COBALT 2011/08/04(Thu)19:28 No. 336608 ID: e8cd4a
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You are in a very different place.

You blink as if to coat your eyes and swallow as if to move food and water, but these are two curiosities of what now seems an infinite; no fluid clings as you touch your eyes, and you have had no hunger, thirst, nor food or water in an eternity.

There are no numbers for Turns, hours, minutes or seconds, just the number ten million, the times you have tapped your finger. It is to your heartbeat, but you feel no heart beating. A sigh; nor lungs breathing.

You are being watched by something .. someone. It has never shown aself, but it winds about behind floors, walls, ceilings, in -open space-, and through millions you are too familiar with es gaze. E doesn't seem to respond to anything you do, until now.

You stop tapping and e freezes mid-movement. You sit upright and e darts away. You wait. E always comes back.

.. Not this time. Something is different; something is wrong.

"< Hello ? Anyone here ? >" The first voice in an eternity; it may as well be the first voice in your entire existence.

There are sounds and movements in many directions.

You don't know how to answer ..

Respond in the affirmative.

Nod, then remember that you must speak in order to be heard. Say affirmative or some other derivative of yes, if you have a name then speak that as well.

wiggle your foot

Say hi, and ask who it is. Try to move.

Hum a boy band song, it will help.

scream "YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH..I am"

Say no

COBALT 2011/08/04(Thu)20:04 No. 336618 ID: e8cd4a
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You nod. That doesn't seem to work, so you try speaking.

>"Hello. Yes. I am here .."

>".. Who are you ?"

"< What ? I can't understand you. If you're still listening, I'm coming to get you. If you see a light, brace yourself ! >"

Sure enough there is a light. It's a long corridor, the destination uncertain.

"< Wait ! If you see the words DISPOSAL, FURNACE, or something similar, make lots of noise- >"

There is writing but you can't understand any of it.

get ready to dodge

Make only a little noise.

Stand up and look down the hall.

Make noise, by saying that you don't understand what you see. Even though they can't understand you they may get to you sooner.
Also, get ready to move if you need to/can.

Look around you.

Look. Around you.

COBALT 2011/08/04(Thu)21:44 No. 336648 ID: e8cd4a
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You stand up.

>"I see words. I don't understand them."

The room shifts violently.

"< Hold on ! >"

COBALT 2011/08/04(Thu)21:46 No. 336650 ID: e8cd4a
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"< Gotcha ! >"

woah. are they some kind of collective swarm entity?

COBALT 2011/08/04(Thu)21:52 No. 336655 ID: e8cd4a
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"< Now why would you come out there- >"

"< .. A cyborg ? I can't believe this !! You look fantastic; you don't know how happy I am to see another after all my searching .. >"

"< Now what were you even speaking back there ? I can't make a word of it- >"

Kiss your savior on the closest thing approximating a mouth

uhh... find a IO port somewhere on you?

>>336655
Try to speak other languages.

>>336661

we don't even know her yet, you horndog.

on that note, introductions are in order.

COBALT 2011/08/04(Thu)22:21 No. 336682 ID: e8cd4a
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"< Aw shucks, it was nothing .. No, really; I spent virtually 0% of my collective energy reserve and that's with generous uprounding- >"

>>336682
D'awwwww

See what outstanding abilites you posess, if any.

>>336682
Perhaps we can attempt to speak in machine language? C'mon, we should figure out how to speak to this guy.

... So, are we a boy, girl or neuter?

COBALT 2011/08/04(Thu)23:09 No. 336707 ID: e8cd4a
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You would like introductions, but your savior cannot understand your verbal communication.

You're not sure if you have any outstanding abilities. Surviving in complete isolation with no food or water for an eternity is an affirmative, but rather bitter piece to recall.

You remember being a female clone; it hardly matters beyond self-identification post-tran, and that itself holds little purpose here; he, e, she is fine.

You try speaking in different languages.

"< Wow, that's .. Are you feeling ok ? .. SabaA SaIda ? .. Hero ? Aloka ? Oh, fine; this is so uncivilized- >"

It seems e found your interface terminal. After a noisy and mind-jarring bit of start-up, a transfer channel is open; your savior awaits for dialogue ..

"Wall-eee"

Say hi to it, and ask where you are.

>>336707
Try to communicate just how goddamn long you've been trapped alone.

By the way why are you not completely crazy due to isolation? That causes serious mental problems with humans past like, a week. Is your robotic state capable of like, putting you in a trance or something so you don't notice the passage of time?

COBALT 2011/08/05(Fri)00:16 No. 336731 ID: e8cd4a
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>"< Hi. Where am I ? >"

"< Oh, fantastic ! I can understand you- This might be a bit to take in, but, the last time I saw natural light I could swear there was ocean moving; something like a -gargantuan- semi-submersible sea platform, perhaps ? I only know because some person or force implanted me out from the AI center; there was some sort of emergency involving humanoid subjects dying in a new type of hibernation. But, a long time has passed, and it looks like the place has rebuilt itself deep in solid ground and it's constantly changing. There's no sense of direction; I tried to escape going upwards but it's something like a Klein loop, or Mobius strip. I haven't figured out an exit- >"

"< But .. It doesn't mean you and I won't try ! Which, I must be completely honest with you; this place is -dangerous- .. -She- is dangerous .. Still, we can do this ! >"

>"< I've been trapped for a very long time. I thank you for rescuing me. >"

"< Oh .. I see- Your speech .. >" The inflection is one of morbid concern.

"whats wrong with my voice?"

>>336731
Ask if you were using a dead language, or if there's something wrong with your vocal parts.

Call it Nigel.

>>336731
Who is "she?"

Show some concern toward your voice before inquiring about "she", and who or what "she" is.

>>336734
Yeah, that's what it sounds like. You must have been trapped for a VERY long time.

>>336821

>T+ 2 629 744

if that's in seconds, it's been like 30 days. if it's in minutes, it's been five years. if it's in hours, it's been 300 years. if it's in days, it's been 7.2 millenia.

COBALT 2011/08/05(Fri)16:07 No. 336909 ID: e8cd4a
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You decide to name your swarm companion.

>"< Nigel, what's wrong with my voice ? Am I using a dead language ? >"

"< I'm- sure it's nothing ! .. Don't worry about it, really. Some things are best left alone- Nigel ? Oh, that will do nicely ! >"

>"< Who or what is -she- ? >"

"< She's taken over the AI center and most of the facility. Nobody's actually seen her but she's been slowly binding some eight or so consciences to her command, myself included. Some offered themselves immediately and others snapped. She can't take over if you resist, but her methods are considerably .. persuasive .. Just don't let her catch you- >"

Suddenly, Nigel's body arranges violently into a long chain. It connects to your arm, which has turned color and shape to fit, flashing with energy.

"< What are you doing !? Stop ! Pull me out ! Pull me out, pull me- >"

As you raise your arm to comply, you are rocked backwards as a bolt of energy flies out from your fingertips.

>>336909

Cool, we're Megaman now. But seriously, ask Nigel what the hell was that about.

"oops"

>>336909
See if you can revert the change.
"It seems I've made a gun out of you."

Ask if he's supposed to be able to do that.

grab on to the data port he is plugged into and yank.

COBALT 2011/08/05(Fri)16:57 No. 336928 ID: e8cd4a
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You use your free hand to rip out the connection. It resists at first, but then the entire chain falls limp. Nigel lies in pieces on the floor, the parts slowly standing up and arranging whole.

>"I'm sorry. Are you supposed to be able to do that ? It seems I've made a gun out of you."

"< What -was- that ? Oh, I can't understand you. That was frightening- >"

A voice speaks from inside the walls.

"< You managed to get even less far this time; you're not even trying, are you ? Congratulations however on increasing your clutter with that new mass you found; it really is boring having the same volume of remains to gather every time- >"

Nigel interrupts. "< Oh, laugh it up; this one isn't just parts. He's a .. super soldier ! That's right, he's a super fighting cyborg that's going to shut you down and free everyone- Just try and stop him if you can- >"

"< Oh .. Ok. He's not very stealthy for a super soldier, and unless he has super speed he should think about super strength or super not-getting-blown-to-bits in a few moments. >"

The room transforms, sealing shut the way you came in.

"< New plan .. Try not to die ! I don't know what she's up to but I can make a bubble around you, become a chain if you need to reach something; I doubt that will help much. She's really good at the whole killing thing- Any ideas ? >"

Use Nigel like a chain to climb up over those big gears, and jump over the wall to the right, see if you can find an exit there.

get to higher ground. chain up to that wheel then again to the next one and swing over to the ledge.

Point to the data port you have and extend your arm again like a gun. Hopefully robot buddy will get the point that we need a gun again.

bionic commando your way up them gears

COBALT 2011/08/05(Fri)17:53 No. 336945 ID: e8cd4a
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You connect to Nigel.

>"< Chain up to that drum- >"

"< Aaand .. done. Hey is this such a good idea ? What if- Help !! It's happening again, what's going on !? >"

You make it to the top of the drum, gun in hand. The floor opens, releasing an attack robot of some sort. It's spotted you.

use GUN on ROBOT

New plan: SHOOT EVERYTHING THAT MOVES.

blast them.

>>336945
"Remain calm. Determine how much energy this is using."

COBALT 2011/08/05(Fri)18:36 No. 336965 ID: e8cd4a
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You fire at the machine. It seems to be very effective. The gun fires quickly but has stopped suddenly. Overheating ?

>"< Remain calm- How much energy is this using ? >"

"< I can't tell ! Why can't I- Wow, how are you doing that ? >

The machine steps back and lobs some rockets.

Roll around to the other side of the gear,drop behind the machine and see if you can throw it w/ your grapple arms

>>336966
I was going to type this plan, but hope did it first. Watch out for guns on the back. If the rockets are extra seeky throw the drone at them.

>>336966
Do this but try and throw the attackbot into the rockets, should they be heat seeking.

COBALT 2011/08/05(Fri)20:56 No. 337017 ID: e8cd4a
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You scramble over the drum and throw pieces of Nigel at the rockets. All rockets are neutralized.

You drop behind the machine, grab and flip it. It collapses and explodes.

"< Now see, that's parts of me you are throwing at the rockets- can we try something else ?? I would really appreciate it- >"

Apologize to nigel but also see if you can cannibalize that robutt you just blew up

... throw the DRONE at the rockets, not nigel. anyway, try to salvage it. and any parts of nigel not exploded all the way.

COBALT 2011/08/05(Fri)21:38 No. 337045 ID: e8cd4a
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>"< I'm very sorry about that. Please forgive me. >"

"< I can't seem to move or communicate with my units like this; I hope you know what you're doing - >"

Before you can inspect any parts, a machine appears and clamps onto your chain.

"< Weaklings ! Let me show you how it's done ! >"

it's going to expect you to resist, so don't do that, instead leap TOWARDS it and fire a point blank shot into the red part on it.

Arm wrestle that mofo, and by arm wrestle i mean blast him in what most closely approximates a face.

Maybe we can interface with these guys to take them over like we're sortof taking over Nigel.

Save yourself and Nigel.

bitchslap opposition

if it's got you, you've got it. swing it into the wall.

COBALT 2011/08/07(Sun)17:24 No. 337846 ID: e8cd4a
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You lunge forward and fire point blank. It does significant damage.

"< Ha ! Didn't expect that ! >"

Connection is futile, the port is resisting and you will have to physically force it.

wrap arms around it, SUPLEX

Let's physically force it, then.

If you have any other forms of combat savvy then now would be the time to use them, since forcing the connection may very break it in the future. Other wise force the connection and make sure that attackbot is down for good.

rape is the answer.

>>337854

sounds good.

>>337846
Ask if Nigel can regenerate units. Would be terrible if we ere doing the equivalent of chopping a person's fingers off one at a time for ammunition.

COBALT 2011/10/09(Sun)17:38 No. 357127 ID: e83f6a
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>"< Can you regenerate units ? >"

"< I can, but it's complicated; say, are you going to do something about being clamped to this guy ? >"

You get up close and personal for a chance to interface.

The machine is strong, like really strong; you've lost the contest of strength. Several clamps pin you down but before that, wires shoot out from the hole you blasted and when they connect to you, parts seemingly fall off of the machine to reassemble onto you !

This seems to upset Nigel. "< What's that, what just happened- Who's there- !? >"

"< You'll regret that, marshmallow ! >" The machine seizes for a moment but does not lose its grip on you.

One entire side, arm and leg of yours feels transformed; its workings feel exceptionally sturdy and forceful but decreased in natural dexterity and tactile grace. What is this ?

use new arm and leg power to break it.

"Assimilation."

Break the enemy.

Uh, try having some kind of robot orgasm back at it and retain control, and counter attack up close and raped/personal.

blow rape whistle if you have it

I hate to be captain obvious here, but the best option i to find a way not to die.

I can't help you directly, nor really indirectly, as I have extremely limited knowledge of what the hell is exactly going on right now, so let the others handle it.

stick your arm up its data port until it comes out of its fan vent.

>>357170
Yeah. What he said.

>>357170

Third-ing.

Give 'im a good bonk on the noggin. Preferably while yelling "stop hitting yourself!", assuming the parts still bear some resemblance to it.

So is anyone else reading Nigel in Wheatley's voice and 'she' in GLaDOS's?

MEGA KICK!!

>>357127
Tear it limb from limb. Starting with the bit chocking you.

COBALT 2011/11/15(Tue)01:57 No. 365754 ID: e55966
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You break the enemy. Then you take the bits and break those into smaller bits. Then you take -those- bits and- Shit.

Nigel whimpers.

Have you always had this violent capacity ? The machine's power supply discharged from damage some time ago. Superheated pieces scatter the room, which quiets and shuts down with cinematic timing. You would be hard-pressed to recover anything under the temperatures and pressures endured.

Shaking out from your frenzy, you address Nigel.

>"< Do you have any idea what do to now ?" >"

"< I knew you were a super fighting cyborg ! Never doubted it for a step- I have an idea, but it's crazy .. >"

Nigel explains what he knows about the other intelligences. Each has had upgrades that make them too deadly for Nigel to approach alone and every one seems to be guarding a section of the complex. The combined sections systems control access to the most protected location, the AI Center.

"< It has to be my ticket out ! Our .. ticket out. >"

"< Rip .. Tear. >"

"< He's here ! Get him away ! Get out, get out ! >"

Ask him what he's on about.

Look for the closest way out of here, keep running, don't let them swarm upon you.

Get moving, it's not a good idea to undergo constant onslaught of damage, we barely got out of the previous incident it looked like. We can't take stupid risks.

you need to take out all the systems so the guard for the central area drops.

>>365754
Retreat. Look for places where traps may be set up. Direct confrontation is inadvisable, both for destruction of loot and your own safety.

>>365754
I believe that the pieces of the defeated enemy attached to us still have some part of it inside them. That is what is speaking.

Run an internal diagnostic and cleaning program on your captured arm pieces. A robot with the ability to take over other robots must have a lot of internal security.

>>365811
yeah, override the parts attached to you, have nigel detach first to be safe.

>>365812
Yes, that.

COBALT 2012/02/03(Fri)04:04 No. 384074 ID: 2f7168
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Your first priority is to keep moving. It's hard to tell if the action is over, but the 'heat' has dropped enough that you stop to sort things out.

You're pretty sure Nigel is experiencing the enemy personality that was assimilated along with the sturdy arm. Those tendrils that achieved it lashed out from your body, but is a thing of complete mystery to you.

When you inspect your system, there are indeed sizable foreign instructions present. It's implanted itself in a very intricate way. No matter how much energy you spend analyzing the scope of the foreign entity, it's boundaries with your own is not clear. In other words, you have no choice but to remove some part of your own programming with it should you attempt a purge.

Your next priority is to take out this whole place and escape. You ask Nigel for advice ..

"< There is a section with a weakened length that Mega-strength of yours should be enough to force open. Past the traps and guardian inside is a control system you can seize. I can leave to regenerate units should you separate me, but this will put us at quite some distance, you see, the path is quite small. >"

Nigel also suggests visiting a charging station or getting coolant for any future damage.

For the angry ghost, how much of the entity to 'excise' is up to you. (Extra margin. / Minimum margin. / Monitor, but do nothing.)

You must decide on the next location and if Nigel should leave you to regenerate units. (Charging station / Coolant / Weakened section / Hold position) (With Nigel / Alone)

Hey wait, is -all- of Nigel needed to regenerate ?

" *Snarl* "

"< SHUT UP ! >"

Enemy programming intertwined with our system might be useful at some point to bypass security systems or access encrypted information, besides, it might unlock something cool that we don't know yet about ourselves. I think we should excise just a minimum part of it, but keep monitoring it, in case it starts acting weird.

Go to the Charging Station with Nigel. Let's get a Power Up.

>>384074
Let Nigel regenerate, monitor the new mind, and go to the charging station. Power is life.

If we can do some deletion of the ghost without damaging ANY of our system, do so. Hobbling it in some manner would be advantageous. However, it seems fairly harmless so damaging ourselves to get rid of the annoyance would be pointless.

I don't know how much power we have; we don't know if visiting a charging station would even help. Let's go for the coolant.

Monitor, bet keep updating the 'minimum margin excise' program. There's a good chance we can goad it into showing itself if we get close enough to something it wants/wants to protect, which would make removing it cleaner if it shows itself. Or alternately, once you've identified all of it you could firewall it off or dump it into a VM to use at will.

monitor.

Minimum margin. Coolant. With Nigel.
We should stay with Nigel so he doesn't get ruined further, and the charging station might have a negative impact so using the coolant may be a better plan.