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Chapter 11: Flowers and alcohol 828 A.S.
The Perditrix' hyperspace gently powered down.
The huge illuminator in the portside observation deck filled it with the dark blue shine coming from the nearby nebula.
-Report in, Price. - Jack said. -All systems nominal, hyperspace drive powered down. Shields are running at optimal capacity, energy readings in the green and so are the core temps. We're good, hoss. -The man said all that without even taking a breath. -Good. Initiate cloaking sequence and head towards the RV point. -Roger that, Mr. Daniels. We've came out of h.s. pretty close to our intended destination. Minimum deviation. ETA to RV is four minutes.
-Spendid. -Daniels turned around and adressed his android buttler. -RB! Off to the docking bays. And absolutely no combat allowed. Chop chop. -Whatever the Sir pleases. - The android gently nodded and left with the elevator.
The Mako's optical cloaking systems kicked in and the ship vanished. Daniels leaned against the illuminator and gazed into the nebula. He stood still for a few minutes. -Let's just hope Maruso did his job properly. Sir, Price here. We've got incoming. Gen'an IFF. Starflier class, orders, sir? Open a comm channel. Secure, my ears only. Power down the cloaking systems.
Roger...aaand done. Channel open, cloak offline.
The ring of a female voice filled the room as her ship flew past the Perditrix.
Misaki: I almost bumped into you!
Daniels: That would've been...most unfortunate.
Daniels was expecting a reaction, perhaps amazament, perhaps fear. He got none.
D: You haven't lost your cool yet. That's good.
M: I suppose you are the contact?
D: People usually freak out in the first three seconds.
M: I have seen bigger.
D: I have killed bigger.
M:I have... nevermind...
D: Both human and not so human.
Daniels coughed and instructed the bridge to authorize the ship for docking.
XO: Boss, issuing docking rights to the Starflea...aaand approved.
D: Good, you are welcome to come aboard.
M: Last time I have seen one of those, it helped us out against some hostiles. So I am not that fazed.
D: Is that so?
M: Yeah, not far from here.
D: We have common enemies already and we haven't even introduced each other.
M: I just recognise the ship.
D: It's an...effective design. But, alas. Jack Daniels, current acting commander of what's left of the Empire of the Omicronis, or whatever those fools called it. Mass murderer by reputation, 31% human by body composition.
M: I didn't know there was an empire here.
D: Because there wasn't. If you call something an empire, it doesn't make it an empire. For example, if I call you a weight lifter, you still won't be able to break any records.
M: So what is your other 69%?Oh, I get it.
D: Well...Cybernetics, Biotech, Lightweight reinforced polymer skeleton. I've accumulated a lot of wear and tear throughout the years.
M: Well I am sort of special case too, my blood is 60% alcohol.
D: Ah, A man after my own taste for fermented grain or fruits. Or well, woman, really. It is my pleasure to meet you, Miss...
M: Well I am a woman of fine tastes. Eh, Yunoki Misaki. But Misaki is fine
D: My pleasure, Misaki. So, I'm sure you've already figured out that the reason you're here isn't only alcohol.
BUT, it is a main objective in my life.
M: Honestly I have no idea why I am here, other than bring this Shige.
D: I would've poured you some of my alcohol, but you did not respond to my invitation to come aboard. And I do not blame you.
Last time someone invited me on a Mako, I got beaten within an inch of my life.
M: Well I can, but your systems went haywire
D: Correct, they do that. Experimental tech and all that.
The starflier gently glided into the hangar and softly touched down. RB silently moved next to the ship, patiently waiting for the woman to exit it. Misaki climbed out of the cockpit and landed on her feet with one hand still on the craft to stabilise herself. She looked relatively sober
M: So... This place is rather large
RB: It is, ma'am. Please, allow me to welcome you on the Perditrix. Finest Mako in the fleet, second to no other. Mister Daniels is waiting for you in the port observation room. Allow me to escort you there.
RB sharply turned around and entered the nearest elevator, gesturing the woman to follow him in.
RB: You will follow.
Daniels was listening to the convo. He sent an override to the robot and increased the levels of politeness. RB's optical sensors sparked up as it shorted a subsystem.
RB: What I meant to communicate was: Follow me,Miss Yunoki.
The Gen'an operative looked around to visually map the place as she followed the robot into the elevator.
M: To the bar then?
D: The port observation room doubles as a bar, yes. Very intuitive, Miss Yunoki.
M: Well, its where I normally end up. I was supposed to meet some cyborg here...
The elevator took them towards where Jack was waiting. He pushed himself off the window, took off his blazer, threw it on the sofa and sat on the other large brown leather sofa, patiently waiting for his guest. The sound of elevator doors opening behind him, prompted the man that Misaki has arrived.
D: Hello, Misaki. Please, take a seat...RB, two clean glasses and some ice, please.
RB: Yes, Mister Daniels. Right away.
Misaki sat down opposite of the man, feeling rather out of place. She was more used to the rowdy bar of the Rogues.
D: So. Did you bring it?
M: Yoroshiku. Honestly this wasn't what I expected when I took this courier job... and of course I did.
She placed a package on the table between them.
D: Yoroshiku.
M: Three bottles of shige, and ten vials of cardamine.
D: Good. Would you rather be paid in gold, or do credits work as well? I don't know what the custom is.
M: Credits do fine.
D: Great, RB! Do some logistics, move the Shige out of the bottle and into the glasses!
M: But... There is alot of gold to... procure in the Omicrons?
D: You have to excuse my metalic friend here.His firmware is still...rough. And yes, plenty of gold.
M: Well RB seems nice though.
Daniels took a hit out of one of the vials.
D: Hmm...yes. Pure stuff...must've came from Malta directly, it's rather...fresh. And yeah, RB's okay, I guess.His name stands for two things: Robo-buttler and Revenger Type B. Usually used in long-range engagement with antimatter rifles.
M: And Rebel with Booze
D: "You or the bot?
M: The bot. But it sounded more funny in my head.
D: I appreciate this kind of humor, everyone is so...stiff from where I come from. Always with a stick up their asses. Me, am I more open minded person. Or I strive to be, anyways.
That's why I'm willing to invite people considered criminals by the so called authorities, onboard a multi-billion credit Mako.
M: Humor is a good way to dealing with being hunted every day and bad memories.
D: But we both know that's a load of shit, isn't it? Police, Naval forces...emperors...Mere pawns.
M: Well I am a thief. But I have an honor code.
D: Kanpai.
M: Kanpai.
D: Mmm...certainly top tier stuff. I continue to be amazed by you. Of course, by you I mean both you and your people as a whole.
M: Well I didn't make this.. oh. We tend to be creative. Don't use to much of it though. Its pretty harsh on the body.
D: But you brought it here. Going blind into b******k nowhere. And uh, My 31% are safe.
M: It is nothing new. I joined many expeditions that ended up nowhere.
D: You flew nowhere by yourself? I find that...hard to believe. Oh! Before I forget. Not a lot of people have seen this ship from the inside and most of them had passed away.
And that is exactly why on the Perditrix, we have a custom. RB! The gun, chop chop.
M: So now you will try to kill me? I am pretty fast.
The robot pulled a box from under the bar and gracefully presented it to the woman. She smirked. Inside the box was a custom made handgun. Polished to a mirror finish.
D: A gift, made from metal extracted from replaced bulkheads from the ship. Fully functional and loaded. This way, when you do leave the ship, you always carry a part of it with you.
M: That wasn't what I expected.
D: It's exactly why I do it. To surprise people. Plus, look at it, mirror like silver polish, floral engravings...extended mag...
Shoots overheated harmonically stabilized neutron particles.
M: I accept. Sadly I have nothing to present in return...
D: You have brought enough, do not worry. Just uh...make sure to use the gun sometimes. It is a sin to have a weapon and not utilize it, no?
M: Well. I will have the most flashy gun in the GC. Good thing I am the best thief. They wont steal from me.
Daniels took his watch off and left it on the table. He then gently massaged his wrist.
D: But! I digress much farther from the topic I wanted to discuss with you. Tell me, how do you feel about the Core, what have you heard about them?
M: Well... not much. As I said, one Core vessel came to our aid when a convoy was beset by enemy ships one time.
D: Define...enemy ships.
M: It was in Omicron Mu. We were transporting stuff to Malta when a couple of Order ships and a Corsair capital ship attacked us. Without it, we would have lost more vessels. Other than that. I know you manufacture weapons.
D: Well, we make lots of stuff. But my main goal is simple. Stop the order, stop the nomads. In that particular order of events.
M: We don't have a particular problem with the Order, but the Overwatch seems to have a beef with us.
D: Good, the rumors are true then. I instantly like everyone the overquacks hate.
M: Called us a Coven of Witches and tried to disrupt our traffic.
D: How rude. I have a business proposal I'd like you to pass to your superiors, if you have superiors,that is. For all I know, you could be the top dog. Although, top dog is a bad term, especially in a organisation composed of women. My apologies.
M: Me? No. I am just your resident troublemaker.
D: You're in luck, I'm your equivalent from the Omicrons.
M: What? you prefer to call our Matriarch the Alpha Bitch instead? Stick with top dog.
D: Did I mention that one time I staged an assault on a Freeport and a few weeks later I organized the defense of the same freeport? Either way, trouble is what I do. And as of late, I like to "do trouble" to the Order.
M: But yeah, I can do that.
D: Perfect. Tell her this: The Core is open for business. We always need more alcohol and I alwas need more...orange juice. And in return we can provide protection and intel. Or well, on paper we could, at this point of time, I can't provide much but a place to lay low in the Omicrons.
M: Sounds like a good offer to me. I will pass it on.
D: Plus, we're already on neutral terms with the Outcasts, so it won't hurt to not piss off their friends. Those friends being you.
Daniels took a sip from his whiskey this time and rephrased his proposal.
D: Shit, what I meant to say was: We won't touch you and you won't touch us. And if you need someone really dead, we're gonna supply the bullet. Like, real bullet, not those crap they sell on the blackmarket.
M: And maybe if we supply you, you could supply us with some of your gadgets.
D: You name it, you have it. Except of course warships, that I can't pull, not yet. I have been...ooooh...otherwise occupied.
M: Not really true. I have part of your ship in my hand.
D: Yes, that particular unit is made from a broadside panel that was shot off near Nauru by a Nomad Irra. Would you like a cigar? Or an actual normal cigarette from Liberty?
M: I don't smoke actually.
D: The best thief and resident troublemaker doesn't smoke?
M: The scent of smoke gives you away when you need to be stealthy. It gets into your clothes.
D: Once again, impressed by the dedication. So, we seem to have a bit more time until the hyperspace drive reaches operational parameters. Tell me, is it true what they say? That Kusari officials are the most corrupt, not even second to those of Liberty?
M: Yes. They tend to hold down civilians if they even suspect that we so much as stood near them.
D: Animals. But that is ineffective. We have nerve agents and chemical for that. We can induce a state of delirium to the subject, to the point they are happy to tell us all we need to know. No harm, no foul. Anyways, people have always called me weak for not using my power to murder and torture people. Such were the old ways of the Core. But no more.
M: Oh and last time they threatened an OSC ship near a freeport when I bought a travel cup from them.
D: You bought a travel cup from an OSC ship near a Freeport? That's a minimum of twenty five to life for the OSC captain.
M: Yes. It was limited edition.
D: Plus inprisonment for his entire family.
M: That is Kusari politics for you.
Suddenly, Daniels changed his facial expression to a rather serious one, leaned forward and look straight into Misarki's eyes. His own eyes were had a bright blue hue, almost like they were illuminated. The cybernetics in them flared up, as if they were scanning every possible biometric parameter.
D: Tell me, Misaki......is the watch I left on the table still there? Or has it infact found it's way to your pocket?
M: Neither. It is on your wrist. Nice try to trick me though.
Daniels looked down and indeed, she had slipped the watch back on his wrist. He smiled, for the first time since the girl entered his ship, in fact, for the first time in many months.
D: Holy shit. Misaki - One, Jack-Zero. I've no further questions...
M: I know you tested me to see if I can be trusted. But I don't steal from people who treat me nice.
D: Trust had nothing to do with it, I just had a feeling you were better than you presented yourself to be.I was right. Behind this mask of drunkeness and recklessness, you're actually a decent and able person. Plus, who would steal a watch. It's the best place to hide a tracker.
M: Well maybe...If I wanted to steal something, I would think big.
D: Oh It's keyed to my personal psyche. You can't just nick the ship. I snap my fingers aaaand...
M: Not that one, the thing in the hangar.
A loud click echoed from the metallic walls.
D: We're going into hyperspace...destination, Kyushu. I figured I'd save you the trip home. It's the least I can do.
Now then, I belive you might have some questions for me. Ask away.
M: You want to make sure the fish you set out makes it back to bring the message.
D: No, I actually wanted to show off my snap. Plus, I don't doubt your skill. You got here in record time. You have a cloak. You put the watch on my wrist without me feeling it.
I believe you are capable enough to navigate a few systems.
M: So the snap moved the ship here. Does that mean the person who took away your body tried to immobilise the ship at some point?
D: No one in particular took my body away. It was a bunch of people...and aliens. And also robots and androids. Sometimes asteroids. Once, even a sentient toaster. Accumulated damage. Plus, this ship contains whatever legacy the Core has. All access codes, all data about secret projects. The leftovers of the Arcani wing.
M: That is some rough lifestyle.
D: It is what it is. I've made some bad choices. Lost the love of my life, escaped Liberty, was hunted by bounty hunters and then I became one. Then I joined the Core, then I lead it.
Then I destroyed it and rebuilt it again. Yeaaah, it's a frakked up lifestyle indeed. If I had a choice, I'd prolly do what you do. But I frakked up my choices long ago.
M: I just grew up on a prison planet. Escaped when I came of age. Thats how I got to be a GC. School of life.
D: Prison planet? And you were there as a minor? Why and how?
M: Planet Miura. Its an arctic planet in the sigmas. Pretty deadly with the uranium mines on it.
Daniels took a long look at the girl, from top the botton, or atleast what his line of sight would allow him.
D: You don't look...mutated.
M: I was born there. My mother was pregnant or something else happened during her stay there. No clue who she is.
D: Rough. My parents think I died ten years ago. They are better off this way. Ignorance is a bliss.
M: A GC was locked up there too and she found me and raised me. I took her name. She died to radiation poisoning.
D: My condolences.
M: Anyway. I made it off on a transport ship.
D: You did what you had to do to survive.
M: Well it taught me alot of ways to get what I need or want.
D: And most importantly, keep your head and limbs. Much more than I've accomplished. Anyways, I was expecting other questions. Something along the likes of "Jack, are you really a mass murderer? Or: "Jack, why don't you just your accumulated wealth to retire and drop this crap.?" Or even: "Is there more booze, Jack?
M: Why would I ask that? Rumors are often fake anyway. I can judge people for myself. You seem okay. And booze. I would never say no to that.
D: I've taken the liberty and already loaded your cargo hold full of whatever types of alcohol I have. And there are three bottles on the table anyways, I can call RB and he'll pour you a drink. RB! Drinks! Glasses! Chop chop buddy!
M: That is nice of you.
D: It's not a very large cargo hold anyways. Around two weeks worth of hangovers. Of course, you can't be hungover if you never stop drinking.
M: But don't get me drunk too much. I could fly into an asteroid. Its a good thing Kusari doesnt have many of those.
D: You seem like the type of person who doesn't fall under the table easily. Plus, if yours was a longer stay, I would've had HkB set up a room for you. You'll be surprised how much spare room this ship has with it grand total of twenty crew members. Robots don't need bunks.
M: A lot of it is automated then?
D: But notwithstanding, people are needed on the ship.
M: Won't that be problematic if a system fails?
D: There are special tasks and assignments that require good, old fashioned touch of a human hand. Absolutely. But we have backups. And backups of the backups. The AI itself is separated on a completely locked off internal network that uses a series of quantum entangled data transfer arrays. And its memory banks are stored on what most people call an one of a kind data core. Custom firmware and programming language.
M: Sounds too complex for me.
D: Indeed. It is far too complex even for me. It was designed by the AI itself. Funny story, it hijacked the construction of this ship.
M: We make due with that we have.But we are pretty effective ourselves.
D: I've heard stories. Nay, I've heard legends. The single most effective terrorist organisation in Kusari.
M: Does your AI have a name? Normally they have a fancy designation.
D: Kate. Upon it's first neural linkup with me, it chose this name. As if to torment me some more.
M: Then I am going to assume that is the name of your late wife.
D: Ex-future wife. She was on the wrong side of the law. Or well, the right side of it, which was the wrong for me. It didn't work out, but she saved my ass. And got me out of trouble. I returned the favor by vanishing, so she doesn't get into trouble.
M: Oh, im sorry.
D: It's okay. We do what we must to protect those we love.
M: I would've taken her with me.
D: Too dangerous. I mean, look at me. Do you know how many people would love to dance on my grave WHILE peeing on it. The answer is - a lot.
M: I have Corsairs coming to Kusari because they think I owe them money.
D: No problem. Next time call and I'll hyperspace them right infront of Police Station in Bretonia.
M: I shot them down.
D: The simplest solutions... Kanpai to straight up murder!
M: Well I did steal from them. It doesnt mean I owe them money.
D: One things eludes me about you. You could've been anyone, anything, anywhere. Why do you do what you do? Why not just cat-burglar your way to a nice retirement on Curacao?
M: Well I have kinda grown into this life as I told you. a GC raised me and it became family in a way.
D: So it's loyalty. I respect that.
Jack snapped his fingers again and with the loud click echoing around, the ship entered hyperspace again.
M: Loyalty? Maybe. I just like the company and having people around that I care about.
D: We had to relocate. The KNF would not appreciate uour presence in Kusari.Also, that's the definition of loyalty... aaand we have arrived. Sigma-19. The beautiful Hiryu Cloud is right to our side.
M: Just one jump to Honshu.
D: Or one jump from Honshu. Depending on who's looking for us. If anyone...
M: Honestly this road trip became more entertaining than I expected it to be when I took up this job.
D: I agree. I was expecting either a kill squad or a courier that would be scared shitless. Or Maruso with his hands empty and up his ass.
I still wonder why he volunteered for the job. He heard about Golden Chrysanthemum and literally jumped on his feet. Even his ship choice was weird.
M: No clue. He was hanging out the freeport.
D: We reclaimed the "Spirit" line after the last operator departed from us. Oh, I would have to ask you to not mention who really operates those. It's somewhat top secret.
M: The Spirit ships?
D: Yeah, directly linked to the AI. QEC.
M: Well Maruso should stop telling his name to everyone.
D: It's his name. Ooooh the idiot. I told him his name for this op would be Jarden Henkemeister.
M: Oh well. Never seen this Jardan or whatever his name is.
D: Either way, atleast Michiya didn't tell anyone what were up to. It would been a huge scandal.
M: How so? Is it worse than you being a mass murderer?
D: Not much. People don't care about murder. They care about espionage. Anyway, would you like a room for yourself here, or you prefer to travel back home?
M: I will travel back home by the way. I will have to inform people of your proposition.
D: Good. I'm not used to having guests here.Anyways, that's what we had planned to do, but the Spirit project failed. Apparently, someone had concerns that what we did wasn't right and set the person tasked with the Op free. And I have zero regrets. Severed the neural link to the AI, gave the girl a ship and sent her on her way, as far as possible from us.
M: Sounds like my cue to piss off.
D: Not really, no. But I can't hold you here by force. I mean, I can, but I won't. I have been told it's not considered very polite. And for my last trick.
M: Another finger snap?
The man snapped his fingers again and music played around the room. And not only, hard rock was pouring out from every speaker on the ship.
D: I don't know what you listen to in Dragon Land, but this is the best I can do with my limited knowledge.
Daniels checked his watch, not to see the time, but see if it was still on his wrist.
M: I have the idea the finger snap is just for show. You said it was linked to your brain. Meaning you could do it without showmanship.
D: Oh, how you see straight through me. You wouldn't believe what happens when I clap my hands. Although, that's reserved for more intimate situations and this is a business meeting. Plus, it would be straight up creepty and borderline cringy.
M: I observe
D: What, you're actually interested in that? Maybe some other time. RB! Clear up the table, buddy, come on.
RB: Targets, acquired! Terminating dirty glasses with extreme prejudice!
The robot transformed his hand into a plasma cannon and aimed at the glasses. Misaki sat back from the table. She pulls out her new gun and aims for the glasses.
M: Need help?
D: NOOO!It's Gallic Crystal! Personal gift I stole from someone else. Sue me. I meant take the glasses and wash them.
RB: Roger that, hoss.
D: Excuse me. Well...it appears our exchange is nearing it's end.
Daniels lit up a cigar, while minding his exhales and directing them away from Misaki.
D: Think about what I said. We should be friends, not enemies. We stand to gain nothing if we shoot eachother. Business. Not gunfire.
She stood up and extended her hand. Daniels got up as well and shook her hand with the correct amount of firmness required.
M: I guess I will see you around. I am sure we can work something out.
D: If nothing else, we can always share a drink sometime. Good drinking budies are hard to come by. Especially ones willing to shoot the glasses. It has been my utmost pleasure. Don't forget the credit chip. And don't forget to look in your hold. For the trip back home.
M: Domo.
D: Farewell, Miss Yunoki.
She picked up the chip from the table and left back through elevator. At the docks she climbed back into her ship ever so gracefully, as much as the amount of alcohol in her blood, or what was left of her blood in the alcohol in her veins, would allow her. The Starflier lifted off and exited the hangar. Moments later it vanished into the cloud.
Back in the observation deck, Daniels was leaning back on the sofa, smoking his cigar and finishing up his Shige. He had a feeling what he just did would piss a lot of people if word ever got out that the Core and the GC would do business. Jack smilled and took a pull from his cigar. He looked in his glass, now empty.
D: RB, fill my glass please.
RB: Yes, sir. Would you like me to dispatch a drone to follow the GC?
D: It's okay, RB. We don't want to be creepy. Let her go.
RB: Sir, if I may, my logic boards cannot compute any possible gains from this chat you had.
D: This isn't CQB, RB. Look at the bigger picture. Or don't, either way. This decision is made.
RB: I understand, sir.
RB nodded gracefully and filled the crystal glass with whiskey. Daniels took another sip. And his eyes flared up again. He had direct control of the ship again. The engines screamed under maximum load. The Perditrix' hyperspace drive powered up and the ship disappeared in a bright flash, taking part of the nebula with it.
Logs copied directly from actual ingame converstation. Some fictional locations and/or actions might be present to compensate for ingame/id limitations.
Yunoki Misaki is property of @Megaera and logs are posted with her explicit permission.
The single terminal lit up, dimly illuminating the rest of the AI Node located on the Perditrix. While it was designed to be an interface suitable for humans, the machine was being accessed from afar.
21.11 832A.S. 18:28:32, Battleship Illustrious, High Orbit over Planet Gammu.
In this moment, Daniels woke up. He wasn't truly himself, not yet anyways. His brain had suffer massive trauma and the only reason he was still sucking air was Strix's intervention.
The only problem was, his body wasn't on the Perditrix, no, it was located onboard the Illustrious, a repurposed Liberty Navy Dreadnought. Currently, the ship was in high orbit over Planet Gammu. The AI in charge was up to something, but Daniels had not time to investigate. A voice in his head nearly gave him a heart attack.
-Mr. Daniels. - It was Strix - We need to get the hell out of here and fast.
-Who the hell are you? Who the hell is Daniels? Who the hell am I? - The man had no idea what was going on around him. Of course, things were about to become even more frakked. Suddenly, the ship went on full alert, as the alarms blared.
We've been made, Mr. Daniels. Proceed to the hangar. There is a suitable ship for you there. Exit this room, hang left and run straight forward for seventy five meters.
The man, obviously devoid of any choice, did what he was told. He was surprised by the speed he achieved in his short sprint. It was almost inhuman.
Full speed ahead, hang right. You should see the hangar soon.
Allegedly Daniels stormed into the hangar bay and noticed an old Liberty made Guardian. Without further ado, the man hopped into the ship.
To his surprise, the vessel powered itself on. Strix had remotely accessed it and before Daniels could even touch a thing, the ship fired a couple of missiles, blowing a hole in bulkhead of the hangar. The Guardian swiftly accelerated and left the Illustrious through the freshly made exit.
Okay! What the hell is going?!
Mr. Daniels, let me explain. You're the Guildmaster of the Core. Or were. Now you're nobody. And if we want to keep you operational, we need to keep it this way.
Core?! Guildmaster?! What the hell are you on about, man? I ain't no Daniels and I sure as hell ain't no Guildmaster.
Memory loss is expected, you were under a severe amount of neural stress. If anything, it's a miracle your brain has not been damaged beyond repair. Please remain calm.
Calm?!CALM?! I hear a damned voice in my head. A voice that can fly a ship. Who or what the hell are you? Tell me now, or I'll pull this bloody lever and eject the hell outta this shitbucket!
Command received. Since you don't remember your name, it will be withheld from you, for your own safety. For all intents and purposes, you will be called simply Daniels. Codename "Slaughter". Fitting for a mercenary, which is what you now are. You were subjected to a vicious attack. Much like I was. You suffered a direct neural invasion. Your brain's connection to your body has been hijacked by an rogue AI.
Unfortunately, this is in part my fault. After careful analysis, I've discovered that while I served as an advanced cyberwarfare suit against the AI of Gammu during it's invasion by the Core, our systems have been compromised. Several thousand malicious constructs were inject into our logic core. They, in turn, carefully manipulated us both in an attempt to weaken the Core. Fortunately, the Core was not weakened and you did not die. However, the majority of my processing power was usurped by the Gammu AI, callsign AReS-N. In a shocking turn of events, I have prevailed and effectively turned the hostile takeover around. You're access to your own body was restored, but at a cost. It is a miracle the procedure was interrupted by the crew of the Epona, who, sadly, were lost in the destruction of the ship. If Ares' plan was carried out to the very end, you would've been dead. Minor brain damage is the logical choice when it comes to alternatives.
Unfortunately, we've made a very troubling discovery. Your presence in the ranks of the Core is incompatible with life, for the time being. Hence, you'll need to seek shelter somewhere else. I've already made the call and we're enroute to the some good people in Kusari. Hopefully, we'll be able to formulate a plan there.
Daniels was speechless. He didn't remember any of that, but for reasons unknown, he didn't doubt a word of what Strix was saying. He felt that this machine was a friend of his. He did wonder how it was possible, but considering the insane events that had transpired, Daniels gave it no extra thought. He leaned against the cockpit and looked at his reflection in the glass. The face that looked backed at him wasn't familiar at all. Bright blue glowing eyes, overgrown beard and a shaggy haircut, subtle tracers of subdermal implants and a few scars on his left cheek. Strix startled him with his next announcement.
We're close to Sigma-13 Jumphole. We'll ditch the ship there at a base there and grab something less suspicious. ETA is two hours.
Slaughter. I like it. That'll do. I don't know who Daniels was and I can't remember. I don't know what you are, but you pulled me out of...I don't even know what you pulled me out of. I need to think this through.
Roger that. Do you have any other questions or requests, S?
I need rest, everything's fragmented...torn apart. I can't even remember my own name.... just give me some alone time, okay?
As you wish.
And just like that, the man was left in almost complete silence. Only the gentle hum of the engine was audible. He leaned back and dozed off, exhausted by the events that had transpired.