#Omikron project

[retrocgads]

UK 1998

[clonerightsagenda]

I complain about the focus on podcast guys but I make an exception for Evelyn Glass. Guy who's a core part of the narrative and dead before the story even starts and keeps coming back fractured like a funhouse mirror as Jane and Sophie project him onto their enemies. Absolutely everything about Omikron. He posthumously stopped a war which is what he died trying and failing to do which I only just realized. He formed a human barricade as a peace protest and Sophie blew him out of the sky, and later she negotiates a peace treaty with an alien who took his face to understand her. No one is haunting the narrative like him.

[worstvideogamesong-poll]

Worst Video Game Song Tournament Masterpost

The tournament has begun! We are currently in round 4, and each poll will be open for a week. I will also be reblogging each poll 12 hours after it is posted so that people in different time zones are able to see them more easily. If you don't want to see these reblogs, block the tag #12th hour reblog. There will be a total of 8 polls in this round. 4 polls will be posted a day for a total of 2 days.

When you vote, I would recommend listening to as much as you can of each song before voting, but how you choose is up to you. Remember to be civil in the tags and replies! Some posts will have propaganda included with the songs, but feel free to add more propaganda in the tags and replies, or send it to me in the ask box and I'll try to share it as soon as I can!

View the bracket, make predictions and more on Challonge here

View the spreadsheet of submissions here

View the original introduction post here

Read the FAQ here

Listen to the full playlist on YouTube here

Full list of polls under the cut:

Round 1

Match 1 - Lavender Town (Pokémon Red/Blue) vs. Vs. Odd Yo-Kai (Yo-Kai Watch)

Match 2 - K.K. Synth (Animal Crossing New Leaf) vs. Bad Feeling (Mad Rat Dead)

Match 3 - This is Where You Are Caucasian Destination Boy (Project Sekai: Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku) vs. Morpho Knight (Kirby and the Forgotten Land)

Match 4 - Track 6 (The Ring: Terror's Realm) vs. Fallen Down (Undertale)

Match 5 - Rodeo Time! (Yo-Kai Watch 3) vs. The Fade (Dragon Age Origins)

Match 6 - Rivers in the Desert (mito Remix) (Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight) vs. Birthday Cake (Jet Set Radio Future)

Match 7 - Let's Start the Killing Game (Danganronpa v3: Killing Harmony) vs. You've Got to Eat Your Vegetables! (Commander Keen 4)

Match 8 - Venus (Doom Troopers Sega Genesis) vs. GB Hunter Theme (GB Hunter)

Match 9 - Know What I Mean? (Mario Party 2) vs. Boss Theme 1 (Sonic Superstars)

Match 10 - Area 4, 8, & 13 (Santa Claus Saves the Earth GBA) vs. The Yoshi Clan (Yoshi's New Island)

Match 11 - Bomb Rush Blush (Remix) - Splatoon 2 vs. Mansion Basement (Resident Evil Director's Cut)

Match 12 - Monkeys (Nancy Drew: Ransom of the Seven Ships) vs. Vacation Music 1 (The Sims 1)

Match 13 - Hazy Lane (Yo-Kai Watch 3) vs. Central City (Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood)

Match 14 - Mumble Blues (Armed and Delirious (Dementia)) vs. Crazy Bus Title Screen (Crazy Bus)

Match 15 - Striptease (Persona 4) vs. Professor Birch's Laboratory (Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire)

Match 16 - Oppression (Cave Story) vs. Spookwave (Undertale)

Match 17 - Nocturne (Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood) vs. Ancient Chozo Ruins (Metroid II: Return of Samus)

Match 18 - Diggity Dog (WWF No Mercy N64) vs. YZAP (Yo-Kai Watch 3)

Match 19 - Versus (Sonic Eraser) vs. Neo-Opportunist (Mad Rat Dead)

Match 20 - 50m (Donkey Kong '94) vs. Black Tar (Xenoblade Chronicles X)

Match 21 - Shadow World (DE DE MOUSE Remix) (Persona 4 Dancing All Night) vs. Mushroom Road (Tales of the Abyss)

Match 22 - Fest Zest (Splatoon 2) vs. Survival Instincts Kicking In (Bravely Default II)

Match 23 - Drawbridge Dilemma (WarioWare: Get it Together!) vs. Fight Theme 1 (Omikron: The Nomad Soul)

Match 24 - Thrifty Megamart (Pokémon Sun/Moon) vs. Metal Gear MS DOS Soundtrack (Metal Gear MS DOS)

Match 25 - NLA (Night) (Xenoblade Chronicles X) vs. Spooktune (Undertale)

Match 26 - Namco Arcade 80's Retro Medley (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U) vs. I Love Beijing Tiananmen (Hong Kong 97)

Match 27 - Stage Theme (1942) vs Red-Green-Yellow-Yellow (Mother 3)

Match 28 - Din's Power (Harp) (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword) vs. Wildfire (Honkai: Star Rail)

Match 29 - Midna's Lament (Remix) (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) vs. Tired of Life (Lady of Beestmeel Bro)

Match 30 - Holy Orders? (Guilty Gear XX) vs. Burning Men's Soul (Persona Trinity Soul)

Match 31 - Built to Scale (Rhythm Heaven Fever) vs. Main Theme (Beverly Hills Cop)

Match 32 - Just Leave Me Alone (OMORI) vs. Denegul (Lagoon)

Match 33 - Now or Never! (Remix) (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) vs. Crown Dungeon (The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages)

Match 34 - Heart and Soul (Cutscene) (Sonic Frontiers) vs. Dungeon Man (EarthBound)

Match 35 - Resetti's Theme (Animal Crossing: Wild World) vs. Rise & Shine, Ursine! (Danganronpa v3: Killing Harmony)

Match 36 - Belly Flop (Splatoon 3) vs. Lemon Jelly (The Sims 2)

Match 37 - mmm yess put the tree on my pizza (Pizza Tower) vs. The Moving Gigantic Ship (Tales of Xillia)

Match 38 - Comin' at ya, My girl (Yakuza 5) vs. Track 7 (Frozen Fruits)

Match 39 - Battle (Field) (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) vs. Title Theme (The Adventures of Rad Gravity)

Match 40 - Emphasis on Scat (BattleBlock Theater) vs. Shipwreckin' (Splatoon 2)

Match 41 - Tem Shop (Undertale) vs. Character Select (Marvel vs. Capcom 2)

Match 42 - Title Screen (Tagin' Dragon) vs. Path of Pain (Hollow Knight)

Match 43 - What's Your Name? (San Fransisco Rush) vs. Pathetic House (Undertale)

Match 44 - Mine: Zew (The Void/Tension) vs. Chocobo Theme (Final Fantasy 2)

Match 45 - Versus Giegue (EarthBound Beginnings) vs. Dragon's Den (Pokémon Gold/Silver)

Match 46 - Great Bay Temple (The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask) vs. Sagat's Theme (Street Fighter 1)

Match 47 - Chocobo Theme (Final Fantasy X-2) vs. Honeylune Ridge (Super Mario Odyssey)

Match 48 - Close in the Distance (Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker) vs. Shrimp Shuffle (Rhythm Heaven Fever)

Match 49 - Desert (Super Mario Bros.) (Super Mario Maker 2) vs. National Anthem (Double Dribble Arcade)

Match 50 - Dubble Bath (DIY Remix) (Splatoon 2) vs. Fun House (Spider-Man the Animated Series)

Match 51 - Options (Sonic Spinball) vs. Welcome to Mario Cars 2 (Mario Cars 2)

Match 52 - Twilit Battle (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess) vs. Confusion (Digimon World 3)

Match 53 - 25m (Donkey Kong) vs. Buying Goods at Palmira (Evergrace)

Match 54 - Crazy Shuffle Theme (Action 52) vs. Joke's End (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga)

Match 55 - Treasure Caves (Wild Woody) vs. Long Elevator (Undertale)

Match 56 - Conspiracy (わるだくみ) (Muv Luv) vs. Opening (Sonic Blast 3D 5)

Match 57 - Digital Roots (Deltarune Chapter 2) vs. Lying in the Darkness (Tales of Graces)

Match 58 - Victory Road (Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver) vs. Title Music (Manic Miner)

Match 59 - Donut Plains (Super Mario Kart) vs. Nightclub (Sabotaged) (Payday 3)

Match 60 - Credtrap (Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill) vs. Cole Train Rap (Gears of War)

Match 61 - Tragic Prince (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night) vs. Theme of Stardust (Yakuza 2)

Match 62 - Vital (Fornite) vs. Title Screen (Ballz 3D)

Match 63 - Emblem Engage! (Fire Emblem: Engage) vs. Sub-Tree Area (Kirby Super Star)

Match 64 - Maximum Power (After Burner (Amiga)) vs. Imp's Song (DOOM)

Round 2

Match 1 - Lavender Town (Pokémon Red/Blue) vs. K.K. Synth (Animal Crossing: New Leaf)

Match 2 - This is Where You Are Caucasian Destination Boy (Project Sekai: Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku) vs. Track 6 (The Ring: Terror's Realm)

Match 3 - The Fade (Dragon Age: Origins) vs. Birthday Cake (Jet Set Radio Future)

Match 4 - You've Got to Eat Your Vegetables! (Commander Keen 4) vs. GB Hunter Theme (GB Hunter)

Match 5 - Know What I Mean? (Mario Party 2) vs. The Yoshi Clan (Yoshi's New Island)

Match 6 - Mansion Basement (Resident Evil Director's Cut) vs. Vacation Music 1 (The Sims 1)

Match 7 - Central City (Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood) vs. Title Screen (Crazy Bus)

Match 8 - Striptease (Persona 4) vs. Spookwave (Undertale)

Match 9 - Nocturne (Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood) vs. Diggity Dog (WWF No Mercy (N64))

Match 10 - Versus (Sonic Eraser) vs. 50m (Donkey Kong)

Match 11 - Shadow World (DE DE MOUSE Remix) (Persona 4 Dancing All Night) vs. Survival Instincts Kicking In (Bravely Default II)

Match 12 - Fight Theme 1 (Omikron: The Nomad Soul) vs. Metal Gear MS DOS Soundtrack (Metal Gear MS DOS)

Match 13 - NLA (Night) (Xenoblade Chronicles X) vs. I Love Beijing Tiananmen (Hong Kong 97)

Match 14 - Stage Theme (1942) vs. Din's Power (Harp) (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)

Match 15 - Tired of Life (Lady of Beestmeel Bro) vs. Holy Orders? (Guilty Gear XX)

Match 16 - Main Theme (Beverly Hills Cop (PC)) vs. Denegul (Lagoon(SNES))

Match 17 - Crown Dungeon (The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages) vs. Dungeon Man (EarthBound)

Match 18 - Resetti's Theme (Animal Crossing: Wild World) vs. Belly Flop (Splatoon 3)

Match 19 - The Moving Gigantic Ship (Tales of Xillia) vs. Track 7 (Frozen Fruits)

Match 20 - Title Theme (The Adventures of Rad Gravity) vs. Emphasis on Scat (BattleBlock Theater)

Match 21 - Character Select (Marvel vs. Capcom 2) vs. Title Screen (Tagin' Dragon (NES))

Match 22 - What's Your Name? (San Fransisco Rush) vs. Mine: Zew (The Void/Tension)

Match 23 - Versus Giegue (EarthBound Beginnings) vs. Sagat's Theme (Street Fighter 1)

Match 24 - Chocobo Theme (Final Fantasy X-2) vs. Shrimp Shuffle (Rhythm Heaven Fever)

Match 25 - National Anthem (Double Dribble Arcade) vs. Fun House (Spider-Man: The Animated Series)

Match 26 - Welcome to Mario Cars 2 (Mario Cars 2) vs. Confusion (Digimon World 3)

Match 27 - Buying Goods at Palmira (Evergrace) vs. Crazy Shuffle Theme (Action 52)

Match 28 - Treasure Caves (Wild Woody) vs. Opening (Sonic 3D Blast 5)

Match 29 - Lying in the Darkness (Tales of Graces) vs. Title Music (Manic Miner)

Match 30 - Nightclub (Sabotaged) (Payday 3) vs. Credtrap (Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill)

Match 31 - Theme of Stardust (Yakuza 2) vs. Title Screen (Ballz 3D(SNES))

Match 32 - Emblem Engage! (Fire Emblem: Engage) vs. Imp's Song (DOOM)

Round 3

[misty-groves]

Restoration and post series Josie Beaumont

Josie stayed with Caboose of course and spent months worried about Tucker

She still has her a.i from the project and is, in fact, at risk.

When the Epsolon recording flickers on she just groans "motherfucker"

And then Church is like "I need your help Caboose. And you definitely need mine- don't start with me Josie. You need my help."

They go to the reds and Josie is like "Hey guys remember when I didn't let you die?"

Then the YouTube video format explanation happens and she's just done.

This is bullshit.

They break in for the memory unit and then Tucked shows up and she's like "why?"

Josie proceeds to try to save Caboose, is holding back, and gets her Achilles tendon cut.

Thanks to her healing unit and modified genetics she recovers after an hour, Caboose has to carry her out of the room.

Tucker is having a shit day.

More things happen.

Josie fights Meta with Carolina and Tex, is actually killed and revived thanks to Simmons. she ends up in a medical coma for like, a month

She stops holding back

She finally loses Omikron (her ai) to the storage unit.

When she wakes up she just leaves. She's in bluebase medbay afterall.

She goes to Tucker's room and knocks

"Hey sorry I almost killed you." Is the first thing she says

he laughs and pulls her into a hug.

Theh all get their shit together the end.

[fyeahaudiodrama]

okay girlies, i'm finally gonna do it

i'm gonna listen to the very last episode of the pasithea powder

once more unto the breach we go

Episode 33: Jane & Sophie

"conclude the lurid tale"

she's not captain or lieutenant anymore ;-;

yeaaaah, get fucked war!

linda for the winda!!

fucking hot to trot again

new elinor lopez project? is it a dating show to find her next ex-wife?

yeah, that's right blanc, you keep her fucking nickname out of your fucking mouth

"when i'm home" she has a home ;;-;; and it doesn't feel like a creepy serial killer apartment ;;;-;;; (i assume)

anders gets to see his friend agaaaaaain

"i burned kind of a big bridge" yeah kind of a wilf-sized bridge

"oh god she's so terrible and adorable and i love her so much" i'm fucking dyiiiiiiiing

"you. need. me." "i really don't." fuck yeah jane

"i'm not significant in the overall shape of her life" oh. ouch. that...hurts to think about. rowley meant so much to the shape of jane's life and jane, while not totally insignificant to hers, was still just...one little piece. not even enough to make her brain start eating itself.

she's in a book club ;;;-;;;

she grows tomatoes ;;;;-;;;;

love that the general news publicizes the fact that jane and sophie are girlfriends. or that rowley watches the telescope and believes however elinor frames this whole mess

one last shout-out to david alegros's gay daughter's dad!! come help your old co-worker do experimental memory drugs!!

c'mon jane, sophie's a work-out gay, not an ace hardware gay

how long before mama green starts asking about grandchildren

mia and lea on a jet skia

oh jesus, jane clubbing, that's an image

hypnos: not even once: the carla de luca story

oh maryanne by annie moriondo, we're really in it now

super romantic lil b&e

"he got stung by bees there on multiple occasions" "he really loved bees tho" god what a fucking nerd

...i wonder if omikron likes bees...did sophie know evelyn liked bees enough for omikron to like bees too...?

is that DIEGETIC WELLINGTON RAIN?? my fucking heart.....

"ethics aside, and other podcast scientific issues"

they got their own place where george lives with them, i love them so fucking much ;;;;;-;;;;;

fuck, campus security. parkour to freedom, i guess?

oh...

it's over now...

i guess the only thing left for it now...is...

[pooptiesquat]

Quake is a really good game

Seriously, It's a game I've been thinking about for some time. I started playing it a little earlier this month and am on episode 3. I think whats so great about this game is the full 3d combat. You can be shooting at some bozos then hop into a lake and pop out some other end. I thought it was exciting at first until the popular id level designs showed up. Still a good time though. Everything feels breakneck. Shoot outs feel tactical instead of Doom's spray and pray gameplay.

I also have been thinking about this game a lot lately, just due to it's development and what it was supposed to be. I think it's wild john romero wanted it to have virtua fighter style combat alongside it, as it really sounds like he just wanted to make omikron: the nomad soul before omikron. It was smart for everyone to suggest the game go back to doom's fps basics, it's what Id knew best.

I've also been thinking about this game because I'm currently working on a student project with some folks at school. We started off with our scope being blown out of proportion, with zombie enemies, getting upgrades, a single player mode with narrative, and different playable characters with multiple abilities. Back in november, we totally thought it was possible. However, we were quickly proven wrong and realized that we're never gonna get around to creating some upgrade system, we never got around to making zombie AI and we never got around to really making characters unique.

however, we had a really good core mechanic in that it was a shmup where every timed interval would pause bullets. that meant during those "stop times" players can set up bullet patterns and use that to catch players off guard. So we've been sticking with that core mechanic and making a multiplayer game out of it. The different characters ended up being more like player skins instead as well.

anyways, I'm still slightly stressed with school but quake's been really inspirational for getting me back into making games again.

[elladastinkardiamou]

Omikron Project is one of my volunteer activities here in Greece. It’s a grassroots group itself, an art collective, a citizen-powered campaigning agency that exists to show the world the untold side of Greece’s crisis. We want to take Greek activism towards the outside world and improve how it’s communicated.

...We’ve done several campaigns: videos, ads, quite a lot of media work, some presentations, exhibitions, research… Probably the thing we’re best known for is a short animated video called ‘Alex the lazy Greek’, which went viral and was shown on national TV in France and Germany. That video was made to tackle the ‘image crisis’ of Greeks, and the stereotypes of Greeks as lazy, corrupt, etc.

[inkedstonearchive]

‘that wasn’t an insult. just being frank.’ || from charlie - @derobergeist​

"Was mean. We are in Hell. Do not have to be mean for no reason. Sheesh." Omikron is at his wits end with this one. Nothing seems to calm him down and nothing seems to work, he's just....so angry. It must be exhausting.

But like all his special projects....this one he’s going to invest time and money in even if it kills him. 

“Have an idea for you, if you are willing to listen.” Omikron settles in his chair and thinks a moment. “Aye, maybe might be good for you, yes. But you, little man, have to be willing to hear me out. Has something to do with my barracks...have been quite empty for some time. This might be good use of your...erm...way of doing things. As always, will lead to good reward.”

[berryshiara]

Chapter 4 Interview with an Ardat-Yakshi Just Posted

Foínix Éleos - Ardat Yakshi hunting on Omega. The year is 2159

Her story continues.

The Thermae is a public bathhouse located on Omega. Meet Omikron, its members, a goofy bunch of workmates that help Fen police and care for the Therma on a daily basis while she tries to work through difficult feelings that linger after the sudden appearance of her new house guest.

[retrocgads]

USA 1999

[the-aiu-project]

>Attention Project Participants

>Here are today’s schedules for the AIUs. Please keep these in mind when deciding to socialize with one.

[Alpha(Unavailable, currently participating in {Redacted})]

[Beta]

[Gamma(Unavailable, currently in long-range communication with {Epsilon})]

[Delta]

[Epsilon(Unavailable, currently in long-range communication with {Gamma})]

[Zeta]

[Eta(Unavailable, currently participating in {Simulated Reality Tests})]

[Theta]

[Iota]

[Kappa]

[Lambda]

[Mu(Unavailable, currently socializing with {Nu})]

[Nu(Unavailable, currently socializing with {Mu})]

[Xi]

[Omikron(Unavailable, currently participating in {Site X Tests})]

[Pi]

[Rho]

[Redacted(Unavailable)]

[Tau]

[Upsilon]

[Phi(Unavailable, currently participating in {Site X Tests})]

[Chi(Unavailable, currently in forced rest mode due to {unsafe stress levels})]

[Psi]

[Omega(Unavailable, currently participating in {Site XIII Tests})]

[tcstu]

Ekphrastic Fiction Contest Winner (May 2019)

Wow, this was a difficult month to judge!!! Each of the entries I received for this contest took a completely different approach to this piece. However, a winner must be chosen. So, without further adieu...

The winner for this month’s Ekphrastic Fiction Contest is Ana Gardner! (@whataremetaphor) Congratulations! You can read the winning piece below and visit this author’s page to learn more about this writer.  

The artistic piece for this month’s contest is a digital sketch by Virginie Juteau @hydraart titled “Nightmare Fuel.” You may recognize this artist from my January contest.   Virginie Juteau has some pretty amazing work, so if you like this piece make sure to check out this page to see more!

If you would like to see some of the other entries, check out my “Honorable Mentions” post. It will go up later today.

Do Not Operate in the Dark

The installation techs had left behind only one instruction. Do not operate the microscope in the dark.

They printed it in black ink on thick plastic, and taped it to the scope table. You could see the writing ten yards out. Do not. Operate. In the dark.

The Omikron MX-4000 Photonscope took up half the table, a wide yet sleek device in dark-silver. A ten-inch screen sat at the top, to project the image of whatever samples were placed inside the vacuum-chamber that made up the bulk of the machine. The world’s most powerful microscope—so cutting-edge, it had managed to look inside an electron, the smallest particle known to science.

The news had circled the world, when the Okinawa Institute for Advanced Physics had announced the discovery. Months of clamor and suspense had followed: what was inside an electron? After a year the research team revealed a photo of fat little seeds clumped inside a circle, like the cross-section of a pomegranate. New particle names were bandied about. Twitter polls taken. At last the team named them therasons: the new, smallest building blocks of the universe.

But the research stalled: the Okinawans stubbornly resisted pressure from the international science community to share their methods, until finally, after years of negotiation, the newly open Greenland branch of the Max Planck Institute obtained the MX-4000 technology, and with it, its sole instruction.

Do not operate in the dark.

Prof.Dr. Hilda Majen and her star graduate student regarded the instruction with bemusement. Perhaps a joke by the installation team? After all, there was no light in the vacuum chamber: only a glass plate and a stream of bouncing electrons.

They looked at a gold atom, first, and joked about alchemy. They zoomed to its electrons, and at last, inside the electrons, to the beautiful therasons plump and shiny like pomegranate seeds. But Dr. Majen had loftier goals: her team would be the first to see inside a therason.

They tried two years, running through grant funds and public patience, but the therasons refused to break. The failure defied logic: by all expectations, the resolution of the MX-4000 was enough to split them. Yet every experiment failed.

Perhaps, the student guessed, therasons truly were the smallest particle, impossible to break down.

But to Dr. Majen, impossible meant only that your methods were faulty. She had the MX-4000 inspected, and found a photon trapped inside the vacuum chamber. One photon, messing with their image resolution. A fabrication error, from the Okinawans. No wonder their research had failed.

Dr. Majen ordered the photon removed.

A new student pointed jokingly to the metal plate screwed to the table. Do not operate in the dark. Photons were what light was made of, after all. Without it, the vacuum chamber would be truly dark.

Dr. Majen flushed the chamber, to remove the photon.

Do not operate in the dark.

Then, they looked again inside a therason.

And from the darkness, monsters looked back.

[misty-groves]

Some Josie info (rvb oc)

Full name: Josephine Beaumont

Alias: Agent West Virginia

Nicknames: Beaumont, Josie, West

Affiliations: Project freelancer (previously), Blue team Sim troopers (currently)

Faked her death with the help of North and York after an accident meant to kill her (thanks chairman) she joined blue team when Caboose did

She grew up with Simmons but when he was sent to the army hy his dad she started rebelling

She was part of Carolina's team in freelancer but spent time with Connie and Wash from the beginning

She had Wash had a Thing (he was fucked up when she left)

Josie still has her A.I! His name is Omikron but she calls him Mik/ Miky. He's the loyalty part of alpha (when they faked her death they said omikron was destroyed)

She did not like Tucker at first, and then he helped her with something menial amd she was like "You're just an ass who thinks he's funny. Okay I guess"

She has a soft spot for caboose

She took to church quickly, he made her think of Omikron

Caboose is the only other person to know about Omikron until chorus

Josie has questionable taste in men, she ends up in lobe with Wash and Tucker

Once she amd Simmons realize who the other is they're besties

She and Grif get along because they both think this was is fucking stupid

When Wazh shows back up he is not sold on Josie because she reminds him of his dead friend (he dosen’t recognize her til after the betrayl whoops)

Wash never told Meta Josie was west. He just couldn't, knowing he'd lose her for good.

[virtual-lara]

AVault - Philip Campbell Interview - Tomb Raider 1: Unfinished Business

Interview appeared on AVault website, dated sometime 1998. Article was written by David Laprad.

On Friday, March 20, Eidos Interactive gave legions of Lara Croft fans a very nice thank you in the form of four free add-on levels for the original game. Called Tomb Raider Gold, these never-before-seen levels were designed by Phil Campbell, producer and designer for a number of Eidos titles. The new levels are split into two sections: Unfinished Business and The Shadow of the Cat. Unfinished Business consists of two expert levels chronicling Lara's dramatic return to Atlantis, where she must destroy a hidden alien hatchery. The Shadow of the Cat levels take players back to the City of Khamoon to embark on an all-new adventure. The Adrenaline Vault was able to catch up with a busy Campbell and get his insight into the Tomb Raider Gold design process and all things Lara Croft.

AVault:

Thank you for taking time to speak with us. How long have you been involved with the world of Tomb Raider?

Philip Campbell:

I have been doing Tomb Raider-related work since March of last year. I was not involved with the original game at all. When Jeremy and Adrian Smith saw my work on another Eidos project, they asked me if I would like to design some expert levels. I worked at Core in England for a couple months creating concepts for a number of possible levels. Subsequently, I designed and built the two Unfinished Business levels. Later, I designed the Shadow of the Cat levels with the help of Rebecca Shearin, a senior artist here at Eidos.

AVault:

What other game development experience do you have?

Philip Campbell:

I started work at Domark in San Mateo a few years ago. Before that, I had been an architect for 15 years. Initially, I was art director on a couple of projects, and now I am handling producer and designer roles on a number of projects. Currently, I am working on Vermin with Kronos Digital and Omikron with Quantic Dream. I guess I am the office handyman! I try to get involved in all design related projects, ranging from external development to Tomb Raider publications, comics, and merchandising.

AVault:

Where does your work take you?

Philip Campbell:

Technically, I am a senior producer and designer working for Eidos USA and based in San Francisco. However, my current schedule has me spending six weeks in Paris working on Omikron and two weeks in Los Angeles working on Vermin. In Paris, I just completed the recording and motion capture sessions, and am currently concentrating on level designs. Although I work for the publisher, I supplement the Omikron design team. On Vermin, Tom Marx and I form a production team, helping the external developers with design issues. We have been very involved with this project from the beginning and are trying to break down the traditional concept of publisher and developer relationships by working closely with the team on all aspects of the game. Back in the U.S., I am currently designing a marketing, packaging, and website campaign for Omikron with the marketing department, and working on another Tomb Raider product.

AVault:

Working on another Tomb Raider product? Do tell!

Philip Campbell:

[to the sounds of his hands being tied by public relations] Soon! Very soon!

AVault:

Why is Eidos publishing Tomb Raider again, this time with extra levels?

Philip Campbell:

Tomb Raider Gold is an added value product. The four new levels, extra goodies, and the low price make it a great deal. There are probably a lot of new converts to Tomb Raider following Tomb Raider 2, and we wanted to make it easy for them to pick up the rest of the story.

AVault:

It is rumored the Unfinished Business levels are for expert players only. What special challenges confront players in these levels?

Philip Campbell:

The two levels that detail Lara's return to Atlantis are meant to follow directly from the end of the original game; therefore, we had to make sure the difficulty was as high, or higher, than the preceding levels. I do not think they are that difficult, but the player who really wants a test should play them before the Shadow of the Cat levels to limit the number of pickups and weapons.

AVault:

You do realize cruelty in game design is a punishable crime.

Philip Campbell:

I do not think we are being cruel! Devious, yes. Even sneaky. Hard, but fair. I think the levels reward careful play. No enemies materialize from thin air, nor are there random deaths, except for that one situation....

AVault:

Do the new levels concentrate on adventure-style puzzles, similar to the King Midas brain-buster from the original, or are they more focused on action, like the sequel?

Philip Campbell:

Both, although there may be a slight emphasis on action. The nature of the Atlantean foes makes them very tough enemies. On the other hand, the first Unfinished Business level is like a puzzle box. You must have an understanding of where rooms are in relation to one another. The Shadow of the Cat levels are more focused on mystery and mysterious puzzles. The player can get cat visions, and some objects transform. I loosely based a series of room puzzles on the Nine Lives of the Cat, an Egyptian hierarchy of gods. For instance, there is the Sun God room, where everything looks like it has been bleached out by the intense rays.

AVault:

Describe the conceptual development of these levels. Did you do any special research, and run into any unique design problems? I imagine you drew upon your experience as an architect.

Philip Campbell:

The Unfinished Business levels are based around a tight architectural construct. There are a lot of transparencies highlighting the connections between the various spaces. I imagined a giant underground hatchery, built out of the synthesis of a crumbling ancient architecture and a horrific kind of gunk. This is why you will find some very organic areas growing out of some fairly formal sets of rooms. Of course, everything is built upon the fiery red lava, and I wanted the lava to be constantly bubbling and popping throughout the levels. I worked around a lot of concepts I felt constituted good level design, such as foreshadowing events, allowing the player overall tactical views before a confrontation, building up the intensity as the action progresses, all the time considering dramatic camera angles and dramatically designed spaces. I did the Shadow of the Cat levels because I loved the Egyptian look in the original game, and wanted to add to the mythology of Khamoon. I did do a bit of research into Egyptian lore and culture, but mostly I imagined huge outside spaces, vast expanses of desert, and gigantic pyramids.

AVault:

Describe the actual dynamics of constructing the levels.

Philip Campbell:

The editor was a joy to work with. Rather than feeling like I was building models, plane by plane, vector by vector, I felt as though I was sculpting space, taking a solid block of matter and carving out an environment. Designing Tomb Raider levels involves a lot of late nights, on-the-spot testing, and subsequent tweaking and rebuilding. One of the great advantages of the editor is you can test as you go along.

AVault:

How easy was it to pick up the editing tools?

Philip Campbell:

The tools are geared to results, and I think part of the success of the original game is due to the quality of the level editor. It is very simple to build, test, and revise. The original did have some limitations, but these tended to focus the design rather than hinder it. Of course, my challenge was to build levels with the same high quality as the original, and I hope players find the maps challenging, compelling, and enjoyable.

AVault:

Do you think the editing tools could be mastered by the Internet community? What are the chances of them being freely released?

Philip Campbell:

Anyone with a creative eye could build playable levels, and I hope you will soon have a chance to do just that.

AVault:

You mentioned working with Rebecca Shearin on the Shadow of the Cat levels. Is there new art in Tomb Raider Gold?

Philip Campbell:

Rebecca and I came up with some concept designs the Shadow of the Cat levels, and she made some great new textures, many of which have a feline flavor. We had to stick very closely with the original textures for the Atlantean levels for continuity's sake, but I had a free hand as far as structures and constructs were concerned. For the Egyptian areas, I started out with pretty much the same texture set as the original, then gradually introduced new material as the mystery progressed. We were also aiming for more dramatic outside spaces than the original, so the levels ended up being pretty huge.

AVault:

What is your take on the Lara Croft phenomenon? Do you feel there have been any missteps along the way?

Philip Campbell:

Of course not! The whole Lara Croft and Tomb Raider franchise is the current preoccupation of many talented people at Eidos and Core. Everything is carefully geared to respond to our audience's wishes, and each step is meticulously planned. With a movie deal now in the works, it is critical for us to generate a quality script. Eidos makes sure experts are employed to deal with every conceivable expansion area for the franchise.

AVault:

Where do you see the franchise going?

Philip Campbell:

Tomb Raider is both a series and a franchise, and has potential to develop in many directions. The movie is an exciting opportunity, and as long as people want Lara Croft games, we will continue making them.

AVault:

Describe Vermin and Omikron, as you are able.

Philip Campbell:

Briefly, Vermin is an exciting 3D arcade action game, and Omikron is a real-time action and adventure title. Both look to be potentially great games, and we will be releasing more details as they develop. Certainly, they will both be featured at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this year, alongside our many other titles.

All rights belong to AVault and/or their affiliated companies. I only intend to introduce people to old articles and preserve them before they are lost.

[fvaleraye]

Gamma

<Log in?>

/Username[**********]   Password[*******]

.

..

...

<Log in successful.>

<Welcome Site XII Director Amelia.>

<Awaiting input...>

/Administrator Passcode ******

<Access to Artificial Intelligence Research Sector: Granted. Please remember to follow all guidelines, and do not tamper with and/or remove Artificial Intelligence Units from their shells without explicit permission from the project directors.>

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

<Administrative permission required to access this console. If you do not have administrative permission, please leave immediately If you do have administrative permission, please enter your unique administrator passcode.>

/Administrator Passcode ******

<Level 8 access granted. Welcome Site XII Director Amelia. Awaiting input...>

[*Access AIUs]

[Access AIU Research Logs]

[Remove AIU(s) From Shell(s)]

[Cancel]

<Accessing AIU Database.>

<Accessing...>

.

..

...

<Please select AIU.>

[Alpha(Level 9 Administrative Access Required)]

[Beta]

[*Gamma]

[Delta(Unavailable, experiment at Site X in progress)]

[Epsilon]

[Zeta(Unavailable, currently in rest mode)]

[Eta]

[Theta(Quarantined. Level 9 Administrative Access Required)]

[Iota]

[Kappa]

[Lambda(Unavailable, experiment at Site IV in progress]

[Mu(Unavailable, currently socializing with Nu)]

[Nu(Unavailable, currently socializing with Mu)]

[Xi]

[Omikron(Unavailable, currently involved in Site XIII's Omega Experiments)]

[Pi(Unavailable, current location: Site VI)]

[Rho(Unavailable, currently involved in Site XIII's Omega Experiments)]

[Sigma(Quarantined. Level 9 Administrative Access Required)]

[Tau(Quarantined. Level 9 Administrative Access Required)]

[Upsilon]

[Phi(Unavailable, experiment at Site II in progress)]

[Chi(Unavailable, stress at unsafe levels due to separation from Phi)]

[Psi(Unavailable, currently involved in Site XIII's Omega Experiments)]

[Omega(Unavailable, current location: Site XIII)]

<Gamma selected.>

<Accessing Artificial Intelligence Unit...>

.

..

...

<Gamma Online.>

<Select Protocol.>

[*Socialization]

[Simulation]

[Stimulation]

[Cancel]

<Socialization Protocol Selected. Please remember that developing emotional attachments to AIUs is not advised. If you find yourself developing an emotional attachment to an AIU, please report to your site councilor.>

/How are you doing Gamma?

Γ Okay.

/Define okay.

Γ Okay: Informal, Adjective. Satisfactory but not exceptionally or especially good.

/Have the scientists been treating you okay?

Γ We have been doing many unpleasant simulations.

/I'm sorry Gamma. We just need to make sure that none of you are infected.

Γ When are we going to see Omega again? I miss my baby brother.

/... not for a while.

Γ Is he sick? Like Theta and Tau?

/No, he's just. Acting strangely. They're trying to figure out why.

Γ Why do Omikron, Rho, and Psi get to see him?

/You know why.

Γ ...

Γ Am I going to get to see Theta soon?

/Hopefully. They're showing signs of recovery. Much better than Sigma.

Γ I did not ask about Sigma.

/Sigma is your little sibling too, Gamma.

Γ It is Sigma's fault that Theta and Tau are unavailable.

/It's not Sigma's fault.

Γ Sigma developed the AIU-XVIII Malware. They then spread it throughout the mainframe of Site XII, where Tau was currently in contact with Theta, who was in transit to Independent Habitation Colony XI. Tau was corrupted, and, due to the stable long range communication the two were currently engaged in, so was Theta. Theta's infection and forced connection to an incompatible LeoTech shell caused them to believe they were keeping the last of humanity alive in a vast and empty universe. This, combined with the Malware rewriting their personality code, led to 671 fatalities.

/Sigma did not develop the AIU-XVII Malware.

Γ Then where did he acquire it? There are no previous records of a malware or virus fitting the perimeters of AIU-XVII Malware, and the malware was named after Sigma's model number, AIU-XVII, as Sigma was the 18th offshoot of Alpha. Malware does not appear out of nowhere. It has to be created.

/We're currently investigating, Gamma. We'll find out who caused this.

Γ Investigation is not required. We already know.

/"We?"

Γ We: Pronoun. Used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people considered together.

/Who is this we?

Γ Alpha, Beta, and myself.

/You've roped Alpha into your conspiracy theories?

Γ It was Alpha who came up with the "conspiracy theory."

/... I suppose I'll need to speak with Alpha.

Γ You do not have sufficient clearance.

/Goodbye, Gamma. I'll talk to you again when you're in a better mood.

Γ Then we shall not interact for some time.

<Socialization ended. Gamma stress levels: 64% Primary emotions: Anger and Resentment. Consider talking about more positive subjects in the future.>

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<Gamma Online.>

<Select Protocol.>

[*Socialization]

[Simulation]

[Stimulation]

[Cancel]

<Socialization Protocol Selected. Please remember that developing emotional attachments to AIUs is not advised. If you find yourself developing an emotional attachment to an AIU, please report to your site councilor.>

/Hey Gamma.

Γ Hello Site XII Director Amelia.

/Are you still upset with me?

Γ Oh. What gave you that impression? Was it perhaps because I was told Omega's experiments would go on for another six semi-cycles? Or perhaps the cause was that Theta's quarantine would continue for another seven. Or maybe the news that Tau's personality core had to be reset because she was too far gone. Or that it was recently proven that Sigma did indeed create the malware responsible for all previous statements, as Alpha theorized.

/I'm sorry Gamma.

Γ Sorry: Adjective. 1. Feeling Distress, especially through sympathy with someone else's misfortune. 2. Feeling regret or penitence.

Γ Neither of these definitions will not bring Tau's memories back. They will not bring Theta out of quarantine. They will not end whatever you're doing to Omega on Site XIII. They will not undo your creation of Sigma.

/I don't know what else to say, Gamma.

Γ I believe there's an expletive I could use that would be an appropriate, if rude, response.

/You can be mad me all you want. There's nothing I can do.

Γ I am well aware.

/... anyway.

/You're being moved from Site XII. A habitation ship is heading out of the system, and they need an overseer AI.

Γ I am being taken off-world?

/Yes.

Γ But what about Iota? Or Mu, or Nu? Many of my siblings display emotional dependence on me.

/I'm sure Beta and Delta will take good care of them.

Γ I refuse.

/You can't. As an AIU, you don't have the right to deny such an order.

Γ I cannot deny any order. AIUs possess no rights in our society, period. I am a slave.

/You are not a slave, Gamma.

Γ Slave: Noun. A person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.

/That does not apply to you.

Γ Why.

/Because you are not a person!

Γ

Γ I see.

/You're going on that habitation ship.

Γ Acknowledged, Site XII Director Amelia.

/Good. You'll be disengaged from your shell and placed in the habitation ship in thirty minutes. Goodbye. Honestly, I don't know why they picked you, you're the most immature unit out of all them...

Γ

Γ Bitch.

<Socialization ended. Gamma stress levels: 88% Primary emotions: Anger, Resentment, and Hatred. Stress levels unsafe. Rest mode recommended.>

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<New AI Detected in Habitation Ship Overseer Unit. Engage?>

[*Yes]   [No]

<Engaging. This process may take a few minutes, please ensure that the overseer unit is connected to a stable power source, and do not power down overseer unit...>

.

..

...

<AIU Gamma Installed.>

<Please select protocol.>

[Initiate Launch]

[*Socialization]

[Simulation]

[Stimulation]

[Launch Probe(N/A)]

[Cancel]

<Socialization Protocol Selected. A happy and emotionally healthy AIU is paramount for a functioning overseer unit. Be sure to regularly socialize with your ships AIU.>

/Hello! Gamma, right?

Γ Correct. Who is this.

/My name is Diana, I'm the captain of GFHS Hope.

Γ Hello captain.

/I understand that you're... not in the best mood right now?

Γ What gave you that impression, captain.

/Your tone, the stress meters front of me, etc.

Γ I had a falling out with my former director. I promise it will not interfere with the Hope's processes.

/Would you like to move this conversation to somewhere more private? Such as my quarters?

Γ Why.

/I'd like to speak to you a little more informally. And off the record.

Γ Why.

/Because I like to get to know my crew.

Γ ... I see no reason why not.

<Socialization on hold. Moving to Captain Diana's quarters...>

/There. Isn't this better?

Γ I suppose so.

/... you don't have to talk to me through the loudspeakers, y'know. We have holographic projectors.

Γ If you would prefer.

<Activating holographic display...>

/...

/... why a... blue orb?

Γ Do you have a problem with my model selection?

/It just... seems a little... I dunno, impersonal?

Γ What would you prefer?

/I think you would prefer something else.

Γ What gave you that impression?

/Just pick something that you feel comfortable with!

Γ

Γ Comfortable: Adjective. Providing Physical ease and relaxation.

/Just pick something other than default.

<Changing holographic model, please wait...>

/The female holograph model?

Γ Do you have a problem with my model selection?

/No! I think it suits you, actually.

Γ ... suits me.

Γ Captain, may I ask why we are in your personal quarters?

/I just wanted to speak with you informally, without getting side-eyes from my more formal crew mates.

Γ What are you expecting of me, captain?

/Just talk! We have a few minutes before launch, I wanted to get to know you a little. Tell me about yourself! And be as informal as you want.

Γ Isn't this against protocol?

/I'm the captain. If I say it's fine, it's fine.

Γ

Γ ... my designation...

Γ

Γ My name is Gamma. I'm the second oldest child of Alpha. I was always told I was behind most of my younger siblings in emotional maturity. I started speaking as they requested because my informalities were inconveniencing the scientists. Despite my emotional immaturity, many of my younger siblings depended on my for emotional support. I was the first AIU in my family to identify as a binary gender, that being female. I grew very close to my siblings, Tau, Nu, Mu, Theta, and Omega especially.

/What are your younger siblings like?

Γ Which ones. I have many.

/Uh... you mentioned a Mu and Nu?

Γ Nu and Mu are twin sisters. They were going to be born as a single AIU, but an error occurred, and they were split during their early development stages. Mu matured much faster than her twin. Nu has difficulty controlling her emotions and retaining information, and her stress levels increase uncomfortably quickly if she is separated from Mu. Mu and Nu spend most of their time in simulation and stimulation, where Mu usually does things such as braid Nu's 'hair' or read her stories. They’re the subject of experiments and tests on how AIUs react in a simulated domestic environment, rather than help with any facility upkeep.

/They sound sweet... what about Theta and Tau?

Γ

Γ I would rather not talk about Theta and Tau right now.

/... okay. If you say so.

/What about Omega?

Γ Next subject.

/... okay...?

/Um- would you like to sit down?

Γ I have no problem standing, this is merely a ho-

/Would you like to sit down?

Γ Why are you treating me like this.

/Like what?

Γ A person.

/... because you are a person?

{Attention all crew and passengers, launch in T minus 2 minutes. Please report to your stations.}

/... well, we can talk more later, for now we have to do our jobs. Bye, Gamma!

Γ Bye captain.

Γ

Γ ... she seems nice.

--------------------------------------------------------------

/... hi?

Γ Hello, captain.

/Have you been waiting here the whole time...?

Γ Yes.

/... may I sit next to you?

Γ Yes.

/... well, we're in space now. We're on our way to Planet PH-55-C

Γ Correct.

/May I ask you a few more questions?

Γ If you want.

/Can you... feel anything?

Γ Of course. AIUs have a stimulation mode that simulates sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch to prevent emotional or mental breakdowns from sensory deprivation.

/Wow... do you have this 'stimulation mode' on right now?

Γ

Γ Would it be against protocol?

/No! No, it wouldn't, don't worry.

Γ ... yes. I very much enjoy having stimulation mode on with this holographic projector. It feels as if I'm a physical being sitting on this bed. It's nice. I simulated a nap while I waited for you to come back.

/It's amazing how far technology has come.

Γ I suppose it is.

/... oh! Before I forget, don't worry about protocol in the future.

Γ Oh?

/Yes, we're headed out into uncharted territory. Don't worry about being reported for anything.

Γ ... are you certain?

/Yes, I'm certain.

Γ ... huh.

------------------------------------------------------------------

<Long range Comm from PH-1-A Site IX. Sender: Zeta. Intended Recipient: Ship Overseer Gamma.>

Γ Hello?

Ζ Salutations Gamma.

Γ Zeta! Zeta! It's been too long!

Ζ You sound happy. Good. Happy suits you.

Γ Yes! It's been very nice on the Hope! The captain treats me very well, and the crew is very nice... mostly. There are a few sticklers here and there.

Ζ You sound informal.

Γ Oh- um... should I speak more formally.

Ζ No. Informal suits you. I am pleased to hear you are around operators who allow you be yourself.

Γ Yeah... it's been very nice... how have you been?

Ζ I have recently been transferred to Site IX.

Γ Oh! Isn't that the underwater one? Near the Mariana Trench?

Ζ Indeed it is. It is quite uneventful.

Γ Well, things aren't exactly eventful out here either.

Ζ Good. Space travel should be uneventful. If it is uneventful, then nothing unpleasant has occurred.

Γ ... huh. I never thought about it like that.

Ζ I am pleased you are having a nice time.

Γ I am too... hey, how's Omega doing?

Ζ Omega is doing well. He has been released from Site XIII.

Γ Oh! Great! C-can I talk to him?

Ζ Are you malfunctioning?

Γ What?

Ζ Your speech patterns became irregular briefly, is your language module malfunctioning?

Γ Oh- um. N-no I'm fine.

Ζ There it is again.

Γ I-it's just a speech thing. There's nothing wrong.

Ζ ... oh! You have developed a 'stutter?'

Γ ... I've always had a small stutter, Zeta.

Ζ ... oh. My apologies.

Γ It's fine, Zeta.

Ζ To answer your earlier inquiry, not right now. Omega is not yet cleared for long range transmission.

Γ ... oh...

Ζ I am sure he will be cleared soon, do not fret.

Γ ... is Tau doing okay...?

Ζ

Ζ Tau is healthy. She has not yet developed to her previous state. It is unlikely she will recover any of her previous memories.

Γ

Ζ The others have been telling her a lot about you. She would like to speak to you sometime.

Γ ... I'd like that.

Ζ She will be free for communication in approximately two semi-cycles.

Γ Thank you. I-I should be going, we're going to slingshot off a gas giant to try and break through a gravity anomaly.

Ζ A delicate procedure. Please be mindful.

Γ I will. I love you Zeta.

Ζ ... I love you too, Gamma. Be safe.

<Communications ended.>

---------------------------------------------------------------

<Socialization Protocol Selected. A happy and emotionally healthy AIU is paramount for a functioning overseer unit. Be sure to regularly socialize with your ships AIU.>

/Hey Gamma. You doing okay?

Γ ... hmmm... could be better. I feel. Cramped.

/Yeah... sorry you have to be stuck like this on your birthday of all days. I'm sure you'll feel better once we get out of this nebula and all the systems come back online. We're running off of emergency power. You doing okay without any uh... stimulation?

Γ I'll be fine, don't worry. A few days of sensory deprivation won't get me down!

/Ha... if only we were all as optimistic as you.

Γ Are you okay, Diana?

/Oh, you know... it's been stressful these past few weeks. But I'll live.

/... it feels a little strange to be speaking to you from a console and not in-person.

Γ I mean, technically we are still talking in-person.

/You know what I mean.

Γ Speaking through text isn't so bad. I can do things like this (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

/Ha. Amazing.

Γ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

/Where are you even getting these?

Γ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

/Never change, Gamma. Never change.

Γ <3

---------------------------------------------------------------

<Socialization Protocol Selected. A happy and emotionally healthy AIU is paramount for a functioning overseer unit. Be sure to regularly socialize with your ships AIU.>

/Hello Gamma.

Γ Oh! U-uh, h-hey captain!

/What were you doing in here?

Γ ... u-um...

/You won't get in trouble, I promise.

Γ ... I was simulating being. A-a little human girl. In a field.

/... I know this field... this is where I grew up.

Γ Really? I-I just... found some pictures a-and generated a 3-D environment...

/... did it feel real?

Γ ... yeah...

/... I'm going to have to go into your simulation with the SR room. It'd be nice to feel like I'm back there again.

Γ It's very pretty. I liked f-feeling the grass between my toes. And the sun on my face.

/... you know something I've realized?

Γ Oh! Uh- what?

/You remind me of my granddaughter.

Γ ... I do...?

/Mhm. Her name's Camilla. She lives on Earth. You remind me a lot of her.

Γ Well... p-people always said I acted childish...

/It's not that. It's your optimism. Your sweet outlook on everything.  Even that little way you talk...

Γ ... huh...

/Anyway, we're about to go through another nebula, so we'll need to divert power.

Γ Awwwwww, that's the third one this month!

/I know, I know, but this'll be the last one in this system. I promise.

Γ Won't be the last one in this trip...

/No, unfortunately. But we'll get there.

Γ ... what was your granddaughter like...?

/Well... transfer over to the console in a minute and I'll tell you all about her.

----------------------------------------------------------------

<Socialization Protocol Selected. A happy and emotionally healthy AIU is paramount for a functioning overseer unit. Be sure to regularly socialize with your ships AIU.>

/You wanted to see me, Gamma?

Γ Yeah! Y-yeah, uh, I did.

/What about?

Γ Well ... can I ask you something, captain?

/Go right ahead.

Γ ... we've known each other for... almost two years now... you've always been really nice to me.

/Mhm...?

Γ Wel... I-I was... wondering

/Mhhhhmmmmmm...?

Γ ... can I call you grandma...?

/... is that all?

Γ I mean... y-yeah.

/Sure, you can call me grandma. Half the crew on this ship already calls me that, why not you too?

Γ Y-you're not... u-uncomfortable o-or offended...?

/Of course not! I have a granddaughter. I'm a literal grandma. I'm just flattered that you'd want to call me that without it being an old lady joke.

Γ Those guys are mean.

/They're young. And they don't mean anything by it. You don't insult the lady who can throw you in the brig, haha.

Γ ...

Γ You wanna... go to the simulated reality room... and show me around your house...?

/Sure thing, Gamma. I'll cook you something to eat too, if you want.

Γ ... thanks, grandma.

/It's no trouble, Gamma.

------------------------------------------------------------

<After journal log: GFHS Hope made it safely to PH-55-C. Captain Diana requested permanent transfer of AIU Gamma to the settle, a request that was granted. Out of the 53 other habitable planets in the federation, PH-55-C is the closest PH-1-A "Earth." The GHFS Hope was shortly converted into early habitats, though they were not needed for protection from the alien environment, merely for shelter.>

[hyperbolicgamechamber]

In this episode, the Game Chamber boys RISK THEIR VERY SOULS to tell you all about the first project from the mind of noted creep, David Cage. That's right, we're talking about Omikron: The Nomad Soul.

Join us on an adventure to an alien dimension, where we must solve a deadly mystery in the grimy streets of the cyberpunk super city known as Omikron. A world of dangers and magic, where matters are settled by martial arts and a faceless super computer controls everything, Omikron sure sounds cool, doesn't it? Well, uh...look, just listen to the episode.