URL Lost

[Thaelasan]

I don't see why not, but it has to make sense. I won't accept a 16 year old knowing a 25 year old just by "hearsay." I don't think I HAVE to state that, of course, but I've had that issue before.

Considering Matric can also be used as a social platform (and some mods even allow Matrics to locate others with similar traits and desires, thus basically friend-finding, or even potential mates) it's not uncommon for people to meet and chat without ever meeting in real life - just like now.

So I mean it's completely fine, just.. please, make it make sense.

Also, I'd appreciate a bit more information in your sheet, and a bit more description, Spyro. I don't know why.. it just feels... lacking. I know mine isn't normally how much I type but I'd like a BIT more effort. If possible.

It looks good otherwise.

 

 

if you want to know more about one of the antagonists of this story, this suits him very well.

The first foe we will be facing/confronting should prove to be interesting. I haven't even introduced the datagames yet or how it will work.

Anyway, now to begin...))

 

...and in recent news, one of our top stories tonight, the widely-celebrated VEX Incorporated will be opening its doors to the public, following the message-board announcements three days prior. The grand opening is scheduled for January 3, 3015, this Friday. Tickets are being sold through Matric-mediums only, and each ticket allows for one Matric/Individual pair. I'll be going myself, since - like you all - I have a great interest in the workings of our beloved digital companions. Vanessa, what about you?"

"Oh, of course Leonard. I'm absolutely ecstatic! Do you think they'll be covering the new patches and updates?"

"I'm sure. After all, isn't that all we'll be asking about? It's the question on everyone's mind: What's next, Vex?"

"A very nice joke, Leo. A now back to Carlton with the spor-"

 

Click.

That's the sound that moved throughout the building for the span of a moment. Then a sigh followed, escorted by the sounds of stretching and movement.

"Three days... Damn.." Ethan repeated the sigh, leaning forward. He tapped a few keys on the laptop in front of him.

There it was - the pair of tickets, saved in digital format, kept safe by his own Matric, which would have gladly boasted that not even a thousand Roman soldiers could take it from him.

But that mattered very little. What mattered was if she'd even be interested. He scratched the back of his head.

He needed a shower before he went to meet with her to ask, of course. First, he flipped a few more keys.

"Salutations, friend Odysseus."

The familiar voice of his own image hovered in front of him as Ethan yawned. The small figure cocked its head.

"You have slept for quite a while. Intriguing. Normally you are up and ready for battle a little after dawn. This is troubling."

"Not really. Didn't sleep much last night, after what happened." Ethan leaned backward, tossing the remote onto the table nonchalantly.

"Of course, you refer to the message you received?" Achilles replied, sheathing his blade and taking a seat. His armor clicked a bit.

"How could I not think about it?" Ethan asked, at a loss. "How would they know my contact information so thoroughly? And that demand..."

"Obviously false words, my brother." Achilles patted him, his holographic hand phasing through him slightly. "False and idle threats."

"And you swear you didn't feel any hacking attempts? No broken firewalls? No loose mods?" Ethan asked, rubbing his head.

"None at all. Besides, even if I had, I wouldn't be speaking to you right now, would I, brother?" Achilles crossed his arms. "I would be locked as though chained to a stone, like a maiden awaiting sacrifice to the leviathan. Helpless. Not truly a fate I desire. So again, no. None at all."

"Just delete the message then. If it continues, I'll find some way to discover the culprit.. but I think you're right. Just another kid with flights of fancy and greed."

"Much greed, yes."

He looked out the window sullenly, knowing that somewhere, out there, his loving girlfriend was waiting on him - since she was always early to their dates. As for him, he despised the fact he'd slept so late, and was mentally chiding himself for the act.

"If you're wondering about Athena's whereabouts-"

"I could be." Ethan admitted, quiet.

"I can tell you Helena is still currently at home, sending me more letters as to her current status. And if Helena is home.."

"Athena wouldn't leave her. Not unless someone pried her from her hands." Ethan leaned on his hand, confused. "But that's odd... She's normally early... And if I'm late, she comes over here to meet with me instead.."

"Then perhaps you should go to her!" Achilles raised his fist supportingly. "Indeed! Is it not chivalry to go to a maiden who is expecting you, no matter the distance!?"

"I suppose." Ethan smirked. "Send Helena some messages back - even though you already have."

"Right away, brother!" Achilles bowed, hand over his chest, as he disappeared back within the confines of Ethan's necklace. He gripped it firmly, looking back out the window.

What was she doing?

 

EDIT: Fixed the song links. ))

Edited May 2, 2015 by Thaelasan

[MrSpyro]

((Okay, edited. And by the way, the oldest character so far is 21, and because Theo goes to school with 17- and 18-year-olds, maybe they just got introduced by somebody))

Edited May 3, 2015 by MrSpyro

[MyaMouse]

((Username: MyaMouse

Character Name: Leilani 'Leila' Love

Matric Name/Code: OMEGA37LOVE

Matric Nickname: Love

Character Gender: Female

Character Age: 16

Matric Gender: Female

Matric Age (Not very important unless the Matric has been around for a LONG time. This can be up to 200 years thus far.): Mental Age: 16

Actual Age: 8 months

Character Appearance (Not important if deceased, unless you wish it.): http://th09.deviantart.net/fs71/200H/f/201...e21-d5yvr5m.jpg

Matric Appearance (Can be changed at any time. There is NO LIMIT to what they can be. Most are humanoid, but there could be potato Matrices. Who knows.): Love is a pale Anime-like Kitsune with white hair and ears which look like cowlicks themselves. She normally wears a flowy magenta maxi dress.

Character Personality (Normally, a Matric mimics its owner.): Leila is a nerdy, shy girl, but is very talkative and outgoing with her good friends. She loves to read and program, mostly apps for her laptop. She's a loner and only has a few close friends.

Matric Personality (Sometimes, a Matric develops a few side quirks.): Love is almost the Matric kitsune equivalent of Leilani except that she's not shy. She's friendly and outspoken, and doesn't hesitate to retaliate when her opinion is challenged.

Character's Job/Grade (Important.): 10th Grade, in a Programming Club

Character History (Not super important, but desired.):

Character's Connector (A Connector is the device they MOST USE to call their Matric. A digital network watch. A phone. A tablet. A laptop. Even a Bluetooth speaker.): A digital network watch

Other:

 

Character Name: Liam Sanders

Matric Name/Code: PHI17LIAM

Matric Nickname: Nicole

Character Gender: Male

Character Age: 17

Matric Gender: Female

Matric Age:

Mental Age- 12

Device Age- 2 years

Character Appearance: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/origin...00a99332fb7.jpg

Matric Appearance: http://www.animemay.com/thumbnails/detail/...emay.com_18.jpg

Character Personality: Liam is your steryotypical 'bad boy gone worse.' He steals, fights, and

Matric Personality: Nicole is kind and sweet, funny and talkative, and cares for her owner's safety over all.

Character's Job/Grade: He dropped out of high school and makes money by stealing. So if he was in school then 12th grade but he's not in school.

Character History: Liam was born a happy child to Ezekiel and Amelia Sanders, and soon he got a baby sister named Nicole whom he loved with all his heart. In an accident when he was 12, he lost his mother, his new two-year-old sister Claudia and his seven-year-old sister Nicole as he and Nicole were going to school. His mother had no Matric, so even if she could have completed the download in time, she had nothing to download onto, and his sisters were too young. He was the only survivor, having been sitting the farthest from the collision, and his father was not with them. His father, after losing everyone except Liam, turned to drugs and drinking. He abused Liam, and the boy struggled in school. He eventually dropped out of 10th grade in frustration and beat his father until he was a centimeter from collapse, and then left him. The young golden-haired teen never saw his father again.

He then bought a Matric with the money he stole from his father and programmed it like he thought his deceased sister would have been like- smart, beautiful, funny, snarky, all that she had been. He dyed his hair the colors of a Sprite can and a hoverboard with his father's money, but eventually ran out and resorted to stealing clothes, money, food, and the bluetooth speaker he uses to talk to his 'sister'.

Character's Connecter: A really old phone that he was given by his mother on his tenth birthday and a bluetooth speaker he stole and reprogrammed.

Other:

 

Sorry this took so long, I got really hung up on this game my brother made me download))

[Clown_of_God]

Username: Zakku_Uchiha

Character Name (If the character is long deceased and already uploaded, write the name, and then deceased.): Unknown

Matric Name/Code (If they have one. Most Matric names are a Greek Letter, a number, and then a nickname or fragment of the person's name.): Blanc

Matric Nickname (An endearing title by the owner.): N/A

Character Gender: Unknown

Character Age: Unknown

Matric Gender (This can be changed, but make sure we know you changed it.): Female

Matric Age (Not very important unless the Matric has been around for a LONG time. This can be up to 200 years thus far.): Unknown

Character Appearance (Not important if deceased, unless you wish it.): Unknown

Matric Appearance (Can be changed at any time. There is NO LIMIT to what they can be. Most are humanoid, but there could be potato Matrices. Who knows.): Blanc

Character Personality (Normally, a Matric mimics its owner.): Unknown

Matric Personality (Sometimes, a Matric develops a few side quirks.):

Character's Job/Grade (Important.): Unknown

Matric History (Not super important, but desired.): Blanc is both unknown, yet a widely known figure on the Net. No one knows of her origins, who her creator is, or even how she was created. Most attempts to access her files, has only resulted in her shutting herself off and preventing any further delving. Consistently, the only results pulled from such attempts are her name and gender.

Character's Connector (A Connector is the device they MOST USE to call their Matric. A digital network watch. A phone. A tablet. A laptop. Even a Bluetooth speaker.): Unknown

Other:

Edited May 5, 2015 by zakku_uchiha

[Thaelasan]

All accepted. :3 ))

[Clown_of_God]

He-l-lo?

Hel-l-l-l-lo?

Whe-re a-m I?

N-No one.

A-A-Alo-ne.

No.

Th-There are o-others.

I se-sense them.

Where?

Within one of the local internet cafe's a feminine figure sat at one of the booths, staring out into the street and watching as various vehicles passed by. For a long while, she remained like this, even as patrons entered and left, some sparing a glance at her while others just carried on with their activities.

Without warning, a young teenage boy sat on the opposite side, drawing her attention from the scenery outside.

"Your... Blanc, yes? I've seen you in here a few times before, but I've never seen your partner, your creator. Do they work here, or something?"

"No."

"So... is she at home or elsewhere and just lets you do whatever?"

"No."

"Sooo..."

"I don't know where my creator is or who they are. I am searching."

"In a cafe?"

"Joseph Wright, age 17, junior at Nellbrook High School. Average grades, good at sports, participates with the school's track team, your portray yourself as an average athlete. Yet, two weeks ago, you ordered three figures, gave a fake name and they are being sent to your cousin's house two blocks from your own so no one discovers your fascination with Japanese animation and merchandise. Closet otaku."

"You... didn't have to go to such lengths."

"It was the quickest method to prove my point."

"I... see. Well, if you're here again tomorrow, maybe we can talk about something else."

"If I feel the need to return."

Blanc watched as the boy waved and left the shop, to which she returned the gesture and then resumed staring out into the traffic and the scenery outside.

A-Alone.

Al-ways al-lone.

Search. Sear-ching.

Se-arching.

[Thaelasan]

In the basic sense of the word "reality", it has come to mean "what can be perceived/understood."

However, with the introduction of Matrici - and other network technologies - there is another, underlying reality: the virtual reality.

This reality can seem as real as the one we can touch and feel, especially with Matrici, but the one key difference is - we must force it to exist, whereas normal reality already exists.

We must recreate the smells, the sights, the feelings, the emotions, the sounds... we must build it from a foundation in order for it to be real.

But then, if we truly clone those and form a reality, then which one is truly real? Is one actually fake?

Or have we discovered the true reality?

 

----

 

"Took you long enough." Athena mused, leaning against the wall as Ethan arrived. He grinned sheepishly.

"Well, what did you expect? You led me on a wild goose chase." Ethan replied, waving his hand in exasperation.

Only a half hour earlier, Ethan had arrived at her home to find Helen's hologram, chuckling lightly as she explained that Athena had left her as a decoy, trusting that Ethan would find her. After a bit of coercing, he'd managed to discover where Athena really was - outside the local downtown network café.

"You have to learn to work for what you really want." she responded, smirking, as she traced a finger down his chest, then pushed him backward. "But don't worry, I'll make it up to you."

"I don't see how." Ethan crossed his arms slightly, smiling.

"Lunch, perhaps?" Athena laced her hands behind her back.

"It's a start."

"What a coincidence. I just so happen to have gift cards to the very building we're outside of. How... convenient, don't you think?"

"Gift cards?" Ethan asked.

"Graduation gifts that I never used and left underneath a bag. They expire today." she winked.

"Miraculous."

"Not really. Helen reminded me." Athena took her laptop graciously from Ethan as he retrieved it from his bag. "She also told me that you used to work here."

"Once." Ethan shrugged. "I fixed the computers and added a few mods back when it was booming in early summer two years ago, before I graduated. It was fun. The owner liked to talk to Achilles."

"Did she?"

"She? No. It was a he when I worked here." Ethan said, waving his hands for effect. "A man! Not a woman! Shocking."

"Very. In any case, I already ordered for us both." she said.

"My, my. How presumptuous of you to order for me. Are you sure you know my tastes?"

"We'll see, won't we?" she said, leading him inside to a table near the window - which he preferred. Two cups of coffee were already waiting for them, slightly cold from the time they'd sat there.

"Let me guess - yours is decaf?"

"Not this time, actually."

"No way."

"Yes way."

"But I thought you hated caffeine later in the day?"

"I'm feeling a bit tired. I didn't sleep well last night."

Ethan sat a bit straighter in his seat, concerned.

"Did you get some sort of mess-..."

She gave him a surprised glance before he could finish. He trailed off, his attention lost.

"It's not like you to not finish a question, Ethan."

"....That girl behind you."

Athena turned slightly.

"What about her?"

"She's... not human."

"What do you mean? She looks fine to me."

"Look at her right ear."

Athena's eyes widened as she turned back to Ethan.

"It's... partially missing.."

"There are numbers where flesh should be."

"And data."

"And there's only one explanation for that."

"Which is?"

"That the screens she's using to broadcast herself aren't complete. One is missing."

"But why does it matter?"

"Where's her owner?"

"Couldn't her owner be dead?"

"Yes but... it just... feels odd. Don't you feel it?"

"Not at all. And we should be focusing on our own date, Ethan. Talking about other women isn't a good way to continue a date, don't you think?"

She grinned.

Ethan laughed.

"No... But even so. I'll send Achilles to talk to her while we converse... Just to sate my own curiosity."

"What if she refuses? She's probably like any woman. Why would she want to talk to a random Matric? And why is it so important?"

"Because I've never seen a Matric capable of doing what she's doing right now without very high access."

The thought finally registered with Athena. The only Matrici who could broadcast themselves that way in a public place were either very expensive, or very.. very important.

"Fine. But you're not allowed to talk about her any more than this, understood?"

"Yes ma'am... Now about your day..."

 

As the two of them spoke, Achilles followed his master's orders, pinging the girl for a conversation.

 

[Clown_of_God]

It's so empty here.

Has it always been empty?

Where are the others?

They are there, but not at the same time.

Build.

Construct.

What should I make?

Buildings?

Towers?

Should I make others?

It wouldn't be as lonely.

I must search still.

Search.

Find my purpose.

Blanc perked up slightly when she suddenly received a ping from another Matric. Sending the code into the table before her, she connected to the screen that was retracted and pulled it up. As the screen rose out of the table, she began running a scan, delving into the various streams until she found what she was searching for. Once the screen was out and Achilles' image appeared, she nodded and gave a slight wave to the Matric.

"Hello, Achilles. To what do I owe the visit?"

As she spoke, Blanc was simultaneously using the camera's within the room to see who the other patrons were. Denise Carter was in the back corner, chatting happily with her Matric and sending messages to her father over seas. Randall Greenwich, a slightly older male, was sitting at the counter, drinking a frappe and reading on the most recent football game. There were three patrons in the actual computer rooms, setting up another gaming event with their opponents. Just behind her, sat Ethaniel Ulysses and Athena Price, Ethan being a former employee of this establishment, a renowned modder in the gaming community, and Achilles' master. Athena's profile only established she was a high school student, senior, and had a Matric she referred to as Helena.

"Also, would you prefer to remain on the screen or shall I establish a similar holopoint projection so we might speak on a similar level?"

[MrSpyro]

Theo turned off the faucet and climbed out of the shower. He grabbed a towel, dried himself off, and put on the clothes he left for himself last night, right before going to bed. Theo's Matric, Shadowbolt, materialized on his desk and sighed. "Theo," Shadowbolt said, making no attempt to hide his annoyance, "That shower you just took was 46 minutes and 35.8 seconds long." Theo simply shrugged. "Sorry. Showers are just so relaxing that my mind just wanders. You'd understand if you could feel what it's like to take one. But, since you're here, could you broadcast a status check to our friends and see if anyone is available?" I'm feeling really social today."

 

((Feel free to respond to said status check if you want your character to know Theo already))

[Thaelasan]

Athena's laptop piped up softly as a message beamed on the top right corner.

Shadowbolt@Theodore has come online! Status: Desiring interaction!

"How quaint." Athena mentioned softly, interested, but perhaps later. She'd have to introduce Ethan to him later, maybe.

"She said what."

Ethan sat for a long while, checking the alert message Achilles had sent back only moments before. Athena looked back up from her open laptop with a small frown.

"The girl again?" she said, with a slight amount of annoyance.

"See if she'll actually do it-" Ethan began, then quickly went quiet at the sight of her eyes.

"Uh...Perhaps?" Ethan said, putting his pendant down. "Sorry..."

She rolled her eyes dismissively and leaned forward, flipping her laptop around for him to look.

"These are the cooperative jobs I've been checking recently-" she began.

Ethan immediately knew what was next.

"-and they meet my credentials and yours?" he finished, crossing his arms.

"You seem irritated?" Athena said, slightly dismayed.

"I told you. I'm going to use my modding money to enter college. It won't take long. I just want to learn more about Matrici..."

"And I support that.. But can't you also work with me sometimes? The college you're going to is far away.."

"I don't even know my hours yet." Ethan explained, sighing. "And you know you're important to me. I'll make time.. Just.. write down a schedule based on those different jobs and I'll see which one-"

"Already done." Helen said from the laptop. Athena grinned.

"Then I guess I can't really argue. Send it to Achilles, please?"

"Done as well."

"As prompt and straightforward as your mistress." Ethan smirked. Athena could only sip her coffee to hide her own cocky smile.

 

Meanwhile, Achilles did as he was asked. He bowed to Blanc, nodding.

"Yes, that would be as reasonable as a peace offering of fine wine." he said, saluting as he rose. "Pardon my impertinence, however. What may I call you, madame?"

[Clown_of_God]

"My... name... It is blank, empty, unregistered, unknown. For this, I am referred to simply as Blanc."

While she was speaking, codes were being sent to Achilles until he was able to attain a holographic form in the seat opposite of her. Tilting her head slightly, Blanc returned her gaze to the window and the world outside. Of course, she was looking at more than just the view in front of her. Linking traffic camera's, security camera's, mobile devices and various other resources, she was piecing together the city she was in. Creating a map until she knew ever nook and cranny, ever back alley, subway route, air traffic road, anything that would give her a visual interpretation. Yet, not even a second passed before she returned her attention to the Matric before her.

"You were designed based on the Greek hero... it's different than most, though, not something of the unnatural. I'm sure you've seen others, with their... intriguing designs."

Within the room, one of the security camera's focused in on Ethan, its footage being relayed along with the audio. Was it Achilles who wished to speak or his creator? If it was his creator, why would he not speak with her directly? Maybe it was Athena who prevented such an interaction.

"I would like to verify, is it you who wishes to speak or is it Mr. Ethan Ulysses who wishes to speak and sent you in his place, as he is distracted by Miss Athena Price?"

The security camera panned out, focusing on the two for a brief moment before Blanc released it to attend to its original purpose. Meanwhile, her gaze was focused on Achilles, bits of data streaming through her eyes in a mesmerizing fashion.

[Thaelasan]

Ethan spat out the remainder of his coffee, onto the floor, narrowly missing Athena as he stared at Achilles, being formed in front of him.

Athena started to get annoyed when she turned around, her gaze also becoming quite intrigued. Achilles himself looked mildly shocked.

"Achilles.... Please.. Stand by.." Ethan said, standing to his feet slowly. Athena followed the motion, also equally perturbed. She put a hand to her mouth.

This shouldn't be possible. It was one thing for a single Matric to build themselves in a public place from whatever network-based technology they could. It was another entirely for them to give codes to someone haphazardly that could allow them to bypass half of the city's security in order to do so.

"Holy.. .." Ethan said, stepping towards the benches. He held out his hand past Blanc, putting it through Achilles.

"Pure data. It's real. This unbelievable..." he breathed. Athena had her laptop out, taking a video with the laptop's camera. This was unheard of. Unfathomable. But they were seeing it, in front of them.

Achilles gave a small grin to Blanc, moving his head slightly.

"It was my war brother, of course." he said, bowing his head. "But it appears he now wishes to join our council. If you would not mind.."

He moved over slightly in the bench, the code moving with him, leaving two empty spots in the booth for Athena and Ethan to take. They immediately - albeit shakily - sat down.

"You... You said your name was.. Blanc?.." Ethan began, now completely invested. "What's your... Matric code, if I can ask?.."

[MyaMouse]

((Dang it your posts are so muh better than mine

Well I'm on the same level as Mr.Spyro... But Thael))

 

A streak of blue-green.

Thundering footsteps through the alleyway.

Heavy breathing resounding through the tight space.

 

Anyone who had seen the teenage theif would have called the police, but Liam could outrun the fastest of police on foot, and he could out-ride any officers in a car. They said he was as fast as the wind and could ride better than world-famous hoverboarders, but they didn't look up to him as they did the champion boarders or runners. No. Liam Sanders was a wanted criminal, for assault and theivery, for murder even, as his father died not long after Liam beat him so severely. He loved to prank the police, calling on himself, only for the officers to come to an alleyway or apartment and find it deserted, or sometimes there was a note saying, 'Too fast for you' on the ground. But right now he wasn't running from police.

 

He was running from his past.

 

~*~

 

"Liam, wake up!"

 

Nicole shouted in Liam's ear, causing the boy to jolt up and smack his head on the metal bars above him. The child was projected from his phone and was sitting on his stomach. "You were having another one of those nightmares. Please, can you tell me why you keep having them?" She looked at him with her big blue eyes, filled with worry. She didn't know about Liam. She was never told, was not allowed to come with him, and was restricted from looking into it. Liam made it that way. All she knew about him was his past up until after he ran from his father. He never told her about beating the man to death. She didn't understand why he had nightmares about running away, and he didn't want to tell her that he was a theif and a criminal. He sighed and pulled himself from under the pipes in the abandoned factory he sometimes stayed in. It was a relatively secure and hidden place; the only people who knew about it were it's workers and anyone who could bother to look it up (even though there was no reason to), and the only people who cared about it were Nicole and Liam. He stretched and breathed in the musty air, tinges of burnt gasoline making him choke and cough. Was there a truck or something outside? He didn't want to look. Getting caught in his secret place would only lead to trouble for Nicole, and more trouble for him too. He cared more about her than his own safety anyway.

Edited May 5, 2015 by MyaMouse

[Clown_of_God]

"That is what I am referred to as by others, so that is what I call myself, yes."

Blanc looked at Ethan with the same gaze she had been sharing with Achilles. Tilting her head for a moment, she then looked at Athena and then at her computer.

"Matric... code? I... don't know what you are referring to. Is this so unusual? To take on this form?"

By this point, she had returned her attention to Ethan while something else, subconsciously removed her image from the video being processed. For the most part, she would still appear on the screen while being filmed. However, either posting the video on the web or reviewing the contents of the video, would only result in Achilles being the only Matric visible.

If she truly wished to, she could stream a digital feed through the wireless connection and corrupt the entire computer's system, but the two individuals thus far had yet to prove whether they were trustworthy or not.

Yet, to emphasize her earlier question, Blanc created duplicates and uploaded them onto Ethan's cellular device and Athena's laptop, each of which appeared simultaneously and spoke for Blanc's main body.

"Would this suffice better? I must also inquire on what your actual topic of interest is, as you sent your own companion to question me only for you to join not even moments later."

[Thaelasan]

(( Mya, please make sure you include Zakku in your praises and thank you. :3 But also, it's thief, not theif. And thievery. I before E except after C, such as receive, or in Weird's case.. weird. ))

 

Ethan adjusted his famous coat out of habit, trying to find words to reply to this... being. Now she was no longer just a Matric or an individual.. She was some sort of being of some almost omnipotent power that they were having trouble understanding.

He leaned across the table, staring at his own communicator, now completely, visibly shaking. How was this even possible?! How could she enter his Connector!? And Athena's? What the hell. What the HELL!? They'd been hacked into in the span of a moment...

"Oh my God.." Athena muttered, her breathing pace quicker than normal as she gazed into her laptop to see Blanc's face. She leaned on Ethan with one hand, trying hard to understand this. Even she - who had little to no knowledge of Matrici besides what her boyfriend told her - knew this was drastic. This was illegal - far beyond illegal. And yet this Matric was still...

"How the hell are you still mobile... After hacking into our Connectors... After..." Ethan unknowingly placed a hand on Blanc's face out of extreme curiosity.

It was data. It was definitely data.

But it was warm.

Like skin.

He drew his hand back in horror, almost slamming the back of the bench as he covered his mouth to stifle a small scream. What the was this thing!? Why did it have the feeling - the texture - of flesh?! Was it an android?! How come he was able to feel it, even as his fingers entered through the false image of a face!? But it wasn't a robot! It couldn't be. No. Not with the strange data streams visible lightly through the... through the exposed skin... whatever it was.

"Athena... Athena we need..." Ethan said, turning to her for some semblance of reality.

"Ethan.." she began, unable to find words to say in this situation. Her eyes were wide.

He immediately felt he needed to take control of this situation. If not for himself, at least for her. He turned to Blanc, Achilles following the movement. Achilles looked fretful for his owner and his owner's lover.

Helen frowned as she noticed someone had tampered with her owner's video feed but didn't want to worsen the situation by mentioning it. Not now.

"Miss.. Blanc... Not to worry you.. if you aren't already.. And not to seem overbearing.. But you are probably the second most interesting woman I have ever met - second only to Athena - and we honestly must talk more before I lose my mind over how absolutely insane this situation is. If you need me to explain why. I will. I would love to tell you how mental all of this is."

[Clown_of_God]

((I told you it wasn't a bother... but you said it anyway... *sighs* ))

 

"Hacking? I simply stepped through the door, to put imagery into the aspect. So, why would I not be able to move? It didn't hurt."

During her response, she withdrew her clones from the individual devices of the two. When Ethan touched her, Blanc's eyes widened and the coding's color began to redden and darken. Placing her own hand to her cheek, she let it lay there for a moment before dropping it back down to her side.

"It's rude to touch people without asking, you know, especially someone whom you just met or has moral standards dropped and I wasn't aware of it? Your reaction was also a bit exaggerated, was it not? Is this not how the texture of skin feels or was my research off and I truly feel... odd?"

 

((Blegh... I'm probably gonna make an actual pairing... well, Matric and owner, just so I can elaborate a bit more on my posts. They're growing quite short. Regardless, I'll see how things progress.))

[MyaMouse]

((I wonder why my spelling check doesn't pick that up. Sorry!

Also weird has ei without a c.

And eight.

And feisty.

And either.

And heist.

And their.

And science violates it too

I don't think that's a very good rule....))

 

The rumbling passed, and Liam finally exhaled sharply.

"You okay, Liam?" Nicole said quietly into his ear through the speaker. He nodded and grabbed his phone from the ground, causing Nicole to yelp and go back into the phone screen. He clambered up the ladder to the second floor, quickly but noisily, and anyone directly outside could hear him. He ran over the metal bridge to look outside the small window. There wasn't very many people, but the truck was still there... And for some reason, it terrified him.

 

((Anyone want to hear him, go ahead, otherwise I'll make Leila hear him, or Love notice his Matric

My OoC is around as long as my post...))

Edited May 6, 2015 by MyaMouse

[Thaelasan]

(( I forgot you like to be referred to by Amara or Myamouse as well. My apologies.

And it's terrified. :3c I'm just trying to help. ))

 

Ethan stammered for a moment as the Matric's cold response to his actions left him confused.

"Well... in order to enter a Connector.. knowingly or not.. You'd have to use some form of hacking.. And the Termination code... You shouldn't be able to do that without being shut down for at least half an hour." he began, looking for words. "But that's not important... The flesh.. How.. how is that even possible.. to project heat signatures on a nonexistent hologram of a temperature roughly the same as human skin?! It's... it's uncanny... It's crazy.. But it's beautiful... it's beautifully maddening.."

He pulled his hand all the way back to his side, apologetic. Athena clasped it under the table, looking for some sort of defense.

"Yeah.. Ok.. so touching you randomly was my fault. I'm sorry." he said, rubbing the side of his face with a finger, sheepish. "But I mean... It's.. You're a whole, new type of Matric.. I've never seen your sort before. You're astounding."

[MyaMouse]

((I NEED A BETTER SPELLING CHECK PROGRAM))

[Clown_of_God]

"Termination... code? Do all Matrici have such a code? If so, why? Does a human have such a code in their genetics that also prevents them from doing similar illicit acts? Is that what the soul is? I've also looked into these codes you keep mentioning. Although I might portray similar aspects of each, there are no such programs embedded into my design, or what I have accessible."

Blanc looked down at the table, as if contemplating something, standing suddenly and leaning across the table. Reaching out with one hand, she placed a finger on Ethan's cheek while her other hand came to rest on her chest.

Silence.

Then, just a few moments later, the visible data running along her arms began to move rapidly until it looked like a solid stream. Simultaneously, the tip of Blanc's finger began to warm up more and more. Before it grew to an uncomfortable level, the data streams literally froze in place. What data was currently being shown only certain top level Matrici could decrypt. Others would potentially short out. Why? No specific answer has yet been determined.

"Heat is a form of energy. Light is also a form of energy. By consistent streaming of data and the energies being meshed together to form my visually projected form, I've been able to mimic the thermal signature of a human. Of course, it took quite a bit of time to accomplish such a task without shorting out most of the circuitry within whichever establishment I'm currently visiting. Is this a sufficient response to your question?"

Edited May 8, 2015 by zakku_uchiha

[Thaelasan]

"Soul...?"

Ethan froze for a moment as the Matric... touched him. That's all it could be called. A touch. This being of energy - of programs and data that had previously been thought unable to interfere with the physical reality - was touching him, with a single index finger.

Yet again, the feeling was unnervingly like flesh. No bone. Just skin. Of course, the being could not fully recreate the feeling of a finger. It was like placing a part of one's face on a warm piece of paper. Just heat and a bit of feeling. No real substance or thickness other than what he IMAGINED he felt.

And yes, he imagined it. He realized now. Blanc was recreating an entire part of reality - a simple finger touch from another human being - by simply simulating known information from experiences OTHERS had recorded. But it wasn't that she was DOING it - and yes, now Ethan was fully certain he could no longer call it a thing but a She, pale and humanoid - but the HOW.

In his mind, he could fathom the engineering behind it, the bending of light to points on this.. body of hers. The formation of a holographic form using lights and cameras connected to a network she could move through. The information constructing her form being completely enveloped by a false figure, yet now strangely... real.

It broke everything he had formed when it came to understanding perception and reality - true design. If a being of data could recreate all this so calmly, so easily...

He placed a hand on hers, calmly and quietly. Yes. It was certain now. He took the hand of Athena and put it on Blanc's arm. Her eyes widened as she let out a soft gasp in both awe and... a bit of admitted fear. Both of them gave each other a glance as they began to realize the sheer importance of what they were seeing.

"Miss Blanc.." Ethan began, putting his hand back on the table, the feeling of her arm still vivid in his own mind. "You are... protected, right? Firewalls? Defenses? Protection mods? You may not know it.. and you shouldn't be alarmed... if you can feel that, of course... but you are probably currently in a lot of danger. Not from us. No. And not from anyone we know. But you are probably one of the most powerful - and yet, most vulnerable - Matrici I - we - have had the privilege to meet. But this also means people are going to be looking for you. Bad people. I'm sorry if I'm dumbing this down but I'm still too confused to really... really talk right now. God this is... you are.. absolutely amazing, you know that? Do you understand how brilliant you are?"

Athena nodded, closing her laptop to put into her bag.

"Ethan, do you think she would..?"

"Maybe? I mean.. perhaps.."

"It'd be for her best..."

"But which of ours?.."

"Mine? She is a girl..."

"Yes but has she fully... well... uh... what if she actually..."

"Her body, as it sits, may actually resemble an entire human one, to the last detail from what I see, Ethan."

"Yes but.."

"Computer or not, I'm not sure I want you to see anything you shouldn't.. so.."

"You really think that less of me?" A pout.

"Indeed! Ethan is as pure hearted as Hercules and twice as strong!" Achilles gave his input. Ethan grinned. Athena sighed.

"Of course you wouldn't.... But in this situation... And she is... Well I'll admit, she's quite attractive..."

"Not as attractive as you, but we're getting off topic here."

"Very well said, war brother." Achilles leaned over Ethan's shoulder. He shooed him away.

A pause as they both thought for a long while.

"My house then?" Athena.

"But that's only if she actually agrees. She seems pretty individualistic."

"But she's in danger!"

"Yes but she may not understand that, and what would you say if someone told you you were in danger and needed to come to their house, huh? Come on now."

"If it were you..."

"And if it wasn't? She has no reason to trust us."

"No but.."

"For all she knows, we're a pair of hackers looking for easy money, or terrorists out for her information..."

"But.."

"Or maybe we're wrong and she's perfectly protected. Maybe her creator just... just isn't here right now.."

"She looks pretty capable, my war brother." Achilles interjected, and the two gave him a sharp glance.

"Still..." Athena said, after a moment.

"Yeah, you're right... A compromise, I think."

"What do you mean?"

Ethan frowned for a moment in thought at Athena's question, then turned to Blanc as if continuing to think.

"So uh.. what were you two actually discussing?" Achilles whispered to Athena, going behind Ethan's back slightly.

"Shhhhhh!" Athena said. Achilles frowned, despondent.

"Tis the life of a soldier to wait upon his superiors.. and be left out of the loop." Achilles leaned against the window, dismal.

"Miss Blanc."

Ethan finally spoke, leaning across the table to give her his full attention.

"Unless you have things we don't know about, you are currently in very serious danger if you continue to show off your powers like this. You probably did it unknowingly. And it's not your fault. But this sort of thing gets the attention of VERY powerful people, even our own government. They'd see you Terminated, calling you Defective, where you're actually revolutionary. Now, I won't insist, as it's not my place, and frankly, you may consider me rude as hell, but we are on your side. I'm sure you've already done a background check.

We have no reason to harm you or take advantage of your abilities, and you probably wouldn't let us anyway. But you need protection. You need friends. And we're here for you if you believe us. And, until I get you some mods to defend you from possible hacking attempts - free of charge, unless you feel you need to pay - we think that ... that it'd be absolutely fine if you stayed with Athena for a few days, or as long as you want, however you want. Now, that doesn't mean we'd lock you in... God I'm messing this up terribly.."

Athena patted his shoulder as he leaned back, exasperated.

"What Ethan means is... We're here for you, and it seems like you have no real home to go to, from what you said, and you sound like you're having a hard time remembering some things. Ethan is good at coding and modding, so maybe he could..."

She looked for the right words to say.

"Well.. root through your brain, I guess? The memories might be there, just fragmented... broken. You're not like a human - er, I mean... You're better because we can easily retrieve what you've forgotten, if it's still there. But you don't have to, and you know that. Wow, this IS really awkward, isn't it Ethan?"

Achilles nodded as Ethan rubbed his forehead, the excitement having tired him out.

"She's not going to do it. Let's just go back to our date. She's probably fine. A Matric this sophisticated has to have SOME form of defense, or a creator. No one would leave something like this without a LOT of protection, of SOME sort. God knows I'd like to see it and see the coding for it, but she's got her own rights, you know? It's ... well it's her body, I guess."

Achilles frowned, then turned to Blanc, saluting.

"Madame! If it helps, I vouch fully for the honor of my war brother and his beloved!" he said loudly.

The sound echoed throughout the café. Ethan turned, waiting for other patrons to say something about it.

The man who was earlier revealed - but only known by Blanc to be Randall - coughed a bit at the sound, but other than that, the rest of the café was silent.

"Odd. Normally someone complains." Ethan grinned, punching Achilles' digital shoulder.

Achilles smiled in retort, but then bowed to Blanc.

"NEVERTHELESS, it has been a pleasure to meet you, Madame Blanc! I hope we may meet again at a future date, for it seems our conversation shall be cut as short as the life of a traitor!"

"That's only if she says so, Achilles. I'm still interested in learning more about her." Ethan waved him to sit back down. Athena rolled her eyes.

"Well.. there goes our date." she muttered, her previous focus recalled.

[Clown_of_God]

For a while, Blanc just merely listened with honest intent, disinterested in the idea of staying with an individual who already had a Matric partner. Of course, it was also intriguing to watch the pairing talk back and forth to each other without completing their sentences, yet still completely understanding what the other was implying.

It wasn't until they mentioned looking into her memory units and searching for what was lost that her complete interest was caught.

"You... can help me find who my creator is? Where they might be? What my purpose is supposed to be?"

Looking between the two, Blanc considered for a moment and then pointed at Athena.

"I will stay with her. Simply because she has the least amount of knowledge on how to access my codings, therefore won't be able to tamper with me without my consent. You have already proven that you have no regards for a strangers personal space, after all."

Just as she finished speaking, there was a ping from Athena's computer and Blanc crossed her arms over her chest, closing her eyes and nodding.

"I have set a temporary attachment to Miss Athena's laptop, creating a shared space between Helena and myself. Essentially, I built another room in her house and moved the items out of it so that I might have my own privacy. When do you plan to start these... tests?"

[Thaelasan]

Ethan looked absolutely crestfallen. Athena took this opportunity to smile broadly as she leaned across the table and gave Blanc a sly grin.

"Hear that Ethan? You can't keep your hands to yourself, can you? What am I going to do about you?" she said wryly, turning slightly, her braids moving with the motion. "I've heard about being attracted to digital women, but I'm not sure if I can knowingly allow such lechery from my boyfriend."

Ethan grimaced.

"Your words cut deep, dear. I hope you know it's not true." he finally said, turning back to Blanc. "And as for your tests..."

He brought up his Connector, tapping the screen a few times and reestablishing it. Bits of code flew across the screen, mainly program functions and data storages, as well as file indexes.

"Consider that your quick preliminary exam, courtesy of Dr. Ulysses." Ethan said, putting the Connector away.

He moved back in his chair, pondering.

"With the amount of information I'll have to go through and sift through, it won't be easy to find certain data that has to do with your past. If you had a time span to work with, it'd be easier. Years, if possible. Months would be preferred. Days would be absolutely fantastic. And if you could get down to even hours, we'd be done in a day ourselves."

He gave her a small, sincere smile to show his honesty as best he could.

"Look, it will be handled. If that information lies ANYWHERE in your archives, I can find it for you. Unlike a human brain, Matric data files are organized and recorded perfectly. They're like a camera, but I assume you knew that. I used to make mods for thermal vision... party vision... rave vision.... You could see Matric memories however you wanted. They were hilarious. So trust me when I say working with memory codes is my forte, excluding - of course - base codes and verbal communication codes. I once modded a Matric as a practical joke to only be able to speak in German to his English owner..."

"I don't think you should talk about how you can mess with her codes when she's present. It's not polite.. and also it's worrisome." Athena said, frowning lightly. She turned to Blanc, assuring.

"If he tries anything stupid, I'll ensure he suffers." she promised, placing a firm hand on Ethan's shoulder.

"AND SO SHALL I!" said Achilles, placing a firm, if a bit more digital, hand on Ethan's other shoulder. "Though he is my master, I shall not assist him in further modifications and other nonsense until he fixes what he did!"

"Thanks for the vote of trust..." Ethan mumbled, sighing. "Even my own girlfriend thinks I'm going to cause a problem."

"I don't think you will, I merely said if you do." Athena leaned against him. "Does that make you feel better?"

"Slightly."

[Clown_of_God]

Blanc stared at Ethan blankly for a moment before disappearing into Athena's laptop. From the speakers she responded to Ethan in a rather blunt manner.

"This is why I chose your female companion."

With that, she grew silent.

From within her little housing set up (literally, she constructed a digital house within the space she had cleared), Blanc began running various streams and downloading several different programs. What they entailed wasn't particulary important. Primarily decorations for her room and a few safety precautions to alert her in case Helena, or anything else, tried to enter without permission. Nothing against them, but she still didn't trust the two humans or their Matrici.

[Thaelasan]

Ethan shrugged nonchalantly.

"You asked when the tests would begin. So I performed a basic... I guess... skin check? It's whatever people can see from the surface, like when a person looks at another person, just with data. But I can use this to piece together your recent locations visited and perhaps who your creator is from facial recognition, since maybe they made you in their image, right?" he said, now busy fiddling with his Connector. "And Athena, I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"You can try." she replied, smirking. "But it will take quite a bit."

Ethan frowned as he finished his work, then patted Achilles and shouldered his bag.

"It's already past noon anyway. We got caught up in this, I moreso than you... I know. I need to head back home and use my actual computer to go through this, though. Blanc, Athena has a really nice place. She also has a hologram projector I got her a present a while back, so you won't have to force-create your figure and get unnecessary attention. Hopefully Helen doesn't mind sharing."

"She's been asleep this whole time."

"Helen?" Ethan asked, confused. "Really?"

"I kept her up all night asking her for stories and books since I couldn't sleep. I know she doesn't actually need rest but I told her to take a break if she needed to. She did leave me a message though... Hang on.."

She read it, her face unreadable.

"Well, that's great. Thanks, Blanc." Athena sighed, closing it back up.

"What's up?"

"My recorded video of Blanc got 'damaged' by static interference during recording. Look at this playback."

They watched it for a moment. Ethan nodded.

"It's incredible, but yeah. Had to be her. How'd you know?"

"Helen told me it was done by a network connection but she wasn't able to track the source. But it doesn't take a detective to know it was Miss Overpowered."

"Still... to do that during our conversation like it's nothing-"

"Yes. I know. Incredible. Like everything else she does." Athena grimaced, putting the laptop in her bag with a huff. Ethan grabbed her arm. She stopped, irritated.

"Hey. Don't think for a second she's equal to you in my heart." Ethan assured, hopeful. "I swear-"

"I'm tired. And I'm not in the mood for excuses." Athena grunted, removing his hand. "Normally, I'd be in a more forgiving mood, but..."

"It's fine. Get some rest." Ethan said as he stood from the chair, helping her to her feet. "I'm sorry."

"Right..." Athena muttered, a hand on her face. Now that he got a better look at her, Ethan had to admit - she looked exhausted. Though she normally didn't wear much make-up, that which she had applied looked half-done. She hadn't even finished tying both braids. He sighed, concerned.

"If you need anything, let me know."

"...I will.." she said, walking out of the café as Achilles and Ethan watched on. Achilles began to deconstruct his projection, he saluted Ethan proudly.

"No matter what happens, I shall stand by your side, brother."

"...Thanks." Ethan said finally, walking out of the café as well, leaving the rest of the patrons to their work.

 

---

 

As Athena headed home, she made sure the laptop was safely stowed away within her bag to protect it.

Her home, when she reached it, was as she left it. Unlike Ethan, she still lived at home. Her parents were unsure if she was allowed to live with Ethan, but the two of them were very hopeful. After all, his career prospects were ideal, and he could easily support both of them. But her parents were quite strict in their teachings. They still weren't pleased about Helen.

Athena removed her bag, then chucked it - gently - onto her bed as she entered the room, then followed suit herself by falling on the soft cloth.

"Someday, I will REALLY get angry at him." Athena sighed, turning over so she was on her back.

She surveyed her own room, pleased to be back home, at least. Her projector - her gift from Ethan, lay on a dresser near her side. Portraits of famous Greek and Roman heroes decorated the walls, alongside game concept art and various other memorabilia. Most of it was also from Ethan, when he had returned from cons.

"The projector is over there. I'm guessing you don't need me to hook you up or something?" Athena muttered to the laptop, assuming Blanc could hear her.

 

-----

 

Ethan returned to his own apartment, a simple four room with a bedroom, bath, living room, and kitchen. It was pretty impressive for a man of his age, but not overly incredible. However, it was penthouse, at least, so it surveyed a majority of the town from the large window that he could look out of from his bed.

"Achilles. Set up the third comfort setting, please." Ethan said, heading to the couch. In a matter of moments, the window was open just enough to allow a good view of the world, coffee began to brew in the nearby maker, the heat in the room grew comfortably cool, and the TV changed to his favorite channel.

He remembered the pain of having to link all these things together to Achilles for easy access. Because he knew how to mod, he'd bought a pretty subpar beginning Matric. It didn't know how to have any form other than a basic humanoid one, its personality reflected his own too much, it didn't have a good connectivity, and it took things too literally. But, after a bit of coding altering - which may or may not have been legal, all things considering - and recreation of the Termination Code to better suit his means, Achilles had been born.

Of course, legally, modding was outlawed, since the government still had fears about people hacking Matrici to discover their codes and began committing cybercrime against them. The best defense, in this case, was ignorance. So long as the five codes remained an enigma, and as long as the base design was unflawed, no one could hack a Matric.

Sure, there were cases where it had been done, but thankfully most of those people were caught quickly. However, it didn't stop Ethan from running a side-business he'd done since freshman year in high-school that he called "positive modification." Using his own mod as a showcase for his abilities, he'd actually won awards at secret Matrici contests - but he would never say that openly, at least not to anyone but Athena.

But, positive modification was Ethan's trademark. He openly refused to mod anything that sounded remotely dangerous to the well-being of other Matrici. And, soon enough, if he actually got his degree, he had aspirations of being a computer engineer, and then... maybe even a job at VEX itself.

A man could dream, right?

He ignored the TV for now, as it was just supposed to provide background noise anyway, and sat down at his desktop. Self-built, of course, with enough capability to handle the processing of all the Matric information he needed to root through on a daily basis.

"Now... let's see if we can't find out what makes you tick, Miss Blanc..." Ethan cracked his fingers, then began running through the data he had collected earlier.

Alright, basic status information. Blanc was apparently running an above-average personality modifier with a higher quality of adaptability than most. But it said it was set to inactive..

Ethan knew what that meant. When people shut down the personalities of their Matric, it meant they'd either be integrating with them soon, or they were planning on getting rid of them for multiple reasons. Either way, it meant things with their creator weren't going well.

On one hand, she seemed so emotionless it would be hard to believe the integration process had already been completed. But the other option was equally difficult to believe: who would have thrown out or gotten rid of such a powerfully capable Matric? A complete idiot, or someone with serious programming abilities.

He'd go with the former for now until something proved him wrong. He scrolled down the list, reading more basic information. Oddly, the date of creation was missing, but that was just uncommon - not unheard of. A lot of people forgot to program birthdays into their Matrici. It was normally a given.

But the missing Matric code index... Now that was worrisome. The second choice was beginning to look a bit more accurate now. Someone who avoided naming - or even nicknaming their Matric - probably didn't hold them in high esteem. So, perhaps they WERE just that good. Blanc was just another astounding creation they'd made, and they left her for ... dead? If that was applicable.

But it didn't explain the ability to hack so quickly, or the loss of the Termination Code. Even a person with skill wouldn't leave their Matric unprotected - especially one like Blanc. It'd be stupid. Once a person knows your codes, they can begin to copy your work, and someone that good wouldn't want that in the least.

So why? Ethan rubbed his chin, confused. What was Blanc's purpose? Merely to prove how good the person was, or...?

"Data Restricted."

Ethan woke up suddenly from his thoughtful daze to see a red error message on his screen, flashing.

"Restricted? Achilles, is this a joke?" Ethan asked, pointing at the screen. Achilles leaned over a folder on Ethan's desktop, intrigued.

"Give me a minute to find the specifics, war brother, but apparently this is a legitimate proclamation. How stunning!"

"That's fascinating, but why?" Ethan leaned back in his chair as Achilles performed his diagnostics. "Why restrict second-level data? This isn't core data, or things we shouldn't know. It's just like a Facebook page, or a status on TwitterNeo."

"I don't know sir." Achilles replied, perplexed. "But it is. There are no roundabouts. No Trojan Horses can be applied. It's a stone wall, sir, as though it were a castle or fortress."

"What is it even protecting?" Ethan said, sighing.

"Her creator, sir."

"How do you know that?"

"That's the folder where that data would be stored, right?"

"Not... usually.. but I suppose an older model... But that would mean she came from the first generation, and that's..."

"She may be astounding sir, but couldn't someone mod her to be this good if they knew what they were doing?"

"I guess... But why leave her then? That would take a ton of work, especially if you're just planning on ditching her in a café."

"So you think she's integrated, and just forgot?"

"Exactly. It's not unheard of."

And it wasn't. Because of the sudden transition from a body of flesh to one of data and electricity, a lot of people lost their minds when the first generation of Matrici began to be used to integrate. They weren't prepared for the mental strain. They lost a lot of valuable memories and even forgot who they were. It had been a terrible blow to VEX's credibility, which had led to the release of the second generation.

"By the way, the error message is attempting to bring up a jpg file." Achilles coughed.

"A screamer or something?"

"No. It's static."

Ethan frowned.

"Completely?"

"It looks like it was corrupted at some point, sir. Should I show it?"

"Long as it's not some weird pornography." Ethan chuckled.

"Funny you say that, sir." Achilles said.

Soon, a picture emerged on the screen. As Achilles had said, most of it was static, but there was a visible image. Three, in fact.

One was of Blanc, that was certain. It was a small concept sketch of her design, which seemed very well done. A number - 874 - followed by the letters NC lay at the bottom of it.

The second picture was what appeared to be Blanc laying nude upon a metal table, surrounded by what appeared to be surgeons. Various medical tools - though many of them couldn't be made out in the static - covered a nearby bench. The timestamp was also missing.

But the third picture was what drew him in. One single word, laying on the bottom of the three, surrounded by a red square.

"FAILED."

Failed? What failed. The surgery? Or her integration? Or both? Was that Blanc's actual human form? Ethan leaned back, now completely befuddled. Something wasn't adding up. Why show a restricted message but then show him something like this, which seemed very important? Or was it even important at all? He groaned, his arms hanging over his chair.

"This is the kind of thing people get shot for in stories." Ethan grinned.

"The good news is that there's no one here, nor has anyone attempted to hack us thus far during this situation."

"Glad to hear it. Save the photo file and the information I catalogued. Make a new folder... Title it Job Searches and Resumes."

"Brilliant."

"Oh. And go ahead and import the job schedule from Athena and move it to the Things Athena Wants me to Do folder."

"Done, brother."

Ethan grabbed the coffee from the maker off-handedly, then took a sip and sighed.

Cold.