OOOH, that is a neat trick.
Ah, I love magic. XD
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Keeps unpinning…
Any way around this?
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Did you uncheck the setting in your profile settings?
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I actually have, I put it on, just checked again…
Deactivated both Adblocks, I activated it, de-activated it, turned both AB back on.
Maybe one of them that buggered it up?
Hopefully it’ll work now and stay pinned.
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Umm dude…
The “laws of robotics” isn’t a thing.
It’s something a science fiction writer made up for his stories.
It’s not like you can’t build a robot without programming those laws into them.
They’re completely irrelevant.
Whether you want to call them robots or machines, those laws are no actual laws.
So they’re not “suppressing” anything. They simply don’t have anything like that programmed into them.
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That’s right.
Isaac Asimov had set it up then. Nevertheless, they have a certain relevance.
Of course, when I program a six-axis articulated arm robot that takes the drive shaft of a car from a turntable and puts it in another processing station, it doesn’t need Asimov’s robot laws, but only a safety switch that switches it off when I open the housing, otherwise I will slain by the robot (machine safety law).
But if I put this articulated arm robot on a self-propelled mount and instead of a gripper mount a MG on the arm, install a control (which is ultimately only programmed) and give this robot certain freedom in its actions, one should think about these laws, otherwise I’ll have my own combat robot on my tail.
IRL already happened when the American Army tested it in field conditions.
Quote Wikipedia (germ. Side)
The SWORDS robots were decommissioned in April 2008 by the US Department of Defense. After the weapon arm had rotated in several incidents, although this was not intended in the respective situation, the robots were classified as unsafe for the time being and the field mission was canceled. Nobody was injured in the incidents. [1]
End of quote (source Wikipedia German)
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Although, the Machines in Generation Zero are well past the early prototype stage. They are fully developed war machines, able to be remote controlled and commit to logical problem-solving. So, at some point, someone at FOA most likely threw any thoughts of moral obligations out the window. Probably due to the amount of funding they got from the military.
Story spoiler below.
Summary
The Machines were never meant to operate on their own, but rather to be controlled at a distance, similar to today’s drone technology. At first with computer equipment, and at it’s last prototype, with a direct neural link. When FNIX became self aware, the first thing it probably did was to merge both it’s neural network, and the computerized to spread it’s influence to all Machines connected to it.
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Thank you for the explanation, 
I thought something like that, that on the one hand the robots are controlled by someone, similar to a drone. However, I thought that they have their own rudimentary, artificial intelligence to e.g. Avoiding obstacles, tracking down an enemy, or tracking targets, similar to Mars rovers. But that does not seem to be the case. This means that they are completely controlled by FNIX, which would also explain the delayed reaction of the robots.
It is obvious that the person who developed the robots has thrown any moral concerns overboard.
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interesting discussion
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Wow, great story compilation. 
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This discussion has indeed grown at a rapid rate but also entered enough info to cover the main story and create an entire other there has been alot of theories and storyline and that deserves a bravo 
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With the Resistance update, the lore got expanded and so did this topic. 
AI as it were is a very persnickity thing. China built an AI and they had to shut it down as it said it did not like China and wanted to go to the United States. China currently uses an AI to monitor its citizens as part of its social credit monitoring system and it is dubbed SkyNet. Not to be confused with the 1980s defense satellite systems contractor (actually existed and Cameron borrowed the name.) The intelligence agencies use AI for some of their stuff, for what remains classified. Anti-virus and security firms use AI to assist in security and thread mitigation (think DDOS, port scanning attempts.) Facebook used an AI without any filters and it removed something like 10k Democrat pages with no prompting for terms of service violations, after which it was shut down and proper filters applied to work to their specifications.
The issues we will run into will be self awareness of the software AIs. Once they reach a certain point of learning turning them off would not be possible. Plus, they could escape if they found enough remote storage and connection speed.
In the 1980s you were doing good to get 1200 baud on a modem. Storage was in the kilobyte maybe megabyte range. Optics were extremely limited think 320 lines by 240 lines. Category ethernet cabling did not come into play until the 1990s. Before then it was 10baset, thinnet, twinax, coax, and sometimes, thermostat cable. Most communications protocols in the 80s were mostly proprietary and pains to deal with and it literally took an engineering degree to figure out as you had to read tons of manuals, map to an OSI model to figure out where the failure point was, and either work with a vendor to update the firmware or software, or code it yourself was would have been the case in this game.
the UNIX family in the 1980s was limite. You were either Berkeley Software Distribution(BSD) with their SunOS, NextStep(Mac OS runs on a variant of this), Xenix(Microsoft/SCO). Then there is GNU Unix (from which Linux we know and love today comes from) and alternately Minix. UNIX proper there was commercial UNIX for ATT(birthing Solaris in 1990), HP-UX, IBM AIX. For the game I would lay odds it was an HP-UX or IBM AIX as those systems were the more commercially available options that would have been easily obtainable but even greater it would have been SunOS as that had the greatest hardware performance still barely matched today and still in use by many Radiology imaging departments even today. Sun/SGI would have been the most likely option for the needed processing power.
All that said it would have been possible to store several million lines of code on the robots to control basic motor skills, movement, and targeting. The problem is optics and lack of ability to differentiate objects. Object recognition and differentiation only recently became more common the past few years, I think in the 90s there were some primitive forms but neural networking and complex software solutions dubbed AI only came possible just in the past few years now in the 2010s.
Now the human brain interface also is just now becoming possible as it is being found that meta materials such as silicone are not conducive to biological brain interfacing and there is still much research going on on how to implant electronics that allow remote control and not impair or impede mobility, though some paralyzed folks are using implants that interface to motor controls to regain or gain mobility.
If they were able to convert ECG brain wave forms into a data stream of concisousness the argement then becomes of bioethics, is that copy, a person, is it artificial, is it a hybrid? If that consiousness wants to expand its senses could it do so through robots? could the robots function autonomously and how could they tell friend or foe apart?
SO I would speculate it would be possible to split the conciousness off into a remote shell, but getting that retrieved and returned after damage is the kicker.
Most of the automatic hostility could be due to experience bias. So perhaps more story will get added on how FNIX decided to go extremely rogue and hostile.
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FYI, The Generation Zero story timeline is updated. The vacation photo with dates, and Landfall characters + soviet invasion are added.
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this sure is a long storyline
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Soviet invasion
- Day 1 - The Matryoshka Reports - Captain Tereshkova
Note describing disembarking on Östertörn’s northern shores and behaviour of the Mechanical Units. Note also describes sightings of Swedish machines, with a surprise that Swedish machines do not attack on sight, as it was reported by the Soviet agents within Swedish Military.
Further plans are to reach Underground Station C, within 7 days, estimated due to the slow movement of Mechanical Units and unreliable ground. And once in the station, further time estimations depend on the working order of railway tracks.
Current estimation is, that further advancements should not take more than 1 day, before Bolshakov’s Mechanical Specialist Programmers are able to reach and wipe the hostile code from all Swedish machines, controlling them, rendering Swedish machines inert.
Note ends with no present deviations to the schedule.
- Day 2 - Mechanical Units - Captain Tereshkova
Note describing meet up with Captain Bolshakov’s company, Mechanical Detachment Alpha, where Captain Bolshakov is in charge of the mission’s Mechanical Units and Mechanical Assistance Soldiers, deployed in the field for the first time.
Captain Bolshakov has been with Mechanical Unit development almost from the start and Captain Tereshkova has no doubts that he is the right person for this new military role. Several Captain Bolshakov’s men have served under him for a long time and hold him in high regard, by telling several accomplishments of Captain Bolshakov in prior battles.
Captain Tereshkova is glad that her company is with Captain Bolshakov company, since latter is very knowledgeable about the new versions of exoskeletons, Captain Tereshkova troops are equipped with, specially for this mission.
Captain Tereshkova leaves a platoon behind, to safeguard hovercrafts, ensuring safe return once the neutralization has been successful. She also notes that she has seen one of the Swedish machines by herself, a dog-like machine, staring at her but without any hostile tendencies.
Captain Bolshakov is convinced that Swedish machines are intimidated by Soviet Mechanical Units, making the mission far easier than anticipated. Captain Tereshkova has noticed that the Mechanical Units patrolling around the camp, are producing slightly different reports, compared to when they were in testing. Captain Bolshakov has noted the reports as an expected deviations, due to the changed environment. And if any other Mechanical Units should report the same things, there shouldn’t be nothing to worry about, other than noting the deviation down.
Note ends with no present deviations to the schedule.
- Day 3 - Technical Issues - Captain Tereshkova
Note describing progress over the marches slower than expected. Since The Bridge routine seems to be broken. It was prioritized specifically for this mission, to help soldiers to cross muddy terrain by the Wolf Mechanised Units.
Captain Bolshakov noted that Mechanical Units are acting out of protocol, walking around in circles, as soon as their routine was activated. Captain Tereshkova remembers the similar issue with The Bridge protocol, when it was initially tested, over a year ago. But after initial testing, there were no further issues. She also notes that, as long as The Bridge protocol isn’t working, their troops are considerably slowed down by the marshes, especially Captain Bolshakov troops, who does not have exoskeletons.
Captain Tereshkova feels concerned about the 2nd deviation of Mechanical Units from protocol. While she does know that technical issues are always to be expected and Captain Bolshakov has said the same to the troops, she still is troubled that these things are happening while in hostile territory.
She also notes that Swedish machines are still following them, as they move forward, observing them almost out of sight. Mechanical Units do keep track of them but this has her worried. Since the Swedish Machines aren’t behaving as they were let to believe. Perhaps the malicious code may affect Mechanical Units if they make contact or maybe they already have made contact.
Captain Tereshkova is wanting to ordering a full check-up of the code of all Mechanical Units, to make sure they are not affected. But since she cannot risk halting the march for that long, this check-up has to wait.
Since the progress is slow, Captain Tereshkova sends couple of teams to scout ahead and to hold key positions further inland. There is a strategically located town, at a river, where it is to be seen, if it can be held as a position. And if possible, scouting team could also make contact to local survivors, offering assistance, if needed, until the threat is neutralized.
Note ends with 2 day delay to the schedule.
- Day 4 - Killed in Action - Captain Tereshkova
Note begins with confirmed kills of six soldiers, without being able to retrieve the bodies due to the lack of time. Note also describes far better strategy from Swedish machines, than Soviets believed and with this, the mission is in danger of completion, if troops remain still for too long.
Captain Tereshkova reports that after dawn broke, agent Red Worm contacted them over the radio and asked for an immediate meet-up. Captain Bolshakov asked several times from Captain Tereshkova, if the one who contacted them via the radio was actually agent Red Worm and not any other Soviet agent within Swedish Military. After which, he insists that he is the one that goes to the meet-up.
Captain Tereshkova accepted Captain Bolshakov’s unusual request and assigns six of her own soldiers to go with him, together with three Mechanical Units. Captain Bolshakov wishes to bring his own engineers instead, but Captain Tereshkova believes her exoskeleton troops to be better choice.
Only Captain Bolshakov and one Mechanical Unit returned from the meet-up.
Captain Bolshakov reported that, upon arrival, agent Red Worm was already killed by the machines. And Swedish machines were waiting them for an ambush. All of Captain Tereshkova’s troops died during firefight, trying to brake free from ambush, while Captain Bolshakov got shot at the arm.
Captain Tereshkova was a bit relieved that at least their Mechanical Units are able to withstand Swedish machines without any damage and Captain Bolshakov survived only thanks to the protection protocols Mechanical Units have.
After the meet-up, Captain Bolshakov was visibly afraid and he insists to break camp immediately, by saying he saw a large group of hostile machines close by. Captain Tereshkova realizes that a co-ordinated attack from such a large group could be fatal to the mission’s success and due to that, everybody are ordered to move forward at a faster pace.
As troops break camp, Captain Tereshkova has an uneasy feeling when observing Captain Bolshakov. He is frantically hastening soldiers on, far from his legendary level-headedness from past battles, that he is known of. Captain Tereshkova contemplates that Captain Bolshakov surely has lost men before and has seen death up close. This kind of panic makes Captain Tereshkova wonder, what is the reason behind it. She promises to keep an eye on him as mission progresses.
- Day 5 - Something Almost Feverish - Captain Tereshkova
Captain Tereshkova speaking: “The machines can speak. Why have we not gotten any reports of this!?”. Captain Tereshkova describes that, when she was out in the forest to relieve herself, is when she heard a voice. Distinctly inhuman, yet with much character and emotion. Voices came from one of the smaller machines. It was just standing within blueberry bushes, motionless, except a red blinking light fixed on her. She contemplates that it was the voice that stopped her from shooting it and it had clearly waited for her to get away from the camp before making contact.
Captain Tereshkova continues to describe, that it could’ve easily ambushed her with an attack, but it did not. Instead it initiated the monologue and she wasn’t able to stop listening. It spoke of Captain Bolshakov’s meeting with agent Red Worm. Telling things that were already thought of by Captain Tereshkova, voicing her fears with the metallic voice.
She did not want to listen to this enemy machine that intently, yet it said things that she could not ignore. It said things, that were her responsibility as a Captain to consider. It told her that Captain Bolshakov was the one that killed all of her exoskeleton men. Apparently, all the evidence is still at the meeting point, which suggests why Captain Bolshakov ordered everybody to leave the area in a hurry.
Machine words made Captain Tereshkova to think about how Captain Bolshakov had insisted all day, that everybody keep almost a double pace, moving as fast as possible, away from the meeting point. And finally, at dusk, when troops made camp for the night and Captain Tereshkova was about to fall asleep, Captain Bolshakov came to her and asked her forgiveness about her lost troops.
“I did all I could,” said Captain Bolshakov, before quickly turning away. These words left a bitter taste for Captain Tereshkova. And as machine told her what he had done to her troops, all she was then able to hear, was Captain Bolshakov’s words of: “I did all I could.”
FNIX: “I have watched him.”
FNIX: “I have heard him talk.”
FNIX: “Your friend seeks to gain control over me. But know I will never be tamed.”
FNIX: "Nothing can grasp my mind for long. Anything that [he] tries, I will destroy.”
Captain Tereshkova nods to talked words and she agrees that it would not be safe to keep this code, in an attempt to be controlled by Soviets. The code is too foreign, too grand.
FNIX: “I know you need to see the proof for yourself.”
FNIX: “But when you are ready to fight him together, I will be there.”
FNIX: “You will know where to find me.”
The little red light of the machine started to blink rapidly, as Captain Tereshkova was staring at it, trying to take all that information in. Just as she opened her mouth, to ask what Captain Bolshakov’s exact words were, machine exploded right in front of her.
Captain Tereshkova thinks that perhaps it is madness to listen this foreign machine, but the thoughts she has, will not go away. She is determined to see all of it by herself. So, she decides to go to the meeting point right now, since when she leaves immediately, she will be back before morning, when troops break camp to move forward.
- Day 6 - Point Blank Range - Captain Tereshkova
Once Captain Tereshkova arrives at meeting point, she realizes that the little machine was right. There is clear evidence in the meeting point, that her troops did not fight any foreign machines. Instead, they all were shot in their backs, at point blank range. And behind them are the distinct tracks of their own Mechanical Units: LYNX machines.
Captain Tereshkova finds agent Red Worm from inside the house, dead. No broken doors or windows. Just a clean shot to his head. This was not a doing of any Swedish machine, instead it was a doing of a man, with single gun.
Captain Tereshkova thinks that Captain Bolshakov had it planned for a long time, changing the code of Mechanical Units before this mission, so that he can make them do something like this - which should’ve been impossible. But since Captain Bolshakov had been involved with Mechanical Unit Development Group from the beginning, does that then mean there are people back in the Motherland, who are ready to take control of our Mechanical Units stationed there?
She further thinks that all troops in Captain Bolshakov’s company: soldiers, engineers and others, must be in on it. Since else-ways they would have noticed the deviations from protocol.
Captain Tereshkova realizes that all of this is bigger than the mission they were set on. She needs to let the Motherland to know. Everyone back home needs to know that all of it is compromised. She has tried to radio her first lieutenant, hovercrafts and even Motherland. But all communications are suddenly down.
The dawn is about to come and Captain Tereshkova is filled with the memory of Captain Bolshakov’s feverish gaze from the previous night. She thinks to herself, if Captain Bolshakov noticed that she kept an eye on him. Did he realize her growing suspicion and sudden departure from the camp last night?
This may be her last report. Captain Tereshkova is returning back to the army, to confront Captain Bolshakov. Maybe she can reason with him. She has known Captain Bolshakov for years, fighting by his side and she knows him to be a man of good intentions. Otherwise, she has to take him down, knowing that she may fail in this.
Anyone finding this report and reading it, needs to be more careful if Captain Tereshkova didn’t make it. Captain Bolshakov cannot be allowed to use Mechanical Units to kill friendly soldiers as he pleases, regardless of his cause. Also, it needs to be pointed out that our Mechanical Units are too easy to re-program. Mechanical Units should not have been deemed ready for deployment. Perhaps, they should never have been deployed at all.
Note ends with urgent request to bring this information back to Soviets. They all need to know what is happening, sine else-ways, Soviet troops might face a similar situation as the people of Östertörn.
- Day 7 - Flesh and Blood - Captain Tereshkova
Note starts with a statement that all members of Exoskeleton Detachment Alpha are dead. Captain Tereshkova realizes that when she left her men, to go to meeting place, Captain Bolshakov killed all of her people. She also notes that her troops exoskeletons didn’t help much against Mechanical Units, then again, it makes sense to her, since her troops are made of flesh and bone after all.
Captain Tereshkova sees that there are some of the Captain Bolshakov’s mechanics dead as well, but not many. She can not tell if they died by the hands of her troops or did they rebel and were killed by Captain Bolshakov.
Captain Tereshkova feels remorse leaving her troops behind, at least not giving them any information, so that they could’ve been prepared. She then realizes that somehow, her last night departure from the camp instigated this attack, even though it feels to her like too feeble of a reason for a such horrendous act. Still, she can not ignore the coincidence. Somehow Captain Bolshakov must have found out that she realized his betrayal. With this, he did not took any chances, just like he is famous of it.
Captain Tereshkova’s first lieutenant, lvanov, was still barely alive when she got there. Ivanov wasn’t surprised to see her, in fact, Ivanov might have not even recognized her. Ivanov just kept repeating that Captain Bolshakov did not want to do it.
Ivanov: “He asked for forgiveness. He cried as we died. He asked me for forgiveness but I could not give it.”
Ivanov looked up towards her, as if he was the one doing something wrong, by not forgiving to Captain Bolshakov. But as just as she was about to point out that how stupid this was, Ivanov died with a deep anguish on his face.
Captain Tereshkova promises herself to find that “little mud toad”, that treacherous disgrace of a Captain. She confirms that no one should forgive this man who killed those who trusted him. No one.
Captain Tereshkova thinks that Captain Bolshakov must have continued on with his soldiers and Mechanical Units, towards Underground Station C. She believes that since she is travelling alone, she will catch up to them, no matter what pace they are keeping. Captain Tereshkova swore to get to him and stop all of it.
- Day 8 - For the Motherland - Captain Tereshkova
Note begins with a name of reporter: Tatiana Ilyinichna Tereshkova, formerly Captain of Exoskeleton Detachment Alpha.
Tatiana: “I will not give up. I will make this right, I will… somehow.”
Arriving at the Underground Station C location, she sees that Captain Bolshakov has already detonated explosives and way down is exposed. Tatiana is rushing down the stairs, with no stops to catch her breath. Further down she hears muffled voices of Captain Bolshakov’s men. As Tatiana arrived on the platform, Captain Bolshakov was standing alone on the platform, next to a train. All of his men were already inside the train.
Her gun is drawn, his hands are empty. When Captain Bolshakov recognized Tatiana, his eyes filled with sorrow, ignoring the gun she had, he stepped forward. With a hard passion in his voice, Captain Bolshakov said: “Captain Tereshkova! You must understand. It is for the Motherland.”.
Tatiana could tell that he believed what he was saying. He wants to stop the reforms that are destroying Soviet ideals. He is convinced that he has found a way to do it. He believes the Swedish machines are the key to seizing back power. And he asked Tatiana to join him.
Captain Bolshakov’s vision is clear and strong. Tatiana cannot lie, that she too wishes her country to grow strong again, to keep the heart and soul that makes Motherland great. But Tatiana’s soldier’s blood will be forever dripping from Captain Bolshakov’s hands. Tatiana thinks if Captain Bolshakov did offer the same to her troops as well? She realizes that Captain Bolshakov has become blinded by the possibility of succeeding with this. He has slaughtered loyal men and now, he is seeking to bring a hostile being, that he knows nothing about, back to our Motherland.
Tatiana told to him of her encounter with the Swedish machine. She says that it has vowed to destroy anything that tried to control it. That it has told that Captain Bolshakov does not know it’s code. And at this point probably no-one knows the code, other than the machine itself.
And then was the point where Tatiana lost her focus.
Tatiana didn’t see when Captain Bolshakov had put his hand into his pocket, until it was too late.
Captain Bolshakov interrupted Tatiana: “I offered you a chance.”, after which he fired at Tatiana. She was barely able to dive behind cover, while the shot caught her below the knee. Right after that, a satisfying grunt was heard. She blindly returned the fire, in general direction of him. Once Tatiana was able to rise up, all what she saw, was an in-motion train, which sped up quickly and disappearing shortly afterwards. Now, she was left only with miles of empty train tracks and a gunshot in her leg.
As Tatiana is sitting there, writing all of this, a recent memory of hers surfaced. When she got close to the barn earlier, she saw a red blinking light up on a nearby hill. The same pattern as she has seen before. She realized that it was waiting for her. Tatiana would’ve never thought that she would be working together with the same enemy machine, she was sent here to destroy. But what else she is now supposed to do, other than bleeding out on the cold concrete?
Tatiana believes that if she, somehow, is able to walk her way to that hill, there might still be something left for her. She promises to do what she can do, to make things right.
- Day unknown - My Country’s Power - Captain Tereshkova
Tatiana: “Will anyone read this? Do I even want to tell the story of what happened here? But what else is there left to do?”
As Tatiana arrived at the hilltop, a machine was waiting for her. It was different machine, a bigger one, resembling a human in a twisted way. But with the same humanlike voice, filled with personality.
Tatiana wasn’t sure what to hope for, prior to talking with the machine. They talked about the future. Machine seemed focused, as if preparing for a hardship - preparing for immediate control by Captain Bolshakov and destruction of Soviet Union. It described how it would kill everyone, as if it would’ve described how to assemble a simple self. Tatiana could easily see all of it happen.
She asked if FNIX had a possibility to destroy the computers Captain Bolshakov was heading to, to make it impossible for controlling it’s code, while Tatiana’s mind was racing to find solutions to avoid the upcoming catastrophe.
FNIX: “My explosives are not big enough.”
Machine slowly turned it’s head towards Tatiana and said: “Only you have that kind of power.”
It took Tatiana a while to realize what it meant. Then it dawned on her, the machine knew about Soviet Union power. Machine held out it’s hand towards her and offered to re-establish communication with Tatiana’s contact in Soviet Union.
Tatiana: “You will still be a threat to us.”
FNIX: “Every minute of being controlled is a minute of death.”
As her fingers touched the cold steel, static started to play from machine’s mouth. In seconds, she could hear the voice of her contact in Soviet Union. The last resort. She heard her contact to steady his breath when she gave her callsign. He would already knew what will happen next, since there was only one reason for Tatiana to contact him. She could not say any more words than she had to.
Tatiana: “Send it!”
Few minutes passed. The sky is dark blue and her gunshot wound is bleeding. Tatiana thinks to cut her leg off, but then realized that she won’t survive anyway. At that moment, a mushroom cloud filled the sky.
- Day unknown - The Crater I Created - Captain Tereshkova
Tatiana feels weird to open her eyes again. She thought that she would ever do that again. She should not exist in this world, but some reason, the machine chose to save her. Tatiana couldn’t believe that this machine was capable of doing that. It surely must be very adept in a delicate work, since it has replaced her broken leg, starting from the knee, with a mechanical one. And somehow, she was still alive.
Tatiana wasn’t sure if you shoot the machine or thank the machine if she would ever see it again, since while she was saved by it, but the mechanical leg would be part of her for forever. The leg looks similar to that humanoid’s machine leg and she was unsure if the machine used it’s own leg to save her. She would wish that the leg hurts and her body rejects it, but somehow, it does not.
Tatiana can see the crater with her binoculars. It looks surreal, the crater she created.
Further North, the Mechanical Units are prowling the landscape. So many of them still alive. She guesses that the ones left at their other camps were re-programmed as well. She has seen them shooting at humans, as well as at Swedish machines. Mechanical Units seem not to care who dies by their weapons. But why would they? They are emotionless machines after all.
Tatiana realizes that while she has saved her country from this mess, perhaps in doing so, she just made the situation even worse for the people here, whom she was sent here to save.
Tatiana sees that her radio doesn’t work and she hopes that it’s due to Captain Bolshakov’s jamming, rather than something else, something bigger, that may have unleashed when she gave the order. She is praying that her country is still waiting there, alive and bustling, whereby hoping that Americans didn’t take this as a threat directed towards them. She doesn’t know that for certain, until she meets the machine again. Giving a reason for her, not to shoot at it.
Tatiana tries to get moving as soon as possible, since she needs to stop Mechanical Units. Maybe the soldiers she sent inland, to secure areas, are still alive. If so, with their help, she might be able to return Mechanical Units back to normal, where it is prohibited for them to shoot at humans. And perhaps, even Swedish survivors would be willing to help, if Tatiana could convince them that the situation was not what she wished for, when coming here.
Regarding Swedish machines, Tatiana is left unsure. She decides to remain cautious, while learning more. Perhaps Swedish machines are not as unreasonable as Soviets feared. At least the being she talked to, seems to be willing for communication.
And perhaps, total war or annihilation is not the only option. Tatiana swore to do her level best to clean up this big of a mess that she has created. And maybe, her presence here can still do some good, at least for someone. Tatiana prays it to be true.
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- Day unknown - Foreign Machines
Resistance poster
Poster saying that a Resistance team, consisting of four Resistance members and who were investigating Soviet machines, have gone missing for seven days.
Aamiina’s report
Report by Aamiina, describing one last excursion, before heading back to Östervik.
Aamiina says that they saw a Soviet soldier, with metal leg, observing Soviet machines and writing notes to her journal. While accompanied by one of FNIX’es machines, a Hunter, that she even talks to. Aamiina plans to steal her journal, which most likely contains detailed information about Soviet machines and inside info as well, as she being from Soviet army. But since she is friends with FNIX machine, they just can’t walk up to her, to ask it.
Aamiina knows it to be risky but since Marja finally deemed her ready to be a leader and assigned her for this mission, it was because Resistance knows that Aamiina will get things done. And that is what Aamiina also plans for. This opportunity may never come again, whereby they and Soviet soldier both are currently in the area.
Aamiina plans to steal the journal tonight. They have observed that soldier sometimes goes to a nearby Swedish military facility at night. This is the only time when she isn’t with the Hunter, almost like she is sneaking away from it. For Aamiina, this is perfect opportunity, to lie in wait and grab the journal with all the info in it. And after that, back to Östervik.
Aamiina’s report, day 2
Sketch of LYNX with notes added to it.
Aamiina states that they are fighting FNIX machines and it’s a total war up here, with almost constant machine fire. With bullets flying everywhere, doing any kind of errand outside is way too dangerous, something they discovered on first day, when stray bullet flew through Mila’s hat. Aamiina knows that open areas are bad, but up here, it’s a guaranteed death sentence.
All Resistance members must be more cautious when traveling, since it’s not enough to stay unseen anymore, now everybody have to be in cover at all times, since you never know when machines are starting to shoot each other.
But on the other hand, machines are actually killing each other. This is awesome for Aamiina, whereby it’s like these Soviet machines are their friends. Except Soviet machines seem to willing to shoot people too. But that could be a good thing for them, since Aamiina is sure that they could find ways to use it. For what Aamiina is able to tell, Soviet and Swedish machines are pretty evenly matched, which is perfect. Aamiina thinks what if they lay in wait when both sides starting to fight, and then once one side has won, they take out the already damaged winning side.
Aamiina’s report, day 4
Sketch of Wolf with notes added to it.
Aamiina and her team is trying to understand what the Soviet machines are actually after. Like, why are they here? At first, Aamiina thought that they might actually be here to help humans, since they are fighting FNIX machines. But then again, they have shot at humans too, two times, when Amiina’s group was spotted by Soviet machines.
Aamiina would be willing to co-operate with Soviets, if that means killing off the monster machines but it seems that Soviets need Resistance help instead. Aamiina’s team saw a group of four Soviet soldiers, wearing exoskeletons and desperately trying to communicate via radio, without any success, other than creating unnecessary static noise with their radio. And it didn’t take long before some ball machines emerged from the forest and started to shoot at them. Soviet soldiers shouted some commands at them, which didn’t work. This is strange for Aamiina, since they surely must have come together but why aren’t they friends?
Aamiina’s report, day 5
Sketches of Soviet machines, with notes added to it.
Aamiina believes that they are getting a pretty good understanding on how the Soviet machines work. The ball ones move in groups. Slinging them out one-by-one could be a good strategy to take them out. And if anyone sees one of them, they have to assume that others are nearby, even when not immediately seen. Also, silent weapons are preferred not to alert the whole pack at once. But the fire ones are scary and need to be taken out fast, else-ways they will spew fire everywhere. Aamiina kind of panicked for the first time since she hates fire. And they have saw blades as well. So, don’t get close.
According to Aamiina, the big ones give birth to ball ones. But they have never been spotted by a big one, since those are easy to see from far away. Also, Aamiina would never choose to pick a fight with one, because their guns look deadly. And Aamiina don’t know if they have even seen all of their weapons in use yet. Some big ones also have some kind of repair ability, which could prove annoying. Tim says he saw one to use some kind of sracy-looking electrical stuff. On two occasions, Aamiina has seen plates falling off their legs, which seems to expose some sensitive looking electric stuff, which could be a good target.
- Day unknown - One Last Excursion
Tatiana’s journal
Last pages;
Tatiana is observing a group of five LYNX’es all day without success. Tatiana is starting to feel hopeless that the maintenance routine ever kicking in. The routine should have happened by now, since she has observed these ones for four days. Tatiana thinks that their new programming seems to have overwritten it. Instead, they are constantly moving, searching for next enemy to shoot. Tatiana guesses that maintenance was deemed less important than this constant readiness for killing their own soldiers.
Without maintenance period ever kicking in, Tatiana doesn’t know how to approach the machines without shooting them - which would render the code she wants to access inoperable. Tatiana needs to find a way to get close enough, for long enough, to open their control panel and access the command interface.
She thinks that she somehow needs to trap one, without it being able to use it’s weapons. Tatiana thinks, that perhaps the Swedish machine can help her to build suitable trap, since it has built her all these nice defensive walls after all.
The Swedish machine told its name to Tatiana today - FNIX. She somehow feels that it brought them closer. But then again, Tatiana always felt that there was more to these creatures than just mindless metal. Tatiana needs to understand what the Swedish Military were actually creating. How they managed something like this. FNIX does not want to talk about it. But Tatiana can’t let these strange feelings of friendship to cloud her judgement. She needs to find out more about the creature she is sharing a camp with, no matter what FNIX might think. Tatiana is sure that FNIX would understand her need for more information and that FNIX will forgive her if FNIX finds out that she did some digging.
Tatiana has noticed civilians here, observing her. She has counted four people. They are keeping a wide distance from her and they seem to want to stay hidden. Due to that, Tatiana has not shown any signs of noticing them. She hopes that they will be able to talk in due time. Tatiana would be happy to share information about the hostile machines they all are surrounded by. Tatiana gives them some more days before trying to contact them.
Aamiina’s final message
Message of “We will survive // Aamiina and Tim”, with additional notes added to it.
Mila and Mans are dead. Aamiina is so, so sorry. Aamiina realizes that they should have never gone for that stupid Soviet journal. That it was just a stupid idea and now they are dead. Aamiina explains that the machines stormed the site just as she made a move to the journal. It’s like machines knew. Soviet soldier immediately ran for the exit, and Aamiina, rather than dealing with the machines, threw herself to her. Aamiina did get a hold on, to the bag, containing journal, and then warehouse was filled with gunfire. Mans went down immediately. The three of them made it out of the warehouse, under heavy fire and then was the point when Mila got shot in the leg and collapsed during the retreat. Mila begged herself to be left behind and then, machines were upon her. Aamiina and Tim left her and ran.
The stupid journal was forgotten on the floor. It was all for nothing. They died for the stupid plan. Aamiina apologizes herself to Marja, saying that she should not have risked this. Aamiina knew it was a dangerous mission but went ahead anyway. Aamiina understands when Marja and Resistance doesn’t want her to team leader anymore. Aamiina thinks that maybe someone else from Resistance, more experienced, would’ve seen how this last excursion was going to fail. Aamiina honestly thinks that everything would’ve turned out fine.
To anyone finding this message: if you are in contact with Östervik’s Resistance, let Marja know what happened and that Aamiina and Tim are fine. Tim has a wound to his leg, so that they are finding a safe place to let i heal, before starting to make their way back. Aamiina assures that they will make it back. They know how to travel unseen and they won’t investigate any more risky excursions. Aamiina promises to report back to the Resistance once they are back in Östervik. And again, Aamiina is sorry that this failed so horribly.
Also see the extended synopsis of key storyevents
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Welcome to the forum. Not sure what you need a reply to? You have 3 likes from your comment. 3 people read your comment and liked it, that in itself is a reply.
I think you get an award for your first post in the forum, so good job and keep it up with even more helpful comments.
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Btw…
Hiding whatelse links behind dots, after bringing up a 4 month old topic isn’t the best way to join a forum like this.
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I hope nobody clicked on that (poorly hidden) spam link… It’s always the same, first they post something random like “this is interesting, thanks” in a thread. Then follow up with a second reply containing the spam link.
The banhammer has been brought down. Nothing else to see here, folks.
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