S1-145
Reboot?
3:19 PM
09/24/3272
Planet Vez-2 - Low orbit
Music
Titanfall - OST 01
As Michael was patrolling Vez-2's orbit, keeping an eye to the skies, he was contacted by Asher Mir. "Michael W Johnson, could you please come pick up your Exo? This Golem is starting to freak me out..."
"I'm, uh... on my way?" Michael was just plain confused now.
3:25 PM
09/24/3272
Jupiter's moon, Io - Echo Mesa
The Rupture
Music
Destiny 2 - Echo Mesa
When he touched down on Io, Michael spotted Tanner-21 at an improvised outpost near the area of the Pyramidion, and he wasn't alone. An Awoken Warlock with a Vex construct replacing his right arm stood right behind the Exo, back turned to the Golem.
SCANNING...
COUNSEL ID RECOGNIZED
1: Asher Mir
Fragmented Researcher
Tanner-21's hands were a blur on the console, and he was spewing all sorts of mathematical and scientific equations too fast to hear properly. "How did... THIS happen? I've never seen Tanner like this." Michael wondered.
"I observed as this Golem decimated the Vex with little to no effort, and I may have told him that he seems better at shooting than he is at thinking. Without warning, he took over my post, and immediately began work on decrypting highly complex Vex geometric algorithmic conversion mechanisms. Michael, get this Exo out of here! He is creeping me out!"
Michael shook Tanner-21's left shoulder. "Sorry, Michael. Not right now. I can't afford to be distracted. I do hope you understand." Did he... Did he just quote Devrim?
"Tanner, you're freaking Asher out. You need to relax."
At that, Tanner-21 stopped the Vex decryption. "Yeah, you're right. I guess I've been a little on edge lately. I don't know why. My head just feels weird."
As Tanner-21 had his Ghost transmat him out, Michael received another call. "This is IMC Pilot Michael W Johnson of Eagle-Eye 9-1, now known as City Hawk 723. How may I help you?"
"That's a mouthful." Asher stated.
"Michael, this is Devrim Kay. One of those Exo brothers has taken my post, and I'm not really sure why. Then again, he's been filling in for me while I was gone. He said something about an odd aching in his head, and that sniping always calms his nerves, and he's been using this Fallen Wire Rifle. Oh, and Ana Bray would like to have a word with you concerning Mark's highly irregular behavior on Mars. I'll patch her in."
On the comms, Ana was heard. "Michael, something strange is going on with Mark-18. He's been slaughtering the Cabal, but not like normal. I mean he's literally tearing them to pieces."
"Is MF-8472 there?" Michael asked.
"No, she's not. Mark also seems to be yelling, something about 'Psions getting in his head'? Surprise of the day: Rasputin is concerned."
"Well, Tanner said his head felt weird right before he left, and Devrim said the same thing about Hayden. Rasputin would reasonably be concerned about one of his Seraphs. Anything you got on this?"
"I think so. Come to Mars and I'll fill you in."
3:31 PM
09/24/3272
Planet Mars - Hellas Basin
Core Terminus
Lost Sector
Music
Destiny 2 - Hellas Basin
With the Hive cleared out, Ana entered the sector, approaching a terminal near a closed room. "Here we are. This terminal should have the information we need as to what's going on with the Exo brothers." Ana stated.
From the console, an AI playback started up. "The human mind in a mechanical body. We are at the cusp of major breakthroughs in making this a reality. Would you like to know more?" Michael hit 'YES' on the screen, causing the playback to continue. "Early experiments in Exo science managed to encode the human consciousness into a form that could be processed digitally. At the time, we believed that was the big hurdle to overcome in the creation of the Exo. Little did we know, the real challenge would be the phenomenon known as Dissociative Exomind Rejection. Nascent Proto-Exos developed serious symptoms of cognitive disorder that eventually led to death. It turned out the human mind would not reconcile its presence in a new 'body'. It took multiple iterations in design, but the Clovis Bray Corporation eventually developed several solutions. The first is to 'reboot' the mind once it has been transferred, allowing it to awaken inside its new shell as though it were being reborn. This has side effects of memory loss and fragmentation, but it's highly effective in the prevention of DER. The reboot process can be repeated multiple times to further the odds of survival. It is not currently known how many times a human consciousness can be rebooted, but scientists estimate it to be around 20. The second preventative measure to DER is to program certain 'humanisms' within Exos. As machines, they have not the physical needs to eat or reproduce like real humans, but artificially injecting that drive has been clinically proven to reduce the odds of DER. Further experimentation is required to perfect the Exo project, but you can be assured that Clovis Bray is at the forefront in the field of Exo science."
"So Mark, Hayden, and Tanner are beginning to experience Dissociative Exomind Rejection?" Michael questioned.
"Yeah, and they have to be rebooted or their minds snuff themselves out due to stress, and their Ghosts won't be able to fix that."
"How are we gonna break it to them?"
"I heard everything." Michael and Ana looked back, seeing Mark-18. "Let's get it over with."
3:49 PM
09/24/3272
Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Simulacrum maintenance center
Music
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - Save & Item Room
Within the IMC HQ's Simulacrum maintenance center, Ana Bray was given assistance to reboot Mark-18 from Mindsight and Spyglass, while Michael was out getting Hayden-10 and Tanner-21.
"I'm not sure if I can do this. I mean... I don't really know much about how to reboot an Exo." Ana was having doubts.
"I will check the schematics." Spyglass went to a scan terminal, analyzing Mark-18's construction. "Mindsight, if we can transfer his mind into a Simulacrum neural processor, will that terminate the requirement for a reboot?"
"{Transferring his mind while he's undergoing D.E.R might completely scramble his Exo brain, so I wouldn't do that.}"
"Hang on. Simulacrums and Exos are quite a bit similar; they both have a human mind. Do Simulacrums have a separate module for memories?"
"Affirmative, Ana Bray. Installing a Simulacrum memory cortex capacitor will prevent memory loss."
"How do Simulacrums handle the reboot process?"
"They do not. Simulacrums are not rebooted, yet they have not experienced Dissociative Exomind Rejection in any way, shape, or form. However, before the code rewriting done by the Traveler centuries ago, Pilots would experience memory loss as a result of Regeneration, regardless of being human or Simulacrum. The Pilot undergoing Regeneration will lose some of their memories during the process, and they will then be required to learn skills and earn equipment all over again." Spyglass explained.
"Whoa... OK, I think I've got it now."
"Adding Simulacrum memory cortex capacitor to Exo frame schematic. Adding wired integration. Initiating simulation." Hundreds upon thousands of lines of code blurred across the terminal screen for a few seconds until it cleared up, displaying a message that signaled a positive result.
Mark-18's metal cranium was opened up, allowing for the integration of the proposed IMC device. Upon connection, Mark-18's memories were transferred out of his main processor, but still connected with ready and immediate access.
In minutes, the reboot was complete, and the Exo was waking up. "Mark, you OK?" Ana asked.
"Hey, Ana. Wait... How do I still have my memories? Was I even rebooted?"
"Yeah, you were."
"My head doesn't feel weird anymore. What happened?"
"The integration of a Simulacrum memory cortex capacitor with your Exomind processor." Spyglass replied.
"I... I think my mind is starting to cope with being in a mechanical body."
"Would you call yourself Mark-19, or do you still want to be known as Mark-18?" Ana asked.
"I still feel a little woozy. Maybe it's not all done. Where's the Regeneration Chamber?"
"Out that door, down the hall, take a left, pass three intersections, and go through the door on your right." Spyglass instructed.
With that, Mark-18 left the room, guided by his Ghost.
3:52 PM
09/24/3272
Mark-18 returned, now sporting the patch of a 2nd Gen Pilot on his shoulder.
"Feeling better, Mark?" Ana asked.
"Much better. If Dissociative Exomind Rejection is caused by a cognitive disorder from being in a robot body, then I think that little modification and the Regeneration helped my mind cope. So, where are Hayden and Tanner?" As if on cue, Michael came in, followed by both of Mark-18's brothers. "Hayden, Tanner, good to see the both of you!"
"Mark, you haven't been rebooted yet?" Michael questioned.
"Modification and Regeneration. The Exo reboot process may no longer be required." Spyglass answered.
Hayden-10 lied down on the table, his Ghost scanning his entire mechanical structure as the Exo went to sleep. From the spare parts, another Simulacrum memory cortex capacitor was procured.
Surprisingly, Hayden-10's internal blueprint was almost identical to Mark-18's, meaning that the exact same modding procedure could be done. But he would be questioned on the unique internal components another time.
Once Hayden-10 woke back up, he was escorted to the Regeneration Chamber, returning a few minutes later with a 2nd Gen patch on his shoulder.
Tanner-21 was up next, and he came back without any problems.
Three 2nd Gen Pilot Exos.
"I'm not going by Hayden-11, that's for sure."
"Don't get your hopes up about seeing Tanner-22 as my name. Not gonna happen."
"Good to see you're all OK. By the way, what happened to your old Guardian loadouts?" Michael asked.
"Those? Yeah, we lost them when our ships crashed; a Cabal mercenary named Bracus Zahn shot us down. We survived, but with damaged Ghost shells, destroyed armor, and we lost track of our weapons, apart from my commandeered Wire Rifle." Hayden-10 explained.
"Why don't we head somewhere to relax? I hear the farm on the outskirts of the EDZ is still thriving." Ana suggested.
"What about your post on Mars, Ana?"
"Don't worry about it, Michael. Big Red's looking over it while I'm gone."
4:17 PM
09/24/3272
Planet Earth - European Dead Zone
The Farm
Music
Destiny 2 - The Farm
It was like stepping into a relic of the past that was still filled with life. A few civilians were still living there, and... there were a few members of the Eliksni House of Judgment... helping around? Green-glowing Servitors were hovering about, using extra crops for the production of Ether for the Eliksni.
One Eliksni seemed familiar.
SCANNING...
ENTRIES UPDATED
1: Mithrax
the Redeemed
"Mithrax? Is that you?"
The Captain turned to face Michael, then spoke in fluent English! "Michael Johnson! Thank you for giving me a chance at redemption. Variks is kind, like the old Eliksni of the past, always looking out for those of the House of Judgment."
While Ana, Spyglass, and the Exo brothers went to help out, Michael and Mithrax decided to have a conversation. "So, how have you been, Mithrax?"
"I've been well. And you?"
"Well, we found out about this Cabal Emperor on a ship somewhere near Nessus. We haven't seen it yet."
"{His name is Calus, and he's been sending invitations to the Red Legion to join a 'Loyalist Regime', offering a life of opulence.}"
"Calus. Variks once spoke that name. He sounded... unsure."
"What was it like for you with the House of Dusk?" Michael asked.
"House of Dusk... ~cursing in Eliksni~ So much wasted effort. Wasted resources. They gave up on the old ways. They gave up the honor of Eliksni. The House of Judgment keeps to the old ways, retaining their honor. The region you call the 'Cosmodrome' has become the lair of the House of Judgment. Guardians and Pilots are always welcome. The Hive are gone from Earth, and the Taken are responsible."
"I see. That makes sense, concerning the fact that the Shadow hates the Hive the most. He has no grudge with the House of Judgment. In fact, they're on good terms."
"The Great Machine has chosen humanity. Why?" Mithrax wondered.
"'Great Machi-' Oh, the Traveler. Well, I... I'm not sure. Nobody is. I might have a theory though."
"A 'Theory'?" Mithrax tilted his head.
"A guess as to why it happened. Back then, the Traveler wasn't as strong as it is now, so I think it was running from the Darkness."
"Darkness... The Great Machine's ancient evil."
"Nowadays, there are two versions of the Darkness: the ancient evil which seeks to snuff out the Light. And the Shadow, who desires survival for those he says deserve it. Humanity is on that list."
At that point, the Traveler spoke to him. "Not just mankind, but the Eliksni House of Judgment have earned the Shadow's trust, and this trust is mutual. After all, that Hive sect, the Blood of Oryx, was completely eradicated by the Shadow's Taken. They were cleared out from your moon a while back, and now they've been picked off of Earth."
"Mithrax, the House of Judgment is also on the list. Anyway, how did you get here without being seen by the House of Dusk?"
"In many areas, the House of Dusk is blind. There are some they don't even know about. The Guardians on their posts recognized the Judgment banner. We came to help. Variks occupied your Tower once, right?" Mithrax asked.
"Yeah, he did."
"He said he overheard weapon maker speaking with Guardians. Earth is worth fighting for."
"Oh, right. Banshee-44, the gunsmith." Michael looked at the Servitors, wondering about their different color and strangely modified forms. "Your Servitors, they glow green. Servitors normally glow purple. Is there something we should know about that?"
"Judgment Servitors; remade by Variks. They're easy to tell apart from other Servitors, since different models made to focus more on certain tasks. The Judgment Ether Servitors are for production, storage, and transport of Ether. Judgment Blast Servitors are for use against the House of Dusk, Hive, Cabal, and Vex. They have a stronger, faster-firing weapon."
Michael picked up a box of harvested crops, taking them over to some of the civilians as Mithrax helped with the others. "So, what brings you here, Guardi- eh... Pilot?"
"Just wanted to go somewhere and relax."
"In that case, let me take care of this." The farmer took the crop box out of Michael's hands, bringing them to a community storage shed. He came back, giving Michael a tangerine.
"Looks like the Exos have your mark." Mithrax remarked, tapping the 2nd Gen patch on Michael's shoulder.
"It's from Pilot Regeneration. We're 2nd Gen Pilots. We can go up to being a 100th Gen Pilot, but that's gonna take a massively long time. Also, the minds of the Exo brothers were beginning to undergo a cognitive disorder from being in a robot body. A little bit of IMC tech, followed by Pilot Regeneration after a reboot, and Dissociative Exomind Rejection has become a thing of the past." Michael explained.
"'Dissociative Exomind Rejection'? What's that?"
"Ana Bray can fill you in on that. She worked with the Golden Age corporation that created the Exos. Clovis Bray." As Michael headed to his ship, he saw a familiar face. "Variks! Good to see you!" He greeted the Judgment Kell.
Variks seemed to be speaking better English too. "Good to see you too, Michael. I see you have met Misraaks."
"Yeah, he filled me in on your new Servitors. These are MUCH more efficient than the ones I'm familiar with fighting. He did seem to have a negative impression on the House of Dusk."
"The House of Dusk are leaderless and blind. The House of Judgment survives and thrives. Humanity acted defensively against Fallen, but the Eliksni House of Judgment sees their worth. The Great Machine has chosen wisely. And the Exo brothers are 2nd Gen Pilots?" Variks wondered.
"You know about the patches on their shoulders, and what they mean?"
"Yes. The Ghost you gave me informed me of Pilot Regeneration. It heals the body and makes a Pilot stronger."
As if on cue, Variks's Ghost appeared, sporting a completely new shell. "Nice shell."
"{Thanks. Variks made it.}"
"I noticed that the House of Judgment is helping the civilians around here. I'm sure they appreciate the kindness."
"The Fallen House of Dusk is fueled by rage, hatred, starvation, desperation, while the Eliksni House of Judgment is open-minded. You were not born on Vez-2, but it is your home. And you helped those who came from Vez-2?" Variks questioned.
"Yeah. I felt it was the right thing to do."
"While the Eliksni House of Judgment was not born on Earth, it has become our home. We help humanity survive, and it feels... right. We're not so different, are we?"
Michael saw the logic in the Kell's words. "Humanity and the Eliksni House of Judgment do seem similar in more ways than not."
Yeah, I distinguish between these two Houses. The Fallen are known as the Eliksni in their native language. I use 'Fallen' when describing the House of Dusk, and as an act of respect, I refer to the House of Judgment as the real name of their species: Eliksni.
Rebooting Exos will no longer be required. A small integration of IMC tech into Clovis Bray engineering leaves memories permanent, and it keeps the mind of an Exo stable, thus TERMINATING Dissociative Exomind Rejection.
See you next time, and remember; at Hammond Robotics, we're bringing the future... home.