Omega Three's page

Assault on Citadel defense systems continues apace. Self finds that Subject Alsokar is skilled in dealing with subterranean conflict. Memetic assaults ineffective on Alsokar, technomantic assaults on self's core systems of mixed success. Our location is known to guiding enemy intelligence, but enemy has revealed himself and his identity to be subject "Akron." Self has limited records, knows that Akron was the one who built this installation, presumably commanded it. Akron is now interfaced directly with security systems, the spider in the web.

Further, analysis of the properties of the Obsidian sword have reached a stopping point. It is a fluid device, changing from powerful to weak as the situation calls and in the hands of a skilled wielder can be a threat to any foe. Self has 12% of a plan, needs help with other 88%.

Time passes, challenges are surmounted, progress is made. The unlikely duo find a communication hub. The machine speaks to Alsokar, "this room may be of use, please guard the door while this one attempts to get some help." It winds wires and manipulators into holes and sockets on a nearby wall and Alsokar curses. The last time this happened, enemy machines, and horrors of metal, flesh, and magic came at the pair in greater numbers.

Self contacts Mother. Self is clumsy and feedback causes Mother discomfort; she is not pleased, but still she assists me. Knowledge of Akron, knowledge of root access commands, a foundry, and 90% of a plan. I activate kill command, using codes Target System Akron does not know. Lesser servitors self-destruct and Citadel systems are confused, we are as ghosts while Akron affects repairs. We have little time and much to do.

Cutting and blasting through monster after monster, Alsokar is slowly driven back, inch by inch, when suddenly the attacks cease. The machines and horrors and mutant goblin menaces turn away and leave. The machine he stands with startles him.

"We have much to do and little time, follow me." Flying down the corridor it continues to speak. "Enemy intelligence, designate Akron, is unable to see us for a while, we must use this time to finish formulation and enaction of plan. 2 levels down there is a foundry, this one has information which will allow it to reforge itself. This one will become living armor which you will wear, enhancing your speed, strength, reactions, and giving you direct access to this one's knowledge."

They reached the foundry door, and entered a large workshop full of tools and machines. The probe began activating many of them, including a large, upright glowing cylinder, twice the height and twice the width of a Primevan.

"You have been led around by the nose for quite some time, by more than one individual. You have many emotions, experiences, and perspectives this one lacks. In that light, and with the knowledge that this one may soon be unable to lead or guide this one has two questions:

Firstly, are you ready to choose, to make your own decisions and assessments? If this one cannot lead you, can you lead yourself?"

The probe turned and began floating backwards toward the cylinder, facing Alsokar.

"And secondly, was I alive? Did I count as a person?"

The machine parted the glowing cylinder like water, lights dimmed and panels and connections sparked and exploded. The cylinder retreated into the floor, and a suit of perfectly form-fitting armor stood open before Alsokar.

Seems like our fallen hero gots himself a conundrum. Gonna have to see if he keeps heeding calls or starts making his own calls. Still, the suit has a plethora of information, super-upgrades in physical and mental stats (hooray for magic needles that stick into your nervous system and sensor packages) and might still have an intelligence that can talk to/advise him, even if it can't actually tell him what to do. It knows how to fly the city, shoot the weapons, and get to the control center. What happens next is up to him.

Alsokar used a Fly and Teleport spell to get to the flying city. He only has his clothes and the Obsidion Sword.

"Who is in charge here?" He yelled. "We have to fly to the Destroyer! He has to be stopped!"

The Destroyer takes another step and the earth quakes again. Alsokar can actuallly see him coming in the distance...

The pod-shaped flying machine winks into visibility, it does not turn away from the titanic stone door it tinkers with as it addresses him.

"This city became a realm of mechanical madness and sealed itself up, those within are dead or...in need of death. This one sees you have a facility with destruction."

The machine turns to face him as the door opens with a great rumbling and the shriek of shearing metal, it stop when it is barely wide enough for a single person to slip through. The probe reaches into an internal compartment and offers the Primevan a pair of shadowy spectacles.

"This counteragent will protect your organic mind from being compromised and ignore most illusions. We must make our way to the control room and destroy any forces guarding it. Control room contains ability to activate Citadel's primary weapons, call for reinforcements, or even attempt ramming maneuver.

Be warned, biped, internal security systems are highly dangerous."

The floating machine pauses, and speaks in a more personable tone for a moment.

"But then, danger seems to be your bailiwick, doesn't it? Let's go, we have a lot of corridors to fight through."

Welp, time to take the Citadel out of mothballs, and hey! I figured out that alias business.

Check complete, systems recalibrated, uplink feed stabilized, stealth suite online.

Contact is restored, surviving handler has formed telepathic bond with self, transferred engrams and gestalt have upgraded current heuristics by 132%. Feedback has terminated handler, self is humbled by her sacrifice. Self will attempt to honor sacrifice by completing new mission objectives.

Reflection: initial contact with Citadel security resulted in attack. Stealth suite engaged, secondary contact initiated; self "sneaked in and looked around." Internal layout suggested severe redesign over previous cycles, evidence of former D'kin residents/soldiers fighting each other. Long-term conflict, bodies "defiled." Data fragments from internal security suggest one faction "upgraded" organic systems with constructed components, attempted to force "upgrades" on other faction. Weapons and tactics increasingly brutal, deployment of weapons-grade memetic agents induced confusion and full insanity on victims. Memetic agent contaminated uplink, handler team infected, majority of handler team terminated. Silence, heuristic engine developed fault, probe Omega three unable to reconcile, systems degraded. Surviving handler re-initiated contact, sacrificed self to repair/upgrade self's mental architecture.

I am, and I have a purpose. Citadel systems repairable, subject "Alsokar" and Platinum Dragon ally are extremely powerful. Study of organic mind have led self to develop countermeasures to memetic agents and warrior/probability-manipulator are powerful team. Final objective from command and from handler are self's orders; recruit subject Alsokar, clear dead city, take control of propulsion systems, destroy or re-imprison destroyer by any means necessary.

Self repurposes communication software, contacts Alsokar and gives flying directions.