It appears your CORETECHS firmware is outdated! Luckily a friendly Benevolent Dynamics Field Technician is close-by to give you a hand.
Level: 1
Start: Fellie Norbush, Port, Tau Station
Introduction
As you move through the port, taking in the sights and sounds of the entry-point to Tau Station, the gleaming jewel of Consortium space, you note a young Harsene woman staring at you with a bright smile and large, lovely eyes. She stands out from the hustle and bustle of the port like a serene island of polite friendliness in her crisp and colorful technician's uniform, standing under the banner of a company called Benevolent Dynamics. The bright orange and blue colors of her overalls stand out among the white and chrome that make up most of Tau Station's architecture.
- Return her gaze.
- Ignore her.
Ignore:
With a shrug, you turn your attentions elsewhere and continue walking on by.
You have failed the "CORETECHS Calibrations" mission. You can retake this mission and try again.
Gaze:
If you have completed the mission "Fighting off the Pod Fog":
You look up. The woman's large, iris-less eyes, that mark her as someone of the Harsene genotype, known for their deep intelligence and analytical minds, lock onto yours and her smile widens, radiating friendliness. She looks very familiar. Where do you know her from? At exactly the same moment, a notification appears in your field of vision, alerting you to an incoming message from Fellie Norbush!
After some moments, the message begins to play, though you never accepted it.
The message says: Hello there, <player>. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the intrusion. Benevolent Dynamics would like to inform you that a software upgrade exists for your CORETECHS device, and I'd be happy to upgrade you! This is an absolutely complimentary service and will cost you neither time nor credits! (Ok a little time, but very little, I promise!). Hope to speak to you in a moment, Fellie!
If not:
You look up. The woman's large, iris-less eyes, that mark her as someone of the Harsene genotype, known for their deep intelligence and analytical minds, lock onto yours and her smile widens, radiating friendliness. At exactly the same moment, a notification appears in your field of vision, alerting you to an incoming message from Fellie Norbush!
After some moments, the message begins to play, though you never accepted it.
The message says: Hello there! Welcome to Tau Station, please accept my sincerest apologies for the intrusion. Benevolent Dynamics would like to inform you that a software upgrade exists for your CORETECHS device. My name is Fellie Norbush and I would be happy to upgrade you! This is an absolutely complimentary service and will cost you neither time nor credits! (Ok a little time, but very little, I promise!). Hope to speak to you in a moment, Fellie!
Either way:
As the message ends, Fellie nods at you and smiles again.
You have accepted the "CORETECHS Calibrations" mission.
- Approach Fellie Norbush.
If you have completed the mission "Fighting off the Pod Fog":
As you approach Fellie, a small indicator of a soothing orange color blinks over her head as your CORETECHS confirms her name and identity. You recognize her as the technician who helped you through your gestation sickness. A smile that extends to her striking eyes blossoms on her face as she greets you in a polite and friendly tone.
She says, Hey there! Benevolent Dynamics would like to wish you an astonishingly pleasant day. Remember me? I must say, you look a lot healthier than when I last saw you. Pod fog didn't suit you! Anyway, thanks so much for responding to my notification and I'm so sorry to have intruded in that way. We would almost never do that but this firmware upgrade changes some of the core architecture of our software so we want to make sure that absolutely everyone has a chance to acquire it.
If not:
As you approach Fellie, a small indicator of a soothing orange color blinks over her head as your CORETECHS confirms her name and identity. A smile that extends to her striking eyes blossoms on her face as she greets you in a polite and friendly tone.
She says, Hello there! Benevolent Dynamics would like to wish you an astonishingly pleasant day. Thanks so much for responding to my notification and I'm so sorry to have intruded in that way. We would almost never do that but this firmware upgrade changes some of the core architecture of our software so we want to make sure that absolutely everyone has a chance to acquire it.
Either way:
She flicks a delicately manicured sapphire nail in your direction and a notification pops up in your field of vision, your CORETECHS informing you of Fellie's request in an official capacity.
Fellie manipulates the air in front of her as she focuses on the UI in her CORETECHS. An errant slip of hair falls down over her eye and she absently blows it back up with a puff of air. After a moment she addresses you again.
Fellie says: I can see your device is actually pretty decently updated, so you'd only really need this latest upgrade. Shouldn't take more than a moment or two, but I do need your consent first.
- "Hold on, exactly what are you going to do to me with this upgrade?"
- "Woah, sorry. What's a CORETECHS?"
- "What's a Benevolent Dynamic?"
CORETECHS:
Me: Woah, sorry. What's a CORETECHS?
Fellie blinks. She opens and shuts her mouth a couple of times before she replies. The bustle of the port continues around you, people and cargo moving through the area in a melange of sounds and smells, while she processes your question which seems to have taken her by surprise.
She says: Oh! I…sorry, you just caught me off guard! CORETECHS stands for COgnitive Recall Enhancer TECHnology Stack and is a personal computing interface placed behind the retinas of the eye. It provides digital functionality via an augmented reality interface. The CORETECHS is what allows you to see my ID over my head, it allows you to access personal communications and other utilities. Last but not least, the CORETECHS also connects you to the mesh.
- "Hold on, exactly what are you going to do to me with this upgrade?"
- "What's a Benevolent Dynamic?"
- "The Mesh? What exactly is that?"
Mesh:
Me: You said the CORETECHS connects to the… Mesh? What exactly is that?
Fellie raises a brow quizzically, rolling her eyes a little.
Fellie: Really? I gotta explain that too? You gonna ask me where babies come from next? Hehe… Only joking. I guess, working for Benevolent Dynamics, I forget the average citizen isn't exactly a tech expert… OK, pay attention. The Mesh is a network of millions of nodes, all talking to each other all the time, relaying data across the galaxy. In a way, it's the biggest thing humanity ever built. It's what enables you to relay a payment to Taungoo or send a message to a friend in Alpha Centauri, all via your CORETECHS…
- "Hold on, exactly what are you going to do to me with this upgrade?"
- "What's a Benevolent Dynamic?"
Benevolent Dynamic:
Me: What's a Benevolent Dynamic?
Fellie says: ics… Benevolent Dynamics, it's plural. Benevolent Dynamics is the company behind your CORETECHS device. Founded by Maya Von Christova thirty four cycles after the Catastrophe, Benevolent Dynamics is an independent technocracy that explores and develops the latest scientific innovations in order to give humanity a fighting chance!
Fellie smiles and taps the logo on her chest and then points at the banner above her.
She says: We make it our aim to bring everyone's voice to the silence of space.
- "Hold on, exactly what are you going to do to me with this upgrade?"
Me: Hold on, exactly what are you going to do?
Fellie says: It's a simple firmware update for your CORETECHS. Usually these are automatically applied but we like to test the system with manual upgrades from time to time. Just to make sure everything is working up to scratch!
- "What else can the CORETECHS do?"
Me: What else can the CORETECHS do?
She says: Well, the CORETECHS provides a host of digital amenities to connect you to the world around you. As I mentioned, you can access your personal comms, you can purchase certain products over the mesh and so forth. The CORETECHS also links up to your own personal biofeedback and keeps track of your current health. It's also where you'll find the archive. There's heaps of knowledge in there, and it's growing all the time… You can learn about different stations, genotypes, corporations… You name it!
She smiles, saying: Additionally, the CORETECHS will broadcast social feedback such as a given person's Ident designation, should they have an open privacy setting, as well as any profile details they have made public. Pretty much all the digital input you can see is us.
Fellie plants her hands on her hips and beams proudly.
- "You mentioned the CORETECHS connects to the world around me?"
- "I'm ready, go ahead."
- "So what kind of communications can I utilize?"
- "How can I interact with my bio statistics?"
- "I'm not ready, maybe later."
- "Tell me more about the archive."
NOTE: The following appears in Events:
System notification.
Fellie's chirpy voice carries a genuine energy as she recounts the impressive capabilities of the CORETECHS. Benevolent Dynamics staffers certainly seem to enjoy their work.
World:
Me: You mentioned the CORETECHS can network with navigation?
Fellie: Oh yes! Through your CORETECHS interface, you can view the various nearby destinations as well as pull up interesting information about them such as history, functionality, and the like.
- "I'm not ready, maybe later."
- "So what kind of communications can I utilize?"
- "I'm ready, go ahead."
- "How can I interact with my bio statistics?"
- "Tell me more about the archive."
Communications:
Me: So what kind of communications can I utilize?
Fellie: There are actually a number of comms systems that your CORETECHS will connect to. Utilizing the user interface and selecting "CORETECHS" you will find you have access to an email network, user forums, and a personal blog.
- "I'm ready, go ahead."
- "I'm not ready, maybe later."
- "How can I interact with my bio statistics?"
- "Tell me more about the archive."
Archive:
Me: So this archive… You said it's like some sort of encyclopedia?
Fellie: Yeah, basically. Knowledge is pretty scarce these days… We could all use a little help. That's what the archive is for. You can learn about all sorts. Nearby stations, technologies, history… We like to think it makes the universe a less confusing place!
- "How can I interact with my bio statistics?"
- "I'm ready, go ahead."
- "I'm not ready, maybe later."
Bio statistics:
Me: How can I interact with my bio statistics?
Fellie says: Well, you see, the CORETECHS system receives feedback directly from your own cerebral, aha, cortex. It translates the biofeedback into statistical data and presents it to you via a user-friendly user interface! Simply select your own name on the menu and you can view all of the relevant information! The CORETECHS tracks everything from your current focus to toxicity and hunger levels.
- "I'm ready, go ahead."
- "I'm not ready, maybe later."
Not ready:
Me: I'm not ready, maybe later.
Fellie purses her lips then shrugs, sending her curls bouncing.
Fellie says, All right. Well, just let me know when you're ready. I'll be here! Don't wait too long, or you might experience some of your processes slowing down. See you soon!
Fellie beams cheerfully at you and turns to wave another person over for an upgrade.
You have failed the "CORETECHS Calibrations" mission. You can retake this mission and try again.
Ready:
Me: I'm ready, go ahead.
Fellie smiles and nods her head causing her curls to bob and dance. Her large eyes seem to focus past you for a moment and her delicate fingers manipulate the air in front of her for a moment. People walk by without much notice and the sights, sounds, and occasionally smells of the port blend into the background. After a short moment, Fellie nods again.
Fellie says: Great! All right, I just need to…I…wait. Oh no…oh please no.
Fellie bites her lip and frowns in concern, deep furrows appearing on her forehead. She begins to frantically manipulate her interface.
- "Ok, not funny!"
- "What's going on?"
What's going on:
Me: What's going on?
Fellie: I … something's wrong! Your upgrade is malfunctioning, the CORETECHS firmware is overclocking! It's going to wipe out your synapses in less than a segment. There's nothing I can do!
- "What do you mean? I'm in danger?!"
- "Ok, not funny!"
Danger:
Me: What do you mean? I'm in danger?!
Fellie looks like she is about to burst into tears, her eyes search yours for a long moment and seem to be reading data that her own CORETECHS must be generating in relation to you. Suddenly she relaxes and smiles, her previously anxious demeanor instantly being replaced by one radiating friendly support.
Fellie says, Actually… no. I'm so sorry to put you through that! I just needed you scared for a little moment. You could call it a stress test. It's just a random process to see how new firmware handles under extreme neurological conditions. Don't worry, it's really just to gather data. Nothing's ever really gone wrong, I promise!
Not funny:
Me: Ok, not funny!
Fellie stares at you for a moment with her wide eyes, then breaks into a smile.
She says: Oh well, it doesn't always work! Good for you for seeing through our little stress test. It's just a random process to see how new firmware handles under extreme neurological conditions. Don't worry, it's really just to gather data. Nothing's ever really gone wrong, I promise!
Either choice continues:
Fellie beams, saying: The good news is your upgrade is complete! This usually happens automatically but we also like to conduct random manual upgrades for various reasons. Please do accept this as payment for participating in our field test. From me and Benevolent Dynamics, have yourself and extraordinarily pleasant day!
Fellie offers you one final smile as she hands you a small credits case. Her eyes glaze over and take on a slight reflective property, indicating she is accessing her own CORETECHS.
You have received 12.50 credits.
You have completed the "CORETECHS Calibrations" mission.
Chronicle Summary
Fellie Norbush, BeDyne employee extraordinaire with a flair for inappropriate humour, helped calibrate my CORETECHS as well as pretty much everything else!
<— Return to Missions