Shinatama: Difference between revisions

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An [[SLD]] specifically designed to interface with [[Konoko]], the pink-haired Shinatama is one of the most tragic characters of the game.

Initially, Shinatama acted as the informant to Konoko via their neural link. At this time, her personality was similar to a bright and happy child, and she considered herself a sister to the up-and-coming [[TCTF]] agent. She was also assigned the task of monitoring Konoko's [[Daodan Chrysalis]]. It was later discovered that she falsified these reports in order to protect Konoko.

Shinatama also alluded to the Chrysalis indirectly by informing Konoko that [[hyposprays]] might affect her differently then other people. This, along with her warning the young agent about [[Comguy]]s and the [[Deadly Brain]] clearly indicated their relationship was more then military professionalism. Her youthful personality was also demonstrated by her panicking when the Deadly Brain flooded the network with self-portraits.

Soon after the incident with the Deadly Brain, [[Muro]], [[Barabas]] and a team of [[Strikers]] and [[Bomber]]s raided [[Vago Biotech]] for "gene surgery equipment." Shinatama continued her role as advisor to Konoko, but of more particular interest was the fact that the SLD process was completely explained in the [[data console]]s. Muro and his crew escaped with the equipment, Konoko hot on their trail.

At the chase took Konoko to the airport, Shinatama reported, horrified, that [[Muro]] and his troops were killing off civilians at an alarming rate. Konoko managed to follow Muro and plant a homing device on his escape plane. Muro, however, was informed that she was neural-linked to an SLD, prompting him to conduct an immediate assault on the TCTF headquarters...

[[Image:Chapter 6 .MISSION COMPLETE.png|right|160px]]

A massive group of Strikers, Bombers, and [[Furies]] led by Barabas assaulted the TCTF headquarters with astonishing speed and precision. Not only did they turn off the main defenses, they also blew a few critical rampways to the ground. Barabas himself managed to reach Shinatama, ripping her out of her alcove in the main computer. Konoko rushed to save her, but only just saw her getting handed off to Muro.

Shinatama attempted to inform her about the Chrysalis and its impact, but only managed to pass on Konoko's real name, Mai Hasegawa, and the fact that there was something inside of her, before she received a self-destruct signal from [[Griffin]]. She attempted to slow it down, allowing Konoko a chance to escape, but the explosion was unavoidable. She was presumed dead. But Griffin had other plans.

[[Image:Zhinatama.png|right|125px]]

Griffin had known from the beginning there was a high possibility the Konoko would spiral out of control, and had planned accordingly. He had designed the [[Omega Bunker]] complete with a Deadly Brain frame, and retrieved the shambled remains of Shinatama from the explosion site. He wired her up into the frame, giving her access to all the defenses and using her familiarity with Konoko as a critical part in his defense program.

Griffin shot her.

A custom character concept developed by [[User:Samer|Samer]]. The idea is Shinatama got rebuilt / resurrected into a more combat-able body ... Perhaps as a way for Griffin to redeem himself after Konoko spared his life in the bunker.

==Added value==

It is interesting to note that the only being [[Konoko]] ever cared for, plotwise (with the near-exception of Kerr), is : a) not really human, technically; b) basically a part of Mai herself.

===Simulated life===

An SLD's body is made of synthetic tissue about as complex as that which makes up the human body. The brain's complexity, in particular, is remarkable. For all we see, robots (electronic brains) only serve as work force in Oni, while tactical thought and fast reflexes are left to human-like brains (humans, cyborgs, Deadly Brains, and SLDs).

That's an original way to look at their "family" relationship, and how it evolved over time. How did Mai feel about "leaving Shinatama behind"? How did Shinatama feel about Konoko "drifting away" from her?

===More than family===

There's a complicated emotional bond between Mai and Shinatama, that goes beyond partnership or even the usual concept of family. No wonder Shinatama "fixated" on it.

The way Mai and Shinatama share nature and nurturing, one of them physically implicated and evolving, the other almost out of space and out of time, is an appealing element of Shinatama's background, and also of Mai's.

===Free will and rationality===

While subject to something like Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, it is clear that ''nothing's clear'' about an SLD's degree of initiative, free will, or even ''rational thinking'' (which is the only guarantee of predictability and control).

That "excessive humanity" in man-made machines is often addressed in sci-fi. Non-trivial approaches are rare, though. All the more appealing to read a lot of complicated stuff into the SLD concept...

How much can Shinatama suffer and how many times can she die?