Finished up the chapter! I just sent a PM to AUTOA113 for approval and possibly revision. Hopefully we’ll be able to get the chapter up soon. 
little chef
Oh cool! I can’t wait to see the next chapter! I’m going to have to re-read the other chapters to remember what’s happening 
Holy cow, this must be the most interesting fan collaboration I’ve seen on the web (Actually, it’s my first, and there are not that many to begin with…). I like the fact each writer takes turns to write a different POV, like a Rashomon tale set in space.
Actually, this story reminds me a bit of My Fair Lady, in a way. We have the naive and speech-impaired female student, and the misogynistic, egoistical male ‘teacher’. He hates the newcomer as soon as he meets her, and almost throws her out of his house. And they’ll (I hope) fall in love, if they can stand each other along the way. I’m very excited about the story possibilities, but I’ll leave it you guys to take it where you want.
But anyway, criticisms:
Chapter 1
It’s fascinating to gain an insight into AUTO’s pragmatic (though emotionless) approach to problem-solving. I’m fascinated with villains’ thought processes, so I found this entertaining to read. Captain Diana Fee came off to me as a little too fierce and cruel to AUTO initially, especially with the hard-handed way she tried to convince AUTO of the usefulness of the original design (throwing a lamp at AUTO took it too far, IMO). The sudden intrusion of an Axiom log confused me a moment, and I assume it’s AUTO recalling his earlier instructions to receive the Eve droids.
This line also confused me:
I may have to watch the movie again since I have a feeling I’m missing something, but is this a hint of AUTO once rebelling against the first captain of the Axiom?
The last line though, is very poignant and foreshadows the movie’s events, so that was a nice touch.
Chapter 2
Another interesting POV. I liked that Eve didn’t know the gender differences and discovered it for herself. It’s also good that Dr Sheila Flynn was more subtle in her feminist approach, politely correcting the scientists’ sexist statements and quietly ‘giving advice’ to Eve. I liked how the line:
… had its own paragraph, showing its significance. Not really much to criticise, except that it comes off a little self-righteous. But not that much.
Chapter 3
This is my favourite chapter so far. I like how AUTO was momentarily ‘vulnerable’ when he was captivated by Eve’s eyes. His internal monologue, convincing himself of Eve’s non-gender and refusing to reveal any more about his hidden directive was fun to read. This line made me grin:
The way Eve subtly subverted the hierarchy by questioning her superior’s purpose was disarmingly adorable.
Other than that, the cliffhanger was very suspenseful. I wonder how he’s going to dispose of her, especially if it involves her being conscious while he’s doing it.
Intriguing stuff. Please continue!
Finally got the approval from AUTOA113 - so, here’s Chapter Four! 
btw, thanks so much TDIT for your insightful review… I absolutely love your critiques. 
==
In preparation for my shipment to the Axiom, I had been shut off completely by my creator, Dr. Flynn; however I would never forget for a moment the sound of her enchanting voice, or the energy in her sparkling eyes. Something about that encounter still claims a permanent and non-overwrite-able partition of my memory. I have been wondering why.
Now I find myself initialized once again and face-to-face with this so-called “Axiom Superior” - the Autopilot, as he also refers to himself. I take a moment to observe my surroundings as well. Unlike the laboratory I had become so familiar with, this new place in which I now stand is dimly lit, with the multi-colored lights flashing on the smoothed-out control panels casting a soft glow upon the reflective walls. The floor beneath me is also made of similar smooth materials, and looking down for a moment I catch a glimpse of the blue LED lighting from my optics as well as the red gleam emanating from the Superior’s lens.
I look back up at him, acknowledging the words he previously spoke to me just moments earlier. However, I am curious about this other machine and his functions, and frankly inquire of him his purpose.
“Directive?” I ask.
The Superior, the Autopilot, seems taken aback at the inquiry. “Are you inquiring of your own directive, or mine, probe?”
Well, his of course, I think to myself. I remember the way Dr. Flynn used her hands to make gestures, and pointed at the Autopilot to confirm what I meant. He appears to hesitate giving me a response, swivels back and forth, as if trying to decide what action to take. Finally, he tells me a little bit about what he has been programmed to do and how it affects the ship and its passengers.
I am fascinated. Perhaps I have such an intriguing purpose.
“Directive?” I once again ask, this time gesturing to myself. I knew somewhat of my purpose, but Dr. Flynn had never completely briefed me. I had always assumed this was the job of the Superior. Without a word, the Autopilot turns to the control panel, presses a few buttons, then on the screen appears footage from my creation and programming. I instantly recognize Dr. Flynn amid the group of programmers, and upon seeing my creator, I smile. There was a segment she had recorded in which she more fully and accurately described this directive and purpose of mine.
“The finding of plant life would confirm there is ongoing photosynthesis on Earth, which would then tell us the atmosphere has cleared up and life is able to be sustained once again,” Dr. Flynn was saying, speaking to the camera as if addressing the Superior himself. "These probes were carefully programmed and designed to evaluate the soil on Earth and subsequently search for any form of plant life there. They are individually equipped with a highly-tested, short-range scan beam that will allow them to detect traces of plants or even plant-sustaining chemicals within the soil.
"Once the probe is able to locate a physical, growing plant, they store it within their chest cavity and go into what is called “protective hibernation” - a state in which the probe is completely non-functional and unable to be initialized without a special code onboard the probe’s respective mother ship.
“As of next month, each ship in the BnL fleet will be given an updated copy of the Operation: Recolonize Instruction Manual, which will include the steps necessary to recover the plant sample stored within the probe, place it into your ship’s Holo-Detector - which was already built into each ship in the fleet - and safely return the passengers home to a now-thriving Planet Earth.”
Standing aback in complete awe, I wonder why such an important directive was given to myself - of all robots in the BnL line of SmartBots. Any one of them probably could have performed this job if given the proper programming. Yet I was set apart from all the rest to accomplish a task that these helpless passengers relied on.
Me. Specifically built to carry out this enormous task. No other AI ever held such a responsibility.
I recall Dr. Flynn telling me before that I was unlike any other robot ever built, and that my directive was one of the most crucial to the fate of the passengers, but I never could have imagined it would be this great of a duty.
I realize it’s been almost an entire minute since the documentary ended, and I am still staring toward the screen; completely lost in my own thoughts and astonishment. I turn my head towards the Autopilot, who had been studying my actions the entire time. Well, more like scrutinizing. I could sense condescension in his gaze. Had I done something wrong?
“Do you completely understand the task you have been programmed to fulfill, probe? Or would you like to review the video again?” he asks. I narrow my eyes and tilt my head. Does he think I’m stupid?
I nod. Yes, I understand my directive.
“You would like to review the video again?” the Autopilot wonders. I shake my head.
No, I don’t need to see it again. I understand.
“So therefore you understand what was spoken to you?”
Another nod. Yes, sir. I already told you I understand.
“What then, is your directive, probe?”
He’s quizzing me. Why? I already understand. Nevertheless, I point to a lighted icon on my chest, which illuminated the shape of a plant, and respond, “Directive”; giving a light smile as I say the word. It means more to me now than it ever did before.
“Please cease this despicable behavior, Probe One,” the Autopilot commands. Once again, I tilt my head in confusion. Whatever does he mean? What could I possibly be doing that he seems so offended by?
“Hmm?” I utter, puzzled by his reaction. I watch as he slowly shakes his head as if in frustration, but never responds to my confused utterance. Instead, he appears to ignore it completely and continues where he left off moments prior. It is all repeated questions, things that are irrelevant to me, so I find I can hardly listen to the dry words he is speaking. I would much rather be asking him about his duties, of his directive; since he seemed to have stopped mid-way in explaining earlier.
Maybe once he’s finished speaking, I’ll ask him again.
==
Although I am only aboard the Axiom for the sole purpose of further testing by the Superior and Captain, I am allowed to stay in the control room with the Autopilot during this time. I follow him incessantly as he performs his duties, hoping to find out more about him and his directive. He doesn’t appear impressed with my behavior, but I cannot help but be curious.
After all, he holds the highest position of any other human being or robot on the ship; as I myself hold a highly esteemed position. We may have things in common. Maybe we could work together, somehow.
He is so alone in his work, and yet he never seems to mind it. Has he ever considered asking for help? Why isn’t the Captain ever employed to work the control panel while the Autopilot drives the ship? Couldn’t another robot oversee one set of controls, and he the rest?
I have observed him for a full five hours. I am beginning to get accustomed to his pattern of work. Perhaps if I provided a bit of help, he would be impressed with me and cease treating me with such condescendence and scrutiny.
While he is busy with something related to energy regulation in the Captain’s Quarters, I drift over to another control panel where I had seen him cut power to the primary booster rockets about an hour ago. Judging by the way he would momentarily engage and then disengage these boosters, I reason he may want to turn them back on soon. And if he doesn’t want it, he could go back and change it. At least I would be helping out, somewhat.
I remember the codes he used and type them in, then press a series of buttons that are supposed to engage the boosters and automatically fire them every fifteen minutes. I assume I have correctly entered the code, since there was no error prompt or invalid code signal. I smile to myself and turn to face the Autopilot, wishing to describe what I had done to help. Before I can say a word, I see him frantically jabbing at buttons on his side of the control panel. He utters a confused, almost frightened-sounding noise and zips across the room to where I am standing - nearly running me over in the process.
I watch as he hits more buttons, and a screen appears on the panel, reading “Control Lock: ON”.
Immediately, I feel a sharp pang of guilt mixed with fear seize my circuits. Instead of helping, I had managed to do something completely wrong.
The Autopilot swivels madly to face me, and thrusts himself towards me. “What have you done, probe?!”
Using a series of beeps and hums, I proceed to communicate with him through a robotic language we can understand. “I was only trying to help, sir.”
From the other side of the room, I can hear the voice of the computer say, “Initializing primary booster rockets. Full power engaged.”
I don’t need to speak a word. I already know the Autopilot is livid with me.
The ship gives a sudden jerk, and in a split second we are thrust forward so fast that I collide into the wall directly behind me. The Autopilot does everything in his power to steer the ship as it travels at this blinding speed, and at the same time tries to unlock the control panel. Being connected to a zip line in the ceiling, the velocity of the ship’s speed causes him to madly swing back and forth and hinders his ability to correctly type. I can hear the Captain shouting from her quarters below.
As soon as he manages to unlock the controls, the ship lurches to a sudden halt and throws the Autopilot back around to the front of the room. I am also thrown forward and hold out my hands to keep from smacking the window. The Captain cries out downstairs as she tumbles out of her bed and onto the floor. And countless other passengers were probably experiencing the same thing. Who knows how many were injured as a result.
Once the Autopilot has disengaged the boosters and reset them, he slowly turns my way once again. I hang my head, ashamed.
“Do you have any idea what you have done, probe?” he cries, approaching as he speaks. I do everything in my power to keep myself from backing away. “You have placed the passengers - and indeed, the Captain also - in jeopardy, and could have completely annihilated them all.”
All I can manage to do is give a short blip of apology. I’m too overcome with grief to even speak.
“You have breached your protocol, and mine also,” he continues. “Placing yourself in my position, even for a moment, is considered a violation of my duty. Such behavior is completely unacceptable and must be immediately dealt with. You have proven to be nothing but faulty, and this behavior will not be allowed to go any further.”
I wonder in this moment if I should justify myself, but I understand what I have done was uncalled for and violated protocol. There should be no redemption for the offense I’ve committed.
“Leave my sight at once until I decide what is to be done of you,” the Autopilot finally speaks, and with those words swiftly turns from me and assumes his position at the front of the room.
I struggle to retain my composure, and find a corner of the room where I can go into sleep mode.
Just before I shut myself down, I can hear the Captain of the Axiom coming up the elevator. She is probably very concerned about what has just happened.
===
You’re welcome, little_chef! Just my way of procrastinating while thinking of my next fanwork… plus, no homework this week!
Wow, this story keeps getting better! I liked the foreshadowing of the movie’s events in the directive briefing video. The tension between Auto and Eve was well done, too. Auto can be so mean to Eve, she was just curious about him! 
Eve’s mistake was equally funny and dramatic. I like how there was pathos in there; we’ve all been there, trying to help someone out but goofing up the situation instead. I like that measure of empathy, it helps to connect the reader to the character.
Anyway, I enjoyed the chapter, and I do hope the Captain defends Eve and convinces Auto to let her off this time. 
Very good! Loved it!
I wonder what’s going to happen to Eve now. Well, I guess I’m going to find out soon, but probably from Auto’s point of view.
At long last, finished up Ch. 5 and got littlechef’s approval, so here we are!
Axiom log: Year 2310, Day 410,220, 538 Hours, 44 seconds, counting.
"So...it was your fault after all, eh, AUTO?" Fee leans back on the control deck behind her, a self-satisfied smirk upon her face.
"On what grounds do you state that, after my complete and thorough explanation of last night's occurrence?" I inquire, unpleasantly surprised at Fee's leap to conclusions.
"Well, think about it, you'd covered all the bases in her orientation, so to speak, except you forgot to dismiss her. That's the grounds on how I can say it's your fault."
"Besides," Fee adds, spinning around to check the main computer's screen for damage, "Your account of the accident was boring me to tears. If you were trying to make me blame EVE more than I blame you, you've failed, AUTO."
The explanation was so long and no details could be omitted unless the intention was to incriminate myself, which was the polar opposite of my aim in the first place.
Fee is being completely unreasonable. Once again.
And, I muse bitterly as I watch Fee's tired form move up to the elevator, bound for her quarters, I am once again unable to do anything about it.
I am NOT in charge.
But neither is EVE.
Perhaps I cannot punish Fee for her impertinence, but EVE may pay for hers.
Axiom log: Year 2310, Day 410,227, 948 Hours, 09 seconds, counting.
It has been over a week since the accident, and since then, Fee has single-handedly made the decision to begin the reconnaissance mission.
Therefore, within a few hours, the Axiom will be relieved of Probe One.
However, these seven days have not been uneventful. Though Fee had been petulant and refused to converse with me during the first half of the week, after her announcement of the EVE mission, her mood has improved so much to the point of untroubled anxiety. However, she still refuses to engage in conversation, even when the subject matter is of the utmost importance regarding the Axiom’s welfare. She is fully immersed in the launching of the Probes, completely disregarding the Axiom, and I am left to tend to it and my own devices.
As a result, for the first time, I allowed the actions of another to emotionally register upon my inner workings. As I maintained the Axiom’s steady course, I mused, I thought, I mulled over every fact and possibility that could occur to me. The more I allowed this stream of consciousness, the more difficulty I knew I would have removing myself from it once I could come up with a solution.
It was not an excellent plan. It compromised my protocol, but emotional investment alters one’s assessment…
But after this…never again.
The day the Probes were due to launch, I called in Probe One for what she assumed would be a final demonstration. Fee objected at first, but I explained the region of terrain Probe One would find herself on required additional instruction.
The elevator doors part to reveal Probe One all by herself. No Fee. Good.
I cease my consideration for one instant, long enough to realize I have been referring to Probe One as a female.
Impossible.
After this, that shall cease.
"Probe One," I begin, "It has come to my attention that the area your are inspecting for plant life has two...one...organisms that have survived the atmospheric modifications. Therefore, it is mandatory I present a short video demonstrating how to interact with these...this...organism."
Probe One nods happily, possibly excited that her mission requires special circumstances.
She is not incorrect.
So, against my previously better judgment, against my protocol of secrecy, which has been my highest priority, and above all, against my directive, I show Probe One the classified message in which the BnL representative issues Directive A113.
Though Probe One is initially amused, as the video progresses, her physicality displays her dejection. I turn the computer screen off as the message concludes.
"Now you understand the truth of your mission, that it is superfluous. Is that clear, Probe? You are not necessary. "
Probe One slowly raises her head and defiantly stares me directly in my lens and electronically whispers:
"No."
Enraged, I throw my entire mass upon her. She struggles to escape, but my grip upon both of her appendages holds fast. At last, she seems to give up, until a shot from her arm cannon proves otherwise.
There is no other solution.
Carefully maneuvering to ensure Probe One's proper placement, I thrust my incapacitating shocker in such a degree of intensity, the probe collapses into the elevator shaft, where the elevator quickly rises.
I hear a sickening crash, but it comes from below.
What have I done?
[i]What have you done? [/i] My internal processors reminisce, reflecting on the now-apt discussion with Fee.
"You've failed, AUTO."
Oh my Gosh! Such a great chapter!
You’re writing never ceases to entertain, AUTOA113. And that ending, boy was that something. 
It actually had me screaming “EEEEEEVAAAAAAAA!!!” in a loud, high-pitched tone (on the inside that is).
Can’t wait to read the next chapter!
Oh goodness! What a cliffhanger!
I do feel kind of sorry that AUTO got blamed for the ship’s accident… but it is good that we get to see that some ‘villains’ are just victims of circumstances, much like the heroes.
But I am confused. Why did Auto choose to reveal directive A113 to Probe One (I’m still unclear about whether she is the movie’s Eve or one of her ‘sisters’)? Was it to show her up, to prove that she was much less useful than she thinks she is? What did Auto hope to achieve?
This line puzzled me:
So what rose? The probe, the elevator, or the elevator shaft?
And this quote:
Did Auto say this to himself, or was he having a flashback to when Fee said it?
You have to make things clearer to the reader. But other than that, not a single grammar/spelling mistake (that I spotted), and I really liked how you paced the action. I felt sorry for Probe One, she being so sweet and innocent towards Auto, right before his stunning confession and betrayal of her. And then we admire her brave conviction at refusing to obey his orders for the greater good.
Great chapter, AUTOA113. Can’t wait to see if Auto will get away with it!
Thanks so much, JustSoWall-eCrazy and thedriveintheatre! I did my best!
First off, TDIT, it was a challenge to figure out what Auto would do to Probe One. Just ask littlechef, I even asked her input! I was really drawing a blank, but I kept coming back to that A113 idea, even though I knew the devoted movie fans would probably think it was stale, or unoriginal, but I did my best to make it seem as if Auto is so furious he’s not thinking clearly. Therefore, he acted out of spite, as if saying, “See? My job is more important, you’re not really needed thanks to A113.” I hope that makes sense. It was really hard to write.
As for the elevator shaft, yes, that was supposed to mean the elevator. I was so excited to write an action scene, I guess I got a little TOO into it. (not a very good excuse, I know.) I’ll fix that right away!
Finally, that quotation, "You’ve failed Auto, is indeed a flashback to AUTO’s conversation with Fee. I might add a sentence to clear that up.
Thanks for your reviews, guys! This is my very first collab and I’m proud to be a part of it! fidgets waiting for the master littlechef’s greatness in her next chapter.
Thanks for taking my advice, AUTOA113! I’m still wondering… is Probe One the Eve that Wall-E falls in love with in the movie (I think Captain McCrea may have mentioned Eve was ‘Probe One’ or something, but i can’t recall)? It does raise issues on how Eve will treat AUTO in the movie, after what he has done to her in this fanfic, so there may be continuity issues with regards to character relationships and attitudes (Eve in the movie was pretty ambivalent towards AUTO, which I doubt will be possible if he stunned her and threw her down an elevator shaft before, according to this fanfic).
Ditto!
It sure is! I remembered hearing that in one of AUTO’s lines when he said "Probe One has returned positive.
I just read this fanfic and it is… Awesome! Hopefully you guys are still working on it and haven’t forgotten about it. That would be sad.
This is a very good origin story, and I can’t wait to read more of it.