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) Event Horizon
- Canon Link: /
- Restricted Missions: /
- Primary Source: Super Tactical Droid
- Manufacturer: The Mechanicum
- Model: Titan-series Advanced Tactical Droid
Production: Minor
- Affiliation: (x) The Mechanicum, (x) Confederacy of Independent Systems
- Modularity: No.
- Material: Synchronized Fire Circuits, Reinforced Durasteel Plating
- Classification: Fourth Degree
- Weight: 720kg
- Height: 10 meters (diameter)
- Movement: None
- Armaments: Ax-108 Surface-Defense Blaster Cannons x2
- 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 super tactical droids can also be installed in secure facilities and programmed to serve as an automated guardian. The Titans are an advanced series of droid brains capable of posing a significant challenge to biologic NPC commanders.
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. Given their mass and spatial requirements, the use of Titans is impractical in environments where space is at a premium.
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. Strangely Titans have the most diverse range out of them all, entering into uncanny valley levels of identity simulation.
- Sophisticated Tactical Brain: More advanced than a super tactical droid, Titans are capable of holding their own against their biologic counterparts. Not quite capable of thinking beyond the level of one or two engagements at a time, these sizeable intelligence cores are nevertheless challenging opponents for biologic NPC commanders.
- Assuming Direct Control: Especially when installed in a location designed for its use, a Titan is capable of duplicating the efforts of most bridge crews or surface command centers. While its superstructure requires a modest support crew to run efficiently, 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. The Titans' large central core requires independent housing, making it impractical for installation on smaller ships and outposts.
- Moderate 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. Although advanced, there are upper limits to a Titan's operating capacity, and so their rate of rampancy after several years of continuous operation is only moderate.
Designed as a next generation in strategic level battle droids, Titans 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. More advanced than a super tactical droid, 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, a Titan is assembled and installed in one static location. Titans interface most efficiently with Mechanicum designs, but it is possible to adapt the technology to non-native models.
A Titan's physical structure consists entirely of a central core located in a chamber adjacent to a bridge or command center. Unlike other Mechanicum tactical droids, Titans have no corporeal interface, instead appearing as a holographic representation of the droid brain which varies from model to model.
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 a Titan 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.
