[20 vs ?] You take your trip to the AI, and let it poke and prod at your brain. It exposes you to what it refers to as 'Plague stimuli'. Tentacles, twisting worms, 'humans' ripping apart each other to feed, and silvery gray flashes of color. It tries to trigger the memetic reaction through words and phrases relating to combat with the Plague.
Nothing happens.
"It appears the memetic Plague within you has gone dormant. This surpasses my estimates." It politely informs you, "However, I would still exercise caution -- if you suspect you are having a psychotic episode --" It goes on and on, listing a number of ways to ground yourself during hallucinations. It focuses on tactile experiences, on using logic to determine when a situation may be a hallucination, and on reliance on others. You exit the tank an hour later, getting dressed--
When Cephie steps in. She pauses, doing a double-take, then continues towards the showers, calling back to you as she walks. "That's as good as a reward as any! Your grandmother is in custody and the Crusaders are securing Steelworks Nine."
"...so-so soon?" You call after her, kneeling to lace up your boots.
"You sent two Ascended and a company of Void Troops! What did you expect?" The shower kicks on as she speaks, "William had her on the ropes, and I sealed the deal. He's a...treat, by the way. I didn't think you were into batshit insane."
"It's a long story."
"Hmmh. I bet."
You hesitate. Nicole Gainer has been captured, and, if you're not mistaken, the last major refuge of the separatists has been secured. No doubt there are holdouts, but they lack the industrial might to be little more than thorns in your side. You take your leave, striding back to the elevator to your office. The door slides open, and William stands in the main room, leaning on the telescope. A crooked grin curves his lips when he sees you. He doesn't say a word, instead bowing and gesturing to a bound and black-bagged figure on the floor beside him.
You kneel down, peeling off the bag. Nicole Gainer looks up at you, steel in her eyes -- and a crooked smile on her gagged mouth.
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Topic: McCreary's Planet -- (FINISHED) (Read 258959 times)