----- 1) Duality: Reassure the intruder about backing him against the second wireframe man-----
Flood: It appears that the intruder has a glow-in-the-dark stalker: he and another man made out of wires had a scrap in Westview a short time ago. It sounds like more bad news to me, but the Merovingian likes to be optimistic about life's little surprises, even the ugly ones.
Since they don't seem to like each other, extracting maximum profit from the situation will require a good deal of finesse. Obviously, that isn't why I'm speaking to you. But we need to find the intruder before we can speak with him, and that, I believe, is a task for which you may be suited.
He has been out of touch, but our intelligence network has procured an ample number of leads. Go look for him at the marked spot.
Operator: I've got a hefty override signal in there; could be the man.
[Friendlies: Bluepill]
[Enemies: Headless, Accelerator]
Operator: Nope, not him.
Bluepill: Help!
Bluepill: Oh, thank goodness you--
Wait... Where are you going?
[Mission Update]
Flood: I'm not at all surprised you're seeing strange things, operative, considering your debt.
Do try to stay lucid long enough to check these locations for the intruder, hmm?
Operator: That reminds me: we've really got to see about getting a different protein mash the next time we resupply.
Scan's showing me another big helping of override code in there. Good luck.
[Friendlies: Corpses (?), Accelerated Machine]
[Enemies: Accelerated Machine]
[Heroes: Intruder]
Operator: Oh, goody.
Intruder: Hey, I'm a little busy here. Take a powder, huh?
The Merovingian? Hrm... Fine, but this better be good--and I *don't* mean any more chicks or mutants.
Intruder: Yeah, yeah, I'll be there. Quit bugging me.
[Mission Update]
Flood: I would never risk *my* shell standing around the intruder if I hada choice in the matter... He'll say that his personal presence is of great value in negotiations, but really, I think the Merovingian just enjoys taking risks.
Well, operative, since someone not subject to code overrides ought to be present to witness disaster should it unfold, you get to go to the meeting. See that you keep your mouth shut.
Operator: Hah, Flood's such a wuss. Not like the Merv hasn't done this before, anyway.
No suspicious readouts on the scan... Let's see how the party's going.
[Heroes: Twins, Malphas, Merovingian, Halborn(Intruder)]
Twin: Two of them--splendid! We always say the best things come in twos, don't we, brother?
Twin: That we do.
Twin: I knew a trio of triplets once. Ah, that was a lark.
Twin: Duality, you know. You're familiar with it, of course?
Halborn: His name's Carlyne. He's already going around telling people my name, so you might as well know, it's "Halborn."
The guy's a real piece of work. The way I see it, he wants the same thing I do, so he's been letting me do all the grunt work until I've started getting close. Now he's making his play to beat me to the finish. Dirty moves like this aren't exactly new to him.
Merovingian: Mon cher ami, I fully sympathize. I assure you that I will do everything I can to help you dispose of this unwanted interloper. No one will be allowed to make off with your...ah...interface program. You have my word on that.
Operator: Okay, Flood's telling me to have you go into the outer room and talk to Malphas.
Merovingian: Yes, operative. Tell Malphas to put all of our agencies to work on this Carlyne problem, hm?
Halborn: Hmh. Not that I don't appreciate the gesture, but he isn't going to be that easy to deal with--not for you, anyway.
Twin:We ought to invite them both over for a spot of tea.
Twin: This should be interesting.
Malphas: Our standing with the intruder--Halborn--appears on a fairly steady footing. Maintaining this stance--the appearance, at least--will become much more difficult momentarily, because the Merovingian wishes to establish a business relationship with the new man as well.
This man, Carlyne, has been acting much more openly than Halborn, and will not, at least, be difficult to contact. To avoid the possibility of an unfortunante first encounter with the override codes we assume he possesses, you'll be sent in to make the initial contact. Flood will direct you.
Malphas: Strive to make a good first impression, operative. If it goes well, the Merovingian will arrive to greet him personally.
[Mission Update]
Flood: You seem to enjoy meeting new people, operative, so I wonder if I should even bother paying you for this...
This "Carlyne" person has made no secret of his location, and, in another refreshing change from what we've been used to, he hasn't been overriding our people wherever he goes. AT this point I'm inclined to regard anything "Halborn" says about him with a great deal of skepticism; it seems to me that Carlyne is much more the sort of man we should be dealing with.
Well, stop dawdling, operative, and go greet him.
Operator: Bad sign already; Flood likes him. Got a big override signal in there... Looks pretty much like the intru--uh, Halborn--usually looks on my screen.
[Heroes: Carlyne]
Computer:
::exit
Session aborted.
>_
Carlyne: Oho! A surprise visitor! And to what do I owe the pleasure?
The Merovingian? Certainly! Who hasn't heard of him? Why, I'd be delighted--positively delighted--to have the chance to meet him.
Operator: Against the advice of some, the Merovingian has decided to greet Carlyne himself. Bring the man into the outer room.
Carlyne: Lead on, lead on!
Merovingian: Bonjour, monsieur. I am the Merovingian. I am aware of your difference with Halborn, and I assure you, I am ready to do everything in my power to assist you.
Carlyne: I must say, this is very encouraging. I'd hardly dared to hope that the Merovingian would take a personal interest in my case.
Yes, I do believe this marks the beginning of a very promising partnership.
Merovingian: Merci, operative. You see, there was no cause for concern about my safety. We are dealing with an eminently reasonable man.
Twin: Seems all right.
Twin: Hm... Enthusiastic.
[Mission End]
Flood: I see our employer managed to survive the encounter, operative, although I'm more inclined to chalk that up to Carlyne actually possessing manners than to any exercise of skill on your part.
Past experience would cause me to think otherwise, but I hope you've been paying attention to how this has been handled. You're going to have to be able to deal simultaneously with two people who don't get along. I realize this a more advanced social situation than you're used to, but, unfortunately, the budget I'm given forces me to rely upon your services.
When in doubt, just keep quiet, and try to look like you understand what's happening. I suggest you practice that between now and your next assignment.
Flood: It appears that the intruder has a glow-in-the-dark stalker: he and another man made out of wires had a scrap in Westview a short time ago. It sounds like more bad news to me, but the Merovingian likes to be optimistic about life's little surprises, even the ugly ones.
Since they don't seem to like each other, extracting maximum profit from the situation will require a good deal of finesse. Obviously, that isn't why I'm speaking to you. But we need to find the intruder before we can speak with him, and that, I believe, is a task for which you may be suited.
He has been out of touch, but our intelligence network has procured an ample number of leads. Go look for him at the marked spot.
Operator: I've got a hefty override signal in there; could be the man.
[Friendlies: Bluepill]
[Enemies: Headless, Accelerator]
Operator: Nope, not him.
Bluepill: Help!
Bluepill: Oh, thank goodness you--
Wait... Where are you going?
[Mission Update]
Flood: I'm not at all surprised you're seeing strange things, operative, considering your debt.
Do try to stay lucid long enough to check these locations for the intruder, hmm?
Operator: That reminds me: we've really got to see about getting a different protein mash the next time we resupply.
Scan's showing me another big helping of override code in there. Good luck.
[Friendlies: Corpses (?), Accelerated Machine]
[Enemies: Accelerated Machine]
[Heroes: Intruder]
Operator: Oh, goody.
Intruder: Hey, I'm a little busy here. Take a powder, huh?
The Merovingian? Hrm... Fine, but this better be good--and I *don't* mean any more chicks or mutants.
Intruder: Yeah, yeah, I'll be there. Quit bugging me.
[Mission Update]
Flood: I would never risk *my* shell standing around the intruder if I hada choice in the matter... He'll say that his personal presence is of great value in negotiations, but really, I think the Merovingian just enjoys taking risks.
Well, operative, since someone not subject to code overrides ought to be present to witness disaster should it unfold, you get to go to the meeting. See that you keep your mouth shut.
Operator: Hah, Flood's such a wuss. Not like the Merv hasn't done this before, anyway.
No suspicious readouts on the scan... Let's see how the party's going.
[Heroes: Twins, Malphas, Merovingian, Halborn(Intruder)]
Twin: Two of them--splendid! We always say the best things come in twos, don't we, brother?
Twin: That we do.
Twin: I knew a trio of triplets once. Ah, that was a lark.
Twin: Duality, you know. You're familiar with it, of course?
Halborn: His name's Carlyne. He's already going around telling people my name, so you might as well know, it's "Halborn."
The guy's a real piece of work. The way I see it, he wants the same thing I do, so he's been letting me do all the grunt work until I've started getting close. Now he's making his play to beat me to the finish. Dirty moves like this aren't exactly new to him.
Merovingian: Mon cher ami, I fully sympathize. I assure you that I will do everything I can to help you dispose of this unwanted interloper. No one will be allowed to make off with your...ah...interface program. You have my word on that.
Operator: Okay, Flood's telling me to have you go into the outer room and talk to Malphas.
Merovingian: Yes, operative. Tell Malphas to put all of our agencies to work on this Carlyne problem, hm?
Halborn: Hmh. Not that I don't appreciate the gesture, but he isn't going to be that easy to deal with--not for you, anyway.
Twin:We ought to invite them both over for a spot of tea.
Twin: This should be interesting.
Malphas: Our standing with the intruder--Halborn--appears on a fairly steady footing. Maintaining this stance--the appearance, at least--will become much more difficult momentarily, because the Merovingian wishes to establish a business relationship with the new man as well.
This man, Carlyne, has been acting much more openly than Halborn, and will not, at least, be difficult to contact. To avoid the possibility of an unfortunante first encounter with the override codes we assume he possesses, you'll be sent in to make the initial contact. Flood will direct you.
Malphas: Strive to make a good first impression, operative. If it goes well, the Merovingian will arrive to greet him personally.
[Mission Update]
Flood: You seem to enjoy meeting new people, operative, so I wonder if I should even bother paying you for this...
This "Carlyne" person has made no secret of his location, and, in another refreshing change from what we've been used to, he hasn't been overriding our people wherever he goes. AT this point I'm inclined to regard anything "Halborn" says about him with a great deal of skepticism; it seems to me that Carlyne is much more the sort of man we should be dealing with.
Well, stop dawdling, operative, and go greet him.
Operator: Bad sign already; Flood likes him. Got a big override signal in there... Looks pretty much like the intru--uh, Halborn--usually looks on my screen.
[Heroes: Carlyne]
Computer:
::exit
Session aborted.
>_
Carlyne: Oho! A surprise visitor! And to what do I owe the pleasure?
The Merovingian? Certainly! Who hasn't heard of him? Why, I'd be delighted--positively delighted--to have the chance to meet him.
Operator: Against the advice of some, the Merovingian has decided to greet Carlyne himself. Bring the man into the outer room.
Carlyne: Lead on, lead on!
Merovingian: Bonjour, monsieur. I am the Merovingian. I am aware of your difference with Halborn, and I assure you, I am ready to do everything in my power to assist you.
Carlyne: I must say, this is very encouraging. I'd hardly dared to hope that the Merovingian would take a personal interest in my case.
Yes, I do believe this marks the beginning of a very promising partnership.
Merovingian: Merci, operative. You see, there was no cause for concern about my safety. We are dealing with an eminently reasonable man.
Twin: Seems all right.
Twin: Hm... Enthusiastic.
[Mission End]
Flood: I see our employer managed to survive the encounter, operative, although I'm more inclined to chalk that up to Carlyne actually possessing manners than to any exercise of skill on your part.
Past experience would cause me to think otherwise, but I hope you've been paying attention to how this has been handled. You're going to have to be able to deal simultaneously with two people who don't get along. I realize this a more advanced social situation than you're used to, but, unfortunately, the budget I'm given forces me to rely upon your services.
When in doubt, just keep quiet, and try to look like you understand what's happening. I suggest you practice that between now and your next assignment.
