tushanshu | Trial 001 [Radio, audio only] [Public]

Entry tags:

Trial 001 [Radio, audio only] [Public]

I'll admit, you've got one interesting place here.

[The voice belongs to a young woman, and sounds to be in her early to mid-twenties. A bit tired perhaps, but whatever stress she feels is being carefully restrained as she begins her plea for information - with an introduction naturally.] As practiced as that orientation is at the Welcome Center, I take it everyone is rather used to newcomers. So, hi. Name's Abigail, and I'm from a city called San Fransokyo.

[There's a pause that follows, but the hesitation is shaken off as she proceeds to her point.]

Just walking into the city in the first place showed me a lot. And keeping an open mind, the whole Great Turtle is begging a lot of questions, but I have one thing I would like to confirm.

For lack of a better way to say it, did time really stop back where we came from? Has anyone been able to verify it somehow? I ask because I transitioned here at a really...inopportune moment.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Have a synthesized, mechanical-sounding voice.]

I believe that the "world turtle" myth began with the Chinese, and was later adopted by the indigenous people of the American continent. That the world we know is carried on the back of a giant turtle. This place...seems to take the myth to it's next logical step.

As for your other question, I am afraid I do not yet have that information. Though that is hardly surprising, as I just arrived.

[The mechanical nature is unexpected, but not an unfamiliar quality for Abigail to hear. It certainly piques her curiosity about the speaker on the other side of signal.]

Good catch on the reference. Even at this smaller size a turtle this large shouldn't be physically possible. At least not under normal circumstances. [But apparently magic is a thing here.]

Been here about a day myself. Have you been to the Welcome Center?

Realistically, for a turtle of this size to exist, the ocean in which it swims would need to be several orders of magnitude larger than anything known on earth. I am unable to access any satellites which may be orbiting the planet, which would allow me to make a rough estimate.

[The curse of being technological in nature. Bladewolf relies on technology for everything.]

I have, yes. The welcome information was most informative, but has done little but raise more questions.

Even given a suitable environment, biological tissue has several factors that limit size as well. [Respiration for one.]

It may be that there are no satellites to be accessed, but I haven't been able to analyze much of the technology here just yet.

[A soft sigh escapes.] I sympathize. There is a lot of unknown.

Assuming that the turtle is in fact natural-born, and not engineered. It is possible, if the turtle was manufactured, that it's bodily tissue and muscle fiber could be artificially strengthened to withstand it's increased bulk. There are UG's that are several stories tall, that rely upon CNT muscle fiber in order to faciliate smooth movement where I come from. CNT is similar in structure to natural muscle tissue, but has a significantly higher tensile strength.

[Even Bladewolf himself was mostly composed of CNT, and he wasn't much bigger than a very large animal.]

I had not considered that possibility. Though I am capable of operating technology, it is...difficult for me to do so, so I have no been able to do as much investigation as I would like.

Even with increased structural integrity there are still inefficiencies in regards to the transportation of oxygen and nutrients due to diffusion rates. That is, unless CNT muscle tissue does not require as much oxygen for energy production or uses some anaerobic source not available to natural tissues.

Don't know anything about CNT actually. Or what a UG is.

[Technology from another universe. It certainly sounds fascinating in concept.]

Sounds like there's no hurry to get it figured out at least.

Individual who use CNT muscle fiber rely upon a simplified nutrient paste for subsistence, but the nutrient and oxygen transfer rate is significantly more efficient.

[And he forgets himself for a moment.]

Forgive me. CNT is an abbreviation for Carbon Nanotube. Carbon atoms arranged in the most structurally stable configuration, and then used to build artificial muscle tissue. Much of my exoskeleton is covered in CNT muscle fiber. UG is an abbreviation for Unmanned Gear. A colloquial term used for all autonomous unmanned mobile weapons, such as the Irving bipedal weapons platform, or the Ray amphibious Metal Gear.

[A pause.]

I nevertheless find myself curious. If for no other reason than to determine the structural strength of the surface upon which we now live, and how it affects the landscape that has developed here.

[Maps and cartography are kind of Bladewolf's thing, after all.]

Oh, carbon nanotubes, okay. I do actually know about those, even if I typically only had access to carbon fiber materials. Though I hadn't heard of an application with any biological engineering before.

[As for the UG, well, the sound of those does not come near her areas of experience. She has nothing to do with weapons development beyond the scope of bot fighting.]

If I knew more about the compositions of shells I might be able to hazard a guess. Might be hard to measure given its size.

Where I come from, CNT used as artificial muscle began as early as 2009, in exoskeletal suits worn by elite soldiers, to augment their physical strength and agility. It's application in robotics would not reach full scale until 2014.

[Bladewolf's gonna try anyway, because he's Bladewolf.]

Perhaps. One of the kedan may be able to provide us with information.

Robotics is where I have seen it used. Makes for a nice option when it comes to actuators.

[Those years mentioned are in the past for Abigail where she comes from, but only as a matter of a couple decades. She wonders how far the other is into his future from those points.]

Worth a shot to ask around at least. If nothing else they may be able to provide more details on the extent of the tech around here.

It allows for fluid movement without relying upon hydraulic pressure, yes. One could argue that the advancements in artificial intelligence were possible due to the development of CNT, as artificial intelligence had to evolve to make efficient use of components that allow for nature movement.

[Like himself, able to run at over 80 mph on land due to his compact quadrupedal design.]

I have seen a wide variety thus far. Some area of the city seem to incorporate more organic structures in their design suggesting technological development that encourages unity with nature, while other areas incorporate inorganic structures and heavier emphasis on mechanics in their design. However, I have not had the opportunity to explore all areas of the city as a of yet.

Determining the most efficient movement patterns for a system can be a challenge when they don't resemble something found in nature to use as an example. But it's also a fun one. [Alternative movement systems are something she toyed around with when she was still a bot fighter. Ground reaction forces, joint angles, center of gravity...] AI has been coming along from what I've seen of it back home but it'd be interesting to compare it to those developed elsewhere like the one you describe that can utilize CNT muscle.

[The more she talks about it, the more she is going to want to study it and be disappointed that she cannot do so thoroughly here in Keeliai.]

I haven't seen much organic structured lines so far, though the consoles they have around have me curious. [Yes, she was told not to touch and that makes her want to open one even more.]

There was a scientist in the late 20th century, who did much the same research. He was inspired by a fellow scientist from the Soviet Union. I believe it was referred to as the "Peace Walker" project, the end result of which was a mobile nuclear launch platform with an advanced artificial intelligence, to determine whether or not to commit to a nuclear strike. It was unique in that it could move over any type of terrain, as it walked on four legs.

[Bladewolf only heard the basics of the Peace Walker project, but several of the scientists who had worked on him were fans of the early work in artificial intelligence, so he received an education as a result.]

They seem to occur more frequently on the outskirts of the city proper, as though the further from the center of the city you travel, the closer to nature you appear to become, both literally and figuratively.

[The thought of such a project sours her curiosity in a hurry. Still, she manages to sound calm if not bored with the concept.] "Peace Walker"...ironic choice for a designation.

Good to know. I'll watch for the transition more closely as I near the perimeter when I get a chance to explore the city. See if it remains consistent through the different sectors.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Trial 001 [Radio, audio only] [Public]

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio

Audio