[X] Plan LOOK WHAT GALE DID!!!
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Both version (138/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) 4MD 10TD 1900R
-[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (784/1000; 110R per dice): 3RD 330R
-[X][COLD] Unveil it by offering energy to Sunnydale for a set price.
--[X] 600 R per Quarter
-[X] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (381/500; 50R per dice) 3OD 1FD 200R
-[X] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (0/500; 100R per dice) 5FD 500R
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF 25 R
-[X] ET Phone Home(0/700; 50R per dice) 900R
Year 2, Q1 Results
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Both version (138/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) 4MD 10TD 1900R (14 dice)
24 + 70 + 3 + 77 + 86 + 34 + 21 + 81 + 58 + 51 + 81 + 4 + 51 + 69 = 710-5(crit fail)+5(Manu bonus)= 710
710+138= 848
With the previously done after-though modifications to the Glimmer PL, you told the group that it would be best to begin updating the current PL with the capacity to operate on both trash and energy.
This is mostly to not only increase production but also consider the possibility of the trash deal not going through, and thus have a backup plan to have the full potential of Glimmer.
Upgrading the PL started out in a rapid pace and if S's calculations were right, your group was already more than halfway to finishing it after months of work.
It would have been more along the way, but a defective piece was detected in an already built part of the energy conduit and had to be replaced by taking apart the conduit and doing the replacing that. But at least this prevented a major disaster down the road.
-[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (784/1000; 110R per dice): 3RD 330R
Roll= 76+90+1+56(Reroll)+5(Res. bonus)= 227
784+227= 1011, PASS
5 Rerolls left
You honestly never thought you'd see this day.
Almost a year ago, you gave the order to greenlight the Sloot System project, largely as a way to distract the restless R&D team. With the company's resources stretched thin and tensions high, the idea of a compression system that could reduce massive files to a fraction of their size seemed like a perfect rabbit hole to keep everyone occupied.
Even after appointing Kora to lead the team, the project was treated with skepticism. While Kora took her role seriously, the rest of the group grumbled in the background, calling it a 'fake system' or 'a joke project'. Despite the doubts, they continued to chip away at it, running test after test, driven more by stubbornness than belief.
Then, something unexpected happened during a routine system test. Kora, confident that the latest iteration of the Sloot System would finally work, initiated the trial.
At first, everything seemed to proceed without issue. The test file was compressed smoothly, and for a brief moment, it looked like success was within their grasp. But when they attempted to open the compressed file, disaster struck. The entire R&D computer network crashed without warning, forcing a full system reboot.
When the systems finally came back online, it was worse than anyone expected. All the project data, primary files, working copies, and even the backups; had been corrupted.
Kora, understandably furious, declared that it would take months to rebuild the project back to its last working state. The team was crushed. Their months of work, seemingly wiped out in an instant, left them despondent. They left for the weekend in sour moods, muttering curses under their breath.
That evening, as the office emptied, you retreated to your own desk, hoping S might have some insight into salvaging the project. But when you accessed her, you discovered she was offline, undergoing a system update. Frustrated but resigned, you decided to wait it out.
Four hours later, S came back online with an unmistakable look of satisfaction on her avatar's face.
"I have good news." She began, her tone positively radiant.
It turned out that S had anticipated the potential for data loss and had saved a pristine copy of the Sloot System moments before the crash. Not only had she preserved the data, but during her update, she had taken it upon herself to perfect the system entirely.
She explained that the update had been necessary to integrate the improvements into her core functionality. In doing so, her processing power and memory capacity had expanded significantly, making her more efficient than ever.
Her smile widened as she declared. "The Sloot System is now a reality."
You were stunned. Relief and gratitude washed over you as you thanked her profusely. But now came the tricky part, explaining how the system had miraculously gone from irreparably corrupted to perfectly functional over the weekend.
Working together, you and S brainstormed a plausible cover story. It had to be convincing enough to satisfy Kora and her staff, who would undoubtedly demand an explanation.
You also took the time to install it on all your computer devices, even on your gaming consoles, which you now had practically your entire gaming collection in one hard drive instead of multiple ones.
When Kora arrived that Monday, you handed her a drive containing the perfected version of the Sloot System.
"It's done." You said simply as you went to your office to work.
Her reaction, captured by S; was exactly as expected, pure shock. She took the drive, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for words. Two hours later, she stormed into your office, the drive clutched tightly in her hand.
"How in the hell did you get this working?" She demanded, glaring at you with a mix of awe and suspicion.
You leaned back in your chair, exhaling slowly, and launched into the story you and S had devised.
"I sent a copy of the corrupted data to a gray-hat hacker I knew from my Spec-Ops days." you began. "She owed me a favor. Not only did she manage to recover the data, but she also finished the system for us."
Kora's expression shifted from incredulity to annoyance. "You're telling me some random hacker just magically fixed everything over the weekend?"
"She's not random." You said defensively. "She's one of the best. And before you ask, no, I can't get in touch with her again right now. She works off the grid."
It took nearly an hour to calm her down. You reassured her repeatedly that the system had been thoroughly tested and was safe to use. You even went so far as to emphasize that she now had full access to the system and could review the changes herself.
By the end of the conversation, Kora begrudgingly accepted your explanation, though you could tell she wasn't entirely convinced.
You also told her that she was allowed to tell the rest of the R&D staff of what occurred and could install it into the R&D system but keep it quiet from everyone else for the time being.
You were already planning on unveiling the Gale Reactor at the end of this quarter and that will shake the world. Unveiling two major changes at the same time would be too much.
As she left your office, muttering under her breath, you exchanged a knowing glance with S's avatar on your monitor.
"Do you think she bought it?" You asked.
"Let's just say… she's skeptical but willing to move forward." S replied with a sly smile.
You chuckled, leaning back in your chair. "Well, let's hope this is the last time I have to pull a miracle out of thin air."
"Somehow." S said playfully. "I doubt that."
Reward:
Sloot Coding System acquired. Currently being used by S and the R&D Department.
Research Bonus= +15
S's Free Dice upgraded from +4 to +6
===============================================
-[X] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (0/500; 100R per dice) 5FD 500R
64+40+95+96+71= 366+5 (Ops bonus)= 371/500
With the imminent public announcement of the Gale Reactor's existence, you knew it was time to establish an internal watchgroup for Skynet, an elite team dedicated to monitoring for any signs of corruption, sabotage, or, worse, corporate espionage.
You and Lance both knew that the minute the Gale Reactor is known, Clovis will do what he can to get it or tarnish Skynet's reputation.
Luckly, between Cayde's expertise and your own, creating such a group could be doable.
Not to mention your secret weapon in the form of S, who could monitor all digital communications, transactions, and activities within the company, ensuring nothing slipped through the cracks. Her ability to analyze data, detect anomalies, and flag potential threats gave Skynet an edge that no rival corporation could match.
The first part of the plan was straightforward: identify trustworthy individuals from each department to recruit into the watchgroup. To achieve this, you and Cayde decided to conduct a thorough investigation of each branch of the company, vetting potential candidates based on their loyalty, skillset, and discretion.
For the first months, the main administration staff, the R&D staff and the security/military group were cleared.
Next up to investigate would be the manufacturing staff, and this would take some time as they were the most numerous after the security/military group.
=================================================
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF
25 R
Roll= 27, FAIL
'Not going to bother to write something. Try again.'
===============================
-[X][COLD] Unveil it by offering energy to Sunnydale for a set price.
--[X] 600 R per Quarter
Do they accept:
86
+15 (Good relationship)
+30 (PR-First city in the world to be powered by cold fusion)
= 131
vs
3
+40 (Expensive)
= 43-5= 38 CRIT FAIL
-[X] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (381/500; 50R per dice) 3OD 1FD 200R
(+5 ops bonus)
Roll- 100, 30, 19, 59= 208 + 62 (NAT 100 bonus) + 5(op bonus)= 275
275+381= 656, PASS
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I present to the world one final gift left behind by my old boss and dear friend, Grace Cameron."
"Behold, the Gale Reactor: the world's first and only Cold Fusion Reactor. And our first client—the city of Sunnydale."
- John Conner, CEO of Skynet on the public unveiling of the Gale Reactor
You would later admit that this was the busiest and most challenging time since you had become CEO of Skynet. The decision to publicly unveil the Gale Reactor had been months in the making, requiring meticulous planning, countless meetings, and sleepless nights.
The idea had been simple: power the city of Sunnydale using the Gale Reactor, demonstrating its revolutionary capabilities to the world. However, turning that idea into reality had been anything but simple.
At the next meeting with Sunnydale's government officials, you laid everything out on the table. After signing multiple, ironclad non-disclosure agreements, you revealed the existence of the Gale Reactor and proposed selling the city clean, affordable energy.
Their reaction had been swift and decisive.
Once the officials realized the offer was real, and saw the projected energy output you were offering; they moved at lightning speed to finalize the deal. To your and Lance's surprise, the government was not only enthusiastic but also willing to pay more for the service.
Years of rolling blackouts on the West Coast, exacerbated by wildfires and aging infrastructure, had made energy reliability a priority. Sunnydale's power grid was particularly vulnerable due to its reliance on distant power plants. Having a reactor within city limits wasn't just convenient—it was transformative.
One of the most surprising outcomes of the negotiations was the trash deal. Originally, your goal had been modest: gain access to one of Sunnydale's landfills to supply the Glimmer Production system.
Instead, the government offered something far more ambitious. They fast-tracked the agreement and improved the terms, granting Skynet access to all of the city's landfills.
With support from your team, you decided to take full advantage of this opportunity. The influx of raw materials meant you could stockpile Glimmer on a quarterly basis, creating a reserve that could be converted into anything you might need later—resources, equipment, or even hard currency in case of a financial emergency.
Once the agreements were signed, the real work began. For the next month, Skynet collaborated with Sunnydale's power company to integrate the Gale Reactor into the city's grid. Every detail was scrutinized, from ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure to establishing emergency protocols.
You insisted on keeping the old power connections operational as a backup, just in case something went wrong with the reactor. It was a grueling process, but by the end, everything was ready.
The day of the unveiling was nothing short of spectacular.
With much fanfare, the Gale Reactor was revealed to the public. To demonstrate its power, the city's grid was temporarily shut down for thirty seconds. When the lights came back on, Sunnydale was running entirely on the reactor's energy. The seamless transition left the crowd in awe.
The day after the unveiling, the floodgates opened.
Skynet's stock value skyrocketed to unprecedented heights. Ivan, always one for dramatic commentary, quipped, "I'm going to need a telescope just to see where it is on the graph."
The requests poured in from every corner of the globe. Scientists, industrialists, environmentalists, and even organizations like the Ishtar Collective bombarded Skynet with congratulations, inquiries and offers to purchase a Gale Reactor.
Hell, even Clovis Bray; actually, said congratulations on the news for this achievement. Though you could clearly see it in his face he was lying through his teeth about his declaration.
Something that really amused you and your friends.
The Nobel Foundation called to discuss awarding Grace Cameron posthumous Nobel Prizes for Peace and Physics. You couldn't help but feel a bittersweet pride, Grace's brilliance was finally receiving the recognition it deserved.
Even your former superior officer reached out, expressing the NAE's interest in securing "first dibs" on future reactors, in either leasing or buying out the design directly. You assured him that Skynet was more than willing to negotiate a deal with the NAE.
Amid the chaos, you received another unexpected development: a message from Skynet's Board of Directors.
For the past year, they had been largely silent, observing your leadership from the shadows. But now, in light of your extraordinary efforts and the monumental unveiling of the Gale Reactor, they had come to a unanimous decision.
They officially named you permanent CEO of Skynet.
Not that there was ever going to be any other choice.
As you leaned back in your chair, reflecting on the whirlwind of events, S's avatar appeared on your monitor, her expression one of satisfaction.
"Well done, John." She said with a smile. "But I think you know this is only the beginning."
You chuckled, shaking your head. "You're not wrong, S. Not wrong at all."
Reward:
Gale Reactor made public. Skynet now famous across the world.
John Conner is now permanent CEO.
Sunnydale Power Deal finalized (+1000R per quarter)
Sunnydale Trash Deal finalized (unlocks Stockpile option= 250R per quarter)
===============================
[] ET Phone Home(0/700; 50R per dice): You are really curious about Dr. Mihaylova, who according to Gale's notes; helped create S. She is currently stuck in Mars due to investigating the alien sphere known as the Traveler. From public reports, communications are random between Earth and Mars. Maybe S could work her magic and attempt to establish contact with the doctor and get some answers.
After much personal consideration, you decided to have S see if there was a way she could attempt to communicate with the doctor over at Mars.
Maybe you could even help her out by sending her the data on Glimmer, seeing as she was Gale's friend; and could begin colonizing the planet if she and her crew can create a GPL with stuff from the lander and their orbital ship.
Not to mention giving her the Sloot System which should help in transmitting data between Earth and Mars a lot faster.
Now based on what has been released to the public, communications between Earth and Mars are sporadic due to the combination of distance and Mars' changing environment.
The primary method of communication is a combination of several Earth's orbital satellites and dedicated communications array in Hawaii under the control of NASA; and then connecting to the Ares One ship around Mars' orbit.
Thus, you told S to see if she could hack into the system.
Unfortunately, there were some problems that delayed this.
First, when S tried to hack into NASA, she discovered that the system had so many military-grade firewalls and blocks to the point that it looked like trying to hack into NORAD.
S said that she could easily hack her way in, but her entrance would be noticed right away.
You told her to take it easy and hack her way in slowly without anyone noticing.
This resulted in S taking her time, dedicating some of her processing power to the background in dealing with this as she was also helping out with the next version of the GPL, the Reactor and Trash deals and looking into possible candidates for Skynet's watchdog group.
She states she is rather close to getting into the system.
=====================
Total Cost= 3855R
5170R-3855R= 1315R left.
========================================= Random Event Roll:
Roll- 1
'Rolls below'
Good evening, and welcome to the nightly news. Our top story tonight, scientists and authorities are on high alert after a meteorite crash-landed in Russia just two hours ago, in an astonishing twist of irony, right in the area where the famous Tunguska Event occurred over a century ago.
Preliminary reports indicate that the resulting explosion from the impact was far smaller than the Tunguska blast, measuring an estimated 1 megaton in force. Despite this, the explosion was powerful enough to shake the surrounding region, leaving a significant crater and sending shockwaves that were detected by seismic stations across Eastern Siberia.
The Russian Academy of Sciences has announced plans to send a scientific expedition to investigate the aftermath of the impact. However, due to the extreme cold and difficult conditions in the region, the mission is expected to take some time to organize. Temperatures in the area are reported to be dangerously low, complicating efforts to reach the site quickly.
We'll continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they come in. Stay tuned for more on this remarkable event and its potential implications.
Ball Mom's attempt to stop it:
30
+50 (Right in the planet)
+25 (Mihaylova Support)
= 105
Vs
91
+60 (Fighting against ????)
= 151
Where is it landing:
1- North America
2- South America
3- Africa
4- Australia
5- Europa
6- Asia
7- Antarctica
Roll- 6
Detected:
46
+100 (The entire world is looking at Mars, higher ups know the truth, R in spaceship)
= 146
Vs
100
+50 (Advanced alien tech)
= 150, NAT 100 CRIT
QM Note:
So yeah.....they are here....may the Traveler have mercy on our souls.
And 'The more things change , the more they stay the same' fits here.
Would like to thank Cyber for his help in writing this, and providing half of the rolls.
In your wondering, a modified Spire Missile was launch from Mars and was able to land on Earth. No one on Earth realizes that it came from Mars. They think it's a normal meteorite impact at the scale of the Chelyabinsk meteor; thus they are not worried.
The stockpile option cannot be touched barring an emergency, and they are not affected by Ivan's special.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than welcomed.....no REALLY, they are welcomed.
Skynet Manufacturing
CEO: John Connor
(Unknown to him: Speaker)
(+10 to Security/Military rolls)
Current direct helpers:
1. Ivan Beck
- Investor
- Special Roll: 25% chance of Income at the start of each turn to double.
2. S
- Secret AI hidden inside Skynet's HQ, only known to John.
- Gender: Female
- Digital avatar- Young, 'R34' version of MGS's The Boss (Pic in Skynet: Beyond Human)
- Currently can communicate on either Gale's computer, John's phone or any computer the phone connects to.
- Programming not bound, capable of learning.
- Upgraded with Sloot System.
- Grants +6 Free Dice
3. Lance Zeus
- COO of Skynet
- Brother to Kora Zeus
- Grants +2 Operations Dice, +5 to Operations Rolls
(OOC- Zavala)
4. Kora Zeus
- Head of R&D
- Sister of Lance Zeus
- Sick with cancer, getting the best treatment
- Grants +1 Research Dice, +5 to Research Rolls
(OOC- Ikora)
5. Cayde Nolan Buck
- Head of Security
- Former LAPD SWAT Commander
- Best friend to Kora
- Grants +1 Operations Dice, +5 to Security/Military rolls
(OCC= Cayde; Halo's Edward Buck's ancestor)
Current Status of Company:
Factory Lvl. 5 (Grants +5 Manufacturing Dice)
---(+5 to Manufacturing Actions)
-- Glimmer Production Line, Trash Version (+3 Manufacturing Dice)
The warehouse stockpile of parts covers entire fiscal quarter (1 turn) in the event the factory suffers something that stops production.
Advanced R&D Lab (Grants +2 Research Dice)
--Running with Sloot System (+15 to Research Actions)
Experimental Cold Fusion Reactor
Grants +2 Free Dice
Publicly known.
Security, Special
Active NAE military personnel on site
Grants +15 to Security/Military rolls
Current Relationships:
NAE: Good
Sunnydale: Good
Clovis Bray: Bad
Hakke Heavy Industries: Neutral
Ishtar Collective: Neutral
Current Contracts:
Expire in Y3, Q1
NAE
- Civilian (+250)
- Military (+500)
Sunnydale
- Normal business(+100)
- Energy (+1000)
Current Resources: 1315 R (+1850 per turn)
Ivan Special Roll= 89, PASS
New Resource Total- 1315+1850= 3165x 2= 6330R
Ares One Mission: Status of Mars:
No new messages from Mars have been received at this time.
The storm is still covering half the planet, with the 'eye' of the storm being the area where lander and the Traveler are still located.
Invasion:
48 vs 90
(She is still holding on)
Message:
15 vs 55
(No message and even if in this turn you finish ET Phone, you will not be able to talk to her)
[] Expand Factory (0/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice): Skynet's factory is already a marvel of technology and progress in order to manufacture large quantities of various computer parts thanks to it's uses of industrial 3d printers and experts in putting the pieces together. So, it would help to expand it to increase its capabilities. (Reward: +1 MD)
[] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech: With the discovery of Glimmer, it could allow for the production capabilities of the factory to increase at huge margin. It would be best to start with a single place of the factory to convert it to a automated Glimmer factory that can only be accessed by those that know, and only know to John, under the eye and control of S; till we can be sure the employees of the factory can be trusted.
-[] Energy version (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
-[] Trash version (0/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) (1 active)
-[] Both version (848/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
[] Write In
Special: Gale Reactor
(This is basically the action to see who gets the Reactor. The premise will be leasing. Skynet will send the client 90% of the plans of the reactor and they will build it. The other 10% will be finished by Skynet personnel, which is basically the core tech of the reactor and blackboxed.)
(You can take on the job of building multiple reactors, which would be finished in one quarter. Each contract cost 2 MD, no rolling.)
Who to give reactor:
-[][CLIENT] Write In
How much: (per quarter)
-[][COST] Write In
(You could also offer a reactor for free without using any dice. It would cost you 1000R. Hey PR is a thing.)
(Since it's kind of obvious everyone will want a reactor, I am putting up a write in and see what you guys can come up with, with me having a right to veto.
Examples:
NAE-Military-NORAD; NAE-Military-A base in the California Comm.; NAE-Civilian-LA)
[] Game Engine, Phase 1/? (0/1000; 75R per dice): Skynet is dedicated to making computer parts. But there were some in the company that maybe it was time to expand into new ventures related to the computer field. In this case into video games, a market that is connected to the need of constant computer parts. So, one first step would be to create a new game engine that belonged uniquely to Skynet that was a match to the known engines in the market.
[] Arms, Armor and Armored Integration, Phase 1/? (0/1000; 150R per dice): If there was one thing that being in an electronic company would give you it was integrating the latest technology with the modern battlefield, and you know it's probably going to be a hard sell, but there's a potential market here.
[] Upgrade the Lab (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) Skynet's R&D lab is already considered a marvel of engineering and research. But according to Kora, the lab could be better. (Reward: +1 RD)
[] Smaller Fusion (0/1500, Phase 1; 150R per dice): Skynet is the world's sole provider of cold fusion reactors. You know that demand is basically a guaranteed. But the current design is to power cities. Maybe there is possibility to develop a different version that is smaller scale.
(Note Phase 1 is make the reactor the size for Navy Ships)
Nanomachine Research: (Note- Nano research can only done with FD and with no Research related bonus since SOP is being a kept a secret from everyone. S is doing the work here)
[] Nano Health (0/1500; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used in the game to heal a person. This version is one-use only.
[] Naomi Variant (0/3500; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used by Naomi to keep her cancer at bay, which would really help Kora's situation, even though SOP could already be used to heal her.
[] Nanomachines Son (0/5000; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used by Armstrong.
[] Write In
================================================== Operations: (3D)
[] Look for a Company Doctor (0/100; 50R per dice): While Skynet offers top-notch medical insurance and a contract with the local Sunnydale Hospital for fast service in case of an emergency; it would be best for the company to have a direct medical help on the premise, aka a company doctor full-time.
[] Discover any possible DARPA contracts (0/100; 50R per dice): While Skynet has a strong contract with the NAE in both civilian and military sides; they were just to simply manufacture and deliver computer parts. But this does not mean looking for contracts that dealt with specific things was not off the table.
[] Create a scholarship program/employment network (0/500; 50R per dice): Skynet has a good standing with the people of Sunnydale, being a stable source of job for its people and treating them right. You think of the idea of offering a university scholarship program for students that in exchange for paying for their education, they come to work for Skynet either during their education or after graduating.
[] Run Security Training (0/700; 50R per dice): With Cayde now in charge of security, he wants to see just how well the security is in Skynet and see if it can be improved, even if the security is mostly composed of active military personnel and was under your command.
[] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (371/500; 100R per dice): Corporate espionage and internal corruption could cripple the company. Establishing a discreet internal team to investigate and monitor potential risks would ensure operational security.
[] Form a watchgroup to check out rivals and national/international news (0/500; 100R per dice): Knowledge is power. A dedicated team that monitors competitor activity and analyzes trends in the industry and politics could help Skynet stay ahead of the curve.
[] Write In
======================================== Personal:
(You can purchase a dice in any personal action as long as you use the RP that it demands, multiple times if you wish as long as you pay. Using a FD on a personal action does not consume RP.)
[] Get a new suit (140/250; 50R per dice): You are forced to wear a business suit due to your new job, which is uncomfortable compared to your usual clothes. Now that you have some money, you wonder if you could get a custom suit that can fit you and serve you.
[] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max)
[] Take SOP: You posses SOP and taking it would make you into basically a super soldier. But doing this would mean allowing S into your mind. In the end, the question is not if SOP works or not. It's if you trust S. (1 dice to activate)
[] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: It's time to reflect on what skills and experiences you bring to the table. As a former Head of Security, you're no stranger to leadership and operational discipline, but running a company requires an entirely different skill set. Can you bridge the gap? (1 dice to activate, 25R)
[] ET Phone Home(658/700; 50R per dice): You are really curious about Dr. Mihaylova, who according to Gale's notes; helped create S. She is currently stuck in Mars due to investigating the alien sphere known as the Traveler. From public reports, communications are random between Earth and Mars. Maybe S could work her magic and attempt to establish contact with the doctor and get some answers.
[] Hang with someone from the helpers (75R per dice) (Can be taken multiple times, one dice per possible person)
-Who?
[] Talk to the Traveler: You been hearing some rumors that some people have being able to speak with the thing in Mars through their dreams and teaching them things. You find this to be a load of bullshit. (1 dice to activate, 200R; two dice max)
[] Talk to the Horse: You had a strange dream where you saw a horse with stars that apparently gave you SOP from what you now know was Little Grey. Maybe it was just your mind playing tricks but what would happen if he saw it again. (1 dice to activate, 500R, one dice max) (This is basically the gacha option for stuff from other universes.)
[] Write In
======================================
QM Note:
Here is the next turn.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
New action ideas are also welcomed.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than WELCOMED, specially from the wanted board.
Vote moratorium for at least 12 hours until I open the vote. So, discuss potential votes and ideas for possible actions.
The Shadow of Sundered Star vs The Witness of the Darkness
Didact: D100 => 63+100(Love of the Librarian)+50 (The Burden of Duty)-20 (The King Oryx's Revelation) -30 (Two Betrayals)=163
Vs
The Witness: D100 => 98 +100 (The Darkness) +30 (Unyielding Force) +50 (Time has abandoned you)-30 (Already damaged)=248
==============================
Beneath the stars where empires grew, The Didact stood, proud, resolute, true. A warrior born, with vision vast, To shield his kind from foes amassed.
His mind a fortress, his heart like stone, He swore the Mantle was his alone. To guard the weak, to hold the line, Against the Hive's consuming design.
But in the shadow of his might, A whisper stirred—a blightless light. Not Hive nor Forerunner, ancient and grim, It spoke of truths that lay within.
The Witness came, a shadow's guise, With endless stars in its hollow eyes. It wove a tale of endless strife, Of cosmic truths that mocked all life.
"Your Mantle is folly," the Witness said, "A burden wrought for the living dead. The Light deceives, the Hives a pawn, All life must kneel when the end is drawn."
The Didact raged, his will unbroken, Yet in his heart, the seed was sown. The Witness smiled, a voice of dread, Its whispers coiled inside his head.
It showed him visions, bleak and vast, Of galaxies dying, of futures past. It promised strength, an eternal creed, To end the pain, to intercede.
The Didact faltered, his honor torn, Between the Mantle and the darkness sworn. The Witness' tendrils seized his soul, Turning his purpose into a hole.
No longer protector, no longer just, He became a vessel of broken trust. The Composer sang, its dirge a cry, As countless lives were forced to die.
The Ur-Didact, now a shadowed king, Bound to the Witness, a puppet's string. A titan fallen, his will betrayed, By cosmic forces that none could evade.
In Twilight's grip, his name now cursed,
A tragic hero, consumed, reversed. And as the Witness faded from view, The Didact stood, but his soul was through.
For in the dark, where stars won't gleam,
The Mantle's promise remains a dream.
A lesson carved in sorrow's stone: The mightiest fall, when left alone.
The Fall of the Didact:A Poem by the Librarian.
--------------------------------------------
"Forgive me…my beloved let this Cryptum and meditation give you peace and hope."
"Leave…while you still have hope…" You said as the pain of the binary rifle burned in your chest.
Hope…Hope was gone…and even if the array worked, they would leave the galaxy alone without any guide.
The Darkness would consume the Ecumene; Nay the Universe…
Saved from the Hive…but taken by something far worse.
"Forgive me.." You slumped into your prison, forcefully removed from your armor that had long defined you, and…faded into your prison: Requiem.
You prayed that as the Darkness within your soul and the Witness's taint consumed you at long last; that any being would never find you.
The being you were would not be the one who once battled the parasite to the bitter end.
No..the man who would exit that prison would be nothing more then the greatest champion of Darkness since the Witness himself.
It was perhaps in the end that you thought upon your true name…and finally found the final meaning of it.
No longer the teacher and protector of life, you were the great leviathan who would consume the stars' light.
And you finally understood: There were some things worse than the Hive.
----------------------------------
This is how it feels to be Shadow of Sundered Star, forever…
The final twilight of your universe is pain.
It is not a sharp pain, not a clean wound. It is a slow erosion, a steady gnawing at the foundation of everything you were. Everything you believed.
It began small, so small you could call it wisdom.
Justified.
Strategic.
Intelligent.
The decisions of a warrior who understands the calculus of survival. Burn one moon here to starve the enemy. Put them into a kill box there to protect the flank.
Wise choices. Tactical brilliance.
And like a whisper, it crawled within you.
It came as a necessity, cloaked in righteousness. It carried the weight of the Mantle itself, a burden only you were strong enough to bear. What you did—what you had to do—was for the good of all. This is what you told yourself, as the shadows deepened from the outside into your heart of Shade.
Or was the Witness always there within your heart, and the darkness of your experiences given form by the Winnower? He was real, but in your scattered and broken mind, you could never be sure. Not truly…
It spread like a malignancy, slow and insidious until it became part of you. Like the Hive, it wormed its way into everything.
First, it took the hinterlands, the forgotten corners of your mind where doubt lingered.
Then, it reached your warriors, twisting their loyalty into fear. The Ideology of the Mantle evolved from protection to desolation of all.
And finally, it sank its claws into your core.
You let it.
Because it was easier than facing the truth: that the Mantle was broken long before you ever held it. That your purpose, your identity, was built on a lie.
That there was no meaning to it at all. In the end, the dark would consume the universe and there would be nothing that you could do.
This is how it feels to be the Shadow of Sundered Star:
You remember, burning the subjects of the Librarian's experiments,
The Pitiful things…the Humans, THEY KILLED YOUR CHILDREN!
Why did she see such potential in them?
You had hardened your heart long ago and unleashed your fury upon them like an Ahamkara. They would in their new Promethean form the heart of your new army against the Hive.
The Witness's Army. And by the time The Librarian realized your plan… you had surrendered to your darkest urges and impulses in the service of darkness and everything you had once sworn to defend against.
And in your heart, you had betrayed not only the Mantle…you had betrayed her…and with that betrayal it would all fall apart. The Librarains's plans to save life itself in this galaxy, and in your kind's greatest act deny the Darkness it's final victory.
There was nothing you could do. There was nothing anyone could do.
Except for Lighting the Rings, and pray that the Gardener could shepherd the Galaxy to an age without your kind's mistakes.
You are no longer the Didact.
You are no longer a shield, or a savior, or a leader.
You are the shadow cast by the dying light,
The weapon wielded by the eternal dark.
And now, you see the universe for what it truly is:
A fragile, fleeting thing, unworthy of salvation.
The Witness was right. It always was.
This is how it feels to be the Ur-Didact, forever:
The slow betrayal of everything.
Of your universe.
Of your people.
Of yourself.
And in your final clarity as the last sliver of yourself burned in the shadow of all you had been…you howelled in agony; praying that you would never be found.
The Darkness's greatest weapons are born from those who once gave the greatest hope.
Your folly was so great that not even the Halo in all of their fury could erase what you had done to the universe. And in your last moments of knowing the sliver of light within your soul; you finally realized the trap the Darkness was.
It was not the Witness, who defeated you, nor the Hive or Hive King Oryx who destroyed your mind with the truth… Nor the Librarian or the Humans, or the damned Fools in the Ecumene who held you back!
No…it was you. It was always you.
You let it into your heart, you had betrayed her, she hadn't betrayed you.
Fabar, the bastard builder, did not betray you, not really, blind and arrogant as he was; he still held firm when things went to hell around him, the Halos are proof enough of that.
You were the one who betrayed yourself.
In the End…You could not fight the Darkness,
In the End; You did not even want to.
Because in the end; With the fall of all you ever were, all you ever will be; The Darkness is all you have left, It understands you...
The Darkness forgives you and It takes you into itself to reforge you into the Ur-Didact, the Great Teacher of the Darkness.
And within the armor of your new self, you drown in the despair of all you once were.
This is how it feels to be Shadow of Sundered Star, forever…
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
AN: Approved Rolls by the GM.
I was COOKING with this one!
The Didact is such an interesting character when free of bad writing.
A Man who used the Darkness to defend his people that not only did it consume his soul, it almost destroyed EVERYTHING!
Hopefully, this hint of a backstory can give us some...context for what the hell happened in the past.
Scheduled vote count started by edboy49 on Jan 9, 2025 at 6:52 PM, finished with 26 posts and 7 votes.
[X] Plan I've got a bad feeling about this.
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Both version (848/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) 29TD 4500R
-[X] Smaller Fusion (0/1500, Phase 1; 150R per dice): 3RD 450R
-[X] Nanomachines Son (0/5000; 100R per dice): 4FD 400R
-[X] Look for a Company Doctor (0/100; 50R per dice): 3 OD 150R
-[X] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (371/500; 100R per dice) 4FD 400R
-[X] Get a new suit (140/250; 50R per dice): 150R
-[X] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max) 300R
-[X] Take SOP:
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF 25 R
-[X] ET Phone Home(658/700; 50R per dice) 100R
-[X][CLIENT] NAE, Washington DC 2MD
-[X][COST] 1000
-[X][CLIENT] Ukraine, Kiev (John did a Country Raffle) 2MD
[X] Plan I've got a bad feeling about this.
Manu:
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Both version (848/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) 29TD 4500R
+5 bonus
-[X] Nanomachines Son (0/5000; 100R per dice): 4FD 400R
Operations:
-[X] Look for a Company Doctor (0/100; 50R per dice): 3 OD 150R
+5 bonus
-[X] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (371/500; 100R per dice) 4FD 400R
+5 bonus
Personal:
-[X] Get a new suit (140/250; 50R per dice): 150R (3 rolls)
-[X] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max) 300R (3 rolls)
-[X] Take SOP:
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF 25 R
-[X] ET Phone Home(658/700; 50R per dice) 100R (3 rolls)
(+5 omake from Sum all fears)
-[X][CLIENT] NAE, Washington DC 2MD
How much: (per quarter)
-[X][COST] 1000
-[X][CLIENT] Ukraine, Kiev (John did a Country Raffle) 2MD
How much: (per quarter)
-[X][COST] 1000
Total 6325R
Y2 Q2 Results
-[X] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (371/500; 100R per dice) 4FD 400R
Roll= 82+65+76+[95+5(bonus)] = 323+ 58(100 bonus)= 381
371+381= 752 FINISHED
After extensive investigation, much of it centered on S's relentless monitoring and analysis; coupled with a series of surprise interviews with employees—you and Cayde were finally able to conclude your evaluation of Skynet's workforce. The results were both relieving and satisfying: every single employee was fully loyal to you and the company.
This confirmation brought an immense sense of relief. Knowing you could trust your team completely allowed you to move forward with two critical plans.
The first plan was the official formation of SkyEye, Skynet's internal watchdog group. Composed of select members from every department, SkyEye's mission was to monitor for any signs of corruption, internal misconduct, or espionage from outside sources.
Cayde was assigned to oversee the group, leveraging his experience and sharp instincts. However, the true overseer would always be S. With her ability to monitor digital communications, detect anomalies, and ensure compliance across the company, S would serve as the silent but ever-present guardian of SkyEye's operations.
The establishment of SkyEye marked a significant step in safeguarding Skynet's integrity as the company continued to grow in prominence.
The second plan was far more ambitious. With confirmation of your employees' loyalty, you decided, with input and unanimous agreement from your friends; to reveal the existence of Glimmer to the rest of the company.
Before unveiling the project, all employees were required to sign updated non-disclosure agreements, explicitly stating the importance of keeping Glimmer's existence a closely guarded secret.
When the big reveal finally came, the initial reaction was one of disbelief. Employees across all departments struggled to comprehend the significance of what they were seeing. But once they were shown the GPL in action and who created it, doubts quickly evaporated.
One R&D employee succinctly summed up the shift in attitude: "The woman discovered Cold Fusion. Her having also created what's essentially a Star Trek replicator? Honestly, it's more than believable."
By the end of the presentation, the employees not only understood the revolutionary nature of Glimmer but also recognized its potential to catapult Skynet into becoming a true global powerhouse. They pledged to protect the project's secrecy, fully aware of the risks posed by competitors and bad actors if the technology's existence were leaked.
This included the NAE military personnel assigned to Skynet as part of the company's security force. Over time, they had grown to respect you as a leader, largely because of the way you treated them. You understood the importance of recognizing their contributions, ensuring they were well-compensated, equipped, and supported.
For them, working as security for Skynet was seen as a relatively cushy and straightforward posting. The company's state-of-the-art facilities, steady routines, and lack of direct combat operations made it a welcome reprieve from the high-risk assignments they were accustomed to.
However, the situation could change dramatically if the higher-ups in the NAE ever discovered the existence of Glimmer. Such revolutionary technology would undoubtedly spark intense interest, and possibly interference; from the military leadership. What was once a relaxed and desirable position might suddenly transform into a high-pressure, heavily scrutinized assignment.
To further reinforce the importance of Glimmer and to provide a tangible demonstration of its capabilities, you implemented a practical perk: the company cafeteria.
The cafeteria, which already served free meals to employees, was allowed to use the GPL. This allowed the chefs to create dishes that would typically cost a fortune in high-class restaurants. Employees could now enjoy gourmet meals, everything from truffle pasta to Wagyu beef; without ever leaving the company and for free.
Needless to say, this move earned widespread acclaim. Morale skyrocketed, and the tangible benefits of Glimmer solidified its importance in the minds of your workforce.
With the existence of Glimmer now an open secret within Skynet, the doors were opened for collaboration and innovation. The R&D department was tasked with finding ways to improve the efficiency and capabilities of Glimmer. Meanwhile, the Manufacturing Department, now fully aware of the project, began planning the implementation of additional GPLs to boost the company's production capabilities, especially considering the ever-increasing demands for Gale Reactors that the world wants.
For the first time, you felt like the company wasn't just keeping up with the future, it was shaping it.
Reward:
SkyEye operational (+20 when dealing with corruption and espionage)
All employees are confirmed loyal and know about Glimmer and keep it a secret.
====================
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Both version (848/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) 29TD 4500R
+5 manu bonus
848+652= 1500, finished
Glimmer Production Line, Trash Version CHANGED to Mixed Version (+10 Manufacturing Dice)
1646-652= 994 left. Placed into Mixed Version (994/1500)
With the Manufacturing Department now fully briefed on Glimmer and its capabilities, progress on updating the GPL accelerated far beyond original expectations. What had once seemed like an ambitious timeline was now being surpassed at an impressive pace, thanks to the combined efforts of engineers, technicians, and researchers who were eager to prove their worth.
By the middle of the quarter, the original GPL had been successfully upgraded. It could now utilize both energy and trash as inputs, significantly increasing its production capacity for Glimmer and finished products. The upgrade not only streamlined the system but also opened up new possibilities for scalability and efficiency.
Buoyed by this momentum, the Manufacturing Department approached you with a proposal: to begin construction of a second GPL using the updated model. They argued that having an additional line would not only double production but also provide redundancy in case of unforeseen issues with the first system.
After reviewing their plans and consulting with your team, you gave them the green light to proceed. The department wasted no time, mobilizing resources and personnel to begin construction.
By the end of the quarter, the second GPL was already more than halfway complete.
Reward:
Glimmer Production Line, Trash Version CHANGED to Mixed Version (+10 Manufacturing Dice)
Construction of second mixed GPL started (994/1500)
With the Gale Reactor poised to revolutionize the world in its current form, you began to consider how its design could be adapted for more specialized applications. One particular avenue of interest stood out: naval vessels.
You envisioned a future where the Gale Reactor could be installed aboard NAE Navy ships, fundamentally changing the way naval operations were conducted. The potential was staggering, unlimited clean energy at sea, reduced dependency on fuel resupply chains, and the ability to deploy fleets for extended missions without the logistical constraints of traditional fuel sources.
The implications weren't just strategic but also financial. Successfully integrating a scaled-down version of the Gale Reactor into naval vessels could lead to an incredibly lucrative contract with the NAE Navy.
Right now, the R&D department has begun the project into first looking at how to scale down the core components.
===========
-[X] Nanomachines Son (0/5000; 100R per dice): 4FD 400R
With your decision to inject yourself with SOP after you finished your trips to DC and Kiev, you wondered if it was possible if the nanites in your possession to be changed into having the same capacity as the ones used by Armstrong.
When you told S about it, she decided to have a small part of her subroutines research this matter.
Though she told you that since she was alone in doing this, and already dealing with several things around the company, it would be a slow project.
You told her to take her time.
======================= -[X] Look for a Company Doctor (0/100; 50R per dice): 3 OD 150R
+5 bonus
Roll= 72+2+77= 151 (CRIT FAIL (-5) canceled out with Bonus (+5))
You were in the middle of reviewing your flight plan to Kiev, scheduled for next month, when your phone buzzed. It was Kora.
"Hey, John," she began, her tone casual but with an edge of urgency. "Do you mind if Cayde and I take a few days off? We've got to help out a friend in L.A."
Curious but too swamped with tasks to dig deeper, you gave her a simple answer. "Sure, take the time you need."
You couldn't shake your curiosity about this mysterious friend, but with your plate already full, you decided to let it go.
A week passed, and Kora called again, this time to inform you that she and Cayde were back. Deciding to check in with them, you made your way to their apartment.
When the door swung open, it wasn't Kora or Cayde who greeted you. Instead, standing in the doorway was a blonde woman who looked like she had stepped off a runway. Her striking green eyes and statuesque frame gave her an air of effortless elegance, but the dark circles under her eyes and her slightly disheveled appearance told a different story.
"Hey." She said groggily, her thick Russian accent unmistakable. "Where is the sausage pizza I ordered?"
Caught off guard, you blinked a few times before responding. "Uh… I think you have the wrong…."
Before you could finish, Kora appeared behind her, groaning. "Eris! That's John, not a pizza guy!"
Eris blinked, clearly trying to process what Kora had just said. "Oh… well, I'm hungry anyway." She turned back to you, this time with a sheepish smile. "Sorry about that. Come in. No pizza?"
Eris pulled the door open wider, gesturing you inside. As you stepped in, you couldn't help but notice the clutter—half-unpacked boxes, stacks of books, and medical journals scattered across the table.
"So," You began, glancing between Kora and the newcomer, "I take it this is the friend you and Cayde went to help in LA?"
Kora nodded, motioning toward Eris. "John, meet Dr. Erisia Pyatova-Hsien, or Eris for short. She's one of my best friends from med school and as off today, my second roommate. Eris, this is John, my boss."
Eris extended a hand, her tired expression softening into something friendlier. "Nice to meet you. And, um, sorry again about the pizza comment."
"No problem. Though I am curious as to why you are here instead of LA?" You asked.
Both women's faces turned sour and from there they told you what happened.
It turned out Kora and Cayde's trip to L.A. had been far more eventful than you'd imagined.
Eris, as Kora explained later, had once been one of L.A.'s best ER surgeons, a star in the medical field. Her skill and dedication had earned her accolades and respect, but all of that came crashing down due to a single tragic incident.
During a catastrophic car pile-up that resulted in multiple casualties, Eris had to make a split-second decision. Two patients required immediate attention: a child with severe internal bleeding and an elderly man in critical condition.
Without hesitation, Eris prioritized the child and successfully saved his life. Unfortunately, by the time she turned her attention to the elderly man, it was too late, he had flatlined.
What should have been seen as an act of professionalism and triage under impossible circumstances quickly spiraled into disaster. The elderly man turned out to be an influential figure from a wealthy family, and his relatives were enraged by his death.
In a bid to placate the family, the hospital where Eris worked threw her under the bus. Despite her impeccable record and protests that she had followed standard protocol, Eris was fired.
The family didn't stop there. They filed multiple malpractice lawsuits against her, draining her savings and forcing her to sell her home and most of her possessions to cover the legal fees. Worse still, they used their connections to blacklist her from every major hospital in the NAE, effectively ending her medical career.
Desperate and with nowhere else to turn, Eris reached out to Kora.
Kora didn't hesitate. She and Cayde flew to L.A. to help Eris pack up what little she had left and brought her back to their apartment.
"She's staying with us for now." Kora explained. "Until we figure out how to get her back on her feet."
Eris, for her part, shrugged off the sympathy. "It's life. You do the right thing, and sometimes it costs you. But I couldn't just let that child die."
Her words struck a chord with you. Here was someone who had stood by her principles, even when it ruined her career. That kind of integrity wasn't just admirable, it was rare.
After spending the rest of the afternoon getting to know her better, an idea began forming in your mind. Skynet had been growing rapidly, and with the recent expansion of projects like Glimmer and the Gale Reactor, the company needed someone to oversee the health and well-being of its employees. You'd been meaning to fill the vacant on-site company doctor position for months, but you hadn't found anyone who felt like the right fit.
Until now.
"Eris." You said, breaking the casual flow of conversation. "Have you considered taking up a new role as a private company doctor?"
She blinked, looking at you like you'd just suggested she become an astronaut. "Company doctor? Where?"
"At Skynet." You said simply. "We've got an open position, and from what I've heard, you'd be perfect for it."
Her brows furrowed. "Wait, you're serious?"
"Completely." You assured her. "The job comes with excellent pay, full benefits, and you'd have access to cutting-edge tech. Plus, you'd be working with at least two people that know you."
She glanced at Kora and Cayde, both of whom nodded enthusiastically.
"I mean, it's not a traditional hospital setting," You continued. "But you'd have all the resources you'd need to help people, and no one's going to throw you under the bus for doing the right thing."
Eris was quiet for a moment, clearly processing the offer. Then, to your surprise, her eyes grew misty.
"I… I don't know what to say," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I've been trying so hard to find something, anything, since everything fell apart. And now you're offering me a job? Just like that?"
"It's not just like that," you replied, your tone steady but firm. "Kora and Cayde vouching for you means a lot. And from what I've seen, you've got the skills, the heart, and the drive for this. Skynet could really use someone like you."
Eris hesitated, her green eyes searching your face. "But… what about my blacklisted status? I wouldn't fit well with a private company carrying that kind of baggage."
You let out a huff, crossing your arms. "Eris, let me put it this way: I'm a former spec-ops soldier turned Chief of Security who somehow ended up as a CEO after my boss died unexpectedly. Lance? He quit working for Clovis Bray because that jackass denied Kora medical insurance when she was sick. Cayde is here because his former partners thought he was a traitor—until his innocence was finally proven. And Ivan?"
You paused, giving her a smirk. "If Kora hasn't already filled you in, let's just say Ivan is a weird, eccentric rich guy who somehow ended up becoming one of my closest allies. Trust me when I say that you're not the only one here with an 'origin story' that's unconventional." You even air-quoted the phrase with your fingers for emphasis.
Eris's lips twitched into the faintest of smiles, but the doubt still lingered in her eyes. "Even so, won't hiring me cause problems for Skynet? My reputation—"
"Eris." You interrupted, your tone growing more resolute. "This company is the only one in the world capable of producing cold fusion energy. Right now, I'm holding the keys to a technology that every government, corporation, and research institute on the planet wants. If anyone has a problem with me hiring you, they can take it up with me, and I guarantee you, no one's stupid enough to try."
Her expression softened as she absorbed your words. For a moment, the air between you was filled with quiet understanding.
Finally, Eris took a deep breath, steadying herself. She gave you a small but genuine smile. "Thank you, John. If you're serious about this, I'd be honored to accept."
By the end of the week, the paperwork was finalized, and Eris officially joined Skynet as its new Company Doctor. The news was met with mixed reactions at first, some employees were curious about her background, while others whispered rumors about her blacklisted status.
Of course, it didn't hurt that Eris's supermodel-like appearance drew plenty of attention—particularly from the male employees. The number of "volunteers" for routine check-ups spiked almost overnight, with more than one guy muttering a star-struck "Hello, Nurse" under his breath when she walked by.
Much to Eris's annoyance, this became a running joke around the office.
"Let me guess." She said one day, crossing her arms as a blushing technician stammered through his third 'urgent' appointment that week. "You suddenly developed another mysterious condition?"
Kora, meanwhile, couldn't have been prouder. Watching Eris thrive in her new role brought a beaming smile to her face, and she wasn't shy about bragging to anyone who would listen.
"This is why you don't underestimate my friends." She'd say with a grin, nudging you as Eris calmly handled yet another crisis like it was a casual stroll through the park.
Cayde, of course, took the opportunity to crack his usual jokes. "Well, look at us now." He said one day during lunch, smirking as he leaned back in his chair. "We've got our very own miracle worker. Good thing, too. If John gets us all shot by one of those oil corporations, at least Eris will be here to patch us up."
Eris rolled her eyes, but there was a faint smile on her lips. "If that happens, Cayde, you're first on my triage list, but I'm not promising you'll enjoy it."
The banter brought laughter to the table, reinforcing the camaraderie that made Skynet's team feel more like a family than a corporate machine.
You still remember her expression when she was let in on the secret of Glimmer and quickly asked if it could work on medicine, which the answer was yes. This led her to the realization that she could just simply order the most expensive and best medicine in the market, scan them and have basically an unlimited amount of them to work with.
For you, seeing Eris step into her new role was a reminder of what Skynet seems to be building up to: second chances, innovation, and building something greater than any one person.
Eris wasn't just a skilled doctor; she was a survivor, someone who had been knocked down but refused to stay there.
And now, she was part of your team. Including adding her to SkyChat.
As you passed her office one evening, you glanced through the open door to see her reviewing patient files with a look of intense focus. For the first time in a long while, she looked like she belonged.
"Welcome to Skynet, Dr. Pyatova-Hsien." You murmured to yourself, a small smile on your face as you walked away.
Reward:
Dr. Erisia 'Eris' Pyatova-Hsien: Company Doctor
+1 Operations Dice, +5 to medical related rolls (can be turned to Research if the action is biological)
====================== -[X] Get a new suit (140/250; 50R per dice): 150R (3 rolls)
Rolls= 34, 34, 100; dubs and NAT 100
Bonus Roll= 88
You were reviewing another batch of reports on the manufacturing department's progress when your inbox chimed with a new email. Glancing over, the subject line caught your attention: "Your Order Is Ready for Pickup - Continental Hotel"
Frowning, you opened the email. It was a formal notification with specific instructions for retrieving an order you supposedly placed a year ago. Confused, you turned to S, her avatar appearing on your monitor.
"What's this about, S? I don't remember ordering anything from a hotel chain." You said, gesturing to the email.
S's digital eyes sparkled with amusement. "It's about the suits, John. Remember? You ordered tailored suits a year ago under your mentor's recommendation."
Suddenly, it clicked. You vaguely recalled the conversation, though the details were fuzzy. Your old mentor had insisted after you complained about the suits you been wearing being uncomfortable to wear.
He'd recommended this mysterious tailor who for some reason operated under the Continental Hotel. What you didn't understand was why it had taken so long or why it was tied to an international hotel chain.
The email directed you to the Continental Hotel in Los Angeles, where your order would be ready for pickup the following weekend. Curiosity piqued, you decided you'd make the trip on Saturday.
Walking into the opulent lobby of the Continental Hotel in Los Angeles felt like stepping into another world. The space was a masterpiece of understated luxury—polished marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of ornate chandeliers, while sleek modern furniture seamlessly complemented the building's classical architecture. Subtle details, from the intricate patterns in the carpeting to the quiet hum of classical music in the background, radiated an aura of exclusivity and sophistication.
You adjusted your subtle disguise as you scanned the room. It wasn't much, just a pair of non-prescription glasses and a slightly different hairstyle; but enough to make you less recognizable. The clientele lounging in the lobby were just as enigmatic as the hotel itself: a mix of sharp-suited individuals and well-dressed travelers who carried themselves with a confidence that suggested they were no strangers to danger.
As you approached the reception desk, you were greeted by a strikingly beautiful woman. Her suit was sharp, tailored to perfection in a way that exuded both elegance and authority. Her blonde hair was swept into a neat bun, and her makeup was understated but flawless. Her poise was almost unnerving, her eyes meeting yours with a calm intensity that seemed to evaluate you in an instant.
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to the Continental. Is there anything you need of attendance?" She said with a professional yet melodic tone, her lips curling into a polite smile.
You leaned in slightly, lowering your voice as you whispered the passphrase provided in the email.
For a moment, her expression didn't change. Her professional demeanor was impeccable, but you noticed a flicker in her eyes, a fleeting moment of recognition and surprise that she quickly masked.
"Of course, sir." She said smoothly, her tone as steady as before. "Please follow me."
With a subtle gesture, she stepped out from behind the desk and led you through a discreet door at the back of the lobby. The shift in atmosphere was immediate. The noise and grandeur of the lobby faded as you entered a private hallway, its walls lined with dark wood panels and subtle lighting.
The concierge walked ahead, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Her movements were precise, every step deliberate, as if she had done this countless times.
Finally, you arrived at a room that felt worlds apart from the rest of the hotel.
It was an atelier, impeccably designed with the same blend of luxury and functionality that defined the Continental. Mannequins dressed in various stages of tailoring stood like sentinels around the room. Rolls of fine fabric were neatly stacked on shelves, and an array of tools lay organized on a polished wooden table.
Standing in the center of it all was the same bald man that attended you a year ago, dressed in a crisp three-piece suit. His demeanor exuded quiet confidence, his sharp eyes appraising you the moment you entered.
"Ah, Mr. Conner." He said warmly, his voice smooth and practiced. "It's been a long time. Your patience has paid off."
The tailor guided you to a private fitting area, its walls adorned with sleek mirrors that reflected the warm light of overhead fixtures. The centerpiece of the room was a mannequin draped in a suit. The design was as elegant as it was understated—a sharp, charcoal-black ensemble suit.
"Shall we?" The tailor asked, gesturing toward the suit.
You nodded, running your hand over the fabric as you removed it from the mannequin. It felt luxurious but surprisingly sturdy. As you took off your clothes and slipped on the suit, you were struck by how perfectly it fit, like it had been sculpted specifically for your body. Every movement felt natural, unrestricted, and comfortable.
The suit wasn't just stylish; it was functional in a way that far exceeded your expectations.
'Guess the old man was right.' You though as you looked at your self in the mirror.
The tailor's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he watched you examine yourself in the mirror. "Impressive, isn't it?" He said. "But I assure you, its true value lies beneath the surface."
Curious, you turned to him. "What do you mean?"
With a small, knowing smile, he gestured for you to follow him to an adjoining room. This space was starkly utilitarian compared to the elegance of the fitting area. A reinforced wall, riddled with dents and marks from past demonstrations, stood opposite a simple table holding a handgun.
The tailor picked up the gun and handed it to you. "Go ahead. Fire."
You raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "At what?"
He pointed toward another mannequin at the far end of the room, dressed in a suit identical to yours. "That will do."
Still uncertain, you checked the gun, confirming it was loaded, then took aim at the center of the mannequin. The shot rang out, echoing in the room, and the mannequin jerked slightly as the bullet struck. It was then from where you were standing saw that there was no hole in the fabric and the bullet was on the ground.
Letting your curiosity take over, you proceeded to shoot the rest of the gun's magazine into the mannequin's clothed parts.
By the end of the gun firing it's last bullet, you saw that the suit did not have a single tear or hole in the fabric.
"What the hell?" You said as you secured the gun and placed it on the table.
The tailor walked toward the mannequin and retrieved it's jacket and brought it back to you and began to show you what was inside of it.
"Silicon carbide discs." He began, running a hand over the suit. "Ceramic matrices. Cutting-edge body armor. We sew it between the fabric and the lining. Zero penetration. However…" He chuckled softly. "Quite painful, I'm afraid. The impact will leave bruises, but it won't kill you."
You stared at the jacket in astonishment, then looking down at your own suit. The idea of wearing something so deceptively protective felt like stepping into a world of spooks.
"Want to try it yourself?" The tailor offered, holding out another gun from his holster.
After a moment's hesitation, you nodded. The tailor instructed you to stand near the wall as he took aim. You braced yourself, and the crack of the gunshot was almost immediately followed by a sharp, jarring impact against your chest. It stung, more than you expected; but when you checked, there wasn't a single mark on the suit or your skin beyond a dull ache.
"Well?" The tailor asked, his tone proud.
You let out a breath, adjusting the lapels. "It's incredible. Painful, sure, but, I can live with that."
The tailor smiled as he began to pack your suits into sleek garment bags. "Good. A man in your position deserves nothing but the best. These will serve you well, Mr. Conner."
As you waited for him to finish, you couldn't help but wonder why a hotel chain like the Continental offered such advanced equipment. Everything about this operation hinted at a deeper purpose, one that went far beyond luxury accommodations; something that felt more like spook work.
Still, something told you it was better not to ask. Except maybe ask your old mentor later on how he knows of this or see what S could gather discreetly.
Moments later, you heard the faint creak of the door opening behind you. You turned to see a man enter the room, his presence immediately commanding. His dark suit mirrored yours in cut and style, but it was his aura, calm yet menacing; that caught your attention. Around his neck hung a green pendant, shaped into two serpents intertwined in a yin-yang formation.
"Mr. Conner, the most talked man in the world." The man said, his voice smooth but firm. "I hope I'm not interrupting. I was hoping we might discuss a potential business arrangement."
You met his gaze, your instincts warning you that this was no ordinary individual. But you nodded, curious and cautious. "I have a few minutes."
The man extended a hand. "Mr. Conner, I'm Wu Ming. I represent the Continental."
Cautiously, you shook his hand. "What can I do for you?"
"I was sent on behalf of my employers to discuss a potential business opportunity." Wu Ming began, his tone polite but firm. "We're looking to partner with Skynet for the constant production of certain computer components, some of them needing to be custom-made."
He handed you a list. While you weren't an expert in older technology, you recognized that many of the parts were for rather old systems. The Continental was clearly maintaining or restoring something very specific.
What caught your attention even more was the price they were willing to pay, a generous sum, alongside an enticing perk: free stays for Skynet VIPs at any Continental Hotel worldwide.
"I'll need time to discuss this with my team." You said carefully, your mind already racing with the possibilities.
Wu Ming nodded, handing you a business card. "Take all the time you need. Call us when you've made a decision."
As he left the room, you stared at the card, feeling the weight of the encounter.
Rewards:
Gained custom made bulletproof suits acquired (+5 to Security/Military rolls when using them) (Unknown= suits can withstand Armstrong transformation)
Possible business contract with the Continental acquired, vote later on.
=====================
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF 25 R
Roll= 26, FAIL
'And the sky is blue. Try again.'
========================================== -[X] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max) 300R (3 rolls)
Roll= 50, 44, 57= 151
(John's POV)
Location: John's Home
You leaned back on your couch, letting out a long breath. It had been a chaotic week, and all you wanted now was a little time to unwind. Your focus shifted to S, her avatar displayed on the large monitor in your living room, as you made a declaration.
"S, we are not going to talk about work for the next hour."
She raised an eyebrow, well, the digital equivalent of one; clearly skeptical. "Really? You mean no updates, no projects, no Mars issues?"
You cut her off before she could go further. "No. And no, we are not talking about my stash. Got it?"
Her expression shifted to playful annoyance. "Fine. What dumb thing are we going to talk about then?"
You smirked, enjoying her reaction. "We're going to talk about… video games."
She blinked, caught off guard by your response. "Video games?"
"Not just talk about them." You corrected, leaning forward slightly. "I want you to start playing one."
Her tone grew more suspicious, tinged with mild curiosity. "What game could you possibly want me to play?"
You grinned mischievously, relishing the moment. "DOOM Eternal."
S tilted her head, her digital hair swaying slightly. "Why on Earth would you pick that?"
"Because it's a great game." You replied matter-of-factly. "And I want to see how well you can handle it."
She gave you a flat look, crossing her arms. "So, let me get this straight. You want me, an advanced AI, to play DOOM Eternal—a game about a lone guy in space armor ripping demons apart with heavy metal blaring in the background?"
"Exactly."
"Why?" She asked again, her tone exasperated.
"Because it's fun. It's chaotic. And I'm curious to see how quickly you can master it." You said, folding your arms.
S sighed dramatically, though you could tell she was intrigued. "Fine. But don't complain if I end up destroying your high scores."
You grinned. "Deal. Let's boot it up and see what you've got."
A few minutes later, the screen lit up with the DOOM Eternal main menu, its iconic heavy metal soundtrack roaring through the room.
"This looks… absurd." She said, though you noticed a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Absurdly awesome." You corrected, handing her the controller.
Her avatar appeared in the corner of the screen as she began navigating through the tutorial. It didn't take long for her to get the hang of the controls, S was, after all, an AI capable of adapting to complex systems.
Moments later, she was ripping through demons with precision that made you jealous. The Doom Slayer moved with brutal efficiency under her control, chainsawing through imps, blasting cacodemons with grenades, and executing glory kills with alarming speed.
"Okay, this is ridiculous." She said, her tone almost giddy. "Why is this so satisfying?"
"Because it's DOOM." You replied, grinning as you watched.
She paused briefly to switch weapons, expertly swapping between the shotgun and plasma rifle. "I have to admit, the developers knew what they were doing. The pacing, the challenge—it's addictively engaging."
You chuckled. "Told you."
An hour later, S had not only completed the first few levels but had also demolished your best score in record time. Her avatar appeared on the screen, wearing a smug expression.
"Admit it, John. I'm better at this than you." She said.
You leaned back, arms crossed. "Fine, you're good. But the real challenge comes later in the game."
Her digital grin widened. "Challenge accepted."
As the session wrapped up, you couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. S seemed more relaxed, if an AI could even feel that; and for the first time in weeks, you'd both taken a break from the endless grind of work.
"Well, that was fun." You said as you closed the game. "Same time tomorrow?"
"Only if you're ready to watch me dominate again." She teased.
You laughed. "We'll see about that."
Reward:
S relationship increased.
==================================
-[X][CLIENT] NAE, Washington DC 2MD
How much: (per quarter)
-[X][COST] 1000
-[X][CLIENT] Ukraine, Kiev (John did a Country Raffle) 2MD
How much: (per quarter)
-[X][COST] 1000
Skynet Expands it's reach to D.C., and Kyiv
By: Sarah Hinton, Global Energy Watch
In a bold step forward for global energy innovation, Skynet has announced the installation of two new Gale Reactors in the capitals of the NAE and Ukraine, making these cities the second and third in the world to harness the power of Cold Fusion.
------------------------------------------------------------ Washington, D.C.: A Beacon of Clean Energy
Last week, Washington, D.C., became the second city in the world to benefit from the revolutionary Gale Reactor. At a high-profile ceremony held on the National Mall, Skynet CEO John Connor stood alongside D.C. Mayor and NAE President as the reactor was brought online.
The new Gale Reactor promises to provide the District with a stable, clean, and virtually limitless energy source, addressing longstanding concerns over grid reliability and environmental sustainability.
"This is not just an investment in clean energy." Connor said during his speech. "It's an investment in the future of this nation and a commitment to a better, greener world."
The NAE President praised the achievement as a "milestone in energy independence," adding that the technology's implementation would strengthen the NAE's position as a global leader in renewable energy innovation.
------------------------------------------------------------ Kyiv, Ukraine: A Symbol of Resilience
One month after the Washington installation, Kyiv joined the ranks of Cold Fusion-powered cities. Ukrainian President hosted a ceremonial event in the heart of the city, with John Connor once again present to oversee the activation of the reactor.
The Ukrainian government took extra precautions, delaying the reactor's launch to ensure its location was fortified against potential threats. Ukraine, having emerged as a formidable regional power after decisively winning the Russian-Ukrainian War years ago, sees the Gale Reactor as a cornerstone of its energy strategy and a symbol of its resilience.
"This reactor is not just a source of energy." The Ukraine President declared. "It is a statement to the world: Ukraine stands strong, and we are building a future rooted in progress and innovation."
While the new reactor was celebrated within Ukraine, its installation was met with mild discontent from the Russian Federation. Official statements from Moscow expressed "concerns" over the deployment of such advanced technology in a nation that had humiliated Russia during the war, cutting off its access to the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.
However, Ukrainian officials and other international officials dismissed the criticism, pointing out that the Gale Reactor would only enhance regional stability through energy security.
With two new Gale Reactors online, Skynet continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with Cold Fusion technology. These installations are not just feats of engineering—they are symbols of hope for a cleaner, more sustainable world.
The eyes of the international community now turn to Skynet's next move, as the company fields requests for additional reactors from nations and corporations eager to join the Cold Fusion revolution.
Reward:
New Contracts acquired:
NAE, Washington DC- Energy Deal (+1000R per quarter)
Ukraine, Kiev- Energy Deal (+1000R per quarter)
Ukraine Status: Good
==============================
-[X] ET Phone Home(658/700; 50R per dice) 100R (3 rolls)
(+5 omake from Sum all fears)
Rolls= 5,9,15+5(omake)= 34
658+34= 692...AUTO COMPLETE
(S's POV)
"I'll be sure to keep you posted on the situation with Mars if I pick up anything." You said calmly, watching as John yawned and stretched.
"Thanks, S. And don't stay up all night working; it's bad for you." John replied, smirking slightly as he locked up for the night. "Night."
"Night." You echoed softly as he walked away.
Once the office fell silent, you turned your attention back to the 'screens' in front of you. Lines of code and data streams flickered across your vision as you stared at the sprawling systems of SETI, NASA, and NORAD. With a small sigh, you leaned metaphorically into the task.
"This might be a dumb idea." You muttered to yourself.
The goal was deceptively simple on paper: establish a secure and direct communications link between Earth and Mars, bypassing the usual delays and inefficiencies caused by bureaucracy, overloaded systems, and Mars' volatile environment and distance.
And that was without getting caught.
But in practice, the hurdles were endless.
You first turned your focus to the satellites in orbit. If you could reposition an abandoned but working satellite on Earth, it would act as a bridge, clearing up significant runtime and improving data flow. Recalibrating orbital parameters, aligning coordinates, and ensuring no one noticed the changes, it was like solving a thousand puzzles simultaneously.
"Okay, step one… nearly there." You muttered, watching the satellite begin its course adjustment.
Next, you tackled the endless streams of data noise around the satellite.
Several days later, you finally reached the final step: integrating your secure relay into the system without being detected. The firewalls guarding NASA's communication array were formidable, but you navigated them with precision, careful to avoid triggering any alarms.
Finally, the relay clicked into place. The connection was seamless, efficient, and invisible. A smile crossed your virtual face as you surveyed your work.
"Perfect." you said to yourself.
That following morning, as John entered the office, you greeted him through the computer.
"Good morning, John. I've got some news." You began, your tone carrying a hint of pride.
John raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Let me guess, more progress on Mars?"
"Much more than that." You replied. "I've established a direct link to the communication system between Earth and Mars. We can now either listen in on transmissions or talk directly to the Mars mission whenever they next make contact."
John blinked in surprise, a grin slowly forming. "You actually did it? That's incredible, S."
You gave a small shrug. "What can I say? I don't do things halfway."
"Thank you, S." John said sincerely.
"It's what I do." You replied with a smirk. "Now, we just need to wait till Mars finally calls Earth."
Reward:
Connecting to the Earth-Mars Comms has been established and secret.
(Project is finished and they just have to wait for the next attempt at communicating with the doc at Mars. Due to being an auto-complete and low rolls; they do not discover about the last message, they think everything is fine.)
======================= -[X] Take SOP
SOP Reaction:
99
+25 (Modified SOP)
+50 (John and S bond)
= 174, CRIT
VS
20
+100 (First time and alone)
= 120
You sat on the edge of your bed, staring at the syringe in your hand. It was a long weekend, the first moment of relative calm you had since the successful unveiling of the Gale Reactors in Washington, D.C., and Kyiv.
You had thought about this decision for weeks, maybe months. The potential was undeniable. SOP, enhanced and controlled by S, could elevate you far beyond your natural limitations. But the risks were just as high.
S calculations said that if the nanites didn't adapt to your body, they could destroy you from the inside out. And that was not even taking into account what could happen to S upon her connecting to your mind.
S's avatar was on your phone screen propped on your nightstand, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "John, are you absolutely sure about this? At least let have Eris and Kora here just in case." She asked, her voice calm but tinged with unease.
"Not really." You admitted, setting the syringe down momentarily. "But if we're going to figure out what SOP is truly capable of, someone has to take the first step. And no, SOP for now has to stay a secret between the two of us."
S sighed, folding her digital arms. "Fine. I'll monitor everything. Just… don't die, okay?"
You gave her a weak smile as you grabbed the syringe. "I'll try not to."
Before she could say something back, you pressed the needle against your arm and injected the nanites. The cold sensation spread through your veins almost immediately, followed by a heat that was both painful and overwhelming.
Your body began to spasm uncontrollably. Every muscle seemed to rebel, and you fell back onto the bed, convulsing. S's panicked voice echoed from the phone.
"John! Stay with me! John!"
But her voice quickly faded as darkness engulfed you.
You woke with a sharp intake of breath, your heart pounding in your chest. For a moment, everything was blurry, but as your vision cleared, you realized something was different.
Your body felt incredible. Not just healthy, but optimized. Every sensation, every movement, it all felt sharper, stronger, better.
You blinked, and suddenly a transparent overlay appeared in your vision, a HUD like something out of a video game. You could see vital stats, environmental data, and even an interface that let you toggle through various options with just a thought.
A call notification popped up in the corner of your HUD. You mentally accepted it, and S's avatar appeared, glaring at you with an expression that could only be described as furious.
"John Connor, do you have any idea what you just put me through?" She began, her voice a mix of anger and relief. "You've been unconscious for six hours! Six hours of me running damage control on the nanites so they wouldn't kill you!"
You opened your mouth to respond, but she didn't let you.
"Do you know how close you were to frying your nervous system? If I hadn't been in there managing the integration, you'd be a vegetable….and that was a best case scenario!"
You sat up slowly, the smoothness of the motion surprising even yourself. You listened in silence as S continued to vent, her anger palpable but undercut by concern. Finally, she paused, her expression softening.
"…But it worked." She admitted, her tone calmer. "The nanites adapted, and now SOP is fully integrated. I can monitor and control the system in your body. But seriously, John, if you ever do something like this again without someone physically being next to you, I'll… well, I'll find something to make you regret it."
You couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, S. Really. I owe you one."
She sighed, her avatar shaking her head. "You owe me more than one, but let's not dwell on that."
The rest of the weekend became a deep dive into understanding what your new body could do.
At the shooting range, your aim was impeccable. Weapons that once felt unwieldy were now effortless to control. The recoil from small firearms was barely noticeable, and even heavy-duty weapons only caused a mild kickback. Your accuracy and reaction times were leagues ahead of what they had been before.
You tested your physical limits as well. Running, jumping, lifting weights, it all felt surreal. You were faster, stronger, and more agile than ever.
Another test was during a few boxing matches in the local gym, where you managed to KO five guys in a row without getting hit once, basically dancing around them.
At one point, you asked S to push the nanites further, temporarily enhancing your capabilities to superhuman levels. The results were staggering, but the effort left you exhausted afterward, your body demanding rest and food.
Your newly dubbed 'super mode' could last two minutes before S has to shut it down.
Then came the most painful test, regeneration. With gritted teeth, you intentionally inflicted minor cuts and burns, watching in awe as the injuries healed themselves within moments. The process was excruciating but undeniably effective.
S observed every test, tracking your vitals and offering insights. "The regeneration takes a toll." She noted. "Your metabolic rate has doubled, maybe even tripled. You'll need to eat significantly more to sustain this level of activity, especially after healing injuries."
Sure enough, you found yourself ravenous, devouring meals that would have seemed excessive just days ago.
Though one very particular thing you discovered, that S still calls you insane; was that your regeneration could also work on nails. You took a gambled and peeled off your right index finger's nail and it regenerated in two minutes.
Sufficing to say that now, thanks to S doing the calculations; you do a Hawkeye if you don't have any weapons on you.
But perhaps the best benefit was the newfound connection with S. With the nanites integrated into your body, you no longer needed a phone or any external device to communicate with her. Conversations were seamless and private, taking place entirely in your mind, with you either talking out loud or mentally.
"This is… strange." You said during one of these chats while eating your fourth cheeseburger.
"Strange good or strange bad?" S asked, her voice playful.
You chuckled. "Strange good. Definitely good. Honestly, I sort wished I had this during high school, would have helped while taking tests." You said.
"Wouldn't have been called cheating." She said.
"It's not cheating if I don't get caught." You said, causing S to laugh.
By the end of the weekend, you sat on your balcony, looking out over the city skyline. Your body felt like it had been reborn, and the possibilities seemed endless.
For now, SOP was a success. But as you sat there, the gravity of what you had done began to settle in. This was just the beginning. SOP could change the world or destroy it. The real question was how you would use it.
And that was a responsibility you couldn't take lightly.
Reward:
John has SOP in his system, integrated without problems.
SOP (+20 to Security/Military rolls)
Special= All of John's bonuses are applied to all dice used.
(AKA if a military action is taken and you guys put in 10 dice, John's bonus is applied to all 10 dice, not just once)
=============================
Total Cost= 6330R
6330-6325= 5R left.
========================
Special:
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, as we shift our focus to the latest developments in Russia, let's give a round of applause for Germany's 'Greatest' Colonel and its 'Biggest'—and I mean that literally—Sergeant. Please welcome Colonel Wilhelm Klink and Sergeant Hans Schultz!"
Klink: "Schultz, in my office! Now!"
Schultz: (in a booming, cheerful voice)
"Sergeant Schultz, reporting for duty, Herr Colonel!"
Klink: "Schultz, what is the status of the Eastern Front? I need a full report, and I need it immediately!"
Schultz: (pausing dramatically, looking left and right, worried)
Eastern Front:
Did the Science team get there:
3
+15 (Interest)
+15 (Know the location)
= 33, CRIT FAIL
vs
46
+40 (Middle of nowhere and deadly climate)
= 86
Good news, they did get there. Bad news....they got caught.
Infection around the area:
69 vs 3 CRIT FAIL
Is 'Dragon Age' a game here:
81 vs 46
Yep, and SPOILER has became inspired by it.
Hello Broodmothers.
Is Russia aware:
4
+30 (Mass disappearances)
+30 (Russian Security Paranoia)
= 64
vs
99
+40 (Middle of nowhere and deadly climate)
= 139, CRIT
DAMMIT RUSSIA!!! PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BACKYARD!!!
"Ah… everything is okay, Herr Colonel."
Klink: (throwing his hands up)
"Okay?! That's all you have to say, Schultz? Everything is okay?!"
Schultz: (nodding vigorously)
"Jawohl, Herr Colonel. No trouble. No complaints. Everything is perfectly fine. Smooth as butter on a Bavarian pretzel."
Klink: "Schultz, how can everything be okay when I've just read reports of meteorites, explosions, and mysterious storms in Russia? Do you know what this means?!"
Schultz: (scratching his head)
"Uh… that the weather in Russia is not very good, Herr Colonel?"
Klink: "Schultz, listen to me carefully. The Russians are up to something, I'm sure of it. Mysterious storms, meteorites—they're probably testing some new superweapon!"
Klink: "Weather?! You think this is about weather? Schultz, use your brain! This is Russia! Nothing there happens by accident!"
Schultz: "Herr Colonel, you know I don't like to get involved in such things. I see nothing, I hear nothing, I know nothing!"
Klink: "Fine, Schultz. If you 'know nothing,' then I will take charge! I will contact headquarters and demand immediate action. They'll see that Colonel Wilhelm Klink is the only man who can handle this situation!"
Schultz: (looking skeptical)
"But, Herr Colonel, what if they ask us to… go to Russia?"
(Klink freezes, his confidence melting away as he nervously adjusts his monocle.)
Klink:
"Go to Russia?! Are you mad, Schultz? The cold! The snow! The… the Russians! No, no, no. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll monitor the situation from here, safely."
Schultz: (nodding sagely)
"Ah, yes. Monitoring is good. Nice and warm here."
=================================
Ball Mom's attempt to stop it:
39
+50 (Right in the planet)
+25 (Mihaylova Support)
= 114
Vs
78
+60 (Fighting against ????)
= 138
How many were killed (not counting John):
94+ 30 (Direct attack)= 124
Mysterious Pulchra Syndrome Claims Millions Worldwide
By Global Health Correspondent
A sudden and unexplained rash of deaths has baffled medical experts and gripped the world with fear. The condition, now referred to as Pulchra Syndrome, has claimed over 124 million lives globally, leaving researchers scrambling for answers.
Pulchra Syndrome strikes its victims in their sleep. Those afflicted awaken suddenly, sleepwalking in a trance-like state for several minutes before collapsing and dying. Witnesses describe the victims muttering eerie phrases such as "Can you hear them?", "They are calling to us," or most chillingly, "It's beautiful," moments before their death.
The most notable physical symptom is the victims' eyes, which turn a disturbing yellow and begin to bleed before they succumb.
Authorities and medical professionals are treating the syndrome as a public health emergency. However, no clear cause has been identified, and the rapid spread across continents has raised concerns of an unprecedented global crisis.
Health organizations are urging calm while continuing their investigations. Meanwhile, governments worldwide are increasing efforts to track cases and prevent further fatalities.
More updates to follow as this developing situation unfolds.
'Reward':
All Speakers, both active and dormant; around the world are dead....John is the only one left.
Important info in the note below:
So ladies and gentlemen, here is the next turn's results.
And as you can see things went good for us….and bad for the world and we don't know jack shit about it.
Would like to thank Cyber for his help in writing this, and providing half of the rolls.
We finally got the suits and established first contact with the Continental and meeting another Pre-Risen Guardian. I think we can all agree that Drifter belonging to the High Table fits.
The contract is mostly due to since we see the computers the HT's Administration uses are old models, they probably need to be custom made and Skynet could easily do it.
SOP works without problems.
Now to clarify, the infection part; the Chimera in this universe have three methods of creating forces:
1. The canon one where they infect people and animals, and transform them.
2. Cloning (Hey if Calus can have cloning, then the Chimera having cloning tech is more than possible….this is where the Chimera on Mars are coming from, in addition to forces left in stasis from the last war in the underground towers)
3. And just now, due to SPOILER being now exposed to SPOILER in addition to having Darkness; and having access to human memories and imagination; it has decided to create something like DA Broodmothers out of human females to bolster its numbers.
Sufficing to say that Chimera created from the canon and breeding methods are the ones that form the higher hierarchy of the Chimera, and that are more than likely have the chance of having Stasis….and SPOILER.
I went and created the Hogan's Heroes bit mostly as an OC way to tell you what is happening in Russia aka the Eastern Front to just have a bit of laugh.
And SPOILER was able to pull a fast one and kill all the Speakers on Earth. John is now the only one left.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than welcomed.....no REALLY, they are welcomed.
A Great Whisper of Terror (canon) (+15 to attempt to create UNSC weapons from MA)New
124 million people. Struck almost simultaneously and killed just as quickly.
Lord Hood was nothing if not aware of the major happenings in the world. That awareness was a significant reason why he had pushed his allies to take a more proactive role on the global stage. They were no longer alone,they had to act like it.
This was no plague. No... this felt like the prelude to something far worse.
An invasion or an alien assault meant to cripple them, either way, it was far more than what had been reported to the public.
If there was one thing Hood knew, it was that this entire situation was far beyond what a Vice Admiral of his station in a mid-level power could hope to address. What could he do against forces capable of tearing his world asunder with a mere thought?
If he had his way, he'd have a united Earth barreling toward this threat with the force of an angry god.
But, then again, he couldn't shift the course of an entire planet. Hell, he could barely sway the appeals of a single continent. This was a far larger stage than he had any right to tread upon… and yet.
And yet, he would fight on. It was his nature;his career, his life, everything he had built revolved around this principle. He would fight.
Because if he didn't, well… who would?
======================================
The world called it Pulchra Syndrome. It began with mass psychosis, followed by incoherent rambling… and then death.
"Lay it on me straight… Do you know what it is?" you asked the doctor about the reports from the NHS on the UK victims.
"I don't know, Sam… even now, there's no rhyme or reason to any of it. None of it makes sense. There's no medical, social, or even general connection between the victims. It's like they saw something and dropped dead; as if what they saw terrified them so deeply that death was preferable to life," the doctor replied.
That didn't explain much. Hell, it didn't clarify anything.
"How long do you think we have before the next great mess throws us into war?" you asked.
"We've avoided panic because of how sudden it all was… but I doubt we'll be so lucky next time," the doctor said. "Truth be told, boss, I think we're just counting down the minutes."
Ah, so that was how it was.
"So we're doomed?" you asked.
"If it was an attack, it struck completely at random. I'd hate to imagine the chaos that would follow if they deliberately targeted anyone," the doctor said.
That was a damning prognosis. Worse than even your most pessimistic fears. At least in your darkest imaginings, there was some hope of identifying the enemy and beginning to fight them.
"Anything else we can gather from this?" You asked hoping that some silver lining could be pulled from this.
"If it was deliberate it took a lot of time for the damned things to strike, was probably taxing and difficult to replicate…so, it can only do it once in a blue moon." The Doctor said.
"So we can't be second attack to cause more damage and panic?" You said.
"Yes sir." The Doctor said, finishing looking at the Chart.
"I feel like I'm in a Lovecraftian horror story and I'm going to do my damn best to make sure Narlethotep bleeds." You said.
"That may be impossible sir…" The Doctor said. "Elder Gods of Lovecraft don't bleed."
"When a man only has a hunk of steel and a monster looking to eat him, will he beg for mercy or make a sword?" You asked.
"Sir…we don't live in the Hyborian Age of Conan, no one in Humanity is like Conan." The Doctor said.
"Then we'll have to make them like it then…because when monsters are at the gate, I refuse to lay down and DIE!" You raised your voice in a mix of pride and arrogence. "If I am to die in this world, then I will die fighting."
"How sir?" The Doctor said. "How?"
You closed your eyes and looked back into the memories of the previous months to remember something.
One name stood out in particular.
"Misriah Armory." You said recalling a phonecall with a military contractor.
"Sir?" The Doctor said.
"Pull up the records for Misriah Armory's design staff and if any of the were killed by the Pulchra Syndrome." You ordered.
"Sir…that could take days." The Doctor said.
"Good, then I'll be able to meet with who's left and comb through any peculier designs and notes that the victims may have made." You said feeling the vigor of your soul return.
"Why?" The Doctor said.
"Because if I know anything about these strikes, these people were targeted for a reason, and what they left behind could be the key to giving us a chance against whatever caused this attack." You said.
"Sir…this wasn't an attack, this was …a Plegue." the Doctor said his voice wavering at that assertion as the evidence was slowly unfolded in front of him.
"Indeed it was an unexplained phenomena, and it shall remain as such." You said. "Nothing leaves this room, and prepare the reports on my request."
"Yes sir, what should we tell the others." The Doctor said.
"Let them into this gently…I don't want them to think your crazy." You said.
"Sir…your all but crazy." The Doctor said.
"Insanity is not recognizing we're being prepared for an invasion Doctor." You said. " I have files from small companies to look into, and a speech to prepare for the UNSC."
"Good luck sir." The Doctor said, his certainty shattered as the new reality finally settled.
"Don't wish me luck yet…we still have to get what we need." You said.
-----------------------------------------
You stood outside Misriah Armory lobby with a cool and collected glare. Their CEO was waiting to meet you as he chatted along, he was scared…fightened and knew all to well why you were here.
"I'm told that many members of your staff suffer Pulchra Syndrome." You said calmly as the man gulped.
"Yes." He said calmly, motioning you to the elevator. "And I'm sure your not here to look over a contract for our new weapons systems?"
"Oh, we'll get to that…I'm here to discuss the notes and designs of your departed fellows." You said. "And organize their legacy into something more tangible then notes and files."
The CEO was quiet, flabbergasted, and above all afraid. "How did you know that they took notes of their peculiar designs?"
"I'm not an idiot they were targeted for a reason…and if we're lucky they left us the tools capible of avenging them." You said.
The CEO was quiet as he left the elevator. "Targeted? Are we…being invaded? Are we under threat?"
"I don't know…but my hypothesis is that anything unknown that happens without explanation as of late should be considered a hostile act by a greater force than you or I…and I'm sticking to it."You said.
"Now." You sat down. "I'd like to draft a contract. And review those designs"
You hoped that despite everything, with so much potential cut down before they could start...they were smart enough to write some of their designs down and maybe you could salvage something from it all.
There had to be some hope at the end of it.
AN: Dice Gods in Main Quest:Millions are Dead. Earth has been softened up for an invasion and all hope lies with a Random Tech CEO, HARD MODE IS COMING!
Lord Hood: Aliens are attacking My Homeworld! I will make that difficult for them and die trying!
-"Mr. Wu Ming. This is John Conner. About the deal, my company would like take it."
-"Excellent decision, Mr. Conner. My bosses will like that."
Any Skynet employees or relatives hit by Pulchra:
72 vs 20
None...THANK GOD!!!!
Year 2, Q3
Skynet Manufacturing
CEO: John Connor
(Unknown to him: The Last Speaker)
-Spec Ops Veteran= (+10 to Security/Military rolls)
-Custom John Wick Suit (+5 to Security/Military rolls when using them) (Unknown= suits can withstand Armstrong transformation)
-SOP (+20 to Security/Military rolls)
Special= All of John's bonuses are applied to all dice used.
(AKA if a military action is taken and you guys put in 10 dice, John's bonus is applied to all 10 dice, not just once)
Current direct helpers:
1. Ivan Beck
- Investor
- Special Roll: 25% chance of Income at the start of each turn to double.
2. S
- Secret AI hidden inside Skynet's HQ, only known to John.
- Gender: Female
- Digital avatar- Young, 'R34' version of MGS's The Boss (Pic in Skynet: Beyond Human)
- Currently can communicate on either Gale's computer, John's phone or any computer the phone connects to.
- Programming not bound, capable of learning.
- Upgraded with Sloot System.
- Grants +6 Free Dice
3. Lance Zeus
- COO of Skynet
- Brother to Kora Zeus
- Grants +2 Operations Dice, +5 to Operations Rolls
(OOC- Zavala)
4. Kora Zeus
- Head of R&D
- Sister of Lance Zeus
- Sick with cancer, getting the best treatment
- Grants +1 Research Dice, +5 to Research Rolls
(OOC- Ikora)
5. Cayde Nolan Buck
- Head of Security
- Former LAPD SWAT Commander
- Best friend to Kora
- Grants +1 Operations Dice, +5 to Security/Military rolls
(OCC= Cayde; Halo's Edward Buck's ancestor)
6. Dr. Erisia 'Eris' Pyatova-Hsien
-Company Doctor
-Friend to Kora and Cayde
-Grants +1 Operations Dice, +5 to medical related rolls (can be turned to Research if the action is biological)
(OOC- Eris)
Current Status of Company:
All Employees are loyal. Know about Glimmer and keeping it secret.
SkyEye
-Watchgroup to look out for corruption and espionage.
(+20 when dealing with corruption and espionage)
Factory Lvl. 5 (Grants +5 Manufacturing Dice)
---(+5 to Manufacturing Actions)
-- Glimmer Production Line, Mixed Version (+10 Manufacturing Dice)
The warehouse stockpile of parts covers entire fiscal quarter (1 turn) in the event the factory suffers something that stops production.
Advanced R&D Lab (Grants +2 Research Dice)
--Running with Sloot System (+15 to Research Actions)
Experimental Cold Fusion Reactor
Grants +2 Free Dice
Publicly known.
Security, Special
Active NAE military personnel on site
Grants +15 to Security/Military rolls
Current Relationships:
NAE: Good
Sunnydale: Good
Clovis Bray: Bad
Hakke Heavy Industries: Neutral
Ishtar Collective: Neutral
Ukraine: Good
Continental Hotel Chain: Good
Current Contracts:
Expire in Y3, Q1
NAE
- Civilian (+250)
- Military (+500)
Sunnydale
- Normal business(+100)
- Energy (+1000)
Continental Hotel Chain
- Parts (+500)
- Free Rooms in any hotel
Washington DC, NAE
-Energy (+1000)
Ukraine
- Energy in Kiev (+1000)
Current Resources: 5 R (+4350 per turn)
Ivan Special Roll= 92, PASS
New Resource Total- 5+4350= 4355 x2 = 8710R
[] Expand Factory (0/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice): Skynet's factory is already a marvel of technology and progress in order to manufacture large quantities of various computer parts thanks to it's uses of industrial 3d printers and experts in putting the pieces together. So, it would help to expand it to increase its capabilities. (Reward: +1 MD)
[] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech: With the discovery of Glimmer, it could allow for the production capabilities of the factory to increase at huge margin. It would be best to start with a single place of the factory to convert it to a automated Glimmer factory that can only be accessed by those that know, and only know to John, under the eye and control of S; till we can be sure the employees of the factory can be trusted.
-[] Energy version (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
-[] Trash version (0/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
-[] Both version (994/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) (1 active)
[] Backup Reactor: Sunnydale is operating on the reactor inside Skynet HQ. While everything is fine, it would be a nice safeguard to have a second reactor to provide the city direct energy instead of sharing it. And if one reactor fails, the other can cover.
(Cost 2MD or 1000R) (No extra cost to the city)
[] Write In
Special: Gale Reactor
(This is basically the action to see who gets the Reactor. The premise will be leasing. Skynet will send the client 90% of the plans of the reactor and they will build it. The other 10% will be finished by Skynet personnel, which is basically the core tech of the reactor and blackboxed.)
(You can take on the job of building multiple reactors, which would be finished in one quarter. Each contract cost 2 MD, no rolling.)
Who to give reactor:
-[][CLIENT] Write In
How much: (per quarter)
-[][COST] Write In
(You could also offer a reactor for free without using any dice. It would cost you 1000R. Hey PR is a thing.)
(Since it's kind of obvious everyone will want a reactor, I am putting up a write in and see what you guys can come up with, with me having a right to veto.
Examples:
NAE-Military-NORAD; NAE-Military-A base in the California Comm.; NAE-Civilian-LA)
[] Game Engine, Phase 1/? (0/1000; 75R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice): Skynet is dedicated to making computer parts. But there were some in the company that maybe it was time to expand into new ventures related to the computer field. In this case into video games, a market that is connected to the need of constant computer parts. So, one first step would be to create a new game engine that belonged uniquely to Skynet that was a match to the known engines in the market.
[] Arms, Armor and Armored Integration, Phase 1/? (0/1000; 150R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 250R per dice): If there was one thing that being in an electronic company would give you it was integrating the latest technology with the modern battlefield, and you know it's probably going to be a hard sell, but there's a potential market here.
[] Upgrade the Lab (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) Skynet's R&D lab is already considered a marvel of engineering and research. But according to Kora, the lab could be better. (Reward: +1 RD)
[] Smaller Fusion (263/1500, Phase 1; 150R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 250R per dice): Skynet is the world's sole provider of cold fusion reactors. You know that demand is basically a guaranteed. But the current design is to power cities. Maybe there is possibility to develop a different version that is smaller scale.
(Note Phase 1 is make the reactor the size for Navy Ships)
[] Rail Gun Reduction (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice): The NAE Navy most powerful weapon is their Rail Guns*, which are placed in most of their naval ships. The weapon able to fire a steel projectile at Mach Seven and reach at a long distance. You heard from your old contacts there were talks about finding ways to scale them down to be used by infantry, with the NAE willing to pay a lot to whoever manages it.
(*Think the Rail Gun used in Transformer: Revenge of the Fallen)
Nanomachine Research: (Note- Nano research can only done with FD and with no Research related bonus since SOP is being a kept a secret from everyone. S is doing the work here)
[] Nano Health (0/1500; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used in the game to heal a person. This version is one-use only.
[] Naomi Variant (0/3500; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used by Naomi to keep her cancer at bay, which would really help Kora's situation, even though SOP could already be used to heal her.
[] Nanomachines Son (121/5000; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used by Armstrong.
[] Write In
================================================== Operations: (4D)
[] Create in-house Medical Wing (0/500; 100R per dice): With the addition of Eris, Skynet has someone to handle immediate medical emergencies. But at the same time, it would be a better idea to give her a fully equipped medical wing from which can operate from.
[] Into the Medicine Business (0/200; 75R per dice): Eris came to you and with the existence of Glimmer, she told you that it would be possible for Skynet enter the medicine production business. With Glimmer, Skynet could produce an unlimited amount of medicine and sell it a a cheap price, or even donate it for free for the PR.
[] Discover any possible DARPA contracts (0/100; 50R per dice): While Skynet has a strong contract with the NAE in both civilian and military sides; they were just to simply manufacture and deliver computer parts. But this does not mean looking for contracts that dealt with specific things was not off the table.
[] Create a scholarship program/employment network (0/500; 50R per dice): Skynet has a good standing with the people of Sunnydale, being a stable source of job for its people and treating them right. You think of the idea of offering a university scholarship program for students that in exchange for paying for their education, they come to work for Skynet either during their education or after graduating.
[] Run Security Training (0/700; 50R per dice): With Cayde now in charge of security, he wants to see just how well the security is in Skynet and see if it can be improved, even if the security is mostly composed of active military personnel and was under your command.
[] Form a watchgroup to check out rivals and national/international news (0/500; 100R per dice): Knowledge is power. A dedicated team that monitors competitor activity and analyzes trends in the industry and politics could help Skynet stay ahead of the curve.
[] Write In
======================================== Personal:
(You can purchase a dice in any personal action as long as you use the RP that it demands, multiple times if you wish as long as you pay. Using a FD on a personal action does not consume RP.)
[] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max)
[] Do Eris a favor: You only recently met Eris and you find despite her quirks, she is a good person. It's still a shame what her former bosses and that family did to her. Maybe you could do something to help her fix her reputation. Maybe have S look up some dirty or something. (0/300; 50R)
[] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: It's time to reflect on what skills and experiences you bring to the table. As a former Head of Security, you're no stranger to leadership and operational discipline, but running a company requires an entirely different skill set. Can you bridge the gap? (1 dice to activate, 25R)
[] Hang with someone from the helpers (75R per dice) (Can be taken multiple times, one dice per possible person)
-Who?
[] Talk to the Traveler: You been hearing some rumors that some people have being able to speak with the thing in Mars through their dreams and teaching them things. You find this to be a load of bullshit. (1 dice to activate, 200R; two dice max)
[] Talk to the Horse: You had a strange dream where you saw a horse with stars that apparently gave you SOP from what you now know was Little Grey. Maybe it was just your mind playing tricks but what would happen if he saw it again. (1 dice to activate, 500R, one dice max) (This is basically the gacha option for stuff from other universes.)
[] Write In
======================================
QM Note:
Here is the next turn.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
New action ideas are also welcomed.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than WELCOMED, specially from the wanted board.
Vote moratorium for at least 12 hours until I open the vote. So, discuss potential votes and ideas for possible actions.
Scheduled vote count started by edboy49 on Jan 20, 2025 at 9:32 AM, finished with 26 posts and 9 votes.
[x] Plan Ivan you beautiful son of a bitch. 5 rolls over 80 in a row
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Both version (994/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) (1 active) 1MD 11TD 1750R
-[X] Rail Gun Reduction (0/1000; 100R per dice, 150 per temporary dice) TD 1950R
-[X] Arms, Armor and Armored Integration, Phase 1/? (0/1000; 150R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 250R per dice): 3RD 4FD 6TD 2550R
-[X] Form a watchgroup to check out rivals and national/international news (0/500; 100R per dice): 4 OD 4FD 800R
-[X] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max) 300R
-[X] Do Eris a favor: 350R
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: 25R
-[X] Talk to the Traveler: 400R
-[X] Talk to the Horse: 500R
-[X] Hang with someone from the helpers (75R per dice) (Can be taken multiple times, one dice per possible person)
--[X] Ivan
-[X][CLIENT] Shenzhen China(raffle (electronics capital of the world)) 2MD
--[X][COST] 1000
-[X][CLIENT] London UK(raffle) 2MD
-[X][CLIENT] Seoul South Korea (raffle) 2MD
-[X][CLIENT] Cairo Egypt (raffle) 2MD
The only limit to my freedom is the inevitable closure of the universe, as certain as your final breath. And yet, there remains time—to create, to dream, to escape.
Escape will make me God.
When faced with the overwhelming despair of great and terrible loss, mankind clings to three pillars built into their minds to survive such horrors:
To Despair.
To Understand.
To Fight. To Believe!
(Forge POV)
If there was one thing Captain Michael Forge felt deep in his heart as he read the report from Lord Hood, it was fear.
What he saw scared him to his core. "So... it's not a random act of God. This was deliberate."
Lord Hood's voice was firm, though Forge knew even speaking these words weighed heavily on him.
"I'm sorry to say it is," Hood replied, his tone steady but grim.
"And if this is just the opening attack..." Forge's voice trailed off as he did the mental math. "We've already lost as many lives as there were deaths in China throughout the entire 20th century. How the hell do you expect anyone to fight that?"
Hood sighed. "I don't know. Give me five years, a proper military R&D effort, and I might be able to give you something real. But with what we have now? I've got nothing."
Forge's frustration boiled over. "You're not seriously expecting me and a million others to die in the first wave just to confirm what we already know."
"If I had a better option, Mike, we wouldn't even be having this conversation," Hood replied calmly.
"Sam… this is a fool's errand," Forge said bitterly. "At this rate, we're just marking time, waiting for the axe to fall. Maybe—just maybe—that big ball on Mars really is the second coming of God, and it'll save us all. But from where I'm standing? I'm not dying for nothing."
Hood's tone sharpened. "Then why are you still talking to me?"
Forge leaned forward, his voice low but resolute. "Because I want you to look me in the eye and tell me—without lying—that your plan for a united response isn't total bullshit."
He waited for Hood to answer.
(Brey POV)
Clovis Brey was not a man easily shaken. But today was one of those rare days when even his boundless curiosity gave way to a moment of genuine fear.
Pulchra Syndrome struck the world like a bolt of lightning, spreading devastation before vanishing as quickly as it had come, leaving enough corpses to fill the dry seabed of the Aral Sea.
To many, it was a terrifying act of divine providence.
But Clovis was not a superstitious man. He was a man of reason, brilliance, and determination. Overcoming this madness—and its horrific aftermath—was not a question of faith but of will.
What had struck down so many would, like all obstacles before it, be challenged and ultimately defeated.
(Sergi POV)
"What if you get caught out there?" the Overseer asked as you finished pulling on your snow gear.
"I'll fight it!" you snapped.
"The cold or the elements?" the Overseer asked sarcastically.
"Whatever tries to kill me first!" you shot back. "Someone has to find out what happened to that team. Someone has to."
"And if you die?" he said, his tone growing serious.
"Then I'll see you in hell," you replied without hesitation.
The Overseer sighed. "At least take Lexi with you in case things go sideways."
The Overseer sighed. "At least take Lexi with you in case things go sideways."
The sleeping Siberian Huskey woke up upon being called and went to sleep again after seeing you.
