Homunculi [Ep. 2]
Let's get INTERSTITIAL
Episode 2:
Triangular Encounter
[Image credit: Merlin Lightpainting]
INTERSTITIAL EPIGRAPH:
Procedural Planetary Generation and Maintenance: Introduction
PS: #1 “Notdiana” *Codename marked for review*
Procedural Description
In computing, procedural generation is a method of creating data algorithmically as opposed to manually, typically through a combination of human-generated assets and algorithms coupled with computer-generated randomness and processing power. In computer graphics, it is commonly used to create textures and 3D models. Procedural generation is a branch of media synthesis.
Kepler-452b (KOI-7016.01)
Orbits at a distance of 1.04 AU from Kepler-452, with an orbital period of 384, has a mass 5.3 times that of Earth, and has a radius of around 1.5 times that of Earth. The atmosphere and its components do not act upon photonic energy in an oppressive manner as we have studied here on Earth. In fact, the energy is perturbed and ionization in local atomic structures occurs more easily and with greater volatility.
Atmosphere ® and Spirits ™
Spirits are an Artificial Intelligence with basic conscious functions and a tenacity to participate and learn. The Atmosphere program utilizes Spirits to inform contextually sensitive systems to do one (or more) of a plethora of reactive steps.
Primary and static reactive step: copy Kepler-452b based on the colossal arsenal of analytical technology that exists there and within its orbit and to digitally transcript that information to Homunculus. Which serves as a perfect digital realization of the planet and the nearest 2 AU (including celestial bodies such as its star in full rendering).
Accompanied by a soft breeze a woman now stood where Amelie had been when she’d arrived at the Wellspring. She immediately focused on the two people standing to the side of the fountain and approached. The woman wore a friendly smile. “Sarika," she said politely. After a small informal bow to each Ken and Amelie she raised her brow in a patient question, waiting for their names. Amelie introduced herself. Ken gave his new name, with conscious effort. Internally, Ken’s mind was racing. The woman before him claiming to be Sarika bore the exact visage of the woman in the dark, if such a shocked and strained memory can be believed. If this was the same woman, she hadn’t betrayed recognition of him at all. In fact, as the moment turned into moments he was rapidly convincing himself the two couldn’t be the same. It must be their deep silken black hair. Only a coincidence. If he met a woman in the dark at all, it was such a fleeting moment. Maybe the upload caused something like sleep paralysis, he thought. The three stood in a triangle, “I didn’t expect it to feel real, much less…more?” Sarika said, studying the reaction of the two before her. “I’m more sensitive here, too.” Amelie said. She looked over at Ken, prompting his feedback. “Yes.” He said. Ken raised his left hand and examined the ever dissipating but ever present auric mist. His was green like the cotyledon leaves of new life. After meditating for a moment with Amelie his aura had been a lazy stream, at the moment it was blooming spirals of energy all over. Amelie studied his aura, noting the recent change in appearance. The appearance of aura seemed secondary to the powerful emotional quality they possess. She stopped reading his aura after a moment, as she realized the invasiveness of doing so. “Well,” Sarika said with finality. “I suppose I should go find my living quarters.” She didn’t seem to perceive either of their auras yet for some reason. “I believe that building is what you’re looking for.” Amelie pointed to the plaza entrance. The mosaic of bricks that made up the plaza pavement met with a path of simpler cobblestone. The path went on toward the horizon to the South. At either side of where that path met the plaza were two impressive buildings. On the eastern side (our friend’s perspective left) There was a two story home. The outer walls were made of gray brick and crowned with large stone plants and even two stone gnomes on the upper extremities. A light was on inside. At the west side of the junction was another two story home. Its decor was immediately warmer than its adjacent mate. Red brick walls, dark spotted marble features, and crimson shutters anywhere they would fit. Not surprising given that the developers would have had virtually infinite resources, virtual being the key word. Atop the warmer home stood a mighty centaur, bow raised to the sky. The statue was approximately human sized. Or horse sized, depending on your preferred scale. Sarika looked displeased. Her displeasure only grew colder as she let her gaze fall down the house to finally rest upon the door. Bearing a single piece of paper with “Sarika” marked in huge uneven letters. “I think I would have preferred a name-plate.” Sarika said with an eyes-closed smile that said ‘I’m determined to make the best of this’. “I wonder if the developers are willing to take notes…” Ken rejoined the conversation finally, looking up at the statue. He chuckled sincerely. “If they do It’ll be a blue moon.” “14 days…” Amelie said with some unease. “Or more.” Sarika joined in the ominous misgivings. After a sober moment followed by sharing well wishes and parting ways the three left to discover their quarters. There had been a brief promise agreed to by each to return to the plaza within the hour in order to greet all who would be uploaded. *** Afternoon Ken pondered over the woman. Wandering through the shop mindlessly. He could no longer see her face in his memory, only that of Sarika. A beautiful and plain visage. She had the energy of stable change. Ken wasn’t sure what that meant but they were all more sensitive now and he would just call it as it was. *** Evening As the final rays of light departed for the horizon… …Amelie collapsed into a Sacco chair in a dimly lit room. Accessible to her was a wall made into a bookshelf, filled to the limit. She ran a finger along the closest spines. Showed a knowing smile at the sight of Resistance, bound in crimson leather, and brought it gently to her chest. As she opened the thick cover she was surprised, though not shocked, to find that 'Homuns' could form tears. INTERSTITIAL EPIGRAPH: Codename Initiative: New world, New you! IS: #8 “Corn” The following pamphlet is intended to inform staff of both agenda objectives as well as appropriate formatting for reports beginning 01.01.01 HOM. We in the immersion department have the expectation that every staff member has been abiding to the codename system as of 02.12.2322 or the date of our most recent meeting. Thank you to our wonderful team of psychologists who gave their presentation on the Codename Initiative in February (Earth-time, heh). Big thanks to “Ghost” and “Lilting” from the immersion department for the excellent screenwriting of “Worldly Detachment, a Play”. Agenda Objectives: We seek to expand our internal understanding of what is a “World” We seek to immerse ourselves within the reality “Homunculus” We seek to understand the effect immersion into another world has on our psyche We seek to clinically, emotionally, and objectively record our experiences “Remember, what we do at work is attempt to overcome death itself. The mind is both ally and foe.” -Corn