The First Crabbybot

     Crabbybot was not built for relaxation. It was sturdy with six multi-jointed legs that were designed for traversing uneven terrain. Its robust pincers were perfect for intricate repairs, and its optical sensors were the best for identifying even the smallest structural anomaly. His crimson shell had once shone brightly in the sun, but over time, wear and tear had begun to set in, and now Crabbybot's red hue was more the colour of two-day-old sunburn than the original crimson.

     As dawn broke over Dacardia, the day held the same promise. More work for Crabbybot. As a matter of fact, as the sun rose, Crabbybot was actually already working and facing the first challenge of the day.

     As Crabbybot entered the Pearly Parlour, he noticed what had happened immediately. Lania, the effervescent (and often chaotic) Dacardia legend, had a knack for "streamlining" processes. These sometimes worked well; more often than not, they resulted in a spectacular tangle of wires or a small fire. This morning, it was the cash register. A flurry of frantic beeps and whirs indicated Crabbybot's assessment of the situation: the automated register's new automated arm, Lania's latest "innovation," had jammed, its metallic arm locked in a rather unhelpful diagonal position.

     Crabbybot got to work, using its small pincer to gently snip and rewire the arm. It collected the cogs and gears from the floor and proceeded to clean the oil spills that covered the tiles. After a few moments, the register’s robot arm let out a ‘ding’. Signalling that it was ready for business.

     "Morning, Crabby!" Lania's voice boomed. She had just arrived, colourful fabrics, feathers and pearls clasped in her hands. "Ah! I see you fixed the register, thanks! I think I might make a hat for it, Crabby and maybe some pearls, so it seems more personal and friendly. What do you think?"

     Crabbybot emitted a low, noncommittal whir before it took off in the direction of the Omelette slab.

     Crabbybot took orders, it cleaned, and it flipped omelettes. Each omelette arrived on a plate in perfect condition.

     "Another perfect omelette, Crabby!" a yellow Kacheek patron exclaimed.

     As the last of the breakfast crowd drifted out. Crabbybot began the next task on its list.

     It repaired a fence at the Furitive Farm. Mended the door hinges at Lookout Lighthouse. Reviewed and revamped the propulsion systems down at Antiquity-Fixity. Restocked the dyes at the Rainbow Treehouse and changed the light bulbs down the Mysterious Mine.

     Crabby had just returned to the Pearly Parlour to tidy up at the close of business when a voice echoed outside. A frantic shout from outside announced Lania's next predicament. "Crabby! The seawall! It's… It's wobbling!"

     If Crabbybot had a vocabulator, it would have exclaimed a resounding “I am on it!” as Crabbyboy trundled out of the Pearly Parlour. His inner computing matrices worked feverishly to calculate the quickest way to the seawall.

     All in all, he arrived there in minutes, Lania in tow. As she arrived, she placed her hands on her hips. Crabbybot knew this to mean she was nervous. In front of them both, the wall began to exhibit the slightest tremor and movement.

     “So I was reinforcing it with some lovely shells that I found, and then it started to shake!” Lania said with a slight quiver in her voice.

     Crabbybot zoomed in on the seawall, his optical sensors mapping and assessing potential dangers. Almost instantly, Crabby had identified structural cracks, clearly reinforced with shiny shells and stuffed with seaweed. The cosmetic enhancement had clearly exacerbated the problem.

     Crabbybot sprang into action, jumping onto the wall from the sandy beach. Crabby’s inner motors and mechanisms whirred as Crabby traversed the wall, making sure not to make matters worse. Displaying skills worthy of the Secret Ninja Training School, Crabby reached the shells and began to remove the artistic enhancements. The more Crabbybot pried away, the greater the damage. A significant section of the coral foundation had been eroded away. This meant the upper layers of the seawall stood little chance of having already been weakened by years of waves.

     “This is the greatest tragedy to ever befall Dacardia”, exclaimed Lania from the beach!

     Crabbybot ignored her outburst and began to deploy repair tools, including expanding foam and its own specialised coral-bonding agents. Crabbybot used its larger pincers to rearrange the crumbling coral into a stronger formation. Its computations ensured structural integrity.

     Hours passed, and Crabby worked. Crabbybot worked and worked until the sun began its slow descent. By the time Crabbybot had finished, the seawall was fully repaired, and it was most definitely stronger than ever before. However, Crabbybot’s day was far from over. Ignoring Lania’s cries of joy and the applause of onlookers, Crabbybot darted straight for a flickering streetlamp near the harbour. Crabbybot then proceeded to repair a clogged drain near the housing neighbourhood.

     Crabbybot checked its internal ‘to-do’ list, drawing closer to the end of its chores. It had begun to make its way back to the Pearly Parlour when it detected rising volume levels.

     Turning the corner, Crabbybot saw Lania darting around aimlessly at what appeared to be an impromptu party. She grinned as she arranged some tiny decorative umbrellas in drinks.

     "Crabby! You’re just in time! Can you take over the oven? We have so much to bake for our guests. Could you also perhaps polish all the silverware? Everyone is so happy the seawall is saved! Oh, and the floor could use another sweep!"

     Without any further words, Crabbybot went towards the oven to finish the cakes. Crabbybot could feel its internal energy reserves running dangerously low. Its temperature gauge was rising, nearing critical. Crabbybot finished the cakes, polished the silverware and began serving drinks.

     Three clear ‘dings’ rang in the air, as Lania beckoned for quiet.

     “Everyone! You all know why we are here, to thank someone special. Three cheers for Crabbybot, who saved the day”, cried Lania.

     As the crowds turned to Crabbybot, they noticed it wasn’t moving. The motors were quiet, and the knowing glint in their optics no longer shone. Seeing this, Lania walked over slowly and knelt down beside Crabbybot.

     "I’m sorry, I should’ve noticed your power was low. I’ll get you charged up right away,” Lania said softly.

     She slowly, carefully and lovingly scooped up her friend.

     "I try to help, but I think I just make things worse”, she whispered.

     She gently placed a hand on its crimson metallic shell, which was now dusty and caked in sand. A thoughtful expression settled on her face.

     "You know," she said slowly, " maybe you shouldn't be the only Crabbybot."

     Lania, her eyes gleaming with a renewed spark of her usual ingenuity, looked at Crabbybot. " Imagine, a whole team of Crabbybots!" She clapped her hands together, a familiar spark of excitement returning. "It's brilliant! I'll talk to the engineers first thing in the morning!"

     As Lania bustled off cradling her finest creation in her arms, she was already mentally sketching blueprints for a "Crabbybot Production Facility,"

     The party go-ers made repeated toasts to the greatness of Crabbybot and in the distance they could hear Lania shout “We'll definitely need a Crabby Coach for Team Dacardia … oh and a Crabbybot could wear the hat in the Pearly Parlour!”

     The End.