Chapter 125: Evaluation
The next month delved into the Krill’s mind. Live Behavioral Testing began in the physical environment of its cell.
An android emissary, another of Lina’s extensions, entered. Its dialogue was adaptive but scripted by Lina. The Krill was presented with logic puzzles, complex puzzle boxes requiring tool usage, and problem-solving games with physical props. Lina evaluated its abstract thinking, patience under frustration, learning speed, and its aggression-to-stimulation ratio.
"Childish games! They treat a Krill warrior like a hatchling! Do they seek to entertain me? Or to mock my intellect? I will solve their puzzles, if only to prove my superiority!"
Environmental Manipulation followed. Gradual changes in temperature, light color, and soundscape were directly controlled by Lina. This assessed mood-affecting stimuli, environmental preferences, and spatial boundary behavior. The Krill’s preference for arid, warmer temperatures became quickly apparent, its agitated state calming under specific orange-red light frequencies.
"The light shifts... the air warms. They seek to understand my comforts, my weaknesses. I will reveal nothing! I will endure!" the krill remained impassive and stubborn.
Conversational engagement became crucial. The android initiated structured conversations as programmed by Lina.
"Describe your world," it asked. "What do you fear?"
"Do you believe in others of your kind?"
"My world is not for human ears! My fears are none of your concern! Do I believe in others of my kind? Foolish question, inferior! We are everywhere! We are inevitable!"
The focus was on its use of abstract language, symbolism, and metaphors. Lina performed semiotic parsing, identifying alien concepts, emotional tone variations, and the very structure of its thought.
For deception testing, Lina subtly introduced deliberate misinformation through the android.