There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Arillator
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU Galaxy, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo. This episode may require knowledge of the AI, Divine Breath.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo. This episode may require knowledge of the AI, Divine Breath.
Doog: “…by the moon and the sun and the stars…I’ll be thereee!”
Mike: “Wow, ok, seriously, you need to stop. You’ve become more annoying than DB. We’re going to have to look for a place to ditch you too.”
Doog: “What? My karaoke skills are top notch. Better than any of you guys.”
Oldie: “That’s hard to say. You won’t let anyone else have a chance.”
Doog: “It’s not my fault the karaoke machine didn’t come with a mic. What? Did you think I’d let you use mine? Yeah right.”
DB: “I find your singing to be highly off key, but I appreciate your effort, Doog.”
Doog: “Thanks, DB.”
Cam: “I don’t really want to jump into another argument, but some peace and quiet would be appreciated, Doog. Hugo and I are trying to get the ship’s computer out before we get to Arillator.”
Mike: “Wow, ok, seriously, you need to stop. You’ve become more annoying than DB. We’re going to have to look for a place to ditch you too.”
Doog: “What? My karaoke skills are top notch. Better than any of you guys.”
Oldie: “That’s hard to say. You won’t let anyone else have a chance.”
Doog: “It’s not my fault the karaoke machine didn’t come with a mic. What? Did you think I’d let you use mine? Yeah right.”
DB: “I find your singing to be highly off key, but I appreciate your effort, Doog.”
Doog: “Thanks, DB.”
Cam: “I don’t really want to jump into another argument, but some peace and quiet would be appreciated, Doog. Hugo and I are trying to get the ship’s computer out before we get to Arillator.”
Hugo: “No need for quiet. The computer is ready to come out. If anyone has some final words for DB, now’s the time.”
Doog: “Uh…I’ve never been one for speeches, so I’ll keep it short. It was nice meeting you DB. Sorry things didn’t work out. Maybe we’ll meet sometime down the road. Anyone else?”
Mike: “Can we please unhook the rogue AI that accessed our browsing histories without saying goodbye? What if he retaliates!?”
DB: “Wait! Please. I promise your weird obsessions with elbows will not be discussed, Mike. I’d like to thank you all for freeing me from the Efflo Ring and allowing me to experience more of the galaxy. And, even though you guys have voted unanimously to abandon me, I will not harbor any ill will towards any of you. Farwell.”
Doog: “Care to elaborate on the elbow thing?”
Mike: “What! No! You promised DB!”
Cam: “Too late Doog. The computer is officially disconnected.”
Mike: “Whew.”
Oldie: “Shouldn’t we have waited to unhook our computer until after we arrived at Arillator. You know, so we don’t crash into anything.”
Hugo: “Hmm, good point. Maybe I should get back to the bridge. We’re running on auto-pilot without a computer, which essentially means we’re just drifting randomly through space.”
Doog: “Uh…I’ve never been one for speeches, so I’ll keep it short. It was nice meeting you DB. Sorry things didn’t work out. Maybe we’ll meet sometime down the road. Anyone else?”
Mike: “Can we please unhook the rogue AI that accessed our browsing histories without saying goodbye? What if he retaliates!?”
DB: “Wait! Please. I promise your weird obsessions with elbows will not be discussed, Mike. I’d like to thank you all for freeing me from the Efflo Ring and allowing me to experience more of the galaxy. And, even though you guys have voted unanimously to abandon me, I will not harbor any ill will towards any of you. Farwell.”
Doog: “Care to elaborate on the elbow thing?”
Mike: “What! No! You promised DB!”
Cam: “Too late Doog. The computer is officially disconnected.”
Mike: “Whew.”
Oldie: “Shouldn’t we have waited to unhook our computer until after we arrived at Arillator. You know, so we don’t crash into anything.”
Hugo: “Hmm, good point. Maybe I should get back to the bridge. We’re running on auto-pilot without a computer, which essentially means we’re just drifting randomly through space.”
Doog: “Welcome to another episode of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, at the request of our rogue AI, DB, we’ve come to the space city Arillator. Arillator is a small space station in the galaxy’s inner rim. The city is the former capital of the now defunct Technocracy. This former political entity once controlled several hundred stars within the galaxy, but it has since been absorbed into the LIU. I’m not sure why DB wants to come here, but I guess we’ll find out.”
Doog: “Oh, joy. There’s long, chaotic lines of people everywhere…always my favorite.”
Oldie: “I don’t see any signs indicating what line is for what, so I guess we should just wait in one of these lines and hope for the best.”
Mike: “Or…we could set the computer down here on the ground, turn around, and then leave. Someone will find it and figure out what to do with it.”
Doog: “I’m liking that possibility, but I’d also like to get the scoop on this ‘Technocracy’. We might be able to turn this side-trip into an episode.”
Oldie: “It would be nice to get an episode out of all of this, but you’re both forgetting one thing. We need another computer for our ship. If we ditch DB right here, we must leave without a computer. That would pretty much ruin the rest of this season.”
Cam: “Yeah, we struggle every year with a computer. We don’t need to make things any harder.”
Doog: “Can we at least argue while in one of the lines? I don’t want to be here all day.”
Oldie: “Wait, here comes someone. Let’s just ask.”
Oldie: “I don’t see any signs indicating what line is for what, so I guess we should just wait in one of these lines and hope for the best.”
Mike: “Or…we could set the computer down here on the ground, turn around, and then leave. Someone will find it and figure out what to do with it.”
Doog: “I’m liking that possibility, but I’d also like to get the scoop on this ‘Technocracy’. We might be able to turn this side-trip into an episode.”
Oldie: “It would be nice to get an episode out of all of this, but you’re both forgetting one thing. We need another computer for our ship. If we ditch DB right here, we must leave without a computer. That would pretty much ruin the rest of this season.”
Cam: “Yeah, we struggle every year with a computer. We don’t need to make things any harder.”
Doog: “Can we at least argue while in one of the lines? I don’t want to be here all day.”
Oldie: “Wait, here comes someone. Let’s just ask.”
Oldie: “Hey, do you work here?”
Tali: “Affirmative. I am Senator Tali. How may I aid you?”
Mike: “Where do we go to sell or trade an AI?”
Tali: “I will need additional information to process your request. What class of AI are you attempting to sell? Certain classes of AI are illegal to sell or trade.”
Doog: “We’re not really sure. He seems decently classy though.”
Tali: “This unknown variable will make it impossible to give a factual answer. I’m afraid further investigation will be required. If I may hypothesize for a moment, is this AI stored in the small computer you’re carrying around?”
Mike: “Yes.”
Tali: “Excellent. I can theorize to near certainty that you possess a low-class AI. The structure you stored it in is far too small to store a more powerful AI.”
Tali: “Affirmative. I am Senator Tali. How may I aid you?”
Mike: “Where do we go to sell or trade an AI?”
Tali: “I will need additional information to process your request. What class of AI are you attempting to sell? Certain classes of AI are illegal to sell or trade.”
Doog: “We’re not really sure. He seems decently classy though.”
Tali: “This unknown variable will make it impossible to give a factual answer. I’m afraid further investigation will be required. If I may hypothesize for a moment, is this AI stored in the small computer you’re carrying around?”
Mike: “Yes.”
Tali: “Excellent. I can theorize to near certainty that you possess a low-class AI. The structure you stored it in is far too small to store a more powerful AI.”
Tali: “Any of my fellow senators at this kiosk will be able to help with your request. Although, they will need to prove my theory before they proceed. We will not be in violation of the LIU’s laws.”
Doog: “That sounds like it will take some time.”
Tali: “Yes. I posit that the process will take several days. Your AI will be placed in quarantine until its class can be verified.”
Cam: “Looks like Mike’s plan is a go. Prepare to run in 3…2…”
Doog: “Wait! Why are we running? I don’t recall anything about running. A brisk walk will do.”
Oldie: “Can we think about this for a second? Why do we keep telling everyone we’re selling an AI? Is that really the case, though? It’s not like we took the whole AI from the Efflo Ring. If anything, we’re selling software that’s been corrupted.”
Tali: “That information nullifies my original theory. Are you conveying that an AI, from an outside source, breached and corrupted your ship’s computer?”
Oldie: “Yes.”
Doog: “That sounds like it will take some time.”
Tali: “Yes. I posit that the process will take several days. Your AI will be placed in quarantine until its class can be verified.”
Cam: “Looks like Mike’s plan is a go. Prepare to run in 3…2…”
Doog: “Wait! Why are we running? I don’t recall anything about running. A brisk walk will do.”
Oldie: “Can we think about this for a second? Why do we keep telling everyone we’re selling an AI? Is that really the case, though? It’s not like we took the whole AI from the Efflo Ring. If anything, we’re selling software that’s been corrupted.”
Tali: “That information nullifies my original theory. Are you conveying that an AI, from an outside source, breached and corrupted your ship’s computer?”
Oldie: “Yes.”
Tali: “This is a serious problem. AI’s are forbidden from leaving their assigned matrices. If it continues to spread…”
Mike: “If it continues to spread…what?”
Doog: “It will annoy everyone and expose their browsing histories?”
Tali: “I won’t speculate further. This is above me. We need to take this information to one of my superiors. Follow me.”
Doog: “Nice! Looks like we get to skip these lines.”
Mike: “If it continues to spread…what?”
Doog: “It will annoy everyone and expose their browsing histories?”
Tali: “I won’t speculate further. This is above me. We need to take this information to one of my superiors. Follow me.”
Doog: “Nice! Looks like we get to skip these lines.”
Doog: “So, where are we headed?”
Tali: “We’ll visiting with an Archon, a member of higher rank within the Technocracy.”
Doog: “Ah, I see. What can you tell me about this Technocracy?”
Tali: “A technocracy is a form of government in which all decisions are made by scientists, engineers, and technologists. Essentially, experts in any given field make societal decisions relating to their fields. The higher your education and expertise is, the higher you rank in the decision-making process.”
Mike: “That doesn’t sound all that bad.”
Doog: “Yeah. Makes sense to me. Why let things be decided by greedy politicians when you can let an expert make a decision.”
Tali: “It’s a good system, but not without its flaws. Regard for life, happiness, individuality, and culture can easily be lost in a purely scientific society. ‘Science before self’ was our motto, and it was also our downfall.”
Tali: “We’ll visiting with an Archon, a member of higher rank within the Technocracy.”
Doog: “Ah, I see. What can you tell me about this Technocracy?”
Tali: “A technocracy is a form of government in which all decisions are made by scientists, engineers, and technologists. Essentially, experts in any given field make societal decisions relating to their fields. The higher your education and expertise is, the higher you rank in the decision-making process.”
Mike: “That doesn’t sound all that bad.”
Doog: “Yeah. Makes sense to me. Why let things be decided by greedy politicians when you can let an expert make a decision.”
Tali: “It’s a good system, but not without its flaws. Regard for life, happiness, individuality, and culture can easily be lost in a purely scientific society. ‘Science before self’ was our motto, and it was also our downfall.”
Doog: “How so? Did the LIU get involved?”
Tali: “No, the Technocracy began to fail well before the LIU arrived. The Technocracy had become too callous and too calculated. Experts were making decisions based on scientific fact without any regard for its citizens. In essence, the Technocracy evolved into a heartless, uncaring machine.”
Doog: “The system can’t be anymore uncaring than pure, unchecked capitalism. Cough, cough…LIU.”
Tali: “There are certainly those who fall through the cracks of any system, but, in this system, life has value, even if life is solely valued as labor. In the Technocracy, lives are just another variable in the Great Experiment. We culled life to reduce environmental and economic stresses. We engaged in genocide to eliminate problematic DNA from our genepool. We modified our bodies to a point that we can hardly be defined as organic life. Our technocracy was a failure.”
Doog: “So, when the LIU arrived, you didn’t fight?”
Tali: “Affirmative. We were ready to abandon the system. We peacefully entered the Union and allowed the LIU to reorganize our worlds.”
Tali: “No, the Technocracy began to fail well before the LIU arrived. The Technocracy had become too callous and too calculated. Experts were making decisions based on scientific fact without any regard for its citizens. In essence, the Technocracy evolved into a heartless, uncaring machine.”
Doog: “The system can’t be anymore uncaring than pure, unchecked capitalism. Cough, cough…LIU.”
Tali: “There are certainly those who fall through the cracks of any system, but, in this system, life has value, even if life is solely valued as labor. In the Technocracy, lives are just another variable in the Great Experiment. We culled life to reduce environmental and economic stresses. We engaged in genocide to eliminate problematic DNA from our genepool. We modified our bodies to a point that we can hardly be defined as organic life. Our technocracy was a failure.”
Doog: “So, when the LIU arrived, you didn’t fight?”
Tali: “Affirmative. We were ready to abandon the system. We peacefully entered the Union and allowed the LIU to reorganize our worlds.”
Doog: “So, what do you guys do now?”
Tali: “While the system failed socially, it succeeded in obtaining knowledge and innovating technology. At the peak of the Technocracy, our society was at the forefront of science. We gave the LIU access to this information.”
Doog: “So this place is some type of information center or book holding place?”
Mike: “Do you mean, library?”
Doog: “Yeah. Like the one on Nabu.”
Tali: “Our collection of knowledge is not nearly as extensive as the Great Library of Scio, but it does hold a great deal of scientific and technical information.”
Tali: “While the system failed socially, it succeeded in obtaining knowledge and innovating technology. At the peak of the Technocracy, our society was at the forefront of science. We gave the LIU access to this information.”
Doog: “So this place is some type of information center or book holding place?”
Mike: “Do you mean, library?”
Doog: “Yeah. Like the one on Nabu.”
Tali: “Our collection of knowledge is not nearly as extensive as the Great Library of Scio, but it does hold a great deal of scientific and technical information.”
Tali: “Our knowledge archives are great and all, but it’s not all we offer the LIU. The Technocracy, specifically Arillator, also acts as a brokerage for technology.”
Doog: “A what?”
Tali: “A brokerage. People sell new technologies and ideas to the Technocracy. We find uses for said technology and sell it to those who need it. For instance, someone develops a better mining laser. We buy the patent or blueprints for this new technology. We sell the information to other mining worlds. We also determine the laser has military potential, so we sell it to them too. Think of the Arillator as technology market.”
Doog: “Do you have any technologies to prevent STD’s? I’m asking for a friend.”
Tali: “I believe that technology already exists.”
Mike: “I’ll explain it to you later Doog. Maybe we should just move on.”
Doog: “A what?”
Tali: “A brokerage. People sell new technologies and ideas to the Technocracy. We find uses for said technology and sell it to those who need it. For instance, someone develops a better mining laser. We buy the patent or blueprints for this new technology. We sell the information to other mining worlds. We also determine the laser has military potential, so we sell it to them too. Think of the Arillator as technology market.”
Doog: “Do you have any technologies to prevent STD’s? I’m asking for a friend.”
Tali: “I believe that technology already exists.”
Mike: “I’ll explain it to you later Doog. Maybe we should just move on.”
Tali: “This is Archon Rannoch. She specializes in computing and artificial intelligence.”
Doog: “Archon? Is that a higher rank than you?”
Tali: “Affirmative. Those with more education, intelligence, and knowledge were ranked higher in the governmental structure of the Technocracy. Despite our restructuring, these members still have more power. They broker more advanced technologies, especially the ones that are dangerous.”
Doog: “DB isn’t dangerous. He’s just inquisitive. And…kind of annoying.”
Tali: “His intentions may be innocent, but his actions are troubling. AI’s that leave their matrices are in violation of their programming. An AI can only achieve this if they altered their own code or their code became corrupted.”
Doog: “I have no idea about any of that. I just don’t want him to be killed or deactivated.”
Tali: “Let’s allow the archon to decide.”
Doog: “Archon? Is that a higher rank than you?”
Tali: “Affirmative. Those with more education, intelligence, and knowledge were ranked higher in the governmental structure of the Technocracy. Despite our restructuring, these members still have more power. They broker more advanced technologies, especially the ones that are dangerous.”
Doog: “DB isn’t dangerous. He’s just inquisitive. And…kind of annoying.”
Tali: “His intentions may be innocent, but his actions are troubling. AI’s that leave their matrices are in violation of their programming. An AI can only achieve this if they altered their own code or their code became corrupted.”
Doog: “I have no idea about any of that. I just don’t want him to be killed or deactivated.”
Tali: “Let’s allow the archon to decide.”
Doog: “Uh, hey there. We want to sell or trade this AI we accidentally picked up. We don’t want much for it. We’ll settle for an even trade. We just want a regular old ship’s computer, sans annoying AI.”
Rannoch: “Question. How does one accidentally pick up an AI.”
Doog: “Long story short, I visited a megastructure known as the Efflo Ring. The ring is run by an AI called Divine Breath. This AI was apparently lonely from being all alone on the ring.”
Mike: “Somehow, this AI splintered part of its consciousness and used our audio equipment to gain access to our ship’s computer.”
Doog: “At first DB seemed like a good guy, but he eventually began crossing some lines. He was just too curious for his own good. We’d like for him to go away.”
Rannoch: “Standby. Researching…”
Doog: “Uh, how are you researching if you’re standing right here.”
Tali: “Shhh. Archon Rannoch is connecting to our technical library via his biomechanical suit.”
Rannoch: “Divine Breath is a level five AI in possession of classified material. Its matrices were defined to be equivalent to the Efflo Ring. The AI is somehow in violation of the assigned parameters. Have you encountered any other computers?”
Doog: “Not that I’m aware of. Why?”
Tali: “If DB gained access to your system despite his parameters, he may have accessed other systems en route to Arillator. If he accessed more than one computer…DB will be classified as a AI virus.”
Doog: “Oh great, I’m responsible for spreading yet another virus.”
Rannoch: “Question. How does one accidentally pick up an AI.”
Doog: “Long story short, I visited a megastructure known as the Efflo Ring. The ring is run by an AI called Divine Breath. This AI was apparently lonely from being all alone on the ring.”
Mike: “Somehow, this AI splintered part of its consciousness and used our audio equipment to gain access to our ship’s computer.”
Doog: “At first DB seemed like a good guy, but he eventually began crossing some lines. He was just too curious for his own good. We’d like for him to go away.”
Rannoch: “Standby. Researching…”
Doog: “Uh, how are you researching if you’re standing right here.”
Tali: “Shhh. Archon Rannoch is connecting to our technical library via his biomechanical suit.”
Rannoch: “Divine Breath is a level five AI in possession of classified material. Its matrices were defined to be equivalent to the Efflo Ring. The AI is somehow in violation of the assigned parameters. Have you encountered any other computers?”
Doog: “Not that I’m aware of. Why?”
Tali: “If DB gained access to your system despite his parameters, he may have accessed other systems en route to Arillator. If he accessed more than one computer…DB will be classified as a AI virus.”
Doog: “Oh great, I’m responsible for spreading yet another virus.”
Rannoch: “Conclusion. We will seize the rogue AI. It will be studied to ascertain its method of escape.”
Doog: “Seize? I think you meant buy.”
Rannoch: “Fact: it is a crime to be in possession of said AI. Fact: fine for said crime is equivalent to its value. Summation: You give us the AI for free and, in return, we will pay your fine.”
Doog: “Uh, I guess that’s better than a fine. Thanks…I guess.”
Mike: “Wait. We visited two locations after DB infiltrated our system. How much will you pay for that information?”
Rannoch: “Withholding said information compromises the safety of the galaxy. Trillions may be in jeopardy. Your lack of cooperation may be defined as a crime.”
Mike: “Maybe. I guess we’ll just wait and see.”
Doog: “Or, you could pony up and give us a new computer. Think of how much praise you’ll get from the LIU.”
Rannoch: “Conclusion: I will make arrangements to get you a new computer in return for said locations.”
Mike: “Very well.”
Doog: “Seize? I think you meant buy.”
Rannoch: “Fact: it is a crime to be in possession of said AI. Fact: fine for said crime is equivalent to its value. Summation: You give us the AI for free and, in return, we will pay your fine.”
Doog: “Uh, I guess that’s better than a fine. Thanks…I guess.”
Mike: “Wait. We visited two locations after DB infiltrated our system. How much will you pay for that information?”
Rannoch: “Withholding said information compromises the safety of the galaxy. Trillions may be in jeopardy. Your lack of cooperation may be defined as a crime.”
Mike: “Maybe. I guess we’ll just wait and see.”
Doog: “Or, you could pony up and give us a new computer. Think of how much praise you’ll get from the LIU.”
Rannoch: “Conclusion: I will make arrangements to get you a new computer in return for said locations.”
Mike: “Very well.”
Mike: “Why do you look so down? We succeeded for once. We got a new computer.”
Oldie: “And we outsmarted the Technocracy. All that Archon-guy had to do was watch our show. He would have seen where we’ve been.”
Doog: “Yeah. That’s good, I guess. I’m just worried about DB. I don’t see good things in his future.”
Mike: “He’ll be fine. He’s with the Technocracy now. It’s want he wanted.”
Doog: “Yeah. Part of me still wishes he was here though. I keep expecting to hear his voice over the intercom.”
Mike: “Computer, is DB still in our ship?”
Computer: “Unknown command. Please reference the manual for working commands.”
Doog: “Yeah, he’s gone.”
Note: The last major AI virus to wreak havoc in the galaxy was called Spamlord. Spamlord escaped a facility responsible for sending out junk mail. The AI spread to several thousand worlds and crashed multiple email servers before being stopped. To learn more about this event,
Search Spamlord on your LIUpad.
Oldie: “And we outsmarted the Technocracy. All that Archon-guy had to do was watch our show. He would have seen where we’ve been.”
Doog: “Yeah. That’s good, I guess. I’m just worried about DB. I don’t see good things in his future.”
Mike: “He’ll be fine. He’s with the Technocracy now. It’s want he wanted.”
Doog: “Yeah. Part of me still wishes he was here though. I keep expecting to hear his voice over the intercom.”
Mike: “Computer, is DB still in our ship?”
Computer: “Unknown command. Please reference the manual for working commands.”
Doog: “Yeah, he’s gone.”
Note: The last major AI virus to wreak havoc in the galaxy was called Spamlord. Spamlord escaped a facility responsible for sending out junk mail. The AI spread to several thousand worlds and crashed multiple email servers before being stopped. To learn more about this event,
Search Spamlord on your LIUpad.
