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[jaass]

^If we are going with that strategy which I don't like we should go with Pandora or Pan

[kahn1234]

And tell Ala-Shar we wish to be know as Fox.

You think for a minute, before telling her:

"I want to be known as Pandora. Just Pandora."

Ala-Shar seems to be amused by this, and begins tapping away at her console.

"If you give me a minute i will set up the next stage of procedures for you." She says, primarily focusing on the console and her tablet simultaneously.

Ok, new strategy: Keep creating splinter personalities and primed behaviors recursively increasing the complexity of your mind, each change filling a plausible function and being useful on it's own, to the point where it becomes an uncontrollable labyrinth with no central organization where anything could hide from anything else.

You focus on creating specialised splinter personalities. Whilst you do create one or two, you fail to create any more ((bad dice roll)). You do, however, feel something at the back of your mind. It seems to be observing and inhibiting what you are doing. This could be a problem.

The ones you do make, all 3 of them, you decide should be answerable to The Cobra's will. They don't even put up a fight as your other personality dominates them.

After a few minutes, Ala-Shar turns to you:

"Right, if you will follow me, Pandora, we can get you acquainted with your new equipment. There are also a few other procedures we need to do. First, we need to slightly modify your nano-machines and your physical frame. Thirdly, we will implant your with knowledge relevant to your roles and lastly, as is procedure for all Brood Leaders, a second loyalty probe will be installed. Any questions or inquiries about these procedures?"

"You want to put another loyalty probe in me? Why? Isn't one enough?" You ask, genuinely confused.

Ari pipes up: "One is usually enough for your standard Vat-born. And if one of them does go rogue, they can be easily dealt with without there being a danger of disloyalty in her sisters. A Brood Leader is different. If we went rogue, we have the power to have all 1000 of our sisters follow us as they will all have received specialised implants attuned to you. In short, you go rogue or defect, your entire Brood follows."

Ala-Shar nods. "That is why it is standard procedure to increase the number of probes to two, sometimes even more depending on the subjects willpower. Ari has 3 in her at the moment. If you are anything like her, which, from what has happened so far, you are, then you could have anywhere up to 5 eventually."

All four of you leave what you thought of as your room. You walk down a long corridor with doors lining both sides mostly in silence, bar Ala-Shars humming and the tapping of the groups boots on the shining floor. You are thinking about your impending procedures and their impact on you.

What do you do?

Status:
Calm, yet slightly nervous.
Mentally and physically recovered.
Clear thoughts and currently inactive mental factions.
Free moving.

Condition: Physically Healthy, mentally Stable.

Inventory
Full body white skintight suit.
White Mid-Shin high boots.
White Skin tight tech-gloves.

Implants and Augmentations:
1) Loyalty probe in the Striatum part of the brain.
2) Multi-range optics (Thermal, magnetic, IR, UV, multi-stage magnification etc) implant on eyes.
3) Command and Control (C&C) nano-module implanted in head.
4) Communications array nano-module implanted in head.
5) 7th Generation reverse engineered biological nano-machines in blood stream, bones, muscles, tendons and organs.

[RAM]

^If we are going with that strategy which I don't like we should go with Pandora or Pan

Pandora is a pretty cool name. I already put down my plans for mental warfare, It was something about keeping unbridled rage as our defensive line while systematically gathering all our motivational sources and turning them against mental control, leaving our home/family, and slavery. The whole set of *isms should be easy enough, as this is all pretty removed from the familiar. There is pretty much no chance of a traditional family out here, so throw in all the stuff associated with reproduction. We can assume that we have been separated from all our social attachments and forced into a very regimented social structure that really can't be expected to be satisfying. It is likely that we are completely dependant on others for food, shelter and so on, so survival should be looking for some more independence. We are pretty far behind in the battle though, so direct attacks are likely difficult, just sure up opposition to what we dislike about the current circumstances and a direct attack against imposed loyalty should follow of its own accord.
--------
Ninja update...
--------
Well, they are monitoring us and applying additional force, the obvious course would be to go on the defensive until the procedures are over, which would likely be exhausting, or to try to make observation difficult, probably by introducing elements of chaos, perhaps by focusing on imagination and trying to trigger delirium. Or we could work on the procedure itself. They are using enemy technology, someone who wanted to resist the loyalty programming could probably be persuaded that it is not entirely disloyal to leave some limits to the entire army being subservient to enemy technology...

[kahn1234]

((If people think Pandora is a better name, i can retcon it in))

[Canisaur]

+1 for Pandora.  Every time I see Fox I just picture Fox McCloud, and, well, he's not even female.

[kahn1234]

((I dont think Fox got more than 2 votes (and it was the only suggestion) so the name has been retconned, due to 3 votes for Pandora))

[RAM]

Actually, I think that Pandora was the name for the alternate personality.

Ok, new strategy: Keep creating splinter personalities and primed behaviours recursively increasing the complexity of your mind, each change filling a plausible function aznd being usefull on it's own, to the point where it becomes an uncontrolable laburith with no centrl organization where anything could hide from anything else.

+1 just so long as all submit to the Cobra's will, we don't want to go to crazy here.

+1

^If we are going with that strategy which I don't like we should go with Pandora or Pan

It seems like a reference to Cobra, which is the splinter personality, and Pandora is clever because it references something dangerous being sealed away, of course Pandora was the one who controlled the seal and eventually unsealed it, so would be more fitting to the relatively safe person who is in control. Of course, Cobra is probably the locked away innocence and Fox is probably going to be running around killing folk, so, erm, meh, doesn't matter...

[Armok]

(the hilarious thing here is that for all it's hard to beat in practice, this loyalty probe is hilariously ineffectively designed. Anything that allows *any* part of our brain to *want* to be disloyal, not to mention actually letting that reach concious attention or anything that can make coherent plans based of it, is quite pathetic at these levels. It's like locking someone in a big cage but not bothering to take away their weapons or equipment, when you should have just killed them.)

[QuakeIV]

The fact that they need to use multiple implants to control particularly strong willed people suggests to me that they don't completely understand the technology behind the loyalty implants.

Its like fixing a gunshot wound by putting sixty band-aids on the wound, to anyone who knows what they are doing you are obviously doing it wrong.

We may be able to use that to our advantage.

For instance, if we figure out well enough how to beat one implant (presumably other than brute force) then we will probably know nicely enough how to beat any number of additional implants.

Anyone else have related ideas?

[Funk]

+1 for Pandora, as alternate personality to do all the obeying type stuff. 

what kind of changes do the do procedures course? 
see if we can get self programmable nano-machines a.k.a slow shape shifting.

[kahn1234]

((No update tonight, tomorrow i will update.


As for the other personalities, Pandora will be the default semi-submissive version of yourself that masks your real intentions. Cobra will be an emergency psycho killer version of yourself. Is this alright? Anything else will be in tomorrow mornings update (too tired at the moment, 11:40pm in Britain...)))

[jaass]

The only thing we can do right now is shore up on mental defenses and make sure are other personalities survive.

[RAM]

Can we change cobra to fox?
See if we can make private communications to Ari.
If so:
 Raise concerns that the loyalty probe, as enemy technology, will be well understood by the enemy, and may be subject to override commands or external modification, which could compromise their function and have the loyalty of those subject to them forcibly switched to the enemy.
 The Morey have clearly endorsed this technology despite their inability to create it independently. This is probably out of desperation and fear of the vanguard, who, as Ari should well know, are not known to Earth. Earth natives, ourself included, are therefore not indoctrinated to vanguard ideals, and are perfectly capable of endorsing the Morey ideals in preference to their enemies, who, by all accounts, are brutal and wilfully hostile to others.
 Given the obvious dedication that the Morey have to this clearly dangerous and unnecessary technology, they will pursue it to their own detriment.
 It is therefore necessary, for the good of the Morey civilisation, to maintain a significant, and varied, military capacity that is not entirely subject to the loyalty probes. And that doing so is not possible if the Morey are informed of such.
 Given that we ourselves are independently hostile to genocide and torture, further loyalty probes would only serve to strengthen the risk that the Vanguard could override our loyalty to the ideals of the Matriarchy. Therefore it would be in the best service to the Morey to inhibit the function of further loyalty probes to be applied to those who demonstrate a capacity to appreciate the Morey position, such as ourselves...

Hypothesis: The loyalty probe is an Artificially intelligent entity and can be communicated with.

[kahn1234]

+1 for Pandora, as alternate personality to do all the obeying type stuff. 

what kind of changes do the do procedures course? 
see if we can get self programmable nano-machines a.k.a slow shape shifting.

((All will become clear in the next update, which will be in about 15 minutes.))

[kahn1234]

The only thing we can do right now is shore up on mental defenses and make sure are other personalities survive.

As you walk with Ari, Ala-Shar and her assistant, you make sure to shore up your mental defences. You expect that once a second probe in implanted, your mental actions will be assaulted. It always pays to be prepared. You also create a cunning, stealthy personality, calling her the 'Fox', for any time you want to sneak in/out of somewhere in an emergency. Preparation, preparation.

Can we change cobra to fox?
See if we can make private communications to Ari.
If so:
 Raise concerns that the loyalty probe, as enemy technology, will be well understood by the enemy, and may be subject to override commands or external modification, which could compromise their function and have the loyalty of those subject to them forcibly switched to the enemy.
 The Morey have clearly endorsed this technology despite their inability to create it independently. This is probably out of desperation and fear of the vanguard, who, as Ari should well know, are not known to Earth. Earth natives, ourself included, are therefore not indoctrinated to vanguard ideals, and are perfectly capable of endorsing the Morey ideals in preference to their enemies, who, by all accounts, are brutal and wilfully hostile to others.
 Given the obvious dedication that the Morey have to this clearly dangerous and unnecessary technology, they will pursue it to their own detriment.
 It is therefore necessary, for the good of the Morey civilisation, to maintain a significant, and varied, military capacity that is not entirely subject to the loyalty probes. And that doing so is not possible if the Morey are informed of such.
 Given that we ourselves are independently hostile to genocide and torture, further loyalty probes would only serve to strengthen the risk that the Vanguard could override our loyalty to the ideals of the Matriarchy. Therefore it would be in the best service to the Morey to inhibit the function of further loyalty probes to be applied to those who demonstrate a capacity to appreciate the Morey position, such as ourselves...

Hypothesis: The loyalty probe is an Artificially intelligent entity and can be communicated with.

You try to use your mental communications module to mentally 'talk' to Ari. You succeed, however the link is tenuous. Drawing upon the knowledge of Morey tech implanted into your memories, you believe this to be because you are from different Broods.

"Ari, i have misgivings about the loyalty probes. They are based off of enemy, most notably Vanguard, technology; Correct? Does that not mean they will be understood by the enemy and that they could, using their apparently far superior technology, override the probes current programming and turn us against our masters? If the Vanguard are the main perpetrators of these wars and are as hostile, brutal and genocidal as the Morey claim, then as humans who come from a planet where such things are already despised and looks down upon and terrible, wouldn't it make sense that they wouldn't need these loyalty devices in the first place?"

You wait to gauge Ari's reaction, she seems to show no outward knowledge of your communication, however you can mentally see her analysis your side of the argument. You continue:

"And as humans, we are already opposed to what the Vanguard seem to stand for, wouldn't adding further loyalty probes only serve to increase the risk of Broods being controlled by our enemies and turned against the Matriarchy and its allies? It would then be beneficial for the Morey to limit the use of loyalty probes in subjects who are already sympathetic of the Matriarchy's position...."

Ari responds: "You make a good argument. The loyalty probes are, as you say, based off of enemy technology, and they haven't been completely tested in the field against the Vanguard. I will have to talk to Ala-Shar about various modifications to remedy this problem."

She pauses. You can see her formulating her next argument through the communications arrays. She continues: "As for non-vanguard humans not needing loyalty probes, i believe it is because they want an insurance policy. They have studied our race almost obsessively, trying to find a possible weakness of the Vanguard. They know our history maybe better than most historians on Earth. They have seen what humanity is capable of and I have overheard, in the past few years, some scientists worrying about trying to use one of the most, and i quote, 'militaristic, violent and brutal races in the known universe'. I think they just dont want the less desirable parts of human nature to raise its ugly head, especially during combat missions."

Before you know it, you are standing outside a large laboratory, brimming with activity. It looks more like a market than a lab. You look around. There are dozens of scientists and vat-born swarming around, completing various tasks whilst some lay on beds, seemingly asleep. One thing you notice is the clothing of the Vat-Born. They are all wearing dull grey bodysuits, unlike the pure white body suits of you, Ari and Ala-Shar's assistant.

"Yours isnt the only Brood awakening at the moment, Pandora." Ari says. "It isnt usually so busy here. In this room currently there is your Brood, who you should be able to sense...." You nod. You can sense at least a few hundred of your kin in this huge room. ".... as well as my Brood, Ankara's..." Ala-Shar's assistant smiles, and gives a little wave at you at the mention of her name. ".... and a fourth, whose Brood leader is currently undergoing to procedures needed for a heavy assault role. Follow me and I'll take you to the Leader section and we can get you kitted up and through your final procedures."

With that, Ari, now followed by Ankara stride off through the crowd. Ala-Shar had been pulled away by a team of scientists whilst Ari was talking. You jog to catch up to Ari. You feel like you are on the spot in this room. People you have never seen before are acknowledging you with a nod of their head. Others are doing the same for the other two Leaders. Eventually your little group of three enters a smaller room, only occupied by two scientists and another Vat-Born, completely naked except for two white bands - one around her right wrist and another around her neck - and lying on a rather comfortable looking bed.

"Ah, just in time." piped up one scientist. "If you would take your suit off and lay on the bed for me please."

Instinctively, you know how to remove you clothing, even though they have no obvious fastenings. Tracing your finger down the front of your body, the suit parts and comes away, exposing your body. You strangely done feel embarrassed about being naked in front of a group of people you barely know. Sliding onto the bed, the second scientist approaches with a small case, containing a vial with what looks like 4 separate compartments. She installs it into an injection gun.

"Please relax. This won't hurt. It will only take an hour at most" And with that, she presses the injection gun against your upper arm. "First will be the nano-machine fortification, then the role-relevant technical skills and knowledge. Thirdly, the second loyalty probe and finally the physical fortification." After making sure the injection gun is 'armed', she presses the trigger 4 times, each depression of the triggers caused a compartment on the vial to empty. You come over feeling odd. You lie back, settling into the bed, whilst your body goes numb and begins whatever it is meant to begin.

*Some time later....*

You wake up. You notice the other girl who was sleeping is now up and about. She is currently being fitted with some very heavy looking and high tech armour. There is also a pile of weapons on her bed. 'Impressive' You think to yourself. As you move, you feel a few minor aches in your back, arms and stomach. Your mouth is as dry as a bone, though. The two scientists, still working with the equipment in the room, notice you are awake. One grabs a flask, giving it to you. You quench your thirst.

You examine your body. You are several inches taller, and your body better toned than before, thats for sure. You feel extraordinarily strong. You slide off the bed and stand tall, stretching. You hear Ari tutoring the other girl.

"....No, no,no, relax into it. Don't try to force the armour to do anything, think of it as a second skin. Just move normally" The girl listens, and then promptly smacks herself in the face with her arm.

You giggle, which catches the attention of Ari. "Good day sleeping beauty. Have a nice nap? I thought you'd never wake up" Laughing as she strides to a large locker, she opens the door. This is your armour. Your knowledge implants should tell you how to get into it and hopefully, how to use it....." She glances to the other girl "Unlike someone" You hear her mutter under her breath.

You approach the locker, inside is another rack of weapons and a suit of slightly bulky but feminine looking armour. You take it from the stand, surprised at how light it is. Turning it around, you part the back the same way as the body suit before, even the armoured plating parting, exposing the inside space. Gently sliding your long legs into the armour, followed by your rump, then the rest of your body, you are again surprised at both its lightness and how snug it is.

Suddenly, once the suit is completely on and closed, it tightens, caressing your entire body, becoming, as Ari said to the other girl earlier, a second skin. You try to move. You can walk, run, jump and roll easily, despite the armour's bulk. You notice the (surprisingly open backed) helmet is still in the locker. Ari seems impressed. You then look over to the other girl, still having trouble whilst an exasperated Ankara tried to help. You shake your head, chuckling to yourself. Ari joins in, then goes back to try help the now visible annoyed Ankara.

You only then remember to check your mental state. Your barriers seem to still be up, and you can now feel two strong loyalty probes in you, but they haven't seemed to have attacked your psyche yet.

Going back to your equipment. You look over the armour in the full length mirror in the locker. 'Mark 3 Vat-Born Engineer Armoured Powered Exoskeleton Suit' your new knowledge tells you. Yet there's more 'Highly effective defence against primitive arms, coil/Gauss weapons, mass-driver/rail-gun weapons, laser/hyper-laser arms, explosives and plasma. Only decent defence against Super-Plasma. Beware of implosion, singularity, particle and matter-anti-matter based weapons'.

You move onto the weapons. There are 4 in all. What you instantly recognise, due to your new knowledge, as a Mk5 Mass-Driver pistol, is your side arm. The one which looks vaguely like an assault rifle is, you realise, a Arishok Plasma pulse rifle. The one above that is the Dikari Plasma shotgun and finally, above that is the Warrisk Mass-Driver Battle Rifle which doubles as an explosives placement device ((has the capability to use barrel overpressure to launch packs of fortification busting explosives)).

"You can take some time to get used to your equipment, if you want. Take a walk around the facility, get to know your sisters. I can come with you if you like as this silly mare is finally getting used to herself" Ari said, adding the last bit as a bit of giggle fuel.

What do you do?


Status:
1) Calm. Enjoying new 'toys'.
2) Mentally and physically fit.
3) Clear thoughts and currently inactive mental factions.
4) Free moving.

Condition: Physically Healthy, mentally Stable.

Inventory
1) Full body second skin like armour. Covers everything except the head.

Available Equipment:
1) Mark 3 Vat-Born Engineer Armoured Powered Exoskeleton Suit
2) Mk5 Mass-Driver pistol (sidearm)
3) Arishok Plasma pulse rifle
4) Dikari Plasma shotgun
5) Warrisk Mass-Driver Battle Rifle

Implants and Augmentations:
1) 2x Loyalty probe in the Striatum part of the brain.
2) Multi-range optics (Thermal, magnetic, IR, UV, multi-stage magnification etc) implant on eyes.
3) Command and Control (C&C) nano-module implanted in head.
4) Communications array nano-module implanted in head.
5) Fortified 7th Generation reverse engineered biological nano-machines in blood stream, bones, muscles, tendons and organs.
6) Nano-memory modules in the Cerebrum, holding all relevant non-personal data.




((Sorry for the really long update. I think I got carried away.))