expiationnet | video, un: howe

Hello. Octavian here as ever.

[Octavian slightly too close to the camera, specifically, with glimpses of Rumpitur's streets behind him, beautiful springtime, all of it. He looks wildly out of place here, as always looking like a wasted Victorian in a sweater vest who's never seen daylight, but: here he is.]

Previously I shared with you all the visions shown to me by our previous AI iteration. The former Chosen turned into something else. I believe this is them.

Watch.

[And he moves, device still in hand and camera rolling, to approach one of the Naga. He asks them quite directly, "Do you remember what you were before?"— and the Naga blinks at him for a second before something changes in their expression, a clarity coupled with a strangeness of feeling, like they are seconds away from remembering exactly what he's talking about. It's there, definitely, under the surface—

And then it fades, and the Naga brushes him off with a dismissive wave and turns away.]

You see. They are nearly there. I have asked them many variations. "Do you remember being Chosen." "Were you human once." "Do you know where your people came from." All who react do so in this same way.

[A beat; he makes a little face, lips pursed.] The others have informed me I am either insane or rude. Belligerent. What did you all do.

[It can't have been him, he is a weird hermit who barely goes out. The rude questions and abruptly accosting the Naga totally unrelated.]

Somewhat unrelated. In her departure Root has left me with a small pile of her computers and other devices. I am not especially gifted with them. Will someone help.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Not much. I am sharing the information again. It has been some months since the initial communication from the AI.

Perhaps since losing part of itself it is in a holding pattern.

Not my area of expertise unfortunately. Root would have known better. She is gone.

Neither is it mine. Most of those who had skilled with such technologies have been sent away. I have pondered if it a byproduct of having pieces of the simulation.

If so it has taken a while. She was here for as long as I have been.

A few months, but this place moves at its own pace and delivers its consequences with seemingly random intervals.

So it cannot be proven. Alright.

Obvious and heinous crimes are punished frequently. Subtleties appear to not be punished as often.

And the definition of a crime is arbitrary and senseless. Now what.

We can use the knowledge to dupe the system. Or perhaps overwhelm it.

Assuming that would break the program in some way. So many people were against it before. How will they be convinced this time.

Best to control the program rather than break it.

Same question. No matter their personal anger many of them will not take dangerous risks.

Then the objective is to give a choice of two risks. If they choose, they will fight.

Not all. Regardless. How do you intend to overwhelm the simulation.

I have ideas, not answers. This system is far above my expertise, so I rely on others to know how it is basically operating. Most systems are overwhelmed with extremes though.

I am specifically asking for your ideas.

All of us perform some obvious crime. Alternatively, none of us perform any determinable crime. Otherwise, destroy the entirety of the city. Our overlords have the capability to force us to stay, so leaving and not returning has limited viability as an option.

You are certainly not getting complete buy-in for at least two of those.

Who knows. Perhaps the Chosen will be gamely and agreeable for once.

Doubtful. Not me in any case. I will pass.

On which point or all of them?

I have committed no crimes to be here and I do not intend to start now. Too self-fulfilling for my tastes. And I prefer having a house to live in.

[Are these reasons selfish and petty and disregarding the unity of the group: yes. He's not pretending otherwise.]

So you would be an agreeable team player if it was a month or two of cessation of crime over all.

Perhaps incidentally. I would not like to join your team.

(no subject)

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