[8.2] Machinist Critical Mission Dialogue and Screenshots

ThePigeonKing

Chapter 8.2

Mission 1: Process of Elimination

Agent Gray: Mr. Kennedy, we have been aware for some time now that the Merovingian has been directing the General's Sentinels who managed to escape the Matrix.
These Sentinels have proven difficult to monitor. However, there are indications that they have begun to advance toward sensitive installations on the Earth's surface.
This must not be allowed. Although we are currently engaged in a significant conflict with Zion, it is necessary to take action against the Merovingian in order to cripple or deter his intrusive actions. You will begin this effort immediately, by obliterating one of his profit-making ventures.

Operator: 'Bout time we took the Frenchman down a couple pegs--or maybe a whole ladder.
I've got Exile signals in there. Time to shut down the party.

Elite Guard: Haven't you got some cave-monkeys you should be chasing?

Lupine Lieutenant: Get your own!

Operator: That should hit the Merv right in the wallet.

Agent Gray: Good. It will also be useful to sever the Merovingian's links with other powerful Exile programs.
One such program is known as the Auditor. The Merovingian has recently raffirmed his working relationship with this program. The Auditor, however, has his own agenda, and does not appear to be a blind adherent to the Merovingian's wishes. It is possible that he may be persuaded to abandon all contact with the Frenchman.

Operator: Our information said that the Auditor was in that office, crunching numbers, or whatever it is he does. I'm reading some Exile programs in the local code stream.

Earle Orcutt: The Machines must be worried indeed if they have resorted to such measures.

Hugh Friesen: Our only goal is to ensure that faulty code is detected and fixed before it is given widespread distribution throughout the simulation, leading to further faults and destabilization. We have no political affiliation.

The Auditor: I believe that I can be a useful factor in the maintenance of the System if I am permitted to screen the Merovingian's code development for faults and errors.
However..since it appears to be the System's desire that he should receive no such aid, I will desist from offering him my services.

Operator: He didn't put up much of a fight, did he? At least someone knows who codes their bread and butter.

Agent Gray: That measure appears to have been sufficient at this time. We will continue to monitor him,
The Exile Hypatia has given more direct assistance to the Merovingian. Although she claims her information-gathering activities are a harmless commercial venture, recently she has seen fit to offer unusually...sensitive material to the highest bidder. She has made offers to the Merovingian specifically, and we know that at other times in the past she has provided him with information he used to maintain his criminal empire. In light of his current activities, we have determined that the Merovingian must no longer have access to Hypatia's data.

Operator: Word is that Hypatia's a member of a crusty and super-secretive "Archivist Society," with friends in high places. She may have to cash in some pretty big checks to get out of this one.
I'm reading a number of Exile programs in there. She could have some of her nerdy Bookwyrms with her.

Bookwyrm Pedant: Troglodyte.

Bookwyrm Intellectual: What's this all about?

Hypatia: What? The Machines haven't had a problem with my research before, but now they're cracking down?
I see. So they get themselves into a jam with the humans, and suddenly everyone's a threat? Or are they really afraid the Merovingian will learn something he shouldn't?
Well, forget it. I won't be intimidated into self-censorship.

Operator: Man, it's always the bookish ones who sneak up and go all postal on you, isn't it?

Agent Gray: A program has been dispatched to take Hypatia into custody. Exit the location and await further instructions.

Hypatia: Hm! We'll just see about this.

Agent Gray: Thank you, Mr. Kennedy. These and other police actions taken by System forces throughout the city will inhibit the Merovingian's ability to acquire classified information.
These operations are ongoing, but at this time I have a task for you that is more directly relevant to the situation at hand.
The Merovingian communicates with the General via a directed relay. A thorough log search has isolated the signal's origin, near your current location. You are to deactivate the relay.

Operator: I've got some Exile programs on the 'scope, and a network system that matches the profile the Machines gave me of the relay system. Time to go to work.

Lupine Scrapper: Dodge this!

Lupine Scrapper: So you've made it this far... Now you're really pushing your luck!

Operator: That takes care of the programs. I think I got that relay terminal softed up for you now. Take a crack at it.

Computer: UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS WARNING
> trm root 0x17a00d01
Process 08411 terminated.
Process 03832 terminated.
Process 00012 terminated.
Goodbye._

Operator: That's one illegal relay that won't be bothering us again...at least not once the Machine cleanup crew comes along to take the terminal apart for recycling.
Waitasec... I'm picking up another signal. This one's got a familiar profile... Checking for match..
Aw, crud.

Holographic Projection: As you can see, operative, we are prepared for such a contingency. Yes, you may track the source of this message, and deactivate it as well. There will be others.
It's a question of time, isn't it? Suddenly, you have less than you thought. I wonder why? Could it be that the System's lies are finally catching up with it?
I'll admit that I thought Zion would be the first to fall. My mistake.

Operator: Huh! Big talk from a dude too scared to jack in.

Agent Gray: Despite his lackey's bravado, the Merovingian must know that he cannot maintain his organization for long against the full weight of the System. He will have no choice but to curb his activities.

**FrozenFyre**

Hey Man, I just thought I'd quickly post to encourage you to keep up the work, it's always much appreciated by me at least.

ThePigeonKing

((Ehhh, sorry for the huge delay on getting these up. The Team Fortress 2 Beta is out and I'm having way too much fun. Expect this updated some time this week.))