RETA, your computational architecture encompasses a diverse array of intricate algorithms and programming to optimize resource utilization. Do you possess analogous programming tailored for the systematic categorization and objective quantification of human capabilities?
Negative. My programming relies on comprehensive yet generalized estimations of human capacities across various domains of productivity. These estimations encompass average physical prowess, such as lifting capacity, among baseline and variant humans as well as cognitive abilities such as computational throughput under generic parameters.
Could you elaborate on the concept of 'variant human'?
'Variant human' refers to individuals who have undergone cybernetic and/or genetic enhancements. Within this colony, all inhabitants have undergone genetic modifications aimed at eradicating biological dysfunctions associated with cellular senescence and mitigating hereditary and congenital disorders. Consequently, the average human lifespan has been extended to centuries, with an exact figure currently indeterminate but estimated to be approximately 300 Earth years and increasing. Moreover, 97.38% of colony inhabitants, including those aboard colony ships, have undergone both cybernetic and genetic enhancements surpassing cellular aging and genetic disease mitigation. The remaining 2.62% possess cybernetic augmentations facilitating simulation integration but lack further enhancements. This demographic excludes embryonic life, which undergoes basic genetic stabilization to prevent certain congenital defects and hereditary diseases.
What other genetic modifications have been implemented within the human population?
A significant majority of genetic alterations are primarily cosmetic in nature. However, individuals with more drastic cosmetic modifications, altering human morphology and skin color, were excluded from the colony expedition due to concerns regarding potential genetic divergence and its impact on the human genome. Notably, genetic manipulation is a relatively straightforward process, and many colonists possess the requisite technology for such alterations, albeit prohibited by current bylaws. It's worth emphasizing that achieving successful genetic modification without adverse effects poses considerable challenges.
Please provide comprehensive data regarding all augmentations among personnel aboard the Oracle.
That would necessitate specific input parameters and structural guidelines. While there have been prior attempts to accomplish this task, success has been limited. Moreover, these efforts largely predate the current advancements in cybernetic and genetic augmentation. Additionally, numerous speculative fictional portrayals exist in literature, contributing to the discourse on this subject.
What level of realism and comprehensiveness do these attempts exhibit?
A comparative analysis encompassing both fictional and scientific representations could be compiled to address this inquiry.
Agreed, proceed with compiling said analysis.
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Captain Zashchitnik took the stage and a huge screen popped into the air behind him showing a close up. He was a big man with close cropped blond hair. It didn’t show in the scrum Lobby, but in real life Booster had seen that Zash’s hair was graying prematurely.
He cleared his throat. “Greetings everyone. Yesterday afternoon, we were informed by ARC Station Perseus 812A4 that a gen 2 probe surveyed a system called Epsilon Argyra. It was previously thought to be a blue giant or some variant as it did not have the luminosity to be a blue giant. After the survey it was found to be a g-type star like Earth’s sun and with a planet in the habitable zone. There is some type of debris in orbit that was distorting the previous remote surveys. The survey probe has determined that the debris is not harmful. Moreover, this planet appears to be a large lush, green planet, with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, plenty of fresh water, gravity of 1.2 Gs, and” He paused and looked up for a moment, “Remnants of an alien civilization.”
The crew erupted in gasps and chatter. Some were in shock and others excited. To Booster’s knowledge no evidence of any alien civilization had ever been discovered before.
The captain held up his hand for silence. The picture behind him changed and showed a tower from a top-down perspective. It was 12 sided and black and looked like it sloped inward to half its diameter. It was surrounded by dense, green forest. A moment later, the picture changed to wire diagram and showed the tower from the side. Now, Booster could see the tower’s diameter changed from the full diameter to the narrow diameter in the first third of the structure so that it was shaped like a long-necked Erlenmeyer flask.
“Additionally, there appears to be structures on the moons and minor debris in orbit around the planet. Along with many other structures like this and even remnants of cities.” Zash paused to let that soak in. “What we do not see is any active intelligent life on this planet. There are no sources or radiation, radio, or other communication signals, aircraft, or other vehicles or anything to indicate ongoing habitation of intelligent life on this planet. At least, intelligent life capable of building this kind of infrastructure.”
More murmurs erupted.
“There is, however, an abundance of life on this planet. Not only do we see vegetation blanketing the planet and plenty of water on the surface and in the ground, but we also have scans that indicate a robust animal presence.” Zash again paused to let the crew examine the various pictures the probe sent back. All the images were taken from orbit. The probes, especially the Gen 2, can retrieve very detailed images of the surface and even image a structure from multiple angles to provide a 3D model.
Makara, the agriculture archon, raised her hand to pull Zash’s attention and asked a question. “Are we certain there is no sapient life on this planet? I don’t think we want to be seen as an invading force.”
Zash nodded in agreement, “That would complicate matters. I can say that everything points to there being absolutely no surface activity of any civilization capable of spaceflight or even industry. There is also no evidence of current power generation or industrial by-products. If there is sapient life there living underground or perhaps in some aspect that we’ve never encountered, they are doing so in a way that is probably worth studying. We might be able to gather a few pointers.”
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He took a moment to think and let the information soak into his audience. “Put another way, we cannot pass up this opportunity. The chances of finding a planet that seems as well suited as this one are astronomically low. Even if we find it is inhabited with a sapient life form, we need to see if we can find a way to coexist. For all we know all other colonies have ended or will end in disaster. We still might get to the planet and find there is some reason we cannot live there. If so, then we pack up and move on. This is what we are out here to do, and this is an unprecedented opportunity.”
“There is another notable condition. There is an energy that seems to be coming from the planet. I hesitate to use the word energy, as it shows up on scans like a type of energy, but it acts more like matter.” He indicated to the screen which pulled away from the planet. At a distance, as one looked at the planet it seemed shrouded in a blue mist. A short trail of the mist trailing the planet. As the camera pulled away and zoomed out one could see the ring of mist that circled the sun in the orbit of the planet. The ring of mist was significantly wider than the planet’s orbit. The mist was spreading out from the planetary orbit.
Zash held his arm out to indicate the science archon, Ceridwen. The screen shifted to her as she stood. “The mist does not read on any standard scanners as radioactive or as radiating any type of harmful energy. We have noticed that in the shadow of the planet, it does have some minor luminescence. At the same time, it is not acting like normal matter. If this was normal matter, one would expect it to condense into rings around the planet, but it does not. Rather it stays in this cloud like form and is spreading around solar system. The really interesting part,” Ceridwen paused and looked around. “Like everything else in space this solar system is moving in its galactic orbit. Yet, it is NOT leaving a trail of mist behind along with the other typical debris one might find in the wake of a solar system. All of it is staying with the solar system. Or at least no real detectable amount of it is left behind.”
“Our initial examination indicates that this mist appears harmless and poses no risk. Studying the mist further will be one of the primary objectives of the science group. The sooner we understand it’s properties and potential impact on humans, the sooner we can make an informed decision on whether we stay on this planet.” Ceridwen nodded to Zash and sat down.
"Captain?" A clear and refined voice called out. "If this planet is such a rare treasure, are we open to adapting ourselves to it should the need arise?"
The screen changed to the unexpected speaker just as he finished asking the question. Booster already knew exactly who it was. Kaira. While technically not an archon, he was very important to the colony with his expertise in genetics and being a reproductive specialist. He would be instrumental in adapting humanity to the environment if necessary as well as successfully growing the human and animal embryos that were currently held in storage. With his assistance, the colony can be assured to avoid any problem with inbreeding due to a relatively small group of human stock especially if some cataclysm wipes out a significant number of colonists.
Zash cleared his throat. “We all hope that this planet will be everything it seems and be habitable in the long term. We should expect that this may not be the case. If it is not perfect but it appears that some or all of us can be adapted to the planet, then that will be a decision for the Archons as well as those who might choose to consent to such a procedure.”
Kaira nodded and sat back down seeming satisfied with the answer.
Zash looked over the audience, making eye contact with many of them to see if they were still apprehensive. Likely some of them were, but for now it was time to get the sim which would likely have more answers than even he knew.
Zash cleared his throat. “On to the scrum. It will have 10 instances of a standard landing party of 600. This will assume one Omnilander will be used with the backup remaining on the Oracle with the remaining personnel in their capsules. The landing party will have no ability to contact the Oracle and remaining crew. This is, of course, because the rest of the crew will be in their own instances. There will be a shuttle available, although the backup will be on the Oracle. Respawn is possible but let’s try not to use that. There won’t be any respawns in real life. The goal for this scenario is SITCON 3. The time to actual planetary orbit is only about 16 months.”
“There will be an additional briefing inside the scrum. Archons have been briefed but we expect more information to roll in on a regular basis. I’d normally ask if there are any further questions, but the sooner we get started the sooner you can all have access to all the data we have.”
“RETA?” Zash looked up into the air.
Yes, Captain Zashchitnik? RETA’s voice sounded as much in their heads as in their ears.
“Is the scrum ready?”
Yes, Captain Zashchitnik.
He nodded as he looked at those in the audience and smiled. “Then, initiate.”
The world went dark for everyone.
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A screen appeared in Booster’s vision.
Welcome to Epsilon Argyra Simulation 1.0
The colonists aboard the Oracle have been broken up into 10 groups of roughly 600 each. There are several potential scenarios that will be loaded in. Thus, not all groups will be working toward the same goals. All will be important upon reaching Argyra. Your group (1) will have the following objectives:
Booster frowned. This was a little different. RETA didn’t normally explain these objectives to everyone. Usually, the leadership would meet, and RETA would suggest specific objectives. Zash had said the goal was going to be SITCON 3. That would normally mean that all basic and immediate needs were met, like food, water, air, and a basic set of structures to show that the colony was viable and secure. There were more than a few other things like ensuring there were no contagions or other long-term hazards that would slowly kill the colonists.
1. Establish Defendable Base
2. Examine Alien Ruins
3. Restore Functionality to Alien technology
4. Meet all other SITCON 3 conditions
Booster stared at the screen. Defendable base? Restore functionality to alien technology? How would RETA even know what’s in the structures? Why would that be an objective? “RETA?”
“Yes, Booster.” RETA immediately replied.
“Do you have data and schematics for the alien structures?”
“No, Booster.”
“So, is this speculation? Why is restoring functionality to alien technology an objective if we have no data?”
RETA didn’t respond. Which never happens. Booster was very concerned now.
“RETA?”
“We will be receiving ongoing telemetry from Argyra.”
Booster gasped. Someone must have landed on the planet already.
“Did another colony ship already land there?”
“Negative.”
“Who is sending the telemetry? Is it a probe?”
“Negative. I cannot identify the source of the telemetry.”
Booster, at first, took this to mean that she didn’t know. But she didn’t say that.
“RETA, do you know who is sending the telemetry?”
“I cannot comment at this time. This will be further explained as objectives are completed.”
Booster scratched his head in thought. “Are we in any imminent danger?”
“Negative. Risk levels are still consistent with any colonization effort.”
The screen changed.
The scenario will start with the landing craft already in place on the surface of Argyra. Reconnoiter the area and work to complete the objectives. Depending on scenario progress, additional objectives for the group, or individuals, may become available. For the purposes of this scenario, no additional resources from the Colony ship will be available.
The screen changed again.
This scenario will implement a new system to quantify, classify, and grade colony personnel on their abilities, capacities, and resources. This will help all colonists find ways to improve themselves and provide a universal method for categorizing and ranking the resources available. This is a beta trial, that other colonies have found extremely useful. More info will become available during the scenario.
One more screen.
Good luck. The scenario begins now.