More on Coppelias

The Art of Creation

The first Coppelias were designed by Dr. Franco Rivkin, ironically a Cynthion sympathizer, whose wife was suffering from Myotonic Dystrophy. The worst symptoms had hit hardest, leaving Eleanor Rivkin wasting away. He created a mechanical body, as beautiful and graceful as she was, to carry her mind and soul. But before the starseed and brain could be transplanted, Eleanor was killed in a monorail accident. A week later, Sin attacked Arcadia Station and Dr. Rivkin had to flee his laboratory, leaving his notes and prototypes behind.

Sin's army confiscated everything and quickly adapted the work of one man's love into a weapon. Four versions were developed for Sin's use and political prisoners of the highest level were "volunteered" and brainwashed using a new technique that would render their bodies useless. In the eight years the Coppelias have been in use, over 6,000 have been in service.

Once a political prisoner has been deemed "beyond rehabilitation", they are placed in stasis and sent via automated transport ship to "Eden". The actual location of this facility is a mystery, as the ships travel cloaked and the scientists who live there are apparently androids and gynoids. The prisoner is awoken and placed in a sensory deprivation module, fitted with devices that flood the prisoner's mind at regular intervals with information. The process is designed to break down the subject's willpower and force them into a complete state of submission and loyalty, though the exact method is tailored to the individual.

After many weeks of this treatment, the subject's body is useless, though the mind and starseed are still viable. A new body is crafted, randomly but always to resemble the most perfect version of someone's vision of beauty. A full spectrum, ranging from zaftig sirens and hulking giants to elfin dainties and puckish youths are available and a body is usually chosen to bear the least resemblance to the prior physical form. The final stages assign the subject a duty station, designation and mission, suited to their past experiences, then erasing all memories of prior life.

Designations

All a Coppelia's relevant information can be found in her designation. At first, they sound like typical robotic designations. Rose Echo-3, Juno Tango-7, names that wouldn't be out of place in a typical robotic roster.

The first name usually follows a theme, according to official assignment location. One city, might have plant names, another Greek mythological characters, and another days and months. Sometimes, a name is reused in an assignment location, requiring nicknames in conversation. Two "Desdemonas" might be referred to as "Miss Desi" and "Miss Mona". The NATO letter is for their actual duties, for example, Echo models are assigned to espionage in educational facilities, while Juliet models are assigned to patrol and investigate in commercial seaports. The number at the end is for the level of model. A Baseline, the crudest and most numerous Coppelia level are "12", while the highest seen in the field tend to be Third Tier( Huh

-3).

The exceptions to this are Sin's Ministers, who are referred to by a single name. They need no numbers, they're all First Tier, so flawless that only medical examinations could tell the difference. They need no letter, they've been assigned to Sin's own cabinet.

"Heaven"

Once in a while, a nerve staple slips. A memory comes back. A Baseliner stays her hand against a rebel carrying a child to safety. But, surely, the creations of Sin are as perfect as she is! How can such aberrations exist?

Coppelias are taught that such things are program errors. They can make mistakes, but such things are dangerous. The only way to rectify such a blasphemy is death. But Sin "loves" her children, and will be merciful. Rather than killing them, they are simply whisked away to "Heaven".

When an error is found, the Coppelias of a location are assembled. A three man shuttle, with tinted windows, lands and deliver two Coppelias with non-mobile faces, frozen in blissful smiles. The defective Coppelia is led through the ranks and escorted aboard. After the shuttle takes off, the defective one is never seen again. The belief is that she is in a place so delightful, she doesn't want to return. Some think that the brain is reconditioned and reassigned a new body and new designation. Others don't think the mind can withstand that torture twice. Whatever happens, most smart Coppelias never report an error if they can hide it.