"There are people, the real weirdos, who are real fans of opposites. They make costumes and symbols, and they debate facts about them online. They have bugs
Those who are really deep in these circles worship aliens. They see them as a form of divine punishment, or some kind of disadvantaged alien. Usually this doesn't make sense.
Most of the time, we're happy to let them stand up for what they believe. Pretty harmless. "
—Sergeant O'Malley, New York City Police Department, whose life was taken a week ago by a pro-contrarian bombing. January 2049
***
“I’m really starting to hate stairs,” I said.
Kill enough aliens and save enough people so you can afford a flight system.
I rolled my eyes. "Is this your solution to everything?" I asked.
of course not. This is the solution for most things.
"Yeah," I said. "What's the retirement plan for a samurai?"
Vanguard can stop assisting the opposition at any time, although you need to survive on monthly points, which is a negligible amount.
I snorted. The faster I get to the roof, the faster Lucy and the kitten can get out of here. And then...then I'll figure something out.
"I have two questions," I said.
I've been listening.
"Crawl. First, should I get something? I don't know, armor or better gear. Second, AA mount, do I need anything?"
You will most likely need some kind of interface tool to connect to Va
gua
d designed system. As for your equipment. Yes. Yes, you definitely need better equipment. Every tool you’ve purchased so far has been, all in all, lackluster and low quality. A proper pistol costs hundreds of points, as does armor. The problem is that your overall score is low. Spend all your money on mediocre gear now and it will be difficult to get better gear later.
When I reached the top of the stairwell, I scratched my chin. "I understand what you're saying, yes. But if it means life, take your time." Actually, I do mind it a little bit. I had grown to hate the shitty crap the orphanage always gave us and I wanted something better immediately, but I also wanted to live.
Then again, in my experience, non-provocation is the best way to win a fight.
"I need covert action," I said. "And there's something to make up for my terrible goals."
Buying stealth gear is a great idea! Although I'm afraid most of it won't be understandable to you at the moment. Basic Stealth System Level I costs one hundred points. From there you can purchase something like the Invisibility Coat for fifty points, which serves as a decent disguise.
"Okay," I said. “But that doesn’t do much for my goals,” I said.
real. Then I would suggest two other utilities. You desperately need a better augmentation system, but it's not currently available unless you spend points on something that isn't immediately useful, maybe a basic aiming system in the utility class for your secondary weapon Ma
k I gave it twenty points, and then the Hydra autonomous aiming bracket gave it a hundred points.
"What was that last thing?" I asked.
It is a mounted mechanical system that essentially secures the firearm of your choice. It can be aimed and fired using sight sighting or a more complex targeting computer.
"And then I need to buy a gun," I said.
indeed.
Maybe I should pick up that sparrow I threw away earlier. Could save me some points. "I'd like to give it a try," I said, pushing open the door at the top of the stairwell and sliding down a long hallway. I'm so used to this damn building. "Let's start with additional firepower."
It's nice to be harder to see and hit, but I want to be able to fight back.
Just to confirm, you want the basic aiming system Ma
k I and Hyd
a Autonomous aiming bracket?
I nodded. "Yeah, they all sound useful. They'll help, right?"
I whispered. I don’t want everyone around me to know I’m there. "Shouldn't you choose the best one for me?" I asked.
always. From your profile, you don't show that you trust authority that much.
I stopped near an intersection and looked around the corner before answering. The answer came in the form of a shrug. "I don't know. You don't feel like a drone company, or a volunteer at an orphanage, you feel... like yourself?"
Is the AI doing something to please itself? itself. I guess so. Is she talking and joking with me? Let me let my guard down. I think it has worked.
I appreciate it. really. Yes, while I try to guide you with an eye on long-term gains, I also want to see you perform well in the short term.
"Sentimental," I said. “Does my profile tell you how much I hate stupid shit?”
One note is that your behavior during the filming of some of the orphanage's more...disability-centric advertising and PR campaigns was sub-par. I can extrapolate from there.
I snorted. "Give me new toys and let's move on."
New Purchase: Basic Aiming System Ma
i
Points reduced to... 206
New Purchase: Hyd
a Autonomous aiming installation
Points reduced to... 106
I stowed away the two boxes below, one small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, the other longer than my arm and thick nearly a foot tall. I opened the smaller one first and found a small L-shaped device with a complicated little projector and some parts I didn't recognize.
Press the longer part against your temples, and the ball at the end of the other rod should touch the bridge of your nose.
I figured it out pretty quickly. It's basically a square, half-rimmed monocle that sticks to my skin like it's glued to it. When it's in place, the projector fires up and I now have a HUD above my HUD. "This is going to be annoying," I said.
You will get used to it. It's primarily designed to track your eye movements, and its hardware will do a lot of things your current device can't. It will make more sense once you equip other new gear.
I shrugged, trying to ignore the impression that a strand of hair was tickling my nose where the aiming system had been pressed.
The second, larger box contained an even cooler toy.
"Oh," I said. Then I started laughing.
