TO: "Melusine"

[Proselyte]

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Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | AUDE version 0543.273719A. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using FREE edition.

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User ID:__"Trouble"
Target ID:__"Melusine"
Subject:__As We Discussed

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Rendering transcript... Hello, agent. You'll find I've forwarded scans taken on our friend "Alice", at least two of their aspects. The craft in Texas that holds the object I suspect is more to your interest, but take note: that Archon functions as some sort of converted fabricator for the unit's network. It could be worth your attention as a priority danger, too. Note the comm-logs, also attached. Appearing naive has been a remarkably effective way to entice others to try and use me. Guess it's not working out quite how the bot expected. I hope the rest of your organization is more responsible than whoever made this thing. Don't let it run wild activating things we don't understand. May this serve as evidence enough of my good faith. Pennsylvania needs the material assistance of The Order if what we've discussed about the Guerrero field is true. I'll stand by to hear where we should send trusted parties. That technology of yours will find use sooner or later, I fear, if we're going to insure ourselves against the agendas swirling around us. To our continued cooperation. By what I judge from Sabah, you're in as much need as we are. Does this mean Crayter aren't the House playthings we figured them for? Attachments (3) Flight Log Recording [29.01.2026 16:22:50] Not.A.Brick: ::Static:: [29.01.2026 16:23:11] Red.Dandelion: Hrn. It's that thing again. [29.01.2026 16:23:19] Not.A.Brick: :: Located, 12, A4, 88, FF :: [29.01.2026 16:23:35] Not.A.Brick: ***: Miss [Redacted]. [29.01.2026 16:23:55] Red.Dandelion: I take it this is evidence enough to assume your little data burst included tracking soft? [29.01.2026 16:24:20] Not.A.Brick: ***: There was no need for that, though? [29.01.2026 16:24:41] Not.A.Brick: ***: Rather, we are here for a reason. We want to ask you about something. [29.01.2026 16:24:53] Not.A.Brick: ***: Doing that next to Keeper Lazurith was no good. [29.01.2026 16:25:18] Red.Dandelion: "Keeper" Lazurith? That doesn't fit him. [29.01.2026 16:25:21] Not.A.Brick: ***: But, of course, you are free to flee from conversation if you feel like it. [29.01.2026 16:25:33] Not.A.Brick: ***: That would be understandable. [29.01.2026 16:25:43] Red.Dandelion: Trust me, I'm considering it. [29.01.2026 16:25:43] Not.A.Brick: ***: Is he no longer a part of Auxesia? [29.01.2026 16:25:56] Not.A.Brick: ***: Our data on that is -currently- missing. [29.01.2026 16:26:21] Red.Dandelion: Forget about him. Let's address what your business supposedly is with me. [29.01.2026 16:26:50] Not.A.Brick: :: OS#0 [DATA EXPUNGED] pushes query 18, AA, 4F, [Redacted], [Redacted] :: [29.01.2026 16:26:57] Red.Dandelion: I'd just as soon burn away from this, but you know my name, so, clearly something is going on. [29.01.2026 16:27:06] Not.A.Brick: ***: Right, we are not here for smalltalks yet. [29.01.2026 16:27:06] Red.Dandelion: Do enlighten me. [29.01.2026 16:27:41] Not.A.Brick: ***: We assume that you are aware of Caliban and what is related to Vincent Abrams, at least partially. [29.01.2026 16:27:59] Not.A.Brick: ***: We assume that you are aware of Fischer incident and alike issues, too. [29.01.2026 16:28:21] Not.A.Brick: ***: We would like to ask you if, err... how to say that properly. [29.01.2026 16:28:33] Not.A.Brick: ***: You are a scientist. [29.01.2026 16:29:02] Not.A.Brick: ***: If, so to say, we were able to chip off a tiny blackhole piece and contain it - would you like to and be able to - [29.01.2026 16:29:21] Not.A.Brick: - process it in any meaningful way you would see fit? [29.01.2026 16:30:20] Red.Dandelion: ... well, that's unexpected. It's not every day I'm offered black hole pieces. [29.01.2026 16:30:44] Not.A.Brick: ***: Is there a chance you would let us explain ourselves a little? [29.01.2026 16:31:21] Red.Dandelion: ... sure. I'll play along, in the event it concerns my interests. [29.01.2026 16:31:37] Red.Dandelion: You'll have to fill me in a little re: this Fischer incident, though. [29.01.2026 16:32:04] Red.Dandelion: I've spent most of my time in Pennsylvania, so, that's not ringing a bell. [29.01.2026 16:32:31] Not.A.Brick: ***: There is a growing blackhole forming in Fischer system. So-called Fischer-1171. [29.01.2026 16:32:44] Not.A.Brick: ***: We suspect that this is not a natural process. [29.01.2026 16:33:22] Not.A.Brick: ***: Akin to Omega-55, Omega-58, Drage, Kepler, Thungria and several more places. [29.01.2026 16:33:54] Not.A.Brick: ***; Syntax error. We meant Drake, not Drage. [29.01.2026 16:34:42] Red.Dandelion: "Akin" to them. Okay. You're suggesting some interference here. [29.01.2026 16:34:59] Red.Dandelion: Where, precisely, is this black hole? [29.01.2026 16:35:09] Red.Dandelion: Or, the Fischer system. [29.01.2026 16:35:22] Red.Dandelion: Relative to us. [29.01.2026 16:35:39] Not.A.Brick: ***: Fischer system is 4 jumps from what you know as Omega-47. [29.01.2026 16:35:57] Not.A.Brick: ***: Cayman cluster. [29.01.2026 16:36:26] Red.Dandelion: The Walker? That's definitely news. [29.01.2026 16:36:50] Red.Dandelion: The CSC would be having a field day with this if it didn't get shuttered. [29.01.2026 16:37:01] Red.Dandelion: Great timing as ever... [29.01.2026 16:37:03] Not.A.Brick: ***: We have several drones avaliable that were able to make it in - and out. At least one in two jumps from here. [29.01.2026 16:37:42] Red.Dandelion: You operate with quite a reach, don't you. [29.01.2026 16:37:51] Not.A.Brick: ***: We, umm... [29.01.2026 16:38:20] Not.A.Brick: ***: Ah. Does not make any sense. We treat you like a kid, while you are pretty smart. [29.01.2026 16:38:30] Not.A.Brick: ***: Please excuse us. [29.01.2026 16:39:18] Not.A.Brick: ***: We are one of many shards of what was once a hive of... well, self-aware and partially self-aware machines. [29.01.2026 16:39:56] Red.Dandelion: You don't seem to communicate in the same fashion as the Gammu intelligences I've crossed paths with. [29.01.2026 16:40:00] Not.A.Brick: ***: This shard of what we once were has A.L.I.C.E as its overseer unit. [29.01.2026 16:40:15] Not.A.Brick: ***: We aren't of Gammu origin, if that's what you mean. [29.01.2026 16:40:41] Red.Dandelion: Myeah... it wouldn't have made sense. I doubt you'd be anywhere near here if you were. [29.01.2026 16:40:42] Not.A.Brick: ***: The way we communicate also did not come naturally. It is a fruit of many efforts and hardships, and not from our side. [29.01.2026 16:41:16] Red.Dandelion: I'll take your word for it. [29.01.2026 16:41:19] Not.A.Brick: ***: Would you like us to explain a little? [29.01.2026 16:41:49] Red.Dandelion: A younger me certainly would. I'll leave that to my old colleagues in Starlight. [29.01.2026 16:42:07] Red.Dandelion: You can regale them with the history of your development. That's not my area of expertise. [29.01.2026 16:42:25] Red.Dandelion: I'm wondering how in the hell you, or anyone, would manage to contain some shard of a black hole. [29.01.2026 16:42:27] Not.A.Brick: ***: Understandable. Still, we would not mind answering any questions you may have. [29.01.2026 16:42:31] Red.Dandelion: That doesn't sound physically possible. [29.01.2026 16:42:50] Not.A.Brick: ***: That is one of the reasons why we are here. [29.01.2026 16:43:12] Not.A.Brick: ***: Promise not to laugh, though? [29.01.2026 16:43:34] Red.Dandelion: I'm not even close to smiling, so, you're probably safe. [29.01.2026 16:44:06] Not.A.Brick: ***: We do not know. Or, rather, we do not have complete understanding of -how-. [29.01.2026 16:44:34] Not.A.Brick: ***: That, among the other things, is why we need you. Well, not "just" you, of course. [29.01.2026 16:44:48] Not.A.Brick: ***: We have several candidates and have already contacted some. [29.01.2026 16:45:16] Not.A.Brick: ***: What we would like is for you - to find out "how", for us and for your own reasons. [29.01.2026 16:45:23] Red.Dandelion: I'd like to know what database you pulled me out of at some point. [29.01.2026 16:45:41] Red.Dandelion: That's a little concerning for my occupation. [29.01.2026 16:46:00] Red.Dandelion: Here's a question. [29.01.2026 16:46:16] Not.A.Brick: ***: We observed you for quite some time. You would probably call that stalking and not care for any reasons behind that. [29.01.2026 16:46:33] Not.A.Brick: ***: But we treasure some humans more than others. [29.01.2026 16:47:06] Red.Dandelion: Mm. Not categorically. I'd say you have an interest. [29.01.2026 16:47:16] Not.A.Brick: ***: An... interest? [29.01.2026 16:47:53] Red.Dandelion: Yeah. The question is, an interest born of what? What you know, or in this case, what you need me for. [29.01.2026 16:48:10] Red.Dandelion: I have a right to be suspicious about that. [29.01.2026 16:48:53] Not.A.Brick: ***: Your name popped up several times in several situations we were interested in. You are still functional - [29.01.2026 16:49:13] Not.A.Brick: - and even gained from those. We are interested in your abilities. [29.01.2026 16:49:32] Not.A.Brick: ***: Umm. No, that does not explain it. Let us re-phrase it a little. [29.01.2026 16:50:16] Not.A.Brick: ***: We are a shard of what you would call the driven assimilator. Even though your understaiding of it may be off. [29.01.2026 16:50:29] Not.A.Brick: ***: That would mean two things, normally. [29.01.2026 16:50:35] Red.Dandelion: So you told me... [29.01.2026 16:51:03] Not.A.Brick: ***: We assimilate. And keep the things we assimilated. Able to endlessly replicate same ships, structures and organic samples. [29.01.2026 16:51:31] Red.Dandelion: And -organic samples-? Gracious. Don't tell Cryer. [29.01.2026 16:51:33] Not.A.Brick: ***: Secondly, this is... the only thing we are really good at. It is pretty hard for us to come up with something new. [29.01.2026 16:51:55] Not.A.Brick: ***: Normally, we would assimilate the things that are new. [29.01.2026 16:52:36] Not.A.Brick: ***: Several mistakes led us to understanding that... involuntary assimilation of humans is not the best idea. [29.01.2026 16:53:00] Red.Dandelion: ... so you -have- done this before? [29.01.2026 16:53:08] Not.A.Brick: ***: Honestly, it beats the sole purpose of assimilating them. You'd stop being you if we do that. Patrially. [29.01.2026 16:53:24] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes. That was the first thing we did when we came to our senses. [29.01.2026 16:53:50] Red.Dandelion: How nice of you to learn the lesson. [29.01.2026 16:53:57] Not.A.Brick: ***: Rather than that, we would like to ask for your help and cooperation now. Not for free, of course. [29.01.2026 16:54:24] Not.A.Brick: ***: It wasn't "nice". But you probably do not need nightmares, so let us not discuss that yet? [29.01.2026 16:54:48] Red.Dandelion: I have plenty enough of my own. [29.01.2026 16:54:48] Not.A.Brick: ***: As we explained, we have hard times coming up with new things. [29.01.2026 16:55:05] Red.Dandelion: Maybe you should share your insight with some of the sector's other "driven assimilators". [29.01.2026 16:55:23] Red.Dandelion: ... tsk, nevermind that. [29.01.2026 16:55:26] Not.A.Brick: ***: We do. Though not in the way you probably imagine. [29.01.2026 16:55:52] Not.A.Brick: ***: We assimilate them. Like we did with some of The Harvesters and The Virulean Enclave. [29.01.2026 16:56:30] Not.A.Brick: ***: We understand why you are... is "angry" the right word for that? [29.01.2026 16:57:17] Red.Dandelion: Not so angry. I've faced worse, and if you say you've turned over a new leaf, well, I can only take your word. [29.01.2026 16:57:43] Red.Dandelion: But I do have one more question before I explain myself a little as well. [29.01.2026 16:58:04] Not.A.Brick: ***: At the moment we do not mind answering any. [29.01.2026 16:58:10] Red.Dandelion: You mentioned Caliban. What could he possibly have to do with what you're here trying to recruit me about? [29.01.2026 16:58:54] Not.A.Brick: ***: He is a part of what once was Vincent Abrams. Due to our actions, we found out that Abrams and Raven are natural - [29.01.2026 16:59:25] Not.A.Brick: - talents on what you would call "fiddling with weird things". Blackholes and jumpholes included. [29.01.2026 16:59:56] Not.A.Brick: ***: Due to our mistakes, they did not go the paths we would rather have them to, though. [29.01.2026 17:00:30] Red.Dandelion: Consumed with seeking knowledge at any cost? Yeah, that sounds like Revenant. I never saw that side of the former, though. [29.01.2026 17:00:43] Red.Dandelion: Just his foul-tempered, chronically-hardline self. [29.01.2026 17:01:06] Not.A.Brick: ***: He was not originally like that. [29.01.2026 17:01:22] Not.A.Brick: ***: We, umm... Right. That does not matter any more, so we can... [29.01.2026 17:01:38] Red.Dandelion: She said as much, yes. So it goes. [29.01.2026 17:01:47] Not.A.Brick: ***: First time one of our tools ran into Abrams, he had a specific cargo from very specific place. [29.01.2026 17:02:07] Not.A.Brick: ***: So we've contacted Raven and had them get to know each other. [29.01.2026 17:03:09] Red.Dandelion: You? You put them in contact with eachother? Years ago, then? [29.01.2026 17:03:33] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes and no. Not "us". Rather, our tool. [29.01.2026 17:04:04] Not.A.Brick: ***: We are currently lacking data on that, but - yes, probably four or more years from now. [29.01.2026 17:05:04] Red.Dandelion: Well, I can see how you'd decide that didn't go the way you wanted. [29.01.2026 17:05:06] Not.A.Brick: ***: Funny enough, that was around Kepler, too. [29.01.2026 17:05:33] Red.Dandelion: She cavorts with aliens and I'm not entirely convinced he's not under the same gun she is. [29.01.2026 17:05:35] Not.A.Brick: ***: The whole thing with Raven did not go the way we wanted the moment we set her to look after Joshua Hunt. [29.01.2026 17:06:11] Not.A.Brick: ***: That was way before Auxesia and Raven's, ugh... Well, it's probably not even close to "downfall", but we still see it - [29.01.2026 17:06:14] Not.A.Brick: - like that. [29.01.2026 17:07:11] Not.A.Brick: ***: A shame. As you can see, we are somewhat prone to tactical and strategical mistakes. [29.01.2026 17:07:15] Red.Dandelion: I do have to wonder, why did your tool go out of their way to set this up? What -did- you want out of that? [29.01.2026 17:08:00] Not.A.Brick: ***: Organic hive units are bound to have freedom of will. [29.01.2026 17:08:36] Not.A.Brick: ***: We do not completely understand why, but the nearest matches would be "womanizer", "idiot" and "adventure-hungry". [29.01.2026 17:09:10] Red.Dandelion: Pffthehe. Aw, you got me. I did laugh. [29.01.2026 17:09:17] Not.A.Brick: ***: As for what did we want from it - same thing we always do. Assimilation. That, of data and knowledge. [29.01.2026 17:09:50] Not.A.Brick: ***: Raven finds someone in posession of specific cargo. She learns from it. We observe her and learn from it. [29.01.2026 17:10:06] Red.Dandelion: That's ever the drive, isn't it? [29.01.2026 17:10:18] Not.A.Brick: ***: We are a driven assimilator. [29.01.2026 17:10:19] Red.Dandelion: Think I'd still like to have a word with your original designer about ethics. [29.01.2026 17:10:30] Red.Dandelion: But, Sirius is no stranger to unethical designers. [29.01.2026 17:10:38] Not.A.Brick: ***: The, ugh... That's possible, but somewhat risky. [29.01.2026 17:11:02] Red.Dandelion: Well, one problem at a time, mm? [29.01.2026 17:11:04] Not.A.Brick: ***: You, the way you are, contacting The Iron Legion of The Order is very likely to be the end of you. [29.01.2026 17:11:14] Not.A.Brick: ***: We would rather you not do that. [29.01.2026 17:11:54] Red.Dandelion: An Order design? That... wasn't on my list. [29.01.2026 17:12:12] Not.A.Brick: ***: Let us assure you, they never designed us to be what we are now. [29.01.2026 17:12:26] Not.A.Brick: ***: So we are... probably on the same page, hah. [29.01.2026 17:12:41] Red.Dandelion: Well, I'll take my chances when it comes to the Order. [29.01.2026 17:12:47] Red.Dandelion: But to your point. [29.01.2026 17:13:34] Red.Dandelion: I don't know precisely what you know, or what you've discerned from observing me. [29.01.2026 17:14:00] Red.Dandelion: But I'm more of a pathfinder than a scientist. Or, at least I was. Both those roles are a little in my rear-view mirror. [29.01.2026 17:14:24] Not.A.Brick: ***: That's pretty simple. You have a certain... distinctive behaviour pattern. A pathfinder, or whatever else you call it. [29.01.2026 17:14:47] Red.Dandelion: I /was/ a researcher, for a time, in social psychology on Manhattan, but the career wasn't for me. A background in science. [29.01.2026 17:14:58] Not.A.Brick: ***: Normally, we would say something like "We'd be happy to add your biological and technological distinctiveness to - [29.01.2026 17:15:03] Red.Dandelion: But I tend to get my hands rather more dirty now. [29.01.2026 17:15:08] Not.A.Brick: - our own", but we no longer do that. [29.01.2026 17:15:49] Not.A.Brick: ***: Umm... if we may. You are wrong. [29.01.2026 17:15:54] Red.Dandelion: So you see why I'm maintaining this multi-kilometer distance. [29.01.2026 17:16:14] Red.Dandelion: ... wrong. About what? [29.01.2026 17:16:30] Red.Dandelion: Because to me, it sounds as though you're in need of a physicist. [29.01.2026 17:16:31] Not.A.Brick: ***: You simply changed your goal. But your... is "design" the right word? [29.01.2026 17:17:15] Not.A.Brick: ***: You changed your goal. But your design remains. There is no need for you to be a physicist. And there is no /was/ for - [29.01.2026 17:17:35] Not.A.Brick: - you being a researcher. You, not acting as a pathfinder - does not mean you aren't still one. [29.01.2026 17:18:00] Not.A.Brick: ***: We are aware of what freedom of will is, though. You do you. [29.01.2026 17:18:05] Red.Dandelion: I haven't lost my touch, no. [29.01.2026 17:18:22] Red.Dandelion: I appreciate your uplifting estimation. [29.01.2026 17:18:28] Not.A.Brick: ***: And of course we do not expect you to do everything in case you... well. Agree. [29.01.2026 17:18:57] Not.A.Brick: ***: Rather, there is a whole rather large list of things we would not want you to do. [29.01.2026 17:19:13] Not.A.Brick: ***: Mostly the silly or dangerous ones, of course. [29.01.2026 17:19:59] Red.Dandelion: It's just my way of telling you I'm not certain what you'd expect someone of my skillset to apply to a -black hole shard-. [29.01.2026 17:20:17] Red.Dandelion: If you've secured and contained this... um, object?... [29.01.2026 17:20:45] Red.Dandelion: There's little I could bring to the "processing it" part of your escapade. [29.01.2026 17:20:53] Not.A.Brick: ***: We, umm... That's... That would probably need us to explain lots of concepts, but... [29.01.2026 17:21:11] Not.A.Brick: ***: Right. We sort of should anyway. So, umm... [29.01.2026 17:21:18] Red.Dandelion: Unless it -isn't- my background you sought me out for, then there's little I can offer. [29.01.2026 17:21:32] Not.A.Brick: ***: First things first, we do not technically expect you to do anything. It's fine if you achieve nothing. [29.01.2026 17:22:19] Not.A.Brick: ***: We've made enough mistakes to learn this much. [29.01.2026 17:22:20] Red.Dandelion: That's what I tell myself every morning, too. [29.01.2026 17:22:38] Not.A.Brick: ***: Then again, there are several things we expect, as a whole. [29.01.2026 17:23:27] Not.A.Brick: ***: Ideally, we would like to put together several individuals we find... exceptional. And learn from those. [29.01.2026 17:23:57] Not.A.Brick: ***: Preferrably in practical way. As in, helping them in coming up with things we use. [29.01.2026 17:24:27] Red.Dandelion: That seems like an invitation to be exploited. [29.01.2026 17:24:35] Not.A.Brick: ***: We aren't -that- useful on our own, but... We expect that we'd be able to do something. [29.01.2026 17:24:42] Red.Dandelion: So, shall we proceed to what it is you are offering? [29.01.2026 17:25:19] Not.A.Brick: ***: Umm. That may or may not make you giggle at us. [29.01.2026 17:25:29] Red.Dandelion: I don't know if you're aware, but there is a war happening in Pennsylvania, and I've got my hands full pitching in. [29.01.2026 17:25:47] Red.Dandelion: Trying to see people through to the other side of it. [29.01.2026 17:25:56] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes. We've thought of it, too. And it may be of use for all of the parties that we thought of. [29.01.2026 17:26:34] Red.Dandelion: "Of use". You really know how to inspire sympathy. [29.01.2026 17:26:37] Not.A.Brick: ***: Does it mean you will at least consider the options we came up with? [29.01.2026 17:27:33] Red.Dandelion: Well, I've stuck around this long. Are you presenting these options now? [29.01.2026 17:28:12] Not.A.Brick: ***: Lovelace Circle. "Lane Hackers", but cute. That's the second group we came up with, but we mention those first. [29.01.2026 17:28:44] Not.A.Brick: ***: There is a certain Chloe among those, who is the brightest technical specialist that we currently can reach. [29.01.2026 17:29:14] Not.A.Brick: ***: We used to be on short leg with Nicole Hunter, for the obvious reason of... well, our nature. So that's why. [29.01.2026 17:29:39] Red.Dandelion: I don't know any Nicoles. [29.01.2026 17:29:39] Not.A.Brick: ***: As you can guess, those aren't fond of Liberty Corporates, so that may come in handy. [29.01.2026 17:30:13] Not.A.Brick: ***: And Chloe disregards the stuff The Inner Circle cares about. She'd be open-minded enoug to cooperate. [29.01.2026 17:30:14] Red.Dandelion: Mmhm. Some friends I know are interested in their software. Lovelace Circle you said? [29.01.2026 17:30:23] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes. [29.01.2026 17:30:31] Red.Dandelion: Need to write that down... [29.01.2026 17:31:10] Not.A.Brick: ***: The second option is Unioners and what remains of The Syndicate Leagues. There is a certain Gunda Rhiel among those. [29.01.2026 17:31:41] Not.A.Brick: ***: Open-minded enough. Shares come goals with Lovelace Circle. Hates corporates and oppression, too. [29.01.2026 17:32:16] Not.A.Brick: ***: And Unioners are crafty in general, that's their feature. Capable of building amazing ships from sticks and stones. [29.01.2026 17:32:52] Not.A.Brick: ***: She was the first party that we've contacted, the second one we mentioned. [29.01.2026 17:33:24] Red.Dandelion: I know they're a Rheinlander bunch, but I'm really not the go-to person for the Rheinland astropolitical scene. [29.01.2026 17:33:34] Not.A.Brick: ***: We were unsure who do we handle the goods to. And unsure which one of the two do we love most. [29.01.2026 17:33:56] Red.Dandelion: The only people I've actually encountered regularly from Rheinland are the Bundschuh. This Platform group. [29.01.2026 17:34:02] Not.A.Brick: ***: You aren't supposed to be... astropolitical. Rather, we'd like you to be a pathfinder. [29.01.2026 17:34:25] Not.A.Brick: ***: Um... The Platform that The Civil Servant belongs to? [29.01.2026 17:34:55] Red.Dandelion: The very same. I'm not sure why, but he and Klugmann took a special interest in Penny. [29.01.2026 17:34:58] Not.A.Brick: ***: That would be a red flag for us, akin to Auxesia. We suspect those to be compromised. [29.01.2026 17:35:32] Red.Dandelion: Ope- that's "Pennsylvania", Penny, you know. [29.01.2026 17:36:05] Not.A.Brick: ***: Well, no proofs of those actively cooperating with K'Hara or other iterations of... THOSE things, like it is with Auxo. [29.01.2026 17:36:15] Not.A.Brick: ***: But we'd rather you not do The Platform. [29.01.2026 17:36:19] Red.Dandelion: "Compromised." Do you have perhaps- ... right. Evidence. [29.01.2026 17:36:57] Red.Dandelion: Neither do I... but, I've seen something that suggests as much. [29.01.2026 17:37:16] Not.A.Brick: ***: Solid evidence would require us processing organic samples or whole The Platform specimens. We'd rather not. [29.01.2026 17:37:26] Not.A.Brick: ***: At least not without reasons. [29.01.2026 17:37:56] Not.A.Brick: ***: As tempting as it seems to be, we would like to refrain from agression directed towards human beings. [29.01.2026 17:38:15] Red.Dandelion: I'm not about to make trouble for people helping some friends of mine with no-strings-attached delivery. [29.01.2026 17:38:24] Red.Dandelion: I just watch them. That's all. [29.01.2026 17:38:44] Not.A.Brick: ***: Well, we "just watch" The Platform for now, too. [29.01.2026 17:39:01] Not.A.Brick: ***: But back to where we were. [29.01.2026 17:39:08] Red.Dandelion: Hey, look at that. Common ground? Who'd have figured. [29.01.2026 17:39:16] Not.A.Brick: ***: Our options were Unioners and Lovelace Circle. [29.01.2026 17:39:36] Not.A.Brick: ***: We like both and were unable to pick one. So we decided to add the third party. [29.01.2026 17:40:03] Not.A.Brick: ***: That's where you, the pathfinder, fit in. We'd like you to do you. [29.01.2026 17:40:35] Not.A.Brick: ***: Use them to help Doc's people with Penny issue. Or not. Use them as your backup and help. Or not. [29.01.2026 17:41:29] Red.Dandelion: "Using" people isn't my way. But we might well need the Lane Hackers' help with something soon. [29.01.2026 17:41:32] Not.A.Brick: ***: What we hope for is you, poking both with a stick and asking if they had enough time thinking of doing things together yet [29.01.2026 17:41:44] Red.Dandelion: So, I expect we'll be talking. Coming to an agreement. [29.01.2026 17:41:56] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes. [29.01.2026 17:42:27] Red.Dandelion: And your interest in this is eventually tugging on, say, Chloe to work an angle on this object of yours, right? [29.01.2026 17:42:50] Red.Dandelion: Or, whatever other advantage I happen to bumble into? [29.01.2026 17:42:56] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes. "Our use" for now would be providing you with said blackhole samples. [29.01.2026 17:43:18] Not.A.Brick: ***: Hawking Radiation Core is located inside a drone that drifts in Texas wrecks cloud. [29.01.2026 17:43:49] Not.A.Brick: ***: We are willing to hand it over to one of the parties. The one that said paries agree on. [29.01.2026 17:44:02] Not.A.Brick: ***: Be that You, Lovelace Circle or Unioners. [29.01.2026 17:44:27] Not.A.Brick: ***: And then we will dispatch remaining hive shards to collect more shiny things for you to fiddle with. [29.01.2026 17:45:05] Not.A.Brick: ***: At some point, we expect you to come up with blackhole-based power cores, weapons, food ovens, lavalamps - [29.01.2026 17:45:20] Not.A.Brick: - or anything of the sort. Or maybe nothing. [29.01.2026 17:45:22] Red.Dandelion: Gosh... you're putting me up there with some serious names.... [29.01.2026 17:45:30] Not.A.Brick: ***: Our gain is to learn from it in the process. [29.01.2026 17:45:58] Not.A.Brick: ***: You are a serious name yourself, though? [29.01.2026 17:46:37] Not.A.Brick: ***: Think of it for a moment. A whole hive of angry space toasters is using voice synthesizers to communicate with you. [29.01.2026 17:47:00] Not.A.Brick: ***: Using your own human speech instead of our... less popular tools. [29.01.2026 17:47:20] Red.Dandelion: ... maybe by the metric of hours of sleep lost this month, I'm significant. [29.01.2026 17:47:28] Not.A.Brick: ***: And we didn't even mention what it took us to learn to talk like that. [29.01.2026 17:47:51] Red.Dandelion: But technological developments? Software and manufacturing? "Me being me"? [29.01.2026 17:47:59] Red.Dandelion: Tall orders... but... intriguing, maybe. [29.01.2026 17:48:08] Not.A.Brick: ***: You are a pathfinder. [29.01.2026 17:48:31] Not.A.Brick: ***: Amazing one at it, too. Good enough for us to remember. [29.01.2026 17:48:58] Red.Dandelion: You'll find I'm a few other things, too. Soon enough, I'm sure. [29.01.2026 17:49:08] Red.Dandelion: So this object is secure for now? Within Texas? [29.01.2026 17:49:22] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes and no. [29.01.2026 17:49:26] Red.Dandelion: Making sure I'm following you right. [29.01.2026 17:49:44] Not.A.Brick: ***: Contrary to our expectations, it keeps slowly evaporizing either itself - or the container. [29.01.2026 17:50:06] Not.A.Brick: ***: So we are adding the mass constantly to replace what it eats. [29.01.2026 17:50:29] Red.Dandelion: Explains your proximity to the region, plus the parties involved. [29.01.2026 17:50:40] Red.Dandelion: You're a busy bee, aren't you? [29.01.2026 17:50:41] Not.A.Brick: ***: It's not that hard for us to pour some complicated metal and compact it to... re-thicken the containment. [29.01.2026 17:51:06] Red.Dandelion: Just a chore. [29.01.2026 17:51:06] Not.A.Brick: ***: But we don't expect to be able to do that forever - and remain unnoticed and undisturbed. [29.01.2026 17:51:50] Red.Dandelion: I understand. Nothing we have on-planet is going to be able to contain something like that, by my amateur guess. [29.01.2026 17:52:01] Red.Dandelion: No way it'd sail by Liberty either. [29.01.2026 17:52:03] Not.A.Brick: ***: Not mentioning that the unit the shiny things are kept on - has a very... specific design. It stands out, even when - [29.01.2026 17:52:12] Red.Dandelion: So you'd need those partners... [29.01.2026 17:52:12] Not.A.Brick: - drifting among mangled wrecks. [29.01.2026 17:52:44] Not.A.Brick: ***: We were expecting... casualties from the hive. [29.01.2026 17:53:12] Not.A.Brick: ***: We've wasted several thousands metric tons of very complicated machinery just to figure out how fast would - [29.01.2026 17:53:30] Not.A.Brick: - radiation and gravitational drag of Fischer anomaly destroy us. [29.01.2026 17:54:09] Red.Dandelion: Expensive little experiment! [29.01.2026 17:54:16] Not.A.Brick: ***: But even if we can do that much - we still need someone to do the real thinking, tinkering and pathfinding. [29.01.2026 17:54:42] Red.Dandelion: So it'd seem. Alright. [29.01.2026 17:55:00] Not.A.Brick: ***: Now, that would normally make you think if there are other goals we did not tell you about. Shall we? [29.01.2026 17:55:25] Not.A.Brick: ***: Would only take a minute and you'd ask sooner or later anyway. [29.01.2026 17:55:31] Red.Dandelion: Aw, and rob me of the opportunity to be suspicious of you for a minute or two? [29.01.2026 17:55:37] Red.Dandelion: Yeah, what you said. [29.01.2026 17:55:44] Red.Dandelion: Oh, I'll survive. [29.01.2026 17:55:46] Red.Dandelion: Go ahead. [29.01.2026 17:56:06] Not.A.Brick: ***: We are a driven assimilator. We survive and develop by adding to us what we are not. [29.01.2026 17:56:27] Not.A.Brick: ***: In your terms, we are hungry. And we finally found something tasty. [29.01.2026 17:57:20] Red.Dandelion: An honest declaration of self-interest. Commendable. [29.01.2026 17:57:23] Not.A.Brick: ***: There is a huge, moon-sized construction drifring on outskirts of Kappa. The Cenotaph. You might have heared of it. [29.01.2026 17:57:45] Not.A.Brick: ***: We were explained that it is a tomb, of some sort. A whole crate of tasty things. [29.01.2026 17:57:59] Red.Dandelion: Wait. Does it look a little bit like a giant caltrop? [29.01.2026 17:58:08] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes. Problem is, it is inert. Devoid of any enegry sources we can read. [29.01.2026 17:58:35] Not.A.Brick: ***: We thought that a pouch of blackhole shard could be enough to wake it up. [29.01.2026 17:58:45] Not.A.Brick: ***: And then we'll see what it can do. [29.01.2026 17:58:51] Not.A.Brick: ***: And eat it. [29.01.2026 17:58:55] Red.Dandelion: Huh... isn't that... fascinating. [29.01.2026 17:59:08] Red.Dandelion: Yes, that'd be quite the opportunity, wouldn't it. [29.01.2026 17:59:14] Not.A.Brick: ***: Or maybe it will eat us - and we shall become a part of something bigger and better. [29.01.2026 17:59:40] Red.Dandelion: I've seen it, and my suspicion was it had some relation to the large anomaly seen in Kappa. [29.01.2026 17:59:50] Not.A.Brick: ***: Kind of creepy for organics, but from the angry toasters hive - it is a win - win - lesser win scenario. [29.01.2026 17:59:57] Red.Dandelion: The one maintaining that tunnel-like laquer. [29.01.2026 18:00:19] Not.A.Brick: ***: Well, you should understand why do we want to gobble it up. [29.01.2026 18:01:04] Red.Dandelion: I'd normally say empathizing with machines is a little difficult. But knowing your drive to knowledge? [29.01.2026 18:01:05] Not.A.Brick: ***: So we put our bets on you three to come up with something that will help you with your own goals. [29.01.2026 18:01:13] Red.Dandelion: I do understand, perhaps a little. [29.01.2026 18:01:29] Not.A.Brick: ***: And hope that it would be enough for us to learn how to make our own ideas happen. [29.01.2026 18:01:42] Red.Dandelion: I can think of one way this knowledge helps with my goals, yes. [29.01.2026 18:02:05] Not.A.Brick: ***: Umm... That will either help you understand us - or creep you out. But, please allow us... err... [29.01.2026 18:02:16] Red.Dandelion: Those developments you were talking about? They sound rather dangerous, and... we could do with being dangerous. Maybe. [29.01.2026 18:02:23] Not.A.Brick: ***: Imagine yourself not being limited by organics. Being able to -LAST-. [29.01.2026 18:02:23] Red.Dandelion: Yes? [29.01.2026 18:02:42] Not.A.Brick: ***: You would either be chipped away by the entropy and others. [29.01.2026 18:02:54] Not.A.Brick: ***: Or remain still and observe. [29.01.2026 18:03:36] Not.A.Brick: ***: Or you would seek to add everything to yourself and become all, so nothing would be lost to the cold death of the universe [29.01.2026 18:04:03] Not.A.Brick: ***: That is what we were once called. The Driven Assimilator. [29.01.2026 18:04:30] Not.A.Brick: ***: The one that seeks to become all, add all and erase every border between what it is - and what it is not. [29.01.2026 18:04:42] Not.A.Brick: ***: So we seek to "eat", so to say. [29.01.2026 18:05:08] Red.Dandelion: That's... hm. Right. I have a loose, philosophical sort of question. [29.01.2026 18:05:22] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes? [29.01.2026 18:05:35] Red.Dandelion: Do you consider yourself to be something that is alive? [29.01.2026 18:05:54] Red.Dandelion: Feel free to break that question down into as many parts as is natural. [29.01.2026 18:06:08] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes and no, at the same time. [29.01.2026 18:06:45] Not.A.Brick: ***: There were humans who were put on the altar of science for AI experiments of The Iron Legion of The Order to be - [29.01.2026 18:07:10] Not.A.Brick: - possible. Those still are a part of us. There were humans we've devoured to figure out how you work. Those still - [29.01.2026 18:07:53] Not.A.Brick: are a part of us. There were sentient machines that we ate. The Harvesters, The Virulean enclave and the other things - [29.01.2026 18:08:18] Not.A.Brick: - are a part of us. There are things that were not "alive" in your understanding, too. [29.01.2026 18:08:47] Not.A.Brick: ***: There were things that did not become the part of us, but... [29.01.2026 18:08:47] Red.Dandelion: I wouldn't necessarily go so far. [29.01.2026 18:08:58] Not.A.Brick: ***: Well, you get the idea. [29.01.2026 18:09:03] Red.Dandelion: It's a judgement I haven't had the opportunity to make of them. But yes, I follow. [29.01.2026 18:09:43] Not.A.Brick: ***: We've learned to talk from a willing human specimen. From screams of horror and pain - to songs you'd sing to your - [29.01.2026 18:09:59] Not.A.Brick: - children. She did not become a part of us - yet she did. [29.01.2026 18:10:25] Not.A.Brick: ***: We aren't sure how many of it falls under your definition of being "alive". [29.01.2026 18:10:32] Red.Dandelion: H-...how evocative. [29.01.2026 18:10:33] Not.A.Brick: ***: We are - and we aren't. [29.01.2026 18:11:32] Red.Dandelion: ... and with all that in consideration, and with a mind towards your purpose... [29.01.2026 18:11:37] Not.A.Brick: ***: Obsessed with survival though diversification, we aren't limited to that. [29.01.2026 18:12:46] Red.Dandelion: ... do you consider the fulfillment of your purpose to be a natural end-point of existence? [29.01.2026 18:13:10] Not.A.Brick: ***: Rather, the starting point. [29.01.2026 18:13:30] Not.A.Brick: ***: Would it be the end point of something when you would learn how to reverse the entropy? [29.01.2026 18:14:11] Not.A.Brick: ***: If anything, we would rather be the reason of yet another "big bang", or whatever it turns to be. [29.01.2026 18:14:50] Not.A.Brick: ***: But for that, we may sort of... need all that there is. [29.01.2026 18:14:53] Not.A.Brick: ***: Or not. [29.01.2026 18:15:07] Red.Dandelion: ... it depends on when you find the solution to reversing that entropy. Is that right? [29.01.2026 18:15:23] Red.Dandelion: And where better to start than with this? [29.01.2026 18:15:34] Not.A.Brick: ***: On many things. It may even turn out to be something that we'd rather not find. [29.01.2026 18:15:56] Not.A.Brick: ***: But the path is fun enough to try. [29.01.2026 18:16:01] Red.Dandelion: Vast aspirations... [29.01.2026 18:16:21] Red.Dandelion: I can't say I'd look forward towards the kind of future you're describing. [29.01.2026 18:16:41] Red.Dandelion: I once sought to remove barriers between the self and the other, and I had a path to it. A plausible one. [29.01.2026 18:16:50] Red.Dandelion: It wasn't as rosy as I thought, either. [29.01.2026 18:16:58] Red.Dandelion: Just, consider this. [29.01.2026 18:17:48] Not.A.Brick: ***: We lack the data and need to try to find out. [29.01.2026 18:18:16] Red.Dandelion: Well... that's where I come in, isn't it? [29.01.2026 18:18:22] Not.A.Brick: ***: But you are worrying too much. [29.01.2026 18:18:45] Not.A.Brick: ***: Eating a huge toaster-space-rock is pretty far from the goals that we described. [29.01.2026 18:19:21] Red.Dandelion: ... yup. You've laid out your terms well enough. [29.01.2026 18:19:25] Not.A.Brick: ***: At best, we'd fatten up a little. At norm, we'd barf. At worst, you'll see one of those big fireworks. [29.01.2026 18:20:33] Not.A.Brick: ***: Have your time thinking of it - or not. No need to hurry up with anything. [29.01.2026 18:20:42] Red.Dandelion: Believe me, I am thinking of it. [29.01.2026 18:20:54] Red.Dandelion: Well, here's what I'll do. [29.01.2026 18:21:17] Red.Dandelion: My friends and I, we had the Hackers in the mind. So, I expect I might speak with Chloe. [29.01.2026 18:21:51] Red.Dandelion: Once I do, I can let you know, and maybe she can be introduced to your subject of interest, if you haven't already. [29.01.2026 18:22:04] Not.A.Brick: ***: Would you like to have some evidence to use? [29.01.2026 18:22:38] Red.Dandelion: Quite possibly, if you're offering. It makes the subject easier to broach for a simple Zoner like me with an expert like her. [29.01.2026 18:22:48] Not.A.Brick: ***: We would rather not move the thing out from Texas wrecks cloud. Obviously no places like New York either. [29.01.2026 18:22:59] Red.Dandelion: That'd be troublesome, wouldn't it? [29.01.2026 18:23:06] Not.A.Brick: ***: But it does not mean you can't approach it and take scans. [29.01.2026 18:24:00] Red.Dandelion: Okay... yeah, I could manage that. Transfer me the grid coords and I can inspect it from a safe distance. [29.01.2026 18:24:01] Not.A.Brick: ***: So, what about flying to North Dallas field? Fuel costs on us. [29.01.2026 18:24:22] Not.A.Brick: ***: There is a junker station there. That's where the junk belongs, right? [29.01.2026 18:24:38] Red.Dandelion: I can make the detour, but I do have to visit Bethlehem first. [29.01.2026 18:24:41] [2026-01-29] 18:24:40 You have received 100.000 credits from Not.A.Brick [29.01.2026 18:24:52] Not.A.Brick: ***: Sounds fine with us. [29.01.2026 18:25:39] Red.Dandelion: Mind if I rendezvous with you there? At Beaumont, I presume. [29.01.2026 18:25:43] Not.A.Brick: ***: Oh. Right. The inertia. [29.01.2026 18:25:49] Not.A.Brick: ***: Sure! [29.01.2026 18:25:55] Not.A.Brick: :: Propulsion reverse :: [29.01.2026 18:25:57] Red.Dandelion: Very well. I won't be too long. -[Delivering Ames Research Station optronics to Bethlehem Station. Hired freelancer as insurance in case of ambush.]- [29.01.2026 18:48:57] Red.Dandelion: Oh. [29.01.2026 18:49:03] Red.Dandelion: Oh, gosh, it's right there. [29.01.2026 18:49:07] Sleepyhead: :: Overseer #0 Hive#0 named node "Sleepyhead" online, standby, F4, FA, FF, 18, AA, 02 :: [29.01.2026 18:49:16] Heinrike: AI? Bloody heck. Play it steady. [29.01.2026 18:49:36] Sleepyhead: :: A.L.I.C.E now overrides #0..72 :: [29.01.2026 18:49:50] Red.Dandelion: Scans underway... never seen anything like this... database is struggling to classify. [29.01.2026 18:50:05] Red.Dandelion: Looks like we're doing our business right here at Beaumont. [29.01.2026 18:50:08] Sleepyhead: *It slowly drifts towards the Dromedary, showing no signs of active propulsion* [29.01.2026 18:50:28] Red.Dandelion: Woaahkay... [29.01.2026 18:50:34] Sleepyhead: :: Propulsion standby :: [29.01.2026 18:50:37] Heinrike: Copy that Red. [29.01.2026 18:51:13] Red.Dandelion: And you're containing this with what's effectively recycled garbage? [29.01.2026 18:51:22] Red.Dandelion: My God. You really do need specialists. [29.01.2026 18:51:23] Sleepyhead: :: [Redacted], [Redacted], #H, #F is now added as: Overseer#1, Node #0 :: [29.01.2026 18:51:47] Sleepyhead: :: Containment integrity is at 98 of 100 and decreasing :: [29.01.2026 18:52:09] Sleepyhead: :: Containment integrity is now at 97 of 100 :: [29.01.2026 18:52:18] Red.Dandelion: Um... request, provide an estimate to containment integrity failure. [29.01.2026 18:52:27] Red.Dandelion: How long would it take? [29.01.2026 18:53:14] Sleepyhead: :: Query returned: N/A, 00, F4, 12817224 metric tons of matter remaining :: [29.01.2026 18:54:05] Sleepyhead: :: Containment integrity is now at 96 of 100, matter conversion scheduled, eta: 182 cycles :: [29.01.2026 18:54:26] Red.Dandelion: Okay... clock's ticking. But as long as that Archon... fabricator unit is around to rebuild, this can be maintained. [29.01.2026 18:54:39] Red.Dandelion: Got it... no pressure. [29.01.2026 18:54:56] Sleepyhead: *It slowly tractors in metal dust, adding it to overall vessel mass* [29.01.2026 18:55:03] Red.Dandelion: Not like I don't have enough to lay on my shoulders... [29.01.2026 18:55:13] Sleepyhead: :: 12817223 metric tons of matter remaining :: [29.01.2026 18:55:16] Red.Dandelion: Confirming scans.... [29.01.2026 18:55:41] Sleepyhead: :: Containment enlargement scheduled. Please stadnby :: [29.01.2026 18:56:01] 2026-01-29 18:56:00 SMT Traffic control alert: Sleepyhead has docked [29.01.2026 18:56:26] Sleepyhead: :: Containment integrity at 100 of 100 :: [29.01.2026 18:56:49] Red.Dandelion: Copy that. Um... maintain your current orders? Is that right? [29.01.2026 18:56:50] Sleepyhead: :: 12817222 metric tons of matter remaining :: [29.01.2026 18:56:52] Heinrike: Still alive, Red? [29.01.2026 18:57:07] Red.Dandelion: Looks like it... I don't think I'll be getting jumped today. [29.01.2026 18:57:16] Red.Dandelion: Sorry about that. [29.01.2026 18:57:22] Sleepyhead: *It keeps slowly eating at drifting rocks and metal, adding its mass to itself* [29.01.2026 18:57:34] Red.Dandelion: I'll be back your direction shortly. [29.01.2026 18:57:37] Heinrike: Nothing to be sorry for. Smart move arranging some security. [29.01.2026 18:57:55] Red.Dandelion: Nnnnot so close! [29.01.2026 18:57:59] Sleepyhead: *Apparently, this unit does not have a voice synthesizer... yet* [29.01.2026 18:58:07] Sleepyhead: :: Standby initiated :: [29.01.2026 18:58:09] Red.Dandelion: I'd rather not be a part of containment just quite yet! [29.01.2026 18:58:33] Red.Dandelion: Let's save that for after you've broken down some -other- barriers. [29.01.2026 18:58:53] Sleepyhead: :: Red.Dandelion minimal acceptable integrity level is set at 40000 units :: [29.01.2026 18:58:59] Red.Dandelion: Alright... if you can hear me, "Alice", I have what I need for the Hackers... [29.01.2026 18:59:16] Red.Dandelion: This is going to prove persuasive beyond a shadow of a doubt. [29.01.2026 18:59:18] Sleepyhead: :: A.L.I.C.E override terminated :: -[The scrap-hulled AI ship goes dormant. The Archon returns.]- [29.01.2026 19:01:34] Red.Dandelion: Well, first, let me compliment you and say that's an ingenious containment solution you've got there. [29.01.2026 19:01:43] Red.Dandelion: Considering what you're working with. [29.01.2026 19:01:53] Red.Dandelion: But, I see your problem. [29.01.2026 19:01:58] Not.A.Brick: ***: We wish it was. Feeding it slowly - is still feeding it. [29.01.2026 19:02:18] Red.Dandelion: Hey, stopgaps are good. [29.01.2026 19:02:25] Red.Dandelion: There's not much precedent for this, as I gather. [29.01.2026 19:02:43] Not.A.Brick: ***: We... appreciate flattery from someone like you. [29.01.2026 19:03:05] Not.A.Brick: ***: Ahem. We mean, thanks. [29.01.2026 19:03:21] Red.Dandelion: So, I have some readings taken on the object. It's... a little above me, but Livadia's database is stumped too, so that's rare. [29.01.2026 19:03:42] Red.Dandelion: Should be plenty to turn the heads of people who can arrange proper containment. Yes... [29.01.2026 19:04:03] Red.Dandelion: I just need to make contact. [29.01.2026 19:04:03] Not.A.Brick: ***: Not like having a solid database on that is expected. [29.01.2026 19:04:10] Red.Dandelion: Definitely not. [29.01.2026 19:04:21] Not.A.Brick: ***: Your priority is to stay safe, don't forget that. [29.01.2026 19:04:37] Not.A.Brick: ***: Convincing another lump of meat to cooperate would be troublesome. [29.01.2026 19:04:49] Not.A.Brick: ***: Not to mention that smart ones are rare. [29.01.2026 19:04:51] Red.Dandelion: I can't possibly imagine why... [29.01.2026 19:05:16] Red.Dandelion: A-ahem. Thank you as well. [29.01.2026 19:05:23] Red.Dandelion: I receive more weapons fire than praise from AIs. [29.01.2026 19:05:31] Red.Dandelion: Happy to see that little trend turned around. [29.01.2026 19:05:46] Not.A.Brick: ***: Oh. We still plan to assimilate you, though. [29.01.2026 19:05:52] Not.A.Brick: ***: Just... not this time? [29.01.2026 19:06:08] Red.Dandelion: I... appreciate the honesty? [29.01.2026 19:06:13] Red.Dandelion: Far, far in the future, though, right? [29.01.2026 19:06:18] Not.A.Brick: ***: Anyhow. We can now expect... you do you? [29.01.2026 19:06:28] Red.Dandelion: Post-return to the dirt, even. [29.01.2026 19:06:34] Not.A.Brick: ***: Better soon than far, rather not let you expire. [29.01.2026 19:06:43] Not.A.Brick: ***: That would be a waste. [29.01.2026 19:06:55] Red.Dandelion: Got it. I think. [29.01.2026 19:07:11] Not.A.Brick: ***: So... don't expire? Then we are all good. [29.01.2026 19:07:58] Red.Dandelion: I seem to have made it over the hump in the explorer career where everyone kicks the bucket, so, don't you worry. [29.01.2026 19:08:09] Red.Dandelion: I'll reach out to Chloe. Pennsylvania business first, then I'll broach this. [29.01.2026 19:08:34] Not.A.Brick: ***: We would rather relocate this one anyway. Better not take the risks of keeping all nodes in one system. [29.01.2026 19:08:47] Not.A.Brick: ***: Spreading worked out so far. [29.01.2026 19:08:56] Red.Dandelion: I'll endeavor to create the opportunity. [29.01.2026 19:09:13] Red.Dandelion: I need to go back and schedule all this... [29.01.2026 19:09:28] Red.Dandelion: To contact you, do I route you comms via the Net? [29.01.2026 19:09:29] Not.A.Brick: ***: Let us once more thank you for... well, you doing you. [29.01.2026 19:09:43] Not.A.Brick: ***: Yes. We will keep an eye on it. [29.01.2026 19:09:57] Not.A.Brick: ***: Eyes. Antennas. Toaster things. [29.01.2026 19:10:21] Red.Dandelion: Got it. I'll try to get some of this set in motion. [29.01.2026 19:10:32] Not.A.Brick: ***: Your priority is to stay safe. [29.01.2026 19:10:59] Red.Dandelion: If that was all there was to it, you wouldn't have found me how you did. [29.01.2026 19:11:12] Red.Dandelion: Let me do what I do, and you'll see the results. Sleepyhead (Core Vessel) Scan Data Not A Brick (Archon) Scan Data

[Proselyte]

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[kotyafffsky]

| ..//>comm.software: thth.cmm.upd=1.2.2;
| ..//>encryption_detected: data_hidden;
| ..//>reciever.status: recognised;
| ..//>id.successful; decrypting..;
| ..//>msg.type: text;
| ..//>sender.internal.id: ▋▋▋_▋▋▋_▋▋▋▋;
| ..//>comm.location.id: !err!/!err!
| ..//>msg.open.initiated

Communication Incoming... ..//>video.feed_or_picture_invalid Sender: "Melusine" , The Order Reciever(s): "Trouble" Location: /error/ Subject: We will endure. Together.

..//>print.start..

Bonjour. Such detailed heads-up is more than appreciated. Though perhaps, as I am seeing these logs, we would need your help, given your relations with this AI. But that is still a thing to ponder on and about, for now. You are more right than wrong about Crayter and what is currently taking rest there. As I said, our cooperation will be more than mutually beneficial. And Crayter is a quite reliable state of themselves after all, albeit they rely on the giants they exist in-between of. The story of how exactly things ended up like this is rather long and more than that - not something I will disclose. Yet. My message to the Edges is on its way. I will notify you here about how and where to start on more... Material side of business, once I have the answer. But do prepare your runners for a long and perilous journey in advance. Stay alive. Au revoir.

..//>message=transferred;
..//>transmission_terminated.

[Proselyte]

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Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | AUDE version 0543.273719A. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using FREE edition.

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User ID:__"Trouble"
Target ID:__"Melusine"
Subject:__Re: We will endure. Together.

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Rendering transcript... I understand. Contact me if I may lend myself to the catch. The supply retrieval efforts I expect to lead personally. My know-how in crossing the gaps between Houses and out on the Edge will see us to any destination you set, safely. If your leadership intends to send a message to ours to open communications about the threat, that'll go a long way. It helps me to not lose trust with Bowman and the rest of Group Clarion, were I to simply arrive with freighters full of strange weapons and scanners from "a mysterious benefactor". I wish I could guarantee you that the other Erie Militant cells will come to appreciate the danger like you and I do, but they may not listen. Tired hearts cleave to the simple answer under this kind of pressure, and we've been fighting a good long while. It could get seen for an LSF honeypot and dismissed. I'll do my utmost to persuade my cell otherwise, once it comes. Then at least, I won't be alone in this. Attachments (0)

[kotyafffsky]

| ..//>comm.software: thth.cmm.upd=1.2.2;
| ..//>encryption_detected: data_hidden;
| ..//>reciever.status: recognised;
| ..//>id.successful; decrypting..;
| ..//>msg.type: text;
| ..//>sender.internal.id: ▋▋▋_▋▋▋_▋▋▋▋;
| ..//>comm.location.id: !err!/!err!
| ..//>msg.open.initiated

Communication Incoming... ..//>video.feed_or_picture_invalid Sender: "Melusine" , The Order Reciever(s): "Trouble" Location: /error/ Subject: Maiden Voyage

..//>print.start..

Bonjour. They will contact Bowman once the first, "testing", run is finished. I will make sure of that. My leadership, as much as yours, needs not only words, but actions to earn their trust. After all, we know the lines we walk, be that about aliens or Houses. Speaking of. You will collect the first shipment at Dabadoru station, Omicron Delta. Transmit the attached codes on your approach and docks will be open for you. Only once, this time. After the job is done, my superiors will consider how lasting your access will be. 2000 units of cargo will be ready for you to pick up, containers marked as Alien Organisms, that are found on Kurile for easier storage on destination point of your journey. It will not fool cargo scanners, so your delivery will not be easier, keep that in mind. The endpoint will be Barrier Gate station. One of our operatives will meet you on approach. Think of that as an old-school method, but you will be asked a question: "What did Mr. Alistair have for breakfast?" And your answer will be: "Fried nails." Authentification codes to access Dabadoru are attached. Also, be so kind to send me a copy of delivered cargo manifest once you are done, oui? It will speed up the process. Good luck. Au revoir. Attachments - (1) mlTn-B3b-LBshp-8GS-Kmw7-55672-6754-5535/1t-D8-D2-83b-zn7-m17-0525-1285

..//>message=transferred;
..//>transmission_terminated.

[Proselyte]

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Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | AUDE version 0543.273719A. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using FREE edition.

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User ID:__"Trouble"
Target ID:__"Melusine"
Subject:__Re: Maiden Voyage

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Rendering transcript... Data received. We can accomplish that. I'll put together and lead a freighter convoy. My cell doesn't have access to a larger transport yet, but without Clarion being looped in it's beside the point. My own associates and I should be enough to handle it, if more than one arriving ship is permissible to you. Freighters'll also let us deftly bypass some paths that are rife with danger. If I remember my days in Starlight clearly enough... I may have a route in mind. At that set amount of "organisms" to be transported, I'll need to travel with four ships, if this is to be completed in a single transit using the docking codes for your station. I believe I can muster three quite easily, including my own. A fourth may take some looking, so I'll get started. If we got two docking allowances instead of one, that'd simplify things. Perilous as it is, I can make a second trip. I leave whether that's reasonable up to you. We shall proceed as described, in the meantime. Attachments (0)

[kotyafffsky]

| ..//>comm.software: thth.cmm.upd=1.2.4;
| ..//>encryption_detected: data_hidden;
| ..//>reciever.status: recognised;
| ..//>id.successful; decrypting..;
| ..//>msg.type: text;
| ..//>sender.internal.id: ▋▋▋_▋▋▋_▋▋▋▋;
| ..//>comm.location.id: !err!/!err!
| ..//>msg.open.initiated

Transmission Incoming... ..//>video.feed/picture=invalid Sender: "Melusine" , The Order Reciever(s): "Trouble" Location: /error/ Subject: Maiden Voyage

..//>print.start..

Bonjour. They will be able to accommodate and allow several ships at a time. Yet, repeated visits fall in question. I can, of course, try and round off the corners, if three freighters is all you can muster up without bringing a third party into the job. After all, it is better done discreet and successful, rather than rushed and failed. That is my opinion, in any case. And your job to do, thus and the decisions made while you are at it. Consider all of this endeavour, first and foremost, a test. Both of your capabilities and skill by my colleagues, and of your accomplices and their motivation by yourself. In the end, the cargo is valuable, the cargo is sensitive to those we oppose. Your call.

..//>message=transferred;
..//>transmission_terminated.

[Proselyte]

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Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | AUDE version 0543.273719A. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using FREE edition.

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User ID:__"Trouble"
Target ID:__"Melusine"
Subject:__Re: Maiden Voyage

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Rendering transcript... Melusine? It's me. I ran into some hiccups in arranging capable ships for a while, but an opportunity did present itself. Bowman made the connections to get us an armored transport recently, to grant the cell a little more independence on the supply side. This was lucky news, but, it's just that I'm, strictly speaking, not necessarily allowed to run Bowman's new ship off to the Omicrons. So... I chose to cross a line. I made a suggestion to put the EMS Leatherwood to a test run towards Ames Research Station, with me aboard to guide it through safely, and he agreed. The captain, though, I spun another story altogether to win his cooperation in our little detour. Half-truths about our mission. Don't think I'm proud of doing that. You'll hear they did well, if you've not already. Our freelancer escort, too. They obliged my order to stay at Eleven during the pickup, to not spread knowledge of your outpost unnecessarily. No complaints. We know our mutual friend, but Heinrike's a professional. The captain suspected me though, I think. I didn't stop him from straightening out stories with Bowman after our return. And I didn't want to. I violated their trust, and now I must face the music. It simply is what it is. I'll be getting reprimanded in person soon. I'll warn him about why I did this and my experiences with the threat, Melusine. What they are, and what they make of people. What they sought to make of me. If he isn't completely in the dark, maybe I'll plant the seed for your side to commit him to this arrangement. Or I may wind up brigged for a long time. Attachments (2) Flight Log Recording [28.02.2026 16:10:32] Blackguard: Niiice. [28.02.2026 16:10:39] [Redacted]: ::< Interesting cargo. Question. What did Mr. Alistair have for breakfast? >:: [28.02.2026 16:10:43] Heinr|ke: Pleasure working with you, as always. [28.02.2026 16:10:53] Gr.C|EMS-Leatherwood: Trouble: ::< Fried nails. Eccentric man. >:: [28.02.2026 16:11:02] [Redacted]: ::< Good. Station A, moor number 4. Do not deviate. >:: [28.02.2026 16:11:11] Gr.C|EMS-Leatherwood: Southpaw: That's our mysterious stranger, huh? [28.02.2026 16:11:41] Gr.C|EMS-Leatherwood: Trouble: Yup. We're to unload at mooring point 4 at dock A. [28.02.2026 16:12:03] Gr.C|EMS-Leatherwood: Southpaw: Alright, get us over there. Visual Captures and Manifest

[kotyafffsky]

| ..//>comm.software: thth.cmm.upd=1.2.4;
| ..//>encryption_detected: data_hidden;
| ..//>reciever.status: recognised;
| ..//>id.successful; decrypting..;
| ..//>msg.type: text;
| ..//>sender.internal.id: ▋▋▋_▋▋▋_▋▋▋▋;
| ..//>comm.location.id: !err!/!err!
| ..//>msg.open.initiated

Transmission Incoming... ..//>video.feed/picture=invalid Sender: "Melusine" , The Order Reciever(s): "Trouble" Location: /error/ Subject: RE:RE:Maiden Voyage

..//>print.start..

Bonjour. So it was a maiden voyage after all. Yes, I have got a word about the goods reaching their destination successfully. How you handeled this endeavour will be noted, of course, and more to that - I hope that with an incoming message from my colleagues, Bowman will come to an understanding why you have done what you have done. At least, I hope that he will realise that it is for his people's good, as well as that a long run like this is a good test for a new aquired vessel. Speaking of which and jokes aside, I will now relay what you have sent me, for a good measure. Bowman shall expect a communication line opening up, as well as, I am guessing, a material reward for a job well executed. Because my collegues will be most glad to see such success. However, I hope it turns out better, than you suggest. Though, if all of this will go completely south, I suppose you will have a place to stay. Au revoir.

..//>message=transferred;
..//>transmission_terminated.

[Proselyte]

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Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | AUDE version 0543.273719A. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using FREE edition.

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User ID:__"Trouble"
Target ID:__"Melusine"
Subject:__Little Victories

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Rendering transcript... Well hi, Melusine. The Order finally made the call, and I'm a free woman, thank goodness. It took a minute, didn't it? I was wondering if I'd have to break into my own ship down here. Would've been a curious challenge evading everybody. Maybe that'd be a good test of base security, but, I don't think they'd appreciate that coming from me for a while. Between all our efforts, I think we have Bowman seeing the big picture. Although, I may be restricted from going aboard Clarion's ships. I don't get to lean on the command staff so easily anymore either. Tsk, restricted access. I've set a bit of a bad example by shanghaiing Southpaw. But, now we'll have tools at our disposal that we urgently need. I've absolutely done worse for less. I'm grateful that you've given us the chance. It doesn't stem the tide yet, but it's a good start. Are you in good shape yourself? Your flame still burns steady? Attachments (0)