Niha (series)

First Missions is a short story about Niha, a robot created by the Order of Mata Nui. It details her training and first missions in the Order.

Chapter One
"Artificial Toa zero zero one, can you hear me?" Niha's photoreceptors focused on the black-and-silver being who stood before her. She was aware, after a quick visual scan, that he was a mersion scientist who worked for the Order of Mata Nui. She was also loyal to the Order, so she answered his question.

"Yes, I can hear you."

"What is your name?" the mersion asked. That was a stupid question, Niha thought. He just adressed her as Artificial Toa 001.

"You already know my name. AT001." Niha thought for a moment. "I guess you mean my other name. My other name is Niha." The mersion looked surprised.

"Your name is Niha?" he questioned. He thought aloud, "That is interesting. Yes, that is definitely interesting."

"And why is it so interesting?" Niha piped.

"It is interesting because of it's meaning, but now is not the time for deciphering names. My name is Mersery. I helped create you." This took Niha by surprise.

"You created me? I didn't know that people were created." Niha then hesitantly added, "Who...who created you?" Mersery let out a soft, sympathetic sort of laugh.

"Well, I don't really know who created me, if I was created at all. You were created a bit differently than I would have been, I think. Come and sit down." Niha tried to move, but was impeded by restraining bands around her wrists, ankles, and waist. Mersery heard her struggling, and came back to help her. "Oh, yes. Sorry." He pressed a button to Niha's right and she was free from her bonds.

"What was that for?" Niha objected.

Mersery led Niha to a table and chairs by metal double-doors. "I didn't know what you'd be like. I had to have you secured so that if you were feeling rebelious, you wouldn't damage the laboratory or yourself. Sit down." Niha sat, and the scientist followed. "Most people do not know or remember who or what created them. Most of our order beleive that Mata Nui, the Great Spirit we serve, created everyone and everything in our universe. You are a very special person, though. You were made the same way a ship, or a sword, or a kanohi is made. What I'm trying to say is that--"

"That I'm a robot," Niha interrupted. There was an edge to her voice. "You're just going to use me to do the jobs that real people can't. And if I object you'll just reprogram me?" Niha felt like a ball of lead had been dropped in her stomach. Then, with a sinking feeling, she realized that robots probably didn't have stomachs.

"No." Mersery put a hand on Niha's shoulder. "You're going to be treated like a person, not a thing. You're going to be just like any other member of the Order. We'll train you, we'll give you a place to stay, and we will only give you missions that we think that you can complete. We're not going to treat you like you're an object just because you work like one. Anything with a mind should be treated like it has one, even if that mind is artificial." Niha looked up at Mersery.

"Really?"

"I promise." Mersery stood up. "Well, now that I've told you who you are and who I am, how about I show you around the headquarters?"

So Niha was taken around the base so she would be familiar with the area. He showed her the training and testing areas, where new armor, weapons, and the like would be tested, and where new and old recruits could learn new skills or perfect old ones. Niha was led to the missions breifing rooms, and then to the launch room, which in her opinion was the best part of the tour. There were large screens everywhere, showing everything from the weather on Zakaz to how many Order Members were present at the base(two hundred and thirty-three). After Niha was done gaping at the launch room, she and Mersery took a quick look at the sleeping quarters, and then went outside to the combat yard. Dozens of Order Members were engaged in mock battles with their friends or trainers, obviously having a good time learning new moves. Then the pair took the twenty minute trip to the docks, which they only took a quick look at. They were just preparing to leave when something caught Niha's attention.

A sleek, cat-like creature had emerged from the surf and was proceeding to rest on the beach. It was lithe and had a long, nimble body. It turned its head as it heard Niha gasp in awe at the magestic rahi. It made no threatening gestures; it simply yawned and stretched out on a large rock a few yards from the dock.

"It's...it's beautiful!" Niha could not express her attraction to the creature. Mersery didn't sound so sure.

"It definitely seems so," he speculated. Niha was confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Just watch," Mersery gestured to the cat. Niha turned back; a large bird-like rahi had approached the charming feline, obviously enchanted by the feline. It hopped a few feet closer, now less than three yards from the cat.

It happened so quickly. The cat pounced, there was a shrill, pained screech from the bird, and the friend-turned-predator dragged its prey to the shallows. Niha looked away as the cat drowned the helpless bird.

"It is called the shallows cat. It is a beautiful creature, but a force to be reckoned with. The clever rahi hides its true power until the time is right to strike." The shallows cat had brought the bird back to its rock, and already was quickly devouring its meal. Mersery continued, "It is actually a lot like us. None know of our existence. We go, show ourselves long enough to do what we must, and we leave. It may be hard sometimes, but the will of Mata Nui must be done." It was getting dark, so the pair walked back to the base. Once there, Mersery showed Niha her room.

"You start training tomorrow at the combat yard, so get some rest. Yes, even robots need sleep. Have a good night."