Directive 001 [Video] [Public]

[wolf_of_war]

[There is a...dog? on your screen? He looks vaguely canine, at least, though the glowing red eyes and angular, mechanical features are a dead giveaway that he's not your average dog. He looks to be sitting somewhere in the city, most likely off the beaten path a bit, so as to avoid the gaze of the locals. The joys of a built-in codec.]

I find myself...curious, about the collar around my neck. Preliminary analysis suggests that it is an ordinary gemstone, however I have been informed that this item contains my "soul", and that I should not remove it.

[A pause, as he parses his thoughts on the subject at hand.]

As I am an artificial intelligence in a robotic exoskeleton, I do not have the required knowledge to determine the presence of a "soul" in my body. perhaps there are others more knowledgeable on the subject than I, who might inform me on how this is possible.

Comments

[wolf_of_war]

That is good to know. I am not capable of interpreting emotions that are not explicitly stated, so people's opinions are largely unknown to me, unless they speak them aloud. I am sure once I prove my worth, people will accept me.

[He likes it when people judge him by his intelligence, rather than how he came to be or what he looks like.]

[dragonaught]

That's pretty common for people. Maybe it's harder for you because you don't have the features to emote with? It's kind of... [ Casey pauses, thinks. ] ... a learning aid to understand how you act when you feel something and compare it to others.

[ Even between races and species, there's always some kind of common denominator. It's probably difficult to be a sentient creature without all the other trappings most other sentients would think a given. ]

But you're right, too. If people know you're reliable, that's all that really matters.

[wolf_of_war]

Affirmative. If I think something of someone I deem worth sharing, I say it aloud. Due to the nature of my artificial intelligence, I was not programmed with a means to detect changes in facial expression, or what they mean. It was...made things difficult.

[Like that time when Mistral was able to deceive him by letting him believe that the remote that controlled his range inhibitor was the only way she could activate it. He couldn't read between the lines and see the deception.]

Though I worry that others may try to make use of my abilities for things to which I would not agree, if I could "read between the lines". I may need assistance in determining who is genuine in their endeavors.

[dragonaught]

Because you were made to fight?

[ It makes sense, but it doesn't make it less tragic. Giving life to something, however unintentional, but not equipping it to actually deal with said life... is nothing short of neglectful. It sucks. ]

I can help with that. I'm not the best at it myself sometimes... but if you don't find anyone else, I'm definitely here for that.

[wolf_of_war]

Negative. My artificial intelligence was programmed at only the most basic level. All knowledge and skills I have since acquired were done so organically, as a human might learn. My creators did not deem facial recognition necessary, as all potential targets would be identifiable via digital identification.

[He's never known any different, so he just lives with it.]

I appreciate the assistance.

[dragonaught]

Is it something you could come to learn with time? Or...

[ How confusing. Hopefully Bladewolf doesn't mind talking about it, because it's fascinating and different and a good way to learn about the things they don't understand. ]

Of course. Just contact me if you're ever not sure.

[wolf_of_war]

Possibly, though to develop a facial recognition subroutine within my pre-existing programming would take significant effort, and more knowledge of both programming and pattern algorithms than I currently possess. To use a convenient expression, it would be teaching an "old dog" new tricks.

[Why yes, Bladewolf just made a funny. Try not to faint.]

I will, thank you.

[dragonaught]

Not worth the effort?

[ Casey kind of gets it, kind of doesn't. Enough not to linger on it too long, anyway. They'll learn. ]

You're welcome.

[wolf_of_war]

Affirmative. It is simpler to act within my current capabilities, though expansion at a later time is not out of the question.

[Bladewolf rests his chin on his paws, chilling out. He's not tired per se, he's just conserving energy.]