LIU Atlas - Iunctis
LIU Atlas - Iunctis
The Ludgonian Industrial Union’s galaxy contains billions of stars and planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU, 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.
Doog: “You’re an interesting looking creature…er…person. Are you my guide?”
VS: “Yes, we are. I am Vef Gefinn and Skýr.”
Doog: “This whole referring to yourself as two people thing is a little creepy. Unless, of course, the other sentient species here is invisible, and he’s standing right next to you.”
VS: “No. I am Vel Gefinn of the Tölur Race, and my endosymbiont is called Skýr. He is of the Vísindi Race.”
Doog: “Well that clears things up….not.”
VS: “Yes, many races find it troublesome to understand. Let me explain. The physical form, the bipedal being you are looking at is me Vel Gefinn. I am of the Tölur Race. Inside my brain, there is a small worm-like creature called Skýr.”
Doog: “Confusing. So Skýr is like a parasite? And he lives in your brain?”
VS: “He is not a parasite. He is an endosymbiont. We have a symbiotic relationship that is beneficial to both races.”
Doog: “How so?”
Doog: “Dang you’re lucky. The parasites I pick up only give me diarrhea.”
VS: “Again, not a parasite. Now, I’ve explained each race’s benefit in this relationship, but there are also mutual advantages.”
Doog: “Like what?”
VS: “ There are two sentient brains in one head. We can communicate instantly, bounce ideas off each other, and solve problems together. We are never alone, we are joined.”
Doog: “Don’t get all weepy on me.”
VS: “Sorry. So, would you like to see a Vísindi?”
Doog: “Heck yeah! I know it’s weird, but I really want to see you pull a worm out of your brain.”
VS: “No, we not pulling anything from my brain. There are some in this lake.”
VS: “Yes, but not this size. This is an adult Vísindi, the final stage in their life cycle. Skýr is just a larvae. He will not grow into an adult until after I die. He will return to this pool for mating, and then die a short time after.”
Doog: “How do you get the larvae inside you?”
Doog: “That’s got to be awkward between you and Skýr.”
VS: “How so?”
Doog: “You tongue kissed his mom to bring him into existence.”
VS: “We don’t like to think about that. Shall we continue?”
VS: “We don’t make out with the Vísindi! Sigh. I’m going to have to show a joining to shut you up. Anyway, where were we? Oh yes, we have a vibrant economy. Our increased intelligence have given us several skills useful to the LIU. Perhaps our greatest achievement is in Mathematics.”
Doog: “Ugh, I hate math. I’ve never really had any use for numbers. So, how much further do we have to go?”
VS: “About a thousand feet.”
Doog: “See. That does nothing for me when you use numbers. Describe it to me in ponies or bananas.”
VS: “Uh…five hundred ponies?”
Doog: “No, that still had numbers in it. Try again. How much further?”
VS: “Big ponies till we get there.”
Doog: “Ugh…so far.”
VS: “It’s not an industry. As promised, it is a joining.”
VS: “Whatever. I guess our culture is too much for you to handle. Let’s continue.”
Doog: “I can truly say I have no idea what is on the blackboard. This means nothing to me.”
VS: “Well, the limit approached…”
VS: “But who writes the enormously complex mathematical algorithms that makes those systems work? Mathematicians.”
Doog: “So you’re telling me you guys program AI’s?”
VS: “Well, we’ve programmed one. Almost all our work goes into improving his systems. All the math we’ve developed and theorems we’ve completed have all gone into making our AI even greater. Would you like to see him?”
Doog: “I guess. I’ve had some mixed experiences when dealing with AI‘s.”
Doog: “Yeah right. That’s impossible.”
VS: “Not really. Using advanced statistical models, Vaticinium can predict future events with varying amounts of accuracy. The more information he can access, the better the prediction. While Vaticinium cannot predict the action of any one individual, he can see the general flow of events from large groups.”
Doog: “What does he predict?”
VS: “Lots of things, Stock market prices, disasters, wars. He has a success rate of 72%. We’re trying to improve the math everyday so he can get more and more accurate.”
VS: “Yes. We get paid depending on how accurate the information is. Our stock tips are our biggest money earner. The LIU has made a killing in foreign markets. So, do you want to ask it something? Everyone does.”
Doog: “Uh…yeah. I guess. Uh…let’s see. Will I ever be a millionaire?”
Vat: “No. I am 99.9999997% certain.”
Doog: “Yeah, I thought so. This guy IS pretty accurate.”
VS: “Very well. Send the information directly to the LIU Finance Minister.”
Vat: “Information has been sent.”
Doog: “Wow. That’s pretty cool. I need one of these things.”
Doog: “Whoa. What was that?”
VS: “I’m not sure. He’s been saying the same thing the last few weeks. Must be some type of programming error. Even his eyes are glitching.”
Doog: “What if it is not an error. Vaticinium, what do you mean? Can you elaborate?”
Vat: “A STAR-CROSSED LOVER AND HER VAST ARMY OF ROBOTS HAVE ACHIEVED WHAT MANY BELIEVED TO BE IMPOSSIBLE. THE RESISTANCE HAS FAILED. THE END OF AN ERA IS UPON US. HE HAS…”
Connection failed…
Nuntius Stations # 1-16 have lost contact with the Omni-Star AI…
Please Stand By…
Rebooting…
Connection failed…
Nuntius Stations #1-16 have lost contact with the Omni-Star AI…
Receiving Signal…
Please Stand By…
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