Body

(Aug. 17, 2217)

================================== Maverick ==================================

Message: 12/47 Posted Author

Moscow Tue Aug 17 Flame Stag

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Look kids! It's a report that's actually been typed out! Haven't seen one of those in a while, huh?

"After Action Report: 16 August 2217, Moscow

Overclock and I went to Moscow with the intention of testing Repliforce response times. I secured the main floor, while Overclock moved on to procure his 'test subjects'. Interestingly enough, Fortress V Commander Storm Owl appeared almost immediately, suggesting that he was in the area when the first police dispatches went out. So he /can/ be enticed to leave, which has the potential to be of great use to us.

I engaged the owl, who foolishly decided to engage me within the confines of the Stock Exchange where he'd be less mobile. The intervention of the Maverick Hunters prevented me from finishing him off, so I used some lava to try and cover the retreat. Unfortunately, that was all the building could take, and...well....GNN should have shown the results of that. I managed to get away afterwards, and I believe Overclock was on his way out as well, even if we lost contact.....

---Flame Stag

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================================= Repliforce =================================

Message: 14/64 Posted Author

Doppler Tue Aug 17 Prismatic Spider

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"Prismatic Spider reporting. Mimos reported that our guest, Dr. Sigmund Doppler, was under distress and yelling in German. I arrived with a group of medical personnel in hazmat gear, and we checked him out. Amazingly, the Doctor is only 87% cybernetic, but he has signs of minor brain trauma, probably from a stroke. He has had cranial implants to compensate for it, which is part of the problem..."

"Doppler is positively /dripping/ with the Maverick Virus, probably from extended exposure to high amounts of the infection vectors. My guess his cybernetics weren't having problems until the implants, which gave the virus an infection path into points directly interfacing brain tissue. He is fighting the Virus off seemingly with sheer willpower at this point, and he is so immersed with the Virus that he infected a mobile interface unit that we tried to use to administer the cure within minutes. It is now being decontaminated, but this brings up a very difficult point in trying to apply the cure to him. We need to use an interface which is extremely Virus-resistant, otherwise we'll spend as much time trying to prevent it from taking over the tools as trying to apply the cure. Anyone spending time around him without the protective field up (this means you, Mimos) are to report in for Virus scans if they have not done so already. Do not lower the field unless absolutely necessary for everyone involved's sake. I have also taken the liberty of inviting Doctor Matthews of the Hunters on board to assist with the organic side of things. Repliforce has exhibited a lack of personnel trained in human medicine, which will be remedied in the future. We will be fighting alongside humans often now, and we're here to help preserve their lives as well. Prismatic Spider out."

/ \

-----/----\----- Prismatic Spider

\ |( ) | / Commander, Repliforce

\ | --/ / "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the

/ | | \ mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science."

/ | | \ - Albert Einstein

-----\----/-----

\ /

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================================= Repliforce =================================

Message: 14/65 Posted Author

Volunteer Tue Aug 17 Iris

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I'd just like to make it known that I'd be very willing to learn more about human medicine, as such a skill is going to become valuable for us in the future. General, Prism, if you'd like me to begin training in this field, please let me know at your earliest convenience. Thank you.

-- Iris

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Seven paces. That is the length of Doppler's prision. He has measured it many many times in the course of the last few hours. Pacing come naturally as he thinks, and even hobbled as he is, the habit has not died. He mutters under his breath as he walks, holding a conversation with a whispered voice only he can hear.

Quiet footsteps echo through this lonely hall leading to Doppler's current living establishment. Quiet, considering the owner is a little over two stories in height. General's optics are dimmed, as he walks, approaching his own Father's holding cell, arms folded behind him as he comes to a stop in front of the cell. For the moment, however, he doesn't immediately speak, just quietly looking into the cell at Sigmund.

Dr. Doppler's appearance is far from neat and composed. His labcoat is rumpled from being slept in, his hair disheveled from the number of times he's run his fingers though it. His face is haggard and worn - even with the sedative, his sleep has been restless at best. His cane raps against the deckplates as he paces. As he turns to face the door, he notices his son's approach, and takes the seven steps needed to bring him to the front forcefield.

There is one other in the room, tucked away in another cell. There was no lock or bars or even a field up however as it was merely being used for the unceremonious task of being 'crash space.' One quite tired Dr. Matthews is tucked quietly away in the corner unaware for the moment of General's appearance as she dozes. It wasn't quite her usual comfy wheeled chair she favored, but she'd been up helping Prismatic all night as well.

There's a slight nod from General's head as he looks down, down as it were, before sighing, "Hell of a time that's brought us to this point, hasn't it Father?" He just shakes his head there for a moment; "I read the report on the virus in you.. I assume not only you knew, but that Prismatic mentioned it, yes?"

Dr. Doppler gives a small, tired sigh. "I have known I was infected for weeks. I did not realize the extent." A humorless chuckle. "Ironic...humanity betrayed me, and now the machine does as well."

A quiet 'hmmrph' comes from the other cell followed by a momentary *thud* as weight shifts around to roll back to one's feet. Rigger pauses a moment to run a hand over her face as she allows the voices nearby to sink in. "Wha' report?" She slurs a bit while struggling to pull her mind to wakefullness. It's soon aided by a sharp slap of her own hand to her cheek which leaves her blinking as the skin goes red. Satisfied that she feels marginally alive she steps out to gaze at the father and son chatting questioningly. "Maybe you ought to quit looking at the things that betray and just focus on yourself, Sigmund. Though it may be a bit late now."

"There wasn't any way you could know for sure..." He chuckles, very softly, "Considering if you will.. weaknesses of one is the weakness for another.." His optic flickers briefly to the figure slumped over in the chair, before returning the gaze to Doppler. "And so, we are placed into something of a conundrum, Father. On one hand.. we have the inability to cure you right now.." He lifts another hand-- "And on the other, is Sigma's vow to bring a bloodbath to innocent children." Shaking his head, he briefly states towards Rigger; "One of the reports on how deeply inundated his systems are with the virus -- it even infected one of the probes that would've been used to administer the cure."

Dr. Doppler brings his cane around so that he may rest both of his hands on it. "As I have been reminded, I am machine, but still somewhat human....." He scowls, but the expression is not directed at either of his keepers. "Silence," he mutters. In more normal tones, "If you cannot cure me, and if I cannot cure myself...." He shakes his head. "What do you plan now, my son?" By the way he speaks, the son to which he refers is not the one standing before him.

"Yes... I remember, vaguely. I haven't had my coffee yet." Rigger frowns at the mention of such, and rubs a hand over her face again. It's when Doppler begins to speak in that odd manner that she pauses to stare at him with concern evident on her face. The hand drops away to her side and she slowly turns to watch General's own reaction to the seemingly senile (but fully explainable) actions of his father.

General does not speak for the moment, but he drops his hands to his side, taking a moment to fold both, briefly, behind him.. "A good question.. for both of us.." General muses quietly. He's an acute study of body language and speech after all, for his own ability to infer from others. "I don't want to let you go.. but .. the more you stay here, virus or no virus, the more likely it is for people like Vile to want to come aboard here simply to kill you, outside of Sigma's own purview.." He thinks about this briefly-- his attention drawn elsewhere, momentarily, before speaking again, "It seems Cyber is interested in you at this time."

Dr. Doppler closes his eyes, the scowl remaning. "< They want to finish this, >" he says, slipping into German. "< They want me to become like them. They want me to become /him/. >" He runs his fingers though his already far too touseled hair. "< No...no...no....I will not. I am still Sigmund Jakob Doppler. I will tear him out myself if I have to. >"

"<Fight it, Father..>" Effortlessly, Octavius Doppler, as it were, fits back into German like a well-worn glove. "<Fight it with everything you have.. and we'll fight with you. There has to be a way.. to give you your mind, but not let it fall to Sigma.. I fought it too..>" General's optics flicker for a moment. "<When he tried to force his essence.. into me..>" The memory of that short, but titanic fight where Sigma tried to overload his Neural Net in viral energy still hangs there.. "<But I fought.. I all but screamed because I knew.. and you know.. this is not what you meant to create when you saved him..>"

There are some times in life when the world just seems to narrow down to one infitesimal point that you have no choice but to watch without being able to do anything about it. Usually it's best to just stand there quietly, saying nothing, and letting that moment happen.

"<It's too bad we can't just jack into your cybernetics like we can with the world-net computers, and just smack off the virus physically.>"

And then there were moments you said incredibly stupid stuff that left you shuffling in place trying not to be noticed.

Dr. Doppler struggles with his temper, taking two deep, ragged breaths to force it down, to remain in control. "< I have infected all of the machines that have been attached to me within a minute. I would infect your network of you connected me. You cannot risk that....yes, I am fighting, Octavius. I am fighting....>"

"<Only so far..>" General smiles softly, "<Do not think that we will give up so easily on you, Father. We will find a way.. I am thinking.. we need to get a little help in the field of neurosurgery and cybernetics. Machines can't be risked, but there's other ways.. always another way..>" General considers for a moment, before switching subjects-- "<Did you manage to get what you could of your notes that you mentioned? Perhaps we may glean an idea from them..>"

Dr. Matthews lets out a tired sigh as her suggestion is denounced just as she knew it would be. Again with that 'stupid remark' thing. A wan smile is formed as she turns away from the pair to begin pacing in a manner similar as to what Doppler had been doing, minus the can.

Dr. Doppler has even less room for tact than usual. He rubs at his temples, though it brings him no more relief than before. "< Yes...I already sent many of my notes to Iris, via Eisensturm. >" He snatches his hand from his face and begins rifling though his pockets. "< I brought more...where...does Prism have them? >"

General rubs his chin briefly, "<I'll talk to both of them, I heard Prism mention it in passing..>" The Repliforce Commander's head tilts slightly, a slight buzz of communications along him-- "<By the way.. I apologize for the somewhat spartan accomodations.. not that we had immediate chance to prep something better..>"

================================== Maverick ==================================

Message: 12/48 Posted Author

Doppler Tue Aug 17 Cyber Peacock

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"Today I hacked into the onboard computers of the Fortress V, in order to discern information relating to Doctor Doppler. I have found out several things by examining their medical files. He is definitely aboard the F5. He is healthy and in no medical danger at this time, although he has been under severe mental stress. It seems he is being confined to the brig aboard the ship, although kept under strict watch and treated well. I was unable to locate complete ship schematics before I was interrupted by Iris.. however, I believe that is somewhere in this sector of the ship." <A diagram of the F5 pops up on the screen, and a section highlights.. a large section.> "Not the most precise, but I will attempt to pinpoint the location. It's a start, in any case. Cyber Peacock out."

-- Cyber Peacock

SYSOP ('sih sop) n.: the guy laughing at your typing.

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Dr. Matthews pauses to look towards Doppler with a somewhat worried expression. "< But Eisensturm was infected, too. Did the cure work on him? >" It was, she figured, a valid question given he had sent the mech-wolf off to visit Iris. She waits for an answer to that while wringing her hands together nervously.

Dr. Doppler relaxes somewhat. Though they have had their differences, he knows that Prismatic would be able to understand them. "< It is all right...you did not know whether I would be willing. I did not know myself until I jumped into Anthem's path. >" He opens his eyes, gaze falling on Rigger. "< Yes, I could keep her free of the Virus. She is a drone - it is easier with them. I would not have sent her to my own daughter if I din't think it was safe....>" He trails off, then blinks as a sudden thought strikes him. "< Gray! Has anyone found him yet? >"

General pauses; "<.. Gray? I heard about someone attempting to keep you protected while I sent Anthem for you..>"

Dr. Doppler mimics Rigger, again pacing the short legth of his cell. "< Your now youngest brother. I only awakened him a few days ago. He stood a better chance that way. I was afraid that he would be infected even while inactive...I was a fool. I should have sent him away. >" He jabs his cane against the floor, the raps growing louder with every step. "< I should not have kept him with me. If he is not here, then he must be infected. Just like the others...no...I will not let you keep them...>"

"<I'm not sure if we can risk..>" General considers moothly, before lending a few more thoughts to the topic at hand.. "<It was a risk we all are taking.. ones we never should've had to, to either side..>" Octavius murmurs.. "<If nothing else, Father, I won't let you be taken without having your mind with you.. because if I can't grant you that serenity to think and choose of your own accord..>" He glances briefly at his hands, before back at Doppler-- "<Then the dream of a Reploid Nation is all for naught, is it not..?>"

"< This is not freedom...this is not what I wanted for you...or for any of my children...ah, my son...my son....no...I destroyed those designs...never again...nnngh...>" Doppler sinks to his knees, the cane clattering to the floor. He clutches his audial receptors with his hands, as if trying to shut out the voice that torments him. "< No! This was not our dream! >" he cries. "< We would turn our swords to plowshares! When we won, Grace would show us the way to peace! Not like this! Not like this! No! I deny this! This is not my dream! >"

Reflexively, even though there's a forcefield between him, and Doppler, not to mention the virus from the ship, General raises a hand, almost as if wanting to reach for him. Maybe he still is, if not in the literal sense--.. "<... Father...>" For someone normally so well-kept with words, it takes a few moments for him to speak anew, chuckling softly, as if perhaps speaking for the ideal.. "<.. I have dreamed a dream, but now that dream is gone from me...>" His fingers close slightly before pulling his hand back. "<Dreams.. one vision of an ideal.. but nothing is ever meant to be as a dream.. there would be no reason to dream, would there..? We can only come close.. or lose our dreams entirely..>" He moves for words, anything for Doppler to take and use to strengthen his will. "<But there is a dream still.. swords into plowshares, hate into tolerance..>" He trails off there for few moments more.

Dr. Doppler gives a low cry of pain and frustration. He continues to clutch at his head as he fights his way back from the edge. "< No! No! No! I am Sigmund! I am Sigmund Jakob Doppler. You are not my son! Sigma would not want this! Get out of my mind! >"

"<That is it, Father.. You are Sigmund Jakob Doppler.. you who have created and given life to so many.. you are you.. you can be no other..>" General softly states, reinforcing the ideal. It may be repetitive in the long run; but it is necessary to mentally drill and reinforce Doppler's will to fight the Virus until it can be removed with the help of others..

This battle of wills lasts longer than the the one Mimos and Prismatic witnessed yesterday. A minute passes, followed by another. Then, the episode passes. His shoulders slump, hands falling limply to his sides, the right noticably trembling. "< I think...>" he rasps, "<...that it would have been the greater kindness if Gabriel /had/ chained me to a boulder and let the eagles tear out my liver...>"

General snorts softly, "<Thoughts like that.. have briefly crossed my mind.. if death would be a kinder release.. but I won't decide that for you, Father. It wouldn't be.. right, would it..?>" There's a part of him that just /wants/ to get down in there -- through his hologram if nothing else, but that would be foolhardy for the risk.. but some risks are worth taking. He can always get the unit decontaminated in medical afterwards-- The figure of General becoming visibly quiet, and still; the Hologram being isolated from General's direct neural links, and routed through the pathways to materialize at Doppler's side, solid hands being brought to help him up; as a son would his aging father--and is.

He chuckles a bit, seeming to go ahead and answer Doppler's question ahead of time, if he's thinking about it-- "<I'll get looked over.. somet things are worth a little risk, after all..>"

Dr. Doppler, for one of the few times in his life, does not object to the assistance. He has always been a proud man, one who has always insisted on doing things himself in spite of the disease that has plagued him since childhood. With his son's help, he finds his feet and totters over to the bed. No doubt Ocatvius can feel the trembling of his hands, more pronounced in the right. "< I would rather die free than live chained. >" He has spoken these words before. This time, he speaks them with grim conviction. "< If I am beyond saving, then I will end this myself. >" A moment's silence. "< You have risked much for me, my son. Thank you. >"

"<We will exhaust /all/ possible options before we must bring it to that..>" Octavius rests one hand on Doppler's shoulder, looking at him directly this time.. "<We.. I could do no less than struggle with everything you gave me.. not just my body..>" He taps the side of his head, a soft, brief sound of a short laugh, grim as it is. "<That is the very reason why I wanted to do what I did.. people would look back at the choices I made.. and wonder why I would capture you.. because.. you're my Creator. You're also a person.. and I know you.. no desire to change others in the ways that they have.. .. in that, you and I share the common ideal.. to live with the freedom of choice.. even though.. we go a slightly different route about it...>"

The corners of Doppler's lips twist into a faint, pained smile. "< Yes. Choice. I made my choice. I chose to let all of you have the ability to choose for yourselves. I gave up everything for it, but I do not regret the choice that I made. I may not like or agree with all of your choices, but it is better than watching all of you parroting commands given by some human controller. >" He sighs,resting his hands on his knees. "< You have never shied away from the consequences of your choices. Nor has Sigma. Nor have I. >"

"<Which, in its own way.. leads us to either being irrevocably damned or blessed..>" He laughs, "<Maybe a little bit of both at the same time..>" He considers for a few moments, "<If you like.. you may want to have some rest.. there's also one of my soldiers.. who wanted to speak with you, perhaps to help take your mind off so many things right now.. drown out the voice with hers, as it were. I have to find someone who can help you.. being that scant few of my people are trained in neurosurgery. I will go speak with Thomas.. would you like to speak with him sometime?>"

"< Blessed if you make the right choices, damned if you make the wrong ones, >" Doppler says wryly. He straightens a little. "< Yes. Company would be welcome. He is at his worst when he has my undivided attention. Just...warn them. Until I am rid of this, I am not fully myself. >"

"<Of course, Father, of course.. excuse me for just a moment..>" The hologram derezzes slightly, before reappearing outside. "<I'll return when I can, Father.>"

Dr. Doppler turns his head towards General as he rematerializes outside his containment cell, and nods. "< All right. We will speak again soon. >"