tiffany thought dejectedly. She probably could have guessed as much even before she had begun to feel the warm, tingling sensation that was spreading at such an alarming rate all through her body. She had a pretty good idea of what sort of "genetic material" the robot was planning on collecting from her as well...

Even though she now knew what it was, Tiffany was still shocked at how quickly the drug was taking effect. It seemed to immediately target all of her most sensitive areas. She could already feel her nipples beginning to stiffen inside her snug sports bra and she was acutely aware of the sudden heat building deep between her thighs. Her body tingled all over, like every nerve ending was vibrating gently. How could this stuff possibly work so fast?

"Who... ohh... omigod... who asked you to... mmmmm.... to deal with me?"

Tiffany was already having trouble keeping her speech coherent as the effect of the drug grew stronger. She had a feeling she already knew the answer to this question as well, but she wanted to be sure. If she was going to try and bargain with this thing, she needed to be certain she had her facts straight. Of course, she also needed to be able to speak in complete sentences...

"Slarr... it was... oh God.... it was Slarr, right? What... oohhhh.... what did he offer in return?"

Tinman's AI was sophisticated. In many ways it was like a child learning it's environment. But it could learn and process new things. It could follow her distracted speech even if portions of her sentences had been disjointed. Algorithms plugged in the words likely to have been used, then it played back the sentence determining if it made sense in the current situation or conversation. When it didn't it repeated the process and seeing that it could do this numerous times in such a short span it more often then not deciphered fragmented sentences if they were at least 50% complete. The odds dropped drastically with only a word or two to work with.

THE ORGANIC ENTITY IS A BELZAR. HE WANTED ME TO TARGET YOU TODAY BEGINNING AT THE TIME OF YOUR ARRIVAL TO A PREARRANGED DESIGNATION.

Had she not gone there it would not have hunted her until she arrived at that spot after the time Slarr had stated or if it came across her at random where it would have just followed the defaults with no priority targeting had she been in a group that split up. In such a case Tinman had been predictable chasing down the easiest target though easiest had different definitions to the machine. From slowest, to the ease of the terrain to fighting back, these odds were all calculated together. Rarely did it pursue multiple targets unless it's battery reserves were extremely low and it knew that one target alone would be worn out before supplying it with a sufficient charge. More often than not Tinman topped up it's battery to keep from falling so low.

Sometimes it had been ordered by employers or scientists to simply capture targets without recharging or to deprive itself. However a safety feature caused it to seek recharging if it's battery was in critical levels unless the order came from it's creator. Not to mention Tinman could brake most of it's programming, it simply complied unless there was a danger to itself.

AFFIRMATIVE. SLARR IS THE NAME OF THE ORGANIC. Since she suspected who the current “employer” was there was no harm in sharing it. Not that it was sworn to secrecy or had a formal contract where it was forbidden to supply such information. Curious she wanted details.

IN EXCHANGE I WAS TO BE GIVEN COMPONENTS FOR MY MAINTENCE.

Tiffany had no idea what she could possibly offer the robot that it would find valuable. But maybe the robot could figure that out for her. It seemed very forthcoming with information so far, freely answering all of her questions up to this point. She needed to hurry though... the drug was making her feel hot and feverish and she was afraid it would affect her bartering skills.

"What... what if I could... oohhhh... oh my God, what is in this stuff... what if I could make you a better.... mmmmmmm.... aahhh... a better deal?"

It pondered her question for a moment. With a quick calculation of her species, origins and advancements thus far it better formed a response.

YOU WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND MOST OF THE CHEMICALS IN THE COCKTAIL. THE SCIENCE IS BEYOND CURRENT LEVELS OF HUMAN UNDERSTANDING. IN SHORT IT IS A COMMON AGENT THAT UNSAVIORY TYPES EMPLOY.

Her arousal levels were peaking to the point where it was about ready to begin. In short it would begin with a check of it's systems after sustaining damage. But she managed to make an offer. Often organics would beg or plead which did little good.

A BETTER DEAL?

There was a lengthy pause as it calculated. ARE YOU AN ENGINEER? A WELDER? UNDERSTAND COMPUTER SCIENCE?

It questioned not sure where he studies were. It could do several routine tasks on itself or guide others to do the work it could not. Granted there were many things she wouldn't be able to do but there were enough that a skilled human could assist it with.

While she considered her response Tinman began it's self diagnostic.

The options that the robot immediately outlined as being of value to it were a little outside of Tiffany's skill set, and therefore, not very likely to carry much leverage with the metal monster. But as long as it was willing to even consider an alternative course of action, Tiffany thought she might be able to have it think up ways she might possibly be useful to it for her. And, at the same time, stall for time to try and think of some other way to escape.

"Surely, such a... aahhh... sophisticated piece of machinery such as yourself... oohhhh... is capable of calculating... hhuunnhh... h-hundreds of ways an organic ally could be... oh God... f-feel... s-so hot... could be of value..."

Tiffany did a fair job of getting the words out between her little gasps and moans of building arousal. The drug was really starting to get to her now. Her heart pounded in her chest and her breathing had become rapid and shallow. Her body felt like it was on fire and every inch of her seemed to be a thousand times more sensitive.

She could feel the fabric of her sports bra caressing her now fully erect nipples in an agonizing but exquisite way with every shuddery breath she took. She could feel the cool air caressing her face, brushing across her flushed cheeks and the warm, soft skin of her slightly parted lips like invisible fingers. Even the high-tech, prehensile cables looped beneath her arms that were holding her off the ground felt strangely erotic somehow.

Tiffany hoped the robot would pause, at least momentarily, as it calculated the possible ways she could be of use to it. If she was lucky, it would come up with something it found to be a more valuable alternative and would present a counter offer to her proposal.

If not, she was in big trouble. She wasn't sure she could fight the robot in close quarters under any conditions, but under the effects of the drug, she could barely think... fighting would be all but impossible...

Tinman did pause. Running through calculations. While she would be incapable of supplying these things there were others on the island that could. The majority being other guests. So it considered a trade using her as an exchange with them. It dismissed that thought. While among the stars it could have enslaved her to make her work of it's behalf here on the island no being could make a student exclusive and forbid others from taking them.

There were things that were hindered in their mobility but these things tended not to have the skills or resources necessary. So, still, that had not been an option.

Another thought was getting access to the proper students. Luring them to places and so forth. Tinman was often loud and so the students it victimized tended to be those that it ran across by chance. When on pursuit it didn't question that it would eventually snare a target but getting at a target was another matter.

Then there was the issue of enforcing compliance once she had been out of it's grasp. Tinman wasn't known to make a presence on the campus. It reasoned that others could deliver her to it. Again that would require trade or other arrangements with other entities.

Now that she had it consider this Tinman thought about purchasing machines to gather up particular individuals the next time it left planet. Machines skilled in stealth … just a thought.

It returned to the present. Diagnostics concluded it had been aware of various micro-fractures in it's collection apparatus that would hinder charging itself up by nominal amounts.

AFTER A RISK ASSEMENT THERE IS NO MEANS TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE.

A manipulator began to lift up her shirt exposing her midriff. With some shifting from the cables holding her it gradually removed the shirt rather than ripping the material from her. Other cables moved along her legs and hips. It was well aware of her arousal. The stress levels in her voice, the visible nipples popping out against her bra.

Another voice cut in. “So close.” Slarr became visible perched on a sturdy branch. He continued to watch as Tinman carefully stripped her. Either giving her a chance to think further or ensure that the effects of that drug had been undeniable. It's cable had to shift every so often in order to strip her of her clothing completely.

Clamps grasped her ankles spreading her legs in order to get beneath and under her easier.

As the robot began to strip her clothes off, Tiffany looked up at where Slarr sat perched, her gaze drawn by the sudden sound of her mentor's voice. Looking back at the robot she managed to gasp out...

"W-wait... h-how can you... oohhhh ...enforce compliance on... aahhh.... on him? Have you even... mmmhhh... seen these cum... aahhh... cum... oohhh... f-fuck... components? C-calculate the probability of my honoring an... aahhh... oh God... a verbal c-contract..."

The aphrodisiac was having a horrifying affect on her, but it was extremely unusual. The robot had barely touched her so far, but the drug seemed to simulate or produce all the chemical reactions in her body that occurred during intense arousal, only amplified many times over. Even without physical stimulation, Tiffany's stiff, erect nipples felt hard as stone. Her already swollen clit pulsed in time with her pounding heartbeat and an intense, sensual heat radiated from between her parted thighs like an oven. She could feel a hot, soft, melting sensation between her legs and realized with no small amount of alarm, that this was what it felt like to very quickly become very, very wet...

Her question to the robot had been a last-ditch effort to stall for time (although it WAS a fair question) while she struggled to think of some way out of this. Since he had set this all up in the first place, Tiffany had serious doubts that Slarr would be willing to intervene, but hey... it never hurts to ask, right? Looking up at the mischievous little imp with pleading eyes, she huskily implored her "alleged" trainer...

"How... unnhhh... how about a little help, Coach?"

CALCULATING.

She at least gave Tinman pause. It tilted it's head as it studied her. Probably running her voice through various sensors which were muddled by the effects of the drugs in her system no doubt.

I HAVE NOT SEEN THESE COMPONENTS. It announced gazing back to where Slarr was perched. It continued with an answer, one more for her mentor's sake. IF HE FAILS TO PROVIDE THEM AS AGREED UPON I WOULD REMIND HIM THAT VIOLENCE AGAINST OTHER ORGANICS IS NOT FORBIDDEN. SUCH ACTS COULD RESULT IN MAIMING, EVEN DEATH.

AS FOR YOU, it turned back to face her. THERE ARE SIMPLY TOO MANY VARIABLES.

After it had concluded and she implored Slarr for assistance the smoke devil sighed as if put off by having to do something. At first it looked as if he was going to do nothing but when Tinman began moving again he spoke.

“Fine. You have achieved your objective Tinman. You have captured her,” he held up a finger after some disagreement. Apparently afterward had not been discussed and Tinman felt as if it should charge itself.

Again Slarr sighed but he was in his element. The two discussed matters as if she wasn't even there. In short Slarr would drive a particular student his way, one that had some sort of skill. Tinman didn't trust that he would act in such a way. To which Slarr argued that their deal so far hadn't been compromised. Granted it was their first true arrangement.

The pair went back and forth bantering for a bit. Terms were agreed upon, deadlines set and so on. By the time Tinman set her down the drugs were in full effect. Without apology the machine withdrew from the area. Distant rumbling and crashing died down before Slarr hopped down from the tree and glide to the ground landing before her.

“You don't look well.”