The Twenty-Third Trial

[advisories]

Who: trialgoers etc!
When: Day 50, morning
Where: the ~trial zone~

[Another morning, another Trial! Ugh.

At least this one seems normal, starting out with a shake and the Hermit’s booming voice:]

"Good morning, Heroes. You can guess why you're being called, but before we begin I have an official statement. The Prince of Stars and associates were not responsible for yesterday's Trial. It appears the system was copied by a Malicious entity -- we apologize for any confusion and are doing our best to locate this entity and find a way to prevent any such incidents in the future.

In the meantime, we've scheduled a low-stress Trial for today to lift your spirits. With teamwork and a little silliness, let's search for unity and peace within ourselves."

[The Hermit's tent is in the clearing, awaiting your arrival.]

rules | sign-in | mingle | rooms | winners & endgame

Comments

[malignstar]

Most people would not desire to share a body. And I do not see how having another within you would improve your own skills.

[schrodingerscockroach]

It was an AI.

The human mind is capable of a lot of speed and processing power, more than most computers, they just can't effectively use it. An AI, however, can. Faster reaction time, able to process information more thoroughly and near instantly, and capable of running specialized equipment without the delay of a neutral transmitter.

But an AI is a person. I've remembered a few other agents with theirs. There were problems, sure, but I know at least two pairs managed to maintain their connection for years. [He assumes Epsilon was meant to be with Carolina.] So if things went well, pros seemed to outweigh the cons.

[malignstar]

It sounds like an unnecessary mess just for a faster thought process.

[schrodingerscockroach]

There's this shield made of segments of hard light we had. Bubble shield, but it was two ways. Nothing could get in, but nothing could get out. Real nasty piece of work if you fired a gun in a Bubble Shield, that bullet would just ricochet and could end up killing yourself.

An AI jacked into a human can allow for the human to fire in precise timing to turn off segments of that shield to allow bullets to leave the shield and kill the enemy, and not let a single shot get through to hit them.

Could run like that for a few hours. In theory, they could kill hundreds of enemies all on their own without suffering a single injury.

[malignstar]

I see. To you, the value of union of the union was worth the perversion of the soul. But you had something different as well. A choice.

This does not feel voluntary.

[schrodingerscockroach]

Extinction or highly dangerous experiments, great choice, really.

Do you know why he's afraid of you?

[malignstar]

Because he believes I am some uncontrollable aspect of himself. Something that is wrong with him.

I may be a curse, but the only thing I care about is our protection.

[schrodingerscockroach]

The latter part is a fear of himself and self blame which is honestly a problem on this train.

And the first part is a fear of being 'uncontrollable.'

But that's the thing. You're not some wild, out of control thing.

[malignstar]

[ Well, most of the time... ]

Where is this going?

[schrodingerscockroach]

Obviously, Felix is forgiving. Stupidly forgiving in some cases, but if it's to help with inner peace, might as well go with it.

He's afraid of you because he thinks he's you and often people like him are a hundred times harsher on themselves over others. And he thinks he's you and that you're an uncontrollable urge for wanton destruction.

His fear is based entirely on a misunderstanding of the situation. If he understood, it would probably go a lot better than you think it will.

[malignstar]

It is not my intention for him to believe he is a monster. If I could share the truth, I would.

[schrodingerscockroach]

I'm not saying anything about your intention.

I'm saying you're judging his reaction to the situation based on his complete misunderstanding of what the situation is.

It's like trying to judge if someone likes chocolate when they've only eaten pinecones.

[malignstar]

I am judging based on precaution and not wanting to send this system into shock. If I am to attempt anything, it cannot be while I am in control.


[ And he's still not planning on giving that up for the near future. ]

[schrodingerscockroach]

So what are you planning to do?

Because I'm pretty sure missing days of time is also pretty shocking.

[malignstar]

As I said, I shall remain in control for now. Until proper precautions can be made.

[schrodingerscockroach]

Which will just make a bigger black out, which leads to more fear and confusion when he's aware again....

Do you have any idea what these precautions should even be?

[malignstar]

Making sure his team does not allow this again.

[schrodingerscockroach]

And have you talked to them?

[malignstar]

I have tried. They have concern with my methods.

[schrodingerscockroach]

The whole forcing Felix into a coma thing?

[malignstar]

How many times do I have to explain it before your thick skull can process? He was already unconscious from his... death here. I just took over.

[schrodingerscockroach]

That's unconscious. Coma is a prolonged form of unconsciousness.

Unless he'd be incapable of waking up on his own, you're keeping him in a coma.

[malignstar]

He's fine. It does not affect his physical state. He will not even remember it. It will be little different from waking from a dream. And when he does, I will have secured our situation.

[schrodingerscockroach]

Whether or not he's fine, it's still a method that would worry the people that care about him.

Because it should worry them.

Having someone put under without their consent is bad. Even if the intentions are good, it's one of those grey area things at best.

[malignstar]

That said, they are not even aware. They just disapprove of my manner of handling threats.