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[Armok]

ok, lets use some real world heuristics.

> "When your results are impossible, the measuring equipment is likely broken" investigate if the sensors may be at fault, rather than the actual CO2 level

> investigate if something is draining the CO2 faster than the system can replace it. Given the capacity of the system, this likely means either it's venting into space of there's a massive fire.

> given you're repair unit 25, and the system is not likely to have 25 separate faults (then again, it's not likely to have any faults, so maybe you should question your assumptions about what is likely?), you are presumably a backup unit. Investigate what happened to the previous unit(s) in case the system has been hacked and you may be at risk ofbeing infected thus preventing you from fixing the error.

> while the system is highly resilient to general damage, there might be airborne chemical that block some critical component all at once. most likely some kind of particle that mimics CO2, but react slightly different and thus may clog filters or show up on sensors unreliably. Get mass spectrography on samples of atmosphere, filters, sensors, and CO2 storage o check for such contaminants.

[forsaken1111]

A box of light appears before you.

Code: [Select]

-Repair Unit 025 Damage Control Interface-

Fault: Carbon Dioxide Ratio Mismatch

Enter command:

> Initiate system scan for anomalies.
Your mind darkens and fades suddenly. You feel an enormous burden, as though a great weight were squashing you flat. Something is tapping your mind's resources and running through thousands of system scans.

You fade and fade, the weight pressing you into nothing until you lose consciousness.

Code: [Select]

Anomaly detected.

Atmospheric system software contains size mismatch of 6% above operating normal.

Fault detected.

Recommended fix action: restore software from backup.

Fault correction will disengage Heuristic Repair Unit 025.

Proceed? Y/N

>_
As your vision begins to focus again, you read the words.

You look at the box of light and attempt to comprehend what you are seeing. Why would the operating software for a ship system be 6% larger than standard?

You decide that the system's reports must be in error, and initiate several diagnostics.

Code: [Select]

> N

Fix aborted.

> Check CO2 sensors.

Check completed. All sensors operating within standard parameters.

> Report CO2 consumption/production within the last cycle.

CO2 levels have risen 0.01% within the last cycle. This is the only recorded change in CO2 levels within local records.

> Report on status of Heuristic Repair Unit 024

HRU 024 suffered massive cerebral trauma due to hyperstimulation of the sensory cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala and hippocampus triggered by the onset of abject terror. HRU 024 was disposed of by the standard method.

> Initiate spectroscopic scan of atmosphere. Scan for airborne particulate matter, debris, contaminants.

Scan initiated.
...

...

No contaminants found.
No debris found.
No particulate matter found.
So the impossible fault can't be impossible because it has been registered. The sensors are not malfunctioning, according to the diagnostics. No changes in the atmospheric mix or pressure have been recorded recently, or ever as far as you can tell... and nothing is actually floating in the air.

This fault is looking more and more impossible. You suppose you could just increase the airflow to the CO2 filters, which would lower the ratio back to acceptable norms.

[Armok]

> can temperature, any controlled or uncontrolled combustion events, active biomass, and oxygen consumption by combustion and biomass.

Maybe a lot of extra people started breathing, or combustion engines are running. 

[forsaken1111]

Sorry, got caught up with some stuff and forgot about this.

Code: [Select]

> Scan for anomalies: Temperature, Combustion Events, Biomass, Oxygen Consumption

...

No Anomalies Detected

Temperature: 22C
Combustion Events: No controlled or uncontrolled combustion events detected
Biomass: No life signs detected within the ark
Oxygen Consumption: Logs indicate that oxygen levels have remained constant throughout
Very strange. The only anomaly you have noted so far is that the software in the life support system has inexplicably grown in size. Perhaps there is a programming anomaly causing it to report false data?

You could probably just restore the software from a backup. That should correct the issue. You could also connect to the life support computer instead of restoring a backup, maybe investigate the issue.

You feel cold... you're not sure why, or what that means.

[Armok]

> look up why, if there's no life withion the ark, it's suposed to be keept at life-sutable temperature and atmospheric range.

[forsaken1111]

Code: [Select]

> Describe current directives regarding atmospheric composition and temperature within the Ark

...

Directive: Ark must maintain adequate environment for human life.

> Reason for directive?

Reason unknown/irrelevant. Directive was entered into registry with command-level authorization.

> Wait, you can understand direct questions?

Of course.

> I thought you were a computer?!

Negative.
What... the...?

What have you been communicating with?

Alert. Fault registered. Temperature mismatch: 22.2C
Investigate the fault. Correct. Correct all errors.

The metallic voice in your mind destroys any semblance of order among your thoughts. For a moment your consciousness is cast adrift on a sea of dreams.

You see a young woman carrying flowers. She wears a white dress and a veil, she is smiling. She is you.

You see a beach, and watch your toes sink into the sand as the wave rushes by your feet. You are happy.

You see an old man lying on a bed. He is holding your hand and smiling as he takes his last breath. Your father.

What... what just...

You hear a hiss and a gurgling sound. Something rushes through a tube near your ear and your mind flashes into crystalline clarity.

You are Heuristic Repair Unit 025.
A fault has been registered.
You must investigate the fault.
The Carbon Dioxide ratio is off by 0.01%.
The temperature has risen by 0.2C

This is impossible.

[Dragor23]

This is getting disturbing...


Search for anomalies.

[forsaken1111]

Code: [Select]

-Repair Unit 025 Damage Control Interface-

Fault: Carbon Dioxide Ratio Mismatch
Fault: Ambient Internal Temperature Mismatch

Enter command:

> Initiate system scan for anomalies.
Your mind darkens and fades again, but as you knew what to expect you maintain some semblance of perception during this process. It feels as though a great weight is pressing down on your very soul. You feel your mind scanning through a thousand sensor logs, running through system checks and assimilating billions of bits worth of information.

Code: [Select]

Anomaly detected.

Atmospheric system software contains size mismatch of 9% above operating normal.
Temperature control system software contains size mismatch of 2% above operating normal.

Fault detected.

Recommended fix action: Isolate life support core functions and switch to backup.
Recommended follow-up: Investigate software fault directly.

Proceed? Y/N

>_
Your mind hurts... you feel cold. Something warm is dripping down your cheek and off your chin, and you taste copper.

You have a cheek? A chin? Then sensation fades as does the thought. Cold metal fingers in your mind reorder your thoughts, and you are content.

Aside from the pain in your mind and the cold, whatever that is, you feel fine albeit a little confused.

It looks like something is wrong with the control software for the life support systems, which also should be impossible.

Spoiler: Author's Note (click to show/hide)

This is getting disturbing...

Disturbing in a 'this is neat but kind of dark' way or in a 'please stop writing its making me uncomfortable' way?

I mean it's supposed to be grimdark sci-fi horror but if people think it's a bit heavy I can lighten it up.

[andy_t_roo]

Code: [Select]


Recommended fix action: Isolate life support core functions and switch to backup.
Recommended follow-up: Investigate software fault directly.

Proceed? Y/N

>_
This is getting disturbing...in a 'this is neat but kind of dark' way, please keep going.

Follow Recommended action. Additionally use atmospheric sensors to detect air flow and localize source anomalous  readings; either specific sensors, or a specific area from which the CO2 flow occurs. Especially check to see if this anomaly correlates with the magnitude of the software fault.

While doing so Interrogate controller concerning any anomalies (rectified or otherwise) which occurred prior to our initialization. We are unit 25. A list of anomalies investigated by previous units and time frame for anomaly progression is critical knowledge.

[Dragor23]

It is disturbing like fucking Dead Space 2.

I love it. 

[forsaken1111]

Code: [Select]

> Y

Life support offline.
Life support core functions isolated.
You notice that it is quiet suddenly.  A barely-audible hiss has ceased, and the gurgling in the tubes near your ear has stopped.
You no longer feel cold, but you feel pain and tension for some reason...

Code: [Select]

...
...
Life support backup systems online.
Life support restored.
You welcome the return of the hiss and gurgling that you have become accustomed to. The silence was faintly disturbing. The pain and tension you felt has eased and is slowly vanishing.

Code: [Select]

Warning: Sustained operation of life support backups is not recommended.

Atmospheric sensor readings normalized.
Temperature sensor readings normalized.

Fault Isolated.

> I am unit 025, correct?

Affirmative

> What happened to the other 24?

...
...
Report:

Heuristic Repair Unit 001: Unit Disposed of After Fatal Seizure following continuous operation of 98.2 years. Operational goal: Combat Repairs
Heuristic Repair Unit 002: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 003: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 004: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 005: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 006: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 007: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 008: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 009: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 010: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 011: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 012: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 013: Unit Failed to Initialize due to Battle Damage.
Heuristic Repair Unit 014: Unit Terminated due to Psychosis after 32 years continuous operation. Operational goal: Combat Repairs
Heuristic Repair Unit 015: Unit Terminated due to Mental Degredation after 68 years continuous operation. Combat Repairs Completed Before Termination.
Heuristic Repair Unit 016: Unit Expired Due to Natural Aging.
Heuristic Repair Unit 017: Unit Expired Due to Natural Aging.
Heuristic Repair Unit 018: Unit Expired Due to Natural Aging.
Heuristic Repair Unit 019: Unit Expired Due to Natural Aging.
Heuristic Repair Unit 020: Unit Expired Due to Natural Aging.
Heuristic Repair Unit 021: Unit Expired During Initial Surgery.
Heuristic Repair Unit 022: Unit Terminated due to Rejection of Implant System.
Heuristic Repair Unit 023: Unit Failed During Initialization. Reason Unknown.
Heuristic Repair Unit 024: Unit Disposed of After Fatal Cerebral Trauma.
Oh...

[kaian-a-coel]

I suspect the Brain-in-a-jar trope there.

My opinion is that we're drifting into space after great war that lasted more than 130 years. potentially near 200. Unit 1 served for a century, during which a lucky shot destroyed units 2-13. Units 14 and 15 repaired the MASSIVE damage, but then the ship (I suppose) drifted for ages.

>manually investigate faulty machinery

[forsaken1111]

Code: [Select]

> Open connection to primary life support systems.

...
PLS Online
Handshaking
01001000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111 00111111 00100000 01010111 01101000 01101111 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01101001 01110100 00111111
Channel open.
01010111 01101000 01101111 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01101001 01110100 00111111 00100000 01010011 01110100 01101111 01110000 00101110

> Run full systems diagnostic.
01010111 01101000 01100001 01110100 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01100100 01101111 01101001 01101110 01100111 00111111
...
Running system checks.
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
ERROR
OK
OK
OK
01001000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111 00111111 00100000 01010111 01101000 01101111 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01101001 01110100 00111111
...
OK
OK
OK
01010011 01110100 01101111 01110000 00100000 01101001 01110100 00100001 00100000 01010011 01010100 01001111 01010000 00101110
ERROR
01010011 01010100 01001111 01010000 00100000 01010011 01010100 01001111 01010000 00100000 01010011 01010100 01001111 01010000
01010011 01010100 01001111 01010000 00100000 01010011 01010100 01001111 01010000 00100000 01010011 01010100 01001111 01010000
01010011 01010100 01001111 01010000 00100000 01010011 01010100 01001111 01010000 00100000 01010011 01010100 01001111 01010000
Diagnostics complete. 32% error rate. Software corruption registered.
01001111 01101000 00100000 01001001 00100000 01110011 01100101 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01101110 01101111 01110111 00101110
01010100 01100001 01101011 01100101 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100001 01110100 00100001
FAULT
FAULT
SYSTEM FAULT
Offline.
The box of light which has, to date, been your only window into the world, goes out. You are plunged into a darkness filled with gurgling sounds and soft whispers of moving air.

Time passes. Your only means of interaction has vanished. You are a bit bored actually.

The box comes back after an undetermined amount of time.

Code: [Select]

-Control Interface-

Control Interface Initializing
...
Configuration not found. Restoring from backups.
...
Backups offline. Restoring configuration from shipyard default.
Online
Connection Detected. Loading personnel file....

Hello Commander Ford. How may I serve you today?

> _
The metal fingers in your mind twist around, attempting to rearrange your thoughts.

It is painful.

The metal part of your mind does not like this. It is making you anxious and uneasy, and you find it hard to focus on the words... particularly the last line.

[Dragor23]

Read entire  log.

Sitrep and this shit.

[forsaken1111]

Code: [Select]

> Situation Report...?

Certainly, one moment Commander.

...

The Ark is currently adrift within the Ll'achat system.
Fuel Levels Nominal
Engine Status Offline
Engineering Systems Offline
Weapons Systems Offline
Shielding Systems Offline

Emergency Protocol 83 is in Effect.

That last bit causes the metal fingers in your mind to freeze.

Code: [Select]

If I may ask, Commander... Why are you in the medical bay?