NEPS (None-Effective Programming Syndrome)

This article is about a fictional computer virus that hits robots.
==Brief==
NEPS (None-Effective Programming Syndrome) is a virus (often known as a terminal disease) which can effect robots that have errors in their programming. It goes up in 3 different stages. Most robots with NEPS only live up to the age of 18. Some live a little longer, others live a little shorter. Some creators destroy their defective robots before they can develop NEPS. Others destroy them after they have been diagnosed with the virus. Because of the majority of robots being destroyed, it is classed as being a rare virus.
==NEPS aboard the Death Egg==
Most robots who develop NEPS were created aboard the Death Egg. Most of the time they have been destroyed, but some have been allowed to remain activated. The virus has affected several robots aboard the Death Egg in the past, but the effects have varied depending on the robots' error. The Death Egg is the most likely place for robots to develop NEPS.
==Stage I==
The first stage isn't too bad. These are the starting effects of NEPS for most victims:
===Aging Personality===
This is a very common aspect of NEPS. A normal robot doesn't age like a living being. They are created and given their programming. The only 'aging' is when they learn from their mistakes or learn from observing something or someone. They can change over time, too. However, NEPS victims behave like the age they are. During the first stage they act quite young, but not like a baby. As the stage nears to the second stage and goes into it, their aged personality becomes more like their actual age. At Stage III, this doesn't change. It takes it's full effect during Stage II.
===Disabled Powers and Abilities===
This is also a common effect. Normal robots are given powers which they are able to use, but NEPS victims sometimes can't use their powers. Throughout the stages this becomes more noticeable. It's a 97% chance that one or two powers will be disabled on a NEPS victim, maybe more, maybe all.
===Personality Change===
This stems off the aging personality. Robots sometimes have a bit of a personality, but usually they lack their own. However, NEPS victims have their own personality which is usually the opposite to what they should have. For example, evil and merciless will become good and merciful. These are usually the changes, and the victim become much more like a living thing than a machine. This effect can lead a robot to becoming independant and disobedient, too.
===Disobedience===
Since the victim's programming is defective, they will not obey their creator. Sometimes they will turn completely against them, other times they will just be like a child who doesn't always do as they are told. Other times, though, the robot might be afraid of their creator and will do what they are told just to avoid being hurt. Every NEPS victim gets this effect.
===Ability to Experience Pain===
All NEPS victims suffer from this aspect. There are some advanced robots which can feel their own kind of pain, but NEPS victims feel it like a living thing would do. This effect stays the same throughout the three stages.
===Accuracy===
An uncommon effect for NEPS robots. Robots are known for their extreme accuracy with time, aiming and lines etc. However, NEPS victims are not as accurate. Like living things, they don't bother saying the exact time. They'll say "It's quarter to four" while a normal robot would say "It is three hours forty-five minutes". Robots without NEPS can aim and fire exactly at their target, as they always lock onto their target. Robots with NEPS cannot lock onto the target even if their screen says they have, as really they just have a chance-shot, like living things when trying to shoot down a bird. Robots also hate it when an order or line is wrong, so gets it straightened out or in order, but NEPS victims don't care. Another thing NEPS victims do is round numbers up, again like a living thing would. If someone was to ask "Where is the train station?", a NEPS robot would answer with "About six miles away from here". A robot without NEPS, however, would answer with "Six miles, four-point-two yards and three metres away".
==Stage II==
This stage has all the following from the above. There is only one addition:
===Frequent Rests===
Somewhere within Stage II, all NEPS victims will become tired quite often and will want to rest. If this is the case they must be allowed rest to avoid any incidents later, such as fainting, or even a coma. They must never be denied their rest. However, if it is them which is denying to take a short rest, then they must be convinced into entering sleep-mode. If they keep refusing, it is important that they are not given in to because they will most definitely pass out later on.
==Stage III==
This stage has all the following from the above. Here are the additions:
===Suffering from Internal Pains===
All NEPS victims will suffer from internal pains somewhere during Stage III. The pains get worse over time, causing the robot to cry and plead for the pain to stop and not be frightened of self-termination. There is no way to cure the pain, so the only way would be to destroy the robot.
===Crying Real Tears===
Another aspect which all NEPS victims eventually develop. Robots have been famous for not being able to cry, but some advanced robots can cry tears of oil. Although, robots don't often cry. NEPS victims, however, will definitely cry because they go through a lot of pain. If they are seen to be crying what looks like tears, then they have hit this stage.
===Short-Tempered===
This is quite a common effect. The wrong thing said to a NEPS robot (like an insult or some really bad news) can cause them to lose their temper quickly and sometimes suddenly. They can become violent and hateful. When they are angry it is best to not intefere since someone could get hurt.
===Paranoia===
This, too, is a very common side-effect. Stage III NEPS victims get worried over a lot of things, so again saying the wrong thing would be a bad idea. When they act paranoid, they can, again, become violent. Mostly they are paranoid when they are asked to go somewhere. They also get paranoid when they see others whispering to each other, if they are given something or if they are in a laboratory. There may be other trigger-points which personally affect the victim.
===Schizophrenia===
This can stem off both short-temper and paranoia. One minute a NEPS victim can be happy, the next minute something could trigger them to be angry. Sometimes they even switch sides, from good to evil or evil to good. They can become violent if they do switch, and it is best to stay away from them if this is the case. After about five minutes, the system will cool down a bit and they'll return to being calm. There is no telling which is their real self, since this aspect splits the personality.
===Frequent Malfunctions===
Although NEPS is considered as a malfunction in itself, it can cause the victm to have malfunctions frequently. They are just regular malfunctions which can be fixed manually or automatically.
===Hallucinations===
This is an uncommon effect of NEPS. Sometimes a victim will complain that they are seeing things that aren't really there, like they might say "There's someone being beaten up over there!" or something less dramatic, like maybe they see someone's wallet on the floor. Sometimes if a victim looks at something, it will transform from their view. For example, they might look at a car and suddenly they see it as a boat.They'll also hear possible voices and sounds. Sometimes the mirages can cause the robot to panic and put a lot of pressure on them, causing them to pass out. Before they start to panic it's best to let them rest. It will help them relax their minds and stop their mirages from becoming more wild.