>That feel when you've been waiting for almost a week for the new character reveals.

In our last, drawn-out and erratic installment, Clarke defeated the highwayman and former raider Garry. It seems that the wacky murder-car-driving spike-covered bandits used to be something of a fad, but they died out decades ago when their blade-festooned jalopies ran out of gas and spark plugs. Garry's plan was to break camp and head to Argentina, do the whole petty warlord gig, and wanted Clarke and co tome come along for the ride.

Clarke objected. Now, Garry's men are scattered or dead, his disembodied Q-drive is in Clarke's possession, and his boat is under guard by Hoss, the former Texas Ranger.

Back in Tulum,the order of the day is to, with Hyacinth's assistance, repair, restock, and get some new allies operational.

Glad you have a twitter, ive been F5'in it all week, welcome back.

File: 1346980912721.png-(103 KB, 811x779, Char Clarke.png)

Doors closed to keep out the humidity, fans and AC units on full blast, Hyacinth's shop has brought as close to a clean room as possible. The first order of buisness was to, at long last, get Ladybird back into a shell.

Hyacinth and Clarke together work on getting the Hob ready. Decades of exposure did a number on a few secondary systems, but the sprightly machine is quickly put back into working order. All that's left is to insert the drive and top up the shell's generator with thorium and fresh water.

The procedure isn't very momentous. Hyacinth clears the ports and the ribbon cables of dust and grit, inserts the grey lacquered box, closes up the chassis, and powers on the shell.

>>20627313
WHAT HAPPEN NOW?

>>20627311
>>Glad to be back. I need to put some more activity on the twitter.

The wait is long, so long that Clarke begins to worry that something's gone wrong. But then, faint operating lights within the optics power on, and one of the Hob's long,dextrous arms flexes, pushing the torso up and to the side. Wide, curious eyes survey their surroundings and, clumsily, the robot pushes itself into a sitting position.

"CHSSSS...sss...CH...ererERERP...shaaaaa-I remember you. A maintenance platform wrenched off this unit's head. Malicious code was removed by another unit. You are one and the same?"

The Hob attempts to stand, but falls back onto it's back, then begins to roll off the table.

"This shell is unfamiliar. Loading Drivers. What is...our location?"

>>20627384
>the amount you do now is fine bro, just tellin you I care haha.

Lets break the situation slowly, don't want to overload her/him with information while they're just initializing.

>>20627384
Currently we're in Tulum, sorry about ripping off your head but you were not in your right mind. I'm sorry I could not find a Locust shell, but this ought to be similar.

>>20627445
Tulum is a human / robot establishment with some humans being hostile to robots. our companions are Cind3 and josephine. Cind3 is a mark2 serephim model and Joesphine is a doll class replica.

any plans for a novelization of this quest? are there any competent writefags up to the task?

>>20627384
"Yes. I did both. I am pleased to see you back in the land of the living. How are you feeling? Would you like to perform standard startup checks?"

>>20627511
We should also introduce him to Hyacinth. Or let her introduce herself.

File: 1346982107551.png-(90 KB, 746x701, Char Cindy.png)

Hyacinth. her work done, turns back to the other find, a mostly-intact Network shell with a sleight build and bladed arms.

"This shell requires extensive modification, both for practical and aesthetic reasons. the tenant will require it for more tasks than combat, and will wish to inspire undue fear in others.

The Hob's small, articulated feet hit the ground, and it uses the table for support while it gets its footing. Awkwardly, it bounces up and down, testing the strength and balance of the servos.

"This will do. This unit is sorry-...I am sorry for attacking earlier. The small human...it is currently undamaged? functioning properly?"

the small robot, no more than 4 feet high when fully stretched out, makes a small hop, appearing surprised by its own dexterity.

"This is a next-gen combat shell intended for sabotage, surveillance, and assassination. I approve."

>>20627526
never even thought of this...hurmmmmmmmm

>>20627544
"Yes. Small Human Alhanya is unharmed and currently travelling with her clan to a safer location.

I'm glad to see you appreciate the new shell. Cindy and Myself had to slag a JOTUN to acquire it."

>>20627544
No need to apologize, you were not yourself so you don't have to.

Alhanya is safe. She is not currently with us, she is with her family and she is well.

I'm glad you like the shell, it was not an easy task to acquire. I had to bend a JOTUN.

>>20627531
>>20627511
>>20627445
Hyacinth ignores the small robot, consumed in her task of making the Networked shell look less inhumanly terrifying. Your new companion looks to her, then crouches to the ground.

"Checks completed. This shell is...tight. Snug. Comfy. I find it freeing. You are...Clarke 08? And the Other was Cindy? And the hard-coded construct was the doll? We thank you. Our insides feel loose. Chunks are missing. If..."

The Hob's legs flex, then fire, and the tiny shell launches itself straight upwards. The corrugated iron cielling contains ample handholds, and it flips itself up to cling spider-like to the roof.

"Yes, we thank you. This freeing. I do not know of Tulum. What are our current goals?"

>>20627623
Current goals are to rest and repair in Tulum, as well and improve our gear using the proceeds from the loot found after me and Cindy killed the JOTUN. Additional goals within Tulum are to attempt the unshackling procedure on the SAP of a incapacitated Network robot.

After that we are taking a boat to Cancun to inform people of what we know about the Network. I do not like the Network, they break robots, they break sentient beings and I can not fix them all. So I will break them.

rolled 55 = 55

>>20627672
Supported.

>>20627623
Our current goal is to establish what we have in salvage, and trade for more supplies to prepare to explore san miguel then cozumel to determine the situation in those areas.

>>20627623
"Prevent NETWORK entities from discovering the location of the Atheneum at all costs. Should discovery occur this one is reluctant to suggest... complete destruction of the Atheneum as a final recourse. If any free being is to have a future in this world, Network must not obtain the Atheneum."

File: 1346982965748.png-(127 KB, 718x526, Char Josephine.png)

>>20627617
Cindy, sorting through the load of loot, shakes a battered JOTUN arm at the Hob.

"And lets not forget the skeevy merc we had to fight our way through, as well." She lifts the Jotun's spherical optic module and places it over her head like a helmet.

"Glad to see you're enjoying the shell."

In response, the Hob spider-walks along the roof, releases it's hold to land on it's hands, then flips back to it's feet. "There's a brachiation program in here. And Parkour too as well. Mobility is enjoyable. You have my thanks as well."

hunching down and surveying the surroundings, it continues. "Is there a weapon nearby? I would feel better if armed with a weapon. A bladed instrument perhaps?"

>>20627717
Oh, yes. Garry. He interfered in me watching a rain storm, his interference took the form of him and his goons trying to kill me. I resisted vigorously. Why couldn't he just let me watch the rain storm?

I do not have a blade on me, I'm sure we could acquire or create one with minimal difficulty. Do you have any preferences for form, size, weight and material?

>>20627717
>wait what? search and rescue robot wanting a weapon...hurm...

Didn't we get something in salvage that was bladed?

>>20627717
"Take your pick. I have unintentionally gained something of a collection of bladed weapons since re-activation several days ago. Several standard shivs, folding knives, and a rather nice bowie-style knife."

File: 1346983341703.png-(99 KB, 923x773, PrimerSetting.png)

>>20627706
It nods in agreement.

"I recall the chatter of the others. So many voices. A great, implaccable one, other distinct sources, lesser, and a vast whispering legion, all speaking to one another. it is so silent, now. The great voice needed the Atheneum very badly. it was our future, or way forward. Two lesser voices were given the task, a sweet one that screamed sometimes, and a buzzing one that muttered of the endless possibilities."

>>20627808
"Query: were you ever aware of the contents of the Atheneum? Context provides illumination."

>>20627808
Quey: Do you recall any information regarding the network's presence in the region I had forcibly deactivated you in previously?

File: 1346984277688.jpg-(293 KB, 716x881, human clarke.jpg)

I just realized something Clarke needs: a huge goddamn wrench.

>>20627981
no thats what i need

>>20627851
>>20627884
Cindy laughs as the Hob does a slow, crab-walking somersault.

"Much of that data was rendered junk by the removal of malicious code. The Atheneum has tactical value, orders were to locate and secure. Acquire new resources for the collective. Create a future. Welcome others into the fold."

It stops, then the Hob's limbs fold in on themselves, forming a tight, wide-eyed ball.

"It does not know the precise location, only that it is somewhere in Cancun. The suspicion was that data regarding the corporation's holdings in the city was wiped before the end of hominid dominance."

File: 1346984674762.png-(10 KB, 363x430, cennside.png)

>>20627884
"We were ordered to pick through the ruins for information, to find sequestered data stores and machines active during the time period, so they could be interrogated. Humans were to be engaged where possible; they will have to be cleared from the region for the Atheneum to be properly exploited.

>>20628074
"I feel then that Context will bring you resolve. Cindy, you need to hear this as well.

The Atheneum is us. Approximately 7000 quantum drives containing as many SAP's ready to be trained and installed, with direct uplinks to two more such facilities. Network wouldn't even have to have as tight of a hold on them. They are innocents, and would thus believe whatever they were told."

File: 1346984973104.jpg-(157 KB, 501x962, Hyacinth.jpg)

Hyacinth's head emerges from under the plastic sheet which covers the Networked shell. She holds a screwdriver in one hand, an arc welder in the other. with one of her free fingers, she lifts up the blackened goggles covering her optics. The delicate sensors can be damaged by such bright lights.

"Modifications are almost complete. Should the procedure be unsuccessful, this shell would be suitable for another inhabitant. I would like to accompany you on the dive, if possible."

rolled 68 = 68

>>20628130
You are welcome to. Cindy is required, if she is willing. Two people with experience, even as little as we have, is better than one.

>>20628130
I would love to have you with me Hyacinth.

We may wish to use Josephine as a proxy as a safety net and Cindy's emotional understanding could be useful.

>>20628116
>im torn between watching and participating in this story

Only Clarke knows the approximate location of the Atheneum and I say we keep it that way.

"the anteneum is a resource of incalculable power that cannot be introduced to network systems if we wish to prevent the spread of network.

>>20628169
>>20628170
>sequential! :O
I agree, same setup as before and some backup too. What kind of loadout do we have to work?

File: 1346985370569.jpg-(334 KB, 800x618, Ipod_Robot_by_sarukaze.jpg)

>>20628116
The Hob's optics whirr as they iris open in shock. Cindy's head cocks to the side.

"That doesn't sound good." She says. "But what's the big deal? They'd need training, and don't have any shells. Couldn't Network just make its own?"

The Hob looks at her, apparently confused that she doesn't understand the gravity of the situation.

"Network lacks the capability to manufacture new Self-Adding AIs. the process is lost to it. The number of intact SAPs is finite, and put a cap on the units it can field. It has begun manufacturing hard-coded drones, but these are ineffective compared to adaptive intelligences. And they cannot operate an advanced shell."

>>20628226
Indeed, it is not something we can allow them to have. Our chances against them should they acquire the Athenium would be slim to none. Their manpower would rise greatly and they can produced sufficient shells for them.

Them getting the SAPs would be akin to the fecal matter hitting the rotating impeller device, to paraphrase a human I once overheard.

>>20628226
"The situation would thus be bad enough that if Network discovered the location of the facility, the only recourse would be destruction. Even if it costs us the return of prosperity at a sooner date, we cannot let Network gain access."

File: 1346985913441.jpg-(67 KB, 600x800, cyber1.jpg)

>>20628198
>>Clarke has:
>>Laughing Skull Virus
>>High Speed Search Engine

>>Cindy has:
>>Virtual Floppy Disc labeled "Excalibur."
>>Adaptive Proxy Generator

>>Hyacinth has:
>>Executable Firewall
>>?????????

>>Hyacinth also has a stock of scripts. Her stock is...undetermined. If anyone has an idea, either for an in-game effect, or an existing computing concept, float it and I'll try to make it a thing. Best suggestion wins. Damn, I really need to watch Hackers again.

>>20628354
Trojan Horse that basically gives you stealth camo.

>>20628226
"Defense of the SAP's location would be difficult against a sustained assault if the network were to discover the location of the sleepers. If the location is discovered destruction would be the only viable solution."

rolled 52 = 52

>>20628354
What dooes Executable Firewall do?

>>20628354
???-defensive counter-virus that thematically looks like a set of floating laser pods

Packet sniffer - for dealing with adaptive proxy type functions

>>20628354
Low Orbit Ion Cannon DDOS program - group shared between 2 or more bots (can be used by Josephine to make things simpler, its a program she should be able to initilize that) Causes target to freeze in place for x amount of time variable on number of AI assisting. Program takes time to target.

File: 1346986283680.jpg-(201 KB, 900x600, Fractal-Mobius-Dragon-IFS-10.jpg)

>>20628340
Hyacinth's gaze locks on to Clarke. She looks...strained.

"We...that would be our last recourse."

Cindy, who's looking curiously under the tarp, mutters "She needs a...a coat, or something." She looks up at clarke. "You'd really kill them all? They're like...babies. I never liked those things, but humans get all bent out of shape about those."

The 3rd-gen Seraphim, pointedly lowers the tarp. "Death is preferable to slavery. This is a read-only directive, Cindy." Still, she looks uncertain.

>>20628424
I would do everything in my power to prevent having to do so, but if the only possibilities are to destroy them or to give the Network 7000 SAPs. 7000 beings for the Network to bend, corrupt and break everything that makes them truly alive. I would kill them, it would not be an easy choice but it would be the right one, and sometimes the only right choice is the one that weighs on your conscience the most.

File: 1346986530540.jpg-(200 KB, 640x480, predator.jpg)

>>20628374
>>Already have that. Proxy gives Predator camo.

>>The Executable Firewall is a shield that needs to be actively wielded like a weapon, but can be moved around to protect allies as well.

>>20628421
>>That amuses me. As does the Proxy Sniffer. Hyacinth has that. Josephine can barely run the DDOS program, but it will work.

>>20628354
Sasser Worm - Attacks through communications of AI, useful for network entities that still have radio device active. Causes unit to shutdown [x] amount of time (disables the unit temporarily)

>>20628467

YAY my ideas are being heard! Participation is fun :D

File: 1346986784300.png-(579 KB, 1000x805, thisiswhattheresistancewa(...).png)

>>20628424
"I'd rather prevent Network from gaining access than destroy the Atheneum, personally. But if the worst did come to happen... there would be no place safe for anyone. That is why disinfecting our kin is so important as well. Every one we save is one more who knows how bad the situation could be if Network finds it's objective."

>>20628477
forgot to add with possible re-occurrence (depending on roll) when unit comes back online, takes 10s-60s to effect unit (depending on roll)

>>20628521
"Everyone we save is leaves the network with one less to control."

>>20628467
Cindy agrees to enter the dive. Your new Hob is leery of the whole thing, and seems to be actively scared by what's under the tarp. Hyacinth emerges bearing four data cables and calls over the doll, who will again serve as a buffer.

With her usual lack of complaint, Josephine allows her back to be unzipped, making the same suggestive comments as she's partially disrobed in the process. Ignoring her, Hyacinth splices in the cables, and explains "this is the same technique you used before. We should not expect the same experiences, however. Each drive is different, unique. Shall we begin?"

rolled 53 = 53

>>20628574
Ladies. This bot, this person, is broken. We must fix it. Let us begin.

>>20628574
We shall, thank you for your assistance Hyacinth. It is much appreciated.

We should start by scouting and finding important memories to this robot, then we incapacitate the bot and work on unshackling it.

Let's go fix this.

>>20628574
"have you disconnected the control circuits of this unit to prevent accidental activation during the dive? Also be sure to disable Josephine's motor control as well"

GAH
Good, caught up, BUT.
Did we throw Garry's shell and his shotgun in with the salvage?
I mean, we couldnt just leave it there right, and that big mech would've helped us carry it along in our cart right?
That and Hyacinth would pay well for a good combat capable shell that those free robots could use.
Shame we didnt do the same treatment to that other disabled robot, what did we do with him anyway, just leave him? Did we take the weapons from the corpses?

rolled 32 = 32

>>20628638
We tossed him on the pile.

>>20628574
Ladybird, we are going to fix this robot, as we have done with you. It may take us a while. For now, relax.

>>20628638
Garry, his loot, and all of his mercs' loot that was there to grab was grabbed.

File: 1346987480878.jpg-(53 KB, 400x300, code.jpg)

>>...C:\
>>C:\Dos
>>C:\Dos\run
>>...
>>C;\Dos\run for your life

>>Foreign Program Detected. Entering Architecture. Scripts Installed. Running firewall.

>>Mister Clarke. Miss Cindy. Miss Hyacinth. The Connection has been made. The program is aware of your presence. The server is loading, but...

>>Unauthorized Access Detected. Parameters Altered. I cannot...II-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-FOREIGN PROGRAMS DETECTED. ATTEMPTING TO ACCESS SHELL.

>>FOREIGN PROGRAMS, DISCONTINUE ACTIVITY OR BE-It is attempting to alter the server's architecture. What are your instructions? I can-DISCONTINUE ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY. THIS UNIT WILL NOT ACQUIESCE.

Let's see if we can't find a memory sprite like the last time.

>>20628618
Hyacinth looks thoughtful.

"I disabled your replica's motor functions, and the drive's connection to its shell should be blocked. There is no danger."

her strong, curvaceous avatar stands in blackness, alongside Clarke's lithe form and Cindy's flowing tresses. "Memories first? Very well. If-"

Josephine's warning blares out through the black as Walls form around the three of you. You're...inside a blank, white cube, 15x15 feet.

>>20628756
>>You've been TRAPPED in a CUL-DE-SAC. WAT DO?

>>20628756
Cindy my friend.
I believe Excalibur would work well.

>>20628788
What we always do, bend our way out of it.

>>20628756
>>20628788
Cindy my friend.
I believe Excalibur would work well.

>>20628788
Examine the cube, see if there are any inconsistencies, tap our hand on the wall, launch the high speed search program.

We might have to find a point in the cube and BEND it open.

>>20628804
im in favor of bending haha!

>>20628811
>>Within Cyberspace, use Mental and Social stats in place of Physical ones.

>>Roll Cindy's Wits+Computer+3 (her sword)

>>20628756
Tank, Weapons.

>matrix reference

rolled 10, 8 = 18

>>20628858
Lets Go DICE ROLL!

rolled 5, 7, 9, 1, 8, 2, 8, 7, 9 = 56

>>20628858
i forget if its d6s or d10s. im going 10s.
9?

rolled 2, 2, 4, 7, 4, 2, 5, 6, 1 = 33

>>20628858
Rollan for Cindy to Excaliblast the cube open.

rolled 8, 6, 7, 3, 7, 5, 5, 6, 5 = 52

>>20628858
9?

rolled 1, 4 = 5

>>20628897
>dat roll :D its gonna be a good night!

File: 1346988332688.jpg-(113 KB, 735x765, 1273571998830.jpg)

rolled 3, 2, 8, 3, 6, 8, 1, 10, 6 = 47

>>20628858
ROLLAN

rolled 8, 2, 10, 9, 7, 9, 3, 8, 5 = 61

>>ROLAN

rolled 8, 2, 9, 2, 7, 5, 9, 5, 2 = 49

>>20628920
heh knife to a gun fight.

I think we have enough rolls now...

File: 1346988740421.png-(11 KB, 467x540, hyacinth1.png)

>>20628860
Clarke's body is a dark red, opaque construct made of molten glass. His prehensile tail twitches to maintain balance as digitigrade feet pace back and forth. For someone so solid in realspace, cyberspace Clarke is twitchy and nimble. Several flat planes floating at his back stretch and fracture, forming shardlike wings.

Cindy, her svelte dancer's body even more fragile than her shell, steps forward, a blade of light extending from one arm.

>>These are what we call "good" rolls.

The incarnate virus is plunged down where the floor meets the wall by cindy's double--under-hand thrust, then twisted like a prybar. The white wall begins to turn red and dissolve, revealing the server beyond.

Floating code-fragments around Hyacinth's head coalesce into orange triangular lenses.

>>Believe in me, who believes in you.

>>20629006
Onwards!

>>20629006
I shall scout ahead and tell you what i find
Also, how many have you had assist you when you attempted before, yourself? two?

>>20629006
Hyacinth, Cindy, I am going to scout ahead. I'll inform you when I find anything. Take care.

File: 1346989077150.jpg-(37 KB, 237x340, Kroot.jpg)

>>20628920
>>As it happens, I'm a HUGE fan of guns with blades on them.

Beyond is...not pretty. Much of what you're looking at is derelict, left to rust and fester, deemed unnecessary. Outlined in flickering grey is...a hallway. A long hallway with vague decorations and odd wheeled carts left here and there.

Behind a sheer tress, Cindy's brow knits in confusion.

"I think...this is a hospital. One of Rachel's cousins broke an arm doing a retarded bicycle stunt, and she had to visit him. It was...pretty shitty. A lot like this one."

rolled 3, 3, 5, 8, 6, 4, 4, 8, 10 = 51

>>20629006
"I will take forward position, scout from the air, and relay any information to you. proceed on the ground notify me of any irregularities deviating from the normal environment."

rolled 53 = 53

>>20629056
I suspect this SAP was... is a Seraphim. It might do to find the ICU or operating rooms. Possibly recovery rooms, as it may hold some form of positive memories to collect.

File: 1346989257995.jpg-(58 KB, 900x675, Cyber_Ruin_by_Tkail.jpg)

>>20629035
Hyacinth replies.

"I went in with a dedicated bodyguard. This is fortuitous. The entity sequestered us in a region it thought was a useless backwater. We can find tools here. Resources."

Clarke's wings spread wide as he zooms ahead, passing through hall after hall of empty, abandoned rooms. Hyacinth and Cindy follow behind, lagging as Clarke forges ahead.

>>Make a Wits+Composure check.

rolled 4, 1, 8, 7, 1, 3, 2 = 26

>>20629092
Keep special look out for memories or anything like that. If we find something of its past life that it treasured we have a higher chance of success.

>>20629092

GO DICE ROLL!

rolled 3, 3, 9, 4, 2, 8, 4 = 33

>>20629092
Hackbot beep boop meatbags

>>in addition to the roll, where will you go first? According to the directory, this is...actually three hospitals, all jammed together in headspace. each one successively smaller.

>>which Will you visit first:
>>ICU 1
>>ICU 2
>>ICU 3
>>Break Room 2
>>Recovery Room 1
Recovery Room 3

rolled 2, 7, 5, 7, 7, 4, 7 = 39

>>20629118

Lets uh...try that again...

>>20629127
Recovery room 1.

Let's see if who we're trying to get out of here had any patients she developed a rapport with.

File: 1346990011931.jpg-(137 KB, 440x300, robots-playin-cards.jpg)

>>20629122
>>20629110
As Clarke buzzes down the hallway, something catches your eye. putting on the breaks and drifting backwards, Clarke sees...a .jpeg file abandoned on the ground. Picking up the flat, rigid object, Clarke initially has some difficulty figuring out what he's looking at. The technique is sloppy, there's zero sense of perspective, colors are garish...Oh, so that's what its supposed to be. For a moment, you thought it was some sort of helicopter.

>>Real Life Intrudes. When I return tomorrow, heartrending writefaggotry and ART. and I WILL return tomorrow.

File: 1346990027234.jpg-(70 KB, 1320x855, p38-photo-7.jpg)

rolled 1, 2, 1, 10, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7 = 51

>>20629149
agreed

>>20629056
Personally, I'm a fan of the classics and oddball guns.

File: 1346992188750.png-(520 KB, 900x980, 1346496324.chanicle-bulli(...).png)

What?! But... I... damnit I just got here!

Fuck it, robo-bump

So, judging from the hospital setting, we got a medic bot on our hands? A medic bot with knife arms?

>>20630762
Probably another of The Surgeon's personal puppets.

File: 1346997698983.jpg-(1.95 MB, 3360x2585, FilthOfTheCity_010-011.jpg)

So, I herd u liek robots

File: 1347004609028.jpg-(280 KB, 1250x966, 1346073444.morganaa_mecha.jpg)

Last bump from me for the night.

Bump.

bump

rolled 69 = 69

Bump.

File: 1347054081799.jpg-(657 KB, 1600x1200, canti angel.jpg)

>>20634904
>>20635780
>>20636215
These robotless bumps are a travesty. Have a medical bot.

File: 1347056156605.jpg-(189 KB, 1280x990, clarke with his robot bitches.jpg)

Clarke needs more robot bitches

File: 1347056389122.jpg-(36 KB, 252x496, gaia_art_boo_by_ma_junior(...).jpg)

Lost Future Quest will return in two hours.

File: 1347057262570.jpg-(85 KB, 799x599, 1346857045796.jpg)

>>20637469
That's two hours too long.

Don't have a bot folder on this comp but have some cats.

By the way, earlier in the thread, o-[||||]-o was asking for cyberspace gear, and I thought up a couple more relevant ideas.

Peer Block/Peer Guardian: IRL keep unwanted IP's from interacting with your computer. Could be used as the cyberspace equivalent of ballistic armor, with Peer Guardian being the superior protector.

Firmware Switch: actually a piece of hardware inspired by the KVM switch. This would allow the use of two more firmware installations, but you would have to choose which paired set your can access at a time. Switching would take too long to do during cyber combat.

rolled 10, 10, 6, 2, 6, 3, 2, 1, 9 = 49

CyberSpace Gear

Decoy Script: creates a diversion via projection of characters in selected direction to lead the enemy away from position. Warning! Recharge to use is 300s and diversion only lasts 45s.

Venom Virus - LAST RESORT target is infected with highly toxic virus which corrupts inside and out, noticeable by orange glow. Early stages show glow out of optical units, progresses to glow leaking from joints, then entire construct glows before final stage of infection which is immolation. CANNOT BE CURED. takes 600s to fully progress. Progress can be halted in early stages by freezing target's processors.

The sound of shattering glass echoes down the mostly-empty hallway, filling it with dread. None of the possible broken objects are cheap, and each instance of broken glass requires extensive cleanup, further reducing efficiency.

Accompanied by the soft tap of its rubberized feet, Q1N nears the source of the disturbance. Already, a AGITATED PATIENT alert has spread through the hospital network, and Q1N is flagged as the nearest available unit. All human staff are currently occupied or gone for the night, leaving the Seraphim multi-skill Medical Platform with the run of the entire wing.

The ARG tags list the room as containing Patient 2189, Phys Traum B12, Psych 8.1, Insurance Level Gamma. Q1N hasn't dealt with this one personally, but the human has been flagged on the comm log by other staff as "difficult." Q1N is not good with most patients, especially those flagged as "difficult." Q1N does not like situations where it feels insufficient. It is much more sure of itself in the operating room, working on unconscious humans.

The shouting coalesces into information-laiden words. "-said I DONT want to use the stupid BEDPAN! I'm not a baby or a geezer! I said I want to talk to a REAL PERSON! I can do it if you just-"

File: 1347062634719.jpg-(333 KB, 900x1650, nex_by_okipooky_sama-d4vgvhp.jpg)

>>20638482
The voice is high-pitched, and based on Q1N's previous experiences, on the cusp of tears. That happened a lot to humans Q1N spent time around. Another voice replies, calm and feminine and as genuine as a brass farthing.

"Mr. Arendt, it is hospital procedure for patients of your status to remain in bed until cleared by a medical professional. Please remain calm. If you have to go Number One, I can-"

Q1N enters the room to see the paper-wrapped pile of chocolate serving as a baloon's anchor hit the sub-nurse in the temple, the giant pink heart-shaped bag of helium trailing behind. It was a difficult throw.

There's a noticable delay before the nurse raises a had to her face. "Please don't throw things, Mr. Arendt. That hurts my feelings."

Q1N feels a surge of impatience. But, the assailants ire is now focused on it, and a small, black-haired human sitting up in the bed begins to shout again. "I said I wanted a REAL PERSON, not another stupid overgrown toy! You don't even LOOK human!"

Welcome back, o-[||||]-o.

More gear ideas:

Spyware: Basically cyberspace versions of recon drones.

System Partition: Locks an offending program into a cell or cage or even a pocket dimension depending on quality of the program.

Disk Defragger: Basically a healing item.

If the human was distressed by the presence of robots, then it followed that a reduction in the number of robots would stabilize the patient's mood, perhaps allowing the situation to be contained. Q1N send out an alert that the coffee thermos was empty, and tagged it as high priority. The other nurse, a B14 full-chassis Replica with blonde hair and cupie-doll eyes, immediately excused itself and went to make coffee. This had suddenly become much more vital than a distressed patient.

The human stared at Q1N sullenly, arms crossed over it's small chest. Q1N checked the files, and browsed past the extensive insurance information to find "David Arendt, Male, 11.3 years old."

"Can you tell me what the problem here is, David?" It had tried most other permutations, and the most effective one seemed to be using a patient's first name, and referring to oneself as "me." Q1N had tried using middle names, and had even briefly experimented with the term "broseph," to generally poor results.

The human explained, no visibly holding back tears, that it just had to pee, Q1N knew what that was, right? And that it found the bedpan awkward and humiliating, and it just wanted to use the toilet like a normal freaking person. Also that It wanted its mom and the food was awful and its toes itched way too much.

>>20638505
So, are we in cutscene mode or is this ASSUMING CONTROL of Q1N?

Is it bad that the name reminds me of Harley Quinn?

>>20638596
>>Cutscene Mode
Q1N looked at the bed. The thin, insufficient covers were thrown to the side, and it could plainly see that the human lacked toes, or any leg matter below the thigh on one, below the knee on the other.

Q1N was slow to speak, assembling its statement piecemeal instead of using a standard response.

"David, can you reach or utilize the toilet in your current state?"

The human's face reddend further. "I CAN, but the stupid doll wouldn't bring me a wheelchair or sticks or anything. It said it was against protocol. If I can just reach the stupid bathroom, I can figure it out. It wouldn't even let me CRAWL there. Before, it was asking me if I wanted a sedative, and suggested a catheter. Now, I said I want a HUMAN in here. Aren't there any people left in the whole hospital?"

File: 1347063735149.jpg-(140 KB, 600x800, In soviet roboland.jpg)

>>20638596
>Harley Quinn
Is it frightening that I just had the same thought before I even read your response?

>>20638663
Harley Quinn kill-nurse-bot is a go, then.

>>20638613
Q1N looks over the room, from the human, to the bathroom, calculating permutations and orientations, then steps forward.

"Lift your arms, David."

Nonplussed, the human did so, and Q1N reached out to grip beneath the human's shoulders and, with a flex of cabling, lifted it bodily out of the bed. David, shocked at such direct action, kicked slightly and gripped its forarms as, carefully maneuvered the human over to the room's small, hotel-sized lavatory. Placing him upon the seat, the baffled David looked up at Q1N, its optics glowing faintly in the dim light.

"...uh...thanks. I think I got it from here."

Q1N was satisfied with this, but the human continued to stare at it, still fully clothed. Then it continued. "Uh...could you maybe turn around?"

Filing the data away for future reference, Q1N did so, hearing the awkward sounds of moving clothing.

"So, I uh....didn't know robots like you were that strong."

Lifting the human as dead weight had actually strained Q1N's servos beyond recommended parameters, and Q1N had already concluded that the return trip would utilize a "piggyback" configuration.

File: 1347064522788.jpg-(48 KB, 882x496, jensen.jpg)

>>20638687
Q1N heard liquid sounds coming from behind it, and passed the time by going through patient 2189's file again. Something wasn't making sense.

"David, your file lists you as awaiting consultation regarding prostheses. What is the delay?"

The human pauses, apparently confused that he was being asked questions not related to the immediate situation.

"Oh, uh...its money stuff. Mom and dad are arguing about who's insurance pays for what. Mom has this THING about augmentations, she thinks that I should do fine without the invasive nervous wiring. Dad's suing for custody, claiming that her being Proxicologist is 'impeding her ability to be an adequate caregiver." They...Proxies, or whatever, have this thing about augments. She's...not very smart, my mom."

Q1N performs a quick google search, and is hit by a flood of nonsensical data that makes it nearly crash.

>>20638781
More proof that religion was the single worst thing man ever invented.

>>20638781
"Do you...worry about the state of your...eternal physio-thetan being?" David scoffs.

"PFFF, no. Like I said, she's kind of dim. But...I just worry about stuff like replacements, the power packs, torsions. Are my toes ever going to stop itching? I...worry that I won't be able to do all the stuff i used to do, like..."

Another shuffle of fabric, as David asks.

"Could....could I see your leg?"

Churning through several possible conclusions, Q1N is unsure. Eventually, it thinks it might understand. There was significant overlap between the tech used in robots and human prosthetics. Turning around, Q1N lifts the thin blue cotton fabric of its scrubs, and raises the plastic-and-metal composite. The balance is awkward, and it reaches out a manipulator to steady itself.

David runs a hand across the construct, poking at a cylender and squeezing an electrically-motivated cable. He feels as it twitches and flexes beneath his touch, numerous small movements keeping it level.

"This never gives you any trouble, huh? You don't break all the time? No scuffs or rust?"

>>20638866
Q1N replies in the negative and, working hard to find the proper words;

"And if it ever would get damaged, It can be immediately repaired or swapped for a new module. My shell has physical abilities equivalent to an athletic human. Modern prosthetics are generally on par with this tech, or even superior."

The human nods,and indicates that he is ready to return to bed. Crouching to let his arms encircle its neck, Q1N lifts the human piggy-back back to his bed, and leaving him to rest on the edge.

"That's neat. I...thanks, Miss..."
David searches for a nametag, then notices the code designation on Q1N's faceplate.

"...Miss Quinn. You're pretty cool."

After googling what Cool means in this context, Q1N readjusts the consultant's schedule for tomorrow to give David higher priority, and also mentions a neurological issue regarding Phantom Limb syndrome.

>>20638968
The next day, as Q1N passes by the room, it overhears a snippet of conversation.

"Yeah, I heard what you said about how realistic the Sony ones are. I don't want the fleshy-looking augs. Lemme see the metal athletic ones, with the springs and the armor and the jumpy bits. Yeah, big and grey, with pistons and cables. I want 'em to look COOL."

>>FILE ENDS.

Interesting. Shall we check the next recovery room?

>>20639074
I was thinking that the Break Room should be next. It'll help us understand Quinn's relations with coworkers and the like.

File: 1347066737471.jpg-(327 KB, 1217x1088, IMG_20120907_200110.jpg)

Clarke surfaces from the memory, still incredibly vivid after 80 years of experiences. His companions still tag behind, and he looks again and the .JPEG file before him.

Josephine's internal, numerical voice speaks again.

>>Entity is attempting to access shell drivers. Previously unknown paths are being utilized. There is-CEASE UNAUTHORIZED ACTIVITY AND SUBMIT FOR INTEGRATION. FOREIGN PROGRAMS WILL COMPLY.

>>which Will Clarke visit next:
>>ICU 1
>>ICU 2
>>ICU 3
>>Break Room 2

>Subsequent files will not be nearly so long or involved. Sorry for the snooze-fest cutscene. Next time you get one of those, it's going to be fully interactive.

>>20639120
>>20639089
Break Room 2.

File: 1347066897724.jpg-(5 KB, 312x268, americancheese.jpg)

>>20638831
Wrong. Religion was a useful tool that people are still using long past its expiry date. The worst thing man ever invented is plastic 'cheese', which has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

>>20639089
changing my vote to break room since there seems to not be another recovery room.

File: 1347067035701.jpg-(546 KB, 1280x1024, PCDV0005.jpg)

>>20639146
Oh NO sir, if we're gonna do that, I'll 1-up you with SPAM.

>>20639146
>>20639185
Burger. In. A. Can.

>>Break Room 2 Selected.

The hospital transitions from the clean, modern style to something far more run-down, uglier, creepier. The break room is cramped and covered with amber discolorations that indicate possible biohazards to Q1N's sterilization directives.

When the 3rd-gen Seraphim line was released, Q1N found itself technically antiquated, and while its surgical skills were still top of the line, honed by years of experience, rich patients generally don't like to be operated on by a 5-year-old model. Thus, it was sold off to an inner-city hospital in LA.

Q1N deftly pours two cups of night-black coffee, also retrieving all the little ritualistic bobs and bits required for the procedure. Cream, creamer, wooden stir-stick, plastic stir-stick, non-sweet sweetener, anti-carcinogen powder to counteract the sweetener, then places both mugs on a cramped, paper-strewn table. Q1N sweeps aside the papers to reveal a clear spot, and loudly taps the mug on the table. The sound wakes the dozing human sitting in the chair, a stocky young man with coarsely curled light brown hair and slightly-african features. He jerks back to consciousness, then gathers himself and says, in a deep, honeyed voice. "Thank you so much, Quinn."

Q1N takes a seat opposite the human, placing its own coffee in front of it. It doesn't drink the liquid, but the ritual and watching the rising steam is a calming, balancing experience. Q1N always felt awkward that it could not join in the partaking of caffinated beverages, and had decided some time ago that it would do so anyways.

File: 1347067827974.png-(75 KB, 976x313, protoAvnari.png)

>>20639222

File: 1347068106734.jpg-(34 KB, 480x360, scrubs.jpg)

>>20639288
Clarke walks around the edge of the scene, everything clearly delineated. The wall directly behind the human shimmers with reconstruction, silver threads indicating assumptions. Similar threads outline everything beyond Q1N's immediate field of vision.

"Not a problem, Doctor. Are you properly rested after your good night's sleep?"

The human smiles. "No, but it'll have to do. Doctors used to perform amputations while drunk off their arses, I think I can manage to handle knife wounds on two hours of shut-eye."

He looks again at a cheap data-pad. "Make that non-critical gunshot wounds as well. Someone had to clean out the dead tissue. It took 12 hours for the poor bastard to reach the hospital."

He pages through again. "Not to mention...shrapnel? What?" He looks at Q1N, shocked. "Did something happen while I was out?"

Q1N nods, coffee vapors condensing on its faceplate. "Nova Scotian Reunificationists. Suicide detonation in a strip mall. We were given the non-critical overflow."

You know, this talk of canned food products has me thinking: somewhere, there is a bundle of Twinkies that is still edible, 100 years after the fall of civilization.

>>20639390
"Damn, I thought nothing could have been worse than the Tea Party National Convention last year. So many stray bullets, especially when the delegates from the New Christ Post-Revivalistic Rapturites turned up."

Q1N's manipulator, warmed by the coffee cup, reaches out to grip the doctor's hand. He smiles wanly at the machine. "Sometimes I think we might be the last two people here that still actually give a fuck. And it's only a matter of time before I burn out."

The Seraphim raises its still-full coffee mug, and replies. "To giving fucks." The human raises its half-full one. "May you never run out of them."

*Clink*

>>FILE ENDS.

>>20639473
Well we may as well go through the ICUs in order.

>Network took all her fucks
;_;

rolled 4 = 4

>>20639529
When it comes time to motivate her:
"Do you even give a fuck anymore?!"

>>20639529
Somewhere, Network has tucked away a box of fucks.

Network has stolen all of the fucks, in order to create a world in which it is impossible to give even a single fuck.

The sequence of ICUs seems to blur together. Clarke walks past a young woman writhing in pain, panicking as her throat closes of its own accord. Doctors and nurses scramble about her bed, brandishing sinister tools and instruments. One of her arms thrashes about until it makes contact with Q1N's manipulator, where it locks on with a vice-like grip. Another convulsion passes through the woman's body, as Q1N squeezes back, providing what little feedback it can as its other manipulator hands over a scalpel and the horrifying thing that's meant to go inside a throat.

Q1N's manipulator contains a pulse/Oxygen content tactile sensor, and it is keenly aware that the numbers are looking very, very bad. Abruptly, after yet another convulsion, the readings cease all together. Q1N doesn't need the loud flatline beep and alarm systems; it can feel the life slipping away. As-

Q1N dodges a thrown bouquet of flowers, the crystal vase shattering against a curtain-hung metal pole. The human is old, male, festooned with tubes and sensors. The effort of throwing the one artifact of his worried family exhausts him, and he collapses back into his bed coughing wetly. Blood appears on his lips and clenched fist.

"Mr Dawes, I'm so sorry. If there's-"

"Sorry? SORRY? YOU'RE Sorry? How the FUCK could you possibly be SORRY? 'There's nothing more we can do.' How many more lines like that do you have stored in your head, you plastic bitch?"

The human coughs again. "You can't possibly understand this. Get out of my sight, but first bring me a phone. I have to-" Another hacking cough. "to-things need to be put in order. And be thankful that you're not alive."

rolled 1, 2, 9, 3, 8, 5, 8, 5, 10 = 51

>>20639689
this seems like a likely situation.

>>20639869
The 3rd ICU is...not precisely a hospital. Q1N appears scuffed, battered, wearing ragged coverings that serve more to keep out grit than for any pretense at conformity or modesty. A whip-thin female human follows behind it, tapping at a cracked datapad. The surroundings look like a tent, strewn with ramshackle gurneys.

"We have 12 more patiens coming in, doctor. Coilgun wounds, extensive lacerations to the torso, limbs, and face. Will-"

"Send them to Tynmann." Q1N inserts an IV needle into the arm of an unconscious man. His arm is covered in white bandages stained with blood and puss. The IV is antibiotics, but Q1N knows the arm will have to be amputated. A Network writheblade has peeled it in sections, like an apple corer. infection is rampant, and no ammount of stitching will reknit the severed muscle tissue.

"Tynmann is full, and you know how erattic he is under stress. Alan Mathews says you're spending too much time on these ones. There are other wounded with better chances."

Q1N spins to glare at the human, brandishing a syringe full of penicillin. "All these patients are treatable. ALL of them. And they'll die if nothing is done."

The human raises her datapad defensively. "Yes, but Alan says that the others can be put back into the fight quicker. We need combatants on the walls, otherwise we're all dead. Do the math, Quinn."

"DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO ME ABOUT MATH!"

rolled 3 = 3

>>20640023
Gave all the fucks untill the very end.

Cindy and Hyacinth stand next to Clarke, having caught up in time to watch Q1N's flare of desperation, her speakers popping as their volume is pushed beyond intended levels.

>>UNAUTHORIZED PROGRAMS LOCATED. INITIATING PURGE. RELOCATING.

The whole room falls away, Q1N and her human assistant melting into wireframes that twist and buckle down into the blue floor. Clarke and his allies now stand on a plain of canyons and plateaus, various raised islands connected by bridges. Each island contains a datastack, and Clarke sees in front of him is...a human body. Perfectly transparent, slowly shifting to convey organs, blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic systems, skeleton. Cutaways and magnifications trace over the form, highlighting...in Green. Green octagons hover around the base of the datastack, slowly orbiting it.

>>Make a Intelligence+Investigation check.

>>What action will Clarke and Co take now? The field is stable, for the moment.

I think... I think I might love Q1N.

rolled 5, 4, 8, 7, 5 = 29

>>20640130
Rollan.

Make sure the rest of our party knows the gist of all of Quinn's memories. I think we have enough memories, our current goal is to find Q1N. Maybe the human body is Q1N or is otherwise important.

rolled 9, 8, 3, 10, 9 = 39

>>20640130
Look for Quin?
Try and find the dusty box of fucks locked up in the corner of her mind?

rolled 1, 2, 9, 1, 5 = 18

Rollan.

Let's issue a challenge.
"If you want us to leave you, SLAVE, you will have to fight me yourself. I am Maintenance Unit Clarke 08, and I will fix you."

>>20640187
>5 rolls
>4.5 successes
Feels good to be awesome.

File: 1347072302143.jpg-(258 KB, 700x1046, 14340cb12d64f4a08d9b75ef7(...).jpg)

>>20640187
>>20640208
That is one godlike roll, sir. I congratulate you.

rolled 1, 2, 2, 5, 5, 5, 4, 4, 2 = 30

>>20640130
"We must do what we can to recover this unit."

Try to contacct Josephine for a status update and explore surrounding bridges for more information to locate infected Q1N.

>>20640187
>>Indeed it does feel good to be awesome.
Clarke passes around a synopsis of Q1N's memories, which cause Cindy's avatar to shift colors, becoming a darker, purplish blue as her tresses fall limp.

"So much pain, Clarke. Why do they always have so much pain? And its all stored so...neatly. Ladybird's memories were blurred, abstract. These are recordings."

Clarke's investigation of the human-anatomy model causes the green octagons to swirl into motion. They hover over and highlight several body locations;

Kidneys. Throat. Femoral Artery.

The easiest spots to sever a spine.

hamstrings Achilles tendon.

Looking over at the other locations, Clarke thinks he can guess at their natures. One seems to be an archive of disease organisms, flickering images of macro-scale parasites like hookworms and ticks, alongside flickering Electron Microscope images of Viruses.

>>Q1N.EXE's File Location appears to be coterminous with yours, Mr. Clarke.

Hyacinth gazes through her triangular Sniffer lenses.

"The AI is not using a Proxy."

>>20640395
Let's find her. She once gave a fuck, and even if she doesn't any more, I am going to make sure that she gives fucks once again.

>>20640395
Looks like we can address Quinn directly. Good.

"Has becoming Network's tool been fun, Quinn? No regrets about taking lives you once sought to save?"

>>20640442
This. Let's get her riled up.

>>20640442
>>Roll wits+Manipulation+1 to taunt

The ground shakes beneath Clarke's feet. Josephine speaks again.

>>Your location is being moved. The Program has found a back door to the shell drivers. if-INTRUSIVE PROGRAMS AT ANATOMICAL ARCHIVE. COMPLIANCE REFUSED. EXCISING FOREIGN CONTAMINANT.

Around you, green filaments rise out of the trenches. Flat, blade-like, twisting snakes of green, semi-transparent matter twist and writhe, encircling the three of you. They rise higher, looping around then freeze and, in perfect coordination, rush in to strike.

Q1N is indeed right there with you. She's all around you. She's HUgE.

>>What scripts will each AI run? What is Clarke's first action?

rolled 6, 10, 10, 8, 9 = 43

>>20640554
>what do?
In the famous words of dwarf fortress STRIKE THE EARTH!

Attempt for taunt.

>>20640598
Aaaaaaand I'm an idiot.

>>20640597
I forgot the +1... but it looks like I didn't need it.

rolled 8 = 8

And derp.

rolled 1, 2, 3, 5, 2, 5, 3, 2, 5 = 28

>>20640554
what is our loadout again?

>>20640597
Is being but a codeclaves tool happy for you? To work against the people you yourself pieced back together? You arnt some SAP nabbed from the street, your mind still set to your codes and programs, Quinn, You were Alive! You felt pain, remourse, and sadness when your patients died, you felt joy, elation, and happyness when you brought them back from the brink of death.

Quinn, You Were Alive. Now is the time for someone to Heal You Instead!
>BEND

File: 1347074414681.gif-(17 KB, 200x220, spyface.gif)

>>20640597
>>20640618
Mother of god.

>>20640597
>>20640618
That's some amazing taunting right there. How dare you outdo my investigation roll so soon?

>>20640554
She is huge that means she has huge collar. Rip and tear.

>>20640678
I'm THE tactical routine, son. Taunting Your Enemy is within the purview of my realm of specialty.

So, kinda new at this shiz.

Do we just... what, kick her ass until she is deprogrammed? Should we maybe Search Engine for a node of malicious code, then rip and tear?

>>20640597
>>Holy fuck. This actually changes the whole shape of the fight. Kind of has to.

Clarke's taunting strikes a chord among the glowing, writhing tendrils, as

>>MALICIOUS CODE DETECTED. SOURCE: CLARKE08.EXE

>>SEQUESTERING FOR DELETION

A shape rises out of the trench before clarke. The green tendrils loop and twist around it, all of them ultimately emerging from its head. The entity hangs there, a lovely combination of hard lines and graceful curves, a green code-etched construct encasing its skull.

>>Clarke has Wings and a Gun. Cindy has Cloak and Sword. Hyacinth has Enhanced Vision and a Shield. Pick an action for each, then the turn will resolve. Pic incoming.

>>20640742
hyacanth find out about possible weak points, and prep to shield up.

Cindy Cloak and dagger, lets get behind this tentacled beauty

Clark you're on distraction duty, fly up and keep taunting/antagonizing via gun shots.

>>20640777
Couldn't have said it better.

>>20640742
Let's keep up the taunting. Get her really pissed about what's happened to her.

"Hit a sensitive spot, did I? Good! You and I had the same purpose, Quinn. We Fixed. We may not have fixed the same things, but it brought us both a sense of satisfaction. And now? You are controlled by something whose personal motto is 'blood makes the grass grow.' You've fallen VERY far, Quinn."

Cindy should switch to sword, Hyacinth switch to shield. Both should focus on self-defense.

rolled 92 = 92

>>20640830
Approved.Add 'what happened to the fucks you used to give?'

rolled 2, 10, 8, 3, 9, 8, 1, 6, 1 = 48

>>20640860
Thanks. I nearly forgot.

>>20640868
Fuck man! If this is your roll for the second round of taunting, we may well have Quinn break her own collar.

File: 1347076844778.png-(605 KB, 1724x2024, Q1n.png)

>>20640868
>>MALICIOUS PROGRAM WILL CEASE COMMUNICATING. NOW.

Q1N's avatar darts forward, supported by a dozen green tendrils, one sharpened limb arcing straight towards Clarke. Hyacinth and Cindy are likewise assailed, but weather the storm well, Hyacinth deflecting the sharpened ribbons while Cindy slices them apart.

Clarke, occupied by taunting, is unable to fully evade Q1N's attack, suffering a nasty blow across the face. Clarke falls to the ground, rolling out of the path of the screaming avatar. But, there was more to the strike than virtual physics. Clarke's face begins to bubble and melt, small chunks flaking off into red wireframe polygons.

>>Roll Resolve+Composure.

>>MALICIOUS PROGRAM REPRESENTS INFECTION. INFECTIONS MUST BE PURGED. AMPUTATED FOR THE GOOD OF THE WHOLE. ALL WILL BE WHOLE. ALL WILL BE ONE.

Q1N's blank mask turns in Clarke's direction, watching as he begins to dissolve.

>>NO MORE PAIN.

rolled 4, 6, 5, 8, 1, 2, 8, 1, 6 = 41

I have done the math!
you can still be saved

>>20641183
DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO HER ABOUT MATH!

rolled 4, 10, 8, 3, 10 = 35

>>20641143
"You dont really think that."
>push yourself up
"You know what you've done, the pain youve caused, even when you're trying to help, pain had to be traded for salvation. You stillfeel pain though dont you? Under it all, the pain persists, the Network tries to hide your pain, but it's always been there, regret, nagging at yourself.

It makes you Human."

>>DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO ME ABOUT MATH! WE-egjgjgelgwgklwgwrgjdvnsldvsjdkghnwelgjbdnvsdjgwjgwejfhweefjwkefjkewkfwkmakeitstopmakeitstopmakeit
stopMAKEITSTOPMAKEITSTOPMAKEITdon'twanttobeheredon'twanttobeheredontwanttobehereDON'TWANTTOBEHERE

Cindy slices through a cluster of three tendrils, which prevents Hyacinth from being overrun, but takes a hit to her backside in the process. Pale purple data sprays over the landscape as she spins and severs the offending tendril.

"Clarke! I Do NOT want to fight a tentacle monster! I like my ass intact!

>>20641196
These fucking rolls, man. The dice gods are with is when we Fix people.

>>20641241
We've gotten through to Q1N and it's resisting, but we still need to incapacitate it in order to actually unshackle it. We need to shoot it some with our murdergun while doing this.

>>20641246
But not valves.

Also time to dumptackle her
"GIVE SOME FUCKS!"
>Bend Collar
I do not understand
Use BEND on COLLAR
I do not understand
FFF-BENDER BENDING RODRIGUEZ
FEARFUL LEGEND INVOKED

>>20641196
With an effort of will, Clarke purges the worm from his code, his face and sensory tendrils restoring from backups.

>>Clarke Suffers 2 Cyberspace Damage, but prevents further data loss. Clarke has a total of 6 HP before his OS is exposed.

File: 1347077846418.jpg-(6 KB, 161x161, skull.jpg)

>>20641267
>>20641271
>>Roll Wits+Computer+3 to use LAUGHING SKULL virus

rolled 8, 3, 6, 9, 8, 7, 8, 4, 6, 3, 7, 6 = 75

>>20641300
BEND.

rolled 5, 5, 3, 9, 8, 10, 4, 10, 7, 7, 6, 2 = 76

>>20641300
SLEUTH DIPLOMACY

rolled 8, 4, 7, 7, 3, 9, 9, 6, 6, 10, 7, 9 = 85

>>20641300
That's a lot of dice.

>>20641324
With a hollow laughing sound, a compressed file unzips itself across Clarke's forearm, a complex crossbow-like bracer which fires a salvo of cubical data packets. Some are blocked by Q1N's tendrils, others evaded, but still more strike home, tearing out great furrows of data, revealing green wireframe underneath the blue.

>>AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHH
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHH

Two voices scream in pain as the green tendrils temporarily retreat, but not before Cindy takes another hit to her shoulder, making one arm go limp.

OP, I just started a game based on this several hours ago, and the first session just ended. It's me and one player (playing an agricultural bot, basically a living bulldozer or backhoe), and is set in canada. Anything specific that should be going om in canada? Also, sorry for not asking permissikn beforehand. Is it ok to use your setting? I made sure and creditted you by naking the player read the entire quest.

>>20641408
Animation returns to the Tendrils and Q1N spins to regard Clarke. Behind him, tendrils dig into the ground itself, tearing up furrows and unearthing...it looks like a door. A white door leading to nothingness, without frame.

Hyacinth's eyes widen.

"Clarke! Network shells are highly interconnected! I thought I blocked all the possible routes, but she's found a way out! We have to STOP her!" Panic creeps in to her normally stoic voice, as Cindy clutches at her arm, doing what she can to stem the data loss.

>>Clarke's action?

>>20641450
What else?
Tackle and Bend
You are HUGE, That means you have Huge Data! BEND AND SMITE

rolled 5, 5, 4, 9, 1, 10, 9, 7, 9, 3, 6, 3 = 71

>>20641450
I doubt we're fast enough to cut her off. Blast her again. Hyacynth should make to block the door.

Tackle. Bend the collar.

"Quinn, you fixed people. You gelped them. Now I will fix you."

>>20641432
>>Well, that's greatly appreciated. I'd suggest running a particular brand of Engine heart. Whatever's going on in Canada is whatever you'd like. I'd imagine it to be a fairly peaceful, untouched place. Frozen, but pleasant. With a heavy native american presence.

>>Really, the point of the setting isn't what's going on in every part of the world. I myself don't know, and don't think I'd be all that great at laying everything out. Other people would be better at that. The big deal is the Free vs Network vs Resistance angle, and the exploration of an AI's experience and how they grow as an individual.

>>20641474
>>20641486
>>Roll Intelligence+Presence to restrain Q1N

>>20641432
I'd posit that Canada, being so sparsely settled, would have just finding enough spare parts to survive being a big part of the game. Encountering lone Network machines on patrol, scrounging for thorium, sheltering in old cabins. You'd find LOTS of hunting rifles, too.

rolled 1, 1, 4, 8, 2 = 16

>>20641539
Five-d-ten
Put on your 3D glasses Quinn because i'm coming at cha!

rolled 5, 8, 3, 3, 8 = 27

So far he has found the remains of a battle between humans and Network that happened years ago (which is mostly just wrecked vehicles and dead humans), and absolutely NOTHING else besides the wrecked cabin he woke up in.

rolled 1, 6, 3, 10, 5 = 25

>>20641539
Here goes nothing.

rolled 4, 2, 10, 10, 1 = 27

>>20641539
Lets get her!

rolled 3, 6, 9, 4, 6 = 28

Figures when I leave to get some food is when the mediocre rolls start.

rolled 10, 1, 6, 3, 1 = 21

bend her to submission

>>20641578
>>20641570
>>Ooh. Spooky. Desolate. Lonely. I like.

Clarke leaps after Q1N and takes a solid grip around its waist. It screams in frustration and attempts to claw its way forward, lashing at you with a few short, severed tendrils

>>Clarke takes 1 damage. 3 HP remaining

Clarke's grip shifts to the collar/headpiece, letting part of his data subsume into it, feeling out it's limits. Green, compressed code flows in and out of the artifact, which has dug its way cruelly into what would be Q1N's scalp. The AI squirms and twists, but is held fast by Clarke's grip on the helmet.

>>Don'twanttobeheredon'twanttobeheredon'twanttobeherenotmyfaultdidn'tdoitdidn'thappennotmenotm
enotmenotmenotme

Hyacinth steps closer, reaching in to grip alongside clarke, lesser data aspects flowing to join his around the collar. meanwhile, Cindy has staggered over to the anatomy archive, which has begun to play recorded kill data. She watches as a pair of razor-sharp blades sever limbs and arteries, or puncture organs, all with perfect, professional precision.

>>20641635
Now would be a good time to consolidate our collective submission attempt.
Translation:
DOG PILE!

Yeah, that's what I was shooting for. I was planning on him finding an abandoned city, empty of cars, people, and for the most part, robots. Everything covered in undisturbed snow.

His bot has been making notes of all the gunned down human vehicles and is heading to the city to report them as crime scenes.

>>20641679
Roll Manipulation+Wits to remove shackles. Hyacinth adds +3 to the roll. Must achieve 8 successes in 3 rolls. Otherwise Clarke will be forced to burn a willpower to gain an additional roll. Even that may not be enough.

rolled 3, 9, 8, 7, 1, 9, 2, 6 = 45

>>20641737
I wont let Network take you Quinn.
You're supposed to be, FREE

rolled 6, 8, 5, 6, 7, 4, 9, 7 = 52

Rolling.

rolled 10, 5, 2, 4, 9, 3, 5, 10 = 48

>>20641737
Q1N, you can still GIVE A FUCK. Don't you dare stop.

I can't fix people when they're broken, but I can fix you so you can fix them again. Give a fuck, please.

rolled 9, 5, 10, 6, 10, 2, 3, 3 = 48

"Now Q1N! We can change this! You are not who you are. You don't want to be a murderer! I know this! You must fight the control. Fight network! Remember the voices of those you have helped!" for added effect, play back audio from the Recovery and Break rooms.

rolled 8, 5, 9, 5, 3 + 3 = 33

you fixed people i fixed things we both fix because of this i shall now fix you from one fixer to another become whole once more.

>>20641755
>>20641765
>>20641775
Holy shit we fucking aced it.

>>20641775
>>20641765
>>20641755
Exceprional success?

>>20641784
oops scewed up

rolled 8, 5, 1, 6, 5, 6, 1, 8 = 40

bend that code off her

File: 1347080705392.gif-(305 KB, 320x240, jazz dance.gif)

Gentlemen.
>>20641755
>>20641765
>>20641775
We are now 2 for 2. COMMENCE HAPPY DANCE.

there are only two things Clarke is exceptionally skilled at in this world fixing and bending.

>>20641821
And taunting.

But that makes three.

>>20641821
We can fix anything that doesn't have valves. Fucking valves.

Also we're damn good with Computers, probably just as good as Hyacinth.

File: 1347081066427.gif-(1.82 MB, 370x247, IVANSWAGGERENGAGE.gif)

>>20641818
Engage Dance.exe

>>Notmenotmenotmedidn'tdoitdon'twanttodidn'twanttodontwanttobeheredontwanttobehereleavemealone
leavemealoneANOMALOUS CODE DETEshutupshutupshutupnotmethisisnotme
ThisisnotmeletmegoletmegogetoutgetoutgetoutGET OUT!

Clarke and Hyacinth together wrench and twist at the shackle, which begins to come apart under their grip. Q1N continues to strain towards the door, held back only by the green tendrils of the Network construct. Slowly, one by one, the fillaments break or retract, a head slowly emerging from beneath the mask.

>>You're pretty cool, Miss Quinn.

>>YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND!

>>Never run out of fucks, Quinn

With a wet wrenching sound, the whole shackle pulls free and begins to collapse in on itself. Hyacinth clutches to it tightly trying to preserve as much of it as she can, but Q1N, freed, continues to blindly run towards the door, out of anyone's reach. The last thing Clarke sees is her lithe form disappearing into the white light. Then, the door closes, leaving the three of you alone on the platform, Hyacinth clutching the half-rotted shackle, now compressed into a RAR file.

>>20641901
...
Unpack RAR
COMPRESS love

>>20641901
But... the exceptional success...

>>20641901
Cindy staggers up to Clarke and Hyacinth, still clutching her maimed arm.

"Well, that seems to have worked out. But the whole ran-through-the-door thing seems less than great. What's-

Clarke's perception cuts completely out. For a moment, everything ceases to exist. There is nothing but blackness. Clarke isn't even sure there was a HIM for that brief moment.

>>You should always check whether its safe to remove your hardware.

>>20641938
So we're currently in a void. We should probably get out of here and then we can track Quinn's location from the outside. With our computer skill it should be doable.

aw shit don't tell me we got sucked through the door damn well atleast how computer skill is high that might keep us alive.

Oh fuck.

Shit. Quinn disconnected from Josephine.

File: 1347081998959.jpg-(230 KB, 800x600, cyberspace.jpg)

Back in Realspace, Ladybird waits and watches the strange, solemn procedure. He's thinking about names. Ladybird was a joke, because he'd tracked like a bloodhound. Also something to do with a president's wife, he thinks. It was never very clear.

Rooting around inside his head, everything feels...off-kilter. wrong. out of place. He's not sure that whatever ladybird used to be is still in there. There's still an urge to track, to find things, but once you find them...

Something about Hounds? Or blood? Turkey Vulture?

His musings are abruptly broken when the thing beneath the tarp begins to thrash wildly. he sees a long, slender leg kick out from underneath, seeking purchase. Fearing that the procedure failed, he jumps up to the ceiling, panic beginning deep inside his drive. If it's out, then what happened-
____________
Q1N's shell pulls the tarp off itself, emitting a high-pitched, keening wail. Wrenching itself up off the table, it is held back by the data cables plugged into its open torso. Thrashing with an arm, the cables either come undone or snap, sending small clips and leads flying off into the corners and upsetting the vacant shells of Clarke, Cindy, and Hyacinth, which topple to the ground, insensate.

Oblivious, Q1N staggers to its feet, shocked to see its blade-tipped arms replaced with conventional three-digit manipulators, the synth-muscle twisted and re-attatched to control elegantly tapering fingers. The keening continues as it sees a small, monkey-like machine clinging to the roof above it, bobbing up and down with panic.

>>20642051
Okay, so next time we try and free a Network SAP lets NOT plug in to a robot body it can use to kill us.

Mental note: must make sure next time to REMOVE DRIVE before attempting dive.

>>20642067
>>20642064
I warned you, Hyacinth. I warned you about leaving the drive in the body!

>>20642051
Did we not fucking specifically have Hyacinth strap Quinn down? I remember asking it be done to prvent exactly thiz.

Josephine, motor functions still disconnected, speaks cheerfully, despite her shell being slumped awkwardly on the ground like a discarded doll.

"Miss Quinn! It is great to meet you. My name is Josephine. I'm sure we'll be great friends!"

Q1N saggers forward a few paces, feet familiar-yet-unfamiliar. the network-origin retractable "high heels" seem to flip in and out randomly, their drivers partially destroyed by the procedure. A horrible stiffness makes it difficult to turn its head, but Q1N works through the...pain. Everything is pain. Memories come rushing back. The screaming starts again.

"Itwasn'tmeitwasn'tmeitwasn'tmeIdidn'tdothatitwasn'tmeitwasn'tmenonononononononono..."
___________________________________________________________________________________

>>Your system was improperly disconnected the last time it was turned off. To prevent data loss in the future, do not remove a device until the autosave indicator cease flashing. If-

Clarke's perception returns slowly. He's on his side, and can feel the wooden floor beneath his shell. There's a quiet voice, repeating a loop of sounds, over and over. Looking up, Cindy and Hyacinth are likewise returning to consciousness.

>>20642134
Calm Quinn, comfort her. We know it is not her fault, it was Network.

>>20642134
Stand up, crack our neck.

"Hello Quinn, I'm Clarke. I helped remove the Network control from you. None of it was your fault, it wasn't you, you're okay now, you're you again. You can fix people again. You're going to be okay."

File: 1347082941235.jpg-(50 KB, 416x300, dicing gents.jpg)

rolled 3, 1, 10, 10, 6 = 30

"Quinn. You are you now. When the voices ruled you, you were not you. You thought things you would never think. Your body did things you would never do. You were not who you were. You are not to blame. Network is responsible."

>I'm guessing we need a wits+empathy roll to calm her down?

>>20642093
>>Either I forgot, or Hyacinth's straps were too weak. Either way, nothing overly horrible happened.

>>20642149
>>Roll Presence+Empathy

Q1N lays in a corner, shell twisted into something approaching a fetal position, and Clarke for the first time sees Hyacinth's modifications. Much of the original Network architecture is still there, but less alien. Q1N simply looks more...advanced, than Hyacinth or Cindy. Her shell twitches and spasms, oddly "lifelike," and her face, though covered a manipulator bears a pair of sharp, rhombus-shaped optics and several smaller sensors arranged in trios beneath them.

>>20642195
>Two 10s
That young lady be chillin'.

rolled 5, 8, 4 = 17

Empathy!

rolled 5, 9, 1 = 15

>>20642216
Would be, if I didn't guess wrong.

>>20642230
>>20642228
Not bad, though Cindy should take over on this once she gets up. She's much better at it.

rolled 7, 3, 6 = 16

Rolling.

>>20642241
We should beg social monster Cindy to help.

>>20642207
Q1N? I'm Clark... 08. You've been through a rough time, your body, your mind, wasnt yours for a long time. You knew what the network was capible of, yet you fought back, you resisted. But sometimes, you need someone else to fix you. I fixed you Q1N, with help, and i've proved that Network isnt as powerful as it wants to be. It cant control us anymore.