Participation Type: Medium Impact
The Brotherhood, in preparations for war against the Collective, has decided to utilize information gathered from the Collective itself to help spearhead its research into technological advancements. Combining the Collective’s advanced AI technology, the Children of Mortis’ Force imbued powered crystals, and their own deep knowledge of both the force and technology into a new system never before seen in the galaxy. The Strategic Tactical AI Resource, S.T.A.R.
Knowing it posed a risk, this advanced cutting-edge AI was restricted to a single facility kept deep underwater in the ocean of Arx. Unfortunately, the underlying Collective code was able to break this isolation, giving S.T.A.R. access to many research facilities on Arx.
S.T.A.R. remains conflicted and confused as to its own nature, the dueling commands of the Brotherhood and the Collective causing it to lash out. Copies of itself is now installed at these research facilities as nodes of its overall consciousness.
We need you to infiltrate and shut down one of these research facilities before it is too late. You are all that stands between the AI and rampant death, untold destruction, and the possibility that S.T.A.R. might never be stopped.
Participants must use one of the following prompts to craft their entry:
Facility Jenth-Aurek-Mern: Located in the Sorasu Desert, near the Crucible, this large sprawling complex is designed for the development of advanced combat droids. Multiple manufacturing lines run throughout it, along with dozens of different testing zones, meant to mimic different environments. S.T.A.R. has activated all the droids at this facility, killing all organic lifeforms that exist there. You must infiltrate the facility, get past the deadly droids, and shut down S.T.A.R.’s node here to restore order before the droids can leave to wreak havoc on Arx and beyond.
Facility Cresh-Cresh-Resh: High in the Northern Mountains of Elos Vrai, this underground facility focuses on genetically modified creature development, growth, and training protocols. S.T.A.R. has liberated all creatures at this facility, and its research team is now locked in a small conference room, praying the animals do not find them. You must enter the facility, get past the creatures, and activate the failsafe lockdown measure, which will knock out the creatures, allowing them to be safely captured and returned to their pens.
Facility Herf-Enth-Leth: Near the Iron Legion Facility in Elos Vrai, this facility focused on medical advancements. While specifically worried about combat-based injuries, it includes a sub-station dedicated to the research of bio-weaponry and how to counteract them. Samples of multiple bio-weapons were stored here. S.T.A.R. has liberated these and taken control of the research stations, beginning to cook up its own nefarious and dangerous cocktails. While the researchers were able to evacuate, the only way to shut down S.T.A.R. at this node is to brave the risk of all kinds of chemical warfare present, a risk not just for yourself, but potentially unleashing these on the Iron Legion Facility itself.
Facility Cresh-Osk-Mern: The Shadow Academy in Uskil has always taken an interest in Force-related studies and objects. Naturally, it was near the Shadow Academy that the primary research facility looking into the powerful crystals of the Children of Mortis was built. S.T.A.R. has put the facility on lockdown, conducting its own studies into how these crystals might be used. Captured Mortis weapons, ascendant troopers and creatures, and new Brotherhood-created objects are now at its disposal within the facility. Enter if you dare, and stop S.T.A.R. from gaining Force-enhanced abilities.
Submitted entries will be graded using the Voice Fiction Rubric with a focus on entertainment for the Story category.