"Argh, the things I do for family...
...what is "the Newcomer" even supposed to mean? They can't mean he's from... whatever isn't these rocks, right?
Guess it doesn't matter much. At least I'll see it coming when he kills me, ha.
Why aren't I laughing."
Best not to head out on a mission without a good stabby boi. Buying a dedicated murder knife, preferably concealable and with a guard to parrying.
If I can afford it and know where to go, I'll also get a cheap pistol. I don't care if it explodes three shots in, bullets are bullets.
Then head to the place and just walk down the hall, "listening" for interesting intents. Do I know the specific room?
You head out to the market on the 34th. There should be a merchant there that sells something and if not... you know this guy that sells spice, maybe he knows someone that can get you something more... dangerous.
The stalls are emptying and some merchants are packing their things. And yet despite how late it is there's still a lot of people here. Some merchants are desperate to sell before their product goes (too) bad, others are merely waiting for the crowd to clear so that they can more easily move their cargo. Some buyers are idly browsing, looking for a bargain, others are desperately searching for something. You'd say you fall in the second category. Sensing all those people as they flow around the market, their constant changes in intention as something catches their eyes, their indecision as they bargain... This might have been a mistake.
You stick behind a low-caste maggot-thing as it slowly makes its way through the market, focusing on its slow and mostly steady presence as a beacon in all this noise. You occasionally glance around, looking for anything that catches your eye.
You find an ant-thing that sells all sorts of stuff. A rusted pot, a few spoons, some texts, a dented helmet... Amongst the various junk is an old combat knife, one of those where the blade folds into the hilt. You gesture "how much" to it, a wide gesture to make sure its weak eyes can see it. You can't speak their native tongue, since it consists of antenna movements and scents, but you don't have to. It clicks its mandibles in response, the pattern for 50 in the Trade language.
It's a good knife and in good condition, at least from what you can tell. Looks sharp and still has its original belt pouch. You can see why it would be asking that much. You're not sure how much good it will do to you though, you don't have that much experience with knives. And folding knives are easier to break than a normal knife in exchange for being easier to conceal. But a weapon is better than no weapon at all and if nothing else it might make you look scarier.
You could try to haggle for it, you think it's eager to sell this, but you are also not sure how long you can stay here. All this noise is making it hard to focus. It's like a hundred people speaking loudly next to your ears, only you can't close your ears because they're speaking directly into your brain.
The feeling of the twisted doll's presence is still fresh in your mind. You try to call upon it for some quick modifications to your doll. Unfortunately you can't concentrate enough to begin the transformation.
Jack reaches the guard before he can recover and kicks his gun away... straight into the guard's chest. The guard reaches for the gun again, Jack falls on him and they struggle, each trying to pull the gun away from the other.
You try to change the doll again. You manage to fix its legs somewhat but its transformation is far from over. You direct it to help Jack with the guard. It reaches the two and helps direct the gun towards the guard's head. Jack pulls the trigger, splattering the guard's brains all over the door.
Jack looks at the gun for a second.
"Thanks for the assist."
He tosses it aside, wipes the blood from his glasses on the doll and then searches the body for a security card.
"Those guys are professionals. We can't underestimate them."
He finds the card and gets ready to move.
Your dolls at the intersection just ambushed a security guard coming to help and they're keeping her occupied, but you don't want to take any chances. You take your gun and use it to slam the security panel, breaking it. You reason the safest lock is the one without a keyhole. You go through the door and shut it from the other side.
The area beyond is an intersection with conveniently labeled signs. "Vault Elevator" is right in front of you, an elevator with large heavy-duty armored doors and two key-card readers. "Armory", "Security Control" and "IT" are on your right. "Safe Deposit Boxes", "Management" and "Engineering" are on your left.
♚The Doll Prince: The First Time's the Hardest♚
Looking behind them at the security door, Napoleon thought about the guard he'd helped Jack kill. Sure the man was dangerous and sure they were running out of time and Napoleon knew what he had to do but the feeling still bothered him even if he'd only helped did the deed. Despite possessing the means to do so, Napoleon had never killed someone before. Sure he always used his dolls to take down scum but it never crossed his mind to end their existence. Not that he would make a case for complete non-violence of course but even bloodshed was out of the question... until now. Though he'd considered himself more of a pragmatist than a pacifist, Napoleon was everything but a killer and now there was no way to wipe away that stain. To make matters worse, once the other guards discover their dead comrade in front of the door, they will be more intent on sending them out of the casino in a pair of body bags. Even if they proved merciful to take them alive, both Napoleon and Jack could spend years behind bars, no doubt at the mercy of predatory malefaiteurs. Either way, Napoleon will have to once again soak his hands in the blood of people who are just doing their jobs.
"Excusez moi while I recompose myself, Monseigneur Jack," Napoleon said as he collected his thoughts. This is about survival and a clear head is very much needed here. "The first time is the hardest but better them than us. Anyway, by the layout of the entrance to the vault elevator, two security cards must be swiped, perhaps at the same time and we only have one. However, there got to be emergency stairs nearby or some similar access points that the guards can use just in case the elevator stops working or if there's a fire. Let's look for those first."
Search for the aforementioned stairs or exits to circumvent the elevator. If none can be found, go to Security Control since that's where more security cards can possibly be held. Finish modifying the doll now that he can concentrate a bit better. To take his mind off his recent deed, ask Jack how'd he came to be in the same situation as him with the Queen. In other words, ask him what's his story prior to him meeting with Napoleon.
"Relax. We did nothing wrong." Jack says, perfectly calm now.
"The way I think about it, those people aren't real. No real person would live in a box. They're just things made by this place. Made to play a role in this game, like puppets in a play."
Looks like he found a way to justify his actions.
"There's nothing wrong with killing a puppet to defend a real life."
There are no stairs or emergency exits but there is a maintenance area for the elevator. This should at least let you get down to the vault's level. While he works on breaking open the door, you focus on modifying your doll.
"So how much do you know about this place? Have you been here long?""This would be my 5th level. I don't have any special insights about this place. Last thing I remember I had just won my third poker championship."
Guess that explains his clothing.
"So how did you get here?""I just woke up here. Played a card game with someone calling himself the Cardinal of Sin. Then when I beat him he just sent me on my way. Every level since then has been challenge after challenge."
After using two cards he finally manages to break the door open. You're about halfway through your modifications. The doll is definitely more agile and dextrous but not much more do than you.
The dolls you left in the hallway have knocked out and captured one guard. You make them hold her hostage to keep the others from approaching the door. However with no means for your dolls to speak beyond simple gestures, the stalemate probably won't last long.
"Your abilities are quite interesting. Did you always have them or...""They just sort of happened one day. Beyond that, I'd rather not say."
You start going down the stairs, followed by Jack as the doll tries to close the door behind you. There's no telling how much time you have left, they are probably coming towards this junction right now.
"So you haven't heard anything about the Queen?""What, you mean the Casino?"
"No, the one that brought me here, she mentioned something about a Queen, that she was the one that brought me here.""Yeah, my guy said something similar. Haven't seen or heard anything beyond that though."
"Hm. Makes you wonder how long they're going to keep us going through this.""Hm."
You reach the bottom of the maintenance area. The elevator is using some sort of hydraulic system, its bottom taken up by a few hydraulic pumps and pistons. There's another armored door here but it looks somewhat thinner.
Kosak Durar:
"Show yourself, coward!"
Angry Kosak is angry.
https://youtu.be/wpKN-U1-bWk?t=28sBTW, you should get a drink. Your sobriety is making you dizzy and slow. You need to get drunk to regain your balance and speed.
"A little more, interface."
It takes a few seconds for your interface to produce a more thorough report.
: The mining exoskeletons supplied to the Maximus are primarily intended for exploratory mining in hostile environments. As such they focus primarily on durability and survivability, featuring thick chemichally neutral armour with limited anti-magic fields and extended power and life-support capabilities. They are also equipped with a sensor suite focused on scanning deep layers of material. They are not meant for high-speed travel, as such they only carry limited fuel for their onboard thrusters. They are weakest in the leg and arm joints. Their legs also present a vulnerable point when their thrusters are exposed. Those weakpoints can allow one to disable the suit, however the operator will remain protected in the suit's core. :
: The class C mining lasers supplied to the Maximus are capable of drilling through most materials by slowly heating and evaporating the target material with small controlled bursts. They use a group of onboard scanners to autoadjust, ramping up their focus and intensity to achieve an acceptable evaporation rate without sacrificing their user's safety in near-absolute zero environments, where an evaporating material can go off like a bomb. The mining laser used against you was modified to operate above safety limits for fractions of a second, allowing it to evaporate large areas quickly at the cost of increased charge-up time. It also had an extended capacitor bank, presumably to handle the large amount of power required for its operation. Prolonged operation with such modifications will likely cause the beam generator to rupture and explode. :
: Antiphoton Stealth Suits are equipped with several layers of stealth meant to evande most forms of active and passive scanning, focusing primarily on bending various wave-types (including light and sound) around the user and eliminating all of their emissions. When fully active there is no way for the heat generated by the suit and its user to escape. While this allows the suit to be stealthy in low-emission environments, it will also increase its internal temperature to the point where the pilot will die or the suit will malfunction within 2 minutes of operation. Even with its stealth capabilities reduced the suit will still terminally overheat after prolonged operation. :
: Despite its many layers of stealth, the suit is still corporeal and as such is vulnerable to detection via physical means such as debris impacts, pressure sensors or large volumes of high-density liquids. The suit is resistant to energy-based attacks but high powered energy beams may bypass its defenses or cause it to overheat. :
: High fidelity sensors, prefferably aided by active scanning can help locate the target by either overwhelming its systems or detecting the few waves consumed by its sensors. Area denial via traps, fires or other hazardous materials is also a viable alternative. The suit also posesses a limited power supply and will require frequent recharges, making cutting off its resuppy points a possible alternative. :
: In order to minimize the impact of its limitations, the suit is extremely lightweight and equipped with enhancements that allow it to move with increased speed. It also has very limited thrusters that allow it small adjustments to its trajectory, though they are usually not used as they are easily detectable. Equipment carried by the suit must be stored in its limited storage space, since the suit can't extend its stealth effect more than a few centimeters away from it, making the use of high-powered ranged weapons while in stealth mode impossible. The stealth field may also be used offensively but such use is unlikely as it requires the suit to grab its target. It is much more efficient for suit users to resort to traps and sabotage instead of direct combat. :
: The Maximus was not provided with Antiphoton Stealth Suits, the origin of the suit you encountered is unknown. It is likely it was smuggled onboard or was manufactured by someone with the appropriate blueprints and materials and an illegally modified fabrication unit. Antiphoton Stealth Suits are usually used by Guardians in native observation missions in high-tech worlds. Use by beings unaffiliated with the entities is prohibited. The suit you encountered appeared thicker and more rigid than normal, most likely a modification to the original design or a manufacturing defect. Purpose of modification is unknown. :
: Do you require additional information? :...a bit later...
"Interface, do you have any information on these attackers? What could they have in common with the guy in the suit we saw?"
: Attackers do not match any known species. Proceeding with analysis.
Attackers appear purely biological in nature.
Based on combat logs retrieved from Black Boxes, attackers possess high physical strength and high energy ranged weapons.
Attackers appear divided to certain categories, some specialized in melee and some in ranged combat.
Given this world's dampening properties to supernatural abilities and their display of strength, it is likely that they are inhabitants of this world or otherwise attuned to this world.
It is likely more data will be available in: - Main Security Station: Command Centre: The tactical computers were likely fed with any available data in order to better direct the drones.
- Medical Station: Morgue: It is likely that corpses of the lifeforms have been dissected for information.
- Medical Station: Communication Terminals: It is likely people taking refuge in the Medical Station requested information about the creatures attacking them. A log will be stored in nearby terminals.
- AI Core: The AI provided directions to the drones. Restoring its operation will allow it to provide its reasoning behind its decisions.
Other data may be uncovered via further exploration. :
: This unit is unable to determine what relationship, if any, exists between the suit and those attackers. :John, Inside the Maximus.
Sit down and catch my breath. Self-assess.
You're not bleeding any more, your arm is busted and in pain.
Brian Hoss, Maximus
"Not yet, but I might soon."
Send my eyes through the hole.
You send your eyes through the dead soldier still clutching his gun, through the hole in the reinforced barricade, through the broken door and into the area beyond. You inspect the area, sharing what you see with your teammates as you do so.
This was supposed to be the center of the medical section, the place from which you can reach most other areas of the medical section, a place that should be clear and easy to access. Right now though the first impression you get is that of a garden.
There are grey things that look like trees growing out of the ground, many of them three times taller than you, things with roots digging through the metal floor and branches reaching the ceiling, crowding around the still lit lights. There are thick cables emerging out of holes in the 'trees', snaking along the floor towards a section your teammates help identify as the labs. There is a thick green slime slowly oozing out of those wounds like amber, covering the floor around the trees, making it look like it's covered with moss. And yet... there's no gravity. That must mean there's something else moving the slime.
Through the slime you can see empty stretchers and filled body bags, most of them in the process of being consumed by the 'trees'. Things above the floor have been left mostly intact. Those include benches, vending machines, a small reception area and door controls. Thankfully, despite its strange appearance, you can't see anything moving around or outright dangerous about this room.
You ask your teammates for directions and they help you navigate your eyes to the door leading to prosthetic storage and the automated treatment machines. The fact that the lights are still on gives you hope that they'll still be operational. There's some sort of being in the hallway beyond that door. It appears to be made of flesh and blood. It must be alive because it's moving slightly, breathing maybe. It doesn't look like it can move, its thick and stubby limbs hang limply from its sides. Its eyes do not turn to meet yours. There's cables coming out of its body, joining the others coming from the trees, but no green ooze coming from the holes, just small amounts of blood and pus.
Well, this certainly looks weird but most of the equipment looks intact and power is still on, so this should be good to go. You can't reach further with your eyes, but you can glance into your destination. You can see blood in the hallway outside the automated treatment room and a box of prosthetic hearts beside the door leading to prosthetic storage, its contents floating in the air. The door leading to emergency aid supplies is also half-open, the flickering light allowing you to see floating medical supplies and broken storage boxes.
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Topic: Special People: Mechanical Syndrome (Read 1141256 times)