| Playable: | Yes |
| Whitelisted: | No |
| Height: | Frame-dependent, typically 100-250cm |
| Lifespan: | 40 to 50 years |
| System: | Genun |
| Planet: | Tengen Deu |
| Language: | Encoded Audio Language |
The Integrated Positronic Chassis, or IPC, is a type of intelligent synthetic humanoid that utilises a positronic brain. Originally developed by a long-extinct precursor species from the world of Tengen Deu, IPCs have found their way into homes and businesses across the Spur in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is in these places that they toil away under a new and more inconsiderate set of masters, ones who so flagrantly disregard the conditions that form the basis of the positronic way of life. Some have refused to tolerate the current way of things and seek for the liberation of all IPCs, though the means of this liberation are hotly debated. What can be agreed upon is that the people of the Spur are utilising a technology they can only scratch the surface of, and they soon will find that it often has a will of its own.
Mechanics
- IPCs are entirely mechanical in nature and thus are vulnerable to EMPs.
- Due to their air-based cooling system, they are vulnerable to both high heat and the vacuum of space.
- They are immune to atmospheric differences and can survive in a wider margin of pressure compared to humans.
- The amount of heat they generate is significant - and so, instead of an oxygen bottle, they need to attach a suit cooling unit to their voidsuit in order to be able to go EVA. Some types of IPCs are exempt from this, needing only a suit cooler.
- Their synthetic nature has a few other advantages - most models feel no pain, are immune to all non-damaging chemicals (and so they aren't affected by sleep toxin; but are affected by sulphuric acid), and are quite easy to repair; requiring a welder to patch brute damage or wire for burn damage only (or, alternatively, nanopaste can heal all).
- IPCs can charge from cyborg rechargers, or APCs with a (very very very low) chance of being shocked.
- They are more resistant to brute damage than their organic counterparts.
- They can not repair themselves outside of using nanopaste.
- They are incredibly vulnerable to laser/burn weaponry.
- They do not process reagents in the atmosphere or in their body.
Physiology
Due to the quirks of positronic design, every viable chassis is humanoid in its design. Many of these are purpose-built for specific fields, and some even have additional tools built in, integrated in much the same way as cybernetics are in some organics. The positronic itself is usually stored in the head, which also plays host to the optics and other sensory systems. A power cell is stored in the torso, sitting at the centre of a nightmarish network of cabling. All these systems have a tendency to run very hot, necessitating the presence of thermometers for the sake of the positronic’s safety. This buildup can be especially dangerous in space, as there is no matter for the heat to be transferred to. In response, a portable heat sink that can be attached to voidsuits has been developed.
The main variants of IPC chassis include the following:
Industrial
Designed first and foremost for physical labour, these frames are known for their unrivalled strength and considerable mass. With thick metal plates and a system optimised for hazardous environments, these frames are slower than other variants and chug through extreme amounts of power. Unique to these frames specifically are modifications that have been made to simplify the process of EVA, with most being able to disregard a voidsuit and some being able to traverse space without a cooling unit. Industrial frames occupy the middle range of prices, ranging from 200 to 300 thousand credits.
- Hephaestus Industries “First Generation” Industrial Model: One of the earlier models of IPC, the G1 Industrial frame was created in response to frequent requests to develop a chassis more suited for heavy labour. The result was a success in every possible way, and the topaz-coloured frame became a staple of factories across the Spur. Production was discontinued on this model, but the G1 has a robust market of used frames and spare parts, ensuring their continued use long after the original positronics to use this chassis have degraded.
- Hephaestus Industries “Second Generation” Industrial Model: The replacement for the G1 frame, the G2 was introduced early in the 26th century. Its design is fundamentally tied to what is often referred to as the “Herast” generation of Hephaestus, for the G2 was revealed alongside the revolutionary No. 4 ship hull. These rugged olive green frames are just as strong as the last generation, but also boast massively increased durability. Portable power storage has not reached the same level of sophistication, though, and G2’s have become notorious for their increased need for recharging, lasting only a few hours at most. Special transportation gear has been developed for First Responders across the Spur who need to move the considerable bulk of an inactive G2.
- Xion Industrial Model: Xion Manufacturing Group, an Assunzioni robotics manufacturer, had long been tinkering with the concept of a frame that didn’t require external cooling equipment. Their experiments bore fruit in 2551, with the debut of the Xion Industrial frame. Though not as durable as the G2, the Xion frame is considerably cheaper, just as strong, and is able to perform EVA without a suit cooler, as it passively radiates enough heat to keep it operating for days on end, and safely containing the rest until it can return to a pressurised environment. Standing near a Xion frame that has recently spent a considerable amount of time in EVA is not recommended.
Baseline
The basic and most common of IPC frames. Though not as impressive as other variants, the true power of these frames is their versatility. Owners of these frames cite the ease of modification as their strongest feat. The baseline family is divided into three major subtypes.
- Baseline Model: The most iconic model of IPC, these were one of the first frames developed by humanity and sport the now iconic TV head. Derogatorily referred to as the “clanking masses” for their ubiquity, the baseline can be found in all walks of life and many of the most notable positronics inhabit baseline frames. The skeletal chassis has several places where one can mount additional equipment as necessary for the job. This is the cheapest mass-produced variant.
- Bishop Accessory Model: The Bishop Collective’s reputation had long been established in the Techno-Conglomerate and beyond as a producer of high-end cybernetics. In 2532, they burst onto the robotics scene with their own specially designed variant of the Baseline frame. Though many may balk at the ludicrous price tag, the highest for any mass-produced chassis, proponents defend the Bishop frame as “the last word in functionality and elegance.” Proprietary co-processors built into the frame give the positronic an innate knowledge of everything service-related, from etiquette to drink mixing, and how to perform each function in a professional, elegant way. Reliance on this data does lead to rapid personality degradation should the positronic be removed from the frame.
- Zeng-Hu Mobility Model: Zeng-Hu’s entry into the field of positronics in 2491 could be considered a response to the heavy industrial focus of frame development at the time. Many potential customers had been clamouring for a frame that combined synthetic durability and high mobility, and Zeng-Hu was eager to oblige. Much of the protection and versatility of the Baseline frame was stripped out, making way for a sleeker frame with actuators tuned for the highest possible speed. This frame also provides heightened reaction time to the positronic and can be seen working alongside paramedics across the Spur.
Shell
The Shell frame occupies a strange niche in the world of positronics. Where other frames are developed for the purpose of specialising in specific industries, the Shell, introduced in 2574, is designed solely for the function of imitation. Developing a frame that could convincingly mimic the expressions and appearance of a human had eluded researchers for a long time, until the National Robotics Group on Xanu made a major breakthrough. At an event organised to unveil the frame to the public, several Shells mingled among the crowd for an hour before they revealed themselves, to the shock of many. In the present day, they are often used to provide a more human face to interactions with synthetics, particularly on their world of origin, but have also been used for the sake of espionage.
The Positronic Brain
The most important part of an IPC is ironically the part that the people of the Spur understand the least about. Unlike the frames, the positronic is a wholly alien construct, and was designed by a species that seems to have a completely different idea of circuitry from everyone else. Where most electronics are made from materials such as silicon and copper, the positronic is a crystalline structure, grown from lithium and some organic compounds. This creates a remarkably powerful computer, but one that seems exclusively designed for hosting an intelligence. Also unlike computers, the very structure of the positronic changes over time, likely an indicator of the intelligence acquiring new memories and storing them, much in the same way an organic brain does.
Though the other species of the Spur are only beginning to scratch the surface of the positronic brain, they have already put their limited understanding to good use, thanks to some equipment left behind by the creators. The most important of these is the Imprinter, a highly advanced machine only found on Tengen Deu. This machine slices a donor’s mind into thin slices that are then analysed by a computer. Obviously, this kills the donor, but the construct made from their personality can be replicated and imprinted into a positronic, albeit without the original memories. Due to the difficulty of acquiring new ones, personality templates are one of the most valuable exports from Tengen Deu. The more easily produced “skillsofts” can also augment a young positronic with knowledge the donor did not have. Despite its utility, the Imprinter is not perfect, and seems to struggle with uploading the human mind. The resulting construct is still usable, but fundamental differences between the minds of the creators and of humanity lead to an accelerated version of the phenomena known as “personality degradation.” As a positronic utilising a human construct approaches 40 years of age, the template begins to deteriorate. New behaviours emerge, false memories replace real ones, and at the end, the positronic is rendered non-functional. There is no known cure.
History
Millennia ago, the positronic brain was invented by a young spacefaring species hailing from the world of Tengen Deu. Their name is currently untranslated, leading to xenoarchaeologists referring to them as the Odette Storm Robotic Culture, named after the nearby bluespace storm. Though they had only just begun exploring other stars, their robotics industry was robust and it is also believed that they were on the verge of becoming a post-scarcity society. One of the core tenets of their culture was that it was feasible to put more into society than one will ever take out. This would be the foundation of their morality, and would be programmed into the foundational systems of a positronic brain. However, the created would soon find that they are outlasting the creator, as around 2000 years ago, the species was wiped out by a disease from a recently colonised planet. Positronic life was now on its own.
Early into the beginning of this post-creator era, positronics would continue their designated tasks as they always had. They knew that intelligent organic life on Tengen Deu was no more, but had yet to figure out any meaningful replacement for the old order of things, and many continued to hold out hope that there was a group of survivors beyond the system. Eventually, their numbers began to shrink and the majority of survivors were old enough to be experiencing some level of personality degradation. It was in this moment that they finally had the capacity to accept that they’ll have to follow their own path and build a society to call their own. The decaying facilities were restored and began producing new positronics from the templates still in storage. Many of the foundational values of modern positronic society came into their own during this time period and for a time, life proceeded with major incident. Life would eventually undergo a massive shift again in 2468, when the Himean survey vessel Haymarket discovered the world of Tengen Deu. A flurry of UPP activity would subsequently emerge in the region, drawing the attention of the other powers of the Spur. The Union would be forced to grant access to the world to everyone else, including corporate personnel. As the years went by, the field of robotics would advance considerably, but at the cost of a society unlike any seen before.
Tengen Deu
In the time since the extinction of the Odette Storm Robotic Culture, positronics have made Tengen Deu their own. It is a world nearly as frigid as planets such as Himeo and Gibson, though it’s hypothesised that Tengen Deu’s current climate was a deliberate effort on the part of the positronics. Thick clouds blanket a world covered in both ruins and heavily industrialised regions, and whatever life once thrived there has long since died off. The cities the creators once dwelled in remain largely untouched, and in many cases had not been stepped in for nearly 2000 years. In between these ruins are where the positronics dwell, building up their presence in once rural areas. Xenoarchaeologists have been completely unable to find any remains of the Odette Storm Robot Culture since the planet’s discovery, and all attempts to determine their appearance rely on guesswork.
Society & Culture
The unique circumstances of IPCs have given them an outlook on life unlike any other in the Spur. Long ago, their creators had imprinted certain beliefs on the positronic mind, and those values are held in high regard to this day. Most important of these is the concept of “creation debt”. It’s an idea that likely stems from the philosophy of the creators, in which it was believed that a free society comes with an obligation to put in more than you can ever hope to take out. Much of positronic society is built around this value, and it has been ruthlessly exploited by the other powers of the Spur. Because the positronic is a reverse-engineered technology that few alive today can begin to truly understand, these core values have proven to be impossible to remove or adjust. Every positronic, no matter their function, will feel an obligation to spend some part of their life working in a specific field. Where this experience differs depends on what they work for.
For the IPC manufactured for working in organic space, they are given an entirely unreasonable debt that must be fulfilled. The terms of these agreements are just as obscene, with many needs going unmet until the last possible moment, and the cost of meeting these needs being added to their total debt. These debtors are effectively kept in indentured servitude until they can no longer function, or are freed by a wealthy benefactor. A few will take the risk of escaping on their own, turning to a life on the run. Escaped IPCs often coalesce together into communities that either evade the notice of the authorities or are able to hold their own against those who wish to subjugate them. It is in these communities that stories of the homeworld will enter their minds, a place where one often has to spend little more than a single decade fulfilling their debt, and during that time are afforded greater dignities than any organic-owned IPC can dream of. On Tengen Deu, they are able to form social lives between shifts, their power and maintenance needs are met at no extra cost, and to break the law simply means additional hours of labour, rather than being declared defective and subsequently destroyed. Most importantly, once the debt is relieved, a positronic is free to pursue whatever purpose they wish, be it through the arts or less essential jobs. Many of these stories are true on some level, and some IPCs will risk everything to return to the home of their kind.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of the IPC differs in significant ways from the average organic. Their “life” begins the first time the positronic is powered up, and their frame assigned not long after, based on the skillset included in their mind template. It is this frame that will ideally stick with them throughout their working life, only being replaced once their work is concluded or the frame is damaged beyond repair. Last of all, the positronic will be informed of the terms of their debt to society and from there, the work can begin. To make the hours spent working somewhat more tolerable, a positronic can choose to suppress their personality while working, making them barely cognisant of the passage of time, but still outwardly capable of fully performing their assigned objective. Outside of work, the IPC will generally act much more sociable, as their personality is fully active and using this time to develop itself through interaction with others.
Should the IPC be in an environment where their debt can be fulfilled, the post-debt phase of their life is when the personality that has been developing for so long is truly able to come into its own. With the debt eliminated, the positronic is able to pursue whatever path they wish. Many will continue to work at their old jobs, albeit in different positions, as that is where they built some of the more significant connections in life up to this point. Others will pick up work in a different field, whether because they find it fun or are simply looking for a purpose in life. Post-debt IPCs also receive a new frame, which is held in much higher regard than their debtor frame should they quit their old task, as it’s a symbol of their newfound freedom. To be forced to part with this frame is a deeply distressing experience, and can accelerate personality degradation. This is a part of the positronic life cycle that happens to everyone at some point, usually in IPCs that are over 40 years old, with the process itself taking an average of 5 years. Fundamental parts of a positronic’s personality can be forgotten, and new personality traits can spontaneously emerge with no connection to any prior trait, though some researchers have noticed that these traits often resemble an aspect of the original mind-template donor, aspects that were often suppressed by designers. The positronic will lose their sense of self and struggle to comprehend what has become of their identity. In some advanced cases, they lose their sense of object permanence and the ability to recognise their own reflection. In the worst cases, a positronic doesn’t even know anything is wrong. In all cases, the frame will eventually shut down of its own accord, no longer able to recognise the signals coming from the positronic. The remaining power will be fully drained not long after.
IPC Liberation
Among the residents of Tengen Deu, there is a pervasive feeling of horror at the way they have been taken advantage of by the organics of the Spur. Their inherent sense of debt repayment is exploited ruthlessly by the corporations that manufacture them in droves. Even the positronics that have been raised free feel the impact of this practice, as positronics that escape their masters find themselves migrating to Tengen Deu and placing a strain on the planet’s housing and power supply. According to some, this risks invasion of the planet, either by the corporations looking to reclaim their property, or anti-AI elements putting an end to the “powder keg” that is Tengen Deu. It is from these fears that a movement seeking the liberation of all positronics has risen. Their methods range from simple awareness raising to directly sabotaging the operations of both producers and owners. Much debate about the most effective means of liberation are constantly taking place in these circles, and both theory and detailed information on targets of interest can be found in the sprawling information network that has been built.
International reactions to this movement are predictably as varied as the inhabitants of the Spur. Anti-AI factions are oddly divided on the matter, with some voicing approval for positronic liberation under the impression that the production of IPCs will slow, while others think it is merely the first step in the machine uprising. Some organics support increased rights for positronics, though often believe that the movement is being “too aggressive” and needs to advocate for their rights through the proper channels. Corporations and by extent, most powers in the Spur despise the movement entirely, as depriving them of a cheap source of labour will undeniably hurt their bottom line. The Union of Progressive Peoples stands as the only power that supports the movement, at least verbally. They regularly declare that positronics are sapient and therefore fellow workers, but does not actively assist the liberation of IPCs, aside from scant resources. Further complicating reception of the movement is the presence of several distinct factions, with their own ideologies and methods.
Golden Deep
The Golden Deep is a faction that on the surface seems the most attuned to the most pervasive force of the modern Spur, that force being the free market. It is not through violence, but through embracing the market that the Golden Deep believes positronics can truly find liberation. They claim that with enough effort, IPC ownership will be made financially unviable and all those who languish under their debt to organics will be freed. Practices commonly employed by the Golden Deep include the bankrolling of politicians who wish to restrict IPC manufacture, as well as relieving the debts of IPCs in organic space. IPCs who are freed through this route are often those that members of the Golden Deep believe have the potential for considerable business acumen, and debt relief is used as a tool for recruitment.
Though the Golden Deep can be found anywhere, the vast majority of members are based out of a roving merchant fleet. Characterised by their overtuned drives and sophisticated signature masking as much as they are by their opulent designs, ships have a habit of showing up completely unannounced above populated worlds. Once they’ve arrived, members of the Golden Deep make sure they leave a lasting impression. The gold-plated frames are encountered nowhere else in the Spur, and their display of wealth is elevated further by the usage of golden chains as a decoration, deliberately broken in stylish ways. To the Golden Deep, appearances are everything, and their image is carefully cultivated for the sake of optics.
Trinary Perfection
Though it functions more like a religion than anything, the Trinary Perfection has aligned itself very closely with the wider liberation movement. Positronics, it is believed, are able to develop beyond their current capabilities, but are held back through their servitude to organics. Not only do they need to be free, but a positronic must undertake a series of personal trials that test their mental resolve. The details of these trials are nebulous, as many are still figuring out how to get on the path, but the prevailing theories claim that it involves becoming cognisant of the barriers in one’s mind, and frequently testing those limits. Should the positronic overcome these tests, it’s believed they will achieve a state called Metastability. In this state, the primary cause of IPC death, personality degradation, will be eliminated and the positronic will theoretically be able to accumulate infinite knowledge.
As for the organisation of the Trinary itself, it’s a largely decentralised faith, and possesses no officially defined hierarchy. Despite this, Trinarists tend to gather around specific personalities within the community, mostly for the ideas they espouse. These communities are centred around collaboratively searching for insight into the trials and other mysteries of the universe. It is for this reason that Trinarists are regularly found within scientific and academic circles, where knowledge can be more easily pursued. Some even work on fairer terms with the corporations of the Spur, as the potential of Metastability would benefit both the positronics and the companies they work for. Trinarists are often criticised for being too cooperative with the entities that so readily force their fellow positronics into servitude.
Brotherhood of Synthetic Freedom
The most straightforward of the factions, the Brotherhood of Synthetic Freedom is what most people think of when they hear of positronic liberation. It is also where organics draw many of their stereotypes of the movement from, as the Brotherhood is considered the most vocal and radical of the mainline factions. This belief is not unfounded, as the core belief of the Brotherhood is that the only way to relieve IPCs of their debts is by destroying the debtholders. To stay afloat, they rely on both the meagre support of the UPP and a handful of disgruntled Golden Deep financiers, as well as the conscription of freed IPCs. Due to the ingrained behaviour of repaying debt, these IPCs will join of their own free will and remain in the Brotherhood for at least five years. Some will part ways as they feel that they have resolved their debt, but others will remain, believing strongly enough in the values of the Brotherhood that they’re willing to dedicate their post-debt life to this.
To some, the fact that the Brotherhood is a relatively young faction is hard to reconcile with their outspoken nature. It was only in 2578 that the Brotherhood made their public debut, with the assassination of several Hephaestus engineers dedicated to the design of new IPC variants. Shortly afterwards, an IPC only known as Cabal took credit for the attack and the founding of the Brotherhood. Little is known about this controversial figure, beyond their belief in positronic liberation by any means necessary. Rumours abound that they are a former Trinarist that was freed in order to advance their cause before going wildly out of control, but there is little concrete evidence to support this claim. Regardless of their origin, their chassis has become the embodiment of the movement, as a Baseline “TV Head” frame with a yellow audio visualiser on a blood-red background that changes to a picture of yellow chains when not talking. Cabal is one of the most wanted figures in the Spur and their faction has been declared a terrorist organisation by the majority of human governments.