oo5 ⊗ video ⊗ fifth move ⟹ backdated to oct 5th.

[oxfordian]

[ charles is visibly distressed when he appears on the screen, this time. he's in what seems to be some underground facility, and there are other faces behind him—notably collette, emma, galadriel, raven, and others. his eyes remain closed for a second and you can hear him take a deep breath. then: ]

We have... borrowed a gentleman by the name of Richard Lawson...—from the United Earth. He is a cabinet member of the President's. Yes, the President of the United Earth. [ charles clears his throat, steels himself. ]

We've learnt a great many things about the United Earth from his head, and we feel it best to share that information with all of you, here on the Network.

[ charles states the next words with a heavy voice. ]

The President of the United Earth is not human. "He" is—artificial. Artificial Intelligence, or what you would call an A.I.. The United Earth... has never seen his face, as far as we have deduced.

We will try to answer questions about what we have learnt to the very best of our ability, but do be patient. Ah—[ he closes his eyes again, considering. then he nods as though he's made the right decision and he knows it. ]

That is all.

( note: wow i knew i forgot something like a winner. THIS TAKES PLACE DURING/AFTER these linked shenanigans: [ x ] [ x ] [ x ] [ x ] )

Comments

permavid

[assumeddirectcontrol]

[Lookin' surprised. Really surprised.] Is he unshackled?

[oxfordian]

[ Charles nods. ]

In a way—he is in the custody of the Initiative at this moment. I believe they intend to attempt to undo all of the... conditioning he received while under the influence of this drug of theirs.

[assumeddirectcontrol]

[She waves her hand, disregarding that.] Not the prisoner, although I'd rethink not having him locked up. The president. Is it an unshackled AI? [A pause, because Shepard realizes that he probably doesn't understand what that means.] Can it think and act for itself without someone controlling it?

[oxfordian]

[ Charles seems thankful for the clarification, and he nods. ]

It would seem that way, from what I gathered from his mind. It makes its own decisions, at least—from what Mr Lawson perceived.

[assumeddirectcontrol]

[That's terrifying. Not that every A.I. is going to be a homicidal maniac, but... Well. She's got the experience that most of the time they are.] Who the hell did that?

[oxfordian]

What do you mean?

[ charles just looks so confused. IS THIS I, ROBOT WHAT IS HAPPENING...... ]

[assumeddirectcontrol]

[Yes, Charlies. Sometimes robots kill people.]

I mean, who the hell built an A.I., unshackled it, and let it take control of the world? [Flat look.] It's not really something I expect you to answer, but it's something to think about.

[oxfordian]

[ Charles nods as understanding of her meaning dawns; he'd certainly been wondering the same. ]

I had wondered that very information myself. It cannot have been intentional.

[assumeddirectcontrol]

So then the esteemed president was probably created for another purpose. [This crap makes her head hurt. :c]

[oxfordian]

I cannot help but consider—but what is the purpose? I mean, the generally accepted purpose, for creating artificial intelligence?

There are so many hear so much more familiar than myself.

[assumeddirectcontrol]

Artificial intelligence can do what virtual can't: learn. We call them synthetics back home. [A pause.] They've been created for different purposes, but underneath it all, it's so synthetics can help organics.

[oxfordian]

[ oh my god gross there were typos in my earlier comment jlfsksjd ]

I see. I wonder, though, how much of it is arrogance; simply a desire to create to prove that you can. That is, not to say that each world with said experience has done this—but I've the feeling that the United Earth would bend to such... whims.

[assumeddirectcontrol]

[LMFAO I don't think I even noticed tbh]

I think anyone who decides to create life in such a way is always going to have a bit of arrogance in them. But I don't disagree with you on the United Earth front. Now we have to wonder... How many others are like the president? What else have they been doing? [She scowls.] I'm sure you got a look at the Masked, right?

[oxfordian]

[ Charles nods, quiet. Through others, he had. ]

Their children are... similar, I think. Rather, to what they have done with the Masked. Not direct copies in the same way—but.. manufactured.

[assumeddirectcontrol]

This is becoming very Attack of the Clones. [There's a pause, and then an amused sigh. She almost hates herself for knowing that nerd reference.]

It makes you wonder what's been happening out there in the world, while the people here have been sheltered.

[oxfordian]

[ An awesome nerd reference that flies over Charles' head. :c ]

Attack of the Clones? Is that a novel? [ After all, his own mind has been spinning with science-fiction novel memories for hours now. ]

In some strange way, I feel as though we are better off—left to our own devices. It does not seem like much of a prison. Then again, I suppose if you hated society desperately enough to wish to command it totally—to you, leaving society on its own to devour itself from the inside truly would be an ultimate punishment. [ Charles hums, then, quiet—before he smiles. ]

If I'd the time, I would perhaps wish to see for myself; though I know there are others here who have, unless they have all gone. All but that gentleman, Bariyan.