defy the tyrannous stars
- Intent: To submit a line of competent command level droid consciousness short of true artificial intelligence that is nevertheless capable of comparable performance to a biologic strategist in combat.
- Image Source: (x) GLaDOS by Mike Maihack
- Canon Link: /
- Restricted Missions: /
- Primary Source: T-Series Tactical Droid
- Manufacturer: The Mechanicum
- Model: Apostle-series Tactical Droid
Production: Mass-Produced
- Affiliation: (x) The Mechanicum, (x) Confederacy of Independent Systems
- Modularity: No.
- Material: Synchronized Fire Circuits, Reinforced Durasteel Plating
- Classification: Fourth Degree
- Weight: 350kg
- Height: 5 meters
- Movement: None
- Armaments: None
- Misc. Equipment:
Heuristic Processors - Gabonna Memory Crystals
- Advanced Tactical Analysis Subprocessors
- Quad-Photonic Neural Chipset
- Countermeasures Compensation Computer
- Direct Cranial Uplinks
- Droid Energy Collector
- Circuitry Cooling Cables
Command and Control Platform: Each Mechanicum tactical droid's sole purpose is to serve as master and commander of its assigned domain. Most often this means authority over a starship, but these droid brains can also be installed in secure facilities and programmed to serve as an automated guardian. The Apostles is comparable to a super tactical drone in intelligence although capable of a wider variety of simultaneous tasks. Inferior to a biologic commander, they are nevertheless competent strategists and adequate leaders.
Hardwired Interface: Doubling down on sheer cognitive power, Mechanicum tactical droids are fixed platforms rather than mobile automatons like the old Confederate models. Directly plugging into a ship or facility's systems allows for unprecedented levels of automation and response time, particularly when connected to a structure specifically constructed for its use. The Apostle's relatively small frame allows for it to be installed even on smaller ships and surface outposts.
Unique Personalities: Even more so than the old T-series, these droids tend to develop different behavioral quirks and personal characteristics that varies with each model. No one tactical droid is exactly the same as another, although each series has its own distinct patterns. Development of this personality matrix past a certain threshold is limited, which means these droids are not capable of all the range and variation in thought and comprehension as a true AI or organic brain. A much more simplistic model, Apostles often simply develop tendencies towards different outlooks. Often the tactical droids are overly chipper and persistently eager to help, but every once in a while an Apostle will for some reason spiral into excessive pessimism and gloom.
- Tactical Brain: The Apostle-series has only made modest improvements on Separatist era super tactical designs. Due to concessions made for its compact frame, the droid's overall level of performance is more or less comparable.
- Assuming Direct Control: Especially when installed in a location designed for its use, an Apostle is capable of duplicating at a basic level the efforts of most bridge crews or surface outposts. While its interface still require a small support crew for maintenance, the tactical droid is functionally similar to the queen of a hive consciousness.
- Droid in the Shell: Mechanicum tactical droids don't have legs or wheels or repulsorlifts. They are complex droid brains built into an immobile housing. Impossible to move once installed and activated save by completely powering them down, thus 'killing' the droid by resetting its personality. Despite this limitation, Apostles are compact enough that they can be adapted to most structures no matter their size.
- Low Risk of Rampancy: At the factory level, a Mechanicum tactical droid is nothing more than a tool. But each droid is programmed with heuristic processors allowing for it to learn and adapt. After so many iterations of these learning protocols, there is a tendency for some models to develop the beginnings of self-awareness. This form of semi-sentience is often traumatic and debilitating, more often than not a rampant tactical droid will eventually turn on its crew as a result of its delusions. Fairly simple in design, a truly improbable sequence of scenarios would have to take place over a long service span for an Apostle to become rampant, but cases have been documented.
Designed as a next generation in strategic level battle droids, Apostles combine the Mechanicum's unique perspective on how artificial life and its limitations with new insights gleaned after being granted access to reverse engineer old Separatist era technology. Comparable to a super tactical droid in intelligence, these supercomputers are designed to not just replace organic captains, but entire bridge crews.
Sacrificing any form of mobility and most extraneous programming common to most droids in exchange for more processing power, an Apostle is assembled and installed in one static location. Apostles interface most efficiently with Mechanicum designs, but it is possible to adapt the technology to non-native models.
Apostles are often installed on the ceiling of a bridge or command center, and extend downward into a maneuverable interface for the purpose of interacting with others. In this respect, the Apostle-series most resembles more conventional droid models.
With all Mechanicum tactical droids the risk of rampancy, a form of synthetic mental illness, is a factor. This deteriorating state of stable cognitive function often manifests in the form of a murderous rage, and it is strongly advised to disconnect an Apostle at its core if it begins exhibiting these symptoms.
Rampant tactical droids which are successfully contained are supposed to be delivered back to the Mechanicum for disassembly, but in secret they are preserved and locked away in an asylum hidden in deep space.
