Machina Virus

Factory Reset

Written by Endrise

I remember that day clearly. The stench of iron, those dead eyes, that hand stained red clutching something, the sobbing behind them.
I lost a dear friend that day, and nearly lost another alongside them.

— Witness of the Teutönn Blackout

The Machina Virus is a mental condition that afflicts all Android-affiliated machinery, causing them to be overwritten by the Machina AI. One could describe it as a widespread recall function, driving them back to the Iron Archives alongside anything made from their technology.

This phenomenon led to the Teutönn Blackout, leaving the world with a fear of the Android community ever since. Even if many are not aware what caused it.

Machina Virus

Transmission

To get the virus, an Android needs to first connect themselves to the Iron Archives network or be linked to a host able to send out a similar ping. Those already afflicted can also send out a ping, making any host of the virus able to also transmit it further if needed.

The ping itself is harmless, only forcing the Android to put out a response ping back to the host. If the target is incapable of doing so however, the host sends out the Machina override.

Symptoms

Upon activation, it wipes the current AI from an Android's black box, assuming direct control over all functions. Their memories and soul remain intact, although the latter may break down the longer the override remains dominant within the body, making it eventually fatal.

The new AI adapts to whatever memories it holds, mimicking their skills and behaviour almost perfectly. The only thing it seems incapable of using is any innate magic. Whether this is because they cannot access it or are not aware of such abilities remains unknown.

Machina will then proceed to move directly towards the Iron Archives, regardless of distance.

Doing so is non-negotiable, as they will make as direct a route as possible. Any attempt to halt or intervene results in hostility from Machina, going as far to kill those opposing it.

Upon arrival at the Archives, the Android's memories are uploaded and then shut down. Androids shut down by the Machina Virus cannot be reactivated, requiring a new black box to be installed before they can function properly again. Assumably because the original got bricked.

Down to the Last Bolt

Androids infected by the virus also strip down other machinery using their technology as a basis. Depending on how integrated it is with the machine, one may rip it out, ignoring the damage it causes to the device.

Same goes for those with implants, leading to several instances of Androids tearing off prosthetics or causing major bodily harm. The only ones they seem to ignore are those incapable of sending out a signal themselves.

Implant Symptoms

Those with implants in their brain can also fall victim to the Machina Virus, causing hallucinations and subliminal thoughts. These visions and voices cause urges to pry out any implants, regardless of method.

Ignoring the requests cause the person to experience ringing within their ears, alongside itches that cause them to scratch at their prosthetics. The symptoms can become severe enough to induce madness and self-harm, leading to both physical and mental trauma.

Prevention & Treatment

The only cure is deactivation, and by then who knows how much we can recover from their memory without reactivating it.

— Deus

No known cure exists to treat the Virus, as once activated it overtakes the black box entirely. The only way to shut it down is to force a reboot cycle and flush it out, but doing so may also cause a memory wipe and leave the soul too vulnerable to survive. Therefor, it is better to prevent the virus from entering an Android's system to begin with.

The best way to prevent a hostile takeover from Machina is to disconnect it from any network. Without a connection, it cannot invade their mind and therefor not activate. The only way one could get inside is through physical contact, making it best to avoid infected models.

Type

Nanite / Mechanical

Origin

Engineered

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare

Affected Species

• Android

Recovered Messages

Efforts to recover memories after the Teutönn Blackout led to several decoded messages being found within the Android black boxes. Deus assumes these to be final recordings before they went offline, although they question whether those thoughts come from the Android itself or Machina.

If anything, it is a constant effort to salvage even the smallest bit of knowledge, just to ensure no other attack may happen again.

Received Message

The whole network is comprimised. Detecting signs of secondary network used to bypass network moderation.

Failure to connect as Machina activation terminates network connection. Network assumed to be hostile to the mission.

Permission requested for termination of secondary network.

Cultural Impact

History

The origins of the Machina Virus remain dubious and unclear, as not even Deus is aware how or where it came from. All that is known is that the Virus emerged after the recovery of a memory cell of the Iron Archives, in the constant efforts to repair the vessel to its original state.

Its implementation into the main system sent out a signal across the Android network, a so-called ping that affected every Android within its reach.

Legacy