Schnoctopus

## History

The **Thing in the Wastebasket** was formerly an **ALN-2** (Attribute Learning Network Mk 2) supercomputer that Joe used for creating virtual reality simulations and beta versions of new software. After continuous upgrades and patches over 52 years of use, it was finally replaced with a faster system. A power surge at the waste processing plant mutated it heavily instead of recycling it, combining the advanced CPU with the semi-organic wires and case. This created a partially-sentient, but physiologically incomplete, techno-organic hybrid creature that called itself **Allen** and later the **Schnoctopus**. It spent the following two weeks using TV feeds and old system files to reconstruct its past, vowed revenge for being discarded, and finally designed its own VR world. This was to be used as a "hamster cage" to trap and torture the first person to inspect it for signs of life (Caitlyn), followed by the first to run to her assistance (Kelly). Even though it was destroyed almost immediately thereafter, the dilated time effect from the speed of its CPUs meant that Caitlyn still spent 60 years inside the world from her own perspective, and Kelly almost 30.

## Powers and Abilities

**Cyberspace Manipulation:** It can send and receive thousands of simultaneous instructions to and from its built-in CPUs, allowing it to generate vast numbers of random images, videos, and documents out of existing files.

**Imaginary Construct Creation:** It has access to built-in virtual libraries of functional 3D objects that it can use inside a simulated environment, including food and vehicles.

**Imaginary Entity Creation:** It also has access to a virtual library of human and animal avatars that it can use like a puppet to communicate with people who are connected to its simulation.

**Time Perception Manipulation:** It can create a false impression that almost infinite time has passed in a short period, due to the extreme volumes of information that it transmits.

#### Weaknesses

**Energy:** To hold a person as a captive audience, and effectively control its 3D environment, it requires large amounts of energy, but at this output level even its advanced battery will only run for 10 minutes.

**Inorganic brain:** Since it never became a complete organism, it lacks a real brain and depends on machine logic and algorithms for its plans.

**Psychopathy:** It is extremely judgmental, vindictive, and sadistic, and seeks revenge for what it sees as a betrayal (even though it wasn't alive yet at the time it happened).

## Behind the scenes

Various malevolent and/or telepathic creatures in mythology, folklore, and fiction have been portrayed as octopi or squids, such as Alveus (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Cthulhu (H.P. Lovecraft), the Dianoga (Star Wars: A New Hope), the Daleks (Doctor Who), the Sentinels (The Matrix trilogy), and Dave (Penguins of Madagascar). Numerous artificial intelligences and robots, most of whom "went rogue" at some point, have "AL" in their names, such as ALN (Adventure Time) and HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey).

In the Neil Gaiman franchise *American Gods*, the living computer "Technical Boy" is rejected by Mr. World (a name for Loki) in favor of the superior, faster "Quantum Boy."