( MEMES ) TEST DRIVE >> 003.

[contagio]

THE TEST DRIVE




Like it or not, you've been dragged from your world into the sanctum. It's a pretty nice city, all things considered--sci-fi, high-tech, glamourous.... Except, of course, for the giant dome encircling it, and the threat of glitching, contaminated zombies at your door. Looks like humanity's built itself a fortress that looks suspiciously like a cage, too.

The object of this meme is to get people familiar with the world of the Sanctum, and to try to see if their characters would fit in a sci-fi utopia such as this. Here are your options:

1. Intro: Waking Up. Make your intro post, folks. You wake up in a strange place, and get a strange transmission to go with it. What are you going to do?

2. Failed Upgrade. One of your upgrades is more wrong than right. How will you cope? What exactly is different? Who will help?

3. Mission outside the dome. You've come under fire. The strange things are coming towards you. Luckily, you have your suit, your teammates, and a lot of firepower. Or are you stranded on your own, looking for someone to come to the rescue? Perhaps you're the rescuer.

4.Infected Something bit you. Now you're turning into them, and all you can hear is a high-pitched squealing in your head, like a frequency you just can't quite hear. Do you tell your loved ones, or do you wait? Do you trust your doctor?

5. Military training Everyone's got to start somewhere. You're training the green folks, maybe you're one of the newcomers yourself. Maybe you haven't even touched a gun before in your life. Either way, you'd better start now.

6. Chance encounter makin' my way downtown walking fast, faces pass--you get the point. You bump into someone! Shopping, or strolling in a park? Maybe just lunch in a cafe?

7. Glory to the Network! Network post. Text with general queries, say what you have to say to the entirety of the whole city.

8. Wildcard: Whatever you want. Mix and match, switch and swatch, make something else up entirely!

Comments

[alaspooryork]

York, I strongly recommend you disengage. I believe I recognize this voice as Omega.

audio

[alaspooryork]

[Oh, Church. He may not be using video, but Delta is smiling a little at that. Some things never change.]

There are many restaurants within the city. If you have recently awakened, you will be near the Hub. Is there a particular variety of food you would like to consume? I will send a map to your glasses.

[originalcopy]

Why not waterballoon then?

[He arched an eyebrow, then shrugged dismissively back.]

Most people haven't had to walk a hundred klicks.

[originalcopy]

Hey, I didn't touch shit this time. Other than the fact that this isn't my fault, I don't have a fucking clue.

[He's pretty sure it's not his fault, like 96.4% sure. Maybe 95%.]

Yeah, I'm fine. [this place gives him the creeps] You?

[just_monitoring]

[He grins at Church,] Silly; waterbaloons don't have an internal structural system.

Being army, I wouldn't doubt it. I haven't had to walk that much and I can already tell it's boring.

[He puts extra emphasis on the last word, because seriously, nothing sounds more tedious than that much walking for any reason.]

[mybadside]

Delta? Well, now this is a surprise.

[Since last he heard Wyoming had killed York and presumably you as well.]

[alaspooryork]

[Anger isn't really a part of who Delta is, and yet there's something distinctly aggressive about his tone as he responds.]

I have far more resources in this city than you, Omega. Do not attempt to threaten us.

[just_monitoring]

[BB couldn't care less about Tucker's personal problems, but that comment about punching AIs makes him regard the feed with a hurt expression.]

Now whatever did an AI do to you to deserve such awful behavior?

[motherfucking_ghost]

Nearly! Nearly eaten is the key word there. Maybe they can't chew through armor?

And I'm pretty sure the reason we're here is because some kind of force in the universe hates us. Specifically us. Like either we did some unforgivable shit in another life [oh Church] or we're just the hackysack for everyone else's bullshit.

[mybadside]

If you want to hold a grudge.

Just remember... if you attack me, it isn't you I'll take my vengeance out on. It'll be your friends.

I'll make them suffer and put it up on here for you to enjoy.

[babyaliendaddy]

Oh man, you do not even know. I had some mad crazy AI take over some Freelancer's brain, and they always DO! and try to kill me, all my goddamned friends, and kidnap my kid. Multiple. Times. And then the ones that are actually my friends? Keep fucking leaving me.

AIs! Who the fuck thought that was a good idea!?

[babyaliendaddy]

Yeah, I kinda do.

[And now, get all of Tucker's disbelieving snort.]

With what, meatbag?

[just_monitoring]

[BB harrumphs and crosses his arms.]

Sounds like you've just been hanging out with the wrong kind of AIs, either that or you did something to provoke them. I can assure you we are the best idea and are very devoted to keeping you lot out of trouble you're so capable of putting yourselves into.

[Not that he's biased or anything.]

[bothbarrels]

[ That's an all-too-familiar voice. North is stunned for a moment, wiping a hand across his face, but then he opens a channel to respond. ]

Sis?

[babyaliendaddy]

You and I better fucking hope they can't, dude.

...Yeah. Something fucking hates us. [Eying. Church.] Well I didn't do anything fucked up in my last life. Just saying.

[petitions]

[In her mind she's just talked to him recently, so hearing him now wasn't exactly surprising. In fact she doesn't even bother trying to hide the annoyance in her voice.]

You have any idea what's going on, brother? Care to fill me in?

[babyaliendaddy]

I have never fucking provoked a goddamned AI in my life! ...without reason, anyways. And they're always provoking me first.

[Blink, blink.] Wait, you're an AI?

[just_monitoring]

[BB doesn't look convinced.]

Yes, or at the very least, I was before being so rudely woken up here. Black-Box, UNSC service number BBX 8995-1, I would say at your service but I'm not keen on having your fist in my face.

[mybadside]

Who the hell are you?

[His lips draw back in a sneering, almost feral grin. BB's demeanor is an immediate cause for suspicion.]

Sometimes the best way to show you mean business is to make a mess. You can't ignore the knife at your throat.

[just_monitoring]

[Oh, that sneer is a little disconcerting, and he's finding disconcerting things a little more-so considering he's in a squishy, easily stabable meatsack. He tries not to let that show through as he answers, but his expression is defnitely a little on the concerned side.]

UNSC AI Black-Box, or BB if you prefer. And you are ... ?

[mybadside]

Are you going to kill me? Hold a gun to my head and look me in the eye before pulling the trigger. Watch as my brains splatter all over the wall.

Could you do it?

[There's that laugh again, dark rolling laughter of pure malice.]

I know killers and I know you... and you're no killer.


But I am.

[mybadside]

Delta, you wound me... why would I threaten you?

[Patience isn't exactly one of his virtues, but it's something he's developed over time. Plus, he knows better than to lie to you.]

Besides, I'm hardly in any position to follow through as I'm sure you're aware.

[mybadside]

[low frustrated growl]

I'll just have to get creative.

[mybadside]

UNSC Project Freelancer AI, designation Omega. But my name is O'Malley.

[His expression relaxes into something more neutral, but he notes that hint of concern. Good, the other AI should be concerned.]

[originalcopy]

Ugh... such bullshit. Timeline drama is the last thing I need added to the rest of what's going on.

[grumble]

So, you're going to punch an AI in the face huh? Might be tough given that whole hologram thing.