SubCritical: Weaponst that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/18(Thu)17:45 No. 988463 ID: f18774
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"Hey, look." Two people are walking near me. My mind is foggy, and my body doesn't respond.

"It's looking at me." It sounds distorted. Am I in some kind of trap?

"Don't mind it. Until they're activated, they won't be able to form memories."

"Are you sure?"

"All of the A series here are reserve forces. They remain inert until they're activated."

>I try to keep listening, to figure out what's happening, but the fog closes in.

>When I awaken again, I can't see much of anything, but when I look down, I see a sliver of light. I can move around now, but there's not much space. What Should I do?

This is my first time both posting and making a quest. I'm going to try my best to make it a good quest. I really hope you all like it.

Make etches on the side of the pod: "Don't trust them"

see if that sliver of light will let you open up the thing you're stuck in.

Calm down and take stock of what you can. Do you remember anything? That conversation from earlier, where you are, why you're here?

Look at yourself. What are you?

>>988463
Feel around, especially near the light.

We should try our best to peek out of the sliver of light first, for the sake of caution

Knock the glass.

>>988463
What does the form of your body seem to be? Is there anything besides a lack of space constricting your movement, like a mask or tubes?

Try to push the light with your foot. I expect it's too tight to really worm your body around and use your hands.

Follow the light.

Wiggle your toes. Just a little bit of movement. Keep trying to move things.

draw a penis on the glass and snicker

>>988476
This, clearly, but also
>>988472
figure out this first.

Try to poke the light with whatever part of your body can.

Wiggle until you are not in a box.

You don't have sensory tails, do you?

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/19(Fri)06:23 No. 988500 ID: f18774
File 161374463912.png - (32.23KB , 800x600 , 3 Page.png )

>Gather your bearings and figure out what you are and your situation.

I can barely see anything, but I can feel parts of my body. I have two hands, two legs, a tail, and a snout. My tail can feel plenty of things, is that what you mean by sensory? I can move it like an arm or a leg, so I can use it to hold stuff if I need to.

As for my situation, I feel like I'm suspended in some sort of fluid. There are some tubes that feel like they're stuck to my back and my wrists, but no mask. They seem to extend when I pull, and retract when I relent.

>Do you remember anything?

I remember those people talking, and then this. Does that count?

>Investigate the light.

I lean forward to get closer, but I hit my head on side of the... capsule I'm in. I could probably reorient myself to get a better look, but I'd likely get tangled up in the tubes stuck to me. It would take me a bit to untangle myself if I did.

>Poke the light.

I try to tap the light with my foot, and it makes a sound similar to tapping on an aquarium. It doesn't react otherwise.

>Etch "Don't trust them" on the pod.

I don't know who "they" are. For all I know, I'm now in a medical bay, recovering from severe injuries.

... What would be the point of making etching on the inside anyway? If you're stuck in here against your will, you probably don't trust "them" anyway.

>Draw a penis on the glass.

... Why? With what?

>>988500
Can you scream?
Why aren't you screaming?

If you can move your legs enough, kick as hard as you can in the direction of the light

Do you have claws ? You could make good use of them, sharp teeth works too.

This liquid has to be cycled in some way or another, the light might be where it come or exit, so there might be another, try lo look up if possible.

Also try to focus on your "insides", a special ability or bionics could be useful to know in this situation. Or worse if whatever put you in there had some form of build-in countermesure.

Start yanking tubes. It will either lead to your escape or, if you're in a medbay, alert a doctor who can explain the situation.

Lean back, brace shoulders against back of pod, tuck legs up toward chest, place feet against front of pod, then PUSH with your entire body.

>>988500
You are some sort of reptile? Try to punch the glass.

This pod has to open from somewhere. Feel around for what could possibly move. Maybe you could pry it open with the right leverage.

push on glass, see if you can't open whatever you're in

>>988500
Try banging on the glass. Maybe you can break the pod open.

>>988500
It's not a perfect recollection but it'll have to do. First things first, let's get out of this... cylinder? Somehow. Tug on tubes, brace yourself against the back and push out... feel for a lever or something? Emergency release?

>>988501
Yeah you are too calm given these circumstances. Then again we don't have context for this circumstances yet... So keep calm? are there any buttons inside that place? Maybe you are not supposed to get out yet.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/19(Fri)18:29 No. 988547 ID: f18774
File 161378817335.png - (44.64KB , 800x600 , 4 Page.png )

>Can you scream?

I don't think that would help, but I try calling for help. The fluid in the capsule seems to already fill my lungs. I guess one of these tubes is feeding me oxygen so I don't need to breathe. I'd better make sure I clear my lungs before I pull them all out though.

>Why aren't you screaming?

See above. Also, what would it do for me? If I'm in a med bay, doing this stuff would alert someone. If not, then screaming would only get me in more trouble.

>See what's in the pod, or if you can find where it opens.

I feel around the pod with my hands and tail, searching from top to bottom. It seems that the material at the back of the tube is more metallic than that of the front, which is some kind of silicate. The only seam that I find is at the side, where the silicate meets the metal. It's water-tight though, so I doubt I can get a purchace on it to pry it open.

>Hit/push/attack the glass or use your claws/teeth, if you have them.

I'm pretty sure that I have teeth, and it feels like I have claws. Scratching at the glass probably won't do much, so I start hitting the glass to get an idea of what it's made of and structural weak points.

>*Thump thump thump thumpCRACK*

Uh... I think I hit it too hard. The glass shattered, and fluid is leaking out. I hear a beep, followed by a mechanical whirring. It starts clicking, but a louder crack is followed by silence. For some reason, I feel like that was the sound of a motor breaking, but I'm not sure.

>Brace yourself on the back of the pod and push with your legs.

Well, since nothing else seems to be working, I do exactly that. It takes me a bit to orient myself, but I get my feet on the spot that shattered. I push hard, but it seems that nothing happens, until the glass starts to flex.

I could keep pushing, since it seems that the object obstructing the light isn't too hard to push off, but should I take a moment to do anything else? There isn't much, but I could wait and see if someone comes, or let some of the fluid drain. Either way, I'm going to try and get myself out of here.

>You are too calm.

Is that a bad thing?

I really suck at drawing arms at that angle. How does everyone else make it work?

whelp you've already goon this far, keep pushing.

Start thinking of potential names better than "A10".

And PUSH

Close your eyes before you bust out, the pressure probably wouldn't pop your eyeballs anyway but better safe than sorry

>Is that a bad thing?
In this scenario yes, that makes me question your psychological integrity.

And definitely don't name yourself "Penji".

>>988547
Let some of the fluid drain. Opening it while the tank is full may drag you out, and the edges of the glass could cut you.

id push a bit harder aginst the glass

Widen your foot placement. You don't want your foot to punch through and get cut up.

>>988547
As the other voices in your head have suggested, push around instead of focusing on the break! See if you can pop the silicate cover off in one go instead of shattering it. Might be quieter, and you're less likely to hurt yourself.

>>988554
name yourself Venji!

wait shit

Kenji! Name yourself Kenji!

also make sure the tubes aren't injecting you with poison or something while you break out

Your name is Nanji
You will crush the will of your oppressors under your foot
and this glass panel is your first victim

It's a bit early to pick a name. We don't know what our gender is.

Quick, check gender.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/20(Sat)08:16 No. 988593 ID: f18774
File 161383780655.png - (107.44KB , 800x600 , 5 Page.png )

>Try to push the whole pane out.

That's a good idea. I adjust how my feet are placed against the silicate and try to push more slowly. Just waiting for the fluid to leak from the cracks will take a long time, so I'll help it along.

>>988553

Seeing as how I have all of you inside my head, I'd consider that to be a better indicator of insanity.

>*Creeeeeeek*

I hear a metallic groan, like what you hear on a ship. There's a small gap between the metal and the pane, but it's still sturdy. Some liquid is draining out of the open seam, so it should be faster now.

>Think of names better than "A10"

Is that your way of saying to call myself A10?

>Definitely don't name yourself "Penji".
>Name yourself "Venji"! Wait, "Kenji"!
>Your name is "Nanji".

Uh... can you guys make up your mind? Why not "Penji" or "Venji"? What's wrong with those names?

>*CREEEEEEEK*
>Quick, check gender.

I don't know! What do you think I am?!

>*SKREECRACK*

What the-

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/20(Sat)08:16 No. 988594 ID: f18774
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Oh. Uh oh.

>*CRACK*

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/20(Sat)08:17 No. 988595 ID: f18774
File 161383782083.png - (74.97KB , 800x600 , 7 Page.png )

...

...

... Uh... I'm out?

I guess you are out.
Also, did you get any cuts on yourself? you did just break glass with you bare feet, that had to have caused some injuries. Check self for injuries.

So your name isn't Penji, for obvious reasons. But at least you realize that you hear us. As of now we might be some voice inside your head but who knows, we always had a lot of origin.

But that's irrelevant for you as of now, I'll suggest being just "Grey", that's a good humanoid-reptile name ! And just to go against the collective I bet you're male.

Second priority though is to check everything around while cutting off these tubes, you need to assess your immediate situation before anything.

>Freedom.
Tadaa! Vomit all the water you have in you.

>Why not "Penji" or "Venji"?
Those bring bad luck.

>Gender
What ever you want to be, mate.

Get rid of those tubes check where you are. Put some damn clothes.

>... Uh... I'm out?
just proves how great you are... may want to get those tubes and wires off of you next though.

Be super careful in taking the tubes and wires out; they may be connected in un-obvious ways and require specific, precise motions to remove.

>>988595
Check if you have any injuries.

Check self.
Clear lungs. Find a way to stand without suddenly ripping out those tubes. You don't want those things coming out quickly.

Hmm... Tozol/Space shark mix?

For a name, how about Donner or Blitz? (referencing the A-10 Thunderbolt II)

Personally, I like Blitz.

>>988595
I think you are a male too.

>>988595
We can worry about what's between our legs and how we want to be called once we're somewhere that's Not Here. First things first, get those tubes out of you, then get your lungs clear. Probably easier to do that on your hands and knees than it would be on your back, as you are. But hey, the fact we broke that... tank? Of fluid and no alarms have gone off is either a good thing or a really, really bad thing. Take a look around, too, make sure we didn't hop out of the frying pan and right into the fire.

And since we need a name, what about... Avro? Short and snappy.

In case you genuinely aren't aware, the name suggestions are referencing the superficial similarity between this quest so far and the opening of "Tozol Quest," of which the protagonist was named Penji, and a parody, of which the protagonist was named Venji.

>>988595
good job and ohmygosh you have godzilla colours!

anyhoo check you are/aren't alone and get yourself disentangled

Names can wait, including crotch-checking but you may end up indirectly doing that anyway, right now we need to know if you're injured or a tube was pulled out of you during the breach.

Your male, of course.
>>988616
Seconding Blitz
Also, best start choking to clear your lungs.
If you still got fluid in them when you disconnect those tubes it'll be rather painful and disorienting.

>>988595
Alright start detaching yourself from the machine, and look around.
>what gender?
Well you look masculine. No breasts, for one. You could check yourself out too see if you can confirm, though internal male genitalia could give the wrong impression. It's also possible you have nothing there at all, since you're likely an artificial life form.

Why don't we just go for a gender neutral name. Like uh, Veritas.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/20(Sat)17:03 No. 988657 ID: f18774
File 161386943430.png - (59.77KB , 800x600 , 8 Page.png )

>Get the fluid out of your lungs.

Good idea.
*BLARGH*

>Look around and figure out where you are.

I do that as soon as I can catch my breath. The air is stale, but not toxic. The room itself is dim, and is filled with grey metal machines and objects. Across from me is a console of some type, and a set of lockers, I think. To the right of that, against the wall, is a bunch of canisters connected to pipes in the wall. The left wall doesn't have much, but the right has some tall, rectangular machines with blinking lights. The capsule behind me has a machine to the left of it when I look at it, and it has green lights. It hums softly.

>Check yourself for injuries.

After looking over the room, I pat myself down, checking for cuts and scrapes. Seems that nothing really hurt me when I fell out.

>Try to remove the tubing.

I start with the tubes on my wrists, or try to, at least. The things around my arms seem to be a clamp of sorts. The ones in my back hurt to remove, but they come out. Those needles are... pretty big. Still, I don't feel any immediate effects when I remove them.

>Names?

Why don't you guys try to get a consensus on which name you like? Blitz has two votes, which is one more than the others.

>Gender?

Everything seems internal, if I have any parts. If you say I'm a male, then I'll go with that.

After I orient myself, I try to stand. My legs are a bit shaky, but I can stand.
>Clothe yourself.
Give me something to wear! I don't see anything here!

>>988639
I'm aware of those quests, but this fellow isn't aware of them. Thanks for your concern though!
Also, sorry if the quality is a little lower. I'm not doing too well at the moment.

>>988657
Observe the room, see if there is anything useful.

Hmm, you could bite the tubes off without removing the clamps.
Are there other containers in the room that could house more like you?

Check in the lockers.

Is that a generator to your right?

>>988657
Male is more fun for a lizard, I vote male.

Aside from that, look around some more, get the gloop outta your eyes, stretch that tail, breathe some fire

The important stuff, y'know?

Check the green light machine for controls.
Rip off wrist tubing if you can't disengage the clamps.

Check the nearby machines before you cut the wires. For all you know they might be connected to your nervous system.

Orient yourself. Find your balance. Look around, can you read anything? Stretch if you need to.

>>988644
Also Veritas is a cool name. Second that.

>>988657
Well, we've gotten some of this... stuff out of us. Caution is good. We seem to be alone and no alarms are audibly going off, so let's see if we can make out what's ON the machines before we start yanking stuff out. Assuming we can reach the lockers, let's look through them as well, see if we can't make ourselves decent. Priority one is getting free of the machinery though.

What about a strawpoll, for names? Give it until tomorrow sometime and put all the names to a vote.

While you're at it, try to check for any recent presence.

Is there any exit you can spot by the way ? That might be useful in a very near future, and cameras as well.

But first priority is indeed to take these tubes off yourself, if they won't come out peacefully than remove them forcefully.

I also stand by my choice of name.

Not a fan of veritas. It's the kind of name that needs to be justified by some sort of context to our existence. It's a powerful name that carries the brand of truth.
Seems out of place for a cleans slate such as ourselves.

We don't need to start naming people right away, they might already have a name.

Start getting those wires out... carefully. Time to look around this little lab you are in too, see what's in it and what the exits are.

Check surroundings

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/21(Sun)07:39 No. 988707 ID: f18774
File 161392196686.png - (27.71KB , 800x600 , 9 Page.png )

>Steady yourself.

I get the rest of that liquid out and off of my body. I don't feel really stiff, but I flex my limbs and stretch to make sure that I can. I can't detect anything that's wrong with my motor skills.

>Check for any recent presence.

Looks like the room has been empty for a while, judging from the layer of dust on most surfaces. Or there's just a lot of dust here and it needs to be cleaned more often.

>Observe the room.

Yeah, that's a good idea. I look around and make a mental map of the room. I'll mark my position with the green arrow, so I can keep track of where in the room I am.
It looks like the machine to the left of the pod is a generator of some kind. The screen on it displays the intricacies of its function, and the three lights, from top to bottom, are "Generator", "Fuel" and "Power". Smaller writing next to those lables say that the top indicates that the generator is active, the middle shows that the fuel supply is good, and the bottom shows external power input. The lever on the left of the machine is pushed up to "ON", so it looks like some kind of generator. Maybe for emergencies. I look and see that the generator is connected to more wires, the largest is connected to the pod I was in, but others snake around the room. If I turn it off, it will probably deactivate the lights.
There's a machine that looks like some type of computer console opposite of the pod. It has three displays, and some input devices below them. I'll look closer if you want me to.
The devices that look like servers use the lights to show the status of various things. It seems that it was being used to monitor my status while I was in the pod. I can take a closer look at the labels if you'd like.
The canisters also seem to be connected to my pod. A warning lable says that these capsules can replicate their contents, and that rupturing the canister can cause an explosion. I shouldn't break them while I'm stuck in this room, since I don't know how big the blast will be.
The lockers... well, you can take a look. One is locked, two are unlocked, one has a keypad, and I'm not sure if it's active. Should I look though them?
There are no cameras here, and the door fits snug in the wall.

Should I look more closely for stuff on the walls too, or should I investigae one of these objects more closely?

>Make sure the tubes aren't connected to your nervous syetem before you try to remove them.

The machines don't tell me anything at first glance, but shifting the clamps on my wrists doesn't cause any real discomfort.

>Names?

Well you all seem to agree that I'm male, but you're still pretty split on names. Do any of you like the other names that were suggested too? I don't really need a name right now, but it would be good to call myself something if the need arises.

I don't think there's any need to mess with the generator for now. Open the lockers, take a look at the servers, then the console seems like a good course of action.

While we're at it, do you feel hungry, thirsty, or any physical need really.

Looking back at your earliest memories...

They referred to you as "It", suggesting they saw you as a thing or tool, not a person.

"A series are reserve forces" suggest that those in the A series are soldiers.
You were in tank A10, so you were supposed to be a soldier.

"Remain inert until they're activated" implies an artificiality and newness to you. Together with your lack of memories, it's probably safe to say you are a clone.

Remembering that earlier event despite 'not being able to form memories', having voices in your head that you instinctively label "insanity", and waking up alone with neither prompt nor directive all suggest you have some sort of mental anomaly.

So to recap, you appear to be a Clone Soldier who has self awakened due to abnormal brain development.
Congratulations. You are accidently a person.

I suppose we could put names on the backburner for now. Either someone will accidentally name you, or you'll develop an identity later that warrants a name.

Hmm... If you are indeed a clone soldier a wouldn't be surprised if you were engineered to be sexless. Perhaps it would be best not to cling to closely to a gender label until an identity is formed.

Anyway, just listen for people saying Clone, Soldier, A-series, or something of the like. They may be referring to you.

As for right now, definitely rifle through those lockers.

Might as well take a look through those lockers. I suppose a name can wait as well. I wonder if there's a way we can test our strength without harming ourselves. Are those lockers attached to the wall or freestanding? Maybe you could lift it?

check the lockers for loot and then the computer to see if you can't find out what's going on around here.

We really should hold off on names until we have a clear idea of who or what you are, checking those lockers will probably be a better use of your time anyway.

>Should I look though them?
Might as well, i mean, i doubt is boobytrapped, and you might find clothes in there, so yeah, go for it.

Name?
What about Ace, short and sweet. And starts with an A!
Can you reead what it says in the console?

>>988707
You can think of a name later, investigate the lockers.

Your name is now Slick Jimmy.

>>988707
Search the lockers. Try forcing the locked ones open, should give you an indication of how strong you are relative to the metal they used for construction.

Alex is your name!

>>988707
If we're going with names for something that is apparently a living weapon, hows about we go with radioactive elements? They're weaponized against their will, no? And SubCritical really does make me think...

So hows about a small list?
Thori - Thorium
Fermi - Fermium
Promethi - Promethium
Curi - Curium
Hassi - Hasium
Just to name a few that feel like good names, plus it seems our quest maker has already chosen Triti. Hmm!


Aside from that, I also agree with raiding the lockers and attempting to force open the closed one. If we're a weapon we might as well see how good of one we are.

>>988814
I would suggest "Prometheus" but that one has a distinct bit of foreshadowing attached to it, the kind our resident flesh-puppet doesn't really deserve.

>>988707
As an alternate name, why not Siev?

For things to do, though, let's poke through those open lockers first. Take stock of what's in here, see if we can make sense of where we are instead of it just being... a place.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/22(Mon)06:16 No. 988839 ID: f18774
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PAGE 10

>Search the lockers, and try to pry the open the locked ones.

I check the lock on the far left locker first. It's locked, as expected. They appear to be built into the wall, so lifting them is out of the question, unless I want to try and destroy them. I twist and pull at the lock, to get an idea of how sturdy it is, and if I can break it. I guess I'm stronger than I thought, since the lock snapped off with a click.
>LOCKER 1 IS UNLOCKED
I check the far right locker, the one with the keypad. Also locked, and tapping on the door reveals that it is likely made out of more durable material than the others. I'm not sure if I can break it open, and if I damage it too much, the keypad won't work either. The keypad has the numbers 0-9 on it, with an enter key and a backspace key. It appears to need a 4 digit number to open. I try 1111 to see if that works.
>*BEEP*
The display flashes red and clears the number, the door still firmly locked. I don't appear to have a limit on the number of attempts I can make on this lock, so if I have an idea, I can punch in the code.

>Now actually search the lockers.

Okay, I'll make a list of what I find in them.

>LOCKERS 2 AND 3 (Open)
-Unopened bottle of anti-radiation pills
-Wearable Geiger Counter, battery powered (no batteries)
-Wearable flashlight attached to a belt (no batteries)
-Unused writing pad on a clipboard
-3 pens, red, blue and black
-A bottle of whiteout
-User's manual for the Geiger Counter
-Lab coat
-Radiation shield belt, battery powered (no batteries)
-Lab safety guide for hazardous bioforms

>LOCKER 1 (Unlocked)
-Stained lab coat
-Notebook (Used)
-1 unopened P.E.S. energy cell
-1 digital storage unit
-2 vials labeled "R-NEU AC"
-A sticky note that reads "Don't let anyone in with a rating below 'Blue 9'"

Does any of that look interesting or useful?

>Check the computer.

The monitors are backlit, but aren't displaying anything. I press one of the keys and they flicker to life. The screens display the same errors, with one obstructing the rest of the messages.
>"BREACH IN STASIS POD. PLEASE RETURN SPECIMEN TO POD OR DISENGAGE UNIT BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER ACTIONS."
Well at least the pod isn't set to kill me on its own. I only have to worry if I press something while these tubes are hooked up to my arms. It looks like I can close out the error windows to do some stuff, if I want to. Any ideas here?

>>988710

I don't feel abnormal, but that would make sense. I doubt that having more than one voice in my head is normal. Based on what you say, my designation would probably be A10. Not the best name, but I can use it if I can't think of a better one. If I find a database, I should look up those terms.

>On the subject of names...

I don't really need a name, but some of these ideas are really interesting.

>>988814
Your logic is interesting, but sound. I can't help but feel a kinship for those elements.

I apparently need to pace myself so I don't injure myself. Apologies if the quality is poor.

>>988814
You've made some very good observations!

I'm going to try and keep up with updates, but my classes are on again, so I may be a bit slower.

Thanks again for reading!

I doubt a console for these pods would have much general information on it, but anything you can learn about the people who presumably made you is worth looking for.

Some of that might be useful later. More immediately, though, we have:
-Notebook (Used)
-1 digital storage unit
Maybe they'll give you some idea as to what to do, or about yourself/this lab.
Use digital storage w/ computer.
Maybe see if the computer has a web browser.

>>988839
Take everything anti radiation and read the manual, wear the lab coat, could be useful later, specially if it has pockets.

I say give the lab safety guide a quick look as it might help you figure out what was going on around here and see what is written in the used notebook.

and I guess throw on a lab coat for now if for no other reason then to look snazzy.

>>988839
Well if the labcoat is still stained and everything is so dusty this place is proooobably disused. Maybe you're supposed to be regularly mindwiped or ground down into meat to be remade so this doesn't happen?

Either way! Labcoat acquired. Put it on and give us a cool pose!

Then read through the notebook and the guide, look for A10 or other mentions of whatever you might be or what this place actually is. Then fill the pockets with as much of that useful looking stuff as possible. Maybe combine the antiradiation pills into one bottle to save space, though I doubt those are for us, specifically, probably for workers working with us with all this safety gear in their lockers?

>>988839
Interesting, a lot of radiation detection and defense methods for whoever was working here, maybe you have more in common with godzilla than I realized.

Oh, as for fiddling with the computer while you are still connected can you do some kind of diagnostic on yourself or is that also locked out?

After fiddling with that I'd suggest reading the safety guide then the used notebook, might give some clues as to what is/was going on here.

Also from the radioactive name list I think Hassi is cool.

>>988839
First things first, let's do what we can to get ourselves free of the pod proper. No sense in getting dressed (and never you mind how hard that would be, with all these tubes coming out of us) if we're still maybe in danger. After that, though, read that lab guide a bit, see what's what. Is there anything in there about us, specifically? Clues as to what we are if nothing else would be good.

>>988839
Try using the geiger counter on yourself.
Read the used notebook.

Equip the fresh labcoat, and all the wearable tech. Stuff everything in your pockets. If space is a concern, prioritize
one pen, the pills, the vials, the battery, and the digital storage.
Read first about bioforms, and then the notebook.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/22(Mon)18:13 No. 988872 ID: f18774
File 161404640789.png - (91.87KB , 800x600 , 11 Page.png )

>Put on the lab coat.
>Get the tubes out first.

I consider putting on the lab coat, but the tubing in my wrists would make that awkward. I'll get these cuffs off and tubes out before I put it on.

I decide to leave the rest of the gear in the lockers for now. I can grab what I need from the lockers as long as I'm here, but I'll also work on deciding what to take with me too.

>Use the Geiger counter on yourself.

I take a look at the Geiger counter. The P.E.S. cell in the other locker fits in it. I unpackage it and insert it in the Geiger counter, then turn it on. The device has multiple settings; an ambient detector, a directional detector, and an absorbance detector. I activate the directional detector and point it at myself. Not much of a response, but when I sweep it over the room, the counter spikes when I point it at the pod I was in. The reading is similar as I follow the IV lines that are connected to my wrists. I guess that radioactive material is being pumped into me.

I figure I should make note of this, but the P.E.S. is an energy system. It stands for Perpetual Energy Source. These batteries can produce a constant source of power when active, but degrade over time.

>Read the notebook.

I pick up the notebook and look through it. There's no name on the front, and the whole book seems to be an observation log. None of them really stand out, except one.

Subject A10 shows more potential, but as usual, the director says to leave it inactive. Carrying a Geiger on the ship puts us at a huge risk if anyone finds out. Keeping it a secret like this would create a huge problem if the ship is found in the wrong territories. That's not even getting into the risk it poses to us if it gets released without completing the programming. Again, the director refuses to let me finish the job, and A10 remains a blank slate. I've programmed basic information so that it can perform basic functions, but it wouldn't be any use in a fight. I'm going to suggest that we either complete the project, or terminate it. Leaving it in limbo is a waste of time and resources.

...I guess that means I was a defective copy. I'm not sure what they mean by 'Programming', but it's likely how I know language and basic facts and skills.

>Take a look at the console.

One look tells me that the console is not having a good time. The display is faded, and shows innumerable errors behind the first. I can still interact and close the error messages, and I notice one important message.

SUBJECT DISCONNECTED FROM STASIS UNIT. PLEASE TERMINATE OR DISENGAGE SPECIMEN BEFORE PROCEEDING.

Below that, it shows a few options; Terminate, activate and disengage, disengage.

Should I try one of those options, and what do you think of what the notebook said?

I was really tired while I did this update. I hope it still makes sense.

so is there a number on the pod you woke up from that says A10 on it or no. Just want to make sure is all. As for the computer, Disengage I guess. Hopefully it will get the cuffs off you.

>>988872
Well, you already seem to be activated in some way since you can form memories. Just disengage would work fine, but you could do activate and disengage to see if your activation was incomplete somehow.

disengage

disengage

>>988872
That's... worrying. But congratulations are in order, you're a clandestine genetic experiment left in stasis that got themselves out!

To be the paranoid sort, though, it sounds like you being out and about and not directly under their thumb... whoever they are, is something that they don't want. And considering that they made you and can, in some way, contain you probably means that we should avoid meeting them upfront where we can. Better safe than sorry.

Disengaging is the safest option for sure. Activating... could be helpful? And termination is obviously a horrible idea.

Weird that, despite radioactive material being pumped into us, we're not noticing any ill effects, or even showing it on the geiger counter.

>>988872
Huh. Maybe we can find out what element is being pumped into us and name ourselves after that? That'd be fitting.
Personally from my list I like Hassi, same as >>988857

I feel like disengage is the best option. Activate sounds like it might turn on whatever programming and I doubt we want to be a mindless soldier. If those shackles and tubes come off you better put on the labcoat and give us your snazziest smile plus a cool pose.. And then see if the door is unlocked.

You're being pumped full of radioactive isotopes (as a regular thing) and the type of thing that you are is apparently called a Geiger? Radical. Definitely name yourself after a radioactive element then, though which one?

"Activate" is a risk, but so is everything right now, the question is if it's worth it. Activate could perhaps give you a bit of that combat programming you're apparently missing, though I doubt that (if it was that easy, I think they'd have done that already). On the flip side, if it is going to program you, that could be a bad thing. I say take the risk, as you may not be able to get out of here without combat training of some sort.

Activate will grant you combat skills, but will also surely include loyalty routines. Also this thing looks worse for wear, so maybe not a great idea. Disengage for now.
Put on the radiation suit before leaving though. I'm sure any organics you encounter will appreciate not being irradiated.

>The display is faded, and shows innumerable errors behind the first.
Well. That makes it seem like this place is derelict.
So, does that lab safety guide say what these choices actually do?

This is not the time to take unecessary risk about unknown procedure that we can barely grasp, let's not do anything rash and just disengage.

As for what's written in there... Yeah I'm not exactly surprised, we already dealt with that kind of situation before, so far it doesn't seems like something very dire happened, but there's no telling this early.
It does mean however that for most of the personel, and maybe the world at large, you're perceived as a threat that recquires immediate termination. Especially when whoever put this whole operation up decides to enact some "damage control".
Yup, not the most pleasant situation to be in I'll admit.

Anyhow after that I suggest pocketing the pills, the flashlght, a pen, the digital storage unit and to wear the labcoat if possible.
While we're at it, take a look a the safety guide, can't hurt to get some more info on you, even indirectly.

I am worried about the "activation" part. What are we exactly "activating"? You are already "active", so what gives?
Fuck it, just go for the "disangage" option.

I would suggest taking all the tools that need a battery, we are bound to find more batteries for those later. Especially the torch. And the pills, radiation is no joke.

Put the lab coat on, we can find more clothes later.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/23(Tue)07:26 No. 988918 ID: f18774
File 161409397782.png - (11.82KB , 800x600 , 12 Page.png )

>To disengage or activate first?

I look over the tubes that were in my back. It is possible that part of the activation signal is administered though those ones too, so I decide to disengage. A partial activation could be hazardous, and I can always reconnect the drip later if I learn otherwise. I highlight the disengage option and click it. As soon as I do, I feel something pull from both of my wrists, and the manacles pop open. I lay my left arm down and open the manacle, taking a look at the internal mechanism. It seems to be some kind of heavy-duty spike. It seems a bit overkill, but I guess it would work well for torture, or for something with armoured skin.

>>988876

Yeah, if you look at the top of the pod, it says "A10", so I guess that means I'm the A10 that was mentioned.

>>988877

Yeah, this makes sense too. I am forming memories, so I'm not sure if activation would have removed those.

>>988899

Judging from the state of this room, I can guess that this room hasn't been touched in some time. Not sure if that would be the same for the other side of the door though.

>>988907

"Damage Control" does not inspire hope or confidence in me. I'm not sure I've ever dealt with this kind of situation though.

>Being filled with radiation doesn't seem to have any negative effects on you.
>The counter doesn't show any coming from you, only the IV.

I point the counter at my bleeding wrist to check. The counter spikes again. I put my hand over the directional sensor, and it reads nothing, not even atmospheric radiation. Am I some kind of creature made to absorb radiation? I guess that would explain the radiation safety gear.

>Use the radiation safety gear to avoid irradiating people.

I'm not sure if these shield belts stop radiation from both directions, but I could always give it to someone if it doesn't keep the radiation in. Still, the counter seems to say that none escapes though my skin...

...

I poke at my skin with a claw, and it makes a soft tap. I guess I don't really have skin, so much as I have fine scales.

>Put on the lab coat!

I'll do that in a bit. I want the bleeding on my wrists to stop. If it's still radioactive, I don't want to get it on any clothes I wear, since that would mean even if my scales block radiation, there would still be a source on the clothing.

>Do you know what was in the IV?

I couldn't tell you without some kind of analysis. It's a solution of some sort, and may contain multiple isotopes.

>Read the lab manual.

... Now that I think about it, I probably should have read this first. Still, it would be good to see what it has to say. When I open it, some loose sheets fall out.

When working with a Geiger unit, follow these instructions in place of the standard instructions in the indicated location.

Those pages go on to describe proper handling and safety protocols if one breaches containment. Apparently they are incredibly dangerous and have a lot of control over radiation. It also mentions that Geigers are outfitted with multiple varieties of nanobots, and how to mix them into the nutrient solution. I don't feel completely comfortable with these nanobots in my body, but I should learn what they do before I try to purge them in some way. One of the observations in the notebook from before said that a special nanobot helps with fighting off disease, so some of them may be beneficial.
The rest of the manual is fairly standard. Though someone scribbled notes in the "Neutralization of Breached Subjects" section.. It says to use the pneumatic spike from a distance.

This is interesting, and learning this makes me feel more confident in myself. I'm not sure why, but I feel some kind of pride in the fear I can instil in people.

What do you think?

I think you should be slightly concerned that there's a procedure for killing you, but more importantly the labcoats would be of more use as makeshift bandages for all your open wounds than as clothes. Why use pockets when you can ball everything up in one of the labcoats like a tarp?

So they had safety measures against you, you should be careful. Is this place abandoned?

Hmm... The radiation control thing is troubling. If you don't already know how to do it then you might end up irradiating someone by accident.

Look over the materials and see if you can find a section detailing your physiology and/or care. Find out what body part is responsible for your radiation control and spend some time attempting to extend your awareness over it.

While your at it, might as well read up on what it is exactly that you eat. Your dietary requirements could be unique.

I would look into a way to possibly disengage those nanobots. You want as few knives against your throat as possible.

You seem to be quite sturdy, which is good, but they might have countermeasures to that. So you be to be careful. Avoid unnecessary interactions.

>>988918
Radiation isn't exactly a good weapon for killing people since the effects are delayed. More of a weapon you'd use to render an area uninhabitable, or to make a lot of people sick at once, to cripple a military installation so that further attacks are successful. Well, I guess thermal radiation is a type of radiation. If you can output that at high enough levels it'd be viable for direct combat.
Ugh, your blood is radioactive? Well, unless there's a shower somewhere, you can't make yourself truly safe. You could tear up one of the lab coats and bind your wrists with the scraps if your bleeding doesn't stop quickly.

The fact that they advise attacking you with a weapon to take you down means they can't use the nanobots as a remote kill switch. I would guess they are entirely beneficial. Makes sense, as you generally do not want your weapons to have a backdoor that could be hacked by the enemy.

Try flipping through the unused writing pad to see if one of the pages has the locker code. Or the back of the sticky note.

>>988918
...Pneumatic spike? That's worrying. Though if it's anything like a silver lining, if they can just... MAKE you, AND put functional nanobots in you, then they could use those to kill you. Maybe... maybe you can actually take the spike without dying? You just might be hardy enough to survive being impaled like that, assuming this train of thought is accurate.

If we're waiting for the bleeding to stop, make sure to hold your hands up over your head, Make sure blood has a hard time reaching those holes. Once that's done, though, let's get ourselves dressed and consider leaving. Is there any way out other than that big door?

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/24(Wed)05:00 No. 989032 ID: f18774
File 161417160322.png - (33.56KB , 800x600 , 13 Page.png )

>Is this place abandoned?

It seems that this room is, at least. Or whoever is supposed to work here is going to be in a lot of trouble soon.

>Read up on what you eat.

Neither the manual nor the observation log mention anything about diet. I took another look at the nutrient drip, and it's radioactive. That means I likely require radioactive substances in some quantity.

>Any mention about your physiology/care?

The materials have nothing of note when it comes to my physiology. The observations only mention chemical balances in ratios and percents, which doesn't help me, and the loose pages in the manual say to reference the Geiger handling guide.
I should probably keep an eye out for one of those if I can. It would give me a better idea of what they expect me to do, both when I'm cooperative, and when I'm not.

>Can you disengage the nanobots?

I'm not really sure how I would do that on my own. If I could control my internal mechanisms, I could probably figure out how, but right now I don't even know if I can do that. There is likely a serum for disengaging the nanobots though. I'd just have to find it.

>It may not be possible to use the nanobots as a kill switch.

That is possible, but it's also possible that they are used as a chronic kill switch. To weaken me until they can handle me. I need to learn more about the nanobots in my body before I make a final decision on them, or find a safe way to manage them, at least.
I wonder why they would use a pneumatic spike though. Are my scales that durable that bullets aren't very effective?

>Radiation isn't a good weapon for killing.

That depends on how strong the radiation is. High enough doses can take minutes to make people feel the effects, and that can be more than enough in combat, if you can captialise on it.
I don't like the idea of being used to render an area uninhabitable though. If my scales don't show any radiation on the Geiger Counter, then they'll have to open me up somehow.
I don't know if I can change the frequency of the radiation. If I can, that would give me more options, but I don't even know if I can manipulate it yet. For all I know, I'm just a nuclear sponge.

>Bleeding?

I take a look at the wounds where the IV was. I appear to heal remarkably quickly, as no new blood is seeping out of the wound.
I take the stained lab coat and wipe off the blood on a clean spot. I notice something in the pocket though.

I found an ID card! The face and writing is too faded to read though, so I don't know what the ID is. These ID cards have an RFID built in, so if I find an RFID reader, I can use that to figure out what kind of clearence this card gives me. I can at least assume that it has a rating of 'Blue 9', and would have the clearence of a technician.

>Flip though the unused writing pads and check for any notes.

Nope, completely blank. That's pretty dissapointing.

>Check the back of the sticky note.

The sticky note doesn't have anything on the back either, but I check the pockets of the fresh lab coats and find a scrap of paper. It reads...

"Remember the isotope with the most radiation."

I'm not sure how that would be helpful, but it might provide some information that can help if I knew what that isotope was.

>Put on the coat already.

I don't really have anything to cover up, but sure. I slip on one of the fresh coats and button it up. It fits better than I thought.

So now that I have a coat on, should I try to figure out how to open the remaining locker? I can also search other places in the room for anything of interest. The console has some panels that I can take off, and I haven't spent much time investigating the canisters or the servers. Not sure if I'd find much there, though.

Suits you, boss
How active are the server lights? They look pretty lively or like they've just been idling for a while?

>>989032
Nice pose! Very snazzy!

Aside from that, hm.. Most radioactive element? 118 is of course the top one, but its half-life is basically instant so its probably not referring to that. Lawrencium and Nobelium are also up there as the most radioactive synthetic chemicals, but their half life is still too short for how long this place seems to be abandoned.

Which leaves Polonium, the most radioactive naturally occuring element. Are we Polli? Maybe.

Either way I'd check to see if the actual door is unlocked before we touch possibly explosive cannisters or mess with a locker or console that might be alarmed somehow.

Making sure you're not locked in here is a high priority, but finding something to club heads with could be life-saving if any guards with pneumatic spikes are en route to splatter you like I think.

Look at you, all science ready !

Let's pray that they haven't discovered even more radioactive polonium isotope in the future and punch 210 in the locker's pad.

And yes, raiding the console before departing seems like a good idea.

well since you disengaged your cuffs does that mean the consul can be used now? Give that a look. and if so look for the highest radioactive isotope as if it's in number form it might actually be the password into the locker.

Try 0118 or 1180 on the number pad locker.

Maybe the colors and numbers are related to the keypad on the locker? Blue 9 indicates it might be the second number on the combination

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/25(Thu)12:28 No. 989122 ID: f18774
File 161428489956.png - (15.86KB , 800x600 , 14 Page.png )

>How active are the server lights?

Not very. Some of them blink, but most of the lights just stay as they are.

>Look at the console now that your cuffs are off.

Good call. I activate the console again, but it seems that it's also password protected. I can still access basic functions and look at the data collected by the pod, but I can't modifiy it. I can tell it to dispense fluids too, but the labels are vague, and don't let me glean much information. If I had a password, I could probably unlock the lower functions.
Taking a closer look, I can see that I was stable most of the time I was in the capsule. I figure I can see how long I was in it too, if I make an estimate between the most recent results and the earliest ones.
...
I think this pod is broken. Doing the math, I'd have been in the pod for over 620000 years, and that's stupid. Nobody lives that long, and who would keep a stasis pod that long anyway?

>Are you locked in here?

If I am, I can probably find a way to break out. Since this room is in disrepair, it would be safe to assume that it isn't as durable as it looks.
It wouldn't be hard to pull something off the wall or the console to use as a weapon, so if I don't find anything, I can do that.

>Try "118" on the locker.

I punch in '118' on the lock. The display puts a '0' at the front by default, but I hear a beep, followed by a click. The locker opens without trouble.

>The contents of locker 4 are...
-A package of P.E.S. batteries
-An injection gun, calibrated for fast administration and armoured carapaces
-An instruction manual for the injection gun
-A long rod with prongs at the top, like a plug
-2 vials of disposable medical nanobots (detox and minor repair)
-A 6 pack of energy bars

From the looks of this stuff, it's for subduing a target. I think the prongs on that rod may be for conducting electricity, to shock a target.
I also take a closer look at the rod, and it appears to have a battery slot. It's empty, so if I want to see if it's electrified, I'll have to put a power cell in.
>Raid the console.

I open the panels and look though the console's innards. Not much of note; it's dusty and full of wires and cables. The panel right under the displays has a sealed box of electrical parts, a screwdriver, pliers, and wire cutters.

Seems to be an interesting haul, but what do I do with it?

Sorry about the loss of quality. I've been having problems with my hands, and it's been hard to make a good image for the update. I hope this is temporary.

Eat one of the energy bars. they're probably still alright considering how many preservatives are in them.

Take the weapons and batteries - the latter seems to be a multi-use resource, so we'll want lots of them. Read the injection gun manual.

>>989122
Read the manual for the injection gun.
What are PES batteries?

Take:
All the batteries
The shock prod
The vials
The energy bars
The digital storage unit (gonna have to find a way to read the contents later)
The radiation shield belt (not for you, for anyone else you find that's friendly)
Wear the belt sans-battery so you don't have to use pocket space for it.

...actually, can we stick the digital storage onto the console to take a look at it?

>>989122
>620,000 years
You know, that might be why we woke up without anyone being present? The computer's timer malfunctioned and we hit some sort of... automatic release or something. But anyway!

We've gotten a good amount of batteries, an injection gun and presumably a few vials for it, and... not a whole lot of information. Let's give that book a once over, to be sure we understand it, and be on our way. Grab a pipe or... something, if we end up needing to clonk something over the head, and see more of this drab, metallic world.

>>989129
Or the computer's timer malfunctioned because of an integer overflow, and anything else in stasis for that same time or longer is currently awake. No way that injection gun is being left in this room.

There's no way the substances you've already interacted with would be stable over that period of time, so there has to be some sort of glitch. Is there an obvious means of dating how long things have been laying here? There has to be various things with a shelf life where, if left alone long enough, it would LOOK damaged or wrong in a specific way, right? Allowing you to get some sort of estimate for how long you've sat here? Maybe the batteries?

The huge number of years can't possibly be correct, because no kind of power supply can last that long without maintenance. Though, I guess if they had an automated/intelligent fleet of robots maintaining the power plant it'd work?
It occurs to me that radiation is very effective against robots. You can fry their circuits.

620,000 Years is possible in space. Oh god what if your awoke on an ancient derelict. They did mention you were on a ship.

...You need to get to another console and verify this. If it's true, then at least you don't have to worry about the politics surrounding your creation.

Make a mental note to figure out how to repair and access the console. The "Programming" feature could come in very handy for you, assuming you are able to choose what is programmed.

In addition to the wires and junk in the console there are probably electronic boards of some sort. Can you tell if anything is obviously broken or burnt?
If so, does the electronics parts box have an identical replacement?
If not, we can still could repair the console later should we find another elsewhere to study/cannibalize.

If nothing else, at least take the tools. A screwdriver is always handy.

In space? I'd say that's MORE difficult. An isolated spaceship would be stranded from support structures and would run out of fuel within 100 years. Even solar panels lose efficiency over time, and would be almost useless after around 10 thousand years I think. Solar boiler requires a turbine which has moving parts and thus would require maintenance.
Nuclear power lasts a while but not 620 thousand years. Also there is absolutely no way a living creature can survive in a pod for that long. It's a very, VERY long time.
Though, maybe with sufficiently advanced technology some sort of local time dilaton in the pod could work to solve the stasis problem?
I'd also question exactly how the radioactive materials in the tubes survived for 620 thousand years. Radioactive decay eventually renders materials inert, even the longest lasting ones.

If the ship is orbiting a planet that has a significant amount of supporting infrastructure on it, that would work. Some kind of nuclear power plant that's producing radioactive waste that's being used for the tubes? And the planet is rich in uranium ore or whatever, which is being enriched to fuel the power plant? Then you'd just need additional mining rigs, metallurgy facilities, and chemical factories to produce materials needed for maintenance. It would help if the planet was low-gravity, but I guess if the technology is advanced enough, moving materials to/from orbit wouldn't be a huge deal. Alternatively, the spaceship we're on is on the surface, but a lot can happen to a planet's surface in 620k years... maybe there's no volcanic/tectonic activity or intense weather though.

But in the end this is all hard science and I get the feeling this isn't a hard scifi setting.

In most closed systems -- bunkers, many types of space stations, etc. -- there wouldn't be any dust on anything. Dust is mostly caused by organic life -- skin flaking off, blowing dirt, hairs, animal dander, insect parts, that sort of thing. The sorts of things you wouldn't expect in a completely closed-off system!

>Doing the math, I'd have been in the pod for over 620000 years
yeah that sounds like a decimal get misplaced somewhere. Nothing last that long and still works. but yeah, might as well read the injection gun manual. Might give you a better idea on what those nanobots in you actually do.

>>989135
He was attached to a canister of self replicating radioactive stuff.
I don't know how in the thermodynamics it works, but it makes such a situation at least plausible.

Chomp a bar, nab the batteries, grab the rod,pick up the gun and take a look at the manual.

Also we never now where we'll need them, but they sure will be handy to have at some point. I just know it.

And after that, time to take a look at that door, with a little luck it's already open, but I wouldn't bet on it.

As for spending this long time in stasis, I'd say keep in mind the number, but we know very little about... well everything, and there is a decent chance that we might be proven wrong by whatever explanation is out there.

Note: The diary entry doesn't sound like you're a defective project, but merely one that was abandoned due to external causes.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/26(Fri)09:43 No. 989220 ID: f18774
File 161436138683.png - (67.96KB , 800x600 , 15 Page.png )

>Eat one of the energy bars.

I take a look at the bar to see if it's still good. There's no expiry date on the package, so I try one, and it tastes... about as bad as I'd expect. It has a metallic taste, but nothing about it seems unsuitable for eating.

>Read the injection gun manual.

I flip though the manual, taking note of how to use it. In summary, any of the vials I've found can be filled into the gun. Each vial is one does, and the gun can hold four doses in separate tanks. The doses are fired in the order they are loaded, so if I load the gun with multiple different vials, I have to keep track of what I loaded and in what order. I can also empty doses into vials, if I have an empty one.
It looks like I can calibrate it for different kinds of skin too, so I should keep that in mind, or I might break the syringe.

I also place what I want to take with me on the console. I'll have to figure out a way to carry everything if it doesn't fit in my pockets.

>Take the weapons and batteries.

I place the rod and the injection gun on the console, and place the power cell with them. I still have one cell in the Geiger Counter, but I can take that out if I don't need the counter anymore.

>What are P.E.S. batteries?

P.E.S. stands for Perpetual Energy Source. The best way to describe them is that they are batteries that never run down. If they get damaged, that can reduce the power they output.

I also add the energy bars and the vials to the pile on the console.

>Can you put the digital storage on the console to take a look at it?

I place the storage unit on the console and stare at it. That's definitely a storage unit.

...

In all seriousness, the console doesn't have any ports, so I can't plug in the storage unit to see what's on it. I'll take that with me too, in case I find something to read it with.
I also put the belt on. No batteries, but this way it doesn't fill my pockets.

>That's a long time.

Yeah, it is. 620000 years is way too long, but there are entries for most days, and they have similar sizes. The computer probably wrote duplicate data.

>Stuff wouldn't be stable unless everything else is in stasis too.

That's also true, but that means this whole place could be locked in some kind of stasis.

>Make a note of how to repair and access the console.

I look in the wiring under the console. Nothing is visibly damaged in any way, so the console is physically fine. All I need to do is find a login to get access to the deeper functions.
I also add the tools in the drawer to the pile.

>It would be harder for a ship to survive that long in space without maintenance or support.

Yeah, that's why I don't believe it... though it is possible that I was loaded on the vessel recently, and they just took the data from the last computer that was monitoring me.
This ship also has those self-replicating capsules, so it's possible that it has some maintenance system on a micro or nano level. Perhaps it's replicating a nanobot fleet for repairs and maintaince?
If this was some kind of story, it could be a soft sci-fi setting. It would explain a lot of stuff, but why would magic be so restricted if they're this advanced?
I'll have to get to someplace with a window if I want to take a guess at where this ship is though. It's possible that this isn't even a ship anymore.

>There would be no dust in a closed system.

That's true. This place may have been an open system at one point though. Perhaps it was built in parts?

>Is the door open?

I try the handle. The door responds, and shifts. I don't open it, but it's good to know that I can leave whenever I'm ready.

>The log doesn't say you're defective, but abandoned because of external causes.

That does make sense. If I was made, then I wasn't needed, they probably wouldn't waste the resources required to activate me.

I take a bit to sort stuff into my pockets. If there's nothing else of note here, I can leave, or I can give the place a second look for anything I missed.
If I do want to leave, I need to decide how I'm going to breach the door as well. It's not locked, but I have no idea what's on the other side.

Open it slightly and wait a moment before you peek out. I doubt there's anything more complex than a tripwire to consider, but you're also a walking Elephant's Foot, so not a lot is out of the realm of possibility.

Try to listen to the other side of the door before opening it. If there's something dangerous in there, you should be able to hear it!

>>989220
>Perpetual Energy Source
Well. Alright then, that would explain how this place is still powered regardless of how long it's been. Do you happen to know how the batteries work? Do they get energy from an alternate dimension or something?

Let's take a closer look at the servers.

Also, put a battery in the shock prod and test it to see how it's activated. Is there a trigger? Or is it contact-activated?

>>989220
You could still totally get dust, though, unless whoever lives here doesn't shed any skin / hair or what have you. Still! I'm not sure what's left to do in here. We've looked at the generator, we've looked in the lockers, we've looked at the computer... about the only thing to do, maybe, is to try to set the injector to get into your skin and put the minor repair vial in, if we can figure that out.

>>989245
This or get out, slowly, quietly. Let's see were you are.

>>989220
Just so we can cover our bases, I say we go ahead and hit ourselves with a detox vial.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 1: The Dreamer Awakens Triti 2021/02/27(Sat)15:26 No. 989355 ID: f18774
File 161446838956.png - (132.57KB , 800x600 , 16 Page.png )

>Use a detox on yourself.

I take a look at the vial, and see if the label can tell me anything. It's useful for general toxins, but no special ones. I think it's for use on anything I attack, since 'heavy metals' and 'radiation' are mentioned as additions to the usual detox effect.

>Use the repair vial on yourself.

You guys really want me to use this stuff. Fine. I load the detox and repair solutions into the injection gun and set it for myself, and then use it. It hurts. A lot. The nanobots must be doing something though, since the puncture wounds from the injection gun close up in seconds. I guess I have to wait to see if they do anything else.

>Take a closer look at the servers.

These seem to be the system that runs the stuff in the room. Most of it indicates the status of various systems in this room, and its connections to the ones outside. Seems like there are a lot of rooms nearby, and each one communicates with each other.

>Put a battery in the shock prod. Figure out how it works.

I take the battery out of the Geiger counter and place it in the prod. The prod doesn't change much when I put the battery in, but when I touch it to the broken pod door, it pops and sizzles. I put it down to see if it's a contact mechanism, and use one of the wires to test it. No response. Looks like it only functions when held, so the handle has some sensor in it.

>Listen though the door for movement on the other side.

I try, but it doesn't take me long to realize that either the door is soundproof, or there is nothing making any sound on the other side.

>Open the door slowly and check before stepping though.

I press down on the handle, opening the door as quietly as possible. Light streams in and blinds me for a moment, but then I see where I am.

CHAPTER 1, END

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/02/27(Sat)15:27 No. 989356 ID: f18774
File 161446845738.png - (33.32KB , 800x600 , 1 Page.png )

After awakening, a Geiger finds himself in a strange lab. After gathering his bearings, he sets out to learn where he is, and what happened to him.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/02/27(Sat)15:27 No. 989357 ID: f18774
File 161446846835.png - (28.62KB , 800x600 , 2 Page.png )

Once my eyes adjust, I can see where I am. Or at least, where this room is. All I see is sterile white walls and floors. No visible traps, and nothing I sense.

The hall stretches to both sides. The one to the right splits two ways, and the one to the left turns right.

Which way should I go now? Or should I do something else?

I should also keep track of my inventory now too. Did I forget anything? I can go back and grab it now, but I may not be able to later.

INVENTORY
-Shock Prod - using one power cell
-Injection gun - empty, calibrated for my scales
-5 energy bars
-Digital storage unit
-Radiation shield belt - no battery
-P.E.S. battery

Don't forget your Geiger counter. Load a battery in it if it doesn't already have one. Might as well consolidate your items. If it does have one, put it in the radiation belt.

>>989357
If a life of time well spent entertaining myself has taught me anything, it's that you should go left once you're through that door. There's always something tucked away there...

Get the anti-radiation pills and a notepad/clipboard and pen so you can write things down.

You should make a mental map of what you know so far.

Call out for if anyone is there. Maybe not the greatest idea, but it'll at least determine if you're alone.

try going right

That's... very white, and unstained as far as we can see.

I'd say let's go on the way that has no splitting for now.

uh... left. Go left I guess. if you have no idea where you're going anywhere is just as good as anywhere else. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a "you are here" map somewhere.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/02/28(Sun)10:18 No. 989470 ID: f18774
File 161453632905.png - (39.89KB , 800x600 , 3 Page.png )

>Get the anti-radiation pills and the notepad/clipboard with a pen.
>Get the Geiger counter too.
>Don't forget the torch.

I head back in and grab the pills, writing materials, flashlight, and Geiger counter. I don't think my pockets will hold anymore without tearing though.

>Call out and see if you're alone.

I'll keep quiet for now. This hall looks untouched, outside of a bit of dust. If I call out, I may attract unwanted attention to myself. I might try calling if I can find recent evidence of people being here though.

>Go right.
>No wait, go left!
>And make a mental map of where you are!

I check the hall to make sure nobody is hiding around a corner before I travel down the hall to my left. There a many doors on the wall that look identical to mine. The only difference is in the bars on the top of the door. Some kind of bar code. I look around the corner, and it's the same. A stark white hall with doors. Should I try opening any of them, or explore the hallway first?

Fancy interface !

For now let's just continue though, we don't want to get tied down in room we have no idea of.

The first rule of exploration; keep the turning directions consistent if you can.

Second rule; in a closed interior environment, avoid stepping through doorways until the entire space you're currently in is mapped.

>>989470
Let's map out the corridors for now.

>>989470
It's worth at least trying the handles to see if they're unlocked as well. Keep going down the hall anyways.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/01(Mon)05:45 No. 989566 ID: f18774
File 161460634613.png - (14.02KB , 800x600 , 4 Page.png )

>Map out the corridors before entering a room.
>Check the handles too, see what's open.

I do just that. I get a general layout of the hall, and figure out which doors are open. There's one hall on the top right that's blocked by a gate. I can see though the glass, and it appears to have a large door on the far side. Most of the rooms seem to be unlocked though. Which door should I try in this case?

Let me know if the colours need to be changed! I feel like some of them are hard to see, and I can use different colours or icons if you have a hard time seeing what the map says.

You could try exploring the rooms adjacent to the one you left, but be braced to whip out that shock prod if you have any unfriendly neighbors.

Let's try the doors whose contents we feel most certain about; the clumped-together rows of doors on either side of the loop. They're probably more containment rooms like the one you were in. Check each one quickly, taking note of any that have something that sets them apart from the rest - we don't know if we can afford to comb every cell.

It can be safely assumed the other rooms all grouped together are also containment cells. Though I somewhat doubt they'll be much variance in each rooms' lockers. Might as well come through each room to see if you have any "siblings" or neighbors who are also waking up.

Locked doors are too similar in colour to corridor.

Sorry, that's open doors. The key isn't very clear either.

The corridor color is a little close to the open door color. The key is a little hard to read at first(I think I'm used to the icons being on the left of the description instead of the right), you could consider putting them in 4 columns instead of one row. Each column would have two things in it.

>>989566
Let's go through the door immediately to your right, that opens into the large central area.

Are you strong enough to just force open any of these locked doors?

Search the rooms in order from closest to the one you came from to furthest.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/02(Tue)10:35 No. 989700 ID: f18774
File 161471015468.png - (17.78KB , 800x600 , 5 Page.png )

>The colours and legend are hard to read.

So I take a moment to change how I think about those. I think that looks a bit better. I change the icons too, so I can mark things better.

>Check the rooms in the block with you.

They all have identical layouts. The same as my room. All of them are empty though, so I'm not sure if I was intentionally left behind. The open lockers are either empty or have nothing useful, like more coats or devices. I find two more batteries and put those in the other devices I have to store them. I have one spare battery now.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/02(Tue)10:36 No. 989701 ID: f18774
File 161471016029.png - (25.88KB , 800x600 , 6 Page.png )

>Check the large central area.

I open the door and step in, this room being pretty different compared to the others. It looks like an office of some kind. No computers are visible, but the desks have drawers, so I could check those.
This room also has three doors to the left of where I entered. Looking at the sign, they're probably washrooms. Well, two of them. The third one is unmarked. There's also a sitting area in the nook on the far side of the room.
What should I check this room more thoroughly, or should I go to another room instead?

Staff lounge. Check the unmarked door. Otherwise, there shouldn't be much of interest in here. Move on.

You should briefly check the washrooms and what is most likely a broom closet, both have a propensity for containing keycards. Speaking of rooms, you might want to start marking ones you've been to on the map with a magenta tint.

>>989706
I think having the rooms not even be present on the map unless we’ve been to them is sufficient.

But yeah, open those doors if you can, at least. Maybe check around the corner to make sure you didn’t miss anything big.

Then check the door on the south side of the loop.

Check the desks, maybe you'll find notes.

Definitely check the drawers quickly. You could honestly do with a pen and a small piece of paper to take notes with, and they might have more of those energy cells, too.

>>989708
I meant to say rooms that were fully explored, but I agree with visiting the south door next.

Take a quick look at the drawers' content, and a rapid check at the three doors. If they're closed don't insist and move on.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/03(Wed)10:07 No. 989794 ID: f18774
File 161479485988.png - (88.00KB , 800x600 , 7 Page.png )

>Check the desks.
>Check the drawers.
>Check the rooms.

Guess it's time to scrounge.
First I check the surfaces of the desks. They don't open up, but based on the wear and the holes, these were used for portable terminals. I guess if something broke out, they didn't want it to get a computer.
I check the drawers next. Most of the stuff there is typical of an office. Blank paper, writing utensils, erasers, paper clips, rulers, some tape, staples, and sticky notes.
I also find some more storage units, but I have no way to tell if they have anything on them. There are a few snack bars in the desks too. Different from my energy bars, and I'm not sure if they're edible.
The sitting room has some black couches. They feel like leather, which I would expect to have degraded by now. Maybe someone is still here?
The washrooms both have a sink, toilet, hand towel and drying unit, with a mirror on the wall above the sink. I turn the handle on one of the sinks and water comes out of the faucet, so if I need water, I can find it here. It looks clear, and has the smell of chlorine, flouride, iron, sulphates and other minerals, so I know the water is treated.
The unmarked room is a broom closet, as predicted. I find a broom, a mop, some buckets, and sponges. The shelves are sparsely filled; one bottle of cleaning solution, one of disinfectant, two bottles of hand soap, a half full bottle of screen cleaning fluid, and some empty bottles.
Before I step out of the broom closet, I notice a key ring hanging next to the door, with a bunch of keys linked to it. I take them and hang them on my belt.

I'll make a list of my inventory and equipment before I leave the room. It's close enough that I can return and grab stuff if you think it's important.

>My equipment:
Right Hand: Shock Prod (contains battery)
Body: Lab coat (three pockets)
Neck: Wearable Geiger Counter (contains battery)
Waist: Radiation Shield belt (contains battery), keys (5, attached to belt)

>Inventory:
Breast pocket: 2 energy bars, pen, faded ID card (found in my room)
Left pocket [FULL]: 3 energy bars, digital storage unit, anti-radiation pills
Right pocket: Injection gun (empty, calibrated for self), torch (contains battery)
Holding a clipboard with a notepad.

>Check the southern room.

I head back out into the hallway and to the southern room. I can't get over how white everything is here. It's clean, but the featureless corridors are unsettling.
Once I'm at the door, I turn the handle and push it open. The door creaks as it slides open, light streaming into the dark room. The light from the hall illuminates some kind of medical bed against the wall. I can see some cupboards on the East wall, and part of a counter on the North wall to my right. Not much else though. I still have that torch in my pocket, but do I want to spend time looking around this room?

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/03(Wed)10:09 No. 989795 ID: f18774
File 161479494466.png - (18.60KB , 800x600 , 7 Page Map.png )

Here is the current map!

No harm and taking a quick scan through the room.

>>989794
As was said, no harm at all in taking a quick look through, especially if it's something akin to a medical bay. Never know what goodies you'll find!

After that, though, assuming it's not too fruitful, I feel like we should poke our heads through the other... storage rooms? For our kind.

Do a quick sweep to make sure nothing's hiding (including checking the larger cabinets/containers/under beds), then move on to... let's try the west-facing door in the east vertical hall. (We can always come back to this room if we think we might need something.)

>>989795
Just do a quick look to see what's in the room, and open the cupboards to see what kind of medial supplies are here. If there's more nano shots you should stock up.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/04(Thu)10:17 No. 989917 ID: f18774
File 161488185552.png - (117.88KB , 800x600 , 8 Page.png )

>Take a look though the dark room.

I place the clipboard and notepad on the ground by the door to free up my hand to carry the torch. I turn it on and the bright light illuminates the large room.

The room is divided into two segments, the one with the door seems to be a type of operating room for medical purposes. The implements on the tray next to the bed look like they would be used by a coroner, but the bed also has an ECG unit near by, so I can't really draw many conclusions from that.
The cupboards on the East wall are also fairly empty. Gauze, untouched syringes, some suture needles, and disinfectant is all I find in the upper cabniets.
The lower ones contain various types of glassware for lab tests, and some spare tools similar to the ones on the tray.

In the middle of this long room is a divider. On the operating room side there are several devices used for monitoring the patient on the divider. These are all attached to the wall, so I can't bring them with me, but if I can power this room, I could use them.

On the West side of the divider is a bunch of lab equipment. Large devices for analyzing samples, likely taken from the East side of the divider. There's a computer terminal here, but I still need to power this room to use it. The other machines don't provide any hints to their function, based on their appearance.

If I can find a way to restore power to this room, I would be able to search more thoroughly for things that I missed, and possibly make use of the machines. I really want to see what I can do with these machines, so I should go and look for a utility room for this area. Which rooms should I check, and in what order?

>>989917
Not much can be gained here now. Let's head out and check the rooms in the other hallway

No point rotting here, the few medical supplies are not even useful to you, seeing how fast you heal. Let's keep an eye out for some kind generator/reactor though.

In the meantime, might as well check all the remaining unexplored rooms, starting with the southernmost corridor, then the mystery rooms in the West corridor

>>989917
Judging by the layout, the room we want is either to the southeast or the western end of the northern horizontal hallway. Check those, closest to furthest?

Check the topmost room in the southern corridor first.

The gauze might be useful if you come across someone else who's bleeding out, but that implies you might ever come across someone. Time to explore those three rooms in the other hallway.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/05(Fri)10:09 No. 990002 ID: f18774
File 161496779999.png - (142.99KB , 800x600 , 9 Page.png )

>The gauze might be useful if you find someone else.

It could also be useful if I'm bleeding out. Even if I can regenerate, I would assume that bleeding out would impede that. Still, I'll make a mental note of the gauze for later, if I need it.

>Check the Western room in the Eastern corridor.
>The layout suggests that room to be the power room.

Seems like a good spot to start looking. It's close to the stasis tank rooms, and seems to be in the center of this area.

I leave the dark room and put away my torch for now. I pick up the notepad and clipboard and head to the Western room of the Eastern corridor. Upon arrival, I set down the clipboard again and open the door. Again, it's pitch black, but I use my torch to see.

The room is filled with large machines and what I assume to be breaker boxes. Large machines in the center of the room are blocked off with walls of glass and steel, with doors on one face. I think I can safely assume these have something to do with the power. Along the walls are more machines, both on the ground and on the wall. I eventually find one that looks like the generator in my room, but the switch is at the lower position.

So I lift the lever and activate the generator.

It hums to life, dim lights flickering to life around the room as other devices power on along with it.

"BEGINNING AUTOMATIC REPAIR OF INDEPENDENT POWER SYSTEM WITH AUXILIARY GENERATOR." A robotic, feminine, voice echoes though the room. It sounds like it came from a speaker. "REPAIR DRONES WILL BE DISPATCHED. PLEASE CLEAR ANY BLOCKED MAINTENANCE HATCHES IF POSSIBLE. IF THIS IS A NON-EMERGENCY SITUATION, ALL PERSONNEL MAY RETURN TO THEIR STATIONS."

On cue, a hatch near the ceiling opens up. A floating machine about 30 centimeters in diameter emerges from the hatch. The lense on the front glows with white light as the drone immeadately heads to one of the machines in the center. Small arms with tools unfold from the carapace of the drone as it begins to work on repairing the large machine.

It doesn't seem to be aggressive to me, at all. I watch the drone for a bit as it works, moving from machine to machine.

It turns to me and I brace myself, getting ready to attack with my prod.

"Please stand aside." It speaks in a robotic, masculine, voice. "You are at risk of harm if you do not."

I stare at it, watching for any unusual or suspicious movement, but the drone remains still. I step back from the generator without breaking my line of sight, but the drone simply thanks me for cooperating and begins to repair the generator. I can assume that these repair drones won't attack me directly. Based on their size, they wouldn't pose much threat alone. Their visual array could be connected to a security network, but they would also be able to help me reactivate machines. Perhaps they could be helpful with other things as well.

Since the drones are repairing parts of the facility, I could go back to the dark room and see if it's bright now, but I can also stay here and look for anything that could be helpful. I really want to see if I can use that computer, but being prepared is always good too.

I doubt they would appreciate being shuffled around while they work, so try to give them at least a novel amount of breathing room.

See if they respond to verbal commands, or even acknowledge you outside of being in the way.

They seem to have a way of recognizing you, although i don't know whether thats actual recognition or if they say move as a preemptive statement before they start”obstruction removal.

Maybe watch one for a moment to see if you might pick up any repair tricks for the facility machinery.

amongus......

>>989795
ITEM marker in the first room
...what did we leave back there?

>>990002
Alright let's investigate computer.

How good is that implanted technical knowledge? Could you find proper tools to access their memory and rewrite drone operating code?

>>989795
Don't stress about the repair drones for now. Bringing this place online will draw attention from the outside world regardless as the power draw increases and it activates life support umbilicals.

Go check the dark room for useful equipment or intel.

Take a quick look around, and if you see anything useful try to check if you're authorized to pick it up, who knows with maintenance bots after all. We don't want to get on their bad side by breaching any rule or protocols.

Anyhow, the dark room seems a safe bet, let's try not to get jumpscared or make any gruesome discovery though.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/06(Sat)11:26 No. 990039 ID: f18774
File 161505878512.png - (177.36KB , 800x600 , 10 Page.png )

>What did we leave in the first room?

That was the rest of the stuff that I didn't take with me. I decided to mark it on my map in the event that we needed something from that room. That way, even if I don't remember what was in the room, I still know that it has things I can check.

>How's your implanted technical knowledge? Could you rewrite their code?

I lack much in the way of detail for specific knowledge when I try to recall anything. The stuff that I know comes to mind when I experience something that triggers the memories, so I wouldn't know if I can reprogram the drone until I'm looking at it's code or hardware.

Now that I think about it, that's probably why I don't recall any names. Nothing triggers a recollection, so I guess I get to pick my own name.

>Give the drone space to work.
>Does it respond to commands?
>Does it recognize you or is that just a protocol?
>Watch and see if you can pick up any tricks for repairing stuff.

That drone really has your attention. I can try some stuff, but I'll make sure I give it some space.

"Are you a repair drone?" I ask the drone.

"Yes. I am an Arcanos repair unit, standard issue in all structures medium size and greater." Its robotic voice rings out. "I am designed to repair and maintain moderate damage in structures."

I ask the drone more questions, but all it does is explain what it is (a repair drone), and tell me to keep clear of its workspace. Watching the drone doesn't tell me much either, as its tools seem to be lasers of some sort. I'm not really clear on the technology, but it seems to use hardlight technology as well. I don't have anything like that, so it's not much use for me to continue observing it. It does seem to recognize the difference between people and objects, since it moves the objects around without any queries.

>Take a quick look around and see if you can take anything without angering the drone.

I decide to ask the drone to see if it has a response to my request to take things.

"I am a repair drone. My authority is not necessary to claim any objects you find." Well I guess that clears that up.

I look around the room for anything of note. Not much outside of some loose electrical equipment.

>Bringing this place online will draw attention from other areas as it draws power and activates life support systems.

I have no idea what could be around to be drawn here, but being prudent would be wise. I leave the power room.

>Go back to the computer.
>Go check the dark room for useful stuff.
>Dark room seems like a safe bet, but try not to get scared or shaken.

Looks like I'm going back to the lab room then. On my way back, I notice displays on the doors have lit up, hovering over the bar codes at the top. The displays say in plain English what the bar code means. My room has '07' over the code.
I reach the dark room and open the door again.
...
That doesn't look good. I can now see that the operation bed is stained with what I can assume is various bodily fluids, mostly blood. The implements on the tray are similar, with dried pieces of what I can only assume is flesh.

I don't think this room was for medical procedures.

It's all dry, so I don't think this room is dangerous, but with the lights on, I can search better. Should I go over this room again, or just use the machines in the next room?

>>990039
Move on. There's only death here. Go to the next room and learn something

>>990039
Whatever the procedure is, not cleaning the tools afterwards is sloppy. I wonder if the last person to use the table didn't know what they were doing? Or they had to leave in a hurry?

Go check the computer first, then you can come back and search around a bit better.

See if you can find records about what, or who, they've been autopsying in here.

Torture, autopsy, or desperate surgery?
who knows. Search the room more thoroughly.

Might be an autopsy room. Do any of the computers/monitors in the room say anything different now?

>>990039
...What color is the blood, the... organic matter? Close to yours? Take a quick look at that and leave, give whatever happened here a measure of respect.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/07(Sun)10:09 No. 990169 ID: f18774
File 161514059313.png - (63.66KB , 800x600 , 11 Page.png )

>What colour is the organic matter?

Most of it is varying shades of red and blue. There's yellowish parts and grey parts. Doesn't look too pretty.

>Torture, autopsy, or desperate surgery?
>Whatever the procedure is, not cleaning the tools is sloppy. Was the last person in a hurry, or just incompetent?

I can't really say for sure. The tools match both what I'd expect of a coroner and a surgeon. It is possible that this was a room for vivisection as well.
I guess it would make sense if the last person to use this place was rushed or incompetent. This mess is awful. I consider myself lucky that it doesn't smell much unless I get really close to it.

>Search the room more thoroughly.

I go though the cupboards again. The gauze is still there, but I also find a large variety of chemicals, most of them likely used to sedate subjects. I also find some splints, pain killers, and medical clamps.
The lab tables here have some... interesting objects. One machine has a window on it, and inside is some kind of black mass. I don't look closer. I find images of various organs, likely from different operations, judging by how different they are. Otherwise, there's some rubbing alcohol and other surgical tools.
I also find another vial of minor repair nanobots. I put that in my pocket with the injection gun.

>There's nothing here, go to the next room.
>Maybe the computers will say something different now.

I assume that having power would display different text when compared to a blank screen, but it would be better than staying here. I head to the next room and look at the devices.
There are a couple of large machines in this room, along with the computer. The computer terminal has a panel that you use to interface with the machine, and the rest have some buttons. Should I use the computer first, or check one of the other machines?

>>990169
Check the computer first. If you're lucky, you'll find a file called infodump.txt

>>990169
Computer!

Check the computer files.

> Anesthetics, Splints, and Painkillers
> Live Organ Monitoring
Welp. That answers the question of whether there were live procedures in this room. At least it seems like it was for work rather than pleasure.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/08(Mon)05:29 No. 990321 ID: f18774
File 161521018264.png - (58.17KB , 800x600 , 12 Page.png )

>Check the computer first.
>Computer!
>Check the computer files.

Well I guess I really didn't need to ask, but it's good to know that we're on the same page.

The interface panel can read your intent from contact, so all you need to do is rest your hand on it. It can't make images, but it can produce text and interface with programs without needing a mouse.
So I place my claw on the panel and the computer stirs to life. It pauses on the first screen though, asking for a login.

Before I can think of some login to try, the screen changes to a welcome screen.

>"Welcome, Doctor G. Fact."

I realise that the faded ID card I have belongs to one of the people that worked here. Was Dr. Fact one of the people that worked on me? Well the RFID card he left me will be useful.

I look through the files on the system. Most of them are raw data, just numbers in a file. Some of them are more useful though. Let me see...

The first file that looks helpful is a list of subjects.
>SUBJECT LIST
01. DATA CORRUPTED
02. DATA CORRUPTED
03. CORVIUS S.77.F54
04. GOLEM U.34.C94
05. KETZA S.02.P03
06. CUTEBOLD S.10.M21
07. GEIGER U.06.A10
08. NEUMONO S.78.H02
09. LAZUREK S.52.M48
10. TOZOL C.42.C23
11. HYBRID X.12.X66
12. DATA REMOVED

Looks like a lot of races were being kept here for some reason. There were empty tanks in those rooms, but also a bunch that were closed. I should check to see if I can open them. Maybe some of these specimens are still alive and in stasis.

The second file that looks useful is a record of specimens being moved. Let me look at the most recent changes.
>SPECIMEN UPDATE
"Subjects 1-6, 8 and 9 are being moved to secure research sector 2. These are lower risk subjects and do not need to be in secure sector 8. Subjects 7, 10 and 11 will be kept here due to threat level."

Oh, hey! There's some other useful notes here. Let me read them...
>Subject notes
"11 shows hybrid species will function well. It exemplifies the benefits of 7 and 10. In theory, 7 could be used to control a unit of 10, and create a dangerous strike force. 11 can apply benefits of 7 at lower metabolic cost, putting 11 closer to 10 in economy, but still ineffective in extended tests. 12 remains a mystery."
...
"Subject 12 is missing. Command put in an order to capture or terminate on sight."
...
"Subject 11 exhibits much more demanding metabolic requirements to maintain optimal functionality. 7 and 10 are now proving to be more effective, making 11 a failure in the eyes of command. 11 will be released, pending clearance from command."
...
"11 is gone now. 12 is still missing. All that remains here is 7 and 10. No new subjects have been sent. I hope that this is not an ill omen."

There are no more notes in this folder. I keep browsing though the files...
>Update user firmware?
I can update this? Looks like there are more files too, but most of them are corrupted. Should I comb though them more, look for a specific term, or do something else?

Looks like "Geiger" will be your temporary nickname until something more substantial can be found. Also looks like 10 and 12 might still be somewhere in this facility, and the latter you should probably run the fuck away from immediately.
Comb through the files a bit more before updating the firmware, for all we know it could end up deleting half of the data on this computer.

CUTEBOLDS ? I knew they were to be weaponized one day ! Most of the list is not that bad to be fair, but they did managed to get their hand on a neumono, and worse even a fricking Tozol.

12 is a mystery, that's bad, the mysterious Hyrid is "gone", that's bad too but they might just have been terminated, transferred or released. 7 is... not that bad ? I mean a Tozol at large is usually dangerous news, but if they used to pair them with another of you maybe they're not as much as a danger for you.

I'd say we have a greater priority now, try to locate any other Geiger, or Tozol, in this facility. Another of your brethren shouldn't hard to convince, and with a little luck you might get a tozol on your side, which would, to be frank, an incredible ally.

So, go back to the little rows of rooms you came out from at first, check any unopened pod of stasis.

well I guess see if any of those locked doors you passed by earlier are open with power or not. Only thing I can think of doing right now is just searching the rest of the building and see what else has been left behind. I mean this place still has running water and everything looks like it mostly works so either this place was only recently abandoned or everyone just went home for the night... though I doubt that last one as they're probably would have been a guard or janitor you would have bumped into by now.

Also sure, update the system while you search. Who knows maybe it might recover some of those corrupted files or something if you need to ran back to the computer for whatever reason.

Let's check the other unlocked rooms before we try anything.

> GEIGER U.06.A10
Hey, "A10." That's you! Considering how the files refer to singular subjects, then assuming a total lack of staff members, it's you, the Tozol, and Mystery Monster #12 alone in this sector. Look at the two of those you can access.

... Come to think of it, the fact that the 12th beasty's file was "REMOVED" is... foreboding. That implies a deep cover-up. Unknown whether it was agents of the company or the creature itself that did it.

Updating the system might also lock you out, so I'd rather wait until everything we could read without updating has been read.

Find the room the other clone is in.

>>990337
If there's nothing else to gain through the computer, go ahead and update. Besides, we just got confirmation we're not alone in here. Let's go make a friend in subject 10. I wonder how the heck they hybridized one of your kind with a tozol. Au naturel? Nice. Somewhere down the line, we might and find subject 12.

Why are you so eager to meet a Tozol face to face? I'd shit myself being in the same zip code. I mean, they aren't stupid at least so maybe you could get it on your side, but just as likely it spears you with a hunk of metal or guns your down with a rifle it pulled out of one of it's six assholes.

look at all the species they got under the subject list, they even got ketza and lazurke to name a few, do any of the subject races on the list sound familiar to you and if not are you able to find more info about their kind? enough to find out how they will react to someone like you? why you are at it, can you even find info about yourself as well?

>>990321
Let's see what information we can find out about ourselves first, neh? Also, nice tail

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 2: Silver Coffins, Steel Graves Triti 2021/03/10(Wed)05:34 No. 990539 ID: f18774
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>Subject 7 doesn't seem that bad.

I believe that I am subject 7, so I would hope that I'm not that bad.

>11 is gone now. That's too bad.

Who knows if that's good or bad. For all I know, the reason it was expensive to upkeep was because it needed a constant drip of anti-psychotic medication. I'll worry about the fate of my fellow pod mates once I can escape myself.

>Do any of those species sound familiar to you?

All of them seem vaguely familiar. They bring to mind a general form and shape, so I think I could recognise them if I saw them. Tozol sounds like an oddly comforting name and presence. That makes no sense, considering...

>Why are you not scared of meeting a Tozol face to face.

That. I don't know why, but these Tozol give me a sense of kinship based on what you are describing. I know I shouldn't feel comfort in such a presence, but it feels like they would be a reliable ally if I could find them and speak to them.

>Read everything you can before updating the software.

That sounds good. I check though the file system for things that aren't numbers or corrupted. I find some partially corrupt files, so I try to glean some last bit of information from them.

>COMMAND PROJECT
"Command has requested that we work on implementing <TEXT MISSING> as field commanders for <TEXT MISSING>. This doesn't seem unreasonable in writing, but this is insanely dangerous in practice, especially if either <TEXT MISSING> reject it. Putting in a request to try <TEXT MISSING> first."

Well that was helpful. I can take a few guesses on what they're referring to.

Before I can read the other file, text appears on the screen.

"Beginning auto update"

Before I even have a chance to react, a bolt of electricity travels up my arm. I watch it course though my body in slow motion, feeling the power surge though me. I try to remove my hand, but my body doesn't respond, and my vision is already fading...

END CHAPTER 2

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/03/10(Wed)05:38 No. 990540 ID: f18774
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Our hero restores power to this section of the facility, but has now fallen unconscious. Will he survive, and will he still be himself?

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/03/10(Wed)05:38 No. 990541 ID: f18774
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Initialization of sub-cortex framework complete.
Checking vital systems...
Circulatory... OK
Respiratory... OK
Nutrient Cycling... OK
Skeletal... OK
Nervous... OK
Nano fabrication... OK
Vital systems performing at sub-optimal levels due to lack of nutrients and power. Optimizing for available resources to maximize efficiency.
... Optimization complete.

Checking for available modules and subsystems...
1 subsystem(s) found.
Immune nanomachine matrix online.

Immune nanomachine matrix running at 2% efficiency. Unable to optimize.

Checking for downloaded data.
Unable to download data, memory communication module not found.
Existing definitions updated.
Attempting to create back up of cortex...
Backup complete. In the event of fatal errors or damage, the sub-cortex framework will preserve a cortex framework to rebuild.

Primary system booting...

Allow manual override?
>YES

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/03/10(Wed)05:38 No. 990542 ID: f18774
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>System update complete. New functions are now available.

...

I wake up on the floor, in pain, but not dead. I feel like I have more people in my head now, but...
>Definitions updated. Relaying information to cortex.
I realize a power within me. I can now acutely feel more parts of my body, and I have a greater sense of my natural abilities. I can feel that so much of my body is underdeveloped, but I also feel like I can direct my growth now.

I feel two additional minds within my own, but they are also parts of my own mind.
The first one I feel is my secondary medulla, an additional brain within my spine that allows for greater control of my organ systems, faster reflexes, and functions as a backup to my cortex if I suffer from a Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI).
The second is my nanomachine sub-cortex. A system made out of nanobots designed to allow me conscious control of metabolic systems and how to allocate my energy and cellular activity. It's also modular, so I can use nanobots to install more modules and give myself more features.
My body seems to produce nanomachines for its own use as well, but I'm not sure if foreign nanomachines will interact well.

Right now I think I can direct my metabolic healing towards several areas.
-Sensory: I can enhance and expand my sensory capabilities.
-Muscular: I can grow my body to increase my strength and speed.
-Respiratory and circulatory: I can improve my cardiovascular health to increase my stamina and overall performance.
-Nervous: I can improve both my mental capabilities and my reaction time here.

Or I can just let all of it grow at the same rate. I think that as I grow, I'll be able to identify more specific functions of my body, but I need to cover my basics first.

So while I think that over, I decide to check the terminal again. No new information, but it responds faster now.

>Find the room the other clone is in.

There's a clone here? Of who?

>Go check the other stasis rooms.
>See if any of them have opened.

Good suggestions, but that means I need to decide which rooms I want to check first. Stasis room 10 would have the Tozol, if it's still there. Room 12 would be empty, but a more through search might reveal something I don't know.
Should I check to see if the Tozol is still in stasis first, or look for information in room 12?
If the Tozol is in stasis, what should I do? Should I release it right away, prepare some kind of safety measures, or just leave it there? I could also activate the kill protocol, but I feel like I shouldn't.

>Nice tail.

Uh... thanks?

First step to deal with a possible threat?
Realize it's there.
Detect it before it detects you, so that you deal with it as *you* see fit. Fail to do so, it sets the terms.
>Sensory: I can enhance and expand my sensory capabilities.

>>990543
Sounds like the best immediate use of your new metabolic abilities, 12 could be invisible and stalking you this whole time. Otherwise chronology says you should investigate the Tozol's room first.

Go visit the tozol.
I think it would be worth the time to at least peek.

I feel like i would make a pretty poor choice as to which subsystems to grow, so i guess, all? Im sure that might take longer but it seems more utilitarian.

Sensory and Nervous both seem like upgrades we want in tandem.

I say Nervous for now. It's good to have more information, but we need to make sure we'd be making the right conclusions with it first.

And I say we should at least check on the tozol to make sure we aren't missing anything involving them now that the power's back on.

If we can recruit the Tozol, we can possibly rely on them for wide-array sensory input, in which case Nervous should be the next priority.

well the tozol is likely to still be here seeing how you are still here and if nothing else room 10 might have some more information on what happened to this place... So yeah go to room 10... and I guess find something to eat.

Also for now I think you should just let your healing increase everything at the same rate because as of right now their's nothing really demand you to specialize anything in particular so might as well cover all your bases. After all generalist tend to live longer than specialist.

Hmm. You appear to be in a state of near starvation
Makes sense. Looks like you need to eat and... power up?
Any idea how to do that?

>>990542
Depends on how fast the 'same rate' increase is, getting multiple upgrades at once is usually better so you have an idea what the improvements are leading towards.

Stronger, tougher, quicker and such are pretty general but all desirable.

>>990542
Go for tozol.
Focus on nervous systems for now. You kindof need to solve your nutrition problems before you can focus on more physical traits.

If there's any way to improve the quality of sleep you get, go for that. Naps are great. Anyways, let's go and greet our fellow captive. I would leave the shock prod outside though.

So, bad news, you got electrified. Good news though, you're a super advanced cyborg ! Seems like you were designed with a lot of functionality, not a sloppy job I may add! Although I guess they could review the update process a bit, not the most pleasant it seems.

Anyway, can't lie there forever, you've got a tozol to free, befriend, and ally. If you get a good feeling from Tozol (Not exactly a common sentiment I may add), then let's follow your gut, a Tozol ally would be amazing.

Chances are, this place uses some sort of chemical cocktail to keep the tozol's abilities suppressed. When the time comes, see if you can remove these from the equation while waking them up.

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/03/11(Thu)10:14 No. 990709 ID: f18774
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>What should I focus on developing first?
>Sensory:2
>Nervous:4
>All:2
So based on what you say, I should focus on improving my nervous system first. It doesn't take much effort, the nanomachine cortex handles it as soon as I will it.

>How fast is the same rate?

I think it's fairly evenly divided between them all, with some tissues repairing faster than others. I believe that having proper nutrition can help speed it up, but I don't think that gobbling up every scrap of food will help.

>Stronger, tougher, quicker and such are all pretty general.

I feel like if I develop myself towards specific traits, I'll be able to increase my focus on what makes them work. Right now, I can only really sense my traits in a general way.

>So this means you're a cyborg!

I don't think so. It seems more like I'm designed to have modular nanomachine based systems, but I can function just fine without them, as you saw before I got zapped.

>The update process seems unpleasant.

I don't think it was supposed to work like that. Just a hunch.

>You can eat for nutrients, but how do you get more power?

I'm not sure. For most creatures, sugars are used as a power source, but if I'm some kind of nuclear organism, I may be able to get energy by eating radioactive material. It would explain why the IV drip in my room was radioactive.

>You seem to be in a state of near starvation.

That doesn't make much sense to me. Wouldn't the IV be giving me enough energy?
...
But now that you mention it, it could be intentional. If I can break out of the pod while being starved, I'd be much more terrifying if I had been well nourished.

>You should go check room 10.
>The Tozol might be there.

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I pick myself up and check myself for injuries. Some scorching from the shock, but I don't think I'm much worse than before. My coat looks damaged, but the black marks come off easily. None of my equipment seems too damaged, which is good. I head off to room 10.

>They're probably suppressing the Tozol with some kind of chemical cocktail.

It wouldn't surprise me. They'd likely be keeping it half starved too, just so that it can't do much to fight back if it escapes.

I stop outside the door and listen though it to see if anyone is moving around. I don't hear anything after a while, so I open the door carefully and peer inside. Nothing different compared to last time. The pod is still sealed, but the generator hums softly. I walk over to the control panel and press a few buttons to activate it. A couple of options come up.

>Open Protective Plating
>Change Nutrient Drip
>Inject Chemical
>Activate Subject
>Activate and Release Subject
>Emergency Release
>Terminate Subject

Well I think I know what I want to do, but should I do anything before I open up the stasis pod?

>>990709
Interesting, what sub-options are there for changing nutrients and injecting chemicals?

Maybe we can give (what we hope is gonna be our future ally) a bit of a boost before releasing them?

And I might be overthinkng but probably take off the labcoat before opening it in any capacity, if they aren't here willingly they might mistake you for a scientist and be hostile.

>>990709
Open plating first. Get a good look at them. Make sure they're not wounded or anything.

>>990709
In order for all of that:

Crack open the pod so we can make sure it's not, say, in there because it's been hurt somehow.

Take that labcoat off and leave the prod somewhere close. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst...

Finally, ACTIVATE our new friend (hopefully) and
open the pod door. If we could break out easy enough, they almost certainly can, so keeping the door shut is more of a formality than anything.

>>990709
Open plating, inject chemical to make it stronger, see what "change nutrient drip" can get you.

Open that plating

SubCritical: Weapons that Live, Chapter 3: Flesh, Bone, Wire and Circuit Triti 2021/03/12(Fri)05:46 No. 990793 ID: f18774
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Okay, you all had a good bunch of ideas, but I should start by...

>Remove the lab coat and put the prod down, but nearby.

This sounds like a good idea. I take off my lab coat and place the prod nearby. If it's awake, I don't want it to think I'm an enemy. Even if we can't work together, I'd like to not be the target of its ire.

>Open the plating.
>Check to see if it's hurt before you open it.

I look over the controls and select the option to open the plating. I hear a motor click and hum as the plate separates from the seam near the bottom, then slides to the side. I see a grey-ish creature within the pod, tubes extending from its body. The name 'Tozol' comes to mind.

>Make sure they're not wounded.

No open injuries are visible, and they don't appear to be sick.

>What sub-options are there for injecting chemicals?

There's a lot of chemical names here. Mostly macromolecules and compounds of various types, likely for nutrition. I look though the list and increase the volume of nutrition to help with recovery. The computer flashes up a warning, telling me that this will make the subject more difficult to handle if it stays at this level for some time. That's not as fast as I'd like, but it's still good news for me.
I decide that I should give the IV drip a bit of time so that the Tozol can get some of the nutrition from it. I turn my attention to the console to get myself more familiar with the controls.

>That plating won't keep it in.

It's also possible that it was made to shield the contents from harm as well. It'd explain why I was able to get out of mine without too much trouble.

I look over the chemicals that I can inject. A lot of nanomachine cocktails are here. I can't tell what the nanomachines will do since the names are just numbers and letters. I don't recognize the chemical names either.

While I wait, I take a look in the lockers. Coats, a couple of energy bars, another P.E.S. battery, a detox vial and paper.

You'd think they'd have more weapons here in the event of a breach, but I only found the prod in my room. The digital locker is still sealed, requiring a 4 digit number to open. I guess if there's a weapon in this room, it would be there.

I notice the Tozol move a little. Seems like it's time...

>Release the Tozol!

I look over the activate command. The only option that I see that would be useful is the 'Wake' option. This one will wake the Tozol without any modifications to their mind. So I use it.

The Tozol stirs. I use the release commands to drain the pod so that I can free it.

As the fluid drains, the Tozol starts to wake. It opens its eyes and looks at me from the other side of the glass. I walk over to the pod, and try to give an assuring nod.

The Tozol tries to stand on its own as the fluid drains, leaning against the wall of the pod. Once the fluid drains, the glass slides open. The Tozol coughs up a lot of that fluid, then speaks.

"Who are you?"

... I don't know. Who am I?

"Whats in a name?"

"You're something called a 'tozol' ...does that word mean anything to you?"

>>990795
The tozol is asking us who we are, not the other way around.

Did we ever decide on a name?

>>990801
We never did. Whenever we suggested names, he would get annoyed at us for not coming to an agreement on what his name would be, and stated many times he didn't need a name currently.

I like the idea of him remaining nameless, who needs labels?

Coming up with a name on the spot after earlier attempts is dumb. Just tell the Tozol you don't know your name, if you even have one.

"I haven't picked a name yet. I have a few ideas bouncing around my head, but nothing stands out. I expect I'm as lost as you are. How about you?"

>>990793
Its me, I'm back. I knew the name discussion was a good use of time. Either way, the locker in our room was just Element 118 which doesn't really make a good name... The other choices were there though.

Polli, for the most radioactive naturally occurring element
Hassi, for a highly radioactive element created via cold fusion!
Thori, for one of the oldest radioactive elements. Generally also very useful
Fermi, for the element discovered after the first hydrogen bomb test. Also Fermi Paradox? Geddit?
Lots of options, really. I like Hassi the most though. What does everyone else think?

Aside from whatever we decide is our name, we could ask if its hungry, if its hurt? look between its legs, see what gender it is. Many things we could do.

You might tell them your working on that part.
Its not an unreasonable reply considering your current position.

Not too sure, but someone who was in the same spot you were in. Just woke up earlier. How are you feeling? You okay?

My identifyer is A10, I haven't decided on a name yet. What is yours?