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Amnesia: The Dark Descent?

The King of Chicago. The EGA version.

Yep, nailed it.

Come on, kconan. You found it with Google Images. Admit it

No, I found it looking up Teenagent.

Soltys

[BOLT Research Labs - January 15th, 2045.]

BOLT Research Labs - January 15th, 2045.

  Dr. Werner Rolfstein approvingly studied his new lab technician with a smile, and said, “You come highly recommended.  I understand your background is in biorobotics - specifically bioandroids - and you earned PHDs in both Biology and Electrical Engineering from top schools.” The recently hired lab tech, Dr. John Holt, replied, “As you probably know, I took this job over other offers strictly for the opportunity to work under the great Dr. Rolfstein.  It is an honor to be working with you and your colleagues at this prestigious BOLT institute.”  Dr. Rolfstein chuckled and said, “Look maybe you could potentially create the first self-aware bioandroid, but I wouldn't trust these other digitheads to make a blow up doll.  Seriously kid, you could have worked at any lab in the World.  You are overqualified for this place…I was at the science fair where you showed off that half-android crab.  I recall the scientific community was a buzzing about it, while PETA was protesting.”  Dr. Holt beamed at hearing this praise and replied, “Thank you Doctor!  Look I know that we are funded on a per project basis, but I do have a pet project that I would like to work on in my spare time.”  Dr. Rolfstein thought for a second, and then responded, “You have full access to the facilities Dr. Holt.  Just keep in mind that our military contracts and life-extension programs for private clients come first.  After hours, or between projects, you may work on this side venture provided you know that it is ultimately owned by the institute.  This also means no public research papers unless you get my approval.  And as you know, there is no human testing at this facility.  This is not lab 23662; they have the necessary government approval to work directly on people.”  Dr. Holt nervously adjusted his pocket protector, and then nodded and smiled.

BOLT Research Labs - May 1st, 2051

  Dr. Rolfstein relaxed in his large opulent mahogany and leather chair in his large opulent office as Dr. Holt sat down in front of his desk.  Dr. Holt glanced at the trophy case full of awards, and then focused his eyes on his boss.  Dr. Rolfstein said, “You have managed to circumvent the rule regarding human testing.  I'm equally impressed and concerned.  Now give me one reason why I shouldn't pull the plug on your project?”  Dr. Holt sank back into the guest chair, sighed, and explained, “As you know Doctor, the rule is regarding Homo Sapiens and not Homo Neanderthalensis.  We have broken no domestic or international laws here at the lab, or when we extracted the DNA samples from the subject encased in Siberian ice.  So…My reason is simply that I promise you the World's first bioandroid within the next five years; sooner if I am allowed to work on this project full time.”  Dr. Rolfstein tapped his fingers on his desk and appeared to consider Dr. Holt's response, and then replied, “Ok, I will allow this project to continue.  You are our best scientist, and the board of directors is your biggest fan.  I've heard that you requested our top artificial intelligence expert, and provided he has no ethical objections to working on a…uhhhh…humanoid subject, Dr. Alexi Heller will assist you when needed.”  Dr. Rolfstein then lifted his head up, stared daggers at Dr. Holt, and stated, “Do not make me regret this decision.”

BOLT Research Labs - August 21st, 2055

  Electrodes protruded from the head and upper spine of Subject Twelve, who has been unofficially going by Samson due to his unusually large size.  Samson wore an anodized titanium and graphene composite skullcap and an anodized titanium breastplate, but otherwise appeared to be a large and rather rough looking human.  Dr. Heller looked up from his clipboard, the only scientist at the BOLT labs who insisted on using a real one, and said, “Dr. Holt, I've uploaded what will have to be the final version.  This is unarguably the sharpest, most sentient and self-aware A.I. software on the planet right now.”  Dr. Holt was looking at the subject's hairy knuckles and noticed that they needed yet another trimming when he replied, “I want the best in the Universe Dr. Heller!  This could be our last viable subject; as you know our top geneticist left to work at GeneTech Labs.”  Dr. Heller shook his head slowly, annoyed with Dr. Holt's ego, and said, “Let me put it this way…There is no computer A.I. software better at interfacing with Subject Twelve's medial forebrain bundle and sensorimotor cortex in attempts to accurately mimic a human than what I've put in that guy's noggin, you arrogant little-” and then Dr. Heller was interrupted by a loud grunt from Samson.  Dr. Holt set down his virtual clipboard and checked the restraining straps.  Dr. Heller then said, “Alright Dr. Frankenstein, your creation is waking up.”  Dr. Holt spoke into a microphone on his virtual clipboard, “Subject twelve, a 14 year old Neanderthal Male cybernetically controlled via HellerAI, is now going live.  Biological vital signs are normal, and A.I. software appears to be functioning properly.”

  Samson opened its eyes, and slowly looked around the room.  It strained large muscles against the restraints as it stretched, and flexed meaty fists opened and closed.  A loud pop sounded as the specimen performed a slow neck roll, and then the bioandroid formerly known as Subject Twelve noticed a table with an autoclave and test tubes on top, a large electron microscope, and a LabSlave 5000 robot.  Recognizing none of these things it glanced up at Dr. Heller and Dr. Holt, and furrowed its large brow.  Its eyes darted back and forth between the two scientists, and then Dr. Heller said, “The subject has the motor skills of a young adult, but intellectually it is the equivalent of a four year old.  Over time it â€" or he rather â€" will be able to learn and eventually communicate.”  As Dr. Heller spoke Samson tilted his head to the side as if listening intently. 
 
  Dr. Heller and Dr. Holt looked at Samson, and then both slightly smiled and shook hands in silent congratulation to each other's efforts.  Samson abruptly lifted up his arms and legs, thus tearing off the restraints, and grabbed Dr. Heller.  Dr. Holt backed up fully expecting his colleague to be crushed in a bear hug.  Instead Samson was warmly hugging Dr. Heller, who was squirming in his creation's grasp.  Just as abruptly, Samson let him go and plopped down on the floor with a big smile on his face.  Dr. Heller declared, “Well that was cute, but I think it's time you put him in the biosphere and enlist the help of a behavioral psychologist.  He has already responded better than the previous subjects just by the fact that he woke up.  You know how to tweak the A.I routines, so as far as I'm concerned my work here is done.”  Dr. Holt nodded, and nervously looked down at Samson who was looking up at him.

  Later in the day, Samson was moved to the large biosphere habitat which was an exact replica of a modern day mansion with a small backyard.  Dr. Holt had debated using an outdoor environment, but ultimately decided that he was creating a cybernetic humanoid to show off to other scientists and not a cybernetic Neanderthal hunter-gatherer.  The behavioral psychologist, Dr. Lorna Dunn, watched Samson in the biosphere from behind a one-way window.  She was fascinated with, despite the cybernetics on the head and metal breastplate, how the specimen appeared to be a large human.  Samson was in the process of investigating his new surroundings when Dr. Dunn started the conversation with, “I'm not exactly sure what Dr. Heller said to our boss, but Rolfstein took me my other projects to focus on this one.  Dr. Holt, what are your overall intentions with Subject Twelve?  Or Samson rather…”  Dr. Holt responded, “I want a bio-android, basically capable of…” and then Dr. Holt stopped talking as they both watched Samson take a framed photo off the wall and walk into the bathroom.  Dr. Dunn queried, “Who is that in the photo?”  Dr. Holt replied, “The photos were purely random choices pulled from a collection of antiques.  I believe that one is a Count from somewhere in 1940s Europe.”  Samson studied the photo, and held it up next to the mirror seemingly comparing his reflection to the man in the photo.  He glanced up at his robotic skullcap, and appeared to give a small frown.  Samson then hurled the framed photo against the tiled wall, and slammed both of his fists down onto the sink which exploded into a thousand porcelain and wood fragments. 

  Dr. Dunn's eyes widened and her hand fondled the grip of her holstered X26 Taser gun.  She looked at Dr. Holt and said, “Day one and the subject has already noticed he's different…This one is going to be tough.”  Samson looked down at the completely destroyed sink, shrugged his shoulders, and walked over to the large wall-mounted television and stared at it in awe.  He had just cautiously brought up a finger to touch the screen panel when Dr. Holt pressed a button, and the TV came to life.  Dr. Dunn asked, “So physically he can be tired, but mentally he is always on?”  Dr. Holt sighed and responded, “Yes, this could prove problematic; especially when resting.”  Samson watched as apes fought for dominance in the wild, and then after the channel was changed, a Japanese game show where contestants were repeatedly slapped and kicked in the testicles.  Dr. Dunn said, “If you are going to leave the T.V. on, I advise you to find something non-violent.”  Samson then walked up to the TV and began pressing buttons.  The channel settled on an old action movie where the protagonist was thrown through a plate glass window.  Dr. Holt said, “He's a quick study.  Provided we can reign in his temper, I think we have a winner.”  Samson's ears twitched and he turned to face one section of the one-way mirror, behind which Dr. Holt and Dr. Dunn were observing him just before he snarled and charged.

BOLT Research Labs - September 1st, 2055

  Dr. Rolfstein was in the middle of a phone conversation when Dr. Holt slumped down in the guest chair in front of his desk.  Dr. Rolfstein put his up and mouthed "hold on" to Dr. Holt, who sheepishly nodded, and the said into the speaker/mic, "Years of research...Do you hear me?!  Use the Marlin Tranq gun." before disconnecting the call.  Dr. Holt rubbed his temples, massaged his eyebags, and opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Dr. Rolfstein who said, "Barely even two weeks go by and your subject escapes.  The damn thing is computer smart, caveman strong, and probably armed with at least one of the weapons missing from military labs.  Holt, You will be lucky to work on those robot rats who sniff out mines after this.  Hell, right now I wouldn't commission you to teach a science class."  Dr. Holt shook his head slowly and said, "We thought we were watching it, but really it was watching us.  Samson observed and copied our desires and motivations, and noted that we often are aggressive in the pursuit of those desires."

  I'm in as well, and the story is already mostly written.  Will submit later today or tomorrow.

Hmmm...The Neverhood?

  So between Chef and Stupot+ whoever sends me a Steam handle first gets XCOM.

  Good job on the workouts and improved eating habits, and don't forget that you can still do that while working on Hunt For Goldbeard II. 

  I forgot that its unofficial and actually clicked on the smiley dropdown in attempts to find the Baron Smileyâ,,¢.  And now, I shall return to my evil and sinister-y plans of finding a way to shoehorn it into this post...

  PM me your Steam handle Atelier. 

I hereby invoke the Hostmaser General power of breaking ties...Gotta go with Baron!  Atelier has a great little screenplay there, and Baron just edges it out with a hilarious scenario that reminds us that hottie aliens could easily invade as long as dudes are heads of state.

  Your trophy Baron...Also, PM me your Steam handle so I can gift you XCOM.

  Atelier gets the silver of course, and...

  ...dead alien heads encased in glass for Chef! and Stupot+


  Enjoyed the entries, all were quality and varied enough (meaning not the same invasion style/tactics) to keep the reader guessing.  Thanks for playing!

We've got a tie folks.  I'll give it a half-day more to allow for more votes.

The contestants are...Wham, Baron, Stupot+, Chef!, and Atelier.  Voting begins now!

  I'll be downloading and playing this one...Looks like fun, and congrats on finishing!

Cerno

Atmosphere: Selmiak
Composition: Kastchey
Functionality: MeditativePixel
Technique: MeditativePixel

I like that summarized "In the beginning..." style summary of the Ezboard era.  What about the early days of the AGS board?

I use poetic license with the term "fortnight", as 1.5 fortnights doesn't have the same ring.  One week left...Hoping for an entry from Ponch   

About a week left...If there aren't any more submissions between now and then, my contact in the pod people sleeper cell will release the face huggers.