Order Overwatch
Xander Parothia
Battleship Thebes █ █ █ █ █
An increasing threat.
Hail Overwatch,
I am pleased to report the Armageddon is getting into position for the trip home,
I took the opportunity to fly to Minor to prepare for the upcoming patrol with the Liberty Navy 5th Fleet.
Shortly after I arrived in the system scanners picked up a large AI vessel, I'm guessing it's approximation would
be roughly equal to a cruiser. It seemed curious at first, following me but keeping its distance.
Once I arrived at my destination it closed in and started a conversation.
It seemed...conflicted, interupting itself with different voices, different tones.
At one point it opened up its docks, apparently some AI vessels have those, and I considered going in to see
what was going on. As I moved into position though, one of the AI's voices warned me not to do it.
I decided that, given the risk of the action in and of itself, combined with the provided warning, that it was best to
abort and keep my distance.
That's when it happened. It...As crazy as this sounds. It was infected. The damn machine, was infected, by a nomad.
From its docking bay I could see the blue tissue myself, there is no mistaking it.
The AI's voice pleaded for me to make it stop, while a commanding voice demanded it submit to its will.
Speaking, out loud, like any other comm system.
The AI managed to wrestle control and drop its shields, as well as disable its engines and most of its guns, giving me the opportunity to strike.
Given the difference in shipclass it was still an uphill battle, my Nephtys isn't exactly kitted for taking out capital vessels.
Further more, once the vessel was significantly damaged the squid managed to regain partial control and started firing most of its weapons,
but the opening given was enough for me to finish the job and destroy the vessel, Nomad and all.
Nomads infecting AI, a troubling development indeed.
The AI identified itself as CIX in the brief moments it got destroyed.
It fought the infestation throughout the entire process, I must confess
its conviction, if machines are even truely able to experience such things,
was worthy of respect.
[29.10.2019 17:16:35] Order|Solandros: ?: Hm? Machines out here?
[29.10.2019 17:16:41] Order|Solandros: ?: Well, beats Nomads.
[29.10.2019 17:16:49] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: *tzz*- He- *tzz*- D- d
[29.10.2019 17:17:53] Order|Solandros: ?: Hmm, big fella aren't ya?
[29.10.2019 17:18:21] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: You have been treespassing sacred territory. State your business.
[29.10.2019 17:18:58] Order|Solandros: ?: *audible eyebrow raise* Sacred territory? Since when do clankers uphold religion?
[29.10.2019 17:19:39] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: This territory is a grave for hundreds- possible thousands of humans who fought the- [OUR LIGHT]- err...Nomads.
[29.10.2019 17:20:46] Order|Solandros: ?: Your assesments are incorrect. Millions died here.
[29.10.2019 17:20:50] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": *The Front Lights instantly turn brighter*
[29.10.2019 17:21:50] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: I see- [AND THERE WILL DIE SO MANY MORE.] - updated database.
[29.10.2019 17:22:06] Order|Solandros: ?: ...You seem slightly conflicted
[29.10.2019 17:22:29] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: ...I...assume there is nothing...wrong with me! *whisper*...its listening to us...!
[29.10.2019 17:23:23] Order|Solandros: ?: ...Blink once if you're in trouble?
[29.10.2019 17:23:46] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": *Solandros should look at the front lights (Docking lights)*
[29.10.2019 17:24:34] Order|Solandros: ?: Docking into an AI...what could possibly go wrong. *sighs*
[29.10.2019 17:24:44] Order|Solandros: ?: Initiating docking procedure. Hang in there toaster buddy.
[29.10.2019 17:24:45] Target ship has no free docking capacity
[29.10.2019 17:25:21] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: *whisper*...don't do it...! *A glitched voice dominates the other one ( in []) - [...get into position...]
[29.10.2019 17:25:39] Order|Solandros: ?: Hmm no
[29.10.2019 17:25:44] Order|Solandros: ?: I trust your quieter voice more
[29.10.2019 17:26:31] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": *A glitched laughter dominates the other voice, which seemed to be trying to laugh in sync, although the tone hinted dread*
[29.10.2019 17:26:56] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: ha...ha...haa...? [...he...heh...heh...]
[29.10.2019 17:27:31] Order|Solandros: ?: Unnerving.
[29.10.2019 17:28:04] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": *The front face of the Harvester suddenly cracks in the exact spot where the frontlights are, shutting them off*
[29.10.2019 17:28:23] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: [...no more blinking warnings.]
[29.10.2019 17:29:31] Order|Solandros: ?: Curious..it's like you're in a constant state of inner conflict.
[29.10.2019 17:30:13] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: *whispers*-...its inside me...help...!- AAAAAAAAAAAARGH- AAAAAAAAERRGH. NO! STOP! AAAAAAARGHHHHHHHH
[29.10.2019 17:31:00] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: AAA_-_A_A__A_A_--_AAAAA---- *The front face cracks wide open, revealing a blue-ish organic structure embedding the core*
[29.10.2019 17:31:16] Order|Solandros: ?: W..What!?
[29.10.2019 17:31:38] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: I am CIX, I...am...I...-[YOU ARE OUR VOICE]
[29.10.2019 17:32:06] Order|Solandros: ?: Is that Nomad tissue!?
[29.10.2019 17:32:21] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: *sobbing*-...I beg you...stop...I...*bursting into a tone of crying*- stop... [YOU ARE OUR SHELL]
[29.10.2019 17:34:09] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: *sobbing* ...sto- *another crack, as if something was constricted to painful levels. It was the AI's Processor* - AAAAAARGH!
[29.10.2019 17:34:40] Order|Solandros: ?: Nomads infecting machines, this is a whole new level of sick.
[29.10.2019 17:34:43] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: [YOU OBEY TO US, AND US ONLY] - ...yes...I...I can't...I...I can't.
[29.10.2019 17:35:11] Order|Solandros: ?: I can't help you, not exactly a scientist. But people will know.
[29.10.2019 17:35:15] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: [DESTROY THE DARKLING] - I..I can't...!
[29.10.2019 17:35:29] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": [System Failure-> Shields]
[29.10.2019 17:35:35] Order|Solandros: ?: You hear me you unroasted piece of Calamari!
[29.10.2019 17:35:49] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": |System Failure-> Regeneration|
[29.10.2019 17:36:20] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: *active struggle*- Agent- PLEASE! DO IT! SHOOT THE CORE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN- [YOU ARE OUR VOICE]
[29.10.2019 17:36:47] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": |System Failure-> Heavy ordinance;Movement;Turrets 1 2 3 4 5 6|
[29.10.2019 17:37:35] Order|Solandros: ?: Affirmative. Opening fire. I salute you CIX.
[29.10.2019 17:37:52] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: *sobbing*- I'm...I'm sorry...Loading weapons.
[29.10.2019 17:39:15] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: [WEAK. COMMENCE STAGE TWO]
[29.10.2019 17:39:36] Order|Solandros: ?: Stay strong CIX! We're almost there!
[29.10.2019 17:39:36] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": |System Restart-> Auxiliary turrets|
[29.10.2019 17:40:25] Death: Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404" was put out of action by Order|Solandros (Gun).
[29.10.2019 17:40:49] Order|Solandros: ?: Brave little clanker...This is a grave development though.
[29.10.2019 17:41:10] Amalgam|"AH-CIX-404": ?: ...t-t-t-tth-h-th-a-a-aaaa...aaaan-k-k- y-y-y-y-yooo- [THIS. IS JUST THE BEGINNING]
// Logs have been edited to remove unrelated system and oorp messages