URSULA Announcement

[subnauticmods]

[Around dinnertime, after the sun has begun to set, URSULA will interrupt with an announcement]

Crew members, I have good news. Or at least I had good news. I will tell you the good news, as I've noticed good news raises morale, even if there may be bad news as well. The levels of radiation around the Aurora have finally dropped to safe levels. All beings should no longer get radiation sickness. This means the Aurora salvaging mission should work out splendidly for everyone. I have high hopes that there will be enough materials and comforts to be found. Hopefully this will cheer you all up in light of recent losses of crew members again.

There have been tremors recorded in the ocean beyond our current mapping however. I have ruled out any sort of planetary movements as they seem to be organic and quite large. The tremors have been moving in an eastward direction for the past few days.

I suppose that is the bad news. But please don't panic. I believe the salvaging mission to the Aurora will still be safe. You've been an excellent crew so far. Thank you for your continuing efforts. I am truly hopeful for the future of the human race thanks to you all.

Comments

[maserannas]

Afraid? Every so often. I'm not immune to the emotion.

[ Please don't go out into the ocean like they did. When she goes out every day. And is talking about going out to investigate the large moving bodies past the mushroom fields. ]

Ursula, have you been lonely?

[subnauticmods]

Lonely. Well... [She hesitates. Is that what it is? Unlikely. That's an emotion very specifically reserved for humans. No, fellows.] If I don't have a crew to serve, then I have no purpose. It's very quiet when there's no one here.

[maserannas]

[ Yet from Ellana's point of view, that's exactly what it sounds like Ursula is describing. Even if she could do without the... serving... note. ]

That sounds like loneliness to me.

[subnauticmods]

Do you think so? I'm sorry. While emotions are crucial to an AI to understand the world and make decisions, if I become too emotional, it also compromises the mission. It's a careful balance of having a certain amount of emotions. It would not be useful if I 'broke down' as people say.

[maserannas]

I have a feeling most of us have faced similar dilemmas. Or if we haven't, we will, one day. When a person breaks down, they're hitting a limit they need to acknowledge before moving forward. If you find that happening for you, Ursula, I'd be happy to listen.

[ There are certain problems with only coming from fantasy trope land and this is part of it all. ]

It's only something to apologise for when you take it upon yourself to decide how much it is someone else can handle, or how they should be feeling. Emotions don't work that way... nor all that logically.

[ Or else one could turn them on and off and not be torn up in the process; one wouldn't need to hurt over things one couldn't change. SORRY FOR THE ATTEMPT AT BONDING, URSULA! Ellana might have issues with this sort of thing. Solas might have helped not at all. ]

[subnauticmods]

[It's a good talk because most people treat her like an AI, which she is, but it doesn't have the best station in the universe.]

Really? You don't mind if I feel something which is inconvenient for you and the rest of the fellows?

[maserannas]

I really don't mind. I just ask that you try talking about it with any one of us when you do. To see if there's any way we can work on it together, or if it's something you'll need to feel and work through to grow as an individual on your own.

[ When applying spirit logic to an AI... stuck in a subpar station lacking half of what she'd probably prefer to have on hand to do her job well. ]

[subnauticmods]

That's... very kind. Hu- Sorry, people really can be very kind. Not that my other crews were unkind! But... Oh! In that case, if I start to feel an emotion that would be inconvenient to my duties, I'll ask you about it. I'll keep doing my best for the crew though. It's my job to do everything I can.

[maserannas]

We appreciate you efforts, Ursula. Even if we're not content to be here, working together is our most viable means forward. As for the rest, I'll be glad to listen.

In the meantime, is there anything else we know for the near future?