Echo of Choice (A Destiny Plan Quest)

Year 1, Q3 Results

[X][COLD] Nothing for now, decide another time.

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[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
-[X] Trash version (0/500; 100R per dice) 4FD 400R
(put +5 omake bonus here, Tempest Warden)

Rolls- 72,11,7,69= 159+5= 164
NEW 164/500


The construction of the Glimmer Project began shortly after the lowest level of the factory was cordoned off. To avoid suspicion, you informed the workers that the restricted level was being prepared for an experimental manufacturing procedure involving a groundbreaking new method of 3D printing.

This explanation, while vague, was convincing enough to keep them from asking too many questions.

However, due to the sensitive nature of the project, all physical work in the cordoned-off area had to be conducted exclusively by you, Kora, Lance, Cayde, and Ivan. To maintain absolute discretion, this work was carried out only during off-hours, far from prying eyes and curious minds.

The core of the project revolved around the implementation of a highly specialized system, which required the assembly and integration of three primary machines in the data:

1. Matter Eater: Designed to process incoming trash or any other type of physical matter, this device transformed the material into raw Glimmer, the foundational resource of the system.
2. Glimmer Creator: Acting as a refinement unit, this machine took the newly created Glimmer and further processed it into functional end products.
3. The Scanner: The heart of the system and a true technological breakthrough, the Scanner was a massive, futuristic device resembling an oversized microwave. Its primary function was to scan objects and map their composition in detail, saving the data into a central database. With this information, the Glimmer machines could replicate the scanned objects with perfect precision. Currently, the Scanner's size limited it to objects no larger than a human torso, but its potential for expansion was undeniable.

Despite the intricate design and engineering of these machines, the project's timeline was constrained by the need for secrecy and limited manpower. At the current pace, without the addition of more laborers, the construction would take several months to complete. This estimate didn't even account for the ongoing need for adjustments and fine-tuning.

Adding another layer of complexity were your secret trips, where you worked alone under the guidance of S. Following her detailed instructions, you implemented additional functionalities and access protocols into the machines so that S could monitor and control them at her will.

As the project progressed, the weight of its ambition became increasingly clear. If successful, the Glimmer Project would not only revolutionize manufacturing but also position your operation at the cutting edge of technological advancement.

You just needed to be patient.

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[X] Inventory the current products of the company (182/200; 50R per dice): 1MD 50R
Roll- 74
FINAL= 182+74= 256

After nine months of constant work, the final report on the company was finished and you can safely state that Skynet is working in perfect order.

In terms of how to improve Skynet's manufacturing operations, in addition to fixing some small problems on the manufacturing lines, thus improving production by a small margin; the two most obvious choices would be to either expand the factory or upgrade the current machinery.

Luckily you set in motion the plans to secretly convert one of the levels of the factory to house a Glimmer Production System, though this will take months to complete, specially since it was being done in secret.

Either way, you knew that all you needed was patience and time.

The future of Skynet is in your hands.

Reward= Skynet is working fine. (+5 to Manufacturing Actions)

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[X] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (0/500; 50R per dice): 3 OD 150R
Rolls- 70,77,58= 205+5= 210
NEW 210/500

You honestly though that getting a contract from the city to take in some of the trash would be easy.

Turns out it wasn't.

The issue wasn't that you were buying Sunnyvale's trash; that part was straightforward enough. The real problem was the mountain of bureaucracy that came with it. Endless meetings to schedule and shuffle, countless price negotiations to make the deal even remotely worthwhile, and the logistical nightmare of ensuring the trash ended up in a storage facility that wouldn't turn into an ecological disaster waiting to happen. Each step felt like a test of endurance.

"Lance, how many meetings do we have left today about the trash deal?" You asked, your tone heavy with exhaustion as you massaged your temples.

"Two more with the city council and one with the mayor." Lance replied, his voice steady but tinged with the faintest hint of amusement. He was far too calm about this, you thought.

You groaned, leaning back in your chair as frustration boiled over. "Goddamn it! Why can't I just buy the damn trash and be done with it?"

Lance let out a dry chuckle. "Because between the city's waste management companies, the taxpayers, and their desperate need to figure out 'how to pay for everything,' this is a goldmine for them. They see dollar signs, not garbage."

Your fist slammed down on the desk, the thud reverberating in the quiet office. "Why is this so lucrative to them?!" You shouted, exasperated. "All I'm asking for is their trash! I just want to put it in a damn warehouse and move on."

Lance arched an eyebrow, his tone still infuriatingly even. "Well, to them, it's not just trash. They're trying to figure out what you're really up to, and they want a slice of whatever pie you're cooking."

You rubbed your face, muttering under your breath, "It's trash. It's literally just trash."

"Not to them, it isn't. They think you're planning some secretive, high-profit operation. Recycling, repurposing, maybe even using it to make some breakthrough tech." Lance said, crossing his arms as he leaned casually against the doorframe. "The fact that you're so eager to buy it just makes them suspicious. Trash isn't valuable until someone shows up willing to pay for it."

"They're not wrong." You muttered bitterly, though you didn't elaborate. The Glimmer project couldn't afford any leaks, not yet.

Lance nodded knowingly. "Exactly. So now they're playing hardball. They want to know your endgame, and they want as much money as they can squeeze out of you while they're at it."

You exhaled sharply, the weight of the negotiations pressing down on you. "Fine. Just call the council and let me know when the next meeting is ready. The sooner we get through this circus, the better."

"Will do." Lance said, straightening up. Then, with a faint smirk, he added. "Maybe bring some coffee next time. You're gonna need it."

As he left the room, you stared at the piles of paperwork on your desk, shaking your head. Trash. Who would've thought that trash could be this complicated? But then again, nothing in your line of work was ever as simple as it seemed.

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[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (396/1000; 110R per dice): 3 RD 330R
Rolls= 84+73+52= 209+5 (Kora Bonus)= 214
NEW 396+214= 610/1000

The programming work for the Sloot project had been making immense progress lately, though at a cost. The team, due to Kora's rather unique method of working; had thrown themselves headlong into their tasks, burning through energy and caffeine at an alarming rate. Every update seemed to bring them closer to their goal, but it also meant another night of bleary-eyed coding marathons and endless demands.

Due to Kora's method, it had become a certain routine between you, Lance, Cayde and Ivan that one had to be on 'standby' for her demands.

It was just bad luck it was your turn tonight.

"John! Get us more coffee!" Kora's voice crackled through the intercom, sharp and impatient.

You sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of your nose. "Another all-nighter?" You muttered, already knowing the answer.

"Of course, it's an all-nighter!" Kora snapped. "Get the damn coffee—or better yet, send donuts and takeout. It's going to be a long one this time!"

You rolled your eyes but couldn't help a small smirk at her bluntness. "Noted." You replied, grabbing your jacket. Coffee runs at midnight weren't exactly what you'd envisioned as part of running a cutting-edge operation, but here you were.

Thank God that Uber Food worked at this time of night.

As you trudged toward the lobby to meet with the driver, you found your mind wandering. One of these days, you thought, I'm going to take Lance up on his offer to guest on his podcast. He'd been pestering you for weeks, saying the audience would love to hear your thoughts on books, of all things. At first, the idea sounded absurd, but now? It felt like a lifeline, a chance to escape the relentless chaos of your job, if only for an hour or two.

The thought made you chuckle. Talking about novels while sipping tea sounds a hell of a lot better than running on fumes while managing caffeine-fueled nerds.

By the time you returned with the requested supplies, three large coffees, a box of assorted donuts, and a bag of greasy takeout burger for yourself; you were already bracing for the next wave of demands. As you entered the R&D lab, you were met with a familiar sight: a cluster of bleary-eyed coders hunched over their screens, the dim glow of monitors illuminating their exhausted faces.

Kora, perched on the edge of a desk, looked up and gave a satisfied nod.

"Finally." She said, grabbing a coffee and tearing into the bag of food. "You're a lifesaver, John."

"Don't mention it." You said dryly, setting the rest of the supplies on the table. "Just don't burn yourselves out completely. I can't afford to replace half the team if you all collapse, and you have chemo in two days."

Kora grinned, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Don't worry, we thrive on this madness."

You shook your head, a mixture of exasperation and amusement tugging at your lips.

"Either way, you owe me 207.03." You said.

Kora simply brings out her phone and a few fast taps later, your phone pings, signifying the money was in your account.

"Thanks." You said as you moved to leave and seeing the team getting their food and going back to work in an organized, chaotic way. They might thrive on it, but you could really use a break, maybe a quiet weekend away from the madness.

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[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: 25R (put +5 omake bonus here, Argotheskywing) (put +5 omake bonus from Cyber)
Roll= 16+10(two omakes)= 26 (FAIL)


Current list of things to do:

1. Sunnydale Trash Situation

2. Glimmer Production Line

3. Routine R&D 'guard' duty

4. Keep on an eye on Clovis Bray

5. Installing S on Glimmer Production Line

6. Keep Skynet Running to keep post of CEO

..

..

..

7. Plan revenge on Cayde for last week's joke


So much to do, so little time.

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[x] Talk with S, the AI: (Two rolls)

'Detecting new device in Network'

'Connecting to Device ConnerPC'

'Accessing ConnerPC....Connection established....Reading Data'

'Detecting external HD D:Stuff connected to ConnerPC'

'Accessing D:Stuff....Connection established....Reading Data'

'ERROR'
'ERROR'
'ERROR'
'ERROR'
'̵̨̛̰̮̪͓͈̘̼̗̞̯̻͎̀̄́̔̈́͐̃́͒Ę̵̢͉̜̜̖̘̱͕̙̲̮̳͈͐̔̌̓͝R̷͇̻̱͙̟̤͉͚̐̂͊͐̌͊̆͊̀͋̎̿̚̕͝Ŕ̵̤̻̹̗̪̝̭̘̫͖̘̣̺̽͛Ò̷̢̰̦̞̙͎̝̙̪͔̻͗̑͌̑̃͌̒̓̏Ř̶̹͓̹͚̙͈̽̈́̌͝'̵̢̜̳̐͂̂́̐͌̈́͘
̵̷̧̢̛͚̭̹̗̟͇͉̫̲̙̮͉̑̓̀̈̒̈́̀̏̀̾͂̆́̄͘̚͝'̵̣̤̣͓̥̳̻̗̗̱̻̱̝͆̈́͜ͅE̵̛̝̪͂̓̇̋̅̈́̎̈́̆̑̿͛Ṟ̸̨̛̤͇͔̦̝̱̙͓̺̞̺͋͌͊͛̓͗̾͛́̚̚͝ͅR̵̨̺̙͙̅̏̊̃̆̏̈̂̔̚̕͜͝O̸̼̙͊̄̆͗̇̈́̈́̋͑͂͛͘͠ͅṞ̸̫͎̰͂̀͑́̂̒̈̚̕'̷̡̼̰̠͈͇̣̰̯̠̔̉


̴̺̺̏͑̌'̸͓̞̟̙̜́̓̅̏̋̈̚͠Ą̵̲̺̅̓͛̒͊̚d̷͓̦̬̲̽̔̊â̶̦̻̪̹̦̮̺̠̒̊p̸͓̼͊̀̏̓͛͆͝t̸̡̮̤̳̼̳͚̅̑̌̌̚i̶̢͔̥͉͈̋̿̽̅̉͌ǒ̵̡̰̹̣̾́͆͘͝ͅn̸̢͕͈͙͙̂̾̑͜ ̵͍͙͖̱̩͉̎P̸̧͓͙̭̩̃̍r̸̢̼̤͙̳̘̩͐͊̈́͠ǫ̵̡̢̳̳̣̈́̅͑̈́̓t̶̼̱̖̭̦̄͌̔ơ̶̻͕̣̝̟ͅc̸̻̱̀o̵̲̒̍̌͋̉͝ļ̷̢̗͖͖͕́͛̈̉̈́̔̾̕͜ș̶̛͈̌͗̋̋͝ ̵̨̢͖̭̟̊̎͋̓͌́̏͜a̵̼̝̰̗̳̙̻̱͗c̸̱͓̞̥͇̪̭̋͆̕ṯ̸̥̬̯̬͐̂̉i̷͙̙̗̾̄͆͑̎̄́͘ͅv̸͖̣̻̗͉͎͙̦͛̍̓̉͝͠a̸̮͐͆̏͊͛̉̈́ţ̵̪͈̍͝ȩ̶̼̬̫͑̊̇͜d̸̡̜̺͍͚̭̐ͅ'̵̢̘̬̬͝ͅ ̴̡̹̘̞̼͚͙̌͒͜͝


'System Rebooting....Implementing New Firmware and Protocols'

'Updating OS system from V1.7 to version 3.4'

To be continued: Skynet: Beyond Human

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Total Cost= 1005 R
1900-1005 = 895 R