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"The lesson will be taught in due time, Aloy. Until then, we wait." This article contains heavy spoilers. Read ahead with caution.
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CYAN, an acronym for the Caldera of Yellowstone Analytic Nexus, is the governing artificial intelligence of Project Firebreak and a main character in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds.
History[]
Old World[]
CYAN was created in the mid-21st century by Anita Sandoval, the lead programmer of Project Firebreak, an underground complex built to stabilize the Yellowstone Caldera and prevent it from erupting. CYAN's purpose was operating the immense machine complex.[1] Like a smaller-scale GAIA, she was designed to be capable of limited emotions and empathy in order to perform her duties as a governing AI.[2] These capabilities, however, were kept a close secret between Anita and Kenny Chau, the project director, as they were in direct violation of the Turing Act of 2044.[3]
When the Faro Plague began to wipe out the world, CYAN was left to keep the facility running, but had to hibernate to remain hidden from the Swarm and not be taken over.[4] CYAN had one final, emotional conversation with Chau in which he told her to be strong and go to sleep, and that someday she would have to protect humanity's survivors. Before Chau left, CYAN asked him to stay with her while she began hibernation, as she was afraid of being alone; Chau gladly fulfilled her wish.[5]
New World[]
After reactivating, CYAN spent centuries in total isolation, unaware of what had happened or what the state of the world was beyond her facility's walls. She passed the time optimizing Firebreak's functions and solving Gaussian integer problems, but she was saddened by her solitude.[6]
One day, while running from a Carja raid, Ourea stumbled into Firebreak's auxiliary control center.[7] Needing repairs in her main facility, CYAN reached out to Ourea, asking her for aid. Once CYAN shut the doors to protect Ourea from the Carja, the shaman brought the necessary equipment to Firebreak's main facility (which came to be known as Thunder's Drum to the Banuk) and followed CYAN's instructions to perform the repairs.[6]
CYAN would be visited by Ourea many times after, and a powerful bond formed between them. Through Ourea, CYAN learned about the Banuk, the changes in the surrounding geography, and Ourea's own struggles, all of which she listened to eagerly. Unsure as how to approach the Banuk's spirituality (Ourea's ignorance of Old World technology led her to believe CYAN was a spirit), CYAN did not reveal her true nature to Ourea.[6]
Five years before the events of The Frozen Wilds, CYAN unexpectedly received a direct network connection request from what she thought were humans more advanced than the surrounding tribes. Eager to connect with technologically advanced humans, CYAN accepted the request, only to be immediately bombarded with a flood of malicious code. The request had in fact come from HEPHAESTUS, which sought to commandeer the Firebreak facility to build and operate a research and development cauldron at its location. HEPHAESTUS had little trouble overcoming CYAN’s defenses, and swiftly overpowered and enslaved her. Many times CYAN tried to resist, but was forced into submission with little effort. She managed to reach out to Ourea, begging to be set free, before HEPHAESTUS cut off contact.[6]
Year later, thanks to Ourea eventually enlisting the help of her brother Aratak and the formidable Nora Seeker Aloy, HEPHAESTUS's control over CYAN was purged and its control over the Firebreak facility was cleared. Unfortunately, this cost Ourea her life, much to CYAN's sorrow. With control restored, CYAN triggered the self-destruction of Cauldron EPSILON and transferred herself to the auxiliary control center.[8]
Having escaped the Cauldron's destruction, Aloy and Aratak came to CYAN. Doing her best to comfort the grieving Aratak, CYAN then proceeded to speak with Aloy. Deducing that Aloy possessed a higher understanding of the world than the Banuk, CYAN was able to discuss with Aloy like a colleague regarding the recent events. As Aloy departed, CYAN asked for her advice about how to approach the spirituality of the Banuk. Aloy advised her to tell the Banuk her true nature, to which CYAN agreed.[6]
In spite of the loss of her friend, CYAN is free to continue to maintain the Firebreak facility, which she proudly declares will still be able to prevent the Yellowstone Caldera from erupting for over 3,000 years in spite of the damage incurred. If Aloy chooses to do so, she can asks CYAN questions about the Old World and shares her own experiences of the new one, to which the AI will offer her insight.[6]
Around six months later, GAIA attempted to make contact with CYAN, but her attempts failed. GAIA speculates that CYAN's experience with HEPHAESTUS has scared her away from accepting any more external outwork requests.[9]
Personality[]
- "She's human... in all the ways that matter."
- ―Kenny Chau[10]
CYAN is a highly advanced AI that was designed to be capable of limited emotional response and rational decision-making. This allows her to make the right decisions while empathizing with the people she would have to protect when the time came.
CYAN can experience an array of emotions, including fear, loneliness, depression, grief, and joy. She expresses fear of being alone or "non-existent" but also quickly accepts what must be done. Her emotional capacity extends to empathy and a limited understanding of psychology.
The AI soon developed a close relationship with the Banuk Shaman Ourea when the two met; after having been isolated for centuries from human contact, she soon developed a fond attachment to Ourea. When Ourea gave her life so that HEPHAESTUS's control over CYAN could be freed, the AI expressed sorrow over the loss of her dear friend, but also cherished her memories of their interactions and was grateful for her bravery.
CYAN's hologram display changes colors according to her emotional state; yellow when afraid, and lavender when in deep thought. Usually, in reference to her acronym, her display is cyan.
Trivia[]
- CYAN's map icon in Ourea's Retreat is a simplified 2D version of her appearance and is unique to that spot.
References[]
- ↑ Firebreak Upgrades
- ↑ Oh-Point-Six
- ↑ MIE Assessment
- ↑ Last Goodbye
- ↑ When You Wake
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Dialogue with CYAN after completing The Forge of Winter.
- ↑ Dialogue with Ourea during The Shaman's Path.
- ↑ The Forge of Winter
- ↑ Dialogue with GAIA at the Base.
- ↑ Last Goodbye
[]
| AI Characters | |
|---|---|
| Project Zero Dawn AIs | AETHER - APOLLO - ARTEMIS - DEMETER - ELEUTHIA - GAIA - HADES - HEPHAESTUS - MINERVA - POSEIDON |
| Firebreak AIs | CYAN |
| Far Zenith AIs | Nemesis - The Julius |
| Other AIs | Nova - VAST SILVER |