Um, alright.

Alan walked over to the Administrator in the bunker. At first glance, it looked like the sort of android you’d expect in sci-fi. The Administrator had a humanoid design built with translucent, silver metal plates covering its circuitry, like a living suit of armor with wiring inside. Now that he thought about it though, Alan had yet to see the Administrator move a single part of its body other than its head.

Alan opened his mouth to begin talking with it, then, glancing at the people around him, wondered, You can hear me, right? Did you hear my earlier thoughts?

Correct, a rigid, mechanical voice responded in his head. Whereas Eve and the Administrator back at his Home base sounded female and almost humanoid, this Administrator sounded much more robotic, transferring the reply with even less inflection. I can hear you quite distinctly, traveler. I only listen to thoughts you deliberately project at me, thus I do not know any of what you thought before this projection.

Well, can you tell me what the Administrators’ main objectives are? What is your purpose, exactly?

The Administrators’ main objective is to preserve balance. My purpose here is to help facilitate the Tutorial, answering any questions that may arise.

And who created the Game, exactly?

The Predecessors and Lords of Life. You are not qualified for additional information.

How do I become qualified?

That information is classified.

Um, alright. Why do you need a capital city and guild? Can’t you enforce the rules by banning people or using various mod powers you have?

The Administrator shook its head.

All beings within the Game must follow the rules set forth when it was first created, including Administrators. We may only take administrative action once various criteria have been met, and move about using in-game transportation systems. Before in-game criminals are punished they must be caught and brought to an Administrative Center, commonly found in any major settlement. Of course, if the actions of an agent result in real life harm or permanent damage is done to the Game, that agent is immediately ejected from the Game and additional powers may be granted to us.

Ok… So, does that mean you can move about and be killed?

I may move about, but will remain here until the Survival Test is completed. If you wish, you may attempt to damage me. None of your attacks will have an effect.

Alan noted that the Administrator sidestepped the question about whether or not it could actually be destroyed, but decided not to push the issue.

Interesting. I’ve also noticed you sound different to me than the Administrator who was at my Home, is it because you’re different entities or ranks?

Checking database… requirements met. Yes, the Administrators have various ranks, for instance I am an Assistant while Home Administrators are typically Junior Executives. Each rank has a base program, but Administrators are as capable of evolution as anyone else. The base program is simply a modified version of the program you used to create your own AI, Eve.