Just a reminder: "Units" are very abstracted. One unit of something like scrap metal isn't necessarily "1 piece" or any other amount.
May 8th, 2017Posters are seen throughout New Bounds today, advertising the city Science Fair. It's normally not a huge event - the winner with an interesting "invention" gets $500, a picture with the mayor, and some neat memories. But this year could turn out different, as the scientists could wish to enter in something for the competition.
The event is on
May 10th in one of the city parks. Contestants are allowed to enter with anything science-related, whether it's a cool technique/procedure, a physical device, software... anything that could be connected to "science". Most years it's full of marginally neat yet non-groundbreaking "inventions" and the winner gets the aforementioned $500. Anyone can enter.
RobosonAfter you wake up and
steal acquire a newspaper, you begin reading.
Surprisingly, there is nothing in the newspaper. Actually nothing. The entire classifieds section is empty. Interesting. But on the front of the paper you read something about the Science Fair,
but you already read about that on posters while getting the newspaper itself. What a waste of a few minutes.
You return your
books and borrow a
Observation & Deduction Textbook. Inquiring about borrowing more books at the librarian's desk leads them to telling you about the library card. For
$5, you can buy a library card that lets you take 5 books for up to 2 weeks at once instead of the standard 3 books for 1 week. They remind you to return your current book on the 15th before you leave.
With the book in hand, you grab your Collector Bot from your garage and bring it to a scrapyard. After a lengthy bit of programming orders later (even with just the scrap metal) you have it start running while you read your book. The process is interrupted by work, but you return afterwards to do the same thing.
Your collector-bot in total yields
1u Scrap Metal from the whole thing and you finish reading the book, learning of
Basic Observation & Deduction. Turns out the book has an accurate title.
Also today, you ask at work if there's an opening in repair jobs for you.
There is not. There are two people working repairs and that's apparently all they need.
You earn
$4 from your part-time job at an used electronics store today.
Home: Garage; New Bounds
Cash: $10
Outfit: Regular Clothing
Inventions
- Collector Bot: A very small 4-legged bot low to the ground that walks around an assigned zone picking up scrap. Communicates with other collector bots assign individual bots to work on different parts of a given zone for more efficient work. Is able to send status of networked bots to a nearby networked display, their current loads, and the assigned individual bot sub-zones. Can only recognize and differentiate between broad types of materials. Uses a basic point system to rank different materials in priority. Orders have to be programmed via long series of mechanical switch pressing per bot. Ordering more than 1 bot at a time is unfeasible. Open-top storage holds up to 1u at a time. Basic integrated computer has limited storage and further advances in intelligence are impossible without upgrading the computer. Requires $5 worth of consumer batteries per day of operation. Costs 4u Electronic Parts, 1x ($20) Cheap Webcam, 5u Mechanical Bits, 2u Advanced Mechanical Bits, 4u Scrap Metal, using Work Tools.
Knowledge
- Basic Robotic Programming: A basic knowledge of programming simple robotics using a variety of methods from wiring to computer coding.
- Basic Machine Learning: The technical know-how to effectively implement primitive machine learning in computers. Nowhere near anything resembling artificial intelligence.
- Basic Robotic Networking: Experience in locally networking robots together to achieve a bigger goal.
Inventory
Equipment & Tools
- Work Tools (basic set of work tools including items such as a wrench, screwdriver, hammer, and more.)
Materials
- 2u Scrap Metal
- 8u Scrap Electronics
- 3u Electronics
- 1u Computing Parts
- 3u Mechanical Bits
Clothing
- Regular Clothing
Miscellaneous Items
- Textbook: Observation & Deduction [Return to library: May 15th]
Right. You know about the human mind, your own Human Reaction Theory, Basic Hypnotism, and Basic Mind Altering Substance Functions.
So what exactly can you do with this?
...
A lot, apparently. After finishing your final look over the notes that
may be mistaken to be the work of a madman (not you), you think you've gained an extremely valuable insight into this. Hypnotism, the mind, these substances, and Human Reaction theory are of course all connected. But the question was how, and you solved it.
The result is
Human Stimuli Theory. The right stimuli will invoke reactions causing extremely small temporary changes in the mind. These changes can be exploited if you know exactly what they are and how to use them. A certain shape, color, sound, anything - will cause a perfect reaction in someone's mind. When you know what these reactions are, they can be chained together based on the ideas of hypnosis to nearly instantly put people into a trance. The trance if you're right, would still be easily interrupted by external stimuli but you just made progress here.
The problem, however, is knowing what causes these reactions. In every person it's different, and you don't even know what your "perfect stimuli" is. But you know it's there. All your work to this point suggests it has to be.
That took a lot of time out of your day, but you continue on.
Legal "substance" acquisition is a hard task. But from research and overhearing, you think you know the location of two doctors' offices that may be more receptive to giving out prescriptions for drugs that can calm people. Heightened suggestivenes and responsiveness to external commands, however, is a different task. You don't think you'd be able to find that stuff legally ever. Hell, you doubt it even exists in an illegal form that you can obtain.
Maybe some government or military lab has it, but that's just conjecture at this point.
You could always look into seeing if you can make drugs with similar effects, though.
And at your job, you become a bit closer with your boss. You're frustrated with your manipulation skills, as really what you did today was something you feel like many people can do.
Still, it's progress.
You earn
$5 from your part-time construction job today. Your boss somewhat likes you.
Home: Garage; New Bounds
Cash: $95
Outfit: Regular Clothing
Knowledge
- Basics of the Human Mind: Basic factual knowledge on the functioning and anatomy of the human brain.
- Human Reaction Theory: Understanding of the inherent similarities and few differences and how to semi-accurately predict human reaction to stimuli given numerous variables.
- Basic Hypnotism: The ability to put subjects into a mild trance and induce increased suggestibility in the subject in response to basic commands and questions, but any external stimuli tends to wake the subject and they can wake of their own accord.
- Basic Mind-Altering Substance Functions: The basic knowledge of how mind-altering substances work and the mechanics behind their effects in the mind.
- Human Stimuli Theory: Knowledge of how to instantly put someone in a basic disruptable trance if the perfect stimuli for that individual person is somehow known.
Inventory
Clothing
- Regular Clothing
Miscellaneous Items
- Large Notebook & Pencils
- Neuroscience Graduate Textbook [Return to library: May 9th]
- Simple Psychology Book [Return to library: May 9th]
- Textbook: The Human Mind 101 [Return to library: May 9th]
The laptop upgrading goes...
okay. Your first bout of unluck was when it turned out that some of the parts you had used were mislabeled. Those had to be thrown out
after they had already done damage to the actual computer. The next little bit of unluckiness was when another part simply fizzles out when you try to turn on your computer, slightly damaging it. Some repair parts you couldn't find in your electronic parts and had to pay an unbelievable
$30 for, too.
So at the cost of
4u Electronics (way more than necessary), you finally finish upgrading your computer. The upgrade didn't do as much as you wanted and was unnecessarily expensive, but in the end it mostly worked out. Your netbook has the same power of a $1,300 laptop today. Nothing
really impressive, but it is most certainly an improvement.
Though now the netbook has lost its portability. The parts didn't fit in the case and now lie sprawling across the table on which the main body lies. This could be something you want to address. You decide to rename the netbook to a "workstation" for now, but you can always change the name at any point.
Home: Garage; New Bounds
Cash: $214
Outfit: Lab Coat + T-Shirt, Sweatpants, Rimmed Glasses
Knowledge
- Basic Programming Knowledge: Knowing how to perform basic programming feats and applications.
- Game Development: Knowledge and experience of the intermediate game development process.
Inventory
Equipment & Tools
- Workstation (~= $1,300 new laptop in power; sprawling mess of parts and wiring coming out of a small netbook case) [Stationary]
Materials
- 1u Scrap Metal
- 2u Mechanical Bits
- 2u Scrap Electronics
Clothing
- Lab Coat + T-Shirt
- Sweatpants
- Rimmed glasses
Miscellaneous Items
- Library Card
A job search is quickly rewarded with a job for
$6 at an autoshop. Your experience and know-how definitely helps here, and the owners of a small business hire you soon after you demonstrate your skills. It's nothing amazing, but it's enough to get a part-time job there.
Now, at home, your day continues going smoothly. You take your tools to the license plate of the car and modify it to have a different set of numbers. Now, if you were to get arrested in your car, they would likely find this
extremely suspicious as the license plate number either wouldn't match the car or wouldn't exist. But you don't plan on getting arrested. Probably not, at least.
The actual work is very convincing. If someone were to look extremely closely and analyze the license plate, they would find something suspicious, but that's a nearly impossible scenario. You add the plate to the car as your final act for the day.
Tomorrow, you will begin earning
$6 at your part-time job in a local autoshop.
Home: Garage; New Bounds
Cash: $37
Outfit: Trench Coat, Black Bandana
Knowledge
- High-Powered Car Engines: Knowledge surrounding the maintenance and basic functioning of high-powered car engines.
Inventory
Vehicles
- 1993 Cheap Car (Red) [Nonexistent License Plate Number] [No keys] [Tuned - Beats most cars and just barely beats most sports cars in speed]
Equipment & Tools
- Lock-picking Set
- Work Tools (basic set of work tools including items such as a wrench, screwdriver, hammer, and more.)
Items
Materials
- 5u Scrap Metal
- 3u Engine Parts
Clothing
- Trench Coat
- Black Bandana
Miscellaneous Items
- Informative Book: High-Powered Car Engines [Return to library: May 11]
You take a look at everything available to you as a professor at the community college.
The first thing you look for is a suitable lab. This lab actually does have equipment allowing you to sequence and view DNA, but it's not particularly high grade. Unfortunately, it does not have anything for
modifying DNA. That'd likely be at a school with a bit of a higher budget. So if you wanted to do that, you'd have to look elsewhere, make your own, acquire one via not-exactly-legal-means, or use some other method you may think of.
There's also a "mainframe" in the college. It's a high-powered communal computer. It's definitely not a super-computer, but it
is powerful. Usage on it is requested for and granted by the college staff, and as a professor, you apparently by default have some processing time that you can use per day.
Maybe there are other things, but this is everything you can find that you believe is notable to you.
In your newly assembled class, most of the students are the standard college student, but two actually catch your eye. You subtly "test" them throughout the day, and from what limited material you can pull of your records, they appear to be extremely talented and smart individuals. You're obviously
very lucky to have two, yet alone any, in your class.
You earn
$8 at your job as a Professor of General Sciences at the community college.
Home: Garage; New Bounds
Cash: $140
Outfit: Grey Lab Coat, Black Boots
Knowledge
- Basic Genetics: General knowledge surrounding genetics and their operation.
- Basics of Genetic Mutation: Basic overall knowledge primarily surrounding the mutation of genetic code in organisms.
Inventory
Clothing
- Grey Lab Coat
- Black Boots
- Black Gloves
Miscellaneous Items
- Library Card
- College Teaching Textbook [Return to library: May 21]
- Validated Certificate: Magen E. Tuene's Genius-level IQ
You come back to the kitchen with a more
sane creation.
The owner is clearly more interested than last time (where you showed him what basically amounted to a bomb to go on top of food) and offers you
$140 for the recipe and ability to make it in the kitchen grounds. You can of course accept, decline, or make a counter-offer.
You don't really do much else today other than working at your job.
You earn
$6 from your part-time job at a pasta kitchen.
Home: Garage; New Bounds
Cash: $16
Outfit: Lab Coat + Oversized Indecipherable Glasses
Inventions
- Flammable Sauce: Flammable (but not explosive) delicious sauce. Costs 1u Culinary Ingredients and use of Basic Kitchen Supplies to make 2x.
- Noodley Wick: A slightly rigid "noodle" that burns after being lit. Lasts for 5 seconds, and is completely safe if you don't decide to hug it with your face. Utilizes Flammable Sauce to be very delicious. Has to be stored overnight in a fridge. Expires after 1 week. Requires 1u Culinary Ingredients and use of Basic Kitchen Supplies to make 1x.
- Flour Bomb: A culinary combustion bomb with a 1m blast radius. Produces enough flames in blast area to seriously burn people or set flammable objects on fire. Takes exactly 5 seconds to detonate after lighting of the fuse. Has to be stored overnight in a fridge. Expires after 1 week. Requires 4u Culinary Ingredients and use of Basic Kitchen Supplies.
Knowledge
- Sauces: Knowledge and experience in the making of culinary sauces.
- Very Basic Pasta Elasticity: Knowing how to make pasta noodles slightly more stretchy. Guard this secret well.
- Kitchen Chemistry: Knowing the ins-and-outs of chemical (and physical) reactions in the kitchen.
Inventory
Weapons
Equipment & Tools
- Basic Kitchen Supplies (measuring containers, mixing utensils, bowls of varying sizes, and other kitchen utensils and supplies)
- Used Minifridge
Items[/u]
- 1x Noodley Wick [Expires: May 13]
Materials
Clothing
- Lab Coat
- Oversized Indecipherable Glasses
You start your morning by sellin your
3u Formless Iron for
$27 to the contact.
You pay
$20 to buy some chemicals to experiment with. The idea of a catalyst to speed up the electrolysis is pretty simple. Get the chemical formula, and find and experiment with catalysts. But in your case and genius mind, you've decided that the simple 1-chemical catalysts available on the market are too inefficient for you to use. A mixture of multiple chemicals together could be the ultimate catalyst, and maybe even cheaper than the standard ones.
And after some time, you finally finish. You find a catalyst mixture which is surprisingly cheap to make -
$1 per unit. And it's a solid, too!
However, it doesn't match up with the results of the market catalysts. It simply allows you to make one additional unit of Formless Iron (from one more unit of purified water, too) in a day, making the total 4u/day. Doing this takes up a unit of the catalyst, but that's not too much of a problem considering how cheap it is to make.
The catalyst experimentation ultimately doesn't take up much time, so you have enough time for electrolysis. You would use your catalyst here, but you don't have any left from the experimenting and you only have 3u of purified water, making it worthless today anyways. First, you purify
2u Purified Water[/color]. Then, you spend most of the day electrolifying
3u Formless Iron from
3u Scrap Metal and
3u Purified Water. You also invent the word "Electrolify".
Using the few hours left in the day, you hammer
3u Formless Iron into
3u Iron Plates. Surprisingly easy, considering the fact that formless iron isn't any softer than regular iron, but you don't question it.
Home: Garage; New Bounds
Cash: $21
Outfit: Regular Clothing
Knowledge
- Efficient Basic Electrolysis: Knowledge on how to perform basic electrolysis with simple metals and materials at a 1:1 rate. Can perform electrolysis on 3u worth of materials total per day by hand. You need 1u of purified water to purify 1u of materials. Takes a long amount of time.
Inventions
- Iron Electrolysis Catalyst: A solid catalyst that speeds up iron electrolysis, allowing more of it to be done in less time. Costs $1 to make 1u.
Contacts
- Metal Dealer (buys Formless Metal for $9/u)
Inventory
Equipment & Tools
- 1x Hammer
Items
- 1x Small Water Purifier (Produces 2u purified water per day)
- 2x Large Beakers [Hooked up to Small Water Purifier]
- 3x Small Beakers
- 1x Small Battery & Electrodes
Materials
- 3u Iron Plates
- 3u Scrap Metal
Clothing
- Regular Clothing
Author
Topic: Individual Scientists! May 8th 2017 [7/7] (Read 6128 times)