Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"

25 posts · 2008-01-12 20:21:41 to 2008-02-10 13:18:29

#36300385507 01/12/2008 20:21:41 Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
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. <_<))
#36300385872 01/13/2008 16:27:18 Merv 9.2 - "Hell, if nobody else is going to do it"
ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:
Operator: $%#&@!

This was pretty much Flood's dumbest idea ever.

Flood really thought that even though the Machines aren't sharing info with Machinists they'd be willing to share it with a supposed Ex Merv who suddenly wants to help out....

Gotta agree with your operator on this....


((Pretty Lol worthy....))
#36300386250 01/14/2008 04:25:28 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Hell, if nobody else is going to do it"

 Lol Flood is an idiot sometimes. Keep up the summaries Zippy, I would do it myself but my computers broke.

#36300390266 01/20/2008 07:37:42 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Hell, if nobody else is going to do it"
Flood: The intruder made some sort of remark to the General that really seems to have gotten under the General's waterproof beret. The General is both an impatient and a largely resourceless individual, and won't stop bothering me about helping him follow up on this imagined slight. I have more important things to be doing than massaging the General's bruised feelings, so I'm sending you to look into it.

Don't clock too many hours on this one, operative; the General isn't worth it.

Operator: The General may be a stubborn old cuss, but if he and Flood had a contest for the mission controller position, I think it might be a toss-up.

You should find him--holographically speaking--in there.

[Friendlies: Commandos]
[Heroes: Holographic Projection]

Commando: Good to see you, sir. I'll activate the signal.

Holographic Projection:  I coordinated defense against Machines in a recent operation in which the intruder was involved. When I notified operatives that I would have to cut my transmission to avoid detection by nearby Sentinels, the intruder asked why I didn't use "Seekers" on them.

The Seekers were anti-Sentinel missiles I deployed at my surface base, Stalingrad, nine months ago. Only the Machines, my men, and myself were there. My men would not have told him about it, so I can only conclude that he must have learned about the battle from the Machines. His interest in my base could be a vital factor. I want you to take these men and find out what the Machines discussed with him.

Commando: Hup!
Commando: We're ready, sir.

Holographic Transmission: End transmission.

[Mission Update]

Flood: Pah; just the General's dreams of lost glory, if you ask me. It's my understanding that the Machines didn't leave a single stone standing by the time they were done with that base of his.

Commando: Hup, hup!
Commando: You remind of my old captain, sir!

Operator
: The commandos think that we can search Machine records for references to Stalingrad from that location. I suppose you'll want to find a computer or something. Scanner's picking up what look to be Machine programs inside.

[Enemies: Megacity Military]

Machine Captain: Security alert, sector 57-G!
Tactical Security: You've made a poor choice, Mr...whatever your name is.
Tactical Security: You've made a poor choice, Mr...whatever your name is.
Tactical Security: You've made a poor choice, Mr...whatever your name is.





Computer: Enter search parameters:
>stalingrad
Searching...
Compiling results...
_null
Link terminated.
Security override.

Operator: *CENSORED*! They must have detected the trace. All I got was the network address of the next hub. I can probably track it down, given a little time.

Commando: Pleasure working with you, sah!
Commando: I'll see if I can get anything more out of the terminal, sir! You go on ahead!

[Mission Update]

Flood
: Why is the General still buzzing me, operative? If you can't find whatever it is he's looking for, just make something up. He won't know the difference...

Operator: I guess old Blood and Guts isn't going to give up easily.

Hm... His men told me he'd be sending a transmission in there, but I don't see any of them on my scan.

[Friendlies: ???]
[Heroes: Holographic Projection]

Operator: Wait... I think I'm picking up an incoming transmission. You're getting closer...
Operator: You should be seeing something now.

Holographic Transmission: Hrm... The Machines are even more anxious to keep their infromation about my base under wraps than I had thought. You'll need to penetrate their defenses quickly, and access the data before they have a chance to shut off the network feed. These stealth programs should be able to handle that for you.

Operator: Elite Commando programs, right? Thought so. All right, rally them up and bring them outside. I think I've almost got that Machine hub pinned down.

[Initiating Stealth Routine "fullbodycondomsuit.exe"]

Holographic Projection: End transmission.

[Mission Update]

Flood: I don't care what sort of freaks you have to work with, operative; just get it taken care of.

Operator: Okay... I'm not picking up much... Maybe one guard, and some sort of networked system.

[Enemies: Bluepill security guard]

Watchman: Oy yoy-yoy!

Mainframe: Enter search parameters:
>stalingrad
Searching...
Compiling results...
Downloading results...
Printing results 1 of 1:
///
...prior to entering the System in the vicinity of Ascension Monument, subject cited alleged remote tracking of System forces to structure code-name "Stalingrad" as the event precipitating his visit. However, it is probable that the coincidence of this occurence with the presence of
_null
Link terminated.
Security override.

[ENEMIES UPDATE: High level Megacity military / Machine Programs inbound!]

Operator: "Ascension Monument"...Is that about the intruder? He was spying on the Machines when they went after Stalingrade? But why--

Uh-oh. I've got a swarm of blips on my screen, and they do not look happy.

Agent: Neutralizing intrusion.
Tactical Security: Make this easy on yourself, Mr. [lastname].
Tactical Security: Make this easy on yourself, Mr. [lastname].
Tactical Security: Make this easy on yourself, Mr. [lastname].






[Mission End]

Flood: I can't fathom why the Intruder would have been interested in the General's base-- much less why he would have mentioned it to the Machines--but I fail to see what signifcance that could have now that his precious xanadu is nothing more than a remarkably large crater in a barren sheet of rock. The General's obsessions wit hthe past really are going to get him killed one of these days; I just hope someone is thoughtful enough to record it for me so that I can play it back in slow motion.
#36300390270 01/20/2008 08:05:21 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Hell, if nobody else is going to do it"
Thanks! I've been looking forward to reading about this mission.

So not only do we have confirmation that the Intruder and Mystery Man are one and the same, but apparently the Intruder said that something about Stalingrad was the reason he ventured into the Matrix in the first place. Interesting...
#36300392449 01/24/2008 03:10:06 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Hell, if nobody else is going to do it"
Flood: Ah, operative. It has been decided that the intruder may have been nosing around the General's crater because he was interested in Sati, who the General had kidnapped and taken to Stalingrad in his comically inept attempt to topple the simulation; some would have it that Sati is the  very thing the intruder wants so very badly. If that's the case, he who controls the girl will control the intruder, and if anyone's going to control the intruder, it's going to be us.

The first step, I think, is going to be dropping in on the intruder to sound him out about this thing, without letting on that we know about it. We've been keeping tabs on him, of course. He... Urm... Well, I can't raise the blood-drinker squad assigned him--they probably their sunglasses again....--but never mind, that just means you'll have to do the legwork.

Operator
: I don't see anything in there. Do we have the right spot? Let me double-check this...

Yeah, that's where he was supposed to be, all right. This isn't looking very promising.

[Friendlies: blood drinker corpse]

Operator: Hm... That's one of the programs who was supposed to be monitoring him discreetly. This is definitely not looking good.

[Mission Update]

Flood: Lovely. I suppose the lesson here is: don't send a blood-sucker to watch someone who doesn't actually have any bodily fluids.

And of course it's up to me to salvage this debacle, as usual. Let me see... Mm. Ah! Here we are. It seems a large concentration of accelerated programs has sprung up nearby. No doubt that's where you'll find him.

Operator: That place is practically wall-to-wall with accelerated signals. If they're as aggressive as they usually are, this could be a little tricky.

[Enemies: Accelerated Machine Programs, Decelerator]



Operator: Well, that isn't him. The rest of these are all smaller signals... I don't think he's in there. Did he just fly the coop?

[Mission Update]

Flood: Yes, well... I'm now receiving reports of accelerated outbreaks city-wide; it seems our overpowered friend has finally begun his obligatory mindless rampage. Rather inconvenient...but we'll just have to proceed without him. If that invertebrate, the General, was able to kidnap Sati, then it certainly couldn't be all that difficult. I'll just make some calls to our people in Mara...

Ah, child's play. It appears she's visiting a playmate in the neighborhood. Your appearance may frighten children, but take along a lollipop, and I'm sure you'll have no trouble at all.

Operator: I always wondered how the General managed to get Sati. I mean, the Oracle should have seen it coming, right? And if she did, then that means she wanted him to get her, which means...uh... Well, that's about as far as I get.

Anyway, here goes... I'm seeing just a few small readings in there. Can't tell if one of them is Sati.

[Friendlies: Bluepills]

Bluepill: I'm afraid they've just left... Who did you say you were?
Bluepill (to Bluepill): Dear...

Operator: That would explain the lack of interesting signals in there. Do you think she knew we were coming?

Bluepill: I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I'll call the police if I have to.

[Mission Update]

Flood: I'm just following orders, operative. If you think chasing a child through the slums is my idea of a good time... Well, I hardly think I need to finish my sentence.

At any rate, you needn't despair about letting her slip through your fingers; I've just received a hot tip that she's been spotted entering a building nearby. Now, do you think you can handle one little girl?

Operator: I've got one signal in there, and it is definitely out of the ordinary. Keep your eyes peeled.

[Heroes: Seraph]

Seraph: Her time has not yet come. Take this message to the Frenchman: she will not be found wh ile the Oracle lives, nor before you have returned what you took from me.

Operator: Aw, man... Why'd he have to go and bring a prophecy into it?

[Mission End]

Flood: ....

I think I'll find someone else to deliver that particular message to the Merovingian, rather than taking it to him myself. He's rather touchy when it comes to prognostications from that woman, you know.

Why, Malphas, I was just thinking about you...

[Mission Completed]
#36300397321 01/31/2008 17:03:48 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
Flood: The General, and some equally suicidal operatives, managed to reach the intruder and discuss Sati with him. Our enraged associate--it appears he's taken an immense dislike to some trick the Machines pulled on him, although of course it shouldn't surprise anyone that they can't be trusted--pointed out to the General that the General's old files should contain plenty of information about Sati, back from when the General held her captive.

Naturally, such a simple solution hadn't even occurred to the General, and now he's claiming that there's some sort of complication. He's like you, operative: he likes to make things difficult. That's why I'm sending you to go sort out whatever capricious phantom of senility is troubling him.

Operator: I'm picking up one of the General's commando programs in there.

[Friendlies: Commando]
[Heroes: Holographic Projection]

Commando: Hello, sir! The General will be transmitting in the next room!

Holographic Projection: My old files would have useful data on the Sati program. However, they've all been confiscated by the Machines. We'll have to find out where they're keeping them.

You saw the commando outside... I don't like expending my men in this way, but we're going to have to use him as bait. The Machines have already been alerted to his presence, and will be here shortly. Once they've captured him, we'll track where they take him. We should be able to count on typical Machine "efficiency" to place him with other data they've captured with me.

Commando: Good luck, sir! I'm sure it must be very important!

Operator: Ouch. Hard luck for that commando. I guess the General hasn't told him what he's in for.

[Mission Update]

Flood: I see the General continues to flatter himself by thinking that he's still at the top of the Machines' "most wanted" list. Yes, I'm sure all his data is neatly tucked into some Machine dustbine somewhere...

At any rate, they've captured his darling soldier; now I'm supposed to send you in. No, not to rescue him; to get the General's old information on Sati.

Operator: That's where they tracked the commando's signal. These readings look like Machine programs to me. Keep your eyes open for some sort of data repository.

[Enemies: Megacity Military, Machine Programs]

Tactical Security: Take them down!
Tactical Security: Take them down!

Operator: You're getting close to the commando's signal.

Agent: Security breach, level G.





Commando: It's great to see you, sir! Are we going to stick it to these Machines now?

Operator: Hm. Might be able to get to something useful from the computer in that room.

Computer: Enter search parameters:
> sati
Searching...
0 results fou
_null
Link terminated.
Security override.

[NPC update: Heroes: Mega ((lvl255)) Agent]

Operator: It looks like data from the General's old access point terminals, but there are gaps... I don't see anything about Sati. If there was anything there about her, it must have been removed.

Ooh; don't look now, but I think they've sent an Agent in after that commando. Probably a good time to make yourself scarce.

Commando: But... sir... Don't you have any orders for me?

[Optional: Talk to the Mega Agent]

Mega Agent: Yes. Securing the program.
[Mega Agent becomes hostile and attacks.]

[Mission Update]

Flood: Why am I not surprised that the General's information turns out to be useless? He never was any good at anything except battles, and he's been losing his fair share of those ever since he left the Machines to try to go it on his own.

Well, don't bother me about it, operative. You'll just have to sort this out with the General somehow.

Operator: The General should be broadcasting in there.

[Friendlies: Commando]
[Heroes: Holographic Projection]

Commando: Welcome, sir, I'll activate the feed.

Holographic Projection: Hrm... So the Machines have cut up my information--too sensitive to show even to their own programs, probably. Another fine example of suppression of the truth that we can thank them for...

At this point I think our only recourse is to refer the matter to the intruder. He has command over Machine programs; possibly he can access the missing information.

[Mission Update]

Flood: The intruder is still on the war path against th Machines, but he seems to have settled into a more directed stream of hate, rather than lashing out in all directions as he was doing at first. We've been able to talk to him a little, and to keep track of him. What this means is that you'll be able to go in and try to talk to him, operative, and to give him the General's good news.

Oh, wait, it isn't good news, is it? Well, possibly the intruder will understand. Alternatively, he may elect to beat you to a pulp. Which will it be? Ah, the suspense!

Operator: I'm reading what's probably the intruder in there... There's another big packet of override code close to him--some program of his, I guess.

[Friendlies: Machine Program corpses, Accelerated Program corpses, Terminator]
[Heroes: Intruder]





Intruder: Pah! Useless. I'll-- Wait. This girl... She was taken into the outer world by the General... That was the only time? And did she have a body there, or...

Hm... No... No, she couldn't be it. Bloody hell. This is taking too long. ...

What I need is a biological interface program. Tell that to your boss. If he can find me one, I'll make him king of this place; Machines be damned.

Intruder: You heard what I said.

[Mission End]

Flood: A "biological interface program"? ...

No, I don't know what that is... but it couldn't be that hard to come up with. IF he'd just have mentioned this earlier he'd have saved us a lot of wasted time and effort. We'll find this... whatever it is, and then we'll see just what he's willing to pay for it...

[Mission Completed]
#36300397330 01/31/2008 17:32:27 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:

Intruder: Bloody hell.

Looks like the Intruder's british. ^_^
#36300397361 01/31/2008 18:19:47 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
cloudwolf wrote:
ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:

Intruder: Bloody hell.

Looks like the Intruder's british. ^_^
Told the Mervs last night to "sod off"...

Sod off, I'll make him sod off. No good wireframe idiot...
#36300397602 02/01/2008 02:55:52 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
He doesn't sound British in the cinematics. SMILEY Maybe an expat?

Cheers for the transcript!
#36300397814 02/01/2008 10:41:58 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"


   Anyone got the Details of the Terminator program?  Is it the same as the Accelerator/Decelerator/Runtime programs, which says ...

   " A powerful program of an unknown code type. Lacking a physical surface, it is essentially vulnerable only to code attacks."

   Also, does anyone have the Details of the Terminator Bit item it drops?
#36300397816 02/01/2008 10:45:24 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
I think it's the same description as the others, yeah. I at least remember reading the 'lacking a physical surface' sentence.
#36300397841 02/01/2008 11:08:01 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:
cloudwolf wrote:
ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:

Intruder: Bloody hell.

Looks like the Intruder's british. ^_^
Told the Mervs last night to "sod off"...

Sod off, I'll make him sod off. No good wireframe idiot...
This is his only redeeming feature as far as I'm concerned, I'd laugh if he used cockney rhyming slang...
#36300397906 02/01/2008 13:05:14 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
Othinn1 wrote:


   Anyone got the Details of the Terminator program?  Is it the same as the Accelerator/Decelerator/Runtime programs, which says ...

   " A powerful program of an unknown code type. Lacking a physical surface, it is essentially vulnerable only to code attacks."

   Also, does anyone have the Details of the Terminator Bit item it drops?
It is the same details, yes, but I wasn't aware of any Terminator Bit drop. It was friendly during the whole phase, its only real purpose to look good, and I do confess, out of all the big boring white balls of code, that one is absolutely the bestest. Looks Metroid-like in its appearance, actually... I'll put in some short FRAPS of all the types in a bit.
#36300398230 02/02/2008 07:15:00 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:
Othinn1 wrote:


   Anyone got the Details of the Terminator program?  Is it the same as the Accelerator/Decelerator/Runtime programs, which says ...

   " A powerful program of an unknown code type. Lacking a physical surface, it is essentially vulnerable only to code attacks."

   Also, does anyone have the Details of the Terminator Bit item it drops?
It is the same details, yes, but I wasn't aware of any Terminator Bit drop. It was friendly during the whole phase, its only real purpose to look good, and I do confess, out of all the big boring white balls of code, that one is absolutely the bestest. Looks Metroid-like in its appearance, actually... I'll put in some short FRAPS of all the types in a bit.

   I see.  Well, I should probably ask about the Terminator Bit in the Machine mission thread since it was hostile there, I believe.

   And the Terminator Bit does exist, according to Rarebit's system window in this screenshot.  I assume it's the exact opposite of a Runtime Bit.  It kills NPCs instead of spawning them.

Archived Media

#36300401432 02/07/2008 04:52:02 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
Flood: The intruder isn't being awfully clear about what this "biological interface program" he's after might actually be; the name suggests something allowing control to pass from a machine to a human, or from a human to a machine, but the intruder isn't saying one way or the other. Some though Beirn might be i, since he was more or less changed from a human into a program by stolen Machine codes, but the intruder wasn't interested.

In the mean time, he's been racking up quite the body count. He killed that self-serving snoop, Hypatia, when she couldn't provide what he wanted, and apparently he even offed Agent Gray the other day, not caring for his tone. I'd congratulate him on that one, only I don't think going anywhere near him would be a particularly good idea right now--not for a program, anyway. But something has to be done, and the Merovingian wants a word with you about it.

Operator: He took out Gray? Daaang... I wonder if the Machines will finally send ol' Gray back to the Source now.

So, okay, that's where you're due to meet with the Merv. No hostiles in sight.

[Friendlies: Elite Guards]
[Heroes: Twins, Malphas, Merovingian]

Twin: Who d'you think he'll do next? I say he'll off the crusty old geezer himself.
Twin: The Architect? No, no... No fun in that. I'd say Agent Pace, once he realizes she's nothing but a shameless flirt.

Elite Guard: The end had better darn well be nigh... I've got good money riding on this.
Elite Guard: You couldn't pay me to go near the guy...
Elite Guard: All part of the cycle. Programs come, programs go. It's evolution in action.

Malphas: There is a rumour that the intruder has agreed to meet with the Machines. Certain things he has said make me inclined to think that he asked them for this "biological interface porgram" at some point in the past, before he came into the Matrix, and that they did not provide him with the answer he was looking for. After this violent spree of his, he may feel that they now owe him a different answer.

Merovingian: We will find what the man is after, operative; make no mistake about that. Who but we are so fluent in the mysteries of the simulation? The Machines? Non. They know how it is supposed to work, but it is we who know what actually goes on here--those loopholes in the code that weren't supposed to happen, but that must happen, because the defining qualities of the universe are found only in imperfections.

Speaking of this... I want you to see my wife. She worked at the pods; she interfaced with humans there. He saw her before, but he did not know this. She may be what he wants... Fortunately, I am a very generous man, yes?

Merovingian: Of course, she may not see it in the correct light if her husband brings up such a topic with her... This task demands a trusted intermediary such as yourself, does it not?

Malphas: It would be regrettable if the Machines led him to the program.. but we can only await the result of that meeting.

Twin
: Oh yes... Very generous...
Twin: She won't be pleased...

[Mission Update]

Flood: I must say I'm somewhat skeptical that Persephone is the holy grail the intruder is looking for, although I'm sure she'd like to think so...

Operator: Seems to me it might be a little awkward if the intruder ends up...err...going after Persephone. But orders is orders...

You're meeting her in there. Looks clear from where I'm sitting.

[Friendlies: Club Tough]
[Heroes: Persephone]

Persephone: How convenient that would be for my husband. Unfortunately, I am not the "interface" that brutal man wants. I was a caretaker at the pods--nothing more. Any control I exert over humans is indirect--not at all the kind of thing that would interest the intruder. No.. What he wants must be something immediate--something that will enable him to be the person he wants to be, rather than what he has become.

Operator: Hm.. I guess that's that, then.

Persephone(whisper): He hates himself. His hate has consumed him... He cannot love; he can only hate everything around him, everything that reminds him of who he is.

[Mission Update]

Flood: She denied it? Hmh. Doesn't care for men made out of wires, I suppose.

Well, operative, this just means I have to give you plan B. Let me see... Ah, yes, here it is. You're to  go see Silver, the self-styled inventor, who received his just reward not too long ago at the hands of our operative Sieges for aiding the Machines in that Wright business. We had him reconstructed to be somewhat more tractable... In any case, he has worked on biological interfaces before, particularly with that Wright woman. He may be able to come up with something to interest the intruder.

Operator: Silver should be in there. I'm picking up some of his Exiles as well, but if things have gone according to plan, he should allow you to enter unmolested.

[Friendlies: Vampires, Elite Guard, Nightmare]

Blood Noble: I always knew that nutty chick was gonna get him in trouble. Always ranting about humans controlling the Matrix; can you imagine? What a disaster that would be.
Blood Noble: Seems pretty much the same to me. Complaining a little more than usual, maybe, but it's hard to tell with him.

Elite Guard: Hm.. A little sickly looking, but we shouldn't look a gift human in the mouth, should we?

Nightmare: Ssss...

Silver: The Merovingian obviously doesn't have the slightest idea of what he's looking for. Yes, I've worked on interfaces involving fleshlings, but these were just data conduits--ingenious and useful, certainly, but not worth tearing a world apart to acquire. Wright did have some notion of...control transfer, or something like that, but I don't know that she made any progress on it; at any rate, the Machines gleefully confiscated all of my data after that debacle.

That's the last time I'll ever work with an organic... Feel free to show yourself out. I suggest you hurry; I haven't fed my guards yet today.

Operator: Jeesh. Well, at least he didn't call you "meatbag."

Silver: Not very good at talking a hint, are you, meatbag?

[Mission Update]

Flood: I don't know why we bother asking these people their opinions. Just go tell the intruder himself about all of this, operative; he'll know whether they'd be useful or not. I'd happily feed both of them to him, complete with a cherry and whipped cream.

Operator: The big galoot is in there, all right.

[Friendlies: N30 Agent corpses]
[Heroes: Intruder]




Intruder: No, no.. Those are nothing like what I want.

Got to be here somewhere... if only HE hadn't taken the other one...

Intruder: You know as much as I need you to know. I'm letting anyone steal this one out from under me.

[Mission End]

Flood: Oh, bosh. He didn't want to take those two off our hands anyway? Mm... Too bad.

I'll tell you, operative, I think he's on a wild goose chase. All those override codes he's loaded up probably blew out whatever used to pass for his brain. Not that I mind; in fact, that would make our job easier--just a matter of coming up with something that would satisfy his delusions.

[Mission Completed]
#36300401444 02/07/2008 05:07:53 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:
Persephone: [...] something that will enable him to be the person he wants to be, rather than what he has become.
It's looking more like the Intruder's present condition is the result of a mistake. Heh, probably on his part.

ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:
Intruder: [...] Got to be here somewhere... if only HE hadn't taken the other one...
He has to be referring to Neo, and that would mean this interface - whatever it may be - was why the Intruder said 'Most interesting' when he watched the meeting between Neo and DEM. Maybe it has something to do with how DEM was able to destroy Smith through Neo? Why would the Intruder want that?

ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:
Flood: Oh, bosh.
Bosh? Bosh?! That's what I say, blast it! SMILEY Either that or Rarebit's been watching Hustle.

Congrats to Sieges for getting his name in the mission! Welcome to the club, kid. SMILEY Now to teach you the secret handshake...
#36300401968 02/07/2008 16:03:13 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
Her. ;p



WTB Zion/Machine Mission Summaries, or I do them mahself!
#36300401980 02/07/2008 16:15:01 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
Procurator wrote:
ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:
Flood: Oh, bosh.
Bosh? Bosh?! That's what I say, blast it! SMILEY Either that or Rarebit's been watching Hustle.

Congrats to Sieges for getting his name in the mission! Welcome to the club, kid. SMILEY:D Now to teach you the secret handshake...


((Huh, I said "Bosh" myself, earlier when I discovered I'd lost my favorite pair of gloves...))

:: Blushes:: Thanks, Proc! And hey, Zippy, does this mean I get my name added to the list of players who got mentioned in critical missions? I'd be eternally honored if you did.

#36300402328 02/08/2008 01:50:41 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
H'mm, bosh must have different meanings. When I use it it means 'there!' or 'voi la!' or 'ta-da!'.
#36300402448 02/08/2008 09:05:15 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:
Her. ;p



WTB Zion/Machine Mission Summaries, or I do them mahself!



Alright, alright, chill.
#36300402451 02/08/2008 09:24:32 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
H'mm, why do I get the feeling I've missed something?

ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:
Her. ;p
<_<
>_>

Aw hell...
#36300402538 02/08/2008 12:56:22 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
ThePigeonKing wrote:
ZippyTheSquirrel wrote:
Her. ;p



WTB Zion/Machine Mission Summaries, or I do them mahself!





Alright, alright, chill.
Sorry, I get mean when I'm sober.
#36300402579 02/08/2008 14:47:37 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
I find it interesting that he was killing N30 Ag3nts. And it's not like they hang out in the open.
#36300403598 02/10/2008 13:18:29 Re:Merv 9.2 - "Side-Tracked"
I do wonder what the significance in using his N30 AG3NTs is. Maybe he's finally running low on Sentinels to use and has to resort to his very private collection of super enhanced toys. Or perhaps he thought the Neo-like commandos would be able to take on the Intruder.


Or maybe the Intruder hunted them down himself.