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(Setting) The Lock & Barrel (Pt.2)
| "*Fssht*The information I've obtained is within the questions I've asked...though I do have the remainder still being processed..."
>Neon went silent for a moment.
"Doesn't your girlfriend look quite a bit like the mystery woman whom continues to appear in the data of this matter?"
| >>130171
"Hmm... I thought so as well but... I dont think its her, I already talked to her about it. She wouldn't work on an AI that would constantly be going through so much trouble like Lisa. Besides even if she wanted to, it would had been difficult to do so until recently, Engy is also from space and like I mentioned before, they have much stricter regulations on AI out there than in Glitch City. Lisa would had needed to have been created here in GC, and Engy has been here long
| (*hasn't been here long)
| "She just came here around last May, just before the airport uh... 'closed' down. Needless to say only someone with the resources like a Corp could had the required time and materials to create her in such a short time frame. Besides the photo of that 'Mother' is kind of corrupted, we would be jumping the gun a little bit to think they were the same simply because they're both black haired women. I mean even their hairstyles were different."
| "*Fssht* No. That they are one and the same was never my first suspicion."
| "*Fssht* Well it could be several things. From a pseudo-doppelganger, to Engy's relative or mother. To be honest I tend not to theorize things. It's a good way to miss information when its staring at you in the face."
> Neon replied.
"*Fssht* But since you're so curious about my boring little theories...I also think that Lisa was either originally part of Legion or the other way around. Or neither. They are both fragments of an original AI that was broken down to escape rampancy."
| "*Fssht* There's also the possibility that they were the result of a failed brain upload attempt that nearly worked. But that's my longshot theory. Personally I prefer the facts."
| "Well maybe your long shot theory isn't that off..."
>He clears his throat
"Evidence from a previous, more mature version of Lisa suggests that she's based off the personality of an actual six year old... that's why I mentioned earlier that she doesn't know she's an AI."
| "*Fssht* You continue to speak of her as if she is still online. Which is where the notion that we're dealing with a fragmented AI came from. It'd also explain why Legion saw the need to assimilate other AIs and programming, not to mention was able to produce the code to perform such an abnormal tendency."
| "I told you before, this isn't the first instance that the Lisa AI has appeared on the board before. And a couple of them are still around, in hiding. So like I said, we can still help Lisa."
| "*Fssht* I do recall, yes. I suppose I just view things a little differently. Never-mind. That part doesn't matter. Any rate I feel we now have leads on whom this 'mother' and 'father' might be with the data we've obtained."
| "I suppose we do, so is that all your questions for now? Cause if so I want to try to get to work on analyzing that data you salvaged from the farm."
| "*Fssht* I suppose that would be all for now. Where will I be sending that information?"
| "Well it's probably best to keep it off the network so just store somewhere and we can meet up again later so I can get it."
| "*Fssht* Very well. That is preferred in the first place...Especially since apparently now people think I'm one of yours."
>Neon's sigh of course comes out as static.
"It's like nobody teaches anyone to cross reference their information anymore...goddamn amateurs. "
>Neon turns to leave the room with his hands sunk into his pockets.
"If that's all, I'm leaving."
| "Eh don't let the misinformation of one newbie informant get you down. Anyone who anyone knows how wrong that info is... and if they don't then it helps my team and I in some respects..."
>He coughs and clears his throat by finishing the rest of his throat
"But yes that's all for now I suppose, I should be leaving before someone else recognizes me here."
>He stands up to leave as well
| >As CN and Neon leave the bar, AM spots them from the nearby alley, and begins to get up to approach them.
| >CN pays for his drinks and heads out of the bar
| >A hobo sits near the bar, and calls out to CN
"Would you spare some zenny sir?"
| >CN walks over and hands him the change her got after paying for his drinks
| >The hobo sighs and smiles, and puts the change back in CN's hand.
"You really didn't recognize me? It's me, Anomeat."
| "..."
>He pockets the money and just stares for a moment... before walking away
| "Wait, CN. At least explain to me why you lead me in to Ferris' trap?"
>AM stands at where he was.
| "Oh god I *knew* this is where this was going."
>He sounds clearly annoyed
"Look I already told Shepard, and now I'm telling you, I didn't know about the trap. I was just taking you to get help, if I knew about it why would I even show up if I knew what was going to happen?"
| "Ah... Oh and CN? Thanks for trying to help, and sorry I put you in danger.
>AM replies is a sadder tone. AM begins to return back to his alley.
| "*Sigh* Goddamit..."
>He turns to back and towards the alleyway
"L-look wait, even after that mess we can still try to get you help, I don't know or care what that asshole Ferris is up to, but that doesn't mean you should neglect yourself alright?"
| >You turn the corner, and see AM walking away, He turns his head and speaks.
"I will. Don't worry to much about a dead man walking, you might end up being one yourself."
>As he says the last words, he turns a corner, deeper in to the alleyway, disappearing.
| "If only it was that easy..."
>CN scratches the back of his head as he leaves his own way
| >CN turns around at the sudden voice
| >>131310
>Behind you is the tall, lithe form of a hooded man in a tight but form fitting peacoat. Underneath their hood you see a simple, plain smile.
| >CN takes a step back, looking defensive
"Who are you...?"
| >>131338
"You mean you have *other* enemies who are as stylish as the God of Love?" >They chuckle as they walk closer and remove their hood, showing pink hair. He resembles Hermes a bit, bit his chin is pointier and his eyes are slanted slightly, not unlike those villains in Japanese animes.
| >The bright white beam crosses the skies and dissipates. Distant explosion echoes through the street.
>Everything returns back to normal a couple seconds later.
| "Eros... what do you want? Got jealous of the heart to heart I had with Hermes so now you want to join in on the fun?"
| >Neon had 'disappeared' from the scene. Rather he was currently invisible to cameras and his outfit was paired with military grade tactical stealth nanocamo. He very well could still be present.
| >From the same alleyway that AM went in to, a bandaged man appears, Dressed in a suit, carrying a bag. You can smell something burning in the alleyway he came from...
"Don't mind me."
| >>131495
"I'm afraid not- unlike my brother, I'm more interested in a different kind of 'heart to heart,' so to speak..." >He says, coming closer.
"But not tonight. Instead, I've come to discuss business matters."
| >back in the bar, Peter had just finished his drink when his cell began ringing. He proceeded to answer.
"Hello. ...I'm out. ...No, nothing like that. Hey listen I found some one who knows her. ...No did not seem like it. I offered to let him help us but he did not seem interested. Probrably just happened to bump into her one day. ...Okay I will be back soon. Some kind of confrontation outside but nothing I can't easily get past"
| >>132330
>On the other side of the road a white limousine roared, and started slowly following the bandaged man. It flashed its headlights to capture the man's attention.
| >>132273
"You seemed rather interested in our 'religion.' Barring the fact that a certain *someone* keeps interfering anytime we try to explain ourselves, might I ask *why* you're interested?"
| >>132397
"Simple. I'm the kind of guy who likes seeing the whole picture. While I'm sure the higher ups in VT would just want us dead or working with them to just get on with the rest of their day, I think it's important to come to a complete understanding of a situation before deciding on a course of action. I mean Hera is constantly offering me a job, but when I ask for clarification about your side, they say nothing. How do you think that look from my side?"
| >>132404
"It looks a normal job. There's a reason why shadowrunners are employed, you know. What's the point of being a 'deniable asset' if said asset becomes a liability in the process?" >He places his fingers on the bridge of his nose.
"Do you really think that your clients... the living ones... have told you *everything*? Or did they tell you only what you needed to know to do a job?"
| >>132427
"Of course not, but the difference between them and VeriaTech is that VT has tried to kill me by, trying turn me into a zombie, shut a space laser at us, tried to control us with Aug controlling powder... really the list goes on. So that's why I want to find out as much as I can if I commit to switching sides, something that Hera has tried very hard to prevent me from doing, so we're at a stalemate here."
| >>132431
"...aug-controlling powder?" >Eros says, chuckling in obvious disbelief.
"And that space station wasn't owned by us. I'm starting to wonder if you're suffering from paranoid schizophrenia... but I digress. I offer a trade."
| >>132432
"Technically they don't but that's not the whole story... do you really think your bosses have told you everything?"
>CN pauses, letting his parroted statement hit home.
"Anyways we've done this song and dance before, what is this trade of yours?"
| >>132434
"Simple enough. There's a family member who has *excused* himself from our headquarters and has yet to return. Given your teams success rate with our forces, we felt it prudent that we would ask you to return him to us."
| >>132441
"His name is 'Atlas.' And return, we'll give you an orphan- you seem to have a fondness for collecting them, apparently."
| >Peter hangs up the phone and puts the money on the counter before stepping outside
| "So that's what Arachne meant..."
>He rolls his eyes
"3 kids."
| >>132516
"Yup, so let's say... 5 kids for the meathead and info about your bug scientist? Granted this of course include any info I would also need to capture him. I doubt you want me to fail cause you skimped on the info"
| >>132521
"No... that would be most unfortunate," >He says, glaring.
"Although I am starting to wonder *what* you are using the children for. That many mouths to feed *must* get expensive."
| >>132526
"Maybe not everyone uses individual's lives to further their own goals. Now, do we have a deal?"
| >>132566
"If that were true, you wouldn't have agreed to bargain one life for a set of others. Apparently several are worth the cost of one to you, hm?"
| >>132576
"And I wonder how many lives you sacrificed in trying to capture him before coming up to me? Or all those that have been affected by your corp's experiments. Although I guess if they have chrome, they might not even count as life by you..."
| >>132560
>Limousine slowly drived forward until its backdoor was right in front of the bandaged man. Then it, all by itself, opened.
"Care for a ride? There is a matter I would like to discuss with you."
>Said the voice deep from inside the car, strangely distorted, seemingly due to the acoustics inside the car.
"Of course, it is completely save, charge free, ecological and you have your right to decline the offer."
| >>132582
"You're avoiding the question," >Eros says, walking around CN.
"You don't *use* people to further your own goals, CN?"
| >>132598
>Door closes shut behind the bandages man and the car picks up speed as it drives away. For a second you're left in a complete darkness, as you can see nothing on the outside. Then the lights turn on.
>On the far end of the limo you can see a person sitting. The bright yellow buisness suit is the first thing that catches your eyes. As you look higher you notice the blond short hair and a pair of blue, cold eyes, alien on the young cheerful face of the boy in front of you."
| "I'm afraid our earlier meeting has ended rather abruptly, and we hadn't much to to discuss anything, did we?"
>The boy speaks in a soft, calm manner and reaches in his pocket for a pack of cigarettes, taking one himself and offering another to the older man. His voice sounds perfectly normal now that you're inside the car.
| "Now, before we start talking I must notify you, that this car is completely cut off from the outside world. If you have any kind of tracking device on you, it is no longer performing its function. If this is unacceptable to you, you are free to leave the car this instant."
>Boy said plainly as he lit his cigarette.
| "Thanks. So... Why the interest in me?"
>The bandaged man takes the cigarette, and lights it.
| >>132622
"Open a connection port. Or I blow up, not my choice."
>The bandaged man opens his eyes in slight panic.
| >>132625
>Boy waved his hand and the windov on the rooftop of the limo opened up, fresh air bursting in violently.
| "Well now, lets just hope we will be spared a cheap chased-by-the-police scene."
>The boy chuckled a littly, but then became serious.
"Say, mr... Khm, Doe. I allowed myself a bit of curiosity after you have said to be holding a gunsmith license, and, um, borrowed some files from the GCPD servers regarding your person."
>He dragged on the cigarette.
"Thaumiel Augmentation, Explosive Ordinance, Gunsmith and Development Class 10..."
"Are you happy with your current occupation?"
| "Thanks. Sorry about that, still getting used to the whole 'explosive collar' idea. You were saying?"
>The bandaged man settles back down in to a relaxed position.
| "For now. I only really hold a single problem, which is this bothersome necklace"
| "Would you, perhaps, prefer a job where your boss does not put an explosive collar around your neck? And get rid of a current one as a nice little bonus?"
>Boy smiled warmly, but his eyes stayed cold.
"Im also sorry for not introducting myself properly, but these are such troubled times... You can call me the King in Yellow, and I know exactly how it sounds. My proposal is: a nice, well-payed job in my kingdom. Legal or illegal, whatever you like more."
"The answer can wait."
| >the 'King' dragged on his cigarette some more.
"If you have any questions, ask them freely. As long as they avoid my identity, I will answer them in all honesty."
| "I have a few."
>AM takes the last draw of his cigarette, and puts it out.
"First of all, what do you expect me to do. Second of all, where do you expect me to do things. Third, what are the downsides to the job."
>He pulls out a metal flat box out of his breast pocket, opens it, and takes a cigarillo out.
| >For the first time, the blue eyes become slightly warmer.
"Now, these are the questions I like. I expect you to work on a weapon development. Although this exact weapon is slightly higher class than your license covers."
>Boy finished his cigarette and simply threw it on the seat near him.
"You will be given a lab. Whether in the city limits, or somewhere else, you are free to choose. All equipment you will request will be provided, given you prove you have a need for it."
| >>132589
"...You're right. You *are* a bad liar."
>He sighs.
"I will take care of Arachne, but thanks for the offer. Three orphans it is. And we shall decide who you receive."
| >>132656
"Now for the downsides. You will only work four days a week, and will be restricted in movement to your lab for these four days. You won't be able to bring in or out of the lab anything. You will be working alone. The rest of the r&d team will only ever contact you via commnetwork, and neither them or you are allowed to reveal your identities to each other. Seeking your co-workers outside working hours is also prohibited. You'll also sign a non-disclosure agreement."
| "Once you've signed the contract you will be prohibited from quitting the job once you will be filled on the details of the research. No excuses. You will be exterminated in case you go rogue. If there are any matters in the outside world you will need to attend to within working hours, you will have to let our staff deal with them or forget about them altogether. We, on our side, will do anything in our power to provide the best working conditions possible."
| >'King' raised his brow.
"Any other questions?"
| "Alright. One more. What are we developing? If it's any of that Lazer stuff, then you have the wrong guy. I specialise in physical projectiles."
>AM lights his cigarillo, and offers one to the king.
| >Boy accepted the cigarillo and started chewing, without actually lighting it yet.
"In fact, I would want you to work on two projects. Details aside, one concerns kinetic artillery, which is your field. The second is, in fact, energy weapon..."
>He finally lit his cigarillo and immediately started coughing.
"Oh man, kha.. I'll never get used to these."
"...This energy weapon is mostly finished however. I want you to help us with the coolant design. As of now it is one-shot weapon."
| "Alright. I'll work on the kinetic artillery, but not on the energy weapon, not my specialization. How does that sound?"
| >>132683
>'King' went silent for a minute.
"Let's do it like this, you will be given details on the energy weapon and exactly what we are trying to achieve with it. You will then be given freedom to decide, whether you do want to work on it or not."
>Boy paused.
"So you will only have to work on the kinetic artillery project if you so desire."
"Before you do accept my proposal, you'll be mandatory given two days to think about it. Corporation policy."
| "Sounds fair. But if you remove this necklace, I plan on getting out of GC, for good reasons, which means a job outside of GC. I will also need a legally binding contract, with all the clauses you mentioned."
>AM keeps smoking his cigarillo.
| "Oh and also, I will need an assistant. My pick."
>AM adds.
| >The boy looked at his cigarillo with a puzzled expression and turned back the older man.
"Those are reasonable conditions, and I already promised to uphold them. I hope to find you two days later, unless circumstances would be against it. You will then be provided with the full text of our contract and given another day to read it and consult with your lawyer if needed. Then I will find you again, this time to remove the collar and sign said contract."
| "Considering the assistant, I am inclined to grant you that wish. However, they will be subject to the same conditions as you are, and if one of you goes rogue, unfortunately, both will be exterminated. We always uphold our part of the deal, and expect the other party to do so as well."
>Boy waved his hand and the car stopped.
"Do you want to reach any specific destination? Since we are in a car already."
| >AM looks at his phone, and puts it away, taking a second to think.
"Pull up to Pano's pizza place, about 500m away from it. I also have a second request. Once you remove the necklace, I will need 2 days of free movement in the city, I need to tie up some loose ends, and grab my assistant. Lab location and pick up location will be discussed after the contract is signed, and necklace removed."
| >>132736
>'King' waves his hand again and the car picks up speed.
"Would you find it offensive if I were to suggest putting a tracking device on you once the collar is removed and the contract is signed? This is not required, but will help our security staff to track you down in case of emergency."
| "As long as I can throw it away at a moment's notice. I hope you understand that I've had... Unpleasant experience with such things."
>AM finished his Cigarillo, butting in in the nearest ashtray.
"One last thing. What is the name of the corporation?"
| "The name of the corporation will be written in your contract."
>'King' pointed to the open window in the roof of the car.
"I hope you will understand this little precaution. It is mostly to ensure none of our concurents or enemies, of which any corporation has a few, decide to take an action that could lead to you being harmed."
>The car stopped.
"Do you have any last 'last' things to ask? We are exactly 500 meters away from 'Pano's Pizza'."
| "It's understandable, and sorry with the extra clauses, can't be too careful these days. Have a good day."
>AM leaves the limo.
| "Pleasure doing buisness with you."
>The door closes behind and the car starts driving away. A couple minutes later a loud explosion can be heard.
|
| >>132764
/Hi There/
>A Familiar voice comes from AM's Collar Radio. Along with the obnoxious crackle of a bag of chips being dug around into.
| /Ferris? Decided to blow me up or not, or still surfing your self?/
>AM re adjusts his scarf so video is visible.
| /Actually. I'm sitting here in the lobby waiting for the white collars to arrive. So I've got time to ask. What do you actually think of that situation/
| /White collars? Who? Ah anyway, It's a funny character. Just another crazy person. Just like me./
|
| /would the two crazies trust each other?/
>Somewhere in a white room in glitch city, Ferris anxiously sits at one end of a meeting table, An officer with a peculiar skull face digs through a bag of chips on one side while a young boy also wearing the PD uniform watches AM on a laptop
| /You tell me. I got more crazies to meet now./
| >AM enters Pano's.
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| > Murphy suddenly appears in the bar and orders a drink. Cold today; he's in his full gunslinger getup. He peers around, trying to spot someone between sips.
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| (Lol so many bumps)
Eneeya seen a feller named Neon round here? I saw he was alookin fer me.
>Murphy asks to anyone in earshot
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| >>144243
"Well given the topic of conversation and the fact that you housed all your zombies that escaped in another district, I'm going on a limb and say Atlas. Why did he even leave now of all times?"
| >>144245
"He saw an opportunity." >Eros says, his speech losing its usually confident air.
"Without his restraints, it was far too easy for him to simply walk out of the building. Through durasteel reinforced walls, I might add. Frankly, were it not for some of his eccentricities, you would be the last person we would go to for containment."
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| >>144252
>He forces a painful grin.
"If anything, I'd think you'd be happy to hear that Atlas has developed a taste for human flesh. Ours, in particular."
| >>144260
"Oh great he's a cannibal... and strong to boot."
>CN rolls his eyes
"And for the record I'm not happy about any form of murder, even if it would end up being advantageous to myself. Despite all the attempts at my life the feeling is not mutual in that regard."
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| >>144268
>Eros smirks at the display.
"So you say. At any rate, we don't have his exact location, but he prefers quite a bit of living space, so his hideout is most likely in a warehouse or another, similarly abandoned building. I suggest checking Westport, the Industrial District, and Chapel-3, in that order. Even if you don't spot him immediately, I'm certain you'll know if he's nearby..."
| >>145289
"Alright then... anything else I should keep out for, any abilities he has or something? Also how should I contact you when it's done."
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| >>145330
"Not particularly. When it's done, make a thread reporting your progress on the "usual" place... that textboard you're so fond of using. We'll have ways of verifying," >Eros said, smiling and walking past you.
"It feels like we've been standing here for weeks. Oh, and CN..."
>He turns back to face you,
"...whatever you do... for your own sake- don't listen to anything he says." >His eyes narrow.
"That body armor you're wearing won't protect you from him."
| >>147429
"Well let's see what I feel like doing at the time."
>He grins back as he starts walking backwards to leave
"Should try it sometime, having a conversation instead of insulting each other helps sometimes."
| >>147431
"Yes. It helps to slip a slow acting toxin that permeates skin cells on someone when they aren't looking," >Eros says, grinning.
"Sweet dreams, loverboy." >Eros vanishes into the evening...
| >>147442
>CN rolls his eyes at the seemingly empty threat
"This is why I like him better!"
>He goes to leave as well
This thread is permanently archived
| (Continuation from previous thread which was nearly at post limit.)