Brick, Detroit
After riding around aimlessly for a few minutes, Brick pulls the bike over at the first bar he passes. He presses the door open, and stomps in, shoving past a few people to do so. He looks for the largest stool at the bar and not finding one sized for him, decides to just stand there. He waits until the bartender asks him what he'll have, and replies, "Whatever you've got that you think can knock me on my ass."
Brick pulls out his commlink and starts tapping out a message while the bartender busies himself looking for some unmarked bottle. To EZ: chumer soryy abut the windo im off gettin druk off me hoop. hope i didt mes up yur majik outside. wanna join me?
Full Version: The Last Stand
July 8th, 2071
Sleep. The Dreams of Darkness Shadow. For the second night in a row you feel the assault on your senses.
Hello again. The voice comes. You didn't honestly believe I would make it this easy to get away did you? The level of sarcasm in the voice in menacing, it tears at your being.
Your senses swirl again and you are placed into a room, a large circular table in the center. Around it are 11 chairs, each has the person, or icon of one of those from your dream last night. The 11th is a huge chair with a creature that is nothing short of terrifying. A suit of red armor with silver trim floats int eh chair, no body inside of it. Instead there is a fiery mist, a red hot flame that circles and moves through the armor apparently keeping it together and up. Your body is frozen, locked into the chair staring at all those around you and listening as the thunderous voice rumbles past shaking your very core.
We have something to speak about. You are most likely feeling extremely lost, you have been told you are one of the nine, and you don't even know what that means I'm sure. So let us speak. First let me clarify a few things for you, then you may ask questions you feel are necessary.
I am Tyrazon. I am a seeker and I am here to help. You are the nine. Those chosen to collect the sphere and open the gate. Should you do this there are many things that could happen. One of them being you save the world. If you don't do this your world is doomed, and your personal spirits will be eternally surrendered and will forever pay for the crimes of man kind.
Fun isn't it?
A thunderous laugh again shakes the very room.
So the first step for you is to gain the first fragment, this piece is in Seattle, it is the only fragment we are currently aware of and have remote knowledge of its location. Each of these pieces is guarded, by what we don't know. I assume each also will allow us to link with the next closest piece. The other factor you must know of is you are not the only ones aware of this sphere and its abilities. There are several cultist groups that seeks its power, for what i know not. There is also a dragon searching for it and a corporation. So time is of the essence and this will not be a easy road to walk.
You don't get a choice though.
He laughs again.
THe first fragment is underground, to gain access go to Seattle, in the barrens there is a place called Going Down. There is a man there named "The Icepick" you will know him when you see him. Go to him and tell him "I seek the light" he will know what you mean and from there it is up to you. I will help when I can.
Questions?
Sleep. The Dreams of Darkness Shadow. For the second night in a row you feel the assault on your senses.
Hello again. The voice comes. You didn't honestly believe I would make it this easy to get away did you? The level of sarcasm in the voice in menacing, it tears at your being.
Your senses swirl again and you are placed into a room, a large circular table in the center. Around it are 11 chairs, each has the person, or icon of one of those from your dream last night. The 11th is a huge chair with a creature that is nothing short of terrifying. A suit of red armor with silver trim floats int eh chair, no body inside of it. Instead there is a fiery mist, a red hot flame that circles and moves through the armor apparently keeping it together and up. Your body is frozen, locked into the chair staring at all those around you and listening as the thunderous voice rumbles past shaking your very core.
We have something to speak about. You are most likely feeling extremely lost, you have been told you are one of the nine, and you don't even know what that means I'm sure. So let us speak. First let me clarify a few things for you, then you may ask questions you feel are necessary.
I am Tyrazon. I am a seeker and I am here to help. You are the nine. Those chosen to collect the sphere and open the gate. Should you do this there are many things that could happen. One of them being you save the world. If you don't do this your world is doomed, and your personal spirits will be eternally surrendered and will forever pay for the crimes of man kind.
Fun isn't it?
A thunderous laugh again shakes the very room.
So the first step for you is to gain the first fragment, this piece is in Seattle, it is the only fragment we are currently aware of and have remote knowledge of its location. Each of these pieces is guarded, by what we don't know. I assume each also will allow us to link with the next closest piece. The other factor you must know of is you are not the only ones aware of this sphere and its abilities. There are several cultist groups that seeks its power, for what i know not. There is also a dragon searching for it and a corporation. So time is of the essence and this will not be a easy road to walk.
You don't get a choice though.
He laughs again.
THe first fragment is underground, to gain access go to Seattle, in the barrens there is a place called Going Down. There is a man there named "The Icepick" you will know him when you see him. Go to him and tell him "I seek the light" he will know what you mean and from there it is up to you. I will help when I can.
Questions?
To Brick: Nullsheen. I'm all ready there myself. Usually am after June 30th. This year was a bit different. Got someone to talk about it with. At least someone who won't tell me to get back on my meds. That is if you know what I'm talking about. Two someones maybe. Nine someones if I remember last night right. Let me see if Clamp will play designated driver and we can gets some eats and talk.
To Clamp: Want to go get some breakfast? I'm buying!
To Clamp: Want to go get some breakfast? I'm buying!
QUOTE (Tarantula @ Aug 25 2008, 10:17 AM) 
Brick, Detroit
After riding around aimlessly for a few minutes, Brick pulls the bike over at the first bar he passes. He presses the door open, and stomps in, shoving past a few people to do so. He looks for the largest stool at the bar and not finding one sized for him, decides to just stand there. He waits until the bartender asks him what he'll have, and replies, "Whatever you've got that you think can knock me on my ass."
Brick pulls out his commlink and starts tapping out a message while the bartender busies himself looking for some unmarked bottle. To EZ: chumer soryy abut the windo im off gettin druk off me hoop. hope i didt mes up yur majik outside. wanna join me?
After riding around aimlessly for a few minutes, Brick pulls the bike over at the first bar he passes. He presses the door open, and stomps in, shoving past a few people to do so. He looks for the largest stool at the bar and not finding one sized for him, decides to just stand there. He waits until the bartender asks him what he'll have, and replies, "Whatever you've got that you think can knock me on my ass."
Brick pulls out his commlink and starts tapping out a message while the bartender busies himself looking for some unmarked bottle. To EZ: chumer soryy abut the windo im off gettin druk off me hoop. hope i didt mes up yur majik outside. wanna join me?
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
�Questions? I have a few. Why have I been having these dreams for my entire life? Why us? What else can you tell us about the others who are pursuing the fragments? Which corporation and which cults are we racing against?�
He glances across the table, having given up on struggling against the force that binds him, waits for what few answers will come, and grumbles at having to fly to Seattle.
�Questions? I have a few. Why have I been having these dreams for my entire life? Why us? What else can you tell us about the others who are pursuing the fragments? Which corporation and which cults are we racing against?�
He glances across the table, having given up on struggling against the force that binds him, waits for what few answers will come, and grumbles at having to fly to Seattle.
The Room in the Second Dream.
Viper mentally snarls as she finds herself once again helpless in dreamspace. But while physically helpless, her mind is as active as ever, even if reflective thought is not exactly her strong suit. She appreciates getting a good look at the others - hopefully they will be able to talk to each other. That would make getting together a lot easier. The form of the Thing in the tenth chair doesn't concern her. It's in charge here, It will look however It wants to look.
As It talks, she finds Its attitude strangely familiar. Threats, condescension, laughing at Its own unfunny jokes, giving us just enough information to do Its bidding, and more likely than not this is a screw job - hell, it's like talking to a Johnson! She files away the information on their possible rivals. She will definitely have to find a way to talk to some of those people. Maybe they will have more of an idea what's going on, or even have an idea of how they could break free from this Thing's thrall.
She feels a hint of amusement when one of the other people at the table responds to the Thing's solicitation of questions with a whole string of queries. She finds that she doesn't really care enough to ask any questions herself. Why bother, when you can't trust the answers? It's given them enough information to start. That's all they need for now.
Viper mentally snarls as she finds herself once again helpless in dreamspace. But while physically helpless, her mind is as active as ever, even if reflective thought is not exactly her strong suit. She appreciates getting a good look at the others - hopefully they will be able to talk to each other. That would make getting together a lot easier. The form of the Thing in the tenth chair doesn't concern her. It's in charge here, It will look however It wants to look.
As It talks, she finds Its attitude strangely familiar. Threats, condescension, laughing at Its own unfunny jokes, giving us just enough information to do Its bidding, and more likely than not this is a screw job - hell, it's like talking to a Johnson! She files away the information on their possible rivals. She will definitely have to find a way to talk to some of those people. Maybe they will have more of an idea what's going on, or even have an idea of how they could break free from this Thing's thrall.
She feels a hint of amusement when one of the other people at the table responds to the Thing's solicitation of questions with a whole string of queries. She finds that she doesn't really care enough to ask any questions herself. Why bother, when you can't trust the answers? It's given them enough information to start. That's all they need for now.
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
Brick roars at the thing. "HOW DID YOU FIND ME?! WHY ARE YOU CHOOSING US?"
Brick is breathing hard, and his eyes look frantic as he fruitlessly tries to move his body.
Motherfragger has been haunting me forever. And here, here I can't do anything to him! How has he found me? Why does he haunt me? How can I stop HIM!?
Brick roars at the thing. "HOW DID YOU FIND ME?! WHY ARE YOU CHOOSING US?"
Brick is breathing hard, and his eyes look frantic as he fruitlessly tries to move his body.
Motherfragger has been haunting me forever. And here, here I can't do anything to him! How has he found me? Why does he haunt me? How can I stop HIM!?
The Second Dream.
"So this time we get questions huh? Where to begin I wonder, perhaps with gate to where exactly? Or perhaps with you're a seeker of what? And if you /really/ wanted these things so badly why on earth didn't you consider just paying us to find them?"
The skinny red-head frowns, trying to file away as much information as possible, regardless of how unreliable she considers the source. Her eyes flick around the room, trying to drink in whatever clues might be around.
Then, forcing an amused smile, she adds "And most importantly what empirical proof can you provide that you're not the one putting the world at risk? After all you've hardly won us all over with your charm offensive..."
"So this time we get questions huh? Where to begin I wonder, perhaps with gate to where exactly? Or perhaps with you're a seeker of what? And if you /really/ wanted these things so badly why on earth didn't you consider just paying us to find them?"
The skinny red-head frowns, trying to file away as much information as possible, regardless of how unreliable she considers the source. Her eyes flick around the room, trying to drink in whatever clues might be around.
[ Spoiler ]
Then, forcing an amused smile, she adds "And most importantly what empirical proof can you provide that you're not the one putting the world at risk? After all you've hardly won us all over with your charm offensive..."
Detroit, before the second dream
...Want to go get some breakfast? I'm buying!
Yeah, why not? Where to?
At least he's not laughing at me. Almost as if he had expected this kind of question...
@cndblank
...Want to go get some breakfast? I'm buying!
Yeah, why not? Where to?
At least he's not laughing at me. Almost as if he had expected this kind of question...
@cndblank
[ Spoiler ]
QUOTE (DWC @ Aug 25 2008, 09:01 PM)
�Questions? I have a few. Why have I been having these dreams for my entire life? Why us? What else can you tell us about the others who are pursuing the fragments? Which corporation and which cults are we racing against?�
"You have been having the dreams because you are one of the Ten. The same answers the second question. I know very little about the others who pursue, they are clouded from me, the astral plane does not allow me to find such information, nor do I care to, this is your quest, not mine. If the information about these others is important than I am sure you are capable of finding it yourself. The energy it would take me is to tremendous.
I have been through to many of these corporations, to many cults to recognize a difference between them anymore."
With that he turns to Brick.
"How did I find you? A simple question, in fact you know the answer if you searched for it. Your are bound, by the bind I can find you.
For the choosing, this was not me. Trust that you are not the ones I would have chosen for any task".
Again the creature turns, satisfied with his answers to Brick, to Weaver. What can only best be described as a smile cross's his fiery face.
"Young one, you ask much better questions. The gate is beyond my knowledge, it is not something I have opened nor something I plan to. I am the Seeker, a bound servant, much like yourselves. What I seek is my business.
"You will learn that money is a object of little relevance, it sustains you now but it is a worthless commodity that your race has developed to have a way to enslave itself. Considering how well it work though I must say I almost admire those who began the money system.
I am aware that you will need funds to begin and complete this quest so to speak. You will be provided for.
We have accessed your accounts and add'd a sum we feel is sufficient for now, as needed we will provide more."
@Everyone
[ Spoiler ]
@Weaver
[ Spoiler ]
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
"Professional courtesy would generally stop me from asking who you serve, but, really, professional courtesy would also generally prevent you from invading my dreams for the last 30 years. What can you tell us of what you're bound to, and, of more pressing concern, what we're bound to? And you mentioned that we would not have been your choice. Who would you have chosen?"
"Professional courtesy would generally stop me from asking who you serve, but, really, professional courtesy would also generally prevent you from invading my dreams for the last 30 years. What can you tell us of what you're bound to, and, of more pressing concern, what we're bound to? And you mentioned that we would not have been your choice. Who would you have chosen?"
The Room in the Second Dream.
Viper smirks at Weaver's last question, which pretty much echoes her own thoughts. Not sure it was the wisest thing to voice it, though - damn, who thought she would ever be the sensible one? But maybe the questions aren't such a bad idea. Even it It lies, It still might let some information slip.
She snorts disdainfully to herself as she realizes that this thing is merely a lackey, but she sits bolt upright when it talks about money being deposited into their accounts. She was thinking this was purely a mystical phenomenon, but apparently not. Does It have human minions, ones whose mundane resources are almost as impressive as Its metaphysical ones? So much of what is happening seems to fracture everything she thought she knew about magic's limitations. But maybe this "bind" the thing mentioned could be the key to eventually getting free from this. But she's still not going to talk to it, especially now that she knows it's just a minion. She settles for looking slightly sullen.
Viper smirks at Weaver's last question, which pretty much echoes her own thoughts. Not sure it was the wisest thing to voice it, though - damn, who thought she would ever be the sensible one? But maybe the questions aren't such a bad idea. Even it It lies, It still might let some information slip.
She snorts disdainfully to herself as she realizes that this thing is merely a lackey, but she sits bolt upright when it talks about money being deposited into their accounts. She was thinking this was purely a mystical phenomenon, but apparently not. Does It have human minions, ones whose mundane resources are almost as impressive as Its metaphysical ones? So much of what is happening seems to fracture everything she thought she knew about magic's limitations. But maybe this "bind" the thing mentioned could be the key to eventually getting free from this. But she's still not going to talk to it, especially now that she knows it's just a minion. She settles for looking slightly sullen.
I know a little hole in the wall.
Their eggs taste like the real thing and the coffee will wake the dead.
I'll text Brick.
@ears
[/quote]
Their eggs taste like the real thing and the coffee will wake the dead.
I'll text Brick.
@ears
[ Spoiler ]
[/quote]
QUOTE (Ears @ Aug 26 2008, 01:05 PM)
Detroit, before the second dream
...Want to go get some breakfast? I'm buying!
Yeah, why not? Where to?
At least he's not laughing at me. Almost as if he had expected this kind of question...
@cndblank
...Want to go get some breakfast? I'm buying!
Yeah, why not? Where to?
At least he's not laughing at me. Almost as if he had expected this kind of question...
@cndblank
[ Spoiler ]
Some Dive Bar, Detroit
Brick looks up after having drunk most of the bottle the bartender had put in front of him. "Huh? You hear dat?" He looks down and sees his commlink beeping away stating tha the had a new text message. He hands the bottle back to the bartender, and fumbles about getting the message open. Hey, food sounds just the thing. He starts tapping out a text while heading out of the bar and getting back on his bike. @EZ: Send me the addy chum. I'll get mysulf there.
Brick looks up after having drunk most of the bottle the bartender had put in front of him. "Huh? You hear dat?" He looks down and sees his commlink beeping away stating tha the had a new text message. He hands the bottle back to the bartender, and fumbles about getting the message open. Hey, food sounds just the thing. He starts tapping out a text while heading out of the bar and getting back on his bike. @EZ: Send me the addy chum. I'll get mysulf there.
QUOTE (cndblank @ Aug 27 2008, 08:51 AM)
I know a little hole in the wall.
Their eggs taste like the real thing and the coffee will wake the dead.
I'll text Brick.
Their eggs taste like the real thing and the coffee will wake the dead.
I'll text Brick.
The Second Dream.
Weaver pauses, staring at the floating eyes. What the hell are those? she wonders, torn between her curiosity and her fear.
"Last question. Does this crystal orb thing have a name we can call it? Or should we just make up one? If so I'm going to vote we call it Florence so we can discuss it over the 'trix. Say for example if we met up on the Seattle public library server when we wake up."
Weaver pauses, staring at the floating eyes. What the hell are those? she wonders, torn between her curiosity and her fear.
"Last question. Does this crystal orb thing have a name we can call it? Or should we just make up one? If so I'm going to vote we call it Florence so we can discuss it over the 'trix. Say for example if we met up on the Seattle public library server when we wake up."
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream
"Wouldn't it be more secure to pick a place and time to meet in physical Seattle and then we have no contact with each other until that meeting. We're all going to have to make the trip anyway, and reduces the risk of someone snooping around and intercepting a message on a poorly secured commlink."
"Wouldn't it be more secure to pick a place and time to meet in physical Seattle and then we have no contact with each other until that meeting. We're all going to have to make the trip anyway, and reduces the risk of someone snooping around and intercepting a message on a poorly secured commlink."
Detroit, still before the second dream.
Sounds great. You buy, I'll drive. Just get me the address.
QUOTE (cndblank @ Aug 27 2008, 02:51 PM)
I know a little hole in the wall.
Their eggs taste like the real thing and the coffee will wake the dead.
Their eggs taste like the real thing and the coffee will wake the dead.
Sounds great. You buy, I'll drive. Just get me the address.
QUOTE (DWC @ Aug 27 2008, 01:49 PM)
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream
"Wouldn't it be more secure to pick a place and time to meet in physical Seattle and then we have no contact with each other until that meeting. We're all going to have to make the trip anyway, and reduces the risk of someone snooping around and intercepting a message on a poorly secured commlink."
"Wouldn't it be more secure to pick a place and time to meet in physical Seattle and then we have no contact with each other until that meeting. We're all going to have to make the trip anyway, and reduces the risk of someone snooping around and intercepting a message on a poorly secured commlink."
Vice ponders for a few moments, and insight flashes across his face. I really need to cut down on the eX. It's killing my memory.
"Actually, it never did say we all had to physically be in Seattle. Forget I mentioned it. Public library node sounds great. Do we want to make sure our icons match our appearances here, or use another way of identifying ourselves to each other?"
The Second Dream.
"Well no offense to our host," Weaver says, nodding towards Tyrazon. "But I would rather chat somewhere those little eye spirit things can't watch us. Hence the 'trix." She glances again at the creepy little eyes.
"I wasn't suggesting we do any serious discussion there, just a tentative meeting perhaps one person from each city? Because now we've suggested that location I suspect whoever is sending us the funding will be spying on it."
She blinks a few times. "Stupid question, but does everyone in each city know all the other people from the same city? And if so doesn't that seem a little creepy to everyone?" Her eyes flick back to Tyrazon. Damn it I /hate/ coincidences, they always mean something bad is gonna happen. Although uhm shit I guess maybe in this case it's already happened...
"Well no offense to our host," Weaver says, nodding towards Tyrazon. "But I would rather chat somewhere those little eye spirit things can't watch us. Hence the 'trix." She glances again at the creepy little eyes.
"I wasn't suggesting we do any serious discussion there, just a tentative meeting perhaps one person from each city? Because now we've suggested that location I suspect whoever is sending us the funding will be spying on it."
She blinks a few times. "Stupid question, but does everyone in each city know all the other people from the same city? And if so doesn't that seem a little creepy to everyone?" Her eyes flick back to Tyrazon. Damn it I /hate/ coincidences, they always mean something bad is gonna happen. Although uhm shit I guess maybe in this case it's already happened...
The Second Dream
"A little creepy? I don't know," Abe says. "I mean, it's pretty clear we're getting played here. But I don't know that somebody else isn't playing our gracious host. I mean, he's being pretty long on the melodrama and short on useful information. That doesn't exactly inspire me with confidence. Meaning no disrespect, either," he says, with a nod towards Tyrazon. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to be provoking him, but Abe was curious to see how he'd react - it always paid to be know who you were dealing with - dream-invading, seeking, spirit-of-some-kind or not.
Abe went back to the quiet observation which he usually fell into when dealing with large numbers of others, wistfully remembering the days when he used to sleep well.
"A little creepy? I don't know," Abe says. "I mean, it's pretty clear we're getting played here. But I don't know that somebody else isn't playing our gracious host. I mean, he's being pretty long on the melodrama and short on useful information. That doesn't exactly inspire me with confidence. Meaning no disrespect, either," he says, with a nod towards Tyrazon. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to be provoking him, but Abe was curious to see how he'd react - it always paid to be know who you were dealing with - dream-invading, seeking, spirit-of-some-kind or not.
Abe went back to the quiet observation which he usually fell into when dealing with large numbers of others, wistfully remembering the days when he used to sleep well.
The Second Dream
Malloc.I spent the first moments of this vision struggling against the invisible binding that kept him to the chair. It was as if his code was assaulted by nuke-class programs, and he was helpless to move. He had a terrible feeling of 'visibility' that he was unused to. He could see what was going on, but was helpless, himself. After some of the others spoke up, he attempted to phrase a question - testing the beings capabilities, probing it, like so many firewalls, before.
He did his best to express himself, not in crude human language, but in organic iconography - strings of code and embedded snippets of executable instructions. Could he, in this place, still manipulate the reality around him? He could not physically mode his icon - but that usually would mean very little to him. He could not log out, he had already tried this - his connection was jammed open. Still, he struggled to communicate with the being digitally - to ask for an explanation as to how he was able to enter the dreams of one such as himself.
His question was this, formed of iconography and pictograms, near his chair: "By what means do you interface with me? How is my reallocation interfered with? I should be unreachable - digitally, astrally, and physically - and, yet, I have been downloaded against my will. Please, explain this to me, and I will gladly do as you ask."
Malloc.I spent the first moments of this vision struggling against the invisible binding that kept him to the chair. It was as if his code was assaulted by nuke-class programs, and he was helpless to move. He had a terrible feeling of 'visibility' that he was unused to. He could see what was going on, but was helpless, himself. After some of the others spoke up, he attempted to phrase a question - testing the beings capabilities, probing it, like so many firewalls, before.
He did his best to express himself, not in crude human language, but in organic iconography - strings of code and embedded snippets of executable instructions. Could he, in this place, still manipulate the reality around him? He could not physically mode his icon - but that usually would mean very little to him. He could not log out, he had already tried this - his connection was jammed open. Still, he struggled to communicate with the being digitally - to ask for an explanation as to how he was able to enter the dreams of one such as himself.
His question was this, formed of iconography and pictograms, near his chair: "By what means do you interface with me? How is my reallocation interfered with? I should be unreachable - digitally, astrally, and physically - and, yet, I have been downloaded against my will. Please, explain this to me, and I will gladly do as you ask."
The Second 'Dream'
When the AI started to try to communicate, the ramifications of her suspicions about this place came crashing into her conscious mind and forced her to break her silence. The 'triumvirate' spoke, maid, mother and crone shifting in and out of the vision of the others depending on how carefully they looked at her, mother and crone only appearing out of the corner of the eye.
This is no dream, my digital friend. Is it, Tyrazon?
This is a Metaplane, it has to be. This place existed long before ASIST was a scientists wet dream, it is a place of magic not technology. Old magic.
If you wish to meet and talk in private my friends I have already left the keys to my home hidden where only you can find them. Search for them in the Matrix and we can discuss our mutual predicament where prying eyes cannot see.
A Digital Intelligence in a Metaplane. Surely that wasn't possible....
When the AI started to try to communicate, the ramifications of her suspicions about this place came crashing into her conscious mind and forced her to break her silence. The 'triumvirate' spoke, maid, mother and crone shifting in and out of the vision of the others depending on how carefully they looked at her, mother and crone only appearing out of the corner of the eye.
This is no dream, my digital friend. Is it, Tyrazon?
This is a Metaplane, it has to be. This place existed long before ASIST was a scientists wet dream, it is a place of magic not technology. Old magic.
If you wish to meet and talk in private my friends I have already left the keys to my home hidden where only you can find them. Search for them in the Matrix and we can discuss our mutual predicament where prying eyes cannot see.
A Digital Intelligence in a Metaplane. Surely that wasn't possible....
A Table, Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream.
Unable to turn his head, Vice glances over at Weaver. His speech is even and unaccented, obviously the result of a lot of coaching and probably a little bit of psychotropic conditioning.
"Based on your question, I'm guessing you know the others from Seattle? I've certainly met my fellow HK resident, and she's right. There are better places for a virtual meeting than a public library node."
His attention shifts to the older ork. Every minute of the conversation has seen him get a bit more comfortable.
"As for us being manipulated, that's a given. We're just tools to his master, and I'm guessing he's no different. Obviously extremely powerful within his specialty, but still just a tool. I doubt his master bothered to tell him anything beyond what he needs to know to do his job, and I don't blame him. All eleven of us are compelled to serve him, so why trust us with the little details of his plans? I wouldn't if I were him. Too much risk of us ruining them out of spite if we get free of his hold on us."
Unable to turn his head, Vice glances over at Weaver. His speech is even and unaccented, obviously the result of a lot of coaching and probably a little bit of psychotropic conditioning.
"Based on your question, I'm guessing you know the others from Seattle? I've certainly met my fellow HK resident, and she's right. There are better places for a virtual meeting than a public library node."
His attention shifts to the older ork. Every minute of the conversation has seen him get a bit more comfortable.
"As for us being manipulated, that's a given. We're just tools to his master, and I'm guessing he's no different. Obviously extremely powerful within his specialty, but still just a tool. I doubt his master bothered to tell him anything beyond what he needs to know to do his job, and I don't blame him. All eleven of us are compelled to serve him, so why trust us with the little details of his plans? I wouldn't if I were him. Too much risk of us ruining them out of spite if we get free of his hold on us."
The Second Dream
Brick glances at Vice, locking eyes with him. "If we get free of his hold? You mean when ... right?"
Brick glances at Vice, locking eyes with him. "If we get free of his hold? You mean when ... right?"
The Second Dream
Malloc.I's Icon turns to Weaver. This time, he speaks aloud, in English. "I am here. Evidence, therefore, that the Matrix can be reached - if there is desire." He gestures back towards Tyrazon, "Compensation, perhaps. Explanation, failure. Please. Elaborate on function."
Malloc.I's Icon turns to Weaver. This time, he speaks aloud, in English. "I am here. Evidence, therefore, that the Matrix can be reached - if there is desire." He gestures back towards Tyrazon, "Compensation, perhaps. Explanation, failure. Please. Elaborate on function."
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
His attention focused on the seeker, studying it for a reaction, Vice answers Brick.
�If we get free before it’s ready to let us go. Once its’ master is done with whatever it is up to, and we can’t screw it up anymore, I’m assuming it’ll try to buy our voluntary service, then let us go.�
Did this thing say whether its’ master would actually unbind us when we were done? I don’t think it did. Fuck. All this sleeping is killing me.
His attention focused on the seeker, studying it for a reaction, Vice answers Brick.
�If we get free before it’s ready to let us go. Once its’ master is done with whatever it is up to, and we can’t screw it up anymore, I’m assuming it’ll try to buy our voluntary service, then let us go.�
Did this thing say whether its’ master would actually unbind us when we were done? I don’t think it did. Fuck. All this sleeping is killing me.
The Second Dream
Abe starts to turn and grin at the baseline human who responded to him before being brought up short by whatever it was that was holding them motionless.
"Well, of course. Hell, I try and stay unknown as much as possible, myself. But as part of that, you know -" and he raises his voice a little, "I don't invade people's dreams and demand they run my errands for me! I do appreciate the promised funds and all, but frankly I'd appreciate controlling my own fate more. Not to mention, I'm sure I could be having much more pleasant dreams right now. Hell, I'm almost ready to go find your little artifact in exchange for a good night's sleep at this point.
Abe liked the cantankerous ork routine. It didn't seem like there was any chance that this group wouldn't end up having to find the crystal sphere, so might as well be as difficult as possible - it made him feel a little better and there was a certain satisfaction in being the curmudgeon.
QUOTE (DWC @ Aug 28 2008, 10:01 AM)
"As for us being manipulated, that's a given. We're just tools to his master, and I'm guessing he's no different. Obviously extremely powerful within his specialty, but still just a tool. I doubt his master bothered to tell him anything beyond what he needs to know to do his job, and I don't blame him. All eleven of us are compelled to serve him, so why trust us with the little details of his plans? I wouldn't if I were him. Too much risk of us ruining them out of spite if we get free of his hold on us."
Abe starts to turn and grin at the baseline human who responded to him before being brought up short by whatever it was that was holding them motionless.
"Well, of course. Hell, I try and stay unknown as much as possible, myself. But as part of that, you know -" and he raises his voice a little, "I don't invade people's dreams and demand they run my errands for me! I do appreciate the promised funds and all, but frankly I'd appreciate controlling my own fate more. Not to mention, I'm sure I could be having much more pleasant dreams right now. Hell, I'm almost ready to go find your little artifact in exchange for a good night's sleep at this point.
Abe liked the cantankerous ork routine. It didn't seem like there was any chance that this group wouldn't end up having to find the crystal sphere, so might as well be as difficult as possible - it made him feel a little better and there was a certain satisfaction in being the curmudgeon.
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
EZ watched in fascination. His mind racing.
There were some good questions being asked, but the ramifications of this were staggering.
It sounded like everyone one here was a runner.
How would you predict who would be come a runner?
Did this master tie a thread to a couple of hundred thousand newborns and those here were the ones that were most able to succeed in this... mission?
And if so it must have started in the last 40 years. Say 2030. That suggestion someone very powerful a mere 20 years after the awakening.
Glancing back at Tyrazon... Someone who can command a free spirit obviously. A really powerful one...
A dragon? One of these immortal elves? Another free spirit...
Or were our minds altered so that we just remember having this dream for every year of our lives.
EZ watched in fascination. His mind racing.
There were some good questions being asked, but the ramifications of this were staggering.
It sounded like everyone one here was a runner.
How would you predict who would be come a runner?
Did this master tie a thread to a couple of hundred thousand newborns and those here were the ones that were most able to succeed in this... mission?
And if so it must have started in the last 40 years. Say 2030. That suggestion someone very powerful a mere 20 years after the awakening.
Glancing back at Tyrazon... Someone who can command a free spirit obviously. A really powerful one...
A dragon? One of these immortal elves? Another free spirit...
Or were our minds altered so that we just remember having this dream for every year of our lives.
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
Vice ponders for a moment before answering the ork.
"It has ways of doing things. It's tool has its' way of doing things. We have ours. They don't line up, but in the long run, as long as we get compensated and it gets its' shards, does it really matter?"
Vice ponders for a moment before answering the ork.
"It has ways of doing things. It's tool has its' way of doing things. We have ours. They don't line up, but in the long run, as long as we get compensated and it gets its' shards, does it really matter?"
The Second Dream.
"Only if the crystal shards end up killing the planet when we've got them all. Or even just us for that matter."
"Only if the crystal shards end up killing the planet when we've got them all. Or even just us for that matter."
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
EZ grinned "That is no different than any other run then."
EZ grinned "That is no different than any other run then."
QUOTE (Oenone @ Aug 29 2008, 05:51 PM)
The Second Dream.
"Only if the crystal shards end up killing the planet when we've got them all. Or even just us for that matter."
"Only if the crystal shards end up killing the planet when we've got them all. Or even just us for that matter."
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
Vice's nod of agreement is suppressed by whatever has robbed him of motion, but he answers anyway.
"That's the beauty of it. Aside from this thing's master making a bigger deal out of the stick than the carrot, it is business as usual."
Vice's nod of agreement is suppressed by whatever has robbed him of motion, but he answers anyway.
"That's the beauty of it. Aside from this thing's master making a bigger deal out of the stick than the carrot, it is business as usual."
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
Malloc.I looked perplexed. "Common for employers interrupt sleep? Or expect service and not negotiation? Force themselves? Force you? Your job must unfulfill."
"I am common used to favors requested. Normal business hours. Prices set, myself. Proper protocol. Proper channels. Paramount, anonymity. So far, disinclined."
He blinked, unevenly. "No job, before, consumed two nights. I suspect, more."
He turned his attention once again to Tyrazon. "My services involve information, besides currency."
"You have my terms. Offer, reasonable. I await decision."
"Or morning."
Malloc.I looked perplexed. "Common for employers interrupt sleep? Or expect service and not negotiation? Force themselves? Force you? Your job must unfulfill."
"I am common used to favors requested. Normal business hours. Prices set, myself. Proper protocol. Proper channels. Paramount, anonymity. So far, disinclined."
He blinked, unevenly. "No job, before, consumed two nights. I suspect, more."
He turned his attention once again to Tyrazon. "My services involve information, besides currency."
"You have my terms. Offer, reasonable. I await decision."
"Or morning."
The Room in the Second Dream.
Viper follows the conversation with interest, despite her earlier resolve to sulk. It's good to know that the others are as cynical as she is about this, although discussing it in front of this entity is perhaps not too bright. It's like sassing off someone holding a gun to your head. Which she has been known to do, herself, but she always had a crazy stunt or desperation move that she could fall back on, if she had to. Here, she can't even move from her chair, and she still doesn't have enough clues about what is going on.
She perks up as one of the people (if that term could apply - why is everyone else real-looking while this other guy looks like a matrix icon?) attempts to negotiate with the entity. Be interesting to see how it responds. And if it responds lethally, well, not like she knows this other guy too well or anything. Just as well someone else spoke up - she has been having an increasingly difficult time keeping silent, and knowing how her mouth usually works (semi-independently of her brain), that's not a good thing.
Viper follows the conversation with interest, despite her earlier resolve to sulk. It's good to know that the others are as cynical as she is about this, although discussing it in front of this entity is perhaps not too bright. It's like sassing off someone holding a gun to your head. Which she has been known to do, herself, but she always had a crazy stunt or desperation move that she could fall back on, if she had to. Here, she can't even move from her chair, and she still doesn't have enough clues about what is going on.
She perks up as one of the people (if that term could apply - why is everyone else real-looking while this other guy looks like a matrix icon?) attempts to negotiate with the entity. Be interesting to see how it responds. And if it responds lethally, well, not like she knows this other guy too well or anything. Just as well someone else spoke up - she has been having an increasingly difficult time keeping silent, and knowing how her mouth usually works (semi-independently of her brain), that's not a good thing.
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
So are we agreed? We appear to have little choice but to do as Tyrazon asks and we should meet in the 'trix to discuss terms and tactics. If so perhaps we could be released from this Shade that we might get the hell on with it?!
And put what we have learned here to good use...
Whampoa Data Haven, Hong Kong, July 7th, 15:00
She went straight to the bedroom and collapsed as soon as she returned. Going to the gym with Vice had been enlightening and distracting, she had forgotten how powerful hormones could be, but such hard work. Maybe after all this dream nonsense was cleared up and she had Submerged in the Resonance at last she would get some weights into the apartment and whip this new body into shape.
But not today.
She'd been thinking about the dreams. They had been old hat for her when Echo Mirage were making the headlines. It wasn't sim-sense or Technomancy. It was magic, old magic. At least 2650 years old, she reckoned. Perhaps she should consult an expert in the field.
She jumped from the bed and strapped herself back into the medical drone. She could have this done by bed time, no problem.
So are we agreed? We appear to have little choice but to do as Tyrazon asks and we should meet in the 'trix to discuss terms and tactics. If so perhaps we could be released from this Shade that we might get the hell on with it?!
And put what we have learned here to good use...
Whampoa Data Haven, Hong Kong, July 7th, 15:00
She went straight to the bedroom and collapsed as soon as she returned. Going to the gym with Vice had been enlightening and distracting, she had forgotten how powerful hormones could be, but such hard work. Maybe after all this dream nonsense was cleared up and she had Submerged in the Resonance at last she would get some weights into the apartment and whip this new body into shape.
But not today.
She'd been thinking about the dreams. They had been old hat for her when Echo Mirage were making the headlines. It wasn't sim-sense or Technomancy. It was magic, old magic. At least 2650 years old, she reckoned. Perhaps she should consult an expert in the field.
She jumped from the bed and strapped herself back into the medical drone. She could have this done by bed time, no problem.
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
Brick's voice rings out with anger, "Agreed? How do I know I can trust you people? Just because the fragger who's been messing with my head since I was a kid said so? How do I know he doesn't just want me dead, and hes hired you all to do it?"
Brick's voice rings out with anger, "Agreed? How do I know I can trust you people? Just because the fragger who's been messing with my head since I was a kid said so? How do I know he doesn't just want me dead, and hes hired you all to do it?"
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
Relax kiddo, I'm merely suggesting that we agree to consider the 'request', so that we can all wake up, because it looks like we may not if we don't.
Then we can meet somewhere more private to discuss the matter in more detail.
As to trust, I understand that we all know at least one of the people here, I trust those I already know with my life. Do you?
Can that at least be a foundation that we can build upon?
Relax kiddo, I'm merely suggesting that we agree to consider the 'request', so that we can all wake up, because it looks like we may not if we don't.
Then we can meet somewhere more private to discuss the matter in more detail.
As to trust, I understand that we all know at least one of the people here, I trust those I already know with my life. Do you?
Can that at least be a foundation that we can build upon?
A Table Surrounded by Chairs. The Second Dream. 08-Jul-2071
Vice mentally settles in to see who the troll will let calm him down.
I hope no one points out that if the thing wanted him dead, it would just kill him in his sleep with preposterously powerful magic rather than have me to fly half way around the world to do it. This is going to be an interesting project.
Vice mentally settles in to see who the troll will let calm him down.
I hope no one points out that if the thing wanted him dead, it would just kill him in his sleep with preposterously powerful magic rather than have me to fly half way around the world to do it. This is going to be an interesting project.
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