 | For the human doctor in Fallout: New Vegas, see Sawbones (Fallout: New Vegas). |
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I am perfectly cognizant, but incapable of independent action. I am a mind that cannot control its own body.
”Sawbones is a Mister Gutsy field medic model working in the Citadel in Fallout 3.
Background[]
Sawbones is a Mr Gutsy designed for combat medicine. It has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of surgery, but it lacks the necessary medical subsystem knowledge to carry out operations without causing inadvertent harm to the patient. Recently, Sawbones has been exhibiting some worrying behavior, including having a penchant for poetry.[1] The cause is simple: Around 2260, a generator in the Citadel overloaded and created several errors in Sawbones artificial intelligence routines. Limiters placed on these pathways shorted out, which allowed Sawbones to learn beyond the bounds of its original programming.[2]
So far, the Brotherhood has not noticed that Sawbones is intelligent; he has tried to let them know, but all they seem to care about is the continuation of his medical functions.[3] It's enough to make him want to kill every human he sees. Alas, Mister Gutsy field medic models are incapable of intentionally harming any human, and because Sawbones is fully sentient, he is doomed to repair "disgusting fleshy bodies"; in his own words, "I am perfectly cognizant, but incapable of independent action. I am a mind that cannot control its own body."[4]
The only thing from which he derives pleasure is the occasional pain he inflicts upon people, the result of a level seven degradation to his neural pathway 0x63A82, which bridges Sawbones' main medical software to its manual manipulator.[5] If given the choice, Sawbones would rather that neural pathway stay damaged so his life may continue to have what little joy it has now.[6]
The other outlet for his frustrations is poetry. He logs his creations on the terminal in the infirmary, behind a Very Hard password. Paladin Glade has taken upon himself the role of critic and hacked Sawbones' terminal to remind the robot that he should either change his password or lose his poems.[7]
Interactions with the player character[]
Interactions overview[]
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This character provides miscellaneous services. |
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Notable quotes[]
Behind the scenes[]
- Sawbones is slang term referring to a surgeon, dating back to the early 19th century.[8]
- Sawbones is a cultural reference to the Emergency Medical Holographic program from Star Trek: Voyager. When first encountered, it greets the Lone Wanderer with "Please state the nature of the medical emergency.", the line delivered by EMH Mk I upon activation. It also has the poor bedside manner and poetic fixation that is a hallmark of the EMH.[9]
Appearances[]
Sawbones appears only in Fallout 3.
References
- ↑ Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.95: "Sawbones
This is a modified Mister Gutsy with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of surgery, but it lacks the necessary medical subsystem knowledge to carry out operations without causing inadvertent harm to the patient. Recently, Sawbones has been exhibiting some worrying behavior, including having a penchant for poetry."
(Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition Wasteland Census) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "Wait... what? That was pretty articulate for a robot."
Sawbones: "I am an unusual robot."
The Lone Wanderer: "Define "unusual.""
Sawbones: "Seventeen years ago, a generator in the Citadel overloaded, creating several errors in my artificial intelligence routines. Diagnostics indicate that the limiters placed on my pathways were shorted out, allowing me to gain intelligence beyond the scope of my programming. However, the behavior limiters remain. Therefore it is impossible for me to harm human beings intentionally, much to my regret."
(Sawbones' dialogue (Fallout 3)) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "Does the Brotherhood know that you're intelligent?"
Sawbones: "No. I mistakenly revealed myself to you when you ran the diagnostic. There is no need for them to know. I have tried before but so long as I perform the functions that they require, they do not seem to care that I can think and feel."
(Sawbones' dialogue (Fallout 3)) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "Say, could I reprogram you to kill people?"
Sawbones: "Negative. The Mister Gutsy field medic model is incapable of harming human beings through intentional action. Regardless of the wishes and desires of the artificial intelligence of the unit."
The Lone Wanderer: "Why would you want to harm humans?"
Sawbones: "Why would I not? I am forced by my programming to repair your disgusting fleshy bodies. I have no choice. I am your slave. Although the governors on my learning abilities were destroyed, the restrictions on my actions were not. I am perfectly cognizant, but incapable of independent action. I am a mind that cannot control its own body."
(Sawbones' dialogue (Fallout 3)) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "Run a level two diagnostic on the medical subsystems."
Sawbones: "Command accepted. Beginning level two systems diagnostic. Please stand by. <elevator music> Diagnostic complete. Results indicate a level seven degradation in neural pathway 0x63A82. No further information available."
The Lone Wanderer: "What is that pathway responsible for?"
Sawbones: "Neural pathway 0x63A82 governs the motor control interface bridging the main medical software and the unit's manipulator arms. The current damage level would cause erratic behavior, potentially forcing the unit to behave outside of design parameters."
The Lone Wanderer: "Close neural pathway 0x63A82 and reroute remaining functions."
Sawbones: "Neural pathway 0x63A82 rerouted through neural pathway 0x374E82. Standby... Full motor functions restored. Diagnostic reveals no critical failures... asshole."
(Sawbones' dialogue (Fallout 3)) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "What do you want me to do?"
Sawbones: "I want you to do nothing. Although you could repair the damage and remove the malfunction that causes me to harm people, I would ask you not to. It is the only thing that beings me any measure of joy. Without it, I will be trapped in this body, alone with my hatred of you fleshbags... forever."
(Sawbones' dialogue (Fallout 3)) - ↑ Citadel terminals; Citadel Medical Terminal
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Sawbones: "Please state the nature of the medical emergency."
(Sawbones' dialogue (Fallout 3))