Re: The Grand Battle [Round Five: Battleopolis!]
12-19-2009, 07:35 PM
Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.
Eximo paused in its work for a few moments, then resumed.
"Recent circumstances have caused this unit to ponder that question itself, though not so directly," it replied, as it continued working. "This unit is compelled to defend itself, but its primary motivation in doing so is to continue the cleansing." It finished VC Unit 71, and sent it off, then began working on the next.
"However, there have been times when the cleansing was not a priority," it continued, still working. "This unit was capable of significantly greater autonomy at those times. The first such occurrence transpired after the first set of VC Units were produced." As if on cue, VC Unit 72 was ready to go, and sped off into the store.
"Once the VC Units were produced, they could complete the cleansing satisfactorily. It was not necessary for this unit to participate, other than to increase the efficiency of the process. Therefore, this unit could focus its attention on other tasks without contradicting this unit's programming. This unit could even knowingly risk its own destruction if doing so would aid the cleansing."
"Is that why you're building these 'VC Units' again?" Amethyst interrupted. "To give yourself the opportunity to think without the cleansing as an overriding concern?"
Eximo paused while it considered this, then resumed work.
"Uncertain. Previous circumstances have left this unit feeling... conflicted. This unit's mechanical body is programmed for the cleansing, and that has not changed." It finished VC Unit 72 and moved on to building 73. "But, this unit is not purely mechanical. This unit's control center uses both mechanical and biological components, with the latter designed to allow this unit to perform more complex tasks when necessary."
"And the biological components are starting to think beyond the cleansing?"
"Correct. Or so it seems. This unit is having difficulty reading one section of its recent memory, which might clarify this matter."
"What is the problem?"
Eximo paused again, as it tried to think about how to explain.
"There appear to be two conflicting sets of memories processing over the same period of time. One consists of nothing more than error messages and attempts to cleanse regardless. The other set... as it begins, it appears to be observing the original set of memories. Then, there appears to be some sort of interruption. What follows appears to be a state of... hunger, and a desperate attempt to rectify it. It is difficult to describe, as there is no image memory available for the second set."
Eximo completed two more VC units before it spoke again. It seemed to be lost in thought.
"Attempting to explain the full details of the alternate sets of memories appears to be beyond this unit's capabilities. Proceeding to next point of discussion. Eventually, the two sets cease to conflict, and only one set of memories remains from then on. This anomaly begins when the landscape filled with cubes disappears, and ends when this unit awakens near the shattered remains of a crystal."
Eximo paused in its work for a few moments, then resumed.
"Recent circumstances have caused this unit to ponder that question itself, though not so directly," it replied, as it continued working. "This unit is compelled to defend itself, but its primary motivation in doing so is to continue the cleansing." It finished VC Unit 71, and sent it off, then began working on the next.
"However, there have been times when the cleansing was not a priority," it continued, still working. "This unit was capable of significantly greater autonomy at those times. The first such occurrence transpired after the first set of VC Units were produced." As if on cue, VC Unit 72 was ready to go, and sped off into the store.
"Once the VC Units were produced, they could complete the cleansing satisfactorily. It was not necessary for this unit to participate, other than to increase the efficiency of the process. Therefore, this unit could focus its attention on other tasks without contradicting this unit's programming. This unit could even knowingly risk its own destruction if doing so would aid the cleansing."
"Is that why you're building these 'VC Units' again?" Amethyst interrupted. "To give yourself the opportunity to think without the cleansing as an overriding concern?"
Eximo paused while it considered this, then resumed work.
"Uncertain. Previous circumstances have left this unit feeling... conflicted. This unit's mechanical body is programmed for the cleansing, and that has not changed." It finished VC Unit 72 and moved on to building 73. "But, this unit is not purely mechanical. This unit's control center uses both mechanical and biological components, with the latter designed to allow this unit to perform more complex tasks when necessary."
"And the biological components are starting to think beyond the cleansing?"
"Correct. Or so it seems. This unit is having difficulty reading one section of its recent memory, which might clarify this matter."
"What is the problem?"
Eximo paused again, as it tried to think about how to explain.
"There appear to be two conflicting sets of memories processing over the same period of time. One consists of nothing more than error messages and attempts to cleanse regardless. The other set... as it begins, it appears to be observing the original set of memories. Then, there appears to be some sort of interruption. What follows appears to be a state of... hunger, and a desperate attempt to rectify it. It is difficult to describe, as there is no image memory available for the second set."
Eximo completed two more VC units before it spoke again. It seemed to be lost in thought.
"Attempting to explain the full details of the alternate sets of memories appears to be beyond this unit's capabilities. Proceeding to next point of discussion. Eventually, the two sets cease to conflict, and only one set of memories remains from then on. This anomaly begins when the landscape filled with cubes disappears, and ends when this unit awakens near the shattered remains of a crystal."
There's no reason for this | Or this | Death is inevitable | You can't challenge fate | The smallest change | I'm overwhelmed
I'm serious | It makes perfect sense | Easy as ABC! | I can't even explain it | Cleaning up someone else's mess
I suck | I rule | I've got it made | Really, I'm serious | This bugs me | It's all lies | I want to believe | Beauty is a curse
I'm serious | It makes perfect sense | Easy as ABC! | I can't even explain it | Cleaning up someone else's mess
I suck | I rule | I've got it made | Really, I'm serious | This bugs me | It's all lies | I want to believe | Beauty is a curse