Search Results: 208 messages were found

    The door bursts open. Charlie Roderick storms into the room, fire in his eyes, blood flowing from somewhere within his thinning mat of snow-white hair.
    The Oracle looks up with a grim smile on her face, and pushes a plate of cookies across the table to where an empty seat has been pushed out. Charlie walks up to the table but does not sit, instead he stand there and glares at the Oracle.
    Outside, the sun is beginning to rise into the blood-red skies, filling the room with an eerie theme of death. The Oracle takes a sip from a cup she holds in her hands, and regards Charlie warmly.
    "Well, I gue--" The Oracle starts, but Charlie cuts her off with a swipe of his hands. The plate of cookies catches in his open palm and flies across the room to smash into a full-length mirror. Both mirror and cookies shatter into a million pieces, the plate left intact by some strange force.
    "Predict that, b****!" Charlie yells. The Oracle does not flinch, instead maintaining a cool gaze on him. "What do you think I am, stupid," he continues shakily. "You could have warned me at any of our past meetings. I could still be some nameless face working for some idiot French man, pockets full of money and content with my life--MY LIFE--but YOU chose--"
    "Stop," the Oracle says. Charlie sputters, but no other words fly from his mouth. "You chose not to be told about what would happen to you. I know you've heard this before, but that's how it works. Noone can see past a choice they don't understand."
    "Bulls***."
    "Could be. For all I know, your Chain Reaction theory could be the real source of all actions made here and in the future. But for a reaction to have happened, there'd have to be an original action, don't you think?"
    Charlie begins breathing heavily. His eyes are swimming.

    My eyes swam. The Oracle was right, I knew, but I couldn't just let her carry the conversation as she wished. I was there for answers.
    "Yeah," I spat, "You opened your mouth, that's the action. Just let me ask you something."
    The Oracle inclined her head slightly to the side in question. As if she didn't already know what I was going to say.
    "My life is terrible compared to what it once was. Why would you let me continue making these choices when they would contribute to..to... to this," I shouted, pulling a wad of my hair out with a wince. The strands were all sparkling white and frail, a physical manifestion of how I felt. Weak and tired. The hair had no trace of the vibrant green I had hacked my own Encoded Self Image to show, or even the dark silver-grey it flowed after my accidental code bomb exposure.
    The Oracle took another sip of whatever she was drinking and sighed sadly. For some reason, that only fueled my anger.
    "You're never gonna learn, boy," she whispered, then spoke louder, "You already made the choices, child. Now you are understanding why you made them."
    "Bulls***. If I understood why I made the choices, I'd be happier with them."
    "That's not true and you know it. You have a hard time thinking with that gash in your head. Did you do that to yourself? You should get it looked at. Anyway, I can't tell you what you're supposed to do next, because you've already chosen what to do."
    "You're so full of it. Tell me what's going to happen to me. How am I going to fix this?"
    "I'm afraid that the situation's out of your hands now. If you have friends, you better hope they care enough to help you, or else you will not survive."
    I hesitated. Was she speaking the truth? Was it really out of my hands already? No...
    "No. I refuse to believe you. I can't, I won't. It's not possible. You can't predict the future. I make my own decisions. I didn't already made them. It doesn't make sense."
    "No, it sure doesn't," she laughed. Pulling a candy wrapper out of her apron pocket, she slid it across the table to me. "I know there's alot going through your mind right now. Trust me, if you keep a firm hold on your sanity just long enough, everything'll turn out great. Go on," she added, as I stared at the candy I had picked up, "It won't bite you. In fact, above anything, it'll help ease the pain."
    "What pain," I mumbled. My head was throbbing, sure. My limbs felt like they were about to fall off. But I noticed I wasn't actually in pain.
    "The pain of having to understand your choices."

    I hate to admit it, but I think she was right when she told me about the candy.

       I wish I had taken it.

    Charlie Roderick wipes at the dried blood pooled around his brow and turns to leave the room.
    "Oh, Oracle," he says. The Oracle looks up at him quizzically.
    "I hope his kill code works on you, for all its worth," he declares. He leaves the room briskly, without closing the door. Seraph walks in from the hallway, and closes the door behind him.
    "Do you think he will live," Seraph inquires.
    The Oracle pauses. "I... don't think so... but nobody can ever be sure, now, can they? Candy?"

"Operator."
"Fidget. It's me."
"Heya, Alec! You ready to come back to the ship now?"
"No, but I think you need to change me."
Pause.

"I'm not touching you."
"Then get Alexei to do it."
"Why can't you just jack out and clean yourself up?"
"I hate the Real. I'm elated that you found those feeding and IV tubes so I could stay perpetually jacked in."
"It can't be healthy."
"I could care less."

"What was that?"
"Me. I just killed a Crossbones guy."
"What? Aren't they a little.. weak for you?"
"Yeah, but I needed a disguise. Listen, Fidget, this is why I called you. Run a scan for all the air conditioners in Moriah. I have an idea."

Amateur video tape by: Me.

Just thought I'd like to show people what they miss on a daily basis. The life of a Merv is a dangerous one...

Eh heh heh heh....can't find my launcher.exe thingy to start MxO. And my desktop shortcut was deleted a whiles back, so......short story shorter, I can't turn on MxO! Is there a file or something I can download to pop that elusive nugget back in?

~Technical Retards, ahoy!~

Apparently you're not supposed to keep a computer running for several months at a time and just shut it off without any warning, because it proceeds to explode (I'm okay, thanks for asking). This has led to my search for quote unquote "a computer that's good for the money". In parent-lingo that probably means "the cheapest one that works".

So I've come to base what my computer specs should be based on the most taxing game I've ever played EVER. Whatever computer makes this game run good has GOT to work good with **bleep** near anything.

I'd like your ideas on what brand of each part of a computer works best for a program like this, and I'll take that into consideration into my computer shopping campaign, which has already become a headache before it's started!

Your comments would be most appreciated.

Sincerely,

~Z'ppy Alexi Romanov, aka ZippydaSquirl

(Can ya tell I've been practicing my letter-writing?)

~

Advanced Data Tap--

Data Miner Level 35

Data Tapping speed is increased. (Level-able)

~~a~~

Data Leaker--

Data Miner Level 40

Unstable or "loose" code nearby will be collected into a single Data Node, tappable for 1-3 times.

~~b~~

Advanced Data Leaker--

Data Miner Level 45

Unstable or "loose" code nearby will be collected into a single Data Node, tappable for 3-5 times.

~~~

Advanced Data Miner--

Data Miner Level 50

Allows use of Data Sapper

~~~~~

Data Sapper (tool)

A massive influx of code, unstable or not, will collapse into a single Super Data Node, that can be tapped up to 15 times.

NOTE: All Data Nodes created will be client-side Nodes, to prevent server lag. Also, only two Personal Data Nodes can be created at one time, and any un-used PDNs will fade away after five minutes.

SMILEY

That's right folks, gather round, gather round.

Ladies and gentlemen please
Would you bring your attention to me?
For a feast for your eyes to see
An explosion of catastrophe

Have you ever wanted to be a Cypherite, but not go through the trauma of being kept under that blasted Machine con? Well, you're in luck!

Like nothing you’ve ever seen before
Watch closely as I open this door
Your jaws will be on the floor
After this you’ll be begging for more

Welcoming to the board, Cypherites - CYPH; A Merovingian faction for Mervs that support Cypherism but not Machinism.

Welcome to the show
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

So, I suppose the question here is..

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Ladies and gentlemen good evening
You’ve seen that seeing is believing
Your ears and your eyes will be bleeding
Please check to see if you’re still breathing

The Merovingian and the Cypherites have had a history of working together. Granted, the Merv made a few mistakes in that relationship, but then again, we're not really working directly for the Merovingian here, are we?

Hold tight cause the show is not over
If you will please move in closer
You're about to be bowled over
By the wonders you’re about to behold here

The Cypherites' numbers grow incredibly thin on Recursion, so Veil can't really deny our support. The liasion already has agreed (to a certain degree) to work with us.

Welcome to the show (welcome to the show)
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

This is also a benefit to the Machines! Machines, you've always wanted to kill a few Cypherites, da? Well, now you can! *gunshot* ... OW. I'm bloody talkin' here!

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
ladies and gentlemen

I'm freakin' bleedin' here! Somebody get me a band-aid!

boom
Do you want it?
boom
Do you need it?
boom
Let me hear it

Welcome to the show
We're glad you came along
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

...jeez... oh, so, join today! Cypherites: The joy of Cypherism without the pain of Machinations!

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Oh, and trust me, we're going to have fun with this.

I HAVE NO RUNNING INSTANCE OF THE GAME! AND DURING THE EVENT, TOO?!? WHY, OOKAMI, WHY?!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

/suicide

/hari kari

/slash wrist

/slapstick comedy suicide

/humours exploding sfx

/die

What kind of sick, twisted society are we in as to scare little children with the prospect of a FUNGUS named RINGWORM! It's an outrage! Scaring ignorant people all over the world with the notion that a worm is buried just under the skin of their neck because they refused to shave their beard for fear of cutting up their neck and dying from lack of blood all over their sink!

I'll sue everyone who acknowledges RingWorm as the official name for malpractice! I'll be rich! Join me and we will be unstoppable!

How off topic can you be? Post with even more outlandish posts! They have to be true, though! Score previous posts on how bizzare it sounds! I'll give myself a 7/10. -2 for gross facotr, -1 to seem more humble.

Trying to set me up a good uniform. Almost done. Just need a good article of clothing. I have it, but I need a certain red frag to code it, so I'll just mirror this guy for a while. But I need to know, what shirt is that he's wearing, and is there a Teal version of it?

I'm so Off-Topic, I'm actually on it! SMILEY

Anyone know where I can find the complete Miles Vorkorsigan novel series? Considering this to be a sci-fi forums, there's got to be SOMEONE who's read at least one of these books I've never been able to find!

1. At one point in-game I was unable to view my team mate through Yuki as we were running about. His RSI was left behind pivoting about randomly, but his actual self was far ahead shooting at other NPCs. I never did ask him about it, though, and it corrected itself shortly. I just pop this here to see if there's a quicker cure should it happen again.

2. I can only ever enter Club Parallaxis (Uriah) from the NE door. All the other doors answer me with a brick wall. After I'm actually in, though, everything works fine. Is this a loading issue or a simple load bug for the doorways?

3. A lot of times when I try to teleport to another hardline from a hardline I go into this weird crash thing where I'm still in the game but...it's like I created a personal server for myself or something. No NPCs or otherwise, but I can still roam around. I work around it by going into the Loading Area first then selecting the Hardline, but it's getting annoying. Cure?

http://forums.station.sony.com/mxo/..._id=36300014987

Please email me any and all relevant information about the Joker, including emails from liasion officers. I have since deleted all the information I had on him, assuming that this particular story had been ended. Clearly, I was wrong, and now I'm gonna re-launch my investigation to better understand this threat.

Thank you for your time.

Edit: Turns out I don't need additional logs. The Broadcast has everything I need to start fresh. I'm going to leave this comms stream open while I put down my own future notes on this phenomenon.

http://health.msn.com/menshealth/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100125753

Fear the news article of pain, death, destruction, doom, and the other one! This is a news article on involuntary things Men do (no, not war). You should especially read the part about "jumping"!

Flood: The intruder is an uncultured boor with the manners of a socially deficient macaque... Nevertheless, someone with that kind of power has many uses, particularly if they're on the stupid side of the evolutionary chart.

All we need is some way to compel him to do what we want, but for that, we need information. I'm absolutely certain that the Machines know quite a few things about the fellow that they haven't bothered sharing with their loyal operatives; but where the Machines are too gutless to use their knowledge against the man, we have no such reservations. All we need to do is steal whatever they've got on him--or should I say, all you need to do...

Operator: Okay, you're supposed to access a terminal in there and swipe whatever you can find on the intruder.

I'm reading a few security guards... Looks pretty much like a cake-walk.

[Enemies: Bluepill security forces]

Watchman: What th-?!
Watchman: Hey!
Bluepill: Um...
Bluepill: Omigosh!

Computer: Searching....
Result(s): 1
Printing....
//
Intruder [Engagement Protocol]
Engage: N
Observe: N
Avoid: Y
Report: Y
//
> _

Operator: That's it? Not sure if that's gonna be much help.

[Mission Update]

Flood: What? Nothing but a four-line engagement protocol? Bah!

You'll simply have to look harder, [operative], and that means I'll be sending you somewhere a little more dangerous....to provide you with sufficient motivation.

Operator: Security's tighter there, but on the plus side, it should also mean you can access more sensitive information....assuming all the Machine programs don't get you first.

[Enemies: Megacity Military/Machine Programs]
Machine Captain: Halt!
Machine Captain: Halt!
Agent [To earpiece]: Deadly force. Copy.

Computer: Searching....
Result(s): 1
Printing....
//
Intruder [Engagement Protocol]
Engage: N
Observe: N
Avoid: Y
Report: Y
//
> _

Operator: Uh....oh.

Flood is not gonna be happy.

[Mission Update]

Flood: Hmph! Obviously, they're making a fool out of you....not that that takes much doing.

Very well, we'll go at this from a different direction. Informants tell me that the Network was spotted having a casual chat with the Architect recently. That man controls media feeds across the city, and his meeting with the Crotchety One just after the intruder's Agent-slaughtering debut can hardly be coincidence. He must have compromising footage, or information, or something of that nature. Go get it.

Operator: You can expect to run into the Network's corporate security guards in there if you aren't careful.

[Enemies: Corporate Security]

Corporate Security Aegis: Drop it!
Corporate Security Aegis: Holy--!
Bluepill: Hey! I'm listening to my headphones!

Talk about rude..

Operator: The terminal in that room is locked down. You could try hacking it, or maybe look around for an access code of some kind.

Bluepill: Wh-what? I can't do that!

[Optional: Kill the bluepill for the access code]

Operator: Brutal.

Guess you might as well search the body. You did bring the gloves, right?

Computer: Searching....
Result(s): 145
Printing 1-5....
//
CENSORED
//
CENSORED
//
CENSORED
//
CENSORED
//
CENSORED
//
Continue? (Y/N) _

Operator: *CENSORED*!

Okay, this is officially not going well. It's like the Machines don't even let themselves know anything about the guy.

[Mission Update]

Flood: Are you trying to make this difficult, [operative], or are you just naturally inept? No, don't bother answering that....

Wait! I've got it! Agent Pace has always been their weak link, hasn't she? All you have to do is stroll in, act like a Machine-curious operative, swear up and down that you've realized you need to join the Machines to help stop the intruder, and ask her to point you in the right direction!

Don't argue, operative; it's brilliant. Now, march!

Operator: Eh... Okay. Pace is their head liaison officer, which means that she's pretty accesible...as long as you're willing to put yourself at the mercy of a big gang of extremely protective Agents.

Have fun!

[Friendlies: Agents]
[Heroes: Agent Pace]

Agent West: ...
Agent Wong: ...
Agent Brown: ...

Operator: That's...a lot of Agents. They look friendly, right?

Agent North: ...
Agent Norris: ...
Agent Lee: ...
Agent Jones: ...
Agent Stewart: ...

Operator: What are you, collecting scowls?

Agent Pace: Ciao, Mr.... [last name], isn't it?

We are very glad to hear that you are interested in working for the System, [first name]. However, I am afraid that at this time we have no openings for someone with your skill set.

Oh, and Mr. [last name]? Next time, just save yourself the trouble of all that breaking into our computers, and come directly to me, yes? Goodbye.

Operator: $%#&@!

This was pretty much Flood's dumbest idea ever.

Agent Pace: You can see yourself out, I think?

[Mission End]

Flood: Only insecure cretins blame others for their own failures, operative.

You'll just have to suck it up if you expect to get ahead in this business with the intruder.

[Mission Accomplished]

-----------------

((Edit: Agents don't smile. <_<))

Now, I'm a Diet Coke addict, so the new Pepsi commercial barely affected me anyway, but I'm positive that most people will go, "hmm, this makes me want diet coke instead of pepsi"

I don't have the video, so I'll post the script here.

[Agent, aside to can] Don't worry, I won't make you do stunts. Now, Jackie...

[Jackie Chan] Hmm?

[Agent] You want to do a commercial with my client.

[Chan] Yes.

[Agent] We'll ask for a Stunt Double.

[Chan] Okay.

[fight scene!]

[Jackie, aside to can] Wacha my back, o-kay?

[Jackie begins fighting a huge throng of baddies and jumps up to a fire escape. Baddies take one look at

can and begin walking towards it.]

[Director] Call in the Stunt Double!

[Pepsi can is replaced with Diet Coke can]

[D.C. is crushed.]

[Chan] Ooo!

[Agent, to can] Aren't you glad you didn't do the stunts?

[Zippy] OMGWTFBBQ

36 34 31 34 3a 20 4d 69
6d 65 3f 20 50 75 70 70
65 74 3f

== 6414: Mime? Puppet?
// 6414 search == http://flybase.org/reports/FBst0006414.html
// attempted decipher of 6414 == Feae???

WCZ AIDQWZ?

== ???

Has anyone looked into this Scanline transmission? My only lead is a fly.

When: The first Friday of Halloween Update 2008, main festivities time to be discussed here!
Where: Camon Central, a.k.a. Zombie Central (the little ledge next to the hardline is great for camping zombies with AoE attacks)
Who: Me, you, your friend, Zombies, Zombines, and maybe a stripper or two.
Why: BECAUSE WE NEED A PARTY GOD **** IT

Who's bringing the cola? I've got the snacks. *shifty eyes*

Also, what radio station can we rope into playing at the party for us?

Lastly, what time is everyone available at? My last class ends at 10am that day so I'll be available from 11am onward. Or if the day is iffy, we can change it (though I wouldn't be able to make it t_t).

----- 1) Cooperation: Make contact with the second wireframed man. -----

Agent Gray: Operative, another human configured similarly to the "intruder" has entered the Matrix. It is of vital importance that we establish what this man's purpose here may be. As his override codes are potentially deadly to System programs, I am sending you to make contact with him. He has made no attempt to conceal himself from our scans, so locatin him will not be an issue.

Let me emphasize that under no circumstance are you to initiate hostilities against this individual. If he takes a hostile stance, disengage immediately, and report back to me.

Operator: Another one?! You mean there are more of these guys? Why didn't they tell us about this?

Well... I've got override readings in there, all right. Pretty much just like the ones we've seen before.

[Enemies: Accelerated Exiles]
[Heroes: Carlyne]

Operator: Mm-hm. Overriden programs--I figured as much. This guy's gonna be even worse than the last one, just watch.

Operator: So that's him, huh? Not as big as I thought he'd be.

Carlyne: Oh, I am sorry about that. I thought you might have been...like those others.

Ah, so you are with the Machines. Excellent! Just the people I wanted to see. I don't suppose you could arrange for me to meet with one of their Agents, could you? It's... Well it's about a mutual problem that I think I can help clear up for all of us.

Thank you very much for coming to speak with me, Mr.... I'm sorry, what did you say your name was? Ah. My name is Carlyne. Delighted.

Carlyne: Yes, yes; a pleasure. I'll give them a good report about you, you can be sure about that.

[Mission Update]

Agent Gray: Yes, I see.

Very well. An arrangement will have to be made. I will see to this immediately.

At this time, I would like you to speak with Agent Pace. She will provide you with additional information regarding this situation.

Operator: What do you think the odds are that this guy snuffs the first Agent to come talk to him? Hey, there's precedent! Sure, he talks a little more politely than the other one, but I still wouldn't want to be the poor Agent program they're gonna ship off to this guy.

[Friendlies: Agent]
[Heroes: Agent Pace]

Computer:
Tracking object 92174113.9949
Position: 1 -45395.804688 95.000000 -80629.257813
Position: 1 -39373.023438 95.000000 -89795.195313
Position: 1 -35510.261719 95.000000 -90119.039063

Agent: I am assigned to where my presence is most efficient, operative.

Why are you looking at me in that way?

Agent Pace: Ciao, tesoro. I can confirm that the man calling himself "Carlyne" is a human from outside the pod system, much like the similar-looking man encountered previously; Carlyne's RSI code structure is comparable, and thus we anticipate that he has access to the same codes capable of overriding System routines.

These two men have already been detected together within the simulation, fighting each other during a brief encounter in Westview. IF they are enemies, there is a possibility that, whereas the other is generally hostile to the System, Carlyne could be cooperative. It is very important that we establish whether or not this is so.

Operator: He fought the intruder? Huh.

Now wait, does that mean that he's a good guy, or just an even bigger jerk?

Agent Pace: While it is difficult for our programs, and even for our operatives, to engage the intruder, our record of his battle with Carlyne indicates that they are evenly matched. So, you see, one of them could serve as an affective defense against the other, if necessary.

[Mission Update]

Agent Gray: Operative, I will be the Agent contacting Carlyne.

As he has already met you, and reacted amicably, I consider that your presence at this meeting would be useful. Please attend me at the marked location.

Operator: Oh, hell! Gray already got alt-eff-foured by one of these guys, and now he's going back for me? Is he nuts?

Oh, never mind; I don't even wanna think about that. You'd better just get in there and save whatever's left of him.

Hm... Looks like he's still functional, anyway. I've got him and a Carlyne-sized chunk of override code showing up in there.

[Heroes: Agent Gray, Carlyne]

Carlyne: Oh, I very much appreciate you taking the time to hear me out, Agent. Belive me, it will be a great relief to me once I've eliminated Halborn as a problem here.

I won't claim that I'm doing this entirely out of altruism, mind you; we both know better than that, don't we? Haha! But res assured, you can leave him to me.

Operator: Who'd he say? "Halborn"?

Carlyne: Good to see you again so soon. I did indeed mention to the Agent here how helpful you've been; it was the very first thing out of my mouth.

Oh, then we went on and discussed the trouble you've been having with that other fellow. It really is a shame...and I mean to put a stop to it for you, indeed I do.

Agent Gray: Thank you, operative. We can consider this meeting successfully concluded; I have received Carlyne's assurances that his intentions are in line with the System's welfare. We will discuss how to proceed once we have returned to our offices.

Operator: Hm...

Agent Gray: You may tell your operator that while I appreciate her uncharacteristic concern for my welfare, it is quite misplaced. As I am not yet restored to full physical function after the incident several weeks ago outside Metacortex, and am already fully informed on this matter--and have experience working with you, his first contact--it stood to reason that I had a superior chance of successful communication with Carlyne, and that my incapacitation at his hands, if such had occured, would have incured a smaller loss to the System than would the loss of other qualified programs.

[Mission Update]

Agent Gray: I understand that you have questions, operative. We will discuss this once you've arrived.

Operator: All clear.

Roger.

[Friendlies: Agents]
[Heroes: Agent Gray, Agent Pace]

Agent Wong: The System consists of millionsof entities working together in harmony. It is a level of cooperation never approached by man.

Agent North: Have you seen Agent Griffin?

The Murphey case... Hm.

Agent Gray: Carlyne refers to the man we have known as the "intruder" by the name "Halborn." He claims to know him personally. He proposes to remove Halborn from the simulation--presumably by force, but he did not specify his intended means of achieving this goal. He did not explain its nature or cause, but he made it clear that there is a conflict between the two of them.

The override codes Carlyne possesses pose a considerable threat to the System. While he has promised to act against Halborn, and presents himself as a friend of the System, we have no real guarantee of his future behavior. Caution must be exercised when dealing with him.

Operator: But...but...but... Is there a whole colony of these guys, or what? Where are they coming from? Ahh heck.

Agent Gray: Currently, Halborn's activity appears to be relatively benign; that is to say, he is not attacking the System regularly, although his override codes create problems wherever he uses them. He continues to exhibit a disregard for the simulation's stability.

Agent Pace: We had hoped that, after the Architect told him that the program he sought had been removed from the Matrix, Halborn would leave the simulation. Purtroppo, he has not done so. He is a very stubborn man, and reason alone is insufficient to change his mind.

I think he has convinced himself that the secret of the program he seeks lies somewhere within the simulation. His hope of finding it will diminish with each passing day, and, I fear that continued failure will eventually provoke him to great violence once again. We must do everything we can to guard against this.

[Mission End]

Agent Gray: The man, Carlyne, must be monitored closely, operative. His stance vis-á-vis the intruder, Halborn, is yet to be proven; we must alos consider that both are subject to coercion by Zionite terrorists, with whom they have already had contact.

That will be all for the moment. If you gather any further data on Carlyne, report it immediately.

----- 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.

From Mechanics to Agents, the missions performed against Machines are interesting to take because each new NPC makes you feel like you're a big enough threat to take on a tougher opponent. Where is that in missions against Zion, the Exiles, Cypherites, Neonites, or Commandos? Not only do some of these mission layouts need to be updated, but if possible to update the Disguises with NPCs, too.

Thoughts, suggestions, corrections if I missed some progressions with the other Orgs in which case this thread isn't necessary and I'd go hang my tail in shame?

Rarebit-sponsored PvP Event

Who all's gonna go to this one? I wish I could, but alas, that US History about the astonishingly boring Quakers and Navigation whatever thingies isn't going to sleep through itself.

Let's get the Recursion-specifics here. Who's representin'?

[19:13] [Masked]MetaLogic: I hate this mission so much
[19:14] Zippy the Squirrel: Which one? I've likely done them all at this point.
[19:15] [Masked]MetaLogic: 5.3.4
[19:15] Zippy the Squirrel: Sounds like .. Unlimit?
[19:15] [Masked]MetaLogic: Yep, and Im trying to kill them all in an ambush
[19:16] Zippy the Squirrel: Effectuator pop in to say something when it happened?
[19:16] [Masked]MetaLogic: No
[19:16] Zippy the Squirrel: Ah, hm, so it's a generic Too Many Unlimit mission.
[19:16] Zippy the Squirrel: Yeah, those are **CENSORED**.
[19:17] [Masked]MetaLogic: Yea
[19:17] [Masked]MetaLogic: Dont these missions have timers?
[19:20] [Masked]MetaLogic: Well i got it down to one....I hope
[19:24] Zippy the Squirrel: Each phase has a timer, I think.
[19:24] [Masked]MetaLogic: Well I got done with this mission
[19:28] Zippy the Squirrel: I think my virus scanner crashed.
[19:28] Zippy the Squirrel: But I don't want to try to turn it off to test it..
[19:28] [Masked]MetaLogic: yea
[19:36] [Masked]MetaLogic: I hate the unlimits so *CENSORED* much.....
[19:37] Zippy the Squirrel: Ah, the good ol' days, back when the game had challenge, the Orgs would compete, and.. there were more players.
[19:38] [Masked]MetaLogic: and pew pew lasers
[19:42] Zippy the Squirrel: You can mock Pew Pew all you want, but you turn right around and stare at the fact that the Machines and Zion haven't actually fought in a war since Locke disappeared and that multiple people made of GLOWING NEON WIRES are current rampaging across the city -- and yet nobody's drowned in their pods *just* yet.
[19:42] Zippy the Squirrel: Anome had skin. You can't beat that.
[19:42] [Masked]MetaLogic: Hmmm.....
[19:42] [Masked]MetaLogic: That is strange
[19:42] Zippy the Squirrel: By the way, put Dr. Cox's voice in that rant.
[19:42] [Masked]MetaLogic: Yea, I think re-starting the war was a great start, but they didnt follow through on it.
[19:43] Zippy the Squirrel: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
[19:43] Zippy the Squirrel: When do they EVER?!
[19:43] Zippy the Squirrel: MxO's story has been one plot twist after another. Seriously. Look it up.
[19:43] [Masked]MetaLogic: Yep
[19:43] [Masked]MetaLogic: They need to hire real writers
[19:45] [Masked]MetaLogic: Paul and Rarebit do not know how to write! >.<
[19:46] Zippy the Squirrel: They do fine on their own, only they have serious flaws that were never corrected.
[19:47] Zippy the Squirrel: Chadwick made the story into a comic-book-like thing. Pew pew, wireframe, etc.
[19:47] [Masked]MetaLogic: I thought Rarebit was responsible for wireframe man.
[19:48] Zippy the Squirrel: Whereas Rarebit doesn't actually care about the storyline, and has actually admitted to that on numerous occasions. He's also the personal author of some PlayerRP ball kicks / Major Plotholes. [NOTE: The beginning of every rant I come up with starts out with angry half-truths spouted as a warm-up. Most of the time I know when I'm being ignorant, so I'm only highlighting things I hold my convictions to.]
[19:48] [Masked]MetaLogic: Yea, Reinsertion being a lie was a HUGE ball kick.
[19:49] Zippy the Squirrel: Rarebit "sidewinded" Chadwick (knowing the story about his contract not being renewed casts another light on that) at some point in the story (probably around when Unlimit was cut), and that did help the storyline.. for a while.
[19:50] [Masked]MetaLogic: Hmm, how much do you want to bet that more than just The W Brothers worked on the Matrix Script.
[19:50] Zippy the Squirrel: I suspect he only had a hand in speeding through / skipping several otherwise too-long story chapters like Anome's death and Unlimit.
[19:51] [Masked]MetaLogic: Yea, but Wireframe seems to be going on too long, so many hints but not enough answers.
[19:51] Zippy the Squirrel: Lord knows without Rarebit's help the General would be dead, but so would some ACTUAL MAJOR CHARACTERS. Remember at the beginning, when a major character died?
[19:51] [Masked]MetaLogic: Yep, Morpheus
[19:52] Zippy the Squirrel: I'm still browsing through my unusually slow computer trying to install C&C3 so I can play Kane's Wrath, so I can't look up the post, but quite a few other people were slated to be put under the ground.
[19:52] [Masked]MetaLogic: I read about what was GOING to happen to Cryptos and the Cypherite Org after Seraph uncovered the overwriting
[19:53] [Masked]MetaLogic: I am glad we didnt go down that path.
[19:53] Zippy the Squirrel: I'm not, actually.
[19:53] Zippy the Squirrel: We need some permanent story changes.
[19:53] [Masked]MetaLogic: Why not? I mean why get rid of the Cypherite Org and keep EPN?
[19:54] Zippy the Squirrel: Sure, Cryptos is now Void Zero [Editor's note: Void Lite was already taken] (I'll get to EPN), but think about the Cyph org with Veil in charge after Cryptos defects.
[19:54] Zippy the Squirrel: EPN probably would have gone away with the breaking of the Truce.
[19:55] [Masked]MetaLogic: Cryptos was the only person keeping Veil in line
[19:55] [Masked]MetaLogic: With him out of the picture....
[19:55] Zippy the Squirrel: Exactly. [Editor's note: I love when I can make a point without actually stating the point]
[19:55] [Masked]MetaLogic: Awww man
[19:55] [Masked]MetaLogic: We couldve had a more awesome org!
[19:55] Zippy the Squirrel: *leans back with a smug sneer*
[19:55] [Masked]MetaLogic: I would LOVE to be in an org with Veil as sole leader!
[19:55] Zippy the Squirrel: Cypherites would actually live up to their evil stereotype.
[19:55] [Masked]MetaLogic: We wouldve been awesome!
[19:56] Zippy the Squirrel: EPN would fizzle into the Kid and Shimada being some Zion heroes or dead or whatever.
[19:56] [Masked]MetaLogic: *CENSORED* balance.....
[19:56] Zippy the Squirrel: Machines would maintain that they're still playing Guardians over the Human Race, without looking overly evil as they've been portrayed in the chapters before and after the Intruder intro.
[19:56] [Masked]MetaLogic: Sometimes things need to be unbalance
[19:57] Zippy the Squirrel: Because that's the second biggest thing that unsettles me in this story - Rarebit's been playing the Machines as secretive monsters.
[19:57] Zippy the Squirrel: The game should be about the Machines versus Zion with side-Orgs each claiming a piece of the action in their own unique way.
[19:57] Zippy the Squirrel: Emphasis on unique.
[19:58] [Masked]MetaLogic: Yep
[19:59] [Masked]MetaLogic: Whos idea was it to have Reinsertion be a lie?
[19:59] Zippy the Squirrel: Rarebit.
[19:59] [Masked]MetaLogic: Why? That makes no sense...
[19:59] [Masked]MetaLogic: Wasnt someone reinserted in the Matrix comic?
[19:59] Zippy the Squirrel: He did something else, too, but I can't quite remember.
[19:59] Zippy the Squirrel: ...Oh, yes, 1999.
[19:59] [Masked]MetaLogic: The movie said sometimes in the 20th century
[19:59] [Masked]MetaLogic: It never gave a specific year
[20:00] Zippy the Squirrel: Well, actually, the movies did give specic years if you paid attention.
[20:00] Zippy the Squirrel: year*s*
[20:00] [Masked]MetaLogic: Well you said YearS I said Year
[20:00] Zippy the Squirrel: Operative word. Time progressed normally in the Matrix -- Rarebit's version... uughhhh
[20:00] [Masked]MetaLogic: The Ws brothers need to come back to the franchise
[20:01] Zippy the Squirrel: You can look that up, though I think The Kid made a post about Neo's Awakening on his anniverssary somewhere.
[20:01] Zippy the Squirrel: The Wachowskis? Only to make a prequel to the Matrix movies.
[20:01] Zippy the Squirrel: It would be cool if they did a sequel based on MxO.
[20:01] [Masked]MetaLogic: Without Anome or Wireframe >.<
[20:02] Zippy the Squirrel: No, no, no, see, people with that kind of thinking irritate me. You can tweak minor details about the two and they would be okay.
[20:02] [Masked]MetaLogic: What would you tweak?
[20:02] Zippy the Squirrel: Anome - no pew pew, just more Agent/Neo-like.
[20:02] [Masked]MetaLogic: k
[20:02] Zippy the Squirrel: Wireframe - Have skin, with the wireframe as little white veins in their skin.
[20:03] [Masked]MetaLogic: That wouldve look more natural and wouldnt upset the bluepills
[20:03] [Masked]MetaLogic: as much
[20:03] Zippy the Squirrel: *doodles Halborn with a face with little lines criss-crossing it*
[20:03] Zippy the Squirrel: Like they were scars or something.
[20:03] [Masked]MetaLogic: Yea
[20:04] <metalogic stopped playing The Matrix Online>
[20:04] Zippy the Squirrel: What else... *taps pencil against snout*
[20:04] Zippy the Squirrel: I wouldn't change the Assassin.
[20:04] [Masked]MetaLogic: Hmm
[20:04] [Masked]MetaLogic: What about Reinsertion?
[20:04] Zippy the Squirrel: Come on, a man made of flies? That just screams awesome Horror-style.
[20:04] Zippy the Squirrel: Reinsertion?
[20:05] Zippy the Squirrel: I wouldn't touch it.
[20:05] [Masked]MetaLogic: The overwriting of bluepills and redpills?
[20:05] Zippy the Squirrel: Leave the Cypherites believing but never actually say if its feasible.
[20:05] Zippy the Squirrel: I would probably remove the bluepill one and say that they were programs all along.
[20:05] Zippy the Squirrel: Cryptos would be the single overwritten redpill.
[20:06] Zippy the Squirrel: But you're getting too far ahead for one sequel.
[20:06] [Masked]MetaLogic: We could get Denzel Washington to be Cryptos
[20:06] Zippy the Squirrel: You can only fit one major story element into a movie..
[20:06] Zippy the Squirrel: So the first sequel would be all about Morpheus.
[20:06] Zippy the Squirrel: Maybe a final showdown between Niobe and the Assassin, ba ba ba...
[20:07] [Masked]MetaLogic: Hehehe, that would be awesome
[20:07] Zippy the Squirrel: No insecticide, that's lame.
[20:08] Zippy the Squirrel: Although without it I can't really think of a good way to kill him off without Niobe emptying everything she had on every last fly..
[20:08] [Masked]MetaLogic: Hmm
[20:08] [Masked]MetaLogic: Electric gun?
[20:08] Zippy the Squirrel: *rubs eyebrows*
[20:09] Zippy the Squirrel: Flies can drown, she'll probably end up dumping the trash pile he's on into the river, with it landing on top of the bastard as the flies drown.
[20:09] Zippy the Squirrel: Yes.... images of a slowly spreading pool of dead flies in the Aqueduct rolling in my eyes.
[20:09] [Masked]MetaLogic: Hmmm nice
[20:10] Zippy the Squirrel: Movie would end with Morpheus's funeral...
[20:10] [Masked]MetaLogic: The assasination of Morpheus should be done in slow motion and with alot of blood....
[20:10] Zippy the Squirrel: Close in on Morpheus's eye as the mourners leave...
[20:10] Zippy the Squirrel: It opens and the pupil turns into a fly that flies away.
[20:11] [Masked]MetaLogic: Nice
[20:11] [Masked]MetaLogic: I nominate Zippy for MxO writer! :D
[20:11] Zippy the Squirrel: As you can see, I've had a stick up my bum about the story for a while. ;)

I think I've forgotten how to use the code to put in signatures.
It's ,img source="URL". With <>, right?

If not, what's the correct usage for sig codes? I miss my piccy...or wait, maybe I just can't see it. Can anyone see this?

Dannah Heights (W)

"Hello, stranger."

Alec stopped. The sidewalk he had been strolling on was empty as far as he could see. The voice had come from behind and to his right. He turned. A silhouette was leaning against an apartment building, arms and legs crossed. He couldn't see the man's face or clothes.

"Hm?" Alec grunted questioningly. The silhouette reached out with his arm and beckoned. The arm came into the light briefly. The skin was pale and hung loosely, as if the man had just survived a major explosion. Alec, out of more curiosity than anything, stepped closer.

Suddenly, the silhouette dropped his arm and raised his other, flashing a dark pistol in the air to rest, level with Alec's nose, a mere two yards away. Alec froze.

"I've been watching you, stranger," the silhouette said. "Pretending that I never existed. You remember the battles. The bloodshed. Well, now I'm back. This will have been your second opportunity to join me."

Alec's face twisted in puzzlement. "Who are you?"

"I am every single ghost in your past that you have tried to flee, caught up with you all at once. I am the nightmares in your dreams. I am the ghouls in the corner of your eye. I am the memory of a thousand corpses that you have contributed to Hades. I'm here to bring you back."

Alec grunted, and twisted his torso, letting his sub-machine gun fall out of one of his inner jacket pockets. He threw his arm back to balance himself, and used his other to grab the weapon, firing at the figure as it shot at where his chest once was. The silhouette collapsed under the hailstorm of bullets.

Alec walked up to the corpse and kicked at it to turn it over and get a look at its face. Before he could get a look at its face, it rose up, off of the ground, and rushed him. He staggered back as pain swept through his hand. The b*****d had bitten him! He pushed the figure back, and watched as it fled down an alleyway. He looked down at his hand. It bled, though not much. A rotted tooth had become lodged in the skin. He pulled it out and tossed it aside with an angry grunt.

"The freaks these days," he thought, as he turned and continued his stroll. "It's enough to give a man a.........

...headache."

Chapter 10.3

Merovingian (Hostile Takeover) 10.3.1   10.3.2   10.3.3 10.3.4 10.3.5 (A must read!)

      Zion (Knock, knock)       10.3.1   10.3.2    10.3.3 10.3.4 10.3.5

   Machine (Unraveling)       10.3.1   10.3.2    10.3.3 10.3.4 10.3.5

CENTRAL HUB

Something new we're trying out! Hope you enjoy it.

Yay, organized!

Updates:

7/13 - Over a week late, but the 10.3.2 summaries are uploading now, sans pictures, but when I have the time I will go through and find some to plop in there. I haven't even gotten to the 3rd week's set yet. I just don't have the interest in MxO to go in and do them when I have better things to do, especially with my freshman year of college starting in just a little over a month. I'm going to get really busy really quickly, but I do have the ability to force myself to do these, so never fear!

7/14 - Haha, look at me go! Got all three 3rd week summaries up AND pictures for 3rd AND 2nd week crits. I rock. That's right. Feel free to applaud.

7/23 - I have no (valid) excuse for not doing the Zion mission summary until just now. At least I got it up before the new one comes out. I'm.. bleeding out of several wounds in my body (including a gash in my leg and multiple blisters on my paws) thanks to work-related b***s*** that puts the loveable little squirrel up in the manual labor section with the bears. I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. RL rant over, use that as an excuse. Oh, and Cloudwol(f) put up a central hub where you can just, Iunno, Favorite or add as a tab to view all the missions collectively, like this thread, except prettier.

7/27 - The Merv and Mach missions have been really interesting and (to me) well written. I'm actually looking forward to the next Chapter!

The room shook. Alec woke with a start, half leaping out of bed, sub-machine gun in his real hand faster than he could think to grab it. He looked around his small apartment. Nothing was out of place, nor was anything signaling it had just been through an earthquake. Across from the bed, beyond the computer desk which was littered with things that should have fallen to the ground with the quake, Cristofor lay sprawled on the couch, in his usual odd sleeping pose. He snored. Alec's widened eyes relaxed a little.

The room shook again. Alec was knocked down. The ceiling above him threatened to collapse on his head. Alec threw his arm above him for protection and looked over at Cristofor again. The desk still was unmoved. Alec blinked, then clambered to his feet and walked over to his bedside table where his cell phone was sitting, peacefully. He dialed a number.

"Operator," a woman's soft voice spoke almost calmly. Alec picked up on the hint of anxiety and immediately asked, "What's wrong, Fidget?"

"Alec!" The voice blurted. "Thank God! You've got to get back out here, now! We're under attack!"

Alec insisted he would jack out immediately, and snapped the phone closed. He rushed over to Cristofor, woke him, and informed him of what was going on before he dashed into the closet/bathroom, where a wall-mounted phone sat snugly between his coat and an extra pair of slacks. As he approached it, the phone began to vibrate noiselessly. He snatched the receiver off its hook and held it up to his ear.

The world shook once last time, then everything around him began to melt. The walls sagged as if they were made of paper and soaked with water. The ground began to boil, and a single flame licked around his feet. The fire spread rapidly, and entered his ears, covered his eyes, filed into his lungs until he couldn't breathe. Everything burned.

Then there was nothing.

Alec's appearance is vastly different from that within the Matrix. His muscle mass is much lower, from lack of exercise. His eyes and hair are both grey - a direct result of intensive torture by both Merovingian and E Pluribus Neo officers hoping to keep his lips shut or peel them open, respectively. At one point during his adventures within the Matrix, he lost his left arm, and never bothered to jack out to heal, meaning he lost the same arm in the Real, which was subsequently amputated to relieve pain. The only true similarity left between his two identities was his grin.

Alec felt a sucking at the back of his neck, and suddenly he could find he could move more freely. He slowly opened his eyes with a grin. A blurry shadow leaned over him, and slowly focused into the features of a young Hispanic woman. She was frowning, and screaming something. Alec refocused his thoughts.

"... everywhere! We have to go!" She tugged at his sole arm, and he lurched out of his seat.

And fell to the floor.

"*CENSORED* it, Alec, this is why you have to jack out every once in a while to keep your muscles strong!" He felt himself being hauled to his feet, and laughed.

"Calm down, Fidge, I -"

"This isn't time to calm down," she cut him off sharply. "Weren't you paying attention?"

"Sorry, luv," Alec murmered, dropping his Russian accent playfully. "What am I supposed to be scared of?"

"Sentinels," was the reply that forced Alec to drop his grin. He stopped Fidget and tested his own walking strength. After making sure he could manage at least a heavy limp, he waved Fidget away and made his way to the Communications room, wary of the blaring alarm and shouting crewmen off in the distance.

[INTRODUCTION]

Ahh.... nothing like a good sip of vodka. I tell ya, the Machines may make all the food taste the same, but the drinks.. oh, my, gawd. I mean, look at the color of this thing! It's actually changing colors! Well, then again, I did code it to do that. I like to watch my drink when I'm not drinking it. It keeps me occupied so I don't stumble around hitting on the chicks -- hey, hush hush, there's one now.

Hey. lady, I bet you're wondering, if his nose is that big, eh? Eh?! Eh.

What? Oh! So, yeah... the Matrix, yeah? You want to know more about it? Hey, you've found the guy to come to. I know it like the back of my hand... actually, I haven't taken off my gloves for nearly a year, so I don't really know the back of my hand all that well anymore, but you get the idea. See, the Matrix is--

Wow, momma! Hey! Hey! Are those real? Are those real? You heard me!

Yeah, they're not real. Oh, hey, that's like the point of this, right? Nothing is real. It's all digital! No, no, the Matrix! Yeah... see this table? It's digital. Like, it's part of a computer. We're all inside this big computer, in the future, and stuff. Whoa, whoa, whoa, sit down! I'm not done talking to you!

Okay, okay. So you want to know what the Matrix is. How did you first learn about the Matrix? Hm? You a little eavesdropper? Hacker who's seen something he shouldn't have? Or have you always known?

Hell, I never knew. I'm one of those guys who kinda stumbled into this whole Redpill business. Pfft... I never even really took the pill. Eh, I bet it puts you in a bad trip anyway. So, yeah, you take the red pill, and you wake up in this big, gooey, pod thingy. Like, uh... oh, you ever see that Keanu Reeves movie? The one where he woke up and everything was all upside down? Yeah... no, I think that creepy old guy was in it, too... uh... Jack something. Anyway, Something's Gotta Give, that was the movie. Yeah, it's kind of like that, except instead of really old naked ladies, there's big shiny mechanical octopuses and there's no sky. It's like, way in the future, too, so everything is really, really cold. Also, there's giant flying ships!

Okay, you remember that terrorist guy that died back in Afghanistan or wherever? Morpheus, yeah, that one. Yeah, see, he was really the leader of the Redpills until he broke the Matrix. Not to uh, say, that it's uh broken now. Yeah, cuz, we're living in it now. Yeah, the world is the Matrix. I mean uh, it's like... uh... okay, okay. The Matrix is a computer generated world made by a bunch of Machines that have enslaved humanity in the future, and it's based on the year 1999, so, yeah, if you want to uh break out and stuff... cuz it's a prison for your mind, man, your mind. It's all in your head. I mean, the world. The world's in your head in the world, so you gotta like... free your mind... so that your head is out of the world, but you're not out of your mind.

And then you get to kill the Men in Black, and angels, and there's werewolves, and there's vampires, aliens, and I think there's ghost things, and uh... uh...

...hey, where are you going? Hey. Hey! Hey!

((Original thread can be located here. I'm taking the stuff from that thread and massively upgrading it to include more comedy, more dramatic drama, and to make it not seem so rushed. I expect the finished project to be so different from the thread I linked you to that you can hardly recognize it. For instance, my character does not go to Blackwood at the end of the thread. In fact, that is no longer going to be the end. Most importantly, I plan to finally fully write my character's backstory.

Author's notes: This story takes place several months ago.

If you are reading this thread and expecting nothing but comedy, after my Storytime thread, you will be mistaken.))

[PROLOGUE/PREVIEW]

His head whirls. Fire leaps out over him, like birds escaping a predator. Dimly, he becomes aware of clanging feet upon metal. The word comes into focus slowly, and he shoves at the floor to flip and face the ceiling. Above, he sees her, and him, as they tangle and scramble for his gun. How did they get up there so quickly, he thinks. No time to think about that now. He scrambles to his feet and rushes to the stairs. Faster than he thinks he legs can carry him, he drags himself by the rail, skipping stairs eight at a time. Above him, the sounds of battle increase.

He leaps the last couple of stairs and faces the two combatants. They are standing now. The woman makes a move.

The gun fired.

Alec snapped awake. He looked to his side. Someone was shooting at a group of pigeons. He shook his head and snorted. "Hey, squirrel boy's awake," someone else said.

Alec grinned. "Did I miss something?" He refocused his attention. "Hey," he shouted, "why are you shooting at those birds?"

"Oh, leave him, Zippy, he's just having fun."

Alec turned to retort when his cell phone rang. "Excuse me a moment," he said, then grabbed his phone and clicked it open.

"Zippy!"

His eyes widened. "What are you doing," he whispered harshly. "You know you can't call me here!"

"I'm sorry. You have to come here. We have a problem."

"What kind of problem?" As he listened, someone walked up to the bench where he had been strewn out on.

"Hey," she said. "Everything alright?"

He looked up at her. "Yeah! Yeah. I have to go, though. See ya later." The others gathering around the water fountain instinctively shouted out their farewells. Alec grunted and hopped to his feet, cell phone glued to his ear as he strolled towards a phone booth.

"I'll be there as soon as I can. Just stay alive."

Now put the title in question form!

Now, to make this thread less boring... *tags first replier* Tag! You're it!

Random thought I had as I practiced being an Unlimit in front of my mirror (Yay Halloween, Boo not being able to jack in ever!):

If the cheat code vials were found now (or if more of them were found now), would not Zion attempt an Unlimit-like takeover? When Anome wrested control of Niobe's sub-faction from her and founded Unlimit, his goals eventually became "Destroy / Control the Matrix!" Zion, back then, wanted freedom of the humans from the Matrix, and because they were under a Truce with the Machines, they were free to awaken anyone who subconciously rejected the Matrix. So, to prevent hostilities with the Machines, and because Anome was blasting bluepills instead of freeing them (and probably because Niobe got lead in her stomach or whatever), they fought him.

But now, after war's broken out, would Zion reject its old hippy standard of protecting relationships with the Machines and use cheat codes to combat them?

Or better yet, would they condone use of the cheat codes to fight the Intruders first, THEN crash the Matrix by rescuing the bluepills en masse as the Machines stood by, nearly helpless?

What do you think?

So, Shimada's kinda dead now, which is all well and good, but as I read a log of the Merv meeting, an idea of what the BIP's potential can do for her sprung into my head. The BIP is, essentially, a remote control of some sort that replaces a human with a synthetic android capable of the same thought patterns, or something. Forgive my forgetfulness, I haven't actually been here for the past couple of weeks and it's already much of a haze.

We saw Halborn, who was apparently dead in the Desert, but used some form of technology to preserve himself long enough to force entry into the Matrix, where he sought the BIP to acquire himself a new body; the same goes for Danielle Wright, whose apparent death at the hands of the Machines might have actually transpired, yet she used the same technology and hid until the BIP surfaced.

Now we have the Merovingian, in possession of an android with no mind, and EPN, in possession of the remnants of a mind with no body. The possibility of a transaction here seems likely, if I have my mind in order.

Thoughts, opinions, offers of sunflower seeds?

Memories, ah, the good ol' days, eh worms?

Into darker depths, ah, motivations. I was without them, but now I'm with purpose.

Home... cold. Bad memories, repressed. But it is here I will make my new base of operations.

REVENGE

I had nothing to do, but now, my mind whirls with ideas. Oh, how the fallen shall rise. And how they shall rise, indeed.
Hm hm hm hm hm... heh heh heh heh...

((I'm tired of starting things and never finishing them, so from here all in, all my past and present stories are to be collaborated here and worked on endlessly to suit my desires. I hope you enjoy them.))

--------

He clutched his shoulder and slid back around the corner. "D*mn," he swore, and continued to slide until he sat on the ground. Blood oozed from the bullet hole in his jacket. He dropped his sub-machine gun and reached out with his other hand, popping off a few shots down the corridor with his pistol blindly. The gunfire stopped briefly. Charlie leaned his head back to rest against the wall.

Next to him, Fidget's remote simulacrum frowned and shook her head. "Why, Alec? Why don't they ever leave us alone?"

"The bad guy never gets to win," He grunted. Gunfire ripped across the floor, and tiny pieces of debris sprinkled lightly over his muddy dress shoes. He scowled and pulled his legs up to him in a fetal position, and wiped the grime off, revealing a faded white leather.

"You're not a villain, Alec!" The sim gripped his knee. "You're a victim!"

"Would you stop calling me that!" He snapped. Fidget's sim fell back with widened eyes full of tears.

"What?"

"Stop calling me Alec. I've been living a lie, I don't want to die with it."

"Then tell me your real name."

"I don't know anymore." His vision blurred, and he squeezed his shoulder tighter.

"Who are you?" Fidget's sim moved in front of him and grabbed both knees. "Alec? Alec!"

Who are you?

Who...

"Oi! Wake up." Lady slapped Charlie on the head. "Lazy brat."

"Hey, I'm sleepin' here, Sis." Charlie groaned and was rewarded with another slap on the noggin. He rolled over and promptly fell off the side of the bench.

"Fine, I guess you're not hungry." Lady swung something in front of Charlie's nose, and his eyes snapped open. His stomach rumbled loudly as he stretched and yawned. The aroma swirling around his nostrils, he climbed eagerly to his feet. Lady smiled and dangled a steaming chicken twice the size of his head over him. "Happy birthday, kiddo. You're in the double-digit world with the best of us, now."

"Wow!" Charlie grinned widely. "Where'd you get it, Lady?"

"Oh, let's just say that there was a transaction."

"You mean you traded fists for it?"

"Oh, you know me too well." Lady grinned and knelt down to Charlies eye level, presenting the chicken like a trophy. Charlie held out his hands, shaking with excitement, and she dumped it into his open palms. "Dig in," she said, but he was already gnashing his teeth through the skin.

The damp alleyway was their home. A damaged bench their bed. The moldy brick walls and rusted fire escapes their shelter. The trash and litter their furniture. It was a home that no living person should ever be forced to live in.

But it was home all the same.

Phase 1: Talk to NPC_TALK
NPC_TALK: Kill these guys and meet me here!
Phase 2: Bring ITEM_X to NPC_TALK
NPC_TALK: Cool. Put them in the safe.
YOU ARE VICTOR

Here's where it gets interesting..

COLLECTOR: Trades # GANG_TOKEN for ITEM_X

That's really the gist of it. It could be expanded upon, but I'm too lazy to write up an entire mission to fully explain. But let's say I make it more complicated..

CONTROLLER: These guys make me mad. Kill them!
Phase 1: Bring ITEM_X to NPC_TALK

COLLECTOR: Trades # GANG_TOKEN for ITEM_X

NPC_TALK: Hey, put that in the safe!
NPC_TALK: Cool, dude. Here, take this.
YOU ARE GAIN ITEM_Y
Phase 2: Bring ITEM_Z to NPC_TALK

COLLECTOR: Trades ITEM_Y for ITEM_Z

NPC_TALK: Takes ITEM_Z
NPC_TALK: Neat! Thanks, d00d. We know where to go now!
Phase 3: KILL NPC_BOSS
NPC_BOSS: im in ur face, shootin u wit bulletz
NPC_BOSS: o no i am die
OPERATOR: Yay you are winner! Oh, wait, d00d, make sure you gots space in your pantz.
CONTROLLER: YOU GAIN ITEM_PWN
YOU ARE VICTOR

COLLECTOR: Trades ITEM_PWN for LEET_STUFFZ

-------------------------------

Improvements 'n' questions 'n' stuff?

Well, title says most of it. The last time I was on MxO was last night (EST), and when I tried to run it this evening, I got the One Instance error. Problem is, the game application isn't running, but its Process is(Task Manager). After all this time of not playing it, I'm a little concerned it's still on, so I guess my question is, should I risk memory loss by ending the process manually?

##STREAM VIDEO CONNECTED##
*Blurry. Appears to be mobile outpost attached to underside of floating machine, possibly one of the General's units. Hazy figure, sitting against wall.*

I dislike United Tomorrow. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it has something to do with the sheer amount of anonymity they impose on many of their users. If you have to hide behind a mask to betray your true feelings, what good are you in a forum of truth? A mask is inherently a lie, and to tell the truth while hiding behind a lie is just... blegh.

*Focus, unfocus, focus, sharpen, figure comes into focus. Dark, baggy, faded blue eyes. Brown hair, messy, clumpy, dirty. He's ... missing an arm? Figure coughs*

Health issues, blah blah. Apparently living inside the Matrix while hooked to an IV in the Real wasn't such a viable option after all. Plus, with the General constantly moving back and forth in his operations and my decision to follow him to help, jacking in just isn't as open a schedule as it used to be. Speaking of the General...

*Static. Figure shifts. Unfocus. View to outside becomes more clear. Electrical storm seen in distance. A sentinel flies by.*

I'm still worried about what Mercury and his goons have been up to. Last any of us really checked up on him there was a very suspicious suggestion that he was in possession of a cheat code... wonder what he's been doing with it all this time...

Today, the Intruders are making a general mess of things. It's like Unlimit all over again, except instead of a large group of kinda-overpowered nitwits, it's a single super-overpowered genius. Dangerous, but it looks like she's letting her feelings take priority over her intellect, which is why she's let that Bippy thing slip through her non-existant fingers... is she even still alive?

*New figure enters. Feminine. Too blurry to--focus, sharpen. Appears to be hispanic, tidier hair, still mottled. Looks as tired as first figure. Holds needle in hand, injects male figure with it. He yelps in pain, then mutters quickly in an incomprehensible language. Female leans over and kisses male on top of his head. Leaves.*

Anyway. I haven't had the chance to keep up, but apparently Persephone's gone emo or something? Maybe she'll finally set the Merv straight about treating us like we're expendable.

Bippy. What's it's problem? It looks like it's just running around having a grand ole time, like Noma with a full bladder and no leash. Last we saw it, it was teasing the Merv with some "wake up" message left on his PC. Kinda like the message left when the 01 mainframe went down for a bit. Coinicdence, or was Bippy hiding there for a brief moment? Hmm..

*Unfocus, blurry. Figure turns and watches as shapes of sentries, other machines whizz past. Waves to one.*

What else is going on nowadays... Oh, those Zionites code bombing the Matrix. I'm surprised noone's reported them to Veil or Cryptos yet. Maybe I should send them a little message. Doubt they'll be able to read it, but gotta make the motions. It's not that I don't condone their actions, oh no. Stick to your convictions, I say. But if they keep killing innocents like that, they're gonna lose what's left of their humanity and wind up like... hm... like Vanil, maybe. Someone utterly devoid of emotion...

They need to refocus their energies on bombing more important targets. Maybe even take their fight to the Real, cut a few wires. THAT will get attention, I guarentee it. All I know is, if they get too close to my neighborhood, I'll have to do something. Maybe I'll pull a few plugs, that usually gets Zion riled up.

*Focus, unfocus. Not as blurry as before. Figure turns back to camera.*

I wonder how the Joker's doing... is he dead or what? I kinda miss the little freak... he was interesting, compared to what we have to deal with now. Now that I think about it... there's really no good mysteries to look into nowadays, is there? Bah...

*Figure straightens abruptly.*

One, two, buckle my shoe... I forgot about that. What the f*** was that supposed to mean? I still don't get it. Maybe it's because I never took the time to ask anyone else.

*Figure moves forward.*

##STREAM LOST##
##UPLOADING IMAGE##
...
##IMAGE RETRIEVAL COMPLETE##

##STREAM VIDEO CONNECTED##
*Blurry. Figure leans back.*
I did a quick search. It looks like one of those Lupine lieutenants that was offed a while back. They used a pup to get to him. I forget why they wanted him dead. The point is, shortly before the public report about it was made on the data node, I was sent that image. Maybe it's irrevelant now. Maybe someone's already solved it. Maybe.

In that case...

*Figure turns towards opening again. A lone Sentinel flies from the opposite direction as the others.*

I'm gonna need to find me something else to do. Best of wishes, all that.

*Figure motions to say something, then hunches over and vomits.*

Ungh... Fidget, you missed the ******* ... hurracch! Ugh. End transmiss.. transmiss... vleaggh... end transmission!

##STREAM LOST##

[lack of interest from myself and others]

[also im lazy]

/holdweapon

/aimweapon

No system message.

The end.

Believe it or not, this IS somehow an RSI question:

I've SOMEHOW lost Microsoft Paint on my computer. I have....NO idea how, but now I need to find something to download off da intrawebber to plop a pic in my sig. Preferably not MsPaint, because it's really not that good when I think back on it. Any thoughts?

*Note* It should probably be a free download, at least. I'm fine with little "Free Trial" things, as long as it's FREE.