Automata

### Distinctions

Homogenized classes of appearances, hybrid bio-mechanical bodies, physical strength and durability.

## Other Info

### Homeworld

Originally created on the planet Mara, Apsic Empire. Now created on both Mara and Asphodel.

### Affiliations

Apsic Empire

Automata are a class of emulated consciousness-type sapient synthetic intelligence, or synth, originally created in the Apsic Empire in the 2570s, having been inspired by both research into cybernetic enhancement of human bodies, and the Range-L corporation's Parent Project consciousness imprinting research, especially the Hunting and Retrieval units for their military and policing potential. In the present day, there exists a number of specialized automata that serve in various positions within the Apsic Empire, mostly within outskirt territories, which is largely thought to be a control tactic to continue to enforce their social citizenship structure.

## Basic Information

The first automata were created on the planet Mara for positions such as teaching, cleaning, cooking, administrative desk jobs, and nursing. They were called General-Purpose Lightweight Automatons, Allzweck-Leichtautomata in the original German, or model designation AZ-LA. They had an advantage over human workers as they can simply be programmed with personalities from imprints taken from patterns that are based on those of Apsic human women, minus all identifying memories, and be activated for the first time pre-programmed with the information that they need to perform their duties, much like the original ECS created by Range-L. On top of this, they are given a high degree of loyalty and affinity for the empire beyond what is considered usual for humans, and largely are intended to see themselves as disposable and easily replaced, though this is not always the case.

In parallel with these, trials for the feasibility of military and police models of automata were being run. In contrast with the smaller LA, or Leichtautomata frames, which ranges from 160 to 180 centimeters in height and would go on to be used in numerous sub-models such as the SK-LA intended for use on small scouting starships, the SA, or Schwerer Automata frames, ranging from 200 to 215 centimeters in height, would be deployed for security positions, riot control, and low-level military combat positions. These were deployed roughly a decade after the beginning of the project, largely in border regions, limiting the knowledge that human inhabitants of the Apsic Empire have of them.

Smaller frames known as FA, or Federleichter Automata, at 145 to 160 centimeters, larger ones known as UA, or Über-Schwerer Automata, at over 220 centimeters, and frames that bridged the gap between the Light and Heavy frames, MA, or Mittlerer Automata, would be created later for more specialized purposes.

They were not without flaw, however. They still required food, water, housing, sexual release, and personal interaction, due to having biological brains as well as digestive and respiratory systems to power them. As a result, they have much more human psychology compared to an ECS. They become more individual with time, developing personality quirks and diverging from other units of the same model, as they are essentially lab-grown human bodies that are extensively modified with cybernetics and mental conditioning.

Generally, automata and human staff are not intended to interact with each other beyond what is necessary, and friendships and romantic or sexual relationships are explicitly disallowed. They should seek companionship among themselves instead, but are also expected not to let these companionships override their loyalty for the empire, and their desire to perform their duties. If they are found to value their relationships over their duties, they are taken to be reset, having personal memories wiped and replaced with a default imprint. Repeated disloyalty often results in decommissioning, where the automata's body is destroyed and replaced by another unit entirely.

Living conditions for automata are far lower than those for humans. They sleep in dozens of small alcove beds stacked on top of each other in crowded shared spaces, they are fed lower quality food, simple nutritional meals with only what is necessary for them to survive, and their lavatory facilities are far simpler, with exposed showers and toilets in relatively large shared spaces. They are not given the same amount of free time as humans. Where humans are given shifts in lengths of 10 hours, automata are generally expected to be working at any time they aren't sleeping, with only small windows of time before and after sleeping, which is intended for grooming, feeding oneself, and dressing or undressing from one's uniform before and after work.

## Anatomy

Automata bodies closely resemble human bodies that have been heavily altered using cybernetic enhancement.

### Non-Biologic Componentry

An automata's skeleton is largely built from high strength and lightweight metallic alloys, and is relatively limited to the head, spinal column, torso, and the small segments of the lower limbs that feature flesh components.

The arms, legs, shoulders, and neck are all fully mechanical constructs, though there are still passages within to provide a larger volume for the oxidants that their biocomponents require, to feed the biological brain with oxygen, and to provide warmth to them from the body's metabolic and electronic processes. Their eyes and ears are both fully electronic sensor components, and the sense of touch for their mechanical limbs is provided using pressure and temperature matrices much like ECS platforms, and also provide a sense of pain to make the automata aware of injuries on non-biologic components. The vocal folds within their throat are also artificial, which grants their voices a unique timbre with very consistent overtones.

Portions of their torso and the external surfaces of their mechanical limbs are covered in an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene outer shell on most civilian-class models. This provides them with excellent physical durability as it is resistant to fractures and impact damage even in spite of its low weight. Combat specific models such as KS-SA Combat Security Heavy Automata and the larger EK-UA Elite Combat Commander Superheavy Automata wear more appropriate ballistic armor plating shells that are capable of deflecting or absorbing the impacts of small arms fire without significant damage to the automata's components.

Their electronic components are relatively primitive in comparison to ECS platforms, simply existing to monitor the status of various non-biological sensor systems that monitor wireless communications, and to process the signals received by the electronic eyes, ears, and touch from mechanical parts into stimuli that the biological brain would expect to see. There are storage drives that retain information such as images, video, text, and sound in entirely objective ways that are unaffected by personal feelings that develop over time. This is what allows a unit to be reset to the default personality state and remain useful, as their useful objective memories are not impaired.

### Biological Systems

Automata notably have a biological brain connected to a hybrid organic-cybernetic nervous system, which is responsible for thinking, information processing, and their consciousness. It is based upon human physiology but is not chemically the same as human brain tissue. In addition, their olfactory nerves and general sense of smell and taste are both entirely biological in nature.

They feature a full respiratory, urinary, and circulatory system that pumps an oxidant fluid based on perfluorocarbons, and also contains other carriers for vitamins, minerals, and salts that the biocomponents require, as well as antiseptics. Their lungs are engineered to work properly with the perfluorocarbons, retaining them long-term and not expelling them over time as happens in humans when used as a blood substitute. It is colored red simply to serve as a familiar visual marker of injury.

Their digestive system is roughly on-par with that of humans, featuring artificial ceramic teeth, a biological tongue, esophagus, stomach, and intestinal tract. This is intended to provide energy in the form of calories to both the biologic and electronic componentry when used in tandem with an automata-unique organ system that makes use of enzymes to convert a large amount of calories and organic waste into electricity to power the cybernetic components. This is only intended to be a fallback, as there exists an internal battery that can power the automata's electronics for a number of days even when not charged during sleep. Without the battery, the automata's body would need a two to threefold increase in caloric intake to continue to stay fully powered.

Their skin, fat, and musculature is largely contained to their torso, upper thighs, and face, which allows a biological covering for the organs, and allows them to appear more friendly and relieves their physical dysphoria due to their existence as largely human personalities within these bodies. It is physically similar to human skin, muscle, and fat, but much like their brain, is not chemically the same.

In addition, they have a simplified sexual anatomy that is comprised of labia minora and majora, as well as a clitoris and vaginal canal with no cervix or any of the upper female reproductive anatomy. This is intended solely for them to achieve sexual release, as they are largely human biological minds and still require it.

## Model Details

### Federleichter Automata-Class

#### WT-FA

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WT-FA are used to repair and maintain systems within facilities where most humans could not get to them. Their small frame allows them to get inside of maintenance ducts much more easily than human maintenance workers, or the larger RA-MA Repair Worker Automata.

### Leichtautomata-Class

#### AZ-LA

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The oldest and one of the most common forms of automata, the AZ-LA is one of the best known as it exists all across the empire for simple domestic tasks. They have a generally friendly and positive demeanor, and get along well both with humans and other automata.

### Mittlerer Automata-Class

#### RA-MA

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Another common type of automata, these are often seen standing in for handymen and construction workers on starships as well as on the ground not only in borderland territories, but in populated areas as well. Their personalities tend to be generally airy and easygoing, though a minority of them are easily frustrated.

#### GA-MA

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The GA-MA is a variant of the RA-MA with ballistic armor like that of dedicated combat units, which was intended to be placed in a number of hazardous positions including combat technicians and medics, vehicle operators, or ordnance disposal. They feature similar personality profiles to RA-MA units, though are better under pressure and take things a bit more seriously.

#### KK-MA

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The KK-MA automaton was designed for largely independent fireteam combat action while stationed aboard starships. They often served as boarding parties to clear pirate vessels of their crews so that they could be captured, along with whatever supplies they had on board. As with the larger EK-UA, they are also commonly found as personal bodyguards for important individuals in the Apsic Empire, especially those who travel frequently. Their personalities are generally incredibly stoic, but they are known to soften up if they are allowed to form close relationships.

### Schwerer Automata-Class

#### KS-SA

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KS-SA are the only other form of automata that are widely known to exist by the public. They are large and intended to be intimidating, most often equipped with firearms, and wear body armor when on duty to protect themselves from weaponry, in addition to having upgraded ballistic shell plating rather than the polyethylene plating that civilian class models have. They have generally aloof personalities, much like the RA-MA type, but are less friendly and better at keeping calm under pressure.

### Über-Schwerer Automata-Class

#### EK-UA

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EK-UA units are relatively rare, with only a relatively small number existing in the galaxy in command and highly specialized combat roles, as well as serving as heads of security within installations and managing the KS-SA units within the security staff. Important figures within the Apsic government also often have these as personal bodyguards . While larger and stronger than KS-SA units, they are built in a similar manner, with body armor and ballistic plating covering their bodies. They often have cold and distant personalities, and this is thought to assist them in making difficult decisions. However, they do soften up around friendly individuals.