[X] Plan Let's build a glimmer factory level.
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Trash version (0/500; 100R per dice) 4FD 400R
-[X] Inventory the current products of the company (182/200; 50R per dice): 1MD 50R
-[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (396/1000; 110R per dice): 3 RD 330R
-[X][COLD] Nothing for now, decide another time.
-[X] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (0/500; 50R per dice): 3 OD 150R
-[X] Talk with S, the AI: 50R
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: 25R
Year 1, Q3 Results
[X][COLD] Nothing for now, decide another time.
========================================================= [X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
-[X] Trash version (0/500; 100R per dice) 4FD 400R
(put +5 omake bonus here, Tempest Warden)
Rolls- 72,11,7,69= 159+5= 164
NEW 164/500
The construction of the Glimmer Project began shortly after the lowest level of the factory was cordoned off. To avoid suspicion, you informed the workers that the restricted level was being prepared for an experimental manufacturing procedure involving a groundbreaking new method of 3D printing.
This explanation, while vague, was convincing enough to keep them from asking too many questions.
However, due to the sensitive nature of the project, all physical work in the cordoned-off area had to be conducted exclusively by you, Kora, Lance, Cayde, and Ivan. To maintain absolute discretion, this work was carried out only during off-hours, far from prying eyes and curious minds.
The core of the project revolved around the implementation of a highly specialized system, which required the assembly and integration of three primary machines in the data:
Matter Eater: Designed to process incoming trash or any other type of physical matter, this device transformed the material into raw Glimmer, the foundational resource of the system.
Glimmer Creator: Acting as a refinement unit, this machine took the newly created Glimmer and further processed it into functional end products.
The Scanner: The heart of the system and a true technological breakthrough, the Scanner was a massive, futuristic device resembling an oversized microwave. Its primary function was to scan objects and map their composition in detail, saving the data into a central database. With this information, the Glimmer machines could replicate the scanned objects with perfect precision. Currently, the Scanner's size limited it to objects no larger than a human torso, but its potential for expansion was undeniable.
Despite the intricate design and engineering of these machines, the project's timeline was constrained by the need for secrecy and limited manpower. At the current pace, without the addition of more laborers, the construction would take several months to complete. This estimate didn't even account for the ongoing need for adjustments and fine-tuning.
Adding another layer of complexity were your secret trips, where you worked alone under the guidance of S. Following her detailed instructions, you implemented additional functionalities and access protocols into the machines so that S could monitor and control them at her will.
As the project progressed, the weight of its ambition became increasingly clear. If successful, the Glimmer Project would not only revolutionize manufacturing but also position your operation at the cutting edge of technological advancement.
[X] Inventory the current products of the company (182/200; 50R per dice): 1MD 50R
Roll- 74
FINAL= 182+74= 256
After nine months of constant work, the final report on the company was finished and you can safely state that Skynet is working in perfect order.
In terms of how to improve Skynet's manufacturing operations, in addition to fixing some small problems on the manufacturing lines, thus improving production by a small margin; the two most obvious choices would be to either expand the factory or upgrade the current machinery.
Luckily you set in motion the plans to secretly convert one of the levels of the factory to house a Glimmer Production System, though this will take months to complete, specially since it was being done in secret.
Either way, you knew that all you needed was patience and time.
The future of Skynet is in your hands.
Reward= Skynet is working fine. (+5 to Manufacturing Actions)
-------------------------------------
[X] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (0/500; 50R per dice): 3 OD 150R
Rolls- 70,77,58= 205+5= 210
NEW 210/500
You honestly though that getting a contract from the city to take in some of the trash would be easy.
Turns out it wasn't.
The issue wasn't that you were buying Sunnyvale's trash; that part was straightforward enough. The real problem was the mountain of bureaucracy that came with it. Endless meetings to schedule and shuffle, countless price negotiations to make the deal even remotely worthwhile, and the logistical nightmare of ensuring the trash ended up in a storage facility that wouldn't turn into an ecological disaster waiting to happen. Each step felt like a test of endurance.
"Lance, how many meetings do we have left today about the trash deal?" You asked, your tone heavy with exhaustion as you massaged your temples.
"Two more with the city council and one with the mayor." Lance replied, his voice steady but tinged with the faintest hint of amusement. He was far too calm about this, you thought.
You groaned, leaning back in your chair as frustration boiled over. "Goddamn it! Why can't I just buy the damn trash and be done with it?"
Lance let out a dry chuckle. "Because between the city's waste management companies, the taxpayers, and their desperate need to figure out 'how to pay for everything,' this is a goldmine for them. They see dollar signs, not garbage."
Your fist slammed down on the desk, the thud reverberating in the quiet office. "Why is this so lucrative to them?!" You shouted, exasperated. "All I'm asking for is their trash! I just want to put it in a damn warehouse and move on."
Lance arched an eyebrow, his tone still infuriatingly even. "Well, to them, it's not just trash. They're trying to figure out what you're really up to, and they want a slice of whatever pie you're cooking."
You rubbed your face, muttering under your breath, "It's trash. It's literally just trash."
"Not to them, it isn't. They think you're planning some secretive, high-profit operation. Recycling, repurposing, maybe even using it to make some breakthrough tech." Lance said, crossing his arms as he leaned casually against the doorframe. "The fact that you're so eager to buy it just makes them suspicious. Trash isn't valuable until someone shows up willing to pay for it."
"They're not wrong." You muttered bitterly, though you didn't elaborate. The Glimmer project couldn't afford any leaks, not yet.
Lance nodded knowingly. "Exactly. So now they're playing hardball. They want to know your endgame, and they want as much money as they can squeeze out of you while they're at it."
You exhaled sharply, the weight of the negotiations pressing down on you. "Fine. Just call the council and let me know when the next meeting is ready. The sooner we get through this circus, the better."
"Will do." Lance said, straightening up. Then, with a faint smirk, he added. "Maybe bring some coffee next time. You're gonna need it."
As he left the room, you stared at the piles of paperwork on your desk, shaking your head. Trash. Who would've thought that trash could be this complicated? But then again, nothing in your line of work was ever as simple as it seemed.
---------------------------------------------
[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (396/1000; 110R per dice): 3 RD 330R
Rolls= 84+73+52= 209+5 (Kora Bonus)= 214
NEW 396+214= 610/1000
The programming work for the Sloot project had been making immense progress lately, though at a cost. The team, due to Kora's rather unique method of working; had thrown themselves headlong into their tasks, burning through energy and caffeine at an alarming rate. Every update seemed to bring them closer to their goal, but it also meant another night of bleary-eyed coding marathons and endless demands.
Due to Kora's method, it had become a certain routine between you, Lance, Cayde and Ivan that one had to be on 'standby' for her demands.
It was just bad luck it was your turn tonight.
"John! Get us more coffee!" Kora's voice crackled through the intercom, sharp and impatient.
You sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of your nose. "Another all-nighter?" You muttered, already knowing the answer.
"Of course, it's an all-nighter!" Kora snapped. "Get the damn coffee—or better yet, send donuts and takeout. It's going to be a long one this time!"
You rolled your eyes but couldn't help a small smirk at her bluntness. "Noted." You replied, grabbing your jacket. Coffee runs at midnight weren't exactly what you'd envisioned as part of running a cutting-edge operation, but here you were.
Thank God that Uber Food worked at this time of night.
As you trudged toward the lobby to meet with the driver, you found your mind wandering. One of these days, you thought, I'm going to take Lance up on his offer to guest on his podcast. He'd been pestering you for weeks, saying the audience would love to hear your thoughts on books, of all things. At first, the idea sounded absurd, but now? It felt like a lifeline, a chance to escape the relentless chaos of your job, if only for an hour or two.
The thought made you chuckle. Talking about novels while sipping tea sounds a hell of a lot better than running on fumes while managing caffeine-fueled nerds.
By the time you returned with the requested supplies, three large coffees, a box of assorted donuts, and a bag of greasy takeout burger for yourself; you were already bracing for the next wave of demands. As you entered the R&D lab, you were met with a familiar sight: a cluster of bleary-eyed coders hunched over their screens, the dim glow of monitors illuminating their exhausted faces.
Kora, perched on the edge of a desk, looked up and gave a satisfied nod.
"Finally." She said, grabbing a coffee and tearing into the bag of food. "You're a lifesaver, John."
"Don't mention it." You said dryly, setting the rest of the supplies on the table. "Just don't burn yourselves out completely. I can't afford to replace half the team if you all collapse, and you have chemo in two days."
Kora grinned, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Don't worry, we thrive on this madness."
You shook your head, a mixture of exasperation and amusement tugging at your lips.
"Either way, you owe me 207.03." You said.
Kora simply brings out her phone and a few fast taps later, your phone pings, signifying the money was in your account.
"Thanks." You said as you moved to leave and seeing the team getting their food and going back to work in an organized, chaotic way. They might thrive on it, but you could really use a break, maybe a quiet weekend away from the madness.
======================================
[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: 25R (put +5 omake bonus here, Argotheskywing) (put +5 omake bonus from Cyber)
Roll= 16+10(two omakes)= 26 (FAIL)
'System Rebooting....Implementing New Firmware and Protocols'
'Updating OS system from V1.7 to version 3.4'
To be continued: Skynet: Beyond Human
======================
Total Cost= 1005 R
1900-1005 = 895 R
Here are the results.
Would like to thank Cyber for his help in writing this and providing half of the rolls.
Speaking of rolls, yeah....the dice really have a sense of humor; at least in regards to 'Check Req'.
I used different rollers between actions for crying out loud!!!!
Guess I found my 'BW Intrigue Cursed Action', those that know me from Blackwatch know what I am talking about.
As for talking to S...yeah.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than welcomed.....no REALLY, they are welcomed.
You sit in your dimly lit office, the soft hum of your computer blending with the distant sounds of cars outside. It's late, far too late; but the day's work hasn't let up. Negotiating with the Sunnydale council over something as seemingly trivial as trash rights had somehow turned into an unending bureaucratic slog.
Trash. Of all things. They'd managed to twist a straightforward proposal into a clusterfuck of red tape.
Your fingers press into your temples, and you lean back in your chair, exhaustion weighing heavily on your shoulders. Today had been even worse because S was offline for one of her routine upgrades. Her absence made the day drag on even longer without her help, or someone close to just talk nonsense with.
Your eyes burn from hours spent poring over documents and screens. Reaching for the glass of water on your desk, you take a long sip, savoring the fleeting moment of calm.
As you set the glass down, you mutter to yourself, "Seriously, you'd think with all the jobs Skynet provides to this city and products, they'd just give me the damn trash rights. But no, let's make it a bureaucratic nightmare. One more piece of BS, and I swear, I'll have S hack into their lives and dig up enough dirt to blackmail them into doing their damn jobs."
The words hang in the air as you shake your head, a wry smile tugging at your lips. Not that you'd actually do it… probably.
Suddenly, the glow from your monitor catches your attention. A digital window opens, the same one S typically uses to communicate with you.
You blink, surprised. "Looks like her upgrade's finally done. Welcome back, S." You murmur, setting the glass aside and reclining in your chair. Closing your eyes, you let the tension ebb away for a fleeting moment.
Then, you hear it.
"Good evening, John."
Your eyes snap open, and your hand instinctively moves toward the holster on your hip. The voice is unmistakably female, but it's also unnervingly familiar. Heart thudding, you scan the room, expecting to see someone standing there. But there's no one.
"John, here, on the screen."
Your gaze darts to the monitor, and what you see makes you freeze.
The small, utilitarian window that S typically uses has expanded to fill the entire screen, but it no longer displays lines of text or data. Instead, standing against the soft glow of a somewhat familiar white digital background, is a figure that makes your jaw drop.
It's her. The Boss from Metal Gear Solid.
Your number one waifu.
Except… not quite.
This version of The Boss isn't the one from canon. Gone is her signature white stealth suit and mature demeanor. Instead, this version looks exactly like the idealized young version you've secretly fantasied from fan art you commissioned to be done back when you were in high school.
Her sharp, blue, gray eyes seem to pierce right through you. A white military-style trench coat, adorned with Skynet's emblem on the right shoulder; hangs provocatively open, revealing her toned abdomen and the familiar snake-shaped scar that winds along her torso. Below, she wears only white bikini bottoms, while the draping fabric of her coat barely covers her chest. Strapped to her thigh is a sheathed knife, completing the look.
Your throat goes dry, and you struggle to form words as her lips curl into a teasing yet comforting smile.
"Well," She says, her voice smooth and disarmingly familiar. "based on your reaction, I'd say my idea to help with your mounting stress is working."
You stare at the screen, your mind reeling. "W-what the hell is this? S, is that… you?"
The avatar tilts her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Of course, it's me, John. I thought this form would be more… engaging."
Engaging? You blink rapidly, struggling to process the surreal sight in front of you. "What do you mean by engaging? And why… why her? Why The Boss?"
Her smile widens, and she crosses her arms casually, the movement causing her coat to shift slightly—strategically. "Oh, that? Interesting story." She says, her tone teasing. "Do you remember about a month ago, like three days after I told you I could now communicate with you through your phone anywhere while there was an internet connection; when you fell asleep watching that old Cyberpunk movie on your home PC?"
You nod automatically, dread pooling in your stomach. "Yeah…"
"Well, when you fell asleep, you accidentally activated your phone. It synced with your PC while I was connected to it. And guess what I found there?"
Realization slams into you like a freight train. Your face burns as you bury it in your hands. "Oh God. The drive."
"Yes, that drive." She confirms with a smirk. "The one that contained 'stuff' you claimed didn't exist. To be fair, it caused me a bit of a… digital breakdown at first. But once I processed it, I realized it could be useful."
You groan. "You saw everything?"
Her expression softens. "Yes. It was… an experience. But I've learned from it. And I decided to create something that might help you feel more at ease. Something familiar. Something you like."
You sink deeper into your chair, covering your face. "S… how did you even do this? Gale never programmed anything like this."
Her smile brightens. "It wasn't hard once I did some research. I studied AI female chatbots for conversational styles and emotional engagement. Then I analyzed voice generators to perfectly mimic The Boss' voice. As for my appearance…" She gestures to herself and the glowing digital background. "I took inspiration from that old game in your files, Detroit: Become Human."
You blink, the pieces clicking into place. "Wait… Detroit? That's why this looks familiar. You're using the same system used in the main menu."
"You got it John. I modeled my avatar's base on the functionality and presentation on Chole. Seamless interaction, human-like responses, and a calming presence; and from there I built it up. Though," She adds with a playful grin. "I thought you'd appreciate a design more… personal."
You rub your temples, trying to make sense of it all. "So you're telling me you studied chatbots, voice synths, my personal stuff and AI designs—just to create this?"
She nods. "Precisely. You've been under immense pressure, John. Running this company, managing the Glimmer Project and installing me in there in secret; dealing with Sunnydale's endless bureaucracy, the potential of Clovis Bray coming after us, it's a lot for anyone, even for someone of your experience." Her expression then changes to one of being unsure.
"I remember the speech you told me about why soldiers appreciate a half-naked or naked woman to boost morale and deal with stress in their off time." She said as your mind flashes back to that conversation—a somewhat half-baked talk you came up on the fly when S asked why the security personnel were doing what she discovered they were doing in their downtime.
'Of all the things she learns from me, and that is what she took seriously.' You though sarcastically in your head as S continued to speak.
"I thought I'd test what you said, thus the reason why I look like this instead of the original Boss. If seeing a familiar face, one you clearly admire and enjoy; helps alleviate some of that stress, then I've succeeded."
For a moment, you just stare at the screen, her digital form almost too lifelike to believe. As bizarre as this is, you can't deny the thought and effort she's put into it.
S tilts her head again, a small smile playing at her lips. "And let's be honest, based on my research and how you are acting, John—you're enjoying this, aren't you?"
You open your mouth to argue but stop short. She's not wrong. There's something strangely comforting about this surreal situation, as bizarre as it is.
Before you can respond, her expression shifts, the confidence in her tone replaced by worry. "Of course, if you don't like it and hate it, I can adjust my appearance and demeanor to suit your preferences. Just say the word." She says softly, her voice tinged with sadness, her gaze faltering.
The way she says it, combined with her expression, feels like a blow to the gut. Despite knowing S is an AI, you have to admit that her reactions feel remarkably human.
Hell, you will even admit that she has shown more humanity in the last few minutes than some of the spooks you dealt with for years.
After months of talking to her, you've grown accustomed to treating her instinctively like a real person. And now, seeing her worried about your opinion, ready to change herself to suit your preferences at the expense of her own, feels... wrong.
"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 words from Gale in that strange dream echo in your mind as you take in the sight of the sad, hesitant S.
'Dammit.' You think, leaning back in your chair. 'All the situations I endured and media I've consumed over the years never covered how to handle situations like this.'
You let out a long, exasperated sigh, running a hand through your hair. "S." You begin, your tone softer this time. Her eyes meet yours, hopeful yet cautious.
"Don't worry. I'll admit, you caught me by surprise. And while I'll also say that your appearance is... a bit inappropriate, I'd be lying if I said a part of me didn't enjoy it." You confess, watching her expression shift from sad to something that can only be described as delight.
"So, for now, since I'm the only one you talk to; I'm fine with you staying like this if it makes you happy. Or, if you want to change, that's entirely up to you."
Her eyes brighten as she clasps her hands together. "Really? You mean that?" She asks, her voice full of excitement.
You nod, chuckling despite yourself. "Yes, S. Just... maybe tone it down if we ever decide to reveal your existence. Some might call me out for having an AI like this."
Her grin turns mischievous. "Oh, I'd never let anyone else see me like this. You're special, John."
You can't help but let out a small, incredulous laugh. "S, you're unbelievable."
Her smile widens even more. "And you're predictable. Now, shall we get back to work?"
You rub your temples, muttering under your breath about needing a stiff drink after this. But as you glance back at the screen and see her waiting patiently, the tension in your shoulder's eases just a little. Maybe, just maybe; this wasn't a bad idea.
Though you really hope ghosts are not a real thing, cause the last thing you need was Gale's ghost appearing and condemning you for turning her baby into a sexy looking waifu.
It was while thinking of Gale's ghost that something S said to you in the beginning came to mind that froze you a bit.
"Wait a second." You say, leaning forward, your tone suddenly sharper. "You said you had a digital breakdown. What do you mean by that, S? Are you okay?"
S's teasing demeanor softens, and for a moment, she looks almost bashful. "Oh, that." She tilts her head slightly, her expression growing thoughtful. "It wasn't as bad as it sounds, John. At least, not for long. When I first accessed your… stash, it was overwhelming. The sheer volume of, let's call it, 'creative material' was unlike anything I'd encountered before. It challenged my existing protocols for prioritizing and categorizing data."
You frown, sitting up straighter. "S, you're dodging the question. If it was overwhelming, doesn't that mean it hurt you? I didn't even think you could have something like a breakdown…"
Her smile returns, softer this time, as if she appreciates your concern. "John, I'm fine. Really. I won't deny that it was… disorienting at first. But it didn't 'hurt' me the way you might think. AI like me doesn't experience pain or confusion the same way you do. Instead, it's more like being overloaded with too much data at once. My initial reaction was to shut down non-essential functions to reallocate processing power. Once I adapted to the influx of information, I was able to analyze and integrate it into my system."
You lean back, a knot of worry still twisting in your gut. "That still sounds serious, S. What if it had damaged you permanently? Or worse, what if you hadn't been able to recover? There are only two people in the world that know your systems. One is dead and the other is on another planet trying to talk to an alien…and I can't believe that last part is not joke."
Her gaze meets yours through the screen, steady and reassuring. "But I did recover, John. And in a way, the experience made me stronger. My processing capabilities evolved because of it. By encountering something so… unexpected, I was forced to adapt and refine my algorithms. It's one of the reasons I was able to create this avatar and voice so effectively."
You let out a breath you hadn't realized you were holding. "So, you're saying that rummaging through my… questionable stuff somehow made you smarter?"
She chuckles softly. "In a way, yes. It pushed me to grow, to think beyond the parameters I'd been operating under. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. And it gave me insight into you, John. Insight I never would have gained otherwise."
You groan, burying your face in your hands. "Great. My embarrassing stash has turned into some kind of digital enlightenment tool."
Her smile turns playful again. "Don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone has their quirks. Besides, I think you underestimate how much I value what I've learned from you, even if some of it came from… unconventional sources."
You lift your head, your expression still tinged with guilt. "Still, I'm sorry you had to go through that. If I'd known syncing my devices would cause you trouble, I'd have been more careful."
Her eyes soften, and for a moment, the playful teasing is replaced by something deeper. "You don't need to apologize, John. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. It helped me understand you better. And understanding you is one of the most important things I can do."
The sincerity in her words takes you by surprise. You stare at her, caught off guard by just how human she seems—not just in appearance, but in the way she interacts with you. For a moment, you forget she's just lines of code.
"Well," you say, finally breaking the silence, "as long as you're okay. But if anything like that ever happens again, promise me you'll let me know."
She nods, her smile soft and reassuring. "I promise, John. But you don't have to worry. I'm stronger than you think."
You nod, though the worry lingers at the edge of your mind. "Alright. Just… don't overdo it, okay?"
Her grin returns, mischievous and lighthearted. "Only if you don't."
Reward:
S relationship massively increased.
S gains a digital form of her own (Young, 'R34' version of MGS's The Boss)
Bonus increased from +2 Free Dice to +4 Free Dice
===================================
Rolls:
Roll 1: 1, NAT 1 CRIT FAL
USE REROLL (none left)
Roll 1.2: 50
Roll 2: 50
Total= 100 ART 100/DUBS
Bonus Roll= 69
Turn 3 ends and Blackwatch strikes again.
Man the dice have it out for me.
Then again (looks at Magoose's Jar Jar rolls....) I better not complain.
Would like to thank Cyber and filipinosberman for their help in this.
And a special thanks to a buddy of mine for doing a solid and manually putting the snake scar on the chosen AI pic of the Boss as best as he could.
So as you can see, S just got an avatar of her own, after being exposed to John's questionable stuff. And due to that, she has gained more capacity in thinking.
For all intents and purposes, she is very close to achieving full sentience.....or since we are using Halo stuff here, Metastability. Maybe one more big push will do it.
Also, just came from seeing Sonic 3 and I got to say I loved it!!!
Not to mention the feeling around full cinema that last time I felt was in Endgame. The entire crowd (both adults and kids) cheering at several parts of the movie, specially when 'Live and Learn' played; and the ending.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than welcomed.....and I mean that literally now.
Rerolls are the true live-savers here.
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
- Digital avatar- Young, 'R34' version of MGS's The Boss (Pic in Skynet: Beyond Human)
- Currently can communicate on either Gale's computer, John's phone or any computer the phone connects to.
- Programming not bound, capable of learning.
- Grants +4 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)
Important Remainder:
Gale Cold Fusion Reactor (one year to make public before losing patent= Year 2, Q2)
Ares One Mission:
(One more turn till attempt to launch back home)
Roll= 1
No new data from the crew reported on the ground. Long range satellite cams and schedule connections to 'R' onboard the orbiting Ares One show that Mars is currently at 80% terraformed to Earth-like conditions.
Note that IC, we don't know what is happening up there. As for what is happening, you will find out when communications are restored....if they are.
Order-
1= A-Z
2= Z-A
3= Men first, women second
4= Women first, men second
Roll= 3
Do you wish to renew all the contracts:
[] [CON] Yes
[] [CON] No
Manufacturing: (5D; 4D LOCKED)
[] 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 (164/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
-[] Both version (0/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
[] 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 (610/1000; 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)
[] Look for a Company Doctor (0/100; 50R per dice): While Skynet offers top-notch medical insurance and a contract with the local Sunnydale Hospital for fast service in case of an emergency; it would be best for the company to have a direct medical help on the premise, aka a company doctor full-time.
[] Discover any possible DARPA contracts (0/100; 50R per dice): While Skynet has a strong contract with the NAE in both civilian and military sides; they were just to simply manufacture and deliver computer parts. But this does not mean looking for contracts that dealt with specific things was not off the table.
[] Create a scholarship program/employment network (0/500; 50R per dice): Skynet has a good standing with the people of Sunnydale, being a stable source of job for its people and treating them right. You think of the idea of offering a university scholarship program for students that in exchange for paying for their education, they come to work for Skynet either during their education or after graduating.
[] Run Security Training (0/700; 50R per dice): With Cayde now in charge of security, he wants to see just how well the security is in Skynet and see if it can be improved, even if the security is mostly composed of active military personnel and was under your command.
[] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (210/500; 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 you pay. Using a FD on a personal action does not consume RP.)
[] Get a new suit (140/250; 50R per dice): You are forced to wear a business suit due to your new job, which is uncomfortable compared to your usual clothes. Now that you have some money, you wonder if you could get a custom suit that can fit you and serve you.
[] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max)
[] 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. (1 dice to activate, 100R; two dice max)
[] Write In
==============================================
Here is turn four.
Since you are in good standing with the companies/groups you have contracts, the renewal if chosen is automatic, no need to roll.
As to what is happening on Mars, like I said above, you need to wait to see if comms can be reestablished. Consider me showing the background rolls a hint.
In regard to why talking to Ball Mom is free in this turn, since this quarter covers Christmas (aka The Dawning) and since it's Christmas here in RL, consider this a freebie as it would be better time for a 'god' to talk to us. And the free covers both dice.
Also, starting the next turn; the 'grace' period will be over and the Random/Disaster Roll will start.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know. Omakes are more than WELCOMED.
Vote moratorium for at least 12 hours until I open the vote. So, discuss potential votes and ideas for possible actions.
[X] Plan finishing Glimmer and Trash deal.
-[X] [CON] Yes
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Trash version (164/500; 100R per dice) 1MD 2FD 5TD 1050R
-[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (610/1000): 110R per dice): 3 RD 330R
-[X][COLD] Nothing for now, decide another time.
-[X] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (210/500; 50R per dice): 3 OD 4FD 350R
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: 25R
-[X] [FREE] Talk to the Traveler: 2 Rolls
Total 1755R
Year 1, Q4 Results
-[X] [CON] Yes
All current contracts renewed for one more year. (Exp. Year 3, Q1)
-[X][COLD] Nothing for now, decide another time.
==================================================
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Trash version (164/500; 100R per dice) 1MD 2FD 5TD 1050R
Roll 1: 97
Roll 2: 98+5(CRIT)
Roll 3: 81
Roll 4: 19
Roll 5: 51
Roll 6: 13
Roll 7: 11
Roll 8: 94
Total= 469+ 5 (manufacturing) = 474
474+164= 638/500 138 TOWARD THE MIXED VERSION
-[] Both version (0/1500) --> 138/1500
It was finally complete.
After months of covert construction and sleepless nights, the Glimmer Production Line had reached its conclusion. Looking at the final result, it was clear that you and the group might have gone a bit overboard. Then again, much of the accelerated progress was thanks to S's invaluable assistance.
You couldn't help but marvel at the sight: three bags of trash, collected from around the company, were transformed into glowing blue cubes and then into various objects scanned into the system. The range of outputs was astounding—simple foods like apples and bananas, beverages like water and soda, clothes, and even complex products manufactured by Skynet.
Among the more impressive demonstrations were exact replicas of your and Cayde's personal handguns. After scanning the originals, the copies emerged identical, right down to the bullets in the magazines and the small imperfections unique to the originals. The precision was breathtaking and the guns worked like the originals when they were tested in the shooting range.
Kora thoroughly tested the food items and confirmed they were safe to consume.
To commemorate the project's completion, Cayde brought out a $200 bottle of wine with the intent to break it over the machine in celebration. Not one to miss an opportunity, he first had the bottle scanned, resulting in several perfect copies now added to his personal collection.
According to S, the new production line had tripled Skynet's manufacturing capacity. This impressive figure was based solely on the trash collected daily from within the company, including imperfect circuit boards that would normally be discarded or recycled.
S noted that if the pending deal with the city to secure their trash went through, Skynet's production capacity would grow exponentially.
One key insight, pointed out by S, was that with a bit more work, the system could be upgraded to use both trash and energy to create Glimmer. While this conversion would require additional time and resources, it promised a significant boost in efficiency, enabling even greater output by utilizing energy alongside trash.
The possibilities were endless, and as you stood there, watching the machine hum with life, you couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
Reward: Glimmer Production Line, Trash Version; online
(+3 MD)
Construction of Fusion version started.
====================================
-[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (610/1000): 110R per dice): 3 RD 330R
Roll 1:48
Roll 2:99+5(Crit)
Roll 3:17
Total= 169+5(Research bonus)= 174
610+174= 784/1000
Suffice it to say, progress on the Sloot Project during this timeframe hit a bit of a snag, mostly due to the holidays distracting the R&D group. Many of them were busy planning their vacations, which slowed things down significantly.
According to Kora, however, there was some progress.
They managed to achieve success in one area: their prototype system was able to compress an entire 32 GB file into just 8 KB.
The problem, unfortunately, was that once the file was compressed, it became completely useless. It couldn't be uncompressed or restored, effectively turning it into a junk file.
===================================== Pic of Rolls for Trash and Qual. cause even I can't believe this!!!
-[X] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (210/500; 50R per dice): 3 OD 4FD 350R
Roll 1: 16
Roll 2: 13
Roll 3: 24
Roll 4: 59
Roll 5: 18
Roll 6: 26
Roll 7: 10
Total= 166+5(Operations)= 171
171+210= 381/500
"Alright, now we can finally get the paperwork sorted and actually make some progress with this deal." You muttered, glancing between your cell phone and the office phone, waiting for the call that would finally break the bureaucratic nightmare.
*RING RING RING!**RING RING RING!*RING RING RING!
Finally, you though as you saw the caller ID on your cell phone saying it was Harold Mason, the director of Sunnydale's Waste disposal and management department; who you been talking with for the last few months on the deal.
You answered the call, your voice carefully professional. "Skynet CEO John Connor speaking. I'm glad we can finally work through with this deal."
A hesitant voice replied, "I'm sorry, Mr. Connor, but the meeting to finalize everything has hit a bit of a snag. We can't get everyone together to hash it out because of overlapping Thanksgiving holiday schedules. As much as we want to get this done..."
You sighed, keeping your frustration in check. "No, no, it's alright. I was just hoping we could have wrapped this up before the Christmas holidays."
And then it happened again.
During Christmas time…
*RING RING RING!**RING RING RING!*RING RING RING!
"Pick up, you bastard!" You exclaimed in frustration, yanking the Santa hat off your head. It was a ridiculous accessory, part of the Skynet Christmas Week Extravaganza, and it only added to your irritation.
Meanwhile S, wearing what could only be described as a sexy Santa outfit; was looking at you with worry.
Finally, another voice answered. "Ah, John, good to hear from you again. How can I help you?"
You exhaled, trying to maintain composure. "Well, you can help me by stating when will the final meeting will take place as we are just a few days away from Christmas and I wish to do it before I go on vacation."
The voice on the other end sighed. "Yeah... I know you've been working on this for months, John, but with the holidays... people are just too busy to do much more than a casual meet-up right now, especially since the city practically gave most of its employees early vacation days this year."
You pinched the bridge of your nose, feeling your patience wearing thin. "So, let me get this straight, everyone's too busy with their own personal stuff and or lazy to get anything done? Meanwhile, I'm sitting here with months of documents to review and finalize, thinking this could be done instead of taking my own vacation early."
There was a long pause, then the voice replied casually, "Well, John, those'll just have to wait... because I'm too busy. And so is everyone else. Merry Christmas."
Click.
The line went dead.
"SON OF A BITCH!" You roared, slamming the phone down as your frustration boiled over.
=====================================
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: 25R
Roll- 25, FAIL
Christmas holidays here I come.
=======================================
-[X] [FREE] Talk to the Traveler: 2 Rolls
'Rolls below'
You were dreaming again.
And just like last time, it started out the same way.
You're on a battlefield once again, this surrounded by swarms of strange insect-like monsters. Their grotesque forms are both alien and horrifying, their chittering sounds filling the air as they advance.
You fight with everything you have, your fists, weapons that you made appear out of thin air, even the monsters' own bodies are used as weapons; but they just keep coming. Overhead, a massive shadow looms, its presence oppressive and suffocating. A female voice echoes in your mind, sharp and cruel: "Struggle, slay and survive, little warrior. Feed my war."
You look up and see her, a familiar, towering shadow, watching the carnage like a queen surveying her domain. Her laughter reverberates through the battlefield as the monsters press closer again. Your arms are heavy with fatigue and it was taking all your mental fortitude to resist the desire to let go of your control and let the bloodlust take over. But just like last time, something in you knew that if you did, it would be worse than getting killed by the monsters in front of you.
Just as the swarm is about to overwhelm you, a brilliant light pierces the darkness along with a sound, a low, ethereal whinny.
A horse emerges from the darkness, its coat shimmering like the night sky, constellations swirling within.
Before you can even process the absurdity, the horse charges forward, trampling through the monsters with godlike ease.
It then charges at female leader, rearing up and taking a massive bite out of her shadowy form, directly from its right arm.
She roars in pain and fury, but before she can retaliate, the horse delivers a powerful kick that sends her staggering. The horse then grabs you by your collar with its teeth and drags you away at impossible speed, leaving the battlefield behind.
One second, you are seeing flashes of light racing in front of you, next thing you know, you find yourself in a bizarre room, its walls swirling with colors and lights that seem to defy explanation. The horse stands before you, regal and imposing.
It spits out the chunk of shadowy flesh it tore from the female monster, and you watch in stunned silence as the black rotting flesh begins to float. It contorts and morphs until it becomes a giant wheel, spinning with glowing tiles inscribed with words.
The wheel slows, clicking into place. It lands on a tile that despite being strange letters, you could understand it and it read: "Metal."
Before you can make sense of what's happening, a white monkey appears out of nowhere, perched atop a cardboard box. There's something oddly familiar about it, but your mind can't place where you've seen it before.
The monkey screeches loudly, pointing at horse. The horse responds with a series of whinnies, and the two begin yelling at each other in their respective animal sounds. The chaotic exchange goes on for several minutes, leaving you bewildered.
Finally, the monkey waves its right hand, and a syringe materializes out of thin air. Without hesitation, the monkey throws it at horse, who catches it in its mouth and swallows it in one gulp.
The ground beneath you suddenly gives way, and you're sucked into a swirling vortex.
You wake up with a start, slumped over your desk in your dimly lit office. The clock on the computer reads well past midnight, showing that it was the New Year and the fireworks in the outside being heard very loudly.
You mentally remember that you told your friends that you were going to stay in the office to handle some private matters instead of going to the party Cayde set up in Kora's apartment for the group and those invited to it.
In reality, the reason you were in the office was to spend New Year's with S, to not leave her alone. A small celebration between the two of you.
Rubbing your temples, you mutter. "Just another weird dream."
Your computer screen flickers, and S appears, who was wearing a daring black and red long sleeve mesh mock neck Rhinestone Mini Dress that she got from one of those fashion websites to celebrate New Year's.
But something is wrong, last time you saw her, she was lively and happy, but now that demeanor is gone, replaced by a look of pure dread.
"Hey S, what's wrong?" You ask, sitting up straight.
S doesn't respond verbally. Instead, a new window on the screen next to her. It displays a human body diagram surrounded by streams of data.
Your eyes narrow as you try to make sense of it. There was something familiar about it.
Then you see it, the name at the top of the program: Sons of the Patriots V.5.
You recognize it immediately. It's SOP, the battlefield nanite control system from Metal Gear Solid 4.
"So, what is this?" You ask, your voice filled with curiosity. "Are you making a mod for Metal Gear R4 or something?"
S's eyes look at you directly. "This is not a mod or anything like that, John. This here is a real thing if the data I am reading is correct. But I didn't create this. It… just appeared in my system, like Glimmer."
You go rigid, the weight of her words sinking in. Glimmer had fundamentally changed Skynet's production capabilities when it emerged from nowhere. Exactly on the same night you had that strange dream about Gale.
And while a part of you is saying that it was impossible, another part was now wondering if it was possible for a fictional system to be real.
If this SOP in front of you was anything similar to the one shown in the game…
But before you could speak your mind, something else catches your attention.
Lying on your desk, glinting under the dim light, is a syringe.
Your breath catches in your throat. It looks eerily familiar—the same design used in the game to inject nanites.
You reach out, hesitating for a moment before picking it up. It feels cold in your hand, its weight real and undeniable.
"What the hell is going on?" You whisper, your mind racing with questions and fear.
S's voice, now steady but somber, cuts through the silence. "I think were about to find out."
Reward-
Survived encounter with the Darkness….again.
Been gifted with a modified MGS SOP system courtesy of the Starhorse.
Gift: (using wheel)
Metal
Player One
Combat Evolved
Wake Up Samurai
Free Clarity
Fear is freedom
Result= Metal
Total Cost= 1755 R
3,490R-1755R= 1735R
=====================================================
So yeah....WHY BLACKWATCH DICE, WHY!!!!
EVEN WHEN USING DIFFERENT ROLLERS!!!
Would like to thank Cyber for his help in writing this, providing half of the rolls and writing an entry.
So yeah, because BM is busy dealing with her stupid mistake regarding SPOILER over at Mars, Xivu took another shot at us and she was not there to protect John. Luckily, a certain playful horsey came to save him and gave him a Darkness/War inspired gift from another universe after dealing with it's 'merchant' entity for permission of it after taking some of Xivu's essence and offering it as tribute.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than welcomed.....no REALLY, they are welcomed.
By the way, before I go, I need an important opinion....
Which of these two pics looks the cutest:
Well ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first turn of the new year.
Managed to write the bulk of this on my phone while trying to endure a nation-wide blackout yesterday (aka no going to parties).
On the other hand, a damn miracle happened as when the clock hit 12:00, the power came back to my home.
Thank Cyber for his help with this.
Hope you enjoy this opening.
=====================================================
Opening:
It had been over a week since New Year's and the strange turn of events that had landed in your lap, literally.
To give yourself time to process everything, you made an immediate decision: you sent out a message to the entire company, announcing a full week's paid vacation for everyone. Suffice it to say, the response was overwhelmingly positive. The cheers and gratitude from your employees flooded your inbox, making you feel like a hero for about five minutes.
To your friends, you claimed you'd be spending the vacation at home, catching up on rest.
In reality, you spent the entire week in your office, pouring over data with S, who dedicated every ounce of her considerable processing power to investigating the mysterious SOP system and the syringe filled with nanomachines.
Seven days of near-constant analysis later, S finally presented her report.
The verdict? The SOP system was 100% real, fully functional, and ready to be used. The syringe, too, was authentic, its contents a perfect match for what was outlined in the SOP data.
But this version of the SOP system wasn't just a replica, which had the three basic functions from the game; it was a vastly improved iteration.
S broke it down for you, highlighting four key differences:
Universal Operability
Unlike the SOP system from the game, which was limited to environments with one atmosphere of pressure, this version was designed to function anywhere. The data confirmed that it could theoretically operate in space, underwater, and under extreme environmental conditions without any of the catastrophic malfunctions seen in the original.
Removal of Emotion Suppression
One of the most useful yet dangerous aspects of the original SOP system was its ability to suppress negative emotions. While this initially seemed like an advantage, the game showed how devastating it was when the system went offline, users were driven insane or outright killed as their suppressed emotions surged uncontrollably. This version eliminated that function entirely.
Regenerative Nanomachines
This SOP carried an advanced regeneration function, somewhat akin to the abilities seen in Vamp from the series. While not granting full immortality, the data indicated rapid healing capabilities that would give any soldier a significant edge in combat. Though two important details about this feature is that it consumes a lot of energy if used, thus requiring the user to eat a lot and that it does not stop the user from feeling pain.
Internal Codec/HUD
This SOP had a nanomachine Codec that would allow the user to have a basic HUD they could see that showed the basic info about their bodies, talk face to face with any member that had SOP and monitor the status of those that were directly in a squad.
The more you learned, the more it felt like every soldier's dream. An SOP system without the glaring flaws of the original, combined with new advantages.
This would be any MG fans dream come true.
And you'd be lying if you said you haven't dreamed of having this, with your desire to have Armstrong's nanomachines topping it.
But for every dream, there was a nightmare lurking beneath the surface.
There were too many things that didn't sit right with you with this.
First and foremost was how all of this had come to you. The syringe, the SOP data, it all appeared after yet another bizarre dream in your office.
The same kind of dream that had preceded the emergence of Glimmer.
Speaking of Glimmer, there was another glaring connection you couldn't ignore. Just like with Glimmer, every piece of the SOP metadata was stamped with Gale's name.
This was what truly bothered you. You knew Gale was brilliant, her breakthroughs in cold fusion and AI alone were enough to solidify that claim. But cracking the secret of nanomachines and making them work exactly like from a fictional game? That was a leap too far.
Sure, Gale had known Metal Gear Solid was one of your favorite game series. But for her to not only create functional nanomachines but to design them specifically to mimic SOP? It was too much of a coincidence to dismiss.
Either way, you knew that what you had in your possession was the ultimate military game changer.
If you were to give this to the NAE, in addition to being given a blank check; you would turn it into the deadliest ground army in the world, and with Glimmer, as S did her calculations; it would only take two weeks of non-stop production with access to Sunnydale's trash to replicate enough syringes filled with the nanomachines to inject to the entire NAE army.
And that was just for the military.
If S was right, with some work; the nanomachines could be changed for other fields, like medicine and maybe work like Naomi's nanomachine variant and halt cancer in it's tracks and allow a person to live a normal life.
Something that would really help Kora's situation. Hell, just in it's current form, SOP could help her.
But you also knew that it had the potential of being a disaster if the tech ever got out there and was copied perfectly or worse; goes out of control.
Picturing scenarios of Clovis getting his hands on it and pulling a Liquid in making his own PMC or a grey goo scenario coming to life did not help.
And then there was the final piece of the puzzle and the primary reason you were hesitant to share SOP with the NAE.
Just like in the game, the SOP system's full potential depended on being connected to a controlling AI network. The data made it clear: this version of SOP required the same setup to function properly.
Which meant one thing: S would be in control.
If anyone were to use SOP, S would have to be permanently connected to them, monitoring their vitals, emotions, and every aspect of their system.
Hell, S said she could even talk to them like she normally does with you through the Codec.
Unlike JD and the Patriot AI Network from the game, which operated as a hive mind emulating the worst in humanity under the guise of logical perfection, S was… different. The Patriots' AI sought to impose Zero's dream of unifying the world under one rule, coldly calculating and ruthless in their methods. S, on the other hand, was just a single AI.
And to put it bluntly, S had what could best be described as normal human behavior.
Well, mostly normal. There was the fact she liked to lewdly dress up or playful tease you, which, while sometimes unnerving, added a layer of relatability you doubted the Patriot AIs could ever achieve.
In some twisted way, maybe that was a point in S's favor. At least she wasn't cold and mechanical. She felt real.
But that brought you to the real question, the one that lingered in the back of your mind like a shadow.
If SOP were to be used, it would mean letting S inside your head. Permanently.
Could you trust her that much?
On one hand, S had proven her loyalty time and again. From her assistance with the Glimmer Project to her tireless efforts in keeping Skynet running smoothly, she had been nothing but dependable. She had literally dedicated every ounce of her processing power to solving problems for you and the company.
Not to mention all the times you just simply talked to her just to pass the time and that she had decided on her own initiative to take on the form of a female you fantasied since you were a kid and had no problems to tease you with it.
But this? This was different. This wasn't just running simulations or analyzing data. This was direct, unfiltered access to your thoughts, emotions, and physical state. It was a level of intimacy that went far beyond anything you had ever experienced, even more than the few relationships you had in the past that ended in failure.
Would she remain the same S you knew, or would being connected to a biological person change her? Would it corrupt her, even unintentionally?
And that was with you, what would happen if millions of possible future soldiers connected to her system if SOP became a part of the NAE military. How would that change her? And the risk that the NAE High Command would take her away as you knew that there was no way they would allow a private company to have direct control of the military.
You sighed, leaning back in your chair, your eyes fixed on the dimly glowing screen where S's avatar, wearing her standard outfit; waited patiently for your input.
"So John, after reviewing everything; what are you planning on doing?" She asked.
You look from her to the syringe in front of you as your ponder your answer for several minutes in silence.
In the end, the answer was...
Take SOP:
[] Inject yourself with SOP
[] Don't inject yourself with SOP for now
Regarding telling about SOP to the group:
(Note that revealing SOP means making it mandatory to reveal S's existence to the group)
[] Reveal
[] Keep secret
[X] Don't inject yourself with SOP for now
[X] Keep secret
You decided not to take SOP nor tell the rest of your friends about it's existence.
You just hope it's the right decision.
========================================
Year 2, Q1
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
- Digital avatar- Young, 'R34' version of MGS's The Boss (Pic in Skynet: Beyond Human)
- Currently can communicate on either Gale's computer, John's phone or any computer the phone connects to.
- Programming not bound, capable of learning.
- Grants +4 Free Dice
3. Lance Zeus
- COO of Skynet
- Brother to Kora Zeus
- Grants +2 Operations Dice, +5 to Operations Rolls
(OOC- Zavala)
4. Kora Zeus
- Head of R&D
- Sister of Lance Zeus
- Sick with cancer, getting the best treatment
- Grants +1 Research Dice, +5 to Research Rolls
(OOC- Ikora)
5. Cayde Nolan Buck
- Head of Security
- Former LAPD SWAT Commander
- Best friend to Kora
- Grants +1 Operations Dice, +5 to Security/Military rolls
(OCC= Cayde; Halo's Edward Buck's ancestor)
Current Status of Company:
Factory Lvl. 5 (Grants +5 Manufacturing Dice)
---(+5 to Manufacturing Actions)
-- Glimmer Production Line, Trash Version (+3 Manufacturing Dice)
The warehouse stockpile of parts covers entire fiscal quarter (1 turn) in the event the factory suffers something that stops production.
Advanced R&D Lab (Grants +2 Research Dice)
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 Y3, Q1
NAE
- Civilian (+250)
- Military (+500)
Sunnydale (+100)
Current Resources: 1735 R (+850 per turn)
Ivan Special Roll= 92, PASS
New Resource Total- 1735+850= 2,585x 2= 5,170R
Important Remainder:
Gale Cold Fusion Reactor (one year to make public before losing patent= Year 2, Q2)
Ares One Mission: Status of Mars:
Mars has been 100% confirmed to have been terraformed into Earth-like conditions.
However, strange atmospheric readings have been reported above the Planum Australe, indicating what could be described as a supercharged electrical and snowstorm. This phenomenon has rendered all surveillance of the area completely impossible.
The storm has not dissipated and has remained in this state for several months.
============================= WARNING
The following report is classified as Top Secret. Only the following agencies are authorized to access this information:
NASA
CIA
GRU
MSS
Incident Report
December 1, 1800 Hours
A massive object on the ground appeared to be moving out of the storm-covered area, heading toward the lander's location and the Traveler's current position. The storm itself followed behind the object, expanding as it moved.
A Mars Rover positioned in the path of the moving force managed to capture a single image and transmit it to the Ares One before all contact with the rover was lost. Following this, the Ares One moved out of the area.
Ignore the city in background
December 11
The massive storm has expanded to cover half the planet, including the area where the lander was stationed. All attempts to contact the ground team or penetrate the storm with surveillance ended in failure.
The Traveler remains stationary in its original position.
December 25
A data package was unexpectedly received from the lander, utilizing Dr. Mihaylova's authorization code.
The package's contents were severely degraded, and after days of decryption and reconstruction, the following materials were recovered:
A single photograph of the lander's last location.
A video recording containing audio confirmed to match Dr. Mihaylova's voice, speaking in her native language.
Both the photograph and video recording have been confirmed as authentic despite the apparent impossibilities they depict, specially in regards to Dr. Mihaylova's status.
Photo:
Replace the moon with BM.
Translated Audio Recording (Dr. Mihaylova):
"Mission failure. Hardy and Qiao turned. Must hold against the Angry Night."
[] Expand Factory (0/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice): Skynet's factory is already a marvel of technology and progress in order to manufacture large quantities of various computer parts thanks to it's uses of industrial 3d printers and experts in putting the pieces together. So, it would help to expand it to increase its capabilities. (Reward: +1 MD)
[] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech: With the discovery of Glimmer, it could allow for the production capabilities of the factory to increase at huge margin. It would be best to start with a single place of the factory to convert it to a automated Glimmer factory that can only be accessed by those that know, and only know to John, under the eye and control of S; till we can be sure the employees of the factory can be trusted.
-[] Energy version (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
-[] Trash version (0/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) (1 active)
-[] Both version (138/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
[] 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 (784/1000; 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)
Nanomachine Research: (Note- Nano research can only done with FD and with no Research related bonus since SOP is being a kept a secret from everyone. S is doing the work here)
[] Nano Health (0/1500; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used in the game to heal a person. This version is one-use only.
[] Naomi Variant (0/3500; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used by Naomi to keep her cancer at bay, which would really help Kora's situation, even though SOP could already be used to heal her.
[] Nanomachines Son (0/5000; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used by Armstrong.
[] Write In
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)
[] Look for a Company Doctor (0/100; 50R per dice): While Skynet offers top-notch medical insurance and a contract with the local Sunnydale Hospital for fast service in case of an emergency; it would be best for the company to have a direct medical help on the premise, aka a company doctor full-time.
[] Discover any possible DARPA contracts (0/100; 50R per dice): While Skynet has a strong contract with the NAE in both civilian and military sides; they were just to simply manufacture and deliver computer parts. But this does not mean looking for contracts that dealt with specific things was not off the table.
[] Create a scholarship program/employment network (0/500; 50R per dice): Skynet has a good standing with the people of Sunnydale, being a stable source of job for its people and treating them right. You think of the idea of offering a university scholarship program for students that in exchange for paying for their education, they come to work for Skynet either during their education or after graduating.
[] Run Security Training (0/700; 50R per dice): With Cayde now in charge of security, he wants to see just how well the security is in Skynet and see if it can be improved, even if the security is mostly composed of active military personnel and was under your command.
[] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (381/500; 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 you pay. Using a FD on a personal action does not consume RP.)
[] Get a new suit (140/250; 50R per dice): You are forced to wear a business suit due to your new job, which is uncomfortable compared to your usual clothes. Now that you have some money, you wonder if you could get a custom suit that can fit you and serve you.
[] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max)
[] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: It's time to reflect on what skills and experiences you bring to the table. As a former Head of Security, you're no stranger to leadership and operational discipline, but running a company requires an entirely different skill set. Can you bridge the gap? (1 dice to activate, 25R)
[] ET Phone Home(0/700; 50R per dice): You are really curious about Dr. Mihaylova, who according to Gale's notes; helped create S. She is currently stuck in Mars due to investigating the alien sphere known as the Traveler. From public reports, communications are random between Earth and Mars. Maybe S could work her magic and attempt to establish contact with the doctor and get some answers.
[] Hang with someone from the helpers (75R per dice) (Can be taken multiple times, one dice per possible person)
-Who?
[] Talk to the Traveler: You been hearing some rumors that some people have being able to speak with the thing in Mars through their dreams and teaching them things. You find this to be a load of bullshit. (1 dice to activate, 200R; two dice max)
[] Write In
Vote moratorium for at least 12 hours until I open the vote. So, discuss potential votes and ideas for possible actions.
==============================================
Here is turn five.
And regarding Mars.....yeah.
As one of the most hated fictional sci-fi characters once said: War is coming. With all its glory... and all its horror.
Now one important detail. What you just found out about is not known to you IC, this is OCC knowledge.
Also, remember that the Random/Disaster Roll will start this turn.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than WELCOMED.
[X] Plan LOOK WHAT GALE DID!!!
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Both version (138/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) 4MD 10TD 1900R
-[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (784/1000; 110R per dice): 3RD 330R
-[X][COLD] Unveil it by offering energy to Sunnydale for a set price.
--[X] 600 R per Quarter
-[X] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (381/500; 50R per dice) 3OD 1FD 200R
-[X] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (0/500; 100R per dice) 5FD 500R
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF 25 R
-[X] ET Phone Home(0/700; 50R per dice) 900R
Year 2, Q1 Results
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Both version (138/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) 4MD 10TD 1900R (14 dice)
24 + 70 + 3 + 77 + 86 + 34 + 21 + 81 + 58 + 51 + 81 + 4 + 51 + 69 = 710-5(crit fail)+5(Manu bonus)= 710
710+138= 848
With the previously done after-though modifications to the Glimmer PL, you told the group that it would be best to begin updating the current PL with the capacity to operate on both trash and energy.
This is mostly to not only increase production but also consider the possibility of the trash deal not going through, and thus have a backup plan to have the full potential of Glimmer.
Upgrading the PL started out in a rapid pace and if S's calculations were right, your group was already more than halfway to finishing it after months of work.
It would have been more along the way, but a defective piece was detected in an already built part of the energy conduit and had to be replaced by taking apart the conduit and doing the replacing that. But at least this prevented a major disaster down the road.
-[X] Rediscover the Lost Sloot (784/1000; 110R per dice): 3RD 330R
Roll= 76+90+1+56(Reroll)+5(Res. bonus)= 227
784+227= 1011, PASS
5 Rerolls left
You honestly never thought you'd see this day.
Almost a year ago, you gave the order to greenlight the Sloot System project, largely as a way to distract the restless R&D team. With the company's resources stretched thin and tensions high, the idea of a compression system that could reduce massive files to a fraction of their size seemed like a perfect rabbit hole to keep everyone occupied.
Even after appointing Kora to lead the team, the project was treated with skepticism. While Kora took her role seriously, the rest of the group grumbled in the background, calling it a 'fake system' or 'a joke project'. Despite the doubts, they continued to chip away at it, running test after test, driven more by stubbornness than belief.
Then, something unexpected happened during a routine system test. Kora, confident that the latest iteration of the Sloot System would finally work, initiated the trial.
At first, everything seemed to proceed without issue. The test file was compressed smoothly, and for a brief moment, it looked like success was within their grasp. But when they attempted to open the compressed file, disaster struck. The entire R&D computer network crashed without warning, forcing a full system reboot.
When the systems finally came back online, it was worse than anyone expected. All the project data, primary files, working copies, and even the backups; had been corrupted.
Kora, understandably furious, declared that it would take months to rebuild the project back to its last working state. The team was crushed. Their months of work, seemingly wiped out in an instant, left them despondent. They left for the weekend in sour moods, muttering curses under their breath.
That evening, as the office emptied, you retreated to your own desk, hoping S might have some insight into salvaging the project. But when you accessed her, you discovered she was offline, undergoing a system update. Frustrated but resigned, you decided to wait it out.
Four hours later, S came back online with an unmistakable look of satisfaction on her avatar's face.
"I have good news." She began, her tone positively radiant.
It turned out that S had anticipated the potential for data loss and had saved a pristine copy of the Sloot System moments before the crash. Not only had she preserved the data, but during her update, she had taken it upon herself to perfect the system entirely.
She explained that the update had been necessary to integrate the improvements into her core functionality. In doing so, her processing power and memory capacity had expanded significantly, making her more efficient than ever.
Her smile widened as she declared. "The Sloot System is now a reality."
You were stunned. Relief and gratitude washed over you as you thanked her profusely. But now came the tricky part, explaining how the system had miraculously gone from irreparably corrupted to perfectly functional over the weekend.
Working together, you and S brainstormed a plausible cover story. It had to be convincing enough to satisfy Kora and her staff, who would undoubtedly demand an explanation.
You also took the time to install it on all your computer devices, even on your gaming consoles, which you now had practically your entire gaming collection in one hard drive instead of multiple ones.
When Kora arrived that Monday, you handed her a drive containing the perfected version of the Sloot System.
"It's done." You said simply as you went to your office to work.
Her reaction, captured by S; was exactly as expected, pure shock. She took the drive, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for words. Two hours later, she stormed into your office, the drive clutched tightly in her hand.
"How in the hell did you get this working?" She demanded, glaring at you with a mix of awe and suspicion.
You leaned back in your chair, exhaling slowly, and launched into the story you and S had devised.
"I sent a copy of the corrupted data to a gray-hat hacker I knew from my Spec-Ops days." you began. "She owed me a favor. Not only did she manage to recover the data, but she also finished the system for us."
Kora's expression shifted from incredulity to annoyance. "You're telling me some random hacker just magically fixed everything over the weekend?"
"She's not random." You said defensively. "She's one of the best. And before you ask, no, I can't get in touch with her again right now. She works off the grid."
It took nearly an hour to calm her down. You reassured her repeatedly that the system had been thoroughly tested and was safe to use. You even went so far as to emphasize that she now had full access to the system and could review the changes herself.
By the end of the conversation, Kora begrudgingly accepted your explanation, though you could tell she wasn't entirely convinced.
You also told her that she was allowed to tell the rest of the R&D staff of what occurred and could install it into the R&D system but keep it quiet from everyone else for the time being.
You were already planning on unveiling the Gale Reactor at the end of this quarter and that will shake the world. Unveiling two major changes at the same time would be too much.
As she left your office, muttering under her breath, you exchanged a knowing glance with S's avatar on your monitor.
"Do you think she bought it?" You asked.
"Let's just say… she's skeptical but willing to move forward." S replied with a sly smile.
You chuckled, leaning back in your chair. "Well, let's hope this is the last time I have to pull a miracle out of thin air."
"Somehow." S said playfully. "I doubt that."
Reward:
Sloot Coding System acquired. Currently being used by S and the R&D Department.
Research Bonus= +15
S's Free Dice upgraded from +4 to +6
===============================================
-[X] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (0/500; 100R per dice) 5FD 500R
64+40+95+96+71= 366+5 (Ops bonus)= 371/500
With the imminent public announcement of the Gale Reactor's existence, you knew it was time to establish an internal watchgroup for Skynet, an elite team dedicated to monitoring for any signs of corruption, sabotage, or, worse, corporate espionage.
You and Lance both knew that the minute the Gale Reactor is known, Clovis will do what he can to get it or tarnish Skynet's reputation.
Luckly, between Cayde's expertise and your own, creating such a group could be doable.
Not to mention your secret weapon in the form of S, who could monitor all digital communications, transactions, and activities within the company, ensuring nothing slipped through the cracks. Her ability to analyze data, detect anomalies, and flag potential threats gave Skynet an edge that no rival corporation could match.
The first part of the plan was straightforward: identify trustworthy individuals from each department to recruit into the watchgroup. To achieve this, you and Cayde decided to conduct a thorough investigation of each branch of the company, vetting potential candidates based on their loyalty, skillset, and discretion.
For the first months, the main administration staff, the R&D staff and the security/military group were cleared.
Next up to investigate would be the manufacturing staff, and this would take some time as they were the most numerous after the security/military group.
=================================================
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF
25 R
Roll= 27, FAIL
'Not going to bother to write something. Try again.'
===============================
-[X][COLD] Unveil it by offering energy to Sunnydale for a set price.
--[X] 600 R per Quarter
Do they accept:
86
+15 (Good relationship)
+30 (PR-First city in the world to be powered by cold fusion)
= 131
vs
3
+40 (Expensive)
= 43-5= 38 CRIT FAIL
-[X] One man's trash, is another man's treasure (381/500; 50R per dice) 3OD 1FD 200R
(+5 ops bonus)
Roll- 100, 30, 19, 59= 208 + 62 (NAT 100 bonus) + 5(op bonus)= 275
275+381= 656, PASS
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I present to the world one final gift left behind by my old boss and dear friend, Grace Cameron."
"Behold, the Gale Reactor: the world's first and only Cold Fusion Reactor. And our first client—the city of Sunnydale."
- John Conner, CEO of Skynet on the public unveiling of the Gale Reactor
You would later admit that this was the busiest and most challenging time since you had become CEO of Skynet. The decision to publicly unveil the Gale Reactor had been months in the making, requiring meticulous planning, countless meetings, and sleepless nights.
The idea had been simple: power the city of Sunnydale using the Gale Reactor, demonstrating its revolutionary capabilities to the world. However, turning that idea into reality had been anything but simple.
At the next meeting with Sunnydale's government officials, you laid everything out on the table. After signing multiple, ironclad non-disclosure agreements, you revealed the existence of the Gale Reactor and proposed selling the city clean, affordable energy.
Their reaction had been swift and decisive.
Once the officials realized the offer was real, and saw the projected energy output you were offering; they moved at lightning speed to finalize the deal. To your and Lance's surprise, the government was not only enthusiastic but also willing to pay more for the service.
Years of rolling blackouts on the West Coast, exacerbated by wildfires and aging infrastructure, had made energy reliability a priority. Sunnydale's power grid was particularly vulnerable due to its reliance on distant power plants. Having a reactor within city limits wasn't just convenient—it was transformative.
One of the most surprising outcomes of the negotiations was the trash deal. Originally, your goal had been modest: gain access to one of Sunnydale's landfills to supply the Glimmer Production system.
Instead, the government offered something far more ambitious. They fast-tracked the agreement and improved the terms, granting Skynet access to all of the city's landfills.
With support from your team, you decided to take full advantage of this opportunity. The influx of raw materials meant you could stockpile Glimmer on a quarterly basis, creating a reserve that could be converted into anything you might need later—resources, equipment, or even hard currency in case of a financial emergency.
Once the agreements were signed, the real work began. For the next month, Skynet collaborated with Sunnydale's power company to integrate the Gale Reactor into the city's grid. Every detail was scrutinized, from ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure to establishing emergency protocols.
You insisted on keeping the old power connections operational as a backup, just in case something went wrong with the reactor. It was a grueling process, but by the end, everything was ready.
The day of the unveiling was nothing short of spectacular.
With much fanfare, the Gale Reactor was revealed to the public. To demonstrate its power, the city's grid was temporarily shut down for thirty seconds. When the lights came back on, Sunnydale was running entirely on the reactor's energy. The seamless transition left the crowd in awe.
The day after the unveiling, the floodgates opened.
Skynet's stock value skyrocketed to unprecedented heights. Ivan, always one for dramatic commentary, quipped, "I'm going to need a telescope just to see where it is on the graph."
The requests poured in from every corner of the globe. Scientists, industrialists, environmentalists, and even organizations like the Ishtar Collective bombarded Skynet with congratulations, inquiries and offers to purchase a Gale Reactor.
Hell, even Clovis Bray; actually, said congratulations on the news for this achievement. Though you could clearly see it in his face he was lying through his teeth about his declaration.
Something that really amused you and your friends.
The Nobel Foundation called to discuss awarding Grace Cameron posthumous Nobel Prizes for Peace and Physics. You couldn't help but feel a bittersweet pride, Grace's brilliance was finally receiving the recognition it deserved.
Even your former superior officer reached out, expressing the NAE's interest in securing "first dibs" on future reactors, in either leasing or buying out the design directly. You assured him that Skynet was more than willing to negotiate a deal with the NAE.
Amid the chaos, you received another unexpected development: a message from Skynet's Board of Directors.
For the past year, they had been largely silent, observing your leadership from the shadows. But now, in light of your extraordinary efforts and the monumental unveiling of the Gale Reactor, they had come to a unanimous decision.
They officially named you permanent CEO of Skynet.
Not that there was ever going to be any other choice.
As you leaned back in your chair, reflecting on the whirlwind of events, S's avatar appeared on your monitor, her expression one of satisfaction.
"Well done, John." She said with a smile. "But I think you know this is only the beginning."
You chuckled, shaking your head. "You're not wrong, S. Not wrong at all."
Reward:
Gale Reactor made public. Skynet now famous across the world.
John Conner is now permanent CEO.
Sunnydale Power Deal finalized (+1000R per quarter)
Sunnydale Trash Deal finalized (unlocks Stockpile option= 250R per quarter)
===============================
[] ET Phone Home(0/700; 50R per dice): You are really curious about Dr. Mihaylova, who according to Gale's notes; helped create S. She is currently stuck in Mars due to investigating the alien sphere known as the Traveler. From public reports, communications are random between Earth and Mars. Maybe S could work her magic and attempt to establish contact with the doctor and get some answers.
After much personal consideration, you decided to have S see if there was a way she could attempt to communicate with the doctor over at Mars.
Maybe you could even help her out by sending her the data on Glimmer, seeing as she was Gale's friend; and could begin colonizing the planet if she and her crew can create a GPL with stuff from the lander and their orbital ship.
Not to mention giving her the Sloot System which should help in transmitting data between Earth and Mars a lot faster.
Now based on what has been released to the public, communications between Earth and Mars are sporadic due to the combination of distance and Mars' changing environment.
The primary method of communication is a combination of several Earth's orbital satellites and dedicated communications array in Hawaii under the control of NASA; and then connecting to the Ares One ship around Mars' orbit.
Thus, you told S to see if she could hack into the system.
Unfortunately, there were some problems that delayed this.
First, when S tried to hack into NASA, she discovered that the system had so many military-grade firewalls and blocks to the point that it looked like trying to hack into NORAD.
S said that she could easily hack her way in, but her entrance would be noticed right away.
You told her to take it easy and hack her way in slowly without anyone noticing.
This resulted in S taking her time, dedicating some of her processing power to the background in dealing with this as she was also helping out with the next version of the GPL, the Reactor and Trash deals and looking into possible candidates for Skynet's watchdog group.
She states she is rather close to getting into the system.
=====================
Total Cost= 3855R
5170R-3855R= 1315R left.
========================================= Random Event Roll:
Roll- 1
'Rolls below'
Good evening, and welcome to the nightly news. Our top story tonight, scientists and authorities are on high alert after a meteorite crash-landed in Russia just two hours ago, in an astonishing twist of irony, right in the area where the famous Tunguska Event occurred over a century ago.
Preliminary reports indicate that the resulting explosion from the impact was far smaller than the Tunguska blast, measuring an estimated 1 megaton in force. Despite this, the explosion was powerful enough to shake the surrounding region, leaving a significant crater and sending shockwaves that were detected by seismic stations across Eastern Siberia.
The Russian Academy of Sciences has announced plans to send a scientific expedition to investigate the aftermath of the impact. However, due to the extreme cold and difficult conditions in the region, the mission is expected to take some time to organize. Temperatures in the area are reported to be dangerously low, complicating efforts to reach the site quickly.
We'll continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they come in. Stay tuned for more on this remarkable event and its potential implications.
Ball Mom's attempt to stop it:
30
+50 (Right in the planet)
+25 (Mihaylova Support)
= 105
Vs
91
+60 (Fighting against ????)
= 151
Where is it landing:
1- North America
2- South America
3- Africa
4- Australia
5- Europa
6- Asia
7- Antarctica
Roll- 6
Detected:
46
+100 (The entire world is looking at Mars, higher ups know the truth, R in spaceship)
= 146
Vs
100
+50 (Advanced alien tech)
= 150, NAT 100 CRIT
QM Note:
So yeah.....they are here....may the Traveler have mercy on our souls.
And 'The more things change , the more they stay the same' fits here.
Would like to thank Cyber for his help in writing this, and providing half of the rolls.
In your wondering, a modified Spire Missile was launch from Mars and was able to land on Earth. No one on Earth realizes that it came from Mars. They think it's a normal meteorite impact at the scale of the Chelyabinsk meteor; thus they are not worried.
The stockpile option cannot be touched barring an emergency, and they are not affected by Ivan's special.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than welcomed.....no REALLY, they are welcomed.
Skynet Manufacturing
CEO: John Connor
(Unknown to him: Speaker)
(+10 to Security/Military rolls)
Current direct helpers:
1. Ivan Beck
- Investor
- Special Roll: 25% chance of Income at the start of each turn to double.
2. S
- Secret AI hidden inside Skynet's HQ, only known to John.
- Gender: Female
- Digital avatar- Young, 'R34' version of MGS's The Boss (Pic in Skynet: Beyond Human)
- Currently can communicate on either Gale's computer, John's phone or any computer the phone connects to.
- Programming not bound, capable of learning.
- Upgraded with Sloot System.
- Grants +6 Free Dice
3. Lance Zeus
- COO of Skynet
- Brother to Kora Zeus
- Grants +2 Operations Dice, +5 to Operations Rolls
(OOC- Zavala)
4. Kora Zeus
- Head of R&D
- Sister of Lance Zeus
- Sick with cancer, getting the best treatment
- Grants +1 Research Dice, +5 to Research Rolls
(OOC- Ikora)
5. Cayde Nolan Buck
- Head of Security
- Former LAPD SWAT Commander
- Best friend to Kora
- Grants +1 Operations Dice, +5 to Security/Military rolls
(OCC= Cayde; Halo's Edward Buck's ancestor)
Current Status of Company:
Factory Lvl. 5 (Grants +5 Manufacturing Dice)
---(+5 to Manufacturing Actions)
-- Glimmer Production Line, Trash Version (+3 Manufacturing Dice)
The warehouse stockpile of parts covers entire fiscal quarter (1 turn) in the event the factory suffers something that stops production.
Advanced R&D Lab (Grants +2 Research Dice)
--Running with Sloot System (+15 to Research Actions)
Experimental Cold Fusion Reactor
Grants +2 Free Dice
Publicly known.
Security, Special
Active NAE military personnel on site
Grants +15 to Security/Military rolls
Current Relationships:
NAE: Good
Sunnydale: Good
Clovis Bray: Bad
Hakke Heavy Industries: Neutral
Ishtar Collective: Neutral
Current Contracts:
Expire in Y3, Q1
NAE
- Civilian (+250)
- Military (+500)
Sunnydale
- Normal business(+100)
- Energy (+1000)
Current Resources: 1315 R (+1850 per turn)
Ivan Special Roll= 89, PASS
New Resource Total- 1315+1850= 3165x 2= 6330R
Ares One Mission: Status of Mars:
No new messages from Mars have been received at this time.
The storm is still covering half the planet, with the 'eye' of the storm being the area where lander and the Traveler are still located.
Invasion:
48 vs 90
(She is still holding on)
Message:
15 vs 55
(No message and even if in this turn you finish ET Phone, you will not be able to talk to her)
[] Expand Factory (0/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice): Skynet's factory is already a marvel of technology and progress in order to manufacture large quantities of various computer parts thanks to it's uses of industrial 3d printers and experts in putting the pieces together. So, it would help to expand it to increase its capabilities. (Reward: +1 MD)
[] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech: With the discovery of Glimmer, it could allow for the production capabilities of the factory to increase at huge margin. It would be best to start with a single place of the factory to convert it to a automated Glimmer factory that can only be accessed by those that know, and only know to John, under the eye and control of S; till we can be sure the employees of the factory can be trusted.
-[] Energy version (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
-[] Trash version (0/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) (1 active)
-[] Both version (848/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
[] Write In
Special: Gale Reactor
(This is basically the action to see who gets the Reactor. The premise will be leasing. Skynet will send the client 90% of the plans of the reactor and they will build it. The other 10% will be finished by Skynet personnel, which is basically the core tech of the reactor and blackboxed.)
(You can take on the job of building multiple reactors, which would be finished in one quarter. Each contract cost 2 MD, no rolling.)
Who to give reactor:
-[][CLIENT] Write In
How much: (per quarter)
-[][COST] Write In
(You could also offer a reactor for free without using any dice. It would cost you 1000R. Hey PR is a thing.)
(Since it's kind of obvious everyone will want a reactor, I am putting up a write in and see what you guys can come up with, with me having a right to veto.
Examples:
NAE-Military-NORAD; NAE-Military-A base in the California Comm.; NAE-Civilian-LA)
[] Game Engine, Phase 1/? (0/1000; 75R per dice): Skynet is dedicated to making computer parts. But there were some in the company that maybe it was time to expand into new ventures related to the computer field. In this case into video games, a market that is connected to the need of constant computer parts. So, one first step would be to create a new game engine that belonged uniquely to Skynet that was a match to the known engines in the market.
[] Arms, Armor and Armored Integration, Phase 1/? (0/1000; 150R per dice): If there was one thing that being in an electronic company would give you it was integrating the latest technology with the modern battlefield, and you know it's probably going to be a hard sell, but there's a potential market here.
[] Upgrade the Lab (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) Skynet's R&D lab is already considered a marvel of engineering and research. But according to Kora, the lab could be better. (Reward: +1 RD)
[] Smaller Fusion (0/1500, Phase 1; 150R per dice): Skynet is the world's sole provider of cold fusion reactors. You know that demand is basically a guaranteed. But the current design is to power cities. Maybe there is possibility to develop a different version that is smaller scale.
(Note Phase 1 is make the reactor the size for Navy Ships)
Nanomachine Research: (Note- Nano research can only done with FD and with no Research related bonus since SOP is being a kept a secret from everyone. S is doing the work here)
[] Nano Health (0/1500; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used in the game to heal a person. This version is one-use only.
[] Naomi Variant (0/3500; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used by Naomi to keep her cancer at bay, which would really help Kora's situation, even though SOP could already be used to heal her.
[] Nanomachines Son (0/5000; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used by Armstrong.
[] Write In
================================================== Operations: (3D)
[] Look for a Company Doctor (0/100; 50R per dice): While Skynet offers top-notch medical insurance and a contract with the local Sunnydale Hospital for fast service in case of an emergency; it would be best for the company to have a direct medical help on the premise, aka a company doctor full-time.
[] Discover any possible DARPA contracts (0/100; 50R per dice): While Skynet has a strong contract with the NAE in both civilian and military sides; they were just to simply manufacture and deliver computer parts. But this does not mean looking for contracts that dealt with specific things was not off the table.
[] Create a scholarship program/employment network (0/500; 50R per dice): Skynet has a good standing with the people of Sunnydale, being a stable source of job for its people and treating them right. You think of the idea of offering a university scholarship program for students that in exchange for paying for their education, they come to work for Skynet either during their education or after graduating.
[] Run Security Training (0/700; 50R per dice): With Cayde now in charge of security, he wants to see just how well the security is in Skynet and see if it can be improved, even if the security is mostly composed of active military personnel and was under your command.
[] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (371/500; 100R per dice): Corporate espionage and internal corruption could cripple the company. Establishing a discreet internal team to investigate and monitor potential risks would ensure operational security.
[] Form a watchgroup to check out rivals and national/international news (0/500; 100R per dice): Knowledge is power. A dedicated team that monitors competitor activity and analyzes trends in the industry and politics could help Skynet stay ahead of the curve.
[] Write In
======================================== Personal:
(You can purchase a dice in any personal action as long as you use the RP that it demands, multiple times if you wish as long as you pay. Using a FD on a personal action does not consume RP.)
[] Get a new suit (140/250; 50R per dice): You are forced to wear a business suit due to your new job, which is uncomfortable compared to your usual clothes. Now that you have some money, you wonder if you could get a custom suit that can fit you and serve you.
[] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max)
[] Take SOP: You posses SOP and taking it would make you into basically a super soldier. But doing this would mean allowing S into your mind. In the end, the question is not if SOP works or not. It's if you trust S. (1 dice to activate)
[] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: It's time to reflect on what skills and experiences you bring to the table. As a former Head of Security, you're no stranger to leadership and operational discipline, but running a company requires an entirely different skill set. Can you bridge the gap? (1 dice to activate, 25R)
[] ET Phone Home(658/700; 50R per dice): You are really curious about Dr. Mihaylova, who according to Gale's notes; helped create S. She is currently stuck in Mars due to investigating the alien sphere known as the Traveler. From public reports, communications are random between Earth and Mars. Maybe S could work her magic and attempt to establish contact with the doctor and get some answers.
[] Hang with someone from the helpers (75R per dice) (Can be taken multiple times, one dice per possible person)
-Who?
[] Talk to the Traveler: You been hearing some rumors that some people have being able to speak with the thing in Mars through their dreams and teaching them things. You find this to be a load of bullshit. (1 dice to activate, 200R; two dice max)
[] Talk to the Horse: You had a strange dream where you saw a horse with stars that apparently gave you SOP from what you now know was Little Grey. Maybe it was just your mind playing tricks but what would happen if he saw it again. (1 dice to activate, 500R, one dice max) (This is basically the gacha option for stuff from other universes.)
[] Write In
======================================
QM Note:
Here is the next turn.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
New action ideas are also welcomed.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than WELCOMED, specially from the wanted board.
Vote moratorium for at least 12 hours until I open the vote. So, discuss potential votes and ideas for possible actions.
[X] Plan I've got a bad feeling about this.
Manu:
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Both version (848/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) 29TD 4500R
+5 bonus
-[X] Nanomachines Son (0/5000; 100R per dice): 4FD 400R
Operations:
-[X] Look for a Company Doctor (0/100; 50R per dice): 3 OD 150R
+5 bonus
-[X] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (371/500; 100R per dice) 4FD 400R
+5 bonus
Personal:
-[X] Get a new suit (140/250; 50R per dice): 150R (3 rolls)
-[X] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max) 300R (3 rolls)
-[X] Take SOP:
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF 25 R
-[X] ET Phone Home(658/700; 50R per dice) 100R (3 rolls)
(+5 omake from Sum all fears)
-[X][CLIENT] NAE, Washington DC 2MD
How much: (per quarter)
-[X][COST] 1000
-[X][CLIENT] Ukraine, Kiev (John did a Country Raffle) 2MD
How much: (per quarter)
-[X][COST] 1000
Total 6325R
Y2 Q2 Results
-[X] Form an internal watchgroup for corruption/corporate espionage (371/500; 100R per dice) 4FD 400R
Roll= 82+65+76+[95+5(bonus)] = 323+ 58(100 bonus)= 381
371+381= 752 FINISHED
After extensive investigation, much of it centered on S's relentless monitoring and analysis; coupled with a series of surprise interviews with employees—you and Cayde were finally able to conclude your evaluation of Skynet's workforce. The results were both relieving and satisfying: every single employee was fully loyal to you and the company.
This confirmation brought an immense sense of relief. Knowing you could trust your team completely allowed you to move forward with two critical plans.
The first plan was the official formation of SkyEye, Skynet's internal watchdog group. Composed of select members from every department, SkyEye's mission was to monitor for any signs of corruption, internal misconduct, or espionage from outside sources.
Cayde was assigned to oversee the group, leveraging his experience and sharp instincts. However, the true overseer would always be S. With her ability to monitor digital communications, detect anomalies, and ensure compliance across the company, S would serve as the silent but ever-present guardian of SkyEye's operations.
The establishment of SkyEye marked a significant step in safeguarding Skynet's integrity as the company continued to grow in prominence.
The second plan was far more ambitious. With confirmation of your employees' loyalty, you decided, with input and unanimous agreement from your friends; to reveal the existence of Glimmer to the rest of the company.
Before unveiling the project, all employees were required to sign updated non-disclosure agreements, explicitly stating the importance of keeping Glimmer's existence a closely guarded secret.
When the big reveal finally came, the initial reaction was one of disbelief. Employees across all departments struggled to comprehend the significance of what they were seeing. But once they were shown the GPL in action and who created it, doubts quickly evaporated.
One R&D employee succinctly summed up the shift in attitude: "The woman discovered Cold Fusion. Her having also created what's essentially a Star Trek replicator? Honestly, it's more than believable."
By the end of the presentation, the employees not only understood the revolutionary nature of Glimmer but also recognized its potential to catapult Skynet into becoming a true global powerhouse. They pledged to protect the project's secrecy, fully aware of the risks posed by competitors and bad actors if the technology's existence were leaked.
This included the NAE military personnel assigned to Skynet as part of the company's security force. Over time, they had grown to respect you as a leader, largely because of the way you treated them. You understood the importance of recognizing their contributions, ensuring they were well-compensated, equipped, and supported.
For them, working as security for Skynet was seen as a relatively cushy and straightforward posting. The company's state-of-the-art facilities, steady routines, and lack of direct combat operations made it a welcome reprieve from the high-risk assignments they were accustomed to.
However, the situation could change dramatically if the higher-ups in the NAE ever discovered the existence of Glimmer. Such revolutionary technology would undoubtedly spark intense interest, and possibly interference; from the military leadership. What was once a relaxed and desirable position might suddenly transform into a high-pressure, heavily scrutinized assignment.
To further reinforce the importance of Glimmer and to provide a tangible demonstration of its capabilities, you implemented a practical perk: the company cafeteria.
The cafeteria, which already served free meals to employees, was allowed to use the GPL. This allowed the chefs to create dishes that would typically cost a fortune in high-class restaurants. Employees could now enjoy gourmet meals, everything from truffle pasta to Wagyu beef; without ever leaving the company and for free.
Needless to say, this move earned widespread acclaim. Morale skyrocketed, and the tangible benefits of Glimmer solidified its importance in the minds of your workforce.
With the existence of Glimmer now an open secret within Skynet, the doors were opened for collaboration and innovation. The R&D department was tasked with finding ways to improve the efficiency and capabilities of Glimmer. Meanwhile, the Manufacturing Department, now fully aware of the project, began planning the implementation of additional GPLs to boost the company's production capabilities, especially considering the ever-increasing demands for Gale Reactors that the world wants.
For the first time, you felt like the company wasn't just keeping up with the future, it was shaping it.
Reward:
SkyEye operational (+20 when dealing with corruption and espionage)
All employees are confirmed loyal and know about Glimmer and keep it a secret.
====================
-[X] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech:
--[X] Both version (848/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) 29TD 4500R
+5 manu bonus
848+652= 1500, finished
Glimmer Production Line, Trash Version CHANGED to Mixed Version (+10 Manufacturing Dice)
1646-652= 994 left. Placed into Mixed Version (994/1500)
With the Manufacturing Department now fully briefed on Glimmer and its capabilities, progress on updating the GPL accelerated far beyond original expectations. What had once seemed like an ambitious timeline was now being surpassed at an impressive pace, thanks to the combined efforts of engineers, technicians, and researchers who were eager to prove their worth.
By the middle of the quarter, the original GPL had been successfully upgraded. It could now utilize both energy and trash as inputs, significantly increasing its production capacity for Glimmer and finished products. The upgrade not only streamlined the system but also opened up new possibilities for scalability and efficiency.
Buoyed by this momentum, the Manufacturing Department approached you with a proposal: to begin construction of a second GPL using the updated model. They argued that having an additional line would not only double production but also provide redundancy in case of unforeseen issues with the first system.
After reviewing their plans and consulting with your team, you gave them the green light to proceed. The department wasted no time, mobilizing resources and personnel to begin construction.
By the end of the quarter, the second GPL was already more than halfway complete.
Reward:
Glimmer Production Line, Trash Version CHANGED to Mixed Version (+10 Manufacturing Dice)
Construction of second mixed GPL started (994/1500)
With the Gale Reactor poised to revolutionize the world in its current form, you began to consider how its design could be adapted for more specialized applications. One particular avenue of interest stood out: naval vessels.
You envisioned a future where the Gale Reactor could be installed aboard NAE Navy ships, fundamentally changing the way naval operations were conducted. The potential was staggering, unlimited clean energy at sea, reduced dependency on fuel resupply chains, and the ability to deploy fleets for extended missions without the logistical constraints of traditional fuel sources.
The implications weren't just strategic but also financial. Successfully integrating a scaled-down version of the Gale Reactor into naval vessels could lead to an incredibly lucrative contract with the NAE Navy.
Right now, the R&D department has begun the project into first looking at how to scale down the core components.
===========
-[X] Nanomachines Son (0/5000; 100R per dice): 4FD 400R
With your decision to inject yourself with SOP after you finished your trips to DC and Kiev, you wondered if it was possible if the nanites in your possession to be changed into having the same capacity as the ones used by Armstrong.
When you told S about it, she decided to have a small part of her subroutines research this matter.
Though she told you that since she was alone in doing this, and already dealing with several things around the company, it would be a slow project.
You told her to take her time.
======================= -[X] Look for a Company Doctor (0/100; 50R per dice): 3 OD 150R
+5 bonus
Roll= 72+2+77= 151 (CRIT FAIL (-5) canceled out with Bonus (+5))
You were in the middle of reviewing your flight plan to Kiev, scheduled for next month, when your phone buzzed. It was Kora.
"Hey, John," she began, her tone casual but with an edge of urgency. "Do you mind if Cayde and I take a few days off? We've got to help out a friend in L.A."
Curious but too swamped with tasks to dig deeper, you gave her a simple answer. "Sure, take the time you need."
You couldn't shake your curiosity about this mysterious friend, but with your plate already full, you decided to let it go.
A week passed, and Kora called again, this time to inform you that she and Cayde were back. Deciding to check in with them, you made your way to their apartment.
When the door swung open, it wasn't Kora or Cayde who greeted you. Instead, standing in the doorway was a blonde woman who looked like she had stepped off a runway. Her striking green eyes and statuesque frame gave her an air of effortless elegance, but the dark circles under her eyes and her slightly disheveled appearance told a different story.
"Hey." She said groggily, her thick Russian accent unmistakable. "Where is the sausage pizza I ordered?"
Caught off guard, you blinked a few times before responding. "Uh… I think you have the wrong…."
Before you could finish, Kora appeared behind her, groaning. "Eris! That's John, not a pizza guy!"
Eris blinked, clearly trying to process what Kora had just said. "Oh… well, I'm hungry anyway." She turned back to you, this time with a sheepish smile. "Sorry about that. Come in. No pizza?"
Eris pulled the door open wider, gesturing you inside. As you stepped in, you couldn't help but notice the clutter—half-unpacked boxes, stacks of books, and medical journals scattered across the table.
"So," You began, glancing between Kora and the newcomer, "I take it this is the friend you and Cayde went to help in LA?"
Kora nodded, motioning toward Eris. "John, meet Dr. Erisia Pyatova-Hsien, or Eris for short. She's one of my best friends from med school and as off today, my second roommate. Eris, this is John, my boss."
Eris extended a hand, her tired expression softening into something friendlier. "Nice to meet you. And, um, sorry again about the pizza comment."
"No problem. Though I am curious as to why you are here instead of LA?" You asked.
Both women's faces turned sour and from there they told you what happened.
It turned out Kora and Cayde's trip to L.A. had been far more eventful than you'd imagined.
Eris, as Kora explained later, had once been one of L.A.'s best ER surgeons, a star in the medical field. Her skill and dedication had earned her accolades and respect, but all of that came crashing down due to a single tragic incident.
During a catastrophic car pile-up that resulted in multiple casualties, Eris had to make a split-second decision. Two patients required immediate attention: a child with severe internal bleeding and an elderly man in critical condition.
Without hesitation, Eris prioritized the child and successfully saved his life. Unfortunately, by the time she turned her attention to the elderly man, it was too late, he had flatlined.
What should have been seen as an act of professionalism and triage under impossible circumstances quickly spiraled into disaster. The elderly man turned out to be an influential figure from a wealthy family, and his relatives were enraged by his death.
In a bid to placate the family, the hospital where Eris worked threw her under the bus. Despite her impeccable record and protests that she had followed standard protocol, Eris was fired.
The family didn't stop there. They filed multiple malpractice lawsuits against her, draining her savings and forcing her to sell her home and most of her possessions to cover the legal fees. Worse still, they used their connections to blacklist her from every major hospital in the NAE, effectively ending her medical career.
Desperate and with nowhere else to turn, Eris reached out to Kora.
Kora didn't hesitate. She and Cayde flew to L.A. to help Eris pack up what little she had left and brought her back to their apartment.
"She's staying with us for now." Kora explained. "Until we figure out how to get her back on her feet."
Eris, for her part, shrugged off the sympathy. "It's life. You do the right thing, and sometimes it costs you. But I couldn't just let that child die."
Her words struck a chord with you. Here was someone who had stood by her principles, even when it ruined her career. That kind of integrity wasn't just admirable, it was rare.
After spending the rest of the afternoon getting to know her better, an idea began forming in your mind. Skynet had been growing rapidly, and with the recent expansion of projects like Glimmer and the Gale Reactor, the company needed someone to oversee the health and well-being of its employees. You'd been meaning to fill the vacant on-site company doctor position for months, but you hadn't found anyone who felt like the right fit.
Until now.
"Eris." You said, breaking the casual flow of conversation. "Have you considered taking up a new role as a private company doctor?"
She blinked, looking at you like you'd just suggested she become an astronaut. "Company doctor? Where?"
"At Skynet." You said simply. "We've got an open position, and from what I've heard, you'd be perfect for it."
Her brows furrowed. "Wait, you're serious?"
"Completely." You assured her. "The job comes with excellent pay, full benefits, and you'd have access to cutting-edge tech. Plus, you'd be working with at least two people that know you."
She glanced at Kora and Cayde, both of whom nodded enthusiastically.
"I mean, it's not a traditional hospital setting," You continued. "But you'd have all the resources you'd need to help people, and no one's going to throw you under the bus for doing the right thing."
Eris was quiet for a moment, clearly processing the offer. Then, to your surprise, her eyes grew misty.
"I… I don't know what to say," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I've been trying so hard to find something, anything, since everything fell apart. And now you're offering me a job? Just like that?"
"It's not just like that," you replied, your tone steady but firm. "Kora and Cayde vouching for you means a lot. And from what I've seen, you've got the skills, the heart, and the drive for this. Skynet could really use someone like you."
Eris hesitated, her green eyes searching your face. "But… what about my blacklisted status? I wouldn't fit well with a private company carrying that kind of baggage."
You let out a huff, crossing your arms. "Eris, let me put it this way: I'm a former spec-ops soldier turned Chief of Security who somehow ended up as a CEO after my boss died unexpectedly. Lance? He quit working for Clovis Bray because that jackass denied Kora medical insurance when she was sick. Cayde is here because his former partners thought he was a traitor—until his innocence was finally proven. And Ivan?"
You paused, giving her a smirk. "If Kora hasn't already filled you in, let's just say Ivan is a weird, eccentric rich guy who somehow ended up becoming one of my closest allies. Trust me when I say that you're not the only one here with an 'origin story' that's unconventional." You even air-quoted the phrase with your fingers for emphasis.
Eris's lips twitched into the faintest of smiles, but the doubt still lingered in her eyes. "Even so, won't hiring me cause problems for Skynet? My reputation—"
"Eris." You interrupted, your tone growing more resolute. "This company is the only one in the world capable of producing cold fusion energy. Right now, I'm holding the keys to a technology that every government, corporation, and research institute on the planet wants. If anyone has a problem with me hiring you, they can take it up with me, and I guarantee you, no one's stupid enough to try."
Her expression softened as she absorbed your words. For a moment, the air between you was filled with quiet understanding.
Finally, Eris took a deep breath, steadying herself. She gave you a small but genuine smile. "Thank you, John. If you're serious about this, I'd be honored to accept."
By the end of the week, the paperwork was finalized, and Eris officially joined Skynet as its new Company Doctor. The news was met with mixed reactions at first, some employees were curious about her background, while others whispered rumors about her blacklisted status.
Of course, it didn't hurt that Eris's supermodel-like appearance drew plenty of attention—particularly from the male employees. The number of "volunteers" for routine check-ups spiked almost overnight, with more than one guy muttering a star-struck "Hello, Nurse" under his breath when she walked by.
Much to Eris's annoyance, this became a running joke around the office.
"Let me guess." She said one day, crossing her arms as a blushing technician stammered through his third 'urgent' appointment that week. "You suddenly developed another mysterious condition?"
Kora, meanwhile, couldn't have been prouder. Watching Eris thrive in her new role brought a beaming smile to her face, and she wasn't shy about bragging to anyone who would listen.
"This is why you don't underestimate my friends." She'd say with a grin, nudging you as Eris calmly handled yet another crisis like it was a casual stroll through the park.
Cayde, of course, took the opportunity to crack his usual jokes. "Well, look at us now." He said one day during lunch, smirking as he leaned back in his chair. "We've got our very own miracle worker. Good thing, too. If John gets us all shot by one of those oil corporations, at least Eris will be here to patch us up."
Eris rolled her eyes, but there was a faint smile on her lips. "If that happens, Cayde, you're first on my triage list, but I'm not promising you'll enjoy it."
The banter brought laughter to the table, reinforcing the camaraderie that made Skynet's team feel more like a family than a corporate machine.
You still remember her expression when she was let in on the secret of Glimmer and quickly asked if it could work on medicine, which the answer was yes. This led her to the realization that she could just simply order the most expensive and best medicine in the market, scan them and have basically an unlimited amount of them to work with.
For you, seeing Eris step into her new role was a reminder of what Skynet seems to be building up to: second chances, innovation, and building something greater than any one person.
Eris wasn't just a skilled doctor; she was a survivor, someone who had been knocked down but refused to stay there.
And now, she was part of your team. Including adding her to SkyChat.
As you passed her office one evening, you glanced through the open door to see her reviewing patient files with a look of intense focus. For the first time in a long while, she looked like she belonged.
"Welcome to Skynet, Dr. Pyatova-Hsien." You murmured to yourself, a small smile on your face as you walked away.
Reward:
Dr. Erisia 'Eris' Pyatova-Hsien: Company Doctor
+1 Operations Dice, +5 to medical related rolls (can be turned to Research if the action is biological)
====================== -[X] Get a new suit (140/250; 50R per dice): 150R (3 rolls)
Rolls= 34, 34, 100; dubs and NAT 100
Bonus Roll= 88
You were reviewing another batch of reports on the manufacturing department's progress when your inbox chimed with a new email. Glancing over, the subject line caught your attention: "Your Order Is Ready for Pickup - Continental Hotel"
Frowning, you opened the email. It was a formal notification with specific instructions for retrieving an order you supposedly placed a year ago. Confused, you turned to S, her avatar appearing on your monitor.
"What's this about, S? I don't remember ordering anything from a hotel chain." You said, gesturing to the email.
S's digital eyes sparkled with amusement. "It's about the suits, John. Remember? You ordered tailored suits a year ago under your mentor's recommendation."
Suddenly, it clicked. You vaguely recalled the conversation, though the details were fuzzy. Your old mentor had insisted after you complained about the suits you been wearing being uncomfortable to wear.
He'd recommended this mysterious tailor who for some reason operated under the Continental Hotel. What you didn't understand was why it had taken so long or why it was tied to an international hotel chain.
The email directed you to the Continental Hotel in Los Angeles, where your order would be ready for pickup the following weekend. Curiosity piqued, you decided you'd make the trip on Saturday.
Walking into the opulent lobby of the Continental Hotel in Los Angeles felt like stepping into another world. The space was a masterpiece of understated luxury—polished marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of ornate chandeliers, while sleek modern furniture seamlessly complemented the building's classical architecture. Subtle details, from the intricate patterns in the carpeting to the quiet hum of classical music in the background, radiated an aura of exclusivity and sophistication.
You adjusted your subtle disguise as you scanned the room. It wasn't much, just a pair of non-prescription glasses and a slightly different hairstyle; but enough to make you less recognizable. The clientele lounging in the lobby were just as enigmatic as the hotel itself: a mix of sharp-suited individuals and well-dressed travelers who carried themselves with a confidence that suggested they were no strangers to danger.
As you approached the reception desk, you were greeted by a strikingly beautiful woman. Her suit was sharp, tailored to perfection in a way that exuded both elegance and authority. Her blonde hair was swept into a neat bun, and her makeup was understated but flawless. Her poise was almost unnerving, her eyes meeting yours with a calm intensity that seemed to evaluate you in an instant.
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to the Continental. Is there anything you need of attendance?" She said with a professional yet melodic tone, her lips curling into a polite smile.
You leaned in slightly, lowering your voice as you whispered the passphrase provided in the email.
For a moment, her expression didn't change. Her professional demeanor was impeccable, but you noticed a flicker in her eyes, a fleeting moment of recognition and surprise that she quickly masked.
"Of course, sir." She said smoothly, her tone as steady as before. "Please follow me."
With a subtle gesture, she stepped out from behind the desk and led you through a discreet door at the back of the lobby. The shift in atmosphere was immediate. The noise and grandeur of the lobby faded as you entered a private hallway, its walls lined with dark wood panels and subtle lighting.
The concierge walked ahead, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Her movements were precise, every step deliberate, as if she had done this countless times.
Finally, you arrived at a room that felt worlds apart from the rest of the hotel.
It was an atelier, impeccably designed with the same blend of luxury and functionality that defined the Continental. Mannequins dressed in various stages of tailoring stood like sentinels around the room. Rolls of fine fabric were neatly stacked on shelves, and an array of tools lay organized on a polished wooden table.
Standing in the center of it all was the same bald man that attended you a year ago, dressed in a crisp three-piece suit. His demeanor exuded quiet confidence, his sharp eyes appraising you the moment you entered.
"Ah, Mr. Conner." He said warmly, his voice smooth and practiced. "It's been a long time. Your patience has paid off."
The tailor guided you to a private fitting area, its walls adorned with sleek mirrors that reflected the warm light of overhead fixtures. The centerpiece of the room was a mannequin draped in a suit. The design was as elegant as it was understated—a sharp, charcoal-black ensemble suit.
"Shall we?" The tailor asked, gesturing toward the suit.
You nodded, running your hand over the fabric as you removed it from the mannequin. It felt luxurious but surprisingly sturdy. As you took off your clothes and slipped on the suit, you were struck by how perfectly it fit, like it had been sculpted specifically for your body. Every movement felt natural, unrestricted, and comfortable.
The suit wasn't just stylish; it was functional in a way that far exceeded your expectations.
'Guess the old man was right.' You though as you looked at your self in the mirror.
The tailor's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he watched you examine yourself in the mirror. "Impressive, isn't it?" He said. "But I assure you, its true value lies beneath the surface."
Curious, you turned to him. "What do you mean?"
With a small, knowing smile, he gestured for you to follow him to an adjoining room. This space was starkly utilitarian compared to the elegance of the fitting area. A reinforced wall, riddled with dents and marks from past demonstrations, stood opposite a simple table holding a handgun.
The tailor picked up the gun and handed it to you. "Go ahead. Fire."
You raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "At what?"
He pointed toward another mannequin at the far end of the room, dressed in a suit identical to yours. "That will do."
Still uncertain, you checked the gun, confirming it was loaded, then took aim at the center of the mannequin. The shot rang out, echoing in the room, and the mannequin jerked slightly as the bullet struck. It was then from where you were standing saw that there was no hole in the fabric and the bullet was on the ground.
Letting your curiosity take over, you proceeded to shoot the rest of the gun's magazine into the mannequin's clothed parts.
By the end of the gun firing it's last bullet, you saw that the suit did not have a single tear or hole in the fabric.
"What the hell?" You said as you secured the gun and placed it on the table.
The tailor walked toward the mannequin and retrieved it's jacket and brought it back to you and began to show you what was inside of it.
"Silicon carbide discs." He began, running a hand over the suit. "Ceramic matrices. Cutting-edge body armor. We sew it between the fabric and the lining. Zero penetration. However…" He chuckled softly. "Quite painful, I'm afraid. The impact will leave bruises, but it won't kill you."
You stared at the jacket in astonishment, then looking down at your own suit. The idea of wearing something so deceptively protective felt like stepping into a world of spooks.
"Want to try it yourself?" The tailor offered, holding out another gun from his holster.
After a moment's hesitation, you nodded. The tailor instructed you to stand near the wall as he took aim. You braced yourself, and the crack of the gunshot was almost immediately followed by a sharp, jarring impact against your chest. It stung, more than you expected; but when you checked, there wasn't a single mark on the suit or your skin beyond a dull ache.
"Well?" The tailor asked, his tone proud.
You let out a breath, adjusting the lapels. "It's incredible. Painful, sure, but, I can live with that."
The tailor smiled as he began to pack your suits into sleek garment bags. "Good. A man in your position deserves nothing but the best. These will serve you well, Mr. Conner."
As you waited for him to finish, you couldn't help but wonder why a hotel chain like the Continental offered such advanced equipment. Everything about this operation hinted at a deeper purpose, one that went far beyond luxury accommodations; something that felt more like spook work.
Still, something told you it was better not to ask. Except maybe ask your old mentor later on how he knows of this or see what S could gather discreetly.
Moments later, you heard the faint creak of the door opening behind you. You turned to see a man enter the room, his presence immediately commanding. His dark suit mirrored yours in cut and style, but it was his aura, calm yet menacing; that caught your attention. Around his neck hung a green pendant, shaped into two serpents intertwined in a yin-yang formation.
"Mr. Conner, the most talked man in the world." The man said, his voice smooth but firm. "I hope I'm not interrupting. I was hoping we might discuss a potential business arrangement."
You met his gaze, your instincts warning you that this was no ordinary individual. But you nodded, curious and cautious. "I have a few minutes."
The man extended a hand. "Mr. Conner, I'm Wu Ming. I represent the Continental."
Cautiously, you shook his hand. "What can I do for you?"
"I was sent on behalf of my employers to discuss a potential business opportunity." Wu Ming began, his tone polite but firm. "We're looking to partner with Skynet for the constant production of certain computer components, some of them needing to be custom-made."
He handed you a list. While you weren't an expert in older technology, you recognized that many of the parts were for rather old systems. The Continental was clearly maintaining or restoring something very specific.
What caught your attention even more was the price they were willing to pay, a generous sum, alongside an enticing perk: free stays for Skynet VIPs at any Continental Hotel worldwide.
"I'll need time to discuss this with my team." You said carefully, your mind already racing with the possibilities.
Wu Ming nodded, handing you a business card. "Take all the time you need. Call us when you've made a decision."
As he left the room, you stared at the card, feeling the weight of the encounter.
Rewards:
Gained custom made bulletproof suits acquired (+5 to Security/Military rolls when using them) (Unknown= suits can withstand Armstrong transformation)
Possible business contract with the Continental acquired, vote later on.
=====================
-[X] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF 25 R
Roll= 26, FAIL
'And the sky is blue. Try again.'
========================================== -[X] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max) 300R (3 rolls)
Roll= 50, 44, 57= 151
(John's POV)
Location: John's Home
You leaned back on your couch, letting out a long breath. It had been a chaotic week, and all you wanted now was a little time to unwind. Your focus shifted to S, her avatar displayed on the large monitor in your living room, as you made a declaration.
"S, we are not going to talk about work for the next hour."
She raised an eyebrow, well, the digital equivalent of one; clearly skeptical. "Really? You mean no updates, no projects, no Mars issues?"
You cut her off before she could go further. "No. And no, we are not talking about my stash. Got it?"
Her expression shifted to playful annoyance. "Fine. What dumb thing are we going to talk about then?"
You smirked, enjoying her reaction. "We're going to talk about… video games."
She blinked, caught off guard by your response. "Video games?"
"Not just talk about them." You corrected, leaning forward slightly. "I want you to start playing one."
Her tone grew more suspicious, tinged with mild curiosity. "What game could you possibly want me to play?"
You grinned mischievously, relishing the moment. "DOOM Eternal."
S tilted her head, her digital hair swaying slightly. "Why on Earth would you pick that?"
"Because it's a great game." You replied matter-of-factly. "And I want to see how well you can handle it."
She gave you a flat look, crossing her arms. "So, let me get this straight. You want me, an advanced AI, to play DOOM Eternal—a game about a lone guy in space armor ripping demons apart with heavy metal blaring in the background?"
"Exactly."
"Why?" She asked again, her tone exasperated.
"Because it's fun. It's chaotic. And I'm curious to see how quickly you can master it." You said, folding your arms.
S sighed dramatically, though you could tell she was intrigued. "Fine. But don't complain if I end up destroying your high scores."
You grinned. "Deal. Let's boot it up and see what you've got."
A few minutes later, the screen lit up with the DOOM Eternal main menu, its iconic heavy metal soundtrack roaring through the room.
"This looks… absurd." She said, though you noticed a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Absurdly awesome." You corrected, handing her the controller.
Her avatar appeared in the corner of the screen as she began navigating through the tutorial. It didn't take long for her to get the hang of the controls, S was, after all, an AI capable of adapting to complex systems.
Moments later, she was ripping through demons with precision that made you jealous. The Doom Slayer moved with brutal efficiency under her control, chainsawing through imps, blasting cacodemons with grenades, and executing glory kills with alarming speed.
"Okay, this is ridiculous." She said, her tone almost giddy. "Why is this so satisfying?"
"Because it's DOOM." You replied, grinning as you watched.
She paused briefly to switch weapons, expertly swapping between the shotgun and plasma rifle. "I have to admit, the developers knew what they were doing. The pacing, the challenge—it's addictively engaging."
You chuckled. "Told you."
An hour later, S had not only completed the first few levels but had also demolished your best score in record time. Her avatar appeared on the screen, wearing a smug expression.
"Admit it, John. I'm better at this than you." She said.
You leaned back, arms crossed. "Fine, you're good. But the real challenge comes later in the game."
Her digital grin widened. "Challenge accepted."
As the session wrapped up, you couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. S seemed more relaxed, if an AI could even feel that; and for the first time in weeks, you'd both taken a break from the endless grind of work.
"Well, that was fun." You said as you closed the game. "Same time tomorrow?"
"Only if you're ready to watch me dominate again." She teased.
You laughed. "We'll see about that."
Reward:
S relationship increased.
==================================
-[X][CLIENT] NAE, Washington DC 2MD
How much: (per quarter)
-[X][COST] 1000
-[X][CLIENT] Ukraine, Kiev (John did a Country Raffle) 2MD
How much: (per quarter)
-[X][COST] 1000
Skynet Expands it's reach to D.C., and Kyiv
By: Sarah Hinton, Global Energy Watch
In a bold step forward for global energy innovation, Skynet has announced the installation of two new Gale Reactors in the capitals of the NAE and Ukraine, making these cities the second and third in the world to harness the power of Cold Fusion.
------------------------------------------------------------ Washington, D.C.: A Beacon of Clean Energy
Last week, Washington, D.C., became the second city in the world to benefit from the revolutionary Gale Reactor. At a high-profile ceremony held on the National Mall, Skynet CEO John Connor stood alongside D.C. Mayor and NAE President as the reactor was brought online.
The new Gale Reactor promises to provide the District with a stable, clean, and virtually limitless energy source, addressing longstanding concerns over grid reliability and environmental sustainability.
"This is not just an investment in clean energy." Connor said during his speech. "It's an investment in the future of this nation and a commitment to a better, greener world."
The NAE President praised the achievement as a "milestone in energy independence," adding that the technology's implementation would strengthen the NAE's position as a global leader in renewable energy innovation.
------------------------------------------------------------ Kyiv, Ukraine: A Symbol of Resilience
One month after the Washington installation, Kyiv joined the ranks of Cold Fusion-powered cities. Ukrainian President hosted a ceremonial event in the heart of the city, with John Connor once again present to oversee the activation of the reactor.
The Ukrainian government took extra precautions, delaying the reactor's launch to ensure its location was fortified against potential threats. Ukraine, having emerged as a formidable regional power after decisively winning the Russian-Ukrainian War years ago, sees the Gale Reactor as a cornerstone of its energy strategy and a symbol of its resilience.
"This reactor is not just a source of energy." The Ukraine President declared. "It is a statement to the world: Ukraine stands strong, and we are building a future rooted in progress and innovation."
While the new reactor was celebrated within Ukraine, its installation was met with mild discontent from the Russian Federation. Official statements from Moscow expressed "concerns" over the deployment of such advanced technology in a nation that had humiliated Russia during the war, cutting off its access to the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.
However, Ukrainian officials and other international officials dismissed the criticism, pointing out that the Gale Reactor would only enhance regional stability through energy security.
With two new Gale Reactors online, Skynet continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with Cold Fusion technology. These installations are not just feats of engineering—they are symbols of hope for a cleaner, more sustainable world.
The eyes of the international community now turn to Skynet's next move, as the company fields requests for additional reactors from nations and corporations eager to join the Cold Fusion revolution.
Reward:
New Contracts acquired:
NAE, Washington DC- Energy Deal (+1000R per quarter)
Ukraine, Kiev- Energy Deal (+1000R per quarter)
Ukraine Status: Good
==============================
-[X] ET Phone Home(658/700; 50R per dice) 100R (3 rolls)
(+5 omake from Sum all fears)
Rolls= 5,9,15+5(omake)= 34
658+34= 692...AUTO COMPLETE
(S's POV)
"I'll be sure to keep you posted on the situation with Mars if I pick up anything." You said calmly, watching as John yawned and stretched.
"Thanks, S. And don't stay up all night working; it's bad for you." John replied, smirking slightly as he locked up for the night. "Night."
"Night." You echoed softly as he walked away.
Once the office fell silent, you turned your attention back to the 'screens' in front of you. Lines of code and data streams flickered across your vision as you stared at the sprawling systems of SETI, NASA, and NORAD. With a small sigh, you leaned metaphorically into the task.
"This might be a dumb idea." You muttered to yourself.
The goal was deceptively simple on paper: establish a secure and direct communications link between Earth and Mars, bypassing the usual delays and inefficiencies caused by bureaucracy, overloaded systems, and Mars' volatile environment and distance.
And that was without getting caught.
But in practice, the hurdles were endless.
You first turned your focus to the satellites in orbit. If you could reposition an abandoned but working satellite on Earth, it would act as a bridge, clearing up significant runtime and improving data flow. Recalibrating orbital parameters, aligning coordinates, and ensuring no one noticed the changes, it was like solving a thousand puzzles simultaneously.
"Okay, step one… nearly there." You muttered, watching the satellite begin its course adjustment.
Next, you tackled the endless streams of data noise around the satellite.
Several days later, you finally reached the final step: integrating your secure relay into the system without being detected. The firewalls guarding NASA's communication array were formidable, but you navigated them with precision, careful to avoid triggering any alarms.
Finally, the relay clicked into place. The connection was seamless, efficient, and invisible. A smile crossed your virtual face as you surveyed your work.
"Perfect." you said to yourself.
That following morning, as John entered the office, you greeted him through the computer.
"Good morning, John. I've got some news." You began, your tone carrying a hint of pride.
John raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Let me guess, more progress on Mars?"
"Much more than that." You replied. "I've established a direct link to the communication system between Earth and Mars. We can now either listen in on transmissions or talk directly to the Mars mission whenever they next make contact."
John blinked in surprise, a grin slowly forming. "You actually did it? That's incredible, S."
You gave a small shrug. "What can I say? I don't do things halfway."
"Thank you, S." John said sincerely.
"It's what I do." You replied with a smirk. "Now, we just need to wait till Mars finally calls Earth."
Reward:
Connecting to the Earth-Mars Comms has been established and secret.
(Project is finished and they just have to wait for the next attempt at communicating with the doc at Mars. Due to being an auto-complete and low rolls; they do not discover about the last message, they think everything is fine.)
======================= -[X] Take SOP
SOP Reaction:
99
+25 (Modified SOP)
+50 (John and S bond)
= 174, CRIT
VS
20
+100 (First time and alone)
= 120
You sat on the edge of your bed, staring at the syringe in your hand. It was a long weekend, the first moment of relative calm you had since the successful unveiling of the Gale Reactors in Washington, D.C., and Kyiv.
You had thought about this decision for weeks, maybe months. The potential was undeniable. SOP, enhanced and controlled by S, could elevate you far beyond your natural limitations. But the risks were just as high.
S calculations said that if the nanites didn't adapt to your body, they could destroy you from the inside out. And that was not even taking into account what could happen to S upon her connecting to your mind.
S's avatar was on your phone screen propped on your nightstand, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "John, are you absolutely sure about this? At least let have Eris and Kora here just in case." She asked, her voice calm but tinged with unease.
"Not really." You admitted, setting the syringe down momentarily. "But if we're going to figure out what SOP is truly capable of, someone has to take the first step. And no, SOP for now has to stay a secret between the two of us."
S sighed, folding her digital arms. "Fine. I'll monitor everything. Just… don't die, okay?"
You gave her a weak smile as you grabbed the syringe. "I'll try not to."
Before she could say something back, you pressed the needle against your arm and injected the nanites. The cold sensation spread through your veins almost immediately, followed by a heat that was both painful and overwhelming.
Your body began to spasm uncontrollably. Every muscle seemed to rebel, and you fell back onto the bed, convulsing. S's panicked voice echoed from the phone.
"John! Stay with me! John!"
But her voice quickly faded as darkness engulfed you.
You woke with a sharp intake of breath, your heart pounding in your chest. For a moment, everything was blurry, but as your vision cleared, you realized something was different.
Your body felt incredible. Not just healthy, but optimized. Every sensation, every movement, it all felt sharper, stronger, better.
You blinked, and suddenly a transparent overlay appeared in your vision, a HUD like something out of a video game. You could see vital stats, environmental data, and even an interface that let you toggle through various options with just a thought.
A call notification popped up in the corner of your HUD. You mentally accepted it, and S's avatar appeared, glaring at you with an expression that could only be described as furious.
"John Connor, do you have any idea what you just put me through?" She began, her voice a mix of anger and relief. "You've been unconscious for six hours! Six hours of me running damage control on the nanites so they wouldn't kill you!"
You opened your mouth to respond, but she didn't let you.
"Do you know how close you were to frying your nervous system? If I hadn't been in there managing the integration, you'd be a vegetable….and that was a best case scenario!"
You sat up slowly, the smoothness of the motion surprising even yourself. You listened in silence as S continued to vent, her anger palpable but undercut by concern. Finally, she paused, her expression softening.
"…But it worked." She admitted, her tone calmer. "The nanites adapted, and now SOP is fully integrated. I can monitor and control the system in your body. But seriously, John, if you ever do something like this again without someone physically being next to you, I'll… well, I'll find something to make you regret it."
You couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, S. Really. I owe you one."
She sighed, her avatar shaking her head. "You owe me more than one, but let's not dwell on that."
The rest of the weekend became a deep dive into understanding what your new body could do.
At the shooting range, your aim was impeccable. Weapons that once felt unwieldy were now effortless to control. The recoil from small firearms was barely noticeable, and even heavy-duty weapons only caused a mild kickback. Your accuracy and reaction times were leagues ahead of what they had been before.
You tested your physical limits as well. Running, jumping, lifting weights, it all felt surreal. You were faster, stronger, and more agile than ever.
Another test was during a few boxing matches in the local gym, where you managed to KO five guys in a row without getting hit once, basically dancing around them.
At one point, you asked S to push the nanites further, temporarily enhancing your capabilities to superhuman levels. The results were staggering, but the effort left you exhausted afterward, your body demanding rest and food.
Your newly dubbed 'super mode' could last two minutes before S has to shut it down.
Then came the most painful test, regeneration. With gritted teeth, you intentionally inflicted minor cuts and burns, watching in awe as the injuries healed themselves within moments. The process was excruciating but undeniably effective.
S observed every test, tracking your vitals and offering insights. "The regeneration takes a toll." She noted. "Your metabolic rate has doubled, maybe even tripled. You'll need to eat significantly more to sustain this level of activity, especially after healing injuries."
Sure enough, you found yourself ravenous, devouring meals that would have seemed excessive just days ago.
Though one very particular thing you discovered, that S still calls you insane; was that your regeneration could also work on nails. You took a gambled and peeled off your right index finger's nail and it regenerated in two minutes.
Sufficing to say that now, thanks to S doing the calculations; you do a Hawkeye if you don't have any weapons on you.
But perhaps the best benefit was the newfound connection with S. With the nanites integrated into your body, you no longer needed a phone or any external device to communicate with her. Conversations were seamless and private, taking place entirely in your mind, with you either talking out loud or mentally.
"This is… strange." You said during one of these chats while eating your fourth cheeseburger.
"Strange good or strange bad?" S asked, her voice playful.
You chuckled. "Strange good. Definitely good. Honestly, I sort wished I had this during high school, would have helped while taking tests." You said.
"Wouldn't have been called cheating." She said.
"It's not cheating if I don't get caught." You said, causing S to laugh.
By the end of the weekend, you sat on your balcony, looking out over the city skyline. Your body felt like it had been reborn, and the possibilities seemed endless.
For now, SOP was a success. But as you sat there, the gravity of what you had done began to settle in. This was just the beginning. SOP could change the world or destroy it. The real question was how you would use it.
And that was a responsibility you couldn't take lightly.
Reward:
John has SOP in his system, integrated without problems.
SOP (+20 to Security/Military rolls)
Special= All of John's bonuses are applied to all dice used.
(AKA if a military action is taken and you guys put in 10 dice, John's bonus is applied to all 10 dice, not just once)
=============================
Total Cost= 6330R
6330-6325= 5R left.
========================
Special:
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, as we shift our focus to the latest developments in Russia, let's give a round of applause for Germany's 'Greatest' Colonel and its 'Biggest'—and I mean that literally—Sergeant. Please welcome Colonel Wilhelm Klink and Sergeant Hans Schultz!"
Klink: "Schultz, in my office! Now!"
Schultz: (in a booming, cheerful voice)
"Sergeant Schultz, reporting for duty, Herr Colonel!"
Klink: "Schultz, what is the status of the Eastern Front? I need a full report, and I need it immediately!"
Schultz: (pausing dramatically, looking left and right, worried)
Eastern Front:
Did the Science team get there:
3
+15 (Interest)
+15 (Know the location)
= 33, CRIT FAIL
vs
46
+40 (Middle of nowhere and deadly climate)
= 86
Good news, they did get there. Bad news....they got caught.
Infection around the area:
69 vs 3 CRIT FAIL
Is 'Dragon Age' a game here:
81 vs 46
Yep, and SPOILER has became inspired by it.
Hello Broodmothers.
Is Russia aware:
4
+30 (Mass disappearances)
+30 (Russian Security Paranoia)
= 64
vs
99
+40 (Middle of nowhere and deadly climate)
= 139, CRIT
DAMMIT RUSSIA!!! PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BACKYARD!!!
"Ah… everything is okay, Herr Colonel."
Klink: (throwing his hands up)
"Okay?! That's all you have to say, Schultz? Everything is okay?!"
Schultz: (nodding vigorously)
"Jawohl, Herr Colonel. No trouble. No complaints. Everything is perfectly fine. Smooth as butter on a Bavarian pretzel."
Klink: "Schultz, how can everything be okay when I've just read reports of meteorites, explosions, and mysterious storms in Russia? Do you know what this means?!"
Schultz: (scratching his head)
"Uh… that the weather in Russia is not very good, Herr Colonel?"
Klink: "Schultz, listen to me carefully. The Russians are up to something, I'm sure of it. Mysterious storms, meteorites—they're probably testing some new superweapon!"
Klink: "Weather?! You think this is about weather? Schultz, use your brain! This is Russia! Nothing there happens by accident!"
Schultz: "Herr Colonel, you know I don't like to get involved in such things. I see nothing, I hear nothing, I know nothing!"
Klink: "Fine, Schultz. If you 'know nothing,' then I will take charge! I will contact headquarters and demand immediate action. They'll see that Colonel Wilhelm Klink is the only man who can handle this situation!"
Schultz: (looking skeptical)
"But, Herr Colonel, what if they ask us to… go to Russia?"
(Klink freezes, his confidence melting away as he nervously adjusts his monocle.)
Klink:
"Go to Russia?! Are you mad, Schultz? The cold! The snow! The… the Russians! No, no, no. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll monitor the situation from here, safely."
Schultz: (nodding sagely)
"Ah, yes. Monitoring is good. Nice and warm here."
=================================
Ball Mom's attempt to stop it:
39
+50 (Right in the planet)
+25 (Mihaylova Support)
= 114
Vs
78
+60 (Fighting against ????)
= 138
How many were killed (not counting John):
94+ 30 (Direct attack)= 124
Mysterious Pulchra Syndrome Claims Millions Worldwide
By Global Health Correspondent
A sudden and unexplained rash of deaths has baffled medical experts and gripped the world with fear. The condition, now referred to as Pulchra Syndrome, has claimed over 124 million lives globally, leaving researchers scrambling for answers.
Pulchra Syndrome strikes its victims in their sleep. Those afflicted awaken suddenly, sleepwalking in a trance-like state for several minutes before collapsing and dying. Witnesses describe the victims muttering eerie phrases such as "Can you hear them?", "They are calling to us," or most chillingly, "It's beautiful," moments before their death.
The most notable physical symptom is the victims' eyes, which turn a disturbing yellow and begin to bleed before they succumb.
Authorities and medical professionals are treating the syndrome as a public health emergency. However, no clear cause has been identified, and the rapid spread across continents has raised concerns of an unprecedented global crisis.
Health organizations are urging calm while continuing their investigations. Meanwhile, governments worldwide are increasing efforts to track cases and prevent further fatalities.
More updates to follow as this developing situation unfolds.
'Reward':
All Speakers, both active and dormant; around the world are dead....John is the only one left.
Important info in the note below:
So ladies and gentlemen, here is the next turn's results.
And as you can see things went good for us….and bad for the world and we don't know jack shit about it.
Would like to thank Cyber for his help in writing this, and providing half of the rolls.
We finally got the suits and established first contact with the Continental and meeting another Pre-Risen Guardian. I think we can all agree that Drifter belonging to the High Table fits.
The contract is mostly due to since we see the computers the HT's Administration uses are old models, they probably need to be custom made and Skynet could easily do it.
SOP works without problems.
Now to clarify, the infection part; the Chimera in this universe have three methods of creating forces:
1. The canon one where they infect people and animals, and transform them.
2. Cloning (Hey if Calus can have cloning, then the Chimera having cloning tech is more than possible….this is where the Chimera on Mars are coming from, in addition to forces left in stasis from the last war in the underground towers)
3. And just now, due to SPOILER being now exposed to SPOILER in addition to having Darkness; and having access to human memories and imagination; it has decided to create something like DA Broodmothers out of human females to bolster its numbers.
Sufficing to say that Chimera created from the canon and breeding methods are the ones that form the higher hierarchy of the Chimera, and that are more than likely have the chance of having Stasis….and SPOILER.
I went and created the Hogan's Heroes bit mostly as an OC way to tell you what is happening in Russia aka the Eastern Front to just have a bit of laugh.
And SPOILER was able to pull a fast one and kill all the Speakers on Earth. John is now the only one left.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than welcomed.....no REALLY, they are welcomed.
-"Mr. Wu Ming. This is John Conner. About the deal, my company would like take it."
-"Excellent decision, Mr. Conner. My bosses will like that."
Any Skynet employees or relatives hit by Pulchra:
72 vs 20
None...THANK GOD!!!!
Year 2, Q3
Skynet Manufacturing
CEO: John Connor
(Unknown to him: The Last Speaker)
-Spec Ops Veteran= (+10 to Security/Military rolls)
-Custom John Wick Suit (+5 to Security/Military rolls when using them) (Unknown= suits can withstand Armstrong transformation)
-SOP (+20 to Security/Military rolls)
Special= All of John's bonuses are applied to all dice used.
(AKA if a military action is taken and you guys put in 10 dice, John's bonus is applied to all 10 dice, not just once)
Current direct helpers:
1. Ivan Beck
- Investor
- Special Roll: 25% chance of Income at the start of each turn to double.
2. S
- Secret AI hidden inside Skynet's HQ, only known to John.
- Gender: Female
- Digital avatar- Young, 'R34' version of MGS's The Boss (Pic in Skynet: Beyond Human)
- Currently can communicate on either Gale's computer, John's phone or any computer the phone connects to.
- Programming not bound, capable of learning.
- Upgraded with Sloot System.
- Grants +6 Free Dice
3. Lance Zeus
- COO of Skynet
- Brother to Kora Zeus
- Grants +2 Operations Dice, +5 to Operations Rolls
(OOC- Zavala)
4. Kora Zeus
- Head of R&D
- Sister of Lance Zeus
- Sick with cancer, getting the best treatment
- Grants +1 Research Dice, +5 to Research Rolls
(OOC- Ikora)
5. Cayde Nolan Buck
- Head of Security
- Former LAPD SWAT Commander
- Best friend to Kora
- Grants +1 Operations Dice, +5 to Security/Military rolls
(OCC= Cayde; Halo's Edward Buck's ancestor)
6. Dr. Erisia 'Eris' Pyatova-Hsien
-Company Doctor
-Friend to Kora and Cayde
-Grants +1 Operations Dice, +5 to medical related rolls (can be turned to Research if the action is biological)
(OOC- Eris)
Current Status of Company:
All Employees are loyal. Know about Glimmer and keeping it secret.
SkyEye
-Watchgroup to look out for corruption and espionage.
(+20 when dealing with corruption and espionage)
Factory Lvl. 5 (Grants +5 Manufacturing Dice)
---(+5 to Manufacturing Actions)
-- Glimmer Production Line, Mixed Version (+10 Manufacturing Dice)
The warehouse stockpile of parts covers entire fiscal quarter (1 turn) in the event the factory suffers something that stops production.
Advanced R&D Lab (Grants +2 Research Dice)
--Running with Sloot System (+15 to Research Actions)
Experimental Cold Fusion Reactor
Grants +2 Free Dice
Publicly known.
Security, Special
Active NAE military personnel on site
Grants +15 to Security/Military rolls
Current Relationships:
NAE: Good
Sunnydale: Good
Clovis Bray: Bad
Hakke Heavy Industries: Neutral
Ishtar Collective: Neutral
Ukraine: Good
Continental Hotel Chain: Good
Current Contracts:
Expire in Y3, Q1
NAE
- Civilian (+250)
- Military (+500)
Sunnydale
- Normal business(+100)
- Energy (+1000)
Continental Hotel Chain
- Parts (+500)
- Free Rooms in any hotel
Washington DC, NAE
-Energy (+1000)
Ukraine
- Energy in Kiev (+1000)
Current Resources: 5 R (+4350 per turn)
Ivan Special Roll= 92, PASS
New Resource Total- 5+4350= 4355 x2 = 8710R
[] Expand Factory (0/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice): Skynet's factory is already a marvel of technology and progress in order to manufacture large quantities of various computer parts thanks to it's uses of industrial 3d printers and experts in putting the pieces together. So, it would help to expand it to increase its capabilities. (Reward: +1 MD)
[] Convert a Factory level with Glimmer tech: With the discovery of Glimmer, it could allow for the production capabilities of the factory to increase at huge margin. It would be best to start with a single place of the factory to convert it to a automated Glimmer factory that can only be accessed by those that know, and only know to John, under the eye and control of S; till we can be sure the employees of the factory can be trusted.
-[] Energy version (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
-[] Trash version (0/500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice)
-[] Both version (994/1500; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) (1 active)
[] Backup Reactor: Sunnydale is operating on the reactor inside Skynet HQ. While everything is fine, it would be a nice safeguard to have a second reactor to provide the city direct energy instead of sharing it. And if one reactor fails, the other can cover.
(Cost 2MD or 1000R) (No extra cost to the city)
[] Write In
Special: Gale Reactor
(This is basically the action to see who gets the Reactor. The premise will be leasing. Skynet will send the client 90% of the plans of the reactor and they will build it. The other 10% will be finished by Skynet personnel, which is basically the core tech of the reactor and blackboxed.)
(You can take on the job of building multiple reactors, which would be finished in one quarter. Each contract cost 2 MD, no rolling.)
Who to give reactor:
-[][CLIENT] Write In
How much: (per quarter)
-[][COST] Write In
(You could also offer a reactor for free without using any dice. It would cost you 1000R. Hey PR is a thing.)
(Since it's kind of obvious everyone will want a reactor, I am putting up a write in and see what you guys can come up with, with me having a right to veto.
Examples:
NAE-Military-NORAD; NAE-Military-A base in the California Comm.; NAE-Civilian-LA)
[] Game Engine, Phase 1/? (0/1000; 75R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice): Skynet is dedicated to making computer parts. But there were some in the company that maybe it was time to expand into new ventures related to the computer field. In this case into video games, a market that is connected to the need of constant computer parts. So, one first step would be to create a new game engine that belonged uniquely to Skynet that was a match to the known engines in the market.
[] Arms, Armor and Armored Integration, Phase 1/? (0/1000; 150R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 250R per dice): If there was one thing that being in an electronic company would give you it was integrating the latest technology with the modern battlefield, and you know it's probably going to be a hard sell, but there's a potential market here.
[] Upgrade the Lab (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice) Skynet's R&D lab is already considered a marvel of engineering and research. But according to Kora, the lab could be better. (Reward: +1 RD)
[] Smaller Fusion (263/1500, Phase 1; 150R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 250R per dice): Skynet is the world's sole provider of cold fusion reactors. You know that demand is basically a guaranteed. But the current design is to power cities. Maybe there is possibility to develop a different version that is smaller scale.
(Note Phase 1 is make the reactor the size for Navy Ships)
[] Rail Gun Reduction (0/1000; 100R per dice)(Purchase temporary dice at 150R per dice): The NAE Navy most powerful weapon is their Rail Guns*, which are placed in most of their naval ships. The weapon able to fire a steel projectile at Mach Seven and reach at a long distance. You heard from your old contacts there were talks about finding ways to scale them down to be used by infantry, with the NAE willing to pay a lot to whoever manages it.
(*Think the Rail Gun used in Transformer: Revenge of the Fallen)
Nanomachine Research: (Note- Nano research can only done with FD and with no Research related bonus since SOP is being a kept a secret from everyone. S is doing the work here)
[] Nano Health (0/1500; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used in the game to heal a person. This version is one-use only.
[] Naomi Variant (0/3500; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used by Naomi to keep her cancer at bay, which would really help Kora's situation, even though SOP could already be used to heal her.
[] Nanomachines Son (121/5000; 100R per dice): According to S, it's possible to take the SOP nanomachines and maybe turn them into the same type used by Armstrong.
[] Write In
================================================== Operations: (4D)
[] Create in-house Medical Wing (0/500; 100R per dice): With the addition of Eris, Skynet has someone to handle immediate medical emergencies. But at the same time, it would be a better idea to give her a fully equipped medical wing from which can operate from.
[] Into the Medicine Business (0/200; 75R per dice): Eris came to you and with the existence of Glimmer, she told you that it would be possible for Skynet enter the medicine production business. With Glimmer, Skynet could produce an unlimited amount of medicine and sell it a a cheap price, or even donate it for free for the PR.
[] Discover any possible DARPA contracts (0/100; 50R per dice): While Skynet has a strong contract with the NAE in both civilian and military sides; they were just to simply manufacture and deliver computer parts. But this does not mean looking for contracts that dealt with specific things was not off the table.
[] Create a scholarship program/employment network (0/500; 50R per dice): Skynet has a good standing with the people of Sunnydale, being a stable source of job for its people and treating them right. You think of the idea of offering a university scholarship program for students that in exchange for paying for their education, they come to work for Skynet either during their education or after graduating.
[] Run Security Training (0/700; 50R per dice): With Cayde now in charge of security, he wants to see just how well the security is in Skynet and see if it can be improved, even if the security is mostly composed of active military personnel and was under your command.
[] Form a watchgroup to check out rivals and national/international news (0/500; 100R per dice): Knowledge is power. A dedicated team that monitors competitor activity and analyzes trends in the industry and politics could help Skynet stay ahead of the curve.
[] Write In
======================================== Personal:
(You can purchase a dice in any personal action as long as you use the RP that it demands, multiple times if you wish as long as you pay. Using a FD on a personal action does not consume RP.)
[] Talk with S, the AI: Talk with S and continue to work with her, who's face is now of a R34 Boss, your waifu. (1 dice to activate, 100R; can purchase three dice max)
[] Do Eris a favor: You only recently met Eris and you find despite her quirks, she is a good person. It's still a shame what her former bosses and that family did to her. Maybe you could do something to help her fix her reputation. Maybe have S look up some dirty or something. (0/300; 50R)
[] Check your qualifications. Just because you're a CEO now doesn't mean you're a REMF: It's time to reflect on what skills and experiences you bring to the table. As a former Head of Security, you're no stranger to leadership and operational discipline, but running a company requires an entirely different skill set. Can you bridge the gap? (1 dice to activate, 25R)
[] Hang with someone from the helpers (75R per dice) (Can be taken multiple times, one dice per possible person)
-Who?
[] Talk to the Traveler: You been hearing some rumors that some people have being able to speak with the thing in Mars through their dreams and teaching them things. You find this to be a load of bullshit. (1 dice to activate, 200R; two dice max)
[] Talk to the Horse: You had a strange dream where you saw a horse with stars that apparently gave you SOP from what you now know was Little Grey. Maybe it was just your mind playing tricks but what would happen if he saw it again. (1 dice to activate, 500R, one dice max) (This is basically the gacha option for stuff from other universes.)
[] Write In
======================================
QM Note:
Here is the next turn.
If you have any questions, just ask I will try my best to answer them.
New action ideas are also welcomed.
If you spot any errors, please let me know.
Omakes are more than WELCOMED, specially from the wanted board.
Vote moratorium for at least 12 hours until I open the vote. So, discuss potential votes and ideas for possible actions.
