[Syntax] Struggle For Power

26 posts · 2005-10-21 03:19:17 to 2005-10-29 17:11:00

#11300000892 10/21/2005 03:19:17 [Syntax] Struggle For Power

"Don't beleive everything you read in the papers son..."

I remember my father telling me that every time we passed the newstand, headlines screaming tales of war and devastation, of scandal and outrage...

I've done my best to maintain that ideal throughout both my life lived in dreams and the one I awoke to, however I cannot escape the nagging feeling... there is no smoke without fire, and the media sure provide a lot of smoke...

My curiosity is awoken once more as my eyes scan across the cover of a magazine... the same glossy trash I was forever warned against perusing... I reach out and take the second copy from the top, so as not to be plagued by waterlogged pages...

After tossing the newsagent a crumbled note, I slump into the adjacent bench, and allow my thoughts to focus once more at the latest headlines leaping off the magazine...

((This is the set-up for a player-event on the Syntax server. The event will start on Monday 31st October, and this thread is for all who wish to be involved to roleplay an introduction to their own individual, or their groups interest and prospective involvement in the event.

This is not, by any means, a "KingCAW Event", nor is it a "Masked Agenda" event. The storyline that will take place is independant to ones currently running on the Syntax server, and as such has not been created to boost any ego's or further any specific interests.

Hopefully this will extend to open the event up to groups or individuals who have conflicting roleplaying styles and who previously have not involved themselves in other events in order to avoid the risk of those styles clashing.

The story provided by this event will be a bare-bones skeleton from which everyone involved can create their own, intricate RP accounts which follow their own involvement, motivations, experiences etc. The aim of this event is to provide the action, activities and basic plot from which to further everyones playing experiences.

So, that said, I look forward to reading everyones RP contributions to this buildup, and hope everyone enjoys whats in store. If you have any questions then please feel free to contact me via private message.

Thanks,

kC ))

Message Edited by kingcaw on 10-21-2005 12:19 PM

#11300000893 10/21/2005 06:41:29 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

I 'm glad there is a player event organised on Syntax very soon,

but I dont know what it is I would do if I was to take part.

Could it be explained a bit further?

#11300000895 10/21/2005 06:47:01 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

((The event will be a mixture of everything from RP scenarios, to pvp to puzzle-solving etc... obviously I can't give a blow-by-blow account of what is to be expected as that would ruin any potential suprise.

The link contained within the above message leads you to a magazine... if you look through it carefully, it will give you an update of the situation surrounding the event... be sure to look closely for an idea of what needs to be done.

This thread is for any RPers who wish to be involved with the event to post their reactions to this news, and this situation - in preparation for what is to come))

#11300000897 10/21/2005 08:06:14 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

((Apologies Packetburner, seems wires have been crossed. The 'Struggle For Power' event and the 'Megacity Informer' event are two completely different things.

To reitterate - the event for which this thread was created is NOT the megacity informer event.))

#11300000898 10/21/2005 08:17:50 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

((In addition, this event will be starting from Monday 24th October, not the 31st. It will be expected to run until the following weekend. Apologies for the earlier mistake))

#11300000903 10/22/2005 07:27:04 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

((Remember, this is open to everyone on the Syntax server, to participate, simply "introduce" your character or group into this scenario within this thread.

Also, to clarify, the event will commence from Monday 24th Oct, not the 31st as previously stated.

Making your characters reactions to the latest developments in the Matrix as depecited by the featured article will get you off to a good start with the event.))

#11300000905 10/22/2005 16:24:04 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

((Please note that any information within this post is to be treated as OOC unless you have specifically been told about it or are aware of it IC. Please respect that fact when ingame. Thanks, Duncan. ))

Phunky was asleep in his lackluster iron bed onboard The HvCFT Retribution when it happened...

The door burst open and without warning Euphraxia had shoved a gun down his throat and pulled the trigger.

The last thing he heard come out of her lips was "You traitorous bast*rd" ... The spittle from her equally violent verbal assault landing on his face as he felt his life ebb slowly from his body. Her face looking down at him with a strange combination of hatred, glee and betrayal. It was almost beautiful...

He awoke with such a start he actually let out a small scream. He immediately realised he was drenched head to toe in sweat. The same dream had been recurring now for almost a week. Every time it felt just as real as the last. Mainly because he knew it could cease being a dream and become an actuality at any moment.

Things had gone too far recently. Especially since King's disappearance. To misquote Shakespeare "Something is rotten in The Masked Agenda." This, in itself, should have brought a smile to his lips but it didn't. The mistrust and unease amongst the faction merely helped feed the growing paranoia inside Phunky's head. Did they know? Was he being set up for a ceremonious execution? Neither of these things would surprise him, but then he remembered that if any of them even had the slightest inclination of his true purpose he would be long dead. Small comfort though it was he knew wholeheartedly this was true. Espi had made sure that crimes did not go unpunished..

He lay back on the damp mattress knowing full well there was no chance now of rest. Trying to clear his mind of the demons that haunted him in the darkness was a waste of time, he discovered that almost 6 days previously.. "Only one thing to do now" he muttered under his breath as he pulled his makeshift clothing over his grimy skin.

Ethros, was hunched over his terminal as ever. The guy seemed utterly lost in the constant stream of code flowing down the screen. He hardly even noticed as Phunky loaded up his pre-jacking in regime. It was only when he reached for his spike that Ethros glanced over and merely raised his head in acknowledgement before turning back to the perpetually flowing figures on his monitor.

The familiar rush filled Phunky's skull as the Matrix rushed into his every sense. Here there were no sweat laden clothes surrounding him, instead he was dressed in a red ensemble, incorporating his mask of course..

This, in itself, was enough to bring a small smirk to his lips and instantly he felt better."Fingers crossed this works Phunks" he said to himself as he pressed the button on what, to the layman's eyes, would appear to be nothing more than a metal box before shoving it safely in his pocket. It was crude at best but the object he had coded over the past week should cause enough fluctuation in his code signature to make it almost impossible for Ethros, should he have the inclination, to track his movements. He picked up the phone at the Tabor Park West Hardline and re-appeared at Dannah Heights West.

A familiar figure was standing there looking suave as always, if slightly weary.

Phunky looked around cautiously. Then, sure he was alone, gave the man a hug. .

"Secure comm's" said Phunky before sitting on the bench. Passing the man an ear piece deftly.

"Good to see you Phunky. How's things?" whispered the figure into the microphone before sitting down also.

"Things are getting pretty hairy in there old friend"

"How so?"

"You've heard about King?"

"Rumours yeah. In truth I'm a bit disappointed he's disappeared. He was doing a good job of fu*king things up without us having to lift a finger" said the man with a smile.

"The guy is a madman. He's totally lost it this time.. That stuff with Aiya. Well, you can imagine. Besides all that I'm sure he has something to do with these "random" deaths I've been reading about"

A moment passed in silence as they observed a redpill picking up the hardline, overly conscious that no one could be trusted these days.

"In truth I've heard rumours he has killcodes. That isn't good for any of us, no matter what our affiliation" he continued after the brief pause.

The man sat there absorbing what was said and nodded for Phunky to get to the point of their dangerous covert meeting.

"The reason I'm here is I think the time is now." said Phunky "I don't know how much longer I can pull this off. I'm having nightmares man... How soon can you arrange a pickup?"

"Say the word and I'm on it."

"Its got to be soon. And I'm thinking. While we're at it we may as well have a pot-shot at The Retribution. I mean, it would be rude not to leave them a going away present wouldn't it" said Phunky with a wry grin under his mask.

"You just made my day.." he said. A familiar grin passing his lips.

"Here. Take this. Its a transmitter. Its not great but it should transmit rough co-ords to you every half an hour. Text me when you have things sorted your end and I'll make sure to boost the signal in the real. Once you have the co-ords fixed initiate a jackout and get The Swordfish to my loc ASAP."

"It will be a pleasure" said The Old Dog beaming.

"And Jobi.. Please don't start shooting until I'm onboard" said Phunky with a big grin before turning, giving a brief wave, and fading into code.

#11300000906 10/22/2005 18:56:57 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

#-#-#Incoming-Transmission#-#-#

#-#-#Downloading files#-#-#

#-#-#Starting Trace Program#-#-#

#-#-#Playing message#-#-#

To whoever may read this... The information I reveal that you wanted to know...

There is a war brewing...

#-#-#Trace Program running#-#-#

"Not only am I impressed with your assignment, but I see you have the prowess to train harder and faster than average" KingCAW said, eyeing me through his dark shades.

"I thank you sir. I hope I have pleased you..." I replied calmly, nervously cracking my fingers one by one.

"Pleased? I'm glad! I'm glad you will be soon one of the Masked Agenda's brothers and sisters..." KingCAW spoke, actually smiling behind the mask. That was a scary thing...

"As long as I'm not thrown into the bad book Sir..."

That was way back when I was tested. A woman named Aiyalla was the one who contacted me, saying that I was a potential. Saying that if I agreed to join their cause, that I would climb the ranks quickly. I don't know if I regret that decison; to join them or not. I guess I will have to wait and see.

"What is your connection with Starschwar?"

"I used to know him... But we didn't trust each other"

"He stated that you are a spy? A spy for him inside the Masked Agenda?"

"What?! That son of a b*tch! Sir, I swear that is nothing more than a pathetic lie... I swore my loyalty to the Masked when I was recruited!"

Starschwar, the name I will not forget... He was the man that made everyone in The Masked Agenda give me the queer eye. Even though I am told my loyalty has never been doubted, I know they have been keeping an extra eye on me. But hey? What do you get when you are a murderur and you kill for the enjoyment of it?

*BANG*

Another body dropped, though he did not need to die. I opened the door, and found the target tied to a chair, who weakly looked up at me..

"T-thank god... SIN came through... I'm ready to join them"

"Not SIN, the Masked" I sneered through my bandana.

"Oh SH*T! No no! Stop! Wait!"

*BANG*

My job was done there, so I strolled out of the room, towards the elevator. I didn't know why I had to do what Aiyalla told me to do... But I followed orders.

*ring, ring, ring*

"Hello?"

"The job is done?" Aiyalla asked impatiently.

"Yes but I don't see why I had to do it"

"Hopefully you won't have to know Kye..."

The target was a normal bluepill, who was being held by one of SIN's opposers. Fortunatly they wouldn't co-operate with me, so I had to kill them, and the target. Aiyalla had told me to get it done quickly, because she knew some SIN operatives would be there shortly... Boy, Aiyalla was happy when I gave her the news...

I laid wide awake... In the current events... I had no idea where King had went... I had no idea who did it and why... But I knew someone was going to be pointing fingers and I knew someone was going to get mad. I was thinking of this during a normal mission run...

"Kye... This was as hard on you as it was for me, but we have to move on..."

"Move on? You say it as if he's dead!"

"Well what do you think he is?"

What a question... A question to which I had no answer to... I knew the question would soon be answered when all were ready and the time was set... But who, where and when? More questions no body has answers to...

"Too much blood has been spilt tonight! The club floor is already coated in red!" I shouted at the SIN mercinaries who had intruded on our little party... This was followed by fighting and cursing... For a murderur, I had almost had enough...

Aiyalla, Euphraxia, Gami and the rest were there, and I was behind them all the way...

Whoever was in control was obviously there for a reason...

" You will regret the day you all joined her cause! We are doing humanity the favour! Ridding of you!"

"Everytime some is freed from the Matrix, it destabilizes it! What you're doing is killing humanity, and you don't even know it!" Aiyalla bickered back...

"This is some serious bullsh*t!" I thought to myself...

I know there is something boiling... And fighting just heats it up more... I'm going to stay with The Masked Agenda all the way, until I could take it no more...

Everytime I think about it, the more I think if The Masked Agenda is right? I mean, if we suceed, the rest of humanity will not have to know about this "real" world...

But if we fail... We'd kill so many red pills for nothing? I guess... Time will tell...

#-#-#Transmission Terminated#-#-#

((Forgive me if I have intruded on something that would cause more argueing... I'm not the best RPer, I know that. Sorry once more))

#11300000908 10/22/2005 19:34:32 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

Aiyalla sat quietly on a wooden bench, as she loved to do… watching the stars begin to twinkle in the night sky.The wind was blowing softly, rustling the leaves in the park trees nearby.It was peaceful, and the stars knew she needed a bit of peace for once.

She glanced down as a piece of paper caught her leg, blown by the breeze.She bent down to free it, and froze as her eye caught the headline.

“Panic hits the city!Unexplained death toll rises"

She sighed, picking up the paper, and flipped it open to page four, her eyes scanning the text.“redpill cult, huh…”She chuckled quietly.If only they knew.Aiya frowned as she continued reading… this wasn’t any random attack… unmarked victims… code?She’d bet the HvCft Tribulation that a redpill was behind the attacks.Gnev?KingCAW?Perhaps there was some completely new threat. Aiya rubbed her temples with her fingertips as she lay the paper across her lap.This was certainly a hell of a time for Espi to leave her in charge…

Aiya stood, giving the glossy magazine one more last glance before tossing it into a nearby trashcan.She opened her phone, glancing around to make certain she was alone*

“operator.. I need an exit.”

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

#11300000909 10/22/2005 19:49:16 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

From the shadows of the alleyway P0ET observed KingCAW scanning through the magazine. He bided his time as had done so on so many occasions before, but now the time for action was becoming ever clearer. He silently moved towards the newstand and took a copy of the magazine.

The front page filled with the usual non-descript events that seem to bring some kind of happiness and warmth to the bluepills. Quickly flicking through the pages he notices an article on the recent spate of deaths that had been happening across Mega City. Glancing from the alleyway he saw KingCAW reading the same article and began to wonder...

#11300000910 10/22/2005 20:48:42 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

Aiya paused, her cellphone open, calling for an exit.. when her eyes turned slowly back to the trash can. The magazine pages were flipping slowly in the light wind. Wait... something registered...

"Let me call you back, operator."

She closed the phone, and walked slowly back to the magazine, and picked it up again, carefully turning back to page four. She almost laughed outloud as the words within the text jumped out at her.

"so clever," she whispered. "you're causing more of a stir then you know, my hidden friend... whoever you are..."

Smiling softly, she once again tossed the paper into the can, and called for an exit.

((finally found it, King! You sly thing!!))

#11300000914 10/23/2005 05:04:54 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

Another beautiful sunset washes over the shimmering skyline of the city, so calm, so serene, defiantly masking the panic below.

Baked in the glow of the heavenly ochre sun, a solitary phonebooth stands... small, sharp cracks of air, ripping through the silence as a coded figure apparates into the scene.

Flipping open her cell phone with ease, she dials an unknown number with a delicate flurry of her hand, raising it effortlessly to the side of her soft, fragile face... speaking softly to an unseen friend... an ally...

"I'm in... 17 more reported deaths...Here's hoping there are those amongst us brave enough to heed the call."

She closes the cellphone slowly, thoughtfully, as she stares off into the distance, a glint of desperation firing in her deep brown eyes.

"Brothers and Sisters of Zion... we need your help more than ever right now..."

The corridors are forever laced with sin, writhing, naked, glistening bodies intertwining, drowned with lust...

Every breath fills his lungs with the intoxicating mix of illegal substances, cigarette smoke and the fresh sweat of frantic pleasure...

Paradise...

He stops for a moment to absorb the ecstacy he sees before him, such passion, such heat.... unbridled, unrepenting, unashamed....

Turning himself away he firmly grasps the soft, crisp velvet curtain before him, peeling it back to reveal a small, dimly lit backroom... walls bound with matted leather...

Two figures are hunched over a table in the center of the room, filling their noses with the abrasive flavour of the month, before jutting back hard into their chairs as the substance filters through their bodies... they barely notice him... until he speaks in a voice which alerts their senses...

"Look alive people... don't you read the news?"

The two men both simultaneously struggled to focus their attention, held back by the stifling effects of their recent fix...

"Another power-player is trying to move in on our territory... our esteemed leader is less than impressed... he wants these people stopped.... more importantly, he wants whatever "weapon" they are using..."

Clamboring to their feet, the men saunter silently towards the doorway, pausing momentarily to here his parting words.

"Gather your best men... exiles and human alike... and put a stop to these debutants. The Frenchman demands it."

The cleanliness of this place always astounded him. So organised, so sterile, he wondered why he ever expected anything less.

He had seen this man before, yet his presence still sent chills down his spine. In his past life he had spent his entire career surrounded by sharp-suited professionals, yet he still flinched at the sight of the crisp finely pressed attire of the man sitting opposite him.... not a man.... an agent.... he admonished his thoughts for failing to remind him of that fact.

The clock read 15:07... words had been brushing past his ears for over seven minutes... sitting up sharply he pulled himself back from his thoughts, and attuned his attention to the Agent addressed him.

"I am sure, Mr.Martins, that you appreciate the grave threat this poses to your kind. Indeed, to our kind also."

He knew only too well... 54 redpill deaths within a week, unexplained, untraced... bodies found cold blue in the Real....

"The truce cannot be threatened. The stability of the Matrix must not be compromised. As little faith as I generally have in your kind, I cannot deny your inate ability to sniff out a rat. Assemble your best operatives and direct them towards the elimination of both this weapon and its dealers. Failure will not be tolerated."

Without a hint of emotion the suited figure rose, and walked stifly from the pristene whitewashed cafe, followed only moments later by his dinner guest... about to embark on his assignment... awaiting the call from his Machinist allies.

#11300000915 10/23/2005 12:47:49 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

((And good job Aiya.... if anyone is wondering just what it is Aiya has found within the magazine... take a closer look at the article :smileywink: ))

#11300000916 10/23/2005 14:41:51 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

P0ET scanned the article, his eyes focusing in on the words and started to read between the lines. And then in hope it dawned on him.

Flipping open his phone he dialled the number he knew off by heart and the familiar sly voice of Flood greeted him.

"Sir I've seen it in Uber magazine."

((think I've finally found it))

#11300000917 10/23/2005 15:17:48 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

"Hmph" I said, as I finished readng the interesting article. I was right, something was going on... The blue pill I had killed was one of the 30-some victims. He had to be... This was confusing the hell outta me. Aiyalla had told me about it, so I read it... What does this have to do with anything? I dropped the article off the rooftop. It hit a pedestrian in the head, I laughed a bit.

"Mr. Lorenz..." A creepy voice spoke from behind me, it turned out to be Agent Saunders... The Agent that had given me more trouble than any other. "Don't worry, I'm not here to kill you, just to talk"

"That's a change... What about?"

"About the war"

"The war? What war?"

"Between you and others, don't you know?"

"Obviously not"

"You do know what happened about your beloved KingCAW?"

"Not much... Quit the crap and get to the brass tax"

"You like fighting? You like murder? You like death?"

"To a certain extent... Now... What are you talking about?"

"You'll know soon enough" He said, before hyper jumping away. What the hell was all this about? A war? I knew that something bad was gonna happen but I had no clue it'd be a war... I wanted some answers from my captain, and I wanted them soon. Just at that moment my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"What are you doing in there" the voice of Gami came through...

"I felt like taking a shift... Aiyalla told me about a certain article... What does the article have to do with anything?" I asked, getting to the point.

"..." Gami paused... I tapped my foot impatiently... "The high ranks of the masked, have been preparing for a war... I guess we are at the point where we have to spread the news..."

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

###Program failure...###

###Relay accessed...###

###Access Node 1.43.26.64###

###Incoming transmission...###

###Play?###

>Yes_

###Opening File###

### Playing ###

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

Journal 2543

02:23

My captains are keeping alot of stuff from me... They exclude alot of their members from important notices... I was recently told... There will be guns, bullets, fists and blood if something is not done... Besides that I've hardly been told anything. Agent Saunders met me today... Civily for once... He told me about a war...

I've always been in the wrong place at the wrong time... I'm sick of it! At least, this isn't a war that I caused... I hope. Till next time...

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

###File Closed###

###Intercepted relay###

###Broadcast Depth###

###Access Granted###

###Play?###

>Yes_

###Playing###

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

"..." Gami paused... I tapped my foot impatiently... "The high ranks of the masked, have been preparing for a war... I guess we are at the point where we have to spread the news..."

"Spread the news?"

"We will have a meeting later on... Jackout now Razor.."

I turned the phone off and jumped from the roof. The Stamos South Central phone was right across the street, and it was ringing.

I made sure that no one was looking before I put the receiver to my ear.

I was looking up towards Gami, in his shabby sweater. He pulled that alien wire out of my head and I got up.

"Club Succubus, afternoon... One by one" he said, before retreating to his room

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

###Program Failure###

###Attempting to Receive###

###Attempt : Failure###

###Opening file###

###Play?###

>Yes_

###Playing###

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

Journal 2544

11:50

We're going to finally get answers for our questions... Every crew member here is anxious, except Gami. I believe he didn't agree to this...

Do I really want to know the answer? No one can be sure..

We are ready to go now...

I will update after the meeting

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

##File Closed###

###Opening File###

###Play?###

>Yes_

###Playing###

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

I was the last to enter the club doors...

Aiyalla stood, with her shipmates behind her.

I went to stand by DarkMagician, my captain... The meeting began

"We *static* here to*static* to discuss*static*"

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

###Missing File z782####

###Buffering####

###Segments of message lost####

###Playing###

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

"... Good luck operatives, head to your exits now" Aiyalla said, dismissing us.

We were each assigned a hardline... Mine was Stamos South Central, which was a long walk from here... Each crew member turned a different way. My hardline was the furthest away.

My phone rang "We're all out... Hurry up Kye!" Gami's angry voice spat

I just reached the exit... Where my friend Agent Saunders stood...

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

###File Paused###

>Open File: Journal 2545

###Opening File###

###Play?###

>Yes_

###Playing file###

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

Journal 2545

12:45

The meeting was done in 40 minutes... But I had a chat with Agent Saunders again...

He told me that we were going to fail, that so and so would join our enemies... Something like that... I don't care or believe him.

I told him to shove it... I had no idea what he was talking about...

The Matrix comes in surprises small and wide...

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

###File Closed###

>Resume_

###Playing###

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

I just reached the exit... Where my friend Agent Saunders stood...

"Now what?"

"I come bearing a warning Mr. Lorenz"

"It's Kye..."

"That matters not... Your enemies will join up... And conquer you... I hope you can still make the right choice. That is all"

*ring... Ring... Ring*

"I believe you should get that" Agent Saunders gleamed...

"Till next time Saundy..."

I said, as I picked up the phone.

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

###File closed###

>Shut down_

###System shutting down###

#11300000919 10/23/2005 16:14 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

So tired of running... tired of hiding... of living on the streets of the Matrix like a common tramp... rotting in the festering wastelands of the Real...

His mind was no longer his own, he knew that now... at least, he thinks that he knew that... doesn't he? He can't quite remember... its all one multi-dimensional blur.... anger.... pain... guilt....

He had tried to train his mind to control itself...

He had failed... but now, for once, he saw the big picture... he could not control his own mind, his own thoughts, but at least now he had come to terms that all was not right in his head... now he could confront it... to overcome it... he prayed that was the truth...

KingCAW.... Madman.

A recent memory burned itself into focus, spatterings of black and white... telling tales of tragedy, of death...

He had read of the Redpill deaths... 37 reported.... 37 slain, rendered lifeless in this world and the Real...

Casting a sideways glance at his set of SMG's, a lump forced itself into his throat. They would suspect him... they would blame him... he was tarred as being sadistic... of being crazy... a murderer...

Were they right?

He just didn't know anymore...

#11300000928 10/24/2005 12:18 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

She stood poised on the roof's ledge, ready to hyperjump away, when her
nostrils flared with an old familiar scent. Cheshire looked down
at the alleyway below her with some tinge of concern. It was the
subtle smell of new death that made its way to her; it was a soft sad
smell of blood growing cool in the brisk evening air, of some lost
person with nothing left to lose. There was something more
though, the odor of some sort of coding that shouldn't exist.
With a leap she plunged down between the buildings. She almost
slid down the wall with one hand on a drain pipe and her feet dancing
across the tired brick surface. She landed lightly on the balls
of her feet and scanned the debris ridden alleyway with a mix of
curiosity and mourning.

An ankle lay sticking out conspicuously from underneath a stack of
black plastic garbage bags. "Someone dropped you off in a hurry,"
she quipped. She dragged the body out unceremoniously by the
foot, pulling him easily despite her small size. She flipped him
over and then stood up again with a look of dismay. "I know
you..." she said surprised. The body itself said plenty; it was a
young man at the peak of his life, well dressed in expensive silk,
clean, and with no obvious wounds. He was cold to the touch but
he couldn't have been there for more than a few hours by her
judgment. More then that though, he was dressed like a redpill,
and chances were good he didn't have a wallet or ID. It was the
face that really told the whole story though. Cheshire couldn't
remember the name, but she was certain she had danced with him once at
a party. He'd been new to the Matrix, a fresh young recruit on a
hoverbarge who was excited to tell her his life story, and so she'd
indulged him a dance while she let him talk.

Somewhere in the back of her mind a memory triggered. That night
so many years ago looking through a rifle scope as one by one her Zion
teammates fell like puppets with their strings cut. They were
dashing desperately for the ringing hardline while back in the real a
spineless traitor unplugged them one at a time. The captain of
the ship had died with the payphone in her hand, but then again they
had never really had a chance once the massacre had started.
Agents had tried to grab the captain for questioning but somewhere on
the way the plan had gone wrong and when she escaped, orders went out
to just kill them all. Cheshire was there on the rooftop
providing cover, but there was no one to fight against, she could only
sit and watch in horror at Ipso's handiwork. Oh how she wished
she could find them in the real, but she didn’t even have a ship.
"I need to be reinserted Cheshire, I'm sure you can understand..." said
the lovely voice in her cell phone after it was done, but Cheshire just
sat there hugging her sniper rifle and crying for dead friends unable
to say a single thing in response.

Cheshire found herself crying over this fresh corpse too. She
shed big bitter tears for all the dead redpills she'd known.
She'd been hearing rumors of killcodes and duplicates, things worth
looking into, but this dead RSI in front of her was terribly
real. A crime like this was personal. After the truce she
had held some vain hope that she'd stop losing friends, but they had
all found creative ways to get killed in the real world... but this,
this was something else. She knew instinctively what had happened
and how this was done, and she was sure that the bluepill papers would
only confirm her suspicions. Reflexively she coded up a rose and
laid it gently on his still chest before flipping open her butterfly
knife and holding it out in front of her like a mirror. In the
blade's dull reflection she wiped away the last of her tears and
straightened her shoulders with resolve. "This is something I
have to do alone," she swore in front of the corpse, "but for all of
our sakes I will put a stop to this perversion of the jack out
procedure. Even if people have to die before this is through,
once more death will hold no dominion in this place..." She
walked away slowly into the darkness, trying her best to pick up the
trail of whoever had killed this boy. She was stalking a foe she
didn't know yet, but she was sure she would find them. Her feet
made not a sound as they paced the ground, and a fire burned deep
within her eyes.

~ CheshireCat

#11300000931 10/24/2005 16:05 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

These stairs always seemed to wear her out… no matter how physically fits she was, no matter how extensively she trained, the cold, hard winding steps always took it out of her.

Glowing with slight perspiration, she finally reached the heavy wrought iron door.Placing her fingers around the handle, she started at how cold it was… she had spent far too much time in the Matrix as of late, she was beginning to forget how harsh the real world was.

Oh no… “he” was here… something must be wrong, no doubt he had bypassed Commander Lock once again to come storming in of his own accord.

As she walked casually through the crowded room, she felt a dozen eyes boring into the rear of her neck… watching her…. This can’t be good…

And here he was… this rugged and worn mountain of a man, his weathered face still showing the scars of the dock battle all that time ago… a badge he wore with more pride than the chevrons adorning his lapel.

She saluted swiftly… a gesture which he returned with burning anger in his eyes.

“I must say Deenal,” he began, with his coarse, bristly voice; “I knew you were sloppy, but this really takes the biscuit…”

Sloppy? Whatever had she done now? Or was this, once again, the Colonels bitter resentment towards her swift movement through the ranks rearing its ugly head.

Without allowing her time to answer, the man simply turned his back and thrust his finger somewhat triumphantly down onto a square grey button in the left hand side of the nearby control panel.

Muffled crackling bellowed through the speakers… then music…. She recognised that mus- Oh no… Club Avalon… she had been there only minutes ago, surely this couldn’t?She pondered no more as her own voice began to fill the room over the recorded track:

Everybody here? …… I’ll begin…… do not have much time.

………………………. an unexplained bout of deaths within the Redpill community.

…………… a break-away group within the Matrix ……….have taken control of an advanced weapon, enabling them to wipe out operatives ………….

…………….. death toll has reached 84 ……………….

………..you have all heard of …………. “kill-codes” that have ………… found their way into circulation…

………….weapon comprises a …………form of these codes, enabling it to be mass-produced ………….. with ease.

………………….. group is attempting to hold …. Matrix at ransom to the highest bidder.

..................................................................................

…………….. this group were using………. exile gangs to ……… manufacture ……this code and ……….. weaponry.

…………. not sure of the form …….. weapon takes, ……… discovered that ……… materials used …….. leave a ……. signature residue on all who handle it.

…………..managed to procure a list ………… points towards the exile gangs involved.

………………………. look into this further… …. determine which gangs …… list refers to, ……..procure evidence …….. that could tie them to …. weapons ………

………… need to retrieve 10 items from each of these gangs.…. items must be …………. unique to ………. gang.

Once you have done so, …….. notify me using a data-drop ………. disguised as .. ……… e-mail address: [email protected]

In …..data submission,……. state the names of the 3 gangs suspected, as well as confirmation of which ……. evidence …… secured.

….list can be found through …….. database access point: http://www.mxoretribution.com/events/data0806.html

Once ………. successful, I will be in touch.

Good luck ………… counting on you.

Her face had long since turned an even paler shade of white, her normally bright eyes now dimmed, pointing squarely at the floor.

“Our intelligence officers recovered this transmission loop seconds after you jacked out.Make no mistake that your incompetence has led to this Intel falling into the hands of our enemies…already we know that the Machines have opened up a contact point: [email protected] ... as if that wasn't bad enough... the godd*mn Merovingian's lackies have set one up too. As far as we know, it is [email protected] ”

She was completely lost for words… struggling to comprehend the gravity of this mistake… how could this happen?

“Deenal… you may very well have sacrificed each and every person plugged in to the Matrix… “

She did not need reminding, yet he persisted, driving the knife even further into her chest… showering her with guilt…

“This is reprehensible… I only pray that our operatives can act on time to ensure they reach the exile gangs before our enemies do…. This is on your head Deenal… I hope you’re proud of yourself.”

#11300000943 10/25/2005 16:03 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

His fist slammed down hard on the old oak table, its idented impression tarnishing the previously spotless varnish.

For seventeen years he had worked, tirelessly, in the service of the Frenchman. For seventeen years he had defended the much criticised Exile gangs of the Matrix, had tried to convice his leader of the benefits of working with these gangs, not against them, and now, he was being made to eat his words.

Dremus clenched his fist once more, raising it in the air, preparing to strike down before the throbbing blister forming at the base of his palm encouraged him not to.

He could not beleive that the very same exile gangs he invested so much faith in would involve themselves in such a prominent power-play within the Merovingians territory... even worse... the pesky Zion caverats we moving closer to getting their filthy little hands on the prize, while his exile understudy's sat with their fingers up their...

He shook his head in distain...

But the rats had slipped up... at least he could always count on Zion to do that...

First the intercepted conversation between some Zion messenger and her foolish minions...

And now this...

He gazed at the static screen before him... that slender body, poised towards the subway schedule, feigning innocence... Deenal... Zion's latest flavour of the month...

Tapping effortlessly onto a keypad, he swiftly uploaded the image before him to the database access point, this CCTV still-screen could very well provide a wormhole to the lastest progress of Zion...

Smiling somewhat smugly, he glanced at the screen once more, before bringing his finger firmly down on the button marked 'Send'.

#11300000954 10/26/2005 17:04 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

Struggle For Power:- Half-time Recap

Funny how what Bluepills pass off as tabloid trash hits so close to the true events of this world. Once such tabloid magazine started a panic throughout the awakened, with reports of mysterious deaths spreading throughout the city.

Fortunately, the magazine was intercepted before publication, and messages from Zion, Machine and Merovingian representatives brought light to the fact that these deaths were occuring only throughout the Redpill community, and what was worse, the weapon causing these deaths also corrupted EJP coding, resulting in loss of life in the real.

This managed to catch the attention of the right people, as the call for action was answered by each respective group, who immediately met with their organisations representative. Deenal acted on behalf of Zion, Dremus on behalf of the Merovingian, and R3ct0r on behalf of the Machines.

It came to light that a group of profiteering terrorists within the Matrix had been manufacturing what was dubbed "Red Mist", and that certain exile gangs were involved in the process of mass-producing this terrible weapon.

This information was relayed to Zion and Machinist operatives alike, however in a rare slip of attention, the Zionist representative Deenal allowed herself to be overheard during a meeting, resulting in this intel reaching the ears of Exiles and Cypherites - who had already made it clear their intentions for "Red Mist" were far less than honourable.

Working tirelessly, operatives from Consequence, Knights and the crew of the Swordfish managed to crack a riddled list which implicated the gangs involved in making this weapon. On submission of the evidence procured from these three gangs, it became clear that only two of them had been in contact with the weapons components.

As Zionist intelligence clearly indicated that there were no less than three gangs involved, research continued, and eventually led to a coded residue being found on a smudged fourth name from the list. This cryptic code was then passed on to operatives of Zion and the Machines for investigation.

Unfortunately once again, the Merovingians minions were peering through the shadows, and with the help of a CCTV capture, clearly showing Deenal at the Eshean Subway, they were able to retreive her transmission of Zion's progress which she had placed in a data-drop dustbin nearby.

Once again, Knights, Consequence and the outlawed Swordfish prevailed in cracking the mysterious fourth gang name, and the evidence they procured clearly implicated the Black Tiger gang.

Without having so much as a spare minute to celebrate this find, operatives of Zion and the Machines were called to a meeting arranged between Deenal and R3ct0r, in an effort to encourage each organisation to work together, as well as discuss a plan of action for ensuring this weapon did not reach the hands of either the Merovingian, or the Cypherites.

Acting on leaked information, and fearful that a joint attack was coming, the exile Dremus quickly rallied Merovingian and Masked troops, and made a pre-emptive strike on the unsuspecting coalition.

After making their presence felt and their intentions known, they chased off the opposing organisations, and as we speak, are foolishly revelling in what they feel is victory.

Meanwhile, Zion's attentions are focused on the interogation of the bosses of each of the three exile gangs uncovered.

Rest assured they will talk...

#11300000957 10/27/2005 06:00 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

###COMMENCING DATALOG

###USER IDENT: DEENAL [ZION 8472A2]

###[Header] Interrogation Report

###PROCEED...

Exiles are tougher to break than I had given them credit for. Several hours and numerous personnel were spent chipping away at their silence, however finally they began to crack.

The head of the Silver Dragons gang was the first to speak. On hearing this, the remaining two gang leaders followed, simply corroborating his story.

He spoke of the involvement of an Exile who we recently had a run-in with, the Merovingian liason Dremus. According to their testimony, the ringleader of this group of terrorists heard of Zion's investigations into the involvement of Exile gangs in manufacturing this weapon, and immediately commissioned Dremus to extract his code signature from any and all items these gangs may have came into contact with.

Of course, the greed of an exile is possibly his greatest flaw, and Dremus was no different. Rather than destroying the code signature he extracted as requested, he stored one item, with these digital "fingerprints" still in-tact as collateral.

Acting on a tip-off from the leader of the Black Tigers, elite Zion operatives Kindall and Bosatsu were dispatched in a search across Richland, hunting down Dremus, who was reported to be making his way to the Exile hideout in which he had hidden the code-signature.

They eventually located him at Bishop's Casino, a well-known exile dungeon which plays host to what are refered to as "unclean" exiles. Marching him at gunpoint, the operatives cleared a path through all those who may have helped their fellow exile, leading Dremus to the lowest floor and forcing him to open the safe containing this evidence.

In one last attempt to escape, Dremus took the contents and teleported out of the dungeon using a run-down hardline point, running off into the streets with Kindall, Bosatsu and the recently arrived ThreeD in hot pursuit.

Several gunshots later, Dremus was down, about to endure the EJP routine, but not before Kindall recovered a crumpled note from his back pocket.

Unable to determine the contents of the note, Kindall then made contact with me, in the hope that I would be able to assist. On scanning its contents, I discovered another extremely cryptic formula, the solution unclear and purpose unknown. I will submit these findings on a seperate entry.

As we speak, operatives and allies of the Knights and the crew of the Ascension are once again working tirelessly to unravel this code. I have full confidence they will succeed.

Godspeed,

Deenal

###LOG STOPPED

###SUBMITTED TO ARCHIVES

#11300000959 10/27/2005 10:03 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

###UPLOADING DATA

###USER IDENT: DEENAL [ZION 8472A2]

###[Header] Code Signature Formula

On scanning the crumpled note, the following message was uncovered. Although I have no clue what it means, our operatives are working on it as we speak:

Take the year the Berlin Wall fell, add the number of counties in Great Britain, subtract the day man first walked on the moon…

Multiply that by the sum of the number of planets in our galaxy that have rings divided by the number of members in the rock group Kiss…

Then add the year in which the Battle of Hastings took place, subtract the number of legs on a dung beetle….

Add the number of wives Henry VIII had and then also add the number of letters in the capital of Austria…

Then add the sum of the number of years between both world wars minus 15, after that, subtract the total number of albums released by the UK Indie group Oasis…

Finally, add the number of deadly sins there are, and then subtract one quarter of the sum of the number of players in a soccer team plus five.

I can only hope we are able to make progress before its too late.

###SUBMITTED TO ARCHIVES

#11300000966 10/28/2005 18:10 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

Mailto: Deenal [Zion]

From: Lt. Masters [Zion Control]

Subject: Disciplinary Hearing

Operative,

It has come to our attention that you passed on intel to various operatives within the Matrix, without prior consent from myself or your other superior officers.

Evidence Docket 3128 was not for public viewing, and despite the successes of operatives such as Kindall, ThreeD, Bosatsu and, although I find it hard to beleive, Jobi and his Swordfish crew - you had no authority to pass on the results of scans on the note they recovered from the exile Dremus.

As such, you allowed them to point the finger of blame at the man known as "King". Despite this man's tarred past, he was once a Zion operative, and given his fragile mental state, we would have preferred that out operatives aid his recovery. Instead, the actions taken by your rash operatives contributed to him being driven to suicide.

You are to continue investigating the "Red Mist" weapon, for now, however when this threat has been cleared, you are to return to Zion for a full debriefing, after which you will be subjected to a disciplinary hearing for your actions.

I can only hope that you have not passed on the diary we recovered... the board will not look on you favourably if you have done.

Failure to attend will result in your immediate removal from the Zion military, and imprisonment upon your capture.

Don't do anything you may regret Deenal.

#11300000968 10/29/2005 09:17 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

Chelsea... such a beautiful part of town, strange to think that it is merely miles away from the destitution of the slums and the barrens... a tale of two cities merged into one mess of humanity.

They stand there... watching... hoping...

Who would ever think that those bookish little geeks could pack such a punch?

What the hell did those guys read anyhow? And why were we sent to watch them?

The cold paving slabs of a damp yet pristene alleyway began playing havoc on their knees, the taller of the two rises to his feet, anxiously striking a single match off the cuff of his heavy, rough jacket and raising it to light a hand-rolled cigarette, clasped tightly between his lips.

In the flash of light, he saw something... a shadow... an exchange.... time for action...

Grabbing his colleague by the scruff of his collar, he dragged him sharply to his feet, almost pulling him over as he broke into a sprint after the 'Bookwyrm' shuffling nervously down the street.

He catches him within seconds, rattling blasts of machine-gun ammo through the back of his neck, sending him tumbling lifeless to the floor. A necessary deed in the face of this threat.

Searching his pockets with growing frustration, he let out a stream of curses... nothing... empty...

Turning towards the other man, he noticed him pulling something from a trashcan... what was that? A book? This snivelling exile had ran from what he must have known would be instant death, yet took the time to stash his book?

"Stark, contact Zion control... they're going to want to see this..."

#11300000970 10/29/2005 17:03 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

Struggle For Power:- Full Event Recap

Acting on a tabloid magazine which started a panic throughout the awakened with reports of mysterious Redpill deaths and hidden messages from Zion, Machine and Merovingian representatives, it became apparent that a group of would-be terrorists were using a weapon dubbed "Red Mist" that not only killed operatives within the Matrix, but also in the Real -

Through a crumpled list , Exile gangs involved in this weapons creation were identified. Although stumbling on one gang initially, a cryptic code was interpreted, and successfully revealed the final gang involved... information also picked up by the Merovingians followers through their monitoring of a CCTV capture, clearly showing Deenal at the Eshean Subway, using this they were able to retreive her transmission of Zion's progress which she had placed in a data-drop dustbin nearby.

Once again, Knights, Consequence and the outlawed Swordfish prevailed in cracking the mysterious fourth gang name, and the evidence they procured clearly implicated the Black Tiger gang.

Without having so much as a spare minute to celebrate this find, operatives of Zion and the Machines were called to a meeting arranged between Deenal and R3ct0r. Acting on leaked information, and fearful that a joint attack was coming, the exile Dremus quickly rallied Merovingian and Masked troops, and made a pre-emptive strike on the unsuspecting coalition.

Following this intrusion, Deenal quickly made her way into the Matrix, passing on the results of interrogations with the Exile gang leaders, one of whom pointed the finger at Dremus, claiming he was involved in wiping the code-signature of this mysterious group's ringleader from all items he had come into contact with.

On tracking Dremus to a nearby Exile hideout, it became apparent that he had not disposed of this evidence, and was, instead, using it as collateral in negotiations over the Red Mist weapon on behalf of the Frenchman. Held at gunpoint, Dremus was marched to the location of this evidence. As was expected from an Exile, he ran, however after several blows to the head, was rendered unconscious, allowing Zion operatives to recover a cryptic riddle.

After hours of hard work, they finally discovered that this riddle produced the number 3128... which referred to an evidence docket. Checking this docket, they confirmed a match between the RSI signatures recovered by Dremus, and ones stored for a prior Zion captain, turned Masked operative, turned madman - KingCAW.

Tirelessly searching the city, King was spotted on several occasions, however somehow managed to slip from his pursuers grasp. The search continued, until news came to light that that very same day, King show himself six times with kill-code boosted rounds.

No sooner than this news reached Zionist ears, more bodies were found... killed after KingCAW's death and clearing him of suspicion. It seemed this group were not happy with another man being given credit for their work, as this time, they left a calling card, identifying themselves as The Triumvitae.

Seemingly at a dead end, the tired Zionist operatives looked further into the originas of this word, and any possible leads available as to their identity.

Fortunately, one such lead surfaced... a Diary, dropped by a local in Chelsea, presumably given to him by a member of the Triumvitae for delivery to a potential buyer... this Diary found its way, once more, into the hands of Deenal and her Zionist operatives.

With time against them, and the body count rising, the operatives saw past a phoney meeting point, and managed to crack their toughest challenge yet, leading to an abandoned warehouse in Kedemoth.

On their arrival, they were suprised to be faced by Dremus, the same man who was apparently acting on behalf of the Merovingian. After much conversation, it became apparent that Dremus was, in fact, a member of the mysterious Triumvitae, and laid claim to staging this meeting.

Making the claim that there is no greater danger than power in the hands of those who claim they will use it for peace, he nonchelantly passed over the Red Mist coding to Jobi with a grin, and prepared to make his departure. However, he left a parting message... Deenal would be killed within five minutes if Jobi was not able to reach her.

Members of the Digital Reality Machinist faction, Euphraxia and Kanjo, also well known Masked supoprters, had taken Deenal captive at the request of Dremus, with orders for her execution. Rifling through the Matrix code, Jobi, DeathBlade, Ozzin and several others stormed the Church in Camon Heights to find Deenal battered and bloodied on the floor behind the machinist pair.

After a chaotic battle, and spurred by Jobi's fall at the hands of Kanjo, Deenal bravely made her escape, falling into the arms of CheshireCat, who led a party of protectors to escort her to the hardline and allow her to jack-out safely.

This is, without question, only the beginning of our dealings with The Triumvitae, however for now, we can rest easy in the knowledge that we have fended them off.

Questions remain, however... who are the other two members of the Triumvitae? Is "Red Mist" a legitimate weapon? And if so, why did they work so hard to put it into the hands of Zion? What, if anything, will Jobi do with this weapon? And where will the Triumvitae make their next move?

For now, we can only wonder... however I'm sure, as always, the answers will come sooner rather than later.

#11300000971 10/29/2005 17:11 Re: [Syntax] Struggle For Power

((Okay, now for the OOC bit... everything hereafter is completely out of character SMILEY )

Firstly I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has posted in this thread, and roleplayed with me in-game regarding this event. Even though not everyone was able to take part for whatever reason, the support this event has been given was fantastic.

Secondly, I want to thank Jobi, Am3thyst, Deathblade, Kindall, Bosatsu, ThreeD and CheshireCat, as well as all the members and allies of The Swordfish, Knights and The Ascension who worked tirelessly on the many puzzles, and who put in such an unbelievable amount of hard work and fantastic RP to make this event, and their part in it, a huge success in my eyes. These people are the ones who truely made this event, and they have, of course, been rewarded accordingly.

Lastly, to those who helped out fulfilling roles for the event. To Jamicus, a massive thank you for filling the boots of R3ct0r - the Machinist liason... and to Euphraxia and Kanjo, who took on unfavorable odds for the final bang of the event - the Camon Church rescue.

Mentions also go to members of Digital Reality, The Glitch Society and The CodeMasons, all of whom made a big effort to take part, and I hope have seen a positive enough side of the RP community to involve themselves in it even further in future. Also, a quick mention to Aiyalla for helping to finish King off - it was about time he died!

I've said numerous times to several people over the course of this last week that this event has really shown me just how many fantastic roleplayers we have out there - ones I would definately like to work more with - and it has done a good job of showing me just how much juice the RP community has left in its tank. With this event, as well as the fantastic Avatar event led by Consequence - I have high hopes for the future of Syntax RP.

Thank you all - and yknow what.... there's no way I can leave this game with so many RP opportunities still out there!!

Thanks again,

Kings Player