007: AMAs, Third Round

[tarnishedavenger]

So, we've got a load of new people, and that means it's time for me to do the only thing it feels like I get on these comms to do anymore: AMAs.

For you new people, I find it helps when we get together and explain a little bit about ourselves, any powers we have, and our skillsets. That way we know what we're starting with and what we can build off of. So, please, come and introduce yourselves and be willing to answer questions.

Comments

[greyerrant]

I am Loken. I am from... the 31st Millenium. I fight for humanity with whatever weapons are at my disposal.

Please do not try to proselytize to me, it makes me angry.

I have served Mankind as a genehanced soldier for over a century.

[breq]

What does "genehanced" mean in this context?

[greyerrant]

It means I have been enhanced by genetically engineered organs that were surgically implanted into my body, given significant gene-therapy and psychoconditioning, and otherwise altered to form a template for the elite shock troops of humanity. Only the custodes are more elaborately crafted, and my gene-father and uncles the Primarchs. The Custodes are the Emperor's guardians, and the Primarchs are, or were his generals.

[breq]

[ Oh boy, this sounds familiar. Or at least kinda similar. ]

Genetically enhanced soldiers. Interesting. The Radch chose a different tack.

[greyerrant]

How so?

[breq]

The Radchaai relied on what others called "corpse-soldiers". Ancillaries. Human bodies fitted with implants and made a part of a ship and provided with armor to fight.

[greyerrant]

We call those servitors. They are not as effective as Astartes but they are efficient enough.

[breq]

I wouldn't call them servitors; they were extensions of the ship's will, not mere drones.

[greyerrant]

Ah, linked to the machine-spirit. That is an interesting choice. Ours were single tasked or with limited programming. It was considered a punishment, or to make use of those who were otherwise destroyed in combat.

[breq]

[ Aw yeah, just discussing empires and their horribleness. ]

The Radch used subjugated peoples, picked up during annexations.

[ "Annexation" is such a clean-sounding word for something that was incredibly messy. ]

Is "machine-spirit" what you call AI?

[greyerrant]

No. Abominable intelligences were forbidden after the Dark Age of technology. Humanity was nearly destroyed by such things.
[ Which is kinda sorta bullshit because machine spirits are totally kind of AIs, at least on the ship and Titan level. ]

We also used subjugated people, but only if they were criminal or resistant during compliances. Most were not, fortunately, as people tend to see the utility in rejoining the lost branches of humanity after five thousand years of horror.

[text]

[takenalive]

So you're... I don't believe I have the precise words. Adapted post-birth? A studied genetic sample wouldn't reveal your entire condition? You are altered in such a way that it would not be passed down?

[greyerrant]

No we are implanted with several artificially grown organs and are sterilized. A self-breeding race of superhuman warriors could have problematic implications for humanity. Initially I believed it was foolish for the Emperor to not have a self-maintaining force of Astartes but given the recent events of the Heresy War I have come to understand His wisdom.

[takenalive]

I see. And I assume any clones would also need similar implants?

Andalites have a long history, much of it lost or obfuscated. There are strong physical differences between early and modern people which are usually attributed to discovering ways to alter ourselves that bred true. Sometimes to pairing with a sort of trickster entity, but I hate to think that has any credibility, even if the entity exists.

[greyerrant]

Cloning Astartes is forbidden. We are baseline humans who fit the psycho-profile and physical requirements before implantation. As a general rule, we have had exceptionally bad luck with cloning in general, and resort to subtler methods of creating more warriors, or more humans in general.

[zerg_rush]

31st millennium?

[That's so many millenniums, Loken.]

[greyerrant]

Correct, ah, Miss Kerrigan. Mankind has risen and fallen several times over this period, though it has endured. Much knowledge was lost. I have a suspicion that several of the people here may reside in my past. Which is quite awkward.

[zerg_rush]

[Kerrigan fails to catch most of Loken's answer as her brain comes to a screeching halt over being called "Miss." No one's ever used a non-military honorific on her, and it takes her a second to remember the archaic form he's using.]

Uh. You can just call me Kerrigan. Everyone does.

[greyerrant]

If that is how you wish to be called then m... Kerrigan. Yes.

[zerg_rush]

Yeah, it's fine. No need to be formal.

[Loken rarely stumbles verbally, but Kerrigan figures it's just residual awkwardness from the whole "psychic makeout" situation. That would make anyone feel awkward, really, so she doesn't take the opening to tease him about being awfully formal for someone she's gotten to first base with.]

[greyerrant]

I'm generally formal but... ah, I suppose we're past that, aren't we. You've seen inside my head, after all. And found a secret.

[zerg_rush]

[Okay, so they're not pretending nothing happened.

Damn, conversations are so much easier when she's in range to cheat with telepathy.]

I'm a ghost. I deal with a lot of secrets. I can keep one more.

[greyerrant]

I am shamed to ask you to keep one. I despise secrets as a rule, as they have brought me nothing but grief, and this one shames me, I think. I was unaware I had the psyker mutation.

[zerg_rush]

[She holds up a hand.]

Hey, if you don't want to discuss it in public, it's fine. There's a lot of ground between that and outright denial. Besides, it's not like it's a character flaw.

[greyerrant]

Fair. Did you have any other questions you wished to ask of me.. Kerrigan?

[ He is learning, sort of. ]