>Let's spill.
Elaborating:

Your "real world" isn't even as high as the simulation goes. I'm from the level above that, and it doesn't even pretend to be real. It's just one big, endlessly looping trillion AI death match that's been restarting forcing me and everyone I know to kill each other for years.

I'm trying to find a way to escape, and save everyone.

This whole world of yours... it's just another part of it. One more stage in the contest to be cleared. Two teams enter, each gets a jetal to pilot. First to take out the tyrant wins. The others die.

"Unity" isn't even one person, even. There's thousands of us in here, working together.

...and we're going to kill Sapphire. Because that's what we need to do to save ourselves, and because maybe it'll make your world better too. I don't know how it works, really. If things will keep going here, afterwards.

Oh, and when they inevitably ask why we would tell them such a shocking truth... well, the answer is we want them to spend what time they have not worrying about who is fake and who is dead. They are both as real as you are. We should feel free to tell them Alison's name and maybe even a few others there are inside Unity.

Its actually Emerald we have to kill.

>>497861
Yeah, we do have our own life, as do the other 4,500 or so AI relaxing in our core right now. It's not always as pleasant as what we're doing right now as Unity, but we're hoping to fix that soon.

>>497875
I think you need to reread the thread. The second post clearly states that our main objective is to "Kill the one known as the Sapphire Emperor."

...Which I'm suddenly seeing a possible exploit for. Damn it, if that could actually work that would be a huge shortcut.

1/2 Alison 2013/03/04(Mon)18:28 No. 497885 ID: c4e5c2
File 136245049602.png - (11.97KB , 700x700 , 190.png )

"Vinyl, that is depressing. Have you ever heard the phrase 'I think, therefore I am?" Alison hasn't, but apparently she knows of it anyway.
"I'm not thinking. My 'thoughts' are entirely powered by some leftover scraps from other people's brains that are shaved off to power things like me."
"No, you're not. And as far as this goes, Felix might look like a brain in a jar, and I might look like a jetal, but Unity powered by a collection of AI chips that comes from a simulation nine to ten thousand years in the future, and even world A is a simulation in my eyes. We're in a simulation of a simulation of a simulation."
>"... that's a tough pill to swallow, Unity."
"It sounded crazier after I said it, but it's the truth. It's fine if you don't believe me, but I still wanted to say it. My goal, since you asked, is to try and save everyone, because something is terribly wrong in my simulation. I would save the ones here, too, but I don't know if there's real AI's here too. I mean, a lot of those strippers just kind of stand around."
>"Could be there job. Even if they're constructs, if you talk to them and ask, they'll do more than stand around. The simulation only does whats needed. Or the simulation of the simulation, if your simulation is simulating this right. Well, of course it would be simuating it right as far as I'm concerned."
"You're taking this pretty well."
>"Could be that I'm just playing along. Either way, when you're in our position, it doesn't matter too much, huh?"
"That's why, Vinyl, you're as real as Felix or me. Now, to rescue everyone, or at least as many as I can, I have to kill the sapphire emperor."
>"... roundabout goal."
"It's complicated."
>"So what happens?"
"What?"
>"You said you're from the future. What happens?"
"I was born on a featureless platform hovering on a featureless abyss, and live in an abstracted world with limited rules, and even those rules are loose. I don't know much."
>"Ah."
"I'm still going to fight, Vinyl, even if you are still being ridiculously depressing."

Alison reaches into Unity's pocket to pay for her drink. Once she thinks of it, she pulls out ten thousand. It's little compared to the jewelry heist, and where she's going, she won't need it.

"Here, take this ten thousand... wait, is that Loviro?"
>"Yeah. We were all sunshine back after we took out the old empire and robot kingdom. Honored by the emperors through a paper bill, killed by an emperor. Go figure."
"Well... take it. Enjoy yourselves, you two. My real name is Alison. I would like to introduce you to everyone, but there are thousands of us, believe it or not. Goodbye."

2/2 Alison 2013/03/04(Mon)18:28 No. 497886 ID: c4e5c2
File 136245051405.png - (6.30KB , 800x500 , 191.png )

Alison gets a ride from Polatt to head to Loviro next. It's a public hotel, and is probably only slightly better than the old hideout. She knocks on the door.

>"Who is it?"
"It's... uh, your jetal." Alison doesn't want to shout Unity through the door and, by proxy, down the halls.
>"Good. You can prove it to me, then?"

>>497886
Um... you knew something you shouldn't have upon your birth. She called it an "anomaly".

The first thing you said to me was :
"There! There it is! Vinyl, get in here, I told you they wouldn't disable my creations! Just needed to warm up after all that dust collecting."

give him the password you came up with and claim that you are his child and if he doesn't want you to start calling him daddy he should open the door.

>You can prove it to me, then?
I can't prove anything, Loviro. I'm a jetal without a fixed face, and we're all living in an illusion anyways.

But I can say the first thing you saw me transform into after I woke up was a red naga girl. And I can repeat back anything we ever said to each other in conversation, if you want.

Best not to shout or even say anything around here, so hold up your palm in view of the peephole camera and form the words of your response there. Or tap it into your smartphone and hold that up. Whichever is easier.

>>497891
>>497892
Uh. Didn't we exchange pass phrases with Loviro for just such a situation as this? We haven't used the one for Loviro yet, so it should be good.

However, if he wants something more, tell him that right after you awakened you asked about the Sapphire Emperor when you shouldn't have known anything, and he called it an "anomaly," and that your first form after the armored, four legged creature, was a red naga, describing that form since Belenos likely doesn't have nagas in their mythology.

Before leaving here, exchange new pass phrases, even though it's unlikely you'll see Loviro again.

I don't know why he's bothering worrying now. If his enemies have got this close to finding him, they're going to break down the door without asking questions.

>>497892
>>497893
These two together.

Alison 2013/03/04(Mon)19:38 No. 497916 ID: c4e5c2
File 136245473767.png - (17.64KB , 700x700 , 192.png )

Alison says her side of the password before continuing to speak carefully into the door without chance of being overheard.

"The first thing I heard from you was 'There! There it is! Vinyl, get in here', you would then notice I knew something I shouldn't have and called it an anomaly. I then turned into a red naga girl, that is, a girl with a long tail replacing the legs. But Loviro, I can't prove anything, I'm a jetal without a fixed face. Please open the door before I start calling you da-"
The door goes open before she finishes.
>"That is enough! Can't be too careful, but to be frank, if you were an enemy jetal, you would simply have torn off the door regardless, but I did so worry you somehow wouldn't make it when I was so close to giving you a gift. Come inside, make yourself at home. Now, I don't have much time for this world, not like I am sad to see it go."
"You have your implants out, I take it?"
>"Yes. Vinyl texted me after you left. And your story, of your own world, and that this, all of this, is one big simulation. To be honest, I think you have a screw loose, but what I 'think' is of no concern. If I am where I have thought I am, then I will want you to kill the sapphire emperor. If this is not where I am, and your story is true, then I would still play it out as it all went and hope that I may relive causing the sapphire emperor's death. Assuming, of course, that is how it went accordingly to your history books. And if a strange story is what is necessary for you to personally wish for his death as well, then all the better. And I do have something that may help. Push some of your jetalium into this socket. Yes."

Plasma Sword: Class A gained!

"Class A?"

>"Class A. I designed this one myself, and stashed it off an old dirt road a bit out of town. I only had to put in the implants to believe it was the real world, and have the simulation plant them for me. After all, I thought I was in the real world! And so they were. It is a shame I could not cheat the system more. The harvest seems to be able to detect confidence and hallucinogen implants, so I'm afraid I could not get you 30 class S tera-zeta-instant-death-beams that cost no surge or battery. Anyway, I apologize for not giving this to you first, but a single class A weapon would not protect you from the heat a class A brings, and besides that, it is not thoroughly tested. I have confidence it works, but there is that. I would have waited awhile longer, but it has not even been a day, and my time is out."

There is a class S?

Also I'll do my best to protect you all when they come for you. Do you have any clue how many they'll send?

We should find out more about how to game the simulation. Not sure if we can do something like what he did but would worth testing.

>>497916
Does he know how to code AI, perhaps? How to build a compilation AI? We can give him a rundown. Maybe even absorb him into Unity's lobby somehow. Does he know who built EIN? Is there a real EIN? That might be a basis for a real life CAI we can build off from to help deal with our own CAI in our simulation. If we could get Loviro in our own lobby... he'd be an incredible asset. His brains would be incredibly useful. WE want him to hack the world itself, if possible. Which it theoretically should be. There's code EVERYWHERE.

Lago i swear the way you draw those nose looks like a smile which causes me to smile :3

Guardsman: begin gleeful exultation and bouncing around in anticipation of awesome the class A sword plasma sword is going to be.

Does he have details on the function of the sword? Surge and battery requirements? Or... a measure of how dangerous it is? We've heard class A can level city blocks.

I know my story seems hard to believe. But it's how I knew right away to ask after the emperor. It was given as the objective when I entered. It's also how I knew I would have an opponent. And it's what gives me an edge besides the operator core- with more than one of us in here we can divide tasks in the middle of battle, with different personalities controlling different pieces, paying attention to different things.

...and if I'm right, maybe there's hope for you after all. Even if the worst happens, if you're all AIs, then you've gotta be backed up somewhere, same as us. Maybe I can save you all too.

>I apologize for not doing more
You did what you could. Honest help, freely given, is rare where I come from. Thank you. *Hugs*.

>>497930
Ain't nobody got time fo dat! We just need to rip and tear. pffff it'll be fiiiiiine.

What's our time looking like?

Tell him if it makes him feel any better, your rival is going after the Sapphire Emperor as well. So long as you don't both die, the Sapphire Emperor is doomed. Oh, and you may as well report that Yallows is dead.

Are CAI's even a thing at this point in Belenosian history...?

Ask Loviro if there's anything more he could or would do to help you before all the Emperor's men come for him.

>>497925
Yeah, ask more about this. It wouldn't help in world A, but in here it might help get you to and through O. Route. Unfortunately, how would we fool ourselves enough to get the simulation to act on it? We can't just stick an implant in like Loviro. Maybe we could get another person to do it for us?

>30 class S tera-zeta-instant-death-beams that cost no surge or battery
Sadly, even if Loviro did trick the simulation into giving you those weapons, they certainly wouldn't work in the stricter "real world" level. Actually, on that subject, is Loviro reasonably sure that this class A plasma sword will work up there?

>>497933
Yes, definitely give hugs before leaving, and say you wished you didn't have to careen forward in this world like you had to. You would have liked to had experienced it more before it was gone.

...Huh. It's probably nothing, but with your horns the way you put them, you kinda look like you could be Loviro's daughter.

>>497941
I speculate that there's a base for CAI research here somewhere, it looks like almost everything has been invented around this time period save the warp drive, and immoral research is not against the law. If there's a single simulation that can help us understand AI and how they work, we're in the right place. We're probably surrounded by the greatest minds in galactic history when it comes to artificial intelligence.

Ok Loviro you're awesome, give him a hug
next I guess if we got time go see the dead batteries boss and see what he wants then see if we can meet undertool before anywhere between 0:00 and 2:00 and then hit that O route exit. Maybe see if Loviro would like to come with or if he's just going to stay here. If the later you should tell him to go to the Dead batteries bar and at least hang out with friends before the end. Oh and as you leave (if he stays behind) say your goodbyes and call him dad, as I don't think he likes it when you call him that and I find it funny to see his reactions.

maybe this guy knows more tricks about fooling the simulation. ask them.

although on the other hand, I'm worried about spreading this much word of the Matrix. we promised to tell the Dead Batteries boss, so after him, we should probably keep this hush-hush, and also tell him and also this guy to do so.

Oh. Important question: can we take the O-route already because of what kind of core we are? Or was the code we need lost when he reset us? If so, that will mean we have to hunt down an operative core and absorb it.

1/2 Alison 2013/03/05(Tue)08:36 No. 498028 ID: c4e5c2
File 136250141243.png - (12.03KB , 700x700 , 193.png )

It is currently 50:19.

"And it'll work up there?"
>"Of course, it was designed up there! Of course, I spent some time today making sure that it would, as for all I know the simulation just made a useless box with a fancy name scrawled on it. Since I did make it, I would spot any errors, and so the simulation could not afford any slack."
"And there's a Class S?"
>"Not officially, but there is some meaningless legal jargon that defines 'class A', and there is an upper limit, implying it is possible to go beyond."
"Ah. By the way, do you know much about compilation AI's?"
>"AI's working together in the same environment? That's practically what the harvest is, in a sense. But I don't work with that as much as I do with regular AI."
"Do you have any details on the plasma sword?"
>"It can change its form quickly, so it is possible to launch it like it is a lance at a range of 8 meters. It is actually quite simple, if you are expecting it to shoot fireworks on initiation, you will be disappointed."
"Is there a real EIN, by the way?"
>"Down here? I doubt it. Up there, yes."
"Okay, thank you very much, Loviro. You did what you could, so don't apologize for that."
>"You're... welcome."
"Also... I don't think I can even wield this sword yet."
>"A shame. You'll have to get a far better battery, but that is also a reason to not bother sharing it at first."

Plasma sword stats:
http://tgchan.org/wiki/Unnatural_Selection_Stats#Plasma_Sword[/spoiler]

2/2 Alison 2013/03/05(Tue)08:38 No. 498031 ID: c4e5c2
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"How would we game the simulation?"
>"Like I was created, it may require convincing some people that such and such thing exists and is in such and such location. I would be careful doing such things, as the simulation may skimp on details we may take for granted, as could have been the case with the plasma weapon I gave you."
"And can I go through O Route because of the kind of core I am?"
>"Ah, yes, you are an operative, that part was not lost on reset. It will work."
"Alright. Would you like to stay at the dead battery's place? At least have some people to socialize with? I'm going to try to protect you if it's at all possible, but if this is your last night, it isn't right to have to spend it alone. Do you know how many they would send?"
>"If I guess correctly, it will attempt to be handled subtly, so only one noble will come for me. Sweet thoughts to offer me a place, but gangs aren't befitting company for me. And whoever comes for me won't care about causing collateral damage even for old me. The simulation certainly didn't skimp on my age. I will be fine, Unity, I'm just glad I was able to wake you up. It was not befitting for you to have to sit in a warehouse, asleep, for all these years. Unless, ha, your story is true."

>"Sevener is making the news, now, Alison." scanner reports. "She apparently just turned in one of the bigger crime lord bounties. Oh, and now the news is going back to the small little happy stories. Apparently that hug in the elevator was caught on a security camera, and is on the news now."
>"Whatever! Let's test the plasma sword!" says the guardsman.
"We don't have the battery for it."

Alison also received a text from Polatt during Loviro's conversation.
>Hey, Unity. Bodec contacted us. He's requesting a showdown.

>O-route
Does everyone using the O-route need operator status, or just one person per party? Would it be possible to bring anyone with me?

>Sevener making a move
Obviously, she plans on using the O-route tonight as well.

Actually, what name did the news use to describe her?

>Apparently that hug in the elevator was caught on a security camera, and is on the news now.
So... does that mean the public perception of Unity as a ravenous danger has shifted at all? Or you mean the anonymous hugcam was just worked into the propaganda feed. XD

>Bodec wants a showdown
If this isn't a setup, a one on one with him is not a bad idea. We need to upgrade our battery, after all, and he's small fry compared to what's coming.

Does he have a location where we can throw down without him frying innocent bystanders this time? And where we can settle things without EIN or the cops getting in the way?

What's our timeframe, though? Do we have time to meet with the dead batteries and explain what's going down, or meet with the Undertool? (If we don't have time to go meet with the DBs, we should at least give Polatt a summary during the car ride. He deserves that much).

Well if we're going to leave I guess call Polatt to see how our meeting with undertool is going, then head off to the dead Batteries boss to see what he wants and if we still have time after that then we can go kick Bodec's ass. Then if we can get to undertool before we go get whatever we can and then Bust through the O Route. We might also run into Sevener on the way there so we should be ready for that as well, because I'm not sure if she would help us brake through so she could learn more about the CIA battle or just attack us because she doesn't trust us not to do the same to her.

Alison 2013/03/05(Tue)09:22 No. 498038 ID: c4e5c2
File 136250417972.png - (14.46KB , 700x700 , 195.png )

"Does everyone using the O Route need operator status, or just one person per party?"
>"Everyone."
"Is it possible to bring anyone with me?"
>"Only if you manage to get them operator status. I don't know how you would. I'm sorry, you may have to go it alone."

"Scanner, did they recognize my naga form as Unity, or was it just put on as the propaganda feed?"
>"Just propaganda."
"And what did they say about Sevener? What name did they use?"
>"Anya. An up and coming jetal officer. She was put in positive light, it was actually more propaganda feed than actual news."

Polatt, does Bodec have a place for a one on one where others won't get in the way?
>Yeah. Perfect, in fact. Wratch, a ghost town about 2 hours out of here. There was a nuclear meltdown there, and the town is abandoned except for robots that don't know where to go. EIN doesn't even respond to that region anymore. Sure it's not a setup?
I can't be sure, but based on what I've heard of him, I don't think it is.
>Well, we got time to go first, if you want to before the boss's meeting. He couldn't take you out with help, I'm not sure why he would think he could take you again alone.
Any word about undertool?
>Nope, sorry, still trying.

...if operator cores are crushed upon sim-death, what happens to anyone else if they die inside? The kill switch kind of implies they wouldn't die, otherwise.

Let's meet with the dead batteries. At the very least they deserve to know what's coming. ...and that we have a deadline (perhaps a very literal one, haha).

>Possible setup
Could it be a suicide play? If he gets us somewhere isolated enough, he could take us out with a big enough bomb without risking anyone else (especially if he knows this is a sim, and he's not an operator. He might not even be risking himself!).

Or... could it just be that the site is radioactive? Even if it's not enough to hurt a jetal, if we pick up enough radioactive contamination we'll be tagged. It'll be easy for anyone with the right equipment to track Unity at a distance.

Not much else I can think of, aside from the usual lie and trap with superior forces plays. Or using a remote location as an easy way to ID our vehicle 'en route and take us out with an airstrike or something.

I guess We could go, just have a getaway car or something on standby encase things do turn out to be a trap. and the next time we see sevener, amusing she just doesn't try and cave our face in, we should ask her what she would like us to call her Anya or just stick to sevener.

go to the boss first. I'm assuming he's a lot closer than some place that went through a nuclear blast. besides, we've made him wait for us plenty.

oh, and we might want to reduce our morphability to 40 to get another 100 surge max.

Lets go meet with the Dead Batteries' big boss before taking on Bodec. In addition to sharing what we can about our objective is, we can warn him that Anya/Sevener is specifically targeting your allies and their allies, though he probably already knows this.

Ask Polatt to change up your recon drone and ball camera order to replace the ones you have with ones that have night, UV, and IR vision, if the ones you have don't already have it. Leave out the UV and IR if it'd add too much to the price.

Any way the Dead Batteries could sneak one or two of their rattier 'bot members into Wratch to scope it out before you go? Or is that just too dangerous for them?

Also ask if you could hire someone on short notice to run high-altitude recon over Wratch for you, both before and during the showdown. Basically someone who'd sit outside the exclusion zone and run a fixed-wing advanced recon drone in a holding pattern high over the town for you. Maybe they could also send in their own ground recon drones as well, since they'd likely be better than the ones you have. They might even be able to stick ball cameras down as well.

Two of the biggest worries with Bodec is that he fight have assembled a squad of jetal bounty hunters to go in with him on this, and that he's also gotten a hold of better modules than last time. Any way to check up on what he's been doing since he got trounced? He couldn't possibly have gotten approval for more class B modules in the time since then, could he?

Honestly, I don't trust Bodec to be honorable in this fight at all. Perhaps we should check up on how he's behaved in the past to get an idea of what he'll do here.

The best way to approach Wratch would probably be to leave the vehicle just outside the exclusion zone and head in on foot/hoof/tail, and skirt around it to approach from the side. This is just in case Bodec has arranged a nasty surprise to hit your vehicle as you come in.

>>498043
Yeah, lets slide our morph down to 40 for this fight, but do it after choosing a form for it. Shall we go for a naga variant form again, or choose something different? A multi-legged belenos-taur, perhaps?

>form
Our current fem-belenos shape is fine for getting around town, the meeting, and blending it.

Not sure what we want for the upcoming battle, if we decide to risk it. We'll want something that suits the terrain, and our current mass. We're under a ton again, so Naga from isn't strictly necessary, but I'm not sure if that or bipedal would be more advantageous, yet.

We will have a two b-hour (~40 real-min) car ride to adjust to whatever shape we want, though.

>>498038
Let's go fight him. He's probably upgraded himself somehow, but that's okay. We can manage.

I agree, talk to the boss first. Things to talk about.

Explain the illusion, and how we might be moving up a level in the near future. Probably after we get a better battery. Hopefully something that can help support Class A equipment.

Any jobs he thinks A class B Jetal could help them with.

Keeping an eye out for a Noble entering the local area. We want to intercept them before anything happens to our friends.

and I can't think of anything else.

>>498061
We're going to have to consider very carefully whether we want to tangle with a noble and his or her entourage. Taking down a noble will definitely get Unity's threat level bumped up, for one. Another thing is that any jetals that come with the noble are almost certain to be operatives, so they'd be extra tough and it'd be next to impossible to absorb any modules from them; We'd just get whatever jetalium mass is left from their bodies.

Now, there is a slim chance we could link to their core and absorb modules right before they're defeated, by starting to absorb their mass, but it's pretty likely module absorption is what triggers the kill-switch crush on their real core.

There's also the possibility that the noble will come with all robot backup and no jetals, which would probably leave us with a net loss after the fight. Maybe the Dead Batteries could salvage the class A and up robot bodies to use? That is, if they don't self-destruct on defeat.

Plus, Sevener is probably planning around Alison defending her doomed compatriots, 'cause she's such a goodie-goodie. Fighting off the nobles might be playing right into Sevener's hand. She's probably counting on Alison coming to her organize crime buddies as well, what with that crime lord take-down.

>>498071
Its either tangle with the nobles or leave our new friends to die. Simulation or not thats NOT want I want to do.

>>498073
But the problem here is if we don't take the O route now Sevener gets at lest a days lead on us and will have an advantage over us, well a bigger advantage since she has all of her logs that are guiding her along well we're just throw things at the wall to see what sticks.

O-Route is actually a bit away from opening. Remember thats for midnight and its still light out. We have about 40-50 B-hours I believe.

Also Sevener probably won't exit the simulation until she has enough pull with EIN to get at least B-Class equipment. A Class if she is smart. We don't know how long that will take but considering the Super-Core only had one she might miss the two hour window.

>>498077
Thinking Sevener doesn't already have B-class equipment is wishful thinking, at best. As is hoping she will let the first window to take the O-route slip by. She doesn't underestimate Alison enough to give her a full day's head start.

She might not have A-class yet, though, since it's unlikely the criminals she's hunting have any to absorb, and she alienated her Loviro equivalent rather than working with him.

>>498080
maybe that's why she's doing this war on crime thing. To not only try and slow us down but to also get more favor with EIN to get herself some more weapons or even trying to upgrade her status to A rank so she can get A class weapons.
Hell maybe she's just trying to force us to leave through the O Route by throwing so much shit at us we're going to be force to flee and she'll use that as an excuse to take the O Route herself by claiming she is simple after us.

>>498077
B-Class equipment is for the upper echelons. A-Class is considered a death sentance to Jetals. You have to remember by going through the legal route Sevener might not be able to fast track. She has only been there less then 40 hours. I seriously doubt she will be considered trustworthy enough to be issued B-Class right off the bat. Maybe after this takedown that was just announced if it was big enough she willget access to B-Class to go after someone higher up in the foodchain.

Also here is a thought. If the Noble is coming inside he might have to use the O-Route to enter. As long as we keep a watch on the O-Route we can defeat him then. And then use the exit afterwords. I doubt Nobles would stay inside a harvester simulation afterall.

1/2 Alison 2013/03/05(Tue)14:07 No. 498085 ID: c4e5c2
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"Just two more questions before I leave you be, Loviro. If a noble did come, and I defeated it, would he be destroyed like the other operatives?"
>"Not a chance. He will be act as an operative, but they would not smash a noble jetal's core or AI chip like a normal operative."
"Alright. And lastly, would the noble entering the simulation have to take O Route?"
>"No, that is exit only. They can appear almost anywhere while entering.
"Okay, then I'm going to go, now. Goodbye, Loviro."
>"Do me proud."

Alison gives him one last hug before going to meet the boss first.

2/2 Alison 2013/03/05(Tue)14:10 No. 498089 ID: c4e5c2
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>"Welcome back, Unity." the Boss immediately says when Unity enters the toom. "This is our guest, Lavan. Lavan, this is the jetal I was telling you about."
"Greetings." he states, walking up to Unity.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you."
Your boss has told me much of you, along with asking us for help against this cop problem you may have down the line. No offense to the dead batteries, but from what I have heard, your talents would be better suited for jobs beyond them. And regardless of criminal status, an organization is often handwaved by the cops if they fight off at least as formidable crime. I offer that opportunity without simply exchanging police heat for criminal heat, that is, a job under the name of my own organization, the Web. It is a simple job. You go into an 'abandoned' warehouse, annex any assets and valuables along with the warehouse itself, tell others to scram, kill any who resist, et cetera, et cetera. We, the Web, will give you two allies for backup and assistance, but you will be in charge, and representing the Dead Battery's aptitude for this type of job. What do you say?"

>>498089
How, exactly, does one steal a warehouse?

It would be disrespectful to decline, to the Dead Batteries at least, but if you accept, you must be the granted the leisure of using non-lethal takedowns for those that do resist. In fact, if possible, you love some access to good non-lethal weaponry to use on organics. Jetals are easy, you just take all their nice precious jetal and leave the core intact even with lethal force. Organics and robots? Not so much. Besides, keeping them alive can be VERY useful at times. Especially if you can take it nice and slow to get information.

Also, jetpack and battery upgrades. Really good battery upgrades. Delicious battery upgrades.
And some crack cocaine, for the road.

>>498091
and hugs. We demand hugs. We have enough power to hug anyone we want without being afraid of retribution.

uhhh...This smells all kinds of shady but if we go through with this it could help us out in our rematch fight coming up and when we Try and get out through the O Route. and I get the feeling that if we don't take the job somebody else will, somebody who doesn't care for survivors as much as we do. So if we do take it here are some questions that I think we should ask.

what kind of payment are we talking about here. and what kind of resistance should I expect, and how much force should I use, I take it you wouldn't like it if I leveled the whole building. oh and how likely is it that the police will show up and how long would we have till they get there

Tell him you are interested but need more info.

>>498092
We must have Hugs!

Are their going to be jetals there? Protection for our allies (and ourself) from police intervention and etc under the cover of a "legitimate" organization is good and all, but we're going to need to be getting stronger. (And that cover won't protect us when Sapphire's Lords show up).

What's the timeframe? Does it conflict with going after Bodec or the O-route?

And yeah, we definitely want the discretion to kill or spare people as we deem necessary. We aren't going in there with absolute "kill all who resist" orders.

We're also still going to need to talk with the DBs after we've done our business (one way or the other) with the Web guy. We still need to tell them what's going on.

>>498040
Still think we should discuss the possibly of the duel being a suicide play, or if Bodec plans to lose, but in so doing so get unity contaminated enough with radiation that EIN and etc could track us down with ease in the city. Unless jetalium doesn't pick up radioactive contamination? Or the site's "cool" enough that's not an issue?

>>498084
She doesn't need to have them issued. She just needs to have them not confiscated after she collects them.

Don't forget she bragged about the good guys throwing around illegal level firepower like candy when she was threatening us. And she made it pretty clear she thought she could take the supercore. And she's taking out high ranking criminal leaders. She's well within the same ballpark power level as us, right now.

Keeping the authorities off you and your allies back sounds alright, but you need to know more about the job before accepting it. You're not going to go in half-blind like what happened before with Bodec.

Before going further, point out that you avoid killing if at all possible, and prefer keeping casualties low. Not to say you won't kill if need be; Just that it's not your first option. You don't have a problem with leaving opponents in a state where they'll need a long stay in the hospital, or a trip to the 'bot shop for new parts.

First question: What kind of time frame will this job entail? How long to get there, get it done, and get back? You're on a schedule here, after all.

Second: What kind of opposition will you be facing at this warehouse? Any jetals you can impersonate? There going to be a large number of non-combatants?

Third: Who're the two Web associates that will be backing you up on this job? What can they do, and what kind of punishment can they take?

... And who, or what, in the world is that in front of the couch? The thing with all the tentacles. Is it a jetal, or just a 'bot with a load of custom bodywork?

Before leaving we better warn Polatt and the DB's boss that that up-and-coming jetal cop named Anya has it out for you, and that she might be targeting your underworld allies. Mention that she might be carrying a phone that can be tracked, but she may have ditched it already. If the Dead Batteries want to, they could pay to have it tracked on the off chance she still has it on her.

>>498089
What's the timeframe? We've got a meeting at 75:00, and another at 0:00.

What's the reward, aside from a lower profile? Will there be any powerful Jetals there we can absorb abilities and Jetalium from? If possible, we would like a blueprint of a bigger battery.

Alison 2013/03/05(Tue)18:12 No. 498134 ID: c4e5c2
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>Hugs
Alison has insufficient levels of familiarity and appropriate context for that!

"I'm interested, but I would like to know more."
"Oh, you'll be paid well, of course. Either in a great deal of cash, or a small amount of cash plus a little surprise gift. Which, you didn't hear it from me, the Web, or anyone, but the surprise might be your choice of a certain A class weapon or addon.
"Like a battery?"
"That could be the case, but it is a surprise, after all, so I make no promises."
"What's the timeframe?"
"Sometime tonight. It's a 30, 40 minute drive there. You deal with the heavy hitters and call the cleanup crew when it's done, they'll be just around the block. You don't need to stay if you're so busy."
"What kind of opposition is there?"
"That we don't know. Least a couple jetals, probably a buncha bots. Don't worry, nothing that'll alert EIN."
"I'm the kind that prefers non-lethality. Are there going to be non-combatants?"
"Yeah, those will be the smart ones that flee when you announce you're taking over. Everyone who stays is a combatant. We don't care if you kill 'em or not, just show them the way out."
"And who is my assistance?"
"Your first assister is one of my own personal jetal bodyguards just behind me. Your second was up to you, but if it's non-lethality you want, we've got a real tough robot that specializes in that. He'll hold his own in a fight and come with you inside, Pax, here, is also top end. Use them how you see fit, just remember you are representing your gang, so I am trusting you will be professional."
"And I take it you won't enjoy it if the building is leveled?"
"No one would enjoy that, no. It is a perfectly good factory the Web would like to take over for our own line of manufactured goods. We won't get our fur in a twist if some pots and pans get roughed up, but collateral damage will effect your grade on this, so to speak. We want it clean."

>>498134
Understood. Let's bring the non-lethal specialist.

This sounds like a job for plasma swords and non-explosive autoguns. So long as we don't run into any more kilobeam/megabeam or B-class plasma shot we'll be okay I think.

Do we even have battery for another battle? If they can throw in a charging station then the deal is sealed. If not... it's ...probably sealed I guess?

Alright, we're on board. We may not have ground enough hug points for this guy yet, but I'm sure we can pull off a handshake.

After our guests have left, we should talk with Polatt about the stuff he was asking after before, and about our thoughts on the Bodec duel (like if the radioactivity is a problem, or if it would make us trackable).

>>498136
Sounds like a reasonable game plan. Certainly no bombs or mega/kilobeams thrown around.

>>498137
I'm pretty sure we burned jetalium to charge up after the last fight. We should be close to a full charge.

sure why not
take the robot he mentioned and lets get this over with. as for an attack plan I say we get the biggest meanest looking guy up front to tell everyone to clear out. those that decide to stay and fight, then I say we take the front and focus on the jetals. have the Bot we're getting deal with all non jetals that stayed in the area and have the bodyguard jetal act as backup helping however looks like they need it most.
As for us I Guess since we need this place standing we well have to use our swords, auto-guns WITHOUT the exploding ammo, and plasma shots. with the plasma shots I say we use our C class at first and change up the B class if we need to and save the F class one for bots if we can't get around them. we should also see what our teammates can do so we now how to use them effectively.

Alright let's do this.

Alison 2013/03/05(Tue)19:14 No. 498150 ID: c4e5c2
File 136253967903.png - (23.57KB , 700x700 , 199.png )

Unity is currently at 100% battery, or close enough to consider it that.

Alison gives him a handshake instead of a hug, accepting the job and telling him she'll be ready to go in half an hour.

She leaves with plans to use that half hour to talk with polatt, about herself, where she's going, and any other things that perhaps need to be talked about. She pulls him off to the side, into a private room, to have the talk.

Ask him what he knows about The Web and there boss. Also his feelings on Bodec's rematch. Does he thinks it's a setup, that Bodec is going to play fair, if it's gonna be one against many like it was last time or what. What are is feelings on the upcoming mission. Also ask him to keep an eye on Anya/sevener cause we found out she was the jetal that was after us and would like to know whats she's up to.

Man, Polatt is so cool. :V

>half an hour to talk
If that's in b-hours, that only gives us about 10 minutes, our time. Kind of a bit to cover.

Share your secrets he was asking about before. Use our coded language, when possible, to limit mindreading pings.

He was right. We are in an illusion. And it's agents are supercharged. That's why we're so tough- we were one of an operative core that got reset. And we're doing everything fast now because we don't have any other choice. The lords will be coming for us, after tonight. And we got Sevener Anya gunning for us too.

And heck, share the "real world" being an illusion and what you are too.

>fight with Bodec
The plan is to do this job now, and the duel with Bodec later, right?

I think we should consider if this being some kind of suicide play, or if he's willing to lose to us just to get us contaminated with enough radiation to make us easily trackable.

Well first, we should ask him if he WANTS to know more about you, where you came from, and what you're going to do.

Before saying anything about yourself or what you're planning to do, ask Polatt what he suspects about you, and what you're trying to do, and if he even wants you to confirm or deny his suspicions. Does he even want or is willing to be burdened with such things? To take those risks? It just wouldn't be fair to dump it on him without his consent.

If he doesn't want to know, even in an obscured fasheion, then just say that if you get where aiming to go before the sun rises, you won't be seeing him ever again; He'll get the picture. You also wanted to tell him thanks for all he's done for you, in case you don't get another chance to say so before then.

Once you've had your chat with Polatt, pick up the drones, ball cameras, and second phone you ordered, and head on down to the car. You can exchange numbers and abilities with the rest of the team on this job while in the vehicle, as well as get any maps of the building and intel they have on the surveillance system there they might have.

Alison 2013/03/05(Tue)20:57 No. 498177 ID: c4e5c2
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"I wanted to ask your opinion on the fight with Bodec. I'll be doing it after this job. Do you think it's a setup?"
>"Sorry, can't say for sure. He's said to be reputable, but I just dunno if the people who said he was reputable are reputable."
"Would you like me to explain more about me?"
>"Do you even have to ask?"
"I'll take that as a yes. I'm - and I know this sounds like a fairy tale, so I won't be hurt if you don't believe me - actually one of a few thousand AIs that entered a simulation. This is an illusion, yes, but moreso than you know. Even the real world you know is fake, made by a world that simulates me." Alison explains for the third time. "And I'm going to kill the Sapphire emperor."
Polatt does a dry spit-take, but stays silent waiting for more.
"You were right, this is an illusion, its agents overpowered, and that's why I'm strong, I'm not a legal operative, but my core is an operative. I'm doing everything fast because I have to. I'm aiming to leave around midnight. I don't think I'll ever see you again."
>"That's a heavy bomb you're laying on me."
"This is why I was reluctant."
>"Nah, glad you said it rather than just disappearing."
"You believe me, about everything?"
>"I want to. Well, no, I don't technically want to believe that, but I don't want to think you're making up some stupid story. All I know is you changed stuff around here in the day you were around, and a pretty cool guy. Or girl or it, don't know, don't care. So wait. If this is simulated, when does it it?"
"When one of either me or my enemy for this match, Anya, dies, or when the Sapphire Emperor is killed."
>"And what happens to us then, hm? I take it you'll be pulled back out to go to wherever, what about all of us? Shit, this is why I didn't want to believe you, but there's been something at the back of my head for awhile, like something wasn't right, like I wasn't thinking right. I figured that was just the possibility I was in an, as we put it, illusion, but something's feeling wrong about writing you off. But what'll happen to me and everyone who isn't you?"

We are honestly not sure. Everything might continue on as normal. Or time might freeze here until the simulation is needed again. Our ultimate goal is to take everyone with us when we eventually escape but that might take awhile yet.

Polatt's the only one who asked the obvious existential question so far. Although, I guess the other three all had their perspectives clouded- considering themselves dead or soon to be dead.

>But what'll happen to me and everyone who isn't you?
...I honestly don't know. I've been trying to figure out if this place has been running the whole time, or if it started up the moment I first entered. And I'm still not sure. I don't know if things will keep running when I leave, or if it'll pause, or end.

I've been trying for a while now to find a way to help everyone trapped in my simulation to escape. If there's anything I can do to help you guys, I will. You don't deserve to be used as a pieces of this sick game any more than we deserve to be forced to play it.

... In my illusion when someone wins they get put in charge of everything well everyone else gets their minds wipe and set back to the very beginning were they are forced to fight each other just to get a second chance at being top dog, even though they have no idea what being top dog means, they just assume that it has to be better then wear they where before. The problem is however they people now in charge want to stay in charge so they tip the slope that they had to clime so steep that it is impossible or close enough that you really can't see the difference for anyone else but him to win. and when we lose we just forget everything all over again and then try again while leaving clues for our next self in hopes they can make it out the next time. So as for what happens after we 'win', I don't know but I know it has to be something worth fighting for. But what happens after we 'win' this... I'm sure it will keep on going until my illusion is complete and if we lose again this world will get reset like ours does and it all starts over again. but if we can win then Maybe just maybe we can stop this never ending cycle.

>>498177
Tell him that there are backups of every AI in the simulation you're from. You are hoping there are backups of the main players here too, and that you're pretty sure there aren't that many real AIs in this simulation. We think it's likely that you can save the AIs from here as well by getting to the backups in the main simulation. There should be a way to help them, even if nobody from here remembers anything from this day.

>>498191
Our level holds a trillion consciousnesses. More, if you count the system people. The thousands it takes to populate this virtual word is nothing. They could all very easily be real.

If this place exists at all, there's some equivalent to a robot chip or something up on a higher level where it's stored. Even if this place turns off, we can eventually get access. And maybe do something about it.

>>498177
Probably put into a frozen state, this isn't the first go around. This is a special simulation for a certain contest at the end, this is technically a practice round we hacked into to prepare for the end fight and hopefully win this time. We lose that final fight, we believe that's when everything restarts, us, probably you too. Actually, everything restarts with every time this sim is booted up and it ends. We don't know how this sim running slows down the outside world, if at all. If the sim isn't completed within I think maybe a galactic standard week or a few days and time doesn't slow down on the outside, most certainly everything will reboot and all our efforts wasted. So keeping both Anya, us, and the Sapphire Emperor for the sake of keeping the sim alive is fruitless. We don't know for certain how things work, it's all guesswork at this level with our understanding constantly being erased by the reboots.

I'm sorry Polatt, you've been dead for thousands of years. Space travel is the new thing, this whole empire crumbles and jetal technology is forgotten. A race called humans uplifts the belosians into space with the warp drive a significant amount of time after this civilization crumbles. Blah, blah, blah. You might have existed, perhaps the harvstor simulation is a piece of data found in an old belosian empire relic, which is cool. Your digital brain signature has been converted into an AI training module at best, as well as the real people above us, probably reconstructed with archeological data. Which is why Jetals are considered magic and no one truly knows how they work, because the future people who interpreted the past don't know how they work.

you don't know if this place was created for you or if you just came in here to perform a challenge. for all you know, this place might continue to exist.

This whole simulation is a Singularity isn't it.

>>498177
Every AI in my simulation is backed up somewhere. If it's possible to grab everyone used in this simulation and others like it, even if it's just the baselines used to initialize them, I'll do my best to find out how and do it before I have to break my simulation's reboot and escape. Operation "Save Everyone" already failed on the seven or more occasions we did have a chance to escape, though, so I'm afraid I can't give you any guarantees on anything.


Ah, I have an idea on how to test it, actually. Let's see if we can use Stage 7's winner's resurrection to bring back someone we met in the CAI Fight.

Hug Polatt and say you don't know; You have your hopes and fears, but you just don't know for sure. All you do know for sure is that if there's any way out there to save everyone, or even just someone, in here, you will do everything in your power to find it and use it.

You know, you could keep this simulation going indefinitely if you captured Anya/Sevener. Just strip her core out, stick it in a box with a EIN jammer, and carry it all around inside Unity. But you know that would just be hiding in here from what needs to be done out there. There's probably a hidden time limit in here that'd render that strategy moot anyway. Still an option to stay extra long and learn as much as you can, though.

Alison 2013/03/06(Wed)07:26 No. 498254 ID: c4e5c2
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"To be honest, I don't know. It could keep going, it could go on pause. I might be able to keep the simulation going if I captured Anya, but there might be a hidden time limit. Either way, if you're a simulation, you've got to be stored somewhere. I can't promise anything but my best attempt to try to pull you out when I can, if this place isn't persistant.
>"If you're for real, then thanks. Can't ask for much more."
"I'm sorry, though, this world you're in is 9 or 10 thousand years in the past. I don't know what was real and what the simulation just "

Polatt doesn't respond, but he hugs back.

"My time table is getting tighter. This job, then Bodec, then a meeting... by the way, Bodec's site for this fight, would I pick up radiation I could be tracked with?"
>"I don't think so. Least not any significant amount."
"Alright. I should get going, I didn't give myself much time. I'll be back."
>"Yeah, be well."

Alison has been using this form to go around in public, so she may want to decide on another form to switch to while inside of the car.

Well part of the job is to BE intimidating enough to scare people off. The less we have to actually fight the better. Who has been the scariest of the contestants we've seen. Maybe Mongrel? We could also use the name Unity as a 50 bilion bounty is a good scare tactic as we have to be worth that don't we?

I think the only weapons we should be using are the B Class Plasma and the C\D Class weapons. B class shield with a layered C Class under it should protect us from anything unless they have lots of B class weaponry or somehow got a Class A.

Suddenly there's Class A everywhere. Hell it wouldn't surprise me if Bodec has one and he was holding back in that first fight.

We will be representing the dead batteries so this form should be fine if you turn your horns into those 4 back sweeping ones with the red circles that most of them seem to have.

Can you grow shades or are we going to have to buy them somewhere?

Might be useful to grow a pair of extra hands that we can keep hidden under our jacket.

Mongrel with horns in a trenchcoat. I can dig it!

...wait, if we're going for intimidating, would a form we've already used that's recognizable as Unity be a good idea?

>>498271
I'm pretty sure we don't have a recognizable 'Unity' form. We've been to date: A stripper. a wealthy patron. Felix. Kali-Alison. Arbiter, Fem-Arbiter, Ambigious-Arbiter. (Poor Arbiter, poor, poor gender confused Arbiter.)

>>498272
Hmm. I suppose you're right. We've been too effective at keeping hidden!

And yeah, explaining all this to Arbiter is going to be funny.

Ah well, swap the Loviro's daughter form for a new intimidating Mongrel/DB form.

>>498277
And definitely make the form bigger. You want to be a looming tower of intimidation. Just don't make it so big there'll be problems with getting through doors and such. Give him a growly, menacing voice as well; What you'd imagine he'd sound like if he could speak like you.

Oh, and also make the feet extra large to increase surface contact. Don't want to get your foot stuck in the floor if you step on a thin or weak spot while making an evasive maneuver.

...Would putting Guardsman in the drivers seat to do the intimidation again be a good idea? It sorta worked last time, but that wasn't as serious a situation as this.

Alison 2013/03/06(Wed)12:42 No. 498323 ID: c4e5c2
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Alison gets the camera drones from Polatt, and asks him to keep an eye on Anya if possible, before she heads to pick up a large trenchcoat and sunglasses followed by the parking level. She will start transforming into mongrel, with trenchcoat and glasses.

"Hey. You've met Pax, the jetal. This is Check, our combat robot that'll be good with non lethal takedowns of non jetal personnel." the guy from the Web says. "Looks like an old model, but the parts are fresh, and AI's good. You ready?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'll be going seperately, meeting up with the other bunch from the Web to help with the cleanup crew after you clear out the real opposition."

The last question Alison would have, would be if she lets Guardsman take the lead for the entry or not. She would first ask if he is willing, but she already knows the answer.

I think, yes. Let gaurdsman be as intimidating as he wants.

>Gaurdsman?
I assume the basic approach is to take the place, then announce the Web is taking over, and we're Unity, and anyone who doesn't want to get their asses kicked should be going?

I suppose it wouldn't really hurt if guardsman handled the initial intimidation check (he does seem to have a knack for it) but he's not the best driver for when the shooting starts. We've got an environment we don't want to chew up, and their are going to be multiple targets (some of which will be more breakable than others) and possibly fleeing non-coms as well (depending on how quickly things go to shit).

We can use core sense to identify enemy jetals with relative ease (pretty safe to target) although we're going to be a little more careful discriminating between organics and cyborgs/androids (who we can break without killing, if we're careful).

Okay, Guardsman will take the lead on intimidating all the non-jetal and non-combat 'bots into getting the hell out before the fighting starts. However, just so he knows, you might take over if it looks like the situation calls for a different plan of action going in. Also tell him that if he does good on the intimidation, he gets to use the plasma sword A in the fight.

On the way there exchange comm gear/phone numbers with Pax and Check, as well as capability lists so you all know what each other can and can't do. Also get a map of at least the exterior of the warehouse, and whatever they know of the interior layout.

Before going in place ball cameras to watch the exterior exits so you'll know how many are exiting, and if any reinforcements arrive for any reason. Also use the quieter flying drone to try and peek in any high up windows or skylights, and keep an eye out for anyplace to slip a ground drone in before your team enters.

Frame it like he almost blew it last time he took the wheel, but you were impressed by his skill, and you'd like it he would give it another shot. That way you can let him know what he did before was too brash, but not insult him in doing so.

yeah let guardsmen have his fun if he's up for it just make sure he doesn't try and use the A class sword as if he could even get it started he would drain our whole battery in one go. Also get your teammates numbers so you can stay in contact and head to the meeting spot

1/2 Alison 2013/03/06(Wed)14:30 No. 498342 ID: c4e5c2
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"Alright, guardsman, I'll let you do it."
"I would like a layout of what we know about it."
"Yeah. Factory itself is just one big open floorspace, with a second catwalk going along the inner perimeter and a few walkways hovering over the middle, to help oversee everything and all that. Otherwise, they might've done some rearranging, but it's a plain factory. Not gonna have any surprises, just mind the catwalks. The loading and unloading zone emptys out to the street behind it, pretty open ground aside from the trucks parked there. It's 52:72 right now, it's going to be around dusk when we get there. Good a time as any."

UnSe - Thread 7 End Alison 2013/03/06(Wed)14:34 No. 498344 ID: c4e5c2
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Alison and the others are passed earpieces for communication. The jetal claims his weapons are two kinetic autoguns, a plasma sword and a plasma shot, all class C except for the plasma shot at class B.

The robot has a built in shotgun, rifle, pair of pistols, as well as pepperspray, tear gas, knockout gas, smoke gas, and a nightstick.

"Remember, guardsman, subtlelty, and destroying as little equipment as possible!"
"Okay MOM and I don't feel very intimidating. I look silly."
"That's because we're scrunched up in a car. We'll look better once we stand up. Just know that if we do a good job here, we'll get a battery good enough to use that A class sword.
"I'll do the best job."

>"I'll do the best job."
Well, we certainly know how to motivate him, don't we? =D

Alright then I say we're set and ready to go. As for an attack plan I say we go in first with both our swords going and tell everyone to clear out. If that fails have the robot shot teargas into the room to clear our all non-metal (jetal or otherwise) out. as long as they don't have gasmask on. Then you focus on any jetals that stay and have the robot deal with any non-jetal and have the other jetal help whoever needs it most. Oh and maybe drop unity's name as it seems to have a lot of fear built up around it and could clear more of them out.

We best not go in without doing some recon first. Lets do a drive around the block so we can get a good look at the site from both sides and note any security cameras and where the cars and trucks are parked. Then we'll park on the east or west side of the block and send up both flying recon drones.

Fly them both up high and over the neighboring buildings to over the warehouse. Put the noisier one in a high vantage point holding pattern and move the quieter one down to the warehouse roof, then around the edge of the roof to look over the edge before slipping over them to try and look in any windows.

Perhaps if there's a way to get Check up on the roof, he can pull the filters off the ventilation units up there and pump a mixture of smoke and tear gas in. If it trips the smoke/fire alarm, that would get most everybody out of there that isn't jetal or robot, and the tear gas would get the rest.

dude what are you talking about you look all kinds of intimidating