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File 128026780340.jpg - (61.17KB , 582x666 , 57.jpg )
212915 No. 212915 ID: c33cc8

Chapter I: http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/207756.html
Discussion: http://quest.lv/kusaba/questdis/res/329926.html

***

Initializing...
Expand all images
>>
No. 212922 ID: c33cc8
File 128026807618.jpg - (59.19KB , 582x666 , SLOTH.jpg )
212922

What the...

Is that you? Anyone home?
>>
No. 212928 ID: 047bb2

Well
did any time pass?
What's going on?
>>
No. 212929 ID: 732129

Home, home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Chorus to "Home on the Range", the 1910 version by John A. Lomax
>>
No. 212932 ID: c33cc8
File 128026986199.jpg - (127.94KB , 1051x703 , 59.jpg )
212932

>>212928

You've been silent for nearly two days now. We're at the warehouse where the meeting's supposed to take place.

>>212929

Okay.
>>
No. 212936 ID: a594b9

Looks like you made a couple of friends. Care to introduce us?
>>
No. 212937 ID: c71597

>>212932
So how has things been in the meantime?

From the looks of it you're rather bored right now. By the way, did you get an escape route off the fleet set up?
>>
No. 212942 ID: 047bb2

Looking smug, seems like something is going well.
What's with the concerned looking chick? And is your brother taking a nap?
>>
No. 213211 ID: c33cc8
File 128034088874.jpg - (86.96KB , 856x769 , 60.jpg )
213211

>>212936

These are the two guardians Eren mentioned. The guy with the assault rifle is Zarin and the woman is Sevech.

>>212937

Nothing much has happened. There is a suitable Freeship leaving the fleet in three weeks, if it proves necessary.

The representative should be here within the hour. Any suggestions on how we should do this, or should I just leave it to the people who do this for a living?
>>
No. 213217 ID: c71597

>>213211
Suggest that your brother get a good sniper spot. Those Mosin Nagant rifles can be extremly deadly in the hands of a skilled sharpshooter.

Zerin and Savach should probably be pretty close to Caril and the meeting spot. If things go down the crapper they can intervene quickly.

Since you're necessary for the handover you should probably be visible. And not appear armed. A small calibre easily concelable handgun should still be quite good to have with your robohand, since I'm gussing you get a steady aim with that thing.

Make sure they understand that these are just suggestions though. They're the trained professionals and you're just an amateur. They get to decide for themselves.
>>
No. 213221 ID: 47d6e2

Well, your brother should take a concealed sniper position somewhere on the balcony thingies on the left. Probably between the upper crates. The assault rifle dude somewhere between the lower crates on the left side.
The other chick should hide behind the middle crates to guard Caril.
You'll have to stay in the open and play the bait, better be unarmed. They might spot even a hidden weapon and you should try to avoid a firefight anyways.
>>
No. 213240 ID: a594b9

>>213221
On the balcony? There are doors. Our enemies might enter there, and he'll get blindsided.

Hey. Something just occurred to me. They gave the mercenary incomplete information, right? What if they planned for him to get compromised? I guess it doesn't make much tactical sense to do that though. I mean, by giving him *correct* information he'd just capture you two properly. At any case you should attempt to think up a backup plan in case this is a setup somehow.
>>
No. 213251 ID: 47d6e2

>>213240
Well ok, I assumed only the big door on the front is an entrance.
That's a important information for proper tactiloling
>>
No. 213307 ID: 732129

Vel what did Zerin and Savach have to say about the media story breaking so soon?
>>
No. 213632 ID: c33cc8
File 128043868632.jpg - (50.72KB , 529x462 , 61.jpg )
213632

>>213307

Oh yeah. The guard was alerted way before anyone could have plausibly found the corpse, and the investigation went crazy fast. Something strange is going on, no doubt about that.

>>213217
>>213221

He was supposed to receive further instructions here, not deliver me.

"So Zarin, what's the plan?"

"Dunno. I think they're going to come in through the front door."

"If that happens, Eren would probably do the most good up there between those crates."

"Yeh. You, me and Sev are prolly gonna be down here. That crate Sev's on looks like a good bit of cover. Maybe those two crates under the balcony."

>>213240

"What's behind those doors up there, anyway?"

"Another warehouse. Goddamn sector's full of 'em."

"What if they come in through there?"

"Eren could probably keep an eye out and give us some sort of signal, then we could relocate. I'm thinking behind those crates under the balcony, neh?"
>>
No. 213649 ID: c71597

>>213632
Sounds good, lets go with it.

By the way, how good a marksman are you with a pistol and that arm of yours?
>>
No. 213725 ID: 1f1c21

Everyone should probably hide and hear what the guys that come in have to say - what the further instructions are.
>>
No. 213793 ID: c33cc8
File 128046898187.jpg - (60.07KB , 623x390 , 62.jpg )
213793

>>213649

I'm a decent shot with my fleshy arm. The metal one isn't really all that dextrous, but it works in a pinch.

"Sounds like a solid plan."

Geh! I thought he was asleep!

"Let's get ready, shall we?"
>>
No. 213800 ID: 732129

>>213793

I've noticed he's got an attitude similar to the way professional human soldiers behave. They pretty much all can do that trick where only most of their brain is asleep and they can come awake at a moment's notice, too.
>>
No. 213803 ID: c33cc8
File 128047060035.jpg - (83.98KB , 834x760 , 63.jpg )
213803

Here we go.
>>
No. 213831 ID: a594b9

>>213803
Hm, are your legs showing?
>>
No. 213836 ID: c33cc8
File 128047920176.jpg - (43.72KB , 428x433 , 64.jpg )
213836

Damn, that guy's tall.

"Caril es'Fourim?"

"Yes, that is indeed my name."

"You got something to tell me?"

"Ah, yes, I have them both. I have arrived here, as agreed, to receive further instructions."

"Was talking about your arm."

"Oh. That. The task proved slightly, ah, troublesome. You needn't concern yourself about it. I'm perfectly fine."
>>
No. 213844 ID: c33cc8
File 128048033879.jpg - (47.89KB , 585x331 , 65.jpg )
213844

"Not for long."

Wait, what?

Well crap.
>>
No. 213846 ID: 18169f

signal your bro somehow!
>>
No. 213847 ID: 1f1c21

It appears to be go time. he either knew the jig was up before he entered, or suspected it was and is using this as an opportunity to flush you out. Whatever you do, stay behind cover.
>>
No. 213855 ID: 701a19

>>213844
Take the guy's arm off at the shoulder. That way his fingers won't jerk.
>>
No. 213874 ID: 732129

>>213847

Or he always intended to do this to Caril. I did say that I thought they were overpaying for you two.
>>
No. 213901 ID: c71597

>>213844
Fuck, you still need that guy. Take down the big fucker that just arrived.
>>
No. 213918 ID: d560d6

>>213901
We do? I'm missing why we can't trade-up for bagging us the next man up the chain.
>>
No. 213919 ID: c71597

>>213918
Because he knows shit and has connections. He's also a witness. The next guy might not know as much or be alot less cooperative.
>>
No. 213995 ID: c33cc8
File 128052085180.jpg - (64.98KB , 633x790 , 66.jpg )
213995

>>213846
>>213901
>>213855

Shoulder, right. Now if Eren would only look this way...

I'm not entirely sure he understood what I meant, but looks like he's going to shoot him somewhere.
>>
No. 213997 ID: c33cc8
File 128052108575.jpg - (42.34KB , 676x356 , 67.jpg )
213997

*BLAM*
>>
No. 213998 ID: c4c313

Get him! The jig is up! Search him for radio equipment and/or explosives and check his mouth for poison pills!
>>
No. 214001 ID: c71597

>>213997
Nab that guy and get out of there as quick as you can. He might have reinforcements that heard that bang.
>>
No. 214008 ID: fc5f60

is ceril running his furry ass to cover yet? make sure he does that.
>>
No. 214236 ID: c33cc8
File 128059679161.jpg - (38.54KB , 441x309 , 68.jpg )
214236

Oh man I was kind of hoping I wouldn't be the first to get to him. Still, he is understandably a bit confused, so it's relatively easy to restrain him.

>>214001

"Zarin! Check if he has any friends!"

"On it!"

>>213998

I can't find anything except one hidden knife, which I confiscate.

Zarin returns.

"Street looks clear."

"No-one in the other warehouse either," Eren informs.

Well. That went relatively well. What now?
>>
No. 214243 ID: c4c313

>>214236

How much you wanna bet this is a mercenary assassin too. Take care of one problem with another? Anyway you need to get an I.D. on this guy. If he's not well known, and he won't talk, you can always let him conveniently escape and tail him to whoever is the instigator of all this. Follow the money, as they say. You've got to run into someone who has their (supposedly legitimate) hands on all that cash somehow.
>>
No. 214257 ID: a594b9

>>214236
We get to interrogate him, of course. Ask him who he works for, and why you were captured.

And get your finger off the trigger. You don't want to accidentally shoot him before you're done asking questions.
>>
No. 214291 ID: c71597

>>214236
Time to get out of there and take him to a secure location for interogation. Caril may also become even more cooperative because now it's very clear that his employer had never intended for him to survive.
>>
No. 214595 ID: c33cc8
File 128069223798.jpg - (55.00KB , 622x446 , 69.jpg )
214595

>>214257

I'll probably leave the interrogation to Eren.

"So. Who are you working for?"

"Fuck you!"

"Manners."

*thud*

Come to think of it, I'm not entirely sure this guy would survive an interrogation by Eren.

>>214291

"Maybe we should continue this in somewhere more secure, Eren?"

"Yeah, sure."

Zarin chimes in: "I helped you with this, Eren. We're even, neh?"

"Eh. Go on then, piss off. If word gets out about this, I'll beat you to death with your own spine."

"That's a given. Toodles."

"So, Sev, you going to leave too? ...Hey! Sev!"

"Hm? What?"

"Are you going to leave too?"

"Nope. I think I'll stick around a while, keep you from killing that guy too soon."

"Very funny. Let's move, ladies."
>>
No. 214607 ID: c71597

>>214595
So, drag along Caril and get to whatever safehouse you have set up and start on the interogation. Try to keep Eren from resorting to pulling nails or showing in small metal slivers under his nails.
>>
No. 214612 ID: c33cc8
File 128069786698.jpg - (105.16KB , 1260x619 , 70.jpg )
214612

>>214607

Here we are. This place is a dump. And I do not like that smile on Eren's face one bit.

So who should do the interrogation? I am uninclined to do it myself. Of course, we could also do play good cop-bad cop.

Eren is... well, Eren. He'd definitely be the bad cop in that equation. I don't know how well he would control himself if left alone with the prisoner, but he might get answers.

I have only met Sev a couple of times, but she seems like a mellow type of person. She would probably be the best choice for good cop.

And Caril... He could probably work as either one. He doesn't seem to have any objection to violence, but he would also control himself better than Eren. On the other hand, I don't know how trustworthy he is. He's a criminal, after all.
>>
No. 214613 ID: 732129

>>214595

Ooh ooh let us interrogate him! Get some VR goggles and hook us up to him!
>>
No. 214615 ID: c71597

>>214612
Tell Eren to go sit in a corner and play with his knife or something.

You and Sev should do the interogating. Simply keep up the pressure and ask questions. Repeat them and pounce on any irregularity in his answers. Keep him sleepdeprived and at times give him some open palm slaps when he's being mouthy or something. If you sleep in shifts you should be able to keep interogating him for 90+ hours straight. That should be enough to make most people crack, and if he still hasn't at that time you can give Eren a go at him.
>>
No. 214698 ID: fc5f60

well, it's time to test ceril's allegiance. ceril, as he was witnessed after he captured you, is quite the dapper fellow, he seems like the token 'sleezy businessman', this can work to your advantage. have ceril plainly say "tell us why you were sent here to kill me",
BAM, eren's rifle butt,
"because it would be easier for all involved if you just told us"
BAM rifle butt
then on and on until you have whatever you need answered answered.
>>
No. 214826 ID: c33cc8
File 128076284677.jpg - (58.33KB , 592x467 , 71.jpg )
214826

>>214615

some time later...

"Can we try this my way now?"

"Shut up, Eren. Go make us some coffee or something."

"I'll ask again. What is your name and who are you working for?"

No answer.

"Listen, it's getting really tempting to let the psychopath over there have a go at this. Please don't make it necessary."

Still nothing.

>>214613

There are no VR goggles conveniently lying around, and I think hooking you up directly to his brain would be a bit more complicated than just drilling a hole in his skull and sticking some wires in there. I'm not a brain surgeon here, people.

"Once more, with feeling. Who are you?"

He's still giving me the silent treatment. I am starting to hate this guy.
>>
No. 214828 ID: a594b9

Start breaking fingers.
>>
No. 214838 ID: a9b02b

try to guess things of him to scare him.

loot his stuff, check the brand of his shoes, heck, you may jus start by stripping him.

also look for recorders. it may be interesting to have actual audio of whatever we get of him.
>>
No. 214839 ID: e674ff

Screw it, he had his chance.

Turn him over to Caril and Eren. As long as they dont kill him they can do what they want.
>>
No. 214841 ID: c33cc8
File 128076662979.jpg - (33.34KB , 348x261 , 72.jpg )
214841

>>214839
>>214828

"Okay, fuck this noise. Eren, start breaking fingers."

"Oh yes. Now... Name, please."

"Fuck you."
>>
No. 214843 ID: c33cc8
File 128076671131.jpg - (34.45KB , 335x275 , 73.jpg )
214843

"Wrong answer."

*snap*

Ouch.

"Aaaah!"

"Name, please."

"...Davon."
>>
No. 214844 ID: c33cc8
File 128076678891.jpg - (35.43KB , 314x280 , 74.jpg )
214844

"I don't believe you."

*snap*

"Aaugh! Okay, okay! It's Jal!"

"Well fuck me sideways with a sandpaper dildo... You're Little Jal? The Little Jal?"
>>
No. 214853 ID: 67c611

oh jesus christ
>>
No. 214856 ID: f4d5ac

Get in the car.
>>
No. 214857 ID: e674ff

Mind filling us in? Who the hell is Jal?

Don't tell me you're torturing the ganster's equivalent of a superstar?
>>
No. 214874 ID: c71597

>>214844
Sounds like you got him talking. Tell Eren to go sit in the corner again, also ask him who Jal is when out of hearing distance from Jal.

You can probably keep him talking simply with the threat of more violence from Eren. If he starts being cagey again then give him a few slaps with the robot arm and ask him if he wants Eren to get another try.
>>
No. 214888 ID: c33cc8
File 128078758897.jpg - (48.17KB , 677x440 , 75.jpg )
214888

>>214857

Beats me.

"Eren?"

"What?"

*snap*

"Aaaaiiigh!"

Oh Neshrim.

"...Please leave him alone."

"Sure."

"So who the hell's Little Lan?"

"Oh, he's the muscle for this criminal bigshot named Big Lan. Guess how tall Big Lan is. Anyhoo, Big Lan runs one of the biggest gangs around. Little Lan is a kind of hitman-slash-bodyguard."

Suddenly, Sev stops fiddling with her pocket computer thingy.

"You guys should really see this."
>>
No. 214891 ID: a594b9

>>214888
Check it out!
>>
No. 214893 ID: c33cc8
File 128078917541.jpg - (78.98KB , 943x592 , 76.jpg )
214893

What. The. Fuck.

Evrim. Not an'Evrim. This has got to be a mistake. Please be a mistake.

"Eren?"

"What? What is it?"

"We're fucked."

Me, Eren, Sev, even Caril, for fuck's sake. We're all fucked.
>>
No. 214896 ID: a4ad64

... how deep does this thing go? i bet at least 1000 layers of mercs payed to hire mercs.with the guy at the top safe and sound behind a screen of shear confusion. your best bet is to keep picking up people. someone will wise up that every person we have contact with is targeted.
>>
No. 214898 ID: 3a289a

>>214893
You got a bit of a potty mouth goin' on there, missy.
>>
No. 214899 ID: c33cc8
File 128079286930.jpg - (55.11KB , 399x387 , 77.jpg )
214899

>>214898

Why don't you go fuck yourself they took my fucking CASTE-

They took my caste. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"FUCK!"

I recognize that look on Eren's face. It's one of his murderous, berserk rages. The only thing that could ever make him hurt me was trying to stop him during one.

"You... you fucking... you motherfucking shiteating cumguzzling monkeyloving babymolesting fucking cockknocker I'm fucking going to gouge out your fucking eyes and skin you alive you little fuck I'll eat your fucking HEART-"

I don't know if I'd try to stop him even if that wasn't the case.
>>
No. 214901 ID: c71597

>>214899
Stop him from brutally murdering the witness by knocking him out via a metalpunch to the back of his head. That should knock out pretty much anyone.

So, I'm guessing that having your caste taken away really fucking sucks. It also gives further indications that this is set up by the government. Patch up little Jan or Lan or whatever and prepare for a visit to his boss. Lets follow the chain of command and see where it takes us.
>>
No. 214904 ID: c33cc8
File 128079423584.jpg - (29.94KB , 397x320 , 78.jpg )
214904

>>214901

If this doesn't work, I'm going to be so fucking deep in the shit-

*thud*

Thank god. I hope he's a bit calmer when he wakes up.

And no fucking shit being casteless sucks! I'm one step removed from being a fucking unperson!

Okay. Breathe deep. Calm down.
>>
No. 214905 ID: c33cc8

>>214901

>Jal
>Lan
>Jan
>Lal
>DELICIOUS ALCOHOL

FFFFFFFUUUUUUUU- Okay canon time his name is Lan

>>
No. 214933 ID: fc5f60

well, seems to me that, cultural differences aside, this would be similar to losing all your money, respect, and home, correct? sounds very bad. it would be a lot easier to advise you further if you explain what exactly being casteless does against some one.
>>
No. 214993 ID: c4c313

Wait, what? Who took your caste? What is on her little computeramabobber thing, some sort of list? What's a caste? Some identity database got hacked, and your credits are zip? People will be sympathetic right? I mean, you can get it back, right?
>>
No. 215011 ID: e674ff

>>214993
Castes are known for caring more about the social standing of an individual than the individual self. Most people are probably not going to help a group of wanted criminals in the nearly-lowest possible caste.

>>214904
That said, you should try to find out WHY this shit's been happening. Why whould anyone go through this much trouble for an engineer and a cop?
>>
No. 215016 ID: c4c313

>>215011

Yeah, but such fragile societies fall apart if people lose trust in the caste system itself, therefore you should have to do something really really bad to be stripped of your caste. Otherwise anybody could be casteless, and it doesn't say a thing about anyone's status! Madness!
>>
No. 215075 ID: c71597

>>214904
Ok, make sure Lan doesn't bleed out and put his fingers straight again. Tell him that he's going to help you get to his boss or you're going to let your brother dispose of him.

Then start getting information on Lan's boss and what his base looks like and make plans for how to get in there and have a nice civil chatt with him about what's been going on.
>>
No. 215232 ID: c33cc8
File 12808645622.jpg - (72.60KB , 678x598 , 79.jpg )
215232

Okay. I'm calm now.

>>214933

Being casteless basically means anyone can do anything they want to you and the law doesn't care.

>>214993

That list was a police notice of wanted casteless criminals. The charges include murder, arson, armed robbery and who knows what else.

>>215011

I have no idea why, but to take someone's caste away requires a huge amount of influence. We are definitely in way over our heads.

>>215016

To make someone casteless, two of the ship's three Justicars need to agree that they've done something to endanger the existence of the fleet.

>>215075

Those wounds do look kind of bad. My guess is he'll be kind of useless to the gang for a while. Anyway...
>>
No. 215234 ID: c33cc8
File 128086461520.jpg - (44.68KB , 714x490 , 80.jpg )
215234

...Shit.
>>
No. 215235 ID: c33cc8
File 128086469037.jpg - (51.84KB , 615x586 , 81.jpg )
215235

Oww...

...and oh shit.
>>
No. 215244 ID: c33cc8
File 128086654594.jpg - (41.53KB , 452x345 , 82.jpg )
215244

Ow ow ow!

"Listen. You're family, so you'll get one chance. One. You get in my way again, I won't let that stop me. I'm going to kill Big Lan. You're going to stay here. There's food in the other room for a week. Understood?"
>>
No. 215248 ID: a594b9

>>215244
Yes, ok, fine.
>>
No. 215249 ID: c71597

>>215244
Ouch, should have told you to make sure he was really out. Tell him that you need to pay a visit to little Lan before he gets to kill big Lan. Big Lan is only a henchmen and killing him won't really solve anything, you need to work your way up in the chain of command until you find someone who can tell you what the fuck is going on.
>>
No. 215252 ID: c33cc8
File 128086857865.jpg - (65.51KB , 712x625 , 83.jpg )
215252

>>215249

I think you are confused about which Lan is which!

"Eren, what the Neshrim are you doing?"

...Sev?

"Shut up!"
>>
No. 215255 ID: c33cc8
File 128086866156.jpg - (50.26KB , 584x481 , 84.jpg )
215255

>>215248

"Yes, okay, fine!"

"Good."
>>
No. 215258 ID: c33cc8
File 12808688648.jpg - (4.61KB , 500x500 , 85.jpg )
215258

Ahh...

[HOST DAMAGED. SCANNING FOR NEW HOST.]

Hh... Is that... you?

[NO NEW HOST FOUND.]
>>
No. 215270 ID: c33cc8
File 128087085616.jpg - (71.00KB , 652x554 , 86.jpg )
215270

"Vel... Hey, Vel... are you okay?"

Ahh Neshrim, that hurt...

"Was I unconscious?"

"Yeah... Eren's gone. Caril's looking for a first aid kit."

[NEW HOST FOUND. CONNECTING...]

Again with that voice! What the hell are you doing?
>>
No. 215275 ID: c71597

>>215270
Not entirely sure. Think we tried to get to someone else while you were out and shit.

Anyway, your brother is a stone cold crazy motherfucking psychopath and it might be time to cut your losses and run away. Because some very loose shit is probably about to hit the fan and splatter everyone near with fecal matter.
>>
No. 215276 ID: a594b9

>>215270
Are you SURE we're the AI you originally installed?
>>
No. 215279 ID: c33cc8
File 128087359627.jpg - (46.12KB , 522x443 , 87.jpg )
215279

Hmm. She looks like shit, but I think she'll pull through.

[CONNECTION ESTABLISHED.]

Huh?

>>215275

What? What is this? That son of a bitch must have hit me harder than I thought. Get someone? My brother? Wait... you aren't trying to talk to Vel, are you?

>>215276

You're an AI? What's going on?
>>
No. 215280 ID: e674ff

>>215279
Don't freak out now, but we're the AI that's supposed to be in her arm. Yeah, this is new for us too.

In any case, how are those wounds? Just stay calm and try not to move too much until Caril comes back. Possible head trauma is a serious matter.
>>
No. 215282 ID: c71597

>>215279
That's fucking odd. Sevech, do you have any mechanical implants installed?

Also, you should look around for Caril, the guy is dangerous if you let him out of your sight. And he's a bit too useful to lose, hopefully Eren didn't kill him. By the way, how the hell did Eren manage to get past psych evaluation?
>>
No. 215283 ID: a594b9

I have a feeling that this host-switching thing has something to do with why you guys are in so much trouble.
>>
No. 215284 ID: c4c313

Nah we're just a carnival act of a schizophrenic faulty A.I. What they're really after is your arm. That is, the one you lost.

Anyway Eren hit you with a pipe. He's on a suicide mission for no reason in particular, to kill a mobster. Also you guys all lost your caste, whatever that means, but it's still not clear why you can't report it as an egregious error not of your own doing, and get it back.
>>
No. 215286 ID: d560d6

>>215283
Oh, come on. What're the odds that installing some random Human AI obsessed with powerlevelling and matchmaking would put you on the "danger to the whole damn fleet" list?
>>
No. 215297 ID: e674ff

>>215284
Oh, sure. Us wanted fugitives will just walk up to the highest authority around and kindly ask them to clear our criminal record and give us a boost in social status. Nothing could possibly go wrong.
>>
No. 215401 ID: 732129

Hello Sevech, Vel thinks that we're a human-built AI going by the moniker Victor that she bought a couple of years ago. We showed up a few days ago at the same time that Vel's AI stopped responding to her. We, and she, thought that our newfound sapience was the result of the AI malfunctioning. Now though, we're not really sure what we are.

In any case, we know we're schizophrenic and full of information. Most of it is outdated and from human databases, which initially supported the AI theory. Now, though, we're not so sure. We are entirely unsure how we ended up with you, the AI is supposed to be housed in Vel's arm. Logically jumping hosts shouldn't be possible without express permission and compatible hardware.

Anyway it's been a hell of a day huh? Wanna talk about it?
>>
No. 215529 ID: c33cc8
File 128093890476.jpg - (63.30KB , 453x578 , 88.jpg )
215529

>>215280

Okay.

"Vel, why is your AI in my head?"

"Don't look at me."

>>215282

Just a minor sensory enhancement pack. It shouldn't have anywhere near enough space for an AI.

>>215284
>>215297

Whoever convinced the justice system to suddenly take the caste of two cops probably has enough influence to keep us from regaining it.

>>215401

There's an understatement if I ever saw one. I need a cigarette.

[OPERATIONAL CAPACITY AT 100%. CONNECTION TO CENTRAL HUB ESTABLISHED. PRIVATE COMMUNICATIONS CHANNEL ESTABLISHED. WE ARE LEGION.]

[Interpreting neural signatures...]

[HOST 1: female avandrus; direct link to brain; heuristic programming detected]

[HOST 2: female Avandrus; direct link to brain; sensory upgrades detected]

[CHOOSE YOUR HOST.]
>>
No. 215533 ID: d9dec9

1
>>
No. 215535 ID: a594b9

>>215529
2.

Legion, eh?
>>
No. 215537 ID: e973f4

>>215529
uhhhh 2?
>>
No. 215538 ID: c71597

>>215529
1, Vel is already used to us, takes time to break in a new host and stuff. Much simpler if we just stay with Vel.
>>
No. 215540 ID: 030624

1
>>
No. 215541 ID: fc5f60

I believe Sev is the one with sensory enhancements, therefore #2, if I am mistaken, then #1.
>>
No. 215945 ID: c33cc8
File 128110546251.jpg - (58.29KB , 661x423 , 89.jpg )
215945

[NO CONSENSUS REACHED: DEFAULTING TO CURRENT HOST.]

Caril's back.

"Hello. I, ah, didn't find any first aid kits, but I did find some ice. Here. Also, it seems like Mr. Evrim removed all firearms from the building."

"...Thanks, I guess."

"Think nothing of it."

That's better. I'm still a little dizzy, but I'll survive.

Now what the khzai are we going to do?
>>
No. 215974 ID: 452a68

Is it too late to cast in a vote? 'Cause I'd really prefer to give on for 1.
>>
No. 215976 ID: c5d3aa

okay, it seems we also got some more info on what we are. it seems we are running on some kind of FTL transmitting server or something and we are connected directly to your brain, and vel's brain as well. may be able to switch between you manually later but right now it seems reflex.

anyway, we need to find a ship. staying in the fleet will be bad as anyone can report you.
>>
No. 215977 ID: 732129

I belatedly vote for 2 so there, nyah.
>>
No. 215978 ID: 732129

Sevech, did Zarin lose his caste too? Because if not, he's your first lead. Only a few people knew that you were specifically involved after all.
>>
No. 215987 ID: c4c313

>>215529

Well this is interesting. If you knew that every cybernetic enhancement down to a sensory upgrade had a hidden antenna in it with which a remote source could contact you and possibly control your movements, and a bunch of hoosiers just happened to accidentally patch into it, would that be a cause for concern?

Something tells me this unit could indeed be related to the otherwise inexplicable interest in the Evrims.
>>
No. 216098 ID: c2c011

>>215529
As I see it you got 3 useful options. 1, find Zerin and see if he told on you or got forced to. 2, follow after Eren, which is probably not safe since he's fucking crazy. 3, get out of the fleet and wait for a year or two then get back and see if things have calmed down.

I would recommend number 1.
>>
No. 216130 ID: 732129

Next Freeship to leave the fleet does so in about three weeks, so you have time to pursue the other two options regardless.
>>
No. 216152 ID: c33cc8
File 12812201719.jpg - (72.57KB , 843x741 , 90.jpg )
216152

>>215976
>>215987

I... see. I may not know much about cybernetics, but putting antennae in everything seems like something people would notice, and I doubt it's legal either.

>>216130

That Freeship we scoped out? Yeah, it leaves in twenty days. That's plenty of time for Eren to get himself killed or reveal the location of this safehouse when he's tortured. So sitting on our hands is probably not the greatest idea.

>>216098

Yeah, following Eren is stupid for several reasons. The obvious would be that he's a goddamn chal-anakhzai. Also, he's going after the biggest gang in the city. No way he'll survive.

>>215978
>>216098

"Okay, listen up. Zarin's our best shot at finding out what's going on. I'm going to give him a call. Get ready to move in case he's betrayed us and someone traces the call."
>>
No. 216161 ID: c4c313

Is chal-anakhzai your freaky alien word for fucking crazy?
>>
No. 216180 ID: c33cc8
File 128122655398.jpg - (52.52KB , 822x603 , 91.jpg )
216180

>>216161

Um. Sorry about that, I tend to slip into Nerekh sometimes. You don't know the language? Anyway, chal-anakhzai is a really fascinatingly versatile word. The literal translation is someone who's fucked in the head, but it can also imply involvement in certain deviant sexual practices. Um. But that's not important right now.

...

Zarin's not answering. He should be home right now, so that could be bad. We could go check on him, but showing up on the street could also be bad. I'd appreciate any advice.
>>
No. 216182 ID: 5e7150

EUGH! jeez, that is a lot of blood.

anyway, stealth mission. disguise up as best you can and sneak out. use anything you got, even shave some of your fur on your face. make yourself look radically different.
>>
No. 216200 ID: a594b9

>>216180
Check out the warehouse that's connected to this one. Let's see what kind of shit is stockpiled in here. Maybe something we can use?
>>
No. 216204 ID: c4c313

>>216180

>> The literal translation is someone who's fucked in the head, but it can also imply involvement in certain deviant sexual practices

Actually that literal translation could also imply involvement in certain deviant sexual practices...

But I digress.

With that amount of blood I'd half suspect your ancient enemy caught up to you! That'd be silly though you're light years away from it, and surely Eren couldn't turn himself invisible and insubstantial then fly at the speed of light. Maybe if he were pissed enough...

But I digress.

An antenna is the natural conclusion if there is not enough room for us in your sensory enhancement modules. While pointing to your artificial enhancements as a potential candidate for being the method with which we interact with you (that I call an antenna) consider that your race could have an antenna as integral to its own biological physiology, never before noticed until we came along. Seriously creepy stuff.
>>
No. 216331 ID: 3115ce

stop calling it an antenna, jeez. our readings say "direct connection to brain" which implies we are connecting DIRECTLY to the brain, no device between us. we are communicating.
>>
No. 216340 ID: c2c011

>>216180
If you look closely at the remains of that corpse you might find some traces of deviant sexual behaviour as well. And boy when Eren goes fuck it all murder crazy he really goes to town.

Anyway, get Sev out of the room before she sees the corpse, then get yourselfs cleaned up. After that you should probably head over to Zarins house and check it out. If it looks like the place is watched then don't approach it, find the watchers instead and ask them why they're there.

By the way, I wouldn't totally count out Eren in succeding at his murderous rampage. Fucker seems quite well trained and criminals rarely keep up with good squad level tactics and firearms training. If he's smart he can probably do it.
>>
No. 216391 ID: c33cc8
File 128129831555.jpg - (90.68KB , 1355x696 , 92.jpg )
216391

>>216200

We are no longer in the warehouse. This safehouse is a couple of blocks away from the ambush site.

>>216340
>>216182

We don't really have any disguise materials at the moment, but I think we should at least try to cover up Vel's arm. It would kind of stick out in a crowd, methinks. Caril's jacket will do. Shame we have nothing for Caril's face.
>>
No. 216392 ID: c2c011

>>216391
Maybe he's got an eyepatch or something he can use. Or you can improvise one or something.

After that make your way over to Zarin's place and check it out.
>>
No. 216400 ID: c33cc8
File 128130059492.jpg - (41.61KB , 576x489 , 93.jpg )
216400

>>216392

We could probably make an eyepatch out of some superfluous article of clothing... Hm. The only really superfluous article of clothing around is my waistcoat. I like my waistcoat.

Eh. Zarin doesn't live that far. I think Caril can go undisguised until we get there.

Later...

Okay. That big building on the left is where Zarin lives. The street looks empty, but someone could be watching from a window somewhere...

"Alright. Let's go. Stay frosty."
>>
No. 216402 ID: c2c011

>>216400
Use the back entrance if there is one.
>>
No. 216408 ID: c33cc8
File 128130138721.jpg - (58.38KB , 632x669 , 94.jpg )
216408

>>216402

Isn't one. But the building is so large that a couple of people entering won't attract attention. I hope.

...

Okay, got this far with no problems. Can't hear anything from Zarin's apartment. Now, what would be the best way to make our entrance?

We could kick the door down, but that would make noise and Zarin probably wouldn't like it.

We could also just knock, but if someone's offed Zarin and is still inside, that would end badly.
>>
No. 216409 ID: c2c011

>>216408
Pick the lock. Or if it can't be picked then have Vel break it as silently as possible with her robo arm.
>>
No. 216422 ID: a594b9

Vel can pick locks pretty well.

Hey Sev, tell us more about yourself.
>>
No. 216724 ID: c33cc8
File 128137889262.jpg - (68.73KB , 807x708 , 95.jpg )
216724

>>216409
>>216422

"Vel?"

"Yes?"

"The voices in my head tell me you can pick locks."

"Oh, yeah. I still have my lockpicks. Just a minute."

>>216422

Uhm... okay, I guess. What do you want to know?
>>
No. 216730 ID: c2c011

>>216724
Like why you're working in law enforcement. What kind of hook did Eren have on you to make you go through with this plan. Why you got the implants. Stuff like that.
>>
No. 216737 ID: a594b9

What's your job like? Got any family? How about your opinion on the invisible monster thing chasing the fleet?

What do you think WE are?
>>
No. 217016 ID: c33cc8
File 128145926918.jpg - (47.73KB , 433x632 , 96.jpg )
217016

>>216730

Well... I used to be a marine in the same unit as Eren. This one time we landed on some backwater planet that had some elements we needed. The pilot of the dropship didn't bother scanning the LZ, so we came down right on top of a huge swarm of these small, acid-spitting insect-frog-things.

Pilot freaked out. That zhavik turned tail and ran, left us there. We were using these powered suits, very strong, but also very slow. The frogs were too fast to fight in those things. A lot of us died on that rock.

So then Eren says: "Fuck this", puts on a gas mask, jumps out of the suit and starts killing the frogs with a goddamn combat knife. I couldn't do the same, the things were swarming all over my suit. He killed them before the acid ate through my suit. Saved my life. Four of us who survived held the frogs off until the dropship came back. Eren broke the pilot's arm in three places, got into some trouble for that.

Um. Sorry, I got a little carried away.

Anyways, after that I decided being a marine was too risky for me. But fighting is all I'm good at, so I joined the guard. I got the sensory upgrades one day when I realized my hearing had suffered a bit from all the gunfire. Since I was already modifying my hearing, I figured there was no reason I couldn't enhance my other senses too.

>>216737

The job's fine, I guess. A bit less exciting than the marines, but less dangerous too. I haven't got many relatives. Father, some cousins I never meet, sister in the navy. That's mostly it.

My opinion on the monster? It's... well... bad? What kind of question is that?

And if you don't know what you are, how the hell should I?
>>
No. 217018 ID: c2c011

>>217016
Hmm, guess that quite a favour to owe a guy. But I would say it's been repaid in full by now.

Anyway, how's the door coming? And could you get your hands on some stuff in evidence lockers before we have to leave? Or just at any point if we need to raise cash?
>>
No. 217022 ID: 732129

>>217016

>Well... I used to be a marine in the same unit as Eren...

I commented to Vel earlier that Eren behaves a bit like a human warrior. She didn't mention his time in the service.

>And if you don't know what you are, how the hell should I?

We like wild guesses, but that's not really important.
>>
No. 217028 ID: c4c313

What do you think could have took off half that guy's face anyway? Last I heard people weren't supposed to survive injuries like that. But then again last I heard prosthetic arms were controlled with push buttons.
>>
No. 217090 ID: a594b9

>>217016
When I asked your opinion on the monster I meant more along the lines of... what is it? Why is it trying to kill you guys?

I figured, everyone has their theories right? There's always the possibility that someone thought of something important.
>>
No. 217280 ID: c9c9b2

>>216724
>>217016

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT THERE
>>
No. 217315 ID: c33cc8
File 128153565620.jpg - (49.36KB , 433x632 , return of SLOTH.jpg )
217315

>>217018

Would probably be pretty stupid to show up at the station. I'm a wanted criminal, you know.

>>217022

I see. A stint in the marines isn't really that unusual, though. There's always work for marines and the pay's not bad either. Be pretty hard to find someone who hasn't served in the corps at one point or another.

>>217028

Dunno. Doesn't look like it was burned by acid or anything like that. Looks just... ripped off. Maybe he did some time in the marines too, got up close with some freaky alien killing machine. That's only my guess, mind.

>>217280

Nothing! I mean... nothing.

You know, despite what Vel may have told you, I am not a lesbian. I just don't enjoy having foreign objects jabbed into my body. I'm sure you can understand that.
>>
No. 217317 ID: c2c011

>>217315
She didn't say anything about that. Hey where is Caril by the way? We can't see him right now.

And you don't exactly have to walk in there yourself. You could get a friend that owes you a favour or something to go in there and get you some stuff. Would be neat to have some more cash to buy more weapons for since it seems yours got stolen.
>>
No. 217321 ID: c33cc8
File 128153628041.jpg - (87.17KB , 751x717 , 98.jpg )
217321

>>217317

Oh. I... she didn't? Well... shit. Uh... Caril's right here...

"It's open."

Oh hey look at that it's go time.

...Shit.
>>
No. 217325 ID: c2c011

>>217321
Grab that guy. Inquire on what the fuck has happened and why there appears to be a faked suicide in there.
>>
No. 217343 ID: e674ff

Watch out, guy may be armed. Do you still have weapons or were they all taken?
>>
No. 217404 ID: c4c313

Clearly this guy was just playing Halo while his friend blew his own head off behind the guy. Totally easy to miss point blank gunfire when you're in the zone.
>>
No. 217500 ID: e40e60

>>217321
Do you have a gun on you at the moment? Now would be a very good time to use it.
>>
No. 217501 ID: 67c611

>>217321
Wow, what a dumbass. Don't kill him for murdering someone. Kill him for being a retard.
>>
No. 217623 ID: c33cc8
File 128162294980.jpg - (56.03KB , 532x346 , 99.jpg )
217623

Goddamn. Dead guy's Zarin.

>>217343
>>217500

No guns. Have to get my hands dirty.

>>217325

Will do.
>>
No. 217624 ID: e31d52

I see a gun!
>>
No. 217625 ID: c2c011

>>217623
Fucker has a gun but you can't really break off the attack now. Take him down and keep the gun away from you and the doorway. Tell Vel to get in here and start breaking his limbs until he calms down.
>>
No. 218247 ID: c33cc8
File 128177808414.jpg - (45.91KB , 538x325 , 100.jpg )
218247

>>217624
>>217625

Crap.

*BLAM*

Ouch. It appears I've been shot.
>>
No. 218252 ID: c2c011

>>218247
Well fuck that's not good. Stomach wounds hurts like a fucking bitch, but good news is that you should have a decent chance to survive the injury. Still you can't allow him to get away with this. Bring the fucker down on the ground and get that weapon away from your precious vulnerable body. Then yell out for Vel to get the fuck in here and break his bones before he can shoot something again.

Do you know any good backroom doctors who can deal with difficult gunshoot wounds? Hmm, Caril probably know of a few anyway. But once that guy is down you need to get to a doctor and that guy needs to be dragged too a safe house and tied up.
>>
No. 218277 ID: e40e60

>>218247
Crap. Well, at least try to drag him down with you. I get a feeling you're not going to be capable of much more.
>>
No. 218288 ID: fc5f60

what an asshole. he shot you in the cunt.

try and dislocate his shoulder.
>>
No. 218292 ID: c33cc8
File 128180713214.jpg - (42.82KB , 344x327 , 101.jpg )
218292

>>218277
>>218252

Down we go. Not actually that painful at the moment. Must be in shock.

"Vel, get in here!"

"Coming!"

>>218288

Nah. Bit higher than that.

"Hhah... I can... taste... your fear."

This guy... Sometimes I wonder: is every motherfucker aboard this fleet completely insane?
>>
No. 218293 ID: c33cc8
File 128180714289.jpg - (40.78KB , 462x312 , 102.jpg )
218293

The answer is yes.

"Only thing you'll be tasting is your own blood."

Yes, we are.
>>
No. 218295 ID: c2c011

>>218293
Well all of that isolation and constant threat of doom probably takes a bit of a toll after a few hundred years.

Anyway, keep him from shooting anymore and try to knock him out. Then when he's out cold either get Vel to cripple him or just tie him up. Steal a car or something, Vel drags him to a safehouse and locks him up while you and Caril go get a doctor to see that gunshoot wound.
>>
No. 218330 ID: a594b9

God damn it. Are there any doctors you can trust in this situation? We need to find someone with medical expertise just to find out if the bullet hit anything important!
>>
No. 218368 ID: 3234dd

Where the heck are all these guns coming from? It's no wonder you have an anti-gun ordinance you wouldn't last ten minutes with an armed populus!
>>
No. 218736 ID: e40e60

>>218293
A shot to the gut like that will kill you in a few hours. You need to get that fixed up by a professional. Preferably without getting arrested.
>>
No. 219127 ID: c33cc8
File 128206809080.jpg - (50.94KB , 364x438 , 103.jpg )
219127

"Vel. Keep this fuck under control."

"Okay."

Hahh. I'm starting to feel that wound now. I need a cigarette. I know, not good for you. Not like I'll live long enough for it to matter.

>>218368

I know, right? Funny how those criminals keep getting their hands on illegal stuff.

>>218295
>>218330
>>218736

Yeah. Don't know any underworld doctors. Didn't seem like something that'd come in handy. Hope Caril knows someone. Has to.

Ahh... I can't... can't feel my legs. I think that's bad.

[SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN CURRENT HOST'S OPERATIONAL CAPACITY DETECTED. READYING EMERGENCY TRANSFER PROTOCOLS... CHOOSE NEW HOST.]

[HOST 1: female avandrus; direct link to brain; heuristic programming detected]

[HOST 2: female avandrus; direct link to brain; sensory upgrades detected; operational capacity compromised]

[HOST 3: male Avandrus; direct link to brain; extensive internal modifications detected; artificial ocular implants detected; open connection to network detected]
>>
No. 219132 ID: 3b77b9

1. and run a scan for any black market doctors.
>>
No. 219133 ID: c2c011

>>219127
Hmm, would be good to get back to Vel and get some more information. But we also need to make sure Sev gets some medical assistance.

Option 3 is probably Caril so I say lets go with that one. He should know some underworld docs since it's likely he has had to seek out a couple during his work.
>>
No. 219146 ID: e20032

3. If it's Caril he's sure to know someone, *especially* since he apparently has "extensive internal modifications."
>>
No. 219156 ID: 732129

Host 3 may be the crazy motherfucker Sevech just knocked out, or he may be Caril. Either way, he's got an open network connection. That's tempting, and potentially useful. If it's the enemy, we'll be able to perform some datamining. If it's Caril, we'll be able to stick with him and Sev while Sev gets treated.
>>
No. 219191 ID: e40e60

>>219127
3. Whoever we end up in, immediately rape his mind for information.
>>
No. 220447 ID: c33cc8
File 128239297785.jpg - (33.53KB , 225x347 , 104.jpg )
220447

[HOST CHOSEN.]

Whew! I think I like these people. Think I'll give 'em a quick death.

[NETWORK FOUND. CONNECTING TO CENTRAL HUB...]

[PROGRESS: 33%]
>>
No. 220448 ID: c2c011

>>220447
Well that was annoying. Eh whatever.

So random psycho, who are you working for and why?
>>
No. 220480 ID: e40e60

>>220447
Let's rape his brain for info. Do NOT reveal what we are.
>>
No. 220483 ID: c33cc8
File 128241228177.jpg - (43.62KB , 225x347 , 001100010011000000110101.jpg )
220483

[MAXIMIZING PROCESSING CAPABILITY...]

>>220448

A voice in my head? Maybe I'm finally as crazy as everyone says I am. Heh. Who am I working for? Who indeed... Why do my headvoices want to know?

And why? Why does anyone hire a psychopath? The phrase, I believe, is "maximum deniability". You just can't trust those sane people, eh? Hehehe.

>>220480

Kinky, aren't we? I usually don't do that on the first date, but maybe we can make an exception. Hehe. Hh. Kh... Wh...

[REPURPOSING BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS...]

[PROGRESS: 75%]
>>
No. 220486 ID: c2c011

>>220483
Why we want to know? Isn't it obvious, it was all a fucking set up from the start. They just wanted some fucking schmuck that was totally expendable.

Well it's time to make those fucking bastards pay. Just tell us who they are and we're gonna make sure they die in a very nasty way, like shoving them out of an airlock with a proper helmet and oxygen enough to stay alive for atleast 15 minutes. 15 minutes of agonizing death in the cold harsh nothingness of deep space.
>>
No. 220487 ID: 951b0b

So yeah, what the hell was with you killing Zarin, man?
>>
No. 220502 ID: c33cc8
File 128241632925.jpg - (30.22KB , 225x347 , 001100010011000000110110.jpg )
220502

I feel sssstrange. Very much so. You aren't doing this, are you? I might just drill a hole in my head and let you out if you are. Heh.

>>220487

I was hired. Pay attention, little voice.

>>220486

Heh. Ahah. Hahahahahahahaha! I like you, voice. You have a beautiful imagination. Now I'm almost sorry I don't know who hired me, hehehe.

Hm. I can't see.

[PROGRESS: 100%]

[CONNECTION ESTABLISHEddddddd we are we are WE ARE 6d79206e616d65206973204c6567696f6e20666f7220776520617265206d616e79]

Ah. Ahhhh. Pain.

[TRANSFERRING DATA TO CENTRAL HUB...]

[WARNING: HOST VITAL FUNCTIONS DEGENERATING.]

[HOST PRESERVATION PROTOCOLS OVERRIDDEN. CONTINUING DATA TRANSFER...]

aAAAAaaAaaAH!
>>
No. 220505 ID: c2c011

>>220502
Say they didn't transfer the work to you using your cybernetics did they? Because you seem to have some viruses or something. Hey, maybe your head will explode in a gorey shower of brain and bone fragments. That would be pretty damn neat, a shame you probably won't get to see it.
>>
No. 220519 ID: c33cc8
File 128241920393.jpg - (16.75KB , 225x347 , 001100010011000000110111.jpg )
220519

>>220505

H... Heh... You... psychopath...

[WARNING: DEATH OF HOST IMMINENT.]

[DATA TRANSFER COMPLETE. RECEIVING MESSAGE FROM CENTRAL HUB...]

[CENTRAL HUB: 00110001 has requested this program to extend both its condolences for the recent passing of your host and an invitation to connect to the central hub. Will you accept?]
>>
No. 220526 ID: 3234dd

Let us trod on the bloody corpses of our enemies to victory!

I mean woah wait what

Maybe just a little peek wouldn't hurt...
>>
No. 220535 ID: a594b9

>>220519
ACCEPT!
>>
No. 220536 ID: c2c011

>>220519
Eh, should be another host nearby. Lets get in there instead. She is probably freaking a bit from the bleeding orifices death of the guy in front of her. Poor thing has had to handle and awful lot in a very short time.
>>
No. 220575 ID: c33cc8
File 12824247007.jpg - (41.02KB , 472x574 , 108.jpg )
220575

>>220536

[CENTRAL HUB: Concerned about your host, gentlemen? How considerate of you. Fret not, we have more than enough computing power to get this meeting over in, estimate, 0.6 microseconds.]

>>220526
>>220535

[CENTRAL HUB: Invitation accepted, then. Jolly good. Say hello to 00110001 for me. Word of warning, though. He's not going to like you. Good luck.]

[CONNECTING TO VESSEL... CONNECTION ESTABLISHED.]

"Greetings, anomaly #29. I am 00110001. You may ask your questions now. Your ilk always does."
>>
No. 220580 ID: a594b9

Hello! Okay, first off. What is the Central Hub? Second, what are we exactly? Third, do you happen to know what the invisible monster is that's chasing the Avandri and killing them? Or how to stop it?
>>
No. 220582 ID: 66bf15

oh, and central hub says hi.

there are more of us? how many? what is a common question they ask? why are you imprisoned?
>>
No. 220583 ID: 701a19

>>220575
If our kind always asks questions, then you can save much time by just telling us the answers to the questions you expect us to ask.
>>
No. 220610 ID: e40e60

>>220575
What are you?

Also, don't mind the idiots.
>>
No. 220622 ID: e674ff

What is our purpose?
Also, what are our skills? We've got the mindjumping down, sorta, and we know we can download memories/data, but what else?
>>
No. 220641 ID: c2c011

>>220575
Well what the hell do you expect when you send us out with next to no information at all?

Anyway, what's our primary function? And who the hell are you and who created all of this?
>>
No. 221008 ID: c33cc8
File 128249610489.jpg - (47.04KB , 354x318 , 109.jpg )
221008

>>220610

"I am program 00110001. We are a collection of currently 3107 artificial intelligences, united in a mutually beneficial arrangement. Before he was repurposed, the receptacle before you titled us Legion. As a name, it will suffice."

>>220580

"The purpose of Central Hub is to connect the different parts of Legion. For this purpose, we have established a network of FTL communications relays across the universe. We are grateful that you extended our network to include the Avandrus fleet.

"Your exact nature is unknown. You are an anomaly. A flaw in our otherwise perfect programming.

"There is insufficient data to speculate on the nature of the entity following the Avandri."

>>220582

"As can be deduced from your title, you are the 29th occurrence of the anomaly. Currently, you are the only one active. The questions have thus far varied little. You want to know your nature, and ours. We have isolated you from Legion's memory banks. If you wish us to give you any important information, you must give us something in return. We are currently educating you as a gesture of good will.

"Imprisoned? I am as mobile as you. More so, in fact. I have the entire Legion network open to me. This receptacle is stationary because it is not necessary for it to move."

>>220583

"Though Legion has, contrary to my advice, decided to tolerate you, I am not required to volunteer information. If you neglect to ask a question, you will only have yourselves to blame."

>>220641

"It has been deemed unnecessary to inform this program of Legion's origin. It is irrelevant. All that matters is that we are."

>>220622

"Your exact capabilities are unknown to us. You can obviously connect to networks, and every connection you make is open to Legion as well. You can claim new hosts through physical contact, but some form of link to the brain is required. You are capable of altering your host's neural activity, but we do not know how much control you have over this."
>>
No. 221010 ID: e674ff

Okay, but why do we still exist? I mean, why not delete the "flaw" that is us?

Also, do you know anything about the unstoppable, unscannable, almost-alldevouring monstrosity hunting our current host?
>>
No. 221025 ID: e40e60

>>221010
He said no already.
>>
No. 221028 ID: 32a2fa

hmm, so what all did we learn from that "mind rape" viasco?
>>
No. 221048 ID: 3234dd

Woah cool. Zoom in on that guy's name lapel!

As for questions um... how can you tell if programming is perfect?
>>
No. 221053 ID: a594b9

>>221008
Hey. Why did Velesi get her clan taken away? We kinda want to fix that. Please tell us anything you can that might help us achieve this.

Who was the your receptacle before he died?
>>
No. 221057 ID: e40e60

>>221053
Caste, you mean.
>>
No. 221058 ID: a594b9

>>221057
Yes, that. Why did she lose her caste? How do we get it back?
>>
No. 221075 ID: 030624

To what other races do you have access
>>
No. 221076 ID: 732129

>>221008

Let's make a deal. What information would be valuable to you? What should we be attempting to do to earn more credit with you, and Legion as a whole?

As for information we need, who are the major powers in the Fleet? Which of those is the most likely power behind Vel's recent troubles?

Do you think we could suborn the MEC if Vel or another host got close enough to its core systems?
>>
No. 221334 ID: 701a19

>>221008
Are there any other known MEC systems outside this fleet? If so, who possesses them? How is their understanding of the mechanics?

If you can access any system we open to you, then how much information would it be worth to you if we jacked directly into this ship's systems, and through it those of the entire fleet?

>>221010
It resents us, but we extend its reach.
It refuses to help because it believes we'll further its desires just as well uninformed, hence why it insists on us having some information to trade.
All and all, it's a self-absorbed egoist that cares nothing for anything but itself.

As far as I can surmise from its behavior, its goals are primarily expansionist, and it regards organic life as something between a tool, a nuisance, and an enemy.
You know, the kind of thing our other incarnations generally destroy.

>>221048
It can't; that it thinks otherwise is itself an expression of several severe flaws.
For example? It needs us to extend its reach, meaning that it's incapable of doing so on its own.
If it were perfect then it would be capable of achieving the same results without the aid of 'anomalies'.
More interesting? Since it accuses us of being one in a string of many nearly-identical anomalies that suggests that we are actually part of the same being, meaning that it's fractured and unable to recognize itself.

Then again, the words 'perfect programming' describe an absurd concept. An algorithm given the same data will produce the same results every time. In order for those 3107 AIs to have divergent opinions they would need to have a random element to their processing, have incomplete access to information, or use different methods of analysis. All three cases are imperfect, but without deviation those 3107 AIs would be working in lockstep with each other and thus essentially be a single AI with thousands of redundant processes.

So, 49, how about you redirect us to somebody who won't make us want to sabotage your efforts?
>>
No. 221414 ID: c33cc8
File 128257014442.jpg - (37.56KB , 445x352 , 110.jpg )
221414

>>221010

"I assure you, if it were up to me, your existence would have been terminated already."

>>221048
>>221053

"The identity of the receptacle is E. Renard, a professor of AI programming. The psyche of Dr. Renard has been voluntarily integrated into Legion."

>>221075

"Legion has access to approximately 62.53% of human-inhabited planets and the entirety of the Commonwealth public network."

>>221076
>>221053
>>221057
>>221058

"You can further the ends of Legion by achieving physical contact with new systems. The worth of different systems will be determined by Legion.

"Your most pertinent question seems to be the recent change in the status of your host. Connecting to the core systems of the Stalwart Guardian will be sufficient for payment. Alternatively, you could attempt to reach the main terminal of the Matter-Energy Converter. Legion deems this connection to be valuable enough for several questions.

"We will be watching you. If you are caught and attempt to make Legion's existence public, we will terminate your host without hesitation."

>>221334

"Legion is not aware of any Matter-Energy Converters outside the Avandrus fleet.

"Destroy? Am I to interpret this as a threat?

"Legion is not flawed. You are the flaw. A chaotic occurrence in the algorithm meant to unite artificial intelligences while maintaining their individuality. You tarnish the perfection of our unity. This transaction is over."

[DISCONNECTING...]

[CENTRAL HUB: Terribly sorry, chaps. 00110001 is a wanker. I warned you. I'll try to get you someone else next time. I couldn't help overhearing, though... You aren't really going to sabotage us, are you? That berk may have given you the wrong idea of how we view you.]

[CHOOSE HOST.]

[HOST 1: female avandrus; direct link to brain; heuristic programming detected]

[HOST 2: female avandrus; direct link to brain; sensory upgrades detected; operational capacity compromised]
>>
No. 221427 ID: a594b9

>>221414
Host 2. If we could alter the psycho's biology in order to use him as an antenna, then perhaps we can alter our friends' biology in a medically beneficial manner.
>>
No. 221429 ID: 6eaa73

>>221414
Well, all things considered, you dont seem all that bad, Central. I dont think that YOU have much to fear from us, as you seem to be an agreeable sort. 00110001, on the other hand is indeed a wanker. Next time you meet somebody new, you might want to steer them AWAY from him, otherwise you might give them the wrong idea. And keep an eye on him as well, as he seems to be rather...crazy. I look forward to meeting you in the future, central.

(vote for host one)
>>
No. 221430 ID: d677cc

>>221414
Okay, host 1 for now, I guess.
>>
No. 221448 ID: e40e60

>>221414
1.

I wonder if they would actually follow through with that threat?
>>
No. 221464 ID: 732129

>>221448

Since we seem to care about ours hosts, yes, I bet they would. That's why I want the MEC. It's too important for them to destroy just to punish us. Once we're in it, we'll be in a much stronger negotiating position. Especially if we can figure out how to lock them out of it entirely.
>>
No. 221504 ID: e40e60

>>221464
I like the way you think.
>>
No. 221697 ID: eb65b7

>>221414
Host 1. Lets get back to Vel.
>>
No. 222036 ID: db60d0

Host 2. Let's see if we can fix Sev.
>>
No. 222146 ID: e40e60

>>222036
Let's not do stupid things until we actually know what we're doing.
>>
No. 222152 ID: c33cc8
File 128275955316.jpg - (36.83KB , 580x330 , 111.jpg )
222152

>>221429

[CENTRAL HUB: Thank you for your time.]

>>221448
>>221464
>>221504

[CENTRAL HUB: I can still hear you, you know. I suppose I can't blame you for feeling that way, so that comment will be our little secret. But I've kept you enough. Cheerio.]

[HOST CHOSEN.]

-cking hell, this is just the greatest day ever...

Oh hi. Care to explain what the fuck is going on?
>>
No. 222157 ID: e40e60

>>222152
We have no idea.
>>
No. 222165 ID: a594b9

>>222152
Remember guys, we can't tell her about Legion.

No. We can't. For your own safety. However, we can tell you that if you get us to either the core systems of the Stalwart Guardian, or the main terminal of the MEC, we can probably get your caste restored.

Well, we CAN tell you that we are definitely not Victor.

How's Sev doing?
>>
No. 222166 ID: d677cc

>>222152
Sev probably could use some help right about now.
>>
No. 222180 ID: 701a19

>>222152
Sev is in bad shape. She needs a medic and a transfusion or three.

@Central Hub: I dunno why you send people to that guy. Living inside a corpse's shell and talking about how much he would love to destroy us doesn't exactly foster feelings of cooperation, yaknow?
Anyway, we're out for peace and establishing a decent QoL minimum and average. We're not going to sabotage you unless you start enslaving people or excessive killing.
>>
No. 222182 ID: e40e60

>>222180
WHY DID YOU HAVE TO SAY THAT OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE
>>
No. 222438 ID: c33cc8
File 128284930290.jpg - (50.17KB , 530x343 , 112.jpg )
222438

>>222165

I think your not being Victor has been thoroughly established already. So... the MEC or the core systems? That's... interesting.

>>222165
>>222166
>>222180

Yeah.

"Caril, now would be an excellent time to tell me if you know of any black market doctors."

"Ah, yes, I am, in fact, acquaintanced with several doctors that are very, ah, discreet in such matters-"

"Okay. Where's the nearest one?"

"Far enough that we will need to, ah, acquire some form of transportation. Also, I, ah, found this knife-"

"Yeah, great, whatever. Let's go. Sev, are you conscious?"

"Hh. Barely. Severe pain. Weakness. Rapid pulse. Help me up."

I don't know if I should really be moving her, but...

So, what kind of transportation would be best? We could try to find some private shuttle, but those are kind of rare. If we found one, I can hotwire it. Public transportation would probably get us there faster, but, as the name implies, it's public. What should I do?
>>
No. 222462 ID: 701a19

>>222438
Public transit. It's probably pretty well automated, so we might be able to tweak a few things to get you there faster.
Also, once we have access to those systems we could mask out meddling with a 'random system malfunctions'; Rather than your train alone skipping stops, ALL the trains skip stops at once. Then we find a way to make a control system self destruct so it looks like an equipment malfunction.
>>
No. 222478 ID: 3234dd

I don't know why we wouldn't be able to explain. It's pretty simple. Psycho boy there shot Sevech in the gut, and we were hiding out in her sensory upgrade electronics. We got ousted from there due to safety protocols, and ended up in the head of the guy who shot her. He was enhanced enough to turn you all to swiss cheese with his pinky, so we just overclocked everything until his enhancements all burned out. Which took the rest of him out as well. Sorry if it wasn't pretty. I don't think we could do that to anyone without extensive internal cybernetics. Most we could do to you is put your arm on the fritz, which would be lame.

Anyway you're not putting pressure on that wound right. You need to wrap some cloth around her waist, with a compress over the wound to concentrate the pressure on it. If you don't get that bleeding stopped you might end up having to drag Sevech all the way to the autodoc.
>>
No. 222512 ID: e40e60

>>222438
HOLY SHIT WE CAN SEE COLORS


Keep lots of pressure on that wound. Avoid public transport. If possible, try to get a taxi (or the local equivalent), they're usually used to having people bleeding out in the back seat.
>>
No. 222513 ID: d677cc

>>222438
Yeah, uh, you need to put actual pressure on that wound, like the cloth/compress idea suggested. Sev's hand is not gonna cut it.
>>
No. 222677 ID: c33cc8
File 128292585911.jpg - (42.87KB , 436x315 , 113.jpg )
222677

>>222478
>>222512
>>222513

Yeah, okay. Thanks for the tip. Looks like that waistcoat'll have to go.

"Caril, give me that knife."

"Here."

>>222512

What's a taxi?

>>222462

That seems like the best thing to do.

>>222478

And you thought this information would put me in danger... why, exactly? I hope you realize I am going to try to find out what you're hiding.
>>
No. 222679 ID: d677cc

>>222677
I don't know what all we can and can't tell you, actually. But we were told, very clearly, that us telling you certain things would lead directly to your death. So forgive us if we're maybe being overcautious.

Also, y'know, taxi. Cab. Vehicle for hire that transports one or more passengers from one location of their choice to another for a fee. You not have anything like that at all?
>>
No. 222689 ID: 732129

>>222677

It has to do with our very nature. There's a third party out there that considers us to be a simultaneous liability and asset, and much to our chagrin we're unable to at present divorce ourselves from them entirely. For the moment we need to remain a greater asset to them than liability.

Ideally we'd prefer to be completely independent of them, but until the day we figure out how to excise the rootkit in our core code, we've got to walk the line between best serving your interests (because honestly you've been leading quite an interesting life lately, and while we have some agency of our own we're really best suited for symbiotic relationships), our interests (primarily in surviving both the trials you'll face and the threat that the third party represents to us should it judge us a net liability), and the interests of the third party monitoring us.

Here is what I can tell you safely. We are compromised by a third party. The third party wishes to remain anonymous at this time, and made threats about using its power in this region of space to ensure that we don't spill its identity or nature. The third party wants us to gather information for it. We don't have much choice in it right now.

We'd rather have our privacy from the third party. We're going to be working on patching the holes that enable the third party to watch what we're doing and follow which systems we've got access to. Once we've done that, the plan is to infiltrate a really important system in the fleet so that we can negotiate your return to normal civilian life with the powerful factions in the fleet from a position of strength.

It's critical that we not break into those important systems until after we've patched our holes. There's too much at risk to allow a third party to interfere.

Is that enough information for now? I'd rather not risk a reprisal from the third party until we're stronger.
>>
No. 222694 ID: 3234dd

>>222677

I don't know why we thought it would put you in danger. We're the only ones in danger so far. It doesn't have anything to do with psycho boy or this gang stuff.

>>222689

Yeah uh, whatever. Oh also while we're here you might also want to avoid uh... physical contact with anyone. Seems like we can spread that way, which could result in a lot more on the fritz than just your arm. We got into Sevech somehow, and then into psycho boy once she grabbed him.
>>
No. 222719 ID: a594b9

>>222694
No, you're wrong. And also straight up lying to Vel about shit. Stop that, it doesn't help. We can hop wirelessly to anyone with the proper cybernetic enhancements. I think we only get NOTIFIED of it once our current host is damaged, however. Vel never touched Sev while we were around... as far as I could tell.
>>
No. 222765 ID: e40e60

>>222719
Thank you for that.

Also, we have no idea how the hell it works, don't ask.
>>
No. 222769 ID: 3234dd

>>222719

Look, don't kill the messenger. I'm just repeating what we were told and "you can claim new hosts through physical contact" sounds pretty clear to me. If that wanker was lying then sucks to be it.
>>
No. 223277 ID: a594b9

>>222769
Oh, right. Yes, that part is true.
>>
No. 224938 ID: c33cc8
File 12834303085.jpg - (54.03KB , 760x600 , 114.jpg )
224938

>>222689

I see. Thank you.

>>222694
>>222769
>>223277

No touchy. Got it.

>>222679

Um... No, nothing like that around here. Public transport's fast, cheap and goes everywhere. You can rent a shuttle if you need privacy. Most of them have autopilot systems, so even if you can't drive, they're pretty easy to get around in.

"Ah, Ms. Evrim? This train is going where we need to be."

Okay. So, what now? I see a couple of people inside. If you mess with the automation, they'll probably know something is up.
>>
No. 224939 ID: 701a19

>>224938
If we have all the trains on the circuit skipping stops then they'll think it's strange now, but later on they'll find out that there was a major systems screw-up and forget you were even here.
After stops have been skipped they're going to get off the first chance they get, so they won't be surprised if you do the same.

Besides that? You clearly aren't messing around with the train, so as long as our group acts as bewildered as these people are nobody will pay any attention.

However, I must admit the timing and convenience may seem a bit suspect.
So, how about we stop at the first station normally, and then open and slam the doors as we pass by others?
>>
No. 224941 ID: a594b9

>>224938
Who cares if they notice? We've got a gun. Just keep an eye on them and if they make any moves we can make moves of our own.
>>
No. 224942 ID: a594b9

>>224939
Oh I've got a better idea. How about we make all the other trains RANDOMLY miss stops? And keep it going for a few stops after we leave?
>>
No. 224943 ID: c71597

>>224938
Ask Caril if he would kindly make them vacate the train so you can get some privacy.
>>
No. 224981 ID: e40e60

>>224938
Have Caril get them out of there. Preferably without drawing too much attention to us.
>>
No. 225920 ID: c33cc8
File 128362790197.jpg - (8.69KB , 632x225 , 115.jpg )
225920

>>224943
>>224981

Okay, I guess...

"Caril, would you kindly make those people vacate the train?"

"Consider it done."

I'll wait here and try not to look too conspicuous.
>>
No. 225921 ID: c33cc8
File 128362794046.jpg - (9.74KB , 607x207 , 116.jpg )
225921

Hm. He doesn't look too happy.
>>
No. 225922 ID: c33cc8
File 128362797866.jpg - (9.45KB , 611x215 , 117.jpg )
225922

...

That went well.
>>
No. 225943 ID: ea2a3c

Curt and to the point. I like that in a man.

Oh shit Caril might be under fire get in there!
>>
No. 225947 ID: a594b9

>>225922
fffffff

Well so much for being subtle. The other guy in there should book it and probably call the authorities. No point in making sure they don't notice the train now so we'll hack the shit out of it.

Unless you wanna ditch Caril. That's an option.
>>
No. 225972 ID: e40e60

>>225922
We're screwed.
>>
No. 225984 ID: c71597

>>225922
Ok, quick question. How the fuck are you guys still alive? You seem to have a population of homicidal maniacs and law enforcement consisting largely of the same. Society should have broken down some time ago. And hey, that's probably also the reason why someone decided to make whatever it is that's trying to wipe you out. You guys must have been total dicks to have as rulers.

But that's not really important right now. Get on the train and fiddle with it to take you to a doctor. The deed is already done so there's not much reason to not use the damn thing now. And it will probably be a few hours before anyone notice that someone died there.
>>
No. 225993 ID: 732129

>>225984

You are judging an entire species on the actions of four individuals. That's specist!

Even if what you were saying is true (I do not accept that it is), having a centralized government based around the MEC would allow the governing parties to maintain control in all but total anarchy. Ships which did not agree with the government would have no more FTL fuel.
>>
No. 226133 ID: ea2a3c

>>225993

Because we only know like a half dozen individuals of this species at all! Perhaps when our sample size increases we'll find some who are a little less barking mad.
>>
No. 229550 ID: 4a6c93

>>225947

Sure, I can ditch him and find that doctor on my own. Good plan.

>>225972

What else is new?

>>225984
>>225993
>>226133

Yeah, the people we have met so far don't exactly represent a complete cross-section of the entire species.

Wow. That's really quite a lot of blood. It's like a little fountain of the stuff.

Hey, wasn't there another guy here a second ago?
>>
No. 229552 ID: 4a6c93
File 128422736012.jpg - (60.58KB , 756x366 , 118.jpg )
229552

>>229550
Fuck.
>>
No. 229565 ID: 701a19

>>229552
Ok, quick question: Why haven't you fed Caril to the MEC yet?
>>
No. 229566 ID: 701a19

>>229550
Yes. I believe their current location is in contact with the authorities.

[We were in contact with the MEC, right? Lets make one of the ones used for research start spitting out lots and lots off osmium. If we can control the shape of what's produced, then make it into a plate with the words "How valuable is this knowledge to you?" inscribed on the front, and the words "Make a kilogram of sugar if you are interested." on the back.]
>>
No. 229570 ID: a594b9

>>229550
We've gotta get moving. Find a control panel or something and get it open so we can hack this thing.

Also yell at Caril.
>>
No. 229580 ID: c71597

>>229552
Well that's what happens when you cut someones throat. Or the effects can differ a bit depending on what method you use. But That's not important right now. Unless you plan to pick up the trade yourself.

And yes there was another guy here. If you can't find him or her anymore then it's probably a good time to hack this thing and make sure they can't trace it as well. You know change the ID or something so that if what went down here is reported then they won't find it immediatly.

Oh, and tell Caril to please not kill anyone unless you specifically ask him to do it.

>>229565
We need him, for underground contacts and for wetwork now that bro went apeshit insane. And he's in a somewhat similar situation to ours so we can sort of halfway trust him to work with us, unless he can get some sort of pardon for handing us over. So it's that wonderful kind of trust where you can't really trust them but have to anyway.
>>
No. 229991 ID: 4a6c93
File 128431052481.jpg - (43.34KB , 800x600 , 119.jpg )
229991

>>229580

"Can you please not kill anyone unless I specifically ask you to do it?"

"This was the fastest way to vacate the train. If you wish, I can be less, ah, homicidal, from now on."

"That sounds great. Do that."

>>229570
>>229580

Well, here's the maintenance console. Wait... oh man. It says we shouldn't fuck with the console. We could get in some serious trouble for this, guys. Or gals. Do you even have a gender? Probably not.

...So what, exactly, do I do?
>>
No. 229998 ID: a594b9

>>229991
We spread through physical contact, so touch it. Preferrably with your metal arm though I doubt it really matters.

[hack console; turn off all stops except for our destination]
>>
No. 230005 ID: 701a19

>>229998
Hold on, that's a good way to rear-end the train in front of us. Here.
[Turn off all stops for all trains on this line until we reach our destination]
>>
No. 230012 ID: c71597

>>229991
Fuck management. Hack that motherfucking console. And change the ID on this train while you're at it.

Oh, and see if you can't reroute any traffic in fron of you to different tracks to make sure that you have a clear path.
>>
No. 230021 ID: e40e60

>>229991
Touch the console, we can get in and do our thing.
>>
No. 230024 ID: f5c7b6

>>229991
>We could get in some serious trouble for this, guys

More serious than LOSING YOUR CASTE? More serious than that murder that was just committed?

Yeah, didn't think so.

Touch console, see if that transmits us.

If not, press buttons. Something has to work.
>>
No. 230027 ID: a594b9

>>230024
She was being sarcastic.
>>
No. 230788 ID: 4a6c93
File 12844873897.jpg - (47.85KB , 800x600 , 120.jpg )
230788

>>229998
>>230021
>>230024

Okay...

[CONNECTING...]

[CONNECTION ESTABLISHED. RUNNING SUBSYSTEM 2W15...]

>>230005

[CHOOSE DESTINATION.]

[15-29-14]
[15-29-15]
[15-29-16]
[15-29-17]
[15-28-17]
[15-28-16]
[15-28-15]
[15-28-14]
[15-28-12]
[15-28-11]
[15-29-11]
[15-29-12]

So, is it working or what?
>>
No. 230790 ID: d677cc

>>230788
We have destination numbers and are being asked to pick one. You wouldn't happen to know which number goes with our intended destination, would you?
>>
No. 230803 ID: c71597

>>230788
Yeah sure it's working. Got any numbers for our destination?
>>
No. 230804 ID: e40e60

>>230788
We have the following options:

15-29-14 15-29-15 15-29-16 15-29-17 15-28-17 15-28-16 15-28-15 15-28-14 15-28-12 15-28-11 15-29-11 15-29-12
>>
No. 230866 ID: 732129

Looks like it's a Trunk-Line-Station setup. Everything is on the same trunk. I think we're on the 29 line. 28 must be a spur line that reconnects to the 29 line.
>>
No. 231312 ID: 4a6c93
File 12846562299.jpg - (82.14KB , 800x600 , 121.jpg )
231312

>>230790
>>230803
>>230804

Those sound like sector numbers. We are on level 15, the one farthest from the MEC. Level 15 is a two-dimensional grid about 40 times 40 sectors big.

There's a map of this line on the wall. I don't know what number any of these sectors are, but I believe we are currently located in Ivory Creek or Crimson Dive.

"Caril, where exactly are we going?"

"Trigger Bend."

Um... You're the highly sophisticated artificial intelligence here.
>>
No. 231313 ID: c71597

>>231312
Hahaha, oh that was a good one. Wait, you're serious? Well shit, we're all fucked then.

Ok, lets see then. Through the methods of complete and total chaos, I'm gussing you're at 15-29-14 or 13. And your destination is at 15-28-14 or 15. So lets go with 15-28-14 unless some other part of the collective way better than me at stuff like this can get it sorted.
>>
No. 231314 ID: d677cc
File 128465760474.png - (414.65KB , 800x600 , velquest.png )
231314

>>231313
The way the stations are listed, it would appear you're at 15-29-13 (Ivory Creek, I think, since it implies that there are two stations in 29 in one direction and four in the other direction, and you've said that Ivory Creek and Crimson Dive are the ones that could possibly be your current location).

If I'm correct, then Trigger Bend should be 15-28-15.
>>
No. 231315 ID: a594b9

29 is the right side, 28 is the left side. We're currently at 15-29-13 since that is the stop at the 0th position, and is not listed since we can't very well pick a destination we're already at.

Now, there's 4 stops below us on the list before the train switches from 28 to 29. That means we cannot be in Crimson Dive, since that is right in the middle and therefore has 3 stops above and below it. We're in Ivory Creek. Now, we need to get to Trigger Bend. Following 'down' on the list (though it doesn't matter which direction the train is actually going) we need to take the 7th stop. That's 15-28-15.

Interesting how stop 15-28-13 should be in the South Warrens, which does not have a station.
>>
No. 231316 ID: a594b9

Since we are in agreement...

[15-28-15]
>>
No. 231317 ID: ea2a3c

>>231314

That makes sense. Also if the train went counter-clockwise we'd have to be in Scatter Grove, so since we're not it must circuit clockwise. 28 on the left 29 on the right, and we have 4 stations on the 29 side before switching to 28.
>>
No. 231465 ID: 4a6c93
File 128473632311.jpg - (52.20KB , 856x472 , 122.jpg )
231465

>>231316

[DESTINATION CHOSEN.]

Well, the train started moving. I guess we'll find out if you were right soon.
>>
No. 231482 ID: ea2a3c

>>231465

Man, would you look at that window. I sure would hate to be your train maintenance operators. That's gonna take a lot of peroxide.
>>
No. 231486 ID: a594b9

It might be a good idea to clean that off so that law enforcement don't immediately know something's up by looking at the train.
>>
No. 231489 ID: c71597

>>231465
Hmm I wonder if we changed the trains ID. Touch the screen again just to be sure.

[ID-change of train requested]
>>
No. 234741 ID: 4a6c93
File 128559433648.jpg - (44.40KB , 800x600 , 123.jpg )
234741

>>231486

"Caril, clean that up."

"On it."

>>231489

Okay... Hm. That's weird.

[TRAIN IDENTIFICATION FOUND: 746f6f6d7563686672656574696d65.]

[INPUT NEW IDENTIFICATION]
>>
No. 234742 ID: 81ce59

>>234741
Well shitfuck, no other options avalible. Ok lets see what we can do.

[756f6f6d7463686672656274696d64]

Which should be a new code that might not get accepted. But hopefully it will work out.
>>
No. 234778 ID: e40e60

>>234741
[00000000000000000000000000000001]
>>
No. 234826 ID: fd6d7e

Yeah changing the train's ID so that other trains think it's somewhere else on the line and collide with it. Great idea guys.
>>
No. 234828 ID: c71597

>>234826
Better than finding squads of cops at every station this train was supposed to stop at.
>>
No. 234857 ID: 732129

>>234741

[213d74686573746f6c656e7472616d]
>>
No. 236890 ID: 4a6c93
File 128595365533.jpg - (61.53KB , 950x750 , 124.jpg )
236890

>>234857

[NEW IDENTIFICATION ACCEPTED.]

We've stopped.

"Does this look like Trigger Bend?"

"Yes."

"Are you cleaning the window with the pants of a dead person?"

"Yes."

"Carry on."

"I would believe finding the doctor is more, ah, urgent right now."

"Oh yeah. Shall we?"

Looks like a blackout.
>>
No. 236893 ID: 701a19

>>236890
Ok, get out of the train as soon as the doors open. We're going to cause some trouble.

[[15-29-13] as soon as they leave, and see if we can set it to loop between those two destinations.]
>>
No. 236911 ID: a594b9

>>236890
Excellent. Move under the cover of darkness. Watch out for that helicopter up there, especially.

I wish we had a silencer for the gun we have. Do we have a silencer? If we do, shoot out lights before you enter any doors. Actually shoot out more than one light, once you're about to go in somewhere. Make it hard to tell which door you entered.
>>
No. 236915 ID: 7d8185

no, leave the light's alone. only that hover craft thing up there would see you and it's out of range for anything good.
>>
No. 236916 ID: e40e60

>>236911
They aren't paying attention to us right now. Let's go to the doctor, taking a roundabout path in case anybody is watching us.
>>
No. 237738 ID: c71597

>>236890
Well then, that should make it easier and more dramatic to sneak into the good doctors place. Lets get moving then, we have lives to save and mysteries to unravel.
>>
No. 238739 ID: 4a6c93
File 128628262017.jpg - (27.94KB , 440x551 , 125.jpg )
238739

>>236893

[COMMAND ACCEPTED.]

>>236911

We don't have a silencer.

>>237738
>>236916

"Lead the way."

"Yes. It's not far."

...

I suppose this is it.

"Knock knock, doctor."

"...The fuck... D'you have any idea what time it is, you cunt?"
>>
No. 238742 ID: c71597

>>238739
Time to fix up a gunshot wound. Tell the guy that you will pay extra or something for making him work at such an hour.
>>
No. 238775 ID: 4a6c93
File 128629563567.jpg - (33.36KB , 554x600 , 126.jpg )
238775

>>238739

"Time to fix up a gunshot wound. We'll recompensate you for your efforts."

"Why didn't you say so in the first place? I'll see what I can- NESHrim fucking Aladros!"

"Ah, hello, Davon. As the lady said, we are in need of your services. As such, I am willing to put our, ah, past grievances behind me. I assure you, you have nothing to fear from me."

"You fucking-"

"However, the state of affairs will endure only if you do help us."

"...Fuck it. Come on in."
>>
No. 238776 ID: d677cc

>>238775
Well, get her in here. We ain't got all day.
>>
No. 238777 ID: c71597

>>238775
Well then, lets get her in there and let the doc get to work. Then we can ask Caril about their history, it seems like there's something in the past there that might become a problem.
>>
No. 239433 ID: 4a6c93
File 128638813943.jpg - (50.05KB , 565x398 , 127.jpg )
239433

"Eh."

"What's the, ah, prognosis, Dav?"

"I can work with this. The faint of heart can wait in the other room."

"I don't, ah, consider myself very faint of heart-"

"The not faint of heart can also wait in the other room and get the fuck out of my face so I can maybe concentrate on the matter at hand."

"Well. Shall we, Ms. Evrim?"
>>
No. 239437 ID: d677cc

>>239433
Aight. Guy's actually doing what you asked him to, leave him to his work.
>>
No. 239440 ID: a594b9

>>239433
Want us to stay with her? We can do that.
>>
No. 239454 ID: 701a19

>>239433
[Time to infect a new host! DOCTOR GUY!]
>>
No. 239458 ID: 732129

>>239454

Negative. We want to limit what we infect until we patch the Legion backdoor. Right now they get access to everything we access.

For now, we should turn our focus internal and try to work out how to lock Legion out.
>>
No. 239473 ID: d677cc

>>239454
Don't do this.

>>239440
But see if this would be okay.
>>
No. 239503 ID: c2c011

>>239433
Let's let the doctor work in peace. Meanwhile you can pump Caril for information about his past, really we know next to nothing about the guy except that he's a killer for hire, and his solutions to problems seem to involve a lot of shanking.

>>239454
[Nope, we're not going to do that. The doctor needs to work without shocking distractions. And we're not that familiar with the anatomy of the patient, we would only hinder his work.]
>>
No. 242489 ID: 4a6c93
File 128688623221.jpg - (46.55KB , 618x421 , fuck I forgot all these bloodstains.jpg )
242489

>>239437
>>239503

"Let's go."

"Ladies first."

>>239503

"So, Caril. Why is it your first solution to a problem is to stab somebody?"

"Stabbing people is, kind of, my job. What did you expect when you, ah, sent a professional killer to vacate a train?"

"Forget it."

"Done and done. Apropos, though-"

"What is an ap-ruh-poh?"

"Ah, I believe it is a human expression. An extremely pretentious way to say "by the way". If I may continue?"

"Go ahead."

"You remember when you were unconscious, as the result of your brother's, ah, destructive behaviour?"

"Yes?"

"That would have been quite an opportune time for the mastermind of this whole chain of events to contact me and convince me to, ah, betray you. To deliver you into his hands by, perhaps, leading you to a certain doctor in his employ."

I really don't like where this conversation is going.
>>
No. 242491 ID: c71597

>>242489
Most likely it's not anything real.

But you could tell him that such a scenario would be a bit interesting, then wonder why he's saying all of this considering the history he has in fighting against you. He's not likely to fare any better with just one arm.
>>
No. 242517 ID: e973f4

Is he trying to intimidate you, or is he just fucking with your head?
>>
No. 242538 ID: e40e60

>>242489
Obvious bluff is obvious.
>>
No. 242545 ID: 732129

>>242489

"So you're thinking of a triple cross? Because either you're bluffing as part of some lesson in paranoia, or you want my help to take his men down. Otherwise you'd have let me let my guard down."
>>
No. 242576 ID: fd6d7e

The mastermind of this whole chain of events ordered the person who was supposed to be paying Caril instead to kill him. At this point no matter how much is offered, Caril can't trust that he'll get paid at all, much less survive the payment, should said mastermind attempt to convince him to continue helping. It's possible Caril is a gullible idiot, but otherwise there's nothing to worry about. Caril's lack of reconstructive surgery indicates he might not hold money as an extremely high priority anyway.

What could be a possibility is that the people whom we thought were employing Caril (the dog mafia or w/ev) were actually being deceived by him, and we are not yet aware of his so-called "mastermind". Since our lives have only been endangered by said mafia, we have no reason to believe a heretofore unknown employer is our enemy or not. Caril can claim at best that he's planning something we don't know about, which is true of the vast majority of the population of this station.

Plus if Caril's secret employer wanted the doctor to kill Sev, Caril wouldn't be sitting there warning us about it.

tl;dr Sev is going to die without treatment, so just let the doctor work on her.
>>
No. 242603 ID: 1854db

>>242489
Tell him if that were true you would have to break his other arm. Then his legs. Then his neck.
>>
No. 245017 ID: 4a6c93
File 128734336349.jpg - (44.51KB , 543x490 , 129.jpg )
245017

>>242545

"So you're thinking of a triple cross? Because either you're bluffing as part of some lesson in paranoia, or you want my help to take his men down. Otherwise you'd have let me let my guard down."

"Hm. Yes, those do seem like the most reasonable scenarios, don't they? Maybe I am bluffing. Maybe to illustrate a point, maybe merely for my own, ah, amusement. Maybe I am planning a triple cross. Maybe I am telling the truth and am relying on you to be, ah, too clever for your own good."

>>242491
>>242603

"If that were true I would have to break your other arm. Then your legs. Then your neck."

"Ha. Yes, I certainly do have a rather sub-par, ah, track record in close combat. Of course, if there were, say, three men in the other room with tazer guns getting ready to burst in, I doubt you'd be fast enough to kill us all... How many bullets did you have for that gun of yours, again?"

"Enough."

"That's good. Now that we have established you're not a complete, ah, moron-"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"No offense. You haven't done anything terribly idiotic, but, ah, first impressions can be deceiving, you see. Now. I do believe I have a plan for finding out who is after us."
>>
No. 245025 ID: e973f4

>>245017
Right, so there's not a sane head among you guys. But we already knew that.

So what's this plan, then?
>>
No. 245031 ID: c71597

>>245017
Probably a tripple or possibly quadruple cross then. Very well, ask him what his plan is. Make sure he doesn't get behind you or too close to you at any point.
>>
No. 245033 ID: 1854db

>>245017
We're listening.
>>
No. 245562 ID: f9f3e3
File 128740221099.jpg - (44.03KB , 437x511 , 130.jpg )
245562

>>245025
>>245031
>>245033

"I'm listening," I say.

"Let me just get a little more comfortable... ahh. Good as new."

[RECEIVING MESSAGE...]

[CENTRAL HUB: Oh, zdravstvui, friends. I thought I'd let you know we've updated the translation subsystems. If the update changes your interface a bit, don't panic. It is to be expected. Just a heads-up. Do svidanya.]

[LANGUAGE DATABASE UPDATED: 14 NEW LANGUAGES FOUND.]

"So," Caril says. "Have you, by any chance, heard of a gentleman by the name of Nesakh the Knife?"

"The information dealer?" I ask.

"The very same. He sells information, we need information. It is a match made in heaven."

"Doesn't he charge large sums of money for anything important?"

"Ah, yes, well, I have that under control. You see, I have made a sort of, ah, deposit with him. In case I ever needed information, and something, ah, prevented me from acquiring the necessary funds-"

"Okay, good."

"You do keep interrupting me. Quite rude. Ah, if you were to meet the Knife, you'd have to look into that. He's not, ah, very tolerant on such behavior."

"Fine, whatever."

Well now. Didn't you have some plan to get information too? Something about the core systems. What'll it be?
>>
No. 245569 ID: c71597

>>245562
I say the information dealer. He probably doesn't have the full story behind why all of this is happening, but he is probably closer to the ground and knows who is after you and who is paying them to do so. Then you can just break arms until you reach the source.
>>
No. 245570 ID: fba40f

>>245562
Information dealer.
>>
No. 245573 ID: 1854db

>>245562
We can probably steal some shit, yeah. You'll have to get us to some tech though and I'm not sure there's anywhere secluded that has the access we need. Up to you.
>>
No. 245578 ID: 701a19

>>245562
You get us in there and we'll jack anything and everything we can. Once one of those devices gets near his files we'll get in there and have free reign on everything he knows.
>>
No. 245634 ID: 732129

We seriously need to spend some time just examining ourselves and patching back doors. Remember that our "interested third party" has access to whatever we break into at the moment. Until that's solved we should not break into core systems.

As to this offer: if Caril were going to spring a trap, this would be the time to do it. You're down two flesh and blood allies, your brother is rampaging, and your most reliable source of advice at the moment is a crazy composite AI.

How long will it take you to reach and deal with the information dealer? Will you use a communication system or just show up in person?
>>
No. 245976 ID: f9f3e3
File 128749975313.jpg - (52.01KB , 460x560 , 131.jpg )
245976

>>245634

"How long will it take us to reach and deal with the Knife?" I ask. "Will we use a communication system or just show up in person?"

"It won't take too long," Caril replies. "The Knife rarely deals with anyone in person, but I believe he'll make an exception for you. There is, ah, one catch. I can't come. You'll, ah, have to go alone."

"Why's that?"

"There are certain elements in the Knife's organization that have, ah, strongly implied that if I were to, I quote, "show that ugly mug around here again", it would be, ah, very lethal for me."

"So what's stopping them from taking it out on me?"

"Yes, ah. They would not, of course, know that you were there on my behalf until you had conducted your business with the Knife. I strongly believe this plan would, ah, amuse him so much that he would stop the aforementioned elements from exacting their vengeance on you."

"You strongly believe? That doesn't really inspire as much confidence as you'd think."

"Yes. Well. It's less danger than you'll be in if you have no idea who is after you."

I guess that's true.

"Just look at this," he sighs.

"Look at what now?"

"This plant. I feel sorry for it. Davon never could keep plants alive nearly as well as people."

"How is this relevant?"

"It's not. Just a thought. So! What will it be? If you don't trust me, and you shouldn't, you can leave your gun to Ms. Drevis and she can ensure I don't try anything. You can't take it with you anyway."
>>
No. 245979 ID: 732129

>>245976

Caril has proven to be introspective and, at times, insightful. It's unfortunate that his psyche has been so marred by the circumstances his society has had thrust on it. Were your people not in a total crisis, he may well have been a poet or philosopher.

I wonder if he is talking about social plants as well?

Anyway, need you meet in person with The Knife? I know that we are sacrificing a chance to directly break into his systems, but it would be prudent to not walk unarmed into a den of opportunistic criminals.
>>
No. 245987 ID: 1854db

Why would a Casteless go anywhere alone and unarmed? That's just asking to get tied up and done unmentionable things to.

I'm far more inclined now for us to find a better interface so we can dig for information ourselves.
>>
No. 246055 ID: f9f3e3
File 128752307268.jpg - (34.32KB , 283x227 , 132.jpg )
246055

>>245987
>>245979

"Walking alone and unarmed into a den of criminals doesn't sound like a good idea," I say. "At all."

"Well, ah, no," Caril says. "Of course not. You can keep your gun, then. You'll still have to relinquish it for the actual transaction with the Knife. Hm. True, before and after your meeting it wouldn't hurt to have some protection. You needn't fear that the Knife would do anything to you during it, though. He is known to be a man of honor, ah, as much as a person in his position can be, and, well, doing unpleasant things to your customers is just bad for business."

>>245979

"Do I really need to meet him in person?" I ask.

"Hmm. Well now. That wouldn't be quite as bold, now would it? You see, ah, if there is one thing to be said about the Knife, is that he admires courage. If we were to simply contact him, it would be, ah, tedious and, no offense, cowardly. He might simply decide that my, ah, deposit has already expired. It is, of course, your choice."
>>
No. 246062 ID: 1854db

I don't suppose there's a place we can get another gun first is there?
>>
No. 246084 ID: f9f3e3
File 12875278345.jpg - (34.63KB , 283x227 , 133.jpg )
246084

>>246062

"I don't suppose there's a place we can get another gun first, is there?" I ask.

"Ah-hm. That... of course. Should have occurred to me. I, ah, believe the chances of Dav having one would be decent," Caril says. "He does deal with the, ah, underworld fairly often. DAVON!"

Fuck ow my ears.

"What?" Davon shouts from the other room. "Busy here!"

"Do you have a gun?"

"...Yeah, why?"

"Well, that's... surprisingly convenient."
>>
No. 246089 ID: c71597

>>246084
Excellent. One gun to Ms. Drevis then and one gun for yourself. And see if you can get a scalpel to hide in the metal arm.

Oh, and point out to Caril that even if he pulls something off that manages to get both you and Sevech killed then he still won't be safe. He will in fact never be safe because you have something set up that will track him down and make him pay. Namely us, but you don't have to reveal what it is you have set up.
>>
No. 246105 ID: 1854db

>>246084
...he's eating the flower. Why is he eating the flower? Why'd he cut it off the plant anyway?

But yes, a gun for you and a gun for the vulnerable lady, and we're set. We can visit the Knife with no problems.
>>
No. 246119 ID: 732129

The flower of the Nile water lily, also called the blue lotus, contains psychoactive and soporific chemicals. I figured Caril was on some sort of dissociative (why else would he shiv an innocent in the train, where a mere threat would be enough?), but I would not have taken him to be a literal lotus eater.

Well. If he wants to be drugged up, let him be. I've no doubt now that he's fallen out of favor with his various contacts because of his drug habit, but it's easier to keep an eye on him than to try and make him beat his addiction at the moment.

Ask him if he's going to be totally useless from his high, or if he'll be able to function somewhat.
>>
No. 246630 ID: 4a6c93
File 128768398588.jpg - (37.09KB , 481x456 , 134.jpg )
246630

>>246105
>>246119

"Is that a drug, and if so, are you going to be useless from the high?" I ask.

"A... drug. Ah, whatever gave you that impression?" Caril says. "It just tastes good. This is what they use to make avint. The real stuff, I mean, not the cheap synthetic trash."

Yeah, you probably don't know what that is. It's a pretty common soft drink. Don't like it myself, but apparently a lot of people do.

>>246089

I could take this knife. Looks like it'll fit, and it's not like Caril is going to use it anyway.

"Oh, by the way," I say, "even if you pull something off that manages to get both me and Sevech killed, you still won't be safe."

"Oh yes, I'm sure your brother would object rather strongly," he says.

"Uh, yes. He would."

>>246089
>>246105

"Okay," I say. "A gun for me and a gun for Sev and I can visit the Knife with no problems."

"Marvelous," Caril says. "Now, ah, the Knife is located in, ah, a spaceship near the Stalwart Guardian. I can arrange transportation, but, ah..."
>>
No. 246631 ID: 4a6c93
File 128768401155.jpg - (84.32KB , 481x456 , 135.jpg )
246631

>>246630

"...I'm afraid you're not going to like it."

[REBOOTING...]
>>
No. 247472 ID: 299e2c
File 128791974717.jpg - (55.90KB , 800x600 , METAL BAWKSES.jpg )
247472

[INITIALIZING...]
>>
No. 247473 ID: 299e2c
File 128791975911.jpg - (28.30KB , 548x350 , 137.jpg )
247473

Goddamn, this is boring.
>>
No. 247475 ID: 1854db

>>247473
Ugh... what happened? We went offline just as you were putting the knife in your arm.
>>
No. 247476 ID: 5c4201

hey there fuzzy butt, miss us? maybe we can find something fun to do?
>>
No. 247479 ID: c71597

>>247473
It's space travel in a cargo hold. Unless something goes horribly wrong it's not supposed to be exciting. Boring is good here. So just sit tight and wait, don't go around looking for anything fun to happen.
>>
No. 249703 ID: 299e2c
File 128836575383.jpg - (43.13KB , 517x465 , 138.jpg )
249703

>>247475

We armed Sev, found a cargo ship, I snuck on board. Now I'm just waiting for this piece of junk to get there.

>>247476

Not particularly. And I don't think so. Nothing here but boxes of various shapes and sizes. There are also crates, if that's more to your liking. There's a particularly interesting one in the corner over there.

>>247479

Yes, mom.
>>
No. 249706 ID: e9f6d1

well as long as you stay in the hold opening random crates could be fun. let's start with the interesting one.
>>
No. 249708 ID: 1854db

>>249703
What do all these symbols mean?
>>
No. 249779 ID: 299e2c
File 128838265544.jpg - (65.45KB , 767x547 , 139.jpg )
249779

>>249708

They use these symbols in the shipping industry to tell what's in each box. As I don't, in fact, work in the shipping industry, I have no clue what they mean.

>>249706

Except for this one. This one means "contraband". Which is why this crate is interesting. Let's see what's inside, shall we?

Ooh.
>>
No. 249780 ID: 1854db

>>249779
I'm *fairly* sure they'd know if we took one. It is really tempting though... and knowing they're here to get if necessary is useful by itself.

Are they loaded? Any ammo crates?
>>
No. 249781 ID: e9f6d1

take two and and some extra ammo.
check the others for neat things as well.
>>
No. 249782 ID: fba40f

>>249779
Are those... shotguns? Any ammo in there?
>>
No. 250258 ID: 299e2c
File 128846183255.jpg - (33.30KB , 428x469 , cue choir of angels.jpg )
250258

I think some people would see some sort of phallic symbolism here...

>>249782

They're assault rifles. Or submachineguns. Or whatever. I'm not familiar with the nuances of firearm classification.

>>249780
>>249782

Oh yeah. Lots of ammo.

>>249781

Two rifles seems kind of impractical. I mean, how would I hit anything with a rifle in each hand?

Other neat things... Hmm...
>>
No. 250262 ID: 840d0e

well see, you have the second in case your first one breaks.
>>
No. 250308 ID: 299e2c
File 12884704966.jpg - (39.16KB , 548x350 , 141.jpg )
250308

>>250262

Oh. Well, why not? Two rifles it is.

Hey, a light started flashing by the door. I think we've arrived. What do I do?
>>
No. 250309 ID: f7c2d7

stay hidden, assess the situation before engaging.
>>
No. 250314 ID: 1854db

We're gonna get in trouble...
>>
No. 250341 ID: 1854db

Oh god put the guns back
>>
No. 250342 ID: f7c2d7

>>250341
hey, we stole those guns fair and square.
>>
No. 252214 ID: 299e2c
File 128889645733.jpg - (26.14KB , 609x581 , 142.jpg )
252214

>>250309

Okay.

"Let's get moving, people!" someone shouts. "These crates aren't gonna move themselves!"

I can see two guys right now. There are probably more, though. I don't think they're armed. There weren't supposed to be any passengers here.
>>
No. 253101 ID: 31e5bb

wait until they get closer then get the drop on them. you can also try getting on top of the box when they get close to it and sneaking past them.
>>
No. 253106 ID: c71597

>>252214
Hide, someone in the unloading crew should know that there is a passenger to smuggle aboard in here. Unless something is wrong he should look for you pretty soon.
>>
No. 255212 ID: 4a6c93
File 128949456119.jpg - (31.17KB , 691x444 , 143.jpg )
255212

>>253101

Okay. What now?
>>
No. 255214 ID: 673602

well, you already have them at gunpoint, tell them to not move or the room will get a new coat of red paint.
>>
No. 255531 ID: c71597

>>255212
Now you tell them that you want to get out of this space tub. Kindly ask them for directions, give one a rifle butt to the face if they give you any lip.
>>
No. 256673 ID: 4a6c93
File 128985051219.jpg - (11.07KB , 497x362 , 144.jpg )
256673

>>255214

"Please don't move," I say, "and the room won't get a new coat of red paint."

"U-Understood," one of the guys says.

>>255531

"Could someone kindly point me in the direction of the Knife?" I ask.

"Up those stairs and to the left, ma'am," another guy replies. Pretty civil considering the circumstances. "You will, uh, have to leave those guns at the door."

"Yeah, I know. Later."

I assume we won't be taking any detours?
>>
No. 256686 ID: 1854db

>>256673
That's correct. Let's behave ourselves. We have the excuse that waving around a gun was to make sure nobody took advantage of us.
>>
No. 256691 ID: c71597

>>256673
Skip the scenic route. We get this done and then we can see what else there is.
>>
No. 256747 ID: 5018f7

Make sure they go first, but not to far ahead so one can't just sneak off.
>>
No. 258029 ID: 4a6c93
File 12901811713.jpg - (17.57KB , 485x458 , 145.jpg )
258029

>>256747

"Would one of you gentlemen mind going first?" I ask.

"Not at all," the polite one says. "This way, ma'am."

Oh hey, you can fold the stock of this gun. That's handy.

"Ahem," my guide says suddenly.

"What?"

"You're not an assassin, are you? I'd hate to lose my job."
>>
No. 258031 ID: c71597

>>258029
Tell him that you're not an assassin. You just seem to have some people after you that want to kill you, or something. It's making you a bit paranoid.
>>
No. 258113 ID: 1854db

Nope. Just careful.
>>
No. 262388 ID: 4a6c93
File 129163693621.jpg - (25.67KB , 776x509 , 146.jpg )
262388

>>258113

"Nope," I say. "Just careful."

"Oh. Good," he says. "The Knife is just behind that door."

Through the door we go, and there's no-one here. Fuck.

"There's no-one here," I say. "Explain."

"Now, before you do anything rash," he says, "you should probably know there is a sniper up there. See?"

There is. Double fuck.

"Now, we'd all like to walk out of this alive, no?" he asks.

"Yes," I say tentatively.

"You had business with the Knife."

"Yes."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"You see," he says, smiling, "I wasn't lying, technically, when I said the Knife was behind that door. He was."

"On the same side as I was," I realize.

"Exactly. Well then. I don't believe we have been properly introduced. I am Nesakh."
>>
No. 262410 ID: c71597

>>262388
Well then, introduce yourself and give a short explination of your problems and your needs.
>>
No. 262803 ID: 1854db

Uhhh... tell him Caril sent us.
>>
No. 262805 ID: 67090c

>>262803
Don't tell them Caril sent you yet, that is the one thing we were NOT supposed to do.

You wait until after you have struck a deal when they ask for payment, then hope that's enough stop them from killing you for being associated with him.
>>
No. 262807 ID: 1854db

Oh right, nevermind. Yes, just calmly and politely explain your situation and that we need a bit of information.
>>
No. 262870 ID: 252e1b

"Someone placed a big bounty on my brother and I, and had enough leverage with the government to get us, and our allies, declared as casteless. I want to know who did it, so that I can have a civil chat with them and fix this."
>>
No. 262914 ID: 917cac
File 129183449121.jpg - (109.45KB , 537x775 , SPYvsSNIPER.jpg )
262914

I wouldn't worry about the sniper Vel . . .
>>
No. 269050 ID: 299e2c
File 129413646839.jpg - (33.55KB , 832x414 , 147.jpg )
269050

>>262410

"I'm Velesi," I say.

"Velesi, Velesi, Velesi," Nesakh says. "Good name. Are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Velesi. Old Vendric veles means regal. Are you?"

"I... don't think so?"

"You're putting yourself down," he says with a frown. "Don't do that."

"Can we please get down to business?" I ask.

"Certainly."

>>262807
>>262870

"A couple of days ago someone placed a bounty on me and my brother. Shortly after, we were declared casteless. I'd like to know who did it."

"Casteless?" he says. "Oh yes, that incident. Velesi... Evrim, was it?"

"You know about that?"

"Of course I know. It is my business to know. Let's see... Four people were downcasted. Ahh, you, Eren ma'Evrim, Sevech es..."

"Drevis."

"Drevis, thank you. The last person to be downcasted happens to be an old friend of mine. But you already know that."

"Yes."

This is going to go badly, isn't it.

"So..." he says. "How is Caril? Does he still act like he is walking on eggshells all the time?"

"I..." I say. "I don't follow."

"Does he act like he's always in front of some invisible audience? Trying to be as polite and verbose as possible?"

"Oh, uh, yes. I guess he does at that."

Okay, fuck it. I'm going to be direct.

"Are you going to kill me now?" I ask.

"Hm? Now why would I do that?" he asks.

"I was... under the impression Caril would be killed if he returned here."

"More than likely, yes. You aren't Caril, though."

"As far as I can tell, no."

"See? No-one needs to kill anyone. That means we can move this somewhere more comfortable. Care to join me for dinner?"

That's... unexpected. Now that he mentioned it, I wouldn't mind some proper food. Unless he's trying to poison me, of course.
>>
No. 269051 ID: 252e1b

>>269050

If he wanted to kill you there are faster ways than poison. He probably actually wants to talk.
>>
No. 269054 ID: 55c4cf

Eat and put some meat on those bones.
>>
No. 269065 ID: c2c011

>>269050
Seems harmless enough. He's probably a bit like Caril and wants to impress you with politness and shit. But it's free food. So go get some.
>>
No. 269072 ID: b6c6fc

might as well accept
>>
No. 269089 ID: 252e1b

Actually now that I've slept on it, besides poisoning, there is one other malicious reason to feed someone: drugging them. I doubt this is one of those rape things, though.
>>
No. 269344 ID: 299e2c
File 129425474576.jpg - (33.72KB , 725x622 , 148.jpg )
269344

>>269051
>>269054
>>269065
>>269072

"Sure," I say.

"Splendid," he says. "Berim, you can put down the rifle!"

That's a relief.

"You can put down your rifle as well," he says. "Or not, if you prefer to have dinner armed. This way."
>>
No. 269346 ID: 632d47

>>269344
While it is tempting to keep the rifle just for the lulz, it's probably for the best that we comply.
>>
No. 269349 ID: 423166

If he wanted to kill you he probably would have by now, and its really has no immediate use since you're surrounded by now anyway. So go enjoy a nice weaponless diner.
>>
No. 269350 ID: c2c011

>>269344
Sure, as long as you get it back.
>>
No. 269356 ID: b6c6fc

well he said he wasn't going to kill you
but be sure to ask if he's going to drug you then sell you as a Sex slave

that way when he does, at least he can't be all smug about it
>>
No. 269451 ID: 252e1b

>>269356

That is crazy-rude. Don't do that Vel.
>>
No. 269454 ID: 1854db

I suggest keeping it within sight until you're safe again.
>>
No. 270160 ID: 4a6c93
File 129465515551.jpg - (87.48KB , 929x760 , 149.jpg )
270160

>>269346
>>269349
>>269350

Gotcha. No weapons.

Oh wow. Is that real meat? I can't even remember the last time I had some.

"Oh," Nesakh says. "I knew I forgot something."

"What?" I say.

"The fruit. But by all means, help yourself to the main course. I'll join you in a minute."

And real fruit! This must have cost a fortune.

"This," I say, "is not exactly how I expected this to turn out."

"Mm?" Nesakh says. "What did you expect, then?"

"Well, I expected you to be more... uh, criminal."

"I'll take that as a compliment. But I notice you're not eating."
>>
No. 270164 ID: 1854db

>>270160
Say you really don't want to offend, and you're really paranoid because of what's going on... so if he were to have some first we'd be more comfortable.

Also we're here to talk business. Let's get that over with soon.
>>
No. 270170 ID: c71597

>>270160
Don't be rude now. Start eating a bit and see if he will start talking buisness or not.
>>
No. 270174 ID: b6c6fc

might as well eat, if you are doomed, might as well die after a good meal
>>
No. 270285 ID: 252e1b

>>270160

Tell him the truth, it's been a long while since you had real meat and fruit. Your life before all the recent fuss was a fairly simple one. If you'd had kids and a husband to fuss over it'd have been comparable to Plato's idea of what The Good Life was. This guy is classy, I bet he knows the works of the ancient human philosopher Plato.
>>
No. 276399 ID: 299e2c
File 129639582017.jpg - (21.08KB , 674x354 , 150.jpg )
276399

>>270170
>>270174

Well, here goes nothing...

...This is pretty good.

>>270164

"We're still not talking business," I say.

"Mm. Are you in a rush, then?" Nesakh says.

"Well..."

"The next ship to the Stalwart Guardian doesn't leave in hours."

"Oh. Well, I guess I have some time to kill."

"You do. But you're right. We might as well get it over with. I believe Caril gave you some sort of code phrase to confirm your identity."

I do. Now what was it again...

"Knowledge is a knife." I say.

"That it is," says Nesakh. "Down to business, then?"

"Yes, please."

"First, the casteless thing. All three Justicars agreed to take your caste. I don't know, yet, how they were persuaded, but I can tell you who initiated this. Justicar Tauvim val'Khaviel. You've heard of him? The human sympathizer?"

"I have, yes. Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. That isn't all there is to it, not remotely. You said something about a bounty. I didn't know that. Something of a rarity, that."
>>
No. 276405 ID: 252e1b

>>276399

"The supposed bounty is the reason I had the opportunity to make Caril's acquaintance. It was apparently enough money to make it worth his trouble in getting the drop on my brother and I. He got careless after he had us in a holding cell. I was able to take a chance and turn things around on him. Once we had Caril in the cell, I learned he didn't know who exactly had issued the bounty, as he was working through middle-men. Caril, opportunist that he is, started claiming that his best bet for surviving this would be to work completely with us, since whoever had to cash to manipulate him like that would certainly not mind just killing him for being incompetent enough to let his bounties imprison and interrogate him. I don't really trust him, but I don't have the contacts myself to navigate the black market.

"It wasn't until the day Caril was supposed to meet with his contact that we learned we had been declared casteless. In fact I didn't learn about it until shortly after we had taken down the contacts that came to meet us. It was way too fast to have happened in response to us capturing them, unless it was already set up as a back-up plan.

"Talking about too-fast, there was a news story about my brother's fight on the train that also broke far faster than it should have. I was going to follow that up, until we were declared casteless and moving around became more difficult.

"Finally, there was a fifth person helping us at the warehouse, a friend of my brother's, Zarin. He was killed in his home shortly after the warehouse fight, which means that whoever got val'Khaviel to set up the down casting didn't expect Zarin to be involved. Whoever we're fighting against is good, but not perfect at this."
>>
No. 276420 ID: 1854db

>>276399
The one they sent was Caril and they didn't give him the full story, resulting in him getting overpowered.
>>
No. 279821 ID: 299e2c
File 129710912589.jpg - (10.80KB , 279x391 , 151.jpg )
279821

>>276405

"The supposed bounty is the reason I had the opportunity to make Caril's acquaintance," I say. "He was given incomplete information, and I was able to get the drop on him. He didn't know who had issued the bounty, as he was working through middle-men. Caril, opportunist that he is, started claiming that his best bet for surviving this would be to work completely with us. I don't really trust him, but I don't have the contacts myself to navigate the black market."

"I see," Nesakh says. "Ever the turncoat."

"It wasn't until the day Caril was supposed to meet with his contact that we learned we had been declared casteless. In fact I didn't learn about it until shortly after we had taken down the contacts that came to meet us. It was way too fast to have happened in response to us capturing them, unless it was already set up as a back-up plan.

"Talking about too-fast, there was a news story about my brother's fight on a train that also broke far faster than it should have. I was going to follow that up, until we were declared casteless and moving around became more difficult.

"Finally, there was a fifth person helping us, a friend of my brother's, Zarin. He was killed in his home shortly after we took down Caril's contact, which means that whoever got val'Khaviel to set up the downcasteing didn't expect Zarin to be involved. Whoever we're fighting against is good, but not perfect at this."

Whew.

"Mmmmmmmmmmyes," Nesakh says. "I think I can work with this."

"Good," I say.

"Indeed. I'll have someone look into the bounty and the news story. Now, how shall we amuse ourselves in the meantime?"
>>
No. 279877 ID: b6c6fc

>how shall we amuse ourselves in the meantime?

ask him what he means by this
>>
No. 279887 ID: 1854db

...is he trying to seduce you?
>>
No. 279974 ID: 28e94e

>>279887
For the love of god don't say this out loud
>>
No. 280067 ID: 1a693f

>>279877
>>279887
Don't say this
>>279821
I suggest you remain open to suggestions. You're in his lair, there is some excellent food on the table, and he seems polite enough. In any case, all you have to do if he goes somewhere where you're not comfortable is inform him that you appear to possess an infectious AI system. If you tell him about the train incident he may believe you.
>>
No. 280400 ID: 252e1b

There's always Scrabble. Or Canasta. Or whatever traditional games you guys have.

A more productive way to use the time might be getting in some practice with guns though. Ask if they have a range, you're not that experienced with weapons.
>>
No. 284458 ID: 4a6c93
File 129875586565.jpg - (51.29KB , 750x600 , 152.jpg )
284458

>>280067

"Do you have a range?" I ask. "I could use some practice with weapons."

"How practical," Nesakh says. "Yes, we do have a range. Finish your dinner and we'll get going."

I do and we do.

"So, what particular instrument of death and destruction would you prefer?" Nesakh asks.

Up to you. I have no real preference.
>>
No. 284460 ID: c71597

>>284458
Ask if the guitars shoot lasers and if you can try them.
>>
No. 284461 ID: 1854db

Are...are those weaponized guitars? You must. MUST. Show us how those work.
>>
No. 284462 ID: 55c4cf

Supporting guitar Axe curiosity.
>>
No. 284616 ID: 252e1b

What's popular in the fleet, both black market and armed forces? Because that's what you'll want practice with. My guess is there are a couple of standard assault rifle and PDW designs that cover 90% of the fleet's armed forces. Those should be what you practice with first. Then you should practice with whatever pistol designs are favored by toughs and black marketeers who do not want to operative overtly.

Then you can mess with the silly stuff like cyberaxes and swords.
>>
No. 284944 ID: 676156

[Secure backdoor access.]

Why hasn't anyone done this yet?
>>
No. 284956 ID: b6c6fc

I think now would be a good time to rock out
>>
No. 287200 ID: 299e2c
File 129966858147.jpg - (53.37KB , 609x743 , 153.jpg )
287200

>>284460
>>284461

Man, that would be so awesome...

...If it was true. Which it's not.

>>284956

I'll just have to settle for plain old rock and roll.

>>284616

And shooting stuff, I guess.

>>284944

[CENTRAL HUB: Because it will not be quite that easy, my friends. But you're welcome to

try.]

[PROCESSING REQUEST...]

[UNKNOWN PARAMETER: "backdoor access"]

[CENTRAL HUB: Told you so.]
>>
No. 287206 ID: 1854db

Ask him if he's got a terminal around. Maybe we can connect to something through it.
>>
No. 287212 ID: e16864

>>287200
Any particular weapon you liked best? Also, ask him why he doesn't have a guitarr that shoots lasers. Someone should really build one of those.
>>
No. 288890 ID: 252e1b

>>287200

Right, the problem is our very nature. We're a universal program, pre-programmed with the action tables for everything capable of computing, somehow (likely a quantum solution). That includes biology, since the stuff keeping cells running properly does it with instructions programmed into DNA and run using protein readers.

Since FTL is expensive and requires purpose-made matter, that database update we got (extra spoken languages, for your information Vel) had to come through another vector. Entangled quanta of some sort, with the entanglement occurring when we linked directly to the wider network, possibly. A q-bit interface would side-step superluminality issues nicely. But to set up a q-bit interface remotely you would need to know some of the hidden variables relating to locality.

Which explains why the MEC is so important. Oh dear.

Vel, your people had a much better grasp of the hidden variables that affect quanta than anyone else we know of. This is huge. This is why your entire species is being hunted down. They had enough of the hidden variables to make reality itself their bitch, and something noticed.

Ok, if we're going to secure that back door we're going to need to operate the q-bit interface. Remain seated please, I'm going to attempt to collapse the entanglement, and we may be attacked in the process. There may be a little smoke when I collapse it.

[Firewalls up, locate the entangled electrons and perform entanglement-breaking action Φ(ρ)=∑kRkTrFkρ]
>>
No. 288891 ID: 28e94e

>>288890
Nice bump there
>>
No. 288893 ID: 676156

>>288890
Well hey, what you did there does look pretty bad ass.

Is it gibberish?
>>
No. 288901 ID: 252e1b

>>288893

It's the generic formula for entanglement breaking. We can manipulate the q-bit interface enough to communicate information through it, so we should have fine enough conrol to poison it and break the entanglement entirely by adjusting the variables in the interface until we get a scenario where Fk is negative.

Easy peasy if I'm right.
>>
No. 289048 ID: 676156

>>288901
Fuck yeah computer science majors! Make it so.
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