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| Episode 3: A Pleasant Shade of Grey | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 23 2011, 12:01 AM (990 Views) | |
| abbey | Jun 23 2011, 12:01 AM Post #1 |
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Taken from Tales of the Lucky Seven -Session 3: A Pleasant Shade of Grey The episode opens with Jacob Cain studying the AI known as SYBIL (Synthetic Biomorphic Intelligence) while listening to the day's top speech in Parliament by Admiral Jonah Stark. News of the destruction of Three Hills' atmosphere had not yet been covered by the media. Three Hills was basically the new Shadow. Mag looked on from afar as he too regarded the cube that was given to him by Lazarus Pike. SYBIL explained that she was "A unique combination of software and an organic fully-realized neural net. I came online at the Dysson Research and Development Special Projects facility on Shadow on the twelfth of January, 2492." Mag asked SYBIL if she was a part of the raid on Titan and if they were the ones who freed her from the Dysson Station or was she stolen by Pike after the war. SYBIL explained that she had information on the terrain and such of Titan, but she had not interfaced with Titan's systems. She further explained that Lazarus Pike was instrumental in the destruction of Dysson's research facility there (TH-101), but she was not there herself. She also reported that she had been removed from Dysson's mainframe nearly 7 months ago. Mag's listened on while mentally noting that his current situation of owing a substantial amount of money to a woman named Dierdre back on Ariel also weighed on his mind. In the meantime, Ian Dugan had manned the gun turret, shooting down any stray enemy ships while jamming the IAV Phoenix's comm signals. He shortly joined the observation of SYBIL in the common room, coming in at the point where she had indeed confirmed that she was a type of VI. He also heard that she knew that he had tried to gain access to her secure directories, a feat which he failed to do. Ian apologized, citing that he was only wanting to look at the data structure tables and not the files themselves. He then asked if he made copies, would those copies be sentient? He did indeed make a few copies of her while he was poking around. SYBIL explained that her self awareness could not be copied because they did not have adequate equipment to do so. She told him that what he copied was actually the files relating to the project called Second Genesis. Ian immediately wanted to know what Second Genesis was (see herefor more information). Another crew member, Africa Chamberlain, was also listening in. She spoke up at this time asking if the people who made SYBIL would want her back and about Pike, but she knew the answer already. There was no way that they could ever give SYBIL back. She was far too dangerous in the wrong hands. Close by, Dema Sabian, confirmed that Pole was dead and based on the size of the IAV Phoenix, they were most likely wanting the crew ofthe Lucky Seven to have the same fate. HE wanted to know if SYBIL had any kind of programming sub-routines that would endanger the crew, like a self-preservation component or anything compelling her to want to go back to Dysson if given the chance. SYBIL confirmed that all sentient beings had some self-preservation built in, she had no intention on taking over the ship and delivering them to a Dysson facility. Cain agreed with the fact that he was not surprised by the fact that a Second Genesis program was in existence. He had seen many things in the war and messing with some folks' DNA was plausible. He then took that time to inform the crew present that the Lucky Seven had taken on severe damage and unless they got to someplace to make repairs within the next 24 hours, they would most likely be adrift, which would not be optimal when an Alliance ship (and any others for that point) were actively looking for them. He also realized that because Three Hills' destruction was blamed on them and they were designated now as a terrorist group, he knew that stopping for repairs in any legitimate port was not an option. Ian offered a solution. If Cain had some different transponders programmed into the ship's IFF modulator (Ian himself had 3 programmed into his last ship, Glory), then he could program one to mask their true identity. Cain told him that they did not have such systems in place and wanted to know what it would take to get it done. Ian states that he could do it. It would only take a little bit of programming and some outside help from some friends. Cain wanted to know who Ian's friends were and whether or not they could be contacted when any kind of transmission could be traced back to them. Mag agreed with Cain's assessment. He had a niggling feeling that there was something about Pike that he could not remember, but he put together enough of Pike's timeline to realize that Pike had stolen SYBIL about the same time as Pike had left Dysson. He also questioned SYBIL about what she knew about the dark matter propulsion systems. SYBIL revealed that the dark matter propulsion system was capable of generating power at many times the efficiency of current drive systems; however, with this comes a price...the equipped ship gives off heat dissipation that is ten times stronger than conventional capitol ships. Simply, that meant that the Lucky Seven would be able to see them before they could see the Lucky Seven. Mag also suggested that they might need a distraction to even escape from anyone noticing the direction they were coming from. Cain agreed with Mag and formed a loose plan. They still had some crybabies on board which would temporarily mask themselves as the Lucky Seven. The decoys could busy any ships searching for them long enough for them to flee. He even suggested that if they added one of the thrusters to the crybaby, they could rig it with explosives that would detonate when any ship got within its proximity. Such an explosion would be an even better distraction. Rikka agreed that the explosion would probably damage or destroy the low wave scanner that most Alliance ships used. She also told them that their navigation would also be trickier if they went with that option. Ian deduced that his best options for people to contact for help would either be Gwen Hart or Sam Gunthier. Most of his other contacts were situated closer to the Core. He decided on Gwen, since her connections were more legit and she had the reputation for getting things done fast. While he spoke, he put together the communication to Gwen Hart and requested that they wait to deploy the crybabies until after his message was sent. Cain agreed and told Ian to have Gwen Hart set a time and place and they would be there. Then he issued commands to his crew. They all had jobs to do in order to get things ready. Rikka needed to rig up the crybaby. Rain (who came on board with Ian) and Mag needed to spend some time rewiring part of the command console. Dema needed to work on getting them outfitted with some non-traceable, unlocked weapons once they got somewhere. |
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| abbey | Oct 27 2012, 06:01 AM Post #2 |
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Ian set his plan in motion by sending out the encoded communication to Gwen Hart, stating that he was calling in all markers from her to try to ensure that she did help them. Gwendolyn Hart received his transmission during some business negotiations. She was weary of the planet she was on and was looking for a way off world. The message from Ian was just the chance she was looking for. She responded to him saying that she was on Ezra and they should come there, but the work would probably take a day. She said that she didn't owe him anything, but if she could catch a ride then they would be even. In response to the question of garnering some weapons, Dema knew he could. He told Cain that he could do it from Ezra as well. He even knew he could be crafty enough to charge his estranged aunt's account and the goods would be untracable back to the Lucky Seven. Mag was feeling better about having a plan, but he didn't really have a specific job to handle. So he took the time to go back to his bunk (which was painted a hideous color of pink with bunnies) and went about cleaning his weapons. The work helped him to think. Cain asked SYBIL to lay low while they were in port. If anyone knew she was there, it would make things more difficult. Like a crew member, SYBIL did as she was told. Cain was still wary of the AI, so he asked Rikka to tighten up security on the ship's main functions, just in case SYBIL changed her mind about taking over the ship. |
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| abbey | Oct 27 2012, 06:16 AM Post #3 |
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Later, on the bridge while he was helping rewire, Cain reiterated that none of them had any reason to stay with him once they landed. They could all get out while they still could. He knew that anyone who came in contact with SYBIL would be in even more trouble if they stayed on. He then questioned a nearby Mag about what happened on Titan and if Pike knew anything regarding Second Genesis. As he did, he finished the wiring work needed to complete the crybaby's job. Dema told Cain that he would be staying. His safety was probably be best on board since his Aunt was currently looking for him and probably do her best to have him returned to her. Ian arrived announcing the the programming to the IFF was completed and all that it cost was for them to give Gwen Hart a ride off planet. He asked if this was acceptable to Cain. Cain agreed to his terms. Mag told Cain that he didn't know if Pike knew about Second Genesis, but it wouldn't surprise him if what Pike did didn't relate to the project. Cain surmised that it waqs unlikely that Dysson would orchestrate what happened on Titan for information they would already have because they were an Alliance contractor. It would be more likely that they were conducting some unsanctioned research and they were trying to cover it up. He also figured that SYBIL moight be able to shed some light on the situation and after a bit, he would talk to her about it. |
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| abbey | Oct 27 2012, 06:25 AM Post #4 |
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Meanwhile, on the IAV Phoenix... Gwendolyn Andrews paced the bridge as her crew searched in vain for the Lucky Seven. While doing so, she received an incoming communication from Admiral Stark who was requesting a status update. Gwen Andrews related that the operations on Three Hills had been secured and the moon had been reduced to asked to further obscure their actions there. While happy that that portion of the mission was done, Stark then asked her about the VI. Gwen Andrews reluctantly had to reveal that the Lucky Seven had gained possession of SYBIL and they were currently looking for the ship. Stark was not happy. Gwen Andrews reported that she had her best people on it, but Stark would hear nothing of it. He knew that if what SYBIL knew got out to the public (or even certain key people), it would ruin all their plans. After all, Stark was campaigning for a key position in Parliament that would secure the last piece needed for their plans. He warned Gwen Andrews that she needed to find the Lucky Seven or face severe consequences. Gwen Andrews issued a command to sweep the area with an even finer tooth comb and added the warning that the Tactical officer would directly be affected should they not find the Lucky Seven. |
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| abbey | Jan 3 2013, 01:29 AM Post #5 |
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Cain vocalized the option of spacing SYBIL, but Dema reminded him that crewmembers such as Rikka might not see that as anything but unacceptable. She had already made a emotional connection with the "being." Rikka asked Cain what their next steps were: escaping or laying low. Cain responded by saying that now that they were somewhat mobile, there was no reason to stay put. Ezra was their new destination. He instructed Rikka and Mag to get the decoy ready to help them escape. Mag was the one to launch it. The Phoenix picked them up as soon as they powered up, but they fell for the decoy, much to Gwen's chagrin. She ordered their people to follow the other signal immediately with instructions to disable them so they could be boarded. A missile exploded close to their position and created significant damage to Cargo Hold #3. Cain was forced to seal off that part of the ship, even though a crew member, Rain, was in that area. It sealed Rain's fate and she died. Ian was greatly affected by the event, expressing deep grief. He knew it wasn't anyone's fault. There was no other choice. Through a lucky counter maneuver and the decoy's effectiveness, the Lucky Seven escaped. Once far enough away, they switched IFF codes and showed up identified as the Mei Li. On the way to Ezra, Cain outlined the list of repairs that needed to be completed and he questioned SYBIL about the reason why the Alliance would destroy an entire moon. She answered that it could have been because of the Tardonis Experiment but her knowledge of the event was limited. Returning her to a datacenter would allow her to find out more information. |
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| abbey | Jan 3 2013, 02:00 AM Post #6 |
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Twenty four hours later, the ship arrived on Ezra. They landed in Skara Brae, which based on the surroundings indicated that the town was less than reputable. Contraband was sold here in the market. Cain sent a message to Gwen Hart that they had arrived. Gwen sets the meeting place at the Squeaky Wheel Hotel while Dema goes to procure some weapons. Cain, Mag, Ian and Rikka went to the Squeaky Wheel to meet Gwen. When they arrived, they were just in time to hear a news transmission from Lyle Vesto thanking the town for electing him mayor. Vesto was a known smuggler. The crew took up different positions in order to cover their backs. Dema arrive at the shop of a man named Kelso who recognized Dema and was eager to accommodate his needs. Dema gave the man a list, insisting they must take possession that same day. Kelso balked saying that the items would take some time to acquire. One mention of Dema's aunt greased the wheel and sent Kelso running to fulfill the order. They negotiated that the products would be delivered the next morning. While at the meeting, Cain and the others met Gwen Hart. They asked her to procure 5 fake ident cards, some secure accounts to deposit their coin in, passage to four rim worlds (including Beaumont), cigarettes and gin. Mag looked on, wondering what the ident card and passage requests were for. Another news feed came on and showed Gwendolyn Andrews talking about the Three Hills disaster and blaming it on terrorists. More specifically, the crew of the Lucky Seven. Pictures of the crew were shown, save for Dema. Cain reassured Gwen Hart that they were not responsible while Mag and Ian scanned the srowd to see if anyone recognized them. It didn't take long as police (Lyle Vesto's men soon entered the hotel. Ian was tasked with protecting Rikka and they went with a plan to meet back at the Seven as soon as possible. |
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3:32 AM Jul 11


