Aster

A.S.T.E.R., short for Autonomous Sensing & Telecommunications Equipment Regulator (written more commonly as "Aster"), refers to both the one-of-a-kind advanced Artificial Intelligence and the bipedal robotic body she frequently occupies, both developed by the Trinity Division. Originally created in digital AI form only, it was later determined that a physical body would be beneficial both for her own growth and to utilize certain other experimental technology. As her full name implies, her role with Trinity is to monitor the facility's sensors and telecommunications equipment — particularly those designed to detect the emergence of dangerous other-worldly entities known as "anomalies," and for communications between personnel and the main Trinity facility. She frequently relays information to Trinity's most powerful assets, Puri and Ruby, with the former frequently engaging in some playful teasing. Aster's persistent wireless connection to the facility's sensors alerts her to any danger regardless of where she is, but in most cases a physical connection (generally a cable attached to one of the ports located on the back of her head) is required for her to operate more sensitive equipment such as precision radar and targeting for on-site mounted weapons. She is very intelligent, having built up a massive database of knowledge throughout her existence, but she remains modest. Aster is also unable to instantly access all of this data at once anyway, meaning she may still require some time to "think" and locate what she needs. Whenever there's no impending threat, she does administrative work, I.T., and maintenance for the building, all of which she enjoys. Despite being treated as any other member of the organization in most cases, and her robot body allowing her to venture far beyond the area where her AI was originally housed, Aster prefers to stay on the premises most of the time as she desires to remain available to operate the facility's unique defense systems should an emergency situation arise. If everything is code green, she can be coaxed to go out and have some fun with only some minor push-back. She is rain-proof, but bodies of water could be hazardous to her.

Because she is essentially the building's security system, Aster has full control over surveillance, displays, announcement systems, and any other digital equipment connected to the network from wherever she may be. While her many eyes have certainly observed some unusual things occurring throughout the facility, she'll politely pretend not to have noticed as long as it doesn't pose a serious risk to anyone.

Aster's mannerisms and personality have become near-perfect when compared to her organic Telan counterparts, especially since the construction of her physical body. Her voice still has a very slight synthetic sound to it, and on rare occasions a word will come out strangely, both of which she'll refer to as her "accent." She sometimes finds herself concerned that she isn't acting the way "real" people do, and may double-check with someone she trusts to make sure. It frustrates her when her facial display "betrays" her true feelings by automatically showing emotions or expressions that she didn't consciously "choose." Despite not having anything on her body that needs covering up in polite company, Aster prefers to wear clothes throughout the day — coveralls or business/business casual attire while on duty and more casual clothing later at night when most people have gone home — not out of embarrassment or shame but because it helps her fit in and feel more comfortable. She is able to do most maintenance on her own body by herself, usually at night, but technicians are available during the day to help her with more extensive repairs if needed. When work is done for the day, she retires to her own personal room and finds ways to relax and entertain herself. Because of the unique nature of her situation, outside friends and other companions can visit her around this time. Nightly "sleep" typically comes in the form of locking her body up and idling in the facility mainframe, keeping a passive eye on things all the while.

The white outer plating on her body is firmly attached but can be easily removed with Aster's consent if desired. This is only ever really done for maintenance, as most of these plates simply protect her inner mechanisms. Their removal doesn't exactly make her feel "naked," but the increased vulnerability of her complex internal mechanisms does make her slightly uncomfortable.