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- What Is A Mockingbird?
- Origins Of The Mockingbirds
- Notable Mockingbirds
Shambling, rusting, and macabre robotic remnants, the Mockingbirds inSoma are unforgettable and utterly tragic creatures. Shown both in-game and outside of it in the supplementary series known as Transmissions, Mockingbirds are sad creatures that are more than just another random Creature of the Week threat.
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On the surface, they're mostly just an obstacle to progression in one shape or form and, every encounter with them often leaves a heavy emotional toll on your mind once you start to really think about the implications of their existence. To break apart what makes these moments with them so memorable, here's everything you need to know about the Mockingbirds in Soma.
What Is A Mockingbird?
Mockingbird is an apt name for these creatures. Just like the real bird which can perfectly mimic sounds in its environment, so to do these dejected creatures immaculately copy the personalities, quirks, and general "soul" of the people they're supposed to be. Or, at least, think they are.
Mockingbirds are robots, artificial lifeforms, machines, and in one case a door, with Cortex Chips in them. These simple-sounding devices are essentially the storage chips for the scanned mind of an individual. In the case of Soma, it's the previous crew of Pathos-II, reanimated once more and under the unfortunate delusion that they're still human and perfectly fine.
The Mockingbird POV
Discovering you're a Mockingbird is quite a jarring experience. Those that are transferred aren't immediately aware of their new bodies. So their minds try to protect themselves by convincing them that they're completely fine.
This is portrayed best in the initial section of the game as Simon Jarrett see's his original limbs and reflection when he looks in a mirror. It all changes once Catherine Chun convinces him otherwise. Though he accepts it, it's not exactly pleasant. Those that can't accept this transition to their new mechanical bodies still remain under the misgiving that they're normal, despite the dire states of disrepair some of them are in.
They remain in a delusional state or become so emotionally overwhelmed that they shut down or short-circuit their Cortex Chips, which essentially kills them. Others simply think that they're just lying on the ground and can't get up for an odd reason. Or in a few grim cases, they are convinced they're just remotely piloting a robot body, are just dreaming, or are stuck in a black void all alone.
Origins Of The Mockingbirds
Mockingbirds are the machinations of the WAU. After evolving and growing when it was injected with Structure Gel, this Artificial Overseer of the Pathos-II site began altering the pilot's seats of the robotic drone workforce. Whenever someone sat in them, their minds would be scanned and perfectly copied. This data would then be transferred, not by choice, to a robotic body prepared by the WAU.
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These facsimiles would then attempt to carry on as normal at first. But because the adjustment was so jarring, many just went insane. Their howls and pleas for help degraded into machine-like screeching as they became aggressive animals. Those that didn't reject the process immediately would still struggle with their new existence, with the occasional victim still sentient, sane, or just unaware of the transfer subjects being encountered by the game's protagonist Simon Jarett, often with the option to put them out of their sad and dejected misery lest they figure out what's actually happened to them.
Variants
One of the most disturbing things about Mockingbirds is that they can be made pretty much out of anything. As long as you have enough Structure Gel, a Cortex Chip with a brain scan and the know-how.
As an example, Catherine Chun was able to exist inside an Omnitool. There's another that's encountered feeding off a control panel. There's also the Construct, which is said to contain the scan of an unknown brown-haired woman. They are a pretty ethically dubious creation, but you could argue that at their core they were created with the best intentions by the WAU, as it was just trying to save them.
Notable Mockingbirds
There are a number of Mockingbirds in Soma, and they range from direct threats to ruined piles of scrap that are just begging for help. They always leave an impression when you encounter them and some are more memorable than others. With a few run-ins being downright heartbreaking with where conversations with them lead to.
There are too many to list all of them. But as a primer for the type of creatures you're going to encounter here's what's in store for those that dare to dive into the depths of Soma.
Catherine Chun
Simon Jarrett’s constant companion. Her Cortex Chip is found in a robot and then placed inside Simon's Omnitool. During an argument at the end of the game, her stress levels elevate too high which causes her Cortex Chip to break.
The DUNBAT
A fairly large submersible escape vehicle located in the Tau Site. When activated, it lashes out. cursing Catherine Chun’s name as it breaks free and escapes on its own into the dark ocean.
Zeppelin 216
Inside one of these giant floating ferries is the brain scan of Engineer Alan Waldeck. When contacted, it panics thinking it’s going to drown in the surrounding water before it malfunctions and stops operating.
Robin Bass
Found near Theta Sites entrance, Robin believes she’s inside the ARK, but is confused and concerned as to why there is no one else in there but her.
NEXT: Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting Soma
