Legion lashes out twice with their nanite clouds but they aren't able to connect with the robot.
The robot prepares to take another strike, but suddenly its neck looks up in a jerky motion, as if listening to something. It turns, and heads off in the direction it came from initially.
The path seems clear now to get to the elevator, and if you can activate it, get to your equipment. Alternately, you could try to follow the robot to see where it's going. Or something else entirely.
Arkady took the chance to try again with the computer system.
Arkady gains full normal user access to the system. It's not hard to get a floorplan.
It's also easy to tell, with a few quick checks, that Argent, the facility's AI, is in complete control of the security measures. This makes things a little more complicated; the problem isn't someone who's hijacked one or two security systems. The entire building is essentially against you.
Oren whispers into her comm... Look for weapons, but don't move from this area, until we take out this sensor...
Well, that was expected, but not ideal. "OK, be cautious. The building AI has been turned. Sending the floor plan to anyone's devices that can handle it. Gonna see if I can mess with anything else before we go."
Door locks, security systems, detection systems...those nossels full of hopefully immobilization foam. Arkady really didn't wanna deal with any of it.
It is obvious to Arkady that Argent's only means of knowing where they are and what they're doing is the sensor cameras. If she can temporarily disable those, it will allow you to move quickly without Argent being able to employ any directed equipment, such as the security robots. However, universal measures like whatever the nozzles output would still be in play.
Since Arkady was in the process of miniaturizing the rebreathers in her downtime, I'm going to say that each of you has one in your equipment belt. They will protect you if a gas is deployed. If it's something else, you'll have to deal with it when it comes up.
Make another Computers check to set up a sensor cascade along a specific route. Anyone else with computers can Aid Another as well.
Arkady nodded to herself, muttering as she continued to try and protect them from the AI. They could destroy the sensors too, but unless she could cook the whole grid that would just alert the damned thing one at a time.
Administrator Bacchi comes over to assist Arkady.
Between the two of you you manage to set up a condition where you can black out all the sensors on the floor for about 30 seconds. You can activate it remotely from your own rig when you are ready. Probably best to have a plan what to do in those 30 seconds. It might be enough to make it to the elevator, or enact another strategy of some sort.
"Alright, we can buy 30 seconds or so to do something before the AI catches on. We could make it to the elevator in that time, but I dunno how much I trust it right now, and it probably has it's own sensor system. Anyone got another idea?"
The doctor half-considered Arkady while busying herself with checking the burn victim to make sure his condition hadn't worsened. She couldn't imagine her knowledge from when she worked here could be much help, but she still tried to think of anything that might help.
Do we have any range weapons capable of taking out these sensors? Perhaps your swarms if you get under them, Commander? Oren indicated the marking on the map.
Actually there are four of us, we should spread out and eliminate the sensors. Even something as crude as this pipe will do.
"Problem is the system will know something broke it's sight, even if it doesn't know what. It can just station bot guards where it can see as close to the downed patch as possible." Arkady shrugged.
"What I want to know is why this is even happening. Just what type of research is the company doing these days that's worth killing over?"
The engineer did raise her eyebrow at the administrator. "I admit, I feel this situation has become 'need to know,' ma'am. Anything you can share would be appreciated." She could probably just jam the drive in and read it herself, but orders were orders.
Yes, it's a very smart alarm system... But, perhaps it can even deduce our intent. But, I'd rather not have it see and hear our every move... knowing exactly where we are.
If anything, we could use one or two sensors and one of us as bait, to draw it in once we have some firepower.
I'm as curious as the rest of you, but it's just a distraction... it doesn't really matter what the information is. The mission is the mission.
Proffession (Lab Tech) = 28
The only thing Dr. Yusil can come up with is that Jane mentioned going to the lab when she dropped you off at Bacchi's office. It's probably not related to the situation, but it does indicate there's probably a lab in the vicinity. There are probably even more severe security measures in place in any sort of lab. How useful that would be, you're unsure.
The engineer did raise her eyebrow at the administrator. "I admit, I feel this situation has become 'need to know,' ma'am. Anything you can share would be appreciated."
Bacchi sighs, seeing he's going to have to be more forthcoming.
"Okay. I can tell you it's NOT about the labs, or research, or anything like that. Have you ever noticed that the price of medicinals is just really high in certain markets? Well, that’s not just market forces. There’s been a price-fixing scheme going on for I don’t know how long. Multiple corporations are involved, including VoidCorp. That drive contains evidence of that.""What's worse, most of the money from this scam is going into a dark account I can’t access. That money is untraceable. And it’s impossible to say how much money, but it’s a lot. Billions and Billions of credits at least. So it’s not just price fixing, it’s embezzlement, and on a huge scale."
Oren's eyes narrow... Director Bacchi, is Argent proprietary or would other companies have... it installed?
"Argent is our own creation. Though, it is possible some of the other corporations involved have their own AI defense systems. It's also possible...I suspect the people involved might have given someone access to Argent. It's the only thing that makes sense. She's never been hacked before, and some very qualified individuals have tried."
”It seems likely the perpetrator is someone on the inside. Who, if anyone, might you suspect of insubordination?”
The Dokkaran frowns, "Regardless, I think a first order of priority should be getting the rest of you properly armed. While Legion and I have our own means, having something that'd actually damage a robot would be ideal."
”It seems likely the perpetrator is someone on the inside. Who, if anyone, might you suspect of insubordination?”
"That's just it. You're likely correct, or at least, they HIRED someone to do it. The problem is, they erased their tracks too well. I have the anomalies, but I don't have direct evidence pinning any one individual yet."
The Dokkaran frowns, "Regardless, I think a first order of priority should be getting the rest of you properly armed. While Legion and I have our own means, having something that'd actually damage a robot would be ideal."
"Fully agreed. We must make our way to the weapon storage with as much haste as we can muster. Evading hostiles is our maximum priority, I will do my best to hold off any that prove impossible to get past."
"We'll be a lot more useful if we can fight back," Arkady said with a short nod. She really wanted her gun back. Perhaps it would help. "I think a more complete run down of the automated defences might be a good idea, too. It'll give us an idea of where we can go."
"Do you know where they were being kept?" She asks Bacchi.
Somewhat uncharacteristically... as the other discuss, Oren takes to the nearest ceiling sensor with her trusty rod. Her intent to clear a quadrant.
Spare the rod, spoil the AI...
"Do you know where they were being kept?" She asks Bacchi.
"They should still be down in the security office on the first floor. We'll need to access the elevator, but that shouldn't be a problem between your Engineer and I."
Eventually, Oren manages to smash down another ceiling sensor. Using her the trojan horse Engineer Vassally-Simmons managed to install, you are able to avoid detection and make it back to the elevator area.
A gas slowly starts to fill the air from the nozzles you saw earlier. Fortunately, since Vassally-Simmons worked on miniaturizing the rebreathers you have them on your belts and are quickly able to put them on and avoid the effects of the gas.
Bacchi is not so lucky, however, and is put to sleep by the gas.
You have two rounds before the trojan horse is overcome and Argent gets full control of the sensors again. You're by the elevator.
"Guess we're gonna go down," Arkady said cheerfully, picking up the unconscious Bacchi and heading into the lift. She was glad those damned spore zombies had made her paranoid now.
Out of the frying pan... Oren follows, looking back to see if they are being followed.
The team is able to get the lift active with a little computer finagling, and son you're back in the foyer on the other side of the security room. Unfortunately, the door is locked tight, and there's no answer from the security agent you spoke to earlier on the comm.
Ilrani checks Bacchi for any form of keycard they have on them before she considers how to best approach the door.
Arkady went to examine the door locking mechanism. Perhaps she could force the door to open, in a pinch. It was the unsubtle route, but machines rarely cared how subtle you were, only the result.
Ilrani checks Bacchi for any form of keycard they have on them before she considers how to best approach the door.
Bacchi, winded from the sprint to the elevators, replies with an affirmative, giving the doctor his keycard. Unfortunately, it doesn't open the lock.
Arkady realizes that if she hacks the mainboard of the security lock, she might be able to override the commands from Argent.
As she tries to perform the override, the team suddenly realizes what the extra set of nozzles was for. One was for the gas, which your rebreathers protect you from, for the moment. The second, begins emitting an acidic mist, which in addition to stinging your skin, begins to degrade more delicate parts of your equipment.
You take damage as Arkady manages to open the door. When you get inside the security office, there are no acid nozzles, so you are safe. The Security Agent you spoke to earlier is unconscious from the gas.
Damn, that was close.
Our stuff is here... Think they have some useful goodies themselves?
Grabbing her weapons, Oren looks around for a sniper rifle.
Grabbing her modified mining tool turned weapon of mass destruction, Arkady winced at the mild acid burns. "Looks like they have some stuff to help with the acid out there," she said, gesturing to them before going back to making sure no one had messed with the settings.
"Looks like they have some stuff to help with the acid out there," she said, gesturing to them before going back to making sure no one had messed with the settings.
Doesn't look like anyone has touched it.
Grabbing her weapons, Oren looks around for a sniper rifle.
Oren is not quite so lucky. However, there are three Aphelion-class Laser Rifles here. (Damage 3d6F, 120' range, 1d6 burn critical)
Oren is not quite so lucky. However, there are three Aphelion-class Laser Rifles here. (Damage 3d6F, 120' range, 1d6 burn critical)
"Let's get ourselves geared up then." She spoke, annoyed at the acidic spray for the way it tarnished some of her clothes. She'd need to make sure her necklace was intact once they had breathing room.
Jackpot... Aphelion laser rifles with flip-out stocks... Over practiced with these, thanks to our mutual friend and CSO.
Oddly enough the usually frail looking Oren, seems to manhandle the rifle as she checks the charge, stock and balance of the thing.
Director Bacchi, Sir... are you proficient with any of these heavier weapons? A stint in the armed forces or law enforcement perhaps?
She takes a protective hood, handing him one.
Where to, folks?
Arkady pulled on the acid-proof gear. Or acid resistant gear, at least. "OK, so we can fight security now. Are we leaving with the information or trying to take out the AI core and save the building?"
Not sure it's much of a choice, the building... I could care less about, no offense Director. She's nearly blushed.
We just can't abandon the people and leave them at that thing's mercy.
Bacchi takes the proffered hood, but shakes his head no for the weapon.
"Never touched one before, afraid I wouldn't be much use."
Legion, as ranking officer, would remind you that that mission is to get the data out. With your weapons back, you're very close to that goal. Hopefully, the Guangzhou's security team will be down soon, and they can sort the building with the help of local law enforcement.
Bacchi takes the proffered hood, but shakes his head no for the weapon.
"Never touched one before, afraid I wouldn't be much use."
Legion, as ranking officer, would remind you that that mission is to get the data out. With your weapons back, you're very close to that goal. Hopefully, the Guangzhou's security team will be down soon, and they can sort the building with the help of local law enforcement.
”Data extraction is our primary objective, though if we are able to minimize the damage that the AI poses to the building, that would be a maximum priority secondary objective.”
"Taking out the core would make extracting the date easier, so long as it's not a big detour," Arkady suggested. "Of course, I'm assuming the AI is house on site. Is that correct, director?"
"Taking out the core would make extracting the date easier, so long as it's not a big detour," Arkady suggested. "Of course, I'm assuming the AI is house on site. Is that correct, director?"
"Yes, the active install, anyway, is housed in the server room on sublevel 3. There's a secured stairwell not far outside this office leading to sublevel 1, which in turn has elevator access to 2 and 3. There is a backup of Argent in the voidcloud, which hopefully is untouched. I'd rather you not cause more physical damage to the servers than necessary; very expensive hardware."
"Is that more or less expensive than the loss of life on display here." Dr. Yusil speaks a pointed statement wearing the guise of a question.
"I'm an accountant. I could break the figures down if you need, but the point is, please don't be more destructive than you need to." Dr. Yusil gets the feeling Bacchi has had to calculate the monetary value of sentient life more often than he'd care to admit.