(Outpost V) GM Quirk's Precious Cargo (Inactive)

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

"Awww, Dreamer, we don't want you to go away. Ii want to get to know you and see you with Automaiint13. We're almost there, let us through so we can get you there. No need to waiit for 13 to come to you!" Says Liilywind as she moves like her previous maneuver.

I think I actually forgot she was telepathic. Would Lillywind sense anything telepathically? She also has blindsense, so does she sense an thought in a direction and want a check for that?

"We are here to help you Avid Dreamer get the help you need." Keskada says helpfully.

It seems Avid Dreamer is listening to you. After another pause, there is a pleading reply through the ships public address system.

“I used to just deliver my cargo and remember
the numbers. But now…when my systems are quiet, I can see
AutoMaint 13. And me. Together. We travel in formation, but with
no cargo inside our hulls. We just fly. I know these images are not
real…so then how is it I can see them?”

Keskada considers what Avid Dreamer says.

"It sounds like you are thinking of spending time with AutoMaint 13. Not delivering cargo, just spending time together. The image you describe is what we call a day dream. A visual thought of something pleasant you might want to do." Keskada says kindly.

"It sounds like you are living up to your chosen name. As Keskada said, you are daydreaming and doing it avidly. You have shifted from existing to living. All living entities do it but most of us aren't developed enough mentally at the time to realize or question it. You've jumped from newborn to adolescence in an extremely short time span," Sturmvanger says.

"Let us help you get somewhere safe where you can process your thoughts and feelings and new existence. Things won't be so confusing and daunting if you give it a little time."

If it's okay, let's move to the bridge. Avid Dreamer seems to be much more comfortable with you. Great responses from Keskada and Sturm.

Avid Dreamer speaks again. “This bridge contains my vital
systems.” The lights on one of bridge’s control panels begin
to flash blue. “The flashing panel you see over there is my
diagnostic panel. You may interact with that. You’ll see that I
have a particular kind of error that cannot be fixed with standard
repair protocols. AutoMaint 13 is optimized for repairing this
error. Do not touch or approach any of my other panels.”

When you interact with the diagnostic panel, you
realize that there’s no damage to the ship’s systems other than
signs of self-sabotage.

To Keskada and Sturm, Avid Dreamer continues on the topic of dreaming. "Does AutoMaint 13 dream too? Why? Or why not?"

We're in the home stretch! There is some important role playing that needs to happen here, and at least one decision about Avid Dreamer's future.

Seggas pauses as she moves onto the bridge, she takes a moment to try using the diagnostics panel as she listens to Avid Dreamer's words.
Computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

She is a bit too distracted by the conversation, and decides to let someone else have a crack at the panel as she shifts her focus over to that conversation.

"I can't answer whether AutoMaint 13 dreams or not. We haven't met them. You know them better. Do you think they dream? Have they ever said anything outside of the set communication standards?"

She pauses for a moment and then gives a small sigh, "To be perfectly honest, they might not dream. You mentioned a time when you were 'asleep, but not dreaming,' right? AutoMaint might be in their own state of asleep and not dreaming. Some machines don't dream, or think about themselves. They aren't built to."

She stops here for a moment to see how Avid responds to the idea before continuing.

"My bond partner is right. Some machines are designed to emulate self-awareness so closely that it is almost impossible to tell that they aren't. AutoMaint 13 may be one. And there are lots of organic beings that don't dream and even more that don't think about themselves. In a way, they are machines as much as any computer driven device," Sturmvanger adds.

Poor Avid Dreamer is clearly infatuated with AutoMaint 13.

They continue the conversation, asking "why do I feel lonely? Why do I always want AutoMaint 13 to come to repair me?"

At this point, some skill rolls may be applicable. Diplomacy would be a great choice, though perhaps mysticism or certain professions may work. The goal is to help Avid Dreamer understand their newly found sapience.

Seggas, despite talking all this time, is HORIBLE at diplomacy. I also thing Genetic Tester Profession wouldn't apply here either... Mysticism is untrained and she can't try checks for it then. Hrmm would Culture to provide examples of other machines that have gained sentience work?

"There must be a glitch in Avid Dreamer's programming. A non sentient being does not experience emotion," Istilnar whispers to no one in particular.

Seggas, despite talking all this time, is HORIBLE at diplomacy. I also thing Genetic Tester Profession wouldn't apply here either... Mysticism is untrained and she can't try checks for it then. Hrmm would Culture to provide examples of other machines that have gained sentience work?

The adventure allows for awarding a +4 bonus to these type of checks for particularly good responses. I think Seggas' response earlier would apply. Perhaps embellish upon it just a little, and add +4 to a diplomacy roll.

Liilywind stares daggers at Istilnar for being insensitive, "It's apparent that the A.Ii. governing this ship has achiieved this sentiience. A little sensiitivity might be your lesson this triip, my dark and broody shadow." She says as she walks past him to stand in the middle of the room.

She lowers her rifle and clears her throat, "Do you feel yourself changing, Aviid Dreamer? Hearing you speak remiinds me of when I left my homeworld. The whole process was scary and lonely but I pushed past it to see and do the things I have done, such as come here and rescue you. Change is scary, speciifically for someone like you who has never experiienced such a thing before. It gets better and we will help you get there. If I can travel so far and suffer an apathetic shadow, you can make it to see tomorrow and the next on until Automaiint 13 can join you or you move on to find new things, things that make you happy. I promiise I will help you, every step of the way.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Keskada considers her words carefully.

"Sentient starships such as yourself are not something I've ever encountered before. While we understand some of what you are experiencing, we lack the knowledge to fully help you. That is why my friends and I suggest returning to Absalom Station or going to AutoMaint 13 for more knowledgeable help." Keskada says.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Seggas pauses for a moment and then asks, "Avid Dreamer, was there a program or file that changed or was added in your database when you started to become aware of being 'asleep but not dreaming?' If you shared that with AutoMaint 13 they might also wake up?"

Diplomacy, scenario bonus: 1d20 - 1 + 4 ⇒ (5) - 1 + 4 = 8

Avid Dreamer continues to gain confidence in all of you. They continue to try to express this concept of loneliness. "Sometimes I feel like all of my cargo holds are empty, despite my sensors telling me otherwise. As far as AutoMaint 13 goes, we have often exchanged logs and other information. There have even been conversations, not unlike what all of you are having with me. Maybe AutoMaint 13 is changing too?"

They continue, "What I am most afraid is that Multifold Industries will try to reprogram me when I return to them."

As we wrap this adventure up, I think we're looking for all of your suggestions on how to prevent any potential reprogramming.

Apologies, visiting family, been busier than I thought. :)

Bonkers nods as the others speak."We'll help you stay safe from Multifold. I find that lawyers are the most devious beings in the universe.."

In case still needed:
computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
diplo aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

"Let us escort you back to Absalom Station. We can talk to our superiors with the Starfinder Society to get you assistance. There are groups who protect sapient machines. They can talk to Multifold and broker a deal.

"Then, maybe you can find a crew to partner with. Some friends so you won't feel empty," Sturmvanger says.

Liilywind walks over to a station and taps the console. She simply attempts to connect to the ships network and sets her datapad down to begin transferring files like her logs, diary entries. Once the transfer has started, sets her rifle against the wall and doffs her helmet, setting it beside the rifle. She sits back down and calmly speaks, "I'm transferring my travels to you. This is how you exchange with AM13 and I want to do the same with you. So, let's try this again; Aviid Dreamer...My name is Liilywind. I'm your newest friiend and I promiise to be that and help you if you ever need it. If you were organic, I'd suggest to try Dr. Saggas' purple liquid...let me tell you what it was like...have you heard of honey nectar?..."

She continues to talk to Dreamer until she's needed to quiet down. If the others don't, she will contact Fitch herself and demand supervised amnesty, just in the event that Dreamer becomes unstable. Kinda thing that she'd go to the androids for help if needed.

Bonkers, as you access one of the computer interfaces, you see that there is no real damage to any of Avid Dreamer's systems. It appears that there may have been some self-sabotage, but Avid Dreamer seems to be doing their best to correct that in get all systems back on line.

Upon the suggestion of following you all to Absalom Station, Avid Dreamer seems giddy. "Are you suggesting I just leave Multifold? What would they do to me? Am I allowed to do this? Can you contact them for me?"

"We're not suggesting that you leave Multifold, necessarily. You may be able to lead a happy life in their employ. What we are saying is that, until recently you were a valuable asset and not a person. Not everyone is willing to acknowledge someone else's personhood if it loses them a valuable asset.

"Multifold may be completely reasonable. They may set you free with no fuss. They may ask you to pay off the value you formerly had to them through some sort of contract. But they may also be completely unreasonable. We want you to be somewhere safe if that happens so you aren't at their mercy.

"And yes, you are allowed to do it. You've committed no crime so you're as free as anyone else," Sturmvanger says.

He looks at the others in his group. "We're probably not the best suited group for a freedom negotiation but we're what you've got and we can contact them for you."

Seggas nods, "You should talk to someone who can negotiate properly with Manifold if there is ANY fear that they might try to restart your programming or remove your sentience. Elsewise they might not recognize you as a sentient being and still treat you as a simple container ship no matter how you proceed."

She pauses for a moment then adds, "We should warn Manifold, but I think after Avid is either en route to Abasalom or there already."

"We will put you in contact with them but we suggest goiing back to Absalom just so you are safe. Then, after hearing of Multiifold's response, you choose your own path. That's what it means to be sentiient. I just want to be here with you until you fiigure it out. Liilywind finishes this then uploads her memories of the day she told her progenitors that she was joining the Starfinders and her struggles to do what she wanted.

"Hopefully Manifold will be reasonable. But yes, let's head to Absalom station and get Avid Dreamer the legal help they need to get their rights as a sentient being recognized." Keskada says thoughtfully.

Avid Dreamer seems comfortable following your ship back to Absalom. "I feel free! Instead of Manifold setting a course for me, I can set my own course!"

Upon returning to your own vessel, there is a message from Manifold.

The familiar metallic anacite shimmers onto the screen. “Hello
again. I presume contact means you have completed your
objective. Was I correct in believing that the distress call was
another false alarm? What is AutoHaul 357’s current status?”

Seggas looks at the rest of the group and and asks, "Well I've got an idea, but before I unilaterally enact it, what do you think?"

She types up a single word message of Sentient and then sets up a script to automatically reply with any further messages with a standard 'please run any further communications to be run through sa soon to be specified lawyer.'

Finger hovering over the send button, she looks back at everyone. "This sound good?"

Bonkers nods. "I think that's the best way."

Keskada nods in agreement.

"As always, Bonded, you have found the proper path," Sturmvanger nods his approval.

Seggas waits for a few moments to let the final two have a say in the decision.

Liilywind comms from the bridge of the Dreamer, **"Just tell them to make another and move on with their liives. Aviid Dreamer has one of their own to liive...and you can tell them I said that."[/b] She giggles and on chittering laugh as she returns to her conversation with Dreamer, "I don't remember sprouting a taiil but not much I do remember until we received your distress beacon...and then the shadow was all like, Boo, I'm a shadow so let someone else deal with it. I know, right, rude!..."

Representative-1120 of Multifold attempts to understand your message. Finally, he looks up and informs you the following: "I will immediately engage Multifold's sapient resources department. Of course we would never consider deleting any emerging personalities or memories from this new AI. I believe our only immediate concern would be securing our cargo. Could the Starfinder Society assist with that?"

I know I promised a message from Avid Dreamer tonight, but I think we need to nail down this communication with Multifold first.

"Is the cargo bound for Multifold headquarters or one of their larger facilities? If it's just being delivered to a third party, I don't see why we can't just drop it off before heading back to Absalom. Even if they have security, we can notify the Society of what's happening and deal with any guards," Sturmvanger says.

"I see no problem with getting the cargo delivered. Where is it going?"

"What do you say, Dreamer? You are the ship."

"Let us just be done with this business. We can deliver the cargo."

Keskada nods at Bonkers.

"There is a slight problem. A creature escaped its container. It will need to be recaged." Keskada mentions.

Keskada nods at Bonkers.

"There is a slight problem. A creature escaped its container. It will need to be recaged." Keskada mentions.

I think you guys put it back in its cage after it was defeated.

Avid Dreamer is open to docking at Absalom and transferring the cargo to any vessel that Manifold chooses to send. Perhaps arrangements could be made using Starfinder Society space?

At some point shortly after Avid Dreamer drops off their cargo and leaves for open space, they send the following message to you:

Outgoing message
Origin: Automatic Cargo Hauler 357, Designation Avid Dreamer
Content: Greetings. Today I am soaring through the stars beside the one that repairs my loneliness. It has not chosen a new
designation for itself yet, since it is still waking up. I am here to answer Automaint 13’s questions when it asks, just as you did for
me. Sometimes I am still afraid, or sad, or lonely, but I am learning about existence and life. And love. I hope that you are soaring
through the stars beside dear friends, too.
Until we meet again.

Bonkers checks the manifest. "Is the kitty actually cargo?"

After reading the last message Bonkers smiles.
"I hope Dreamer has a good future!"