The term “core” can be linked to the French word “coeur” and the Latin word “cor”. Cor, in turn, translates to heart (anatomically), soul or mind (figuratively). As the name suggests, it is comparable to a heart, but also executes tasks like a brain (however, databanks are stored in the robot’s head allowing for greater memory capacity).
Each robot can only function with a Core. Cores can only be transferred if the new body is from the same production line. In other words, newer or older models are not compatible.
Taking out a Core entirely causes the robot body to cease functioning and collapse. The Core can also malfunction and shut down in other ways, with the same result. Malfunctions can happen when the Core is touched or hit while it is active, or when booted up in an incompatible body. In any case, there is risk the Core can get damaged.
For those with emotions, the Core is their actual, entire being. Many will do anything to protect it, even at the risk of harming or killing others.
Cores can come in different shapes and sizes. Older models usually have simple shapes. The 086 model, yAmI’s production line, has a golden sphere drifting in a type of coolant fluid.
(Model credits: x)
However... there is new model on the rise. Despite the CEO missing, a new production line has started, a new core has been designed...
Just what is happening behind the scenes at Alpha-TEM company?
Note that the AU can either be about robots or humans computer programs. For simplicity sake I’ll refer to robots in this story.
Alpha-TEM, or ATEM for short, is a robot retailer and manufacturer situated in Africa. This company created the household robot line which yAmI 086 is part of. Their goal is to create robots with durable, nontoxic materials that don’t harm the environment. The designs are less realistic/more doll-like as a result, but still very customizable depending on the customer’s wishes.
Being listed above Kaiba Corp in the sales charts, Alpha-TEM is considered a formidable rival by Kaiba Corp, one of the top companies situated in Japan. The rivalry is so intense, it has become an obsession for Kaiba to defeat his competitor and top the charts once and for all.
Strangely, the CEO of Alpha-TEM never seems to show himself or open contact to anyone, much to the annoyance to Kaiba. Since not even the Alpha-TEM employees have seen or heard from their CEO, it is presumed he went missing... or perhaps isn’t even alive anymore. Despite their worry, the loyal employees continue manufacturing robots...
Color variants
The logo design is supposed to be both a contrast to Kaiba Corporation and a callback to Atem’s personality: bold and loud, professional, respecting tradition yet also future changes. For reference sake I added the KC logo:
Soon after this idea I looked up abbreviations for the letters atem and came across an intersting coincidence. :3c
Several months have passed since Al had been monitored by the faction. They ran multiple pre-tests before the canonization of the success of the project. All of the scientists of the faction were ecstatic for the ceremony of Al’s release. Their months of great effort which turned to a year, will finally be acknowledged.
Then Al paused, what if it really was true? He’s just a product, an outcome of the faction’s effort. He was being monitored and caged in the cold observational platform for a valid reason; he was not a living thing. Despite the humanity in him, all of them were just installed into his brain and not grasped by his hand.
“That’s right,” Al whispered, “I’m… just… an AAI.”
While all the people who monitored him left the control room, Al was left to ponder and consider his identity. Why hadn’t he thought of this before? Why hadn’t realized his mistake before? He buried his head unto his hands as he groaned in confusion. Was he so consumed about these ideas of him living happily and the moments with his other self that he had forgotten what situation he was in? No, he couldn’t blame his other self… he needed his help.
As if his thoughts were heard, Al’s vision turned white and all of the wires that transmitted light to his system flowed faster than before as he shut down.
Al didn’t need to register where he was for he knew the grey space like the back of his hand. After spending a year with him, he finally understood the purpose of the room and even his encounter with him. And right now, he needed to meet him as soon as possible. As he turned around he sees his other self sitting carelessly on the floor while the wires on his back transferred light. How much he wishes to be as carefree as him. Al ran towards him with the sound of his heels echoing throughout the room. His other self heard him approach and he made himself stand up in a lazy manner.
“What is it?” his other self asked with that signature lopsided grin.
“I-I don’t know anymore…” Al answered hopelessly, “I’ve been thinking. That I’m just being used and monitored for a good reason… I’m not human.”
His other self refused to speak and scowled as Al continued with his voice cracking in fear, “All these human emotions, these senses, they’re all a lie. I never learned them with my heart. I learned them in data! That makes me inhuman! I’m just an item!”
Al stood still when his other self growled and ferociously slapped his face. He looked up fearfully to see his other self’s disdainful expression before him. “Yes, your thoughts of humanity weren’t learned like all humans,” his other self gripped Al’s shoulders tightly as his voice became a powerful growl, “BUT YOU’RE STILL CARRYING THESE EMOTIONS THAT’S WHAT MAKES YOU HUMAN. STOP BEING A BITCH ABOUT IT, AL.”
Al shook his head, “No, you don’t understand! Can’t you see we’re being used! I’m so sick and tired of sitting in that hell of a cage and being monitored like some animal! I can’t…”
“Listen to me,” his other assured furiously, “I taught you how it feels to be human. All these thoughts were good for you to overcome the thought of them monitoring you.”
“IT’S NOT ENOUGH!” Al screamed which made his other self’s eyes widen in shock, “I want to be free. I want to be outside of that place. These emotions are only killing me to know the world beyond me. I don’t want data about the world,” tears fell as his knees buckled, “I want to live.”
Something in Al snapped. He felt like he needed to end everything now. He wanted to stop this madness. He wanted to stop the confinement of his freedom and wanted to get away from it. He can’t escape now… but he had no other choice.
Al reached his hand towards the wire at his head and his other hand followed. He held on tightly and allowed to take most of strength to crumple the wires that transmitted all data and power in him His other self watched speechlessly as the circuits came out of the wires and sparks of electricity popped out. Al saw his other self eyes widen in fear as his body slowly weakened.
Before his other self could respond, Al broke down and wailed. All the tears that fell on his face were dropping ungracefully on the floor and his other self couldn’t bare the pain as Al lost all of his hope and released his anger in the form of saline liquid that humans emit. Al shook his head rapidly and his other self gently reached down and carefully cradled the fragile AAI.
“Calm down,” the other cooed.
“I-I…” Al at lost for words as his chest hitched harshly.
“Please stop hurting yourself…”
“I need to go.” Al whispered causing his other self to arch his eyebrows angrily.
“What? No! Stay please, we can make this through,” the other pleaded.
“I can’t take it anymore,” Al said as tears slowly dripped down on his cheek.
“No, you can!” the other stroked Al’s golden locks, his once composed voice broke, “Just trust in me, please.”
“I’m sorry,” Al’s voice faltered, “It’s too late.”
“No,” Al’s eyes slowly blinked away to close, “No! Please, I need you!”
As Al’s heart beat slowly dropped in rhythm, his vision turned black. The feeling of his other self’s touch on him faded and the other’s voice was no longer but silence talking to him. He felt the lights travelling to his brain stop flowing as quickly as before. Until finally, he felt like all his data sucked out of his AAI and his heart beat stopped.
His other self laid the frail and lifeless body of what used to be a part of him. He was persistent and called out shamelessly on the body before him. He yelled his words in a mantra as if he had nothing else to say. He wouldn’t think of anything else but those words really summarized his neediness for the other to live.
“I need you, please live. Please… say something, I’m so sorry..”
It was hopeless. The body never responded and the other cried out, “You idiot! I-I can’t take it anymore too.”
He was a part of him and they were both the same. Of course, he felt Al’s pain. He thought his thoughts and they were there to reassure the other. But now, no one else was there to be with him. No one else was there to neither need him nor comfort him.
As he thought of that important of him, he realised everything was his fault. He confirmed that the reason why Al was gone… was because of him. Who else allowed him to use those emotions freely? Who knew that those emotions could take effect into something that would make him lose his mine?
“I’m the idiot,” he whispered to himself and laughed with such malevolence.
He had done the mistake. He didn’t think about what pain it would be to feel caged. He felt it too, but somehow he never felt it the way Al did. He was so inconsiderate. Right now, it would’ve been best if he made himself gone for good…
However, he never gave up. He would be persistent for him because he knew that Al had the persistence to get his wish; to live freely. He’d do that. He’d live for him to do that. He’d carry the burden of Al unable to see the world so freely but he swore to himself… that it wasn’t for him to enjoy. It was only for Al. He will carry the burden of missing a huge and important part of him. If he would be alive, he wouldn’t carry such grief.
This time he released his grasp from the lifeless body before him and whispered solemn promises to the body, allowing him to carry the pain of never seeing him again.
He once again sat at his side and allowed himself to take over of the system of what used to be under Al’s possession. He had a promise to fulfil. And as he closed his eyes to control the system, he remembered the tender grin and warm touch of Al telling him that it made him happy being with him.
As he looked to his side, Al’s body faded in a white light and with a blink of his eye, all of him was gone. And so was he.
Al- no he didn’t want to take his name like that. He nodded his head as he confirmed his new name. Alex awoke from the platform and this time he saw his appearance on the glass before him. During his control, he somehow made minor changes on Al’s appearance. His hair was still of the same colour of Al but his eyes were of crimson that somehow seem like they can stare venomously at anyone.
As he carefully adjusted himself up, he heard sirens sounding. He seemed confused at first but then he realized that the noise was his fault. So the faction knew about Al’s incident but perhaps he can explain it.
In a few minutes, the Beilschmidt brothers ran towards the control room and saw Al before them. And with that they checked the system. Ludwig’s strict and composed expression was lost when he saw the news that the control screen projected.
Connection lost.
Ludwig and Gil’s mouth simultaneously made their mouth a gaped when they saw Al before him. Then Ludwig reconsidered that title. Was that really Al?
Al somehow changed the colour of his irises into a red that was darker than Gil’s eyes. His lips somehow formed a lopsided grin, something that Al never does. Then Ludwig realised that this wasn’t Al. This was the virus that their experiment talked about. Al’s “other self.”
“Hello, masters,” Alex greeted playfully, “this isn’t Al speaking.”
“We know,” Gilbert scowled, “what happened to our former experiment? Why did you take over?”
Alex laughed causing the two brothers to have chills on their spines, “First of all, I didn’t do any harm on Al. He simply decided to disconnect himself away from,” he pointed to the wires, “your control.”
“Lies,” Ludwig hissed.
Alex shook his head, “Listen, master. If you added human emotions on him, he wouldn’t have thought of removing himself,” he said but knew that it was his fault for allowing Al to take those emotions, “of course you humans have the feeling to feel free and do whatever they want right?”
Gil and Ludwig nodded. “Exactly. Al had been feeling encaged in this platform, you see and well…”
“He disconnected himself from us,” Ludwig murmured.
“Correct,” Alex acknowledged silently, “now surely you wouldn’t want to publish a failed product in front of the world.”
Gilbert asked, “how are you broken?”
Alex had to convince them once and for all. He’d use Al’s persistence to convince them, as he gathered all his strength to speak for him. “Al isn’t here anymore. I took over and if you advertise that flaw in public all of your efforts are in vain.”
The brothers were silent and had no choice but to agree with Alex. He had a point about publishing the flawed AAI when they promised the public that nothing would happen to the project. But one virus will break it and that will clearly cause millions or billions of people to question their abilities.
“We have to remove you, Al,” Gil concluded, “We need to eradicate the project.”
“It’s Alex,” Alex corrected, “but I have a deal with you two.”
Ludwig massaged his temples, composed himself and asked which startled Gil, “Go on we’re listening.”
“How about you announce that the project was a success but you have a reason to not publish ‘AL’ because of security reasons,” Al gestured a number two, “and you release me. You modify me and no one will even notice that I’m the failed project.”
The brothers were silent. The first deal was good but releasing Alex like that wasn’t a good idea. As they discussed their answer to Alex’s proposal, Alex clutched his hand on his chest.
I promise you, Al, he thought, you’ll be free.
The brothers turned to face Alex and then Gil sighed. “Alright, you’ve got a deal but just let us modify you for a few weeks and then… you’re free to go.”
Alex nodded but inside he pumped his fist at his great luck. Probably Al would’ve embraced him in this euphoric moment… if he was here to experience it. Now, he had to be happy for him and live for him.
---------------------------------------
After three weeks, the faction was told of the release of Project 11201 and the ceremony was established successfully. They replace Alex with a dummy of their upcoming AAI and Alex was free. There were no more wires attached to transmit data on him but he was given an AAI to help to transmit data. The Beilschmidt brothers were kind enough to lend him some needs like shelter and food because they didn’t want to waste such a great experiment away. Well, more like friend now that project 11201 was given the chance to live like one of them
Once again, as Alex arrived at the small house that was his at the city-side he exhaled. He was free. He would live for Al and he would live freely for him. And that was a promise he would keep forever, until the day he finally burns out and until his strength isn’t enough to carry the burden.
He clenches his chest and then says, “We’re free, Al.”
A group of European scientists known as the EuroScience Faction, led by the Beilschmidts, have decided to launch Project 11201: Actuator Link a.k.a. AL, a humanoid AAI that executes data with the god-like speed of the original AAI unit. Until, a security breach occurs in AL's AAI..
In the 23rd century, technology has been highly depended on. The movement of advanced technology as a primary need began in the previous centuries that have manufactured PCs and portable devices. However, the discovery of AAI has eradicated the use of these inventions.
Two German scientists known as the Beilschmidt brothers have contributed the discovery of Advance Artificial Intelligence (AAI). The AAI was formerly a portable super PC that can process, manipulate and organize data in light speed.
With its modified and advanced nexus and motherboard, the expandability of the item caught the attention of the entire world away from the use of the older appliances. Gaining the interest of millions, AAI has been created in different forms. Taking sizes of impossible heaviness to a size that not even the naked eye can see.
This innovative creation has flourished and evolved throughout the years. A large mass of scientists, geniuses, and prodigies have wormed their way to modulate different forms of AAI units.
Hence, a group of European scientists known as the EuroScience Faction, led by the Beilschmidts, have decided to launch Project 11201: Actuator Link a.k.a. AL, a humanoid AAI that executes data with the god-like speed of the original AAI unit. It also includes the actual hormones, heartbeat, and movements of a human being. As the older centuries would call this project as a robot, the ESF decided to defy that word to define a project that is much superior compared to others.
With months of calculating, modifying, and hard labor, the ESF have managed to form a human body out of enhanced carbon models and produced an AAI of its preference. The body was flawless, taking the form of an adult man with wheat blonde hair (including an obnoxious hair strand sticking out), and cyan eyes. The ESF took the project with great effort and attached its head to wires that transmitted commands in the form of white lights passing the tube.
The humanoid sat idly at the center of the observation platform with semi-transparent cyan shades that matched his eyes. His arms and neck were covered with the ESF’s special clothing for him that helps the transition of data in his mind, however, exposing his torso.
His eye movement worked well and his upper body coordination worked properly. All human movements worked and even the AAI’s actions in his brain worked except his speed, speech and expression of human emotions This greatly worried the scientists of the faction and the one of the Beilschmidt brothers, Ludwig, decided to monitor AL to see the problem.
Ludwig carefully surveyed the humanoid that sat before him. He relentlessly jotted down notes and was a bit vexed as the humanoid just carelessly processed data with his eyes rolling from side to side to study his surroundings.
“Brother,” Ludwig called out impatiently, “what should we do? No progress has been found after several days of monitoring.”
Through the glass of the room, Gilbert Beilschmidt, scratched the nape of his neck, “I guess we should modify or increase his hormones. Maybe that would be it,” he replied tiredly and tried to avoid his impatient brother’s glare.
“Do it then,” Ludwig ordered.
Gil rolled his eyes and groaned as he reached towards the holographic keyboard before him and typed in codes to modify AL. The hormones collected from different people who willingly offered, were sucked into the wire that attached AL to the control system. The white light that was once a collection of hormones entered AL. Only to realize that it made no change to the humanoid before them.
However, Ludwig never gave up. “AL, say something.”
The humanoid only responded by opening his mouth and forcing a sound, only to find himself closing his mouth again. He shook his head, not even showing an expression of sadness or grief in his face. Following his example, Ludwig shook his head in disappointment and turned to his brother who typed with great panic and anger at his keyboard.
How was it impossible? He swore that he balanced the AAI’s performance with the human patches. He even had a body perfect to fit the said AAI. The other scientists and his brother worked hard for the project to work and now it seems that all efforts were in vain. He had to do something; something worth a lifetime. Something to make him a legend.
As Gilbert frustratingly typed harshly against the keyboard, he issued commands, codes, and more modifications to AL. The flow of the white lights on AL was rapidly increasing in speed as Gil growled at the keyboard, typing. Ludwig watched as Gil somehow lost control and he ran towards the control room that was surrounded by the sound of buttons beeping and Gilbert’s growls.
“STOP!” Ludwig barked, “Gilbert, get a hold of yourself!”
Gilbert roared, “No, brother! I won’t make any of our efforts to go in vain. I’ll make it… I swear I will!”
Ludwig pulled his brother away from the system but Gilbert flailed at his grip and escaped from it. He proceeded to type again with Ludwig pulling him away from the holographic screen. Gilbert struggled against his brother’s strong pull but everything else had abruptly stopped when he didn’t notice AL’s weird behaviour.
Before the two brothers, AL was trembling with great spasms and the wires that were connected to him sparked sudden flashes of light. Before the wires in him exploded, a shrill scream echoed throughout the closed room and the two brothers were forced to duck under the table and cover their ears to avoid the loud cry.
And for the first time, AL finally felt something… something that his knowledge can’t comprehend.
AL’s eyes fluttered open and he felt the blood in his veins flow. He gawked as he stretched his arms and flex his fingers towards his palm. He blinked and listened to his surroundings, only to realize… there was nothing. Nothing but grey filled his field of vision. No shadows and lights were found yet he found himself able to adapt his eyes to it.
“Where am I?”
His eyes widened and he clasped his mouth with his cold hands. He could talk. He could finally hear his own voice. And… what was that feeling he felt? Why were his lips twitching and his heart racing faster? It felt… good.
He grinned and spoke again, “I can talk. I feel…” He paused to find the word. He could feel it come out of his lips but somehow he can’t identify it. He tried to make use of the data in his mind and finally he found that word.
Happy.
“Happy…” he repeated. He chanted it until he laughed boisterously in the empty area. He caressed his face gently to feel the big smile that formed on his handsome face. After noticing his astonishment about being happy, he realized that he was only feeling this in an empty area where he doesn’t even know.
“I almost forgot I was here,” he said out loud to hear his voice once again.
Once again, he called out and all that was heard was the echo of his voice. He stood up and began to take a few steps only to realize that there were wires restricting him to move about. He winced in pain when he felt one of the wires in his head jerk back. He hissed in pain and decided to look around.
Finally, he looked up and saw a gaping hole containing dozens of wires with white light traveling through it. He studied it carefully and saw a few wires going towards his direction. He unconsciously placed his hand against the back of his head and looked up again.
“Those aren’t mine,” he declared, “There’s definitely someone in here.”
He turned around and found a pair of red eyes staring at him. He flinched and backed away from the eyes and the more he moved back, the more he saw the figure before him. It was actually himself in a different colour, his body facing him upside down. His hair was identical to his but his eyes and clothes were of crimson red. He noticed the other’s odd wires that carried data were attached to his back instead of his head.
After calming his heartbeat, the other figure asked, “Scared ya, didn’t I?”
“Scared?”
“Oh right,” the other him said, “You don’t know what humans feel.”
“Do you mean emotions?”
“Yes, I do. And unlike you,” the other moved closer, “I know them.”
“Anger, fear, anxiety, confusion,” the other continued, “happiness. I can feel them all. I know them all.”
“Does it feel… comfortable?”
The other barked a chuckle, “This is why I’m here to show you.”
Before AL could respond, the other self reached his hands towards AL’s body and AL closed his eyes, cringing as he felt waves of warm light flow in his wires. The AAI in his brain alarmed of something dangerous entering his system but for some reason he seemed to be acting normal. AL opened his eyes and a smile crept up his lips as he saw his other self smiling at his accomplishment.
“Security breach successful,” the other proclaimed and drifted away from him.
A frown formed on the confused AL, “Where are you going?”
“It’s alright,” the other grinned, “I’m always with you.”
AL saw his other self dissolve into thin air and he saw a flash of light before his eyes. He squints his eyes but shuts them instead because of its gaudiness. He took a deep breath and felt his body drift away…
AL sat up bolt as he found himself back on the observational platform. He ignored his check on human movements for he felt it was a drag. He stood up and reminded himself of the wires attached to him. His eyes scanned the room and found a group of scientists before him. They were bickering he knew for he heard their arguments through the glass that separated him from them.
“It was your fault!” A familiar voice grumbled, “You shouldn’t have lost control. LOOK WHAT HAPPENED.”
“I’m sorry, alright?! How was I supposed to know that a virus would breach through his system walls?” a voice responded.
AL felt anger boil in him. He knew that the other him wasn’t a virus and the fact that he was being ignored. He balled his fists and mustered all the air in his lungs.
“He isn’t a virus!” he defended.
Eyes and heads turned to face him with awe struck. “I can speak now because of him. If he hadn’t breach through the system, I wouldn’t be as human as I am now.” Silence filled the two separate rooms. Suddenly, Gilbert pumped his fist in the air and in pursuit, the scientists cheered, forgetting their argument.
The two brothers embraced each other and AL gawked at how stupid the scientists could be. Ignoring his statement and only embracing the fact that he could talk, how selfish. AL coughed and Ludwig faced him.
“How is this possible, AL?” he asked releasing his relieved albino brother away from him, “you had a virus breach your AAI unit and yet you function much better.”
“Like I said, master,” he growled, “he isn’t a virus. He gave me my ability of speech… my emotions.”
Ludwig blinked. “Who is this he you speak of?”
“My other self,” he flatly responded.
He saw a dash of shocked jolts go through the group of scientists and see them whispering from ear to ear. Ludwig continued to stare into his cyan eyes. AL returned it with a glare that later dwindled into a neutral gaze. Ludwig withdrew his gaze and delved his hand into his pockets, taking his notepad. He wrote something in it and returned to the other room who closely observed AL.
Gilbert shooed the other scientists away and the room was only left with his brother and AL. Gilbert tapped the microphone at the left of his keyboard. He switched its power and his voice boomed in AL’s area.
“AL, can you do a few tests?” Gil asked.
AL confusingly obeyed and Gil tested his body movements. Eye movement, limb coordination, data processing and executing commands were all done. Lastly, Gilbert finally ordered a new command.
“AL, tell us about this ‘him’,” Gilbert said.
“I met him in some empty area,” AL began, “he looked like me only with a different colour and he taught me these…” he gestured his hand towards his temple, “emotions.”
“Are you aware of what happened when you were malfunctioning?” Gilbert asked.
AL shook his head. “A security breach occurred and somehow manipulated your drive,” Gilbert rubbed his chin, “but surprisingly your performance only improved and not to mention this ‘him’ or ‘virus’ did no damage to you AAI.”
AL nodded and recalled when his other self proclaimed something before disappearing. Security breach, successful, he thought those last words. Does that mean that mysterious version of himself was a virus? He scratched his scalp thinking of the many possibilities of what he could be.
Gilbert interrupted his train of thought when he spoke. “I’ll be running some scanning tests on you.”
AL was about to object but realised that he couldn’t disobey his creator without a rational reason, “Yes, master,” he gave the last word a little of a hiss and once again Gilbert and Ludwig typed, calculated and scanned through him. For some strange reason, he wants to do violent measures to avoid this treatment. But for now… he’ll oblige.
