Dialogue For Scanning AL-AN Before You Transfer Him Into His Vessel

I think it’s silly how AL-AN’s legs just dangle like noodles as he assembles the ship

Let’s talk about Architect math!

Considering that Precursors don’t have hands like we do, how do they format their math? Our current 10-decimal system is based on our ten fingers, so I wonder what the math of the Architects looks like, considering they don't have hands like we do. (Though AL-AN does note the usefulness of the opposable thumb.)

Architects have mechanical arms—two of which have hands with three fingers—but we know that they were originally a fully biological species before inventing their synthetic vessels. As stated in the databank entry AL-AN provides on the Architect storage media, their vessels resemble their pre-civilized forms. They had to have had a math system before inventing their synthetic vessels.

So… what would their math look like?

Precursors may use a base four system in which they only use 0, 1, 2, and 3 based on the digits of their claws on their organic arms. (Assuming they had similar claws on their pre-civilized bodies.)

I mean, humans have used base 4 selectively. It’s not entirely unheard of or out of the realm of possibility. Quaternary numeral systems are found in select languages throughout history and even have some modern code applications.

I’m leaning towards pre-civilization Precursors having a base four system, whereas current Precursors opt to use a binary system instead.

Obviously, as their species exists in its current form a binary system would be much more efficient. Existing as data means that a binary system would compute a lot smoother; especially as a network.

They could even use something else entirely different to what we commonly think of as math. We know Architect senses do not work in the same way humans do.

…or maybe I’m just a nerd overthinking alien math systems

A conversation Robin and AL-AN have about the sea emperor leviathan within the old story.

I don’t particularly like the old story, but I do think this is something that should have been kept from it. It broadens the perspective on why they were so insistent on keeping the SEL. They didn’t just do it to be cruel; I think it was seen as an unfortunate and necessary measure. Keep one member of a species confined to study to potentially save many more. I think too often we apply human ethical standards to Architects who clearly have a different understanding and outlook.

AL-AN activating the teleporter in the Phase Gate Facility

I love how smooth his mechanical arms move

Yes! I assume for shock absorption considering how dense Architect vessels are. Perhaps utilized when they do their blink ability?

Here is the same animation from a different angle

Here’s a very adorable animation that AL-AN has in the early-access original story!

I do prefer the final story, but this is so cute. I think they should’ve kept this animation in the final release. It gives him more personality.

Body transfer scene from the old story.

Most of the animations are the same, but AL-AN does display some unique color changes and animations that aren’t seen in the final story.

He also lacks the voice filter once he has his own vessel.

I love looking at the hologram of the planets spin

Oh and AL-AN is there too I guess

Another AL-AN sketch

Zoooom in