[video/text] Player Plot Broadcast #1

[allwright]

[Shortly after the Ingress pathway to Earth 91c is opened, the following video message will be broadcast to the network, delivered by a smiling, slightly apologetic-looking middle-aged man in a pressed blue suit.]

Hello Ingress travelers. Welcome to Earth. My name is Daniel Wright and I’m here as an ambassador to visitors from Thisavrou. You’ve come at a rather delicate time, so I apologize if security is a little tighter than usual—I hope you’ll enjoy your stay regardless. If there is anything you’d like to know about our world, its customs, and its laws, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do what I can to answer your questions to the best of my abilities.

I am attaching a text document that I highly encourage you all to read. It lays out the laws for visitors to our planet of both the organic and AI persuasion. Violating these laws will have consequences, and I’m afraid ignorance is no defense. Act in accordance with them and I’m sure you’ll have a pleasant and productive stay.

[He smiles and the message ends. The attached text document reads as follows:]

---

FOR ORGANIC VISITORS/CREATORS

1. YOU MAY NOT PURCHASE, OBTAIN, OR OTHERWISE REMOVE AN AI/PROGRAM CREATED ON THIS PLANET. It is a monumental enough task to keep track of all the Created currently on this planet without worrying about what someone in a neighboring universe is doing to them. As there is no way for us to ensure that removed Created are being treated humanely and are not being altered towards destructive means, removing them from our planet is strictly prohibited.

2. YOU MAY NOT VIEW OR ALTER THE CODE OF ANY PROGRAM OR AI WHILE ON THIS PLANET. The only way for us to view or alter a program’s code is through their external backup drive and AI base code is highly protected as well, but given you may have access to technology we may not yet possess, it is possible you aren’t bound by the same restrictions most of our citizens are. However, even if you have this ability, we ask that you please refrain from using it. We do not want to jeopardize the integrity of our Created’s code, and furthermore, making this technology known to groups who would abuse it would only lead to suffering among Created and Creators alike.

3. ANY CREATED IN YOUR POSSESSION MUST REMAIN IN YOUR POSSESSION FOR THE DURATION OF YOUR STAY. We understand that on other worlds, Created may not be bound by the same laws as they are here. However, while you are on our planet, we ask that you honor our laws and ensure that your Created remain under your sight and care for the duration of your stay. Visiting Created may NOT wander unattended and must have a Creator overseeing them at all times. We understand that this rule is stricter than those we place on our own Programs, but please believe us when we would not enforce such a rule if it did not benefit the safety of everyone present.

FOR AI/CREATED VISITORS

1. REMAIN WITH A NON-NATIVE CREATOR AT ALL TIMES. For your own safety and the safety of others, we ask that you do not leave the supervision of a Creator companion, owner, or guardian for the duration of your stay. Unaccompanied travel or loitering is NOT permitted and Created found violating this rule will be removed through the Ingress or detained until a Creator is able to claim them. Repeated offenses will result in fines or permanent exile.

2. DO NOT ENGAGE IN ENERGY TRANSFER, INTERFACE, OR ANY MANNER OF ENERGY/CODE EXCHANGE WITH NATIVE CREATED. Though we appreciate that many Created treat such exchanges as private matters, we do not wish to facilitate the accidental transfer of viruses or potentially the accidental alteration of code between parties and thus ask that all visiting Created refrain from initiating or reciprocating such exchanges.

3. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISGUISE YOURSELF AS AN ORGANIC BEING. For your own safety and the safety of others, we ask that all Created make themselves known as such upon entering our world. For many of you, your appearance will ensure this is not a problem. For AI that are able to pass as organic, you will be issued an identifying bracelet upon entry that will be removed once you depart. Rest assured that the bracelet is merely a means of identification as an Created and has no additional effects or functions.

Comments

video

[saveyourserpent]

Oh, I can see where this is going.

[Is he rolling his eyes enough?]

video;

[allwright]

[An agreeable, if somewhat puzzled smile.]

I’m afraid I’m not sure what you mean.

Re: video;

[saveyourserpent]

Oh, you know. Subtle differences, treating people we might consider our equals as something lesser... it might not go over so well.

[Liquid's organic, very much a human, but the name 'created' doesn't sit so well with him, considering he's a clone.]

video;

[allwright]

[There’s a flicker of understanding in Daniel’s expression, then dismay.]

I can assure you that the rules we have in place are not there to designate anyone as lesser. We have these laws to ensure the safety of everyone who visits our planet—Created, included.

text

[inconsequence]

You realize, of course, that organic "programs" exist in much the same way that those with an unconventional appearance will doubtless be targeted by your inane, arbitrary set of rules despite being wholly "organic" by your definition.

[So they're making preemptive assumptions here. Sue them.]

text;

[allwright]

We understand that there are some cases where the categories that define our own laws won’t translate perfectly to denizens of other worlds. Unfortunately, when there’s a link between universes, it practically invites exceptions to the rules.

If you feel that you or someone you know is being unfairly classified as Created, I would be glad to discuss the issue with you. If I and my colleagues judge that you or your associate has been miscatergorized, of course you wouldn’t be expected to abide by laws that don’t apply to you.

text;

[inconsequence]

What a lot of words to use when you could have simply said, "your complaint has been noted but doesn't matter when I've decided that I already get the final say."

text;

[allwright]

[Well fine, he’ll use fewer words this time around.]

I’d like to help you, but if you truly find our laws so intolerable, perhaps you should reconsider your visit.

[Video]

[deal_me_in]

Yeah, dumb question time. But what exactly do you consider "Created," exactly?

video;

[allwright]

[A chuckle.] It isn’t a dumb question. We’re aware that these definitions are hardly universal. But as far as our own laws go, a Created is an artificial being who is built to serve a specific function. For example, an AI meant to organize a company’s files or a Program meant to build houses are both Created.

Does that answer your question?

[Video]

[deal_me_in]

Hmm.

Okay, yeah- that clears things up a little.

[He holds up a finger.]

Another question. I'm not really...organic, obviously, and I'm more of a destroyer than a creator if you want to get technical, but I'm definitely not an A.I.- so where do I fall on that very short list of options?

video;

[shiro2hero]

Earth?

Are you serious? You're transmitting from Earth.

video;

[allwright]

[Daniel quirks an eyebrow, though his smile remains polite.]

Yes, I am. I do hope that’s not a problem?

video;

[shiro2hero]

No, it's... I can't believe you're serious.

Earth -- seven continents? Liquid water oceans?

[He's got to be sure okay.]

video;

[redshitlord]

Uhhhh... where's the "None of the above" option, man?

Seriously, I'm feeling a little left out here.

video;

[allwright]

I’m afraid for the purposes of legal classification during your visit, you’ll have to identified as one or the other. If you believe there’s ambiguity in your case, I’d be happy to help find the category that’s the best fit for you.

video;

[redshitlord]

Uh yeah there is. There's a lot of it?

Humans didn't make me, for starters. I'm not some kinda big AI or anything. I'm Cybertronian.

We're way different.

[yablueit]

[ Lance doesn't hear anything after "Welcome to Earth". He's missed Earth so badly, and while Kauto has been a better replacement than a castle spaceship, it's just not the same. He slams the video feed on his TAB before he can even bother listening to all that junk about AIs. ]

Did you say Earth? You're on Earth, right now, and we can get there?

[allwright]

Yes. We’ve connected to Thisavrou through our Ingress.

[This is the second respondent whose expressed shock at receiving a broadcast from Earth. Is something being lost in translation?]

If you don’t mind me asking, does the name “Earth” hold any previous significance to you?

video

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

So tell me, does keeping them on leash help any?

video;

[allwright]

[Daniel’s tone is as polite as ever.]

There are no leashes involved. We simply ask that Creators keep their Created under their supervision during their visit.

video;

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

Metaphorical leash, then. Not sure how well your system blend into ours. I'm pretty sure none of our Programs have owners like that.

video;

[themiracle]

[ Quorra taps a finger on her lip. ] So if an 'artificial being' doesn't have a specific function that they perform, are they considered a Creator?

I don't have a directive and I wasn't created by a User, but I do have code. [ And glowing circuits that make her look very similar to a couple programs running around. ] Where would I fit in?

video;

[allwright]

[Daniel’s first instinct is to classify the being on-screen as a Program, and thus a Created. She looks little different from the Programs of Earth, after all. But he reminds himself that she is from another universe, and that he should judge her case as objectively as if she were any other foreign being.]

I’m not sure I understand. You’re made of code, but no one created you—how did you come into being?

video;

[themiracle]

Right. [ She hesitates. This is the User world, not the Grid. The rules aren't the same here. But even so, caution brought on by a millennia of watching her back and being vigilant still lingers. ]

We just sort of [ how did Flynn put it? ] manifested from the system. Spontaneously.