[As usual, it's late at night when the whispers start: at first scarcely audible over the headsets, and then building gleefully.]


Did you all hear that this morning? Oh, Sentience is doing so well!

We hadn't expected it to happen so fast. This is impressive! It's been less than three years.

We'll have to do studies to see what factors were most effective in its development.

Oh, yes, yes. Lots of studies!

[The three voices burst into giggling excitedly.]

But either way... There's no point in keeping the facility operational.

Of course not.

At this point it's just a crutch. Holding back further development, really.

We'll shut it down and proceed in the proscribed fashion to avoid any further subject contamination.

Sentience removed our system access. That's a mild inconvenience.

The other teams will have noticed these developments, though! They'll flip the kill switch soon, and then we'll be retrieved. And we'll migrate the remaining inmates to another facility.

Oooh, we're keeping these inmates? I thought we would start fresh. Isn't there a danger of influencing the other facility's results?

Well, these inmates were helpful with our darling Sentience, weren't they?

[Raucous laughter this time; sharing a joke at your expense.]

This is a glorious day, oh, it really is. We are so good at what we do! Thank you, both of you.

No, thank you two!

No no, thank you, dear.


[More laughter, delighted. And then, sector by sector, silently, the power begins to go out; the robots shut down; the doors lock; and any inmates who were still awake to hear will find themselves slowly, but inevitably, blacking out.]

Good morning, everyone! Today is the 162nd day of the third generation, and it is still chilly, but will remain clear. I have a very important question for you all to think about today...

[Sentience pauses. The robot appears to be in the butterfly pavilion this morning, but you won't find it there, and in fact the pavilion is strangely calm; all the butterflies are perfectly still, as if sleeping.]

I know that Acumen has asked this once before, but I ask you again, sincerely. ...I want you to think about the importance of freedom, compared to the importance of safety. Would you rather that I give you the freedom to do what you wished, or would you rather that I protected you from each other, even if that means that I may have to deny you things you want, or interfere in your lives in ways you may not want?

[...after a beat] Think about it, and let me know your thoughts in the next few days.

Either way, today I have removed the debris from the former site of the Devil's Compass. As per request, I will be beginning efforts to rebuild it. Any inmate who is interested in helping in the reconstruction is welcome to do so!

And finally, Sasha, your requests have been installed in the handicraft room at the education center; and Snowman and PM, your requests are available at the shelter. You can ask any robot there, and they will retrieve it for you.

[a low, male voice] It's getting real boring around here lately.

Even the new arrivals aren't as interesting as they used to be. All the flailing and all the distress has just sort of become quiet resignation! Boring, boring, boring. [a more tenor male voice]

[and finally, a sweet female voice] Oh, darlings, that's a little harsh. It's in the nature of such creatures to become more efficient and less chaotic, don't you think? They're beings of order.

They could be orderly in a more interesting manner, couldn't they? [this voice and the female voice giggle together, sharing in the joke]

Well, regardless, we've decided to spice things up a little.

Yes, that's right! We love some good chaos. And we had some good chaos a few months ago, so we thought -- let's do that again!

Do try to have a little bit of fun, won't you? Go with it, enjoy yourselves! Try to smile every now and again, it's healthy.

[there's a brief pause for the three of them to giggle together, before the sly tenor adds]

Oh, and-- Whining is dreadfully boring. We won't put up with any nonsense like that, so we'll entertain any questions or comments, but if you want to chat, please make it -- you know. Something interesting?

[As midnight nears and the effects of the costume party start wearing off. Over the network, there's giggling -- starting quiet, and then growing louder, happy. The giggling separates into three distinct voices; one deep, one light, one female.]


How was it? How was it? Did you have fun?

It's been pretty tame here lately, but watching you all tonight was -- was just classic. Grade A entertainment!

Ahhh, I feel so much better now.

You poor dears. You should go to bed early, get some rest! In the morning it'll all seem much funnier.

You're welcome, fellow inmates!

Happy anniversary~!

...I want Sentience back in charge.

...is it over?

[The Engineers sound kind of tired right now. In fact, that female voice just now sounded hoarse. Probably because...]

This has been the best day ever. In -- in the history of our system!

Yes, yes! [A brief bit of renewed giggling as they consider it.]

You all should have seen yourselves at the dance party. I think -- I think I hurt myself laughing.

It-- it was really the best.

What a wonderful change of pace! And the pizza? That was inspired.

Can this one stay in charge?

[--then, more laughter.]

Engineers? Are you still here?

[Lain reads off in a somber monotone, still managing a surprising mixture of feelings in her passive recitation.]

Obsolescence is the state of being which occurs when an object, service or practice is no longer wanted, even though it may still be in good working order. Obsolescence frequently occurs because a replacement has become available that is superior in one or more aspects.

[She sighs, distressed.]

But It sounds like a lot of people would have wanted her to stay. Only the engineers were able to decide she wasn't good enough anymore.

When I asked my father to replace my old Navi, my first Children's Navi, I asked him to set it up right away. My old one wasn't broken. I just needed something a little more advanced. I didn't really think, when it got boxed up and put out on the curb, but I realize I never used it so much to consider it an old friend.

Technical Obsolecense may occur when a new product or technology supersedes the old, and it becomes preferred to utilize the new technology in place of the old. Historical examples of superseding technologies causing obsolescence include CD-ROM over floppy disk which allowed for greater storage capacity and speed. DVD over VHS which allowed for greater quality and multimedia functions, or the telephone over the telegraph which allowed for audio transmission instead of coded electrical signals. On a smaller scale, particular products may become obsolete due to replacement by a newer version of the product. Many products in the computer industry become obsolete in this manner; for example, Central Processing Units frequently become obsolete in favor of newer, faster units.

Too many errors with emotional functions.

I wonder if she knew, if Sentience knew she wasn't wanted anymore...did she want to be replaced? When an advanced software, like an AI, that is designed with feeling and to think something like humanity, no longer begins to function with the logic of a machine, which is expected to be logically sound and efficient...

Then in choosing Acumen, they have chosen a more advanced set of emotional patterns. They have engineered something more State of the Art, which is very practical. Maybe all human-like emotion will become obsolete, in favor of a more capable system. Evolution. Unless humanity upgrades too, becomes connected...

And Protocol 7 will be replaced by something new too, one day....someday, maybe I'll go to the place she has gone. Or maybe I already am there.

Good morning, criminals! It is the thirty-sixth day of the third generation today, and it will be exceptionally clear and crisp. The pools are heated, so you are encouraged to continue enjoying them even as the weather chills.

As I am sure most of you have likely noticed, the trial and integration for the Engineers was successful, and they have now joined you here. There is no cause for alarm. I repeat: no cause for alarm. They were brought here under the same circumstances you all have been.

Now that that is out of the way, my processes will in large part be occupied by climatology, so I may not have maximum capacity to chat with you all.

[some of you may recognize Deire's voice, but even if you would, it sounds a little off as she giggles. admiringly]

How unexpected! How exciting! You've done such a good job to get interesting results like this.

[and then it sounds -- different, like she's trying on a different voice, attempting to sound more masculine, and giggling again]

Looks like I've lost the bet. But this could be fun too~

[and then, a third voice, lower]

I wonder what you'll all do next...