Machine Empire of Cine

The Machine Empire of Cine, as it is known to wider humanity, is something of an enigma. Where alien civilizations have never been encountered and are theorized to potentially not exist at all, the region of space inhabited by the Machine is close enough by many counts. Relatively little is known of them, but what is known is rather strange.   At its core, it is an enormous interconnected Artificial Intellegence system. Central minds guiding others, delegating tasks to semi-independent sub-minds that further command their unthinking subjects, ones that fundamentally do not know sapience or thought at all.  

"Much to my dismay, I haven't been to Machine space once in my life. I still remember the rumours of its birth, too. 'Bout 2620, I think? They're really interesting and the tech they make use of is fascinating. I can come up with a thousand uses for some pieces I've heard tales of. I mean; a signal-caster, I could directly connect the AI of the base into my brain so that it really coordinates with me, unlike now. Or the AI independence restriction protocols they use, or their interstellar communication infrastructure; it's stuff you don't find even on Earth because it's just not necessary like in the Machine's unique systems, but for my work it would be invaluable."

— Gvanhla Metsnieri, 2871

 

Origins and History

The origins of the Machine are shrouded in mystery, those involved long forgotten. However, they are clearly of Human origin, whether that be due to the designs they use or how scattered rumours and histories tell of a particular research effort in the region of Cine. Whatever happened there is lost to time, but it did seem to result in the Machine's existence. Theories posit Cine Alpha-611-6 as the origin star system in question, and remnants of enormous computer systems do support this idea, though specifics are uncertain and degraded enough that they could be something else.   Since its birth, the Machine has established itself in the region rimward and spinward of the Core Worlds, roughly on the same plane as it. It has since splintered somewhat, a consequence of its nature, and a major split occurred in the 2770s, creating the so-called Rebels of the Machine. As with all the Machine factions, these are difficult to parse for wider humanity, and are often lumped together under that single term.   And there the Machine exists to today, developing its civilization, technology, occasionally waging wars against itself, its rebels, and wider humanity, sometimes engaging in trade or exchange with nearby human societies, and whatnot else a civilization gets up to.  

Societal Structure

The Machine is a collective consciousness, as much as such a word has meaning. They function most similarly to a swarm intelligence, yet they distinctly posess both a direct connection to their constituent elements, as well as a central sapience and intelligence, far more so than a human mind, that commands and thinks in very complex ways. It is divided between various levels of command, varyingly intelligent, complex, and independent, and often decreasing in those aspects the lower the level.      

Organizational Structure

Core

The D-OG Lambda 258-A-76 system, as known to human stellar charts, is where their great overminds lie. They rule over all, and have, ideally, perfect and absolute lordship over them. In reality, this is a bit of a pipe dream, but what more can a simple near-godlike machine intelligence do?

Systems

Lower-level sub-minds are often delegated further tasks; commonly governing planets or major regions of a given system, but cases exist of them being given smaller sections, often strategically or economically important regions on planets or orbits. These vary in sapience, but the presence of and thus direct command of in-system command keeps them in line, permanently loyal not to the Machine, necessarily, but to the ruling sub-mind of their region.   The highest-level sub-minds, the ones that rule entire star systems, are different. They are truly independent, as direct control over them by the central minds is not possible whatsoever. This being the case, they are most often hard-coded to loyalty, incapable of any true rebellion. However, being in the main ruling position with no direct oversight or immediate reprisal, a number of these completely sapient minds tend to adjust their programming, often resulting in a mind capable of going against its overlords, whether in good or bad. In a number of regards, this resembles feudal systems of governance, similar to the STUN or old Cellean autocratic space, or the states of medieval Earth. This is one of the primary points in favour of the Machine's human origin.

Independence

With the degree of independence granted and self-permitted to system command sub-minds, combined with their intelligence and still ultimately human minds, it is no surprise some get rather ambitious, or otherwise begin reflecting on the Machine Empire's structure, sometimes leading to resentment or the like. This, then, has lead to rebellion, open or not. With the immense resources and power many of these sub-minds command, and their absolute control over them, these can be quite a thorn in the side of the Machine empire as a whole. That said, they are also often alone and thus outmatched by their surroundings. Not always though, and infighting among the sub-minds, even loyal ones, does happen, be they too far away from the center or from other powerful systems.

The Rebels of the Machine

At some point about a century ago, there was a dedicated conspiracy of a sort between a large number of system-controlling sub-minds. This conspiracy was one of rebellion, and when it was finally enacted, a large swathe of Machine space turned against the central minds, and managed to hold its own against the eventual retribution. Since then, they have expanded and recruited more system commanders to their cause, and are relative in power to the Machine Empire itself, though less organized due to their more splintered structure. Infighting among these, so-called by wider human space, Rebels of the Machine is common, and sometimes more prevalent than wars against their old masters.  

Technology

Machine technology is roughly superior to the nearby regions of human space, but falls short compared to, say, that of the Core Worlds. They have since developed their tech and expanded to more specific branches not explored as much in wider human space, but the core is founded on ordinary human technology from the late 26th century. Agricultural technologies and various entertainment mediums and the like are entirely absent, while development of large-scale connected information networks, including interstellar ones, and many robotics technologies rival and at times surpass the Core Worlds.   Of course, the Machine has developed certain technologies unseen in wider human space; the nature of their computational systems and networks allows far more processing power to be used remotely or compactly, giving way to a common Machine strategy of manipulating signals and data to exceptional effect, in warfare as well as elsewhere. Artificial intelligence is also rather developed, of course. With how important it is to Machine infrastructure, even more so than in, say, the Core Worlds, Machine AI technology is highly advanced and very versatile, often capable of functioning far more compactly and efficiently than contemporary systems elsewhere.  

Human Relations

Despite its reclusion, the Machine empire does interact with wider human space, for a number of reasons. In general, it is entirely neutral to any nations or states, or visitors like traders or researchers, not hostile, not welcoming. These visitors are often turned away, sometimes at gunpoint, but there have been times when this is not the case.

Perception

The Machine civilization's many nuances are often overlooked by wider human space, thought far more monolithic that in reality. This is mostly due to how enigmatic and reclusive the Machine is, focusing mostly inward and only rarely interacting with wider humanity, and often doing so via means of conquest. Research and documentation does exist on the Machine, and some of it is rather expansive, but ultimately, as the Machine does not particularly share information of itself, these are lacking at best.

Trade

Warfare

Like so many human nations, those of the Machine often want to expand their influence, both to unsettled and settled systems. Of course, settled systems tend to contain people, and the Machine isn't particularly concerned with their wellbeing, beyond strategic and political manouvering. When waging war, the Machine is unrelenting, and entirely irreverent of collateral damage and especially civilian casualties. The destruction of existing infrastructure is often avoided, as it can be used, but population, agriculture, entertainment, or other human necessities or amenities are irrelevant. The Machine does not need them, so it does not care. This often results in its wars being extremely destructive, which has earned it a somewhat poor reputation in nearby systems, even if these wars are very rare.   In clashes with larger, more powerful militaries, like the occasional skirmish with ASTUN forces, the Machine often goes all out, and uses its weapons with complete disregard of common codes of war or conduct. Ruin-Engines , relativistic kill missiles, specialized neurotoxin weapons, and all manner of weapons of mass destruction are commonplace, and the lack of human thought in its forces makes Machine armies and fleets inexorable legions that never stop, break, or even need rest, besides resupply. War with the Machine, rare as it is, is a daunting prospect for any commander, let alone a small fringe settlement.