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Entry tags:
THE ALLIANCE EXPO
Who: EVERYONE
What: A crisis occurs at the Alliance Expo.
When: April 13
Where: Central City
Content Warnings: character death, loss of autonomy/self, mass destruction
OPENING CEREMONIES —
THE SIMULATION —
Squat in the center of the show floor is this year’s big draw: a virtual-reality simulation recreating the Godfall Event, developed using the memories of witnesses and edited for gamification. According to the brochures, it's part training exercise and part memorial for all the superheroes who fell against Starstruck.
The marketing team of the Alliance clearly had a field day. Programmed using state of the art Winters Industries technology, the simulation allows anyone to step into the role of a hero and relive the Godfall Incident — or at least, a heavily sanitized version of it. Even the marketing team recognizes that it would be upsetting to faithfully recreate the carnage of that day and market it to the world. Though it claims to be recreated from the memories of those who lived it, the introductory cutscene provides a more palatable version that plays out like a Saturday morning cartoon:
Notably, Atomight appears to be perturbed by all of this. The hero does not stay on the show floor long, excusing himself curtly after the simulation is announced. Any who linger too close to Conference Room C may hear an explosive argument between the leader of the Alliance and the head of marketing. It seems that Atomight painted a very different picture of what this event would be, and the marketing team of the Alliance ran wild without the input of its chair. He returns to the event, though. Obligation keeps him rooted here, unhappy but unwilling to abandon the dream that founded this.
A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX —
AFTERMATH —
What: A crisis occurs at the Alliance Expo.
When: April 13
Where: Central City
Content Warnings: character death, loss of autonomy/self, mass destruction
THE ALLIANCE EXPO
Every April, Central City hosts a guild publicity event known as the annual Alliance Expo, ostensibly to memorialize the Godfall Incident.
Most people will have heard this major historical event referenced by now — the name is inscribed on city monuments, evoked in political debates, taught in a history class, and reimagined for movies. If not, at the Expo itself, informational booths paint a very black and white picture of how good triumphed over evil.
On April 3rd, 1985, a young metahuman named Starstruck nearly obliterated Central City. Seeing the risk of his unchecked rage unraveling reality itself, heroes and villains joined forces to stop Starstruck and save the world from its certain destruction.
In the wake of the incident, Metahuman survivors came together — not as heroes and villains, but as citizens of the planet. At this first Alliance Expo, they created the Guilds with the common goal of protecting this universe.
Since the 80s, the Expo has opened to the public. Like the Alliance itself, it has evolved (or devolved?) to be more commercialized. Nowadays, the Expo is a publicity event where vendors sell branded merchandise and knockoffs of licensed and unlicensed heroes alike.
Most people will have heard this major historical event referenced by now — the name is inscribed on city monuments, evoked in political debates, taught in a history class, and reimagined for movies. If not, at the Expo itself, informational booths paint a very black and white picture of how good triumphed over evil.
On April 3rd, 1985, a young metahuman named Starstruck nearly obliterated Central City. Seeing the risk of his unchecked rage unraveling reality itself, heroes and villains joined forces to stop Starstruck and save the world from its certain destruction.
In the wake of the incident, Metahuman survivors came together — not as heroes and villains, but as citizens of the planet. At this first Alliance Expo, they created the Guilds with the common goal of protecting this universe.
Since the 80s, the Expo has opened to the public. Like the Alliance itself, it has evolved (or devolved?) to be more commercialized. Nowadays, the Expo is a publicity event where vendors sell branded merchandise and knockoffs of licensed and unlicensed heroes alike.
OPENING CEREMONIES —
In the spirit of its early days, when the Expo was meant to be a point of connection for all metas, it still offers free entry to metahumans who are in costume (or whose identities/meta status are known). As with any convention, inside the crowded Central City Convention Center, attendees must wear their badges on lanyards as they navigate booths and schedules. The show floor provides curated museum-style exhibits about the Godfall Incident and other pieces of metahuman history, as well as art installations and even some branded food and merch stands that venerate the heroes who saved the day.
Of course, non-metas attend as well, but in smaller numbers. Many of them are fans of capes, who arrive dressed in dated costumes of their favorites and chat about their favorite era of a particular hero's career. Having paid for the rare opportunity to rub shoulders with their idols at this prestigious event, they may overwhelm new heroes with requests for autographs or comments (or critiques!) about their wardrobe. In addition to fans, meta attendees may run into investors sidling up to heroes with hopes of getting in on the ground floor to make a mascot of the next big hero under the guise of altruism.
A speech from Frances Starling kickstarts the opening ceremonies. Following her scathing, undisguised criticism for the commercialization of a tragic event (and reference to the particular surprises it posed to its stakeholders), she acknowledges that she feels an obligation to be here. She devotes most of her speech to addressing the new Confluence-created metas about the danger that comes with being a metahuman and a citizen of this world, emphasizing that no meta is obligated to throw themselves headlong into danger. Metahumans, she says, deserve the chance to live a quiet, modest life as much as anyone else.
The dazzling display that follows is anything but modest. The Expo's opening ceremonies continue apace with indoor fireworks, a hologram movie, and a band with a lightshow. In addition, new metas get the chance to perform in a variety of ways:
Of course, non-metas attend as well, but in smaller numbers. Many of them are fans of capes, who arrive dressed in dated costumes of their favorites and chat about their favorite era of a particular hero's career. Having paid for the rare opportunity to rub shoulders with their idols at this prestigious event, they may overwhelm new heroes with requests for autographs or comments (or critiques!) about their wardrobe. In addition to fans, meta attendees may run into investors sidling up to heroes with hopes of getting in on the ground floor to make a mascot of the next big hero under the guise of altruism.
A speech from Frances Starling kickstarts the opening ceremonies. Following her scathing, undisguised criticism for the commercialization of a tragic event (and reference to the particular surprises it posed to its stakeholders), she acknowledges that she feels an obligation to be here. She devotes most of her speech to addressing the new Confluence-created metas about the danger that comes with being a metahuman and a citizen of this world, emphasizing that no meta is obligated to throw themselves headlong into danger. Metahumans, she says, deserve the chance to live a quiet, modest life as much as anyone else.
The dazzling display that follows is anything but modest. The Expo's opening ceremonies continue apace with indoor fireworks, a hologram movie, and a band with a lightshow. In addition, new metas get the chance to perform in a variety of ways:
- The Alliance's staffers are more than happy to facilitate any talented metas who wish to show off their skills during the ostentatious opening ceremonies.
- Some time later, new Alliance heroes are ushered onstage to debut their hero identities to the world. An announcer excitedly reads code names as facilitators nudge the new heroes onto the stage to parade around the catwalk and show off their costumes and gadgetry. Stars explode around them, and time is made for anyone who wants to give a little speech.
- The Expo has also pre-arranged a dramatic performance with the new guild members: just as the new Alliance heroes make their debut, new Society members arrive to "crash" the celebration and cause mischief. In the loose scripting that prepared participants for the event in advance, staffers encourage them to ham it up and mug for the cameras. Some may have pre-arranged choreography — of their own, or at the behest of the Alliance's marketing team. For playing along and making the heroes look good, Society members will be rewarded handsomely ... off the record, of course.
THE SIMULATION —
Squat in the center of the show floor is this year’s big draw: a virtual-reality simulation recreating the Godfall Event, developed using the memories of witnesses and edited for gamification. According to the brochures, it's part training exercise and part memorial for all the superheroes who fell against Starstruck.
The marketing team of the Alliance clearly had a field day. Programmed using state of the art Winters Industries technology, the simulation allows anyone to step into the role of a hero and relive the Godfall Incident — or at least, a heavily sanitized version of it. Even the marketing team recognizes that it would be upsetting to faithfully recreate the carnage of that day and market it to the world. Though it claims to be recreated from the memories of those who lived it, the introductory cutscene provides a more palatable version that plays out like a Saturday morning cartoon:
You are a hero of the 1980s. The costumes are bright and colorful, the hair enormous and flowing. The hues of the simulation are oversaturated and vaguely psychedelic. You may find yourself delivering bombastic, alliterative catchphrases or striking dramatic poses for no particular reason. It’s fun! Just go with it!
At the center of all of this, Starstruck destroys (random, and of course) unoccupied buildings with his energy blast powers. A classic 1980s cartoon villain, his hair is the biggest and the pointiest, and he’s wearing spikes and eyeliner. The VR replica doesn't quite match the brochures outside, but it’s close enough, right? As soon as he spots heroes approaching, Starstruck stops destroying (random and, of course, unoccupied) buildings to monologue at length, cackling about his plans to destroy the world and how you heroes can do nothing to stop him! This is a VR game, not just a cutscene — participants can interact with Starstruck. Go on! Walk up and punch him mid-speech!
Any attack will start the battle in earnest. As promised, this is just a silly sort of beat-em-up game. Starstruck has several different patterns of energy attack, which he’ll mix up some. In his second phase — indicated by him getting angry and glowing red — he whips out some larger attacks, but he’s never too difficult to defeat. You came in here to play a fun game, maybe try out some new powers, and ultimately feel like heroes, and that’s what the game is going to deliver.
You know. Probably.
At the center of all of this, Starstruck destroys (random, and of course) unoccupied buildings with his energy blast powers. A classic 1980s cartoon villain, his hair is the biggest and the pointiest, and he’s wearing spikes and eyeliner. The VR replica doesn't quite match the brochures outside, but it’s close enough, right? As soon as he spots heroes approaching, Starstruck stops destroying (random and, of course, unoccupied) buildings to monologue at length, cackling about his plans to destroy the world and how you heroes can do nothing to stop him! This is a VR game, not just a cutscene — participants can interact with Starstruck. Go on! Walk up and punch him mid-speech!
Any attack will start the battle in earnest. As promised, this is just a silly sort of beat-em-up game. Starstruck has several different patterns of energy attack, which he’ll mix up some. In his second phase — indicated by him getting angry and glowing red — he whips out some larger attacks, but he’s never too difficult to defeat. You came in here to play a fun game, maybe try out some new powers, and ultimately feel like heroes, and that’s what the game is going to deliver.
You know. Probably.
Notably, Atomight appears to be perturbed by all of this. The hero does not stay on the show floor long, excusing himself curtly after the simulation is announced. Any who linger too close to Conference Room C may hear an explosive argument between the leader of the Alliance and the head of marketing. It seems that Atomight painted a very different picture of what this event would be, and the marketing team of the Alliance ran wild without the input of its chair. He returns to the event, though. Obligation keeps him rooted here, unhappy but unwilling to abandon the dream that founded this.
A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX —
As everyone is distracted by the glitz and glam the Expo offers, no one notices as someone makes their way to the simulator’s core console and slip a USB into the drive.
Inside the simulation, something subtly shifts. The bright colors dull to something more realistic. The punches and kicks lose their sound effects. The screen tears briefly as the simulation splits, duplicating itself into multiple instances. Then it all goes dark.
When the lights come back on, participants stand in the midst of a mostly destroyed Central City. A massive column of light shines in the center of the city, so bright it hurts to look at. The air sears your lungs. People scream, racing away from the slowly expanding field of energy, leveling buildings as it goes.
At the epicenter stands Starstruck, and the energy that is destroying the city is radiating out of his form. However, on closer inspection, he's changed too. This is no longer some over-the-top, dramatic villain. This is a teenage boy, looking terrified, alone, and unstoppable.
And you know he can’t stop.
He wants to, you can tell he does, but he can’t.
So you need to stop him.
It’s no wonder Atomight didn't want this celebrated.
You struggle to remember that this is a simulation - for some, the thought may slip away entirely. It feels real enough. Hero, villain, unaligned — however you think of yourself doesn’t matter. You’re standing shoulder to shoulder with friends, lovers, and enemies to do the unthinkable. Some of you may be freshly sprung from the maximum security metahuman jail. Some may have bolted away from parents, donning makeshift costumes, knowing that this may very well be your last stand. Others still may be in plainclothes, your metahuman status hidden to the world until this exact moment.
While some participants may retain their own values and minds others can be compelled by the AI of the hero role they're placed into in any of the following ways:
It takes time to notice. At first, the party continues apace — until alarms blare. The technicians and technopaths stop what they’re doing and run for the simulation room. Those who run after them and can read the monitor data can't quite determine what exactly has gone awry — but on thing is clear: the participants aren't responding to reality, and many seem to be in genuine distress.
The technicians are also distressed as they declare that the simulation can't be shut down. Pulling the power could cause serious damage to those still inside — the safety protocols, after all, also rely on that power, and people inside are throwing around attacks that could seriously injure each other if they weren’t safely within a VR space.
Those on the outside can work to save the trapped participants:
Inside the simulation, something subtly shifts. The bright colors dull to something more realistic. The punches and kicks lose their sound effects. The screen tears briefly as the simulation splits, duplicating itself into multiple instances. Then it all goes dark.
When the lights come back on, participants stand in the midst of a mostly destroyed Central City. A massive column of light shines in the center of the city, so bright it hurts to look at. The air sears your lungs. People scream, racing away from the slowly expanding field of energy, leveling buildings as it goes.
At the epicenter stands Starstruck, and the energy that is destroying the city is radiating out of his form. However, on closer inspection, he's changed too. This is no longer some over-the-top, dramatic villain. This is a teenage boy, looking terrified, alone, and unstoppable.
And you know he can’t stop.
He wants to, you can tell he does, but he can’t.
So you need to stop him.
It’s no wonder Atomight didn't want this celebrated.
You struggle to remember that this is a simulation - for some, the thought may slip away entirely. It feels real enough. Hero, villain, unaligned — however you think of yourself doesn’t matter. You’re standing shoulder to shoulder with friends, lovers, and enemies to do the unthinkable. Some of you may be freshly sprung from the maximum security metahuman jail. Some may have bolted away from parents, donning makeshift costumes, knowing that this may very well be your last stand. Others still may be in plainclothes, your metahuman status hidden to the world until this exact moment.
While some participants may retain their own values and minds others can be compelled by the AI of the hero role they're placed into in any of the following ways:
- TURN AWAY AND RESCUE CIVILIANS — Some heroes can't face the moral quandary posed by Starstruck's fall. Maybe you leave the hard choices to others and focus on what you can do and who you can save.
- CONVINCE OTHERS TO TRY TO REACH STARSTRUCK (OR DO IT YOURSELF) — If you've taken on the role of one of Starstruck's teammates, you may stand between your friend and the adult heroes trying to take him down. You're driven by the sense that if you could just get within earshot and talk to him, you could reach your friend and calm this whole thing down.
- FIGHT THROUGH YOUR FRIENDS TO STOP THE VILLAIN — Those in the position of grizzled heroes or cynical villains may believe the situation is well past something that words can solve. You've seen the reports, and you know you have less than an hour to stop this kid from destroying the planet. You’ve weighed his life against the billions on the planet and have made your choice, no matter how much it sickens you to do so. And now you have to snuff out this child’s terrible light, even if you have to fight your way through your own loved ones to do it.
- DESTROY THE WORLD? — Especially unlucky participants may get shuffled into Starstruck's AI and stand as the harbinger of this apocalypse, right at the epicenter of the blast.
His emotional state — your emotional state — swings wildly between anger, horror, grief, and regret. But one thing is clear: he never wanted this. And neither did you. Loss weighs heavily on you, dragging up your own dark feelings and memories of loss, inadequacy, pain. It assails the senses and doubles you over. As the darkness encroaches, the energy around you pulses and expands further.
You can't hold the energy in; your powers are out of control. Will you ask someone to end it — and you with it? Or will you decide that if you have to die, the world should go with you? Or maybe your friends can find the right words to talk you down, miraculously saving you from your own might.
OUTSIDE
It takes time to notice. At first, the party continues apace — until alarms blare. The technicians and technopaths stop what they’re doing and run for the simulation room. Those who run after them and can read the monitor data can't quite determine what exactly has gone awry — but on thing is clear: the participants aren't responding to reality, and many seem to be in genuine distress.
The technicians are also distressed as they declare that the simulation can't be shut down. Pulling the power could cause serious damage to those still inside — the safety protocols, after all, also rely on that power, and people inside are throwing around attacks that could seriously injure each other if they weren’t safely within a VR space.
Those on the outside can work to save the trapped participants:
- Can you help the technicians diagnose the problem?
- Can you convince them that you should go in and pull people out yourself like in Sunset Falls? Careful - that might not exactly work the way you expect, but it’ll be easy to slip past the distracted workers if you really want to try.
- Maybe you want to investigate what triggered the failing in the first place and go for the convention center's security footage, which reveals the masked figure with the USB. How will you track them down?
- Got another plan? To pursue these and other options, please collaborate with other players to develop a plan and pitch your approach to the mods HERE.
AFTERMATH —
Maybe you defeat Starstruck, or whatever unlucky person happened to be playing him today. Maybe you somehow manage to talk them down this time. Maybe you stood by and let him destroy everything, unwilling to sacrifice one life for millions. One way or another, thanks to the work of those outside, the simulation reaches its end.
For those emerging from the simulation, the VR Hall comes back into focus. Medical staff run inside — mercifully, the safeties didn’t fail. As real as it all felt, no matter what powers were being thrown around, no one comes out physically hurt. After a brief check-up to ensure that there’s no lingering side-effects, the healers and medics determined that any scarring you’ll walk away with on this day is all mental.
Those who return to enjoy the rest of the Expo will find the mood sobered. However, plenty of vendors still need to offload their wares, and plenty of attendees want their money's worth. Nothing even really happened, right? Just a glitch? In spite of all you’ve just seen and felt, the Expo kicks back into full swing pretty quickly after the situation’s resolved, as if nothing even really happened.
The booths and informational posters with their shiny, marketable version of the Godfall Incident are still firmly in place. Knowing what you know now, can you really rejoin the party...?
Not wanting any negative PR, the Expo organizers are offering everyone involved in the VR incident a free goodie bag of convention swag! Enjoy your branded lanyards and tea cozies. If that isn’t enough, they may be able to slip you a little hush money.
For those emerging from the simulation, the VR Hall comes back into focus. Medical staff run inside — mercifully, the safeties didn’t fail. As real as it all felt, no matter what powers were being thrown around, no one comes out physically hurt. After a brief check-up to ensure that there’s no lingering side-effects, the healers and medics determined that any scarring you’ll walk away with on this day is all mental.
Those who return to enjoy the rest of the Expo will find the mood sobered. However, plenty of vendors still need to offload their wares, and plenty of attendees want their money's worth. Nothing even really happened, right? Just a glitch? In spite of all you’ve just seen and felt, the Expo kicks back into full swing pretty quickly after the situation’s resolved, as if nothing even really happened.
The booths and informational posters with their shiny, marketable version of the Godfall Incident are still firmly in place. Knowing what you know now, can you really rejoin the party...?
Not wanting any negative PR, the Expo organizers are offering everyone involved in the VR incident a free goodie bag of convention swag! Enjoy your branded lanyards and tea cozies. If that isn’t enough, they may be able to slip you a little hush money.
IN SUMMARY...
- The Alliance Expo is part job conference, part tech conference, and part comic-con, and all metahumans attend for free. New guild heroes and villains will be publicly introduced.
- While operating as intended, expo attendees can relive a light-hearted, propaganda version of the Godfall Event via VR simulation, where participants step into the shoes of a real hero who existed during this time to experience a light-hearted, Saturday morning cartoon version of events.
- After someone sabotages the simulation, the simulation becomes realistic recreation of the Godfall Event. Participants may be overwhelmed by the programmed AI's memories and motives, and can take the role of either any hero or of Starstruck himself, a terrified teenager who lost control of his powers.
- The simulation runs multiple simultaneous instances, so multiple characters can take on the role of Starstruck or the role of his savior and/or killer.
- Those outside the simulation can work together to investigate or fix the crisis. To pursue these and other options, players should use the OOC community to collaborate and develop a plan to pitch to the mods HERE.
Please direct any questions regarding this log HERE.
no subject
He's curious, terribly so. But at the same time, it feels like a dangerous road to venture down. Maybe not now, not with someone he's only just met.
"Well, yes, I suppose that's true. I've been looking around Excelsior, actually. Not easy to break into the nuclear power industry without any verifiable work history, I'll tell you." That's certainly true. The truer version is that Otto hasn't really tried. He's feeling gun-shy about that kind of work, for some mysterious reason! "But you've got the advantage on me. What's your name?"
no subject
But the idea that the man was coming to his city was both... interesting and a bit nervous making. Though he could understand the keeping people without histories out of nuclear power. He won't even suggest talking to the guilds.
"My name is David Alleyne, and I imagine I'll keep the advantage at this time. I'm not very known back home, and I doubt I am in other worlds either."
no subject
So yeah, he's definitely already sought a bit of medical advice for the whole back thing. But there's reasons he hasn't already followed up on that recommendation. He's nervous about the idea of people - technopath or telepath - getting in his head. The actuators don't seem to feel much better; two of them have already honed in a little closer on David at the realization.
Otto closes their claws and lowers them to a more neutral position. They're...wary, if he were to assign an emotion to it. Just wary. He doesn't feel that prickle of impeding threat. Still, there's no need to act like that.
"I wouldn't make too much of it anyway," he goes on, as if he isn't mentally chiding his own arms at the same time. "The only superhero in my world is Spider-Man. I get recognized here much more than I recognize anyone else." It hasn't generally been great!
no subject
"Yeah, that would be me, and I definitely wasn't a fan of how they reacted to me there," David said, leaning a bit further back in his chair. He intended to survive the event, thanks. "Trust me when I say I don't want in their minds. I have no clue what it would be like, interfacing with something like them. Could hurt all of us, so I'll definitely not have that on my short list of things to do provided no one gets aggressive."
Still, this isn't the first time the only hero someone's known from home is Spider-Man.
"I hear that a lot these days. Spidey is pretty well known in the multiverse. Makes sense. He's a friendly guy."
no subject
The rest, though, does draw a wince out of him. "I'm sorry. They're...well, it's a work in progress." David doesn't really need to hear his thoughts on the developing AI and their socialization. Maybe he'd be interested, but it's not exactly an emotionally neutral topic for Otto himself. Very little about the actuators is. "Rest assured, I have it under control. Can't exactly say I'd recommend interfacing with them anyway."
One of the actuators looks at him. Father insults actuators? Father is cruel and unyielding! Otto gives it a Look right back; he said what he said.
"That he is," he agrees, some of that tension vanishing at the topic of Spider-Man. "The version from my world isn't here, but I know most of the ones who are. Good kids, all of them." And one thirty-something who he is decidedly not friendly with, but Otto figures that's more of a reflection on his alternate self than on that particular Spider-Man.
no subject
While he can hide some of that intrigue, he can't hide the shock he gets from Otto agreeing about Spider-Man.
"I'll admit, I'm insanely curious. But I promise I won't pry on that. Sounds like you're very much not the sort of man your counterpart in my world is."
no subject
"I'm a bit curious about him, myself. The most specific information I've heard is that he's got some kind of Napoleon complex." He says it with a bit of disdain. He's a tall man himself, but even if he could relate - how ridiculously must you behave, to have that be what people know about you?
It sounds almost silly. It was probably intentionally so; he thinks Doreen was trying to be kind. But Otto knows better than to dismiss his counterpart out of hand. Half the time, people he meets seem to think he'll just...explode over nothing. That world's Spider-Man was afraid of him, when they first met. It's all...unsettling, deeply and persistently so.
"But maybe another time," he concludes. "This is hardly the place - besides, you're working. I must be scaring people away from your demonstration!" He's not; this place is dead. But he's trying to be nice. Really, it does deserve more attention!
no subject
So really, he shouldn't be too surprised. Though he is grateful that the man moved on from the questions.
"Oh yes, terrifying them," David agreed, sighing as he looked around the area and saw no one really interested. "The Metas here, they don't think much about the potential of what comes from their power, and what they can lose."
no subject
Entirely alien, too, for a man whose world had one superhero total. Spider-Man's loved by the public, sure. There was a bit of merchandise, some toys and costumes; things which Peter must have had no say in, and certainly seen no profit from. But even before it all became personal for Otto, he'd found that sort of thing a little distasteful. It wasn't just some TV show to follow - these were real people. A lot of folks had been hurt or killed in that conflict between Spider-Man and the Goblin. Norman had been killed.
"Still, I am a little surprised. I've always found that robot arms get a lot of attention."
no subject
Robot arms getting attention gets a nod from David.
"Yes, but this isn't meant to be a robot. It's working for prosthetics. And that reminds people they are mortal."
no subject
"Not exactly a fun superhero-themed trinket to sell." An actuator taps its claws idly against the floor, his mind flashing back to Curt once more. He misses him; he hopes he's still okay, back in their world. Maybe he got hold of some of Otto's old research, after everything. Maybe it could still help somehow.
"Maybe if you'd added a few more laser guns," he says with a smile, trying to turn the mood back around. "As long as we're here - tell me more about this neural link system you're using." The pamphlet had mentioned it, but naturally not gone into great detail. It's a pamphlet.
no subject
Though the laser gun idea makes him roll his eyes. Yeah, that isn't happening.
"Our work is for practical prosthetics and assistive technology. To let people interact with the world on their own terms, without feeling lesser. But going to pass on the lasers because of that."
Still, to talk to Doctor Otto Octavius about neural links has his eyes bright and dancing with eagerness.
"It's something we're having a bit of issue on, even me. The problem is creating a safe interface that reads only actual intent. Part of my background is in neurology, but I sort of have to keep that secret because otherwise it's obvious I'm not normal. And yet. I"m still having issues. We've had some progress with reading of micromotions in extant muscles, and I've been working on deriving a basic neural interface, but it's not always the easiest."
no subject
But he seems interested in the topic, listening intently. "You know, I'd hoped to turn some of the tech involved in these to use in prosthetics, later down the line." An actuator gestures at his back. Everything there is covered beneath his clothing - a high-necked shirt even conceals the inhibitor chip - but it sounds like David has some understanding of the systems already. "With significant modifications, of course. Most of this would be unnecessary in a true prosthetic, not to mention the cost. But I think the neural link is sound, it could be replicated on a smaller scale."
Really, he hasn't had any difficulty with controlling the actuators consciously. The problems he's had were all born from the AI. There is, of course, absolutely no reason to put AI in a normal person's arm. The actuators had been intended for a specialized purpose; with a prosthetic, it'd be more important to integrate the connections with the patient's body - easier in some ways, more difficult in others. It would've been a fair amount more work. But he could have done it, he's sure he could have.
Otto looks at Andy again for a long moment, before adding: "I had an old friend who lost an arm as a child, I was going to work with him. He'd have loved this."
no subject
"A neural link would be an ideal choice. For all of my experience with machines and a background in neurology, I'm having a lot of trouble with it. And given I'm trying to keep that I'm a meta on the down low, while already working in the programming side of things, it's hard to get those working on interfaces to listen without making people suspicious."
So even if he had the answers, he couldn't get the right people to fully listen.
"I went to high school with a guy that lost both of his hands. And one of my favorite teachers lost a leg. I've got serious feelings about helping people in those situations out."
no subject
All of his notes and research are in another dimension! And possibly destroyed? Otto honestly has no idea. Even if that weren't the case, he's gained some more perspective now; it'd be better to separate out the wheat from the chaff himself. Maybe it isn't the wisest thing, offering up some of his work for nothing, but there's more important things than money.
no subject
"Thank you, for even considering this as something you'd want to do. You could help so many people. I know that was always the original intention of the Dr. Octavious back home, before things went wrong. I'm glad it's yours too."
no subject
David is far kinder in his assessment of the other Otto than anyone else has been. It's a bit odd. For his part, Otto's inclined to believe the majority, but it's still sort of nice to hear that the man might have had good intentions too, once. Better still to have someone believe in his own good intentions.
"Yes - yes, of course. I'm happy to help."
move to wrap this for other/new things?
"Would you like my card? I'd be happy to give it to you. Wait, maybe I already have. Damn, I'm sorry, I'm just really excited at the prospect of the jump in tech you could give us."
👍
He'll accept the card, give his thanks again, and then finally move on after that. Even if things are slow in here, he really shouldn't monopolize David's time like this. They can always talk shop later, and maybe there's other interesting booths in here.
(You know, either that or the virtual reality display could ten minutes later and everything could descend into chaos! That could happen too!)