Teranovae smiled at hearing Victor's voice ~ always sent a calm certainty through her, <Hello Victor, sorry I missed you at the market... but it was far more crowed then I expected ~ you may have been there but I could not spot you in the crowd.  I'd hoped my own vibrant apparel would draw your attention.  I have been roaming the markets hoping to catch your sight but purchased some 'goods' and spoke with people trying to get a 'feel' for the city... there is much work to do here.  Did you meet with Gyarados Skullfucker and what did she want?>

"Your mother sounds like a smart lady," the dealer quips, wondering where this emerald curiosity is going with this. He doesn't have to wait long. His eyes follow Teranova's plunging neckline, lingering for a moment, until the words being spoken start to become much more intriguing. He regards her thoughtfully, clearly trying to decide whether he is offended or outrageously turned on.

One of his guards puts a hand between the two and separates them, shoving Teranovae perhaps a little more forcefully than is tactful. "That's more than close enough, ma'am," the sternfaced security-man declares.

"You've got bigger balls than some of my men," the dealer says with a coy expression. "Alright, we'll discuss your proposal tonight. I'll be waiting, beautiful." He waves her away to focus on another customer who'd been impatiently waiting his turn nearby.

Teranovae asks around and finds a suitable holster for her new hand cannon; a sheath  for the machete is harder, but a simple belt-loop to hold it is easy. It is sometime during the search that her commlink finally buzzes.

---

Rydia looks at her wrist. "I don't think I'm that delicate just yet," she mutters. She clearly believes Amanda is up to something, but can't quite figure out what it might be. She opens her mouth to ask... but something gives her pause. Maybe she doesn't want to know. Maybe Amanda's pushing the right obedience buttons.

"Who is this Wonderful individual?" she asks with a slight grin. The double meaning in the phrase was plain to see; the term wonder has been loaded ever since the advent of real-world superheroes, although it was rare to still see it used in a seemingly positive context.

---

"Ay, there's ah good 'oung man," Ol' Pete says. "Yeh be careful now, t'mob don't be'liev'in' nonlethal s'curity, eh? Heh heh heh." The man flops backward on his couch, spreads his arms, and immediately begins snoring.

Victor shook his head no. <I haven't met with the leader of the Pit, because I know what she will do or say if I come at her as I am now. I've been trying to make inroads with the population as I am, to get them to fight for themselves. Also, I've been setting up the right to set up here and be seen as useful by the locals even when we aren't in go mode. So, um... no, I haven't been around the market yet. Is something going on there?>

Teranovae ponders Victor's words carefully, <"Are you so certain, of how she would react?  You have never meet her to prejudge could be a mistake.  I understand trying to appeal to the non-wonder people as such, but they might just as easily question why should ~ Normal You be any more capable than they are of improving things for the better here in the Pitt?  My public face is Teranovae, my secret id is only for MOTHER'S benefit ~ had I my choice I'd never return to her barrier cities; but it is a source of intel and resources that we should use to our benefit.  I'm just saying the people need hope, and Wonders are known to have power beyond what normal people have access to.  We need to show them by not hiding that we are Not what MOTHER accuses us of, plus how can we expect them to stand up and defy MOTHER openly if we ourselves do not stand forth and do so Equally Openly ~ We with the power to defy MOTHER? I'm not saying your approach is wrong... I just want you to ponder the power of symbols to inspire courage.">

She ponders the prospect of setting up a base of operations in The Pitt, <"That's a great idea!  Just let me know where it will be ... I'm sure Neo and I can reform it into a comfortable and fortified secure Headquarters!">

She continues, <"I have set up for a  'meeting' over drinks this evening with one of the local arms dealers to the purpose of gaining access to a supply of weaponry and perhaps mercenaries for any resistance we might set up.  Since with my power wealth is not really an issue we can easily make it well worth their while at least for the purposes of starting a fledgling Resistance.  I'd like your presence if your willing to make our intention clear.">

This message was last edited by the player at 10:07, Fri 24 Dec 2021.

Amanda looks perplexed but concluded there probably wasn't an immediate mental landmine, which made things much more straight forward. "Well, yes, you may have seen who I'm talking about in the market. If we can talk about it plainly now that makes consent way clearer. If there's physical brain trauma or an implant she could probably fix you. I'm worried you might trigger a panic thing if presented with someone like that, Mother's insidious like that. I'm exceptionally strong so if Mother's modifications are going to keep you from getting help I could agree of force you if you want. And don't feel you have to, maybe we don't invite you to the secret club house to discuss fireworks unless we try to fix your brain, but if you just want to lay low there's no shame in it." She sounded neutral and friendly, she wasn't going to judge someone for not wanting to tangle with powerhouses, but she figured she'd offer.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 07:06, Fri 24 Dec 2021.

"Is it the woman who looks like she took a tumble into a vat of green hair dye?" Rydia quips. "I think the whole town's seen her."

Rydia lets Amanda finish without further interruptions. She thinks quietly to herself for a moment. "You might be right, if I thought you could actually get this thing out of my head without lobotomizing me maybe I would have some kind of episode. You're not going to lobotomize me or blow my head up or anything like that right?"

<I don't want these people to follow me. I want them to fight for themselves. That's the goal. Make sure they have something worth fighting for other than some shed in a waste. Any hope that comes from us has to be capable of lasting without us once we move on. And right now, we've learned of something better than faithless mercenaries and arms dealers. There's likely an old world hospital buried under here with working tech. Well, sort of working. It works enough, if the lecherous old bastard was even half telling the truth.>

He sighed. <And I have an idea of what someone who calls themselves Skullfucker unironically is going to be like. If I were willing to bet on it, I'd bet the only reason they are in charge of a settlement of this size is because they can check their various impulses for more than yolo and make an actual plan, unlike these buzzards that they call soldiers around here.>

<So, find your way to the Leans if this sounds good. Look for the structure that doesn't look like total crap. One of them is probably us. We'll knock out this meeting with the dealers tonight, to whatever end, and then check out if this hospital is real.>

"She does like green." She offered with no particular feeling but the next second seemed to give her a bit of pause, Amanda skated the awkward line between thinking this funny and trying to be sympathetic she composed herself enough to speak. "So that fourth option is pretty scary. I've been working on ways to destroy mothers worst war-machines. I'm packing weapons that'll convert you into a rapidly expanding aerosolized super-heated meat and blood smoothie. Really it's a question of how much damage can she heal and I believe the answer is she can fix that like it never happened so yeah option four is no joke."

<Hmmm, I understand your sentiments.  I'm not sure the residents are yet ready for such self-motivation, from what I observe they 'seem' to act like they believe their community is beneath MOTHER's attention or they are personally too weak to make a difference.  To make their settlement worth fighting for we will have to make example for them that it CAN be worth fighting for.  That will likely take direct open use of our powers.  Restoring a Hospital is a worthy goal and a good start ~ I agree.  As for the mercenaries... I'm not expecting much out of them but at some point arms WILL have to be taken up to oppose MOTHER's goals.. we can't expect the people fight her minions with rocks. Securing a source for weapons is a start.>

Tera tapped her foot patiently, <I know the 'Name' may be a put off but look at what has been organized thus far... there IS a market where people feel relatively safe to do business.  Neither Bully nor Rape gangs are roving around just taking whatever or whomever they want.  So Whatever this Skullfucker's origins are they ARE maintaining a semblance of peace. Of course, her enforcers need to be kept in line and motivated to stay in line which require they be paid so a tribute tax is required to maintain any semblance of order.  Things could be MUCH Worse.  And THESE are the cards we've been dealt.. we may not like them but to just decide not to even try to find out what this local leader is like is to yield the game before even trying to play.  I'm sure this Skullfucker didn't get into her position by being a nice person ... I'm sure she had to fight to get where she is.  We have little choice but to try to find out if she can be worked with cause NOTHING we do will last if we can't get the local power structures already in place to support our efforts  ~ without in fact US taking direct control and again the people following us.>

<Very well, I'll make my way to the leans and try to find your location... I may have to knock on a few doors so keep your eye s open for my arrival.>

Teranovae continued on her way through through the city asking directions toward the leans occasionally, as well as a tailor to seek a way to acquire perhaps a thick cloth or even metal sheath for her blade as she made her way to join the rest of the wonders to make plans for investigation the old world hospital.

Neo's voice cuts into the call
< I'll make sure you don't have to search long Tera >

< Although, Using our Wonderous qualities could have the reverse effect, and making it seem like that's a requirement to fight back against Mother. Also relying on mercenaries is ill advised, Mother can definitively out bid the town while applying fear of death. Miss Skullfucker could be a very useful asset, Its highly unlikely she'll be willing to abandon this place and will definitely have like minded friends. There's a risk she'll have active hostility since we would be outsiders taking a rather active role, Something that would be made worse by taking claim of the medical facility >
Neo shrugs
< Still planning on doing it, Just know anything we do from walking down the street as a green haired earth Wonder to consuming and recreating the walls of the pit moves gears and affects everything else we do >
She turns to Legacy and speaks
"So, Are we going to the Leans and picking up our mutual friend, or the Medical facility? I can wait."

Tera does not hesitate a reply..
<"Thanks for the assist Neo. That will be helpful">

 <"We cannot allow ourselves to be paralyzed by 'what ifs' and phantom fears into inaction.  We can only be responsible for What WE choose to do... not for everyone else's actions.  Certainly not all things will go as  we plan but to do nothing is just allowing those of wicked goals to go unchallenged.  So, yes we must make sure our actions are carefully considered and made with measured action ~ but we MUST ACT!>

<You misunderstand MOTHER Neo, she does NOT bargain, she does NOT 'make deals' and she Absolutely Will not stop. She would NEVER pay mercenaries to do anything.  She'd send absolutely Trustworthy Minions ~ most likely automatons.  MOTHER feels that 'compromise' is what made the old world untenable.. she is utterly inflexible in that regard!">
This message was last edited by the player at 15:18, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

Victor thought for a bit, and considered. "Both. Find them, build up, chat up, ready up, go into the hospital. Calls to action are usually more spontaneous for me. I like choosing how quickly I charge in for once."

He continued his chat with Terra. <Basically, I want something in hand before talking to Skullfucker rather than just bearing the message of another problem. She's likely to respond with 'You're the Wonder, go Wonder it away or something' if I just walk up to her. We need some local credibility first beyond 'hey, didn't they blow up a town once trying to save it?' I don't think they will care that we got most of those people out. We may have a slight reputation as destructive saviors that we should work around.>

<Mother doesn't make deals that don't benefit her and she certainly won't make one she cannot alter on her terms. Her bargain is basically 'play nice with me or I'll kill you all and have robots do your jobs.' Mercs will take her jingle just as much as they'd take ours, and Neo's right. If it comes down to just funding, Mother will outbid us, and she'd probably just pay them to not fight anyone. We might know she'd shaft them in the long run, but do you think the average warrior in this town would care about tomorrow when they are getting paid today? Farmers have to think ahead. Mercenaries live for today.">

<But you aren't wrong for wanting to talk to them. Mercs are people, too. They just... aren't my first choice.>

It occurred to him that Amanda hadn't joined in. <By the way, do you know where Amanda is at? I don't want to call her up, because she might be in the middle of something and she values her mask more than even I do.>

<That is a fine idea Victor... to have something accomplished before we meet Skullfucker ~ concrete proof we are more helpful than just destructive, with something clearly of value to the community.>

She shrugs a gesture Legacy X can't see but it's in her tone, <I've lived all my.. er Sandra's life in MOTHER'S Barrier City #72 and I~ Sandra was.. is one of her trusted Archaeologist Resource Reclamation Agents... and I have NEVER heard of MOTHER making any 'deals' with Mercenaries that did not end with them disarmed, incarcerated or Dead... usually dead in the end.>

She chuckles sadly, <In the times we find ourselves sometimes the best we can do other then the worse choice is a plethora of decidedly distasteful ones.  I'm on my way to your location now.>

At his question of Amanda's whereabouts, <No. Sorry I have not encountered her.  I could become ~ 'One with the Green' and query the very stones of the city streets to track all who have tread foot upon their rocky environs... but I'm trying to stay.. subtle in my power use.>
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Wed 12 Jan 2022.

Amanda gave an odd look and stuck her finger into her ear which would have looked like an, I'm-on-a-call, gesture if the finger didn't appear to penetrate her skull.

<I'm close enough. I have a bit of an opportunity here. Had a chance encounter with a former name in the resistance, victim of Mother's Reedu--- Mother's torture and brainwashing campaign against dissent. I don't know how compromised she is, she sounds like an ally, but I'm worried about sleeper stuff; you know how paranoid I can be about Mother's mind games. So maybe we could NOT tell her the location of our pre-war doll collections, until we've searched for mental and physical traps. I offered her to introduce her to Terra for healing. Well technically I offered to do anything from walk away to hit her with enough explosives to slag anything physical Mother implanted however clever it may be and then have Terra bring her back, but I feel like the normal human response is in the middle.>

She sounded angry and determined about calling mother's "reeducation center" out for what she now felt they really were. She sounded wistfully melancholic about her own uncertainty about what the normal human response would be.

Teranovae ponders Amanda's discovered victim and her suggested solution, <"Yes. There always possibilities ~ My Touch of Gaea can heal almost anything but insanity and mental trauma not caused through genetic disorders, physical damage or surgical alteration is beyond my abilities... but you are correct a charred husk could be restored to healthy life and that might ostensibly destroy any... implants MOTHER's caretakers may have inserted ~ but that is a very extreme measure... and potentially very traumatic to an already traumatized mind!">

<I would, if the patient is willing, rather just heal them any physical maladies they are suffering and we could blindfold or render them temporarily unconscious to take them to the pre-war medical installation and let its medical devices analyze them to see if nano-surgical alterations have been inflicted upon them so we can decide then ~ much more well informed, how best to help them correctly.>
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Sat 29 Jan 2022.

Victor was thinking about the conversation, and actually realized something fairly important. <I don't know what Mother's technological limits actually are. As far as I'm concerned, it's effectively sorcery, and without someone telling me why I shouldn't believe this, I'm assuming Mother knows more about this place than we do. She will hit at the weak point we don't cover, it will catch us off guard, and we'll have to do our best under stress again.>

<So, Mother either knows about this and hasn't done anything to it, or this will somehow be news to her as well. In the former, there's a reason we don't know. In the latter, we will have to either secure the tech from her, or...>

He let off the comm to sigh in frustration, venting this possibility now rather than later, before turning it back on to continue. <...we will end up destroying this, too.>

There was the chance this hope was for nothing, but it was better than doing nothing.

<So let's see what we got first. Then we can plan around it.>

Teranovae hears the tone of frustration in Legacy's voice and her heart pangs her... her tone softening...

<Victor... do not despair or worry My Hero!  MOTHER is NOT all-knowing she tries to portray that public image but believe me for one who has served her ~ SHE is NOT!  If She was she would have no need of us archaeologists as Field Resource Recovery Agents if she was!  MOTHER's GREATEST Flaw is she does not, CAN not TRUST ~ Anyone Entirely!  She cannot EVEN fully Trust her own automata enough to give them free will because she is afraid of another sophisticated AI replacing her!  Her existence is one of continuous fear of being subverted and displaced.  So her field automata do not have the creativity to truly be viable field investigators.  They are not curious, they have NO self-motivation... they do not question or seek answers to mysteries. They only collect data and respond to identified threats.  Despite all of MOTHER's best instincts she cannot maintain her control without human assistance but she is also unwilling to use human assistance to THAT level of deployment because she does not trust!  WE CAN, and with your steady hand and power, USE that flaw to BEAT HER! Trust in that and know I have complete FAITH in YOU!>
This message was last edited by the player at 13:51, Sat 29 Jan 2022.

<Quick fire blasting cap, and high-explosives if she signed off on that option. Ideally I'd rather set up a plasma implosion device, but you're talking nano verses milliseconds and I don't want to accidentally find the limit of your healing power. But I have the cheap stuff and even with that I don't think she'd have enough time to register she was dead before we could heal her so I don't think it'd actually be painful just scary, but I'm no test for that.>

< I understand your trying to do a pep talk right now Tera... >
Neo's eyes glow a little as they crush down into a cube and reform into the obviously mechanical form she originally had
< ...But You seem to underestimate Mother, I have to assume its a overcorrection. "Mother is bad and so everything she does is bad." Being ignorant of how she currently thinks will do no good for this goal. So, The thing with other sufficiently advanced Artificial Intelligence, They pose a existential threat unlike that organics can relate. An AI getting access to another's system can not just straight up kill them, but can change how they think, Take over their "Bodies", Effectively lobotomise them, control them in endless ways. The possibility of this is multiplied by how many access points they have. from my understanding mother is fairly expansive. So it is Not SIMPILY a fear of being REPLACED. >
Neo voice shakes from its normal tone near the end, and she takes half a second to wind back down before responding
< As for Mothers possible knowledge, It would be very cheap and easy to scout. If I can knock together a small scout drone Mother should have the resources, energy, and time to create and deploy one, Might want to try and disrupt stuff like that.>
She looks at Victor and starts hovering, ready to prepare meeting up with the others
" If... you need some tech analysed and explained, you can bring it to me."

Teranovae chuckles, < {snicker} I'm sorry, I think you misunderstand me Neo.  I do not believe all things MOTHER is doing are bad at all!  In fact, though I consider myself her Eternal and Implacable foe, I do NOT desire her destruction nor would I allow such!  I am a defender of life... on this planet, that even extends to the wonder of the manufactured sentience that mankind's Genius has given birth to ~ MOTHER!  MOTHER's life and sentience and yes even her freedom to choose are VERY important to me!  I would not take away her freedom to choose any more then I support her using her freedom to take away mankind's choice!"

"But MOTHER must be FORCED to grow out of this immature stage she is in of 'I don't like the way the other kids are playing so I'm taking all the toys and not going to share' and she needs to be MADE to understand ~ she can't have things her Way all the time! It's nothing new to humans all children have that stage and eventually must grow out of it or face the societal consequences!"

"Make no mistake mankind can benefit very much from MOTHER's insight and perspective... and Mankind Also owes her respect as a child of their intellect, but mankind does not 'own' MOTHER.. anymore than biological parents 'Own' their own children.  Children need to be given their freedom, within acceptable social behavior, to make their own choices and find their own way.  That's life and mankind needs to respect and accept the responsibility of bringing their manufactured child into existence ~ Respecting MOTHER's right to choose."

"But MOTHER does not have the right to take that choice away from mankind either! So I WILL STOP her... whatever it takes!!!"

"As for her drones ~ yes she can make many scouting drones.. but the world is a VERY big place even MOTHER, no matter how much she tried cannot cover the entire world in drone coverage. It's just the simple facts of logistics and resource supplies.  She Wreaked 95% of the world's manufacturing infrastructure.. she only has so many automated factories to utilize... especially since not all of them can be turned in to drone production factories as she has taken control of mankind and must feed, house and protect them ALL in a world gone mad from the mana-embalances HER War exacerbated and her continued efforts continue to exacerbate!!!

"It is fine to Envy the Gods in Heaven.. it is another thing to try and replace them ALL by yourself!  Or perhaps a better truism might be ~ 'Its better to rule in hell then learn Heaven is FAR MORE work to maintain!'...!!!">
This message was last edited by the player at 17:51, Sat 29 Jan 2022.

Neo speaks it a sharp way
< That explains the misunderstanding. You have a clear contradiction. You talk of Mother's sentience and ability to chose, but treat her as a rigid and immutable system. "Mother Can not trust", "Mother does not make deals", "I consider myself her Eternal and Implacable foe" >
She gives a short laugh.
< You even talk of respect while considering her a child, watering down her thesis to "I don't like how the other kids are playing". Arguably the same kind of thinking that brought Mother to her current actions. Tell me, How long will it take for you to "take all the toys" from humanity hurting life on this planet? They've done it in the past. >
Neo takes another second to pause, letting that hang in the air for a moment
< I do find it entertaining you blame Mother entirely for the War, Given the track record of humanity fighting with itself on the same level. Do you think the weapons of War were created just for Mother?

< As for the whole drone stuff, if Mother intends to take the town that would be a good reason to send a drone.>

Victor waved his hand in a cutoff gesture dismissively and quickly, a gesture that only Neo could see. "So, Mother's going to use tech we can see? Large enough that we can hit it as opposed to robot bugs or something weird like that? Because we could probably talk the guards into sniping those for sport."

He spoke into the comm again. ++Terra, Amanda - you two might have the most first-hand information about how Mother tends to deal with a frontier town, so I'm trusting the both of you to understand on how she might go about this. Neo, you are the brain who can process their information they have into something constructive, because nothing seems to get past you. Debating who blew up the old world is not constructive. It was probably a collective project involving a lot of idiots, most of them likely human as we understand it. And Mother is a threat to these people, right now. If they wanted to be part of her empire, they wouldn't rough it out here.++

He paused. ++Okay? Are we going to solve right now, or are we going to argue about the past and rhetoric? And right now, a nanomachine hospital seems to be our best shot IF we can secure it somehow.++

Teranovae smiles again, <Again, you misunderstand MY role Neo.  I know very well mankind makes weapons and made weapons that they pointed at each other in a race for mutual self-annihilation, that was their choice to do so.  MY role as the Earth goddess is not to take that choice away from mankind either!  I would no more take away their weapons or self-determination than I would allow any other entity to do so.  Power mad manufactured artificial sentient computer or not.  I'm not here to save mankind from themselves."

"Of all the beings upon the earth I have no say in mankind's fate.. and I should not... mankind Must choose for themselves.  And yes MOTHER the child of mankind has a say in that as well, but she Also cannot make that choice for mankind though she has every right to make her voice heard."

"MY Role is only to inspire mankind.  To try to show them there is a better way to cooexist with each other.  MY role is to protect their right to choose what kind of species they will be.  My role is to take the training wheels off of their society and make sure mankind as a whole, manufactured sentient children, and natural ones have the opportunity to make a choice as to what their species values, who they are, and what they will be in the future.

"That may very well mean they choose total self-annihilation if they cannot grow up and learn to treat each other and by moral choice treat other sentient beings with civility."

"But YOU also make the mistake of thinking that mankind is one monolithic singular consciousness.  For every person that chooses hate there are those that choose peace.  The jury is still out which facet of mankind's civilization will win out.  I'm not here to choose who wins but I'm AM here to protect those that choose peace over hate and avarice.  That is not by taking away anything ~ weapons or choice from mankind but allowing mankind to choose for themselves and hope they make the choice to live."

"I do suppose it is possible mankind may destroy itself if enough madmen get control of things. I can oppose their efforts to destroy mankind but even IF I fail to do so and mankind chooses to destroy itself.. I Must allow Mankind to choose.  It may be that mankind MUST destroy itself if it is not mature enough of a species to learn from its mistakes and stop repeating them.  I'm sure across the cosmos Many species have reached that turning point in their civilizations and if mankind is unworthy to spread to the stars... that too must be.  But I will still be here trying to inspire mankind to follow their better angels example and hope mankind chooses the better more peaceful choice ultimately."

"I have NO intention of replacing MOTHER's tyranny with one of my own.  Mankind MUST grow up.. I am eternal but I cannot Eternally be mankind's nursemaid and mankind does not get to abrogate the choice of what kind of people they will be by allowing a manufactured child to choose for them!  THEY Must make the hard choices about what they value as a species.. and they must face the consequences of those choices. Mankind MUST mature and choose if they are to ever become a Species WORTHY to survive, that choice cannot be made for them!"

"All I or any Hero can do is try to show Mankind there is a better way.. and hope more accept it than reject it and win over those who which choose to feed the self-destructive tendencies of their species."

"As for drones its likely MOTHER already has.. but again, from one who knows ~ they are not very smart, creative, self-motivated, curious or for that matter subtle.  MOTHER does not want her drones thinking too much in the field, so we have time and opportunity here if we are prudent and wary.>

Tera laughs, <"Of course Legacy, we are perhaps debating a subject best tabled for when we can be sitting in base chatting ~ purely a mental exercise.  We shall get on task I'm almost to your location. See you soon.">
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Sun 30 Jan 2022.

Neo takes Victor's advice and entirely drops it
"Smaller machines have less power and so wouldn't be able to travel far, Any kind of nanobot attacks would need a carrier this far from a base of operations, That'll be bulky"
She floats off, Looking for a free space to reconfigure and form into a obvious base for the others to find, Assuming Legacy will follow.

Teranovae advises, <"Just try to remember whatever locale we choose for an HQ, in the Pitt, needs to concealed from obvious outside identification. So likely the best for security will need to be a subterranean base and fortified would be ideal with multiple exits routes.">
This message was last edited by the player at 23:31, Sat 29 Jan 2022.