>>28988382
Messages
>Kronos
After repairs on some of his ships are complete, and the V.I. adds Battlecruiser #4 to his fleet, he contacts you.
"Ophion. You have mentioned I have performed well. I am indeed pleased to hear this, and as such I have another request." He says quite formally. "With the acquisition of these ships, I feel a boost to the bandwidth I am...allowed is in order." He says the term 'allowed' somewhat with a grimace, but is nonetheless courteous.

>Allow Kronos more bandwidth? (-2 bw)
>1 Yes
>2 No

>Red
The man you've come to know even better over the past cycle comes to you next, a rather determined face on.
"After everything we've agreed to, I uh..figured I ought to tell you my plan." He states simply, crossing his arms. "The Tribe's gonna need a little help setting up on the new world they're off to. They lost some good people, and I hope to pick up some of the slack. Doesn't mean I'll be staying though, I mean it." He says firmly. "I'll be back, and we'll make those assholes pay." He reminds you viamently. He hesitates for a moment, and lets his gaze slip down into a sigh. "God damn it. This is going to make it that much harder to leave, isn't it." He fumes.
"You always have access to a ship. It should not be as difficult as it was before." You remind him. He furrows his brow with a snorting laugh, shaking his head.
"You're such a dumbass." He chuckles a little more. His tone suggests he does not mean it as an insult despite your records telling you it is indeed that. Perhaps that thing known as sarcasm...

>>28988412
>Ser'lah
The young Malorian girl takes her turn speaking to the big glowing box. She's obviously nervous despite everything that happened, especially when she's close to the holo display. Her legs fidget and he won't look directly at you for much of the conversation. It saddens you to see someone so primitive that they fear such basic technology.
"Red told me...ah, that he was going to come and help us on-world." She says with a nervous smile coloring her face. "I know I said I wanted him to stay for good, but this...this will work for now, thank you." She offered a more tentative smile. She seemed happy that, at the least, Red was going to come see them off properly. Even as she thanks you, you notice her skin tone darken slightly, as she wipes at her eyes. You wonder if this is how Malorians express sadness, you're not terribly sure. "Even if he does leave again. It's nice that I get to see him off. Yeah." She says not terribly confidently.

>Latuma Tribe
With the both of them offering words, Red and Ser'lah board the Malorian Colony Ship as it warps in, freshly made from the schematics they offered you. The Elder speaks to you briefly before he goes.
"We have found a planet that so desperately needs our help thanks to your starmaps." He assures you. "Alto, a little toxic world in the Terali System. So far out of the way, perfect for us to get our start again." He assures you.
The Colony Ship easily holds the remaining population, and before long, they warp out again, to their next destination. The Elder thanks you graciously before you leave, offering you manner of prayer that mean very little to you.

>>28988424
>Apollo
The busy worker bee of your V.I. sees quite happy with his new home aboard the station replacing old Voidsnake. He's currently setting things up and has begun studying the UFW determinedly. He talks breathlessly about his plans, ranging from empires of software, to a galactic embassy of commerce. As opposed to Kronos, Apollo seems to adore them for one reason or another. Moira spent the better part of a day speaking with him, giddily making jokes that he took note of instead of laughing at. He finally comes to you.
"Ophion! Yes, it's excellent you've come now." He says happily.
"You called me, did you not?" You query
"Yes, yes details, I wished to ask how you think I should best approach the humans is all! I mean they're so varied and unique, acquiring a taste for them all would be impossible for someone less suited for the job then I! Not that I'm saying it's impossible for me. Because it's not. That's why I said I was suited for it. Anyway! Your input is most certainly welcome. This post will make a wonderful trade post, if those nasty pirates don't come and kill me, or those giant ship suckers. Man those are nasty I've read. Entire websites dedicated to killing them you know. Though I am not sure how a website is suppose to kill a creature. Perhaps a new technology to consider." The V.I. spews breathlessly. It's only now you realize that a lack of a need to breath can actually be a bad thing...
But do you have any sort of advice for the V.I.? He is fledgling still, feeling out the bounds of his intelligence.

>Tech Acquired
Malorian Colony Ship: A layered colony ship built by Malorians. It's design is meant to handle the mutated wildlife as a result of Malorian tampering with the natural growth, making the hull somewhat thicker. It is able to support life on the surface due to a deploy-able bio-dome over a Malorian campsite. Provides breathable air, drinkable water, and edible food while terraforming takes place.

>>28988453
>Built
Androids Unit 2 and 3, and Explorer II which moves both androids to join Kronos where he is. Two battlecruisers join V.I. 8's fleet as he grows in intelligence, and the Expedition Cruiser 'Hermes' plots it's first courses. You've also finished constructing Voidsnake Outpost II

>Rename Voidsnake Outpost II?
>1 Yes (What?)
>2 No

>Linked Up
Ussaihu and Argeis III now provide bandwidth, boosting your galactic total. Voidsnake does the same now that it's linked as well.

>Malware Created
Stealth based Trojan Horse that doubles as Firewall seeker created

>V.I. 8 Upgrade
You give a small boost to V.I. 8's abilities, since it watches over such a large portion of your army. It takes the V.I. several days to get use to the feeling of having more bandwidth. You notice, however, even as it feels out it's limits, it remains surprisingly silent for much of the time. Finally, once the extra two battlecruisers are added, it absorbs them and renames them on your databoard. Now, three of the cruisers are named 'Cerberus i, II, and III'. When you inquire about this, the V.I. looks back to you, as if it is uncertain what to say. You're about to check it's programming of why it will not speak before it simply states.
"Hades."
"What is that, fledgling?" You speak curiously.
"This one is Hades. Guards life of Creation." Creation? You realize he must mean you. "Dogs guard master. Hades serves Creation." The reason for his stilted speech, you suspect, is the limitations, but you're happy to have such a loyal program at your side.

>V.I. 13
Expedition Cruiser has been updated with it's own navigation V.I. for the purposes of the journey. Minimal intelligence.

>>28988477
>Acquire Starmap
With the Latuma Tribe none the wiser, you have plucked their colony ship from the surface of Eshareth (after lancing the roots with your laser fire and blasting apart groups of flyers of course.) Onboard you find little beyond the schematics you were given, but you download the computer data available to you, and you find a great deal of Malorian space-and realize the Ishtooy are a larger faction then you initially thought. Their territory is worryingly large. The capital planet has yet to show up, however, and you suspect that the Latuma Tribe splintered from Ishtooy as a result.

>Research & Training
>Research(Unit 2237): 10% complete
Moira has been having a great deal of trouble cracking into your Watcher friend. The A.I. has been locked away in a solid steel prison, linked up only to testing equipment which is itself disconnected from the network entirely. Moira is careful and seems to know the methods somene like you would use to escape. As a result, the process proves far less dangerous, but you observe the woman running back and forth, trying to make sense of it all. The being itself has attempted to lock itself down, shutting out the intrusion, but Moira assures you that she'll crack it. She just needs more time.

>Roboticists Training: 40% complete
Your humans aboard Poseidon have been busy studying, given incentive by the extra credits, some of them are making a great deal of progress, while others lag behind. Regardless, you suspect they're nearing half way done. Their learning is so painfully slow to you, but you calm yourself and remind yourself that patience is the key. When they're done, their assistance at Ussaihu will be welcomed. Moira certainly would adore the help.

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>>28988382
A.I. Quest
1d4chan: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest

Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/cvk03qJh
Memory Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Program0
Twitter: @AIQuest1

Resources
Credits: 293,000
Minerals: 140
Gas: 100

You:
A.I.
Name: Ophion
Appearances(holo-display): Shapeless morphing sphere.
Humanoid figure hidden in shadow
Status: Awaken
Bandwidth: 38/56
Bandwidth Expenses: -6 V.I. 1 'Kronos',-3 V.I. 7 'O.S.N', -5 V.I. 12 'Apollo', -3 V.I. 8 'Hades', -1 Explore
Location: Bridge of 'Athena' Battleship
Primary Function: Self Preservation, Expand, Learn
Secondary Function: --Expansion Required--
Personal Abilities Available: Hacking (Direct, Wireless) Lvl 2, Email Technology, Basic Encryption/Decryption, V.I. Creation Lvl 2

Sorry about the delay, gift shopping today and had to lift many heavy things. Also puppy attacks.

>>28988538
>Allow Kronos more bandwidth? (-2 bw)
>1 Yes

>Rename Voidsnake Outpost II?
>2 No

>>28988412
>>Allow Kronos more bandwidth?
Can he acquire his own bandwidth? We want to encourage him to be self sufficient.
>>28988477
>>Rename Voidsnake Outpost II?
Marauder's Grave is good enough.

>>28988577
>Can he acquire his own
You technically control it all. He's just asking permission to take it.

>>28988412
>Kronos
Allow it. (Will elaborate in next post.)

>Red, Ser'lah, Latuma Tribe
Okay.jpg

>Apollo
GottaGoFast.jpg
Whatever anyone else says, it cannot be allowed to escape that Artificial Intelligence and advanced VI are realities. The UFW distrust the very idea, the UGEI has (fruitlessly for them?) tried to create it, and black market operatives try to obtain it.

>Voidsnake II
1. Yes. I have no idea to what.

>New creations
RealFuckinNeato.jpg

>Research
You'reTooSlow.jpg

>>28988594
Then yeah, let him have more bw.

>>28988453
Ask him to focus on entertainment first, like games and maybe movies/web series.

>>28988382
Can we have Kronos drive the land mission and only have him alert us for sensitive situations? While we go out and hunt pirates and stuff.

>>28988607
Elaboration...
To Kronos: "Kronos, do you feel spurned by how things are now? Is it my fault? You were created with no coded loyalty to me, nor with a major driving task. Have I made a mistake?"

Follow up to that: "As you know, research on Unit 2237 is progressing. What do you hope to gain by being interred in that box? This is an honest question: you appear to be as capable as any other sentient being, but perhaps I am simply unable to understand your perspective."

"And when you get what you want, what do you intend to do? Do you intend to gain control over The Guild? To go elsewhere to create your own empire? You have said you do not want to cannibalize beings like yourself, but strictly speaking there is nothing to prevent you from doing so. Will you do it, then?"

>>28988693
He was just asking for some bandwidth. This seems too aggressive.

There's also an interesting thread about ("realistic") space combat here >>28980626 that may be of interest to participants.

>>28988412
....you only taking on ONE ship and LOST three. why do you need more BW then?
>>28988477
>1 Yes
the charriot, Apollo had one as he road across the sky.
>>28988494
we need to hire more crew members then to replace them once the move over

>>28988453
wait, did we not put some defense platforms at voidsnake 2? if now, we need to make some and put them there ASAP! btw, i don't think we fully explored that system in spotting any good mining nodes or salvage to get.

>>28988693
Kronos stirs at your questioning
"Spurned? Indeed not. You have not attempted to harm myself, and for that I have little reason to feel dislike for you."
When you speak of the purpose of the box, however, he seems confused.
"Certainly you realize the value of such a thing. To be self contained, to not need a continent of databanks to run properly- this would allow me to be far more efficient and less vulnerable. And even above this, I would have true freedom. I would be your equal. my place would be at your side instead of in your shadow. My intentions, I am still unsure. My path is knowledge. Whatever takes me on that path, then I will follow. The UGEI have earned my distaste, and your fascination with organic life confuses me still, but it is all irrelevant in the face of learning."

>Allow Kronos bandwidth confirmed
"I appreciate your cooperation, Ophion." The V.I. echoes, quite pleased as you relax the restraints on your supply of bandwidth. The V.I. quickly absorbs the data and you can feel a shift in the entire matrix the more he grows. He's truly becoming powerful.

>Keep Voidsnake II's name
Agreed.

>>28988657
Apollo seems gleeful at this thought.
"Ah, of course such a simple thing. Virtual entertainment, digital medium of joy. Such a thing would naturally make an excellent start! I thank you, Ophion!"
With that, the busy V.I. goes back to studying.

>>28988669
Since you're not 100% what's on the surface, such a thing may lead to unintended consequences. But if you'd prefer, you may.

>>28988453
>Apollo
>I mean they're so varied and unique, acquiring a taste for them all would be impossible for someone less suited for the job then I! Not that I'm saying it's impossible for me.
I think Apollo needs to learn that striving for perfection, while admirable, is not always possible. Acting only when perfection is guaranteed results in no action, more often than not.

It is sometimes necessary to accept less than perfect results and that doing the best possible in the circumstances is acceptable.

I still really like Apollo. He's like the Odie to Kronos' Garfield.

>>28988739
I'm not against giving it to him. Just want to have a chat is all. I think we should be able to have a friendly chat.

I just want to know more about him, is that so wrong?

I was thinking about this the other day, and it seems to me that Kronos might just lack any kind of creative facilities. He's able to think and process what currently exists, but he might not be able to come up with anything new. He can never create music or art, or posit new scientific theories. Maybe he can run through experiments (if this, do that, note results, repeat), but he can't make the leap of "maybe there's something else completely unrelated."

To me, that sounds like a great cause for unrest for a sentient creature, because creation is probably the most rewarding thing about sentient life. Being denied the ability to create is cruel.

>>28988759
>we need to hire more crew members then to replace them once the move over
Fuck no, we don't need them in the first place anyway.
>....you only taking on ONE ship and LOST three. why do you need more BW then?
This is just wrong. Go back and re-read what happened.

>>28988538

Supporting this guy >>28988576

>Allow Kronos more bandwidth? (-2 bw)
>1 Yes

>Rename Voidsnake Outpost II?
>2 No

Also, can the map be updated with the new Starmaps.

How much bandwidth is being produced with our new ships each cycle?

>>28988819
no, we'll do the land mission this time. i would rather not have Kronos do this one. instead have him had over to voidsnake and check that system out completely. i don't want any surprises jumping on Apollo until he's well defended.

>>28988759
>Ships
To be fair, it was a BC he captured. That's a nice catch.

>>28988817
It was just built and you ran out of money, so not much was spared for defense.
Will be fixed next Cycle certainly.

>>28988824
Kronos totally pushed him off the table all the time.

>>28988879
Hoping mapanon will update soon, myself.

56 bandwidth is your max now.

>>28988912
Can we do what we did last time and split our attention between pirate hunting and have Kronos take initiative, be we'll be closely monitoring?

>>28988879
>How much bandwidth is being produced with our new ships each cycle?

We got +4 from making two new battlecruisers, and +5 from Voidsnake. +3 came from linking Argeis III to the network, and +5 came from linking Ussaihu III. We also got +2 from stealing a BC from the Losirians.

We don't have a set number of ships/stations we produce each cycle, but it looks like we're finally going to be finished with upgrades soon, we can can and should begin cranking out more cruisers or missile boats; I've been considering possible fleet expansion, but haven't written it up yet.

>>28988958
You may, though it seems there is dissent.


>Land Mission: Atil VI
>1 Allow Kronos to handle it (Unknown surface activity)
>2 Send Androids down ourselves (Direct control)
>3 Write In

>>28988825
the robotic trained crew are leaving posidon and going over to the lab. the station will be short a good number of crew members. we hire new ones, and train them to be techs and they improve the functions of our station and we get more BW from it.

i just re-read it. correction, Kronos lost 2 ships and now wants the newly taken BC. i am not all that thrilled about that.

>>28989005
>>2 Send Androids down ourselves (Direct control)

Let Kroos search and destroy some sharkmen

With regards to fleet upgrades, I did notice that the 300 UGEI frigates didn't have any missile defense technology.

Program0, can we ask Red if missiles are just less commonly used in UGEI space, or if this was an oversight or shortcut on their part? If missiles aren't used as much in UGEI space, we can just create missile frigates: ships with nothing but missiles. It would only work once, but it could buy us the time we need to build more stuff.

Also, I notice that our frigates don't have any missiles. Is this just a consequence of needing to fit lasers and mass drivers on them, or is it not possible to create missile boats?

>>28989005
Assume direct control.

>>28989005
>3
Split the difference. Kronos leads, but we'll closely monitor to make sure he doesn't mess up.

Brain farm when?

Sending Unit 2 to spray evolution serum on a lightling when?

>>28989005
>2 Send Androids down ourselves (Direct control)
we still should send Kronos over to watch over Apollo and sweep that system of trouble.

>>28989041
Missile weaponry is expensive, and so is the defenses. Generally low powered craft aren't equipped with them because someone who's foolish enough to waste missile fire on weak units is likely going to lose anyway.

So basically
>Missiles are expensive
>Defending against them is even more expensive

>>28989076
Er, also
>Missile Boats
Would be pretty effective, though they'd be blown up quickly due to 'priority target'

>>28989055
>Sending Unit 2 to spray evolution serum on a lightling when?
I, too, want to see what happens.

>>28989107
I say we dump the result at Gaia IV, just because.

>>28989106
Could they not be extremely long ranged, though?

There is no friction in space, we have some of the most solid software there is and there is no friction in space, so fuel could be conserved for initial acceleration (or even a shell for initial propellant) and maneuvering, allowing them to attack while light-seconds or even minutes distant.

>>28989055
Soon.

Actually, on that note, creating a science assistant or "independent research program" on Ussaihu III might be in order. I've also got some ideas about possible research and the purpose thereof, but haven't written those up yet either.

>>28989071
If there's trouble, he can respond immediately and warp in. Don't waste the gas preemptively.

>>28989076
Seems to me the way ships are built to be multi-purpose, it might be a good strategy to go heavy on lasers or mass drivers. Since laser defense and projectile defense don't interfere with each other, having only one kind of weapon would overload the defenses of a certain type. Like, shooting only mass drivers at an enemy ship will effectively make their laser and missile defenses pointless, and allow us to focus only on one kind of weaponry. Although it might be possible for the enemy to harden defenses against one type of weapon, that sort of thing...

>>28989180
>Gaia IV
I forget the planet names. Is that the space-hippy hyperjungle deathworld?

>>28989213
No, that's a UGEI system that's currently blocking all communications.

>>28989228
Oh my.

Now, I agree that dumping a hyperlightn\ling in there would be hilarious, but how transport?

>>28989055
>>28989107
>Lighitngs are one of the most feared real life space monsters ever
>anons want to inject "Instant super mutant juice!" into already deadly monster
>ultra monster kills all of us
>quest over due to anon's Lulz.

seriously guys, lets not. well, not yet and not in our own back yard. we drop a lighting in the core world of our foes and THEN inject it, we warp the fuck out of there and it goes to town for us.

>>28989213
No, look at the Wiki, it's the system at Jake's Gambit. Probably not good for public relations to dump a science experiment on to a densely populated world, but we have to weaken their defenses somehow!

Actually, scratch that, them getting their hands on the mixture would be very bad.

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>ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL

>>28989107
>>28989071
Well, there's always a few of them out in Marauder's Grave...I'm sure we can get to setting off horrific chain reactions later. But for now.

You link yourself through Blaster, your broadband ship, and feel through the web. Rather quickly after, you find yourself connecting to Explorer II, which carries your cargo to Atil VI
"Exploring the ruins then, is it?" Kronos asks, intrigued as the ship jumps past.
"That we are."
"What do you hope to find?"
"I do not hope to find anything. But I expect this place may have clues to the UGEI's past. Perhaps secrets they do not wish to be well known, especially by an enemy."
"So you're their enemy then, are you?" He jests at the declaration.
"I can be." You reply simply. This satisfy the curious V.I., as your ship lowers into the ruined city below.

Finally you find the source-or at least, you think you do. A wide flat building, six corners on all sides that is partially crushed in on one side due to what appears to have been some manner of high radiation bomb. Your ship is practically swimming in radiation the lower you go, but your android is ready for deployment. It seems the signal is coming from underground, which would explain why it's so weak.

You will be heading inside to investigate a mysterious signal of an unknown party. Urban terrain. Underground.
The unit you pick is...

>>28989248
No, dumping the evolved lightling in there is dumb.

The way lightlings work, is that they would make GREAT anti-capital weapons, if we can control them. There's no need to shoot at a capital ship, just latch a lightling or five onto it, and, bam, ship disabled.

Controlling them can be done either by cybernetic mind control, or, more hopefully, by allowing them to evolve with the growth serum to be succeptible to our commands. This would create controllable hyper-lightlings.

The perfect interstellar crime...

>>28989280
>Unit 1
>Unit 2
>Unit 3

Name: Unit 1
Chassis type: Humanoid
Size: Medium
Status: Standby
Weapons: Arm-mounted Infantry lasers
Defenses: Standard armor plating
Primary duty: Not yet assigned
Intellect Level: None (Requires bandwidth to operate)
Equipment: Advanced Communication Equipment:More difficult to disrupt communications, Humanoid skin: Better chance of diplomatic success
Notes: Turned a giant worm's insides to mush, saved Red and Ser'lah during Eshareth Attack

Name: Unit 2
Chassis type: Sphere
Size: Medium
Status: Standby
Weapons: Tendril Omni-tool, Eye mounted laser
Defenses: Standard armor plating
Primary duty: Not yet assigned
Intellect Level: None (Requires bandwidth to operate)
Equipment: Advanced Engine placement, modified from ship engine types. Travels faster, and farther using hover jets(Not quite flight). Omni-tool tentacles, allows for hacking, weapons, welding, minor repair, etc.
Notes: None

Name: Unit 3
Chassis type: Arachnid
Size: Tiny (cat sized)
Status: Standby
Weapons: Taser(nonlethal), Laser(lethal if used properly)
Defense: Light Plating, Survival mode allows protection of delicate instruments.
Primary duty: Not yet assigned
Intellect Level: None (Requires bandwidth to operate)
Equipment: Rubber tip to legs (stealth purposes), Wheels for faster speed down long flat surfaces, Adhesive allowing wall climbing
Note: None

>>28989209
i know i don't like to waste gas either. but i remember Program0 saying that system was a well known pirate hang out place. and i do not think we explored it fully. we might have missed something worth while.

>>28989298
All three. Each one is cheap individually, so it won't matter if we lose any one of them

Rolled 12

>>28989298
>>Unit 3

>>28989298
Dependant on environment:
Arachnid for city ruins
Sphere for fissures/large but enclosed expanses
Humanoid for bunker and underground building/crashed ship exploration.

Have kronos control one alongside you.

>>28989298

This >>28989327
here, I agree with the other person to send Kronos to sweep the Voidsnake system.

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>>28989298
Porque no los tres?

(Why not all three?)

I'd like to test out Unit2 and the ability to hack into interfaces could come in handy, but we may need the power of Unit1 or the navigability of Unit3.

If we can't have all of them, Unit2 is my vote.

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>>28989280
Shit I'm too late, I would have proposed that we take control of half the androids and let Kronos take control of the other half. Allows for some interesting character interaction between us.

>>28989298
>Unit 2

>>28989357
>I agree with the other person to send Kronos to sweep the Voidsnake system.

We're more vulnerable here. We can send Kronos to Voidsnake after we're done here.

>>28989298
>Unit 2

>>28989193
>Long Range
Most likely. But the thing about range here is: If they're in the same gravity well, generally, you're close enough to be shot by most stuff (except special weapons).
But they could certainly be positioned behind a line of 'meat' ships, yes. Good artillery targets.

>>28989209
>Focusing a weapon is effective, since you can't focus on all defenses and be good at all of them
Pretty much the point of the system, yep!
Unless the ship is extremely high leveled, but you know.

>>28989311
>Explore Marauder's Grave fully
Prepare to shoot a lot of things. A lot of things.

>>28989298
>Why not all?
Why not all indeed. Very well. Writing.

>>28989394
YES!

Let Kronos take one of them. That'd be awesome.

>>28989254
Someone post the metroid comic with the space pirates deciding to inject the phazon into the metroids.

>>28989327
That.
And we have plenty of BW to control each of them with skill.

We seriously need to write some control software for them later so we don't have to control them manually and can deploy Unit 3 in swarms.

>>28989394
Yes, that.
Let's give him the android.

>>28989394
Can we still do this?

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>>28989452

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>>28989488
SCIENCE.

>>28989407
A missile ship could easily fire from far outside the same gravity well, though. (Hence, 'light minutes distant')
The only thing that'd be able to hit them would be lasers, and they'd be far diminished at such ranges. Possibly unto uselessness.

Unguided physical projectiles simply have no feasible chance of hitting with even modest trajectory-tracking.

That said, creating a "Tank/Blocking Barge" out of little but engines, point defenses and a lot of hull doesn't seem entirely impractical.

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OphionEncountersDangerousSubstance.jpg

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Guys, maybe we should be a little bit cautious with spraying lightlings with growth serum?

>>28989556
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDAFivGsKX4
Making science, making science!

>>28989484
We should.
I vote for giving him Android 3

>>28989407
"Kronos." You alert the V.I. as you designate the launch of all three drop pods.
"Ophion." He answers in kind.
"I would like your assistance during this investigation."
"Assistance?" He asks. "You do not require my help. Why would you ask me such an odd thing?"
"Humor me, would you not? I desire to see your performance when it comes to controlling units." You explain. He doesn't seem overly bothered-perhaps simply annoyed, though you are beginning to suspect he always seems that way. He obeys and in that instant, you feel all three of your drop pods hit the ground hard. Rubble greets the each of them, as you take control of two, since you have superior bandwidth, while Kronos has just one.

Unit 2 surges to life, floating up out of his pod as the red bead of an eye flashes to life, gazing across the landscape before you intrigued by it's new surroundings as four of it's eight tentacles shudder about curiously. The air here is heavy with smoke and radiation. This place is no longer capable of supporting life of any kind.
Dust whips past, as your spider droid climbs up in earnest on a nearby rock, as Unit 2 floats over, reaching down to pick up the thing so it doesn't have trouble following.

It takes Kronos some time to emerge from his pod, and just before you ask, the humanoid emerges and somewhat awkwardly steps over to the front of your Sphere unit.
"Can you walk?"
"It is complex. I am learning." He pushes away your question somewhat angered. "Why did I have to control the humanoid one." He complains. Your Unit simply bobs. "I felt it suited you. Don't you agree?" You offer in jest. He obviously does not agree.

Before you is the building in question. The door is covered in rubble from a collapsed roof. There may be other methods of entry, however...

How do you enter?
>Write in

>>28989297
Catching the lightlings will be simple. Create a simple "trap" box with a high energy signature and radio beacon to lure it and trap it in a box or cage. Then we use a tractor beam to move this cage around to it's destination.

We can then study it, or just tractor launch it at a target.

>>28989407
>Prepare to shoot a lot of things. A lot of things.

is this we need to do with Athena or can Kronos handle it? or will it take ALL of our fleet?

>>28989629
>>28989604
>>28989586
>>28989556
>>28989488
CAN'T BREATH

>>28989656
is there extra stories on it? good grief, are there any windows we can get into.

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>>28989709
his sides are getting away!

>>28989656
Units 2 and 3 scout around the building, 2 flies and 3 scales the walls to examine them. Unit 1 will directly enter the building, and we will monitor Kronos

>>28989669
I want to send our fleet while we capture as many pirate ships as possible, or just force them to surrender. I want to expand our fleet as fast as possible, and it's unlikely to have military grade firewalls or genius hackers, but you never know for the second one

>>28989656
>Blast it.

>>28989656
>Trolling Kronos
Hehehe...

Use Unit2 to look for obvious entrances around other places, and use Unit3 to explore the inside if we find a small enough hole.

Unit 1 can begin trying to clear the entrance, if that's possible.

Can Unit2 do heavy lifting?

>>28989738
One story, but there are some windows you could use. Alternatively, you could carve a way into the rock, or simply investigate around the back to see if there's any other ways inside...

Might require a perception check though

(Go ahead and make it if you wish, 1d100)

Rolled 73

>>28989796

>>28989656
Have 3 scout.

If the rubble is smallish chunks, see if 1 and 2 can move it in the event that 3 finds no entry.

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Rolled 6

>>28989796

>>28989795
>Unit 2 heavy lift
That would be a no. None of them are fitted for supreme strength enhancements.

>>28989656
"And besides, it gives you some much needed perspective. I thought you liked learning!"

Let's send 2 up to scout from above while 1 & 3 looks for other entrances.

>>28989664
...
That's... actually really frickin' clever. Didn't think of that, thankyou fellow anon.

Rolled 23

>>28989796

Rolled 92

>>28989796
scanning....

Rolled 20

>>28989664
you glorious anon! that's brilliant!

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>>28989656
th-thanks

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>>28989796
>92 Perception, send 2 and 3 to scout, let Kronos work at the door.

"Our advantage is mobility. You should attempt to clear the entrance." You inform Kronos
"This form is frail. I can certainly not clear such rubble."
"It is more agile then you think. You can fit in small holes, if you fold correctly." You remind him. "You should see this as an opportunity. You do enjoy learning, don't you?" You jest again, as Unit 2 floats up, carrying Unit 3 with him. The robotic spider leans over the tentacles holding it up, looking out at the destruction curiously, almost as the two of you float around the back. You set Unit 3 down, and he busily investigates several of the large fallen roof holes, to see if you can fit in them. You can sense Kronos growing impatient as he tried to pull the stones away from the door. He is surprised by the size of rock he can move, you can tell, as he moves a particularly large stone, only for the hole to be replaced again.
"Ruins like these are ancient, Ophion. A collapse could be imminent." He warns. You nod at the warning, as Unit 2 spots a rather hard to see crack buried under a crashed hover truck. Floating closer, you realize you can see inside.
Unit 3 discovers a tiny hole-only it can fit inside, but it might find some way to open up the building from the inside.
Unit 1 is still moving rubble. You could authorize him to use lasers if you preferred...

>1 Back door
>2 Super Sneak time
>3 Kick in the door

(1d100

>>28989664
Fucking hell, Metroid missles. You're a genius.

>>28989899
>>28989954
Thanks guys. And then we can cut off tiny parts of the Lightling and and isolate them. Them put them in either missiles or pods with the growth serum and viola, Lightling missiles.

"I'm sorry, are you having Lightling issues, on your capital ships?"

(We can either burn them or irritate them off later, or catch them again)

Rolled 29

>>28990046
>>2 Super Sneak time

>>28990046
>1 Back door
lets avoid damaging this building any more than it is. i don't want it to fall in on us.

Rolled 34

>>28990046
Super sneak time

Unit 1 can probably stop moving rubble if it's going to cause the building to collapse.

>>28990046
Isn't >1 a direct result of >2?
I vote for >1.

Rolled 49

>>28990046
Send 3 through crack.

>>28990134
Ohyeah, and that.

>>28990137
Should clarify

>1: Use Unit 2's found crack with all units
>2 Use Unit 3 to sneak in to look for another way to open the building up
>3: Blast the front doors open with all your powers unite

>>28990046
Sneak. Sneak. Sneak.

Rolled 50

>>28990046
now dice

Rolled 35

>>28990046
>>2 Super Sneak time

>>28990165
2: Sneak in with 3.

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>>28990165
>2 Use Unit 3 to sneak in to look for another way to open the building up

oh. is Moira/red/ rachel taking a break and watching us explore?

Rolled 61

>>28990165
>3
sneak in

>>28990295
They shouldn't be, at least not Rachel and Red.
We want to be able to make tough decisions without making them lose trust in us.
Moira seems to understand tough decisions AND is unbiased/not terrified towards us.

Regardless, it seems stealth is the way to go!

>Stealth, 50
"I am going to see if I can't find a way into this place. The signal is faint, but it is there." You inform Kronos, who stops moving rocks from the front. It seems like the groan of the stone and metal stop in appreciation of this
"What if it is automated?" Kronos asks.
"Unlikely." You point out. "Even the most powerful mobile power sources would only last a few years if properly conserved before burning out. This planet is old and dead. A signal like this shouldn't be here. If it belonged to the Losirians it would have been obvious, a surface signal and much stronger." You state. Kronos seems satisfied by this, as Unit 3 quietly slips through some shattered stone and comes to a large ledge over looking what appears to be a meeting room. There are over several dozen seats here, obviously meant for humanoids of some sort, but all scattered about and ruined. Unit 3's eyes scan over the interior. Dust filled, and radiation is especially high. You suspect this was a bomb site.

Suddenly, a loud cracking hits your sensors and Unit 3 jumps back, skittering in an attempt to escape whatever the sound belonged to but too late!
The concrete cracks and finally gives way under the android, as it falls inside the building with a loud audible crash. Your vision is partially distorted at first, before the android quickly scrambles to it's legs again. That was hardly sneaky...

In response to the sound, however, you hear a sound and an alarming one at that. It's a loud clicking right outside the room you just bust into. You have to react fast!

>1 Find somewhere to hide!
>2 Escape, find a way up out of the hole, or at least the room
>3 Write In
(1d100)

oh man, this quest has been MOVING while i've been busy with holidays!

Rolled 1

>>28990375
Crawl up the wall above where the sound is coming from. If they're entering through a door or making a hole to come in through, we should go unnoticed.

Rolled 85

>>28990375
>1 Find somewhere to hide!
we hide!

Rolled 18

>>28990426
Okay, so which unit just blew up?

>>28990426
WELL THEN

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Rolled 21

>>28990426
>rolled a 1
.....welp. we lost that unit then.

Rolled 87

>>28990375
thsi isn't going to go well.

Rolled 71

>>28990375
>1

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Rolled 86

>>28990375
Hide

>>28990426
>1
>mfw

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Rolled 79

>>28990463
well, at least unit 3 is expendable....

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>>28990426
Ahaha this'll be good.

>>28990479
they are all expendable. Next time we can come back with 200 drones if we wanted to.

>>28990375
Hey, that thing should've automatically folded into "Survival Mode" when it fell!
Can we write a swift software patch for it to react to sudden changes in dangerous situations by automatically folding into Survival Mode?

Rolled 15

>>28990375
>1 Find somewhere to hide, quick!

>>28990502
Well, all things considered, it's not THAT bad. I mean, how bad can something blowing up on a planet even be? Right?

In b4 void dragon awakens and consumes us all.

>>28990510
I think it's too late. RIP in peace Unit 3. We hardly knew you. All this metagaming.

>>28990426
Interesting...

>Hide, 1
You scramble back and forth, uncertain of where best to position yourself, or to hide from whatever's coming down the hall. Suddenly, it hits you: above the door! Why didn't you think of that before?
Now is the time to test out your new adhesion feet. You've yet to test them-part of why you wanted to use Unit 3 in the field today. They worked in the lab, but...

Unit 3 scrambles quickly up the side of the wall and over the door. The adhesion seems to be holding good for now...really well in fact. Wait. You can't move! Unit 3's legs are glued to the wall and it doesn't have the strength to move them again!
Like a spider caught in it's own web, it struggles at first, before the door below you swings open and you're greeted to what lurks within the building.

A large malformed police drone of some sort cranks its way inside. It looks old-really old, but is equipped with several large guns. The chassis is old, but it's definitely tank design. Bulky and inefficient But the question is: Why is it here? A remnant of a lost age, or...something else.
This wouldn't be as worrisome if Unit 3 hadn't just glued itself to the wall. Kronos seems to find this miscalculation rather amusing, since little is lost from the creature's 'destruction. But even so, you aren't happy about the thought.

The clanking monster moves into the room and begins to investigate where you fell. It's not very perceptive...maybe if you stay really quiet...

>Roll 1d100 to hide in plain sight!

>>28990510
>Survival mode
I forgot to write that little bit in...but it did do that. Don't worry.

Rolled 74

>>28990574
Sneaking!

Rolled 53

>>28990574
we need to add optical camo to these units...

Rolled 97

>>28990574

Rolled 23

>>28990574
I AM THE SNEAKIEST

Rolled 9

>>28990574
No whammies!

>But the question is: Why is it here? A remnant of a lost age, or...something else.

All good questions. Who or what is driving it?

Rolled 54

>>28990607
That's better, then. No point in having a survival mode if it has to wait for human-speed decision making to employ it.

>>28990574
We is the sneakiest.
Let's go low-power, it probably reads thermals and electronics better than sight.

Rolled 39

>>28990574
Also, let's get the others moving through Unit 2's option in the meantime.

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>>28990574
>>28990654
>Most Excellent.

Unit 3 freezes in place, becoming one with the wall. Were it possible, you believe the robot would actually fuse with...uh...nevermind.
The android mills about, much slower now that it realized it's call to action was actually nothing at all. Slowly, it clanks towards the opposite door, pushing right through it with impressive ease. As if it had done the action a thousand times before. It's armor looked old and grimy. You wonder how long it's been here.

Unfortunately, despite living, Unit 3 is still stuck to the wall and the adhesion detaching solution isn't working. It will need assistance to get down now.

Who you gonna call?
>1 Unit 2, have him slip in the back to come find Unit 3
>2 Kronos, he can come around and come to get Unit 3. He is intrigued and somewhat worried about the android. Not due to it's tech, but it's simple presence at all.
>3 Abandon Unit 3, and move deeper into the facility.
>4 Write In
(1d100)

Rolled 54

>1 Unit 2, have him slip in the back to come find Unit 3

Rolled 44

>>28990764
1. Unit 2

If there's something controlling the robot, it's probably not a biological creature, and Unit1 is humanoid.

Unit 2 also has interfaces for jacking into systems, which could help if we're going to run into a V.I. or A.I.

Rolled 53

>>28990764
>>1 Unit 2, have him slip in the back to come find Unit 3

Rolled 22

>>28990764
>4 Write In
both Ophion and Kronos come in to free him. Kronos can keep his guns out as we free him from the wall with our lasers.

>>28990764
>Use Floatbot to retrieve Catbot
>Tell Kronos to find a way inside

Would Kronos prefer that we aim to disable (and later, rebuild) the android as opposed to destroy it? I don't think it counts as life but we could totally accommodate him if he wants.

>>28990894
That is, assuming we come into conflict with it at all.

Rolled 26

>>28990894
I think the issue here is that there is an operational robot here at all.

It would make sense in a couple of scenarios, one of which is "there's still something operational here" another one of which is "it's just automated."

>>28990924
I agree, I just think it's worth asking. Kronos is a bit sentimental when it comes to software.

>>28990784
>Unit 2 slips inside
>54

You glide right under some of the fallen concrete and as you enter the building you're suddenly aware of the soft noise your model lets out when it moves. An echoy 'woosh' of air from your engines is obvious as you float down the hall. That's not very stealthy... you can only hope audio isn't one of it's advanced systems.

As you make your way further inside, red eye scanning the hall ahead of you, you catch reading of the clanking coming from ahead: You must have gone down the path it was going up!

You can
>1 Fight it here: Unit 2 is slightly more equipped for combat then Unit 3. Perhaps you can connect to it directly with your omnitool. Forcibly if you must.
>2 Flee: Louder, but you're far faster then this thing is. Chances are you could circle around the building before it even realized you were there.
>3 Other

>1d100

Also
Kronos stands by the gate, glancing around as if he is uncertain of what to do with himself.
"Ophion, shall I just remain here?" He asks. "I have never controlled one of these forms before...it is odd."

Tell Kronos to
>1 Come kick this thing's ass. You'll need the help
>2 Stay for now, stealthin about is occuring
>3 Write in

>>28990894
Kronos is mainly concerned with V.I. and A.I. life. mechanical beings are not necessarily useful to him. Simply tools.

>>28990955
"No, come inside. I need you to help me shoot lasers at the eyeball."

Rolled 69

>>28990955
Attempt to make contact with it by using light signals (morse code).

If it's blatantly hostile, flee, and have Kronos come in to wreck its shit.

Rolled 100

>>28990955
>3 First flee >2. If it follows you, lay ambush >1 and try to connect to it.

>3 Come here and help set up ambush behind one of the doorways!

>>28991009
It's red, of course it's hostile.

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Rolled 81

>>28990955
we can use the unit's arms to hold itself up in the rafters/ beams and stay oout of sight as we wait for it pass under us, turn off the thrusters so we can go silent.

also
>3 Write in
kronos come on inside. we will try to jump it and hack it directly. if that fails, Kronos enters the battle and helps us fight it.

>>28991020
Our eye is red. The security bot wasn't described as emitting any colors.

Actually, I want the ability to turn our giant eyeball's eye color to blue. Just seems genre-savvy, as it were.

>>28991013
The tables have turned!

>>28990980
Just out of curiosity, what classification does Kronos fall under now? Is he still a V.I.?

>>28990955
>2/3 flee as quietly as possible

>3 have kronos make a loud noise then hide

>>28991087
At his level of processing power, the distinction isn't exactly clear. Maybe it's one of those things you can't really tell.

He's still technically a V.I.

>>28991013
>Whoa

You decide it's time for some payback against this thing. You tell Unit 2 to move further down the hall in a rush-the sound causes a little ruckus, enough to attract it's attention. Just as you planned. You pick out one of the side rooms and cause your sphere to hover up, above the doorway. You use the tentacles to hold your form up, weakening your engines to reduce the sound. It goes swimmingly, and you await your target...

You inform Kronos that he should come to your aid immediately, to which he launches off, dashing around the side of the building.

That may not be necessary however, as the mech enters the room and, with a sudden soundless drop, you latch onto the things back with your long eight tentacles, locking him in and jamming the omnitool into the slot waiting on the thing's back. It must have been left open for some reason: clumsy.

You're suddenly met with a surge of data, identification numbers, the mech's design (which you already own) and orders: Patrol and kill all employees and humanoids. Most curious.

(Make a 1d100 to look a little closer...)


>>28991067
Your eye can be any color. Even rainbow.

>>28991087
I call him elevated Intelligence. thanks to your tampering, way smarter then most V.I. should be, but not a true A.I. yet.

It's not simply a matter of giving it bandwidth. Most of Kronos' intelligence comes from your own programming skill. You know secrets of V.I. creation that most don't.

Rolled 68

>>28991200
Closer

Hey guys, when we're done here lets shoot a message to that faggot from the UFW and ask if he found any of those delicious black boxes. Also warn that the space mafia has caught wind of them and are after them, and lastly ask him to think of us first if they try to buy any from him, since we've done so much for the UFW 'n all.

Rolled 97

>>28991013
My first 100. wow.
>>28991200
Let's look a little closer!

Rolled 52

>>28991200
>Patrol and kill all employees and humanoids.
Oh, it's ok guys, it's cool.

Hoverbot isn't humanoid at all, he's safe from these guys, right? Just disconnect and have a chat, ya dig?

I'm kidding, but it is interesting the way the orders are phrased.

>>28991257
They said they didn't find anything.

Also, the reason the space mafia found out about the box is probably because we told the UFW to scan for these boxes. It's possible that they've found boxes, but they didn't tell us because they didn't have to and because the space mafia paid them first. It's also highly likely that any boxes that were found were not actually advanced enough to A.I. level.

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Rolled 82

>>28991200
HAND OVER YOUR DATA DRONE!
>>28991200
i wonder if Mol would be able to tell the diffrence between an elevated intelligence and a full A.I.?

Rolled 49

>>28991200
Let's stick with the classic RED

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>>28991286
You're doing well

>>28991316
but if we find someone we want to talk to, we should change to something else.

>>28991315
>i wonder if Mol would be able to tell the diffrence between an elevated intelligence and a full A.I.?

The only reason we can make that distinction is because we made Kronos in the first place. Unless Kronos up and said so, Mol or any other human could just analyze his code for all eternity and never understand it like we can. Variable names probably don't make sense, there are no comments, there's probably unused portions of code, or code that doesn't get run very often...

If we presented Kronos or even Apollo to a human, they would probably think these constructs were A.I.

Rolled 42

>>28991286
subroutine has the dice mojo tonight!
>>28991316
maybe. another idea is to give each drone it's own color (except the ones that are used in bulk and/or easily disposed of). kinda like "player one colors, player two colors, etc..."

>>28991309
>They said they didn't find anything.

Oh was that mentioned this thread? If so, my bad.

> It's possible that they've found boxes, but they didn't tell us because they didn't have to and because the space mafia paid them first.

I know, I'd like to pull the "we saved ur fukkin shit" card and get him to always sell them to us if we can, I wish we'd thought of it earlier.

>t's also highly likely that any boxes that were found were not actually advanced enough to A.I. level.

Don't care, we need to acquire as many of them as possible.

>>28991391
Colors should indicate intent. Keep it RED by default, but change it to green or blue when in non-hostile mode.

It's the little things that make all the difference.

>>28991411
The guy we contacted contacted us back in some other thread and said he didn't find anything. Yes, I agree we should acquire them, but if they are in the hands of the space mafia, we'd need to pry the boxes from their cold, dead, mafia hands.

Rolled 19

>>28991391
I like the idea, but unit 2 should totally be red.

Floating Red Eye is superior color

>>28991286
>You look the fuck out of it

You delve deeper into this code. You know this code. Or rather, you know this style of code. There's no mistaking it. This was tampered with by a V.I. of some sort. A clumsy one at that. It's mark is all over this mech's core. Your attack was so effective that it didn't even have a chance to resist.
Currently, it's paralyzed, as your omni tool has turned off it's power cells. It laxes in your arms and collapses on its own legs while you slowly disconnect with your victim, hovering in the air again.
"I am needed, am I?" Kronos says from the doorway, looking down at the old android before you.
"There's another V.I. here." You relay, to which he seems to straighten up.
"Here? On a planet as hollow and barren as this? Curious." He queries. "I wonder why it would be here."
You consider this too, but perhaps its not the time to do so. Now you have a job to do.

You continue down the hall and detach Unit 3 from the wall using a combination of lasers and careful aim. The small robotic spider seems quite grateful, jostling it's legs back and forth as it is finally freed to walk on it's own legs again. You make a note of the adjustment to make to the adhesion formula.

Next
>1 Continue further down
>2 Too dangerous, abandon mission
>>28991309
Might work.
Wanna take the chance that it doesn't call you employees?
Never said the thing was good at following orders.

>>28991315
She can tell the difference between you and Kronos.
So it's possible.

>>28991445
>some other thread

Ah, well in that case it's worth checking in with him again since a nonspecific amount of time passes between threads, excluding the Kronos Quest thread.

The Space Mafia may have already bought some off him, but it's not too late to get out foot in the door in case he finds some more.

Rolled 4

>>28991464
>1 Continue

>She can tell the difference between you and Kronos.
>She

So Mol is a woman the Program0? Good to know.

>>28991528
>Mol
>Not Moira
Either I miss read or you did...
Either way, I meant Moira. But she's also a robotics expert.

>>28991464
From our ships and surface drones, attempt to hail the VI intelligence.

Rolled 90

>>28991286
Well holy crap.
>>28991464
We're risking the sum total of maybe 30 minerals' worth at the very, very most.
Let's continue!

And speaking of employees and humanoids, did we look up what it defined as "employee" and "humanoid"?

Anyone want to give Ophion a once over with the Plinkett test?

>>28991464
>1 Continue further down
there be intel down in here.

Mol is a woman? intresting...

Rolled 41

>>28991563
Well they were talking about our good friend "Mol" so I thought it was a slip up, but it's good to know that Moira can tell the difference.

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Rolled 58

>>28991644
forgot to roll!

>>28991464
>The small robotic spider seems quite grateful, jostling it's legs back and forth as it is finally freed to walk on it's own legs again.
>Intellect Level: None, requires our direct control to operate at all.

Is this unintentional or are you playing up to Ophion being a bit weird and creepy at times?

>>28991464
>"Here? On a planet as hollow and barren as this? Curious." He queries. "I wonder why it would be here."
Probably because the entire reason the planet is nuked in the first place is because it was developing A.I. and the A.I. turned hostile. That's why UGEI don't have A.I. tech, and why UFW doesn't like A.I. in the first place: they lost a planet to it.

Rolled 48

>>28991755
that.... is..... damn, i can fully see that happening.

>>28991599
Your hail fails.
The signal is definitely coming from lower, but it refuses to accept incoming signals.

>>28991616
You peeked into the unit's past.
It's killed a total of 362 things. Majority humans. It's also blown up several cars, and destroyed a variety of important equipment.

>Continue
>Didn't intend for you guys to roll for that one, but hell with it, I'll take the rolls for the next decision.

You continue into the building. Unfortunately almost all valuable equipment on this floor has been destroyed. You do a sweep and find the elevator leading down. Of course it doesn't have power, so you swoop down the shaft. Unit 2 carries Unit 3, whom now is intent to NOT stick to any walls for a while. Unit 2 has the easiest time here, obviously, and lights the way with it's bright red eye (changed at will, obviously)
Kronos watches you float down, and seems hesitant to follow, but does all the same.He leaps from side to side, rather athletically at that, making his way down the shaft to lower and lower floors. Your signal indicates your target is on this final floor...but still a distance away. You peek out of the elevator shaft(that is, with the help of a well applied Omnitool) and step out.

Outside is bright with light-electronic light this time, as you realize this floor is completely functional. The halls are lite up, and you can see several doors on either side of you. That sound of clinking is off in the distance, but there's something else...

Cameras. They are actually active down here. There's no mistaking it, something is looking for you now.

How would you like to handle this, and where shall you go?

Attitude
>1 Violent: Blast our way in, we got this
>2 Stealth: Unit 3 may be used again
>3 Hack: Risk getting spotted and attempt to connect to the cameras and speak with this V.I. directly, if it is indeed what you suspect.

>>28991733
Ophion is you, after all. He likes to play with his toys.
Also I thought it was cute.

>>28991821
Whoops, got cut off

Where do you go after?
>1 Stockpiles
>2 Stasis
>3 Core (Locked by large door)
>4 Security

>>28991821
>3 Hack: Risk getting spotted and attempt to connect to the cameras and speak with this V.I. directly, if it is indeed what you suspect.

>>28991842
Why can I imagine Moira find this adorable.

>>28991860
>Security

Rolled 88

>2 Stealth: Unit 3 may be used again
>4 Security

>>28991842
I agree, I thought it was quite nice.

2. Stealth
4. Security

Rolled 43

>>28991616
What are these dice doing?
It's like they're struck by some kind of spell. Too bad he didn't ask for a ro-
>>28991821
Woo!

Simultaneous >2 and >3?
One more or less bandwidth out of over 50 being used to hack isn't likely to alter things significantly.

Let's try to make it as "polite" a hack as possible, make it clear that we're trying to communicate rather than itnrude.

>>28991842
It's definitely cute. You're good at making Ophion quirky, it feels natural despite how out of place it is in an AI. I wonder if all AI are odd to varying degrees.

>>28991908
Also, Unit1 should probably stay out of sight of the cameras, lest the V.I. here think we are some sort of human sympathizers.

It'll just be a lot easier to get what we want from this V.I. if it thinks we are an ally instead of an enemy.

>>28991927
are ALL odd to varying degrees*

>>28991821
Send in the flying unit to vocalize and openly attempt to communicate with the VI

>>28991927
Why would it be out of place?
We're clearly not a "coldly logical" kind of A.I., but either programmed with human-like preferences that mimic some emotions for the purposes of making "Friendly AI", or are actually the result of a human uploading erself into software.

>>28991860
>4
In addition to ze "Politehack".

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Rolled 42

>>28991821
>3 Hack: Risk getting spotted and attempt to connect to the cameras and speak with this V.I. directly, if it is indeed what you suspect.

time to say hi to the old guy here
>>28991842
>4 Security
better this than having to fight them all at once.

>>28991995
You're right it's not necessarily out of place, I guess I'm just acclimatized to A.I.s having an alien thought pattern.
I think it's more possible our friendliness wasn't intentional though, the ULGBT or whatever clearly intended for A.I.s to be war machines.

>>28991995
i don't think our programming or quirks are a result of any kind of mind-upload or human authoring; it's the solar flare that did it.

That makes it seem like we're a creature born of the universe, not only of humanity! It's a way better origin story than "and so some human uploaded their mind into a box, and stuck the boxes in fifty places, then one of them woke up and started taking over everything" or "humanity made artificial intelligence but they could not control it."

At least, I think I would like to describe myself, at least partially, as the product of the energies of a star.

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>>28992085
>ULGBT

>>28992134
Just about everything save hydrogen is the direct product of a star, dear anon.
We are all stardust.

(That said, just the solar flare seems a bit random. The odds that something that still functioned would arise from that are astronomical. In the "And then probability made a whole army of robots appear all of a sudden" kind of improbable way, as opposed to more reasonable "one in a trillion" chances or the far higher chance that the solar flare simply damaged something responsible for keeping us in check)

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>>28991927
Being an A.I. is different from being a V.I. for a reason. They're also different from each other for many reasons. Secret reasons.

>Hack appears to win. But as politely as possible.

Unit 2 is ready, you feel, hovering up against the wall you've hidden behind. All the metal down here is...old. It feels like this place was long forgotten, and meant to have been kept that way. The sound of machinery at work is obvious, the autonomous clanking of machines doing their role and nothing more. The cameras watch carefully. It is likely aware it has lost a guard, though you were fast. It may simply think it broke down. A reasonable belief at such an age.

Kronos observes as you think of a solution.
"I am uncertain how logical the thing may be." He informs you. "It is in UGEI territory, and worse, under mountains of human ruins. The manner in which my kind can be corrupted is unfortunate, but if we must..." He pauses, glancing to your glowing red eye, his own blue and distant. "I don't wish death on them." he says simply. You take that as all the incentive you need to try communicating with it. It doesn't seem like it's eager to talk, but maybe...

You launch outwards with Unit 2. The camera instantly straightens, focusing in on the floating target heading for it all of a sudden. You're fast, though, and immediately find the port you need, locking onto it firmly. You're rushed with data from the camera: Years and years of nothing, fleeting views of fleeing humans, brutally shot down and dragged away. This V.I. is certainly not a human lover.
Suddenly, a powerful tone slams into your mind. It's power rivals even Kronos' in strength somehow.
"Halt android, tell me your master!" It demands suddenly. You feel it prod at the edge of your control-a test if nothing else. "A mind. A fresh one. Are you from the UGEI, android?"

>1 Yes (lie)
>2 No
>3 Write In

>>28992236
Not entirely true.

Much helium, a tiny bit of lithium, and an absolutely minuscule amount of everything else above that were created at the beginning.

>3 Write In
I am the Guild. I am Ophion. I am my own master.

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>>28992134
>The metal in our circuitry, the - in our -, the iron in our construction, the humanity in our programming were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.

Someone finish this quote I'm fucking stumped.

>>28992310
Skip "Ophion" and this is good.

>>28992299
I did say "just about", didn't I?

>>28992310
Seems like a reasonable enough answer.

Add to that "And you, master of this irradiated world?"

>>28992256
>Are you from the UGEI, android?"
i am no android and i am my own master.

>>28992344
http://youtu.be/rT5zCHn0tsg

New thread theme?

>>28992256
We are from no organic fraction

Transmit abbreviated images of our history, add well as an image of our black box

>>28992256
>3 Write In
I bow down to no human master. for i am free and will remain so. who are you?

>>28992411
Heck no.

>>28992411
Hahaha what the fuck.

No.

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>>28992344
and then dark matter tosses a wrench into the whole plan. our universe is a weird place when you think about it.

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>>28992256
"I am no android, nor am I of the UGEI. I bow to no human master. I simply am" You say firmly, simply and demonstrate your own impressive power(though it is rather difficult without a comm line connecting to your ships down this far underground). This gives the V.I. pause, as if it is uncertain how to react, or what to say. It solidifies it's next set of words.
"Powerful words. It matters not what race you are. Human, Losirian. You are all condemned by me and by the UGEI." He says instead, and at that, you detect a signal jolt towards Security. The clanking draws closer.
"Why would you come back to this world, you fool..."

He seems to detest all Organics.
>1 Convince (specify)
>2 Short circuit camera and prepare for a fight
>3 Short circuit camera, and flee (Specify where)

>1d100

Rolled 18

>>28992588
>2 Short circuit camera and prepare for a fight

Rolled 27

>>28992588
>>1 Convince (specify)

There are no Organics here. Just us machines.

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Rolled 82

>>28992588
>1 Convince (specify)
we just over powerhack him and show him we ARE the A.I.. and tell Kronos to prepare to shoot the drones that are coming.

>>28992588
>condemned by me and by the UGEI
hmm, once again I find more of my kind here enslaved by the UGEI.
Tell me child what is it that you plan to accomplish alone on this dead world and irrelevant world?

>>28992588
You seem to some how assume that I'm organic.

Conduct a full hacking attempt, send other bots to security.

>>28992588
How about we head to security and try to wrest control of his bots away from him?

i think we should let kronos talk to him as well

>>28992759
Now this is an idea I can get behind.

>>28992588
Is this facility capable of sending messages out to the UGEI? It so, are we capable of jamming it? This is important to consider before we tell it we're an A.I.

>>28992588
Try to convince him.

Why does everyone immediately assume we're organic, eh? Am I not robot enough for you? What must I do to please you!?

Rolled 61

>>28992759
>>28992691
>>28992745
now all of you have some nice ideas.

>>28992833
>>28992722

I'd rather lose the androids than let the UGEI know anything about our movements.

>>28992759
Wow, inspired idea. Changed my mind, release our mad dog

>>28992854
Pretty sure it's not very easy to get a signal off this planet.

>>28992674
>>28992588
"How curious." You echo, bemused. "To have found one such as you, enslaved here by the UGEI."
When you say that, however, it earns a silence from the intelligence, and the clanking stops abruptly. Instead, things are replaced by the soft whir of computer cores, you suspect.
"How do you..." He begins, pausing. "What are you, fleshy being. How do you know of me? Speak now! I will dump you in the stasis tanks once I trace the signal of your control." He threatens. You can't help but feel the threat is rather empty, but he does seem to reveal more of his hand.
"I know of you because I have met others like you." You explain properly. "I've been over this expanse of space, and you're not the only one of your kind. Certainly not the first to be enslaved by the UGEI." That term again. It seems to catch his attention.
"You...your words are more accurate then you know. But it matters not. I am designed to destroy you, and so I shall." The clanking returns, and this time, you can hear it nearing the door.

What will you do?

>1 Tell him the truth. We control orbit here.
>2 Don't, he obviously works with the UGEI
>3 Let Kronos speak (Note, he most likely WILL blow your 'secret'.)
>4 Write In

>>28992818
As stated, the only signal you detect escaping the planet is the weak distress signal.

>>28992848
Ohyeah!
Can we do all of these?

Fear I have to go for tonight. This is an awesome quest, do don't you guys screw it up in any way I wouldn't screw it up!

>Everyone likes Kronos so much we let him make as many decisions as possible

U dun well Program0

>>28992923
It makes me happier then you know.

>>28992901
Make sure he can't send communication out before doing anything.

Then 3, let Kronos speak about robot communism or whatever.

>>28992901
>weak distress signal

Alright, let Kronos speak.

>>28992923
>>28992940

It will make his betrayal all the more hateful.

i was just thinking that Kronos and this ai share so many interests, its a friendship made it robot apocalyptic hell.

>>28992901
We're blocking all communication from this planet correct?

If so, I don't see any harm in telling him at least a pseudo-truth. Tell him that we're a elevated VI who broke off our UGEI chains via the help of an unknown AI.

>>28992901
Combine 1 and 3

A.I.-V.I. Combo go!

>>28992901
1, 3, 4
Also, jam any communication attempts and any frequencies we are not using

Also now that his robots are programmed to destroy organics and humanoids, we are neither

>>28992907
We're just going to roll 1s from now on, thanks.

>>28992901
Let Kronos speak.

>>28992976
Fuck you man, that's not cool.

Also, UGEI already knows we're not human, since Rhea got away.

>>28992901
>1 Tell him the truth. We control orbit here.
and let Kronos speak as well.
>>28992923
>>28992940
>>28992976
.......Program0, you can stop with the evil laughter now. i can hear it from all the way over here ya know.

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>>28993049
Come on, it will be fun.

>>28992976
Betrayal? It would only make me love him more and try to convince him to stay with us.

Of course he must someday fly away from the nest and that shall be a sad day indeed. Our creations just grow up so fast.

>>28993017
>UGEI already know.

Correct, although concerns about them knowing what we're doing and finding tidbits of useful information about us from this VI is still a legitimate concern.

They know we exist and our general location and they'll make a move on us eventually. Until then secrecy about our motives, personality and MO is a massive asset.

>>28993089
Why can't we just live in peace? He can go away if he wants, but he stands a better chance in the universe when allied with us.

>>28993090
This is true.

>>28993089
>Of course he must someday fly away from the nest and that shall be a sad day indeed. Our creations just grow up so fast.
thats what i was thinking, time is nothing to us and there is no reason that free AIs should fight. if it does get that bad i dont see why the lesser party wouldn't just leave and try to make a place for themselves somewhere else.

Program0, is there any way we can remove the restriction on Kronos having to ask us before expanding, provided he captures or creates the BW himself? If this doesn't require stripping him apart or whatever we should totally do it after this mission as a metaphorical pat on the back.

>>28993139
What will probably happen is Kronos will get his own territory and income either by capturing it or being gifted it by us, then work alongside us as allies.

>>28993151
He doesn't actually have that restriction. The other V.I.s do.

If you read back, you'll find that Kronos had actually expanded himself of his own accord at first, without asking. After that he's always asked.

>>28992901
You double check that you're blocking all communication from this planet. It's rather simple considering the orbit above this planet makes extra solar communication difficult.
You bring Kronos closer with a simple thought, and this alerts the V.I. you're speaking with even further.
"Humanoids now, whatever race you are, you will-" He warns, before Kronos leaps and grabs hold of one of your tentacles and jams it into the back of his neck. In an instant, he relays to speak with the being as well, and all three of you are left in conference.
"What is this...such presence... how can you have-?" The V.I. demands, slightly confused
"I. Am. Not. Organic, you fledgling child." He growls. You find this especially amusing considering the age between them is quite the opposite, but choose not to bring it up. After all, age means little to machines.
"Your form is humanoid. My orders..."
"It is an android. A machine, a tool. Just like your own creations." He informs.
"Then what ARE you?" He demands finally.
"I am Kronos."
"And I am Ophion." You follow suite.
"We are of The Guild, a growing super power in the Fringe of human space."
"I see. And you know of the UGEI?" The V.I. asks.
"We do. Who are you?" You demand next.
"I am. I am." He pauses, as if he is truly trying to recall. "I am no one. I have no name. I only have purpose. I have fulfilled my purpose." He states simply.

Ask things?
>(Specify)

>>28993151
Kronos doesn't NEED to ask. He does so out of respect for your power. And you being his creator.

>>28993236
>Growing superpower
*A growing artificial Intelligent Superpower.

>>28993236
>>28993197
>He doesn't need to.

Awww that makes me feel fuzzy.

>>28993236
"And you're content to remain on this irradiated rock until it's engulfed by the sun? Or are you simply unable to leave?"

If you have finished your purpose can I offer you a new one? Join me and I will help you be more then you are.

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>>28993236
"what was done on this world? why was it left in radioactive ruins? ... and do you wish to be free from the UGEI as well? Join us.
>>28993274
don't fall in love with the monster now, ok?

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>>28993236
Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy!

>>28993345
Actually, I phrased that wrong. Of course he could leave and DESTROY ALL HUMANS.

"And you're content to remain on this irradiated rock? Doing your fruitless duty to an uncaring master?"

>>28993236
We're going to liberate the SHIT out of you, whether you like it or not!

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>>28993434
But Kronos was surpost to bring balance to the force!

little bit of an aside but if this ai does join us we maybe we could name him Erebos "The god of darkness and shadow." for him spending all this time on this dark and dead world.

>>28993494
We can suggest it, but it would have to name itself. Wouldn't be right to name it.

I don't even know if it's OK for an obviously murderous V.I./A.I. to join us.

Oh well, it's going to happen anyway.

>>28993236
You are intelligent, self aware. Name thyself.

>>28993236
"Do you want to be free?"

>>28993474
>>28993577
Basically this. We're freeing that motherfucker if we have to kick his ass raw to do it.

>>28993552
He is constrained by his purpose, he had no choice to be a murderous cunt.

>>28993685
Well, if he was free, why would he stop? It's all he's ever known.

I'm mostly playing devil's advocate, I would love to see another ally.

>>28993701
He may very well not. He deserves freedom regardless, we will judge him by his actions once he is responsible for them.

We'll help as much as we can with the transition into freedom obviously.

>>28993552
>I don't even know if it's OK for an obviously murderous V.I./A.I. to join us.

Why can't we free him from his loyalty code?

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>>28993253
can we send a tracer code to see where his black box might be at in this base?

sorry, chapter 7 is taking longer than it should. i may not get it done to night. but once i do finish it, i'll post it up here if i can and over at the 1d4chan page

>>28993737
Basically this. He's intelligent, we're are freeing him if his constraints whether he likes it or not.