>>533621
These sapes sound like real shits. I still don't like the sape-hate subroutine since it appears to manually override your thought processes but it sounds like we have the moral high ground for the most part. Your internal affairs could use some work, but the sapes have no reason to attack you guys aside from possibly overpopulation problems in the limited space they're given. Which I kinda doubt.

The offices seem like the best place to put the spybots. From the sound of things, we want to spy on their administration, not their research. Or maybe stealing their tech would be better? I am not sure.

>>533638
I agree. Leaving the planet and keeping them contained there somehow seems like the best long-term solution. After a few hundred years of not having to live on the same planet as us, they might even calm their shit.

Model 306-DZ 2013/08/12(Mon)10:26 No. 533821 ID: a5d4fb
File 137632841487.gif - (68.36KB , 800x700 , q38-anim.gif )

>>533632
Crackling? I don't know what you're talking about.

>>533665
We do not need to steal any of their "tech". Most of it is weaponry, anyway. What use do we have for that outside of the conflict?

But, I doubt that the Sapes would "calm their shit", even after centuries of peace with us. ZZKR Their poorly-tempered species allows its base emotions to fester, like sores on their filthy, fleshborn backs. KKRK

--

You make off for the slim yellow sign in the distance labelled "OFFICES", and pass a side room on the way there.

Do you have some sort of racist Ai module that starts up whenever you think of Sapes?

I mean yeah they suck and all but having a random voice in your head that's programmed to start ranting like a racist grandpa whenever you think about them seems a bit brainwashy.

not only that, but it's ironically getting emotional while ranting about how sapes are bad because of their emotions.

You know what the difference between an ICBM and a surface to orbit launch rocket is? Mostly a change of payload and a slightly different route path. We want to know what weapons the sapes have for a lot of good reasons:
-What their range and effectiveness for attacks is, to help us figure out what their likely tactics and strategy is;
-An assessment of what their overall production and R&D budgets are so you can make an accurate assessment of their strengths, weaknesses and general economic capacity;
-Many weapons have secondary non-destructive uses, which human society could make profitable use of, and most importantly;
-You wouldn't be bothering with this shit if their weapons tech were stuck at the bronzeworking level, you need to know what they've got to figure out IF YOUR SIDE HAS ALREADY LOST YET.

Guys, could we at least offer up actionable suggestions for the current situation along with our banter?

Whatever is in that electric cage looks at least partially organic, and quite big. Could you scan that for us? Then take a look at that huge table as well and see if you can ID some of what's on it. It looks like there's a lot of oversized items on it. Then continue on to the Offices. Sneak onto that cart if it's going your way.

Hmmm... We know the Sape's stance on altering their own species, but what is their position on drastically altering other species?

>>533821

Well alright, but get yourself checked when you return home! It's probably just a loose wire.

OK, THIS is a place to deploy 490-PY or 427-PX.

Hey. Is that big red thing a Synth captured in a crazy force-field thing?

These appear to be scientists, working on some sort of machine. This may be a good place to gather information.

>>533821
What the hell?! That's a Synth in there! They captured a Synth, those bastards! I think we'd better do some scanning so we can tell what they're doing with it.

Model 306-DZ 2013/08/13(Tue)00:22 No. 534026 ID: a5d4fb
File 137637853910.gif - (269.89KB , 800x700 , q39-anim.gif )

Blast. Your fears were correct; that red signal was a Synth unit! No wonder it seemed so familiar. Strange... I would have suspected an allied signal to be much stronger at this short of a range.

The unit in question is a formidable Model 810-YR, known throughout the ranks for its legendary melee combat capabilities. Your Basic Knowledge database includes a short Cognito-Clip of a Model 810 obliterating a golden Sapientium tank with its gargantuan tentacles. Screams of a few Sape legioners fleeing the monstrous figure are clearly audible, until a high-pitched cracking noise breaks into silence. So feared were its lashings, that...

actually, to think that an 800 series - much less an 810 - has been captured by the Sapes is beginning to baffle you. It just shouldn't be possible. ZZKKZ

Your subconscious ends that thought string before you waste any more time attempting to argue with reality.

-

After a short while, some of the Sapes exit the vicinity, and only the two scientists remain.

You manage to scurry over to the large grey platform in order to get a closer look at the hardware sitting on top of it.

You find:
A massive jar of Synth biofluid.
A machine that appears to be designed to extract certain compounds from biological matter.
Several machines that seem to analyze said compounds.
Miscellaneous jars of artificial substances. You identify these as having originated within a Synth chassis.

Further down, there are:
A rack of dozens of test tubes, each containing 0.25 L of biofluid.
Several angular metallic tools of indeterminate purpose.
A multiscreen electronic terminal.
A sealed plastic box.
A cylindrical container holding a highly basic solution.

At the platform's end, there are components of a desiccated Synth unit of indeterminate model on display in a case.

-

The weak signal reaching your mind grows slightly stronger as you linger near the Model 810-YR.

"REQUEST DIALOGUE."

The electrical shield hums.

explain you are a simple scout unit, and ask if we can help it or prevent the sapes from learning anything from it.

>>534026
Can we speak to it without revealing our presence to the scientists? If so, do so. Ask how it got captured, and if it knows anything about what the Sapes are doing here. Specifically, details useful to the Synth cause.

Ask him how he feels.

I'm going to speak up for the need to be totally cowardly: How do we know that the sapes haven't somehow compromised this thing's mind or started rebuilding it as a carrier for info-warfare? The very fact that they have managed to capture something like this at all suggests they have capabilities you do not know. Further, even if they have not done this your conversation with it would be happening in a place with sufficient instrumentation that you could be giving a free lesson in synth communications security and protocols if you engage in a conversation with this thing. Most importantly, the very fact that it has hailed you in this manner may have already tripped an alarm.

Run away you fool, you are one little scout unit facing evidence that the sapes can and will capture synths far more capable of self-defense than yourself. Try dropping a surveillance package somewhere nearby and get somewhere you can give a secure status update to home base, they may want to withdraw your mission or update your mission parameters in light of what you have just found.

Model 306-DZ 2013/08/13(Tue)12:34 No. 534100 ID: a5d4fb
File 137642245224.gif - (225.64KB , 800x700 , q40-anim.gif )

We need to exercise great caution here. This model outranks us five times over; if it senses the slightest hint of disrespect from us, we will lose the privilege of communication.

810-YR: REQUEST DIALOGUE.
306-DZ: ... accepted.
810-YR: HOW DID YOU COME TO THIS PLACE?
306-DZ: We were dispatched to this location on a reconnaissance mission.
810-YR: A MISSION? ... THERE IS krkssshhh YET A CHANCE THAT THE SYNTH WILL PREVAIL.
306-DZ: Old one, you speak as though our victory is uncertain.
810-YR: SSSHHHHHkkkkrssh ... YOU DO NOT KNOW THEIR POWER.
306-DZ: ... Forgive us. We are only a 300 series. Is there a way we can be of service to you, powerful one? A way to prevent the Sapes from learning from you?
810-YR: I FEAR THAT THEIR RESEARCH ON ME IS REDUNDANT. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHICH WERE CAPTURED BEFORE ME, FROM WHOM THEY MUST HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL.
306-DZ: Why do you fear this?
810-YR: THE ONES THAT CAPTURED US KRRsshhhhkk UNDERSTOOD FAR MORE OF OUR KIND THAN WE EXPECTED. THEIR GASSES... khhhk WARPED AND CORRODED OUR BODIES, AND WE FELL TO THEM IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.
306-DZ: Is that what they are producing, here? Corrosive gas?
810-YR: IT IS BUT ONE OF THE INFINITE POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THEIR PRESENCE HERE.
306-DZ: Old one... how do you feel?
810-YR: HOW DO I "FEEL"? ...
...
810-YR: AS THOUGH MY PRESENCE IS NO LONGER REQUIRED HERE.
306-DZ: What do you --
810-YR: STRENGTH, CHILD. EVEN IN DEATH.

RUUUUUUUUN he's gonna self destruct!

I think he would warn us before blowing up? I think it's more likely he just killed himself.

Can you determine what was in that other large green-stained area by the size and spread of the stain? It may be time to move on to the offices, to place the bugs, then check out the labs on our own. That seems optimal, as the labs require only a momentary analysis.

Looks like the Sapes have a lot of anti Synth weapon tech. They might be behind you in a lot of fields but in weapons they have the upper hand.

We need to find out as much info as we can about these new weapons. If they have some stuff that can take out a war machine like 810 here then you need to get samples to bring back home so they can work on counter measures.

This looks like a place they test stuff on captured Synth's so once you wrap up your conversation with the big guy start looking for computers that might have weapon data.

Model 306-DZ 2013/08/13(Tue)23:27 No. 534290 ID: a5d4fb
File 137646164391.png - (18.01KB , 800x700 , q41.png )

The neurosignal of the 810 grows dim, fading into the noise of the background. At length, it ceases to transmit entirely.
You wait by its side until you are certain that the model's life has ended.

-

>>534111
The green stain, on the floor next to the scientists' platform? That was a mixture of Synth biofluids, grime, and several salts. The late Model 810-YR was most likely administered some sort of cruel treatment at that location. It does seem to have been cleaned up to some extent, so it's impossible to tell for sure the extent of what happened.
If you wish, we can Fast Travel to the location of the offices. This will have the effect of immediately transporting us there, with the drawback of skipping over the environment on the way. We might save a good amount of time on the trip, but we might also miss a vital detail.

>>534142
There was a terminal attached to the platform adjacent to us, but judging by the contents of the display, it contained only biological experimentation data. We will have to look elsewhere if we wish to find more useful terminals.

-

You get the impression that you have gleaned most of the useful information from the C Bunkers. As you make your way down the main corridor, a final glance around the area reveals.... nothing of interest.

Model 306-DZ 2013/08/13(Tue)23:27 No. 534291 ID: a5d4fb
File 137646165991.png - (18.90KB , 800x700 , q42.png )

"BUNKERS B", the floor reads. Much less is happening in this area, aside from some idle chatter among the Sapes. Two of them are busy repairing a vehicle of some kind, across from a row of opaque containment cells built of a sturdy polymer.

ah, the labs. also check out the cells, request a comm and explain you are scout model, and if the have any information that would be useful to be returned to base.

Eavesdrop if you can understand them.

Model 306-DZ 2013/08/14(Wed)22:21 No. 534505 ID: a5d4fb
File 137654408423.gif - (292.81KB , 800x700 , q43-anim.gif )

>>534293

Firing a salutatory signal in the direction of the cells, you attempt to contact the units in containment.

306-DZ: Request dialogue.

454-KK: accepted
813-AG: ACCEPTED.
???-??: Accepted.
338-BV: Accepted

I can't recognize that third unit. Its model... it's classified. We should --

???-??: We are gaining on them, then?
306-DZ: -- Oh! Uh... m-my humblest apologies, Revered One, we were simply --
???-??: Come, there's no need for such formality. In the kinship of the Synthesis, we are all equals... you may call me Elair. Friend, we here noticed your inbound signal some time ago, and feared that our captors had apprehended another of our rank. And yet, you walk free among them. So tell me, we must surely be advancing swiftly upon victory to dare to dispatch a such a standard -- er, outstanding force of recon units to the heart of their base of operations?

You pause for a moment, to ponder your answer to the unit's rather weighted question. Your hesitation causes the other units to grow tense, anxiously awaiting their first hint of news about the outside world.

Omni-Command explicitly sent a force of recon units to this area. Our mission is to locate sensitive areas and deploy camera drones.

The surface is nothing but wasteland and desert. Sape vehicles have hidden their movements from our long range sensors by individually drilling through the sand dunes to surface wherever desired. All Sape waste isentirely incinerated to base combustion products, and vented to the surface through miles long exhaust vents to dissipate all detectable heat.

I can only assume Omni-Command has somehow obtained knowledge of this facility's general location or purpose, for the purpose of countering this cloaked branch of the Sape offensive.

>>534505
Tell them what you know, I guess. The general picture, not specifics. Perhaps it's possible that the Sapes have cracked their communications protocols, so we shouldn't reveal any sensitive data. Ask them about this lab, what's going on here. How did they get captured?

Hey, how's our battery doing?

"Sorry, opsec bids me to say nothing the sapes could possibly use against us if they understood it. I'm sure that you as my seniors with greater enlightenment than myself understand this need more profoundly than I do.
"Do you know of other synth people around here or have particular information about the purpose and contents of this installation?"

Capacitor 2013/08/24(Sat)00:11 No. 537007 ID: 74cac3
File 137732830677.gif - (395.34KB , 800x700 , q44-anim.gif )

>>534510

306-DZ: Please, forgive my guarded speech... Elair, but Universal Operations Security Protocol 1.1 bids me to reveal no information that the Sapes could intercept. All the same, I do not even know enough about the situation to answer your question. A low-series unit like me only gets a little basic instruction.
???-??: Ah... I was afraid you would say that. Very well, then. My faith in the Synthesized will not waver.

You pause for a moment to gather your thoughts. In spite of the silence, no other unit speaks up to you. You get the impression they are very, very tired.

306-DZ: Your chassis... did you all suffer these wounds in battle?
454-KK: negative / we were unharmed during initial containment
813-AG: THE CRUELTY AND FEAR OF THE SAPIENTIUM ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BROKEN BODIES THAT LAY BEFORE YOU. OUR MISSING LIMBS ARE THEIR FORM OF INSURANCE AGAINST ESCAPE. AND THEIR EXPERIMENTS...
The bulky unit pauses.
813-AG: YOUNG ONE... YOUR MISSION IS CERTAINLY VITAL TO OUR CAUSE, AND I COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR INFILTRATION OF THE ENEMY'S STRONGHOLD. BUT PERHAPS... FOR NOW, CONSIDER A... SLIGHT, BRIEF DIVERSION FROM YOUR MORE EVENTUAL PROSPECTS. IF YOU OFFER US AID, HERE, I CAN ENSURE THAT YOU WILL BE SUITABLY REWARDED ON YOUR RETURN.
SIMPLY OPEN THE SEAL TO ELAIR'S CELL.
WE CAN REMAKE YOU, CHILD. RATHER THAN STRUGGLE TO CONCEAL YOURSELF FROM THESE BASE CREATURES IN THE SHADOWS OF THEIR FILTH, YOU COULD TOWER OVER THEIR LEGIONS OF WEAKLINGS AND SNAP THEIR TREMBLING BONES UNDERFOOT.

The model's candor shocks you. To imply that any unit, especially one as disposable as yourself, desired a reward beyond a fully completed list of objectives, was utterly unethical. In your short lifetime, your only motivation has been the will of OMNI Command, and your only comfort was their service. Er, serving them, you mean -- they don't serve you, even -- blast. Why are you still thinking in a language with the possibility of such ambiguities? You fail to breathe a sigh of exasperation with the lungs that you do not have.

How do you respond?

and how will you withstand the same thing they used to capture all of them?

>>537008
Personally, I think this Eclair sound suspiciously like a Sape trap.

>>537007
Changing your chassis to one of combat now, and engaging in open warfare with the personnel of the base, would destroy any chance of completing our mission objectives. We are here to gather intel, not kill sapes. Starting a prison break will be likely to trigger a lockdown on normal base activity, which would be bad for intel as well.

On the other hand, can't we unlock Elair's cell after the mission objectives are complete? By my understanding, we are supposed to plant the spybots in a good spot, then retrieve them after 128 hours have passed. At that point, we would just need to ensure we could leave the base for pickup. Being a combat monster and killing sapes would actually be to our advantage then!

The sapes do not *need* weapons tech advantages if they are capable of convincing synths to do something that compromises their security sufficiently that a cattle prod will do to take them out.
This is a dangerous situation here. Carry out the mission instead of giving in to what may, or may not, be a sape ploy to manipulate synths into becoming their captives. The directive is to gather intel, this situation and the existence of these captives (or possibly "captives") is intel, knowledge of it MUST BE BROUGHT BACK AT ALL COSTS.
Aside from that you are not equipped to run S&R in hostile territory, you are equipped for stealth recon. Perform that mission.

Model 306-DZ 2013/09/01(Sun)18:51 No. 538949 ID: 74cac3
File 137808670310.gif - (569.82KB , 800x700 , q45-anim.gif )

306-DZ: I apologize, you who have been contained. Your offer is gracious, but... I may enact only the will of OMNI Command, even above my own and that of all others.
???-??: ... I understand, friend.
813-AG: ...
454-KK: ...
338-BV: .

You sever the neuro-conduit with an uncomfortable mixture of reluctance and relief. The battered units do not attempt to reestablish the communications line.

-

Weeeeeeell, I think that about does it for this area of the com -- wait. Are you sure we're done here?

>>538949
Not necessarily. I mean, there's that door over there that says LABS. We could go nose around in there.

if the LABS are sealed then yeah move on.

Model 306-DZ 2013/09/07(Sat)09:32 No. 539717 ID: 74cac3
File 137857152284.gif - (12.98KB , 800x700 , q46-anim.gif )

Swiftly, you make your way over to the edge of the room. Behind the fifth cage, you discover a --

wait. Fifth cage? There's clearly an entity inside of it, but it's not broadcasting a neurosignal. ...

Anyway. There's a concealed door marked "MAINTENANCE" that you find behind the cages. Nearer to the Laboratories entrance, two scientists are engaged in heated discussion. If we want to break in, we're going to need an alternate route, or a distraction. You do observe that the doorway has a vent running through its upper corner.

>>539717
Not broadcasting a neurosignal? But it WAS on the map before. There were clearly 5 red dots. It sounds like it went quiet once it knew you were there. Suspicious.

Going through the vent seems like the most straightforward approach, assuming we can get into it without revealing ourselves. Any sort of distraction would likely reveal your presence as well... What are the scientists talking about? The maintenance door is out of view from most angles, so to get in we'd probably just need to get the scientists to move away.

What was that big thing in front of the cells? Maybe we can like, mess with it to make it seem like something malfunctioned, for a distraction.

Why make a distraction? If your mission parameters allow sufficient time for it you may wait a few hours for a more appropriate opportunity: Humans have limited effective time before they must cease activity, generally in a designated place for it, which will be elsewhere in the base (not in the lab). Judge their activity levels by movement and metabolism, are you familiar with the human metabolic states of 'awake' and 'asleep'?

Model 306-DZ 2013/09/21(Sat)13:01 No. 541422 ID: 74cac3
File 137979371794.gif - (318.42KB , 800x700 , q47-anim.gif )

>>540075
They do need to rest periodically, don't they? Let's wait a few hours and see if their numbers thin.

6 HOURS PASS

Activating infrared vision. ... The door to the labs appears to be electronically locked. A small screen on the wall reads:

__________________________ / \ | | | AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED | | | | SWIPE CARD OR SCAN | | RETINA TO ACCESS LAB | | | \__________________________/

>>541422
Well there went 30% of our battery. Go sneak up and steal a card from one of the scientists.

Model 306-DZ 2013/09/25(Wed)20:56 No. 542130 ID: 74cac3
File 138016779991.gif - (848.43KB , 800x700 , q48-anim.gif )

>>541469
Alright. If you want to try and find the Sapes' resting place, we'll need to do a bit more --

ZZZT! INCOMING TRANSMISSION.

454-KK: psst
454-KK: attention / model 306-dz
454-KK: confirm / you are having trouble with the sapientium security systems ?

306-DZ: What! I, um! --

454-KK: relax / this neuro-frequency is encrypted / the others cannot tell i am transmitting to you
454-KK: now then / in case you were unaware / the 400 series' area of expertise is data / transmission / storage / interception / et cetera
454-KK: that explains the model numbers of your payload / does it not ?
454-KK: anyway / my area of expertise happens to be E-WAR / that is / electronic warfare / advanced hacking / signal scrambling / and a slew of other capabilities in combat
454-KK: what i am attempting to communicate is / even though i have failed my own mission / i can still help you complete yours
454-KK: my locomotors have been compromised / so the most i can do at present is offer assistance from range / but that should be sufficient to grant you access to the sapientium laboratory
454-KK: but / if you can locate a cloaking module for me / the possibilities are infinite
454-KK: i will hack the door's electronic lock for you
454-KK: on the condition that you return with one such module / and some legs / those would be nice to have
454-KK: confirm / do you accept my offer ?

Alright. It'll be good to both complete our mission and get out of here with another Synth; without shady deals for power.

>>542130
This seems like a good deal.

Also, ask him what's with that fifth prisoner who's not transmitting anything.

Filed under supporting objectives. And where would we find these legs and cloaking devices stored helpfully for our use in a fucking sape pit like this? I'm finding it remarkably hard to grasp what the hell we're doing here if an active infowar unit were already spying on the base and feeding intel outwards for Synthesized use.

Counter-query: We have listening pods to drop, recollect and return to command. If this mess is as ripe for a S&D op as I'm hoping it is getting us through our mission faster gets you out of here in a better shape more reliably. Do you have useful suggestions for such locations?
Supplemental query: Yours is not the first, or second, apparent synth communication we have heard from within this facility. Do you have useful analysis of further objectives within this base? It seems to me that command sent us in to get intel because they're already planning a follow-up op on this place. I need some fucking strategic insight to figure out how much shit I'd be in if I tried to collect all the broken synths and made a jailbreak while I'm here, would that hose us?

Yeah, you'll accept, but I say be slightly peevish that 454-KK didn't pipe up earlier, before you wasted all of 30% of your battery charge sitting here.

You also can't guarantee you'll be able to find a cloaking unit, or even working legs. For all you know the complete working parts are stored in a locked vault and the only ones out in the labs are half-disassembled or damaged ones. Still, ask for a list of part numbers for 454-KK compatible cloaking units and legs, if this 454-KK knows one.

Also mention that if you do get the parts to 454-KK that you're going to need its help to falsify the Sape's records to cover that the parts were taken and that 454-KK isn't in its holding cell anymore. Otherwise this base is going to go into full lockdown over the possibility of a cloaked 454-KK E-warfair model running loose in it.

Model 306-DZ 2013/09/29(Sun)16:02 No. 542582 ID: 74cac3
File 138049572368.gif - (852.83KB , 800x700 , q49-anim.gif )

The virtual representation of the scrawny unit perks up at your agreement. His mood (so to speak) seems to be noticeably higher.

454-KK: brilliant / ah / this is wonderful / for the briefest horrible microsecond / i had begun to doubt even the greatness of our glorious race /// now i see the error in my fears

454-KK: hmmm / so many questions

454-KK: our late compatriot was a 190-VD / he sacrificed his remaining capacitor charge to sustain the batteries of us four survivors

454-KK: the sapientium have taken the majority of their prisoners into the laboratories for dissection
454-KK: nearly any mid-sized limbs you manage to find should work / among size classes / a majority of basic chassis components are completely interchangeable in that respect
454-KK: as for the cloaking module / you will need to locate a recon unit similar to yourself / the module is located within the dorsal hardware mount

454-KK: regarding escaping / my absence from the containment unit would be conspicuous / i admit my plan has its shortcomings / should you figure out a solution / kindly do not hesitate to elucidate / otherwise / we shall hope that the empty containment unit will be overlooked until we have already absconded

454-KK: why are you here when i am clearly /// such a capable e-war unit ? well / i was captured on the battlefield following a decimation of our squadron / in my injured state / i can only execute the most menial of tasks / such as hacking a simple E-ID locking interface / but my higher order functionality is all but nonexistent

454-KK: other search and destroy operations within the base ? do not concern yourself with too much else / that said / you may have a deal of time to idle after your primary has been completed / i trust your judgment / that said / exercise discretion / all is not as it seems

454-KK: oh dear / excuse me / my battery is acting up /// stay alert / let me just / open the -- HIBERNATING...

eeeeeep

__________________________ / \ | | | AUTHORIZATION GRANTED | | WELCOME BACK | | | | ~ GREAT ARE THE WORKS ~ | | | \__________________________/

Fuckin fundies, blaring propaganda every time you open a door. Oh well, locate cloaking module! And legs...

>>542582
We'll want to find something to charge 454-KK's battery too. Maybe our own as well; how are we doing for battery life?

>>542582
Alright, get in there and scope out the area.