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A robotic assistant specifically designed by the [[TCTF]] to interface with [[Konoko]], the pink-haired Shinatama is one of the most tragic characters of [[Oni]]. | |||
==Development== | |||
In the early phase of Oni's development, Shinatama might have been intended to be a [[Ghost in the Shell]]-esque cyborg with a whole-body transplant: | |||
{{Quote|Factory made as a high-speed computer interface she has a human brain but a mechanical body.|[[Oni/Early_Story#Summer_1999|Early Story]]}} | |||
During Hardy LeBel's creation of the final story, this transitioned to the concept of [[SLD]] technology, where Shinatama is 100% artificial and her cybernetic brain is trained using a human model (Konoko). | |||
The word "shinatama" refers to [[wp:Karakuri puppet|a type of puppet]] from Edo-era Japan that performed tricks, for example making a ball disappear. The word is intended to convey juggling, sleight-of-hand, or concealment. As Shinatama is a "doll" that must "juggle" a large amount of data while interfaced with [[Damocles]] and Konoko, the name seems appropriate in-universe. Out-of-universe, it could be just as fitting to see her name as representing concealment…. | |||
==Advisor to the heroine== | ==Advisor to the heroine== | ||
Initially, Shinatama acted as the | Initially, Shinatama acted as the TCTF's handler to their field agent Konoko via a neural link. Unbeknownst to Konoko, Shinatama was also assigned the task of monitoring the state of her [[Daodan Chrysalis]]. It was later discovered that she had been downplaying the advancement of the Chrysalis in her reports to the TCTF in order to protect Konoko. | ||
Shinatama | Shinatama alluded to the Chrysalis indirectly by telling Konoko that [[hyposprays]] would affect her differently than other people, informing her of the overpower effect. She then asked Konoko not to tell Griffin that she had shared this information, indicating their relationship to Konoko was more than a professional one. Her youthful personality was demonstrated by her panicking when the [[Deadly Brain]] flooded the Public News Net with images of itself. | ||
== | ==Syndicate assault== | ||
Soon after the incident with the Deadly Brain, [[Muro]] | Soon after the incident with the Deadly Brain, [[Muro]] led a Syndicate raid of [[Vago Biotech]] to obtain "experimental gene surgery equipment", with [[Barabas]] guarding the entrance. Shinatama continued her role as advisor to Konoko, but of particular interest was the fact that the SLD manufacturing process was completely explained in the lab's data consoles. Muro and his crew escaped with the equipment, Konoko hot on their trail. | ||
When the chase led Konoko to the airport, Shinatama reported, horrified, that Muro and his troops were killing 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. | |||
==Kidnapped, tortured, and destroyed== | ==Kidnapped, tortured, and destroyed== | ||
[[Image:Chapter | [[Image:Chapter 06 .MISSION COMPLETE.png|right|160px]] | ||
A massive group of Strikers, | A massive group of [[Strikers]], [[Mad Bomber]]s, and [[Furies]] led by Barabas assaulted the TCTF headquarters with astonishing speed and precision. Barabas himself managed to reach Shinatama, ripping her out of her alcove in [[Damocles|the main computer]]. Konoko rushed to save her, only to see her taken away by helicopter. | ||
The SLD was taken to a nearby [[ | The SLD was taken to a nearby [[Atmospheric Conversion Center]] by Muro, who connected her to an electric generator in order to torture her. He amusedly commented that she wasn't programmed with a limit to the pain she could feel. Having gotten whatever information he wanted or having lost interest in her, Muro left Shinatama in a highly damaged state. Konoko, who had come to rescue what she considered her only friend, was unable to move her without further damaging her. | ||
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 | 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 called a Chrysalis, before she received a self-destruct signal from TCTF command. She was able to slow it down, allowing Konoko a chance to escape before the explosion of her Xiox mechanism. She was presumed dead, but Griffin would have other plans for her. | ||
==Resurrection and second death== | ==Resurrection and second death== | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:Zombie Shinatama.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 | 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 Vault]] bunker complete with a Deadly Brain frame, and retrieved the damaged remains of Shinatama from the explosion site. He had her wired into the frame, giving her access to the bunker's defenses and using her familiarity with Konoko as a critical advantage. | ||
Griffin shot her. | When Konoko confronted Griffin, he retreated to the bunker, forcing her not only to combat TCTF agents to reach him, but to destroy her friend as well in order to deactivate the Omega Vault's defense measures. Shinatama, aware that she was being forced to kill the person she viewed as a sister, begged for death while Konoko worked to sabotage the Deadly Brain frame through connected consoles. Once this was accomplished, Shinatama broke free of the frame, walking toward Griffin slowly (the best that her skeletal body could manage). Griffin shot her. | ||
==[[Shinatama | ==Shinatama Evolved== | ||
[[Shinatama Evolved]] is a custom character concept developed by [[User:Samer|Samer]]. The idea is Shinatama got rebuilt or resurrected into a more combat-capable body, perhaps as a way for Griffin to redeem himself after Konoko spared his life in the bunker. | |||
==Added value== | ==Added value== | ||
It is interesting to note that the only being [[Konoko]] ever cared for | It is interesting to note that the only being [[Konoko]] seems to have ever cared for (with the near-exception of Kerr) is: a) not really human; b) basically a part of Mai herself. | ||
===Simulated life=== | ===Simulated life=== | ||
[[Image:TXMPSHINZOMlistening.png|thumb|right]] | |||
The [[Quotes/Consoles#The_SLD_project|SLD]] project is an attempt to recreate human physiology with artificial materials. | |||
Dolls are grown by implanting micromechanical fabrication cells in large molds containing a mass of materials we call "prototissue". | |||
SLDs '' | {|style="float:left" | ||
| [[Image:Shinatama 2.gif]] | |||
|} | |||
SLDs are basically 3D-printed from within a material soup. They are meant to [[Quotes/Manual#Tech_Note_2|'''simulate''' many biological functions]] while not using classical biological materials (if at all). | |||
: ''Classical'' biological materials are prone to rot away because they contain carbon. | |||
Besides that SLDs feature few mechanical-like parts (skeleton) and electronic parts. This is emphasized by the term "doll" in SLD. This is to make them stronger than humans and let them easily interact with computer systems. | |||
SLDs fill the gap between robotics and synthetic biology. | |||
Most care was given to recreate human skin and the brain. | |||
Shinatama is likely over 10 years old which could mean that Vago Biotech is at the edge of creating much more advanced SLDs now. | |||
===Human-primed=== | ===Human-primed=== | ||
One thing we still cannot do is create an artificial system that adequately simulates the processes of the human mind. | |||
Instead SLDs contain a behavioral framework patterned on donor brain engram data fed into the system during its formation. | |||
SLD brains mimic real neural networks. The initial setup of the synthetic neurons is based on scans of a human brain ("brain engrams"). | |||
This core personality is then given a chance to develop a unique neurolattice while experiencing accelerated streaming sensory feeds. | |||
The approximately recreated personality is then trained to become more complex. The synthetic neural networks continue to learn and grow in a "senseloop". | |||
: Shinatama might be special. In order to ''mirror'' Mai's development in best possible quality the TCTF could have demanded that her brain gets fabricated as much of a copy as possible - and so they are more guaranteed to get along. ''Soul sisters''. Mai shares all her inputs with Shinatama. In theory they are running in sync. The problem is [[#Not_growing_up|Shinatama does not grow up]]. | |||
Since the materials are not biological this process can happen at ''unhuman'' speeds. | |||
The end result is an artificial brain that is even able to show emotional patterns. | |||
Typically, SLDs grow up in the ''social'' context and own ''belief'' that they are just better androids - tools to aid humans. They do not question their existence and therefore human overseers are most often not confronted with their ("simulated") free will. (There is no good reason for why not a free will could emerge from artificial neural networks if they are complex enough.) | |||
===Backup of Mai's innocence=== | ===Backup of Mai's innocence=== | ||
In a way, while the human Mai got corrupted by her upbringing at the [[TCTF]] (as a "violent cop") and the implantation of the [[Daodan|Daodan Chrysalis]] (which further catalyzed violence), Shinatama retained her innocence integrally through it all. Interesting point is | In a way, while the human Mai got corrupted by her upbringing at the [[TCTF]] (as a "violent cop") and the implantation of the [[Daodan|Daodan Chrysalis]] (which further catalyzed violence), Shinatama retained her innocence integrally through it all. Interesting point is that that innocence, too, was no one else's but Mai's. | ||
Thus Shinatama can be seen as a ''backup'' of Mai's "true nature", before her personality got alienated by her adolescence, early adulthood, life at the [[TCTF]], and [[Daodan]] symbiosis. Her death would mean the complete destruction of that backup. | Thus Shinatama can be seen as a ''backup'' of Mai's "true nature", before her personality got alienated by her adolescence, early adulthood, life at the [[TCTF]], and [[Daodan]] symbiosis. Her death would mean the complete destruction of that backup. | ||
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Not only is Shinatama an extract of Mai's ''nature'', she was also directly affected by Mai's ''nurturing'', except for the most physical part of it (field action) and of course the [[Daodan]] symbiosis. "I've seen everything you've seen, felt everything you've felt". | Not only is Shinatama an extract of Mai's ''nature'', she was also directly affected by Mai's ''nurturing'', except for the most physical part of it (field action) and of course the [[Daodan]] symbiosis. "I've seen everything you've seen, felt everything you've felt". | ||
If you think of Shinatama as a backup of Mai, then Shinatama's point of view is a bit disturbing : it's as if the ''innocent Mai'' was following the evolution of an increasingly messed-up ''projection of herself'', live, non-stop, in subjective view and in such detail that she's virtually ''right there'' in the middle of the action, where people are killed and things are blown up. | If you think of Shinatama as a backup of Mai, then Shinatama's point of view is a bit disturbing: it's as if the ''innocent Mai'' was following the evolution of an increasingly messed-up ''projection of herself'', live, non-stop, in subjective view and in such detail that she's virtually ''right there'' in the middle of the action, where people are killed and things are blown up. | ||
Thus, another characteristic trait of Shinatama's innocence is that she's in a non-stop senseloop made of the violence actually encountered and generated by Mai : the human she was patterned after. | Thus, another characteristic trait of Shinatama's innocence is that she's in a non-stop senseloop made of the violence actually encountered and generated by Mai: the human she was patterned after. | ||
Shinatama never killed anyone, and still her existence is filled with that half-virtual violence. Violence ''unto'' Mai is violence unto Shinatama. Violence ''by'' Mai... for Shinatama, is like seeing through the eyes of a maniac/murderer, seeing her own hands kill people, not being able to look away, not being able to do ''anything but watch''. | Shinatama never killed anyone, and still her existence is filled with that half-virtual violence. Violence ''unto'' Mai is violence unto Shinatama. Violence ''by'' Mai... for Shinatama, is like seeing through the eyes of a maniac/murderer, seeing her own hands kill people, not being able to look away, not being able to do ''anything but watch''. | ||
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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). | 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). | ||
Thus an SLD can not, technically, disobey a direct order, but it can | Thus an SLD can not, technically, disobey a direct order, but it can circumvent an ill-stated directive. And Shinatama had been doing just that when falsifying her reports on Konoko: that would mean that lying, for instance, is not ruled out by an SLD's design. | ||
As for irrationality : for example, there was an objective reason why Shinatama disobeyed Griffin in the Omega Bunker (emergency overrides had been switched off without Griffin knowing), but why did she start walking towards him in the first place? | As for irrationality: for example, there was an objective reason why Shinatama disobeyed Griffin in the Omega Bunker (emergency overrides had been switched off without Griffin knowing), but why did she start walking towards him in the first place? | ||
That "Omega Security Mode" just doesn't make any sense... It ''would'' seem that Shinatama's complexity, her uncommon emotional background, her inner conflict (between innocence and violence), and possibly Mai's "conflicting input", made her behave in an irrational way. | That "Omega Security Mode" just doesn't make any sense... It ''would'' seem that Shinatama's complexity, her uncommon emotional background, her inner conflict (between innocence and violence), and possibly Mai's "conflicting input", made her behave in an irrational way. | ||
That goes back to the [[Daodan# | That goes back to the [[Daodan#Efficiency_and_loss_of_control|Daodan as loss of control]]. Extremely sophisticated individuals such as legal SLDs, by their very depth, are prone to escaping prediction and control. | ||
However, if the scientists were to master every aspect of Shinatama's design, she wouldn't have been more efficient than an average computer or android. There's an unavoidable risk here, and the best one can do is to acknowledge it. | However, if the scientists were to master every aspect of Shinatama's design, she wouldn't have been more efficient than an average computer or android. There's an unavoidable risk here, and the best one can do is to acknowledge it. | ||
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If it's the latter, just what happens to Shinatama if her synthetic, simili-human body and brain is damaged, then completely destroyed, and all that remains is her projection in "cyberspace" (to which she was wired all her life)? What could be the features of that projection? | If it's the latter, just what happens to Shinatama if her synthetic, simili-human body and brain is damaged, then completely destroyed, and all that remains is her projection in "cyberspace" (to which she was wired all her life)? What could be the features of that projection? | ||
=== | ===Disembodied Soul=== | ||
(apart from theology, the name echoes a [https://bungie.fandom.com/wiki/Disembodied_Soul humorous concept of Bungie's] : ''this'' is not too funny, though...) | (apart from theology, the name echoes a [https://bungie.fandom.com/wiki/Disembodied_Soul humorous concept of Bungie's] : ''this'' is not too funny, though...) | ||
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Her free will, and her ability to circumvent orders, will most probably remain, but without a "sister soul", her motivations will be somewhat disconnected, "by default", from human-like emotional stakes... She will go progressively out of phase with mankind, becoming a side observer and a critic (or worse) rather than "part of it". | Her free will, and her ability to circumvent orders, will most probably remain, but without a "sister soul", her motivations will be somewhat disconnected, "by default", from human-like emotional stakes... She will go progressively out of phase with mankind, becoming a side observer and a critic (or worse) rather than "part of it". | ||
===[[Oni2:Hikari|Hikari]] | ===Hikari=== | ||
Owldreamer's original character [[Oni2:Hikari|Hikari]] is an Oni 2 concept for Shinatama. Now an electronic ghost who has created an android avatar of herself, Hikari can be seen as the disembodied, seen-it-all Shinatama's ''anchor'' to humanity and to [[Konoko|Mai]]. Hikari's own inner universe is yet another field of investigation, but she's already a powerful character through what she means to Shinatama: without an anchor such as the neural link to Mai, or an avatar such as Hikari, Shinatama is the Disembodied Soul described above. | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:Characters]][[Category:Added value]][[Category:Character classes]] | ||