In reply to Mindhaze (msg # 6):

"We do have intel on Download. Unlike the others, he keeps his own technology powered via standard power sources. The sunlight filtered by the Haze does not provide as much as he used to get, so as a result he keeps a nuclear reactor active at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant." The hologram changes to show the plant in California. "With Warhead's protection, you three could get inside without worrying about any health risk. Furthermore, Once Download is dealt with, the technology he uses could be gathered by other Freebooters for humanity's use. The problem is, he keeps the place surrounded by radioactive infected."

The hologram changes to a live video feed, showing hundreds if not more, of infected moving randomly about the plant. The normal glow from their eyes is dimmed by the greenish glow coming out from their skin.

Richard leaned back slowly as Thinkmaster went on. A nuclear power plant? That changed things up for him a little. He didn't look...worried, per se. It was more like he just looked...a little uncomfortable. He scratched the back of his head for a second.

When he spoke again, it was slowly, looking from Moley to Mindhaze. "So. Yeah. I call it Scrubbing. I can remove radiation in an area, but...I don't have a way to...protect you two from radiation really outside of that. So you'll have to be careful."

He looked at Thinkmaster for a second. "And I can be the equivalent of an EMP, which should hamper Download. But I can't do both of those at once so...is the reactor stable? Is it leaking at all? Do we have any idea how much radiation would be inside? If more is being generated, when I scrub an area, it can be filled back in by radiation if there's more flowing in from the reactor."

In reply to Warhead (msg # 8):

"Download needs the tech working in order to keep himself powered. As a result the only radioactivity is from the infected themselves, and they have been ordered to stay near the reactor. Most likely by Download himself." Thinkmaster says while the video image plays. "What is key to remember here is the many advantages we have against Download. Once the computer virus can be applied to him, it should allow for the core programming of his tech to remove his infected brain from being able to control his own body."

Brian thought about the issue regarding the radiation and raised his hand. “The radiation won’t be an issue. I can design a radiation suit for Mindhaze and slightly alter my own suit to compensate for the radiation. That will free up Warhead to focus on Download instead of protecting us. One question I have is why we don’t just blow up the reactor and everything else from a safe distance? What are Download’s powers and abilities that you know of?”

In reply to Holey Moley (msg # 10):

OOC-your suit as is will protect you.

In reply to Holey Moley (msg # 10):

"Destroying the power plant would be a short term annoyance for Download. There are 92 others in the US alone. The main point of the thing is he feels safe there, as he does not suspect humans to be able to go there without being killed by the radiation or infected. As for his abilities, they are well known by the media before the arrival of the Cancerverse. Ability to control machines, alter his technology abilities through the nano-robots that make up his form to create weapons and various forms of transport. Finally, connecting to the orbital satilights and thereby the internet itself. He took down the world wide web in order to cut off humanity's communications." Thinkmaster replies.

"And once he realizes we are there, since it would only annoy him to lose the reactor, what's to stop him from detonating the reactor to kill us, and simply move to another one?" Mindhaze asked, lifting an eyebrow.

This still didn't sound like a great plan to her, more of a mixed up one. Sure: they had particular talents (Warhead in particular) that benefit them vs Download, but there were a LOT of variables working against them. Her own powers were virtually useless against the undead, and she would have to wear a suit that was now a new vulnerability. That suit would certainly make her stand out against the undead AND Download, so she was sure to be targeted. She was fine with that, she could keep her distance, but Download sure had a lot of advantages going in here himself. Blowing up the reactor, sending the undead to kill Moley and Warhead while he ran... all sorts of escape routes.

In reply to Mindhaze (msg # 13):

Thinkmaster turns to Mindhaze. "While he could set up a new reactor elsewhere, the only one he has been recorded going to is there. A reactor is also not a Nuclear weapon. It would take a major effort on his part to convert it into some sort of bomb, one that would be a waste of his time given his own weapons ability. What he could do is make it go into meltdown, but that will not kill any of you even without your protective suits. We have advanced medicine custom made for this situation-just in case of Moley's suits somehow fail, or if Warhead is disabled somehow. The risk of infection, as always, is much more pressing."

Richard looked relieved as both Thinkmaster and Moley put his radioactivity concerns to rest. Those weren't his only concerns, but they had been ones that would have affected his judgement and focus in the field for this mission. Yeah, the amount of reactors in the U.S. wasn't surprising to him. It sounded like a lot but it was over a large amount of real estate.

He made a small interested noise. "It'd be nice to have the internet back. If we got him back on our side, would he allows to have access again, you think?"


He frowned. "Hmm. Is there anything, as far as you know, that would make this one unique, easier for him to use, or something? Was it just conveniently located?" It probably didn't matter but it was better to have information and not need it, then the other way around.

"What more can you tell us about this delivery device? I assume it will be something that has to be used while up close and personal?"

"A magnetic transfer chip, something small, could be attached to Download. It would be best to connect it to the metal part of his skull. However, the virus upload may take time. Seconds really, maybe up to a minute. Our experts belive his own computer systems would aid, rather than fight this virus. However, it still must obey his commands to some extend. If he realizes the danger, he could disable the chip before it uploads. That means he needs to be...distracted. Possibly by a physical threat or a...food source." Thinkmaster says.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Mon 19 Feb.

Mindhaze did not like the way Thinkmaster said 'food source'.

Clearing her throat, she spoke up,

"And what, exactly, does Download consider a food source?"

She let that question hang in the air, as she didn't really like the potential answers. She hoped it would be something normal like a cheeseburger, but she seriously doubted it.

In reply to Mindhaze (msg # 17):

Thinkmaster raises an eyebrow, and you would guess she shrugged. If you could see her shoulders. "Any uninfected life is a food source to the infected. Even to the Alpha infected like Download. He may need energy for his devices, but he is still subject to the hunger like the rest of them. He did not even have a stomach before the infection...but he still must feed. If the Alpha infected cannot consume or kill a victim, they will try to infect them. Its the same risk every Freebooter endures when going out into the field."

Shaking her head, Mindhaze realized she hadn't been clear enough,

"I apologize, that's not what I meant. What I meant was: what does he hunger for so much that he would ignore a deadly virus being uploaded into his skull?" she re-posed the question, not believing for a second that he would just 'forget' the attacks on his person.

"Its not clear how much the Alpha Infected higher level thoughts are impacted by the hunger. Most of the time they are capable of using thier abilites to the fullest extent. However, given enough time they become the mindless hungry berserkers you see among the Beta infected.

We have heard reports of Alphas taking living humans alive and...slowly eating parts of them. Just to stay Intelligent longer. It is belived Alpha Man did this with his human friends and family. That is, before the hunger drove him into a feeding frenzy." She says all this like she is talking about the weather, despite the horrific topic.

"My point is, Download will have to focus on fighting you, his own hunger, the virus you are uploading into his computer network-and the very internal computer that is constantly at odds with him. Among all the Alpha infected, he is the one where his own abilites are on the side of humanity."

This message was last edited by the player at 04:22, Tue 20 Feb.

Moley had thoughts on how to help. “Look I don’t have an issue with being the bait and trying have him eat me. I can make modifications to my suit to make me harder to bite through becoming Gummi Moley. I can endure the pain long enough for the device to work without having to worry about infection.”

In reply to Holey Moley (msg # 21):

"Given you can just burn the wound in question, all that may not be needed." Thinkmaster points out. "What matters is unlike the other former members of the Justice Brigade, Download is half way to working for humanity already. You have struck at the heart of our oppressors by removing the Amazonian from their ranks. Now we need to end their technical advantage. Once that is done, we can make real progress in uniting the shielded cities and bring all our combined resources to bear against Alpha Man and the rest of the infected."

Richard slowly realized something, something Thinkmaster had to already know and it wasn't likely a problem...yet. But if they kept it up, it would be potentially, but he wasn't sure how many 'intelligent' Alphas were still around and would notice their fellow Alphas being removed from the board one by one.

Instead he said, "I will help combat him. Would Mindhaze be best-suited to deliver the device since, if I'm not wrong, she could do so from a distance and therefore be less likely to tip Download off until the last possible moment?"

Thinkmaster nods. "Indeed. I leave the tactics to you. Do you have any other questions?"

Shaking her head with pursed lips, Mindhaze didn't like it, but she acquiesced. The unspoken agreement between them was "Or we'll kick you out of the only safe place in the world".

Slavery wasn't something she was unaccustomed to... she had seen it in the life 'before'. Still: it didn't feel very good. Still - poor morale wouldn't do any good, so she decided to come to terms with that herself silently.

Moley shrugged and indicated he had nothing more to add.

Richard let out a small sigh and gave a half-shrug, half-nod sort of body movement. "I guess that's it."

Not that he was in any hurry to go on this mission. It seemed like it would be pretty dangerous.

"Very well then. When you awaken tomorrow, you will be on mission with the gear and in the location needed. Good luck, Team Moley." The hologram says, and vanishes.

OOC-Are you going to do anything before leaving?

Moley stands and stretches. “Since I got a whole day to work on some devices, I’ll get to work on your radiation suit. It shouldn’t restrict your movements or tear easily. I’ll also work on a cloaking device to get us past most of the Infected.”

OOC: when I have more time to research the book, I’ll make another post for making the devices.

"Good luck? Yeah. We're gonna need it probably." He let out a small snort and stood up.

He glanced at Moley. "Let me know if you need anything."

To Mindhaze he shot a glance and a nod before he left the room.

Nodding curtly, Mindhaze turned and started to leave as well,

"We do appreciate it, Moley." she reminded him with a smile. He seemed to be the only one "on" their side after all of this.

With that, she smiled at Warhead and walked out of the room.