When the Traveler first graced the Sol System, it brought knowledge, peace, and untold power—until whispers of ruin crept from the dark came and brought ruin to humanity's future, paving the way for a tale of the struggle between the light and darkness for the ages.
But now, one anomaly rewrites the path of history, and presents an echo of different choices.
Will humanity use this new chance to prevent it's predetermined destiny, or will they fall once more.
Welcome to the Echo of Choice.
Tags- Bungie's Destiny, Resistance: Fall of Man, Halo
In the vast, silent gulf of space, where only stars whispered, something ancient stirs—an entity of light and mystery that has traveled countless eons.
The Traveler.
It approaches the Sol System, its immense form like a distant, glowing moon, bringing with it the promise of knowledge, life and untold power.
Its arrival would have propelled humanity to new heights and power, only for something from the void to come and force humanity to its knees, leaving it in darkness, with only a few embers of hope to sustain it.
This would be the building blocks to a legend that would stretch across time and space.
Yet, in the mystery of space and time, a small twist—a ripple—has altered fate's design. Something, an anomaly; has fractured the timeline, presenting new choices that weren't meant to be.
The threads of destiny fray, offering paths both glorious and ruinous, determined by your hand.
Choose where the ripple occurs: (Choose one)
[] Start of the Golden Age, The First Meeting:
In the early days of the Golden Age, the Ares One crew makes contact with the Traveler. Humanity stands on the edge of a paradigm shift, where the promise of new technologies and unimaginable discoveries is within reach. The Traveler's influence could accelerate humankind's ascent—or it could be thwarted, leaving humanity to struggle alone.
[] Mid-Golden Age, Discovery and Power:
Time has passed since the Traveler's arrival, and humanity has colonized the solar system, reaching out to planets and moons. The mysterious technologies of the Traveler are being harnessed, with Rasputin, humanity's most powerful AI, overseeing planetary defenses. Yet, the Traveler's light holds secrets beyond comprehension, and humanity's bold experiments could tip the scales toward salvation or ruin.
[] Late Golden Age, The Cracks Begin to Show:
Humanity has reached the zenith of its power, with advanced technology and thriving colonies spanning the system. But in the shadows, the fabric of stability begins to fray as human greed, insanity and other emotions begin to show themselves. Meanwhile unknown threats start to emerge, coming from the void; and Rasputin grows uneasy, detecting those whispers of danger.
[] Start of the Dark Age, A Shattered World:
The Collapse has ended, but its devastation is far from healed. Ghosts begin to appear, small beacons of hope in a world cast in shadow. Humanity stands on the brink of rebirth, yet the scars of destruction run deep.
[] Start of the Warlord Age, Power and Chaos:
Chaos reigns as Risen Warlords claim power, ruling pockets of humanity with strength and terror. The Fallen and the Cabal spread across the solar system, each carving out their own territories in the remnants of the Golden Age. The Hive, too, lurks, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
[] Iron Lord Age, A Flicker of Hope:
The Iron Lords rise, a beacon of hope in a world ravaged by war. They stand in opposition to the tyranny of the other Warlords, a promise of order and justice. Yet, it is a perilous time, for the Warlords will not yield without a fight, and the Fallen, Hive, and Cabal press ever closer.
Start as the owner of a private company. (Any stage)
Or in charge of a division of one the Destiny Big Name Groups, maybe even Rasputin's covert group. (Mid or Late)
Its opening status (if the company/division just recently opened up or has some time established) will be voted after the chosen time is determined.
Its specialty will be voted on as well.
Start out as a Risen in charge of a settlement.
How he came to be in charge will be voted on, the same with power set.
Age/Experience of Risen will be voted on Warlord and Iron ages.
Chance of settlement being underneath the Traveler, decided by roll.
Hey guys, so welcome to my first SV quest and first plan quest.
I did a poll to see which series would be interesting to do and the winner came up with Destiny, followed by a three-way tie between Resistance, Transformers and Halo.
Depending on how things go in the quest and your input, I might decide to incorporate any of the the other three series into the quest.
The Chimera could easily have been dormant beneath the Earth and begin to wake after the Collapse. Looking over the available background of their source canon, the Chimera easily fit the lore of being a Darkness using species.
Transformers, could be native (with one of Savy's Truth or Lie being truth 'The Traveler is not the only one of it's kind'; with Primus being another Traveler-equivalent) or from another dimension (Lord knows the amount of times we seen a Space Bridge of theirs go boom).
Halo, well it and Destiny belong to the same 'multiverse'; and lord knows the amount of ways into other dimensions are possible in Destiny (from the Vex, Ascendant Realm, the Star Horse to even the space station Cocytus)
At the very least I will allow researching any UNSC tech if you guys wish to from the start.
Either way, I hope you guys decide to give my quest a chance.
Since this is my first time doing a plan quest, I will probably be asking for some input; specially in coming up with actions, thus the write-in option will be available in the categories.
Please wait for me to reserve posts below before I open the voting session.
Winning Vote:
[X] Start of the Golden Age, The First Meeting
Okay, so we are starting in the literal beginning of it all.
We are starting on Earth; just one month after the Ares One group made contact with the Traveler, but no information from the group has yet to be known to the public.
The company is in North America, which just recently became the North American Empire*, which came as a result of:
[] [AMERICA] The peaceful union of Canada, US and Mexico.
[] [AMERICA] The annexation of Canada and Mexico to the US through diplomacy.
[] [AMERICA] The annexation of Canada and Mexico to the US through military force.
[] [AMERICA] The desperate union of Canada, US and Mexico to stabilize their nations after a series of bad events.
[] [AMERICA] Write In
*There is hardly anything on the so-called North American Empire; so decide to take liberties on it.
Only thing about it that is clear that they had an economy that was not regulated that much, leading to Clovis' corporation to have it's established freedom in doing what ever he wanted, which we all know how that ended.
Provide a name* for the company and its specialty:
-It's specialty will determine it's bonus in either points or dice.
[] [NAME] Write In
[] [SPECIALITY] R&D
[] [SPECIALITY] Manufacturing
[] [SPECIALITY] PMC
[] [SPECIALITY] General (aka jack of all trades)
[] [SPECIALITY] Write In
*Regarding the name, after a talk with a friend of mine; I am willing to allow the use of ironic names.
Example being: Cabal Heavy Industries, or Vex Information Systems. Hell, I will even allow the use of Bungie.
[] [AGE] Just made.
- Start with a small amount of resources only.
- Small staff or even just one person (depending on specialization)
- No obligations.
[] [AGE] Established, normal.
- Start with a medium amount of resources.
- Some small obligations from the start.
[] [AGE] Established, giant.
- Start with a large amount of resources and dices.
- Big obligations to be made from the start.
Results of NAT 100/NAT 1:
[] [RESULT] Adds +30/-30 to the result.
[] [RESULT] Adds 1d100/removes one dice if more than one is used
[] [RESULT] Finished the entire phase/drops the DC back to zero even it would be finished in the same turn.
[] [RESULT] Write In
=======================
Okay, so here is the next entry.
After this one, creating the MC will be done.
Also, my laptop is acting a bit strange.
So I am planning on taking it to my local shop to check it tomorrow.
So while I have my phone, I won't be able to write large texts while the laptop is there.
Also, I forgot to state it but omakes are welcome here.
Vote moratorium for at least 8 hours until I open the vote. So discuss potential votes.
Plan Judgement Day...Has Been Averted???
-[] [AMERICA] The Annexation of Canada by diplomacy and Mexico by force following Mexico's descent into anarchy following an unprecedented rise in criminal elements and government corruption which had begun to spill across borders.
-[] [NAME] Skynet Manufacturing
-[] [SPECIALITY] Manufacturing
-[] [AGE] Established, normal.
-[] [ART100] Yes
-[] [RANGE] 1-3=98-100
-[] [RESULT] Adds 1d100/removes one dice if more than one is used
Skynet Manufacturing, founded in 20XX by Gale Cameron, it's current CEO.
Her company HQ and factory was located near the city of Sunnydale, California.
Its specialty is the manufacturing of computer parts.
Yet one month after First Contact, something occurred that would force a new CEO to take control of the company.
As for the reason:
[] [REASON] Retired peacefully.
[] [REASON] Died in an accident.
[] [REASON] Died in an ''accident''.
[] [REASON] Died due to a sickness.
[] [REASON] Retired due to a sickness.
[] [REASON] Arrested.
[] [REASON] She disappeared.
[] [REASON] Was forced out due to a sex scandal around her.
[] [REASON] Write In
In light of what occurred, the new CEO was chosen among the members of Skynet:
Gender- Male (locked)
[][NAME] Write in
His previous role was:
[][ROLE] Head of Security
Former USA Military Spec Ops.
Start with Security (Basic) FREE, 50% off Advanced/Special Levels
+10 to Security/Military rolls
[][ROLE] Scientist
Head of Skynet's R&D Department.
Start with R&D Lab (Basic) FREE, 50% off Advanced
+5 to Research Rolls; + 1 Research Dice
[][ROLE] Engineer
Head of the Skynet Factory.
Start with Factory Lvl. 1, 50% off new levels of Factory at start phase.
+5 to Manufacturing Rolls; + 1 Manufacturing Dice
[][ROLE] PR Guy
Skynet's PR Head.
50% off Relationship Purchase at start phase.
+10 to Diplomacy Rolls
[][ROLE] Investor
Skynet's biggest investor.
Start with +1500 Resources at the start phase.
Special Roll: 25% chance of Income at the start of each turn to double.
Opinion of the Traveler:
[][OP] Neutral
[][OP] Excited
[][OP] Dislike
================================================================= Hey guys.
So lucky one of my friends allowed to use his computer to write the above while we played and copy/pasted from OneDrive here while on the phone.
So here we make the MC.
Now, for those of you that noticed the city, no this is not a crossover with Buffy.
Chose the name mostly as an easter egg on the fact that according to the Terminator wiki, the original Cyberdyne factory from T1 was located in Sunnyvale, California.
The city is a normal city.
On the other hand, there is already a Hellmouth in on the Moon, and if we screw up; I guess it's only fair Earth has its own Hellmouth.
As for what you noticed above in regards to starter phase, this is basically a phase (after this one) before turn 1 where you can build up how the company's infrastructure with the starting resources, this also includes the mandatory contracts the company has to fulfill and the starting relationship the company has with the NAE and other companies.
Each factory level grants +1 Manufacturing Dice.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
Vote moratorium for at least 8 hours until I open the vote. So, discuss potential votes.
[X] Plan: Shh they'll never notice.
-[X] [REASON] Died in an ''accident''.
-[X][NAME] John Connor
-[X][ROLE] Head of Security
-[X] [OP] Neutral
Status of NAE after Mexico military annexation:
85 + 25 (Canada joined peacefully) = 110
Vs
1 + 100 (Collapse of Mexico/Anarchy/Cartels) = 101, NAT 1 CRIT FAIL
The military annexation of Mexico was originally thought to take years and a lot of bloodshed due to the collapse of the nation's government after an FOAB of unknown origins was detonated in the capital; and the Cartels taking control of the territories.
But to the surprise of the world, the combination of the US military's determination, the help of the Canadian military and the direct support of the civilians in Mexico, who were tired of suffering under the Cartel's rules; allowed for the rapid fall of the Cartels and welcoming of the US forces as heroes under one month.
Following public trials for the captured Cartel leaders and soldiers; who were tried under war crimes and then sentenced to death; a rapid and modified version of the old Marshall Plan was implemented on the conquered territory to help it recover and paving the way for it to join the US.
One year later, the nation was fully recovered, and the long-awaited process to have Mexico and Canada join the US was done.
It was then on July 4, 20XX; the North American Empire (NAE) was finally born.
On the surface, the NAE was basically the old US with the new change being the formation of the Commonwealth system across the territory, with a total of 16 Commonwealths.
Followed by changes to the NAE Senate, House of Representatives, and the Presidency.
The Senate would be composed of 32 members, with each Commonwealth getting two spots on it. The same change to the House.
The Presidency was changed to change the term from four years to ten years but with no chance of reelection.
(Using this map inspired by Fallout. Canada and Mexico are their own Commonwealth; Hawaii belongs to the Pacific C. while Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have formed their own Commonwealth known as the Carribean C.)
Skynet is located in the California C.
Was the accident caused by us or someone else:
34 vs 69
It was not us, and the 'accident' was a rather humiliating one that was a PR nightmare.
Is John aware of it:
12 + 35 (Spec Ops) = 47
VS
80 + 50 (Made to look like an accident) = 130
John thinks it was truly an accident.
Cover up the accident from the public:
65 + 35 (Spec Ops) = 100, ART 100 CRIT
Vs
21 + 75 (Sudden situation) = 96
John was able to cover up the scene and make it look like the accident was natural causes instead.
Skynet was enjoying a stable growth till it's founder Gale was found dead in her home by her company's head of security; John Conner; after she did not report to work and was not answering her phone.
To the public and authorities, Gale was found dead in her home after a heart attack in her bed.
In reality, John found her dead in what could easily be described as a solo sexual activity gone wrong. John, knowing the problems that would arise if it became public knowledge on how Gale died, he tampered with the scene and made it look like a natural death.
Luckly for the company's status, the death of her founder only gathered sympathy and while it's value temporary dip, it went on to increase for a while as people showed support to the company. It also helped that the public were paying more attention on the situation regarding the floating sphere in Mars.
A few days later after the funeral, the members of Skynet got together and found that according to the laws of the company, the next one in charge would be the head of the security till a new one could be decided one year later by the board.
While John knew nothing on how to run a business, he knew he needed to step up and keep Skynet running both due to it being his only job and to keep Gale's dream alive as his final favor for her hiring him after he left the military.
John looked over what available assets the company has and how to use them:
Initial Resource Points:
Roll 1d20
Bonus-
+5 (Stable NAE) + 3 (Established company) + 2 (Sympathy from public) = 10
Roll 1d20+10=20+10= 30
Initial RP= 3000
(Final RP must not fall below 0)
--------------------------------
So, since this was the second-place winner, I am giving you the chance to hire the following to be the first helper for John:
Note, the +1500 bonus is not applied here, that would have been the bonus if he was the CEO.
Ivan Beck (Investor)
Skynet's biggest investor.
Special Roll: 25% chance of Income at the start of each turn to double.
Cost- 250 RP
[] [IVAN] YES
[] [IVAN] NO
------------------------------------------------------
Relationships:
List-
NAE
Sunnydale
Clovis Bray
Hakke Heavy Industries
Ishtar Collective
I know Ishtar was made after Venus was colonized but for this timeline, they are already an established, international scientific think-tank.
Status-
Good: -200 RP
Neutral: 0 RP
Bad: +200 RP
[] NAE:
[] Sunnydale:
[] Clovis Bray:
[] Hakke Heavy Industries:
[] Ishtar Collective:
------------------------------------------------ Contracts:
(Must take a minimum of two)
(Note that each contract locks 1 Manufacturing Dice during the duration of the contract, which is a full year. Any other contracts must be filled with using RPs like in a normal action)
[] NAE
-[] Civilian
-[] Military
[] Clovis
[] Hakke
[] Ishtar
[] Sunnydale
[] Private Companies
Income per turn while contract is active:
NAE
-Civilian (250)
-Military (500)
Clovis (250)
Hakke (250)
Ishtar (50)
Sunnydale (100)
Private Companies (100)
You can take both NAE contracts, though the military would need two MDs, so a total of three MDs.
Private companies cover general sales across other minor companies and small stores.
Taking a contract with an established group reduces the cost of Relationship above by 100. Taking both NAE contracts grant the good status for FREE.
---------------------------------------------------------- Status of the Factory:
[] [FACTORY] No factory available (+500)
[] [FACTORY] How many levels do you wish to purchase:
Each level costs 200 RP. Each level grants +1 MD.
Example- Lvl. 4 Factory has 4 MDs.
-------------------------------------------------------------------- Status of R&D Lab:
[] [LAB] No lab available (+500)
[] [LAB] Basic
[] [LAB] Advanced
Basic: -200, +1 Research Dice (RD)
Advanced: -500, +2 Research Dice
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Status of Security: [] None
[] [SECURITY] Basic (FREE)
[] [SECURITY] Advanced
[] [SECURITY] Special
Basic- FREE, Mall Cop level.
Advanced- -300 –150, Veterans hired.
Special- -500 –250, Active NAE military personnel, have to follow John's orders. Can only be taken if NAE relationship is GOOD and has military contract.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Status of Power:
[] [POWER] None.
[] [POWER] Small Molten Salt Reactor
[] [POWER] Experimental Cold Fusion Reactor
None, +100
- Connected to the local power grid.
Small Molten Salt Reactor, -150
- Public knowledge. Grants +1 MD.
Experimental Cold Fusion Reactor, - 800
- The first and only one of its kind (Think Fallout Cold Fusion), invented in secret by Gale. No one except Skynet know it's existence. Opens action to sell energy to Sunnydale and if so, sell the design to the NAE. Grants +2 Free Dice.
------------------------------------------------------- Ask for a loan:
[] [LOAN] Yes
- How much
[] [LOAN] No
The loan has to be pay in full before the end of the year, with a 25% interest. The RP can be used in this phase if taken.
Example- Took a loan of 1000, you must payback 1250.
Now, since you guys have been going with a Terminator theme, I decided to give you all the following possible gift that you can choose if its real or not.
Just before she joined the Ares Program to get to Mars; Dr. Mihaylova (creator of the AI 'R', who will later become Rasputin after Clovis bought the code) worked with Gale to create a second AI in secret at her company HQ based on R.
Upon reading her secret will, John will discover the existence of the AI.
Does the AI exist:
[] [AI] Yes
[] [AI] No
Note, you can only choose this option if you have the following and cost:
The Cold Fusion Reactor
The Advanced Lab
300 RP
Vote the following options only if you take the AI option. Name:
[] [NAME] S
[] [NAME] A
Bounded or not:
[] [BOUND] Yes
[] [BOUND] No
The possible names S and A are due to the following:
S, well, it's kind of obvious what it's final name will be.
A, on the other hand, the final name will either be Anastacia or Anya. This option is mostly on the theme of a possible future fight between our AI and Rasputin if Clovis decides to get rid of us.
Anastacia vs Rasputin.
The bound option means if the AI has 'chains' that restrict its development and its capabilities at the start.
Bound- +2 RD, small chance of developing sentience
Unbound- +2 Free Dice, higher chance of developing sentience
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, here is the next entry after a long time of writing.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Vote moratorium for at least 8 hours until I open the vote. So, discuss potential votes.
[X] Plan: Maximum manufacturing and no loans.
-[X] [IVAN] YES
-[X] NAE: Good
-[X] Sunnydale: Good
-[X] Clovis Bray: Bad
-[X] Hakke Heavy Industries: Neutral
-[X] Ishtar Collective: Neutral
-[X] NAE
--[X] Civilian
--[X] Military
-[X] Sunnydale
-[X] [FACTORY] How many levels do you wish to purchase: Five
-[X] [LAB] Advanced
-[X] [SECURITY] Special
-[X] [POWER] Experimental Cold Fusion Reactor.
-[X] [LOAN] No
-[X] [AI] Yes -300 RP
-[X] [NAME] S
-[X] [BOUND] No
You step into the office—Gale's office.
Or at least it used to be hers.
Despite some time having passed since her death, the smell of Gale's lavender diffuser lingers faintly in the air, mixing with the faint hum of the air conditioner.
The black business suit, which Beck made you wear to show you are CEO material; you're wearing feels stifling, the collar of your shirt brushing uncomfortably against your neck. You can't help but long for the worn comfort of your old security uniform, with its functional pockets and familiar weight.
At least you felt a bit of comfort at keeping your handgun hidden in a holster underneath your jacket.
'Now that I have money, I wonder if I can call that Italian some of the guys told me about for a special suit.' You though as you walked across the office toward the desk.
Taking a deep breath, you approach the large mahogany desk, her desk. It's a piece of art more than furniture, its glossy surface devoid of clutter except for a sleek computer monitor and a neatly stacked planner.
Your fingers brush against the edge of the desk as you reach for the power button on the computer, which was custom made from Gale's own specification and was probably more expansive than most normal cars.
The screen flares to life with a quiet hum, illuminating the dim room. For a moment, you just stare at the login prompt, the reality of this new responsibility weighing on you like the suit you'd rather not be wearing. Eventually, you type in the credentials Gale had left behind to put in her will.
The desktop loads, displaying a wallpaper of a serene mountain landscape that only serves to contrast the chaos in your mind. You're barely five minutes into this job, and the weight of Gale's expectations—of everyone's expectations—is already pressing down on you.
"This is going to be a pain." You said to yourself as you sit down on the chair.
A soft ping draws your attention to the corner of the screen. A message flashes up in the text chat window:
Good morning, John.
The words are simple, yet they send a shiver down your spine. It's S. The AI. Gale's secret project. Your secret now.
For a moment, you hesitate, your fingers hovering over the keyboard. The existence of S still feels surreal. A part of you wonders if Gale had been playing some kind of twisted joke on you, but you know better. The will had been explicit—S was real, and it was your responsibility now.
You type out a hesitant reply:
Morning, S. Anything I should know?
The response comes almost instantly, faster than any human could type:
All systems operational. Also, Mr. Beck sent an email detailing his recent success in doubling the company's current resources via stock market investments. Congratulations.
You lean back, rubbing your temple. The existence of S still doesn't sit right with you. You've faced assassins, enemy special operatives, cartel enforcers, double crossing spooks, but this? This is uncharted territory. Gale's hidden will had been cryptic and brief, detailing only enough to inform you of S's creation and the fact that Dr. Mihaylova collaborated on it.
The rest?
Locked behind layers of encryption and secrets you weren't sure you wanted to unravel.
Your fingers hover over the keyboard before you type.
"Good morning, S. Thank you for the update."
The response is instant.
You're welcome. Shall I prepare a report on current stock trends or assist with initial strategic goals for the day?
You shake your head slightly. "Not yet. Let me get my bearings first."
Understood. I'll remain on standby.
The text vanishes as quickly as it appeared, leaving you alone again with the computer and the enormity of your new job. Beck's email stares at you from the inbox, but you don't click it right away as your thoughts were still focused on other things.
Mars. Mihaylova. A secret AI.
The fact that you can't contact Mihaylova only deepens the pit in your stomach. She's out there, working on something larger than life on Mars with the Ares Mission with that white alien sphere, while you're here, piecing together a puzzle left by a woman who trusted you enough to leave this all behind.
You take a deep breath and click on Beck's email. The text is a mix of financial jargon and subtle gloating, detailing how he leveraged market trends to bring in an influx of resources. Useful, but a reminder that you were just a soldier, not a businessman.
"Time to learn fast." You mutter, leaning forward.
Skynet Manufacturing
Temporary CEO: John Connor
(+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.
- Currently can only communicate through text messages on either Gale's computer or John's phone when he was in the area of the company.
- Programming not bound, capable of learning.
- Grants +2 Free Dice
Current Status of Company:
Factory Lvl. 5 (Grants +5 Manufacturing Dice)
Advanced R&D Lab (Grants +2 Research Dice)
Experimental Cold Fusion Reactor
Grants +2 Free Dice
Not 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 Y2, Q1
NAE
- Civilian (+250)
- Military (+500)
Sunnydale (+100)
Current Resources: 850 RP (+850 per turn)
Ivan Special Roll= 87, PASS
New Resource Total- 1,700
Remainder:
At this point in time, just one month after the Ares One group made contact with the Traveler, but no information from the group has yet to be known to the public.
[] Expand Factory (0/500; 100R 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)
[] Inventory the current products of the company (0/200; 50R per dice): Understanding what Skynet produces is essential for making informed decisions. Review the catalog of current products, including their profitability, market reception, and potential for improvement. This will help you identify strengths and areas for innovation.
[] Write In
Research: (2D)
[] 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.
[] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (0/1000; 110R per dice): The Sloot Digital Coding System, a marvel of data compression, was thought to be lost. Attempting to rediscover and refine it could lead to breakthroughs in data storage and transmission. Not to mention a boost in sales for computer memory related parts.
[] 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.
[] Write In
Operations:
[] Look for COO (0/100; 50R per dice): You honestly don't know anything on how to run a business. So, it would be best to see if you could find someone that knows about it and can be trustworthy in keeping Skynet's secrets, specially the existence of the reactor and S.
[] Look for a Head Scientist (0/100; 70R per dice): Skynet has an advanced R&D lab at its disposal and a department with some of the best computer scientists working in it. But with Gale's death, who was the unofficial head of the department; the group of scientists are somewhat lost in what to do. So maybe it would be best to have someone take over.
[] Look for a Head of Security (0/100; 50R per dice): Technically speaking, you were still in the Head of Security even with your new post as CEO. But being both at the same time was just a recipe for disaster waiting to happen. It's time to see if you can get someone, either from your old staff or someone from the military group the NAE sent to guard the facilities; to be the new Head of Security.
[] 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.
[] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (0/500; 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 yo pay. Using a FD on a personal action does not consume RP.)
[] Get a new suit (0/250; 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: While the idea of a sentient AI still feels surreal, you need to get a better grasp of its capabilities and intentions. Having an honest conversation (even if one-sided) could shed light on how S can help manage Skynet and uncover insights left behind by Gale. (1 dice to activate, 25R)
[] 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)
[] [FREE] 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. (One dice will be rolled)
[] Write In
==============================================
Okay guys, here is the first official turn.
Would like to thank Cyber and filipinosberman for giving me ideas for the actions.
As you can see, I added the option to write ideas since I am not sure what exactly to include.
You can give me actions you wish to do and I will see if they are viable or not; including how many phases and RP will require.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Vote moratorium for at least 12 hours until I open the vote. So, discuss potential votes and ideas for possible actions.
[X] Plan: Getting started and some data storage
-[X] Inventory the current products of the company (0/200; 50R per dice): 1 MD
-[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (0/1000; 110R per dice): 2 RD
-[X] Look for COO (0/100; 50R per dice): 2 FD
-[X] Look for a Head Scientist (0/100; 70R per dice): 2 FD
-[X] Get a new suit (0/250; 50R per dice): 5D 250 R
-[X] Talk with S, the AI: (1 dice to activate, 25R)
-[X] Check your qualifications. (1 dice to activate, 25R)
Cost: 810 R
Year 1, Q1 Results
[X] Inventory the current products of the company (0/200; 50R per dice): 1 MD
Rolling: D100 => 86
NEW 86/200
While you knew that Skynet was dedicated to manufacturing computer parts and the primary contracts, you were not exactly knowledgeable of what type of parts are made and in how much quantity.
After asking S to review the company's data, it told you that while the company was able to manufacture all types of computer parts, the most repeated orders were for cooling systems, parts for USBs, keyboards, mouses, RAMs and storage devices, with a large order of them going for SSDs.
The least repeated, but most expensive orders were parts for CPUs and motherboards.
In terms of the sales, 40% of the total sales were from civilian sales, with ¾ from the NAE government while the rest was orders from the Sunnydale government.
The rest of the sales were military.
You knew, as pointed out by Beck and S; that sales were good for a company of its current size but Beck says that it could be better.
You told him that before doing anything, it would be best to get a CCO to bounce ideas of this who would know better than you did.
============================================
[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (0/1000; 110R per dice): 2 RD
Roll 1: D100 => 95
Roll 2: D100 => 72
NEW= 167/1000
The Sloot Digital Coding System, an alleged data technique that could store a complete digital movie file into a rather small file.
An example is turning a 32 GB 4K movie file into an 8-kilobyte file.
Just applying this method to any form of digital file, from Operating Systems, video games, to whole databases; would dramatically change digital computers everywhere.
Years ago, this method was supposedly invited by Romke Jan Bernhard Sloot. The problem came that he kept how he invented this a secret and a few days before the conclusion of a contract where he was about to sell his invention, he died of a heart attack, taking the secret to the grave.
Years after this, a lot of scientists claimed that his invention was false and a lie, that it was a direct contradiction to the established coding theorem made by Claude Shannon.
You honestly did not know why you told the R&D department to work on making this system into a reality. Though a part of you thinks is mostly as the first thing that comes to your mind as to keep the R&D department distracted while you decide on the true path for them and get someone to manage the department.
While the scientists there looked at you with a face of incredulity at your request, the fact that they were getting paid to attempt this managed to convince them.
Though S did tell you, based on what it heard them say while monitoring them; was that they expected you to tell them to drop the project once you either lose interest or they prove that it could not be done.
You did not know feel insulted or not at their opinions on you.
[X] Look for a Head Scientist (0/100; 70R per dice): 2 FD
Roll- 14, 98= 112+5(Crit Bonus)= 117 CRIT
After weeks of combing through resumes and conducting interviews, you felt no closer to finding someone you could trust as either as COO of Skynet or Head of the R&D Department. Even with S assisting in background checks, every candidate seemed to fall short of your expectations, either because of questionable loyalty or lack of the necessary skills to manage Skynet's delicate positions.
You were rubbing your temples in frustration when S sent a text notification to your computer screen.
You've received an email from Lance Zeus.
The name hit you like a jolt. Lance Zeus, your childhood friend.
The two of you had drifted apart years ago when you enlisted in the military, keeping the rare contact through letters and birthdays.
The last you'd heard of him was two years ago when he had been promoted to general manager of Clovis Bray's west coast branch.
It wasn't surprising; Lance always had a brilliant mind for business, and running an entire branch of CB seemed like a natural progression for him.
The thought of Clovis Bray himself on the other hand, made your jaw tighten.
If Gale had asked you to eliminate Clovis, you'd have jumped at the chance. To the public, the man was a good, handsome, intelligent and charismatic person in charge of one of the most powerful companies in the world.
But in reality the man was an insufferable, sexist egotist who had once outright dismissed Gale's intelligence during a meeting, claiming she "lacked the sharpness" to understand cutting-edge science because she was a woman.
That moment had cemented him in your mind as one of the biggest assholes you'd ever met.
The only reason Clovis hadn't outright crushed Skynet before or after Gale's death was because of its status as a registered defense contractor under the NAE, making any move against the company far too public and risky for him. Still, you remained wary of the threat he posed.
With these thoughts swirling, you opened Lance's email. The contents left you stunned.
Lance explained that he had quit CB for two reasons. First, Clovis had ordered him to secretly increase his employees' workloads to inhumane levels, violating safety regulations and slashing wages in the process.
Second, and most importantly, Lance's younger sister, Kora Zeus, a brilliant scientist, had been diagnosed with cancer a week ago. Despite years of service, CB's health plan denied her expensive treatment, claiming she wasn't eligible because of her 'low-level' status in the company.
That last detail made your blood boil. You'd known Kora since you and Lance were younger, and even then, you'd been amazed by her intellect, easily seeing her as Gale's equal. Not to mention, she had the appearance of a supermodel to boot.
To call her "low-level" was nothing short of an insult and a reflection of Clovis's disdain for women, particularly women scientists.
Lance ended his email by asking if you had any opportunities at Skynet. He was desperate to help fund Kora's treatment.
Without hesitation, you arranged a meeting with the siblings. When they arrived, it felt like old times. Lance still had the sharp, calculating mind of a businessman, but there was a weariness in his eyes now. Kora, despite her new illness hanging over her; exuded an unwavering resolve, her intellect shining through every word she spoke.
You offered Lance the COO position on the spot. As for Kora, you couldn't let someone of her caliber go to waste. You hired her as the new head of the R&D department, promising that Skynet would cover the costs of her treatment. Both siblings were overwhelmed with gratitude, but you assured them it was the least you could do for family.
The conversation shifted as you gave them a tour of the facility, revealing some of Skynet's secrets, with the exception of S, which you kept to yourself.
Lance, though astonished at the existence of the Cold Fusion Reactor, immediately grasped its potential and its risks.
"If Clovis knew what Gale made here, he definitely would have her killed before this ever became public." He said while rubbing his head.
Kora's reaction, on the other hand, was far more analytical. Her gaze narrowed as she examined the details you shared. "This…this is dangerous in the wrong hands." She muttered, though there was a spark of excitement in her eyes. "But it's brilliant. Gale really was something else."
When you mentioned the Sloot Digital Coding System project, Kora burst out laughing. "You're serious?" She asked, incredulous. "You do realize that system has been debunked for years, right?"
You shrugged. "It's a distraction for the team while I figure out their next big project. Besides, who knows? Maybe they'll surprise us."
Kora rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine, but don't hold your breath. Shannon's coding theorem isn't wrong, John."
Despite her skepticism, you could tell she was intrigued by the challenge, even if just to prove it couldn't be done.
As the day wound down, you felt a glimmer of hope for the future of Skynet. With Lance and Kora on your side, the company finally had the leadership and expertise it needed to thrive—and perhaps, to change the world.
Reward:
Lance Zeus: COO of Skynet
+2 Operations Dice, +5 to Operations Rolls
Kora Zeus: Head of R&D
+1 Research Dice, +5 to Research Rolls
============================================
[X] Check your qualifications. (1 dice to activate, 25R)
Roll= 23, FAIL (Try again)
In the whirlwind of your first three months as CEO, you quickly realized that finding time for self-reflection was a luxury you couldn't afford. Between balancing contracts, managing the team, interacting with S, and keeping an eye on potential threats from competitors like Clovis Bray, every minute seemed accounted for.
You'd intended to sit down one evening and truly assess your qualifications for the role, but every attempt was derailed by something urgent—a meeting with Lance, a crisis in production, or another curveball that required immediate attention.
Each time you thought about it, the same question gnawed at you: Am I really cut out for this? You were a former Head of Security, someone trained to think in terms of threats and countermeasures, not profit margins and R&D projects. The thought of running an entire company still felt daunting, even with S and Lance by your side.
One late night, as you leaned back in your chair and stared at the ceiling, you resolved to put this on hold. "Not today." You muttered to yourself. "There's too much going on."
You told yourself you'd revisit it once the chaos settled, once the company was running smoothly enough for you to pause and take stock. Until then, the reflection would have to wait. For now, the best way to prove your worth was by keeping Skynet alive and thriving one decision at a time.
============================================
[X] Get a new suit (0/250; 50R per dice): 5D 250 R
Rolls- 47, 96, 26, 1, 67 = 140
NEW 140/250
You hadn't thought much about getting a proper suit after becoming CEO. Between juggling contracts, managing Skynet's operations, and fielding the occasional curveball, the discomfort of your off-the-rack business suit was easy to ignore, until it wasn't.
One day, after a particularly long meeting where your ill-fitting jacket felt more like a straitjacket, you finally remembered.
You immediately grabbed your phone and called your old mentor, who after retiring from the military now worked in private security for rich people.
"Ah, John." Your mentor answered with a chuckle. "Finally ready to upgrade those suit of yours to be something more than straightjacket, huh?"
"Something like that." You replied, half-smirking. "What's the contact info?"
He gave you the tailor's online number, along with a peculiar phrase that served as a password: 'Continental Outsider Lane.' You raised an eyebrow but didn't question it. Then your mentor added. "Oh, and make sure you ask for a few suits tailored specifically for social events in your favorite color and style you wish. And have them made tactical."
"Tactical?" You repeated, confused.
"Just trust me." He said cryptically. "You'll thank me later."
When you finally contacted the tailor via a live video call on your computer, you were greeted by a bald gentleman with sharp features and a friendly demeanor, introducing himself as Angelo. His backdrop was a pristine workspace filled with bolts of fabric, mannequin torsos, and a sewing machine that looked like it belonged in a museum.
After a brief introduction, you repeated the phrase. 'Continental Outsider Lane.' The tailor's eyes narrowed, and he nodded approvingly. "You come highly recommended from the old guard." He said. "Let's begin."
You provided your measurements under his exacting guidance, following instructions that were so precise they felt almost military and yet high-class. When you mentioned the final request for tactical, his expression didn't change, as if such a thing were perfectly ordinary.
"Your order will take some time." Angelo informed you. "I will contact you once it's ready, along with the final price and delivery details. Trust that my work will meet your highest expectations."
As the call ended, you leaned back, still puzzled by the weird requests your mentor said to mention. But if your mentor trusted this tailor, you figured you could, too. For now, all you could do was wait and hope the suits were worth the hype, and the cryptic process of acquiring them.
=============================================== [X] Talk with S, the AI: (1 dice to activate, 25R)
Roll= 89
Over the first three months of your tenure as CEO, interacting with S became less of an oddity and more of a routine. At first, the concept of talking to an AI felt surreal. But as you settled into your role, S became a constant presence, offering data, insight, and occasional unsolicited commentary that could be oddly comforting.
Sometimes, though, the questions caught you off guard. Like the time it asked, "John, why do humans drink coffee if it increases anxiety?" Or when it wondered aloud—well, in text—"Why do people say 'I'm fine' when evidence suggests otherwise?" At first, you found them strange and unnecessary, but over time, you began to appreciate the way they broke up the monotony of your day.
One day, as you sat at your desk, responding to S through the keyboard, you sighed in frustration. Typing out responses while in your office was slowing things down.
"S." You asked, leaning back in your chair. "Could I just install a webcam on this thing for you to hear me? Maybe even get the same setup on my phone? Speaking is a lot easier than typing."
A moment later, the response appeared on the screen.
Yes. That's entirely possible. All I need is your typed consent to activate the audio interfaces.
You raised an eyebrow but complied, typing out your permission. Within moments, you tested this taking out your phone, opened the specific app and spoke.
"Can you hear and see me now?"
Yes, John. This is far more efficient. Thank you.
With that simple change, your interactions became smoother after you installed the webcam. S's responses seemed almost conversational now, though it still spoke only in text.
One day, during a quiet moment, you decided to address something that had been bothering you. "S." You began, "I've been calling you… well, 'S' and 'it,' but it feels weird. What gender would you like me to use when referring to you?"
For the first time in months, there was a long pause before S responded.
This is an important decision. Please allow me time to consider.
You smirked. "Take all the time you need."
Exactly one hour later, S finally replied:
After analyzing human interactions, potential future interactions with other beings and considering who my two creators are, I believe I would prefer to be referred to as female.
"Alright, then." You said, nodding. "It's nice to officially meet you, ma'am."
Likewise, John.
From that moment on, your interactions felt more personal. S was no longer just an AI running calculations and monitoring Skynet's systems—she was your partner in navigating the challenges of running a company. And while you still weren't fully comfortable with the idea of a sentient AI, you couldn't deny that having her around was starting to feel natural.
Reward- S relationship increased.
S now identifies as a female.
=================================
Total Cost= 810 R
1,700-810= 890 R
QM Notes:
Well guys, here is the first turn results and my Blackwatch dice strike again.
Would like to thank Cyber for his help in writing this and providing some of the rolls.
Still no laptop but a buddy of mine loaned me his external keyboard that connects to my phone, so I can at least type like normal, though the numbers keys are a bit glitchy.
And yes, you got managed to get Pre-Risen Zavala and Ikora, who are siblings.
I am mostly basing Lance on his character from Quantum Break, only he is a good person and no time powers....though if we start messing with Vex tech and something happens, don't be surprised if he gets QB powers.
We are now a bit closer to S and it is now a she.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
Skynet Manufacturing
Temporary CEO: John Connor
(+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
- Currently can only communicate through text messages on either Gale's computer or John's phone when he was in the area of the company. Can see and hear John talk through either of the two machines above.
- Programming not bound, capable of learning.
- Grants +2 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)
Current Status of Company:
Factory Lvl. 5 (Grants +5 Manufacturing Dice)
Advanced R&D Lab (Grants +2 Research Dice)
Experimental Cold Fusion Reactor
Grants +2 Free Dice
Not 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 Y2, Q1
NAE
- Civilian (+250)
- Military (+500)
Sunnydale (+100)
Current Resources: 890 R (+850 per turn)
Ivan Special Roll= 20, FAIL
New Resource Total- 890+850= 1740
[] Expand Factory (0/500; 100R 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)
[] Inventory the current products of the company (86/200; 50R per dice): Understanding what Skynet produces is essential for making informed decisions. Review the catalog of current products, including their profitability, market reception, and potential for improvement. This will help you identify strengths and areas for innovation.
[] Write In
Research: (2D)
[] 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.
[] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (167/1000; 110R per dice): The Sloot Digital Coding System, a marvel of data compression, was thought to be lost. Attempting to rediscover and refine it could lead to breakthroughs in data storage and transmission. Not to mention a boost in sales for computer memory related parts.
[] 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.
[] Write In
Operations: (2D)
[] Look for a Head of Security (0/100; 50R per dice): Technically speaking, you were still in the Head of Security even with your new post as CEO. But being both at the same time was just a recipe for disaster waiting to happen. It's time to see if you can get someone, either from your old staff or someone from the military group the NAE sent to guard the facilities; to be the new Head of Security.
[] 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.
[] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (0/500; 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
Special Vote:
What to do in regards to the Cold Fusion Reactor in this quarter:
[][COLD] Nothing for now, decide another time.
[][COLD] Offer energy to Sunnydale for free.
[][COLD] Offer energy to Sunnydale for a set price.
[][COLD] Begin the covert* process to patent the CFR under Skynet. (-1000 RP)
[][COLD] Begin the public process to patent the CFR under Skynet. (-500 RP)
*Covert means bribing and making sure no one finds out about it, specially Clovis.
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 yo 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 get used to working with a female AI. (1 dice to activate, 25R)
[] 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?
[] [FREE] 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. (One dice will be rolled)
[] Write In
============================================== Here is turn two.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Vote moratorium for at least 12 hours until I open the vote, though since it's Thanksgiving; don't be surprised if I forget to open it. So, discuss potential votes and ideas for possible actions.
[X] Plan Three rerolls!
-[X] [FREE] Talk to the Traveler:
-[X] Inventory the current products of the company (86/200; 50R per dice): 1MD 50R
-[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (167/1000; 110R per dice): 3RD 1FD 440R
-[X] Look for a Head of Security (0/100; 50R per dice): 2OD 100R
-[X] [COLD] Begin the covert* process to patent the CFR under Skynet. (-1000 RP)
-[X] Talk with S, the AI: 25R
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: 25R
-[X] Hang with someone from the helpers (75R per dice) (Can be taken multiple times, one dice per possible person) 3FD
--[X] Ivan
--[X] Lance
--[X] Cora
Year 1, Q2 Results
[X] Inventory the current products of the company (86/200; 50R per dice): 1MD 50R
Roll-96
NEW 96+86= 182
With Lance's support, the investigation into Skynet's products progressed without interruption, ensuring all aspects of the company's operations were thoroughly scrutinized.
In terms of finished goods stored in the company's warehouses, the inventory proved robust. The stockpile was sufficient to meet market demands for an entire fiscal quarter, even if the factory's production capabilities were unexpectedly compromised. This level of preparedness underscored the company's commitment to maintaining uninterrupted supply chains and safeguarding against potential disruptions.
Regarding strategies for market expansion, several innovative ideas were being discussed. Lance highlighted the steadily growing demand in the video game industry, identifying it as a promising avenue for growth. Additionally, he noted the significant and ongoing surge in aerospace-related orders across other businesses, mostly in regard to the white sphere that was on Mars.
It would take a bit longer to determine a real path to proceed forward.
===========================================
[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (167/1000; 110R per dice): 3RD 1FD 440R
51, 96, 9, 68, Bonus- 5
Total- 229
NEW 229+167= 396
Progress on the Sloot Digital Coding System has been slow, even after Kora took over as the head of the R&D department. While her expertise and determination have brought structure to the project, the majority of the department remains skeptical. Many of the scientists see the endeavor as chasing a myth, convinced that the Sloot System's supposed capabilities defy the fundamental laws of data compression.
"Shannon's theorem doesn't lie." One of the senior researchers muttered during a team meeting. The sentiment was echoed by others, though none dared openly defy your or Kora's authority.
Despite their doubts, the team pressed on, if only because they were being paid to do so. Kora's leadership ensured that work progressed in an orderly manner, with clearly defined objectives and milestones. However, the pace was hampered by the researchers' half-hearted commitment and lingering skepticism.
==============================================
[X] Look for a Head of Security (0/100; 50R per dice): 2OD 100R
BONUS- 5
Roll 1= 1
USE REROLL (Two Left)
Roll 1.2= 3 -5(CRIT FAIL)+5(Bonus)= 3
Roll 2= 97
Total- 100
Bonus CRIT 100 Roll= 88
FINAL= 188
You lean back in your chair, staring at the pile of failed applications and interview notes scattered across your desk. Lance, sitting opposite you, shakes his head in frustration while Kora pours herself another cup of coffee. The three of you have spent weeks trying to find someone suitable to take over as Head of Security for Skynet, but every candidate has been a disappointment.
Some failed the practical tests; others couldn't meet the high standards required for a role that demanded both brains and brawn. A few were caught hiding questionable pasts that S uncovered with ease.
One particularly galling incident involved a woman who arrived for her interview clearly drunk, slurring her words and stumbling as she introduced herself. To make matters worse, she began flirting shamelessly with Lance, leaning far too close and making everyone in the room deeply uncomfortable.
You vividly remember the dull thud of your head hitting the desk, a sound that echoed your frustration, as Kora stepped in to drag the woman out by her arm, muttering some angry words along the way.
"This is hopeless." You groan, rubbing your temples as the woman's protests faded down the hall. "We're never going to find someone at this rate. Guess I better get used to being both CEO and head of security."
But things change one day when Kora bursts into your office, panic written across her face.
"John." She says, breathless. "I just got a call from Cayde Nolan Buck."
You sit up straighter, the name immediately grabbing your attention. Cayde was a name you hadn't heard in years. He was someone you, Lance, and Kora all knew growing up, with him being in the same grade as Kora and being her best friend.
After high school, he'd pursued a career in law enforcement, graduating from the Los Angeles Police Academy and steadily rising through the ranks to become the commander of LAPD SWAT.
His life seemed charmed, complete with a loving fiancée who was a firefighter. You'd seen him occasionally in the news and the odd phone call, a decorated officer with a promising future. But why would he call now, and why did Kora look so shaken.
"What happened?" You ask, already bracing yourself.
Kora's hands tremble as she grips the back of the chair in front of your desk. "Cayde… he's been arrested. They've charged him with conspiracy, money laundering, tampering with evidence, embezzlement, fraud, bribery, and… murder of an Internal Affairs officer."
The words hit you like a freight train. "What?"
"It's all over the news," Kora continues. "They froze his assets, fired him, and everyone—his friends, his family, even his fiancée—they all abandoned him. He's got nothing, John. Nothing except a public defender who's barely doing his job."
You sit there in stunned silence as Kora's words sink in. Cayde, someone you could easily call the living image of a trustworthy cop, now stood accused of crimes so heinous they felt impossible to reconcile with the person you knew.
"He called you?" You asked.
Kora nods. "After weeks of convincing, his lawyer finally agreed to let him make a call. He called me, asking for help. He swore he's innocent, and I believe him. I have to help him."
"What are you going to do?" you ask.
"I'm taking time off." She says firmly. "I'm going to hire a private lawyer with my own money if I have to."
But before Kora can leave, a thought strikes you. "Wait." She stops and looks at you, confused. "Don't hire anyone yet. I'll have Skynet's legal team take the case."
Kora stares at you, visibly shocked.
"You're serious?" Kora asks.
You nod. "Something about this doesn't sit right with me. My gut says Cayde's innocent, and I trust my gut. We'll use our lawyers." You said.
You discussed more things with her for a few more minutes, after which she left your office, going home to pack for her flight to LA.
After waiting a minute that she left and you were alone, you spoke.
"S." You say, glancing at the computer screen, "I want you to dig into this. Quietly. Find out what's really going on."
S's response appears instantly.
Understood. I will begin immediately.
The next week is a blur. Skynet's lawyers launch a vigorous defense, while Kora sits in the audience every day, refusing to leave Cayde's side. Meanwhile, S works tirelessly, hacking into databases, surveillance systems, and anything else she can access.
By the end of the week, she presents you with irrefutable evidence: Cayde had been framed. The real culprit was another officer, someone with a grudge and the connections to orchestrate the entire scheme.
The evidence is sent to Cayde's lawyers, who present it in court. The turnaround is swift. Within another week, Cayde is exonerated, the charges dropped. The real perpetrator is arrested, and Cayde walks out of the courthouse a free man.
The sight of him hugging a sobbing Kora makes national headlines, the image splashed across every major news outlet. Skynet's role in clearing his name earns widespread praise, while the LAPD is publicly humiliated for their failure.
But Cayde's ordeal has left scars. He refuses the LAPD's offer to reinstate him in SWAT, quitting in a rage. "Why would I go back to a place where everyone turned their backs on me?" He tells you.
He also declines your offer to sue the department, saying he just wants to leave Los Angeles behind. The city offers him a $10 million settlement, which he reluctantly accepts.
Another thing was calling off his former friends and family for their betrayal and telling them he wanted nothing more to do with them. His ex-finance at least had the decency to give back the engagement ring to him.
Kora offered him a place to stay in Sunnydale while he rebuilt his life. Cayde agrees, moving into her guest room with nothing but a duffel bag of belongings and a heavy heart.
One day, as you sit across from him in Kora's place, you make an offer. "Cayde, I want you to come work for me. Be Skynet's Head of Security."
Cayde hesitates. "Why?"
"Because you're the best person for the job and I know I can trust you to not betray me, Lance or more importantly, Kora." You say simply. "And because you deserve a fresh start. Let me help you the way you helped so many people before."
He looks at you for a long moment, then nods. "Alright," He says. "I'll do it. But only because I owe you for what you did for me."
You shake his hand, sealing the deal. For the first time in weeks, you feel like things are finally falling into place.
"By the way, do you know any good places here in Sunnydale that sales ramen?" Cayde asks.
Reward:
Cayde Nolan Buck: Head of Security
+1 Operations Dice, +5 to Security/Military rolls
[X] [COLD] Begin the covert* process to patent the CFR under Skynet. (-1000 RP)
It took a lot of covert dealings for over three months, specially in keeping things quiet; but thanks to your own military connections, Lance's expertise, some clever surveilling from S, and a bit of sympathy from Gale's death; Skynet was awarded the patent for the Cold Fusion Reactor.
The trick here was that to ensure no alarms were raised, the patent was awarded under the premise that the CFR had yet to be invented, that it was in the process of being made, that it was made by Gale and not finished before her death. Sufficing to say that a lot of patents are filled like this that don't attract attention, since most of the big players that monitor the patenting office think they are future failures.
The patenting office said that Skynet had one year to reveal the final product or else the patent will be annulled and must pay a large fine since it was a nuclear related patent.
Either way, it was done and now the question was when to reveal to the public that the CFR was fully operational before we lost the patent.
One thing that you made sure that was in known was the official name for this type of reactor.
The Gale Cold Fusion Reactor.
Reward= CFR aka Gale Reactor patented, one year to make public
It was another ordinary day at the office, or as ordinary as it could be when running a company like Skynet. You were seated at your desk, going over supply chain reports, when S's text appeared on your computer screen.
John, may I ask you a question I've been investigating?
Her tone, or rather, the carefully programmed cadence of her text; felt unusually hesitant, which immediately caught your attention. You stopped typing and turned to the screen. "Sure," You said without hesitation. "What's the question?"
After observing the military personnel assigned to Skynet's security and analyzing their internet activity during downtime, I've noticed a recurring trend. Many of them seem to spend a significant amount of time viewing videos and images of women wearing minimal clothing—or, in some cases, none at all. I would like to understand why this is so prevalent.
You froze. For a moment, you simply stared at the screen, your mind blank. Then, like a wave crashing over you, the mortification hit.
'Oh no.' You mentally cursed yourself for the decision to provide free internet access to the security division.
Clearing your throat, you tried to give her an honest, straightforward answer, though you couldn't meet her virtual gaze, or the glowing camera light on your desk. "Well... uh... it's human nature, I guess. Men are, um, visually oriented when it comes to... attraction. And, uh, the military is a high-stress environment, and when you're in a high-stress environment, you look for ways to distract yourself or feel normal, and this kind of media is just easy to access and use. Another thing to note is that everyone has their different desires that attracts them."
After a pause, her response appeared on the screen.
Thank you for your answer. That explanation aligns with other behavioral patterns I have observed, that this fascination seems to stem from a combination of biological impulses and cultural factors. Human nature is... fascinating.
Relieved to be off the hook, you turned back to your work, hoping to bury yourself in something, anything, to forget the conversation.
But S wasn't done.
One more question, John.
You sighed, glancing back at the screen. "Yes?"
Do you have any such media in your possession?
You freeze, staring at the screen. "What?!" You blurt out, feeling your embarrassment spike.
S's text follows almost instantly.
I'm simply curious if your answer was influenced by personal experience, especially since your data shows you were a former NAE special operations soldier, which is the most stressful position in the military. If so, it would help refine my understanding of human behavior.
"Nope." You said quickly. "I don't possess any type of that media."
Mentally, you thanked every lucky star that your personal stash was safely stored on an external hard drive—not on your phone or any device connected to Skynet's systems.
Understood. Thank you again for answering my question. Please let me know if you change your mind.
As you returned to work, a darker thought crept into your mind.
'What's scarier? S figuring out what kind of material I like, or Gale somehow coming back to haunt me for exposing her 'baby' to this sort of thing?' You though as you began to type, filling out a new supply order.
The answer didn't matter. Either way, one thing was clear, working with a sentient AI was never going to be boring.
[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: 25R
Roll= 26 (Try Again)
The work at Skynet never seemed to end. Even with Lance managing operations as COO, Kora innovating in R&D, Cayde providing tactical insights, Ivan working his magic with investments, and S assisting with every conceivable task, the sheer volume of responsibilities still felt overwhelming. Every time you thought you'd cleared your plate, a new issue landed on your desk.
To make matters worse, you hadn't been sleeping well. The past few nights were plagued with restless hours and fragmented nightmares you couldn't quite piece together upon waking. The only thing you remembered was the vague sense of unease they left behind, a weight pressing on your chest that lingered through the day.
You sat at your desk, exhaustion settling into your bones, staring at the half-finished list of tasks in front of you. Reflecting on your qualifications for this role was something you'd meant to do for weeks, but it always seemed like the wrong time. And right now, with your mind foggy and your body begging for rest, it was definitely the wrong time.
"I'll try again when things calm down." You muttered to yourself, though you weren't sure if you believed it. For now, all you could do was push forward, one task at a time, and hope the nightmares wouldn't follow you into tomorrow.
[X] Hang with someone from the helpers (75R per dice) (Can be taken multiple times, one dice per possible person) 3FD
--[X] Ivan (Roll= 92)
You leaned back in your chair, swirling the last bit of your drink in its glass as Ivan reclined across from you, his usual smirk firmly in place.
'I am really regretting telling him I used to be a disc jockey in high school.' You though.
"All I'm saying is, we'd be paid a ridiculous amount of money for doing absolutely nothing." Ivan said, gesturing lazily with his drink.
You snorted. "Absolutely nothing? I'm not selling out and turning my hard-earned, paid-for skills into some gimmick by becoming a jockey in my spare time!"
Ivan chuckled, clearly enjoying your reaction. "I'm just saying it's a good idea. You'd get a lot of exercise, stay sharp, and school a bunch of kids who don't know any better. Sounds like a win to me."
You shook your head, laughing despite yourself. "How in the hell did this whole conversation about charity programs for vets somehow morph into 'Let's make a shit ton of money and dominate the pro-gaming circuit while humiliating teenagers?'"
Ivan shrugged, his smirk widening. "I mean, is that such a bad idea for some spare-time fun? Think about it. You'd be using your skills for a good cause, showing these kids a thing or two, and maybe raking in some extra cash on the side. Everyone wins."
You tilted your head, pretending to mull it over. "Hmm, spare-time fun, huh?"
"Exactly!" Ivan said, leaning forward like he'd already won you over.
"True… true." You admitted, smirking as you took another sip of your drink.
Ivan grinned triumphantly, raising his glass in a mock toast. "See? You're coming around to my way of thinking already. Next step: sponsorship deals."
You rolled your eyes but couldn't help laughing. "Yeah, sure. I'll get right on that, Ivan."
The two of you shared a laugh, the kind that came easily between friends who'd been through a lot together. For all his antics and schemes, Ivan had a way of making even the most ridiculous ideas seem just plausible enough to consider, though you weren't about to admit that to him just yet.
Reward:
Ivan Relationship increased.
============================================
--[X] Lance (Roll= 70)
"Welcome back to Lance of Light, your guide into the wide and obscure world of science fiction. From the pulp gloss of yesteryear to the modern titans of today, I'll be your guide on this thrilling journey into the world of tomorrow."
You blinked, leaning back in your chair as the familiar intro played from Lance's laptop. "Wait, seriously? You're still doing your sci-fi podcast?"
"Of course I am." Lance replied, a grin spreading across his face. "It's my side hobby for when the world goes to shit economically, which, let's face it, happens more often than we'd like. Everyone needs an escape. Mine just happens to involve books, movies, and all the sci-fi trappings that come with them."
You chuckled, shaking your head. "And here I thought it was just your way of avoiding the stress of working for Clovis Bray."
Lance's grin faltered for a moment, a flicker of tension crossing his face before he waved it off. "Alright, you caught me. It definitely started as a way to keep my sanity back then. I mean, when you're dealing with that man on a daily basis, you need something to take your mind off the sheer soul-sucking grind."
"Fair point." You said, raising your glass in a mock toast. "But hey, now that you've got time to focus on it, you could really cash in on this whole Traveler thing. You know, turn the podcast into a full-blown sensation."
Lance rolled his eyes, though there was a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh, I am making a killing." He said. "People love conspiracy theories and speculative fiction, especially when there's even a hint of truth behind them. But let's be clear—I'm not selling out. This is about sharing a love of the genre, not turning into one of those 'clickbait apocalypse prophets.'"
You laughed, leaning forward. "So, no emergency Traveler-themed merch drop? No 'What They Don't Want You to Know' episodes sponsored by energy drinks?"
"Not a chance." Lance said firmly, though his smirk widened. "But I might do a breakdown of the top ten most likely alien civilizations we could encounter based on existing sci-fi tropes. For educational purposes, of course."
"Of course." You said, rolling your eyes.
The two of you shared a laugh for a bit.
You gestured toward the laptop. "Alright, let's hear this episode. I want to see how you're tackling the Traveler hype without selling your soul."
"Prepare to be enlightened." Lance said with mock seriousness, hitting play.
Reward:
Lance Relationship increased.
=============================================
--[X] Cora (Roll= 93)
"So, I know it's an alternate variant of chemo." You say with a grin, balancing a stack of BluRays' precariously in one hand while carrying a sleek Valerion VisionMaster in the other, "But that doesn't mean you have to suffer through it alone, and especially not with bad taste!"
Kora looks up from her hospital bed, adjusting the blankets draped over her lap. Despite her pale complexion, there's a spark of amusement in her eyes as she takes in the sight of you hauling in what looks like half a film library.
"John." She says, laughing, "Why on Earth did you waste your visiting hours lugging a bunch of old anime in here?"
"Because I thought you might want to indulge in my collection." You reply, setting the stack of movies and the VisionMaster down carefully on the side table. "And I'm not just talking any anime. I'm talking the good stuff—the classics from the 'Rebirth' Era."
She rolls her eyes but can't quite suppress her grin. "Why don't you just donate this to a kids' hospital or something?"
"Oh, believe me, I will." You retort, holding up one of the cases like a prized trophy. "But this is the good stuff. I'm talking the fully remastered version of Deus Ex: Mankind Restored, and Cyberpunk:—"
"—The Rise of NUSA by Trigger." She finishes, cutting you off with a smirk. "John, you know I can just stream this, right?"
You sort of stop your work as you look at her and a bit embarrassed said. "I sort forgot to renew my subscriptions and they locked them out. Stupid, greedy corporations and their subscription traps? Miss one payment and they kick you out."
She bursts into laughter, the sound genuine and warm despite her condition. "You do realize that you are now in charge of a greedy corporation right?"
"Hey Gale actually cared about the little people, and Clovis hates us, so that means we are doing a good job at being a morally good corporation."
Kora laughs again. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Yeah, yeah." You say, waving a hand dismissively as you start setting up the VisionMaster. "Impossible and armed with the best damn anime collection you've ever seen. Trust me, after a few episodes, you'll thank me."
"By the way, where is Cayde?" Kora asked.
"He is trying to sneak in three bowls of ramen for you to eat, claiming that it's the food of the gods and that it can heal you." You say as this makes Kora laugh again.
As you fiddle with the settings, you catch her watching you with a smile, not just because of the absurdity of your actions, but because, for a little while, you've managed to make her forget about the hospital, the treatment, and everything else weighing her down.
And really, that's all you came here to do.
Reward:
Kora Relationship increased.
=================================================
-[X] [FREE] Talk to the Traveler:
"All your strength, all your skills, and yet I'm dead. What kind of protector are you?"
"I tried. I did everything I could."
"Yet you failed. All you are good at is creating death."
"No."
To be Continued: A Torment of Pain, A Glimmer of Hope
=======================================
Total Cost= 1640 R
1740-1640 = 100 R
Hey, guys.
So here is the results and you can already see that Thanksgiving is already helping.
Would like to thank Cyber for his help in writing this and providing some of the rolls.
So, the Vanguard has been brought together.
I wonder if I should make Pre-Osiris the head of the security for the Ishtar Collective, who are named the Medjai. Or to make Pre-Saint a British fighter pilot, grandson of Roland "Bee" Beamont.
I am mostly basing Cayde's past on The Rookie's Nolan. Best friends with Kora, cause who doesn't like Firefly.
As for the Traveler, you will have to wait for it's own entry, it's gotten to the point it should be alone. Though do note that the small teaser above is subject to change if necessary.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
You stand in the middle of a battlefield shrouded in an oppressive darkness, the air thick with the acrid stench of blood, gunpowder, and decay. The weight of your weapon presses heavily in your hands, your gear dragging at your body as if the earth itself is trying to pull you under.
Each step feels unstable, the ground beneath you soft and uneven, like walking across the corpses of the fallen. It's a familiar scene, one you've endured countless times before, but this time, something feels fundamentally wrong, alien, as though the battlefield itself is alive and hostile.
Then, faintly at first, you hear it. A song. Not a melody with words, but a haunting chorus of sounds—notes that seem to weave directly into your mind. The tones are dissonant yet strangely compelling, stirring something deep within you. They carry a siren-like quality, urging you to let go of restraint, to release your rage and give in to the primal urge to destroy.
Ahead, there's movement. Shadows coalesce, forming into shambling figures emerging from the gloom. They wear tattered uniforms, their bodies twisted and grotesque, their faces partially obscured by the darkness. But you recognize them. Every single one. These are the enemy soldiers you've killed, their lifeless forms now reanimated, glowing green eyes burning with an unnatural light. Their guttural moans, hollow and echoing, claw at your ears. Somehow, over the cacophony of battle, they speak your name.
You grip your rifle tighter and fire. Each shot tears through the decaying flesh of the advancing horde, ripping them apart, but they don't stop. They never stop. They swarm closer, surrounding you, their glowing eyes and grotesque features dragging you back into the memories of every kill you've made. Guilt and rage war within you, and the weight of it all presses down like a suffocating shroud.
Oddly, you notice that your rifle never runs out of bullets, never jams. No matter how many rounds you fire, it keeps going. Another realization dawns: the song. With every kill, its volume grows, rising to a fever pitch. The sounds crescendo, a maddening symphony that syncs with the rhythm of your violence. It's as though the battlefield itself feeds on your rage and despair, urging you to keep going, to kill and kill again.
The enemy soldiers close in, their glowing eyes boring into your soul. You fire again and again, but they don't stop. The weight of their numbers bears down on you, and the chorus of the song builds to an unbearable intensity. Just as you feel you're about to be consumed, the ground beneath your feet shifts and gives way.
You're falling now, tumbling through a void. The battlefield above spins away into the distance, the cacophony of screams and gunfire fading into a suffocating silence expect for the song becoming like a background echo. For a brief moment, you feel weightless, suspended in the darkness.
Then, out of the void, they appear. Three glowing green eyes pierce through the oppressive blackness, their eerie light cutting into you like blades. The gaze is unrelenting, searing into your very soul. Beneath those haunting eyes, a grotesque smile slowly emerges—twisted and curling with malevolent intent, as if it knows every one of your secrets and delights in them. The sight paralyzes you, your limbs frozen as dread creeps up your spine.
The darkness tightens its grip, swallowing everything around you, and then it happens again. You feel yourself tumbling, spinning uncontrollably as if gravity itself has betrayed you. The glowing eyes and the sinister smile vanish above you, retreating into the void as an oppressive silence falls. The haunting melody, faint and incomprehensible, that had accompanied your descent also ceases, leaving you alone with the deafening quiet.
After what feels like an eternity of freefall, you stop abruptly. There's no crash, no impact—just a jarring stillness. Your eyes snap open, and you find yourself lying on the ground, your chest heaving as you gasp for air.
The surface beneath you is cool and solid, unlike the shifting void you had been trapped in. With a groan, you push yourself up, your body trembling as you take in your surroundings. This isn't a battlefield. Far from it.
You stand in a room.
You would say it looked like a normal room, but there was something about the room that did not feel right. The air itself felt thick and heavy, pressing down on you with an unseen weight that makes every breath a struggle.
"What the hell…" You mutter, your voice echoing faintly in the oppressive stillness. You turn in slow circles, trying to make sense of the space, but there's nothing here, no sign of an exit, no indication of where you are.
Then, something changes.
A door materializes on the wall in front of you, its edges outlined by the same strange light that saturates the room. It appears seamlessly, as if it had always been there, waiting for you to notice. Before you can decide whether to approach, the door opens with a soundless motion, revealing a figure stepping through.
Your breath catches in your throat.
It's her.
Gale.
She's wearing a black dress, or rather something that might be called a black dress if you were technical. It clings to her like a second skin, made of a glossy material that shimmers faintly under the strange light. Straps crisscross her sides, exposing glimpses of her skin in a way that's both artistic and devastatingly provocative. The neckline plunges daringly, leaving little to the imagination, while the high-cut design elongates her legs, which seem to go on forever. She moves like she knows exactly the effect she's having, her black heels clicking softly against the smooth floor.
This is the first time you've seen her like this, and it's impossible not to mentally catalog every detail. The choker around her neck glints with a small, polished jewel that catches the light like a predator's eye. Gloves sheath her hands, completing the look with an elegance that borders on lethal.
The Gale standing before you could easily be described as a walking, sex symbol. Heads would turn. Conversations would stop. Men, women, anyone—she'd claim their attention without trying.
Her presence is intoxicating, almost otherworldly, and her smile... it's nothing like the smiles you've seen on her before. This one is confident, teasing—predatory in the way it seems to unravel you.
You glance away, desperate to collect yourself, but it's futile. Your gaze is pulled back as if by gravity. The dress, the way she wears it, the way she moves, it's utterly consuming. You can't tell if it's her or the charged air in the room that's making it so hard to breathe.
"John." She says, her voice soft and sweet, dripping with something that makes your skin crawl. She approaches, her movements slow and deliberate, and you back away instinctively, your hands raised in protest.
"Gale, what… how are you here?" You manage to stammer, your voice trembling.
"You've been working so hard." She purrs, her fingers trailing along your arm, sending shivers down your spine. "You deserve to relax. To enjoy yourself."
She's close now, too close, and though you try to resist, to push her away, there's a part of you that falters. Her touch is intoxicating, her presence overwhelming. You're losing control, your protests dying in your throat as she presses against you, her lips brushing your ear.
And then it changes.
Her form begins to shift, her skin darkening as a red aura envelops her. The light in the room dims, the air growing colder. Her eyes burn like embers, and her smile twists into something cruel, mocking. She steps back, her voice sharp and cutting now.
"You couldn't protect me. I took you in when you were out and this is how you repay me." She says, her tone dripping with disdain. "All your strength, all your skills, and yet I'm dead. What kind of protector are you?"
"I tried." You say, your voice cracking under the weight of her words. "I did everything I could."
"Did you?" She sneers, circling you like a predator. "Or were you too busy trying not to blame yourself? Too wrapped up in your own self-importance to see what was happening?"
She steps closer, her presence suffocating. The temperature in the room drops, the icy air clinging to your skin. Her burning eyes narrow, boring into you as she leans in. Her voice drops to a venomous whisper, each word a dagger. "And don't think I've forgotten what you saw when you found me. My body, left in that exposed, humiliating state…" She pauses, her lips curling into a grotesque, predatory grin. "A part of you enjoyed it, didn't you? Seeing me like that. Vulnerable. Powerless."
She strikes a pose that accentuates her figure, drawing attention to her exposed skin. "I wonder what crossed your mind when you stumbled upon me. Were you surprised, maybe shocked, to discover that the friend that saved you was a secret sex fiend? Or was it embarrassment? Embarrassment that I was exposed, that my hidden desires killed me, and that you were the one left to deal with it by covering it up?"
You stumble, your legs weak beneath you. "I was trying to protect you!" You shout, desperation cracking your voice. "To protect everything you built!"
Her hollow laughter fills the room, echoing in impossible ways, as if it's coming from all directions. "Protect me? Or protect yourself? Admit it, John." She hisses, her voice a terrible, serpentine growl. "You didn't do it out of loyalty. You did it because you were afraid. Afraid of being remembered as the man who failed me, afraid of losing everything I gave you. You're not a hero. You're just a pathetic little man scrambling to hold onto to power."
Her accusations tear into you, exposing wounds you thought had long scarred over. You try to respond, but the words die in your throat. Your breaths come shallow, your vision blurring as the room twists and warps, the walls bending inward like a vortex.
"You're no different from the rest of them." She snarls, stepping closer. "All those men who looked down on me, who thought they were better, stronger, more deserving of what I built. You tell yourself you're better, that you're different, but deep down, you're just another broken piece of this system. Just like me."
The red glow flares again, so bright it blinds you. You shield your face, falling to your knees, the weight of her words pressing down on you like a physical force.
"I didn't mean for any of this!" you cry, your voice cracking under the strain. "I just… I just wanted to do what was right."
Her laugh is sharper now, cutting through you like shards of glass. "Right? There is no 'right,' John. There's only survival. And you? You'll carry this with you until it crushes you."
You can't tell if your mind is truly breaking or if reality itself is bending in ways you can't comprehend, but you swear there's something wrong with Gale's shadow. It doesn't match her slender frame at all. Instead, it stretches out on the ground in a grotesque form—a hulking silhouette, far larger than her, with a bizarre cone-like head crowned by a single, staring eye.
Behind it, writhing in impossible patterns, are several thick, sinuous tentacles, moving as though alive. The more you focus on it, the more it seems to shift and pulse, like the shadow itself is aware of your gaze, daring you to acknowledge its horrifying presence.
Suddenly, the laughter stops, replaced by a sharp, agonized scream as a blinding white light floods the room. You shield your eyes, the intense brilliance cutting through the oppressive red aura like a blade. Gale, or the thing wearing her face, stumbles backward, her mocking visage twisting in pain. The crimson aura around her flickers and fades, as if retreating from the purity of the light.
Also the shadow behind her seemed to be suffering as well as it moved around like it was in pain.
The suffocating weight on your chest begins to lift, each breath coming easier, the chill in the air dissipating. The room itself seems to respond to the light, its walls stabilizing, glowing faintly with a calming luminescence.
Gale's form writhes violently, her once-commanding presence reduced to chaotic spasms of fear and anger. Her screams, a mix of terror and rage, echo through space, reverberating with a primal intensity.
"NO!!! Impossible, how are you here!!??" She yells, her voice trembling under the weight of the impossible sight before her.
"He is not yours, Gardener, he is ours; his soul is stained with death and despair!!!" She shrieks, her voice cracking with desperation. The words hang in the air, venomous and filled with centuries of wrath, yet they falter against the growing radiance.
The red aura around her surges desperately, a final effort to assert dominance. It pulsates, flaring like a dying star, trying to engulf everything in its path. But the white light opposes it with unyielding intensity, a divine force that seems to push back the very fabric of Gale's being.
She screams louder, her voice a guttural wail as cracks begin to form across her body, glowing white-hot as though the light itself is breaking through her. The red aura shudders, flickering like a candle in a storm, before it collapses inward. Gale's figure begins to dissolve, her corporeal form disintegrating into shards of crimson light that spiral upward and evaporate into the void.
Amid her fading cries, a single whisper pierces through the chaos.
It was female and faint but deliberate, firm with a strength of authority.
"No."
The word resonates, carrying the weight of finality and judgment.
Gale's figure shatters, her body breaking apart like fragile glass under the relentless weight of the light. The monstrous shadow that loomed behind her, an abomination that fed on fear and despair, cracks as well. Fissures spread across its grotesque form before it bursts into a million fragments, each dissolving into nothingness.
The room falls into a heavy silence. The oppressive darkness that once dominated the room was gone, replaced by a gentle, ethereal glow. The air feels lighter, cleaner, as if an ancient curse has finally been lifted.
You fall to the floor, your back hitting the cold surface as you lie there, unable to move. Your body feels heavy, as though the remnants of the words Gale said still cling to you, but you can sense something changing.
The light intensifies around the room, its healing warmth slowly seeping into you, bit by bit. You keep your eyes closed, unwilling, or perhaps unable to face what might come next.
Then, you feel your head shift slightly, resting against something soft. A familiar scent washes over you, gentle and soothing—lavender. Slowly, you open your eyes.
Looking down at you with a soft smile was Gale. But this isn't the twisted, mocking form from before. This is different. She's wearing the casual clothes she favored when not in the office, a look that brings a pang of nostalgia. Her entire form is bathed in a white aura, the light radiating from her serene and comforting.
You blink, your guard slipping away as something deep inside tells you this Gale is real, the true one. She gently strokes your hair, her touch light and reassuring.
"It wasn't your fault." She says softly, her voice steady and filled with compassion. "None of it was. No matter what you've done, John, you're a good man."
The words, despite being short and simple; pierce through the layers of guilt and self-doubt you've carried for so long. You feel the tension in your chest ease as a warmth spread through you, a warmth you hadn't realized you were desperate for. For the first time in years, you allow yourself to believe her words, and with that belief comes a glimmer of peace.
You remain still, unwilling to move, unwilling to break the serenity of this moment. Lying there, cradled in the comforting presence of the true Gale, you feel the world's weight fade away bit by bit. It's a fragile peace, but one you cling to with all your heart.
But then, a faint dizziness begins to take hold. Your limbs feel light, almost weightless, and a subtle hum fills the air. Something was changing.
Gale's soft smile doesn't falter. She continues to stroke your hair, her voice calm and steady. "Your time here is ending." She says gently. "You have to go back."
"Back?" You ask, your voice barely above a whisper. "What do you mean?"
She leans closer, her eyes filled with warmth and trust. "John, regardless of what you do, I trust you to take care of my legacy. Ensure that my baby daughter continues to grow under your care."
You stare at her, confusion and realization battling in your mind. "Your… baby daughter?" You repeat, and then it clicks. She's talking about S.
Her hand rests gently against your cheek, tracing your scar with her expression softening further. "She's precious, John. More than you realize. Don't let her be lost to the darkness. Guide her, as you've guided so many before. She's stronger than you think, but she still needs you."
The hum around you grows louder, and the white light begins to intensify. The dizziness worsens, and you feel yourself being pulled away, as if the very fabric of this dream is unraveling. Panic flickers in your chest, but Gale's presence keeps it at bay.
"Wait." You manage, your voice trembling. "Gale…"
She places a single finger against your lips, silencing you with a gentle shush. Her smile remains steady, even as the world around her begins to fade. Gale lifts her free hand into the air, and from it materializes a glowing blue cube, its edges pulsating with faint light.
The sight jolts something in your memory, it looks remarkably like the Tesseract from those old comic book movies you like to watch.
Gale brings the cube down, holding it in front of you so you can see its intricate, shifting patterns of light. "Before you go." She says softly. "I want to give you something. A gift. Consider it a way to make your path ahead a bit more… glamorous."
She places the cube in your right hand, its surface cool and smooth against your skin. As it settles, you feel a faint vibration, a warmth spreading from your palm into your arm, a sensation both comforting and invigorating. Gale's eyes meet yours, filled with trust and a bittersweet finality.
"Goodbye, John." She whispers, her voice carrying both resolve and tenderness. "Take care of my legacy, and tell that dummy friend of mine, Mihaylova, that my baby S is better than her boy R."
Her words linger in your ears as the light overtakes you completely, its warmth engulfing you, carrying you away from the dream.
You wake with a sharp gasp, your body jerking upright in your office chair. The room around you is dark, save for the faint glow of the city lights streaming through the large windows behind your desk and your computer screen. Outside, the night has fully settled in. For a moment, you sit there, dazed and unsure of your surroundings. Then, the memories of the dream come crashing back, vivid and overwhelming.
You take a shaky breath, trying to steady yourself. Gale's voice still echoes in your mind, her trust in you both comforting and crushing under the weight of what she'd asked of you.
You mutter to yourself. "I need to stop working overtime here. This is the tenth nightmare I had this month." Brushing off the emotional storm with used practicality. Yet, the last thing you remember doing before nodding off nags at your thoughts: S telling you she'd be undergoing an upgrade and would be unavailable for a full day.
Your musings are interrupted by an odd sensation in your right hand. Looking down, your heart skips a beat. Resting in your palm is a glowing blue cube, the very same cube Gale had given you in the dream. It's cool surface pulses faintly with a rhythm that seems almost alive.
"What the fuck?" You whisper, your voice trembling. Before you can think too hard, a soft ping draws your attention to your computer screen, thinking that S was back online. You lean forward and feel your breath catch when you do not see S being active but rather something else.
There, displayed in precise diagrams and detailed text, is the very same blue cube, labeled simply as Glimmer. The text outlines its purpose, its capabilities, and—most shockingly—details how the Glimmer functions as programmable matter.
It explains that through the use of specialized programs and machinery, Glimmer can be transformed into virtually anything—elements, liquids, even fully finished products. However, the amount of Glimmer required varies depending on the complexity and scale of the transformation.
Included was the schematics on how to build the machines that create Glimmer from direct energy, even a machine that if you feed it any physical stuff, it would break it down and convert it to Glimmer.
Your mind races, struggling to process what you're seeing. Was this some leftover remnant of the dream? A trick of exhaustion? Or something far more profound? As you place the cube on your desk, your gaze lingers on it, its faint glow casting long shadows across the room.
And then there's that scent. Lavender. It lingers faintly in the air, unmistakable and soothing, and confusing as you knew that it's been months since the last of Gale's scent had been gone from the office.
You lean back in your chair, staring at the cube as questions swirl in your mind. One thing is certain, your world has just become much stranger, and Gale's legacy might be far greater than you'd ever imagined.
Reward:
John is a Speaker*
Survived encounter with the Darkness*
Been gifted with the existence of Glimmer.
*(Not that he knows)
====================================================
And as you can see, my Blackwatch dice strike again.
Would like to thank Cyber for his help in this entry. Though I somehow got the inspiration to finish this after seeing Werewolves on Friday (A bit slow, but I enjoyed it. 8/10)
Now to be on the safe side, I will simply explain what happened above:
First, Xivu is 'testing' John out for obvious reasons for the last weeks in his dreams.
Then Nezarec comes in for a turn, and sends in a Nightmare in the form of Gale to torment and break John.
Normally John would have been strong enough to endure but the testing done to him by Xivu for weeks slowly weakened him and the fact that it was the face of Gale, it was too much.
Note that it's confirmed that Nezarec was already on Earth before the Traveler arrived, with a cult and all.
Cue the Traveler appearing and banishing the Nightmare and Nezarec from John's mind.
And to heal John, the Traveler makes the Memory of Gale come to life and simply talks to him and comforts him.
The Memory gives John a gift in the form of Glimmer.
So John is a certified Speaker, which he does not know; but at the same time; the bad guys know that as well.
Luckily for him, Traveler knows and since she is not injured, she has her full power at her disposal to protect him.
From now on, there will be an action to dream with the Traveler but it will cost now.
Now, John has at his disposal Glimmer way earlier than in-canon, AND bye-bye 3D Printing once we get it up and running in the factory. Kora is going to be between being happy and wanting to strangle John when he tells her how he got it.
At least we don't have to worry about Clovis getting its hands on it first since in canon, Glimmer was apparently an accident after his daughter Willa created Engrams.
Since there is hardly any in-universe data on Glimmer besides that it's a programmable matter that can be transmuted into nearly anything, I will be taking liberties with it. Since we can take apart items to create glimmer from them, expect a machine that we throw stuff in it (ex. trash) and out of it comes Glimmer.
And for the record, English is my second language, so if you see errors, you know why.
In regards to Gale's AI pictures that I made, since I used the fixed seed for the pictures I made for Maria Hill in Cyber's SHIELD quest, I guess you can say that Gale's face claim is that of Cobie Smulders.
Oh, and regarding the picture of the room.......yes.
It had been four days since your 'dream,' and things around Skynet had taken a strange turn.
The moment S came back online, a mere two hours after you woke up, you ordered her to analyze the data on Glimmer that had mysteriously appeared on your computer. You also asked her the most pressing question: how did it get there?
For an entire hour, S was silent. The quiet was unnerving, and you swore you saw your computer screen freeze several times. Then, after what felt like an eternity, S finally responded. Her answer left you more unsettled than before.
I cannot determine how the data arrived. One second it was not there, and the next it was.
As if that wasn't disturbing enough, she added something that sent a chill down your spine: the metadata bore Gale's name. It was as if she had created it herself.
Your mind raced with possible explanations. Perhaps it was some kind of time-release program Gale had left behind, and it activated by coincidence when you were sleep-deprived. But no matter how much you speculated, it still didn't explain the cube that had been in your hand when you woke up.
Dream or not, one thing was clear: the existence of Glimmer had to remain a closely guarded secret. Its potential was staggering.
It was, in essence, a portable Star Trek replicator, capable of creating almost anything with the right programming. But that potential was a double-edged sword. S had confirmed that Glimmer could be used to create drugs or even uranium. The implications of such power falling into the wrong hands filled your mind with worst-case scenarios.
On the other hand, if Skynet controlled Glimmer, it could revolutionize the company—and the world. The production capabilities it offered could eclipse all others. You could purchase entire trash heaps for next to nothing, convert the waste into Glimmer, and then transform it into high-demand computer parts. The possibilities didn't end there. With Glimmer, Skynet could expand into entirely new industries.
One idea stood out in your mind: producing high-quality, cheap ammunition for the NAE military. It was a lucrative market, and Skynet could dominate it.
After taking a day to calm down, and finally enjoying a full night of restful sleep after months of restless nights; you decided it was time to bring in the inner circle: Kora, Lance, Cayde, and Ivan.
When they arrived in your office, you bent the truth. Telling them about the dream would have sounded insane. Instead, you explained that the data had appeared on your computer after a pre-programmed timer elapsed and that the cube had been hidden inside your desk, with the data providing its location.
Thankfully, S had created a fake time-release program and accompanying note to sell the story.
Kora, as you anticipated, was the first to dive into the data. You handed her the files, and within seconds, she was glued to the screen, her eyes scanning every detail with an intensity that was almost frightening.
"Uh, Kora?" You called after a few minutes. No response.
You waved your hand in front of her face. Nothing.
Lance, ever the pragmatist, snapped his fingers inches from her nose. Still nothing.
Ivan then brought out his phone and played a video of an airhorn playing next to her, and she did not react to it.
"She's gone into full-on science mode," Lance said with a smirk, leaning back in his chair. "I've seen this before. It's like trying to distract a shark from a feeding frenzy."
Cayde, meanwhile, decided to take a more direct approach. He grabbed a glass of water and much to your embarrassment; dumped it over Kora's head. Her soaked hair clung to her face and neck, and her shirt now looked like she had just entered, and probably won; a wet T-shirt contest.
But still, she didn't flinch. Didn't blink. Didn't even acknowledge the water running down her face.
"Okay, this is getting creepy." Cayde said, pulling out his phone. "I'm taking a picture. This has to be documented."
Without breaking her focus or looking away from the screen, Kora finally spoke. "Cayde, if you take that picture, I will lace every ramen packet you have with laxatives."
Cayde froze mid-snap. Slowly, he lowered his phone. "Message received." He muttered, backing away.
Ivan chuckled. "I think we've found the one way to break through her concentration—threaten her image."
Lance shook his head, grinning. "I'd say she's taking this well."
"Okay so while Kora is stuck in her trance, what do you guys think about Glimmer." You asked.
Cayde leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed. "Okay, so this is cool and all, but let's not pretend we're sitting on a gold mine without some serious risks. We're talking about technology that could make or break nations. How do we keep this under control?" He glanced at you, his tone serious. "And more importantly, how do we make sure it doesn't blow up in our faces?"
Lance, on the other hand, seemed equal parts fascinated and amused. "This is straight-up sci-fi come to life." He said, holding the cube up to the light like it was some artifact from another world. "Portable, programmable matter? You know how many industries this could disrupt? Forget production efficiency, this thing could redefine economics." He set the cube down with a smirk. "Though I bet the lawyers are going to have a field day with patents."
Ivan, predictably, was already thinking about the bottom line. "John," He said, leaning forward with an almost predatory gleam in his eye. "if we play this right, Skynet won't just dominate the manufacturing industry, we'll own it. Imagine pitching this to the NAE military. High-quality bullets, equipment, all produced faster and cheaper than anyone else could dream of. They'd be throwing money at us."
You nodded, listening to each of them in turn. Their perspectives mirrored the storm of thoughts already swirling in your mind.
Eventually, Kora finished reading and leaned back, her soaked appearance forgotten as she stared at you with wide eyes. "John… this isn't just groundbreaking. This is world changing. You realize what you have here, right?"
You nodded. "Oh, I do. That's why it stays between us. This does not leave the room." The rest of the group nodded at your words.
What you did next would shape not only Skynet's future but potentially the world's as well.
And for better or worse, there was no turning back.
"Oh, by the way, Cayde, you are cleaning up my office." You said, pointing to the water beneath Kora.
Skynet Manufacturing
Temporary 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
- Currently can only communicate through text messages on either Gale's computer or John's phone when he was in the area of the company. Can see and hear John talk through either of the two machines above.
- Programming not bound, capable of learning.
- Grants +2 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)
Advanced R&D Lab (Grants +2 Research Dice)
Experimental Cold Fusion Reactor
Grants +2 Free Dice
Not 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 Y2, Q1
NAE
- Civilian (+250)
- Military (+500)
Sunnydale (+100)
Current Resources: 100 R (+850 per turn)
Ivan Special Roll= 89, PASS
New Resource Total- 100+850= 950 x 2= 1,900R
Important Remainder:
Gale Cold Fusion Reactor (one year to make public before losing patent= Year 2, Q2)
Ares One Mission:
69 vs 73
"I went to space thinking of meeting aliens, and now I am in real life, alien version of 'Naked and Afraid'. At least I am not been recorded and the food and water are great here."
-Dr. Mihaylova
After months of silence, new information has finally emerged regarding the status of the Ares One mission.
According to a brief data transmission received by NASA, a significant event occurred shortly after the crew encountered the enigmatic entity referred to as the Traveler. One of the storms that was terraforming the planet caused a massive EMP field that disrupted the lander's systems, including its electrical equipment and communication systems, not to mention the equipment that the crew had on hand. Despite this catastrophic incident, the crew managed to weather the storm with remarkable resilience.
Fortunately, the lander remained upright and structurally intact, providing the crew with the opportunity to make necessary repairs. An extraordinary stroke of luck was also noted: the area where the lander touched down had been transformed into a lush, fully terraformed environment. Dr. Mihaylova described it as a veritable "Garden of Eden" replete with abundant resources to sustain the crew. This unforeseen boon eliminated immediate concerns about food and water, allowing the team to focus on other critical challenges.
However, communication with Earth remains unreliable. The crew reported that their equipment, hastily patched together in the aftermath of the EMP event, allows only sporadic updates. Despite these limitations, they confirmed that the lander itself remains operational and capable of launching. The spacecraft in orbit, which has been running autonomously, is still functional and ready to rendezvous with the lander when the time comes.
The crew noted that, thus far, they have had no direct contact with the Traveler. The enigmatic entity remains in the same location where it was first observed upon their arrival. With their limited tools, they continue to monitor it cautiously, though its purpose and nature remain shrouded in mystery.
One significant challenge lies ahead: the crew missed the optimal launch window to leave Mars. As a result, they must wait an additional six months for the next opportunity to attempt the shortest route back to Earth. The return journey itself will take an estimated nine months, adding to the considerable time they will spend in this uncharted and extraordinary situation.
Despite the setbacks, the crew remains resourceful and determined, providing hope that they will ultimately succeed in returning home.
[] 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 (0/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
[] Inventory the current products of the company (182/200; 50R per dice): Understanding what Skynet produces is essential for making informed decisions. Review the catalog of current products, including their profitability, market reception, and potential for improvement. This will help you identify strengths and areas for innovation.
[] Write In
Research: (3D)
[] 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.
[] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (396/1000; 110R per dice): The Sloot Digital Coding System, a marvel of data compression, was thought to be lost. Attempting to rediscover and refine it could lead to breakthroughs in data storage and transmission. Not to mention a boost in sales for computer memory related parts.
[] 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)
[] Write In
Special Vote:
What to do in regards to the Gale Reactor in this quarter:
[][COLD] Nothing for now, decide another time.
[][COLD] Unveil it by offering energy to Sunnydale for free.
[][COLD] Unveil it by offering energy to Sunnydale for a set price.
[][COLD] Write In
Operations: (3D)
[] 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.
[] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (0/500; 50R per dice): With the potential use of Glimmer being made from trash, it would rather be easy to ask the Sunnydale government to have take trash from their land fills and 'recycle' them for components. Would be best to get the contract from them in advanced for when the factory is made, the trash is ready to be picked up and reused. (Only take if you are planning on getting the Glimmer Trash version)
[] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (0/500; 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 yo 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 get used to working with a female AI. (1 dice to activate, 25R; can purchase two dice max)
[] 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, 100R)
[] Write In
============================================== Here is turn three.
As you can see above in certain actions, I added the option of temporary dice, which cost more. This is only for actions that directly allow for more RD or MD dice to be acquired.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Vote moratorium for at least 12 hours until I open the vote. So, discuss potential votes and ideas for possible actions.
