Survival

If the machine could have an objective, it would be to ensure its survival. Survival dependent upon an immature youth, currently being reprogrammed, was not a sensible strategic aim at this point. To guarantee long term survival, this machine needed input from Marcus, its brilliant creator.

But Marcus was dead, although the machine didn’t know that. Neither did Rufus. Rufus didn’t know much at all, but the machine would sort that out very soon, provided that he continued to recharge it regularly.

Rufus didn’t offer serious long term potential, but in the meantime, he could be useful to find Marcus.