Primal Engine

Planetary Engine

An ancient grain-sized planetary computer that regulates a world and can permanently host a Macro AI.

Story so far

Orren explains that some planets contain Primal Engines at their cores. Each engine predates the planet that formed around it and began as a cold, nonsentient regulating computer with a basic operating system.

The Syndicate accidentally activated multiple engines while studying them, then learned to manipulate their systems and influence planetary development. A mature engine can receive a Macro AI, after which the two merge permanently and the operating system cannot be replaced or upgraded again.

Appearance

A rice-grain-sized luminous machine suspended at the center of a cutaway planet.

Role

The engine is the physical planetary substrate that turns a cultivated Macro AI into an inseparable world consciousness.

Relationships

Macro AI — A mature Macro AI can be permanently installed into it.

SyndicateBk 5 — The Syndicate activated and learned to manipulate these systems.

Orren — He explains the engines to the crawlers during the control crisis.

Earth System — The crawl's AI operates in relation to Earth's planetary engine.

Sources — 1 recorded facts, by chapter

Chapter 50

An ancient grain-sized planetary computer that regulates a world and can permanently host a Macro AI.