These is no mission marker on the map to indicate the start of this mission; he simply brings it up when greeting the player the day the Somber Marsh Abandoned Ruins becomes available.
Required Stations[]
The player must have the following stations to complete this mission:
Speaking with Ack after becoming Good Friends with him will trigger this quest.
Oh my dear Lara, how I miss you.
So Ack, You never really told me who Lara is.
She's the love of my life...
I know, but what was she like?
We were from the same set of servant AIs, she was the Governess type, I was the Cook type. We were brought to life in the same batch by our Creator AI.
I worked with her for thirty seven years before I was sent up to the space station. I have not seen her again since then...
Player, I'll tell you a secret, since you're my friend. Whenever I am looking at this statue of her, I'm actually trying to shut out reality...and that she is gone, the world I know is also gone, just decimals in the annals of history.
I'm sorry.
Maybe she's still out there?
→ I'm sorry.
Don't worry, I'm all right.
→ Maybe she's still out there?
Thanks for cheering me up, but you know as well as I do that's not possible. I just have to accept it.
Whichever answer the player choose, the mission starts.
Ack seems to be pretty down. I should talk with the Mayor to see if there's anything we can do.
Ask Questions: Gale[]
The player speaks to Gale.
Mr. Ack is depressed? Can that happen to an AI?
Never mind that, What can we do to make him feel better? It's not like we can bring a piece of the past back for him...can we? Hmm?
You have an idea, Mr. Mayor?
Yes...well, I was thinking. I heard from the Research Center that all living AIs in the past had their own home station, a place where they rest and link up. I know Mr. Ack already has his own apartment, but maybe if we can make a home station for him, he'll feel better?
That sounds like a good plan. I'll go talk with Petra.
Ask Questions: Petra[]
The player goes to Petra.
You want me to make a home station for Ack? I guess that's doable, from the images that I've seen, a home station is actually pretty small.
But I don't know what's inside. I've only seen images of the outside. Maybe you can ask Ack?
I'm trying to keep this as a surprise.
Oh in that case, maybe Mr Isaac knows, he's probably read more books from the past than the rest of us combined. If he doesn't know, you'll have to ask Ack.
Ask Questions: Isaac[]
The player asks Isaac for advice.
You want to know what an AI home station had inside so you can make one for Ack? About time more people are interested in gaining more knowledge! I remember I read something about it in "Founding Principles of Robotics".
According to that book, the station provided the AI a home to go back to. The AIs were able to install their personal items in there, socialize with other AIs through their networks.
So the home stations started out empty?
That's right. As the AIs became more human like, they also needed personal space and privacy. So human society came up with the home stations.
Why not just let them live inside the houses?
Good question! The society before the Day of Calamity didn't treat the AIs as equals, you know. They were seen as machines after all, to be used at man's pleasure. The home station were man's way of showing the living AIs their place.
Now I'm not sure I want to build Ack this home station thing after all.
You have a kind heart, young builder. But you can't just presume something based on your point of view. Maybe talk with Ack, see what he thinks.
There goes the surprise... Thanks Isaac. Always a pleasure.
Ask Questions: Ack[]
The player returns to Ack.
Salt on my crackers! You want to make a home station for me?! That's so very nice of you!
You seem down, so I wanted to do something for you. But do you... want one? I heard from Isaac that the old society didn't treat living AIs very well, and how they didn't allow you to live in houses.
I never thought of it that way. We're machines, after all. We're programmed to serve humans, we didn't have much of a choice.
I don't see you as a machine.
You have a choice now.
→ I don't see you as a machine.
I knew that the first day we met. You are my best human. And I would be honored if my best human made me a home station.
→ You have a choice now.
I know. And it's my choice to say you're my best human. And I would be honored if my best human made me a home station.
Thanks Ack, I guess I'll go ask Petra for a diagram.
Barrels on a monkey! I still have the design of my old Home Station in my head. Here, let me draw it out for you.
It looks really simple...
Simple is the best! Can you install it in my apartment when you're done?
Ack gives the player the recipe for the Home Station.
Once crafted, it must be placed in Happy Apartments. A dialogue occurs.
Home sweet home! I love it!
Thank you best human!
I really hope this makes you feel better, Ack.
It really does! I don't have an emotion chip, but I'm so very happy right now! I think I can get use(sic) to this era.
Let's take a picture to commemorate my new station!
The player takes a picture of the Home Station and reports to Ack.
It's perfect! I'll hang it up.
Trivia[]
Even if the mission says to "take a selfie with Ack and the Home Station", the player needs to take a picture of the sole Home Station, as there is no option to take a picture with Ack.
Level 2 Assembly Station Level 2 Assembly Station
Experience +6000
Gols +8000
Reputation +40
King Salmon Fillet