Discovery #32

[saikyocivrobo]

[1] First things first, once again thanks to everyone who kept talking to me when I wasn't myself. If you didn't do it, I probably wouldn't be able to regain my senses enough to tell you how to disable Prometheus. Who knows what might've happened then... Oh, and everything I said back then? I wasn't being myself, so don't take it to heart. In fact, it's best if you forget it all. Cough cough.

Anyway. When I was insane, there was a direct connection between my mind and Prometheus' database. I managed to pull out some vital information out of it, and I think I owe everyone an explanation. Grab something to drink and sit down, this is going to be long.


Two ancient, powerful creatures used to reside on Earth. I say used to, because only one of them is still here. I guess you could call them gods, but I don't think they really are divine beings. More like ancient aliens with ridiculous powers. In any case, one of them is Baphomet, the same one we fought, and he's deeply connected to nature. The other one is Artifex, connected to technology. Artifex loves humanity because they create more and more inventions and devices, while Baphomet despises them for spoiling the natural world. But make no mistake in calling Artifex good. He's still a jerk.

The two of them got on each other's nerves constantly, but when the Second Impact happened, everything broke lose. Baphomet decided to kill humanity for causing all the destruction to Earth, Artifex didn't want to let him. They fought for 15 years. Neither had the ability to kill the other, but in the end Baphomet managed to banish Artifex to a dimensional pocket. He's still there, and I doubt he'll ever break out. Before he was banished, though, he managed to build two robots and send them to different locations, to help humans fight against Baphomet's minions. Yup, that's Prometheus and Epimetheus. They had an additional purpose, though - enter a contract with a human pilot, hone his skills and abilities over time, but also slowly drill into his psyche, to make it vulnerable. And when the time is right? Make him go crazy, make him hate all Baphomet represents. Artifex cannot kill his rival, but humans can. He doesn't care about our planet, as long as we're safe as a race, and Baphomet is gone. See what I said about being a jerk?

What Baphomet said is true. He is deeply connected to this planet - if he dies, all of Earth's biosphere dies with him. We obviously can't have that, but we can't let him run around and do what he wants either. He's resting in hiding somewhere now, waiting until he recovers his full strength. I don't know when that happens, but we have a few weeks, maybe months. When he appears again, we'll have another solution ready for him. And I happen to know just what it might be.

I managed to find plans for a mechanism in Prometheus' database. It seems to copy the effect of the ability Baphomet used on Artifex. It was never completed, but it might be our best chance here. I remember it so well that I can draw the schematics from memory... But I cannot build it myself. I'm a chemist, not an engineer. I will need help constructing it. Please, lend your help to me.

[2] [Werter is watching Prometheus and Epimetheus run inside giant hamster wheels. The wheels are connected to a power generator.]

Run, run, you still need to make many more gigawatts to make up for the trouble you caused. And no complaining! You got off easy anyway.

Comments

[emorangerpink]

Well I can help you figure out how much of what it needs we've got and how much we'll have to hunt for, at least.

...I'm surprised Artifex is so unpleasant about artificial life.

1/2

[saikyocivrobo]

Some rare compounds will be required, but here's where my chemistry comes in. I won't just sit on the side and watch as the engineers do all the work, you know.

2/2

[saikyocivrobo]

And he isn't, just like he isn't obsessed with justice. The possession, if we call it like that, twists the pilot's personality, but it doesn't make him think like Artifex.

...I think.

[emorangerpink]

So some of what you said to Tatsu...

...Well. Like you said. You weren't yourself.

And I assume you're going to talk to Miki, if you haven't already. So I can just leave it.

[saikyocivrobo]

It was the part of me that cares about humanity as a whole, taken out of proportion and in a wrong direction. Artifex can do that to you. Glad it's over.

And yes, I already talked to Miki. [Werter points at the part of his face that's still reddened from the slap.]

[emorangerpink]

Hmmm. [Laura tries not to sound satisfied. She doesn't entirely succeed.]

Well then. So... what does this mean for Prometheus and Epimetheus? Are they... I mean, they didn't know what effect they were having on you and Herb?

[saikyocivrobo]

It certainly wasn't a conscious decision on their part, just a part of their programming. And according to Prometheus, he didn't know it was going on.

...He could be lying, of course.

[emorangerpink]

But you don't think he is.

Is there any danger of them having more programming like that? Something to release Artifex once Baphomet's sealed away, that sort of thing?

[saikyocivrobo]

Here's the thing: I'm not sure if he is. But what am I supposed to do? There's no point in punishing him forever, I'm not even certain if he's really sentient. And he's too useful.

What I'm sure about, however, is that this is not going to happen again. The programming was a one-time thing, both me and Herb should be immune to the process now, and if it somehow started again, we'd know. And I'm not sure if there even is a way to release Artifex. I didn't find anything about that in the data banks, at least.

[emorangerpink]

So now you can both power up like that with no drawbacks? That's... handy.

...Are you all right, though?

[saikyocivrobo]

I'm tired, but also relieved. Going crazy was not a pleasant experience, and it's a huge breath of fresh air to be free from it.

And, more importantly, I'm relieved that I finally know what's going on. Prometheus, Baphomet, Artifex... None of them are a mystery anymore.