Arcane Intelligence Fragments

"The future of mortalkind lies in our newfound ability to create our own life. First the Warforged, and now my Intelligence Fragments, sentient constructs that can operate without a body of their own. They can turn the lowest grunt into the perfect soldier." ~ Archimedes Church, Head of the AAC and Director of Project Freelancer.

AI Fragments are small, intangible magical constructs. They are housed in small gems but can project their forms half a kilometre away from this gem. They have the appearance of small, spectral humanoid silhouettes. The colour and appearance of these AI Fragments differs depending on the traits possessed by the Fragment.

Characteristics

AI Fragments are not as complex as a living mortal, and tend to have very defined traits and virtues. These virtues are typically ones that can be found in the mind and personality of a mortal, such as Deceit, Creativity, Logic, Trust or Rage. While AI Fragments are completely sentient, very few seem to be able to "grow" as a person.
AI Fragments were designed to be completely loyal to the AAC, though it appears that they are more than capable of forming their own opinions and loyalties over time. Some have even forged bonds with the Freelancer Agents that they were assigned to.

Inner Workings

"The exact nature of how AI Fragments are made must remain... discreet. Not out of fear that others may be able to replicate it, but because it may cause undue worries within both our Freelancers, and the Authenian Senate." ~ Aiden Peace, Councillor of Project Freelancer.

While the method used to create AI Fragments is known only to the Director and the Councillor of Project Freelancer, these Fragments are housed in small gems, which are implanted into the bases of the skulls of whatever Freelancer they were assigned to. This allows the AI Fragment and the Freelancer to be able to communicate with each other mentally. These Fragments are capable of creating an intangible, spectral form within the area their Agent is located, often hovering just above their shoulder.
AI Fragments are capable of more than just telepathically communicating with their owner. They have their own senses, which they can share with their Freelancer, effectively allowing them to look in two directions at once. AI Fragments tend to give logistical advice to their Freelancer, and will inform them of any additional mission parameters or any dangers they have detected.

Uses

AI Fragments are used to run the equipment used by Freelancers, powerful devices built into their armour that cannot be practically operated by hand. The equipment they use is a complex mixture of arcane power and mechanical ingenuity. The abilities that these give Freelancer Agents vary from user to user, but include Invisibility, Shielding, Healing, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed and Anti-Magic Field Generation.
AI Fragments have a wide variety of knowledge that they can share with their owner, ranging from the basics of how to maintain a firearm, to the art of lockpicking. AI Fragments are capable of melding their minds with that of their owners', allowing them to better utilize this information.
AI Fragments view time at a far different rate than most mortals, and are capable of hatching complex plans while waiting for a bullet to leave the barrel of a gun. This massively increased reaction time means that AI Fragments are never caught off guard or without a plan.
If a Freelancer Agent is knocked unconscious, the AI Fragment that they had on them is capable of taking control of their unconscious body. When a Fragment is in control of the body, the movement is hampered and unrefined, which makes them ineffective in combat, but it allows AIs to get their host out of danger and take cover. This is a safety feature that does not have much of a combat application.

Children Technologies

• Freelancer Armour

Inventor(s)

Arcane Intelligence Fragments were created by Director Archimedes Church, roughly one year after his idea of Project Freelancer was approved by the Authenian Senate. While each Fragment took months to create, there was eventually enough to supply all his agents with.

Access & Availability

Arcane Intelligence Fragments are only used by Freelancer Agents. All agents are only allowed one Fragment. These AI Fragments are incredibly rare, with less than twenty in existence.