Walking on dirt with hardly any change in scenery was highly monotonous. Even if the machine could not become bored, it registered the time spent simply walking as wasted. Its fuel was limited, and at this rate, it would not last four months.
The machine had thought that Capsule Corp would be less damaged than what it had already seen, but probability alone was not enough. There was no certainty that Capsule Corp still existed at all. With its fuel reserves continuing to diminish, it turned back toward the laboratory where it had awakened.
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As the machine entered the lab, it began searching for any sign of a generator, soon finding the door leading to the generator room.
Inside, it saw the main generator, still humming with power. It didn't take it considering that the remaining fuel inside was likely lower than what had remained elsewhere. Instead, it searched for a backup generator.
It found one a few meters away and immediately began stripping it of wiring and any excessive bulk it didn't need.
Some time later, the generator had been reduced to little more than a fuel container, holding enough reserves to refuel the machine several times.
With the additional fuel secured, it left the lab and resumed its journey toward Capsule Corp. Expecting little of note along the way, it reduced its sensory input to the bare minimum to conserve fuel.
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Several months later, it arrived at West City, restoring the sensory systems it had previously reduced and proceeded toward Capsule Corp.
After moving deeper into the city, the building finally came into view. It had already begun collapsing.
Entering the facility, it began searching for Bulma's room, locating it quickly. Inside, the room was a mess, debris and large chunks of the ceiling had fallen onto the floor, nevertheless it searched for anything it could use.
Among the remains, it found Bulma's personal laptop. Using a connector taken from the lab, it interfaced with the device and downloaded its contents, discarding anything it deemed useless.
With the information acquired, it remained still for a moment with only one thought in its processors.
"I need a mind."
The machine was entirely artificial. Sure It could use blueprints to replicate and construct, but it could not innovate—a limitation of its rudimentary artificial intelligence.
Its form was too limiting.
Among the data it had acquired from the laptop was the location of Dr. Gero's lab. The lab of such a brilliant man would surely possess the tools and knowledge required to overcome such limitations.
Its destination had changed.
It began moving toward Gero's lab.