1/2 Argine 2021/08/08(Sun)18:12 No. 1007459 ID: 5bf1bd
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...


Things are different ever since the SAI got stuck in me. Now I'm getting all... introspective. That's unlike me.

Standing around, pointing my guns like this... it makes me feel a bit more confident. Better than just sitting here doing nothing outside the arena.
For those days I didn't have my two gals with me, or held inside of my Signia, it just felt wrong, like I'm a soldier on a battlefield completely unprepared.
Now that they're back, I don't intend for anyone to ever take them away from me again.

Nanoweaver's going to be watching over us again, from whatever distant little camera she uses to watch over these matches. I wonder if she worries about me. What'll she do when I'm gone, anyway? She probably knows better than to try and coddle me, or, even worse, try to play mother. Not that I don't appreciate her as a guardian, but I'm so damn tired of others piloting me around, telling me what to do. I agree to it of course - just like I agreed to the SAI's orders when it first popped into my head... but that's just to minimize conflict. If I had the chance, I'd do everything on my own.

But for now, I do need help from others. Even my heroes - they still needed some assistance to get started.
I'm going to shed this weight someday - and enjoy the world outside however I can.

2/2 Argine 2021/08/08(Sun)18:12 No. 1007460 ID: 5bf1bd
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...
Yo. Glad to see that you haven't just settled into my bloodstream like lead does.

Nearly time for my first match against one of the other sector bosses - the first of the main four.
As weird as it sounds... the fact that I can actually lose this fight ain't making me feel much better, because the idea of me having to fight my sister AND the facility's best sharpshooter at the same time sounds like hell to get through.

Nickel, the Sector Boss of the Covert Ops Division. A bit of a recent promotion, much like Astrolysis. Unlike Astrolysis though, it's not so much honourary - Nickel is definitely one of the best stealth operatives this facility's trained, but she definitely seems to play around in her fights. Part of why she befriended Astrolysis was because of their mutual fondness for pointy objects and general willingness to get themselves hospitalized on a semi-regular basis.

I'm... ambivalent towards Nickel. Like Mnemosyne, she definitely is 'respectable'. Still... she's definitely someone who doesn't get involved in other people's problems. She keeps to herself, even if she's watching a close pal of hers break someone's arm, or actively lie. So that just leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Dunno if you feel the same, but aren't people complicit in a crime if they just stand around doing nothing? That's the kind of shit I'd probably stop when I'm a full-fledged hero sort. Don't give as much of a damn about the person being victimized as making sure the attackers are getting their shit pushed in.

As a reminder - Nickel's Parasignia is a knife. Honestly, the document we got from Nanoweaver... it went into how it works, but I'm sure there's more to her Parasignia than it being a literal single knife that works better than average, and can be recalled at any given moment. Sure, it's something I have to watch out for lest she threaten to poke my eyes out, but I'd assume she would have wanted to try and... make her Parasignia something more suited for her long-ranged fighting style? Not sure if that's something you can do with a lot of intention, but it's like how my Parasignia works well with my general approach to things.
I think Nanoweaver said it once, but, let's say you had a gal who could run really fast - it's something innate to her. She wouldn't want a Parasignia that manifests as a gun or any other projectile weapon because it wouldn't gel as well with her main strengths which are momentum and evasion, as if you really needed a gun, you could just get one. There's no damn need to make a Parasignia that just does the job that a tool already does unless it does something that usual tools can't accomplish.

Back to business, though. Like before, I'm gonna want to ask you for suggestions on my loadout for the upcoming fight.

The Covert Ops Division is probably the least predictable sector. Like the Training area, it's pretty modular - things can be set up in here in a few different ways. What is consistent though, is that we'll be going through three areas - the Urban environment, the natural environment, then finally the power grid. Nickel's a total sucker for one-on-one duels. She'll definitely be falling back to the power grid if I keep pushing forwards. The hard part's getting through all of the traps that she's set up. Unlike me, she's definitely had a lot of time to get this ready, and it's not like she needed to worry about people wandering in when the sector's primarily for training anyway.
I have to deal with the unpredictable environments while avoiding any traps she would've set up, and fending off her high-powered shots all the while.

The urban area's got plenty of walls - it's meant to train us for fighting in buildings and tight spaces. To normal soldiers, a bunch of rooms in close proximity's pretty hellish - you'd never know what's around the corner. But we're not exactly normal, are we? Nickel's going to be setting up traps and killboxes in this area, primarily in corners and the ends of hallways. She's far more evasive than I am, but I'll say that chasing after her in a rush is going to get me exploded, especially since she can dodge things like her own tripwires much more easily than I can. This is one of the few times her size is an advantage, and she's damn well going to use that against me as much as she can. It's when we pin her down in the third area when I can really deliver the beat-down.

The natural-looking area is a bit weirder. The facility couldn't exactly recreate an entire natural environment since the trees would get shot up pretty bad if that were the case, so we've got 'simulated' trees instead. Still, the room is pretty atmospheric, it can even dim its lights to simulate a forested area at night. Somehow, I imagine that's how Nickel's going to be fighting me. Wouldn't put it past her. Here, she's going to be abusing her small profile for stealth purposes - probably complete with a ghillie and everything. Here, this one's more going to me trying to avoid shots from unexpected locations. She's going to be hiding amongst the thick vegetation of bushes, and there's not going to be much cover for either of us. I'm going to have to use stealth tactics against her and minimize any time I spend out in the open if I still want my skull intact.

Finally, the Power Grid. This place isn't even really meant for fighting - it's basically just a big room where a good amount of the facility's power generators are stored. There's actually technically multiple rooms like it, but this is just one of the lot. Can't have our little fight blowing out all of the facility's power sources anyway. Still, it basically boils down to a bunch of boxes in the room, filled with high electrical currents. But most importantly, little place for Nickel to hide. Prime opportunity to get her into punting radius.

Now that I've got five gadgets however, keep in mind I can still only equip four active gadgets at a time - the last one's gonna have to be slotted in one of the passive slots if we want to make use of all of them.

Current Benefits -
First failed trap evasion is negated.
First bullet wound is negated.

Don't expect my armour improvements to last forever, though. You see how shit went down last time? That armour's gonna be splinters by the end of this, unless I somehow never take a hit at all.

My current equipment:
Twin Revolvers - The Sound and The Fury.
Shotgun - The Creirwy D-3

Gadgets:
Barrier Generator - Projected Forcefield
Beam Unit - Long-ranged Beam Attack
Explosive Discs (3) - Throwable plastic explosives.
Pitch Prefect - Wrist-mounted tar launcher.
Blink Capacitor - Short-ranged teleportation and intangibility.


That's all. Don't forget to let me know about any game plans you've got in mind - but we're going to have to adapt to how things are set up in there. Gadget combinations are well-appreciated.
Oh, and if you want, we can pick between the two entrances into the area - north or west. Depending on how Nickel has things set up, it may make a slight difference, but I'm going to have to fight through everything anyway.

>Dunno if you feel the same, but aren't people complicit in a crime if they just stand around doing nothing?
It's based on predictive context. If you believe you can call the authorities without getting punished, but take a sadistic selfie instead, that's accessory to assault. If you honestly, truly believe that doing anything other than standing around has a nonzero probability that the overleveled attacker will turn around and shoot you in the face, that's self-defense.
What you believe the consequences are makes all the difference.

>Loadout
Blink Capacitor [Beam Unit]
Barrier Generator
Pitch Prefect [Explosive Disks]

Oh, not doing anything when we could try and make the effort is part of what's wrong in life, yes, but not solving any problems is not nearly as bad as causing them.

>Don't give as much of a damn about the person being victimized as making sure the attackers are getting their shit pushed in.
See, if you care less about promoting virtue and more about punishing wickedness you will end up hurting a ton of people and saving little.

Have you considered studying medicine or ethics? The world is in need of doctors and teachers than people who punch other people in the face for being bad.

How about combining Pitch Perfect into the Explosive Discs to create discs that explode and cover the affected area in tar?

Did you see what we saw last night? About Armintell and Mnemosyne? Nanoweaver was watching his memories.

You're talking about traps... was Nickel allowed to set traps before the fight starts? That doesn't sound fair.

Oh, yeah! Nanoweaver was watching some footage of an aslian guy dating a three-year-old.
What a total creep, am I right?

>>1007460
>Yo. Glad to see that you haven't just settled into my bloodstream like lead does.

Aww! You do love us!

Take all the gadgets except the beam laser; we’ll try to set up traps and improvise weaponry to out-stealth the stealth lady, just like naked snake

I’m also wondering how the knife’s recall ability works. Maybe it teleport back to you or flies back somehow if you leave it somewhere. That could also be useful for traps.

1/3 Argine 2021/08/29(Sun)20:11 No. 1009058 ID: 5bf1bd
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>Have you considered medicine or ethics?
I have no idea if any kind of knowledge I've learned about first aid in this place is gonna apply when I go out in the bigger world, let alonemedicine. Hah, maybe if I go to a world full of robots or somethin', then I could do some nice work there screwing on limbs or whatnot.
...Nah, those things are too intricate for my taste. A good gun doesn't have too many components to it, good weaponry are maintainable like that.

As for ethics, there's nothing that bores me more than standing around in a room waiting for things to happen, instead of going out there and making it happen yourself. I'm a practical learner! If I wanted to learn about ethics, I'd learn it from the people out there. Who knows what kinda weird stuff goes on in the bigger world? Maybe punching faces is just how some people negotiate.


>Some Asliann guy
Never heard of him. I mean, I guess there were a few weirdoes loving it up, but I never had an interest in getting into a relationship when there's much more important things to worry about. The people obsessed with relationships were the under-performing ones for the most part.
How's any of this relevant to me dealing with Nickel? I've got more pressing issues right now.

>Nanoweaver
What? No, I didn't see anything at all. The hell are you guys talking about all of a sudden? I haven't heard from you lot since last night!
This whole... watching his memories thing. Doesn't that sound like what happened to me, with me watching that playback of my past, but from a different perspective? Remind me to follow up on that after this fight's over.


>How come Nickel gets to set traps before the fight even gets to start?
I suppose it's a bit of a loophole, isn't it? I mean, if this was a normal tournament, I'd be fighting her in the same place I fought Judicium. But I guess they didn't want to make things fair for me to begin with - after all, if the arena's simply their sector, and there just happens to be few plastic explosives lined up along the walls, then that's technically legal, isn't it?
Honour's a funny thing sometimes, isn't it? I could complain about it, but who's going to listen to me anyway? I take any chance I get, and I'm going to beat her using all of what I've got at my disposal - including you lot.



>Loadout suggestions
Alright... let's see here.

I take the Barrier Generator as-is. It'll probably be good for blocking a short or two, but there's definitely the risk that Nickel can keep hammering away at the big glowey target and overwhelm its battery in moments.
I also grant the Explosive Discs the Pitch Prefect's properties, and the Blink Capacitor the energizing effect from the Beam Unit.
What this means is - while I won't be able to use the Explosive Discs as traps immediately, with Nickel being far out of my usual range, during the last stage, they'll be indispensible for helping me pin her down or injure her.
The Blink Capacitor having the Beam Unit slotted into it... I don't have much experience with the Capacitor as a gadget, but I have been testing it out a bit. So if everything lines up,
I believe that it'll effectively lower the cooldown on the Blink Capacitor, as I'm basically combining the Beam Unit's high-grade battery with the capacitor's own compact package.
Either way, I feel like I'm all set.

I go in through the north entrance to the sector.
It's pretty dark, though I can see the looming shadows of the labyrinth-like walls up ahead.
Those things are modular - you can pull 'em out, stack 'em up and put the whole lot back in a different setup. Plenty of bullet-holes have been made in these over the years, but there's no intention of letting anything going to waste.

2/3 Argine 2021/08/29(Sun)20:11 No. 1009059 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163029310710.gif - (572.00KB , 1500x2000 , NickelBossIntro.gif )

In the darkness though, I spot someone - Nickel.
She's just... squatting there, with her rifle? I wasn't expecting her to give me the whole greeting, honestly.

"Hello, Argine."

Shit, wasn't expecting a greeting like this of all things.

"We really doing this, then?"

"My name is Nickel, assigned Sector Boss of the Covert Ops Division. In the shadow of Marco Azni Saildrift, I intend on seeing this mission through to the end."
Feh, she really subscribes to the same ideal as my sister?
I meet her in turn.
"My name is Argine. Like Urza who destroyed all foolish enough to challenge her, I will fight for victory, mine alone."
Memorized down to the letter.

3/3 Argine 2021/08/29(Sun)20:12 No. 1009060 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163029313702.png - (24.94KB , 1000x1000 , covertopsroom1.png )

[HOST ENGAGED IN ACTIVE COMBAT. BOOTING SPECIAL FUNCTIONALITY]
[SAI PROTOTYPE COMBAT PROTOCOLS INITIATED – ENGAGING TRI-A TACTICAL PROFILE]
[DISPLAYING STATISTICAL INTERFACE - INCREASING PROCESSOR SPEED]
[RELATIVE TIME DILATION: 100:1]
[RENDERING SAI-ASSISTANCE DIALOG – DISPLAYING]

Assessment Phase initialized. Displaying environmental data.

Relevant data to current opponent rendering...
[SB-NICKEL]

Parasignia Classification: Weapon Creation (Short Blade). (DATA PENDING)
Preferred Weapon archetype: Bladed (Knives), Sniper Rifle

Potential Weaknesses (Subject to change):
- Fragile body-type - low damage threshold.
- Short reach and low physical strength relative to host.
- Firearm must be prepared for optimal usage. Accuracy significantly diminishes at close range, or when under pressure.




Alright, so - she's sitting out in the open, just waiting for me. Her gun's at the ready, but at this range, it's unlikely to hit me at all.
Knowing Nickel, this is most definitely a trap of some kind - she must have several dozen escape routes - and chasing her's going to be deadly for me.
Going in for a grapple wouldn't go nearly as well as I hope it would.

With how these kind of halls are set up, there could be a dozen different traps hidden around the corner - it's just a matter of figuring out what she could have in store for me.

As we're navigating through the traps - run possibilities through me. If you can accurately predict which direction the attack's going to come from, or the nature of the trap, I'll probably stand a better chance at avoiding them. It's good to consider other factors such as the map's layout and what kind of things she'd try to do.

What's the game-plan here, guys? I could try and go for a shot before she can get out of the way, at very least.

Ignore her and just bust down doors while moving to flank. Can't hide behind cover if there is no more cover.

I expect the traps to emulate the environment they're placed in. For instance, expect primitive spike pits in the jungle area to fool your implants. In urban combat, you'll find conventional civilian tools re-purposed as deadly weapons; explosives made from bleach, turrets made of leather chairs and vacuum cleaners, alarm systems triggered to flammable gas, etc.
First and foremost, to the east is a narrow corridor. Avoid it; if she hasn't placed a flamethrower turret or a tripwire bomb, it's because she wants to line up a straight shot with her sniper rifle.
The double-doors to your left are an excellent point to put two cross-firing turrets; one on the other side of the second door to get you to instinctively dodge, and another in the dead-end to finish you off.
I recommend you power on ahead. It's the most likely for low trap density; Nickel just walked through there, and if you pushed her through where she currently is, she'd risk getting hit by her own traps.
In fact, your strategy should be to stick to close-combat and disable her sniper rifle, either by theft or destruction. Once you're sure she can't use long-range attacks, dash through corridors with your barrier and make it to the exit. Keep your blink a secret until you find a section that is short but clearly littered in defenses.
Start by throwing an explosive disc at her, since she was so kind to get in range.

>>1009060
I have an idea of how she might be able to use her knife with guns. If she can manifest them in the vicinity of any bullets she's fired, she can use that to ricochet and change the bullet's path.

Hmm. Think you could blink behind her? I'm not sure what the range on the blink is. If you chasing her is what she wants, she'll have traps in front of her; she won't have an answer to you suddenly being behind her. If you can go for a grapple, all you have to worry about is her knife, and how deadly it might be in close range. Though, considering who her normal sparring partner is she might actually be more comfortable with a close range fight. Perhaps the safer bet would be to shotgun her at close range instead of trying to grab her or her gun.

I'm going to guess there's some sort of trap on the wall just in front of her, since at your angle there's a small blind spot there. It's probably something meant to delay you so she can retreat to long range.

Oh wait, she looks strange, wobbly even. Is that a hologram?

Wo-how! That Nickel gif is so detailed! Really worth the time and effort!

Firing a few tentative shots at Nickel while getting to cover is highly advisable.

BGM Argine 2021/09/06(Mon)05:19 No. 1009596 ID: 5bf1bd
Audio NickelPhase1_ElCargo.mp3 - (6.10MB )

Title: El Cargo - Splinter Cell
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SzhjG6OkvI

1/2 Argine 2021/09/06(Mon)05:20 No. 1009597 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163093081317.png - (451.04KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch04.png )

>Fire a couple of tentative shots at Nickel while getting to cover
I'll do you one better.

>Blink in front of her.
>Cut off her escape routes.

The little cube thrums as I blink forward past her, Diagram's handiwork manifesting itself in my grasp.
I squeeze the trigger, blasting the position I had just been a moment ago -
And the shot phases through Nickel completely.
I'm left with the scent of gunsmoke, the pellets buried in the floor.
>Was that a hologram?
Seems so. Figures that she wouldn't meet me this front on, but she still showed up for the pledge, at very least.
A little projector in the corner was making it, it seems. More like she was beaming a video of herself at that location, instead of it being some static hologram.

2/2 Argine 2021/09/06(Mon)05:20 No. 1009598 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163093082814.png - (30.90KB , 1000x1000 , covertopsroom2.png )

Question is, how I breach into the next room.
Now that we know Nickel isn't actually here, and that she's likely watching me from afar - what's her plan gonna be when I try to step into that next room? It's a big one, so it's difficult to anticipate what kind of trap she's got in mind.

Blink's on cooldown for around two rooms. Guess even with a better battery in this thing, literally warping me through the air's going to ask a lot of any kind of tech.

A few preliminary options for the room ahead...
I could crack the door open, toss a modded Disc in and detonate - but that'll be ridding me of one of the three discs I have in total. I'll say that, the discs are probably most useful here, as the urban environment's structure means that throwin' them has more applications than out in a big forest. But I could also hold onto them for the final section in the power grid.
These walls are looking thin - I could also shoot it, making a bit of a hole for me to shoot or look through.
Or I could blast the door down with my shotgun from a distance if I'm concerned about something like a tripwire right in front of the door.
And for a little more of an alternative solution, I blast a hole through the wall using one of the discs and come in through an unexpected angle.

What's the plan of action?

Go with shooting the walls. You've got near-unlimited ammo so there's little detriment.

Shooting through a wall should be enough.
When Blink is back, think you could get on top of a wall? I presume climbing up isn't likely to work.

>>1009598
If she’s watching you, then look for hidden cameras and destroy them. If she has less ways to track you, that’ll make it harder for her.

She’s also got goggles to help her see in the dark, so any unexpected bright flashes will probably blind her for a bit. But you’ll need to find her for that to work.

Well, if you bust through the right wall, it's a straight shot to the exit. It bypasses almost every room.

1/2 Argine 2021/09/13(Mon)06:19 No. 1010422 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163153917832.png - (288.71KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch05.png )

>Can you get up onto the tops of the walls with the Blink?
Probably could, yeah. Problem is, they're thin as all hell. I've got good balance of course, but that's like asking someone to fight in the middle of a tightrope. Not a good idea if I don't want to fall into a room and set off the presumable dozen IEDs she's got lying around.


>Shoot through the wall, you've got nigh unlimited ammunition.
Damn right I do. I may have to reload, but when I can keep printing more using my Parasignia, it's real bloody convenient.

I stand back, aim, and squeeze the trigger.
In an instant, I hear not one, but two blasts.
There's a brief rush of heat from under the door and the hole I've just created - fire?
For good measure, I shoot down the door as well - and the room's a mess.
A small fire's crackling in the middle of the room - guess when I shot the wall, the debris ended up setting off motion sensors. If I shot down the door first, I probably would've gotten blasted as well.

I look around in the blasted room, but there's not much to see - bits of debris are lying around, but the explosion was concentrated in the center of the room, presumably to stop it from blasting down some of the walls accidentally. Still no sign of Nickel, but there's probably no cameras in here, given how close it was to an active explosive.

2/2 Argine 2021/09/13(Mon)06:20 No. 1010423 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163153920483.png - (30.89KB , 1000x1000 , covertopsroom3.png )

We're at an intersection now - several different paths we can take, here.
What's the plan, folks? Take one of the existing three paths, or something a bit more creative?
There's definitely a few walls I could try and blast through with an explosive disc, if you're willing to spend it.

I'm personally betting on the straight path - get through two doors, and I'm straight to the exit.

Before you suggest it, while making a spiderhole's well enough with the shotgun, trying to cut out a hole in the wall with it for me to go through's just giving her all the more time to add even more traps to this place.


And a quick reminder that I've got those 'magic' cards on me as well, if I need 'em.

The wiki has Argine's current card count displayed, as well as the effects.

Shoot the walls to the two rooms to the south in order to set off the traps inside. THEN go to the one south-west of you.

Hmm, yes, it may be a viable strategy to blow holes into multiple adjacent rooms to make it harder to predict our movements.

1/3 Argine 2021/09/19(Sun)05:56 No. 1010998 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163205621863.png - (369.59KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch06.png )

>Shoot something to the south two rooms to set off the traps inside of them.
>Make it harder to predict our movements.

Good call, yeah.
With a swift kick of the door to my left, I jump back in anticipation of an explosion that doesn't come.
Following that, two shots to each of the walls, busting a small hole through both.

Next is moving up into the narrow hallway.
With that, there's only two more rooms until the-

2/3 Argine 2021/09/19(Sun)05:58 No. 1010999 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163205631647.png - (755.70KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch07.png )

>THWANG!

>Trap nullified!
A massive arrow attempts to embed itself into my chest.

...ugh. Good thing I had the armour up. That's busted now, so I end up discarding the plates. As they are now, they're more likely to get in the way than anything else. Better that than any of my actual limbs, though.
Chest stings a little from the impact, but otherwise I'm fine. Projectiles have this kind of habit of... just breaking up after getting near you. I don't think it was like that before, according to some of the older clones around, but I'll take all the benefits I can get.

3/3 Argine 2021/09/19(Sun)05:59 No. 1011000 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163205636237.png - (37.62KB , 1000x1000 , covertopsroom4.png )

Next room's up ahead. Nickel's probably got another motion-sensing trap up in there, but just like with the arrow just now, she's gonna vary things up.

So, here's my quick proposal - I kick the doors down and blitz through the next two rooms, straight to the exit. This place's a hellhole and the longer I stay, the more likely I'm gonna get blown up. So I rush through, dodging the best I can. Like before, I'll blast the walls with a few shots before heading through.
If I do it right, I may be able to catch up to Nickel earlier than expected, meaning it's more of a straight shot to the end in the next zone, instead of having to wade through bear traps.

You got any brighter ideas up in there? Blink's still on cooldown and I've still got my shield, but my offensive tools aren't worth as much when I can't even find her.

Let's leg it to the exit using Briarspirit, then. Check all corners once you are there!

>>1011000
Well, she knows where you are now. Shotgun the door, peek inside. That's a very evenly-shaped room so there's probably an explosive in it. Might want to bust down the door from quite a distance.

1/3 Argine 2021/09/27(Mon)05:20 No. 1011730 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163274523927.png - (713.64KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch08.png )

>Now she knows where you are.
Fah, what a pain.
She's probably waiting at the end of the area, just waiting to squeeze a trigger and watch me go up in flames.

See, this is why I don't like dealing with her. She just loves to play keepaway until you get hasty and she shanks you in the back - but bitching about her's not going to change the fact that at the end of the day, I'm going to press her face into the concrete.

>Use Briarspirit to charge through
Good idea. I'll have to test this thing's protective capabilities, and there's no point in having 20 of these damn cards if I'm never going to use any of them.

I reach into the waist holster for the cards that Diagram had made for me, and focus -
Without even having to riffle through the things, the Briarspirit card flies into my hand.
Real handy. And kinda scary. It's one thing for someone to make a working machine, but... magic? I'm glad this thing hasn't exploded al-

2/3 Argine 2021/09/27(Mon)05:21 No. 1011731 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163274527044.png - (763.46KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch08point5.png )

The card explodes, surrounding me with a comforting green glow.
...Better than having a flashbang go off in front of my eyes, at least.
And for some reason, even though I've never used one of these before... it feels like there's going to be very few things that can put me down now.

>One Briarspirit card has been consumed. 2 remain.
Dunno how effective this barrier's going to be, but there's one way to find out.

3/3 Argine 2021/09/27(Mon)05:21 No. 1011732 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163274528604.png - (386.10KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch09.png )

>Shotgun the doors again.
Can do. Swapping between my guns ain't much of a problem when there's nobody actively hounding me. I just swapped to my revolvers as well just in case, but all I got was that arrow to the chest.
The door falls, my fingers feeding more shells into the Creirwy as I peer into the now opened-room.

>Check your corners.
Nothing in the corners...

And right smack dab in the middle of the room is a nice block of plastic explosives.
Knowing Nickel, she probably has three others planted in the room, near the walls if I try to sneak around. It's an ultimatum, a big insult. It's like yanking on someone's tail, knowing that she'll start something and get a reprimand while you won't. There's no situation in a real battlefield where someone would simply leave a big chunk of explosive sitting in the middle of room, where it won't even damage me if I stay outside.

I'm not patient enough to go around it, and she knows that too.

Ha. Ha ha ha. Hahahahaha!
I just had an idea.

What if I used all of this shielding, and Nickel's plans to my advantage? If these cards are weaker than the Barrier Generator, then there's no bloody point to using them outside of being an off-hand utility tool, right? And no matter how good it's protection is - that force has to go somewhere, right?
What if I jumped over the plastic explosive and intentionally set it off, launching me over the wall and straight to the exit? Nickel'll be caught off-guard, because there's literally no way she can anticipate me literally having magic bullshit on my person.

It'll be just like that one plan that I had come up with to escape once - gearing myself up in protective gear, strapping explosives to a wall, and catapulting me over some of the defenses and into the Weave Nexus' area.
...Of course, that didn't work since I didn't account for how thick the walls were. Or how the layout of the area changes every so often. Or the actual quality of that protective gear against explosives.
Nevermind that!
Point is... I can do some crazy shit here. Are you lot in, or are you gonna talk me down from this?

You don’t know what direction the blast will send you because there are other explosives you can’t see yet. Find and defuse them first.

I'm in. No guts, no glory.

1/5 Argine 2021/10/02(Sat)20:48 No. 1012271 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163323289934.png - (570.51KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndchEXPLOSION.png )

>You can't guess what direction that the explosions would launch you if Nickel put more in there.
That may be true, but that would require the explosives to be facing me, on the other side of the wall. I don't see any.

>No guts, no glory.

The timing on this is going to be interesting - and so, I jump forward.
There's a brief twang as I cross some invisible threshold, setting off a hook.

I can feel the searing heat of the blast behind me - and yet, as much as I can understand how hot it is - it feels like nothing more but a warm breeze.

2/5 Argine 2021/10/02(Sat)20:48 No. 1012272 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163323293054.png - (228.52KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch11flipped.png )

I soar above the walls, smoke and dust trailing behind me. So this is what it feels like to be a mortar shell, hah!
It takes just a moment to reform my gun as I look downward for any sign of her.

3/5 Argine 2021/10/02(Sat)20:49 No. 1012273 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163323297124.png - (185.69KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch11point5flipped.png )

And there, down below - there's Nickel, her rifle aimed squarely at the entrance.
...Where the hell did she get that trolley from? She's sitting in it like it's a little tank or something.

Of course, she's not going to see me coming, is she? Nobody ever looks up.

I point and aim, correcting the angle as I fly - I've still got to make a landing after all of this, too.

4/5 Argine 2021/10/02(Sat)20:49 No. 1012274 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163323299302.png - (512.29KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch12.png )

Nickel tries to shoot at me while I'm mid-flight, but as I answer her with a blast from my shotgun, the recoil pushes me out of the way of her own shot.
The clatter of buckshot against the metal shell of the trolley rings out in the chamber, breaking the silence.

Boom! Landed a hit there, even if it's small.
Nickel withdraws her rifle, ducking back under the cover of the trolley itself.
There's a 'beep' as it starts rolling away from me.

5/5 Argine 2021/10/02(Sat)20:50 No. 1012275 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163323301519.png - (221.70KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch13flipped.png )

I roll as I land, the trolley disappearing off into the next area. Not that it's going to go far on the grass, so she'll probably be footing it afterward.
Lil' bastard is already long out of my reach - She had a getaway route planned and everything!
Still - this was what a card let me do? This stuff's crazy. I don't feel it's protective force any more, but if the other cards are on a similar level to this, I can't imagine what getting my hands on more... magicky stuff outside would do for me.
Anything I should keep in mind as I go into the next area? Got a bit of a moment for a breather after all, but we'll talk deeper strategy once we get the new area scans in.

>>1012275
She'll probably have a different strategy in place for the next room. Instead of traps... let's expect her to have set things up to most effectively use her parasignia and rifle. Difficult terrain, and perches she can snipe from.

So basically, once you get near the new area, be ready to get behind cover.

But beware of the _obvious_ cover, which will probably be trapped still.

Using the trolley for coverwhile setting fire to the grass in the next area could cause quite the ruckus for Nickel.

1/2 Argine 2021/10/07(Thu)02:42 No. 1012560 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163359974287.png - (253.61KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch014.png )

Going through the dark tunnel leads me to the second area of this division - the natural simulation area.

Ever since people started leaving, it's fallen into a bit of disuse, as there's no longer a need to take apart the various setpieces and put them back together to simulate different types of environments. I guess it's just stuck in whatever configuration it's in forever now.

Not only do we have little artificial trees arranged around in what's supposed to be a forest, we've also got these simulated cliffs around the main area. Don't remember how exactly they made it - but since it's not like we could go off-facility for training, they apparently made a bunch of plastic or fibreglass rubble and painted it over. Keeps it at least somewhat moveable if the environment needs to be changed around.
They basically designed this room so it feels like you're in a forest - while it's enclosed by walls, it's also got one-sided windows so that spectators can see in. I wonder if Diagram or someone else's looking in right now.

I breathe in, the outlines of my guns flickering in and out of existence. I can smell the dirt and grass in the air - so different to the rest of the facility. I wonder if this kind of humid air's what waits for me out there in the bigger world.

2/2 Argine 2021/10/07(Thu)02:43 No. 1012562 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163359982841.png - (105.66KB , 1000x1000 , covertopsroom5.png )

[RELATIVE TIME DILATION: 100:1]
[RENDERING SAI-ASSISTANCE DIALOG – DISPLAYING]
>Assessment Phase initialized. Displaying environmental data.

New floorplan is in.
Time for a bit of a planning meeting of my own.

>Use the trolley as cover
It's tucked away next to the tunnel's exit... but I don't think it'll help me much here.

>Set fire to the grass!
Huh, well, not the worst idea - the smoke can block her vision, but the question is whether there's even enough to get a good blaze going.

The biggest problem about this area is Nickel's ability to exploit the high ground against me. I could probably climb it myself, but that'll leave me in a pretty bad spot, as there's absolutely no cover if I'm trying to fight Nickel on even ground - not to mention that Nickel will most likely see me coming
I'm anticipating a lot of those artificial trees to end up blocking line of sight from me and Nickel so that's at least good enough to stop a bullet or two from her rifle. If I let her camp me out, we won't be getting anywhere soon. The traps would be hidden within the grass for the most part, unless she's wanting to glue C4 to trees or something..

My first plan's going to be going through the middle path, then taking the path on the right (my left). Then I can try and maximize the amount of cover I get while closing the distance between the two of us, while also accounting for snares she may have planted near the densest foliage. She can't stay and camp me out if I keep pushing her back, meaning I'll be able to push her back into the power grid for an actual confrontation instead of playing hide and seek, but with bullets instead of rubber knives.
Setting fire to the grass has some potential, but with how the paths are looking, I feel like it could end up hurting me more in the long run. Plus, I'd actually have to go through that fire at some point.

Any suggestions?
So far, I've used one of my three Explosive Discs, but otherwise, my gadgets are all ready to go.

>>1012562
In this scenario, blinking up to the top of one of the rocks is a good idea, at least to find out where Nickel is. Or...
How well are those "trees" attached to the ground? Maybe you could shove one around, use it to test for traps or as mobile cover. You do have your shield for that though...
Be wary of the trees that are close together; a tripwire would be easy to set between two trees.

Also check to see if the "rocks" are hollow by knocking on them. I kinda doubt they're tricks like that though, it wouldn't reflect a real world combat scenario and this is clearly meant to emulate one.

You could try to move the rocks around as cover.

1) First-off, since Nickel already knows your current position, yell "Nickel, just wanna let you know your philosophy is a bunch of derivative, fatalistic bullshit!" Just to annoy her. She might even reply!

2) Check the rocks to see how solid they truly are. If they are hollow, go through them instead of around! If not....

3) Take the path to your immediate left, then hug the rock-wall while slowly advancing.

4) Check for traps and sniper nests every few steps.

1/2 Argine 2021/10/12(Tue)04:54 No. 1012805 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163403966998.png - (233.36KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch15.png )

>Yell "Nickel, just wanna let you know your philosophy is a bunch of derivative, fatalistic bullshit!" Just to annoy her. She might even reply!
I don't even know her philosophy all that well. And I'm pretty sure she's been insulted hundreds of times for being a midget with six eyes in the past, so I'm not going to do that and make her even more aware of me.

>Beware of the trees that are close together; a tripwire would be easy to set between two trees.
Noted. In this kind of lighting, it's not like I can see those well at all.


>You could use the rocks as cover.
It's probably true enough that if I hug the walls, she'll have a hard time gunning for me, but it'll also be pretty bad if she was right above me. Still, there's no way she can hit me behind cover, right?
I crouch down, lowering my profile. I sneak over to the nearest rock and huddle up against it.

>Check to see if the rocks are hollow.
A quick knock proves that they're not. Though, I think they are lighter than actual rocks and cement so that it can be transported more easily. But when it's all set up like this, it's not budging without extra equipment involved.

>Blinking up to the rocks could be a good strategy
Huh, yeah, I'll do that.
Once again, the little box hums, wrapping me in a thin glow - and I warp upwards, giving me enough time to catch myself on the edge of the rocks.
Damn! That thing had just enough range for it.

I pull myself up - and in the distance, I spot a small, blurry figure.

A shot flies past my head, barely missing.
I duck back down, hiding myself behind the ledge.

Guess she's already got a bead on me now. How is she this mobile? It's one thing to know where all of the traps have been set up beforehand, but how the hell did she get all the way over there?
The sides of the rocks are pretty hard to get a grip on since they're not especially rough, but I'm steady for now.

2/2 Argine 2021/10/12(Tue)04:55 No. 1012806 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163403973278.png - (110.45KB , 1000x1000 , covertopsroom6.png )

It's a good thing I can make my weaponry appear and disappear at will, or we'd be having some issues right now.

So I do have a bead on where Nickel is, but given how close I was to losing a few grams of my head, I think running along the tops of these rocks is a poor choice, especially when the Blink Capacitor's on cooldown now. These things aren't easy to scale!

Currently, the middle path does seem like my best bet - the issue is that Nickel's able to see me the whole time I'm going there, since there's some parts of it that leave me exposed before I can hop into the tall grass.
I could probably try to set up a smoke-screen with the Pitch Prefect and setting some of the grass ablaze - given that I've made it air-burstable, it should definitely cover a decent enough area.
But I could also use that to go for the right-most route from your perspective, which has more solid cover due to the abundance of trees over there. Grass ain't going to stop bullets now.

I'm thinking of using the Pitch Prefect as a fake-out- I fire it towards the right-most path, creating a smokescreen. Then I use that distraction to go for the middle path instead, staying close to the rock wall so that visibility's low.
Your thoughts?

BGM Argine 2021/10/12(Tue)04:59 No. 1012807 ID: 5bf1bd
Audio NickelPhase2_Yakuza_0_OST_-_30_Growling_Hound.mp3 - (2.88MB , NickelPhase2_Yakuza 0 OST - 30 Growling Hound.mp3 )

Title: Growling Hound (Yakuza 0)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtndbeucAbk

Hmm, either she can use the knives as spikes to climb rocks quickly, or she can freeze them in the air and jump off them to "fly".

Anyway, she's just going to wait where she is. A sniper's best trait is patience. So you can exercise patience as well, and wait for your blink to come back, using it to move from cover to cover. Can you use it while prone, and blink into the grass? Or is that easily spotted? I like the idea of a feint.

...hmm, do you have enough demolition expertise to use your explosives to break off a large chunk of rock, then carry it as mobile cover?

>>1012818
I like waiting for blink to recharge

Alright, let's go with your plan, but watch for traps and activate a soulburst as soon as Nickel sees past the Pitch Perfect decoy.

Also, make a mental note: she may have missed and revealed her position on purpose because she secretly cares about you and wants you to suceed. <3 <3 <3

1/2 Argine 2021/10/16(Sat)03:07 No. 1012979 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163437884710.png - (524.72KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch016.png )

>Hmm, either she can use the knives as spikes to climb rocks quickly, or she can freeze them in the air and jump off them to "fly".
Huh, if her knife does go through things easily, then maybe it can be used as a way of helping her scale rocks. Kinda doubt the whole using it as an aerial footstool idea though, since she only has one of things in the first place.

>Do you have enough demolition expertise to use your explosives to break off a large chunk of rock, then carry it as mobile cover?
It's not that I don't know how to blow off a chunk for my own use, but I don't have the proper setup! Can't really blow off a chunk that's even shaped in a way that makes it so I'd be able to hold it and protect myself with it at the same time.

>She may have missed and revealed her position on purpose because she secretly cares about you and wants you to succeed.
She's been trying to blow me up for the past section this whole time, yeah right.

>Wait for the Blink to recharge.
Ugh, I never like doing this kind of thing, but you're right. Against people who outrange me, rushing in's only going to make things worse.
So I wait.
...

...

It's quiet.
A little pulse reminds me that the gadget's now charged up properly.

Time to put the plan into action.

Solburst's on stand-by in case Nickel tries to get a shot through, but I've also got armour good enough to stop one shot without actually hurting me if it comes down to it.

The Pitch Prefect's been put into the Explosive Discs, which is pretty convenient since that means I don't need to go out of my way to set the field on fire, heh.
As I hang off the side of the cliff - I manifest one of the discs in my free hand, pitching it towards the middle path.
It flies out, catching on the air for a moment - and I set it off, lighting up the room.
Flaming hot tar flies across the area, landing in the grass and burning it up.
Eugh. I can already smell the smoke.
That's One of my three Explosive Discs consumed in the process.

As the sounds of crackling fire fills my ears, I blink over to the patch of grass on the right path.
It feels a little weird, as it's more like I blink above the grass' physical mass before I flop into it. The feeling of the packed dirt beneath my sleeves and the tickling of the grass against my body... I can't seem to get used to it.
Shuffling down, I move up as much as I can, watching for potential hidden traps in the grass itself.
By the time I crawl to the end of the grass, I hear a shot in the distance ring out. I don't hear any bullets impact nearby, though.
When bullets are going this fast, it's hard to know where they come from at all. That's why I'm glad that the map at least can tell where it's...

2/2 Argine 2021/10/16(Sat)03:08 No. 1012980 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163437889751.png - (134.76KB , 1000x1000 , covertopsroom7.png )

...
Okay, what the hell is this?
There is no way there's this many shots coming from this many angles! So either Nickel actually does have multiple bodies like you lunatics have been rambling about before, or there's something extremely strange going on.

Is this her Parasignia's effect? It could be.
Makes it a far harder task of tracking where she's gone, though. I'm not even sure if the previous position that's been shown is even accurate if she can spoof data like this.

Alright, here's my plan then - I keep going forward with the current path. There's no grass between me and the next safe spot, but I don't actually know where Nickel is at this moment anyway. If I sit around and wait for the blink to recharge again, the smokescreen's going to clear up and I'm far more likely to get shot again anyway.
Nickel's bound to start falling back as I get closer, since she wants to maintain the range advantage, especially since I can warp and mess her up that way.
For now, got any bright ideas for how I can try and close the gap without drawing too much attention to myself?

I doubt she has multiple bodies. It's more likely she has robot drones. She had a hologram at the entrance, and was riding in a cart, so clearly she's allowed to have gadgets of her own. I think she's got remote controlled guns at various sniper perches, and she's acting as the spotter for all of them. She might have holograms at each one as well, which would mean you couldn't tell which one is the real one with your own eyes... I sure hope not, because that would mean you'd have to either figure out which one is real before attacking, or just attack all of them.
At least it seems like she's not allowed to have cameras spotting for her...
Oh, you said you were surprised that she got up on the rocks so fast. Maybe the one enemy dot we see on the ground is her?
...another possibility, instead of remote guns: she can *shatter* her parasignia's knife, creating electrical chaff, or something else that interferes with our ability to scan the battlefield. Like, a special echo? I have to assume our sensorium can deal with all the echoes that happen in a large indoor room like this one.

Either way, the first shot came from a perch somewhere on the rocks. We saw the bullet's trajectory, you can't fool our visuals that easily even if somehow our audio data is being disrupted.

If you make it to the exit, does she lose? Even if not, if you can get around the rocks at the end of the room, and the enemy dot on the ground is her, maybe you can ambush her from behind. I still want to continue sneaking... oh, can you manage some camouflage?

Suggestion 2021/10/17(Sun)10:04 No. 1013057 ID: 183556

Keep moving through the left-most path (right-most from our perspective), until you reach the final rock formation.
After that move circumvent it and move towards the red dot on ground level for backstab attack.

>>1012981
This

… is she able to freeze time?

1/3 Argine 2021/10/29(Fri)16:25 No. 1013864 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163554991696.png - (284.52KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch017.png )

>I doubt she has multiple bodies. It's more likely she has robot drones.
Not a bad guess, but, if she had drones they would be buzzing or humming. Plus, they'd be visible, right?

If I can't tell which one's the real one - then can I even be sure that first shot was actually from the direction that the display told me was?


>If you make it to the exit, does she lose?
Hard to say. There's a reason why official tournament bouts are ran in an enclosed room in one specific sector instead of like this. Neither of us are downed or conceding though, so for now, we're going to still beat on each other, regardless of environment.


>can you manage some camouflage?
...Somehow I don't feel like I have a full facepainting kit on my person at this time. Sure, I could mash dirt into my fur, but that would've only worked if she didn't already have a bead on me.

>Can she stop time?
...Okay, I have no idea if Parasignias can even do that, but if she could, then I'd already have gotten my ass handed to me.

>Keep moving up the right-most path.
That I do. The only way I can actually beat Nickel without being shredded in turn in by cornering her somehow - my main bet was driving her towards the electrical grid at the end of the sector, because that place is primarily flat and is generally harder for Nickel fight me in. But to her, that's still preferable to being thrown off a cliff.

2/3 Argine 2021/10/29(Fri)16:25 No. 1013865 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163554994711.png - (408.41KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch18edit.png )

There's a big gap in the grass where I'll be completely out of cover for a moment. On terrain like this, not even camo's going to help much.
But there's definitely a chance that the real Nickel is on the ground. After all, there was still a real shot coming my way - and that means she's still around somewhere.

I attempt to dash across the clearing to the next patch of cover and-

Bang. I register the sound before I feel the impact.

>Bullet damage nullified!

FFffffff-

I hear the crunch of the ballistic plating under my clothing as I dive for cover.
At least I'm unharmed, if a little bruised.
Gonna have to discard it before it starts screwing up my mobility.

3/3 Argine 2021/10/29(Fri)16:26 No. 1013866 ID: 5bf1bd
File 163554996402.png - (138.78KB , 1000x1000 , covertopsroom8.png )

Even though I can't peek out behind the damn rock, I know now - she's not on the ground. The angle and direction that the bullet hit me at - if I actually got shot, it would be hard to tell. But when it hit a plate, I can narrow it down.
She's right up there on the rock! Blink's not ready yet, but I have to put pressure on her, make her fall back somehow.

My first thought is to toss another Explosive Disc up there, but my throwing arm isn't the best. She's pretty high up, but if I just let her stay there and plink away at me, I'm screwed.
Give me options, ASAP!

You... could use another card. Echoscribe, to use the Amp Rings, either to throw an explosive at her face or to jump/climb up there and shotgun her face.

If you're going to use Echoscreen, copy the Flashburst. She won't expect a gadget she knows you don't have.

Use Frozeneye.

Watch the cliffside for enemy movement.

When she pops her rifle out, throw the Explosive Disk at her.
Give that goblin something spicy to chew on.

And breath manually! You are now breathing manually! That's an order, soldier!

1/2 Argine 2021/11/05(Fri)03:48 No. 1014262 ID: 73aaab
File 163610929007.png - (411.91KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch019.png )

>If you're going to use Echoscreen, copy the Flashburst. She won't expect a gadget she knows you don't have.
True, but that's not going to be doing much if it's not driving her off that damn cliff.

>Use Frozeneye. Watch the cliffside for enemy movement.
Problem is that she's got plenty of cover and outranges me. So that leaves me with one option...

>You... could use another card. Echoscribe, to use the Amp Rings, either to throw an explosive at her face or to jump/climb up there and shotgun her face.

Time to take things directly to her.
I draw from the deck holster on my waist - and getting an Echoscribe card the first try. I still can't get over how magic can do stuff like this.

The card breaks apart as I concentrate on the idea of the Amp Rings - and I smell something strange. Like... paper, and that coloured fluid you see in broken pens.
One Echoscribe card has been consumed. Four remain.

The Amp Rings look... different. Like they were taken out of a black-and-white book. But hopefully they work all the same.

I manifest one of my last two discs into my hands.

Let's see how she likes... this!

2/2 Argine 2021/11/05(Fri)03:48 No. 1014263 ID: 73aaab
File 163610932929.png - (348.34KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch020.png )

The disc sails through the air, far further than I've ever thrown anything before.

A shot rings out in the dark, overtaking the sound of crackling fire.
An explosion - she... she shot the Explosive Disc midair?!

Burning tar rains down on top of the cliff face as smoke drifts up towards the ceiling. Normally these things don't explode unless I want it to - but I guess cramming the Pitch Prefect's flammable properties in it has made it more volatile.
Even if she already knows where I am, that kind of aim is monstrous.

The Amp Rings are still on - guess one throw wasn't enough to deplete it's fake batteries or something.
This time, the force ends up concentrating in my legs - and I leap.
It feels kinda like earlier when I was soaring through the air on an explosion. The rush of air across my face is a little disorienting, but I aim and tumble onto the top of the stones, guns at the ready. The Amp Rings finally dissipate, vanishing into a trail of white wisps.

Nickel's not there. The question is - where has she gone?

A quick glance towards the exit shows me exactly what I want to know - she's already making a break for it, the dark-coloured tar clinging to her suit showing that she didn't quite escape unscathed.

Guess we're in the final stretch now - once I head through the next tunnel, then we'll be in the power grid, and she'll have nowhere else to run.

Fairly likely she has one last trap, then. Watch yourself.

Race her to the exit. Pro-tip if she tries shooting, shoot back.

1/2 Argine 2021/11/07(Sun)03:44 No. 1014422 ID: 73aaab
File 163628548588.png - (200.33KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch021.png )

I chase after Nickel, wary that she might have some trap up her sleeve as a last hurrah. It's a good thing that grass is a good cushion for falls.
When she's so far ahead - I doubt I could catch up easily.

...The power grid's humming. Tall pillars line the room, the majority of them turned off long ago. I think a few of them are batteries or generators that gather energy from solar power or something, but I'm not super interested in that kind of stuff. Solar Power doesn't do much for powering laser rifles or the like.
Apparently the reason why they stacked the generators up so high was because things would get a bit too hot otherwise, once when this place was running at full capacity. You can still see the little slats on the side of them that lets the heat dissipate better.
Plenty of dust in here, though it's dark like the rest of the sector.

Despite how tall it is, Nickel doesn't have a lot of places to run here. Just row after row of these boxy pillars.

2/2 Argine 2021/11/07(Sun)03:45 No. 1014423 ID: 73aaab
File 163628551523.png - (225.04KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch022.png )

"Nickel, you've been running long enough", I call out into the distance.
My voice bounces around the room. The echo's my only reply.
She's already been injured, and I'm still in good health. If we play our cards right, I'll get through this without a hitch.
...Ugh. Does she ever talk to people? I get that she's a 'professional' and all that, but really?

"This is one of the last fights we'll ever be having in this facility! Can't you at least say something back to me?"

...I hear a shuffling sound off in the distance.
I grip my guns tighter. Now, where's she gonna be coming from?

My guess? Up.
Climb like hell to the top of the solar array and jump across the racks. When the opportunity strikes, throw an explosive disc down and detonate to topple this urban forest.

>>1012805
For someone with such amazing aim, she sure didn't dome you in the head earlier. Was that just her saying 'Hello, don't poke your head out like that, dummy', or what?

>Does she ever talk to people?
Maybe she's just an introvert. Or she could be bad at holding a conversation. Social anxiety, for example, makes it hard to be in the limelight, make complaints, give and receive feedback and so on, especially outside of one's comfort zone. For some, holding their own when talking to others can be a rougher battlefield than many actual battlefields. Maybe you've never seen her stand up for others in public because that's not in her available toolset of 'Shit I can deal with'.

But yeah, you are in the middle of a duel where she's supposed to be the sneaky one.

>>1014423
She has to have some way to use the height of the pillars. Maybe climb, using cooling slats for purchase, sticky pads on her hands, maybe? The hum could disguise the noise of her moving or ziplining about if she's careful. Or... maybe that is her extra-special Parasignia effect? Rather than just unerringly retrieve it, she can teleport or launch herself to her knife. Mutual attraction, not just one-sided retrieval. The ability to quickly reposition would be any sneaky sniper's dream.

Regardless, if she has the means to climb the pillars this room will be far more of a hide-and-seek pain than you thought, and you'd want to gain the height advantage yourself at some point. Can Blink reach the top? Granted, there's little cover up there and you'll have to keep using your Briar barrier cards if you want to avoid fall damage when dropping down (I presume). Unless the Barrier Generator still has charges and could protect you against a fall?

>Hiding places
Can't really tell, but would it be theoretically possible for her - slight as she is - to hide INSIDE one or more of the pillars? Seems like there's doors on the bottom? That'd make her pretty dang hard to spot if she can gopher into one and squirm out on a different side. She could've hollowed out some with some prep time - especially the ones not in use.

>Move into the room
Hm. You did hear a noise, but that's likely just to draw you in. I'd say stay to one side of the main interior wall - means she's limited on her angles and lines of appoach. Watch for trip-traps (especially at the tower corners), then Blink topside if you get a bead on her up there (and hope she hasn't planted explosive traps up there in case YOU should scale them).

Maybe get the Barrier Generator going - again, if it's still charged - so you have some defense going. You're probably gonna get shot at least once more before this is over.

If she does pop down shots from straight above you (i.e. a piller you're at) you could try Blinking up, or running away and THEN blinking up, so you get an angle to shoot her. Or turn a corner so she'd have to reposition to get a new shot, while you lobbed up your final explosive disc.

Pretty sure she can use her knife to climb. Possibly even as a perch. We haven't gotten a map here...

I doubt you'll be able to spot her before she fires upon you, so get your shield out.

1/4 Argine 2021/11/13(Sat)17:12 No. 1015050 ID: 73aaab
File 163685234054.png - (212.57KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch023.png )

>My guess? Up.
>Pretty sure that she can use her knife to climb.

The same strategy I used, huh? Nobody looks up half the damn time.
I make sure to look up every so often so I'm not caught off-guard like she was, but I ain't seeing shit here. Not like my eyes aren't sharp enough to see some spindly gremlin hanging off of the side of one of these solar arrays, or knifemarks in the side of things.

>Climb like hell to the top of the solar array and jump across the racks. When the opportunity strikes, throw an explosive disc down and detonate to topple this urban forest.
One plastic explosive isn't going to knock these things over, bud. They're anchored to the ground anyway.
Climbing's an option but it'll be pretty rough. These arrays were meant to be navigated with equipment, not your bare hands!


>Could she be hiding INSIDE one of the pillars?
Another hiding place? This isn't going to be as straightforward as I want it to be.

I have the Barrier in hand, a finger over the switch. I can't just have it running the whole time otherwise the battery's gonna wear out long before she even fires. And the glowing shield is going to make it ridiculously obvious where I am.

>Could it protect you from a fall?
Nah. Having a bullet-proof glass window in front of you doesn't mean much when that force still has to go somewhere.

Even though I can't see her yet - I keep moving. If I just sit here, I'm making no progress on the fight.

2/4 Argine 2021/11/13(Sat)17:12 No. 1015051 ID: 73aaab
File 163685235948.png - (322.88KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch024.png )

.....
It feels like minutes go by, and there's still no sign of Nickel at all. Only the small, distant sounds of shuffling around that I can't seem to get a bead on.
It's enraging, to say the least.
Skulking around in the dark, putting traps here and there...
At first, it's somewhat respectable. She wants to win. I get that.

But she hasn't done anything yet.

>Maybe she's just an introvert. Maybe you've never seen her stand up for others in public because that's not in her available toolset of 'Shit I can deal with'.
Doesn't excuse her for being a creep who talks like she's got it allllllll sorted out.


"Maybe if you're not so intent on hiding in the shadows this whole time, we would have an actual fight!"
I call out again, trying to goad her into showing herself.
"Cmon, squirt! Earlier you didn't even shoot me in the bloody head! Where's that great aim of yours, huh? Not like any of us wear helmets, right? Go on, shoot me! Bloody shoot me!"

Fah. Is she just going to play hide and seek with me this whole time?
The gun and gadget in my hands feel weighty. I drop them to my side and-

Well, the quest was fun while it lasted. Thanks for the fun quest, Cross.

Ask and ye shall receive I suppose.
You look like you've still got some fight in you. Pretend otherwise. Only go for the gun when you know where she is, and can thus shoot her.

>Learn
Announcing your presence to the sneaky sniper over and over may have been unwise.

>Recover
Can you trigger a Briarspirit at will? Think you need that recovery effect ASAP. I mean, if you think you can hold out while she hopefully comes up to verify her kill, maybe you could do that, but being all head dead for long isn't good typically.

>Localize
The angle of the bullet that hit you wasn't very big... but it did come from the up and down. She's got to be hanging on to the side of a battery, probably corner peeking so you wouldn't spot her easy.

Or she is on the far far side of where you're at and you just happened to wander into a clear line of fire (which you were told to watch out for, by which I must clarify: move quickly past those and DUCK AND WEAVE while doing so).

>Engage
Trigger a Solburst and rush in the direction the shot came from. She'll probably relocate, but if she wants to take another shot, this'll vaporize it before it hits your skull and if she's actually pretty close (or you can get close), she'll feel the heat and might fumble and mess up.

If you still breathing, grab your stuff and get. to. cover.

If not, thanks for the adventure! It has really lovable and interesting characters!

Yeah, that's what you get if you give away where to are to a sharpshooter. Multiple times.
More so if you say stuff that's foolishly, egotistically, presumptuously haughty.
Reality sure does hurt, eh?
If you live through this, remember that firepower will easily blow up a large ego if the ego is without merited cause.

... Oh fuck.
Did... did nobody tell you headshots are deathblows?!
Well, we can't cause any greater brain damage so here goes nothing
[ACTIVATE EMERGENCY REPAIR PROTOCOLS. DISENGAGE ALL NERUAL-PATHWAY SAFETY LOCKS.]

Well if we're going aggro, a Voidsplit is a VERY good card to use right now.

1/2 Argine 2021/11/14(Sun)19:41 No. 1015180 ID: 73aaab
File 163694766095.png - (227.13KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch027.png )

agh
i
i cant

Nngh... I can't... can't lose here. She doesn't have the bloody right.

The gun on the floor dissipates - I can build it again in seconds.
But I drag myself past the corner, where I know she won't have line of sight against me.

2/2 Argine 2021/11/14(Sun)19:41 No. 1015181 ID: 73aaab
File 163694770085.png - (877.18KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch028.png )

I hear you.

I'm... I'm pretty low, I can't lie. Feel like I'm gonna pass out at any given minute. I still have so much to do.

Okay. Okay! I can still... I can still pull through this. I'm going to make her pay.
She's fired a shot - And given the angle of the bullet hole in the array behind me - I know where she is now. She's a few blocks away, hiding behind the side of a pillar. Angle's low, she's prone.

Climbing takes time. She's not getting away this tine.
Need to cut off her escape routes. Corner her like the vermin she is.

>There is a cracking sound, like that of bone reknitting. In the soldier's head, an image develops. It uncrumples, even as the migraine she's suffering threatens to render her unconscious. The voices of the splintered consciousness fades away as she focuses - picturing the trajectory, the path of the bullet that brought her to the brink. A layout, crude, rough - like the individual who dreamt it up. Unsoiled by counter-intelligence, it is but a rough outline of the scene at hand. And she knows where her target lies.
>The wounded predator has found her prey.

BGM Argine 2021/11/14(Sun)19:45 No. 1015182 ID: 73aaab
Audio Nickel_Phase_3_-_You're_mine_-_FURI_OST_-_Car.mp3 - (8.61MB , Nickel Phase 3 - You're mine - FURI OST - Car.mp3 )

Title: You're Mine - Carpenter Brut (FURI OST)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ5gtInauiI

>>1015181
You know exactly where she is and you aren't dead.
Your head is messed up and your aim will be wonky, but let's see her try to breathe in an atmosphere that's 60% hot lead.

Here's a plan that doesn't use cards: Don't forget you have one more explosive. Tossing it in her face would be a good opening, or a distraction while passing between pillars, to give you a better opportunity to blink behind her. Also, you can use the shield now with no disadvantage, to approach her position.

God, I kindof want to blink behind her, and just slap the explosive on her directly. Nothing says fuck you like a point blank detonation.

>>1015186
The explosive may be better for cutting her escape route as we approach on the other side.

I'm going to thoroughly recommend you just surrender this fight and seek ICU medical aid before the brain damage becomes permanent. I ordered your nanomachines to ignore all safety locks just to stop the hemorrhaging from freeze-drying your brain.

But if we can't reach you anymore from the sheer stupid of literally having less of a brain from Nickel's bullet surgery, get this straight: if her parasignia isn't teleportation, it might as well be. I don't care what you have to do - pitch perfect the whole room, use full-body shields, expend your deck - treat the whole room like an army of snipers and you may be going straight for the commander's throat.

You are not going to win this by pretending what you don't know doesn't exist.

Blink towards her and

PUNT HER

IN THE

HEAAAAAAAAAD!

>Doesn't have the right
She will earn it, if you let her.

>like the Vermin she is
You're getting irate. Don't let having your shit kicked in by someone you underestimated get in the way of achieving your goal of kicking her shit in. Come to think of it, why did you feel so heavy, right before you got shot? Was that her parasignum effect? Like... something that locks you in place, makes you less quick to react. A gravity power, making things lighter or heavier, perhaps? Would make her getaways easier, and her foes slower to react in that critical moment.

Look, hit and run and hide and repeat has been Nickel's entire MO so far, and unless she's been playing you for this exact moment she'll keep to it, knowing that YOUR entire MO is to close the distance enough to wreck her.... which she might be. Point is, you shouldn't have much time to waste, now that she revealed her position. So. Quick stock.

You have:
a single Explosive Disc, with Pitch Prefect
unused Barrier Generator, will last a shot or two
Blink Capacitator with the Beam Unit, for quick recharge.
guns in seconds (shotguns or pistols)
the cards and their effects, your trumps

Left to right pillars are 1 to 4. Up to down pillars are A to C. You are standing between 2B and 3B. Nickel shot you, prone, from the NW corner of 1C. She's probably trying to reposition - or readying to move - as we speak, or elsewise gauging your reaction and recovery.

>Cut off her retreat
A possible plan forms. You know where she's at, at this moment. You have a barrier that can tank a hit or two (SECURE it so you can't drop it if you feel like being weighed down again). And... you certainly have the guts to walk right back out in the open to the SW corner of 2B and get right back to shittalking Nickel again.

Tell her... she fucking missed what mattered, like usual, while hiding in her corner. Is she gonna stay there forever, to never do anything of note? You know you can take her head on, even if she doesn't want to play. Fuck, you'll do melee, if she wants. She can bring her dinky knife. You haven't even reformed your guns - you don't NEED them for this. You just want the satisfaction of punching her sneaky snoot in, even if you have to headbutt every single bullet in her sniper's mag to do so. Is she too coward to finish it personally? Because that's what it'll take.

Essentially, make it sound like you're being foolish. (It shouldn't be a huge leap.)

But what you're really doing - should be doing - is covering her every angle of movement from behind the 1C pillar. To make sure you can SEE where she scampers off to, if she tries to reposition. To pin her actual location again, if she tries to pop out and shoot at you.

Because you can close the distance in a Blink. You know it. She knows it, if she isn't dumb. Fact is you have her cornered now. All you need to is verify you've got your real target and not some hologram or last-minute trick, and you can literally pop on over and slap an explosive pitch disc to her tail. (As long as you don't give her an opportunity to shoot it out of your hand when you do.)

Frankly, if this was setup for another trap or a trick and not just her taking advantage of your gross lack of caution, you're probably ruining some secondary ambush just by not rushing in, and instead patiently telling her to come at you.

>Reaction - duel
If she - against common sense - accepts your deal for a melee fight and approaches, just wait for her to get close and drop your barrier. Then when she does engage, flick the final pitch prefect explosive disc at her and trigger it point blank range of you both. Time the explosion with the re-activation of the Barrier Generator to avoid blast-gooping yourself. Then you trigger a Solburst card for good measure, while you're up in her face.

With any luck, Nickel is now covered in pitch and EXTRA heatstroking.

(...didn't say you'd have to fight FAIR.)

>Reaction - snipe
If she shoots your barrier, you blink close to the location her shot came from - ideally at an angle to it, out of her immediate field of fire, to lob a pitch explosive disc right at her before she can reorient to snipe it out of the air - or your hand.

>Reaction - abscond
If you see her try to flee, begin reforming pistols and run left or right depending whether she fled north or west, keeping half an eye in the other direction - if there's suddenly two of them, you know she's got a distraction holo going or something. Then it's a gut check on which to follow and gun in the neck.

>Reaction - silence
Spend an echoscribe and rain explosive disc pitch grenades over one side of the corner area (W, NW of 3C) - and the top of the 3C pillar, cutting off those lines of easy retreat. Continue to wait for a bit to see if she got tagged or tried some ploy to outmanuever you, then approach from the other side to flush her out. Remember to duck and weave as you move.

The last part here can also be your basic approach right away if you don't want to play the waiting game. Just a basic RAIN OF PITCH to cut off her retreat from one end and the top, allowing you to approach from the other.

Or if you want to be wild, to blink through the inferno, to hit her from her presumptive behind.

1/5 Argine 2021/11/21(Sun)02:22 No. 1015696 ID: 73aaab
File 163749015267.png - (573.71KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch029.png )

>I'm going to thoroughly recommend you just surrender this fight and seek ICU medical aid before the brain damage becomes permanent.
Screw that! This isn't the first time I've been shot in the head.

>You're getting irate. Don't let having your shit kicked in by someone you underestimated get in the way of achieving your goal of kicking her shit in.
Breathe in, and out... No holes in my lungs yet, even my head feels like it's been squashed by a tank tread.

>Don't forget you have one more explosive. Tossing it in her face would be a good opening.
>The explosive may be better for cutting her escape route as we approach on the other side.
>Blink towards her - PUNT HER IN THE HEAAAAAAAAAAAAD!
>If she shoots your barrier, you blink close to the location her shot came from - ideally at an angle to it, out of her immediate field of fire, to lob a pitch explosive disc right at her before she can reorient to snipe it out of the air - or your hand.
>Trigger a Solburst and rush in the direction the shot came from.
>Well if we're going aggro, a Voidsplit is a VERY good card to use right now.

The plan's coming together. I know what to do.

I sprint towards her location, two cards manifesting between my fingers.

She chose a poor location to use as a vantage point - she's got nowhere to run.

Immediately, another shot rings out, this time from the other side of the pillar - unlike her previous perch atop it before. Guess she really did relocate.
But it doesn't matter.

The bullet heading towards me - it's evaporated in an instant, a light press from my fingers breaking the card apart.
For a moment, it's like the room's lit up by an explosion - the heatwave stunning the little silhouette in the distance.

The second card breaks apart - and it's like reality around me slows down.
Once again, the Blink Capacitor hums by my waist - and I'm whisked away.

2/5 Argine 2021/11/21(Sun)02:23 No. 1015697 ID: 73aaab
File 163749022152.png - (940.53KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch030.png )

It feels like this is the first time I'm able to see the little bastard in the flesh.

She gasps as she notices my presence behind her, sweeping around to try and run.
I answer her cry with gunfire - and she dodges away from the initial blasts.
But it's too late, as the disc is already sailing ahead of her.

The muffled heat of the explosion feels good against my fur as I watch her small frame blown across the room, her sniper rifle clattering to the ground near me.
And now she's disarmed - in part.
With the new distance between us, I switch to my revolvers.

3/5 Argine 2021/11/21(Sun)02:24 No. 1015698 ID: 73aaab
File 163749025245.png - (178.14KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch031.png )

>The sniper, wounded twice now from her opponent's unrelenting fury, leans against the wall. The shot from before had weakened her arm, her once-pristine aim given an unwanted variance. And now, she was having a tough time moving - a few of her bones surely cracked by the blast of the explosion.
>In spite of her phlegmatic demeanour - she found herself excited. How long has it been since she's had another opponent of her caliber? And now, the both of them were pushed to the very brink.
>Burning pitch surrounds her, lighting up the once-dark room. The flames will go out soon, long before they have a chance to damage the electronics in the towers - but for now, they are a reminder that she is still alive.
>Things were never like this in the old days. That explosion would have killed a little thing such as herself back then.
>'What a wonderful world this is, that we can fight and fight, without being killed', she thought to herself as the crystallization of her soul, her zeal, manifests in her grasp.
>The glittering stardust embedded in its obsidian blade reflects her multiple eyes, now visible from under her broken equipment.
>A few words are whispered.
>Her grip on the blade tightens.

I step out from the corner, moving past the patches of burning tar. There's Nickel, slumped against the wall.
She's got her...

4/5 Argine 2021/11/21(Sun)02:24 No. 1015699 ID: 73aaab
File 163749028002.png - (102.47KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch032.png )

>The sniper thrusts the blade into her heart.

5/5 Argine 2021/11/21(Sun)02:25 No. 1015700 ID: 73aaab
File 163749031058.png - (707.51KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch033.png )

>[PARASIGNIA ACTIVATION DETECTED]


I fire off a few shots, hoping to catch her - but the bullets simply bury themselves in the wall.

And she's gone.
My lips curl into a red smile.
So, a hunt, huh?
Well, let's see how she fares with nothing but a knife.

>>1015700
I'd imagine she fares extremely well considering her usual sparring partner. You're also assuming you're the hunter in this situation.
I think her parasignia is one of "counter-intelligence". Whatever she strikes her blade with is hard to keep track of. She used that on her rifle before in the "outdoors" room, probably used it on the ROOM in this room since we couldn't make a map at all, and now she's used it on herself. It will be impossible for us to tell where she is, and very difficult for you to detect her.
You're going to want to use your shield once you get some indication of her presence, and otherwise avoid getting stabbed. Keep your ears open, and... well, I kindof want you to just sit in a corner and wait, to be honest. Force her to approach from your front, so she can't sneak up on you from behind, or hide around a corner then ambush you. But that's BORING, and I know you don't do boring. Instead, move quickly around the room, trying to be as unpredictable as possible so she can't ambush you. Except that didn't work last time you tried it, so I don't know what to do at all. You're probably going to have to get stabbed at least once before you figure out how to predict her attacks and counter-attack

Are you sure she can't just pick up her rifle again?
Also uh, is your limit break gonna happen anytime soon?

>Screw that! This isn't the first time I've been shot in the head.
... This explains so much.

Use your parasignia on her broken sniper rifle. Remove anything you don't understand from the blueprint, it may be a self-destruct module.

Now, the final stretch. Try not to use too many cards. Combine Shotgun with Sniper Rifle for an Elephant Gun, then combine Sound and Fury for an AF-class double-barreled pistol.

Back to the wall and keep on the move. Don't be sitting duck.

In case you don't know what a duck is, it is a type of bird.
Don't be an easy target, is what I'm trying to say.

well, get away from that spot first, as quickly and safely as possible. don't wanna linger in a place where she knows your position.

after hiding, stay quiet this time and try to sense where she's at

1/7 Argine 2021/12/01(Wed)04:09 No. 1016460 ID: 73aaab
File 163836058286.png - (347.41KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch033point5.png )

>Are you sure she can't just pick up her rifle again?
What's the point? I've got some perfectly capable weapons on me right now. I don't have the time to disassemble it and understand it well enough to use in this current fight. But I grab hold of it - and man, it's light. No wonder why she can carry it around so easily.

>Also uh, is your limit break gonna happen anytime soon?
While I can feel the power in me - I'm not going to use it. We're both effectively one good shot away from downing the other person.
>Combine Shotgun with Sniper Rifle for an Elephant Gun, then combine Sound and Fury for an AF-class double-barreled pistol.
...I can't combine two different pairs of weapons anyway, only one at a time.

>You're probably going to have to get stabbed at least once before you figure out how to predict her attacks and counter-attack
I'm... probably going to pass out if that happens.
So all I gotta do is not get hit.

If she disappeared to the point where bullets can go through her, her 'Signia's offering her some kind of intangibility.
But intangibility has to come at some sort of cost.
...After all, you can't attack someone if things pass through you.
That means she'll have to pop out of her invisibility sooner or later.

It'll come down to the final blow.

>Back to the wall and keep on the move. Don't be a sitting duck.
>well, get away from that spot first, as quickly and safely as possible. don't wanna linger in a place where she knows your position.

I reposition into a corner, a steady grasp on her rifle.
She has to come to me, now.

2/7 Argine 2021/12/01(Wed)04:10 No. 1016461 ID: 73aaab
File 163836061106.png - (592.70KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch034.png )

I breathe in, and out.
Against an opponent you can't see - sight's not particularly useful.
So I focus on my other senses.

The air, the environment. I'll be able to hear it coming. I don't have four ears for nothin!

I hear the steps.
She's used to fighting people bigger than her. Most likely aims for their center of mass.
Against a speedy opponent like Astrolysis? She'd skip trying to aim for their legs - too likely to get kicked.

I spin around, catching her coming out of her invisibility.
The black blade creates a crescent arc where the light seemed to be sucked out of the air.
I saw it coming - I ducked backwards, the blade missing me by centimeters.

3/7 Argine 2021/12/01(Wed)04:10 No. 1016462 ID: 73aaab
File 163836065727.png - (465.70KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch035.png )

Exposed and vulnerable, I wield her rifle like an inefficient club, swinging its center of mass towards her head.

Seeing that she's missed - Nickel throws her knife towards me.
Her knife embeds itself into my shoulder.
My gun leaves an imprint on her face.

4/7 Argine 2021/12/01(Wed)04:11 No. 1016463 ID: 73aaab
File 163836069153.png - (283.36KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch036.png )

She slams into the side of the box, a pained expression on her face.
Staring her down, I loom over her.
I raise the gun up again, ready for another swing.

"...I yield."
The amount of relief that flows through me is unbelievable.
She's... she's out for the count. I've won. I did it!

5/7 Argine 2021/12/01(Wed)04:11 No. 1016464 ID: 73aaab
File 163836071363.png - (699.07KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch037.png )

The knife she was carrying fades out of existence.
I can't stop smiling.
Ha ha ha ha! I did it! I won! I...

6/7 Argine 2021/12/01(Wed)04:12 No. 1016465 ID: 73aaab
File 163836074043.png - (732.60KB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch038.png )

I....
I'm... bleeding...

Ah... tired...
...

7/7 Argine 2021/12/01(Wed)04:12 No. 1016466 ID: 73aaab
File 163836077316.png - (0.96MB , 1017x1017 , LTSTATIC.png )

>THUNK.

goddammit Argine D:

Have a good nap

Congratulations on the victory, everyone!
Tomorrow is a new, shining day!

Dream of violent sheep

>>1016477
Violent electrifying sheep.

Congrats on the win, you gung-ho goober.

Last time we saw static, we saw a flashback afterwards. Maybe we'll see one about Nickle!

Well that was a close one. Nickel was just about a perfect counter to every direct combat advantage we give Argine, and most of Argine's combat style was nullified too. Just managed to get through by making good plans to guarantee damage, and burning some cards.

When we wake up I suppose it will be time to choose a gadget.

Flashback time!

1/3 Argine? 2021/12/03(Fri)03:03 No. 1016618 ID: 73aaab
File 163852941010.png - (1.13MB , 1000x1000 , 2ndch039.png )

>Number Fourty-four sat alone at her table, away from the other clones of her generation. Whispers and snickers abound from the gathered vermin could be heard. It was natural instinct for sapient beings to mock those who were perceived as different. To enforce a norm, an average.
>Even if maintaining the average meant the stigmatization of those who excelled.
>For the numbered generation of clones - they were closer than all of the others. Their thoughts, feelings, so easily shared between each other. A psychic byproduct of a horned parent species - a latent potential discovered once before, but so difficult to replicate.
>So, a certain man asked - 'What if we looked into samples from animals?'
>Only two series of clones mixed with genetic data from animals succeeded - a bit of an oxymoron, as the four sapient species of this world were all animals in their own right.
>The first - a lot of mutants. Unique strengths, crippling weaknesses. The most chimeric of the chimeric.
>Seeing his failures - the man who proposed the idea stepped back, looked onto what he had wrought.

>There was no cohesion, no rhyme or reason to their form. Many of them were difficult to socialize, to introduce to the rest of the army.
>He asked another question. 'What if we focused on creatures who work together - have some kind of inherent unity?'
>It was a worthwhile question. But he was scared, on behalf of those yet to be born. Of the potential suffering they would have to endure, would he fail.

>When he watched his boss' bespectacled eyes approve the next project before he even spoke - the man whispered a plea for forgiveness.
>The project succeeded, despite the circumstances. But it succeeded too well.
>A cohesive lot of platoons - three sets of twenty, all with their own quirks and traits.
>They ate together, trained together, lived together.
>But they could not be alone. At very least, pairs.
>Anxiousness, panic, stress - when they were left alone, they were ill-fit for battle.
>They were co-dependent on one-another.
>Success, but failure hidden within.
>There were many other opportunities for experimentation, but the man chose to step back - his experimentation was done.

>And so, those who remained had to examine their existences.
>One in particular stood out.
>The odd one out, despite her even designation. The pariah.
>Speaking out of line, acting when you shouldn't - these are all traits that create walls between people, make you noticed by others.
>Number Fourty-four did none of that.
>She simply excelled - far too much.
>To the others - it seemed like she was intent on proving the collective incompetent.
>There were no such intentions. She was given a duty - and she dedicated her being to that duty. It only made sense. Once, she would wonder why nobody else could see it that way.
>Now - it never crosses her mind.


>Even still - she was left all alone when they ate, pushed to the side when training, the least popular partner for missions - because she would outmatch anyone from her generation.
>Unable to reconcile the differences in their existences, the collective turned their back against the unluckiest number.
>It was okay, though. She didn't mind.
>Why?

2/3 Argine? 2021/12/03(Fri)03:04 No. 1016619 ID: 73aaab
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>It was simple, really.
>All of them will die eventually, and so will she.
>But she would die later than the rest.

3/3 Argine 2021/12/03(Fri)03:06 No. 1016621 ID: 73aaab
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>A gasped breath comes out of something that should have been a corpse in another time.
>She blinks, head still aching. The room is dim, familiar.
>A question's on her mind.
"....What the hell are sheep? Wait, where am I?"

>She coughs, the ache in her body reminding her of her critical injuries.
>Someone's kneeling by the bed, six eyes glittering in the dark.

"Nickel? The hell....?"

Huh. Wait, she dragged me all the way to her room?
...It's more bleak than I imagined. This... this looks like the room I had when I first been born.
Smells like... almost nothing, really - only a little tinge of Nickel's own scent. Cleaner than a lot of rooms I've seen.
"Don't you personalize your room at all? I mean, you are a Sector Boss."

She shrugs.
"I was given a promotion upon the departure of the previous Sector Boss from Site 70. Outside of my exemplary skill at covert operations and aim, I hold no real claim to the role's responsibilities - especially when there are no longer any cadets to train."
She pauses.
"Unless you consider yourself to be one."

Was... was that a joke?
She's looking at me intently.
...I peer down at my arms, but my jacket's still on. Feeling around the back, there's a little hole in it from the knife, but outside of the blood being a bit smeared, it looks like she didn't take it off at all.
Good.
I shift my head around, and realise that she's loosely bound it with some gauze.
"Uh, thanks for patching me up. I appreciate it."
Not that we really need it, but it does seem to help things heal up better.

I'm probably going to ask her for the gadgets that she's obligated to provide - and anything else's she's got while I'm at it. But... I've never really had a long proper conversation with Nickel before. Maybe I could shoot her some questions?

how does it feel to be alone, ostracized?

>>1016622
Wow, starting off strong.
Nickel dedicates herself to being the perfect soldier, and she’s really good at that! But has she tried other things, as hobbies?
Maybe you could be her spotter sometime and just hang out on the range.

Maybe she wasn't standing up for anyone because she got used to having no-one to stand up for.

Did you ever see or meet any of the others in her group, Argine?

>Bandages, help patch things up despite the lack of need
It helps to keep stuff in its proper place. Moving things back to where they ought be, at speed, can be challenging, especially when the relative sizes involved are like unto ants shifting the mass of planets. Give your inner healing apparatus whatever much-needed assistance you can, whenever you can. Sometimes all that holds one together is a thread, hastily tied.

>what are sheep
Domesticated flock animal; eats grass, plants; produces wool, meat. We made references to an idiom involving them as you passed out. Say, you said you used to have dreams, once, but no longer. Before we met and you started remembering things you oughtn't.

What were those dreams about?

>the memory
>the last to die
Grin that shark smile of yours, look her in the eyes and tell her that you hope you've convinced her you won't ever fall before she does. Whether you're kicking her ass or, who the hell knows, kicking ass beside her.

>>1016622
>how's it feel to be alone
It's clear from the memory we just peeked that she internalized that battle long ago and both won and lost it. In that the current state of affairs may be all she, a supposedly deeply social and cooperative creature, knows. And that she has accepted her lot by embracing the idea that the top is a lonely place and there was no great point in being social when they were all to die in war... a war which never began. Which left her solo within that effort's final remnants, while her squad moved on to another world, for peacekeeping missions or whatever else suited them.

One wonders how much she begrudges this fact, or how yanked from her expectations she was. It may be impolite to ask, but if you ever wanted an actual raise from her, that may be where to begin. Like... is she really okay?

>cadet
Oh, do bite on this one. What could she teach that wasn't immediately apparent (e.g. smack talking a sniper)? Fuck, you'd be willing to take a lesson or two during your now-precious spare time, if only to know how to counter those tactics better. Actually keeping stealth would be harder with your... general approach. Maybe one of her gadgets could help raise your stealth game.

>shoot questions
Begrudgingly admit she did way more damage than Judicium did.

Then ask the obvious: invite critique and opinion on how the match went counter to her expectations. Were there any particular surprises? What made her yield?

It's only a joke if you want it to be. Look at this room, does it seem jovial to you? Nickel is offering you special, personalized training. Consider it.

...
When we first encountered Nickel through your eyes, our memories of her were scrambled. Reality and fiction had become one. It was like encountering a legend first hand. She was at once a hero, a monster, and the best.
With your victory came clarity.
Nickel is a driven individual. When she sets her mind to something she strives for absolute mastery.
The questions are clear:
What's it like to be the best among your peers/at something, and how can I get there?

Open up with an explanation about us being a passive brain-scanning device. Then talk about the memory in full. It was toxic behavior, and the whole unit was rewarded for it.
They wanted disposable soldiers willing to die in each others' arms. They wanted a cold sniper with nothing to lose.

>mentorship
ehh... I'm against it. What works for a sniper won't work for a shocktrooper.

Ask which eye's her dominant one.
Mentorship would be cool. You did basically die twice in this fight after all.

Uh, a couple questions, Argine.

How did you survive getting your brain blown up? SPECIALLY completely intact?
Even if all your neurons regenerated, last I checked you can't grow back things like memories or someone's personality.
There should be SOME permanent side-effect!

......Anyway, ask Nickel why she was so quick to yield.

Not unheard for Tozols to be able to do that, and we've pointed out Argine has obvious Tozol traits. I mean, were dealing with a military organization full of Chimeras.

She's likely lost some memories though. Not much you can do about that. Less baggage to take with you and more space for something new and better.

>>1016798
>Likely lost some memories though
Probably some of the same memory technology that contains us as fragmented advice-makers in her body is used to backup her own memories. Might explain how she ends up reviewing some extra stuff when she sleeps - it just integrates itself right in there.

Tech's pretty robust too and must have been around for some years, if you think about it. The memories or recordings of stuff from years back gotta come from somewhere, and it all seems pretty detailed.

Or I'm wrong and she's missing bits just like you said. Unfortunately it's not like we can tell.

I feel like her question is the most prominent one... are we a cadet to be trained?
We're not a trainee, we're a hero who will smite all who dares to stand before us, but her skills are powerful and useful.

Ask her about her philosophy... ask her to elaborate about what she believes. I don't think we'll have a better chance to find out about her, and she strikes me as one of the sector bosses we understand the least.

ask her... what will she do, when she leaves? What will she want to be?

1/4 Argine 2021/12/09(Thu)14:49 No. 1016981 ID: 73aaab
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I try to sit up further, but ow - still hurting a bit.
"You mind if I just talk to you for a bit, Nickel? I don't think I ever really get to talk to you - you're always around Astrolysis after all."

She nods.
"Conversation is rarely a necessity, but as you are the winner of this competitive bout, that means I am required to provide responses to the questions you pose."
Well, that was easy. Feels like I'm talking to someone's who's more machine than Amica, honestly.

>How does it feel to be alone, ostracized?

"Hey Nickel... do you ever feel like sometimes... you're the only person in the world? Like everything else is just some kind of elaborate simulation, and you're the only person who feels a particular way?"

She cocks her head.
"Snipers in the field often must stay hours in one position alone or with their spotter. For stealth operatives, the likelihood of supporting allies is even lower. Loneliness is a mindset."

>It may be impolite to ask, but if you ever wanted an actual raise from her, that may be where to begin. Like... is she really okay?
"Nickel, do you... really believe that kind of thought?" I ask.

"Yes. I am not strongly inclined to pursue connections to others - it could create problems, if it would conflict with the goals of my mission."
...Does she even have a mission any more?

Yeesh. Real winning mindset, that one. Feh. Biological robot. I get that we're created with purposes in mind, but I mean, why do we get to feel things like joy, sadness and boredom if we're only meant to carry out the tasks we get assigned to?

>Maybe you could be her spotter sometime and just hang out on the range.

I'll pass - nobody left here, anyway. I doubt we'd be setting off together even if we did become friends. Though I can respect her lifestyle choices.
"You got any hobbies?"

She smiles. It's a little stale.
"I like the knife game."
Yeah, uh, I'll pass. Not like severing fingers is all that common but stabbing it still hurts a lot.

>Did you ever see or meet any of the others in her group?
Yeah, a couple.
Number 7 was a pain in the arse compared to her counterpart. Used to go and try to do 'trickshots' with grenades, probably in a strange bid to imitate Nickel. Never worked out, got plenty of reprimands. And the worst part was that she would often drag me or some other goober from the cadets in to clean up the blast marks.

Honestly, after they all got to pick names for themselves, it just became patently clear how stupid the lot of them were - you're given a chance to be an individual, and then they all go and choose matching names, like minerals, or gems or flowers or something stupid like that. Me? I named myself after something that represents my essence - and then SOMEONE had to come in and remove any sense of originality my name had. Not that the eggheads running the show would've named me any better - you can just look at current three major sector bosses if you want an example of that.

>Sheep are domesticated flock animals; eats grass, plants; produces wool, meat. We made references to an idiom involving them as you passed out.
Never heard of 'em. Maybe they're a thing in other worlds, but not this one. Frankly I don't know much about animals in general - never seen any besides what gets described in books.

>Say, you said you used to have dreams, once, but no longer. Before we met and you started remembering things you oughtn't.
>What were those dreams about?

The usual. Visions of freedom. Places I've never been to. Dreams are dreams, you know? Sometimes they're stupid. I don't read into them. The scenes I get to see now though... I feel like I probably shouldn't be seeing all of them.

2/4 Argine 2021/12/09(Thu)14:50 No. 1016982 ID: 73aaab
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>Open up with an explanation about us being a passive brain-scanning device. Then talk about the memory in full.

"Hey Nickel - you know, part of why I won was because of brain-scanning robots in my bloodstream. Aren't you a little miffed about that?"

"I know. I do not see any issue with it. In traditional warfare, things are not usually fair. But I seem to have made my own mistakes during the bout."
I frown. Nickel? Making mistakes?
Heh. Not so perfect after all, huh?
"Like?"
She points to the bandages around my head.
"Resilience. I had heard about the restorative effects of Parasignias. I was curious. In training, it is ill-advised to aim for the head, even with weaker ammunition."
She was willing to pop open my head out of curiosity?!
"I however, miscalculated how long it would take for you to recover. I am not used to combat where opponents are able to survive multiple wounds."

Yeah, I hear that a lot from people before my generation. Must be weird, getting shot once and going down instantly, or needing weeks to recover or something.
"Argine?"
"Yeah?"
"You didn't respond after I provided an answer."

"Oh. Sorry, talking to the bots."
God, maintaining conversation like this is weird. The... time scale thinghy is pretty inconsistent, but I guess it's more real-time when I'm talking to people, and not trying to think of ways not to get shot.

>How did you survive getting your brain blown up? SPECIALLY completely intact?
>There should be SOME permanent side-effect!
Yeah, I'm sure Nanoweaver and the other medic-types were thrilled when they found out that not only do their troops now have access to personalized super-skills, that they also heal absurdly well from practically anything.

I asked Diagram about it once, since she's been around much longer than I have. I was always kinda confused when soldiers died in movies - I mean, they take one shot and they flop over, and they're just sobbing all over each other!
The amount of information we get from the outside's pretty scarce - I mean, most people don't choose to come back for a reason. But apparently we're sort of a special case? Folks like us, the Trace Clones - we're above-average when it comes to regeneration across the universe anyway, and Parasignias are really pushing that further.
...'parrently it's seen as weird that healing is 'slower' around here. Something about... 'distance from the center'? I think they were talking about our world or something.
Though, I hear a few clones get jobs as bodyguards because their wounds start closing themselves mid-fight or something.

>Argine has obvious Tozol traits
Again, are you talking about Sarasols? They've got four ears, and it's a pretty dominant gene, given how we get half of our regenerative properties (and our four ears) from 'em. But they're definitely brighter in colour than I am.

I scratch my head. Moving on.
Now to poke at that memory of hers for a bit.
"Hey uh... I dunno what's really been happening, but, while I was conked out - I saw you, in the past. You were with the others, and eating alone. There was some guy... talking about your thoughts. I don't know what's up with that. But do you... feel anything about your generation of clones?"

This time, she seems to be taken aback for a moment.
I see something behind those multiple eyes of hers.
A glimmer of... I don't know, something negative? Her face is neutral, but there's a quiver to it, like something's poking out from under the mask. She looks to the side.

"I do not feel any particular sentiment towards them. They were allies. Fellow operators. My role was to be cooperative. I was."
She crosses her arms, her eyes refocusing on me.
...Guess that's all there is to it.


>Nickel is offering you special, personalized training. Consider it.
...I mean, should I?
Argh! I... don't really like her. But is there anyone in this facility I do, besides the usual two - who are, by the way, non-combatants!
...Well, I guess Amica's kinda interesting.

>Mentorship would be cool. You did basically die twice in this fight after all.
>ehh... I'm against it. What works for a sniper won't work for a shocktrooper.

She... did kick my ass for the most part. I had a lot of things going for me, and - while it was my own skill that pulled through, I made some... pretty big mistakes.
Even if she and I are different combat operatives, there's still a lot I could learn, that much is true. My main strength is adaptability, after all.
I'm not a bloody cadet, but...

>Nickel is a driven individual. When she sets her mind to something she strives for absolute mastery.

I...
Fine, well, I'll bloody ask at least. If anything, she'd be morally flexible enough to train me, even though her interests and... 'mission' are to keep me here until the leads arbitrarily decide that I've been a good girl and I can go. Even if it means learning from someone I don't like - I'm going to take anything I can get, because I need to use every tool available to me if I'm to become a hero.

>The questions are clear:
>What's it like to be the best among your peers/at something, and how can I get there?

I breathe in.
"Nickel, could I get some training or advice from you? I hate to say it, but you pushed me much further than Judicium did."

Nickel doesn't move from her spot.
"Judicium is a supportive-oriented operator, with an emphasis on defensive combat meant to defend objectives, individuals and escort VIPs. She is ill-equipped for one-on-one combat where the only objective is to defeat the opponent. Even her Parasignia is a utility-based support tool."
Way to take the excitement out of winning against one of the big names in this facility, Nickel.
She pauses, like she's thinking without taking her multiple eyes off of me. Then, she moves to the bed - pulling out what seems to be a large black case from the bottom.

There's a scabbling, of her fingers against the case's synthetic material. Then, the lid pops open.
"Here. Take this."
The little figure hefts a large gun, throwing it up towards me - I catch it in both arms, and the weight surprises me.
It's... a rifle? Large caliber. Very large caliber.
Seriously, this thing looks like it was built to punch through a tank - if RPGs weren't already capable of doing that with far less logistical effort.
The colours on it are... interesting. Seriously, this gun does not look standard-issue.

"What... is this? I've never seen a model like it."

"It's... the Prototype H-ED DSTR. High Environmental-Damage Destructive Rifle. A single-model prototype put together using spare parts. Much too powerful for me - more of a challenge to its creator."
That explains the... retro look. It doesn't even have a tripod - but, judging from how thick the muzzle is? This thing's more of a railgun than a sniper rifle, I'd say. Bipod would snap right off. Compared to the NME Rifle that Nickel used in our fight, I couldn't really picture her firing it without it dislocating her arm.
"How did you get it?"

3/4 Argine 2021/12/09(Thu)14:52 No. 1016983 ID: 73aaab
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"It was... a present, from Teagan."

She sits on the bedside, as I shift around. The blankets feel hot and uncomfortable - so I toss them to the side, sitting next to her.
"Teagan? Who the hell is that?" I ask.
Nickel coughs, in a purposefully fake kind of way.
"Dr. Teagan Graph. This weapon... was a bit of a tantrum of mine."
Doc Graph... materials expert. Sort of a renaissance man - he did a lot of things, but... honestly, he was one of the leads I've seen the least of, let alone got a glance at at all. How can a weapon be a tantrum?
"I see your look of confusion. Or shock. I was... unsatisfied with how things were sometimes. I made an unreasonable request to a superior. I... deserved a reprimand, that day. I couldn't even use it. Much too heavy for me."

"I wanted to see if something... good, could be built from scraps. Something powerful."

...

"Nickel, I..."
"It's yours now. Adequate equipment must be necessary if you are to receive instruction from me after all."
Huh. Guess... I'm a student again. Feels kind of weird, receiving instruction from her. I mean, I've been taught by the older three - but all Astrolysis ever taught was which parts of your body hurt the most when you got punched.

"Thanks. I'll let you know when I want to take you up on that offer.

4/4 Argine 2021/12/09(Thu)14:53 No. 1016984 ID: 73aaab
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"Moving onto other contractual obligations, it seems I owe you a choice of gadgets."
Good. I didn't want to bring it up myself. Would make it awkward after she's giving me what seems like something personal to her.

"Where were you hiding that?"
"Covert Operative's secret."
She holds out two gadgets - though I think she only used one of them during her fight.
Well, time to check these things out. Room's still dim - bright light's going to make my head hurt, that's for sure. But at least these scans will tell me what I need to know.


[DEVICE ANALYSIS]

HOLO-CLOAK -
A bespoke deployable projector, the Holo-Cloak's technology had been employed by Linharjan splinter cells for decades before being altered into a tactical utility device. Useful for deception, the Holo-Cloak was first adapted by desperate combat engineers who were pinned down in a safehouse by enemy combatants. Unable to push their position further, but knowing that their opponents would investigate if they attempted a retreat, the engineers rigged up the cloaking device to instead, project a recording of themselves using basic video capture footage. Although the initial prototype only barely bought enough time for the engineers to survive, their tale inspired the production of proper Holo-cloaks that could deceive enemy combatants for longer periods of time. Gradual incremental improvement to its technology improved the Holo-Cloak's functionality, and now it is able to record up to 5 minutes of loopable footage, and looks convincingly realistic from a distance. This can be used for strategic distractions - either to reduce pressure on pinned-down allies, or to escape while the enemy is focused elsewhere.

DIAGRAM'S NOTE: This was the same technology that Amala the Kind made use of in the infiltration of the blacksite that housed the deadly bioweapon that threatened her city! Without it, she wouldn't have been able to rescue her lover, or protect her countrymen. Currently, the technology used for it's original cloaking properties has been altered for accurate simulations of movement - but I imagine you could reverse-engineer the device to re-enable it's old cloaking properties. Linharjan cloaks were never long-lasting however, and movement using them is somewhat obvious at a close distance. Best stand still when people are looking!
Though, in an unrelated fun fact - the recording feature that the Holo-Cloak had has often been used for practical jokes in the Linharjan militas where it had first originated. One video that never gets old is of a young soldier talking with one of his superiors - only for him to find out, three-minutes in, that it was a pre-recorded Holo-Cloak all along! He was really basking in the praise, being told that 'you're pretty good' and whatnot!


Tags: Cloaking, Duplicating, Deceiving


BLADE PRINTER -
A bespoke creation of Site 70, Blade Printers were originally a joke suggested by Doctor Wickerknell one night while thinking on the Asliann military's implementation of bladed armaments and ritual focus on honourable knife-fighting. Doctor Graph's implementation of his signature Silicagraph technology however, meant that it could be brought into reality, much to the chagrin of the military specialist. It's intended purpose was to be a concealed weapon an operator could carry with them inconspicuously, but the logistical problems that the internal polymer printer prompted meant that it would be almost as difficult to smuggle across customs as actual firearms without the benefits that said firearms provide.
Although ill-suited for it's original intended purpose as a 'theoretical stealth weapon', the Blade Printer allows for the rapid manufacture of air-decaying aerodynamic blades that can be thrown far distances and have a tendency to decay inside of targets. The fact that it leaves bleeding wounds meant that long-distance wounding and disabling of targets was easily provided, but due to the similar benefits that a silenced sidearm could provide, Blade Printers were created as a novelty and training device for bladed weapon enthusiasts within Site 70, as the simple disposable knives created by the printer meant that one did not have to perform maintenance or cleaning, since the knife would disappear soon after use.

DIAGRAM'S NOTE: With the advent of Parasignias, Blade Printers no longer have the same efficacy they once did. Although they still embed themselves into targets, the coagulant and repair effects of Parasignias means that expiration from exsanguination is no longer a viable combat strategy - not that gunfire wasn't just as effective to begin with. This was after all, a joke turned design experiment! We're lucky that silicagraph polymer aren't in short supply, or else I'm sure Dr. Troveheart would have stopped the project back when it was first being created!
I do wonder what it would have been like had we used the printer's technology on other materials, but few things can be printed so easily, let alone explosives, napalm or other chemicals. If additional effects were applied to the blades through Parasignias however - they would be subject to the same 'piercing' effect that makes melee weaponry more effective against opponents with Parasignias - even if the blades are thrown!

Tags: Replicating, Cutting, Aerodynamic

Currently possessed Tags:
Beam Unit - Focusing, Energizing, Pinpointing
Explosive Disc - Explosive, Volatile, Destructive
Barrier Generator - Reflective, Protective, Repelling
Pitch Prefect - Slowing, Sticky, Congealing
Blink Capacitor - Displacing, Replacing, Intangible




...Huh. When did these analyses have Diagram's notes on 'em? It's weird hearing from her when she's... not even here. I mean, she does have psychic powers, but I guess wherever you got the data from, it was somewhere in Diagram's place.

Right then! You know what to do - gimme an opinion on which of these to take. With Nickel out of the way - that leaves Astrolysis, Ozone, Mnemosyne... and my sister.
After we choose a gadget, there's a little bit more time I have left to ask her stuff before we go. If anything pressing comes to mind, you should let me know.
I'm probably going to ask her about her... philosophy after. I'm curious about what goes on in her head when it comes to that, and the whole... dying thing she goes on about. And what she wants to do when she leaves.


While you sort out that decision, I quickly check the deck at my side. Nickel gives it a curious look, but doesn't ask me anything. Eh. If she was curious enough to ask, I'd give her an explanation... or at least, however much info of this damn 'magic' I can actually understand.

Currently, I have these cards remaining:
2 Solburst
3 Frozeneye
3 Breezecycle
2 Briarspirit
2 Voidsplit
4 Echoscribe

Not too bad, honestly. If anything, I think Diagram really helped us out with this.
If I screw up the number, remind me. I was never good at keeping track of things like these when they all feel the same and are shaped the same.

Knifegun. Unorthodox tactics will be harder for your enemies to counter. Also, it's a gun that shoots knives. Duh.

Holocloak. Definitely.

Well done, Argine. You appear to have given her new mission parameters, and gotten a hell of a gun out of the bargain.

>Gadget
Surprisingly tough choice. The Holo is the obvious pick - anyone could get good use out of something like that.

But oh, that Replicating Tag - having your own little internal 3D printer. I do wonder how far you could stretch it. Could you potentially restock the Explosive Discs, or at least create elaborate fakes?

What’s this about melee weapons being more effective against other Parasignias, though? Is this really all that exploitable?

If it is, I am leaning blade printer.

This is pretty hard ... the cloak is an obvious choice, but the ability to perform replication might be useful, and we already have teleportation which gives us the element of surprise.

I think we should get the Blade Printer, there's lots of interesting combinations we could do with stuff like Explosive or Teleporting fused onto them.

>>1016988
This. The holo has obvious uses, but the other has serious utility with your parasig.

I'll add that it also has a few extra uses:
It's quiet, so it has that above firearms.
Mix the blades with pitch perfect's slow to quietly lower a target's mobility from afar.
Add explosive tag to blades. Or if that fails, add aero to the explosive discs. I doubt I have to tell you how useful either of those is.

I suppose we'll be going with the replicating blade printer.

>Sarasols?
Huh? You mean like the umbrellas?
Just kidding.
No, tozols are a species genetically ingeneered by a bygone interstellar race as soldier.
They have super strenght, enhanced speed and reflexes, a big snout, four ears, tail-like tendrils with thermal sensitivity, etc. Overpowered as hell.

Tell Nickel she doesn't have to be formal or emotionally detatched right now. She can be expressive and loose around you.

That was a pretty good tactical read of Judicium. What's her tactical read of who's left that we've got to beat? Does she have particular advice of how to beat them?

Blade Printer could be used to make handholds to climb surfaces. It also looks like a great thing to put the Explosive tag on. It would pierce, then explode inside the enemy. Very dangerous to parasignia users in particular, which are our primary targets right now. I have to assume it'll also be usable more than 3 times, which is an advantage over the discs. It won't do as much damage to terrain though. You could also use it the other way around, apply its tags to the discs, likely giving you more of them and letting you throw them further. Applying it to Pitch Prefect would do something similar... Applying it to your beam would give a piercing laser probably which would be pretty great for damage.

The cloak on the other hand... well, on its own it's great in specific tactical situations to reposition or ambush. Or to set a decoy, which accomplishes much the same thing with the addition of wasting the enemy's ammo. I imagine we could apply its effect to pitch prefect or the discs to make them harder for the enemy to spot. Putting it on the Blink Capacitor would probably give us a decoy image alongside the blink...

What's the difference between Replication and Duplication? I'm guessing it's that Duplication results in one use of a weapon resulting in two or more actual results, and Replication just means you get more uses? Or maybe Duplication is more related to phantom images, so like throwing a disc would result in throwing two but one is fake, so as to be harder to dodge.

I feel like both these gadgets are kinda crap on their own tbh. Probably why she didn't use either of them much. Just a recorded message from the hologram and nothing at all from the blade.
Ultimately I'm going to vote for Blade Printer because it serves as a damage upgrade, a range upgrade, and a number of uses upgrade. Holo-cloak would be good if any of the rest of our gadgets were useful in a stealth situation but they're not really, so the synergy is lacking. Just lets us be more creative I guess.

Ask how she did that multiple bullet trick in the second room. Was she just tricking your tactical readout with her parasignia? Or was she using a gadget?

Let's see...
Holo offers...
Alpha strike capability via cloaking.
+ Disk - Cloaked disks
+ Barrier - Hard light clone
+ Blink Capaciter - Blink to mirror image, Invisible Escape
+ Beam projector - long range hologram
Pitch perfect- Hidden trap
Vanilla - Gun mismatch and other shenanigans

Printer offers...
+ Blink - displacer blades, phase knives, Recalling Dagger
+ Disk + Blink - Disrupter Blade: Cuts through anything and everything, destroying p knife in process.
+ Beam + Barrier - Light Sword
+ Pitch - fire rate up
+ Disk - Double disks, glide disks

----
From what I can see, the Blade projector doesn't offer much utility on is own. Instead it offers unique capabilities to use with your parasignia. It'll require a lot of trial and error, but will ultimately become more and more useful as you get more gadgets.

The Holo Cloak on the other hand is immediately useful and in most situations, better in every way. This is not most situations. Or opponents are elite soldiers who know how to deal with this sort of thing. Hell, Astrolisis doesn't even have eyes! But there is a bigger problem: Argine, you just don't get the sort of combat style the cloak demands. Luckily, you have Nickel.
If you take the Holo Cloak, you need to start your mentorship under Nickel as soon as possible so you can learn how to use it effectively.
Under-effective in the tourney context or not, with the proper training, the cloak will probably help you land or avoid 1 or 2 hits in most fights, but that may be all you need.

1/4 Argine 2021/12/19(Sun)03:11 No. 1017794 ID: 73aaab
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>No, tozols are a species genetically engineered by a bygone interstellar race as soldier.
>They have super strength, enhanced speed and reflexes, a big snout, four ears, tail-like tendrils with thermal sensitivity, etc. Overpowered as hell.

Interstellar? I don't think I've ever actually seen a star, even if Astrolysis goes on about how they're basically big explosions in the sky. Still, I feel like you're confusing them for Sarasols - the four ears and physical strength is part of why they were used so often in Gene Traces, and the recurrence of the four ears we have. Wouldn't say they're super strong, but they're certainly the strongest of the four species I know.

But anyway...
>Tell Nickel she doesn't have to be formal or emotionally detatched right now. She can be expressive and loose around you.
I feel like that's just her normal. First thing you heard her talk about was death and whatnot, but I've been listening to her prattle on for years.

"Before I take the gadget, there's some things I'm curious about, Nickel," I begin.
"How did you do that... multiple selves trick during our battle? The second area. I had a tactical display but you were everywhere at once - couldn't pin you down. Was it part of your Parasignia's effect?"

Nickel scoots back on the bed a bit, putting the gadgets... somewhere else. Making eye contact with her's strange - I don't know which of her eyes to focus on, but all of hers are on me.
"Parasignias can only do so much by themselves, Argine. You saw mine during the final exchange - it is the intangibility provided by my knife."

That checks out. Even though my Parasignia is very adaptable, all of its effects still rely on me storing things in an invisible space, then combining them together.
"Then how did you do the whole... splitting thing? Was it a gadget?"
I doubt it's a gadget, but it couldn't hurt to ask.

Nickel crosses her arms, her expression changing a bit. I bet she would be great at card games.
"The operation of Parasignias is something you have to discover yourself, Argine. But there is a lot you do not know if you've yet to learn about alternative uses of your own Parasignia."
What's she going on about? Everyone only has one Parasignia - that's one of the main confirmed details about them, but... damn, I know there's a lot on this topic that I don't know yet. Honestly, my knowledge on the theory of it's kinda rusty...
...I'm going to have to press Nanoweaver on this.

"Do you happen to have any tactical reads of the other folk? Advice to beat them?"

Nickel frowns.
"Why are you asking me? Even if I am offering to train you, I am still aligned with the Sector Bosses. You should ask them yourself."
Greaaaaaaat.


Well, that's all the questions left, except one.

"Alright, last question for you, Nickel. How come you're so preoccupied with... death, and your duty, and all of that? There's... no war we're fighting now, anyway. Hell, you could've left with everyone else, since someone else could have taken your role as a Sector Boss."

Nickel thinks for a moment.
"I have not questioned my purpose in years. If we were beings created for a war, then it is the main thing we should embrace. War leads to destruction and death. So it is inevitable that we will most likely die, one way or another. Even if there is no war currently, there will always be conflict of some kind. I am simply refining my own skills, so that when I am needed - I will be ready for anything."

I don't like thinking about this kind of stuff. What happened to living from day to day? I don't have the time to think about the future if I'm stuck inside this facility all day, all night.
She looks up, eyes squinted.
I think to some of the things you - the SAI - have said to me before. About medicine and ethics.
"Do you ever think about what you'd do if one day, there's no conflict left?"
For me - well, I want to be a hero. Defeating villains, saving the day? Even if there's no wars around, there's still people to defeat. But... a world without conflict at all? That sounds terrible to me. I actually agree with Nickel - there's always going to be conflict. And a world without it's probably a hell worse than Site 70.

Nickel shrugs her little shoulders. It's funny - there's been dozens, even hundreds of soldiers larger and more powerful than her. But even though she looks so small - she's probably... one of the strongest people this facility has ever produced. Even though in that flashback - she was an outcast, a reject.

"There is no need to consider questions that will never happen in reality. If it does, I'll figure it out."

...
I think I'm done with this line of thought.

2/4 Argine 2021/12/19(Sun)03:12 No. 1017795 ID: 73aaab
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....7-1 on the Blade Printer vote versus the Holo-Cloak.
I gotta admit, I'm curious what kind of effects the Blade Printer's going to have when I put other gadgets into it.

Gadget's been chosen then.
"I'll take the Blade Printer."

Nickel passes me the little gadget, and I examine it for a moment. I withdraw one of the knives and watch as it gradually flakes away before dissipating into harmless dust.
It's not a knife-gun... but perhaps I could modify it myself so that it launches those knives out at a faster velocity? That'll be something I can explore when I've got time to mess around with it.
I turn my attention back to Nickel, and the Holo-Cloak's already gone. Guess it's too late to change decision now.

"You've been out for the entirety of the previous day. It's lunch-time, so you should get something to eat."
Nickel pats me on the shoulder. That's... thoughtful of her to let me know. But damn, I'm frustrated I basically lost the entirety of that afternoon, even if most of it was going to be R&R.

"Thanks for everything so far, Nickel. I'll be seeing you again soon."
She gives me a silent nod as I push myself out of bed, ripping off the bandages.
Man, I'm hungry. With how much healing I've got to do before my next fight in 3 days, I need food.

...Thinking on it, didn't Judicium say that she'll make me new outfits when I won against other Sector Bosses? Weird incentive, but I mean, free stuff is free. Not like printing textiles is that hard. Dunno what's up with that but I guess I should pay her a visit eventually to ask about how that's going.

>Stealth-themed Costume Creation has been unlocked!
>Check out the Discussion Thread for more details here: https://questden.org/kusaba/questdis/res/133296.html
>Or check the Discord instead at: https://discord.com/invite/x9QHPvzhdD

3/4 Argine 2021/12/19(Sun)03:13 No. 1017796 ID: 73aaab
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-----
Making food for yourself's never too hard of a problem. With how the rations are made, it's a decent time. Plus there's always the stuff growing in the hydroponics area.

Ugh. But now it's back to the headache's that's trying to deal with the next three Sector Bosses.

...I underestimated Nickel. That's the thing - everyone underestimates Nickel at first, because you don't expect someone as small as her to be such a deadshot with a gun.

Astrolysis, Ozone and Mnemosyne... they're all highly challenging in different ways. I'm leaning towards fighting Astrolysis first, but I still don't really know how she fights for the most part, because she was never really actively involved in places I like to hang around.

What I'm most bothered by was... all of the stuff about Parasignias, the strange things that happened in Nickel's fight. Just how did she do that trick in the second part? If I don't understand how more advanced Parasignia mechanics work, then what the hell am I going to do if one of the other three end up beating me into a bloody pulp with theirs?

I mean, I can go and ask Nanoweaver for more details on how Parasignias work but do I even have the time to be studying it when I could be doing other things that improve my chances of success?
There's just so many things I have to keep track of, it's making my head hurt again.

4/4 Argine 2021/12/19(Sun)03:13 No. 1017797 ID: 73aaab
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I feel a presence loom behind me. A slithering.
"You look like there's something on your mind, Argine! Maybe I could help~!"

ask for a shoulder rub

then ask for clothing ideas, she seems to have good taste

yeah, just ask her for clothing ideas... (she's going to recommend a scarf, isn't she?)

Maybe she can help you model clothing ideas. Urban camo time! Perhaps a nice new breaker with angled blue and black stripes to break up silhouettes.

Ask her what she knows about Parasignias, and using them differently.

"Sudo Enhance Knockers."

Ohh, Nickle's Parasignia sounds like superposition.
Basically, she can take an object and change its position from a finite point, to possibly anywhere around her. (This makes it seem to have disappeared from reality, even though technically it's still there.) She can then decide where exactly she wants it to be and it appears.
It used to be only a knife she could control. Now it's virtually any other object, even herself.
By understanding the underlying nature of her power, Nickel has managed to massively increase the scope of it's use. You could do the same.

If you want to know more about Nickle's parasignia, ask Nanoweaver about Schrödinger's Cat later.

In the meantime, say hi to Amica!

Give Amica a firm and cordial handshake if you don't feel like heeding that shoulder rub advice.

Maybe Mnemosyne would be the best person to fight next. She will have less time to prepare a counter-strategy against you.

Engage her on this while you eat and recover. What's her take on uniforms and other such apparel? You'd probably want an outfit more than a uniform, especially for when you get out of here. And obviously you'd want it to be practical, fit for purpose.

As someone who can, essentially, redesign herself from scratch, Amica must constantly be putting some thought into her appearances. Maybe she can give her impressions - or explain her own fashion choices. Why does she look like she does?

And let's leave the Parasignia chat for later - or last. Just socialize for now.

I like the idea of her modeling for clothes

1/1 Cross 2021/12/29(Wed)03:43 No. 1018679 ID: 73aaab
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Amica immediately moves behind me and-
Did she just make a chair out of herself?

Bloody hell, she could've just sat next to me! Now I gotta turn my whole chair around.

>Ask her for a shoulder rub
I'm not sure I like the idea of her getting her gooey hands on me moreso than she already has.

>Ohh, Nickle's Parasignia sounds like superposition.
>Basically, she can take an object and change its position from a finite point, to possibly anywhere around her.
That sounds a little overkill, doesn't it? She could've used that for explosives or traps or something. I mean, I don't know all of the capabilities that Parasignias can have to begin with, but - that kind of thing sounds like it would've snapped things in half already. You could describe my Parasignia in such a way - but there's so many limitations to it that you sorta have to get a feel for over time. There's just too much I don't know about them, and frankly, until recently, I never HAD to do this much combat with Parasignia-users.

>Sudo Enhance Knockers
My fists work perfectly fine already.

>As someone who can, essentially, redesign herself from scratch, Amica must constantly be putting some thought into her appearances. Maybe she can give her impressions - or explain her own fashion choices. Why does she look like she does?
>And let's leave the Parasignia chat for later - or last. Just socialize for now.
>Clothing modelling
>yeah, just ask her for clothing ideas... (she's going to recommend a scarf, isn't she?)

Eh. Do I really want to be socializing when I've got so many pressing issues to deal with?
I'll ask her - AFTER she's done pestering me about whatever she's got in mind.

I pick up my biscuit, scooting my chair around to face her... throne thing.
"You must already be planning your next move. But I guess the previous battle didn't go so smoothly for you?"
That's one way to put it. So I glower at her.
She reaches for my hand and I slap it away.
"Yeah, nice try. No mind reading for you yet."
Don't need her digging around and hearing what you guys have to say.

She shrugs, giving me that red smile of hers.
"That's fine, we can talk normally!"
I take a bite out of the cracker. I still don't really trust her - I mean, who would? She's helped me once, but just like with the others, it can just be a setup so she can betray you at a more convenient time.
But let's see what she knows if she insists on being here.
"Tell me what you know about Parasignias, and using them differently."

She thinks to herself for a moment, a big stupid smile across her face.
"Hmm... maybe I will! If! You do a bit of a favour for me."

Another deal?
"Let's make a trade, shall we? I wanna go and talk with Diagram! Don't worry, I just want to ask her some things - so it's not like I'm going to hurt her in any way!"

That's all? That can be arranged, but...
"Couldn't you just have gone to see her yourself? It's not like Diagram's so reclusive that you need a keycard to get into her room."

I take a bite out of my biscuit. What's with her and these strange requests anyway? I can get the whole thing with the switch, since that seems to have given her more autonomy rather than being stuck around Judi's neck all day. I can really 'get' that feeling... of being trapped against your will.
"Things go smoother with a friend around! Plus, wouldn't you be a little put off if someone you didn't know walked into your room without anyone familiar around?"
...She sees me as a friend? Well, I guess I did help her out.

Egh. I mean, I should probably be asking for you guys, but... come on, it's not like I can't defend Diagram from her if she tries to pull anything weird.
At the same time, it makes me wonder - does she know something that Nanoweaver wouldn't when it comes to Parasignias?

Awfully vague, that.
She offers very little besides maybe a favor. Maybe. While she herself will get exactly what she desires. It favors her quite a bit.
Still, we could make use of this. We have little idea what motivates her, but we just got a piece of the puzzle. More details may be the key to figure out her goals.
I say tell her maybe, but after she leaves we first ask Diagram why she'd wish to have that particular item. That'll give us clues, at the very least.

Remember, some people have their freedom restricted because they abuse it.

The favor is small. It fits the reward if she doesn't know much. Let's do it.

The voices in your head are telling you to socialize more.

>"Yeah, nice try. No mind reading for you yet."
>Don't need her digging around and hearing what you guys have to say.
Actually, negociating with her directly could be quite beneficial to sorting out what her deal is.

1/4 Argine 2022/01/02(Sun)03:23 No. 1019202 ID: 73aaab
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I guess I'll take her up on the offer then.

"Sure. No funny business when we do it though - plus, I need to focus on other things first. You're only going if I give the A-OK."

Amica nods, before making a bit of a flourish.
"Oh-ho-ho~! Very well, Argine! I hope you don't mind a quick lecture on this topic - on Parasignias!"
...And now she's gone and made glasses for herself. She doesn't even have eyeballs!

I can only hope she knows more about Parasignias than the other people in this facility. We're all stuck here, and there's only so many Parasignias to study.
Somehow, I get the feeling that she hasn't been off-world at all. Call it a hunch, but somehow this purple freak's probably not that normal-looking, no matter what worlds she goes to.

"Basically, Parasignias are the manifestation of one's spirit, yes? You and the others have gone through much in order to form one - though physical training isn't the way to strengthen a Parasignia, at least not in your case."
Yeah, seems right.
Developing a Parasignia... well, in my case, mine was born the moment I realized that people have it out for me, and that I would never be respected as long as I stay here. There were definitely quite a few people I've known who were physically stronger than I was, but never developed Parasignias, at least when I was around. There's something about 'stronger wills producing stronger Parasignias', but not necessarily faster.
"Care to elaborate? So far, this is stuff I already know."
It's one thing to form a Parasignia, but strengthening it... I guess the only thing that comes to mind would be using it more, but I've been using mine quite often, even before you guys were shoved inside of me. Plus, there's sort of a weird thing about Parasignias - while it never tells you the specifics - when you get your Parasignia, there's the sense that... something clicks. You just know how to use it, and what limits you have. With a bit of testing, it's second nature, like pulling a trigger.

She puts her hand on mine and-
That's a lot of pictures.
Thankfully, there's no headache - but I shoot her another look, as if to say, "I told you not to do that."
She ignores it - gesturing like Diagram does. Is she putting on an impression?
"Pseudosignias, Argine! Little adjustments to your Parasignia, formed through taking aspects of others! There's a saying, that you become like the people you spend your time with. With Parasignias, that's a bit literal, hee hee."

Pseudosignias? This is new.
"Wait, so, is that how Nickel's Parasignia could do the whole splitting thing?"

"If I had to harbour a guess, that's correct! Nickel's own Parasignia centers around intangibility and invisibility - the obscuring of information. But there's nothing in there that allows for the creation of false information, is there? That means she must have made a good bond with someone who means a lot to her, inheriting some of that individual's Parasignia effects in hers - forming a Pseudosignia. It's not like you lose your original Parasignia - to put it ina way you'd have an easy time understanding, it's like swapping out your gun's ammunition for a different type!"

That's probably oversimplifying how a knife that gives the user invisibility and intangibility can also somehow spoof information, but all of this sounds super abstract.
But there's... only one person who I even know Nickel hangs out with on a regular basis - that being Astrolysis. I figured that the rest of the Sector Bosses all had a Parasignia, but that basically confirms Astrolysis as having one too.
Amica leans in, whispering in my ears.
"Oh, and, this is just between you and me, but - did you know there's more subtypes of Parasignias than just that? But you'd do well to find out yourself. But that's just the quick intro to this kind of thing!"

So as a recap then...
Parasignias are formed from people's experiences and values, and can be awakened in quite a few different ways.
Pseudosignias - named that because they aren't really standalone - are instead new effects that change the original Parasignia's properties depending on the person or thing you've formed a connection to.
And there's apparently a few more subtypes of Parasignias, but I guess she's not budging on that. I can't say I like how vague her information is - it's only worth thinking about the stuff I actually have a grasp on - so, these Pseudosignias... I'm going to press her on it more.

2/4 Argine 2022/01/02(Sun)03:26 No. 1019203 ID: 73aaab
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"Alright, well - Pseudosignias seem strong, but how do I get them? I'm already friends with Diagram or Nanoweaver, but I don't notice anything different about my Parasignia."
Frankly, I'm not even sure Diagram has one. Her psychic powers seem innate to her. But Nanoweaver definitely does, and well - despite the similarities in our skillset, I don't have anything like the... breaking down of materials like Nanoweaver can.
"You know how Parasignias can resonate with each other? Well, that's how you get stronger. Through developing bonds with each other. In essence, you need to spend less time training or resting, and simply making friends with other people!"

Reality drops on me like a brick.
"SOCIALIZING? You're telling me making friends makes my Parasignia stronger?!"
Amica laughs.
"I can see from your expression that you can't believe it either! But it's just simple logic. If every single moment you spend with others is solely pragmatic, that's not quite the grounds for a relationship, right?"

I can't believe it. This is just like something out of one of Diagram's stories - the BLOODY power of friendship? There's something intensely messed up about this system. Sure, maybe civvie types out there in the wider universe, they can all be happy dappy with their friendships. NOT SO MUCH WHEN BASICALLY EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS FACILITY IS AN OPPONENT.

"Oh, no. Please, PLEASE tell me there's an alternative - you're going to give the SAI way too much encouragement on this."
I can already hear you lot screaming in the back about me having to interact with people more.
What happened to being a self-made woman? While I wasn't going to turn down aid from Nanoweaver and Diagram, or you lot for that matter - why do Parasignias HAVE to rely on other people to get stronger? What happened to personal growth and development?

"Perhaps you could get stronger by yourself, Argine. It would suit your personality. But you have such limited time... and no idea how to improve your own Parasignia normally. All I'm doing is pointing out an easier path for you - but it's up to you!"
So... I'd be spending time singing and dancing with people, so that I can... improve myself without training? This sounds like a scam.

"So, wait, what's the criteria even for this kind of thing? How am I supposed to know when I've... befriended someone enough to actually get this kind of ability?"

Amica shrugs.
"Dunno! It's more about observation and applying their knowledge to your own things. Friends helping friends! But you'd be surprised - Pseudosignias can be formed through other means too. It can be formed with places and objects, not just people. But it's much easier to get deeply connected to those who you love, yes? Perhaps, by having a bit of an epiphany between you and someone else, you can encourage a Pseudosignia to happen more easily. But you're going to have to go on a few dates to get to know them better than you did before!"
Love, huh? I don't really know that feeling too well, so this is going over my head. Maybe friends - or allies - would be enough. What's this about dates though? Can't say I'm into that kinda crap.

"Either way, I'd highly recommend taking some downtime for yourself! You're running yourself ragged, trying to spend every single waking moment preparing for your fights!"
I...
"Don't you know what relaxation and having fun is? If anything, you may do better since you actually let yourself unwind."

That's really not what they teach you, back when I was a cadet.
Bloody hell. She has a point. I don't think I can really remember what it feels like to just... relax, or something. Feels like I want to tear my own fur out.
I probably should take a bit of an actual break, but...

I'm... going to have to actually talk to people for... casual fun and games? This feels insulting - telling me to go and play catch with people who've broken my bones before. Is that what you would do, just say, 'oh, it's okay', and go on pretending like nothing happened?
That, and the fact that spending time with the others isn't even guaranteed to give me a Pseudosignia.

3/4 Argine 2022/01/02(Sun)03:28 No. 1019204 ID: 73aaab
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>Ask her for clothing ideas
>Maybe she could model for outfits!

I don't care much for fashion, but it's something that you can't go without. Gotta say, I'm used to this outfit though.
From the sounds of it, I guess you guys are cooking up something for me? Wonder when that's going to be ready. But I guess I should ask anyway?

"You know, the SAI's apparently going to be making outfits for me. Perhaps you could model them for us later, since you're all... shapeshifty. Or maybe you could tell us about some of your ideas?"
Amica considers the thought for a moment.
"I would love to! But I can't say I have many ideas myself... I only reproduce the ideas that I've seen elsewhere, of course! But you're welcome to bring me along to play dress-up, hee hee. But... 'the SAI' this, 'the SAI' that... Argine, don't you have a better name for them? They're not the only SAI in this facility, you know."
...A name? I mean, I... I guess?
Amica for once looks a little annoyed.
"Oh, come on. You've named your guns, Argine. And yet you don't have a name for the close companions that have been helping you this whole time?"
Well that's because naming guns and weaponry is easy!

"How about you ask them for ideas later? They're good at that kind of thing!"
...Well, I guess that makes sense. You naming yourselves. Kinda like me, actually.

Technically I could ask Amica too.
But, I've got a more pressing question on my mind.

"How do you even know about this Parasignia stuff, Amica? It lines up with what I've seen, but, nobody's ever actually mentioned Pseudosignias to me as a concept before."
Not that anyone around here lets me know about anything.
She laughs, in that... Amica way. It sounds less distorted than before - maybe she got some practice in.
"It's simple, Argine! After all - I was designed for reproduction. I reproduce the actions, behaviours of others. You learn quite a lot about the nature of existence that way. Perhaps you'd do well to take a look at that yourself."

What?
"Amica? What the hell do you mean by that?"
She stands up, the throne disappearing into her back within seconds.
"That's up to you to decide, Argine. I've got my deal and right now, I don't need to make any more. Come get me from the Old Sectors if you want to go have a little outing with Diagram! Or perhaps - if you wanted to do that other favour for me, in exchange for that reward I've got lined up for you. But I'll leave you to your lunch. Toodles!"

The click-clack of her heels on the cafeteria floor echoes out.
"Amica!"
I call after her, but she completely ignores me as she walks away.
Feh. Crafty bitch. At least the others are capable of pretending of being polite.
At least we got something out of this exchange, but I wonder what she wants to talk to Diagram about?
...Hell if I'm going to leave my lunch though. I'm going to get more.

4/4 Argine 2022/01/02(Sun)03:29 No. 1019205 ID: 73aaab
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-----

Well, now I'm left all alone with you lot again.
You know, Amica's right. I don't really like calling you guys, 'you guys' only, at least when talking about you to other people. Feels weird. You're a collective, so it's not like I can talk to you like one person, but... maybe you could go and give yourselves a name? Try not to pick something stupid, alright?

Not only that, but we need to decide on which opponent I'll be pursuing next.

With Nickel defeated, there's three opponents left: Astrolysis, Mnemosyne and Ozone.

I've already introduced them to you before, but now that we've got one of the Sector Bosses over and done with, I'm going to try and focus on the strategic sides of it:

Astrolysis
I'll be blunt - we should probably deal with Astrolyis first.
See, Astrolysis is in a bit of a different spot compared to the other two: We've already got a bit of an 'in' with her.
See, from our fight with Nickel - we've already worked out partially how that... 'Pseudosignia' of hers works, with the splitting effect. That means Astrolysis' own abilities have to do with 'splitting' or 'division' somehow, right? I don't know if that's how Parasignias are supposed to work, but if anything - we have the upper hand compared to the other Sector Bosses.
And if she has some kind of Pseudosignia like Nickel does - we'll know it has some properties that Nickel's would have like invisibility, intangibility or being able to summon a knife or something.

Plus, Astrolysis still owes me that custom-made weapon she said she'd be giving me - and I'm willing to be she's holding onto it for our fight, since she's not the kind of person to give gifts without being prompted. Unless those gifts are bruises.

Gathering information on her area - the Foundry, would be pretty straight-forward. Plus, with the H-ED DSTR that Nickel gave us - we have more options for outranging her tactically. The question is if we'll be able to get the most use out of it, given how many breaks in line of sight that the tight environment and machinery would end up creating.
When I do end up beating her and wiping that smug grin of hers on the floor, we'll have access to another gadget and weapon that we can use for the last two.
Plus, how hard's the blind melee-exclusive fighter going to be? It's one thing when I don't have my guns, another when I do.

Mnemosyne
Gotta say, Mnemosyne's still someone who I feel underequipped for, but if we really do feel confident, I suppose she's not the worst choice.
The living storm. Capable of fighting at all ranges, someone who's skilled and versatile. The outcome's going to be reliant on who gets the drop on the others - but with how powerful Nickel's Parasignia was during our fight, I'm much more worried about whether I can beat her or not. It's one thing to use tactics, but having to account for abilities we may not have ANY consistent knowledge on is a problem.
And frankly? I've got a terrible feeling that, even if we were to exploit all the rumors and knowledge we have on her, all the dirt we can dig up from the years she's been here in this facility, she'd have some kind of Parasignia that catches us off-guard and throws any plans we've got out the window.
She's still in the armoury, which I'm already familiar with. By now, she's probably moved all of the relevant equipment away, so we probably won't find anything new for us to use on-site, but at least it'll be familiar ground.


Ozone
Ozone's someone else on the list. What can I say about her? She's got her head shoved up her own ass so far, she still looks down on people. Knowing her, I'd say we're going to have to figure out ways of dealing with things like tough fortifications if we're going to have to deal with her. The H-ED DSTR is a nice addition for that, but I'm not sure it's enough to deal with all of her tricks. The Vehicle Hangar doesn't have any vehicles around any more, but the material lying around means that Ozone's probably gone and turned it into a war zone.
What's the odds of her having a Parasignia too? Very high. On one hand, I really regret not training more for Parasignia to Parasignia combat - but it wasn't like I had anyone to train with before.
Really sucks, being the only person in the facility who has her Parasignia known by everyone else.


With that out of the way - what's your thoughts? We're going to still have to gather information on these people all the same... and... socialize with people. That's... going to be interesting.
Just lemme know who you think I should fight next, and what kinda name you guys want for yourself. I'll go and figure out a plan for us after we choose who we'll be focusing on.

>Name
We're the Orb of Infinite Psyche.
Alternate names include Muschio's Brain, Guides of Rezan, Ruby's Eye, Nan and Nem, Ceridwen's Neurons, ​and especially "AAA DEMON ORB".
We've been through a lot.

>Mnemosyne
Actually, we went through an AI-traced neural scan of what I suspect is Diagram's father and I think we know pretty much everything we need to throw her off guard. It's clear that if she developed a Parasignia, it was when she threw herself on that grenade to save his life, indicating a general defensive Parasignia meant to mitigate damage from allies - useless in a duel, but monstrous when paired with glass-cannon turrets.
Just ask Diagram if Mnemosyne is her mother.

Call us "discourse"

>Name
Mmm. How about Sykes? References that Orb in-joke, also sounds like a plural, which we are.

>This sounds like a scam.
If it is, it's because you do have to spend time and effort getting to know and like someone and probably be giving the other party a piece of your power in return. So, maybe not a scam, but definitely a bit of tit for tat.

>Astrolysis' Parasignia
Prepare to get punched a bunch, methinks. Division sounds an awful lot like replication, so if she can make more of herself, add more punches or whatever, you're in for a bad time. She's also a melee-only fighter in an era where that shouldn't be easily achievable - meaning she DOES have ways around just getting gunned down, particularly since she isn't a stealthy 'un. She's pretty strong, so that could just be wearing a heavier grade of armor... and bigger armor also means you've got room to fit more tech tricks inside. She'll probably have a Pseudosignia based on Nickel's intangivisibility too, so if you've got a good volley off, you might wind up finding out the bullets did nothing.

Might want to avoid all-the-eggs-in-one-basket shots with her, at least until you're sure she's on her Pseudosignia cooldown.

>The horror of socializing
Okay so... let's just say making friends is and was never obligatory. Happy now? Amica even said as much. There are other types of Parasignia you could gain, no-one can force you to make friends with anyone, least of all for the selfish sake of bonus upgrades (which I expect would lessen the impact and chance of a Parasignia forming, actually), so... just don't think about this anymore. Go on as you have. However you form connections, let it be as genuine as someone with a peanut gallery in their head can make it.

That said, you do have some friends already, don't you? Nanoweaver and Diagram. At least, they're people who'd be willing to support you, for their own reasons. That's friend-like enough. Diagram's probably the closest of the two from what we've seen. Nanoweaver's clearly got a bit of an agenda on - not that it necessarily undercuts the fact she's chosen to support you.

For that matter, people could also be trying to make friends with you. Amica - whatever else she's up to - is clearly trying to become one, even if it's mostly through offering tit-for-tat deals. I guess you're one of the few people left she can make friends with. Diagram seems to be another, maybe that's why she wants the introduction?

Further, it does seem like you've not had a good read on the other sector bosses. Certainly seems so with Nickel - there was more to her that you had no idea of. Now that you're her trainee and you'll be meeting her more often maybe... just let things develop as you go along? Connections form on their own often enough. Trying too hard to make a friend can be off-putting in its own way.

See also: Amica.

>relax and unwind
Tentative agreement with Amica, since all work and no play makes you a dull... Nickel? You're definitely not the only person around here who suffers from this sort of excessively-oriented focus, at least. You want Astrolysis to break your bones less often? Try getting her some better hobbies.

>What happened to personal growth and development?
Still there. But... Argine. You may have noticed you live in a society, and personal growth and development also happens inside that sphere.

Look, everything you see around you is the product of people working together, from the nutrient paste to the cafeteria walls and floor. Someone invented that dish, made architectural blueprints, smelted steel, set up the paste-o-matic, filled the dang thing, and so on in a display of thousands of individual efforts which all boil down to you didn't have to hunt, skin and cook your own dang food. You've got bullshit powers that can bypass some of that, but - and remember this - you'll always be dependent on someone for something. You'll always be around people, and have to deal with them, often for things you either don't yourself know how to deal with, or can't (or can't be assed to) take the time for yourself to sort out.

So what's so bullshit about relationships being a foundation of even greater strength? It's as true to life as can be. If I bring five gun-toting cowboy compadres to our high noon showdown, you're outgunned and outnumbered. Doesn't mean you still can't kick our shit in, but I made a far stronger challenge for it. As would you if you gained Pseudosignias - and you wouldn't have to bring the friends themselves into danger. That's also something.

>Other parasignia types
Wouldn't surprise me if there was something like a 'Pragmasignia' - a strong connection formed from mutual need, less so than from friendship or love. The flip side of the coin could also be there - if feelings of respect and love can form a Pseudosignia, perhaps feelings of discontent and dislike can do the same. Or... perhaps it'd be better to say feelings of wanting to surpass and overcome. Rivalry, in short! Though it'd probably have to be mutual - like friendship should be. Ozone's probably a pretty good candidate here.

More importantly, this tells us that the more social Sector Bosses are going to have more parasignia effects to play with. And that Amica's experience have primarily been encountering those. She probably knows the Parasignia effects of the others, y'know, and could tell you if you asked. But every time you talk with her, every deal you make with her, is an opportunity for her to do... whatever she's up to. I bet it's parasignia-related. Didn't she want one herself? Maybe she just wants to make friends with someone who doesn't have cause to excessively dislike her, so that she stands a better chance of forming one herself. If she hasn't already! Maybe she just wants your Pseudosignia. Hm. Well, I don't know why that's got Nanoweaver so scared.

>play catch with people who've broken my bones before
I get where you're coming from, but you also do not seem to be hindered much or overlong by broken bones - and if the reference here is Astrolysis, that battle maniac doesn't seem like she'd mind if you actually broke bones back. There's a certain justice in that, fucked up as it may be, eye for an eye style. Err. Guess that saying doesn't apply well to her, though.

>Next Sector Boss
Agreed on Astrolysis being the next one. Maybe that's just going along a predictable path, but it feels right.

About the only reason I can see for NOT going with her next is that it gives the others even more time to prep, and they're both preppers. Astrolysis would probably not prep as excessively with the time you give her. Hm.

>>1019203
>Nickel's trick was from Astrolysis's parasigna
Well that's incredibly valuable info. Now we know what to expect! That's a very troublesome one... it means she's going to pull out a "which clone is the real me" trick during the fight. That explains why Nickel was so cagey about explaining it; she didn't want to sabotage Astrolysis.
I'm still a little confused though. Nickel's parasignia requires her to stab herself with the knife. How did she use that with her gun? A pseudosigna should, based on the images we got, be used via the same interface that the parasigna uses. What was she doing, stabbing her gun? Does her parasignia work on ANYTHING she stabs, and stabbing herself is just the most useful way to use it? That's probably it.
I guess we can't really know how Astrolysis's pseudosigna would work without knowing how she triggers her parasignia. Considering her fighting style I wouldn't be surprised if she prefers to use it to dodge bullets. Which means... only sneak attacks would work against her. Nickel's stealth lessons would be much more important if that's true.

>What happened to personal growth and development?
Come on, you really think healthy relationships aren't beneficial to personal growth? Besides, no man stands alone. You wouldn't have gotten this far without Diagram and Nanoweaver, and arguably Judicium as well. She was on your side all along, but forced to act otherwise. If you weren't friends with them, where would you be?
It is a bit strange that Nanoweaver's parasignia isn't boosting yours. Maybe it's TOO similar? Or maybe there's a... distance between you. Maybe you think of her too much as someone who can help you, instead of someone you want a *mutually* beneficial relationship with. In your desperation to escape, you focused too much on pragmatism. You've been too self-centered. It's also possible that Nanoweaver is at fault. Perhaps she's been keeping too many secrets from you.
Yeah, most of the people here are your opponents, but do keep in mind you've defeated two of them. They're no longer your foes. You can be friends now! Especially Judicium. She really wants to reconnect with you, and you were once very close. You can have that again.

...shit, Mnemosyne has been here a long time. I bet she's become friends with several other parasigna-users. If we do any info gathering on her, that would be the most important thing to find out.
Did Judicium not have a pseudosigna?

>it can be formed with places and objects
Hmm, interesting. Are there any places or objects that particularly resonate with you already? You could try that instead. Though, I don't understand how that would work. Places and objects don't have parasignias, so how would you form a pseudosignia with them?
...oh god Ozone and Mnemosyne probably have pseudosignias with their areas. DEFINITELY Ozone, since she's converted the whole place into a fort. It's "hers".

>name yourself?
Egh, this is always difficult...
I think something in-theme with your parasignia would be appropriate. How about "Toolbox" or "Headbolt" or "Monkeywrench" or "Keystone"... maybe "Blueprint"

>who to fight?
You're probably right. Astrolysis is next. We have decent info on her, and so long as you can endure a bit of an onslaught you can figure out how her parasignia works and counter it.
Also don't feel so bad about everyone else knowing how yours works. The very nature of your parasignia makes it difficult to predict!

>what do
You could talk to Nanoweaver. Find out if she thinks of you as a friend, or if you're more of a protege.
You could also talk to Judicium. It's awkward, I know, you've spent so long hating her for something she didn't do, and for things she was ordered to do. It's hard to let go of those feelings, and to work past the regret.
I think you can trust Amica, actually. She was designed to mimic others, and has lived her whole life around people who have good intentions. Wouldn't that make her a good person as well? Plus, Judicium is her keeper, and didn't seem that bothered about her breaking one of her locks.

I'm partial to talking to Judicium first, because she can give you more info about Amica that will help you decide to trust her or not.

CAI. Minimalist, similar, simple.
Go after Ozone next. You have the tool, and they have the Parasignia.

Going after Astrolipsinc would be too obvious, the remaining sector bosses might be planning for that.

Go after Oxygen (she's too short to be Ozone) next. She is slightly less hardcore than Mnemosyne and has an ambush and close corners combat strategy than we maybe perhaps might outsmart.

As for a name, the first thing any of us send to you was a demand to show us your private parts, so The Degenerates would be a perfect name.

1/1 Argine 2022/01/05(Wed)03:56 No. 1019608 ID: 73aaab
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>CAI
That's a stupid name - it's not even a name, that's just a change in abbreviation!

>Call us "discourse"
Hmm, not the worst, definitely kinda awkward to use in conversation.

>I think something in-theme with your parasignia would be appropriate. How about "Toolbox" or "Headbolt" or "Monkeywrench" or "Keystone"... maybe "Blueprint"
I dunno. I mean, isn't the goal to get you guys OUT of me once I'm able to leave? No way am I going to be running around with all these voices in my head whenever I'm trying to do something. I'll hold onto some of these names for later though.
...I dunno how 'person-like' your collective is, but even though you're all helping me right now, tying yourself to me's probably not the best for either one of us.


>Mmm. How about Sykes?
'Sykes', huh? Does that make one of your splinters a 'syke'? Well, I like it. Sykes.
Guess I've got something to call you now though... Sykes.


>Ask Diagram if Mnemosyne is her mother.
Are you an idiot? We're clones. Sterile. We can't biologically reproduce! That's why we have the Cradles!
I still have no idea what you're on about this neural scan thing, either.


>Pragmasignias
>It is a bit strange that Nanoweaver's parasignia isn't boosting yours. Maybe it's TOO similar? Or maybe there's a... distance between you.
It's hard wrapping my head around all of these. I've said it before, but it's so much easier to figure something out if you could take them apart and put them back together. Heh. If only you could say that about people, but I ain't a surgeon.
As for me and Nanoweaver... I don't know. I guess, she treats me really well - and she's the reason why I exist in the first place.
I'm not sure how I'd feel, if she turned out to be someone who's also just using me as a tool. But I guess there is some distance between us, at least ever since I got my Parasignia. Maybe I could try to bridge that gap. She wouldn't be the worst person to try and form a Pseudosignia with.

>For that matter, people could also be trying to make friends with you.
That's because life's a give and take kind of deal. Friends are there for pragmatic reasons - because they can do something for each other, right? Nickel and Astrolysis fight each other for fun. Judicium, Ozone and Mnemosyne hang out with each other because they've known each other for so long. Not sure what they do with each other though.
I've got Nanoweaver and Diagram as... friends, that's right. Is it right to call the person who made you a friend?
I can get Nanoweaver's reasons for wanting me around, though sometimes I'm unsure why Diagram puts up with me, considering that she seems to give way more than I ever give to her - not that I haven't tried.

>(Socializing)- maybe not a scam, but definitely a bit of tit for tat.
Heh. Guess you can't escape from the exchange, huh? I guess that's framing it in a way that makes a bit more sense. But doesn't that give me even less of a reason to socialize with the people who I know I'm going up against? They very much could pick up something from me that I don't want them to.


>Go after Ozone, the other Sector Bosses may be planning for you to fight Astrolysis next!
Well, the thing is that they're not going to be directly intervening in each other's fights. If they could, you bet Astrolysis would've tagged along to Nickel's fight. So I don't think this is an actual risk.
Two for two - an even split. But I'm leaning towards Astrolysis still.
Alright - we're going to go fight Astrolysis next.

That's two whole days before I've got to go, just like before. Since you all so insist on me spending some actual downtime, that means I'll have to put some time aside for it. But on a normal day, when I'm not helping out these people on some big favour - I think I'd still be able to only fit in say... two to four tasks depending on how long it takes. And then one or two social outings. Sound fair to you? Because if it doesn't, I don't care, heh.

There's one thing we need to be aware of, because we're probably not going to find any info on it unless we're lucky:
- Her Parasignia.
The theories you guys are posing are pretty good. I mean, if I had to deal with multiple copies of her, that would be a massive pain.
Throw strategies my way while I'm investigating her - it'll help keep things in line. Plan for goals, and around things you know you can't account for easily.


Thinking on it, we've got a few options going ahead. I'm gonna consider my options, and... I guess I have to add an extra 'I' to the list.
Investigation, Interrogation, Impression, Innovation and... Intermingling.
My options have really opened up since last time, so I'm not going to even bother sorting these by category - only by person.


Investigating Astrolysis:
Much like when we were investigating Nickel, there's a few avenues we can explore -
- Watching her combat logs. Unlike the other operators, there's not a lot on Astrolysis, given how she's so different to everyone. But perhaps we could learn about some of her proficiencies this way that getting punched in the gut can't tell you?
- Getting records on the Foundry. Unlike the other sectors, the floormaps of the foundry's probably not going to be as accurate, and they really don't like me hanging around there to begin with. I'm not as familiar with it, so hearing more information on it could be important. I could even ask Diagram perhaps? She's gotta get her parts manufactured somewhere, even if she's the one who's putting them together.


Seeing Amica:
- The favour she wanted to ask from me. She can apparently provide 'unique services' that only a SAI like her can do. I've got no clue what she means by that, but hopefully the favor isn't too much of a problem. This is going to take a whole day of our time, because I know she's going to take me down to some strange places.
- The meeting with Diagram. I'll have to keep an eye on her for this. I guess this is something casual we can do.


Nanoweaver-
- Nanoweaver's still got that task for me - and she wants to go on a walk with me. I feel like I haven't been spending any time with her at all, and I dunno, that makes me feel a bit weird, especially since she's the person who created me. I feel like this can double as social time, since she IS asking me to hang out with her.
- Asking Nanoweaver for Astrolysis' medical information or something to that effect. There'd probably be some other subtask involved with this, but it won't be as time consuming as her favour.


Nickel -
- Training with Nickel's an option. At very least, I imagine she has means of improving my aim, or some other kind of marksmanship.
- Hanging out with her? Weird choice, but, it's an option... if you force me to. Somehow, I feel like Astrolysis may tag along, even though she's my next opponent.

Judicium -
- Just socializing. She's not even offering any kind of training to me right now and I don't want to ask. But what are we even going to talk about? Clothes? That's not exactly a topic that can fill a lot of time.
- Asking for supplies. Though, Judicium may not be inclined to help me since last time, she happened to have something I could fix for her.


Diagram -
- Socializing. This would probably overlap with Amica's, two birds with one stone, unless you really want me alone with her for some reason. She's not going to have her gadget ready and fixed by now, so I'm not going to bother asking. Sometimes she disappears for a whole week before I see her again, so just a day or two isn't going to be enough for me to want to pressure her on the Amp Ring's progress.

Innovation -
These improvements take some time, but if you can think of something that seems worthwhile enough, I'd definitely consider it.
Off the top of my head - there's some things I can think of improvements to:
- The H-ED DSTR was a prototype, right? I could take some time to really familiarize myself with it personally rather than with Nickel and see if I can make any improvements myself.
- The Blade Printer isn't actually a knifegun like you guys have been saying, but that's not to say that I can't mod it into ejecting those blades a bit faster - but cmon, at that point, why am I not just shooting people? Besides the barrier penetration, I suppose. If you push me, then yeah, I GUESS I could do it though.


...Time's still limited, but I suppose I'll have to try and make the most of it.
I think more ideas will come across to me as we go, since we've got two days before the fight. So if I'm missing anything or - Sykes - if you've got any ideas, then say so, even if they're not listed here.
Can't do everything, so let me know which ones you've got in mind - and keep in mind, the favour for Nanoweaver and Amica - those two are gonna want to really monopolize my time. I want to make progress towards one of 'em before our next big encounter since those two seem to be our biggest benefactors not aligned with the Sector Bosses, but we should only pick one of the two.

>>1019608
>They very much could pick up something from me that I don't want them to.
While you could pick up a power from them that gives you a greater clue as to what their Parasignia is and does.

Tit for tat. If it even happens. Though might be more tat than tit, seeing as you'd gain intel and a power, while everyone knows your power already. Either way, you should be pretty safe to socialize with people you've already beaten or which you are not going to fight, yes?

>Schedule
I have a schedule proposal, which doesn't have to be followed to the letter (or at all).

Day 1, JUST socialize and take it easy. You're still in a bit of recovery mode from getting headshot, remember? Though you can mix in a bit of business by visiting both Nanoweaver and Judicium for their tasks. Not that you necessarily NEED to pick up every sidetask, or do them today or tomorrow.

- Socialize with Diagram (alone, to ask her if she's okay being introduced to Amica, then the two of you could go find her instead of Amica being brought to Diagram - it's... a reversal of initiative of sort)
- Socialize/task with Nanoweaver
- Socialize/task with Judicium
- Open slot for anything if time permits

Day 2, the day of Nickel and things associated with her. Strike while the iron is hot as concerns your budding relationship, and maybe get a chance to get some talking done with Astrolysis that isn't based around broken bones. Should set the mood for the fight, at least.

- Train with Nickel
- Socialize with Nickel/Astrolysis
- Innovate with H-ED DSTR
- Open slot for anything if time permits

For Day 2 you could consider taking the Amica deal instead, whichever seems likely to strengthen you more for the coming fight, but I think accepting her thing should come after you've beaten (or lost to) Astrolysis. As might any major tasks that Nanoweaver or Judicium might set you to. Letting this downtime period be a bit of a breather from greater revelations and troubles might do you some good.

>>1019608
Argine's a stupid name. What is that supposed to be, a color? The gutter on a page of looseleaf? Or does it rhyme with something you'll always be?
Take things one at a time, and see Amica.

1/1 Argine 2022/01/07(Fri)17:39 No. 1019875 ID: 73aaab
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>The Schedule
I'll keep that in mind, though adaptability is key.

>Take it easy. You're still in a bit of recovery mode from getting headshot, remember?
I guess so. I'm definitely inclined to go and visit Nanoweaver first, since I've been feeling like I've not had any normal interaction with her for a while. We can ask her for information on our foes next time.
I'm not sure I want to give Amica more attention just about now, especially when she's getting into all my business like that. Gotta give her the impression I'm not relying on her or her deals, else she'll get more bossy.

>Argine's a stupid name.
Yeah, yeah, talk all the shit you want, the point of a name is for you to OWN IT. Why else do you think I'm annoyed at my sister? She literally took my name and rearranged it, thus removing any of the uniqueness I had!


Heading over to the Medbay's fine enough. I knock on the door, and Nanoweaver calls out from the other side.
"Come in! I'm currently sorting things out, so I can't get the door."
So I invite myself in.
Guess today's got no patients. Even the smell of medicine's less intense than usual.

Nanoweaver turns to look at me, reaching up for something on the high shelf.
"Hello Argine, is there something you need from me?"
I guess she's trying to play it cool after our last encounter. I'm still not sure whether I want to bring it up, but...
That little machine of hers is still on the desk, turned off this time.

"Yeah, I'm here for that 'favour' of yours. It's kinda odd to ask me to go with you on a walk... but you've been good to me, doc, I don't mind hanging out. Can't help but feel weird for taking something of yours for something as basic as just spending time with you, though".
Nanoweaver doesn't often have much free time back when I was younger and still in training, so I didn't get to spend as much time with her as I'd like. This whole... recent socializing thing that Amica and you lot are pushing me towards - as reluctant as I am for interacting with people like the Sector Bosses, Nanoweaver's someone who I know at least, cares about me in some way.
I'd probably never directly tell her, but... it's definitely nice, feeling comfortable around her. She's kinda like Diagram - they're both docile sorts, I don't feel like there's a chance that they'll start shit at any moment.
"I'm afraid I couldn't justify taking your precious time without some kind of compensation, Argine. But I'll give that to you after the little trip's over."
I nod. If there's one person I can always trust to keep her word, it's the doc.
"Alright, then where to?"
Not like the Site's got plenty of scenic places to visit. Nowadays, they don't even want people heading outside unless it's for something important. Not like there's much besides an unending ocean out there.
"A few places. Shall we head to the Hall of Heroes first? I believe that's a place suitable for conversation."
Huh, well, I'd prefer that over the damn park, at least. It barely qualifies as one.

If you lot are curious, you may as well tell me some questions you have for her, right? Not sure if she'd answer all of them, as she's always been sorta cagey about her past. Don't expect me to swamp her in questions though - I mean, geez, we're just talking a walk, I can't be interrogating her.

>>1019875
You think your sister named herself? I find that very unlikely.

Ask her if she considers you a friend, or more like... a daughter.
Tell her you made peace with Judicium for the most part, after finally finding out what really happened behind that door.
Has she talked to Amica much? What's her impression of her?

Maybe you should take her to the interrogation chamber instead. Surely you know how to do a bit of funishment?
What species is that tail from, and what can she do with it?
Are all of you taken from different base species templates, are you all original genetic hybrids? What's the base species owning and operating all this genetic research, anyway?

Let her know about amicas request

>>1019908
Let's not. Something about Amica triggers Nanoweaver in a big way. Some thought, worry or trauma she has about her, I'd say. Pointing out that Amica is scheming (or however Nanoweaver will read it) is just gonna put that into overdrive. Besides, Nanoweaver is "scheming" as well, it seems, just in your favor. Or somesuch.

>name
Since you made a big deal of the name selection you must have put some thought into it. Was your name derived from "argentum", silver, or "arginine" the amino acid, or was it something less, ah, sciency? If you're asking for personal details from someone it's common to share some in return, so if Nanoweaver doesn't know perhaps you could share that (as well as your annoyance with your sister for 'stealing' your name).

More of that whole tit for tat bit.

>Nanoweaver questions
Cagey about her past... then what about the future, as a thought exercise? Everyone has dreams, big, small, distant or close. What is her plan once you get out of here and this facility is mothballed? Any chance you'll be running across her out there, in the universe, and if so what are you gonna be finding her doing? Odds are she's gonna be vague about this as well, but hey... could be worth a shot.

And since you're in the hall of heroes you could also ask which is her favorite hero, and why? If she goes for that sort of stuff. Not everyone might be into literal hero-worship, you know, however cool it is to have an idol to aspire to.

There's also a past-poking question that might slip by her defense line (or might fail spectacularly), from sheer temerity alone: How old is she? Give a ballpark estimate, at least!

>Something about Amica
I'd suggest in the spirit of 'socializing' that you don't bring up Amica yourself. Nanoweaver is probably gonna get there by herself here, honestly, and if she doesn't... well. A serious chat for another time.

Perhaps it's not you she's as concerned for as it is your influence on Amica? What she might... replicate from you? Considering how freakishly powerful she apparently was, with only Judi being able to stop her, her starting to get to know and emulate you and your desire to break rules and get out of here... ah. It could be something like that. Or in part. The other part could be whatever mystery lies in your past that everyone is unwilling to talk about.

Aside from that, Nanoweaver must've been involved in Amica's creation, likely far more than ours... and Amica did mention a 'Mom' when you first met. Could that "Mom" have been Nanoweaver? At the veyr least, if she was working on her, with her, then part of Amica's replicated behavior could stem from Nanoweaver. It must be a bit unnerving, I suppose, to see one's own actions and behavior mirrored - especially when Amica had fewer such replicated personalities to choose from. She probably picks and mixes and matches what suits the occasion a little better these days, after a year on Judi's shoulders, having picked up more behavioral modes.

1/2 Argine 2022/01/09(Sun)18:56 No. 1020112 ID: 73aaab
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>You think your sister named herself? I find that very unlikely.
After a certain point, all the clones in the facility were allowed to name themselves. While Judicium, Mnemosyne and Ozone are the weirdoes with actual assigned names - I think after a while, they just didn't have the time to go and pick names out for everyone. So they just let people name themselves.

>What species is that tail from, and what can she do with it?
Linharjans. They've got those stinger tails, which come in a few different appearances and are full of paralytics. Nickel and Astrolysis' stingers seem to also come from Linharjans, but theirs look different due to whatever freaky genes they've got.

>Are all of you taken from different base species templates, are you all original genetic hybrids? What's the base species owning and operating all this genetic research, anyway?
Yeah, actually, every single one of us here are different mixes of the five main species, with certain traits pushed to the forefront more than the other. Diagram's mostly like a Keletzar - she's got those floppy ears, horns.... the main thing she DOESN'T have is the feathers. Sykes, you probably couldn't see it, but I've seen Diagram's coat up close before - and her sleeves have these little feather-slats in 'em. It's a similar kind of deal to the outfits I've seen the more feathery clones with. I wonder where she got it from?
Still, I feel like I see the Keletzar involved the least compared to the other species - hell, I forget to mention them half the time when I'm talking about the species. I don't think their genes were particularly viable for cloning, or their physical traits weren't well-suited for it, so there's very few of them out there. Diagram's probably the only especially notable one, since she's such a weirdo, hah.

As for the base species owning and operating this place... I dunno. The scientists who ran the place, they were all different species themselves, so it didn't feel like one or another. If anything, it felt like it was a collaboration of the best from each of the species. Apparently there was at least one representative from each of the five species, but I only really knew two of them - Doc. Testemillion and Doc. Troveheart. But both of them left, so none of them are around any more.


>Let her know about Amica's request
>Let's not. Pointing out that Amica is scheming (or however Nanoweaver will read it) is just gonna put Nanoweaver's Paranoia into overdrive.
I'd rather not ruin the moment by bringing up someone who she clearly doesn't like. Even if I have to get that info from her eventually, just... probably not today.

Nanoweaver flicks the lights off as we walk out. The echo of our footsteps becomes background noise as she shoots me a question, something to fill the silence.
"Do you have any plans for the future when you depart, Argine?"

I respond off-handedly, not really thinking on it too much. There’s too much on my mind. Oppenents, my freedom, scarce time ticking down…

"I'll figure it out as I go. Can't really make plans when I don't know what's out there. But I'm going to make a name for myself - I'm going to be one hell of a hero."
What more can I say to that? It's not like either of us have much experience out there, so it's not like I have any places I want to visit in mind.

"What about you, Nanoweaver? What do you plan to do when you leave?"

There's a strange tension that seems to arc between us.

"I suppose I'm the same as you, Argine. In all honesty - I had not expected this time to come so soon. I remember when I was younger, I would be chided for putting things off. How ironic it is, that I've put off thinking about the future itself."
Hah, I guess we are alike.

"Speaking of youth, Nanoweaver... how old are you? Some people call you nana, after all."

There's a bemused expression behind the mask. Even though I can never see her full expression, her eyes speak to me.
"Argine! Don't you know it's rude to ask women their age?"
...It is? I mean, I'm a woman too, but I don't really have any issue with it. I turned three a while ago, after all.

"But how old are you?"

Nanoweaver chuckles.
"Why not guess?"

"12?"
The oldest clones were born around 12 years ago - it's 368 PD currently, so that would be.... somewhere around 356PD.
"Lower."
"10?"
Diagram was born around 358PD - at least, that's what she told me, anyway.
"Lower."
Nanoweaver's younger than Diagram?!

"8...."
"You're correct."
Huh. I guess that means Nanoweaver's still got 5-year seniority on me. That's the thing about us Trace Clones - some of us are physically younger, but due to how the Trace ampoules work - some of us *feel* much older in comparison. Even though Diagram's older than Nanoweaver, I feel like she's still less mature than her in comparison.
But... wow, I guess I really didn't see that coming.

The walk continues. Nanoweaver looks over at me sometimes - and I look at her as we go. One of us tries to say something, and the other one opens their mouth at the same time, accidentally cutting both of us off.


Man, this is awkward. Clones don't have parents, but when your reason for existing can be traced back to one person, then I don't know what to feel about her relationship to me. If anything - me and my sister are probably the closest to having a parent here - unless you count whatever strange situation is going on with Diagram's heritage.
It's obvious that she doesn't know what to say, either. I mean, she's had so much more history than I have in this place. But she's still one of the people who have treated me the kindest in the end.

>Was your name derived from "argentum", silver, or "arginine" the amino acid, or was it something less, ah, sciency?
Actually, yeah, my name was partially based off of "Arginine". But there's another layer to it. Jin's name in comparison doesn't have an actual meaning. It's just an inversion of mine.

It's kinda weird to be talking to you guys while I'm maintaining conversation with Nanoweaver, but when the gaps are this huge, I don't think she can blame me for spacing out a bit.

I feel kind of bad, though. I'm meant to be spending my time with her taking a walk, but my thoughts keep going back to all the opponents I'll have to face.

2/2 Argine 2022/01/09(Sun)18:57 No. 1020113 ID: 73aaab
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Pushing the door to the Hall of Heroes open again comes as a bit of a relief in the end.
"We're here," I announce, like it wasn't obvious.

I stop in front of the same memorial as usual. Realistically, she wouldn't give a shit about me if she knew who I was. Everyone's got their own problems to deal with, especially when you're a big shot hero.
There's no bullet to offer this time. Besides, that declaration's been made already.

There's a bench nearby that the doc sits down on. Sometimes, I wonder about her background. She's not quite the usual picture of a medic - I don't think I've seen anyone else with a mask on like that - there's usually some practicality to that kind of thing. Nanoweaver though, no matter how long I've known her, she's always had that mask on. I've never really seen her eat or drink, for that matter.
I'm sure some people have joked that Nanoweaver's a machine under that mask, but, I can't say she is. Some dumbass in the past - before I was born, had tried to remove Nanoweaver's mask once. That clone never got anywhere - took a scalpel to the eye. Nobody tried again afterward.
It's funny hearing that story - Nanoweaver, she seems to detest fighting. She's always telling me not to get into fights - to try and avoid conflict.
Too bad that's not doable right now.

>Nanoweaver must've been involved in Amica's creation, likely far more than ours... and Amica did mention a 'Mom' when you first met. Could that "Mom" have been Nanoweaver?
That's not a bad theory. You ever notice how, Amica never calls Judicium 'Mom'? It's weird, since, I had thought that 'Judi' was that mom, but...

>part of Amica's replicated behavior could stem from Nanoweaver.
I'm not sure I want to imagine Nanoweaver strutting around flaunting herself and speaking like that.
Seriously, who the hell did she get THAT kind of personality from? I can get that she could probably combine 'em, but... you can't get sugar out of saltwater and mustard.

>Perhaps it's not you she's as concerned for as it is your influence on Amica? What she might... replicate from you?
Ah, crap. That explains some of the Pseudosignia stuff, right?
I'll have to think on that later - weigh my choices. But...
If it comes down to it - we could defeat Amica ourselves, right? Judicium beat her somehow, and she's someone we've beaten too.

But first, there's a question that easily springs to mind. In fact, I've been wanting to ask it for some time, even before you brought it up.
"Nanoweaver... do you consider me to be a friend, or a daughter?"
She looks towards me, her eyes visible behind the red-tinted glass.

"Is there anything to say that I cannot consider you both?"
I guess not.
"Do you consider me to be a mother, Argine?"
...
"Yeah, I do. You made me, right? What else can the word mean?"
Nanoweaver turns toward the memorial.
"I see... well, I guess I'm glad that you see me that way. Though it feels strange, hearing you say it like that."

There's a pause. I don't know how to feel about that, myself.
"Do you pledge to any of the heroes, Nanoweaver?"

You can learn a lot from what heroes the clones like the most.
Urza's always been mine - because I wanted to get her strength and use it for my own goals.

...Nowadays, it makes me wonder if that was the right choice. Following in her footsteps. The world around me's so different to hers. Parasignias, the latest technology - and the Weave Nexus. It's not like the days that Urza had in the past.
The blessing of strength... to destroy those who oppose me. I wonder if that strength is enough.

"I do not."
...Huh. That's a rare one.
It's short and blunt - clear, even through her mask.
"Is it okay if I ask why?"

"It's one thing to celebrate the accomplishments of those in the present. Another to celebrate the past - and those who were turned into symbols of war. Perhaps this isn't something you'd want to hear, Argine, but I do not wish for you to follow in the footsteps of others so closely."
Yeesh, that's harsh.
There's a lot I could say to that, but, I think I'm okay with just keeping quiet for now.

...Finally, there's a serenity that settles on both of us. The wind outside is blowing - another cold day in this lonely world of ours.

...I don't know what to say. Should I just be letting time pass? Thanking Nanoweaver for making me? Surely she wants something more meaningful than me, the defect, just sitting here like I ate her share of a meal and complaining that I wanted more?

I apologize in advance but: remove your jacket, then ask her why she wears a mask.
If you can't trust your own mother, you can't trust anyone.

>>1020113
Oh, I bet Nanoweaver is hiding her face behind her mask just like how you hide your arms. Has she seen them?

>If it comes down to it - we could defeat Amica ourselves, right? Judicium beat her somehow, and she's someone we've beaten too.
Not unless you can get a cold-based pseudosignia from Judicium. Remember, Judicium was the only one who could stop Amica, because her parasigna was a perfect counter to the nanoswarm. Yours is not, because the end result is just... better gadgets. Other people had gadgets when they fought Amica, and they lost.
That said, I don't think Amica is dangerous. She has adapted, socialized, calmed down.

>to destroy those who oppose me
That doesn't sound very heroic. Did you mean: the strength to protect the innocent? The strength to smite evil? The strength to end suffering? Or even something a bit edgy but still heroic, like the strength to destroy those who oppose justice? When you're a hero, it's not about you. It's about them. The ones you're trying to protect.
But to answer your question, no. Strength is not enough. You must also have compassion, empathy. When saving people, a true hero can keep them calm, protecting their hearts and minds, not just their bodies. A true hero is a beacon of hope. A certain amount of charisma is needed for that.

>defect
Well that's something you could talk about. Tell her about your self esteem issues. Or about the things that piss you off about your sister. Heck, bring up the name thing- does she have any insight on that?
Tell Nanoweaver about why you worship Urza. Ask Nanoweaver what she thinks a hero is.
Talk about what you think the outside world is like. You must have some mental image, right? Fields of grass? Mountains? The ocean? A massive city?
Maybe you can talk about your fights with the sector bosses? You could talk about us, about how we're nagging you to socialize more. And lecturing you when you're a jerk.

>Arginine-inspired name
Score one for Sykes. We can discuss that other layer to your name at a more convenient time.

>Some call her nana
Wait, so she's your Nano-nana?

>Amica's personality
Odds are there's a high degree of Doctor Testemillian in there. Annoyingly gregarious and wayyy too up in one's business seems like a thing of his, at least in the older recordings we've seen.

>Can we beat Amica?
Maybe. One shouldn't discount how she went up against all the sector bosses and won, but you have more options than most in changing tactics to stay ahead of her adaptations. You also have us, for what it's worth, and you'd probably do better against her if you got more experience against the sector bosses she's been able to copy tactics from and get a few more of their gadgets in your belt.

You also have the Deck of the Storyteller - she can't replicate magic I'd hazard. It was even created from what might have been intended as a bullet for he-... hm, actually. Now that I think about it, I'm really not sure we can tell who - or what - that bullet was intended for? Amica seems the obvious bet based on what little we know, but Judi's lack of worry towards her seems to go counter to that and it was chock full of magic, so who knows what it was REALLY intended to do? Bullets kill, but a bullet made of magic stories? Might've had a different intended purpose.

You'd have to admit your theft and ask Judi about it if you want to figure out that mystery, which doesn't really seem to be, if you'll excuse me, in the cards at the moment.

>Was Urza the right choice?
It depends on what one's strength is used for, no? Urza had her goals, forged by war and the struggles of her time. You have yours. There's also the less extreme approach to emulating one's idols: take the good of them, discard the bad. Every hero here has lessons to teach and mistakes to avoid, I'm sure. Urza's ways are just the favorite gadget in your toolbelt, the one you know the best. The easiest to lash out with, for good and ill. Don't think she'd give a shit if you didn't stick to her teachings only though, right?

>What to say to Nanoweaver
Why not say what is on your mind? You feel thankful she made you and glad she's in your corner, friend-wise. You're curious what she'd want from you in turn, if anything.

If all else is lost, talk about the weather. Fascinating thing, that weather. Very difficult to predict, you know? Even infinitesimally small variables can throw forecasts off by huge margins over time.

Or you can touch on something that really troubles you and which Nanoweaver is uniquely positioned to help answer.

>me, the defect,
Anyone who can walk away from a bullet in the head with a win is not a mistake, Argine.

But if your state truly bothers you, try to gently pry into what happened before you got decanted. Something made you less of a savant than your sister and you were both made, so either it was deliberate, 'the weather' played a part, or something unfortunate happened. Could it have anything to do with why Astrolysis calls you 'Wirehead'? That whole wire conversation she overheard.

And if you truly want to worry about defectiveness, ask this:

What's the estimated lifespan of clones?

Trace or otherwise. You were made for combat after all and start out fully grown so longevity may not have been the highest priority during initial development. Mnemosyne looked a bit haggard for someone who's twelve years old. Asking about this could give you some insight into the other clones' physicality and frame of mind - and Nanoweaver would be the one to ask. You'd even have a certain right to know, as concerns yourself.

That said, being the last in the line of development you are probably the beneficiary of many, many lessons learned on the bodies of your predecessors - it's why you calling yourself a 'defect' might be... a bit off, comparatively to anyone but your sister. Creating new and improved intelligent lifeforms out of a mish-mash of several species' best traits cannot be easy even before throwing magic powers into the mix, and most of the clones left here bears some mark of that. You're not the only one having to deal with what was made of you.

Case in point: Nickel has her for-her-kind uncommonly asocial nature. Astrolysis is literally blind and her love of bone-crunching combat can be, uh, painfully off-putting. Diagram is young, despite being among the older clones. Nanoweaver has an aversion to combat and wears her mask religiously. Those are pretty big indicators that this clone program to churn out experimental super-soldiers had its share of troubles. I don't know what Ozone and Mnemosyne's damage could be beyond just age, if anything, but chances are the older clones' quirks could be among the potentially more serious.

Maybe you're a little more privileged than you think.

Come to think of it, it seems a bit strange that some clones - like Nanoweaver and Diagram - clearly got involved in the clone development effort over time. Was it because they happened to be well suited for it, their Parasignias opening up new avenues of R&D possibilities? Did their contributions change the program and its very goals in some way? Amica is very much not a clone, yet she was developed here as well. Heh, feature creep. It always happens.

>>1020120 Forgot to say.
You have the rare chance of talking about how you feel about yourself with someone who legitimately loves you and would never make fun of you for your appereance.

Also, your arms make your sick biceps look bigger.

Amica is like that because she wants to be seen as a person like everyone else, not some dangerous freak machine.
We know this because despite the fact that she must want to escape this place as much as you do (As she doesn't have much of a future otherwise), she isn't manipulating her form to manipulate you or us into helping her, which she could easily do. That flamboyant form of hers is an expression of self. You two have alot in common. You could make a great team out there in the wider universe. You'll have to advance your relationship beyond just using eachother to get there though.

As for the current moment, it's ok to just enjoy someone else's company in silence every now and then, you're doing fine.
Ask her what her idea of a "hero" is, though. You may find it profound.

1/3 Argine 2022/01/15(Sat)04:05 No. 1020463 ID: 73aaab
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>I apologize in advance but: remove your jacket, then-
No.

Nanoweaver already knows my scars - and frankly, I don't want to remind her of them. She made me. I was born like this, looking like napalm's burned my skin away.
She's seen enough of my wounds.

>You have the rare chance of talking about how you feel about yourself with someone who legitimately loves you and would never make fun of you for your appearance.
It's not as rare as it sounds. I've already talked to her before on this.

>So she's your Nano-nana?
Yeah yeah, I've already said before - folks tend to call her Nana Weaver. Ironic, given that she just said she's definitely younger than some of the people here.

>I bet Nanoweaver is hiding her face behind her mask just like how you hide your arms.
Maybe. But I don't to find out. Nanoweaver's someone who means a lot to me, and I don't want to take her for granted. I'll ask one day - when I've become something worthwhile.


>Amica.
Beating Amica... that's going to be interesting, since she's made it clear that she's deceptively tough. I can't really wrap my head around how Judicium, of all the Sector Bosses, was the only one who could defeat her, if she's truly that much of a monster.
If anything - I think if we ever have to fight her, we'll need to be as prepared as we can.

But, like I said before - I think we can beat her if we need to. We pulled through the Nickel fight.

>Who was the bullet for?
Even now, I don't know. And that's why I'm reluctant to ask Judicium.
Because that bullet could have been for me, not Amica.

>Anyone who can walk away from a bullet in the head with a win is not a mistake, Argine.
Barely. But what is a mistake?
Me, I wasn't intended to be like this, with my arms... like that. That's already a defect. Why else do people treat me like this, like I'm just some kind of science experiment to be watched over?

>That said, being the last in the line of development you are probably the beneficiary of many, many lessons learned on the bodies of your predecessors - it's why you calling yourself a 'defect' might be... a bit off, comparatively to anyone but your sister.
...I really don't like saying anything bad about Nanoweaver, but she's not the main person in charge of developing clones. I don't know all of the circumstances - and I don't want to blame her, but she was still less experienced than someone like Dr. Troveheart.
All I know is - in part, we were made simply because they could. They had just enough Gene Traces left over to make us two.

But they clearly didn't have enough to make one of us complete.

...Makes me wonder if it's worth existing at all if you're just trash put together from what they had left. If anything - Jin's probably the exception, since even though we were both made from what's left - she's undeniably strong.
Maybe I was always doomed to be like this, and she was the lucky one who got the good share of the genes.


>What's the estimated lifespan of clones?
Good question. In the past, I've asked about it, but I don't really get any consistent answers.

"Hey doc? How long do people like you or I have to live? We still age..."

Nanoweaver cocks her head back, as if to laugh.
"Planning that far ahead, Argine? Well, I really don't know. None of us do. It probably varies from clone to clone. In the past we were more likely to die of complications, but now…“
She casts her gaze towards Urza's spear in front of us, “times are different. Parasignias, the multiverse; being shot through the head should be lethal, yes?”

From what the others tell me, and your reactions, I guess that's the case?
"I guess. But this is all I've known. I've seen Astrolysis cut off a finger once - and then put it back on the stump with a bandage. It was fine in a day."


"Speaking as someone who's had to delve into this field to create you and your sister - we, as clones tend to age slower physically compared to natural, biological equivalents. It seems that... since we were created for combat, the byproduct of keeping us in our physical prime for longer means that we don't 'grow old'. If anything, we may simply have an expiration date, when we cease to function."

I guess that makes sense. Plus, unless the scientists were crueller than I imagined - putting down scores of perfectly viable soldiers in a few years has to be a little rough, right? I'm sure there would've been plenty of fights or rebellions if that's the case.
Nobody's going to just march up to their execution. I'm living proof of that, even if the other Sector Bosses never said their intentions directly.

Nanoweaver catches some expression on my face, and changes the topic.
"In the end - even if we do not know our numeric lifespans, besides general estimates - I do believe that we'll be here for quite some time yet. If the circumstances permit it - I'd certainly like to see you through the decades ahead."

That's... comforting. Knowing that there's at least someone out there who'll be there for me.

"What about Mnemosyne and the other eldest clones? She's kinda looking rough nowadays."
It doesn't mean I don't find her any less intimidating to go up against though.
"She has a lot on her mind, Argine. She, like the rest of us, has her own burdens to carry. Physically, she's still fine. But there's some things in life that aren't as easily overcome as physical hurdles."
What does she mean by that?
She doesn't say much more than that, and we both drift back into silence.

2/3 Argine 2022/01/15(Sat)04:08 No. 1020464 ID: 73aaab
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There's no reason to ponder how long my life's gonna be if I'm not actually even able to live it. Maybe I'll consider it later, but from the sounds of it, it's not going to be a problem.

I breathe in, sniffing as some specks of dust threaten to invade my nostrils.
Feh. Having a nose with four openings has its benefits, but this is just annoying.

I think, this place not having been cleaned in a while's getting to me. Hah. I wonder if they'll donate these to some kinda multiverse museum after I'm gone?
That gets me thinking about heroes, though. Like Urza.
Would those heroes mean anything to people who aren't here? Sure, you could tell the stories, but it's not like you could see them in action or be inspired by them that much.
Kinda funny to think, that there's dozens of other heroes out there like me.

"What is your idea of a hero anyway, doc?", I ask.

Nanoweaver thinks on this for a bit.
I'm just about to repeat myself when she finally speaks.
"Someone who helps others, even at great cost to themselves. And ideally - someone who has committed far less wrong-doing even while pursuing heroism."

A bit of a standard response. I don't really know what I was expecting.
The thing is about that kind of hero - they often won't be remembered. I've heard the stories, about how some people can treat others like gods, but receive no compensation. What's the bloody point of doing something so good, only to get forgotten and betrayed by the people closest to you?
I don't like that.
But being strong - being strong allows you to do whatever kind of good you want. Bring others to justice, get vengeance.
And if you're left behind one day, you'll still be able to keep going. Everyone who's helped you can choose whether they want to stick with you or not - but you'll never have to be left without them, left like a gun without a magazine.

There's an easy question to follow that with.
"Do you think you're a hero?"

She laughs. I don't really get what's funny - I was just asking her straightforwardly.
"Far from it. But regardless of what I am, I want to support you, Argine."

There it is again - that unabashed support.
Care from someone who made you simply because she wanted to - is that a kind of love? Probably.
But underlying all of this - there's something that she isn't telling me, is she?
It certainly feels like she's trying to be a hero like how she describes.

>Why not say what is on your mind?
Then I will.

"Doc... There's some reason why you brought me here, right? More than just a casual chat. Even if I've been busy lately - we still talk on occasion. And - you wouldn't have made a big deal about this being a favour if you didn't have a plan. "
It's not like I'm completely deaf to how she's feeling, even when she's behind a mask. Both of us feel awkward - the difference is, she's the one who has something to say.

"In truth, Argine, part of the reason I invited you out here was because I wanted to talk to you about a specific night."

"What night?"

"The night after you had lost to your sister in the tournament that you had both been part of."
...Shit.
I try to shrug it off, but...
"What is there to say, doc? You should know all of it, don't you?"

Nanoweaver shakes her head.
"No, I don't. I've heard passing reasons why, heard their accounts on it. But not yours. Please, tell me Argine. If I'm to help you to the best of my ability, please tell me."

The question hangs between us.
I try to step back, but -
"If you leave, Argine... the truth will end up buried - and the scar it's leaving on you will never heal. Argine, please - for your sake."

3/3 Argine 2022/01/15(Sat)04:09 No. 1020465 ID: 73aaab
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I- no, I can't.
I shake my head - how am I even meant to begin with this?
"Argine... you can't simply pretend it never happened. After that night, that was when everything changed for you. But it wasn't just because of your loss and what your sister did to you, was it?"
I croak out the words.
"I don't want to remember."

>What does she mean by that?
>I don’t want to remember.
Answered your own question right quick, didn’t you? You’ve got some sort of mental hang-up, maybe even trauma, going here. Enough to want to suppress stuff. Generally this is considered unhealthy, which is, I presume, why Nanoweaver is asking. So she can try to help, offer some perspective, anything.

So... if you can, ease into an answer. One fact or question at a time. Stop if you feel overwhelmed. You don’t have to remember everything. It can be done stepwise or in parts.

It's okay, Argine. You don't have to talk about all of it right now if you are uncomfortable and not ready yet. Granted she is trying to help by letting you talk about it and maybe help you cope or help you think of solutions, but revealing everything all at once may just leave you with more anguish. If she respects your mental health, im sure she'd let you tell her about it when youre good and ready, or let you talk about it little by little (just the parts youre comfortable with until youre ready to talk more about the heavier stuff another time) and not rush you into talking about everything about your trauma all at once.

Tell her that the thing about scars is that technically they never fully heal, let her know the trauma will still be there even if you told her, and right now you are not ready to reveal everything, revealing things all at once will do more harm than good for you mentally, and would appreciate it if she had patience, respected your boundaries and allowed you to tell her about it at your own time when you're mentally ready one day, or at least talk about the parts your comfortable with revealing right now little by little. Inform her you are not pretending it didn't happen, and you grew stronger from the experience, learned from it.

Wah, seriously? What are you afraid of? You think we will make fun of you or some shit?
What happened to "being strong" and "talk all the shit you want"?

You think spent four, count them, FOUR, separate battles helping you win just mock you while recounting a loss?

Man, we WANT to make you win over your sister! You are GOING to win over your sister!
Tell your story so we can channel that anger and string her up high over the facility's walls like the balloon full of hot air she is!

>What is a hero
A hero is meant to stand for something. They're meant to represent what they want the world to be - so some of the world can try to follow suit.
The typical type of hero is simply someone answering a call for help when it's needed most.
We don't get that often in modern society.

>The thing is about that kind of hero - they often won't be remembered. I've heard the stories, about how some people can treat others like gods, but receive no compensation. What's the bloody point of doing something so good, only to get forgotten and betrayed by the people closest to you?
I don't get it either. But if you stare at an endless rot long enough, watch it slowly digest your world, your friends, and even the happiest moments of your past, you'd do anything to make it stop. "Not on my watch", said the Doc. That's a motivation strong enough to sacrifice yourself.

>And if you're left behind one day, you'll still be able to keep going. Everyone who's helped you can choose whether they want to stick with you or not - but you'll never have to be left without them, left like a gun without a magazine.
Well said.

But this scar is a weakness of the worst kind. You cannot let your brain be shackled. It will enslave you. It won't matter if nobody ever learns what you did, there will be those who understand your scar. And they will use it as a control panel. They will send you to perform acts of villainy, or worse, acts of malignant heroism for a greater manipulation, by using this part of you that you cannot see or change. You won't be able to remove the chains because they'd force you to look at everything you've turned your back on.

So get this over with.

>>1020465
Damn it girl, be pragmatic! This is clearly something that needs to be brought up even if it is painful. It is obviously still affecting you. It is going to hurt a lot, but you need to bite the bullet.

Be strong.

We're here for you, Argine.

You were right just now.
Nanoweaver loves you.
There's no one better to share this hurt with.
Burdens of the heart can be much lighter with just a little help.
It
You can do this.

You were right just now.
Nanoweaver loves you.
There's no one better to share this hurt with.
Burdens of the heart can be much lighter with just a little help.
It
You can do this.

>Me, I wasn't intended to be like this, with my arms... like that. That's already a defect. Why else do people treat me like this, like I'm just some kind of science experiment to be watched over?

Look, I'm not trying to be mean here, but that's EXACTLY what you are. Nanoweaver might be a person that cares about you but this entire outfit is pretty obviously a weapons program meant to create supersoldiers through cloning using heavily spliced genomes. What you are, the things the spliced into you are straight up an experiment. This whole organization feels like an experiment to turn you into a more powerful weapon.

And keeping that in mind, you might not get what you want when you finally finish beating the sector bosses. Maybe whatever war prompted your creation is over, but it's just as likely they are willing to let you go because they have no intent of letting you go and this is just a way to force you to prove your capability before they either pull the plug on you for their next iteration, or bundle you off against your will to fight some altercation. Big enterprises like this aren't free and someone is paying for this to keep going. Don't assume your current goal is some final victory.

1/3 Argine 2022/01/16(Sun)05:08 No. 1020540 ID: 73aaab
File 164233852767.png - (423.51KB , 1000x1000 , nanoweaverinterlude5.png )

I- no, I can't.
I shake my head - how am I even meant to begin with this?
"Argine... you can't simply pretend it never happened. After that night, that was when everything changed for you. But it wasn't just because of your loss and what your sister did to you, was it?"
I croak out the words.
"I don't want to remember."




BUT YOU HAVE TO Remember

>We're here for you, Argine.
>It's okay, Argine. You don't have to talk about all of it right now if you are uncomfortable and not ready yet.
But...


> What are you afraid of? You think we will make fun of you or some shit?
>What happened to "being strong" and "talk all the shit you want"?

>So get this over with.
>Damn it girl, be pragmatic!

>This is clearly something that needs to be brought up even if it is painful.
>Be strong.

>But you have to remember, Argine.

I....


I-