Posts:
73
Registered:
3/19/05
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-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 6:13 PM
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Tamarin looked back at the nine chairs of the Broadcast bay. Smoke
hovered lazily over one of the chairs. Each face, in repose, as if
sleeping.
A whirl of servos, and each supine form jerked once. Seven sat up, blinking. One... didn’t.
A moment of silence, then the sound of his body sliding to the floor.
The voices began to sound.
“What the hell…”
“I was in the middle of talking to…”
“Where the…”
“Hey! What’s going on!”
“Tamarin, report.”
Sawayaka’s voice cut through the others, and Tamarin, sweating freely, took a deep breath to speak.
Just then the alarms began.
“Proximity!”
WanNi’s shout was followed by a shout from Al3xandra.
“Vashuo! Wake up!”
Tamarin cleared his throat.
“He’s not waking up, Alex, he’s the reason I pulled you out of there.”
Sawayaka closed her eyes for a moment, overwrought.
Chaos reigned as everyone tried to do something… anything.
“Listen. Alex, you and Toorima get up to the cockpit and find
out what’s out there. Oni, you, Lelan, and Odran look after Vashuo.
WanNi, you, me and Tamarin need to talk. Now move!”
Alex strapped into her seat, eyes filled with tears. She was
still foggy from the forced jackout and the alarms, but she couldn’t
mistake the boneless sprawl of Vashuo’s body on the floor of the
Novalis II. Her friend… dead. First Neurophyte, and now this.
Toorima, on the other hand, was coolly efficient. Establishing
a comm-link with the approaching hovercraft, she began speaking quickly
and urgently into the microphone.
Back in the Broadcast bay, Odran and Lelan began moving Vashuo’s body. Oniyuzu reported to Sawayaka.
“Captain, it looks like a device was attached to Vashuo’s cranial
jack before he went into the Matrix today. A small electrical charge
broke the connection between his brain and the jack, killing him.”
“The body cannot survive without the mind.”
WanNi turned and punched the bulkhead.
“Captain, this is Alex. There is another hovercraft, designated
HvCFT Sedna, about to dock with us. Zion Command confirms their
authenticity. Toorima has uploaded our server logs and comm dumps to
them.”
“Acknowledged. Any word about what we should do?”
“Captain, this is Toorima. Zion Command has dropped off our comms. We’re eating static right now.”
“What? What happened?”
“Checking now. No, Alex, forget it, I’ve got it. Just let me…
yes. It looks like the Sedna clipped our antenna coming in. They’ve
linked their comms with us until we get back.”
Novalis II abruptly stopped in mid-flight, then began descending, pushed from above.
“Captain! Sedna is cutting through our upper hull! Bulkhead twelve, next to the ventral hatch!”
“Toorima! Find out what is happening and get them to stop!”
“Sorry, Captain, they have cut off our comms. We’ll have to ask them when they get aboard.”
“Captain, this is Odran, Vashuo has been put in a safe place. What do we…”
With a click, all the internal speakers on the craft switched on at once.
“Attention crew of the Novalis II. This is Captain Redhand of
the Sedna. You are ordered to lay upon the deck with your hands on your
head, and await our crew who will bring you into custody.”
Sawayaka stabbed the button on the ship intercom.
“On what authority? We have a medical emergency here! You can’t just come on board and detain us!”
“Zion Security, be advised the crew is resisting our boarding operation. Use tasers and restraints to detain each one.”
WanNi and Sawayaka looked at each other in shock.
Alex turned to ask Toorima what was going on, and saw her already laying on the deck of the cockpit, with her hands on her head.
“I suggest you do the same, Alex, these guys sound like they mean business.”
One by one the crew of the Novalis II were led into the detention
area of the Sedna. First, Toorima, looking cool and comfortable despite
the restraints about her wrists.
“Captain Redhand, this is Toorima. She did not resist detainment, and promises to cooperate.”
“Put her in a bunk, keep her restraints on.”
Alex was brought in next. She was cradling her left wrist, and restraints were placed on both her arms and her legs.
“What is this! We’re loyal to Zion!”
“Captain Redhand, this is Al3xandra. She attempted to get up
while we were putting her restraints on. I believe she has a broken
wrist.”
“Put her in bunk as well. Get the doc to look at her when we can.”
Oniyuzu and Odran were next. Both were unconscious, with taser
darts sticking out of their shoulders. A strong odor of chemicals hung
around them.
“Captain Redhand, these are Oniyuzu and Odran. We found them guarding the body. They had to be… persuaded… to come aboard.
The others were brought in. Sawayaka and WanNi were trussed up
with a number of restraints. Both sporting taser darts in their chests.
Lelan was last.
“Captain Redhand, this is Lelan. He attempted to fight his way
out of the hovercraft. After we put a taser into his chest, he said,
quote, ‘You won’t take me down, Captain Carnage. Not after our last
meeting!’ I recognized this as a line from one of his movies, ‘Empire
of Salesmen’. We were forced to tase him four times.”
“Permanent damage?”
“Does it matter?”
“No. But Niobe and Ghost will be here in their ‘craft in
fifteen minutes. Clean everyone up, and cut their restraints. Lock the
cabins we put them in. Move!”
“Captain Niobe! Very glad you made it. We have put the entire
crew in protective custody, locked into separate rooms. Tamarin and our
Operator are going over the operational logs of the entire crew.”
“Good, Captain Redhand. I won’t lie to you. If Veil is on this
ship, then we will have apprehended the highest ranking Cypherite we
know. It is of the utmost importance that we find out who killed
Vashuo, and which crew member is masquerading as the Cypherite leader
in his or her spare time.”
“Pardon, Captain Niobe, but ‘Veil?’ I don’t believe I have heard that name before?”
“You might not have, Redhand. Veil is the code-name of a Zion
operative who has risen to the very top of the Cypherite organization.
Some of our operatives have infiltrated the Cypherite ranks. Along the
way Veil’s name has been whispered as a leader to be respected and
feared. Some reports place Veil as a woman, but most have him as a tall
man.”
Captain Redhand smirked, “Well, none of these we collected
today are especially tall, but I’ll turn over interrogation to you,
ma’am.”
“Captain Redhand, bring in Sawayaka. I want to talk to her first.”
“Well, Captain, I… can’t do that. Sawayaka is unconscious. She resisted the invitation to board.”
“Odd. How about WanNi? Oniyuzu? Alex?”
“Toorima is available, ma’am.”
“Bring her in.”
Toorima walked in, eyes moist. Her reddened eyes and nose
betrayed the fact that she had been crying. Captain Redhand nodded to
Niobe and left them alone.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry for my condition. I just heard the details
about Vashuo, and what happened on our ship. You think there is a
traitor on board?”
“Yes, I do, Toorima. You’re the first I’ve talked to. I have a
few questions, then we’ll let you rest. No one is in trouble, yet. You
are all assumed to be loyal to Zion until we find evidence to the
contrary. I know its hard, because one of your friends is a traitor,
but you must know that you are innocent in my eyes unless we find
otherwise.”
“I understand, Niobe. I just, can’t… believe this has happened. I… I’m so sorry this has happened.”
“Toorima, were you on mission assignment when Vashuo died?”
“Yes ma’am! I was performing my mission, and was talking with a
friend when Tamarin pulled me out. Oh my god! You don’t think Tamarin
did it, do you? I mean, he had the opportunity while we were jacked in,
but… Tamarin…?”
“Let’s focus on the matter at hand. Ghost reports to me a
number of fragments are strewn about your emergency jack-out locations.
We’ve never seen this phenomenon before. Do you have any idea, as a
communications specialist, what could have happened?”
Toorima spoke through sudden tears, “It would have to be
deliberate. Focused pulses through a cell-phone would disrupt their
RSIs.. I don’t know! Who could do this! Who would!”
“Toorima, we will find out who did this. I promise. I’ll let
you go back to your room. Try to get some rest. We’ll interview the
next person.”
Niobe spoke into the intercom over Toorima’s quiet sobs.
“I’m done speaking with Toorima for now. Now tell me again why everyone else was subdued with such force?”
This story was a team effort, a collaboration between the
members of the Live Events Team. Some of the finest people I have ever
had the opportunity to work with. Kudos team, on a job well done. -A
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Posts:
29
From:
Output
Registered:
6/30/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 6:31 PM
in response to:
Aether
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Kudos to the LET team - this raises the bar another notch...
BTW, so far, I am loving this event
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Posts:
376
From:
Recursion
Registered:
3/19/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 6:33 PM
in response to:
Aether
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Excellent story!
Now...when will we find out who our super-sleuths are?
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Posts:
360
Registered:
4/4/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 6:42 PM
in response to:
KingCAW
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very impressive LE team...
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Posts:
250
From:
A small construct called Holland
Registered:
3/22/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 6:43 PM
in response to:
Aether
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really nice story, i cant wait to hear the rest of the interrogations.
question, what does this mean?
This story was a team effort, a collaboration between the
members of the Live Events Team. Some of the finest people I have ever
had the opportunity to work with. Kudos team, on a job well done. -A
it looks like a goodbye to me, or am i completely wrong?
greetz,
Hagel
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Posts:
20
From:
England, UK
Registered:
3/20/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 6:47 PM
in response to:
Hagel
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>
This story was a team effort, a collaboration
> between the members of the Live Events Team. Some of
> the finest people I have ever had the opportunity to
> work with. Kudos team, on a job well done. -A
>
> it looks like a goodbye to me, or am i completely
> wrong?
I got the same impression.
Thanks a lot to the LET, you are what makes this game great.
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Posts:
102
Registered:
5/27/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 6:47 PM
in response to:
Hagel
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> it looks like a goodbye to me, or am i completely
> wrong?
I was thinking the exact same thing...
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Posts:
250
From:
A small construct called Holland
Registered:
3/22/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 6:52 PM
in response to:
Shinryu
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hope the LET nor Aether is going...
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Posts:
180
Registered:
3/19/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 6:57 PM
in response to:
Aether
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This is great Aether, again another great event.
Thanks to all of the LET, your work has been much appreciated.
All I hope is that by Aethers last sentance, that this isn't the end of it all.
Jeffers
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Posts:
641
From:
Recursion
Registered:
3/19/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 7:26 PM
in response to:
Aether
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One of their best stories to date. Excellent work gents!
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Posts:
5
Registered:
4/4/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 7:29 PM
in response to:
Jeffers
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Indeed! Great job LET!
Thanks for bringing it to us as well Aether!
This event was definitely a cool twist of things, being based
mostly on the forums for information and little hints to find ingame.
If there is much more...Oh man bring it!
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Posts:
17
From:
UK (Output)
Registered:
6/13/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 7:43 PM
in response to:
Aether
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Without a shadow of a doubt the best event so far.
Today's events just put the icing on the cake for me. I wont go
into details, but lets just say interaction with the LET has been
second to none throughout the last week and a bit. I cannot stress
enough how much of a travesty it would be if they are disbanded. I'm
not sucking up either I assure you. Not my style. I just want to ensure
that they are aware that they have made me, and my entire faction, jack
in more than ever and that, surely, is doing exactly what they are
meant to do.
Thank you for a spectacular event so far.
Phunky
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Posts:
14
Registered:
4/12/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 7:44 PM
in response to:
Aether
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I want more
I enjoyed reading that
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Posts:
812
Registered:
3/19/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 8:07 PM
in response to:
Fickey
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Damn..
That was a great read, LET! Cheers.
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Posts:
241
From:
The Revenant [On Recursion]
Registered:
3/19/05
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Re:
-STORY UPDATE-
Double Cross: Broadcast Bay
Posted:
Jul 19, 2005 8:19 PM
in response to:
Fickey
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This is the kind of event that truly shows off the game's potential. Great job.
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