Merv 9.3 Summary - Two's A Crowd

**ZippyTheSquirrel** · 02/28/2008 16:46:44

----- 1) Duality: Reassure the intruder about backing him against the second wireframe man-----

Flood: It appears that the intruder has a glow-in-the-dark stalker: he and another man made out of wires had a scrap in Westview a short time ago. It sounds like more bad news to me, but the Merovingian likes to be optimistic about life's little surprises, even the ugly ones.

Since they don't seem to like each other, extracting maximum profit from the situation will require a good deal of finesse. Obviously, that isn't why I'm speaking to you. But we need to find the intruder before we can speak with him, and that, I believe, is a task for which you may be suited.

He has been out of touch, but our intelligence network has procured an ample number of leads. Go look for him at the marked spot.

Operator: I've got a hefty override signal in there; could be the man.

[Friendlies: Bluepill]
[Enemies: Headless, Accelerator]

Operator: Nope, not him.

Bluepill: Help!

Bluepill: Oh, thank goodness you--

Wait... Where are you going?

[Mission Update]

Flood: I'm not at all surprised you're seeing strange things, operative, considering your debt.

Do try to stay lucid long enough to check these locations for the intruder, hmm?

Operator: That reminds me: we've really got to see about getting a different protein mash the next time we resupply.

Scan's showing me another big helping of override code in there. Good luck.

[Friendlies: Corpses (?), Accelerated Machine]
[Enemies: Accelerated Machine]
[Heroes: Intruder]

Operator: Oh, goody.

Intruder: Hey, I'm a little busy here. Take a powder, huh?

The Merovingian? Hrm... Fine, but this better be good--and I *don't* mean any more chicks or mutants.

Intruder: Yeah, yeah, I'll be there. Quit bugging me.

[Mission Update]

Flood: I would never risk *my* shell standing around the intruder if I hada choice in the matter... He'll say that his personal presence is of great value in negotiations, but really, I think the Merovingian just enjoys taking risks.

Well, operative, since someone not subject to code overrides ought to be present to witness disaster should it unfold, you get to go to the meeting. See that you keep your mouth shut.

Operator: Hah, Flood's such a wuss. Not like the Merv hasn't done this before, anyway.

No suspicious readouts on the scan... Let's see how the party's going.

[Heroes: Twins, Malphas, Merovingian, Halborn(Intruder)]

Twin: Two of them--splendid! We always say the best things come in twos, don't we, brother?
Twin: That we do.

Twin: I knew a trio of triplets once. Ah, that was a lark.
Twin: Duality, you know. You're familiar with it, of course?

Halborn: His name's Carlyne. He's already going around telling people my name, so you might as well know, it's "Halborn."

The guy's a real piece of work. The way I see it, he wants the same thing I do, so he's been letting me do all the grunt work until I've started getting close. Now he's making his play to beat me to the finish. Dirty moves like this aren't exactly new to him.

Merovingian: Mon cher ami, I fully sympathize. I assure you that I will do everything I can to help you dispose of this unwanted interloper. No one will be allowed to make off with your...ah...interface program. You have my word on that.

Operator: Okay, Flood's telling me to have you go into the outer room and talk to Malphas.

Merovingian: Yes, operative. Tell Malphas to put all of our agencies to work on this Carlyne problem, hm?

Halborn: Hmh. Not that I don't appreciate the gesture, but he isn't going to be that easy to deal with--not for you, anyway.

Twin:We ought to invite them both over for a spot of tea.
Twin: This should be interesting.

Malphas: Our standing with the intruder--Halborn--appears on a fairly steady footing. Maintaining this stance--the appearance, at least--will become much more difficult momentarily, because the Merovingian wishes to establish a business relationship with the new man as well.

This man, Carlyne, has been acting much more openly than Halborn, and will not, at least, be difficult to contact. To avoid the possibility of an unfortunante first encounter with the override codes we assume he possesses, you'll be sent in to make the initial contact. Flood will direct you.

Malphas: Strive to make a good first impression, operative. If it goes well, the Merovingian will arrive to greet him personally.

[Mission Update]

Flood: You seem to enjoy meeting new people, operative, so I wonder if I should even bother paying you for this...

This "Carlyne" person has made no secret of his location, and, in another refreshing change from what we've been used to, he hasn't been overriding our people wherever he goes. AT this point I'm inclined to regard anything "Halborn" says about him with a great deal of skepticism; it seems to me that Carlyne is much more the sort of man we should be dealing with.

Well, stop dawdling, operative, and go greet him.

Operator: Bad sign already; Flood likes him. Got a big override signal in there... Looks pretty much like the intru--uh, Halborn--usually looks on my screen.

[Heroes: Carlyne]

Computer:
::exit
Session aborted.
>_

Carlyne: Oho! A surprise visitor! And to what do I owe the pleasure?

The Merovingian? Certainly! Who hasn't heard of him? Why, I'd be delighted--positively delighted--to have the chance to meet him.

Operator: Against the advice of some, the Merovingian has decided to greet Carlyne himself. Bring the man into the outer room.

Carlyne: Lead on, lead on!

Merovingian: Bonjour, monsieur. I am the Merovingian. I am aware of your difference with Halborn, and I assure you, I am ready to do everything in my power to assist you.

Carlyne: I must say, this is very encouraging. I'd hardly dared to hope that the Merovingian would take a personal interest in my case.

Yes, I do believe this marks the beginning of a very promising partnership.

Merovingian: Merci, operative. You see, there was no cause for concern about my safety. We are dealing with an eminently reasonable man.

Twin: Seems all right.
Twin: Hm... Enthusiastic.

[Mission End]

Flood: I see our employer managed to survive the encounter, operative, although I'm more inclined to chalk that up to Carlyne actually possessing manners than to any exercise of skill on your part.

Past experience would cause me to think otherwise, but I hope you've been paying attention to how this has been handled. You're going to have to be able to deal simultaneously with two people who don't get along. I realize this a more advanced social situation than you're used to, but, unfortunately, the budget I'm given forces me to rely upon your services.

When in doubt, just keep quiet, and try to look like you understand what's happening. I suggest you practice that between now and your next assignment.

**ZippyTheSquirrel**

----- 2) Why She Swallowed the Fly: Take care of Exile problems caused by override codes. -----

Flood: While the Merovingian would like to milk the two wireframed men, Halborn and Carlyne, for all they're worth, their mutual dislike, combined with their code overrides, is leading them to make a mess of things.

We've just lost touch with a pack of our programs, operative. Informants have described what sounds like code overrides going off in their vicinity, so I expect the worst.

Operator: Hm... I'm picking up some overriden code, but no really active programs in there.

[Friendlies: Accelerated Machine corpses, Accelerated Exile corpses, Accelerated Machine (injured)]

Accelerated Machine: ... [dies]

Operator: Whoa... No sign of forced entry, but I'm reading recently spent shellcasing in there, and there are bullet and claw wounds on the bodies. Could they have been fighting each other?

[Mission Update]

Flood: I *suppose* it's possible that one group was overriden by Carlyne, and one by Halborn, and they met at cross purposes, but really, operative, I don't care. One or the other of them--or both--just cost us four programs, and they're both likely to cost us more as long as they've got access to those override routines of theirs.

Case in point: I'm being pestered by another group of our programs. Apparently some of their numbers have been overriden, and are attacking those who weren't. Go try to salvage some of them, hm?

Operator: I'm reading overrides in most of the programs in there, but I see one--wait two--that are still running clean.

[Friendlies: Exiles]
[Enemies: Accelerated Exiles]

Calvinia: It was that big one! Halborn! He'd have got us, too, but he stopped all of a sudden and ran. Then the others turned on us!

Ophiuchi: Hah! Come on! We'll put a stop to this desecration!

Flood: Keep those two, alive, would you, operative? Get rid of the other ones.

Calvinia: Forget it! I'm not going to stand by while my friends are tortued like this!
Ophiuchi: There were more! Where are they?

Calvinia: And the Merovingian still wants to use him...
Ophiuchi: They'll be avenged... No power that destructive survives for long.

[Mission Update]

Flood: It looks like Halborn is indeed skulking around in that area, operative. It may also interest you to know that there's a rumour going around that he just met with the Machines again. I wouldn't be surprised if they've manipulated the simple-minded barbarian into taking out his frustrations on our programs...

I think it's about time we--that is, you, operative--had a talk with him. Hold his hand, look into his eyes, I don't care--just find out what the devil he thinks he's doing.

Operator: If Flood's right, then the big override signal I've got in there is our beloved intruder. Guess this is where, uh, work your magic.

[Friendlies: Accelerator, Decelerator]
[Heroes: Halborn]

Halborn: Who invited you? Go take a--

... Wait. Do you... Hm. ... What do you know about the Oracle?

Operator: Ohh boy. Uh... You better tell him we're gonna check our sources and get right back to him. I think we need to run this by Flood.

Halborn: I need to see her. That's all you need to know. Is your boss going to keep his promise, or isn't he?

[Mission Update]

Flood: Hm... An interesting developement. You know the Merovingian's feelings on that particular subject. Mm... Just a moment.

...

Well, it seems the Merovingian would enjoy a chat about the Oracle with Halborn. He's getting chummier with that oaf than I'd advise, but, eh, it's his life.

Operator: Flood's so cute when he pretends not to care--and then, of course, he sends us in so he can stay up on what's going on.

[Friendlies: Merovingian operatives]
[Heroes: Merovingian, Halborn]

Merovingian Upgrade Master: Well... Look what the code overrides dragged in.

Merovingian Kung Fu Master: He ain't so tough. Hell, dude doesn't even know karate. [poses]
Merovingian SMG Specialist: The Merv relies on us more than ever now that the wireframes are making things tough for programs. Doesn't seem like such a bad thing to me.
Merovingian Upgrade Master: How do we know those overrides aren't getting to you, too, huh? It's not like anyone's had a chance to study the effects of long-term exposure in the simulation.

Halborn: Okay... So I'll start around that courtyard in Mara, then. What else? What kind of defenses does she have?

Halborn: Yeah, yeah, I heard about the cookies...

Merovingian: Bonjour. IF there is anything about the Oracle that you would care to share with Halborn, please feel free. Many wait years to see her, after all... But our friend here does not seem to have that kind of time.

Halborn: She's just one program. I'll switch her off if I have to.

Merovingian: What he does when he meets her is not our affair, is it?

Merovingian Upgrade Master: Hey... I know someone who could hook you up with some of those Accelerator Bits if you need another hit...

[Mission End]

Flood: Well, that's clear enough. He wants to see the Oracle, we help it happen, and if either or both of them happen to kick off as a result, we'll make the most of it--and let's not forget this mysterious "biological interface program" he's after. He must think the Oracle has it... Hm...

Oh, go away, operative. Can't you see I'm trying to get some serious work done here?

**FrozenFyre**

Thanks for putting in the work again Zippy, good stuff and nice to know what's happening in the Merv camp - much appreciated!

BTW - you might want to change the colour for the Twins dialogue, it's virtually invisible against the background!

**ZippyTheSquirrel**

FrozenFyre wrote:

Thanks for putting in the work again Zippy, good stuff and nice to know what's happening in the Merv camp - much appreciated!

BTW - you might want to change the colour for the Twins dialogue, it's virtually invisible against the background!

;) Yes, quite hard to see, like... ghosts.

Oh, and expect some Machine summaries soon... I'd do Zion but I don't have any alts with enough rep. >.<

**ZippyTheSquirrel**

----- 3) World of Hungry Shades: Find the Oracle for Halborn. -----

Flood: Halborn is having difficulty locating the Oracle, even after we fed him all the information he should have needed to track her down. I can't say that I'm surprised. He's in over his wireframed head if he thinks he's going to outwit the Oracle.... Still, some hold out hope that with those override routines of his, he'll manage to do something useful along the way--or turn up that interface program he's looking for, and give us a chance to relieve him of it.

It's all a moot point if he doesn't get a clue, unfortunately, so we're going to have to do some Oracle hunting of our own. There are all sorts of idiots, zealots, and goose-steppers converging on Mara at the moment, so you should blend right in, operative. The leads we have cost a fair penny, so try to get us our money's worth, hm?

Operator: Supposedly there's an Oracle info source in there... I'm reading some kind of data cluster... Uh-oh, also got some unidentified redpills, too.

[Enemies: E Pluribus Neo operatives]

EPN Crusader: It's the eyes again, isn't it? You sons of--

Computer:
> dir
Unspecified error
> list *
Disk read error
> read -all
Error
Error
Error
Error
Error
[repeats "Error"]

Operator: Oh, man, that thing is toast. The access log reads like War and Peace. We've stumbled into some kind of information feeding frenzy.

EPN Crusader: Hey, got a hostile here!

[Mission Update]

Flood: Hrm... I'll have to check our source for that one. If they're selling their information to other parties, they'll have to be dealt with. Sloppy, very sloppy.

Check this next address, operative. This one came directly from a Machine d-base, so it isn't likely any cave-dwellers will have beat you to the punch.

[Ambush: Zion operatives]

Operator: Okay, supposedly we can find a bluepill there who's been known to associate with the Oracle. Only... Hm...

Well, the bad news is that I'm picking up two bluepills in there, but neither one looks remotely like the contact's profile.

The other bad news is that I'm also picking up two Machine programs.

[Friendlies: Machine Programs, Agents (level 255)]

Tactical Security: Yes, sir. Standing down.

Agent Norris: Hello, operative. I'm afraid that the individual you're no doubt looking for was just taken in for questioning about involvement in a terrorist plot.

It's a real shame, isn't it, Agent Long? Always unfortunate to find that someone has chosen to stop being a productive member of society.

Operator: Intel straight "from a Machine d-base," huh? ...

Agent Norris II: Oh, I believe they'll be held for questioning for quite some time.
Agent Norris: A real waste.

Tactical Security: Yeah, don't touch anything.
Tactical Security: Have a nice day.

[Mission Update]

Flood:What? Mm, that *is* aggravating... I wonder if the Machines have a clear idea of what they're doing. We know they're the ones who told Halborn he could get the program he wants from the Oracle; probably a lie, but in any case, if they wanted him chasing the Oracle, why would they be interfering with our search for her, when they must know we're trying to help that moron get to her?

I suppose they intend to screw everyong over on this one; that would be about par for the course with them. Oh, we may be looking to do something similar; the difference is that we don't pretend to be motivated by slavish loyalty to an inefficient operating system.

Well, what are you standing around for, operative? You haven't the Oracle yet, have you? So get back to checking on those leads.

[Ambush: Cypherite operatives]

Operator: It's getting hard to sort through all the signals in that neighborhood... Okay, getting something... Uhhh boy. Code overrides. Somehow I don't think those are the contact we're looking for.

[Friendlies: Bluepill corpse.]
[Enemies: Accelerated Machines]

Operator: So much for that contact...

Maybe we'll get lucky, and whatever override user tagged those programs also got Agent Norris. Serve 'em right for sending Agents to insult us when they could've just used operatives.

Flood: The way this is going, I fully expect that those were Halborn's programs, unwittingly rubbing out a contact who could have aided his search. This is what happens when we rely on limited intellects...

No, operative, I wasn't talking about you. I do have other issues to contend with aside from your own inadequacies, you know.

Now stop jabbering about yourself, and go find the Oracle.

Operator: Hm... I've got programs in that[there?], and they don't look like Machines....but they aren't ours, either.

[Enemies: Mysterious Exiles (Gus, Courtney, Deimer, Danilo), Terminator]
[Heroes: Carlyne]

Gus: ...do anything until Ruhamah sends the signal.
Danilo: But what about the sim? I thought he was supp--
Courtney: No!

[All four Exiles are killed by a Terminator pulse]

Operator: Uh-oh... Is that who I think it is?

Carlyne: Oh, excuse me. Did I interrupt? [claps sarcastically]

Well, I couldn't help but notice my programs ran into a little hitch a few minutes ago... And I have some idea of what you were doing there. In fact, I've suspected it for some time now, but it's nice to have real proof, isn't it?

You can tell the Merovingian it's become all too clear that he's backing my opponent...and I'm afraid I'll have to cancel our brunch date.

Carlyne: Oh, all business--of course, of course. But I am disappointed that he made the mistake of choosing...poorly. I was hoping he was more perceptive. Too bad.

[Mission End]

Flood: Pfah! I warned the Merovingian that something like this could happen. He's been playing up to Halborn far too much. Well, we can forget about getting anywhere now with the one who actually has half a brain.

Oh, what do I care what some dead Exiles were nattering about, operative? Ruhamah, simulacrum... Bah! Next you'll tell me there's some sort of underground conspiracy afoot. That's the problem with people--they'll root for trash in the much while the real prize goes right on by. And now just look at the situation we're in!

**ZippyTheSquirrel**

Typo: "that" - "there" ?

Comments: No viral defense, very little viral resistance, and two Cypherite Ravagers = world of hurt. Oh, yes, they died slowly...

I couldn't get a comment from Deimer, that d**n Terminator took him out while he was behind a wall. According to my map, I think Carlyne and the Terminator 'ported in, so the Termination Pulse was probably instant. I'm wondering if that was deliberate.

ThePigeonKing

Huh, weird. What kind of exiles were the Mysterious Exiles talking about the Morpheus sim, by the way?

It seems something very big is happening behind the scenes.

**ZippyTheSquirrel**

ThePigeonKing wrote:

Huh, weird. What kind of exiles were the Mysterious Exiles talking about the Morpheus sim, by the way?

It seems something very big is happening behind the scenes.

Generic Club Guard shells, they used.

Why I'm talking like Yoda, I know not.

**ZippyTheSquirrel**

----- 4) A Man of One Dimension: Provide Halborn with strategic advice on reaching the Oracle. -----

Flood: The slums have gone to hell, operative. They're normally quiet, profit-making areas for us, where the desperate from all walks of life pay a premium for goods and services from our vendors and affiliates, without more than a token amount of interference from the Machines; but with Halborn beating the pavements several steps behind the Oracle, the whole district has turned into a morass of humans and programs whose lives are so empty that they have nothing better to do than stick their collective noses into our business.

That Carlyne fellow, for instance, has been doing more than his fair share of butting in, with help from the cave monkeys. For all his boasting, Halborn's been letting these attacks distract him from business. The time has come for cooler heads to take charge. Find Halborn so that we can come up with an effective plan of action that he can comprehend.

Operator: This would be a lot easier if we could just slap a trace routine on those wires of his.

I'm picking up a hefty pack of code overrides in there. Redpill signals, too.

[Enemies: Zion operatives, Accelerator]

Zion Ballista: Carlyne was right! Get them!

Operator: Ooh. Tell them we got the wrong address by mistake?

[Mission Update]

Flood: Hmh. I've already stated my opinion on which of the two I think we should have chosen to work with; feel free to look it up in the archived mission once it's available. By the way, those also serve as handy grammatical reference material, operative.

Speaking of poor communication skills, this hunting and pecking through the city's dung heaps wouldn't even be necessary if Halborn could keep in touch like any reasonable person has since the invention of the telegraph.

[Ambush: EPN operatives]

Operator: Well, triple-dot, triple-dash, triple-dot: I think we may have him. No more reds on the monitor, either. It's like some kind of d*mn miracle.

[Heroes: Halborn]

Operator: Phew. Nice to be right for a change.

Halborn: It isn't working? Well, you don't say... Your boss already told me what you people know about the Oracle, and that hasn't helped... And I don't see how you think you'll have any chance of stopping Carlyne.

... Fine. Whatever. This had better be to the point.

[Accelerator spawns]

Operator: Right, let's get Flood to set this thing up.

Halborn: Last thing I need is for him to come across me while I'm making whiteboard diagrams...

[Mission Update]

Flood: Very well, operative. I've arranged for him to meet the General and Malphas for a discussion of strategy. I say nothing about the General's record as a strategist... In any case, it doesn't exactly take a genius to come up with something better than whatever it is that Halborn thinks he's been doing.

Operator: Mm-kay, the General's hologram and Malphas are inside already. I don't see any override activity in there yet... Guess Halborn's still on his way.

[Friendlies: Blood Noble, Commando]
[Heroes: Malphas, Holograph Projection]

Holographic Projection: No, no sign of him yet. As closely as he's being pursued, it shouldn't be difficult to--

Commando: Sir! We've got incoming! Unidentified redpill signals, sir!

Operator: Uh-oh! You've got party crashers.

Zion Duelist: Find him!

Commando: Thank you for helping defend the General's broadcast point, sir.

Blood Noble: Over all too quickly.

Malphas: We detected the intruder approaching just after the attack began, but then his signal changed direction, leaving the area. He may have been concerned about the possibility of the Zionites reporting his position to Carlyne.

His signal went out of range, but we have his direction, and are taking more readings so that we can locate him again. Flood will have the latest telemetry.

Holographic Projection: Well done. Unfortunately, it looks like the attack had the effect they wanted.

[Mission Update]

Flood: He can't even attend a basic planning meeting. Scared off by Zionites. Yes, lovely. Always pleasant to work with rational people.

I don't know why I'm required to bother trying to help the man, but duty calls me to send you after, operative. Try not to look like a Zionite; it might scare him off.

Operator: Something's going on down there... I'm getting code override activity saturating that entire area, and it's been getting heavier the closer you've been getting to that spot. Let me see if I can...

Ack. Dampers just kicked in. There's too much activity in there for me to read. Hm... Outside levels are falling slowly, at least. This is pretty weird. I have no idea what you might run into.

[???]

Operator: You're ... hotter ... I think ... close ... epicenter of whatever this is, but my ... close to overload. ... have to ... down ... except ...

[???]

Operator: ... abort ... ....! ... acknowledge ...

[Mission End]

Flood: I don't see what you're so worried about, operative; it's just a little override radiation.

Unfortunately, it's completely scrambled scans across the entire region. There's no way we can track Halborn until the activity dies down.

Hm... It really wouldn't surprise me if this was his own doing, come to think of it...

ThePigeonKing

I like the tie-in to Halborn's run-in with Carlyne in the Mech mission. Good stuff.

**ZippyTheSquirrel** · 03/21/2008 05:03:17

----- 5) Less Obvious Signs of the Apocalypse: Get Carlyne out of the way so Halborn can find the Oracle. -----

Flood: We managed to pull Halborn out of the override inferno he and Carlyne ignited when they ran into each other in Richland. Halborn was in pretty sad shape, whereas intel makes Carlyne out to be fit as a fiddle, and raring to finish off Halborn.

Halborn's insisting that he wants to go find the Oracle, but there's no way he can get past Carlyne in his condition. That means it's up to us to take Carlyne out of the picture, and we've got a plan to make that happen. All we need is for Halborn to stick around at the right spot as bait.

You get the joy of explaining this to him, operative. Make sure he's cooperative.

Operator: Okay, Halborn's supposed to be in there. I've got what looks like him and our redpill guards. We've been trying to keep him out of Carlyne's detection range, but I guess the plan's about to change.

[Friendlies: Merovingian operatives]
[Heroes: Halborn]

Magpie: Hold it right there, buckaroo. How about you show me some ID?
Wisibada: Hey, Magpie, can't you see that's ZippyTheSquirrel?

Wisibada: Sorry about that. He's kind of a newbie. Just came over from the Machines...
Magpie: Hmph. Could be faked.

Halborn: This is stupid... I can't waste my time here. I've got to find her before--

All right, find. Have them let me know where I need to be--just as long as I get out of here. He'll find me if I stay in one place for too long.

Operator: Guess that's about as much as we can hope for. Let's tell Flood it's on.

Halborn: I'm all right, d*mn it. Keep your hands off me.

Magpie: It'll be handled.
Wisibada: Don't worry. We'll make sure he gets there.

[Mission Update]

Flood: Now that the lame duck's finally in motion, it's time to tip off the eager hunter. Carlyne's remaining his usual extroverted self, so even you won't have any trouble tracking him down in Mara. Just get him interested.

I don't know, operative. Use your imagination. Do I have to come up with all the dieas for you?

Operator: We're in luck: I don't see any Zionites around. The override signal I'm picking up in there looks big enough to be him, so here's hoping our luck holds out.

Hey, I was thinking, maybe you could tape glow sticks all over your body, and pretend to be Halborn.

I know! I get a good one over now and then.

[Heroes: Carlyne]

Carlyne: So... It's you.

Fit as a fiddle, thank you very much. It's more than I can say for old Halborn, I'm afraid... But you already know that, don't you? Oh yes, I have my sources...

Why don't you run along now? Oh, and tell Halborn not to make this too easy, hm? I do hate an anticlimax.

Operator: Well, getting his attention wasn't too hard. We'll just have to see if he's cagey enough to try to follow us.

Carlyne: You'd better hurry up. Poor Halborn always has been a fragile creature. No telling how long he'll be able to hold up.

[Mission Update]

Flood: Then get over to Kedemoth, operative, and make sure Halborn's staying put for once. This won't work if he moves early and makes it too obvious to Carlyne that the artificial override signal we're generating nearby is a fake.

Operator: I hope whatever it is Flood's got planned goes down fast. I don't see Carlyne being fooled for long by a spoofed signal...

[Enemies: Terminator, Accelerated Exiles]
[Heroes: Halborn]

Halborn: Oh. You again.

I'm here, aren't I? Just hurry up with whatever you're going to do.

Operator: Always a pleasure....Anyway, better move out. Carlyne can't be too far behind.

Halborn: The old woman's close... I know it.

[Mission Update]

Flood: Stop lollygagging, and get into position, operative. Carlyne will be there any second. You *do* have an Agent disguise, don't you?

Operator: Um.... I love it when Flood assumes that we know the details of whatever crackerjack scheme he's cooked up. I've got override readings in there... They seem a little erratic. I'm alos picking up some of our redpills.

[Heroes: Carlyne]

Carlyne: Where is he? There's something--

[Agents appear]

Agent North: Carlyne, you are ordered to come with us. The System requires information concerning your activities.

Carlyne: What?! Machine programs? They must be getting desperate. They should know I can take care of these in the blink of an eye...

Agent North II: [touches earpiece] So far, so good!

Agent Marks: [overheats] What's that? I can't! This collar is so tight!

Agent Lee: Hey, ZippyTheSquirrel! It's me, Wisibada! Pretty good disguise, huh?

[Mission End]

Flood: There. Halborn will get a head start after the Oracle while Carlyne wastes time trying to override operatives disguised as programs.

That won't keep Carlyne occupied for long, of course. Halborn had better get it right this time. If he blows it now, it's his own neck on the line.

Although, what makes him think he'll find her this time, I really couldn't say. It's being bandied about that she appeared and spoke to both EPN and Cypherites in the past week. I suppose there are less obvious signs that the world is ending...

**MotorZ** · 03/21/2008 10:09:11

Thanks for the summary, Zippy. Pretty hilarious way to fool Carlyne there, but I can't imagine it works for too long. That's the problem with our story, what should maybe be an hour in real time is probably gonna be stretched out a few days.

EDIT: unless something happened yesterday