- Location
- The sixth circle of Hell (second on weekends)
- Pronouns
- She/Her
This sounds like the best rote.
Panopticon: A Game of Posthumans, Perniciousness, Paranoia, Politics, and Plasmaguns
...
Did we accidentally replace Sarah Connor with Jamelia's entire life story?
Holy frak.
Did we accidentally replace Sarah Connor with Jamelia's entire life story?
Holy frak.
No, because that's not Jamelia's life story.
EarthScorpion said:
I beg your pardon?
(I mean, okay, she was never quite a damsel in distress, except for that bit where Illiyeen was in Hollywood. And the acts of terrorism and the wanted fugitive bits weren't actually contemporaneous. But still.)
I beg your pardon?
(I mean, okay, she was never quite a damsel in distress, except for that bit where Illiyeen was in Hollywood. And the acts of terrorism and the wanted fugitive bits weren't actually contemporaneous. But still.)
... dude.
Article: Sarah Jeanette Connor[1] is a fictional character in the various universes depicted within the Terminator franchise. She appears as the protagonist of The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. She was portrayed by American actress Linda Hamilton in the first and second films and by English actress Lena Headey in the television series. Emilia Clarke, will take over the role in Terminator Genisys. The character develops greatly over the course of these productions, from a timid damsel in distress victim in the first film, to a wanted fugitive committing acts of terrorism, and finally, to hardened warrior and mother who sacrificed everything for the sake of her son's future and is on the verge of losing touch with her own humanity.
I barely changed anything.
That's not a no.
Yeah, you've changed the appearance and racial characteristics to what I think are reasonably Jamelia-ish, but you didn't need to change the plot, because it already matches too well.
(... I mean, I realize I'm arguing with the authors about their own story, but. Still. Come on. The resemblance is there.)
That's not a no.
Yeah, you've changed the appearance and racial characteristics to what I think are reasonably Jamelia-ish, but you didn't need to change the plot, because it already matches too well.
(... I mean, I realize I'm arguing with the authors about their own story, but. Still. Come on. The resemblance is there.)
No it doesn't. The only point of congruence here is that Illiyeen was a waitress.
Update CXXXI: Theological Machinations
JB CXXXI: Theological Machinations
Ms. Clock enters the repurposed Iteration X facility that has become the lair of her newest weapon of mass destruction. She says lair, because it's not something that 'lives' in places. It's something not of this world, so alien that it can barely maintain itself in the cold darkness of the nanotech lab. It makes this visit rather annoying, because she has to go through decontamination. She doesn't like decontamination. The static electricity turns her hair into a mess.
She smooths it down as she exits the modified airlock and enters the cavern, dimly lit with bluish light. Her breath billows out in clouds-it's cold here, isolated from the rest of the construct via high security doors and multiple layers of containment. The other reason it resides in a facility like this is because this way, nobody who isn't cleared for the information she knows can see it, and possibly put together exactly what Iteration X's evolutions have been to. They can't see how quickly they've discarded human form, how weak and inefficient the true Iteration X thinks humanity is. People who aren't cleared to gaze upon the face of Control can't be allowed in to this vault.
The Autopolitan aspect is lying on the cold metal floor, its pose reminiscent of half-sleep as it plays Gregor Leon in Go, its eyes reflective grey and its tail curled around it like a sort of oversized cat. Which is where the resemblances stop. Its legs are multi-jointed, clawed for superior balance. Its hands are clawed as well, but she can see the joins where more delicate manipulators can fold out to interface with computer systems or simply hold weapons and tools intended for humans. Its skin is an interlocking hexagonal mesh, and with its active camouflage inactive displays as a neutral green-blue color, reminiscent of the ocean. Its elongated head, topped by a brilliant red crest, turns fractionally. The construct opens its mouth slightly, revealing teeth that she knows are in their retracted, 'feeding' position. They're vibroweapons, and when extended can let the covert warfare aspect bite right through a tank. She's studied its specifications. She knows it has the firepower of an entire squad of HITMark Vs and change, the armor of the same, an intellect that makes Progenitor geniuses look slow, and reaction speeds sufficient that it could probably shoot bullets out of the air. And yet it's lost something from all that. Human intuition, perhaps. It's humoring Gregor in this game because he's convinced it that it would do as a diagnostic for its cognitive capacity, to make sure that the difficult stealth translation didn't knock something ajar. She isn't good enough at the game to, even with hyperstat modeling, conclude the probable outcome. The aspect's head turns towards her slightly, even as it makes another move, the white stone appearing on the board an instant after Gregor's move. Almost too fast to see. She's guessing it's being challenged, if it had to take that split-second to think.
"Glad for you to join us." Gregor says, not turning around. He's probably heard the airlock cycle and knows that if the Aspect hadn't shot whoever it was, it must have been her. "Are you here to play as well?" He doesn't seem to be minding, or even noticing, the cold, although he is wearing a light jacket. Ms. Clock wonders if that's a biomod or if he's just been taking Pharmacopeist medicines to do it.
"I'm glad to see that you two are getting along fine." Jazmin says neutrally.
"Your second in command is quite intelligent for a biological." The Computer's Aspect responds in a neutral voice. It doesn't sound mechanical, but rather is a perfectly androgynous RP accent, crisp and precise. "Its actions require effort to predict." The opposite of damning with faint praise, Ms. Clock thinks. She thinks about her other obligations, and decides that yes, she can watch them play. In the end, Gregor loses. It's a good fight and the game is close, but the Exalt is a limited extrusion of a god's mind, even if it's a god Ms. Clock doesn't approve of. She prefers her deities to be more human.
Dr. Leon, on the other hand, seems energized by the defeat in the way most would find victory exhilarating. He seems in awe of having finally met something who can match his intellect. He leaves with a rare smile on his face. "We need to do this again." Gregor says, as he cycles through the airlock and Ms. Clock is left alone to talk about the burden of command with an avatar of Control itself. Or, more accurately, an avatar of 1/5th of Control, a very limited 'dumb' terminal. Nevertheless, it still holds that title and deserves at least a modicum of respect.
"I have reviewed your plans." The Exalt says. She knows it speaks for all of Iteration X. "I will see to phase 1 in the field." Not a request, but a demand. "The Adversary has been... a severe problem. It requires far more resources than predicted to neutralize. I am concerned that your initial plans are insufficient, based on such low-end terrestrial assets. This is why this aspect is here."
Which is why, Jazmin thinks acidly, in the armory of this construct there are two suitcase-sized nuclear weapons. And there's an AI spidertank, which will be excellent heavy support to the networked array of remote TENNO units. They're reliable technology in a way that the Exalt isn't, even if they are far more obvious. Multiped cybertanks and combat robotics might be reliable and might not fail easily, but they're also big and flashy. If she does deploy them, it means she's committed to making that scene. So she needs an excuse to create a justification so she can use her excuse to deal with the problem. It's the sort of thing that the Exalt wouldn't understand. She's read the Shock Corps bible, but it's written the entire manual. "When tact is required, use brute force. When force is required, use greater force. When the greatest force is required, use your head. Surprise is everything." is not the sort of policy that Jazmin endorses. Even if there's something insightful in it, most people take it to excess.
"I wished to accomplish the mission with minimal cost and maximum deniability." She wonders if she should throw a term of respect on it, and what that term might be. Sir? Madam? Your robot-ness? Exalted one? God? She decides that given its actions it doesn't seem to mind, so she doesn't do it. "It is true that a heavier commitment might accomplish the goal, but the long-term consequences of doing so would be... problematic. Certainly, it would reduce the attention we could bring to bear on Reality Deviance, which is rather unfortunate considering the circumstances."
The Exalt uncurls, its spiked tail waving around behind it. It stands, and Jazmin can't help but feel a slight frisson of fear as it does so. It is designed to do so, she recalls. Its alien angles and curves built to create fear in those who see it. Everything of it is designed with purpose. And then it stretches languidly like a cat, breaking the illusion. Jazmin keeps her expression carefully neutral. "However, should the Adversary fall, steps can be taken to accelerate our ascension. With her removed, we can proceed with the original plan created by your superiors to suborn Command. Professor Li's ascendancy may be useful there. Even if he is a shortsighted fool with pretensions to a chair he cannot occupy."
Jazmin doesn't disagree with the Iterator. "If we push too hard, the Void Engineers might run Plan Omega. And they might be able to do it quickly enough, especially if other Conventions align their way. Which might happen."
"Yes." The Exalt agrees, and Jazmin for all her disdain of Iteration X machine men and machine minds, feels proud that Control is agreeing with her. "The Adversary's manipulations in 1999 have been problematic. No longer are the Void Engineers balanced on the precipice of rebellion. Even the Syndicate grudgingly accepts them and their secrecy. And its political influence has been felt. We cannot rely on Plan Omega failing. But nevertheless, if the Adversary survives, all will be for naught." Its claws flex slightly at the mention of the Adversary and its voice drops ever-so-slightly. Jazmin suspects that this is not merely impersonal, but rather something far more. She doesn't say it, of course. That said, the Exalt never made any claims to being 'emotionless.' Merely 'not as limited by human irrationality.' And its control and intellect have been... quite high-end for an Iteration X killing machine. It makes her wonder exactly what The Adversary has done. What Jamelia Belltower has done to anger it this much.
"This is true, but I know her better than you." Jazmin says. "I think I can accomplish this task with minimal assistance and without expending such valuable resources."
"We defer to your judgment for the most part. You have been an exemplary agent despite your shortcomings." Jazmin bristles a bit at that statement-not because it's a height joke, but because it's not her who has the shortcomings. "However, it would be inefficient to not utilize your assets. You are seeking to eliminate Financier Sykes and the defective clone of Lady Lior." It's a statement, not a question. "I would like to deal with them personally. The Lior synthetic is a capable combatant by the standards of the rogue Technocracy. Your HITMarks and homonculi and Men in Black may not be sufficient. But their weak flesh and weak human minds... are vulnerable."
"Don't underestimate them." Jazmin says. "She's dangerous, even if she is... defective." Jazmin doesn't think Rose Ashford is defective at all. Rose does her job just fine. Having an actual emotional range and finding distaste in what she does isn't a problem, as long as she can accomplish the mission when necessary, and she can. Especially when treated with a modicum of kindness. The way Financier Sykes and Jamelia Belltower have treated her has wrapped Rose around their fingers. She'd kill for them. Die for them. Do anything for them. And all it required is a bare minimum of consideration. Like any other construct, treating her kindly is cheap and reaps massive dividends.
"When I state the flesh is weak and the mind is weaker still, I am not making an estimate. It is true that underestimating a combat construct is always foolish, but there is no evaluation of its relative capability going on here." The Exalt says cryptically. "I am stating the reality and the combat plan. That said, it will be preferable to hold back the combat homonculi and Men in Black. They will be... redundant."
What's Ms. Clock's Excuse if she needs to deploy heavier kit?
[ ] Contingency-5? In Los Angeles? Welp. Better bring out the heavy guns. We're here to help!
[ ] Werewolf attack! Fucking wolves decided to get REVENGE against the people responsible for the London victory this year. We got there too late to save everyone but we did what we could.
[ ] The Camarilla in LA have decided to move openly against our assets via government proxies. The National Guard have been called in-and we can't have that.
[ ] Perfectly mundane terrorists with perfectly mundane carbombs. But we didn't know this at the time. Apologies for the mistake.
[ ] Masses of undead! Here! In LA! Zombies! Bring autotargeting rifles, we're going on a headshot spree.
[ ] Virtual Adept infiltration required us to cut comms. Nothing went wrong. Really.
The Best Laid Plans of Clocks and Machines...
So, security clearances can be a problem. Compartmentalization can be one as well. Has Yinzheng stumbled upon something that she shouldn't have seen?
[ ] Yes.
[ ] No.
Ms. Clock enters the repurposed Iteration X facility that has become the lair of her newest weapon of mass destruction. She says lair, because it's not something that 'lives' in places. It's something not of this world, so alien that it can barely maintain itself in the cold darkness of the nanotech lab. It makes this visit rather annoying, because she has to go through decontamination. She doesn't like decontamination. The static electricity turns her hair into a mess.
She smooths it down as she exits the modified airlock and enters the cavern, dimly lit with bluish light. Her breath billows out in clouds-it's cold here, isolated from the rest of the construct via high security doors and multiple layers of containment. The other reason it resides in a facility like this is because this way, nobody who isn't cleared for the information she knows can see it, and possibly put together exactly what Iteration X's evolutions have been to. They can't see how quickly they've discarded human form, how weak and inefficient the true Iteration X thinks humanity is. People who aren't cleared to gaze upon the face of Control can't be allowed in to this vault.
The Autopolitan aspect is lying on the cold metal floor, its pose reminiscent of half-sleep as it plays Gregor Leon in Go, its eyes reflective grey and its tail curled around it like a sort of oversized cat. Which is where the resemblances stop. Its legs are multi-jointed, clawed for superior balance. Its hands are clawed as well, but she can see the joins where more delicate manipulators can fold out to interface with computer systems or simply hold weapons and tools intended for humans. Its skin is an interlocking hexagonal mesh, and with its active camouflage inactive displays as a neutral green-blue color, reminiscent of the ocean. Its elongated head, topped by a brilliant red crest, turns fractionally. The construct opens its mouth slightly, revealing teeth that she knows are in their retracted, 'feeding' position. They're vibroweapons, and when extended can let the covert warfare aspect bite right through a tank. She's studied its specifications. She knows it has the firepower of an entire squad of HITMark Vs and change, the armor of the same, an intellect that makes Progenitor geniuses look slow, and reaction speeds sufficient that it could probably shoot bullets out of the air. And yet it's lost something from all that. Human intuition, perhaps. It's humoring Gregor in this game because he's convinced it that it would do as a diagnostic for its cognitive capacity, to make sure that the difficult stealth translation didn't knock something ajar. She isn't good enough at the game to, even with hyperstat modeling, conclude the probable outcome. The aspect's head turns towards her slightly, even as it makes another move, the white stone appearing on the board an instant after Gregor's move. Almost too fast to see. She's guessing it's being challenged, if it had to take that split-second to think.
"Glad for you to join us." Gregor says, not turning around. He's probably heard the airlock cycle and knows that if the Aspect hadn't shot whoever it was, it must have been her. "Are you here to play as well?" He doesn't seem to be minding, or even noticing, the cold, although he is wearing a light jacket. Ms. Clock wonders if that's a biomod or if he's just been taking Pharmacopeist medicines to do it.
"I'm glad to see that you two are getting along fine." Jazmin says neutrally.
"Your second in command is quite intelligent for a biological." The Computer's Aspect responds in a neutral voice. It doesn't sound mechanical, but rather is a perfectly androgynous RP accent, crisp and precise. "Its actions require effort to predict." The opposite of damning with faint praise, Ms. Clock thinks. She thinks about her other obligations, and decides that yes, she can watch them play. In the end, Gregor loses. It's a good fight and the game is close, but the Exalt is a limited extrusion of a god's mind, even if it's a god Ms. Clock doesn't approve of. She prefers her deities to be more human.
Dr. Leon, on the other hand, seems energized by the defeat in the way most would find victory exhilarating. He seems in awe of having finally met something who can match his intellect. He leaves with a rare smile on his face. "We need to do this again." Gregor says, as he cycles through the airlock and Ms. Clock is left alone to talk about the burden of command with an avatar of Control itself. Or, more accurately, an avatar of 1/5th of Control, a very limited 'dumb' terminal. Nevertheless, it still holds that title and deserves at least a modicum of respect.
"I have reviewed your plans." The Exalt says. She knows it speaks for all of Iteration X. "I will see to phase 1 in the field." Not a request, but a demand. "The Adversary has been... a severe problem. It requires far more resources than predicted to neutralize. I am concerned that your initial plans are insufficient, based on such low-end terrestrial assets. This is why this aspect is here."
Which is why, Jazmin thinks acidly, in the armory of this construct there are two suitcase-sized nuclear weapons. And there's an AI spidertank, which will be excellent heavy support to the networked array of remote TENNO units. They're reliable technology in a way that the Exalt isn't, even if they are far more obvious. Multiped cybertanks and combat robotics might be reliable and might not fail easily, but they're also big and flashy. If she does deploy them, it means she's committed to making that scene. So she needs an excuse to create a justification so she can use her excuse to deal with the problem. It's the sort of thing that the Exalt wouldn't understand. She's read the Shock Corps bible, but it's written the entire manual. "When tact is required, use brute force. When force is required, use greater force. When the greatest force is required, use your head. Surprise is everything." is not the sort of policy that Jazmin endorses. Even if there's something insightful in it, most people take it to excess.
"I wished to accomplish the mission with minimal cost and maximum deniability." She wonders if she should throw a term of respect on it, and what that term might be. Sir? Madam? Your robot-ness? Exalted one? God? She decides that given its actions it doesn't seem to mind, so she doesn't do it. "It is true that a heavier commitment might accomplish the goal, but the long-term consequences of doing so would be... problematic. Certainly, it would reduce the attention we could bring to bear on Reality Deviance, which is rather unfortunate considering the circumstances."
The Exalt uncurls, its spiked tail waving around behind it. It stands, and Jazmin can't help but feel a slight frisson of fear as it does so. It is designed to do so, she recalls. Its alien angles and curves built to create fear in those who see it. Everything of it is designed with purpose. And then it stretches languidly like a cat, breaking the illusion. Jazmin keeps her expression carefully neutral. "However, should the Adversary fall, steps can be taken to accelerate our ascension. With her removed, we can proceed with the original plan created by your superiors to suborn Command. Professor Li's ascendancy may be useful there. Even if he is a shortsighted fool with pretensions to a chair he cannot occupy."
Jazmin doesn't disagree with the Iterator. "If we push too hard, the Void Engineers might run Plan Omega. And they might be able to do it quickly enough, especially if other Conventions align their way. Which might happen."
"Yes." The Exalt agrees, and Jazmin for all her disdain of Iteration X machine men and machine minds, feels proud that Control is agreeing with her. "The Adversary's manipulations in 1999 have been problematic. No longer are the Void Engineers balanced on the precipice of rebellion. Even the Syndicate grudgingly accepts them and their secrecy. And its political influence has been felt. We cannot rely on Plan Omega failing. But nevertheless, if the Adversary survives, all will be for naught." Its claws flex slightly at the mention of the Adversary and its voice drops ever-so-slightly. Jazmin suspects that this is not merely impersonal, but rather something far more. She doesn't say it, of course. That said, the Exalt never made any claims to being 'emotionless.' Merely 'not as limited by human irrationality.' And its control and intellect have been... quite high-end for an Iteration X killing machine. It makes her wonder exactly what The Adversary has done. What Jamelia Belltower has done to anger it this much.
"This is true, but I know her better than you." Jazmin says. "I think I can accomplish this task with minimal assistance and without expending such valuable resources."
"We defer to your judgment for the most part. You have been an exemplary agent despite your shortcomings." Jazmin bristles a bit at that statement-not because it's a height joke, but because it's not her who has the shortcomings. "However, it would be inefficient to not utilize your assets. You are seeking to eliminate Financier Sykes and the defective clone of Lady Lior." It's a statement, not a question. "I would like to deal with them personally. The Lior synthetic is a capable combatant by the standards of the rogue Technocracy. Your HITMarks and homonculi and Men in Black may not be sufficient. But their weak flesh and weak human minds... are vulnerable."
"Don't underestimate them." Jazmin says. "She's dangerous, even if she is... defective." Jazmin doesn't think Rose Ashford is defective at all. Rose does her job just fine. Having an actual emotional range and finding distaste in what she does isn't a problem, as long as she can accomplish the mission when necessary, and she can. Especially when treated with a modicum of kindness. The way Financier Sykes and Jamelia Belltower have treated her has wrapped Rose around their fingers. She'd kill for them. Die for them. Do anything for them. And all it required is a bare minimum of consideration. Like any other construct, treating her kindly is cheap and reaps massive dividends.
"When I state the flesh is weak and the mind is weaker still, I am not making an estimate. It is true that underestimating a combat construct is always foolish, but there is no evaluation of its relative capability going on here." The Exalt says cryptically. "I am stating the reality and the combat plan. That said, it will be preferable to hold back the combat homonculi and Men in Black. They will be... redundant."
What's Ms. Clock's Excuse if she needs to deploy heavier kit?
[ ] Contingency-5? In Los Angeles? Welp. Better bring out the heavy guns. We're here to help!
[ ] Werewolf attack! Fucking wolves decided to get REVENGE against the people responsible for the London victory this year. We got there too late to save everyone but we did what we could.
[ ] The Camarilla in LA have decided to move openly against our assets via government proxies. The National Guard have been called in-and we can't have that.
[ ] Perfectly mundane terrorists with perfectly mundane carbombs. But we didn't know this at the time. Apologies for the mistake.
[ ] Masses of undead! Here! In LA! Zombies! Bring autotargeting rifles, we're going on a headshot spree.
[ ] Virtual Adept infiltration required us to cut comms. Nothing went wrong. Really.
The Best Laid Plans of Clocks and Machines...
So, security clearances can be a problem. Compartmentalization can be one as well. Has Yinzheng stumbled upon something that she shouldn't have seen?
[ ] Yes.
[ ] No.
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notanautomaton
I've got 99 quests, I've finished one
Cuts off here.
Not so much cuts off, but 'is a copypaste error.'
Because reasons.
Vote retracted.
The Best Laid Plans of Clocks and Machines...
So, security clearances can be a problem. Compartmentalization can be one as well. Has Yinzheng stumbled upon something that she shouldn't have seen?
[x] Yes.
This way, she'll either die, become something terrible, or miraculously escape. Reach out to the truu~th...
Last edited:
Winged One
Not the Simurgh
- Location
- definitely the ground
- Pronouns
- They/Them/It
...holy shit.
This makes what, 3 times Jamelia has saved the world? They call her the Adversary for a reason!
notanautomaton
I've got 99 quests, I've finished one
What's Clock's excuse.
The key thing here is that this determines what group the Technocracy will try to attack if things go wrong.
[x] The Camarilla in LA have decided to move openly against our assets via government proxies. The National Guard have been called in-and we can't have that.
The Camarilla are assholes, and there are worse things the Technocracy can devote resources to compared to Project Sunburst. They might even end up with a seat on Command, which will help tip the balance against the progromites.
[x] Yes.
Because this way is much more fun.
New Vote:
[x] Werewolves associated with Pentex
[x] No
The key thing here is that this determines what group the Technocracy will try to attack if things go wrong.
The Camarilla are assholes, and there are worse things the Technocracy can devote resources to compared to Project Sunburst. They might even end up with a seat on Command, which will help tip the balance against the progromites.
[x] Yes.
Because this way is much more fun.
New Vote:
[x] Werewolves associated with Pentex
[x] No
Last edited:
Quantumboost
Now with 50% more dots in Dimensional Science
- Location
- Ensemble Space
[X] Masses of undead! Here! In LA! Zombies! Bring autotargeting rifles, we're going on a headshot spree.
Because zombies. We need more of them.
Because zombies. We need more of them.
notanautomaton
I've got 99 quests, I've finished one
I'm leery of this option, because zombie hordes are the sort of thing that kills large numbers of civilians. Which means Clock will gun down crowds of people and have her Progenitors plant the zombie virus on them.
Winged One
Not the Simurgh
- Location
- definitely the ground
- Pronouns
- They/Them/It
Please, explain why you think Project Sunburst would oppose killing all the other splats.
What's Ms. Clock's Excuse if she needs to deploy heavier kit?
[X] Werewolf attack! Fucking wolves decided to get REVENGE against the people responsible for the London victory this year. We got there too late to save everyone but we did what we could.
-> [X] Looks like they're werewolves aligned with Pentex and its subsidiaries. There are EDEs and hostile Technocratic defectors working with them. Ladies, gentlemen, it appears that Pentex wants war. We must be ready.
The thing on the screen looks mostly like a man, healthy and plump in the Financier way which speaks of expensive health treatments and expensive dinners. It looks like a man as long as you don't look too close. As long as you don't see the eyes, as black as oil. As long as you don't notice that the red and white keffiyeh he wears isn't separate from him and looks more like scales than cloth. As long as you can't feel the gulping, psychic hunger he radiates.
Ms Clock misses the latter point, but the former details are more than enough to clue her into his nature. But then again, he is a Syndic. She can deduce the presence of raw greed without having to sense it.
"Director Clock," the once-man says. "Your superiors have purchased my services as a liaison."
Jazmin nods. "I understand. I will transmit the instructions. Do not commence any operations without my say-so."
It's very simple. Belltower's amalgam has severely provoked the Black Spiral Dancers, killing several important members of the breed - including the daughter of one of the major sept leaders in Europe. Which is a sign that despite her enemy status, she can still serve the cause of the Technocratic Union with all the skill and expertise that... well, that Ms Clock herself demonstrates. It really is a shame.
But if Belltower is going to provoke Pentex and its disgusting werewolf allies, Jazmin can hardly be blamed for using them as deniable assets. Especially as deniable asset which should strengthen the Pogromite faction, which is one of her instructions. No one mourns dead Nephandi, least of all Ms Clock. She detests them, at a deep, visceral level. And if they get subsequently eradicated, she's only served the Union further.
The Best Laid Plans of Clocks and Machines...
So, security clearances can be a problem. Compartmentalization can be one as well. Has Yinzheng stumbled upon something that she shouldn't have seen?
[X] No.
She hasn't even been back to Los Angeles yet. She's heading up the Mexico team, leading a team of MiBs, sympathisers, and light Progenitor constructs as they try to track down Alice Aristide. When she doesn't even know what city the rogue is in. Or whether she's moved on.
Director Belltower says that it'll be instructive for her to learn to handle forces in less friendly situations where she can't rely on having the latest hardware - and she knows Director Belltower is right! She did papers on her activities in HELMETSHRIKE and this is how she got her formative training! And these assets are very similar to what HELMETSHRIKE had! And she's not actually that far away from LA, and Director Belltower has assigned her black helicopter support so she can get back if the Director needs her!
... but she still can't help but feel that she's being reprimanded in some way.
-> [X] Looks like they're werewolves aligned with Pentex and its subsidiaries. There are EDEs and hostile Technocratic defectors working with them. Ladies, gentlemen, it appears that Pentex wants war. We must be ready.
The thing on the screen looks mostly like a man, healthy and plump in the Financier way which speaks of expensive health treatments and expensive dinners. It looks like a man as long as you don't look too close. As long as you don't see the eyes, as black as oil. As long as you don't notice that the red and white keffiyeh he wears isn't separate from him and looks more like scales than cloth. As long as you can't feel the gulping, psychic hunger he radiates.
Ms Clock misses the latter point, but the former details are more than enough to clue her into his nature. But then again, he is a Syndic. She can deduce the presence of raw greed without having to sense it.
"Director Clock," the once-man says. "Your superiors have purchased my services as a liaison."
Jazmin nods. "I understand. I will transmit the instructions. Do not commence any operations without my say-so."
It's very simple. Belltower's amalgam has severely provoked the Black Spiral Dancers, killing several important members of the breed - including the daughter of one of the major sept leaders in Europe. Which is a sign that despite her enemy status, she can still serve the cause of the Technocratic Union with all the skill and expertise that... well, that Ms Clock herself demonstrates. It really is a shame.
But if Belltower is going to provoke Pentex and its disgusting werewolf allies, Jazmin can hardly be blamed for using them as deniable assets. Especially as deniable asset which should strengthen the Pogromite faction, which is one of her instructions. No one mourns dead Nephandi, least of all Ms Clock. She detests them, at a deep, visceral level. And if they get subsequently eradicated, she's only served the Union further.
The Best Laid Plans of Clocks and Machines...
So, security clearances can be a problem. Compartmentalization can be one as well. Has Yinzheng stumbled upon something that she shouldn't have seen?
[X] No.
She hasn't even been back to Los Angeles yet. She's heading up the Mexico team, leading a team of MiBs, sympathisers, and light Progenitor constructs as they try to track down Alice Aristide. When she doesn't even know what city the rogue is in. Or whether she's moved on.
Director Belltower says that it'll be instructive for her to learn to handle forces in less friendly situations where she can't rely on having the latest hardware - and she knows Director Belltower is right! She did papers on her activities in HELMETSHRIKE and this is how she got her formative training! And these assets are very similar to what HELMETSHRIKE had! And she's not actually that far away from LA, and Director Belltower has assigned her black helicopter support so she can get back if the Director needs her!
... but she still can't help but feel that she's being reprimanded in some way.
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notanautomaton
I've got 99 quests, I've finished one
They favor killing all the vampires, then going after everyone else. Better than the Progenitors, worse than the VE's.
That's even better!
Who says that she sees something implicating Ms. Clock of in threat null? She might have seen something of a more ordinary but...morally compromising nature.
Or maybe she just gets vaporised. Possibly by the scary Autopolitan killing machine which was just introduced. To show what a badass it is.
notanautomaton
I've got 99 quests, I've finished one
Which means that the enemy is denied a minor asset, helping our cause!
Well. You certainly have a very... optimistic viewpoint of the assets that Ms Clock can make use of.
To name but one example, she'll know about White Tower. She'll know about HITMark reclamation programmes. And no doubt the Anathema can do all kinds of interesting things to a person, which may even leave them technically alive! And rather more deadly!
Personally, I'd prefer an opponent who's a functional human being who - as we already have seen - makes decisions like to accept the surrender of people rather than take the optimal route which would have been just to move in anyway and try to take out the mages ASAP, not caring about casualties. Yinzheng is a known quantity, as a fairly good - but not top tier - Augmented Agent, and I don't want to roll the dice and hope that she doesn't get turned into a cyborg horror.
We're up against enough of them already.
Relevant? Maybe?