Second Report - Necessity Is The...

[lessabrasive]

[ The communicator clicks on, revealing the sunlit decore of Twilight Town. Sunset Hill, specifically, for those familiar with the location.

What should also be familiar is the statue in view of the camera. Not so familiar? The portal set at the base, the glow pulsing brightly. Invitingly, even. A pricklemane bounces towards it, then stops, tilting its head from left to right and waggling its ears in a show of interest. ]


This wasn't here when I passed by this morning. But it looks like the wait for something new to happen is over.


[ After 10 seconds or so of focus, the camera swings around until the firm frown of Lin Beifong is visible. ]


We don't know what might be through here, and securing a safe point on the other side is a priority. I plan on crossing over shortly. Anyone in Twilight Town is welcome to join me, but I recommend being ready for combat.


[ooc: this post is action/prose friendly! feel free to reply to Lin, or go ahead and do your own thing in a seperate thread. :D ]

Comments

[allfunandgamesuntil]

No. Well, you know, thinking about it now, it was a totally schizophrenic thing. On the one hand, everyone who had an AI that was chosen for them worked out great; I can't even imagine living without Delta. But then you get stuff like the leaderboard, which doesn't do anyone any favors. [York shrugs.] Of course that wasn't the biggest problem with the program.

[raisethemoon]

Oh? [A carefully neutral tone. Her talk with Agent Washington was confidential.] None of you have seemed especially nostalgic about it...

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[York huffs a sigh. It's really got nothing to do with Luna, but people should know what went on.]

They tortured a sentient AI to his breaking point to get the fragments. Over and over. And you know, since it was an attempt to help win the war, the government didn't care.

[raisethemoon]

[Luna's ears fold flat, though in truth she can't really replicate the emotion she felt upon first hearing about this. It might be a little obvious, she isn't the best actress.]

Could not thy monarch put a stop to it? [Most other countries have monarchs, right? Equestria's the only diarchy she knows of.]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[York nodded.]

They could have. Not a monarch, we have elected leaders. The problem is that we were facing down the death of all humans everywhere, so they turned a blind eye to anything that worked. I'd like to think that they'd have stopped the program, but to be honest? If everything in it had worked perfectly, they'd probably have considered it an okay sacrifice to make.

[raisethemoon]

[Democracy? Sounds messy.]

Many leaders would, in war.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

That doesn't help the people who suffer, though.

[York sighs.]

[raisethemoon]

Neigh, it doth not.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

On that cheerful note, let's see what else we can find here. Maybe there'll be another clue to whats going on.

[raisethemoon]

[Luna nods and trots on, tail lashing uneasily as she looks up at the ceiling. She still feels like she's being watched...]

Could this FILSS AI affect the environment around us at all? [Or, for that matter, could any AI present?]

Sorry I didn't get a notif for this one /o\

[allfunandgamesuntil]

FILSS was mission control; she could adjust things on the ship but she would only do as much as she was told or programmed to do. Huh, that's an idea. Hey, D, wanna see if you can chat with the ship?

[Delta appears next to York's shoulder.]

I have already attempted several times to access the ship's systems. It seems as if nothing is there; at the very least nothing is responding to my requests for information.

[raisethemoon]

But she may still be present? Or another, perhaps?

[allfunandgamesuntil]

A ship's AI could choose not to respond unless directed to do so by a recognized authority. Therefore there's no way to determine whether silence indicates absence or not. It is possible, however, that if an AI were present, it would reply to Church.

[York shakes his head.]

Maybe, but I wouldn't ask him to come here.

[raisethemoon]

Neigh, 'twould be most unwise.

...perhaps if someone called him with the communicator? It could be restricted to audio.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

We can talk with him about it. He might want to come here just to see the place.

[Even if both Delta and York think that that's not a good idea.]

[raisethemoon]

[Luna looks clearly doubtful.]

...well. If thou needest him teleported out, do call.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

Definitely. I'm not gonna pressure him; if he doesn't want to come in he shouldn't.