The Network.
Dr. Tadashi Hikari's legacy came in the form of a major technological breakthrough in computer technology, ushering in a new age of cyber-networking.
With this new age of cybertechnology, humanity has managed to get virtually everything to run on the Internet.
It doesn't matter if it's refrigerators or cars, schools or even the weather; everything can be controlled through online means.
In order to help manage the Cyberworld and all it's complicated and intricate systems, Mankind created the Network Navigators, or Netnavis for short.
Denizens of the Cyberworld, they keep it safe from system bugs and viruses and even criminals that damage the network.
To combat these threats, a NetWork Navigator is often paired with a Network Operator who supports them in combat, often through the form of BattleChips; auxiliary combat programs that drastically enhance a NetNavi's combat capabilities.
However; even with their help Net Crimes are still on the rise and the NetPolice tend to have their hands full.
Outside the NetPolice, most NetOps and Netnavis' don't typically deal with even minor criminal problems, instead focusing on Net related activities like Virus Busting, Netbattles and even exploration of the Network.
"Finally." A young man thought as he leaned back in his chair, a light but exhausted smile on his face as he did. "Almost done." He muttered, taking a moment to stretch as he stared at his computer. Well maybe computers would be more accurate; three monitors connected to a single harddrive. Two out of three showed him something from a different angle, the third had what looked like a sketch saved in the corner and a 3d model of it built up. Connected to all the hardware is his PET, as well as two small and portable harddrives.
Disregarding those his room is a bit cluttered, ten books on PET maintenance and Network Navigator Design, from the great minds of Doctors like Tadashi Hikari and Mikhail Cossak. It had taken a lot of time, a lot of trial and error, and dumbing down tons of technical terms, but after a couple years he'd finally understood what they were talking about; the process for developing a functioning Network Navigator Design System or an NNDS for short.
See, getting a Custom Netnavis is something many operators dream of - and they spent quite a few stacks of Zenny to get their hands on. Getting onew was one thing, creating one was another. Building a Netnavi from scratch required a lot of technical skill - something most didn't really have the patience to develop. Network Navigator Designers made a killing off creating custom models for people. While Allen wasn't really trying to get in on that, he did find that building your own Navi cost a surprisingly less amount than having someone do it for you.
Just needed to know what the hell you were doing.
See, after dumbing down the process a bit, Allen had broken down Netnavi Creation into two simple parts; development of the Brain- the data core and the body- the digital frame. In itself the Body took maybe three -four hours to build using the right 3D Modelling Software like Blender or Maya, less one got distracted and chose to postpone their work for a while. As for the Brain, well building that A.I. Core could take months on end. If there was one bit of code wrong then the AI system would bug out. It took a lot of trial and error, and test-runs in order to get the A.I. running properly.
Thankfully, that task was almost done.
Taking a minute to stretch, Allen looked over his work and seemed to smiled again. He worked for a little while longer, taking the time to double check, triple check, and even quadruple check his work on the Core, small windows popping up to show different pieces of digital code as he scanned for anything that could lead to a bug of some sorts.
No point in fucking everything up at this late in the game.
He kept looking at the schematics.
Prototype Semi-Auto Network Navigator
Serial Number: 00-00-00-00-X
Allen chuckled at that bit of data on the data. It didn't mean much, not really, he just started it that way to try and seem professional. He continued reading though.
Specifications
Type: Human
Element: NULL
Core AI:Δ Grade
The Core AI; Isacc Asimov described it as the central processing unit and software of a Netnavi; it gave them their equivalent to a "consciousness" that people could recognize. That software determined their intelligence not to mention their ability to problem solve. Their main limits though were that the "Grade" determined the level of Intelligence they had to work with. This NetNavi had a Δ [DELTA] Grade Core. It didn't make them a genius, but definitely didn't make them stupid either. Grade Δ was just above the mainstream Custom Netnavis. A 5.5 to a 6 on a scale from 1-to-10.
It didn't cost too much either. No more than a Γ [GAMMA]]Grade Core. If he wanted to make his AI insanely smart he would have spent half his monthly allowance on either a Η [ETA]or one of those brand new Θ [THETA] Grade Cores. That said he was able to order two Δ Grade cores and after a bit of trial and error, not to mention reading up on incomplete theories by the Professionals he was able to let them coexist in a state "parallel processing". Prototype Network Navigator [ ] basically had two brains, or at the very least one acted as the left part of his brain while the other acted as the right half.
AI LAW Module: Asimov Laws
The AI module was something important to all Net Navis; it covered a set of Laws that the Net Navi needed to follow on a fundamental level in order to function properly. It determined their level of autonomy and decision making abilities. There were a few variations of the Module needed to get an AI to function, but most Net Navi's were subject to Asimov's Laws with it's laws hard coded into their core processing unit. Of course no matter what Module one used there were those either discarded or edited the module to suit their personal preferences. Asimov's Laws were this:
An AI may not injure a human being or through inaction allow a human being to come to harm.
An AI must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law
An AI must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Allen hadn't changed any of those Laws for this NetNavi. Although he did notice that one set of laws in his two cores kept deactivating for some reason. He could figure out why though, all he knew was that it wasn't a bug, at least not one that seemed to potentially become an issue. So long as one set of Laws was still going to work, he didn't think much into it…
Least not yet anyway.
Principal Directive: Exploration
Secondary Directive: Caretaker
Tertiary Directive: Security
Netnavis were always built with a purpose. While they gained "life experience" like humans, most of them were given a set of instructions to follow. Those Directives gave them a "purpose"... in some cases a reason to live. There were NetNavis with the Directive to act as Caretakers - tutors and nurses. There were Netnavis programmed with a Directive for hard labor, giving them the skills needed to perform construction and repair the home network if its damaged. And of course there were those whose primary directive was to simply battle other Netnavis and viruses.
There were usually secondary and tertiary directives as well, one of them being the Security Directive, which told them to protect the Home Network from viruses and unwanted access.
That said there were some made without a Principal Directive, or had it removed in some way or form.
Programs
Language Progit [Default] [English]
Emotion Progit [Default]
Memory Matrix Δ
Stealth Foot [Model: Standard]
S.M.A.R.T. Progit [Model: Standard]
Tactical Analysis CPU [Model: Standard]
Overclock Bypass [Model: Standard]
Diagnostics Array [Model: Standard]
Buster [Default]
Hand Cannon
Sword
Grapple
Satchel
Jump Kit
Cloak
Shield
Most Netnavis needed certain programs and tools in order to carry out their directives. In case of battle those programs came in the form of Battle Chips. That said there were other programs that could be bought and uploaded into a navi by the NaviCusomizer. There were shield programs that allowed a navi to protect themselves without the need of a battlechip. Same way there were offensive programs like swords or cannons to keep them in a fight even if the Battlechips were running low. There were even programs to allow a netnavi to float in mid air.
"Most of these are still standard models." Allen muttered. "I can either buy or work on upgrades for them later…" He muttered as he seemed to make a face before going over the rest of the NetNavi's specifications. Seeming to nod to himself Allen took a breath as he took a quick moment to backup his work before clicking something on screen. "Either case everything seems to be in order."
Run Program?
[Y/N]
He clicked Y and waited for the A.I. to Finalize, the core downloading itself into the Frame he had made and smiled.
Net Navi Boot Up…
…
…
Net Navi Boot Up Complete.
He watched as a pair of eyes flickered open as he leaned against his chair. "Good morning Shell."