In reply to Batallion (msg # 45):

Flux rolls on the floor in agony, shifting between multiple tones, voices, personalities, and shrieks of terror as the video circulates.

OOC- He's going to be incoherent until the feedback loop stops, and his personality resets.

In reply to Flux (msg # 46):

Well, that solves that then doesn't it?  Time to go through his pockets for loose change.

Battalion looks to Xander and Rebecca, but doesn't take one step toward Flux.

This is all very amusing Captain, nice trick with the dupe by the way, you had me fooled and that's saying something, but what's the point in all this?

By this time, Battalion is standing just beside the exit, ready to sprint out the door if need be.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 47):

Rebecca's tear filled eyes are open wide in horror.  She has said nothing but a few incoherent squeaks.  She is now curled up in the chair holding Percy infront of her like a shield.

The doll is much larger than you remember it and she is capable of fully curling up behind it.

Xander starts visibly in shock as the second Captain Blaise enters, and he after a moment of stunned astonishment, deliberately gets up, walks over to the keg, fills his glass, drains it, then fills it again.

He then slumps back in his seat, rubbing his temples.

The whole situation must be odd, because Xander couldn't even.

In reply to Xander (msg # 49):

Both Xander and the captains responses seem to soothe Rebecca a bit and the doll shrinks back to... somewhat normal size.  She sets the doll down next Flux, suddenly becomes very still and somewhat incorporeal.

[Phasing 80 Yellow]

Suddenly all of you hear her voice ringing inside of your heads.

How many personalities are in there Flux?

She watches him and counts as best she can the shifting dialects voices and attitudes.

In reply to Xander (msg # 49):

"Several of you have asked who you're working for, in the grand scheme of things," the Captain says, utterly ignoring the writhing Flux on the ground. "And now, I suppose you might as well know the truth."

His guards do nothing to indicate they're about to shoot anyone, which should ease the tension a tiny, tiny bit.

"My name is Captain Blaise, and that's the truth. His name..." and here he nods toward the corpse across the room. "... is largely irrelevant."

His voice sounds different from what you're used to. Deeper, and more authoritative.

"The Mastodon is, on its surface, part of the Interplanetary Defense Agency. IDA tags, registration, the works. But in reality, it is but one of many such ships that have been suborned for a greater purpose."

He smiles slightly.

"Evolution."

Captain Blaise pauses for a moment before continuing.

"It's not what you're thinking. Darwin's had his day, and our geneticists and cybernetics have already brought his work to the next level. We even have psychics and mentalists now. Don't we, Rebecca?"

His smiles seems genuine, but it soon fades back into his businesslike demeanor.

"Evolution has already happened on an individual scale and, in some parts, on a social scale. But the time has come for humanity to leave its small corner of the universe and venture forth among the stars to find, trade with, conquer, and otherwise become involved with the pan-galactic community that must certainly exist beyond our reach."

"The secrets we've unlocked from the S.A.G.E. facility are far from the first pieces of technology we've stolen. There's also all of you."

He turns to each.

"Rebecca, you have the ability to communicate with any organic, sentient being, regardless of their species or dialect or absence of vocal chords. You're also inquisitive, intelligent, and direct. Excellent and enviable traits, all."

"Xander, you have the ability to communicate with any inorganic thing, sentient or otherwise. You're also one of the best pilots I've seen in a very long time."

"J.J., you have the ability to scout out hostile environments, testing foreign atmospheric conditions and the dispositions of aliens without physically putting yourself in danger. You're also able to get into places where you aren't supposed to be, and get out of places that displease you."

"Flux's assets are locked within his genetic code, and will take some time to decipher fully. He's a walking repository packed with the genetic potential of thousands upon thousands of mutated strains of human DNA. It's the culmination of a decades-long survival-of-the-fittest breeding program on Deimos -- that's part of what you see in the video."

"Flux also has access to high-level ARES information and infrastructure, which is what we'll need moving forward."

The captain pushes a few buttons, and the holotable shows the various schemata that have been recovered. A smaller screen hovers in front of Flux, keeping his feedback loop in place for the time being.

"Most of the shortcomings in these designs involve a lack of structural stability and a lack of power. We can solve the power issue through certain... creative measures. But the stability issue will require new, exotic materials forged from elements that have not yet been discovered."

He taps the ARES logo that's hovering above the table.

"As far as you know. ARES has, in fact, been mining an ultradense mineral from its Martian mines for years, stockpiling it in secret while trying to figure out how to best put it to profitable use."

"Which brings us to our next mission: We're going to visit an ARES mineral warehouse and... acquire, let's say... an appropriate amount of this mineral in order to build working prototypes of these S.A.G.E. designs. Once we're equipped with the appropriate propulsion and shielding systems, you'll be free to join us on our grand ambition -- or to return to your normal lives with pockets filled with hard currency."

"Think it over. If this doesn't interest you in the least, I'll be happy to drop you off on Earth when we arrive next month. How you elude the authorities seeking you at that point is up to you."

The Captain pushes another button, which wipes the table of all holograms. His guards walk over to the body of the double and drag it out, leaving the group alone with the Captain.

He then walks over to the same spot the double had been standing in, and pushes another button to end Flux's feedback loop.

"Flux?" He says, his voice gentle and concerned. "Flux, are you ok? You were having some sort of a migraine or panic attack."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:31, Thu 20 Nov 2014.

In reply to Captain Blaise (msg # 51):

Appreciating, as I do, the fact that you've got me on camera breaking stealing and entering, I don't see as I have much of a choice but to help.

That being said, being the first explorer to find aliens?  I can deal with that kind of press.

Being the first to talk with aliens also means being the first impression...

Battalion stays beside the door, however, keeping his attention on Blaise and Flux.

The chance to work with potentially alien technology and undiscovered materials to engineer the technology to let humankind sail the stars? And then the opportunity to pilot those things?!

Xander grins from ear to ear. There's no place I'd rather be.

Nothing left for me on good old Earth anyhow...
This message was last edited by the player at 16:18, Thu 20 Nov 2014.

In reply to Xander (msg # 53):

You're right. Must have been a headache. I ..I dddddon't remember anything.

Flux regains his composure and footing, pulling himself off the floor and straightening his clothes. All seems well until he spots the pureed head of the prior Captain Blaise on the floor.

Is..IS THAT A DEAD BODY?!?! WHAT'S THAT DOING HERE?! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN! WHY ARE YOU ALL SO CALM WHEN WE'RE SITTING IN A ROOM WITH A HEADLESS CORPSE!

Flux begins panting and hyperventilating, finally bringing his hands to cover his eyes.

AND WHY IS THERE BLOOD ON MY HANDS?! OH MY GOD, DID I DO THIS?! No..No I couldn't have.. ww..wwouldn't have. ...Would I?

In reply to Flux (msg # 54):

That's my cue.

Battalion backs out through the door and retreats hastily toward his quarters.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 55):

"Shhh, now, it'll all be ok," the Captain says. "Let's just go get you cleaned up, shall we? Cpl. Martin and PFC Henderson will assist you."

He nods to the guards, who escort Flux to the cleaning chamber and stand outside of it until he reemerges, at which point they escort him back.

"Any other questions?"

In reply to Captain Blaise (msg # 56):

yes.

In reply to Captain Blaise (msg # 56):

Ooo..ok. Cpl Martin is it? Damn baby, you looking good. Have you ever made love in zero gravity?

If you play your cards right and help me wash this blood off..

It feels like there's something they aren't telling me, and that I can't seem to remember. But who can think with 3/4 of a wormhole pressing against their suit?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:36, Fri 21 Nov 2014.

In reply to Flux (msg # 58):

She looks at Flux as she phases back to a normal girl.

I think I may have liked you better when you were being a jerk.  I'll get to you in a minute.

She sighs heavily.

OK...

So I'm trying to get this straight.  Flux was born in one of the campments in the video.  Some kind of attempt at artificial or accelerated evolution of humans.  I got that, are these 'shifts in personality' are actually genetic changes?  What is the goal for this program?  Are the blocks and feedback loops in his brain part of this Program or is the control from something else?  Is there a default persona?  Is the only way to flip him to show him a video like this?

If he does have this kind of block around the Ares corporation then how will he be able to help us with our mission there?


She looks back to the new Flux

And you.  When you switched persona last time you remembered everything, it was just a subtle shift in the way you interacted.  I almost did not notice.  The last two have been... striking.

What is the last thing you remember?  Do you know where you are?  Why you are here? 

In reply to Rebecca Taylor (msg # 59):

Damn little one. Slow down.

What do you mean the "last two shifts?" Flux has always been Flux. Man of the people- especially the ladies.

The last thing I remember is pulling myself off the floor, seeing you, Batallion, Xander, Captain Blaise, the irrevocably distracting Cpl Martin, and whoever the other armored drone is, a pile of pureed person, and a bunch of blood on my hands.

Now I'm thinking about ending this Interstellar Spanish Inquisition, taking a vibe shower to wash all this mysterious blood off, and seeing if I can entice the Cpl to help make sure I get all the nooks and crannies clean.

I'd also appreciate if you'd stop speaking about me as though I'm not here. Flux is right here baby. You do have eyes in that creepy little face, don't you?

In reply to Flux (msg # 60):

In response to Flux's question she shakes her hair away from her face to reveal wide pink eyes... after a few seconds you decide she does not blink nearly enough, your eyes begin to water on her behalf.

Of course I do, however, given your current retrograde amnesia I cannot rely upon you for data.

She softens for a moment.

Before you go and take a shower tell me what you remember before waking up with the blood on your hands.  This is important. 

In reply to Rebecca Taylor (msg # 61):

Back in his quarters, Battalion reclines heavily in his bunk and sends some dupes to turn on the holo-vid, get him a beer and guard the door.

Wonder if I'm missing anything interesting...

Battalion cracks open the beer while waning starlet Anna Kendrick-Hilton-Smith-West-Kardashian complains on camera about poor people being haters.

Nope...
This message was last edited by the player at 16:55, Fri 21 Nov 2014.

In reply to Rebecca Taylor (msg # 61):

I remember Captain Blaise calling a meeting. I remember sitting at a table with the 3 of you. I remember discussing the information we'd gained from the mission, and then, blank.

Totally blank. Hurts to think about. Don't want to think about it. Can't we discuss later?

Cpl Martin and I have some critical logistics to discuss.

Xander frowns at Flux. Are you sure you're alright, Flux? You're complexion is off. You look...rather green. Super green, in fact.

In reply to Xander (msg # 64):

Green?! GREEN! First you try to tell me that I'm a different person, and now you're trying to convince me the color of my skin has changed.

Real mature Xander. When you grow up and are ready to talk, I'll be here. In the interim, Cpl Martin and I have a shower to see to.

Flux escorts Cpl Martin to the showers.

In reply to Flux (msg # 65):

Should we send someone to protect cpl. Martin?

In reply to Rebecca Taylor (msg # 66):

A lube gourd wouldn't go unappreciated.

In reply to Flux (msg # 67):

*mystified completely nonunderstanding look*

In reply to Rebecca Taylor (msg # 68):

The two guards escort the raving lunatic claiming to be Flux to the showers, where events happen that defy description. Suffice it to say, gentle readers, that of the people who matter, a good time was had by all.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 69):

"He'll be back soon, so listen quickly: We need a way to trigger his condition more reliably than how we're currently doing it. Talk to the tech team, use the video, analyze his fears, do whatever it takes, but ideally we'd have him on a sort of transmission dial where 1 = Personality A, 2 = Personality B, etc., which we can toggle as needed. And maybe, just maybe, we can find one that isn't psychotic and keep him there."

He sighs.

"Any thoughts? We have a month 'til Earth, and then another 9 months to the Martian orbit... maybe fewer if we can install the stolen WASP drives when we dock on Earth."