TEST DRIVE MEME #1

[neosapienmods]

JANUARY TEST DRIVE

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1: SPRAWLING WASTELAND, GLOWING IN THE DARK

No sunlight reaches the Underground, but there is rain: grey, oily droplets that slowly trickle down from the city above, seeping through layers of concrete until they drip from broken light fixtures onto the aptly named black markets below. The glow of neon signs keeps the shadows at bay, just barely. What was once a system of utility tunnels and basement bunkers is now a warren of tiny shops offering reprogrammed ID chips and back-alley cybernetic upgrades, where hitmen and slave traders operate with lawless impunity. But someone is always watching... the eyes of Yakashbah, graffitied in bioluminescent paint, stare unblinking from the walls.

People come to this place for only two reasons: they're either looking for something, or they're trying not to be found. Whatever your reason, the Underground welcomes you.

2: A MIND OF DARKNESS, A HEART OF LIGHT

Outside of manicured parks and glass-enclosed vertical farms, green space is rare in New Gate City, so the elites flaunt their wealth in private rooftop gardens. Fragrant, exotic flowers bloom amidst strings of lanterns, and real grass - an extravagant luxury - carpets the ground beneath partygoers' feet as they sip champagne and admire the dark cityscape below. Tonight, one of the Douman Zaibatsu's myriad charity organizations hosts its annual fundraising gala... but this year, the special guests attract even more attention than the celebrities and fashionistas in attendance. Representatives from the Neo Sapien Organization have been invited to speak on the topic of Human/Meta-human relations, and to raise money on behalf of job placement programs for impoverished Metas in the Last Ward. Of course, most within the Douman Zaibatsu would prefer that these "job placement programs" send Metas to the farms far outside New Gate City (or better yet, to the lunar strip mines), but at least for tonight, members of both factions hide behind false smiles and false words.

3: AS FEAR'S REPLICATING, YOUR WORDS RESONATING

Someone gasps, and everyone looks up. Arcadia's central shopping district goes silent, save for the distant sound of pop tunes played over tinny speakers, as a massive black banner unfurls down the side of a building. A crudely drawn eye fills the banner, bisected by a line of white paint... the unofficial symbol of the Meta rights movement. People start to whisper, and somewhere, there's a cheer. Police drones buzz through the air above.

Meta rights protests aren't uncommon in this part of New Gate City, even though they're soon dispersed by local security forces. This banner, too, will be quickly taken down and destroyed, but the photos and videos of the event will be harder to suppress. Already, the bystanders are murmuring to each other, some in support and some in fear. Others keep their heads down, wary of expressing their true feelings about the rising numbers of Meta-humans. And as security forces move to block off the area, others are frantically trying to disappear.

4: A NEW HOPE GLISTENS OFF THE STREETS

The blocks surrounding the Neo Sapien Organization's headquarters in the Middle Ward are like an oasis at the center of an otherwise inhospitable city. Old buildings have been renovated into bright and cheerful apartments that accommodate a variety of Meta-human physiologies, Meta schools and Meta-owned businesses are flourishing, and Meta-friendly shops and cafes line the streets.

The best coffee in the Middle Ward can be found at The Mean Bean, just across from the NSO building, where the shop's fire-breathing Meta owner personally roasts every batch. NSO employees and and other patrons of the popular cafe congregate to discuss local news and gossip: a proposed Meta registration and identification law, rumors of vigilante gangs near the border with the Last Ward, and rivalries between NSO university sports teams. Arguments occasionally grow heated (especially when it comes to sports), but overall the atmosphere is friendly and congenial.

5: WITHIN THE CHAOS, I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE

The Last Ward's electrical grid is reliably unreliable, but blackouts on this scale are rare. Half the ward has been dark for the past three days, save for a few emergency generators and dwindling battery backups. As winter winds batter old, drafty concrete apartment blocks, the residents grow restless and frustrated. Police have already put down several riots, but there's no stopping the spike in looting and other petty crimes.

In the Parish, many people have opted to barricade themselves inside their homes until the blackout ends, but others are taking advantage of the chaos. Most, though, have chosen to band together to protect each other throughout the long nights. The people of the Parish may not have much, but at least they have a sense of community.

Comments

[mammal_robot]

2. The well dressed robot

This is HARDLY the first social event Robo has done surrounded by people who low key hate his very existence. Their backhanded compliments and subtle barbs bounce off of him like small arms fire off of a tank. The 5’6”, quarter ton, humanoid robot wore a tasteful business suit and held a champagne flute in one hand, though obviously he wasn’t drinking any of it, and looked perfectly at ease as he told a story about a time he’d been dropped into the English Channel with his legs broken off and waiting in England, so he had been forced to drag himself along the sea floor to get them back.

The story ended with Robo crawling out of the surf not too far from Dorchester and getting his legs back from an Irishman, so it all ended okay. After finishing his story, Robo excused himself from the conversation to get some fresh air. Even if your “metabolism” requires only a chunk of uranium every ten years or so, after dealing with the disgustingly wealthy, ANYONE would need a breath of fresh air.

Atomic Robo was something of a well known media figure that you have probably seen on TV, and even if you haven’t, now would be an excellent chance to ask him if that ridiculous story was true.

4. Metal fingers do not pair well with touch screens screens.

Atomic Robo enjoyed the atmosphere of the Mean Bean. It was often a good place to get work down when he was tired of his office and wanted a change of scenery. He sometimes bought drinks for other people, since he couldn’t drink them himself but the staff got annoyed if he sat around for too long without buying anything.

Today, however, he was on the phone (metaphorically. His phone was installed directly into his head.) with tech support over his new tablet.

“Yes....yes...Yes the problem is with the touch screen, it’s my fingers, you see, they done-...right. Yes, obviously it’s not a problem that everyone is going to have to deal with but-...look more people have prosthetic limbs every day! It’s not just me! Yes but-...Yes I’ll hold.”

2 - Hi Eric!

[forgetstheplan]

The previous singer in this little event trots past on feline legs, pausing for a moment to look Robo up and down before his lips quirk in a genuine smile.

"You don't look the type, I'll give you that." Normally, he wouldn't be here, and he's cold in his "exotic" outfit, but hey. Money's good, and so's the exposure. If he has to croon to a crowd of people (who'd rather see him ruining himself with physical labor) for the sake of the future, so be it.

hey

[mammal_robot]

Robo glanced over to see who was addressing him. No one he knew, but definitely another ambassador, if the legs were any indication.

"The type to what?"

[forgetstheplan]

That earns an eyebrow raise.

"The type to schmooze." Like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Or at least enjoy it. I'd ask if you want a drink, but..."

[mammal_robot]

"Schmoozing is a vital skill for minorities, whether you're AI or metahuman. Just as important"

He held up the champagne he had already. "As is making humans feel at ease. Thanks for the offer."

[forgetstheplan]

"... Can you actually drink that, was more the question." His smile returns. "And do you like the music?" His performance may be over, but a review's a review.

[mammal_robot]

"I don't have a mouth, much less a digestive track. How would I drink it? It's all for show." He said with a small shrug.

"I've always had more of a taste for the 1950s big band sound. Sinatra and all that jazz, you know? You're a good singer, though."

[forgetstheplan]

"I don't know your physiology." He's not making any guesses. "Thanks, though. I appreciate it."

[mammal_robot]

"Better you singing than me. No one wants that."

4 im sorry he just really likes robots

[psychokinesia]

While Robo has been busy arguing on the phone, someone has been slowly creeping into his space. First staring from a couple tables away, then moving over to the table next to his, then getting up and very casually just... sitting down across from him, staring, occasionally sipping at his very cold drink with a weird smile on his face.

At least he's polite enough to wait for the call to go on hold before introducing himself.

"So. Tech support, am I right?" Wait, no, he's not going to do that, he's just going to start awkwardly harassing them like a weird fanboy (he might be a weird fanboy). "I mean, you're completely right, it's not like that kind of modification would even be hard to implement, it's just that those corporate idiots would rather pay some 10-IQ moron to give you the runaround rather than put their money into making any improvements. They'll probably be tripping over themselves trying to add that feature as soon as some human celebrity decides that metal prosthetics are in again, ehehehe."

I love it

[mammal_robot]

"I'll probably just switch back to an iPad. Those work, but my last one got-" broken in half by nazi cyborgs in a way that PROBABLY wouldn't be canon in the game but I can play fast and loose with during a testdrive thread. "-ruined."

Robo actually glanced over at the kid and started to wonder if he was going to have to sign an autograph. "I'm normally pretty good with faces but I'm having trouble placing yours..."

[psychokinesia]

"Oh, you wouldn't know me. Of course, I probably don't have to tell you that, an AI can process and store information far more efficiently than the human brain ever can, so facial recognition can be done in a snap— though perhaps if there's a massive enough bank of faces for comparison it might take longer to fully process, so either you've accumulated enough stored data for it to be faster to request the correct information prior to a database check or you're simulating human social norms by asking something before making a guess without one-hundred-percent certainty and risking an awkward mistake— can you 'feel' awkward? Is that something you're capable of? Or do only respond to others giving an awkward reaction?"

Add, apparently, does not 'feel' awkward, because he just said all of that in one breath while progressively leaning further across the table. He might also literally be sparkling right now. He can't help it that he becomes a static-generator when he gets excited.

[mammal_robot]

“Oh I am definitely capable of feeling awkward.” Robo assured him, while feeling awkward. He was spot on about Robo having a gazillion faces in his memory to sort through, though. Eventually an internal message popped up that said “face not found” in the corner of his vision. This was definitely a fan.

More immediately concerning was the sparks he was starting to generate, which could cause havoc to Robo’s internal systems. As Add leaned forwards, Robo leaned backwards. “You really don’t have a lot of experience talking to AIs do you?”

[psychokinesia]

"I— have lots of experience!" It's hard to tell if he's taken the hint, but he does stop creeping forward when his knowledge is suddenly brought into question. He just met this cool robot celebrity! He can't be leaving him with the impression that he's some kind of mundane loser! "Years of experience! I probably talk to AIs more than I do people!"

... well, none of that is wrong, per se. Though it probably says more about his social skills in general than his experience with machines.

"I suppose it wasn't quite as advanced as you probably are, though... b-but I think it's amazing! The potential of artificial life that could surpass even our own. You think so, too, right? Of course you do."

[mammal_robot]

"I'm not trying to surpass anyone. I like humans fine." He was very firm on this. A few movies about robot apocalypses and suddenly everyone was convinced AIs were going to wipe humanity out the first chance they got.

"But let me make sure I've got this straight. You talk to AIs more than you talk to humans-" humans, not 'people'. "but you've only talked to one AI?"

[psychokinesia]

"Well, at length I mean. Of course I've spoken to more AIs than that." Most of them just seem to avoid him afterwards, for some reason. Maybe... they're shy?? "It's not about trying to surpass anyone, either, machines are simply superior by design. That's just an objective fact, kuku."

More importantly, he was just corrected—he can't help but grin wide at that, eyes sparkling again. Not only does Robo have a distinct personality and sense of self, but he gets defensive about it! Is it possible he might even feel offended? Can he get angry? Ahhh, it's so tempting to try and find out...!

"Technology truly is amazing," he sighs to himself, already beginning to space out as he thinks of more and more questions he wants to ask.

[mammal_robot]

It's definitely because they're shy and not because after one minute of conversation Robo already kind of wants to stuff Add in a trash can. He's doing his best to be patient, though. "Are you kidding? Humans are brilliant, creative, and capable of INCREDIBLE feats, especially with the rise of Metahumans. I think you're all pretty darn impressive, considering you were all made by untrained labor."

2

[lightnovelexperiences]

Huh. The atomic robo.

Jess is trying to be polite and not stare, but her damn ears are on a swivel, following his every word while she tried to focus on giving her I'm a metahuman activist, see we're friendly, AMA spiel to some kid with buck teeth and infoglasses.

Fortunately, she needs the fresh air too - she likes interacting with kids but it also takes a lot out of her - and just happens to go out on the same balcony.

"Can you drink that?" she asks him. "Or is it just like. A gesture. To seem... more normal."

In a tone implying that she can relate.

[mammal_robot]

"It's a gesture." He confirmed. "If I don't have a drink, waiters tend to hover around awkwardly, wondering if they should serve me despite me not having a mouth."

[lightnovelexperiences]

She stops herself from crowing I knew it and just nods that this makes sense to her.

"Must be exhausting," she says. "I know I'd hate that. But... thanks. For coming out, and dealing with the stupid questions, and being, for lack of a better term, human at these bastards. It's not easy."

She offers a hand.

"Jessica Michaels," she says. "I'm a public speaker for the Org, among other things."

[mammal_robot]

"Atomic Robo." He figured she knew, but it felt rude to just assume people know who you are. "Pleased to meet you, Ms. Michaels."

"I'm not actually officially with the Org, but we-" AIs "-have gone through our own struggles. It would be incredibly heartless to not put my lot in with you after everything I've gone through to gain acceptance."

[lightnovelexperiences]

"The pleasure is mine."

She pauses. "I've heard a lot of stories about you. Most of them weren't very flattering, if I'm going to be honest. And none that bear much relation to what I've seen tonight."

She sips her own drink.

"Funny how that works, isn't it?" she says, her tail twirling lazily.

[mammal_robot]

"Look up some of the stuff from the 90s. People liked me better in the 90s."

He really had mastered the art of swirling around champagne to make it look like he was doing something with it without actually having to drink any of it. If he was careful, he could keep it looking slightly bubbly for hours. "Of course back then there were a LOT less Metahumans and AIs around and everyone felt like they had a better grip on things. Now, people are starting to realize we're here to stay and we won't shut up."

[lightnovelexperiences]

"Suresure. You were a curiosity back then. And then you were an annoyance. And now you're a threat."

This is a trajectory that Jess is all too familiar with. She sighs, leaning against the railing, looking up at the stars. She really shouldn't have done the pink and gold hanbok.

"Well. We are really a threat. Just not to the people in general," she opines.

[mammal_robot]

Robo froze in place for about half a second, spending a moment to give thanks to how much easier it is to keep a straight face it is when you only have one mobile facial feature. When he spoke again, his voice was elaborately casual. “Perhaps, perhaps not. I personally am hoping everyone can come together without any major conflicts. It seems a stretch but I like to aim high.”

Jessica’s phone dinged in her pocket, alerting her of an unread text. It was from Atomic Robo, and read “Assume everything we say and do here is being recorded.”

Hands free Internet is a lot easier for an AI.