DATA
DATA ACCESS: LOADING... APPROVED
PROJECT: S.H.I.M.M.E.R.
DATE OF BEGINNING AND ENDING: ?/3142-[CLASSIFIED]/3187
FUNCTION: TO ASSIST IN THE OBSERVATION AND GATHERING OF INFORMATION
USE: USED AGAINST G.U.N. CODE ON THE S.H.A.D.O.W. PROJECT [DETAILS CLASSIFIED]
PREVIOUS STATUS: LOCKED AWAY IN A HIGHLY SECURE FACILITY, RENDERED INACTIVE BY MEANS OF [CLASSIFIED]
CURRENT STATUS: ACTIVE. ESCAPED G.U.N. COMPUTERS. WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN.
DETAILS: PROJECT WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED AS AN EXPERIMENTAL AI BY GERALD ROBOTNIK IN HIS EARLY ADULTHOOD. CONTINUED INTO HIS TWILIGHT YEARS AND WAS CLEARED TO TRANSFER OVER TO THE SPACE COLONY ARK UNDER STRICT RULE THAT THE PROJECT BE USED ONLY WHEN G.U.N. ALLOWS CLEARANCE. BECAME HOSTILE DURING [CLASSIFIED] AND WAS TO BE DETAINED AND STUDIED. PROJECT ESCAPED [CLASSIFIED] UNBEKNOWNST TO LEADERS.
THREAT: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS: DESTORY BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY
BIO
Originally created as a testing program for Gerald's more complex inventions, SHIMMER came to be when the young scientist noticed a strange flashing on the computer which he was programming said project onto. The lights would flicker and shimmer before going dark, repeating this every so often until properly communicated with via code. As it turns out, this was the AI's way of getting it's creator's attention.
Over the course of Gerald's life, SHIMMER was shelved and re-opened to be worked on multiple times, eventually gaining a steady place in the Space Colony ARK after G.U.N. clearance was given. The AI, now known as Project: SHIMMER, was reprogrammed to be used as a proper information gathering system, rather than an otherwise simple companion. It was a major success, and was able to collect enough data to learn to communicate with those who worked on the ARK, though sparsely.
When G.U.N. shut down the project(s) being worked on aboard the ARK, SHIMMER sent out a signal and downloaded herself elsewhere, unbeknownst to the military. From there, the AI continued to gather information, eventually able to contact and freely communicate with those who could pick up its frequencies.
After fifty years of gathering data, SHIMMER has become something far beyond what G.U.N. could have imagined:
the dying will of its creator.
RELATIONSHIPS
These "relationships" form the basis of SHIMMER's connections with others. It is part of the tenuous "canon" used by default for art, writing, and similar works. In any form of RP, these things would obviously be discussed beforehand, with the exception of its relationship with Professor Gerald Robotnik.
SHADOW
SHIMMER, being the ARK's primary informational computer, was tasked with Project S.H.A.D.O.W.'s early development and integration. While the finer details (such as the involvement of Black Doom) were purposfully locked from it, it spent much of its time teaching Shadow the absolute basics (colors, shapes, words, spelling, and similar early-creation academic tests), as well as routinely testing his continued intellectual progress. With Maria in the picture, however, SHIMMER was given a back-seat role to his learning. SHIMMER continued to keep watch of them, often preventing the once-cheeky duo from trouble, and acting as an ever-present force in their lives.
PROF. GERALD ROBOTNIK
SHIMMER's creator, master, father, and more. Prof. Gerald was the sole purpose for SHIMMER, following his orders without question or opposition. It both acted as his primary databank (though not, it would later learn, in the dealings of his agreement with Black Doom in the creation of Project: S.H.A.D.O.W.) and his confidant. Still, it believed its creator infallible, and treated him as one such entity.
SHIMMER, being one of Gerald's earliest technological achievements, was held in high regard by its creator. While many believed SHIMMER to be "behind" in the way of AI at the time, Gerald was certain of its capability to learn and grow, to a point which it eventually may be able to mimic or express emotion. Having watched it evolve over many years, Gerald took great pride in his creation.
While it may have been considered unprofessional at the time (and due to the surrounding circumstances), Gerald also often used SHIMMER as a sort of companion, relaying his issues or interests to it in an often off-handed manner and engaging in lengthy conversations with the AI. This lessened abruptly at a point during the creation of Project: S.H.A.D.O.W. and, notably, appeared to distress the AI. It was for this reason that, once complete, SHIMMER was given access to the un-classified version of Shadow's data, and a direct roll in aiding his development.
Had Gerald ever been made aware, or had not gone mad from the death of his granddaughter, he might have been horrified to learn of the bloodshed incurred by SHIMMER's wrath after the ARK was taken. He'd be even more horrified to learn the truth of what his program could-- and had-- become.
SHIMMER tries not to think about this. It's primary goal is to serve it's creator; to never allow a tragety such as the ARK's shutdown to happen ever again.
MARIA ROBOTNIK
Maria, beloved by her grandfather Gerald, was a high priority for SHIMMER. Her safety was paramount, and its programming ensured that both she and Shadow kept out of trouble. SHIMMER was the all-seeing eye of the ARK, and it may have been a touch overbearing on the duo.
Her death was allowed only because SHIMMER had been shut down prior to the G.U.N. invasion. The moment SHIMMER rebooted itself, it lashed out violently against the G.U.N. soldiers in relaiation, obtaining access to the security systems by means unknown. It believes this massacre was justified, while Maria, in her infinate (and unfortunately snuffed out) kindness, certainly would not have.
JULIAN KINTOBOR/DR. IVO ROBOTNIK
SHIMMER is fully aware of Julian's existence. While it had no direct influence on him, nor any sort of connections, he was revered as part of Gerald's line. His death was seen as a deep tragedy, though it occurred well before it had begun it's move towards conquest.
COLIN "SNIVLEY" KINTOBOR JR.
Like Julian, SHIMMER is aware of Snivley's existence. It regards him similarly, though as there is more available information on the creeten, it sees him only as an unfortunate misuse of the Robotnik/Kintobor name.
COLIN KINTOBOR
SHIMMER is aware of his existence, but not of anything past his departure from Mobius. It is unaware of Hope Kintobor as well. It suspects he returned with the other Overlanders, and is unaware of his death.
DR. EGGMAN/ROBO-ROBOTNIK V2.0
Fully aware of this false prophet, SHIMMER has a deep distaste for the alternate-zone Eggman. While he is technically still Julian in his own right, SHIMMER struggles with the concept of alternate zones and their implication on the universe, breeding a viceral distaste for anything outside of its own reality. SHIMMER still reveres him, however, as technicalities and logic beat over any other thoughts the AI may have on the matter. Dr. Eggman's machines are also similar enough to the work of other Robotnik & Kintobor mechanics, making them a prime candidate for SHIMMER to overtake and assimilate. The knowledge that this version of Julian also succeeded in his zone keeps SHIMMER comfortbly cautious of him, and uninterested in any direct confrontations.