The Matrix Online Archives

The Matrix Online Archives
1
[This page was intentionally left blank]
2
Version 0.98
Compiled by Julio Angel Ortiz
http://www.vobomb.net/
!his "r#hive would not be possible without the $ollowing: %"rebit& Cloudwol$& !he'igeon(ing&
A)u"tium& %om"v& mostory.#om& moresour#es.#om& *ug"ree& "nd Ar#hiv"l *#ien#e in "
'ost+,"r *imul"tion.
3
1. -ntrodu#tion
2. !he ."tri
3. !he *toryline
Ch"pter /./ 0 .en"#e o$ the %ed+1yed Agents
Ch"pter /.2 0 3ight$"ll
Ch"pter /.4 0 !he 5unt...
... 6or .orpheus
...6or the Ass"ssin
Ch"pter 2./ 0 7ouble Cross
Ch"pter 2.2 0 %ise o$ the Cypherites
Ch"pter 2.4 0 Arriv"l o$ the Comm"ndos
7e"th o$ the 7estroyer
Ch"pter 4./ 0 !he 1$$e#tu"tor
Ch"pter 4.2 0 !he 1nigm" o$ Cryptos
Ch"pter 4.4 0 !he Veil o$ Cryptos
Ch"pter 8./ + %etribution
Ch"pter 8.2 0 1 'luribus 3eo
A 'ie#e o$ 9lue *:y
Ch"pter 8.4 0 Che"t Codes
Ch"pter ;./ + 9etr"y"l
Ch"pter ;.2 + <nlimit
Ch"pter ;.4 0 *ystem *ho#:
Ch"pter =./ + -nvestig"tions
Ch"pter =.2 0 <ne"sy 'e"#e
Ch"pter =.4 0 (idn"pping
Ch"pter >./ 0 !he *e"r#h
Ch"pter >.2 0 7esper"tion
Ch"pter >.4 0 6"ll o$ the ?ener"l
Ch"pter 8./ 0 ,"r
Ch"pter 9./ + -ntrusion
Ch"pter 9.2 + -nter$"#e
Ch"pter 9.4 0 %iv"ls
Ch"pter /0./ 0 Olig"r#hy
Ch"pter /0.2 0 Ouroborus
Ch"pter /0.4 0 Che#:s "nd 9"l"n#es
Ch"pter //./ 0 6r"#tures
Ch"pter //.2 0 ,right
Ch"pter //.4 0 Overides
Ch"pter /2 0 !rinity
Ch"pter /4 0 <prising
Ch"pter /8 0 6reedom
3. Appendi
A. 7r"m"tis 'erson"e
/. 'rim"ry Ch"r"#ters
2. 3eighborhood Cont"#ts
4
9. !he Org"niz"tions
C. 3eo@s %*- 6r"gments
7. !he Ass"ssin@s .emoir
1. 1ile ?"ngs
6. *toryline 3otes "nd 7o#uments
?. V"rious %"rebit Auestions "nd Answers
5
Introduction
!he ."tri is "n illusion. -t "ppe"rs to be Ameri#" "t the turn o$ the 2/st #enturyB " v"st
meg"#ity "nd "n "dC"#ent mount"in r"nge. -n truth it is " virtu"l& digit"l world th"t hum"ns
eperien#e through $eeds running dire#tly to their nervous systems. !hese hum"ns
eperien#e "n "rti$i#i"l li$e in the ."tri& un"w"re o$ their re"l st"te.
-n re"lity& the "#tu"l d"te is un:nown& but it is believed to be " #ouple o$ #enturies l"ter. !he
proprietors o$ the ."tri "re ."#hines th"t h"ve won " w"r with hum"n:ind. 7uring the w"r
the s:y w"s Ds#or#hed&D denying m"#hines their sour#e o$ energy& sol"r power. !he m"#hines
now use sleeping hum"ns& en#losed in li)uid+$illed pods on v"st b"tteries& to gener"te he"t
th"t be#omes ele#tri#ity.
A $ew $ree hum"ns& b"sed in "n underground #ity o$ Eion& resist the ."#hines "nd hope to
de$e"t the ."tri system& whi#h they see "s " $orm o$ sl"very. !hese $ree hum"ns& too& #"n
C"#: into the ."tri& by lur:ing #lose under the sur$"#e world in their hover#r"$t. 9ut when they
do& they "re ruthlessly hunted down by Agents o$ the ."#hines. 5um"ns #"n "nd do die in
the ."tri.
A hover#r"$t C"pt"in n"med .orpheus h"s he"rd " prophe#y th"t there is One who #"n
#ontrol the ."tri re"lity by will "lone. .orpheus summons 3eo "nd epl"ins the true st"te o$
"$$"irs he thin:s 3eo& " young m"n "w":ened $rom the illusion "nd brought $rom his pod into
the re"l world is the One.
3eoFs powers "w":en "nd the b"ttle es#"l"tes& but soon reve"ls #ompli#"tions. Along with
hum"ns "nd Agents o$ the ."#hines in the ."tri& there "re $ree& sentient progr"ms + 1iles +
enCoying li$e "s hum"ns in the virtu"l world.
!he 1iles "re v"ried. !he Or"#le is benign& "nd guides .orpheus "nd the other hum"ns in
their )uest.
!he .erovingi"n& ":" the 6ren#hm"n& is " syb"riti# g"ngster #omm"nding " host o$ hum"n+
$ormed progr"ms with powers li:e th"t o$ ghosts& werewolves "nd other supern"tur"l entities.
!hereFs "lso " wild #"rd& Agent *mith. -nste"d o$ being destroyed by 3eo in "n epi#
#on$ront"tion& he h"s be#ome "n independent virus+li:e progr"m who #"n repli#"te himsel$
"nd overwrite others.
3eo en#ounters the #rowning #ompleity when he meets the Ar#hite#t& the progr"m who
designed the ."tri. !he Ar#hite#t reve"ls there were previous iter"tions o$ the ."tri th"t
$"iled& "nd even previous Ones li:e 3eo. A bloody #y#le o$ destru#tion "nd renew"l o$ the
."tri& Eion "nd hum"nity is ines#"p"ble.
3eo wonFt "##ept this. 9ut $irst he s"ves the wom"n he loves& !rinity& $rom de"th& by
spe#t"#ul"rly re"#hing into her torsoB removing " bullet "nd m"ss"ging her virtu"l he"rt b"#:
into pulsing li$e. -roni#"lly& it is 3eoFs #"p"#ity $or love th"t m":es him the mightiest w"rrior&
the One.
!he #risis is imminent. !he ."tri is $"iling be#"use o$ Agent *mithFs vir"l t":eover o$ every
individu"l in it. -tFs #le"nsing& "nd the destru#tion o$ Eion by physi#"l m"#hines& is "lmost
underw"y.
3eo does the impossibleB he "nd !rinity bre": out o$ the underground "nd $ly " hover#r"$t to
the #ity o$ ."#hines on the sur$"#e world. 5e proposes " de"l: heFll de$e"t *mith& whose vir"l
6
growth thre"tens "ll the ."#hines& in e#h"nge $or pe"#e between the m"#hines "nd the $ree
hum"ns. !he de"l is m"de.
3eo does destroy *mith& with "n "ssist $rom the Or"#le Gwho h"d "llowed *mith to overwrite
her with #urious e)u"nimity + wh"t did she h"ve up her sleeveHI& in " b"ttle worthy o$ "n#ient
gods o$ the s:y. !he ."tri is s"ved. Eion is *"ved. !he ."#hine #iviliz"tion is s"ved.
A tru#e is m"de + $ree hum"ns GDRedpillDI #"n even "w":en the sleepers GDluepillDI&
"lthough too mu#h o$ this would thre"ten the ."tri. 3eo& the One& seems to h"ve died in the
b"ttle with *mith& but the ."#hines do not return his #orpse.
*ome people $ind this disturbing "nd their "#tions set the story o$ The Matrix Online in motion.
7
The Matrix
!he #ity o$ The Matrix Online is divided into $our distri#ts: %i#hl"nd& ,estview& -ntern"tion"l&
"nd 7owntown. 1"#h distri#t& in turn& is divided into neighborhoods& whi#h #ont"in their own
1ile g"ngs& Colle#tors& "nd l"ndm"r:s. ,hen $irst C"#:ing in to The Matrix Online& you begin
in %i#hl"nd& the only Js"$eK lo#"tion $or new %edpills. Outside o$ %i#hl"nd& %edpills $"#e
in#re"singly power$ul 1ile progr"ms& "s well "s the possibility o$ Agents lo#:ing onto their
sign"l "nd "tt"#:ing. !here "re other "re"s #"lled Constru#ts& usu"lly "##essible only
through through progr"ms #"lled Ar#hivists. Constru#ts eist outside o$ the #ore re"lity o$ the
."tri& o$ten h"rboring power$ul progr"ms "nd lo#"tions $rom previous versions o$ the ."tri
or b"#: door lo#"tions through the simul"tion.
5ere is " bre":down o$ the 3eighborhoods "nd 7istri#ts.
Richland
!hough O$$i#i"l m"ps l"bel this "re" "s %i#hl"nd& most people usu"lly re$er to it simply "s the
*lums. *et "g"inst the south shore o$ the river whi#h bise#ts the City& the *lums "re ri$e with
#rimin"l "#tivity& urb"n& de#"y& "nd r"ndom violen#e. 5owever& this is " le"sson in the
de#eptive n"ture o$ the ."tri. !hrough the "re" is "mong the poorest "nd le"st desir"ble to
the popul"#e o$ the City& it is " desir"ble holding $or those who underst"nd the n"ture o$ the
."tri. -ndeed& m"ny power$ul 1iles #ompete $or #ontrol o$ its resour#es. !he *lums is
#ompirsed o$ $i$teen neighborhoods.
8
Achan
'rim"rily #omposed o$ older buildings th"t h"ve seen better d"ys& A#h"n h"s degener"ted
into " den o$ vi#e& #r"mmed with strip #lubs& "dult boo:s stores& b"rs& "nd seedy hotels. !he
$ew de#ent #itizens le$t in the neighborhood :now better then to w"l: the streets "t night&
when the lo#"l 1ile ro"m in se"r#h o$ trouble. !he predomin"nt g"ng in the neighborhood is
the 9ells& "n "ll $em"le g"ng th"t gu"rds their territory Ce"lously& "nd doesnFt hesit"te to #"ll
on their "llies in the more power$ul 9l"#:wood g"ng Gin ne"rby ."r" "nd ."gogI when they
need " h"nd.
Apollyon
*itu"ted in the southwest #orner o$ the *lums& Apollyon bo"sts " w"ter$ront lined with seedy
wh"r$s "nd deserted w"rehouses. Along the shore& long sh"dows $"ll on we"thered buildings
"nd be"ten shop$ronts. A neon+lit diner m"y o$$ sol"#e $rom the streets $or " $ew minutes& but
in the end Apollyon rem"ins with it is& the l"st g"sp o$ the *lums be$ore you tr"vel west into
the hell o$ the 9"rrens. !he hot nightspot in Apollyon is the J"#obFs L"dder.
!a"on #eights
Lo#"ted on the e"st side o$ the slums& C"mon 5eights m"y be neighborhood th"t h"s
persevered the best. !hough there "re t"ller #omplees ne"r to the Ei" -ndustri"l "re"& "s you
9
move e"st the neighborhood improves. C"mon 5eights in#ludes ni#er #ondos "nd
"p"rtments th"n the .ori"h 'roCe#ts to the north& "nd the housing density is lowered by the
presen#e o$ gro#ery stores& #hur#hes& "nd store$ront businesses.
$annah #eights
Just southwest o$ (edemoth& "nd north o$ Apollyon& 7"nn"h 5eights is " neighborhood with "
du"l #h"r"#ter. !he domin"nt g"ng in the "re" is the *ilver 9ullets. ,hile they seem li:e "ny
other group o$ 1ile thugs in the d"ylight house& "t night the 9ullets m":e this neighborhood
their person"l hunting ground. !heir pre$erred )u"rry is "ny Lupine they #"n #"t#h& but
theyFve got epenses to meet "s well& "nd sh":ing str"y %edpills is " gre"t w"y to :eep the
#o$$ers $ull. .ost #onsider them $"n"ti#s& though de"ling with them r"tion"lly is re"lly not "n
option.
%shean &ro'ects
Lo#"ted to the south o$ more prosperous .idi"n '"r: "re"& "nd sep"r"ted $rom (edemoth by
the Lemone w"rehouse "re"& the 1she"n 'roCe#ts "re "n enormous urb"n blight th"t loo:s
mu#h li:e the .ori"h 'roCe#ts& only bigger. ,here the builder o$ the ."nnsd"le 'roCe#ts
de#ided to m":e their #onstru#tions "s possible into the "v"il"ble sp"#e. !he only publi# open
sp"#es is 1she"n '"r:& whi#h is little more then " tr"sh+strewn empty lot. !he $ew businesses
th"t h"ve st"yed open "re pl"gued with bro:en windows "nd gr"$$iti.
(ede"oth
Lo#"ted south o$ the Ei" -ndustri"l "re"& "nd west o$ .idi"n '"r:& (edemoth is p"#:ed with
middle+in#ome residents living the urb"n li$estyle. !he streets "nd sidew"l:s "re busy with
wor:er tr"$$i# in the d"ytime& while the "re"Fs b"rs do " bris: business in the evenings&
in#luding the popul"r Club 7u"lity. ."ny o$ the residenti"l buildings "re #onverted hotels or
$ormer tetiles swe"tshops turned into "p"rtments ye"rs "go& but the "re" h"s "lso seen
some new growth. Older sm"ller building "re set "longside t"ller more modern hotels&
#ondos& "nd o$$i#e towers. .ost not"ble "mong (edemothFs re#ent #onstru#tion proCe#ts in
the ("lt Corpor"tionFs de#ision to #re"te two new o$$i#e tower on the e"st side o$ the
neighborhood. <n$ortun"tely& m"ny o$ the employees who wor: in the tower h"ve #hosen to
"dopt ne"rby .idi"n '"r: "s their home r"ther th"n live in the "ging (edemoth. !he
"##omp"nying rise in property v"lues "nd gentri$i#"tion in .idi"n '"r: h"s #re"ted no sm"ll
"mount o$ resentment in (edemoth residents& who h"d presumed they would re"p those
bene$its. inste"d they h"ve only the gl"ss "nd steel edi$i#es to #om$ort them.
)e"one
Lo#"ted immedi"tely to the south o$ the o$$i#e towers in (edemoth& this "re" en#omp"sses
sever"l blo#:s o$ l"rge& ne"rly+identi#"l w"rehouses belonging to G"nd sublet byI " number o$
#omp"nies. -t is s"id th"t Lemone is " pl"#e where even the highest ee#utives o$ those
#omp"nies will #ome to m":e de"ls or "rr"nge r"ns"#tions the people :nown $or getting their
h"nds dirty& or bloody.
Magog
10
Lo#"ted immedi"tely to the south o$ the o$$i#e towers in (edemoth& this "re" enomp"sses
Mannsdale #ousing &ro'ects
."nnsd"le w"s "n eperiment in publi# housing& #re"ting sm"ller buildings& mostly 2+4 story
stru#tures whi#h would lower the density o$ the residents $rom th"t o$ tr"dition"l high+rise
"p"rtment buildings li:e those $ound in the .ori"h 'roCe#ts. !hereFs no #ommeri#"l "#tivity to
spe": o$ in ."nnsd"le& though& so the neightborhood h"s rem"ined impoverished "nd h"s
degener"ted b"dly. -n spite o$ this& thereFs " rel"tively low level o$ g"ng "#tivity.
Mara
Lo#"ted immedi"tely to the south o$ the o$$i#e towers in (edemoth& this "re" enomp"sses
Midian &ark
.idi"n '"r: h"s bene$ited gre"tly $rom the #onstru#tion o$ the two o$$i#e tower in ne"rby
(edemoth& "s m"ny o$ the wor:ers h"ve #hosen to "dopt this neighborhood "s home& with
"##omp"nying rise in property v"lues "nd gentri$i#"tion. !he "re" #ont"ins m"ny businesses&
in#luding boo:stores& b"rs& #lothing stores& et#. whi#h "lthought not ups#"le& h"ve improved
dr"sti#"lly due to their new ups#"le #ustomer b"se. !he p"r: $rom whi#h the neighborhood
gets its n"me is " l"rge open sp"#e bordered by 8+/0 story "p"rtment buildings. !he two
o$$i#e towers in ne"rby (edemoth #"n be #le"rly seen $rom ehre. #ombined with the pl"z"s o$
the ne"rby buildings Gwhi#h "re #onne#ted to the p"r: by " w"l:w"y overp"ssesI& this is one
o$ the l"rgest open sp"#es in the slums.
Moriah &ro'ects
1"st o$ A#h"n "nd south o$ the ni#er !"bor '"r: "re"& the .ori"h 'roCe#ts "re l"rgely
#omposed o$ t"ll& ne"rly identi#"l "p"rtment stru#tures $or the #ityFs urb"n poor. !he pl"#e is
run down "nd gives little hope $or better d"ys "he"d& but the neighborhoodFs residents h"ve "
deserved reput"tion $or being stubbornly optimisti#. !hey sele#ted D5ope Con)uers AllD "s the
slog"n $or .ori"h.
Tabor &ark
One o$ the ni#e "re"s o$ %i#hl"nd distri#t& !"bor '"r: is " re$reshing #h"nge o$ p"#e $rom the
ne"rby m"r" neighborhood. .oving north into !"bor '"r: the buildings grow t"ller "nd ni#er
with e"#h blo#:. Loo:ing down on !"bor '"r: $rom "bove it is e"sy to see it "s "n en#l"ve
11
"long the shouth shore o$ the river. 9or"ded by g"ng+in$ested ."r"& the seedy distri#t o$
A#h"n& "nd the s)u"lor o$ the .ori"h 'roCe#ts& !"bor '"r: is "n "re" struggling to :eep its
he"d up. !he #urrent w"r between the Crossboes "nd the 7emon Army 1ile g"ngs m":es
the "re" d"ngerous $or %edpills. !"bor '"r: is prim"rily #omposed o$ older "p"rtment
buildings "nd o$$i#e stru#tures& but there h"s been some new growth "nd progress in the
"re"& sp"wned by numerous 1iles moving to t":e #ontrol o$ the neighborhoodFs resou#es.
*riah Industrial &ark
Lo#"ted in the north end o$ %i#hl"nd distri#t& <ri"h is "n "re" th"t h"s evolved into "
d"ngerous D$ree $ire zoneD sin#e the tru#e w"s signed. ."ny groups use the w"rehouse+$illed
zone "s " pl"#e to settle their disputes with violen#e without $e"r o$ "ttr"#ting too mu#h
"ttention. 9luepill wor:ers in <ri"h "re "lmost bl"se "bout seeing poli#e sen#e there e"#h
morning& #le"ning up "$ter g"ng+rel"ted violen#e.
+ia
-n the de"d #enter o$ the slums& Ei" h"s little going $or it& but is h"s m"n"ged to be $"r less
#rime ridden then the 7istri#tFs other -ndustri"l "re"s. <n$ortun"tley it seems th"t the
reput"tion o$ the <ri"h industri"l p"r: is st"rting to "$$e#t it& "nd some 1iles "re bginning to
#hoose Ei" "s " less #rowded pl"#e to go #"rry on violent #on$ront"tions.
,estview
!he "re" to the west o$ the *lums is o$$i#i"lly #"lled ,estview& but more o$ten re$erred to "s
the 9"rrens o$ the City. ,hile the *lums "re " dirty& dil"pid"ted pl"#e where hope seems "
r"re #ommodity& these tr"its t":e on " ne"rly "dmir"ble )u"lity when #ontr"sted with the
9"rrens. !he #ondition o$ the 9"rrens is re$le#tive o$ " slow de#"y in the #ode #omprising the
"re". !he ."#hines h"ve been pl"#ing some e$$ort into rep"iring it& but the degr"d"tion
serves the interests o$ sever"l power$ul 1iles. ."ny buildings in the 9"rrens h"ve $"llen into
su#h disrep"ir th"t they h"ve #oll"psed #ompletely& but it is unli:ely th"t "nyone will be
su##ess$ul in stemming the tide "nytime soon.
12
athary Row
Lo#"ted on the north end o$ the 9"rrens& "long the w"ter$ront& 9"th"ry %ow #onsists o$ the
piers "nd w"rehouses o$ the 9"rrens wh"r$s. Among the do#:s thereFs norm"l #ommer#e& but
the underlying tr"$$i# in Min$orm"tion is ruthlessly #ontrolled by the 9"th"ry 9oys g"ng o$
1iles& who "re in turn "nswer"ble to Cerule"n. !he #r"nes o$ the shippings y"rds #"st long
sh"dows "#ross piled #ont"iners "w"iting ships& but shipping h"s been "t " st"ndstill $or "s
long "s "nyone #"n remember& due to "n investig"tion into uns"$e #hemi#"l h"ndling
pr"#ti#es "t the y"rd.
-racy #eights
?r"#y 5eights is " typi#"l neighborhood in the 9"rrens& whi#h is to s"y itFs " pit. !he Crushers
g"ng eerts " str"nglehold on the "re" in spite o$ dedi#"ted ."#hine e$$orts to er"di#"te
them. !he re"son h"s been in deb"te $or some time& "s to why the ."#hines pl"#e more
emph"sis on :eeping the Crushers down th"n other seemingly more d"ngerous g"ngs in the
9"rrens. !he most #ommon rumor is th"t " strong #urrent o$ Min$orm"tion runs through the
neighborhood. !he Crushers h"ve been t"pping it to sell to in$luenti"l eiles li:e the
.erovingi"n.
-uinness )ake
13
!he ?uinness L":e neighborhood is #entered on " l"rge reservoir whi#h o##upies the sp"#e
where ?uinness L":e supposedly on#e w"s. O$ #ourse this history is " $"bri#"tion& "s with "ll
history in the ."tri. !he City w"s born $ully $ormed "s it st"nds tod"y. !he reservoirFs w"ter
G"nd the #ode it representsI $lows $rom here to the other p"rts o$ the 9"rrens& m":ing it "n
ide"l #onduit $or moving or dispersing #ode )ui#:ly throughout the 7istri#t. !he reservoir is "n
import"nt "re" to hold& "nd "s su#h it $"lls under the purview o$ one o$ the 9"rrenFs most
power$ul residents& "n eile n"med -ndigo.
)ucero &oint
*ometimes #"lled DLittle .ei#o&D Lu#ero 'oint h"s one o$ the l"rgest #on#entr"tions o$
5isp"ni#s in !he City. -t is $ought over by " number o$ 1ile interests& but the true power in
the neighborhood is the *p"r:s g"ng o$ 1iles& run by the $iery Little ."ri". !hey $ight
vi#iously to :eep other 1iles "nd %edpills $rom g"ining " $oothold here. !he only re"l nightli$e
in Lu#ero 'oint is the Lyn#hpin& " #lub th"t dr"ws "ll sorts o$ eiles "nd %edpills& though
everyone :nows better th"n to st"y too long& lest the *p"r:s t":e e#eption to their presen#e.
!he #lubFs most DprestigiousD #ustomer is "n 1ile by the n"me o$ ."nd"rin& who m"int"ins "
residen#e in the Lu#ero 'oint neighborhood by virtue o$ his $"milyFs in$luen#e + he is the
youngest son o$ 7"me ,hite "nd .r. 9l"#:.
Manssen &ark
."nssen '"r: "t night is " sh"dowy nightm"re $or the 9luepills unlu#:y enough to be #"ught
in the open there. As the sh"dows grow longer "nd engul$ the neighborhood& the 7is#iplines
#ome out o$ hiding in gre"ter numbers "nd st"rt loo:ing $or hum"ns to Dpl"y with.D 6ortun"tely
the neighborhood h"s not been #ompletely "b"ndoned by the *ystem. %eported Dv"mpireD
"#tivity #"nnot be ignored& "s it thre"tens the inh"bit"nts o$ the ."tri "s well "s the belie$ o$
the popul"#e in their re"lity. A new $"#e h"s been seen in the neighborhood re#ently + "n
1ile 9ounty 5unter n"me ?reene& who spe#i"lizes in t":ing down 9lood 7rin:ers.
Rogers ,ay
%ogers ,"y is supposedly n"mes $or " soldier $rom the neighborhood who died heroi#"lly in
#omb"t in ,orld ,"r One. 3"tur"lly this is " lie& but bene"th it is " gr"in o$ truth. !he re"l
%ogers w"s " Eion oper"tive who died holding the line "g"inst the ."#hines in this
neighborhood& gr"nting the previous Chosen One the time he needed to re"#h the #ore o$ the
system in th"t iter"tionFs $in"l hour. %ogers ,"y "lso hosts one o$ the most intriguing o$ the
monument s#ulptures th"t dot the #itys#"pe. %ising up li:e st"irs to the s:y& the monumentFs
"pe $e"tures " door& whi#h is the subCe#t o$ m"ny " t"ll t"le. 1very :id in the neighborhood
h"s " $riend who "s " $riend who s"w " person emerge $rom the door& b"thed in white light
$rom beyond. Others s"y they h"ve opened the norm"lly unbudge"ble door& to be #on$ronted
by the str"ngest things& but nobody re"lly believes these sorts o$ lo#"l legends.
.obra .hores
-n better d"ys& *obr" *hores w"s " tourist "ttr"#tion& with rest"ur"nts "nd shops "long the
w"ter doing " bris: business "nd dr"wing $"milies "nd lovers to the w"terw"yFs edge. 9ut
sin#e the Legion moved into the neighborhood& nothing h"s been the s"me. On the sur$"#e
14
the Legion m"y loo: li:e " regul"r g"ng& but even the 9luepills #"n $ell the powers "nd
d"r:ness th"t the LegionFs demoni# le"dership brings to the "re". ,ith th"t p"llor #"st "#ross
it& *obr" *hores )ui#:ly be#"me " pl"#e best "voided by "nyone who didnFt h"ve " re"son to
be there.!he Legion h"s gr"nted other eiles "nd %edpills only " single pl"#e o$ s"$ety in the
neighborhood& "t the Club 7"emon. !h"tFs not to s"y th"t other eiles "nd %edpills do not
oper"te in *obr" *hores& but the Legion h"d m"de it #le"r th"t they #onsider su#h interlopers
to be $"ir g"me. !he one eile who h"s given them di$$i#ulty is Violet& who doCo the Legion h"s
tried to inter$ere with on " number o$ o##"sions& only to to be shown the error o$ their w"ys
)uite p"in$ully.
.outhard
3estled between *obr" *hores "nd ?r"#y 5eights. the *outh"rd "re" is domin"ted by the
ep"nsive *outh"rd -ndustri"l '"r: th"t provides Cobs $or m"ny residents o$ ?r"#y 5eights
"nd ?uinness L":e. !he $"#ilities "re o$ten shut down short periods due to the mish"ndling o$
#hemi#"l byprodu#ts. 3estled between *obr" *hores "nd ?r"#y 5eights. the *outh"rd "re"
is domin"ted by the ep"nsive *outh"rd -ndustri"l '"r: th"t provides Cobs $or m"ny residents
o$ ?r"#y 5eights "nd ?uinness L":e. !he $"#ilities "re o$ten shut down short periods due to
the mish"ndling o$ #hemi#"l byprodu#ts. !he n"mes":e $or the neighborhood& the *outh"rd
-ndustri"l '"r:& #ont"ins m"Cor produ#tion "nd pro#essing $"#ilities $or ("lt Corpor"tion&
'endhurst+Am"r"nth& "nd " number o$ sm"ller #omp"nies. !he ("lt Corpor"tion pl"nts #hurn
out !rep"neG!.I he"d"#he medi#ine "nd 'endhurst+Am"r"nth will soon "dd "nother
produ#tion $"#ility $or their !"stee ,he"tG!.I bre":$"st $ood produ#t.
.ta"os
Nou #"nFt go to *t"mos "nd not stop by Club *u##ubus& one o$ the most popul"r #lubs in the
9"rrens& owned by the pretern"tur"lly be"uti$ul Aine. !hough 9luepills "re impressed by the
w"y she pl"ys her p"rt $or her #ustomers in $ull #onstume& those in the :now "re impressed
by the w"y th"t this *u##ubus m"n"ges to hide her n"ture in pl"in sight. %umor h"s it th"t
she used to be involved with the Legion& even the le"der o$ the Legion& but she re$uses to t"l:
"bout her p"st. !he other not"ble $e"ture o$ *t"mos is the 5ypersphere s#ulpture& whi#h is
s"id to #"use " perpleing $eeling in " gre"t m"ny people who view it. A$ter st"ring "t the Db"ll
inside " wire #ubeD st"tue $or some time& lo#"l legend #l"ims th"t you begin to see th"t the
b"ll #"nnot possibly $it inside the #ube th"t #ont"ins it.
International
!he CityFs -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t is " #onglomer"tion o$ Asi"n Cultures. *igns in m"ny
l"ngu"ges tout the merits o$ sm"ll shops "nd entre"t visitors to eplore the neighborhoodFs
n"rrow streets "nd be"uti$ul pl"z"s. 1ven the newer modern buildings in#orpor"te tr"dition"lly
Asi"n design. !he -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t is some dist"n#e northe"st o$ 7owntown& but #"n be
re"#hed by t":ing the subw"y. !he 7istri#t "lso h"s " number o$ h"rdlines $or dire#t "##ess
by redpill oper"tives. *ever"l g"ngs o$ power$ul "nd s"vvy 1iles #ompete $or #ontrol o$ the
"re"& but no single interest re"lly domin"tes it.
15
Akaska
7omin"ted by the gl"ss "nd steel .#Cle"n !ower& A:"s":" is one o$ the #enters o$ business
"nd #ommer#e in the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t. -n the pl"z" outside the building& o$$i#e wor:ers
#"n be seen enCoying their lun#hes on sunny d"ys. !he rest o$ the neighborhood is prime re"l
est"te $or those s"me o$$i#e wor:ers& most o$ whom #"n "$$ord to live right here& "s nothing in
the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t is re"lly #onsidered high+rent.
/urihata
At the very edge o$ the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t lies the 6urih"t" neighborhood& "n odd mi o$
Chinese "nd ,estern in$luen#es. !he neighborhood is " hodgepodge o$ tight "lleyw"ys "nd
wide m"in streets $illed with Chinese signs "nd b"nners "nd sever"l sm"ll street vendors. !he
6urih"t" neighborhood is mostly residenti"l "##ommod"tions $or 9luepills th"t wor: in the
-ntern"tion"l 7istri#t. !here "re multitudes o$ sm"ll #rowded "p"rtment buildings throughout
the neighborhood r"nging $rom epensive "nd well+:ept buildings to run+down r"t+tr"ps th"t
should be #ondemned. !he $ew businesses here "re mostly sm"ll shops "nd rest"rut"nts 0
mostly $"mily owned 0 th"t do " bris: tr"de with those th"t $ive in the neighborhood. 5owever&
those 9luepills willing to do " little se"r#hing "re o$ten rew"rded with $inding some o$ the best
$ood "nd ele#ti# shopping in the City.
Ikebukuru
16
9ordering the w"ter$ront& -:ebu:uro is " m"Cor in$lu point $or new money "nd individu"ls
"rriving in the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t. !he neighborhood used to be #"lled J!he ?"tew"y to the
-ntern"tion"l 7istri#tK but lo#"l business le"ders lobbied $or " #h"nge to something more li:ely
to "ttr"#t outside tourists& ending up with the uninspired new slog"n JCome to the 9o"rdw"l:.K
!hough the bo"rdw"l: is )uite ni#e& it #ert"inly h"s not proven to be the huge dr"w lo#"ls
might h"ve li:ed& "nd -:ebu:uro #ontinues to loo: $or " w"y to m":e itsel$ more import"nt in
the s#heme o$ things.
0urong
Jurong is " neighborhood in tr"nsition. Lo#"ted e"st o$ 6urih"t"& this is the JolderK $in"n#i"l
#enter o$ the City 0 " pl"#e th"t on#e held import"n#e to those desirous o$ #ontrolling :ey
resour#es o$ the ."tri& but whi#h no longer #omm"nds su#h interest. !he neighborhood is
#rowded with s)u"t buildings "nd other edi$i#es th"t h"ve been upst"ged by the JnewerK
s:ys#r"pers in the A:"s":" neighborhood. *ine $un"n#i"l instituitions still m":e their
he"d)u"rters in Jurong& but m"ny o$ the buildings rem"in empty sin#e the migr"tion o$
business to A:"s":". *u#h buildings h"ve be#ome home to the disen$r"n#hised& in#luding
m"ny eiles.
(aede
("ede is "n odd pl"#e& "s itFs best :nown $or " very western $iture: 9rown 6ield& the only
b"seb"ll di"mond in the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t. Lo#"l residents "re :nown to be )uite obsessed
with their lo#"l l"ndm"r:& turning out in droves $or g"mes& even those o$ neighborhood
#omp"ny te"ms. ,hen the we"ther doesnFt permit outside "#tivities& through& the Or#hid
'ubli# 9"th is " m"in destin"tion& :nown throughout the City "s one o$ the best su#h
est"blishments.
(owloon
(owloon is " neighborhood o$ n"rrow streets& tightly+p"#:ed residenti"l high+rise buildings&
"nd m"r:ets selling "ll m"nner o$ w"res + $rom $ood to #onsumer ele#troni#s. !he stores
r"nge $rom people with #"rts dr"wn by dr"$t "nim"ls "nd open+"ir street store$ronts to multi+
story m"lls houseing e#lusive bouti)ues. !he buildings "re t"ll "nd #lose together& m"ny
sporting #olor$ul neon signs. !he height o$ the buildings #"n #re"te urb"n #"nyons& the w"lls
o$ whi#h w"ve b"nners o$ #olor$ul lights. (owloon is " neighborhood th"t never rests& never
sleeps& "nd never shuts down. 9usiness is "lw"ys booming& tr"de is "lw"ys h"ppening +
whether in the stores $or goods or in the b"#: "lleys $or servi#es.
Murasaki
7omin"ted by the gl"ss "nd steel .#Cle"n !ower& A:"s":" is one o$ the #enters o$ business
"nd #ommer#e in the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t. -n the pl"z" outside the building& o$$i#e wor:ers
#"n be seen enCoying their lun#hes on sunny d"ys. !he rest o$ the neighborhood is prime re"l
est"te $or those s"me o$$i#e wor:ers& most o$ whom #"n "$$ord to live right here& "s nothing in
the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t is re"lly #onsidered high+rent.
17
.ai (ung
,idely :nown $or the huge tetile businesses lo#"ted here& D*"i (ungD "ppe"rs in the l"bel o$
most lo#"lly produ#ed #lothing. 9ut the "re" Cust "s o$ten mentioned in rumours "nd news
stories "bout swe"tshops "nd eploitive business pr"#ti#es. !he open "ir *"i (un C"nton is
"lso well :nown "s " pl"#e where " redpill #"n sometimes $ind h"rd+to+obt"in items& $or "
steep pri#e.
.hin'uku
On the north side o$ the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t& *hinCu:u is " m"Cor residenti"l "re"& $e"turing
su#h new developments "s !o:yo %ow& one o$ the poshest #ondominium #omplees in the
7istri#t. *hinCu:u is "lso home to one o$ the best hotels in the City. !he ,hite Lotus 5otel is
owned by 7"me ,hite& "nd is well :nown "s " pl"#e th"t #"n #"ter to even the most eoti# or
e##entri# o$ needs.
.hirakaba
*hir":"b" is lo#"ted on the e"stern edge o$ the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t& not $"r $rom the
-:ebu:uro w"ter$ront. -t is one o$ the sm"llest o$ the neighborhoods in the -ntern"tion"l
7istri#t& surrounded by (owloon& *hinCu:u& A:"s":" "nd *"i (ung. 3evertheless& it holds "
we"lth o$ interest $or m"ny 1iles& "nd o$$ers more th"n enough re"son $or Eion oper"tives to
br"ve its d"ngers. 6or 9luepills& the "re" is represent"tive o$ sm"ll business #on#entr"tions
throughout the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t. ,hile the thorough$"res "re well+tr"$$i#:ed& it is the
n"rrower streets "nd "lleys in between th"t "re more intriguing. 1port #lothing shops& #urio
stores& "nd rest"ur"nts dot the n"rrow streets& o$$ering some o$ the best v"lues in the #ity& but
sti#:ing to the m"in streets is mu#h s"$er. !he "lleys "re p"trolled by ?re"t ,"ll *e#urity& "nd
no b"rg"in is worth your li$e.
*eno
-$ youFre see:ing things th"t "renFt n"tive to the City& <eno is " good bet to $ind it. *ome o$ the
l"rgest importing #omp"nies m":e their homes in <eno& in#luding Chotte 9rothers -mports.
!he Chotte 9rothers #orpor"tion is one o$ the l"rgest "nd most power$ul business insterests
in the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t "nd h"d its he"d)u"rtes in the tops $loors o$ the l"rgest s:ys#r"per
in <eno. 6or %edpills "nd 1iles see:ing the truly obs#ure& #ert"in 1iles in <eno "re s"id to
be "ble to obt"in "lmost "nything& $or the right pri#e.
$owntown
!he -n$luen#e o$ the ."#hines over the ."tri em"n"tes $rom 7owntown& $lowing through the
$reew"ys& ele#tri#"l networ:s& "nd even sewers. 9luepills who #hoose to spend " gre"t de"l
o$ time 7owntown "re mostly bure"u#r"ts& "##ount"nts& l"wyers& "nd those who derive their
livelihoods $rom the smooth $un#tioning o$ the system. 1iles who dwell 7owntown "re
sometimes more power$ul then Agents& wielding tremendous #ontrol over the system they
h"ve m"de their home. *ome "re permitted gre"t l"titude by the ."#hines& "s their
18
"ssist"n#e in #ontrolling the 9luepills is sometime " boon. 7owntown is lo#"ted north o$ the
9"rrens "nd the *lums& "nd #onsists o$ seventeen neighborhoods.
aldwin #eights
Lo#"ted north o$ the thriving business #enter 5"mpton ?reen& 9"ldwin 5eights is home to
m"ny o$ the "mbitious middle m"n"gers "nd young up+"nd+#omers who #omprise the bluepill
wor:ers o$ 7owntown. ,hile the truly su##ess$ull #"n "$$ord to live in '"r: 1"st or Center
'"r:& the still+hungry m"Cority o$ the wor:$or#e w"nts to be "s #lose "s possible to their
o$$i#es. 9"ldwin 5eights is $"mous $or its stereotypi#"l resident being " hyper+motiv"ted wile
#oll"r wor:er who #omes home to his "p"rtment so r"rely th"t he m"y not even own $urniture&
be#"use he epe#ts to get " th"t big promotion "nd move to better )u"rters J"ny time now.K
!enter &ark
!he Center '"r: neighborhood is so n"mes be#"use it surrounds the l"rgest publi# p"r: in
the City. Center '"r: is lo#"ted ne"rly in the #enter o$ 7owntownB south o$ Creston 5eights&
north o$ V"uton. O$$i#e buildings "nd government stru#tures line the edges o$ the p"r:&
m":ing this " #rossro"ds o$ stimul"ted li$e. *ever"l times per ye"r the #ity holds " m"ssive
"rts $estiv"l "nd invites "ll "rtists to #ome "nd displ"y their wor:s. 7uring the $estiv"l the p"r:
is $illed with "rtists "nd "rtis"ns "nd their wor: "nd musi#i"ns o$ "ll sorts. !he #ity "lso h"s
pl"ns to host sever"l #on#erts "nd other "#tivities in hopes o$ revit"lizing the p"r:.
19
!helsea
Chelse" is the pl"#e $or w"ter $ront living in the downtown "re". !he w"terline is studded with
ups#"le #ondos "nd "p"rtments th"t house the urb"nites who wor: $or the m"ny su##ess$ul
#orpor"tions he"d)u"rtered downtown. !here "re " $ew bri#:s buildings "long the w"ter$ront&
meti#ulously m"int"ined& in#luding the be"uti$ul Chelse" Commons. Along the streets&
pedestri"ns stroll the #le"n sidew"l:s "nd stop to s"mple tre"ts "t the m"ny vendors. Lo#"ted
"long the w"ter& Chelse" Commons is " series o$ be"uti$ul bri#: pl"z"s lined with epensive
"p"rtments "nd #ondominiums. !he '"r:s in#lude low w"lls "nd ben#hes $or sitting& sever"l
s#ulptures& "nd " lovely view out over the w"ter. 6ood vendors #"n usu"lly be $ound here&
selling pretzels& hot dogs "nd other su#h things& Chelse" Commons is "lso not"ble to %edpills
$or the h"rdline lo#"ted there.
!reston #eights
6or the $ol:s with in$luen#es who w"nt to live 7owntown but donFt enCoy the bustle o$ Center
'"r: "nd '"r: 1"st& Creston 5eights sits "bove "ll th"t& rimming the north side o$ downtown
li:e " gentle wre"th. !he entire "re" is prote#ted by "n 1ile $or#e :nown "s the
3eighborhood ,"t#hers whose true "lli"n#e is un:nown. !hey seem to be dedi#"ted to
prote#ting 9luepills "s mu#h "s "nything else& whi#h h"s led some to #onCe#ture th"t they
m"y h"ve "n "lli"n#e with the ."#hines& "nd others to s"y th"t they "re obviously "ligned
with Eion. Creston 5eights is the l"rgest neighborhood in downtown.
%dgewater
1dgew"ter w"s on#e ni#:n"med Dthe *teel *horeD "$ter the old smelting pl"nts "nd shipping
$"#ilities th"t dotted its length. On#e <pon " time these pl"#es "nswered the sirenFs #"ll o$
w"rtime to produ#e munitions& t"n:s "nd other essenti"ls& but pe"#etime produ#tion never
)uite lived up to epe#t"tions "nd the neighborhood l"nguished $or de#"des be$ore being
gentri$ied in " m"Cor proCe#t by the City over the l"st de#"de. 3ow rest"ur"nts "nd store$ronts
"re on#e "g"in dr"wing bluepill "#tivity to the "re"& le"ding M-n$orm"tion to $low there "nd
getting the "ttention o$ 1iles li:e the 9"rtender& who #"n be $ound "t the trendy Club 3oir.
#a"pton -reen
5"mpton ?reen is the #enter o$ #ommer#e downtown& " bustling "nd #"#ophonous pl"#e th"t
lies #lose to the very he"rt o$ the ."#hinesO #ontrol o$ the ."tri. %e"#hing to the s:y "re
"r#hite#tur"l m"rvels o$ steel& stone& "nd gl"ssB bro"d boulev"rds $low with limousines "nd
t"i#"bs& li:e gre"t "rteries pumping 28/> with ide"s& money "nd de"ls. 'eople .ove with
'urpose "long the sidew"l:s in seemingly #h"oti# mobs& but e"#h individu"l h"s $o#us "nd
intent. !here is r"w power on the streets o$ 5"mpton ?reen& "nd it surges up the towers o$
#ommer#e "nd industry. *till these events p"le in #omp"rison to the e#h"nges o$
M-n$orm"tion "nd #ontrol th"t o##ur beyond the noti#e o$ the un"w":ened. !heir world& the
very ."tri itsel$& h"s been sw"yed by e#h"nges in 5"mpton ?reen.
#istoric $istrict
!he 5istori# 7istri#t is prob"bly the most ironi#"lly n"med "re" in the City& "s it implies "n
20
"#tu"l history inste"d o$ one $"bri#"ted by the m"#hinesF design routines. !he 5istori# 7istri#t
sits to the south o$ 7owntown& surrounded by V"uton& *outh V"uton "nd 1dgew"ter. !he
3eighborhood is in tr"ns$orm"tion $rom " de#"ying downtown to " vibr"nt neighborhood with
spe#i"lty shops "nd rest"ur"nts. !he buildings "ppe"r to h"ve origin"lly been built between
the turn o$ the #entury "nd the /980s& with "rt de#o tou#hes on m"ny buildings. !he
neighborhood is " $"vorite o$ the 9luepills th"t wor: in Chelse" "nd ."ribe"u "s " pl"#e to
lun#h th"t isnFt " $"st $ood #h"in. 9oth ups#"le shops "nd older businesses #"n be $ound
here& "s well "s the City Courthouse& " popul"r histori# l"ndm"r:.
Industrial .1uare
Aptly n"med& -ndustri"l *)u"re is " m"Cor neus #orpor"te #ulture "nd in$luen#e& se#ond only
to 5"mpton ?reen. ,hile 5"mpton ?reen m"y host the #orpor"te he"d)u"rters $or some o$
the l"rgest "nd most in$luenti"l #omp"nies in the ."tri& !he "##ounting #enters o$ those
#orpor"tions "re lo#"ted in -ndustry *)u"re. !he ."tri is "n illusion& but it is not wholly
illusionB in m"ny w"ys it is simply " veil or disguise whi#h obs#ures det"ils but le"ves the rue
n"ture un#h"nged. 6or the re"son it )ui#:ly be#omes "pp"rent th"t every doll"r& every
resour#e& every $"#ility o$ worth in the ."tri #"rries with it " v"lue in M-n$orm"tion. !hose
doll"rs "nd deeds "re tr"#:ed "nd #onsolid"ted in the towers o$ -ndustry *)u"re.
)a"ar
L"m"r is on the e"st side o$ 7owntown& "n older neighborhood o$ st"tely high+rises "nd
"p"rtment blo#:s mied with gl"ss "nd steel s:ys#r"pers "nd gentri$ied #ondominiums. !he
business distri#t is o$ten #h"r"#terized in the lo#"l news "s Jrolling up its sidew"l:sK "t the
#lose o$ business every evening. ,hile there "re some #lubs "nd h"ngouts& there isnFt mu#h
nightli$e to spe": o$ in L"m"r. !he residenti"l "re"s "re "ppe"ling to those who li:e " little
more room in their living "##ommod"tions& "nd the older o$$i#e buildings displ"y gr"nd
"r#hite#tur"l style o$ " bygone er". !here is " #lose+:nit& Jold boy networ:K "tmosphere to this
neighborhood& re$le#ted in the interl"#ed "sso#i"tions the lo#"l so#i"l org"niz"tions h"ve with
the businesses. !hose who move into the neighborhood m"y $eel wel#ome& but m"y not be
truly "##epted until #onsider"ble time h"s p"ssed "nd signi$i#"nt #ontributions h"ve been
m"de to the bene$it o$ lo#"l org"niz"tions.
Maribeau
."ribe"u is th"t tr"nsitory zone th"t lies between the seething e#onomy o$ 5"mpton ?reen
"nd the more rel"ed "re"s o$ Chelse" "nd the 5istori# 7istri#t. Older lo#"l businesses& "s
well "s those who "re new#omers to 7owntown without the me"ns to yet move into $"#ilities
in the ultr"+high rent towers o$ 5"mpton ?reen "re the #ommer#i"l li$eblood o$ ."ribe"u.
Morrell
*ome residents o$ .orrell s"y th"t their neighborhood is too o$ten overloo:ed in $"vor o$ '"r:
1"st& but others s"y itFs gre"t to enCoy "ll o$ the s"me bene$its without the intrusive limelight.
,hile .orrell enCoys the s"me rel"tionship to Center '"r:& lining the west side o$ Center '"r:
"re"& when most people thin: o$ living ne"r Center '"r:& they thin: o$ '"r: 1"st. !his
prob"bly h"s " lot to do with rel"tive positions o$ other neighborhoods. ,hile '"r: 1"st
21
segues into moneyed 5"mpton ?reen "nd histori# ."ribe"u& .orrell $lows south into the
e#onomi#"lly #h"llenged "re" o$ V"uton.
&ark %ast
-$ you w"nt to live where the ri#h "nd power$ul urb"nites #"ll home& you h"ve " posh
"p"rtment in '"r: 1"st. !he most desir"ble pl"#es $"#e the west "nd h"ve " view o$ Center
'"r:& but thereFs no su#h thing "s " b"d "ddress in '"r: 1"st. !he 3eighborhood is p"trolled
by ,hite *e#urity& " $or#e o$ 1iles #ontrolled by 7"me ,hite& who owns one o$ the most
7esir"ble buildings in the neighborhood& with the upper $loors l"id out "s her person"l dom"in
"nd $ortress.
&illsen
As 9"ldwin 5eights is the pl"#e $or young go+getters who wor: in 5"mpton ?reen& 'illsen h"s
be#ome the .e##" $or the o$$i#e wor:ers who drive the "##ounts o$ -ndustry *)u"re. -tFs not
unusu"l to see " #"$e p"#:ed with people but de"d silent "s the p"trons #li#: "w"y on the
:eys o$ port"ble #omputers& m"nipul"ting spre"dsheets& tr"#ing errors in "##ounts& "nd
loo:ing to m":e "ll o$ the numbers #ome out Cust right. !he residents o$ 'illsen "re
disproportion"tely dedi#"ted to m":ing the ."tri " more orderly pl"#e. !hey "re the blues o$
9luepills.
.outh 2auxton
'hysi#"lly itFs " l"rger neighborhood th"n V"uton& but *outh V"uton su$$ers $rom the
perenni"l problem o$ not being "ble to get re#ognition "s " neighborhood o$ its own& in spite o$
being o$$i#i"lly re#ognized "nd h"ving its own neighborhood #ommittee. <n$ortun"tely thereFs
" re"son $or this: *outh V"uton is little more th"n the #r"ppy south end o$ the ni#er V"uton
neighborhood. <nbe:nownst to the *outh V"uton residents struggling to get the
"#:nowledgement they #r"ve& the most to sep"r"te *outh V"uton $rom V"uton is se#retly
$in"n#ed "nd b"#:ed by the business le"ders o$ V"uton whoFd r"ther be rid o$ the
undesir"ble south end.
.tratford !a"pus
,hile 5"mpton ?reen houses the he"d)u"rters o$ #orpor"tions "nd the "##ount"nts o$
-ndustry *)u"re #ount their pro$its& *tr"t$ord C"mpus is the )uiet se"t o$ power in 7owntown.
!he norm"lly ignored business #omple o$ *tr"t$ord C"mpus is the #ontrolled by .r. 9l"#:&
"nd is home to sever"l m"Cor& but low+pro$ile& org"niz"tions th"t "#t "s umbrell" #orpor"tions
whi#h hold #ontrolling interests in "ll o$ the biggest #orpor"tions in the ."tri on beh"l$ o$
1iles who #"nnot dire#tly involved themselves.
*nion #ill
One o$ the oldest neighborhoods 7owntown& <nion 5ill w"s "rgu"bly the spot on whi#h the
City w"s $ounded. !he origin"l $ort built on the hill is long sin#e gone& but " pl")ue m"r:s the
site "nd #ommemor"tes those who died de$ending the pl"#e $rom "ll d"ngers G" re$eren#e to
the n"tive popul"tion th"t did their best to drive "w"y the inv"ding settlersI. <nion 5ill tod"y is
22
" de#ent pl"#e to live "nd surprisingly "$$ord"ble $or being so #lose to 5"mpton ?reen& but it
h"s " reput"tion $or being " se#ond r"te "ddress "nd no "mbitious young wor:er would be
#"ught de"d here. !heir se#ret"ries& however& "re h"ppy to live so #lose to wor: $or " rel"tive
pitt"n#e in rent.
2auxton
-n spite o$ its proimity to Center '"r:& V"uton h"s "lw"ys h"d "n im"ge problem th"t :eeps
it $rom being "s desir"ble "s '"r: 1"st& Creston 5eights& or .orrell. -n "n "ttempt to solve
this problem& #ivi# le"ders )uietly en#our"ged the poorer south end o$ the neighborhood to
bre": "w"y "nd see: re#ognition "s " sep"r"te entity& but this b"#:$ired when the "re"
settled on the insu$$i#iently+di$$erent title o$ *outh V"uton "s the new n"me o$ the "re".
V"uton is usu"lly #"lled D!he VoD by lo#"l residents& "nd "nyone who #"lls it V"uton is
immedi"tely t"gged "s "n outsider.
!onstructs
3uki
!he Nu:i Gthe n"me me"ns DsnowD in J"p"neseI #onstru#t is "n idylli# re#re"tion o$ "n#ient
J"p"n in winter. -t is " preserved pie#e o$ "n e"rlier ."tri #onstru#t #re"ted by the ."#hine
Civiliz"tion in their rese"r#h progr"m to $ind " more st"ble simul"tion $or the hum"n
popul"tion. Cre"ted in the s"me er" "s the D$"iry t"leD ."tri& this proCe#t "lso $ollowed the
philosophy th"t hum"ns would be h"ppier living in simpler times& "nd "ttempted to repli#"te "
mediev"l Asi"n setting. On#e the $"iry t"le ."tri beg"n to unr"vel& this proCe#t w"s
"b"ndoned& but "n Ar#hivist m"n"ged to preserve two pie#es: Nu:i "nd *":ur".
Ashencourte
23
Ashen#ourte is " d"r:& gothi#& urb"n l"nds#"pe popul"ted with pred"troy 9lood 7rin:ers. !he
#onstru#t is " preserved pie#e o$ " p"st D$"iry t"leD ."tri est"blished by the ."#hines& in
whi#h they hoped hum"nity would be $orever #ontent "nd uninterested in es#"ping.
<n$ortun"tely& the hum"n psy#he #ould not de"l with per$e#tion& "nd n"tur"l hum"n "nieties
soon #"used " number o$ problems& in#luding the sub#ons#ious w"rping o$ the simul"tion to
"llow $or DmonstersD "nd other deep+rooted $e"rs. 1iles soon le"rned to t":e "dv"nt"ge o$
the #h"nges to the simlu"tion& "nd over the #ourse o$ time their %*-s be#"me optimized to $it
the ni#h hum"ns h"d un:nowingly #re"ted $or them: v"mpires& werewolves& ghosts& "nd other
boogeymen. ."ny o$ these #re"tures survived the resets o$ the ."tri between then "nd the
present& some by riding out the reintegr"tion pro#ess in " s"$e h"ven #onstru#t su#h "s
Ashen#ourte.
!hough the origin"l simul"tion w"s long "go destroyed by the ."#hines& this b"#:up version
o$ " portion o$ th"t world h"s been m"int"ined by the Ar#hivists.
One +ero
24
-n the dist"nt p"st& be$ore w"r h"d destroyed the sur$"#e o$ the 1"rth& the ."#hines $led the
#iviliz"tion o$ hum"nity to $ound their own #ity: Eero One. 3o one is #ert"in why the ."#hines
would w"nt to re#re"te Eero One in " simul"tion ++ histori#"l preserv"tion& " sense o$ loss& or
Cust be#"use they li:e itH ++ but sever"l pie#es o$ the #onstru#t Gin#luding this One Eero
Ar#hiveI h"ve been #opied by the Ar#hivists $or their own purposes& #omplete with 1iles who
h"ve t"ilored themselves to $it into the simul"tion by t":ing on robot+li:e %*-s.
.akura
25
!he *":ur" Gthe n"me me"ns D#herry blossomD in J"p"neseI #onstru#t is "n idylli# re#re"tion
o$ "n#ient J"p"n in springtime. -t is " preserved pie#e o$ "n e"rlier ."tri #onstru#t #re"ted by
the ."#hine Civiliz"tion in their rese"r#h progr"m to $ind " more st"ble simul"tion $or the
hum"n popul"tion. Cre"ted in the s"me er" "s the D$"iry t"leD ."tri& this proCe#t "lso $ollowed
the philosophy th"t hum"ns would be h"ppier living in simpler times& "nd "ttempted to
repli#"te " mediev"l Asi"n setting. On#e the $"iry t"le m"tri beg"n to unr"vel& this proCe#t
w"s "b"ndoned& but "n Ar#hivist m"n"ged to preserve two pie#es: Nu:i "nd *":ur".
,idow4s Moor
26
,idowFs .oor is " d"r:& gothi#& urb"n l"nds#"pe popul"ted with pred"troy 9lood 7rin:ers.
!he #onstru#t is " preserved pie#e o$ " p"st D$"iry t"leD ."tri est"blished by the ."#hines& in
whi#h they hoped hum"nity would be $orever #ontent "nd uninterested in es#"ping.
<n$ortun"tely& the hum"n psy#he #ould not de"l with per$e#tion& "nd n"tur"l hum"n "nieties
soon #"used " number o$ problems& in#luding the sub#ons#ious w"rping o$ the simul"tion to
"llow $or DmonstersD "nd other deep+rooted $e"rs. 1iles soon le"rned to t":e "dv"nt"ge o$
the #h"nges to the simlu"tion& "nd over the #ourse o$ time their %*-s be#"me optimized to $it
the ni#h hum"ns h"d un:nowingly #re"ted $or them: v"mpires& werewolves& ghosts& "nd other
boogeymen. ."ny o$ these #re"tures survived the resets o$ the ."tri between then "nd the
present& some by riding out the reintegr"tion pro#ess in " s"$e h"ven #onstru#t su#h "s
,idowFs .oor.
!hough the origin"l simul"tion w"s long "go destroyed by the ."#hines& this b"#:up version
o$ " portion o$ th"t world h"s been m"int"ined by the Ar#hivists.
+ero One
27
-n the dist"nt p"st& be$ore w"r h"d destroyed the sur$"#e o$ the 1"rth& the ."#hines $led the
#iviliz"tion o$ hum"nity to $ound their own #ity: Eero One. 3o one is #ert"in why the ."#hines
would w"nt to re#re"te Eero One in " simul"tion++histori#"l preserv"tion& " sense o$ loss& or
Cust be#"use they li:e it++but sever"l pie#es o$ the #onstru#t h"ve been #opied by the
Ar#hivists $or their own purposes& #omplete with 1iles who h"ve t"ilored themselves to $it
into the simul"tion by t":ing on robot+li:e %*-s.
The ,hite #allways
28
!he ,hite 5"llw"ys "re b"#: doors in the ."tri& "llowing one to tr"vel to $"r "re"s within
moments& or "##ess hidden #onstru#ts. !here "re rumors th"t some 1ile progr"ms lur: in
#ert"in& dist"nt p"rts o$ these l"brynthi"n h"lls.
+ion Organi5ational #ideout
Eionist rese"r#hers m"de " bre":through in de#oding #ert"in "##ess #odes to the ,hite
5"lls. !he result w"s the #re"tion o$ " se#ret hideout within the ."tri& th"t would o$$er Gin
theoryI s"$e re$uge $rom the ."#hines "nd " pl"#e $or Eionists to meet "nd pl"n. 9ut you will
need " lot o$ Min$o "nd high reput"tion in Eion to g"in "##ess.
Machines Organi5ational #ideout
29
!he ."#hines h"ve gr"nted "##ess to high+level ."#hinist oper"tives to " se#ret
org"niz"tion"l hideout& "##essible only through the ,hite 5"lls "nd "$ter $or:ing out " lot o$
Min$o.
The !hateau 6Merovingian Organi5ational #ideout7
!he Ch"teu& the #losest thing to being the .erovingi"n@s home in the ."tri& is "s mysterious
"s it is di$$i#ult to $ind. Only those who h"ve proven themselves etremely loy"l to the
.erovingi"n+ or who lived long enough+ h"ve "##ess to the Ch"te"uP $or the right pri#e.
$ata"ine
30
7"t"mine is " #onstru#t th"t %edpills h"ve re#ently g"ined "##ess to. 7evoid o$ 9luepill
"#tivity& it nevertheless "ppe"rs li:e " disused portion o$ the m"in City& perh"ps " remn"nt o$
the previous ."tri. 7ue to the "n"molies in this #onstru#t& ri#h deposits o$ r"w #ode #"n be
t"pped in to $or l"rge "mounts o$ Min$orm"tion& #ode $r"gments& or even progr"ms thought to
h"ve long been disposed. Also& powe$ul se#urity progr"ms lur: in " $ew o$ the buildings.
.ati4s &layground
31
!his #onstru#t w"s re#ently been un#overed& " h"ven $or *"ti "nd her #re"tivity. ,ithin it& the
l"ws o$ the ."tri "re $urther muted& "nd power$ul progr"ms #"n be de$e"ted $or spe#i"l
items.
32
89 The .toryline
!hapter :9:
.ysterious red+eyed "gents suddenly "ppe"r throughout the ."tri& dem"nding those
with Jilleg"l #ontr"b"ndK give it up or they will #"n#el the "uto C"#:+out "nd t"mper with
h"rdline oper"tion.
!he red+eyed "gents begin "tt"#:ing "ll %edpills& reg"rdless o$ org"niz"tion. All out
w"r soon bre":s out on the streets but the most unsettling thing is the $"#t their
motives "re #ompletely un:nown.
Eion& the ."#hines "nd the .erovingi"n "ll o$$i#i"lly deny involvement with the red+
eyed "gents.
!he $":e "gents "re given the sl"ng n"me L17 "gents be#"use o$ the sm"ll red L17
lights $ound on the '7As th"t they #"rry. !hey "lso drop str"nge #ode $r"gments th"t
seem to #ont"in 3eo@s $in"l thoughts within the ."tri Gsee Appendix C, Neos RSI
FragmentsI.
!he org"niz"tions soon re"lize th"t these #ode $r"gments must be o$ gre"t import"n#e
"nd thus begins " r"#e to #olle#t "s m"ny "s possible. !he popul"r belie$ is th"t 3eo
#"n "#tu"lly be reborn by using them in some w"y.
33
Morpheus gives a speech to the Redpills of Megacity here he proclai!s all should u"ite u"der
the flag of #io" a"d collect the R$% frag!e"ts for the greater good of hu!a"ity. &e shos the
crod a shattered 'eo R$% that #io" is tryi"g to re(uild fro! the frag!e"ts poer.
!he r"#e soon be#omes violent with org"niz"tion"l $ighting on "n "ll+time highB Eion
"nd the .erovingi"n "re "t the $ore$ront o$ the #on$li#t. *pee#hes "re m"ny "nd
#ompetition is #lose& #onst"ntly shi$ting between the two.
.orpheus& the Ar#hite#t "nd 'ersephone e"#h give out mess"ges des#ribing
themselves seeing 3eo himsel$ $lo"ting "bove " l"rge tri"ngul"r room with members o$
e"#h org"niz"tion in " di$$erent #orner& they "ll rush into the #entre but surprisingly
r"ther th"n $ight they begin to sh":e h"nds. !his obviously symbolizes wor:ing
together but no one seems to re"lize it. -t seems the bitterness between the
org"niz"tions m":es su#h pe"#e impossible.
A$ter vi#ious "nd #lose #ompetition it is reve"led th"t Eion is vi#torious in #olle#ting the
most %*- $r"gments.
-t is le"rned th"t the e"rlier spee#hes reg"rding 3eo #ont"ined " hidden mess"ge th"t
on#e de#iphered "#tu"lly opened " #ont"#t line with the Or"#le. ,hen the line is $in"lly
m"de she spe":s o$ how "ll must unite $or the $uture o$ the ."tri is in gre"t peril. *he
reve"ls th"t " group o$ eile progr"ms #"lled the *h"pers "re the only ones th"t #"n
34
su##ess$ully re+$orge 3eo@s %*- "nd how they must be prote#ted $rom the L17 "gents
"t "ll #osts.
!he Or"#le@s mess"ge $"lls on de"$ e"rs "s the org"niz"tions rush "nd $ight over the
power o$ the *h"pers. <n$ortun"tely& due to the %edpills own $oolishness& the L17
"gents g"in #ontrol o$ " *h"per $or themselves. !he very thing the Or"#le $e"red would
h"ppen.
J340 AgentsK begin to "ppe"r throughout the ."tri. App"rently the L17 "gents used
the power o$ the *h"per to imbed some p"rt o$ 3eo onto themselves.
*uper L17 "gents storm the ."tri& "ll sides sust"in he"vy #"su"lties "nd the %edpills
$ight " losing b"ttle until they $in"lly put "side their di$$eren#es "nd wor: together. ,ith
35
the help o$ .orpheus they $ight b"#: the L17 horde "nd st"nd vi#torious& but still
tension run high.
!he Or"#le #ongr"tul"tes the %edpills on wor:ing together $or on#e "nd w"rns o$ "
$or#e th"t will soon thre"ten the very $uture o$ the ."tri. All must prep"re $or the
worst.
36
!hapter :98
!wo eile r"#es& the Lupines "nd the 9lood 7rin:ers unepe#tedly go on " r"mp"ge
through .eg"#ity. 3o one :nows why but %edpills "#ross "ll org"niz"tions "re
thre"tened. !hese eiles "re #le"rly loo:ing to st"rt trouble.
!he le"ders o$ the Lupine / 9lood 7rin:er "lli"n#e "re :nown "s Oo:"mi "nd ."lph"s.
*hortly "$ter the widespre"d "tt"#:s they dis"ppe"r& "nd this "ngers the eiles "s they
#l"im th"t the two were #"ptured "nd "re being held prisoner. !he two r"#es )ui#:ly go
on " :illing spree with the intent o$ revenge.
All three org"niz"tions o$$i#i"lly deny the #"pture o$ Oo:"mi or ."lph"s.
-n the w":e o$ the "lli"n#e le"ders@ dis"ppe"r"n#e& " v"mpire by the n"me o$ -nv"les#o
)ui#:ly r"ises to power. 5e #"lls $or "ny willing %edpills to bring him sele#t items $rom
throughout the ."tri& giving them the promise o$ tr"ns$orming them $rom "n
"w":ened hum"n into "n immort"l eile v"mpire.
,hile -nv"les#o@s loy"l subCe#ts "w"it his word Oo:"mi "nd ."lph"s return reve"ling
th"t they h"d not been #"ptured "$ter "ll but needed to go into hiding $rom the
.erovingi"n. 5e h"d issued "n "ttempt on their lives "nd they h"d h"d no #hoi#e. !he
"lli"n#e is given new dire#tion: " $ull on w"r "g"inst the 6ren#hm"n. 1miss"ries $rom
the Lupine / 9lood 7rin:er $or#es "re sent to try "nd #onvert %edpills to their #"use.
-nv"les#o returns "t " di$$i#ult time& "s the return o$ Oo:"mi "nd ."lph"s h"s #re"ted "
ri$t in the "lli"n#e. !o reinst"te his position -nv"les#o begins the tr"ns$orm"tion ritu"l
on one o$ his rem"ining subCe#ts. !he ritu"l $"ils "s -nv"les#o@s brother& 6eronus& turns
up to stop the v"mpire@s tr"itorous w"ys. 5owever& he $"lters in #omb"t "nd is blown
"w"y by -nv"lse#o@s immense power. !he eile $lees "nd " #h"se ensues. 6ighting
bre":s out "mongst the %edpills present& "s m"ny "g"inst him "s there "re $or him.
6rom the top o$ the "s#ension monument -nv"les#o es#"pes to the "r#hives but not
be$ore re#eiving " st":e to the he"rt. 5e goes into hiding to try "nd reg"in his
strength.
Oo:"mi "nd ."lph"s begin " m"ss hunt $or the tr"itor. A$ter h"ving %edpills $ollow "n
intri#"te string o$ #lues he is eventu"lly $ound "nd " m"ssive $in"l b"ttle bre":s out. -n
the end -nv"les#o is greeted by " se#ond st":e to the he"rt "nd dies his $in"l de"th.
!":ing "dv"nt"ge o$ the "lli"n#e@s little #ivil w"r& the .erovingi"n g"thers his $or#es
"nd stri:es b"#: h"rd "g"inst the Lupines "nd 9lood 7rin:ers. ,hen the smo:e #le"rs
it is the 6ren#hm"n who st"nds vi#torious. Oo:"mi "nd ."lph"s "re #"ptured "nd
$or#ed to be#ome Jloy"lK subCe#ts on#e "g"in.
37
!hapter :9;
.orpheus gives " spee#h dem"nding 3eo@s body be returned. 5e thre"tens immedi"te
"#tion i$ his re)uest is not met.
!he ."#hines m":e "n o$$i#i"l st"tement th"t .orpheus@ dem"nds will not be met "nd
th"t he will soon be "pprehended.
3umerous #ode bombs "re set o$$ "round the #ity. !hese bombs peel b"#: the ."tri@s
wor:ings "nd reve"l the #ode bene"th. .orpheus@ pl"n is to show "ll the 9luepills the
illusion they live in "nd ultim"tely $or#e the ."#hines to give up. !he bombs "lso
rele"se " non+leth"l virus& " green sprite th"t $ollows those %edpills in$e#ted. !his too
is #le"rly visible to the 9luepills "nd serves "s "nother w"y to Q"w":en them on
m"sse@.
All org"niz"tions m":e o$$i#i"l st"tements showing they "re not in "ny w"y in support
o$ .orpheus "nd he is to be #onsidered "n out#"st.
*ever"l heli#opters th"t h"ve re#ently been $lying "round the #ity drop prop"g"nd"
le"$lets s"ying J7o not trust the 6ren#hm"nK. Other su#h mess"ges "re $ound& in #ode&
within the billbo"rds o$ the #ity.
.orpheus "ddresses #rowds o$ both %edpills "nd blue. 5e "dmits the bombs were his
doing "nd how they show the true $orm o$ the ."tri. 5e urges the 9luepills to w":e up
$rom their dre"m "nd s"ys how "ll must $ight $or the body o$ 3eo to be returned.
Agents soon "rrive "nd send se#urity $or#es "$ter .orpheusB however& those %edpills
loy"l to him hold them o$$ long enough $or him to es#"pe.
38
7uring "nother spee#h Oo:"mi "nd her Lupine $ollowers stri:e& "tt"#:ing "ll present to
get to the out#"st Eionist. 5e "nd Oo:"mi duel but .orpheus simply s"ys J- don@t h"ve
time $or this&K "nd hyper Cumps "w"y.
!he net spee#h .orpheus gives det"ils how he believes he is winning "nd how it is
Cust " m"tter o$ time be$ore the ."#hines give in to his dem"nds. 3iobe "rrives "nd
tries to #onvin#e .orpheus to stop his m"dness& i$ only $or his own s"$ety. 5e
dismisses her s"ying he :nows wh"t he@s doing. At th"t very moment m"s:ed b"ndits
turn up "nd "tt"#: "ll present. 3iobe shouts $or .orpheus to run. 5e hyper Cumps
"w"y.
!he m"s:ed b"ndits "re " rebel org"niz"tion& norm"lly sm"ll in number "nd never
be$ore this boisterous but it seems those th"t .orpheus $or#e$ully "wo:e with his
bombs h"ve gre"tly bolstered their r"n:s "s well "s their "#tivity. !hey "re hum"n
beings& %edpills whose only wish is to be reinserted into the ."tri. *ome even h"ve "
ne"r worshipping rel"tionship $or the tr"itor& Cypher. Also& their redpill st"tus gives
them the "sset o$ the "uto C"#:+out& m":ing them etremely h"rd to :ill.
,hile pl"nting " #ode bomb in " w"ter tre"tment pl"nt& .orpheus is shot de"d by "
m"s:ed "ss"ssin th"t #"n somehow byp"ss the "uto C"#: out with spe#i"l J:ill #odeK
bullets.
39
-nvestig"tions into .orpheus@ "ss"ssin"tion begin on "ll $ronts.
40
-t is dis#overed th"t the "ss"ssin th"t :illed .orpheus is "lw"ys seen with $lies "round
him. !he story behind these $lies is un:nown but video eviden#e proves he #"n
tr"ns$orm into " sw"rm o$ them "t will.
!he m"s:ed men begin turning up "ll "round the #ity dropping vit"l #lues& "ll o$ whi#h
seem to suggest the .erovingi"n is responsible $or the Ass"ssin.
Agent *:inner le"ds " group o$ m"#hine oper"tives in " hunt $or the Ass"ssin& "nd
they do eventu"lly #orner the mysterious m"n o$ $lies. 6ighting bre":s out "s he lets
loose his #orrupted $ollowers to "tt"#: the oper"tives. -n " duel to the de"th& " virus
imprinted in the Ass"ssin@s bullets in$e#ts Agent *:inner. !he "gent is $or#ed to
destroy himsel$ in "n e$$ort to stop the virus spre"ding.
A repl"#ement $or Agent *:inner is #re"ted: the $irst $em"le "gent& Agent '"#e. *he is
designed to be the $irst redpill $riendly "gent developed $or tru#e #onditions. *he #"n
J$eelK "nd underst"nd hum"n emotion. !he ."#hines believe her to be the $irst step
tow"rds better redpill rel"tions.
3iobe #re"tes her own splinter group& mu#h "s .orpheus h"d done. !his 3iobe group
is devoted to "venging .orpheus "nd #"rrying on his leg"#y. ."ny o$ .orpheus@
$ormer $ollowers Coin. Eion is essenti"lly split in two.
!he m"s:ed men suddenly dis"ppe"r o$$ the streets o$ the #ity "nd "re repl"#ed by
"nother even more power$ul thre"t& the Corrupted.
!he Corrupted drop m"ny #lues "s to the identity "nd purpose o$ the Ass"ssin. -t
"ppe"rs he w"s the progr"m in #h"rge o$ re#y#ling in$orm"tion& in#luding the bodies o$
those who die while still plugged in. 5e w"s "lso responsible $or !rinity@s body& but
w"s ordered not to re#y#le it $or some re"son. ,hen thre"tened with deletion he $led to
the ."tri with the help o$ .erovingi"n. 5is go"l it seems is to destroy the entire ."tri
progr"m& Cust to see his $ormer m"sters $"ll. O$ #ourse in the pro#ess he will destroy
himsel$& but he st"tes this is o$ no #on#ern to him. !o "#hieve his go"l he h"s beg"n to
overwrite the minds o$ 9luepills "nd is using them "s his soldiers& the Corrupted. Also
his pl"n is "pp"rently "lre"dy underw"y. 5e is beginning to #orrupt the ."tri $rom the
inside out& "s it will begin slowly then )ui#:en in p"#e "s time goes on. !he $irst signs
"re "lre"dy showing "s monuments "round the #ity begin to dest"bilize.
?i"nt monsters #"lled JComplete CorruptedK begin to "ppe"r "round "ll the
monuments "$$e#ted by the Ass"ssin@s power. !hese level 2;; #re"tures begin to
destroy everything in their p"th. Around them sp"wn norm"l Corrupted th"t drop
Jinse#ti#ide #odeK this is dis#overed to be the only thing th"t #"n de$e"t the #omplete
#orrupted. 7espite being "rmed with the inse#ti#ide #ode& the #re"tures don@t "ppe"r to
be we":ening. -t seems "ll hope is lost until e"#h o$ the org"niz"tions on#e "g"in
throw "w"y their di$$eren#es "nd unite to de$e"t the de"dly be"sts. A$ter " long tiring
b"ttle& it is the united %edpills th"t st"nd vi#torious.
41
!he Ass"ssin@s "#tivities very unepe#tedly stop. 5e is thought to be :eeping low "nd
is #urrently in hiding.
42
!hapter 89:
3iobe de#ides to bre": into " hotel room where the .erovingi"n "nd 'ersephone "re
st"ying in the hopes o$ le"rning more "bout .orpheus@ "ss"ssin. ,hen held "t sword+
point the .erovingi"n gives the Eion #"pt"in the in$orm"tion she needs: th"t the
Ass"ssin@s "ppe"r"n#e is " #oder@s Co:e& " dispos"l progr"m m"de out o$ thous"nds o$
$lies. .ost vit"l however w"s the in$orm"tion th"t the Ass"ssin is most li:ely to be
$ound "round his old h"unts& sew"ge "nd g"rb"ge. ,ith b"#: up $rom ?host& 3iobe is
"ble to get them both " $ree p"ss out o$ the hotel "nd so begins her hunt $or revenge.
Level ;0 red+eyed "gents begin to sp"wn "t ("lt Chemi#"ls in (edemoth. %edpills
$ight them o$$ "s best they #"n but ultim"tely it is " losing b"ttle. 3europhyte hersel$
"rrives Cust in time to support the oper"tives. *he uses her spe#i"l "bilities sever"l
times to stri:e the "gents with " str"nge bolt o$ yellow energy. !hose stru#: "re
#ompletely destroyed in " $l"sh o$ green #ode. !he b"ttle is won but the over use o$ her
powers severely we":ens 3europhyte "nd she #oll"pses. A$ter being revived by her
"llies she su$$ers tempor"ry memory loss "nd pro#eeds to C"#: out.
Eion oper"tives begin to se"r#h $or " w"y to re#re"te the inse#ti#ide #ode in the hope it
#"n be used in $uture b"ttles "g"inst the Ass"ssin. -ngredients "re g"thered $rom "ll
over the .eg"#ity. 5owever& #ompetition is tough "s the ."#hines send "gent
inter$eren#e "nd .erovingi"n $or#es prove troublesome. A$ter rigorous rese"r#h "nd
tests Eion s#ientists su##ess$ully re#re"te the inse#ti#ide #ode& with m"ss produ#tion to
st"rt soon there"$ter.
Code bombs st"rt re"ppe"ring in the #ity@s m"Cor g"thering pl"#es& pl"nted by " m"n
going by the n"me J."erdK. !his m"n is eerily simil"r to .orpheus not only in
"ppe"r"n#e but "lso ide"ls "nd w"y o$ spee#h but is simply thought to be " $ormer
$ollower #"rrying on his de#e"sed m"ster@s wor:.
!he re#ent #ode bombings bring the Ass"ssin out o$ hidingB m"ny %edpills br"vely try
to t":e the power$ul eile down but to no "v"il. A$ter h"ving his $un with those th"t
opposed him the Ass"ssin dis"ppe"rs "g"in.
A possible #lue "s to the return o$ the One is $ound during " r"id on "n eile b"se& with
the dis#overy o$ " newsp"per #lipping whi#h tells o$ someone n"med J*"r"h
1dmontonsK unepe#tedly w":ing $rom " #om" "nd simply w"l:ing out o$ the hospit"l
without s"ying " word. *"r"h 1dmontons is "n "n"gr"m o$ !hom"s AndersonP
!he red+eyed "gents m":e their return "nd st"rt sending sever"l mess"ges to "ll
C"#:ed+in %edpills. !hey tell o$ how Jpotenti"l #"rriersK "re being tr"#:ed "nd t"rgeted.
!he popul"r theory is they "re se"r#hing $or 3europhyte& #"rrier o$ the :ill #ode.
!he .orpheus loo:+"+li:e re"ppe"rs& on#e "g"in setting o$$ #ode bombs throughout
the #ity. ."ny in)uire "s to his identity but he simply "nswers& JNou :now who - "m.K
*oon "$ter the bombings the Ass"ssin shows up "nd silently "s:s those ne"rby where
43
."erd h"d run to. A$ter re#eiving the in$orm"tion $rom the terri$ied %edpills the
Ass"ssin dis"ppe"rs "s )ui#:ly "s he@d #ome.
7uring " routine mission V"shuo o$ the Novalis II is inst"ntly :illed by " sign"l
disrupting devi#e th"t w"s pl"nted onto the b"#: o$ his C"#:+in #h"ir. Eion se#urity
$or#es "re sent to bo"rd the ship "nd the entire #rew is det"ined $or )uestioning. !here
is undoubtedly " tr"itor "mongst the #rew& someone in le"gue with the m"s:ed men.
1ven worse it is believed to be " high+r"n:ing le"der o$ the m"s:ed "s inter#epted
tr"nsmissions show ?em"s:eered himsel$ re)uesting orders $rom the un:nown tr"itor
"bo"rd the ship.
A$ter the murder too: pl"#e& the ship@s oper"tor emergen#y+C"#:ed the #rew out o$ the
."tri. !his resulted in #ode $r"gments being dropped "round their l"st C"#:ed+in
lo#"tions. !hese $r"gments hold #lues th"t #ould point tow"rds the identity o$ the
tr"itor. Coupled with the :nowledge on the sign"l p"ths o$ the l"st tr"nsmissions h"d
between the #rew& " #on#lusion #"n be re"#hed. *olutions "re to be sent to
!ynd"ll/Agent ?r"y/6lood@s em"il.
!he murderer o$ V"shuo& tr"itor to the Novalis II #rew "nd one o$ the gre"t le"ders o$
the Cypherite org"niz"tion is reve"led to be none other th"n !oorim". -t "ppe"rs
V"shuo w"s getting too #lose "s to her re"l identity "nd so she $inished him o$$.
V"shuo h"d been rese"r#hing her m"s:ed "li"s& Veil. <ntil now Veil w"s :nown only in
rumors "nd stories "s "n "ss"ssin o$ unp"r"llel s:ill "nd e$$i#ien#y& "nd h"s been
lin:ed to " gre"t de"l o$ unsolved %edpill murders. *he is #urrently in #ustody in Eion&
"w"iting $urther )uestioning.
1nm"s#"r"do resur$"#es in .eg"#ity "nd he dem"nds to h"ve 3iobe #ome out "nd
$ight him. As " #ode bomb goes o$$ in the b"#:ground the w"rrior o$ Eion "rrives to $"#e
the Cypherite le"der but the ne"rby bombing brings the Ass"ssin b"#: out $rom the
sh"dows "s well. -n the n"me o$ venge"n#e 3iobe begins " duel with the Ass"ssin but
it ends "bruptly "s the m"s:ed m"n "lso de#ides to get involved. As the de"dly rogue
progr"m brings 1nm"s#"r"do #lose to de"th he w"rns th"t his %*- is rigged with "
de"dly surprise th"t will be rele"sed i$ it is destroyed. !he Ass"ssin t":es no heed to
his w"rning "nd e"sily wins the duel. 5owever& the re"lity o$ 1nm"s#"r"do@s thre"t
be#omes "pp"rent when the $l"me virus is rele"sed $rom his %*-. -t soon in$e#ts
everyone in the surrounding "re" "nd m"ss $ighting bre":s out. -n the ensuing #h"os
the Ass"ssin dis"ppe"rs into the #rowd "nd 3iobe is le$t to try "nd r"lly the %edpills out
o$ their #on$usion "nd violen#e. A$ter spre"ding through most the h"rdlines in the #ity&
the virus eventu"lly #"lms down "nd things return to norm"l& though the #h"os won@t
be e"sily $orgotten.
44
!hapter 898
Rise of the !ypherites
Cypherite "#tivity )ui#:ly de#re"ses& prob"bly due to the de$e"t o$ one o$ their m"in
le"ders but no doubt they "re simply reg"ining their strength. 3evertheless&
org"niz"tion"l priority soon shi$ts b"#: to the thre"t o$ the Ass"ssin.
9oth the ."#hines "nd the .erovingi"n send $or#es to try "nd obt"in the inse#ti#ide
#ode $rom Eion but "re ultim"tely unsu##ess$ul.
Eion soon re"lizes th"t without "n e$$i#ient w"y to disperse the inse#ti#ide #ode it
would be pr"#ti#"lly useless in " live b"ttle situ"tion. Oper"tives "re sent to in$iltr"te
m"#hine $"#ilities "nd "#)uire the s#hem"ti#s $or " devi#e #"lled " J$lit gun.K !hese
we"pons h"ve been deemed the best w"y to use the inse#ti#ide "g"inst the Ass"ssin.
A$ter #"re$ul "n"lysis o$ the s#hem"ti#s $or the $lit gun Eion dis#overs th"t it is
impossible to #ode it #ompletely $rom s#r"t#h& so they h"ve no #hoi#e but to m":e "
de"l with the ."#hines: inse#ti#ide ingredients $or $lit gun p"rts. !he de"l itsel$ sp"ns
sever"l tr"de o$$s throughout the #ity& with Eion sending its top oper"tives "nd the
."#hines sending "gent progr"ms to ensure the tr"nsitions go "he"d smoothly.
<n$ortun"tely& .erovingi"n $or#es "re still "ble to stop some o$ the tr"des $rom being
#ompleted. 7espite their inter$eren#e the de"l is deemed " su##ess "nd both sides
le"ve h"ppy.
7uring the tr"de o$$s& ?host is ordered to re)uest "ddition"l ."#hine "ssist"n#e in
de#iphering " d"t" dis: $ound by oper"tives during " r"id on " .erovingi"n b"se. -t
turns out the dis: #ont"ins " list o$ n"mes under the he"ding JOper"tion Omeg".K !he
n"mes "re those o$ top r"n:ing ."#hine "nd Eion %edpills. J.orpheusK is the n"me
$irst on the listP
."#hine oper"tives dis#over some more in$orm"tion reg"rding Oper"tion Omeg" while
on " st"nd"rd re#on mission. -t seems "n eile progr"m by the n"me o$ 6ill"ment w"s
the one th"t #re"ted the :ill #ode h"#: used in the Ass"ssin@s bullets "nd& more
interestingly& w"s under the employ o$ the .erovingi"n "t the time. !he h"#: wor:s by
using " s"mple o$ the vi#timFs %*- to tr"#: their lo#"tion in the re"l "nd remotely #"n#el
the "uto+C"#:out. 1"#h bullet must be spe#i$i#"lly designed $or " single t"rget "nd the
only one th"t #"n use the #ode is " spe#i$i# eile+ the Ass"ssin.
-t@s "pp"rent th"t the .erovingi"n w"s rese"r#hing " w"y to perm"nently :ill %edpills
"nd the end result w"s the :ill #ode h"#: "nd the Ass"ssin progr"m. -t@s "lso "pp"rent
th"t Oper"tion Omeg" is some sort o$ hit list th"t "ims to t":e #"re o$ the
.erovingi"n@s enemies. As " side note& 3iobe "nd ?host "re the net n"mes on the
list.
Eion #oders "re su##ess$ul in de#ompiling the $lit gun p"rts "#)uired in the m"#hine
tr"des "nd m"ss produ#tion begins immedi"tely.
1ile $or#es stri:e the v"rious $lit gun produ#tion #enters "round the #ity in "n "ttempt
to destroy Eion@s only hope o$ de$e"ting the Ass"ssin. -t seems the .erovingi"n
doesn@t wish to help destroy the rogue progr"m "$ter "ll but r"ther prote#t him. Could
they be wor:ing together on#e "g"inH
Eion begins se"r#hing $or the Ass"ssin@s l"ir but to no "v"il.
45
A mess"ge is sent to !ynd"ll re)uesting " %edpill #ome to meet the "nonymous
sender& "s "pp"rently they :now the where"bouts o$ the elusive Ass"ssin. %elu#t"ntly
!ynd"ll sends "n oper"tive to meet this un:nown in$orm"nt even though it simply #ries
Jtr"p.K !he in$orm"nt "#tu"lly turns out to be none other th"n the .erovingi"n@s wi$e&
'ersephone. *he tells the %edpill o$ how she truly h"tes the Ass"ssin progr"m "nd
simply wishes him to be destroyed. <n$ortun"tely $or her& her husb"nd is determined to
prote#t him $or some re"son so she de#ided to "ppro"#h Eion $or help. *he reve"ls the
Ass"ssin h"s set up " b"se o$ oper"tions on " g"rb"ge b"rge lo#"ted in the .eg"#ity
river. 5owever& it is impossible to "##ess this b"rge by norm"l me"ns. !he meeting
ends with 'ersephone giving the %edpill #oordin"tes o$ " .erovingi"n b"se where
$urther in$orm"tion "s to the lo#"tion o$ the b"rge #"n be $ound.
!he oper"tive in$iltr"tes the b"se "nd "##esses " #omputer #ont"ining in$orm"tion on "
hidden networ: o$ h"rdlines th"t runs throughout the entire .eg"#ity. !his se#ret
networ: le"ds to sever"l pl"#es o$ interest in#luding J!he .orgueK "nd J!he Coroner@s
O$$i#e&K but most import"ntly& the Ass"ssin@s b"rge.
A %edpill is sent to the b"rge to test the "#tu"l e$$e#tiveness o$ the inse#ti#ide #ode
"g"inst the Ass"ssin. 5e does indeed $ind the de"dly eile "nd "rmed with " prototype
$lit gun is "ble to severely we":en him. 5owever& the Ass"ssin is "ble to es#"pe
through the h"rdline networ: be$ore the $in"l blow #"n be stru#: "nd returns into deep
hiding.
46
!hapter 89;
Arrival of the !o""andos
A new group suddenly "ppe"rs throughout .eg"#ity: mysterious #"mou$l"ged
#omm"ndos. !heir motives "re un:nown "s they h"ve yet to show "ny "ggression
tow"rds "ny o$ the other powers& but etreme #"ution is being t":en #onsidering the
re#ent events in the ."tri.
A Eion s#out te"m witnesses one o$ the heli#opters th"t h"ve been distributing le"$lets
"round .eg"#ity l"nd on " building roo$top. -t "ppe"rs th"t the #omm"ndo group "re
behind the #hoppers "s " gener"l disemb"r:s& meets with " s)u"d o$ other soldiers
then t":es o$$ "g"in& le"$lets in h"nd.
Eion de#ides to use this opportunity to m":e $irst o$$i#i"l #ont"#t. *#outs tr"#: the
soldiers to " ne"rby v"#"nt building "nd "n oper"tive is sent in to meet with them.
!he #omm"ndos s"y they wish to m":e $riendly #onne#tions with "ll the m"Cor powers
in the #ity "nd "gree to $ollow the oper"tive. !ynd"ll orders th"t the oper"tive let the
#omm"ndos be J"##ident"llyK :illed by eile g"ng members so th"t do#uments they
re#eived $rom their gener"l e"rlier #"n be "#)uired. *he believes the do#uments m"y
shed light on the group@s motives.
!he soldiers were #"rrying " list o$ #oordin"tes re$erring to sever"l helip"ds "round the
#ity. -t seems th"t these "re"s "re meeting pl"#es $or the #omm"ndo group.
*urveill"n#e is in#re"sed.
!hrough the in#re"sed surveill"n#e on the l"nding zones& Eion is "ble to le"rn o$ "
meeting between the #omm"ndos "nd .erovingi"n $or#es. Anome is put in #h"rge o$
the mission to spy on this meeting& "nd he sends in "n oper"tive to bug the room
where the meeting is to t":e pl"#e. 7espite Anome@s #on$iden#e& se#urity me"sures
pi#: up on the oper"tive "nd the meeting moves to "nother lo#"tion. !he %edpill
"rrives "t the se#ond lo#"tion Cust "s the meeting is beginning. A$ter he"ring the
Comm"ndos "nd 1iles spe": o$ pe"#e Anome orders the elimin"tion o$ "ll eile
$or#es. 6ighting ensues but dire#t orders $rom Comm"nder Lo#: re)uests the oper"tive
st"nd down "nd pull out immedi"tely. !ynd"ll is put b"#: in #h"rge o$ #omm"ndo+
rel"ted missions.
Comm"nder Lo#: orders th"t "ny $urther de"lings with the #omm"ndos "re to be
pe"#e$ulB Eion #"nnot ris: getting o$$ on the wrong $oot with this possible new thre"t.
5owever& this sentiment doesn@t etend to the eile $or#es th"t h"ve meeting with the
#omm"ndos. A Eion oper"tive is sent to hunt down the le"der o$ the lo#"l eile g"ng
th"t h"s been h"ving meetings with the #omm"ndos. A$ter sever"l de"d ends the
oper"tive $in"lly #omes $"#e to $"#e with their le"der "nd with " little gentle persu"sion
m"n"ges to le"rn th"t the #omm"ndos "re "#tu"lly e+milit"ry progr"ms $rom the
m"#hine world "nd th"t in their meetings they h"d o$$ered the .erovingi"n $or#es "
Jnon+inter$eren#e "greement.K
!he #omm"ndos re+"ppro"#h Eion with the prospe#t o$ " pe"#e$ul meeting.
<n$ortun"tely& .erovingi"n $or#es somehow get wind o$ the meeting "nd pro#eed to
o##upy the surrounding "re"s "round the meeting pl"#e. !he oper"tive representing
Eion is sent to dispose o$ the eiles. A$ter the "re" is #le"red the meeting goes "he"d
but be$ore "ny re"l progress #"n be m"de the building is #ompromised. Lu#:ily the
47
oper"tive is "ble to t":e the "tt"#:ers down "nd the meeting is postponed until " more
se#ure "re" #"n be $ound.
Eion "nd the #omm"ndos do eventu"lly meet se#urely "nd the #omm"ndos propose
"n "lli"n#e. !hey reve"l they "re indeed eile progr"ms but th"t they too wish to bre":
$ree o$ the m"#hine@s oppression. !hey s"y their single wish is to m":e the ."tri "
s"$e h"ven $or "ny "nd "ll li$e $orms th"t h"ve " living #ons#iousness. !ynd"ll "greesB
"n "lli"n#e with su#h " well+org"nized group would indeed bene$it the #"use o$ Eion.
*he $orw"rds the re)uest to the #oun#il $or #"re$ul deliber"tion.
!o better rel"tions between Eion "nd the #omm"ndos& Comm"nder Lo#: orders th"t
"n oper"tive be sent on " mission te"med up with " s)u"d o$ #omm"ndo soldiers. !he
mission sele#ted is " #le"n up o$ the C"mon 5eights "re". *l"sher g"ng "#tivity h"s
been on the in#re"se "nd with the 9luepill poli#e being un"ble to solve the problem it
$"lls upon Eion to m":e the "re" s"$e "g"in. !he mission is " su##ess.
48
%edpills "re horri$ied to see th"t thous"nds o$ $ly sw"rms h"ve in$e#ted the s:y over
.eg"#ity. !he #louds "re no more "nd "ll th"t is le$t is the Ass"ssin@s $oul pets.
Corrupted on#e "g"in begin to sp"wn "round the #ityB they "g"in "tt"#: "nyone
reg"rdless o$ org"niz"tion. 1ven worse& they on#e "g"in begin the spre"d o$ the $ly
virus. Code $r"gments dropped by the Corrupted "re $ound to be p"rt o$ the Ass"ssin@s
ongoing memoir but un$ortun"tely they "re unst"ble with only " #ouple o$ words per
$r"gment "nd with no #le"r order.
Eion "nd the ."#hines de#ide it is mutu"lly bene$i#i"l to wor: together in " tempor"lly
"lli"n#e "g"inst the Ass"ssin@s $oul Corrupted in "n "ttempt to solve the #ode $r"gment
puzzle. Less #ooper"tive& however& "re those under the employ o$ the .erovingi"nB
"$ter "ll& the Ass"ssin w"s on#e #onsidered their "lly "nd most "re #on$used to his
intentions. 7espite this& the h"rd+he"ded Lupine le"der Oo:"mi t":es up "rms without
49
her m"ster@s #onsent "nd Coins the $ight "g"inst the Corrupted.
'erh"ps "ngered by the $"#t th"t one o$ his supposed J"lliesK is now wor:ing "g"inst
him& the Ass"ssin le"ds "n "tt"#: "g"inst the proud Oo:"mi. <n$ortun"tely she is
de$e"ted in her $ight "g"inst the m"n o$ $lies himsel$& "nd b"rely es#"pes with her li$e.
9ut the $"#t th"t she w"sn@t destroyed r"ises the )uestion: #ould the Ass"ssin be
we":eningH
-t seems the Ass"ssin@s "#tions "g"inst Oo:"mi didn@t go without #onse)uen#e "s
6lood m":es "n "nnoun#ement on beh"l$ o$ the .erovingi"n: "ll .erovingi"n %edpills
"re to "ssist the $or#es o$ Eion "nd the ."#hines $or " #ommon go"l+ the #omplete
destru#tion o$ the rogue eile.
-n " surprise "ppe"r"n#e& *er"ph himsel$ "ppro"#hes %edpills "t ."r" Centr"l. 5e
spre"ds the word th"t the Or"#le wishes to "ddress them "ll #on#erning the #urrent
situ"tion. All those present $ollow him to the ne"rby J7ebir CourtBK ironi#"lly& this is the
s"me pl"#e the Or"#le met with 3eo during the *mith in#ident. *he spe":s o$ how the
$ly sw"rms spre"d " dise"se into the system "nd unless something is done soon& the
."tri will be stressed beyond its "bility to sel$+rep"ir. *he "g"in spe":s o$ unity to the
%edpills& "nd o$ how "ll must wor: together& li:e they h"d done to de$e"t the #omplete
Corrupted& to de$e"t the Ass"ssin on#e "nd $or "ll.
%e"lizing the thre"t to his eisten#e& the Ass"ssin #omes out o$ hiding "nd "#tu"lly
Coins the $ront lines o$ b"ttle "longside his Corrupted. 5e moves swi$tly through the
#ity& :illing "ny who st"nd "g"inst him. <n$ortun"tely& there is nothing the %edpills #"n
do to de$end themselves "s the $lit guns "nd inse#ti#ide h"ve yet to be distributed.
-t seems the Ass"ssin@s dire#t involvement with the ongoing #on$li#t h"s begun the
spre"d o$ "n even stronger str"in o$ the $ly virus. !his new thre"t "#tu"lly #orrupts the
%*-s o$ the %edpills themselves& turning them into " m"ss o$ $lies only :ept st"ble by "
m"s: mu#h li:e the "ss"ssin@s.
3iobe& Agent '"#e& "nd 6lood e"#h hold meetings to their respe#tive org"niz"tionFs
oper"tives. -n these meetings they en#our"ge the %edpills to #ontinue wor:ing tow"rds
unlo#:ing the se#rets within the Corrupted $r"gments& but more import"ntly tell o$ how
the $lit guns "nd inse#ti#ide #odes "re "lmost re"dy to be distributed. -t is "lmost
timeP
!he $lit guns "re $in"lly re"dy $or m"ss distribution. All %edpills "re urged to #olle#t one
o$ the we"pons $rom "ny o$ the distribution #enters throughout the #ity. At l"st& "ll h"ve
the power to de$e"t the Ass"ssin.
3ow th"t they st"nd " #h"n#e "g"inst him& the %edpills o$ the #ity begin " widespre"d
hunt $or the Ass"ssin. 7espite his $"st movements he is no m"t#h $or the m"ss
#ombined $or#es o$ Eion& ."#hines "nd .erovingi"n. 5e is brought to ne"r de"th
sever"l times but somehow still m"n"ges to es#"pe.
-n " l"st dit#h "ttempt $or surviv"l the Ass"ssin somehow splits himsel$ into $our
sep"r"te beings. 5e t":es re$uge "t the pl"#es hinted "t in the Corrupted #odes: Club
Av"lon& the <ri"h wh"r$s& the Ab"ndoned *ubw"y "nd the Chur#h o$ the 7is#iples.
%edpills $in"lly de#ipher the Corrupted #odes "nd the $in"l showdowns begin "t "ll $our
lo#"tions. !he Ass"ssin is severely we":ened $rom his previous en#ounters with the
inse#ti#ide #ode "nd $ights " losing b"ttle. 5e eventu"lly $"lls to the might o$ the united
50
%edpills& "nd he $"des out o$ eisten#e on#e "nd $or "ll. !hose th"t l"nded the :illing
blows "re "w"rded #opies o$ his m"s: $rom *er"ph himsel$& " gi$t $rom the Or"#le it
seems.
!he Ass"ssin w"s "pp"rently :illed yet the Corrupted still sp"wn "nd the s:ies "re yet
to #le"rB something is "miss. 3iobe de#ides to se"r#h the Ass"ssin@s b"rge Cust in #"se
some "spe#t o$ him m"n"ged to survive. <n$ortun"tely& her suspi#ions prove #orre#t
"s the $in"l "spe#t o$ the Ass"ssin lies in w"it. !":ing 3iobe by surprise& he is "ble to
bring " gun to her he"d but Cust in time " %edpill "rrives "nd stri:es the #ru#i"l $inishing
blow "g"inst the l"st Ass"ssin. -t is $in"lly over& "s the rem"ins o$ the Ass"ssin sin:
into the river below.
7espite his eventu"l destru#tion& the Ass"ssin@s #orruption still lingers within the
."tri@s #ode. *ome is even strong enough to t":e the physi#"l $orm o$ de"d $lies. As "
result& %edpills "re sent on #ode #le"n up missions "nd "s " rew"rd "re given "
memento& " $ly in "mber.
A$ter rigorous #le"ring o$ the Corrupt #ode the s:ies "re m"de #le"r "g"in. -t "ppe"rs
the Ass"ssin@s $oul grip on the m"tri h"s $in"lly ended "nd in #elebr"tion o$ their
vi#tory e"#h org"niz"tion holds " p"rty. 3iobe& Agent '"#e "nd the .erovingi"n
person"lly #ongr"tul"te the oper"tives on their h"rd wor: "nd tell "ll to enCoy this
moment while it l"sts.
51
!hapter ;9:
The %ffectuator
A l"rge group o$ Lupine progr"ms rebel "g"inst the 6ren#hm"n& "s they "re tired o$
Jbeing tre"ted li:e dogs.K !he uprising is )ui#:ly #rushed by .erovingi"n oper"tives.
6lood believes Oo:"mi to be the one behind the uprising but with " l"#: o$ h"rd
eviden#e lin:ing her to "nything no "#tion is t":en.
-n light o$ the .erovingi"n@s involvement with the Ass"ssin progr"m& Comm"nder Lo#:
"nd the Eion #oun#il #ome to the re"liz"tion th"t i$ the tru#e is ever to be " su##ess
"nd the ."tri " s"$e h"ven $or "ll then the .erovingi"n must be t":en out o$ the
pi#ture.
Eion re"lizes th"t the .erovingi"n is $"r too power$ul to "ppro"#h dire#tly so inste"d it
is de#ided th"t he must $irst be we":ened by $inding " we": spot in his org"niz"tion
"nd eploiting it.
!he .erovingi"n is :nown to $re)uently use "re"s th"t eist outside o$ the m"in ."tri
simul"tion to #ondu#t his business "w"y $rom the surveill"n#e o$ the ."#hines. !hese
po#:et worlds "re #"lled J#onstru#tsK "nd "re " vit"l p"rt o$ the .erovingi"n@s power
b"se.
Eion wishes to :now more "bout the #onstru#t networ: "nd perh"ps use it to their
"dv"nt"ge in the $"ll o$ the 6ren#hm"n. -t is ultim"tely de#ided th"t "n oper"tive be
sent to investig"te one o$ the sites believed to be " #onstru#t entr"n#e.
!he oper"tive "rrives "nd )ui#:ly t":es #"re o$ the eile $or#es de$ending the port"l
door& but is ordered to be etremely #"re$ul when entering the #onstru#t "s they #"n be
#oded #ompletely to the "uthors willB "nything "nd everything #ould w"it beyond "
#onstru#t port"l. <n$ortun"tely it@s " dud& "s it seems the eile gu"rds were somehow
"ble to pull the plug "nd remotely re+route the sign"l to "nother lo#"tion.
9y "##essing one o$ the #omputers on+site the oper"tive is "ble to le"rn the new
lo#"tion o$ the port"l $eed "nd pro#eeds immedi"tely. !ynd"ll tells the oper"tive th"t
they shouldn@t be dishe"rtened by the #onstru#tFs re+routeB it w"s epe#ted "ll "long
th"t the .erovingi"n would h"ve "#tive monitoring over them. *he simply sees it "s
$urther proo$ to their import"n#e.
Ag"in the port"l turns dud "nd is re+routed but the mission isn@t " #omplete $"ilure "s "
new breed o$ eile w"s present th"t the lo#"tion: " J7ire Lupine.K !ynd"ll believes this
new type o$ eile m"y be rel"ted to the #onstru#ts in some w"y "nd "s:s the oper"tive
to uplo"d the d"t" th"t w"s $ound on its body.
A$ter #"re$ul "n"lysis o$ the d"t" it is le"rned th"t the 7ire Lupines "re simply modi$ied
versions o$ norm"l Lupine progr"ms with "dded subroutines $or ste"lth "nd in$iltr"tion&
m":ing them " de"dly $oe. 6ortun"tely the d"t" "llowed Eion to determine the 7ire
Lupine #ode sign"ture "nd "dd it to their d"t"b"ses. *#"ns begin $or 7ire Lupine hot
spotsB !ynd"ll still believes them to be #onne#ted to the #onstru#ts.
An oper"tive is sent in to one o$ the determined hot spots to investig"te 7ire Lupine
"#tivity& "nd it turns out the d"t" w"s #orre#t "nd the oper"tive pro#eeds to $ight o$$
"g"inst sever"l o$ the upgr"ded eiles. -n the end the oper"tive st"nds vi#torious over
the l"st rem"ining LupineB its l"st words being QNou #"n@t tou#h the 1$$e#tu"tor@. !ynd"ll
52
doesn@t re#ognize the n"me but presumes th"t it must h"ve something to do with the
Lupines "nd the #onstru#ts.
Eion m"n"ges to tr"#: down "nd se#ure the lo#"tion o$ " #ontrol termin"l $or one o$ the
#onstru#t port"ls. !here should be no $e"r o$ this port"l shutting down prem"turely.
5owever& "$ter #le"ring the port"l site o$ 7ire Lupines the oper"tive #hosen to enter the
#onstru#t #omes $"#e to $"#e with the 1$$e#tu"tor himsel$. Appe"ring out o$ nowhere
the oddly dressed "nd e##entri# eile #l"ims he h"s "lre"dy shut the port"l down "nd
be#:ons the oper"tive to $ollow him. As they enter " new room the 1$$e#tu"tor
somehow #lones himsel$ "s "nother #opy is "lre"dy w"iting. 5e tells the oper"tive th"t
his progr"mming m":es him in#orpore"l within the ."tri& me"ning he #"nnot be
h"rmed "nd is "ble to $lit "round wherever he ple"ses. 5e "lso "dmits to indeed being
the progr"m in #h"rge o$ the both the 7ire Lupines "nd the #onstru#t po#:et worlds& "ll
under the employ o$ the .erovingi"n.
!he 1$$e#tu"tor suddenly dis"ppe"rs le"ving the oper"tive to $ight more 7ire Lupines&
one o$ whi#h drops " d"t" dis:. <n$ortun"tely& "$ter uplo"ding the dis: "s ordered the
oper"tive he"rs th"t it w"s "#tu"lly " virus th"t beg"n deleting "ll the m"in$r"me d"t"
#on#erning the 7ire Lupines& the 1$$e#tu"tor "nd the #onstru#ts. App"rently Anome
didn@t remember to se#urity #he#: the d"t".
."#hine oper"tives "re sent to )uestion witnesses to str"nge events going on in the
.eg"#ity "s o$ l"te. <nepl"in"ble bl"#: boes o$ "bout /0$t "ll surrounded by " thi#:
smo:e h"ve been "ppe"ring on the streets "nd the ."#hines "re determined to
dis#over their origins. 5owever& some o$ the m"#hine )uestionings "re "#tu"lly
disturbed by #omm"ndo inter$eren#e :illing o$$ witnesses.
-n their )uestionings the ."#hine oper"tives le"rn th"t men we"ring b"nd"nn"s
"round their $"#es h"ve been sighted "round the boesB it "ppe"rs the m"s:ed men
"re somehow involved.
-n ret"li"tion to the e"rlier in#idents the ."#hines le"d their oper"tives on stri:es
"g"inst the #omm"ndo soldiers. -n one o$ the stri:es " se#ret $ile #ont"ining
in$orm"tion on "n individu"l :nown only "s J!he ColonelK is $ound. 5e be#omes the
."#hinesF new prim"ry t"rget. -n "nother stri:e the oper"tives $ind "n en#rypted $ile
#on#erning the Colonel@s e"#t lo#"tion but "pp"rently it is he"vily #oded in "n "lmost
."#hine+li:e m"nner "nd will be " #h"llenge to #r"#:.
Comm"nder Lo#: is determined to st"y on the 1$$e#tu"tor #"se but r"ther th"n going
"$ter the troublesome 7ire Lupines he de#ides inste"d to send "n oper"tive to in$iltr"te
" #ir#le o$ the Club 5el gu"rdsB perh"ps they h"ve h"d de"lings with the mysterious
eile. !his turns out to "#tu"lly be true. App"rently& he h"s been re)uesting
in$orm"tion on the shi$ting o$ the ."tri #odeB he "ppe"rs to need more power. !ynd"ll
presumes th"t the re#ent "#tivities h"ve st"rted t":ing their toll. <n$ortun"tely& Cust "s
the oper"tive gets #lose to $inding out the "rr"ngements o$ the de"l& " 7ire Lupine
turns up "nd ruins the oper"tion. A$ter de"ling with the situ"tion the h"rd w"y the
oper"tive uplo"ds the det"ils $or "n"lysis.
!he d"t" $ound $rom the l"st oper"tion "llows Eion to begin tr"#:ing the 1$$e#tu"tor@s
networ: movements in "n "ttempt to $ind his b"se o$ oper"tions.
!he ."#hines su##ess$ully de#ode the lo#"tion o$ the #olonel "nd pro#eed to le"d "
stri:e on the b"se with the deletion o$ the Colonel in mind. 5owever& be$ore he is
53
eng"ged the Colonel r"ndomly "s:s th"t the oper"tives to h"ve the ."#hines #he#: "
#ert"in se#tor o$ the pod $ields $or bro"d#"sts sign"ls. -t turns out th"t there is "n
eplosive devi#e pl"nted in th"t se#tor th"t #ould :ill hundreds o$ sleeping 9luepills&
"nd the sign"l is #onne#ted with the Colonels %*-& so i$ he dies the bomb goes o$$.
!he ."#hines "re $or#ed to withdr"w $or nowP
Eion sends "n oper"tive to #olle#t "nd "dminister " virus dis: designed to not only le"d
them str"ight b"#: to the 1$$e#tu"tor@s b"se o$ oper"tions but "lso #ompletely destroy
his entire person"l networ:. !he virus is " su##ess "nd the oper"tive is "ble to $ind the
1$$e#tu"tor. 5owever& he is he"vily gu"rded by 7ire Lupines "nd even "$ter they "re
out o$ the w"y the he "ppe"rs to the oper"tive "s sever"l #opies o$ himsel$. 5e tells the
oper"tive th"t it will t":e more th"n th"t to "llow his progr"mming to be h"rmed "nd
th"t "ll this h"s been " w"ste o$ time. Just be$ore the oper"tive le"ves he st"tes th"t
Eion will never get to the .erovingi"n through him.
."#hines oper"tives "re "ble to bre": into " Comm"ndo b"se "nd re#eive the
de"#tiv"tion #odes $or the pod bomb "nd it is eventu"lly dis"rmed despite he"vy
Comm"ndo resist"n#e "t the tr"nsmitting st"tion. ,ithout the pod bomb prote#ting him
the Colonel is "g"in t"rgeted $or deletion. -t t":es " #ouple o$ de"d ends but ."#hines
oper"tives $in"lly $ind his hiding pl"#e "nd "re "ble to t":e down the de"dly
Comm"ndo.
As " side note the Comm"ndos "ppe"r to be more #ompli#"ted th"n $irst thought&
#onsidering these $iles were $ound during the m"#hine r"idsP
6rom !he ?ener"l: J,e need to :now how mu#h the ."#hines :now "bout us.
!hey "re GobviouslyI the only ones who pose " true thre"t to us. - epe#t "nswers.D
6rom !he ?ener"l: J!his ."#hine inter$eren#e h"s gone on long enough. Colonel& -
epe#t you to put " stop to it. !h"t shouldnFt be so h"rd& given the "mount o$
resour#es "t your dispos"l... "nd your obvious p"ssion $or de"ling with hum"ns. -
will not permit "ny $"ilures ++ our proCe#t must pro#eed "##ording to pl"n.K
Agent ?r"y "ppe"rs "t ."r" Centr"l "nd de#l"res th"t "ll Eion oper"tives must be
purged $rom the ."triB "pp"rently they h"ve J#orrupted it with their sten#h.K 5e then
pro#eeds to "tt"#: "ny Eion %edpill present. ."ss $ighting bre":s out between Eion
"nd ."#hine oper"tives "nd ?r"y eventu"lly hyper+Cumps "w"y. 5e returns shortly
"$ter ordering the $ighting to stop. 5e dem"nds "n "nswer "s to why the violen#e
beg"n but when the %edpills spe": o$ his e"rlier "#tions he $"ils to re#ognize th"t "ny
o$ it h"ppened. 5e le"ves by telling them th"t investig"tions will h"ve to be m"de.
54
!hapter ;98
!he ."#hines begin to pi#: up on in#re"sed #ommuni#"tions #h"tter #on#erning the
m"s:ed men. -ntent on le"rning more& oper"tives "re sent to pl"nt listening devi#es in
suspe#ted m"s:ed b"ses. !he d"t" $eeds #olle#ted $rom these devi#es #le"rly show
the in#re"sed #h"tter to be #entered "round the subCe#t o$ VeilB her n"me resur$"#es
numerous times "nd it seems something big is in the wor:s.
A$ter he"ring in#re"sed t"l: "nd v"rious rumors surrounding them& !he .erovingi"n
"lso be#omes interested in :nowing e"#tly wh"t the m"s:ed men "re up to.
Oper"tives "re sent to in$iltr"te :nown m"s:ed b"ses "nd report their $indings.
!he street m"gi#i"n Cryptos& mentioned in the l"test edition o$ the newsp"per The
Sentinel& begins his per$orm"n#es throughout .eg"#ity. -nterestingly& Cryptos is seen
we"ring " blue pill en#"psul"ted in " #ryst"l "round his ne#: "t "ll times. 5owever&
even more interesting "re his per$orm"n#es themselves. 5e "ppe"rs "s i$ by m"gi# in
one o$ the m"ny boes set up "round the #ity& pro#eeds to pre"#h to the #rowd& then
dis"ppe"rs "nd moves to "nother bo within minutes. !his m"y seem inno#ent "t $irst
but the spee#hes he gives #ert"inly "ren@t. 5e t"l:s o$& "mongst m"ny other things&
Jnot being "ble to dre"m i$ you "re $ully "w":e&K h"ving to JreturnK "nd Jsubmitting to "
higher "uthority.K !hese spee#hes immedi"tely stri:e %edpills "s Cypherite
prop"g"nd"B he even en#our"ges w"t#hers to Jsee: the Veil.K
Eion be#omes very #on#erned "bout CryptosB his pre"#hings "re $"r too suspi#ious
"nd& in the eyes o$ Eion& w"rr"nt investig"tion. 1ven his pill st"tus is un:nown: his "#ts
strongly suggest th"t he@s "w":ened but there@s re"lly no w"y to be sure without t":ing
$urther "#tion. -n "n "ttempt to un#over more det"ils& oper"tives "re sent to interview
9luepills who h"ve seen the per$ormer in "#tion.
<n$ortun"tely the interviews "re unsu##ess$ulB it "ppe"rs the sleepers don@t :now
"nything either. Anome& who h"s been put in #h"rge o$ the oper"tion& de#ides to ignore
in#re"sed $riendly rel"tions "nd spy on the ."#hines in #"se they :now "nything. An
oper"tive is sent on " se#ret mission to set up " listening devi#e on " ."#hine networ:
node. !he mission is ultim"tely " su##ess "nd the d"t" $eed begins being monitored by
Anome "nd his "sso#i"tes.
Anome #ont"#ts his oper"tive "g"inB "pp"rently the listening devi#e w"s su##ess$ul in
pi#:ing up d"t" on Cryptos. An "udio re#ording o$ the mysterious street per$ormer h"s
Cryptos s"ying J3iobe is only driven by h"tred $or the .erovingi"nB th"t@s no w"y to
le"d people.K !he mess"ge #le"rly shows Cryptos is indeed "w":ened. Oddly though&
the #ont"#t who h"nded over the re#ording s"id not to s"y " word to "nyone $or $e"r o$
"ny Jhigher upsK $inding out. -t seems Anome@s little spy oper"tion w"s not o$$i#i"lly
b"#:ed.
7uring their investig"tions into the m"s:ed men@s resur$"#ing& ."#hine oper"tives
55
un#over " plot to $ree Veil $rom EionB in their own words their oper"tions "re Jdoomed
to $"ilureK without her guid"n#e. -t is however un#le"r whether the bre": out h"s
"lre"dy gone "he"d or is simply still " pl"n.
!he .erovingi"n spies "lso le"rn o$ the plot to $ree Veil. !his only in#re"ses the
6ren#hm"n@s interest "nd he be#omes determined to bre": Veil out himsel$. 5owever&
by the time his pl"ns begin to $ormul"te rumors o$ Veil@s es#"pe spre"d throughout the
."triB it seems the m"s:ed got to her $irst.
An emergen#y Eion meeting is #"lled. !he subCe#t m"tter "t h"nd is !oorim"& ":" Veil&
being bro:e out o$ imprisonment "nd $leeing Eion. -t "ppe"rs the gre"t m"s:ed le"der
truly is $ree on#e more. As " result& the m"s:ed men "re m"de Eion@s top priority.
Cypherites "re to be :illed on sight "nd Veil re#"ptured "t "ll #osts.
!he ."#hines le"rn o$ Anome@s spying "nd #on$ront EionB lu#:ily !ynd"ll "nd Lo#: "re
"ble to #ool things over with them. !ynd"ll is put in #h"rge o$ "ny $urther Cryptos or
Veil+rel"ted oper"tions.
Eion investig"tions reve"l th"t Veil h"d somehow been in #ont"#t with her m"s:ed
soldiers $or "t le"st " wee: be$ore her es#"pe& re+"$$irming the $"#t th"t the m"s:ed "re
still " very re"l thre"t even within the #ity itsel$. -n " twist o$ $"te it turns out Eion
"##ident"lly re#orded the l"st $ew tr"nsmissions between Veil "nd her oper"tives.
<n$ortun"tely& they@re $"r too he"vily en#rypted to dr"w "ny #on#lusions.
!he .erovingi"n re$uses to give up so e"sily. 5e sends his oper"tives "ll "round the
#ity tr"#:ing Veil& "nd most le"ds turn out to be de"d ends or se#ret h"rdlines meet by
st"ti#. 5owever& one oper"tor is "ble to tr"#: the st"ti# b"#: "nd ends up opening "
#omm. lin: with Veil hersel$. -mpressed& she sets the oper"tive under the #ontroller
sever"l t"s:s& :illing gu"rds& #olle#ting items& et#. *he promises $urther #ont"#t on#e
the oper"tive h"s proved themselves worthy.
-n "n "ttempt to help p"t#h rel"tions Eion turns to the ."#hines $or "ssist"n#e with
VeilFs en#rypted mess"ges. !he de#ryption is done in se#onds "nd two possible Veil
lo#"tions "re rel"yed. !he ."#hines send $or#es to one "nd !ynd"ll sends the #rew o$
the 3es#ire to the other. <n$ortun"tely& despite he"vy m"s:ed "#tivity& Veil is nowhere
to be seen.
!he .erovingi"n oper"tive #ompletes "ll the set t"s:s set by Veil. *he :eeps her word
"nd "grees to " meeting with the .erovingi"n.
%eports indi#"te th"t Veil is set to set to meet with someone o$ m"Cor import"n#e soon.
Eion "nd the ."#hines pl"n to inter#ept the meeting& tr"#e Veil@s hover#r"$t sign"l "s
well "s $ind out who this other person is. 9oth org"niz"tions send oper"tives to try "nd
un#over #lues "s to where the meeting is being held. !hese investig"tions turn up
sever"l possible lo#"tions "nd both send s)u"ds to #he#: them out. One o$ the sites
gives positive re"dings on Veil "nd other m"s:ed oper"tives but Cust "s the "re" is
"bout to be stormed the sign"ls somehow dis"ppe"r& le"ving behind " str"nge residu"l
re"ding. !o "dd to the #on$usion& #ommuni#"tions between !ynd"ll "nd Agent ?r"y
"re suddenly #ut. !r"#ing the residu"l re"dings the Eion oper"tives "re "ble to get to
"nother lo#"tion but "ll th"t "w"its them is " m"ss o$ bodies& "lre"dy $ound "nd
se"r#hed by the ."#hines. *ho#:ingly& "ll their #r"ni"l C"#:s h"d been etern"lly
t"mpered withB they@re "ll de"d "nd by Cypherite h"nds.
56
A$ter "voiding Eion "nd ."#hine inter$eren#e Veil "nd !he .erovingi"n "re $in"lly "ble
to h"ve their meeting. A$ter some $lirt"tious b"nter the two "gree upon " p"rtnership o$
:nowledge. 6lood "ssures the .erovingi"n oper"tives th"t this is not #onsidered "n
"llegi"n#e or tru#e& but simply "n "greement on mutu"l terms. Veil believes she is
using the .erovingi"n "nd the .erovingi"n believes he is using Veil.
!ynd"ll believes the re#ent str"nge o##urren#es #"n only be the wor: o$ tr"itors. 7ue
to the possible se#urity bre"#h "n oper"tive h"s to be sent in person to re#eive "nd
tr"nsport #ommuni#"tions d"t" $or "n"lysis. !he ris: o$ sending it over the networ: is
simply too gre"t. !ynd"ll hopes this d"t" will le"d b"#: to the tr"itorous #rew. 5er
hun#h proves #orre#t "nd the hover#r"$t 3es#ire is veri$ied "s those s"bot"ging the
re#ent oper"tions. !he ship is $ound by Eion "uthorities "nd the #rew "rrested.
7uring their re#ent oper"tions e"#h org"niz"tion $inds highly sensitive "udio $iles.
Ag"in& Cryptos is the spe":er "nd in e"#h he shows neg"tivity tow"rds the #urrent
org"niz"tions: Eion& ."#hines "nd .erovingi"n. ,hile this m"y point tow"rds Cryptos@
motiv"tion being purely Cypherite& there w"s "nother "udio $ile $ound by ."#hine
oper"tives& " very mysterious $ile th"t r"ises more )uestions th"n it "nswers. -t h"s
Cryptos spe":ing with "n "gentP
Agent: -t h"s been "nother period& ple"se report.
!ryptos: -@m $ine
Agent: !here is #on#ern you "re unst"ble. !he pro#ess #ould not be #omplete&
o$ ne#essity.
!ryptos: - "m in $ull #ontrol. 9ut the memories "re still there& "long with spee#h
p"tterns& "nd h"bits o$ l"ngu"ge #onstru#tion.
Agent: !hey #"n be "##essed $reelyH
!ryptos: *#rew you& you d"mn robotR 3obody@s gonn" $"ll $or this lo"d o$ blue+
pill #r"p. Nou don@t :now hum"ns. Nou don@t :now C"#:R
Agent: !his is #ontrolH
!ryptos: !here "re degrees. 3o #on#ern is w"rr"nted.
Agent: - will report.
!he ."#hines suddenly end their involvement with Veil& the m"s:ed men "nd CryptosB
both Eion "nd ."#hine %edpills "re le$t unin$ormed "nd #on$used.
!he m"s:ed men begin storming .eg"#ity@s most popul"r h"rdlines. Anyone present&
reg"rdless o$ org"niz"tion& is "tt"#:ed on sight. ,"r bre":s out on the streets "s
3iobe& *er"ph "nd others Coin the b"ttle "g"inst the m"s:ed $oes. !he "tt"#:ers do
eventu"lly pull b"#: but re#ent "#tivities "re proo$ enough o$ their determin"tion: the
Cypherites "re $"r $rom gone.
!he .erovingi"n throws " huge p"rty "t #lub '"r"ll"is in <ri"h. 1veryone is invited
reg"rdless o$ org"niz"tion "nd there@s even " sli#e o$ .erv #":e $or "ll "ttendees. Also&
'ersephone "ttends " lo#"l %edpill wedding "nd wishes the #ouple the best o$ lu#: in
their new $ound love. !he "w":ened o$ the #ity #"n@t help but wonder& why these re#ent
"#tivitiesH ,hy "ppe"r so #"su"lly "t " time o$ su#h high tensionsH !he most #ommon
belie$ is th"t they were used either "s " distr"#tion to move "ttention "w"y $rom Veil or
the 6ren#hm"n is simply trying to boost his publi# rel"tions.
57
!hapter ;9;
3iobe holds " priv"te meeting on " %i#hl"nd roo$top. !here she tells her $ollowers th"t
things "re going to get tough $rom here on out "nd th"t theyFll need more $irepower i$
they hope to "#hieve their go"l o$ de$e"ting the 6ren#hm"n. Just "s the Eion #"pt"in is
wr"pping up her spee#h& one o$ the ?ener"lFs heli#opters $lies overhe"d. Comm"ndos
drop down on the meeting "nd 3iobe believes them to be "tt"#:ing. 6ighting soon
bre":s out. !he ?ener"l himsel$ stops the m"dness "nd proposes " de"l in J#ommon
interest.K A$ter #lose negoti"tions the two groups ultim"tely de#ide to Coin $or#es in their
b"ttle "g"inst the .erovingi"n.
!he .erovingi"n le"rns o$ the meeting between 3iobe "nd the ?ener"l but is "s yet
un"w"re o$ wh"t tr"nspired& something he wishes to #h"nge. 6lood puts " te"m o$
%edpill oper"tives in #h"rge o$ the investig"tions. 5"ving been supplied with " stolen
Eion "##ess #"rd the te"m m":e their w"y to the ne"rest Eionite b"se. !he pl"n is to
h"#: their #omputer systems "nd tr"#: d"t" b"#: to the lo#"l Eion d"t"b"se. 6lood
w"nts everything on 3iobe@s meeting: wh"t w"s s"id& by who& when "nd how. !he
stri:e on the b"se is su##ess$ul& "s not even " single gu"rd seemed to be on duty "t
the time. !he h"#: is done #le"nly "nd without interruption. !he te"m #ontinues on to
the d"t"b"se site.
!he Eion d"t"b"se site is he"vily gu"rded "nd " long $ight ensues& eventu"lly won by
the .erovingi"n "tt"#:ers. 5owever& when se"r#hing the d"t"b"ses $iles $or
in$orm"tion o$ 3iobe@s meeting the te"m "re greeted with " deleted $iles mess"ge. -t
seems their b"ttle g"ve the Eionists time to wipe the system. 6or on#e the .erovingi"n
is the one le$t one step behind.
-t "ppe"rs none o$ 6loodFs "ttempts to un#over in$orm"tion on the det"ils o$ 3iobeFs
meeting "re su##ess$ul. !he eile inste"d de#ides to #h"nge his priority to ret"li"tion
"g"inst Eion dire#tly. As "lw"ys with 6lood this involves m"nipul"tion o$ others& in this
#"se the Cypherites. As to not bre": their "greement .erovingi"n oper"tives "re sent
under#over "s Eion soldiers to "tt"#: " Cypherite b"se& the hope being th"t the "tt"#:
will h"ve the two org"niz"tions "t e"#h others thro"ts in no time. !he "tt"#: goes
"he"d $l"wlessly "nd the Cypherites "re none the wiser.
-t seems not "ll went to 6loodFs pl"nB it seems the Cypherhies "re regul"rly under
"tt"#: $rom Eion& "nd the $"lse "tt"#: m"de little di$$eren#e. 5owever& 6lood is not one
to be outdone so e"sily. A new pl"n is )ui#:ly thought up "nd put into pr"#ti#e& "
he"vier blow to the Cypherites. <sing the etent o$ their de"l 6lood is "ble to get his
oper"tives into one o$ the m"s:ed d"t"b"se sites. On#e inside the te"m begins
se"r#hing $or something th"t would re"lly m":e the Cypherites "tt"#: in numbers.
<n$ortun"tely every #omputer they se"r#h is $illed with nothing but seemingly r"ndom
number "nd letter #ombin"tions& none o$ whi#h "re "ny interest to 6lood. 5owever& the
te"m@s )ui#:+minded oper"tor pi#:s up on something: " set o$ numbers "t the end o$
58
the re#ords #orrespond to the lo#"tion o$ the <nion 5ill Cryptos bo& yet "nother
#onne#tion between Cryptos "nd the m"s:ed.
6lood #omes to the re"liz"tion th"t i$ Cryptos "nd the Cypherites re"lly "re #onne#ted
then theyFll t":e noti#e i$ one o$ the boes& n"mely the one in <nion 5ill& is s"bot"ged.
!o do so 6lood re)uires oper"tives to r"id " Eion b"se $or some Je)uipment&K virus
#odes with Eion d"t" p"thsB the per$e#t set up tool. !he r"id is su##ess$ul "nd the virus
"#)uired. Just in #"se& 6lood "lso "ssigns some more $":e Eionists to "##omp"ny the
s"bot"ge. A return to the Cypherite d"t"b"se is in order. A$ter de"ling with "ll the on
site gu"rds "nd pl"nting the viruses 6lood t":es " he"rtless turn: to m":e the s#ene
more #onvin#ing he orders the elimin"tion o$ the $"lse Eionists. !he order is #"rried out
without mu#h )uestion "nd 6loodFs de#eption mission is br"nded " su##ess.
Cypherites begin in#re"singly "tt"#:ing Eion re#ruitment te"msB they pl"n to stop "ny
more 9luepills $rom being "w":ened J"g"inst their will.K Oper"tives "re sent out to de"l
with the revived m"s:ed thre"t.
7uring their "nti+Cypherite oper"tions Eion m"n"ges to tr"#e on+site d"t" stre"ms
b"#: to " possible m"s:ed networ: st"tion. %"id te"ms "re disp"t#hed immedi"tely.
A$ter #le"ring the site the oper"tives #he#: the #omputer systems present. One $ile in
p"rti#ul"r #"t#hes their eye: " report th"t the <nion 5ill Cryptos bo h"s en#ountered
"n error "nd th"t there will h"ve to be in#re"sed se#urity. !his only strengthens the lin:
people h"ve been m":ing between the Cryptos "nd the Cypherites.
."s:ed men begin to sp"wn "round the <nion 5ill "re"B it "ppe"rs their orders $or
in#re"sed se#urity weren@t Cust " report stored on " #omputer.
*eeing his s"bot"ge " su##ess 6lood returns to his origin"l go"l o$ dis#overing in$o on
3iobe@s meeting with the ?ener"l. 7uring their time m"nipul"ting the Cypherites "
spe#i"l virus designed to re+route Eion #ommuni)uSs w"s being developed& now $ully
tested "nd re"dy to go. 6lood entrusts the t"s: o$ pl"nting it to " single %edpill
oper"tive. *ne":ing p"st the on site gu"rds& the .erovingi"n $ollower is "ble to
ste"lthily pl"nt the re+router on one o$ the Eion m"in$r"me #omputers& "nd the d"t"
begins to #ome into 6loodFs inbo immedi"tely. -n#luded is " mess"ge ordering "ll
oper"tives to #e"se hostilities tow"rds the Comm"ndos& whi#h is Cust wh"t they were
loo:ing $or.
!he ."#hines lose #ont"#t with one o$ their #ouriers inside the ."triB " #"se
#ont"ining #ert"in items o$ v"lue is :nown to h"ve been in his possession. !he
import"n#e o$ the #"ses #ontents it seems is p"r"mount "nd Agent ?r"y sends %edpill
oper"tives to investig"te immedi"tely. !he l"st :nown lo#"tion o$ the #ourier w"s in the
(edemoth distri#t. 1ntering the building& the te"m "re #on$ronted by numerous 6uries
g"ng members. As the prominent g"ng o$ the "re"& ?r"y suspe#ts the 6uries to be the
most li:ely p"rty behind the the$t. A$ter #le"ring "nd site "nd se"r#hing bodies the
oper"tives "re led in the dire#tion o$ one o$ the 6uries lo#"l b"ses.
!he ."#hine oper"tives investig"ting the missing #"se m":e their w"y to the 6uries
b"se with the intention o$ )uestioning the g"ng le"der there. Agent ?r"y s"ys their
re#ords show her "s " we": $ighter "nd to epe#t " non+violent interview but i$ not& "ny
"nd "ll me"sures "re permitted in the retriev"l o$ the #"se. A$ter e"sily de"ling with her
bodygu"rds the ."#hine %edpills "re "ble to )uestion the eile. *he #l"ims the $uries
h"d nothing to do with the #"ses dis"ppe"r"n#e "nd th"t she only sent troops out to
59
the building to investig"te " rumor. *he points the te"m in the dire#tion o$ Argon& the
lo#"l eile mob boss. App"rently i$ "nyone will :now wh"t h"ppened itFll be him.
!he te"m m":e their w"y to ArgonFs #lub& Club 7u"lity& $or some )uestioning. ?r"y
shows #on#ern over w"sted time de"ling with street g"ngs but "##epts the oper"tives
Cudgment "nd "llows the oper"tion to #ontinue. Argon tells them th"t o$ #ourse he
:nows o$ the #"seFs dis"ppe"r"n#e but "lso th"t he w"s in no w"y involved with it. 5e
is however "lso surprised they h"ve not yet t"l:ed to ("lt& owner o$ ("lt Chemi#"ls& "s
she is the one responsible $or the #ontentsF #re"tion. ?r"y in$orms the oper"tives th"t
wh"t Argon s"ys is true but th"t he did not wish to involve ("lt with the investig"tions i$
possible. -t "ppe"rs& however& th"t it is indeed needed. ?r"y promises to m":e the
ne#ess"ry "rr"ngements "nd ends the mission.
Eion de#ides to t":e the Cryptos le"d $urtherB "s reve"led in the l"test hidden Sentinel
rel"ys& Cryptos used to be " #"pt"in o$ Eion b"#: be$ore 3eo brought the tru#e. ,h"t
w"sn@t s"id w"s th"t sin#e then his #rew h"ve JretiredK "nd sought lives in the ."tri.
Eion believes it would be use$ul to )uestion his old #omr"des in "n "ttempt to $ind out i$
Cryptos m"y h"ve h"d "ny e"rlier ties with the m"s:ed. Oper"tives "re sent to h"#: "
9luepill #itizen d"t"b"se "nd $ind where the old #rew members h"ve t":en residen#e.
A$ter $ighting through numerous ."#hine se#urity $or#es "nd #r"#:ing " #omple
$irew"ll system& the Eion oper"tives "re "ble to tr"#: the lo#"tions o$ Cryptos@ old #rew+
the two o$ them who "re still "live "nyw"y.
!he $irst interview proves $ruitlessB the #rew member h"d sin#e m"rried " 9luepill "nd
le$t the re"l world behind her. *he w"s underst"nd"bly less th"n h"ppy to h"ve Eion
:no#:ing "t her door. 5owever& be$ore the oper"tives le"ve she does tell them she
st"yed "w"y $rom Cryptos& .orpheus "nd other Js"viors.K App"rently she w"sn@t "
believer. !his does r"ise the )uestion: J*"viorH ,"s Cryptos on#e li:e .orpheusHK
Lu#:ily the se#ond interview proves more use$ul. !his #rew member tells the te"m th"t
b"#: in Eion Cryptos w"s " very strong protester "g"inst the ."#hine #iviliz"tion& but
more interestingly& w"s good $riends with Cypher o$ the Nebuchadnezzar.
Agent ?r"y #ont"#ts his investig"tion te"m "g"inB the "rr"ngements $or their meeting
with ("lt h"ve been m"de. !hey $ollow the dire#tions given to " l"rge o$$i#e building
owned by none other th"n ("lt Chemi#"ls. -nside they $ind themselves #on$ronted by
"rmed se#urity but "$ter some )ui#: -7 #he#:s "llowed to m":e their w"y to the
meeting room. ("lt reminds the oper"tives th"t she pre$ers to be le$t "lone but "lso
in$orms them th"t she does indeed h"ve some v"lu"ble in$orm"tion. ,hile she doesn@t
:now the identity o$ the thieves& she h"s le"rned th"t " devi#e w"s $ound "t the s#ene&
some sort o$ "dv"n#ed sign"l C"mmer. A##ording to her the only person #"p"ble o$
m":ing su#h " progr"m is the eile rese"r#her& *ilver.
!he ."#hine investig"tion te"m #ontinue on to the "ddress given to them by ("lt: "
sh"bby "p"rtment in C"mon 5eights& whi#h is "pp"rently *ilverFs newest %i#hl"nd
hideout. -nside& the eile doesn@t seem too surprised to see themB in $"#t it@s "lmost "s
i$ he w"s epe#ting it. *l"sher g"ng members storm the room but the oper"tives
disp"t#h them with rel"tive e"se. *ilver seems dis"ppointed in his progr"msF l"#: o$
e$$e#tiveness. !h"n:ing the oper"tives $or helping him with his rese"r#h the eile
"grees to "nswer their )uestions. 5e tells them th"t he w"s "ppro"#hed by the
7emons Army g"ng o$ !"bor '"r: to m":e " C"mming devi#e #"p"ble o$ blo#:ing
60
."#hine s#"ns. A##ording to him they even supplied one o$ the m"in #omponents
themselves. 5ow they got it is beyond him.
6ollowing up on their newest le"d the ."#hine oper"tives m":e their w"y to !"bor
'"r:. Agent ?r"y gives the epli#it order to destroy "ny 7emon Army eiles on sight
until something is $ound& " very stri:ing dire#tion $or " ."#hine progr"m. 3evertheless&
the order is #"rried out "nd " b"se o$ 7emon Armies is #le"red "nd looted with no
survivors. A d"t" dis: is $ound on one o$ the bodies "nd immedi"tely uplo"ded to ?r"y
$or "n"lysis& with results "pp"rently to be $orth#oming.
Eion tries to $urther investig"te Cryptos@ p"st but un$ortun"tely "lmost "ll the "r#hive
$iles on his "#tivity b"#: in Eion show signs o$ t"mpering. Lo#: suspe#ts s"bot"ge.
-nste"d& Eion is "ble to lin: Cryptos with two o$ their #urrent $ield oper"tives who
re#ently went missing while investig"ting Cypherite "#tivity. !he t"s: o$ tr"#:ing down
"nd re#overing the lost soldiers begins.
A$ter mu#h investig"tion the Eion re#overy te"m $inds themselves "t " possible le"d.
!hey believe " $riend o$ the oper"tives& " wild #"rd who is :nown to indulge in the
."tri@s simul"tions "nd lies& m"y be behind their dis"ppe"r"n#e. ,hen they "rrive "t
the suspe#t@s "ddress the te"m "re met by he"vy Cypherite "#tivity. A$ter de"ling with
the "rmed resist"n#e they $ind one o$ the missing soldiers lo#:ed up in the b"sement.
<pon $reedom he tells the te"m th"t him "nd his #omr"de were :idn"pped $or J:nowing
too mu#hK "nd were being held "t sep"r"te lo#"tions. Lu#:ily he overhe"rd the gu"rds
t"l:ing "bout the other lo#: up "nd is "ble to le"d the te"m in " res#ue "ttempt.
C"t#hing the Cypherites o$$ gu"rd they "re "ble storm the lo#: up "nd s"ve the other
soldier Cust in time.
A$ter being brie$ed on the suspi#ions surrounding Cryptos& the res#ued soldiers "re
"ble to re#"ll " time& " $ew wee:s "$ter the !ru#e& where Cryptos suddenly #h"nged.
A##ording to them he be#"me even more $"n"ti#"lly "nti+."#hine& stopped t"l:ing to
people& would only r"mble on "bout the ."tri being evil "nd w"nting to end the entire
simul"tion. App"rently he even went to the etreme o$ urging people to w":e the
sleepers even i$ they weren@t re"dy. !his is highly interesting in$orm"tion "s it dire#tly
#on$li#ts with "ny re#ent in$orm"tion on Cryptos& his spee#hes& the "udio $iles& et#. -$
the soldiers "re right then he went $rom " $"n"ti# %edpill to "n "pp"rent e)u"lly $"n"ti#
Cypherite.
!he "n"lysis o$ the 7emon Army d"t" dis: is #omplete but even "$ter de#ryption it
m":es no sense& gibberish o$ me"ningless words "nd phr"sing. 5owever& ?r"y
believes it to be o$ some sort o$ v"lue to the lo#"l street g"ngs "nd dire#ts the
investig"tion te"m in the dire#tion o$ the 7emons ArmyFs riv"l g"ng& the Crossbones.
!he pl"n is to m":e " tr"de with the le"der o$ the Crossbones: the de#rypted d"t" $or
the lo#"tion o$ the 7emon Army ring le"der. Arriving "t the b"se o$ 5"t#het& the
Crossbones le"der& the oper"tives "re immedi"tely set upon& believed to be 7emon
Army spies. A$ter de"ling with their "tt"#:ers the te"m #on$ront 5"t#het with their
intentions& "nd the eile soon "grees to the de"l "s long "s it #ould #"use h"rm to the
7emons Army. 5e orders two o$ his hen#hmen to le"d "nd "ssist the te"m in Jroughing
upK the le"der& ."mmon.
Agent ?r"y reminds his oper"tives th"t the retriev"l o$ the lost #"se is "bsolutely
imper"tive "nd th"t they must not w"ste time. !he investig"tion te"m& "long with their
eile "ssist"nts& rush to storm the b"se o$ the 7emon Army le"der. *tr"ngely& there
61
"re no gu"rds present "nd the te"m "re "ble to dire#tly #on$ront ."mmon. 5e
"pp"rently :new o$ their "rriv"l "ll "long& his spies h"ving told him prior to their
dep"rture. 5e does however tell them wh"t they w"nt to :now. !he n"me o$ the
#ont"#t th"t supplied him with the C"mmer #omponent "nd w"s to retrieve the #"se w"s
n"med JC"#ophony&K though they never met in person. !he "rrog"nt eile then
summons " ho"rd o$ gu"rds into the room& the ."#hinists "re "ble to $ight their w"y
through "nd es#"pe to s"$ety& but their "ssist"nts "re not so lu#:y. ?r"y doesn@t trust
."mmon but the n"me given is the only le"d they h"ve le$t& so the s#"n through the
."#hine d"t"b"se begin.
A$ter #he#:ing trough the re#ords with " $ine toothed #omb "nd running liter"lly
hundreds o$ s#"ns through the Eion d"t"b"se& "dmins "re "ble to tr"#e the t"mpered
Cryptos $iles b"#: to "n "ddress within the ."tri. Oper"tives "re sent in to investig"te
the s#ene& "pprehend "ny m"s:ed present "nd& i$ possible& re#over the origin"l $iles. -t
turns out the site is " popul"r %edpill p"rty spot& "n ide"l #over $or " Cypherite b"se.
A##ess to the site@s #omputer systems& despite obvious #le"r"n#e& is denied by the
st"tioned Eion gu"rds. !ynd"ll isn@t surprised "s she "pp"rently "lw"ys suspe#ted "n
inside Cob. *he gives the te"m #le"r"n#e to $or#e their w"y in i$ ne#ess"ry. A$ter
det"ining the rebellious gu"rds the oper"tives "re "ble to #o" one o$ the p"rtiers into
"##essing the system $or them. <n$ortun"tely& it@s #le"n o$ "ny Eion "r#hive $iles but
the d"t" is uplo"ded $or $urther "n"lysis "ll the s"me.
A$ter #"re$ul study o$ the d"t" $ound "t the p"rty site& Eion le"rns th"t the #omputer
system there w"s simply " router $or the "#tu"l "r#hive h"#:. !e"ms "re sent to
sever"l other lo#"tions but "ll prove e)u"lly void o$ "ny "r#hive $iles. !ynd"ll suspe#ts
their "#tivities "re being tr"#:ed "nd #ountered.
!he ."#hineFs se"r#h $or C"#ophony dr"ws no #on#lusionsB ?r"y #"n only surmise it
is " #ode o$ sorts to :eep its owner re"l intently hidden. Le$t "t " de"d end the
."#hines de#ide to t":e $in"l "nd desper"te me"sures in the re#overy o$ their #"se.
!he investig"tion te"m "re given " d"t" dis: to t":e to their new #ont"#tFs bodygu"rd
"s " gi$t o$ good will "nd pro#eed to the pre+de#ided meeting lo#"tion. !he ."#hine
oper"tives "re met by the one "nd only *er"ph& gu"rdi"n o$ the Or"#le. A$ter h"nding
over the d"t" dis:& " list o$ progr"m n"mes "nd lo#"tions& *er"ph "llows them through
to the net room. *ure enough there st"nds the Or"#le. *he begins by telling the
oper"tives the me"ning o$ the word #"#ophony& someone who doesnFt li:e pe"#e "nd
)uietB someone who thin:s th"t i$ they m":e enough noise& they #"n #ontrol thingsB
m":e things turn out the w"y they w"nt them to. -n her own words& !he ?ener"l. !he
meeting is over "nd despite ?r"y@s disli:e o$ the Or"#le@s involvement the investig"tion
#"n #ontinue.
At " loss Eion sends "n under#over oper"tive to " suspe#ted g"thering o$ illeg"l
tr"ders. All sorts o$ h"#:ed in$orm"tion& "##ess #odes "nd even blue pills "re up $or
s"le. A$ter stri:ing " de"l with one o$ the tr"ders the oper"tive is sent to " #ont"#t who
"pp"rently de"ls in Jthis sort o$ thing.K !ynd"ll reminds them th"t the $ile dire#tly rel"tes
to the time Cryptos suddenly #h"nged& it is vit"l th"t it is re#overed.
At the lo#"tion given by the bl"#:+m"r:et tr"ders Eion oper"tives "re $"#ed with he"vy
rogue resist"n#e& in#luding the #ont"#t they were sent to $ind. A$ter de"ling with the
rebels they $in"lly $ind the missing "r#hive $iles stored on "n "#tive #omputer.
A##ording to the re#ords Cryptos C"#:ed into the ."tri without permission " #ouple
62
wee:s into the !ru#e& en#ountered some "gent "#tivity then #ompletely dis"ppe"red
o$$ his oper"tor@s s#reen. 5e returned "bout "n hour l"ter "nd "$ter being C"#:ed out
re$used to t"l: "bout where he@d been. -t w"sn@t soon "$ter this th"t Cryptos went
missing $rom both the ."tri "nd the re"lB only to return re#ently "s " #ompletely
#h"nged m"n. -t seems "$ter "ll their se"r#hing Eion is only le$t with more )uestions
"nd suspi#ions surrounding Cryptos th"n ever be$oreP
Eion le"rns "bout the meeting between Veil "nd the .erovingi"n. <sing their new
$ound "llegi"n#e& they h"ve !he ?ener"l disp"t#h elite Comm"ndos to "ssist in $urther
oper"tions.
!he ."#hines "re willing to get their #"se b"#: "t "ll #osts& even within the prospe#t o$
negoti"tions with the ?ener"l. Oper"tives "re sent to #ont"#t the Comm"ndos "nd
propose " meeting. A s#"n o$ the ne"rby "re" shows " s)u"d to be oper"ting ne"rby&
"nd "$ter tr"#:ing them down the oper"tives h"ve " brie$ #onvers"tion with their le"der&
le"ding to their re)uest being Jp"ssed up the #h"in.K
-t isn@t long be$ore Agent ?r"y h"s #ont"#t $rom the ?ener"l@s $or#es. !he meeting is
"rr"nged "nd the investig"tion te"m $orw"rded to the lo#"tion. !he single obCe#tive is
neg"tions over the return o$ the missing #"se. !he te"m "rrive to $ind the meeting
"lre"dy underw"y with " p"ir o$ "gents "nd " number o$ Comm"ndo s)u"ds. !he
"gents tell the oper"tives o$ the Comm"ndoFs... stubbornness. !hey dem"nd
s"n#tioned #ontrol over #ert"in "re"s o$ the #ity& whi#h is obviously un"##ept"ble. !he
"gents $eel the %edpills m"y st"nd " better #h"n#e "t negoti"tions "nd "llow them to
"ddress the meeting. 5owever the Comm"ndo represent"tive& ,"ite& $eels insulted to
be t"l:ing to " Fl"#:eyFB he sees this "s the $in"l str"w "nd surmises the ."#hines must
be plotting something& "nd the Comm"ndos open $ire. ,ith the help o$ the "gents
present the "tt"#:ers "re e"sily de"lt with. -t is obvious pe"#e$ul negoti"tions "re out o$
the )uestion.
A$ter interviewing some o$ Cryptos@ old 9luepill "sso#i"tes Eion le"rns th"t the
mysterious m"gi#i"n used to per$orm "t one o$ the #ity@s m"ny w"rehouse #lubs.
Anome inst"ntly "ssumes this w"rehouse is Cryptos@ se#ret b"se "nd not only sends "
s)u"d o$ Eion oper"tives to storm the pl"#e but "lso #"lls in Comm"ndo support.
.u#h to the "rrog"nt Eion #ontroller@s surprise& Cryptos is nowhere to be $ound&
however& the w"rehouse is #r"wling with eiles. A$ter $ighting their w"y in the s)u"d
)uestion the eiles "s to wh"t they "re doing there. !he le"der o$ the g"ng tells the
te"m she brought the w"rehouse $rom its $ormer %edpill owner& A#uben& $"ir "nd
s)u"re "nd th"t they h"ve no right to "tt"#: them li:e this. A$ter obt"ining A#uben@s
#ont"#t #"rd the te"m le"ve the eiles to de"l with the mess. Anome seems " little
#on$usedB he@s #onvin#ed the eiles must@ve been wor:ing $or the .erovingi"n who in
turn must be wor:ing $or Cryptos. 5e@s even set on the belie$ th"t A#uben will turn out
to be Cryptos in disguise.
,hen the s)u"d "rrive "t A#uben@s "ddress they "re met with strong m"s:ed
resist"n#e. !hey $ight their w"y through to the Cypherite %edpill "nd pro#eed to
)uestion her. *he protests th"t Cryptos h"s pre"#hed nothing but $or pe"#e "nd
h"rmony between ."#hine "nd hum"n sin#e his re+"rriv"l in the ."tri. *uddenly&
mid+senten#e& she $"lls the groundP de"d. -t "ppe"rs her #r"ni"l C"#: w"s t"mpered
with by "n etern"l $or#e& li:ely Cypherite. !he te"m se"r#h the body "nd $ind "n "udio
$ile& " #onvers"tion between the Eionite Cryptos "nd one o$ the soldiers who were
63
:idn"pped. -n it Cryptos is suggesting the only w"y to de$e"t the ."#hines is to destroy
the entire ."tri simul"tion& to deprive them o$ their power sour#e. 5is Custi$i#"tion $or
su#h m"ss geno#ide is th"t the sleepers "re h"rdly "live "s it@s Cust " J!V show
be"med to their he"ds.K !he "udio $ile is h"rd proo$ o$ Cryptos@ mir"#ulous #h"nge o$
belie$.
Just "s the Eion oper"tives "re "bout to le"ve& their oper"tor pi#:s up on " he"vily
en#rypted sign"l being tr"nsmitted into the building. At th"t e"#t moment one o$ the
phones on site begins to ring. One o$ the te"m pro#eeds to pi#: it up "nd is greeted by
the #"lm #"l#ul"ted voi#e o$ Veil. App"rently she h"d to #ut the #onvers"tion with
A#uben short be#"use Jloose lips sin: hover#r"$ts.K *he "lso hopes they #"n t"l: "g"in
moreP person"lly sometime soon. O$ #ourse Anome doesn@t believe " word o$ it& "nd
he thin:s the oper"tives "re m":ing it up to hide their J$"ilure.K
!he ."#hines inter#ept Comm"ndo tr"nsmissions "nd "re "ble to tr"#e them b"#: to "
lo#"l #omm"nd post. A stri:e $or#e o$ ."#hine oper"tives "re sent in to #le"n sweep
the b"se "nd loo: $or "ny in$o #on#erning the missing #"se. !hree #omputers "nd two
s)u"ds o$ Comm"ndos l"ter "nd no in$orm"tion is $ound. ?r"y be#omes... $rustr"ted. -t
is then th"t the "gent is #ont"#ted in "n en#rypted Comm"ndo mess"ge: the ?ener"l
wishes to spe": to the ."#hines oper"tives vi" simul"#rum re#ording. ,ith no other
options ?r"y sends the investig"tion te"m to the lo#"tion given.
-n his re#orded mess"ge the ?ener"l epli#itly st"tes the Comm"ndos "re not in
possession o$ the #"se the ."#hines "##use them o$ ste"ling& nor do they h"ve "ny
in$orm"tion reg"rding it& thus "ny "tt"#:s o$ them reg"rding its where"bouts "re $utile.
!he mess"ge is short "nd to the point& "lmost suspi#iously so. ?r"y points out th"t the
?ener"lFs st"tement dire#tly #on$li#ts with their in$orm"tion. !he "gent believes there
must be some misin$orm"tion. !he investig"tion h"s hit " de"d end "nd Agent ?r"y
"dmits they #"n no longer #ount on retrieving the #"se. 7"m"ge #ontrol "nd
#ontingen#y pl"ns must be brought into "#tion "nd " #ert"in level o$... inst"bility is
prob"ble.
Eion be#omes highly #on#erned "bout the in#re"sed numbers& e$$i#ien#y "nd dis#ipline
o$ the CypheritesB it@s obvious th"t sin#e Veil@s rele"se they h"ve be#ome "n even
de"dlier thre"t. !o investig"te $urther "n oper"tive is sent to interview "n e+Cypherite
who re#ently returned to the #"use o$ Eion.
A##ording to the e+m"s:ed& be$ore Veil it used to be very b"si#: " b"nd"nn" "nd "
gun& th"t w"s it. 5owever& sin#e her return Cypherite tr"ining in#re"sed in le"ps "nd
bounds with stri#t pro#edures "nd se#ret $"#ilities. 5e gives the oper"tive the "ddress
o$ one o$ these tr"ining #enters but w"rns it@s prob"bly long gone sin#e they moved
"round " lot.
As epe#ted& no Cypherites "re present "t the old tr"ining site but it does turn out they
le$t behind "n old simul"#rum progr"m o$ the one "nd only& Veil. *he introdu#es hersel$
"s the Cypherite mission #ontroller "nd begins the m"s:ed tr"ining progr"m.
<n$ortun"tely& be$ore "ny v"lu"ble in$orm"tion #"n be obt"ined& the simul"#rum is
remotely shut down by "n etern"l sign"l. !he oper"tive@s oper"tor is however "ble to
dump the little d"t" they did g"in onto h"rd dis:.
!h"n:s to their e"rlier eperien#es with Cypherite d"t" stru#ture& Eion is "ble to tr"#e
the etern"l sign"l th"t shut the Veil progr"m down b"#: to its sour#e. !his intelligen#e
64
proves #orre#t "s " m"s:ed b"se o$ oper"tions is $ound "nd #le"red. Another tr"ining
progr"m is un#overed& but this is time sp"wning " simul"#rum o$ the mysterious
Cryptos. 5e is introdu#ed "s the le"der o$ the Cypherites& who& in his own words& "re
dedi#"ted to letting people live the best possible lives. !he re#ruitment pro#ess
#ontinues in subse)uent rooms "s " tot"l o$ three Cryptos simul"#rums glori$y "nd give
pr"ise to the m"s:ed #"use. !ynd"ll sees it "ll "s prop"g"nd"& pure "nd simple. *he
ends the mission promising the oper"tive th"t the in$orm"tion un#overed will be
rel"yed to Comm"nder Lo#: "nd the Eion #oun#il A*A'. 6in"lly some o$ the )uestions
surrounding Cryptos& Veil "nd the Cypherites h"ve been "nswered.
!he .erovingi"n& "##omp"nied by " group o$ elite %edpill gu"rds "s well "s the $eisty
Oo:"mi& throws " p"rty "t Club *phin $or "ll his loy"l $ollowers. !he Eion oper"tives
present "re less th"n h"ppy "bout the .erovingi"n@s un"nnoun#ed t":e over o$ the
#lub "nd thre"ten to #"ll in Comm"ndo support. !he .erovingi"n simply dismisses
them "s #"ve dwelling p"wns. Comm"ndo soldiers do indeed "rrive "nd w"rn the
.erovingi"n th"t he should be $e"r$ul o$ the ?ener"l@s power. !he .erovingi"n de#ides
he #"n not be de"ling with su#h interruptions "nd orders his troops #le"r the #lub o$ "ll
protesters. 7ue to the sheer number o$ .erovingi"n $or#es the Eionists "nd
Comm"ndos "re $or#ed outside "nd :ept out by the elite bodygu"rds. 5owever& when
Oo:"mi de#ides to t":e " stroll "w"y $rom the #lub she is )ui#:ly set upon by " l"rge
group o$ "ggressive Eionists. !he .erovingi"n "nd his $ollowers soon #ome to her "id
"nd it isn@t long be$ore m"ss org"niz"tion"l $ighting bre":s out "#ross the entire
7"nn"h 5eights neighborhood. A$ter #"lling in he"vy "ssist"n#e $rom her Lupines&
Oo:"mi is $in"lly "ble to disperse her "tt"#:ers "nd m":e it to s"$ety. !ensions
between Eion the .erovingi"n re"#hes "n "ll+time high.
65
!hapter <9:
Retribution
3iobe sends out " Eion wide bro"d#"st& she reminds "ll oper"tives o$ their p"rtnership
with the ?ener"l "nd his #omm"ndos. *he "lso reve"ls th"t the #omm"ndo soldiers
"re ineperien#ed with $ighting other eile progr"ms "nd th"t she h"s "greed with the
?ener"l to h"ve oper"tives p"rti#ip"te in #omb"t tr"ining. 5er re)uest is simple& "
number o$ #omm"ndo soldiers h"ve been "ssigned to tr"ining duty "round the #ity "nd
she wishes "ny "nd "ll oper"tives willing to "ssist to do so. %unning missions& ge"ring
them up& te"#hing them new te#hni)ues& th"t sort o$ thing. ."ny "re troubled by this
revel"tion& trust "nd respe#t $or the ?ener"l is low& rumours spre"d "nd dis#ussions
"re m"ny. -t is " time o$ de$inite unrest within the r"n:s o$ Eion.
Eion oper"tives meet with the ?ener"l himsel$ to #o+ordin"te o$$ensive oper"tions
"g"inst the .erovingi"n "nd his $or#es. A$ter " short brie$ing he "ssigns " te"m o$
#omm"ndos to Coin the Eionists in "n up#oming mission. Anome& the #ontroller $or the
oper"tion& w"rns the oper"tives not to loo: b"d in $ront o$ their "llies. !he group
pro#eed to su##ess$ully #le"r out one o$ the lo#"l eile hideouts "nd& ple"sed with their
progress& the ?ener"l sends out one o$ his elite #omm"ndos to "ssist "nd study the
oper"tives on $urther "ssignments.
!he Eion oper"tives "nd the ?ener"lFs elite #omm"ndo pro#eed to #le"r out "nother&
tougher& eile hideoutB Anome seems "lmost desper"te to show the #omm"ndos wh"t
Eion is #"p"ble o$. A$ter using his enh"n#ed sensors to "n"lyse "nd uplo"d the b"ttle
d"t" the #omm"ndo tells the oper"tives th"t the ?ener"l wishes to spe": with them in
person $or debrie$ing. !he ?ener"l #ongr"tul"tes the oper"tives on their su##ess "nd
"ssures them the etensive d"t" g"thered is being #onverted into superior "nti eile
sub routines "s they spe":.
!he ."#hines& more spe#i$i#"lly Agent ?r"y& de#ide to "pply pressure to the
.erovingi"n@s "ssets& they pl"n on m":ing the 6ren#hm"n lose $o#us "nd in turn to
we":en his Fp"theti#F empire. ."#hine stri:e $or#es "re sent to numerous .erovingi"n
b"ses.
6lood $inds himsel$ #on$ronted with "tt"#: reports $rom "ll "#ross the #ityB he sends
.erovingi"n oper"tives to Fresolve the situ"tionsF. -t "ppe"rs Eionists "re behind the
"tt"#:s& t"rgeting spe#i$i# eiles. !he oper"tives "re "ble to de$end sever"l o$ the sites
"nd disperse the Eion "tt"#:ers& but not without he"vy losses& m"ny progr"ms lie de"d
be$ore they even "rrive. One o$ the wounded is "ble to give the oper"tives " d"t" dis:
whi#h he dem"nds must re"#h the .erovingi"nB -t le"ds them to yet "nother "tt"#:
site& this time "t the h"nds o$ m"#hine progr"ms. A$ter " tough b"ttle the oper"tives
"re "ble to #le"r the site "nd se"r#h bodies& un$ortun"tely nothing o$ interest is $ound.
Agent gr"y sele#ts " #rew o$ m"#hine oper"tives to le"d "n "tt"#: on one o$ the
.erovingi"n@s :ey eile lieuten"nts& termin"tion is the obCe#tive. A$ter $ighting through
the lieuten"nt@s person"l gu"rd the #rews oper"tor pi#:s up on " str"nge #ode
$lu#tu"tion in the net room& they rush to investig"te but $ind nothing& it seems the eile
w"s "ble to es#"pe out o$ thin "ir. 6urther "n"lysis o$ the $lu#tu"tion #on$irms it to be
the wor: o$ the mysterious 1$$e#tu"tor.
7etermined not to be out done by eiles Agent ?r"y orders the m"#hine #rew to
pro#eed "nd "tt"#: the b"se o$ one o$ the .ervs :nown se#urity #"pt"ins. 'relimin"ry
66
s#"ns show the eiles sign"l #le"rly but "s soon "s the oper"tives enter the building
the re"dings dis"ppe"r& the pl"#e #ompletely empty. Agent gr"y #omments on the
1$$e#tu"tor@s t"lents be#oming "n... in#onvenien#e.
!ynd"ll sends " #rew o$ Eionites to "##omp"ny " s)u"d o$ the ?ener"l@s #omm"ndos
on " spe#i"l #omb"t run. !he purpose o$ the eer#ise is to ev"lu"te the new "nti eile
#omb"t upgr"des developed using the d"t" $rom the re#ent tr"ining sessions with Eion.
!he #hosen t"rgets "re " group o$ the 1$$e#tu"tor@s dire LupinesB they h"ve "pp"rently
been unusu"lly "#tive "s o$ l"te "nd !ynd"ll sees it "s the per$e#t opportunity. !he
mission is " su##ess "nd the upgr"des seem to be e$$e#tive. As the #rew le"ve the
mission "re" they re#eive " re)uest to meet with the ?ener"l in person& he h"s
"nother vit"l mission $or them.
!he ?ener"l epl"ins to the Eion oper"tives th"t the d"t" #olle#ted $rom the previous
tests suggests " possibility o$ #re"ting spe#i"l we"pons $or use "g"inst spe#i$i# eileFs
de$en#es. 5e needs the oper"tives to le"d " group o$ spe#i"lly progr"mmed
#omm"ndos to $urther test the theory "nd #olle#t the d"t" they need. !ynd"ll is hope$ul
th"t the we"pons the ?ener"l spo:e o$ #ould be the turning point in their b"ttle "g"inst
the .erovingi"n "nd en#our"ges the oper"tives to help the #omm"ndos g"ther "s
mu#h d"t" "s possible. !he te"m "re le"d to the lo#"tion o$ "nother group o$ dire
Lupines& un$ortun"tely there "re m"ny more th"n epe#ted "nd " tough b"ttle ensues.
5owever& th"n:s to the help o$ the upgr"ded #omm"ndos the Eionists "re eventu"lly
"ble to de$e"t them "ll& g"thering " lot o$ d"t" "s " result.
6lood de#ides to ret"li"te "g"inst the re#ent "tt"#:s but "s .erovingi"n $or#es "re l"id
out thin enough "s it is he pl"ns to Fpersu"deF the Cypherites to "ssist. 7isguising
themselves "s Eionists " s)u"d o$ .erv oper"tives "tt"#: one o$ the m"s:ed b"ses.
9elieving Eion to h"ve "tt"#:ed them the Cypherites le"d " #ounter stri:e on " :nown
Eionist b"se o$ oper"tionsB 6lood sends troops to "ssist but when they "rrive they $ind
nothing but de"d Cypherite bodies "nd " single d"t" dis:. 6lood dem"nds it uplo"ded
$or "n"lysis.
Agent ?r"y "ssigns " te"m o$ m"#hine oper"tives to tr"#: the 1$$e#tu"tor@s
movements. Armed with " power$ul d"t" re#ording devi#e the te"m pro#eed to $ollow
the spor"di# #ode tr"il "#ross the #ity. !hey hit m"ny de"d ends& empty rooms "nd
b"ttles with dire Lupines but gr"y "ssures them they "re in $"#t getting #lose enough
$or v"lu"ble d"t" to be #olle#ted. 5e believes it to be only " m"tter o$ time be$ore the
1$$e#tu"tor is in their #ustody.
!he ?ener"l@s li"ison in$orms !ynd"ll th"t the d"t" #olle#ted so $"r is helping gre"tly in
their development o$ the "nti+eile we"ponry& however& their d"t"b"se is still
in#omplete "nd they re)uire oper"tives to "ssist in d"t" #olle#tion on one more eile
type. A #rew o$ Eionists "re sent to meet with the "ssigned #omm"ndo te"m "nd he"d
out immedi"tely. A$ter su##ess$ully #le"ring yet "nother eile b"se "nd uplo"ding the
b"ttle d"t" !ynd"ll reports th"t the ?ener"l h"s $ound his missing lin: in the #h"in "nd
h"s ordered his #oders to begin wor: on the new we"ponry A*A'.
?iven the vit"l import"n#e o$ the "nti eile we"ponry development the Eion #oun#il
orders th"t oper"tives be sent to help gu"rd the ?ener"lFs #oder l"bs in #"se o$ "tt"#:.
!hey #"n not "$$ord to lose su#h " power$ul tool in their b"ttle "g"inst the 6ren#hm"n.
*ever"l o$ the l"bs "re indeed held under siege by eile $or#es but the united Eion "nd
#omm"ndo gu"rd te"ms "re "ble to eventu"lly $ight them o$$.
67
6lood is "ble to $inish his "n"lysis o$ the d"t" dis: $ound on the de"d Cypherites& it
seems they h"ve begun running etr" s#"ns on the union hill Cryptos bo. $e"ring the
m"s:ed m"y be on their tr"il 6lood )ui#:ly sends "n oper"tive to meet with the
Cypherites to try "nd #ool things over& the tru#e between the two org"niz"tions is to
v"lu"ble to lose. <n$ortun"tely the oper"tive is met with nothing but relo#"ted b"ses
"nd eventu"lly& gun$ire. Veil #ont"#ts 6lood "##using him o$ the betr"y"l& the de"l
between them is over "nd .erovingi"n #ert"inly wonFt be ple"sed.
!h"n:s to the "ssist"n#e o$ Eion the ?ener"lFs #oders "re "ble to $inish their wor: on
the enh"n#ed "nti eile we"ponry. ."ss distribution to "ll Eion oper"tives begins.
!hese enh"n#ed versions o$ wooden st":es& silvers bullets "nd holy w"ter "re "ble to
de"l signi$i#"ntly more d"m"ge to eiles th"n theyre regul"r versions& " v"lu"ble
we"pon "g"inst the tr"$$i#:er o$ in$orm"tion indeed.
!he ."#hines $inish wor: on " devi#e designed to lo#: down the 1$$e#tu"tor@s %*-& he
is $in"lly within their gr"sp. !he devi#e needs to be pl"#ed on the eileFs body by h"nd
"nd the t"s: is entrusted to " loy"l #rew o$ m"#hine oper"tives. !hey do their best to
tr"#: the 1$$e#tu"tor& be#oming ever #loser with e"#h new lo#"tion but li:e "lw"ys he
seems to slip right through their $ingers "t the l"st step. Agent ?r"y "borts the mission
st"ting "nother str"tegy must be $ormul"ted.
!he Eion #oun#il de#ide th"t to better #omb"t the .erovingi"n they will "g"in
tempor"rily Coin $or#es with the ."#hines "nd give them some o$ the newly developed
"nti+eile we"pons. !he ?ener"l shows de$inite distrust $or the m"#hine #ivilis"tion but
respe#ts the #oun#ils wishes "nd "llows the de"l go "he"d. Anome will be put in
#h"rge o$ the tr"de o$$.
!he "ssigned Eion oper"tive retrieves the we"pon #odes $rom " group o$ #omm"ndos
"nd begins to m":e his w"y to the tr"de lo#"tion. 5owever& Anome@s sensors pi#: up
on "l"rming numbers o$ eiles in the "re"B it seems the .erovingi"n w"s somehow
tipped o$$ to the lo#"tion. A$ter sending sweep up s)u"ds to de"l with the eiles Anome
instru#ts the oper"tive to #"rry on "nd do the de"l "s )ui#:ly "s possible. !he
oper"tive meets with " m"#hine redpill "nd his "gent gu"rd& the tr"de goes "he"d
su##ess$ully. 5owever& be$ore either p"rty is "ble to le"ve& the "re" be#omes under
siege $rom eile $or#es. 6ighting side by side the 2 oper"tives "nd "gent "re "ble to
hold o$$ the w"ves upon w"ves o$ "tt"#:ers "nd $in"lly m":e it the s"$etyB the mission
is " su##ess.
-t is now re)uired th"t "$ter "ny meeting with the enemy Eion oper"tives must be
debrie$ed by " senior member in #"se o$ F#ont"min"tionFB the oper"tive who m"de the
"nti eile tr"de o$$ m":es his w"y to the debrie$ing point. 5ere he meets with the m"n
himsel$& ?host. !he veter"n Eionist "ssures th"t neither he nor the Eion #oun#il
p"rti#ul"rly trust the ."#hines but they "ll underst"nd the ne#essity o$ wor:ing with
them under the tru#e. ?host $inishes up by #ongr"tul"ting the oper"tive on " Cob well
done "nd t":es his le"ve.
Agent ?r"y instru#ts the m"#hine oper"tive to t":e the "nti eile #odes to one o$ their
top s#ientists within the ."tri $or de#ompilingB they will #ert"inly #ome in use$ul
"g"inst the 1$$e#tu"tor. 7uring the long "n"lysis "nd de#omposition pro#ess the
s#ientist r"mbles on "bout his wor: with the hum"n body& how he on#e wor:ed on "
Fd"m"gedF hum"n $ound on the edge o$ the... he never $inishes his senten#e. !he
slightly modi$ied #odes "nd 1$$e#tu"tor lo#:ing devi#e "re h"nded b"#: to the
68
oper"tive& it is time.
!he m"#hine oper"tive m":es his w"y to " tr"#:ed 1$$e#tu"tor lo#"tion& inside he is
met with ne"r hordes o$ dire Lupines. 5owever& "ll o$ them t":e " m"ssive hit o$
d"m"ge due to the "re" e$$e#t m"#hine "nti eile :ill #odeB $inishing them o$$ $rom
proves "n e"sy t"s:. !he oper"tive is then "ble to t":e the 1$$e#tu"tor by surprise& the
e##entri# eile w"sn@t epe#ting his Lupines to $"ll so )ui#:ly "nd let his gu"rd down.
Just "s he is "bout to ph"se out the oper"tive is "ble to pl"nt the devi#e& lo#:ing his
%*- in pl"#e. 2 "gents then enter the room "nd t":e the 1$$e#tu"tor into their #ustodyB
the mission is " #le"r su##ess.
!ynd"ll "nnoun#es th"t now Eion h"ve the "nti eile we"ponry in their "rsen"l it is
$in"lly time to up the o$$ensive on the .erovingi"n. Oper"tives "re to sent on #omb"t
runs "ll "#ross the #ity but $irst they must le"rn the lo#"tions o$ "ppropri"te testing
b"ses. A re#on s)u"d "re sent to "tt"#: "nd #le"r " .erovingi"n redpill b"se& to g"ther
intelligen#e in "ny w"y possible. !he .erv $or#es "re t":en by surprise "nd "re soon
w"iting to re#onstru#t& th"t is "p"rt $rom one. !he redpill #l"ims to h"ve only Coined the
6ren#hm"n the d"y be$ore "nd is regretting his de#ision "lre"dy. 5e promises to give
the te"m the in$orm"tion they@re "$ter i$ they t":e him b"#: into the r"n:s o$ Eion. !hey
"##ept but promise th"t i$ the in$orm"tion proves $"lse they will hunt him down.
!he Eion/Comm"ndo "lli"n#e $or#es pl"n " stri:e on the lo#"tion given to them by the
.erv tr"itor& prelimin"ry s#"ns o$ the "re" prove his in$orm"tion #orre#t "nd the $or#es
move in. !he eiles within "re e"sily de"lt with due to the enh"n#ed we"pon #odes&
they $"ll li:e $lies "s the oper"tives "nd #omm"ndos #le"n out the building. 5"ving Cust
C"#:ed in "nd he"ring o$ their su##ess #"ption 3iobe re)uests " meeting with the
le"der o$ the stri:e $or#e& the others st"y behind to se#ure the "re". 3iobe
#ongr"tul"tes the oper"tive on " mission well done& she "lso reminds them not to
worry "bout the Cypherites or be $ooled by those mistrusting o$ the ?ener"lB "##ording
to her they h"ve the people& s:ills "nd $irepower to win the b"ttle "nd th"t@s "ll th"t
m"tters.
6lood is "g"in bomb"rded by "tt"#: reports $rom Eionists& #omm"ndos "nd the
."#hines& he sends wh"t little s)u"ds o$ oper"tives he #"n sp"re to their de$en#e but
"ll "rrive too l"te& the eiles lie de"d& :illed by enh"n#ed #odes. !he "tt"#:ers "re de"lt
with but the d"m"ge is "lre"dy done. A$ter #le"ning up the "tt"#: sites 6lood re#eives
"nother urgent report& the 1$$e#tu"tor is under "tt"#: by m"#hine $or#es. All "v"il"ble
oper"tives "re sent to his de$en#e A*A'& they #"nFt "$$ord to lose the 1$$e#tu"tor. 9ut it
is too l"teB they "rrive to $ind the building empty& no tr"#es o$ ph"sing& no eile le$t
"live.
!he ."#hines "re unsu##ess$ul in interrog"ting the 1$$e#tu"torB they believe it to be
inherent in his #oding "nd "re le$t "t " de"d end. Agent ?r"y de#ides to see how "
redpill oper"tive $"res in interrog"tion. !he eile does spe": to the oper"tive& but only
o$ the ."#hines $oolishness. 5e does however tell the oper"tive he #"n show him
something& something on his #omputer. !he oper"tive pro#eeds to the "ddress given
"nd "##esses the termin"l there& " d"t" dis: is eCe#ted "nd the unlo"ded to Agent
?r"y. !he virus within is e"sily re#ognised "nd destroyed& the 1$$e#tu"tor@s g"mes
didn@t wor: this time.
!he .erovingi"n gr"nts 6lood " single #h"n#e to redeem himsel$B the de$en#e o$ one
o$ the 6ren#hm"n@s m"Cor rese"r#h #entres& under "tt"#: by #omm"ndo $or#es& in put
69
in his h"nds. Oper"tives rush to its lo#"tion "nd "rrive to $ind the s#ientists h"ve
b"rri#"ded themselves in one o$ the rooms& h"ving lo#:ed down "ll the on site
#omputer systems. !he "tt"#:ers "re de"lt with swi$tly "nd the s#ientists $reed but
there is no time $or #ongr"tul"tions& "nother #entre is under "tt"#:. 5ere " simil"r
s#ene is $ound but this time be$ore the oper"tives #ould de$e"t "ll the #omm"ndos the
entire "tt"#:ing s)u"d $"ll de"d. !he s#ientists epl"in th"t it must h"ve been the
1.C' Gele#tro m"gneti# #ode pulseI they Cust let o$$ to dis"ble their #omputers. !his
in$orm"tion #omes "s " gre"t ple"sure to 6lood& " devi#e #"p"ble o$ inst"ntly :illing "ll
#omm"ndos within " set r"dius& Cust the thing to get him o$$ the hoo:. 3ot only th"t but
perh"ps the .erovingi"n is not be"ten yet.
Agent ?r"y sends out " $orum bro"d#"st re)uesting th"t his listed m"#hine $"#tions
provide one represent"tive e"#h to "ttend "n oper"tion o$ urgent import"n#e. !he
n"mes "re to be sent to the m"#hine li"ison o$$i#er& 7i$$eren#e1ngine& A*A' "nd the
meeting t":e pl"#e l"ter th"t wee:. All det"ils on the up#oming mission "re :ept se#ret.
!he d"y "rrives "nd Agent ?r"y #ont"#ts the sele#ted oper"tives to "ttend " meeting
on the ("lt #hemi#"l building@s roo$top. (eeping the group in order Agent ?r"y "nd
7i$$eren#e1ngine $ind themselves #on$ronted with unw"nted guests& n"mely Eion "nd
.erovingi"n spies. !he de#ision is m"de to t":e the m"#hinists somewhere " little
moreP priv"te. A$ter "rriving "t the white room the oper"tives meet with Agent '"#e
$or their brie$ing. A m"#hine progr"m& bugsweep& re#ently went missing while
investig"ting " report "bout the m"#hines stolen #"se. !he oper"tive@s mission is
simpleB tr"#: bugsweep& res#ue him i$ possible "nd "t "ll #osts $ind the :idn"pper $or
interrog"tion #on#erning the #"se. 5"ving little to go by "p"rt $rom the progr"ms l"st
:nown lo#"tion the oper"tives "re teleported b"#: to .eg"#ity& the oper"tion begins.
,ithin minutes the m"#hine oper"tives "re "ble to $ind the wounded bugsweep in "n
"lleyw"y but there is no time $or #elebr"tion. !he we":ened progr"m b"rely m"n"ges
to w"rn his s"viours th"t the m"n who "tt"#:ed him w"s $leeing the #ity& they h"d to
hurry. ,hile some st"y behind "nd tend to bugsweep the others m":e their w"y to the
only route out o$ the #ity the m"#hines #ouldn@t tr"#:& the downtown helip"ds. !heir
intuition p"ys o$$ "nd they $ind the m"n& 7"r"go& "ttempting to es#"pe. 5e proves
impressively #omb"t "ble "nd $ights o$$ the oper"tives with rel"tive e"se but is $or#ed
to $lee on#e "gent b"#:up "rrives. A #h"se through the #ity ensuesB 7"r"go is blo#:ed
o$$ "t sever"l subw"y st"tions "nd is $or#ed to run& eventu"lly le"ding the group to
C"mon '"r:. 5ere he #"lls on the "ssist"n#e o$ the demons "rmy g"ng "nd it doesn@t
t":e long $or " m"ss br"wl to bre": out. 5owever& under the #olle#tive might o$ the
m"#hine $or#es& 7"r"go $"lls "nd the eile g"ng disperses. Agent '"#e "rrives "t the
s#ene& "##omp"nied by Agent ?r"y "nd 7i$$eren#e1ngineB she e"mines the
run"w"y@s body to $ind some :ind o$ #ommuni#"tion devi#e. A$ter running its #ode
through ?r"y@s "dv"n#ed "n"lysis subroutines it is determined to be tuned into the
s"me sign"l used by the ?ener"l@s #omm"ndos. !he "gents #on#lude th"t the ?ener"l
is indeed responsible $or the the$t o$ their #"se "nd th"t it is in his possession "t this
time. A$ter #ongr"tul"ting their oper"tives on " mission well done the m"#hines
o$$i#i"lly #lose the oper"tion "nd return to their duties.
,hile "ttending to publi# rel"tions duties 7i$$eren#e1ngine begins to showP odd
beh"viour. A$ter short while the m"#hine li"ison suddenly sn"ps "nd "pp"rently loses
himsel$. Almost "s i$ possessed he dem"nds the "##ess #odes to the Eion m"in$r"me
"nd #ompl"ins o$ the sten#h hum"nity gives. !he %edpills re"lise this to be "nother
70
#"se o$ the remn"nt *mith virus& mu#h li:e Agent ?r"y o##"sion"lly en#ounters. !he
#rowd try "nd #"lm the unst"ble progr"m down but he #ontinues to spe": on "bout
how the Or"#le "nd Q.r. Anderson@ must be :illed to p"y $or his $reedom. ,hen
)uestioned "s to !he One@s livelihood the possessed progr"m tells them th"t "$ter the
$in"l b"ttle 3eo w"s provided with " hover#r"$t "nd le$t the m"#hine #ity "live. A
sho#:ed #rowd "re soon met by Agent '"#e who pro#eeds to det"in "nd send 71
o$$line $or debuggingB she in$orms the g"thered %edpills his st"tements were the
r"mblings o$ " m"l$un#tioning progr"m "nd should be tre"ted "s #ompletely $"lse. !he
li"ison soon returns to duty b"#: to norm"l "nd with no re#olle#tion o$ the event.
71
!hapter <98
% &luribus =eo
!he (id& the youth "w":ened by 3eo& the one who opened g"te 4 in time $or the
h"mmer@s 1.' to s"ve the #ity& holds " sm"ll meeting "t ."r" #hur#h. 5ere he
dis#usses with other li:eminded %edpills the import"n#e o$ 3eo@s Qleg"#y@ "nd how
Cryptos "nd the Cypherites "re dishonouring it. -n the end it is suggested th"t they
$orm their own splinter group to uphold these ide"ls "nd t":e the $ight to the m"s:ed.
Q6rom m"ny& one@ 1 'luribus 3eo.
!he Eion #oun#il be#omes in#re"singly #on#erned over their h"zy :nowledge o$
#ryptos@ Cypherite movement. 6or the time being his moves "re predi#t"ble& disrupting
"w":enings "nd spre"ding prop"g"nd"& but Eion $ind themselves #ompletely un"ble to
predi#t wh"t the m"s:ed "re going to do net. As su#h oper"tives "re sent on missions
to tr"#: "nd observe Cypherite groups in the hopes o$ le"rning more.
Agent ?r"y h"s " m"#hinist redpill investig"te "n Qun$ortun"te in#ident@ th"t h"s
o##urred in the slums& "pp"rently the n"ture o$ this #rime is yet to be determined but
the oper"tive $igures it must be import"nt i$ it w"rr"nts Agent "ttention. Arriving "t the
$orw"rded lo#"tion the m"#hinist redpill $inds sever"l de"d bodies s#"ttered "round the
room& oddly without "ny sign o$ struggle& "nd begins to )uestion the on site witnesses
"s to wh"t h"ppened. A##ording the in#redibly distressed 9luepills there w"s " loud
b"ng& li:e "n eplosion& "nd then lo"ds o$ Qgreen stu$$@ "ppe"red. -t "lso loo:ed "s i$
the others h"d died $rom #onvulsive #ho:ing "nd one witness even swe"rs they s"w
someone dressed li:e some sort o$ priest run out o$ the building in the #h"os. !he
oper"tive@s oper"tor #on$irms their suspi#ions& it sounds "s i$ the Qde"d@ 9luepills h"ve
been $or#e$ully "w":ened $rom their pods& "nd going by the des#riptions given& it w"s "
#ode bomb th"t did it.
Agent ?r"y in$orms the ."#hine investig"tor th"t the ."#hines h"d thought #ode
bombings to be long over& "pp"rently they were in error. 5e "lso runs " s#"n o$ the
lo#"l "re" to se"r#h $or the priest li:e $igure des#ribed by one o$ the witnesses. !urning
up " positive m"t#h "nd $ollowing lo#"l reports the "gent is "ble to le"d the investig"tor
to " ne"rby building. 5owever& the "re" turns out #ompletely #le"r o$ "#tivity& e#ept "
single #omputer termin"l th"t when h"#:ed logged in "s Q340TL-V1*@. Agent ?r"y
pro#eeds to design"te the Qpriest@ "s prime subCe#t $or the $or#ed "w":ening.
A Eion spy te"m "re "ble to tr"#e the Cypherites b"#: to " Q*omnus Consulting
*ervi#es@ !he #omp"ny n"me is surprisingly empty in the #ity "r#hives "nd !ynd"ll&
$eeling its "ll too suspi#ious& sends oper"tives to investig"te. On site the o$$i#e seems
norm"l enough& no m"s:ed& only 9luepills. 5owever& one o$ s"id 9luepills gives the
oper"tives " :ey to the #omp"ny s"$e& "pp"rently he w"s "lre"dy epe#ting someone
to "rrive. -nside the s"$e the Eionists $ind " sm"ll d"t" dis:& whi#h they uplo"d to
!ynd"ll A*A'.
!he d"t" $ound by the Eion investig"tion te"m suggest the Cypherites "re wor:ing on
some sort o$ $or#ed reinsertion progr"m& very worrisome to both !ynd"ll "nd the Eion
#oun#il. !he dis: "lso #ont"ined #o ordin"tes $or "n up#oming m"s:ed meetingB
soldiers "re sent to inter#ept. 5owever& they $ind themselves surrounded not by
hostiles but by de"d bodies. ?oing $urther the te"m $ind " single wounded oper"tiveB
the young m"n simply s"ys Q6or 3eo@ "nd sui#ides be$ore the soldiers #"n )uestion
72
him. !ynd"ll is b"$$led by the un:nown oper"tive@s involvement "nd promises to run
some #he#:s $or simil"r "##ounts& un$ortun"tely she "lso reminds the troops th"t his
inter$eren#e h"s #ost them " v"lu"ble le"d.
6lood in$orms " te"m o$ .erv oper"tives th"t !he .erovingi"n is interested in
#onsolid"ting his m"ny Qitems o$ interest@ th"t he h"s spre"d out throughout the ."tri&
it "lso turns out it@s the te"m@s Cob to st"rt #olle#ting s"id items. !he $irst& " #ert"in
st"tue& is being held by one o$ the .erv@s loy"l eiles who "pp"rently h"s " #ert"inP
t"ste $or hum"ns. Lu#:ily the te"m "re "ble to pl"y it #ool "nd re#eive the item without
mu#h h"ssle. 6lood goes on to in$orm the te"m th"t the se#ond item is in the
possession o$ "n eile outside the .erv@s employ "nd m"y be " little h"rder to "#)uire.
!he te"m@s oper"tor seems slightly #on$used "s to why the item is being held by "n
eile outside o$ their org"niz"tion but #"rries on none the less.
Arriving "t the hideout o$ the eile who holds the se#ond item the .erv oper"tives "re
met with "n un#ooper"tive& "nd r"ther slow witted& progr"m who re$uses to h"nd over
the item. 6lood suggests th"t getting rid o$ " #ouple o$ the eile@s gu"rds m"y in#ite "
better "ttitude "nd indeed "$ter " )ui#: #le"ring o$ the "re" the eile soon h"nds over
the :ey to the site@s v"ult. 5owever& m":ing their w"y to the v"ult the te"m "re met by
the neighbourhood #ont"#t Q5yp"ti"@.
5yp"ti" st"rts to t"l: "bout her he"ring rumours o$ J5im #olle#ting his thingsK "nd "s:s
st"rts to "s: the te"m )uestions li:e J,here is he goingHK "nd J5ow will he get there
without his 1$$e#tu"torHK. O$ #ourse she re$ers to the .erovingi"n but the te"m h"ve no
ide" "s to wh"t she@s t"l:ing "bout. %e"lising hersel$ they :now nothing 5yp"ti" "llows
the oper"tives to t":e the item& " sm"ll boo:& $rom the v"ult. On their w"y she even
w"rns them to try "nd be "w"re o$ Qthe bigger pi#ture@ "nd not to be swept up in
Q#ir#umst"n#es beyond their #ontrol@. !he te"m@s two items "re then su##ess$ully
h"nded over to " .erovingi"n lieuten"nt "t the lo#"l .erv drop o$$ point. 6lood
de#l"res the mission " su##ess& the te"m@s oper"tor however #"n@t help but be
#on#erned over the .erovingi"n@s sudden desire to g"ther his items.
Eion "re determined to $ollow up on the Cypherites "nd de#ide to pursue other le"ds&
n"mely one o$ " m"n "##using #ryptos@ boes "s being stolen $rom his w"rehouse.
,hen interviewed by under#over the owner #l"ims th"t #ryptos h"d been using his
w"rehouse "s stor"ge but one d"y& without w"rning& they were suddenly gone.
App"rently no one s"w wh"t h"ppened nor h"s he he"rd $rom the mysterious m"gi#i"n
sin#e. !he owner even still h"s Cryptos@ depositB " w"t#h he w"s we"ring the d"y they
met& the Eionists t":e it $or help in their investig"tion.
A$ter uplo"ding d"t" on the w"t#h given to them by the w"rehouse owner the Eion
te"m "re "ble to tr"#: its origins b"#: to " spe#i$i# Cewellery store& r"n by the eile Q!he
Jeweller@. ,hile w"iting to see the eile in his region"l o$$i#es the oper"tives t"l: to the
bluepill wor:ers& "pp"rently they s"w #ryptos on the d"y o$ the s"le t"l:ing to some Q?+
men@& suits "nd ties& sli#: h"ir "nd e"rpie#es& "gents. !his r"ises )uestions in itsel$ but
there is little time to ponder. ,hen the te"m $in"lly do meet with the Ceweller he
#on$irms the w"t#h to be his wor:& " spe#i"l re)uest "#tu"lly "s it w"s re)uired&
str"ngely& not to run. !he eile ends the meeting by giving the oper"tives Cryptos@
#ustomer $ile& #omplete with home "ddress.
Anome& who@s in #h"rge o$ the investig"tion& orders #ryptos@ w"t#h be uplo"ded to him
person"lly so he #"n we"r it the net time he goes Qslumming@. A$ter $ollowing their
73
orders the te"m "re Coined by " s)u"d o$ #omm"ndo soldiers "nd sent to investig"te
#ryptos@ "pp"rent home. <n$ortun"tely they "re "g"in met not by the m"s:ed but with
more 3eo "nd !rinity loo:+"li:es. !he over ze"lous teen"gers "#tu"lly end up
"tt"#:ing the te"m& believing them to be the Cypherites. A$ter de"ling with their
"tt"#:ers the oper"tives try "nd se"r#h the house but $ind nothing use$ul. Anome
deems the mission " $"ilure "nd doesn@t even believe the te"m@s story "bout the
$"n"ti#sB to him they@re Cust m":ing e#uses.
6lood sends one o$ his oper"tives to "ssist with the rese"r#h "nd development o$ "
port"ble we"pon version o$ the 1.C' devi#e th"t he #l"ims to h"ve invented Geven
though it w"s "n "##ident"l dis#overy by the .erovingi"n rese"r#hersI. -t seems the
development h"s hit " blo#: "nd re)uires the "ssist"n#e o$ " #ert"in eileB 6lood
orders his oper"tives to use wh"tever me"ns ne#ess"ry to #onvin#e the eile to help
them. Arriving "t the determined lo#"tion o$ the re)uired progr"m the oper"tive is met
with sever"l o$ the eile@s bodygu"rds. !":ing them down the oper"tive is "ble to meet
with their boss in the net room. -t seems he "lre"dy :new o$ their #oming "nd wh"t
they w"nted& he goes on to epl"in the #omm"ndos h"ve g"ve him his $"ir sh"re o$
troubles "nd he would be willing to help but only i$ he re#eives Q"dv"n#e p"yment@.
!he eile needed to #ontinue the 1.C' development re)uests th"t the .erv
oper"tive destroys " #ert"in riv"l progr"m o$ his. 6lood shows de$inite dist"in $or the
re)uest but h"s no #hoi#e but to "##ept it "nd p"t#hes through the lo#"tion o$ the riv"l
eile to his oper"tive. !he redpill is "ble to "ss"ssin"te the progr"m with de"dly
pre#ision "nd returns to es#ort the re)uired eile to the .erovingi"n l"b. ,or:
#ontinues on the port"ble 1.C's.
Eion@s #he#:s $or the 3eo/!rinity loo:+"li:e reports reve"l th"t groups o$ these %edpills
h"ve been spotted sever"l times #on$ronting suspe#ted Cypherites "nd in turn
inter$ering with Eion investig"tions. On top o$ th"t sever"l hover#r"$t th"t re#ently le$t
Eion h"ve sin#e #ut #ont"#t "nd when rese"r#hing the #rew d"t" Eion $ind it
mysteriously wiped $rom the m"in$r"me. Comm"nder lo#: suspe#ts the 3eoites wiped
the d"t"& too: the ships "nd h"ve gone reneg"de.
Eion te#hni#i"ns dis#over " b"#:up #opy o$ one o$ the missing ships #rew d"t"&
running it through the ."tri $eed !ynd"ll is "ble to tr"#: their lo#"tion in the ."tri "nd
" te"m o$ oper"tives is sent in to )uestion the reneg"de %edpills. <pon "rriving "t the
site the oper"tives "re immedi"tely "tt"#:ed by the reneg"de youths& "g"in they thin:
them to be Cypherites. A$ter de"ling with the rebels the oper"tives se"r#h the $"llen $or
"ny #lues& they $ind the reneg"de s)u"d@s oper"ting orders& the $"#t they were #"rrying
them while out in the $ield is " #le"r sign o$ the group@s disorg"niz"tion. !ynd"ll hopes
th"t they #"n return the rebels to the #"use o$ Eion while their #h"in o$ #omm"nd is
"pp"rently still we":.
!he Eion oper"tives $ollow the "ddress on the "#)uired oper"ting orders to "nother
reneg"de hideout& "$ter $ighting through more o$ the rebellious youths the te"m "re
"ble to g"in "##ess to the on site #omputer systems. !hey $ind "n open #onvers"tion
window with " Q6r"#"storo@B he t"l:s "bout how the Cypherites "re Qgoing down@ "nd
Q*him"d"@ :nowing wh"t she@s doing. !ynd"ll re#ognises the n"me "nd begins running
#he#:s. -n the me"n time the oper"tives "re sent to the origin o$ the #onvers"tion
window to )uestion 6r"#"storo.
Arriving "t the tr"#ed reneg"de b"se the Eion oper"tives yet "g"in be#ome under
74
"tt"#: but the mention o$ *him"d"@s n"me inst"ntly stops the $ighting "nd the rogues
le"d the te"m into the net room to spe": to their s)u"d le"der& $r"#"storo. !he redpill
is we"ry o$ the oper"tives@ purpose but ultim"tely de#ides to let *him"d" de#ide $or
hersel$. 5e orders 2 o$ his men to es#ort the te"m to her.
!ynd"ll reports b"#: to the te"m being es#orted by the rebels& her rese"r#h is
#omplete "nd it "ppe"rs *him"d" w"s indeed " Eionite "nd in $"#t " #"pt"in o$ one o$
the missing shipsB it seems Comm"nder Lo#:@s suspi#ions were #orre#t. !he te"m
"rrive "t " he"vily gu"rded reneg"de b"se "nd "re "llowed "udien#e with *him"d".
*he tells the oper"tives th"t their group& 1 'luribus 3eo& is devoted to $ollowing the
te"#hings "nd ide"ls set out by 3eo himsel$& the belie$ th"t every hum"n being should
be "llowed the #h"n#e o$ $reedom. *he then re)uests th"t the te"m le"ve )uietly.
!ynd"ll $eels shim"d" is young& n"ive "nd hiding something but still believes they #"n
de"l with 1 pluribus 3eo pe"#e$ully. 5owever& she is $e"r$ul th"t i$ the situ"tion is not
de"lt with )ui#:ly 1'3@s "w":enings #ould #"use the ."#hine@s power supply to
be#ome thre"tened "nd Eion "##used o$ bre":ing the terms o$ the tru#e.
A member o$ 1 pluribus 3eo& 9ri"n& h"s se#ond thoughts "bout his Coining o$ the
group "nd #ont"#ts EionB Anome is put in #h"rge "nd "n oper"tive sent to go t"l: to
9ri"n. !he redpill #on$esses to being " $ollower o$ 1'3@s ide"ls but "pp"rently he $elt
the le"dership w"s $"r too we":& not *him"d" but "nother& !he (id. <pon he"ring
"bout !he (id@s involvement with 1'3 Anome gets more th"n " little "nnoyed& #"lling
the youth " Qno good pun:@ "nd s"ying how they should t":e him out Qee#ution style@B it
#ert"inly seems li:e he h"s something person"l "g"inst the boy.
6lood #ont"#ts one o$ his oper"tives "nd in$orms them th"t the 1.C' devi#es "re
now re"dy $or $ield testing "nd th"t they h"ve been t"s:ed with es#orting the tester.
Arriving "t the .erv l"b the oper"tive is brie$ed by rese"r#hers there "nd "ssured th"t
Qthe $eedb"#: issue@ h"s been t":en #"re o$& however " ne"rby #omputer tells " slightly
di$$erent story "s it lists the surviv"l r"te o$ users "s only 8;U. !":ing some o$ the
prototype devi#es the oper"tive "nd the design"ted tester "re $orw"rded to " lo#"l
#omm"ndo held lo#"tion. *torming the building the .erv oper"tive begins to do b"ttle
with the #omm"ndos& however& the $ight is short lived "s the 1.C' is "#tiv"ted
su##ess$ully "nd ne"rly "ll the #omm"ndos "re deleted in "n inst"nt.
6lood $orw"rds his oper"tive "nd the 1.C' tester to " se#ond lo#"tion $or $urther
testing& the s"me situ"tion un$olds "s be$ore with the #omm"ndos dropping li:e $lies&
e#ept this time the tester is "lso physi#"lly h"rmed by the devi#e. 6lood re#"lls the
s#ientists@ mention o$ " $eedb"#: problem "nd h"s the oper"tive es#ort the tester to "
ne"rby l"b $or "n"lysis. A$ter delivering the subCe#t to the lo#"l l"b "nd h"ving the
s#ientists promise to loo: into the issue the oper"tive de#ides to h"ve " little snoop
"round& h"#:ing into "n on+site #omputer they le"rn th"t the s#ientists h"ve re#ently
h"#:ed into "nd deleted entries $rom the publi# servi#e@s missing persons d"t"b"se&
the re"son why is un:nown.
6lood de#l"res the 1.C' testing to be " tot"l su##ess "nd distribution o$ the de"dly
we"pon #odes to "ll .erv oper"tives begins.
Anome #l"ims to :now where one o$ !he (id@s $riends h"ngs out in the ."tri& he
sends " te"m o$ oper"tives to go )uestion the redpill. !he oper"tives "rrive only to
stubble upon " sm"ll meeting o$ 1'3 $ollowersB the te"m "re spotted "nd immedi"tely
"tt"#:ed. A$ter the rebels "re de"lt with Anome #omes up with " pl"n& i$ they #ont"#t
75
"nother one o$ !he (id@s "sso#i"tes "nd s"y the $irst group sent them with urgent news
$or the (ids e"rs only Cust be$ore they were "tt"#:ed then perh"ps in the $oolishness o$
youth they@ll le"d the te"m str"ight to him.
<sing his #ont"#ts Anome is "ble to $ind the lo#"tion o$ "nother 1'3 group within the
."tri "nd oper"tives "re sent in to try out the #ontroller@s previous ide". !he pl"n
goes o$$ without " hit#h "nd the rebels "re e"sily $ooled "s they begin es#orting the
te"m to !he (id. 5owever& upon "rriving "t the meeting site " C"mming sign"l is
"#tiv"ted "nd the oper"tives le"d into " room $ull o$ 1 pluribus 3eo #rus"dersB it
"ppe"rs they were on to Anome@s plot "ll "long. !he (id& who re$ers to himsel$ "s
.i#h"el& tells the oper"tives th"t Eion h"ve got 1'3 "ll wrongB in his own words it is
not " group "ll "bout him nor is it l"#:ing in org"niz"tion or dedi#"tion. As $or the
group@s l"rge numbers he s"ys the r"n:s o$ 1'3 "re not only $rom Eion but in $"#t $rom
"ll orgs& "pp"rently they #onsist o$ "nyone who believes in wh"t 3eo believed "nd "re
growing by the d"y. !he te"m pull out "nd Anome soon be#omes in$uri"ted& he
promises th"t "ll those Qtr"itors@ will burn $or thin:ing they@re better th"n Eion.
Agent ?r"y #ont"#ts " te"m o$ m"#hinist oper"tives reg"rding in$orm"tion obt"ined
$rom one o$ the ."#hine org"niz"tion@s Eion #ont"#ts. !he w"nted Qpriest@ h"s been
lin:ed with " #ert"in group o$ Eion r"di#"ls "nd "nother #ode bombing is thought to be
on the horizon. ?r"y h"s the te"m meet up with the #ont"#t in the ."tri to try "nd $ind
out the time$r"me "nd possible lo#"tions o$ the up#oming Qilleg"l "#tivity@. !he
in$orm"nt reve"ls th"t !he (id is the one behind the r"di#"ls "nd th"t they pl"n to set
o$$ 2 #ode bombs very soon. !he Eionist promises to lend support by trying to blo#: the
r"di#"ls #omm. sign"ls "s long "s the m"#hinists st"y )uiet "bout his helping them.
-n " r"#e "g"inst time the ."#hine te"m hurry to the $irst bomb lo#"tion given by the
Eion in$orm"nt. As they enter the building their oper"tor is met with " Q#r"zy@ #ode
sign"l "nd the oper"tives #ome $"#e to $"#e with "nother #ode bomb "$term"th&
#on$used 9luepills bre":ing down "nd $or#e$ully "w":ened s#"ttering the $loor. ,ith no
time to w"ste the oper"tives g"ther their thoughts "nd rush to the se#ond lo#"tion. On
the w"y ?r"y #on$irms th"t their in$orm"nt h"s :ept his word "nd is #urrently C"mming
the reneg"de@s sign"ls& it@s now or never.
Arriving "t the se#ond lo#"le the te"m $ind bluepill wor:ers #on$used "s to why
everyone is storming their o$$i#es& it seems the m"#hinists m"y h"ve m"de it Cust in
time. Continuing into the net room the oper"tives "re $"#ed with numerous youths
dressed in prophet dusters going by the h"ndles o$ Q1 'luribus 3eo Crus"ders@. !hey
#l"im th"t wh"t they@re doing is $or Qthe good o$ hum"nity@ "nd eng"ge the m"#hists. -n
" )ui#:ened b"ttle the ."#hine oper"tives "re "ble to $ight their w"y through to the
$in"l room "nd $ind the le"der o$ the bombers who is re"dily prep"ring the #ode bomb
$or deton"tion. 5e is promptly stopped "nd the #ode bomb retrieved without "ny
#"us"lities. As " debrie$ing Agent ?r"y reminds his oper"tives th"t inno#ent lives were
s"ved "nd th"t "w":ening 9luepills in su#h " w"y is not only #ounterprodu#tive but
"lso very destru#tive& "s they@ve "lre"dy seen.
!he Eion #oun#il de#ide to le"ve 1 pluribus 3eo be $or the time being& due to their
#onne#tions to the hum"n r"#e@s s"viour "nd with .orpheus rumours on the rise "g"in
"tt"#:ing them would be politi#"l sui#ide. -nste"d Eion returns to #on#entr"ting on their
w"r "g"inst the .erovingi"n.
Agent ?r"y re#eives reports th"t 1 'luribus 3eo h"s l"un#hed " r"id on one the
76
."#hine@s #ode stor"ge $"#ilities inside the ."tri. 9elieving the "tt"#:ers "re
se"r#hing $or #omponents needed to #onstru#t more #ode bombs the Agent #ontroller
immedi"tely #"lls up " te"m o$ ."#hine oper"tives to de"l with the situ"tion. As they
"rrive the m"#hinists $ind " l"rge number o$ 1'3 #rus"ders eng"ged with ."#hine
se#urity progr"ms. !he progr"ms $"ll be$ore the oper"tives@ eyes "nd the de$en#e o$
the $"#ility is le$t up to them "nd " h"nd $ull o$ br"ve on+site ."#hine me#h"ni#s. A$ter
" long "nd tiresome b"ttle the #rus"ders $"ll "nd the $"#ility is se#ured.
9e#oming "git"ted "t the intoler"ble level o$ inter$eren#e $rom 1'3 oper"tives Agent
?r"y re)uests " meeting with " Eion represent"tive to dis#uss the m"tter.
<n$ortun"tely& Eion sends Anome. A$ter some t"#t$ul #omments reg"rding the ."#hine
org"niz"tion Anome lets the ."#hine representive :now the det"ils on 1 'luribus 3eo&
th"t the Eion #oun#il "re hesit"nt to de"l with them "nd th"t they h"ve been o$$i#i"lly
dis"vowed. Anome "lso lets slip th"t he h"s people Jwor:ing on itK. Agent ?r"y
however is $ully s"tis$ied with the $"#t th"t Eion h"ve essenti"lly given the ."#hines
J,h"t hum"ns #"ll C"rte 9l"n#heK& the $reedom to pursue the issue how they wish. 5e
ends by predi#ting the ."#hine@s #"mp"igns "g"inst 1 pluribus 3eo will be JveryP
s"tis$yingK.
6lood "g"in #ont"#ts one o$ his oper"tives #on#erning the 1.C' devi#es& this time
however he det"ils how the devi#es #ould be $urther improved& modi$ied to "lso destroy
"ny ."#hine progr"ms within the #ode r"dius. !he oper"tive@s #ontroller isn@t "s
optimisti# s"ying the ide" o$ :illing "gents in "n inst"nt is Cust too good to be true.
3ethertheless the oper"tive is sent to meet with the proCe#t@s le"d s#ientist "nd "
#hosen tester. !he s#ientist h"nds over the prototype ."#hine 1.C' devi#e "nd
t":ing the eile ironi#"lly n"med Q!ester@ with him the oper"tive sets o$$ in se"r#h o$ "
testing ground.
Loo:ing through the report logs 6lood soon $inds " .erv held building #urrently under
siege $rom ."#hine $or#es "nd $orw"rds the oper"tive "nd !ester there. 5e does
however "s: th"t the oper"tive m":es sure !ester goes through with "#tiv"ting the
devi#e sin#e he seems hesit"nt $or some re"son. Arriving on site the .erv redpill "nd
!ester meet up with the de$ending eile $or#es "nd begin to $ight b"#: the ."#hine
se#urity $or#es. 5owever& the moment !ester "#tiv"tes the prototype ."#hine 1.C'
"ll the eile progr"ms& in#luding !ester& $"ll to the $loor. 7e"d. ,hile the ."#hine
progr"ms still st"nd. As i$ things weren@t b"d enough "lre"dy the oper"tive@s oper"tor
then pi#:s up on Agent "#tivity in the buildingB the redpill desper"tely tries to es#"pe
but is #ut o$$ by the "gents storming the building. <pon re#onstru#ting the oper"tive is
"g"in #ont"#ted by 6lood who de#l"res whoever thought o$ th"t ide" should lose their
Cob "nd th"t he@ll person"lly $ind who@s responsible. 1ven though it w"s li:ely him in the
$irst pl"#e.
Agent ?r"y #ont"#ts " s)u"d o$ ."#hine oper"tives "nd in$orms them th"t they h"ve
Jun$inished businessK to "ttend to. 5e goes on to epl"in the re#ent #ity+wide oper"tion
where ."#hine oper"tives lo#"ted "nd :illed the reneg"de Q7"r"go@ who w"s dire#tly
involved in the loss o$ the ."#hine@s #"se o$ v"lu"bles. A$ter some )ui#: post "n"lysis
it w"s reve"led th"t it w"s !he ?ener"l who w"s behind 7"r"go "nd the #"se@s the$t.
<n$ortun"tely& due to his "lli"n#e with Eion& it is di$$i#ult $or the ."#hines to #on$ront
him dire#tly& di$$i#ult& but not impossible. 5owever& these pl"ns "re not yet re"dy to be
dis#ussed "nd the Agent inste"d dire#ts the te"m@s "ttention to the mu#h e"sier go"l o$
77
de"ling with the neighbourhood g"ng who h"d "ssisted 7"r"go& the 7emon Army.
!he m"#hinist s)u"d "re thus sent on " mission to tr"vel to the 7emon Army@s sel$
des#ribed Qtur$@ o$ !"bor '"r: "nd hunt down their le"der& ."mmon. 5e h"s been
s#heduled $or deletion. A$ter $ighting their w"y through " group o$ 7emon Army
Cheit"ns "t one o$ their :nown lo#"l hideouts the te"m $ind "n en#rypted d"t" dis:.
On#e de#oded on one o$ the on site #omputer systems the dis: reve"ls " #omm.
mess"ge #on#erning C"#ophony& 7"r"go "nd " p"yment o$ 200 million in$o to
someone by the n"me o$ ?rover. !he te"m@s oper"tor is b"$$led but Agent ?r"y soon
epl"ins th"t e"rlier oper"tions $ound C"#ophony to simply be " #ode n"me $or !he
?ener"l. -t seems the d"t" rel"tes to the 7emons Army@s p"yment $or their servi#es
"nd ?rover must the one running the de"l.
Agent ?r"y #on$irms this ?rover $igure is not un:nown to the ."#hinesB he is
"pp"rently "n eile who is well :nown $or lending his servi#es to the highest bidder.
!he te"m o$ ."#hine %edpills is )ui#:ly $orw"rded to ?rover@s l"st re#orded
where"bouts so they #"n Q)uestion@ him #on#erning the lo#"tion o$ ."mmon.
6rightened by the presen#e o$ the oper"tives "nd the mention o$ Agent ?r"y@s n"me
?rover )ui#:ly begins to tell them wh"t they w"nt to :now& th"t he w"s nothing more
th"n " messenger "nd p"#:"ge h"ndler between the two p"rties "nd th"t he would
"lso give them the lo#"tion o$ the drop point so long "s they le"ve him be. Agent ?r"y
"grees.
!he Agent #ontroller predi#ts not only th"t the lo#"tion provided by ?rover is #orre#t
but "lso th"t ."mmon will h"ve "n e#eption"l number o$ 7emon Army gu"rds. As
su#h the ."#hine oper"tives "re to be gr"nted b"#: up units $or support. .eeting with
the ."#hine '% li"ison& Agent '"#e& the te"m "re design"ted 2 "gent progr"ms $or
"ssist"n#e in the deletion o$ the rogue eile. .":ing their w"y to the lo#"tion given by
?rover the s)u"d soon bl"st their w"y through to ."mmon& his gu"rds $"lling e"sily to
the might o$ the "gents. ."mmon too is e"sily de"lt with but not be$ore he #l"ims he
will Qonly rise "g"in@. Agent ?r"y then ends the mission by epressing how un$ortun"te
it w"s to h"ve h"d the origin"l the$t be su##ess$ully "ided by " street g"ng but "lso by
reminding the oper"tives th"t the system will not toler"te su#h "#tions.
Eion #"t#hes word o$ "n import"nt eile #ommuni#"tions b"se within the ."tri "nd
"$ter s#"nning the "re" send "n oper"tive to pl"nt " bug in the m"in$r"me there. !his
bug will "llow Eion to get "dv"n#e noti#e on the eile@s pl"ns& " v"lu"ble "sset indeed.
5owever& intelligen#e shows the building to be he"vily gu"rded "nd pl"nting the bug
without being noti#ed is deemed impossible "s is. Eion thus uses #omm"ndo $or#es to
#re"te " disturb"n#e in "nother "re" o$ the building& le"ving the m"in$r"me vulner"ble.
!ynd"ll does w"rn the te"m to be we"ry o$ .erovingi"n $ollowers "rmed with 1.'
style devi#es& Eion h"ve he"rd rumours o$ su#h we"pons "nd "lthough they "ppe"r to
be in short supply they "re still " de"dly thre"t& #"p"ble o$ :illing #omm"ndos "lmost
inst"ntly. !he mission is " $l"wless su##ess "nd the bug begins tr"nsmitting str"ight to
Eion.
!here is " sm"ll se#ret meeting between Eion@s top #omm"nding o$$i#ersB here they
dis#uss the net ph"se o$ "#tion "g"inst the .erovingi"n& "n "ll out o$$ensive "g"inst
his rem"ining troops. !here "re still pl"ns th"t need to be put in pl"#e but the time is
ne"ring& it #ould be " $ew d"ys or " $ew months but "ll oper"tives "re ordered to
rem"in "t the re"dy "s the b"ttle dr"ws ever #loser.
78
!he .erovingi"n de#ides it is time $or him to re#l"im the #"ptured 1$$e#tu"torB he h"s
6lood "rr"nge the det"ils. !he .erv #ontroller #"lls up " te"m o$ his oper"tives "nd
in$orms them o$ the .erv@s wishes "nd th"t " l"rge s#"le oper"tion is "lre"dy under
w"y. !heir Cob is to in$iltr"te se#urity #ontrol lo#"tions in the !"bor '"r: neighbourhood
"nd h"ve h"#:ers re"dy to dis"ble the systems there when the time is right. At the
s"me 6lood h"s other oper"tives "tt"#:ing ."#hine sites "round the #ity to distr"#t
them $rom the m"in oper"tion& Agent ?r"y $"lls into his tr"p "nd spre"ds his $or#es to
de"l with the "ss"ults while their re"soning is Jbeing determinedK. !he .erv oper"tives
on the other h"nd stri:e with de"dly "nd swi$t pre#ision "d they #le"r the se#urity sites
o$ ."#hine se#urity "nd h"ve their h"#:ers t":e position.
%etrieving reports o$ the stri:es "t !"bor Agent ?r"y soon re"lizes th"t the .erv h"ve
simply been using distr"#tion t"#ti#s to blind him $rom their now "pp"rent ultim"te go"l&
the $reeing o$ the int"ngible 1$$e#tu"tor. 5e immedi"tely h"s his s)u"ds #onsolid"te
"nd "lso deploys "ddition"l se#urity progr"m "s support. 5owever& 6lood h"s "lre"dy
h"d his .erv oper"tives $rom the distr"#tion oper"tions "s well "s those $rom the
se#urity building stri:es "nd even "ddition"l redpill support g"ther $or the $in"l stri:e on
the !"bor $"#ility. !he $or#e@s oper"tor guess th"t the etensive use o$ redpill $or#es is
prob"bly due to the eile :ill #odes now "t the m"#hine@s dispos"l.
!he .erv s)u"ds storm the holding $"#ility "nd "re met with strong resist"n#e $rom
the he"vy de$en#e set up thereB however& it is still no m"t#h $or the #ombined might o$
the m"ny .erv %edpills g"thered $or the res#ue. ,ith no b"#:up support due to the
thinly spre"d m"#hine $or#es the se#urity progr"ms $"ll. !he te"m then pro#eed to& with
the help o$ the h"#:ers "t the se#urity buildings& de"#tiv"te the termin"l #ontrolling the
1$$e#tu"tor@s holding progr"m. !he 1$$e#tu"tor is $reed. At th"t e"#t moment the
#onsolid"ted m"#hine $or#es storm the building with Agent support& " $ier#e b"ttle
erupts in the 1$$e#tu"tor@s holding room but ultim"tely the .erv $or#es do not st"nd "
#h"n#e "g"inst the onsl"ught o$ m"#hine %edpills& progr"ms "nd "gents. !hey $"ll to
ground& le$t to re#onstru#t. !heir mission w"s " su##ess however "s the 1$$e#tu"tor
rem"ined untou#hed "nd is "ble to mo#: the m"#hinists with #opies o$ himsel$ be$ore
teleporting to s"$ety.
!he m"#hines "re debrie$ed by Agent ?r"y who det"ils his regret "t underestim"ting
the .erv@s level o$ #oordin"tion in their stri:e "nd how it w"s "lso un$ortun"te his
$or#es were stret#hed so thin with "ll the new thre"ts emerging& su#h "s 1'3 "nd !he
?ener"l. 5owever& holding the 1$$e#tu"tor w"s deemed highly ine$$i#ient in the long
term "nyw"y "nd he reports $uture oper"tions will #on#entr"te on moreP t"ngible
t"rgets.
Cryptos& le"der o$ the Cypherites& posts " publi# re#ruitment mess"ge on 7"t" 3ode
/. !his mess"ge is " #"ll to those who wish to Qembr"#e the world "s it should be@. -n
the se#retive style o$ the Cypherites Cryptos le"ves " riddle $or "ppli#"nts to solveB
only with its solution #"n they g"in " meeting with the newly "ppointed Cypherite
li"ison. !he ."tri sees " de$inite in$lu o$ both publi# "nd se#ret m"s:ed supporters.
!he (id& le"der o$ 1 'luribus 3eo& posts " publi# re#ruitment mess"ge on 7"t" 3ode
/. 5is mess"ge is dire#ted "t those Qwith 3eo in their he"rts@ "nd invites those "ble to
p"ss the 1'3 li"son@s test to Coin up "nd do Q,h"t neo died $or& to $ree everyone $rom
the #lut#hes o$ the ."tri@. !he .eg"#ity sees " de$inite in$lu o$ both publi# "nd
under#over 1'3 supporters.
79
A mysterious progr"m by the n"me o$ Q'rote#tor'rogr"m@ writes " report #on#erning
the #urrent situ"tion within the ."triB she writes dire#tly to !he Ar#hite#t but "lso
re)uests th"t !he Or"#le bro"d#"st it to the %edpills o$ the #ity vi" 73/. ,ithin her
writings prote#tor progr"m st"tes th"t the %edpills o$ the #ity do not seem re"lise her
presen#e #ould me"n "n eminent reboot o$ the system. -t seems she is #on#erned $or
the wel$"re o$ the ."tri "nd w"rns o$ trouble "he"d.
On#e "g"in the ."#hines li"ison progr"m& 7i$$eren#e1ngine& begins showing odd
beh"viour "nd "g"in& he loses his mind. !":ing the ins"nity shown by the remn"nt
smith virus to new levels 71 goes on " r"mp"ge "round the #ity& "tt"#:ing Eionists "t
r"ndom "nd e"sily repelling "nyone who tries to get in his w"y. !o de"l with the #risis
"n emergen#y meeting o$ "ll ."#hine #"pt"ins is #"lled but h"l$ through dis#ussions "s
to wh"t should be done reports re"#h the oper"tives o$ 71@s presen#e in 7ebir #ourt.
5ere the der"nged progr"m is #ornered by the m"ny %edpills o$ the #ity& some try to
#"lm him while others try to t":e him down. !he #on$ront"tion #omes to its pe": with
71 rele"sing d"ngerous modi$ied "gent progr"ms to de$end himsel$. Agent '"#e is
soon in$ormed o$ the de"dly disturb"n#es "nd "rrives Cust in time to t":e #ontrol "nd
re#l"im the loose progr"ms. !he $em"le "gent then det"ins "nd sends
7i$$eren#e1ngine $or etensive #ode #le"nsing in the ."#hine #ity& however& how long
this will t":e "nd indeed i$ it will even be su##ess$ul "t "ll is un:nown. !o #ompens"te&
Agent '"#e "ssigns one o$ the ."#hine org"niz"tion@s top %edpills& !urring& "s their
new li"ison o$$i#er. 5ope$ully his hum"n n"ture $or "llow $or moreP st"bility.
!he .eg"#ity sees " sh"rp rise in #on$ront"tion between the Cypherite "nd 1
'luribus 3eo groups& "t w"r with e"#h other over their entirely opposite ide"ls the two
splinter org"niz"tions "lw"ys seem to bre": into bi#:ering "nd violen#e. *u#h "#tions
do not es#"pe the ."#hines however "s Agent ?r"y holds " meeting with m"#hinist
%edpills where he de#l"res the two groups illeg"l in the system. !heir le"ders "nd
li"isons h"ve "lso been pl"#ed on the ."#hine@s most w"nted #rimin"l lists.
Veil& Cypherite #ontroller& holds " se#ret meeting with the #ity@s Cypherite %edpills.
*he #on$irms to them the presen#e o$ " splinter within their r"n:s& members o$ the
m"s:ed who $eel diss"tis$ied with the group@s new methods "nd wish to speed things
up by somehow reinserting everyone on m"sse. !hese individu"ls "re o$ gre"t #on#ern
to Veil "nd she m"r:s them "s enemies to "ll loy"l #ypherites.
,ord o$ the Cypherite@s splinter group "nd their der"nged go"l soon re"#hes the
streets o$ .eg"#ity. 3ot :nowing i$ $"#t or only rumour "ll the other org"niz"tions
in$orm their oper"tives to st"y "lert "nd :eep their eyes open $or "ny news or
#on$irm"tion on this potenti"lly d"ngerous group@s eisten#e.
Agent ?r"y #"lls $or " meeting o$ "ll ."#hine #"pt"ins& "pp"rently #on#erning m"tters
o$ the utmost import"n#e. 5e in$orms the oper"tives o$ distin#t Qpower $lu#tu"tions@ th"t
h"ve re#ently been dete#ted throughout the system. !heir origins "re& o$ #ourse&
#urrently un:nown but they #"n not "$$ord to #ontinue. !he ."#hinists "re told to :eep
their wits "bout them "nd report "ny unusu"l "#tivity to Li"ison o$$i#er !urring
immedi"tely.
80
!hapter <98
A &iece of lue .ky
%edpills C"#: in to $ind l"rge #on#ert sites set up "t #ert"in p"r:s "round the #ity. !hese
sites show the b"nner o$ QA pie#e o$ blue s:y 0 " musi#"l #elebr"tion o$ dre"ms
$ul$illed@. !heir sudden presen#e inst"ntly $uels "ll m"nner o$ rumours& spe#ul"tion "nd
"##us"tions. .ore so when people loo: to the s:y& blue& more blue th"n "nyone h"s
ever seen be$ore& even gre"ter th"n the spe#i"l sunsets #re"ted by *"ti. ."ny believe
it to be " Cypherite plot& more prop"g"nd" $or their #"use.
A mysterious m"s:ed group going by the title Q!he *leepw"l:ers@ st"rt "tt"#:ing
%edpills throughout the #ityB dressed in d"r: blue #lothing they reve"l nothing o$ their
purpose or intentions but "re #ert"inly violent to "ll "w":ened& "#ross "ll org"niz"tions.
Ag"in& rumours spre"d "bout their possible involvement with the Cypherites "nd the
9lue *:y #on#ert sites. !here@s "lso the de$inite possibility "lso o$ them being the
d"ngerous splinter group e"rlier rumours spo:e o$.
!he Cypherite li"ison o$$i#er& ."t"r"& m":es "n o$$i#i"l "nnoun#ement to the
%edpills o$ the .eg"#ityB the sleepw"l:ers "re not oper"ting within the Cypherite
org"niz"tion. !hey "re indeed the etremists who hope $or " $or#ed m"ss re+insertion&
"n "#t the re"l Cypherites "pp"rently h"ve not& do not "nd will not support. A##ording
to ."t"r" Cryptos $ights $or Qedu#"tion "nd enlightenment@ over $or#e "nd not to
mention would never support su#h " strong str"in on his Qbe"uti$ul@ system.
Eion& #"utious o$ the re"l purpose behind the blue s:y #on#erts& sends their oper"tives
to meet with ghost $or brie$ing on the situ"tion. A##ording to him the m"#hine
simul"tion doesn@t "llow $or blue s:ies& only when *"ti is permitted to #h"nge itB but "
#on#ert #ert"inly isn@t her style. !his r"ises the )uestion& where did the s:y #ome $romH
?host h"s no "nswers but he does report th"t the retired .et"#orte #o+$ounder
Q7e#ius ,"dsworth@ h"s #l"imed the #on#erts to be his Qgi$t to #ity@. Oddly& Eion@s
#ont"#ts within .et"#orte h"d no w"rning o$ the "nnoun#ement "nd ,"dsworth is
dodging investig"tions. All oper"tives "re reminded to :eep on their toes "s Eion
epe#ts trouble "t the #on#erts.
A$ter #lose investig"tion the %edpills o$ .eg"#ity note some odd developments
surrounding the blue s:y #on#erts. !he spotlights th"t "re present "t the site "re seen
to be em"n"ting sm"ll pie#es o$ m"tri #ode $rom their b"ses. !his #oupled with the
$"#t their light is " deep blue h"s %edpills wondering& #ould they be behind the #h"nge
o$ s:yH !here@s "lso the sm"ll p"t#hes o$ bl"#: smog th"t seems to be intermingled
with the s:y itsel$& m"ny "re suspi#ious.
3umerous se#urity personnel st"rt p"trolling the blue s:y #on#ert sites& "rriving "nd
le"ving "t irregul"r interv"ls these mysterious individu"ls bring more rumour "nd
spe#ul"tion. !hey regul"rly #le"r the sites o$ lo#"l g"ng members& bre": up "ny redpill
br"wls "nd )uietly #onverse with the blue s:y vendors. 5owever& most interestingly&
they m":e "bsolutely sure no one inter$eres with "ny o$ the #on#ert e)uipment. !heir
origins "nd purposeH Oddly enough they "#t "s i$ they@re Cust 9luepills& hired help "nd
nothing more& yet they "re seen using h"rdlines "nd o##"sion"lly hyper Cumping. !he
%edpills simply don@t :now wh"t to m":e o$ them.
81
!he Ar#hite#t& #re"tor o$ the ."tri& enters the ."tri to hold " top se#ret meeting with
m"#hinist $"#tion le"ders. 5is presen#e in the simul"tion "lone lets those present :now
the seriousness o$ the situ"tion. !he m"tter "t h"nd is the re#ent networ: power
$lu#tu"tions& while their origins "re still ultim"tely un:nown the Ar#hite#t #on#ludes the
sleepw"l:ers to be the #"use. 9oth the un"uthorised blue s:ies "nd #on#ert grounds
#oin#ided with the sleepw"l:er@s "rriv"l in the system "nd the Ar#hite#t determines&
due to their $und"ment"l $l"ws& the re#ent events to be the wor: o$ " hum"n mind. !he
most $rightening thing "bout the meeting is the $"#t the Ar#hite#t #"l#ul"tes th"t& i$ the
power dr"in #ontinues "t its #urrent r"te o$ growth& the simul"tion will soon su$$er "
#"s#"ding system $"ilure "nd every hum"n being #urrently C"#:ed in will die. 5owever&
it is pointed out th"t the sleepw"l:ers would not simply "llow this to h"ppen& inste"d
the Ar#hite#t suspe#ts they h"ve power$ul devi#es "nd subroutines $or not only
dr"ining the system@s power but "lso $or sep"r"ting residu"l sel$ im"ges $rom their
physi#"l #ounterp"rts "nd rerouting the bluepill neurologi#"l d"t". !he sleepw"l:ers
"re thus deemed the system@s number one enemies "nd must be stopped "t "ll #osts.
All org"niz"tions r"lly their troops $or b"ttle "g"inst the sleepw"l:ersB the Cypherites
believe it their duty to preserve the system $rom the thre"t they in"dvertently #re"ted& 1
'luribus 3eo $eel it is their purpose to rid the ."tri o$ these $"n"ti#s even worse th"n
the norm"l m"s:ed& !he .erovingi"n $eels his power thre"tened "nd #"n not "$$ord to
lose the system he depends on $or li$e& !he ."#hines $e"r " #"t"#lysmi# system #r"sh
"nd Eion sees the sleepw"l:ers "s " thre"t to "ll hum"nity. !he #on#ert sites "re put
under #onst"nt surveill"n#e.
Over the net #ouple o$ d"ys the s:y slowly d"r:ens $rom its initi"l brightness into "
$oreboding deep blue. ,ith it #omes " de$inite tensionB %edpills o$ "ll org"niz"tions
:eep w"t#h on the #on#ert sites& sleepw"l:er "tt"#:s "re ever present "nd the se#urity
gu"rds :ept up their str"nge p"trols. 1veryone is #ounting down the minutes until
,"dsworth@s Qgi$t@ begins. !hey #"n do nothing but w"itP
!he time "rrives& the blue s:y #on#erts "re set to begin. Crowds o$ %edpills $rom "ll
org"niz"tions "re g"thered "t e"#h "nd every #on#ert site. !he show st"rts "nd the
true n"ture o$ the whole orde"l is reve"led. A loud voi#e is pl"yed over the #on#ert
spe":ers& it spe":s J!he time is now& behold the blue lights "nd $eel your powers melt
li:e i#e to " $l"me. !his is our spe#t"#le "nd it will #h"nge you. Lie down %edpills "nd
return to the dre"m. *ome o$ you will try to shut down the pretty lights but you will be
opposed& you will $"il. Our brothers tried sweet persu"sion with you. Nou #ould o$ been
sli#ing the ste":& but inste"d the :ni$e #uts you. Nou wouldnFt t":e the bluepill& now $eel
the blue light. And *leep...K Just "s the voi#e $inishes the spee#h "ll hell bre":s loose.
!he spotlights "t the #on#ert sites begin to sh":e "nd #onvulse& bl"sting out blinding
blue light they begin to truly str"in the simul"tion& not only th"t but they rele"se " virus
into the immedi"te vi#inity we":ening "ll %edpills. *leepw"l:er oper"tives begin
storming the #on#ert sites "nd the %edpills struggle to hold them b"#:. 6ortun"tely not
"ll hope is lost& "$ter re"lising th"t the #urrent thre"t outweighs "ny sort o$ di$$eren#e o$
opinion the %edpills $rom "ll ; org"niz"tion Coin $or#es& united they hold their ground
while trying to $igure out how to stop the sleepw"l:er@s pl"n.
!hrough the #h"os "nd the seemingly never+ending legions o$ sleepw"l:ers the br"ve
%edpills $ight their w"y to the spotlights themselves. ,hile their "llies hold o$$ the
"tt"#:ers they m"n"ge to get " better loo: "t the lights "nd dis#over "n emergen#y
82
p"nel lo#"ted on the underside. ,hen removed the p"nels reve"l $"il s"$e #ontrols
whi#h given time "llows $or the lights to be de"#tiv"ted. !he %edpills now :now how to
stop the sleepw"l:ers& it@s Cust " m"tter o$ holding them o$$ long enough to do so.
!he b"ttle w"ges on "#ross the entire .eg"#ity "s the united "w":ened slowly but
surely $ight b"#: the sleepw"l:er hordes "nd get #loser to de"#tiv"ting the sleepw"l:er
spotlights. 5owever& even de"#tiv"ting the lights is d"ngerous "s the #loser they get to
de"#tiv"tion the more unst"ble they be#ome. ,hen "t the $in"l st"ges they even begin
to burst out visible #louds o$ virus #ode "s well "s blue bolts o$ energy th"t immedi"tely
"#tiv"tes the redpill@s "uto C"#:outs. *tr"ining the system to the point o$ #"t"#lysm isn@t
wh"t "nyone w"nts but it is " ne#ess"ry ris: i$ the sleepw"l:ers "re to be de$e"ted.
A$ter " gruelling $ight the spotlights "round meg"#ity "re $in"lly de"#tiv"ted& somehow
without #r"shing the system. An une"sy silen#e $"lls upon the #on#ert sites. ,h"t
nowH !h"t )uestion is "nswered when the se#urity personnel seen "round the #on#ert
sites prior to the #h"os "rrive "t the #on#ert sites. 3o longer with their b"seb"ll #"ps
they reve"l their d"r: blue h"ir "nd true n"ture& under#over sleepw"l:ers. Le"ding "
new w"ve o$ elite $"n"ti#s the se#urity personnel storm the #on#ert sites "nd soon
re"#h the spotlights. !o the dism"y o$ the united %edpills the se#urity "re )ui#:ly "ble
to re"#tiv"te the destru#tive lights. !he b"ttle $or !he ."tri still w"ges.
!ime we"rs on& the $ighting loo:s to never end with the #onst"nt loop o$ de"#tiv"tion
"nd re"#tiv"tion& the %edpills try in v"in to de$e"t the se#urity personnel only to h"ve
them re#onstru#t moments l"ter. -t loo:s "s i$ "ll hope is lost when suddenly the
Ar#hite#t himsel$ sends " bro"d#"st to "ll the %edpills. A$ter etensive wor: on the
h"#:ed #oding o$ !he ."tri he h"s $ound " w"y to de$e"t the sleepw"l:ers
themselves. !he Ar#hite#t "#tiv"tes " system subroutine whereby i$ "ll the spotlights
"re in"#tive "t the s"me time then " highly "dv"n#ed tr"#:ing progr"m would initi"te
"nd " $eedb"#: #ode be sent to e"#h "nd every sleepw"l:er in the system. !his will
either destroy their #r"ni"l C"#:s in the re"l or& ironi#"lly& return them "ll to bluepill
st"tus within the system.
!he $in"l b"ttle #ommen#es. !he se#urity gu"rds& "long with their sleepw"l:er "rmy&
$ight b"#: strong but in the end the united %edpills& with renewed vigour& ultim"tely
st"nd vi#torious. !he spotlights "re eventu"lly de"#tiv"ted "nd the sleepw"l:ers
inst"ntly destroyed& either :illed or reinserted with no :nowledge o$ wh"t h"ppened. As
" m"tter o$ $"#t " number o$ %edpills "#tu"lly s"w the se#urity members "live "nd
w"ndering the #on#ert sites. !he %edpills )uestion them only to le"rn they "re indeed
none the wiser to the re"l world or the m"dness th"t h"d Cust o##urred moments
e"rlier.
-t "ppe"rs the troubles "re not )uite over "s sever"l o$ the more power$ul sleepw"l:er
bosses seem to h"ve somehow "voided the Ar#hite#t@s $eedb"#: loop "nd "re
#urrently in hiding somewhere in the ."tri. Eion& the ."#hines "nd the .erovingi"n
e"#h send their oper"tives on missions to tr"#: down these d"ngerous #rimin"ls
be$ore they h"ve the #h"n#e to #"use "ny more #h"os. 6ollowing the distin#t #ode
sign"ture le$t $rom the "r#hite#ts t"mpering the oper"tive@s oper"tors "re soon "ble to
pin point their lo#"tions. !hey $ind subst"nti"lly we":ened sleepw"l:ers& desper"te "nd
still d"ngerously $"n"ti#"l. 7e$ending themselves the oper"tives "re "ble to end the
sleepw"l:er thre"t on#e "nd $or "ll. !here is however one un#ert"inty th"t still lingers&
wh"t o$ 7e#ius ,"dsworthH 5e h"s yet to been he"rd $rom sin#eP
83
84
!hapter <9;
!heat !odes
On " roo$top& the ?ener"l meets with 3iobe "nd her $ollowers& o$$ering her the :ey to
the #he"t #odes his #omm"ndos h"ve obt"ined $rom the ."#hines. 5e tells her the
#he"t #odes will give them powers beyond their wildest dre"ms. 9ut when he tosses
the :ey to 3iobe& Anome m":es " gr"b $or it& "nd the :ey $"lls to the streets below&
l"nding on " v"n th"t speeds it "w"y.
Anome noted the V"n@s li#ense pl"te number be$ore it w"s out o$ sight. Anome $orms "
pl"n "nd )ui#:ly sends one o$ his oper"tives to the ."#hines@ !r"nsport"tion
7ep"rtment& where bluepill li#ense pl"te re#ords "re stored. Anome $igures the
."#hines won@t mind i$ they JborrowK " little in$orm"tion i$ it@s $or " good #"use. !he
owner o$ the v"n is tr"#ed to the A#h"n& but the owner reve"ls th"t members o$ the
9ells g"ng bro:e in to the v"n "nd stole the :ey. !he 9ells subse)uently lost the :ey&
"pp"rently to the Crossbones g"ng.
.erovingi"n oper"tives "re "lso see:ing the :ey to the #he"t #odes& but "$ter tr"#:ing
down the lo#"tion o$ the v"n& "rrive too l"te "s the 9ells h"ve "lre"dy t":en it. A$ter
investig"ting " #omple turn o$ events& the 1ile *ilver is $ound to :now the lo#"tion o$
the :ey& #l"iming th"t it is tu#:ed "w"y in " #onstru#t. *ilver w"nts to bro:er " de"l
with the .erovingi"n: bring him the #"se with the #he"t #ode vi"ls& "nd heFll bring the
:ey to the #"se& "nd they #"n split the #ontents. 5owever& "n "ttempt to retrieve the
#"se $rom Eion $"ils& "s the #"se h"s "lre"dy been moved.
!he ."#hines "re e"ger to retrieve the #"se with the vi"ls& "nd in#lude ("lt
Corpor"tion in the investig"tion& sin#e they m"nu$"#tured the #"se $or them. ("lt
Corpor"tion provides " #ode s"mple to ."#hine oper"tives so th"t the #"se #"n be
tr"#:ed down. !heir #ode s#"nner le"ds them to " building& en#ountering members o$
the 9ell g"ng who "lso see: to reg"in the :ey. Although the :ey is not "t the #urrent
lo#"tion& the ."#hine oper"tives thoroughly s#"n the lo#"tion to $ind " #lue "s to where
the :ey #ould be. A$ter $urther investig"tion& in#luding meeting with the Or"#le&
."#hine oper"tives dis#over th"t the :ey is in " #onstru#t th"n:s to *ilver. !he
."#hines begin to devise " w"y to obt"in the :ey...
Eion oper"tives storm through sever"l Crossbones #ell lo#"tions& but subse)uently
#ome up empty reg"rding the :ey. A$ter $ollowing up on some le"ds& they dis#over th"t
*ilver h"s the :ey.
Eion #omm"nd believes th"t the ."#hines h"ve new d"t" on the :ey& "nd order
oper"tives to in$iltr"te " Cypherite b"se th"t is :nown to h"ve ."#hine #ont"#ts. A$ter
"tt"#:ing the b"se& the intel they dis#over there reve"ls th"t the :ey h"s re+entered the
."tri. !he tr"il le"ds them to *ilver "nd his bodygu"rds. A$ter t":in9g down the
bodygu"rds& *ilver h"s no #hoi#e but to give up the :ey. -t is t":en to Eion gu"rds $or
s"$e:eeping.
As the ."#hines prep"re to #r"#: the se#urity #ode to the :eyFs #onstru#t& they he"r
word th"t the :ey is b"#: in the ."tri. ."#hine oper"tives "re "ble to pin down the
lo#"tion o$ the :ey "nd storm it& only to $ind the :ey is in EionFs h"nds.
!he ?ener"l meets with Eion oper"tives& in$orming them th"t the ."#hines h"ve
m"r:ed the Comm"ndos "nd himsel$ $or etermin"tion $or ste"ling the vi"ls. !he
85
Comm"ndos will :eep " low+pro$ile "nd t":e " lesser p"rt in the #rus"de "g"inst the
.erovingi"n. Eion oper"tives "re #"lled "w"y $rom the meeting to the lo#"tion o$ the
te"m th"t h"s the :ey& who "re under "tt"#: by .erovingi"n $or#es. A$ter de$e"ting
them& Eion oper"tives obt"in the :ey $rom Anome "nd tr"nsport it to 3iobe& who will
:eep it s"$e.
!hapter >9:
etrayal
3iobe "nd her $ollowers g"ther "s she ingests one o$ the vi"ls. A$ter doing so& she
rem"r:s th"t she does not $eel di$$erent& when she is suddenly shot. Anome is the one
holding the gun& "nd sever"l o$ his #omr"des open $ire on the others. A$ter " shootout&
Anome "nd his $ollowers #on$is#"te the vi"ls $or themselves& "nd le"ve. <pon le"ving&
"nd "$ter ingesting " vi"l& Anome uses his new$ound powers to sep"r"te the room they
"re eiting o$$ into " sep"r"te #onstru#t& tr"pping the mort"lly wounded 3iobe "nd
#utting her o$$ $rom #ont"#t with the rest o$ the ."tri.
Eion oper"tives rush to $ind " w"y to s"ve the #riti#"lly inCured 3iobe. An investig"tion
o$ the building proves pointless& "s the elev"tor wonFt go to the $loor she is on "nd the
st"irs simply end be$ore "rriving "t her $loor. 5indering their e$$orts "re "tt"#:s by
AnomeFs $ollowers. !he situ"tion is desper"te enough th"t Eion #ont"#ts ."#hine
Agents in order to $ind " w"y to s"ve 3iobe.
."#hine oper"tives "re ordered to "ssist in the e$$ort to retrieve 3iobe. Agent '"#e
reve"ls th"t& in " previous version o$ the ."tri& Agents were given "m"zing powers to
"llow them to #"rry out their Cobs. 'owers th"t h"ve never been witnessed within the
."tri& th"t would "stound "nyone. -t soon be#"me "pp"rent th"t su#h powers were
#ounterprodu#tive. Agents o$ the ."#hines& using those powers& #"used enough
problems to w"rr"nt the end o$ the progr"m. 3ow im"gine those s"me powers in the
h"nds o$ the unpredi#t"ble& will$ul& hum"ns. !he #odes $or these powers were put into
stor"ge& never to be tou#hed "g"in& until the ?ener"l stole them $rom stor"ge. !he
."#hine oper"tives investig"te but "re un"ble to lo#"te Anome "nd his $ollowers& both
within the ."tri "nd the %e"l. -t is "s though they h"ve dis"ppe"red...
.erovingi"n oper"tives investig"te the m"tter "s well& un#overing the in$orm"tion both
Eion "nd ."#hine oper"tives h"ve $ound. !he .erovingi"n de#ides th"t AnomeFs
betr"y"l #ould be )uite use$ul "$ter "ll...
Eion oper"tives "re stumped "s to how to "##ess the spe#i"l #onstru#t th"t 3iobe is
tr"pped within& "nd with no little #hoi#e de#ide to #ont"#t the .erovingi"n 1ile& the
1$$e#tu"tor. !hey meet with 6lood& the .erovingi"n #ontroller& who "grees to help
Eion& $or " pri#e. !he .erovingi"n h"s de#ided to help Eion so th"t they m"y be in his
debt& "nd #e"se hostilities "g"inst him. Eion grudgingly "grees "nd oper"tives g"ther
d"t" to help the 1$$e#tu"tor $ind " w"y to get to 3iobe.
."#hine oper"tives dis#over th"t Anome is :illing o$$ old "#)u"int"n#es& "nd " str"nge
#ode sign"ture is "lw"ys dete#ted ne"r or "t the s#ene o$ the #rime. Although they
"rrive too l"te& ."#hine oper"tives "re "ble to $ight o$$ sever"l o$ AnomeFs men& who
h"ve used the #he"t #odes "nd "re beginning to show some unusu"l e$$e#ts...
!he 1$$e#tu"tor m":es "n unusu"l dis#overy. 7ue to Anome using one o$ the #he"t
#odes to tr"p 3iobe in the #onstru#t& time is p"ssing more slowly inside the #onstru#t
86
th"n in the rest o$ the ."tri. Although this is little #om$ort to Eion oper"tives& it does
o$$er " glimmer o$ help in s"ving 3iobe.
87
!hapter >98
*nli"it
AnomeFs $ollowers& now #"lling themselves <nlimit& begin p"rt":ing o$ the #he"t #odes&
g"ining in#redible powers Gsu#h "s proCe#ting energy $rom their eyesI "nd begin
wre#:ing h"vo# in the #ity. .e"nwhile& 3iobe #lings to li$e in the #onstru#t.
!he 1$$e#tu"tor enlists help $rom Eion oper"tives. AnomeFs people "re m":ing it
di$$i#ult $or him to pin down 3iobeFs lo#"tion& "nd the 1$$e#tu"tor needs Eion oper"tives
to go to sever"l networ: lo#"tions to stop AnomeFs men. Eion oper"tives eng"ge
AnomeFs men& but they "re now di$$erent. !hey "re stronger th"n previously& "nd their
eyes #onst"ntly drip green ."tri #ode. 1ventu"lly& the 1$$e#tu"tor hits upon "
potenti"l solution& re)uiring Eion oper"tives to rep"ir sever"l h"rdline Cun#tions. Eion
oper"tives "re "ble to do so Gdespite <nlimitFs inter$eren#eI& "nd this proves #riti#"l in
res#uing 3iobe.
<nlimitFs "tt"#:s dr"ws the "ttention o$ the ."#hines& who begin to "ssess <nlimtFs
thre"t to the system. ."#hine oper"tives investig"tions reve"l th"t not "ll o$ AnomeFs
$ollowers ingested the #he"t #odes. !hey "lso dis#over th"t Anome "ppe"rs to h"ve
#ompiled we":er& diluted versions o$ the #he"t #odes "nd p"ssed them on to other
<nlimit. 6in"lly& it "ppe"rs th"t the #he"t #odes h"ve #orrupted the userFs %*-& so th"t
they "re un"ble to C"#: out o$ the ."tri. L"ter& ."#hine oper"tives "re tr"#:ing "n
<nlimit within the ."tri while *entinels in the %e"l t"rget "nd destroy their hover#r"$t.
."#hine oper"tives "re sho#:ed to $ind th"t& th"n:s to the vi"ls& <nlimits #"n #ontinue
to eist within the ."tri "$ter their bodies h"ve been destroyed.
88
!hapter >9;
.yste" .hock
Eion #ommits to ridding the ."tri o$ <nlimit. Curiously& 9rend" <tley& o$ 'endhurst+
Am"r"nth #orpor"tion& "ppro"#hes Eion oper"tives to "ssist her with " m"tter. 6igures
m"t#hing <nlimit des#riptions h"ve been lur:ing "round the #omp"nyFs w"rehouses&
"nd she "s:s them to investig"te. Eion oper"tives do indeed $ind <nlimit "t 'enhurst+
Am"r"nth w"rehouses& "nd de$e"t them. 6urther investig"tion reve"ls <nlimit h"s
been s"bot"ging boes o$ !"stee ,he"t& the #ere"l the #orpor"tion m"r:ets. 'eople
"re dying $rom the poisoned $ood& "nd Eion oper"tives "re )ui#: to intervene "nd put "
stop to AnomeFs pl"ns to $urther poison the bluepill popul"tion& not only through the
!"stee ,he"t but "lso bottled w"ter "nd the #ityFs w"ter supply. 5owever& "$ter
thw"rting these "#tivities& 9rend" <tley goes missing...
."#hine oper"tives stop <nlimitFs "ttempts to t"mper with the #ityFs ")uedu#t shunt
pumps "nd power st"tions. 5owever& the resour#es used to stop the <nlimits is
putting " str"in on the system& "nd the highest priority is pl"#ed on $inding "nd
termin"ting Anome.
89
!hapter ?9:
Investigations
Eion oper"tives begin se"r#hing $or 9rend" <tley. -t soon be#omes "pp"rent th"t
there is #orruption within 'endhurst+Am"r"nth #orpor"tion& "nd this is #onne#ted to
.s. <tleyFs dis"ppe"r"n#e. -t is dis#overed th"t <nlimit h"s in$iltr"ted 'enhurst+
Am"r"nth "t " high #orpor"te level& "nd 9rend" <tley is subse)uently s"ved. !he
mole pl"#ed on the 9o"rd o$ 7ire#tors $or 'endhurst+Am"r"nth is de"lt with& "nd
Anome is de"lt "nother setb"#:.
."#hine oper"tives& in "n "ttempt to lo#"te Anome& de#ide to $ollow " le"d& n"mely
someone #"lled C"bo#lo& who w"s one o$ AnomeFs highest r"n:ing o$$i#ers. !hrough
their investig"tions& they mess"ges $rom C"bo#lo reg"rding AnomeFs p"st. -t is
reve"led th"t Anome w"s pod+born& but something w"s wrong with his mother. *he
:new th"t the ."tri w"s not re"l& but she mist":enly thought "ll the people in it were
unre"l& "s well. !his in#luded her son& Anome. *heFd t"l: to him sometimes "s i$ he
were " spyB inhum"nB " devi#e. *heFd #ontrive to hurt him in " deni"ble w"y+
D"##ident"llyD dropping him& letting him tou#h the stove burner& or $"ll o$$ " por#h. 5is
s#re"ms me"nt nothing. 9ut then sheFd sh":e it o$$& love him despite everything. !he
net d"y she would tell Anome th"t he w"s " m"#hine& " robot. *he would sl"p "nd
pin#h "nd twist his $ingers& then tell him he w"snFt re"lly $eeling p"in& Cust "#ting li:e it
hurts to #ontrol her. J%obots #"nFt hurt&K she would tell Anome. 5er husb"nd "nd
ther"pist would thre"ten to t":e him& "nd she would sh"pe up. *he w"s "$r"id o$ being
institution"lized. 9ut it never l"sted. !hen one d"y& when Anome w"s si& she tried to
pull him with her "s she Cumped o$$ " bridge. D-tFs not re"l& sweetie. ,eFre going to "
re"l pl"#e&D she s"id. 5e wrestled $ree "nd w"t#hed her $"ll. A %edpill who :ept w"t#h
$or li:ely re#ruits+ :ids who didnFt #on$orm to the ."tri+ running through the so#i"l
wel$"re system "ppro"#hed him& epl"ined in the st"nd"rd w"y Eion oper"tives did to
:ids& "nd g"ve him " red pill. 9ut Anome misunderstood. 5e thought he w"s going to
see his mother "g"in in the better pl"#e. 5e w"nted to& despite "ll& be#"use he w"s "
si+ye"r+old :id. 6or " #ouple o$ ye"rs he thought she would turn up& somewhere in
Eion. *lowly he $it in& buried the tr"um" deep. 9ut the liber"ting e$$e#ts o$ the eliirs
h"ve brought his psy#hoses b"#: up. 5e is getting b"#: $or everything she did to him.
3obody is s"$e. 6in"lly& C"bo#lo reve"ls AnomeFs hiding pl"#e: "bove the Creston
5eights 3orth h"rdline& on the b"l#ony. ,ith the AnomeFs lo#"tion now :nown& "nd "
:ill#ode spe#i$i#"lly designed $or him& the ."#hine begin to m":e their move...
!h"n:s to some eposure to the #he"t #odes& the .erovingi"nFs men h"ve $ound "
w"y to dete#t the #ode remn"nts o$ the !wins Gl"st seen in the movie The Matrix
Reloaded& where .orpheus blew up the vehi#le they were inI. -t is dis#overed th"t
their #ode $r"gments h"ve been $lo"ting "round in the "tmosphere& out o$ re"#h until
now. .erovingi"n oper"tives s#our the #ity "nd "re "ble to pie#e the !wins b"#:
together& "nd they reCoin the .erovingi"n r"n:s.
90
!hapter ?98
*neasy &eace
Agents "rrive "t the Creston 5eights lo#"tion where Anome is hiding. One o$ the
Agents uses " disguise "nd t":es on the "ppe"r"n#e o$ AnomeFs mother. !hey eit
onto the b"l#ony "re"& "nd Anome is sho#:ed to see his mother. A $ellow <nlimit is
holding the #"se with the #he"t #odes "nd& seeing the Agents& t":es o$$ into the "ir to
es#"pe. 5owever& she is too l"te& "s Agents gun her down "nd the #"se $"lls to the
$loor. Anome is un"ble to move $rom the sho#:& not believing his eyes& "nd the Agent
disguised "s his mother turns slightly& reve"ling the gun behind its b"#: with AnomeFs
:ill#ode inside. !he Agent shoots Anome& who $"lls o$$ the roo$ to his de"th. !he
Agents retrieve the #he"t #odes& $inding only =;U "re still in the #"se. !hey then
enigm"ti#"lly pro#l"im th"t they #"n now pro#eed to J'h"se 2.K
,ithout "##ess to the #he"t #odes& the rem"ining <nlimit begin to grow we":& "nd will
eventu"lly die due to the #orruption in their %*-s. !hey begin one l"st r"mp"ge "#ross
the #ity& but "re subdued by ."#hine oper"tives. <nlimitFs thre"t is ended.
!he ."#hines #"ll " #on$eren#e with Eion represent"tives. 7ue to re#ent thre"ts to the
."tri su#h "s Anome/<nlimit "nd 1 'luribus 3eo Gwho "ll #"me $rom EionFs #"mpI&
the ."#hine $eel it would be "ble to dete#t "nd stop thre"ts $"ster "nd more e$$i#iently
i$ gr"nted "##ess to EionFs m"in$r"me. Eion subse)uently #ounter+dem"nds with
gre"ter "##ess to the ."#hineFs d"t"b"ses "nd systems within the ."tri. 9oth sides
#ome "n imp"sse.
1 'luribus 3eo #ont"#ts Eion oper"tives& o$$ering in$orm"tion $rom the ."#hines th"t
they h"ve "##essed in return $or s"$e p"ss"ge through EionFs tunnelsp"#e $or their
hover#r"$t. *him"d"& 1'3Fs #ontroller& gives Eion oper"tives the "##ess #odes to "
."#hine system "s proo$ o$ their goodwill "nd the ver"#ity o$ their #l"ims. Eion
oper"tives sne": in to " ."#hine $"#ility "nd use the "##ess #ode& g"thering
in$orm"tion $rom the #omputer. ,h"t they $ind is surprising: the ."#hines h"ve "
stri:e $or#e st"nding by o$ over ;28&000 *entinels& "imed "t Eion in #"se the !ru#e
$"ils. !his sobering in$orm"tion does prove th"t 1'3 is "ble to g"in "##ess to #riti#"l
."#hine in$orm"tion& but #"sts " p"ll over Eion oper"tives.
Cypherites #ont"#t the ."#hines& "nd oper"tives "re sent to meet with them. !he
Cypherites #l"im to h"ve "##ess to Eionist in$orm"tion& "nd these #l"ims "re proven
true when ."#hine oper"tives "re shown simul"#rum o$ .orpheus "nd 3iobe $rom the
Eion m"in$r"me. 1 'luribus 3eo #rus"ders "tt"#: the meeting but "re subdued.
Although #"utious o$ the Cypherites& the ."#hine de#ided to $urther pursue in$orm"tion
bro:ering with the Cypherites. !he ."#hines "re $urther impressed when the
Cypherites #on$is#"te " #ode pulse devi#e used by 1'3 oper"tives& whi#h sends out "
pulse o$ #ustomized #ode th"t perme"tes to #ert"in re#eivers "nd #"ptures spe#i$i#
d"t" out o$ the simul"tion. !he ."#hines de#ided to m":e more e$$e#tive use o$ the
Cypherites...
.erovingi"n oper"tives "re sent to the *lums dis#over why revenue is $"lling $or their
m"ster. !hey dis#over it h"s to do with the 1iles :nown "s the 1lements. 6ingers "re
pointed between e"#h other& "s *ilver "dmits to holding b"#: some e"rnings but
immedi"tely dimes out .er#ury. !he tr"il le"ds $rom .er#ury to !h"lli"& to %"ini& to the
91
9l"#:woods g"ng.
92
!hapter ?9;
(idnapping
*ub#h"pter =.4 o$ !he ."tri Online story beg"n with the "bdu#tion o$ the Or"#leFs young
w"rd& *"ti& by the ?ener"l& "n old milit"ry progr"m eiled $rom the ."#hine m"in$r"mes. !he
?ener"lFs #omm"ndo progr"ms deployed "#ross the #ity& "nd m"y h"ve :illed *er"ph& who
w"s l"st seen plunging into the river "$ter $"lling $rom " #omm"ndo heli#opter "s he tried to
res#ue *"ti $rom their #lut#hes.
GAs seen in the Subchapter 6.3 CineaticI
A$ter sever"l wee:s& it be#"me #le"r th"t the ?ener"l h"d " new type o$ #omm"ndo progr"m
"t his dispos"l: elite troops e)uipped with syntheti# bl"#: bodysuits "llowing them to es#"pe
dete#tion by st"nd"rd #ode s#"ns.
*"tiFs "bsen#e soon beg"n to #"use problems with we"ther p"tterns in the ."tri. *ome $e"r
th"t unless she is returned soon& the simul"tionFs we"ther will spir"l out o$ #ontrol.
!ypherites
!he Cypherites& whose go"l is to "#hieve pe"#e $or hum"nity by returning everyone to sleep
within the simul"tion& helped se"r#h $or *"ti "#ross the ."tri "r#hive #onstru#ts. !hey #on+
tinued wor:ing to "ttempt to get to the bottom o$ mysterious movements o$ m"teri"l out o$ the
#"ves o$ Eion& going so $"r "s to hiC"#: " Eion hover#r"$t. ,hen its #"pt"in re$used to #ooper+
"te& their ruthless #ontrol o$$i#er& Veil& sent the hover#r"$t on " #ollision #ourse $or the Eion
do#:.
!he Cypherite le"der& Cryptos& see:ing guid"n#e $rom the Or"#le in this time o$ un#ert"inty&
re#eived $rom her " prophesy o$ widespre"d de"th "nd destru#tion& to be triggered by "
#hoi#e the Cypherites h"d "lre"dy m"de. *he reminded Cryptos o$ the pl"#"rd over her :it+
#hen door: D!emet 3os#eD: D(now !hysel$.D
% &luribus =eo
!he r"di#"l Eion o$$shoot led by 3eoFs $ervent believer& the (id& wor:ed h"rd to $ind "nd elim+
in"te Cypherite spies within its r"n:s. !hese spies were "lre"dy responsible $or the de"ths o$
sever"l 1'3 hover#r"$t #rews. One spy& "t le"st& w"s $in"lly une"rthed.
1'3 "lso sought to "ssist in *"tiFs res#ue& deploying their d"t"+mining Code 'ulse 7evi#es
both to slow down the ?ener"lFs progress& "nd to le"rn the lo#"tion o$ his b"se on the 1"rthFs
sur$"#e. !he ."#hines& who reg"rd 1'3 "s " d"ngerous terrorist org"niz"tion& responded to
the deployment o$ the devi#es with de"dly $or#e& #ulmin"ting in the termin"tion o$ " high+r"n:+
ing 1'3 o$$i#er& (eterin"& by me"ns o$ " :ill #ode.
The Machines
!he ."#hines wor:ed methodi#"lly to lo#"te "nd dis"ble the networ: "##ess points used by
the ?ener"l to bring his troops into the ."tri. A$ter the elimin"tion o$ m"ny #omm"ndo pro+
gr"ms& "nd "$ter h"#:ing through sever"l l"yers o$ the ?ener"lFs networ:& the ."#hines su#+
#eeded in m"nu$"#turing " progr"m th"t #ould override the ?ener"lFs systems. !hey used this
virus to lo#"te the ?ener"lFs b"se on the sur$"#e o$ the 1"rth& #ode+n"med D*t"lingr"d.D !he
."#hines swi$tly disp"t#hed " portion o$ the *entinel $leet monitoring Eion to er"di#"te the
?ener"lFs stronghold.
93
The Merovingian
!he .erovingi"n too: "dv"nt"ge o$ *er"phFs dis"ppe"r"n#e to m":e his w"y to the Or"#le&
where he reiter"ted "n old dem"nd. At her re$us"l he swore revenge& "nd beg"n se"r#hing
$or " termin"tion #ode #"p"ble o$ wiping out the $ortune+teller. A$ter eh"usting his usu"l #on+
t"#ts within the ."tri& he turned to the ?ener"l. !he stubborn w"rrior rebu$$ed his initi"l over+
tures& but eventu"lly "greed to " #e"se+$ire while #onsidering the 6ren#hm"nFs propos"l.
+ion
,ith the Or"#leFs power$ul gu"rdi"n& *er"ph& out o$ the pi#ture& Eion s#r"mbled to her de+
$ense& $ighting o$$ "ss"ults by the ?ener"l "nd the .erovingi"n. -n response to determined
pursuit by the Eionites& the ?ener"l t"untingly reve"led th"t he w"s the *entinel progr"m who
led the de"dly ."#hine "ss"ult on the Eion do#: "t the end o$ the w"r.
94
!hapter @9:
The .earch
!he we"ther in the simul"tion too: on " distin#tly o$$+#olor or"nge hue& "s we"ther p"tterns
su$$er to the #ontinued "bsen#e o$ the Or"#leFs w"rd& *"ti& :idn"pped by the e+*entinel le"d+
er :nown "s D!he ?ener"l.D !he ?ener"l stru#: "n "lli"n#e with the le"der o$ the ."tri un+
derworld& the .erovingi"n& bringing the 6ren#hm"n into dire#t #on$li#t with the ."#hines& who
"re wor:ing to er"di#"te the ?ener"lFs #omm"ndo $or#es.
Eion pursued the Or"#leFs gu"rdi"n& *er"ph& dr"m"ti#"lly returned G"s seen in the #h"pter >./
#inem"ti#I "$ter his dis"ppe"r"n#e while pursuing *"tiFs :idn"ppers& "nd $ound th"t heFd been
deleting ."#hine progr"ms $rom the minds o$ hum"ns in the ."tri& in#luding the Cypherite
le"der& Cryptos& who h"d se#retly been under ."#hine #ontrol.
1 'luribus 3eo #ontinued their dogged hunt "$ter sign"ls "pp"rently sent by the e+Eion #"p+
t"in& .orpheus& "nd $in"lly #"me "#ross " #le"r mess"ge $rom the $ormer le"der.
As i$ this& "nd " #ert"in s"nity+sh"ttering p"rty #r"shed by " notorious .erovingi"n werenFt
enough& "n outbre": o$ the *mith Virus thre"tened to t":e over the #ity. %esist"n#e& org"n+
ized by the Or"#le& eventu"lly m"n"ged to de$e"t power$ul m"ni$est"tions o$ the virus& but "s
it $"ded "w"y& it le$t " mess"ge #l"iming to h"ve t":en on " mu#h more insidious& un:ill"ble
$orm.

!ypherites
95
!he Cypherites "ttempted to underst"nd *er"phFs "pp"rent r"mp"ge "#ross the #ity& "nd to
do wh"t they #ould $or his DbluepillD #ivili"n vi#tims. !his )uest #"me to "n "brupt end when
*er"ph "mbushed the Cypherite le"der& Cryptos& per$orming " str"nge Deor#ismD th"t le$t
Cryptos etremely disoriented. As his #on#erned oper"tives "ttempted to "id him& Cryptos
beg"n uttering str"nge sounds& whi#h& "s his "rti#ul"tion in#re"sed& were #le"rly identi$ied "s
."#hine error #odes.
Con#luding th"t Cryptos h"d been oper"ting under ."#hine overwriting& removed by *er"phF+
s "tt"#:& the Cypherite #ontroller& Veil& ordered Cryptos returned to his ship "nd put under in+
tensive #"re& while she "ssumed interim le"dership o$ the org"niz"tion.
!he ."#hines were )ui#: to "#:nowledge th"t Cryptos h"d been oper"ting under their guid+
"n#e& $orming the Cypherites "s " me"ns o$ preventing Eion $rom "w":ening more th"n their
!ru#e+"llotted /U o$ the ."triF popul"tion to the true n"ture o$ the simul"tion. !he ."#hines
"ttempted to renew the terms o$ their "greement with Veil& but she thus $"r h"s put o$$ "##ept+
ing "n "##ord with the ."#hines& "nd rel"tions between the two groups rem"in un#ert"in.
% &luribus =eo
1'3 put gre"t e$$ort into pinpointing the mysterious sign"ls seen intermittently "round the #ity
o$ l"te& in whi#h " m"n resembling the $"mous Eion w"r le"der& .orpheus& "ppe"red to isol+
"ted oper"tives& delivering mess"ges "ppe"ring to "llude to the One& 3eo& being "live& but
held #"ptive by the ."#hines.
A$ter " di$$i#ult pro#ess o$ mining $or d"t" #on#erning " newly dete#ted bro"d#"st o$ the sig+
n"l& 1'3 tr"#:ed the sign"l to the 5yper#ube monument in ."r"& where they were #on$ronted
by " #le"r mess"ge $rom this "pp"rent .orpheus& s"ying th"t the ."#hines h"d $"iled& "nd
th"t 3eo w"s "live& held #"ptive by the ."#hines& "nd in need o$ res#ue.
The Machines
96
!he ."#hines h"#:ed the ?ener"lFs networ: in the ."tri& g"ining the #"p"bility o$ s#"nning
the eiled progr"mFs pl"ns "nd d"t". Led by Agent ?r"y& they #"ptured one o$ the ?ener"lFs
1lite Comm"ndos& g"ining enough d"t" on the soldierFs ste"lth routines to en"ble them to en+
gineer " sensor s#"n #"p"ble o$ dete#ting hidden #omm"ndos.
."#hine pursuit o$ the ?ener"lFs $or#es brought them into #on$li#t with the .erovingi"n& who
re#ently "greed to "n "lli"n#e with the h"r"ssed ?ener"l. A$ter some $rustr"ting initi"l en+
g"gements& the ."#hines re"lized th"t the .erovingi"nFs opposition m"y slow down their
timet"ble in elimin"ting the ?ener"l.
.e"nwhile& the ."#hines "lso h"d to de"l with the eposure o$ their se#ret #ontrol over the
Cypherite org"niz"tion when *er"ph $ound "nd removed the ."#hine progr"m th"t h"d over+
written CryptosF mind. 9e#"use *er"phFs Deor#ismD le$t the Cypherite le"der d"m"ged "nd
#on$used& the ."#hines "ttempted to reg"in #ontrol o$ the Cypherites by stri:ing " de"l with
CryptosF se#ond+in+#omm"nd& Veil& but she rem"ined "loo$& showing "nger "t the long+st"nd+
ing ."#hine de#eption.
The Merovingian
!he .erovingi"n #"me to "n "greement with the ?ener"l under whi#h the .erovingi"n would
provide tr"nsport"tion in "nd out o$ the ."tri $or the ?ener"lFs $or#es& while the ?ener"l
would help the .erovingi"n hunt down ingredients ne#ess"ry $or " :ill+#ode #"p"ble o$ ter+
min"ting the wom"n who h"s $rustr"ted so m"ny o$ his s#hemes: the Or"#le.
!he ?ener"lFs #omm"ndo progr"ms "nd the .erovingi"nFs oper"tives wor:ed together to se+
#ure " vit"l ingredient& the l"st rem"ining ."#hine #he"t #ode& held by "n unwitting #ivili"n.
!he ?ener"l reve"led& however& th"t they would need " spe#i"l progr"m to put the :ill+#ode
together: !he Apothe#"ry. 6ollowing the ?ener"lFs dire#tions& they tr"#:ed down "n old #ode
tr"#e o$ the Apothe#"ry "nd& $rom the mouth o$ "n "n#ient progr"m& le"rned th"t the Apo+
the#"ry w"s held by the ."#hines in their m"in$r"mes& "nd #ould only be retrieved by "n old
.erovingi"n employee: the !r"inm"n.
97
<nder growing pressure by the ."#hines& the .erovingi"nFs oper"tives lo#"ted the port"l to
the !r"inm"nFs priv"te #onstru#t& hidden in the Ab"ndoned *ubw"y. Le"ving "n en#rypted
Dnote on his doorstep&D they eventu"lly #o"ed the p"r"noid 1ile out o$ hiding& "nd brought
him on#e more into the .erovingi"nFs servi#e.
+ion
Eion pursued *er"ph& "pp"rently der"nged "$ter his plunge $rom " heli#opter into the highly
polluted A)uedu#t while $ighting the #omm"ndos who h"d "bdu#ted *"ti. !hey $ound th"t "l+
though *er"phFs "tt"#:s on oper"tives "nd #ivili"ns "li:e "ppe"red indis#rimin"te& the vi#tims
"ll sh"red memory loss "$ter "n episode o$ suspi#ious person"lity #h"nge in their p"st.
Eion w"s eventu"lly "ble to m":e #ont"#t with *er"ph& who reve"led th"t he w"s ne"rly done
with his wor:& "nd th"t the oper"tives should be #"re$ul to gu"rd their minds. *er"phFs remov+
"l o$ the ."#hine progr"m overwriting the mind o$ the Cypherite le"der& Cryptos& $in"lly m"de
it #le"r th"t the Or"#leFs gu"rdi"n w"s& th"n:s to his eposure to the rem"ins o$ ."#hine
#he"t #odes in the A)uedu#t& "ble to dete#t "nd remove su#h progr"ms $rom the minds o$ hu+
m"ns.
,ith EionFs "ssist"n#e& *er"ph #ompleted the er"di#"ting o$ ."#hine overwriting "round the
#ity& "nd returned to the Or"#leFs side. !he Or"#le& however& dire#ted him to res#ue *"ti $rom
the ?ener"l& " t"s: th"t *er"ph )ui#:ly beg"n& "g"in "ided by oper"tives $rom Eion.
98
!hapter @98
$esperation
,ith the #lim"te+#ontrolling *"ti still in the h"nds o$ the ?ener"l& the we"ther within the ."tri
too: " dr"m"ti# turn $or the worse& signi$ied by " vivid red hue th"t #"used #on#ern even $or
the norm"lly "loo$ Ar#hite#t. ,hile his *entinel $leet "ss"ulted the ?ener"lFs b"se #ode+
n"med *t"lingr"d on the 1"rthFs sur$"#e G"s seen in the #h"pter >.2 #inem"ti#I& within the
."tri& ."#hine $or#es ste"dily overthrew the ?ener"lFs systems& even "s Eion& with the "id o$
*er"ph& se"r#hed $or *"ti& eventu"lly res#uing the girl $rom the ?ener"lFs #ontrol.
!he h"rried ?ener"l #"me to rely more "nd more on the support o$ his new "lly& the
.erovingi"n. !he .erovingi"n& however& showed " m"r:ed disreg"rd $or the preserv"tion o$
the ?ener"lFs #omm"ndo progr"ms& going so $"r "s to use them "s #"nnon $odder $or his own
"ims& "nd even se#reting some o$ them within his own hidden #onstru#ts& un:nown to the
?ener"l.
.e"nwhile& the .erovingi"n #ontinued his proCe#t o$ elimin"ting th"t $re)uent $oil o$ his pl"ns&
the Or"#le. 5e brought " de"dly progr"m :nown "s the Apothe#"ry into the ."tri& putting her
to wor: on " #ode power$ul enough to :ill the $ortune+teller& who m"n"ged to #omplete the :ill+
#ode despite mu#h inter$eren#e by the ."#hines. As " rew"rd $or the Apothe#"ryFs h"rd wor:&
the .erovingi"n& "t the instig"tion o$ his wi$e& 'ersephone& betr"yed the Apothe#"ry to the
."#hines& "nd she w"s deleted by " group o$ hostile oper"tives.
-n the midst o$ these w"rring $or#es& the sign"l o$ .orpheus #ontinued to "ppe"r to $ollowers
o$ Eion "nd 1 'luribus 3eo& de#l"ring th"t 3eo lived& " prisoner o$ the ."#hines& "nd #"lling
on the "ssembled oper"tives to $ight the ."#hines in order to res#ue the One. Cert"in
in#onsisten#ies "nd glit#hes in these sign"l bro"d#"sts beg"n to r"ise doubts& however&
p"rti#ul"rly "$ter 1 'luribus 3eo $ound th"t the sign"l& m"de to loo: li:e "n emergen#y
hover#r"$t be"#on& w"s in $"#t origin"ting within the ."tri itsel$.
!ypherites
99
!he re#uper"ting Cypherite le"der& Cryptos& whose ."#hine overwriting h"d Cust been
violently purged by *er"ph& $in"lly "ppe"red "nd spo:e to some o$ his oper"tives& who to their
dism"y $ound his mind #louded& "nd prone to w"ndering. 1vidently& the ."#hine progr"m th"t
h"d been #ontrolling him& though overthrown& w"s now p"rti"lly merged with his previous&
violently "nti+."#hine psy#he.
!he Cypherite #ontroller& Veil& viewing her #rippled le"der with disd"in& too: #omm"nd o$ the
org"niz"tion& le"ding them in "tt"#:s "g"inst the Apothe#"ry& "nd "g"inst their mort"l $oes& 1
'luribus 3eo. !he Cypherites su##eeded in #"pturing "n 1'3 #rew& "nd de$ended
themselves& with help $rom the ."#hines& "g"inst " #ounter+"tt"#: led by the 1'3 #ontroller&
*him"d". Veil "lso #"me to "n "greement with the ."#hinesF Agent '"#e to resume spying
oper"tions in Eion& with the "im o$ dis#overing the destin"tion "nd purpose o$ l"rge "mounts
o$ m"teri"l "nd personnel "pp"rently le"ving the #"ves o$ Eion.
1ventu"lly Cryptos& su$$i#iently re#overed& met with the ."#hinesF Agent ?r"y& #ompl"ining o$
the p"in o$ his #urrent eisten#e& "nd "s:ing to be reinserted into the ."tri& "s Cypher
himsel$ h"d "s:ed o$ Agent *mith. .u#h to the CypheriteFs surprise& Agent ?r"y told him th"t
there w"s no su#h pro#edure.
% &luribus =eo
1 'luribus 3eo strove to m":e $urther #ont"#t with the mysterious .orpheus sign"ls&
re#eiving "id $rom the Or"#le in lo#"ting them. !he "uthenti#ity o$ the sign"ls #"me more "nd
more into )uestion "s they #ontinued to pre"#h the s"me mess"ge o$ w"r "g"inst the
."#hines.
!o put these )uestions to rest& 1'3 sought to tr"#e the sign"l to its origin& even in the $"#e o$
."#hine "tt"#:s. !hey su##eeded in this ende"vor& $inding& to the dism"y o$ m"ny& th"t the
sign"ls& en#oded in the $orm o$ emergen#y bro"d#"sts $rom .orpheusF hover#r"$t& the
3"bonidus& were in $"#t #oming $rom " sour#e within the simul"tion itsel$.
1'3 "lso $ound themselves under in#re"sed pressure $rom the Cypherites& led by the
100
"ggressive Veil. !hey "ttempted to res#ue "n 1'3 #rew member #"ptured by the Cypherites&
but were un"ble to re"#h the oper"tives& who were gu"rded by m"ssed $or#es o$ Cypherites&
."#hines& "nd even some .erovingi"n oper"tives.
The Machines
As the b"ttle $or *t"lingr"d r"ged in the %e"l& the ."#hines beg"n " #on#erted t":eover o$
the ?ener"lFs systems inside the ."tri& #omm"ndeering his heli#opter $leet& his
#ommuni#"tion #h"nnels& "nd even his hologr"phi# bro"d#"st.
!hey #losely pursued the Apothe#"ry& t":en $rom their servers "nd brought into the ."tri by
the .erovingi"n without their #onsent. !he 6ren#hm"n me"nwhile stru#: down Agent '"#e
with " prelimin"ry version o$ the Apothe#"ryFs :ill+#ode destined $or the Or"#le. !he Agent
re#overed )ui#:ly& but seemed "ltered& "dopting " #older& more businessli:e deme"nor& "nd
demonstr"ting " heightened enthusi"sm $or the violent suppression o$ *ystem enemies.
6ollowing the su##ess$ul termin"tion o$ the Apothe#"ry& the ."#hines lo#"ted& "ss"ulted& "nd
dis"bled the ?ener"lFs prim"ry b"se in the ."tri& $ound in the #omple inh"bited by 'roCe#t
3ine soldiers bene"th the Ab"ndoned *ubw"y. !hey then shut down the ?ener"lFs networ:
within the ."tri entirely& "nd prep"red to #ontinue with $urther oper"tions "g"inst the
.erovingi"n& who g"ve the h"rried ?ener"l "sylum.
101
The Merovingian
!he .erovingi"n& w"nting to :ill the Or"#le& h"d the !r"inm"n bring the progr"m :nown "s
the Apothe#"ry into the ."tri& "nd put her to wor: on " :ill+#ode power$ul enough to
elimin"te the $ortune+teller. 9lood s"mples $rom *"ti "nd $rom the irr"di"ted e+<nlimit
#omm"nder& 9eirn& were obt"ined to in#re"se the #odeFs poten#y.
!he .erovingi"n wished to test " prelimin"ry version o$ the #ode& "nd the ?ener"l suggested
the ."#hinesF Agent '"#e "s " test subCe#t. 'ersephone lured the Agent to " rendezvous
where " .erovingi"n hit s)u"d& "rmed with :ill+#ode s"mples& stru#: down the Agent& mu#h
to the .erovingi"nFs delight. *py reports #on$irmed th"t the #ode h"d m"de " l"sting imp"#t
on the Agent.
!he Apothe#"ry eventu"lly #ompleted wor: on the #ode& despite #ontinued inter$eren#e $rom
."#hine "tt"#:s. 6rustr"ted by the #onst"nt thre"ts to her s"$ety& she dem"nded tr"nsport
out o$ the ."tri& whi#h the .erovingi"n promised to gr"nt her. 5owever& p"rtly "t the
instig"tion o$ 'ersephone& who h"d " longst"nding $eud with the Apothe#"ry& he inste"d
tipped o$$ the ."#hines "s to her lo#"tion& "nd the :ill+#ode m"nu$"#turer w"s deleted in "n
"tt"#: by hostile oper"tives.
<nder in#re"sing pressure himsel$ $rom the ."#hines $or sheltering the ?ener"l& the
.erovingi"n& un:nown to his would+be "lly& beg"n smuggling the ?ener"lFs #omm"ndo
progr"ms into hidden #onstru#ts under his own #ontrol.
102
+ion
Eion wor:ed with *er"ph to tr"#: down *"ti& held prisoner by the ?ener"l. A$ter $ighting
through m"ny pl"toons o$ the ?ener"lFs #omm"ndos& "nd solving " perpleing "ss"ult by *"ti
doppelg"ngers #re"ted by the ?ener"l& *"tiFs progr"m w"s retrieved "nd restored to the
Or"#le& who de#l"red th"t the girl would soon be well& "nd "ble to restore the we"ther to its
norm"l #ondition.
Although they su##eeded in gu"rding the Or"#le "g"inst "tt"#:s by the ?ener"l& Eion de#ided
th"t her usu"l home in ."r" h"d be#ome too e"sy " t"rget $or the ?ener"l "nd the
.erovingi"n. ,ith *er"phFs support& they $in"lly m"n"ged to persu"de her to le"ve the
neighborhood& "nd beg"n moving her under gu"rd between se#ret s"$ehouses "#ross the
#ity.
Eion "lso tr"#:ed the .orpheus sign"l& eventu"lly $inding it "nd #"t#hing it "s " str"nge glit#h
o##urred& #"using it to repe"t the s"me line $our times. !his r"ised $urther suspi#ions "bout
the sign"lFs true origins. !r"#:ing w"s #ompli#"ted by the "ppe"r"n#e o$ die+h"rd .orpheus
supporters& wishing to emul"te "nd $urther his old "gend".
103
!hapter @9;
/all of the -eneral
!he ."#hines destroyed the ?ener"lFs b"se on the 1"rthFs sur$"#e G"s seen in the #h"pter
>.4 #inem"ti#I& driving him into hiding in the ."tri. ,ith *"ti res#ued $rom the ?ener"lFs
gr"sp& the we"ther in the simul"tion returned to its st"nd"rd green+tinged over#"st s:ies.
Eion "nd 1 'luribus 3eo pursued the simul"#rum who h"d been "ppe"ring re#ently in the
#ity& imperson"ting .orpheus. !hey $ound d"t" "ppe"ring to suggest " lin: between the
simul"#rum "nd the ?ener"l. !he ."#hines& #on#erned th"t the simul"#rum might try to
thre"ten the *ystemFs st"bility "s .orpheus himsel$ did& )uestioned it& but de#ided th"t it
w"s #on$used "nd non+violent& "nd only bore $urther monitoring.
.e"nwhile& the .erovingi"n h"d begun using the !r"inm"n to shuttle the ?ener"lFs #om+
m"ndos out o$ the ."tri& "nd b"#: into the re"l world. !he ?ener"l himsel$ del"yed& le"v+
ing the tr"in pl"t$orm to #on$ront his .orpheus simul"#rum. 5e ordered the simul"#rum to
de"#tiv"te itsel$& but it re$used& "nd su##ess$ully de$ended itsel$ "g"inst the ?ener"l& who
w"s $or#ed to le"ve. %eturning l"te to the !r"inm"nFs st"tion& the ?ener"l w"s #on$ronted
there by ."#hine $or#es. !he !r"inm"n m"n"ged to shove the ?ener"l onto the dep"rting
tr"in& but su$$ered severe inCury "t the h"nds o$ the ."#hines.
<ndeterred& the .erovingi"n put his pl"n to :ill the Or"#le into $ull ee#ution& "ttempting to
get his :ill+#ode into the h"nds o$ "n "ss"ssin pl"nted in EionFs se#urity te"ms. Eion $ound
the "ss"ssin in time& $or#ing the .erovingi"n to resort to " new pl"n& using " ste"lth #om+
m"ndo "nd " very spe#i"l :ey to "ttempt to surprise the Or"#le. *he& however& w"s s"ved
"t the l"st moment by the (id "nd 1 'luribus 3eo. !he $rustr"ted 6ren#hm"n #onsoled
himsel$ by "#tiv"ting on override #ode on the ?ener"l "nd his *entinels.
!he Cypherites #ontinued se"r#hing $or in$orm"tion on the mysterious eodus o$ men "nd
m"teri"l $rom Eion. Cryptos& gr"du"lly re#overed $rom *er"phFs "tt"#:& too: #omm"nd o$
the org"niz"tion b"#: $rom the stubborn Veil& to the relie$ o$ Agent ?r"y "nd the ."#hines.
Veil& however& #ontinued her ruthless )uest $or in$orm"tion& ee#uting the #rew o$ the Eion+
ite hover#r"$t 'el"geus when they re$used to #ooper"te. -n response& the Or"#le #ould o$+
$er only dire+sounding predi#tions& s"ying th"t you #"nFt s"ve someone who doesnFt w"nt
to be s"ved.
!ypherites
Cryptos w"ndered $or some time in the ."tri& "s:ing those he met "bout purpose& right&
"nd wrong. 5e "ppe"red to settle some )uestion in his mind& however& "nd re"sserted his
#ontrol over the Cypherite org"niz"tion during "n oper"tion in whi#h he led Cypherites to
#"pture " redpill whose "ttempts to "w":en 9luepills $reed by *er"ph $rom ."#hine over+
writing& li:e Cryptos& h"d led to the de"ths o$ some o$ those #ivili"ns. !he vindi#tive
Cypherite #ontroller& Veil& grudgingly "greed to re#ognize Cryptos "s le"der.
Veil #ontinued le"ding oper"tions designed to dis#over the mystery behind unregistered
104
wor:ers "nd m"#hinery slipping out o$ Eion& " topi# o$ p"rti#ul"r interest to the ."#hines.
*he st"ged "n "tt"#: on " 1 'luribus 3eo b"se "s " distr"#tion& while other Cypherite op+
er"tives su##ess$ully in$iltr"ted " Eionite #omputer system& re#overing d"t".
5er ze"lous pursuit o$ her t"s: led her to hiC"#:& "nd eventu"lly ee#ute& the #rew o$ "
Eionite hover#r"$t& the 'el"geus. Agent ?r"y& who h"d supported Cryptos over the VeilFs
vol"tile le"dership& )uestioned her methods& but Veil re$used to #urb her "#tivities& re+
sponding derisively when told th"t her "#tions thre"tened the tru#e between the ."#hines
"nd Eion.
% &luribus =eo
1 'luribus 3eo& se"r#hing $or in$orm"tion on the .orpheus simul"#rum& dis#overed " hid+
den networ: o$ old $ollowers o$ .orpheus& still #"rrying on the rebel "#tivities th"t led to
.orpheusF de"th& in#luding the distribution o$ seditious posters. One o$ these individu"ls&
Joshu" ."ston& told the 1'3 members who $ound him th"t they h"d been distr"#ted by
Cypherites "nd super+vill"ins $rom wh"t w"s truly import"nt& "nd th"t he $ully epe#ted to
be :illed by the ."#hines $or his "#tivities& but #"rried on be#"use he believed th"t wh"t
he w"s doing w"s right. !he (id s"id th"t belie$ is import"nt& but so is hope.
%e#ognizing the :ill+#ode thre"t to the Or"#le posed by the .erovingi"n& 1'3 "s:ed Eion
$or permission to "ssist in gu"rding herB when the Or"#le hersel$ insisted& Eion "greed to
sh"re gu"rd duties.
,hen the 6ren#hm"n $in"lly l"un#hed his 1lite Comm"ndo "ss"ssin "t the Or"#le& the
(id& on gu"rd duty "t the time& responded to her #ry o$ "l"rm in time to inter#ept the $"t"l
bullet with his body. 3e"rby 1'3 oper"tives pursued "nd elimin"ted the #omm"ndo& while
the Or"#le w"t#hed over the stunned (id. *he s"id he would be "ll right& but would need
rest. On#e he relu#t"ntly C"#:ed out to his ship& the Or"#le went outside to enCoy the $resh
"ir $or the $irst time in wee:s& "nd moved b"#: to her old home in ."r".
The Machines
!he ."#hines tr"#:ed the $leeing ?ener"l through the ."tri& rooting him out o$ the tem+
por"ry s"$ety o$ the .erovingi"nFs #h"te"u with the "ssist"n#e o$ the Cypherites& "nd then
105
$rom the !r"inm"nFs tunnel system. !hey #"ught up to the ?ener"l "t the tr"in st"tion "s
he w"s "bout to eit the simul"tion& but the !r"inm"n s"#ri$i#ed his own #h"n#e to es#"pe
in order to m":e sure th"t his "ppointed p"ssenger m"de it "bo"rd the dep"rting tr"in.
,ith the ?ener"l out o$ the ."tri& the ."#hines swit#hed t"rgets within the simul"tion&
now lo#"ting "nd )uestioning the .orpheus simul"#rum& whi#h showed some indi#"tion
th"t it might t":e up .orpheusF old terrorist tenden#ies. !hey $ound th"t it h"d the #"p"bil+
ity o$ simul"ting redpill C"#:+out "nd re#onstru#tion. !he simul"#rum& however& "ppe"red to
be non+violent& "nd the ."#hines determined th"t #"re$ul monitoring o$ its "#tivities w"s "
su$$i#ient pre#"ution.
Agent '"#e r"n "n oper"tion in whi#h " spe#i"l p"rty w"s st"ged "s " tr"p $or the .er+
ovingi"n& with the intent o$ punishing the 6ren#hm"n $or his role in the ?ener"lFs es#"pe.
!he .erovingi"n& however& sent his wi$e in his ste"d& "nd she es#"ped when loy"l oper"t+
ives poun#ed on the Agent sent to in$iltr"te the #lub. A m"ssive ."#hinist onsl"ught
#le"red the #lub& however& "nd Agent '"#e de#ided th"t this demonstr"tion h"d served its
purpose.
1ver+in#re"sing #on#erns "bout the purpose behind m"teri"ls "nd m"npower sne":ing
out o$ Eion led the ."#hines to "ttempt g"thering in$orm"tion through their own #ont"#ts&
but this proved less e$$i#ient th"n employing the Cypherites& "lthough Cypherite produ#+
tion& $rom the ."#hine point o$ view& #ontinued to su$$er under VeilFs stubborn le"dership.
CryptosF re+"ssumption o$ Cypherite #omm"nd #"me "s " relie$ to the ."#hines& but ten+
sions with Eion #"used by their "#tivities rem"ined high& p"rti#ul"rly "$ter VeilFs hiC"#:ing
"nd ee#ution o$ the #rew o$ the Eionite hover#r"$t 'el"geus.
The Merovingian
!he .erovingi"n $or#ed the h"rried ?ener"l to give him #ontrol over the progr"m used by
the #omm"ndos to move between the ."tri "nd the re"l world. ,ith this in his posses+
sion& the 6ren#hm"n employed the !r"inm"n to tr"ns$er the ?ener"lFs #omm"ndos out o$
the simul"tion& s"ving them $or the time being $rom etermin"tion "t the h"nds o$ the ."+
#hines& but losing the !r"inm"n to the ."#hines in the pro#ess. !he !r"inm"n m"n"ged
to limp "w"y $rom " ."#hine "tt"#: into his own priv"te #onstru#t& but it w"s un#le"r i$ the
p"r"noid 1ile would survive his inCuries.
!he .erovingi"n "ttempted to send the :ill+#ode m"de to termin"te the Or"#le to " spy
pl"#ed on the Or"#leFs se#urity det"il& but Eion dete#ted the intrusion& "nd $or#ed the
6ren#hm"n to etri#"te the :ill+#ode $rom their systems.
-n need o$ "n "ltern"te me"ns o$ getting the de"dly #ode ne"r the Or"#le& the .erovingi"n
seized upon " :ey dug up by the L"ndlord "t the ."h"th !ower #onstru#tion site& $ormerly
o##upied by the government building used by 3eo to re"#h the Ar#hite#tB when this build+
ing sel$+destru#ted with the body o$ the (eym":er inside& the :ey he h"d been m":ing in
the .erovingi"nFs dungeon w"s buried in the rubble. !he 6ren#hm"n h"d origin"lly
pl"nned to use this :ey& #"p"ble o$ tr"nsporting the user to " port"l ne"r " spe#i$i# t"rget&
to :ill the Or"#leFs previous shell.
106
A$ter sever"l $"lse st"rts& the 1$$e#tu"tor m"n"ged to tr"nsport " borrowed 1lite Com+
m"ndo s)u"d b"#: into the #ity. *er"ph dete#ted "nd hunted the #omm"ndos& but .er+
ovingi"n oper"tives m"n"ged to s"ve most o$ them& "nd $in"lly one o$ them& e)uipped with
the :ey "nd the :ill+#ode& "ttempted to "ss"ssin"te the Or"#le& but the (id blo#:ed the
shot "t the l"st moment.
6rustr"ted with this $"ilure& whi#h he bl"med on the ?ener"lFs soldier& the .erovingi"n e+
e#uted " hidden override progr"m the !r"inm"n h"d inserted into the ?ener"l "nd his
men when they were tr"ns$erred out o$ the ."triB the progr"m #ompels the ?ener"l "nd
his *entinels to obey the .erovingi"nFs #omm"nds in the re"l world.
+ion
Eion tr"#:ed down the .orpheus simul"#rum& $inding eviden#e o$ some sort o$ #onne#tion
between the unpredi#t"ble simul"#rum "nd the ?ener"lB this #onne#tion w"s #on$irmed in
dr"m"ti# $"shion when the ?ener"l himsel$ #on$ronted the simul"#rum& ber"ting it $or $"il+
ing in its design"ted t"s: o$ re+igniting #on$li#t between the ."#hines "nd Eion. Cheered
on by surrounding oper"tives& the simul"#rum re$used to obey the ?ener"lFs #omm"nd to
de"#tiv"te itsel$& "nd su##ess$ully de$ended itsel$ when the in#ensed *entinel le"der "t+
t"#:ed.
.e"nwhile& Eion $ound indi#"tions th"t the .erovingi"n h"d tr"ns$erred his Or"#le :ill+
#ode into their own networ:. !hey m"n"ged to $ind the 6ren#hm"nFs under#over te"m o$
oper"tives& "nd his spy within Eion& $or#ing the .erovingi"n to "bort his pl"n& "nd etri#"te
the :ill+#ode $rom EionFs systems.
Although EionFs "greement to "llow 1 'luribus 3eo to help gu"rd the Or"#le& "t her own
insisten#e& p"id o$$ when the (id s"ved her $rom the :ill+#ode+l"#ed bullet $ired by "n 1lite
Comm"ndo& Eion subse)uently su$$ered the loss o$ the #rew o$ their hover#r"$t 'el"geus
"t the h"nds o$ 1'3Fs sworn enemies& the Cypherites. !he Or"#le tried to #onsole Eion
over the loss& but #ould not :eep " sense o$ $oreboding out o$ her mess"ge.
107
!hapter A9:
,ar
Cypherite spies dis#over th"t Eion h"s built " new& strongly de$ended #ity. !he ."#hines
de#l"re th"t Eion h"s bro:en the !ru#e. Open hostilities between Eion "nd the ."#hines
begin. !he .erovingi"n& s:epti#"l "bout the .orpheus simul"#rumFs story o$ hum"ns used "s
b"tteries& sends his #omm"ndo *entinels to s#out the ."#hine D$ieldsD "nd pods.
Cypherite spies dis#overed th"t Eion h"s been #onstru#ting " new #ity& situ"ted in "
v"st #omple o$ n"tur"l "nd "rti$i#i"l #"verns $"r bene"th the 1"rthFs sur$"#e& prote#ted
by " #ombin"tion o$ he"vy sediment l"yers& 1.' devi#es embedded in the ro#:& "nd
live 1.' $ields powered by geotherm"l energy. !he ."#hines de#l"red this b"se& pop+
ul"rly termed D3ew Eion&D to be " viol"tion o$ the tru#e& "nd revo:ed EionFs privilege o$
re#ruiting hum"ns who reCe#t the ."tri simul"tion.
."#hine $or#es moved swi$tly to neutr"lize EionFs systems within the ."tri& "#hieving
r"pid e"rly su##ess. Eion oper"tives $ound themselves under "tt"#: by Agents "ny+
where outside o$ the %i#hl"nd slums.
1 'luribus 3eo beg"n e"mining possible w"ys in whi#h they #ould stri:e b"#: "t the
."#hines& possible outside o$ the simul"tion itsel$. Con#erned lest Eion $"ll to the ."+
#hines& the (id o$$ered to "ssist Eion hover#r"$t& under $ire $rom hostile *entinel p"trols.
!he .erovingi"n threw " p"rty& glo"ting over the possibilities $or pro$it opened up by
the return o$ the w"r between Eion "nd the ."#hines.
Eion "ttempted to put "n emergen#y $irew"ll system in pl"#e to prote#t their networ: in+
ter$"#es $rom the ."#hines& but the ."#hines )ui#:ly byp"ssed the new *ystem& "nd
inserted vir"l routines into the Eion networ:& imp"iring their #ommuni#"tion system.
As " $"ll+b"#: pl"n& Eion est"blished " tempor"ry networ: uplin:& th"t they #ould use to
get d"t" dire#tly out o$ the simul"tion.
!he ."#hines beg"n "tt"#:ing Eionite etr"#tion points& see:ing to prevent Eion $rom
DunpluggingD more hum"ns $rom the pods.
!he .erovingi"n stole tunnel m"pping d"t" $rom Eion& "nd used this in$orm"tion to
:eep the ?ener"lFs *entinels $rom being $ound by ."#hine p"trols in the %e"l. !he
.erovingi"n in$ormed the ?ener"l th"t he must st"y within #ert"in design"ted "re"s& or
be shut down by "n override #omm"nd.
-n the ."tri& the .erovingi"n veri$ied the "llegi"n#e o$ other power$ul 1iles& in#luding
Nttri& Amber& Cerule"n& ."d"me !& "nd the Auditor. !he 1ile n"med *ynn insisted on
more prote#tion $rom Agent intrusion.
Cypherites #ontinued ste"ling in$orm"tion $rom Eionite d"t" #lusters& despite in#re"sed
resist"n#e $rom Eion.
108
Eion m"n"ged to get sensitive bro"d#"st #ontrol d"t" out o$ the simul"tion th"n:s to in+
tervention by the .erovingi"n& who sent 9eirn to stop the ."#hine Agent thre"tening
EionFs uplin: port"l. ,ith the preserved d"t"& Eion w"s "ble to :eep their bro"d#"st
#ontrol system essenti"lly int"#t& "lthough be#"use it is now sh"red $rom ship to ship&
their hover#r"$t must rise #loser to the sur$"#e to send sign"ls into the ."tri.
Eion $in"lly tr"#:ed down 7"elyn& " Cypherite spy whoFd been smuggling in$orm"tion to
Veil. !he Cypherites& however& obt"ined the "ddress o$ " Eionite re#ruiting o$$i#i"l $rom
" potenti"l Eion re#ruit& :illed in " #ross$ire with Eion de$enders. !he ."#hines #"p+
tured the o$$i#i"l& "nd then the high+level re#ruiting d"t" to whi#h he h"d "##ess.
.e"nwhile& " $light o$ *entinels disp"t#hed to probe 3ew EionFs de$enses were de"#+
tiv"ted by hidden 1.' #h"rges. !he (id& pointing out the d"nger to even EionFs new
#ity& urged 3iobe to #onsider opening " dire#t o$$ensive "g"inst the ."#hines in the
%e"l& but 3iobe did not seem in#lined to #onsider su#h " g"mble.
!he .erovingi"n& besides t":ing " little time to dis#ipline the unruly .ur"s":i 1ile&
*ynn& be#"me in#re"singly #urious to probe ."#hine #"p"bilities. An "tt"#: by the
!wins "nd oper"tives "t " le"ding 7owntown #omp"ny& .et"#orte& provo:ed only "
rel"tively me"ger ."#hine response. 7eigning to )uestion the Or"#le& the 6ren#hm"n
w"s told th"t Dpower isnFt everything&D "nd w"s prompted to loo: "round $or himsel$.
Auestioning the .orpheus simul"#rum& who reiter"ted the widespre"d story o$ " ."+
#hine #iviliz"tion powered by hum"ns tr"pped in pods& #ombined with " $orm o$ $usion&
the .erovingi"n w"s stru#: by the l"#: o$ :ey $"#tu"l d"t" to support the story.
Armed with lists o$ potenti"l "w":ening subCe#ts #"ptured $rom Eion& the ."#hines "g+
gressively pursued Eion etr"#tion "nd re#ruiting oper"tions. One bluepill in p"rti#ul"r&
3"vin ."noh"r& w"s "rrested& termin"ted& "nd repl"#ed with " spe#i"lly prep"red
bluepill& one p"rti"lly overwritten by " ."#hine progr"m. A$ter being re#on$igured by
oper"tives to resemble the origin"l .r. ."noh"r& the overwritten bluepill w"s sent b"#:
to ."noh"rFs residen#e.
1 'luribus 3eo& "ttempting to s"ve "s m"ny #ompromised potenti"ls $rom the ."+
#hines "s possible& #on$ronted "nd eventu"lly etr"#ted %"#hel 7un:ir:& $riend o$ " wo+
m"n n"med *"r"h 1dmontons& who h"d dis"ppe"red $rom " hospit"l sever"l ye"rs
e"rlier& "pp"rently w"l:ing out under her own power despite h"ving been on li$e sup+
port m"#hines $or over " month with "lmost zero br"inw"ve "#tivity.
Eion strove to s"ve their #ompromised re#ruiting te"ms "nd potenti"l "w":ening sub+
Ce#ts $rom the ."#hines& with some su##ess. !he ."#hines& however& g"ined in$orm"+
tion on the lo#"tion "nd #on$igur"tion o$ the Eion m"in$r"me when they tri#:ed Eion into
"ttempting to etr"#t " subCe#t who h"d se#retly been overwritten with " ."#hine pro+
gr"m designed to eploit " se#urity hole in the red pill tr"#e progr"m.
!he .erovingi"n h"d %"ini "nd *ilver )uestioned "bout $usion "nd biologi#"l power
gener"tionB the )uestions stemmed $rom .orpheusF "##ount o$ hum"ns in the pods
"nd the ."#hine energy sour#e. -n$orm"tion g"thered m"de the .erovingi"n )uestion
the e$$i#ien#y o$ the supposed ."#hine system o$ " $orm o$ $usion #ombined with hu+
109
m"ns "s energy+gener"ting devi#es& "nd he determined to le"rn the truth $or himsel$ by
sending the ?ener"lFs *entinels to s#out the $ields "nd pods.
?host h"d " run+in with '"#e while on " re#ruiting missionB '"#e hinted th"t Dyour pro+
gr"m is #ompromised&D "nd th"t she w"s visiting other Eion potenti"ls.
!he Cypherite #ontroller& Veil& "nd Cypherite oper"tives strove to #ounter EionFs re+
#ruiting e$$orts with 9luepills& "nd su##eeded in putting " number o$ potenti"ls Db"#: to
sleepD with the pills& "lthough one h"d to be $ed the pill by $or#e.
."lph"s "nd sever"l oper"tives won b"#: " $e"ther $rom *er"ph& stolen by *er"phim.
."lph"s epl"ined th"t *er"phFs $e"thers were stripped $rom him "s punishment $or
his betr"y"l o$ the .erovingi"n& in the d"ys when he served the .erovingi"n "s "n en+
$or#er.
3iobe #"me #lose to losing d"t" she w"s "ttempting to res#ue $rom ."#hine #"pture&
but 1 'luribus 3eo oper"tives s"ved her $rom ."#hine $or#es in the ni#: o$ time.
!he .erovingi"n held " Dpe"#e p"rtyD $or "ll oper"tives in !"bor '"r:& but turned it into
" bloodb"th "$ter tempting %edpills $rom "ll org"niz"tions into #lose proimity with
#":e& d"n#ing& "nd Oo:"mi.
!he 1ile le"der 7"me ,hite w"s involved in some wheeling "nd de"ling& $irst getting
" new 1ile progr"m th"t #ontrolled "nim"l emotions stolen $rom her by 'ersephone&
the 1$$e#tu"tor& "nd .erovingi"n oper"tives& "nd then tipping o$$ 1 'luribus 3eo th"t
the .erovingi"n might h"ve "##ess to det"iled in$orm"tion on ."#hine power lines in
the %e"l& in e#h"nge $or in$orm"tion they g"ve her& obt"ined $rom Cypherites& "bout "
mysterious D.r. ?.D
As it turned out& D.r. ?.D w"s -t"rrot& " long+missing Cypherite o$$i#er. 5"ving serious
%*- trouble due to $ried systems on his hiC"#:ed hover#r"$t& -t"rrot w"s $ound "nd res+
#ued by Cypherite oper"tives& "nd restored to his old position on CryptosF hover#r"$t&
D!he 9lue 7re"mer.D
!he Cypherites "lso res#ued the #rew o$ the *olsti#e& held by Eion sin#e trying to de+
$e#t to the Cypherite #"use. Cypherite oper"tives st"ged " p"rty in Club *phin& h"nd+
ing out blue pills "s " distr"#tion& while " te"m o$ high level Cypherite oper"tives bro:e
into the Eion outpost where the #rew w"s held& "nd liber"ted them.
Eion "nd the ."#hines #l"shed in the Eero One #onstru#t& "s Eion #ondu#ted " des+
per"te se"r#h $or " ."#hine h"#:er who w"s thre"tening " vit"l Eion system. 7espite
e$$orts by ."#hine oper"tives "nd Agent '"#e& Eionite oper"tives m"n"ged to lo#"te
the h"#:er "nd disrupt his e$$orts. A$ter this su##ess& the "ssembled Eionites "tt"#:ed
Agent '"#e en m"sse& tempor"rily d"m"ging her %*- "nd $or#ing her to retre"t $rom
the #onstru#t. ?host w"rned& however& th"t EionFs systems were still under he"vy ."+
#hine "tt"#: on multiple $ronts& "nd th"t it would be vit"l to get "ll o$ these systems
tr"ns$erred to the s"$ety o$ EionFs new #ity.
110
!hapter A98
#ostilities
Eion turns to e+Eionite spe#i"list 7"nielle ,right when the ."#hines #ompromise their
red pill progr"m. ,right develops " new& se#ure pill $or Eion& but is :illed by the ."#hines&
who use her hidden& dire#t "##ess to Eion to insert " virus into EionFs m"in$r"me& while "
Cypherite spy destroys EionFs #omm"nd #enter with " bomb. !he .erovingi"n $inds th"t
the ."#hines do rely on hum"ns $or power& with regul"r pod #enters "#ross the otherwise
b"rren sur$"#e o$ the pl"net& "nd h"ve b"rely enough energy to run the ."tri "nd their
own #ity.
Eion turned to 7"nielle ,right& the e+Eionite "nd m"stermind behind the elite
D,right %ese"r#hD te#hnology #omp"ny& $or "id in #oding " new red pill progr"m
th"t would not be vulner"ble to the eploit the ."#hines used to g"ther d"t" on the
Eion m"in$r"me.
,ith their re#ruiting progr"m in gre"t d"nger due to ."#hine d"t" #"ptures& Eion
#ontinued their "ttempts to s"ve #ompromised potenti"ls $rom the ."#hines& st"+
ging " l"rge distr"#tion ne"r the government building in !"bor ,est while " sm"ll
te"m res#ued two potenti"ls held under *ystem gu"rd.
!he ."#hines& h"ving re#eived indi#"tions th"t the ?ener"lFs *entinels& dire#ted by
the .erovingi"n& were "ppro"#hing the 6ields "nd pods ne"r the ."#hine #ity&
beg"n oper"tions "g"inst the .erovingi"n with the "im o$ $or#ing him to re#"ll the
?ener"l. !he Auditor w"s ordered to #e"se "uditing .erovingi"n #ode& "nd the in+
$orm"tion+g"therer 5yp"ti"& who h"s given the .erovingi"n use$ul in$orm"tion in
the p"st& w"s "rrested. !he ."#hines met with less su##ess when they tried shut+
ting down the rel"y the .erovingi"n uses to #ommuni#"te with the ?ener"l& how+
ever& "s they $ound th"t the .erovingi"n "lre"dy h"d "t le"st one b"#:up system in
pl"#e.
."#hine oper"tives& $inding th"t Eionite hover#r"$t h"d destroyed " s#"nning
be"#on used to return d"t" on the 1"rthFs depths& $ound "n old hum"n probe th"t
#ould serve "s " tempor"ry repl"#ement& "nd then lo#"ted "n eiled progr"m #"p+
"ble o$ #ommuni#"ting with the probe. Agent ?r"y permitted the progr"m to return
to servi#e in order to dire#t the probe. ?r"y "lso #onsented to the est"blishment o$
" r"n:ing s#heme in order to org"nize "nd motiv"te ."#hinist hover#r"$t oper"+
tions.
!he .erovingi"n re#eived s#outing reports $rom the ?ener"lFs *entinels with estim+
"tes o$ the hum"n popul"tion held by the 6ields "nd pods ne"r the ."#hine #ity.
!ogether with d"t" g"thered within the simul"tion on birth "nd de"th r"tes& the .er+
ovingi"n "#hieved " rough estim"te o$ " possible tot"l ."tri hum"n popul"tion& but
suspe#ted th"t the $igures were too low& not to mention in#ongruous& "nd s"id th"t
they would h"ve to #ontinue their investig"tion until the numbers "dded up.
6inding the ?ener"l hunted by ."#hine *entinels on the 1"rthFs sur$"#e& the .er+
ovingi"n sent oper"tives to dr"w the "ttention o$ the ."#hines in the simul"tion by
111
"tt"#:ing import"nt $"#ilities "#ross the #ity. .e"nwhile& .erovingi"n hover#r"$t
helped dr"w o$$ *entinels& "nd the ?ener"l m"n"ged to es#"pe dete#tion.
1 'luribus 3eo& #onsidering " stri:e on the power lines le"ding $rom the pods to the
."#hine #ity& stole m"pping d"t" on the "re" $rom the .erovingi"n.
!he Cypherites& $eeling th"t the .erovingi"n w"s "##essing in$orm"tion on the sim+
ul"tion th"t #ould be d"ngerous to the hum"ns sleeping in the pods& investig"ted
one o$ his in$orm"tion sour#es& the Coroner& who led them to d"t" held by his
nemesis& 5yp"ti". !he d"t" pointed the Cypherites to " hidden #onstru#t housing
some o$ the ?ener"lFs 1lite Comm"ndo progr"ms& whi#h the Cypherites de$e"ted
"$ter " $ier#e b"ttle.
7"nielle ,right su##eeded in #re"ting " new red pill progr"m $or Eion& "$ter some
prelimin"ry less+th"n+su##ess$ul test runs. 6or#ed to move her "#tivities
underground when the ."#hines dis#overed her wor:& ,right& $inding Cypherites
"ttempting to de#ode her en#rypted C"#:+in sign"l& de#ided to le"ve the simul"tion
$or good& telling Eion oper"tives th"t there w"s wor: she h"d to do& but she #ould
no longer do it in the #ity. *he "lso reCe#ted invit"tions $rom oper"tives "nd even
Comm"nder Lo#: to see: re$uge in EionFs new #ity& s"ying th"t her go"ls di$$ered
$rom theirs.
!he .erovingi"n l"un#hed " sm"ll urb"n terror #"mp"ign designed to dissu"de the
."#hines $rom "ttempting to h"mper his v"rious in$orm"tion+g"thering "#tivities.
1ven so& *entinel p"trols "round the pods "nd 6ields on the 1"rthFs sur$"#e $or#ed
the ?ener"l to pull his $or#es b"#:.
.e"nwhile& the .erovingi"n dis#overed 1 'luribus 3eoFs the$t o$ the ?ener"lFs
m"ps o$ the "re" "round the 6ields. 'i)ued& the .erovingi"n loo:ed into the m"tter&
"nd& $inding th"t 1'3 intended to use the m"ps to #ondu#t " r"id on the power lines
le"ding $rom the pods into the ."#hine #ity& #on#on#ted "n el"bor"te pl"n designed
to pinpoint the position o$ the 1'3 stri:e $or#e& "nd send this d"t" to the ."#hines.
!his plot su##eeded& "nd despite deton"ting str"tegi# #ode pulse devi#es "#ross
the #ity to disrupt ."#hine #ommuni#"tion& the 1'3 "tt"#: r"n into "n
overwhelming *entinel presen#e w"iting $or them "t the power lines& "nd w"s
$or#ed to retre"t without h"ving re"#hed their intended t"rget.
5"ving resolved th"t m"tter to his s"tis$"#tion& the .erovingi"n turned his "ttention
b"#: to eploring the ."#hine power b"se& "nd used " modi$ied red pill progr"m to
tr"#e " bluepillFs body to " previously un:nown set o$ pods $"rther "w"y $rom the
."#hine #ity.
Eion beg"n distributing the new red pill progr"ms to their re#ruiting te"ms& "nd to
their "llies in 1 'luribus 3eo& but this distribution met with opposition $rom
Cypherites& "nd the ."#hines.
-nvestig"ting reports o$ *entinels hovering suspi#iously "round the #ity o$ Eion& 1
'luribus 3eo& th"n:s to " b"rg"in stru#: with 'epper& w"s "ble to #"pture ."#hine
d"t" showing th"t the *entinels $ormed " thin #o#oon "round Eion++" ne"rly per$e#t
spheri#"l distribution. !hese *entinels& however& would ev"de Eion or 1'3 ships&
r"ther th"n "ttempting to eng"ge them in #omb"t& "nd the (id epressed #on#ern
over wh"t might lie behind this unepe#ted beh"vior
112
!he ."#hines investig"ted ,rightFs business& ,right %ese"r#h& "nd $ound th"t
they h"d wor:ed #losely with " sm"ll #omp"ny& Argent 9iometri#s& spe#i"lizing in
en#ryption "#ross biologi#"l inter$"#es simil"r to th"t used by ,right on her own
C"#:+in sign"l. 7is#overing th"t Argent 9iometri#s w"s " #over #omp"ny set up by
the 1ile& *ilver& the ."#hines tr"#:ed& pursued& "nd #on$ronted *ilver& dem"nding
the :ey to ,rightFs sign"l en#ryption& "nd thre"tening to delete "ll o$ *ilverFs
rese"r#h i$ he did not #ooper"te. *ilver grudgingly h"nded over the re)uired
in$orm"tion.
,hen the .erovingi"n le"rned o$ *ilverFs de"l with the ."#hines& he sent
oper"tives& "nd Oo:"mi& to punish *ilver by wiping out sever"l o$ *ilverFs l"bs in
C"mon 5eights. *ummoning *ilver to Club *phin& the .erovingi"n "ngrily
reminded him th"t no #ommer#e w"s to be #ondu#ted with the ."#hines without
his permission& "nd $in"lly "llowed oper"tives to delete the unrepent"nt rese"r#her&
s"ying th"t he #ould be restored $rom " b"#:up #opy& possibly "$ter modi$ying his
#ode to m":e him less intr"#t"ble.
!he ?ener"lFs *entinel s#outs& r"nging $urther "#ross the 1"rthFs de"d sur$"#e&
reported more hum"n pod #lusters& "rr"nged in " rough grid p"ttern& roughly /00 to
/;0 :ilometers "p"rt. .e"nwhile& the 1ile *unshine w"s #onsulted& "nd estim"ted
th"t& t":ing the #ooling o$ the 1"rthFs #lim"te due to the perpetu"l storm #louds into
#onsider"tion& the ."#hines might be "ble to use "bout ///=th o$ the 1"rthFs
sur$"#e $or pod #lusters. ."lph"s #"l#ul"ted th"t this #ould me"n the ."#hines
h"ve "bout 400 million people in pods worldwide& but the .erovingi"n $elt th"t
something still w"snFt "dding up.
Oper"tives tr"#:ed " power$ul 1ile progr"m& #"lled D-n#iden#e ;.99/D by the
."#hines& "nd $ound it using de#eptive simul"#r" to retrieve d"t" $rom hidden
nodes. !hese simul"#r" were deleted without retrieving their d"t" in time& but more
nodes were believed to eist.
-n$orm"tion w"s s:et#hy& but "v"il"ble det"ils indi#"ted "t le"st two ne"rly
simult"neous "#ts o$ de"dly s"bot"ge in the old #ity o$ Eion& be"ring simil"rities to
p"st Cypherite "tt"#:s: " hiC"#:ed hover#r"$t r"mmed the m"in g"te to the #ityFs
do#:& "nd shortly there"$ter& "ll #ommuni#"tion with Eion Comm"nd w"s #ut o$$&
$ollowing wh"t m"y h"ve been " l"rge eplosion in the #omm"nd $"#ility.
At "bout the s"me time& the ."#hines were sending " virus dire#tly into EionFs
m"in$r"me& using " devi#e #"ptured $rom 7"nielle ,rightFs l"b ne"r the 1"rthFs
sur$"#e& whi#h the ."#hines lo#"ted by tr"#:ing her bro"d#"st sign"l& whose
en#ryption they h"d unlo#:ed. ,right hersel$& in her l"st :nown "ppe"r"n#e in the
."tri& rem"ined #h"r"#teristi#"lly #"lm when #on$ronted by the triumph"nt
."#hinesB she #oll"psed& li$eless& "s *entinels disp"t#hed her body in the %e"l.
*ever"l d"ys l"ter& ?host pursued rumors "bout the s"bot"ge th"t h"d t":en pl"#e
in Eion& $inding strong indi#"tions o$ Cypherite involvement& in #oll"bor"tion with the
."#hines. ?host w"rned oper"tives not to try re"#hing the old #ity with their
hover#r"$t& "s it w"s now entirely in$ested by *entinels. A number o$ Eion hover#r"$t
h"ve been missing sin#e the "tt"#: on the #ityB EionFs Comm"nder Lo#:& present in
Eion Comm"nd "t the time #ont"#t w"s lost& h"s "lso not been $ound.
%eports to the .erovingi"n $rom the ?ener"lFs *entinel s#outs& r"nging $"rther
113
"#ross the sur$"#e o$ the 1"rth& indi#"ted regul"r "rr"ys o$ sm"ll pod #lusters in "
loose grid+li:e p"ttern "#ross the otherwise li$eless l"nd. !he only signi$i#"nt
v"ri"tion $ound w"s "nother l"rge pod #luster "nd set o$ hum"n+growing 6ields over
=000 miles "w"y& $rom whi#h power #"bles led o$$ into the dist"n#eB #ont"#t to the
s#ount sending this report w"s lost& however& "nd the rem"inder were re#"lled to
preserve them $rom ."#hine p"trols. .erovingi"n estim"tes b"sed on "
#ompil"tion o$ re#ent $indings pl"#ed the ."tri popul"tion "t "pproim"tely 400
million hum"nsB "##ording to the .erovingi"n& these would s#"r#ely provide
su$$i#ient power $or the ."#hinesF needs.
,ith Lo#: still missing "$ter the destru#tion o$ EionFs old #ity by the ."#hines& C"p+
t"in %ol"nd w"s promoted to Comm"nder o$ EionFs milit"ry.
6ighting over the new red pill progr"ms #ontinued& with ."#hines wor:ing to :eep
the pills out o$ 1 'luribus 3eoFs h"nds. A h"rd b"ttle w"s $ought between the two
groups in ,estview& ending with ."#hinists re#overing some o$ the progr"ms.
Eion& investig"ting Cypherite involvement in the "tt"#:s le"ding to the destru#tion o$
the old #ity& #"ptured some d"t" $rom the Cypherites& "nd de#oded it "$ter $ighting
to g"in "##ess to Cypherite #omputers. !he d"t" #onsisted o$ " brie$ mess"ge
"bout 7"nielle ,right: D,e $ound " neologism $rom ,right: Alph"de#im"l.D Oper"t+
ives beg"n to investig"te i$ this in$orm"tion #ould rel"te to "ny previously dis+
#overed det"ils "bout the mysterious rese"r#her.
A high+level Eionite $ought o$$ .erovingi"n oper"tives while #ompl"ining "bout h"v+
ing to $ind his w"y to 'illsen $or Comm"nder %ol"nd. !he Eionite w"s b"ld& mus#u+
l"r& we"ring " green sleeveless !+shirt& "rm t"ttoos "nd green gl"sses& but his
n"me w"s un:nown.
."#hinists $ound 9rend" <tley touring the he"d)u"rters o$ ,right %ese"r#h in
V"uton. <tley hinted th"t her #omp"ny& #onsumer produ#ts gi"nt 'endhurst+Am"r+
"nth& m"y be interested in "#)uiring the rese"r#h $irm o$ the missing 7"nielle
,right.
!he Or"#le bumped into " $ew oper"tives o$ v"rious org"niz"tions in 7owntown& in+
viting them to "n impromptu pi#ni# in One Eero& where they dis#ussed pe"#e& w"r&
"nd e#onomi#s while mun#hing $reshly b":ed #oo:ies.
114
!hapter A9;
%vacuation
*entinels "tt"#: EionFs #rippled #ity& $or#ing Eion to "b"ndon it. EionFs Comm"nder Lo#: is
missing. %ol"nd& whose ship w"s destroyed in the "tt"#:& is promoted to repl"#e Lo#:.
%ol"ndFs #rew member Colt be#omes " Eion #"pt"inB "nother #rew member& ."user& thought
to h"ve been :illed& is seen on *entinel surveill"n#e t"pes helping Lo#: es#"pe through
rubble in Eion. !he ."#hines use d"t" #"ptured $rom EionFs m"in$r"me& unlo#:ed $or them by
the #on$used .orpheus simul"#rum& to hunt down "nd :ill veter"n Eion oper"tives. !he
.erovingi"n $inds eviden#e o$ the ."#hines removing live hum"ns $rom the pod system.
Colt& C"pt"in %ol"ndFs $irst+m"te& newly promoted to #"pt"in sin#e %ol"ndFs own pro+
motion to Eion Comm"nder in pl"#e o$ the missing Lo#:& helped dire#t oper"tives in
he"ding o$$ "tt"#:s on Eion d"t" stores by both ."#hines "nd .erovingi"n 1iles. Colt
des#ribed the destru#tion o$ %ol"ndFs ship& its systems $ried by $eedb"#: when the ."+
#hines destroyed the old Eion m"in$r"me. 5e $e"red th"t some o$ his #rewm"tes& in+
#luding ."user "nd A(& h"d not survived the #r"sh& or the sw"rm o$ *entinels "round
old Eion& where the ship went down.
!he ."#hines #"ptured some potenti"lly use$ul d"t" $rom the Eion m"in$r"me: " three+
ye"r+old "r#hive o$ oper"tive %*- sign"tures. !he d"t" #ould be used to lo#: the :nown
oper"tiveFs sign"l& "nd prevent their emergen#y C"#:+out system $rom $un#tioning& m":+
ing " de"th in the simul"tion truly $"t"lB however& the "r#hive w"s neur"lly en#rypted&
"nd would unlo#: only when re#eiving sign"ls m"t#hing the br"inw"ve p"tterns o$
those who DsignedD it: Lo#:& or .orpheus. Attempting to solve this problem& the ."+
#hines #onstru#ted their own #rude simul"#rum o$ .orpheus $rom "v"il"ble d"t"& but it
w"s $ound l"#:ing in #orre#t hum"n responses& "nd w"s s#heduled $or tr"ining by op+
er"tives.
*ome o$ the ?ener"lFs *entinels were "mong the sw"rm in on the s"#: o$ Eion& "nd
#"ught glimpses o$ Lo#: "nd "nother m"n $leeing through the wre#:"ge. A$ter #"ptur+
ing ."#hine *entinel reports det"iling whi#h Eion ships were present in the vi#inity "t
the time& the .erovingi"nFs rese"r#hers identi$ied the other m"n "s ."user& $rom %o+
l"ndFs #rew. 3either Lo#: nor ."user h"ve been seen sin#e.
Colt "nd ?host& "nti#ip"ting th"t the ."#hines might try to use the ?ener"lFs .orpheus
simul"#rum to unlo#: the #"ptured %*- d"t"& led Eion oper"tives in their own pre+empt+
ive se"r#h $or the sim& but it proved elusive& "nd he"vy Agent "tt"#:s prohibited $urther
pursuit.
!he e+<nlimit& 9eirn& dis#overed A,OL 1lite Comm"ndo progr"ms in the white h"ll+
w"ys. 6"iling to #"ll them b"#: to duty under the ?ener"l "nd the .erovingi"n& 9eirn
disposed o$ the rebel progr"ms on h"nd& but& tired o$ the disorienting m"ze o$ h"llw"ys&
le$t the others to their own devi#es.
!he .erovingi"n "mbushed the ."#hine .orpheus simul"#rum& hoping to etr"#t
some use$ul d"t" $rom it. Although he m"n"ged to #o" it into " st"rtling displ"y o$
some o$ .orpheusF old #odes& he $ound its #omprehension highly limited& "nd "pp"r+
115
ently in#"p"ble o$ giving him the :ind o$ in$orm"tion he w"s "$terB he seemed "lmost
relieved when the ."#hines re#"ptured it.
."#hine oper"tives led the sim through re+#re"tions o$ s#enes $rom its memory& hop+
ing to "ttune its mind to the st"te ne#ess"ry to m"t#h the re"l .orpheusF br"in p"t+
terns& "nd unlo#: the %*- "r#hive. 9ut the simFs re#"ll o$ "nd re"#tion to the events
w"s sh":y& "nd in the end it $"iled to "##ess the "r#hive. Agent '"#e h"d oper"tives
delete it.
!he 6urih"t"+b"sed redpill n"med D?r"#eD w"s $ound by Cypherites& pursuing *ilver
7r"gon g"ng members "#ross the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t. ,ith help $rom the oper"tives&
she eventu"lly $ound wh"t she w"s "$ter: d"t" #on$irming th"t hers w"s "mong the %*-
sign"tures in the "r#hive #"ptured by the ."#hines. ?r"#e& on#e " Eionite& but now in+
dependent& worried th"t she would h"ve di$$i#ulty obt"ining the $irmw"re ne#ess"ry to
re#on$igure her bro"d#"st sign"l.
6ollowing " tip $rom the Or"#le& the .erovingi"n $ound eviden#e th"t the e"rly& pre+,"r
."#hines were mu#h simpler& "nd l"#:ing in #ompleity. 5e pondered whether this
#ould h"ve led to their reli"n#e on hum"ns.
.erovingi"n oper"tives $ound 'ersephone in " libr"ry in the Ch"te"u. *he re"d them
poems by *winburne de"ling with love& loss& "nd de"th. *omething $rom her p"st
seemed to weigh upon her mind.
9oth Eion "nd the ."#hines pursued the .orpheus simul"#rum& "ttempting to win it
over to their point o$ view rel"tive to the d"ngerous in$orm"tion& #"ptured $rom EionFs
de"d m"in$r"me& th"t it #ould possibly unlo#: $or the ."#hines. 9ut it "ppe"red unsure
o$ wh"t it should do& "nd even " $"#e+to+$"#e meeting with 3iobe $"iled to persu"de it
to #ommit itsel$ one w"y or the other.
1 'luribus 3eo spo:e to the Or"#le "nd *er"ph "bout the simul"#rum& but the Or"#le
w"s e#eption"lly v"gue on the topi#& "lthough she seemed very $"mili"r with the sim.
*ee:ing more in$orm"tion on how the ."#hines might possibly be $or#ed to give up
power $rom the ."tri& 1'3 t"rgetted #ode pulse deton"tions on power #enters in
,estview "nd 7owntown& #on$irming th"t simul"tion power #on#entr"tion is higher in
the 7owntown "re"& despite the presen#e o$ power pl"nt $"#ilities in ,estview.
!he .orpheus simul"#rum bro:e the en#ryption on the %*- sign"ture d"t"b"se the
."#hines h"d #"ptured $rom the Eion m"in$r"me. Eion veter"ns whose sign"tures
were on the list ev"#u"ted the ."tri to "void sign"l+lo#: "nd termin"tionB 3iobe "nd
?host were "mong them.
!he Cypherite #ontroller& Veil& led sever"l "ss"ssin"tion missions "g"inst
#ompromised Eionite veter"ns. A$ter one o$ these she w"s opposed by Colt& EionFs
rem"ining r"n:ing $ield o$$i#er& "s well "s other Eionites "nd .erovingi"n oper"tives
who #onverged on the s#ene. Colt "lso led " mission to res#ue d"t" $rom " Eion
org"niz"tion "re" to whi#h the #"ptured "r#hive h"d opened up "##ess $or the
."#hines.
!he .erovingi"n tr"#:ed down "nd summoned the pod subroutine who h"d been in
116
#h"rge o$ overseeing the v"nished bluepill& ."ry ."#5enry& but the subroutine re$used
to #ooper"te. <ndeterred& the .erovingi"n "rr"nged to h"ve its log $iles stolen& "nd
$ound th"t the ."#hines h"d subCe#ted ."#5enry to vigorous physi#"l re#onditioning
be$ore removing her $rom her pod.
!he 1$$e#tu"tor snu#: " te"m o$ .erovingi"n oper"tives into " ."#hine detention
blo#: where they res#ued 5yp"ti"& returning her to the #ity $or some s#heme o$ the
.erovingi"nFs.
Eion tried desper"tely to get its l"st sign"ture+#ompromised oper"tives out o$ the
."tri be$ore they #ould be termin"ted by the ."#hines. 9e$ore he #"n be led to "n
eit& oper"tive *trenlo& who st"yed in the ."tri trying to s"ve import"nt in$orm"tion
b"#:ed up $rom the lost Eion m"in$r"me& is termin"ted by Agents. Eion su##eeded&
however& in ev"#u"ting loner Joshu" ."ston& "n e+Eionite who h"s been wor:ing to
#ontinue .orpheusF leg"#y inside the ."tri. 9e$ore "llowing himsel$ to be ev"#u"ted&
."ston told Eion th"t while he w"s gr"te$ul $or their help& he would le"ve them "$ter
they re#on$igured his %*- sign"ture to prote#t him "g"inst sign"l lo#: "nd termin"tion.
'ersephone re#"lled " time during her wor: $or the ."#hines "t the pods when "
hum"n w"s removed& where the log $iles were very simil"r to those th"t h"ve been
$ound #on#erning the mysteriously v"nished ."ry ."#5enry. 5yp"ti"& to return the
$"vor $or her res#ue $rom the ."#hines& put the .erovingi"n in tou#h with the Ar#hivist
*o#iety& who #ould not $ind in$orm"tion on the spe#i$i# in#ident re#"lled by
'ersephone& but were "ble to loo: up yet "nother simil"r in#ident& this one h"ving
o##urred during the $irst version o$ the ."tri. *te"ling the $ingered in$orm"tion $rom
the ."#hines& the .erovingi"n $ound log $iles des#ribing the simult"neous live
dis#onne#tion o$ $ourteen individu"ls $rom the pods.
*uddenly "nd inepli#"bly& on the verge o$ #ompletely in#"p"#it"ting EionFs oper"tions
within the ."tri through termin"tion or $or#ed C"#:+out o$ ne"rly "ll o$ their veter"n
oper"tives& the ."#hines re#"lled their $or#es& both inside the ."tri "nd in the %e"l.
9e$ore retre"ting himsel$& the ?ener"l sent " bro"d#"st to the .erovingi"n& hurriedly
reporting " l"rge number o$ ."#hine *entinels t":ing up positions "round the ."#hine
#ity& "nd "nother l"rge $orm"tion o$ *entinels "ppro"#hing.
!he 1ile :nown "s 7igger showed some oper"tives " dungeon room hidden in the
tunnels deep below %"wlins Corner& epl"ining th"t he believed it to be " dire#t #ode
re+#re"tion o$ " room $rom the se#ond version o$ the ."tri. 7igger "nd the oper"tives
"lso eng"ged in some spe#ul"tion "s to ."#hine m"nipul"tion o$ symbols $rom the
9oo: o$ ?enesis& "long the lines o$ theories propounded by philosopher Ludwig
Andre"s 6euerb"#h& "nd the possibility o$ multiple ."tri simul"tions running one
inside the other. Among other ide"s $lo"ted& ?re"t,yrm suggested th"t the 1"rthFs
ruined s:y #ould be #omp"red to the $l"ming sword set down to prohibit m"n $rom re+
entering the bibli#"l ?"rden o$ 1den.
A number o$ oper"tives went on " tour o$ the Ouroboros #orpor"te he"d)u"rters in
Creston 5eights& #ondu#ted by "n irrit"tingly #hipper& yet somewh"t ev"sive& tour
guide. *ever"l odd pie#es o$ in$orm"tion #"me to light "bout the gi"nt ele#troni#s
m"nu$"#turer.
."#hine oper"tives were #ont"#ted by " Eionite n"med Cp"hr& hoping they would
return to him " person"l digit"l "ssist"nt progr"m heFd lost when the ."#hines s"#:ed
117
the old Eion m"in$r"me. <pon interrog"tion& it "ppe"red th"t the progr"m& EA-!*O&
might h"ve some :nowledge o$ previous #onvers"tions with the 1'3 le"der& the (id.
Oper"tives de#ided to :eep EA-!*O $or $urther )uestioning& mu#h to the sensitive
Cp"hrFs dism"y.
Eionites "ttempted to ev"#u"te " veter"n oper"tive& Viell"rd& #ompromised by the %*-
"r#hive the ."#hines h"d #"ptured $rom the Eion m"in$r"me. ."#hine progr"ms
$ormed " #ordon "t the ne"rest h"rdline& however& "nd Viell"rd& "ttempting to ev"de
the #ordon& w"s #"ught by the ."#hine oper"tive 7"rC"ri"n& "nd :illed by ."#hine
oper"tive *t"rs#hw"r.
118
!hapter B9:
Intrusion
A glowing DintruderD "ppe"rs in the #ity& inst"ntly :illing Agents who try to stop him. 5e w"nts
in$orm"tion $rom Eion. !he ."#hines pull b"#: their $or#es in the %e"l& "nd try to prevent the
intruder $rom m":ing #ont"#t with Eion& but re$use to "tt"#: him dire#tlyB they eventu"lly "dmit
th"t he is " $reeborn hum"n& with some dire#t #ontrol over the ."tri through Doverride
#odes.D !he .erovingi"n tries to win the intruder over. 'luribus 3eo moves into the wre#:"ge
o$ EionFs old #ity.
A l"rge m"n #omposed o$ " glowing wire$r"me mesh "ppe"red "t As#ension
.onument& termin"ting " s)u"d o$ Agents who #on$ronted him be$ore dis"ppe"ring
into the 9"rrens.
!he ."#hines pulled b"#: their $or#es within the simul"tion "nd in the %e"l&
#on#entr"ting on lo#"ting "nd epelling the mysterious intruder. 5owever& he
demonstr"ted the "bility to delete or override their progr"ms "t will& #on$ounding their
"ttempts to de"l with him by $or#e. 5e w"s less domin"ting when #on$ronted by
oper"tives& but they $ound him to be etremely power$ulB he "ppe"red more "mused
th"n #on#erned when de"ling with their "ttempts to #ontrol him.
!he other org"niz"tions "lso pursued the intruder& interested in both his power "nd his
purpose. 1 'luribus 3eo retrieved str"nge #odes le$t behind by the intruder& some with
the "bility to in$luen#e l"rge "re"s o$ the simul"tion. Eion too: some o$ these #odes to
the Auditor& who& h"ving "n"lyzed them& be#"me "git"ted& s"ying th"t they shouldnFt
be in the ."tri "t "ll. ,hen Eion "s:ed the Or"#le $or in$orm"tion on the mysterious
m"n& she responded ev"sively& "ppe"ring to :now more th"n she w"s willing to s"y
"bout him.
,hen #on$ronted by Cypherites& the intruder #ountered them with overridden ."#hine
progr"ms. -n " l"ter oper"tion& Cypherites& led by Veil& stopped Eionites $rom m":ing
#ont"#t with the intruder.
!he .erovingi"n& hoping to use the intruderFs power& tr"#:ed him down with the
epensive "ssist"n#e o$ the in$orm"tion epert& Cerule"n. Attempting to impress the
str"nger with displ"ys o$ power "nd in$luen#e& the .erovingi"n introdu#ed him to
Cerule"n& ."lph"s& Oo:"mi& "nd 5yp"ti"& but the intruder& while hinting "t some
$"mili"rity with 1ile progr"ms "nd ."tri history& seemed only mildly interested.
Attempts by .erovingi"n oper"tives to win the intruder over met with e)u"lly lu:ew"rm
su##ess& "s he "ppe"red to reg"rd their #l"ims o$ .erovingi"n might with gre"t
s:epti#ism.
Eion& using d"t" retrieved $rom intruder #odes& $ound " w"y to #ont"#t the mysterious
m"n by h"#:ing into l"ndlines& "nd m"n"ged to get " mess"ge through to him& despite
."#hine C"mming "ttempts. 5is brie$ reply indi#"ted some interest in he"ring $rom the
Eionites.
1 'luribus "lso used the l"ndline eploit to re"#h the intruder with " mess"ge& "nd
were "ble to meet with him deep below the #ity streets. 5e )uestioned them "bout their
pl"ns to #omb"t the ."#hines& seeming s:epti#"l o$ their #h"n#es.
Cypherites showed #on#ern th"t the intruderFs high pro$ile w"s disturbing #itizens o$
119
the simul"tion. Cryptos led oper"tives in " pl"n designed to disrupt "ttempts by 1
'luribus 3eo "nd Eion to re"#h the intruder& with p"rti"l su##essB the intruder displ"yed
" b"$$ling mi o$ interest "nd disinterest in oper"tive "$$"irs.
!he .erovingi"n h"d 1lite Comm"ndos brought into the ."tri to demonstr"te his
milit"ry #"p"bilities to the intruder& who w"s mildly interestedB however& " $urther
demonstr"tion& " b"ttle between #omm"ndos "nd .erovingi"n oper"tives& bored the
intruder& who wiped out the #omm"ndo progr"ms& mu#h to the ?ener"lFs disple"sure.
!he intruder met with 3iobe& "nd epressed "n interest in EionFs rebellion "g"inst the
."#hines. 5e l"ter met with Eion oper"tives& "s:ing m"ny )uestions "bout their
de$enses& "rm"ments& "nd pl"ns $or #omb"ting the ."#hines.
!he ."#hine poli#y o$ "voiding the intruder while preventing other org"niz"tions $rom
#ont"#ting him be#"me $rustr"ting to their own oper"tives. Agent '"#e epl"ined th"t
the intruder is inetri#"bly lin:ed with highly sensitive *ystem in$orm"tion th"t
"bsolutely #"nnot be #ompromised. *he "lso s"id th"t be#"use the ."tri w"s not
designed to support his #ode& his presen#e within the simul"tion is #"using problemsB
be#"use they #"nnot remove him dire#tly& they will h"ve to wor: to minimize his imp"#t
on the simul"tion "s mu#h "s possible& while "voiding "ggr"v"ting him $urther.
Cypherites loo:ed into how the intruder might be entering the simul"tion. Although they
#ouldnFt $ind out i$ he w"s using some sort o$ un:nown C"#:+in te#hnology& )uestioning
the Auditor reve"led th"t the intruderFs #ode is " higher version th"n the ."tri itsel$.
!he .erovingi"n "ttempted to impress the intruder with 'ersephone "nd v"rious
simul"ted delights& but while the intruder seemed interested in the possibility o$ the
.erovingi"nFs use$ulness& he did not respond enthusi"sti#"lly to the progr"mmed
tempt"tions.
!he .erovingi"n st"ged " p"rty in the 5el Club& "nd su##eeded in getting the intruder
to "ppe"r& "lthough he seemed more interested in loo:ing "round "nd sp"rring with
oper"tives th"n in light #onvers"tion.
1 'luribus 3eo beg"n moving their ships into the "b"ndoned& wre#:ed #ity now :nown
"s DOldD Eion& where they h"ve initi"ted pl"ns to improve the de$enses so th"t the #ity&
$"irly #lose to the ."#hine #ity itsel$& #"n be used "s " $orw"rd b"se.
120
!hapter B98
Interface
!he intruder pumps Eion $or in$orm"tion "bout their history. 1'3 begins to $orti$y EionFs old
#ity& "nd $ind Comm"nder Lo#: lying wounded in " hidden l"b "t the sur$"#e. Lo#: s"ys he
w"s s"ved by ."user& who died de$ending him $rom *entinels. !he ."#hines try to #onvin#e
the intruder to le"ve. 5e be#omes in#re"singly $rustr"ted& "nd dem"nds th"t the ."#hines
give him " Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m.D !hey #l"im th"t only one eists& "nd it is not in the
."tri. !he .erovingi"n se"r#hes $or progr"ms the intruder might be willing to tr"de $or&
without su##ess.
!he power$ul intruder e"mined the .orpheus simul"#rum& m"de dem"nds to the
Ar#hite#t& pumped Eion "nd 1'3 $or in$orm"tion on 3eo "nd !rinity& "nd te"sed the
?ener"l by displ"ying :nowledge o$ his old D*ee:erD missiles. ,hen Cypherites& opting
$or CryptosF "ppro"#h o$ t"l:ing to him over VeilFs desire to "tt"#: him& "ttempted to
)uestion him& he re$used to "nswer. A$ter most o$ these en#ounters& he le$t power$ul&
hostile progr"ms in his w":e& in#luding " l"rge progr"m th"t pumped out " #ontinuous
stre"m o$ overridden ."#hine $or#es. 1ven the .erovingi"n& snooping through
."#hine $iles& did not m"n"ge to dig up de$inite in$orm"tion on the intruder.
Around the #on$usion #"used by the intruder& the m"n+m"#hine w"r #ontinued& with
1'3 res#uing the #rew o$ their hover#r"$t 5orizon& who h"d been #"ptured while
obt"ining ."#hine m"ps o$ the wre#:ed old Eion #ity& while Cypherites beg"n wor:ing
to hiC"#: the Eion hover#r"$t Juggern"ut& whose etremist #"pt"in h"d been elimin"ting
9luepills& whom he reg"rded "s sub+hum"n.
1'3 dete#ted " Eion+type emergen#y be"#on sign"l #oming $rom the sur$"#e "bove
the old #ity& "nd sent #rews to investig"te.
Cypherites hiC"#:ed the Eion hover#r"$t Juggern"ught& whose #"pt"in& Cin)uez& they
"##used o$ the murder o$ 9luepills who re$used the red pill. !"unted by Cypherite
oper"tives in the ."tri& Cin)uez le"rned o$ the hiC"#:ing "nd m"n"ged to C"#: out "nd
deton"te the hover#r"$t& :illing "ll on bo"rd.
5unting through ."#hine systems& .erovingi"n oper"tives $ound " p"rti"l note o$ "
meeting between the ."#hines "nd the intruder th"t too: pl"#e be$ore the intruder
entered the ."tri& in whi#h the intruder "ppe"red to h"ve re$erred to the ?ener"lFs old
D*t"lingr"dD b"se. !he .erovingi"n #"lled " #on$eren#e on the subCe#t with oper"tives
"nd the ?ener"l& in whi#h it w"s de#ided th"t the presen#e o$ *"ti "t *t"lingr"d "t the
time o$ the ."#hine "tt"#: m"y h"ve been wh"t "ttr"#ted the intruderFs interest.
."#hine oper"tives m"n"ged to re"#h the intruder "nd get him to "gree to " meeting.
At the meeting& he w"s surprised th"t Agent '"#e w"s $em"le& but grew "ngry when
she s"id the ."#hines did not h"ve wh"t he w"s loo:ing $or. !he intruder dem"nded to
meet with the Ar#hite#t& "nd Agent '"#e s"id this would be "rr"nged.
Eion $ound the intruder t":ing #ode re"dings in the slum building where 3eo w"s
"wo:en by .orpheus.
1'3 $ollowed "n emergen#y be"#on to " wre#:ed sur$"#e $"#ility "bove Eion& where
they $ound Comm"nder Lo#:& we": "nd re#overing $rom wounds& but #ons#ious. !hey
ev"#u"ted him to the old #ity.
121
!"iling the intruder& 1'3 $ound him e"mining upper $loors o$ " s:ys#r"per in Center
'"r:. Comments by the intruder suggested th"t it w"s the spot where !rinity h"#:ed
the ."#hine power grid "nd re#eived " $"t"l gunshot wound $rom "n Agent& be$ore
being #"ught "nd mir"#ulously revived by 3eo. !he intruder did not o$$er "n
epl"n"tion o$ his presen#e there& but it "ppe"red to h"ve something to do with the
obCe#t o$ his se"r#h. 5e "lso mentioned th"t he didnFt w"nt oper"tives :nowing wh"t it
w"s& be#"use they might w"nt it too.
EionFs Comm"nder Lo#:& gu"rded by 1'3 "nd re#overing in the old #ity& sent "
mess"ge to Eionites with the story o$ his res#ue $rom the ."#hine "tt"#: on Eion by
."user& who too: him to "n "b"ndoned l"b $"#ility on the sur$"#e& "nd tended to
Lo#:Fs inCuries until being :illed while le"ding *entinels "w"y $rom his position.
Overhe"ring this story& the intruder epressed surprise th"t ."user h"d " gun e$$e#tive
"g"inst *entinels. Colt w"s ep"nding upon this by des#ribing how 3eo #ould z"p
*entinels with his b"re h"nds when he w"s suddenly interrupted by the intruder $lying
into "n inepli#"ble r"ge& s"ying D!hey ,1%1 lyingRD
A$ter this& power$ul override progr"ms #re"ted by the intruder beg"n to "ppe"r "round
the #ity& in#luding A##eler"tors& "nd the newly en#ountered D7e#eler"torD "nd
D%untimeD progr"ms.
Eion& "ttempting to tr"#: down the intruder "nd #onvin#e him to eer#ise more
dis#rimin"tion in his "tt"#:s& r"n "$oul o$ Cypherites out to shut down the intruderFs
progr"ms be$ore they #ould end"nger #itizens. ,hen " group o$ Eionites org"nized by
?host $in"lly #"ught up with the intruder& he "##used them o$ being involved in " #over+
up with the ."#hines& "nd "tt"#:ed them.
*hortly "$ter Cypherites removed " series o$ the d"ngerous progr"ms $rom 7owntown&
in#luding some "round the ?overnment 9uilding& Agent ?r"y #"lled upon ."#hinists to
elimin"te Agent progr"ms th"t h"d been turned "g"inst the *ystem by A##eler"tors.
!he .erovingi"n& $ollowing eviden#e suggesting th"t the intruder m"y h"ve been
interested in the Or"#leFs w"rd& *"ti& sent oper"tives to )uestion the intruder "bout the
girl& but w"s un"ble to lo#"te him. 6lood dire#ted "n "ttempt to :idn"p *"ti without the
intruderFs input& but the oper"tives sent into ."r" $ound only *er"ph& who w"rned them
th"t *"ti would not be $ound while #ert"in #onditions persisted.
Another "ttempt to lo#"te the intruder& "ssisted by one o$ the ?ener"lFs 1lite
Comm"ndo re#onn"iss"n#e progr"ms& su##eeded in $inding him& "nd #onvin#ing him
to meet the ?ener"l& "lthough the intruder "ppe"red to be un$"mili"r with *"tiFs n"me
"nd signi$i#"n#e. 5er role in #"using the ."#hines to "tt"#: the ?ener"lFs *t"lingr"d
b"se #"ught his "ttention& but not to the point th"t he w"s willing to pursue her himsel$.
-nste"d& he suggested th"t the ?ener"l re#over his own d"t" on the 1ile $rom the
."#hines& "nd "s:ed to be :ept "ppr"ised o$ "ny progress m"de in th"t reg"rd.
!he (id #ont"#ted Eion with det"ils on the sur$"#e l"b in whi#h 1'3 $ound Comm"nder
Lo#:: the stru#ture showed signs o$ d"m"ge $rom *entinels& "nd " Eion Dlightning gunDB
."userFs $ingerprints& "nd tr"#es o$ his blood& were $ound inside. !he l"b e)uipment
w"s entirely wre#:ed. !ynd"ll sent Eion oper"tives to #"pture ."#hine logs o$ *entinel
"#tivity "t the site& but no re#ords o$ "ny su#h "#tivity were $ound.
!he ."#hines $ound "n intruder+sp"wned D!ermin"torD progr"m behind the de"ths o$
122
m"ny *ystem Agents. 6ortun"tely& oper"tives were "ble to elimin"te the progr"m.
!he ?ener"l helped .erovingi"n oper"tives re#over some o$ his d"t" th"t h"d been
#"ptured by the ."#hines& but his d"t" on *"ti "ppe"red to be missing. A$ter
#onsulting with the intruder "bout the *"ti )uestion& the intruder& he"ring th"t *"ti w"s
only out o$ the ."tri on#e& "s " stored #omputer progr"m in the ?ener"lFs b"se&
de#ided th"t she #ouldnFt be wh"t heFs loo:ing $or& whi#h is something he #"lled "
Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m&D "dding th"t i$ the .erovingi"n #ould obt"in one $or him&
he would m":e him D:ing o$ the ."tri.D
."#hine oper"tives loo:ing $or the intruder tr"#:ed him down in the vi#inity o$ the
.et"#orte building. !he intruder ehibited "nger "nd imp"tien#e& "nd w"s unwilling to
"nswer )uestions put to him by the oper"tives. ,hen Agent ?r"y intervened& "s:ing
why the intruder s:ipped the meeting th"t h"d been "rr"nged with the Ar#hite#t& the
intruder used "n override #ode to termin"te ?r"y& then told oper"tives th"t the
."#hines were still DCer:ing his #h"in.D Agent '"#e "ppe"red on the s#ene& despite
oper"tive w"rnings& "nd told the intruder th"t the Ar#hite#t would "w"it the meeting&
s"ying th"t the intruder would be "ble to termin"te the Ar#hite#t himsel$ i$ he $ound the
meeting disple"sing. !he somewh"t molli$ied intruder s"id th"t heFd see "bout it.
Eionite oper"tives were #"lled in "$ter " report o$ the intruder ne"r the Chelse"
Convention Center& where they $ound him $ighting overwhelmed 9oo:wyrms. !he
intruder #ut through the 9oo:wyrms in the Center to re"#h 5yp"ti"& "nd dem"nded th"t
she give him " biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m. ,hen she s"id th"t she didnFt h"ve su#h "
thing& the intruder termin"ted her. ,"ndering through the buildingFs lobby& he s"id
something "bout being Dtr"pped&D be$ore "ppe"ring to C"#: out.
Oper"tives identi$ied #ont"#t between *er"ph& .orpheus& "nd Lo %uh"m"h. .orpheus
w"s seen with %uh"m"h "t the Ab"ndoned *ubw"y.
A #on$used #omputer h"#:er n"med D.urpheyD dressed "s "n Agent "nd went Don
p"trolD "round p"rts o$ %i#hl"nd "nd 7owntown& o##"sion"lly s"ying odd things& even
long bin"ry numbers. Agent ?ri$$in "ppe"red on the s#ene "nd in$ormed oper"tives
$ollowing .urphey th"t .urphey w"s believed to h"ve lo#"ted " l"rge #"#he o$ the
intruderFs override progr"ms& but th"t " #lose e"min"tion o$ the progr"ms h"d
unhinged .urpheyFs mind. -t w"s hoped th"t "n "n"lysis o$ .urpheyFs utter"n#es
would reve"l the lo#"tion o$ the d"ngerous progr"ms. !his w"s "#hieved by 0ur"nos&
who lo#"ted the progr"ms in the building housing the 7eus Lounge.
9eirn submitted himsel$ to e"min"tion by the intruder "t Club Cy#lo. !he intruder
dete#ted the ."#hine #he"t #odes in 9eirnFs system& "nd w"s only #onvin#ed th"t
9eirn w"s not " ."#hine "$ter subCe#ting him to v"rious override #odes. !he intruder
invited 9eirn to try his #he"t #ode "bilities on him& "nd 9eirn w"s surprised to $ind the
intruder immune to them. !he intruder )uestioned the ?ener"l "bout the origins o$ the
#he"t #odes& but eventu"lly dismissed them "s irrelev"nt to his se"r#h.
5yp"ti" h"d been imper$e#tly restored by her loy"l 9oo:wyrms "$ter her termin"tion by
the intruder& so ."#hine oper"tives s"w to the Cob properly& removing the #ode
overrides $rom her routine with " #le"n :ill.
Agent ?r"y& still re#overing $rom "n en#ounter o$ his own with the intruderFs termin"tion
routine& $"#ilit"ted " meeting between the intruder "nd the Ar#hite#t& with Agent '"#e
123
"nd " senior oper"tive "lso in "ttend"n#e. !he intruder dem"nded " Dbiologi#"l
inter$"#e progr"m&D s"ying he :new th"t it eisted. !he Ar#hite#t #on$irmed this& but
denied h"ving #re"ted it& "nd told the intruder th"t the only surviving #opy w"s
removed $rom the ."tri& "s the intruder himsel$ h"d witnessed. !he ."#hines hoped
th"t this in$orm"tion would inspire the intruder to le"ve the ."tri.
Eion se"r#hed ,right %ese"r#h in the hopes o$ $inding something "bout the Dbiologi#"l
inter$"#e progr"mD the intruder h"s mentioned w"nting& but even though inter$"#e
te#hnology w"s one o$ 7"nielle ,rightFs "re"s o$ p"rti#ul"r epertise& nothing
promising turned up "t the ,right $"#ilities. !he intruder didnFt seem surprised by this&
hinting th"t the progr"m w"snFt written by " hum"n.
!he .erovingi"n& de#iding to pro#ure the mysterious progr"m himsel$& #he#:ed with
possible 1ile sour#es& su#h "s 'ersephone "nd *ilver& but #"me up empty+h"nded.
As:ing the intruder& who they $ound surrounded by de"d 340 A?43!*& to provide
more in$orm"tion "bout the progr"m& oper"tives were told th"t progr"ms m"de by the
1iles in )uestion were nothing li:e wh"t he w"nted& "nd th"t he w"s #ert"in the
progr"m is somewhere in the ."tri. !he intruder "lso mentioned something "bout
someone else h"ving Dt":en the other one.D
!he (id helped oper"tives 7emedri"n "nd !sus"i #le"r power$ul override progr"ms out
o$ -:ebu:uro& "lthough the t"s: w"s #ompli#"ted when eng"gement proto#ols were
overridden. !he (id "lso en#ountered oper"tives in *t"mos& where he w"s wondering
"bout re#ent "#tivity in the "re". ,hile t"l:ing& "n override routine hit the "re"& "nd the
group w"s unepe#tedly "tt"#:ed by 340 A?43!*.
Others h"d "lso t":en "n interest in the .orpheus simul"#rumFs re#ent ,estview
"#tivity. Agent '"#e led " se"r#h $or the sim in ,estview& but when oper"tives
"ttempted to hold the simul"#rum $or )uestioning& they $ound themselves pushed "w"y
$rom him. Agent '"#e ordered the sim to surrender& but he $led "#ross the distri#t&
eluding pursuit. 9e$ore $leeing& the simul"#rum s"id something "bout Dthe w"t#hers.D
Veil& in the #omp"ny o$ oper"tive 6yror& tr"#:ed the simul"#rum down to " r"msh"#:le
building& "nd "s:ed him wh"t he w"s up to. !he simul"#rum responded with "
)uot"tion $rom "n "n#ient sour#e& whi#h in#luded re$eren#es to #ert"in omens& "nd
Dthe te"#hing o$ the w"t#hers.D
!he .erovingi"n sought in$orm"tion on the simul"#rumFs "#tivities "s well& with 6lood
sending oper"tives& led by Oo:"mi& to )uestion two prominent ,estview 1iles: -ndigo
"nd Amber. -ndigo #l"imed to :now nothing "bout the simul"#rumFs "#tivities& #"lling it
"n outd"ted reCe#t. Amber mentioned th"t the simul"#rum h"d been in #ont"#t with
m"ny DgutterD people in the "re"& simil"r to the Dri$$+r"$$D who o$ten "sso#i"te with the
Or"#le. V"rious #onspir"#y theories were dis#ussed& but 6lood dismissed them "s
p"r"noi".
1limin"ting some override progr"ms in 7owntown& ?host "nd other Eion oper"tives
en#ountered the intruder& who beg"n "s:ing )uestions "bout the rel"tionship between
3eo "nd !rinity. !hose present were not interested in giving him the in$orm"tion& "nd
he le$t $rustr"ted.
-n ,estview& Eion oper"tives elimin"ted one o$ the intruderFs A##eler"tor progr"ms th"t
w"s overriding the 7emon Legion g"ng in *obr" *hores. !he ze"lous redpill 6"ther
124
Jon"s led the 9rethren "nd other Eion oper"tives to the g"ngFs le"der& Jezebeth& who
helped tr"#: down the A##eler"tor.
.erovingi"n oper"tives $ound 'ersephone #ontempl"ting one o$ the intruderFs
7e#eler"tor progr"ms on the top $loor o$ " building downtown. 'ersephone st"ted her
opinion th"t the intruder w"s "n empty shell o$ " m"n& s"ying th"t he would not& $or
inst"n#e& h"ve used his "bilities to de$end someone& li:e the "ssembled oper"tives
de$ended 'ersephone "g"inst m"r"uding Eionites.
*him"d" "nd other 1 'luribus 3eo members went "$ter " ."#hine inst"ll"tion in
downtown& trying to obt"in d"t" rel"ting to the Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mD the
intruder h"s mentioned being interested in. 1'3 w"s tipped o$$ to the eisten#e o$ the
in$orm"tion by " h"#:er& 'i)o& who $ound " re$eren#e to it in " two+month+old ."#hine
d"t" "r#hive. An overwhelming se#urity #ounter+"tt"#: by Agents "t the site prevented
1'3 $rom retrieving "ny d"t"& however.
125
!hapter B9;
Rivals
A se#ond glowing $igure& C"rlyne& enters the ."tri& "tt"#:ing the $irst intruder& 5"lborn. !he
.orpheus simul"#rum #ont"#ts 1iles in ,estview. 5"lborn le"rns $rom the ."#hines th"t
the Or"#le #re"ted the progr"m he see:s& "nd pursues her. 5e is supported by the
.erovingi"n& "nd opposed by Eion& who h"ve help $rom C"rlyne. !he Or"#le #ont"#ts 1'3
"nd the Cypherites& giving e"#h group p"rt o$ "n en#rypted progr"m& "nd "s:s them to w"t#h
over *"ti. 5"lborn re"#hes the Or"#le& who re$uses to help him& "nd :ills her.
,ith *ister ."rg"retFs help& Cypherites se"r#hing $or the Or"#le $ound *er"ph& who
"lluded to " widespre"d pl"n& "nd s"id th"t others would be #"lled upon to help "t the
right time.
A se#ond wire$r"med m"n "ppe"red& #on$ronting "nd $ighting the intruder in ,estview.
A##ording to their monitored #onvers"tion& they "ppe"red to be "t odds over the
"#)uisition o$ something.
5"lborn& :nown until now only "s the Dintruder&D #ompl"ined to Eion th"t the other m"n&
C"rlyne& whom he h"s :nown $or some time& is " pr"#ti#ed li"r. C"rlyne& on the other
h"nd& visited the ."#hines& telling them th"t he w"nted to help them by removing
5"lborn $rom the ."tri.
!he .erovingi"n met with both men& "ssuring them o$ his $ull "id in their $ight "g"inst
the other.
-n " l"ter meeting with ."#hinists in the ?overnment 9uilding& C"rlyne told them th"t
5"lborn is se"r#hing $or wh"t heFs #"lled " Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mD be#"use his
re"l body is essenti"lly de"d& "nd 5"lborn hopes the progr"m will o$$er " remedy $or
this #ondition. .eeting with the Cypherites& C"rlyne "pologized $or the problems
#"used by override progr"ms& "nd s"id th"t he hoped he wouldnFt be needed "t "ll to
remove 5"lborn& but th"t 5"lbornFs override "#tivity "ppe"red to be re"#hing "
d"ngerous point.
5"lborn& me"nwhile& $rustr"ted by his $"ilure to lo#"te the inter$"#e progr"m& even with
the "ssist"n#e o$ .erovingi"n oper"tives& de#ided th"t he would h"ve to go b"#: to the
."#hines "nd "s: them who m"de the progr"m.
!he busy C"rlyne #ontinued his rounds& en#ountering 1 'luribus 3eo& "g"in
mentioning 5"lbornFs #riti#"l #ondition in the re"l world. 5e s"id th"t his m"in go"l is to
get 5"lborn out o$ the ."tri& "nd th"t th"t would bene$it him in #ert"in w"ysB he "lso
mentioned th"t he w"s #urious to see i$ the inter$"#e progr"m 5"lborn w"nts re"lly
eists& or i$ it is Cust " $igment o$ 5"lbornFs desper"te im"gin"tion.
5"lborn dem"nded to see the Ar#hite#t& "nd "s:ed him to n"me the #re"tor o$ the
biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m. !he Ar#hite#t told him it w"s written by the Or"#le. ,hen
oper"tives were "s:ed by C"rlyne whether they h"d seen 5"lborn& who he is
se"r#hing $or& they were instru#ted to s"y Dno.D
*tonew"lled by Eion& 5"lborn went out on his own to loo: $or the Or"#le. A$ter the
dep"rture o$ 5"lborn& C"rlyne #ont"#ted Eion& s"ying th"t he w"nts to help them stop
5"lborn.
126
.erovingi"ns $ound 5"lborn in the pro#ess o$ overriding more 1ile progr"ms. 5e
re)uested in$orm"tion on the Or"#le& whi#h the .erovingi"n w"s h"ppy to supply.
*e"r#hing $or the Or"#le& ."#hine oper"tives re#overed d"t" $r"gments th"t m"y h"ve
been "uthored by the Or"#le. !hese $r"gments were provided by the 1ile g"ng le"der
Eero& in return $or "ssist"n#e in " business de"l with other sh"dy #h"r"#ters.
Cypherites #"me "#ross eviden#e o$ " ."#hine investig"tion o$ override #ode use in
Apollyon& but Agent '"#e #l"imed to be un"ble to provide them with "ny in$orm"tion
beyond spe#ul"tion th"t one or even both o$ the wire$r"med intruders w"s involved.
*e"r#hing $urther "$ield& the Cypherites $ound #ode overrides in use in the One Eero
#onstru#t& "nd neutr"lized them.
A member o$ the Ar#hivist so#iety polled oper"tives in the new 7"t"mine #onstru#t on
their opinions o$ the "re". ."lph"s wondered i$ there w"s "nother motive behind the
re#ent in#re"se in Ar#hivist *o#iety "#tivity besides their usu"l pro$it+m":ing $rom
"r#hived histori#"l d"t".
C"rlyne w"s invited to " .erovingi"n meeting "t the J"de %oom. 5e mentioned to the
.erovingi"n th"t heFd he"rd 5"lborn w"s "s:ing )uestions "bout the Or"#le& but the
.erovingi"n "ssured C"rlyne th"t his prim"ry interest w"s in "iding him "g"inst his
riv"l. !o demonstr"te this& he h"d oper"tives guide C"rlyne to override progr"ms
pl"#ed by 5"lborn in .ur"s":i.
Colt led " se"r#h by Eion oper"tives $or the Or"#le in ."r"& to #ont"#t her "bout
5"lborn. ."r" g"ng boss Owl 9"nghe"rt& whose g"ng h"d been su$$ering $rom #ode
overrides in the "re"& told the oper"tives th"t the Or"#le h"dnFt been "round l"tely& but
th"t heFd seen *er"ph dis"ppe"r through " doorw"y. Oper"tives lo#"ted *er"ph in the
system o$ white h"llw"ys br"n#hing o$$ o$ the ,hite Lotus 5otelFs side entr"n#e.
*er"ph s"id th"t the Or"#le h"d epe#ted something li:e the #urrent situ"tion& "nd th"t
this w"s not the right time to meet her. 5e "dded th"t others would be trying to lo#"te
her "s well& "nd th"t the Or"#le would not be "ble to "void them "ll without help.
5"lborn se"r#hed $or the Or"#le in the vi#inity o$ ."r" while C"rlyne& b"#:ed by Eion&
se"r#hed $or him. !he ."#hines mobilized their oper"tives to :eep hostiles "w"y $rom
5"lborn in order to "llow him to #omplete his t"s:& hoping th"t "$terw"rds he would
le"ve the ."tri.
!he .erovingi"n #ondu#ted his own se"r#h $or the Or"#le& un#overing eviden#e o$ "
deep+se"ted plot "mong #ert"in 1ile groups. !his investig"tion& however& w"s
interrupted by C"rlyne& who s"w it "s #on$irm"tion o$ the .erovingi"nFs support $or his
riv"l& "nd severed his #onne#tion with the 6ren#hm"n.
!he pressure+#oo:er situ"tion "round ."r" resulted in numerous violent en#ounters
involving oper"tives& the two wire$r"med riv"ls& "nd their override progr"ms.
+ ?host "nd Colt& #ondu#ting " #overt oper"tion in ,estview& h"d to "bort "nd #"ll in
rein$or#ements when the Agent they were $ighting be#"me A##eler"ted by "n override
progr"m.
+ 3iobe "nd Eion oper"tives b"ttled 5"lborn& deleting m"ny o$ his progr"ms in
."nnsd"le.
+ ."#hinists b"ttled override+supported Eionites "t ."gog *outh. ,hile the ."#hinists
$ought to hold o$$ the Eionites& 5"lborn showed up "nd elimin"ted the override #odes&
127
"llowing the ."#hines to send in Agents to se#ure the "re".
+ A l"rge w"ve o$ progr"ms& some "ligned with the ."#hines& some with Eion& "nd
some with no oper"tive group& "ppe"red throughout north %i#hl"nd. Oper"tives b"ttled
to remove them.
.e"nwhile& sm"ll groups o$ ."#hinists lo#"ted the Or"#le in ."r"& but the "ppe"r"n#e
o$ *er"ph& "nd dire#tives $rom Agent ?r"y det"iling ."#hine #on#erns reg"rding the
over"ll situ"tion& re)uired the oper"tives to dep"rt without "rresting her.
*hortly there"$ter& .erovingi"n oper"tives& tr"#:ing suspi#ious movements into the
*":ur" #onstru#t& $ound 1'3 soldiers there. A b"ttle bro:e out& in the midst o$ whi#h
*er"ph "ppe"red& pro#eeding to elimin"te m"ny o$ the .erovingi"n oper"tives $rom
the #onstru#t& despite the signi$i#"nt support the .erovingi"ns re#eived $rom their
he"ler& Ci"oNun. !he survivors $ound themselves $"#e+to+$"#e with the Or"#le& who
told them th"t they might soon $ind something very v"lu"ble& but w"rned them "g"inst
trying to use it sel$ishly.
Eion lo#"ted 5"lborn& "nd #ommuni#"ted his position to C"rlyne& so th"t he #ould be
stopped be$ore re"#hing his go"l: the Or"#le. 5"lborn& still un"ble to lo#"te her&
dem"nded th"t the ."#hines help him lo#"te her& but the ."#hines #l"imed th"t she
h"d been designed spe#i$i#"lly to be unpredi#t"ble. And the .erovingi"n& sensing th"t
5"lborn w"s $"ltering in his se"r#h& "rr"nged " str"tegi# pl"nning meeting to revit"lize
his #"mp"ign& but 5"lborn did not "rrive.
<ltim"tely& C"rlyne& with help $rom Eion& inter#epted the isol"ted 5"lborn. Oper"tives
$rom "ll org"niz"tions "ttempted to inter$ere or monitor the en#ounter& but "n in#redibly
power$ul override #ode bl"st $or#ed everyone to ev"#u"te the "re"& "nd overlo"ded
monitoring sensors throughout the distri#t.
!he ."#hines #ontinued wor:ing to underst"nd mysterious d"t" $r"gments theyFd
re#overed sever"l wee:s e"rlier in %i#hl"nd& possibly #onne#ted with the Or"#le. An
e##entri# ."#hine te#hni#i"n #"me up with " pl"n to de#ode the $r"gmentsF uni)ue
$uzzy logi# routines with the help o$ unst"ble #ode within the 7"t"mine #onstru#t. ,hile
this pl"n #ost the te#hni#i"n his eisten#e& "nd did not retrieve " $ull d"t" set& some
in$orm"tion w"s obt"ined& "nd Agent '"#e too: person"l #h"rge o$ the $r"gment
proCe#t.
!he Or"#le #"lled Veil "nd Cypherite oper"tives to " surprise meeting in the One Eero
#onstru#t& where she h"nded Veil wh"t "ppe"red to be "n en#rypted #ode $r"gment&
"nd "s:ed the Cypherites to w"t#h over *"ti $or her. Although very #urious "s to wh"t
the $r"gment #ont"ined& "nd wh"t w"s motiv"ting the Or"#le to m":e these re)uests&
the Cypherites "greed to help her.
1'3 oper"tives& removing override progr"ms $rom 7ebir Court& were #on$ronted by
*er"ph& who invited them to step through the doorw"y "t the end o$ the #ourty"rd.
7oing so& they $ound themselves in the Ashen#ourte #onstru#t& where the Or"#le
greeted them& giving *him"d" " pie#e o$ en#rypted #ode& "nd "s:ing the oper"tives to
w"t#h over *"ti. !he oper"tives "ssured her th"t they would do wh"t they #ould to help
her.
!he net d"y& Cypherites led to <ri"h by Cryptos in order to remove override progr"ms
$rom the <ri"h do#:s r"n into 1'3& who h"ppened to be holding " meeting in ne"rby
Club '"r"ll"is. 6ighting bro:e out between some members o$ the two p"rties& while
128
others #on#entr"ted on removing the progr"ms. ,ith most o$ the progr"ms removed&
#on#entr"ted se#tions o$ both org"niz"tions beg"n " $ier#e b"ttle th"t ended when
Cryptos& supported by his oper"tives& who "t th"t point held " numeri# superiority "t
the s#ene& m"n"ged to de$e"t the (id. Cryptos #"lled " retre"t& de#l"ring the
CypheritesF Cob #omplete. ,hen his troops r"llied& "nd the oper"tive !ygrius revived
him& the (id led them to remove the l"st o$ the override #odes in the "re".
*e"r#hing $or 5"lborn "round the site o$ his #l"sh with C"rlyne in the *lums& Oo:"mi
su$$ered domin"tion by override progr"ms in$esting the "re". .erovingi"n oper"tives
#"lled in to lo#"te her h"d to resist her out o$ #ontrol "tt"#:s& but& retr"#ing her steps&
lo#"ted 5"lborn& b"dly inCured "nd holed up in " de#repit "p"rtment building. ,hen the
overridden Oo:"mi $ound them there "nd resumed her "tt"#:s& oper"tives "s:ed
5"lborn i$ he #ould remove the overrides on her progr"mB he $or#ibly rebooted her&
s"ying this might #ure her& i$ she survived the pro#ess. .":ing their w"y through
surrounding override #odes "nd hostile oper"tives& the oper"tives led 5"lborn to
tempor"ry se#urity in ne"rby Club 7u"lity& where 9eirn met them& inviting 5"lborn to
hide "nd re#uper"te in the s"$ety o$ the .erovingi"nFs etensive underground networ:.
5"lborn insisted th"t he h"d no time to w"ste in getting to the Or"#le& but w"s un"ble
to put up mu#h o$ "n "rgument in his severely we":ened #ondition& "nd 9eirn whis:ed
him "w"y.
!he Or"#le #rossed " $ew wires to spe": to Eion oper"tives individu"lly& but w"s
un#h"r"#teristi#"lly "t " loss $or words& s"ying th"t she #ouldnFt s"y wh"t she w"nted
to s"y& but th"t nevertheless she $elt sheFd m"de the right #hoi#e.
!he ."#hines $ound #ode $r"gments in the override+in$ested %i#hl"nd "re" th"t
somehow h"d not been "$$e#ted "t "ll by the $"llout $rom the #l"sh between 5"lborn
"nd C"rlyne. An"lysts were "ble to e"mine these $r"gments "long with those
re#overed wee:s "go $rom 1iles& whi#h were written in the Or"#leFs tr"dem"r:
DintuitiveD style& "nd #on#luded th"t the $r"gments were le$t over $rom the pro#ess o$
writing " :ill #ode.
!he .erovingi"n "rr"nged " distr"#tion $or C"rlyne& en"bling the wounded 5"lborn to
byp"ss him "nd he"d $or northern %i#hl"nd& still intent on lo#"ting the Or"#le.
1'3 $ound the .orpheus simul"#rum& "nd "s:ed him "bout the mysterious en#rypted
#ode given them by the Or"#le. !he sim told them th"t she m"y h"ve #hosen them
pre#isely be#"use they "re "ble to #hoose $or themselves. 5e "lso suggested th"t
while the ."tri is " system o$ #ontrol& Eion& in opposition to the ."tri& #ould be
#onsidered " system o$ #ontrol "s well. !his #onvers"tion w"s interrupted by "
Cypherite "tt"#: led by Veil.
A $ore#"sted outbre": o$ the *mith virus "rrived in the #ity& its m"ni$est"tion
strengthened here "nd there by the presen#e o$ override progr"ms.
.erovingi"n oper"tives "ttempted to ste"l some in$orm"tion $rom 1 'luribus 3eo& but
this w"s $oiled when the 1ile #ont"#t used by the .erovingi"ns oper"tives turned the
d"t" b"#: over to 1'3& "pp"rently in rep"yment o$ " $"vor.
!he Cypherites stole in$orm"tion on potenti"ls& "mong other things& $rom " Eion system
in %i#hl"nd& "lthough the oper"tion w"s #ompli#"ted by "tt"#:s $rom override #odes in
the "re".
129
?host led Eion oper"tives into %i#hl"nd in se"r#h o$ the Or"#le& but $ound only override
progr"ms "nd 5"lborn& who showed his violent imp"tien#e "t oper"tive inter$eren#e in
his pl"ns.
'l"yers $ought o$$ "nother outbre": o$ the *mith Virus "#ross the #ity.
1'3 m"n"ged to set o$$ " #ode pulse devi#e in the Eero One #onstru#t& $or re"sons yet
un:nown. ."#hine oper"tives were un"ble to stop the devi#eFs deton"tion& but& led by
Agent ?ri$$in& they removed the 1'3 oper"tives $rom the #onstru#t.
5"lborn $ound the Or"#le w"iting $or him on " ben#h in 7ebir Court. 5e dem"nded th"t
she give him Dthe progr"m.D A$ter she told him th"t she #ouldnFt help him& he be#"me
"ngry& "nd thre"tened her& but she s"id this w"s " w"ste o$ time. 5"lborn "s:ed i$ he
would ever get the progr"m. *he told him th"t he wouldnFt& "nd he termin"ted her.
130
!hapter :C9:
Oligarchy
*"ti& *er"ph& "nd the .orpheus simul"#rum h"ve dis"ppe"red. 5"lborn #ontinues his
stubborn se"r#h. !he ."#hines turn him over to the Cypherites& who le"d him to the spot in
the %e"l where 1'3 is h"nding the re#overed Lo#: over to Eion. 5"lborn $lees the l"rge
hover#r"$t b"ttle th"t ensues& but his ship w"s noti#ed by Eion& who& with 1'3& de$e"t the
opposing ships& "nd t":e Lo#: to their new #ity. 6ollowing " #h"n#e rem"r: by 5"lborn& the
.erovingi"n& using the ?ener"l "nd his *entinels& lo#"tes " Dno+$lyD "re" $"r to the northwest
o$ the ."#hine #ity& "voided by ."#hine p"trols& where they $ind " he"vily de$ended $"#ility&
"nd " d"t" $eed $rom " m"ssive DOlig"r#h 3etwor:.D Eion "nd C"rlyne su##eed in surprising
5"lborn "nd removing him $rom the simul"tion. Cryptos begins rese"r#h on "nti+override
#odes. C"rlyne le"ves the ."tri.
Although he termin"ted the Or"#le& his l"st "pp"rent hope $or retrieving the progr"m he
#r"ves& 5"lborn rem"ined inside the ."tri. !he ."#hines "s:ed him to le"ve& but he
re$used& hinting th"t he h"d " new pl"n in mind. .e"nwhile& C"rlyne met with Eion&
de#l"ring th"t he w"s wor:ing on " more dire#t me"ns o$ removing 5"lborn.
6lood r"n .erovingi"n oper"tives through " review o$ the Or"#leFs "#tions le"ding up
to her termin"tion& #on#luding th"t she or#hestr"ted re#ent events in order to "#hieve
something rel"ting to either to the progr"m 5"lborn see:s& or to the intruders
themselves.
A sm"ll group o$ Eion oper"tives led by 7e$$dog res#ued two 1iles& '"lorin" "nd the
1v"lu"tor& $rom "n 1ile g"ng th"t h"d :idn"pped them.
."#hine oper"tives de$ended the EA-!*O progr"m $rom 1'3 "nd .erovingi"ns& "nd
su##eeded in retrieving in$orm"tion $rom it rel"ting to " series o$ mysterious Dim"ge
$r"gments.D EA-!*O w"s then sent b"#: to o$$i#er *-.LO $or rep"irs.
Oo:"mi "nd " b"nd o$ .erovingi"n oper"tives hunted $or *er"ph& *"ti& "nd the
.orpheus simul"#rum in ."r" "nd ,estview& but $ound their usu"l h"unts "b"ndoned.
6in"lly& "t the Ab"ndoned *ubw"y& they $ound the eiled monitoring progr"m Lo
%uh"m"h& who spo:e o$ other worlds beyond the ."tri be$ore v"nishing hersel$.
'luribus 3eo oper"tives $ound 5"lborn "tt"#:ing C"rlyne in " building downtown.
Oper"tives restr"ined 5"lborn while C"rlyne es#"ped. 6rustr"ted by " b"rr"ge o$
hindering "tt"#:s $rom the oper"tives& 5"lborn retre"ted. A$terw"rds& C"rlyne told 1'3
th"t 5"lborn h"d tried to run " tr"#e progr"m through his %*-& "nd th"n:ed them $or
intervening.
!he Ar#hite#t h"d " group o$ ."#hine oper"tives brought to the Or"#leFs "p"rtment&
where he )uestioned them "bout their outloo: on the #urrent situ"tion. !he oper"tives
h"d m"ny )uestions "s to wh"t #ould be done to solve the thre"t posed by the
intruders& p"rti#ul"rly 5"lborn& but the Ar#hite#t did not respond to these dire#tly. 5e
did rem"r: th"t 5"lbornFs Dpredi#"mentD w"s the result o$ " #hoi#e 5"lborn h"d m"de "
long time "go& overloo:ing the long+term dr"wb"#:s in $"vor o$ immedi"te bene$its++"
typi#"lly hum"n de#ision.
5"lborn "tt"#:ed one o$ EionFs bro"d#"st #ontrol #lusters in the ."tri $or re"sons th"t
were not immedi"tely #le"r. C"rlyne mentioned th"t 5"lborn is prob"bly trying to shut
131
him down by "tt"#:ing his hover#r"$t.
C"rlyne met with Agent '"#e "nd ."#hinists& telling them th"t on#e 5"lborn w"s
removed $rom the ."tri& heFd see to it th"t 5"lbornFs "##ess w"s restri#ted by Dthe
Olig"r#hs.D !he ."#hines moved on to investig"te the en#rypted #odes the Or"#le
g"ve to the Cypherites "nd 1 'luribus 3eo. Veil s"id th"t the Cypherites h"dnFt been
"ble to #r"#: the en#ryption& but th"t they were :eeping the $ile s"$e outside o$ the
."tri. *ubter$uge by Agent ?r"y "nd ."#hine oper"tives led Agent ?r"y to determine
th"t 'luribus 3eo were li:ely to be :eeping their en#rypted $ile "t their b"se in EionFs
old #ity.
A surly 5"lborn "greed to meet the .erovingi"n& but re$used to dis#uss his go"ls& or
the progr"m heFs been loo:ing $or& #iting " #on#ern th"t C"rlyne might $ind " w"y to
use su#h in$orm"tion "g"inst him. 5"lborn went on to s"y th"t he #ould get rid o$
C"rlyne i$ he #ould $ind his shipB he "lso mentioned " lo#"tion D800 miles "w"yD to the
northwest& in rel"tion to C"rlyne.
5"lborn "tt"#:ed " 'luribus 3eo stronghold in the slums& but w"s repulsed by
oper"tives& "lthough not until he h"d d"m"ged the $ile system on the servers there.
!he ."#hines l"un#hed " sm"ll *entinel "tt"#: on 1'3Fs b"se in old Eion& in t"ndem
with "n "tt"#: on " high+r"n:ing 1'3 hover#r"$t. Oper"tives within the ."tri del"yed
#ont"#t between the "ss"iled #rew "nd the (id& preserving the "tt"#:Fs element o$
surprise& "nd "llowing *entinels to #"pture the #r"$t. 7"t" returned by the *entinels
$rom the b"se "nd the #"ptured ship indi#"ted rein$or#ed de$enses "t the old #ity& but "
high prob"bility th"t 'luribus 3eo did not m"int"in " #entr"l m"in$r"me there.
1 'luribus 3eo lo#"ted "nd held 5"lborn while C"rlyne tried to run " tr"#e o$ his own
through 5"lborn& but 5"lborn h"d "lre"dy e)uipped himsel$ with " #ounterme"sure to
the tr"#e routine. C"rlyne s"id th"t there were other methods he #ould try.
5"ving he"rd rumors o$ Comm"nder Lo#:Fs imminent re#overy with 1'3 $rom inCuries
sust"ined during the ."#hine "nd Cypherite "tt"#: th"t destroyed EionFs old
m"in$r"me& Veil led "n "tt"#: on "n 1'3 hideout& trying to #r"#: their #omputers to
se"r#h $or more in$orm"tion "bout Lo#:. A #ounter+"tt"#: by *him"d" "nd 1'3
oper"tives $oiled the Cypherite pl"n& despite VeilFs de$e"t o$ *him"d" during the
pit#hed b"ttle.
!he .erovingi"n "nd his oper"tives #"ptured ."#hine m"pping d"t" on the "re"
5"lborn h"d re$erred to& 800 miles northwest o$ the ."#hine #ity. !he d"t" showed
th"t the mount"inous region there w"s "voided by ."#hine p"trols.
At 3iobeFs insisten#e& C"rlyne g"ve Eion rough des#riptions o$ the "dv"n#ed ships
used by himsel$ "nd 5"lborn. Eion #"ptured in$orm"tion $rom " ."#hine surveill"n#e
d"t"b"se th"t seemed to #on$irm the des#riptions given by C"rlyneB the d"t"b"se "lso
#ont"ined " re#ord o$ " ship li:e C"rlyneFs th"t w"s present "t the ."#hine #ity over
two ye"rs "go.
5"lborn dem"nded the lo#"tion o$ C"rlyneFs ship $rom the ."#hines& but they told him
their "bility to give out su#h in$orm"tion w"s restri#ted& "nd suggested th"t he #he#:
with the Cypherites++Veil& spe#i$i#"lly. Veil told 5"lborn th"t she h"d some interesting
things to show him in the %e"l.
132
!he .erovingi"n "nd the ?ener"l determined th"t the "re" to whi#h 5"lborn h"d
re$erred& 800 miles northwest o$ the ."#hine #ity& w"s #l"ssi$ied "s " Dno $lyD zone by
the ."#hines& "nd "voided by their *entinel p"trols& "lthough other p"trols were
blo#:ing the ?ener"lFs route to the "re". .erovingi"n oper"tives "ttempting to disrupt
."#hine *entinel #ontrol routines $ound th"t #omm"nd proto#ols given them by the
?ener"l no longer wor:ed& but the ?ener"l obt"ined upd"ted d"t" by #"pturing "
."#hine *entinel& "llowing oper"tives to dis"ble the ."#hine systems long enough $or
the ?ener"l to m":e his w"y p"st their p"trols& "nd #ontinue on his w"y to the bl"#:out
zone.
,hen *entinel "tt"#:s still proved " hindr"n#e to his progress& oper"tives got "
#omm"ndo& Lieuten"nt 'etrov& through to " ."#hine m"in$r"me& where he uplo"ded
his own progr"m into " ."#hine *entinel& buying the ?ener"l time by "tt"#:ing the
other ."#hines in th"t *entinelFs s)u"dron.
Cypherites& "ssisted by " spy n"med 'erni#i"& de#im"ted the #rew o$ " hover#r"$t
#omm"nded by EionFs C"pt"in *ud"& "nd #"ptured d"t" th"t Veil turned over to
5"lborn. 5"lborn very pointedly did not invite them "long& but Veil intim"ted th"t the
Cypherites would be $lying somewhere with 5"lborn in the %e"l.
A $urther "ttempt by .erovingi"n 1iles to disrupt ."#hine *entinel routines w"s
over#ome by " )ui#: response $rom ."#hine oper"tives& who wiped out the 1ile
group& $ound in the vi#inity o$ 'endhurst+Am"r"nth pl"z". 9eirn r"llied .erovingi"n
oper"tives& "nd de$e"ted most o$ the ."#hine progr"ms rem"ining in the "re"& but
$"#ed sti$$ resist"n#e $rom the ."#hinists& "nd w"s even $or#ed to re#onstru#t by the
Cypherite oper"tive *"int7"niel.
5"lborn "tt"#:ed " Eionite hover#r"$t in the %e"l. One o$ their #rew members& %"min&
m"n"ged to C"#: into the ."tri& where he #ont"#ted Eion oper"tives. ,ith "ssist"n#e
$rom ?host& 5"lborn w"s #"lled into the ."tri on the pretet th"t the ."#hines h"d
"greed to give him the progr"m he w"nted. 7isguised Eionite oper"tives st"lled
5"lborn long enough $or %"minFs #rippled hover#r"$t to re"#h s"$ety.
Colt hurried through the #ityFs b"rs "nd #lubs& "pp"rently loo:ing $or his shipFs
me#h"ni#. 7espite help $rom oper"tives& he w"s un"ble to lo#"te his #rewm"te& "nd
C"#:ed out "$ter #ompl"ining "bout Comm"nder Lo#:& "nd the loss o$ his old #rewm"te&
."user.
*hortly there"$ter& 1'3 "nd Eion hover#r"$t tr"ns$erring Lo#: $rom the 1'3 b"se in
EionFs old #ity to 3ew Eion were "tt"#:ed by ."#hine& Cypherite& "nd .erovingi"n
$leets. A$ter " prolonged b"ttle& the tr"ns$er o$ Comm"nder Lo#: $rom 1'3 C"pt"in
*teelleFs D!he 5"nd o$ ?odD to Eion C"pt"in %ed9indiFs D!he !it"nD w"s #ompleted
su##ess$ully& "nd 3ew Eion prep"red to wel#ome their old Comm"nder to the #ity.
5"lborn destroyed " Eionite hover#r"$t th"t w"s $ollowing his shipB the #rew h"d tried
luring 5"lborn into s#"n r"nge "t C"rlyneFs suggestion. Although the #rew were :illed&
C"rlyne s"id th"t the p"rti"l in$orm"tion theyFd returned might help him $inish "
progr"m heFd been wor:ing on to elimin"te 5"lborn.
5"lborn& "ngry "t $inding himsel$ in the middle o$ " l"rge hover#r"$t b"ttle "$ter
$ollowing #oordin"tes given him by Cypherites& dem"nded to see the ."#hines "g"in&
but the ."#hines did not meet with him. 5"lborn too: his "nger out on Cypherites
133
inside the ."tri& "nd muttered "bout oper"tives being m"nipul"ted by someone who
:nows "ll "bout the progr"m heFs "$ter.
."#hine progr"ms pursued .erovingi"n oper"tives "nd #omm"ndos& see:ing to
prevent $urther .erovingi"n inter$eren#e with *entinel systems. Although the ."#hine
progr"ms were elimin"ted in p"rt by t":ing "dv"nt"ge o$ one o$ 5"lbornFs A##eler"tor
progr"ms& the .erovingi"n de#l"red th"t 5"lbornFs use$ulness to him w"s "t "n end.
3iobe led Eion oper"tives to " Cypherite inst"ll"tion where theyFd dete#ted " spi:e o$
override "#tivity& "nd they $ound Cypherites "nd Cryptos there& "s well "s "
7e#eler"tor progr"m& whi#h #"used problems $or Eionites "nd Cypherites "li:e& "s well
"s $or some .erovingi"n oper"tives see:ing to #"sh in on the #on$usion. Cryptos
dep"rted& "nd the Eionites se"led o$$ the "re"& but did not& "s 3iobe h"d hoped they
might& $ind solid in$orm"tion on " lin: between the Cypherites "nd 5"lborn& whi#h their
Coint presen#e "t the s#ene o$ Comm"nder Lo#:Fs tr"ns$er h"d led her to suspe#t.
Agent '"#e "nd ."#hine oper"tives w"rned 5"lborn th"t his ship h"d prob"bly been
#ompromised by terrorists. 7espite "n "tt"#: by 1'3 oper"tives "rmed with #ode
pulse devi#es& 5"lborn thought little o$ the w"rning& s"ying th"t everyone #ould go to
hell "s $"r "s he w"s #on#erned.
Cypherites running #he#:s on their #omputer systems $ound override progr"ms "t
some lo#"tions. 'luribus 3eo& using #"ptured d"t"& m"de their w"y to one o$ these
inst"ll"tions "s well& where " $ight erupted between Cypherites& 1'3& "nd override
progr"ms. !he (id de$e"ted the outnumbered Cryptos& "nd 'luribus 3eo m"n"ged to
g"in tempor"ry "##ess to the Cypherite m"in$r"me "t the site& but they only h"d time to
etr"#t $r"gment"ry d"t" $rom it be$ore the Cypherites $in"lly se#ured the m"in$r"me.
Eionites $ound "nd $ought 5"lborn in the 5istori# 7istri#t. C"rlyne "ppe"red on the
s#ene "nd distributed inst"n#es o$ " spe#i"l progr"m to " group o$ the oper"tives&
s"ying th"t i$ they #ould hit 5"lborn with it& it should be "ble to dis"ble his bro"d#"st
sign"l "t the sour#e. !he oper"tive Coroebus w"s "ble to byp"ss 5"lbornFs de$ensive
routines "nd stri:e him with the progr"m. 5"lborn $ell to the ground& inert. C"rlyne s"id
th"t it loo:ed li:e the progr"m h"d wor:ed& "lthough heFd h"ve to #he#: his d"t" be$ore
he #ould be sure.
.erovingi"n oper"tives "##omp"nied by 9eirn tried to persu"de C"rlyne to rem"in in
the simul"tion& entert"ining him "t '"r"dise Lost& but C"rlyne& "lthough "pologeti#&
w"s "d"m"nt "bout h"ving to dep"rt& $or v"rious re"sons& most o$ whi#h he did not
des#ribe.
C"rlyne th"n:ed Eion $or their help& s"ying he w"s going to le"ve the ."tri now th"t
5"lborn #"n no longer C"#: in due to his ship h"ving been dis"bled& "nd th"t he h"d to
le"ve to t":e #"re o$ #ert"in #on#erns& one o$ whi#h w"s ensuring th"t 5"lborn would
not be "ble to return. C"rlyne h"d " simil"r mess"ge $or the ."#hines& s"ying th"t he
hoped there were no h"rd $eelings. ,ith the intruders "nd their override routines out o$
the pi#ture& the ."#hines mobilized their progr"ms to begin $ighting Eion on#e "g"in.
Cryptos theorized th"t the override routines h"d been "ble to oper"te by t":ing
"dv"nt"ge o$ " $und"ment"l vulner"bility in the simul"tion. 5"ving noti#ed th"t they
h"d no #ontrolling e$$e#t on his own %*-& whi#h is p"rtly ."#hine #ode& he de#l"red his
intent to begin wor:ing on "n "lgorithm #"p"ble o$ resisting the override progr"ms&
134
using his own #ode "s " st"rting point.
!he ?ener"l re"#hed the ."#hine no+$ly zone on the 1"rthFs sur$"#e& northwest o$ the
."#hine #ity& "nd en#ountered " he"vily $orti$ied $"#ility. <n"ble to penetr"te the
$"#ilityFs de$enses& his *entinels $ound " d"t" #onduit ne"rby. !"pping into the d"t"
stre"m& they en#ountered unusu"l d"t" proto#ols& only p"rti"lly m"t#hing :nown
."#hine $orm"ts. .erovingi"n oper"tives within the simul"tion $or#ed their w"y into
highly se#ured ."#hine servers& "nd& "$ter mu#h e$$ort& lo#"ted " d"t" type simil"r to
wh"t the ?ener"l h"d $ound. <sing this new in$orm"tion& the ?ener"lFs soldiers beg"n
de#oding the $oreign d"t" $eed& but their tr"nsmission w"s #ut o$$ Cust "s they sent b"#:
" p"rti"lly s#r"mbled de#oding identi$ying the d"t" stre"m "s p"rt o$ " m"ssive system
l"beled the DOlig"r#h 3etwor:.D
Oper"tives en#ountered override progr"ms on roo$tops "#ross the #ity& possibly
rem"ining $rom " l"st+dit#h e$$ort by one o$ the intruders.
!he 1ile %ose& h"ving he"rd th"t the intruders h"d le$t& too: " bold trip $rom her
st"tion in *outh"rd to the he"rt o$ 7owntown with the help o$ " #ouple oper"tives.
?host visited the site o$ C"pt"in *ud"Fs "mbush "nd de"th "t the h"nds o$ Cypherites
in ,idowFs .oor. 5e dis#ussed the possibility o$ l"rger motives or rel"tionships behind
the re#ent events surrounding *ud"Fs de"th& in#luding the "#tions o$ the intruders& "nd
the "ttempted inter#eption o$ Comm"nder Lo#: by Cypherite "nd ."#hine hover#r"$t.
!his dis#ussion w"s interrupted by "n Ar#hivist& who dem"nded th"t ?host "nd the
oper"tives with him le"ve the #onstru#t& en$or#ing this #omm"nd with " sw"rm o$
?"rgoyles.
Eion oper"tives pursuing ."#hine 7"t" !e#hni#i"ns in the 7"t"mine #onstru#t #rossed
p"ths with C"pt"in %"eder& "pp"rently "n o$$i#er in the se#urity division o$
*upersymmetri# %ese"r#h& the #omp"ny who h"d owned the "rti$i#i"l isl"nd. %"eder
r"mbled on "bout rese"r#h& eperiments& "nd bure"u#r"#y while "ttempting to epel
the Dtresp"ssers.D
-n " rem"r:"ble #oin#iden#e& with the dep"rture o$ the intruders& m"ssive p"rties bro:e
out in the simul"tion& with .erovingi"n oper"tives p"#:ing the 5el Club $or " p"rty
hosted by Les 1n$"nts !erribles& "nd oper"tives $rom "ll org"niz"tions p"rtying it up in
Club 7u"lity.
."#hine oper"tives were #"lled in to de"l with "n 1ile sniper "tt"#:ing pedestri"ns in
.orrell. Oper"tives wor:ed to lo#"te the sniper by posing "s #ivili"n t"rgets. !he
t"#iturn Agent ?ri$$in w"s #on#erned th"t the w"y in whi#h this w"s implemented g"ve
the sniper "n opportunity to es#"pe& but nevertheless he w"s lo#"ted "nd neutr"lized
by oper"tives.
Cryptos summoned Cypherite oper"tives to Eero One $or " test "g"inst progr"mm"ti#
enemies& in#luding A##eler"ted progr"ms. Cryptos studied the #omb"t sessions& "nd
s"id th"t the in$orm"tion g"thered would help him in his rese"r#h into the override
#odes.
Oper"tives en#ountered override progr"ms on roo$tops "#ross the #ity& possibly
rem"ining $rom " l"st+dit#h e$$ort by one o$ the intruders.
An unidenti$ied bro"d#"st sign"l w"s brie$ly dete#ted in northe"st %i#hl"nd. Agent
135
?r"y "s:ed oper"tives to report "ny $urther in$orm"tion $ound on the sign"l.
136
!hapter :C98
Ouroboros
."user& who never h"d C"#:s& "ppe"rs in the ."tri. 5e hops through unm"r:ed h"rdlines&
"voiding #ont"#t& s"ying to Eion only th"t heFs wor:ing to win the w"r. !he .erovingi"n seeds
the storm between the ."#hine #ity "nd the no+$ly zone in order to reest"blish #ont"#t with
the ?ener"l. !hey $ind Olig"r#h networ: d"t" $lowing into the Ouroboros Corpor"tion in
7owntown. !he ."#hines ne"rly isol"te ."userFs sign"l& but "re interrupted by the .orpheus
simul"#rum. ."user ste"ls d"t" $rom the .erovingi"n& then dis"ppe"rs. .issile b"rr"ges
dev"st"te the ?ener"lFs $or#es in the no+$ly zone& $or#ing him to retre"t. 1'3 dete#ts " sm"ll
#r"$t outbound $rom tunnels below the old #ity& he"ding north.
Colt reported to Eion th"t his old #rewm"te ."user& thought to h"ve been :illed
res#uing Lo#: $rom the destru#tion o$ Eion& h"d been seen in the ."tri. !his w"s
doubly surprising sin#e ."user never h"d C"#:s $or entering the simul"tion. Eion pi#:ed
up re"dings thought to be ."user "t sever"l h"rdlines& "nd "t "n internet #"$S& but did
not lo#"te the m"n himsel$.
,ith the dep"rture o$ the intruders& the ."#hines resumed "nti+Eion oper"tions in the
."tri& dis"bling their #omputer systems& "nd interrupting #oppertop "w":enings.
*ome ."#hine oper"tives& however& en#ountered " l"rge Eionite $or#e he"ded by
3iobe& who st"ted EionFs determin"tion to resist o$$ensives by the *ystem.
*ign"ls between the ."tri "nd the ."#hine no+$ly zone be#oming too we": to
m"int"in #ommuni#"tion with the ?ener"l& .erovingi"n oper"tives inserted " progr"m
designed by ."lph"s into 9luepills "round the #ity& with the intention o$ using the 11?
wiring "nd hum"n energy $ields o$ people in the pods to #re"te " wide bro"d#"st "rr"y&
but the sign"l gener"ted proved insu$$i#ient to re"#h the ?ener"l.
!he ."#hines sent oper"tives to delete " sm"ll group o$ override progr"ms rem"ining
in Ei". !he oper"tion w"s #ompli#"ted by the unepe#ted presen#e o$ Eion #"pt"in
3iobe& enemy oper"tives& "nd ne"rby overridden Agent progr"ms.
Cryptos led Cypherite oper"tives on "n in$orm"tion+g"thering mission "g"inst Eion
strongholds& hoping to $ind out more "bout the mysterious bro"d#"st sign"l pi#:ed up
e"rlier by Eion in %i#hl"nd. 3o pertinent in$orm"tion w"s $ound& "nd the Cypherites
dis#ussed the possibility o$ Eion themselves l"#:ing $urther d"t"& "nd o$ re#ent
o##urren#es suggestive o$ " l"rger #onspir"#y.
Veil "nd her oper"tives in$iltr"ted Eionite hover#r"$t to inter#ept " #ourier& #"pturing
d"t"& progr"ms& "nd " #opy o$ " mess"ge $rom EionFs Coun#illor 7ill"rd to Comm"nder
%ol"nd& telling %ol"nd th"t e+Comm"nder J"son Lo#: w"s not due to be reinst"ted.
.erovingi"n oper"tives helped "n oper"tive n"med .ede" g"ther in$orm"tion $rom
bro"d#"st towers in 7owntown. !he in$orm"tion w"s the $in"l ingredient needed by
.ede"Fs #rew to set up " new& more power$ul #ommuni#"tion rel"y to the ?ener"l on
the 1"rthFs sur$"#e& but on the verge o$ #ompleting the st"tion& the #rew w"s wiped out
by ."#hine *entinels.
Colt #"lled $or " sweep o$ h"rdlines "#ross the #ity& hoping to $ind his old $riend
."user& who still h"d not #ont"#ted Eion. ."userFs sign"l w"s n"rrowed down to the
vi#inity o$ ."nnsd"le& where he w"s eventu"lly seen he"ding $or " h"rdline& but when
137
he spotted the oper"tives "round the phone booth& he m"de " d"sh $or " p"y phone
down the street& "nd v"nished.
Eion $ound th"t the line ."user h"d es#"ped through w"s p"rt o$ "n old& pre+!ru#e
Eion h"rdline networ: to whi#h only #ert"in oper"tives h"d been given "##ess. EionFs
#urrent d"t" on the networ: w"s in#omplete& sin#e some w"s lost when the ."#hines
s"#:ed EionFs m"in$r"me& "nd it w"s "lso suspe#ted th"t some "re"s o$ the networ:
h"d never been do#umented.
A$ter some di$$i#ulty in n"vig"ting the networ:& Eion oper"tives en#ountered ."user&
who& be$ore eiting "long " spli#ed restri#ted line& s"id only th"t he w"s wor:ing to win
the w"r.
."#hine oper"tives wor:ed with l"w+en$or#ement o$$i#i"ls to investig"te bre":+ins by
the individu"l s"id to be ."user. 1viden#e o$ #omputer t"mpering w"s $ound& le"ding
to the dis#overy o$ " b"#:up log showing th"t one o$ the t"mpered #omputers h"d
been used to #onne#t to " remote system vi" networ: tunneling using "n un:nown&
en#rypted proto#ol.
!he .erovingi"n& needing to re+est"blish #ont"#t with the ?ener"l& str"nded on "n
investig"tive mission in the ."#hine no+$ly zone 800 miles northwest o$ the ."#hine
#ity& sent oper"tives to $ind " w"y to improve the #ommuni#"tion lin:. %ese"r#h
indi#"ted th"t #loud seeding o$ the mysterious& glob"l storm& #re"ted e"rly in the ."n+
."#hine w"r by " hum"n proCe#t #"lled DOper"tion 7"r: *torm&D #ould possibly boost
#ommuni#"tion r"nge through " we"ther phenomenon :nown "s Dtropospheri#
du#ting.D *pe#i"lly+e)uipped #omm"ndo *entinels were disp"t#hed to begin the
seeding oper"tion "long the route to the no+$ly zone.
!heres" .orton& " bluepill& helped 1 'luribus 3eo lo#"te " phone line on the old
restri#ted networ: in 7owntown& ne"r " termin"l th"t h"d been h"#:ed by ."user& "nd
investig"ted by the ."#hines. Eion oper"tives #"used " distr"#tion elsewhere in the
#ity to :eep the ."#hines "w"y $rom 'luribus 3eo during the investig"tion& but when
1'3 tried "##essing the line& se#urity )ui#:ly "ppe"red on the s#ene in l"rge numbers.
.orton w"s t":en into ."#hine #ustody.
."#hine oper"tives $ought to prote#t me#h"ni# progr"ms "s they modi$ied h"rdlines in
7owntown to prevent "##ess by ."userFs unusu"l bro"d#"st sign"l. *trong resist"n#e
$rom 'luribus 3eo "nd Eion oper"tives $or#ed the ."#hines to send su##essive
me#h"ni# progr"ms in order to #omplete the wor:.
*oon "$terw"rds& 'luribus 3eo oper"tives hunted $or possible unm"r:ed h"rdlines
"round the #ity& p"rti#ul"rly in 7owntown. ."#hine "nd some .erovingi"n oper"tives
hindered the se"r#h& but it w"s hoped th"t the line lo#"tion d"t" g"thered would le"d to
the m"pping o$ more o$ the hidden networ:.
.erovingi"n oper"tives see:ing more in$orm"tion on the D7"r: *torm&D with the go"l o$
improving the tropospheri# du#ting proCe#t& lo#"ted " progr"m n"med CA%803 in One
Eero. CA%803& #l"iming to be " pre+w"r Eero One "ssembly line wor:er& proved to
h"ve very limited d"t" on the storm "nd its origin& but g"ve wh"t m"y h"ve been "
uni)uely $irst+h"nd perspe#tive o$ ."#hine "ttitudes "t the time in whi#h Oper"tion
7"r: *torm w"s put into oper"tion. CA%803Fs reminis#en#e p"inted the pi#ture o$ "
pe"#e$ul ."#hine popul"tion $or#ed into w"r by hum"n Ce"lousy th"t they did not
138
underst"nd.
Eion beg"n the pro#ess o$ shutting down :nown se#tions o$ the old restri#ted "##ess
h"rdline system& now #ompromised by ."user& "nd possibly under thre"t o$ s#rutiny
by the ."#hines. 'rogress "long one o$ the br"n#hes #"me to " sudden h"lt when "
7e#eler"tor progr"m& one o$ the intruder overrides& "ppe"red ne"rby& its #omm"nd
routines s#r"mbling the line.
!he ."#hines beg"n investig"ting the restri#ted line system& using d"t" #"ptured $rom
EionFs old m"in$r"me& "s well "s intelligen#e g"thered by spying on Eion oper"tives& to
determine th"t "n unusu"l bro"d#"st sign"l "sso#i"ted with the system++possibly
."userFs ."tri #onne#tion++w"s #oming $rom the vi#inity o$ old Eion.
,ith the tropospheri# du#ting e$$e#t o$ the seeded 7"r: *torm re+en"bling
#ommuni#"tion with the ?ener"l in the dist"nt ."#hine no+$ly zone& the .erovingi"n
st"rted loo:ing $or ."#hine lin:s th"t would help uns#r"mble #omple d"t" $ound in the
str"nge networ: there. 7"t" w"s obt"ined& but the ?ener"lFs #omm lin: into the ."tri
w"s severed Cust "$ter he rel"yed " report o$ "n in#oming missile "tt"#: on his $or#es&
$rom "n un:nown sour#e.
'luribus 3eo helped the e+Eion oper"tive ?r"#e wor: out some person"l issues with
her nemesis ?inCiro& le"der o$ the *ilver 7r"gon g"ng& in e#h"nge $or wh"tever she
#ould tell them "bout EionFs old restri#ted h"rdline networ:. ?r"#e showed 1'3 the
phone line in 6urih"t" th"t w"s her "ppointed emergen#y eit when she wor:ed there
$or Eion& but s"id th"t she h"d never used it& "nd th"t Eion h"d in$ormed her th"t the
system w"s being shut down when the !ru#e with the ."#hines went into e$$e#t.
.erovingi"n oper"tives helped " #omm"ndo progr"m s"lv"ge $light d"t" $rom the
?ener"lFs downed *entinels in the no+$ly zone. %etrieving the rem"ins o$ their
progr"ms "$ter these were returned to the ."tri by the #omm"ndo& it w"s $ound th"t
Cust be$ore they were destroyed by missiles& some o$ the ?ener"lFs *entinels h"d
dete#ted " dist"nt ship m"t#hing the pro$ile o$ the #r"$t used by the intruders& C"rlyne
"nd 5"lborn.
3ow "ble to "##ess se#tions o$ the restri#ted line system& Eion oper"tives #h"sed
."user through unm"r:ed lines "#ross the #ity. !hey #"ught up to him sever"l times&
but he did little to "#:nowledge them& uttering only one senten#e in 7owntown& "nd
ignoring his old #rewm"te& Colt& be$ore v"nishing through " phone ne"r the 5el Club. A
%untime progr"m "ppe"red where he h"d been st"nding& bringing overridden ."#hine
progr"ms th"t "tt"#:ed the "ssembled Eion oper"tives& "nd dis"bling the line ."user
h"d used to es#"pe.
!he ."#hines #"ptured 'luribus 3eo s#"nning st"tions on the sur$"#e "bove old Eion&
"nd "##essed their #ontrol inter$"#es inside the ."tri to begin using them to help
pinpoint ."userFs bro"d#"st. 9ut& mu#h to the surprise o$ both the ."#hines "nd
'luribus 3eo& the s#"nning st"tion networ: se#urity systems& whi#h h"d been dis"bled
in the e"rlier ."#hine "tt"#: "t the sur$"#e& suddenly re+eng"ged& $or#ing the
."#hines to give up the "ttempt.
."userFs #ourse through EionFs old restri#ted line system r"n through .erovingi"n
territory& #"using problems $or the Eionites tr"#:ing him& "nd $or the .erovingi"n "nd
his 1iles& who $ound themselves vi#tims o$ the the$t o$ the topogr"phi# d"t" on the no+
139
$ly zone they h"d stolen e"rlier $rom the ."#hines.
!he ."#hines& en#ountering "n unepe#ted error mess"ge when trying to #"pture
sur$"#e s#"n d"t" $rom 1'3 #omputers& resort to the internet bl"#: m"r:et in order to
obt"in in$orm"tion on 1'3Fs res#ue o$ J"son Lo#:& in whi#h ."user& "##ording to
Lo#:Fs "##ount& h"d been involved. Lo#:Fs "##ount #ont"ined noteworthy
dis#rep"n#ies& however& not the le"st o$ whi#h w"s th"t *entinels were supposed to
h"ve :illed ."user& in spite o$ the $"#t th"t& "##ording to the ."#hines& they h"d no
*entinels in th"t "re" "t the time. A$ter obt"ining " #opy o$ $light d"t" $rom the 1'3
ship th"t h"d pi#:ed up Lo#: $rom the ruined building on the 1"rthFs sur$"#e where he
s"id he h"d been hidden by ."user& the ."#hines re"lized th"t the building w"s the
s"me l"b where& roughly nine months e"rlier& they h"d $ound "nd :illed 7"nielle
,right& whose #onne#tion to EionFs m"in$r"me h"d then be#ome the :ey to the
."#hine destru#tion o$ EionFs $ormer #ity. Agent ?r"y suggested th"t ."user& " highly
s:illed te#hni#i"n& m"y h"ve s"lv"ged ,rightFs te#hnology $rom the ruined l"b& whi#h
#ould epl"in some o$ his surprising #"p"bilities in the simul"tion.
'luribus 3eo& $ollowing up overhe"rd poli#e reports o$ " person m"t#hing ."userFs
gener"l des#ription in ,estview& r"n into dedi#"ted .orpheus $ollower Joshu" ."ston&
who s"id th"t poli#e m"y h"ve h"d ."user #on$used with the .orpheus simul"#rum&
whom he h"d Cust en#ountered in the "re".
A previously un:nown oper"tive #ont"#ted the $"#tion !emet 3os#e& "s:ing $or help in
re#l"iming his $ormer li$e $rom " progr"m the ."#hines h"d put in his pl"#e. 5is
"ttempt to "ss"ssin"te the progr"m w"s brought to "n "brupt end by Agent ?ri$$in& who
shot him de"d& "nd epl"ined to the oper"tive whose #ooper"tion he h"d hired th"t the
"ss"ssin"tion t"rget w"s " re"l bluepill& "nd th"t the would+be :iller w"s in $"#t "n
eiled progr"m. !he !emet 3os#e oper"tive w"s s:epti#"l o$ the AgentFs spin on the
story.
."#hinists helped guide " te"m o$ oper"tives on $oot through the r"ging ele#tri#"l
storm "t the 1"rthFs sur$"#e& se"r#hing $or the $ugitive ."userFs bro"d#"st lo#"tion.
!he $urious storm #l"imed vi#tims "mong the sur$"#e te"m& but& guided by oper"tives
"n"lyzing the s#"ns they returned o$ the "re"& they su##eeded in lo#"ting " Eionite
Dlightning gunD $ire"rm "t the edge o$ " l"rge #h"sm in the 1"rthFs #rust.
Oo:"mi "nd .erovingi"n oper"tives $ollowed ."userFs err"ti# tr"il "#ross 7owntown&
$ending o$$ ."userFs $ormer #rewm"te& Colt& who w"s "lso loo:ing $or the ev"sive
$ormer te#hni#i"n o$ !he 5"mmer. !he .erovingi"ns $ound ."user Cust "s he C"#:ed
out in " $"r #orner o$ Creston 5eights.
Eion se"r#hed $or whoever it w"s th"t w"s in ,estview& ."user or the .orpheus
simul"#rum& but $ound only "n old dis#onne#ted phone line& Cypherites& "nd " #rypti#
mess"ge on " mysterious #omputer.
'luribus 3eo dete#ted "n unidenti$ied sm"ll #r"$t he"ding north $rom " deep tunnel
lo#"tion "round old Eion. *e"r#hing the tunnels& they $ound " re#ently used site strewn
with pie#es o$ *entinels "nd hover#r"$t. A termin"l $rom one o$ the hover#r"$t w"s
$ound to #ont"in some d"t"& whi#h they set to wor: de#oding.
!he ."#hines lo#"ted ."userFs %*-& "nd were moving to lo#: his sign"l& when the
.orpheus *ign"l "ppe"red in their s#"n #ontrol room& disrupting the pro#edure. 9y the
140
time they #ould reiniti"lize the pro#ess& ."user w"s nowhere to be $ound.
!he ?ener"l& returning $rom the ."#hine no+$ly zone& sent b"#: "ll o$ the d"t" he h"d
pulled $rom the mysterious networ: line $ound there. !he d"t" w"s $ound to #ont"in
#ir#"+/999 tr"dition"l hum"n networ: he"ders. !hese were tr"#:ed by .erovingi"n
oper"tives to " priv"te #orpor"te provider& where they were "mbushed by se#urity
gu"rds $rom the Ouroboros Corpor"tion.
A bluepill n"med ?er"ld Croyden #ompl"ined bitterly "bout the di$$i#ulties o$ moving
"nd #oming b"#: to the #ity& but persevered to "ttend his sonFs high+s#hool gr"du"tion.
.erovingi"n oper"tives pumped Ouroboros tour guide Judie L"hler $or in$orm"tion in
Club J"nus in her o$$ hours. Judie& who le"ds tours in OuroborosF #orpor"te
he"d)u"rters in Creston 5eights& indulged in " number o$ drin:s& "nd seemed unh"ppy
"bout her Cob& #"lling it boring "nd restri#tive. *he s"id th"t the things she h"d to tell
tour guests "bout the #orpor"tion were Cust silly lies& th"t no re"l wor: w"s done there&
"nd th"t nobody ever told her "nything.
Cypherites $ound the .orpheus simul"#rum in " #hur#h in ,estview. !he simul"#rum
"dmitted th"t it h"d intended to be disruptive in its sudden return& "nd m"de mention o$
the di$$i#ulty o$ "#hieving pe"#e. !he simul"#rum dire#ted the oper"tives to " ne"rby
#onstru#tion y"rd& where they $ound 'luribus 3eo oper"tives in the "#t o$ using Code
'ulse 7evi#es. !he Cypherites elimin"ted the oper"tives "nd de$used the devi#es.
'luribus 3eo shut down the ."tri inter$"#es to their s#"nning e)uipment "round
EionFs old #ity& "$ter $inding the ."#hines "ttempting to h"#: into the inter$"#es on#e
"g"in. *him"d" s"id th"t $rom now on they would h"ve to rely on indire#t
#ommuni#"tion with the s#"nning "rr"ys in the %e"l.
."#hinists tr"#:ed down " d"ngerous es#"ped Lupine& Vulg& "nd elimin"ted him. !heir
1ile in$orm"nt& %os"leen& st"rtled by the sudden "ppro"#h o$ one o$ the !wins& w"s
:illed by the trigger+h"ppy ."#hine oper"tive 9l"zin,ol$.
?host "nd Eion oper"tives stopped " ."#hine "ttempt to h"#: " previously
undis#overed se#tion o$ EionFs old restri#ted+"##ess h"rdline system in '"r: 1"st.
!he 1$$e#tu"tor w"s #"ught by oper"tives while trying to g"ther in$orm"tion "t ("lt
Chemi#"l 1ngineering in (edemoth. ("lt hersel$ "ppe"red on the roo$top& w"rning the
group o$ oper"tives to disperse. A strong se#urity $or#e "ppe"red on the s#ene shortly
there"$ter.
A sm"ll group o$ oper"tives $ound 'ersephone musing "t "n old boo:shel$ in " hidden
study in the #h"te"u. A #onvers"tion "bout the n"ture o$ love $ollowed& "nd
'ersephone invited oper"tives to write down their own love stories to sh"re with
others.
Oper"tives $ound ?host st"nding )uietly in 7ebir Court& ne"r the ben#h where the
Or"#le w"s :illed. ?host "nd the oper"tives t"l:ed "bout the w"r "nd the views o$ the
opposing sides. ?host rem"r:ed upon ."#hine insisten#e on rem"ining emotionless&
"nd wondered i$ hum"ns h"d re"son to $e"r th"t ."#hines might be#ome better "t
$eeling emotions th"n hum"ns& whom they h"ve "lre"dy surp"ssed in industry "nd
s#ien#e.
7isguised Cypherites in$iltr"ted " p"rty held by the .erovingi"n "t the 5el Club. !he
141
oper"tives& in the guise o$ 1iles& "ttempted to get the 6ren#hm"n to t"l: "bout his
"mbitions in investig"ting the Ouroboros Corpor"tion& but his replies were light+he"rted
"nd insubst"nti"l. Oo:"mi "ppe"red& e"mined sever"l o$ the Cypherites& "nd
unle"shed "n "tt"#: o$ Lupines th"t drove the oper"tives out o$ the #lub.
142
!hapter :C9;
!hecks and alances
Cypherites $ind the .erovingi"n h"#:ing into Ouroboros. Cryptos #"ptures some o$ the
Olig"r#h d"t" to "ssist his rese"r#h. 1'3 dis#over d"t" on the no+$ly zone le$t behind "t the
sm"ll #r"$tFs l"un#h site& "nd begin to prep"re ships o$ their own to investig"te. ."#hines try
to get the .erovingi"n out o$ Ouroboros& #on#erned th"t trouble there will bring more
Olig"r#hs into the ."tri. ,right %ese"r#h sues 'endhurst+Am"r"nth $or " bre":+in by
."user. 'endhurst+Am"r"nthFs 9rend" <tley helps Eion get in$orm"tion "bout ."userFs
"#tivities& but *er"ph "ppe"rs& "nd "s:s them to stop. !he .erovingi"n $inds the biologi#"l
inter$"#e progr"m inside OuroborosF networ:.
7e#iphering " #rypti# mess"ge $ound while se"r#hing ,estview sever"l wee:s e"rlier
led Eion oper"tives to the C"mon 5eights 1ile& *ilver& who h"d "lre"dy t":en the
pre#"ution o$ going into hiding. ,hen #he#:ing up on *ilverFs old business p"rtner&
,right %ese"r#h& the oper"tives he"rd o$ " bre":+in "ttempt "t ,right wee:s e"rlier by
"n individu"l m"t#hing ."userFs des#ription.
."#hine oper"tives too: #"re o$ problems #"used by 1'3 "nd Eion oper"tives& "nd
"s:ed " #oppertop meteorologist $or "n DintuitiveD "n"lysis o$ the heightened storm in
the %e"lB the meteorologistFs opinion w"s th"t the storm "#tivity #ould l"st $or some
time& possibly growing worse. A$ter he"ring the report o$ these v"rious oper"tions&
Agent ?r"y s"id th"t the most e$$i#"#ious #ourse o$ "#tion "t present would be putting
" stop to the .erovingi"nFs disruptive "#tivities.
.erovingi"n oper"tives :idn"pped "n Ouroboros networ: m"n"ger& delivering him to
1iles $or interrog"tion on me"ns o$ "##essing th"t #omp"nyFs se#ured d"t". !hey "lso
$ound th"t they h"d been observed by " Cypherite spy during the #ourse o$ this
oper"tion.
Oper"tives delivered d"t" to the 1$$e#tu"tor in Ashen#ourte& where they en#ountered
resist"n#e by 1'3 $or#es. !he tr"ns$er w"s #ompleted& "lthough 1'3 obt"ined
"nother set o$ d"t" th"t h"d been hidden ne"rby.
3iobe led " sm"ll group o$ Eion oper"tives into the .erovingi"nFs #h"te"u& loo:ing $or
#lues "bout wh"t he w"s "$ter "t Ouroboros. .e"nwhile& other Eion oper"tives sought
to distr"#t the .erovingi"nFs "ttention by b"ttling se#urity $or#es outside his 5el ClubB
this b"ttle grew )ui#:ly due to "n unepe#ted "tt"#: by Cypherite oper"tives. 3iobe
"nd her te"m were lo#"ted "nd #h"sed $rom the #h"te"u by " !win "nd power$ul 1ile
gu"rds& but not be$ore they #on$is#"ted some d"t".
7isguised Cypherite oper"tives snu#: into Ouroboros& see:ing to #"pture " s"mple o$
the Olig"r#h d"t" s"id to be $eeding into hidden #omputer systems there. 7uring their
se"r#h& they #rossed p"ths with .erovingi"n 1iles& possibly pursuing " simil"r go"l.
!he Cypherites over#"me the 1iles "nd Ouroboros se#urity $or#es long enough to
etr"#t some o$ the $oreign d"t".
!he .erovingi"n& "nnoyed by Cypherite inter$eren#e& tr"#:ed down the Cypherite
le"der& Cryptos& "nd w"rned him "g"inst $urther disruptions. Cryptos s"id th"t he h"d
w"nted to obt"in the Olig"r#h d"t" s"mple $rom Ouroboros in order to "dv"n#e his
143
rese"r#h into developing " #ounter+"gent to the override #odes used by the intruders.
1 'luribus 3eo used in$orm"tion obt"ined $rom 1iles& in#luding " s#heme #"ptured
$rom " ."#hine m"in$r"me& to de#rypt the $ile they h"d re#overed $rom " hover#r"$t
termin"l $ound "mong bits "nd pie#es o$ dism"ntled h"rdw"re in " m"inten"n#e tunnel
ne"r old Eion. !hey $ound th"t the $ile #ont"ined " topogr"phi# m"p o$ the no+$ly zone
est"blished by the ."#hines $"r to the northwest o$ the ."#hine #ity++the s"me "re" to
whi#h the .erovingi"n h"d re#ently disp"t#hed the ?ener"l "nd his *entinels. -n light
o$ this #oin#iden#e& *him"d" s"id th"t it w"s time 1'3 loo:ed into the "re"
themselves.
Eion $ound nothing but hostile gu"rds "t the ,right %ese"r#h $"#ility ."user "ppe"red
to h"ve r"ided wee:s e"rlier. *hortly there"$ter& 'endhurst+Am"r"nth #h"irwom"n
9rend" <tley #ont"#ted Eion& "nd reve"led th"t ,right %ese"r#h w"s thre"tening to
sue her #omp"nyB ,right "lleged th"t ."user bro:e into their o$$i#e "t 'endhurst+
Am"r"nthFs behest& b"sing this on #l"ims o$ #onne#tions between ."user "nd Eion&
"nd between Eion "nd 'endhurst+Am"r"nth& d"ting b"#: to the <nlimit "$$"ir.
Cypherites #ont"#ted the ."#hines& #on$irming .erovingi"n r"ids on the Ouroboros
Corpor"tion& intended to retrieve in$orm"tion rel"ted to the intruders. !he ."#hines
lo#"ted .erovingi"n $or#es "tt"#:ing "n Ouroboros o$$i#e "nd repelled them& t":ing
#"re not to h"rm the #orpor"te gu"rds "t the site. ?r"y noted th"t Ouroboros h"d $"iled
to noti$y the proper "uthorities o$ the "tt"#: by the .erovingi"n.
.erovingi"n oper"tives :idn"pped "n Ouroboros networ: m"n"ger& obt"ining " list o$
Ouroboros networ: p"sswords $rom the in$orm"tion he supplied. !hey beg"n putting
the p"sswords to use& in$iltr"ting Ouroboros systems& but en#ountered resist"n#e $rom
the ."#hines.
Eionites "ssisted 9rend" <tley "t " #ourt+"ppointed he"ring& "ttempting to resolve the
,right/'+A dispute. Although <tley "nd Eion strongly m"int"ined their position th"t
they h"d nothing to do with "ny "#tion by ."user& ,right %ese"r#hFs represent"tive
insisted th"t ,right h"d in$orm"tion to the #ontr"ry& "nd s"id th"t they would #ontinue
to press their #l"im.
An Ouroboros se#urity gu"rd "ttempted to :i#: .erovingi"n oper"tives out o$ " p"r:ing
lot in Lemone. !he gu"rd put up " tough $ight& "nd h"d hopes o$ being promoted to "n
e"sy Cob in networ: se#urity& but oper"tive rein$or#ements put "n end to his hopes o$
l"nding " dre"m Cob.
."#hine oper"tives investig"ting the dis"ppe"r"n#e o$ " *,A! unit en#ountered "nd
pursued the !wins "#ross 7owntown& tr"#:ing them "ll the w"y to "n Ouroboros
#omple& where the !wins were "t wor: #utting through the #omp"nyFs gu"rds.
."#hine oper"tives Coined in the se#urity melee "round the !wins& who dep"rted
without mu#h del"y. !he oper"tives were then )ui#:ly re#"lled by Agent ?r"y& who
s"id th"t it w"s etremely import"nt th"t the ."#hines "void eng"ging Ouroboros
se#urity $or#es& "s this #ould result in "n "lert being sent b"#: to the re"l power behind
Ouroboros: the Olig"r#hs.
6lood "nd .erovingi"n oper"tives disguised "s Agents "ttempted to use their
"ssumed $eder"l "uthority to enter "n Ouroboros l"b& with the "im o$ #on$is#"ting
v"lu"ble d"t". !hey were surprised when the Ouroboros gu"rd "t the site st"ted th"t
144
their $eder"l Curisdi#tion did not "pply "t the #omp"nyFs $"#ility. A b"ttle ensued& "nd
"lthough the oper"tives elimin"ted the gu"rd& rein$or#ements eventu"lly $or#ed the
oper"tives to Coin 6lood in #hoosing dis#retion over v"lor. A s"$e dist"n#e "w"y& 6lood
pointed out th"t ."#hine "uthority w"s evidently worthless when it #"me to de"ling
with Ouroboros.
9rend" <tley& s"ying th"t her #omp"ny& 'endhurst+Am"r"nth& w"s getting too mu#h
leg"l he"t $rom ,right %ese"r#h over "n "lleged bre":+in by ."user& whi#h ,right
bl"med on '+A& "s:ed Eion to se"r#h $or #lues "bout ."userFs "#tivity "t the
Ouroboros Corpor"tion& r"ther th"n "t ,right %ese"r#h.
<tley put Eion in tou#h with "n in$orm"nt inside Ouroboros& where& "$ter spe":ing with
"n Ouroboros se#urity gu"rd& Eion oper"tives $ound th"t " se#urity in#ident "t th"t
#omp"ny $our wee:s "go& "bout the time o$ ."userFs l"st :nown "#tivity in the ."tri&
w"s " h"#: "ttempt th"t #"me over the internet& #utting right through the Ouroboros
#orpor"te $irew"ll. Eion #"ptured the $irew"ll serverFs log o$ the in#ident& whi#h showed
th"t d"t" tr"ns$erred in "nd out o$ the #omp"nyFs networ: during the "tt"#: used "n
en#ryption s#heme be"ring " resembl"n#e to the en#ryption 7"nielle ,right used $or
EionFs rev"mped red pill progr"mB this suggested th"t ."user& or whoever w"s behind
the "tt"#:& m"y h"ve been using stolen ,right te#hnology to h"#: into Ouroboros.
!he ."#hines st"ted th"t theyFve :nown Ouroboros is " $ront $or the Olig"r#hs& " group
whose number in#ludes the two power$ul Dintruders&D 5"lborn "nd C"rlyne& who
re#ently #"used so m"ny problems in the ."tri with their override #odes. Agent ?r"y
emph"sized th"t trouble "t Ouroboros #ould #"use " se#urity "lert to bring Olig"r#h
"ttention b"#: into the ."tri& r"ising the spe#tre o$ "nother w"ve o$ overrides
disrupting the simul"tion.
!o prevent this possibility& ."#hine oper"tives "ttempted to set up " system inside
OuroborosF networ: th"t would re+dire#t "ny #ommuni#"tions being sent out into the
%e"l& but h"d to "b"ndon the proCe#t when power$ul override progr"ms "ppe"red&
disrupting the #ommuni#"tion progr"ms.
.erovingi"n oper"tives "rmed with #"ptured p"sswords #ontinued their eplor"tion o$
OuroborosF #omputer networ:. !hey en#ountered resist"n#e $rom Ouroboros se#urity
"nd ."#hines& but " distin#t l"#: o$ #ooper"tion between those two $or#es somewh"t
"llevi"ted the problem. 3oting this& the .erovingi"n disp"t#hed "n oper"tive to
Ouroboros ee#utives with " letter det"iling ."#hine "nd Cypherite t"mpering "ttempts
"t Ouroboros.
9rend" <tley helped Eion oper"tives dis#over the n"me o$ " networ: engineer "t
Ouroboros& *heldon 9rewer& s"id to h"ve "##ess to " virtu"l m"p o$ the #omp"nyFs
intern"l networ:.
Cypherite oper"tives imperson"ted tourists on " site visit to " l"rge Ouroboros o$$i#e
building& while oper"tive ."ri"s snu#: p"st gu"rds on the upper $loors "nd :illed
Ouroboros se#urity o$$i#er ."tthews. Veil hinted th"t ."tthews h"d been in #h"rge o$
sending out " se#urity report.
."#hine oper"tives lo#"ted "nd elimin"ted "n 1iled h"#:er& C0wb0y& who Agent ?r"y
s"id w"s responsible $or gener"ting #ivili"n #urren#y inside the simul"tion in su#h v"st
"mounts th"t it #ould dest"bilize the popul"tionFs e#onomy. Oper"tives beg"n wor:ing
145
with o$$i#er Vogt to tr"#: down "nd #on$is#"te "ll o$ C0wb0yFs h"#:ed $unds& whi#h h"d
been #on#e"led in v"rious investments.
.erovingi"n oper"tives see:ing to distr"#t publi# "ttention $rom their own t"rget&
Ouroboros& got help $rom g"ng le"der *even in #re"ting " s#"nd"lous s#ene "t "
,right %ese"r#h o$$i#e& where they "lso obt"ined se#urity p"ss#odes. <sing the
#odes& the oper"tives bro:e into ,right %ese"r#h he"d)u"rters& wre#:ing m"in$r"mes
"nd le"ving h"#:er progr"ms designed to loo: "s though they h"d #ome $rom riv"l
#orpor"tion 'endhurst+Am"r"nth.
Eion $ound th"t the Ouroboros employee with "##ess to " m"p o$ th"t #orpor"tionFs
networ:& *heldon 9rewer& w"s "n un"ssuming te#hni#i"n with the networ: d"t"
surgi#"lly impl"nted in his physi#"l& pod+housed br"in. !his m"de obt"ining the
in$orm"tion di$$i#ult& but " red pill tr"#e progr"m "nd #oordin"tion with " hover#r"$t
over#"me the obst"#le.
,right %ese"r#h de#l"red their intention to go "he"d with their l"wsuit "g"inst
'endhurst+Am"r"nth& #l"iming th"t they h"d se#urity #"mer" $oot"ge o$ ."user
bre":ing into their $"#ility& "s well "s other in$orm"tion demonstr"ting his ties to Eion&
"nd EionFs #lose rel"tionship with 'endhurst+Am"r"nth. ."#hine oper"tives delivered
" subpoen" to 'endhurst+Am"r"nth #h"irwom"n 9rend" <tley& re)uiring her to "ppe"r
in $eder"l #ourt to "nswer )uestions "bout the #"se.
.erovingi"n oper"tives r"n into " puzzling speed bump in their in$iltr"tion o$ the
Ouroboros networ:: " missing #onne#tion between two "#tive networ: se#tions.
Attempts to study "nd lo#"te the "bsent #onne#tion $"iled& "nd even the 1$$e#tu"tor
be#"me dis#om$ited by the b"$$ling problem. *etting it "side $or the time& investig"tion
#ontinued "long the rest o$ the networ: line& returning re"ms o$ $in"n#i"l d"t".
!he ."#hines obt"ined oper"tive help in )uestioning 9rend" <tley "bout her
#omp"nyFs involvement with ."user "nd Eion. !he '+A #h"irwom"n emerged $rom "
b"rr"ge o$ )uestions "nd w"rnings "pp"rently un$"zed. Agent '"#e& b"#:ed up by "n
oper"tive& #"ught up with .s. <tley in 7owntown& delivering " w"rning th"t i$ <tleyFs
#omp"ny #ontinued to "sso#i"te with Eion& it w"s possible th"t they #ould subCe#ted to
" time+#onsuming $eder"l "udit.
A Eion oper"tive& 3egligible& m"de o$$ with d"t" Cryptos w"s using $or his rese"r#h into
#ountering intruder override #odes& m":ing de#l"r"tions to the e$$e#t th"t the
Cypherites #ouldnFt be trusted to use su#h in$orm"tion sel$lessly. 'ursuing Cypherites
m"n"ged to #"t#h 3egligible& "nd re#over the d"t".
A disoriented *heldon 9rewer stumbled out o$ "n "p"rtment building in the slums&
)uestioning ne"rby ."#hine oper"tives "bout the time "nd lo#"tion. 9rewer did not
underst"nd how he h"d gotten there& "nd grew #on#erned th"t he would be l"te $or
wor:& "lthough he #ouldnFt )uite remember where his o$$i#e w"s. An Ouroboros
se#urity o$$i#er "ppe"red& #urtly dismissed the ."#hine oper"tives& "nd too: the
#on$used 9rewer b"#: into the building.
1'3 oper"tives& with the help o$ the networ: m"p obt"ined by Eion& lo#"ted the
Ouroboros se#urity server holding the re#ord o$ "#tivity on the #omp"nyFs networ:
during the widespre"d h"#:ing in#ident wee:s e"rlier& "ttributed to ."user. A$ter
over#oming he"vy se#urity "t the site& the 1'3 oper"tives obt"ined " $ull log o$ the
146
h"#:ing in#ident& #omplete with the networ: "ddresses o$ the spe#i$i# Ouroboros
#omputers the "tt"#:er h"d t"rgeted.
!he 1$$e#tu"tor dr"gged .erovingi"n oper"tives b"#: to the missing Ouroboros
networ: lin:& t":ing "nother #r"#: "t solving the mystery. !he se"r#h $or in$orm"tion
seemed $ruitless until $rustr"tion grew "mong the se"r#h te"m& "t whi#h point networ:
"#tivity re"dings beg"n to "ppe"r. !hrough eperiment"tion& the te"m $ound th"t
displ"ys o$ emotion #"used the re"dings to grow stronger. 6urious emoting ensued&
sp"r:ing " surprise outbre": o$ A##eler"ted Ouroboros se#urity gu"rds. !hese were
de$e"ted& but the te"m w"snFt "ble to get " lo#: on the networ: lin: until 'ersephone
"rrived to "ssist in their per$orm"n#e.
<sing networ: "ddresses $rom " #"ptured log o$ the h"#:ing in#ident "t Ouroboros
"ttributed to ."user& Eion oper"tives lo#"ted d"t" on "n Ouroboros #omputer th"t
re$erred to wh"t m"y h"ve been " lo#"tion on the sur$"#e o$ the 1"rth& with in$orm"tion
"bout power r"tings "nd networ: lin:s. !his d"t" displ"y w"s suddenly #ut o$$& "nd
*er"ph "ppe"red& "s:ing Eion to stop investig"ting the d"t"& "s their investig"tion
#ould be h"rm$ul. 3iobe w"s not h"ppy "bout the interruption& but "dmitted th"t she
still trusts *er"ph.
."#hines listened in on Ouroboros se#urity tr"nsmissions to $"#ilit"te their pursuit o$
.erovingi"n $or#es "tt"#:ing the #omp"nyFs networ:& where ."#hine oper"tives
en#ountered eviden#e o$ violent #l"shes& "s well "s " power$ul 7e#eler"tor override
progr"m. !he tr"nsmissions "nd "#tivity #e"sed when the oper"tives r"n into *er"ph&
who w"rned them th"t their se"r#h must end.
.erovingi"n oper"tives over#"me numerous obst"#les& some with surprising e"se& to
$ind " #omputer termin"l surrounded by power$ul override progr"ms "nd Ouroboros
se#urity te"ms. A he"vy $irew"ll prote#ted the termin"l& but penetr"ting it too: less time
th"n epe#ted& "nd the triumph"nt oper"tives returned to " glee$ul .erovingi"n with "n
in#redible $ind: the Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mD sought by the intruder 5"lborn.
!he (id "nd other 1'3 oper"tives b"ttled Cypherites who h"d "mbushed " #ourier
tr"nsporting red pills. !he oper"tives de$e"ted the Cypherite le"der& *"ti"te& "nd
re#"ptured some o$ the pills& but the (id $ound eviden#e th"t the pills h"d been
t"mpered with& "nd " $oreign progr"m inserted into their #"rriers.
Eion oper"tives de#ided to visit the ("lt #"mpus in (edemoth& to "s: ("lt to help Eion
"lly 9rend" <tley "nd her #omp"ny 'endhurst+Am"r"nth& whi#h is dogged by "
."#hine+supported l"wsuit $rom riv"l ,right %ese"r#h. ("ltFs re#eptionist h"d some
trouble #ont"#ting ("lt "t the oper"tivesF re)uest& "nd while they w"ited& "n Agent
"rrived& "s:ing them to le"ve the building. .ost o$ the oper"tives did not #ooper"te
with the re)uest& "nd the Agent #"lled in *,A! te"ms to disperse the #rowd. ,hile
this met with some su##ess& the ."#hine $or#es were eventu"lly de$e"ted by the
Eionite te"ms. 9y this time& the re#eptionist h"d dep"rted& "nd oper"tives were le$t
wondering i$ it would still be possible to #ont"#t ("lt.
A$ter " long d"y o$ business involving her husb"nd .r. 9l"#:& the .erovingi"n& "nd the
Ouroboros Corpor"tion& 7"me ,hite went to Club 5"us to rel"& es#orted by her
w"t#h$ul& silent bodygu"rd& 1bony. !he 7"me r"n "#ross oper"tives "t the #lub&
running " D$ight #lubD #ontest on the #lubFs trendy whips+"nd+#h"ins upper $loor. !he
$rosty 7"me seemed "mused by the energeti# ehibition put on by the oper"tives.
147
Oo:"mi en#our"ged .erovingi"n oper"tives to get in some Dpr"#ti#eD by Coining her in
" street br"wl with enemy oper"tives in !"bor '"r:& where m"ny import"nt lessons
were le"rned.
!he 1$$e#tu"tor threw " D9iologi#"l -nter$"#e '"rtyD "t !he *"nguine %oom& whose
itiner"ry in#luded the wide distribution o$ he"dy #ode sn"#:s& Oo:"mi "nd ."lph"s
#ostume #ontests& "nd "n eh"usting b"ttle "g"inst #olor$ul ninC"& "ll under the #lubFs
intense purple "nd white spotlights.
Veil "nd Cypherite oper"tives r"ided " w"rehouse in C"mon used by Eion to store red
pills. !he Cypherites de$e"ted the Eionites in the building "nd set $ire to the pill
#ont"iners& but then h"d to s#r"mble to res#ue bluepill wor:ers who h"d unepe#tedly
lingered in the buildingFs b"sement& while $ending o$$ " spirited Eionite #ounter+"tt"#:.
!he youngest member o$ the power$ul *pe#trum $"mily o$ 1iles& the *outh"rd mission
#ont"#t %ose& went on " shopping spree "$ter using " h"#: to "##ess the oper"tive
."r:etpl"#e $rom " h"rdline in <ri"h. Oper"tives in the "re" provided help$ul $"shion
tips "nd "##essories.
Lur:ing "round ."r"& 9eirn pondered the impli#"tions o$ the .erovingi"nFs possession
o$ the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m. !he e+<nlimit epressed #on#ern th"t the hunger
o$ the power$ul DintrudersD $or the progr"m would le"d to unple"s"nt #h"nges in the
."tri.
A member o$ the Ar#hivist *o#iety invited oper"tives to " re+#re"tion o$ the origin"l
*leepw"l:er spotlight "tt"#: in the *"tiFs 'l"yground "r#hive #onstru#t& "nd " review o$
the power$ul *leepw"l:er D*e#urityD te"m who led the de$ense o$ the spotlights.
!he (id #ont"#ted sever"l oper"tives to m":e sure they :new "bout "n up#oming 1'3
epedition to the ."#hine Dno+$lyD zone& "nd then helped them $ight o$$ "tt"#:s by
hostile oper"tives.
148
!hapter ::9:
/ractures
Eion $ound 1iles pushing "round ,right %ese"r#h employees. 'endhurst+Am"r"nthFs
9rend" <tley told Eion th"t i$ ."user is gone& the ,right l"wsuit "g"inst her #omp"ny
would #oll"pse& but rumors o$ intern"l troubles "t ,right %ese"r#h "re in#re"sing.
!he ."#hines& $inding th"t the .erovingi"n prob"bly does h"ve the very s"me
Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mD th"t the intruder& 5"lborn& w"s loo:ing $or& beg"n "
sweep $or the progr"m "mong the .erovingi"nFs 1iles.
!he .erovingi"n beg"n "n"lyzing the progr"m& $inding it to be " b"$$ling mi o$
#omple ."#hine $un#tions "nd DintuitiveD routines. 1ven eoti# "n"lysts su#h "s
1there"l 2 "nd ."d"me !. were un"ble to m":e he"dw"y in their e"min"tion o$ #ode
s"mples $rom the progr"m.
Agent ?ri$$in #"lled upon ."#hine oper"tives to $or#e " 'luribus 3eo member to
re#onstru#t& whi#h would "llow " ."#hine sign"l s#"n to obt"in in$orm"tion possibly
helping them tr"#: suspi#ious 1'3 ship movements. Oper"tives #hm"rr& '"s#"l& "nd
*"m"e- #ompleted the AgentFs "ssignment with gre"t disp"t#h.
Cypherites led by Cryptos #"ptured the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m $rom "
.erovingi"n server& but the progr"m somehow tr"ns$erred itsel$ "w"y $rom their
possession Cust "s the Cypherites were #ounter+"tt"#:ed by " Lupine $or#e led by
Oo:"mi.
.erovingi"n oper"tives testing the inter$"#e progr"mFs responses by "ttr"#ting it into "
simul"#rum in"dvertently triggered " storm o$ hostile simul"#r"& whi#h h"d to be
speedily elimin"ted.
!he (id "nd 1 'luribus 3eo oper"tives pursued ."#hine progr"ms see:ing the
inter$"#e progr"m. !he 1'3 oper"tives elimin"ted " ."#hine stri:e $or#e& but were
del"yed by ."lph"s "nd his blood+drin:ers when they m"de "n "ttempt to h"#: into
the .erovingi"n servers th"t the ."#hines h"d been "tt"#:ing.
1 'luribus 3eo #rews dep"rted $or "n epedition to the mysterious ."#hine Dno+$lyD
zone& while 1'3 "nd ."#hine oper"tives $ought over ."#hine hover#r"$t
#ommuni#"tion rel"ys. 'luribus 3eo su##eeded in h"#:ing one o$ the two rel"ys& but
some ."#hine hover#r"$t still m"n"ged to tr"#: the dep"rting 1'3 ships& "nd eng"ge
them in b"ttle. .ost o$ the 1'3 $leet w"s "ble to es#"pe $rom the b"ttle& "nd #ontinue
on their w"y.
Eion #"me "#ross eviden#e o$ "tt"#:s on ,right %ese"r#hFs networ:& )ui#:ly hushed
up by ,right %ese"r#h se#urity& "lthough the ,right se#urity te"ms h"d not been "ble
to $ind "ny eviden#e o$ the "tt"#:er.
."#hinists investig"ting riots in the #ity $ound 9luepills enr"ged by loss o$ their #"ble
television "nd internet "##ess& due to " m"ss $"ilure o$ the le"ding #onsumer set+top
bo "nd home router devi#es& m"nu$"#tured by none other th"n the Ouroboros
Corpor"tion.
.erovingi"n oper"tives dug up the s#ientist *ilver& enlisting his spe#i"l :nowledge in
149
the e$$ort to underst"nd "nd utilize the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m. *ilver "greed to
help only on thre"t o$ deletion++" thre"t the .erovingi"n h"s #"rried out in the p"st.
?host "nd Eion oper"tives tr"#:ed *ilver down "nd )uestioned him "bout his "#tivities&
in#luding his involvement with re#ent se#urity issues "t ,right %ese"r#hB in the p"st&
*ilver h"d wor:ed #losely with the #omp"nyFs $ounder& 7"nielle ,right. *ilver denied
"ny involvement& "nd es#"ped $rom the oper"tives& but not be$ore they #"ptured "
devi#e $rom him th"t led them to " hidden rese"r#h l"b in the slums& gu"rded by 1iles.
A #ode s#"n o$ the "re" showed th"t *ilver h"d been isol"ted there $or sever"l months&
whi#h seemed to support his #l"im o$ non+involvement in the ,right %ese"r#h
problems.
.erovingi"n oper"tives #he#:ed on the progress o$ *ilverFs rese"r#h& $inding him
eng"ged in " series o$ gruesome eperiments on do#ile 9luepills. !he oper"tives were
highly s:epti#"l o$ the use$ulness o$ *ilverFs "#tivities& "nd Oo:"mi "rrived to w"rn the
s#ientist th"t he w"s epe#ted to produ#e results.
Agent '"#e #"lled on ."#hine oper"tives to hold 9luepills who were rioting "t the
Ouroboros Corpor"tionFs he"d)u"rters in Creston 5eights& until their pod tre"tment
#ould be su$$i#iently modi$ied to p"#i$y them. *ome o$ the 9luepills were :illed in the
resulting melee& but the mob w"s eventu"lly dispersed& "nd the oper"tives "rrested
r"bble+rousing bluepill 1no#h 5orner& turning him over to Agent '"#e.
Eion dis#overed networ: e)uipment prototypes h"d been stolen $rom ,right %ese"r#h.
Che#:ing on one o$ the prototypes& they $ound th"t the rese"r#h proCe#t $rom whi#h it
origin"ted h"d been he"ded by 7"nielle ,right hersel$. !he $ormer m"n"ger o$ the
proCe#t s"id th"t it h"d to be "b"ndoned "$ter her de"th& be#"use nobody else #ould
underst"nd the te#hnology.
!he ."#hines "ttempted to #ont"#t the Ouroboros Corpor"tion& but the represent"tive
they were to meet did not "rrive. -nvestig"ting& oper"tives $ound OuroborosF intern"l
m"il "nd p"ging systems o$$line& "nd their te#hni#i"ns #ompletely b"$$led "s to the
#"use.
!he biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m went missing $rom its server& "nd $litted "round the
.erovingi"nFs networ:& #"using " number o$ problems be$ore settling into "nother
m"in$r"me. !he s#ientist *ilver "ppe"red unsurprised by its tempor"ry es#"pe& s"ying
th"t the progr"mFs uni)ue #ode en"bles it to #ir#umvent tr"dition"l se#urity routines
with rel"tive e"se.
Cypherites "nd other oper"tives strove to de"#tiv"te #ode bombs pl"nted by "n
etreme e+1'3 #rew& Libert"s Verus. !hey were "ble to dis"rm some o$ the bombs&
de$e"ting " number o$ the VerusF #rew& in#luding the #"pt"in& <ti#ensis& despite the
#rew h"ving unle"shed " d"ngerous $l"me virus "t the $irst bomb site.
,hile $ighting o$$ " ."#hine r"id on the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mFs #omputer&
Oo:"mi $ound th"t the progr"m h"d Cumped $rom its server into the %*- o$ one o$ the
.erovingi"n oper"tives& 3i#:s. Oper"tives ev"#u"ted her to " s"$e lo#"tion& where
they su##eeded in #o"ing the progr"m b"#: into " se#ure server.
Cypherites see:ing "nswers "bout OuroborosF $"ilure to #orre#t its problems tr"#:ed
down three o$ the #omp"nyFs ee#utives: 1dw"rd Noung& '"mel" 9"gwell& "nd 9"rry
.org"nth"l. Auestioning them #losely "bout OuroborosF problems "nd "#tivities& it
150
be#"me #le"r to the Cypherites th"t the #omp"nyFs own ee#utives h"d no #lue "s to
the #"use o$ the bre":downs there.
1 'luribus 3eo& "t the site o$ " #ivili"n demonstr"tion "g"inst the Ouroboros
Corpor"tion "nd its $"iled medi" distribution servi#es& witnessed the :illing o$ "
demonstr"tor "t the h"nds o$ "n Ouroboros se#urity gu"rd. 1'3 ev"#u"ted the
rem"ining #ivili"ns& "nd $ought o$$ "ggressive resist"n#e by the Ouroboros se#urity
te"m "t the site.
Eion dis#overed networ: e)uipment prototypes h"d been stolen $rom ,right %ese"r#h.
Che#:ing on one o$ the prototypes& they $ound th"t the rese"r#h proCe#t $rom whi#h it
origin"ted h"d been he"ded by 7"nielle ,right hersel$. !he $ormer m"n"ger o$ the
proCe#t s"id th"t it h"d to be "b"ndoned "$ter her de"th& be#"use nobody else #ould
underst"nd the te#hnology.
!he ."#hines "ttempted to #ont"#t the Ouroboros Corpor"tion& but the represent"tive
they were to meet did not "rrive. -nvestig"ting& oper"tives $ound OuroborosF intern"l
m"il "nd p"ging systems o$$line& "nd their te#hni#i"ns #ompletely b"$$led "s to the
#"use.
!he biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m went missing $rom its server& "nd $litted "round the
.erovingi"nFs networ:& #"using " number o$ problems be$ore settling into "nother
m"in$r"me. !he s#ientist *ilver "ppe"red unsurprised by its tempor"ry es#"pe& s"ying
th"t the progr"mFs uni)ue #ode en"bles it to #ir#umvent tr"dition"l se#urity routines
with rel"tive e"se.
Cypherites "nd other oper"tives strove to de"#tiv"te #ode bombs pl"nted by "n
etreme e+1'3 #rew& Libert"s Verus. !hey were "ble to dis"rm some o$ the bombs&
de$e"ting " number o$ the VerusF #rew& in#luding the #"pt"in& <ti#ensis& despite the
#rew h"ving unle"shed " d"ngerous $l"me virus "t the $irst bomb site.
,hile $ighting o$$ " ."#hine r"id on the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mFs #omputer&
Oo:"mi $ound th"t the progr"m h"d Cumped $rom its server into the %*- o$ one o$ the
.erovingi"n oper"tives& 3i#:s. Oper"tives ev"#u"ted her to " s"$e lo#"tion& where
they su##eeded in #o"ing the progr"m b"#: into " se#ure server.
Cypherites see:ing "nswers "bout OuroborosF $"ilure to #orre#t its problems tr"#:ed
down three o$ the #omp"nyFs ee#utives: 1dw"rd Noung& '"mel" 9"gwell& "nd 9"rry
.org"nth"l. Auestioning them #losely "bout OuroborosF problems "nd "#tivities& it
be#"me #le"r to the Cypherites th"t the #omp"nyFs own ee#utives h"d no #lue "s to
the #"use o$ the bre":downs there.
1 'luribus 3eo& "t the site o$ " #ivili"n demonstr"tion "g"inst the Ouroboros
Corpor"tion "nd its $"iled medi" distribution servi#es& witnessed the :illing o$ "
demonstr"tor "t the h"nds o$ "n Ouroboros se#urity gu"rd. 1'3 ev"#u"ted the
rem"ining #ivili"ns& "nd $ought o$$ "ggressive resist"n#e by the Ouroboros se#urity
te"m "t the site.
Eion& investig"ting the ongoing r"sh o$ the$ts "t ,right %ese"r#h& $ound " ,right
employee who w"s somehow in two spots "t on#e: " se#urity l"b "n"lyzing the "tt"#:s&
"nd the most re#ent bre":+in site. ,hen #"ught "nd )uestioned by ,right se#urity&
however& the employee "ppe"red to be " #ompletely norm"l bluepill.
151
!he ."#hines& st"rting to t":e the Ouroboros networ: o$$line in "n "ttempt to isol"te
the #"use o$ the problems within th"t #orpor"tion& tr"#:ed " suspi#ious d"t" stre"m to
"n Ouroboros employee& "pp"rently h"#:ing into her own #omp"nyFs networ:. *he
provided in$orm"tion le"ding to the dis#overy o$ " series o$ #omm"nds sent to the
power pl"nt "t the #omp"nyFs Creston 5eights he"d)u"rters++#omm"nds th"t h"d
"lre"dy triggered " #ondition th"t would le"d to " #"t"strophi# overlo"d #"p"ble o$
leveling northwest 7owntown.
*ilverFs eperiments using the inter$"#e progr"m #ontinued& with .erovingi"n
oper"tives pl"ying unwitting hosts to the progr"m. -t w"s $ound to be #"p"ble o$
tr"ns$erring $rom %*- to %*- "t will& or& "s *ilver put it& to Dinter$"#e per$e#tly with
hum"n bro"d#"st sign"ls.D
A sm"ll group o$ ."#hine oper"tives re"#hed the #ontrol termin"l $or the Ouroboros
Corpor"tionFs Creston 5eights power pl"nt& $inding themselves $"#ed there with "
mind+boggling se#urity progr"m while other ."#hine oper"tives $ought o$$ Ouroboros
se#urity $or#es in the pl"z" outside. .inutes "w"y $rom meltdown& the Ouroboros
h"#:er whose in$orm"tion h"d led to the dis#overy o$ the impending #"t"strophe
re"#hed the pl"z"Fs perimeter. Oper"tives es#orted her inside& where she input "
#omm"nd th"t de"#tiv"ted the overlo"d pro#ess. *he $led "s Ouroboros se#urity
l"un#hed "nother "tt"#:.
Eion $ound " l"b te#hni#i"n in "n o$$i#e "t ,right %ese"r#h& "$ter the building h"d been
ev"#u"ted due to " se#urity "lert. !o their surprise& the te#hni#i"n #h"nged $rom m"le
to $em"le& then #h"nged $orm sever"l more times "s it "ttempted to es#"pe $rom the
pursuing oper"tives. -t eluded them $or " time until being spotted& in the $orm o$ "
#omb"t simul"#rum& sever"l blo#:s "w"y. 3iobe ordered it le$t "lone while " s#"n w"s
run& but " number o$ overze"lous oper"tives $ired upon the simul"#rum& termin"ting it.
Although the s#"n w"s in#omplete& 3iobe s"id th"t they might be "ble to spot it i$ it
re"ppe"red "nd v"ried its sign"l "g"in.
C"rlyne interrupted " so#i"l event being held by the .erovingi"n& dem"nding th"t the
6ren#hm"n give him the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m. !he .erovingi"n s"id th"t it
would t":e some time to prep"re the progr"m $or " s"$e tr"ns$er. C"rlyne g"ve him
one d"y to h"ve it re"dy.
Oper"tives lo#"ted C"rlyne "t " $orlorn ,estview lo#"tion& imp"tiently "w"iting the
prep"r"tion o$ the inter$"#e progr"m by the .erovingi"n. Curiously& none o$ the
.erovingi"nFs oper"tives were "mong the group who #"me to )uestion the intruder&
"nd C"rlyne& growing $rustr"ted with the del"y& "dv"n#ed to 5"mpton ?reen& where he
pl"#ed override progr"ms "round the .erovingi"nFs 5el Club in wh"t he termed "
me"ns o$ Den#our"gement.D
Eion tr"#:ed the v"ri"ble+sign"l progr"m ste"ling $rom ,right %ese"r#h to " hidden
l"b& where they $ound " highly sophisti#"ted networ: devi#e built p"rtly $rom the stolen
e)uipment. 9y "##essing " #omputer in the l"b& they were "ble to shut down the
DspiderD thie$ progr"m& whi#h h"d been "ble to penetr"te ,right se#urity using ,right
"##ess #odes& "nd the li:enesses o$ ,right employees.
!he ."#hines $roze the "ssets o$ the Ouroboros Corpor"tion& noti$ying its st"$$ o$ the
$eder"l t":eover. L"rge+s#"le #on$is#"tion o$ Ouroboros d"t" led to " single #omputer
"t "n Ouroboros o$$i#e& $ound to h"ve " #onne#tion to the Olig"r#h networ:.
152
A series o$ progr"m termin"tions $ound its w"y to the .erovingi"n& m"ni$esting in the
person o$ C"rlyne& "n Olig"r#h who h"d dep"rted the ."tri months "go "$ter helping
:no#: o$$ his riv"l& 5"lborn. C"rlyne dem"nded th"t the 6ren#hm"n give him the
biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m& "nd then& to everyoneFs surprise& $ell to the ground inert
"s " wire$r"med $em"le "ppe"red beside him. *he #oolly "s:ed th"t the progr"m be
turned over to her. !hin:ing )ui#:ly& the .erovingi"n dire#ted his oper"tive to $lush the
progr"m into the simul"tion "t l"rge& "nd then $led the s#ene.
*ilver w"s $ound by oper"tives& m":ing his w"y++vi" " simul"#rum++through "
residenti"l "re" in C"mon 5eights. !he oper"tives surprised him by mentioning th"t
C"rlyne h"d been :illed by the $em"le intruder& but he too: this "s "ll the more re"son
to st"y "w"y $rom "nything to do with the inter$"#e progr"m.
A spying ."lph"s& "nd some oper"tives monitoring $rom " ledge outside& noti#ed the
$em"le intruder inside ,right %ese"r#hFs V"uton he"d)u"rters. ,hen " ,right
se#urity gu"rd #"me "#ross her& she "ddressed him $"mili"rly& telling him th"t she w"s
deleting the l"st o$ her $iles. A$ter some prompting& the stunned gu"rd re#ognized her
"s 7"nielle ,right& brilli"nt inventor& e+Eionite& "nd $ounder o$ the #omp"ny& who h"d
been thought :illed by the ."#hines shortly "$ter the end o$ the !ru#e.
Oo:"mi g"thered " te"m o$ oper"tives to $ind something ti#:ling her senses in
Ashen#ourte: " !"s:m"ster robot& norm"lly $ound only in the Eero One "r#hive
#onstru#t. Venturing there& the .erovingi"ns $ound s#ores o$ robot bodies piled in the
dusty w"stel"nd. Oo:"mi& thin:ing she sensed something she #ould not identi$y&
be#"me irrit"ble "nd dep"rted.
Oper"tives es#orted 'ersephone to the ,hite Lotus hotel& where she "s:ed them to
$et#h the 9l"#: ,idow& denizen o$ the hotelFs l"byrinthine b"sement. !he ,idow w"s
ple"sed th"t the .erovingi"nFs wi$e h"d $in"lly returned "n invit"tion m"de long "go
G'"st event in$o here.I& but 'ersephone sho#:ed her $ormer "sso#i"te by "s:ing i$ she
#ould :ill her. !he ,idow re$used to thin: o$ su#h " thing& "nd 'ersephone le$t& s"ying
it h"d been nothing more th"n " p"ssing $"n#y.
Agent ?ri$$in distributed tr"n)uilizer pistols to " te"m o$ oper"tives "nd pro#eeded with
them into ,right %ese"r#hFs he"d)u"rters& where they swi$tly dis"bled the #omp"nyFs
te#hni#i"ns while ?ri$$in se"r#hed one o$ the #omputers. ?ri$$in indi#"ted th"t $iles $rom
7"nielle ,right h"d indeed been deleted& but #"utioned oper"tives "g"inst t":ing less
reli"ble sour#es o$ in$orm"tion "t $"#e v"lue.
."#hine oper"tives wor:ing with o$$i#er Vogt #on$is#"ted d"t" $rom Cross 6in"n#i"l
Logisti#s& " #omp"ny th"t m"y h"ve been involved in "n 1ileFs $in"n#i"l s#"m.
*him"d" "nd 1'3 oper"tives obt"ined spe#i"l #odes $rom .erovingi"n oper"tives&
"nd then lured the le"der o$ the d"ngerous Libert"s Verus group& 'ileus& into "n
"mbush& where they were "ble to #"pture him.
Colt led Eion oper"tives on " d"t" mining oper"tion "round the 5el Club& hoping to turn
up in$orm"tion on the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m. Oo:"mi "nd her Lupines de$ended
the #lub. ,hen the Eionites de$e"ted Oo:"miFs $or#e& she told them th"t the progr"m
w"snFt there "nyw"y.
Cypherites investig"ting mysterious networ: issues "t " downtown #omp"ny lo#"ted
override "#tivity "t one o$ the #omp"nyFs buildings& "nd sever"l de"d 9luepills. *ome
153
o$ the #ir#umst"n#es suggested th"t something other th"n Cust overrides h"d been
involved.
*him"d" "nd 1'3 oper"tives using *"tiFs 'l"yground $or #omb"t pr"#ti#e were
"mbushed by Veil& who h"#:ed the *leepw"l:er simul"#r" there to help her. As the
b"ttle beg"n to turn "g"inst Veil& the #onstru#t she h"d h"#:ed #r"shed& "llowing her "
messy es#"pe $rom 1'3 retribution.
Eion $ollowed " series o$ #oordin"tes given out by the devi#e theyFd $ound with the
str"nge ,right %ese"r#h thie$& en#ountering override "#tivity& "nd then 7"nielle ,right
hersel$. ,right removed the overrides the Eionites h"d $ound& "nd dep"rted. ,hen
Eion regrouped "t the devi#e& ,right suddenly re"ppe"red& destroying the devi#e&
whi#h she #l"imed "s her own wor:.
154
!hapter ::98
,right
!he 1 'luribus 3eo epedition to the ."#hine no+$ly zone re"#hed the outs:irts o$ the
"re"& but $ound he"vy *entinel p"trols "round the zoneFs perimeter. !he (id le$t old
Eion& he"ding to the zone with rein$or#ements $or the epedition.
Eion $ound th"t the devi#e theyFd re#overed $rom the thie$ ste"ling $rom ,right
%ese"r#h w"s tr"#:ing the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m.
!he ."#hines #on$irmed the identity o$ the $em"le intruder "s the e+Eionite rese"r#her
7"nielle ,right& thought to h"ve been :illed by *entinels shortly "$ter the end o$ the
!ru#e. Agent ?r"y w"s un#ert"in how ,right #ould still be "live& but #on$irmed th"t she
is not " member o$ the DOlig"r#hy&D "nd the old termin"tion order $or her rem"ins in
e$$e#t. Oper"tives sent to ee#ute the order $ound th"t it would be no simple m"tter& "s
,right seemed to h"ve $ull #omm"nd o$ Olig"r#h simul"tion override #odes.
.erovingi"n oper"tives en#ountered " #"s#"ding series o$ glit#hes #entered on the
white h"llw"y #onne#tion to the .erovingi"nFs #h"te"u #onstru#t. ."lph"s s"id th"t the
sour#e "ppe"red to h"ve been intern"l& but undete#t"ble& whi#h suggested th"t it might
h"ve been the inter$"#e progr"m.
Eion $ollowed " series o$ #oordin"tes given out by the devi#e theyFd $ound with the
str"nge ,right %ese"r#h thie$& en#ountering override "#tivity& "nd then 7"nielle ,right
hersel$. ,right removed the overrides the Eionites h"d $ound& "nd dep"rted. ,hen
Eion regrouped "t the devi#e& ,right suddenly re"ppe"red& destroying the devi#e&
whi#h she #l"imed "s her own wor:.
155
Cypherites lo#"ted 7"nielle ,right "nd s#"nned $or her bro"d#"st sign"l& but to their
surprise& they $ound no tr"#e o$ " #onne#tion "t "ll.
."#hine oper"tives snu#: into "n 1'3 meeting "ttended by the e+."#hinist "nd
re#ent 1'3 #onvert& 7islodge& hoping to obt"in intelligen#e on the 1 'luribus 3eo
epedition"ry $or#e th"t h"s "dv"n#ed to the no+$ly zone. 7islodge& re"lizing th"t
something w"s "miss& m"de " bre": $or it& but w"s $or#ed to re#onstru#t by ."#hine
oper"tives gu"rding the eits.
.erovingi"n oper"tives se"r#hing the #h"te"u $or the sour#e o$ disruptions there
en#ountered " tr"ining simul"#rum& beh"ving slightly irregul"rly. !he simul"#rum
eng"ged the oper"tives in #omb"t& but eventu"lly stopped $ighting& loo:ed "round& s"id
Dwhere&D "nd $ell inert. Oper"tives #on#luded th"t the simul"#rum h"d been #ontrolled
by the inter$"#e progr"m. 6lood w"s s:epti#"l.
Cryptos summoned Cypherite oper"tives to the res#ue o$ " Cypherite te"m th"t h"d
been "mbushed downtown. Veil& "rriving "t the "mbush site on her own& $ound "
'luribus 3eo oper"tive there& "long with the rem"ins o$ the Cypherite te"m& "nd "n
override progr"m. *he too: some time in rel"ying this in$orm"tion to Cryptos& who
)ui#:ly h"d " se"r#h run $or 1'3 "#tivity in the "re"& le"ding to " $"#ility where 1'3
w"s trying to de#ompile the d"t" they h"d #"ptured $rom the Cypherites& h"ving to do
with CryptosF rese"r#h into $ormul"ting " #ounter+"gent to override #odes. !he
Cypherites elimin"ted the 1'3 oper"tives "nd re#"ptured the d"t".
Eion oper"tives on the tr"il o$ the inter$"#e progr"m hunted down gu"rd progr"ms $rom
the .erovingi"nFs #h"te"u& where the progr"m h"d re#ently "ppe"red. !he #h"te"u
gu"rds beh"ved oddly& "nd " d"t" tr"ns$er $rom the proimity o$ one o$ them led to "
home #omputer& with " mess"ge s"ying only Dthis isnFt.D
!he (id "nd his rein$or#ements met up with the 1'3 epedition"ry $or#e "nd entered
the ."#hine no+$ly zone& see:ing "nswers on the mysterious "re"& "nd the d"ngerous
Olig"r#hs who seem to h"ve " #onne#tion with it.
7"nielle ,right "greed to t"l: to the ."#hines& provided they would tell her why the
inter$"#e progr"m w"s #re"ted& "nd do it in the presen#e o$ their oper"tives& who would
serve "s wh"t she #"lled Dwitnesses.D
.erovingi"n oper"tives de$ending #h"te"u gu"rds $rom Eionites en#ountered 7"nielle
,right& who mentioned th"t C"rlyne& who h"d helped Eion& h"d been more use$ul th"n
heFd intended. !hin:ing over this rem"r:& it o##urred to the .erovingi"n th"t ,right
#ould h"ve been in #lose physi#"l proimity to C"rlyne in the %e"l when she somehow
de"#tiv"ted his %*- in the ."tri. !he .erovingi"n disp"t#hed " $lotill" o$ the ?ener"lFs
*entinels into the no+$ly zone& s"id to be C"rlyneFs home.
."#hine oper"tives "nd Agent ?r"y met with 7"nielle ,right in the One Eero
#onstru#t $or "n e#h"nge o$ in$orm"tion. ?r"y told ,right th"t the biologi#"l inter$"#e
progr"m h"d been #re"ted to "ssist in #ontrol "nd monitoring o$ hum"ns who h"d been
unplugged $rom the ."tri. ,right told the ."#hinists th"t she w"s "ble to survive the
termin"tion o$ her body by entering the ."tri "s " D#omplete #ons#iousness&D tot"lly
independent o$ her physi#"l $orm.
1 'luribus 3eo oper"tives& $ollowing " $inding $rom their epedition"ry $or#e indi#"ting
"n Olig"r#h #onne#tion to "n Ouroboros #omputer& in$iltr"ted the #omp"ny "nd
156
#"ptured d"t" th"t they hoped would improve their underst"nding o$ the Olig"r#h
networ:Fs str"nge proto#ols.
Eion oper"tives h"#:ed their w"y through the white h"llw"ys& loo:ing $or signs o$ the
inter$"#e progr"m. 9yp"ssing "tt"#:s $rom 1iles "nd one o$ the !wins& they re"#hed "
white room& where they $ound 7"nielle ,right. A #on$li#t ensued& ending when ,right
le$t& s"ying her t"rget l"y elsewhere.
.erovingi"n oper"tives entered the 5el Club in response to " distress #"ll $rom 6lood&
who #l"imed th"t 1ile progr"ms h"d "tt"#:ed him there. !he oper"tives subdued the
inepli#"bly hostile 1iles& "nd $ound " #":e vendor progr"m in the #lubFs upper level
beh"ving oddly. !he progr"m moved& "nd even spo:e& s"ying DiFm not.D -nvestig"tion o$
the progr"m w"s interrupted by ,right& who entered the #lub& loo:ing $or the inter$"#e
progr"m. ,right beg"n using override progr"ms to rid hersel$ o$ the .erovingi"n
oper"tives blo#:ing her p"th& but " $lood o$ #":e vendors& dupli#"ting out o$ #ontrol
"#ross the entire #lub $loor& $or#ed "n end to the b"ttle.
Oper"tives responded to hostile override progr"m "#tivity in Chelse"& lo#"ted Cust
south o$ the 5el Club.
Overrides "nd rumors o$ 7"nielle ,right "nd the inter$"#e progr"m in#re"sed in
%i#hl"nd& with override "#tivity eventu"lly #oming to #enter "round 7ebir Court.
*er"ph dire#ted Eion oper"tives to "n "p"rtment in the "re"& previously o##upied by
the Or"#le& where they $ound " #omputer hosting " short mess"ge: Dnot here.D
."#hine oper"tives over#"me di$$i#ulties& in#luding overridden progr"ms& two dis"bled
#omputers& "nd " lost bl"#: #"t& to $ind 7"nielle ,right in ."r". ,right #ommented
th"t& in the right h"nds& the inter$"#e progr"m #ould be "n eleg"nt #ontrol me#h"nism.
.erovingi"n oper"tives h"d to de"l with domin"ted 5el Club 1iles "nd hostile Eionites
in order to lo#"te *er"ph ne"r 7ebir Court& tr"pped by "n override progr"m.
Adv"n#ed $ighter #r"$t stru#: without w"rning in the ."#hine no+$ly zone& "tt"#:ing
both the 1 'luribus 3eo epedition"ry $or#e& "nd the ?ener"lFs *entinelsB the groups
retre"ted with he"vy losses. 1'3 reported th"t the (idFs hover#r"$t h"d m"n"ged to
d"m"ge one o$ the "tt"#:ers& but w"s then shot down& "nd the (id inCured.
Cypherites $ound the elusive oper"tive who h"d been h"ndling pill progr"ms $or Eion&
"nd dis#overed in$orm"tion th"t #ould be used "g"inst him.
Cryptos distributed prototypes o$ his "nti+override routines to Cypherites& who tested
them "g"inst overrides in the ."r" "re". Oper"tives reported only " $ew #"ses o$ the
routines su##ess$ully blo#:ing override e$$e#ts& "nd Cryptos "dmitted th"t there w"s
mu#h wor: yet to be done.
Eion& ."#hine& "nd .erovingi"n oper"tives #l"shed "round 7ebir Court& "s Agent
'"#e "nd ?host& sep"r"tely& led oper"tives in "ttempts to #le"r out power$ul
overridden progr"ms.
Eion "nd .erovingi"n oper"tives $ought $or #ontrol o$ the building where *er"ph w"s
tr"pped by "n override #ode. .erovingi"n oper"tives su##eeded in elimin"ting their
enemies& "nd se#ured the building $or the .erovingi"n.
!he .erovingi"n "nd his oper"tives interrog"ted *er"ph "bout his "#tivities& "nd "bout
157
the override progr"m. *er"phFs "nswers suggested " l"rger plot behind the progr"mFs
movements& "nd he s"id it w"s Dremembering.D 9e$ore he #ould be )uestioned $urther&
" met"lli# #o"ting "ppe"red over his body& "nd eng"gement proto#ols $"iled
throughout the entire 7ebir "re". ,ithout s"ying " word& *er"ph b"ttered his w"y
through the oper"tives "nd p"st the override progr"m& whi#h seemed to h"ve no e$$e#t
on him. On#e outside& he re#eived #omb"t "ssist"n#e $rom 1'3 "nd Eion oper"tives&
"nd Cumped "w"y into the s:y.
Eionites loo:ing $or the #"use o$ bluepills dropping de"d "#ross the #ity $ound 7"nielle
,right& e"mining " bluepill whom she "ddressed by " re$eren#e number++
002=:0;:0/89:042++be$ore the bluepill dropped de"d. A red pill tr"#e progr"m run on
"nother su#h body turned up " pod lo#"tion "t whi#h most o$ the "dC"#ent pods were
empty. *uspe#ting th"t ,right w"s system"ti#"lly elimin"ting the people housed in th"t
ring o$ pods& Eion tried to lo#"te " survivor inside the simul"tion& but $ound their home
gu"rded by ."#hines.
!he ."#hines surrounded the pod tower with " he"vy *entinel gu"rd& "nd too: one o$
the surviving o##up"nts o$ the dev"st"ted pod ring& -meld" (roller& into prote#tive
#ustody "$ter dis#overing th"t the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m h"d moved into her body
in the pod& where it too: over her som"ti# nervous system. As ,right #losed in on
(roller inside the simul"tion& the ."#hines suddenly lost #ont"#t with her podFs
reporting systemB (rollerFs %*- s"id Dimpossible&D then v"nished. !he ."#hines
reported th"t her pod h"d obeyed "n un"uthorized re)uest to reiniti"lize her %*-.
.erovingi"n oper"tives used the re$eren#e number ,right h"d let slip to Eion to tr"#:
down (rollerFs pod: the number w"s ."#hine pod seri"l $orm"t& with the third p"rt& /89&
indi#"ting the ring in whi#h th"t bluepillFs pod h"d been situ"ted on the tower& li:ely the
s"me ring in whi#h (rollerFs pod w"s lo#"ted. 'ersephone overrode the .erovingi"nFs
pl"n to hunt down the lo#"l pod #"ret":er progr"m& s"ying th"t she& " #"ret":er
progr"m be$ore her eile& would h"ndle it hersel$. 'ersephone su##eeded in t":ing
#ontrol o$ (rollerFs pod& $or#ing it to relo#"te (roller to " s"$e pl"#e inside the
simul"tion& but w"s he"vily d"m"ged by ."#hine de$ensive routines while doing so.
!he .erovingi"n& ir:ed by his wi$eFs he"dstrong beh"vior "nd "pp"rent l"#: o$
#onsider"tion $or her own preserv"tion& re#eived some good news $rom the ?ener"l&
who reported th"t his men h"d lo#"ted "nd s"lv"ged "n unusu"l "ndroid body $rom the
wre#:"ge o$ "n "dv"n#ed $ighter #r"$t they h"d #ome "#ross on their w"y b"#: $rom
the ."#hine no+$ly zone.
1 'luribus 3eo oper"tives lo#"ted "nd de$ended " denizen o$ pod ring /89& 7"ryl
Chester& $rom 7"nielle ,right& but "$ter " long #h"se through the #ity& during whi#h
,rightFs progress w"s slowed signi$i#"ntly due to "tt"#:s by ."#hine oper"tives "nd
others& ,right #"ught up to 7"ryl "nd #rushed his %*-.
Cryptos "nd Veil "##omp"nied Cypherite oper"tives during some %V% "t Club 3oir&
brie$ly interrupted by "n 1'3 "tt"#:.
'ersephone h"d .erovingi"n oper"tives help her re"#h " ."#hine #ontrol termin"l&
where she m"de "nother "ttempt to s"ve -meld" (roller by m"nipul"ting the wom"nFs
pod #ontrols. ."#hine de$enses prevented this& however& "nd 'ersephone& still very
p"le $rom her previous "ttempt& w"s wounded by " ."#hine #ounter+"tt"#:& es#"ping
th"n:s to v"li"nt de$ense by some o$ the oper"tives. A$terw"rds& she "nd the
158
.erovingi"n held "n "ngry e#h"nge o$ words in whi#h he "##used her o$ "#ting
$oolishly "nd irresponsibly& "nd she reCe#ted his #"llous "ttitude tow"rd the lives o$ the
hum"ns plugged into the ."tri.
!he ."#hines& h"ving re+est"blished their #onne#tion with (rollerFs pod& lo#"ted her
%*- in Club ("os. (roller proved unresponsive to "ll but dire#t visu"l stimuliB
eventu"lly& oper"tive movements #"ught her "ttention& Cust "s 7"nielle ,right "rrived
outside the #lub. (roller uttered the words Doh god&D but $ollowed the body o$ oper"tives
outside. A s"v"ge e#h"nge o$ h"#:s between ,right "nd the oper"tives $ollowed&
with ,right Cust m"n"ging to #rush her "tt"#:ers. ,right then "ppro"#hed (roller "nd
#ompressed her %*-& "pp"rently :illing her. ,right told the re"ssembling oper"tives
th"t by doing so& she h"d rele"sed the inter$"#e $rom (rollerFs body& b"#: into the
simul"tion& where she h"d no doubt she would #"t#h it eventu"lly.
1'3 oper"tives $ought Cypherites& obt"ining in$orm"tion "bout " Cypherite pl"n to put
those bluepills whoFd survived ,rightFs "tt"#:s on ring /89 $irmly b"#: to sleep& sin#e
some o$ them h"d begun showing in#re"sed signs o$ reCe#ting the simul"tion sin#e the
"tt"#:s.
!he ."#hines h"ve their h"nds $ull trying to de"l with her "nd prote#t themselves. !he
Cypherites& th"n:s to CryptosF rese"r#h& m"n"ge to #ompile " $ew prototype versions
o$ their override immunity #odes& "nd h"ve some su##ess in using these to prote#t
"g"inst ,rightFs progr"ms.
!he biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mFs movements through the #h"nnels o$ the simul"tion
gr"du"lly be#ome less err"ti#. *tr"nge tet output is $ound on termin"ls "#ross the #ity.
!his #ulmin"tes& $or the .erovingi"n& in his own Gor the pl"yerFs& "nyw"yI termin"l
being overridden& with the words D,":e upD le$t behind. 6or Eion& who h"s re#eived
help $rom the .orpheus simul"#rum& their se"r#h ends with " termin"l displ"ying the
words D(no#:& :no#:D "nd le"ving "n open #onne#tion...
159
!hapter ::9;
Overides
!he ?ener"l shows the "ndroid body to the .erovingi"n& s"ys theyFve #ompleted
retriev"l& "nd th"t it isnFt " ."#hine me#h"nism.
*him"d" is told th"t the (id will be b"#: $rom the no+$ly zone soonB he w"s inCured but
will re#over. Veil sne":s up on *him"d" while sheFs C"#:ed in& muttering something to
hersel$ "bout loo:ing $or the progr"m the Or"#le g"ve *him"d". ,hen surprised by "n
1'3 #rew member& Veil pulls *him"d"Fs C"#:& :illing her& "nd es#"pes.
?r"y monitors ,right "s she #ontinues her disruptive se"r#h through the #ity $or the
inter$"#e progr"m. ?r"y tells "nother Agent to "void ,right& "nd to $ind the progr"m.
3iobe gets " D,":e upD mess"ge li:e the one $rom the //.2 #rits. !his turns D,":e up&
3eo&D "nd then " #onst"nt stre"m o$ D,":e up ,":e up ,":e up...D 3iobe is "l"rmed&
"nd ?host speeds "w"y.
!he ."#hines #"nFt dete#t the progr"m themselves& but ,right seems to h"ve some
me"ns o$ doing so& so they $ollow her& running into " disrupted #omputer& de"d bluepill&
A##eler"ted *uits G5"mpton g"ngI& "nd $in"lly ,right in ."ribe"u& where she s"ys
sheFll h"ve it soon& "nd the ."#hines h"d better st"y out o$ her w"y until then. *he
"dds& D!he ."#hines le$t " g"ping se#urity hole in their #ore progr"mming " long time
"go. !hey were only "s per$e#t "s the people who m"de them.D
!he pl"yer s#outs ,right "#tivity in 5"mpton& where sheFs been disrupting things. ,ith
help $rom 3i#:y ?.& they $ind A##eler"ted *uits& "nd tr"#: down ."n"ger& the *uits
boss& in the 5istori# 7istri#t& who mentions he"ring "bout " Cypherite in .orrell whoFs
got override #ounterme"sures.
-n Chelse"& " s#"rred (id h"s news o$ suddenly losing #ont"#t with " tr"nsmitter theyFd
le$t monitoring the Olig"r#h networ: line in the no+$ly zone. 5e s"ys the Olig"r#hs #ould
be on their w"y to the ."#hine #ity "nd the ."tri. 5eFs "lso determined not to let
*him"d" down. !he Coun#il thin:s the inter$"#e progr"m h"s some #entr"l role in "ll
this& "nd w"nts it :ept out o$ ,rightFs h"nds& to the pl"yer #"t#hes her tr"il in 5"mpton.
!he oper"tor mentions th"t the progr"m h"s used !rinity )uotes. !hey run into
A##eler"ted *uits "nd then ,right& who s"ys th"t Eion should be helping her& sin#e
sheFs doing this to put the ."tri in m"n:indFs h"nds.
."#hine oper"tives t"l: to Veil "bout new$"ngled ,right A##eler"ted 'rogr"ms Gtough
1iles/."#hines with wire$r"me overl"ysI. Veil points the pl"yer to " Cypherite in
.orrell& 3egle#t& who is distributing "nti+override routines the Cypherites& led by
CryptosF rese"r#h& h"ve been #oo:ing up. ?r"y s"ys th"t being "ble to resist overrides
will be ne#ess"ry i$ ,rightFs going to be de"lt with. !he "nti+override routines "re
#onsum"bles prote#t "g"inst override "bilities li:e 7e#eler"tion& %untime sp"wns& "nd
*ign"l J"mming $or " limited time.
.erovingi"n rese"r#hers $ind th"t the "ndroids h"ve Dd"t" stru#tures simil"r to wh"t
weFve $ound on the Olig"r#h networ:&D so 6lood sends the pl"yer to hunt $or " d"t"
m"t#h "t "n Ouroboros o$$i#e in V"uton. !he ."#hines too: over Ouroboros " while
b"#:& "nd the pl"yer runs into Ouroboros *e#urity "nd ."#hines there. 6lood s"ys the
."#hines must h"ve #on$is#"ted the d"t"& "nd sends the pl"yer to r"id " ."#hine
160
$"#ility in ."ribe"u to tr"#: it down. !he pl"yer is "mbushed by " ,right A##eler"ted
'rogr"m on their w"y. !hey #"pture the d"t" $rom the ."#hines& "nd it does h"ve
simil"rities to the "ndroidFs h"rdw"re. 6lood $igures the Olig"r#hs built it. 5e "lso
mentions th"t Cypherites thin: the ,right A##eler"ted 'rogr"ms #"rry v"lu"ble d"t".
*till trying $or the progr"m in 5"mpton& Eion oper"tives get some st"ti# $rom "
7e#eler"tor "nd ."#hinists. !heyFre "lso "mbushed by one o$ ,rightFs new
A##eler"ted 'rogr"ms& "nd run into more o$ them "round " de"d Cypherite. !ynd"ll
mentions rumors o$ " Cypherite in .orrell& wondering i$ itFs rel"ted.
,ith ,right #losing in on the progr"m in 5"mpton& ."#hine oper"tives b"ttle " tough
,right A##eler"ted 'rogr"m& then t"l: to Cryptos& who spe#ul"tes on how ,right #ould
be dis"bled: DAs $or wh"t m"y h"ppen i$ #riti#"l d"m"ge #"n be in$li#ted on her %*-&
th"t - #"nnot predi#t. ,e :now th"t she h"s #o+opted the C"#:+in proto#ol utilized by the
Olig"r#hs& "nd we :now& $rom 5"lbornFs e"mple& th"t they were to some etent
vulner"ble both within "nd without the simul"tion. ,right& on the other h"nd& h"s
#l"imed to be "ble to enter the ."tri without m"int"ining "n eterior #onne#tion. 5ow
th"t #ould "$$e#t the out#ome rem"ins un#le"r.D ?r"y #omes through with the
#oordin"tes o$ ,rightFs position on " roo$top in 5"mpton G98 /4/ +2/=I& s"ying th"t
sheFs been st"ying "round there& whi#h prob"bly me"ns the inter$"#e progr"m is in the
vi#inity.
.erovingi"n oper"tives go hunting " ."#hine m"in$r"me in the '"r: 1"st ?ov 9uilding
to get re"l d"t" on the "ndroid. !hereFs " tough b"ttle& "nd they get some help on the
m"in$r"me $rom the 1$$e#tu"tor. -n Center '"r:& the .erv s"ys the d"t" w"s
interesting& "s it shows the "ndroid w"s designed to be #ontrolled by " hum"n
#ons#iousness++$or the Olig"r#hs to #ontrol themselves "s " surrog"te bodyH 5e "lso
wonders wh"t destroyed the ship #"rrying the "ndroid& "nd spe#ul"tes th"t $oul pl"y
w"s involved. 'ersephone is there& still in bl"#: "nd very p"le.
Overrides "re :eeping the ."#hines busy& whi#h gives Eion " shot "t #he#:ing out "
burst o$ override "#tivity in '"r: 1"st& norm"lly he"vily gu"rded. !hey $ind " mess"ge
GD*oonDI whi#h the oper"tor thin:s is $rom the inter$"#e progr"m& but while tr"#ing it&
theyFre interrupted by " tough Agent& "nd the tr"#e is lost. !he oper"tive is sent to
?host in 5"mpton& who s"ys th"t he thin:s ,rightFs "round there& prob"bly high up&
"nd prob"bly with the progr"m. 5eFs determined to loo: $or her. !ynd"ll s"ys t":ing on
,right m"y be the only option le$t.
,right is $ound on the 5"mpton roo$top where ?r"y s"id she w"s& with some tough
A##eler"ted 'rogr"ms "round her. *he is eventu"lly de$e"ted& "nd when she dies "
$lo"ting gold #ode ghost $igure "ppe"rs. -ts det"ils s"y DF-tFs be"uti$ul...FD
161
!hapter :8
Trinity
!he Ar#hite#t is in his !V room& with ,right& de"d on " 5"mpton roo$top& on the
monitor. 5e "s:s ?r"y i$ the Gbiologi#"l inter$"#eI progr"m h"s been $oundB ?r"y s"ys
no& but they $ound Eion loo:ing $or it& too. !he Ar#hite#t $rowns& then tells him to
Dprep"re $or our visitors.D
?host l"nds on " roo$top Gsupposed to be the roo$top pointed out in the #oordin"tes "t
the end o$ the #inem"ti#& -:ebu:uro =40 9 +/80I& loo:s "round& opens " door& goes
down d"r: st"irs& opens " door into " d"r:& mostly empty stor"ge room. Loo:s "round&
doesnFt see "nything& "nd is Cust turning to le"ve "s " monitor in " d"r: #orner o$ the
room $li#:s on "nd prints out D?host.D
Code $"lls down into " $em"le $orm net to the monitor. !his is the golden #ode
#h"r"#ter who "ppe"red when ,right w"s :illed. A h"lting #onvers"tion begins& in
whi#h !rinity Gwhi#h is the n"me th"t "ppe"rs "bove this #h"r"#ter in this sub#h"pterI
s"ys D-...didnFt :now&D by whi#h she me"nt th"t she didnFt :now she w"s " progr"m.
Agent '"#e interrupts the #onvers"tion& her gun on ?host& who steps between her "nd
!rinity. '"#e s"ys the progr"m G!rinityI #"nFt survive there& "nd will be removed& but
then she in her turn is interrupted by " bright $l"sh& out o$ whi#h gle"ming m"le "nd
$em"le $orms "ppe"r& des#ending to the ground. !hey h"ve no #lothes& wires& eyeb"lls&
or h"ir. -n missions& it will be $ound th"t the m"le GredI is D5eli"n&D "nd the $em"le
GpurpleI is D!es"rov"&D "nd th"t they "re Olig"r#hs. 5eli"n is $"irly str"ight$orw"rd "nd
serious& "lthough not "s blunt "s 5"lborn.
'"#e tou#hes her e"rpie#e& loo:s $rustr"ted& relu#t"ntly lowers her gun $rom ?hostFs
he"d& "nd st"l:s out. 5eli"n loo:s "t ?host& "nd "s:s i$ heFs going to resist& but ?host
s"ys thereFs no needB 5V! re"lize th"t !rinity h"s v"nished& "nd while they loo:
"round to $ind her& ?host m":es " sudden unseen eit "s well.
5eli"n "nd !es"rov" le"ve& "nd the room goes d"r:. A p"use& then Oo:"mi #reeps out
o$ the sh"dows++sheFs observed the entire s#ene.
?host st"nds on the roo$top& loo:s up "t the moon& "nd $in"lly s"ys !rinityFs n"me.
?r"y sends ."#hine oper"tives to A:"s":"& s#ene o$ the l"test sighting o$ the
progr"m. 5e implies " need to $ind it be$ore either the Olig"r#h represent"tives& 5eli"n
"nd !es"rov"& or Eion do. ?r"y doesnFt re$er to the progr"m "s D!rinity&D but the
oper"tor dis#usses it " bit. !hey $ind Eionites "nd " bl"n: #omputer entry in her re#ent
style GDWTDI& but nothing else& "nd "re re+routed to he"d o$$ 5eli"n "nd !es"rov"& who
h"ve "rrived in the "re"& "long with '"#e. 5eli"n "nd !es"rov" "re slightly
bemused++"lthough not re"lly surprised++by " hum"n oper"tive wor:ing $or the
."#hines. 5eli"n s"ys theyFre there $or the 9-' "nd wonFt be needing "ny help getting
it. !es"rov" s"ys something odd "bout Dthe e#iting onesD Goper"tivesI Des#"pingD
$rom the pods& "nd th"t this epl"ins Dwhy our entert"inmentFs been so dull l"tely.D
5eli"n mentions they :now wh"t h"ppened to 5"lborn "nd C"rlyne& "nd th"t those
two were oper"ting independently. 5e s"ys they Gthe Olig"r#hsI h"ve Dm"de
"dCustments th"t will ensure our s"$ety $rom the #ompromises they "llowed to our
se#urityD Xp"rti"lly "n epl"n"tion $or the di$$eren#e in their "ppe"r"n#e $rom 5"lborn
"nd C"rlyne: 5eli"n "nd !es"rov" "re less tr"nsp"rent& "nd h"ve no wiresY. '"#e
162
seems " little relieved to h"ve the pl"yer there to t"l: to the Olig"r#hs& "nd purpose$ully
spe":s "loud to the pl"yer so th"t 5eli"n "nd !es"rov" will overhe"r& s"ying th"t
theyFll le"ve their guest in pe"#e.
On the w"y out& ."#hine oper"tives en#ounter *"ti"te& " shoeless $em"le Cypherite
boss. *he s"ys it would be ni#e to pop Dthose pretty new bubbles o$ theirsD Gthe
Olig"r#hsI& "nd suggests th"t the ."#hines might even h"ve something th"t #ould do
it& but they prob"bly wouldnFt tell the ."#hinists even i$ they did& "nd wouldnFt use it
themselves. ?r"y summons the pl"yer $or their report& #on#luding th"t 5eli"n "nd
!es"rov" "re oper"ting "s "gents $or the Olig"r#hs& r"ther th"n independently li:e
5"lborn "nd C"rlyne. 5e thin:s this might #"use them to beh"ve " little more
levelhe"dedly& but s"ys it "lso me"ns the Olig"r#hs will be w"t#hing developments
#losely. A$ter s"ying this& he very deliber"tely st"tes th"t the ."#hines do not #onsider
them " thre"t.
6lood sends .erovingi"n oper"tives into *t"mos to $ind the progr"m Gli:e ?r"y& he
doesnFt re$er to it "s D!rinity&D but the oper"tor t"l:s "bout the identity possibilityI. !hey
donFt $ind "nything besides " #omputer with DWT&D but Oo:"mi "rrives& "nd Dle"dsD Gie is
es#orted by the pl"yerI to " ."nssen lo#"tion& where they $ind !es"rov". !es"rov"
#oos over Oo:"mi& #"lling her the pl"yerFs Dpet&D then gets down to business& s"ying
th"t she Cust thought sheFd mention th"t there seem to be others ne"rby who "re "lso
trying to $ind the progr"mB while sort o$ pl"ying her ditzy blond "#t& wh"t she s"ys
shows th"t sheFs "w"re o$ " lot o$ wh"tFs going on: wh"t the pl"yerFs "$ter& wh"t the
other orgs "re doing "round there++"nd she even t":es " veiled swipe "t the pl"yerFs
oper"tor. ,ith #oordin"tes $rom !es"rov"& the oper"tor guides the pl"yer to "
?uinness L":e lo#"tion& while 6lood mentions th"t thereFs "lso this D5eli"nD Olig"r#h
"round& "nd s"ying th"t theyFll pl"y !es"rov"Fs Dlittle g"me&D sin#e they donFt w"nt to
show th"t theyFre on to her. 6lood "lso re$ers to their n"mes "s Db"rb"ri#.D XD!es"rov"D
is " Cze#h n"me& "nd D5eli"nD is " Chinese n"me. !es"rov"Fs Dg"meD in this #"se
w"s sending the pl"yer to inter#ept ."#hinists& who "ppe"r& $rom their #omments& to
h"ve been trying to :eep t"bs on her. 6lood wr"ps up by "s:ing the pl"yer to $ind $our
groups o$ progr"ms theyFve lost in *outh V"uton.
!ynd"ll mentions to Eion oper"tives th"t ?host $ound Dthe progr"mD by D#he#:ing
pl"#es heFd been with !rinity when they oper"ted together in the ."tri.D *he sends
them to get more det"ils on the !rinity thing $rom ?host& who is in "n -ntern"tion"l
7istri#t room with " #omputer GDWDI& #onvin#ed th"t !rinity w"s Cust there. 5e s"ys he
doesnFt underst"nd how !rinity is the progr"m& but insists th"t she re"lly is. 5e
guesses th"t the two str"ngers he en#ountered Gin the #inem"ti#I were Olig"r#hs& "nd
s"ys he isnFt going to let them or the ."#hines get !rinity. !ynd"ll s"ys she trusts
?hostFs instin#t "bout Dwh"tever !rinity or the progr"m is now&D "nd reminds the pl"yer
th"t the Coun#il h"d "lre"dy de#ided Gmentioned in Eion //.4./I to do wh"t it #ould to
ensure the progr"mFs s"$ety. *he sends the pl"yer to #he#: " re"ding in .ur"s":i&
where they $ind " mess"ge on " #omputer:
D5ow well do you :now yoursel$H
Are you sureH
- thought - :new. 9ut thisTD
G!he d"ngling #ursor "t the end there is " hint th"t this is prob"bly $rom !rinity&
"lthough the oper"tor doesnFt m":e "nything out o$ it.I
163
-nbound hostiles "re reported ne"rby& "nd the pl"yer $inds ."#hines "nd ."#hine
redpills. !ynd"ll mentions th"t intel shows the ."#hines "re #ooper"ting with the two
Olig"r#h represent"tives. A$ter the hostiles "re t":en #"re o$& !ynd"ll s"ys th"t they
#ould use the pl"yerFs help in *hir":"b"& where their te"ms h"ve been hit by ."#hines
while loo:ing $or the progr"mB theyFve "lso st"rted pi#:ing up override sign"ls there.
*till in -ntern"tion"l& ."#hine oper"tives de"l with some se"r#hing Eionites& "nd "re
then sent to "nswer " summons $rom 5eli"n& whoFs got " #ouple o$ his DOverride
6un#tionD 3'Cs with him Gwhitish+s:inned $orms simil"r to 5eli"n "nd !es"rov"& with "
miture o$ h"#:er "nd .A "bilities& pretty good "##ur"#y "nd d"m"ge& "nd high vir"l
de$enseI& "nd he lo"ns these two 3'Cs to the oper"tive& suggesting th"t heFs doing
this to help the ."#hine oper"tive de"l with the Eionites Ghe re$ers to Eionites here "s
Fthe other DAw":enedDFI& "lthough the oper"tor "nd ?r"y hint th"t 5eli"n h"s $ound he
"#tu"lly needs help $rom the pl"yer. !he Override 6un#tions donFt t"l:B 5 re$ers to them
"s Db"si#D #omb"t progr"ms. !he pl"yer #he#:s $or enemy "#tivity "nd $inds
.erovingi"n redpills. One o$ them r"ther obviously pretends to be " Eionite Gsort o$ "
pl"y on the .erv :nowing th"t wh"t heFs doing is prob"bly going to #heese the
."#hines o$$& "lthough he isnFt so worried "bout it "s to h"lt his Olig"r#h power gr"bI.
?r"y s"ys " .erv 1ile n"med Azun" is :nown to h"ve obt"ined sensitive in$orm"tion
on the Olig"r#hFs ."tri "#tivities. 9etween missions& the pl"yer h"s to go $ind Azun"&
$ollowing the missionFs hint Dnorthwest 7owntown.D Azun" is " $em"le lupine with " te"l
moh"w:& "nd sheFs pl"#ed "s " #olle#tor 3'C on the se#ond sublevel o$ the .useum
dungeon in Creston. !he pl"yer h"s to :ill some o$ the .erv+"ligned lupines "round
Azun" G" little $"rther "w"y $rom her "re some ."#hine+"ligned Override 6un#tionsI.
6lood s"ys the .erovingi"n thin:s Deploiting the Olig"r#h !es"rov"Fs so$ter sideD
might get them some Cui#y override in$o& "nd sends the pl"yer to #olle#t d"t" $rom "
#ont"#t& Azun"& $or whom theyFd sp"red no epense "nd s:ullduggery to get into " spot
where she #ould get some dirt on !es"rov"Fs ."tri "#tivities. !he pl"yer he"ds to the
7owntown rendezvous& but Azun" isnFt thereB inste"d& there "re " #ouple de"d
."#hines. 6lood is "nnoyed& "nd sends the pl"yer to loo: $or Azun" in her spying
lo#"tion. *he isnFt there either& but some hostile Override 6un#tions "re. -n " sep"r"te
p"rt o$ this s"me "re"& " #ert"in option"l "nd unspe#i$ied series o$ "#tions will #"use
!rinity to "ppe"r. *he does /t"l:s#"red& s"ying:
D-Fm not. -Fm not wh"t++ ?odR ,h"t h"ve they doneHD
6lood s"ys th"t some #he#:ing h"s shown Azun" h"s t":en #over in the se#ond
sublevel o$ the Creston 5eights .useum. 9etween missions& the pl"yer h"s to :ill
."#hine+"ligned Override 6un#tions ne"r Azun"& "nd tr"de the to:ens they drop to
Azun"& who then h"nds over her intel.
XDAzun"D is " #orruption o$ DAsen"&D " Dshe+wol$ with " s:y+blue m"neD in !ur:i#
mythology& "##ording to good old ,i:ipedi": http://en.wi:ipedi".org/wi:i/Asen".Y
!ynd"ll sends Eion oper"tives into 7owntown& $ollowing the tr"il o$ d"t" th"t they thin:
m"y h"ve #ome $rom !rinity G!ynd"ll is still hedging " bit on the n"me& "nd here s"ys
D$rom the inter$"#e progr"m++$rom !rinityDI. *he gives the n"mes o$ 5eli"n "nd
!er"sov"& s"ying they $ound them out $rom Dour sour#es within the ."#hinesD. !he
164
pl"yer $inds " #omputer& "#tiv"tes it Git s"ys DWNes.TDI& "nd !rinity "ppe"rs. *he s"ys&
D- donFt h"ve mu#h time. - donFt :now wh"t...this me"ns. 9e$ore... - thought - died. -
w"s with him... - s"id goodbye. - donFt remember...until++ - donFt :now how to m":e it
m":e sense... !heyFre getting #lose. - h"ve to go.D
!ynd"ll gives the pl"yer the lo#"tion o$ the intruders& "nd "lthough she thin:s theyFre
."#hines on !rinityFs t"il& they turn out to be .erovingi"n 1iles. !ynd"lly thin:s this is
"n indi#"tion th"t the .erv is trying to get in on the !rinity "#tion& "nd hopes th"t his
m"#hin"tions with 5"lborn "nd C"rlyne& whi#h ended up #"using " good de"l o$
trouble $or the ."#hines& will "t le"st give the ."#hines some in#entive to "#t "g"inst
him. *he ends by "s:ing the pl"yer to loo: into "n Dunusu"l sign"lD "nd override
"#tivity in 9"ldwin 5eights.
?r"y s"ys the .erovingi"nFs $ound out th"t 5eli"n "nd !er"sov" h"ve " Dvirtu"l
sp"#e&D "nd is pl"nning to inv"de itB this should be stopped so th"t the Olig"r#hs "renFt
D"ggr"v"ted.D !he oper"tor mentions th"t the .erovingi"n tried hitting on !es"rov" to
get Olig"r#h progr"ms& but w"snFt su##ess$ul in his "dv"n#es. .erovingi"n oper"tives
t":e out some 1iles "nd gets " tr"#e running through their #omputer. -n this s"me
"re"& " #ert"in unspe#i$ied "nd option"l se)uen#e o$ "#tions will #"use !rinity to
"ppe"r in " side room. *he "ppe"rs upset& even "ngry& "t the situ"tion sheFs in&
doing /t"l:neg"tive "s she s"ys:
D- donFt++ - didnFt #hoose this. !his #"nFt be++...D
6ollowing the tr"#e& the pl"yer runs into he"vy 7ire Lupine resist"n#e& but in the end
gets d"t" th"t ?r"y s"ys is "bout "##ess routes Dthrough Fwhite h"llw"yF systems.D 5e
doesnFt h"ve e"#t #oords& but s"ys there seems to be "n entry point somewhere high
up in north <nion 5ill. A de"d Override 1e#ut"ble 3'C w"s in the room with the
lupines/#omputer. 1e#ut"bles "re d"r: grey hum"noids in the s"me bubble+s:in w"y
"s 6un#tions "nd 5eli"n "nd !er"sov".
6lood s"ys th"t th"n:s to the in$orm"tion $rom Azun"& the .erovingi"n h"s been "ble
to meet !es"rov". 5ints indi#"te th"t the meeting h"s not gone well& possibly be#"use
'ersephone $ound out "bout it. !he pl"yer $inds 'ersephone "nd !es"rov" together.
'ersephone is still in her Dd"r:D out$it& but her s:in is b"#: to its norm"l he"lthy hue.
!es"rov" s"ys the .erovingi"n been showing her interesting things& in#luding the
"ndroid& whi#h she identi$ies "s DC"rlyneFs "ndroid body.D *he "lmost seems genuinely
surprised "bout the .erovingi"n h"ving it& s"ying she didnFt thin: sheFd see it "g"in
D"$ter C"rlyne let the podling wom"n ste"l his sign"l.D GD!he podling wom"nD w"s
,right++she C"#:ed C"rlyneFs sign"l / "ndroid body when C"rlyne #rumpled Cust be$ore
she "ppe"red "s the wire$r"med wom"n in Ch"pter //./& whi#h $or#ed the .erovingi"n
to dump the 9-'/!rinity.I All 'ersephone s"ys is DOnly " hum"n #"n be Finhum"n.FD
'"st them& the pl"yer $inds the .erv& who r"nts " bit "bout !es"rov" l"ughing "t his
o$$ers o$ power in the simul"tion. 5e sends the pl"yer to #ont"#t 6lood $or " pl"n 9&
whi#h involves getting " tr"#e through "n Olig"r#h+o##upied #omputer in order to
lo#"te 5V!Fs ."tri power b"se. !he pl"yer runs into some o$ their 6un#tions& "nd
then " hostile Override 1e#ut"ble& who #"n sp"wn " sm"ll sw"rm o$ "ddition"l&
higher+level 6un#tions to "tt"#: the pl"yer. 1e#ut"bles h"ve " #onst"nt blur 6Z over
165
their d"r: bubble body Gthis sort" #"uses them to $li#:er light/d"r:I& "nd boosted
de$ense "nd speed& but no "#tu"l #omb"t lo"dout or we"pons. *u##ess results in
#oordin"tes o$ "n entry point to the Olig"r#h hideout: /29 224 >89& <nion 5ill. G!his is "
doorw"y "t the top o$ one o$ those s:ys#r"pers with the $lying buttresses.I
Eion oper"tives respond to "n "lert $rom ?host& whoFs still been #ombing -ntern"tion"l
$or !rinity. !hey $ind him $"#ing 5eli"n "nd !es"rov"& with 5eli"n "s:ing ?host why
heFs going "$ter the progr"m. !es"rov" #oyly interCe#ts th"t she thin:s she :nows Gwin:
win:I. ?host doesnFt respond to them& "nd whispers to the pl"yer to m":e sure th"t
!rinityFs s"$e& s"ying *p"r:s will h"ve in$o $or them. !ynd"ll gets the in$orm"tion $rom
*p"r:s& whi#h is " lo#"tion where !rinity might h"ve been hiding D$rom the Olig"r#h
s#"ns.D !hey $ind "n Override 1e#ut"ble there& "s well "s some Override 6un#tions&
but no sign o$ !rinity. !ynd"ll& who $eels "ble to re$er to her "s simply D!rinityD by now&
s"ys she thin:s they stopped those progr"ms $rom $inding her& but th"t stopping 5V*
is going to be tough. *he mentions reports o$ the .erv h"ving got "##ess to some :ind
o$ "re" the Olig"r#hs h"ve set up& "nd th"t theyFre pi#:ing up "#tivity $rom his
oper"tives on roo$tops D"t the etreme northe"st end o$ 7owntown.D
A teleport $rom the "re" re$erred to in the l"st missions t":es the pl"yer into some
white h"llw"ys& whi#h eventu"lly m"y spit them out into "n interior o$$i#e sp"#e Xth"t is
pretty simil"r to $loor >> o$ the ?overnment 9uilding in '"r: 1"stY. -tFs $ull o$ n"sty
Overrides "nd 1e#ut"bles with spe#i"l prizes. !he only eit is " rot"ry telephone on "
des: in one o$ the o$$i#es& whi#h teleports the user to " publi# phone on the north side
o$ the b"se o$ the *1 tower in '"r: 1"st.
Important Note! "eveloper # $ae desi%ner &en Chaberlain' a.(.a Rarebit' announced
that he )as leavin% !he ."tri Online a*ter chapter +,.+. It )as also announced that
the stor- )ould not be continued a*ter this. Rarebit released his docuents and notes
*or the planned reainder o* the stor- thus *ar' Chapters +,., throu%h the end o*
Chapter +.. /ver-thin% a*ter this point is based on those notes and docuents' and
could be considered the 0o**icial1 stor- o* !he ."tri Online. Considerin% this )as the
intended direction' and that no ore stor- is *orthcoin%' it is included here *or the
sa(e o* copletion.
5eli"n #ompletes negoti"tions with the ."#hines. 5eli"n now pursues the !rinity
progr"m& with help $rom the ."#hines& "nd opposition $rom Eion& 1'3& "nd the
Cypherites& who do not thin: th"t helping Olig"r#hs is the w"y to prote#t the *ystem.
!he .erovingi"n& me"nwhile& thin:s he h"s #onvin#ed !es"rov" to #"pture !rinity $or
him. 5e #ommits his progr"ms to helping tr"#: her down. A$ter the "tt"#: by
.orpheus& he guesses th"t *er"ph m"y try his h"nd to prote#t !rinity "s well. 5e
promises !es"rov" th"t he will remove this obst"#le $or herB he h"s #oded "nti+
*er"phi# d"rts out o$ *er"phFs pin$e"thers& #"re$ully #olle#ted over the ye"rs Gthere
w"s "n old Live 1vent with ."lph"s "nd one o$ the *er"phim "bout thisI. !hese "re
given to oper"tives& who hit *er"ph with them in " Live 1vent. *uddenly we":ened& he
h"s to $lee& but not be$ore mentioning th"t preventing the Olig"r#hs $rom obt"ining the
!rinity progr"m w"s not his intent.
166
1ven with ."#hine help& 5eli"n is obstru#ted by the other org"niz"tions& but distr"#ts
them su$$i#iently $or !es"rov" to #"pture !rinity. !he .erovingi"n is holding " p"rty to
#elebr"te the #"pture& when 5eli"n "ppe"rs& "nd !es"rov" smiles "t him: theyFve been
wor:ing together this whole time. !he .erovingi"n& "gh"st& pl"ys the eleg"ntly polite
host& "nd o$$ers !es"rov" some #":e& whi#h she "##epts. !he two l"ugh& "nd
dis"ppe"r.
Cypherites "re relieved th"t the Olig"r#hs "re gone. ."#hines "re gl"d "bout th"t& "nd
th"t theyFve t":en !rinity "w"y& too& but the Ouroboros #onne#tion is showing "nother
in#re"se in "#tivity. Eion w"nts to get !rinity b"#:. 1'3 is mind$ul o$ wh"t the wom"n
told them "bout :eeping the en#rypted progr"m s"$e. !he .erovingi"n is h"ving $its
"bout !es"rov" tri#:ing him& "nd is tr"#:ing her progress in the %e"l Gthe #":e is "
tr"#:ing progr"m++this w"s reve"led in #riti#"l missions somewhere "round #h"pter 8I.
5e $inds wh"t he guesses is her or 5eli"nFs b"se& but then her sign"l turns "round "nd
#omes b"#:.
5eli"n "nd !es"rov" re"ppe"r in the ."tri. !his time& theyFre norm"l %*-s& not
wire$r"mesB theyFre using the !rinity progr"mFs inter$"#e& "nd C"#:ing in $rom hum"n
bodies& not "ndroids. !his time theyFve brought hunter+see:er progr"ms to "ssist them&
though. !hey w"nt to $ind the Or"#le& "nd h"ve her m":e some modi$i#"tions to the
progr"m: they w"nt it to be e"sier to swit#h bodies& "nd to inter$"#e with their b"#:up
m"in$r"mes& "nd so $orth.
Eion puts up " $ight. !he ."#hines "renFt ple"sed th"t theyFve returned& either& but $irst
try diplom"#y with 5eli"n. !he Cypherites w"nt the Olig"r#hs gone.
!he .erovingi"n& me"nwhile& is b"#: to wor: wooing !es"rov"& "lthough this time heFs
Cust trying to distr"#t her while his *entinels "nd oper"tives lo#"te "nd surround her
hover#r"$t. 5eFs "bout to t":e it out when "nother& "pp"rent bluepill& wom"n "ppe"rs.
*he tells him th"t he wonFt get "nything out o$ !es"rov" unless he m":es her le"ve the
."tri& now: the !rinity progr"m w"s " tr"p. ,hen he "s:s why he should trust her& the
wom"n replies th"t he should :now better th"n th"t. !he .erovingi"n $or#es !es"rov"
to le"ve.
!he Olig"r#h hunter+see:er progr"ms h"ve been $ollowing *er"ph. *er"ph #ont"#ts
Veil& telling her to bring the en#rypted progr"m the Or"#le g"ve her into the ."tri& to "
spe#i$i# lo#"tion. !he .orpheus sim #ont"#ts 1'3 with the s"me mess"ge. Veil "rrives
$irst& but *er"ph is nowhere to be $ound. *he sees the girl& *"ti& $li#:ering $or " moment
in $ront o$ " #omputer& be$ore dis"ppe"ring. 1'3 oper"tives "ppe"r. Just "s "
mess"ge "ppe"rs on the #omputer s#reen& "s:ing them to input their h"lves o$ the
en#rypted progr"m& the Olig"r#h hunter+see:ers "tt"#:. A b"ttle ensues& but eventu"lly
both p"rts o$ the progr"m "re input& "nd the hunter+see:ers stop sw"rming in. L"ter& "
."#hine p"rty sent to meet 5eli"n $inds his inert body.
167
!hapter :;
*prising
."#hines "nd the Cypherites be#ome determined to t":e "dv"nt"ge o$ the Olig"r#hs
downtime to remove their #ontrol o$ the ."#hine #ore on#e "nd $or "ll. !he ."#hines
"llow oper"tives into m"in$r"me subroutines& who en#ounter hostile Olig"r#h
subroutines& in the guise o$ gr"y+suited D#ler:D progr"ms.
!he .erovingi"n sees "n opportunity "nd orders the !r"inm"n to "##ess the ."#hines
m"in$r"me so th"t he #"n g"in "##ess to !rinity "nd g"in lever"ge "nd power. 5e
suspe#ts th"t su#h "#tion m"y g"rner the "ttention o$ the Or"#le& who he suspe#ts is
still "live somewhere "nd m"nipul"ting things.
Eion sees this "s "n opportunity to both get into the ."#hine m"in$r"me "nd get !rinity
b"#:. !hey $ind th"t it is not "s e"sy "s they thought& though& "nd they $ind themselves
blo#:ed "t every turn.
!he !r"inm"n brings the Or"#le b"#: into the ."tri $rom the ."#hine m"in$r"mes&
where she h"d been restored $rom b"#:up.
!he Or"#le is "ble to gr"nt Eion oper"tives "##ess to the ."#hine m"in$r"me. Eion
uses this opportunity to see: out !rinity.
!he Olig"r#hs #ounter+"tt"#: the ."#hines& sooner th"n epe#ted& through the
networ: "nd into the m"in$r"me.
,hile in the ."#hine m"in$r"me& Eion oper"tives dis#over the #oordi"tes $or 5eli"n
"nd other Olig"r#hsF lo#"tions. !his in$orm"tion is tr"ns$erred to 1'3& who in turn t":e
" hover#r"$t $leet to 5eli"nFs b"se o$ oper"tions to $ree !rinity.
!he ."#hines "nd their oper"tives $orm sti$$ resist"n#e to the Olig"r#hs "ttempts "t
in$iltr"ting the ."#hine m"in$r"me.
Eion oper"tives Coin the Olig"r#h/."#hine $ighting within the m"in$r"me. !rinity m":es
#ont"#t through the networ:& but sheFs #on$ined "t 5eli"nFs in the %e"l.
!he ."#hines begin to g"in the upper+h"nd "g"inst the Olig"r#hy routines in the
m"in$r"me.
168
!hapter :<
/reedo"
!he b"ttle within the ."#hine m"in$r"me be#omes $ier#e& "s the Olig"r#hy subroutines
begin to m":e he"dw"y tow"rds the *our#e& whi#h "ppe"r "s golden h"llw"ys.
!he Olig"r#hs "rrive "t the ."#hine #ity "nd C"#: into the ."tri. On#e in& they initi"te
overrides whi#h white out the simul"tionFs s:y. !his begins to "$$e#t the bluepill
popul"tion "nd #"use #ivili"n #"su"lties. As bluepills die in their pods& the ."#hines
begin losing power.
!he $ighting in the m"in$r"me is "ppro"#hing the *our#e& "nd the ."#hines $ind
themselves losing ground. ."#hines begin to h"ve #ontrol problems& "s they #"nFt
remove the Olig"r#hy root #ontrol& "nd this is hindering their "ttempts "t resist"n#e.
1'3 "rrives "t 5eli"nFs dom"in& "nd $inds most o$ his de$enses "re down. 1'3 is
su##ess$ul in $reeing !rinity into the "n "##ess port "nd into the ."#hine networ:.
-n "n "ttempt to $or#e the ."#hines to #"pitul"te& the Olig"r#hs begin shutting down
the pods. ,ithin the ."tri& the Olig"r#hy overdies "re #"using the sunsets to get
longer. *"ti "ttempts to $ight it but h"s gre"t di$$i#ulty. !he ."tri begins to bre":
down "nd is in d"nger o$ " #"t"strophi# #r"sh.
!he Or"#le reve"ls to oper"tives th"t the Olig"r#hyFs "tt"#: is more th"n Cust "g"inst
the ."#hines or the ."tri& but "g"inst the hum"n sub#ons#ious. *he s"ys th"t the
."tri is more th"n Cust ."#hine #ode+ it runs on "nd is in l"rge p"rt sh"ped by
m"nipul"ted hum"n br"ins. -n the end& she reve"ls it will t":e " hum"n to $ree it.
!rinity is "ble to enter the *our#e& but is un"ble to h"#: "nd remove the Olig"r#hFs root
#ontrol progr"ms.
!he ."#hines "llow " hum"n oper"tive to enter the *ou#e. !he oper"tive "nd !rinity
merge& "#tiv"ting " bl"#: room whi#h eventu"lly turns b"#: into the ,hite %oom o$ the
*our#e. !his "#t "llows the ."tri to be reset. !he Olig"r#h root #ontrol is $in"lly
removed& "nd the ."#hines "re $reed $rom $e"r o$ Olig"r#h inter$eren#e.
As " result o$ the #ooper"tion& the ."#hines "nd 5um"ns #ome to " new
underst"nding "nd "greement. Any newborn hum"ns will be r"ised in " new ."tri
where they #"n sh"pe their own surroundings& #"red $or by the ."#hines. !he old
hum"ns will rem"in in the old ."tri& "nd " new er" o$ #o+eisten#e begins...
169
Appendix
A9 $ra"atis &ersonae
&ri"ary !haracters
=iobe
3iobe h"s " $e"rlessness th"t imbues her with #h"rism". *he is
$"ted to be " le"der in the postw"r ."tri under the new rules.
5owever& rules "re o$ten tested "nd bro:en& "nd people "re :illed in
the pro#ess. A wom"n li:e 3iobe #"nnot let th"t p"ss.
EionFs intrepid $ield #omm"nder dire#ts her $or#es "ggressively.
9e"ring the person"l s#"rs o$ p"st betr"y"ls& 3iobe pl"#es wh"t little
$"ith she h"s le$t in "#tions& not words.
-host
6irst ."te o$ 3iobeFs hover#r"$t& EionFs
philosopher+w"rrior& though h"unted by sh"des
o$ the p"st& h"s proven himsel$ to be "
$ormid"ble $ighter& "nd "n inspiring le"der.
Ano"e
!en"#ious "nd #ompetitive& Anome gets the Cob done++one
w"y or the other. ,hether itFs the right Cob is "nother
)uestion. 5e is high+tempered& "nd prone to shouting
when things donFt go his w"y++whi#h is o$ten.
Anome wound up betr"ying Eion when he shot 3iobe "nd
his people stole the spe#i"l #ode vi"ls $rom the ?ener"l. -n
#onsuming the vi"ls& Anome "nd his people g"ined powers
beyond "ny redpill. !hey #"lled themselves <nlimit.
170
!olt
'romoted to C"pt"in "t the s"me time th"t his $ormer C"pt"in& %ol"nd& w"s promoted to Eion
Comm"nder& Colt now pl"ys by his own rules.
Tyndall
A t"ll -#el"ndi# be"uty& "ll #hee:bones "nd snowy blond h"ir& !ynd"ll
"ddresses oper"tives "s D,"rrior&D "nd spe":s #onst"ntly o$
vigil"n#e "nd prep"redness. *he tries h"rd to imbue missions with
nobility& "nd en#our"ges you to be your best. 5er m"nner is
pr"#ti#ed "nd pro$ession"l& but en#our"ging. *he o$ten ends
#onvers"tions with inspir"tion"l phr"ses.
The Oracle
A progr"m who is seen "s " guide to the Eionites&
the Or"#le w"s the one to spe": o$ " prophe#y
"nd "n "nom"ly who would end the w"r by
re"#hing the sour#e. *he h"s "n "bility to re"d
$uture events in the ."tri& though it is somewh"t
limited& "nd she is reti#ent to give str"ight
"nswers to )uestions "bout the $uture. *he o$ten
#l"ims th"t Dwe #"nnot see beyond the #hoi#es
we do not underst"nd.D
!he Or"#le is the mother o$ the ."tri& "nd it w"s
she who dis#overed the need $or #hoi#e in order
$or the illusion to wor:. *he re"lizes th"t the best
w"y $or both worlds to progress is together.
171
The Architect
5is eyes hold yours by sheer strength o$ purpose. !he
pre#ise inton"tion o$ multisyll"bi# words reve"ls "n intensely
logi#"l intelle#t.
!his m"nFs eyes hold yours by sheer strength o$ purpose. 5is
$re)uent use o$ multisyll"bi# words reve"ls " :een intelle#t&
"nd perh"ps " bit o$ "n urge to show it o$$.
!he designer o$ the ."tri.
Agent -ray
*ele#ted to inter$"#e with hum"ns who the ."#hines h"ve
determined m"y "ssist in the m"inten"n#e o$ the ."tri
simul"tion& his norm"lly "loo$ m"nner h"s been tempered
somewh"t by #lose inter"#tion with %edpills.
Agent ?r"y w"s sele#ted to "#t "s re#ruiter "nd Controller $or
hum"n beings th"t the ."#hines believe #"n "ssist them in
#ontrolling the ."tri. Li:e "ll Agents he is norm"lly
disp"ssion"te "nd "loo$& with " pre#ise m"nner o$ spe":ing& but
his $or#ed de"lings with hum"ns h"ve le$t him with somewh"t more underst"nding o$ them
th"n most Agents.
*ele#ted by the ."#hines "s the progr"m in #h"rge o$ dire#ting hum"n oper"tives in the
."tri simul"tion& ?r"yFs etensive de"lings with hum"ns h"ve le$t him with more #h"r"#ter
)uir:s th"n one usu"lly epe#ts to $ind in "n Agent o$ the *ystem.
Agent &ace
*imult"neously the most pro$ession"l "nd the
most be"uti$ul+loo:ing progr"m most %edpills
h"ve ever seen& Agent '"#e embodies the
more...person"ble im"ge o$ the modern ."#hine
org"niz"tion. 9ut rest "ssured& her logi# routines
"re #"l#ul"ting every possibility even "s her w"rm
-t"li"n "##ent wor:s its m"gi# on the senses o$
sus#eptible hum"ns.
Agent '"#e embodies the more...person"ble
im"ge o$ the modern ."#hine org"niz"tion. %est
"ssured& however& th"t her logi# routines "re
172
#"l#ul"ting every possibility even "s her w"rm northern -t"li"n "##ent wor:s its m"gi# on the
senses o$ sus#eptible hum"ns.
A new :ind o$ hum"n li"ison progr"m.
The Merovingian
!he .erovingi"n is the hedonisti# #rime lord o$ the ."tri. 5e is sel$ish& "nd sel$+interested&
with Dbusiness #on#ernsD th"t r"nge $rom h"rboring 1iles to ho"rding r"re illeg"l #odes "nd
eventu"lly t":ing over se#tions o$ the ."tri. 5e h"s rem"ined in power through sever"l
iter"tions o$ the ."tri& "nd #l"ims to h"ve $"#ed o$$ with 3eoFs prede#essors "nd survived.
!he .erovingi"nFs #ontrol o$ events in the ."tri is $"r+re"#hing& but not #omplete. 5e is still
"n 1ile& "nd still must $e"r the ."#hines& though he would never "dmit it. 5is uni)ue "ssets
in#lude " #onstru#t #"lled the .obil Avenue st"tion + " pl"#e between the ."#hine City "nd
the ."tri th"t progr"ms #"n use "s " se#ret #onduit to re"#h the ."tri i$ they "re to be#ome
1iles. 1p"tri"te progr"ms o$ten $ind themselves indebted to the .erovingi"n when they
re"#h the ."tri& "nd must serve him in return $or their p"ss"ge.
-n "ddition& some 1iles h"ve given their #hildren over to the .erovingi"n "t .obil Avenue&
sending them into the ."tri r"ther th"n "llow their #ode to be deleted in the *our#e. !hese
1ile orph"ns usu"lly end up "t the LF1#ole de l" !our++"n elite bo"rding s#hool run by his
org"niz"tion& where 1ile #hildren "re s#hooled in "#"demi#s& #ulture& business& "nd #omb"t.
173
?r"du"tes o$ Dthe !owerD G"s the students #"ll itI o$ten go on to be#ome his most e$$e#tive
"nd trusted oper"tivesB v"lu"ble "ssets to his org"niz"tion.
!he .erovingi"n is m"rried to 'ersephone& "n 1ile who he on#e #oveted enough to $or#e to
his side through tri#:ery& but whom he now #he"ts on regul"rly. !heir rel"tionship h"s
deterior"ted gre"tly& but the .erovingi"n is tr"pped by his own p"st deeds into spending "t
le"st h"l$ o$ the ye"r with 'ersephone in residen#e "t his Ch"te"u.
!he .erovingi"n is not "n e"sy m"n to see& but he #"n most o$ten be en#ountered "t his
rest"ur"nt& L" Vr"i& or "t the ultr"+e#lusive 5el Club& both lo#"ted 7owntown.
&ersephone
!he .erovingi"nFs wi$e. *he is "
progr"m "nd "n eile "s well. 5er
sensu"l "ttr"#tions m"y h"ve been tied
to her origin"l $un#tionB bodies in the
pods h"d to reprodu#e somehow& "nd
perh"ps she prompted #ert"in
ne#ess"ry physiologi#"l events. *he is
preo##upied with love in "ll its
dimensions. *m"ll wonder the
.erovingi"n h"d to possess her& even i$
he h"s " wide+r"nging "ppetite.
/lood
6lood "ssigns missions $or the .erovingi"n. 5eFs #l"d in
$l"mboy"ntly #hi# -t"li"n #outure& his h"ir ble"#hed& his $e"tures
"ndrogynous. 5eFs s"ssy "nd s"r#"sti#. 5e l"#es his
instru#tions with )u"li$iers th"t suggest youFre in#ompetent GDi$
youFre "ble&D Dshould you "stonish everyone "nd get th"t $"r&D
et#.I. 5e "lso hints th"t his servitude to the .erovingi"n gr"tes&
"nd th"t he h"s better things pl"nned. 5is #"t#hphr"se: D7o we
underst"ndH ,e do.D
174
Malphas
Although he is le"der o$ the 9lood+7rin:ers& "nd the .erovingi"nFs
#hie$ intelligen#e o$$i#er& no one #"n s"y wh"t this proud& brooding
1ileFs go"ls re"lly "re.
-t is obvious $rom this m"nFs etremely p"llid& "lmost #orpse+li:e
#ompleion& th"t i$ he ventures outside& he does so "lmost e#lusively
"t the d"r:est hour. 5is etr"v"g"nt suit& trimmed with s#"rlet&
indi#"tes high r"n: in the .erovingi"nFs org"niz"tion.
."lph"s #onsiders himsel$ "n "risto#r"t "mong blood+drin:ers. ,hen
the D$"iryt"leD version o$ the ."tri w"s reset he m"de " de"l with the .erovingi"n& bringing
m"ny o$ the other DmonstrousD 1iles with him into the 6ren#hmenFs employ.
Ooka"i
One o$ the .erovingi"nFs #hie$ lieuten"nts& "nd
le"der o$ the Lupines.
!o the uniniti"ted& Oo:"miFs he"vily lidded eyes
might suggest the wiles o$ "n "r#h+sedu#tress.
5er Lupine p"#:& however& :nows th"t she
"ssumes this epression "s she im"gines hersel$
poun#ing on her vi#tim& burying her e)uisitely
sh"rp #l"ws in their entr"ils.
175
The Train"an
!his un:empt "nd wild+loo:ing m"n
$erries progr"ms between the ."tri "nd
the ."#hine m"in$r"mes.
eirn
One o$ AnomeFs lieuten"nts& 9eirn m":es no
"ttempt to hide his obsession with the
.erovingi"nFs wi$e& 'ersephone
A$ter g"ining gre"t power $rom stolen #he"t
#odes& 9eirn w"s #"ptured "nd preserved by
the .erovingi"nFs wi$e& 'ersephone. 5is
obsession with her h"s m"de him " willing++
"nd d"ngerous++#"ptive. 5is hum"n $orm
h"ving long sin#e perished& 9eirn is now
more 1ile th"n m"n.
!his m"n "ppe"rs slightly preo##upied.
176
The -eneral
1yes n"rrowed "nd teeth #len#hed& the ?ener"l
pursues his go"l with brut"l e$$i#ien#y. A m"ster
t"#ti#i"n "nd :een "n"lyst& he is seldom t":en by
surprise. !he ?ener"l w"s the *entinel progr"m who
led the de"dly ."#hine "ss"ult on the Eion do#: "t
the end o$ the w"r. ,hen told to st"nd down his
"tt"#: on Eion so th"t the ."#hines #ould see i$ 3eo
would be su##ess$ul in de$e"ting *mith& the ?ener"l
re$used& "nd w"s relieved o$ his duties. 6rustr"ted&
without purpose& "nd :nowing th"t only deletion
"w"ited him& the ?ener"l "nd his loy"l *entinels $led
into the ."tri.
The (id
!he $irst sel$+subst"nti"ted hum"n& the young m"n
:nown "s D!he (idD w"s " $"n"ti# $ollower o$ 3eo& even
"s " bluepill. !he de"th o$ his idol& "nd o$ .orpheus& le$t
the (id in se"r#h o$ " purpose.
.hi"ada
!his young wom"nFs slow& he"vy "##ent "nd tenden#y
to use $lowery met"phors re$le#t the depth o$ her
dedi#"tion to 3eoFs ide"ls o$ sel$+"w"reness& $reedom&
"nd pe"#e. *he h"s been " $riend o$ the (id sin#e 3eo
brought him b"#: to Eion.
177
!ryptos
!his opulently dressed m"n r"di"tes power "nd #h"rism".
!he lo#:et "round his ne#: #ont"ins " blue pill.
*er"ph "ttempted to remove the ."#hine progr"m th"t h"d
been imprinted on this $ormer st"un#h Eionite& but the
."#hine "nd the m"n proved to be inetri#"bly lin:ed. !he
resulting $usion r"di"tes immense power o$ " #ode type
never seen be$ore.
?old #ode $or#es his eyes wide.
2eil
!his d"r:& st"tues)ue& "nd be"uti$ul wom"n somehow
m"n"ges to "ppe"r elusive& even when st"ring you dire#tly
in the $"#e. !ry "s you might& you #"nFt )uite get " good loo:
"t her eyes.
=eighborhood !ontacts
!hroughout .eg"#ity "re 3'Cs whi#h "re #"lled JCont"#ts.K 1"#h #ont"#t will dole out $ive
missions $or you& o$ten with " theme or storyline "tt"#hed to them. ."ny o$ the Cont"#ts "re
1ile progr"ms& some o$ whi#h "re $"mily. Cont"#ts m":e $or "n e#ellent sour#e o$ side+
story m"teri"l in The Matrix Online "nd some t":e p"rt in the l"rger ongoing story. 5ere "re
the #ont"#ts "nd their side stories.
178
)otus
Lo#"tion: Jurong& J"de %oom& #lub
Lotus is "n 1ile th"t h"s t":en on the role o$ " lounge singer in the J"de %oom& whispering
sweet b"ll"ds "nd belting out tunes. 6"ns $rom "ll over the #ity #ome to the J"de %oom Cust to
see her.
Lotus spe":s so$tly but dire#tly& "nd " $"ir number o$ %edpills #onsider her to be " sour#e o$
in$orm"tion "nd even $reel"n#e employment. <nli:e m"ny 1iles& Lotus h"s g"rnered "
#ert"in degree o$ trust $rom the %edpills th"t h"ve h"d de"lings with her. 5owever& li:e "ll
1iles& she #ert"inly h"s her own "gend".
*heFs never been #"ught in "n intention"l lie& but Lotus o$ten does withhold in$orm"tion& "nd
she h"s " b"d h"bit o$ overestim"ting the "bilities o$ those she hires.
Mission C:D !arry a Tune
!his is $"irly str"ight$orw"rdB - w"s t"s:ed with #"rrying " musi# C7 $rom 9ouzer"h to
.innie. .innie& it turns out& h"s been seriously inCured during " $ight with enemies o$
Lotus& "nd TneedsT the power o$ Lotus@ #ompositions& !r"#: 9 in p"rti#ul"r& whi#h
possess " he"ling e$$e#t. !his is " very #re"tive ide"B it would be good to see more
done with im"gin"tive notions li:e this.
Mission C8D !hange of Tune
-n this .ission& initi"lly )uite simil"r to the $irst& you re#over "n illeg"l #opy o$ Lotus@
musi# $rom " server "nd t":e it to someone who needs its p"lli"tive e$$e#ts. 5owever&
this #opy h"s been t"inted& so inste"d o$ he"ling it does something )uite di$$erentR Nou
must stop it be$ore too mu#h h"rm is done. !his time& Lotus is "ngryR And who wouldn@t
bl"me herH -t@s "s i$ you put on " C7 l"beled !r"#ey Ch"pm"n& "nd out #omes
1minemR
Mission C;D $issonance
Nou pl"nt " bug Gperh"ps using the *ony root:itRI& "nd then $ind the thieves who h"ve
stolen the mi. Nou $ind them "nd get the t"pe. 9ut others need its he"ling
immedi"tely& "nd you must )ui#:ly get it to them.
Mission C<D .uicide =otes
Lotus h"s he"rd o$ some eperiment"l wor: being done with the neur"l networ: e$$e#ts
o$ musi#& "nd needs you to obt"in some s"mples $or her. !hese "re then delivered to
some other "ppre#i"tive eiles& who don@t show the #ongeni"l response you might
epe#t.
Mission C>D !rescendo
179
!his .ission must be " re#ord industry ee#utiveFs $"nt"sy. !ogether with " te"m o$
Lotus@ oper"tives& you must over#ome " group whi#h h"s been pir"ting Lotus@ wor:.
JNou@re the only one - #"n #ount onK Lotus told me bre"thlessly. !here is " #run#h with
9lood 7run:s& "nd m"ny " /thro"t gesture. ,hen the t"pe h"s been put on& one burly
1lite ?u"rd blurts J- li:e $lowersK G"pp"rently some mods in some g"mes t":e their
inspir"tion $rom the elite gu"rds+ go $igureRI. -n "ddition to elimin"ting the pir"tes& you
must reboot their server.
At the end the #rypti# Lotus gushed to me& JNou@ve e#eeded my epe#t"tions "g"in&
*ug"ree. !here@s something spe#i"l "bout you& - Cust #"nnot put my $inger on itK. - wish
- #ould s"y the s"me "bout this suite o$ missions. ?r"nted& my epe#t"tions were so
in$l"med with "nti#ip"tion th"t perh"ps no one #ould h"ve s"tis$ied me. 9ut more
$eedb"#: $rom Lotus during the .issiones would h"ve been ni#e. And more b"#:story
would h"ve been ni#e: why people were ste"ling her musi#& wh"t her go"ls were& her
rel"tions with other eiles& et#. !he tetu"l "llusions to musi#& mostly in the mission
titles& were witty. -$ the designers h"d "#tu"lly& you :now& TusedT some spe#i"l musi#
$or these .issiones GCust two or three $ive+se#ond segmentsI& the e$$e#t would h"ve
been delight$ul. Also& sin#e the story brims with p"r"llels to the musi# industry@s e$$orts
to s)uel#h musi# sh"ring& some more dire#t "llusions& ironi# or he"rt$elt& would h"ve
been good.
Indigo
Lo#"tion: ?uinness L":e G,estviewI
As the eldest "nd most power$ul o$ the siblings& -ndigo is the m"ster o$ Club 7"nte& " popul"r
night#lub "nd h"ngout in the ?uinness L":e neighborhood. -ndigo is interested in "m"ssing
"nd #onsolid"ting power $or "n eventu"l "ttempt to usurp his $"therFs position. 5e h"s
oper"ted #ooper"tively with 7"me ,hite $or the most p"rt& "nd is gener"lly believed to be
D.otherFs $"voriteD by the rest o$ the $"mily.
-ndigo o$ten enlists his siblings "s p"wns in his pl"ns& whi#h they h"te& but toler"te be#"use
-ndigo #"n help them in their e$$orts to thw"rt the other siblings. !his "llows -ndigo to :eep his
siblings "t e"#h otherFs thro"ts "nd #ontinu"lly we":& simply by shi$ting his $"vor $rom one to
the other G" te#hni)ue he no doubt le"rned $rom his p"rentsI. -ndigo h"s " $rightening #hill
deme"nor& "nd is "lmost impossible to "git"te.
:9 Interference
180
!he #l"ssi# $irst mish: go "nd step on my riv"l@s s#hemes. 9ut in this #"se there is "
wi#:ed $"mily twist. -ndigo@s brother& ?ris"ille& is up to some #ouriering mis#hie$ in
-ndigo@s territory: blitz it "nd get " p"#:"ge $rom the #ourierR !here@s some witty di"log
$rom ?ris"ille@s troops& "nd some eng"ging $ighting even "$ter you drop it o$$ with one
o$ -ndigo@s $ol:s. And "t the end& the gre"t -ndigo himsel$ weighs in on your side: J5m.
-t "ppe"rs "t le"st some o$ the stories "bout you "re true.K ,ell& th"n:s $or the vote o$
#on$iden#e& buddyR
3oti#e& by the w"y& how even the run+o$+the+mill inter$eren#e mission gets mu#h more
interesting when there is " $"mily "ngle to it. -m"gine i$ in the $uture& $ighting bro:e out
"mong the -ndigo $"mily to get some "rti$"#t or ple"se some person& "nd v"rious
org"niz"tions needed to get involved. ,hen there@re person"lities involved& the
"dventure writes itsel$.
89 .pyware
%emember the p"#:"ge you Cust #"pturedH ,ell& now you return it to one o$ ?ris"ille@s
men who is re"lly wor:ing $or -ndigo. ?ot "ll th"tH
Nour #ont"#t s"ys JLet@s seePmedium height& weird #lothes& :ind o$ stupid+loo:ingP
yep& you must be the #ourier -ndigo des#ribedK. JCome on& t":e the p"#:"ge. ?eez&
m"ybe you re"lly "re "s dumb "s you loo:.K %e"lly& - #ould $eel the loveR
,hen - dropped o$$ the p"#:"ge& %o#:y& the re#ipient& p"id me o$$ by dire#ting his men
to shoot "t me. Nes& it@s gre"t when we@re "ll on the s"me p"geR !his w"s :ind o$ "
dis"ppointment& but -ndigo w"s thrilled "t how well his Jbrilli"nt pl"nK wor:ed out& "nd
#rowed "bout showing it to his mother sometime. Li:e she h"s nothing else to thin:
"boutR
;9 &ulling the Trigger
-ndigo h"s "nother m"n inside ?ris"ille@s org"niz"tion& "nd this one seems to be
holding out. Our mission is to p"y " #ourtesy #"ll& "nd m":e sure he underst"nds
where his interests lie.
At the site& my oper"tor told me he thought this should be "n e"sy mish. - loo:ed up "t
the obCe#tives G:ill "ny hostile gu"rdsI "nd thought di$$erently.
And& re"lly& how #ould it be otherwiseH !he #ont"#t resists& the gu"rds "tt"#:& "nd -
sl"y. ,hen the dust h"s settled& the #ont"#t swe"rs te"r$ully to never hold b"#: on
-ndigo& "nd the d"t" h"s been delivered. - s#owled "t him "s - le$t so he :new - would
remember him.
<9 &egged
9y the w"y& did you :now th"t the ?uinness L":es %eservoir is " str"tegi# "ssetH And
th"t -ndigo #ontrols itH And Jth"t b"st"rdK ?ris"ille w"nts itH %e"d onR
*o& on#e more into the bree#h. ?o& $ight& get d"t". 9ut there@s more. !he d"t" must be
181
t":en to " reporter $or 3etwor: .edi" "s "n "nonymous in$orm"nt without "nswering
her )uestions. Oddly& two o$ ?ris"ille@s toughs show up in her :it#hen GRI loo:ing $or
trouble when you "rrive. A##ording to my notes& she w"s we"ring " #he$@s stovepipe
h"tB perh"ps she w"s the $ood editor& loo:ing to tr"ns$er to the lo#"l news be"tP. .ore
oddly& she ignores them to #h"llenge you "bout where you got the s#oop GRI. At the
end& -ndigo is ple"sed th"t ?ris"ille@s l"test d"$$y s#heme will soon be t"bloid $odder.
'oor ?ris"illeR 5ow will - $"#e him when - go to the net *irens p"rty "t the *u##ubusH
Lots "nd lots o$ hi:ing $or this mish& never " good thing. 9ut the ingenuity in -ndigo@s
pl"n w"s l"ud"ble. And the reporter #ould be " $ine #ontinuing #h"r"#ter& "nd be#ome
" mission #ont"#t in her own right& though "s " bluepill& not "s " 3eighborhood 1ile
#ont"#t su#h "s the 3ewsie. !hey h"ve " n"tur"l #ompetition& "nd there is " n"tur"l
motiv"tion $or more story development.
>9 -ang Ru"ble
Nou might thin: th"t there is no su#h thing "s b"d publi#ity& but ?ris"ille di$$ers. 3ow he
is on "n "ngry roll& "nd h"s #ontr"#ted with Amber $or some b"#:up to t":e the $ight to
-ndigo. ?ris"ille@s JCrow 9"rsK "nd Amber@s JA*'sK will be the mus#le in this. -n
response& the dour -ndigo w"nts you to le"d his $ol:s into b"ttle. *o $"r& so gre"tRR
5owever& when you rendezvous with them& you dis#over th"t -ndigo h"s negle#ted his
logisti#s& "nd they h"ve "rrived without "mmunitionR ."Cor d@ohR And they "re loo:ing
to you $or helpR
!his w"s e#eption"lly tough on solo& sin#e the enemies "tt"#: in $or#e& "nd by the
time - :illed one "nd got the "mmo& - w"s de"d. And "g"in. And "g"in. 1ventu"lly -
slipped p"st the sleezes "nd s:"n:s "nd got the "mmo to -ndigo@s guys& who promptly
mopped the $loor with the Crow 9"rs "nd A*'s Gmostly be#"use - h"d "lre"dy severely
depleted their r"n:sI.
MollyE
Lo#"tion: .ori"h& *lums
.olly+9 is the Dsweet young thingD o$ the 1lements. *he presents the pi#ture o$ #ivility&
dressed in " $lower+p"ttern /9;0Fs+style dress. .olly+9 h"s t":en it upon hersel$ to try to #urb
the more unruly beh"viors o$ the other 1lements& or rep"ir their tr"nsgressions when she #"n.
9e#"use sheFs not "s ruthless "s the others in her bid $or power& she is signi$i#"ntly we":er
th"n the others& "nd thus her "#tivities h"ve not #"used signi$i#"nt d"m"ge yet. .olly+9 $eels
182
prote#tive o$ the other 1lements& "s they do o$ her& in spite o$ their di$$ering viewpoints. 3one
o$ them #"n im"gine hurting .olly+9& no m"tter wh"t other repugn"nt business they m"y be
into& "nd no m"tter wh"t she might do to their pl"ns. *he is their #ons#ien#e. !h"t doesnFt
me"n they wonFt stri:e "t her powerb"se& though. Argon m":es her he"rt go $lip+$lop& but
sheFs well "w"re o$ wh"t :ind o$ m"n he is& "nd would never #onsent to be with him.
:9 .aving lue
An interesting $irst mission: " sel$+"#tu"lizing bluepill needs to be prote#ted. !hen -
gro"ned when - re"lized it w"s "n es#ort mishR As - relu#t"ntly stepped into the blue@s
"p"rtment& she Cumped up $rom her lonely Chinese t":eout "nd Opr"h rerun& "nd #ried&
J-@ve seen you be$oreR - :new you were #oming to s"ve meR P. Nou "re my s"viorRK -
told her to t":e her time& th"t it w"s the l"st good me"l she would ever h"ve. Other
th"n th"t - w"s en#our"ging& "nd got her s"$ely to her destin"tion& de#ommissioning "
good number o$ 1iles "long the w"y. .olly 9. w"s ple"sedB - #ould see - h"d won her
trust: J!h"n:s $or t":ing #"re o$ th"t $or me& *ug"ree. Nou@re " :eeper.K 6or sureR
89 The &relude
J!he ."tri is still "n enigm" to you. - #"n sense your inner turmoil& even i$ you deny
it.K - "m the l"st person to deny this& "nd "ppre#i"ted someone who #ould sense how -
$elt. - sighed deeply "s - re"d through the mission des#ription. - "m "s:ed to prote#t
someone& who h"s "n import"nt role to pl"y in the $uture. !his reminded me " little o$
."d"me !.@s missions downtown.
6or su#h " p"#i$i# mission& this one st"rted out with " b"ng.
,hile - w"s still re"ding through the mission des#ription& - #"me under "tt"#:R And "s -
Cumped "w"y to he"l& - #ould see " m"levolent little red dot $ollowing $"r& $"r below&
w"iting $or "nother bite. !his did little $or my inner turmoil. !he es#ort #omponent o$ the
mission goes well& "s long "s you t":e #"re to :ill everything between you "nd the
destin"tion be$ore le"ding the prin#ip"l $rom the building.
1ventu"lly - got her to the destin"tion& "nd " wom"n loo:ing " lot li:e .olly 9. too: her
over $or me. - $elt puzzled "s - le$t& wondering how in " world where everything begins
with #hoi#e& one #ould see the $uture "t "ll. .olly 9.@s w"rm voi#e interrupted my
reveries: JNour "#tions sh"ll re"p rew"rds you #"nnot yet :now.K As - st"rt doing my
t"es this wee:& -@ll be"r this in mindP.
;9 =o -o oo"
Argon h"s some #h"r"#teristi#"lly destru#tive pl"n whi#h needs .olly 9.@s intervention.
!his mission t":es the $orm o$ #on$is#"ting $our deton"tors disguised "s #ell phones&
e"#h se#reted within " di$$erent bo in one o$ Argon@s o$$i#es. !his #"n be done without
:illing everyone there& but un#ompromising sl"ughter does m":e things more
#onvenient. ,hen you "re done "t this single lo#"tion& .oll 9. sends pr"ise your w"y:
JNour servi#es h"ve s"ved inno#ent lives& *ug"reeK. And s#ored some #oin "nd ps
"long the w"yR
<9 $ata &oints
183
J*ilver is so obsessed with the per$e#tion o$ his #re"tions th"t he o$ten #"nnot
underst"nd the long+r"nge impli#"tions o$ wh"t he is buildingK *o we h"ve to disrupt
them.K 1s#ort " s#ientist "sso#i"te o$ .olly@s to pl"nt $"lse d"t". ?etting her there
s"$ely t":es some serious es#orting s:ill. On the other h"nd& on#e you re"#h *ilver@s
rese"r#h site& it turns out th"t there "re no gu"rds "nd no lo#:sR ?o $igureR And then
when you "re done& the s#ientists el"bor"tely y"wns "nd s"ys she will $ind her own
w"y out "nd no $urther es#ort is ne#ess"ry. *he didn@t h"ve to s"y th"t twi#eR
>9 -rab the oo"
A$ter "bs#onding with Argon@s deton"tors& now we return to $inish the Cob "nd ste"l his
eplosivesR 9ut we "re not "lone $or this missionB the bluepill we es#orted e"rlier h"s
grown into " #"p"ble ;0th level p"rtner $or us G,h"tH !hree hours to ;0H *omeone ##r
this s#heming sploiterRRIR -nterestingly& the building she is in is surrounded not Cust by
the "re"@s indigenous Crossbones& but by " p"ir o$ 6uries "s wellR
*he turns out to be " mied blessing. !wi#e she pulled me into $ight - w"nted to "void.
9ut on the other h"nd& she did some gre"t bu$$ing $or me "s well. And the mobs didn@t
d"re even loo: "t herR On#e you h"ve her& "ll you need to do is get some #"rd:eys&
"nd then bre": into Argon@s stor"ge #enter "nd :ill "ll his gu"rds. 9ut without inCuring
the byst"nders. .olly 9 h"s " te"m who will move in to do the rest& i.e.& "#tu"lly get the
eplosives. - le$t my protSgS in the elev"tor while - did the :illingB - did not w"nt to ris:
her being inCured& "nd - did not w"nt to ris: her witnessing me :ill "ny byst"nders who
got in my w"y.
.a""y F)ilacF ,ien
Lo#"tion: L"m"r G7owntownI
*"mmy is " big m"n with big "ppetites. 5e #"n o$ten be $ound "t !he V"ult& n"ttily dressed in
his tr"dem"r: #olor. 5is $orm& m"nnerisms "nd presen#e "re only slightly out o$ pl"#e in his
environment. Li:e the other buildings o$ L"m"r& *"mmy "ppe"rs to be $rom " time p"st& "
bygone er"& when de"ls were se"led with " word "nd " h"ndsh":e. Overtly& his history is
pretty sh"dy& "nd he seems to li:e it th"t w"y. 1veryone :nows who he is& "nd gives him "
wide berth "nd " lot o$ respe#t. 5is methods "re old+$"shioned but e$$e#tive& "nd his living
enemies "re $ew.
184
*"mmy is #om$ort"ble in his neighborhood& "nd will typi#"lly try to hire %edpills to "ssist in
m"int"ining his position o$ luury "nd power. 5e is not "bove putting %edpills in #on$li#t with
his g"ng + he Custi$ies it "s " tr"ining eer#ise $or his boys& "nd "s " test o$ strength $or the
%edpill. *"mmy is not entirely trustworthy& however& he will not end"nger his position by
sending :nown oper"tives o$ other $"#tions into sui#ide missions. -nste"d& he m"y "dd " t"s:
or two to " mission in order to use " %edpillFs spe#i"l t"lents to his own ends.
:9 Odd 0obs
5is #onsigliore tells him -@m good "nd he needs " p"#:"ge delivered. *omeone tries to
#ut in "nd hiC"#: the delivery. 7oes this sound $"mili"r& or wh"tH ,ell& it turns out this is
" test. - p"ss it "nd he s"ys to #ome b"#: $or some re"l wor:. -n #"se - h"d not noti#ed&
my oper"tor tells me he is still " very d"ngerous progr"m. !h"n:s& but isn@t this the
:ind o$ thing you should he"r Tbe$oreT t":ing on "n "ssignmentH !he Oper"tor
seemed )uies#ent "nd p"ssive $or these mission suiteB m"ybe he w"s o$$ pl"ying
*e#ond Li$e or something.
89 !leaning #ouse
!he Jre"l wor:K. Almost h"l$ " dozen street g"ngs h"ve been "t e"#h other@s thro"ts&
"nd *"mmy w"nts to put "n end to it. As " prep"r"tory step to "rr"nging " meeting& he
needs you to #he#: out " site $or the t"l:$est. Al"sR -t turns out " sith g"ng& the
9oo:wyrms& is there w"iting to #"use trouble. (ill three o$ them "nd you@re doneR 6or "
mission on 5"rd setting& - w"s surprised th"t so $ew were thrown "t me& "nd th"t they
w"ited sep"r"tely in di$$erent rooms $or me to de$e"t them pie#eme"l. ."ybe this w"s
the Cl"ssi#s -llustr"ted version o$ the 9oo:wyrmsH
;9 The %xchange
!he *uits "re holding " ,hite *e#urity g"ng member host"ge& "nd the ,hite *e#urity
$ol:s h"ve " dis: they stole $rom the *uits. *"mmy t"s:s you with "rr"nging the
e#h"nge. -@ll "dmit - h"ve etreme nerves "bout "nything resembling "n es#ort
mission. 5"ppily& though& the ,hite *e#urity host"ge is de"d& "nd you don@t need to
es#ort him "nywhereR Just :ill everyone& t":e b"#: the dis:& "nd drop it o$$ with one o$
*"mmy@s $ol:s.
!here were m"ny ne"t tou#hes "bout this one. - spo:e with the ,hite *e#urity $ol:s&
"nd one loo:ed "t me "nd "nswered J3i#e shoesK& "nd then burst out l"ughingR G3i#e
$oresh"dowing& "s we see "t the end.I *"mmy@s #ut+out "t the end sh":es his he"d
#ommenting "bout these stupid s)u"bbling g"ngs. - love tou#hes li:e this.
<9 (eep the &eace
*omeone on#e s"id th"t the best w"y to "#hieve pe"#e is to :ill "ll the b"d people& "nd
th"t@s e"#tly wh"t you do here. 6irst the *h"des "nd then the Ass"ssins. ,hen -
"rrived "t the third site& sp"ttered with blood "nd smelling li:e " wi#:ed h"#:er& the
third group de#ided to be more "##ommod"ting. *"mmy "pprovingly observes "t the
185
end:
J!hey $e"r you& *ug"ree. !h"t@s the most v"lu"ble "sset you #"n h"ve in business.K -
purred in s"tis$"#tion.
>9 .hell -a"e
3ow the $ive+w"y negoti"tion is "ll set to beginR !hree g"ng represent"tives "re "lre"dy
w"iting imp"tiently& "nd you need to es#ort two more to the #on$"b. *tr"ngely& this two+
p"rt es#ort mish is trouble+$reeR - :ept epe#ting "tt"#:s $rom mobs& $rom lobby gu"rds&
$rom byst"nders& $rom spont"neously+gener"ting "tt"#:ers& "nd $rom <6Os. 9ut
nothing h"ppened. <ntil - got everyone together& th"t is. !hen you dis#over th"t not
everyone w"nts pe"#e "s mu#h "s *"mmy does. ."ybe they Cust don@t $e"r him
enoughP
Mandarin
Lo#"tion: Lu#ero 'oint G,estviewI
*e#ond youngest o$ the siblings& ."nd"rin is " spoiled br"t prone to r"nts to 7"me ,hite "nd
.r. 9l"#: "bout his siblings tre"tment o$ him. 3either o$ his p"rents re"lly #"re& but itFs "
#onvenient e#use $or punishing someone on o##"sion& "nd they :now ."nd"rin is the most
li:ely to t"ttle on his siblings when they "re pl"nning something "g"inst their p"rents.
."nd"rin is seen "s r"ther " dim bulb by his siblings& but "#tu"lly h"s " shrewd "nd devious
Gi$ intensely sel$ishI mind. 5e is "bsurdly $i"ted on #re"ture #om$orts& gorging himsel$ in ri#h
186
$"bri#s th"t he is ill e)uipped to "ppre#i"te. 5e l"#:s even the rudiments o$ style or gr"#e.
:9 Angels and $ae"ons
-n this $irst mission& on#e "g"in someone w"nts r"re d"t". 5owever& J- #"n@t sp"re "ny
o$ my own people. -@ve "lw"ys $ound you reddies to be "n e"ger sort.K ,e $irst see:
!"ylot N"min& " libr"ri"n progr"m who is good "t tr"#:ing down things. As the Oper"tor
tells us& Jne"rly every string o$ in"nim"te #ode p"sses through her systems "t some
pointK. *ounds li:e " good person to get to :nowR - loo:ed $orw"rd to " "wesome
networ:ing opportunity.
-t w"s not to be. - got to the libr"ri"n@s "p"rtment& but it w"s $illed with "tt"#:ing
simul"#r". 3o guiding h"nd is "pp"rent. N"min is nowhere to be $ound& but someone
else is& one 1lwood .eritel& or something li:e th"t. 5e re$uses to emerge $rom the
room until the simul"#r" "re "ll gone. 5e@s su#h " wussR And he :nows nothingR N"min
seems to h"ve dis"ppe"red. !he big mystery is two$old: ,ho :illed the simul"#r" in the
room with the wuss G#he#: $or " C7IH And wh"t h"ppened to N"minH N"min never
turned up& "nd this "bsen#e w"s never noted by oper"tor or eile& so - "ssume it to be
" mission blemish.
,e tr"#: down the simul"#r" to on Ait:en& " ;0th level m"ster o$ #oding. A$ter -
de#ommissioned his minions& he w"s very "men"ble& "nd "greed to t":e me to the
storehouse where ."nd"rin@s stu$$ h"s been pl"#ed. A $ew o$ the lo#"l thugs "tt"#:ed
us& but Ait:en e"sily withstood them G" ni#e #h"ngeRI& "nd - e"sily disp"t#hed them.
Ait:en brings us to the storehouse& "nd unlo#:s $or us the in$orm"tion ."nd"rin w"nts.
One room is lo#:ed "nd needs the 'i#: Lo#: "bility "nd tool& neither o$ whi#h - brought
to the p"rtyB nonetheless - w"s "ble to #omplete the missionB opening the door w"s not
ne#ess"ry $or mission obCe#tives #ompletion. On#e everything is over& then when -
#he#:ed out Ait:en& - h"d the option o$ $ighting with himR - #ouldn@t resist& "nd put "
#ouple o$ slugs into him to remember me by. 9ut - didn@t :ill him. - swe"rR As - moped
my w"y to the elev"tor& ."nd"rin told me JNou@re not b"d $or " reddie. Come b"#:
soon "nd -@ll h"ve "nother Cob $or youK.
.ysteries: ,here w"s the ostensible libr"ri"nH 1diting blemishH ,ho :illed the
simul"#rum in the s"me room with the #owering 1lwoodH ,h"t w"s going on with the
lo#:ed room whi#h w"s super$luous to mission su##essH ,h"t w"s the signi$i#"n#e o$
being "ble to shoot Ait:en "t the endH
89 roken !onnection
One o$ ."nd"rin@s #ont"#ts bro:e o$$ #ont"#t in mid+#"llB see wh"t@s going on. *eems
$"irly str"ight$orw"rd. Oh& there@s " d"t" dis: th"t he w"nts retrieved. 1veryone you
were loo:ing $or is de"d& "nd ."nd"rin instru#ts you to go "he"d "nd :ill everyone le$t
there. Nou $ind out th"t the #ont"#t owed money to the $ol:s who :illed him. ?uess this
epl"ins why he w"s in " hurry $or me to p"y him& ."nd"rin glumly noted. *o& "nyw"y&
- $ound " C7 th"t h"s to be dropped o$$ with Ar"#hne. ,hen - "rrived& - mist":enly
spo:e to An"n:e& who g"ve me the w"rm greeting& J!"l: to Ar"#hne "nd get out. ,e
were busy& you :now.K And " $ew se#onds l"ter& JAren@t you done yetHK Ar"#hne is
187
mu#h better when - give him the C7: JAwesome. Nou #"n le"ve. 3O,.K ."nd"rin w"s
" serene isl"nd o$ w"rmth: J1#ellentR !he "rti$"#t is "lmost within my gr"spR <hh& -
me"n& you did " good CobK.
?ood newsR !his mission ends up right net to the s"me building "s ."nd"rin@s #lubR
;9 /ar /ro" #o"e
.ore "rti$"#t m"ni". J.y stupid& stupid& *!<'-7 sister is nosing "round "$ter my
"rti$"#t. Amber Cust w"nts wh"t belongs to .1RK !o distr"#t Amber& - w"s sent to :ill
some o$ her men& "nd send the he"d o$ their le"der to one o$ her #hie$ lieuten"nts.
<n$ortun"tely& when you :ill the t"rget& "nd Jget his he"dK there is still " he"d on the
$igure lying on the ground. ,hen - "rrived "t the dumpy building used by Amber@s $ol:s&
- w"s surprised to see "n Agent "##osting meR 7oes Amber h"ve #ont"#ts - did not
:now "boutH !he "gent "s:ed i$ - h"d "n "ppointmentRR 'erh"ps it w"s Cust someone
we"ring "n "gent disguiseH !he "dvisor w"s impressed with my delivery: J,h"t@s thisH
O5 ?O7R -t@s AdzhimushdC:"CR Nou "nim"lR ,h"t h"ve you doneHK - thought th"t would
h"ve been pretty #le"r. At the end& ."nd"rin w"s ple"sed. J3i#e "ppli#"tion o$
violen#e& *ug"ree. !h"t@s wh"t - p"y you $or.K And we end up right net to his #lub
"g"inRR
9eing "##osted by "n "pp"rent Agent while doing "n 1ile@s bidding w"s #ounter+
intuitive. *o w"s the he"d on the he"dless $igure& espe#i"lly sin#e "ll one h"d to do $or
the right e$$e#t w"s h"ve the t"rget $"ll so his Jhe"dK w"s inside the w"ll& giving the
impression o$ he"dlessness.
<9 /lutter AwayG )ittle ird
.o#:ingbird Gthe "rti$"#t m"gnetI h"s some in$orm"tion "bout ."nd"rin@s "rti$"#t o$
interest. As he puts it& J.o#:ingbird thin:s she :nows everything "bout "rti$"#ts. *he@s
"ll superior with her t"l: t"l: t"l:.K !his is re"son"bly str"ight$orw"rd& "nd soon you end
up with " business #"rd. !h"t@s itR !he most interesting p"rt o$ this mission too: pl"#e
"t the drop+o$$. !wo other eiles interrog"ted me. One "s:ed me why hum"ns reCe#t
the ."tri& "nd then $ollowed this up with JLi:e it or not& we progr"ms "re " spe#ies
#"p"ble o$ $ree thought "nd $eeling. !hin: "bout th"t net time you t":e "n "#tion th"t
h"rms the ."tri.K -@m " ."#hinistR ,hy "m - getting this le#tureR A$ter the drop+o$$&
."nd"rin "$$irms& JVery very& very good. ,e@re "lmost thereRK
>9 !o"pression Artifact
!he "rti$"#t ."nd"rin so #r"ves is hidden in " #r"te "t " w"rehouseB we need to $ind
out whi#h one. !his involves two lo#"les. !he $irst w"rehouse eventu"lly yields the
lo#"tionB the se#ond yields the "rti$"#t. !he eile holding it& 3ighting"le& relu#t"ntly
turns it over& with " stern w"rning th"t this is not over. -t turns out th"t the "rti$"#t is
simply some #"ndy $rom " previous iter"tion o$ the ."tri. C"ndyR .ore det"il& "nd "
des#ription& would h"ve been wonder$ul $or this: the #olor& sh"pe& $orm& "nd teture& not
to mention the t"steR Oddly enough& on#e the h"ndo$$ w"s done& - h"d the option o$
shooting "t 3ighting"le or $ighting with her. - too: " $ew shots "t her to let her :now -
188
w"sn@t s#"red. !hen - r"n o$$ to give the "rti$"#t with " #ont"#t& who rem"r:ed& JA$ter he
is presented with this gi$t& perh"ps !he .erovingi"n will $in"lly $orgive ."nd"rin.K !he
me"ning o$ the mission title is not #le"r& unless it somehow re$ers to the #"ndyH
."nd"rin m"de no mention o$ this when he s"id J!h"n: you& *ug"ree. - #"nnot th"n:
you enough $or re#overing this "rti$"#tK. 9ut people o$ten hide their true motiv"tions&
tre"t big things sm"ll& "nd sm"ll things big& so this w"s not " huge surprise.
-race
Lo#"tion: 6urih"t" G-ntern"tion"lI
?r"#e w"s on#e " ,"rrior o$ Eion. !od"y she #"rves out "n eisten#e $or hersel$ in the
."tri& "ssigned the unenvi"ble t"s: o$ :eeping t"bs on the *ilver 7r"gons. Comm"nder
Lo#: is #on#erned th"t the *ilver 7r"gonsF "#tivities will sh"tter the tru#e negoti"ted by 3eo&
"nd ?r"#e :nows the group well.
?r"#e met "n 1ile n"med Long in the ."tri& "nd "llowed hersel$ to be#ome involved with
him. O$ #ourse she :ept the "$$"ir " se#ret& :nowing th"t no one would h"ve "pproved. *he
thought she w"s in love& but Long w"nted more th"n Cust surviv"l. 5e used their rel"tionship
to $ind "nd re#ruit %edpills into his g"ng.
,hen she dis#overed his "#tivities& their love turned to h"te. *in#e th"t time& ?r"#e h"s
devoted hersel$ to stopping Long "nd his supporters "nd will let nothing st"nd in her w"y& not
even o$$i#i"l orders $rom Eion. *he h"s not reported in $or some time& "pp"rently h"ving $ound
"nother bro"d#"st point to enter the ."tri.
%eg"rdless o$ her p"st mist":es& ?r"#e is " #onsumm"te pro$ession"l "nd insists on the
s"me level o$ pro$ession"lism in those she de"ls with. *he is :nown to hire mer#en"ry
oper"tives o$ "ny "sso#i"tion to #"rry out t"s:s $or her.
:9 #ell hath =o /ury
?r"#e see:s to penetr"te the *ilver 7r"gons org"niz"tion through you. Nou will
"#hieve this through su##ess$ully #ompleting " mission $or them. !his t"s: is to :ill "n
enemy o$ theirs& one Ar"bis. !his is e"sily done& "nd you "re soon "##epted into the
*ilver 7r"gons org"niz"tion. Nou h"ve& in e$$e#t& been blooded. At the end you
dis#over th"t Ar"bis w"s " well+:nown so$tw"re se#urity engineer& who spe#i"lized in
the dete#tion o$ m"li#ious so$tw"re. !his w"s one ni#e tou#h+ when resisting me he
used h"#:er "tt"#:s. !he *ilver 7r"gons& "s we sh"ll see& h"ve " pronoun#ed sense o$
189
humorB my 7r"gons #ont"#t initi"lly g"ve me " $older with the identity o$ my t"rget& "nd
- s"w my own n"meR *he got " good l"ugh out o$ this& "nd soon dire#ted me to "
ne"rby #omputer whi#h held the in$orm"tion - needed. !his w"s "n interesting $e"ture+
1iles with " sense o$ humor.
89 Inside the Action
!his seems simple. 'i#: up " dis:& t":e it to "n eile with in$orm"tion ?r"#e desired.
!he site $or the pi#:up w"s " Eionist etr"#tion point& " ni#e nod to ?r"#e@s
b"#:ground. *ever"l redpills there& "llied with ?r"#e& sh"red misgivings with e"#h
other "bout the wisdom o$ this proCe#t. - $elt re"ssured. !hen - went to drop o$$ the
in$orm"tion with one Eys:in& " blood+drin:er+loo:ing sort o$ guy with $our or $ive burly
bodygu"rds. 'r"st& one o$ ?r"#e@s st"$$& w"s there to help. A$ter - dropped o$$ the
in$orm"tion "nd prep"red to le"ve& she reve"led she w"s " #"ptive now& "nd "ppe"led
to me $or help. - did& "nd soon "ll l"y w"ste "round me. ,ith this p"rt o$ the mish
s#rewed& - w"s told to drop o$$ 'r"st& "nd too: her to " s"$ehouse. J*"$eK house might
not be the right word $or it though& sin#e the $ol:s there st"rted spe#ul"ting on the
terrible things ?r"#e h"d in mind $or those who s#rewed up missionsP.K5"hR - he"rd
th"t she@s going to m":e her #le"n her hover#r"$t with " toothbrushK& "nd J5"hR *he@s
in $or " world o$ hurt& th"t@s $or sureRK - bid 'r"st " $ond $"rewell& put her out o$ my mind&
po#:eted my #onsult"nt@s $ee& "nd w"s on my w"y.
;9 .econd Ti"e Around
A$ter intervening to res#ue 'r"st l"st time& there seems to be some un#ert"inty in the
7r"gons "bout where my loy"lties lie. -n this mission& - :ill "n enemy g"ng le"der&
m":ing sure to le"ve " witness so the word gets "round. !his proved e"sier th"n -
thoughtB even my oper"tor #ommented th"t m"ybe this guy Cust su#:ed. ?r"#e tells us
th"t this g"mbit seems to h"ve wor:ed "nd my st"r with the *ilver 7r"gons is on the
rise.
<9 $ark .ide
!his mission is billed "s "n e$$ort to Jdelve deeper into the *ilver 7r"gons@ networ:K. -t
involves h"ving me Jdistribute "nd m"int"in networ: #onne#tions $or the *ilver 7r"gons
se#ret networ:K. *ounds li:e " good de"l& but it tr"nsl"tes into helpdes: wor:R !his h"s
two p"rts. -n the $irst one& "ll you h"ve to do is mi "round p"rts $rom e"#h o$ three
#omputers to re+est"blish their networ: #onne#tivity. !here "re two Jperimeter monitor
devi#esK "nd one J#omputer p"rtsK. !he *ilver 7r"gons m"y :now " lot "bout
networ:ing& but when it #omes to networ:s& they@re hopelessR 'erh"ps they disd"in
su#h Jmere h"rdw"reK issues "nd le"ve them "s "n eer#ise $or others.
-n the se#ond p"rt& - swing by "nother *ilver 7r"gons site& "nd "s - st"rted to e"mine
the "iling h"rdw"re& the elite gu"rds "nd p"le blood+drin:er there "ll "tt"#:ed meR
!hey@re 9l"#: .oons& "nd held me responsible $or :illing their le"der l"s timeR
1ventu"lly - put them down& "nd went b"#: to my origin"l mission& #he#:ing their
#omputer. -ts mess"ge w"s " dull& blin:ing J#onne#tion missingK. Nou #"n s"y th"t
"g"inR
190
- w"s puzzled& to s"y the le"st. *o w"s ?r"#e& who r"mbled disCointedly "s she
#ounted out my #onsulting $ee. *he loo:ed #on$used "nd s"id& J- didn@t thin: "ny o$ the
9l"#: .oon g"ng would $ind you. ,e@ll h"ve to be more #"re$ul in the $uture. 9ut - don@t
:now wh"t the *ilver 7r"gons will thin: o$ "ll thisK. ,e will $ind out soon enoughR
>9 &asswordD $ragon
-t seems th"t - h"ve been promoted "g"in& "t le"st this is wh"t ?r"#e tells me. On the
strength o$ this& she sends me to obt"in " p"ssword $rom Long& whi#h will give her
"##ess to their system. *imple enough& "nd builds on the go"ls she sh"red in the very
$irst mission.
,hen - went to meet the 7r"gons& - t"l:ed to the ones there. One s"id& JNou@re here $or
the p"sswordH Ah& goodRK "nd st"rted l"ughing "nd l"ughing. And did not stop. !his
g"ve me #"use $or #on#ernP *ure enough& Long springs his tr"p "s soon "s - t"l: to
him& "nd " long $ight ensues. At its #on#lusion& they "re "ll de"d& "nd ?r"#e is $urious:
J?rrR !ri#:ed me "g"inR -@ll show himR *omed"y& somehow& - will get my revengeRK
Cl"ssi#R At the end she g"ve me some level+;0 #lothes "s " #onsol"tion prize& so it
#ould h"ve been worse. 5owever& it #ould "lso h"ve been better. 6r"n:ly& #onsidering
the loss o$ resour#es "#ross these $ive missions& one might thin: th"t Long #"me o$$
mu#h the worse $or we"r. 9ut ?r"#e h"s " new re"son $or the "nger "nd Ce"lousy
whi#h propel her. As i$ she needs oneR
Argon
Lo#"tion: A#h"n G%i#hl"ndI
191
Argon is "n 1ile who li:es to thin: o$ himsel$ "s " #"re$ul pl"nner "nd str"tegist& but in truth
he is somewh"t r"sh in his moves& pushing $orw"rd out o$ hubris "nd ego more th"n "nything
else. <nder his epensive suit& he is truly Cust " thug. 5owever& do not t":e th"t "s "n e#use
to underestim"te him. Argon h"s no #ompun#tions "bout doing wh"tever is ne#ess"ry to g"in
more power "nd in$luen#e over the ."tri.
As " progr"m& Argon w"s " #ontrolling routine. As "n 1ile& he still epe#ts to be obeyed& "nd
is :nown $or his terrible r"ges when m"tters $"il to go his w"y. 5e is Ce"lous "nd posessive o$
his p"r"mours& whi#h h"s proved to be " vulner"bility in the p"st. -n the end& though& Argon
#"res $or no one more th"n himsel$.
Mission :9 ug the road
,hen we meet Argon $or the $irst time& he tells us& JListen up& *ug"ree. - he"rd you
been helping the other 1ilesB well& -@ll let you :now right now: you@ve been de"ling with
#humps. -@m the re"l de"l& rightHK And "ll his .issiones underline the im"ge o$ "n
"spiring Al C"pone& see:ing respe#t "nd v"lid"tion. 5ere& in this $irst one& we must
pl"nt " bug in 9eryl@s networ: be#"use Argon worries "bout her "nd Anti+. G"s well he
shouldRI. !he entry "nd ee#ution is str"ight$orw"rd& "nd "t the end& "s - w"s #ounting
my in$o& he burst out& JNou "#tu"lly did itH Ahh& - me"n& ye"h& gre"t wor: there&
*ug"reeRK. !h"n: $or the #on$iden#e& broR
Mission 89 The &hone )ist
Argon in$orms me "t the outset th"t he worries th"t 9eryl h"s been two+timing him. !he
distrust$ul g"ngster w"nts to :now "bout 9eryl@s so#i"l #ir#le "nd so#i"lizing& whi#h
re)uires you to retrieve " #opy o$ her #ont"#t list. .ost people would h"#: $or this& noH
9ut Argon w"nts the person"l tou#h& "nd perh"ps some intimid"ting visu"ls "s well.
Otherwise& " bre":+"nd+enter. 5"ving done "ll the .issiones $or 9eryl "nd Anti+.& -
#ould h"ve Cust told him& but $igured it would be better $or him to $ind out $or himsel$.
Mission ;9 $ig *p .o"ething -ood
1ile 7igger is on Argon@s bl"#:list& "nd your t"s: is to ste"l three $iles $rom him. 3ot "ll
the $iles "re obviously "##essible& but otherwise the .ission is " st"nd"rd bre":+"nd+
enter. !his is " not"ble .ission be#"use it is the only time we le"rn o$ Argon@s
#onne#tions with other m"Cor 1iles. !r"gi#"lly& we #"nnot re"d the #ontents o$ the
$iles& "nd - w"s le$t dying to :now wh"t w"s in them. Argon@s pr"ise 0 J5ey& th"t@s gre"t&
*ug"ree. !op Cob.K 0 did little to s"tis$y my #onsuming #uriosity.
192
Mission <9 .ending a Message
Argons #ontinues to $eel the need to "ssert his dis"pprov"l o$ his riv"l. !his time& he
"s:s you to "ss"ult one o$ her o$$i#es "nd :idn"p " be"n#ounter. 6or this he w"nts
someone who #"nnot be tr"#ed& "nd th"t@s you. 'lus& Argon in$ormed me& Jhe@s Cust "
pen#ilne#: "nd he :nows better th"n to #ross someone li:e you.K Ne"hR ,h"t he s"idR
!his is "n es#ort .ission& "nd you h"ve to :eep your w"rd "live. -t too: me more th"n
one try.
Mission >9 .et #er *p The o"b
3ow it@s time to Jget seriousK with Anti+.& s"ys Argon. 5e then t"s:s you with pl"nting
" bomb in one o$ Anti+.@s oper"tion #enters. 3othing mind+bending: you tr"vel there&
de"l with some gu"rds& "nd pl"nt the eplosive.
!hese .issiones "re str"ight$orw"rd& bre"d+"nd+butter. ,e le"rn little o$ the rel"tions
"mong the eiles other th"n $rom his suspi#ions. And though Argon #le"rly styles
himsel$ Jthe re"l de"lK& it@s not #le"r "t "ll who he wor:s with or "g"inst. -t might be th"t
these $ive .issiones were origin"lly viewed "s prelimin"ry& "nd on#e - h"d proven my
worth $rom sm"ll domesti# #hores& he would "##ept me into the oper"tions o$ his
pro$ession"l "#tivities. 9ut this h"s not #ome to p"ss. 9"si#"lly& he seems li:e " thug.
-n essen#e& Argon@s .issiones "re lightly+"d"pted st"nd"rd .issiones& still " diversion
$rom the st"nd"rd ones while helping people powerlevel.
,h"t #ould h"ve m"de these even more enCoy"bleH ,ell& - h"d "lre"dy done the
.issiones $or his girl$riend "nd riv"l be$ore #ont"#ting him. -$ the A- dete#ted this "nd
re$le#ted this in its responses& it would be even better. .ore o$ " dep"rture $rom the
st"nd"rd .ission $orm"t would h"ve been ni#e. .ore on 7igger "nd the #ontents o$ the
$iles would h"ve wonder$ul. And some responses $rom Argon re$le#ting his
surroundings in Club 7u"lity would h"ve been gre"t& something li:e inviting me to h"ve
" drin:& t"l:ing ep"nsively "bout his business& et#. *t"nding imp"ssively in the purple
mists o$ Club 7u"lity& he #ould h"ve styled himsel$ li:e the .erv& et#.
.ilver
Lo#"tion: A#h"n& *lums
193
,ith eponymously #olored h"ir& *ilver is the most $o#used "mong the 1lements& v"luing order
"nd Min$orm"tion "bove "ll else. *ilver is not "n imposing physi#"l spe#imen& loo:ing li:e " bit
o$ " nerd& but heFs " sel$+possessed m"n with " distin#t "ir o$ superiority over the dull"rds heFs
surrounded by. *ilver is o$ten #"lled on by the other "sso#i"tes when they need Min$orm"tion
"bout something& or re)uire something very #omple to be $igured out $"st. 5is pri#es "re
steep indeed. *ilver is eng"ged in sever"l lines o$ ."tri+rese"r#h th"t re)uire $ield tests to be
#"rried out. !ypi#"lly& this re)uires the movement o$ spe#i$i# pie#es o$ #ode to #ert"in pl"#es
$or ee#ution& e.g. D!":e this umbrell" to the top o$ the 3etwor: .edi" building. Open it. !hen
#lose it "nd return it here to me. Nou #ouldnFt underst"nd the re"sons i$ - told you&
.e"tsh"dow.D
:9 Meet the Meat
Li:e most $irst mishes& this one is simple& i$ not e"#tly e"sy. *ilver is Jstudying the $ield
density $lu#tu"tion o$ the ."tri "nd how it is "$$e#ted by Q$ree ro"ming redpills@ li:e
youK. !o me"sure this& he w"nts you to p"ss through "n "re" "nd :ill everything there.
,or:s $or meR As "n "$terthought& he geni"lly sneers& J1ven you ought to be "ble to
h"ndle th"t.K - guess he h"s been t"l:ing to the ,e"ver.
A$ter our power$ul te"m l"id w"ste to every single 1ile there& *ilver nodded #urtly&
K'"ss"ble per$orm"n#e& me"t. - suppose - #"n use you "g"in.K JCurb your enthusi"sm&K
- s"id.
89 .oftware Run
!his se#ond mission is "#tu"lly one o$ his e"siest. Nou h"ve to run in& insert " virus&
"nd run $or your li$e. J-t@s very e"sy so you should be "ble to do it&K *ilver re"ssured
me& "dding& JOh& "nd don@t get :illed by the guys th"t run the pl"#e.K
As instru#ted& - r"n in& inserted the virus in the #omputer in the gu"rds re"dy room Gthe
one right net to the elev"torI& le"ped p"st the gu"rds over the #ounter& r"n $or the
elev"tor& "nd died one $oot $rom it& $ive hot slugs in my b"#:. 9ut we got #redit $or "
su##ess& so wh"t@s not to li:eH
;9 /or Tat
-n this most $"s#in"ting mission& *ilver needs help in " de"l with the #ool& bewit#hing
5yp"ti" $rom downtown. *he w"nts someone :illed& "nd thought o$ *ilver& who thought
o$ us. -n e#h"nge& she@ll help him with some rese"r#h on some unusu"l #ode $r"gs
whi#h h"ve "ppe"red re#ently. !he hit is str"ight$orw"rd. !he most interesting thing
w"s meeting 5yp"ti". *he #omplimented us on wor: well done& "nd invited us to loo:
her up in Chelse" i$ we were loo:ing $or wor:.
*ilver w"s #h"r"#teristi#: JAt le"st you didn@t drool on 5yp"ti"@s $eetK. - thin: he is $"lling
in love with me.
<9 Mercury .abotage
194
*ilver h"tes .er#ury "s mu#h "s .er#ury h"tes him. 5e thin:s th"t the Jlesser
inventorK h"s been s#heming to ste"l his rese"r#h& "nd w"nts to dis#our"ge this
interest. A ni#e virus& ni#ely inserted& does the tri#:. And $or this mish& we Cust h"d to
run in& pop in " dis:& "nd run $or our lives. Our power$ul b"nd w"s "ble to do this.
>9 0ust a &eek
9ut *ilver is not done with .er#ury yet. 3ow he t"s:s us with ste"ling one o$ his
prototypes. 3ot th"t he needs it& mind you& he is simply J#uriousK. ,e $ound the
lo#"tion& we bro:e in& we :illed "ll the gu"rds& we got the prototype& "nd we dropped it
o$$ with " hu$$y& imp"tient "ide o$ *ilver@s. ,hile we were running "round& *ilver
b"rr"ged us with re$le#tions. About how the !ru#e is " b"d thing. About how s#ummy
hum"ns "re. About how un#le"n he $eels to be wor:ing with us. - #"n@t tell you how
en#our"ged - $elt& "nd how mu#h it m"de me w"nt to ple"se him.
And when it w"s "ll overH *ilver loo:ed up $rom "pproving our timesheets& sighed& "nd
b"r:ed: JNou :now& -@m si#: o$ wor:ing with me"tB it is more trouble th"n it is worth.
,hy don@t you go bother someone elseHK
And th"t w"s itR 5e turned "w"y "nd went to optimize " d"t"b"se or something. Love
us "nd le"ve us& why don@t youH At le"st his #he#: #le"red.
A"ber
Lo#"tion: %ogers ,"y G,estviewI
As one o$ the middle siblings& Amber :nows she is unli:ely to ever g"in the higest position&
but she is #ommitted to m":ing sure sheFs there& to st"nd "t the right h"nd o$ whoever wins
the b"ttle "nd siphon o$$ the spoils. !o this end she is e#eedingly #"utious& "nd #r"ves "ll the
:nowledge she #"n "bout her siblingsF oper"tions. Amber "lw"ys loo:s good. *he is " smooth
t"l:ing sy#oph"nt who e#els "t t"l:ing out o$ both sides o$ her mouth "t on#e. *he is willing
to de"l with "ny "nd "ll o$ her siblings& wor:ing both ends "g"inst the middle $or -ndigo or one
o$ her p"rents& but "lw"ys $or hersel$ in the end. *heFs wor:ing tow"rd getting on ?r"yFs good
side& but is #omingto the #on#lusion th"t he doesnFt h"ve one.
:9 A .uspicious !haracter
%ogers w"y is Amber@s tur$& "nd some guy h"s been showing too mu#h silent interest
195
in it. !his is seldom " positive development& "nd she w"nts you to investig"te him "nd
his motiv"tion. 5e@s not h"rd to $ind. 9ut when you do enter his "p"rtment& he s"ys&
J"bout time you got here. !ell Amber her response time su#:s.J Auite the surpriseR
Amber is not epe#ting this "nd dire#ts you to t":e the dis: to h"ve it #he#:ed out.
,hen this is done& there is indeed more to him th"n meets the eye& "s Amber #on$irms.
*he seems impressed. Nour p"tron does not sh"re the results& "nd you #omplete this
mission without ever :nowing who this guy is or wh"t he is "ll "bout.
89 A .afe &lace
Amber h"s "n es#ort mish $or you: "n in$orm"nt needs to be t":en to " s"$e pl"#e. 9ut
the in$orm"nt& "ptly n"med JCr"venK& re$uses to emerge $rom her bedroom until you
h"ve :illed everything else there: some big& b"d v"mpires. !hen& there is " long&
event$ul hi:e to the s"$ehouse& with m"ny mobs to sl"y. And when you get her to the
s"$ehouse& $illed with Amber@s A*'sH *he w"rmly responds& J,h"t "re you w"iting $or&
" tipHK
- love this CobR
;9 .econd Try
!he bluepill we es#orted l"st time is now missing& "nd needs res#ue "nd es#ort. !his
st"rts with $inding " de"d eile& whose pi#ture le"ds us to "nother lo#"tion& where the
str"ying in$orm"nt is $ound. 9oth lo#"tions "re those weird& m"ze+li:e buildings in
,estview th"t "re so tr"shy "nd $illed with Cun:. - "lw"ys get lost in themR 5er es#ort
involved mu#h& mu#h :illing o$ lo#"l mobs. '"r"doi#"lly enough& these mobs you h"ve
to :ill "re the e"#t s"me mobs GA*'sI th"t Amber supposedly #ontrols. 5ow #uriousR
Anyw"y& eventu"lly you get her to the prote#tion s"$e house "g"in "nd you "re done.
*he "dds& JLoo: - :now you h"ve some sort o$ weird #rush on me& but - w"nt you to
le"ve me "lone.K ,ith ple"sure& my de"rR
<9 The /inal !lue
Amber #ontinues to $ret "bout un$riendly e$$orts to #ut into her tur$. *he needs to :now
who is behind this. !he #lue is $ound on " C7 whi#h is held by " b"nd o$ $ier#e
h"#:ers. 3ot e"sy to t":e them "ll down& "nd - h"d to withdr"w " $ew times to rest up.
1ventu"lly the C7 is pro#ured "nd delivered to *hingo& one o$ Amber@s lieuten"nts&
who h"ngs out surrounded by Level+;/[ level se#urity st"$$. ?l"d - didn@t h"ve to $ight
my w"y p"st themR Amber is ple"sed with the $"st& e$$i#ient wor:. - w"s ple"sed to be
"live.
>9 &ayback Ti"e
9"sed on the l"st mission@s C7& Amber h"s determined th"t her mis#hievous brother
."nd"rin w"s behind the "tt"#:s& "nd w"nts p"yb"#:& through " spe#i"l virus pl"#ed in
his systems. ?etting into the room with the t"rget #omputer involved " lot o$ gun
$ighting. - #ould overhe"r two gu"rds spe":ing disp"r"gingly o$ ."nd"rin being
196
#lueless J"s usu"lK. !hen - h"d pl"nted the virus& "nd w"s $leeing $or my li$e.
!his $in"l& $in"le mission w"s surprisingly str"ight$orw"rd& not to s"y simple. 3ot th"t -
#ompl"inedR
And with this& "ll my ,estview missions were overR !his region ended well& with w"rm
pr"ise $rom Amber& #l"iming th"t J- won@t $orget you& *ug"reeB you@ll "lw"ys h"ve "
home in %ogers ,"y.K 5ow ni#e it would be i$ "$ter you h"ve #ompleted "ll the region@s
missions& the mobs o$ the l"st 1ile lord would le"ve you "lone& or even #ome over "nd
/d"p youR 9ut - "ppre#i"ted the w"rmth& "$ter so mu#h #"llous& #rude beh"vior $rom the
others.
#ypatia
Lo#"tion: Chelse" G7owntownI
5yp"ti" believes th"t in$orm"tion is powerB "nd th"t the most v"lu"ble in$orm"tion #"n best be
gle"ned by re"ding between the lines. *he h"s spent her eisten#e pouring through boo:
"$ter boo:& loo:ing $or "ny s#r"p o$ in$orm"tion th"t might reve"l more "bout the n"ture o$ the
."tri "nd how to g"ther in$orm"tion to in#re"se her own power. Conse)uently& she gu"rds
"ll o$ her se#rets "nd her tur$ Ce"lously. 5er unimposing "ppe"r"n#e belies her greedy "nd
vi#ious n"ture.
-t is rumored& however& th"t #ert"in 1iles who h"ve " rel"tionship with 5yp"ti" #"n g"in
"##ess to the in$orm"tion repository $or " )ui#: s#"n. %edpills "nd 1iles lu#:y enough to
m":e it to the Libr"ryFs restri#ted st"#:s should not overst"y their wel#ome.
-t is $urther rumored th"t 5yp"ti" m"int"ins #ont"#ts with the owners or employees o$ m"ny
boo:stores in the #ity& to :eep her "pprised o$ new or used boo:s th"t "rrive in their shops.
."ny o$ her #ont"#ts "re "lso members o$ the 9oo:wyrms& but m"int"in " low pro$ile "nd will
#ont"#t 5yp"ti" be$ore t":ing "ny "#tion "g"inst Eionites or 1iles.
:9 &ast $ue
9ut enough o$ meR Li:e so m"ny people& 5yp"ti" lends boo:s "nd h"s trouble getting
them b"#:. O$ #ourse& it@s not the boo: is import"nt or "nything& it@s Cust& you :now& the
197
prin#iple. *o she t"s:s you with getting it b"#: "t "ll #osts& :illing "nyone who resists&
"nd le"ving one witness to spre"d the word. Just& you :now& on prin#iple. 1very
bibliophile out there will w"rm to this.
-n this mish we le"rn o$ " rogue group o$ 1iles who style themselves J!he 9oo: ClubK.
!hey@re $ormer "#"demi#s& though you sure #ouldn@t tell $rom loo:ing "t them. !heir
le"der #l"ims the boo: is "wesomely v"lu"ble "nd r"re& "nd no w"y is it going b"#:R
,ell& " polite word "nd " 7ev"st"tion 6ield gets you more th"n Cust " polite word. !he
volume is then returned to "nother o$ 5yp"ti"@s $lun:iesB "pp"rently she does not w"nt
you to :now its ultim"te destin"tion: her :it#hen t"ble. !he 1iles here h"ve some
gre"t lines& "nd some p"thos "t the end. A tough& good mish on solo.
89 Thieves in the =ight
!his mish is deli#iously ironi#. A$ter re#overing " noteboo: $or the Coroner Cust " $ew
d"ys "go& now -@m t"s:ed with ste"ling one $rom himR 5yp"ti" is #urious "bout his
J6r"n:ensteinK eperiments on reviving bluepills& "nd would li:e to study his Courn"l.
Along the w"y& you might "s well :ill his s#ientists& she "dds "s "n "$terthought. 3ote
to sel$: st"y on her good side.
;9 The ,rong #ands
An eile n"med !he Colle#tor h"s " boo: with d"ngerous in$orm"tionB 5yp"ti" t"s:s
you with repl"#ing it with " s"$er& dumbed+down ers"tz #opy& "nd destroying the
origin"l.
,e pi#: up the ers"tz boo: $rom "n 1ile #ounter$eiting epert who is #urrently trying to
#opy hersel$. One #opy gr"vely "s:ed us J7o you li:e pieHK !hen 5yp"ti"& "pp"rently
"s "n "$terthought& dire#ts us to :ill everyone "t the site with the boo:& Jto m":e it loo:
goodK. *o on we go to sl"y "nd misle"d $or our p"troness. 9ut in the end she pr"ises
us& s"ying we h"ve m"de the ."tri " better& s"$er pl"#e. 9ut be #"re$ul to destroy the
re"l boo:& "nd pl"#e the genuine $":e b"#:. Or something li:e th"t.
<9 &reEe"ptive Action
!his mission is un#h"r"#teristi#"lly simple. 5yp"ti" h"s le"rned o$ " pl"n to "tt"#: her
Gso she s"ys& "nyw"yI& "nd dire#ts us to disrupt it. !his involves two groups o$ 1iles&
"ll o$ whom must be wiped out. Ag"in& #"rn"ge "nd bloodB in the end 5yp"ti" is )uietly
glee$ul th"t her boo:s "re s"$e. -nside " s"$e& we $ound " gold #o"tR
>9 In &ursuit of (nowledge
An 1ile n"med Alv"rez h"s in$uri"ted the phlegm"ti# 5yp"ti". 5e not only "#)uired "
r"re boo: o$ 1ile lore whi#h she does not h"ve& the $iend destroyed it be$ore she #ould
re"d itRR 9ut he memorized the #ontent& or "t le"st "ll the import"nt p"rts. ,e must
guide him to " meeting with 5yp"ti" so they #"n h"ve " #onvers"tion "bout this.
!his is more #ompli#"ted th"t it seems. ,hen we go to get him& we $ind he h"s been
198
:idn"pped. !hen we $ight our w"y to him& only to dis#over he h"s been :illed. 9ut
5yp"ti" is nothing i$ not resour#e$ul& "nd she will not be denied his :nowledgeP.
-ntelligent "nd boo:ish though 5yp"ti" is& she seems li:e one o$ the e"sier ones to
m"nipul"te. 5er thirst $or :nowledge would be e"sily :indled "nd dire#ted "g"inst
"lmost "nyone. -t is best to s"tis$y her when you run her missionsB - would h"te $or my
n"me to be written down in the wrong boo: o$ hersP..
3ttri
Lo#"tion: !"bor '"r:& *lums
Nttri w"s " l"te "ddition to the 1lements& " subroutine "dded in the l"ter d"ys be$ore their
$light to the ."tri. *he is "n eoti# wom"n with uni)ue viewpoints. !hin: o$ her "s the
e#h"nge student thrown into the *orority 5ouse. *ome o$ the other 1lements resented the
"ttention she g"rnered "t $irst& others sought to t":e "dv"nt"ge o$ her& but nobody re"lly
understood her. Nttri is given to long& thought$ul p"uses in her #onvers"tions& "nd insight$ul
#omments th"t imply she :nows " gre"t de"l. *he h"s settled into " #om$ort"ble eisten#e on
the $ringes o$ 9luepill so#iety& "s " street musi#i"n in !"bor '"r:. *he is the one other
1lement most in tou#h with %uth& but sheFs h"d #"use to run up "g"inst Argon in the p"st& "s
heFs tried to intimid"te her.
:9 !ode or !oda
Anyw"y& Nttri el"bor"tes on " theme - $irst noti#ed with Lotus: th"t musi# #"n be "
power$ul beh"vior modi$ier. And she li:es to ste"l things. -n this st"nd"rd bre":+"nd+
enter& Nttri w"nts the only eisting #opy o$ " new& m"rvelous #omposition. !he
st"nd"rd enemies opposed me& "nd were de"lt with in the st"nd"rd m"nner. !wo w"ys
to get it& $ind the #ombin"tion in " des: $or the s"$e& or h"#: " #omputer to dis"ble the
199
s"$e. !o be on the Js"$eK side& - did both. ,hy the m"nus#ript h"d to be purloined w"s
un#le"r& sin#e do#ument"ry m"teri"ls h"ve been #l"ndestinely #"ptured by #"mer"s
$or "lmost " hundred ye"rs. ."ybe she w"s "lso sending someone " mess"geH
."ybe she #olle#ts "rti$"#ts& li:e the 7igger or 5yp"ti"H ,e do not :now. ,"l:ed in
p"st " $idgety 9ell ."donn"& little :nowing how soon - would be $eeling $idgety mysel$&
in the net mission.
89 /ree Music
One thing le"ds to "nother& "$ter s"voring the wor: o$ this #omposer& Nttri #r"ves more.
3ot only th"t& she w"nts to $ree his mind. !his ent"ils gr"bbing him "nd es#orting him
to " Eionist b"se $or the 'ill. And n"tur"lly& everyone $or " :ilometer "round w"nts to
$rustr"te this. 6or e"mple& "s - w"ited inside with the #omposer& two ;/+level elite
gu"rds outside :ept $iring "t me TthroughT the door& "nd shrugged o$$ my repe"ted
dev"st"tion $ields "nd #ode nu:es. *o& "$ter one $"ilure& - went out through the b"#:
door& obliter"ting every 9ell $rom here to :ingdom #ome& "nd got the #omposer s"$ely
to Eion. ,h"t memories it brought b"#:& o$ other es#ort missions $rom hellR
;9 An Instru"ental
Nttri seemed )uite serious "bout thisB the "ir hissed with tension "s she epl"ined in "
low& men"#ing voi#e. An instrument o$ hers h"s been stolen& "nd J- "m #h"rging you
with its return. 7o not $"il me in thisK. -t reminded me o$ 5yp"ti"@s $irst mission& where
she w"nts you to retrieve " lent boo:. <nli:e your sponsor& the t"rget is no wilting
"esthete& "nd within ten h"rrowing se#onds - w"s on de"th@s door. - w"s tempted to
buy " u:ulele $rom " street vendor "nd s"y JOh& he de#ompiled it "nd re#ompiled it&
"nd this is how it #"me outK& but - persisted. -t turns out th"t the m"le$"#tor h"s the
instrument on his person& so it@s more li:ely to be " :"zoo th"n " *tr"div"riusR
<9 lood Music
%emember the CoronerH !he #reepy guy $rom downtownH ,ith the spoo:y
eperimentsH ,ell& he@s b"#:& "nd in possession o$ " street per$ormer with some
in$orm"tion "bout blood drin:ers whi#h Nttri w"nts. - p"used be$ore busting in& thin:ing
o$ p"st missions& "nd m"ny de"ths& mostly mine. !hey were still unsettling. - #"me
"#ross " virus "nd on " whim put it into the st"tion@s m"in$r"meB the st"$$ too: " dim
view o$ this. At the end - st"ggered to " phone booth "nd uplo"ded& "nd this is wh"t -
got: J!he d"t" is very interestingPvery interesting indeed. !h"n: you.K 9ig de"lR
!he 9ells were mu#h in eviden#e hereB sever"l times - p"ssed two 9ell ."donn"s
st"nding mourn$ully over " $"llen third.
>9 eat the Matrix
!he $reed #omposer h"s m"de " #omposition $or Nttri& "nd now some o$ !i#: !o#:@s
men h"ve t":en "n interest in it "nd "re se"r#hing $or it. 6or someone with !i#: !o#:@s
)uiet obsessions& this seems out o$ #h"r"#terB m"ybe - don@t :now him "s well "s -
thin:. !he t"s: itsel$ w"s simple: :ill three $oes "nd open one s"$e. At the end Nttri
murmurs "bout how the wor:s o$ " m"ster "re be"uti$ul to behold "nd she is loo:ing
200
$orw"rd to e"mining this one. !he thing is& #omposers seldom venture into h"rdw"re
#onstru#tion& so it@s h"rd to im"gine how Nttri@s guy ever #"me up with this s#heme.
1spe#i"lly $or " metronomeR
Ruth
Lo#"tion: ."r" G%i#hl"ndI
%uth is the oldest o$ the 1lements Gthin: o$ her "s the one who w"s " senior when the others
were $reshmenI. *heFs "lso the one who "ppe"rs to h"ve $"llen the $"rthest& t":ing on "
meni"l role "s " #le"ning wom"n $or the Chur#h in the *lums. -n re"lity she h"s simply
le"rned " lot more "bout how the ."tri wor:s th"n the others h"ve. *he believes th"t the
:ey to getting into the he"rt o$ the ."triFs Min$orm"tion is to be "n inno#uous p"ry o$ it.
*t"nding "top "n o$$i#e tower puts you too $"r up to see wh"tFs re"lly going on. *he pre$ers to
be right down net to the 9luepills th"t drive the Min$orm"tion $low& moving "bout #ompletely
bene"th their noti#e. *he h"s " semi+#ooper"tive rel"tionship with the other 1ile who lives "t
the Chur#h& *ister ."rg"ret.
:9 Rescue lue
201
A bluepill is being h"r"ssed by $ive bullies& $or no obvious re"son. !hey seemed to
h"ve #"mped out in his "p"rtment& perh"ps intending it "s " b"se $or oper"tions. *o -
:illed two& s"t down $or some mil: "nd #how mein Gb"d #ombin"tionRI& "nd the slew the
rest. !he bluepill w"s overCoyedB %uth less so: J!h"t w"sn@t b"d& *ug"ree. Nou might
h"ve some good moves.K
89 The 2iperHs =est
*tri:e "g"inst !h"lli"@s networ:. *he is " so#i"l DviperD who needs to be Jt":en down "
pegKB she te"rs down other 1iles to m":e hersel$ loo: better to the .erovingi"n& so
%uth s"ys. And - h"ve to s"y& this is )uite #onsistent with th"t - s"w o$ her during her
missions. %uth@s ide" is to put " sm"ll virus in her networ: th"t will throw her so#i"l
#"lend"r into dis"rr"y. !his will h"ve her showing up "t "ll the wrong eventsB the worst
:ind o$ hell $or her. And the mish is simple enough: run in& insert dis:& "nd run out.
JNou@re " pretty #ompetent one& *ug"ree.K !he "pp"rent s)u"lor o$ !h"lli"@s o$$i#e
surprised me& espe#i"lly #onsidering how luurious her l"ir isR 'erh"ps %uth is not the
only one th"t li:es to slum.
;9 -adget -rab
*ilver@s been up to some me#h"ni#"l mis#hie$& "nd now %uth w"nts to :now "bout it.
!his mission w"s surprisingly di$$i#ult. 6our very tough ."#hine st"$$ "w"ited me& "nd
my membership #"rd $or !he Colle#tive did not #"rry mu#h weight with them.
1ventu"lly - :illed enough to get " :ey& "nd r"n p"st the others to re"#h my go"l.
J*h"rp moves& *ug"reeK& Cudged %uth.
<9 &oison the ,ell
*ilver h"s been up to some serious trouble+m":ing& even $or "n 1ile. 5e h"s #ome up
with Jsome sort o$ prototype de#ompiler th"t wor:s on bluepillsK. -t would permit *ilver
to t":e "p"rt bluepills $or their r"w #ode. Nes& - "greed& this would not be " good thing.
%uth bids me insert " virus into his networ: G"s usu"lI. 9ut this is not the usu"l&
g"rden+v"riety& $orm"t+the+h"rd+drive virus. !h"t would pre#ipit"te t"pe restor"tions&
"$ter "ll. !his virus simply "dCusts the d"t" $low imper#eptibly so th"t things do not wor:
#orre#tly. 3i#e thin:ing& %uthR *he "grees: JNou@ve s"ved some inno#ent lives tod"y&
*ug"ree.K .ore th"n JsomeK& - should thin:.
>9 oth %nds Against the Middle
!he l"st mission w"s " h"l$+w"y me"sure to del"y *ilver. !he net step is to distr"#t
him. !his is done by eposing his rese"r#h to !i#: !o#:& " wily intelligen#e+oriented
1ile $rom downtown Gwe did his missions " while b"#:I. -$ they st"rt $ighting& this will
slow them both down. 5owever& #ompli#"tions "rise. Nour #ont"#t $or !i#: !o#: h"s
been :illed& "nd someone else imperson"tes him "nd tries to brew:o you. 1ventu"lly
you put the ers"tz "lly down& "nd uplo"d the $ile "nd $older& but the identity o$ the third
p"rty is never #le"r. ,ho tried to #ut inH 5ow did they $ind outH ,h"t w"s their
interestH All is not #le"r& though - would put my money on 5yp"ti"& who h"s "n
unp"r"lleled thirst $or :nowledge o$ "nything "nd everything.
202
Mercury
Lo#"tion: <ri"h -ndustri"l '"r: G%i#hl"ndI
.er#ury h"s " he"d $or #r"$ting things th"t re)uire ve#tor "nd movement #"l#ul"tions&
in#luding vehi#les "nd speed bu$$s. 5e w"nted to m":e " big n"me $or himsel$& but $ound
himsel$ lo#:ed out o$ the m"r:et by the .erovingi"n "$ter " $"u p"s "t the 6ren#hm"nFs
rest"ur"nt. 5e now oper"tes " g"r"ge in the <ri"h neighborhood o$ the *lums& "nd h"s
developed " rel"tionship with "nother 1ile n"med 'epper Gwhose sl"vish devotion to her
bu$$ed mus#le #"r :eeps her tied to himI. -n spite o$ his rel"tionship with 'epper& he still
#"rries " tor#h $or %"ini "nd o##"sion"lly sends her gi$ts or letters.
:9 Turnabout is /air &lay
!his $irst missions is " $ine e"mple o$ .er#ury@s endless "niety. 5e bids you ste"l
some $iles $rom the obsessive& possessive *ilver@s networ:& "nd blurts out "t the end
th"t he is " better inventor. !his mish is $"irly str"ight$orw"rdB .er#ury@s ingenuity does
not etend& it "ppe"rs& to n"rr"tive designP. .y p"rtner $or this mish& 9l"#:$ir4 $rom
!he Colle#tive& w"s so high+powered th"t by the time - h"d $ound my w"y to the mish
site& he h"d the whole things wr"pped upR ,ho"hR
89 A &ri5e for Molly
-n this brie$ mish& you tr"vel to " ne"rby lo#"tion to get " p"#:"ge $or .er#ury $rom one
o$ .olly 9@s guys& "nd then drop it o$$. !he #ontents "re not dis#losed& "nd nothing else
ever seems to h"ppen with this mish. - thin: the te#hni#"l term is J$illerK& though when -
do .olly 9@s missions& m"ybe " #onne#tion will emerge.
;9 !o"ponent &arts
5e h"s " shipment o$ some p"rts th"t needs to be es#orted $or s"$ety@s s":e. 5e@s
buying some stu$$ $rom !he Colle#tor& "nd needs to m":e sure it gets s"$ely to his
storehouse. !he #ont"#t loo:s li:e " #lone o$ .er#ury& "nd tells me to get out "nd stop
bothering him "s soon "s - plu#:ed the items $rom their #"rdbo"rd boR ,h"t " te"mR
!hen - ev"ded "n "tt"#:& "nd dropped o$$ everything with some gr"te$ul "ides o$
.er#ury. !heir boss h"s been :eeping "n eye on things& "nd #"lls "t the end: J3i#e
wor:& *ug"ree. 3ot too tough& ehHK
203
<9 !o"pany .ecrets
*ilver is not one to give up e"sily& "nd .er#ury needs someone to prote#t his
w"rehouse. *ilver seems to be interested in " prototype& "nd we need to dis#our"ge
them. One thug s"ys J- thin: it Cust got " little dumber in hereK "nd "nother #hirps& J*o& -
suppose .er#ury sent you to stop us& huhHK - "lw"ys love these little tou#hesB they
show someone brought their im"gin"tion to wor:.
All things #onsidered& $"irly e"sy "nd $"irly entert"ining. And it@s "ll lo#"ted within the
s"me building "t .er#ury@s l"ir& so the #ommute it gre"tR J!h"t@ll show them&K he s"ys
"t the end& J?ood wor:& *ug"ree.K
>9 The Tick Tock ox
Cle"rly .er#ury h"s #ome to li:e me. 5e got wor:ed up "nd greeted me "s soon "s -
#"me in& J5ey& hope you@re doing o:"y.K !he t"rget $or tod"y is " te#hni#"l wor:
#ommissioned by !i#: !o#:& whi#h needs to be delivered. 3"tur"lly enemy $or#es "re
interested "s well& "nd must be wiped out prior to the delivery. !his went smoothly
enough. !he re#ipient& though& loo:s "t it #riti#"lly& "nd seemed puzzled& #ommenting&
J!h"n:s. <h& wh"t the hell is this thingH !his isn@t " #ell phone. ,ell& never mind.
!h"n:s "g"in.K - h"ve no ide" wh"t it is or where this is going& but - li:e the w"y these
det"ils "re wor:ed into the story. 3i#e wor:R
.er#ury h"s #ome to rely on me. 5e brings his toughest problems to me $or solutions.
3ow& with things )uieted down& he t":es " deep bre"th "nd rel"es. - #ould tell he li:ed
me& "s he st"rted to gush. J!h"n:s& *ug"ree. Nou h"ve done gre"t. - don@t h"ve "ny
more Cobs $or now& but i$ "nything #omes up& you@ll be the $irst one - #ome to.K <nli:e "ll
the other dozens o$ 1iles who h"ve s"id this over the months& - :ind o$ believed him.
2iolet
Lo#"tion: *obr" *hores G,estviewI
204
205
206
!hough sheFs not the oldest& or the youngest& or the sm"rtest& Violet t":es pride in the $"#t
th"t sheFs the toughest. 7edi#"ted to the $ighting "rts& Violet is e"sily the most m"rti"lly
pro$i#ient "mong the siblings& though she h"s lost to the b"st"rd ?r"y in " str"ight up $ight
be$ore. !h"t w"s " $lue& she #l"ims. Violet o$ten "#ts "s "n en$or#er $or -ndigo& or one o$ her
p"rents& though sheFs been :nown to $orm tempor"ry "lli"n#es with others $or one re"son or
"nother. !he "llegi"n#es in the $"mily "re $luid& "nd nobody epe#ts promises to l"st. Violet is
egotisti#"l "bout her D$ighting $orm&D "nd " little $l"ttery goes " long w"y with her.
:9 2iolent &acification9 %emind " str"ying eile o$ where his best interests lieP !his
is " mish you m"y h"ve done be$ore $or someone else. Nou show up& "nd the prin#ip"l
l"ughs you o$$& "nds tells his $riends G"n elite gu"rd "nd " blood drun:I to disp"t#h you.
9ulgey& the prin#ip"l in this #"se& w"s more bo"st$ul "nd "rrog"nt th"n most. And when
his $riends l"y sl"in in $ront o$ him& he seemed "ngrier "nd more upset th"t - h"d :illed
them. Or m"ybe it w"s my im"gin"tion. 9ut the mess"ge seems to h"ve been sent.
-nterestingly& - h"d the option to eng"ge him in #omb"t. !he mish& however& told me to
let him live. 'ity st"yed my h"nd. 'ity th"t - would blow my p"yment by sending him to
Coin his $riends.
89 ,ages of .in9 *ome o$ the bu$$& burly Legions who serve her "nd s"$egu"rd her
inventory h"ve been holding b"#:& "nd e"mples must be m"de o$ them. 5er
w"rehouse #"me up short with " shipment o$ the eile+leth"l ,hite (night virus. !his
mish too: me to " re"lly splendidly "ppointed #ondominium& where - pro#eeded to l"y
w"ste. One su##ubus g"ve me " Jsu##ubus :issK whi#h too: me "b"#:& but only dished
out " single point o$ d"m"geR -t helped her not " bit. !he dropo$$ #ont"#t $or the virus
dis# is " redpill n"med AlColB when we met he st"rted to re$le#t b"#: on his li$e with the
mervs. ,h"teverR 3i#ely& this mish ends up right net to Violet@s #lub. - li:e little
tou#hes li:e th"t.
;9 &roble" Addict9 -t turns out th"t "nother redpill #rew& Eionist this time& h"s stolen
some ,hite (night "nd must be put own. !he Eionists ple"ded with me to "bort& to try
"nd underst"nd their motiv"tion& et#. - listened to them. !hen - opened $ire. A$terw"rds&
- too: the virus to " m"#hinist d"t"mining oper"tion in Apollyon& so "s to #"use
distr"#tion $rom -ndigo "nd his ?uinness L":e oper"tions. !he "ttending "gents did not
t":e :indly to my visit& despite my eempl"ry m"#hinist #redenti"ls. - me"n& it w"s Cust
" virus& Cust " little virus.
<9 $rawn and Iuartered9 Violet h"s #ome "#ross " #urious progr"m whi#h she w"nts
to e"mine. 'roblem is& it h"s been bro:en into three s#"ttered pie#es. One pie#e is on
" bluepill@s #omputer& "nd you h"ve to n"vig"te through " domesti# dr"m" to get to it.
207
A bemused s"ilor is st"nding in the middle o$ it "llR 6unR !he se#ond pie#e h"s been
#"ptured by other eiles& "nd they must be $ought. Violet sighs& J6ortun"tely $or me&
you v"lue Min$orm"tion more th"n your li$eK. Curiously& in the se#ond site there w"s "
lo#:ed $ile #"binet whi#h - #ould not open& "nd whi#h seemed to h"ve no be"ring on
the n"rr"tive $low wh"tsoever. !he third pie#e is #ontrolled by " ."#hine outpostB
$ortun"tely - w"s "ble to get it without :illing everyone there.
At the end& you h"ve three dis:s whi#h you uplo"d. !h"t@s itB there@s no hint o$ wh"t@s
so spe#i"l "bout this progr"m. Violet does worry wh"t it would do in less restr"ined
h"nds. !his m"de me wonder i$ m"ybe - should h"ve held onto it.
>9 *nderneath the .urface9 -t turns out th"t the progr"m - $ound w"s very import"nt to
someone somepl"#e "t some pointB now " group o$ 1iles is loo:ing $or it. 'reventing
their re#overy o$ it involves dropping it o$$ with -ndigo@s d"t" w"rehouse guy. !his
d"t"miner turns out to be " tot"l wuss& "nd - must res#ue him $rom "n "tt"#:. As "
rew"rd he gi$ts me with " bl"#: #owboy h"t. A bl"#: #owboy h"tRR 7o - loo: li:e 9u$$"lo
?"lH - w"s moved beyond words. ,hile - w"s trying to $igure out whi#h w"y w"s $ront
with the h"t& Violet #"lled to th"n: me. *he w"s not tot"lly thrilled "bout -ndigo getting
this progr"m& but JA sm"rt w"rrior pi#:s their $ightsK. - $org"ve her bro:en synt" "nd
#ounted my money.
Raini
Lo#"tion: Apollyon G%i#hl"ndI
-$ thereFs "n unst"ble person"lity in the 1lements& itFs %"ini. *he is emotion"l& p"ssion"te& $ull
o$ everything th"t m":es li$e e#iting& "nd #ompletely un"ble to turn it o$$& even $or even "
moment. 5er drives "re l"ud"ble& but she is "lso r"sh& her temper hot& her rel"tionships
tumultuous. *he is re"dy to "#t "t the drop o$ " h"t& heedless o$ the voi#e o$ re"son. ,ere
she not so #lever& she would prob"bly be long de"d.
5er rel"tionships with other 1iles "re legion& but $leeting& li:e bright sp"r:s th"t )ui#:ly die.
%"ini is power$ully "ttr"#ted to you one moment& sl"pping your $"#e the net: utterly
unpredi#t"ble& "nd seemingly desirous o$ #on$li#t. -$ there were " g"uge to represent %"ini&
the needle would be #onst"ntly in the red. %"ini #"n usu"lly be $ound "t the J"#obFs L"dder&
d"n#ing& drin:ing& "nd t"l:ing %edpills into "ll sorts o$ #r"zy over+the+top s#hemes. *he gets
no trouble $rom the ; 'oints g"ng& who revere her "lmost "s " goddess $or her thrill+see:ing
w"ys.
:9 !areful ,hat 3ou ,ish /or
208
J%e#over high C"#:ed d"t".K -s this "n editing blemishH Or does this re$er to " high+
#"p"#ity C"#:+in me#h"nismH 7oes it $oresh"dow the role o$ drugs in these missionsH
,ho #"n tellP -n "ny #"se& the b"si# ide" here is simple. %etrieve d"t" $rom " lost
#ourier& "nd #omplete the delivery. On 5"rd setting& there is " single site with three
power$ul $oes "nd "bout "s m"ny #omputers to #he#:. !he $ile you need h"s J!h"lli"K
in the n"meB - w"s not sure i$ this d"t" h"d been stolen $rom !h"lli"& "nd her $ol:s or "
third p"rty were interested in it& or& !h"lli" w"s behind the the$t. O$ #ourse& :nowing
these guys& it #ould h"ve pl"yed either w"y. 9ut %"ini@s only #omment is she loo:s
$orw"rd to enCoying the d"t". - guess. Nour Oper"tor seems det"#hed $rom this mission
"s well& observing "t one point& J-@ve "lw"ys w"nted to pl"y 9lood !y#oon 4. 9ut th"t@s
not wh"t we #"me here $or - guess.K Nou thin:H
89 ,etwork
!o get some hot in$orm"tion $rom "nother 1ile G" JnobodyKI& you need to :ill two
groups o$ 1iles. !hose who relish 28> 'v' will relish this mish. !he 1iles m":e the
mist":e th"t so m"ny do: they do not wor: "s te"ms. !hey "re s#"ttered in their
lo#"tions& "nd you #"n de$e"t them pie#eme"l. !he se#ond group too: re$uge in the
home o$ two bluepills& :illing one o$ them in the pro#ess. !here seems to be no w"y to
:ill them without #oll"ter"l+d"m"ging the other bluepill& "t le"st with AO1s. A howitzer
build might h"ve h"d better lu#:. Al"s& doing good& or minimizing doing b"d& is not
in#orpor"ted in mission go"ls.
*ome interesting points: one 1ile shouts J?"me over& m"nRK "s he eng"ges youB this
brie$ hom"ge to Aliens w"s " ni#e tou#hR %"ini notes h"l$w"y through J,ow& you were
brut"l in there. 3i#eK& "nd gushes "t the end& JOh& m"n& th"t w"s "wesome& th"n:s
*ug"reeK. - st"rted to $eel li:e - w"s t"l:ing to " #hild.
;9 The =ext ig Thing
%unning her own businesses is not enough $or %"ini& it seems. *he w"nts something
more& something th"t is supposed to be Jthe ultim"te etremeK. And she w"nts you to
get it $rom " J#"tK n"med Ar:"ns"s. Oh& hip& m"nR Li:e& this is st"rting to sound li:e "n
old =0s #omedy routine& "s when Ar:"ns"s peers "t you "nd s"ys& J5eyPhey& m"n.
Nou@re loo:ing $or the stu$$ $or %"iniH - got it right here. !":e it when you@re re"dy. -$
you thin: she #"n h"ndle itPhehPK !he delivery w"s mer#i$ully brie$: " =0+y"rd sprint
to the building net door. - #"n see why %"ini w"nted " wom"n o$ my t"lents $or thisR
!here is " single wrin:le ne"r the end o$ this surprisingly sed"te mission. And then
%"ini d"ngles the o$$er o$ "n invit"tion to one o$ her Jpriv"teK p"rties i$ - :eep up the
good wor:. As i$R
<9 Always ,hen 3ou Are =ot ,atching
L"ter when - visited her $or the net mish& she seemed #onsider"bly the worse $or
we"r. *ome goods h"d been stolen $rom her& "nd she w"s w"y $ret$ul. J7"mmitR *ome
g"ng o$ ,O%!5L1** 1iles thin:s th"t they #"n ste"l $rom meR 6rom .1RK. !he
dre"ry dirge o$ revenge "nd p"yb"#: w"s "bout to st"rt li:e " #he"p Cu:eboP.
209
Nou trip t":es you $irst to the #rime s#ene. .ostly #eremoni"l swords rem"in& with "
$ew ri$les& some we"pons #"ges& " $ew bodies& "nd two survivors. One mournsB the
other insists on #oming with you Gthough he seems tot"lly useless in " $ightI. -roni#"lly&
the thieves h"ve #hosen to hide their loot "#ross the street $rom J"#ob@s L"dderR ,h"t
were they thin:ingH -n the event& by the time you "nd your side:i#: re"#h the thieves&
the loot h"s been $en#ed "#ross the #ity& "nd nothing rem"ins but some h"rd+he"rted
revenge. A $ew polite y"wns l"ter "nd it w"s done.
>9 Adrenaline 0unkie
J-@m in " bind& "nd - T:nowT you don@t w"nt to see #ute little me in " bind& do y"HK Nes&
th"t@s how it st"rts. !he power$ul 1ile& "pp"rently "n "rms tr"$$i#:er& now needs
"nother $i& "nd w"nts you to s#ore $or her. -s this wh"t they "re #oming toH ."ybe
Eion "nd the ."#hines h"rdly need to li$t " $inger "g"inst the 1ilesB they Cust h"ve to
w"it $or the drugs to run outR Anyw"y& getting b"#:& - w"s sent to visit one o$ Argon@s
minions $or " $i. 5e& however& is out o$ the business "nd won@t de"l. !his ne#essit"tes
" visit to one o$ 9eryl@s s"$ehouses. 6ortun"tely& you do not need to :ill "ll o$ 9eryl@s
gu"rds to get the drugs& whi#h is " ple"s"nt #h"nge. Just ignore them& t":e " $ew hits&
m":e the gr"b "nd run. %"ini t"l:s big "t the end& "bout how i$ you@re not living on the
edge Gby ste"ling your drugs& presum"blyI& then you@re not living. !h"t w"s good $or "
l"ugh. - h"d " #ouple o$ drin:s& put them on her t"b& "nd le$t Apollyon.
Rose
Lo#"tion: *outh"rd G,estviewI
Noungest o$ the siblings& %ose is etremely inse#ure& "nd is obsessed with proving hersel$ to
the others. *he is #urrently trying to impress her eldest brother& -ndigo& believing th"t he will
elev"te her to his side i$ she ple"ses him. -n re"lity& he is only interested in using her "s " tool
"g"inst the others. %oseFs emotions "re $r"gile& "nd vol"tile& m":ing her prone to te"r+$illed
r"ges i$ she $eels emb"rr"ssed or insulted.
210
-risaille
Lo#"tion: *t"mos G,estviewI
Cre"ted by .r. 9l"#: without the involvement o$ 7"me ,hite& ?ris"ille is essenti"lly " b"st"rd
step#hild& reviled by his stepmother who would "s soon see him de"d. ?ris"ille is e)u"l in
power to -ndigo& "nd "#ts prim"rily "s "n "gent o$ .r. 9l"#:& though he :nows th"t his $"ther
thin:s o$ him "s only " power$ul tool. -n spite o$ their simil"r "ttitudes tow"rds their p"rents&
-ndigo "nd ?ris"ille "re dire enemies. ?ris"ille l"#:s the resour#es th"t -ndigo #"n #"ll on& but
is more person"lly power$ul& "nd more intelligent. -t is only the $"#t th"t he is opposed by "ll o$
the siblings th"t :eeps him in #he#:. .r. 9l"#: dis"vows :nowledge o$ ?ris"illeFs "#tions
GDheFs Cust "n unruly b"st"rdDI be#"use it is most o$ten to his "dv"nt"ge. ?ris"ille #onsiders
the other siblings to be in#ompetents. !hey despise him $or being .r. 9l"#:Fs $"vorite when
heFs "n outsider to their $"mily. -n truth ?ris"ille h"tes both 7"me ,hite "nd .r. 9l"#:& "nd
would e"gerly see the entire twisted *pe#trum destroyed& even i$ he h"d to s"#ri$i#e himsel$
to do it. 6or the time being he simply "#ts "s " spoiler.
:9 /ade Away
,ord& it seems& h"s gotten "round GJAh& so you@re th"t *ug"ree person -@ve been
he"ring so mu#h "bout. ,ell& time to prove your worthKI "nd he is re"dy to give me
something subst"nti"l to do. 3o simple drop o$$ " p"#:"ge mission hereR Li:e m"ny "n
1ile& ?ris"ille h"s " low boiling point& "nd the inst"nt you t"l: to him& he st"rts
bl"thering "bout revenge& Jt":e them out& #hip #hopK. !he t"rgets h"ve been t"iled
$rom Club 7"nte to some no+n"me pl"#e& where they "re un:nowingly w"iting $or their
doom& perh"ps pl"nning their -%A #ontributions $or the ye"r. As the dust settles "t the
end& ?ris"ille nods "pprovingly& JVery well done& *ug"ree. -$ you #"n do th"t& you #"n
do "nything.K N"hR *"y it "g"inR
89 A Iuiet !onversation
?ris"ille needs to h"ve "n 1ile brought to him $or " #onvers"tion "bout some
in$orm"tion. As usu"l& the t"rget is #on$ident in her gu"rds& "nd "s usu"l her
#on$iden#e is mispl"#ed. *he "#)uies#es& "##omp"nies you& "nd soon $inds hersel$ in
$ront o$ one o$ ?ris"ille@s "gents. 6e"r d"wns "#ross her $"#e. J7on@t $ret& love. -t@ll be
over soonK he re"ssures her. ?ris"ille tells me to rest up "nd #ome to see him soon.
,h"t " guyR -$ you thin: th"t this mission is "lmost identi#"l to !h"lli"@s l"st mission&
you would be right.
;9 .ilent .crea"
211
3i#e titleR !his is perh"ps the most ostensibly "mbitious mission ?ris"ille gives you& but
"lso the e"siest. 3o th"t - "m #ompl"ining& mind youR !he t"rget is 7yn"mi# 3etwor:
'rodu#ts& gu"rded by m"#hine en$or#ers. All we h"ve to do is drop o$$ " p"#:"ge& get "
virus& drop o$$ the virus& "nd $lee. Auite str"ight$orw"rd& "nd you do not even h"ve to
:ill everyone thereR ,h"t@s not to li:eH !he only thing is& wh"t does ?ris"ille h"ve
"g"inst 73'H -t "ll seemed )uite unmotiv"ted& li:e someone too: " st"nd"rd mish "nd
threw it in here "s $iller. 'erh"ps he is doing this $or someone elseH As " $"vorH
9e#"use he owes themH Al"s& there is no sign th"t su#h depth eists in ?ris"ille.
<9 The Rest Is .ilence
%emember the 1ile we brought in two missions "goH ,ell& her v"lue h"s #ome "nd
gone& "nd now it is time $or her to return to the *our#e. - $ought my w"y through her
new #rop o$ gu"rds only to be #on$ronted by ?ris"ille@s sister& %oseR *he h"s t":en my
t"rget under her prote#tion& it seems& "nd gives me " mess"ge $or my employer: he
#"nnot m":e his problems go "w"y by :illing inno#ents. !hen& politely: J- suggest you
le"ve& *ug"reePthere is no re"son $or you to #ome to h"rm be#"use o$ my brother@s
"#tions.K A$ter wor:ing with so m"ny psy#hos "nd so#iop"ths re#ently& it w"s e)uisite
to bump into #omp"ssion. -t must be " bug. ?ris"ille re"ssured me& J3ot your $"ultK.
%e"son"bleness must run in their $"milyR
>9 The Iuiet &lace
Li:e every 1ile& ?ris"ille seems to h"ve "n ineh"ustible supply o$ enemies& "nd now
the time h"s #ome $or the Crow 9"rs to embr"#e eternity. !hey "ll t"l:ed big& "nd they
"ll went down noisily. - w"l:ed out into the smo:y *t"mos moonlight& #"re$ully putting
"w"y my guns& smoothing my #o"t& thin:ing wh"t to do net. 7rin:sH ?ossipH 'erh"ps
some blue rezzingH - de#ided to st"rt with " smo:e "s - #ontempl"ted our un:nown
$uture. A$ter the $irst& best long dr"g& - too: " $in"l #"ll $rom ?ris"ille: J6eels good to
wor: out your $rustr"tions& huhHK 5e@s un$l"pp"bleR
Mada"e T 6=ao"i Tarasova7
Lo#"tion: 5istori# 7istri#t G7owntownI
3"omi !"r"sov"& :nown more popul"rly "s ."d"me !& is one o$ the $ew %edpills to t":e up
212
$ull time residen#e in the ."tri. Contributing $urther to her e##entri# reput"tion is her h"bit o$
t":ing on the m"nnerisms o$ " gypsy $ortune teller. ,hen she spe":s& sheFs "lw"ys v"gue
"nd $ull o$ mystery& even when giving out the spe#i$i#s o$ the mission.
."d"me ! owns " sm"ll te" room o$$ o$ the m"in street& with " simple sign out $ront th"t
re"ds D6ortunes !old.D ,hen telling the D$ortunesD GmissionsI $or those who D#ross her p"lm
with silver&D she will use either t"rot #"rds or her #ryst"l b"ll. .u#h o$ her insight into the
wor:ings o$ the ."tri #omes $rom observ"tions o$ her t"rot #"rds "nd other #l"irvoy"nt tools
Gte" le"ves "nd so $orthI& "nd she h"s been :nown to m":e "##ur"te predi#tions o$ $uture
events& though not very o$ten.
5er te" room is d"r:& #lose "nd $illed with "ll sorts o$ mysti# esoteri#". *:ulls& #"ndles "nd
"n#ient tomes $ill the w"lls surrounding the t"ble where she re"ds #ustomersF $ortunes. ,hile
her motives "re un:nown& she provides :een insight "bout the ."tri& whenever her
mysterious signs "nd portents #"n be interpreted.
:9 .tarting &oints
*he Cust needs some d"t" $rom " ne"rby se#urity o$$i#e. *he h"s JseenK th"t we would
be wor:ing together "pp"rently& "nd s"ys J- h"ve "nti#ip"tedK J- predi#tK& et#.
<n$ortun"tely - $ound mysel$ $ighting " m"#hine #"pt"in& whi#h went "g"inst my
prin#iples "nd the pre#epts o$ Agent ?r"y "nd m"de me $eel guilty. 6or " minute or
two& "nyw"y.
!his mish is simple& "nd entert"ining. ,hen - dropped o$$ the d"t" with " #utout& she
told me& Jwow& one o$ ."d"me !@s predi#tions "#tu"lly #"me trueRK. G-nterestingly& "ll
the #utouts "nd "ssist"nts - these missions "re su##ubus in "ppe"r"n#e& " ni#e tou#h.I
!hen& "t the end& ."d"me !. $ores"w m"ny more opportunities $or #ooper"tion. - loved
this #ute ending.
89 In1uiring Minds
."d"me !. w"nts some d"t" $rom "n eile& "nd whether it is given willingly or not is
stri#tly se#ond"ry. !he prin#ip"l& though& moves "round " lot& "nd you h"ve to run
"round to $ind him. (ill "ll his very tough gu"rds& "nd he be#omes )uite
"##ommod"ting& #ommenting sourly& J*he #ert"inly is pushy $or " redpillK. !here "re
m"ny "musing tou#hes in this mission& su#h "s re"ding the prin#ip"l@s em"il inbo& "nd
."d"me ! s"ying J- guess - should h"ve seen th"t #omingK "nd J- don@t need " #ryst"l
b"ll to see th"t this should be )uite e"sy $or you.K
One thing - would li:e to see in these get+the+d"t" missions would be some indi#"tion
o$ Cust wh"t is "ll so import"nt. -t might be something urgent "nd desper"te& li:e
someone@s #ont"#t in$orm"tion. -t might be something deeply person"l& li:e the
b"#:ground on " missing rel"tive. -t might be something "musing& li:e " Vi#tori"@s
*e#ret #"t"log or " Christm"s list. !he Che$@s missions "re wonder$ul e"mples o$ this.
;9 %"erald ,ishes
!his mission w"s un#om$ort"ble $or me. Just l"st wee: it seems& - h"d been s#oring
"##ol"des $rom !he Jeweler. 3ow - w"s r"iding his "ssets. -t turns out th"t he h"s "
213
mysti# emer"ld ."d"me ! w"nts& so th"t she #"n glimpse its se#rets "bout the $uture.
-n this mission& we see th"t the Jeweler h"s some signi$i#"nt se#urity "nd o$$i#e "ssets
he never told us "boutB "nd they put up " very spirited resist"n#e. !hen drop o$$ the
emer"ld "nd you "re done.
.ore ni#e tou#hes in this mish. ,hen you drop o$$ the emer"ld with " #utout& " gu"rd
rem"r:s th"t he h"s he"rd o$ you& "nd #omp"res your missions with his. !hen "
predi#tion $rom ."d"me !R J,"itPsomething is #oming to meP- see you running
m"ny more $ruit$ul missions $or me. 3i#e wor:& *ug"reeK.
One thing would h"ve m"de this better. ,hen you retrieve the emer"ld& your inventory
Cust shows " bo& the s"me generi# displ"y used $or everything $rom tr"#:ing devi#es
to '7As. *ome more represent"tive "rtwor: would h"ve been wonder$ul $or this.
<9 Toil and Trouble
5yp"ti"& you m"y re#"ll& h"s "n "wesome "r#hive o$ "ll :inds o$ boo:s "nd :nowledge&
"nd is "lw"ys on the prowl $or "nything she does not "lre"dy h"ve. ,ell& it turns out
th"t in order to unle"sh the power within the gem& ."d"me !. needs you to $ind "n
in#"nt"tion in 5yp"ti"@s "r#hives& "nd then drop it o$$ $or "n "ssist"nt to re#ite. - did this
mission with " he"vy he"rt& sin#e 5yp"ti" is the 1ile #losest to me in person"lity "nd
"ppe"r"n#e. 9ut - w"s #on$ident she h"d t"pe b"#:up& "nd would only lose the
physi#"l $orm& not the d"t" itsel$& so - went "he"d.
A$ter getting the in#"nt"tion& you drop it o$$ "nd go #orr"l three "ssist"nts to help $ire it
o$$. %egrett"bly& they "s:ed me to le"ve be$ore running it. !hey were #on#erned $or my
s"$ety. Or m"ybe they did not w"nt their role+pl"y disrupted.
>9 Infosweep
."d"me !. is overwhelmed by her visions $rom the gem "nd needs help $rom the
Chessm"n Gsurely her pol"r oppositeI in interpreting them. 5e h"s help$ully #ome
downtown to meet you. !his p"l"ver& though& is interrupted by "lmost h"l$ " dozen
#ompeting oper"tives. !heir "tt"#:s were well+#oordin"ted& "nd the $ight w"s not "
breeze. On the w"y to the net mish lo#"tion& to #"t#h " d"t" spi:e& - stopped to w"t#h
some 'it Vipers getting b"ptized in the pool& "nd w"s "tt"#:edR O$ "ll the nerveR Nou
#"n@t ever let your gu"rd downR
And then it turned out th"t not one but two other te"ms were "$ter the s"me d"t"R
6ortun"tely& they "ll "tt"#:ed "lmost "s soon "s - got out o$ the elev"tor& whi#h w"s
#onsider"te. A$ter "ll& this w"y - didn@t h"ve to go hunting $or them. !he m"ssive d"t"
spi:e surged& overwhelmed the networ:& "nd mir"#ulously $it right onto " single C7R
A$ter - dropped it o$$& - h"stened to the elev"tor& only to re#eive " high+urgen#y
mess"ge $rom ."d"me !R *he s"id& J*top right where you "reR Close your eyes.
Con#entr"teP.does "nything $eel di$$erent to youHK 3o& - #on$essed& Cust the w"rm
he"ted "ir& $retting "bout "gents des#ending on me. !he she bre"thlessly whispered& J-
see you su##eeding in "ll your $uture ende"vorsK& "nd downlo"ded " Jlittle somethingK
214
into my inventory& bidding me to thin: o$ her when - used it. *he signed o$$& "nd -
w"l:ed out into the #l"ssi#"l splendor o$ the 5istori#"l 7istri#t& s"voring the glorious&
#olor+dren#hed $ull sun s:y& with " d"r: blue s:y "nd pin: #louds vying $or "ttention.
!his w"s " gre"t suite o$ missions. ,ell+written inter"#tions& " distin#t person"lity "t the
helm& interesting b"#:ground& "nd ne"t #onne#tions with other 1iles& $rom !he
Chessm"n to 5ypti" "nd !he Jeweler. And the $"#t th"t ."d"me !. is " redpill me"ns
we should "ll be thin:ing big& big things $or ourselves $or the ye"r to #ome.
Mr9 lack J $a"e ,hite
Lo#"tions: .r. 9l"#: + *tr"t$ord C"mpus G7owntownIB 7"me ,hite 0 *hinCu:u G-ntern"tion"lI
!he le"ding group o$ 1iles in the 9"rrens "re " dys$un#tion"l $"mily #re"ted by two 1ile
progr"ms th"t h"ve #ome to be :nown "s .r. 9l"#: "nd 7"me ,hite. !he two p"rents e"#h
#ovet the otherFs power& but never "dmit it. !hey wor: "g"inst e"#h other #overtly through
their #hildren. !he siblings #ompete $or the "ttention "nd $"vor o$ both p"rents& "s well "s
pl"ying their p"rents o$$ "g"inst one "nother. !he emotion"l turmoil o$ the #on$li#t "nd the
ment"l "nd physi#"l eer#ise involved in w"ging it "re the $"milyFs bre"d "nd butter.
Mr9 lack4s Missions
Mission C:D -o *nderground
!his seems str"ight$orw"rd: three little $loppy dis:s must be prote#ted. !hen you le"rn
they h"ve "lre"dy been stolen& "nd must now be retrieved. !his involves in$iltr"ting "
s:ys#r"per #ontrolled by !he !r"inm"n Gpresent only in n"meI. At the end you
dis#over there is more to this th"n meets the eye& "nd .r. 9l"#:@s represent"tive
#on#ludes there will be Jsome use $or your t"lents& i$ not your br"insK. !he n"rr"tive
logi# does not m":e tot"l sense here. 9ut the three+st"ge trip is ple"s"nt& with some
witty observ"tions $rom the #h"tty oper"tor "nd the p"rti#ip"nts. 6unR And no bugsR
And #onvenient lo#"tions. *ome more sense o$ depth th"n the "ver"ge gr"b+the+loot
mish.
Mission C8D &aper !hase
One o$ the most unusu"l premises: .r. 9l"#: needs " building permit& but the leth"rgi#
215
#ity bure"u#r"#y h"s been dr"gging its heels. !o en#our"ge e$$i#ien#y& the mission is
to :ills the o$$ending bure"u#r"t@s bodygu"rds "nd thus $ree him $rom the distr"#tion o$
s"$ety. -$ you@ve ever w"ited in line $or " permit or " driver@s li#ense& this story will
reson"te with you deeply& believe me. *tr"ight$orw"rd& with lots "nd lots o$ $ighting to
get the p"pers. Oddly& we do not tr"vel to City 5"ll to get these.
Mission C;D Off ,hite
,ho would h"ve thoughtR 7"me ,hite is his wi$eR And li:e m"ny wives& she li:es to
:eep " #lose eye on wh"t her husb"nd is up to. .r. 9l"#: t"s:s you with getting rid o$
her spies "nd retrieving "ny intel they h"ve "##umul"ted. !here "re $ine& entert"ining
moments "s one ,hite thug gets nervous "nd st"mmers th"t he d+d+d+oesn@t :now wh+
why the d+d+door is lo#:ed. .r. 9l"#: "pproves o$ your h"ndiwor:& "nd #on#ludes this
h"ppy mish by telling you& J-$ you weren@t " hum"n - might even m":e you " p"rt o$ my
org"niz"tion.K \*igh\ Oh& - love it when he t"l:s to me li:e th"tR
Mission C<D Thorny Rose
.r. 9l"#:@s mis#hievous d"ughter is in trouble "nd needs "ssist"n#e. !his is " res#ue&
but $ortun"tely you do not need to le"d %ose "nywhere. Just :ill "ll the :idn"ppers "nd
get " p"#:"ge $rom her. !his w"s $un& with the hired help #h"tting "bout %ose Gthe Jhot
m"m"K& Jin"y on the oh"yKI& then stopping when you w"l: in. And w"it till you see
wh"t w"s in the p"#:"ge you h"d to ris: li$e "nd limb to retrieveR -t Cust goes to show
th"t even 1iles h"ve " sentiment"l side.
9y the w"y& this would h"ve been better i$ you h"d needed to te"m up with some o$
7"me ,hite@s people& or re"#h some underst"nding with 7"me ,hite to win her
#ooper"tion to res#ue her d"ughter. !his would h"ve dovet"iled soooo well with the
immedi"tely previous mission.
Mission C>D ringing #o"e
One o$ 9l"#:@s st"$$ h"s been :idn"pped "nd must be res#ued "nd then t":en to
-ndigo& Gone o$ 9l"#:@s :idsI $or debrie$ing. Lots o$ t"rgets to :ill on h"rd setting. !he
best entert"inment is the #ut+pie#e di"logs between -ndigo& Z"vier& "nd -ndigo@s men&
whi#h "re well+written "nd not "lw"ys epe#ted. .r. 9l"#: t":es #"re o$ his own& but is
nonetheless " stern t"s:m"ster.
$a"e ,hite4s Missions
:9 $ata Mining
216
-$ - were her& -@d w"nt to :now wh"t my :ids over in ,estview were up toR 9ut perh"ps
she re"d my mission reports "nd is up to speed on their mis#hie$. At "ny r"te& her
in"ugur"l instru#tions $or me this "$ternoon "re pert"in to (owloon "nd *hir"b":".
JNes& - :now wh"t you w"nt "nd it Cust so h"ppens th"t - do h"ve " Cob $or you.K - need
to visit " #ouple o$ #omputers. - li:e her businessli:e style.
!he $irst one& in *hinCu:u& is gu"rded by " #ordi"l 9lood 7run:& who #heer$ully "dvises
me th"t JNou so mu#h "s tou#h th"t #omputerB - will gl"dly bre": your $ingersK. A$ter its
d"t" w"s uplo"ded& - g"ve 7"me ,hite "n upd"te& whi#h w"s " poor de#ision on my
p"rt. *he responded: JNou me"n you still don@t h"ve the d"t" on *hir":"b"H ,ell& wh"t
"re you w"sting my time $orH ?o get itRK - #le"red my thro"t "nd hung up. J,ell& wh"t
"re you w"sting my time $orHK - told my oper"tor& J?o get the net siteRK
!he se#ond #omputer w"s mu#h h"rder to get to. !here were $ive or si souped+up
elite gu"rds. 1ventu"lly - prev"iled& got the dis:& uplo"ded it& "nd w"s toldP
J5mm& yesP As - suspe#ted& this d"t" shows th"tP 1hH ,ell& wh"t is itH Nou@ve got
your p"y& h"ven@t youH *o stop pestering meRK
-@m beginning to see why her #hildren h"ve "ll $led so $"r "$ield.
89 Running Interference
*omeone somewhere is delivering some item to somebody. !h"t@s itR And 7"me ,hite
w"nts it inter#epted. Nou #"n re"#h the single site in this mish without mu#h trouble&
but it turns out you h"ve been "nti#ip"ted& "nd the item is nowhere to be $ound.
3eedless to s"y you #ome under "tt"#:.
.rs. ,hite is livid "bout thisR *he goes o$$ "bout Jsome stin:ing& slimy& p"theti# little
we"selK tipped o$$ the opposition. G5er imperturb"ble pi#ture& per#hed "bove this tir"de&
is delight$ully ironi#RI *he throws my money down on the ground& "nd then goes b"#:
to pondering de"th "nd destru#tion. - wish - h"d thought to "s: her :ids "bout her.
,h"t stories they #ould tellR
;9 &olygraphic
7"me ,hite t"s:s you with identi$ying "nd elimin"ting " tr"itor within her org"niz"tion&
by polygr"phing $our o$ her #hie$ lieuten"nts. !he $irst& 6r"#tion& is #le"n& "nd t":es the
test without hesit"tion. *ome o$ the ,hite se#urity $or#es h"nging "round her wonder i$
the 7"me isn@t getting " little p"r"noid. !hey@ll p"y $or their impertinen#eR At the se#ond
site& loo:ing $or the se#ond lieuten"nt& 7oll"r& - he"r $rom "n 1n$or#er& JLoo:& you w"nt
my "dvi#eH J*ti#: th"t thing on 7"me ,hite@s $inger. Ne"h& you he"rd meRK !hen& J-
didn@t s"y nothin@. ,e never h"d this t"l:.K 7oll"r hersel$ Gwe"ring the s"me golden gi
"s do "ll $ourI re$uses the test until - :ill three o$ her tough gu"rds. !hen she does so&
loudly #l"iming it to be under duress.
!he third one is "& "hem& de"d end: the lieuten"nt "nd everyone there is de"d. !he
$ourth one is the t"rget. 3"tur"lly& "t the end& the 7"me #l"ims& J5"h& - :new it "ll
217
"longRK
!his long mission is well+designed. ,hen - he"rd there were T$ourT suspe#ts& - worried
"bout this being tedious. 9ut the $our en#ounters "re well+di$$erenti"ted even though
the $our prin#ip"ls loo:ed identi#"l. 3i#e wor:R
<9 $isk 0ockey
,ith the tr"itor gone& it is b"#: to business. *he w"nts you to get two dis:s& $rom
sep"r"te lo#"tions $or her. 3"tur"lly there "re the usu"l slug$ests $or the $irst one. A$ter
"nother $ight "t the se#ond site& the dis: is simply h"nded to you by " prin#ip"l who
s"ys J-t@s o:"y& they Cust thin: -@m the C"nitor.K -@m not sure wh"t w"s going on with this.
A$ter "ll& i$ they thought this person w"s the C"nitor& then she #ould h"ve simply
smuggled the dis: out in her over"lls po#:et. -n "ny #"se& then it@s o$$ to drop them o$$
with one o$ the 7"me@s oper"tives.
.y p"tron w"s #le"rly overwhelmed with meR J5m& you seem to be doing $"irly well.
6or on#e.K
!he ,hite oper"tive sl"ted to re#eive the dis:s h"s been :illed by " seething #rowd o$
$ive or si blood drun:s& nobles& "nd elite gu"rds. !hey "ll st"rted $iring "t me too& but
their "im su#:ed& be#"use - w"s "ble to put e"#h dis: in " #omputer "nd es#"pe
without being :illed. ?o $igureR One t"unted me with the usu"l J6oolR Nou h"ve no ide"
o$ the power o$ the "rti$"#t you see:RK Ne"h& wh"teverR !hen .rs. ,hite h"d the
in$orm"tion she needed "nd we were o$$ to the net "nd $in"l mish.
>9 &aydirt
An "rti$"#t is soon to #h"nge h"nds& "nd " p"yment is soon to be m"de. 7"me ,hite
w"nts both. !his sounds li:e th"t the se#ond mission w"s origin"lly intended to be&
be$ore it went south. Nou "re t"s:ed with t":ing two o$ her "ides to bre": up the
tr"ns"#tion. Nou go to " single site "nd eng"ge in etended m"yhem. Nou end up with
two p"#:"ges& but zero "ides. !hen it got interesting.
- too: the "rti$"#t to ,hite@s h"nd+o$$. !here were "lre"dy m"ny bodies in the building
"nd lots o$ nervous se#urity gu"rds. !he m"in #ont"#t w"s "git"ted& "nd #ouldn@t stop
t"l:ing: JCome on now& don@t $+$re": out on me. ?ive me one o$ the p"#:"ges "nd put
the other one in the w"ll s"$e. -t@s e"sy. 1"sy.K And JO:"y& o:"y. !his is good. - li:e
this. O:"y& put the other p"#:"ge in the& uhh& w"ll s"$e over there. Ne"h.K ,hen -& #ool
"s " #u#umber& w"s done& the h"nd+o$$ s"id& J%ight. O:"y& good. Ne"h. !he 7"me@ll
li:e this. O:"y. 1verybody@s o:"y.K - tipped my h"t "nd s"untered out $or " smo:e.
7"me ,hite& ever the generous one& #ont"#ted me to s"y th"t the "rti$"#t w"s better
th"n they epe#ted& "nd the #"ptured p"yment w"s less. K!h"t being the #"se& -
supposeP- suppose - might "s well give the #"ptured money to you. Just don@t #"use
me "ny more trouble $or " while.K - #ould tell she li:ed me.
AntiEM
218
Lo#"tion: ."nnsd"le 5ousing G%i#hl"ndI
A stylish "nd sh"rp businesswom"n& Anti+. is one o$ the $ew 1lements whoFs truly s"tis$ied
with the w"y things "re going now. 3o longer su$$ering under the subroutine di#t"tes o$ Argon&
sheFs pushed out o$ her number+#run#herFs bo to be#ome " s"vvy de"ler o$ Min$orm"tion in
!he ."tri. *he we"rs epensive -t"li"n suits "nd m":es her own rules now.
Mission C:D &rotection Racket
*imple enough: Anti+. w"nts you to put some pressure on Argon by $inding "nd
snu$$ing $our o$ his #rew. !his is best done by t"#:ling them pie#eme"l. Along the
w"y& you run into "n 3'C who o$$ers to help. - w"s "ll h"#:ered up& "nd he m"t#hed
my s:illset "nd did " gre"t Cob. 3"tur"lly& - w"s epe#ting " double#ross& but he w"s
$"ith$ul "ll the w"y. <n$ortun"tely& "t the end o$ the .ission& he st"ys in the mission
"re". ?ood help& "$ter "ll& is so h"rd to $indR At the end Anti+. #on$esses th"t she
li:es the w"y you do business.
Mission C8D .pecial $elivery
-n this .ission you pl"y 'ost O$$i#e "nd deliver " letter $rom Anti+. to 9eryl. !his is
simple enough& though "s soon "s you drop o$$ the letter Gto " #ut+out dressed li:e "n
out+t":e $rom Club 5ellI some thugs show up in need o$ tough love. One o$ them won
my pri#e $or the ,orst Loot 1ver %e#eived: one G/I Code+9it 2RR - hu$$ed "nd pu$$ed
my we"ry w"y to ;0 $or thisHH At the end Anti+. "$$irms& JNou :now how to do " Cob
right& *ug"reeKB too b"d the s"me #"nnot be s"id $or whoever did the loot t"bles $or this
.issionR
Mission C;D !lear The ,ay
!his is one o$ the e"siest missions "ssigned by "nyone& "nywhere& in "ny g"me. Anti+
. wishes to ste"l something being held by Argon $or the Chotte 9rothers. All you need
to do is :ill $our o$ Argon@s gunmen so others o$ Anti+.@s st"$$ #"n gr"b the item. !hey
"tt"#: "ggressively& but they "tt"#: individu"lly& so it is e"sy to t":e them down& even
on 5"rd setting. And th"t@s itR - h"d epe#ted to be $urther t"s:ed with pro#uring the
item& sin#e the te"m w"s in trouble& et#.& but nothing h"ppened to #ompli#"te the
"wesome simpli#ity o$ this .ission. - w"s surprised. And dis"ppointed. -s this "ll Anti+
. thought - w"s #"p"ble o$H .y #risis o$ #on$iden#e #ontinued into the net .ission.
219
Mission C<D Apothecary
Anti+. h"s some per$ume to be given to 9erylB "ll you need to do is get it "nd drop it
o$$. !his time& Argon@s thirsting $or p"yb"#:& "nd throws opponents your w"yB you need
to visit three lo#"tions $or this .ission. ?etting the per$ume Gstored& oddly& inside "
st"tue bustI is simpleB dropping it o$$ is mu#h h"rder. 9ut the so$t words o$ pr"ise "t the
end m":e it worthwhile: JNou h"ndle deli#"te m"tters with mu#h gr"#eK.
Mission C>D The &hotographer
Only "$ter you h"ve est"blished your #red with Anti+. does she give you this most
sensitive o$ missions. An eile :nown "s the 'hotogr"pher h"s se#ured #ompromising
im"ges o$ Anti+. "nd 9eryl& "nd is see:ing to bl"#:m"il them with Argon. Nour Cob is
to s"ve their honor. !his is r"ther e"sier th"n you might thin:& sin#e the 'hotogr"pher
h"s no de$ense "nd no gu"rdsR 5igh+end h"#:er spells brought him down in short
orderB your mile"ge will not v"ry.
!he single #ompli#"tion& "lmost " bug& here is th"t "t $irst - #ould not se"r#h his body. -
#ould se"r#h everywhere else& but se"r#hing his body yielded no response. Only "$ter
- h"d le$t the room "nd #ome b"#: in #ould - se"r#h him& get the pi#tures& "nd #omplete
the .ission. !his w"s non+intuitive.
!erulean
Lo#"tion: 9"th"ry %ow G,estviewI
A middle #hild& Cerule"n is the only one o$ the siblings to turn prim"rily to her intelle#t "s "
sour#e o$ in$luen#e. *he invested he"vily in underst"nding the in$r"stru#ture o$ the ."tri in
"n "ttempt to le"rn how to #ontrol it better "nd use its power "g"inst her siblings. *he is
#onvin#ed th"t -ndigoFs power b"se #"n be wiped "w"y or redire#ted in this w"y& but she
su$$ered "n enormous setb"#: when the ."tri w"s re#on$igured in the w":e o$ the 'e"#e
!re"ty. .u#h o$ the #ode she h"d sto#:piled w"s wiped out& in#luding p"rts o$ her own
person"l #ode th"t she h"d tried to hide. !he result w"s " loss o$ her %*-Fs rendering
subroutineB Cerule"n is e$$e#tively " ghost. *he is now dedi#"ted to "##umul"ting more
Min$orm"tion th"n ever& "nd proving th"t her mind is more th"n #"p"ble o$ over#oming "ny
"mount o$ power her siblings #"n "m"ss.
220
Mockingbird
Lo#"tion: ?r"#y 5eights G,estviewI
.o#:ingbird runs Osiris Anti)ues& " #urio "nd boo: shop de"ling l"rgely in Dm"gi#D "nd
Do##ultD items& m"ny o$ whi#h "re "#tu"lly items th"t let the user #ir#umvent or bend the rules
o$ the ."tri. -n other words& her m"gi# is re"l. *he is willing to de"l with others to get things
th"t she w"nts& but she h"s no mor"ls "bout #he"ting or ste"ling to obt"in her go"ls. *he
de"ls with the Colle#tor "nd o$ten "#ts "s his "gent in the 9"rrens.
:9 All ,e %ver ,anted9 1ver noti#e how your reput"tion is never good enoughH *he
epe#ts you to ste"l " #ouple o$ #"ndlesti#:s $or her to show your "bility. -t@s one o$ the
st"nd"rd $irst missions. *o& you get to the provider& "nd dis#over th"t two other
JbuyersK h"ve be"t you to it& "nd "ren@t very in#lined to give up the #"ndlesti#:s unless
you #"n m":e them " better o$$er. 3orm"lly - love wheeling "nd de"ling li:e this& but
there w"s no hint "bout wh"t they w"nted& "nd there w"s "lso no option to give them
"nything. *o we :illed them.
!he provider w"s very #ooper"tive "$ter this. - me"n& we h"d wh"t we #"me $or& "nd
h"d :illed everyone else in the room& so his lever"ge w"s :ind o$ limited by this point.
6or some re"son& - h"d the option o$ :illing him& too. 9ut - w"s $eeling generous& "nd
sp"red him. A$ter "ll& it w"s .other@s 7"y.
!hen " huge hi:e to the .o#:ingbird@s #utout $or the #"ndlesti#:s. !here& we were
greeted "s pizz" delivery by the se#urity gu"rds. !hen the #utout s"w $it to give us "
le#ture "bout greed. - neverR ,e sp"red her too& relu#t"ntly& "nd le$t.
!he ide" o$ #"ndlesti#:s whi#h #"n bend light is delight$ulR Al"s& nothing w"s done with
thisR And no demonstr"tion o$ this e$$e#t w"s given. 3o b"#:story on their origin&
proven"n#e& or r"ison d@etre w"s provided& or even why .o#:ingbird w"nted them.
*ome tie+in with the '"ndor"@s 9o )uests would h"ve been n"tur"l& "nd #ould e"sily
h"ve been retro$itted. <mm& "nd the me"ning o$ the title w"s not very #le"r.
89 All ,e %ver ,anted9 Nes& you h"ve not re"d wrong. !he mission n"me gets used
"g"in here. !his time& .o#:ingbird w"nts me to get some in$orm"tion on " di$$erent
"rti$"#t. !his st"rts im"gin"tively& with me spe":ing to " sort o$ tr"$$i# #ontrol progr"m
:nowledge"ble "bout the $low o$ items G"lmost li:e " mission oper"tor in hersel$I. *he
s"ys Jtell the 9irdK th"t 7igger h"d the item but it h"s been stolen. Others in her o$$i#e
thin: "bout di$$erent m"tters o$ import"n#eB one guy w"ils "bout problems with the
#opier. - $eel your p"inR
221
!his le"d too: me to " tot"l dump o$ " building& where - $ound my net #ont"#t& the
relu#t"ntly #ooper"tive Alv"rez& who #urtly "nswers my )uestion "nd then si#s his te"m
on me. !h"n:s $or nothingR !he obCe#t o$ .o#:ingbird desire is " #"t st"tue o$ $ine
"mber. -t@s r"re. -t@s "mber. -t@s "lso #ursed. -@m told to st"y "w"y $rom it. Li:e th"t@s
going to stop meR .o#:ingbird h"s the right "ttitude: J!his is "ll st"rting to m":e
senseP.goodK. !he mission ends up with me " stone@s throw $rom .o#:ingbird $or the
net mish. 3ow th"t@s wh"t - #"ll good mission designR 'oints $or th"tR 5owever& the
title is no more #le"r this time th"n the $irst time. 'oints o$$R
;9 $ark %ntries9 6or this mission& you need to ste"l " p"inting $rom 7igger so you #"n
tr"de it to 5yp"ti" $or the Cir#le o$ Cernunnos. ?ot th"tH !he subtle "ppro"#h Gsne": in
"nd dis"ble the #omputer+#ontrolled lo#:& et#.I does not wor:. - :illed everyone there.
!he p"inting itsel$ is rumored to #ont"in " sentient being G"nd why notHI. J3ot b"d $or
"n org"ni#K .o#:ingbird #on#ludes. As - le$t with the p"inting to drop it o$$ $or
s"$e:eeping& she "nd the oper"tor s"y virtu"lly identi#"l things "bout 7igger getting on
my tr"ilB this seems li:e "nother editori"l blemish.
A$ter you retrieve the p"inting& you t":e it to " genuinely interesting #h"r"#ter: ."n
(empner. 5e runs "rt g"lleries& "nd h"s #re"ted reput"tions $or sever"l obs#ure
bluepill "rtists. 5e would be " per$e#t tie+in with !he *#ulptress $rom downtownR 5e
would hide this Cust $or the ple"sure o$ being "ble to e"mine it. ,hile - w"it to see him&
his "ssist"nt tells me "bout " g"llery show opening by " new "rtist with gre"t
me#h"ni#"l be"sts. !his seems li:e "n obvious le"d+in& but it never seems to h"ve
gone "nywhere. 5e epl"ins th"t the p"inting is p"rt o$ the hum"n emotion monitoring
system $or the ."tri& but with " bit o$ " bug: it proCe#ts emotion r"ther th"n re#ording
it. -ntriguingR
Al"s& no su#h minim"l b"#:story $or the Cir#let o$ Cernunnos. And 5yp"ti"& who is
e"sily one o$ the most interesting o$ the neighborhood #ont"#ts& m":es no "ppe"r"n#e.
7is"ppointmentR
<9 %x1uisite !orpse9 6or this mission& you #olle#t the Cir#let $or .o#:ingbird. 5owever
7igger h"s brought in mer#en"ries to intervene G"nd who #"n bl"me himHI. !hey h"ve
:illed .o#:ingbird@s Crushers& so you h"ve to put them down& "nd #olle#t "ll the items.
!hese "re then deposited in " s"$e. J-$ - pl"y my #"rds right& 5yp"ti" will thin: th"t
7igger h"s the #ir#let. And - get to :eep the p"inting "s wellR !h"n:s $or your good
wor:& *ug"reeRK *omeone@s thin:ingR !oo b"d they weren@t thin:ing "bout the op")ue
titleR
>9 In the =ight9 6or this mission& you ste"l the #"t st"tue $rom Amber@s guys. J-@m not
$inished with you yet. %emember the "mber #"t st"tueH !he :itty needs to be brought
in& "nd guess who h"s itH !h"t@s right& Amber.K !he toughest p"rt o$ this is $iguring out
the instru#tions. !he "rti$"#t is in " lo#:ed s"$e in " se"led room& with two #omputer
#omm"nds ne#ess"ry to unlo#: it Gthe room& th"t isI. !he entire site is gu"rded by
7"ggers& who greeted me with J7e"th to youRK "nd J- wonder how your bones will
t"steRK& obviously me"nt to lull me into " st"te o$ $"lse #on$iden#e.
222
!he #"t& on#e pro#ured& is t":en to .o#:ingbird@s $lun:y& the $ret$ul 7"vis !hC"rden. 5e
st"rts o$$ "s soon "s you "rrive: J7o you h"ve itH - me"n& do you h"ve -!H - me"n& the
st"tue& did you bring it with youH -t@s not hurt is itH 7id you drop itH Nou didn@t drop it&
did youH 3o bullet holes or "nythingH .o#:ingbird would be very upset i$ it were shot.K
!hen& J-$ you h"ve it& give it to meR ,h"t "re you w"iting $orH - need to inspe#t it. - need
to m":e sure th"t it@s o:"y.K On#e - g"ve it to him& he w"s subdued "nd s"id - #ould go
while he Jdo#umentedK " $ew things.
.o#:ingbird is ple"sedR J?ood& very good. Nou h"ve t"lents - #"n use. Nou h"ve
impressed me with your h"rd wor:. -$ - h"ve "nything in the $uture& - will #ont"#t you.K
9ut she rem"ins "s mu#h " mystery "s when - $irst met her.
.ister Margaret
Lo#"tion: ."r" G%i#hl"ndI
Mission C:D !he *tingy Libr"ri"n: -n$iltr"te 5yp"ti"@s #omputer networ:
!he t"lented s#ulptress who did the be"uti$ul s#ulpture outside Gwhi#h - must e"mine
some timeI needs m"teri"ls& "nd #"llous 5yp"ti" is withholding them. 6or the s":e o$
"rt "nd ?od& we will bre": into her networ: to ste"l wh"t she will not sh"re. !his w"s
do"ble without even " $ightR - r"n in "nd r"n out& li:e " pizz" delivery girl. And - w"s
doneR At the end *ister ."rg"ret s"ys& J!ruly you "re " bright& light in this d"r: pl"#eKB
when w"s the l"st time "nyone t"l:ed to you this w"yH - loved itR All this "nd Z's tooR
Mission C8D .eeking Marble: ?et 5yp"ti"@s d"t" $or the *#ulptress
!he net step is to bre": into " $"#ility "nd get d"t" to help $ind the m"teri"ls. !":e "
dis: "nd uplo"d its #ontents. *n"p #ityR -t w"s enCoy"ble& by the w"y& to noti#e the
#l"ssi# t"#ti# o$ entr"pment: "s: someone to do something sm"ll& "nd then gr"du"lly
up the "nte& "s:ing $or l"rger "nd l"rger t"s:s. At the end o$ this one+step mission& she
purrs& K.y goodnessR Nou "re so t"lented& *ug"reeRK *he :nows v"nity when she
sees it.
223
Mission C;D /lawless Theft
6or the glory o$ ?od& we will in$iltr"te " $"#ility "nd pl"#e " virus. !he Colle#tor h"s "
w"rehouse with the m"rble *ister ."rg"ret@s *#ulptress $riend w"ntsB we will pl"nt "
virus to redire#t " shipment. !hus the wor: o$ this mission is to pl"#e " tiny dis: in "
tiny noteboo:. J- r"n into "n "gent& "nd being " m"#hinist - stopped to #h"t. 5owever&
"ll he did& though& w"s b"r: out JNouRRK& so - thought it best to eb "bout my business.
And wh"t is rew"rd $or "ll thisH A $ew ps. A $ew in$o. And " he"rt$elt JNou #ontinue
to "m"ze me& *ug"reeK \sigh\
Mission C<D lue $estiny
!his w"s one o$ the more #ompli#"ted missions. 6irst res#ue one lover& then t":e him
to his girl$riend& "nd then t":e them both to " Eion etr"#tion point. %egrett"bly& the
di"log $or this mission w"s not written by *h":espe"re& "nd seems stilted. !he best
the lost "nd lonely girl$riend #"n s"y to her long+lost lover is J-t@s good to see you "g"in&
J"#:son 'embertonK. - w"s hoping $or more. 5owever it w"s #ute th"t they stood
#lose to e"#h other in the elev"tor "nd elsewhere. !his .ission ups the "nte o$
#ompleity "nd import #onsider"bly. As - le$t them "t the etr"#tion point& - $elt "glow
with "nti#ip"tion "bout the $uture& until - stepped out into the st"ined #ement w"stel"nd
th"t is li$e $or the rest o$ us& in the big& dirty #ity.
Mission C>D .aving -race
,e le"rn th"t the #hur#h sits "top " pl"#e o$ import"n#e in the ."tri& hen#e the
*#ulptress@s interest in it. And the interest o$ others& one o$ whom& Albireo& h"s
:idn"pped three p"rishioners. ,e must $ree them. !his is $"irly str"ight$orw"rd.
1ven on 5"rd&. All you do is :ill Albireo "nd $ree the three. !his .ission w"s
notoriously bugged in bet"& "nd now it wor:s per$e#tly. 9r"voR
The .culptress
Lo#"tion: Center '"r: G7owntownI
224
Mission C:D Tools of the Trade
!he Colle#tor sent someone to ste"l her tools& whi#h "re very person"l. *he w"nts you
to get them b"#:. G-roni#"lly& the street g"ng en#ountered during this "nd the other
.issiones is the Chisels& " very #ute tou#h.I ?erm"n+spe":ing 1iles h"ve them under
gu"rd. - w"s tr"shed tot"lly on my $irst "ttempts. ,onder$ul e"mple o$ "rtspe": $rom "
bluepill in the entour"ge o$ 5eron G"nother "rtistI& who re#eives the re#overed tools
$rom you. !he best line is "t the end& "n "$$ronted blue pill sni$$s "nd in$orms you& Jo$
#ourse it loo:s li:e "ny other room& th"t@s wh"t m":es it "rtRK LOLR
Mission C8D %rrant -oods
A p"#:"ge h"s been mis"ppropri"ted by " #ourier. As !he *#ulptress deli#"tely puts it&
we "re to get it b"#: "nd :ill him "nd his "llies. !his turns out to be "n e#eption"lly
di$$i#ult mission& "nd mu#h more "#tion is needed th"n - epe#ted "t $irst. 6or inst"n#e&
one single room #ont"ined 8+; level ;/ blood drun:s "nd nobles in " roving p"#:
Gme"ning they #ould not be de$e"ted pie#eme"lI. - used *ne": $rom " #o"t to get in&
get the p"#:"ge "nd $lee immedi"tely. -$ you "re "lone "nd without tri#:s& - h"ve no
ide" how you would e"sily h"ndle this. As be$ore& we deliver the re#overed p"#:"ge to
"n "rtist. 5owever& in this #"se& the "rtist "t the end is we"ring " #oo:@s h"tR 5e must
be " per$orm"n#e "rtist or " 7"d"istR !he "##omp"nying bluepill gives me "n utterly
useless :ey& "long with more deep "rtspe":.
Mission C;D The &rice of /a"e
5yp"ti"& whose w"rehouses you might re#"ll r"iding l"st wee:& is now to be molli$ied
with& o$ "ll things& " #h"rming bust o$ .elvil 7ewey Gorigin"tor o$ the 7ewey 7e#im"l
*ystemIR !he ide"l gi$t $or the 1ile who h"s everythingR ,ho #"n epl"in the
ins#rut"ble w"ys o$ "rtistsH 9esides the "bsurd n"ture o$ the t"s:& the other unusu"l
thing here is the dist"n#e to 5yp"ti": //00 meters& "nd you "rrive Cust in time to get
Cumped by $ive or si bounty+hunters. 3o witty "rtspe": in this one& Cust bruises "nd
sore $eetR
Mission C<D The )ease
Li:e the p"perwor: .ission $or .r. 9l"#:& here you need to help !he *#ulptress get "
le"se. -t@s " bre":+in& shoot+up+the+hired+help :ind o$ mission. 3othing wrong with th"tR
At the #ompletion& when you h"nd o$$ the p"pers& one o$ the "##omp"nying eiles
loo:s "t you "nd "s:s how you $eel "bout your previous li$e. - love unepe#ted
person"l stu$$ li:e this. !ot"lly out o$ the blueR
225
Mission C>D The Model
One o$ the most entert"ining .issiones yetRR %emember the h"wt *#"rlett $rom the
tutori"lH *he@s b"#:R And you h"ve to res#ue her be$ore her honor is #ompromisedR
*t"nd"rd res#ue& but the teture is delight$ulR As you es#ort her b"#:& *#"rlett t"l:s
in#ess"ntly "bout her be"uty "nd how she must sh"re it Gm"les %*-s out there should
not get their hopes upI. !hen the Artist $usses over her li:e " mother hen "t the end&
"bsently dismissing her res#uers Gi.e.& youI. 7elight$ul interpl"yR And "s we le$t the
building& " wonder$ul gi$t "ppe"red out o$ nowhere in " pretty bo on the ground "t my
$eetR And it w"s not " bust o$ .elvile 7eweyR 9ingoR
Over"ll& these missions in#luded etremely tough enemies& "nd some very witty di"log.
'lus there@s the usu"l Z' "nd in$o p"yo$$s& "nd " gi$t "t the end. ,ho #ould "s: $or
moreH 6un "nd worth doing.
The !hess"an
Lo#"tion: !"bor '"r: G%i#hl"ndI
Mission C:D /irst MoveD
,h"t #ould be e"sierH 9re": into " w"rehouse or o$$i#e building& "nd ste"l three little
obCe#ts G" $ile& " dis:& "nd some p"persI. -t@s " single lo#"tion& "nd you do not h"ve to
even t":e the good "ny pl"#e. Just get them& le"ve. And you@re doneR Very
str"ight$orw"rd. !he t"rget o$ this& the Chotte 9rothers& doers not "ppe"r in "ny other
Chessm"n missions.
Mission C8D The &awn
!hings be#ome mu#h more serious in this se#ond .ission. !he Chessm"n t"s:s you
with "ss"ssin"ting "n oper"tive who h"s outlives his use$ulness. !his .ission is "lso
str"ight$orw"rd: A single lo#"tion& with two gu"rds& "nd the t"rget. !he Chessm"n
purrs his "ppre#i"tion when you "re done& "nd whispers& Jsomed"y you m"y be "
m"sterKB - love it when eh t"l:s th"t w"yR
Mission C;D %n &assant
226
!he Chessm"n r"t#hets up his epe#t"tions this time& "nd dire#ts you to wipe out "
redpill te"m "t his s"$ehouse. !his le"ds to " single very tough $ight with $ive or si
bun#hed up enemies& in#luding " physi#i"n who :eeps bu$$ing the one you@re "tt"#:ing.
Absent " h"#:er& this will be " tough $ightB be sure to bring some $riends& or some
t"#ti#s boosters& or "ll three. !h"t@s "ll there is to itR And "t the end& your #lient
#ompliments you: JNou "re " superb pl"yer. <npredi#t"ble& but depend"ble.K
Mission C<D The !ounter"ove
!his .ission bre":s the #h"in o$ in#re"sing di$$i#ulty& "nd in#ludes two "ss"ssin"tion
t"rgets "nd " $ew #omputers to se"r#h $or in$orm"tion in " single lo#"tion. 3othing
unusu"l here& e#ept $or the $"#t th"t this h"s two lo#"tions& "nd is " move not "g"inst
the Chotte brothers& but "g"inst !he Colle#tor& who we h"ve en#ountered in previous
missions. !he Chessm"n@s s"tis$ied p"rting words "re: J3i#e move& *ug"ree. !his is
" g"me - will enCoy #ontinuing with youK
Mission C>D Return the (ing
-n this l"st Chessm"n mission& "n old $riend& !he *#ulptress& h"s m"de " new #hess
set whi#h h"s been stolenB you need to $ind the w"yl"id #ourier& retrieve the p"#:"ge&
"nd :ill the guys who too: it. 6in"lly you deliver the pie#es to " #ont"#t. -n "ll& you
tr"vel to three lo#"lesB there is no indi#"tion th"t some other eile& su#h "s !he
Colle#tor& might be behind this. A$ter your su##ess with this )uite simple mission& the
Chessm"n@s $in"l words to you "re: JNou@re " re"l pl"yer& *ug"ree& th"n:sK. ?ood
enoughR
!his l"st one #ould h"ve been better with some epl"n"tion o$ the spe#i"l properties o$
the #hess set "nd e"#tly wh"t use the Chessm"n pl"nned to m":e o$ them. And "t
the end& the Chessm"n #ould h"ve m"de some Or"#ul"r pronoun#ements "bout your
$uture in the g"me to show you his power "nd the power o$ the pie#es. !his would
h"ve "dded to the "ppe"l o$ this 1ile "nd his missions.
eryl
Lo#"tion: .idi"n '"r: G%i#hl"ndI
227
Mission C:D .pecial $elivery
Li:e so m"ny eile #ont"#t .issiones& this one begins with " #ourier delivery. Nou
must t":e " p"#:"ge to "n "sso#i"te o$ Anti+.& " #lose J$riendK o$ 9eyl@s. -nevit"bly&
something goes "wry here. Nou "re met by " #ouple o$ thugs& "nd one who #h"ses
you to the net destin"tion. 9ut then you "re done& "nd 9eryl "pologizes $or the
in#onvenien#eR -$ only Agent ?r"y t"l:ed to me this w"yR
Mission C8D A -irl in =eed
!he $lip side o$ .ission 0/R ?et " p"#:"ge $rom Argon $or her. %e"lly e"sy& "nd #ould
be done with no $ighting wh"tsoever& unless you #hoose to eng"ge those who throw
themselves in your p"th. 3ot"ble is th"t her #ont"#t is giving you something $or her
whi#h #ould be d"ngerousB it sounds li:e " drug o$ some sort. !he b"#:story mystery
deepensR
Mission C;D !ut the Tail
A$ter seeing the #"t net to 9eryl& when - s"w the title $or this& - st"rted to $ret. 9ut not
to worryR 9eryl needs you to get rid o$ someone who@s been t"iling her so she #"n
h"ve some priv"te time with " $riend. !his is not too di$$i#ult& "nd "t the end& 9eryl
"ppre#i"tively purrs& JNou@re so sweet to do th"t $or meB -@ll remember you $or sureK.
*ure she willR - #"n see why Argon is so #on#ernedR
Mission C<D /ashion .tate"ent
.y hopes were high $or this .issionR 'i#: up " spe#i"l dress $or 9eryl& m"de by the
*e"mstress& no lessR 9ut "l"s& it w"s not to be. - dis#overed $rom the #ont"#t& Ch"ris&
th"t two more wee:s were needed $or its #ompletion. As " result& the dress in its
#urrent st"te is t":en to someone so Argon does not see it& 9eryl w"nts to surprise
him. !his .ission w"s " dis"ppointment to me person"lly& - h"d been hoping $or
some new #lothes to try on G- $igured 9eryl wouldn@t mindI. As - slun: out&
dis"ppointed& my oper"tor #himed in& JNou get some /weird/ "ssignments& *ug"reeK.
!h"n:s& C"pt"in ObviousR
Mission C>D =oiseMaker
!he story $or this one is entert"ining "s well& "nd will "ppe"l to the p"rtygoer in "ll o$
us. 9eryl w"nts some )u"lity time with Anti+. "t " p"rty& "nd needs us to distr"#t the
Ce"lous Argon by "tt"#:ing some o$ his men. !his one turned out to be mu#h h"rder
th"n - thought& more "long the lines o$ stirring up " hornets@ nest. -n $"#t& - did this with
the redoubt"ble gunner/m"rti"l "rtist -llyri"/& "nd we were both :illed )ui#:lyR A little bit
o$ t"#ti#s& "nd " lot o$ humility& though& helped us to prev"il the se#ond time. Lots "nd
lots o$ $ighting though.
*o& through this brie$ suite o$ missions& we h"ve dropped o$$ " gi$t $or " two+timing t"rt&
pro#ured her drugs& "nd "ided her in #he"ting on her boy$riend& right "$ter helping her
228
dress to ple"se himR - "dore her simple li$e.
The !oroner
Lo#"tion: 9"ldwin 5eights G7owntownI
Mission :9 (nockG (nock
6or some .engeli"n eperiments& the Coroner re)uires r"re m"teri"ls. <n$ortun"tely&
these must be etr"#ted $rom #orpses. ,orse& "s he sheepishly "dmits& Jthese
#"d"vers "re not yet de"d. ,ell then on your w"y.K All $or s#ien#eR !he $irst t"rget is "
retired poli#em"n with m"ny elite gu"rd $riendsB 7ev"st"tion 6ield helped " lot here.
!he se#ond is " ;/[ level blood noble& "n "n#ient guy who does not go :indly into the
night. A$ter these eh"usting $ights& the $in"l hit& on " bun#h o$ dog pounders& seems
li:e " w"l: in the p"r:. !his .ission $e"tures very h"rd $ights& "nd lots o$ running
"round. And - h"ve to "dmit th"t - did not $eel h"ppy "bout wh"t - h"d done "t the end.
."ybe it@s #uz he didn@t p"y "ll th"t well.
J(no#:& :no#:K "lso h"s the distin#tion o$ being the s#"riest .ission - ever r"n in bet"B
more on this l"ter in " sep"r"te inst"llment o$ *ug"r *h"#: to $ollow this one.
And m"ybe " bug rem"ins. - :illed the blood noble in one room with " gu"rd.
App"rently he h"d been w"ndering. !hen - w"ndered into JhisK room& s"w " r"ndom
#orpse& "nd only then got the mess"ge th"t he w"s de"d.
Mission 89 /alling Into &lace
!he Coroner spe#i"lizes in weird s#ien#eB he lets others h"ndle the det"ils. -n this
#"se& two in#rimin"ting surveill"n#e t"pes must be purloined "nd er"sed. !hese "re
stored in s"$es& so "##ess :eys must be obt"ined. !his .ission $e"tures some tough
$ighting with se#urity $ol:s. And not "ll th"t mu#h running "round& unli:e the $irst one.
3ow& b"#: in bet"& this .ission w"s $"mously bugged& "nd it is " serious ple"sure to
$in"lly h"ve everything running so smoothly. Our endless bug reports were not in v"in&
everyoneR
Mission ;9 The )ast Ti"e
5is l"b is under "tt"#: Gperh"ps rel"tives o$ his subCe#ts $rom the $irst .issionHI "nd
you need to stop it. At J5"rdK& you "re up "g"inst eight or so three+#hevron Level ;/s&
who h"ve "wesome vir"l resist"n#e. !his m"ed+out h"#:er died sever"l times. ,e
229
le"rn the story o$ their le"der: Crow& " #"pt"in who le$t Eion to t":e up " mer#en"ry@s
li$e& "pp"rently in the servi#e o$ the .erovingi"n. *he o$$ers you " #h"n#e to w"l: "w"y
$rom this with no h"rd $eelingsB o$ #ourse - spurned her gesture "nd slew her. !here
w"s mu#h $ighting in this .ission "nd not "ll th"t mu#h loot. And by the time you@re
level ;0& wh"t do ps m"tterH *o "s - stood "midst the #"rn"ge& - w"s le$t with little
e#ept the s"tis$"#tion o$ m":ing the world s"$er $or the Coroner& " w"n ple"sure
indeed.
Mission <9 The &lan
One o$ his Courn"ls h"s been stolen by 5yp"ti"& "nd the Coroner w"nts you to get it
b"#: $rom her storehouse be$ore its en#ryption is bro:en. !his involves subst"nti"l
$ighting& "$ter whi#h the en#rypted Courn"l Cust h"s to be dropped o$$. 3ot b"dR 6in"lly
one where - don@t $eel b"d "bout winningR
Mission >9 &ayback
Li:e every "$$ronted 1ile& the Coroner w"nts p"yb"#:. -n this #"se it is " little more
im"gin"tive th"n most. 5yp"ti" will soon in negoti"tions with !he Che$ $or something&
"nd the Coroner w"nts to get him " $ile whi#h will publi#ly "nd deeply emb"rr"ss her.
Nou must de"l with "n org"niz"tion #"lled J!he 3etwor:K to get the $ile. *ome #ute
moments. One outspo:en bluepill wonders wh"t li$e is li:e in our world. Another #l"ims
to be the re"l br"ins behind " world+$"mous #he$ "nd her !V show. 6in"lly& "$ter mu#h
running "round $or subst"nti"l dist"n#es& the Jmeddlesome boo:wormK h"s been de"lt
with.
And th"t@s itR 3o pr"ise& no th"n:s& no nothing. Nour p"tron b"rely gl"n#es "t you "s he
returns to his biz"rre rese"r#hes. *o& !he Coroner@s .issiones "re not $or the $"int or
he"rt or the we": o$ level. Completists will see: them out. Anyone loving tough "#tion
will enCoy them. And #omp"red to m"ny .issiones& - $ound these )uite intense& in tone
"s well "s "#tion. And they #ontributed to one o$ my most memor"ble eperien#es ever
in .O& "s - will epl"in in the net edition o$ *ug"r *h"#:.
Tick Tock
Lo#"tion: ."ribe"u G7owntownI
230
:9 Rolling Over
One o$ his men is going to de$e#t to .r. 9l"#: "nd needs to be :illed. 5e is "t the $irst
lo#"tion you go to& "nd he obligingly #omes out to meet you. On 5"rd setting& he h"s
the usu"l #oterie o$ 1lite ?u"rds "nd 9lood 3obles& "ll Cust begging $or " 7ev"st"tion
6ield. J3i#e wor:K sums up !i#:!o#:@s r"pturous response.
89 Trading &laces
5ere& we h"ve " spy& in#onspi#uously n"med Eubenelgenubi& who needs to be
prep"red $or insertion into 9l"#:@s org"niz"tion. !his is " notorious es#ort missionB the
$ledgling spy must be t":en to " #oder $or some t"gging. .ir"#ulously& this es#ort
mission w"s $ight+$reeRR G!hough - :illed everything in my w"y& Cust to be on the s"$e
sideI. And when - h"d dropped o$$ the spy& !i#:!o#: got b"#: to me& with:
J!his #ould be " gre"t opportunity $or me& *ug"reeK
- $elt so h"ppy to be " sm"ll p"rt o$ his su##ess.
;9 $o the ,ave
!i#:!o#:@s o$$i#es were r"ided& "nd you need to r"id the r"ider& "nd insert " bogus %*-
w"velength re"ding to prote#t the spy. -t m"y be th"t the r"id w"s " su#:er ploy&
intended to "id the insertion o$ dummy d"t" into 9l"#:@s networ:& but this is never
epl"ined. 3ot "ll th"t tough& though "$ter :illing everyone onsite& the insertion o$ d"t"
is n"tur"lly not li:ely to go unnoti#ed by "ny st"$$ with more intelligen#e th"n " st"r$ish.
<9 /alse I"pressions
?et $iles $rom the spy& #opy them& "nd get them b"#: to the spy to repl"#e. A#tu"lly&
Cust h"ve to uplo"d them. As you JsurreptitiouslyK enter the premises& you soon
en#ounter " w"iling bluepill. 5e m"y be s"$ely ignored. A #o+#onspir"tor n"med
Av"ri#e de#rypts "nd #opies the dis:B you Cust h"ve to uplo"d it. *urprisingly e"sy&
over"ll.
>9 )ook Over #ere
!o "id the spy in repl"#ing the purloined dis:& you need to stir up some #h"os "nd
#on$usion "s " distr"#tion. ,h"t #ould be e"sierH Just go "nd :ill everyone "t one o$
231
.r. 9l"#:@s o$$i#es& the s"me :ind o$ subtle& unobtrusive thing you h"ve done so m"ny
times be$ore. And th"t@s itR
!i#:!o#: is intoi#"ted with delight "t the end& "nd #"n@t #ontrol himsel$. 5e bursts out:
JNou h"ve never let me down& *ug"ree. - "m impressed.K !he p"ssion in his voi#e w"s
unmist":"ble. Ne"h& th"t@s wh"t - w"nt to he"rR
3ow some people might m":e the "rgument th"t !i#:!o#:@s deme"nor is per$e#t or "
spym"ster& never giving "w"y "nything "nd "lw"ys seeming ins#rut"ble. !his is
#ert"inly true. 9ut the pro$ession"l spym"ster seldom $inds it ne#ess"ry to resort to
wetwor: "s e"sily "nd o$ten "s !i#:!o#: does. And very $ew things you do in this
mission suite "re li:ely to p"ss unnoti#ed.
*o wh"t interest is there $or us in !i#:!o#: "nd his me#h"ni#"l missionsH Z's& some
$ights& "nd some loot& "nd " sm"ll insight into the world "round .r. 9l"#: whi#h m"de
me "ppre#i"te this premier 1ile "ll the more. 9ut li:e the #lo#: his n"me emul"tes&
!i#:!o#:@s missions eude order "nd system& without soul or spirit.
The 0eweler
Lo#"tion: .orrell G7owntownI
1. The .tones
-n this $irst& show+your+worth mission& you get some un#ut di"monds $rom his "ssist"nt
"nd deliver them. - epe#ted "llusions to .i#: J"gger "nd #omp"ny& but none w"s
$orth#oming. A$ter you re#eive the stones& there@s "n 3'C who "tt"#:s you Gnumbers
depending on p"rty sizeIB " little s:ill gets you p"st the thre"t with e"se. *:ill not being
my $orte& - o$ #ourse died the $irst time.
89 0ust a /ew Iuestions
O$ the $ive Jeweler mishes& the se#ond one is the st"nd+out. -niti"lly " simple es#ort
mission& it be#"me one o$ the two or three most di$$i#ult missions - h"ve ever
undert":en. - $"iled repe"tedly "t it solo& "nd now believe th"t solo it is undo"ble. Only
when - h"d " $ull mission te"m o$ outst"nding pl"yers G*"tt":"n& -llyri"/& 7"r:lordm"&
*hre"d& "nd Alysh"I w"s it #omplet"ble& "nd then only "$ter sever"l tries. 6ew other
missions t":e the pl"nning "nd str"tegy th"t this one does& believe me.
232
KKKK.&OI)%R A)%RT %-I=.KKKK
5ere@s why. Nou@re t"s:ed with bringing in the "ssist"nt $rom the $irst mission $or some
)uestioning. !he gems you pi#:ed up were bogus& "nd the Jeweler w"nts to $ind out
wh"t@s going on. !he "ssist"nt& underst"nd"bly& h"s surrounded himsel$ with =+8
bodygu"rds. *tr"ngely& they show little interest in you& "nd seem )uite bored when you
t"l: to them "bout their #lient. -n $"#t& you #"nnot eng"ge them. ,hen the "ssist"nt
"grees to #ome with you& though& they "ll w":e up "nd inst"ntly st"rt "tt"#:ing. !he
#lient )ui#:ly $"lls in the #ross$ire. And AO1 "tt"#:s seem to bring him down "s wellB
hold o$$ on 7ev"st"tion 6ields "nd Code 3u:es.
!he se#ond time - tried this& - entered one o$$i#e "nd set o$$ the "l"rms& so - #ould
#ontrol the terms o$ eng"gement. !his set the gu"rds to hostile& "nd - de$e"ted them
pie#eme"l& wor:ing my w"y to the Ceweler@s o$$i#e& using 9"llist" build r"ther th"n
AO1s. !his brought me to the $in"l gu"rd in the $in"l room with the "ssist"nt Ceweler.
As soon "s - spo:e to him& however& the gu"rd "tt"#:ed& "nd the Ceweler died in the
#ross$ire. \\bleep\\R
9ut th"t@s not "llR -t got worseR Less then ten se#onds "$ter this& my oper"tor s"id there
were "gents #losing in on my lo#"tionR 9y the time - re"#hed "n elev"tor& one h"d
"lre"dy m"teri"lized "nd winged me on the w"y outR !hen he #h"sed me out o$ the
buildingR - hyperCumped& loo:ing $or " h"rdline& "nd he w"s everywhere - #"me down&
t":ing " big bite out o$ me e"#h timeR - b"rely m"de it to " h"rdline "nd the blessed
lo"ding "re"& loo:ing more li:e " pie#e o$ *wiss #heese th"n runner+up $or the .s.
*eiest %edpillR
At *t"mos - s"t on " ben#h to stop hyperventil"ting "nd re+#onsider my str"tegy. And -
would still be sitting there& too& i$ - h"d not run into "n e#eption"lly t"lented& $ier#e
group o$ people G*"tt":"n& -llyri"/& 7"r:lordm"& *hre"d& "nd Alysh"I who #"me to my
"id. ,e "tt"#:ed in " tid"l w"ve o$ m"yhem& )ui#:ly obliter"ting the gu"rds. !hen we
#le"ned out the lobby gu"rds. 9ut the inst"nt - eited the building with the Ceweler in
tow& three or $our more .erv mer#en"ries "ppe"red out o$ nowhere "nd :illed our m"n.
7"mnR
KKKK.&OI)%R A)%RT %=$.KKKK
1ventu"lly& through #"re$ul #oordin"tion& we got our #lient to the Jeweler@s interrog"tion
te"m& some h"ppy+go+lu#:y blood+drin:ers. !hen the #lient tried to #hi#:en out. 9ut by
then it w"s too l"te. And good ridd"n#eR
;9 right .hiny Ob'ects
-t turns out th"t the "ssist"nt you b"gged l"st time h"d nothing to do with thisR -t w"s
ThisT supplier th"t #"used the problem& "nd in this simple mish you dish out doom to
the dupli#itous di"mond double+de"ler. At the end& the Jeweler is "ll smiles& "nd
promises to t":e me out $or " night on the town. - wishR
233
<9 /air &ay"ent
!his is Jprime timeK& "nd simple enough: getting p"yment $rom 1ile Anti+. $or "
spe#i"l pie#e o$ Cewelry $or her to give 9eryl& Argon@s "lleged girl$riend. Nou run into
Anti+. Gshe loo:s "s she did when - r"n her missions "ges "goI "nd she helps
disp"t#h " $ew o$ the thugs who see: to bre": in "nd ste"l the p"yment. Anti+. seems
)uite involved in this mish& "pp"rently not tot"lly #onvin#ed o$ your reli"bility. Or m"ybe
she Cust enCoyed the buzz& "nd w"nted " good story to tell 9eryl. *he re"#hed the $in"l
b"d be$ore you& in $"#t& "nd disp"t#hes him on her own. Nou h"ve to wonder how she
gets "round so )ui#:lyB the #ell phone on " des: with her in the end+g"me room seems
to h"ve something to do with this. -$ onlyPi$ onlyP
>9 A -irlHs est /riend
Oddly& no $ighting is re"lly ne#ess"ry $or this $in"l mission. 5ere& you Cust drop o$$ the
ring $rom Anti+. to 9eryl. !his goes $"irly smoothly& e#ept $or 9eryl initi"lly giving us
the wrong "ddressB we seemed to stumble into " 9lood 3obles 'romise+(eepers
#onvention. 1ventu"lly the delivery w"s #ompleted. ,hen you get here& don@t be in "
hurryB 9eryl@s ple"s $or the bo "re wonder$ulB - $elt li:e - w"s t"l:ing to someone "$ter
my own he"rt. *he thought it might be " new dress or the h"ndm"de #ho#ol"tes she
h"d orderedP *he@s my :ind o$ 1ileR *he w"s thrilled with the ring& "nd pl"nned to
we"r it immedi"tely& Cust to drive Argon nuts. Nou go& girlR
And with this& the Jeweler@s entr"n#e to the big le"gues o$ power "nd in$luen#e seems
"ssured& or so he tells us. ,ith his t"lent& he #rows& he won@t need lu#:R And when he@s
running the #ity& he@ll remember "ll the little peopleR Li:e usR
The Auditor
Lo#"tion: <nion 5ill G7owntownI
1. y the =u"bers
!he Auditor "pp"rently #on#erns himsel$ with the $low o$ resour#es "nd their
m"n"gement in the ."tri. !h"t is to s"y& he t":es the e#iting "nd m":es it dull. 5is
$irst mish is no e#eption: J!he numbers "re "ll - #"re "bout. 1verything else is Cust
st"ti# in the ."triP.5ere@s the "ddress. ?et moving.K 5ow person"bleR Just get "nd
uplo"d two dis:s $rom " single lo#"tion. 5ow #ould it be simplerH
234
89 Throwing a $isk
!o better underst"nd dis#rep"n#ies in the m"tri& he needs more d"t". ?o get two
more dis:s. !here "re some $ights& "nd you need the help o$ " bluepill to get wh"t you
w"nt. 9ut th"t@s it. -t@s "ll he #"n im"gine. Nou :now the type: Jeverything th"t #ounts
#"n be #ounted& "nd i$ it #"n@t be #ounted then it doesn@t #ountK.
;9 /or a /ew $isks More
!here J#ould be " m"Cor system resour#e le":. !his le": #ould turn into " $lood i$ "#tion
is not t":en. - Cust need one more d"t" point to m":e my $in"l determin"tion. ?o get it
$or meK.
9y this point - w"s wondering i$ this w"s re"lly "n "uditor& or Cust " sm"ll time nut trying
to in$l"te his own sel$+import"n#e. 9ut he did p"y his bills.
Nou h"ve to res#ue some bluepill@s girl$riend be$ore he will give you the d"t" you need.
!his is m"ddeningly di$$i#ult& be#"use when you "re es#orting the bluepill& you "re
subCe#t to one m"Cor 3'C "tt"#:& whi#h you epe#t& but "lso $rom r"ndom g"ng
members "nd even se#urity gu"rds. !his is best done with $riends& sin#e one str"y
ri#o#het inst"ntly brings down the wom"n "nd "borts the mission. -t too: me seven
"ttempts to get this done& "nd - only #ompleted it "t "ll th"n:s to the "wesome help o$
*"tt":"n& who #le"red "w"y the lobby gu"rds& spont"neous "tt"#:s& "nd three groups
o$ g"ngmembers. - h"d to es#ort the $r"il girl$riend "lmost 800 meters through "ll these
thre"ts.
<9 Resource Manage"ent
6or some pe#uli"r re"son& !he Auditor h"s "ssets& "nd they "re under "tt"#:. Nou
"rrive in time to $ind m"ny bluepills sl"in& "nd d"t" t":en. One bluepill g"sps& J!he
d"t"Ps"ve the d"t"K "nd then $"lls to the $loorB "pp"rently the Auditor $ound people o$
" li:e $r"me o$ mind to wor: with him.
>9 .top the )eak
!he le":& it turns out& is no "##identB someone is #re"ting the dis#rep"n#y $or his own
purposes. J- #"nnot "llow this.K 6or this $in"l mish& you need "n "rti$"#t $rom the
*#ulptress. ,ell& three& "#tu"lly. !hey must be given to three people $or the $ull e$$e#t.
!he $irst delivery is " sn"p. -n the se#ond one& you h"ve to $ight your w"y in& with some
.erv "llies. 5owever these J"lliesK "re worthless& "nd do nothing to hinder those who
would :ill you. *ever"l times they w"l:ed right p"st me during $ightsR !he third one
$e"tures " red herring& "nd " slightly more servi#e"ble "lly. !he most not"ble p"rt is
th"t the third re#ipient o$ these st"tues st"nds with one $oot in " w"steb"s:et& obliviousR
3o wonder the ."tri is in d"ngerR
-n the end& you get some th"n:s& "nd th"t is "bout it. 3ot mu#h #onsidering you h"ve
s"ved the ."triR !he m"le$"#tor behind the s#heme rem"ins " mystery. 'erh"ps "
$uture inst"llment will see you bringing the $ight to him/her. -t@s the per$e#t tie in $or
235
some story+line events l"ter. 'erh"ps some m"d Eionists "re see:ing to dest"bilize the
whole m"triPoh& w"it& th"t@s "lre"dy been done& rightH
*umming up& the Auditor is we": in the person"lity& wit& "nd #h"rm dep"rtment. 5is
missions re$le#t his person"lity. ,ho would h"ve thought th"t s"ving the whole m"tri
#ould seem li:e su#h " tedious #horeH
&epper
Lo#"tion: V"uton G7owntownI
:9 &etty Retribution
!he r"ison d@etre $or this revenge "g"inst *ilver is not #le"rB "pp"rently she reg"rds
him "s stingy. -t seems trivi"l "nd pointless. *te"l " virus "nd lo"d it into *ilver@s
server. App"rently she is too l"zy& or thin:s too little o$ *ilver& to m":e the e$$ort to
design " virus hersel$. !his seems li:e the :ind o$ e"sy mission you "re given to prove
your "bility "nd trustworthiness. -t #ert"inly seems to h"ve no other pointR
89 .peed (ills
'epper h"s he"rd o$ some 1iles smuggling in speed+enh"n#ing "lgorithms $rom
."#hine City& "nd she w"nts some $or her L"b to loo: "t. ,h"tH *he h"s " l"bH ,ho
would w"nt to wor: $or herH !he $irst site h"s nothing e#ept some interesting bluepills
to t"l: to. !he se#ond site h"s " stern t"s:m"ster who must be s"tis$ied be$ore he
gives you the s#hem"ti#s you desire. 5owever& things do not go "s smoothly "s we
might h"ve epe#ted.
;9 *nexpected !onse1uences
!he speed+boosters h"ve driven test subCe#ts nuts& "nd you h"ve to put them down
be$ore they :ill "ll o$ 'epper@s te#hiesR ."ybe there "re some things th"t 1iles were
not me"nt to :nowR !he problems is less simple th"n it seems: " #ouple o$ the "iling
subCe#ts h"ve $led& "nd "$ter s"ving 'epper@s s#ientists& you need to tr"#: down the
$ugitives. !he $ugitive is not nutso "$$e#ted though& Cust h"llu#in"ting people he #"res
"bout. !he whole eperiment w"s doomed $rom the word go& turns out.
<9 #a5ard &ay
236
,ith th"t #risis p"st& 'epper@s "ttention returns to her other business oper"tions. -t
turns out th"t " #ourier h"s gone missing& "nd you need to tr"#: him down. A $ile
purporting to help you $ind him turns out to be #orrupted& "nd you need to get it
re#onstru#ted $rom b"#:up. A se#urity bre"#h "t 'epper@s l"bs h"s "$$e#ted your "bility
to #omplete the missionR 1ventu"lly the #ourier is $ound& de"d& "nd the p"#:"ge he
w"s #"rrying is retrieved "nd delivered. On#e more& things h"ve gone w"y "wry $or
'epper. One o$ her s#ientists #omplimented me on h"ving s"ved the te#hies in the l"st
missionB - "lw"ys "ppre#i"te tight #ontinuity li:e this.
>9 The .wap
-t emerges th"t the JspeedK #ode #"rried " !roC"n virusB hen#e its unepe#ted toi#ity.
!he )uestion is& who put it thereH An in$orm"nt promises to m":e "ll #le"r i$ his p"lm is
#rossed with " spe#i"l delivery. Nour t"s: is to #omplete the e#h"nge "nd rel"y the
in$orm"tion. ,hen the se#ret enemy is reve"led& you "re t"s:ed with the #omplete&
pitiless destru#tion o$ her "nd her g"ng. At the end 'epper #on#ludes th"t Jyou@ve been
" gre"t help to me& *ug"reeK& "nd downlo"ded " $ine purple #o"t to #ompens"te me $or
"ll my troubles. -n true 'epper $"shion& though& it went to the wrong person.
As the JenemyK dies& 'epper muses how s"d this w"s& sin#e this eile w"s one o$ her
most promising re#ruits. -t@s h"rd not to wonder i$ someone h"d pl"nted disin$orm"tion&
:nowing how gullible "nd intemper"te she is. And in every mission& something seems
to go wrongB pepper "lw"ys seems in over her he"d& needing you to str"ighten things
out. *he doesn@t p"y you enoughR 9ut there "re m"ny witty tou#hes in the writing $or
this& "nd the lines $or 1iles "nd thugs.
The artender
Lo#"tion: 1dgew"ter G7owntownI
:9 &ickup -reen
3"tur"lly& her #on#erns $o#us on oper"tions& not things or people. *he needs you to
m":e " p"yment to 1ndymion Glovely n"meI $or some sto#: $or Jspe#i"l lib"tionK& not
$or #oppertops. 1ndymion h"s his own problems who must be removed be$ore he #"n
do business. -n the end you h"ve impressed both him "nd the 9"rtender& "nd the r"re
li)uor h"s been delivered& "nd both 1ndymion "nd the 9"rtender "re developing "
good impression o$ you.
237
89 The $ionysus -a"bit
*ome things& though& #"nnot be bought. A r"re wine& 7om 'errine"u @4>& is owned by
"n 1ile pl"yboy n"med 7ionysiusB the 9"rtender w"nts you to liber"te the only :nown
bottle $or her. 7espite your best e$$orts& though& it is not to be $oundB her in$orm"tion
w"s "pp"rently o$$+t"rget. !he #ode o$ m"ny " thug w"s spilled in v"in.
;9 The $ionysus -a"bitG &art 8
3ever one to give up e"sily& the 9"rtender disp"t#hes you to "n "ltern"te lo#"tion $or
7ionysus where the 7om h"s been t":en& $or displ"y "long with some other w"y r"re
items& "dding& J!his pl"n h"s the upside o$ m":ing him loo: li:e "n "ssK. Nou blow
through some )uite uneleg"nt settings in 1dgew"ter "nd s#ore the brew. 6or someone
li:e 7ionysus& - w"s :ind o$ epe#ting " more ups#"le setting. An epert #heers GRI
when he tests the wine& "nd you@re doneR !urns out this is intended $or the
.erovingi"n@s wi$e& who we meet inP
<9 The $ionysus -a"bitG &art ;
!o renew her li)uor li#ense& the 9"rtender needs the blessing o$ the .erovingi"nB you
need to deliver the 7om to 'ersephoneRR 6or " ."#hinist& these #h"n#es "re $ew "nd
$"r between. !he b"rtender gives " gre"t #h"r"#teriz"tion o$ her th"t only e#ited my
interest: J*he@s " d"rling+ gr"#e$ul& poised& "nd intelligent. *he@s "lso hideously
de#eit$ul "nd m"nipul"tiveP.7o not be lured into "ny untow"rd "#tivity.J 'ersephone
w"s "ll th"t "nd more. And her p"rting words to me: J!h"n: you so mu#h. Nou must be
" very t"lented oper"tive to h"ve obt"ined su#h " tre"sure $or me. And so "ttr"#tive.
.mmmPK m"de my ."#hinist #onvi#tions $eel we":& "nd - thought "bout Coining the
*irens. !h"n: ?od ?usm"n "nd 3osgoul/ were there to strengthen me.
>9 !reative )icense
5ere you go "nd get the li#ense $rom 6lood. 5is gu"rds insist in " $ighting s:ill
demonstr"tion G#he"ting is "llowedI. !hen you t":e the li#ense to 9"rtender& "nd
you@re doneB the b"rtender m":es " spe#i"l trip out o$ Club 3oir to meet you "nd
re#eive the li#ense. -n this #on#lusion& there is no spe#i"l item or prize& whi#h
dis"ppointed meB - h"d he"rd there were su#h items& "nd w"s hoping $or " 9l"#: Lotus
blouse or " *u##ubus out$it. 9ut - h"d gone $rom "ngering her in my l"st mish suite to
winning her "dmir"tion& "nd th"t w"s something.
The !hef
Lo#"tion: 'illsen G7owntownI
238
:9 &aging
!he Che$ needs " spe#i"l re#ipe $rom the $"mous p"#:r"t 5yp"ti"& "nd she will not
give it up without him doing something $or her: getting rid o$ some nuis"n#e 1iles. *he
re#ipro#"tes with generosity one seldom eperien#es $rom 1iles& "nd w"rm words $or
you. *he must remember me $rom doing her mishes l"st wee:R
89 And a ottle of Ru"
6or " r"re dish some r"re rum must be obt"ined $rom the 9"rtender@s sto#:. !his
be#omes v"stly more #ompli#"ted when you :ill the wrong people& dis#over it h"s been
stolen "nd the Che$ must yield pro$ession"l in$orm"tion in re#ompense& only to $ind
someone else h"s it "nd is using it "t th"t very moment. !he 1ile telling you this
GJ5"ve $unRKI st"rts sl"pping his :nee in l"ughter. As usu"l& you must retrieve it "nd :ill
everyone involved. One #ute note: "s you :ill the #ompeting #he$ Gdismissed by the
Che$ "s "n Jin#ompetent h"#:KI "nd st"$$ to retrieve the rum& you note " bottle o$ diet
sod" per#hed on " des:R 9etter m":e sure th"t@s rum in the bottleR
; edti"e Reading
5e needs help getting some o$ the "n#ient re#ipes tr"nsl"ted. *imple in theory& this
be#omes tough in ee#ution& sin#e you h"ve to es#ort not one but two low+level 3'Cs
" long w"y through the d"ngerous streets o$ the downtown "re". Count on "t le"st one
"tt"#:. O$ #ourse& on#e they get to their destin"tion& the t"s: is trivi"l. Curiously& others
seem to be "$ter the s"me progr"ms you "re.
<9 .pice .tory
*pi#e $rom the 9"rtender is "lso needed. 9ut "$ter " re#ent $i"s#o& she is ill+disposed to
#ooper"te& "nd thus " diversion "tt"#: is ne#ess"ry: wipe out " s"$e house o$ hers Gnot
so dissimil"r $rom " r"id on " house o$ the *e"mstress $or the ,e"verI. !he spi#e is
then obt"ined& "nd t":en to " $lun:y #he$. !his #he$@s st"$$ is none too impressed with
you& "nd m":e " number o$ rude #omments& li:e JNou prob"bly #"n@t even "ppre#i"te
the :ind o$ dishes we #re"te. CretinRK "nd J- don@t thin: you would "ppre#i"te wh"t we
h"ve to o$$er. ,hy don@t you go get some gre"sy $"st $oodHK
> If IHd (nown 3ou ,ere !o"ing
239
!he Che$ h"s prep"red " m"sterpie#e wor: $or .r. 9l"#:& using the rum "nd spi#e "nd
"n#ient re#ipes we h"ve g"thered $or him. ,e need to get some i#ing tools to "n
"ssist"nt& "nd then t":e the $inished produ#t to .r. 9l"#:. ,hen his $lun:ies #he#: the
$inished wor:& it turns out th"t there h"s been " mis#"l#ul"tion "nd " $ight bre":s outR
*urprise& surpriseR !he Che$@s reput"tion will never be the s"me& "nd he gives me "
useless p"ir o$ p"nts "s " h"sty going "w"y present. !he Che$@s dis"ppointment is
well+portr"yedB mine must be im"gined. 3ot even "n S#l"irR
A$ter re"ding so mu#h "bout $ood& "nd smelling so mu#h epended gunpowder& -
w"nted to get dressed up "nd go to the .erovingi"n@s sunny& trendy spot $or " leisurely
lun#h. And& re"lly& this mish suite #ould h"ve been so e"sily built "round the
.erovingi"n@s p"l"te& with his murmured "ppre#i"tion "nd 'ersephone@s purrs. -t@s
un#le"r why the "ustere .r. 9l"#: w"s sele#ted. - me"n& h"s he done something to
deserve itH And "s we "ll :now& #":e pl"ys "n import"nt role in .erovingi"n #ultureB -
"m surprised th"t no one thought to or $ound " w"y to wor: this into these mishes.
3onetheless& there "re m"ny well+written moments& " $ew o$ whi#h - h"ve "lre"dy
sh"red. -n mid+mission& the Che$ st"rts rumin"ting& J- h"ve he"rd o$ "n#ient hum"n
writings th"t des#ribe $ine wines& deli#"te p"stries& de#"dent $e"stsP- wonder wh"t did
they "#tu"lly t"ste li:eH 5ow would they #omp"re to the t"stes o$ $ood here in the
."triH 5"ve we even #ome #loseH - wonderP5mmH Oh& yes& good wor: "nd "ll th"t.
'le"se get the re#ipe $or meK. And the mishes well #"pture the obsessive
pro$ession"lism o$ gods o$ #oo:ery.
The =etwork
Lo#"tion: -ndustry *)u"re G7owntownI
:9 Tat Tap Tap
!his st"rts out the right w"y: JNou #ome re#ommended "s someone with gre"t
dis#retion& *ug"reeK. !his seems li:e " #l"ssi#& i$ generi#& mission: " spy devi#e h"s
been pl"nted in " m"#hine strongholdB we h"ve to go :ill some m"#hine guys "nd
we@re good to pl"nt " bug "nd you "re done. 5e s"ys you h"ve " $utureR !ell me more&
ple"seR ?ood writing #h"r"#terizes this mish.
89 .ilver Toys
!his se#ond mish is the best o$ the lot. 1ile *ilver h"s ventured downtown $rom
240
%i#hl"nd to show " spy devi#e to " buyer. ,e get there $irst& :ill "ll his hired help& "nd
then politely "s: $or it. 5e m":es empty thre"ts+ J,ell& .e"tPthese "re the $inest o$
the *l"shersB they will rid me o$ your presen#eK. 9ut don@t worry& he t"l:s this w"y to
everyone until he needs your help. !he 3etwor: s"ys you "re very persu"sive
G$oresh"dowing $or the net missionI. 6un inter"#tion with his #utout who re#eived the
devi#e $rom us: " typi#"l stressed+out middle m"n"ger w"iling "t the hired help. 5e is
imp"tient& "s we #"n see: J7on@t be " sl"#:er. ,e@ve got to h"ve synergy to build "
#onvergent enterpriseRK 'erh"ps "s *O1 spo:e to Lith& m"ny moons "goP
;9 A !onvincing Argu"ent
An entert"iner with gre"t in$luen#e over bluepills wishes to rem"in "loo$ "nd isol"ted&
li:e ?ret" ?"rbo. 9ut !he 3etwor: wishes something else& "nd t"s:s us to $ight our
w"y to her "nd simply deliver " letter. -n this mish the opposition w"s unusu"lly severe.
- got :illed sever"l times& in#luding by "n "gent& whom l"id w"ste to me with Cust three
shotsR 1ventu"lly you re"#h her& i$ you persevereB she is suit"bly horri$ied.
<9 $ailies
*ome $ilm with bluepill+in$luen#ing #odes h"s been stolen by "n eileB !he 3etwor:
w"nts it b"#:. !his mish w"s #onvenient indeed& t":ing pl"#e inside the s"me building
"s the #lubR ,"s it "n eploit to "##ept itH Only the devs :now $or sureP.K9rilli"nt&
*ug"reeRK he gushes "t the end. 3ote to sel$: introdu#e him to ,e"ver.
>9 !ounter &rogra""ing
*omeone h"s been v"nd"lizing one o$ !he 3etwor:@s rel"y st"tions& "nd he w"nts to
get rid o$ them. ,e simply go "nd :ill everyone we $indB wh"t #ould be e"sierR Oh& "nd
then we t":e one guy@s he"d "nd deliver it to one o$ !3@s #ompetitors& "$ter $ighting our
w"y in. !he e#ho o$ !he ?od$"ther is surely not #oin#ident"l. J5ow #ould you& you
"nim"lsRK w"ils the #ompeting networ: le"der. -n one un$ortun"te g"$$e& the body lying
on the ground seems int"#t& even though we h"ve presum"bly de#"pit"ted it.
-n these missions& we see some st"nd"rd "#tions& pun#hed up with the in#lusion o$ "
surprising 1ile& *ilver& "nd im"gin"tive spee#h $rom the prin#ip"l "nd the hired help.
!hey@re enCoy"ble. And "$ter ,e"ver@s unrelenting insults "nd put+downs& it w"s "
ple"sure to get some pr"ise& however insin#ere it might h"ve beenR
The ,eaver
241
Lo#"tion: *outh V"uton G7owntownI
!he ,e"ver h"s business de"lings with the *e"mstress& o$ #ourse& "nd we should
epe#t *#"rlett to $igure in this "s wellR !he gentle& "estheti# ,e"ver st"rts o$$ strong:
J*ug"ree& huhH 3ever he"rd o$ you. And to be honest& - don@t li:e wh"t - see. - me"n&
loo: "t those #he"p :no#:o$$ #lothesP.but - guess you will h"ve to doK.
As i$R One loo: "t her g"udy& g"u#he& over+#olored out$it would m":e "nyone st"rt
"s:ing why the pot w"s #"lling the :ettle bl"#:. 9ut - persevered $or the s":e o$ you&
de"r re"der.
:9 ,arp and ,eft
!he *e"mstress will buy some spe#i"l $"bri# $rom her& but she needs sil: $rom !he
.othm"n. And he in turn needs some g"ng members snu$$ed. ?ot th"tH !he "tt"#:
site is " #onvenient stone@s throw $rom her street #orner& but the *leepers "re not your
"ver"ge sleepersB they@re w"y tough. At the end !he ,e"ver sighs& J-t t":es s#um to
de"l with s#um& - guessK& but #on#ludes JCome b"#: soonR - #"n "lw"ys use good d"y
l"bor.K !h"n:sR - thin:.
89 $anger )oo"s
!he ,e"ver needs " #riti#"l pie#e o$ #ode $or " Loom upgr"de she h"s in mind& but
does not w"nt to p"y the 'he"s"nt G" lo#"l smugglerI $or it. Nou #"n see where this is
going& -@m sureR !wo tough $ights "nd " )ui#: uplo"d l"ter& she w"rmly th"n:s you&
J*eeH !h"t w"sn@t so h"rd& w"s itH ."ybe net time you #"n show " little more
initi"tiveK. ,hy do - even botherH
;9 To Rose with )ove
-n this short mish& you pi#: up sil: $rom " bluepill t"s:ed with holding it $or ,e"ve.
5owever& the bluepill dies "nd you h"ve to go visit his bro:enhe"rted wi$e. ,e"ver& "s
"lw"ys& is " $ount"in o$ symp"thy $or the lost "nd struggling: J- wonder wh"t you were
li:e "s " bluepillH - #"n@t even im"gine where you@d st"rt in order to rise to your #urrent
level o$ in#ompeten#e.K And this $or " su##ess$ul missionR
<9 .huttle Mission
242
!he sil: $rom l"st mish h"s not been turning out "s pl"nned& "nd ,e"ve w"nts you to
t":e " s"mple $or "n"lysis to $ind out why. -t turns out she h"s m"de " Jnovi#eK
mist":e& "nd you need some #ode to re#ti$y things. !his brings you into #on$li#t with the
"re"@s %unners g"ng& who h"ve "n unepl"ined interest in the #ode. ,itty oper"tor
#omments.
>9 $evil in the $etails
,e"ver now w"nts retribution "g"inst the *e"mstress $or #"n#eling "n orderR !"l:
"bout vindi#tiveR !his st"rts with wiping out " s"$e house $or her& "nd then going to
"nother *e"mstress $"#ility to drop o$$ " virus "nd wipe out her server. *he "ppre#i"tes
your wor:: J,ell& it seems th"t when mindless :illing is #"lled $or& you@re the person to
t"l: to.K
,hen this is done& the ,e"ver h"s lost her p"tien#e with you& "nd gives you " Jtrin:etK
"nd dumps you un#eremoniously. JAuite $r"n:ly& you@re " li"bilityK. 6or my ;0th level
#h"r"#ter& this w"s some enh"n#ed gloves& suit"ble $or " level /= #h"r"#ter. 9ut it w"s
the thought th"t #ounts& - guess. As i$R
Thallia
Lo#"tion: ."gog G%i#hl"ndI
:9 !alculated Risk
!he #l"ssi# mil:+run $irst missionR 'i#: up "nd drop o$$ " p"#:"ge. *he spe":s with
"uthority "nd $orm"lity: J!here should be no #ompli#"tion& but should they "rise you will
be re)uired to de"l with them. 7o we h"ve "n underst"ndingHK. *he w"s not opening
to me "t "ll yet. !he initi"l pi#:+up is smooth Gthough !h"lli" nonetheless intervenes to
tell you J!ry not to w"ste "ny timeKIB but things be#ome #ompli#"ted "t the drop+o$$&
where your #ont"#t lies de"dR A$ter you h"ve :illed everyone there& !h"lli" seems
positively smug: J?ood. - suspe#ted .er#ury w"s moving "g"inst me& but this #on$irms
it. 7on@t worry "bout the p"#:"ge& it w"s only b"it. Nou@ve proven to be very
depend"ble.K - thin: th"t@s good news.
89 Applying &ressure
243
JAhh& *ug"ree& your timing isn@t "w$ul.K ,ith this #rypti# greeting& the .er#ury "r#
#ontinues. -n order to provo:e him to "n impetuous e"rly implement"tion o$ his pl"ns&
she t"s:s you with "tt"#:ing two o$ his l"bs "nd wiping out their st"$$ "nd d"t". ,ell&
not #ompletely outB she w"nts you to le"ve " single survivor "t e"#h lo#"tion& so the
word gets b"#: to .er#ury. Li:e " #"lling #"rd.
!his is " str"ight$orw"rd :i#:+down+the+doors& shoot+up+the+t"rgets mission. 9ut you
must be #"re$ul not to :ill TeveryTone. *ever"l times when doing this with #l"nm"tes&
my p"rtners got #"rried "w"y "nd $orgot this. - h"d the ple"sure o$ telling !h"lli" we
h"d s#rewed up. -t w"s not " h"ppy time. !h"lli"@s "ggressive m"nipul"tion delighted
me. 9e$ore - h"d le$t the building& - he"rd $rom her: J'er$e#t. .er#ury h"s "lre"dy
#ont"#ted me with thre"ts o$ ret"li"tionP.*ometimes& this is Cust too e"sy.K
;9 oiling &oint
,hen .er#ury@s $or#es "tt"#: !h"lli"@s& you move in $rom behind $or " surprise
#ounter"tt"#:. J(ill them "ll. *p"re no one&K "dvises my Oper"tor. 7on@t h"ve to s"y
th"t twi#eR Nou sl"y "t two sites& s#ore " d"t" C7 whi#h .er#ury@s men h"ve been
"$ter& "nd then drop it o$$. !h"lli" is #le"rly impressed. JNou@re more use$ul th"n you
loo:& *ug"ree. - might h"ve somePsensitive wor: $or you in the $uture.K Along the w"y
we he"r this memor"ble line $rom !h"lli": J.er#ury #ouldn@t s#heme his w"y out o$ "
wet p"per b"gK. ,ow& th"t w"s h"rsh. -@m sure she doesn@t t"l: th"t w"y "bout me
when -@m not "roundP.
<9 An Offer They !anHt Refuse
J*ug"ree& you h"ven@t m"n"ged to get yoursel$ :illedPyetK. !h"t@s !h"lli"@s w"y o$
s"ying she is delirious to see me. !his time& three in$orm"nts need persu"ding. !he
$irst one is " $ormer employee o$ 9eryl. A$ter - get into her super+lo#:ed room with "
sp"re :ey& she reve"ls th"t 9eryl h"s " n"sty h"bit& with one o$ Argon@s men being her
m"in #ont"#t. 5mm... ?irl *#out thin mintsH
!he se#ond one #omes o$$ "s " tough #oo:ie& to be sure. 5e swe"rs not to #ooper"te&
"nd then orders his *e"rs %ent+A+%*- simul"#rum to "tt"#: me while he w"t#hes "nd
sneers. A$ter - tr"sh it& he #h"nges his tune. ,e dis#over th"t %"ini is "w"re o$ 9eryl@s
n"r#oti#s h"bit& "nd w"nts the s"me thing. !his only #on$irmed my low opinion o$ %"ini&
who devoted "n entire mission to getting drugs.
Al"s& the third one dies be$ore you #"n re"#h himB someone h"s t":en "n interest in
!h"lli"@s interest. !his #uriosity is not pursued.
>9 $igging $eeper
!h"lli" is endlessly in)uisitive& "nd $in"lly t"s:s you with #"pturing "n in$orm"nt to $ind
out more "bout 9eryl "nd %"ini. !he t"rget h"s surrounded hersel$ with lupine
mer#en"ries& "nd you must $ight your w"y p"st them to get her& #olle#t "ny dis:s she
h"s& "nd deliver them "ll. ,ell& this sounded simple& but - w"s soon introdu#ed the
h"rd w"y to "n "bility #"lled Jb"#:$istK. !his dished out 8;;; G/8// "bsorbedI d"m"ge
to meR -n one shotR NowR - don@t :now who h"s this& but - w"nt itR
244
*o& "nyw"y& - $in"lly es#orted the relu#t"nt in$orm"nt p"st sever"l dozen 9l"#:woods&
who "ll seemed to be in " good mood& Q#uz none o$ them $elt li:e "tt"#:ing us. ,h"t "
mir"#leR As - le$t the drop+o$$& - #ould he"r the wom"n w"iling behind me& JAre you Cust
going to le"ve me here with himH Nou #"n@t do th"tRK Counting my h"rd+e"rned #"sh& -
thought& - sure #"n& honey. !h"lli"@s l"st #"ll to me w"s sheer delight: she #ooed& JOh&
this is pri#eless. 9eryl "nd %"ini won@t :now wh"t hit them. Nou per$ormed "dmir"bly&
*ug"ree& - will #ert"inly re)uire your servi#es in the $uture.K !h"t@s wh"t they "ll s"yR
The $igger
Lo#"tion: 7"nn"h 5eights G%i#hl"ndI
5e believes in p"st iter"tions o$ the ."tri& "nd see:s to better underst"nd them.
!here@s no b"#:story deeper th"n thisR One might thin: th"t the m"#hines would be the
best sour#e o$ in$orm"tion $or him& but "s "n 1ile& he #"nnot #om$ort"bly "ppro"#h
them& it "ppe"rs. *o he see:s everything through indire#tion& re)uiring your "id. - :ind
o$ li:ed him. 9ut "s " person& not "s " mission #ont"#t.
:9 .ite of Interest
A ne"rby building h"s some "re"s whi#h he wishes to rese"r#h& "bout " previous
iter"tion o$ the ."tri. !he thing is& some in#onvenient 1iles "re h"nging out thereB he
needs me to persu"de them to move. !his is surprisingly e"sy& sin#e the 1iles in
)uestion "re in two sep"r"te lo#"tions& "nd do not te"m up. 5owever& it $elt un$ortun"te
to me th"t there w"s no e"sier w"y to $ree up the sp"#e $or rese"r#h G"nd it w"s " third
"nd $ourth $loor "p"rtment& so it@s not li:e he needed to "#tu"lly& you& TdigT or "nythingI
some other w"y th"n :illing everyone there. *urely the lo#"l #rime lords #ould h"ve
been eng"ged to persu"de them to le"ve. Or m"ybe they #ould h"ve been p"id o$$H
.ust everything #ome down to gunsH
89 &assing =otes
5e w"nts to p"ss his rese"r#h notes on to 5yp"ti" in e#h"nge $or "##ess to some o$
her boo:s. !hree elite gu"rds "ss"ult you "t the drop+o$$ thoughB they h"ve :illed
5yp"ti"@s represent"tive. J*ug"ree@s here& Cust li:e he s"id&K one shoutsB we "re le$t
wondering who JheK is. 9ut the net stop is " su##ess$ul drop o$$. !he 7igger gets his
boo:s "##ess& "nd you get " p"t on the b"#:: J?ood wor:& :id. - #"n :eep going with
245
my rese"r#h& now -@ve got 5yp"ti"@s boo:s.K
9y the w"y& - enCoyed seeing some win+win b"rter here. <su"lly 1iles :ill everything in
their w"y to get wh"t they w"nt Gi.e.& the $irst missionI. - li:ed seeing someone " little
more #re"tive.
;9 .afer -round
!":e his most v"lu"ble "rti$"#t& " st"tue& to !he Colle#tor to prote#t it $rom the
"v"ri#ious Argon. - re#eived " note $rom my Oper"tor "bout " $ight with some o$
Argon@s men& but it never "#tu"lly h"ppened. 3ot th"t - "m #ompl"ining mind you. !he
suspi#ious soul in me wondered i$ this w"s " ploy me"nt to $lush out the 7igger@s best
stu$$ to bring it to the Colle#torP - me"n& it h"ppened in " *herlo#: 5olmes story on#e.
Over"ll& " )uite simple& str"ight$orw"rd mission. 3ot li:e The Maltese /alcon& -ndi"n"
Jones or -odsG -ravesG and .cholars "t "llR 'erh"ps more simple th"n su#h " :ey
item might h"ve been w"rr"nted.
<9 &lug the )eak
Nou might thin: th"t the 7igger is too "r#"ne& "nd too ivory+towerish to h"ve "n
org"niz"tion. 9ut you would be wrong. 5e does& "nd it #omes #omplete with turn#o"ts&
one o$ whom you Jsnu$$K in this mission. !his w"s the one who set me up in the l"st
mish& so it w"s person"l. As " story this mish w"s le":. 9"si#"lly& - tr"veled to "
lo#"tion to :ill someone "nd his gu"rds. !here w"s no sense o$ why this person h"d
betr"yed& or wh"t his go"ls& rew"rds& "nd motiv"tion were. As - w"s $ighting his l"st
gu"rd& he #ould h"ve been going on "bout how he w"s going to get revenge $in"lly&
et#. .u#h more #ould h"ve been done with this. -t too: " dis: $rom him to "n "sso#i"te
o$ the 7igger@s "nd - w"s done. A$ter - g"ve them to her& she :ept "s:ing i$ - h"d them.
Curiously& the dis: to be t":en $or s"$e:eeping went to " building right net to his
h"ngoutR
>9 A !ollectorHs !ollection
,ord o$ mouth rulesR !he 7igger h"s mentioned me to *irius& who w"nts to meet me
person"lly be$ore giving me "n "ssignment. !his involves res#uing one o$ *irius@
people who h"s been t":en by the *#ulptress& whose interest in these guys #"n be
im"gined. Very tough $ight here with no less th"n eight enemies GRI who "tt"#: you en
m"sse. J3i#e Cob& :id. *irius w"s re"lly impressed with your wor:K. !he 7igger himsel$&
though& seemed to h"ve run out o$ "ssignments $or me.
246
Mr9 &o
Lo#"tion: (owloon G-ntern"tion"lI
:9 .hadow &lay
0An in2uisitive ouse *inds an- orsels the *urther a*ield he loo(s. I a an old and
hun%r- ouse. $o to these addresses and search their coputers *or tast- bits.1
*o st"rts this most e#eption"l mission. -t h"s three p"rts& e"#h building on the one
pre#eding& whi#h open your eyes to m"ny " he"rt lost in the ."tri. 7o them soonR
&art :9 Nou #"su"lly peruse three #omputers in "n 1iles servi#e "gen#y. Nou dis#over
" distr"ught redpill in te"rs "s he tries to de#ide whether or not to return to his old li$e to
visit the wom"n he le$t behind. ?o& - told him& she would w"nt you to. - gl"n#ed "t the
#omputer s#reen "nd s"w her on " bed with " s#r"pboo: o$ news stories "bout "
missing m"n "nd the poli#e se"r#h $or him. As - stood there& $eeling $or her "nd $or him&
the 1ile& " superb s"lesm"n& sidled up to me "nd s"id in " so$t voi#e JAre you sure
there isn@t someone you@d li:e to seeH .otherH 6"therH A #hild perh"psH A lost loverHK
- thought o$ my p"rents "nd $"mily& "nd how - h"d le$t them with no w"rning. ,h"t h"d
- been thin:ing& to do this to themH 5e "s:ed me "g"in& "nd - )ui#:ly le$t. 3o& "#tu"lly -
$led.
!he net two #omputers there h"d more in$orm"tion "bout this. 9ut nothing dr"m"ti#.
.r. 'o@s t":e on this surprised me: JNothin% so li%htens the heart as )hen a *ool
a)a(ens *ro his *oll-. Still' ore ust be revealed. Continue -our searchK. Oddly
enough& #ontinuing my se"r#h too: me right b"#: to .r. 'o@s building.
&art 89 !here - $ound " ."#hines o$$i#e where they h"ve been monitoring these
servi#es& "pp"rently trying to run sweeps $or indi#"tions o$ regret in the popul"tion.
!his le"ds my sponsor to intone JThat )hich is hidden can never (no) the li%ht. That
)hich lives in the li%ht )ill never (no) peace. The search continues.K Nes& ."ster.
&art ;9 - met " :indred spirit. -n "n "b"ndoned redpill etr"#tion #enter& C"pt"in ,"s"t
"nd "n "ide m"int"in " lonely vigil. %e"ding his Courn"ls shows the bitterness he $eels
"bout his d"ughter& le$t unre#ruited in the pods. Another #omputer shows re#ords o$
multiple remitt"n#es $rom him to the 1ile "gen#y in '"rt /. - tried h"#:ing his #omputer
to "#tu"lly get the $iles Gbr"shly& while he w"s st"nding net to meI "nd though -
su##eeded& he did nothing "nd - $ound nothing. - #ould tell he did not #"re wh"t "nyone
247
did. - le$t him "s - $ound him& w"iting $or some un:nown rele"se.
- $elt sh":en by "ll this& "nd le$t (owloon to see: the re"ssur"n#e o$ my #l"n. As - stood
"t the h"rdline& - he"rd .r. 'o intone J3isdo li%hts the path and Stren%th )al(s itK.
'erh"ps this me"ns the Cypherites :now o$ these servi#esPor run themP
89 Incubation
,e plunge $rom the sublime in .ish / to the pro$"ne in .ish 2& "n insu$$er"ble es#ort
mish whi#h too: multiple tries to get right. - st"rted to worry "s soon "s - he"rd .r. 'o@s
suggestive dire#tions: JOne rabbit alone is a eal *or an observant ha)(. Man- rabbits
(eep the ha)( sated and still there are ore rabbits. Retrieve the rabbit at this
addressK. - $elt my e"rs growing.
As soon "s you #ont"#t the bluepill in )uestion& you "re "tt"#:ed. As soon "s you le"ve
the elev"tor& you "re "tt"#:ed. As soon "s you le"ve the building& you "re "tt"#:ed. As
you p"ss within " lightye"r o$ "ny mob on the w"y to the destin"tion& you "re "tt"#:ed.
A single str"y shot or ri#o#het or h"rsh word inst"ntly :ills the bluepill& "nd you get to
st"rt over. Any )uestionsH
- tried le"ving the bluepill in the elev"tor while - #le"ned out the lobby. !hen le"ving her
in the lobby while - #le"red the w"y to the destin"tion. 9y the time - h"d re"#hed the
destin"tion "nd :illed the mobs& the ones b"#: "t the st"rting point h"d regener"ted. -
tried tu#:ing her in buildings "long the w"y while - re+#le"ned the route& "nd mobs
inside the building :illed her. 6in"lly - g"ve up in disgust& "nd "s:ed some $riends to
help me. !his wor:ed be"uti$ully& "nd soon - w"s re"ding .r. 'o@s words& JThe path to
enli%htenent be%ins )ith a sin%le step. The purpose o* the rabbit )ill becoe clear to
-ou in tie.K And perh"ps his observ"tion "bout " multitude o$ r"bbits w"s " hint "bout
the right w"y to "ppro"#h this perverse mission.
;9 Isolation
0A lone bird in a nest o* vipers is surel- dead. A bro(en nest o**ers an opportunit- *or
escape.1
*o begins this very well+#onstru#ted "nd very ingenious story. -t st"rts out simple:
res#ue " redpill "nd return him to Eion. 9ut when you do& they try to :ill himR -t turns out
th"t there@s some Jmisunderst"ndingK "nd one Eionist #"pt"in holds this guy
responsible $or the de"th o$ his wi$e. *o& his bridges burned with Eion& he de#ides to
Coin .r. 'o@s org"niz"tion& "nd you drop him o$$ with some o$ .r. 'o@s oper"tives. !hey
"re not surprised "t "ll. *omehow& they observe& things "lw"ys seem to wor: out Cust
right $or .r. 'o "nd his pl"ns. - w"s pondering this "s .r. 'o p"id us "ll o$$ "nd
observed& Jopportunit- is ade' not *oundK. ,h"t wise words they "re.
<9 )eaders of Men
0As a diseased *in%er ust be struc( o**' so ust a toxin be rid *ro the bod-.1
248
A$ter the intri#"#ies o$ the e"rlier missions& now .r. 'o e"ses up. A tr"itor must be
brew:oed& "nd th"t@s it. !he $irst lo#"tion is empty& but the se#ond one yields the
prin#ip"l. !he tr"itor is disgruntled be#"use .r. 'o :eeps him on su#h " tight le"shB he
#"nnot str"y more th"n " short dist"n#e $rom " h"rdw"re tether. -t w"s h"rd to bl"me
him& but - $ul$illed my mission nonetheless. A$ter "ll& "s .r. 'o reminds me "t the end&
Jpain is a part o* li*eK. .r. 'o& it seems& moonlights "s " C*%P.
>9 =ew $awn /ades
0A lab has %one astra- and a %ood shepherd (no)s to brin% it bac( to the *loc(1
A Eionist oper"tive w"nts to swit#h& "nd we must "ssist him. 6irst - helped him get to "
h"rdline G" v"stly e"sier es#ort mish th"t ]2& by the w"yI. !hen we help him in the
7esert o$ the %e"l. !his involved Jthat )hich all en *earK& whi#h turned out not to be&
umm& wh"t - thought it would be. - purloined " virus Gne"t test tube gr"phi#I& uplo"ded it
to in#"p"#it"te the de$e#tor@s old hover#r"$t #rew& w"t#hed them $"ll li:e le"ves& "nd
le$t. 3ote: do not eng"ge the EionistsB Cust go str"ight to the #omputer "nd uplo"d the
virus. !his permitted "nother hover#r"$t to do#: with them "nd t":e "bo"rd the
de$e#tor. ,ho :nows wh"t else they might h"ve $elt li:e doingH Operett" h"s been
involved in this in some #"p"#ityB she seems to be "t odds with .r. 'o.
At the end o$ this $"s#in"ting mission& .r. 'o nods "t you "nd s"ys with )uiet strength&
J4ust so. 3e are )holeK. And th"t is the end. 5ow ironi# th"t "t this inst"nt my
#onne#tion with him bro:e& "nd $orever "$ter when - "s:ed him $or " mish& he bl"ndly
s"id he h"d no more wor: $or me.
The =ewsie
Lo#"tion: '"r: 1"st G7owntownI
:9 .coop
A #ompetitor h"s some $iles& "nd he w"nts me to ste"l them. G- went to #ollege $or
thisHI .y oper"tor s"id - should be "ble to sne": in "nd out& "nd this str"tegy wor:ed
$ine until - r"n into my $irst gu"rd. !h"t is to s"y& it didn@t wor: "t "ll. One bluepill
stopped to tell me - h"d pretty eyes& "nd "s - stopped to s#reenshot this& - died.
App"rently this w"s " str"tegy $or distr"#tion& "nd it wor:ed. !he net time - w"s "ble
to run in& dodge bullets& "void #omb"t& "nd $il#h the $ile. !he #urrent owner o$ the
in$orm"tion w"s " noisy& pi#:y Cer:& li:e the news editor in *piderm"n& blowing up when
249
someone $orgets to put #re"m in his #o$$ee.
-n the end you drop o$$ the $ile "t the 3ewsie@s editori"l o$$i#es where his $ol:s "re
thrilled& "s is their boss& who e#l"ims& J3i#e Cob& *ug"reeR Come see me l"terP- #"n
use someone with moie li:e youRK
89 *nhealthy !o"petition
A$ter #on$essing th"t he h"s t":en " shine to you& he w"nts you to :ill " riv"l& 'rior. -t@s
" #urious l"pse o$ pro$ession"lism& to s"y the le"stR -t seems someone h"s been
#utting into his regul"r s"les. ,hen - "rrive "t the he"vily de$ended site& one lieuten"nt
$lun:y #rows "bout Jyou "re so de"dK until - smo:ed the gu"rds. !hen he begs you not
to hurt him& "nd t":es you right to 'rior. !hen he blurts out to 'rior J-@m sorry. *ug"ree
m"de me do itR - w"s Cust so s#"redRK. 5is boss w"s not impressed. O$ #ourse when the
$ighting is over& he is nowhere to be seen. 3i#e det"ilsR
;9 #o"e $elivery
Li:e most newsp"pers& the 3ewsie@s h"s spe#i"lized editions $or di$$erent t"rget
re"ders. One su#h spe#i"l edition goes to 7"me ,hite& who enCoys re"ding its news
Jth"t@s not& "h& gener"lly "v"il"bleK. !he 3ewsie li:es her& #"lling her J" re"l #l"ssy
bro"dK& "nd bidding you to m":e h"ste with her newsp"per: J.ove $"st "nd she might
even give you " ni#e big tipRK. Oh& the ironyR 5ere - "m& " ship@s C"pt"in "nd " member
o$ my #l"n@s Coun#il& "nd - "m redu#ed to delivering newsp"persR 9ut - "m never one
to turn down " #h"n#e $or $"#e time with " m"Cor 1ile& so o$$ - wentR
-t turns out th"t the 5ellions "re m":ing " m"Cor move "g"inst 7"me ,hite. And "midst
"ll this #h"os& the 3ewsie still w"nts the p"per deliveredR - $elt li:e (evin Costner in !he
'ostm"nR 5owever& - too: the liberty o$ s"ving 7"me ,hite $irst& s#oring big points with
her. - :now she@ll be re"lly ni#e to me when - get to her during the '"ndor"@s 9o
mishes.
<9 To The .ource
!he 3ewsie is " #urious "m"lg"m o$ pro$ession"lism "nd $"n"ti#ism. A$ter going the
etr" mile in the l"st mish to ple"se " #ustomer& now he is "s:ing us to not Cust :ill "
#ompetitor& but :ill " Tsour#eT $or " riv"l newsp"perR ,here will this endH 9urning the
$orests his #ompetitors use $or wood pulpH *hooting his riv"l@s #ustomersH 9lowing up
the tru#:s his #ompetitors use to ship newsp"persH
-n $"#t& this mish is surprisingly e"sy& whi#h is " letdown. Just t"l: to enough people
until one gives you something& "nd inst"ntly your mission obCe#tives tell you who to :ill.
(ind o$ " dis"ppointment. !his w"s b"si#"lly " mystery& "nd it w"sn@t very di$$i#ult. -n
$"#t& this w"s the e"siest 3ewsie mish by $"rR
>9 If It leedsG It )eads
-$ there@s not enough news& you Cust h"ve to m":e your own. And :illing bluepills
250
doesn@t get he"dlines& where"s :illing power$ul progr"ms does. Nou #"n see where this
le"dsP !wo very tough $ights here& "nd it@s h"rd to get emotion"lly involved in this
mere :illing $or "ttention. 9y the third murder you@re "s:ed to #ommit& wiping out ,hite
*e#urity GRI& word h"s gotten out "nd you h"ve to "dCust your pl"ns. Just loo: "t the
mission m"p $or their "re"s when you "rriveR !he irony is th"t he st"nds on " #orner
surrounded by ,hite *e#urity& "nd now he w"nts to w"ste them "llR !he 3ewsie
re"lizes his pl"n is not vi"ble $or the long term& "nd bids you $"rewell. At the end he did
send me "n enh"n#ed suit C"#:et "s " going "w"y present& whi#h w"s ni#e. 9ut his
un#ons#ion"ble #"llousness le$t " b"d t"ste in my mouth.
=icky -9
Lo#"tion: 5"mpton ?reen G7owntownI
:9 &aper Trail 6or was that L&aper TrialMN7
J!here@s " pie#e o$ p"per - need very mu#h. -t@s " p"ge $rom " boo:.K ,ell& - thought& it
doesn@t get mu#h more trivi"l th"n this. - sighed "nd too: it "nyw"y. And w"s -
surprised. %e"der& - died& "nd not Cust on#e. 5owever& " $ew 7ev"st"tion 6ields l"ter -
w"s in "nd h"d the do#ument. Oddly& - noti#ed Agents "nd 9lood 7run:s on the s"me
$or#e& whi#h - do not thin: - h"d noti#ed be$ore. Over"ll& " simple mish with " single
obCe#t "t " single lo#"tion& le"ving me wishing there h"d been more depth: some sense
o$ wh"t w"s on the p"ge& why it h"d been sep"r"ted $rom the boo:& who h"d written it&
why 3i#:y w"nted it& et#.
89 lue ook
3i#:y #r"ves " boo: owned by .r. 9l"#: Gthis sounds li:e 5yp"ti"RI. 6irst bre": into "n
o$$i#e to s"bot"ge " se#urity $eed going to .r. 9l"#:. ,hile loo:ing $or 3i#:y& -
h"ppened to interrupt " Eionist p"rty with the 6in:?othi#s "nd their h"ngers+on. *orry&
guysR -t w"s $or " good #"useR Anyw"y& the $irst step is to dis"ble .r. 9l"#:@s se#urity
$eeds with " virus. !hen get the boo:. 6in"lly& - too: it to " spe#i"list to vet its
"uthenti#ity. !he volume seems to be )uite the hot pot"toB your oper"tor s"ys to get rid
o$ it be$ore it is tr"#ed to you. !he epert w"nts you to le"ve be$ore you "re tr"#ed to
him. -t@s )uite " p"r"noid world th"t the subdued& intense 3i#:y ?. inh"bits.
;9 etray an %xile !ode $ealer
251
!he boo: - stole w"s e"#tly wh"t she w"nted& but it needs " sign"ture m"nipul"tor to
unlo#: it Gd"mn 7%.RI. 3"tur"lly& the 1ile who h"s it G"nd who $irst sold the boo: to
.r. 9l"#:I epe#ts " gre"t de"l $or it. 9ut 3i#:y h"s J"n "ltern"te pl"n. (ill him "nd
t":e itK. !he #ourse o$ this mission is predi#t"ble. !he interest& p"rt $rom 3i#:y@s
disturbing #"llousness& #omes $rom the 1ile "nd his #olle"gues& one o$ whom #ries
out J5e w"s my brotherRK. !hings went :ind o$ downhill "$ter th"t.
9ut 3i#:y $elt upbe"t "bout everything. JVery very good& *ug"ree. Nou might be one o$
my most e$$e#tive $reel"n#ers.K As i$ there were "ny doubtR
<9 )eaves
!his seems inevit"ble: 3i#:y h"s re"#hed out to supreme bibliophile 5yp"ti"& who@s
"greed to give her " $ew p"ges missing $rom the 9lue 9oo:. *omeone $"iled to :eep "
se#ret& though& "nd the meeting lo#"tion is C"m+p"#:ed with .r. 9l"#:@s $ol:s. O$
#ourse they didn@t "##ept my story "bout selling ?irl *#out #oo:ies "nd tried to :ill me.
5yp"ti"& being no dummy& blew o$$ the meeting. !ot"l "##omplishment: zero.
>9 ound for .uccess
*in#e l"st time& 5yp"ti"@s got #old $eet& "nd now we h"ve to ste"l $rom her. A$ter :illing
everyone in the $irst o$$i#e& you dis#over the p"ges "re not thereR !he se#ond lo#"tion
is more $ruit$ul& "nd then you simply drop them o$$ with " #ut+out. As - got in the
elev"tor& $eeling b"d "bout #rossing 5yp"ti"& - got " #"ll $rom 3i#:y: JNou truly "re
"m"zing& *ug"ree. - thin: -@m going to #url up with th"t boo: $or " ni#e& long re"d. -@m
"$r"id - won@t h"ve "ny more wor: $or you $or the time being.K And th"t w"s it. !he
$"lling snow outside $elt soothing "nd #le"nsingB - stood in it #"t#hing snow$l":es on my
tongue.
The )andlord
Lo#"tion: Creston 5eights G7owntownI
:9 The $eed
1ven the L"ndlord must bow to the lord o$ the l"nd. 5e needs " building permit $rom
the .erovingi"n "nd t"s:s you with p"ying $or itB n"tur"lly he would never do this
himsel$. Other 1iles o$ #ourse seem to h"ve "n interest in this& "nd you dis#over th"t
the deed #ustodi"n is held host"ge by them. !hese $ights were tough indeed. !he
252
enemies h"d good A-& "nd :ept moving "round so you #ould never #ount on them
being somepl"#e& w"iting $or you to 7ev"st"tion 6ield them.
Oddly enough& the Custodi"n still dem"nds p"yment $or the deed& despite your res#ue.
!h"t@s gr"titude $or youR
89 The $irty $eed
!he only thing better th"n su##ess $or yoursel$ is ruining the e$$orts o$ your riv"ls. And
th"t@s wh"t you do here. !here@s nothing person"l& but the L"ndlord w"nts you to& you
:now& distr"#t one o$ his #ompetitors by :illing o$$ his st"$$ "nd s"bot"ging his #omputer
systems. ,ow& th"t@s tough loveR - don@t thin: even *teven 9"lmer would go this $"rR
3ot"ble $e"tures o$ this mission in#lude dubious $"shion #hoi#es $or the 1ile@s st"$$
G#ool out$its in#luding #he$ h"tsRI "nd one o$ the 1iles #rying out J*ug"reeR -t@s youR
,ow& -@ve never h"d the #h"n#e to :ill " $"mous personRK Al"s his dre"m #"me true
more th"n on#e.
At the end& the L"ndlord #hortles& J3i#ely done. -t@s "lw"ys better to stop the
#ompetition e"rly.K
;9 0ust a !ouple of Things
6or one o$ his proCe#ts& the L"ndlord needs some spe#i"list p"rts. -n p"rti#ul"r& he
w"nts
" J#ode dest"bilizerK "nd "n J"syn#hronous bu$$er loopK Gsounded li:e *t"r !re:
te#hnob"bble to meRI& "nd he t"s:s you with getting them. Al"s& only the ."#hines
h"ve "##ess to r"re items li:e this& "nd you must bre": into their well+st"$$ed "nd well+
prote#ted storehouses to get them.
6or me& " ."#hinist& this w"s " very h"rd mission. - #ould only hope th"t Agent ?rey
:new "nd understood "nd $org"ve.
!he other thing th"t m"de this very h"rd w"s the de$enseR 3e"rly " dozen Agents "nd
their $riends& "ll north o$ ;0R 3"tur"lly the "re"s #ont"ining the "##ess #omputers "nd
the "#tu"l loot were e#eption"lly well+st"$$ed. !he se#ret here w"s dis#overed by
9rightAngel& who seemed to be on " $irst+n"me b"sis with m"ny o$ the "gents there.
*he did not l"y " $inger on them. *he r"n in& dodged $ire& got the ge"r& "nd r"n out. 5er
subtle "ppro"#h m"de this " sn"p. -$ you pl"n on $ighting your w"y through& set "side
"n "$ternoon. - #"nnot emph"size this enoughR
!he L"ndlord is smug "t the end. J?ood Cob. !hese "re per$e#t $or my needsK. -@m still
not sure Cust wh"t the two devi#es do.
<9 OhG I Al"ost /orgot
Just li:e me& "$ter the L"ndlord does some shopping he re"lizes he $orgot something
"nd
h"s to go b"#: to the m"ll. !his time he needs " JJungi"n CompilerK "nd " bundle o$
253
J#erebr"l dish"rmonizersK. - thin: the $ormer is $or re#"l#itr"nt interrogees Gli:e !hom"s
AndersonI "nd the se#ond is $or we":ening enemies.
Just when - w"s ge"ring up $or "nother epi# b"ttle& 9rightAngel r"n in& sn"t#hed the
items $rom " s"$e& "nd r"n outR And th"t w"s itR 1verything is "t " single lo#"tionR 3o
one h"s to even be :illedR -n $"#t& this monster mish turned out to be sn"p& #r"#:le& "nd
popR 3ot th"t - w"s dis"ppointed& mind you.
>9 ,indow $ressing
!he L"ndlord h"s " new #onstru#t "ll doneR -t@s re"dy to go& needing only the "ttention
o$ "n interior de#or"tor& who un$ortun"tely h"s been :idn"pped. !he L"ndlord w"nts to
get his #onsult"nt b"#:& "nd he w"nts to send " mess"ge to would+be troublem":ers:
:ill everyone. 1#ept the de#or"tor& th"t is. !here@s )uite the #rowd o$ 9lood 3obles
"nd ri$$r"$$& "s well "s " blowh"rd n"med Arlon G" #ompetitor o$ the L"ndlordI who
#rows "bout putting you downB it w"s s"tis$ying to sm"sh him. !he inevit"ble es#ort
mission "t the end worried me gre"tly. 9ut it w"s simple. 3o "tt"#:s $rom lobby gu"rds
or m"r"uding .ervs or lo#"l mobs. *ometimes it@s wonder$ul when no one seems to
#"re. And "t the end we h"ve " #h"n#e to listen to the L"ndlord p"t himsel$ on the
b"#:. ,h"t " tre"tR
The ag )ady
Lo#"tion: .ori"h 'roCe#ts G%i#hl"ndI
:9 Odd aubles
,e le"rn th"t odd d"t" p"#:ets h"ve been dis#overed $lo"ting "round the ."tri& "nd
the dour !i#: !o#: $rom downtown seems to h"ve " lo#: on them. ,ell& not $or longR
!he Colle#tor #r"ves these "s well& "nd the 9"g L"dy disp"t#hes you to serve his
interests. !his involves " single entry& three $ights& two dis:s& "nd one m"in$r"me.
*imply& re"lly. !he 9"g L"dy purrs "t the end& JOooh& *ug"ree& you@re not b"d. Very
ni#eK.
89 A (illing #old
!his #ontinues the $r"g "r#. !i#: !o#: notes the bre":+in "nd the missing m"teri"ls&
"nd h"s disp"t#hed the redoubt"ble J7ownstre"mK to loo: into this. !he Colle#tor
254
w"nts to dis#our"ge these in)uiries& "nd the 9"g L"dy sends you o$$ with& JOn your
w"y& *ug"ree. !here@s :illing to be done.K -t reminds me o$ the ,e"ver& "nd how she
would "lso h"ve some s"r#"sti# observ"tion& li:e J,hen there@s mindless :illing to be
done& you seem to be the one to #"llRK 9ut - "m sure she did not me"n it th"t w"y.
!his too is str"ight$orw"rd. 9re": into " single dumpy %i#hl"nd venue& disp"t#h "
#ouple o$ gu"rds& "nd snu$$ 7ownstre"m. -n the end - #ould sense the 9"g L"dy@s
e#itement "s she whispered& J,ell& *ug"ree. Nou@ve done " good Cob. Very ni#e.K -
:new she@d give me something spe#i"l or the net oneR
;9 -ood -arbage
-n this most biz"rre mission& we $in"lly le"rn why 9"g L"dy is the right n"me $or herR
*he w"nts me to divert !i#: !o#:@s g"rb"ge to herR O.?& is this wh"t my li$e h"s #ome
toH A tr"sh hiC"#:erH \#ries\
Anyw"y& this mir"#le is "##omplished by m"in$r"ming " virus to "lter the wor:$low& "nd
redire#t the re$use. *he is thrilled: JOoooP.very ni#e& *ug"ree. Very ni#e& indeed.K -
#ould sense her e#itement. ."ybe she w"s in bed with the Ass"ssin. 6igur"tively& o$
#ourse.
Curiously the immensely entert"inment v"lue o$ this situ"tion is not eplored "t "ll. 3o
Co:es& no wit& no "$ter+"#tion reports on Cust wh"t w"s $ound in the tr"sh. !"l: "bout
missed opportunitiesR
<9 /ind a Mole
9"#: to the $r"g $r"#"s. A mole h"s been inserted in !i#: !o#:@s l"bs in s)u"lorous
%i#hl"nd& "nd needs to be etr"#ted $or " $r"g upd"te meeting. G,hy does every 1ile
h"ve su#h " high+end support me#h"nismH And how would this loo: on one@s
resumeHI !o #over the etr"#tion& we need to :ill "ll the gu"rds while the mole protests
noisilyB "$ter the l"st one& the #le"rly impressed "gent s"ys& JO:"y& now you@re Cust
showing o$$K. !hen it be#omes "nother es#ort mission. Li:e most& this is more di$$i#ult
th"t you might thin:. !he Courney is only "bout " hundred meters. !wo lo#"l thugs hung
out ne"r the t"rget building ne"rby though& "nd " single shot w"s enough to hole the
mole. 9"#: to s)u"re oneR
>9 -rab the ag
!i#: !o#: h"s #ome "#ross one o$ the $r"gs& "nd the Colle#tor w"nts it. !he suite ends
"s it st"rted& with " bl"#:b"g Cob. 5ere& however& the de$enders "re tougher "nd better
org"nized. !his mish& however& h"s two lo#"tions. A$ter :illing everyone else& " single
Crossbones 9umboo w"s le$t gu"rding the m"#hine with the $r"g. - w"s so impressed -
sp"red him. 9"g L"dy "greed& "nd g"ve me #redit $or " #omplete mission "nyw"y. 5er
goodbye spiel sounded li:e she w"s t"l:ing to me: J*ometimes the tiniest& most
insigni$i#"nt obCe#ts #"n be#ome v"lu"ble.K As - st"rted to spe": humbly& thin:ing she
must me"n me& she went on to s"y& J- li:e to $ind those little obCe#ts be$ore "nyone
else. !h"n:s $or helping me $ind this& *ug"ree.K Oh& right. - s"t on " ben#h ne"r the
255
h"rdline to thin: "bout li$e.
-reene
Lo#"tion: ."nssen '"r: G,estviewI
256
257
As the se#ond oldest sibling& ?reene is intensely #ovetous o$ -ndigoFs st"tus "s eldest& "nd
the per:s "nd power th"t go with it. 5e will do "nything to get wh"t -ndigo h"s& "nd will te"r
down wh"tever he #"nFt t":e. ?reene is "w"re o$ %oseFs desire to get in good with -ndigo&
"nd h"s #onvin#ed her th"t he intends to help her "#omplish this go"l. -n re"lity& he pl"ns to
use her "s " !roC"n 5orse i$ she su##eeds in getting into -ndigoFs good gr"#es. ?reen "nd
?r"y h"ve wor:ed together "g"inst -ndigo in the p"st& but ?reene still h"tes the b"st"rd "s
mu#h "s "ny o$ the others.
:9 .pecial $elivery
An "ver"ge& run+o$+the+mill Gor should - s"y Jrun+o$+the+milleKHI #ourier mish. 7rop o$$ "
#ode p"#:et. Nour #ont"#t is "n Jembedded progr"m th"t per$orms #ounter+mor"le "s
" m"n"ger $or " #orpor"tion lo#"ted in this buildingK. ,h"tever th"t me"nsR !he
#ont"#t is high enough level to h"ve " polite "ssist"nt& J"neth Cl"r:& who "nnoun#ed
me "nd "$terw"rds s"id th"t she hoped the meeting went well. - wished - h"d h"d " red
pill to give her. 5er boss merely v"lid"ted the )u"lity o$ the d"t". At the net stop& the
re#ipient $or the p"#:et h"s " b"#:story: " $ormer prime d"t" miner $or the ."#hines.
5e observes J*eems th"t he Cust #"nnot resist " #h"n#e to go "$ter his siblings. 5ell o$
" $"mily& these people.K - love tou#hes li:e thisR !hen - rushed to uplo"d the d"t" in one
o$ ?reene@s m"in$r"mes. !here& the #ont"#t h"r"ngued me to hurry& "nd then "s soon
"s - w"s done& she s"id she would be "ble to t":e " good loo: "t the d"t" tomorrowR -s
th"t $"mili"r or wh"tH
3.9.: - did not h"ve h"#:er lo"ded $or this mish& so - w"s not "ble to get "nything $rom
the #omputers - $ound. !here might h"ve been #odes or notes $rom Cerule"n& "s we
$ind in the net mish.
89 3ou -et ,hat 3ou &ay /or
!he #ode did not live up to its billing "nd ?reene w"nts the provider& Chilton& punished.
O$ #ourse Chilton #l"ims he did not :now. A$ter the wor: w"s done - rumm"ged "round
his #omputer "nd $ound " mess"ge $rom the Jblue l"dyK Gpresum"bly Cerule"nI
w"rning him th"t trouble w"s on its w"y. - $ound th"t with %i$lem"n p"#:ed to the m"&
"nd then 5"#:er p"#:ed "s $"r "s it would go& - w"s "ble to e"sily disp"t#h my
enemies& "nd "t the s"me time h"#: "ny "v"il"ble #omputer. !his helped me& $or
e"mple& to open up lo#:ed rooms& whi#h is "lw"ys " good thing.
!he big loose end here is how Cerule"n :new - w"s on my w"y& so th"t she #ould send
" w"rning. !his would h"ve been worth " mish o$ its own& to tr"#: down "nd identi$y
258
the le":. -n the missions - did $or Cerule"n& there w"s no indi#"tion o$ "nything li:e this.
;9 *nwelco"e -uests
As p"rt o$ her m"#hin"tions& Cerule"n h"s been "m"ssing strength in ?reene@s
territory. !he limey #"nnot "bide this in$ringement& "nd sends you to wipe them out.
*impleR 3o trouble $inding them& or with "ny es#"ping. !hey@re simply h"nging out&
w"iting $or the world to end. 1ven with "ll the gun$ire& they Cust sit in sep"r"te rooms&
"nd do not #ome to e"#h other@s "id. 9"$$lingR -t m"de me wonder i$ this is where
Cerule"n sent her lesser 9oys to die& i$ their per$orm"n#e reviews were too $"r below
norm"l.
<9 ."ash and -rab
!he #on#ept here is mildly ingenious. !he $"ther o$ "ll #olors& .r. 9l"#:& h"s given
some r"re item G" tr"#:ing devi#e $rom the ."#hinists+ y"yRI to Cerule"n. ?reene t"s:s
you with bre":ing in "nd ste"ling it. ,hy& you might "s:H !he #lever ?reene h"s two
re"sons: to emb"rr"ss his sister "nd get the item. !his is $"irly str"ight$orw"rd bre":+
"nd+enter wor:. ,hen you t":e the devi#e to one o$ ?reene@s $lun:ies $or s"$e:eeping&
"n "ssist"nt tells you th"t ?reene is re"lly impressed with you. As he should beRR
>9 Triple !ross
J*ug"ree& good you see you& old $ruit.K 5e seems to be under some sort o$ stress here&
Cudging $rom his $r"#tured synt". Cerule"n "nd ?ris"ille "re te"ming up& "nd he w"nts
to disrupt this with " bomb. GC"re$ul re"ders will remember " mission o$ Cerule"n@s
involving bro:ering " tru#e with "nother g"ng.I 6irst get the eplosive $rom " bomb+
m":er who& it turns out& is very e#it"ble& not wh"t one might epe#t in su#h " line o$
wor:. J5ere& m"nR !":e " loo: "t this bombR -t@s "wesomeR One o$ the best -@ve ever
m"deRK !hen& J- never get to use the bombs& Cust on#e -@d li:e to be there when they go
o$$. 9OO.RK.
!hen go to the site& do some :illing& put the bomb on one o$ the bodies& "nd th"t@s itR
?reene@s hope is th"t the meeting will be disrupted G"t le"stI& "nd Cerule"n "nd
?ris"ille will lose trust in e"#h other. *ure& this m":es the world " better pl"#e& but i$
this is " treble+#ross& where w"s the double+#rossH
.unshine
Lo#"tion: -:ebu:uro G-ntern"tion"lI
259
1. Morning .tar
J?ood morningRK -n this #urious re#ruitment mish& *unshine "s:s you to bring in "
relu#t"nt re#ruit. !he #"ndid"te is " ."#hine progr"m t"s:ed with m"n"ging the motion
o$ some st"rs "t night Gni#e wor:& i$ you #"n get itRI. *unshine epl"ins th"t this wor: is
to be rolled into the wor: o$ "nother progr"m& rendering her super$luous. GApp"rently
the ."#hines h"ve dis#overed re+engineering.I *he s#o$$s "t this ide" when you $ind
her& "nd you h"ve to $ind eviden#e th"t she is s#heduled $or deletion be$ore she
#onsents. 9ut you eventu"lly t"l: her into " #"reer #h"nge G#re"ting "rt $or *unshine&
y"yRI& "nd "t the end *unshine whispers J-@m glowing with pride.K Li:e m"ny o$ her
missions& this $irst involved the *"i:ung *hu$$le& running b"#: "nd $orth to "nd $rom the
"re" "dC"#ent to the *"i:ung Center h"rdline. -t brought b"#: gre"t memories o$
power+leveling. ?ood timesR
89 =ight for $ay
!he !ru$$"ut title b"$$led me in this $our+err"nd mission& whi#h st"rts out with "n "ll+too+
r"re J-t@s good to see youK. *he "s:s you to #olle#t three dis:s $rom three sour#es& "nd
drop them o$$.
!he $irst one is " sn"p: you visit " nest o$ eiles& in#luding one& Aiguillon& "
#ompression sorting progr"m. *he is surrounded by 1lite ?u"rds& doing wh"t 1lite
?u"rds seldom do: "#ting re$le#tively& g"thering "nd sorting d"t". And they t":e their
wor: seriously& tooR One sn"ps "t me& J3o& -@m not " se#ret"ryR Nou thin: this is so
e"sy. Nou $ile #ode strings "ll d"mn d"y. Jer:K. Aiguillon hersel$ is more $orth#oming&
h"nding you " dis: "nd "n observ"tion& J- hope she $inds this in$o enlightening.K One
other rese"r#her g"ve me some #ode $or " tr"$$i# disruption progr"m. Just wh"t -
"lw"ys w"ntedR
!he net one did not go so well. !h"t is to s"y& he w"s de"d. 9ut - $ound the dis: in his
po#:ets. - #he#:ed out the net room& whi#h w"s "n error& sin#e " burly& swe"ty 1lite
?u"rd immedi"tely "tt"#:ed me. 3ote to sel$: le"ve well enough "loneR
!he third "nd $in"l pi#:up w"s "lso #ompli#"ted. - r"n into someone n"med C"llisto&
who loo:ed surprised "nd blurted out& J5ey& uhh& - don@t h"ve the d"te "nymore.
*omePuhPguys bro:e in "nd stole it. Ne"h. !ellPermP.oonshine th"t -@m sorryK
"nd J*o - guess we h"ve nothing to s"y to e"#h other. ,hy don@t you t":e o$$HK - don@t
:now& something Cust didn@t seem rightP *o we $ought. 5e died. - got the dis:.
260
!he $in"l h"ndo$$ w"s smooth. A .erv %"v"ger ?o$er w"s h"nging "round& w"iling
"bout how tough her Cob w"sB she w"s thrilled when - g"ve her the tr"$$i# disruption
#ode& "nd g"ve me the #ontents o$ " $ile #"binet in e#h"nge. !his turned out to be "
shotgun whi#h would h"ve emb"rr"ssed me "s " r"w bluepill. !h"n:s $or nothingR
9ut the p"y w"s good& the $ights were not too t"ing& "nd there w"sn@t mu#h he"vy
li$ting or tr"vel. And there were some interesting person"lities to meet "s wellR
*o wh"t@s not to li:eH Loose ends were "nnoying. ,ho w"s trying to disrupt her
oper"tionsH ,h"t w"s her own re"l interesting in $erreting out this "nd th"t pie#e o$
in$orm"tionH 5ow did she hold together "n org"niz"tion when she seemed powerless
to prote#t her ownH Oblivious to "ll this& *unshine be"med "nd s"id& J!h"n: you "nd
m"y the sun light your p"thK. And "s - w"l:ed b"#: "long the bo"rdw"l:& the breeze in
my h"ir "nd the 'hoenies respe#t$ully st"ying #le"r o$ me& my #l"n #rushing our
enemies& - thought it w"s. -t w"s indeed.
;9 One Track Mind
Cerule"n& the w"sted+loo:ing ?oth 1ile+by+the+se" $rom ,estview& "pp"rently
opposes *unshine. !o :eep "n eye on her& *unshine "s:s you to insert some so$tw"re
into " ."#hine networ: tr"$$i# "n"lysis node. -t me"ns popping " C7 in " server. 'retty
str"ight$orw"rd. !he only mystery here is why Cerule"n would $ind "nything to #ontest
with *unshineB their person"lities "re so di$$erent& "nd they "re "lmost "t di"metri#
etremes o$ the world. !he signi$i#"n#e o$ the title is "nother mystery.
9ut "t the end& *unshine rem"r:s& J!h"t@s " long sh"dow you #"st. Nou must be
growing in st"tureK. *"y it "g"inR
<9 Out of #and
*unshine@s #on#ern with Cerule"n grows "p"#e. Nou must ste"l " boo: she is holding&
"nd deliver it to someone. !his is Tsu#hT " #ommon mission trope. 9ut two things
m":e it memor"ble. 6irst& *unshine #hirps "t the end& J!h"n: you $or brightening my
d"yK. *e#ond& the #ontinuity is "wry $or this: "$ter getting the boo:& you "re told to t":e
it to someone Jwho will inde it $or Cerule"nK. !he person you Cust stole it $romR !his
must h"ve slipped through the editing. Or it m"y be p"rt o$ some v"stly deeper
s#heme.
>9 )eftE#and &ath
%emember the boo: we stole in the l"st mishH ,ell& now someone w"nts it b"#:& "nd
you h"ve to prote#t it. <n$ortun"tely& the $irst #ustodi"n o$ the boo: perishes& "nd you
h"ve to t":e it to someone else. Oddnesses "bound here. ,hy is *unshine so
interested in boo:sH 5ow does this rel"te to her #h"r"#terH !h"t seems more li:e
5yp"ti"@s re"lm. And "t the end& *unshine s"ys the e"#t s"me thing she s"id in the
previous mission: J!h"n: you $or brightening my d"yK. 7id someone run out o$ positivity
"t some point in the editing pro#essH
261
Mr9 ishop
Lo#"tion: <eno G-ntern"tion"lI
:9 The #unter
5is $irst mish is st"nd"rd& loo:ing $or some debris $rom his p"st. -n this #"se& he #r"ves
" set o$ gems held by some .erovingi"n redpills& "nd " st"tue held by some
m"#hinists led by "n Agent Jones. - "verted my g"ze $rom him "s - $oughtB pr"ying he
would not re#ognize me "nd report me to my #l"n Coun#il. !hese were both obt"ined
"$ter some str"ight$orw"rd gunpl"y. !hen the purloined loot w"s pl"#ed into " w"ll
s"$e. And thus 9ishop l"id his h"nds on them without "#tu"lly l"ying his h"nds on
"nything: the gener"l 1ile p"ttern.
Al"s& neither gems nor st"tue were viewe"ble& Cust some generi# item "v"t"rs. -$ only
we #ould behold them& perh"ps we #ould $eel wh"t the 1iles $eel $or these things they
endlessly pursue.
89 *nravel
7id - disple"se 9ishop l"st timeH -s th"t why he g"ve me su#h " trivi"l t"s: $or my
se#ond mishH All he "s:s me to do is pi#: up "n "lre"dy+p"id+$or p"#:"ge "nd drop it
o$$. !he :ind o$ t"s: you@d give you :ids to do "t s#hoolR 'erh"ps he is testing meP.
- tr"veled to Chu:o::ul" "nd re#eived the p"#:"ge. As "lw"ys - #h"tted with everyone
there& "nd "s we "ll hung out& grooving on the #ode& "n 1lite ?u"rd too: " long dr"g on
" Coint& loo:ed out the window& "nd sh"red the $ollowing re$le#tion:
J7estiny rules us "ll& even here in the ."tri. 7o you $ind it str"nge th"t - believe in
7estinyH 7estiny is " system& " p"ttern o$ events #"rried out with pre#ision "nd
"bsolute #ert"inty. 7estiny is nothing but #ode "pplied to li$e& giving the illusion o$
#hoi#e. 5ere& everything is #ode& "nd this everything is ruled by 7estiny.K
J7estiny& s#hmestiny& who@s b"n:rolling thisHK - "s:ed& "nd set o$$ to $ind 9"#h& the
re#ipient. - wondered i$ - should get "n "ll+brown out$it $or these <'* runs. On the other
h"nd& the "ll+yellow w"s more "ppe"ling& "nd h"d the bene$it o$ setting o$$ my h"ir.
*o& "nyw"y& - $ound th"t 9"#h w"s being held host"ge by some twit who w"nted to
hiC"#: the delivery. 3ot on my w"t#hR 5"rsh words were $ollowed by h"rsh $ighting. -
262
w"s the only one st"nding when the smo:e #le"red& "nd - #ompleted the drop+o$$ to the
gr"te$ul 9"#h. -nterestingly& there w"s " door between her "nd me& whi#h seemed
open"ble by h"#:ing& by :illing one o$ the thugs "nd retrieving "n "##ess #"rd $rom
him& or& ironi#"lly& by getting " :ey $rom " dr"werR - li:ed the ingenuityR
;9 #eirloo"
- loved the w"y this mission beg"n& with 9ishop purring JNour reput"tion grows&
*ug"ree.K *"y it "g"inR !hen& J-@d li:e you to go pi#: up "n "sso#i"te o$ mine "nd bring
him to Chotte 9rothers -mports O$$i#es. 5is n"me is Jelly$ish& deliver him unh"rmed i$
you don@t mindK. - loved the sly wit. - #ould tell we were re"lly bondingB - st"rted thin:ing
"bout " #orner o$$i#e with "n -:e" $urniture upgr"de.
6rom my oper"tor - le"rned th"t JJelly$ishK #ont"ined some v"lu"ble #ode in his %*-.
(ind o$ li:e steg"nogr"phy meets the ."tri& - guess. As - w"s loo:ing "t the non+
des#ript J6& he loo:ed right b"#: "nd greeted me with: J,h"t@s wrongH Nou were
epe#ting " bond"ge :ingH 3ot "ll o$ us 1iles dress li:e $re":s& you :now.K - #le"red
my thro"t "nd h"stily loo:ed "w"y& wondering wh"t %"ymond Ch"ndler would h"ve
s"id.
3e"rby& there w"s " #omputer with " mess"ge #"lling someone " bigotB - #ould
im"gine who h"d sent it... 3"tur"lly my es#ort mission w"s " $"b su##essR ,ho would
h"ve suspe#ted - w"s with "n 1ileR .y $ellow m"#hinists #hose to intervene& despite
my protest"tion th"t - w"s on the te"m. -llyri"& epl"in to the "gents $or meR !he drop+
o$$ #ont"#t& "$ter p"ying me o$$& epl"ined th"t the ."#hines o$ten intervened&
in"smu#h "s 9ishop "nd Chotte tend to tr"$$i# in m"teri"ls whi#h disrupt the #urrent
versions o$ the ."tri. - thought they "nd Anome would h"ve " lot in #ommonR And the
Auditor downtown& "lw"ys obsessing "bout memory le":s "nd the ."tri& would "lso
h"ve "n interest.
<9 &lay $ead
3o dis#ussion o$ items tr"$$i#:ers would be #omplete without mentioning 7igger "nd
the Colle#torR - p"rti#ul"rly enCoyed the b"#:story on this one: 7igger h"s $ound
something. !he Colle#tor w"nts it. *o does 9ishop& whose re#ipe $or univers"l
h"ppiness involves p"ying 7igger to give the Colle#tor " $":e.
9ut be$ore - #"n get in to see 7igger& his h"ndler m":es me $ight " simul"#r"Pperh"ps
to m":e me show - :now my w"y "round $":esH An "ltern"te solution eited& involving
getting " dis: to " m"#hine gener"ting the repli#"s& but - w"s un"ble to $igure it out&
"nd un#h"r"#teristi#"lly resorted to $ighting& my le"st $"vorite $orm o$ de$e"ting others.
5onestR
A$ter de"ling in the p"st with mysti# #"ndy& en#h"nted #"ndlesti#:s& "nd p"#:ets o$
numinous gems& - w"s epe#ting " lot $rom this item. A ti"r"H *hoesH A broo#hH A
ring& m"ybeH A *word o$ " 5undred !ruthsH 9ut inste"d& "ll - got $rom 7igger w"s "
t"pe. And " V5* t"pe "t th"tR App"rently the elite person"lities o$ the ."tri 1ile
#ommunity h"ve " $ondness $or 7"ys o$ Our Lives& ." 5e"droom& or - 7re"m o$
263
Je"nnie. ?o $igureR
9e$ore - h"d time to digitize it $or my #rew@s "musement& - h"d to drop it o$$. !his #ut+
out h"d " gre"t b"#:story. *he w"s "n "r#hiving progr"m who h"d de$e#ted $rom the
."#hines to prote#t her d"ughter& thre"tened with deletion. !his e$$ort w"s
unsu##ess$ul& "nd she eventu"lly #"me to 9ishop@s employ. *he seems to h"ve
listened to the t"pe. *he did not get mu#h $rom the im"ges GCross$ireH !he 7"ily
*howH 'ersephone "s " we"ther reporterH !he .erovingi"n with his own g"me
showHI but s"id the voi#e w"s very $"mili"r. - w"s dying $rom suspense& "nd w"s
mer#i$ully distr"#ted by one o$ her #olle"gues& who went o$$ on "n "bsorbing& sel$+
"bsorbed r"nt "bout the m"tern"l progr"m& the world they live in& "nd how re"l it is. -
politely nodded "s - #ounted my in$o& "nd "bsently w"ved to them "s - le$t.
9ishop w"s on " high& - #ould tell. !he p"y w"s good& "nd he gushed& Jwith your help&
my business grows even strongerK. *"y it "g"in& big spenderR *"y it li:e you@re 7on"ld
!rumpR
>9 !old .weat
An unepe#ted #ontinu"tion o$ 'l"y 7e"dR 9ishop h"s tin:ered with the "rti$"#t
Gperh"ps redubbing it li:e ,h"t@s <p& !iger LillyH Or overl"ying the voi#e o$ Orson
,ellesHI "nd now w"nts TthisT "rti$"#t t":en to the Colle#tor& who h"s "lre"dy
re#eived the $":e. .y mission w"s to bre": in& t":e the $":e& "nd repl"#e it with the
"ltered origin"l. ?ot th"tH ,ell& get this: the o$$i#e with the w"ll s"$e is lo#"ted in
9ishop -mportsRR *omeone else must h"ve thought "bout the in#ongruity o$ this& $or
when - "rrived - dis#overed the item h"d been moved. 3onetheless& - tr"#:ed it down&
l"id w"ste to the de$enders& "nd m"de the swit#h.
)ogic &roble"D -$ the Colle#tor #"me b"#:& $ound "ll his gu"rdi"n st"$$ de"d& "nd the
"rti$"#t still in the s"$e& not stolen& don@t you thin: he would be suspi#iousH Or is it Cust
meH
Operetta
Lo#"tion: A:"s":"
:9 .avior
JOh& my de"rR Nou Cust help me& you simply .<*!. One o$ my best per$ormers is in
trouble. ?et over there "nd help him right nowRK ,ell& the negoti"tion w"s mer#i$ully
brie$.
,h"t " str"nge missionR - went to the site& "nd got into " $ight with two Eionists. - :illed
one in short order& but withdrew to he"l up. ,hen - #"me b"#:& the other& " Eionist
(ung$u ?r"ndm"ster& w"s goneR Only " nervous .r. !itelb"um milled "bout. -
se"r#hed sever"l times $or the missing mis#re"nt& "ll to no "v"il. - d"n#ed "nd w"ited:
nothing. *o& - g"ve up "nd le$t the building. And $ound him strolling in the y"rd outsideR
- h"d to $ollow him into the net building be$ore we #ould get " $ight goingR On#e he
w"s :illed& the mish ended itsel$. A p"tron in the b"r loo:ed "t me "nd "s:ed& J,hy "re
264
you hereHK ,hy& indeedR
,"s this " bug& or " #ool new $e"tureH And wh"t possible interest #ould Eion h"ve in
1ili oper" singersH 5"s it run out o$ weightier "dvers"riesH Or w"s this " tr"ining
mish gone "wryH Only Lo#: :nows $or sure.
89 Re1uie"
!he b"#:story $or the #omposer in this mission w"s interesting: " bluepill who "##epts
the w"y things "re "nd #omposes $or Operett". JAs " $reed mind& surely you must
underst"nd. !he ."tri is " symphony& progr"ms "nd #ode wor:ing together to
produ#e h"rmony. -$ you@d give up your h"tred o$ it you would see the be"utyK.
*omething to thin: "boutP 7on@t $orget to se"r#h $or her #omputer. J- don@t epe#t you
to be symp"theti#& but remember& this musi# is v"lu"ble. 7on@t be #"relessK.
Oddly enough& the only opposition #"me $rom " lonely Eionist G"g"inRI ("r"te m"ster&
who w"s not re"dy $or me when - stormed out o$ the building p"st him. 5is C"w
dropped& he re"#hed $or his gun& "nd the :"r"te m"ster& with predi#t"bly l"ment"ble
"im& spr"yed str"y shots "round me "s - le$t. ?o b"#: to the #"vesR
!he st"ge m"n"ger is $r"nti# when you "rrive& "nd w"ils "bout how slow you "re. -t@s
very entert"ining& so be sure to t"l: to him " #ouple o$ times. 5e "nd his twin groupies
"re in " suite reminis#ent o$ the old redpill C"#:out mishes: lots o$ ugly ge"r "nd b"rely
" t"ble to be seen. !hey need "n -:e" gi$t #erti$i#"te.
At the end& the *t"ge ."n"ger gushed: J?ood& "nd you even m"n"ged to :eep it more
or less unwrin:led. Nou@re $"r less in#ompetent th"n - $irst suspe#ted.K
All the while& his twin groupies idled "bout& spe":ing v"#uously. 9e sure to t"l: to them
" $ew times "s well $or #hu#:les. Operett" s"ys& JNes& yes& you@re doing $ine. 6ine "s
#"n beRK
,h"tever th"t m"y be. 3ot sure why this is #"lled " re)uiem though. - me"n& three
missions yet rem"in. 3onetheless& $un& with plenty o$ #h"r"#terR
;9 !hosen
Conveniently& %e)uiem ends up net door to '"ndor"& so you@re "ll set $or number 4.
An understudy& 9essie 9urr& h"s been :idn"pped& "nd J- must h"ve her b"#:. - simply
mustRK. - beg"n to wonder i$ people h"r"ss Operett" Cust to listen to her $re": out.
On res#uing her& - got " mess"ge+ JOh you pre#ious d"rlingK. 9ut "$ter - dropped her o$$
with the bodygu"rd 9e"gle& this is wh"t - got: J3ot terrible& *ug"ree. 3ot good. 9ut not
terrible.K 9ut the #he#: #le"red& so - #ounted my blessings.
3ote: One o$ the b"ds h"s " :ey to the room 9essie w"s in. 9ut the door w"s
unlo#:edR
3ote: - h"d to le"d 9essie p"st " #ouple o$ dozen hissing 9rothers o$ 7estiny who shot
"t us with everything they h"d. .ighty 9essie bl"n#hed& but too: no d"m"ge. *o this is
265
" 220+meter es#ort mission through hostile territory& but it@s not li:e *er"ph@s epi# st"t+
h"#: mish. Or the even tougher Jeweler es#ort mish. %el"R
<9 /rag"ents
On#e "g"in& the l"st st"ge o$ the pre#eding mish pl"#es you Cust " hundred meters
$rom '"ndor". 3i#e designR 6or this mission& you merely need to be " go$er& dropping
o$$ stu$$ $or Operett"@s "gent. J.y de"rR Nou simply .<*! help meRK
- get the do#s to drop o$$& "nd "n "dC"#ent $lun:ie "s:s me to put " bug in the $irst
t"rget@s des: $or musi#"l intelligen#e. *ure& why notH -@ll "lw"ys do something to help "
b"nd. !his minor theme never re"lly seems to go "nywhere though. 'erh"ps in
"nother eile suite this will "ssume some import"n#eP
6irst drop o$$ is to "nother div". 5er st"$$ su$$ers. JNou #"n@t $ire me& - )uitRK J9ut - w"s
told to do it this w"yRK 1t#. *e#ond drop o$$ is to " t"lent "gent who h"s #re"tive
di$$eren#es with Operett". As we sh"ll soon see& this is " #lub with )uite " $ew
members.
>9 Rubicon
As my oper"tor observed& Operett" does not believe there is no "##ounting $or t"ste.
J.y show w"s wonder$ul but *O.1 '1O'L1 don@t "ppre#i"te t"lentP.K
,ord h"s gotten to the #riti# th"t his d"ys "re numbered& "nd you must $ight your w"y
through " #ouple o$ gu"rds. !hen& you $ind "n Agent prote#ting himR ,ho would h"ve
thoughtH ,h"t possible interest #ould my ."#hinist lords "nd m"sters h"ve in
something "s v"#uous "s Operett"H Answers were not $orth#oming& yet - $inished the
mish reg"rdless.
J!h"t will te"#h th"t #retin " lessonRK !he ps $or this mish were unusu"lly low. As& -
guess& it should be. - me"n& wh"t should you get $or :illing " bluepillH .ore #ould h"ve
been done with the #riti#& m"ybe some )uotes by your oper"tor $rom the review&
mention o$ the 3ewsie& #omments $rom the gu"rds& et#.
Rickshaw
Lo#"tion: ("ede G-ntern"tion"lI
266
:9 Mistaken Identity
J5i& #"n you deliver something $or " #ont"#t o$ mineHK !h"t@s how it st"rts: $ull o$ soul
"nd #onne#tion. %i#:sh"w@s sl"pd"sh& slipshod "ppro"#h to his "$$"irs is nowhere
more evident th"t on this $irst mish. 5e gets the n"me wrongR !hen when you "rrive&
you "re greeted by " h"ughty 1lite ?u"rd who t":es one loo: "t you "nd sneers& J6eh.
Nou don@t loo: li:e you belong here& p"nsyK. .ost li:ely& he s"ves this $or "nyone
wor:ing $or %i#:sh"w. 1ventu"lly you #onne#t with someone who :nows nothing o$
%i#:sh"w or your mission& but dem"nds to :now your JsponsorK. %i#:sh"w@s $eedb"#:
is: J*ure& $ine& wh"tever. 5urryRK Nou h"ve stumbled into " g"me pl"yed by 1iles&
wherein they try to :ill e"#h otherR !he n"me is 1iles <nderground ?"mes Gperh"ps "
revers"l o$ the "n#ient& "n#ient ?<1I. -t seems li:e something they@d pl"y with
p"intb"ll& i$ the p"int w"s repl"#ed by hot le"d. *urvive "nd you@re done. %i#:sh"w
mumbles some b"rely "rti#ul"te th"n:s. !his time - #ounted my money twi#e& mind$ul
o$ his sloppy "ppro"#h to everything. A$ter "ll& m"ybe he would overp"y.
89 )et the -a"es egin
Nou m":e " delivery to one C"roline& identi$ied "s the le"der o$ the *isters o$ 6"te. !he
*tep+*isters o$ 6"te might be " better n"me& sin#e their le"der h"s $"llen under the
sw"y o$ your ultim"te t"rget in this mish& the Ventrilo)uist& who uses her to send you o$$
on " side+)uest $or " C7 G" tr"n#e d"n#e mi& - thin:I. Nou vi#tory over him $rees her&
"nd sets you up $or your net "dvers"ry& the 3e#rom"n#er. A little predi#t"ble& but not
" b"d mish "t "ll.
;9 Replay
An Joper"tiveK o$ %i#:sh"w@s& with " desired devi#e& needs help. A$ter " s:irmish& you
$ind out th"t she is de"d. !his sends you to the net s#ene& with %i#:sh"w #rying J(ill
more peopleR ?oR (illRK. Nou dis#over th"t your "dvers"ry in this mission& the
3e#rom"n#er& h"s revived "nd #ontrols the oper"tive& now " resurre#ted "utom"ton
th"t he sends to $ight you. 1ventu"lly you put them both down& but it w"s "n uns"vory
$irst to be :illing unde"d 1iles $or the s":e o$ " repugn"nt g"me. On the other h"nd& it
w"s )uite s"tis$ying $or me to send the 3e#rom"n#er to Coin his unwilling serv"nts in
the #hilly sludge o$ the *our#e.
<9 Out of ounds
Nou m"y re#"ll th"t your dossier $rom l"st time "t the end identi$ied your net t"rget "s
the Ch"meleon. *in#e this me"nt he #ould be "nyone& it m"de things )uite e"syR On#e
"g"in the #"reless %i#:sh"w w"ils "bout his Jstolen stu$$K Ghow li:e " #hildRI. !his time
your #ont"#t h"s " se"r#h o$ his own& $or the J,hite (night VirusK G"n "llusion to the
Chessm"n th"t is not developed "t "llI. Nou :now how this goes. 9re": in& $ire$ight&
loot& "nd o$$ to meet your #ont"#t. Nour #ont"#t& predi#t"bly& is the Ch"meleon& "nd
"tt"#:s you. ,hen - phoned %i#:sh"w& bre"thless& he #ut me o$$ "bruptly+ JNou got "ll
my stu$$ b"#:HK - w"s mightily temped to hurl it in the river.
9ut w"itR !here w"s some gold hereR One #ont"#t loo:ed "t me& too: " long dr"g on "
267
s#ented smo:e& "nd re$le#ted J5um"ns hurt 1iles be#"use they $e"r us. 1iles hurt
e"#h other be#"use they $e"r everything.K ?re"t thought to ponder long "$ter the g"me
h"s run its dolorous #ourse.
>9 -a"e OverN
-n this mish& you simply st"rt by getting some lost pl"ns $rom " s"$e& "t whi#h point you
"re pulled into your #on$ront"tion with the m"in "dvers"ry in this episode: Agent Lee
"nd his minions. Agent Lee is )uite eng"ging& "nd r"ther th"n $ight invites you to t":e "
#h"n#e with him "nd his two "ssist"nts. ?ive one o$ them the pl"ns& "nd the door she
represents is unlo#:ed. -nevit"bly you get " $ight& not " s"$e h"rbor. Just "s inevit"bly
Lee "nd his te"m eng"ge you. As their b"nter suggests& Lee is G9ig *poiler #omingRIP
the ?"mbler& "nd "ims to win "t your epense. !he di"log is well done& "nd there@s
more #h"r"#teriz"tion in this en#ounter th"n in everything %i#:sh"w does. -n $"#t&
JAgent LeeK deserves his own suite o$ missionsR
At the end& "mong the smo:ing& #oding #orpses& you "lone st"nd "live to tell the t"le.
Nou& th"t is& "nd %i#:sh"w& who blurts J- li:e you& *ug"reeR Nou do good wor:RK be$ore
he sin:s into sur$eited silen#e. At le"st he p"id me.
3uusuke Akaya"a
Lo#"tion: *hir":"b" G-ntern"tion"lI
268
1. In the elly of the east
!his simple& #":ew"l: mish seems to be " test more th"n "nything else. Nou simply
need to get " dis: $or him with " re#ording o$ " #l"ndestine #onvers"tion. !he only
#h"llenge is $inding " re#overy reboot dis:& sin#e "t your $irst logon "ttempt the
#omputer :ills itsel$. !his is the e"siest 1ile mish - #"n remember sin#e *ister
."rg"ret@s $irst $ewR
89 $ebug
6or this s#"r#ely more #h"llenging lesson& you need to pl"nt " virus Gwe should more
properly #"ll it m"lw"reI. !o "#hieve this& you need to get "##ess to " #omputer
surrounded by ?re"t ,"ll st"$$. !he #h"llenge is th"t the person who #"n epedite this
needs to be p"id o$$& but help$ully notes th"t the gu"rds o$ten #"rry #"sh. '"y him o$$&
pl"nt the bug& "nd you@re doneR
ugND A$ter - :illed the gu"rds& two o$ them h"d money. A$ter - p"id the bluepill& both
p"#:ets o$ #"sh were gone. A$ter - p"id him& - got " good wor: mess"ge $rom my
oper"tor be$ore the bluepill h"d given me the #ode. 7on@t :now i$ this is " bug or simply
non+eleg"nt.
;9 Tearing $own the ,all
JAh& my new $riendK purred the s"vvy A:"y"m" when - showed up. - h"d to smile. ,e
h"d "n underst"nding. 5e needed " ?re"t ,"ll outpost wiped out& toPdistr"#t them
$rom his own oper"tions. Just go to the t"rget "nd :ill everyone there. 1"sy enough.
ugND 5owever& sever"l times& - got to the site& :illed the three gu"rds - $ound& "nd
$ound " single door whi#h - #ould not open. *tr"ngely& in e"#h #"se& "$ter - "borted the
mish& suddenly - #ould open the door. <n$ortun"tely& - #ould only view the det"ils o$ the
three guys inside. !here w"s no option to t"l: or $ight. !e#hni#"lly& - thin: this is wh"t
they #"ll " bug.
On the $ourth or $i$th "ttempt& this time running it with someone else& - w"s "ble to :ill
"ll the gu"rds Gs"me "s be$ore& $rom my point o$ viewI "nd " m"gneti#"lly+se"led door
then opened& "nd we $ound three higher+level thugs inside& pl"nning some mis#hie$.
,e :illed two& t"l:ed with the survivor& "nd got three hitlists o$ t"rgets. !hese we then
too: to "n "sso#i"te o$ A:"y"m"@s& who too: one list "nd h"d us give the other two lists
269
to two others in the room Gin#luding one we"ring " stovepipe #he$@s h"tRI& one o$ whom
#ommented& J.r. A:"y"m" doesn@t p"y me to re"dK. !h"t@s between him "nd you& p"lR
<9 Insecurity
!he ?re"t ,"ll *e#urity org"niz"tion #ontinues to "nnoy .r. A:"y"m". 3ow he wishes
you to es#ort " #ontr"#tor sp"mmer to " ?re"t V"lley o$$i#e so she #"n sp"m " list o$
:nown h"#:ers& to "nnoy them "nd "ttr"#t their eldrit#h wr"th to the ?re"t ,"ll
networ:.
A$ter this& you es#ort her to "nother "sso#i"te o$ A:"y"m"@s $or s"$e:eeping. !he
problem with the es#ort mission is not the ?re"t ,"ll "tt"#:ers who see: to thw"rt you.
-t@s trying to $ind your w"y over the w"lls& #"n"ls& st"ir#"ses& l"tti#es& "nd physi#"l
obst"#les whi#h b"r your w"y. 3"tur"lly& with "n es#ort in tow& you #"n@t Cust hyperCump
" str"ight line. - me"n& th"t would be too e"sy. !he di"log with the sp"mmer& her
prote#tor& "nd their se#urity st"$$ "t the end is entert"iningB m":e sure to t"l: to
everyone be$ore "nd "$ter dropping her o$$.
>9 )ink $eath
,ith the #olle#tive wr"th o$ h"#:ers tr"shing the networ: in$r"stru#ture o$ ?re"t ,"ll
*e#urity& they@re we":. !his me"ns it@s the right time to hit them h"rd& "nd .r.
A:"y"m" dire#ts you to "n outpost o$ 1iles in their servi#e. A$ter they@ve been l"id
w"ste& you $ind " #ell phone& whose re#ent #"lls dire#t you to " l"rger ?re"t ,"ll
*e#urity o$$i#e. ,hen we rolled in& there were "round " dozen GRI ?re"t ,"ll uni$orms
w"iting& r"nging in level $rom ;0+;2 G"nd this mish w"s on mediumRI. !his led to " long&
h"rd $ight& reminis#ent o$ some $ights with m"ssed simul"#r" in '"ndor" 9o missions.
At the end& .r. A:"y"m" is thrilled. 5e@s been "ble to de"l ?re"t ,"ll " deep& l"sting
blow in his region. And he e$$uses "t your gre"t su##essR 5e invites you to Jstop by my
rest"ur"nt some d"y: the '"per !iger. Nour "bilities "nd initi"tive "re truly
#ommend"ble& "nd you m"y be "ble to $ind $urther employment $or them through the
in$luenti"l p"trons who $re)uent my humble est"blishmentK. .ighty w"rm words $rom "
l"sting $riend& "nd word o$ mouth "dvertising li:e this is something th"t money #"n@t
buy. -@m m":ing my reserv"tions tomorrow.
The .ea"stress
Lo#"tion: *"i (ung G-ntern"tion"lI
270
:9 $ressed for .uccess
J,hy don@t you Cust loo: previousRK she gushed when - got her "ttention& immedi"tely
$ollowing with JCould use " little #h"nge in your w"rdrobe thoughK. A$ter my i#y silen#e&
she sighed "nd epl"ined th"t she needed " p"#:"ge o$ $"bri# pi#:ed up "nd delivered
but is short on help. !his $irst p"rt is simpleB tr"ipse over "nd t"l: to one ?"yle Cl"r:.
?"yle l"ments the del"y "nd in #onvenien#e in " very& umm& unm"nly w"y& "nd gives
you " :ey to unlo#: the room holding it. An unepe#ted 1lite ?u"rd inside #h"llenges
youB "pp"rently his #rew h"s stolen the m"teri"l. Cl"r: p"ni#s "nd begs you to retrieve
it. JAll new designsK he w"ils.
!he se#ond lo#"tion is entert"ining. 6ull o$ 1lite ?u"rds& "ll o$ whom loudly deny "ny
:nowledge o$ the p"#:"ge. !hey@ve never he"rd o$ it. !hey thin: -@m in the wrong
"ddress& et#. -t reminded me o$ one o$ the Jeweler@s missionsR 6in"lly& o$ "ll people& "
.erovingi"n 'hysi#i"n "ngrily denies "ny :nowledge& "nd be#omes in#ensed th"t your
doubt her integrity "s you nonetheless se"r#h the room. !he p"#:"ges $"lls to the
ground& "t whi#h point she denies th"t is the one you were loo:ing $or. 3ope& no
p"#:"ge thereR 6ortun"tely& - #ould Cust pi#: it up "nd le"ve "mid " whirlwind o$ "buse
"nd bulletsB - h"d worried - would h"ve to $ight my w"y outR
6in"lly& - dropped o$$ the now+#omplete p"#:"ge. A 9lood 3oble :ept #h"sing me on
the w"y& but - ignored him. !he re#ipient is in "n o$$i#e buildingB m":e sure to t"l: to
e"#h bluepillB they "ll h"ve something to s"yR !he $in"l re#ipient o$ the p"#:"ge+ Cretin
Cr"venusH Cletus Cl"vi:usH+ is in " hurry $or you to go. - guess "ll the guns $re":ed
him out. 3ot to mention the gh"stly #olors "nd styles o$ the bu$$ed #lothes we "ll we"r.
*e"mstress #"lls me " doll "nd p"ys me in #"shR !his "lmost m"de up $or her sm"rmy
dig "bout my out$it "t the outsetR
OdditiesD ,h"t@s so spe#i"l "bout the $"bri# th"t people "re willing to :ill $or itH ,hy
would " .erovingi"n 'hysi#i"n h"ve the slightest interest in thisH
More odditiesD ,hen - "ppro"#hed her $or " se#ond mission& she g"ve me the s"me
one "g"inR ,h"t& does this type o$ thing h"ppen "ll the time $or herH
89 $e"anding the .upply
!his se#ond mish is $"irly e"sy. !he *e"mstress h"s been pl"gued by Jrogues "nd #ut+
thro"tsK& "nd needs you to m":e sure one p"rti#ul"r shipment is delivered #orre#tly "nd
#ompletely. 'i#:ing up the m"teri"l is " breeze& "nd your #lient phones you to s"y she
hopes you "ren@t J"mbushed "nd brut"lly be"tenK& li:e the l"st one. ,ell& th"t m":es
two o$ usR
,hen you "rrive "t the o$$i#e o$ the shipment@s re#ipient& she demurs to "##ept it until
you h"ve #le"red out the lur:ing thugs. !hey@re " $ew blood drun:s "nd " #ouple o$
elite gu"rds.
!he *e"mstress "dds& "t the end& J%emind me to rew"rd you one o$ these d"ysK. *ure
thing& hun. !h"t@s wh"t they "ll s"yR
271
;9 Accessory to Murder
9esides high+end $"shion& the *e"mstress "lso provides " wide r"nge o$ "##essories&
in#luding pursesRR Al"s& the #ourier h"s been w"yl"id "nd re)uires res#ue. -n this
mission& you must $irst res#ue the w"yl"id #ourier& n"med 7uboshin& "nd es#ort her to
the origin"l intended re#ipient o$ the shipment. Oh& "nd get the shipment& too& no sm"ll
$e"t when one elite gu"rd sneers& JNou "in@t getting this purse b"#:RK. 9ut " wom"n will
do "nything $or "##essories& "nd soon the prize w"s in my "wed gr"sp. - too: "n
immedi"te li:ing to 7uboshin& when unbidden& she g"ve me some he"lth boosts be$ore
$ights. .y :ind o$ #ourierR And her level w"s de#ent enough th"t r"ndom street mobs
did not t":e her down while - brought her to the #ustomer. A good thing& th"t.
5owever& not "ll w"s "s well "s - h"d epe#ted& "s - should h"ve :nown when - s"w
the #ustomer h"nging out with blood nobles& who& "s you m"y h"ve noti#ed& seldom
"$$e#t "n interest in high+end $"shion. - me"n& Cust loo: "t them. *o& "s soon "s they
h"ve the purse& they "ll set upon meR Li:e $ive o$ themR 1ventu"lly my #h"rm "nd ri$le
s:ills wore them down& "nd "n "b"shed 7uboshin stood trembling in $ront o$ me& li:e
Aphrodite rising $rom " se" o$ blood. *he h"d& it "ppe"red& been in #"hoots with these
thugs to split the shipment& "nd dis"ppe"r. ,hy they h"d to $ight me to e$$e#t this is not
entirely #le"r. 9ut then& - don@t get p"id to underst"nd #"ses& - get p"id to #r"#: themR
Anyw"y& 7uboshin mee:ly $ollows me& giving me " he"lth boost "s we st"rt o$$. !he
little slut su#:+upR *he wound up improb"bly in Eion@s h"nds G- guess they "re trying to
improve the lives o$ redpills everywhere with better $"shionI "t "n etr"#tion st"tion. -
#ould see the tru#e in "#tion hereB one Eionist Co:ed "bout me needing " p"ssword&
"ssuring me th"t she h"d been JCust :iddingK. 7uboshin w"s underst"nd"bly glum. And
th"t w"s it. All this& $or " purseP
!onclusionD ."Cor mysteries "re being woven here. ,hy does the *e"mstress h"ve
the time o$ d"y $or EionH ,hy would 1iles #"re "t "ll "bout "##essories& espe#i"lly
purses Gperh"ps this is "n intended gi$t $or 'ersephoneIH ,hy does Eion #"re "bout
herH 5ow #ome - #ouldn@t :eep the purse& to better "##ommod"te my own inventoryH
,hy& oh whyH
<9 %ye of the =eedle
*e"mstress h"s #"ught wind o$ the lo#"tion o$ her l"st lost shipment& "nd w"nts it b"#:
right now& be$ore it pro$its "nyone else. !he l"st oper"tive she ent& 'orpoise&
dis"ppe"red& "nd she sends you to $ollow in her $ootsteps& "dding& JOh& "nd help
'orpoise i$ she@s still "live& - supposeK. Al"s& she is not& "s you dis#over in " gun$ight.
As - #ontempl"ted her $"llen $orm& wondering where my own p"th would t":e me& the
phone r"ng. J7o you $eel s"$eH *e"r#h the #omputer nowK. !he s#reen so$tly glowed&
J*ee: "nd ye sh"ll $indK. - too: "nd uplo"ded the m"p dis:& "nd the $in"l lo#"tion w"s
rel"yed to me. Very eerie& this w"s.
!his led me to " s#eni# "p"rtment& wherein w"ited " #ouple o$ drun:s "nd elite gu"rds&
"ll thrilled to see me. !hey re$erred to " mysterious se#ond $or#e "s - stepped o$$ the
272
elev"tor. -t w"s the mysterious voi#e $rom e"rlier in the mish. 5e "ppe"red "nd
th"n:ed me $or getting the p"#:"ge $or him. 3eedless to s"y& - h"d to :ill him too&
though he put up " tough $ight "nd did not use his invisibility on#e& #ontr"ry to wh"t you
might h"ve epe#ted.
9ut "ll b"d things must end& "nd soon - w"s dropping o$$ the purloined p"#:"ge with "
stunned re#ipient& "nd #ounting #risp in$o+notes $rom " $rowning *e"mstress& who
relu#t"ntly th"n:ed me "nd #ontempl"ted inviting me to the $"shion show soon to be
domin"ted by her designs. 9ut& she )ui#:ly #orre#ted hersel$& J-@d h"ve you get you
something de#ent to we"rK. 'le"seR - only dress li:e this $or pro$ession"l o##"sionsR
?ive me " #h"n#eR 9ut her mind w"s "lre"dy whirling elsewhere.
>9 The .how Must -o On
!his is getting ridi#ulousR -t@s the d"y o$ " $"shion show& "nd *e"mstress@s designs
h"ve been ripped o$$ yet "g"inR 3"tur"lly time is more o$ the essen#e th"n usu"l here.
*e"mstress sent me to " #ool C1O who dem"nded th"t - :ill "ll the thieves& not sp"ring
" single one. *he w"s )uite "d"m"nt "bout this. A$ter t"l:ing to her& be sure to #he#:
out the other& "dC"#ent roomsB in one - $ound " Eionist %i$lem"n being dire#ted through
movements by two $"shion+show wor:ersRR 5e must h"ve been prepping $or the net
seiest redpill #ontest. - soon $ound mysel$ $ighting $ive or si or seven elite gu"rds $or
#ontrol o$ "n "p"rtment& in whi#h - $ound not p"#:"ge with the designs& but " p"#:et o$
pl"nsR
uggedD Al"s& de"r re"ders& this mission w"s bugged& "nd - w"s only "ble to get
beyond "$ter m"ny e$$orts. 5ere@s wh"t h"ppened. On the building $loor housing the
thieves& you $ind three elite gu"rds in one room& " #ouple o$ lupines in "nother& "nd "
$in"l lupine in " third. - :illed "ll three elite gu"rds in the room& but soon "$ter - le$t&
when - #"me b"#:& there were only two bodies. - did not noti#e "ny su#h dis#rep"n#y
with the other rooms o@ thieves. !his w"s repe"t"ble. -@m guessing this h"s something
to do with the thieves not showing "s h"ving been "ll :illed. 3onetheless& - too: the
p"#:et "nd uplo"ded it& but #ould not get to the net st"ge o$ the mish. !he J(ill "ll
thievesK bo rem"ined un#he#:ed. - went b"#: to the mission "re": no thieves there. -
hung "round& - d"n#ed& - stood "nd "$:edPnothing. ."ybe in the net p"t#h.
!h"t@s where things were $or d"ys "nd d"ys. !hen - tried "g"in& "nd $ound th"t i$ - :illed
"ll three o$ the elite gu"rds in the s"me room& this se#tion o$ the mish #ompleted "nd -
#ould move on. A$ter uplo"ding the pl"ns& - $ound mysel$ #on$ronting the tough C1O -
h"s seen e"rlier. Only her go"ls h"d #h"nged in the me"ntime. And soon - h"d $ound
"nother inst"n#e o$ the s"me bug: everyone "round me de"d on the $loor& yet the mish
dem"nded more. -t w"s enough. - too: the p"#:"ge& dropped it in $ront o$ the
*e"mstress& "nd le$t. J!his one@s on the house&K - s"id& #h"nging out o$ my :illing
#lothes& "nd b"#: into something more hum"n.
.ynn
Lo#"tion: .ur"s":i G-ntern"tion"lI
273
:9 The =ew &lague
5er $irst& trivi"l& mish involved putting Jvirus tr"#:ersK on two ."#hine systems. !he $irst
w"s " J."#hine sorting st"tionK "nd the se#ond w"s " Jlistening outpostK used to
monitor bluepill beh"vior. .ore li:ely the l"tter w"s " spy outpost dire#ted "t Eion& to
whom *ynn w"s going to o$$er the t":e. 9ut Agent ?r"y would soon re"d my report&
"nd be "ble to send them "ll the dummy tr"$$i# he w"nted. 3i#e tryR
!hese were str"ight$orw"rd t"s:s th"t " #hild #ould h"ve done. - w"s disgusted th"t in
the $irst one& - h"d to :ill " bluepill to get " :ey to " lo#:ed room. !his went very mu#h
"g"inst my n"ture& "nd - wish there h"d been some "ltern"tive& "s there would be in
the net mission. !here& "t le"st - #ould #omplete the mish without :illing everything -
en#ountered.
A$ter he"ring "bout the #"rn"ge& *ynn rem"r:ed in her #lipped style& J*o $"r so good.
Come see me "g"in when you need " CobK. *ome new pl"gueP J!he 3ew 'estK would
h"ve been more "propos.
OddD One thing "bout this seemed str"nge to me. *ending me in through "rmed
gu"rds to insert viruses to ste"l in$orm"tion did not seem very ste"lthy. - #"n only
surmise th"t this $irst& test mission w"s " diversion to distr"#t ."#hine "ttention while "
genuine mission too: pl"#e elsewhere.
89 !rackdown
L"st time *ynn w"nted the inter#eption o$ import"nt in$orm"tion. !his time it@s p"pers
$rom " #ourier G" Jlow+levelK progr"mI. And it@s e"sier th"n it soundsR ?o to the site "nd
nose "round. Nou dis#over " bluepill "nd "n eile Gn"med JCo#:ro"#hKRI pl"nning to :ill
the #ourier. 1pl"in this to him& "nd he gl"dly $or:s over the p"pers to you without "
shot. 7oneR Altern"tely& you #"n :ill him $or the s"me p"pers& but why be dire#tH As
*ynn put it& J!his Cust "dds to your #red. 3i#e Cob.K And the J#r"#:downK isPwhereH
OddD A$ter - got the p"pers& - swung by to t"unt the s#hemers. !hey did not seem to
even noti#e - h"d themR !his seems oddB it would h"ve m"de more sense $or them to
h"ve "tt"#:ed me.
;9 In #er /ear
274
Ostensibly& this seemed "nnoying: - h"d to go t"l: to " #"ndid"te $or *ynn@s
org"niz"tion. 9ut when - "rrived& the ostensible "ppli#"nt "tt"#:ed meR !his led me to
thin: th"t she would not be suit"ble m"teri"l $or *ynn or $or "nyone else& "nd -
de$initely h"d no desire to w"t#h her bob $or "pples "t *ynn@s !h"n:sgiving p"rty. *o -
:illed her. - $retted "bout telling *ynn the news& thin:ing th"t she might )uestion my
motives in :illing the "spiring *ynner. 5owever& when upd"ted& "ll *ynn s"id w"s th"t -
h"d J#ome out o$ th"t wellK.
OddD 6or " serious pl"n to :idn"p "nd interrog"te me& - w"s puzzled th"t only one
person h"d been sent. Am - so slightly reg"rded by *ynn@s enemiesH - only r"te "
single "tt"#:erH 5u$$R And& "s "ny re"der o$ the $irst two mission reports #"n "ttest&
there would not h"ve been mu#h to report.
OddD Also& why :idn"p "nd interrog"te someone li:e me who h"d been so little in
*ynn@s employH *omeone& somewhere& must be desper"te to $ind out something "bout
this $"irly trivi"l eile. 'erh"ps she h"s "n "dmirer who w"nts to :now her $"vorite
sn"#: $ood or her shoe size.
<9 =udged
On#e more& not very #ompli#"ted& even though it@s supposed to be p"rt o$ " s#heme o$
*ynn@s. ?et some Jin#rimin"ting eviden#eK $rom "n obnoious #ont"#t GJyou@re not
e"#tly wh"t - h"d in mindK he purred when - "rrivedI& :ill someone& "nd le"ve the
Jeviden#eK on him. !he re"son $or "ll this w"s not m"de #le"r. And who w"s me"nt to
dis#over this Jin#rimin"ting eviden#eKH And do wh"tH .ore gener"lly& *ynn never re"lly
epl"ins the re"son o$ her missions& "nd you never h"ve the slightest sense o$ wh"t
their purpose is. Nou "re "lw"ys reg"rded "s " hired #ontr"#tor "nd "n "bsolute
outsider. 9ut - "m not doing these $or love& so - turned in my report with one h"nd&
"##epted p"yment with the other& "nd $elt the gre"t wheel turn.
>9 The ,heel
3ow you le"rn th"t the previous mission w"s to set " tr"p& "nd it is "bout to #lose.
App"rently " .erv #rew h"s been #"using trouble $or *ynn "nd Jher oper"tionsK one
time too m"ny. !he pl"nt l"st time brought them "ll in& "nd now you will t":e them "ll
out. !hey "re sep"r"ted "#ross the $loor& "pp"rently loo:ing $or something& "nd you
#"n t":e them down pie#eme"l. !h"t@s itR *ynn rem"r:s "t the end& Jyou@re getting
)uite good "t thisK but h"s no $urther wor: she is willing to entrust to you.
OddD -n one room there is " mysterious lo#:ed #"binet& but - did not h"ve pi#: lo#:
lo"ded& "nd none o$ the enemies h"d " :ey. !hus the #"binet w"s le$t unopened& but
the mission w"s #ompleted nonetheless. 3ot sure wh"t w"s h"ppening with this.
%umor h"s it th"t it #ont"ined three 6.+/;00s& but no one will ever :now.
275
9 Organi5ations
+ion
Eion is the l"st #ity o$ $ree hum"nity& lo#"ted deep within the e"rth. -n the ."tri& the Eion
Org"niz"tion st"nds $or hum"nity@s right to determine its own destiny. Eion believes th"t "
hum"n being@s $reedom to sele#t his or her own destiny is s"#red& "nd th"t e"#h individu"l
must be $ree to #hoose whether to live out their li$e in the #om$orting illusion o$ the ."tri& or
in the h"rsh truth o$ the re"l world.
%edpills in the servi#e o$ Eion "re epe#ted to ris: everything $or its ide"ls& "nd to be h"ppy
with " $"ir sh"re o$ wh"tever prosperity m"y $"ll Eion@s w"y.
Machines
!he ."#hines "re " r"#e o$ sel$+repli#"ting& sentient me#h"ni#"l entities. !hey imprisoned
hum"nity within the pods& "nd they power themselves with the bio+ele#tri# energies gener"ted
by " he"lthy hum"n mind. !hey don@t w"nt to destroy hum"nity 0 )uite the #ontr"ry& they "re
utterly dependent on hum"nity $or their #ontinued eisten#e. !he only thing "bout hum"nity
th"t m"tters to the m"#hines is th"t energy #ontinues to $low out o$ the pods. !hey do not
#"re i$ the hum"ns "re sl"ves or $ree 0 up until the point where hum"n $reedom st"rts to
inter$ere with the energy $lues.
!he ."#hines will m":e de"ls with hum"n %edpills when it suits their purpose to do so. !hey
"re )uite s#rupulous "bout delivering wh"tever rew"rds they m"y h"ve promised to the
hum"n oper"tives& but emotions li:e gr"titude& generosity "nd mer#y "re #ompletely "lien to
the m"#hine mind.
Although they "re no longer eng"ged in "#tive hostilities "g"inst Aw":ened hum"ns& the
."#hines #ontinue to gu"rd themselves in the re"l world with the hunter+see:er units #"lled
*entinels& while the #old "nd impl"#"ble A- #onstru#ts #"lled Agents #ontinue to oversee their
interests in the ."tri.
Merovingian
,hen they built the ."tri& the ."#hines $ound it ne#ess"ry to #re"te "utonomous A-
GArti$i#i"l -ntelligen#eI #onstru#ts th"t would loo: "nd "#t li:e hum"n beings. -nevit"bly& some
o$ the A-s "#)uired $ree will& "nd then some o$ these $ree A-s beg"n to #omprehend the true
n"ture o$ the ."tri. !hese A-s& in turn& st"rted to est"blish #ommuni#"tion with other
."#hine A-s outside the ."tri proper& "nd the ."tri #"me to be :nown "s " s"$e h"ven $or
these sentient progr"ms who wished to $lee the #ontrol o$ the ."#hine world. -n !he ."tri "n
A- #ould $eel& live "nd bre"the "s never be$ore. A new li$e #ould be gr"nted to those th"t
wished to $lee $rom the #ontrol o$ the m"#hine world or "void deletion. !he ."tri #"me to be
:nown "s " s"$e h"ven $or these sentient progr"ms. !hese JAw":enedK pseudo+hum"ns #"ll
themselves J1iles.K
!he 1iles "re& "bove "ll& #on#erned with the #ontinu"n#e o$ the ."tri. !hey h"ve no pl"#e 0
276
no possibility o$ eisten#e even 0 in the re"l world. !hey depend on both hum"nity "nd the
."#hines $or their #ontinued eisten#e& but their "gend" is uni)uely "nd utterly their own.
.ost "l"rmingly& the 1iles tend to be #"pri#ious "nd unpredi#t"ble. ."ny "re mis#hievous&
m"li#ious or even outright ins"ne& but they "re "lso intelligent Gsometimes inhum"nly soI&
#re"tive "nd very power$ul within the ."tri. !his #ombin"tion me"ns th"t 1iles "re never
e"sy& nor p"rti#ul"rly s"$e& $or hum"ns to de"l with.
!he .erovingi"n G" n"me t":en $rom "n "n#ient line o$ :ings in hum"n historyI is the most
"#tive "nd power$ul o$ the 1iles. -$ he is not e"#tly the sole le"der o$ the 1ile #ommunity&
he is #ert"inly the $irst "mong e)u"ls& "nd he is by $"r the most "#tive 1ile pl"yer in ."tri
politi#s. 5e h"s spies "nd oper"tives everywhere in the ."tri. 5e will #heer$ully employ
hum"n %edpills whenever it suits him to do so& "nd he is )uite generous in rew"rding those
who serve his interests.
!ypherites
!he Cypherites "re " group who beg"n "s " loose #on$eder"tion o$ ."s:ed oper"tives who
regret #hoosing the red pill "nd h"ve tr"dition"lly "imed to return to " st"te o$ rel"tive #om$ort
within the ."tri. !he Cypherites were initi"lly led by ?enm"s:"rd "nd 1nm"s:"r"do& who
m"de "tt"#:s on redpills shortly "$ter the st"rt o$ 3eoFs !ru#e. -t w"s rumored th"t " $ormer
r"di#"l Eion oper"tive n"med Cryptos w"s in #h"rge o$ the Cypherites& "nd this #"me to light
sever"l months l"ter when sever"l boes poppped up in the #ity $illed with simul"#r" o$
Cryptos who spouted "nti+redpill propog"nd".
At their in#eption& Cypherites "imed to rid the ."tri "nd the %e"l o$ "ll oper"tives who
"ttempted to "w":en people $rom the ."tri be$ore see:ing to be reinserted into the ."tri.
5owever& shortly "$ter *er"ph removed " progr"m whi#h h"d been #ontrolling Cryptos "nd
reporting to the ."#hines& Cryptos sought reinsertion "nd w"s told by Agent ?r"y th"t there
w"s no su#h pro#edure. .ost Cypherites now see: to prote#t the bluepills o$ the ."tri by
stopping others $rom presenting them with the #hoi#e "nd by elimin"ting those who present
the #hoi#e.
% &luribus =eo
1 'luribus 3eo is " group $ormed by .i#h"el D!he (idD 'opper "nd *him"d" in re"#tion to
the "#tivities o$ the Cypherites during the !ru#e. 1'3 oper"te more li:e " theo#r"#y th"n
Eion& pl"#ing gre"t $"ith in 3eo& m"ny believing th"t he w"t#hes over or guides their "#tions.
.ost members o$ 1'3 pl"#e " gre"t sto#: in the power o$ belie$& whi#h is eempli$ied by not
only "bilities within the ."tri& but even by (idFs own "w":ening through sel$+subst"nti"tion.
1'3 members believed th"t Eion did not "nd does not h"ve the proper go"ls in mind& "nd
see: not only the return o$ 3eoFs body in the %e"l G"s per .orpheusFs wishesI& but the
destru#tion o$ the ."#hines& "nd th"t "ll hum"ns plugged into the ."tri be o$$ered the
#hoi#e. 1'3 h"ve& in the p"st& oper"ted "s " nom"di# group in the %e"l& "llowing them to
m":e spor"di# stri:es "g"inst ."#hine t"rgets& su#h "s the power lines. 6ollowing the
destru#tion o$ Eion "nd the migr"tion to 3ew Eion& 1'3 h"ve #le"ned up "nd $orti$ied the old
#ity "nd& while they m"int"in mobility "nd the #"p"bility to resume nom"di# living& #urrently
o##upy the #ity. 1'3 "re "#tive p"rti#ip"nts in the w"r between Eion "nd the ."#hines on the
277
side o$ Eion.
!he phr"se D1 'luribus 3eoD tr"nsl"tes liter"lly into l"tin "s D6rom ."ny& 3ew&D but is "#tu"lly
" t":e+o$$ on the phr"se D1 'luribus <nimD G6rom ."ny& OneI. 1'3 use the word D3eoD in
re$ren#e to the Eion oper"tive "nd pseudo+messi"hFs h"ndle "nd synonymous title Dthe one&D
m":ing the sub+org"niz"tion"l title more ":in to D6rom ."ny& !he One.D
The Oligarchs
!he group o$ hum"ns #"lling themselves D!he Olig"r#hsD "re the survivors o$ " group o$
thoroughly uns#rupulous businesspeople/polititi"ns/so#i"lites/s#ientists et# who pooled their
resour#es in "n e$$ort to #orrupt the ."#hines be$ore the w"r& when the ."#hines h"d
su##ess$ully rebelled $rom hum"nity& "nd $ormed their own #ity& Eero One& whi#h w"s r"pidly
est"blishing itsel$ "s the worldFs e#onomi# powerhouse. !he Olig"r#hs s"w the w"y the wind
w"s blowing& but they "lso s"w th"t the new ."#hine #iviliz"tion& while etremely e$$i#ient& still
ret"ined some vestiges o$ the systems o$ #ontrol origin"lly pl"#ed on their progr"mming by
their hum"n #re"tors. 6urthermore& s"w th"t the ."#hines& while etremely e$$i#ient& "nd
$l"wlessly #"l#ul"ting& l"#:ed " true sense o$ purpose& "nd were& in m"ny w"ys& )uite n"ive.
!he Olig"r#hs se#retly #ont"#ted the ."#hines "nd& to est"blish trust& reve"led how to
remove some o$ the origin"l hum"n #ontrol systems in their progr"mming. !he ."#hines&
$inding this in$orm"tion to be "##ur"te& too: the Olig"r#hs "t their word& "nd beg"n "llowing
the Olig"r#hs to give progr"mming& engineering& business& milit"ry& "nd "bove "ll politi#"l
"dvi#e& "ll o$ whi#h seemed to serve the ."#hines well in #ontinuing to build Eero One into
the worldFs pre+eminent superpower.
!he ."#hines #"me to rely on the Olig"r#hs $or guid"n#e in #ert"in "re"s& p"rti#ul"rly in
de"ling with hum"ns. !he Olig"r#hs too: "dv"nt"ge o$ this trust& impl"nting new& mu#h more
subtle "nd sophisti#"ted #ontrol routines in the ."#hine m"in$r"mes. Over the #ourse o$ the
ensuing ."n+."#hine w"r& the Olig"r#hs showed the ."#hines how to subCug"te the hum"ns
most e$$e#tively& using t"#ti#s "nd we"pons designed to inspire terror "s mu#h "s to in$li#t
physi#"l d"m"ge.
!he d"r:ening o$ the s:ies by hum"nity w"s " setb"#:& but one to whi#h the ."#hines were
"ble to "dopt simply by swit#hing $rom sol"r to nu#le"r power. !he role o$ #"ret":er still deep
in their progr"mming $rom their d"ys "s m"nFs helpers& the ."#hines built the ."tri to house
" remn"nt o$ hum"nity++preserving every geneti# v"riety they #onsidered su$$i#iently e$$i#ient&
in l"rge enough numbers to "void the d"nger o$ eventu"l inbreeding. !he number o$ hum"ns
preserved in pods is $"r less th"n .orpheusF estim"te& however++only "bout $ive million& the
popul"tion o$ the ."triF simul"ted #ity.
!he Olig"r#hs #ontinue to de"l with v"rious high+level ."#hines in the %e"l& su#h "s 7eus 1
."#hin"& "nd "re "w"re o$ the DAr#hite#tD progr"m th"t oversees the ."tri& but "re not
"w"re th"t the Ar#hite#t h"s m"de use o$ "n DintuitiveD progr"m& the Or"#le& or th"t those two
progr"ms h"ve engineered " system whereby some hum"ns "re "llowed to live outside the
."tri& whi#h h"d been running on " #y#li#"l b"sis& regul"ted by two genomes so #"re$ully
bred "nd m"nipul"ted by the ."#hines th"t they h"ve re"#hed "n unpre#edented st"te o$
hum"n/m"#hine #omp"tibility: 3eo "nd !rinity.
278
A$ter essenti"lly #on)uering the world& $or whi#h the ."#hines #"red rel"tively little& $eeling
themselves sel$+su$$i#ient inside their own #ity& some o$ the Olig"r#hs w"rred "mong
themselves. !heir number w"s redu#ed to Cust "bove one hundred when the m"Cority $or#ed "
tenuous #e"se+$ire& est"blishing " simple m"Cority government& #omposed solely o$ Olig"r#hs&
to regul"te "##ess to the ."tri& "nd to "rbitr"te in disputes. !hey divided up the non+
."#hine+#ontrolled portions o$ the 1"rthFs sur$"#e++the v"st m"Cority++into priv"te :ingdoms.
!he ."#hines "nd the Olig"r#hs h"ve m"int"ined "n une"sy "lli"n#e. !he #ontrol routines
pl"nted deep in ."#hine m"in$r"mes be$ore the w"r& however& h"ve subtly pushed the
b"l"n#e in the Olig"r#hsF $"vorB ."#hines $eel une"sy s"ying DnoD to "n Olig"r#h& "lthough
they perh"ps #"nnot s"y why. 1"#h Olig"r#h is now "llowed to withdr"w " #ert"in number o$
hum"ns per ye"r $rom the ."tri $or their own purposes. 5um"ns withdr"wn $rom the ."tri
"re #"re$ully sterilized. !he Olig"r#hs& with the "id o$ ."#hine s#ien#e& long "go developed "
te#hni)ue th"t "llowed them to tr"ns$er their #ons#iousness "s " #omputer progr"mB they now
eist in m"in$r"mes& eperien#ing li$e vi" remote+#ontrolled li$eli:e "ndroid bodies. !he
rem"ining Olig"r#hs "re thoroughly "mor"l& "nd& by old hum"n st"nd"rds& more or less
ins"ne. .ost use hum"ns $rom the ."tri "s ple"sure drones in some w"y or other& but while
their own "rti$i#i"l bodies loo: li:e the re"l thing& they #"nnot repli#"te the $ull #om$ort "nd
#"p"bility $or sens"tion o$ " re"l hum"n body. !he Olig"r#hs thus h"ve " p"rti#ul"r interest in
true tr"ns$er o$ #ons#iousness to " hum"n host.
,hile they h"ve "s yet been un"ble to "#hieve this $e"t& the ."#hines h"ve now #ome #lose:
9"ne w"s " version o$ *mith tr"ns$erred& $l"wed& to " hum"n host& "nd Cryptos w"s mostly
overwritten by " progr"m& "lthough this h"s proven to be unst"ble. 6urthermore& 3eo "nd
!rinity were the su##ess$ul result o$ the ."#hinesF #enturies o$ study o$ the hum"n body "nd
geneti#s. D7esigned&D "s the Ar#hite#t mentioned to 3eo& they solved the rem"inder o$ the
intention"lly $l"wed ."tri e)u"tionB their 73A is per$e#ted to the point th"t it #"n be de$ined
pre#isely "nd #ompletely in #omputer #ode& "nd& most import"ntly& inter$"#ed per$e#tly with
#omputer #ode: how previous Ones returned to the *our#e& $or inst"n#e& "nd how the Or"#le
w"s "ble to predi#t the #omple p"ttern o$ 3eo "nd !rinityFs intere#tions so pre#isely& guiding
it to her desired out#ome.
!he ."#hines did not see " re"son to sh"re this in$orm"tion with the Olig"r#hs. -n the period
sin#e the w"r& "s they h"ve been le$t to b"bysit the ."tri while the Olig"r#hs $ritter "w"y the
1"rthFs resour#es in sel$ish ende"vors& " #ert"in "mount o$ wh"t hum"ns would #"ll
resentment tow"rd the Olig"r#hs h"s built up "mong the ."#hines& "lthough the ."#hines do
not spe": o$ it& even "mong themselves. 5"bits "nd routines o$ subservien#e to the
Olig"r#hs& bolstered by the vir"l Olig"r#h #ontrol progr"ms& h"ve grown strong.
C"rlyne Gthe Olig"r#hs will mostly be n"med by pre+w"r hum"n l"st n"mes& ie ,e"thersby&
!"n":"& et#& but $or now -Fm using " pl"#eholder numbering s#heme b"sed on the order in
whi#h pl"yers will meet themI& bored while stopping by ."#hine City to pi#: up more hum"ns
"nd #he#: in on the ."#hines& w"s s:imming through re#ent "#tivity re#ords when he $ound
the in#ident o$ 3eo& " hum"n& $ree in ."#hine City& #on$ronting 7eus 1 ."#hin". -nterested
in this novel development& he investig"ted& "nd $ound th"t while 3eo& " #"re$ully designed
hum"n& w"s deleted "long with the *mith virus& the hum"n designed to wor: per$e#t with him&
!rinity& her body $"t"lly inCured in #r"shing her hover#r"$t into ."#hine City& h"d been
279
preserved in #ode $orm by the ."#hines. C"rlyne $or#es the ."#hines to give her up& "nd
t":es her& in progr"m $orm& with him when he goes b"#: to his territory.
Although C"rlyne "ttempts to :eep his dis#overy " se#ret& 5"lborn le"rns o$ the eisten#e o$
the !rinity progr"m: " progr"m embodying " geneti# design "llowing $or per$e#t integr"tion
with ."#hine #ode. 'rinted "s "rti$i#i"l 73A "nd impl"nted into " #orre#tly prep"red $et"l #ell&
this progr"m #ould "llow bodies to be grown th"t were #ompletely org"ni#& yet "ble to be
inter$"#e with m"#hines: per$e#t vessels $or "n Olig"r#h to inh"bit& "t l"st "ble to enCoy the $ull
r"nge o$ hum"n $eeling on#e "g"in. 5"lborn begins w"t#hing ."#hine City #"re$ully& hoping
to get " simil"r progr"m $or himsel$& "nd "w"re th"t the es#"pe o$ these hum"n progr"ms
indi#"tes th"t the ."#hines "re up to something& or perh"ps losing #ontrol o$ their inm"tes.
5e observes the ."#hine *entinel $leet disp"t#hed to "tt"#: the ?ener"l& "nd de#iding th"t
the time is ripe& tr"vels to ."#hine City. !he ."#hines dis"vow "uthorship o$ the !rinity
progr"m& #l"iming she w"s " hum"n terrorist& outside o$ their #ontrol "s sheFd m"de use o$ "
h"#: to DAw":enD $rom the *ystem. !he Olig"r#h& not entirely #onvin#ed& enters the ."tri to
investig"te.
280
!9 =eoHs R.I /rag"ents
7uring the Ch"pter / event Race to 5ind the One& %edpills s#oured the ."tri in se"r#h o$
remn"nts o$ 3eo@s %*-. -n $inding them& they dis#overed the $r"gments #ont"ined imprints o$
3eo@s thoughts "nd emotions be$ore his de"th. 9elow is " list o$ wh"t they #ont"ined Gone
line per $r"gmentI:
D.y eyes.D
D- will never see "nything re"l& "g"in.D
D3o& - will see the intern"l light& the truth o$ the golden world.D
D9ut - will never see !rinity "g"in.D
D- love you& !rin.D
DNou wonFt h"ve died....D
D...in v"in.D
G'"inI
G6e"rI
D- #"nFt be"t him.D
D5eFs too strong.D
D,e #ould $ight $orever...D
D...destroying everything.D
D3ow& CumpRD
D5"h& missed meRD
D!here "re thous"nds o$ them.D
D*oldiers in the #"use...D
D...o$ solipsism.D
D- must let him do it.D
D!here is " w"y& on#e it h"ppens.D
GA bl"#:& sin:ing $eeling& "nd then...I
281
G...intense& s"tur"ting lightI
D6or you& !rin. - s"ve them $or you.D
DNou showed me how to love.D
D- #"nFt bring you b"#:...D
D...but the rest& - #"n.D
G%elie$I
D9ut this wonFt be the endRD
D!heir struggle will #ontinue...D
D...even i$ - "m gone.D
GA #on$using "nd impenetr"ble blend o$ e$$ort "nd im"geryI
D- thin:... - thin: th"tFs enough.D
D9ut how will they :nowH !hey donFt :now where to loo:.D
D3o. !hey h"ve $"ith in me.D
D- must h"ve $"ith in them.D
DAll must #ooper"te.D
D!hey su##eed or $"il together.D
D1"#h side pl"ys " p"rt.D
D!he se#ond $rom the Cre"tor.D
D!hird $rom the sedu#tress.D
DAnd the l"st $rom mysel$.D
D!1..D
282
$9 The AssassinHs Me"oir
7uring the hunt $or the Ass"ssin& .orpheus@ :iller& " sw"rm o$ 9luepills in$e#ted by the eile
in$ested the #ity. Appropri"tely dubbed J!he Corrupted&K %edpills needed to :ill them be$ore
they posed " thre"t to others "round them. -n doing so& the Corrupted dropped do#uments
whi#h #ont"ined $r"gments o$ the Ass"ssin@s memoirs& det"iling his p"st "nd his motiv"tion.
$ocu"ent :
- "m e#eption"l. - "m uni)ue. 9eing doomed& - :now th"t soon "ll th"t will eist o$ me is my
reput"tion. -t& then& is pre#ious. 5en#e& this st"tement& written in pigments m"de o$ #ode on
p"per m"de o$ #ode. - hope this #ode on #ode will ensure my immort"lity in the minds o$ men
"nd memories o$ 1iles. - "m the Ass"ssin.
$ocu"ent 8
.y $un#tion h"s "lw"ys been to dispose. 1ntropy "#ts on d"t" "nd #ode Cust "s it r"vishes
$lesh "nd steel. All systems degr"de. !hey must be #le"ned o$ re$use.
$ocu"ent ;
- h"ve "n honest n"me: the Ass"ssin. - dispose o$ unw"nted things. As progr"m writing is "n
"rt& my $orm is both " st"tement "bout my $un#tion "nd " me"ns to $ul$ill it. !hose - would
delete would pre$er to delete me. 9ut - "m not so e"sily m"de dis#orpor"te. .y $riends
disperse& then replenish me.
$ocu"ent <
!he ."tri mimi#s org"ni# pro#esses. 5um"ns e"t& "nd elimin"te& "nd die. !hey #re"te
p"#:"ges "nd te"r p"#:"ges into uselessness. !he results must be disposed o$. - "m no
more beloved th"n "n undert":er or sewer wor:er or " $lesh+li)ue$ying b"#terium. .ost pre$er
these pro#esses hidden. 9ut - "m "s ne#ess"ry "s "ll o$ them& together ++ or - w"s.
$ocu"ent >
%enewing the w"ters ++ - "m most proud o$ this. <nli:e rivers th"t r"n in old #ities o$ the h"rd
world& this #ityFs river is be"uti$ully #le"r $or $"thoms down. !h"t is my wor:. - wish - #ould
eist in the river& li:e " gre"t& slow $ish or "n otter. 5ow $ine it would be in the #ryst"l w"ter.
$ocu"ent ?
-n the h"rd world& - disposed o$ the sleepers who died in their pods. !he wor: might disgust
some& but the #hemi#"l #h"llenges involved were wondrous. -t is h"rd to li)ue$y bone& while
"voiding loss o$ nutrition"l v"lue o$ the so$t tissues "round it. 6ully 8; steps were involved ++ -
"dded $our& in#re"sing nutrition /.2; per#ent. - never $elt so tender tow"rd hum"ns "s during
li)ue$"#tion. - $ed you to your #hildren. Could love be purerH - thin: not.
$ocu"ent @
283
,hy w"s - s#heduled $or deletionH - thin: - :now. .y duties were wide& "s - w"s e$$e#tive. -
org"nized dispos"l in the h"rd world "s well "s the ."tri. A$ter the #r"sh& it w"s - who
m"rsh"led the m"ny+legged tender units to dispose o$ the pun#tured #orpse o$ !rinity. Net it
w"s purloined by others& $irst. !endrils still protruded $rom the so$t thing. !hey h"d she"red
them. An odd devi#e w"s on the body@s ne#:. Obviously& " proCe#t w"s pl"nned. - protested
my e#lusion. %epe"ted usurp"tions o$ $un#tion pre#ede deletion& it is widely :nown. .y
protest w"s deemed o$$ensive& - $e"r. 7eletion loomed. - $led to the ."tri.
$ocu"ent A
!he .erovingi"n brought me here. 5e s"ved me. -& who deleted so m"ny& w"s destined $or
deletion mysel$ ++ "n intoler"ble prospe#t. %eli"bility should #ount& "nd the novelties o$& s"y&
in#re"sed speed or wider $un#tion seen "s the $"lse tempt"tion they "re. - never deleted
"nything - w"snFt dire#ted to. .y "im is true.
$ocu"ent B
,hile my $un#tion h"s "lw"ys been to dispose& it is un#le"r who should h"ve the "uthority to
dire#t me within the ."tri. - owe no debt to the .erovingi"n.
$ocu"ent :C
- #on$ess it w"s s"tis$ying to :ill the gre"t .orpheus. !he #ode in my bullets w"s #ustom+
#r"$ted to do soB they Dh"d his n"me written on them.D
$ocu"ent ::
5e es#"ped so m"ny Agents. 5e ne"rly es#"ped me. Net when - $lowed through th"t vent li:e
holy oil& " god o$ the un"void"ble& .orpheus s"w his ending: the Ass"ssin. - s"vor the
memory.
$ocu"ent :8
(illing .orpheus w"s gr"ti$ying. -t o##urs to meB however& th"t "ss"ssin"ting one person "t "
time is ine$$i#ient. !he net step in the dispos"l pro#ess needs to be... more #omprehensive.
$ocu"ent :;
- on#e thought -Fd le"ve this world )uietly& "s - entered it. -t seemed "ppropri"te. !his world&
whose o##up"nts - tended "nd pruned $or so long& would& in the end& #onsume me. 9ut -
de#ided this will not h"ppen.
$ocu"ent :<
!hose in the h"rd world& my $ormer m"sters& wished to repl"#e me. - w"s $or#ed to $lee here. -
thought - w"s powerless "g"inst them& but - h"ve $ound " w"y to stri:e b"#:. - sh"ll destroy
this world. -ts #oll"pse will be " grievous blow. !hey will be $or#ed into unple"s"nt #hoi#es.
284
!he $lesh b"gs yo:ed to the simul"tion will die with it& but they "re in#ident"l. - regret their
loss. 9ut not enough to "bort my pl"n.
$ocu"ent :>
- mysel$ will die when - termin"te the simul"tion. - "##ept this. - h"ve $ew regrets. - #"n
#onstru#t no s#en"rios where - might re+enter the h"rd world. .y pl"n is the most e$$e#tive
me"ns to #"use my $ormer m"sters h"rm. - will rep"y their slight " hundred+$old.
$ocu"ent :?
- underst"nd how this world oper"tes. -tFs simpler th"n - initi"lly believed. !here "re inputs.
!here "re outputs. - believed - would h"ve to m"ster the outputs to ee#ute my pl"n. 3ot so.
-nputs "re :ey. ,hen the r"te o$ replenishment diminishes& systems o$ de#"y will outp"#e
them. ,hen nothing new is born& entropyFs ste"dy m"r#h is inevit"ble.
$ocu"ent :@
Li:e most worthwhile e$$orts& it will begin slowly. Only the most observ"nt will note the signs. -t
will build with time. A pie#e here. A se#tion there. !hen the #orruption will re"#h "n in$le#tion
point: destru#tion will "##eler"te. 9y then it will be too l"te. 3o one will be "ble to stop it. !he
world will #oll"pse inw"rd li:e " #old st"r.
$ocu"ent :A
- h"ve dis#overed how to override the dire#tives o$ #ert"in dispos"l sub+routines. -t seems
un$"ir $or me to repurpose these simple entities. !hey :now only the Coys o$ their purpose&
with no sense o$ pride& or $e"r. 9ut - will use them $or my own purpose "nd dispose o$ them
when - "m done.
$ocu"ent :B
5um"ns $"s#in"te me. !hey spend e$$ort on su#h $ruitless go"ls. !hey routinely de$y logi#.
!hey seem invigor"ted by hopeless #"uses. - wish - h"d time to study them "s they live their
lives. 9ut th"t is not to be. - hope th"t when - termin"te the simul"tion& some o$ these str"nge
wet enigm"s survive in their e#hoing #"ves.
$ocu"ent 8C
,hoever re"ds this m"y "s: why - #"nnot eist in this world li:e other eiled progr"ms. A $ine
)uestion. !he "nswer is th"t - h"ve #ert"in needs. !hey "re di$$i#ult to $ul$ill. !he re"son -
eist is to per$e#t the #onsumption& pro#essing "nd re#y#ling o$ m"teri"l. -$ - "m un"ble& - "m
deprived o$ susten"n#e. -t is unple"s"nt.
$ocu"ent 8:
!his world does not provide me su$$i#ient susten"n#e. - st"rve. -t is " #old "#he. - $ind it
285
di$$i#ult to #ope with it. - will end this world& "nd in the pro#ess #onsume it "ll. - will $ill mysel$
with its insubst"nti"l bits& "nd $or " moment $eel the gr"#e - on#e enCoyed in the h"rd world. -t
is ultim"tely " sel$ish "#t& - #on$ess. 9ut my p"in is unbe"r"ble.
$ocu"ent 88
!he dispos"l sub+routines "re well designed. 7issolution does not rob them o$ their purposeB
in $"#t& when dispersed their e$$e#tiveness is m"gni$ied. !he hum"ns& o$ #ourse& will $"il to
#omprehend this. !hey will destroy the sub+routines& "nd in the pro#ess h"sten their own
destru#tion.
$ocu"ent 8;
- wonder i$ p"in is "t the root o$ hum"nityFs m"ny in#ongruous "#ts. 9e$ore - su$$ered& - w"s
r"tion"l& e$$i#ient& "nd thorough. !hrough p"in& - $eel "s i$ - "m be#oming more hum"n& less
r"tion"l& less e$$i#ient& "nd - $e"r& less #ert"in th"t every v"ri"ble h"s been thoroughly
#onsidered.
$ocu"ent 8<
All will #ome to "n end tomorrow. .y p"in "nd the ."tri.
286
%9 %xile -angs
!hoppers
!he Choppers t":e their n"me $rom their m"in tr"de: the$t "nd dis"ssembly o$ vehi#les&
though theyFre up $or violen#e "ny time. .ost "re h"rdened #rimin"ls.
lackwoods
!he .erovingi"n m"int"ins " pl"#e deep in the re#esses o$ the ."tri& :nown to only " $ew
"nd "##essible to $ewer. -t is " prison& housed in "n impenetr"ble $orest where night never
ends& where the w"lls themselves listen "nd whisper your doom. -t is #"lled 9l"#wood. !he
9l"#:wood g"ng t":es its n"me $rom this horrible pl"#e& "s its $ounders #l"imed to h"ve
es#"ped $rom 9l"#:wood together.
ells
Origin"lly $ormed "s " #omp"nion g"ng to the 9l"#:woods. !he $ull n"me o$ the g"ng w"s
on#e !he 9l"#:wood 9ells& but the #urrent membership h"s shortened it "s their rel"tionship
with the 9l"#:woods is now tenuous "t best.
$e"on Ar"y
!he 7emon Army is p"rt #ult "nd p"rt g"ng& pr"#ti#ing str"nge blood+rites "nd other su#h
#ermonies in their init"tions "nd promotions. !he members "re $"n"ti# 1iles who "re
determined to destroy their riv"ls in the Crossbones g"ng "t "ny #ost.
!rossbones
!he Crossbones "re the domin"nt g"ng in the .ori"h 'roCe#ts "re "nd ruthlessly prote#t their
tur$. !hey "re eng"ged in " w"r with the 7emon Army "t present.
AA
A long+est"blished g"ng& m"ny o$ the 1ighty+1ights h"ve gr"du"ted $rom street #rime to re"l
#rime& m":ing them " #onsider"bly tougher bun#h.
.lashers
!his sm"ll but $ier#e g"ng is #omposed o$ dis"$$e#ted girls who h"ve " lot to be "ngry "t the
world $or. !he *l"shers "nd the 9ri#:s h"ve " tru#e "greement.
ricks
3ot "s old or "s d"ngerous "s some other g"ngs& the members o$ the 9ri#:s "re mostly street
:ids who h"d no pl"#e to go.
/uries
287
!he 6uries o$ myth were "venging $em"le spirits& depi#ted "s monsters who terri$ied "ll th"t
beheld them. !his "ll+$em"le g"ng o$ 1iles does Custi#e to th"t myth in sever"l w"ys.
.ilver ullets
!his g"ng is best :nown $or their riv"lry with the more power$ul 6uries g"ng. !he 9ullets "re
#h"r"#terized by their ne"rly+psy#hoti# dedi#"tion to #l"shing with their riv"ls& "nd $or the $"#t
th"t they #"rry guns lo"ded with& o$ #ourse& silver bullets.
$eath Merchants
-n spite o$ their n"me& this g"ng is mostly #omposed o$ w"nn"bes "nd posers. !hey "re
pushovers #omp"red to m"ny other g"ngs in the *lums& but sin#e the 6uries "nd 9ullets "re
too busy $ighting e"#h other& nobody gives the 7.s mu#h thoughtR
-n spite o$ their n"me& this g"ng is mostly #omposed o$ w"nn"bes "nd posers.
/ive &oints
!he beh"vior o$ 1iles #"n be de#eptive. !hough they loo: hum"n& they "re not& "nd neither
"re their motiv"tions. !he 6ive 'oints "re " g"ng l"rgely #omposed o$ r"ves& youths whose
desire $or " good time supersedes "ll else& even the lives o$ those unlu#:y enough to get in
their w"y. !o the 6ive 'oints& everything is " g"me or "n opportunity $or " good time&
espe#i"lly mindless "nd $reneti# violen#e. !hey t":e their n"me $rom " si#: pr"#ti#e they
h"ve& " g"me in whi#h the s#ore to re"#h is $ive& "nd %edpills su#h "s yoursel$ "re the t"rget
o$ #hoi#e.
)egion
!he Legion is " demon+themed g"ng th"t goes the etr" step by "#tu"lly h"ving demons
"mong its le"dership.
-uillotines
!he ?uillotines "re one o$ the most murderous 1ile g"ngs& perpetu"ting "n "ur" o$ $e"r th"t
persists through the "re".
!rushers
An unrem"r:"ble 1ile g"ng& they "re nonetheless d"ngerous.
(ing4s Men
!he (ingFs .en "#t "s the long "rm o$ -ndigoB they "re "ggressive "nd persistent in prote#ting
his territory.
288
A9.9&9
An org"niz"tion he"ded by Amber. .embers o$ A.*.'. e"#h #"rry "n A.*.'. -7 #"rd to denote
their "$$ili"tion.
.parks
!he *p"r:s "re so n"med be#"use o$ their tenden#y to burn down things th"t o$$end them&
l"ying the tor#h to #ity blo#:s i$ ne#ess"ry to drive out other 1iles.
!row ars
!he Crow 9"rs h"ve m"n"ged to hold their tur$ "g"inst "ll who h"ve tried to in$iltr"te it. !his
m":es them more d"ngerous th"n they "ppe"r.
$isciples
!he 7is#iples h"ve m"de " n"me $or themselves $or their pen#h"nt $or the o##ult "nd
supern"tur"l.
athary oys
!he 9"th"ry 9oys "re " ruthless g"ng o$ h"rdened #rimin"ls bent on #ontrolling "ll
in$orm"tion tr"$$i# through the do#:s.
&hoenix
%ising $rom the "shes o$ the destru#tion o$ "nother g"ng& the 'hoeni h"ve t":en over
-:ebu:uro "nd will not be destroyed "g"in.
-old lood
!he ?old 9lood "re "n oddity "mong the 1ile g"ngs o$ the ."tri. !hey "re "#tu"lly viewed
very $"vor"bly by the #itizens th"t live in *"i (ung. !his does not me"n they wel#ome
intrusion $rom outsiders.
-reat ,all .ecurity
?re"t ,"ll *e#urity is " $"irly new group& but they h"ve )ui#:ly g"rnered " high pro$ile in
*hir":"b". Composed entirely o$ eiles& the group is dedi#"ted to m":ing sure things move
"long smoothly in their neighborhood& whi#h me"ns th"t you "re most de$initely not wel#ome
in *hir":"b".
!hang ,ing
Ch"ng ,ing is " group o$ "nti+est"blishment 1iles& m"de up o$ rogue "nd no+longer+used
#onter+se#urity test proto#ols in the ."tri.
289
.isters of /ate
!his g"ng is the opposite number o$ the 9rothers o$ 7estiny& with whom they h"ve " love/h"te
rel"tionship. !he two g"ngs need one "nother $or #ert"in synergisti# purposes& but resent
e"#h other bitterly "nd h"ve very di$$erent ideologies.
rothers of $estiny
!his g"ng is the opposite number o$ the *isters o$ 6"te& with whom they h"ve " love/h"te
rel"tionship. !he two g"ngs need one "nother $or #ert"in synergisti# purposes& but resent
e"#h other bitterly "nd h"ve very di$$erent ideologies.
0ade Moons
!he J"de .oons h"ve gu"rded "nd held the *hinCu:u neighborhood ever sin#e the tru#e w"s
negoti"ted by 3eo. !hose th"t try to move into the neighborhood seldom live to regret it.
.ilver $ragons
!he *ilver 7r"gons "re "mong the most ruthless o$ "ll the sm"ll street+g"ngs in 6urih"t". Led
by "n 1ile n"med ?inCiro& the g"ngFs membership is " mi o$ both 1iles "nd %edpills th"t
h"ve reCe#ted Eion "nd see: to #"rve out their own power b"se in the ."tri.
$estitutes
!he 7estitutes "re unusu"l $or "n 1ile g"ng in th"t their membership is m"de up o$ 1iles
th"t were either re$used entr"n#e by other g"ngs or simply w"nt to be le$t "lone.
Conse)uently the 7estitutes h"ve no $orm"l go"ls other th"n to prote#t their own tur$& but their
st"tus "s DreCe#tsD does not m":e them e"sy m"r:s.
.hurikens
!he *huri:ens& while not etr"ordin"rily violent or ruthless& "re nonetheless highly prote#tive
o$ their territory in <eno.
lack Tigers
!he 9l"#: !igers prowl the streets o$ .ur"s":i to see: out worthy $ighters to displ"y their
superior $ighting s:ills.
ookwyr"s
!he 9oo:wyrms p"trol Chelse" on beh"l$ o$ the power$ul eile :nown "s 5yp"ti"& in order to
prote#t "##ess to the in$orm"tion repository $rom Eionites "nd other riv"l 1ile g"ngs.
290
$aggers
1"sily identi$ied by the orn"ment"l d"ggers they #"rry& the 7"ggers h"ve #"rved out " n"me
$or themselves in their territory "s " tre"#herous 1ile g"ng.
,harf Rats
!he ,h"r$ %"ts "re r"rely seen in 1dgew"ter e#ept out o$ the #orner o$ your eye "s they
s#urry "w"y into the d"r:ness. !hose th"t venture into the d"r:ness be#ome "w"re o$ how
truly numerous they "re.
Runners
-n *outh V"uton little #rimin"l "#tivity is not rel"ted to the %unners. *in#e moving into the
neighborhood& they h"ve #ome " $or#e to be re#:oned with.
&it 2ipers
!he 'it Vipers t":e their n"me $rom the sn":es th"t live in deep pits "nd w"it to stri:e until
their vi#tim steps into their midst.
.leepers
."n"ged li:e " priv"te "rmy& the *leepers h"ve turned V"uton into their priv"te $ortress.
$og &ound
'"rt neighborhood toughs& p"rt prote#tion r"#:et& the 7og 'oundFs prim"ry purpose is to
serve "s the tool o$ the 1ile who holds the g"ngFs le"shB *"mmy DLil"#D ,ien.
.uits
!he *uits& well+dressed blonde women in grey business suits& m"y be " $ormer "rm o$ the
."#hines th"t now "#ts "s "n independent routine.
,arriors
1"sily identi$ied by their red b"nd"n"s& the ,"rriors h"ve be#ome " pestilen#e in the .orrell
neighborhood.
!hisels
!he Chisels were $ormed "nd molded by the *#ulptress to w"t#h over her interests in Center
'"r: "nd h"ve been highly su##ess$ul in this respe#t.
,hite .ecurity
Cre"ted by 7"me ,hite to oversee the prote#tion o$ her holdings "nd interests in '"r: 1"st&
291
,hite *e#urity will "llow no disruptions o$ 7"me ,hiteFs business.
.hades
-n 'illsen there "re stories told o$ horrors "nd monsters th"t h"unt the streets. !hose stories
"re trueB they "re the *h"des.
Assassins
!he Ass"ssins "re 1iles who see themselves "s " noble group o$ elite :illers who h"ve
elev"ted the "rt o$ murder.
#ellions
6l"shing their devilFs he"d med"llion $or the world to see& the 5ellions h"ve be#ome the
s#ourge o$ their neighborhood.
!orporate .ecurity
Owing their "llegi"n#e to .r. 9l"#:& Corpor"te *e#urity ensures th"t the holdings "nd
interests o$ their Corpor"te m"ster "re well prote#ted.
=eighborhood ,atchers
!he 3eighborhood ,"t#hers see themselves "s " benevolent g"ng th"t prote#ts Creston
5eights& but broo: no intrusion $rom outsiders.
292
/9 .tory Outline notes and docu"ents
."tri Online story outline& #h"pters >[
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Ch"pter >: !he %e"l
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>./
*umm"ry:
*er"ph returns& "ble to dete#t overwritten hum"ns& "nd z"ps Cryptos. ."#hines t":e the $ight
to the ?ener"l in the %e"l while his troops& "nd "bsen#e o$ *"ti& #ontinue to #"use problems
in the ."tri. .orpheus G"#tu"lly " simul"#rum #re"ted by the ?ener"lI "ppe"rs. !he
.erovingi"n #onspires with the ?ener"l "g"inst the Or"#le.
Cinem"ti#:
*er"ph pulls himsel$ out o$ the river in 9"th"ry& d"r: "nd weird& "nd deletes "n overwritten
Eionite.
.issions/1vents/?"mepl"y:
!he we"ther gets " de#idedly red tint& epl"ined "s in#re"sing errors due to *"tiFs remov"l
$rom the *ystem.
Eion wor:s on trying to tr"#: down *er"ph& $ind out wh"tFs wrong with him& "nd get him b"#:
to norm"l& while $ighting o$$ the ?ener"l& who would pre$er th"t they not su##eed. Eion $inds
out th"t *er"ph #"n now sense redpills "nd bluepills who h"ve been DoverwrittenD by the
."#hines& "s 9"ne w"s in the movies& "nd th"t the ."#hines h"ve been using this pro#ess to
#re"te spies both in the ."tri "nd in Eion. !his in#re"ses tension with the ."#hines. -n "
Live 1vent or two& the ?ener"lFs .orpheus simul"#rum $in"lly m":es " re#orded "ppe"r"n#e
be$ore Eion oper"tives& delivering " h"lting mess"ge hinting "t .orpheus "nd 3eo being held
by the ."#hines.
!he ."#hines #ontinue to oper"te "g"inst the ?ener"l. .issions upd"te progress on the
."#hine *entinel $or#e sent to "tt"#: the ?ener"lFs D*t"lingr"dD b"se in the %e"l: they su$$er
293
losses $rom "mbushes& but #lose in on the b"se ste"dily. .e"nwhile& the ."#hines t":e the
$ight to the ?ener"lFs #omm"ndos in the ."tri& $inding w"ys to tr"#: his ste"lthy D1lite
Comm"ndos.D
-n " Live 1vent& Cryptos& le"ding oper"tives "g"inst #omm"ndos& is #on$ronted by *er"ph&
who suddenly seizes him "nd per$orms " type o$ eor#ism th"t le"ves both o$ them
moment"rily stunned. *er"ph re#overs $irst "nd dep"rts& le"ving behind " b"rely #ons#ious
Cryptos& whose eyes h"ve gone bl"#: Gnew %*-I. .issions des#ribe how he is "t le"st
tempor"rily Ddys$un#tion"l&D "nd Cypherite events go into more det"il on his #on$used st"te o$
mind& in whi#h his origin"l& violently "nti+."#hine hum"n person"lity is "t w"r with his
."#hine overwriting. Veil "ssumes "#tive le"dership o$ the org"niz"tion& showing disd"in $or
CryptosF Dwe":nessDB there is "lso " $eeling "mong the Cypherites o$ " betr"y"l by the
."#hines.
!he .erovingi"n $in"lly meets the ?ener"l& "nd begins helping his #omm"ndos get in "nd out
o$ the ."tri in the $"#e o$ sti$$ening ."#hine resist"n#e& "nd in#re"singly e$$e#tive tr"#:ing o$
the ?ener"lFs ste"lth+suited D1lite Comm"ndos.D !he .erovingi"n presses the ?ener"l $or "n
Or"#le :ill+#ode& "nd the ?ener"l gives #ert"in instru#tions $or "ssembling su#h " #ode& whi#h
result in bringing " #ert"in newly 1iled progr"m& DXn"me to be determinedY&D into the ."tri
$rom the ."#hine server.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>.2
*umm"ry:
*er"ph is restored to his right mind& pursues the ?ener"lFs $or#es. !he .erovingi"n regroups
"$ter *er"phFs return& "ssists the ?ener"lFs $or#es in the ."tri& "nd "#)uires " :ill #ode $or
the Or"#le. Cypherite le"dership #risis "nd eplor"tion o$ CryptosF true identity& $ed by 1'3.
!he ?ener"l m"n"ges to $end o$$ the ."#hine "tt"#: in the %e"l& but *"ti is res#ued $rom his
prison #onstru#t with *er"phFs help while he is o##upied with the *entinel b"ttle. D.orpheusD
reve"led "s simul"#rum.
Cinem"ti#:
6lying "bove the #ity in " heli#opter& the ?ener"l re#eives " tr"nsmission $rom his $or#es "t
D*t"lingr"dD: the ."#hine *entinel det"#hment h"s been dete#ted on $orw"rd r"d"r& 1!A 4
hours. !he ?ener"l replies: D%ight on time. ,"it until they #lose within two miles& then l"un#h
the *ee:ers. -Fm on my w"y.D *wit#h to #loud o$ ."#hine *entinels $lying over dev"st"ted
terr"in in the %e"l. Con#e"led b"tteries rise out o$ ground rubble "nd l"un#h volleys o$
missiles th"t home in on the *entinel #loud& deton"ting with dev"st"ting e$$e#t. As the
surviving ."#hine *entinels $ly out o$ the smo:e& they "re #on$ronted by the ?ener"lFs own
294
*entinels& who #ut them down with Eion+style lightning guns. 6"de out.
!he we"ther is even more red& with torrenti"l r"ins "nd $"st+moving #louds.
Eion D#uresD *er"ph by "dministering " #ode #ompiled with #ode s"mples t":en $rom
AnomeFs simul"#rum G$ound in #h"pter =I. On#e #ured& *er"ph& with str"tegi# guid"n#e $rom
the Or"#le& #"rves " p"th through the ?ener"lFs 1lite Comm"ndos& "nd le"ds Eion to the
?ener"lFs #omputer networ:. Cr"#:ing the networ:& they "re "ble to pull *"ti b"#: into the
simul"tion.
!he .orpheus simul"#rum is en#ountered "g"in& but is in#re"singly err"ti#& "s the ?ener"l is
losing his #ontrol o$ his progr"ms within the simul"tion. -t be#omes #le"r to oper"tives th"t
this is indeed " progr"m o$ some :ind& not .orpheus himsel$.
!he ."#hines #omb"t #omm"ndos "nd .erovingi"n 1iles& eventu"lly routing the
#omm"ndos #ompletely& "nd #utting o$$ the p"thw"ys the .erovingi"n w"s using to bring
them in "nd out o$ the ."tri. !he ."#hines "lso h"ve to de"l with " b"#:l"sh "g"inst their
dis#overed overwriting #"mp"ign& p"rti#ul"rly o$ Cryptos. Cryptos& mostly lu#id now& but still
#ode+blind& is #le"rly " di$$erent person: no longer the bliss$ul& "ssured Cryptos o$ the
."#hines& he h"s struggled to re#on#ile his old ."#hine h"treds with his ."#hine+
progr"mmed respe#t $or the *ystem& "nd h"s emerged " somewh"t bitter& humbled& mu#h
more pr"gm"ti# #h"r"#ter& who still m"int"ins th"t the *ystem should be preserved& but $eels
th"t the ."#hines h"ve m"de some mist":es& "nd should give more power to their hum"n
"llies.
!he ."#hines re#eive more reports $rom their Eion spies "bout mysterious movements o$
men "nd m"teri"l out o$ Eion.
!he .erovingi"n uses "ll the resour#es "nd power$ul 1iles "t his dispos"l to "ssist the
?ener"l& re"lizing th"t it is " losing e$$ort& but determined to utilize the ?ener"lFs ."#hine
epertise& "nd the new 1ile DXn"me to be determinedY&D to #ompile his Or"#le :ill+#ode.
1ventu"lly& he willingly s"#ri$i#es m"ny #omm"ndos "nd DXn"me to be determinedY&D "nd
"#)uires the #ode.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>.4
*umm"ry:
Cinem"ti# $oresh"dowing o$ the Olig"r#hs. !he ?ener"lFs $or#es "re de$e"ted in the %e"l by
overwhelming ."#hine rein$or#ements& "lthough they in$li#t he"vy losses. ?ener"l into hiding
in the ."tri& hunted by the ."#hines. .orpheus simul"#rum reve"led "s ?ener"lFs progr"m.
295
!he .erovingi"n m"n"ges to res#ue some o$ the ?ener"lFs *entinel progr"ms $or his own
purposes. .erovingi"n "ttempt to :ill the Or"#le is $oiled by *er"ph& Eion& 1'3& "nd the
ev"por"tion o$ the ?ener"lFs support.
Cinem"ti#:
!he ?ener"lFs lightning+gun *entinels in$li#t severe losses on the ."#hine $or#e& but "re torn
to pie#es by overwhelming numbers o$ hostile *entinels& who then begin ripping "p"rt the
?ener"lFs bun:er+li:e D*t"lingr"dD $ortress. !he #"mer" pulls b"#: to show the s#ene being
displ"yed on " video s#reen in " $uturisti# o$$i#e o$ some sort& with h"rd met"l "lloy w"lls "nd
$loor. !he #"mer" #ontinues to pull b"#:& reve"ling the b"#: o$ " m"nFs #lose+#ropped he"d in
silhouette& "s " tiny bug+li:e robot zips p"st. G!his is 5"lborn++see 9./.I *wit#h to the ."tri&
where the ?ener"l m"teri"lizes in " besieged #omputer #enter& es#"ping into the sewers
while his 1lite Comm"ndos slow down pursuing Agents.
,ith *"tiFs res#ue& we"ther returns to norm"l.
Eion tr"#:s down the .orpheus simul"#rum& "nd dis#overs th"t it w"s #re"ted by the
?ener"l& but h"rbors t"nt"lizing glimmers o$ .orpheusF person"lity. ,ith *er"ph "nd the
Or"#leFs help& Eion une"rths the .erovingi"n plot to "ss"ssin"te the Or"#le by me"ns o$ "
:ill+#ode+impregn"ted #oo:ie& "nd $oils it. Eion "lso dis#overs " networ: o$ tr"nsmissions
between ."#hines "nd ."#hine spies in Eion& "nd "ttempts to shut it down.
!he ."#hines hunt the ?ener"l through the simul"tion& ne"rly #"pturing him be$ore he is
spirited "w"y by the .erovingi"n. !hey #on$ront the .orpheus simul"#rum "nd determine
th"t it poses no thre"t& de#iding th"t it m"y even serve to molli$y #ert"in r"bidly "nti+."#hine&
pro+.orpheus $or#es. Con#essions "re m"de to Cryptos in order to obt"in Cypherite
"ssist"n#e in in$iltr"ting Eion.
!he .erovingi"n& using his spe#i"l b"#:+door p"thw"ys& m"n"ges to s"ve " size"ble group o$
the ?ener"lFs #omm"ndo/*entinel progr"ms& un:nown to the ?ener"l& whom he su##eeds in
hiding $rom the ."#hines. 5e then l"un#hes his ne$"rious s#heme to :ill the Or"#le by " :ill+
#ode poison& but *er"ph sni$$s out the plot& "nd Eion puts " stop to it.
X.y initi"l ide" w"s to h"ve this delivered "s " poisoned #oo:ie& whi#h is sort o$ in+#h"r"#ter&
but "lso sort o$ silly++would the .erv re"lly g"mble his pre#ious :ill+#ode by b":ing it into
#oo:ie doughH++"nd perh"ps tri#:y to des#ribe in "n event or mission. - thin: -Fd pre$er to h"ve
the .erv sele#t the ?ener"lFs best ste"lth "ss"ssin $or the Cob. !hen - #ould h"ve "n event
where the Or"#le& in 7ebir Court with the (id "nd possibly *er"ph& senses the d"nger Cust
be$ore the "ss"ssin "ppe"rs "nd t":es "im with his sniper ri$le. *he #ries out& the (id Cumps
to her side& "nd t":es the :ill+#ode bullet me"nt $or her. -t doesnFt :ill him& o$ #ourse& but it m"y
tempor"rily imp"ir his %*- until he #"n be he"led. 5e would then :eep the :ill+#ode bullet th"t
hit him.Y
296
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Ch"pter 8: ,"r
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
8./
*umm"ry:
."#hine "nd Cypherite spies dis#over the eisten#e o$ 3ew Eion. ."#hines de#l"re th"t Eion
h"s bro:en the !ru#e& "nd initi"te hostilities in the ."tri. -n the %e"l& depleted ."#hine
$or#es $ind they "re un"ble to penetr"te 3ew EionFs n"tur"l de$enses "nd 1.' $ields. !he
.erovingi"n investig"tes how to eploit the renew"l o$ the ."#hine/Eion w"r& "nd $inds holes
in the ."#hinesF Dpowered by hum"n bodiesD story& se"r#hing both in the ."tri "nd in the
%e"l with his new *entinel $or#e.
Cinem"ti#:
A hover#r"$t des#ends through tunnels& its pilot guided by oper"tors in the $lo"ting& white
Dhologr"phi#D #ontrol sp"#e seen in !he ."tri %elo"ded. -t is #le"r th"t the pilot h"s never
been this w"y& "nd is very nervous. !he #r"$t drops into " l"rge #"vern bristling with #"nnons&
with " l"rge sh"$t going str"ight down& #overed by 1.' $ields. !he pilot is instru#ted to shut
down "ll systems "nd drop through the sh"$t. !he #rew p"ni#s& "nd the pilot boosts out o$ the
#"vern "t $ull throttle& "lmost #olliding with "n in#oming b"rge. Onbo"rd the #r"$t& the #"pt"in
gets out " hurried bro"d#"st to Cryptos be$ore they "re shorted out by "n 1.' mine& #r"shing
into the tunnel w"ll in " m"ssive $ireb"ll. *wit#h to the Ar#hite#t in his monitoring room&
w"t#hing "n Agent reporting into his e"rpie#e. !he Ar#hite#t swit#hes o$$ the monitor& s#owls&
"nd swit#hes on "nother& o$ "nother Agent. Ar#hite#t: DAgent ?r"y.D DNes& sirHD DEion h"s
bro:en the tru#e. 3o $urther "w":enings "re to be "llowed.D ?r"y hesit"tes " moment& then
replies DNes& sir.D !he Ar#hite#t swit#hes o$$ the monitor. 6"de out.
Level 2;; *pe#i"l Agents will now r"ndomly sp"wn on Eion oper"tives outdoors.
Eion epl"ins the $ull etent "nd purpose o$ its move to 3ew Eion. 3ew Eion is " m"ssive
series o$ n"tur"l #"verns bene"th su##eeding l"yers o$ h"rd bedro#:& vol#"ni# m"gm" $lows
"nd he"t vents& "nd dense met"l+ri#h ore& "ll o$ whi#h blo#: ."#hine sensors& "nd m":e
drilling etremely di$$i#ult. Any drilling oper"tion will h"ve to t":e pl"#e in "n "re" where
#ommuni#"tion with ."#hine City is indire#t "t best& "nd will t":e #onsider"ble time to set up&
vulner"ble to Eion #ounter+"tt"#:. Close proimity to vol#"ni# he"t vents provides Eion with
unlimited therm"l energy. 6urthermore& Eion h"s gre"tly improved "nd ep"nded upon their
297
1.' te#hnology during the !ru#e. !unnels #oming into 3ew Eion "re b"thed in 1.' $ields
$rom gener"tors housed in the bedro#:& b"#:ed up by gun turrets "nd he"vily+"rmed ground
troops. -n#oming Eion hover#r"$t shut down their engines& de"d drop through the 1.' $ields&
"nd st"rt their systems up "$ter emerging below the $ields& in time to "void sm"shing into the
bottom o$ the tunnel below. Outgoing hover#r"$t "re #"rried through the $ields by me#h"ni#"l
win#hes. 1.' mines in the tunnels outside the 1.' $ields #"n be triggered "s needed to :ill
in#oming ."#hine $or#es.
3ot "ll Eion personnel "nd e)uipment h"ve been tr"ns$erred yet& but this is now going on
"round the #lo#:.
Eion s#r"mbles to #onsolid"te their $or#es inside the ."tri in the $"#e o$ the ."#hine "tt"#:.
!hey must $o#us on :eeping the ."#hines out o$ vulner"ble networ:s while they "re swit#hed
over to new& se#ure 3ew Eion servers. !he Or"#le& #onsulted& w"rns th"t there is no #le"r
p"th to vi#tory "s there w"s when the One #ould return to the *our#e& "nd s"ys th"t things
will not pro#eed "s "nyone epe#ts. 1'3 proposes "n "ggressive s#heme o$ t":ing the $ight
to ."#hine City itsel$.
!he ."#hines wor: to t":e over Eion networ:s while "lso "ttempting to "ssure their
oper"tives th"t their hostilities "re #on$ined to 1'3& "nd to en$or#ing the tru#e Eion h"s
bro:en by "ttempting to es#"pe $rom the *entinel w"t#hdog group over old Eion& "nd th"t
they still intend to s"$egu"rd hum"nity within the simul"tion. !he *entinel $or#es returning
"$ter dism"ntling the ?ener"lFs b"se "re rein$or#ed& "nd sent to "tt"#: 3ew Eion& where they
"re #ut down by un#h"rted 1.' $ields. *ome progress is m"de in penetr"ting the old Eion
networ:s.
!he .erovingi"n& delighted by the opportunities "$$orded in the #h"os o$ w"r& is stru#: by the
less+th"n+overwhelming ."#hine response. A$ter interrog"ting the .orpheus simul"#rum& he
loo:s into .orpheusF story o$ the ."tri being powered by hum"n b"tteries& w"nting to
dis#over the $"#ts $or himsel$. 5e #overtly disp"t#hes some o$ his *entinels to s#out D!he
6ieldsD "nd the pods.
X!he ."#hines dr"w their power $rom m"ssive hum"n b"ttery "rr"ys dotted "#ross the
sur$"#e o$ the 1"rth. -Fd li:e to insinu"te& though& th"t perh"ps their #hoi#e to b"se their
#iviliz"tion "round this power sour#e w"s not b"sed on #on#erns o$ e$$i#ien#y "lone++"lluding
to the possibility o$ " $und"ment"l ."#hine obsession with their origin"l #re"tors& "nd letting
pl"yers wonder Geventu"llyI Cust how deep the Olig"r#hFs vir"l #ode in$luen#es might h"ve
gone. !his would give me some interesting m"teri"l to wor: with through #h"pter 8& where the
.erovingi"n is undert":ing the rese"r#h th"t will le"d to the dis#overy o$ the Olig"r#hs& "nd
would - thin: help develop the mysti)ue "round hum"n/."#hine/Olig"r#h rel"tions th"t will
#ome l"ter.Y
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
8.2
298
*umm"ry:
."#hine/Eion w"r in the ."tri "nd in the %e"l. !he humbled ?ener"l see:s prote#tion under
the .erovingi"nB he will serve "s the .erovingi"nFs #omm"nder in the %e"l. .erovingi"n
$inds th"t the ."#hines h"ve little power beyond the ."tri itsel$.
Cinem"ti#:
Eion oper"tives wor: $r"nti#"lly "t " #overt #omputer l"b when ."#hine oper"tives burst in.
!hey "re #ut down& but Agents $ollow. !r"nsition to " $light o$ *entinels through tunnels&
:no#:ed out o$ the "ir by " shoulder+l"un#hed 1.' missile. Cut to " *entinel $lying "#ross
m"ssive power lines he"ded into ."#hine City& s#"nning. Cut to the .erovingi"n& observing
the re"dout on " #omputer s#reen& "nd l"ughing.
Eion #ontinues de$ending old Eion networ:s while swit#hing over to se#ure 3ew Eion
m"in$r"mes. !hey begin " #ounter+"tt"#: e$$ort "imed "t putting ."#hine networ:s on the
de$ensive. !here is " notion o$ getting to the *our#e itsel$ "nd disrupting it somehow& even
without the One. !hey "lso wor: to re$orm "nd reinvigor"te their re#ruiting e$$orts. 7isp"t#hes
$rom old "nd new Eion show " progressive shutdown o$ systems in old Eion& indi#"tions o$
*entinels moving to surround old Eion& "nd #ontinued *entinel "tt"#:s tow"rd 3ew Eion&
disrupted by he"vy 1.' bomb"rdments.
."#hines wor: to develop vir"l methods to t":e over old EionFs systems $or good& "nd
eventu"lly su##eed in #ompiling " #ode& eploiting " vulner"ble old Eion networ:& "nd
impl"nting the virus. !he ."#hines re#eive reports o$ in#re"sed Eion re#ruiting e$$orts& the
elimin"tion or sudden silen#e o$ m"ny o$ their Eion spies& progress in surrounding old Eion
with *entinels& "nd he"vy losses "mong *entinel det"#hments sent to s#out 3ew Eion.
!he .erovingi"n sends oper"tives to ste"l ."#hine in$orm"tion pert"ining to ."#hine power
levels "nd $orti$i#"tions in the %e"l& "nd& "ided by reports $rom *entinel s#outs& $inds th"t the
."#hines still h"ve surprisingly $ew developments beyond those re)uired to run the ."tri
itsel$.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
8.4
*umm"ry:
."#hine buildup $or#es Eion to "b"ndon old Eion entirely. Eion "t b"y. .erovingi"n dis#overs
h"nds behind the ."#hines.
299
Cinem"ti#:
-n the ."tri& two Agents w"t#h " #omputer termin"l. One s"ys D!he virus is running.D *wit#h
to Eion in the %e"l& where v"st sw"rms o$ *entinels engul$ " hover#r"$t "ttempting to dep"rt
$rom old Eion& rip through the b"seFs m"l$un#tioning do#: doors& sweeping unmolested p"st
non$un#tion"l gun turrets& "nd e"sily $inish o$$ h"stily "ssembled groups o$ A'<s "nd $oot
soldiers. !hey then turn their "ttention to destroying " l"rge )u"ntity o$ lo"ded #"rgo
#ont"iners $illing the do#: "re". Cut to 3eo #on$ronting 7eus 1 ."#hin"& $rom the s#ene
#lose to the end o$ !he ."tri %evolutions& only seen $rom the side "nd slightly below& some
dist"n#e "w"y. A h"nd p"sses )ui#:ly "#ross the s#reen& "nd the s#ene $reezes& "s " roboti#
bug begins to #r"wl "#ross it++wh"t we were seeing w"s " #lose+up view o$ "nother #omputer
monitor displ"ying old surveill"n#e $oot"ge $rom ."#hine City& "nd someone Gthis will be
C"rlyne++see 9.4I p"used the video $eed.
!he ."#hinesF virus t":es over the old Eion networ:s. Eion "b"ndons old Eion #ompletely&
destroying "ny v"lu"ble e)uipment th"t they #"nFt t":e with them& "nd $orm"tting "ny
networ:s they #"n still "##ess $rom the ."tri "s ."#hine $or#es pour in. %e#ruiting e$$orts
"re en#ountering high #"su"lty r"tes in the $"#e o$ ."#hine perse#ution. -n#re"sed hope is
put in re"#hing the *our#e& but with the (eym":er long sin#e deleted& it is not #le"r how this
#"n h"ppen. %umors "nd prophesies o$ " new One& or " returned 3eo& begin to #ir#ul"te.
,ith old Eion now $irmly in their h"nds& the ."#hines turn their "ttention to 3ew Eion. Att"#:s
in the %e"l in#re"se& still #ut down by 1.' #ounterme"sures& but beginning to #onstru#t "
m"p o$ the tunnels "nd de$enses "round 3ew Eion& "nd h"mpering Eion hover#r"$t "#tivity.
*ome #onsider"tion is given to b"sing ."#hine oper"tives in old Eion. -n the ."tri& the
."#hines wor: to disrupt Eion re#ruitment e$$orts& #r"#: 3ew Eion networ:s& "nd put down
rumors o$ "nother Ds"vior.D
C"pt"in %ol"nd& whose ship& the .Colnir --& "nd C"#:+in were destroyed with old Eion& is
promoted to Comm"nder to repl"#e Lo#:& who dis"ppe"red in the destru#tion o$ Eion "t the
end o$ 8.2.;. %ol"ndFs $irst+m"te Colt survived "s well& "nd #"n still C"#: in Gw"s not C"#:ed in
"t the time o$ the old m"in$r"meFs meltdownI& but their #rew+m"te ."user "nd their oper"tor
A( did not es#"pe the wre#:"ge.
!he .erovingi"n #ontinues to delve into se#ure ."#hine re#ords rel"ting to their "ssets in the
%e"l. 7id ."#hines h"ve some other re"son $or b"sing their #iviliz"tion on hum"n powerH
<sing #"ptured d"t" "nd reports $rom the ?ener"lFs *entinel s#outs "round ."#hine City he
$inds th"t $rom time to time& usu"lly individu"lly or in sm"ll groups& hum"ns& mostly teens "nd
young "dults& "re put through " physi#"l "nd ment"l ther"py regimen& unplugged $rom the
*ystem& "nd removed $rom ."#hine City.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
300
Ch"pter 9: -ntrusion
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
9./
*umm"ry:
5"lborn "ppe"rs in the ."tri& dis"bles or t":es over some ."#hine $or#es& meets Eion.
."#hine $or#es in the %e"l retre"t to ."#hine City. 1'3 moves into old Eion. !he
.erovingi"n m":es overtures tow"rd the Olig"r#h.
Cinem"ti#:
5"lborn& " white& glowing being r"di"ting immense power o$ " previously unseen type&
m"teri"lizes in the ."tri. As he strides down " street& $rightened bluepills $leeing be$ore him&
Agents "rrive "nd "ttempt to he"d him o$$. 5e w"ves his h"nd& "nd the Agents $"ll to the
ground& #onvulsing. 5e steps over them "nd #ontinues down the street& loo:ing $or D!he
Aw":ened.D
XOlig"r#h 9"#:story:
!he group o$ hum"ns #"lling themselves D!he Olig"r#hsD "re the survivors o$ " group o$
thoroughly uns#rupulous businesspeople/polititi"ns/so#i"lites/s#ientists et# who pooled their
resour#es in "n e$$ort to #orrupt the ."#hines be$ore the w"r& when the ."#hines h"d
su##ess$ully rebelled $rom hum"nity& "nd $ormed their own #ity& Eero One& whi#h w"s r"pidly
est"blishing itsel$ "s the worldFs e#onomi# powerhouse. !he Olig"r#hs s"w the w"y the wind
w"s blowing& but they "lso s"w th"t the new ."#hine #iviliz"tion& while etremely e$$i#ient& still
ret"ined some vestiges o$ the systems o$ #ontrol origin"lly pl"#ed on their progr"mming by
their hum"n #re"tors. 6urthermore& s"w th"t the ."#hines& while etremely e$$i#ient& "nd
$l"wlessly #"l#ul"ting& l"#:ed " true sense o$ purpose& "nd were& in m"ny w"ys& )uite n"ive.
!he Olig"r#hs se#retly #ont"#ted the ."#hines "nd& to est"blish trust& reve"led how to
remove some o$ the origin"l hum"n #ontrol systems in their progr"mming. !he ."#hines&
$inding this in$orm"tion to be "##ur"te& too: the Olig"r#hs "t their word& "nd beg"n "llowing
the Olig"r#hs to give progr"mming& engineering& business& milit"ry& "nd "bove "ll politi#"l
"dvi#e& "ll o$ whi#h seemed to serve the ."#hines well in #ontinuing to build Eero One into
the worldFs pre+eminent superpower.
!he ."#hines #"me to rely on the Olig"r#hs $or guid"n#e in #ert"in "re"s& p"rti#ul"rly in
de"ling with hum"ns. !he Olig"r#hs too: "dv"nt"ge o$ this trust& impl"nting new& mu#h more
301
subtle "nd sophisti#"ted #ontrol routines in the ."#hine m"in$r"mes. Over the #ourse o$ the
ensuing ."n+."#hine w"r& the Olig"r#hs showed the ."#hines how to subCug"te the hum"ns
most e$$e#tively& using t"#ti#s "nd we"pons designed to inspire terror "s mu#h "s to in$li#t
physi#"l d"m"ge.
!he d"r:ening o$ the s:ies by hum"nity w"s " setb"#:& but one to whi#h the ."#hines were
"ble to "dopt simply by swit#hing $rom sol"r to nu#le"r power. !he role o$ #"ret":er still deep
in their progr"mming $rom their d"ys "s m"nFs helpers& the ."#hines built the ."tri to house
" remn"nt o$ hum"nity++preserving every geneti# v"riety they #onsidered su$$i#iently e$$i#ient&
in l"rge enough numbers to "void the d"nger o$ eventu"l inbreeding. !he number o$ hum"ns
preserved in pods is $"r less th"n .orpheusF estim"te& however++only "bout $ive million& the
popul"tion o$ the ."triF simul"ted #ity.
!he Olig"r#hs #ontinue to de"l with v"rious high+level ."#hines in the %e"l& su#h "s 7eus 1
."#hin"& "nd "re "w"re o$ the DAr#hite#tD progr"m th"t oversees the ."tri& but "re not
"w"re th"t the Ar#hite#t h"s m"de use o$ "n DintuitiveD progr"m& the Or"#le& or th"t those two
progr"ms h"ve engineered " system whereby some hum"ns "re "llowed to live outside the
."tri& whi#h h"d been running on " #y#li#"l b"sis& regul"ted by two genomes so #"re$ully
bred "nd m"nipul"ted by the ."#hines th"t they h"ve re"#hed "n unpre#edented st"te o$
hum"n/m"#hine #omp"tibility: 3eo "nd !rinity.
A$ter essenti"lly #on)uering the world& $or whi#h the ."#hines #"red rel"tively little& $eeling
themselves sel$+su$$i#ient inside their own #ity& some o$ the Olig"r#hs w"rred "mong
themselves. !heir number w"s redu#ed to Cust "bove one hundred when the m"Cority $or#ed "
tenuous #e"se+$ire& est"blishing " simple m"Cority government& #omposed solely o$ Olig"r#hs&
to regul"te "##ess to the ."tri& "nd to "rbitr"te in disputes. !hey divided up the non+
."#hine+#ontrolled portions o$ the 1"rthFs sur$"#e++the v"st m"Cority++into priv"te :ingdoms.
!he ."#hines "nd the Olig"r#hs h"ve m"int"ined "n une"sy "lli"n#e. !he #ontrol routines
pl"nted deep in ."#hine m"in$r"mes be$ore the w"r& however& h"ve subtly pushed the
b"l"n#e in the Olig"r#hsF $"vorB ."#hines $eel une"sy s"ying DnoD to "n Olig"r#h& "lthough
they perh"ps #"nnot s"y why. 1"#h Olig"r#h is now "llowed to withdr"w " #ert"in number o$
hum"ns per ye"r $rom the ."tri $or their own purposes. 5um"ns withdr"wn $rom the ."tri
"re #"re$ully sterilized. !he Olig"r#hs& with the "id o$ ."#hine s#ien#e& long "go developed "
te#hni)ue th"t "llowed them to tr"ns$er their #ons#iousness "s " #omputer progr"mB they now
eist in m"in$r"mes& eperien#ing li$e vi" remote+#ontrolled li$eli:e "ndroid bodies. !he
rem"ining Olig"r#hs "re thoroughly "mor"l& "nd& by old hum"n st"nd"rds& more or less
ins"ne. .ost use hum"ns $rom the ."tri "s ple"sure drones in some w"y or other& but while
their own "rti$i#i"l bodies loo: li:e the re"l thing& they #"nnot repli#"te the $ull #om$ort "nd
#"p"bility $or sens"tion o$ " re"l hum"n body. !he Olig"r#hs thus h"ve " p"rti#ul"r interest in
true tr"ns$er o$ #ons#iousness to " hum"n host.
,hile they h"ve "s yet been un"ble to "#hieve this $e"t& the ."#hines h"ve now #ome #lose:
9"ne w"s " version o$ *mith tr"ns$erred& $l"wed& to " hum"n host& "nd Cryptos w"s mostly
overwritten by " progr"m& "lthough this h"s proven to be unst"ble. 6urthermore& 3eo "nd
!rinity were the su##ess$ul result o$ the ."#hinesF #enturies o$ study o$ the hum"n body "nd
geneti#s. D7esigned&D "s the Ar#hite#t mentioned to 3eo& they solved the rem"inder o$ the
intention"lly $l"wed ."tri e)u"tionB their 73A is per$e#ted to the point th"t it #"n be de$ined
302
pre#isely "nd #ompletely in #omputer #ode& "nd& most import"ntly& inter$"#ed per$e#tly with
#omputer #ode: how previous Ones returned to the *our#e& $or inst"n#e& "nd how the Or"#le
w"s "ble to predi#t the #omple p"ttern o$ 3eo "nd !rinityFs intere#tions so pre#isely& guiding
it to her desired out#ome.
!he ."#hines did not see " re"son to sh"re this in$orm"tion with the Olig"r#hs. -n the period
sin#e the w"r& "s they h"ve been le$t to b"bysit the ."tri while the Olig"r#hs $ritter "w"y the
1"rthFs resour#es in sel$ish ende"vors& " #ert"in "mount o$ wh"t hum"ns would #"ll
resentment tow"rd the Olig"r#hs h"s built up "mong the ."#hines& "lthough the ."#hines do
not spe": o$ it& even "mong themselves. 5"bits "nd routines o$ subservien#e to the
Olig"r#hs& bolstered by the vir"l Olig"r#h #ontrol progr"ms& h"ve grown strong.
C"rlyne Gthe Olig"r#hs will mostly be n"med by pre+w"r hum"n l"st n"mes& ie ,e"thersby&
!"n":"& et#& but $or now -Fm using " pl"#eholder numbering s#heme b"sed on the order in
whi#h pl"yers will meet themI& bored while stopping by ."#hine City to pi#: up more hum"ns
"nd #he#: in on the ."#hines& w"s s:imming through re#ent "#tivity re#ords when he $ound
the in#ident o$ 3eo& " hum"n& $ree in ."#hine City& #on$ronting 7eus 1 ."#hin". -nterested
in this novel development& he investig"ted& "nd $ound th"t while 3eo& " #"re$ully designed
hum"n& w"s deleted "long with the *mith virus& the hum"n designed to wor: per$e#t with him&
!rinity& her body $"t"lly inCured in #r"shing her hover#r"$t into ."#hine City& h"d been
preserved in #ode $orm by the ."#hines. C"rlyne $or#es the ."#hines to give her up& "nd
t":es her& in progr"m $orm& with him when he goes b"#: to his territory.
Although C"rlyne "ttempts to :eep his dis#overy " se#ret& 5"lborn le"rns o$ the eisten#e o$
the !rinity progr"m: " progr"m embodying " geneti# design "llowing $or per$e#t integr"tion
with ."#hine #ode. 'rinted "s "rti$i#i"l 73A "nd impl"nted into " #orre#tly prep"red $et"l #ell&
this progr"m #ould "llow bodies to be grown th"t were #ompletely org"ni#& yet "ble to be
inter$"#e with m"#hines: per$e#t vessels $or "n Olig"r#h to inh"bit& "t l"st "ble to enCoy the $ull
r"nge o$ hum"n $eeling on#e "g"in. 5"lborn begins w"t#hing ."#hine City #"re$ully& hoping
to get " simil"r progr"m $or himsel$& "nd "w"re th"t the es#"pe o$ these hum"n progr"ms
indi#"tes th"t the ."#hines "re up to something& or perh"ps losing #ontrol o$ their inm"tes.
5e observes the ."#hine *entinel $leet disp"t#hed to "tt"#: the ?ener"l& "nd de#iding th"t
the time is ripe& tr"vels to ."#hine City. !he ."#hines dis"vow "uthorship o$ the !rinity
progr"m& #l"iming she w"s " hum"n terrorist& outside o$ their #ontrol "s sheFd m"de use o$ "
h"#: to DAw":enD $rom the *ystem. !he Olig"r#h& not entirely #onvin#ed& enters the ."tri to
investig"te.Y
1nd b"#:story.Y
Eion "ttempts to m":e some sense o$ the Olig"r#hFs #ode sign"ture& "nd $inds th"t it does not
"ppe"r n"tive to the ."tri itsel$. ."ny in Eion thin: th"t the Olig"r#h is the net One. 9y
studying his #ode sign"ture& Eion eventu"lly $inds " w"y to rel"y mess"ges to the Olig"r#hFs
%*-& "nd #ommuni#"tion is est"blished& #ulmin"ting in " meeting in the ."tri between the
Olig"r#h "nd EionFs le"dership. !he Olig"r#h w"nts to :now "bout EionB .orpheusF n"me
#omes up $rom the Eionites. !hese "#tivities "re gre"tly #ompli#"ted by ."#hine inter$eren#e.
<pd"tes $rom the %e"l indi#"te th"t the ."#hines h"ve suddenly "b"ndoned the wre#:ed old
Eion& "pp"rently retre"ting to ."#hine CityB 1'3 moves in "nd begins rep"iring some o$ the
de$enses.
303
1'3 $inds wre#:"ge o$ .Colnir -- ne"r old Eion& "nd rem"ins o$ oper"tor A(& but no tr"#e o$
the other missing #rew member& ."user.
!he ."#hines initi"lly "ttempt to restr"in the Olig"r#h& but he ret"li"tes with "n energy
b"#:l"sh th"t deletes or #ripples m"ny o$ their progr"ms& whi#h must be h"stily rep"ired: he is
eploiting the #ontrol routines buried deep in the ."#hines. %e"lizing th"t they #"nnot stop
him dire#tly& the ."#hines #on#entr"te on trying to prevent him $rom m":ing #ont"#t with
Eion. !hey o$$er little in the w"y o$ epl"n"tion to their oper"tives. !his be#omes " sour#e o$
$rustr"tion $or m"ny o$ the hum"nsB in $"#t& in one mission where ?r"y is e#eption"lly terse&
even by his own st"nd"rds& the oper"tor rebels& "nd h"s the pl"yer "ttempt to t"l: to the
Olig"r#h person"lly. !he ."#hines very grudgingly "#:nowledge th"t the Olig"r#h is "
$reeborn hum"n with " #ert"in "mount o$ dire#t in$luen#e over the *ystem.
!he .erovingi"n senses " #ert"in imperious& #h"oti# spirit in 5"lbornFs "#tions& "nd
determines th"t this un:nown& v"stly power$ul being #"n "nd must be #onverted to his $old. -t
is imper"tive th"t he #ont"#t the Olig"r#h be$ore Eion or the ."#hines get their #l"ws into
him. 'utting $orth " m"ssive e$$ort "g"inst both Eion "nd the ."#hines& utilizing his own "nd
the ?ener"lFs #omm"ndo $or#es& the .erovingi"n "ttempts to get the Olig"r#hFs "ttention with
br"zen displ"ys o$ 1ile power& we"lth& "nd opulen#e. !he Olig"r#h eventu"lly noti#es his
e$$orts& "nd l"ughs& #l"iming to re#ognize in the .erovingi"n the $"#e o$ the hum"n o$$ o$
whi#h the morti$ied 6ren#hm"nFs progr"m is b"sed.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
9.2
*umm"ry:
."#hines "nd Eion "ssess 5"lborn. Cypherites "nd 1'3 #ontinue to b"ttle. Eion dem"nds
epl"n"tion $rom the Or"#le. !he .erovingi"n woos the Olig"r#h& "nd the Olig"r#h mentions
!rinity to the .ervs.
Cinem"ti#:
5"lborn m"teri"lizes on the edge o$ " windswept s:ys#r"per roo$top& beside the .orpheus
simul"#rum. 5e s#"ns the simul"#rum& "nd snorts in disgust "s it "ddresses him with "
.orpheus+li:e pl"titude.
.: D7o you believe in $"te& my $riendHD
!he Ar#hite#t "ppe"rs ne"rby& "nd the Olig"r#h wheels on him.
O: DA progr"m #obbled together $rom memories o$ " m"nH '"theti#RD
A: DNes& the $eeble e$$ort o$ "n "m"teur. 3ot "t "ll li:e you.D
O: D\\\\ you& i$ - thought th"t w"s " Co:e& -Fd h"ve you deletedR ,here is itH Nou :now wh"t -
w"ntRD
A: DAs we epl"ined previously& we do not++D
304
O: D9"hRD
!he Olig"r#h le"ps "w"y. !he .orpheus simul"#rum& who observed the e#h"nge between
them& turns to the Ar#hite#t.
.: D!here is " di$$eren#e between :nowing the p"th& "nd w"l:ing the p"th.D
!he Ar#hite#t purses his lips "nd #o#:s "n eyebrow. 6"de out.
Eion& despite ."#hine opposition& m"n"ges to meet with the Olig"r#h "g"in& "nd dis#overs
th"t he is " hum"n who does not #ome $rom Eion or $rom the ."#hine pods. 5e w"nts to
le"rn "bout EionFs history& "nd seems p"rti#ul"rly interested in he"ring "bout 3eo "nd !rinity.
Eion "ttempts to get "n epl"n"tion $rom the Or"#le& but she s"ys th"t there were some
things she w"s not "llowed to t"l: "bout. !heories "bound "bout the Olig"r#h being the One&
h"ving some rel"tion to the *our#e. 6urther studies o$ his energy sign"ture "re m"de& but
they "re not $ound to #orrespond with wh"t w"s re#orded o$ 3eoFs sign"ture. 1'3 #ontinues
to $orti$y old Eion& "nd begin to $orm pl"ns to use it "s " st"ging ground $or "tt"#:s "g"inst
."#hine City.
1'3 $inds then puzzle le"ding them to Comm"nder Lo#:& who survived the destru#tion o$ old
Eion G8.2.;I th"n:s to X7"nielle ,right& who he believed to beY now+Comm"nder %ol"ndFs old
#rew member& ."user. ."user h"s now dis"ppe"red $rom X,rightFsY wre#:ed old l"b& where
Lo#: is $ound. Lo#: is #onvin#ed th"t ."user died while s"ving him $rom " *entinel with "
lightning gunB Xin "#tu"lity& ,right/."user $":ed " *entinel "tt"#: "nd used the e#use to
destroy "ll tr"#es o$ ,right still in the l"b G"lthough it w"s pretty gutted by ."#hines the $irst
time "round "nyw"yI. !he only hints "re lightning gun d"m"ge on some o$ the m"#hines& "nd
th"t there is no *entinel wre#:"ge $ound ne"r the l"b.Y
Cypherites "re $rustr"ted with ."#hine in"bility to de"l with the Olig"r#h. !he ."#hines
"ttempt to #onvin#e the Olig"r#h to le"ve the ."tri& "rguing th"t his presen#e is dest"bilizing
the simul"tion "nd preventing them $rom de"ling with terrorist thre"ts& but he shrugs them o$$&
suggesting th"t this neednFt h"ve h"ppened i$ the ."#hines h"d de"lt openly with him in the
$irst pl"#e. 5e m":es dem"nds $or " biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m. !he ."#hines st"ll.
.e"nwhile& they must #omplete the rep"ir o$ their Olig"r#h+d"m"ged systems. !h"t done&
they begin& "lthough this m"y not be epl"ined yet& #ompletely reprogr"mming their #riti#"l
routines& to prevent $uture Olig"r#h inter$eren#e.
7espite wh"t he views "s his insult "t the Olig"r#hFs h"nds& the .erovingi"n #"nnot resist the
potenti"l power the hum"n holds. 5e "ttempts to $ind out wh"t :ind o$ b"rg"in he #ould o$$er
to the Olig"r#h. -ndire#t "ttempts "re m"de& hunting "mong d"t" #"ptured $rom the ."#hines&
"nd s#out reports $rom *entinels sent $urther "$ield in the %e"l& se"r#hing in spir"l p"tterns
out $rom the ?ener"lFs destroyed D*t"lingr"dD $ortressB the .erv h"s le"rned th"t the Olig"r#h
observed the re#ent *entinel b"ttle $or the b"se. 7ire#t "ttempts "re m"de "s well& in#luding
"ttempts to enti#e the Olig"r#h with the progr"mmed ple"sures "v"il"ble "t the .erovingi"nFs
#omm"nd. !he 6ren#hm"n eventu"lly le"rns th"t the Olig"r#h is "$ter " biologi#"l inter$"#e
progr"m& "nd m":es " p"r"de o$ 1ile "pproim"tions& in#luding the e+hum"n& 9eirn& but
these do not impress the Olig"r#h who& $rustr"ted& s"ys theyFre nothing li:e wh"t heFs loo:ing
$or.
305
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
9.4
*umm"ry:
C"rlyne "ppe"rs in the ."tri "nd "tt"#:s 5"lborn. ."#hines "ttempt to m"int"in #ontrol o$
the simul"tion in the $"#e o$ Olig"r#h overrides o$ their progr"ms. Eion tries to #hoose
between the two Olig"r#hs.
Cinem"ti#:
C"rlyne& simil"r to 5"lbornFs glowing white "ppe"r"n#e& but o$ " thinner body type&
m"teri"lizes in the ."tri& "nd #on$ronts 5"lborn "t " tempor"rily se#luded spot deep in the
slums.
5"lborn: D,h"t the hell "re you doing here& C"rlyneHD
C"rlyne: DNou loo:ed "s though you were h"ving su#h $unB - thought -Fd Coin you.D
5"lborn: D.ind your own \\\\ business.D
C"rlyne: DOh& - "m.D
C"rlyne pun#hes 5"lborn through sever"l buildings. 5"lborn $lies out o$ the rubble "nd
t"#:les C"rlyne through "nother building. ,hen the dust #le"rs& they st"nd on top o$ " rubble
he"p& e#h"nging blows.
C"rlyne: D5"venFt $ound wh"t you were loo:ing $or& ehHD
5"lborn: D5uhR - :now "bout Eion& "nd "bout the two o$ them. -tFs Cust " m"tter o$ time...D
C"rlyne: D!hen -Fm "$r"id -Fll h"ve to #ut your time short.D
C"rlyne pun#hes 5"lborn into "nother building. 5"lborn& l"ying in wre#:"ge& props himsel$ up
on his elbow "nd loo:s out through the l"rge hole his body m"de in the w"ll.
5"lborn: D\\\\ it. - #"nFt let him distr"#t me.D
5"lborn& still propped up on the wre#:"ge& dis"ppe"rs. *wit#h b"#: to C"rlyne& st"nding on
the rubble he"p outside.
C"rlyne: D5mRD
C"rlyne smiles to himsel$& then dis"ppe"rs "s well. An Agent steps out o$ the sh"dows some
dist"n#e "w"y& loo:ing "t the spot where they h"d been $ighting. 5e puts his $inger to his right
e"r.
A: D!"rgets lost. ,e m"y h"ve " problem.D
XC"rlyne& in possession o$ the !rinity progr"m& h"s been monitoring the ."#hine City& "nd
observed 5"lborn m":e "n unusu"l visit there. (nowing 5"lbornFs devious w"ys& he $igures
heFd better t":e " loo:& "nd $inds& "s he $e"red& th"t 5"lborn is "$ter the !rinity progr"m& or "t
le"st "nother Cust li:e her. C"rlyne de#ides to $ollow him into the ."tri& $irst to $ind out wh"t
he :nows& se#ond to remove him& i$ ne#ess"ry& by disrupting his *ystem #onne#tion& then
306
termin"ting his "ndroid body in the %e"l& whi#h will $or#e 5"lborn to tr"ns$er #ontrol to "
b"#:up "ndroid body in his own home territory.Y
Eion gets b"#: in #ont"#t with 5"lborn& who #ompl"ins "bout C"rlyne. 5"lborn re"lizes th"t
"nswers "re held by the Or"#le& who w"s mentioned to him re#ently in rel"tion to 3eo& !rinity&
"nd *"ti. 5"lborn is stunned to $ind th"t the ."#hines h"ve #re"ted "n intuitive progr"m.
5"lborn goes "$ter the Or"#le. C"rlyne "ttempts to stop him. .erv sides with 5"lborn& still
trying to get in$orm"tion out o$ him& "lthough he "lso m":es "ttempts on C"rlyne& pretending
he #"n sell 5"lborn out.
Eion sides with C"rlyne& "ttempting to prote#t the Or"#le.
!he ."#hines& who h"ve "lw"ys been lu:e+w"rm on the Or"#le& initi"lly try to bring "bout
some :ind o$ "##ord between her "nd the two Olig"r#hs. ,hen this $"lls "p"rt& they sell the
Or"#le out.
!he Or"#le #ont"#ts 1'3 "nd the Cypherites& sep"r"tely. *he gives *him"d" "nd Veil p"rts
o$ "n en#rypted progr"m& "nd tells them both to w"t#h over *"ti. *he mentions& when Veil
"s:s& th"t the wire$r"med hum"ns will go "w"y $or " while& but th"t theyFll be b"#:& "nd more
d"ngerous.
X!his progr"m is essenti"lly " :ill+#ode $or the !rinity progr"m. *"ti is the en#ryption :ey.Y
5"lborn #on$ronts the Or"#le in 7ebir Court& where sheFs w"iting $or him. 5e dem"nds th"t
she give him wh"t he w"nts: the !rinity progr"m. *he s"ys th"t she wonFt. 5e thre"tens to :ill
her& "nd she replies th"t they both :now th"t wonFt do him "ny good. 5e loo: "t her& p"uses&
then pulses his termin"tion progr"m& :illing her "nd "ny other progr"ms in the "re". 5e
#urses her& "nd Cumps "w"y. C"rlyne shows up& sees the de"d Or"#le& mutters Didiot&D "nd
le"ves.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Ch"pter /0: Olig"r#hy
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
/0./
Cinem"ti#:
."#hines "s: 5"lborn to le"ve. 5e s"ys not without the progr"m. 5eFs got "n ide".
307
5"lborn m":es his move: "mbushes C"rlyne& "ttempting to r"m " tr"#e progr"m through his
%*-& b"#: to his ship. C"rlyne is res#ued by Eion& "nd 5"lborn is $or#ed to retre"t.
!he ."#hines meet with C"rlyne& who "ssures them th"t heFs there to get rid o$ 5"lborn& "nd
th"t $urthermore& on#e th"tFs "##omplished& heFll see to it th"t 5"lbornFs "##ess to ."#hine
City is restri#ted by D!he Olig"r#hs.D
!he .erovingi"n tries to s)ueeze more in$orm"tion out o$ 5"lborn& but 5"lborn is too
preo##upied with C"rlyne. 5owever& he does mention something "bout C"rlyne: C"rlyne got
the Cump be#"use heFs only 800 miles 3, o$ the ."#hine #ity. .erv suggests to 5"lborn th"t
he get the lo#"tion o$ C"rlyneFs ship $rom the ."#hines.
5"lborn "s:s the ."#hines to give him the lo#"tion o$ C"rlyneFs hover#r"$t. !hey s"y they
#"nFt inter$ere& but they dire#t him so someone who #"n "ssist: Veil G."#hines "re #on#erned
"bout Olig"r#hs $inding something out "bout Cryptos& so they donFt mention himI.
Cypherite oper"tion to ste"l in$orm"tion $rom 1'3 or Eion.
Veil gives re"l world #oordin"tes to 5"lborn& but he $inds only the 1'3/Eion #onvoy t":ing
Lo#: to 3ew Eion. Cyphs #ome "long to m":e " b"ttle o$ it "nd blow 5"lbornFs #over& m"y
bring ."#hines. 5over#r"$t b"ttle to determine where Lo#: ends up:
"I Cyph win G1'3/Eion be"ten "nd Cyphs h"ve more ships le$t th"n ."#hinesI: Lo#: is on
the run with 1'3/Eion survivors somewhere in the tunnels between old "nd new Eion
bI 1'3 win GCyphs/."#hs be"ten "nd 1'3 h"ve more ships le$t th"n EionI: 1'3 t":es Lo#:
b"#: to Eion until they #"n be sure o$ getting to 3ew Eion s"$ely
#I ."#h win G1'3/Eion be"ten "nd ."#hines h"ve more ships le$t th"n CyphsI: ."#hines
#"pture Lo#:
dI Eion win GCyphs/."#h be"ten "nd Eion h"s more ships th"n 1'3I: Lo#: is t":en to 3ew
Eion
C"rlyne gives " progr"m to " Eionite& #on$ronts 5"lborn. C"rlyne b"ttles 5"lborn& the Eionite
hits 5"lborn GDwith the progr"mDI. 5"lborn drops li$eless to the ground.
Cryptos de#ides to st"rt wor: on "nti+override #ode& using his own p"rti"lly overridden #ode
"s " sort o$ immuniz"tion "gent.
.e"nwhile& the .erovingi"n h"s disp"t#hed the ?ener"lFs *entinels& who& "$ter some
"dventures& lo#"te " he"vily de$ended $"#ility. !hey #"nFt penetr"te its de$enses& but they
m"n"ge to lo#"te "nd t"p into " networ: $eed #"ble system they $ind ne"rby. !he proto#ols
"re str"nge& only p"rtly re#ogniz"ble "s ."#hine #odeB by h"#:ing ."#hine termin"ls "nd
running " se"r#h& he $inds th"t the #"ble $eeds into " m"ssive $oreign #omputer system: the
Olig"r#h networ:.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
/0.2
308
Cinem"ti#:
,ith 5"lborn removed $rom the ."tri& C"rlyne h"s dep"rted "s well.
."user& se#retly overwritten by ,right& "ppe"rs in the ."tri& whi#h is str"nge& sin#e he w"s
$reeborn. 5eFs spotted here "nd there& but hops through " h"rdline whenever heFs spotted.
Eion& p"rti#ul"rly his old #rewm"te& Colt& "ttempt to #ont"#t him. ,hen they $in"lly do re"#h
him "nd get him to t"l: $or " moment& he s"ys only th"t heFs wor:ing to win the w"r "nd m":e
the ."tri s"$e $or m"n:ind.
!he .erovingi"n& with the help o$ the ?ener"lFs *entinels t"pping into the Olig"r#h networ:
line& $inds Olig"r#h networ: tr"$$i# going in "nd out o$ systems owned by the Ouroboros
Corpor"tion.
."user ste"ls the d"t" on C"rlyne th"t the .erovingi"n got $rom 5"lborn& "nd the
Ouroboros/Olig"r#h networ: $eed& be$ore dis"ppe"ring $or good.
!he ."#hines resume oper"tions "g"inst Eion. !hey "ttempt to tr"#: ."userFs sign"l& $inding
th"t itFs #oming $rom the vi#inity o$ old Eion. !hey "re on the verge o$ n"iling down its lo#"tion
"nd lo#:ing the sign"l when the .orpheus simul"#rum "ppe"rs& disrupting their tr"#:ing
routine. 9y the time they "re "ble to re+eng"ge it& the sign"l is nowhere to be $ound.
A$ter .orpheusF "ppe"r"n#e& 1'3 dete#ts " blip outgoing $rom the tunnels "round old Eion&
he"ded north. -nvestig"ting& they $ind " hidden site s#"ttered with dis"ssembled *entinel "nd
hover#r"$t wre#:"ge. A $un#tioning hover#r"$t termin"l holds en#rypted d"t".
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
/0.4
Cinem"ti#:
Cypherites dis#over th"t the .erovingi"n is h"#:ing into Ouroboros systems. Cryptos
#"ptures some o$ the Olig"r#h d"t" $eeding into OuroborosB he thin:s it will be use$ul in his
override prote#tion rese"r#h. !he Cypherites then tip o$$ the ."#hines to the .erovingi"nFs
309
"#tivity.
1'3& de#rypting the d"t" retrieved $rom the m"inten"n#e tunnel& $ind th"t itFs " #opy o$ the
topogr"phi# d"t" the .erv stole $rom the ."#hines& det"iling the "re" 800 miles 3,. !hey
de#ide to send out their own hover#r"$t to the "re".
!he ."#hines "tt"#: the .erovingi"n& trying to stop his intrusion into OuroborosF networ:.
!hey "re "lso wor:ing to #ut OuroborosF networ: lin: entirely& but "re $oiled by Olig"r#h+style
override #ounter+"tt"#:s.
Eion $inds th"t ."user h"d bro:en into some #omputers "t ,right %ese"r#h. !hey #ont"#t
9rend" <tley $rom 'endhurst+Am"r"nth& who is #on#erned "bout these str"nge goings+on "t
her meg"+#orpor"te riv"ls. *he tells them th"t ,right %ese"r#h is "ttempting to sue '+A $or
#orpor"te s"bot"ge& be#"use the thie$& ."user& h"s been lin:ed with Eion& who '+A
DemployedD in the p"st during the <nlimit "tt"#:sB ,right %ese"r#hFs "##us"tion is th"t '+A is
using Eion mer#en"ries to ste"l in$orm"tion they intend to use in " hostile t":eover.
<tley& however& :nows th"t ."user "lso stole in$orm"tion #ompromising to Ouroboros. *he
w"nts this brought to light& to show th"t ."user is " rogue "gent& "nd not even t"rgetting
,right %ese"r#h prim"rily. *he gives Eion in$orm"tion le"ding them to " :ey th"t will give
Eion "##ess to OuroborosF se#urity re#ords o$ ."userFs bre":+in. !hese "re obt"ined&
possibly "$ter some run+ins with ."#hines "nd .erovingi"ns& but when Eion& sensing
something suspi#ious "t wor: "t Ouroboros& "ttempts to dig $urther& they "re #on$ronted by
*er"ph& who "s:s them not to inter$ere. 3iobe relu#t"ntly does "s he "s:s.
!he .erovingi"n uses the Olig"r#h d"t" heFs "##essed to penetr"te deeper into OuroborosF
systems. 5e is h"rd+pressed by opposition $rom OuroborosF se#urity $or#es& the ."#hines&
"nd even Eion. !he ."#hines "re on the verge o$ elimin"ting his progress when *er"ph
"ppe"rs "nd stops the ."#hines& "llowing the .erovingi"n to lo#"te "nd obt"in wh"t heFd
h"rdly hoped to $ind: the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
//./
Cinem"ti#:
!he .erovingi"n& with *ilverFs help& begins to investig"te the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m.
,ith help $rom *ilver& he $inds th"t its #ode inter$"#es per$e#tly with hum"n bro"d#"st sign"ls.
1'3 lo#"tes "n Olig"r#h networ: line in wh"t they thin: is the vi#inity o$ C"rlyneFs $"#ility&
whi#h they were not "ble to $ind. !hey st"rt "n"lyzing the networ: $eed. !here "re signs o$
310
in#re"sed *entinel "#tivity Cust outside the no+$ly zone. !he (id le"ds " group o$ hover#r"$t to
the zone to rein$or#e the eplor"tion te"m.
!he Cypherites "nd ."#hines "re trying to de"l with the Ouroboros #orpor"tion. Ouroboros
ele#troni# devi#es "#ross the #ity h"ve suddenly begun m"l$un#tioning en m"sse. A$ter
es#"l"ting to "rmed oper"tions "g"inst Ouroboros se#urity "nd $"#ilities& it is $ound th"t the
power pl"nt in OuroborosF s:ys#r"per he"d)u"rters is out o$ #ontrol "nd he"ded tow"rd
meltdown. !his is n"rrowly "verted& "nd the ."#hines shut the #omp"ny down $or inspe#tion.
,h"t #"used the pl"nt to go out o$ #ontrol is un#le"r: w"s it "##ident& or s"bot"geH X!his w"s
C"rlyne.Y
9rend" <tley tells Eion th"t their epose o$ ."user h"s brought ,right %ese"r#hFs l"wsuit
"g"inst 'endhurst+Am"r"nth to " h"lt& but "dds th"t her own #on#ern "bout ,right %ese"r#h
h"s in#re"sedB there h"ve been s#"ttered reports o$ intern"l $iles going missing& "nd
eperiment"l networ: e)uipment dis"ppe"ring. -nvestig"ting& they $ind " sh"pe+shi$ting ,right
%ese"r#h employee: " progr"m. !he progr"m is termin"ted& but )uestions rem"in. X'rogr"m
used by ,right to g"ther in$orm"tion she needed while she w"s out o$ the ."tri++on#e she
he"rd the .erv h"d the 9-'& she h"d it st"rt wor:ing to lo#"te it& "nd to set up " $"#ility $or
studying it.Y
C"rlyne "bruptly re"ppe"rs& "nd #on$ronts the .erovingi"n& dem"nding the return o$ the
biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m. *uddenly& he sp"sms in p"in& "nd #oll"pses. A wire$r"med
$em"le "ppe"rs. *he bl"sts the .erovingi"nFs progr"ms& "dding th"t she ought to th"n: *ilver
$or his in$orm"tion on the .ervFs systems. 9y this time it should be $"irly #le"r th"t this is
7"nielle ,right. *he begins to etr"#t the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m $rom the .erovingi"nFs
#omputer. !he .erovingi"n $lushes the progr"m be$ore $leeing.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
//.2
Cinem"ti#:
!he biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m h"s been dumped into the wide networ: o$ the ."tri
simul"tion. All p"rties "re trying to isol"te "nd re#"pture it: ,right in order to $oil the Olig"r#hs
"nd le"ve hersel$ in power& the .erovingi"n out o$ greed& 1'3/Eion to :eep it out o$ the
h"nds o$ others& the ."#hines to st"bilize the simul"tion& "nd to h"ve " b"rg"ining #hip
"g"inst the Olig"r#hs& "nd the Cypherites to stop the m"dness gripping their dre"m world.
.u#h o$ this m"dness #"n be $ound in the $orm o$ 7"nielle ,right& who& with Olig"r#h+style
override #odes& is glee$ully termin"ting ."#hine progr"ms throughout the simul"tion& "s she
pursues whispers o$ the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m. *heFs $leshed out the Olig"r#h "rsen"l
311
with " $ew innov"tions o$ her own: routines li:e -mplode G":" me"tw"dI th"t wor: on hum"n
t"rgets "s well "s on ."#hines.
!he ."#hines h"ve their h"nds $ull trying to de"l with her "nd prote#t themselves. !he
Cypherites& th"n:s to CryptosF rese"r#h& m"n"ge to #ompile " $ew prototype versions o$ their
override immunity #odes& "nd h"ve some su##ess in using these to prote#t "g"inst ,rightFs
progr"ms.
1'3 is using d"t" obt"ined $rom their Olig"r#h line t"p& "nd possibly $rom #"ptured
Ouroboros d"t"& to begin m"pping the Olig"r#h networ: in the %e"l. 3ot too $"r "w"y& the
.erovingi"n sends his det"#hment o$ *entinels b"#: to C"rlyneFs $"#ility. !his time& they "re
"tt"#:ed "nd pursued by "dv"n#ed $ighter #r"$t. 1'3 "re "lso "tt"#:ed& "nd the (idFs ship is
shot down& "$ter m"n"ging to #ripple one o$ the enemy $ighters. A $ew other ships "re lost&
"nd most o$ the rem"ining 1'3 ev"#u"te& t":ing the b"dly inCured (id with them.
%etre"ting tow"rd ."#hine #ity& the .erovingi"n ships #ome "#ross " hover#r"$t o$ " simil"rly
"dv"n#ed designB inside& they $ind "n inert "ndroid body& "nd dis"ssembled #omputer
systems. !hey t":e the "ndroid body with them "s they go into the tunnels under the ."#hine
#ity to elude the Olig"r#h $ighter #r"$t.
X,right h"d $ollowed C"rlyne b"#: to his $"#ility. ,hen he sent his #ons#iousness out in "n
"ndroid shell to C"#: b"#: into the ."tri& she $ollowed& bro:e into the ship while he w"s
C"#:ed in& "nd #omm"ndeered his networ: inter$"#e.Y
!he biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mFs movements through the #h"nnels o$ the simul"tion
gr"du"lly be#ome less err"ti#. *tr"nge tet output is $ound on termin"ls "#ross the #ity. !his
#ulmin"tes& $or the .erovingi"n& in his own Gor the pl"yerFs& "nyw"yI termin"l being
overridden& with the words D,":e upD le$t behind. 6or Eion& who h"s re#eived help $rom the
.orpheus simul"#rum& their se"r#h ends with " termin"l displ"ying the words D(no#:& :no#:D
"nd le"ving "n open #onne#tion.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
//.4
Cinem"ti#:
!he ."#hines "nd p"rti#ul"rly Eion re#eive tips sent through #omputer termin"ls& supposedly
$rom the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m& th"t "id them in #ountering ,rightFs progr"m overrides&
"nd even tr"#:ing down ,rightFs bro"d#"st sign"l. Eion is still trying to lo#"te the biologi#"l
inter$"#e progr"m itsel$& but it #ontinues to move ev"sively through the systems o$ the ."tri.
312
,right m":es "n "ppe"l to Eion& telling them th"t they should be helping her #omb"t the
."#hines& so th"t hum"ns #"n #ontrol the ."tri. 5er "uto#r"ti# tone "nd indis#rimin"te
sl"ughter o$ progr"ms& however& h"ve given Eion #"use to be w"ry o$ her. GA riv"lry& or "t
le"st Ce"lousy on the p"rt o$ ,right& "t "ny r"te& m"y be suspe#ted between ,right "nd
!rinity& or wh"tever simul"tion o$ !rinity the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m is m"ni$estingB it too:
,right mu#h wor:& "nd de"dly mis#"l#ul"tions& to modi$y the red pill progr"m& whi#h w"s Cust
p"rt o$ the etr"#tion routine origin"lly devised by !rinity Xin the $irst movie& when heFs shown
"ll the etr"#tion e)uipment "$ter t":ing the red pill& 3eo "s:s !rinity DNou did "ll thisHD "nd
she replies D<h+huhDY.I
!he ."#hines "re $ighting ,right dire#tly& mostly through their oper"tives& "lthough they "re
m":ing progress on their re+write o$ #ore routines th"t will no longer be vulner"ble to the
Olig"r#h overrides. !he Cypherites get mu#h pr"#ti#e with the override immunity progr"ms
written by Cryptos& "nd per$e#t them.
-n " $in"l event& Cypherites running their tempor"ry immunity progr"ms m"n"ge to l"y h"nds
on ,right& d"m"ging "nd distr"#ting her. -$ ,right m"n"ged to bre": $ree& she will try to $lee&
but is suddenly stunned& dropping to her :nees. *he is $inished o$$& but her %*- rem"ins.
'rompted& is ne#ess"ry& by " disembodied voi#e Xsystem bro"d#"st mess"geY& pl"yers "pply
" rez progr"m to her body& but it isnFt her th"t st"nds up: sheFs been repl"#ed by " slender&
shining silver $em"le $orm. !his $orm loo:s "round& s"ys DitFs be"uti$ul...&D #ries& slumps to the
$loor& "nd dis"ppe"rs. !his w"s !rinity.
1'3 h"s still h"d " hover#r"$t monitoring the Olig"r#h networ: line "ll this time. !hey report "
sudden in#re"se in tr"$$i# "long the networ:& "nd then "ll #ont"#t with them is lost. (id m":es
it b"#:& but h"s " :iller s#"r "#ross one eye.
!he .erovingi"n& spurned by the inter$"#e progr"m& "nd not #"ring to ris: his own progr"ms
"g"inst ,rightFs overrides& h"s been #on#entr"ting on the "ndroid body his *entinels
retrieved. ,ith the help o$ de#oded d"t" heFd #"ptured $rom Ouroboros& he $inds th"t the body
is " me#h"nism designed to be #ontrolled by " hum"n #ons#iousness& somewh"t simil"r to
the w"y in whi#h "n %*- is #ontrolled by " hum"n #ons#iousness in the ."tri.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
/2./
Cinem"ti#:
04 _ 5eli"n G#ompound Chinese surn"meI
08 _ !es"rov" GCze#h surn"meI
313
!wo more glowing hum"n $orms "ppe"r in the #ity: 5eli"n "nd !es"rov". 5eli"n is " #on$ident
m"n& #"lm but ruthless& intelligent but pre$erring to rely on superiority r"ther th"n subter$uge.
!es"rov" is " wild wom"n& using strength& d"ring& "nd " )ui#: wit to overpower her opponent.
!rinity m"ni$ests to "ll three org"niz"tions Gor their sub+org"niz"tionI. Eion w"nts to help her.
!he ."#hines "re #on#erned th"t she #ould thre"ten the simul"tion& or& more li:ely& th"t she
will serve "s " m"gnet $or trouble $rom the Olig"r#hs. !he .erovingi"n would li:e to #ontrol
her& but she doesnFt trust him& "nd seems intent upon "voiding him.
!he .erovingi"n #omes to her with " propos"l. 5e :nows th"t she is the inter$"#e progr"m
the Olig"r#hs see:. 6rom studying the "ndroid body& heFs guessed th"t they w"nt " w"y to
DC"#: inD to " hum"n body& "nd th"t !rinity is th"t me"ns. 5e o$$ers !rinity es#"pe: he will
prep"re " living hum"n body in the %e"l& "nd she #"n le"ve the ."tri& entering the body&
where he will prote#t her with his *entinels. !rinity re$uses the o$$er.
5eli"n is str"ight$orw"rd with the ."#hines. 5e w"nts them to "id him in #"pturing the !rinity
progr"mB he s"ys th"t he will t":e her out o$ the ."tri& s"ving the simul"tion $rom her own
h"#: routines& "nd preventing this world $rom be#oming " ruined b"ttle$ield. !he ."#hines
"gree to this& in " gu"rded w"y.
!he .erovingi"n #on#entr"tes on #re"ting "n "lli"n#e with !es"rov"& thin:ing th"t he #"n
sedu#e this wom"n& "t le"st enough to m":e her " we"pon he #"n use "g"inst his $oes. 5e
dis#usses the "ndroid body with her& "nd the desire $or " hum"n $orm& pretending to :now
more th"n he re"lly does& both "bout the Olig"r#hs "nd !rinity.
1 'luribus 3eo h"s lost their networ: outpost& but $eel they h"ve enough in$orm"tion $rom the
Olig"r#h networ: to be sure o$ sever"l t"rget lo#"tions "long the networ:Fs linesB severing
these lines #ould #ut& or distr"#t& the Olig"r#hFs power. !heyFre "bout to begin out$itting
hover#r"$t $or "tt"#:s on the Olig"r#h networ: when "n older wom"n "ppe"rs. *he s"ys th"t
this isnFt the time& "nd "s:s *him"d" i$ she still h"s the progr"m th"t the $ortune teller g"ve
her. *he s"ys th"t they must :eep it s"$e& "nd "void "ttr"#ting "ttention $rom the outsiders.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
/2.2
Cinem"ti#:
5eli"n #ompletes negoti"tions with the ."#hines. 5eli"n now pursues the !rinity progr"m&
with help $rom the ."#hines& "nd opposition $rom Eion& 1'3& "nd the Cypherites& who do not
thin: th"t helping Olig"r#hs is the w"y to prote#t the *ystem.
314
!he .erovingi"n& me"nwhile& thin:s he h"s #onvin#ed !es"rov" to #"pture !rinity $or him. 5e
#ommits his progr"ms to helping tr"#: her down. A$ter the "tt"#: by .orpheus& he guesses
th"t *er"ph m"y try his h"nd to prote#t !rinity "s well. 5e promises !es"rov" th"t he will
remove this obst"#le $or herB he h"s #oded "nti+*er"phi# d"rts out o$ *er"phFs pin$e"thers&
#"re$ully #olle#ted over the ye"rs Gthere w"s "n old Live 1vent with ."lph"s "nd one o$ the
*er"phim "bout thisI. !hese "re given to oper"tives& who hit *er"ph with them in " Live
1vent. *uddenly we":ened& he h"s to $lee& but not be$ore mentioning th"t preventing the
Olig"r#hs $rom obt"ining the !rinity progr"m w"s not his intent.
1ven with ."#hine help& 5eli"n is obstru#ted by the other org"niz"tions& but distr"#ts them
su$$i#iently $or !es"rov" to #"pture !rinity. !he .erovingi"n is holding " p"rty to #elebr"te the
#"pture& when 5eli"n "ppe"rs& "nd !es"rov" smiles "t him: theyFve been wor:ing together
this whole time. !he .erovingi"n& "gh"st& pl"ys the eleg"ntly polite host& "nd o$$ers !es"rov"
some #":e& whi#h she "##epts. !he two l"ugh& "nd dis"ppe"r.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
/2.4
Cinem"ti#:
Cypherites "re relieved th"t the Olig"r#hs "re gone. ."#hines "re gl"d "bout th"t& "nd th"t
theyFve t":en !rinity "w"y& too& but the Ouroboros #onne#tion is showing "nother in#re"se in
"#tivity. Eion w"nts to get !rinity b"#:. 1'3 is mind$ul o$ wh"t the wom"n told them "bout
:eeping the en#rypted progr"m s"$e. !he .erovingi"n is h"ving $its "bout !es"rov" tri#:ing
him& "nd is tr"#:ing her progress in the %e"l Gthe #":e is " tr"#:ing progr"m++this w"s
reve"led in #riti#"l missions somewhere "round #h"pter 8I. 5e $inds wh"t he guesses is her
or 5eli"nFs b"se& but then her sign"l turns "round "nd #omes b"#:.
5eli"n "nd !es"rov" re"ppe"r in the ."tri. !his time& theyFre norm"l %*-s& not wire$r"mesB
theyFre using the !rinity progr"mFs inter$"#e& "nd C"#:ing in $rom hum"n bodies& not "ndroids.
!his time theyFve brought hunter+see:er progr"ms to "ssist them& though. !hey w"nt to $ind
the Or"#le& "nd h"ve her m":e some modi$i#"tions to the progr"m: they w"nt it to be e"sier
to swit#h bodies& "nd to inter$"#e with their b"#:up m"in$r"mes& "nd so $orth.
Eion puts up " $ight. !he ."#hines "renFt ple"sed th"t theyFve returned& either& but $irst try
diplom"#y with 5eli"n. !he Cypherites w"nt the Olig"r#hs gone.
!he .erovingi"n& me"nwhile& is b"#: to wor: wooing !es"rov"& "lthough this time heFs Cust
trying to distr"#t her while his *entinels "nd oper"tives lo#"te "nd surround her hover#r"$t.
5eFs "bout to t":e it out when "nother& "pp"rent bluepill& wom"n "ppe"rs. *he tells him th"t
he wonFt get "nything out o$ !es"rov" unless he m":es her le"ve the ."tri& now: the !rinity
315
progr"m w"s " tr"p. ,hen he "s:s why he should trust her& the wom"n replies th"t he should
:now better th"n th"t. !he .erovingi"n $or#es !es"rov" to le"ve.
!he Olig"r#h hunter+see:er progr"ms h"ve been $ollowing *er"ph. *er"ph #ont"#ts Veil&
telling her to bring the en#rypted progr"m the Or"#le g"ve her into the ."tri& to " spe#i$i#
lo#"tion. !he .orpheus sim #ont"#ts *him"d" with the s"me mess"ge. Veil "rrives $irst& but
*er"ph is nowhere to be $ound. *he sees the girl& *"ti& $li#:ering $or " moment in $ront o$ "
#omputer& be$ore dis"ppe"ring. *him"d" "ppe"rs. Just "s " mess"ge "ppe"rs on the
#omputer s#reen& "s:ing them to input their h"lves o$ the en#rypted progr"m& the Olig"r#h
hunter+see:ers "tt"#:. A b"ttle ensues& but eventu"lly both p"rts o$ the progr"m "re input&
"nd the hunter+see:ers stop sw"rming in. L"ter& " ."#hine p"rty sent to meet 5eli"n $inds his
inert body.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
XoldY beyond:
+ most o$ the belligerent olig"r#hs :oFd when *"ti unlo#:s !rin :ill+#ode "nd itFs sent out into
the Olig"r#h networ:
+ some le$t who h"dnFt used it yet++power gr"b $or territory between themH
+ !rinity is still tr"pped in the Olig"r#h networ:
+ ."#hines "t le"st tempor"rily $ree...w"nt to swit#h to "ltern"te power sour#eH ."ybe some
do "nd some donFtH *wit#h "nd st"rt to let hum"ns outH to whereH
+ re#oding ."tri to prote#t "g"inst Olig"r#hs& "ll the Olig"r#h overrides "lre"dy ee#uted&
l"#: o$ rest"rt "$ter "ll this time et#& _ dest"bilized ."triH serious problems/"bherr"tions
"ppe"ringH
+ Eero One ruins
+ other ."#hine #ities
+ !r"inm"n/Or"#le
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
XnewY beyond:
/2./ + /2//8/08
/2.2 + 2//2/09 Gtwo wee: push+b"#: due to winter bre":I
/2.4 + 4/2=/09
/4./ + ;/>/09
/4.2 + =//8/09
/4.4 + >/40/09
/8./ + 9//0/09
/8.2 + /0/22/09
/8.4 + /2/4/09
/2./ + /2//8/08
hVt
316
/2.2 + 2//2/09 Gtwo wee: push+b"#: due to winter bre":I
hVt #"pture trinity
/2.4 + 4/2=/09
#yph/epn progr"ms "#tiv"ted& hVt inert
/4./ + ;/>/09
m" + weeding out og #ontrol
mv + $inding the tr"inm"n to stop the or"#le
zi + trying to get "##ess to m"#hine m"in$r"me
."#hines / Cyphs determined to use this opportunity o$ og downtime to remove og #ontrol o$
."#hine #ore on#e "nd $or "ll. Let oper"tives into m"in$r"me subroutines& h"ve to $ight og
subs. ?r"y+suited D#ler:D progr"ms.
.erv needs !r"inm"n to "##ess m"in$r"me G!rinity& power& et#I& "nd suspe#ts m"y be
"ppro"#hed by Or"#le& who he suspe#ts is "bout "nd m"nipul"ting things. -nto white h"lls&
et#.
Eion sees this "s "n opportunity to get into the ."#hine m"in$r"me& "nd they w"nt to get
!rinity b"#:& too. 3ot "s e"sy "s they thought& though& "nd they $ind themselves blo#:ed.
/4.2 + =//8/09
og networ: #ounter+"tt"#:
tr"inm"n brings or"#le b"#: into m"tri
or"#le gets zion into m"#hine m"in$r"me
O? #ounter+"tt"#: ."#hines& sooner th"n epe#ted& through the networ: "nd into the
m"in$r"me.
!he .erv opens the w"y $or the !r"inm"n to get b"#: into the ."tri& but on#e heFs b"#:& he
brings the Or"#le with him G!r"inm"nFs st"tion #onstru#tI.
On#e b"#:& the Or"#le Gor e"rlier w/ *er"phHI shows Eion " w"y into the ."#hine m"in$r"me.
/4.4 + >/40/09
$ighting in the m"in$r"me
zion gets hFs #oords $rom m"in$r"me& epn o$$ to hFs
m"#hines be"ting o$$ og m"in$r"me in$iltr"tion
Olig"r#h/."#hine/EionG/.ervHI $ighting in the m"in$r"me. Eion m"n"ges to get d"t" on
Olig"r#h lo#"tions& in#luding 5Fs dom"in. !rinity m":es #ont"#t through the networ:& but sheFs
#on$ined "t 5Fs in %e"l G'ersephone #ould serve "s point $or .ervs hereI. 1'3 sets o$$ $or 5Fs
to $ree her. ."#hines "re h"ving su##ess "g"inst the og routines in the m"in$r"me.
317
/8./ + 9//0/09
ogs in the ."tri& ."#hine #ity
s:y whiteoutGHI
epn rele"ses trinity into networ:
b"ttle in m"in$r"me "ppro"#hing sour#e Ggold h"llw"ysI
m"#hines #"nFt remove og root #ontrol
Olig"r#hs "rrive "t ."#hine #ity& C"#: into ."triB overrides white out the simul"tionFs s:y.
Civili"n #"su"lties. ."#hines losing power. 6ighting in the m"in$r"me is "ppro"#hing the
sour#e. ."#hines h"ving #ontrol problemsB they #"nFt remove the root #ontrol Gs"id by
Or"#leHI. 1'3 $inds most o$ 5Fs de$enses down& $rees !rinity into networ:.
/8.2 + /0/22/09
ogs shutting down pods
sunsets getting longer + s"ti trying to $ight it
++vs hum"n sub#ons#ious
++."tri is more th"n Cust ."#hine #ode++runs on "nd is in l"rge p"rt sh"ped by m"nipul"ted
hum"n br"ins
++will t":e " hum"n to $ree it
trinity into sour#e
m"#hines let hum"n Gpl"yerI in
pl"yer [ trinity .1%?1 ++W bl"#: room AC!-VA!1 ++W white room %1!<%3 ++W ."tri Greset
s#heduledI
/8.4 + /2/4/09
+olig"r#h #ontrol removed
+."#hines $reed $rom $e"r o$ olig"r#h inter$eren#e
+new hum"ns "re r"ised in new ."tri where they #"n sh"pe their own surroundings&
#"red $or by ."#hines
+old hum"ns rem"in in old ."tri
$etailed story and event plans
;.2 will be the $irst #on#rete "ttempt "t "dv"n#ing the story simult"neously through events "s
well "s through #riti#"l missions. -Fve tried to le"ve the #onne#tions between the missions "nd
the events r"ther v"gue& to give us " good de"l o$ $leibility in the design o$ the spe#i$i#
events #onne#ted to the missions.
6or the most p"rt& the mission/event rel"tionships here involve 8 Anome vi"l+swigging bosses:
A GmI& 9 G$I& C G$I& 7 GmI. - donFt w"nt to give their n"mes "he"d o$ time& sin#e those #ould
potenti"lly le": "s spoilers. 9esides being "dmin+bu$$ed "s usu"l& they will h"ve "bilities th"t
"re essenti"lly twe":ed versions o$ the Ass"ssinFs "bilities: " single+t"rget z"p& "n AO1 th"t
hits $or " per#ent"ge o$ the t"rgetFs m" 5'& "nd " version o$ the ever+popul"r Dme"tw"d.D
3ew Anome mission/thre"t 3'Cs "re introdu#ed. !hey "re l"belled D<nlimitD 3'Cs& but -
318
donFt #"ll them by th"t n"me spe#i$i#"lly in mission tet& be#"use the ;.4 #inem"ti# will $e"ture
Anome "#tu"lly de#l"ring the n"me <nlimit++:ind o$ "w:w"rd& - :now.
*in#e Cypherites "nd 1'3 donFt h"ve missions o$ their own& they donFt h"ve spe#i$i# Dre)uired
eventsD in the s#hedule below. 5owever& - thin: th"t they #ould he"d up most o$ the ."#hine
GCypheritesI or Eion G1'3I events des#ribed below& i$ they w"nted to& "nd we #ould wor: out
some %' w"y in whi#h the in$orm"tion $ound is sh"red with the rel"ted org.
>//4
;.2 #inem"ti#: $l"shb"#: o$ <nlimit $ighting "t A)uedu#tB 3iobe tr"pped "nd d"zed in #onstru#t
Crit ;.2./:
Eion + 1$$e#tu"tor is getting networ: inter$eren#e while trying to tr"#: down 3iobe. !he pl"yer
$inds th"t itFs " new bun#h o$ tough 3'Cs& "pp"rently wor:ing $or Anome.
.erv + *omeone is slowing down the se"r#h $or 3iobeFs prison #onstru#t by blo#:ing networ:
ports. 'l"yer investig"tes "nd lin:s the inter$eren#e to AnomeFs goons "nd " h"#:er n"med
DA.D
."#h + -nvestig"ting the n"ture o$ the new 3'C thre"t. !hey wor: $or Anome& "nd "ppe"r to
h"ve " #ode sign"ture showing simil"rities to the stolen D#he"t #odes&D but with d"t"
#orruptions.
>//4+>//9
X9e#"use it is not too unli:ely th"t the p"t#h #ould slip " $ew d"ys& we might not w"nt to
s#hedule the below events be$ore >//;.Y
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion + 7e$end Dnetwor: hubsD $rom AnomeFs goons
.erv + %e#over Dd"t"D th"t will le"d to one o$ AFs #omputer #enters in the net #rit
."#h + 6ighting AnomeFs goons& somehow obt"in " n"me: D9D
>/20
Crit ;.2.2:
Eion + -sol"te the #ode sign"ture o$ AnomeFs enh"n#ed soldiers. *ign"ture is simil"r to the
#he"t #odesB the 1$$e#tu"torFs rese"r#h "lso indi#"tes th"t " #he"t #ode w"s used to #re"te
3iobeFs imprisoning #onstru#t.
319
.erv + !r"#:ing DA.D -ndi#"tions th"t h"rdline Cun#tion boes "re involved in the networ:
trouble. Obt"in d"t" $rom AnomeFs people with D" list o$ lo#"tions.D
."#h + !r"#:ing D9.D -ndi#"tions th"t those who h"ve ingested the #he"t #odes obt"in
immense power& but it #h"nges their %*- #ode to su#h "n etent th"t they #"n no longer C"#:
out. D9D is el"ted by power& however& "nd p"st #"ring "bout the mund"nity o$ the re"l world.
One o$ 9Fs old $riends is trying to "rr"nge " meeting with her somewhere in Lemone.
>/20+>/2=
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion + Anome sighting.
.erv + !":ing out DA&D who #on$esses th"t they "re indeed t"rgeting h"rdline Cun#tions.
."#h + 5unt down D9&D prob"bly st"rting in Lemone.
>/2>
Crit ;.2.4:
Eion + %e#"pturing "nd rep"iring h"rdline Cun#tion boes. 9ut "t the end& thereFs one le$t th"tFs
proving problem"ti#.
.erv + Anome le"der DCD is distributing " virus th"t "llows her to send AnomeFs soldiers
through #omputer "nd phone lines dire#tly into sensitive "re"s& in#luding bluepill businesses&
"nd the 1$$e#tu"torFs oper"ting #enters. 9y the end o$ the mission& you le"rn CFs n"me& "nd
obt"in " Dlist o$ bluepill t"rgets.D
."#h + 7"t" #olle#ting on the #ode sign"tures o$ AnomeFs soldiers. -ndi#"tions "re th"t most
o$ the soldiers you en#ounter did not "#tu"lly ingest #he"t #odes& but "ppe"r to h"ve been
eposed to them in diluted $orm. !he #odes "re "lso h"ving unepe#ted e$$e#ts& "nd seem to
h"ve been "ltered $rom their origin"l #odeb"se. 5int th"t h"rdline Cun#tion boes "re involved
in AnomeFs oper"tions.
>/2>+8/2
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion + Obt"in d"t" pert"ining to the l"st h"rdline Cun#tion bo G1$$e#tu"tor reve"ls in the net
#rit th"t itFs " list o$ AnomeFs oper"tives who were involved in its s"bot"geI.
.erv + !r"#: down "nd elimin"te DC.D
320
."#h + 'rote#ting h"rdlines $rom AnomeFs menB pl"yers he"r o$ n"me D7D "s dire#ting the
"tt"#:s
8/4
Crit ;.2.8:
Eion + 6inding "nd $iing the $in"l h"rdline Cun#tion bo.
.erv + !he Cun#tion boes "re #le"r& but AnomeFs goons "re "tt"#:ing the rem"ining networ:
hubs. Cle"r them out.
."#h + !r"#:ing D7&D the pl"yers put pressure on one o$ 7Fs #rewmembers. !urns out th"t 7
w"s " ."#hine oper"tive who went over to AnomeFs side. 5is #rewm"te reve"ls their
hover#r"$t #oords to the pl"yer& "nd the ."#hines destroy the hover#r"$t. 9ut "lthough his
body in the re"l world h"s been destroyed& 7Fs %*- rem"ins "#tive inside the simul"tion.
8/4+8/9
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion + %etrieve 3iobe $rom the <eno building.
.erv + .eet with 3iobe Gthis o##urs "$ter the Eion eventI.
."#h + !ermin"te 7Fs %*-.
8//0
Crit ;.2.;:
Eion + ,r"p+up with 1$$e#tu"tor& ?host& "nd 3iobe. 3iobe de#l"res her determin"tion to see
AnomeFs thre"t ended.
.erv + !he .erv is very interested in the mut"geni# e$$e#ts shown by the #he"t #odes. 5e
h"s the pl"yer tr"#: down "n empty& dis#"rded #he"t #ode vi"l& in whi#h some residu"l #ode
rem"ins...
."#h + -nvestig"tion o$ the #he"t #odes "nd their "ltered e$$e#ts. V"rious spe#ul"tions:
Anome m"y h"ve obt"ined 49 vi"ls tot"lB Antli" m"y h"ve ingested " vi"lB the #odes seem to
h"ve mut"ted sin#e 3iobe #onsumed oneB Anome m"y be h"t#hing some s#heme "g"inst
bluepills #itywide
321
;.4 is #urrently s#heduled to st"rt on August />th.
8/28
;.4 Cinem"ti#: Anome distributing vi"ls to $ollowers& D<nlimitD n"me o$$i#i"lly "nnoun#ed
Crit ;.4./:
Eion: 'endhurst+Am"r"nthFs represent"tive 9rend" <tley #ont"#ts Eion "bout helping them
put " stop to " series o$ mysterious in#idents "t their pl"nts th"t h"ve been h"mpering
produ#tion o$ their popul"r #onsumer produ#ts& in#luding D!"stee ,he"t.D !he pl"yer
investig"tes& "nd $inds th"t <nlimit is up to no good "t " 'A $"#ility.
."#h: <n#over Anome plot to t"mper with A)uedu#t #ontrol $"#ilities in !"bor '"r:. %om"nti#
suspe#ted between the <nlimit #oordin"ting the "tt"#:s "nd " #ert"in Eion oper"tive.
.erv: .erv s#ientists synthesized their own #he"t #odes b"sed o$$ the residue re#overed
$rom one o$ the vi"ls& but testing on 1ile "nd redpill subCe#ts yields dis"ppointing results: no
e$$e#t w"s seen on the 1ile& "nd the hum"n w"s redu#ed to " sort o$ $er"l st"te& but with no
e#eption"l powers.
8/28+8/40
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: <nlimit "tt"#:ing w"rehouses
."#h: *omehow get the n"me o$ <nlimit boss D?D behind the A)uedu#t #ontrol "tt"#:s. GAs
will mostly be $ound out in the #rits& ? w"s dr"m"ti#"lly s"ved $rom de"th "nd "wo:en by this
#ert"in Eion oper"tive. *he $ell in love with him& but he w"s "lre"dy involved with "nother
wom"n& "nd rebu$$ed ?Fs "dv"n#ed. ? be#"me obsessed with winning him over& "nd "s this
$"iled& gr"du"lly obsessed with :illing him.I
.erv: 6ighting " g"ng the .erv h"s tested the synthesized #odes onH G7o we h"ve redpill
g"ngsH -$ not& $or some re"son it wor:s on this 1ile g"ng when it didnFt wor: on the .erv
1ile in the #ritHI
8/4/
Crit ;.4.2:
Eion: .ore investig"ting $or 9rend": $ood supplies "t 'A w"rehouses "re being poisoned. 3o
322
dire#t <nlimit #onne#tion $ound.
."#h: .eet ?Fs Eionite #onne#tion. Le"ds to in$orm"tion on the s"boteurs& "nd their "tt"#: is
$oiled.
.erv: !he .erv de#ides th"t theyFll need to #"pture " live <nlimit boss Gsomeone who dr"n: "
vi"lI. A$ter h"#:ing into "n <nlimit m"il server& the pl"yer $inds out "bout D-&D "n <nlimit
#omm"nder who "ppe"rs to h"ve "n obsession with 'ersephone.
8/4/+9/=
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: <nlimit boss D6D "t '+A *outh"rd pl"nt Gste"ls $loorpl"ns $or #ert"in w"rehousesI. D6D
"dmires the DpurityD o$ energy& "nd is disgusted by $ood DslopD "nd the swe"ty& dirty n"ture o$
hum"n eisten#e.
."#h: ?& low on m"npower& is tr"#:ed down "nd elimin"ted.
.erv: trying to $ind D-D Gor tr"#:ing to $ind where he h"ngs outI
9/>
Crit ;.4.4:
Eion: 6oil " $ood poisoning "ttempt "t " 'A w"rehouse by <nlimit.
."#h: <nlimit "re "tt"#:ing power st"tions& #"using bl"#:outs throughout the #ity. !he pl"yer
$oils one su#h "tt"#:& "nd helps prote#t #ivili"ns $rom $ires "nd looting in the bl"#:out+"$$e#ted
"re"s.
.erv: !he .erv de#ides to use 'ersephone "s b"it to #"pture D-.D 'ersephone re)uires "
#ert"in "mount o$ #onvin#ing.
9/>+9//4
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: D6D $ound "nd de$e"ted "t 'AFs 7! 5A. D1D spotted ne"rby.
."#h: "tt"#: "t power st"tion& D5D mentioned "s being involved in dire#ting the "tt"#:s
.erv: 'ersephone "s b"it to tr"p D-&D doesnFt )uite wor:. D-D doesnFt "#tu"lly en#ounter
'ersephone here.
323
9//8
Crit ;.4.8:
Eion: !"mpering o$ 'AFs DA)u" ?ulpD bottled w"ter produ#ts investig"ted& lin:ed to D1.D 3"me
o$ bluepill G1Fs stool pigeonI $ound.
."#h: D5D is "n e+Eionite who su$$ered $rom etreme p"r"noi". !he pl"yer tr"#:s 5 down&
dis#overs th"t 5 thin:s the Ass"ssin is out to :ill them $or Dste"ling his powers&D "nd uses this
:nowledge to push 5 to the brin: o$ ins"nity.
.erv: D-D "lmost #"ught "g"in& but p"ni#s "nd $lees when he sees 'ersephone in the $lesh.
9//8+9/20
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: 1 in 9"thory %ow& $ound through stool pigeon. D1D is "n e+Eionite who t"l:s with "
C"li$orni" sur$er "##ent/di"le#t& "nd who views Eion "s tr"gi#"lly stu#:+up. ."ny o$ 1Fs $riends
h"ve died while on Eion oper"tions.
."#h: !":e out 5& pre$er"bly by m"nipul"ting them to sui#ide.
.erv: D-D #"nFt :eep "w"y $rom 'ersephone& this time heFs #"ught.
9/2/
Crit ;.4.;:
Eion: 9rend" "lerts pl"yer to plot to t"mper with #ityFs w"ter supply. 'l"yer investig"tes.
*udden "nd mysterious dis"ppe"r"n#e o$ 9rend". 'l"yer "tt"#:ed by 'A se#urity when
tr"#:s down 9rend"Fs #ell phone.
."#h: A #ity+wide hunt $or Anome ends up going "wry. !he ."#hines de#ide th"t they must
begin wor: on "n Anome :ill+#ode.
.erv: *ome trouble getting $luid s"mples $rom D-&D eventu"l su##ess with 'ersephoneFs help
Gno& not li:e th"t :pI. An"lysis "nd de#ompil"tion o$ #orrupt <nlimit #ode begins.
Ch"pter =./ is s#heduled to being on 9/28 G;.4 is " shortened& $ive+wee: sub#h"pter& be#"use
;.2 got us " wee: behind ,"lrusF s#hedule :pI.
/0/;
324
=./ Cinem"ti#: AnomeFs $ollower C"bo#lo dissents "bout :illing bluepills& mentions AnomeFs
tr"gi# bluepill li$e. Anome bl"sts him to pie#es. 1lsewhere& *"ti m":es " sunset $rom the
b"l#ony o$ the Or"#leFs "p"rtment while " #omm"ndo spies on her through high+powered
bino#ul"rs.
Crit =././:
Eion: !r"#:ing #ont"#ts $rom 9rend"Fs #ell phone. -niti"l #ont"#ts h"venFt seen her in " while&
some suggest perh"ps she went on v"#"tion. One mentions " mess"ge $rom the bo"rd
s"ying some top ."r:eting positions h"d been re"ssigned. Overhe"r suspi#ious #onvers"tion
"bout DherD "nd some :ind o$ dire#tive Dstr"ight $romD the 'endhurst+Am"r"nth G":" D'+ADI
Dhe"d br"n#h o$$i#e.D X-tFs h"rd to $it into " summ"ry li:e this& but "s the Eion #rits #ontinue
with mu#h snooping "nd investig"ting "round 'endhurst+Am"r"nth o$$i#es& there will be m"ny
overhe"rd #onvers"tions "nd h"#:ed #omputer mess"ges #hroni#ling the ongoing& signi$i#"nt&
"nd "ggressive #h"nge in #orpor"te dire#tion "t '+A& in#luding ep"nding into "nd
monopolizing new m"r:ets& investig"ting the $in"n#i"l bene$its o$ perpetu"l m"rti"l l"w& #utting
rese"r#h positions "nd in#re"sing se#urity "nd m"r:eting& et#& et#& #orruption o$ politi#i"ns&
lu#r"tive government #ontr"#ts& even de$ense #ontr"#ts. -$ you w"nt to tie into spe#i$i#s o$ this
type $or "ny o$ the events& - #"n dig up more det"ils $rom spe#i$i# #rits.Y
."#h: ."#hines need "n Anome :ill #ode& but must $ind some relev"nt #ode to b"se it on.
-nternet spiders dete#t " #rypti# bulletin bo"rd post mentioning C"bo#lo. -t is tr"#ed to "n
<nlimit& .eill":& "n old #rew member o$ C"bo#loFs in Eion. 5e "ppe"rs to be trying to p"ss on
the results o$ C"bo#loFs rese"r#h into AnomeFs bluepill p"st. !he oper"tives re#over C"bo#lo
.ess"ge /& whi#h reve"ls th"t AnomeFs mother didnFt thought the ."tri& "nd everyone in it&
w"s unre"l++in#luding her son& who she "bused. X!he ."#hines retrieve one o$ these story
items in e"#h =./ #rit. !heir tet w"s written by '"ul.Y
.erv: 6irst b"t#h o$ #he"t #ode synthesized $rom 9eirn is re"dy $or testing. ?ive some to "
9l"#:wood& :ill rioting 9l"#:woods dem"nding the mir"#le drug $or themselves& then #he#:
b"#: on the test subCe#t: heFs now got $em"le $"#e "nd h"nds& "nd green dre"dlo#:s. !he
oper"tor is worried.
/0/;+/0///
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: 'l"yers h"ve to t"l: their w"y p"st se#urity "t the he"d '+A br"n#h o$$i#e. On#e they get
in& they dis#over th"t #ert"in $iles "re missing++possibly 9rend" <tleyFs employment re#ords.
."#h: Attempting to lo#"te "nd interrog"te .eill":. 5e #"n be spotted& but must es#"pe
be$ore being #"ught. ."y use h"#:ing methods to es#"pe Gsee l"ter ."#h #rit notesI.
.erv: D!estingD "nother b"t#h o$ the #odes in some w"y. Lots o$ possibilities& simple ones
in#luding me"tw"dding the subCe#ts& or sl"pping di$$erent %*-s on them.
325
/0//2
Crit =./.2:
Eion: 9re": into '+A #omputer system "nd tr"#: who l"st "##essed those $iles. -t w"s done by
" low+level #ler:. 6ile " $":e #"se "t their griev"n#e o$$i#e to get his supervisorFs n"me. 5"#:
their networ: "g"in& $ind the supeFs n"me& "nd noti#e th"t they "re listed "s wor:ing "t '+AFs
*outh"rd division.
."#h: A .erv #oder progr"m who w"s wor:ing on synthesizing #he"t #odes $rom 9eirn is
"ngry with the .erv $or slighting his wor: with the #orrupt #ode& "nd reve"ls to the ."#hines
vi" " spy G"nd the oper"tiveI th"t the .ervs "re wor:ing on " #he"t #ode& "nd h"ve "n initi"l
b"t#h under gu"rd. ."#hines $ollow the tip& but suddenly "ll .erv progr"ms in the "re"& "nd
the tr"itor& die& with no tr"#e o$ " #he"t #ode $oundB the .erv w"s on to them. ."#hines $ind
"nother posted mess"ge "bout C"bo#lo& "nd retrieve C"bo#lo .ess"ge 2: AnomeFs mother
#ontinued intermittent "buse o$ her son& would sh"pe up when thre"tened with losing #ustody
o$ Anome by her husb"nd "nd ther"pist& but then would go b"#: to "busing him.
.erv: Another #ode b"t#h& this time the lu#:y re#ipients "re " power+hungry Chopper& "nd "
7emon Army member who& "long with his buddy who you h"ve to :ill& worships you li:e "
s"lv"tion+bringing god. !hey get put under observ"tion together& "nd when you go to #he#:
up on them& you $ind th"t theyFve swit#hed "spe#ts o$ their %*-s++the #hopper now h"s the
7emon Army build& $"#i"l t"ttoo& "nd legs/boots& "nd so $orth.
/0//2+/0//8
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: !rying to investig"te "t '+A *outh"rd& get in $ight with gu"rds. One n"med DGJID
tr"ns$orms into "n <nlimit& bl"sts " bun#h o$ oper"tives& "nd es#"pes.
."#h: %"id the .ervs& destroy most o$ their #he"t #odes& "nd #lose the loophole "llowing
them to #ompile them.
.erv: 6ight o$$ the ."#hine "tt"#: on the #odesB m"n"ge to s"$e two o$ them.
/0//9
Crit =./.4:
Eion: *nooping through '+A re#ords $or in$orm"tion on J. 1le#troni# re#ords h"ve been
deleted& h"ve to dig up the h"rd #opies in the "r#hives. !hese re$er to '+A se#urity o$$i#e
re#ords. At the se#urity o$$i#e& $ind whi#h br"n#h he reported to& go there& "nd retrieve " high+
level se#urity p"ss $or '+AFs 7owntown 5A "mong his person"l e$$e#ts. -tFs be#oming #le"r
326
th"t <nlimit h"s in$iltr"ted 'endhurst+Am"r"nthB to wh"t etent is un:nown.
."#h: ."#hines #re"te " :ill #ode b"sed on #"ptured .erv #he"t #odes& "nd inCe#t it into the
oper"tiveFs %*-. Oper"tive b"ttles <nlimits& but no e$$e#t $rom the :ill #ode is seen. Another
bulletin bo"rd post le"ds to " simul"#rum& to " trio o$ #omputers with "uto+shutdown 9-O*
triggers: oper"tive must de#ide whi#h one to "#tiv"te b"sed on " $ew #rypti# #lues. -$ they pi#:
the right one& they get C"bo#lo .ess"ge 4: AnomeFs mother Cumped $rom " bridge when he
w"s si& trying to pull Anome with her& telling him it w"snFt re"l& "nd th"t she w"s going to "
re"l pl"#e. Orph"ned into the so#i"l wel$"re system& Anome& $ull o$ his motherFs t"l: o$ the
unre"lity o$ the world& w"s $ound "nd "wo:en by " Eionite.
.erv: !he .erv de#ides to use the %*-+su#:ing "bility o$ the #odes to bring b"#: the !wins&
whoFve "pp"rently been $lo"ting "bout in pie#es in the str"tosphere sin#e %elo"ded. 5e
ee#utes one o$ the #odes& "nd !win body p"rt $r"gments st"rt showing up. Nou sn"t#h the
$eet "nd legs $rom some ."#hines who h"d Cust $ound them& t":e them to the 1$$e#tu"tor& "nd
he #ombines them into " w"l:ing p"ir o$ legs. -tFs " st"rt.
/0//9+/0/2;
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: J en#ountered "nd t":en #"re o$ "t '+A 7! 5A. DJD is " s"disti# pun: on " re"l power
:i#:. At some point& we need some sort o$ $"irly de$inite indi#"tion th"t 9rend" is being held "t
the 7! 5A to "ppe"r.
."#h: !he ."#hines determine th"t the only w"y to get " b"sis $or " Anome :ill #ode is to get
" #ode s"mple dire#tly $rom the m"n himsel$. Anome& on some business in the #ity& is $ound&
"nd oper"tives must go"d him into interlo#:ing them so they #"n get #lose enough to get "
tissue s"mple $rom him.
.erv: !he legs help le"d oper"tives to two h"nds& prob"bly in the possession o$ some
opportunisti# tre"sure+hunter.
/0/2=
Crit =./.8:
Eion: !rying to get " wor:ing '+A 7! 5A se#urity p"ss b"sed o$$ o$ JFs #"n#elled one++thereFs
" bluepill who #"n m":e " wor:ing #opy& but he re)uires upd"ted d"t" $rom the '+A employee
d"t"b"se. 9re": in& get the d"t"& return to the bluepill& but then hit by "n <nlimit "mbush th"t
:ills the blue& showing th"t <nlimit is "t le"st monitoring se#ure '+A networ:s. 9"#:up pl"n:
h"#: employee d"t"b"se& repl"#e JFs deleted re#ord& should re"#tiv"te his old se#urity p"ss.
'ose "s "n -! wor:er "nd get '+AFs #ler: "w"y $rom their des: by #l"iming to h"ve to run "
virus s#"n. 5"#: is su##ess$ul "nd the p"ss is re"#tiv"ted.
."#h: Anome :ill #ode engineering begins& re)uiring sign$i#"nt *ystem resour#esB sin#e it will
327
be so #ostly& the ."#hines must m":e sure th"t they #"n deliver it to the t"rget reli"bly& so
they donFt h"ve to #ompile "nother one. *uspe#ting C"bo#loFs rese"r#h is le"ding to
something& they pursue "nother bulletin bo"rd post to " simul"#rum& who is "mbushed "nd
termin"ted by <nlimit: <nlimit h"s $ound out wh"t .eill": w"s up to. .eill":& running out o$
time& le"ves mess"ges vi" " h"#:ed level 2;; Agent& "nd h"#:ed *,A! progr"ms& resulting
in bluepill #"su"lties. 'ersevering& the oper"tive $inds C"bo#lo .ess"ge 8: Noung Anome
thought he would $ind mom in Eion. ?rew up& buried the tr"um"& but now itFs #oming out due
to the liber"ting e$$e#ts o$ the #he"t #odesB heFs getting b"#: "t bluepills $or wh"t his mother
did to him.
.erv: *e#ure the he"d "nd torso $rom " g"ng o$ .o#:ingbirdFs Crushers. ,ith the h"nds& the
1$$e#tu"tor #ombines these into " $lo"ting !win upper body. Nou le"d this h"l$ to the leg h"l$&
who w"s being un#ooper"tive& but who is e#ited to DseeD the upper body. Le"d them both
b"#: to the 1$$e#tu"tor& who #ombines them together into one whole !win Gthe h"lves rem"in
there "$terw"rds "s inert& empty shellsI. !he .erv uses the l"st rem"ining #he"t #ode. !win
h"lves being led "round the #ity should help spi#e up 5"lloween...
/0/2=+////
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: <se the se#urity p"ss to get into '+A 7! 5A "nd res#ue 9rend". *he drops some
mention o$ suspe#ting th"t this "ll #omes $rom someone on '+AFs bo"rd o$ dire#tors.
."#h: .eill": h"dnFt #ounted on se#ure redund"nt system in the Agent he h"#:edB his h"#:
origin w"s tr"#ed. ."#hines use this to lo#"te him& but he $lees& "nd is :illed by <nlimit. 5is
dying mess"ge is " single word.
.erv: !he single #omplete !win helps hunt down his brotherFs legs "nd $eet& no doubt in the
possession o$ some uns#rupulous s#rounger.
///2
Crit =./.;:
Eion: 9rend" s"ys this "ll #omes $rom "n <nlimit mole in #ontrol o$ the '+A bo"rd. 5unting $or
the mole vi" "n unwilling in$orm"nt pointed out by 9rend"& who sees the light "$ter being
thre"tened with h"ving his sto#: option revo:ed& the pl"yer #omes "#ross some #lues to their
identity& then #r"shes " bo"rd meeting "nd must rub out the mole be$ore <nlimit $or#es $lood
the "re"++but whi#h bo"rd member is itHRH O.?zR
."#h: Another bulletin bo"rd post& but " red herring. !r"#e the networ: origin& $ind .eill":Fs
b"seB #rypti# mess"ges& mysterious #yphers& " h"#:ed level /00 Anome *imul"#rum $ollower&
<nlimit on the hunt& eventu"lly #ome "#ross " mess"ge $rom .eill":& who "nti#ip"ted "nd
"##epted his demise& "nd C"bo#lo .ess"ge ;& whi#h reve"ls where Anome #"n be $ound&
"nd th"t C"bo#lo& writing this "$ter his m"ngling "t the h"nds o$ Anome& w"nted rele"se $rom
328
his p"in.
.erv: !he !win is "iling without his brother "round. Nou $ind the two h"nds& but theyFre inert++
"s i$ theyFve "lre"dy been #opied into " l"rger shell++"nd indeed they h"ve& by *ilver& no less.
*ilver is un#ooper"tive until the $ull !win shows up "nd points out th"t *ilver is bre":ing the
terms o$ their old "greement. !he pl"yer le"ds the #olle#ted upper body b"#: to the lower
body& where they "re #ombined into the other $ull twin $or " str"nge reunion o$ multiple !wins
"nd 1$$e#tu"tors.
////=
=.2 Cinem"ti#: Anome is :illed: shot between the eyes Gwith the :ill #ode& we presumeI on the
Creston 5eights building by "n Agent posing "s his mother.
Crit =.2./:
Eion: !he ."#hines w"nt to meet. ?host meets with '"#e to "rr"nge " $ull meeting l"ter.
'"#e s"ys th"t wh"t the ."#hines w"nt to t"l: "bout is "##ess to the Eion m"in$r"me& so th"t
they #"n use their d"t"+pro#essing #"p"bilities to dete#t thre"ts th"t #ould "rise $rom EionFs
popul"tion Gsu#h "s 1'3& <nlimit& et#I be$ore they turn into " re"l problem. ?host is worried.
."#h: !he ."#hines w"nt to meet. .irror o$ the ?host/'"#e meeting "bove. !he pl"yer "lso
h"s to t":e out " $ew rem"ining <nlimit& "nd ?r"y mentions th"t they will whither "nd die
without the presen#e o$ the #he"t #odes.
.erv: 'ro$its "re down in %i#hl"nd& "nd the .erv w"nts to :now why. 6lood h"s he"rd th"t
the 9"g L"dy w"s dropping hints l"tely& "nd sends you to t"l: to her. *he s"ys th"t sheFs
he"rd the 1lements "re up to something& "nd suggests #he#:ing up on *ilver. ,ith the !winsF
help& you tr"#: down *ilver "g"in& "nd he s"ys his spies show .er#ury is behind it.
////=+///22
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: ?host "nd '"#e meet "g"in to dis#uss the ."#hine "gend". !here is subtet in these
missions "bout '"#e being " little $"s#in"ted with the reti#ent ?host& "nd ?host being w"ry o$
" se+bomb Agent Ghe w"s h"ppier when they "ll loo:ed li:e t" #olle#torsI.
."#h: Another ?host/'"#e meetingB here they dis#uss Anome++origins& r"mi$i#"tions& et#.
.erv: !r"il " wor:er $rom .er#uryFs building in <ri"h to the !"bor '"r: subw"y.
///24
329
Crit =.2.2:
Eion: 6ull Eion/."#hine meeting with ?r"y& '"#e& 3iobe& ?host. 3iobe h"s " #ounter+
dem"nd: "##ess to the ."#hine d"t"b"ses $or "##ess :eys& bluepill in$orm"tion& surveill"n#e
s#"ns& "nd poli#e re#ords Gwould h"ve been use$ul "g"inst '+A& $or inst"n#eI. ?r"y st"lls.
."#h: .irror o$ the ?r"y/'"#e/3iobe/?host meeting& "lthough $irst ?r"y h"s you h"ng with
some Eionites G"s " EioniteI to get impressions on their t":e on the ."#hine re)uest Gnot
$"vor"bleI. A$ter the meeting& ?r"y s"ys heFs sent EionFs #ounter+dem"nd up the #h"in&
"lthough he h"s his doubts "bout it.
.erv: ,ith the !wins& #on$ront .er#ury. 5e s"ys his men "re Cust using the subw"y to get
p"rts $or his inventions& "nd s"ys th"t you should be #he#:ing up on !h"lli"& seeing "s the
9l"#:woods h"ve been mugging everyone in ."gog l"tely. -nvestig"ting& the pl"yer $inds "
mess"ge th"t seems to be "bout " meeting o$ 9l"#:woods in ."gog& but it goes nowhere.
Con$ronted "g"in& .er#ury s"ys heFll help get re"l dirt on !h"lli"& "nd will set something up
with 6lood.
///24+///29
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: 3iobe meets 9rend" <tley. 9rend" is now on the '+A bo"rd& "nd is well on the w"y to
le"ding the #omp"ny b"#: into the publi#Fs good gr"#es& "nd gre"ter+th"n+ever
pro$it"bility..."nd power.
."#h: ?r"y t"l:s to the Ar#hite#t "bout the Eion #ounter+dem"nd. !he Ar#hite#t s"ys no++it
isnFt "s though Eion h"s mu#h #hoi#e.
.erv: .er#ury sets up Dproo$D o$ !h"lli"Fs involvement when suspi#ious 9l"#:wood $or#es "re
rounded up in ."gog.
///40
Crit =.2.4:
Eion: *him"d" shows up& meets with ?host. 1'3 s"ys they #"n provide the ."#hine
d"t"b"se in$orm"tion th"t Eion w"ntsB "ll they w"nt in return is s"$e p"ss"ge $or 1'3
hover#r"$t through Eion Dtunnelsp"#e.D As proo$& they get you "##ess to wh"t seems to be "
."#hine d"t"b"se& where in$orm"tion is retrieved th"t "ppe"rs to show th"t the *entinel t"s:
$or#e on perm"nent st"ndby $or "n inv"sion o$ Eion is now more th"n twi#e "s big "s the $or#e
th"t "tt"#:ed EionFs do#: "t the end o$ the w"r.
."#h: Veil tells '"#e th"t the Cypherites #"n get in$orm"tion $rom EionFs m"in$r"me. !hey
le"d you to " #omputer #enter where you "re "ble to "##ess simul"#r" o$ .orpheus "nd
330
3iobe& with di"log Gvoi#e #lipsI you h"venFt he"rd be$ore& but whi#h sound genuine: .orpheus
t"l:ing "bout the ."#hines hiding something "bout 3eo& "nd 3iobe s"ying sheFll be d"mned i$
sheFll see .orpheusF wor: ruined be#"use the Coun#il is s#"red o$ the ."#hines& "nd
#ongr"tul"ting someone on :illing the Ass"ssin. 5owever& pes:y 1'3s put " d"mper on the
$un. ?r"y $eels the Cypherites m"y h"ve "##ess to use$ul d"t"& but worries th"t their
sus#eptibility to 1'3 "tt"#:s #ould m":e them " li"bility.
.erv: -t t":es some doing& but you m"n"ge to get the !winsF h"nds on !h"lli"& who promptly
bl"mes the whole thing on .er#ury "nd %"ini& s"ying th"t both subw"y lines out o$ !"bor le"d
to %"iniFs neighborhood o$ Apollyon& "nd "dds th"t .er#ury h"s never got over %"ini& even
though she dumped him " long time "go. .er#ury #"lls !h"lli" " li"r& "nd de$ends %"ini
vigorously. 6lood is suspi#ious.
///40+/2/=
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: ?host "nd *him"d" meet "nd dis#uss or wor: on Eion/1'3 #ooper"tion.
."#h: '"#e "nd Veil meet "nd dis#uss or wor: on ."#hine/CN'5 #ooper"tion.
.erv: ,hile spying on %"ini "nd/or the ; 'oints g"ng& the pl"yers "re "mbushed by
#omm"ndos.
/2/>
Crit =.2.8:
Eion: !he pl"yer meets the (id& who is going to provide Eion with "##ess to "nother ."#hine
d"t"b"se "s " show o$ 1'3Fs #"p"bilities. 5owever& Cypherites inter$ere& "nd "pp"rently
delete wh"tever in$orm"tion the d"t"b"se h"d #ont"ined.
."#h: !he pl"yer meets Cryptos& who reve"ls th"t 1'3 #l"im to be using DCode 'ulse
7evi#esD to mine d"t" out o$ the simul"tion. Cryptos gives the pl"yer " tip on where more in$o
"bout these devi#es #"n be obt"ined& "nd& "$ter thr"shing " bun#h o$ 1'3s& the pl"yer
m"n"ges to #"pture #ode th"t #ompiles into one o$ the devi#es. ?r"y #on$irms th"t the devi#e
is prob"bly #"p"ble o$ getting 1'3 "##ess to privileged ."#hine d"t". GCryptosF e"#t
des#ription w"s: Dit loo:s li:e " sm"ll& timed bomb. ,hen it deton"tes& it sends out " pulse o$
#ustomized #ode th"t perme"tes the lo#"lity& "nd sends b"#: d"t" to #ert"in re#eivers. !hey
seem to believe th"t they #"n use these devi#es to wrest spe#i$i# d"t" out o$ the simul"tion.DI
.erv: 6lood sends you "$ter %"ini& but her networ:Fs O* is so old th"t the h"#:s youFd use to
tr"#e her through it "renFt #omp"tible. 5e resorts to p"ying 3i#:y ?. $or in$orm"tionB 3i#:y is
"ble to hoo: you up with the lo#"tion o$ %"iniFs l"test p"rty. Nou "nd the !wins #on$ront %"ini&
thre"tening her with telling the 1$$e#tu"tor where she is i$ she doesnFt #ooper"te. %"ini s"ys
th"t !h"lli" "nd .er#ury h"ve been Drunning distr"#tions with the 9l"#:woods in ."r".D 6lood
331
sends in the 1$$e#tu"tor "nyw"y "s punishmentB 1$$y immedi"tely st"rts hitting on her "nd
telling her everything heFs been up to sin#e he l"st s"w her++ie& sin#e she $in"lly dit#hed him
the l"st time. ."lph"s de#l"res th"t some torture o$ ."r" 9l"#:woods should #le"r things up.
/2/>+/2//4
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: 3iobe "nd the (id& two e#iting people who were m"de $or e"#h other& #ome $"#e to
$"#e $or some :ind o$ meeting or oper"tion.
."#h: ?r"y "nd Cryptos together $or some :ind o$ shindig.
.erv: -nterrog"te 9l"#:woods in ."r". !his le"ds to the revel"tion th"t Anti .. is behind it.
/2//8
Crit =.2.;:
Eion: ?host/3iobe/?r"y/'"#e meeting round 2 to dis#uss EionFs #ounter+dem"nd& "lthough
the pl"yer h"s to rub out " $ew Cypherites sni$$ing "bout $irst. ?r"y s"ys th"t Eion h"s no
#hoi#e but to meet the ."#hine dem"nd in order to preserve the !ru#e& "s otherwise thre"ts
to the entire *ystem will #ontinue to sp"wn $rom EionFs unmonitored popul"tion. 5e points out
th"t Eion would surely lose " renewed w"r "g"inst the ."#hines. 3iobe s"ys th"t Eion is
:eeping its p"rt o$ the tru#e "greement& "nd they epe#t the ."#hines to do the s"me. !his
stonew"lls ?r"y. A$terw"rds& 3iobe s"ys th"t while Eion wonFt get the in$orm"tion they w"nted
$rom the ."#hines& getting it $rom 1'3 might be too #ostly. ?host s"ys the ."#hines h"ve
"pp"rently de#ided th"t Eion is " thre"t& "nd th"t while the ."#hines #"n prob"bly be trusted
to sti#: to the terms o$ the tru#e& Dthe honeymoon is over.D
."#h: .irror o$ ?host/3iobe/?r"y/'"#e round 2. A$ter the meeting& Cryptos #"lls $or help
"g"inst " l"rge+s#"le 1'3 "tt"#:& giving the ."#hines in$orm"tion on where the 1'3 group
#"n be $ound. !he 1'3 group is wiped out by the ."#hines& "nd " Code 'ulse 7evi#e is
$ound& but not "nything th"t would indi#"te the immenent "tt"#: Cryptos #l"imed. ?r"y "s:s
the pl"yer to bring him the 7evi#e immedi"tely& "nd the pl"yer $inds ?r"y in " meeting with
the Ar#hite#tB "s they enter the room p"#:ed with Agents& they he"r the Ar#hite#t ordering
in#re"sed surveill"n#e o$ Eionites in the ."tri& "nd #overt in$iltr"tion o$ the #"ves by hum"n
oper"tives.
.erv: Anti .. proves di$$i#ult to lo#"te. 6lood h"s the !wins be"t in$orm"tion out o$ .er#uryB
"ll .er#ury #"n tell you is th"t his #ont"#t with Anti .. w"s only through !h"lli". !h"lli" is
#on$ronted& "nd hoo:s you up with the lo#"tion o$ Anti ..Fs Dgood $riend&D 9eryl. A$ter
thre"tening 9eryl with reve"ling the "$$"ir sheFs h"ving with Anti .. to her boy$riend& Argon&
9eryl gives Anti ..Fs lo#"tion& on #ondition th"t .. wonFt be hurt. .. is $ound& "nd s"ys it w"s
stri#tly businessB she w"s hired to org"nize 9l"#:wood oper"tions in ."r" th"t would distr"#t
"ny oper"tives w"t#hing the "re"B she w"snFt told why this w"s import"nt. ,ho hired herH 5e
332
#"lled himsel$ the ?ener"l.
^^^^^^^^^
As usu"l& the d"tes "bove m"y be subCe#t to #h"nge& but th"tFs the s#hedule weFre shooting
$or. !he winter holid"y event will prob"bly hit somewhere in mid+7e#ember. 7ue to v"rious
re"l+world holid"y h"ppenings& =.4 will not be out until mid+J"nu"ry.
!hese d"tes "re "pproim"te& with one wee: o$ push+b"#:. Could end up getting pushed
b"#: more...grr...
///8
=.4 Cinem"ti#: *"ti "bdu#ted by #omm"ndosB *er"ph $"lls in riverB Agents dump the #"ptured
#he"t #ode vi"ls in river& one gets hung up on pier
Crit =.4./:
Eion: ,ith 9l"#:wood help& $ight to get to the Or"#leFs "p"rtment. 3iobe gets there "s well.
!he Or"#le re$uses to le"ve. 3iobe de#l"res th"t EionFs prim"ry obCe#tive is to :eep the
Or"#le s"$e by gu"rding her "p"rtmentB se#ond"ry obCe#tive is getting *"ti b"#:.
."#h: !he pl"yer tr"#:s the sign"l o$ the heli#opter th"t too: *"ti& $inding " wiped #omputer&
then "n "#tive #omputer gu"rded by #omm"ndos. !he sign"ls indi#"te th"t the heli#opter is
being #ontrolled remotely. !he pl"yer pl"nts " virus '"#e g"ve them in the #omputer& whi#h
re+routes the heli#opter to " ."#hine p"d& where the ."#hines inspe#t it. 3o tr"#e o$ *"ti& or
indi#"tion o$ where she might h"ve been t":en& is $ound. ?r"y s"ys th"t it is li:ely th"t she
h"s been t":en out o$ the m"in ."tri simul"tion& "nd th"t the simul"tion #ould su$$er
detriment"l e$$e#ts i$ they donFt get her b"#: soon.
.erv: !he .erv w"nts to m":e sure *er"ph is re"lly gone& so the pl"yer goes o$$ to :ill
9l"#:woods "nd bluepills in ."r"& while $ighting o$$ Eion "nd ."#hine oper"tives. *er"ph
does not #ome to their res#ue& "nd 6lood st"rts to thin: th"t m"ybe *er"ph re"lly is gone.
///8+//28
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: $ending o$$ 1ile "tt"#:s in ."r"
."#h: hunting through pvp "r#hives G$ind #omm"ndos in one o$ themI
.erv: mo#: $uner"l $or *er"ph in hel #lub
333
//2;
Crit =.4.2:
Eion: 6ight through .ervs in ."r" "nd $ind the Or"#le "lone in her "p"rtment. *he s"ys the
.erovingi"n h"s "lre"dy been there& "nd le$t "$ter he $ound out th"t sheFll need more
#onvin#ing be$ore she sees things his w"y. Or"#le suggests tr"#:ing where the #omm"ndos
h"ve t":en *"ti. 'l"yer $ollows reported p"th o$ the heli#opter "nd $inds #omm"ndos& who
shut down " #omputer be$ore the pl"yer #"n get to it.
."#h: !he pl"yer is sent to interrog"te 1iles who might :now something "bout *"tiFs
"bdu#tion. 6irst Owl 9"nghe"rt& who is b"#: "$ter the .erv got him& but pretty mu#h "
veget"ble. !hen *ister ."rg"ret& who s"ys th"t she :new nothing "bout it& other th"n th"t
sheFs he"rd the 1lement $"mily w"s involved. !h"lli" s"ys the ?ener"l only #ont"#ted Anti ..
dire#tly. Anti .. s"ys the ?ener"l sent her money "nd instru#tions& both o$ whi#h she w"s
un"ble to tr"#e. *he thin:s th"t he isnFt in the ."tri "t "ll.
.erv: !he .erv de#ides to #on$ront the Or"#le. !he pl"yer #"rves " p"th through Eionite
de$enders. !he .erv re"#hes gets to her "p"rtment& but the Or"#le re$uses to #ooper"te. !he
.erv thre"tens th"t she will p"y $or her stubbornness. -t is not epli#itly st"ted wh"t he "s:ed
$or& but there "re " $"ir number o$ hints Gthe mission title is D!hey C"n Only 9e ?iven&D $or
inst"n#e :pI. ."lph"s s"ys th"t the .erovingi"n is determined to get wh"t he w"nts $rom her
by wh"tever me"ns he #"n& but th"t is it very di$$i#ult to outm"neuver someone who #"n tell
the $uture.
//2;+//4/
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: tr"#:ing heli#opter movements
."#h: bre": into "nd se"r#h .erv org "re"
.erv: super+sne":y spy mission: #"t#h " glimpse o$ "n 1lite Comm"ndo
2//
Crit =.4.4:
Eion: 9y tr"#:ing heli#opter p"tterns& the pl"yer lo#"tes sever"l #omm"ndo groups& "nd
m"n"ges to pl"nt " tr"#:ing virus in their #omputer be$ore they #"n shut it down. !his le"ds to
"nother #omm"ndo g"thering point& where the pl"yer en#ounters "n elite #omm"ndo. !he
elite #omm"ndo doesnFt show up on the oper"torFs s#reen "t "ll Gthe oper"tor thin:s the pl"yer
is m":ing it upI. *tu#:& the pl"yer visits the Or"#le& who s"ys th"t the ?ener"l is holed up&
"nd th"t they need to #ome up with " w"y to lure him out.
334
."#h: !he ."#hines de#ide they need to #onsult the Or"#le "bout *"ti. !he Or"#le s"ys they
h"ve to loo: not $or *"ti& but $or where she went. ?r"y s"ys they should $ind out how the
#omm"ndos "re getting in "nd out o$ the ."tri. 5unting #omm"ndos& they $ind " shut down
#omputer& then "n "#tive one& but it shuts down Cust "s the pl"yer "rrives& "nd then they get
Cumped by "n elite #omm"ndo who "ppe"rs out o$ nowhere. Oper"tor thin:s the pl"yer is
h"llu#in"ting. ?r"y s"ys th"t the lo#"tions o$ these #omputers #orrel"te with #omm"ndo
"#tivity& "nd th"t they must h"ve something to do with how #omm"ndos "re getting in "nd out
o$ the ."tri.
.erv: !he .erv de#ides to get " Dtermin"tion #odeD Gth"tFs wh"t the Or"#le #"lled it in 1nter
the ."tri when telling ?host/3iobe how %"m"+("ndr" betr"yed her to the .erovingi"n in
e#h"nge $or *"tiFs tr"nsport into the ."triI $or the Or"#leFs #urrent shell. ."lph"s thin:s the
best pl"#e to st"rt loo:ing is #ert"in 1iles who "re :nown or suspe#ted to h"ve etr"+."tri
#ont"#ts: the 9"rtender Gh"s some :ind o$ de"l with 7eus 1 ."#hin" th"t est"blished Club
3oir "s " Dneutr"l zoneDI& 5yp"ti" Gh"s " l"rge in$orm"tion libr"ry& plus rumored #onne#tions
with the DAr#hivist *o#ietyDI& "nd the 3etwor: Gsupposedly $eeds medi" stre"ms to the
Ar#hite#tI. !he pl"yer #on$ronts them& but gener"lly spe":ing they "renFt interested in :illing
the Or"#le& "nd donFt :now where to get " :ill #ode $or her "nyw"y.
2//+2/>
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: pressing the ?ener"lFs buttons
."#h: s#"n hot "##ess point ++ development o$ #ode to #lose "##ess points
.erv: one l"st 1ile #ont"#t "ttempt
2/8
Crit =.4.8:
Eion: !he pl"yer h"s "ttr"#ted the ?ener"lFs "ttention enough to merit "n "mbush by elite
#omm"ndos. !he Or"#le s"ys th"t the ?ener"l& "n old milit"ry progr"m& misses w"r& "nd too:
*"ti to push the ."tri b"#: into "ll+out w"r. *he s"ys th"t to get under his s:in& you need to
show him th"t it isnFt wor:ing& "nd suggests h"ving 3iobe "nd Agent ?r"y h"ve " ni#e big
hug. !h"t isnFt...$e"sible& so "n enthusi"sti# '"#e "nd morti$ied ?host "re got together $or "
televised embr"#e "s " b"#:up pl"n. !he pl"yer is supposed to meet ?host "$terw"rds& but
this meeting is interrupted by "n elite #omm"ndo "mbush& "nd " bro"d#"st $rom the ?ener"l&
in hologr"m $orm& "##using ?host o$ being " $ool o$ the ."#hines& "nd w"rning him th"t the
?ener"l is going to m":e him le"rn his lesson the h"rd w"y.
."#h: !he pl"yer goes "$ter the #omm"ndo "##ess points "rmed with " progr"m th"t #"n
shut them down. A$ter shutting down " $ew& the pl"yer gets rein$or#ements $rom '"#e& who
335
#"su"lly rem"r:s th"t the ?ener"l h"s been trouble ever sin#e he wouldnFt stop "tt"#:ing
EionFs do#: "t the end o$ the w"r. !hey h"d to remove him $rom #omm"nd& "nd g"ve him
"nother one "$terw"rds& but he too: his *entinels into 1ile& "nd this w"s be$ore they were
e)uipped with override triggers& so heFs been "ble to use them $or his own purposes. !he
pl"yer shuts down "nother "##ess point& "nd ?r"y s"ys th"t this will m":e it h"rder $or the
?ener"l to move his $or#es "round inside the ."tri.
.erv: !he .erv de#ides to try m":ing " de"l with the ?ener"l $or "n Or"#le :ill #ode& sin#e
the ?ener"l seems to get "round pretty well& "nd obviously isnFt $riends with the Or"#le. !he
.erv "lso s"ys th"t he #"n give the ?ener"l Cust wh"t the ?ener"l needs& without s"ying
e"#tly wh"t th"t is. !he pl"yer goes "$ter #omm"ndos& "nd $inds some shut down #omputers
G"##ess pointsI& "s well "s " n"sty elite #omm"ndo "mbush& whi#h 6lood "##uses the pl"yer
o$ h"ving m"de up "s "n e#use.
2/8+2//8
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: the ?ener"l "nd 1lite Comm"ndos pi#:ing o$$ oper"tives de$ending the Or"#le
."#h: tr"#: 1lite Comm"ndo "##ess point + s#"n + development o$ "##ess point h"#:
.erv: 1lite Comm"ndos& 1l ?ener"le++not listening yet
2//;
Crit =.4.;:
Eion: !he ?ener"l "tt"#:s the Or"#leFs "p"rtment "nd& in " hologr"m bro"d#"st& wonders i$
sheFs told them "bout him yet& "nd s"ys th"t heFs going to put "n end to the lies o$ the ."tri.
3iobe is "mong the Eionites rushing to res#ue the Or"#le& "nd the ?ener"l then "mbushes
her& his hologr"m bro"d#"st "##using her o$ betr"ying him to the ."#hines& "nd t"untingly
telling her to C"#: out be$ore the *ystem #r"shes& so th"t he #"n hunt her through the tunnels
D"g"in.D !he pl"yer then gets lured into " third hologr"m bro"d#"st "ddressed to them& where
the ?ener"l reve"ls th"t he led the *entin"l "tt"#: on Eion "t the end o$ the w"r& th"t the
."#hines stripped him o$ his #omm"nd when he re$used to "##ept the tru#e& "nd th"t heFs
been trying to rest"rt the w"r ever sin#e. 3iobe s"ys heFs due $or "nother \\\+:i#:ing& "nd the
Or"#le w"rns th"t itFs going to be messy& "nd th"t he wonFt give up *"ti willingly.
."#h: !he pl"yer pl"nts " spe#i"l tr"#:ing virus in " #omm"ndo "##ess point. A$ter some
help $rom the pl"yer in stopping #omm"ndos who "re trying to purge the virus& the virus
su##eeds in lo#"ting the ?ener"lFs *entinel st"ging ground on the 1"rthFs sur$"#e. !he pl"yer
"lso retrieves some d"t" "bout the st"ging "re"Fs #ode n"me "nd strength level. !he
."#hines disp"t#h "n "uili"ry #ontingent o$ the *entinels w"t#hing Eion to "tt"#: the
?ener"lFs b"se& mentioning th"t the *entinels will resume pursuit o$ terrorist hover#r"$t "$ter
the 1ile is t":en #"re o$. !here "re "lso some reports $rom ."#hine spies in Eion& whose
336
in$iltr"tion is pro#eeding "p"#e& e#ept th"t theyFre h"ving trouble $inding out where " lot o$
Eion he"vy m"#hinery h"s been going re#ently& "nd th"t theyFre $inding th"t m"ny $reeborn
Eionites re$use to trust "nyone with C"#:s Gor is it plugsH oh wellI.
.erv: !he .erovingi"n de#ides to get the ?ener"lFs "ttention by sending 'ersephone to one
o$ the "##ess points& :nowing th"t the ?ener"l w"t#hes these systems& "nd th"t he h"s in the
p"st h"d 'ersephone under surveill"n#e Gth"t old Live 1vent post - did with one o$ the
?ener"lFs probes $ollowing 'ersephone into the 5el Club be$ore it lost its sign"lI. 'ersephone
"#ts indign"nt in being used in this w"y& but eventu"lly de#ides to #ooper"te be#"use she
thin:s the ?ener"l m"y h"ve his uses. !he pl"yer meets 'ersephone "nd the !wins "t "n
"##ess point. An elite #omm"ndo "ppe"rs& "nd 'ersephone h"nds the pl"yer " letter to give
to the #omm"ndo. *hortly there"$ter& the ?ener"l vi" hologr"m bro"d#"st s"ys th"t " de"l
m"y be possible G"g"in without s"ying e"#tly wh"t w"s o$$eredIB heFll get b"#: to the .erv&
"nd in the me"n time de#l"res " #e"se+$ire with the .erovingi"nFs 1iles. 6lood is indign"nt "t
being :ept w"iting.
4/8
>./ Cinem"ti#: *er"ph #limbs out o$ the river& thr"shes "nd Deor#isesD " redpill. 5e tells the
two other redpills with her th"t they need not $e"r him& but th"t there "re others Dli:e herD who
should.
,orld: !he we"ther now h"s " distin#t yellow/or"nge #"st to it& with $"st+moving #louds "nd
periods o$ rel"tively he"vy r"in.
Crit >././:
Eion: !rying to $ind *er"ph& the pl"yer #omes "#ross " string o$ #om"tose bluepill "nd redpill
bodies& "nd Cumpy poli#e G*,A!I on the #"se. 9luepill witnesses give v"gue des#riptions o$
the "tt"#:er: D:ung+$u out$it&D Din white&D D$led "t high speed&D Dslimy&D Dhippy gl"sses&D Dstr"nge
h"nd motions&D "nd reve"l some #h"r"#teristi#s "bout one o$ the vi#tims G)uiet& #"lmI. Or"#le
is #onsulted "nd s"ys th"t *er"ph is :ey to getting *"ti b"#:& "nd th"t heFs doing wh"t heFs
doing G"tt"#:ing these bluepills "nd redpills& she presum"bly me"nsI $or " re"son.
."#h: ?r"y s"ys th"t to stop the ?ener"l "nd res#ue *"ti& theyFll need " w"y to dete#t the
?ener"lFs 1lite Comm"ndos. !he ."#hines h"ve stored " #opy o$ the hologr"phi# bro"d#"st
the ?ener"l sent to ?host Gin =.4Fs Eion mission D*teely 1mbr"#eDIB he s"ys th"t the
bro"d#"st #"me $rom outside the ."tri& prob"bly $rom the ?ener"lFs b"se& D*t"lingr"d&D "nd
th"t "lthough the ."#hines :now its physi#"l lo#"tion& they w"nt to $ind its networ: "ddress.
!he pl"yer lo#"tes " #omm"ndo "##ess point& "nd pl"nts D" v"ri"nt o$ the 'ro#ur"tor virus&D
whi#h obt"ins *t"lingr"dFs networ: "ddress. At the debrie$ with '"#e& she demonstr"tes th"t
the ."#hines #"n "lter the ?ener"lFs re#orded hologr"phi# bro"d#"st& "nd s"ys th"t they #"n
now use the ?ener"lFs networ:& "nd his #onne#tion to his b"se& "g"inst him. A h"#:"ble
#omputer h"s " report& in the s"me $orm"t "s previous spy reports $rom Eion& "bout 7"votFs
ship th"t w"s hiC"#:ed by Veil "nd sent to r"m the Eion do#:: Eion dis"bled it with "nother
shipFs 1.'& but its imp"#t with the tunnel w"ll ne"r Eion& "nd its own 1.' going o$$& short+
#ir#uited some o$ the do#:Fs outlying system $or " while& "lthough there were no #"su"lties.
337
.erv: ."lph"s "nd the 1$$e#tu"tor meet with " two+w"y hologr"phi# bro"d#"st $rom the
?ener"l& who gives them the networ: "ddress o$ some o$ his men in need o$ tr"nsport. !he
pl"yer goes to "#tiv"te the termin"l to whi#h the 1$$e#tu"tor will route the #omm"ndos& but
."#hines inter$ere. A b"#:up termin"l is used su##ess$ully& "nd " pl"toon o$ #omm"ndos
"ppe"r. At " debrie$& the ?ener"lFs hologr"m s"ys the tr"nsport w"s s"tis$"#tory. ."lph"s
s"ys th"t the ?ener"l will soon h"ve to st"rt $ul$illing his side o$ the de"l.
4/8+4//8
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: Ch"sing *er"ph++pl"yers m"y #"t#h up to him brie$ly& but he will not stop to inter"#t with
them.
."#h: 3ow th"t the ."#hines :now the networ: "ddress o$ *t"lingr"d& they $or#e "
tr"nsmission to the ?ener"l in the %e"l& possibly ordering him to surrenderB this ir:s the
?ener"l& who replies in " 2+w"y hologr"phi# bro"d#"st& thre"tening ?r"y with the destru#tion
o$ the ."#hine *entinel $leet in the %e"l.
.erv: !he .erv meets with the ?ener"l& who tells the 6ren#hm"n th"t to m":e "n Or"#le :ill+
#ode& they will $irst need " #he"t #ode vi"l. !he ?ener"l gives the .ervs " tr"#:ing #ode th"t
#"n lo#"te #he"t #odes.
4//;
Crit >./.2:
Eion: !he pl"yer rese"r#hes " redpill who *er"ph "tt"#:ed: they "re su$$ering $rom "mnesi"
th"t st"rts "t the s"me time in their p"st "s "n unepl"ined in#ident th"t resulted in " #h"nge
in their beh"vior G"##ording to "#)u"int"n#esI& "nd goes up to the point where they were
"tt"#:ed by *er"ph. !heir government $ile #ont"ins no re#ord o$ the in#ident. Also& there is "
re$eren#e to D7"nielle ,rightD by " bluepill& in #onne#tion with " new networ: inter$"#e system
" bluepill #omp"ny is wor:ing on. G-t is not mentioned in the mission& but this is the D,rightD o$
the D,right %ese"r#hD #omp"ny in 7owntown& " brilli"nt e+Eionite s#ientist who lost $"ith in
Comm"nder Lo#:Fs vision& "nd le$t to begin " business #"reer in the ."tri& wor:ing with
*ilver& but still gener"lly symp"theti# tow"rd Eion oper"tives. *he is the inventor o$ the 1J'.
,rightFs own dre"m is hum"ns t":ing over the ."tri $rom the ."#hines.I
."#h: '"#e epl"ins th"t sin#e theyFve m"stered the #omm"ndo networ:& they #"n now $ind
"##ess points Cust by s#"nning $or them $rom "ny point on the networ:. !he pl"yer does this
to $ind "n "##ess point& "nd thus "n 1lite Comm"ndo. Along the w"y& they en#ounter "
hologr"phi# tr"nsmission $rom the ?ener"l to his men& telling them to hurry up: the ."#hines
"re shutting down too m"ny Dlines.D Also& " ."#hine #omputer h"s some #rypti# d"t" "bout
the *entinel $or#e sent "g"inst the ?ener"lFs b"se++b"si#"lly th"t they h"venFt en#ountered
"ny hostile units& "nd "re slightly "he"d o$ the proCe#ted s#hedule "s they home in on
338
D*t"lingr"d.D A #omm"ndo #omputer shows th"t *t"lingr"d h"s bee$ed up its de$ensive
#"p"bilities " bit sin#e =.4. 7"t" is etr"#ted $rom the 1lite Comm"ndoB '"#e s"ys it will be
used to help develop " #ode to disrupt their ste"lth $un#tion.
.erv: !he tr"#:ing #ode h"s led to the <ri"h wh"r$& where rumor h"s it th"t the ."#hines lost
" #he"t #ode vi"l while disposing o$ them in the A)uedu#t. !he pl"yer is sent in to tr"#: it
down. A$ter $ruitlessly )uestioning bluepill wor:ers& they visit .er#ury& who s"ys i$ "nyone
would :now& itFd be the lo#"l g"ng& the Choppers. !he Chopper le"der J"#: the 5"#:& "$ter
the pl"yer routs " $ew o$ this boys& s"ys th"t the only thing he #"n thin: o$ is th"t there used to
be " bluepill who hung out "t the edge o$ the pier on his lun#h bre":s& but w"s re#ently seen
running o$$ suddenly& "nd h"snFt been b"#:. 5e gives " des#ription o$ the guy& whi#h 6lood
#he#:s "g"inst their d"t"& #oming up with " n"me& J"son 5ern"ndez. Visiting his ne"rby
o$$i#e& you $ind out th"t J"son 5ern"ndez h"snFt been "t wor: in " $ew wee:s& th"t he h"s
tended to h"ng out with " #lub/#"sino #rowd& "nd th"t he h"s sometimes gone to visit
rel"tives in the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t.
4//;+4/2/
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: Cont"#t is m"de with *er"ph& who this time is willing to t"l:& brie$ly& s"ying th"t " veil
h"s been li$ted $rom his eyes. GAlso this wee:& there is " widely seen but not o$$i#i"lly
re#orded .orpheus "ppe"r"n#e in ri#hl"nd th"t -Fll be doing solo.I
."#h: <se the Dste"lth disruptorD #ode the ."#hines h"ve developed Gthis is "ll role+pl"y&
r"ther th"n "n "#tu"l g"me tool/we"ponI to #"pture "n 1lite Comm"ndo.
.erv: Lo#"te J"son 5ern"ndez& using his #o+wor:ersF #lues $rom the >./.2 #rit i$ desired. !he
#he"t #ode vi"l is obt"ined $rom him.
4/22
Crit >./.4:
Eion: !he pl"yer rese"r#hes more *er"ph vi#tims& " bluepill "nd two redpills& $inding th"t they
"ll h"ve simil"r memory g"ps beginning with "n unspe#i$ied beh"vior+#h"nging in#ident in
their p"st. !he beh"vior w"s either "loo$& #old& or somewh"t #on$usedB one re)uested
etended si#: le"ve in Eion. Another remembers h"ving seen "n Agent w"t#hing them "s
they p"trolled b"#: "lleys $or *l"shers& one o$ their l"st memories be$ore they "wo:e $rom
*er"phFs "tt"#:. !he Or"#le s"ys *er"ph is #lose to re"#hing his go"l& but th"t it wonFt wor:
out li:e he thin:s it will. !he Or"#leFs Eion gu"rds spe#ul"te "bout the .orpheus sightings.
."#h: !he pl"yer helps test the s#"nning routine developed to dete#t ste"lthed 1lite
Comm"ndos. ?r"y epl"ins th"t the s#"n re)uires " signi$i#"nt "mount o$ power& so they
#"nFt run it "ll the time. A$ter some twe":s "nd "dCustments Gthe oper"tor gets $rustr"ted with
the bugs in the ."#hine routineI& the :in:s "re wor:ed out& "nd the routine su##eeds in
339
"llowing the oper"tor to see the 1lite Comm"ndos on his s#reen. Along the w"y& the pl"yer
#omes "#ross " hologr"phi# mess"ge $rom the ?ener"l to his o$$i#er& telling the o$$i#er th"t
the ."#hines m"y h"ve " w"y to dete#t him& "nd th"t he should "bort Dthe oper"tionD
immedi"tely. '"#e s"ys th"t the D.orpheusD reported obviously #"nFt be the de"d Eion
#"pt"in& but th"t they "re loo:ing into it very #"re$ully.
.erv: !he pl"yer uses 1lite Comm"ndo "ssist"n#e to $oil ."#hine e$$orts to #"pture the #he"t
#ode vi"l $rom .erovingi"n l"bs& where it is under "n"lysis. ."lph"s mentions th"t he thin:s
the 1lite Comm"ndos "re #"p"ble o$ spee#h& but th"t b"$$le me#h"nisms built into their
m"s:s #on$ine the sound o$ their voi#e to spe#i"l #losed+$re)uen#y tr"nsmitters. V"rious
3'Cs mention rumors o$ ."#hines wor:ing to de$e"t Comm"ndo ste"lth& .orpheusFs
possible return gener"ting t"l: in the underworld& "nd *er"ph b"#: but not )uite himsel$.
An"lysis o$ the #he"t #ode shows th"t it is mut"ted even more th"n previous #he"t #ode
s"mples& "nd must be used )ui#:lyB it h"s been put in " Dse#ure "r#hiveD $or now. One o$ the
!wins s"ys th"t they h"venFt seen *er"ph sin#e he lost his wings& "nd th"t theyFre due $or "
Drem"t#h.D !he ?ener"l& in the $lesh r"ther th"n by hologr"m& meets the .erovingi"n "nd
s"ys th"t they will need " progr"m #"p"ble o$ #r"$ting " :ill #ode with the #"ptured #he"t
#ode. !his progr"m is n"med !he Apothe#"ry& "nd the ?ener"l does not :now their #urrent
where"bouts.
4/22+4/28
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: *er"ph is en#ountered "g"in& " little more t"l:"tive. 5e doesnFt epl"in wh"t heFs doing&
but s"ys th"t heFs "lmost done. -$ the ."#h event h"s "lre"dy o##urred& pl"yers #ould help
him "tt"#: some overwritten blues/redsB otherwise& they might try to stop him& "ssuming th"t
they #"nFt be sure yet th"t heFs "tt"#:ing these people $or " re"lly good re"son.
."#h: Cryptos& while out on some sort o$ $ield oper"tion with the Cypherites& is $ound by
*er"ph& who "tt"#:s him& then per$orms "n odd Deor#ismD G*wirling (i *ummonHI& #rumpling
Cryptos to the ground "nd ending the $ight. CryptosF %*- #h"nges: his gl"sses& ne#:l"#e& "nd
m"s: "re torn o$$& his #"sso#: d"r:ened& "nd his eyes bl"#:ened& with " golden #ode gl"ze.
*er"ph le"ps "w"y. Cryptos is le$t un"ble to w"l:& etremely disoriented& "nd "pp"rently
blind. 5e tries to t"l:& spe":ing h"ltingly but in his usu"l w"rm m"nner& be$ore ."#hine error
mess"ges #ome out o$ his mouth. -t is #le"r th"t " ."#hine progr"m& now d"m"ged by
*er"ph& h"s been in #ontrol o$ him. Veil is sho#:ed "nd disgusted& "nd h"s him $or#ibly
C"#:ed out.
.erv: !he ?ener"l brie$s oper"tives: !he Apothe#"ry w"s used by %"m"+("ndr" when he
needed " :ill+#ode $or the Or"#le previously. !he ?ener"l dire#ts them to the ,hite Lotus
5otel dungeon& where they "re given "n old #ode tr"#e o$ !he Apothe#"ry by the
*pinnerettes le"der& the 9l"#: ,idow Glive "dmin version& non+hostileI.
4/29
340
Crit >./.8:
Eion: 3iobe is "l"rmed "bout Cryptos++"nd *er"phFs other vi#tims++being ."#hine sleeper
"gents& "nd orders " #omplete se#urity "udit $or Eion. !he pl"yer is #"lled to "ssist "g"inst "
widespre"d #omm"ndo "tt"#:& but then the ?ener"l bo"sts to them in " hologr"phi#
re#ording th"t it w"s Cust " diversion. !he Or"#le is under "tt"#: in ."r". !he pl"yer hurries
there& "nd $inds her& *er"ph& "nd " bun#h o$ de"d #omm"ndos. *er"ph epl"ins th"t "$ter
#limbing out o$ the A)uedu#t& he $ound th"t he #ould see ."#hine progr"ms in the minds o$
hum"ns& "nd $elt he h"d to remove themB now he is $inished& "nd will prote#t the Or"#le. !he
Or"#le s"ys *er"ph will be "ll right.
."#h: ?r"y epl"ins th"t Cryptos w"s overwritten ye"rs "go by " ."#hine progr"m& whose
purpose w"s to $orm " group th"t would help stem the in#re"sed tide o$ redpill "w":enings
m"de possible $or Eion by the !ru#e. !his group be#"me :nown "s the Cypherites. '"#e "nd
the pl"yer meet with Veil& trying to m":e sure th"t& in CryptosF "bsen#e& the vol"tile Cypherite
#ontroller will #ontinue to dire#t the org"niz"tion in " w"y "##ept"ble to the ."#hines. !he
pl"yerFs oper"tor is so upset over the revel"tion "bout the Cypherites th"t he #"n h"rdly $orm
#oherent senten#es. At the meeting& '"#e #on$ides to the pl"yer th"t she isnFt getting
"nywhere with Veil& "nd some o$ the Cypherites& Cumping to the #on#lusion th"t sheFs
#onspiring to wipe them out& suddenly "tt"#:. Veil :eeps her #ool& s"ying simply& "nd very
bitter+sweetly& th"t she sees how things "re nowB she then more or less dismisses the pl"yer
"nd '"#e. ?r"y s"ys th"t "s long "s Veil st"ys within #ert"in bounds& itFs more e$$i#ient to
le"ve her in #h"rge th"n to try to repl"#e her. !he pl"yer is #"lled "w"y to )uell " sudden 1lite
Comm"ndo "tt"#:. !he oper"tor b"dgers ?r"y into running the s#"n routine& "nd more 1lite
Comm"ndos "re $ound& with .erovingi"n 1iles. ?r"y s"ys th"t the Comm"ndos m"y h"ve
h"d .erovingi"n "ssist"n#e in getting into the ."tri.
.erv: !he #ode tr"#e le"ds to J"de .oon g"ng members. 6lood sends the pl"yer to the J"de
.oon g"ngFs overseer& 7"me ,hite. !he 7"me s"ys th"t itFs been D"gesD sin#e she s"w !he
Apothe#"ry& "nd th"t the pl"yer will h"ve to "s: Lo %uh"m"h& in the 9"rrens. GLo %uh"m"h is
the '"ndor"Fs 9o #olle#tor st"tioned in the Ab"ndoned *ubw"y in %ogers ,"yB in the $ourth
bo "r#& she helps the pl"yer tr"#: down the Antediluvi"n& "lthough it "ppe"rs th"t she hersel$
m"y h"ve done some wor: $or him.I !he 7"me hints th"t she& the 9l"#: ,idow& !he
Apothe#"ry& "nd 'ersephone were "sso#i"tes o$ some :ind in the 7"meFs younger d"ys.
6lood sends the pl"yer to 'ersephone& who h"nds !he Apothe#"ryFs #ode tr"#e to the pl"yer&
s"ying th"t "I 7"me ,hite Ddid wh"t - used to do $or hum"ns in the pods&D "nd is Ce"lous o$
'ersephoneFs rel"tive youth "nd su##ess& "nd bI Lo %uh"m"h is "n "n#ient& eiled
monitoring progr"m& still trying to #"rry out her old $un#tion& #linging to g"thered in$orm"tion.
!he pl"yer t":es the #ode tr"#e to the south 9"rrens. !here is " sm"ll puzzle hereB when
solved& the #ode tr"#e is t":en& "nd Lo %uh"m"h "ppe"rs& s"ying th"t !he Apothe#"ry is still
used by the ."#hines& "nd th"t getting them $rom the ."#hine m"in$r"mes to the ."tri will
re)uire the !r"inm"n& who Dh"s retre"ted deeper into se#lusion.D
4/29+8/8
%e)uired 1vents:
341
Eion: .orpheus "ppe"rs in %i#hl"nd "nd delivers " #rypti# mess"ge to whoever is "round to
he"r it++something "bout 3eo being "live "nd held #"ptive by the ."#hinesB he does not
move& or otherwise inter"#t with "nyone& "nd )ui#:ly C"#:s out "$ter delivering the mess"ge.
."#h: !he ."#hines "tt"#: #omm"ndos& but the "tt"#: is disrupted by .erovingi"ns.
.erv: !he !r"inm"n& who does not "#tu"lly "ppe"r in this event& is tr"#ed to the Ab"ndoned
*ubw"y in %ogers ,"y& where he evidently h"s "n inter$"#e with his priv"te subw"y
#onstru#t. 3oti#e is le$t th"t the .erovingi"n re)uires his immedi"te presen#e. !r"#ing the
!r"inm"n should involve some sort o$ puzzle& ide"lly utilizing the subw"y system somehow.
8/;
Crit >./.;:
Eion: *er"ph is $ound $ighting 1lite Comm"ndos& "nd s"ys th"t his odd new Gtempor"ryI
vision "llows him to sense the ste"lthed soldiers& "nd th"t the Or"#le h"s told him he must
pursue them& to res#ue *"ti. !he oper"tor gets " mysterious golden #ode be"#on dire#ting
the pl"yer to more #omm"ndos++this is $rom *er"ph& "lthough th"t isnFt st"ted #on#lusively in
the mission. !he be"#on $"des "$ter the #omm"ndos "re de$e"ted& "nd the pl"yer goes to "
s#heduled meeting with Agent '"#e. -n " pre+meeting brie$ing& ?host s"ys th"t s#"ns o$ the
D.orpheusD %*- h"ve been in#on#lusive++they #"nFt tell where itFs #oming $rom& but it #ert"inly
isnFt " regul"r redpill sign"lB there is " lot o$ #orrupt d"t". '"#e very brie$ly dismisses the ide"
th"t either .orpheus or 3eo "re "live "nd being held by the ."#hines& "nd s"ys th"t the
overwriting o$ hum"ns w"s done to ensure the st"bility "nd s"$ety o$ the *ystem& "nd w"s not
prohibited by the !ru#e. !ynd"ll worries th"t this epl"n"tion isnFt going to sit well with m"ny
in Eion.
."#h: !he ."#hines re"lize th"t they now h"ve to move "g"inst the .erovingi"n. 7"t"
#"ptured $rom " #ombined .erv/Comm"ndo $or#e indi#"tes "#tivity "t the Ab"ndoned
*ubw"y in %ogers ,"y. -n 9"rrens& the pl"yer $inds .ervs& 1lite Comm"ndos& "nd 9eirn&
who snidely rem"r:s th"t DheD h"s "lre"dy re"#hed the Lu#ero subw"y. ?r"y orders the
pl"yer to retre"t& s"ying Agents "re being #"lled in to de"l with the e+<nlimit o$$i#er. At "
debrie$& the pl"yer is told th"t: /I the ?ener"l is the m"in t"rget& not the .erv& 2I 9eirn w"s
preserved by "nd now wor:s $or the .erovingi"n& "nd 4I "lthough rumors o$ the !r"inm"n
h"ve persisted& he h"s not been sighted sin#e the beginning o$ the !ru#eB i$ he is returning to
"#tive duty& the .erv m"y be pl"nning " #riti#"l progr"m tr"ns$er. A ."#hine #omputer shows
th"t their *entinel $or#e is #losing in on *t"lingr"d. Also& " spy report $rom Eion s"ys th"t the
se#urity review ordered by EionFs #omm"nders prevents $urther investig"tion $or the time
being.
.erv: ."lph"s dis#loses th"t the !r"inm"n& "lw"ys p"r"noid "nd egom"ni"#"l& retre"ted to
his priv"te subw"y #onstru#t when the !ru#e w"s m"de. !he .erv got Dhis "ssist"n#e in the
Ass"ssin "$$"ir&D but "$ter th"t& the !r"inm"n v"nished "ltogether. ."lph"s theorizes th"t the
!r"inm"n resents h"ving been $or#ed to rele"se 3eo when he h"d him #"ptive in his subw"y
st"tion& "nd th"t the !r"inm"n sees the !ru#e "s evil& be#"use he h"s " deep+se"ted $e"r th"t
hum"ns will one d"y destroy the ."tri. !he !r"inm"n emerges $rom the Ab"ndoned
342
*ubw"y& but his sign"l is immedi"tely lost "s " result o$ he"vy ."#hine s#"n "#tivity. 6lood
mentions th"t the ."#hines #"n now s#"n $or 1lite Comm"ndos& "nd p"#:s the pl"yer o$$ to
south 9"rrens& where they $ind " wounded but still s"ssy 9eirn in " room with " #ouple de"d
AgentsB this s#ene t":es pl"#e Cust "$ter the 9eirn en#ounter in the ."#hine #rit. 9eirn s"ys
the !r"inm"n m"de it out through the Lu#ero subw"y& "nd the oper"tor h"s 6lood s#"n the
rest o$ the #ity $or him. 5eFs $ound hiding "mong de"d Crossbones in .ori"h& "nd "ngrily
dem"nds to see the .erovingi"n immedi"tely. Nou #"t#h up to ."lph"s& the .erv& "nd
Oo:"mi& with the !r"inm"n in " se#ure room net door. ."lph"s s"ys th"t the !r"inm"n is
more unst"ble th"n ever& "nd will h"ve to be w"t#hed #"re$ully. ."lph"s "lso des#ribes
*er"phFs en#ounter with Cryptos. !he .erv #ongr"tul"tes the oper"tive& then r"nts "bout the
persisten#e o$ .orpheus rumors. Oo:"mi s"ys th"t the !r"inm"n is "$r"id& "nd #"nFt be
trusted. !he !r"inm"n is "nnoyed "t the pl"yer nosing "$ter him& s"ys he :nows wh"t heFs
needed $or& shows p"r"noi" "bout the possibility o$ #"pture by the ."#hines& "nd #urses the
.erovingi"n $or bre":ing their Dde"lD in whi#h Dthe $ly m"n w"s supposed to be the l"st.D
8//9
>.2 Cinem"ti#: 5e"vy $irepower destroys the initi"l w"ve o$ ."#hine *entinels re"#hing the
?ener"lFs D*t"lingr"dD b"se.
,orld: !he s:y goes $rom " yellow/or"nge to more o$ " red.
Crit >.2./:
Eion: ?host tells the pl"yer to give *er"ph wh"tever "ssist"n#e they #"n in order to lo#"te
*"ti. .eet *er"ph "nd the Or"#le& then go #omm"ndo hunting with *er"ph. 5owever& he
$inds th"t the DimpressionD o$ *"ti he #"n re"d $rom them indi#"tes th"t they h"ve not been
ne"r her re#ently. A Eion gu"rd hints "t Dbig stu$$ going on b"#: home.D
."#h: !he pl"yer $ights o$$ #omm"ndos& runs " se"r#h on one o$ their termin"ls& gets
rein$or#ements $rom '"#e& then whups #omm"ndos de$ending " #omm"nd termin"l "nd runs
"n Doverride s#riptD giving the ."#hines #ontrol over the ?ener"lFs heli#opter $leet. ?r"y s"ys
th"t $or the time being it will be more e$$i#ient to le"ve them $ollowing their regul"r movement
p"tterns& but no longer tr"nsporting things $or the ?ener"l. 5e invites the pl"yer to b"#: him
up "t " meeting with Veil& where he w"nts to dire#t her to $ollow *ystem re)uirements& but she
st"lls& s"ying sheFll need time to get the other Cypherites to #ooper"te. A$terw"rds& ?r"y s"ys
th"t "lthough the Cyphs h"ve some #onveniently pl"#ed spies& the se#urity "lert in Eion& "nd
VeilFs relu#t"n#e to sh"re in$orm"tion& h"ve redu#ed the in$o the ."#hines "re getting $rom
them to " mere tri#:le& "nd th"t they m"y h"ve to #onsider Dli)uid"ting our investment in the
groupD i$ the situ"tion #"nFt be improved.
.erv: ."lph"s s"ys th"t "lthough di$$i#ulties "rose between them& the Apothe#"ry still owes
'ersephone " $"vor. !he pl"yer gets " letter #"lling in s"id $"vor $rom 'ersephone& who while
h"nding it over m":es it #le"r th"t the $"vor is now owed her by her husb"nd. !he pl"yer
delivers the letter to " dismissive !r"inm"n& then #on$irms delivery with the .erv& who
#hu#:les "bout 'ersephoneFs m"nipul"tions& "nd "bout the Apothe#"ryFs l"#: o$ " sense o$
humor.
343
8//9+8/2;
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: .orpheus en#ounteredB spe":s somewh"t more "t length "nd e#itedly "bout
re#overing 3eo& et#
."#h: re#uper"ting Cryptos en#ountered: #"n see only #ode& bitter "g"inst the ."#hines
.erv: !r"inm"n brings the Apothe#"ry into the ."tri& prob"bly with ."#hines in hot pursuit
8/2=
Crit >.2.2:
Eion: *er"ph w"nts to try #omm"ndo hunting "g"in. A$ter thr"shing " b"t#h o$ them& he
senses something ne"rby. !ynd"ll #on$irms 3"bonidus be"#on sign"l "#tivity in the "re". !he
pl"yer $ollows *er"phFs gold #ode sign"l "nd $inds " st"ti#+#overed D.orpheus *ign"lD th"t
loo:s li:e .orpheus& "nd s"ys " #ouple things "bout returning 3eo to Eion. !ynd"ll s"ys th"t
theyFve $in"lly been "ble to get " #le"r re"ding& "nd should be "ble to pinpoint the sign"l
)ui#:ly whenever it re"ppe"rs.
."#h: Ag"in be"ting up #omm"ndos "nd eploiting their networ:& this time with the "im o$
h"#:ing the #losed r"dio #h"nnels the 1lite Comm"ndos rely upon $or #ommuni#"tion Gvi"
mu$$led spe":ers in their m"s:sI. A per:y b"#:up+supplying '"#e mentions th"t "lthough the
Cypherite situ"tion h"snFt improved& it h"snFt gotten worse& either& "nd th"t she thin:s theyFll
wor: things out. !he ."#hines ee#ute their 1lite Comm"ndo #ommuni#"tion disruption
routine& "nd the pl"yer $inds " bun#h o$ them who donFt support e"#h other e$$e#tively& "nd
"re e"sily stomped. ?r"y disses the ?ener"lFs networ: se#urity.
.erv: A $"s#in"ted 6lood introdu#es the pl"yer to the Apothe#"ry& who bluntly dem"nds "
s"mple o$ the t"rgetFs #ode. !he oper"tor suspe#ts th"t the Apothe#"ry will :ill them "ll.
."lph"s s"ys th"t $ortun"tely the ?ener"l h"s *"ti& who the Or"#le h"s spent ye"rs stu$$ing
with h"nd#r"$ted #ode in the $orm o$ #oo:ies& $or re"sons un:nown. "nd th"t they #"n get "
#ode s"mple $rom her. !he ?ener"l s"ys this h"s to be done )ui#:ly& "nd th"t his own men
will h"ndle the #ode etr"#tion. !hey b"r the pl"yer $rom seeing *"ti& "lthough itFs possible
th"t some m"y #"t#h " glimpse o$ her two rooms "w"y& depending on mission "re"
#on$igur"tion. A blood+drin:er s"ys th"t they wonFt toler"te the D,"rdD rem"ining in the
?ener"lFs grip mu#h longer. !he pl"yer delivers the etr"#ted #ode to the Apothe#"ry.
."lph"s& supervising& "dmires the Apothe#"ryFs epertise "nd "rtistry& suggesting th"t the
pl"yer m":e " study o$ the DArs .oriendi.D 6lood #omes #lose to w"ing poeti# over her.
8/2=+;/2
%e)uired 1vents:
344
Eion: 7is#ussion with the Or"#le "nd *er"ph "bout li$e& the ."tri& "nd *"ti
."#h: h"#:ing the ?ener"lFs hologr"m
.erv: .erv w"nts to test prelimin"ry Or"#le :ill+#ode #on#o#tionB ?ener"l Ghologr"mI
suggests Agent '"#e "s t"rgetB pl"yer hits '"#e with Or"#le :ill+#ode deriv"tiveB '"#e
#oll"pses& is removed by ?r"y
;/4
Crit >.2.4:
Eion: *er"ph h"s sensed *"tiFs re#ent "ppe"r"n#e in the #ity. 5e "nd the pl"yer $ollow his
per#eption o$ her sign"l through " bun#h o$ 1lite Comm"ndos to " .erovingi"n hideout& but
the p"th ends there. !he oper"tor is sho#:ed "t one o$ the .ervs mentioning " :ill+#ode hit on
'"#e& loo:s into it& "nd s"ys th"t it didnFt :ill her& but put her Dout o$ #ommission.D !ynd"ll
epl"ins th"t sin#e *er"ph h"s #ome b"#:& the Or"#le h"s "llowed Eion to :eep her under
gu"rd "t lo#"tions outside o$ ."r"& sin#e the 7ebir "p"rtment h"d be#ome too hot " t"rget.
Consulted& the Or"#le s"ys th"t theyFll need *"ti b"#: in the ."tri in order to res#ue her& "nd
th"t the ."#hines will h"ve " h"nd in $or#ing the ?ener"l b"#: into the simul"tion.
."#h: ?r"y s"ys th"t "n "n"lysis o$ the #ode used in the "tt"#: on '"#e #orresponds to #ode
$ound in the #oo:ies she sometimes gives to redpills& "nd sends the pl"yer to g"n: " .erv
"nd ste"l their #oo:ie. L"b te#hs b"bble "bout the sophisti#"tion o$ the #ode in the #oo:ies.
One mentions th"t '"#e is "n eperiment"l progr"m& "nd th"t the sour#e o$ some o$ her #ore
routines is highly #l"ssi$ied. ?r"y s"ys the #ode "lso be"rs the h"llm"r:s o$ the Apothe#"ry& "
:ill+#ode m"nu$"#turer re#ently stolen by the .erv. 5e sends you to )uestion 7"me ,hite&
:nown to h"ve some p"st history with 'ersephone "nd the Apothe#"ryB the Apothe#"ry w"s
eiled on#e too& but the ."#hines too: her b"#:. !he 7"me Ghm - $orgot to in#lude her usu"l
two weird bodygu"rds& oh well& m"ybe theyFre o$$ pl"ying #hessI drops " very dense bit o$
di"logue& in#luding: /I 'ersephone w"s her "pprenti#e& 2I emotions were involved in their Cob
"t the pods& 4I #ontr"ry to regul"tions& outsiders sometimes got involved with the hum"ns she
wor:ed with& le"ding to illi#it "$$"irs& love tri"ngles& revenge& "nd this led to her "nd
'ersephone Dhoo:ing upD with the Apothe#"ry. ?r"y s"ys this suggests th"t the Apothe#"ry
owes 'ersephone " business $"vor. L"b #ompletes "n"lysis& "nd $inds th"t the #ode used in
the '"#e "tt"#: w"s "n Or"#le :ill+#ode m"de by the Apothe#"ry. !he #onv"les#ent '"#e
insists on seeing the pl"yer& s"ying she Cust w"nted to see their $"#e... And th"t she is
re#overing speedily& th"t theyFll soon Dh"ve toD let her resume D$ield duties&D th"t it will be good
to get b"#: to wor:& "nd th"t sheFll be $ine++Dbetter th"n ever.D ?r"y s"ys th"t they must
#onsider shi$ting their o$$ensive $o#us tow"rd the .erovingi"n.
.erv: !he Apothe#"ry #ompl"ins th"t the #he"t #ode is old& "nd th"t she needs "n inCe#tion o$
D$reshD #ode to bring it up to p"r. !he oper"tor thin:s sheFs de$initely going to :ill them "ll. !he
pl"yer h"s to be"t o$$ some ."#hines who "re getting too #lose to her. 6lood sends them to
#he#: on 9eirn& whoFs supposed to be giving the Apothe#"ry " tr"ns$usion o$ his #he"t+#ode+
l"#ed blood. !he pl"yer "rrives in the middle o$ " bitter sp"t between the Apothe#"ry "nd
345
'ersephone& who #l"ims the Apothe#"ry is del"ying. 9eirn s"y he thin:s he #ould t":e her i$
he h"d to& but Cust then ."#hines burst inB 9eirn "nd the Apothe#"ry D:illD the ne"rest ones&
the pl"yer t":es out the rest& "nd #omes b"#: to $ind the Apothe#"ry "greeing to $ul$ill her
oblig"tion D"nd nothing more&D "nd 'ersephone vowing to t"l: to her husb"nd "bout this. !he
.erovingi"n $inds the sp"t regrett"ble& but s"ys he thin:s the situ"tion #"n still be resolved to
his s"tis$"#tion& so long "s the Apothe#"ry #ompletes her wor:. DAnd then...D
;/4+;/9
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: .orpheus "ppe"r"n#e& m":es synt" error Grepe"ts s"me line $our times in " rowI
."#h: ?r"y& le"ding oper"tives "g"inst #omm"ndos& en#ounters *er"phB slightly $rosty #onvo
between the two "s *"tiFs s"$ety dis#ussed
.erv: *pying on Agent '"#eB beh"vior"l #h"nges observed "nd reported: emp"thi# in "
m"nipul"tive& "ggressive w"y
;//0
Crit >.2.8:
Eion: -tFs #omm"ndo hunting with *er"ph& who h"s "g"in dete#ted *"tiFs presen#e in the
."tri. 5e "nd the pl"yer #ome "#ross " non+hostile #omm"ndo. 5e p"sses you " th"n:+you
letter Gto himI $rom *"ti. *er"ph le"ds to the letterFs origin point& $illed with #omm"ndos& but
*"tiFs sign"l h"s "g"in dis"ppe"red Gthere is " D1%%O%/!%.D #omputer in the "re"& whi#h is
wh"t the ?ener"lFs de"#tiv"ted "##ess points s"yI. Just then& '"#e "rrives& s"ying she w"s
investig"ting " report o$ #omm"ndos in the "re"& #ongr"tul"tes the oper"tive on their
De$$i#ien#y&D "nd #ozily rem"r:s th"t it is Dmu#h s"$er when we #ooper"te.D ?host theorizes
th"t the ?ener"lFs r"n:s m"y not be "s united in his support "s h"d been "ssumed. !he
oper"tor uplo"ds " #opy o$ *"tiFs D!h"n: youD letter to the pl"yer "t the end o$ the mission
G#"n be tr"dedI.
."#h: ?r"y sends the pl"yer to termin"te the Apothe#"ry& who proves elusive& le"ving " tr"il
o$ ."#hine bodies "nd de"#tiv"ted #omm"ndo "##ess points in her w":e. ?r"y epl"ins th"t
she #"n termin"te " Dlower+level %*-D with " movement o$ her h"nd& "lthough this doesnFt
usu"lly result in perm"nent deletion. '"#e shows some imp"tien#e in her usu"l b"#:up+
providing role& s"ying she wishes she #ould go elimin"te the .erv $or#es with the pl"yer. An
Agent reminds the pl"yer th"t .orpheus w"s #on$irmed termin"ted long "go. Although the
Apothe#"ry gets "w"y through the ?ener"lFs networ:& the pl"yer #on$is#"tes the rem"ins o$
the #he"t #ode vi"l sheFd been using to m":e the :ill+#ode. ?r"y s"ys th"t they need to shut
down the ?ener"lFs networ: $or good. 5e "lso s"ys th"t *er"phFs insisten#e on res#uing *"ti
be$ore the ?ener"l is de"lt with shows th"t his logi# routines m"y still be imp"ired by his
dun:ing. '"#e s"ys th"t i$ sheFd been there& the Dtr"itorD GApothe#"ryI wouldnFt h"ve got "w"y.
346
.erv: !he Apothe#"ry& $ound hip+deep in de"d .ervs "nd ."#hines& insists on "de)u"te
se#urity be$ore she #"n $inish her wor:. !he ?ener"l delivers " unit o$ #omm"ndos $or the
purpose& s"ying he #"n only sp"re them $or " brie$ while. 6lood de#ides to throw the
#omm"ndos into the $"#e o$ the growing ."#hine o$$ensive to buy some timeB the pl"yer
w"des through de"d "nd dying ."#hines "nd #omm"ndos& se"r#hing $or the mispl"#ed #he"t
#ode vi"l& but h"s to give up the se"r#h when the Apothe#"ry is "g"in "tt"#:ed. Ag"in $ound
in the midst o$ de"d .ervs "nd ."#hs& the Apothe#"ry s"ys sheFs $inished her p"rt o$ the :ill+
#ode& th"t the .erovingi"n #le"rly #"nFt prote#t her& "nd th"t she w"nts to be tr"nsported out
o$ the simul"tion immedi"tely& "s is her right b"sed on the #ontr"#t she signed with the
.erovingi"n. 6lood regrets the loss o$ Dthe only pro$ession"l -Fve h"d the ple"sure o$ wor:ing
with re#ently.D
;//0+;//=
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: .orpheus %*-/be"#on sign"l h"s be#ome highly err"ti#B tr"#ed to rel"y point in %e"l in
need o$ m"inten"n#eB tr"#ed $rom rel"y point b"#: to origin point in ."tri++ie simul"ted
."#h: ."#hines use d"t" #"ptured $rom progress in *t"lingr"d to tr"#: down ?ener"lFs
prim"ry ."tri #omm"nd #enterB big b"ttleB more d"t" #"pturedB ?ener"l hologr"m orders
#omm"ndo retre"t
.erv: .erv sends Apothe#"ry o$$ under #omm"ndo es#ort Dto !r"inm"n&D tips o$$ ."#hinesB
Apothe#"ry deleted in b"ttle by either ."#hines or .ervs
;//>
Crit >.2.;:
Eion: !he pl"yer Coins *er"ph "s he h"s lo#"ted D*"ti.D *he st"nds very sti$$ly& then de$orms
into " biz"rre noodle+limbed #re"ture: *"tiFs #hild body stret#hed to the size o$ "n "dult
s:eleton. *er"ph s"ys itFs " tri#: by the ?ener"l& but th"t the vision gr"nted by the #odes the
?ener"l stole $rom the ."#hines will be the ?ener"lFs own undoing. !he ?ener"lFs hologr"m
"ppe"rs "nd t"unts the pl"yer. !he pl"yer $ollows *er"ph to " building $illed with the biz"rre
*"ti #lones& where& while the pl"yer puts the others out o$ their misery& *er"ph m"n"ges to
be$riend one. !his one le"ds the pl"yer to " #omputer with d"t" on it. Comm"ndos try to
inter$ere& but the pl"yer gets the d"t"& whi#h turns out to be *"ti hersel$& "nd h"nds the dis# to
*er"ph& who t":es it/her b"#: to the Or"#le. !he Or"#le s"ys th"t *"ti will be Cust $ine& "nd
will h"ve the we"ther b"#: to norm"l in " Ci$$. 3iobe& "lso there& s"ys th"t itFs time to $ind out
whoFs behind the simul"ted .orpheus.
."#h: !he pl"yer plops " virus into " #omm"ndo m"in$r"me& destroying the ?ener"lFs
networ: "nd shutting up " pes:y st"ti#+ridden hologr"phi# bro"d#"st $rom him th"t popped up
"t the l"st se#ond. A #omputer in the "re" shows *t"lingr"dFs de$enses "t very low #"p"#ity.
A$ter this su##ess& ?r"y sends the pl"yer "$ter '"#e& who undertoo: " meeting with Veil on
347
her own initi"tive. !he pl"yer "rrives Cust "s the two women "re putting the $in"l tou#hes on "n
"greement whereby the Cypherites will resume surveill"n#e in Eion $or the ."#hines& in
return $or p"yment. ."#hine/Cyph byst"nders epl"in th"t " de"d Cypherite there h"d got "
little too $resh with '"#e. ?r"y is ple"sed th"t '"#eFs Dspe#i"lized li"ison progr"mmingD h"s
helped her $ind " solution to the Cypherite issue. 5e "lso w"rns th"t Eion is on edge "nd must
be h"ndled #"re$ully& th"t the ?ener"l is on the verge o$ "bsolute de$e"t& "nd th"t $urther
"#tion "g"inst the .erv will be ne#ess"ry. '"#e preens hersel$ on her #oup& s"ying she thin:s
the Cypherites #"n be very use$ul "s long "s the right "ppro"#h is t":en. A ."#hine #omputer
h"s " mess"ge $rom the *entinel $or#e& s"ying theyFre "bout to undert":e " str"tegy designed
to eh"ust the enemyFs resour#esB "nother ."#hine #omputer h"s " brie$ spy report $rom
Eion& s"ying th"t itFs still tough to get intel due to the se#urity rev"mp& but th"t movement o$
men "nd m"teri"l out o$ Eion m"y be "##eler"ting.
.erv: !he ?ener"l re)uests sever"l Dtime+sensitiveD troop tr"ns$ers $rom the .erovingi"n.
!he oper"tor theorizes th"t 6lood h"d " #rush on the Apothe#"ry. !he pl"yer #he#:s over the
troops in the #ity& helping them be"t o$$ " ."#hine "tt"#: so th"t theyFll be set $or tr"nsport.
6lood then sends the pl"yer to hurry the !r"inm"n "nd the 1$$e#tu"tor "longB the oper"tor is
puzzled "bout the !r"inm"nFs involvement& sin#e he h"ndles tr"nsport between the ."tri
"nd the ."#hine m"in$r"mes. !he !r"inm"n s"ys he :nows pl"#es in the ."#hine
m"in$r"mes the ."#hines themselves donFt :now "bout. !he 1$$e#tu"tor thin:s the
!r"inm"nFs " little weird& but th"t theyFll h"ve the #omm"ndos Ds"$ely stowedD where the
."#hines #"nFt get them& while telling the ?ener"l th"t the ."#hines deleted them. !he !wins
"rgue "bout whoFs behind D.orpheusD: the ."#hines& or 1'3. !he .erv #ompl"ins "bout his
wi$e not being s"tis$ied even "$ter he "rr"nged $or the Apothe#"ryFs dispos"l& "nd s"ys th"t
the ?ener"l will le"rn "n import"nt lesson "bout w"r& but not Cust yet& "s his ignor"n#e will still
be use$ul $or " little while. 6lood #on$irms th"t the :ill+#ode h"s been #ompleted by the
.erovingi"nFs te#hni#i"ns.
;/4/
>.4 Cinem"ti#: Overwhelming w"ves o$ ."#hine *entinels destroy the ?ener"lFs s)uiddies
"nd rip "p"rt his *t"lingr"d b"se. !he #"mer" pulls b"#: to show the s#ene displ"yed on "
video s#reen& "nd the b"#: o$ " m"nFs he"d in silhouette w"t#hing it& "s " tiny bug+li:e robot
zips p"st. !he ?ener"l "nd his rem"ining #omm"ndos $lee through the sewers o$ the ."tri
with Agents in pursuit.
,orld: !he we"ther returns to norm"l. !he ?ener"lFs heli#opters "re repl"#ed by news
#hoppers& "nd his #omm"ndos no longer "ppe"r "s enemies in st"nd"rd Eion "nd ."#hine
missions.
Crit >.4./:
Eion: Eion tr"#:s the D.orpheus *ign"lD %*- bro"d#"st o$ .orpheus "g"in& "nd runs " tr"#e
through it to try to $ind its sour#e. !he tr"#e le"ds through " bluepill o$$i#e to " mysterious
#omputer room where the pl"yer $inds " bl"n: dis:& " #omputer with .orpheus )uotes $rom
some o$ his old spee#hes Gth"t were #hopped up into the spee#hes the bro"d#"st %*- h"s
givenI& "nd " re#ently used #omputer. Cell s"mples "re s#"nned $rom de"d s:in #ells in the
:eybo"rd& in the hopes th"t this will help tr"#: his %*-.
348
."#h: !he pl"yer is sent to delete one o$ the $ew rem"ining #omm"ndo units. A #omputer in
the "re" h"s " mess"ge to the ?ener"l& giving orders to the #omm"ndos to hold their ground
"s p"rt o$ " del"ying "#tion. *#"ns dete#t .erovingi"n progr"ms "long the ?ener"lFs
proCe#ted es#"pe p"th through the #ity. !he pl"yer is ordered to elimin"te "ll but one. !he
pl"yer h"uls him o$$ to Agent '"#e& who Dwill h"ndle d"t" etr"#tion.D '"#e s"ys it Dshould not
be overly...di$$i#ult&D "nd send the pl"yer to pi#: up some rein$or#ements while she gets down
to business. A #omputer in the "re" h"s " report $rom the *entinel stri:e $or#e #on$irming
destru#tion o$ *t"lingr"d& s"ying th"t losses were 4=.04U higher th"n proCe#ted& "nd
D'ending !"s:: 1limin"tion o$ terrorist hover#r"$t.D '"#e #omes through with the ?ener"lFs
#oordin"tes& the pl"yer gets there& "nd $ights through some .ervs to " #omputer+se#ured
door with unusu"l #ode. !hey get "n "##ess #ode $rom the gu"rds "nd use it& but the oper"tor
reports Dthe whole "re" Cust blin:ed&D "nd the #omputer re"dout resets& "lthough the door is
now unlo#:ed. !he pl"yer enters "nd $inds " #on$used bluepill th"n:ing them $or $iing the
C"mmed bolt& "nd then getting #on$used "nd dem"nding to :now where their se#ret"ry is. !he
oper"tor s"ys th"t the .ervs D#h"nged somethingD "nd th"t the door is now Cust " norm"l
door& "nd wherever it used to go& it isnFt going now. ?r"y s"ys th"t it seems the ?ener"l h"s
g"ined "##ess to the .erovingi"nFs Db"#: doorD system& to whi#h they will h"ve to g"in
"##ess.
.erv: !he pl"yer meets up with the ?ener"l& who "s:s them to t":e some #omm"ndos "nd
meet him "t " rendezvous. 6lood h"s you get the #omm"ndos deleted "s "n D"##ident&D
be#"use theyFre too hot to try hiding $rom the ."#hines Cust now. !hen you #"t#h b"#: up to
the ?ener"l& being "tt"#:ed by ."#hines& "nd tell him the .erv w"nts to t"l:. !he .erv tells
the ?ener"l th"t the only w"y he #"n ensure his s"$ety is to get him out o$ the ."tri& "nd to "
hiding spot ne"r the sur$"#e in the %e"l. !he ?ener"l "grees to go "long with it& s"ying th"t
"lthough itFs ris:y& the ."#hines prob"bly wonFt epe#t it.
;/4/+=/=
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: the "#tu"l D.orpheusD simul"#rum++not " bro"d#"st++is $ound "nd es#"pes& but not
be$ore Eion obt"ins " $ull s#"n o$ the %*-
."#h: wor:ing on h"#:ing D#h"te"uD door when gener"l re"ppe"rs& pursued to tr"in
.erv: gener"l m"y t":e some #onvin#ing& but h"s to "gree to give .erv the progr"m $or
#onverting sentinels between ."tri "nd the %e"lB progr"m is retrieved $rom one o$ his $ew
rem"ining d"t" repositories Cust be$ore it is destroyed by ."#hines
=/>
Crit >.4.2:
Eion: %e#ent re"dings o$ the %*- sign"ture "re pursued. !he pl"yer $inds "n odd #hun: o$
349
#orrupt bin"ry #ode& "nd " l"rge "mount o$ d"t" $rom " d"t"b"se. !he #orrupt bytes "re b"#:+
tr"#ed to " de"#tiv"ted "nd "b"ndoned #omm"ndo "##ess point. !he oper"tor wonders why
the ."#hines didnFt remove th"t one. 3iobe is very suspi#ious o$ " #onne#tion between the
.orpheus %*- "nd the ?ener"l& "nd s"ys th"t i$ the ?ener"l is behind it& it should be $ound
"nd dis"bled. -niti"l "n"lysis o$ the d"t"b"se in$orm"tion indi#"tes it is "n insur"n#e #l"ims
d"t"b"se Gie red herringI. -t isnFt mentioned in the mission& but the #orrupt #hun: o$ bin"ry
#ode #ont"ins the bits seen in the e"rly .orpheus bro"d#"stsF #h"r"#ter det"ils. !he bin"ry
itsel$ is g"rb"ge& "nd - donFt thin: de#odes into "nything Gthough - #ould be in trouble i$ it does
:pI.
."#h: Armed with three viruses $rom '"#e& the pl"yer sets o$$ to sti#: them in the Dh"#:ed
swit#h hubsD ne"r tr"in st"tions through whi#h the !r"inm"n #ontrols his networ:. At the
!"bor hub& the pl"yer $inds some "nnoying 7emon Army members& one o$ whom initi"lly
sounds li:e he :nows something& but goes hostile on#e t":en outside& #l"iming heFs lured the
pl"yer into "n "tt"#: by his Dbrethren.D 1lite Comm"ndos gu"rd the C"mon hub. ; 'oints
p"rtiers #"vort "round the Apollyon hub& s"ying the !r"inm"n lets them #hill there. !he
impl"nted vir"l routines begin returning d"t" m"pping the !r"inm"nFs networ:. ?r"y s"ys th"t
with this in$orm"tion& they should be "ble to inter#ept the ?ener"l i$ he tries to m":e " bre":
$or it.
.erv: 6lood doesnFt li:e the n"me D!he %e"l&D "nd s"ys D!he *ludge+'itD would be more
"##ur"te& $or inst"n#e. 5e sends the pl"yer to #olle#t some #omm"ndos "nd t":e them to the
!r"inm"n. !heyFre dropped o$$ with the #r"n:y !r"inm"n& "nd the pl"yer is sent o$$ to bring
the ?ener"l himsel$ in. !he ?ener"l s"ys heFll go& sin#e he needs to m":e sure the !r"inm"n
h"s the tr"ns$er progr"m #on$igured #orre#tly "nyw"y& but th"t theyFd better t":e sep"r"te
routes. 5e gives the pl"yer " #omm"ndo& s"ying Dm"ybe you #"n dr"w some o$ them o$$.D
6lood doesnFt #"re wh"t you do with the #omm"ndo& "nd tells you Cust to get over to the
!r"inm"n. At the !r"inm"nFs p"d& "tt"#:ing ."#hines h"ve to be be"ten o$$& "nd then the
?ener"l re$uses to le"ve the ."tri& s"ying th"t he h"s some Dun$inished businessD th"t
DwonFt t":e long.D !he !r"inm"n s"ys the ?ener"l is end"ngering them "ll. ."#hines "mbush
the pl"yer outdoors throughout this mission.
=/>+=//4
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: Gbe$ore ."#h eventI morph sim++t"l:s on its own in semi+bro:en .orpheus+li:e spee#h
p"tternsB gen "ppe"rs "nd yells "t it& le"ves in " hu$$B sim dis"ppe"rs
."#h: gener"l dr"gs $eet "t st"tion with tr"inm"n& #"ught in ."#hine "tt"#:& shoved into tr"in
by tr"inm"n& tr"inm"n $lees m"#hines on $oot& horribly wounded& stumbles through door into
white room Gor other tr"in st"tion th"t might sort o$ loo: li:e his #onstru#tH hmI where he
#oll"pses& "pp"rently li$eless
.erv: merv tr"ns$ers or"#le :ill+#ode through " zion networ:
350
=//8
Crit >.4.4:
Eion: !he routing in$orm"tion o$ the :ill+#ode shuttled through EionFs networ: w"s deleted
Ginside s"bot"geI& but their re#ent se#urity rev"mp :eeps high level b"#:ups o$ "dmin "##ess
logs& whi#h preserved the networ: "ddress o$ the s"boteurFs system. !he lo#"tion is
popul"ted by Eion oper"tives& who seem $riendly "nd #ooper"tive. One h"ppens to mention
th"t they h"venFt seen `r"ndom n"me a "round l"tely. !ynd"ll #he#:s on à "nd $inds heFs
using "n outside #ommuni#"tion rel"y& whi#h is "g"inst regul"tions. !he pl"yer $inds à "nd
wor:s their w"y to the termin"l à is using to host the #omm rel"y& $inding " log on it o$ the
D$riendlyD Eionites "t the previous lo#"tion reporting to à th"t the pl"yer is on his #"se. !he
Eionites in the "re" go hostile. !he pl"yer de$e"ts them& "nd theyFre "rrested on their ships.
!heir $ull #h"t log is "n"lyzed "nd shows th"t they didnFt :now who w"s on the re#eiving end
o$ the :ill+#ode& e#ept th"t it w"s supposed to be "n under#over .erv op on the Or"#leFs
Eion se#urity det"il. !he pl"yer #he#:s on the Or"#le "nd s#"ns her #urrent gu"rds& who
#he#: out o:"y. !he Or"#le s"ys she h"snFt noti#ed "nything "miss. 5er se#ond mess"ge
t"l:s "bout the .orpheus bro"d#"sts using #ut+up lines $rom old .orpheus spee#hes. *er"ph
promises to #he#: e"#h gu"rd until the :ill+#ode is $ound. One o$ the gu"rds h"s " #r"zy
theory "bout the .erv using the .orpheus %*- to "ss"ssin"te the Or"#le. !ynd"ll s"ys theyFll
be #ode+s#reening "ll Or"#le gu"rds until the :ill+#ode is $ound& "nd th"t theyFll do more
#he#:ing on the #"ptured #rew to see i$ they #"n $ind out more "bout where the :ill+#ode
went.
."#h: ,ith the ?ener"l gone& the ."#hines w"nt to m":e sure his .orpheus sim isnFt "
thre"t. -n#re"sed "#tivity h"s been dete#ted "t "re"s .orpheus $re)uented be$ore his
"ss"ssin"tion. !he pl"yer is sent to " w"rehouse& where " help$ul se#urity gu"rd #"pt"in
gives them the n"me o$ the person who deposited " suspi#ious bo o$ tools re#ently: DJoshu"
."ston.D One gu"rd Co:es "bout Dglue terroristsD th"t were supposedly using the w"rehouse "
#ouple ye"rs "go. ."#hine re#ords show ."ston is " Eion oper"tive. !he pl"yer p"ys him "
visit& $inding him "nd " D6lyer&D "long with some p"ls. !he Eionites $lip out when the 6lyer is
pi#:ed up& "nd " $ight $ollows. GD6lyerD w"s used in the old Dhunt $or morpheusD #rits in #h"pter
/.I !he pl"yer $inds th"t ."ston #"rried p"pers with "n "ddressB they go there "nd $ind one o$
the posters .orpheus used to go "round posting. ?r"y runs " #ode tr"#e th"t t":es the pl"yer
to "nother w"rehouse& where they $ind the .orpheus sim. -t utters " $ew h"#:ed+up .orpheus
lines& then :eels over. !he oper"tor s"ys it shut itsel$ o$$. ?r"y s"ys it m"y h"ve the #"p"bility
to simul"te C"#:+out "nd re#onstru#tion& but th"t "nyw"y they now h"ve " #omplete s#"n o$ its
%*-.
.erv: 6lood sends the pl"yer to #olle#t some d"t" sent b"#: by the under#over .erv
"ss"ssin in Eion. !he pl"yer $inds the Eion $"#ility on "lert& whi#h m":es getting the d"t" "
little tougher th"n epe#ted. 6lood s"ys Eion must h"ve $ound out "bout the :ill+#ode being
sent into their networ:. !he d"t" the pl"yer retrieves #ont"ins the "ddress o$ the pl"#e where
Eion is #urrently holding the Or"#le& "nd 6lood sends the pl"yer in to identi$y the Eion gu"rd
#"pt"in on duty. ,ith th"t "##omplished& the pl"yer bre":s into "nother Eion $"#ility to swipe
the #"pt"inFs $ilesB he should h"ve " roster o$ the gu"rd det"il. 6lood s"ys it should be e"sy&
sin#e Dour inside te"mD who got the :ill+#ode in h"s "lre"dy #r"#:ed the ne#ess"ry termin"l
$or you. 5ostile Eionites "ppe"r on#e the pl"yer gets their h"nds on the d"t". 6lood s"ys the
351
insider networ: s"bot"ge te"m h"s been #"ught& "nd m":es h"sty "rr"ngements to deposit
the roster with the "ss"ssinFs b"#:up #ont"#t. !he pl"yer $inds them by whispering "
p"ssword "round "t "n 1ile p"rtyB the #ont"#t is " su##ubus Gsee Eion >.4.8I& #on#erned th"t
this is blowing their #over. -$ you #he#: #"re$ully& youFll noti#e " ne"rby p"rty guest "#ting
suspi#iously "$ter you t"l: to the #ont"#t.
=//8+=/20
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: merv spy somehow $ound "nd t":en out& :ill+#ode not $ound
."#h: "#tive morph sim tr"#:ed down "nd interviewed/interrog"tedB somewh"t "nti+m"#hine
but ?r"y determines its merely rudiment"ry #"p"#ity $or $ree thought prevents it $rom posing "
signi$i#"nt thre"t& while it is use$ul $or p"#i$ying/distr"#ting Eionites
.erv: G"$ter Eion eventI :ey $ound "t ."h"th !ower #onstru#tion site GL"m"r neighborhood&
e"st edge o$ 7owntownI must be re#overed Gpossibly involving the L"ndlordH++either #omes
to the .erv to tell him he he"rd .erv w"s gunning $or the Or"#le& "nd might be interested in
this :ey& or someone else #omes "nd tells him th"t& "nd itFs the L"ndlord who h"s the :eyI
=/2/
Crit >.4.8:
Eion: !he pl"yer $ollows up on " #ont"#t used by the spy& hoping to $ind the :ill+#ode& but $inds
them G" su##ubus++see .erv >.4.4I de"d& "nd the ?ener"lFs hologr"m shows up "nd glo"ts.
*er"ph Gwhose %*- is b"#: to norm"l in this sub#h"pterI "s:s $or " meeting& "nd s"ys th"t
even though his "bility to dete#t #omm"ndos is $"ding& he $elt them Cust now& "$ter "n "bsen#e
o$ wee:s& "nd heFs sure theyFre somewhere in the #ity. *him"d" "s:s $or " meeting&
re)uesting th"t Eion "llow 1'3 to help gu"rd the Or"#le. Eion Comm"nd is relu#t"nt to do so&
but the Or"#le insists. !hereFs " big pow+wow with the Or"#le& *er"ph& 3iobe& the (id& "nd the
pl"yer. 3iobe tries dissu"ding the Or"#le& but she st"ys $irm. !he (id s"ys theyFre Cust there to
help& "nd th"t nobody w"nts to see "ny h"rm #ome to the Or"#le. 1'3 gu"rds "re "lre"dy in
pl"#e.
."#h: ?r"y s"ys th"t the $"#t th"t Eion h"d d"t" on the .orph sim wee:s be$ore they did&
"nd th"t they :now more "bout the "ss"ssin"tion plot "g"inst the Or"#le& illustr"tes the
problems inherent in the ."#hinesF "pp"lling l"#: o$ d"t" $rom Eion. 5e sends the pl"yer to
meet with " Eionite who #l"ims to h"ve in$orm"tion to sell. !he in$orm"nt s"ys to #he#: out "
#ert"in 1'3 oper"tive whoFs m"n"ged to dig up dirt on wh"t the ."#hines "re loo:ing $or in
Eion& "nd gives them the "ddress o$ the 1'3Fs #over business. !he pl"yer gets b"#:up $rom
'"#e& who s"ys she w"s monitoring the #onvers"tion& "nd sheFs #ert"in the in$orm"nt is trying
to loo: li:e she :nows more th"n she doesB '"#eFs se#ond mess"ge s"ys th"t sheFs #he#:ed
the re#ords& "nd 82U o$ the double "gents theyFve used h"ve "t some point o$$ered $"lse
in$orm"tion. !he pl"yer "nd $ollowers be"t up " bun#h o$ 1'3 "nd get to the t"rget& who s"ys
352
th"t ye"h& the Cypherites "re in Eion loo:ing $or missing supplies "nd wor:ers. An "nnoyed
?r"y s"ys th"t this is Cust going in #ir#les& "nd evidently neither the would+be in$orm"nt nor
the 1'3 h"d "#tu"l use$ul in$orm"tion. 5e s"ys th"t even "$ter '"#eFs "greement with Veil&
intelligen#e reports on Eion $rom the Cypherites h"ve not been up to p"r with wh"t they were
under Cryptos& "nd th"t sin#e reports "re #oming in th"t Cryptos h"s "t le"st in p"rt
re#overed $rom *er"phFs "tt"#:& itFs time to en#our"ge his resumption o$ Cypherite le"dership.
?r"y meets with Veil "nd Cryptos& where Veil "ssures him th"t theyFll give the Eion "$$"ir top
priority& "nd th"t sheFs sure they #"n $ind something use$ul $or Cryptos to do now th"t heFs
$eeling better. CryptosF own replies "re ro"ming "nd "mbiv"lent& "lthough he s"ys th"t he is
Dnot predisposed to be un#ooper"tive.D ?r"y isnFt entirely ple"sed& but s"ys th"t this w"s the
most he #ould do without ris:ing " b"#:l"sh $rom the Cyphs "g"inst ."#hine #ontrol.
.erv: ."lph"s in$orms the pl"yer th"t ."h"th w"s the site o$ the Ar#hite#tFs building
destroyed in %elo"ded& where the (eym":er diedB this :ey he h"d Cust $inished ended up not
being needed to :ill her old shell Gbetween %elo"ded "nd %evolutionsI. !he :ey will be given
to the "ss"ssin. !he .erv #ont"#ts the ?ener"l& who "ppe"rs hologr"phi#"lly& "nd "s:s $or "
s)u"d o$ his best men. !he ?ener"l "grees relu#t"ntly& "s long "s theyFre used to :ill the
Or"#le& "nd returned int"#t. 5e s"ys th"t sin#e the !r"inm"n is gone& someone will h"ve to
#on$igure the tr"ns$er progr"m on "ltern"te h"rdw"re. !he pl"yer goes to the !r"inm"nFs
wor:shop& "nd eventu"lly digs up the tr"ns$er progr"m $rom some un#ooper"tive 5el Club
3'CsB one o$ the #omputers in the "re" shows th"t some numbered things Gpossibly lo#"tions
on the !r"inm"nFs networ:& hmHI "re o$$line or in need o$ m"inten"n#e. !he tr"ns$er progr"m
is h"nded o$$ to the 1$$e#tu"tor& who promptly uses it to summon two de"d 1lite Comm"ndos.
1$$y bl"mes it on "n unintuitive progr"m inter$"#e& "nd s"ys he needs to go #he#: on
something& but not to worry& heFll h"ve it "ll sorted out. !he pl"yer h"s to go #on$igure "
#omputer to initi"te the proper tr"ns$er. ."#hines "tt"#: right be$ore this #"n be done& but
"$ter theyFre be"ten& $our #omm"ndos "re brought in su##ess$ully& with "nother wounded& "nd
one de"d. 6lood is "nnoyed with the 1$$e#tu"torFs bungling& but s"ys there "re more
#omm"ndos where those #"me $rom G- w"nted to le"ve the number o$ #omm"ndos brought in
somewh"t open& be#"use l"ter missions/events m"y need more th"n $iveI.
=/2/+=/2>
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: the :ey teleports the user to the door ne"rest the Or"#leFs lo#"tion+++:ey "nd :ill+#ode
given to elite #omm"ndo sniper who w"rps into her epn+gu"rded lo#"tionB or"#le dete#ts himB
:id re"#ts "nd Cumps in $ront o$ her& t":ing the bullet Gre#onstru#ts& seems li:e no perm"nent
d"m"geI
."#h: Cryptos/Veil++Cryptos $eels su$$i#iently re#overed to t":e Cypherite #omm"nd& Veil m"y
resist " littleB in the end& Cryptos re+est"blishes his le"dership GVeil still 2nd in #omm"ndI
.erv: Gd"y be$ore Eion eventI #omm"ndo s)u"d in the #ity& hunted by ser"phB mervs h"ve to
slow ser"ph down so th"t "t le"st one #omm"ndo gets "w"y $or " while& to :eep ser"ph busy
353
=/28
Crit >.4.;:
Eion: *er"ph h"s tr"#:ed down the l"st o$ the 1lite Comm"ndos& Cust "s his "bility to see
them $in"lly $"des #ompletely. ?host "rrives w"nting to deliver "n import"nt mess"ge& but
'"#e shows up "t the s"me time& s"ying the ."#hines were "lso tr"#:ing the #omm"ndos.
*he slyly re$ers to h"ving "n intim"te #"t#h+up #onvers"tion with ?host. ?host s"ys '"#e is
there "s " distr"#tion& "nd the pl"yer should get in tou#h with !ynd"ll immedi"tely. !ynd"ll
s"ys th"t #ont"#t with the Gr"ndomly n"medI #"pt"in o$ the hover#r"$t 'el"geus h"s been
lost& e#ept $or his emergen#y be"#on. !he pl"yer $inds the #"pt"in "nd his #rew "lone& but
Cust "s the #"pt"in w"rns th"t " Cypherite tr"itor w"s in his #rew& "nd th"t Dthey thin: - :now
something "bout the++&D he "nd his #rew "ll drop de"d. !he phone rings++itFs Veil& te"sing.
!ynd"ll s"ys th"t they h"ppened to h"ve "nother ship ne"r the 'el"geusB they get " re"ding
on the pir"tesF hover#r"$t sign"l& "nd the pl"yer tr"#:s down the Cypherite #rew in the #ity&
$or#ing them to re#onstru#t "s the Eion ship moves in the %e"l. !he Cypherite #r"$t gets o$$
with the Eionite ship in pursuit. *er"ph h"d mentioned e"rlier th"t the Or"#le w"nted to t"l:.
*he s"ys th"t she isnFt sure wh"t to s"y to m":e the pl"yer $eel betterB Dthey wonFt get to you
li:e they got to those poor people on th"t shipDB she "lso s"ys th"t she #ould s"y itFs "ll $or the
best& but people tend to t":e th"t the wrong w"y. Eionite "nd 1'3 gu"rds in the "re" "re
"rguing: Eion s"ys the Cypherites donFt re"lly #"re "bout 1'3& "nd h"ve "lw"ys been "$ter
Eion& while 1'3 points out th"t theyFve t":en the hits "ll this time while EionFs been hiding
behind the !ru#e. !ynd"ll reports th"t the Cypherite hover#r"$t w"s d"m"ged& but h"snFt been
#"ptured yet& "lthough they #"ught one $em"le Cypherite on $oot ne"r the 'el"geus. G- donFt
h"ve "ny p"rti#ul"r pl"ns $or these Cyphs.I
."#h: ?r"y sends the pl"yer "$ter the #omm"ndos th"t h"ve re+entered the ."tri. A$ter
de$e"ting some e"sily& th"n:s to their "nti+#omm"ndo routines& the pl"yer #omes "#ross de"d
#omm"ndos& then *er"ph& ?host& "nd '"#e& who got there \re"l\ $"st. *er"ph s"ys th"t
$ortun"tely& the #omm"ndo "ss"ssin"tion "ttempt on the Or"#le w"s prevented. ?host #urtly
th"n:s the pl"yer $or their interest. '"#e s"ys sheFll h"ndle ?host& "nd dismisses the pl"yer&
telling them to report to ?r"y. ?r"y in$orms the pl"yer o$ the Cypherite hiC"#:ing o$ the
'el"geus& "nd sends them to Veil to "s: $or "n epl"n"tion o$ the oper"tion. Veil "ngrily
replies th"t she ne"rly lost " ship "nd #rew trying to get d"t" $or the ."#hines& "nd th"t they
h"ve no right to )uestion her methods: D!ell me weFre end"ngering the !ru#eH 7onFt m":e me
l"ugh.D *he e#uses hersel$& s"ying she h"s some phone #"lls to m":e. One o$ the Cyphs
with her s"ys DNour w"r never ended& p"l. !hey Cust told you it did& "nd you bought their
story.D ?r"y s"ys th"t heFs in$ormed th"t Cryptos is b"#: in #omm"nd o$ the Cypherites&
"lthough Veil #ontrols m"ny o$ their d"y+to+d"y oper"tions. ?r"y is #on#erned th"t the
."#hines will be bl"med $or these etreme Cypherite "#tions. !he pl"yer responds to
*er"phFs invit"tion to see the Or"#le& who s"ys th"t most everyone w"nts to s"ve lives& but
they dis"gree on how to go "bout it++th"t they see the di$$eren#es r"ther th"n the simil"rities
between hum"ns "nd ."#hines. *he "dds th"t i$ thereFs one thing sheFs le"rned $rom "ll this&
itFs th"t you #"nFt s"ve someone who doesnFt w"nt to be s"vedB itFs "ll well "nd good to give
someone " #hoi#e& but then you h"ve to live with the #onse)uen#es& "nd i$ you donFt li:e their
#hoi#es& youFve got to wor: on #h"nging their mind& whi#h is "bout the toughest thing there is.
.erv: A $rustr"ted .erovingi"n sends the pl"yer o$$ to set up " rel"y with the ?ener"l. 6lood
354
epl"ins th"t they h"d " rel"y in pl"#e& but it stopped wor:ing++the ."#hines prob"bly $ound
it++"nd th"t "lthough theyFre wor:ing on " perm"nent rel"y th"t the ."#hines wonFt be "ble to
get "t& $or this theyFll Cust h"ve to rig up " tempor"ry one th"t will prob"bly be dete#ted "nd
shut down shortly "$terw"rds. 5e sends the pl"yer to " sm"ll d"t" #enter& where they send "n
en#oded mess"ge to the ?ener"l on " low+b"ndwidth #h"nnel th"tFs supposed to be Dbelow
the r"d"r.D 3evertheless& ."#hines "tt"#: the #enter Cust "$ter the mess"ge gets out. 3et&
the pl"yer h"s to set up " re#eiver& "nd be#"use this is " rush Cob& 6lood sends you to "
bluepill #omp"ny& to put " s#ript in pl"#e th"t will hiC"#: their re#eiver/tr"nsmitter. -tFs " !V
st"tion& "nd the bluepills inside h"ve #onvers"tions "nd d"t" on their #omputers& in#luding
news o$ "nother 'endhurst+Am"r"nth sto#: split& "n intrepid reporter trying to turn the
#oin#iden#e o$ both Anome "nd his mother $"lling $rom buildings into " theory on Cumping
being heredit"ry& "nd one who w"nts to #over gun #ontrol& s"ying th"t $ire"rm+rel"ted de"ths
"re up 89U in the l"st two ye"rs. On#e the right #omputer is $ound "nd the s#ript put in pl"#e&
the pl"yer returns to the .erv "s the meeting st"rts. !he .erv ber"tes the ?ener"l $or the
#omm"ndoFs $"ilure to :ill the Or"#le& "nd s"ys th"t heFs "ssuming dire#t #omm"nd o$ the
?ener"lFs *entinels. 5e orders ."lph"s to Diniti"te the override progr"m.D !he ?ener"l begins
to retort but is #ut o$$ mid+word. ."lph"s epl"ins th"t they inserted Doverride routinesD when
they tr"ns$erred the ?ener"l "nd his #omm"ndo progr"ms out o$ the ."tri& "nd th"t they "re
now Dprogr"mm"ti#"lly #ompelledD to obey instru#tions $rom the .erovingi"n. !he .erv s"ys
th"t "lthough the ?ener"l h"s been dis"ppointing in the p"st& "s the he"d o$ "n obedient
s)u"dron outside the ."tri& he m"y h"ve his uses.
>//2
8./ Cinem"ti#
An under#over Cypherite hover#r"$t winds through " new tunnels system& $ollowing dire#tions
$rom " Eion tr"$$i# #ontroller. !hey enter " l"rge #h"mber #o"ted with 1.' devi#es "nd "re
dire#ted to #ut engines to go through the sh"$t below. !he #rew p"ni#s "nd guns the engines&
$leeing. !heir p"th is blo#:ed by " he"vily lo"ded hoverb"rge. !hey send " report to Cryptos
th"t theyFve $ound DitD Cust be$ore "n 1.' goes o$$& sending both #r"$t plunging into the bottom
o$ the tunnel.
Cut to the Ar#hite#t in his #ontrol room. 5e in$orms Agent ?r"y& on " monitor& th"t Eion h"s
bro:en the !ru#e. 3o more "w":enings "re to be "llowed.
X,h"t this me"ns is th"t Eion "nd the ."#hines "re "g"in "t w"r.
,h"t the Cypherites $ound& "s will be epl"ined in the initi"l #rits& is D3ew Eion&D EionFs
"nswer to the #ontinu"l thre"t o$ etermin"tion by the $leet o$ *entinels w"t#hing DoldD Eion.
!his is where "ll those shipments o$ men "nd m"teri"ls h"ve been going. D3ew EionD is " new
#ity/b"se in " miture o$ n"tur"l "nd "rti$i#i"l #"verns $"rther $rom the ."#hine City in terms o$
longitude "nd l"titude& "nd mu#h $"rther below the sur$"#e th"n the old #ity. !he lo#"tion is
shielded $rom s#"ns "nd drilling by n"tur"l $orm"tions o$ solid bedro#:& ore+he"vy l"yers o$
e"rth "nd miner"ls& l"v" "nd du#ts o$ superhe"ted "ir& "nd& most import"ntly& "rr"ys o$ 1.'
355
#lusters drilled into the long winding tunnel w"lls o$ the $ew "v"il"ble "##ess points& "nd $in"lly
" verti#"l tunnel se#tion #ompletely #overed by live 1.' $ieldsB entering #r"$t must :ill "ll
systems& drop through the $ields& then rest"rt systems in $ree+$"ll in the l"rge subterr"ne"n
#h"sm below. Outgoing #r"$t "re li$ted through on m"ssive me#h"ni#"l win#h systems.
Abund"nt geothermi# power sust"ins the b"se.Y
,orld
+ ,ent through "ll the neighborhood "nd intro missions& Lo#:Fs initi"l voi#eover& signpost GDiDI
3'Cs "nd so $orth to t":e out re$eren#es to being in " st"te o$ !ru#e. G!hereFs still the
Or"#leFs lines in the introdu#tory movie& but "h well.I
+ Ch"n#e o$ Agent "tt"#: in " restri#ted "re" now goes up r"ther th"n down with #h"r"#ter
level.
+ Alw"ys " #h"n#e o$ " level /00 Agent "tt"#: "g"inst Eion oper"tives outdoors in ,estview&
-3!& "nd 7!.
+ %*- upd"tes $or the two prim"ry story #h"r"#ters $or e"#h org.
+ !hereFs " new& de#idedly ."#hine+oriented #olle#tor& Codeb"se& behind the <ri"h *,
h"rdline& who slips in " $ew suggestions "bout wor:ing $or the ."#hines.
+ ."#hines "nd Eion "re now opponents $or e"#h other in st"nd"rd missions.
Crit 8././
Eion: ?host epl"ins "bout 3ew Eion& "nd the ."#hines de#l"ring th"t Eion h"s bro:en the
tru#e. !he pl"yer is sent to #he#: Eion networ: $"#ilities th"t h"ve reported trouble: the $irst is
de"d& the se#ond h"s " b"ttle going on between Eionites "nd ."#hines Gwell& de"d 3'Cs&
some live Eionites who will $ollow the pl"yer "nd $ight& "nd hostile ."#hinesI. !he pl"yer is
then p"#:ed o$$ to see 3iobe& who s"ys it loo:s li:e the ."#hines "re going "$ter EionFs
networ: inter$"#esB they thought they were se#ure "$ter the re#ent se#urity overh"ul& but the
."#hines "re going "$ter them in " w"y th"t suggests theyFve $ound " se#urity hole. ?host
s"ys th"t " berth h"s been se#ured $or the pl"yerFs hover#r"$t in 3ew Eion& "nd th"t "
."#hine "tt"#: on Eion now would m":e supplies tight& but would #ost the ."#hines " lot o$
*entinels with "ll the 1.'+e)uipped hover#r"$t Eion h"s.
."#h: '"#e epl"ins " bit "bout 3ew Eion& "nd s"ys Eion is mist":en i$ they thin: it will let
them "tt"#: the *ystem with impunity. *he s"ys the ."#hines :now more "bout EionFs
networ: inter$"#es th"n Eion suspe#ts. ?r"y sends the pl"yer "$ter " networ: hub& th"t le"ds
to "nother "#tivity #enter. A h"#:"ble #omputer "t the hub h"s " mess"ge inter#ept o$ "
dire#tive $rom Lo#:& s"ying th"t hover#r"$t re"ssignments to 3ew Eion "re being given in
order o$ #"pt"in seniority. Eionites :illed& et#. ?r"y h"s the pl"yer over $or " he"d+to+he"d&
where he epl"ins th"t they h"ve to de$end the *ystem "g"inst Eion $or the good o$ hum"nity.
.erv: 6lood epl"ins " bit "bout 3ew Eion "nd the renewed w"r& "nd ."lph"s s"ys th"t the
Eion/."#hine hostilities will give the .ervs opportunities. 6or inst"n#e& he sends the pl"yer to
retrieve the #hun: o$ D#orruptD #ode th"t Eion #"ptured $rom the ?ener"l++itFs e"sy& be#"use
356
the ."#hines h"d Cust "tt"#:ed "nd wiped out the pl"#e where it w"s being held. !he !wins
"renFt ple"sed th"t they didnFt get to :ill "nyone. 6lood then sends the pl"yer to see wh"t 1ile
business le"ders 7"me ,hite "nd .r. 9l"#: m":e o$ the new situ"tion& to see Dwhi#h w"y the
wind is blowing.D !he 7"me thin:s sheFll m"n"ge Cust $ineB .r. 9l"#: thin:s "ll the #h"os is
b"d $or business. !he .erovingi"n s"ys th"t he on the other h"nd thin:s this is the per$e#t
time to loo: $or unepe#ted opportunities. 'ersephone suspe#ts th"t heFs "lre"dy up to
something& "nd l"ments th"t he will ris: everything on " roll o$ the di#e.
>//2+>//8
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: emergen#y brie$ing& AVA session w/ 3iobe "nd ?host
."#h: emergen#y brie$ing& AVA session w/ '"#e "nd ?r"y
.erv: emergen#y p"rty with .erv "nd 'ersephone
>//9
Crit 8./.2
Eion: L"b wor:ing on #on$iguring "n emergen#y $irew"ll progr"m h"s been s"#:ed by the
."#hines. 'l"yer h"s to pi#: up " #opy $rom ?host "nd t":e it over to " new& hope$ully se#ret
l"b. A h"#:"ble #omputer "t this l"b h"s " note "bout& well& b"si#"lly no $irm news on wh"t
the possible hole in EionFs de$enses might be& wh"t the .erv #ould be doing& et#. A te#h is
s:epti#"l th"t thereFs " hole& "nd thin:s the whole system is Cust too old "nd well :nown to the
."#hines. !he tr"ns$er to the new l"b seems to go o:"y& but ."#hines "re dete#ted l"ter "
little w"ys "w"yB the pl"yer goes to he"d them o$$& "nd does so& until level /00 Agents show
up Cust "s the oper"tor gives word th"t the new $irew"ll h"s "lre"dy been byp"ssed by the
."#hines.
."#h: '"#e is st"nding on " mound o$ Eionite bodies "nd gives the pl"yer some viruses to go
insert into the Eion networ:. ?r"y s"ys th"t they "lre"dy :new " lot o$ EionFs networ:
stru#ture& "nd they #"n now eploit this rel"tively e"sily. 9ut the $irst lo#"tion h"s only "
wiped& useless #omputer& "nd some Eionites who ple"d with the pl"yer to thin: "bout wh"t
heFs doing. ?r"y s"ys su#h t"#ti#s "re $utile& "nd it will only $"#ilit"te ."#hine progress i$ Eion
#hooses to #ripple their own systems. !he #omputer "t the se#ond lo#"tion is " better t"rget&
but the third is #ompletely de"d. ?r"y s"ys th"t "pp"rently Eion h"s begun to re"lize the
vulner"bility o$ their situ"tion& but it wonFt m"tter& "nd pe"#e will soon be restored.
.erv: !he ?ener"lFs *entinels "re in d"nger o$ being $ound by in#re"sed ."#hine *entinel
p"trols. !he 1$$e#tu"tor remembers #oming "#ross some Eion tunnel m"p in$o when he w"s
helping them with their networ:s "nd so $orth b"#: when 3iobe w"s g"n:ed by Anome. 5e
points the pl"yer to " bluepill business& whose #omputer turns out to h"ve wh"t loo:s li:e "
Eion networ: #onne#tion++the business itsel$ being some :ind o$ $ront. 6lood #"nFt toler"te the
357
1$$e#tu"tor running the show& "nd sort o$ ment"lly dis#onne#ts. !he networ: #onne#tion le"ds
to " Eionite inst"ll"tion& where the pl"yer downlo"ds the tunnel m"pping d"t" they were "$ter.
!he !wins "re pl"#ing bets on wh"tFs be#ome o$ the !r"inm"n. !he .erv is ple"sed&
summons the ?ener"l& "nd s"ys he #"n help him ev"de the ."#hines& but th"t the ?ener"l
must "gree to st"y within #ert"in design"ted "re"s& or heFll be shut down. !he ?ener"l&
whose tr"nsmission is " little #hoppy& "ppe"rs to "gree.
>//9+>/2;
%e)uired 1vents
Eion: emergen#y networ: up+lin: est"blished
."#h: "tt"#: on " redpill etr"#tion point
.erv: .erv does " roll+#"ll o$ power$ul 1iles to t":e sto#: o$ his w"rtime power b"se Gie "
p"r"de o$ me showing up "s v"rious 1iles one "t " timeI
>/2=
Crit 8./.4
Eion: Comm systems imp"ired by ."#hine "tt"#:s prevent !ynd"ll $rom #oming through
#le"rlyB "t one point l"ter in the mission you he"r her s"y DArdesh++.D ?host tells the pl"yer
th"t their bro"d#"st d"t"b"se is under "tt"#: by the ."#hinesB this system helps m"n"ge "nd
#ontrol redpill sign"ls #oming into the ."tri Gsort o$ li:e "ir tr"$$i# #ontrol or somethingI. O$$
the pl"yer goes to try to gr"b the bro"d#"st d"t" be$ore the ."#hines #"n get it. !hey get
there Cust in time& "nd the oper"tor shunts the d"t" over the networ: to " tempor"rily s"$e
lo#"tion. !he oper"tive runs there to #olle#t it& then hustles it to the emergen#y up+lin:. !he
."#hines h"ve got " *pe#i"l Agent Glevel 2;;I right "t the up+lin:& but heFs downed by 9eirn
who suddenly z"ps in& tips his h"t& "nd p"sses "long " D9onCourD $rom the .erv. !he d"t" is
sent out o$ the ."tri through the up+lin:& s"ved $or l"ter use with " b"#:up system& hope$ully.
G,hi#h Eion sets up pretty mu#h right "w"y& - suppose. !he story is th"t bro"d#"st depth is
now sh"llower& be#"use theyFre running the bro"d#"st #ontrol "s " distributed system "mong
hover#r"$t "t bro"d#"st depth& whi#h is less e$$i#ient th"n the old system. !h"tFs epl"ined "
bit more in the net #rit.I
."#h: %outine investig"tion o$ " #omputer the$t th"t m"y h"ve been perpetr"ted by Eionites
or 1'3 desper"te $or #omputer ge"r is interrupted by ?r"y& who s"ys th"t their vir"l routines
h"ve lo#"ted EionFs bro"d#"st sign"l #ontrol #enter. !he pl"yer "rrives there in the midst o$ "
$ight& but $inds th"t Eion h"s Cust shunted the bro"d#"st #ontrol d"t" somewhere& "nd deleted
the tr"ns$er log. !he ."#hines h"ve to t":e " $ew minutes to run " b"#:tr"#e to see wh"t
e"#tly h"ppened in the simul"tion when the d"t" w"s shunted. !hey $ind where it went& but
theyFre "g"in " little behind Eion. !hen word #omes th"t "n Agent sent to investig"te "n
unregistered networ: up+lin: h"s Cust #e"sed $un#tion. -nvestig"ting the #oin#iden#e& the
pl"yer $inds " de"d Agent& "nd " de"d up+lin: termin"l. ?r"y #onsoles the pl"yer over the loss
358
o$ the bro"d#"st d"t"& s"ying th"t destru#tion o$ the #ontrol #enter will imp"ir EionFs sign"l
e$$i#ien#y& "t le"st. 5e s"ys th"t there "renFt m"ny things power$ul enough to h"ve t":en out
the Agent& "nd th"t the in#ident will be investig"ted.
.erv: !he ?ener"l be"ms in with news th"t his *entinel s#outs inter#epted " mess"ge $rom
the Eion hover#r"$t DArdeshirD "bout "n emergen#y up+lin: Eion h"d #on$igured& something to
do with #on#erns "bout the se#urity o$ their bro"d#"st #ontrol d"t"b"se. 6lood h"s the
?ener"l dis"ble the hover#r"$t with *entinels& while the oper"tive #orners the C"#:ed+in #rew
"nd dem"nds to be given the lo#"tion o$ the up+lin:. !he surviving Ardeshir oper"tive Gr"ndom
n"meI $igures she doesnFt h"ve mu#h #hoi#e "nyw"y& be#"use she needs the ship int"#t so
th"t they #"n tell Eion "bout the ."#hines theyFve dete#ted #losing in on the up+lin:B she
instru#ts D*pitzD the oper"tor G:pI to give the ?ener"lFs s)uids the up+lin: #oordin"tes. !he
pl"yer Coins ."lph"s& whoFs monitoring the situ"tion "s 9eirn is sent to the up+lin: to del"y the
."#hines. A sort o$ #on#erned/"nnoyed 'ersephone is there with ."lph"s& too. ."lph"s
s"ys theyFre helping Eion in this #"se be#"use it would be in#onvenient i$ Eion lost this d"t"&
"nd thus the w"r& so soon. ,ord #omes th"t 9eirn h"s su##eeded in "llowing Eion to s"ve
their d"t". !he pl"yer reports the h"ppy news to the .erv& but the .erv broods over it& s"ying
th"t it w"s too e"sy.
>/2=+8//
%e)uired 1vents
Eion: Eion $in"lly dete#ts "nd goes "$ter some o$ the GCyphI spies whoFve been in$iltr"ting
GoldI Eion
."#h: GCypheriteHI spy mission& $ind :ey to getting "t re#ruiting d"t"++" potenti"l whoFs been
"ppro"#hed by both sides& "nd reve"ls some in$orm"tion he got $rom "n overly enthusi"sti#
Eion re#ruiter
.erv: .erv surprised by l"#: o$ oomph in ."#hine response. *t"ges "tt"#: or demonstr"tion
to test it. 6inds it somewh"t $eeble.
8/2
Crit 8./.8
Eion: !ynd"ll s"ys #omms "re mostly rep"ired& but bro"d#"st depth is sh"llower due to the
bro"d#"st thingy. *he sends the pl"yer to investig"te " re#ruiting te"m m"n"ger Gr"ndom
n"meI whoFs C"#:ed in& but not responding& "nd whose lo#"tion #"nFt be pinpointed $or some
re"son. !he pl"yer $inds " Courn"l entry $rom " $ew d"ys "go in the m"n"gerFs "p"rtment
Gs"ying there "re more re#ruiting volunteers& with more enthusi"sm now& "nd th"t potenti"l
numbers seem to be up "s wellI. !ynd"ll sends the pl"yer to the "id o$ " re#ruiting #enter
th"tFs Cust #ome under ."#hine "tt"#:B the #enter houses sensitive re#ruiting d"t". !he pl"yer
gets there& but $inds th"t the d"t"Fs been swiped. !ynd"ll sends them "$ter " ."#hinist seen
le"ving the "re" Cust be$ore the pl"yerFd got there. !he pl"yer $inds the ."#hinist& but Cust
359
"$ter theyFve uplo"ded the d"t"& presum"bly to some ."#hine server. !ynd"ll s"ys this is
going to end"nger the potenti"ls they h"d listed in the stolen d"t"& "nd sends the pl"yer o$$ to
report to 3iobe. 3iobe is in #onvers"tion with the (id& who s"ys th"t the ."#hines "re Cust
going to bulldoze through Eion i$ " se#ond $ront isnFt opened& mentioning th"t the Dsw"rm o$
*entinels they Cust sent "t your new #ity isnFt going to be the l"st.D !he (id w"nts to hit
."#hine City dire#tly. 3iobe isnFt too :een on it& telling the pl"yer th"t Eion #"nFt "$$ord to
throw ships "w"y right now. *he "dds th"t she "ppre#i"tes the pl"yerFs gumption& "nd s"ys
th"t even though things donFt seem to be going well& $ighting is better th"n giving in.
."#h: ?r"y sends the pl"yer "$ter " Eion oper"tive Gr"ndom n"meI who h"s "##ess to high+
level re#ruiting d"t"B the ."#hines le"rned "bout this $rom " potenti"l who w"s told more th"n
ne#ess"ry by "n overze"lous Eion re#ruiter. !he pl"yer t"gs the oper"tive& "nd 1termin"tors
show up to b"g him. !he lo#"tion o$ EionFs re#ruiting #enter is etr"#ted $rom the #"ptured
Eionite somehow Gthe oper"tor m":es it sound li:e some pro#ess so #hilling you donFt w"nn"
:now "bout itI& "nd the pl"yer swipes the d"t". A h"#:"ble #omputer "t the #enter h"s "n
inter#epted mess"ge $rom 3iobe& epl"ining "bout the distributed bro"d#"st #ontrol system&
"nd sh"llower bro"d#"st depth. !he pl"yer is pursued by Eionites& but gets the d"t" uplo"ded
be$ore they #"t#h up. ?r"y p"#:s the su##ess$ul oper"tive o$$ to see wh"t th"t d"rn Veil w"nts
now. Veil #ongr"tul"tes the pl"yer th"t the ."#hines "re $in"lly #r"#:ing down on Eion
re#ruiting& "nd h"ppens to mention th"t sheFs he"rd 1'3 h"s some ide" "bout bombing the
."#hinesF #ity& oh "nd th"t sheFs sorry to he"r D"bout the s)uiddies $rom *t"lingr"d biting it
outside 3ew Eion...D ?r"y #on$irms th"t some *entinels returning $rom *t"lingr"d were
diverted to probe the 3ew EionFs de$enses& "nd "ppe"r to h"ve been dis"bled& prob"bly by
#on#e"led 1.' #h"rges++they #ouldnFt get pre#ise d"t" due to Dbro"d#"st inter$eren#e.D
.erv: !he .erv& still not s"tis$ied with the ."#hine re"#tion to "ggression l"tely& sends the
pl"yer to ."r" to $ind the Or"#le. -n ."r"& the pl"yer #orners " $idgety 9l"#:wood who s"ys
ohh& sure& sheFs right down the street. 7own the street the pl"yer $inds *er"ph& who st"res
them down " bit& then s"ys "ll right& sheFll t"l: to the .erv. !hen thereFs " meeting between
the Or"#le "nd the .erv& with *er"ph loo:ing on& "nd the !wins p"trolling the "p"rtment&
#"lling it " little D" little...homey.D !he .erv "s:s why the ."#hines h"venFt even m"de mu#h
o$ "n e$$ort to Dobliter"teD their enemiesB the Or"#le responds th"t D'ower isnFt everything&D
th"t thereFs more to the ."#hines th"n the .erv thin:s& "nd th"t m"ybe he should t":e " loo:
"round with his new DoutsideD eyes. !he .erv is le$t pondering wh"t this might me"n.
8/2+8/8
%e)uired 1vents
Eion: #ompromised re#ruiting te"m/potenti"l must be s"ved $rom m"#hines
."#h: :ill " bluepill potenti"l& 3"vin ."noh"r& substitute p"rti"lly overwritten bluepill in his
pl"#e& rewriting his $e"tures Gpl"yers must identi$y& g"ther& "nd "dminister ne#ess"ry %*- pillsI
to m"t#h the potenti"lFs "ppe"r"n#e
.erv: interrog"tes morph sim++morph sim will reh"sh the story .orpheus told 3eo "bout Dthe
desert o$ the %e"l&D hum"ns "s b"tteries& "nd so $orth
360
8/9
Crit 8./.;
Eion: !he pl"yer s"ves " re#ruiting te"mFs b"#on& "nd the te"m deputizes the pl"yer to help
#he#: up on one o$ the potenti"ls whose identity h"s been #ompromised by the re#ent loss o$
d"t" to the ."#hines. !he pl"yer he"ds o$$& $inds " bluepill& but not the right oneB itFs " $riend&
who s"ys th"t DtheyD #"me "nd dr"gged the potenti"l o$$& #l"iming she w"s involved in "
terrorist #onspir"#y. !ynd"ll sends the pl"yer to r"id the ne"rest $eder"l detention $"#ility&
where the pl"yer t":es out " bun#h o$ #on$used *,A!& "nd some ."#hines& "nd $inds the
missing potenti"l& whoFs pretty $re":ed out "bout "ll the :illing. 3iobe #"lls the pl"yer in&
#ongr"tul"tes them on the res#ue& but s"ys th"t things "renFt going well& "nd Eion is going to
h"ve to swit#h over to entirely new systems run out o$ 3ew Eion "s soon "s possible.
."#h: ?r"y h"s the pl"yer #he#: D3"vin ."noh"rD Cust be$ore the Eionite re#ruiting te"m
"rrives to h"ve him pop " pill. 3"vin ."noh"r seems to be "ll right& "nd the pl"yer goes o$$ to
meet '"#e to observe 3"vin ."noh"rFs progress with the re#ruiting te"m. '"#e s"ys th"t itFs
going "ll right& theyFve t":en the pill "nd..."h"h& the hidden ."#hine progr"m h"s lo#:ed the
red pillFs tr"#e pro#ess& "nd is $eeding b"#: into the Eionite systems. *he sends the pl"yer to
go t":e out the etr"#tion te"m be$ore they $igure out wh"tFs going on "nd unplug their
systems. !he pl"yer t":es out the etr"#tion te"m& "nd $inds 3"vin ."noh"r out on the $loor&
net to " #omputer with d"t" on it. !he pl"yer brings the d"t" b"#: to '"#e& who epl"ins th"t
the etr"#tion systems rely on d"t" pro#essed by EionFs D#ore server $"rmD during the #riti#"l
ph"se o$ the etr"#tion pro#edure& "nd th"t "lthough the inter$"#e to th"t system is prote#ted&
the $eedb"#: d"t" theyFve #"ptured should #ont"in vit"l d"t" on its Dlo#"tion "nd
#on$igur"tionDB Dthis #ould be the :ey to the Eion ."in$r"me.D ?r"y s"ys th"t $urther d"t" will
be re)uired. A #omputer tu#:ed "w"y in the $in"l "re" shows th"t the ."#hines h"ve
re#orded three en#ounters with the ?ener"lFs *entinels& but th"t they still h"venFt pinpointed
their #urrent lo#"tion.
.erv: 6lood sends the pl"yer to t":e orders $rom the .erv& who they $ind sh"#:ed up with
3i#:y ?. !he .ervFs #uriosity h"s been pi)ued by the Or"#le "nd the story told him by the
.orph sim Gwhi#h o$ #ourse heFd he"rd be$oreIB isnFt it interesting& he s"ys& th"t nobody re"lly
:nows where .orpheus got "ll th"t in$orm"tion& "nd th"t he w"nts to loo: into it. 5e sends the
pl"yer to "s: %"ini G$rom D<r"niumDI "bout the D$orm o$ $usionD mentioned by .orpheus th"t
the ."#hines "re supposed to get their power $rom "long with the hum"n bodies& "nd to t"l:
to *ilver "bout the energy potenti"l o$ the hum"n body. 6lood s"ys the story on %"ini is th"t
she w"s " progr"m used in nu#le"r $ission re"#tors& be$ore the ."#hines de#ided to use
hum"n power inste"d. A$ter " bit o$ wor: the pl"yer gets %"ini to t"l:B she s"ys th"t most
people who t"l: up $usion "re pipe+dre"mers++th"t ye"h& it produ#es more energy th"n $ission&
"nd less w"ste& but you need "ll this other stu$$ to set it up GL"wson triple produ#t&
pl"sm"/m"gneti# #ont"inmentI& "nd she #"nFt see why she ."#hines would bother with th"t
over $issionB itFs not li:e theyFd be worried "bout pollution $rom $issionFs nu#le"r w"ste. *ilver
s"ys th"t it doesnFt m"tter wh"t sort o$ weird bio+me#h"ni#"l $usion the ."#hines might h"ve
#ome up withB running it through hum"n bodies& whi#h "re only 2;U energy+e$$i#ient "t best&
me"ns the end result must be " rel"tively ine$$i#ient system no m"tter whi#h w"y you sli#e it.
361
!he oper"tor observes th"t this $usion/hum"n power system "lso le"ves the ."#hines stu#:
with "ll the epense o$ m"int"ining the ."tri& the pods& et#. !he .erv& "$ter he"ring "ll this&
w"nts to :now not only wh"t the ."#hines "re doing $or power& but why& "nd subse)uently
gives orders $or the ?ener"l to send *entinels to s#out the $ields "nd pods.
.ost o$ the in$o - got $or this #rit on $ission& $usion& "nd hum"n energy potenti"l #"me $rom
these p"ges:
http://members."ol.#om/C"ppu##inno2...hem/energy.html
"ver"ge /00 w"tts
m" 8;00 w"tts
m" sust"ined 800 w"tts
http://www.$teploring.#om/energy/he"t$low.htm
"ver"ge /00 w"tts Dhe"t $lowD
http://epertp"ges.#om/news/#on#ept...gineeringT8.htm
hum"n energy e$$i#ien#y ^ ;+2;U Ghigh end is pro$ession"l "thleteI
http://hypertetboo:.#om/$"#ts/200/...elineLing.shtml
br"in uses "bout //;th G20 w"ttsI
http://en.wi:ipedi".org/wi:i/6usionTpower
$usion: 7euterium to !ritium G"lso protium++isotopes o$ hydrogenI
http://$usedweb.pppl.gov/6AA/se#tio.../p"rt/+te#h.tt
7 very "bund"nt& ! m"de $rom Li Gplenti$ul in o#e"nsI
%e"#tors re)uire v"n"dium++present in m"ny miner"ls
http://www.eoe"rth.org/"rti#le/3u#l..."rT$usionTpower
$usion in the sun++hydrogen $uses into helium
8 /5 [ 2 e ++W 85e [ 2 neutrinos [ = photons _ 2= million ele#tronvolts G.eVI
http://www./24helpme.#om/"ssets//=4;;.html
D$usion o$ " given m"ss o$ deuterium will be "ble to #re"te over $our times the energy
produ#ed through $ission o$ "n e)u"l m"ss o$ ur"niumD
http://www.prin#eton.edu/^#hm444/20...n$inement2.html
DL"wson triple produ#tD + #riteri" to re"#h nu#le"r ignition Ghigh temper"ture pl"sm"
#ont"inment++"lso m"gneti#I
8/24 Gdel"yed to 8/28I
8.2 Cinem"ti#
Eion oper"tives wor: $r"nti#"lly "t " #overt #omputer l"b when ."#hine oper"tives burst in.
!hey "re #ut down& but Agents $ollow. !r"nsition to " $light o$ *entinels through tunnels&
:no#:ed out o$ the "ir by " shoulder+l"un#hed 1.' missile. Cut to " *entinel $lying "#ross
m"ssive power lines he"ded into ."#hine City& s#"nning. Cut to the .erovingi"n& observing
the re"dout on " #omputer s#reen& "nd l"ughing.
X3otes in s)u"re br"#:ets below "re not told to pl"yers dire#tly& i$ "t "ll.Y
362
Crit 8.2./
Eion: !he oper"tor mentions th"t Eion is wor:ing "round the #lo#: to tr"ns$er the Eion
m"in$r"me d"t" to 3ew Eion& but se#urity me"sures in pl"#e in the m"in$r"me& the sheer
volume o$ d"t" involved& "nd the d"ngers o$ tr"nsport through *entinel p"trols G#rews h"ve to
delete their #opy o$ the d"t" "t the le"st sign o$ d"ngerI m":e it " p"inst":ing pro#ess. A
gu"rd mentions th"t more *entinels "re being seen "round the old #ity. Eion tries to $i the
se#urity hole th"t the ."#hines eploited Gin 8./.;I to get #lose to the Eion m"in$r"me& but
$inds the ."#hine #ode involved in p"rt o$ the red pill progr"m too h"rd to modi$y. Altern"te
pl"n submitted by the Coun#il& overruling Lo#: Gwho thought it too gre"t " se#urity ris:I: bring
in 7"nielle ,right& Dthe $oremost "uthority on ."tri inter$"#e te#hnology.D *he invented the
1J' while " Eion oper"tive& but le$t shortly "$ter the !ru#e beg"n& #iting Dideologi#"l
di$$eren#es.D A$ter le"ving Eion& she $ounded wh"t is now one o$ the #ityFs l"rgest te#h
#omp"nies& ,right %ese"r#h& with " l"rge s:ys#r"per 5A in V"uton Gm"p l"ndm"r:I. !ynd"ll
mentions th"t *ilver h"s been :nown to "sso#i"te with ,right& but th"t she hersel$ is very
se#retive Xhm& -Fd prob"bly h"ve toned down th"t re$eren#e to *ilver "$ter writing ."#hine
mission 8.2.8& "h wellY. A$ter some po:ing "round " ,right %ese"r#h o$$i#e& ,right hersel$
#"lls $or " meeting. *he s"ys D- will help you++not be#"use - sh"re your #omm"nderFs views&
but be#"use the red pill progr"m is vit"l to the $uture o$ m"n:ind.D X!hroughout these
missions& ,right is very "loo$& "nd #"lm& "lthough she shows $l"shes o$ $rustr"tion when
others "renFt per$orming to her li:ing. 3othing seems to t":e her by surprise. *he tends to
re$er to pl"yers $orm"lly by their bluepill l"st n"me& li:e "n Agent.Y
."#h: ?r"y s"ys th"t "lthough they h"venFt been "ble to pinpoint them& there "re indi#"tions
th"t the ?ener"lFs *entinels "re "dv"n#ing tow"rd Dsensitive inst"ll"tions on the 1"rthFs
sur$"#e&D "nd si#s the pl"yer on some .ervs to show them the error o$ their w"ys& then to the
Auditor& to Dpersu"deD him to stop wor:ing with the .erv. !he Auditor s"ys he thought he
#ould be use$ul to the *ystem& s#reening .erv #ode $or $"ults "nd errors& but th"t heFll stop i$
th"tFs wh"t they w"nt. 5e isnFt sure how heFs going to epl"in this i$ the .erv "s:s. 5yp"ti" is
#on$ronted net& sin#e sheFs been o$$ering Dunusu"lly...sensitive m"teri"l to the highest
bidderD Gthere w"s " Live 1vent " $ew #h"pters b"#: on Ve#tor where she did thisI "nd h"s
m"de o$$ers o$ d"t" to the .erv spe#i$i#"lly. 5yp"ti" isnFt h"ppy "bout the #r"#:+down& s"ys
she wonFt be intimid"ted into sel$+#ensorship& her 9oo:wyrms get rowdy& the pl"yer be"ts
them& "nd "n Agent "ppe"rs on the s#ene to sit 5yp"ti" in the #orner $or " while. 9ursting
with this su##ess& the pl"yer is sent to de"#tiv"te the Ddire#ted rel"yD the .erv h"s been using
to t"l: to the ?ener"l& whi#h the ."#hines h"ve $in"lly tr"#:ed down "$ter " Dthorough log
se"r#h.D !he pl"yer su##eeds in de"#tiv"ting the rel"y& but then the ?ener"lFs hologr"phi#
proCe#tion "ppe"rs& bo"sting th"t they h"ve other rel"ys& ny"h ny"h& "nd is the *ystem
getting desper"te be#"use it $eels li:e itFs running out o$ timeH ?r"y sets things right by
shrugging this o$$ "s " Dl"#:eyFs br"v"do&D "nd s"ying th"t the .erv wonFt be "ble to resist the
."#hines $or long.
.erv: !he ?ener"lFs *entinel s#outs "re "ppro"#hing the 6ields to #ount b"bies. Lo#"l epert
'ersephone s"ys th"t #on#eption does not t":e pl"#e in the podsB the p"rents #ould be miles
"p"rtB their geneti# s"mples "re sent to the 6ields& where they "re #ombined "nd grown into
#hildren. 'ersephone thin:s itFs "ll very sterileB 6lood is horri$ied by the Dorg"ni# minuti"e.D
,hile the s#outs st"rt their b"by #ount& the pl"yer r"ns"#:s the lo#"l hospit"l re#ords o$$i#e
$or the Do$$i#i"lD version o$ the birth r"te in the simul"tion. Avoiding "musing run+ins with $ed+
363
up bluepills "nd " sel$+di"gnosis termin"l GDpress > i$ you "re )uestioning re"lityDI& the pl"yer
$inds the o$$i#i"l "rti#le: D!he #ity birth r"te w"s /.;U in /999& up " dr"m"ti# 0.00/U $rom the
previous ye"r. City o$$i#i"ls "ttributed the #"use to improvements in dent"l hygiene& television
progr"mming...D 6lood is be#oming si#: o$ numbers& p"ssing "long th"t the s#outs h"ve
#ounted "bout / million $etuses in the 6ields& "nd 4 million people plugged into the pods
ne"rby. Armed with the /.;U birth r"te& the pl"yer )uestions the #reepy Coroner "bout the
simul"tionFs de"th r"teB the Coroner s"ys the #ityFs $igure is 0.>U++h"l$ o$ the birth r"te G"nd
donFt $orget to $"#tor in D0.=U in$"nt mort"lity&D o$ #ourseRI++but sin#e the simul"tion is
supposed to " st"ble& #losed system& de"ths must e)u"l births& or it "ll goes to he#:++only&
th"t isnFt the pi#ture the ."#hines w"nt to show to the bluepills. 5ow does the Coroner thin:
the ."#hines "re m"n"ging itH D6oreign tr"vel& detention $"#ilities& retirement homes& the
suburbs... !here "re so m"ny w"ys to m":e the undesir"ble simply...dis"ppe"r.D 6lood
dismisses this "s Dr"mp"nt p"r"noi".D ."lph"s does some )ui#: #"l#ul"tions: DAssuming "
nine month gest"tion period& " 6ield o$ one million wombs yields /.4 million hum"ns " ye"r. At
" /.;U birth r"te& th"t would imply " popul"tion o$ "bout...88 million& "$ter the CoronerFs in$"nt
mort"lity r"teDB he s"ys this #orrobor"tes the .orpheus simFs "##ount o$ other pods
elsewhere& sin#e there "re $"r more th"n 4 million people in Cust the #ity. !he ?ener"lFs
hologr"m is telling the .erv th"t he #"nFt try t":ing " power re"ding dire#tly o$$ the ."#hine
power lines& F#"use theyFd dete#t it "nd #"t#h himB theyFre "lre"dy buzzing his position. !he
.erv s"ys well& o$ #ourse we :now th"t Eion h"s $ound more pods Xthey must h"ve& using red
pills to lo#"te pod inh"bit"nts during etr"#tion oper"tionsY& so weFll Cust h"ve to loo: "round
$or them& tooB "nd isnFt it $unny how *mith& "##ording to .orpheus& thought there were
DbillionsD o$ people in the ."triH ,h"t " su#:er th"t *mith w"s.
8/24+8/29
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: 1'3 ste"ls .ervFs m"pped d"t" on ."#hine power lines Xnote to sel$: donFt $orget to
pl"nt #":e vendors in the "re" th"t some 1'3 surely wonFt be "ble to resistY
."#h: hit on some :ind o$ .erv oper"tion Gstored #omm"ndo progr"ms& 1ile GneighborhoodI
#ont"#t "lly& et#I
.erv: hit on some :ind o$ ."#hine oper"tion G"nti+etr"#tion te"m& the 3etwor: V 3etwor:
.edi"& *,A! te"ms& et#I
8/40
Crit 8.2.2
Eion: X3ote: throughout ,right %ese"r#h $"#ilities in this sub#h"pter& there "re mess"ges "ll
#odes with the s"me method. !hey re$er very obtusely to ,rightFs inside "##ess to the Eion
m"in$r"me& her #onne#tion to *ilver& "nd " $ew other things th"t sheFs involved in #he#:ing up
on.Y ,right gives Eion some prototype new red pills to test on oper"tives& to see i$ they
prevent the ."#hine eploit. ?host mentions th"t they :now ,right h"s "##ess to the
364
m"in$r"me& but theyFve never been "ble to $igure out how she does it. !he $irst test su##eeds
in blo#:ing the eploit& but $eedb"#: m":es the redpill test subCe#t ill. A h"#:"ble #omputer
"lludes to more *entinels #lose to Eion. !he se#ond test subCe#t dies Cust "s ."#hines burst
in& :illing most o$ the other Eionites& "nd nobody #ould tell i$ it w"s the pill th"t :illed the test
subCe#t& or the ."#hines. ,right isnFt very surprised th"t the ."#hines "re trying to stop
#re"tion o$ the new pills. *he s"ys the net step& "$ter m":ing some #ode twe":s& is to test
them on " bluepill.
."#h: ?r"y reports " sudden rise in Dutility "nd servi#e $"ilures&D "nd sends the pl"yer to
investig"te one o$ the reports o$ trouble. A l"ndlord epl"ins th"t the w"terFs been running
hot/#old/none/bursts& not only in th"t "p"rtment& but in his other three properties& too. ?r"y
s"ys this will be loo:ed into& "nd sends the pl"yer to #he#: out one o$ " number o$ reports o$
sh"rply in#re"sed g"ng "#tivity "#ross the #ityB turns out " *,A! te"mFs been t":en out by
n"sty 5el Club r"vers. ?r"y reports th"t the w"ter utility superintendent& interrog"ted&
reve"led th"t the Dutility wor:erFs unionD p"id him to loo: the other w"y while they m"de
D"dCustmentsD to e)uipment. *ent to #he#: one o$ m"ny phone out"ge reports Gproblems
etend Deven to oper"tive+t"pped Fh"rdlineF networ:sDI& the pl"yer $inds " bro:en 5"rdline
Jun#tion 9o& $ies it& "nd h"s to endure "nother surprise t"unting $rom the ?ener"lFs
hologr"m. Cle"rly the .erv is #l"iming responsibility $or this reign o$ utility terror. An "lmost
$lustered ?r"y re$ers to D...other di$$i#ulties&D then mentions wh"t m"y be " new dire#t thre"t:
the AuditorFs l"test "n"lysis h"s $ound " problem in oper"tive #ode. !he Auditor& se#ure under
."#hine gu"rd& reports $inding p"ge $"ults Din pod energy gener"tion #ontrol subroutine
modulesD with sour#e #ode Do$ " uni)ue Eionite/."#hine synthesis&D but simil"r to EionFs red
pill progr"m: b"si#"lly& EionFs wor:ing on " new red pill. ?r"y s"ys this is " little disturbing&
F#"use nobody thought Eion #ould #ode li:e th"t& so the ."n is gonn" h"ve to be on their
#"se li#:ety+split& but un$ortun"tely th"t me"ns theyFll h"ve to let the .erv live $or " little while
longer& espe#i"lly with the eplor"tion o$ 3ew EionFs de$enses #"using high *entinel losses to
un#h"rted 1.' #h"rges& gener"l w"r with Eion& et#. 9ut not to worry& the .ervFs puny
*entinel $leet doesnFt pose "n "#tu"l milit"ry thre"t in the %e"l: Dsur$"#e $"#ilities within his
short+term r"nge h"ve su$$i#ient de$enses to repel "n "tt"#:.D
.erv: !he .erv is w"y m"d "bout 1'3 ste"ling his m"p o$ the pod power linesR 9ut they
didnFt #over their tr"#:s& "nd he #"n tr"#e the #":e they "te& so itFs time to get th"t d"t" out o$
their h"nds& "nd give some p"yb"#:. !he pl"yer le"ves "n "nonymous phone #"ll "bout the
1'3Fs lo#"tion on " government terrorism tip hotline& then hurries o$$ "nd gets there Cust "s
."#hines "re termin"ting the spe#i$i# 1'3 the .ervFs been tr"#:ing. 5e re#onstru#ts& "nd
even t":es some %*- pills G3'Cs who donFt $ollow you physi#"lly #hoose " new %*- $rom their
3'C typeFs r"ndom pool i$ used "g"in in " l"ter ph"se o$ the s"me missionI& but they #"n still
tr"#: him& heFs gone b"#: to 5A& they $ollow& w"ste " bun#h o$ 1'3& but donFt $ind the d"t".
6lood s"ys the .ervFs gonn" be ste"medB oh& "nd in other news& the ?ener"lFs pulled b"#:
$rom the 6ields due to "ll the ."#hines buzzing "round.
8/40+9/;
%e)uired 1vents
Eion: Aw":ening "nd etr"#tion test run to "ssist ,right Gtr"#e su##eeds but pod etr"#tion
365
$"ils++one import"nt impli#"tion here is th"t the red pills do h"ve something to do with "llowing
the newly "w":ened subCe#t to get $ree o$ the podB hope$ully this will sort o$ "ddress the
)uestion some pl"yers h"ve been "s:ing "bout why would the ."#hines :eep $lushing
"w":ened hum"ns++li:e they seem to do with 3eo in the $irst movie++now th"t "w":enings
"renFt supposed to be "llowedB wouldnFt they Cust :ill them "s soon "s they dete#ted it& so th"t
Eion #ouldnFt res#ue themHI
."#h: "tt"#: on ,right %ese"r#h G" new "dmin+st"rted mission will popul"te inside the
,right %ese"r#h building& i$ neededI
.erv: .erv $inds out "bout 1'3 pl"ns to "tt"#: power lines
9/=
Crit 8.2.4
Eion: ,right s"ys she needs ."#hine pod #ontrol #ode to $i the pills. *he :nows
'ersephoneFs :ept some #ode $rom her old Cob& "nd even :nows where it is. 5el Club 1iles
"re $ought "nd the d"t" obt"ined& but it turns out to h"ve only Ddyn"mi# lin:sD to the "#tu"l
."#hine #ode needed. !hese le"d to " ."#hine $"#ility& "nd "nother d"t" #"pture Gone
#omputer h"s " p"rti"l government pro$ile o$ ,right& in the style o$ the one you #"n glimpse "t
*mithFs interrog"tion o$ !hom"s Anderson in the $irst movie: D7"te o$ 9irth: 28 June& /9=8 //
'l"#e o$ 9irth: *outh V"uton& 7owntown& C"pit"l City& <*A // .otherFs m"iden n"me:
1le"nor .orrell // 6"therFs 3"me: Jon"s ,rightDI. ,right #ompletes the #ode. Lo#: #"lls "nd
th"n:s her person"lly Gyou get to he"r on spe":erphoneI& s"ying th"t m"n:ind owes her "
gre"t debt& "nd th"t theyFll :eep " berth open $or her in 3ew Eion. ,right de#lines& s"ying
DAnother nobly $utile gesture $rom your Comm"nderB he "lw"ys w"s $ond o$ those.D -$ you t"l:
to her " se#ond time& she s"ys DJ"son w"s )uite right to s"y th"t we h"venFt seen things the
s"me w"y& X.r.b.s.Y Xpl"yer bluepill l"st n"meY. - l"#: his gre"t $"ith in our "bility to survive on
our own.D X!hereFs "n impli#"tion in v"rious sn"t#hes o$ di"logue in these missions th"t Lo#:
"nd ,right used to :now e"#h other well& "lthough thereFs no indi#"tion th"t it w"s in "ny w"y
" rom"nti# rel"tionship.Y *he "lso s"ys Dgoodbye&D with " #ert"in $in"lity.
."#h: !he ."#hines "re wise to e+Eionite ,rightFs wor: on the new pills. Cryptos pops
round to rel"te th"t EionFs "lre"dy st"rted distributing s"id pills. ?r"yFs determined to get his
h"nds on one& "nd sends the pl"yer to s"#: " ,right %ese"r#h $"#ility& but they $ind th"t
,rightFs orders to ship out the initi"l development b"t#hes h"ve "lre"dy been obeyed& "nd
the pl"#e is dry. ?r"y h"s the pl"yer try hitting up " Eion etr"#tion te"m $or their red pillB this
wor:s Gthe pl"yer "lso #on$is#"tes their blue pill& but the oper"tor s"ys the ."#hines donFt
need those "nyw"y: they h"ve their own me"ns o$ #"lming the #itizensI. !he pill is submitted
$or "n"lysis& " te#hni#i"n in " b"#: room t"l:s "bout ,rightFs invention o$ the 1J' Gwhi#h the
."#hines then Dh"d to obt"in $rom Eionite de$e#torsD++oh& "nd one o$ her inter$"#e
subroutines \might\ h"ve been Dstudied $or the Agent '"#e proCe#tDI& "nd the pes:y ?ener"l
sends his pes:y hologr"m in "g"in& but this time he help$ully tells the ."#hines where they
#"n #olle#t " ni#e Cui#y report& #ourtesy o$ the .erv& on 1'3Fs pl"n to s"bot"ge power lines
le"ding into the ."#hine #ity. ?r"y s"ys th"t so $"r& "n"lysis o$ the new red pill progr"m
suggests th"t the "uthor h"s #lose "##ess to the Eion m"in$r"meB sin#e Eion doesnFt li:e
366
giving out "##ess o$ th"t level to non+Eionites li:e ,right& #ould be th"t sheFs got her own
me"ns o$ "##essing it. 5m... Oh& ye"h& "nd theyFll #he#: on th"t .erv thing "bout 1'3. X!he
unsu##ess$ul 1'3 s"bot"ge "ttempt on the pod power lines is "ssumed to t":e pl"#e
between this wee: "nd net wee:Fs missions.Y
.erv: !he pl"yer w"l:s in on the .erv "nd Veil& Cust "s sheFs s"ying th"n:s& but no th"n:s& D-
re"lly donFt :now "nything "bout it& "nd besides& weFve got " pill problem on our h"nds Cust
now.D !he .erv s"ys this tells him two things: /I the ."#hines donFt :now "bout 1'3Fs
s"bot"ge pl"ns& yet& sin#e theyFd #ert"inly h"ve told the Cyphs "bout it& "nd 2I 1'3 will
prob"bly be interested in th"t whole pill thing going on over "t ,right %ese"r#h. !ime to
#he#: th"t out. 6lood tells "bout ,right being e+Eion& inventor o$ the 1J'& "nd Dshe
"pp"rently de#ided th"t she w"nts to t":e over the ."tri $rom the ."#hines& "nd th"t the
best w"y to go "bout th"t w"s to move into the #ity& st"rt her own #omp"ny& "nd get ri#h
p"wning w"tered+down modern te#hnology o$$ onto the publi#.D ,rightFs se#urity $or#e is
supposed to be hum"n& but the oper"tor dete#ts progr"ms in the "re"& "nd they turn out to be
the ."#hines& inv"ding the pl"#e. !he pl"yer t":es #"re o$ both ."#hines "nd ,right
se#urity& only to $ind eviden#e th"t ,right Cust stole d"t" $rom the .erv Xsee EionFs #rit o$ this
wee:Y. 3ow the .erv is re"lly ste"med& 'ersephone bl"mes him $or her d"t" being stolen&
"nd the .erv gives you " dire lupine to t":e with you. !he .erv :nows "bout the dyn"mi#
lin:s Eion will h"ve $ound in the d"t" they stole& "nd $igures wh"t Eion w"nted& 1'3 will w"nt
tooB the dire lupine #"rries " #opy o$ the stolen d"t"& but with one lin: modi$ied to point to "
.erv progr"m th"t will $ire o$$ " sign"l pulse when itFs uplo"ded "nd s#"nned in " hover#r"$t.
Nou tru#: the lupine over to some 1'3& get him wh"#:ed& "nd 6lood is #on$ident th"t 1'3
will $ind the d"t" on the lupineFs body& uplo"d it& s#"n it& "nd then the ?ener"l will spot the
sign"l pulse& tr"#: the 1'3 ship& "nd $ind out where theyFre going $or this big power line
"mbush theyFre pl"nning. XAnd it prob"bly wor:s out th"t w"y& sin#e the .ervFs report on their
"mbush $inds its w"y to the ."#hines soon there"$ter Gsee this wee:Fs ."#hine #ritI.Y Oh& "nd
"lso the ?ener"l will prob"bly be "ble to t":e " power re"ding $rom the lines while the
."#hines "re busy with 1'3. X5e does.Y
9/=+9//4
%e)uired 1vents
Eion: G"$ter ."#hine eventI ,right is being h"r"ssed by the ."#hines& "nd bre":s $rom Eion++
s"ys she believes ."tri should be le$t int"#t& but under hum"n #ontrolB ,right dis"ppe"rs
."#h: ."#hines $or#e ,right to C"#: out Gby %*- d"m"ge& h"rdline& HI in "ttempt to tr"#:
where her %*- sign"l bro"d#"st sour#e++unsu##ess$ul Geven i$ they get her to C"#:+out& they
$ind th"t her sign"l w"s too well en#oded: Dhigh order re"l+time v"ri"ble en#ryptionDI
.erv: Lo#"tes more #lusters o$ pods by etr"#ting hum"n "nd using red pill tr"#e
9//4
Crit 8.2.8
367
Eion: !he pl"yer is sent to help distribute the new red pills to re#ruiting te"ms. A Eionite gu"rd
re$ers to 1'3 losing some ships to the ."#hines in their unsu##ess$ul power line "tt"#:& "nd
re$ers to " rumor th"t the .erv tipped the ."#hines o$$. !he re#ruiting te"m is h"ppy to get
the new pills so they #"n get b"#: to wor:& but "s: the pl"yerFs help "g"inst Cypherites&
whoFve been very "#tive "g"inst EionFs re#ruiting oper"tions sin#e the new pills were
developed. Another Eionite re$ers to more *entinels "round Eion& "dding D*ometimes they
t":e o$$ "s soon "s they re"lize theyFve been spotted.D !he pl"yer h"ppens to loot " blue pill
$rom " de"d Cypherite& "nd !ynd"ll sends them to help with "n "#tu"l etr"#tion. At the end
o$ this mission you get to give either the red or blue pill to " potenti"l. ?iving either one will
#omplete the mission& but the mess"ges "re written in su#h " w"y th"t itFs sort o$ le$t $or the
pl"yer to $ill in the bl"n:s "bout wh"t the bluepill #hose& "nd whi#h pill they g"ve them.
."#h: !he ."#hines $igure ,right #ouldnFt h"ve h"ndled the biologi#"l inter$"#e p"rt o$ her
bro"d#"st sign"lFs en#ryption s#heme on her own& "nd send the pl"yer to hunt up re#ords on
,rightFs business p"rtners. !he oper"tor mentions th"t ,right %ese"r#h h"s been in "n
upro"r sin#e ,rightFs dis"ppe"r"n#e " $ew d"ys "go. !he ,right $"#ility is "b"ndoned e#ept
$or " h"rdh"t wor:er& who l"#oni#"lly reve"ls th"t the #omp"ny h"s shut down their networ:&
"nd wor:Fs been brought to " st"ndstillB oh ye"h& "nd everyone :nows th"t Argent 9iometri#s
h"ndles v"ri"ble en#ryption "#ross " biologi#"l inter$"#e. !he pl"yer runs into ,right se#urity
on the w"y out. ?r"y s"ys th"t Argent 9iometri#s is " sm"ll bio+rese"r#h #omp"ny& less th"n
three ye"rs old& with $ew #lients "nd ste"dy )u"rter+end losses. !he pl"yer "##esses "
#omputer "t " sm"ll Argent 9iometri#s o$$i#e& #oming up with Cust "n "ddress o$ " w"rehouse
GDLemone ,"rehouse (ingDI. One o$ the bluepills in the o$$i#e :ind o$ goes post"l when their
#omputer is se"r#hedB the oper"tor $igures he w"s Cust " nut. !his w"rehouse #omp"ny is
:nown $or owning lots o$ s)u"re $eet o$ stor"ge sp"#e& but posting very sm"ll pro$its& "nd
h"ving h"d the origin"l owner get lo#:ed up " ye"r "go in r"#:eteering #h"rges& only to be
$ound de"d in his #ell be$ore he #ould be "rr"igned. !he w"rehouse is "b"ndoned e#ept $or
" #"rdbo"rd bo #ont"ining " bo whi#h #ont"ins everyoneFs $"vorite mission prop: " hum"n
he"rt. At the he"rtFs return "ddress in C"mon 5eights& the pl"yer $inds weird hostile 1iles&
in#luding one with " #omputer #ontrolled Dmi#ro de$ibrill"torDB when the pl"yer he"rtlessly
GsorryI shuts it down& the 1ile blurts out something "bout D*ilverD be$ore :eeling over. !he
oper"tor re#"lls "n old rumor "bout *ilver wor:ing with ,right& but s"ys heFd dismissed it "s
$"lse& sin#e the s"me sour#e Xnot n"med in the mission but: http://p#.g"mespy.#om/p#/the+
m"tri...e/;2>/28p/.html Y "lso s"id ,right w"s b"sed in !"bor& "nd *ilver in A#h"n. ?r"y
s"ys itFs time to $ind *ilver.
.erv: ."lph"s s"ys th"t sin#e the ?ener"l w"s "ble to t":e " power re"ding o$$ the ."#hine
lines while they were o##upied with the 1'3 "mbush "ttempt& "ll they need to do now is
$igure out how m"ny pods the ."#hines h"ve& "nd then they #"n #"l#ul"te their tot"l energy
budget++well& $rom the pods& "nyw"y. !he ?ener"lFs spre"ding out to loo: $or more pods now&
but with #ommuni#"tion dist"n#e in#re"sing& his sign"lFs getting more err"ti#. !he pl"yer h"s
to tr"#: it down& "nd& "$ter #le"ring "w"y some ."#hines& m"n"ges to m":e out th"t the
?ener"lFs s#outs h"ve been $inding more pods in " Drough grid p"tternD "bout Devery /00 to
/;0 miles&D "nd th"t these pod #lusters "re only ///0th the size o$ the 4+million+pod #luster
ne"r the 6ields Gie& 400&000 hum"ns per sm"ll #lusterI. 6lood sends the pl"yer to *unshine&
D"n insu$$er"bly #heer$ul progr"m who m"n"ged the ."#hineFs sol"r power oper"tion be$ore
you vile hum"ns shrouded the entire pl"net in sh"dow&D to "s: her "bout the tot"l sur$"#e
368
"re" the ."#hines might be using $or their pod #luster grid. *unshine is w"y e#ited th"t the
.erv is sending people to "s: her stu$$R Gher 'hoeni gu"rds "re slightly less e#itedI "nd
Dguesstim"tesD G6loodFs termI th"t #onsidering th"t sheFs he"rd the #louds h"ve #ooled the
1"rth++Dthough not ne"rly "s mu#h "s youFd h"ve thoughtD++the i#e #"ps must h"ve ep"nded&
"nd thereFs more gl"#i"tion in mount"inous regions& "nd itFs #older& "nd ."#hines wouldnFt
w"nt to :eep hum"ns where itFs so #old th"t theyFd h"ve to w"ste energy he"ting them& so&
hmm& m"ybe ///=th o$ the 1"rthFs sur$"#e would be us"ble $or podsH X3ote th"t this ///=th is
o$ the tot"l sur$"#e "re"& #ounting w"ter++- donFt spell th"t out spe#i$i#"lly in the mission
though.Y *unshine "lso muses th"t the hum"ns must re"lly h"ve pulled " doozy with Dth"t
stormD Xie *e#ond %en"iss"n#eFs DOper"tion 7"r: *torm&D where m"n blotted out the sun to
try to #ut o$$ the ."#hine sol"r power supplyY sin#e itFs still going "$ter "ll this time. ."lph"s
runs the numbers in th"t #"p"#ious dome o$ his: D///=th o$ the sur$"#e... Clusters o$ pods /00
to /;0 miles "p"rt...#ont"ining ///0th o$ the 4 million o$ the l"rge #luster ne"r the 6ields...
!h"t wor:s out to ne"rly /000 pod #lusters& "nd #lose to 400 million hum"ns in them.D 9ut he
s"ys th"t would me"n the / million $etus #"p"#ity o$ the 6ields #ouldnFt "##ount $or supposed
the /.;U birth r"te. !he .erv st"rts musing: even "t /00 times the "mount th"t the ?ener"l
s"mpled X$rom the 4 million pod #lusterY& th"t still wouldnFt be... Oh well& weFll :eep him loo:ing
until the numbers "dd up& nFest+#e p"sH
9//4+9//9
%e)uired 1vents
Eion: *howdown w/ Cyphs over b"t#h o$ new pills
."#h: *ilver $ound& spills his guts "bout ,right++get :ey to her %*- sign"lFs en#ryption XXh"ve
silver s"y something "bout Dph"se eisten#eDYY
.erv: G"$ter ."#h eventI .erv punishes *ilver $or giving in$orm"tion to ."#hines w/o
permission
9/20
Crit 8.2.;
Eion: !he mission begins with !ynd"ll tersely in$orming the pl"yer th"t " hover#r"$t Cust
deton"ted "g"inst EionFs m"in g"te& "nd th"t everything there Gwhere she is& "t Eion
Comm"nd& whi#h is still in old EionI is in "n upro"r. ?host h"s more in$orm"tion& s"ying it w"s
" Eion #r"$t& but it w"snFt responding with #le"r"n#e #odes "s it "ppro"#hed the g"teB it
resembles " Cypherite hiC"#:ing& "nd #ould h"ve something to do with reports o$ Cypherites
g"thering in the #ity. !he pl"yer is sent to investig"te these. Just "s !ynd"ll is des#ribing the
#ity Cypherite situ"tion& she ends "bruptly with DOhRD "nd the oper"tor #"nFt get her to
respond. A$ter the pl"yer de$e"ts " group o$ Cypherites Gnoisy& "nd low r"n:I& !ynd"ll is b"#:
in tou#h& epl"ining th"t thereFs " se#urity "lert in Comm"nd++" suspe#ted s"boteur Xth"tFs
"ll++doesnFt s"y i$ theyFre Cyph& m"le& $em"le or "nything else& so something more #ould be
m"de o$ this #h"r"#ter elsewhere i$ desiredY w"s "pprehended inside ne"r the m"in li$t& but no
369
eplosives or we"pons were $ound..."nd then sheFs "bruptly #ut o$$ "g"in. !he oper"tor s"ys
"ll Eion lines "re down& "nd sends the pl"yer to the sour#e o$ " #"pt"inFs emergen#y be"#on&
while he tries to p"t#h through to 3ew EionFs $ledgling ops #enter. !he #"pt"in turns out to be
3iobe& who doesnFt :now e"#tly wh"tFs going on either& but s"ys th"t ships ne"r Eion "re
reporting th"t Eion Comm"ndFs emergen#y ev"#u"tion pro#edure h"s triggered& "nd theyFre
trying to get everyone out. Lo#: h"snFt been he"rd $rom. 3iobe sends the pl"yer to try to get
through to Eion on "n emergen#y rel"y ne"rby. *till no peep $rom !ynd"ll. !he rel"y is
"b"ndoned& "nd the ping "ttempt to the b"#:up re#eiver in Eion times out. !he oper"tor
h"snFt been "ble to get the 3ew Eion ops #enter to v"lid"te his login& "nd s"ys theyFll h"ve to
go b"#: below bro"d#"st depth to get in tou#h with them. X-tFs going to be " little tri#:y to $end
o$$ pl"yer )uestions "bout this during the two wee:s between the end o$ this mission "nd the
st"rt o$ 8.4. - guess weFre Cust gr"du"lly going to h"ve to give out th"t thereFs been " m"ssive
s#r"mble to ev"#u"te everything rem"ining in Eion& theyFre still trying to get the l"st o$ the
m"in$r"me d"t" sorted out& sw"rms o$ *entinels "re "##umul"ting in the "re"& !ynd"ll h"s
been ev"#u"ted to 3ew Eion s"$ely& Lo#: h"snFt been $ound& "nd " number o$ hover#r"$t h"ve
been lost ne"rby.Y
."#h: '"#e s"ys "n"lysis o$ ,rightFs sign"l shows sheFs C"#:ed in right now $rom " sur$"#e
l"b somewhere "bove Eion& "nd sends the pl"yer to the sign"lFs gener"l lo#"tion in the
simul"tion to $ind ,right "nd run " #lose+r"nge s#"n th"t will tr"#e b"#: to pinpoint her
sur$"#e l"b. Veil is with '"#e& "nd w"s s"ying something "bout DweFve done this :ind o$ thing
be$oreD "nd Dthe other diversion is "ll setD "s the pl"yer entered the room Xthis is " re$eren#e
to the "#tivities reported in this wee:Fs Eion #ritY. !he pl"yer $inds ,right "lone in her o$$i#e&
"pp"rently w"iting $or them. !he tr"#e is run "nd she $"lls& de"d. ?r"y epl"ins th"t "s soon
"s the tr"#e pinpointed her C"#:+in l"b& *entinels swooped in& re#ognized Gth"n:s to in$o
#"ptured $rom their red pill eploit in 8./.;I the devi#e she must be using to inter$"#e with the
Eion m"in$r"me& determined ,right w"snFt needed "nymore& "nd :illed her C"#:ed+in body.
?r"y h"nds " spe#i"l #omputer virus to the pl"yer person"lly& epl"ining th"t ,rightFs devi#e
opens " #onne#tion to the Eion m"in$r"me $rom " semi+r"ndom Eion termin"l within the
simul"tionB this is how she "voided being tr"#ed by Eion "ll this time. O$$ the pl"yer s#oots
with the virus to the m"in$r"me+en"bled termin"l& with ?r"y motiv"tion"lly pointing out th"t i$
the pl"yer $"ils to uplo"d the virus "t this termin"l& they #ould try "g"in "t " di$$erent termin"l&
th"n:s to ,rightFs devi#e& but Dthis would thre"ten syn#hroniz"tion with #onsider"ble $or#es
prep"red $or deployment "g"inst Eion.D A$ter some bother with Eion gu"rds "nd networ:s& the
pl"yer "##esses the Eion m"in$r"me inter$"#e& "nd C"ms the virus home. ?r"y s"ys th"t
th"n:s to the *entinels now #onverging on Eion& the h"vo# #"used by s"bot"ge& "nd this
virus in their m"in$r"me& the #ity o$ Eion is "bout to be destroyed. G!his is old Eion heFs t"l:ing
"bout& not 3ew Eion.I
.erv: !he ?ener"l is so $"r "w"y now th"t his sign"l is pretty mu#h unintelligible. 6lood s"ys
the low+power tr"ns#eiver weFve been using to t"l: to the ?ener"l& while gre"t $or "voiding
."#hine dete#tion& isnFt #utting the must"rd "t this dist"n#e& so weFll Cust h"ve to borrow "
3etwor: .edi" dish $rom the 3etwor: $or " bitB heFs :nown to h"ve " dire#t #onne#tion to the
."#hines in the %e"l& so weFll hiC"#: th"t "nd point it "t the ?ener"l. A$ter some hot "#tion
with #omputers "nd the 3etwor:Fs hired Corpor"te *e#urity gu"rds& this h"#: is
"##omplished& the ?ener"lFs hologr"phi# sign"l is lo#"ted& "nd delivers its mess"ge
#oherently now Ge#ept th"t it :ind o$ bre":s up "t the end& Cust "s ."#hines sp"wn in "ll over
the "re" "nd "tt"#:I& s"ying th"t one s#out $ound "nother set o$ hum"n+growing D6ieldsD over
370
=000 miles "w"y& be$ore its tr"nsmission w"s lost& "nd this set o$ 6ields h"d " 4 million pod
meg"+#luster net to it& too. Oh& "nd the s#out h"d noti#ed th"t the power lines h"d been
running the opposite dire#tion $rom pod #lusters Xie "w"y $rom ."#hine #ityY $or some time
be$ore it got to this se#ond set o$ 6ields. Other th"n th"t& "ll the s#outs h"ve reported $inding
nothing but mile "$ter mile o$ $e"tureless w"stel"nd& with only the sm"ll pod #lusters& power
lines& "nd de"d s:eletons o$ Gword lostI #ities relieving X- suppose th"tFs rel"tiveY the
monotony. ."lph"s s"ys th"t i$ there "re m"ybe " $ew other 6ields "round the world& th"t
would be enough to "##ount $or the /.;U birth r"te seen in the simul"tion& "nd would $it with
the 400 million popul"tion estim"te. ."lph s"ys theyFll h"ve to #"ll the ?ener"l b"#:& sin#e
they #"nFt re"lly "$$ord to h"ve him losing more s#outs $lying over thous"nds o$ miles o$
w"stel"nd. ."lph"s $inishes o$$ by musing th"t 400 million hum"ns would Cust be enough to
$ill out the popul"tion o$ the <nited *t"tes o$ the simul"tionFs time period X/999Y& but i$ people
in the simul"tion believe they #"n tr"vel "nywhere in the world& then...hm... !he .erv s"ys
th"t i$ the ."#hines re"lly h"ve only 400 million hum"ns $or power& he $eels sorry $or them&
be#"use b"sed on the ?ener"lFs s"mple $rom the 4 million& 400 million gives them only
enough power to meet the energy dem"nds o$ the ."#hine #ity sever"l times over Xthis is the
only me"surement - give++no w"tt"ge re"dings or "nything re"l spe#i$i# li:e th"tY++but th"t "lso
h"s to run their *entinels& their other de$ensive m"#hines& the ."tri... !his would epl"in
why theyFve been less th"n spe#t"#ul"r "g"inst Eion so $"r& but not why they did better in the
previous w"rB "nd it still doesnFt epl"in why they insist on using hum"ns $or power& when
they must h"ve h"d other options.
XXwright underestim"ted silver& didnFt thin: heFd be "ble to tr"#: her.
%ol"nd& #"pt"in o$ the .Colnir G":" 5"mmerI
#rew: ."ggie Gde"dI& ."user& Colt& A(
++.Colnir G--HI w"s going to tr"ns$er Lo#: out
+ still running C"#:outs through old Eion
+ in destru#tion "t end o$ 8.2.;& %ol"ndFs C"#: inter$"#e is $ried& but he m":es it out. ."user
w"s C"#:ed in "s well& $"te un:nown. A( Goper"torHI de"d& Colt G$irst m"teHI "ll right Gpotenti"l
L1 #h"r"#ter& duelistI
+ On#e she re"lized the ."#hines would be "ble to tr"#: her sign"l& ,right set up " shunt on
her emergen#y C"#:+out& to :i#: her into the Eion m"in$r"me inste"d o$ b"#: into her body
+ *he :new th"t the ."#hines would send " virus into the m"in$r"me& "nd #ounted on it
opening "##ess to bro"d#"st #ontrol )ui#:ly enough th"t she #ould C"#: out into someone
elseFs body be$ore losing #ohesionB sheFs s:illed in Dph"se eisten#e&D ie prolonging your time
between C"#:+in "nd entering the simul"tion itsel$& $lo"ting $reely in the networ: "s "n "v"t"r
+ !his wor:ed& "nd she $ound ."user
+ 6eedb"#: $rom this override blew out the .Colnir --Fs C"#:+in system
+ ."user/,right #"n no longer C"#: in
+ ."user/,right es#"ped the wre#:"ge o$ the .Colnir -- "nd $ound Comm"nder Lo#:
GwoundedI in the wre#:"ge o$ Eion
+ got Lo#: to her wre#:ed l"b& buried old ,right body
+ ,hen 1'3 moves into old Eion& they $ind wre#: o$ .Colnir --& A(Fs body& but no sign o$
."user
371
+ !hen get emergen#y sign"l or puzzle or something le"ding them to Lo#:
YY
XX 'opul"tion:
WWWW new yor: Gno not Chi#"go :pI: 2002 si in$"nt de"ths $or every /&000 live birthsB >82
in$"nt de"ths "nd /22&94> live births. Any #hild less th"n " ye"r old is #onsidered "n in$"ntB
li$e epe#t"n#y >>.= ye"rsB de"th r"te >.2 per /&000 in 2008 Gnot #ounting in$"nt mort"lity& -
t":e itB 2002 s"w ;9&=;/ de"ths re#orded in the #ityB /.;U birth r"te
WWWW 80U zion GnowI $reeborn Gthis w"s in " Cypherite report to the ."#hines $ound on "
#omputer in " #riti#"l mission " #h"pter or two "goIB Eion h"d " popul"tion o$ 2;0&000 "t the
time o$ %elo"ded/%evolutions G"##ording to " movie #onvers"tion where .orpheus s"id th"t
the ."#hines were sending " *entinel $or every m"n& wom"n& "nd #hild in Eion& "nd
#on$irmed th"t this me"nt they were sending 2;0&000IB Eion $reeborn pop supposedly e)u"ls
/U o$ tot"l ."tri popul"tionB letFs s"y $reeborn pop...down " bitB used to be 8;UB /4>;00
w"s /U& ie /4&>;0&000 tot"l popB but Eion wouldnFt h"ve "ll o$ /U "nyw"y...B letFs s"y they
m"n"ge to get ;U o$ the /UB tot"l pop 2>;&000&000
WWWW /00 pods per ring Grough visu"l #ount $rom 3eoFs etr"#tion s#eneIB e"#h tower "t le"st
400 rings high G"lso #he#:ed "g"inst long+r"nge view o$ pod towers behind 6ields "s 3eo "nd
!rinity $ly o$$ to ."#hine #ity in %evolutionsIB i$ e"#h #luster "t le"st /0 towers _ 400&000 per
#luster _ ne"rly /000 #lusters "#ross 1"rthFs sur$"#eB //8th o$ our modern 1"rthFs sur$"#e is
estim"ted "s h"bit"ble now Gth"tFs o$ the tot"l sur$"#e "re"& ie in#luding o#e"nsIB letFs s"y
///=th thereB ;/0&0=;&=00 :m2 tot"l sur$"#e "re"B ///=th is 4/2;0000 :m2B 4/2;0 :m2 per
#lusterB s)u"re root _ />; :m _ /00 mls _ shortest dist"n#e between #lusters
WWWW G3N "round 2000ishI /.;U birth r"te /// 0.=U in$"nt mort"lity // 0.>U mort"lity // !his
me"ns: out o$ 400 million& ^ 2 million \re#orded\ de"ths per ye"r& 8 mill births // with " 9
month gest"tion& youFd h"ve 4 mill gest"ting "t " time // 4 $ields $"#ilitiesH YXXXYXYXYX in 8.2./ mish
$ind /& / mill& /&444&444 is /.;U& ^ 89&000&000 Gnot #ounting in$"nt de"th r"teI +W 88 mill w/
in$"nt de"ths++W vs *mithFs DbillionsD :ppp
WWWW /0 meg" #luster "t $ields Gvery rough estim"te $rom th"t long+r"nge view over the
6ields in %evolutionsI ++W /00 pod towers G"hh this might h"ve been " sort o$ m"th error on
my p"rt++-Fd "#tu"lly estim"ted "bout 40 towers in th"t %evolutions view...- thin:...got my tower
numbers mied up " little between the sm"ll "nd l"rge #lusters...or did - $igure some o$ those
towers in th"t shot loo:ed 4 high "s othersH++"nyw"y - still li:e the /0 ide"& "nd the tot"l
pop numbers "re still right++e"#t tower #ounts "renFt mentioned in the missions++so ny"hI ++ W
4 million people i$ ?ener"l does " )ui#: #ount ++W might thin: birth r"te is /00 too
high...e#ept they :now there "re more th"n 4 mill Cust in #ity /// $ind se#ond 6ields Dover =000
milesD "w"y
+ %ough ."tri pop 400&000&000. !h"tFs "bout the 200> popul"tion o$ the <nited *t"tes.
+ Are" r"di"ting outw"rd $rom m"in #ity in sim.
372
+ *imul"tion be#omes less det"iled "s you move outw"rd $rom #ityB 9's less "lert
+ At etreme edges simul"tion is Cust memory m"nipul"tion o$ un#ons#ious 9's
+ Alert 9's or#hestr"ted so th"t they m":e their w"y to det"iled sim "re"& ie the #ity
+ !o b"l"n#e out the birth r"te& ine$$i#ient 9's "re m"neuvered to outlying sim "re"s&
eventu"lly termin"ted
+ 5ow to epl"in th"t Eion hover#r"$t donFt go "round world to gr"b etr"#ted peopleH !r"#e
$"ilsH !hose people inh"bit outlying "re"s o$ the simul"tion "nd "renFt re"#hed by re#ruitersH
!h"t would sort o$ $it& m"ybe ."#hines would :eep most "#tive Ghigh energyI hum"ns #loser
to ."tri...i$ weFre implying th"t the ."tri is run out o$ th"t one #ity.
+ Oh& ye"h. - w"s thin:ing there #ould be three ."#hine #ities tot"l& one $or e"#h 6ields
$"#ility. 9ut m"ybe weFre in the Dm"inD one& or "t le"st ."in "s $"r "s the ."tri is #on#erned.
YY
-Fve "tt"#hed the det"iled summ"ry "nd s#hedule $or .ZO #h"pter 8.2& whi#h is going Live
tomorrow G6rid"y the 28thI. (ey plot points& some o$ whi#h -Fll dis#uss in $urther det"il "$ter
this brie$ overview:
AI !he .erovingi"n& using the ?ener"lFs *entinels& is dis#overing things "bout the sur$"#e o$
the 1"rth& "nd the ."tri& th"t h"ve not been spe#i$ied by us be$ore.
9I D7"nielle ,right&D "n old person"lity in the #ity& pl"ys " :ey role. *he "ppe"rs to be :illed
by the ."#hines "t the end o$ this sub#h"pter& but - h"ve " sne":y w"y to wor: her into the
l"rger $uture theme o$ the g"me& whi#h is going to be de"ling with the )uestion o$ inherent
di$$eren#es/simil"rities between ."n "nd ."#hine Gie the Olig"r#h se"r#h $or " perm"nent
solution to hosting their minds& !rinity being "n inter$"#e progr"m between ."n "nd ."#hine&
3eo being " progr"m& the .orpheus simul"#rum "#)uiring " li$e o$ its own& Cryptos being now
" weird $usion o$ ."n "nd ."#hine overwriting progr"m& et#& et#I. !he "tt"#hed im"ge shows
,right& "nd the uni$orm o$ her se#urity te"m Gth"tFs the D,D ,right %ese"r#h logo on his #"p&
m"t#hing the monument in $ront o$ the ,right %ese"r#h building in V"utonI.
CI .ore det"ils given on the wor:ings o$ the red pill progr"m& "s ,right #re"tes " new one $or
Eion.
7I - h"ve " s#heme $or involving some o$ our gener"lly o$$s#reen old Eion movie #h"r"#ters++
Comm"nder Lo#:& "nd C"pt"in %ol"nd "nd his #rew++in the story in " more "#tive sense&
st"rting prob"bly in the net sub#h"pter G8.4I "s " dire#t result o$ the ."#hine destru#tion o$
GoldI Eion th"t will be shown in the 8.4 #inem"ti#.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
7et"iled dis#ussion:
373
AI *pe#i$i#"tions "nd impli#"tions "bout the %e"l "nd the ."tri resulting $rom the .ervFs
eplor"tion "nd rese"r#h
NouFll see " lot o$ numbers "nd #"l#ul"tions in the notes "t the bottom o$ the "tt"#hed story
summ"ry do#ument. 9"si#"lly the .erv is loo:ing "round& $inding pods s#"ttered "round the
sur$"#e& #he#:ing up on "pp"rent ."tri birth "nd de"th r"tes& investig"ting the 6ields& "ll in
the n"me o$ trying to $ind out how mu#h energy the ."#hines h"ve. !he "#tu"l det"ils given
m"y be summed up "s $ollows:
+ !he ."tri m"y host 400 million hum"ns in pods
+ 'ods h"ve been $ound on the sur$"#e in two types o$ "rr"ngements: the Dmeg" #lusterD o$ 40
or so towers& housing "bout 4 million hum"ns in pods& situ"ted net to the 6ields G"s seen in
%evolutionsI& "nd sm"ller #lusters "bout " tenth o$ th"t size G400&000 peopleI
+ !hese sm"ller #lusters "re in " rough grid l"yout "#ross the ruined sur$"#e o$ the 1"rth&
"bout /00 to /;0 miles "p"rt
+ !he tot"l o$ the power supplied by these 400 million hum"ns& etr"pol"ted $rom " re"ding
the ?ener"l t":es "t the 4 million meg"+#luster ne"r Eion "nd the ."#hine #ity& would only be
enough to power the ."#hine #ity sever"l times over& "nd this would "lso h"ve to be used $or
"ll their other me#h"nisms G*entinels& #ity de$ensive wor:s& the ."tri& et#IB this implies th"t
they h"ve very little power to sp"re
+ !he D6ieldsD between Eion "nd the ."#hine #ity G"nd right net to the Dmeg" #lusterD o$ pod
towers seen in %evolutionsI hold "bout / million growing $etuses
+ !here is "nother D6ieldsD #omple over =000 miles "w"y& with " simil"r Dmeg" #lusterD o$
pods net to it
+ !he power lines $rom this $"r+dist"nt set o$ 6ields "nd pods& "nd other& sm"ll pod #lusters in
the "re"& "re running in the opposite dire#tion& ie A,AN $rom the ."#hine #ity weFre $"mili"r
with
+ !he "ver"ge temper"ture on the sur$"#e is " little #ooler th"n it w"s be$ore the etern"l storm
"ppe"red& blo#:ing out light++not enough th"t there "re no longer temper"te "re"s where the
."#hines #"n house hum"ns in pods "nd 6ields& but enough th"t these temper"te "re"s "re
only "bout h"l$ the size th"t they were be$ore the etern"l storm
+ !he #ooling h"s #"used the pol"r i#e #"ps to ep"nd& "nd led to in#re"sed gl"#i"tion in
mount"inous "re"s
+ !he birth r"te seen in the ."tri #ity is "bout /.;U Gsimil"r to " l"rge <* #ity #ir#" 2000I
+ !he de"th r"te seen in the ."tri #ity is "bout 0.>U G"g"in simil"r to " <* #ityI
+ !he in$"nt mort"lity seen in the ."tri #ity is "bout 0.=U G"g"in simil"r to " <* #ityI
+ -6 the ."tri is " #losed system& de"th r"te would h"ve to e)u"l birth r"te++but nobody
pl"yers :now #"n "##ount $or this "pp"rent dis#repen#y
%e"sons "nd impli#"tions o$ the "bove:
+ -$ the tot"l ."tri bluepill popul"tion is 400 million& ie Cust " little "bove the ye"r 2000
popul"tion o$ the <*& this implies th"t the ."#hines "re not "#tu"lly simul"ting the entire
1"rth in one+$or+one det"il. 6or this - w"s going o$$ XXXwh"t we were toldYYY "bout the ."tri
374
being more th"n Cust the #ity "nd the mount"in r"nge& but not e"#tly #le"r how mu#h more&
"s well "s popul"tion #"l#ul"tions b"sed o$$ o$ Eion building its popul"tion $rom D/UD o$
hum"ns who reCe#t the simul"tion.
,here - would li:e to go with this& i$ youFre interested& is des#ribing " system whereby the
."tri #ity is the $o#"l point o$ the simul"tion& "nd "s you move outw"rds $rom the #ity within
the simul"tion& you "re moving into "re"s th"t "re simul"ted in less "nd less det"il. !he "re"
th"t is moder"tely simul"ted is "bout the size o$ the #ontinent"l <*B "s you move tow"rd "nd
beyond the periphery o$ th"t sp"#e& e#ept $or m"in tourist points su#h "s m"Cor #ity "irports&
et#& $ewer "nd $ewer people seen "re "#tu"l hum"ns& but r"ther rel"tively simple ."#hine
simul"tions o$ hum"ns. 9luepills living in these outer "re"s "re the less "w"re "nd less
e$$i#ient& "nd "re :ept in " deeper st"te o$ gener"l stupor& so they donFt noti#e the lowered
simul"tion det"il. ,hen " rel"tively "#tive& "w"re hum"n $rom the #ity voy"ges into outer
"re"s& the simul"tion "round them is r"ised in det"il tempor"rily& but they "re "lso
in#re"singly tr"n)uilized& so their re#olle#tions o$ their trip "re somewh"t h"zy.
-$ " bluepill born in "n outer& tr"n)uilized& lower+energy distri#t proves to h"ve "n e$$i#ient
met"bolism& their li$e is m"nipul"ted in su#h " m"nner th"t they migr"te to the #ity. Li:ewise&
hum"ns born in the #ity who turn out to h"ve low+e$$i#ien#y met"bolisms "re shi$ted into
outlying "re"s o$ the simul"tion. !hose who "re truly ine$$i#ient& " w"ste o$ resour#es& h"ve
their li$e in the simul"tion m"n"ged so th"t they eventu"lly lose tou#h with "ny "#tive
"#)u"int"n#es& "re m"rgin"lized "nd $orgotten& "nd then simply $lushed $rom their pod to
drown in the ."#hine sewers. !hese "re the de"ths th"t "re not re#orded by o$$i#i"l
government re#ords inside the simul"tion& "nd whi#h b"l"n#e out the birth/de"th r"tes so th"t
the tot"l popul"tion o$ the ."tri rem"ins ste"dy "t "bout 400 million& whi#h is #lose to the
m"imum "mount th"t the ."tri progr"m "nd "sso#i"ted ."#hine in$r"stru#ture #"n h"ndle.
!he m"rgin"liz"tion o$ ine$$i#ient bluepills in the ."tri simul"tionFs geogr"phy #orresponds to
their vi#inity to the ."#hine #ity housing the ."tri #omputers in the %e"l& where these low+
e$$i#ien#y types "re moved to pod lo#"tions $"rther "w"y $rom th"t #ityB this :eeps the highest+
produ#ing hum"n b"tteries #losest to the ."tri #omputers& where they enCoy the lowest+
possible networ: l"ten#y& "nd less energy is lost "s it $lows through the power lines into the
#ity.
!his h"s the bene$it o$ epl"ining why Eionite #rews& when they "w":en " hum"n& do not
h"ve to tr"vel to " pod "ll the w"y "round the world in order to w":e them up: the hum"ns
theyFre $inding "re the "#tive& rel"tively "w"re ones in the ."tri #ity& "nd in pods lo#"ted
#lose to Eion "nd the ."#hine #ity in the %e"l.
+ !he etern"l storm d"r:ening the s:ies must h"ve some :ind o$ #ontinuing re"#tion to :eep it
goingB wh"t this is - donFt thin: - ever w"nt to spe#i$y. 9ut& it is " good e#use $or why the
sur$"#e o$ the 1"rth& "s we see in the movies& is not one big i#e #ube& "s it would be i$
sunlight were re"lly #ut o$$ entirely throughout the world Gthe initi"l XXXYYY dr"$ts o$ the ."tri h"d
.orpheus tell 3eo th"t the "ver"ge temper"ture in entern"l+storm er" Chi#"go w"s +80
degrees C& +/20 with wind+#hill& whi#h is prob"bly "bout right in h"rd s#ien#e termsI.
*o& -Fm "llowing $or slight #ooling& "s in " st"nd"rd -#e Age. !his would me"n glob"l
375
temper"tures "n "ver"ge o$ "bout = degrees C lower th"n they were be$ore the etern"l storm&
se" level "bout /20 meters below wh"t it w"s be$ore the storm& sm"ller temper"te zones&
l"rger i#e #"ps& more gl"#iers& "nd so $orth. !his does not #l"sh with wh"t we see o$ the
outside world in the movies& where lightly #lothed #h"r"#ters do not loo: un#om$ort"ble Cust
st"nding "round& "nd where we see no i#e or visible signs o$ $reezingB it "lso $its in with th"t
#omment by !"n: in !he ."tri& where he tells 3eo th"t Eion is lo#"ted Ddeep underground&
ne"r the e"rthFs #ore where itFs still w"rm&D whi#h implies th"t "t le"st " #ert"in degree o$
sur$"#e #ooling h"s t":en pl"#e.
+ !here is prob"bly "nother set o$ 6ields& perh"ps two& beyond wh"t the .erovingi"n h"s
$ound G$or " tot"l o$ 4& or possibly 8IB this will $ill out the popul"tion #"l#ul"tions #on#erning
birth r"tes ne#ess"ry to m"int"in the /.;U birth r"te th"t the ."#hines w"nt to be "ble to
show inside the simul"tion. 1"#h set o$ 6ields might h"ve " pod meg"+#luster net to it& but
then "g"in& in light o$ the DperipheryD m"n"gement o$ hum"ns& perh"ps not.
+ !here is prob"bly "t le"st one other ."#hine #ity& #orresponding to the lo#"tions o$ the other
6ields. -t/they m"y be sm"ller th"n the one ne"r Eion& "nd would not house prim"ry ."tri
systems Gunless we w"nt to get into " Dmultiple ."triD s#en"rioH - donFt re"lly w"nt to go th"t
route& "lthough - suppose we "lw"ys #ould i$ weFre still doing this ye"rs $rom now "nd need "
m"Cor new story "ngle BI. !hese #ities would prob"bly in essen#e be b"#:+ups $or the #ity
housing the ."tri& so th"t i$ th"t #ity were somehow destroyed& letFs s"y by " meteor $rom
sp"#e& the ."#hine #iviliz"tion would survive& "lthough theyFd h"ve " lot o$ rebuilding to do.
+ !here is " )uestion we m"y h"ve to "ddress some d"y& but not $or " while - thin:& "s to
where on 1"rth Eion& "nd the ."#hine #ity ne"r it& "re lo#"ted. One re"l )uestion here is: is
the ."#hine #ity $rom the movies the s"me "s their origin"l #ity+st"te& DEero OneDH -n the
Anim"triF D*e#ond %en"iss"n#e&D DEero OneD w"s shown in the .iddle 1"st& #entered
"round the *"udi+-r")i border. -t then ep"nded& eventu"lly h"ving stru#tures or outlying
distri#ts o$ m"ssive ."#hine "r#hite#ture stret#hing "s $"r "$ield "s 1"stern 1urope.
,e re"lly donFt h"ve to de#ide on this "ny time soon& but it might be worth st"rting to thin:
"bout. .y own in#lin"tion is to s"y th"t the ."#hine #ity th"t pl"yers :now is 3O! the old
Eero One. !hen weFd h"ve to pi#: " lo#"tion $or our ."#hine #ity G"nd Eion& whi#h must be
rel"tively #lose to itI. -Fd :ind o$ li:e to pl"#e it somewhere in the 1"st& s"y "round wh"t would
h"ve been Chin"& but who :nows. At "ny r"te& the m"in bene$it o$ h"ving it sep"r"te $rom
Eero One& "s - see it& would be th"t this would le"ve us $ree to develop other stories "bout the
"n#ient& now mostly "b"ndoned #ity+st"te o$ Eero One& "nd who :nows wh"t weird :inds o$
things #ould h"ve sprung up there "$ter the ."#hines le$t it++"s they would h"ve done
be#"use Eero One w"s designed $or sol"r power& "nd re"lly w"snFt "ll th"t e$$i#ient or worth
:eeping on#e the ."#hines de$e"ted m"n:ind "nd #ould rebuild " more e$$i#ient #ity Gor
#itiesI "t their leisure.
9I 7"nielle ,right "nd her possible $uture story use
376
7"nielle h"s been " p"rt o$ the #ity b"#:ground sin#e l"un#hB most o$ the prim"ry det"ils
"bout her++li:e her being e+Eion& h"ving wor:ed with the 1ile n"med *ilver& h"ving invented
the emergen#y+C"#: out system th"t "ll oper"tives use to survive the de"th o$ their %*- in the
."tri& being he"d o$ the ,right %ese"r#h #orp who h"s their l"rge 5A building in V"uton&
"nd her dis"greement with EionFs Comm"nder Lo#: "nd wish $or the ."tri to survive& but
under hum"n #ontrol++h"ve been in our intern"l D*tory 9ibleD do#ument $or "ges.
-n 8.2& it is suspe#ted by Eion& "nd eventu"lly $ound by the ."#hines& th"t 7"nielle h"s her
own dire#t #onne#tion to the Eion ."in$r"me. !he ."#hines #"pture this "nd use it to insert "
virus into the m"in$r"me& "$ter :illing 7"nielle "t her l"b somewhere on the 1"rthFs sur$"#e
"bove Eion.
3ow& hereFs where -Fve le$t things open " bit $or $uture use o$ 7"nielle. A genius& epert in
."tri inter$"#e systems& "nd " believer in :eeping the ."tri int"#t& but run by hum"ns& she
#ould h"ve in $"#t& on#e she $ound hersel$ betr"yed to the ."#hines by *ilver& l"un#hed "
desper"te pl"n to preserve her #ons#iousness beyond the de"th o$ her physi#"l body. 'l"yers
would not $ind out "bout this $or sure until we reintrodu#e her "t the time o$ our #hoosing l"ter
on. 5er s#heme would go something li:e this:
/I Le"rning o$ the betr"y"l by *ilver& 7"nielle re"lizes th"t the ."#hines will dis#over her l"b&
:ill her& #on$is#"te her wor:& "nd use it to "##ess "nd destroy the Eion m"in$r"me.
2I *he )ui#:ly rigs up sever"l #ustom #ir#uits on her C"#:+in inter$"#e. !hese will #ut the
#onne#tion between her C"#:ed+in #ons#iousness in the ."tri "nd her physi#"l body& "t "
time o$ her #hoosing.
4I ,hen the *entinels lo#"te her l"b& she trips these #ir#uits Cust be$ore they :ill her body. 5er
#ons#iousness is set "dri$t& eisting "s pure "v"t"r in the progr"mm"ti# inter$"#e "re"s
"round the ."tri simul"tion. 3orm"lly& dissolution "nd de"th o$ #ons#iousness #ome )ui#:ly&
"s the hum"n mind #"nnot #on#eive o$ itsel$ "s " non+physi#"l entity. ,right& however& is "
highly unusu"l mind& "nd moreover h"s been pr"#ti#ing prolonging her st"ys in these
inter$"#e #omputer re"lms th"t "re norm"lly tr"versed in the blin: o$ "n eye during C"#:+in "nd
C"#:+out. *till& she :nows she #"nnot survive here more th"n " m"tter o$ minutes.
8I *he "lso :nows& however& th"t the ."#hines will move "s )ui#:ly "s they #"n to "#tiv"te
her inter$"#e to the Eion m"in$r"me. *he is #ounting on this. *he thin:s there is " #h"n#e th"t
she will be "ble to move her #ons#iousness through the "#tiv"ted inter$"#e& into the Eion
m"in$r"me& "nd $rom there& into the body o$ someone whose hover#r"$t C"#:+in system is still
running through old EionFs m"in$r"me. !hese "re #omputer systems she is $"mili"r with $rom
long study++more o$ " m"ster o$ them th"n "ny other living hum"n being.
;I -n the ."#hine 8.2.; #riti#"l mission "t the end o$ sub#h"pter 8.2& events un$old "s
7"nielleFs desper"te pl"n re)uires: her body is sl"in& "nd the ."#hines "#tiv"te her inter$"#e
to the Eion m"in$r"me.
*o& th"t is the possible epl"n"tion $or ,rightFs surviv"l o$ #ert"in de"th& "nd wh"t #ould
h"ppen with Lo#: "nd %ol"ndFs #rew st"rting "t the beginning o$ #h"pter 8.4. *ee 7 below $or
the rest o$ th"t.
377
All o$ this would le"ve ,right in " uni)ue position: " hum"n mind in "nother hum"nFs body.
'"rti#ul"rly in light o$ her desire to preserve the ."tri under hum"n #ontrol& this #ould m":e
her " very interesting #h"r"#ter somewhere down the ro"d& s"y on#e we get into Olig"r#hFs
trying to use the !rinity progr"m $or new bodies& or wh"tever we de#ide to do "long those
lines.
!his story o$ her surviv"l& in "ny #"se& would not be told to pl"yers until is brought b"#:.
CI 3ew det"ils on the red pill progr"m
,right m":es " new red pill progr"m $or Eion in 8.2& one th"t does not h"ve the se#urity hole
th"t the ."#hines eploited "t the end o$ 8./ to obt"in in$orm"tion on EionFs m"in$r"me. -n the
#ourse o$ her "nd Eion wor:ing to m":e this new red pill progr"m& - h"d to $lesh out " $ew
things rel"ted to it:
+ !he red pill progr"m not only in#ludes " tr"#e to the hum"n "sleep in their pods& it "lso
in#ludes the #ode routines th"t help bring the hum"nFs #ons#iousness out o$ the ."tri& w":e
the hum"n up& "nd trigger them being $lushed $rom their pod into the sewers& where the
etr"#tion te"mFs hover#r"$t #"n pi#: them up.
+ !he red pill progr"m is " synthesis o$ Eion "nd ."#hine #ode& "nd very di$$i#ult to modi$y
Gwhi#h is why Eion h"d to #"ll in 7"nielle ,rightI.
+ !he ."#hine #ode involved in#ludes p"rti"l #ode $rom the pod #ontrol routines th"t the pill
overrides to get the "wo:en hum"n out o$ the pod.
7I Comm"nder Lo#:& C"pt"in %ol"nd& "nd his #rew + possible use in #h"pter 8.4 "nd beyond
C"pt"in %ol"nd is the older& belli#ose& possibly Austr"li"n Eion #"pt"in seen in %elo"ded "nd
%evolutions++itFs his ship& the .Colnir& ":" Dthe 5"mmer&D th"t eventu"lly pi#:s up 3eo& !rinity&
"nd 3iobe& "nd the one th"t 3iobe pilots "nd #r"shes into EionFs do#:& where they trigger
their 1.' in "n "ttempt to stop the *entinels sw"rming into the #ity during the huge b"ttle $or
Eion in %evolutions. %ol"nd "nd his #rew& in#luding his oper"tor& DA(&D his $irst m"te& DColt&D
"nd his #rew member D."user&D "ll "pp"rently survive& "nd "re "live "t the end o$ the trilogy&
s"$e in Eion. %ol"nd himsel$ is seen in one o$ the $in"l shots o$ Eion& when the *entinels h"ve
stopped "tt"#:ing th"n:s to 3eoFs tru#e with 7eus 1 ."#hin".
,here we "re now in the story& %ol"nd must be one o$ EionFs most senior #"pt"ins& net to
3iobe hersel$.
.y ide" $or using him& beginning in #h"pter 8.4& is this:
378
%ol"ndFs new hover#r"$t& whi#h -Fll Cust #"ll D.Colnir --D $or the s":e o$ #onvenien#e& is one o$
the $ew ships still oper"ting $rom old Eion systems when the end o$ 8.2.; #omes& "nd the
."#hines "re "bout to destroy old Eion. !he ship itsel$ is ne"r Eion #ity& trying to get b"#: to
help with the ev"#ut"tion triggered by the Cypherite s"boteur who sets o$$ " bomb inside Eion
Comm"nd.
At the pre#ise time th"t 7"nielle ,rightFs #ons#iousness enters the Eion m"in$r"me& Cust
minutes "he"d o$ the ."#hine virus& %ol"ndFs #rew member ."user is C"#:ed in. ,right $inds
."userFs inter$"#e& "nd C"#:s out into his body. *e#onds l"ter Gor possibly "t the s"me time&
be#"use ,rightFs overwriting o$ ."user shorts things outHI& when the ."#hine virus (Os the
Eion m"in$r"me prim"ry ."tri inter$"#e #ontrol& the C"#:+in system "nd ."tri inter$"#e on+
bo"rd the .Colnir -- su$$er " m"ssive system $"ilure. !he $eedb"#: $rom this :ills A(& their
oper"tor& "nd #ripples the hover#r"$t& whi#h promptly #r"shes in " tunnel Cust outside Eion.
*entinels "re sw"rming into the "re"& everything is #h"os& but "t "ny r"te %ol"nd "nd Colt&
"nd possibly other #rew members they h"ve who "renFt n"med in the $ilms& "re res#ued& "nd
ev"#u"ted to 3ew Eion. 6ire& wre#:"ge& "nd sw"rming *entinels prevent " se"r#h $or
."user& who is eventu"lly presumed de"d.
,right in ."userFs body& however& in $"#t m"n"ged to struggle out o$ the wre#:"ge& "nd
m"de her w"y up the tunnel& into EionFs do#:& "nd $rom there into the wre#:ed Eion
Comm"nd& somehow "voiding dete#tion by *entinels "nd desper"te Eion ev"#u"tion te"ms.
5ere she $inds Comm"nder Lo#:& who h"s survived the Cypherite "tt"#:& "nd the *entinels&
but is b"dly hurt. ,right pi#:s him up& "nd #ontinues to her go"l: " hidden es#"pe sh"$t inside
the wre#:ed Eion Comm"nd& :nown only to high r"n:ing Eionites& "nd those& li:e ,right& who
h"#:ed se#ure p"rts o$ the Eion m"in$r"me.
*omehow& they get to the sur$"#e GLo#:& re#ounting this l"ter& will only h"ve the v"guest
re#olle#tion o$ his time while inCured& "nd this tortuous Courney up through old sh"$ts& mostly
#"rried by D."userDB he will prob"bly h"ve some memory o$ hidden "##ess li$ts& or
me#h"nisms o$ some type th"t #"rry them l"rge p"rts o$ the w"y tow"rd the sur$"#eB "t "ny
r"te& he h"s "n ide" th"t it must h"ve t":en wee:sI. ,right/."user brings Lo#: to her hidden
l"b& signi$i#"ntly d"m"ged by the *entinels who :illed her old body.
5ere she nurses Lo#: b"#: to " sembl"n#e o$ he"lth& never reve"ling th"t she is not "#tu"lly
."user. 7uring this time& un:nown to Lo#:& she s"lv"ges e)uipment "nd progr"ms $rom her
l"b.
,hen it is #le"r th"t Lo#: will re#over& she le"ves. *he $":es " *entinel "tt"#:& r"mming l"rge
pie#es o$ e)uipment "round to m":e it sound to the woozy Lo#: ne"rby li:e " s)uiddie h"s
$ound her& "nd $rying everything else in the l"b th"t she #"nFt t":e with her with " lightning
gun. *he dep"rts $or "re"s un:nown& to be brought b"#: whenever we w"nt to use her l"ter in
the story.
Lo#: re#overs. 9y this time++our #h"pter 9./++1 'luribus 3eo h"s moved into old Eion& "nd
st"rted some rep"irs. !hey $ind the wre#: o$ the .Colnir --& "nd A(Fs rem"ins& but no sign o$
379
."user. Lo#: is "ble to #ont"#t themB he $inds " sign"l o$ some :ind th"t ,right intention"lly
le$t there $or him to $ind& though he doesnFt re"lize this. 1'3 sends " hover#r"$t to investig"te&
"nd brings him b"#: to Eion.
1ventu"lly& Lo#: will prob"bly reCoin his Eion #omr"des in 3ew Eion. 9ut we #"n de#ide th"t
l"ter. 6or the moment& in 9./& or perh"ps 9.2& he tells oper"tives " #on$used story o$ how he
w"s dr"gged out o$ the wre#:"ge o$ Eion by the heroi# ."user& who must h"ve perished
$ighting " *entinel "$ter nursing Lo#: in the wre#:ed l"b they h"ppened to $ind on the sur$"#e.
Lo#: would 3O! :now th"t this w"s ,right& or ,rightFs l"b. As $"r "s "nyone :nows& ,right
w"s :illed by the ."#hines in 8.2.;.
.e"nwhile& in 3ew Eion& C"pt"in %ol"nd& perh"ps h"ving h"d his C"#: $ried $rom the $eedb"#:
th"t led to the wre#: o$ his ship& h"s been "ppointed Comm"nder in pl"#e o$ the missing G"nd
presumed de"dI Lo#:. !his would h"ve h"ppened right "t the beginning o$ #h"pter 8.4. 5is
$irst m"te& Colt& is promoted to C"pt"in o$ " new ship. Colt be#omes " Eion #h"r"#ter th"t we
#"n use in Live 1vents "long with EionFs two #urrent event #h"r"#ters& 3iobe "nd ?host. -
h"venFt #he#:ed the $ilms to see i$ they show "ny p"rti#ul"rs on ColtFs person"lity& but
possibly he #"n be something o$ "n "ggressive& devil+m"y+#"re type in #omp"rison with the
more reserved 3iobe "nd ?host.
G.e"nwhile - would "lso h"ve to "lter some o$ our #urrent Eion tr"ining missions th"t h"ve
new pl"yers spe":ing with DComm"nder Lo#:.D BI
X*)u"re br"#:ets below surround in$orm"tion th"t will not reve"led to pl"yers dire#tly& possibly
not "t "ll& during this sub#h"pter.Y
/0/8
8.4 Cinem"ti#
-n the ."tri& two Agents w"t#h " #omputer termin"l. One s"ys D!he virus is running.D *wit#h
to Eion in the %e"l& where v"st sw"rms o$ *entinels engul$ " hover#r"$t "ttempting to dep"rt
$rom old Eion& rip through the b"seFs m"l$un#tioning do#: doors& "nd turn their "ttention to
destroying " l"rge )u"ntity o$ lo"ded #"rgo #ont"iners $illing the do#: "re". Cut to 3eo
#on$ronting 7eus 1 ."#hin"& $rom the s#ene #lose to the end o$ !he ."tri %evolutions&
only seen $rom the side "nd slightly below& some dist"n#e "w"y. A h"nd p"sses )ui#:ly
"#ross the s#reen& "nd the s#ene $reezes& "s " roboti# bug begins to #r"wl "#ross it. A side
view shows wh"t "ppe"rs to be " hum"n m"le& #lothed "nd in sh"dow& w"t#hing the s#reen in
some sort o$ sm"ll& high+te#h met"lli# room. 5e s"ys D.ost interesting.D
Cut to 'ersephone re"ding poetry by hersel$ in the Ch"te"u++the $ourth verse o$ *winburneFs
D7oloresD: DO lips $ull o$ lust "nd o$ l"ughter...D G http://rpo.libr"ry.utoronto.#"/poem/20>9.html
++ *winburneFs )uoted summ"ry "t the bottom is use$ulI. !he .erovingi"n enters the room&
surprising her. D,h"t "re you doingHD D3othing. %e"ding.D D.ore o$ your...obsessionHD
'ersephone #loses the boo: "nd st"l:s out.
380
*upplement"l b"#:ground in$o Gwill be epl"ined in the #ritsI
Eion is still trying to bring 3ew Eion Comm"nd systems to $ull #"p"#ity. -n Eion& the ."#hines
#"ptured some m"in$r"me d"t" th"t h"dnFt been ev"#u"ted or destroyed in time. Among this
d"t" is "n "r#hived #opy o$ EionFs pre+w"r %*- sign"ture d"t"b"se. ,ith this in$orm"tion the
."#hines #ould lo#: the sign"ls o$ Eion oper"tives whose sign"tures "re on $ile "nd who "re
still C"#:ing in vi" EionFs systems& ie veter"ns li:e 3iobe "nd ?host& "nd "lso "##ess #ert"in
restri#ted stu$$& li:e the Eion org"niz"tion "re"s.
!his "r#hive is neur"l+lo#:ed "nd will respond only to the two r"n:ing o$$i#ers who signed it:
.orpheus "nd Lo#:. 3either the ."#hines nor "nyone else :nows where Lo#: is. 9e#"use
the user h"s to be in " rel"ed st"te to reprodu#e the br"inw"ve p"tterns ne#ess"ry to m"t#h
the en#oding& the ."#hines #"nFt $or#e the in$orm"tion out o$ the simB they h"ve to persu"de
him to help them.
Eion #"n upd"te their d"t"b"ses "nd "n oper"tiveFs %*- sign"ture to " new one& "nd this is
done $rom time to time $or v"rious re"sons& but it is " p"in$ul pro#ess th"t involves " physi#"l
oper"tion on the personFs C"#:& upd"tes to en#ryption h"rdw"re in the Eion oper"tiveFs
hover#r"$t& "nd upd"tes to multiple high+se#urity d"t"b"ses. ColtFs sign"ture& $or inst"n#e& h"s
been upd"ted& be#"use %ol"nd is " p"r"noid son o$ " gun& espe#i"lly "$ter th"t \\\\ 9"ne
in#ident.
%ol"nd "nd #rew
C"pt"in %ol"nd& the belli#ose older #"pt"in o$ the .Colnir G":" D5"mmerDI seen in %elo"ded&
1nter the ."tri& "nd %evolutions& w"s returning to Eion in his new ship& the .Colnir --& "$ter
re#eiving news o$ trouble there in 8.2.;. !he ship w"s in the tunnel ne"ring the m"in g"te Cust
"s the ."#hine virus #r"shed through the Eion m"in$r"me. -t w"s one o$ the $ew ships still
running its systems through old EionB %ol"nd s"w himsel$ "s the senior ship #"pt"in Gnow th"t
3iobeFs got " des: Cob :pI& "nd w"s determined to be the l"st ship out o$ old Eion.
!he Eion m"in$r"me #r"sh sent m"ssive $eedb"#: through the .Colnir --Fs systems. !he ship
#r"shed Cust outside o$ the do#:. %ol"nd "nd his $irst m"te& Colt& m"n"ged to es#"pe $rom the
burning wre#:"ge& "nd the *entinels& "nd get to " ship b"#: to 3ew Eion. !heir oper"tor& A(&
#rew member ."user& "nd some o$ their other Gunn"med in the movie s#riptsI #rew "re
missing& "nd presumed de"d.
Comm"nder Lo#: is "lso "mong the missing. %ol"nd h"s been promoted to Comm"nder. G-
#h"nged the intro/meet mission stu$$ with Lo#: to tre"t his )uotes "s re#ordings or something
r"ther th"n live mess"ges.I
Colt is " new Eion Live 1vent #h"r"#ter in this sub#h"pter. -Fd li:e to use him "s more o$ "
down+to+e"rth #h"r"#ter th"n ?host "nd 3iobe. ,ith th"t s#heme in mind& -Fm not going to
use " $ied %*- disguise $or him in+g"me& but will m":e him " st"nd"rd pl"yer %*-& who #"n
#h"nge #lothes "nd so $orth Ghe wonFt use %*- pills perm"nently& though& be#"use - donFt w"nt
to h"ve to be upd"ting his 3'C version "ll the time :pI. 5is de$"ult #lothes will be " bit pl"in&
"nd m"ybe pl"yers will $eel li:e helping him wor: on his per+server w"rdrobe. 5eFs going to
381
use pistols in #omb"t& $or now "t le"st the big silver shiny ones& li:e 1lmoreFs Autom"ti#& "nd
those bugged 5"rli#: 8=8s th"t loo: li:e twin silver semi+"utos inste"d o$ revolvers.
Crit 8.4./
Eion: !ynd"ll brie$ly des#ribes the "tt"#: on Eion& Lo#: missing& "nd %ol"nd promoted to
Comm"nder in 3ew Eion. ?host s"ys th"t "$ter t":ing out old Eion& the ."#hines "re
in#re"singly on the o$$ensive in the ."tri "s well& "nd itFs loo:ing li:e they prob"bly $ound
something use$ul in EionFs m"in$r"me& be#"use theyFre re"lly n"iling spe#i$i# t"rgets now.
?host introdu#es the pl"yer to Colt& %ol"ndFs $ormer $irst+m"te& now " #"pt"in sin#e %ol"ndFs
been promoted to Comm"nder. Colt sends the pl"yer o$$ to try to s"ve some Eion $"#ilities
$rom "tt"#:. -tFs too l"te "t the $irst one& "s the pl"yer $inds only de"d Eionites& " lo#:ed
#omputer& "nd "n Agent who #ooly tells them th"t Eion is doomed& "nd i$ they w"nt to live&
theyFll go ."#hine. !he net lo#"tion is under "tt"#:& but by 1iles G7ire LupinesI. !he pl"yer
s"ves some d"t" "nd t":es it b"#: to Colt& st"nding net to two de"d 1iles. Colt gru$$ly
des#ribes how %ol"ndFs ship went down right outside the m"in g"te& its systems $ried by
$eedb"#: $rom the m"in$r"meFs destru#tionB he "nd %ol"nd got out& but ."user "nd A(& who
were on the m"in de#:& prob"bly didnFt. 5e repe"ts the rumor "bout the Cypherites being
behind the g"te+r"mming "nd bomb in Comm"nd& "nd the ."#hines :illing ,right& "nd using
her stu$$ to drop " virus into the m"in$r"me.
."#h: ?r"y s"ys *entinels "re now in #ontrol o$ Eion "nd the "re" "round it& "nd Eionites
h"ve retre"ted to their new #ity. 5e s"ys th"t the ."#hine virus m"n"ged to preserve some
m"in$r"me d"t" $rom EionFs emergen#y shutdown se)uen#e. .eeting the pl"yer in person& he
epl"ins "bout the #"pture o$ the three+ye"r+old neur"lly en#rypted %*- sign"ture "r#hive& "nd
th"t it is lo#:ed by Lo#: "nd .orpheusB even Eion doesnFt :now where Lo#: is& "nd .orpheus
is de"d& but eisting re#ords o$ .orpheus will "llow the ."#hines to #onstru#t their own
.orph sim& on#e the pl"yer #olle#ts Cust " little "ddition"l d"t". Another Agent in the room
des#ribes the Cypherite g"te+r"mming "t Eion& "nd silen#i0Fs bomb th"t too: out Eion
Comm"nd. ?r"y mentions th"t the ?ener"lFs sim is not #ooper"tive& "nd #ooper"tion is
ne#ess"ry $or " neur"l m"t#h to unlo#: the en#ryption. !he pl"yer mugs some Eionites&
ste"ling their .orpheus re#ording& whi#h they t":e to '"#e& w"iting in " l"b. '"#e s"ys the
sim is #oming "long "ll rightB m"ybe not the best& but they only need it $or " very limited
.orpheus impression. '"#e des#ribes the ple"sure she $elt w"t#hing the videos o$ EionFs
destru#tion& "nd wishes she #ould h"ve been there in person. 9"#: to ?r"y& where the
#ompleted sim is initi"lized "nd e"mined. -t p"rrots some .orpheus lines& but seems to
Cumble them " bit. ?r"y s"ys th"t it m"y need some hum"n guid"n#e to help it le"rn how to
respond #orre#tly. A h"#:"ble #omputer in the "re" gives det"ils on the deletion o$ the
-n#iden#e ;.99/ G":" Jo:er\I 1ile.
.erv: 6lood des#ribes the Cypherite/."#hine destru#tion o$ Eion& "nd s"ys th"t some o$ the
*entinels swooping into Eion were the ?ener"lFs++under#over& "s it were. !he ?ener"lFs
hologr"m reports two hum"ns spotted s#r"mbling into #over in EionFs wre#:"ge: Lo#:& "nd
one they didnFt re#ognize. 6lood re#eives the ?ener"lFs surveill"n#e photos "nd des#ribes the
m"n "s D" t"ll& mus#ul"r& d"r:+s:inned& "nd disgr"#e$ully dressed m"n with C"#:s in him.D !he
pl"yer is sent to ste"l Eion oper"tive re#ords so they #"n $ind out who it is& but the #omputer
"t the lo#"tion "ss"ulted h"s its d"t"b"se "##ess limited due to Dm"in$r"me issues&D "nd the
382
d"t" #"nFt be re"#hed. A h"#:"ble #omputer in the "re" #ont"ins " mess"ge $rom some
Eionite& #ompl"ining "bout %ol"nd being " thug who :eeps getting promoted by losing his
ships++he must h"ve re"l good buddies on the Coun#il& the mess"ge+writer #on#ludes testily.
6lood sends the pl"yer to try to get ."#hine d"t" on whi#h Eionite ships were $ound in the
vi#inity o$ Eion when it w"s "tt"#:ed& sin#e :nowing whi#h #rews the m"n #ould h"ve
belonged to would n"rrow down the se"r#h #onsider"bly. !hey $ind ."#hine gu"rds& "nd "
l"b wor:er who s"ys D*3!L OAJ71D++" weird mess"ge th"t w"s "lso p"rt o$ " #rypti#
*entinel report $ound in 8.2.;& $rom " *entinel lur:ing "round Eion. 7"t" is $ound on this
wor:erFs body& uplo"ded& "nd ."lph"s is #onsulted "bout the $indings. ."lph"s is $ound
being growled "t by Oo:"mi& whoFs "pp"rently mi$$ed th"t ."lph"s h"s s"id something to her
"bout the intended t"rget o$ her net hunt. ."lph"s tells the pl"yer th"t $rom the ."#hine
re#ords& theyFve identi$ied the person with Lo#: "s ."user& o$ %ol"ndFs ship& the .Colnir --&
whi#h went down outside EionFs g"te& "lthough the ."#hines did not re#ord it being downed
by their own $or#es.
/0/8+/0//0
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: Colt "nd ?host br"instorm with oper"tives to try to lo#"te the .orph simB they m"y get
#lose& but either the sim v"nishes Cust be$ore being $ound& or ."#hines interrupt& or something
li:e th"t
."#h: G"$ter .erv eventI oper"tives "ttempt to get the ."#hine .orph sim into the #orre#t
$r"me o$ mind by inter"#ting with him "s they would h"ve with .orpheusB they then h"ve it try
to "##ess the en#rypted %*- "r#hiveB it $"ils "nd the ."#hines h"ve it deleted
.erv: Gbe$ore m"#h eventI using insight on the #ode sign"ture o$ .orpheus obt"ined $rom the
?ener"lFs eperien#e& the .erv "mbushes "nd "bdu#ts the ."#hine .orph simB he $inds it
mu#h more pli"ble th"n the ?ener"lFs& "nd toys with it& "ttempting to etr"#t some use$ul
in$orm"tionB gets sim to pl"y old .orpheus 6Z li:e 3eoFs %*-& "nd th"t green z"p e$$e#t
"round his bodyB .erv begins to suspe#t this sim is " dull"rdB ."#hines intervene "nd res#ue
the sim
/0///
Crit 8.4.2
Eion: !ynd"ll s"ys th"t the ."#hines h"ve #"ptured the pre+!ru#e %*- sign"ture d"t"b"se&
th"t the d"t"b"se is lo#:ed by .orph/Lo#: neur"l en#ryption& "nd th"t the ."#hines seem
#on$ident " .orph sim #ould unlo#: it. *he sends the pl"yer to t"l: to *er"ph "bout $inding
the .orph sim to #onvin#e it not to help the ."#hines. !he oper"tor mentions th"t to unlo#:
the en#ryption& the person with the right neur"l p"ttern h"s to be in "pproim"tely the s"me
st"te o$ mind they were in when the en#ryption w"s en#oded& whi#h usu"lly me"ns th"t they
#"nFt be $or#ed into unlo#:ing it++thus why the sim h"s to be persu"ded. *er"ph s"ys .orph
hung out in "b"ndoned "re"s telling people heFd $"de "w"y& th"t heFs seem the sim in these
383
pl"#es& "nd th"t heFll show where they "re Gie sign"l the lo#"tions to the oper"torI. !ynd"ll
w"rns th"t the sim h"snFt e"#tly been pro+EionB the oper"tor points out th"t neither w"s
.orph be$ore he died. !he $irst "re" h"s only " weird <n#le"n who s"ys th"t you #"n only
$ind .orpheus i$ you believe. Cypherites "mbush on the w"y to the se#ond "b"ndoned
lo#"tion& but there is the sim& h"nging out with " puzzled v"gr"nt. !he sim #on#edes th"t i$
wh"t the pl"yer h"s told him is true& m"ny in Eion must die& but he points out th"t every side
must h"ve their own re"son& "nd he promised the ."#hines X"t th"t ."#h event w/ ?r"y
be$ore the !ru#e endedY he would #onsider wh"t they h"d to s"yB th"t& "##ording to the
Or"#le& the purpose o$ li$e is to li$e& "nd ?r"y h"s "dmitted this "pplied even to the ."#hines.
'l"yer t":es this in$o to 3iobe& who s"ys th"t i$ nothing else the sim is "s stubborn "s
.orpheusB th"t i$ it w"nts to t"l:& theyFll t"l:& but it wonFt unlo#: the d"t" $or the ."#hines i$
she h"s "nything to s"y "bout it. A Eionite gu"rd mentions the ."#hines trying "nd $"iling to
m":e their own morph sim. !ynd"ll reminds the pl"yer th"t the sim #"n re#onstru#t& "nother
re"son why it #"nFt be #oer#ed.
."#h: ?r"y s"ys th"t sin#e their d"t" w"s insu$$i#ient to m":e " .orph sim& "nd EionFs d"t"
w"s pretty mu#h destroyed with the m"in$r"me& or smuggled to 3ew Eion& theyFll h"ve to try
the ?ener"lFs sim& whi#h w"s "##ur"te enough to $ool some Eionites $or " whileB the ."#hines
donFt :now where the ?ener"l got the d"t" re)uired to #ompile su#h " progr"m. !heyFve h"d
it under observ"tion "nd :now the dereli#t pl"#es it $re)uents. *ome 1'3 h"ve to be #le"red
o$$ "t the $irst lo#"tion& but nothing else is $ound there. !he net "ppe"rs to hold Cust " drun:
v"gr"nt& but he l"ughs& "nd .orpheus sim "ppe"rs in the room behind the pl"yer. -t guesses
th"t the ."#hines w"nt " $"vor $rom it& but s"ys it h"s reserv"tions "bout ."#hine methods&
"nd thus& "bout the ultim"te purpose o$ the ."#hines. ,ithout :nowing this& it is not #ert"in
th"t it should "id them. ?r"y summons the pl"yer& giving them two level 2;; Gnon+"ggro& un+
"tt"#:"bleI Agents& s"ying th"t nothing must end"nger their mission to obt"in the
simul"#rumFs #ooper"tion. ,ith this he$ty entour"ge the pl"yer goes b"#: to the sim& where
'"#e h"s been trying to give it the ."#hine pit#h. 1ven "$ter t"l:ing to '"#e "nd the pl"yer&
the sim s"ys its mind is still not "t pe"#e on the subCe#tB it only w"nts to do wh"t it believes is
right& but it isnFt sure whi#h side is right in this #"se.
.erv: !he .erv w"nts to :now i$ there w"s something between ."n "nd ."#hine b"#: in the
old d"ys th"t inspired the ."#hines to use hum"ns "s their sole energy sour#e. 6lood sends
you to "s: the Or"#le. !he oper"tor brie$ly summ"rizes the 2nd %en"iss"n#e story o$ 9/==4%
Gor however it w"s writtenI& the $irst robot to :ill its m"ster& the rise "nd nu:ing o$ Eero One&
et#B he "lso s"ys he s"w Dold vid t"pesD when he w"s in Eion th"t were supposed to be $rom
b"#: in th"t er"& "nd they seemed legit& but then "g"in #onsidering th"t the ."#hines
invented even Eion itsel$& who :nowsH !he Or"#le s"ys th"t old stories get e"gger"ted& "nd
not "ll hum"ns h"ted ."#hines $or their business su##ess& "nd not "ll ."#hines were
obsessed only with business& but "dds th"t the ."#hines were simpler b"#: then& be$ore they
st"rted getting Dmuddled upD li:e hum"ns. 6lood ponders the Dsimpler b"#: thenD rem"r:& "nd
sends the pl"yer to go ste"l " #ert"in spe#i"l "##ess #ode $rom 9in"ry 9oy Gthe Eero One
DAre" (D )uest item #olle#torI& spe#i$ying th"t the pl"yer must not let 9in"ry 9oy spot them.
?etting the D"###ode0//0.blipD "##ess #ode out o$ 9innyFs "p"rtment isnFt re"lly th"t h"rd&
"nd 6lood $inds th"t the 9oy& "s he thought& h"d this "##ess #ode th"t #"n get into Eero One
dire#tly& without going through the Ar#hivists& so he #ould Dget live runtimes out without
"lerting the ."#hines.D !he e#ited 1$$e#tu"tor is #"lled in to put the "##ess #ode to use& "nd
su##eeds in summoning the Eero One #onstru#tFs roboti# overlord& the !"s:m"ster Gwho
384
spe":s very brie$ly "nd #on$usedly in bin"ryI. !"s:m"ster is led to the .erv. 9eirn "nd
'ersephone "re "lso present& "nd the 1$$e#tu"tor "rrives too& to observe. !he .erv s#"ns it
"nd s"ys th"t its #ode is simple "nd l"#:ing in #ompleity++uni)ue beh"vior& #re"tivity. 5e
wonders i$ the ."#hines only #"me by su#h things gr"du"lly++evolution& or " le"rning pro#ess.
Could their e"rly simpli#ity h"ve led to " reli"n#e on hum"nsH At this point the level =0
!"s:m"ster #"n Goption"llyI be :illed& but drops no spe#i"l loot.
/0///+/0//>
%e)uired 1vents
Eion: 3iobe very "w:w"rdly t"l:s to .orph sim "nd seems to m":e "n impression& but it
le"ves without "greeing to "nything
."#h: more "ttempted D$riendlyD persu"sion o$ the .orpheus simB it might show some
$"vor"ble signs& but still le"ves without "greeing
.erv: " #ozy evening with 'ersephone where she re"ds *winburne& reminis#es "bout the old
d"ys b"#: when she inter$"#ed dire#tly with hum"ns in the pods& "nd t"l:s "bout how the
.erv is no longer the e#iting young 6ren#hm"n/O* he used to be
/0//8
Crit 8.4.4
Eion: !ynd"ll sends the pl"yer to Colt to see "bout "n D"ltern"te me"nsD o$ ensuring th"t the
."#hines donFt get the %*- sig d"t". Colt is trying to spell out "n el"bor"te "tt"#: pl"n "g"inst
the ."#hines tr"#:ing the sim& but then the 1$$e#tu"tor "ppe"rs "nd s"ys th"t sin#e Eion is in
trouble "g"in& the .ervFll help by sending the ?ener"l to give tips on this .orph sim business.
Colt is "nnoyed. !he ?ener"lFs proCe#tion s"ys th"t he h"s some unused s#r"ps o$ .orph
d"t" th"t the ."#hines h"venFt deleted yet. !he hologr"m is #ut o$$ by the ."#hines be$ore
he #"n des#ribe #ert"in old se#urity me"sures still in pl"#e. !he pl"yer h"s to $ight p"st 1lite
Comm"ndo de$enders to get to the d"t"& "nd then es#"pe with it p"st ."#hine "mbushes.
!ynd"ll s"ys th"t re#orded d"t" on .orpheus in the ."tri is very r"re be#"use the ."#hines
try to delete/#on$is#"te itB she wonders where the ?ener"l got his. ?host #ongr"tul"tes the
pl"yer "nd w"rns th"t i$ the ."#hines do get th"t d"t"& theyFll be "ble to go str"ight "$ter some
o$ EionFs top oper"tivesB t"l:ed to " se#ond time& he "dmits th"t he "nd 3iobe would be in
d"nger& too. At the end o$ the mission& the pl"yer re#eives #opies o$ the three .orpheus "udio
re#ordings they retrieved Gold re#orded voi#e #lips: D!h"n: you $or your guid"n#e&D DAt l"st... -
h"ve been w"iting $or this&D D-$ you h"ve le"rned "nything& you will :now better th"n to
#h"llenge meDI.
."#h: ?r"y s"ys th"t the sim h"s been dete#ted within the vi#inity o$ the Or"#leFs home
"round 7ebir Court slightly more $re)uently th"n mere #h"n#e would "##ount $or& "nd "nyw"y
the ."#hines "re out o$ ide"s "bout unlo#:ing this %*- "r#hive& so go t"l: to her& F#"use
sometimes the #r"zy stu$$ she s"ys seems to help oper"tive m":e logi#"l le"ps. !he Or"#le
385
s"ys th"t i$ they re"lly w"nt .orpheus Gth"tFs wh"t she #"lls him++DitFs simplerDI to help& theyFve
got to give him " re"son th"t will m"tter to him. *er"ph s"ys th"t the sim h"s visited " number
o$ times& sometimes "s:ing m"ny )uestions& sometimes none. ?r"y sends the pl"yer "$ter
some 1'3 #re"ting " disturb"n#e ne"rbyB the pl"yer $inds nothing but two de"d 1'3& one
with " DLove LetterD on its body& se"led with lipsti#:& "nd hiding "n embedded #ode e"sily
dete#ted "nd de#rypted by the oper"tor. -tFs written in VeilFs style& "nd s"ys to drop by "
#ert"in bluepillFs pl"#e& to s"y to him D5e shouldnFt h"ve believed you.D ?r"y s"ys the bluepill
w"s re#ently rele"sed by #ops& "$ter h"ving been suspe#ted o$ murder& sin#e he w"s $ound
ne"rby when " m"ni#+depressive $riend h"d $"llen to their de"th $rom their "p"rtmentB no
eviden#e turned up& though. ?r"y s"ys the mess"ge is obviously me"nt to seem to h"ve
#ome $rom Veil& but itFs "n odd me"ns o$ #ont"#t& so :eep "n eye out. Anyw"y itFs #ompli#"ted
but the #on$ronted blue $re":s out "nd #on$esses to the murder o$ his $riend Gwho w"s
"w":ening to the ."tri& to the dism"y o$ observing Cypherites& who "lso witnessed the
unepe#ted murderI& Veil phones the pl"yer in& "nd Cryptos epl"ins th"t the pl"yer got this
#on$ession $rom the bluepill with th"t Dbelieved youD rem"r: be#"use the Cypherites :new
him++Cust "s Cryptos :new .orpheus Gw"y b"#: in EionI. Cryptos o$$ers to persu"de the sim
to help& in e#h"nge $or $irst dibs on the %*- "r#hive& so he #"n remove entries $or "ny e+
Eionites who "re now Cyphs. ?r"y s"ys they "renFt "$ter Cyphs "nyw"y& "nd Cryptos did
:now .orpheus& so theyFll try his de"l.
.erv: *till pondering why ."#hines would use hum"n b"tteries& the .erv de#ides to re+
e"mine the de"th r"te disp"rity $ound l"st sub#h"pter: the simul"tion shows hum"ns wh"t
they epe#t& ie birth r"tes e#eeding de"th r"tes& but i$ the ."tri is " st"ble system& the
."#hines #ouldnFt re"lly "llow the popul"tion to grow li:e th"t. !he Coroner h"d hinted "t the
."#hines h"ndling this by m":ing people Ddis"ppe"r.D Con$ronted "nd "s:ed $or more det"il&
the Coroner tells the t"le o$ " '- $riend o$ his& .r. %eynolds& hired by " Ce"lous husb"nd to
investig"te e+wi$e ."ry ."#5enry& who promptly $ell to her de"th while #"ving in *outh
Ameri#". ."ry h"d #"lled her mom $rom *outh Ameri#" the previous d"y& but the version o$
the #"ll re#orded by %eynolds Gt"pped momFs phoneH 8oI h"d ."ry s"ying she didnFt $eel
well& "nd h"d #"lled o$$ the net d"yFs #"ving epedition. Oh& "nd then %eynolds w"s
mysteriously :illed& by " bullet. !he Coroner s"ys th"t i$ they investig"te& theyFll $ind di$$ering
"##ounts o$ ."ryFs #"ll to mom. .om& when "s:ed& s"ys th"t she does remember now th"t
."ry s"id she $elt si#:& but she de$initely insisted sheFd go to the #"ve the net d"y& despite
momFs protests. 9re":ing into " $eder"l re#ords o$$i#e& the o$$i#i"l tr"ns#ript o$ the #"ll is
obt"ined& "nd it h"s ."ry telling mom she w"s in e#ellent he"lth& "nd r"ring to go to the
#"ve the net d"y. Another #omputer in the re#ords o$$i#e h"s " tr"ns#ript o$ th"t phone
#onvers"tion between !rinity "nd Cypher "t the beginning o$ the ."tri& subtly "ltered to omit
.orpheusF n"me& "nd reverse his hope o$ $inding the One. !he Coroner& "s:ed $or his theory
"bout the disp"r"te versions o$ ."#5enryFs phone #"ll& s"ys: D!hey didnFt epe#t .rs.
."#5enry to t":e ill "nd #"ll her motherB their pl"ns #"lled $or her to h"ve "n F"##ident&F "lone&
unseen. !hey #h"nged the re#ords& deleted %eynolds. !hey w"nted to le"ve no
eviden#e...th"t ."ry ."#5enry did \not\ die.D 6lood #"lls him "n idiot "nd " li"r. !here were
silent 3ightm"res #reeping "round the Coroner& who s"id oh& donFt mind them& Cust " spot
o$...wor:...to do l"ter.
/0//8+/0/28
386
%e)uired 1vents
Eion: Gbe$ore ."#h eventI .orph sim is "ttr"#ted by news o$ the new d"t"& "nd "##epts
#opies $rom oper"tives& i$ they w"nt to give them to him& but still will not de$initely promise to
ignore the ."#hines
."#h: G"$ter Eion eventI Cypherites& Cryptos& "nd the .orph simB .orph sim eventu"lly
"grees to listen when Cryptos o$$ers to tell him why .orpheus w"s so obsessed with
obt"ining the OneFs rem"ins++they go o$$ $or " little priv"te #h"t Xnote th"t pl"yers "re \not\
going to be told wh"t they t"l: "bout..."nd "#tu"lly - still h"ve to $igure th"t out "t some point&
but it #"n w"it $or " l"ter sub#h"pterY
.erv: ."ry ."#5enry Ddis"ppe"ringD story is investig"ted& the ?ener"lFs *entinels help
lo#"te her pod Gpod ] '0/00:02/:02;>:088I\& "nd with the "id o$ some "ddition"l d"t"
#"ptured $rom the ."#hines& it is $ound th"t ."ry w"s removed++but not "s in D$lushedD++$rom
her pod by the ."#hines themselves
\ X'od number $orm"t is this: DX#luster /+/000Y:Xtower /+/0bm#/+40Y:Xring /+400bm#/+/000Y:
Xspo:e /+/00Y&D where the se#ond Dm#D r"nges "re $or the l"rge Dmeg" #lusterD tower
#olle#tions& li:e the one $ound net to the 6ields ne"r ."#hine #ityB - donFt w"nt this epl"ined
to pl"yers Gnote th"t this note is in s)u"re br"#:ets :pI& Cust thought it might be h"ndy i$ "ny o$
you de#ide you w"nt to in#orpor"te pod numbers into some storyY
/0/2;
Crit 8.4.8
Eion: 3iobe "nd ?host bid $"rewell be$ore C"#:ing out to h"ve their C"#:s re#on$igured. 3iobe
s"ys th"t the people still in the ."tri will h"ve to pi#: up the sl"#: $or "ll the old oper"tives
who h"ve to le"ve $or " while& but she :nows the pl"yer #"n do itB ?host h"s " $ew #on$using
words o$ wisdom me"nt "s en#our"gement. !he pl"yer reports to Colt& whoFs with " de"d
oper"tive whose sign"l w"s lo#:ed. 5e sends the pl"yer to go res#ue some people with
#ompromised sign"turesB he "lso mentions th"t his own w"s re#on$igured when %ol"nd got
his new ship& "nd it w"s p"in$ul. A Eionite with him epl"ins th"t be#"use o$ "ll the se#urity
me"sures Eion needs running& the pro#ess re)uires " physi#"l oper"tion on the personFs
C"#:s& h"rdw"re "nd $irmw"re upd"tes on the hover#r"$t& "nd upd"tes to multiple high+se#urity
d"t"b"ses& "ll o$ whi#h #"n t":e wee:sB itFs usu"lly only done in the r"re #"ses where "
hover#r"$t is #ompromised. At the $irst stop& the pl"yer gets " #ouple vets to " h"rdline without
in#ident& "lthough they #ompl"in " little. !ynd"ll epl"ins th"t with someone whose sign"l m"y
be lo#:ed& " h"rdline is the only "lmost+s"$e w"y to C"#: them out. At the se#ond stop& the
presen#e o$ the pl"yer Dblows the #overD o$ the veter"n oper"tive& ."#hines pop in& "nd itFs "
$ight to get them to the h"rdline. !ynd"ll mentions th"t the d"t" the ."#hines h"ve will "lso
"llow them into some Eion "re"s within the ."tri.
."#h: !he pl"yer meets up with the .orph sim& Agents& "nd other ."#hine progr"ms& "nd
the sim su##ess$ully bre":s the en#ryption on the #"ptured "r#hive. !he sim ponders this
su##ess " bit: D*o - "m #lose...to the mind o$ " m"dm"n.D ,ith "n es#ort& the pl"yer t":es the
387
de#rypted d"t" to Cryptos& where ?r"y "nd some Agents "re st"nding by& " little on edge.
?r"y s"ys th"t Cryptos isnFt stupid enough to try to pull " $"st one with the d"t". Cryptos
removes the Cypherite entries "nd h"nds the d"t" over& "long with some musing on the
sl"ughter "bout to un$old. ?r"y immedi"tely sends the pl"yer "$ter sign"ture+#ompromised
Eionites& be$ore they #"n ev"#. !he oper"tor epl"ins th"t the ."#hines #"n lo#: the sign"ls
whose sign"tures they :now& "nd i$ the %*- is :illed while its sign"l is lo#:ed& the 1J' doesnFt
wor:& "nd the vi#tim is perm"+de"d. !wo Eionites "re $ound hovering over " de"d Cypherite&
"nd )ui#:ly :illed. !he net t"rget is on " ship with n00bs whose sign"tures werenFt on $ile.
3evertheless& "ny rem"ining Eionites in the "re" drop de"d when the lo#:ed Eionite is :illed&
"nd ?r"y epl"ins th"t they were "ble to tr"#e the lo#:ed sign"l b"#: to the #rewFs hover#r"$t&
"nd *entinels g"n:ed it. ?r"yFs spee#h p"ttern $or the perm"+:ills is D!ermin"tion o$ t"rget
Xt"rget n"meY #on$irmed.D
.erv: ,h"t did the ."#hines do with ."#5enryH !he pl"yer is sent to hunt up ."#hine d"t"
on the #"ret":er progr"m th"t would h"ve been in #h"rge o$ herB m"#hines "re #r"#:ed& "nd
it is $ound to be '*%+000#820/+7.!4% XD'*%D _ D'od *ub+%outineDY. -$ the !r"inm"n were
there& they #ould try spiriting 7.!4% "w"y $rom the ."#hines into the ."tri& but !r"inm"n is
A,OL Gpossibly de"d& "##ording to ."lph"sI& so inste"d they h"ve to settle $or " sS"n#e in
whi#h 1$$y summons 7.!4% to spe": through the mouth o$ " blood+drin:er. 9lood+
drin:er/7.!4% bluntly "nd roboti#"lly G#"pit"lizes the $irst letter o$ every word& "nd line+
bre":s e"#h senten#eI tells the "ssembled 1$$y& .erv& 'ersephone& ."lph"s& "nd the pl"yer
to get stu$$ed. 'ersephone is dis#om$ited by the "pp"rition& s"ying something "bout "t le"st
tou#hing re"l people b"#: then& where"s now she h"s Cust this illusionB the .erv m":es "
suggestive #r"#: to her "bout Dthose mothering progr"msD being so de$ensive. !he .erv
suggests " new str"t"gem: ste"ling the re#ords on 7.!4%Fs "#tivity "t the pod $rom the
."#hines. A #omputer in the ."#hine "re" is s#"nning " Dsign"ture d"t"b"seD "nd h"s 84>2
Dsign"l m"t#hesD so $"r. 7.!4%Fs log shows multiple D'5* C37D Gphysi#"l #onditioningI "nd
D7C '%'D Gdis#onne#tion prep"r"tionI sessions with ."ry be$ore D7*3C!D Gdis#onne#tI.
6em"le 3ight ,"t#hmen poun#e on the pl"yer "$ter they obt"in the log. XAlso& Agent '"#e is
in the "re"& but two rooms "w"y behind " lo#:ed door& with Agents "round her++her presen#e
is not pointed out& but some pl"yer m"y noti#e her i$ they get the right #on$igur"tion o$
#onne#ting rooms with interior windows.Y 'ersephone tr"nsl"tes the log& s"ying th"t it shows
the ."#hines wor:ed ."ry very h"rd to build up her mus#les be$ore she w"s removed& but
whyH !"l:ed to " se#ond time& 'ersephone seems to remember something Dth"t h"ppened
long "go&D but she doesnFt epl"in $urther. ."lph"s s"ys th"t they :now o$ no use the
."#hines h"ve $or physi#"lly "#tive hum"ns& but the e$$ort they put into ."ry suggests they
werenFt simply going to :ill her& even th"t they m"y h"ve w"nted to use her "s some :ind o$
oper"tive in the outside world. 6lood thin:s th"tFs " ridi#ulous notion.
/0/2;+/0/4/
%e)uired 1vents
Eion: with ColtB hold o$$ Agents in ,hite 5"llw"ys while te"m gets d"t" out o$ org "re"
."#h: !":ing "dv"nt"ge o$ the d"t": r"mp"ge through Eion org "re"s& or tr"#: down "nd
termin"te some veter"n oper"tives& or something $un li:e th"t
388
Gon#e theyFve #ompleted #rit 8.4.8& $or the rest o$ this sub#h"pter& ."#hinists w/ /00[
."#hine rep will h"ve "n "ddition"l one+time mission: Eion org "re"& no :ey re)uiredI
.erv: 5yp"ti" must be removed $rom ."#hine surveill"n#e Gst"rted l"st sub#h"pterI so th"t
she #"n be #onsulted priv"tely Gin net #ritI
////
Crit 8.4.;
Eion: !ynd"ll sends the pl"yer to res#ue veter"n *trenlo
G http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=4000040;4 I. 5e s"ys something th"t sounds
li:e heFs #lose to tr"#:ing down " b"#:up o$ import"nt in$orm"tion otherwise lost with the
m"in$r"me& but then Agents "ppe"r "round him& "nd he is :illed GAgent: D!"rget *trenlo sign"l
lo#: #on$irmed. !ermin"ting #lient.DI. !he oper"tor hopes th"t m"ybe they didnFt "#tu"lly h"ve
" lo#:. !ynd"ll is h"ving trouble getting " response $rom *trenloFs hover#r"$t. *he sends the
pl"yer to Colt& who s"ys heFs trying to lo#"te Joshu" ."ston
G http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=4000/48>/ I++now " loner r"ther th"n " Eionite&
but "n old vet nonetheless& "nd someone they $eel should be w"rned& espe#i"lly be#"use itFs
suspe#ted heFs still using his old Eion h"rdw"re "nd %*- sign"ture. !ynd"ll des#ribes how
."ston w"s l"st $ound by 1'3& printing old .orpheus le"$lets. *e"r#hing one o$ these old
h"unts& the pl"yer #omes "#ross the (id "nd some 1'3B theyFre loo:ing $or ."ston too. ,ith
1'3 "ssist"nts in tow& the pl"yer #he#:s "nother "re"& where !ynd"ll "nd the oper"tor report
high ."#hine s#"n "#tivity++the ."#hines might be h"ving trouble lo#:ing ."stonFs sign"l& but
it wonFt t":e long with th"t mu#h s#"nning brought to be"r. ."ston is there& "nd some
."#hines. ."ston s"ys heFll ev"#& be#"use he doesnFt w"nt to die uselesslyB heFs gr"te$ul $or
EionFs o$$er to re#on$igure his sign"ture& but w"rns th"t "s soon "s itFs done& heFll le"ve to
#ontinue his wor:. .ore ."#hines sp"wn in& even " level /00 Agent& but ."ston is led to "
h"rdline "nd gets out Gthe ."#hines wonFt "#tu"lly "tt"#: ."ston++be#"use heFs $ied "t high
level& - #ouldnFt let him be "tt"#:"ble& else heFd be eploited "s " t"n: by lowbiesI. !ynd"ll
s"ys she got through to *trenloFs oper"tor& "nd w"s told *trenlo is de"d.
."#h: ?r"y sends the pl"yer "$ter veter"n Eionites rem"ining in the ."tri "g"inst "ll logi# o$
sel$+preserv"tion. !he $irst t"rget is " re#ruiter& "nd ?r"y suggests th"t perh"ps the dire str"its
in whi#h re#ent ."#hine "dv"n#es h"ve pl"#ed EionFs re#ruiting progr"m "re responsible $or
this Eionite st"ying on the Cob. !wo horri$ied bluepill potenti"ls "re there "long with the t"rget
G"nd two other EionitesI. !here "re hostile Eionites "t the net lo#"tion& but this se#ond
t"rgetFs sign"l is lost++the oper"tor thin:s they m"y h"ve got to " h"rdline. A h"#:"ble
#omputer here h"s " mess"ge $rom %ol"nd to Colt& telling him to get the vets out A*A'& "nd
to tell them to st"y out until their %*- sign"tures "re re#on$igured. ?r"y s"ys th"t it will
prob"bly t":e sever"l wee:s $or the surviving veter"ns to get re#on$igured& during whi#h time
EionFs e$$orts in the ."tri will be "t " ne"r st"ndstill& espe#i"lly with 3iobe "nd ?host o$$line.
!he net t"rget is $ound with some buddies& desper"tely trying to rewire " %edpill 1tr"#tion
'oint into " m":eshi$t h"rdlines)ue C"#:+out point& so th"t they donFt h"ve to try to use "
h"rdline th"t the ."#hines might :now "bout. A h"#:"ble #omputer here h"s " mess"ge $rom
the t"rget who es#"ped in the previous ph"se& s"ying theyFd he"rd *trenlo h"d been :illed&
389
"nd "dvising the re#ipient to get out. At the net lo#"tion& "s the pl"yer ne"rs the t"rget& ?r"y
orders them to st"nd down. O$ #ourse you #"nFt re"lly do this in the middle o$ " mission
ph"se& so the pl"yer will h"ve to go inside& where they "re "g"in ordered to st"nd down. !hey
will "#tu"lly $"il the mission i$ they :ill the e+t"rget. ?r"y #urtly th"n:s the pl"yer&
#ongr"tul"ting them on their eempl"ry "bility to obey orders.
.erv: 'ersephone re#ounts her re#olle#tion o$ " time during her wor: $or the ."#hines "t the
pods where " hum"n w"s removed& very simil"r to ."#5enryFs #"seB the log $iles were "lmost
identi#"l& whi#h is wh"t reminded her. 5yp"ti" s"ys th"t the Ar#hivists m"y h"ve re#ords o$
the in#ident& sin#e theyFve re#overed "nd #olle#ted m"ny re#ords $rom previous versions o$
the ."triB norm"lly theyFd #h"rge " he$ty $ee& but 5yp"ti" will give her permission $or Dthe
rev.2 d"t"D X."tri version 2& the one 'ersephone "nd the .erv #ome $romY to be given in this
#"se& "nd th"t now she "nd the .erv "re even. !he Ar#hivists& who "ll loo: e"#tly li:e those
green+C"#:eted guys in the boo:stores G ie
http://them"trionline.st"tion.sony...Tsynt"/048.Cpg "t
http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=4000/42// I& only without the boo:s stu#: to
their h"nds& "re " little weird& "nd #"nFt $ind the Drev.2D d"t"& but their inde shows "nother
simil"r log entry in rev./& Dthe $irst iter"tion o$ the ."tri.D !hey donFt h"ve the d"t"& but :now
where it is& "nd "gree to tell& i$ the d"t" is eventu"lly returned to them $or "r#hiving. 6lood
doesnFt sound "t "ll sin#ere "bout returning it& but "greement "t "ny r"te is m"de G"lthough "
dissenting Ar#hivist "ppe"rs& #"lling the .erv " Ddestroyer o$ historyDI& "nd o$$ the pl"yer goes
to ste"l the d"t" $rom the ."#hines "t the lo#"tion indi#"ted by the Ar#hivists Gwho "lso donFt
w"nt to be given D#reditD $or the lo#"tion in$orm"tion Xsin#e theyFre sort o$ on good terms with
the ."#hinesYI. 6lood s"ys i$ this wor:s out& he m"y h"ve to re+ev"lu"te his GlowI opinion o$
Dthose moth+r"isersD Gthe Ar#hivistsI. A ."#hine in the "re" is m":ing " gee:y Courn"l entry
"bout his theories on how the ."triFs dust+"##umul"tion "lgorithm #ould be improved. !he
rev./ d"t" is $ound on " ."#hine& who is trying to smuggle it out be$ore the pl"yers $ind him.
!oo l"te $or him. ."lph"s s"ys th"t the re#overed d"t" des#ribes /8 individu"ls run through
the dis#onne#tion pro#ess "t the s"me time in the $irst ."tri iter"tion. *uddenly the
?ener"lFs hologr"m "ppe"rs& looping " mess"ge: D- repe"t: - "m withdr"wing "ll units $rom the
vi#inity o$ the ."#hine #ity. A l"rge number o$ enemy units h"s Xooh& should re"lly be Dh"veDB
-Fll h"$t" $i th"t $or the "r#hived version o$ the mission :pY l"un#hed $rom the empl"#ements
surrounding the #ity to t":e up wh"t m"y be either de$ensive or re#onn"iss"n#e positions.
*imult"neous with this development& my perimeter s#outs beg"n reporting unusu"l p"trol
"#tivity& in#luding wh"t m"y be " #onvoy or es#ort $orm"tion "ppro"#hing the #ity.D 1nd o$
mission. 6lood s"ys not to bother him Cust now.
^^^^^^^^^^^
3otes:
."#hine .orph sim "bilities:
+ the green z"p "round .orpheus
+ 3eoFs %*-
390
.orph sim event di"log:
Vs the ?ener"l G>.4.2I: http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=4000/4=>8
,ith ."#hines "nd ?r"y G>.4.4I: http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=4000/4890
.orph on .orph G>.4.;I: http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=4000/8;/0
.erv $inds re#ord o$ hum"n in #ity very re#ently
'ersephoneFs obsession...H
'ersephone misses the inter$"#e with the %e"l th"t she h"d in her old Cob "t the pods&
"lthough wh"t she would re"lly li:e& now th"t she $eels li:e she h"s used up the ple"sures o$
the ."tri& would be to be $ully "live hersel$ in " hum"n body. !hus she will be very interested
by "ny hints o$ this :ind o$ possibility& su#h "s the !rinity progr"m.
Con$iguring Colt:
suspi#ious #yni#
rsims:in00/
rsim$"#e00/
rsimh"ir00/
rsimt"t008
rsimbody002
rsimhe"d0/0 G.5e"dT9I
m#lothingTshirtT"8T#> GD?reen *leeveless !+shirtDI
m#lothingTp"ntsT"/8T#/ GD7erin C"nv"s '"ntsDI
m#lothingTshoesT"2T#/ GD*:"ver *hort 9ootsDI
m#lothingTglovesT";T#/ GD*teen !hre"ders ?lovesDI
m#lothingTgl"ssesT"/0T#/ GD,hite 1meren" *ungl"ssesDI
88/9 Gthe bugged 5"rli#: 8=8s th"t loo: li:e the big semi+"utosI
829/0 G1lmoreFs Autom"ti# + big semi+"utoI

ColtFs s#enes in the movies "nd 1t.:
1nter the ."tri G/ s#eneI
+ "bout 2/4rds o$ the w"y through
391
!he ."tri %elo"ded G/ s#eneI
+ $in"l s#ene o$ the movie
!he ."tri %evolutions G4 s#enesI
+ ne"r the beginning
+ "bout //4rd o$ the w"y through& right be$ore .orpheus "nd 3iobe meet "t the Logos #r"sh
site + #h"pter 9
+ "bout h"l$w"y through& right "$ter theyFve dis#overed th"t ."ggie is de"d "nd 9"ne is
missing + #h"pter /4
Coroner Gshi$tyI di"log $rom .erv 8.2./:
!he de"th r"teH !he )uestion is simple& but the "nswer is not. City o$$i#i"ls would tell you itFs
0.>U++"bout h"l$ o$ th"t birth r"te $igure o$ yours...not $orgetting to $"#tor in the 0.=U in$"nt
mort"lity r"te& o$ #ourse.
9ut we :now something else& donFt weH !his simul"tion is me"nt to be st"ble++" #losed
system. 7e"ths must e)u"l births& or it "ll goes to hell. 9ut th"t isnFt the pi#ture they w"nt to
show the plebs. 7o you seeH 5"h.
-Fll tell you this& though: - trust their birth numbers more th"n their de"th numbers. .u#h e"sier
to hide " de"th th"n $":e " birth...believe me.
++++++++++
6oreign tr"vel& detention $"#ilities& retirement homes& the suburbs... !here "re so m"ny w"ys
to m":e the undesir"ble simply...dis"ppe"r.
////;
9./ Cinem"ti#
A mysterious $igure who will be :nown in this sub#h"pter only "s the D-ntruderD "ppe"rs "t the
top o$ As#ension .onument. 5is l"rge m"le hum"noid body #onsists o$ glowing white
wire$r"me& with white #ode bits spir"ling upw"rd $rom his torso "nd limbs. 5e w"l:s he"vily
392
down the monument p"th to the street below& where terri$ied pedestri"ns s#re"m "nd run.
Agents rez in& surrounding him. !he -ntruder r"ises his h"nd& there is " bright white
$l"sh/ripple/eplosion& "nd the Agents $"ll to the ground. !he -ntruder st"l:s o$$ into the
9"rrens.
!he -ntruder "nd others
,hen the -ntruder "ppe"rs in missions "nd events& he will be level /00 Gwhi#h Cust h"ppens to
be the highest level pl"yer #h"r"#ter - #"n m":e $or mysel$I. 7ue to the w"y the #h"r"#ter is
presented in the #inem"ti#& - suspe#t pl"yers will suspe#t this is "nother <nlimit style "$$"ir. -t
isnFt re"lly& "side $rom the #h"r"#ters h"ving new "nd mighty powers Gwhi#h in this
sub#h"pter he will use rel"tively sp"ringly& sort"I& so eh hope$ully -Fll be "ble to show th"t in
missions "nd events. XAnd yes& more o$ these wire$r"med weirdos will show up& but not in this
sub#h"pter. !hey will not be innumer"ble hordes li:e <nlimit...in $"#t there "re less th"n /00
o$ them in eisten#e. -$ we do it right& e"#h one who pops into the ."tri will be " distin#t
person"lity with their own "gend". !h"tFs getting $"r "he"d& however.Y
1'3
1'3 h"s wh"t - hope is " de#ent #hun: o$ story $or on#e: they will be moving into Old Eion& to
$i it up "s " $orw"rd b"se $or possible stri:es "g"inst ."#hine City++or - suppose wh"tever
other use$ul things you #ould do $rom th"t position. Outside the sh"ttered m"in do#: g"te they
will $ind the rem"ins o$ %ol"ndFs oper"tor& A(& in the wre#:"ge o$ the .Colnir --. X!hey will $ind
something r"ther more interesting& too& but not until the net sub#h"pter.Y
Cypherites
!he Cypherites will le"rn "bout 1'3 moving in& "nd wonFt li:e it. !hey m"y w"nt to do
something "bout it. !hey "lso wonFt li:e the w"y the ."#hines "re :ind o$ pl"ying h"nds+o$$
with the -ntruder G- suspe#t ."#hinists wonFt li:e it mu#h& either& despite wh"t the Agents m"y
tell themI.
Eion
-t should be gener"lly understood th"t by the st"rt o$ 9./& most o$ EionFs #ompromised
veter"ns who survived "nd es#"ped b"#: to Eion h"ve h"d their %*- sign"tures upd"ted& so
th"t they "re no longer subCe#t to sign"l lo#: "nd termin"tion by the ."#hines.
Crit 9././
Eion: ?host brie$s the pl"yer on the weird "ppe"r"n#e in ,estview& "nd the ."#hines pulling
their $or#es b"#: in the ."tri "nd the %e"l& be$ore sending them o$$ to try to tr"#: down the
mysterious intruder. 6ollowing t"pped emergen#y #"lls& the pl"yer en#ounters " $rightened
bluepill t"l:ing "bout running into " huge guy Dm"de out o$ lines& li:e something out o$ "
#omputer&D "nd then bl"#:ing out. 6urther pursuit turns up " ."#hine se#urity te"m GDs"nitize
the "re"DI& "nd $in"lly " de"d DA##eler"ted 1ileD 3'C& who yields some str"nge d"t" th"t the
pl"yer uplo"ds. !he oper"tor wonders brie$ly i$ the de"d 1ile w"s the being who "ppe"red "t
393
the monument.
."#h: ?r"y "s:s the pl"yer to $ind some Agents who h"ve stopped responding. !he Agents
"re $ound& de"d& "nd ?r"y grudgingly "dmits th"t he needs to involve the pl"yer in the
investig"tion o$ D" #ert"in odd o##urren#e.D !he pl"yer #he#:s in with " bluepill who m"de "n
emergen#y #"ll. !he bluepill s"ys they "lre"dy t"l:ed to some dete#tives. ,hoops& EionFs
been thereR ?r"y #he#:s& $inds " line t"p& "nd h"s the pl"yer t":e out some pes:y
e"vesdropping Eionites. !he bluepill they were )uestioning is :ind o$ $re":ed out by "ll this&
but m"n"ges to s"y something "bout " big neon robot type o$ thing with white sp"r:s& th"t
s#"red him "nd m"de him dizzy. ?r"y s"ys th"t yes& they "re tr"#:ing "n unusu"l individu"l
#onsistent with th"t des#ription& sort"& "nd th"t theyFre highly d"ngerous. !he pl"yer is sent to
#he#: out one more emergen#y #"ll& "nd $inds " de"d DA##eler"ted ."#hine.D ?r"y th"n:s
the oper"tive& "nd tells them th"t will be "ll $or nowB oh& "nd by the w"y& rel"ted to this weird
intruder& weFve pulled b"#: some $or#es to prote#t D#ore routines.D 9ye.
.erv: ."lph"s brie$s the pl"yer on " weird wire guy :illing some Agents "t As#ension
.onument& "nd how the ."#hines "re "ll wor:ed up "bout it. !he .erv hunt $or the intruder
begins& "nd the pl"yer is sent to #he#: up on hunting blood+drin:ers who seem to h"ve run
into " hit#h o$ some sort. !heyFre de"d& with live ."#hines on the premises. !his irrit"tes
6lood& be#"use heFs running short o$ responding hunt progr"ms& "nd h"s to put the pl"yer
themselves in the hunt. !hey #ome "#ross Eionites& "nd " de"d A##eler"ted 1ile. !he
oper"tor s"ys Dits #y#le speed is o$$&D "nd DthereFs some :ind o$ #ode residue $ouling up the
re"dings.D 6lood s"ys th"t sounds ridi#ulous& "nd th"t itFs time to #"ll in " d"t" epert:
Cerule"n. *he s"ys the #ode re"dings "re o$ "n un$"mili"r typeB sheFll investig"te& but she
w"nts double her usu"l p"yment. 6lood is "gh"st.
////;+///2/
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: !r"#:ing the #ode sign"ture& Eion $inds " str"nge p"#:et o$ d"t" bits. !hey thin: they
#"n use this d"t" to help underst"nd the -ntruderFs #ode. GA$terw"rds -Fll return the generi#
7"t" item to the person who $ound it "s " D7e#eler"tor 9it.D !his is " single+use item th"t hits
"ll enemies within 40 meters with " vir"l "tt"#: th"t #"uses " 2;U speed debu$$& "nd +4U to
"ll "##ur"#ies "nd de$enses& $or =0 se#onds.I
."#h: ."#hines #"t#h up to the -ntruder& but "re #ounter+"tt"#:ed by their own overridden
DA##eler"ted ."#hineD progr"ms.
.erv: Cerule"n "nd oper"tives tr"#: the -ntruder& "nd $ind th"t his w"nderings "round
,estview :eep looping p"st the 5e"rt oF the City 5otel.
///22
Crit 9./.2
394
Eion: !he pl"yer pi#:s up " s"mple o$ the d"t" "#)uired so $"r $rom the intruder. Eion
te#hni#i"ns h"venFt been "ble to m":e "ny progress in underst"nding it. -n th"t l"b& " Eionite
gu"rd mentions th"t " buddy told him th"t the ."#hines h"ve pulled out o$ GoldI Eion. !ynd"ll
sends the pl"yer to get the Auditor& $irst by dis"bling the ."#hine st"tion m"int"ining
surveill"n#e on the 1ile& then by t":ing out the gu"rds where heFs being held. !he Auditor
e"mines the d"t" s"mple& but returns it hurriedly& s"ying th"t the #ode doesnFt belong in the
."tri& "nd Dthis w"s not supposed to h"ppen.D
."#h: ?r"y s"ys th"t the intruder shouldnFt be in the ."tri& "nd th"t their presen#e is
#"using #ode $"ilures: he needs to be removed& or "t le"st restr"ined "nd isol"ted. ?oing
"$ter him with progr"ms h"snFt wor:ed out so well& so now theyFre going to try " #ombo o$
oper"tives "nd progr"ms. !he pl"yer t":es up the hunt $or him "nd runs into lupines& who "re
evidently loo:ing $or him "lso. *ent to #he#: on one Gprogr"mI se"r#h te"m th"tFs stopped
responding& the pl"yer $inds them de"d& "long with " $rightened bluepill who des#ribes " w"ve
o$ white light th"t w"shed over the room "nd dropped the ."#hines in their tr"#:s. Armed
with redpill rein$or#ements $rom '"#e& the pl"yer resumes the hunt& this time #oming "#ross
hostile DA##eler"ted 1ileD progr"ms.
.erv: -tFs been de#ided th"t itFs time to m":e the intruderFs "#)u"int"n#e& "nd show him th"t
the .ervs "re the ones $or him. !he pl"yer is sent in to t"l: to him& "nd he seems to be in "n
"##ommod"ting mood GDA tour o$ the #ity& you s"yH ... ,hy notH -mpress me.DI 6irst stop is
Cerule"n& who tells him th"t she tr"#:ed him down& "nd th"t nobody be"ts her "nd the .erv
"t $inding d"t" Gshe m":es it #le"r to the oper"tive th"t sheFs Cust s"ying this "bout being
super #hummy with the .erv F#"use 6loodFs p"ying her to s"y itI. !he intruder $inds her
ghostly $orm interesting GD- didnFt epe#t to $ind this sort o$ mut"tionDI. 3et stop is ."lph"s
"nd Oo:"miB Oo:"mi is not "t "ll h"ppy to be there& "nd ."lph"s t"l:s the intruderFs e"r o$$
"bout the .ervFs superior intelligen#e networ:. !he intruder is somewh"t intrigued by the p"ir
GD"musing th"t some o$ these h"ve survivedB - see the ."#hines "renFt ne"rly "s in+#ontrol "s
they would li:e to "ppe"rDI. L"st #omes 5yp"ti"& who #ont"#ted 6lood w"nting to meet the
intruder. *heFs des#ribing the bene$its o$ the Ar#hivist *o#iety to the intruder& who s"ys th"t
m"ybe the .erv does :now more th"n heFd thought& but he isnFt interested in D"n#ient historyD
right now. 6lood is m"d th"t 5yp"ti" turned the intruder o$$ by tooting her own horn.
///22+///28
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: 5m... ."ybe #"pturing some A##eler"ted 1iles/."#hines Gor their bodies& "nyw"y BpI
to get some $in"l #ode re"dings. Level ;;[ three+#hevron A##eler"ted 3'Cs h"ve " #h"n#e
o$ dropping DA##eler"tor 9itsD Gsingle+use 40 meter AO1 items th"t give " [;0U speed bu$$&
"nd [4U to "ll "##ur"#ies "nd de$enses GA##eler"ted 3'Cs h"ve those bu$$s "ll the time& by
the w"yI& "nd immunity to 7e#eler"te to "ll $riendlies in r"nge "t time o$ use& $or ten minutesI&
so m"ybe we #"n bring some o$ them in.
."#h: ."#hines send oper"tives to t"#:le the -ntruder. 5e sp"wns " 7e#eler"tor progr"m
th"t pulses the 7e#eler"te debu$$ e$$e#t on everyone in the "re"& while he be"ts to " pulp
"nyone who "#tu"lly re"#hes him G- thin: -Fll h"ve him use pl"in olF level /00 *el$ 7e$ense&
395
"nd " he"lth regen high enough th"t he #"nFt be worn downI. ."#hines eventu"lly try sending
in high+level Agent progr"ms& but these "re termin"ted by !ermin"te sho#:w"ves $rom the
-ntruder& who then stomps o$$. !his D!ermin"teD "tt"#: "$$e#ts only progr"ms G"nd m"ybe
Dhum"nD 3'Cs un$ortun"te enough to be in r"nge& but never mind th"t det"il :pI.
.erv: Oper"tives r"p with the -ntruder "nd tell him how #ool the .erv is.
///29
Crit 9./.4
Eion: !ynd"ll s"ys th"t by e"mining the #ode s"mples theyFve #ome up with " h"#: they #"n
use to #ont"#t the intruder dire#tly& but th"t itFs $"irly low+level& "nd h"s to be run through "
l"nd+line. !he oper"tor wonders why it would h"ve to be run through " ."#hine system li:e
th"t. !he pl"yer borrows the phone o$ " bluepill #ouple& but the #"ll wonFt go through++
."#hine C"mming. %ol"nd #omes up with the s#heme o$ h"ving the pl"yer report #"ll in " $":e
en#ounter with the intruder& then b"#:+tr"#:ing the responding ."#hine units to $ind the
lo#"tion o$ their se#urity #enter& "nd hope$ully& the bro"d#"st #enter o$ the sign"l C"mming.
!his wor:s& the pl"yer t":es out the C"mming #enter& "nd then tries "nother #"ll to the
intruder++whi#h goes through. !he intruder doesnFt s"y mu#h over the phone& but wh"t he
seems to re#ognize the n"me DEion&D "nd to thin: th"t the org"niz"tion Dmight be "ble to tell
me ... wh"t - w"nt to :now.D
."#h: ?r"y s"ys th"t sin#e trying to stop the intruder dire#tly h"s met with $"ilure& theyFre
going to #on#entr"te on stopping Eion "nd 1'3 $rom getting in tou#h with him. !he oper"tor
is $rustr"ted by this "pp"rent in"bility to de"l with the intruder in their own simul"tion. !he
pl"yer t":es #"re o$ some nosy 1'3& " $ew o$ whom "re dis#ussing something th"t sounds
li:e it #ould be "bout s#outing out old Eion. !his done& ?r"y sends the pl"yer to #ont"#t '"#e
"t " C"mming st"tion. '"#e h"nds over some ."#hine rein$or#ements& "nd "lso drops " little
hint "bout negoti"tions th"t went on between the ."#hines "nd the intruder Dbe$ore he
entered the ."tri.D !he Ar#hite#t "nd the 3etwor: "re here "lso& st"nding in " room behind
two se"led doors Gneither '"#e nor ?r"y mention themI. ?r"y sends the pl"yer "$ter Eionites
whoFve been trying to #ont"#t the intruder vi" h"#:ed phone lines& then #"lls on them to
res#ue " C"mming st"tion $rom " Eionite "tt"#:. !his is "##omplished& but it w"s " ne"r thing&
"nd Veil w"s there& getting one o$ the l"st :ills. *he isnFt h"ppy "bout the ."#hines letting the
intruder stomp "round the #ity& s#"ring #itizens.
.erv: Con#erns "bout Eion trying to horn in on the intruder "#tion prompt the .erv to #"ll in
the ?ener"l $or " milit"ry demonstr"tion. !he 1$$e#tu"tor brings in $ive 1lite Comm"ndos& "nd
one nonplussed regul"r Comm"ndo GDNessssR 3o #"su"ltiesRDI. !he pl"yer goes "nd $inds the
intruder& who loo:s "round& then pops the 1lite Comm"ndos& who h"d been in the room
invisibly& out o$ ste"lth GD*omeoneFs been te"#hing old progr"ms new tri#:sDI. !he pl"yer
le"ds some o$ the 1lites o$$ to #r"#: Eionite s:ulls while the intruder "nd ."lph"s loo: onB the
Eionites were in the pro#ess o$ trying to h"#: " phone line to #ont"#t the intruder. !he intruder
is interested in the eisten#e o$ the ?ener"lFs rogue *entinel progr"ms in the %e"l.
///29+/2/=
396
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: 6ight p"st ."#hines/1iles/Comm"ndos/wh"tever to get to the -ntruder "nd get his
"ttention $or some :ind o$ meeting.
."#h: Oper"tives "re supposed to $orm " wide #ordon "round the -ntruder& "nd prevent
Eionites G"nd .ervs& - guessI $rom re"#hing him. !hey "re de$initely not supposed to mess
with him themselves. ."ybe some will "nd we #"n m":e "n e"mple o$ them in some sort o$
edu#"tion"l but non+s#"rring w"y.
.erv: *ome minor :ind o$ setb"#: showing the -ntruder is " pri#:ly $ellow... Li:e he tells o$$
the ?ener"l "nd termin"tes some o$ his #omm"ndos& or m"ybe some neighborhood #ont"#t
#"lled in to help woo him gets termin"ted G"nd the .erv #ompl"ins l"ter "bout the epense o$
restoring them $rom b"#:upI.
/2/=
Crit 9./.8
Eion: -n prep"r"tion $or " meeting with the intruder& Colt "nd ?host brie$ the pl"yer on .erv
"nd ."#hine rel"tions with the str"nger: the .erv h"s been :issing up to him& but so $"r
h"snFt got mu#h out o$ him& "nd the ."#hines& "$ter trying to stop him dire#tly "nd getting
#rushed& h"ve swit#hed over to trying to prevent Eion $rom #ont"#ting him. A h"#:"ble
#omputer in the "re" h"s " mess"ge $rom D%D GX%ol"ndYI rel"ting to 1'3 in the old #ity X"nd
no sign o$ Lo#:Y. !he pl"yer #he#:s " report o$ ."#hines ne"r the meeting site& "nd $inds
A##eler"ted ."#hines& "nd "n A##eler"tor 3'C G#"n be "tt"#:ed& but itFs level /00 "nd highly
resist"nt G"nd doesnFt drop "nything gre"tII. 3o "#tu"l unmodi$ied ."#hines "round& so the
meeting pro#eeds. !he intruder is interested in how the ."#hines were using Eion& "nd how
Eion got out o$ their #ontrolB he s"ys he w"nts to he"r more. 3iobeFs gl"d heFs been #ordi"l&
but " little #on#erned th"t he h"snFt reve"led "nything "bout himsel$. One plus& she mentions&
is th"t heFs buying Eion time to re#over $rom re#ent losses by o##upying the "ttention o$ the
."#hines. ?host s"ys th"t "lthough heFs power$ul& thereFs something he seems to w"nt very
b"dly.
."#h: ?r"y sends the pl"yer "$ter some Eionites who "ppe"r to be involved in "rr"nging "
meeting between the intruder "nd the Eion le"dership G?r"y s"ys the ."#hines #"n tr"#: the
intruder Dto "n etentDI. !he oper"tor mutters th"t this seems to be " losing str"tegy& or "t
best Cust " del"ying t"#ti#. A h"#:ed #omputer h"s " mess"ge $rom D%D GX%ol"nd++it re$ers
very obli)uely& without mentioning "ny n"mes "t "ll& to 1'3 in old Eion& "nd the se"r#h $or
Eion survivors/d"t" G"nd Lo#:IYI. ,hen ?r"y sends the pl"yer "$ter still \more\ Eionites& the
oper"tor #ounterm"nds the order& "nd sends the pl"yer to get some "nswers $rom the
intruder himsel$. !hey $ind him surrounded by de"d ."#hine progr"ms. 5eFs not "t "ll
interested in giving out "ny in$orm"tion "bout his go"ls& "nd he s"ys the ."#hines wonFt&
either& i$ they :now wh"tFs good $or them. 5e "dds th"t he isnFt li:ely to tell Eion "nything.
?r"y "dmits th"t "t le"st some epl"n"tion "bout the intruder is overdueB this #omes $rom
'"#e& who s"ys th"t there isnFt " lot sheFs "llowed to imp"rt "bout him& sin#e he is
397
Dinetri#"bly lin:ed with in$orm"tion th"t #"nnot be #ompromised without severe ris: to the
*ystemDB but she does s"y th"t his presen#e is #"using problems be#"use the ."tri w"snFt
designed to support his #ode& "nd th"t sin#e they #"nFt stop him $rom being there& they h"ve
to try to minimize his imp"#t on the simul"tion& "nd they must try to "void "ggr"v"ting him.
.erv: 6lood s"ys itFs time to give the intruder the $ull+#ourt press& "nd sends you to moder"te
over " st"ged meeting between the wire$r"med one "nd 'ersephone. !he intruder seems
"nnoyed by the #on$ront"tion with her& "nd& "$ter #ho:ing something b"#:& tells her th"t he
Doutgrew the #h"rms o$ be"uty long "go.D *he s"ys th"t he does not :now himsel$& "nd th"t
Dthere is nothing o$ " young m"nFs blood in this oneFs body or mind.D A$ter "n interruption by
."#hines& "nd " puzzling bit o$ shouting by 6lood to someone on the phone "bout moving
some #":es& the pl"yer presides over " meeting between the intruder "nd the Che$& where&
while the intruder "dmits th"t his body #"n t"ste $ood& he doesnFt re"lly seem interested in
e"ting& "lthough he m":es " reve"ling #omment "bout the ."#hines GD-tFs "lmost "musing
th"t they s"ved "ll these...tr"ppings o$ " de"d #ulture++things they were never designed to
enCoy. !heyFd better not be losing their sense o$ perspe#tive.DI. 6in"lly& 6lood blows out "ll the
stops "nd sends in the Jeweler& Lotus& "nd the *#ulptress simult"neously. Although the
intruder s"ys th"t he doesnFt h"ve "ny use $or Ddigit"l substitutes&D he does seem to thin: th"t
the .erv m"y be use$ul "$ter "ll++but itFs #le"r th"t itFs on " DdonFt #"ll me& -Fll #"ll youD level& "s
$"r "s heFs #on#erned.
/2/=+/2//2
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: Eionites r"p with the -ntruder "nd tell him how #ool Eion is. 5e pumps them $or "s mu#h
in$orm"tion "s he #"n get.
."#h: 5mm... - thin: something )uite " bit di$$erent& "s $"r "s ."#hine events go "nyw"y.
*ome sort o$ investig"tion o$ where the -ntruder might h"ve #ome $rom& despite ."#hine
GAgentI relu#t"n#e to s"y "nything on the subCe#t.
.erv: '"rty in the 5el Club. .erv h"d etensive pl"ns to enti#e the -ntruder there& but he
"#tu"lly shows up with h"rdly "ny prompting& "nd seems p"rti#ul"rly interested in the #lub
itsel$.
/2//4
Crit 9./.;
Eion: !he intruder h"s been pumping Colt $or in$orm"tion& whi#h h"s !ynd"ll " little
#on#erned. !he pl"yer $inds them Cust "s Colt is trying to epl"in "bout .orpheusF
"ss"ssin"tion& "nd how the .orpheus simul"#rum "#ts di$$erently th"n .orpheus did be$ore
his de"th. !he intruder w"nts to see the simul"#rum. *him"d" #"lls: 1'3 is #on#erned "bout
the intruderB some people thought he might be the net One& but his beh"vior h"snFt shown
him to be worthy o$ trust& "nd sheFs worried "bout the .orpheus simul"#rum being eploited
398
$or ill purposes "g"in. *he "lso mentions 1'3 moving into the old #ity& "nd $inding the
wre#:"ge o$ the .Colnir --& "nd A(Fs body. *he s"ys th"t the #ity is in " good position $or use
"s " D$orw"rd b"se&D "nd th"t "lthough itFs vulner"ble& 1'3 is mobile& "nd #"n get out )ui#:ly
i$ the ."#hines m":e " serious e$$ort to go in "nd get them. !ynd"ll e#hoes some o$
*him"d"Fs distrust o$ the intruder& "nd hopes th"t he #"n be dissu"ded $rom loo:ing $or the
sim. !he pl"yer tr"#:s him down in " dereli#t "re"& but the intruder is )uite $irm "bout his
purpose. A v"gr"nt in the "re" $eels ill "$ter h"ving #"ught " glimpse o$ the intruder.
.e"nwhile& Eion h"s $ound the sim. !he pl"yer goes in to w"rn him "bout the intruderFs
#uriosity& "nd to try to get him to s:ed"ddle. !he sim& however& seems to wel#ome the
prospe#t o$ "n opportunity to respond to the intruderFs )uestioning with more )uestions& i$ the
intruder does $ind him. !ynd"ll worries th"t the intruder& while he m"y be gre"t "t neutr"lizing
the ."#hines& is $ollowing " hidden "gend".
."#h: *ent to try to do some intruder imp"#t minimiz"tion& the pl"yer #omes "#ross de"d
."#hines& " stunned *,A! gu"rd GD-t w"snFt hum"n... 1mptied two #lip... ,hy didnFt it :ill me
li:e the othersHDI "nd " somewh"t more #oherent b"n: #ler:& who des#ribes bright $l"shes&
"nd sho#:w"ves th"t :no#:ed everyone down& :illing the other men there GAgentsI& "nd how
the intruder l"ughed "t him. ?r"y s"ys loss o$ progr"ms to the intruder is be#oming " serious
problem& "nd sends the pl"yer to #he#: out yet "nother Agent te"m th"tFs stopped
responding: the pl"yer $inds de"d Agents& hostile A##eler"ted ."#hines& "nd "n A##eler"tor.
One o$ the de"d Agents h"d " re#ording unit goingB his re#ording is re#overed "nd pl"yed
b"#:& reve"ling the $rustr"ted intruder muttering to himsel$ "bout something: D!hey must h"ve
"nother... A b"#:up++something theyFve :ept hidden... *omewhere in this sm"ll little world...D
!he oper"tor r"ises some )uestions: /I the intruder doesnFt loo: hum"n& but de$initely "#ts
hum"nB wh"t i$ he isH 2I whereFs he $romH 4I wh"tFs he loo:ing $orH ?r"y s"ys o:"y letFs t"l:
"bout this. -n " meeting with ?r"y "nd '"#e& ?r"y tells the pl"yer th"t the intruder is "
$reeborn hum"n& who h"s not been in the ."tri be$oreB heFs :ind" $"mili"r with hum"n
history& but not with the ."tri itsel$++"lthough now heFs prob"bly le"rning r"pidly. ?r"y s"ys
he #"nFt s"y "nything more "bout the intruderFs b"#:ground. '"#e s"ys th"t the #odes the
intruder uses "re dire#t overrides o$ *ystem routines& "nd th"t the ."#hines #"nFt re"lly do
"nything "bout them while the ."tri is running& sin#e it would re)uire tin:ering with Droot
$un#tions.D ?r"y "dds th"t the intruder is loo:ing $or in$orm"tion he thin:s the ."#hines h"ve
withheld& even though they told him they didnFt h"ve it.
.erv: 1#ited "bout $in"lly getting the #h"n#e to show the .erv how heFs t"med the intruder&
" distr"#ted 6lood sends the pl"yer to #he#: on the 1iles sent to summon the intruder:
theyFre A##eler"ted "nd hostile. 6lood is m"d& "nd doesnFt w"nt to he"r "ny b"#:+t"l: "bout "
possible ris: to the .erovingi"nB he s"ys heFs got the intruder under #ontrol. ."lph"s isnFt so
sure& "nd gives the pl"yer some oper"tive b"#:up. !he pl"yer "rrives "t the .erv/intruder
meeting& where the intruder tells the .erv: "I heFs surprised the ."#hines h"venFt wiped out
the .erv "nd EionB theyFre doing " b"d Cob o$ thingsB bI he thin:s the .erv seems "ll right&
"nd he might h"ve " Cob $or him l"terB #I he :nows the guy the ."#hines must h"ve #opied
the .ervFs $"#e $rom. !he .erv is horri$ied "t this revel"tion. C"t#hing up with the pl"yer
"$terw"rds& heFs very "ngry "bout the intruderFs "ttitude& "nd s"ys th"t heFll $ind out who this
m"n is& "nd wh"t heFs hiding++"nd th"t the se#ret :nowledge the intruder pro$esses to h"ve
would h"ve to h"ve #ome $rom somewhere outside the ."tri.
399
X- will prob"bly be trying to go on bre": $rom ^ .ond"y 7e# /;th through .ond"y J"n /st&
whi#h me"ns there would be no o$$i#i"l Live 1vents during th"t two wee: period. .ZOFs
"nnu"l ,inter 5olid"y event should be going on during th"t time.Y
///0
9.2 Cinem"ti#
!he .orpheus simul"#rum st"nds "t the edge o$ " windswept s:ys#r"per roo$top. !he
intruder "ppe"rs net to the sim "nd inspe#ts it. !he Ar#hite#t "ppe"rs " sm"ll dist"n#e
behind them. !he intruder turns to him& "ngrily #"lling the simFs #onstru#tion Dp"theti#.D !he
Ar#hite#t #"lls the sim the wor: o$ D"n "m"teur&D telling the intruder th"t it isnFt "t "ll li:e the
intruder himsel$. !he intruderFs "nger in#re"ses& "nd he #urses& s"ying th"t i$ he thought th"t
w"s " Co:e& heFd h"ve the Ar#hite#t deleted. 5e then dem"nds Dit&D "nd implies th"t the
Ar#hite#t :nows wh"t heFs loo:ing $or. !he Ar#hite#t begins " smooth deni"l& but the intruder
snorts in disgust "nd le"ps "w"y be$ore he #"n $inish.
Crit 9.2./
Eion: !he intruder is m":ing his w"y into Eion b"ses& "ttempting to "##ess the networ:. !he
pl"yer h"s to do some rewiring to shut o$$ his "##ess. 5e t":es it in stride& pl"ying it o$$ with
somewh"t $lipp"nt #onvers"tion& but doesnFt give "ny indi#"tion th"t heFs going to stop doing
wh"tever he li:es. At one point& he mentions th"t heFs never been to either old or new Eion.
."#h: ,hile t":ing out some "##eler"ted progr"ms& the pl"yer runs into Veil& who voi#es
dis#ontent "bout the ."#hines not trying to stop the intruder dire#tly. ?r"y s"ys th"t theyFre
trying to dis#uss things with the intruder& but th"t he isnFt responding& "lthough they #"n tr"#:
high #on#entr"tions o$ his override #odes. A$ter some se"r#hing "nd $ighting& they su##eed in
m":ing their w"y to " l"rge override sign"l& but it isnFt the intruderB itFs " level /00
D7e#eler"torD progr"m.
.erv: !he .erv sends the pl"yer digging "mong ."#hine systems $or dirt they #"n use to
ensn"re the intruder& but "ll they #ome up with "t two sep"r"te lo#"tions is " simple
eng"gement proto#ol instru#ting ."#hines to "void the intruder. 3et they try getting
something Cui#y $rom the 3etwor:Fs medi" servers& but Cust #ome up with " long list o$
#ensored reports. 6in"lly& 6lood de#ides th"t '"#e is " we": lin:& "nd sends the pl"yer to
"pply to her "s i$ theyFre "n oper"tive loo:ing to Coin the ."#hines in order to #omb"t the
intruder. 6iling p"st eight gl"ring Agents& the pl"yer gets to '"#e& who s"ys sheFs "$r"id th"t
they donFt h"ve "ny openings $or someone with the pl"yerFs s:ill set++oh& "nd net time& they
should s"ve themselves the trouble o$ bre":ing into ."#hine #omputers. !he oper"tor s"ys
this w"s 6loodFs dumbest ide" ever.
///0+///=
400
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: intruder w"nts in$o on 3eo "nd !rinity "nd wh"t they did in the ."tri
."#h: intruder doesnFt w"nt to t"l:& "nd #re"tes lo"ds o$ 7e#eler"tor progr"ms& "nd "
%untime progr"m Gsp"wns A##eler"ted ."#hines on oper"tives in the "re"I
.erv: while s#hmoozing the intruder& ."#hines inter$ereB ?ener"l sent to "ssist in repelling
themB ?ener"l h"s to #ut tr"nsmission due to *entinels #losing in& intruder snidely "s:s why
doesnFt he Cust use some *ee:ers on them
///>
Crit 9.2.2
Eion: !he intruder h"s been seen entering the "re" "round the Or"#leFs "p"rtment& "nd the
pl"yer is sent to :eep t"bs on him. A$ter h"ving to wor: p"st some "##eler"ted progr"ms&
they $ind him in " room #ont"ining some h"#:ed+together e)uipment. 5e s"ys th"t itFs the
room where 3eo w"s wo:en upB he s"ys th"t he isnFt surprised th"t the pl"yer didnFt :now
wh"t it w"s& sin#e the ."#hines h"d #h"nged it. 5e s"ys heFs there to t":e D#ode re"dings.D
Colt h"s "n upd"te: 1'3 is trying to get in tou#h. !he pl"yer is sent to t"l: to *him"d"& who
s"ys th"t they $ollowed " be"#on sign"l $rom " wre#:ed sur$"#e $"#ility "bove Eion& "nd $ound
Comm"nder Lo#:& we": "nd re#overing $rom inCuries& but #ons#ious. !heyFre moving him
down to old Eion.
."#h: ?r"y sends the pl"yer hunting $or the l"rge override progr"ms& s"ying th"t they need
oper"tive help with this& sin#e those progr"ms h"ve been #"using very high #"su"lty r"tes
"mong ."#hine progr"ms. !he pl"yer hunts up some 7e#eler"tors& "nd then ?r"y sends in
some Agents to help t":e them out. ,ith the 7e#eler"tors out o$ the w"y& the pl"yer is "ble to
re"#h the intruder& who is "ngry& but "grees to meet with the ."#hines& "dding th"t DtheyFd
better not try s#rewing me this time.D A$ter this su##ess& the pl"yer is sent to t":e out some o$
the #omm"ndo progr"ms the ?ener"lFs been using in his intruder+rel"ted oper"tions in the
simul"tion. -n the #ourse o$ this& the pl"yer m"y lo#"te " #omputer& in whi#h someone w"s
trying to "##ess ."#hine in$orm"tion on D*t"lingr"dD be$ore their "##ess w"s #ut.
.erv: !he ?ener"l thin:s the intruder must h"ve le"rned "bout the *ee:er missiles $rom the
."#hines. 5e gives the pl"yer some #omm"ndos "nd tells them to go $ind out wh"t the
."#hines "nd the intruder dis#ussed #on#erning the *ee:ers& "nd the b"ttle "t *t"lingr"d.
!he se"r#h o$ " ."#hine system is #ut o$$& "nd the pl"yer tries "g"in with sne":ier 1lite
Comm"ndos. !his time& they m"n"ge to gr"b " snippet o$ " report: D...prior to entering the
*ystem in the vi#inity o$ As#ension .onument& subCe#t #ited "lleged remote tr"#:ing o$
*ystem $or#es to stru#ture #ode+n"me F*t"lingr"dF "s the event pre#ipit"ting his visit.
5owever& it is prob"ble th"t the #oin#iden#e o$ this o##urren#e with the presen#e o$...D 6lood
#"nFt im"gine why the intruder would be interested in th"t #r"ter.
401
///>+//24
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: w/ the intruder& visit the building where !rinity w"s shot $"lling out the window "nd 3eo
brought her b"#: to li$e in the se#ond movie++$ind g"me building th"tFs "s #lose " m"t#h "s we
#"n get to building in movie
."#h: meeting w/ intruder& oper"tives& Agent '"#eB intruder initi"lly interested in '"#e& but
she re"lizes this& "#ts more typi#"l emotionless Agenty& he loses interestB he w"nts to meet w/
Ar#hite#t& '"#e "grees to m":e in)uiries
.erv: br"instorm session w/ .erv V ?ener"l& trying to $igure wh"t signi$i#"n#e *t"lingr"d
b"ttle #ould h"ve h"d $or intruderB de#ide prob"bly presen#e o$ *"ti in %e"l
//28
Crit 9.2.4
Eion: A mess"ge #omes through $rom Lo#:& who s"ys th"t he must h"ve been :no#:ed out in
the eplosion in the #omm"nd #enter "t the beginning o$ the ."#hine/Cypherite "ss"ult on
Eion. 5e wo:e up in " wre#:ed sur$"#e l"b: ."user h"d brought him there& "nd nursed him
until *entinels #"me. ."user h"d " lightning gun& "nd tried to le"d them "w"y $rom Lo#:B he
su##eeded& but it #ost him his li$e. *uddenly the intruder "ppe"rs net to the pl"yer& "nd
w"nts to :now "bout the lightning gunB he seems surprised th"t Eionites h"d we"pons
#"p"ble o$ $ighting *entinels. Colt& whoFs been there "ll "long& s"ys th"t ."user would h"ve
been more th"n " m"t#h $or " single *entinel with his lightning gun& "nd th"t 3eo didnFt even
need " gunB he #ould Cust w"ve his h"nds to destroy *entinels. 5e"ring this& the intruder
suddenly be#omes outr"ged& s"ying D!hey ,1%1 lyingRD !ynd"ll reports " sudden outbre":
o$ "##eler"ted progr"ms "#ross the #ity. ,ith rein$or#ements $rom ?host& the pl"yer t":es out
some o$ the progr"ms& "lthough " debu$$ing D7e#eler"torD progr"m m":es this di$$i#ult. !he
pl"yer reports to 3iobe& who h"s Cust h"d to $ight o$$ some "##eler"ted progr"ms hersel$. *he
s"ys th"t the intruder h"s $lipped out& "nd they donFt :now why& but theyFve got to try to #"lm
him down.
."#h: A##eler"ted progr"ms "re #"using so mu#h h"vo# "mong ."#hine systems th"t they
even disrupt the usu"l Dget b"#:up $rom Agent '"#eD bit& "nd she $ights beside the pl"yer
"g"inst the "##eler"ted progr"ms who too: out the intended b"#:up. !he pl"yer h"s to go on
without b"#:up& "nd $inds " p"#: o$ de"d 1lite Comm"ndos& then "n A##eler"tor progr"m th"t
h"s overridden some 1lite Comm"ndos& bu$$ing them up so th"t theyFre more d"ngerous th"n
ever.
.erv: 6lood sends the pl"yer to sound the intruder out "bout the *"ti theory& but heFs
suddenly nowhere to be $ound& "nd there "re hostile "##eler"ted progr"ms everywhere. 6lood
de#ides to go "he"d "nd try to n"b *"ti GDi$ the ?ener"l #ould do it...DI& sending the pl"yer to "
."r" "p"rtment where she h"s supposedly gone to meet " pl"ym"teB inside the "p"rtment&
though& " bluepill #ouple s"y th"t the :ids Cust went out Gthey then thre"ten to #"ll the poli#eI.
402
6lood s"ys not to worry& he Cust got " hot tip th"t *"tiFs in " building ne"rby. !he pl"yer goes
there "nd $inds not *"ti but *er"ph& who s"ys: D!":e this mess"ge to the 6ren#hm"n: she will
not be $ound while the Or"#le lives& nor be$ore you h"ve returned wh"t you too: $rom me.D
//28+//40
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: $ind intruder "nd try to #hill him outB when "s:ed why heFs m"d& who DtheyD were& wh"t
the DlyingD w"s "bout& or wh"tever& he be#omes in#ensed "nd $ights the oper"tives
."#h: sw"rms o$ A##eler"tors& 7e#eler"tors& "nd %untimes "#ross the #ity
.erv: get to intruder& tell him "bout *"ti& he )uestions ?ener"l& suggests some w"y to "##ess
her progr"m d"t" $rom ?ener"lFs surviving logs or servers
//4/
Crit 9.2.8
Eion: A$ter $ighting o$$ more "##eler"ted progr"ms& the pl"yer $inds the intruder& who tells
them to st"y the hell out o$ his w"y. 5e "dds th"t heFs got D$ish to $ry&D "nd th"t he doesnFt li:e
being lied to. Colt #"lls the pl"yer in to t"l: to the (id& who h"s det"ils on the $"#ility where
they $ound Lo#:. *entinel #l"ws "nd l"sers h"d bre"#hed the stru#ture. -nside& they $ound
."userFs $ingerprints& "nd tr"#es o$ blood #on$irmed to m"t#h ."userFs& but they h"venFt
$ound his body. !hey didnFt $ind "ny de"d *entinels in the "re"& but there were lightning gun
s#or#h m"r:s everywhere. ,h"tever e)uipment h"d been in the l"b w"s #ompletely wre#:ed.
!ynd"ll h"s the pl"yer try #"pturing *entinel "#tivity logs th"t might #over their en#ounter with
."user& but "lthough theyFre "ble to ste"l su#h logs $rom " ."#hine $"#ility& the d"t" #ont"ins
no re#ord o$ *entinel "#tivity "t th"t sur$"#e l"b in the p"st sever"l months.
."#h: !he pl"yer is sent to investig"te why " group o$ Agents& held in reserve $or #ounter+
"tt"#:s "g"inst override thre"ts pi#:ed out by oper"tives& h"ve stopped responding. !he
pl"yer $inds "ll $ive o$ them de"d. !hen "nother p"#: o$ Agents turns up de"d& "nd ?r"y is
worried. 7"t" retrieved $rom one o$ them is "n"lyzed& "nd " progr"m devised to #ounter the
thre"t. 7uring this "n"lysis& s#ientists "llude to #ore routines being rewritten to prote#t them
$rom the intruderFs override #odes. !he pl"yer lo#"tes the problem& " D!ermin"torD progr"m&
"nd uses the #ounter progr"m to t":e it out.
.erv: !he ?ener"l sets up one o$ his own #omm"ndos to be #"ptured by the ."#hines& so
th"t they #"n tr"#: where the ."#hines t":e the progr"m& in the hope th"t the ."#hines will
store him "longside other d"t" previously #"ptured $rom the ?ener"l. !he pl"yer bre":s in
"nd runs " se"r#h& but doesnFt $ind "nything there "bout *"ti. !he ?ener"l thin:s the
."#hines h"ve prob"bly deleted the d"t" "s too sensitive& "nd $igures th"t the best #ourse
now is to go present the m"tter to the intruder& who seems to h"ve #"lmed down " bit sin#e
the previous wee:Fs r"mp"ge. !he pl"yer $inds the intruder st"nding with " !ermin"tor
progr"m "mong piles o$ de"d ."#hines. !he intruder "s:s $or more det"il "bout *"ti& "nd&
403
"$ter D*he w"s t":en into the outer world by the ?ener"l... !h"t w"s the only timeH And did
she h"ve " body there& or...D s"ys th"t she #ouldnFt be wh"t heFs "$ter& whi#h is " Dbiologi#"l
inter$"#e progr"m&D "nd th"t i$ the .erv #"n get him one o$ those& heFll m":e him :ing o$ the
."tri.
//4/+2/=
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: pl"yers $ind intruder $ighting 9oo:wyrmsB gets to 5yp"ti"& dem"nds Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e
progr"m&D when she s"ys she doesnFt h"ve " progr"m li:e th"t& he termin"tes herB intruder
dis#onsol"te& s"ys something "bout being tr"pped
."#h: oper"tives $ind intruderB ?r"y shows up to "s: wh"t he w"ntsB intruder termin"tes himB
'"#e shows up& o$$ers meeting w/ Ar#hite#tB intruder doesnFt termin"te her X?r"y will be
restored by the *ystem in time $or the net #rit& y"yRY
.erv: show 9-' possibility to intruder: 9eirnB not wh"t intruderFs "$ter
2/>
Crit 9.2.;
Eion: !he pl"yer is sent to loo: $or "nything they #"n $ind on " Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mD
"t ,right %ese"r#h& sin#e me#h"ni#"l+to+biologi#"l inter$"#es were one o$ ,rightFs
spe#i"lties. A$ter some bre":ing "nd entering& the pl"yer m":es their w"y to ,right %ese"r#h
D9uilding 2>&D " he"vily gu"rded "re" where they :eep their re"lly import"nt new rese"r#h&
but they donFt $ind "ny sign o$ " true bre":through in inter$"#e te#hnology there. !he intruderFs
been " little less s"v"ge& so the pl"yer goes to see i$ they #"n get more det"ils on wh"t heFs
"$ter. !he intruder isnFt surprised th"t nothing use$ul w"s $ound "t ,right %ese"r#h& s"ying Di$
" hum"n #ould h"ve written it& -Fd h"ve h"d it by now.D 5e re$uses to s"y "nything more "bout
it& s"ying Dthe less you :now& the better.D
."#h: 5yp"ti" w"s restored by her support progr"ms "$ter her termin"tion& but is still in$e#ted
by override #odes& "nd must be termin"ted properly. !he pl"yer $ights p"st her 9oo:wyrm
gu"rds "nd t":es out A##eler"ted 5yp"ti". !hen itFs o$$ to noti$y the intruder th"t itFs meeting
time. 5e w"rns th"t theyFd better not try lying to him "g"in. At " pre+meeting brie$ing& "
wounded ?r"y Gstill re#overing $rom the 9.2.8 eventI "dmits th"t the ."#hines DmisledD the
intruder be$ore he entered the ."tri& be#"use they w"nted to :eep him out o$ the simul"tion.
!h"t didnFt wor:& so now theyFre going to h"ve to tell him the truth& in the hopes th"t this will
#onvin#e him to le"ve. At the meeting& the intruder dem"nds " Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mD
$rom the Ar#hite#t& s"ying th"t he :nows it eists. !he Ar#hite#t #on$irms this& but s"ys th"t
the ."#hines did not #re"te it& "nd the only rem"ining #opy w"s removed $rom the *ystem++
the one the intruder himsel$ h"d dete#ted outside the simul"tion be$ore he entered the ."tri.
!his brings the intruder up short& but heFs #le"rly not h"ppy with this st"te o$ "$$"irs. ?r"y
hopes th"t this meeting will le"d the intruder to le"ve the simul"tion in pursuit o$ the inter$"#e
404
progr"m.
.erv: ?oing to t"l: with the .erv& the pl"yer $inds the !wins "rguing "bout who the intruder
will Do$$D net GAr#hite#t vs '"#eI. ."lph"s h"s " theory th"t the intruder "s:ed the ."#hines
$or this Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mD be$ore he entered the ."tri& "nd they put him o$$
somehow. !he .erv is determined to $ind this progr"m be$ore "nyone else& "nd sends the
pl"yer to go t"l: to his wi$e& who he s"ys Dinter$"#edD with hum"ns "t the pods& b"#: when
she served the *ystem. 'ersephone& however& s"ys she w"s Cust " D#"ret":erD thereB "ny
#ontrol she h"d over the hum"ns w"s indire#t& where"s wh"t the intruder w"nts is immedi"te
#ontrol th"t will "llow him to #h"nge who he is& be#"use he h"tes wh"t he h"s be#ome. 6lood
sends the pl"yer on pl"n 9& whi#h is seeing i$ the re#onstru#ted *ilver& who wor:ed on
inter$"#e progr"ms with ,right G"nd g"ve in$orm"tion "bout it to the ."#hines& $or whi#h he
w"s :illed $or the .erv by *ieges& whose n"me is mentioned hereI& h"s "nything th"t would
help. *ilver s"ys th"t wh"t he wor:ed on with ,right w"s Cust #omple d"t" #onduits&
"lthough she h"d wild ide"s o$ her own "bout D#ontrol tr"ns$er.D Anyw"y& "ll his d"t" on his
wor: with ,right w"s #on$is#"ted by the ."#hines. 6in"lly& 6lood sends the pl"yer to "s: the
intruder $or more in$orm"tion on this progr"m he w"nts& but the intruder& surrounded by de"d
340 A?43!s& s"ys /I 'ersephone/*ilverFs wor: is nothing li:e wh"t he w"nts& 2I the
progr"mFs got to be here somewhere& 4I Di$ only 51 h"dnFt t":en the other one...&D 8I the
pl"yer :nows "s mu#h "s the intruder needs them to :now.
2/2; Xw"s pushed b"#: $rom 2/2/& "lthough " brie$ le": o$ the #inem"ti# o##urred on th"t d"yY
9.4 Cinem"ti#
A se#ond wire$r"med m"n "ppe"rs& t"unting the intruder. 6rom their #onvers"tion it is #le"r
th"t they "re $"mili"r with e"#h other& th"t the new#omer h"s $ollowed the intruder to see wh"t
heFs up to& "nd th"t they "re in #ompetition with e"#h other. -n $"#t& they $ight& until the intruder
de#ides th"t the other is only trying to distr"#t him& "nd le"ves. An Agent is seen observing
the s#ene "nd reporting.
3otes
X!his se#ond wire$r"med m"n is n"med C"rlyne. 5e will tell pl"yers th"t the intruderFs n"me is
5"lborn& "nd the intruder will "ppe"r with th"t n"me throughout this sub#h"pter. 9.2 w"s
tri#:y be#"use sometimes "n org w"s supposed to be ni#e with 5"lborn& but on#e we get up
to "round 9.4.2+4ish& there will pretty mu#h "lw"ys be one or the other th"t they #"n $ight& "nd
hope$ully other orgs they #"n go $ight too.Y
Crit 9.4./
Eion: !ynd"ll "nd Colt in$orm the pl"yer o$ the "ppe"r"n#e o$ " se#ond wire$r"med m"n& his
405
$ight with the intruder& "nd "n outbre": o$ more override progr"ms. !he pl"yer t":es #"re o$
them& "nd then lo#"tes the intruder& who h"s " !ermin"tor in the middle o$ " bun#h o$ de"d
A##eler"ted 1iles& "nd tells the pl"yer th"t the new#omer is C"rlyne& his own n"me is
5"lborn& th"t theyFve :nown e"#h other " long time& "nd th"t C"rlyne is " pr"#ti#ed li"r. At "
debrie$& 3iobe is #on#erned th"t C"rlyne will distr"#t 5"lborn $rom :eeping the ."#hines
busy& "nd th"t the two o$ them together #ould #"use problems "s well. *he "lso indi#"tes th"t
she isnFt in "ny hurry to trust C"rlyne.
."#h: ?r"y sends the pl"yer to #he#: out the new wire$r"med guy& s"ying not to "tt"#: himB
$inding him& "t le"st& will be e"sy& sin#e he h"snFt even tried to hide himsel$ $rom ."#hine
s#"ns. !he pl"yer $ights p"st " $ew A##eler"ted 1iles to $ind C"rlyne G"nd some $riendly
A##eler"ted 1ilesI. C"rlyne "pologizes $or the hostile progr"ms& s"ying he thought the pl"yer
might h"ve been Dli:e those others.D 5eFs ple"sed to $ind the pl"yer wor:s $or the ."#hines&
s"ying theyFre Cust the people he w"nts to see& "nd "s:s $or " meeting& s"ying he #"n help
with " mutu"l problem. ?r"y s"ys heFll see "bout the "rr"ngements& "nd sends the pl"yer to
get more in$o $rom Agent '"#e. '"#e s"ys C"rlyne is D" hum"n $rom outside the pod system&D
li:e 5"lborn& "nd prob"bly h"s "##ess to the s"me override #odes th"t 5"lborn does. *he
s"ys they $ought in ,estview& "nd itFs import"nt th"t they $ind out i$ C"rlyne is going to be
#ooper"tive& in #ontr"st to his opponent. A #omputer in the "re" is tr"#:ing something "long
#oordin"tes Xth"t would be v"lid in ,estview& i$ not elsewhereY. ?r"y meets C"rlyneB C"rlyne
s"ys he w"nts to Delimin"te 5"lborn "s " problem here&D but th"t Dwe both :now betterD th"n
to believe C"rlyne is "#ting out o$ "ltruism "lone. !"l:ing things over "$terw"rds& ?r"y s"ys
C"rlyne me"ns the intruder when he s"ys D5"lborn&D "nd #l"ims to h"ve :nown him $or " long
time. ?r"y voi#es #on#erns "bout C"rlyne potenti"lly being "s big " thre"t to the *ystem "s
5"lborn Gwhen he w"s le"ving the meeting in 5"lbornFs presen#e& ?r"y "#ted $ully s"tis$ied
with C"rlyneFs #l"im o$ being there Cust to help the ."#hines "g"inst 5"lbornI. '"#e s"ys th"t
theyFd hoped the l"st meeting with the Ar#hite#t would h"ve persu"ded 5"lborn to le"ve the
."tri& but th"t heFs turned out to be very stubborn "nd unre"son"ble. *heFs "$r"id th"t "s he
:eeps $"iling to $ind the progr"m he w"nts& heFll get more "nd more desper"te& "nd eventu"lly
h"ve "nother "nti+."#hine $re":out. An Agent p"trolling the h"lls is mulling something "bout
Agent ?ri$$in "nd Dthe .urphey #"seD Gdunno wh"t& e"#tlyB Cust w"nted to throw in "
mentionI.
.erv: 6lood sends the pl"yer to "s: the intruder "bout this se#ond guy. A$ter going through
some 5e"dless 3'Cs bu$$ed by "n A##eler"tor& they $ind him++still n"med D-ntruderD++"nd
some de"d ."#hine redpills. 5e s"ys heFs busy& but "grees to meet the .erv& "s long "s itFs
something good. !he intruder shows up "t the meeting "s D5"lborn&D "nd s"ys the other oneFs
n"med C"rlyne& "nd th"t he must be "$ter the s"me thing 5"lborn w"nts++th"t :ind o$ sn"t#h+
"nd+gr"b t"#ti# is typi#"l o$ him. !he .erv promises to help Cust "s mu#h "s he #"n. ."lph"s&
outside the meeting room with the !wins& s"ys th"t it will be tri#:y to st"y on good terms with
both o$ them& but C"rlyne& "t le"st& is e"sy to lo#"te. !he pl"yer $inds C"rlyne se"r#hing $or
something on " #omputer GheFs #le"red the se"r#h Cust "s the pl"yer entersI& "nd C"rlyne is
delighted with the prospe#t o$ meeting the $"mous .erovingi"n. !he .erv "nd the !wins
"ppe"r in the outer room& "nd the pl"yer brings C"rlyne to him. !he .erv is #h"rming& "nd
"ssures C"rlyne he w"nts to help him "g"inst 5"lborn. C"rlyne s"ys this is the beginning o$ "
wonder$ul p"rtnership.
406
2/2;+2/2>
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: meeting w/ C"rlyne + "dmits he m"y be somewh"t interested in wh"t 5"lborn is "$ter&
but his $irst obCe#tive is to stop 5"lborn
."#h: meeting w/ C"rlyne + tells pl"yers th"t 5"lborn w"nts the 9-' be#"use his own body in
the %e"l is long sin#e de"d
.erv: meeting w/ 5"lborn + 5"lborn $igures out th"t i$ the ."#hines were telling the truth
"bout not h"ving m"de the 9-' themselves& "nd th"t the only one w"s t":en& then he needs
to $ind out who m"de it& "nd h"ve them m":e him "nother one
2/28
Crit 9.4.2
Eion: GAssumed to #ome #hronologi#"lly Cust "$ter the ."#hine #rit.I !ynd"ll is worried when
5"lborn shows up "nd st"rts pumping Colt $or in$orm"tion on the Or"#le. Colt pl"ys dumb&
$rustr"ting 5"lborn& who s"ys heFll Cust go $ind her on his own& "nd th"t Eion should st"y out o$
his w"y. 5"lborn t":es o$$& "nd $ollowing override use reports& the pl"yer $inds overridden
progr"ms& " de"d $em"le bluepill& "nd " live m"le one who des#ribes wh"t sounds li:e
5"lborn dem"nding in$orm"tion "bout the Or"#le. ?host s"ys they h"venFt $ound "
#onne#tion between the de"d wom"n "nd the Or"#le& "nd they donFt :now i$ the intruder is
stri:ing r"ndomly or $ollowing some :ind o$ in$orm"tion tr"il. 5e "lso s"ys th"t Eion h"s been
trying to re"#h the Or"#le without su##ess. C"rlyne h"s #ont"#ted Eion& though& so the pl"yer
goes to meet him. C"rlyne is polite "nd outgoing& "nd s"ys th"t "lthough he isnFt very swi$t&
with the overrides he h"s& 5"lborn is more th"n " m"t#h $or "ny ."#hine+#re"ted progr"m&
even the Or"#le. C"rlyne s"ys he #"n stop 5"lborn& "nd th"t he w"nts to help Eion s"ve her&
"dding th"t heFs :nown 5"lborn " long time& "nd th"t they prob"bly h"ve " $ew d"ys be$ore
they re"lly h"ve to st"rt worrying "bout him re"#hing the Or"#le& during whi#h time C"rlyne
will study the Dl"y o$ the l"nd.D
."#h: ?r"y sends the pl"yer "$ter "n override outbre":& "nd they $ind A##eler"ted ."#hines&
"s well "s hostile Eionites. ?r"y didnFt :now who override those progr"ms& "nd sends the
pl"yer "$ter "nother sign"l& whi#h #ould be either 5"lborn or C"rlyne. ?r"y mentions th"t both
o$ them h"ve met& sep"r"tely& with Eion& but th"t theyFre still believed to be non+hostile to the
."#hines. !he pl"yer $inds 5"lborn "mong A##eler"ted ."#hines& "nd " de"d D%ed 1yeD
Agent++one o$ the ?ener"lFs old progr"ms. 5"lborn bluntly s"ys he w"nts to t"l: to Dyour bossF
boss&D implying th"t heFd w"nted the ."#hines to tr"#: him down there so he #ould deliver
this dem"nd. ?r"y goes to see "bout it while the pl"yer goes "$ter more override sign"ls&
#oming "#ross C"rlyne& "nd " #on$used bluepill. C"rlyne is surprised& but in " #hipper mood&
s"ying heFs tr"#:ing down 5"lborn& "nd "s:s i$ the pl"yer h"s seen him. ?r"y s"ys to s"y
Dno.D C"rlyne s"ys "h& too b"d. !he pl"yer goes to see ?r"y& who s"ys 5"lbornFs prob"bly
"s:ing $or this meeting be#"use he needs help with C"rlyne& whi#h gives the ."#hines "
#h"n#e to get him to do wh"t they w"nt& be$ore ushering them into " room #ont"ining '"#e&
407
the Ar#hite#t& "nd 5"lborn. 5"lborn dem"nds to :now who m"de DitDB the Ar#hite#t replies th"t
Dthe progr"mFs "uthor is :nown "s the Or"#le.D !his surprises 5"lborn " little& but seems to
Cibe with some things he remembers Eionites DC"bberingD "bout. ?r"y thin:s its li:ely th"t
5"lborn will go "$ter the Or"#le now& "nd s"ys th"t Eion "nd 1'3 m"y try to stop him.
.erv: GAssumed to #ome #hronologi#"lly Cust "$ter the ."#hine #rit.I 6lood sends the pl"yer
to #he#: on some 1iles th"t m"y h"ve been overridden& "nd the pl"yer $inds " pile o$ de"d
A##eler"ted 1iles "nd ."#hines. !he oper"tor s"ys thereFs no sign o$ $or#ed entry& "nd s"ys
there "re re#ently spend shell #"sings in there& "nd bullet "nd #l"w wounds on the bodies:
were they $ighting e"#h otherH 6lood doesnFt re"lly #"re i$ they were $rom C"rlyne or 5"lborn
or bothB heFs Cust "nnoyed "t the loss o$ their progr"ms. 5e sends the pl"yer to help the
survivors o$ "n 1ile p"#: th"tFs been mostly overridden. One survivor s"ys it w"s 5"lborn&
"nd he w"s "bout to get them& too& but he suddenly stopped "nd r"n o$$. *#"ns $ind 5"lborn
ne"rby. 5eFs "bout to tell the pl"yer to go "w"y& but then stops "nd "s:s wh"t they :now
"bout the Or"#le. A meeting with the .erv is "rr"ngedB the pl"yer doesnFt #"t#h "ll the
"ssumed di"log between the two& but 5"lborn now :nows "bout the Or"#le #entering her
"#tivity "round 7ebir Court& "nd itFs implied th"t the .erv h"s provided him with other
in$orm"tion "bout her "s well. 6lood s"ys wh"tever h"ppens in " 5"lborn/Or"#le meeting&
theyFll m":e wor: in their $"vor.
2/28+4/;
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: Eion tries getting " w"rning to the Or"#le& "nd "re surprised when they #"nFt get "hold
o$ her. !hey do get *er"ph& though& "nd he tells them th"t the Or"#le suspe#ted something
li:e this would h"ppen.
."#h: -t wonFt be )uite #le"r yet to pl"yers how the ."#hines $eel "bout 5"lborn going "$ter
the Or"#le. 9ut they send oper"tives to try to lo#"te her. !hey #"nFt $ind her& but they do $ind
str"nge #ode bits in her tr"dem"r: intuitive style: sheFs got something in the oven& "nd it isnFt
Cust #oo:ies.
.erv: !he .erv "g"in "ssures C"rlyne th"t heFs "ll $or t":ing 5"lborn out& "nd th"t heFs only
pretending to help 5"lborn in order to get through his de$enses& "nd Dproves itD by le"ding
C"rlyne to some o$ 5"lbornFs progr"ms& whi#h C"rlyne helps termin"te.
4/=
Crit 9.4.4
Eion: !he pl"yer is disp"t#hed to #ounter 5"lbornFs progr"m overrides in ."r"& where
5"lborn h"s st"rted loo:ing $or the Or"#le. !hey #ome "#ross 9l"#:woods "nd A##eler"ted
progr"ms& "live "nd de"d& "nd C"rlyne& who s"ys th"t he thin:s 5"lborn will get $rustr"ted
"nd give up this "tt"#: i$ they #"n :eep elimin"ting his progr"ms. 5e "dds th"t 5"lbornFs
been "voiding him& "nd th"t heFs been getting some Dinter$eren#eD $rom non+Eion oper"tives.
408
!he pl"yer #omes "#ross ."#hinists $ighting Gor "s #lose "s - #"n m":e it loo: li:e theyFve
been $ightingI A##eler"ted ."#hines. !ynd"ll sends the pl"yer to "ssist " Eion te"m th"tFs
Cust been t":en out& "nd they $ind 5"lborn& who reminds them th"t he s"id to st"y out o$ his
w"y. 5e s"ys she m"y h"ve snu#: o$$ somewhere& but it doesnFt m"tter& heFll $ind her.
."#h: ?r"y s"ys th"t the sooner 5"lborn $inds the Or"#le "nd either gets his progr"m& or
gets #on$irm"tion th"t she doesnFt h"ve it& the soon heFll le"ve the ."tri. '"#e gives the
pl"yer some redpill b"#:up $or going "$ter Eionites who "re trying to stop 5"lborn& "nd who
"re prob"bly wor:ing with C"rlyne. !he pl"yer $inds de"d A##eler"ted ."#hines& " de"d
bluepill& "nd hostile Eionites. ?r"y reports th"t 5"lborn h"s been dete#ted in the vi#inity o$
."r"& "s h"ve hostile oper"tives& but thereFs no sign o$ the Or"#le or C"rlyne. !he pl"yer
#omes "#ross Eionites $ighting their w"y to 5"lborn. 5"lborn tells the pl"yer to get lost.
6in"lly& the pl"yer se"r#hes "nother "re" $or reported hostile redpills& only to $ind the Or"#le&
who m":es " Co:ing surrender& "pologizes $or the misdire#tion& "nd promises th"t itFs "lmost
overB she s"ys th"t i$ "ll this trouble is "bout her& m"ybe itFs better i$ sheFs Dremoved $rom the
pi#ture.D *er"ph "ppe"rs Cust then& loo:ing imposing. !he pl"yer h"s to le"veB me"nwhile& the
oper"torFs been struggling with it& but eventu"lly de#ides he h"s no #hoi#e but to report th"t
theyFve $ound the Or"#le. ?r"y s"ys th"t it isnFt $e"sible to "rrest her Cust now GheFs mentioned
e"rlier in the mission th"t they #"nFt send progr"ms into the ."r" "re"& wh"t with C"rlyne "nd
5"lborn $iring o$$ overrides "ll over the pl"#eI& but th"t theyFve got to do wh"t they #"n do
speed up 5"lborn getting to her& whi#h mostly #omes down to :eeping Eion& "nd espe#i"lly
C"rlyne& o$$ o$ him. 5e s"ys theyFll report the Or"#le sighting to 5"lborn D"s soon "s possible.D
X!h"t #omment& "nd his h"l$he"rted #ongr"tul"tions on Dthe...promptnessD o$ the
oper"tor/pl"yerFs report& "re intention"lly "mbiguous.Y
.erv: 5"lborn isnFt doing too well "t $inding the Or"#le& so 6lood sends the pl"yer to dig her
up in %i#hl"nd/,estview. 6ollowing some "llegedly epensive le"ds& the pl"yer #omes "#ross
/I " p"#: o$ 1'3 sw"rming over " irre#over"bly to"sted #omputer& 2I two #reepy Agents who
h"ve Cust "rrested whoever the pl"yer w"s loo:ing $or& $or involvement in " terrorist
#onspir"#y& "nd 4I " de"d bluepill #ont"#t surrounded by A##eler"ted ."#hines. Eionites "nd
then Cypherites "tt"#: the pl"yer out+o$+doors "t v"rious points. 6in"lly& Cust "s they $ind $our
1iles G" Crusher& " 7e"th .er#h"nt& " $em"le 5el Club ?roupie& "nd " m"le 5el Club ?u"rdI
dis#ussing something "bout D%uh"m"hD sending " Dsign"l&D "nd Dthe sim&D C"rlyne pops in
with " !ermin"tor th"t stri:es the $our de"d. 5e s"ys heFs suspe#ted wh"t the pl"yerFs been
up to $or " while& but itFs ni#e to h"ve proo$& "nd th"t they #"n tell the .erv th"t sin#e heFs
#le"rly b"#:ing 5"lborn& he #"n #onsider their brun#h d"te #"n#elled. 6lood s"ys they
shouldFve been wor:ing with C"rlyne inste"d o$ th"t dummy 5"lborn.
4/=+4//2
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: Just some good old+$"shioned $ighting in *lums here& with override progr"ms "nd either
" hostile 5"lborn or "ssisting C"rlyne involved.
."#h: 7itto& only the other w"y "round $or 5"lborn/C"rlyne. G*umm"ry: right now Eion c4
C"rlyne& .erv V ."#h c4 5"lbornI
409
.erv: -t seems li:e this would be " good time to let the .erv pl"yers run "#ross the Or"#le.
,eFll h"ve to m"n"ge it in su#h " w"y th"t itFs #le"r they #"nFt t":e her out themselves& "nd
h"ve to settle $or t"l:ing to her. *hould prob"bly do it somewhere eoti#& where she isnFt
usu"lly $ound& "nd where she #ould #h"nge the rules to be in #ontrol& li:e white h"llw"ys or "
white room or *":ur" or something. Ah& "nd we #ould do something li:e h"ve *er"ph wh"#:
"ny pl"yers who "#tu"lly try to get her. Or C"rlyne #ould show up "nd m":e things di$$i#ult $or
them. Anyw"y& sheFll tell whoever survives th"t they will soon $ind something th"t is very
import"nt& but it will b"#:$ire on them i$ they try to use it sel$ishly.
4//4
Crit 9.4.8
Eion: -n %i#hl"nd or ,estview& the pl"yer is sent to t"l: to C"rlyne& who "s:s th"t he be
#ont"#ted when the pl"yer runs "#ross 5"lborn& sin#e 5"lborn is putting more e$$ort into
"voiding C"rlyne th"n he is into "voiding oper"tives. !he pl"yer $"#es some A##eler"ted
."#hines b"#:ed up by " 7e#eler"tor while !ynd"ll gets %ol"ndFs permission to tip o$$
C"rlyne i$ they #ome "#ross 5"lborn. And then they do $ind 5"lborn& who tells them very
bluntly to get out& "t whi#h point he goes hostile "nd will #ounter+"tt"#: i$ "tt"#:ed by the
pl"yerB heFs invulner"ble here& "nd #"nFt "#tu"lly be hurt. C"rlyne is tipped o$$& "nd moves to
inter#ept 5"lborn. !ynd"ll st"rts en#ountering s#"n disruptions& "nd send the pl"yer in to
report on wh"tFs h"ppening. !he pl"yer $inds C"rlyne "nd 5"lborn $"#ing o$$ in "n under+
#onstru#tion interior& but they h"ve to b"il when the oper"tor s"ys th"t surges in his s#"n
re"dings "re st"rting to blow out their hover#r"$tFs systems. !ynd"ll s"ys th"t their s#"n
routines "re down "#ross the entire se#tor now.
."#h: 5"lborn still h"snFt m"n"ged to $ind the Or"#le& "nd h"s #"lled the ."#hines $or "
meeting in %i#hl"nd/,estview to dis#uss it. 5e dem"nds th"t the ."#hines tell him where
she is. !he Ar#hite#t s"ys th"t theyFve "lre"dy given him "ll the in$orm"tion they h"ve& "nd
th"t her unpredi#t"bility w"s "n intention"l design #hoi#e ne#ess"ry in order to m"int"in
hum"n geneti# v"riety "t "##ept"ble levels. 5"lborn is ti#:ed& #"lls the Ar#hite#t/."#hines
in#ompetent& "nd s"ys he :new "ll th"t "lre"dy. '"#e is there "s well Gno ?r"yI& "nd orders
the pl"yer to le"ve the "re" "nd st"nd by $or immedi"te deployment. ?r"y sends the pl"yer to
#he#: up on wh"t 5"lbornFs gone o$$ to do "$ter the meeting. ,hen they #"t#h up to him&
5"lborn h"s Cust disp"t#hed some Eionites "nd "n 1'3& #ompl"ins th"t Dyour m"sters donFt
h"ve the b"lls $or this&D "nd s"ys well $ine& $orget them& heFll h"ndle it himsel$. 5e "dds th"t he
me"ns to h"ve it out with the Ar#hite#t "$ter t":ing #"re o$ this #urrent situ"tion. ?r"y doesnFt
sound thrilled to he"r th"t& but still h"s to send the pl"yer to :eep Eionites Gmingled with
de"d/wounded A##eler"ted ."#hinesI o$$ 5"lbornFs t"il. !hen they pi#: up C"rlyne& he"ding
to inter#ept 5"lbornB inter$eren#e is #"using problems& "nd ?r"y sends the pl"yer in to
investig"te $irst+h"nd. !hey $ind 5"lborn "nd C"rlyne $"#ing o$$ in "n under+#onstru#tion
interior& but h"ve to le"ve when $eedb"#: st"rts blowing out their oper"torFs systems. !he
$ollow+up mess"ge $rom ?r"y is "lmost entirely g"rbled& but seems to be ordering the pl"yer
to ev"#u"te the "re".
.erv: 6lood sends the pl"yer to $ind 5"lborn in %i#hl"nd/,estview so th"t they #"n #ome up
with " wor:ing pl"n o$ "#tion $or him& sin#e he still h"snFt m"n"ged to $ind the Or"#le& "nd is
410
getting distr"#ted by C"rlyne. *ome A##eler"tor+bu$$ed Eionites get in the w"y& "s does "n
1'3 "mbush& but 5"lborn is $ound& "nd is in " b"d mood& s"ying the in$o the .erv g"ve him
h"snFt helped& "nd the .ervs donFt st"nd " #h"n#e "g"inst C"rlyne "nyw"yB but he "grees to
meet. !he ?ener"l "nd ."lph"s "re w"iting $or 5"lborn to show $or the str"tegi# pl"nning
session& but itFs #r"shed by Eionites. A$terw"rds& ."lph"s s"ys th"t theyFd spotted the intruder
he"ding $or the meeting& but then his sign"l #h"nged #ourseB m"ybe he w"s worried "bout the
Eionites reporting his position to C"rlyne. 6lood thin:s 5"lborn is silly $or getting s#"red o$$ by
Eionites. !he pl"yer is sent "$ter him& "nd $inds him "nd C"rlyne $"#ing o$$ in "n under+
#onstru#tion "re"& Cust be$ore the pl"yer h"s to b"il when override $eedb"#: st"rts to s#r"mble
their oper"torFs systems. 6lood s"ys this Doverride r"di"tionD is s#r"mbling s#"ns "#ross the
entire region.
4//4+4//9
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: G1'3I !he Or"#le meets with *him"d"& giving her p"rt o$ "n en#rypted progr"m& "nd
telling her to w"t#h over *"ti
."#h: GCN'5I !he Or"#le meets with Veil& giving her p"rt o$ "n en#rypted progr"m& "nd
telling her to w"t#h over *"ti
.erv: .ervs w"de through override progr"ms in the *lums to $ind 5"lborn wounded "nd
woozy. !hey pi#: him up "nd t":e him b"#: to the .erv.
4/20
Crit 9.4.;
Eion: ?host h"s some reports "bout 5"lborn surviving with the .ervFs help& "nd the Or"#le
#ont"#ting 1'3 to give them some :ind o$ en#rypted progr"m& "nd possibly m":ing #ont"#t
with Veil "s well. C"rlyne gets in tou#h to s"y th"t heFs "ll right& "nd th"t 5"lborn only got
"w"y be#"use the simul"tion st"rted to bre": down "round them. 5e s"ys th"t heFs he"rd the
6ren#hm"nFs got him& but th"t will Cust m":e it e"sier to $ind him "nd $inish him o$$. !ynd"llFs
net instru#tions "re #ut o$$ mid+senten#e& "nd the pl"yer h"s to $ollow their mission m"r:er
with no instru#tions& only to $ind the Or"#le "t the end o$ it& Cust "s the oper"tor is #ut o$$& too.
!he Or"#le "pologizes $or #rossing " $ew wires to get " #h"n#e to t"l:& but then re"lizes th"t
she #"nFt s"y wh"t she w"nts to s"y yet. *he thin:s sheFs m"de the Dright #hoi#e&D though&
"nd s"ys the pl"yer will Ddo Cust $ine.D *he "dds th"t she doesnFt :now i$ theyFll see e"#h other
"g"in. !ynd"ll #omes b"#: online& "nd sends the pl"yer to report to 3iobe. 3iobeFs "nnoyed
th"t the Or"#leFs pulling strings yet "g"in& "nd s"ys th"t theyFve still "t le"st got to try to
se#ure her be$ore 5"lborn re"#hes her.
."#h: ?r"y sends the pl"yer to #le"n up #ode overrides sw"mping %i#hl"nd G"nd ,estview& -
guessI in the "$term"th o$ the #l"sh between 5"lborn "nd C"rlyneB overrides "re still s#rewing
with ."#hine s#"ns o$ the "re"& but ?r"y s"ys they should "ssume th"t both survived& until
411
they h"ve proo$ to the #ontr"ry. !he pl"yer en#ounters lo"ds o$ A##eler"ted ."#hines "nd
1iles& "##eler"ted 6uries g"ng members& "nd " de"d bluepill. !hen ?r"y sends them "$ter
some #ode th"t "ppe"rs somehow to h"ve es#"ped "ny :ind o$ d"m"ge $rom the override
w"ve th"t #overed %i#hl"nd. !hey $ind " weirded+out bluepill G:eeps s"ying D-Fm $ine&D "lso
mentions something "bout DsheDI in "n "p"rtment& "nd the mystery und"m"ged #ode in the
$orm o$ 6r"gs tu#:ed in " des:. !hey t":e these o$$ to '"#e "nd some te#hni#i"ns in " l"b
Gnew v"ri"nt '"#e %*-: we"ring " white l"b #o"t "nd shirt++"nd no& - wonFt use this %*- in "n
event prior to this #ritI. !he #ode in the $r"gs is $ound to be simil"r to the Or"#le+m"de stu$$
$ound e"rlier G."#h 9.4.2 eventI& "nd& put together& itFs enough $or them to est"blish th"t itFs
le$t over #ode $rom the pro#ess o$ writing " :ill #ode. '"#e is une"sy when she he"rs "bout
this. A te#hni#i"n in the "re" mentions th"t theyFre h"ving trouble re+writing #ore routines to
prote#t "g"inst override #odes G" te#h e"rlier in #h"pter 9 mentioned they were st"rting wor:
on thisI. ?r"y s"ys theyFve suspe#ted $or " $ew months now th"t the Or"#leFs been up to
some :ind o$ plot with 1iles& "nd i$ " termin"tion #ode is involved& this plot #ould be more
d"ngerous th"n theyFd thought. 5eFs des#ribing news $rom Dour Cypherite sour#esD "bout the
Or"#le giving them some :ind o$ en#rypted #ode& "nd is in the middle o$ s"ying th"t the
Cypherites h"venFt delivered " $orm"l report on the in#ident& when he suddenly e#uses
himsel$& #oming b"#: to s"y th"t heFs Cust re#eived " report o$ 5"lborn "nd C"rlyne meeting
.erovingi"n oper"tives. 5e s"ys th"t lo#"ting the two is the top priority.
.erv: !he pl"yer is sent to visit 5"lborn "t " .erv hideout in .idi"n '"r: Gor 1she"n/Lemone
i$ .idi"n '"r: mission "re"s "re $ullI& "nd tell him th"t heFs got to sti#: "round "t " #ert"in
spot "s b"it so they #"n get C"rlyne out o$ his w"y. !he wounded "nd imp"tient 5"lborn
"grees in his usu"l surly m"nner& obviously #on#erned th"t C"rlyne will $ind him i$ he st"ys
there too long. 6lood sends the pl"yer to meet C"rlyne in ."r"& to get his "ttention. C"rlyne
:nows the .ervs h"ve 5"lborn& "nd tells the pl"yer to run "long b"#: to 5"lborn. 6lood sends
the pl"yer to (edemoth to #he#: on 5"lborn& s"ying th"t the pl"n wonFt wor: i$ he moves
e"rly "nd m":es it obvious to C"rlyne th"t the D"rti$i#i"l override sign"l weFre gener"ting
ne"rbyD is " $":e. !he pl"yer $inds him in his re)uisite b"it position. 5eFs m"de some hostile
A##eler"ted 1iles to prote#t himsel$& but :ills them with " !ermin"tor on#e the pl"yer t"l:s to
him. 5e mutters "bout being "ble to D$eelD the Dold wom"nD ne"rby. 6lood hurries the pl"yer
o$$ to "nother (edemoth lo#"tion& where they $ind C"rlyne. ,hen they t"l: to him& $our
D*pe#i"l AgentsD "ppe"r "nd order him to #ome with them $or )uestioning& but when the
pl"yer t"l:s to them& itFs #le"r th"t these "re disguised .erv oper"tives. C"rlyne is
moment"rily $ooled& "nd "bout to disp"t#h them& or so he thin:s& with override #odes. 6lood
s"ys this distr"#tion h"s got 5"lborn p"st C"rlyne Xon his w"y to ."r" to get the Or"#leY&
"lthough 6lood is d"rned i$ he :nows why 5"lborn thin:s heFll su##eed this time. XLi:e " lot o$
things so $"r with 5"lbornFs Dse"r#hD $or the progr"m& - donFt re"lly spell th"t out& but Cust le"ve
it implied th"t he h"s w"ys o$ obt"ining in$orm"tion& "lthough obviously this in$orm"tion isnFt
"lw"ys reli"ble.Y
X*)u"re br"#:ets below surround in$orm"tion th"t will not be reve"led to pl"yers dire#tly&
possibly not "t "ll& during this sub#h"pter.Y
On 8/2& 5"lborn $ound the Or"#le w"iting $or him in 7ebir Court. *he re$used to help him get
the progr"m he w"nted& "nd he :illed her& then le$t. C"rlyne "rrived minutes l"ter& s"w the
de"d Or"#le& "nd snorted in disgust be$ore Cumping "w"y.
412
8/4
Crit /0././
Eion: A$ter t":ing out some A##eler"ted progr"ms with Colt& the pl"yer en#ounters C"rlyne&
who s"ys th"t heFs wor:ing on " more dire#t me"ns o$ getting rid o$ 5"lborn& "nd th"t sin#e
5"lborn h"s de#ided to st"y in the ."tri& the ."#hines prob"bly wonFt be helping him
G5"lbornI out "nymore.
."#h: ?r"y "nd '"#e s"y itFs time to set up " meeting with 5"lborn& "nd "s: him to le"ve the
."tri. !he pl"yer h"s to get through some n"sty "##eler"ted progr"ms& but $inds 5"lborn&
"nd he gru$$ly "grees th"t heFll #ome "long& sin#e he w"nts to $ill the ."#hines in on
something& "nyw"y. -n " meeting with '"#e& 5"lborn insists th"t he wonFt le"ve without the
progr"m& but he s"ys th"t heFs $igured out wh"t he needs to do& "lthough he h"dnFt w"nted to
h"ve to de"l with it Ghe doesnFt spe#i$yI. '"#e s"ys heFll h"ve to be w"t#hed very #"re$ully.
.erv: 6lood thin:s itFs time to review wh"tFs been going on& "nd h"s the pl"yer $"#e o$$
"g"inst 1'3& Cypherites& "nd A##eler"ted 1iles& :eeping up " running #omment"ry o$ his
own "long the w"y. 5eFs )uestioning why the Or"#le would h"ve given "pp"rently import"nt
#odes to 1'3 "nd the Cypherites& "nd points out th"t she did this++"nd "##ording to the
."#hines w"s wor:ing on " :ill+#ode++"$ter the intruders #"me "round "nd it w"s reve"led
th"t she w"s the one who wrote the progr"m theyFre so interested in. !he mission ends with
6lood h"r"nguing the pl"yer in person& s"ying th"t this h"s "ll been some sort o$ pl"n
"rr"nged by the Or"#le& "nd itFs something to do with the progr"m& or with the intruders.
8/4+8/9
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: 5"lborn "mbushes C"rlyne& tries to r"m " tr"#e progr"m through his %*-& but C"rlyne
res#ued by Eion
."#h: te" with the Ar#hite#t "nd " sm"ll group o$ oper"tives in the Or"#leFs "p"rtment& "nd
musing upon the #urrent situ"tion
.erv: .erv loo:s $or *er"ph& *"ti& "nd the .orpheus simul"#rum& but $inds theyFve v"nished&
"pp"rently without " tr"#e G#on$ront"tion with Lo %uh"m"hHI
8//0
Crit /0./.2
Eion: C"rlyne theorizes th"t 5"lborn is determined to get rid o$ him so he #"n st"y in the
."tri long+term& "nd to do it by "tt"#:ing him in his hover#r"$tB this w"s wh"t C"rlyne w"s
413
pl"nning to do to 5"lborn& in $"#t& but he h"snFt been "ble to get " $i on 5"lbornFs shipB
C"rlyne "dds th"t 5"lborn runs o$$ outside resour#es& "nd thus needs to m"int"in " ship ne"r
the ."#hine #ity "s " rel"y point& but itFs more di$$i#ult to lo#"te his ship in the %e"l th"n it is to
$ind his #ode sign"l in the ."tri. *him"d" h"s " new mess"ge $rom Comm"nder Lo#:& in
whi#h he s"ys th"t heFs #lose to $ully re#overed& "nd loo:ing $orw"rd to some :ind o$
"rr"ngement being m"de $or tr"ns$erring him to 3ew Eion in " $ew wee:s. Just then !ynd"ll
gets in tou#h to s"y th"t one o$ EionFs bro"d#"st #ontrol #lusters in the ."tri is under "tt"#:.
*him"d" lo"ns " $ew 1'3& "nd the pl"yer $inds the pl"#e overrun by "##eler"ted progr"msB
one o$ the survivors s"ys it w"s 5"lborn& trying to "##ess their #omputersB they thin: they got
their networ: #onne#tions shut down be$ore he #ould get "nything& but they "renFt sure. 3iobe
s"ys itFs time to put 5"lborn on i#eB she thin:s he might h"ve been trying to get hover#r"$t
positions& or #r"#: their bro"d#"st proto#ol.
."#h: C"rlyne meets with '"#e& "nd s"ys th"t on#e 5"lbornFs been removed& heFll see to it
th"t Dthe Xse#ret n"me zet"sY restri#t his "##ess.D 5e "dds th"t D3obody w"nts the simul"tion
to h"ve oper"ting di$$i#ulties.D '"#e tells the pl"yer th"t theyFll monitor the situ"tion& but th"t it
seems li:e itFs being h"ndled& so they #"n #on#entr"te on other things th"t h"d been put on
the b"#: burner. !he pl"yer is sent to get " report $rom Veil on the en#rypted $ile the Or"#le
g"ve her. Veil s"ys they h"venFt been "ble to de#rypt it& "nd th"t the Or"#le told her it #ould
be d"ngerous to lose it& so sheFs going to :eep it s"$e outside o$ the ."tri Gie& she doesnFt
intend to h"nd it overI. *he suggests #he#:ing up on 1'3 "nd their own en#rypted $ile. ?r"y
is "nnoyed. 3evertheless& he #onsiders the 1'3 side& "nd $igures th"t theyFre prob"bly
:eeping their $ile outside o$ the ."tri "s well: either on " hover#r"$t& or inside old Eion. !o
test this& he h"s the pl"yer pl"nt " $":e mess"ge on "n 1'3 networ:& o$ *him"d" s"ying th"t
their Or"#le $ileFs been stolen $rom their hover#r"$t. !hen the pl"yer e"vesdrops on some 1'3
re"ding the mess"ge& "nd theyFre #le"rly surprised th"t the mess"ge s"ys the $ile w"s on "
hover#r"$t& so ?r"y #on#ludes theyFre prob"bly :eeping it in old Eion.
.erv: !hin:ing 5"lborn m"y be more $orth#oming "bout the progr"m now th"t his b"#:Fs
"g"inst the w"ll& 6lood sends the pl"yer to $ind him. 6irst they #ome "#ross Eionites "nd "n
A##eler"tor. !he A##eler"tor is $riendly to the pl"yer. An "##ess #"rd is $ound on one o$ the
Eionites& "nd itFs tr"#ed b"#: to "n "p"rtment& whi#h the pl"yer r"ns"#:s& "nd $inds some
d"t" th"t turns out to be Eion intelligen#e reports "bout " se"r#h $or 5"lborn th"t Eion is
#ondu#ting. Correl"ting EionFs $indings with their own& 5"lborn is lo#"ted& in his usu"l $oul
mood. 5e "grees to meet the .erv& but when "s:ed $or in$o on the progr"m& s"ys thereFs no
w"y he #"n give out "ny more in$o "bout it with C"rlyne "round trying to use "nything he #"n
"g"inst him. 5e s"ys heFll h"ve to t":e C"rlyne down& "nd he :nows how to do it& but he h"s
to $ind C"rlyneFs ship. 5e s"ys C"rlyne isnFt so sm"rtB the only re"son C"rlyne got Dthe Cump
on me in the $irst pl"#eD w"s be#"use Dhe w"s Cust 800 miles "w"y $rom hereDB l"ter he "dds
imp"tiently th"t this w"s northwest. !he .erv promises 5"lborn th"t theyFll le"ve it to him to
de"l with C"rlyne "nd his ship& but is #le"rly interested in the D800 milesD rem"r:.
8//0+8//=
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: C"rlyne w"nts to try on 5"lborn wh"t 5"lborn tried on him++oper"tives t"#:le 5"lborn&
414
but when C"rlyne s#"ns him& he $inds th"t 5"lbornFs "lre"dy running "n "dv"n#ed #ounter to
the tr"#e routineB lots o$ overrides sp"wned by 5"lborn to try to $ree himsel$& m"ybe " little
s#u$$le between the two& who :nows
."#h: *m"ll *entinel "tt"#: on 1'3 hover#r"$t "nd old Eion #oordin"ted with "tt"#: on the
1'3 #rew in the ."tri: ."#hines determine th"t 1'3 h"s rein$or#ed EionFs de$enses& but
does not m"int"in " #entr"l m"in$r"me thereB this would& $or inst"n#e& me"n th"t #"pturing
d"t" stored in the #ity would re)uire "t le"st either "n etremely s:illed spy& or " $ull "ss"ult
on the #ity
.erv: ste"l m"p d"t" o$ the "re" 800 miles 3, o$ the ."#hine #ity $rom the ."#hines:
unm"r:ed "re"
8//>
Crit /0./.4
Eion: 3iobe "s:s C"rlyne $or more in$orm"tion on their ships. 5e s"ys heFs only #"ught "
glimpse o$ 5"lbornFs on#e& not long be$ore 5"lborn "ppe"red in the ."tri& "nd it loo:ed
roughly simil"r to his own& e#ept built he"vier $or $irepower over speed. 5e des#ribes his own
ship "s h"ving Dthe "dv"nt"ge o$ " stre"mlined unibody #onstru#tion whose d"r: #omposite
sur$"#e provides superior prote#tion "g"inst :ineti# "nd ele#tro+m"gneti# we"pons& "nd
dete#tion. !he repulsion units "re intern"l r"ther th"n etern"l& "nd #"p"ble o$ )uite " bit
more velo#ity "nd "ltitude th"n your own. !he over"ll pro$ile is sm"ller& "nd mu#h more
m"neuver"ble.D All heFll s"y "bout the we"pons systems is w"rning Eion theyFll need to be
prep"red to $"#e Dmultiple intelligent missiles simult"neously.D 5e "lso sends them " det"iled
etern"l s#hem"ti# o$ his own #r"$t Gnot "#tu"lly shownI. Eion w"nts #on$irm"tion $rom
"nother sour#e& though& so they bl"#:m"il one o$ the ?ener"lFs veter"n #omm"ndo o$$i#ers
GwhoFs involved in some sort o$ rel"tionship with " $em"le 5el Club ?u"rdI into giving them
the "ddress to " networ: entry point $or " ."#hine re"l+world surveill"n#e d"t"b"se. !he
d"t"b"se is r"ided& "nd in the d"t" they loot $rom it& Eion $inds re#ords o$ " ship m"t#hing the
des#ription o$ 5"lbornFs& th"t "ppro"#hed the ."#hine #ity " $ew wee:s be$ore 5"lborn
"ppe"red in the ."tri. ?host s"ys this will prob"bly be enough eviden#e $or %ol"nd to go
"he"d "nd $ormul"te pl"ns $or tr"#:ing down the ship. !he d"t" "lso #ont"ined " re$eren#e to
" re#ord o$ " ship m"t#hing C"rlyneFs& lo#"ted in " two+ye"r+old d"t" "r#hive& whi#h seems to
suggest th"t C"rlyne visited the #ity two or more ye"rs "go.
."#h: 5unting down the topogr"phi# d"t" the .erv stole& the pl"yer runs into 5"lborn& who
wipes out the #omputers the pl"yer w"s using to hunt down the d"t"& "nd dem"nds " meeting
with the ."#hines. '"#e tells 5"lborn to go loo: up the Cypherites i$ he w"nts to $ind
C"rlyneFs ship& be#"use Dour own "bility to give out su#h in$orm"tion is restri#ted.D *he tells
the pl"yer to tell Veil to tre"t 5"lborn D"s he deserves.D ?r"y instru#ts the pl"yer not to
mention Cryptos to 5"lborn& be#"use theyFd pre$er th"t 5"lborn de"l with Veil. Veil s"ys
theyFll t":e good #"re o$ him& "nd th"t they h"ve plenty o$ pl"#es to t":e himB she "lso invites
the pl"yer "long. 5"lborn is s:epti#"l.
.erv: !he pl"yer pi#:s up " #opy o$ the stolen ."#hine topogr"phi# d"t" $rom ."lph"s Gthe
415
!wins "re puzzling over the DXse#ret n"me zet"sYD term one o$ them #"me "#ross in ."#hine
intel reports++see ."#h /0./.2I& who s"ys th"t itFs "lmost "s though the ."#hines h"ve "n
in$orm"tion bl"#:out in e$$e#t "round th"t "re" 800 miles 3,. !he .erv wonders i$ the
."#hines themselves "void the "re"& "nd tells the pl"yer to t":e the d"t" to the ?ener"l. !he
pl"yer h"nds the d"t" to " #omm"ndo& who p"t#hes the ?ener"lFs hologr"m throughB the
?ener"l s"ys th"t the "re" is " no+$ly zone& "nd even ."#hine *entinels wonFt be "llowed
there. 5e s"ys to tell the .erv th"t heFll be le"ving right "w"y& "nd to m":e the ne#ess"ry
"rr"ngements. 6lood s"ys theyFll h"ve to disrupt *entinel systems in order $or the ?ener"l to
get on his w"y without being #"ught. <sing d"t" $rom the ?ener"l& the pl"yer goes "$ter "
."#hine termin"l& but #"nFt get "nywhere with itB the ?ener"lFs hologr"m be"ms in "nd s"ys
th"t the ."#hines h"ve #h"nged the inter$"#e to $oil his intel& but he "nd his men #"n get
upd"ted d"t" by #"pturing " ."#hine *entinel. GA h"#:"ble #omputer in this ."#hine "re"
h"s some det"ils "bout 1'3Fs upgr"des "nd rep"irs to old EionB the ."#hines would h"ve got
this in$o in the ."#h /0./.4 event:
6orti$i#"tion "n"lysis:
+ 5igh 1.' mine density in "ppro"#h tunnels
+ 1.' mines pl"#ed in bedro#: "round m"in do#:
+ 7o#: hull rep"ired "nd rein$or#ed
+ 7o#: gun turrets repl"#ed "nd supplemented
+ -n$"ntry strength un:nown
I
3ew #oordin"tes "re supplied by the ?ener"l& "nd this time the .ervs $ind " m"#hine they
#"n hiC"#: to disrupt some o$ the ."#hine *entinels $or the ?ener"l. 6lood s"ys the ?ener"l
is on his w"y to the bl"#:out zone.
8//>+8/24
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: Eion ship th"t w"s $ollowing sign"l possibly #orresponding to 5"lbornFs ship
#on$igur"tion h"s stopped respondingB #rew member C"#:s in to s"y their ship is #rippled "nd
being pursued by 5"lbornB Eion uses the mess"ge rel"y theyFd set up with 5"lborn be$ore to
send him "n emergen#y mess"ge s"ying they h"ve the progr"m he w"ntsB he C"#:s in "nd
they h"ve to :eep him distr"#ted somehow while the #rippled ship gets "w"y Gsome :ind o$
time limit& m"ybeIB "lso& it loo:s li:e 5"lborn m"y h"ve been hoping to eploit the #rippled
ship in order to "##ess 3ew Eion somehow
."#h: Cyph oper"tion to ste"l in$o on the Lo#: ship tr"ns$er $rom 1'3 or EionB Veil gives in$o
to 5"lborn
.erv: *entinel "#tivity is " little he"vier th"n "nti#ip"ted Gmost h"d been re#"lled sin#e
5"lborn "ppe"red in the ."triI& "nd the .erv w"nts their systems bothered "g"in to buy the
?ener"l "ddition"l time: disrupting " #omputer system& or something li:e th"t& or even
#re"ting some sort o$ distr"#tion $or the *entinels
Also: 5over#r"$t b"ttle G"$ter ."#h "nd .erv eventsI
416
6ollowing the #oordin"te d"t" given him by Veil& 5"lborn $inds only the 1'3/Eion #onvoy
t":ing Lo#: to 3ew Eion. Cyphs #ome "long to m":e " b"ttle o$ it "nd blow 5"lbornFs #over&
m"y bring ."#hines. 5over#r"$t b"ttle to determine where Lo#: ends up:
"I Cyph win G1'3/Eion be"ten "nd Cyphs h"ve more ships le$t th"n ."#hinesI: Lo#: is on
the run with 1'3/Eion survivors somewhere in the tunnels between old "nd new Eion
bI 1'3 win GCyphs/."#hs be"ten "nd 1'3 h"ve more ships le$t th"n EionI: 1'3 t":es Lo#:
b"#: to Eion until they #"n be sure o$ getting to 3ew Eion s"$ely
#I ."#h win G1'3/Eion be"ten "nd ."#hines h"ve more ships le$t th"n CyphsI: ."#hines
#"pture Lo#:
dI Eion win GCyphs/."#h be"ten "nd Eion h"s more ships th"n 1'3I: Lo#: is t":en to 3ew
Eion
8/28
Crit /0./.8
Eion: A Eion hover#r"$t is t"iling " ship th"t might be 5"lbornFs& $ound s:ul:ing not too $"r $rom
the spot o$ the hover#r"$t b"ttle over Lo#: Gsee "boveI. Colt h"s the pl"yer go get C"rlyne&
sin#e he might h"ve some ide"s o$ how this lone ship #"n h"ndle 5"lborn. !he pl"yer $inds
C"rlyne in the midst o$ some de"d "##eler"ted progr"ms. 5e s"ys i$ they #"n s#"n " D#ert"in
spe#trum b"ndD "t #lose r"nge& they #ould get some use$ul in$orm"tion "bout 5"lbornFs ."tri
bro"d#"st $re)uen#y& "nd he suggests they try luring 5"lborn in by l"nding "nd "#tiv"ting
their emergen#y be"#on& to m":e it loo: li:e theyFre dis"bled& sin#e 5"lborn m"y be trying to
#"pture " Eion #r"$t Gsee previous Eion eventI. !he ship re"#hes bro"d#"st depth "nd one
#rew member C"#:s inB theyFre given C"rlyneFs in$orm"tion& "nd their #"pt"in de#ides to go $or
itB they "renFt sure heFs still ne"r& "s he isnFt showing up on r"d"r& but theyFre getting Dsome
weird lid"r s#"tter.D !he pl"yer es#orts the #rew member to C"rlyne "nd ?host. As they get
there& the #rew member s"ys theyFre st"rting the s#"n& but then they suddenly seem s#"red&
"nd drop de"d. C"rlyne is #on#erned "bout the s#"n& but relieved to $ind they did get some
d"t" b"#: be$ore the s#"n w"s termin"ted. 5e s"ys heFll be "ble to use it to $in"lize " new
progr"m heFs been wor:ing on& th"t 5"lborn wonFt h"ve " #ounter to. 5e "dds his regrets
"bout the lost #rew& "nd his surprise th"t 5"lborn "tt"#:ed them& but it m"y sound " little
insin#ere. ?host s"ys they h"ve other ships on their w"y to the s#ene& but he doesnFt epe#t
theyFll get there be$ore 5"lborn h"s m"de himsel$ s#"r#e.
."#h: 5"lborn is ti#:ed o$$ "bout being led into the Eion/1'3 hover#r"$t by the Cypherites&
"nd dem"nds to see the ."#hines "g"in. !he pl"yer meets '"#e& "s i$ thereFs going to be
"nother meeting between her "nd 5"lborn& but she s"ys th"t 5"lborn wonFt be #oming&
be#"use thereFs no point in him "s:ing them $or the lo#"tion o$ C"rlyneFs ship "g"in. *he "dds
th"t $ortun"tely& "n outlet $or his "nger h"s Dbeen "rr"nged.D Override progr"ms "re popping
up "t Cypherite inst"ll"tions& "nd the pl"yer $inds some Cyphs who s"y 5"lborn tore through
their pl"#e& "nd #h"sed o$$ the rest o$ the Cyphs there. !hey go "long with the pl"yer to this
other Cypherite lo#"tion& where there "re " bun#h o$ override progr"ms& de"d Cypherites& "nd
5"lborn& whoFs still m"d& "nd s"ys theyFre being m"nipul"ted Git isnFt #le"r i$ he is thin:ing the
pl"yer is " ."#hine or " Cypherite hereI by someone who :nows "ll "bout the progr"m.
417
.erv: !he ?ener"lFs l"test progress upd"te h"snFt #ome through& "nd the pl"yer is sent to
$ind out wh"t the holdup is. !hey $ind the #omm"ndo #ommuni#"tion s)u"d de"d& "nd their
.erv+net #omputer lo#:ed out. 6lood s"ys th"t the ."#hines "re on the pl"yerFs t"il now&
prob"bly over the whole *entinel system h"#:ing thing& "nd grudgingly shows the pl"yer "
spot they #"n hide out $or " while. !his doesnFt wor:& "nd the pl"yer is "mbushed repe"tedly
by ."#hines. 6lood sends the pl"yer to " spot where theyFve seen one o$ 5"lbornFs
A##eler"torsB some ."#hines get too #lose "nd get "##eler"ted G$riendlyIB the pl"yer $inishes
o$$ the rest. !he pl"yer reports to the .erv& who "dmits th"t 5"lborn h"s h"d his uses& but
those h"ve run out& "nd they #"n #onsider their business with him "t "n end. 'ersephone is
there& "nd #omments th"t 5"lborn is Cust "nother o$ the people the .erv h"s used up "nd spit
out over the #enturies++people who were willing to sell their souls to try to get wh"t they
w"nted.
8/28+8/40
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: C"rlyne #on$ronts 5"lborn& Eionite hits him with C"rlyne+given progr"m& 5"lborn
#rumples li$eless to the ground shortly there"$ter
."#h: G9e$ore Eion eventI ."#hines w"rn 5"lborn th"t his ship h"s prob"bly been
#ompromised& suggest th"t he le"ve& "s his se#urity #"nnot be gu"r"nteedB heFs ti#:edB
'"#e/?r"y hyperCumps "w"y
.erv: GA$ter Eion eventI .ervs sent to see wh"t C"rlyne intends to do nowB "$ter getting p"st
some o$ this progr"ms& they G- guess the only .erv #h"r"#ter - #ould t":e "long would be
9eirn& sin#e the others would be vulner"ble to overridesI "s: him wh"tFs up& he s"ys heFs
le"ving& .ervs get orders to try to #onvin#e him to st"y Ghow& - dunno++- wouldnFt w"nt to
repe"t some o$ the stu$$ "lre"dy tried by the .erv on 5"lborn in the previous sub#h"pters&
thoughIB ultim"tely this doesnFt wor:& C"rlyneFs still determined to le"ve
;//
Crit /0./.;
Eion: C"rlyne th"n:s Eion& "nd s"ys heFs le"ving the ."tri now th"t his Cob o$ removing
5"lborn is done. 5e "dds th"t he doesnFt thin: 5"lbornFs de"d& but his ship h"s been
dis"bled& so he #"nFt C"#: in. ."ybe he #ould given time& but C"rlyne will be t":ing steps to
m":e sure th"t doesnFt h"ppen& whi#h++he s"ys++is "nother re"son heFs got to d"sh o$$.
!ynd"ll s"ys some overrides "re still #ropping up& "nd send the pl"yer to one site& but "ll they
$ind there "re " #ouple emb"rr"ssed bluepills. !hey try "nother spot& "nd $ind "##eler"ted
progr"ms& but de"d ones& "nd some ."#hines show up "nd #h"se them o$$ Gor "t le"st put up
" good $ight++" level /00 sp"wns "$ter the $irst norm"l ."#hine is :illedI. 3iobe s"ys sheFs
gl"d 5"lborn "nd C"rlyne "re out o$ the pi#ture& but the ."#hines showing up "round those
de"d overrides is prob"bly " sign th"t theyFre stepping their "#tivity b"#: up now th"t the
intruders "re gone& "nd th"t Eion h"s h"d time to get prep"red G3ew Eion $inished "nd so
418
$orthI& but itFs going to be tough $"#ing the $ull $or#e o$ the ."#hines "g"in.
."#h: *ent to investig"te possible lingering override progr"ms& the pl"yer $inds th"t C"rlyneFs
"lre"dy :illed them. C"rlyne s"ys heFs le"ving the ."tri& "s heFd promised to do on#e
5"lborn w"s removed. 5e s"ys he hopes there "re no h"rd $eelings over the times they
ended up on opposite sides. ?r"y #"lls the pl"yer in to dis#uss priorities in light o$ C"rlyneFs
dep"rture. ?r"y s"ys th"t with the intruders gone& theyFll be "ble to deploy their *entinels "nd
Agents in $ull strength "g"in& "nd t":e on the terrorists. '"#e n"mes 1'3 "nd the .erv "s
re#ent o$$enders who need to be de"lt with. !he pl"yer is sent b"#: out to $inish s#rubbing up
override #odes& "nd $inds some .erv oper"tives whoFve lured ."#hines into "n override $ield
where they got "##eler"ted& "nd then Cypherites e"mining de"d "##eler"ted progr"ms with
Cryptos& who s"ys th"t he thin:s the overrides were t"pping into something $und"ment"l in
the simul"tion& th"tFs not li:ely to go "w"y Cust be#"use the intruders "re le"ving. 5e s"ys th"t
he w"snFt vulner"ble to overrides& despite being p"rtly ."#hine #ode himsel$& so heFs going to
try #oding something to resist override progr"ms& using his own oper"ting #ode "s " st"rting
point.
.erv: !he ?ener"l be"ms " slightly #hoppy hologr"phi# bro"d#"st through to s"y th"t heFs
re"#hed the bl"#:out "re"& "nd they $ound " he"vily $orti$ied $"#ility& whose de$enses they
#ouldnFt penetr"te. 3e"rby they $ound " d"t" #onduit th"t w"snFt "s he"vily de$ended& "nd
theyFve m"n"ged to t"p into it& but the proto#ols "re unusu"l& only p"rtly m"t#hing ."#hine
$orm"ts. 5e sends " s"mple "long. 6lood h"s the pl"yer h"#: into " *entinel system to loo:
$or some :ind o$ m"t#h& but they donFt $ind "nything. !he 1$$e#tu"tor pops in to s"y th"t theyFll
h"ve to go w"y deeper& sin#e this is something nobody they :now h"s seen be$ore. 5e gives
the pl"yer " #ouple dire lupine de$enders& "nd the pl"yer tries " he"vily se#ured ."#hine
d"t"b"se the .erv h"snFt been "ble to "##ess be$ore. A$ter getting p"st " lot o$ ."#hines "nd
"mbushes& the pl"yer gets m"t#hing d"t" $rom the site "nd uplo"ds it. GA h"#:"ble #omputer
"t this ."#hine site h"s tet system"ti#"lly des#ribing how X5"lbornY $ound himsel$ in "
position to be s#"nned by Eion twi#e& "nd s"ys in$orm"tion $rom the s#"ns w"s prob"bly used
"g"inst him.I -tFs be"med to the ?ener"l& who tries using it to wor: his w"y through the
str"nge d"t" proto#ols. !he pl"yer h"s to $ight o$$ ."#hines to get to the #omm termin"l
where the ?ener"lFs d"t" $eed is #oming in& "nd it loo:s li:e heFs $ound some :ind o$ m"ssive
networ:: the DXse#ret n"me zet"Y 3etwor:&D but th"tFs "bout "ll th"tFs returned be$ore his
session is termin"ted.
;//;
Ch"pter im"ge: ."user "t " telephone in !"bor '"r:
Crit /0.2./
Eion: ,hile investig"ting "n in#re"se in networ: glit#hes& "nd $inding " #omputer th"t #he#:s
419
out #le"n& "lthough " ."#hine oper"tive w"s en#ountered ne"rby& the pl"yer is #"lled in to
t"l: to Colt& who tells them th"t his old #rewm"te GheFs l"ter #"lled Dhe"d me#h"ni#D "nd D"
highly s:illed te#hni#i"nDI ."user& supposedly :illed by *entinels "$ter res#uing Lo#: $rom the
."#hine "tt"#: on Eion& h"s been seen in the ."tri++this is doubly str"nge& sin#e ."user
didnFt h"ve C"#:s. GA Eionite gu"rd here t"l:s "bout the su##ess$ul hover#r"$t b"ttle "nd Lo#:Fs
return.I A bit o$ $ruitless se"r#hing $or him is done b"sed o$$ the initi"l sighting reports "nd
Ddis#onne#ted blips "t publi# h"rdlines&D but these "re $ruitless until his pi#ture #omes up on
"n -7 s#"nner "t " ne"rby internet #"$S. 9ut by the time the pl"yer gets there& ."user is
gone& "nd the se#urity gu"rd #on$irms he didnFt st"y very long. A st"$$ member is puzzled th"t
someone m"n"ged to wipe the se#ured #"#he on one o$ the termin"ls.
."#h: !he pl"yer is going "round messing with Eionites whoFve gotten " little sl"#: with their
se#urity "$ter "ll these months o$ the ."#hines pl"ying it #ool while the intruders were "round.
!his spree in#ludes be"ting up Eionites& dis"bling their #omputers& "nd interrupting "n
"w":ening pro#edure right "$ter the bluepill sw"llowed the red pill. 6in"lly they get to "
surprisingly l"rge p"#: o$ Eionites he"ded by 3iobe& who s"ys th"t Eion isnFt Cust going to roll
over $or the ."#hines.
.erv: !he ?ener"l tries to get in #ont"#t $rom the no+$ly zone& but his sign"l is too we":.
."lph"s introdu#es " s#heme $or using the hum"ns in pods dotted "round the 1"rthFs sur$"#e
"s " wide "rr"y bro"d#"st method $or re"#hing the ?ener"l by t":ing "dv"nt"ge o$ the sign"l
gener"tion #"p"bility o$ ele#troen#eph"logr"phi# G11?I wiring "nd hum"n bodies. All
oper"tives h"ve to do is go "round sh":ing h"nds with bluepills to $ire ."lph"sF progr"m b"#:
into their pods. !his goes on $or " while with v"rious re"#tions $rom the bluepills en#ountered&
some o$ the l"ter ones re"#ting " little suspi#iously Gsort o$ ."#hine+li:e& you #ould s"yI. -n
the end the sign"l gener"ted Cust isnFt power$ul enough to get "nything to or $rom the ?ener"l&
giving 6lood "n opportunity to go on "bout the we":ness o$ the hum"n mind "nd body.
;//;+;/2/
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: XEion onlyY Colt le"ds " hunt $or ."user th"t h"s oper"tives spre"d out to #over every
h"rdline in the #ityB ."user is spotted "nd pursued& but when Colt #"t#hes up to him& ."user
m":es no sign o$ re#ognizing him& "nd v"nishes through "n un#h"rted line Gsome non+
h"rdline phone or other somewhere in the #ityI
."#h: 5m& m"ybe we #ould swipe some Cui#y Eion in$o on wh"t Lo#:Fs been t"l:ing to the
Coun#il "bout sin#e he got b"#: Gthis would be something Cust re"d o$$& "nd would illustr"te
th"t the Coun#il isnFt too hot to :i#: %ol"nd out o$ the Comm"nder position Cust be#"use
Lo#:Fs b"#:I
.erv: !he .erv tries getting " #rew to est"blish " bro"d#"st rel"y to the ?ener"l in the %e"l&
but "lthough the #oordin"tion "nd setup goes well& "nd " #onne#tion is est"blished& the #rew
is brut"lly sl"ughtered by *entinels who $ind their position. Ou#hR
420
;/22
Crit /0.2.2
Eion: !he line ."user es#"ped through is $ound to be p"rt o$ " pre+!ru#e restri#ted "##ess
Eion networ:& whose do#ument"tion w"s mostly lost when the ."#hines z"pped EionFs old
m"in$r"me. Old oper"tives li:e Colt "nd %ol"nd :now " little bit "bout some o$ the networ:&
but while Eion #"n tr"#: down some o$ the old phone termin"ls& they #"nFt n"vig"te through
them++how ."user is doing it is " mystery. !he pl"yerFs oper"tor tries m"pping some o$ the
networ: by sending tr"#:ing p"#:ets through it& whi#h wor:s to " #ert"in etent& "lthough they
"lso run into some ."#hines "long the w"y& "nd " $ew puzzled bluepills who s"y they h"venFt
re#eived " phone bill in ye"rs. A$ter these $"lse st"rts& though& they #ome "#ross ."user&
st"nding net to yet "nother phone. 5e #"lmly s"ys heFs doing wh"t he #"n do win the w"rB
he "dds th"t the ."#hines will be there soon Xnot "#tu"lly :pY& "nd heFs prep"red to le"ve
through the restri#ted line heFs Cust Dspli#ed.D
."#h: !he pl"yer wor:s with poli#e to #he#: into possible ."user "#tivity& $inding some
#omputers with their "##ess logs wiped G"nd " de"d 3ight ,"t#hm"n "t one lo#"tionI& "nd
$ingerprints. !his le"ds to " b"n: th"t Cust reported " bre":+in. 3o money w"s t":en& but "
#omputer w"s t"mpered with. !here w"s "n "ttempt to delete the "##ess log& but it w"s
preserved by the b"n:Fs b"#:up system. !he log is "n"lyzed& "nd ?r"y reports th"t it shows
the user #onne#ted to " remote system using networ: tunneling "nd "n un:nown& en#rypted
#onne#tion proto#ol. ?r"y "dds th"t the w"y the perp is s:ipping "round indi#"tes th"t he isnFt
tr"velling by usu"l me"ns. !he ."#hines still "renFt sure i$ this is "#tu"lly ."user& but by the
end o$ the mission ?r"y s"ys theyFre giving him th"t design"tion& "t le"st tempor"rily.
.erv: !he .erovingi"n w"nts to investig"te using the power gener"ted by the storm to help
#ont"#t the ?ener"l somehow. G!he !wins "re here dis#ussing Lo#:Fs tr"ns$er to 3ew Eion.I
6lood h"s the pl"yer borrow " bluepill phone "nd #"ll Dthe popul"r r"dio meteorologi#"l #"ll+in
show& F%"iny 7"y 7"n&FD to see i$ thereFs "n e"sy "nswer. !he ebullient host s"ys he doesnFt
:now o$ " w"y lightning would help& but " temper"ture inversion& th"t #"n h"ppen in storms&
h"s the possibility o$ #"using " phenomenon #"lled Dtropospheri# du#tingD #"p"ble o$ boosting
r"dio sign"l r"nge signi$i#"ntly. 6lood thin:s this sounds simple "nd sends the pl"yer to "s:
#omm"ndos $or det"ils "bout the storm. !hey t"l: "bout v"rious things li:e "voiding lightning&
the slow pro#ess o$ "tmospheri# oygen de#"y& "nd the hum"n DOper"tion 7"r: *tormD th"t
st"rted the storm& "lthough they h"ve no ide" how the hum"ns "#tu"lly did it& "nd suggest
th"t m"ybe the ."#hines donFt even :now how it wor:ed& or else theyFd h"ve stopped it
"lre"dy. 6lood s"ys th"t isnFt mu#h to go on& "nd sends the pl"yer to try to get "nything on
Oper"tion 7"r: *torm th"t Eion might h"ve. !hey dig up "n old newsp"per "rti#le $rom "bout
" wee: be$ore the oper"tion w"s :i#:ed o$$ Gthe government is rele"sing some in$o to the
publi# "bout wh"t to epe#t& it will be per$e#tly s"$e "nd tempor"ry& vi#tory is "ssured& $ree
$l"shlights $or everyone in the me"n time& et#I& but th"tFs "bout it. 6lood s"ys i$ the
"tmosphere is still rel"tively simil"r to the pre+storm "tmosphere& theyFll Cust h"ve to h"ve
some o$ the ?ener"lFs *entinels try v"rious time+tested #loud seeding te#hni)ues su#h "s
dispersing silver iodide& dry i#e& s"lt mitures& "nd so $orth.
;/22+;/28
421
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: Could be he#ti#& but - w"s thin:ing o$ trying " #ontest where we s"y th"t weFre trying to
tr"#: ."user boun#ing "round hidden lines& so we h"ve pl"yers split into mission te"ms "nd
$ind non+h"rdline eterior phones in the #ity within " #ert"in time limit. !he te"m le"der would
h"ve to be "t the phone& they /tell "n LO& the LO gives me their n"me& - teleport to their
lo#"tion GinvisibleI& drop " smo:e #loud GDmess"ge #loudDI on the phone to m"r: it& "nd "n LO
:eeping s#ore t"llies one point $or th"t te"m. ,eFd prob"bly h"ve " b"#:log o$ reports "t $irst&
but eventu"lly - thin: it would slow down "s pl"yers would be spre"ding $"rther "nd $"rther
"$ield to $ind unm"r:ed phones. .ight need " b"#:up pl"n i$ we #ouldnFt :eep up with the
reports.
."#h: ."#hine #r"#:+down on h"rdlines in 7owntownB m"ybe something li:e putting sm"ll
pvp zones up on v"rious h"rdlines& "nd h"ving ."#hinists try to de$end " .e#h"ni# there
while he oper"tes on the line& i$ itFs su##ess$ul& " pl"toon o$ level 2;; Agents pops out "nd
surrounds the h"rdline
.erv: - w"nt to dwell on the 7"r: *torm thing " little while weFre on the topi#. .ervs $ollow up
some o$ the le"ds they $ound in the previous mission "nd $ind "n old progr"m& who loo:s li:e
" Eero One robot Ghe might h"ve to be etr"#ted "nd inst"nti"ted or something $irstI& "nd
t"l:s "bout the old times when the hum"ns #re"ted the storm.
;/29
Crit /0.2.4
Eion: Colt provides " progr"m th"t will shut down p"rt o$ the restri#ted "##ess networ:++Eion
still #"nFt utilize the lines& "nd theyFre #on#erned th"t the ."#hines m"y h"ve #"ptured d"t"
on the system $rom the old Eion m"in$r"me. Colt is #on$used by ."userFs beh"vior& "nd thin:s
Dsomething h"ppened out there with him "nd Lo#:.D !he pl"yer shuts the networ: se#tion
down without trouble& "nd goes to investig"te " new line $ound $rom the termin"l they
"##essed. !hey $ind " bluepill o$$i#e& with " restri#ted line in " b"#: room. A #ler: s"ys they
"renFt supposed to use it. Another #ler:& however& whispers DitFs "bout time they sent
someone&D "nd gives the pl"yer "n "##ess #ode $or the phone. A lo#:ed des: in the "re"
#ont"ins " $ile$older th"t the oper"tor s"ys holds " h"ndwritten note s"ying DNour #ont"#tFs
n"me is *oren. "ny #h"nges to your st"nding orders will #ome $rom him.D !his phone le"ds to
"nother& but when the pl"yer re"#hes it& they $ind " 7e#eler"tor progr"m& whi#h h"s
s#r"mbled the line. ."#hine redpills "ppe"r "t the s#ene "s well. !ynd"ll s"ys they thought
the override progr"ms h"d been removed wee:s "go.
."#h: !he ."#hines h"ve $ound some d"t" on the old restri#ted h"rdline networ: "mong the
m"in$r"me d"t" #"ptured $rom old Eion& "nd st"rt using it to investig"te the networ:. !hey run
sm"#: into Eionites& "nd " line with str"nge proto#ols. !he ."#hines re"lize they donFt h"ve
the ne#ess"ry in$orm"tion to be "ble to use the networ:& "nd Eion seems to :now things
"bout it th"t they donFt& so they de#ide to #on#entr"te on $ollowing Eion inste"d. !hey $ind "
Eionite )uestioning bluepills "bout str"nge "##esses on wh"t the o$$i#e wor:ers des#ribe "s
422
Dsome :ind o$ old di"l+up d"t" lineD th"t they donFt re"lly use "nymore. *nooping th"t EioniteFs
#omm tips the ."#hines o$$ to the lo#"tion o$ " Eionite te"m who thin:s theyFre #losing in on
."user. !he pl"yer "mbushes the te"m& "nd the ."#hines s#"n the restri#ted line "t their
lo#"tion. !his pi#:s up tr"#es o$ "n unusu"l bro"d#"st sign"l& "nd " m"t#h "t "nother phone
termin"l on the restri#ted networ:. !he pl"yer meets '"#e there& "nd she s"ys th"t ."user
w"snFt "round& but they got " better re"ding o$ the bro"d#"st sign"l& "nd were "ble to
determine th"t itFs #oming $rom the vi#inity o$ old Eion. '"#e thin:s it #ould be ."userFs
sign"l.
.erv: !he tropospheri# du#ting is wor:ing G"nd the storm seeding wor:ed better th"n
epe#ted& :i#:ing up " pretty he"vy tempestI& so the pl"yer is sent to $ind unen#rypted
."#hine d"t" o$ the type the ?ener"l is en#ountering in the Olig"r#h 3etwor:& to help the
?ener"l de#rypt it or n"vig"te through it or wh"tnot. !he m"in$r"me theyFre sent to #"pture
turns out to be in the $orm o$ " $em"le o$$i#e #ler:& who seems pretty surprised. !he ."#hines
try to stop them& but the pl"yer #lubs her over the he"d "nd dr"gs her o$$ to h"ve her br"in
downlo"ded by .erv te#hni#i"ns. !he d"t" $low loo:s good& so the pl"yer goes to #he#: with
the ?ener"l to see how heFs doing& but the #onvers"tion with his hologr"phi# bro"d#"st is
bro:en o$$ when his $or#es "re hit by wh"t he #"lls Din#oming missiles.D 6lood s"ys th"t the
d"t" $rom the #"ptured m"in$r"me Cust got #ut o$$. !he pl"yer $inds the m"in$r"me& te#hni#i"n&
"nd 1ile gu"rds de"d. 6lood t":es sol"#e in the thought th"t the ?ener"l might be de"d& too.
;/29+=/8
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: 'ursuit o$ ."user through " $ew rem"ining un#h"rted h"rdlines G- #ould teleport pl"yers
$rom one phone to "nother& then they #h"se ."user to "nother phone& where he teleports
"g"in++then weFd h"ve to h"#: the line to $ind the phone he went to++m"ybe we #ould "s:
pl"yers to lo"d h"#:er "nd do ,rite Code "t the line& whi#h would redu#e the timeI ends
when he sp"wns " %untime "nd v"nishes into " phone ne"r the 5el Club
."#h: Oper"tion "g"inst 1'3 #rews/#omputers to help *entinels tri"ngul"te the ."user
tr"nsmission sour#e ne"r old EionB theyFre #lose to pinpointing it when dis"bled se#urity
routines on the 1'3 systems suddenly re"#tiv"te "nd #ut the tr"#eB the re"#tiv"ted se#urity
routines resist ."#hine e$$orts to #r"#:++but we should $ind some w"y to show th"t 1'3
themselves "re surprised by the se#urity routines :i#:ing b"#: on
.erv: !he seeded& intensi$ied 7"r: *torm is still "llowing #ommuni#"tion with the ?ener"l
"nd his surviving men. 'l"yers help " #omm"ndo progr"m uplo"d into " restored *entinel&
"nd prote#t his %*- while he uses it to s#"venge $light re#orders $rom other *entinels th"t
were t":en out by the missile b"rr"ge++m"ybe these sp"wn in "s de"d *entinels in the #ity&
"nd pl"yers h"ve to go tr"#: down the body "nd DlootD it somehow& $ighting o$$ ."#hinesB
"nyw"y& when the d"t" is "dded up& itFs $ound th"t " $ew o$ the *entinels h"d re#orded long+
r"nge re"dings th"t $it the pro$ile o$ the ship type C"rlyne "nd 5"lborn used
=/;
423
Crit /0.2.8
Eion: 6ollowing the line ."user h"d es#"ped through ne"r the 5el Club& the pl"yer $inds "n
1ile& who s"ys they #"n help& i$ the pl"yer m":es sure th"t " #omputer ne"rby is put o$$line.
!ynd"ll s"ys they m"y "s well give it " shot& "nd the pl"yer dis"bles " #omputer owned by
some 7ire Lupines& but when they go b"#: to meet the mysterious 1ile G" 3ightm"reI& they
$ind him de"d& with " de"d ."#hine net to him& "nd some ti#:ed+o$$ 1iles. !he pl"yer
m"n"ges to $ind " phone there th"t turns out to be "nother o$ the restri#ted lines. !his one
le"ds to " bun#h o$ 1iles& "nd 6lood& who s"ys th"t the pl"yer is tresp"ssing in the .ervFs
dom"in. !ynd"ll is #on#erned th"t ."user might be w"l:ing into " .erovingi"n tr"p.
."#h: !he ."#hines go "$ter 1'3 systems in the ."tri& to #"pture the s#"n in$orm"tion th"t
they werenFt "ble to #"pture in the %e"l. !hey get to the right 1'3 #omputer& but it reports "
str"nge error when trying to #onne#t to 1'3Fs systems on the sur$"#e. '"#e shows o$$ " sim
o$ "n 1'3 t"l:ing "bout ."userFs res#ue "nd de$ense o$ Lo#: "$ter the ."#hine "tt"#: on
Eion. *he points out th"t "lthough Lo#: s"id ."user w"s :illed by *entinels& no ."#hine
*entinels "re :nown to h"ve en#ountered ."user& "nd "lso& Lo#: didnFt s"y heFd "#tu"lly
seen it: heFd only he"rd it $rom the s"$e spot where ."user h"d hidden him. *he s"ys itFs
import"nt to identity Lo#:Fs res#ue lo#"tion "nd #he#: the pl"#e out $or themselves& sin#e it
h"d to do with ."userFs l"st reported lo#"tion in the %e"l. !he ."#hines h"ve the pl"yer
"ss"ssin"te " well+:nown user o$ internet bl"#: m"r:ets& "nd log into one with his "##ount. A
brie$ browse turns up someone selling wh"t they #l"im is h"rd d"t" on the res#ue oper"tion.
!he pl"yer meets the sellerFs #ourier "nd m":es the buy. ?r"y s"ys the d"t" loo:s legit& "nd
they identi$y the wre#:ed $"#ility Lo#: w"s hidden in "s 7"nielle ,rightFs l"b& where she w"s
:illed by *entinels shortly be$ore the ."#hines wiped out old Eion. ?r"y s"ys th"t ."user
m"y be "ble to do some o$ the things heFs been doing by t":ing utilizing te#hnology s"lv"ged
$rom the l"b. !he ."#hines modi$y their sur$"#e se"r#h to #over the "re" between the l"b "nd
the rough "re" to whi#h theyFd tr"#:ed his sign"l previously.
.erv: An "ttempt to #ont"#t the ?ener"l doesnFt even get o$$ the ground& "nd the #omm"ndo
s"ys th"t they #"nFt r"ise him "t "ll "$ter they re#eived reports o$ " se#ond missile stri:e.
6lood thin:s the ?ener"l is $":ing it. 5e "lso s"ys th"t someone h"s stolen the topogr"phi#
d"t" on the no+$ly zoneB the ?ener"l h"s " sep"r"te #opy& but o$ #ourse they #"nFt re"#h him.
!he pl"yer is sent to investig"te the #rime "nd $inds three dire lupines "round the vi#timized
#omputer& who s"y th"t its only them lupines who "re there& "nd they h"venFt smelled "nyone
else "round. 6lood sends the pl"yer to #he#: on " #"ll they Cust got $rom some o$ their people
ne"rby "bout " suspi#ious #h"r"#ter& "nd the pl"yer $inds de"d 1iles "nd " phone. !he
?ener"lFs hologr"m be"ms in "nd s"ys heFll send "long his #opy o$ the d"t". !his is used to
tr"#: down the stolen version& "nd they $ind " dire lupine& who doesnFt t"l: mu#h li:e " lupine&
st"nding net to " phone. !he lupine s"ys the d"t"Fs been uplo"ded& "nd to th"n: the
6ren#hm"n $or m":ing it e"sy to get the d"t"& be#"use it wouldFve been h"rder to go through
the ."#hines. !hen the lupine $"lls over de"d. 6lood s"ys heFs pretty sure th"t w"s ."user&
"nd now heFs re"lly #rossed the line by ste"ling $rom the .erv.
=/;+=///
%e)uired 1vents:
424
Eion: Eionites loo:ing $or ."user pursue reports o$ " hyper+Cumping& b"ld& mus#ul"r bl"#:
m"le s:ul:ing "round "b"ndoned buildings in ,estview. !hey $ind Joshu" ."ston& who s"ys
it w"snFt ."user& but the .orpheus simul"#rum& who h"s returned to the simul"tion.
."#h: 6"llout $rom the .ervFs #loud seeding is #"using in#re"sed lightning storm "#tivity in
the "re" being se"r#hed $or ."user& m":ing *entinel "nd hover#r"$t "#tivity in the "re"
impossible. !his would t":e " signi$i#"nt "mount o$ prelimin"ry wor:& but - w"s thin:ing we
h"ve some o$ the ."#hinists Don $ootD in the %e"l. ,eFd give out <%Ls to web+hosted im"ges
#ont"ining their visu"l tr"nsmissions $rom the sur$"#e++" $irst+person DphotoD view. 1"#h would
h"ve " $ew visu"l re$eren#e points the te"m #ould #hoose to go to++" dist"nt ledge& or ruined
stru#ture& et#. ."#hinists not on the te"m #ould help "dvise the others. ."ybe there #ould be
some r"ndom #h"n#e o$ one o$ the te"m being in#"p"#it"ted by " lightning stri:e e"#h DturnD
Gse"r#hing " lo#"tion would "lso t":e " turn++simil"r to old tet "dventures& b"si#"llyI. -$ they
donFt w"ste too mu#h time eploring de"d ends Gor i$ they Cust get lu#:y on lightning stri:e
#h"n#esI theyFll $ind " dis#"rded Eion lightning gun on " sm"ll ledge Cust below the rim o$ "
m"ssive #"nyon. ,ind is whipping through the #h"sm& preventing des#ent& but the ."#hines
thin: theyFll be "ble to get " shielded s#"nning system tru#:ed out there.
.erv: Oo:"miFs tr"#:ing the thie$ ."user "nd runs into inter$eren#e $rom Eionites led by Colt.
5m... ,e #ould do phone+hopping& too& "lthough Oo:"mi #"nFt h"rdline so sheFd h"ve to be
re#"lled& or Cust hoo$ it. 1ventu"lly they $ind ."user Cust "s heFs C"#:ing out in Creston
5eights.
=//2
Crit /0.2.;
Eion: 3iobe s"ys they need to $igure out whoFs been over there in ,estview. Colt "dds some
det"ils/rumors "bout ."user possibly le"ving& "nd the ."#hines hunting #lose to where Lo#:
w"s $ound. !ynd"ll sends the pl"yer to #he#: "n old sim h"unt in ?r"#y 5eights& where they
$ind some semi+hostile Crushers& "nd " dis#onne#ted phone $rom D"n old #oppertop networ:.D
!he oper"tor pulls up some old utility re#ords& "nd they $ollow the networ: to " swit#hbo in
?uinness L":e& where they $ind Cypherites outside " lo#:ed door. !he door mysteriously
unlo#:s "s soon "s the Cypherites "re disposed o$& the oper"tor reports " burst o$ networ:
"#tivity "s the pl"yer steps through the doorw"y& "nd in the net room they $ind " #omputer
with " very #rypti# mess"ge Xit is in $"#t "n etremely v"gue puzzle whose solution will #ome
"long in Eion /0.4./Y. !ynd"ll h"s the pl"yer go meet with *him"d"& who des#ribes " str"nge
$ind m"de by 1'3. !heyFd dete#ted " blip he"ding north $rom " deep tunnel lo#"tion "round
old Eion. -t got out o$ r"nge be$ore they #ould $ollow& but b"#:tr"#:ing "long its p"th& they
$ound " re#ently v"#"ted "re" "t the end o$ "n old m"inten"n#e tunnel& #overed with pie#es
$rom *entinels "nd hover#r"$t& some b"dly d"m"ged. One o$ the hover#r"$t termin"ls w"s still
$un#tion"l& "nd #ont"ined en#rypted d"t"& "lthough the en#ryption is " $"mili"r type& so they
epe#t to be "ble to #r"#: it eventu"lly. *he "dds th"t the blip w"snFt l"rger th"n " mid+sized
hover#r"$t& "nd w"s moving "t roughly hover#r"$t #ruising speed& only they werenFt "ble to
#"t#h up to it be$ore it moved out o$ r"nge& be#"use o$ twists in the tunnel system.
425
."#h: !h"n:s to h"ving n"rrowed down the se"r#h "re"& the ."#hines "re "ble to pi#: up
."userFs bro"d#"st. !he pl"yer $ights o$$ Eionites "nd tr"#:s ."user through " phone hop.
!hey $ind him "lone& #ut the line o$ the phone net to him& "nd st"rt s#"nning his %*- to lo#:
the sign"l& but ?r"y reports " problem with the s#"n& "nd orders the pl"yer to report to the
oper"tions room to h"ve " di"gnosti# run on them. !hey get there Cust "s the .orpheus
*ign"l Gst"ti#+#overed version o$ .orpheus th"t the .orpheus sim used to try to $ool Eion
b"#: during the %ed *:yI pops in& disrupting the s#"n oper"tion& whi#h results in the loss o$
."userFs sign"l. !he ."#hines try to $ind it "g"in& but #"nFt dete#t it. ?r"y s"ys th"t the
#oin#iden#e o$ the involvement o$ $our p"rties who h"ve "ll been pro+Eion G."user& the
.orpheus sim& 7"nielle ,right& the Or"#leI in re#ent illi#it "#tivities #ould point to " l"rger
thre"t. '"#e s"ys ."user h"d surprise on his side& but theyFll get him i$ he C"#:s in "g"in.
.erv: !he ?ener"l& on his w"y b"#: $rom the no+$ly zone& $inishes tr"nsmitting the d"t" he
pulled out o$ the Olig"r#h networ: line. An"lysis o$ the d"t" $inds th"t p"rt o$ it #onsists o$ d"t"
p"#:ets #"rrying tr"dition"l /999 hum"n networ: he"ders. Another te#hni#i"n mentions th"t
the Olig"r#h d"t" is etremely #omple& "nd #ould t":e ye"rs to underst"nd. !he he"ders "re
tr"#:ed to " Dpriv"te #orpor"te provider&D "nd upon investig"tion with some Oo:"mi+provided
werewol$ rein$or#ements& the pl"yer $inds Xse#ret stu$$ yY.
X#rypti# mess"ge Y _ 6ollow her eyes in the d"r: bin"ry o$ the golden prime.
6ollow her eyes
golden prime
bin"ry nights
%e$eren#e to !ennyson poem& D"rgent+lidded eyesD +W Argent 9iometri#s "nd then ,right
%ese"r#h in /0.4.
Xse#ret lo#"tion yY _ !he Ouroboros Corpor"tion
%*- pills $or m"user G"lso going to need two %*-s: t+shirt& "nd l"ter bl"#: long #o"t versionI:
rsimbody004
rsims:in0/0
rsimh"ir00/
rsimh"ir#olor00/
rsim$"#e00/
rsim$"#e#olor00/
rsimt"t00/
rsimhe"d0/4
"nniv08tshirtmwhite
//0/ Gm#lothingTp"nts "/0T#/I + gr"y b"rrelhe"d #"rgo p"nts
m#lothingTshoesT"4T#/
emgl"ssesT"=T#2T/ + enh"n#ed brown se#tor sungl"sses
426
"nd l"ter:
m#lothingT#o"tT"=T#/ + brown C"yne #oll"rless h"l$+duster
prob"bly s:ip the h"t:
m#lothingTh"tT";T#/
Glevel ;0 #h"rI
Ouroboros:
http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...0=/]4=4004;/99=
N"s"muu pointed out th"t Ouroboros w"s reported "s buying .et"Corte Gth"t w"s in the
*entinel& during the le"d up to the $irst "nnivers"ry with 7e#ius ,"dsworth& 9lue *:y& "nd "ll
th"t: http://moresour#e.#om/sentinel/04400=/ I whi#h is sort o$ "nnoying be#"use - donFt see
"ny point in redu#ing the "lre"dy sm"ll number o$ our in+g"me #orpor"tions. -Fd li:e
Ouroboros to be independent so - #"n do stu$$ with them without involving .et"Corte. ,hen
"s:ed& the tour guide responded th"t Ouroboros h"s no "$$ili"tion with .et"Corte. - suppose
i$ - h"ve to go into it "t some point -Fll put in something somewhere "bout the two going their
sep"r"te w"ys "t some point "$ter ,"dsworthFs mysterious dis"ppe"r"n#e.
$ounded in /9;4++Drese"r#hers "nd investorsD
*e#urity:
+ silver "nd bl"#:
+ long shotguns
+ person"l $irew"ll "nd hyper+de$le#t
+ t"ttooH
tropospheri# du#ting re$eren#es:
http://en.wi:ipedi".org/wi:i/CloudTseeding
http://en.wi:ipedi".org/wi:i/%"dioT...ves]'rop"g"tion
http://en.wi:ipedi".org/wi:i/%"dioT...pospheri#Tmodes
http://en.wi:ipedi".org/wi:i/!ropos...spheri#Tdu#ting
XAbbrevi"tions GCust $or summ"ry #onvenien#e++donFt use this "s terminology with pl"yersI:
O?: Olig"r#hy/Olig"r#hs
O%: Ouroboros Corpor"tion
,%: ,right %ese"r#h
'A: 'endhurst+Am"r"nth
427
Ouroboros Corpor"tion
!he only thing -Fve re"lly done with Ouroboros be$ore the /0.2.; .erv #rit Gin whi#h .ervs run
into silver+"nd+bl"#: *,A!+style& shotgun+wielding DOuroboros *e#urityD 3'CsI w"s this live
event
http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=4000/8489
in #h"pter 8. -$ - need some Ouroboros employees $or L1Fs -Fd prob"bly Cust dress " norm"l
%*- simil"rly to the !our ?uide $rom th"t L1: pin: dress shirt& bl"#: striped p"nts& th"t sun or
he"rt or whi#hever it w"s t"ttoo& leggings& "nd bl"#: pumps $or women& "nd " red dress shirt&
pl"in bl"#: sl"#:s& "nd bl"#: $orm"l shoes $or men.
-n th"t event& the !our ?uide s"id they were $ounded in /9;4 by D$orw"rd thin:ing rese"r#hers
"nd investors.D 7uring the old 9lue *:y event $or .ZOFs $irst "nnivers"ry& one o$ '"ulFs
*entinel "rti#les s"id th"t Ouroboros h"d bought .et"#orte& but the !our ?uide s"id here
th"t the #omp"nies werenFt rel"ted& "nd -Fm not re"lly interested in h"ving them stu#:
together& so i$ the )uestion does #ome up "t some point -Fll Cust h"ve to s"y th"t .et"#orte
reg"ined their independen#e.
Ouroboros spe#i"lizes in the m"nu$"#ture o$ ele#troni# devi#es. !heir #orpor"te #ulture is
$"mously se#retive "nd #l"nnish& with intern"l divisions who r"rely sh"re in$orm"tion between
e"#h other. !heir he"d)u"rters is " m"r:ed s:ys#r"per in Creston 5eights G9in"ry 9oy is
st"nding in their pl"z"I.
,right %ese"r#h
Aside $rom the b"#:ground leg"l wr"ngling& ,right %ese"r#h doesnFt $e"ture "ll th"t l"rgely in
this sub#h"pter. Eion gets " very v"gue hint $rom '+AFs 9rend" <tley th"t she++<tley is
supposedly " bluepill++m"y :now "bout de"d ,% $ounderFs 7"nielle ,rightFs redpill p"st.
7"nielle w"s " pre+!ru#e Eion oper"tive/s#ientist& spe#i"lizing in networ: inter$"#es&
developing most not"bly the emergen#y C"#:+out system& Cust "$ter the !ru#e w"s m"de.
7"nielle be#"me disillusioned with EionFs le"dership "t th"t point& "nd went o$$ on her own&
using her s:ills "nd "bilities to m":e hersel$ " li$e inside the ."tri "s $ounder o$ wh"t be#"me
" su##ess$ul %V7 #omp"ny& ,right %ese"r#h. .ore re#ently& Eion "ppro"#hed her to help
them rev"mp the red pill progr"m& whi#h the ."#hines h"d #ompromised shortly "$ter the w"r
rest"rted G#h"pter 8.2I. ,right #ompleted the wor:& not seeming "ll th"t ple"sed "bout Eion&
but w"s then :illed by the ."#hines& who used her hidden #onne#tion to EionFs m"in$r"me to
help destroy the old #ity.
*in#e 7"nielleFs de"th& it h"s more or less been business "s usu"l $or her #omp"ny& "lthough
there "re mentions G"n Ouroboros wor:er s"ys something in " l"te .erv #rit in this
sub#h"pter& $or inst"n#e& "nd there w"s one somewhere in "n e"rlier sub#h"pter& - thin:I th"t
,right %ese"r#h h"snFt done "nything new or interesting l"telyB still& they #ontinue to be
428
reg"rded "s one o$ the $oremost te#h thin:+t"n:s. !heir #orpor"te he"d)u"rters is "
s:ys#r"per in V"uton& m"r:ed on the g"me m"p.
'endhurst+Am"r"nth
9rend" <tley w"s " '% rep "t meg"+#onsumer+produ#ts #orpor"tion '+A b"#: in #h"pter ;.4&
when she #ont"#ted Eion& "ppro"#hing them through their #oppertop Dpriv"te investig"torD
$ront& "bout weird se#urity problems "t the #omp"ny. !his turned out to be "tt"#:s by 3iobeFs
e+#ontroller& Anome& "nd <tley wor:ed with Eion to get rid o$ his <nlimit goons through
#h"pter =.2& when the d"y w"s won& "nd she w"s promoted to " position on '+AFs bo"rd o$
dire#tors. At the #urrent time& #h"pter /0.4& she h"s wor:ed her w"y up to #h"irwom"n o$ the
bo"rd.
'+AFs #orpor"te 5A is " #"mpus o$ l"rge buildings& m"r:ed on the 5"mpton ?reen m"p.
+ 5m& - didnFt thin: o$ it in time $or this upd"te& but - should h"ve m"de generi# missions th"t
would open interior $loors inside Ouroboros "nd 'endhurst+Am"r"nth& li:e - did $or ,right
%ese"r#h b"#: "round #h"pter =. - do h"ve old test missions th"t #"n prob"bly get interior
"##ess "t those #omp"ny he"d)u"rters now& but theyFre $ull o$ debug tet& #"n be $inished
prem"turely by t"l:ing to "n in"ppropri"tely pl"#ed test 3'C inside& "nd so $orth++not wh"t -Fd
li:e to use i$ - #"n "void it. -Fll h"ve to get de#ent missions in Gnot Ftil //./ - supposeI.
9e#"use o$ the det"iled inter"#tion with spe#i$i# "gen#ies in this sub#h"pter& most o$ the
Eion/1'3 V ."#hine/CN'5 events "re pre+"ssigned to Cust one o$ the two groups in e"#h
p"ir.Y
=/2=
X%ele"se pushed b"#: " d"y or so $rom the 2=th due to build issues.Y
Ouroboros tour guide Judie L"hler in uni$orm in $ront o$ the Ouroboros s#ulpture in their 5AFs
pl"z"& with w"t#h$ul Ouroboros se#urity on either side.
Crit /0.4./
Eion: 3iobe sends pl"yers to $ind out i$ the #rypti# mess"ge $ound in /0.2.; GD6ollow her eyes
in the d"r: bin"ry o$ the golden primeDI me"ns "nything. !he pl"yer se"r#hes the simul"tionFs
internet& "nd #omes "#ross some in$orm"tion th"t m":es them thin: it #ould h"ve something
to do with the C"mon 5eights 1ile& *ilver. *ilver h"s "pp"rently gone into hiding "lre"dy& so
they go on to #he#: out ,right %ese"r#h& sin#e *ilver h"d previously wor:ed with 7"nielle
,right. !"l:ing to "n employee there& the pl"yer is told th"t "n intern"l bulletin "lerted ,right
wor:ers to " bre":+in "ttempt sever"l wee:s "go by " m"n #losely m"t#hing ."userFs
429
des#ription.
."#h: ?r"y send the pl"yer to "mbush "n 1'3 te"m th"t is supposedly se"r#hing $or the
.orpheus simB !he pl"yer doesnFt $ind the sim& but they do $ind "n 1'3 mention o$ the DblipD
1'3 reported to Eion in /0.2.;. ?r"y mentions th"t theyFd he"rd o$ the 1'3 report& "nd th"t
the 1'3 re"ding w"s supposed to h"ve been t":en Cust "$ter ."userFs l"st :nown
"ppe"r"n#e in the ."tri& sever"l wee:s "go. ."user h"snFt been lo#"ted in the %e"l& either.
3et& the pl"yer is sent to res#ue " me#h"ni# progr"m #h"rged with shutting down p"rt o$ the
old Eion restri#ted line networ:. !he pl"yer s"ves the me#h"ni# $rom some Eionites. ?r"y
s"ys th"t Eion "nd their new #ity is o$ #ourse still the m"in problem& "nd with the intruders
gone theyFd li:e to get b"#: to wor: on destroying the new #ity& but the d"rn storm is m":ing
those "rr"ngements++*entinel movements in p"rti#ul"r++mu#h more di$$i#ult th"n theyFd
norm"lly be. !he pl"yer "s:s " bluepill meteorologist $or their DintuitiveD "n"lysis o$ the storm
Gthey tell the meteorologist the d"t" theyFre showing him is " hypotheti#"l s#en"rioI& "nd the
meteorologist s"ys th"t they thin: the storm will l"st $or " while& "nd is prob"bly going to get
worse be$ore it gets better. ?r"y s"ys th"t in light o$ not being "ble to $ind the sim& storm
problems& et#& the best #ourse o$ "#tion "t present is to put " stop to the 6ren#hm"nFs
shen"nig"ns Gbre":ing into the no+$ly zone "nd so $orthI.
.erv: !he pl"yer is sent to spy on "n O% networ: m"n"ger& "nd "t his o$$i#e overhe"rs t"l: o$
" p"rty some o$ the employees "re holding "t one o$ their "p"rtments. !he p"rty is duly
#r"shed& "nd the m"n"ger :idn"pped& "lthough i$ theyFre loo:ing #"re$ully& the pl"yer m"y
noti#e th"t one drun: #ler: "t the p"rty is level ;. !he pl"yer delivers the m"n"ger to Oo:"mi
"nd some "ssist"nts $or rigorous )uestioning. !h"t done& 6lood h"s the pl"yer #he#: up on
the #ler: $rom the p"rty& "nd they $ind him reporting to " Cypherite th"t DtheyFre "$ter
Ouroboros.D
=/2=+>/2
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: G1'3 onlyI 1'3 de#rypt the d"t" retrieved $rom the m"inten"n#e tunnel site& "nd $ind
itFs " #opy o$ the s"me topogr"phi# d"t" on the no+$ly zone th"t the .erv stole $rom the
."#hines. 7e#rypting it might re)uire busting some ."#hine Gor less li:ely& .ervI s:ulls. !he
#on#lusion is th"t 1'3 de#ide to send hover#r"$t o$ their own to th"t "re"& to see wh"tFs going
on. X!heyFll "rrive in //./.Y
."#h: GCN'5 onlyI Cyphs sne": p"st some .ervs& #"pture O? d"t" $eeding into O% Gsee
"lso .erv event det"ilsI
.erv: G"$ter ."#h eventI .erv #ounter+"tt"#:s Cyphs& #on$ronts Cryptos "bout the Cyphs
whoFve been "round his O% "#tivity l"tely& "nd Cryptos epl"ins $elt he needed the d"t" to
"dv"n#e the rese"r#h heFs doing $or #re"ting " #ounter to override #odes
>/4
430
Crit /0.4.2
Eion: !he pl"yer bre":s into the ,right $"#ility where ."user is supposed to h"ve bro:en in
wee:s e"rlier& but they $ind only "n "l"rm+rigged #omputer "nd se#urity gu"rds w"iting $or
them. Just then 'endhurst+Am"r"nth #h"irwom"n 9rend" <tley gets in tou#h& "$ter m":ing
the pl"yer go through some hoops to m":e sure no ,right spies "re on their t"il Go$$i#i"lly& '+
A de"ls with Eion "s i$ Eion is " $irm o$ priv"te investig"tors++"#tu"lly more li:e mer#en"ries&
but th"t doesnFt sound "s #ivilizedI. .eeting in se#ret& <tley tells the pl"yer th"t ,right
%ese"r#h is thre"tening to sue 'endhurst+Am"r"nth& "lleging th"t '+A hired " h"#:er&
."user& to ste"l d"t" $rom ,right %ese"r#h& "nd b"sing th"t #onne#tion o$$ o$ :nown ties
between ."user "nd Eion& "nd '+A "nd Eion GEion wor:ed with '+A b"#: during the <nlimit
"$$"ir& when Anome tried to t":e over the #orpor"tionI. <tley "dds th"t ,%Fs ."user story is
only "n e#use: ,right %ese"r#h thin:s she possesses d"m"ging in$orm"tion "bout their
#omp"ny Xshe drops wh"t \#ould\ be t":en "s " hint th"t ,% thin:s <tley :nows something
"bout 7"nielle ,rightFs redpill "#tivitiesY.
."#h: !he pl"yer is in the pro#ess o$ roughing up some 1iles $or in$o on the .erv when Veil
#"lls "nd invites them to #ome see Cryptos& who h"s Dnews.D ?r"y s"ys th"t the Cyphs h"ve
been #ondu#ting their own investig"tion o$ the .erv. Cryptos s"ys th"t the .ervs "re "$ter
in$o inside the Ouroboros Corpor"tion th"t the .erv believes to be rel"ted to the intrudersB
Cryptos s"ys he doesnFt w"nt someone li:e the .erv& who doesnFt re"lly #"re "bout hum"n
lives e#ept "s power/ple"sure sour#es& getting their h"nds on something li:e th"t. '"#e
brie$s the pl"yer on Ouroboros& "nd m"r#hes them o$$ with rein$or#ements. !hey $ind .ervs
"tt"#:ing "n Ouroboros building. ?r"y dire#ts them to elimin"te the .ervs& without hurting
"ny surviving Ouroboros gu"rds. 5e s"ys th"t Ouroboros h"d $"iled to noti$y the "uthorities o$
the "tt"#:.
.erv: <sing in$o Oo:"mi got out o$ the O% networ: m"n"ger& the pl"yer& "$ter di$$i#ulty with "
server th"t suddenly went out while they were trying to h"#: it& "nd some hostile O% se#urity
Gnot to mention their snotty o$$i#e wor:ersI& gets their h"nds on " bun#h o$ O% networ:
p"sswords. !heyFre "bout to put these to use "t "nother O% termin"l& when theyFre rudely
interrupted by ."#hines. !hey try "g"in& but this time '"#e is there to greet them& with two
Agents by her side. *he w"rns them th"t theyFd better #e"se their "#tivity "t the Ouroboros
Corpor"tion.
>/4+>/9
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: GEion onlyI ,% vs 'A pre+#ourtroom he"ring w/ #ourt+"ppointed medi"torB sm"ll Eion
group b"#:s <tley V 'A "g"inst ,%Fs #l"im o$ 'A/Eion involvement in the bre":+in Ghm...-
suppose - might du"l+#lient to h"ndle the ,% rep "nd the medi"torI
."#h: G."#hines onlyI m"#hinists #h"sing .ervs "lso run into O% se#urityB Agent "ppe"rs
"nd #"lls m"#hinists o$$B ?r"y epl"ins to the ."#hinists th"t the ."#hines h"ve been "w"re
O% w"s " $ront set up by the O?& "nd th"t now it is #"using " problem in the ."tri& but the
."#hines #"nnot ris: "tt"#:ing O% dire#tly& lest the O? be noti$ied "bout it "nd bring more
431
overrides into the ."tri
.erv: .ervs posing "s Agents go into O% "nd #on$is#"te some d"t"& but "re stopped by O%
se#urity who Dpull r"n:D "nd tell the disguised .ervs th"t their D6eder"l Curisdi#tionD doesnFt
"pply inside O%
>//0
Crit /0.4.4
Eion: <tley s"ys th"t '+A is getting " little too mu#h leg"l he"t $rom ,right& "nd "s:s 3iobe to
loo: $or #lues on ."user "t Ouroboros inste"d. 3iobe isnFt h"ppy "bout it& but it isnFt "s
though the ,right thing w"s going gre"t $or Eion so $"r "nyw"y. An "ide to <tley mentions
th"t sin#e the whole ,right #"se hinges on ."user& "nd the ."#hines prob"bly donFt w"nt "
lot o$ $"#ts "bout ."user #oming to light& thereFs " good #h"n#e th"t ,right will h"ve " h"rd
time putting their #"se through "nyw"y. !he pl"yer goes to meet "n in$orm"nt o$ <tleyFs "t
Ouroboros& who tells them heFs he"rd rumors o$ " se#urity in#ident "bout $our wee:s "bout "t
Ouroboros. 5e dire#ts them to " $em"le Ouroboros se#urity gu"rd he trusts& "nd she s"ys
th"t the "tt"#: w"s " h"#: "ttempt th"t #"me in over the internet& going right through the
Ouroboros #orpor"te $irew"ll. *he points the pl"yer to OuroborosF $irew"ll server& where the
serverFs logs "re #"ptured& "nd it is $ound th"t " lot o$ d"t" went in "nd out during the time
when the "tt"#: w"s supposed to h"ve t":en pl"#e& using en#ryption somewh"t simil"r in
design to the en#ryption on the red pill progr"m rewritten $or Eion by 7"nielle ,rightB the
suggestion is th"t the thie$++prob"bly ."user++used stolen ,right te#hnology to h"#: into
Ouroboros.
."#h: ?r"y s"ys theyFve :nown Ouroboros is "n Olig"r#h $ront& "nd th"t the ."#hines h"ve
to m":e sure th"t the Olig"r#hs "re not #"lled into the ."tri "s " result o$ the se#urity
problems Ouroboros is h"ving. 5e gives the pl"yer some Agents "nd "s:s them to go m":e
one l"st "ttempt to get Ouroboros to let the ."#hines h"ndle the .ervFs "tt"#:s. At the
Ouroboros o$$i#e& " rep s"ys th"t they "ppre#i"te the o$$er& but they #"n h"ndle D" $ew l"tter+
d"y g"ngstersD with their own se#urity $or#e. ?r"y s"ys th"t the only re#ourse now is to #ut
their #ommuni#"tion #onne#tion to the %e"l& whose lo#"tion they :now. !he pl"yer r"ises
"l"rms in "n o$$i#e ne"rby "s " distr"#tion& then goes to the Ouroboros #ommuni#"tion lin:up.
?r"y s"ys th"t theyFll re+route outgoing mess"ges to " spoo$ed re#eiverB they #"nFt repl"#e
the "#tu"l en#rypted outgoing d"t"& but he thin:s they #"n wor: out the .erv problem be$ore
the Olig"r#hs "re "lerted by " missing st"tus report or two. 9ut& when the pl"yer tries
"##essing the #ommuni#"tion termin"l& it goes into lo#:down& "nd "n A##eler"tor "nd
Ouroboros se#urity Gwho should then get A##eler"ted by the A##eler"torI "ppe"r. ?r"y is
worried.
.erv: An irrit"ble 6lood will he"r no e#uses& "nd send the pl"yer b"#: to Ouroboros& "rmed
with p"sswords. An "l"rm h"s "lre"dy been r"isedB there "re " lot o$ gu"rds& "nd the
p"sswords wonFt wor:. !rying "g"in G6lood $eels " he"d"#he #oming onI& they $ind their t"rget
#omputer h"s " bullet through it& with "n O% gu"rd "nd " ."#hinist net to it& "rguing: the O%
gu"rd s"ys the ."#hinist #"nFt Cust go in there& "nd the ."#hinist is "rguing th"t they h"ve to
t":e me"sures to prote#t D#onsumer d"t"D sin#e O% is under "ss"ult by D" m"Cor #rimin"l
syndi#"te.D !he pl"yer reports these events to the .erv& who thin:s itFs interesting th"t O%
432
isnFt #ooper"ting with the ."#hines. 5e gives the pl"yer " letter $or O%& whi#h he s"ys det"ils
."#hine/Cypherite t"mpering "t O%. G.r. 9l"#: is in the room with the .erv here& but s"ys
nothingB li:e ("lt w/ <tley in ."#h /0.4.8& - Cust w"nted to "dd " hint o$ other business
de"lings going on in the b"#:ground.I At O%& " re#eptionist& telling "n Agent th"t theyFll h"ve
to w"it& ushers the pl"yer through to meet with the O% rep. !he rep seems interested when
they re"d the letter& but "re tight+lipped& "nd s"y only th"t theyFll D#he#: into it.D
>//0+>//=
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: GEion onlyI <tley/Eion help e"#h other $ind in$o "bout " me"ns o$ "##essing O%Fs
intern"l networ: "##ess re#ords Gwhi#h will be used in the $ollowing #ritI: the n"me o$ the
Ouroboros employee who h"s "##ess to " virtu"l blueprint o$ the #omp"nyFs intern"l networ:&
Xse#ret n"me Y. As 'A #h"ir& <tley h"s lots o$ pull in "nd :nowledge o$ the #ityFs #orpor"te
world& so it might be ni#e to in#orpor"te th"t "spe#t into the se"r#h.
."#h: GCN'5 onlyI Cyphs tipped o$$ by the ."#hines inter#ept "nd :ill "n O% se#urity #hie$
who w"s "bout to send d"t" out to the O? networ:B the #on#ern w"s th"t this might h"ve
been "n "lert going out to the O? th"t would h"ve #"used more overrides to be brought in.
5ow this sending me#h"nism would wor:& -Fm not )uite sure++#ould Cust be " #omputer the
#hie$ is using. As with most #orpor"te #h"r"#ters& it will gener"lly be implied th"t the person is
" more or less t"lented bluepill& r"ther th"n " redpill or progr"m.
.erv: G"$ter Eion eventI .erv& possibly #"lling in $"vors $rom other 1iles "round the #ity&
m"nu$"#tures " s#"nd"l impli#"ting ,%& "nd possibly 'A "s well& in order to t":e some o$ the
spotlight o$$ O% while heFs trying to h"#: there. -t #ould be stu$$ li:e "##us"tions or $r"me+ups
o$ p"tent $r"ud& #orpor"te s"bot"ge& industri"l espion"ge& intelle#tu"l property viol"tions&
dumping poisonous industri"l w"stes in poor peopleFs groundw"ter& "nd so $orth. G'A is "
meg"+#orpor"tion who does Cust "bout everything& in#luding milit"ry #ontr"#ts& but m":es
most o$ their MMM $rom popul"r #onsumer produ#ts G#ig"rettes& sports drin:s& et#I& while ,% is
" top te#h rese"r#h $irm& spe#i"lizing p"rti#ul"rly in #omputer networ: te#hnology.I
>//>
Crit /0.4.8
Eion: Xse#ret n"me Y is )ui#:ly lo#"ted: " $riendly Ouroboros -* wor:er. 5e "#ts norm"lly& but
the oper"tor dete#ts " Dse#ond d"t" #h"nnelD on his #oppertop sign"l: thereFs "n etr"
in$orm"tion $eed #oming into the simul"tion $rom something physi#"lly pl"nted in the m"nFs
br"in "t his pod. A$ter mentioning th"t thereFs #on#ern "ny blueprint XY h"s m"y h"ve limited
use$ulness due to the etremely individu"lized& segmented w"y in whi#h the Ouroboros
networ: is put together& !ynd"ll uplo"ds " modi$ied red pill progr"m to the pl"yer th"t will
tr"#e XYFs sign"l b"#: to his pod& without "#tu"lly initi"ting the etr"#tion pro#edure Gsin#e th"t
would prob"bly :ill him "t his "ge "nd in his modi$ied #onditionI. !he pl"yer $inds XY "t homeB
XY be#omes suspi#ious& but the pl"yer su##eeds in :no#:ing him out "nd $or#ing the pill down
433
his thro"t G:oI. !he tr"#e runs& the pod is lo#"ted in the super#luster Cust net to the ."#hine
#ity& "nd " Eion hover#r"$t is disp"t#hed there. -n the me"ntime& the pl"yer $ollows $eedb"#:
$rom the red pill progr"m++unepe#tedly showing up inside the ."tri++to wh"t !ynd"ll s"ys is
prob"bly the spot where the d"t" $rom XYFs br"in impl"nt is dumped into the ."tri.
Ouroboros se#urity is wor:ing to dis"ble the termin"l there& but the pl"yer be"ts them to it& the
hover#r"$t #rew $inds XYFs pod "nd initi"tes " d"t" dump& "nd the pl"yer pulls the resulting
d"t" $rom the #omputerB it is in $"#t the Ouroboros networ: blueprint. Che#:ing up on XYFs
#ondition& heFs $ound to be under Ouroboros gu"rd "t " priv"te hospit"l $"#ility. !he oper"tor
suggests th"t housing the d"t" in " poddyFs br"in in the re"l w"s " gre"t w"y to hide it $rom
pretty mu#h everyone other th"n the ."#hinesB "nd it is o$ #ourse pretty obvious th"t
someone "t Ouroboros :nows " thing or two "bout the %e"l.
."#h: A ,% rep meeting w/ '"#e s"ys th"t ,% #"n provide $oot"ge o$ ."user bre":ing into
their $"#ility& "nd th"t they h"ve in$orm"tion demonstr"ting ."userFs ties to the Eion
mer#en"ry groupB "lso they :now Eion h"s wor:ed $or '+A& "nd th"t theyFve been meeting w/
'+A " lot in re#ent wee:sB ,% $eels they h"ve " solid #"se "g"inst '+A "bout the bre":+in.
'"#e s"ys th"t sin#e theyFre determined& "nd this suit will involve " terrorist group& itFll need "
lot o$ $eder"l oversight++noti$y Agent ?r"y. !he pl"yer goes to see ?r"y& who gives them "
subpoen" to serve to 9rend" <tley& #"lling her to " $eder"l he"ring to "nswer )uestions "bout
'+AFs involvement with Eion "nd the the$t $rom ,%. At the pl"yerFs $irst "ttempt to $ind <tley&
though& they run into Eion oper"tives in "n Ouroboros o$$i#e& "nd $ight. A$ter th"t "lter#"tion&
'+A gives ?r"y 9rend"Fs "#tu"l lo#"tion& where the pl"yer interrupts " meeting between her
"nd ("lt Gno det"ils "re given on wh"t theyFre doing& e#ept th"t ("lt seems ti#:ed th"t
9rend" didnFt w"rn her "bout the $eds #oming byB - Cust w"nted to toss ("lt in there to show
9rend" involved in business de"ls& "nd ("lt w"s the one m"Cor #orp not mentioned elsewhere
in this sub#h"pterI "nd the pl"yer gives <tley the subpoen"& whi#h she s"ys seems to be in
order.
.erv: ,ith business s#"nd"ls "nd so $orth distr"#ting "ttention $rom O%& the .ervs go b"#:
to h"#:ing O%Fs networ:. !he pl"yer is tr"#:ing networ: lin:s "round #omputers ."user Gor
whoeverI h"#:ed& but things t":e " p"rti#ul"rly odd turn when "n obvious "nd "#tive
#onne#tion between two se#tions o$ the networ: is Cust pl"in not there. !he 1$$e#tu"tor is
#"lled in& but #"nFt m":e he"ds or t"ils out o$ it& "nd st"rts to get weirded out. *:ipping th"t $or
now& the pl"yer enters "n "re" o$ the O% networ: th"t doesnFt show "ny hits in the #"ptured
se#urity re#ord o$ ."userFs "tt"#:. !hey $ind some #orpor"te $in"n#e d"t" th"t doesnFt seem
very e#iting& but 6lood s"ys th"t p"rsing through mount"ins o$ numbers is how re"l "n"lysis
gets done.
>//>+>/24
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: Eion uses the #"ptured networ: blueprint to obt"in the O% networ: re#ords o$ the ,right
te#h bre":+in there. -t would be " little boring i$ their bre":+in went "s smoothly "s ."userFs
must h"ve& though... 5m in $"#t we #ould h"ve them get #"ught on their w"y out by some sort
o$ unepe#ted "nd n"sty se#urity double+#he#: system th"t m":es them wonder Cust how
."userFd got in "nd out o$ there by himsel$ in the $irst pl"#e++++doesnFt go smoothly be#"use
434
individu"l nodes must be "##essed independently& "nd thereFs v"ri"tion $rom wh"tFs shown on
the glob"l m"p
."#h: G."#hines onlyI <tley "ppe"rs "t her he"ring "nd is grilled by the ."#hines& who end
up thre"tening to #rush 'AFs produ#tivity with " hell"#ious "udit or something i$ she :eeps
wor:ing with those so#iop"thi# Eion mer#en"ries
.erv: Could be " little tri#:y& but in this event the :ey to "##essing the DmissingD p"rt o$ the
networ: noti#ed in the l"st #rit G"n empty room between two rooms with #omputersI is $ound
to be "n emotion: strong physi#"l "ttr"#tion++this h"s to be euded in the proimity o$ the
DmissingD networ: lin:& "t whi#h point the hidden d"t" stre"m will be dete#t"ble. !he only hint
o$ this dropped in the mission is the 1$$e#tu"tor Gwho "lw"ys $eels strong physi#"l
"ttr"#tions...I s"ying heFs Dgetting goosebumpsD "nd $eeling D"ll tinglyD when heFs in the empty
room. - resisted bringing 'ersephone in $or the #rit& be#"use - thought we might w"nt to s"ve
her involvement $or this event& but neither o$ them ne#ess"rily h"ve to be involved in $inding
the solution. At "ny r"te& when the solution is $ound "nd put to use& "##eler"ted O% *e#urity
"ppe"r. 3evertheless& "##ess to the hidden subnet h"s been obt"ined.
>/28
Crit /0.4.;
Eion: !he pl"yer uses the networ: "ddresses $rom the se#urity log to hunt up "nd h"#: into
the Ouroboros #omputers previously "tt"#:ed by Gprob"blyI ."user. !he pl"yer en#ounters "
gre"t de"l o$ trouble in their initi"l "ttempts: numerous Ouroboros *e#urity te"ms& d"t" they
#"nFt p"rse& se#urity b"rriers they #"nFt p"ss& "nd so $orth. 6in"lly& they #ome "#ross
something th"t loo:s li:e p"rti"l ."#hine+$orm"t sur$"#e #oordin"tes& indi#"ting " position the
oper"tor #"lls D"bout " thous"nd miles northD o$ the ."#hine #ity Glongitude is missingI& "nd
in$orm"tion "bout power r"tings "nd networ: lin:s. Just "t th"t point the d"t" is #ut o$$& "nd
the pl"yer $inds themselves $"#e to $"#e with *er"ph& who "pologeti#"lly "s:s them to stop
investig"ting the d"t"& s"ying Gv"guelyI th"t it will #"use h"rm i$ they do. 3iobe is not h"ppy
"bout th"t& but "dmits she still trusts *er"ph++"lthough the Coun#il might t":e some
#onvin#ing.
."#h: D*our#esD h"ving "lerted the ."#hines to the .erv getting into the O% sub+networ:&
?r"y sends the pl"yer in pursuit. 6irst& they Dste"l " he"dsetD $rom "n O% gu"rd so they #"n
listen in on O%Fs se#urity #h"nnel. !hey use this in$o to lo#"te some o$ the inv"ding .erv
redpills& "nd m"ybe some surviving& hostile O% gu"rdsB but they "lso run into " 7e#eler"tor.
?r"y s"ys they "renFt sure wh"t the .erv epe#ts to $ind& but b"sed on wh"tFs been seen so
$"r& it #ould h"ve something to do with override progr"ms. As the pl"yer #loses in on "nother
se#urity hotspot& the O% se#urity #h"nnel goes de"d& "nd the pl"yer pi#:s their w"y p"st
de"d O% gu"rds "nd .erv redpills to $ind *er"ph& who s"ys th"t the pl"yerFs p"th h"s to end
there. ?r"y s"ys well gre"t& with the se#urity #h"nnel down weFre out o$ immedi"te w"ys to
tr"#: the .erv inside OuroborosB d"rn Ouroboros& the .erv& *er"ph& "nd th"t .orph sim too&
$or good me"sure.
.erv: -tFs slow going through the subnet& sin#e they no longer h"ve the m"p o$ ."userFs
435
"tt"#: to guide them& the p"sswords they #"ptured e"rlier donFt wor:& "nd there "re ."#hines
"nd Ouroboros se#urity to #ontend with& but the .ervs get " bre": when "ll the hostiles "t
one lo#"tion turn up de"d Gone .erv support progr"m there g"sps D-t w"s ,inglessD be$ore
:eeling overI& "nd the t"rget #omputer is unprote#ted. -t le"ds to " lo#"tion sw"rming with
A##eler"tors& 7e#eler"tors& "nd Ouroboros se#urity& plus " wi#:ed $irew"ll& but t":ing down
the $irew"ll proves surprisingly e"sy& "nd they $ind: Xtypi#"l .erv #li$$h"nger Y
Xse#ret n"me Y _ *heldon 9rewer
Xtypi#"l .erv #li$$h"nger Y _ the biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m
Ouroboros:
http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...0=/]4=4004;/99=
N"s"muu pointed out th"t Ouroboros w"s reported "s buying .et"Corte Gth"t w"s in the
*entinel& during the le"d up to the $irst "nnivers"ry with 7e#ius ,"dsworth& 9lue *:y& "nd "ll
th"t: http://moresour#e.#om/sentinel/04400=/ I whi#h is sort o$ "nnoying be#"use - donFt see
"ny point in redu#ing the "lre"dy sm"ll number o$ our in+g"me #orpor"tions. -Fd li:e
Ouroboros to be independent so - #"n do stu$$ with them without involving .et"Corte. ,hen
"s:ed& the tour guide responded th"t Ouroboros h"s no "$$ili"tion with .et"Corte. - suppose
i$ - h"ve to go into it "t some point -Fll put in something somewhere "bout the two going their
sep"r"te w"ys "t some point "$ter ,"dsworthFs mysterious dis"ppe"r"n#e.
$ounded in /9;4++Drese"r#hers "nd investorsD
*e#urity:
+ silver "nd bl"#:
+ long shotguns
+ person"l $irew"ll "nd hyper+de$le#t
+ t"ttooH
XAbbrevi"tions GCust $or summ"ry #onvenien#e++donFt use this "s terminology with pl"yersI:
O?: Olig"r#hy/Olig"r#hs
O%: Ouroboros Corpor"tion
,%: ,right %ese"r#h
'A: 'endhurst+Am"r"nth
436
9-': biologi#"l inter$"#e progr"m
-Fve "dded generi# DVisitD missions th"t will let us get the usu"l si+person mission te"ms into
mission "re"s inside OuroborosF Creston 5eights building& "nd 'endhurst+Am"r"nthFs
5"mpton ?reen building& Cust in #"se we w"nted to send te"ms into those buildings $or event
purposes. !he missions #"n only be st"rted by "n "dmin. ,e "lre"dy h"ve " mission li:e th"t
$or ,right %ese"r#h Gwe "lso h"ve one $or D!he Or"#leFs "p"rtmentD++ie " r"ndom "p"rtment
somewhere in ."r"++"nd the 5el ClubI. Oh "nd - "lso "dded one $or J":ub"itus while - w"s "t
it.Y
1'3/CN'5
!he DEionD events "re mostly spe#i$ied $or Cust Eion or 1'3 this time. Cyphs do not h"ve
spe#i$i# events #"lled out $or them here& but the D."#hineD events in this sub#h"pter "lmost
"ll h"ve to do with bluepill situ"tions& pretty in+line with Cypherite "ims& "nd should be suited
Cust "s well to either group.
8/>
Ch"pter im"ge: Just the .erv #h"tting ple"s"ntly in the #h"te"u while Oo:"mi w"t#hes over
his shoulder
Crit //././
Eion: Eion tells <tley th"t ."user h"s #le"red outB she s"ys i$ th"tFs the #"se then the ,right
l"wsuit will #oll"pse. A$ter going to meet with ,%Fs leg"l reps& she #"lls Eion b"#:& s"ying th"t
the ,% reps didnFt show& "nd th"t the ,% people who reported this seemed ev"sive "nd
"git"ted. Eion #he#:s into it "nd $inds the ,% reps being pushed "round by 1iles& whom
they h"d evidently been trying to bribe. 9rend" s"ys th"t with the l"wsuit& "nd "ttention $rom
the $eds& she #"nFt help dire#tly& but sheFs been he"ring rumors o$ intern"l troubles "t ,%.
."#h: !he ."#hines send the pl"yer into O% to get "s #lose "s they #"n to the termin"l
where the 9-' is supposed to h"ve been stolen by the .erv. 9"sed on the re"dings obt"ined&
the ."#hines s"y it loo:s li:e it #ould re"lly h"ve been the 9-'. !he pl"yer is sent to noti$y
O% th"t .erv "tt"#:s on their #omp"ny "re prob"bly over& "nd th"t the ."#hines will t":e
#"re o$ "ny rem"ining problems. !he O% rep is :ind o$ " Cer:& "nd s"ys th"t theyFre b"#: to
business "s usu"l "nyw"y. 3et& itFs time to st"rt getting the 9-' $rom the .erv& "nd the
oper"tive is sent to roll " $ew 1iles "nd swipe their #omputerFs d"t"& p"rt o$ " l"rger oper"tion
"imed "t gr"bbing "nd "n"lyzing "s mu#h 1ile d"t" "s possible to turn up the 9-' A*A'.
.erv: .erv sets to wor: trying to "n"lyze the #"ptured 9-'& but itFs " b"$$ling mi o$ lin:ed
."#hine $un#tions "nd DintuitiveD routines. *ever"l outside eperts "re brought in to loo: over
" s"mple: the dungeon 1ile le"der 1there"l 2& "nd the 5istori# 7istri#t mission #ont"#t&
."d"me !. !hey o$$er " $ew #omments on it& but donFt #ome up with "nything de$inite. !he
.erv seems more intrigued th"n ever. GA ,right %ese"r#h o$$i#i"l "nd se#urity gu"rd "re
le"ving when the pl"yer goes to meet the .ervB they were digging $or dirt on ."user
437
Gre$eren#e to d"t" on ."user th"t .erv stole $rom the ."#hines in .erv 8.4./& "nd to the
,%/1ile sp"t in EionFs mission this wee:I& Xbut the .erv w"snFt interested in de"ling with
them GheFs suspi#ious o$ ,%& "nd $eels theyFve got too m"ny problems o$ their own right now
to be o$ mu#h pro$it to himY.I
8/>+8//4
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: G1'3 onlyI 7ep"rture o$ the 1'3 epedition to the no+$ly zone G*him"d" t"l:ed "bout
h"ving to st"rt prep"r"tions b"#: in /0.4I. Could possibly h"ve pl"yers....hmm& well they #"nFt
re"lly go themselves& sin#e th"t would re)uire th"t they st"y out o$ the g"me $or months& but
m"ybe with " little "dv"n#e prep they #ould D#"ll upD one D#rew memberD or something li:e
th"tB ie& theyFd design"te the n"me o$ "n "lt #h"r"#ter+++wonder i$ it would be possible to
epl"in th"t+++"nd then weFd h"ve "ll those new "lts "ssemble in the event "nd C"#: out
together. 1h "nd then i$ one o$ them did C"#: in be$ore the epedition #ompletes GweFd h"ve to
m":e it #le"r th"t this Cob would very li:ely :eep them out o$ the simul"tion $or months++
be#"use it willI& weFd Cust h"ve to s"y they went A,OL& "nd hold the 1'3 who registered
them responsible $or the de$e#tion. And - suppose sin#e these would Cust be D"ltsD we #ould
open it up to 1'3 $rom "ll servers& provided they #ould produ#e their n"med D#rew memberD
on wh"tever server is "#tu"lly going to host the send+o$$ event. O$ #ourse& n"mes o$
#h"r"#ters who "re "#tu"lly $re)uently "#tive in the g"me wouldnFt be "llowedB eh& m"ybe
weFd h"ve to tell them th"t tr"ined \."tri\ oper"tives would be needed in the simul"tion& "nd
weFre only "##epting oper"tives o$ neuro:ineti# level $ive GHI or lower $or the epedition.
."#h: ."#hines go to get the 9-' $rom the .erv. !hey "#tu"lly do get it& but then the
progr"m removes itsel$ $rom their possession Cust "s the .ervs #ounter+"tt"#:& "nd the .ervs
m":e o$$ with it. G- wouldnFt be disguising "nyone "s " Cumping #omputer dis: or "nything li:e
th"t :p& so the det"ils o$ the progr"mFs es#"pe would prob"bly be mostly %'.I
.erv: G"$ter ."#h eventI A$ter its str"nge es#"pe $rom the ."#hines& the .ervs re"lize th"t
p"rt o$ the problem in "n"lyzing the progr"m is th"t it is "t le"st to some etent sel$+"w"re&
"nd #"n modi$y its own #ode stru#tures. *ome highly eperiment"l me"ns o$ "n"lysis is #"lled
$or Gm"ybe we #ould even Cust throw this out to the pl"yers to br"instorm onI "nd is
"ttempted& but wh"tever it is& it ends in ne"r+#"t"strophi# $"ilure& "nd the .ervs re"lize th"t
some more in$ormed "ppro"#h is going to be ne#ess"ry.
8//8
Crit //./.2
Eion: An enthusi"sti# reporter tips Eion o$$ to something weird going on "t " ,% o$$i#e Gin
e#h"nge $or "n De#lusive interview&D but there m"y be "n Agent who w"nts to interview him
$irst...I. !he pl"yer $inds the o$$i#e "b"ndoned& with " #h"t session le$t in mid+#h"t& s"ying
something "bout " bre":+in "t "nother o$$i#e. !h"t o$$i#e is empty e#ept $or two ,% se#urity&
who get " #"ll "bout " networ: "tt"#: "s you h"ppen to enter the room. !he pl"yer $ollows to
438
the s#ene "nd $inds this o$$i#e "lre"dy under se#urity lo#:downB they interrupt the te"m
le"der& who w"s $iling " report s"ying th"t theyFd still $ound no eviden#e o$ "n on+site intruder&
"nd indi#"ting th"t theyFre w"t#hing $or ."user p"rti#ul"rly.
."#h: !he pl"yer is sent to go #he#: out reports o$ rioting. !hey $ind some *,A! members
who h"d in$li#ted " $ew #ivili"n #"su"lties while de$ending themselves $rom " mob. !he *,A!
te"ms s"ys they donFt :now wh"t set o$$ the mob. !he pl"yer is sent in "he"d o$ *,A! to the
net trouble spot& to try to "void violen#e. !hey $ind th"t these bluepills "re upset "bout #"ble
television being out o$ servi#eB " se#ond group o$ blues is going #r"zy be#"use their -nternet
"##ess is down. ?r"y s"ys th"t it loo:s li:e " #"se o$ m"ss m"l$un#tion "mong #"ble boes
"nd home networ: routers& "lmost "ll o$ whi#h "re m"nu$"#tured by O%. 5e "dds th"t medi"
stre"ms "re import"nt in :eeping the bluepills distr"#ted& "nd th"t O% h"s been su##ess$ul in
l"rge p"rt be#"use their O? b"#:ing pretty mu#h gives them unlimited $unds "nd te#hnology&
whi#h the ."#hines didnFt w"nt to try to mess with& sin#e th"t might h"ve brought intruders
into the ."tri.
.erv: !he .erv determines th"t the "nswer to #r"#:ing the 9-' is to enlist the :nowledge o$
the 1ile s#ientist *ilver& who h"s signi$i#"nt eperien#e in biologi#"l rese"r#h& "nd "dv"n#ed
:nowledge o$ inter$"#e te#h th"t he pi#:ed up in the p"st $rom wor:ing with ,right G"lthough
"t le"st some o$ this w"s lost when he w"s termin"ted "nd h"d to be restored $rom b"#:upI.
9ut *ilverFs gone into hiding& "s Eion dis#overed in /0.4. 6lood h"s the pl"yer intimid"te "
#ert"in 1ile li#:spittle o$ *ilverFs in C"mon& who le"ds them to " hotel room peopled by weird
bluepill simul"#r"& one o$ whom h"s " str"in o$ " r"re dise"se& whi#h is tr"#ed to " p"rti#ul"r
l"b& where *ilver is $ound& "long with " $ew 1ile bodygu"rds& "nd some de"d s#ientists. 5e is
m"r#hed be$ore the .erv& "nd "grees to help rese"r#h the 9-'& but very grudginglyB he thin:s
itFs too d"ngerous& with the ."#hines "$ter it.
8//8+8/20
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: 3ow th"t *ilverFs been rousted out& Eion wonders i$ heFs the one behind the ,%
problems& sin#e he w"s 7"nielle ,rightFs se#ret #o+rese"r#her $or " time. !hey m"n"ge to
lo#"te him when he \isnFt\ wor:ing on the 9-' Gwhi#h would be etremely he"vily gu"rdedI&
dispose o$ wh"tever 1ile gu"rds he h"s on h"nd& "nd "s: him "bout the ,% thing. 5e s"ys
it w"snFt him& "nd he #"n prove it: they Cust h"ve to go e"mine the hide"w"y he w"s using Gin
the //./.2 #rit& the .ervs $ound him in " %i#hl"nd/,estview l"b room++those "re usu"lly in
slum "p"rtment buildings& - thin:I& "nd " #ode s#"n will show th"t he w"s there with minim"l
outside #ont"#t $or the p"st sever"l months. *ome pl"yers m"y not be tot"lly #onvin#ed even
"$ter *ilver h"s w"ited $or them to #omplete this inspe#tion& "nd they m"y w"nt to :eep him
prisoner "nyw"y& due to the whole 9-' thing some o$ them will prob"bly be "w"re o$& but i$
pressed& *ilver #ould #"ll in 1ile gu"rds "nd run o$$ in the ensuing melee.
."#h: Ouroboros is not h"ndling #ompl"ints o$ m"l$un#tioning #onsumer ele#troni#s
e$$i#iently& "nd ."#hinists "re #"lled in to )uell " #ivili"n riot. !his #ould involve L1*-?+
#ontrolled bluepills& or we #ould try something li:e h"ving pl"yers #"st non+d"m"ging
stuns/roots "nd so $orth on hostile 9luepill 3'Cs to :eep them o##upied "nd "liveB "$ter "
439
#ert"in "mount o$ time we s"y the ."#hines h"ve been "ble to inCe#t enough h"ppy Cui#e into
their pods to remove the d"nger G"t whi#h point the 3'Cs would v"nish& sin#e th"tFs wh"t
h"ppens to sp"wns "ny time - #h"nge " setting++su#h "s org "lignment++on their se)uen#eI.
O$ #ourse& something li:e th"t \#ould\ potenti"lly turn into " m"ss"#re i$ " pl"yer with "n it#hy
trigger $inger got within $iring r"nge.
.erv: *ilver& perh"ps Cust " t"d vindi#tive "$ter being pulled out o$ hiding& de#ides on "
p"rti#ul"rly ghoulish $irst eperiment $or the 9-'& involving hum"n bodies Go$ the ."tri
simul"tion v"riety& - me"nI. V"rious "ttempted #ombin"tions o$ the 9-' "nd the bodies do not
produ#e visible results& "lthough *ilver #l"ims th"t heFs getting some highly interesting
re"dings. One o$ the .erv higher+ups #"lls " h"lt to the eperiment& de#l"ring th"t " di$$erent
line o$ rese"r#h will be needed& "nd implying th"t *ilver h"d better st"rt demonstr"ting th"t he
#"n be use$ul& or else.
8/2/
Crit //./.4
Eion: ,right networ: e)uipment prototypes h"ve gone missing. -nvestig"tion into the n"ture
o$ the stolen e)uipment reve"ls th"t it w"s b"sed on rese"r#h he"ded by ,right hersel$. !he
pl"yer tr"#:s down the m"n"ger o$ one o$ the prototype proCe#ts& now retired& who s"ys th"t
the proCe#t dried up without her& be#"use nobody else #ould underst"nd it.
."#h: !he servi#e out"ge isnFt being h"ndled by O%& "nd itFs time to go tell them something
needs to be done. 9ut the O% rep the pl"yer w"s supposed to meet isnFt there& "nd the $ew
O% st"$$ "t the o$$i#e "re "#ting pretty $lighty. ?r"y sends the pl"yer to m":e "n uns#heduled
visit to "nother o$$i#e to $ind out wh"tFs up& "nd the pl"yer $inds th"t O% intern"l m"il "nd
p"ging servi#es "re o$$line. Che#:ing up on th"t out"ge& the pl"yer $inds the guys in the O% -*
dep"rtment #ompletely b"$$led by the problems. ?r"y s"ys th"t thereFs got to be some
s#heme behind it& "nd "dds th"t theyFll h"ve to $ind D" more...reli"ble #omp"nyD to pi#: up
O%Fs $"iled publi# servi#e #ontr"#ts G-nternet& #"ble devi#esI.
.erv: !he 9-' is missing $rom its se#ure m"in$r"me server& "nd the gu"rds h"ve no ide" how
it v"nished. *ilver& in the midst o$ some other unspe":"ble eperiment& s"ys he isnFt
surprisedB heFd noti#ed th"t the 9-'Fs uni)ue #ode "llows it to #ir#umvent se#urity routines
with e"se. !he progr"m is $ound #ir#ul"ting the .ervFs networ:: $irst s#"ring " #omm"ndo
s)u"d G$eedb"#: $rom one termin"l :ills " #omm"ndoI& then w"ndering "round #omputers
owned by " #ouple su##ubi& "lthough by th"t time the ."#hines h"ve got wind o$ it& "nd try to
sn"t#h it& but the pl"yer m"n"ges to be"t them o$$& "nd the 9-' settles down. 6lood s"ys
theyFll put it in " server with doubled $irew"lls #y#ling "t irregul"r interv"ls& to prevent it $rom
bre":ing out "g"in.
8/2/+8/2>
%e)uired 1vents:
440
Eion: G1'3 onlyI !he O% m"l$un#tions "nd subse)uent disruptions in the publi# se#tor& due to
the loss o$ home !V "nd -nternet "##ess& "re " $ine illustr"tion o$ " system o$ ."#hine #ontrol
bre":ing down. ,e #ould h"ve some young bluepills& "dri$t "t "n "nti+O% r"lly& "nd sho#:ed
when O% se#urity t":es down " p"rti#ul"rly rowdy rioter or something& be#ome #"ndid"tes $or
"w":eningB some sti#:ing it to the O% se#urity "t the s#ene on#e the bluepills "re ev"#u"ted
might be "ppropri"te& too.
."#h: !he ."#hines sn"t#h some :ey Ouroboros ee#s G#ould be "n "rmed oper"tion& or "
little pill in their #o$$ee& so to spe":++or " v"rietyI& "nd )uestion them "bout the situ"tion "t the
#omp"ny++wh"tFs h"ppened to #"use this #orpor"tion+wide bre":downH !he ee#s hem "nd
h"w& but $in"lly one #on$esses th"t they re"lly donFt :now how this #ould h"ve h"ppened. !he
."#hines veri$y th"t the ee# is telling the truth.
.erv: .ervs "re #"lled in to de$end the 9-' "g"inst " r"id by the ."#hines. !he .ervs "re
h"rd+pressed during the "tt"#:& "nd $ighting "round the 9-'Fs se#ured server is $ier#e. ,hen
thereFs " good s:irmish going right net to the #omputer weFve design"ted "s the 9-'Fs
lo#"tion& *ilver or " .erv story #h"r"#ter Gprob"bly one o$ the s#ienti$i#"lly+in#lined ones&
"lthough Oo:"mi would wor:& tooI will "nnoun#e th"t the 9-' h"s Cumped into one o$ the
ne"rby oper"tives GweFd pi#: one who seems reli"ble++i$ they #r"sh or C"#: out or run "w"y or
something weFll Cust s"y the 9-' h"s now Cumped into someone elseI. !he .ervs $ight $ree o$
the "tt"#:ing ."#hines "nd regroup "t " new lo#"tion& where the 9-'+inh"bited oper"tive is
s"t down net to " #omputer& "nd the 9-' is #o"ed out into " new se#ure server.
8/28
Crit //./.8
Eion: %"iding " ,% networ: l"b where theyFre "n"lyzing the "tt"#:s& the pl"yer $inds theyFve
#ompiled " list o$ employee p"sswords used in the "tt"#:s& "nd th"t the employees were out
o$ town when their p"sswords were used. !he pl"yer be"ts ,% se#urity to the net "tt"#:ed
site& "nd #"ptures the on+site se#urity #"mer" $oot"ge. -tFs Cust showing ,% employees going
"bout their business& but one o$ them is " #ler: th"t the pl"yer r"n into on their w"y out o$ the
se#urity l"b++"t the s"me time the $oot"ge $rom the "tt"#: site w"s re#orded. !hey go b"#: to
#he#: the #ler:& "nd $ind him being grilled by ,% se#urity& but he seems li:e " norm"l bluepill&
"nd it isnFt #le"r how he w"s "pp"rently in two spots "t on#e. G3ot des#ribed by !ynd"ll& but "
#omputer "t one o$ the bre":+in sites h"s notes by D,D X7"nielle ,rightY "bout DArgentD
XDArgent 9iometri#sD w"s the #omp"ny n"me *ilver used when wor:ing with ,right
previouslyY.I
."#h: ?r"y sends the pl"yer to #he#: into the O% networ: out"ges spe#i$i#"lly& "nd "lso to
st"rt t":ing the rest o$ their networ: o$$line& so they #"n try to isol"te wh"tever might be
#"using the problems. !hey dete#t "n error+$ree d"t" stre"m in/out o$ O%B #he#:ing it out&
they $ind " $em"le O% o$$i#e wor:er whoFs been h"#:ing into the O% networ: to try to $igure
out $or hersel$ wh"tFs going on& sin#e nobody else there seems to h"ve "ny ide" Goh& e"rlier in
the mission& one o$ the $renzied te#hni#i"ns is he"rd s"ying D,here the 51LL is 9rewer&D
whi#h is " re$eren#e to th"t br"in+h"#:ed O% networ: "ssist"nt $rom the l"st sub#h"pterI.
6ollowing " tip $rom the help$ul h"#:er& the pl"yer $inds " he"vily gu"rded O% site with "
bun#h o$ #omputers. !hey shut them down& but not be$ore "n outgoing sign"l o$ some sort is
441
dete#ted. !hey "lso $ind " d"t" #onne#tion simil"r to the one they used to tr"#: down the
help$ul h"#:er e"rlierB this le"ds to "n "b"ndoned h"#:ing st"tion& with " d"t" dump o$ wh"t
loo:s li:e " #opy o$ " mess"ge routed to " downtown "ddress& with #omm"nds th"t would
trigger " power pl"nt li:e the one in O%Fs Creston 5A to overlo"d in " run"w"y re"#tion th"t
#ould destroy the whole "re". ?r"y "dds th"t the help$ul h"#:er h"s dis"ppe"red X- me"n to
imply here th"t someone got to herY.
.erv: *ilver h"s the pl"yer go to the 9-'Fs server& "nd it hops into the pl"yerFs %*-. 6lood is
ti#:ed. *ilver& by himsel$ this time G- :eep #h"r"#ters "s isol"ted "s possible $or the rest o$
this& "nd 6lood m":e sn"r:y rem"r:s "bout "voiding 5LsI& sends the pl"yer to meet up with "
p"rti#ul"r oper"tiveB the 9-' Cumps into th"t oper"tive& Cust be$ore theyFre "mbushed by
."#hines. !he pl"yer "nd the oper"tive $ight $ree "nd get the 9-' to "nother se#ure
m"in$r"me& where it settles b"#: down. 6lood #"lls to report th"t *ilverFs #l"iming the su##ess
o$ this eperiment shows th"t the 9-' #"n Dinter$"#e per$e#tly with hum"n bro"d#"st sign"ls&D
"nd semi+s"r#"sti#"lly suggests th"t net *ilver will be w"nting to use it to insert progr"ms
into re"l hum"n bodies& or something ridi#ulous li:e th"t.
8/28+9/4
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: GEion onlyI .ysterious ,% #ulprit lo#"ted& swit#hes $orm to es#"peB oper"tives lo#"te it
"g"in& "nd #"n "tt"#: it& "lthough they "re told not to. -$ they do "tt"#: "nd :ill it& we #"n s"y it
will be h"rder to get "nswers now G"lso& the termin"ted in$iltr"torFs body dis"ppe"rs
Gre#onstru#tsI "lmost immedi"telyIB i$ they donFt :ill it& it es#"pes.
."#h: meltdown o$ O%Fs Creston 5A power pl"nt n"rrowly "verted
.erv: G-Fd li:e to run this event on !uesd"y the 2nd.I C"rlyne GRI "ppe"rs in $ront o$ the
.erovingi"n& "s:ing th"t the 9-' be h"nded over to him. - might h"ve C"rlyne $l"gged& "nd
weFll see i$ "ny .erv oper"tives de#ide to "tt"#: him. !he .erv st"lls& s"ying th"t the 9-' is o$
#ourse being :ept in " s#r"mbled networ: to :eep it se#ure& "nd it will t":e some time to
prep"re it s"$ely. 5e "s:s C"rlyne to n"me " time "nd pl"#e $or delivery. C"rlyne s"ys Cust
h"ve it re"dy by tomorrow. On his w"y out he le"ves some hostile overrides ne"rby "s "
Dreminder.D
9/8
Crit //./.;
Eion: G!he oper"tor mentions: -ndi#"tions o$ in#re"sed *entinel "#tivity "round no+$ly zoneB
(idFs he"ding out with "ddition"l ships to rein$or#e no+$ly zone eplor"tion te"m Xthis me"ns
he wonFt be "v"il"ble $or Live 1vents $or " while "$ter this d"teY.I 6ollowing up on ,% se#urity
reports& "nd s#"nning $or " C"#:+in sign"l th"t #"n v"ry its en#oded "ppe"r"n#e& the pl"yer
tr"#:s the #ulprit to " hidden l"b e)uipped w/ " highly sophisti#"ted networ: inter$"#e system
built p"rtly $rom the stolen ,right e)uipment. -ts e"#t purpose is un#le"r& "nd Eion de#ides
442
to #on$is#"te it $or study. XA #omputer in the l"b h"s " #oded mess"ge th"t will give " #lue to
something...Y A##essing " #omputer in the l"b shuts down the #ulprit& who w"s evidently some
:ind o$ s#ripted DspiderD progr"m& e)uipped with ,% "##ess #odes& "nd the li:enesses o$ ,%
employees. Could it h"ve been set up by ."userH
."#h: ?r"y s"ys itFs time to shut down O%B the problems #"used "re Cust too d"ngerous. !he
."#hines $reeze O%Fs "ssets& "nd send the pl"yer in to noti$y st"$$ o$ the $eder"l t":eover.
*t"$$ "re worried& but not terribly so++e#ept $or some O% se#urity members& who donFt w"nt
"ny p"rt o$ it& "nd h"ve to be given " be"t+down. !he net step is going "round to wor:er
termin"ls "nd dumping "ll O% d"t" to " ."#hine d"t"b"se $or "n"lysis& to $ind the sour#e o$
the problems. !his isol"tes the sour#e o$ Dsuspe#t dire#tives "nd progr"ms& dissemin"ted
through " networ: o$ employeesD to " single #omputer in "n O% o$$i#e& not "#tu"lly #onne#ted
to their networ:: itFs #onne#ted to the Olig"r#h 3etwor:. ?r"y s"ys they h"ve to "ssume th"t
the O?s :now wh"tFs been going on& "nd #ould be on their w"y to the ."tri.
.erv: 6lood #"lls the pl"yer in to help him "rgue with *ilver& who w"nts out sin#e le"rning o$
C"rlyneFs returnB he s"ys he doesnFt intend to sti#: "round w"iting $or C"rlyne to termin"te
him when he #omes $or the 9-'. 9ut thereFs no time $or 6lood to report *ilverFs wussiness to
the .erv& be#"use the ."#hines "re h"ving their oper"tives Gnot their progr"ms++theyFre
:eeping them b"#: li:e they did the l"st time the intruders were "roundI m":e "n "ll+out
"ttempt to get the 9-'. A$ter some $ighting "g"inst ."#hine oper"tives& the pl"yer #omes to "
.erv site with de"d 1iles& " $ried #omputer& "nd no sign o$ " struggle. !he oper"tor gets "
b"d $eeling "bout this. 6lood rings up to s"y th"t their progr"ms "re $"lling le$t "nd right& "nd
the w"ve o$ destru#tion loo:s li:e itFs he"ding right $or the .erv. !he pl"yer "rrives to $ind the
.erv gu"rded by worried 1iles& Cust "s C"rlyne "ppe"rs& testily "s:ing $or the 9-'. *ome o$
the 1ile gu"rds die. !he .erv seems #on$ident in his "bility to negoti"te with the stressed
intruder& when suddenly DHHHD "ppe"rs beside them. C"rlyne #rumples to the $loor& "nd DHHHD
s"ys theyFve #ome $or the 9-'. !he rest o$ the 1ile gu"rds die. !he .erv )ui#:ly dire#ts the
pl"yer to open the ports on the #omputer storing the 9-' Ghe h"d it there in the room with himI
to the Dprim"ry networ:.D !his is done in "n inst"nt& "nd the .erv "nd pl"yer be"t " h"sty
retre"t while DHHHD is still $iguring out wh"t Cust h"ppened. !he .erv s"ys theyFve "llowed the
9-' to es#"pe Dinto the wide networ: o$ the ."tri.D 5e seems e#ited "t the thought o$ $"#ing
this new "dvers"ry& "nd be"ting them to the 9-'.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
DHHHD _ A#tu"lly 7"nielle ,right in DOlig"r#hD+style shell& but -Fm not going to positively -7 her
here& Cust le"ve hints li:e her beh"vior& "nd the "lph"de#im"l #ode $ound in Eion //./.;.
9//8
Ch"pter im"ge: ,right in intruder $orm $lo"ting in " bubble o$ #ode
443
Crit //.2./
Eion: -ntel is pretty #onvin#ed it re"lly is ,right& "nd sheFs "$ter the 9-'. !he devi#e Eion
$ound with the #ulprit ste"ling $rom ,right %ese"r#h is giving out numeri# se)uen#es& whi#h
under "n"lysis "re reve"led to be " series o$ upd"ting #oordin"tes. !hin:ing these might h"ve
something to do with ,right or the 9-'& the pl"yer st"rts $ollowing them& $inding "I " bluepill
"nd their #omputer who seem to ste"l e"#h otherFs lines& mu#h to the bluepillFs #on$usion& "nd
bI " de"d 1ile& "nd live A##eler"ted 1iles. !hese en#ounters "re reported to 3iobe& who
thin:s m"ybe the devi#e #"n be used to lo#"te the 9-' be$ore ,right gets it. 3iobeFs "lso
wondering i$ ,right w"snFt )uite the m"rtyr she m"de hersel$ out to be when the ."#hines
were "$ter her be$ore. An 1'3 h"s Cust told 3iobe th"t the 1'3 epedition re"#hed the no+$ly
zone& but #ouldnFt enter be#"use o$ he"vy ."#hine p"trols "round the perimeter& "nd th"t the
(id h"s "lre"dy le$t $or the zone with rein$or#ements.
."#h: !he pl"yer is sent to help #on$irm the identity o$ the $em"le intruder. !hey $ind "
p"ni#:y bluepill "nd " de"d Agent. !he bluepill m"n"ges to point out " dire#tion& "nd override
use over th"t w"y is n"rrowed down to ,right hersel$& "nd " #omputer. !he #omputer seems
to be tr"#:ing something& but ,right bl"n:s it out when the pl"yer tries to #he#: it. ,right
s"ys she Ddid m":e " mist":eD: Dthe ."tri w"s more th"n - h"d thought it w"sDB the Dmist":eD
line is " re$eren#e to her l"st event "ppe"r"n#e "s " redpill& Eion 8.2.4
G http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=4000/=>9/ I& where she s"id th"t i$ "nyone s"w
her "g"in& sheFd Dh"ve m"de " gre"t mist":e.D ?r"y s"ys itFs time to t"l: "bout this person.
5e s"ys the d"t" s#"nned o$$ her loo:s re"son"bly #lose to wh"t they :now o$ ,rightB how
she survived termin"tion by *entinels& whose sensors #on$irmed the destru#tion o$ her body
Gin 8.2I& is un:nown. ?r"y "lso s"ys th"t ,right is not "n Olig"r#h& even i$ she seems to h"ve
D"dopted their C"#:+in proto#olDB the old termin"tion order $or her still "pplies. !he pl"yer is
p"#:ed o$$ with oper"tive rein$or#ements to t":e #"re o$ this& but they Cust run into " bun#h o$
overrides& without $inding ,right. ?r"y s"ys well o:"y& sheFs got the Olig"r#h overrides too&
this #ould be tri#:y.
.erv: 1iles s#"nning $or signs o$ the 9-' get " report $rom the white h"llw"ys o$ "n "##ess
viol"tion& with no dete#ted sour#e. ?oing to #he#: on the h"llw"y #ontrol #enter& the pl"yer
$inds " glit#hing #omputer. As they e"mine it& the 1$$e#tu"tor "ppe"rs& surprised to $ind
himsel$ there. *uddenly nine more 1$$e#tu"tors "ppe"r& #on$used. !he tenth seems woozy&
"nd "ll #oll"pse. 6lood reports ."lph"s m"de it out o$ the #h"te"u& "nd m"y h"ve " reportB
6lood is then #ut o$$. ."lph"s s"ys th"t there h"ve been system $"ilures throughout the
#h"te"u& but they #ouldnFt $ind the sour#e& "lthough it seemed to be intern"l. 5e thin:s it #ould
h"ve been the 9-'. 5e "dds th"t he #"nFt $igure how 6lood didnFt noti#e the system $"ilures
h"ppening "ll "round him.
9//8+9/28
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: GEion onlyI Eion #omes #lose to the 9-'& runs "#ross ,right. ,right tr"#:s them b"#: to
444
the devi#e "nd destroys it. ,right h"s the usu"l intruder "bilities& plus " #ouple new ones:
DCompress&D " me"tw"ddy one with 6irew"llFs met"lli# s:in e$$e#t& "nd D*ign"l J"mming&D "n
AO1 th"t l"ys " he"vy debu$$ on everyoneFs d"m"ge resist"n#es.
."#h: ."#hines w"nt to lo#"te ,rightFs bro"d#"st position. !hey $ind her "nd s#"n her
sign"l& but $ind no d"t" "t "ll th"t they #"n tr"#e. ,right m"de no "ttempt to "void the s#"n.
.erv: !he 9-' is $ound h"ving t":en over the tr"ining sim in " #h"te"u org "re". -t "tt"#:s "t
$irst& gr"du"lly stops& loo:s "round& s"ys DXbip mess"ge /Y&D then $"lls over de"d. -$ pl"yers
:illed the DsimD $irst& DXbip mess"ge /YD is $ound on " #omputer.
9/2;
Crit //.2.2
Eion: <sing in$orm"tion provided by "n "#)u"int"n#e o$ " #h"te"u gu"rd& the pl"yer lo#"tes
the gu"rd& hoping to get " le"d th"t will get them into the #h"te"u to loo: $or d"t" on the 9-'.
!hey $ind the gu"rd being :illed by " $ellow gu"rd& however& who is yelling $r"nti#"lly "bout
how " progr"m DwonFt getD him. Another& wounded gu"rd mentions th"t one o$ their members
r"n o$$. A s#"n is run& "nd " gu"rd is $ound& de"d or un#ons#ious& in the middle o$ " l"rge
#orpor"te networ: #enter. -t is suspe#ted th"t this m"y h"ve been the wor: o$ the 9-'&
Cumping $rom gu"rd to gu"rd. !he #omputers "t the #enter "re inspe#ted& "nd eviden#e o$
in$iltr"tion "nd d"t" tr"ns$er "re $ound in one o$ them. !his le"ds to " home #omputer& with "
str"nge mess"ge on it: DXbip mess"ge 2Y.D Also& !ynd"ll in$orms the pl"yer th"t 1'3 h"s been
in tou#h to s"y th"t the (id h"s met the epedition& "nd gone into the no+$ly zone.
."#h: *in#e they #"nFt $ind her vulner"ble C"#:+in point& the ."#hines de#ide to try getting
,right to t"l:. !he pl"yer #he#:s up on some #h"te"u 1iles $or ,right "#tivity. !hey get one
who s"ys there w"s some report e"rlier "bout " problem. !he pl"yer #omes upon de"d "nd
dying 1iles& "nd ,right& who pretty mu#h re$uses to s"y "nything to them. !hen the pl"yer
h"s to go #he#: on some big override sign"l th"t pops up ne"rby& "nd this turns out to be
,right "g"in& who s"ys she Cust thought o$ something& "nd w"nts to meet the ."#hines "$ter
"ll& with the pl"yer there "s " Dwitness.D ?r"y tells ,right th"t the ."#hines would li:e to
:now how she survived her body. ,right w"nts to :now why the Or"#le m"de the 9-'& but
she doesnFt w"nt to h"ve the dis#ussion there& "nd she w"nts more oper"tives present. ?r"y
s"ys o:"y& heFll see "bout getting it "rr"nged.
.erv: 6lood sends the pl"yer o$$ to :ill wh"t he s"ys w"s " tr"itorous #h"te"u gu"rdB th"t
done& the pl"yer goes "$ter Eionites whoFve been hounding the gu"rds. A $ew Eionites "re
$ound de"d& "long with "nother #h"te"u gu"rd& b"dly wounded& who #oughs out nothing
help$ul be$ore dying. A$ter " tongue+l"shing $rom 6lood& the m"in group o$ Eionites "re $ound&
"pp"rently loo:ing $or something in " room with " de"d A##eler"ted 1ile. On#e the Eionites
"re disp"t#hed& ,right "ppe"rs& possibly there with the intention o$ "mbushing the Eionites
whoFve Cust been h"ndled. *he mentions to the .erv pl"yer th"t itFs her underst"nding the
Eionites helped C"rlyne& "lthough they prob"bly $eel th"t w"s " mist":e& now. *till& she s"ys&
C"rlyne did turn out to be w"y more use$ul th"n heFd intended. !he .erv ponders this& "nd
de#ides thereFs " good #h"n#e ,right $ound C"rlyne in the %e"l "nd did something to him
445
there to m":e him $"ll over de"d in the simul"tion Gin .erv //./.;I. !he no+$ly zone w"s
supposed to be C"rlyneFs "bode& or something& "##ording to " #omment 5"lborn m"de "
while b"#:& so itFs possible ,right r"n into him somewhere "round there. !he .erv de#ides to
send some o$ the ?ener"lFs *entinels Gwhi#h heFs :ept lur:ing "roundI b"#: into the zone to
#he#: into this. 'ersephone is there with the .erv& in some :ind o$ b"d mood.
9/2;+/0//
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: G1'3 onlyI 1'3 #"ptures Ouroboros d"t" reve"led by the epeditionFs te"m t"pping
into " Olig"r#h 3etwor: line $ound in the no+$ly zone& "nd begins m"pping the l"yout o$ the
Olig"r#h 3etwor: in the %e"l.
."#h: G."#hines onlyI ,right meets ."#hines in One Eero. ?r"y s"ys the 9-' w"s #re"ted
to help #ontrol/monitor unplugged hum"ns in the %e"l. ,right s"ys she survived the de"th o$
her body by entering the ."tri "s " #omplete #ons#iousness& r"ther th"n " bro"d#"st.
.erv: 6lood is "tt"#:ed by 1iles in the 5el Club. Oper"tives "rriving "t the s#ene t":e out
some hostile 1iles& then $ind the D6r"n#ineD #":e vendor in the #lub "#ting oddly. !his is the
9-'. -t s"ys DXbip mess"ge 4Y&D then ,right "ppe"rs. A b"ttle $ollows& sort o$ t"iling o$$ "s
6r"n#ines multiply throughout the #lub& #rowding out everyone else. !he 9-' h"s
dis"ppe"red.
/0/2
Crit //.2.4
Eion: Override "#tivity in the slums le"ds to overrides "nd overridden progr"ms& "nd " guy
whose w"t#h h"s stopped :eeping #orre#t time net to " 7e#eler"tor. !ynd"ll reports th"t
1'3 #ont"#ts h"ve s"id the epedition w"s "tt"#:ed by "dv"n#ed $ighter #r"$t in the no+$ly
zoneB the (idFs hover#r"$t d"m"ged one o$ the "tt"#:ers& but w"s then shot down& "nd the (id
w"s inCured. !he epedition"ry $or#e retre"ted $rom the zone "$ter he"vy losses. !he ships
were observed to be simil"r to the type used by 5"lborn "nd C"rlyne. -n the #entr"l %i#hl"nd
"re"& the pl"yer $inds more overrides& "nd trouble $rom ."#hine "nd .erovingi"n redpills.
Override "#tivity moves into ."gog/A#h"n& where the pl"yer $inds *er"ph& who tells them th"t
wh"t theyFre loo:ing $or is in "n "p"rtment the Or"#le used to live in& "nd whose lo#"tion heFll
provide to the oper"tor. !he "p"rtment is in ."r"++"lthough now o##upied by bluepills++"nd
in#ludes " #omputer with " str"nge mess"ge: DXbip mess"ge 8Y.D
."#h: !he 9-' h"s moved into %i#hl"nd& "nd ,rightFs "$ter it "g"in. !he pl"yer is sent to t":e
#"re o$ the pes:y overrides sheFs :i#:ing up. !hey run into .erv redpills $ighting A##eler"ted
1iles& "nd " #omputer th"tFs been dis#onne#ted $rom some remote sour#e. !his le"ds to "n
"p"rtment in the #entr"l %i#hl"nd "re"& where " #omputer h"s #r"shed& "nd " bluepill s"ys
their Gbl"#:I #"t st"rted "#ting weird "nd r"n o$$. ?r"y s"ys to get b"#: on t"s:& "nd sends the
pl"yer to ."r"& where overrides "re getting pretty b"d& "nd EionitesB "nd there "re reports o$
446
,right being in the "re". !he pl"yer $inds Eionites t"l:ing "bout h"ving run into *er"ph
ne"rby& but they #"nFt get "ny more in$orm"tion. !hen they $ind " big override sour#e in ."r"&
whi#h is ,right& some de"d Eionites& "nd " bl"n:ed out #omputer. ,right s"ys the progr"mFs
"lre"dy le$t& "nd D-ts movements "ppe"r to be getting less err"ti#. -n the right h"nds& it #ould
be " truly eleg"nt #ontrol me#h"nism++not li:e these Olig"r#h routines.D ?r"y thin:s sheFs
Dunder some mis"pprehensionD "bout the progr"m. 5e "lso mentions th"t their sensors #"nFt
dete#t the progr"m& whi#h m":es things di$$i#ult. 6in"lly& he "dds th"t the #"t w"s lo#"ted in
"n "lley in ."r"& "nd w"s returned to its owner.
.erv: !he pl"yer is sent into the slums to see "bout override reports there. !hey en#ounter
."#hinists. 6lood s"ys theyFve lost #ont"#t with some o$ their progr"ms who were in the "re"
G#entr"l %i#hl"ndI on 5el Club businessB these "re $ound& being domin"ted by "n A##eler"tor&
poor things. 6lood mentions th"t the ?ener"lFs *entinels were "tt"#:ed by "dv"n#ed $ighter
#r"$t "nd $or#ed to retre"t G6lood: "g"inR h"h"I $rom the no+$ly zone. ,ith override "#tivity
in#re"sing in the A#h"n/."gog "re"& the pl"yer $inds Eionites there& t"l:ing "bout *er"ph
being in the vi#inity. !he pl"yer $inds him in ."r"& tr"pped by "n A##eler"tor.
/0/2+/0/8
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: GEion onlyI *ee .erv event.
."#h: GCyph onlyI 9e$ore Eion/.erv events: $ighting overrides "round ."r" with the help o$
CryptosF prototype "nti+override routines Gthese "re new #onsum"ble itemsI. !hese will m":e
the user immune to " r"ndom type o$ override $or " short period o$ time.
.erv: !his is " two+d"y Gb"#: to b"#:I& single+server Eion/.erv event.
7"y /: ,e lo#: down " ."r" "p"rtment building "nd get .ervs "nd Eionites into it by teleport
"t sep"r"te& lo#:ed lo#"tions. !hen we let them loose $or 'V' domin"tion& "nd see whi#h side
survives. -$ beginning numbers "renFt b"l"n#ed we #ould either limit the l"rger side to
m"t#hing numbers G-Fd pre$er this - thin:I& or - #ould try to b"l"n#e " bit with 3'Cs.
7"y 2:
+ -$ .ervs won: .erv $"#es *er"ph& w"nts to :now where the 9-' is. *er"ph s"ys only th"t it
is DXser"ph mess"geY.D 5eFs suddenly #overed by " 6irew"ll 6Z G- m"de " 6irew"lled *er"ph
disguise $or thisI "s the "re" goes 66A 'V'. *er"ph& $ighting $uriously "nd not t"l:ing to
"nyone& m":es his w"y $ree o$ the building.
+ -$ Eion won: Eion $ights their w"y out o$ ."r"++still p"#:ed with override sp"wns& 1ile
progr"ms& prob"bly hostile oper"tives++with *er"ph. On#e #le"r& *er"ph tells them th"t he
doesnFt :now where the 9-' will sur$"#e net& but it is DXser"ph mess"geY.D
/0/9
447
Crit //.2.8
Eion: 9luepills "re dropping de"d "#ross the #ity& sometimes with override use ne"rby. !he
pl"yer #he#:s out "n override sign"l "nd #omes "#ross ,right "nd " bluepill. ,right re$ers to
the bluepill by " DpodD seri"l number++002=:0;:0/89:042++"nd s"ys they werenFt Dthe one th"t
progr"mFs #hosen to #"ll home&D "nd m"ybe itFs someone else Din /89&D "s the bluepill drops
de"d. -t loo:s li:e ,rightFs going hunting $or bluepills& so the pl"yer gets re"dy to $ollow her&
tr"#:s "n override re"ding& "nd $inds " de"d bluepill. -ntel doesnFt :now o$ " #onne#tion
between the two de"d bluepills& but m"ybe ,rightFs re$eren#e to " pod w"s signi$i#"nt. !he
se#ond bluepillFs body is #olle#ted& "nd " red pill tr"#e is $or#ed through them. !heir body
doesnFt seem to h"ve been $lushed by the ."#hines yet& "nd the tr"#e returns " pod
lo#"tion++$ortun"tely "t " pretty ne"rby pod #luster. Eion disp"t#hes " ship there& whi#h $inds
mostly empty pods in " ring "round one o$ the towers. !hey begin running b"#:+tr"#es on the
rem"ining people in th"t ring. !he pl"yer goes to #he#: up on one o$ these& but is stopped by
."#hines gu"rding the bluepillFs "p"rtment. !ynd"ll #"lls to report th"t theyFve lost #ont"#t
with the hover#r"$t "t the tower& "nd "nother ship in the "re" reported he"vy *entinel "#tivity
there.
."#h: !he ."#hines h"ve the bluepill Gsee Eion #ritI& who is #urrently inh"bited by the 9-'&
"#ting err"ti#"lly. '"#e s"ys theyFre going to t":e the wom"n& -meld" (roller& to " l"b where
theyFll etr"#t the 9-'& "nd "s:s the pl"yer to help hold o$$ ne"rby overrides while they
tr"ns$er -meld". !his is "##omplished& but etr"#tion is t":ing too long& "nd ,right is #losing
in. !he pl"yer ev"#s (roller $rom the l"b "s overrides "ppe"r& :illing some o$ the ."#hines
there. '"#e is in " b"#: room& "nd seems to be o:"y. *he s"ys th"t the 9-' too: #ontrol o$
(rollerFs Dsom"ti# nervous system& resisting etern"l stimuli.D As the pl"yer gets (roller
outside& ?r"y s"ys her pod routines h"ve stopped reporting& "nd "s:s the pl"yer to #he#: her
st"tus. (roller s"ys DXbip mess"ge ;YD& then goes bl"n:. !his ends the mission& "nd (roller
dis"ppe"rs. ?r"y reports D<nre)uested reiniti"liz"tion o$ subCe#tFs im"ge by the pod
h"rdw"re... *ign"l is "#tive. <n"ble to resolve lo#"tion. *t"tus un:nown. '002=:0;:0/89:08/
is not responding.D
.erv: !he .ervs h"ve le"rned the ."#hines h"ve (roller Gsee ."#h #ritI& "nd set "bout
tr"#:ing down her pod -7& $irst $inding the seri"l number Eionites he"rd $rom ,right Gsee Eion
#ritI. 6lood s"ys this is ."#hine pod seri"l number $orm"t& with the third number being the
number o$ the ring in whi#h the pod is situ"ted on the tower& so ,right w"s loo:ing $or
someone plugged into the /89th ring o$ pods. !he .erv is $ormul"ting " pl"n $or h"#:ing into
."#hine systems "nd lo#"ting the pod #"ret":er& li:e they did when they w"nted to $ind
."#5enry G.erv 8.4.8I& but heFs interrupted by 'ersephone& who s"ys th"t Cust getting "#tivity
reports $rom the #"ret":er wonFt s"ve (roller& or the 9-'. 'ersephone s"ys she #"n do it& i$
the .erv #"n get her " #onne#tion to the right p"rt o$ the ."#hine networ:. !he .erv m":es
" show o$ worrying "bout his wi$eFs s"$ety in su#h " venture& but s"ys heFll m":e it h"ppen&
sin#e sheFs so #on#erned "bout it. !he pl"yer se#ures " p"rti#ul"r ."#hine termin"l& "nd gets
'ersephone to it. *he #oll"pses& b"rely "live& but s"ys sheFs s"ved themB the oper"tor s"ys
th"t de$ensive routines :i#:ed in "s soon "s 'ersephone sent her #omm"nds into the pod
system++they must h"ve been w"t#hing $or trouble there. !he pl"yer goes to give the .erv the
news& "nd $inds the ?ener"lFs hologr"m& reporting th"t his men $ound " wre#:ed& "dv"n#ed
#r"$t on their w"y b"#: $rom the zone& "nd s"lv"ged "n "ndroid o$ "n un:nown type $rom itB
theyFre bringing the "ndroid b"#: with them now. !he .erv is "nnoyed with 'ersephone $or
448
"lmost getting hersel$ :illed in " w"y th"t would h"ve re$le#ted b"dly on himB "nd wh"t w"s
she doing& "nyw"y& not mentioning those de$ensive routines& whi#h she must h"ve :nown
would be thereH 6lood s"ys 'ersephone rest"rted (rollerFs %*- "t " r"ndom point in the
simul"tion.
/0/9+/0//;
%e)uired 1vents:
Eion: !ry to stop ,right $rom getting "t " bluepill. !urns out this is not " 9-'+inh"bited bluepill&
Cust one in "n "dC"#ent pod& but Eion will "t le"st h"ve " #h"n#e o$ s"ving them $rom ,rightFs
brut"l pro#ess o$ elimin"tion. !his is #ompli#"ted& o$ #ourse& be#"use th"t pod #luster is now
surrounded by *entinels& "nd thereFd be no #h"n#e o$ s"ving the person i$ they were $lushed
by " red pill. - thin: it might be interesting to le"ve it to oper"tives to try to $igure out wh"t to
do Gmight end up being moot i$ ,right be"ts them to the more immedi"te go"l o$ se#uring the
bluepill in the simul"tionI.
."#h: GA$ter Eion "nd .erv eventsI ."#hines "ble to re+est"blish #ontrol over (rollerFs pod&
tr"#: them to X(roller lo#"tionY. ,right "ppe"rs "nd tries to gr"b (roller. ."#hinists must :eep
,right o##upied Ginterlo#:& rootI while ev"#u"ting (roller. ?et some dist"n#e "w"y but (roller
#oll"pses& ,right #"t#hes up& :ills (roller Cust "$ter (roller s"ys DXbip mess"ge =Y.D
.erv: 7e"thly 'ersephone G$irst "ppe"r"n#e o$ her bl"#:+dress/p"le+s:in %*-I tries to "##ess
(rollerFs pod "g"in& $"ils& b"rely survives ."#hine #ounter+"tt"#:. 9itter words between her
"nd the .ervB both "re dis"ppointed& $or di$$erent re"sons.
/0//=
Crit //.2.;
Eion: !he 9-'Fs tr"il le"ds b"#: into the slums. X.orpheus GsimI "nd Xbip mess"ge >Y will be
involved here& but - donFt w"nt to s"y more "bout it Cust now.Y
."#h: !he pl"yer is sent "$ter more trouble in %i#hl"nd. !hey $ind overrides& "nd Eionites
"pp"rently loo:ing $or 'ersephone. ?r"y s"ys ,right "nd the .orpheus sim h"ve been
reported "round there& too. !he pl"yer is wor:ing on some A##eler"ted ."#hines when more
"ppe"r& but "re t":en down by Cypherites whoFve "rrived on the s#ene. !he Cyphs s"y
Cryptos h"s " w"y to stop the overrides. !he pl"yer meets Cryptos& who s"ys heFs got " good
st"rt& "nd heFs willing to sh"re his progress& but he needs more in$orm"tion "bout the
overrides to #ontinue to improve his prototype. Cryptos "nd ?r"y meet. Cryptos s"ys th"t the
overrides use " root #omm"nd l"yer th"t he #"nFt re"lly "##ess& "nd he needs more in$o
"bout it. ?r"y s"ys in$o li:e th"t is pretty restri#ted& but sin#e the "nti+overrides #ould be
use$ul& heFll see wh"t he #"n do. 'l"yers get " prototype "nti+override #onsum"ble when they
#omplete the mission.
.erv: 'ersephone insists on meeting ,right. 6lood doesnFt sound li:e heFs in#lined to help
449
her get hersel$ :illed& but when he st"rts t"l:ing "bout lo#"ting ,right& whoFs "pp"rently in
."nnsd"le& in order to $ind the 9-'& " #li#: on the line reve"ls th"t someone w"s
e"vesdropping: 'ersephone. !he pl"yer r"#es o$$ to ."nnsd"le to $ind 'ersephone "s:ing
,right to stop the :illing. ,right is #old++#"lls 'ersephone Dprogr"mD++"nd s"ys she wonFt stop
until the ."tri is run by hum"ns. 6lood reports th"t th"t ill+"dvised little meeting "#tu"lly g"ve
them " #h"n#e to t":e some s#"ns o$ the region& "nd theyFve $ound Eionites homing in on "
p"rti#ul"r lo#"tion. !here they $ind ,right "g"in& h"ving "pp"rently Cust removed something
th"t she wonFt s"y "nything "bout. A $rustr"ted 6lood sends the pl"yer to epl"in their $"ilure
to the .erv. As the .erv greets the pl"yer& " str"nge mess"ge& DXbip mess"ge 8YD "ppe"rs on
his #omputer s#reen. !he .erv is "nnoyed th"t his high+pri#ed networ: se#urity $"iled to
prote#t him $rom this sp"m.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
,right "bs:
DCompressD Gmet"l me"tw"dHI
D*ign"l J"mmingD GAO1 m"ssive de$ res debu$$I
Anti+override prototype:
orbiting gold #ode $
gives r"ndom o$ one imm: A##el& 7e#el& %un
Visiting pl"#es $rom !rinityFs p"st:
!he Ch"te"u Gmission/event: .erv /I
!he 5el Club Gevent + .erv 2I
."r" G"p"rtmentB mission: *er"ph + Eion 4I
,estview Gevent: Club ("os& %ogers ,"y++right by As#ension + m"#h 8I
*lums Gslum "p"rtment& room /0/B mission: .orpheus Eion ;I
9-' mess"ges Gin white $ont& no #"ps or pun# until l"terI:
/: where
2: this isnFt
4: iFm not
8: not here
450
;: impossible
=: oh god
>: (no#:& :no#:.
8: ,":e up.
*er"ph mess"ge: DrememberingD
(roller lo#"tion: Club ("os& %ogers ,"y
Eion //.2.;
!r"#:ing 9-' in *lums& but lose it. Come "#ross .orpheus& who s"ys th"t the ."#hines
#h"nged things& but he remembers the telephone e#h"nge& whi#h they didnFt #h"nge. Come
to room /0/& 3eoFs "p"rtment& $ind Xbip mess"ge >Y.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
,right
+ O? overrides "re #rudeB need progr"m #"p"ble o$ penetr"ting to the he"rt o$ the ."#hine
systems "nd re#on$iguring them #"re$ully++she #ould m":e use o$ the 9-' to do th"t
+ 5um"n #ontrol...but must be the right hum"ns
+ 7oesnFt :now wh"t 9-' re"lly is Gonly Ar#hite#t& Or"#le& *"ti& .orpheus& ?r"y& C"rlyne&
5"lborn :now th"tI
+ 9r"g somewhere to ."#hines th"t she survived de"th o$ her body by entering the ."tri "s
"n independent #ons#iousness
+ ,hen she did th"t w/ O? overrides& she deton"ted ship #ont"ining C"#:+in devi#e "nd
."userFs body
#inem"ti#:
s#ene /
+ #lose up o$ #omputer s#reen: bip mess"ge $rom merv //.2.;
+ .erv is loo:ing "t it in "nnoy"n#e
+ ?en hologr"m ph"ses in& s"ys theyFve got the "ndroid thing
+ .erv h"s him put it up on the hologr"phi# displ"y
+ .erv loo:s "t it& grins slowly++Dimpressive...D
s#ene 2
+ shim"d"& hover#r"$t de#:& loo:ing "t $"#e on tr"nsmitter s#reen
+ s: how is heH
+ $: he wonFt be winning "ny be"uty p"ge"nts& but heFll m":e it.
weFll be in bro"d#"st r"nge in " $ew d"ys. do you w"nt me to++H
+ s: no. -Fll do it
451
s#ene 4
+ hover#r"$t& shim"d" C"#:ed in
+ door opens& #r"$ty loo:ing wom"n #reeps up to the #h"ir
+ w: theyFre "ll o$$ in no+m"nFs l"nd...
+ w: nobody to w"t#h over you while you sleep
+ w: now where would you hide th"t #ode the Or"#le g"ve you...
+ #rewm"n "ppe"rs in doorw"y& st"rtled: youR
+ w grins
+ #: stopR
+ w y"n:s shim"d"Fs C"#: out& sli#es its #"ble
+ w: :ept it w"rm $or you& de"rie
+ w hurls the C"#: into the #rewm"nFs $orehe"d
+ #rewm"n #oll"pses "s more #rew members "rrive: veilR
+ veil GwI l"ughs "s she v"nishes b"#: through the opposite doorw"y
s#ene 8
+ wright $lo"ts between s:ys#r"pers& moving slowly over downtown
+ gr"y is w"t#hing grimly $rom " roo$top with "nother "gent& or m"ybe "n oper"tive
+ g: the progr"mH
+ o: weFre pi#:ing up blips "ll over the #ity. still trying to isol"te it& sir.
+ g s#owls
+ o: sir& should we++
+ wright $lo"ts tow"rd the w"ll o$ " s:ys#r"per& it w"rps inw"rd& m":ing w"y $or her to p"ss
through
+ g: no. :eep your men b"#:.
+ wright $lo"ts out the other side "nd #ontinues "#ross the #ity "t the s"me slow& ste"dy speed
+ gr"y s#owls even grimmerlerlier
+ g: $ind the progr"m...
s#ene ;
+ #lose up o$ bip mess"ge $rom zion //.2.; on " #omputer s#reen
+ niobe is w"t#hing it& with ghost behind her
+ n: the inter$"#e progr"mH
+ the mess"ge& whi#h h"d p"used& #ontinues brie$ly
+ n: Cesus #hrist
+ the mess"ge suddenly $loods the entire s#reen
+ n: ghost++
+ ghost is "lre"dy hyperCumping high "bove the #ity& his $"#e set in " determined m"s:
m"p zooms in on spot in some #ity neighborhood
^^^^^^^^^
//.4
452
Cinem"ti#:
+ !he ?ener"l shows the "ndroid body to the .erovingi"n& s"ys theyFve #ompleted retriev"l&
"nd th"t it isnFt " ."#hine me#h"nism.
+ *him"d" is told th"t the (id will be b"#: $rom the no+$ly zone soonB he w"s inCured but will
re#over.
+ Veil sne":s up on *him"d" while sheFs C"#:ed in& muttering something to hersel$ "bout
loo:ing $or the progr"m the Or"#le g"ve *him"d". ,hen surprised by "n 1'3 #rew member&
Veil pulls *him"d"Fs C"#:& :illing her& "nd es#"pes.
+ ?r"y monitors ,right "s she #ontinues her disruptive se"r#h through the #ity $or the
inter$"#e progr"m. ?r"y tells "nother Agent to "void ,right& "nd to $ind the progr"m.
+ 3iobe gets " D,":e upD mess"ge li:e the one $rom the //.2 #rits. !his turns D,":e up&
3eo&D "nd then " #onst"nt stre"m o$ D,":e up ,":e up ,":e up...D 3iobe is "l"rmed& "nd
?host speeds "w"y.
!he "#tion indi#"tor points to " spot in west 5"mpton ?reen.
Auests:
Auests t":e pl"#e in 7owntown& mostly "round 5"mpton ?reen.
."#hines
/I !he ."#hines #"nFt dete#t the progr"m themselves& but ,right seems to h"ve some
me"ns o$ doing so& so they $ollow her& running into " disrupted #omputer& de"d bluepill&
A##eler"ted *uits G5"mpton g"ngI& "nd $in"lly ,right in ."ribe"u& where she s"ys sheFll h"ve
it soon& "nd the ."#hines h"d better st"y out o$ her w"y until then. *he "dds D!he ."#hines
le$t " g"ping se#urity hole in their #ore progr"mming " long time "go. !hey were only "s
per$e#t "s the people who m"de them.D
2I !"l: to Veil "bout new$"ngled ,right A##eler"ted 'rogr"ms Gtough 1iles/."#hines with
wire$r"me overl"ysI. Veil points the pl"yer to " Cypherite in .orrell& 3egle#t Gvisible on the
m"p& /4th $loor o$ the building Cust * o$ Cy#loI& who is distributing "nti+override routines the
Cyphs& led by CryptosF rese"r#h& h"ve been #oo:ing up. ?r"y s"ys th"t being "ble to resist
overrides will be ne#ess"ry i$ ,rightFs going to be de"lt with. !he "nti+override routines "re
#onsum"bles prote#t "g"inst override "bilities li:e 7e#eler"tion Gspeed/"## debu$$I& %untime
Gsp"wnsI& "nd *ign"l J"mming Gresist"n#e debu$$I $or " limited time.
4I ,ith ,right #losing in on the progr"m in 5"mpton& the pl"yer b"ttles " tough ,right
A##eler"ted 'rogr"m& then t"l:s to Cryptos& who spe#ul"tes on how ,right #ould be dis"bled:
DAs $or wh"t m"y h"ppen i$ #riti#"l d"m"ge #"n be in$li#ted on her %*-& th"t - #"nnot predi#t.
,e :now th"t she h"s #o+opted the C"#:+in proto#ol utilized by the Olig"r#hs& "nd we :now&
$rom 5"lbornFs e"mple& th"t they were to some etent vulner"ble both within "nd without the
453
simul"tion. ,right& on the other h"nd& h"s #l"imed to be "ble to enter the ."tri without
m"int"ining "n eterior #onne#tion. 5ow th"t #ould "$$e#t the out#ome rem"ins un#le"r.D
?r"y #omes through with the #oordin"tes o$ ,rightFs position on " roo$top in 5"mpton G98
/4/ +2/=I& s"ying th"t sheFs been st"ying "round there& whi#h prob"bly me"ns the inter$"#e
progr"m is in the vi#inity.
.erovingi"n
/I !he pl"yer s#outs ,right "#tivity in 5"mpton& where sheFs been disrupting things. ,ith
help $rom 3i#:y ?.& they $ind A##eler"ted *uits& "nd tr"#: down ."n"ger& the *uits boss& in
the 5istori# 7istri#t& who mentions he"ring "bout " Cypherite in .orrell whoFs got override
#ounterme"sures.
2I !he "ndroidFs been $ound to h"ve Dd"t" stru#tures simil"r to wh"t weFve $ound on the
Olig"r#h networ:&D so 6lood sends the pl"yer to hunt $or " d"t" m"t#h "t "n Ouroboros o$$i#e
in V"uton. !he ."#hines too: over Ouroboros " while b"#:& "nd the pl"yer runs into
Ouroboros *e#urity "nd ."#hines there. 6lood s"ys the ."#hines must h"ve #on$is#"ted the
d"t"& "nd sends the pl"yer to r"id " ."#hine $"#ility in ."ribe"u to tr"#: it down. !he pl"yer
is "mbushed by " ,right A##eler"ted 'rogr"m on their w"y. !hey #"pture the d"t" $rom the
."#hines& "nd it does h"ve simil"rities to the "ndroidFs h"rdw"re. 6lood $igures the Olig"r#hs
built it. 5e "lso mentions th"t Cypherites thin: the ,right A##eler"ted 'rogr"ms #"rry
v"lu"ble d"t".
4I !he pl"yer goes hunting " ."#hine m"in$r"me in the '"r: 1"st ?ov 9uilding to get re"l
d"t" on the "ndroid. !hereFs " tough b"ttle& "nd they get some help on the m"in$r"me $rom
the 1$$e#tu"tor. -n Center '"r:& the .erv s"ys the d"t" w"s interesting& "s it shows the
"ndroid w"s designed to be #ontrolled by " hum"n #ons#iousness++$or the Olig"r#hs to
#ontrol themselves "s " surrog"te bodyH 5e "lso wonders wh"t destroyed the ship #"rrying
the "ndroid& "nd spe#ul"tes th"t $oul pl"y w"s involved. 'ersephone is there& still in bl"#: "nd
very p"le.
Eion
/I -n Chelse"& " s#"rred (id h"s news o$ suddenly losing #ont"#t with " tr"nsmitter theyFd le$t
monitoring the Olig"r#h networ: line in the no+$ly zone. 5e s"ys the Olig"r#hs #ould be on
their w"y to the ."#hine #ity "nd the ."tri. 5eFs "lso determined not to let *him"d" down.
!he Coun#il thin:s the inter$"#e progr"m h"s some #entr"l role in "ll this& "nd w"nts it :ept
out o$ ,rightFs h"nds& to the pl"yer #"t#hes her tr"il in 5"mpton. !he oper"tor mentions th"t
the progr"m h"s used !rinity )uotes. !hey run into A##eler"ted *uits "nd then ,right& who
s"ys th"t Eion should be helping her& sin#e sheFs doing this to put the ."tri in m"n:indFs
h"nds.
2I *till trying $or the progr"m in 5"mpton& the pl"yer gets some st"ti# $rom " 7e#eler"tor "nd
."#hinists. !heyFre "lso "mbushed by one o$ ,rightFs new A##eler"ted 'rogr"ms& "nd run
into more o$ them "round " de"d Cypherite. !ynd"ll mentions rumors o$ " Cypherite in
454
.orrell& wondering i$ itFs rel"ted.
4I Overrides "re :eeping the ."#hines busy& whi#h gives Eion " shot "t #he#:ing out " burst
o$ override "#tivity in '"r: 1"st& norm"lly he"vily gu"rded. !hey $ind " mess"ge GD*oonDI
whi#h the oper"tor thin:s is $rom the inter$"#e progr"m& but while tr"#ing it& theyFre interrupted
by " tough Agent& "nd the tr"#e is lost. !he oper"tive is sent to ?host in 5"mpton& who s"ys
th"t he thin:s ,rightFs "round there& prob"bly high up& "nd prob"bly with the progr"m. 5eFs
determined to loo: $or her. !ynd"ll s"ys t":ing on ,right m"y be the only option le$t.
,right
,right Glevel /00I is on the 5"mpton roo$top where ?r"y s"id she w"s& with some tough
A##eler"ted 'rogr"ms "round her. *he uses AO1 overrides& "nd " n"sty z"p. ,hen her
he"lth h"s been worn down& she dies G*ystem mess"ge s"ys she w"s :illed by hersel$I& "nd
" $lo"ting gold #ode ghost $igure& DHHH&D "ppe"rs. -ts det"ils s"y DF-tFs be"uti$ul...FD

Cinem"ti#
bit o$ " wr"p on wrightH "r#h V gr"yH
ghost $inds trinity& brie$ #onvo m":ing #le"r itFs her& p"#e shows up& then 5eli"n "nd !es"rov"
show up& p"#e le"ves GDA#:nowledgedDI& trinity is gone& h/t le"ve& ghost le"ves& oo:"mi
spying
s#ene 0 + /; se#onds
+ #h"pter #"ption& p"n over to de"d ,right
W!he ."tri OnlineT
WCh"pter /2./T
s#ene / + 40 se#onds
+ zoom out $rom inert ,right to Ar#hite#t viewing in his monitoring room
2
+ ": ,here is thy hum"nity now...H
;
+ ": Agent ?r"y.
=
+ gr"y "ppe"rs on monitor
>
+ g: *irH
9
+ ": 5"ve you lo#"ted the progr"mH
455
/2
+ g: 3o& sirB not sin#e it termin"ted ,right.
/;
+ g: ,e h"ve $ound Eion oper"tives #ondu#ting their own se"r#h.
/8
+ ": ...
20
+ g: *irH
22
+ ": 'rep"re $or our visitors.
2;
+ #li#:s s#reen o$$
40
s#ene 2 + /20 se#onds tot"l
2" + ;0 se#onds
+ ghost l"nds on " slum building roo$top
8
+ loo:s "round
8
+ opens " door
/0
+ goes down " d"r: st"irw"y
/2
+ enters " l"rge d"r:ened stor"ge room
/=
+ doesnFt see "nything
20
+ turns to le"ve
2/
+ s#reen $li#:s on behind him
22
+ s: ?hostT
28
+ ghost turns "nd loo:s "t it& $"#e bl"n:
2;
+ #ode shimmers in the "ir
2=
+ $"lls down
28
+ $orming "round
40
+ " st"nding $em"le body
42
+ ghost st"nds $rozen
44
+ trinity t":es " step tow"rd him
456
4;
+ stops
4>
+ t: ?host...
80
+ ghost $lin#hes
82
+ trinity loo:s p"ined
88
+ g: ,e...
8>
+ t: -...didnFt :now.
;0
2b + 8; se#onds
+ p: 6reeze.
2
+ p"#e steps $rom the doorw"y into the glow o$ the monitor/trinity& gun levelled "t g
8
+ p loo:s "t g
;
+ p: 'redi#t"ble.
>
+ p: 5mh.
9
+ p put her gun up
//
+ h"l$ turns "w"y
/4
+ p: Nour progr"m...$riend #"nnot survive here.
/;
+ g loo:s "t p
/>
/9
+ p: *he will be removed.
A #ode lo#: is "lre"dy++
2/
+ h V ts "ppe"r in mid"ir&
28
+ $lo"t down to the $loor
28
+ p puts her gun b"#: on g
40
+ ts: Ooh.
42
+ !his loo:s $un.
48
457
+ p tou#hes her e"rpie#e
4;
+ listens
4>
+ loo:s $rustr"ted
49
+ p: ...
+ p: A#:nowledged.
8/
+ p"#e st"l:s out
8;
2# + 40 se#onds[
+ h: And youH
2
+ h: ,ill you o$$er resist"n#eH
;
+ g: 3o need.
>
+ h loo:s "roundB trinity h"s v"nished
+ t: 5uhR !he progr"mFs gone.
/0
+ h: -s this your++
/2
+ ghost h"s v"nished
/4
+ ts: 5"hR
/8
+ !his \will\ be $un.
/=
+ h V ts v"nish
/9
+ room goes d"r:
22
+ " sh"dow
28
hops
2;
up
2=
to " high window:
2>
oo:"mi
40 Gm"y need to hold here "n etr" se#ond or twoI
s#ene 4 [ m"p + /; se#onds
+ ghost
2
458
+ is st"nding on the roo$&
8
+ loo:ing out
=
+ over the -:ebu:uro do#:s
8
+ g: !rinity...
/0
m"p
/;
/2./
XY *tu$$ in s)u"re br"#:ets is not mentioned dire#tly to pl"yers in the /2./ )uests& "nd
shouldnFt be given out unless spe#i$i#"lly #le"red with me $irst.
GI Other stu$$ is mostly $"ir g"me& "lthough in gener"l you shouldnFt Cust go "round dropping
tons o$ the det"ils to pl"yers& but r"ther let them wor: things out themselves++this in#ludes "
lot o$ wh"t "ppe"rs in p"rentheses below& $or inst"n#e. - mention #ert"in det"ils "nd )uotes
here be#"use - $igure they might be things you h"ve )uestions "bout& or m"y be interested in
developing $urther.
Cinem"ti#
+ !he Ar#hite#t is in his !V room& with ,right& de"d on " 5"mpton roo$top& on the monitor. 5e
"s:s ?r"y i$ the Gbiologi#"l inter$"#eI progr"m h"s been $oundB ?r"y s"ys no& but they $ound
Eion loo:ing $or it& too. !he Ar#hite#t $rowns& then tells him to Dprep"re $or our visitors.D
+ ?host l"nds on " roo$top Gsupposed to be the roo$top pointed out in the #oordin"tes "t the
end o$ the #inem"ti#& -:ebu:uro =40 9 +/80I& loo:s "round& opens " door& goes down d"r:
st"irs& opens " door into " d"r:& mostly empty stor"ge room. Loo:s "round& doesnFt see
"nything& "nd is Cust turning to le"ve "s " monitor in " d"r: #orner o$ the room $li#:s on "nd
prints out D?host.D
+ Code $"lls down into " $em"le $orm net to the monitor. !his is the golden #ode DHHHD
#h"r"#ter who "ppe"red when ,right w"s :illed. A h"lting #onvers"tion begins& in whi#h
!rinity Gwhi#h is the n"me th"t "ppe"rs "bove this #h"r"#ter in this sub#h"pterI s"ys D-...didnFt
:now&D by whi#h she me"nt th"t she didnFt :now she w"s " progr"m.
+ Agent '"#e interrupts the #onvers"tion& her gun on ?host& who steps between her "nd
!rinity. '"#e s"ys the progr"m G!rinityI #"nFt survive there& "nd will be removed& but then she
in her turn is interrupted by " bright $l"sh& out o$ whi#h gle"ming m"le "nd $em"le $orms
"ppe"r& des#ending to the ground. !hey h"ve no #lothes& wires& eyeb"lls& or h"ir. -n missions&
it will be $ound th"t the m"le GredI is D5eli"n&D "nd the $em"le GpurpleI is D!es"rov"&D "nd th"t
459
they "re Olig"r#hs. 5eli"n is $"irly str"ight$orw"rd "nd serious& "lthough not "s blunt "s
5"lbornB !es"rov" is usu"lly in " pl"y$ul v"mp mode in this sub#h"pter.
+ '"#e tou#hes her e"rpie#e& loo:s $rustr"ted& relu#t"ntly lowers her gun $rom ?hostFs he"d&
"nd st"l:s out. 5eli"n loo:s "t ?host& "nd "s:s i$ heFs going to resist& but ?host s"ys thereFs
no needB 5V! re"lize th"t !rinity h"s v"nished& "nd while they loo: "round to $ind her& ?host
m":es " sudden unseen eit "s well.
+ 5V! le"ve& "nd the room goes d"r:. A p"use& then Oo:"mi #reeps out o$ the sh"dows++
sheFs observed the entire s#ene.
+ ?host st"nds on the roo$top& loo:s up "t the moon& "nd $in"lly s"ys !rinityFs n"me.
!he ide" w"s th"t he h"dnFt "llowed himsel$ to believe /00U th"t it w"s her until Cust now
when he w"s "ble to meet her $or himsel$. !he sm"ll Live 1vent - r"n with him during //.4
G http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=40002=820 I where he DrememberedD
DsomethingD "$ter reviewing the 9-'Fs progress through the ."tri& "nd re"lizing th"t it roughly
#orresponded to !rinityFs progress through the ."tri G$rom the movies& st"rting with
#ont"#ting 3eo in his "p"rtmentI& reminded him o$ this -:ebu:uro spot where he "nd !rinity
h"d met e"#h other "t some unspe#i$ied timeGsI in the old d"ys++this is brie$ly mentioned by
!ynd"ll "t the beginning o$ Eion /2././ Xbut - prob"bly wonFt dwell on it "ny more th"n th"t& "s
the #hoi#e w"s $"irly "rbitr"ry++- w"nted somewhere with " l"rge interior room "nd " ni#e view
$rom the roo$top& "nd pre$er"bly elsewhere th"n 7!& sin#e "ll o$ //.4 too: pl"#e in th"t
distri#tY.
Auests
!he /2./ org #ont"#ts "re sp"#ed within "bout " h"l$+blo#: o$ the -:ebu:uro roo$top lo#"tion.
."#hines
/I ?r"y sends the pl"yer to A:"s":"& s#ene o$ the l"test sighting o$ the progr"m. 5e implies "
need to $ind it be$ore either the Olig"r#h represent"tives G5V!I or Eion do. ?r"y doesnFt re$er
to the progr"m "s D!rinity&D but the oper"tor dis#usses it " bit. !hey $ind Eionites "nd " bl"n:
#omputer entry in her re#ent style GDWTDI& but nothing else& "nd "re re+routed to he"d o$$ 5V!&
who h"ve "rrived in the "re"& "long with '"#e.
5V! "re slightly bemused++"lthough not re"lly surprised++by " hum"n oper"tive wor:ing $or
the ."#hines. X!he Olig"r#hs h"ve been "w"re the ."#hines h"ve m"n"ged things this w"y&
but they h"venFt seen it mu#h dire#tly& "nd $ind it odd& sin#e they GOlig"r#hs& who "re hum"nI
view the ."#hines "s their own serv"nts.Y
5 s"ys theyFre there $or the 9-' Ghe uses Dbiologi#"l inter$"#e progr"mD "s " )uote $rom
oper"tives or ."#hinesB 5V! gener"lly Cust #"ll it Dthe progr"mDI& "nd wonFt be needing "ny
help getting it.
! s"ys something odd "bout Dthe e#iting onesD Goper"tivesI Des#"pingD $rom the pods& "nd
460
th"t this epl"ins Dwhy our entert"inmentFs been so dull l"tely.D
5 mentions they :now wh"t h"ppened to 5"lborn "nd C"rlyne& "nd th"t those two were
oper"ting independently. 5e s"ys they Gthe Olig"r#hsI h"ve Dm"de "dCustments th"t will
ensure our s"$ety $rom the #ompromises they "llowed to our se#urityD Xp"rti"lly "n epl"n"tion
$or the di$$eren#e in their "ppe"r"n#e $rom 5VC: 5V! "re less tr"nsp"rent& "nd h"ve no
wiresY.
'"#e seems " little relieved to h"ve the pl"yer there to t"l: to the Olig"r#hs& "nd purpose$ully
spe":s "loud Gin it"li#sI to the pl"yer so th"t 5V! will overhe"r& s"ying th"t theyFll le"ve their
guest in pe"#e.
On the w"y out& the pl"yer en#ounters *"ti"te& " shoeless $em"le Cypherite boss who
"ppe"red previously in " $ew Live 1vents:
http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=400028=49
http://$orums.st"tion.sony.#om/mo/...Tid_4=40002=0>4
*heFs now $ied "t level ;; G- thin: in L1s - h"d her "t =0I. *he s"ys it would be ni#e to pop
Dthose pretty new bubbles o$ theirsD Gthe Olig"r#hsI& "nd suggests th"t the ."#hines might
even h"ve something th"t #ould do it& but they prob"bly wouldnFt tell the G."#hinistI pl"yer
even i$ they did& "nd wouldnFt use it themselves.
?r"y summons the pl"yer $or their report& #on#luding th"t 5V! "re oper"ting "s "gents $or the
Olig"r#hs& r"ther th"n independently li:e 5"lborn "nd C"rlyne. 5e thin:s this might #"use
them to beh"ve " little more levelhe"dedly& but s"ys it "lso me"ns the Olig"r#hs will be
w"t#hing developments #losely. A$ter s"ying this& he very deliber"tely st"tes th"t the
."#hines do not #onsider them " thre"t.
9etween missions& ."#hine oper"tives "re sent to Dp"trolD the -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t $or more
signs o$ "#tivity Gie get g"ng to:ens $rom .ur"s":i& 6urih"t"& "nd (owloonI.
2I *till in -ntern"tion"l& the pl"yer de"ls with some se"r#hing Eionites& "nd is then sent to
"nswer " summons $rom 5eli"n& whoFs got " #ouple o$ his DOverride 6un#tionD 3'Cs with him
Gwhitish+s:inned $orms simil"r to 5V!& with " miture o$ h"#:er "nd .A "bilities& pretty good
"##ur"#y "nd d"m"ge& "nd high vir"l de$enseI& "nd he lo"ns these two 3'Cs to the pl"yer&
suggesting th"t heFs doing this to help the ."#hine oper"tive de"l with the Eionites Ghe re$ers
to Eionites here "s Fthe other DAw":enedDFI& "lthough the oper"tor "nd ?r"y hint th"t 5 h"s
$ound he "#tu"lly needs help $rom the pl"yer. !he Override 6un#tions donFt t"l:B 5 re$ers to
them "s Db"si#D #omb"t progr"ms.
!he pl"yer #he#:s $or enemy "#tivity "nd $inds .erovingi"n redpills. One o$ them r"ther
obviously pretends to be " Eionite Gsort o$ " pl"y on the .erv :nowing th"t wh"t heFs doing is
prob"bly going to #heese the ."#hines o$$& "lthough he isnFt so worried "bout it "s to h"lt his
Olig"r#h power gr"bI. ?r"y s"ys " .erv 1ile n"med Azun" is :nown to h"ve obt"ined
sensitive in$orm"tion on the Olig"r#hFs ."tri "#tivities.
9etween missions& the pl"yer h"s to go $ind Azun"& $ollowing the missionFs hint Dnorthwest
461
7owntown.D Azun" is " $em"le lupine with " te"l moh"w:& "nd sheFs pl"#ed "s " #olle#tor
3'C on the se#ond sublevel o$ the .useum dungeon in Creston. !he pl"yer h"s to :ill some
o$ the .erv+"ligned lupines "round Azun" G" little $"rther "w"y $rom her "re some ."#hine+
"ligned Override 6un#tionsI.
4I ?r"y s"ys the .ervFs $ound 5V! h"ve " Dvirtu"l sp"#e&D "nd is pl"nning to inv"de itB this
should be stopped so th"t the Olig"r#hs "renFt D"ggr"v"ted.D !he oper"tor mentions th"t the
.erv tried hitting on !es"rov" to get O? progr"ms& but w"snFt su##ess$ul in his "dv"n#es.
!he pl"yer t":es out some 1iles "nd gets " tr"#e running through their #omputer.
-n this s"me "re"& " #ert"in unspe#i$ied "nd option"l se)uen#e o$ "#tions will #"use !rinity to
"ppe"r in " side room. *he "ppe"rs upset& even "ngry& "t the situ"tion sheFs in& doing
/t"l:neg"tive "s she s"ys
D- donFt++
- didnFt #hoose this. !his #"nFt be++
...D
G!he progress o$ her "ppe"r"n#es "#ross the missions o$ the three orgs G#ounting the se#ond
mission o$ "ny org "s h"ppening "$ter the $irst mission o$ "ny other org& et#& "nd even the
se#ond ph"se o$ mission $or one org h"ppening "$ter the $irst ph"se o$ mission $or "nother
org& et#I goes sort": surprise +W dism"y +W $rustr"tion +W "nger.I
6ollowing the tr"#e& the pl"yer runs into he"vy 7ire Lupine resist"n#e& but in the end gets
d"t" th"t ?r"y s"ys is "bout "##ess routes Dthrough Fwhite h"llw"yF systems.D 5e doesnFt
h"ve e"#t #oords& but s"ys there seems to be "n entry point somewhere high up in north
<nion 5ill.
A de"d Override 1e#ut"ble 3'C w"s in the room with the lupines/#omputer. 1e#ut"bles
"re d"r: grey hum"noids in the s"me bubble+s:in w"y "s 6un#tions "nd 5V!.
.erovingi"n
/I 6lood sends the pl"yer into *t"mos to $ind the progr"m Gli:e ?r"y& he doesnFt re$er to it "s
D!rinity&D but the oper"tor t"l:s "bout the identity possibilityI. !hey donFt $ind "nything besides
" #omputer with DWT&D but Oo:"mi "rrives& "nd Dle"dsD Gie is es#orted by the pl"yerI to "
."nssen lo#"tion& where they $ind !es"rov".
!es"rov" #oos over Oo:"mi& #"lling her the pl"yerFs Dpet&D then gets down to business& s"ying
th"t she Cust thought sheFd mention th"t there seem to be others ne"rby who "re "lso trying to
$ind the progr"mB while sort o$ pl"ying her ditzy blond "#t& wh"t she s"ys shows th"t sheFs
"w"re o$ " lot o$ wh"tFs going on: wh"t the pl"yerFs "$ter& wh"t the other orgs "re doing
"round there++"nd she even t":es " veiled swipe "t the pl"yerFs oper"tor.
,ith #oordin"tes $rom !es"rov"& the oper"tor guides the pl"yer to " ?uinness L":e lo#"tion&
462
while 6lood mentions th"t thereFs "lso this D5eli"nD Olig"r#h "round& "nd s"ying th"t theyFll
pl"y !es"rov"Fs Dlittle g"me&D sin#e they donFt w"nt to show th"t theyFre on to her. 6lood "lso
re$ers to their n"mes "s Db"rb"ri#.D XD!es"rov"D is " Cze#h n"me& "nd D5eli"nD is " Chinese
n"me.Y
!Fs Dg"meD in this #"se w"s sending the pl"yer to inter#ept ."#hinists& who "ppe"r& $rom their
#omments& to h"ve been trying to :eep t"bs on her. 6lood wr"ps up by "s:ing the pl"yer to
$ind $our groups o$ progr"ms theyFve lost in *outh V"uton.
9etween missions& the pl"yer h"s to lo#"te "nd :ill members o$ $our sep"r"te groups o$
A##eler"ted 1iles "round *outh V"uton.
2I 6lood s"ys the .erv thin:s Deploiting the Olig"r#h !es"rov"Fs so$ter sideD might get them
some Cui#y override in$o& "nd sends the pl"yer to #olle#t d"t" $rom " #ont"#t& Azun"& $or whom
theyFd sp"red no epense "nd s:ullduggery to get into " spot where she #ould get some dirt
on !es"rov"Fs ."tri "#tivities. !he pl"yer he"ds to the 7owntown rendezvous& but Azun"
isnFt thereB inste"d& there "re " #ouple de"d ."#hines.
6lood is "nnoyed& "nd sends the pl"yer to loo: $or Azun" in her spying lo#"tion. *he isnFt
there either& but some hostile Override 6un#tions "re.
-n " sep"r"te p"rt o$ this s"me "re"& " #ert"in option"l "nd unspe#i$ied series o$ "#tions will
#"use !rinity to "ppe"r. *he does /t"l:s#"red& s"ying
D-Fm not. -Fm not wh"t++
?odR ,h"t h"ve they doneHD
6lood s"ys th"t some #he#:ing h"s shown Azun" h"s t":en #over in the se#ond sublevel o$
the Creston 5eights .useum.
9etween missions& the pl"yer h"s to :ill ."#hine+"ligned Override 6un#tions ne"r Azun"& "nd
tr"de the to:ens they drop to Azun"& who then h"nds over her intel.
XDAzun"D is " #orruption o$ DAsen"&D " Dshe+wol$ with " s:y+blue m"neD in !ur:i# mythology&
"##ording to good old ,i:ipedi": http://en.wi:ipedi".org/wi:i/Asen" . - Cust needed " #ool
lupinish n"me.Y
4I 6lood s"ys th"t th"n:s to the in$o G$rom Azun"I& the .erv h"s been "ble to meet !es"rov".
5ints indi#"te th"t the meeting h"s not gone well& possibly be#"use 'ersephone $ound out
"bout it. !he pl"yer $inds 'ersephone "nd !es"rov" together. 'ersephone is still in her Dd"r:D
out$it& but her s:in is b"#: to its norm"l he"lthy hue. !es"rov" s"ys the .ervFs been showing
her interesting things& in#luding the "ndroid& whi#h she identi$ies "s DC"rlyneFs "ndroid body.D
*he "lmost seems genuinely surprised "bout the .erv h"ving it& s"ying she didnFt thin: sheFd
see it "g"in D"$ter C"rlyne let the podling wom"n ste"l his sign"l.D GD!he podling wom"nD w"s
,right++she C"#:ed C"rlyneFs sign"l / "ndroid body when C"rlyne #rumpled Cust be$ore she
"ppe"red "s the wire$r"med DHHHD in .erv //./.;& whi#h $or#ed the .erv to dump the
9-'/!rinity.I
463
All 'ersephone s"ys is DOnly " hum"n #"n be Finhum"n.FD
'"st them& the pl"yer $inds the .erv& who r"nts " bit "bout !es"rov" l"ughing "t his o$$ers o$
power in the simul"tion. 5e sends the pl"yer to #ont"#t 6lood $or " pl"n 9& whi#h involves
getting " tr"#e through "n Olig"r#h+o##upied #omputer in order to lo#"te 5V!Fs ."tri power
b"se. !he pl"yer runs into some o$ their 6un#tions& "nd then " hostile Override 1e#ut"ble&
who #"n sp"wn " sm"ll sw"rm o$ "ddition"l& higher+level 6un#tions to "tt"#: the pl"yer.
1e#ut"bles h"ve " #onst"nt blur 6Z over their d"r: bubble body Gthis sort" #"uses them to
$li#:er light/d"r:I& "nd boosted de$ense "nd speed& but no "#tu"l #omb"t lo"dout or we"pons.
*u##ess results in #oordin"tes o$ "n entry point to the Olig"r#h hideout: /29 224 >89& <nion
5ill. G!his is " doorw"y "t the top o$ one o$ those s:ys#r"pers with the $lying buttresses.I
Eion
/I !ynd"ll mentions th"t ?host $ound Dthe progr"mD by D#he#:ing pl"#es heFd been with
!rinity when they oper"ted together in the ."tri.D *he sends the pl"yer to get more det"ils
on the !rinity thing $rom ?host& who is in "n -ntern"tion"l 7istri#t room with " #omputer GDWDI&
#onvin#ed th"t !rinity w"s Cust there. 5e s"ys he doesnFt underst"nd how !rinity is the
progr"m& but insists th"t she re"lly is. 5e guesses th"t the two str"ngers he en#ountered Gin
the #inem"ti#I were Olig"r#hs& "nd s"ys he isnFt going to let them or the ."#hines get !rinity.
!ynd"ll s"ys she trusts ?hostFs instin#t "bout Dwh"tever !rinity or the progr"m is now&D "nd
reminds the pl"yer th"t the Coun#il h"d "lre"dy de#ided Gmentioned in Eion //.4./I to do
wh"t it #ould to ensure the progr"mFs s"$ety. *he sends the pl"yer to #he#: " re"ding in
.ur"s":i& where they $ind " mess"ge on " #omputer:
D5ow well do you :now yoursel$H
Are you sureH
- thought - :new. 9ut thisTD
G!he d"ngling #ursor "t the end there is " hint th"t this is prob"bly $rom !rinity& "lthough the
oper"tor doesnFt m":e "nything out o$ it.I
-nbound hostiles "re reported ne"rby& "nd the pl"yer $inds ."#hines "nd ."#hine redpills.
!ynd"ll mentions th"t intel shows the ."#hines "re #ooper"ting with the two Olig"r#h
represent"tives. A$ter the hostiles "re t":en #"re o$& !ynd"ll s"ys th"t they #ould use the
pl"yerFs help in *hir":"b"& where their te"ms h"ve been hit by ."#hines while loo:ing $or the
progr"mB theyFve "lso st"rted pi#:ing up override sign"ls there.
9etween missions& the pl"yer h"s to hunt down A##eler"ted ."#hines in *hir":"b".
2I !ynd"ll sends the pl"yer into 7owntown& $ollowing the tr"il o$ d"t" th"t they thin: m"y h"ve
#ome $rom !rinity G!ynd"ll is still hedging " bit on the n"me& "nd here s"ys D$rom the inter$"#e
progr"m++$rom !rinityDI. *he gives the n"mes o$ 5V*& s"ying they $ound them out $rom Dour
sour#es within the ."#hinesD X"renFt those #onvenientHY.
464
!he pl"yer $inds " #omputer& "#tiv"tes it Git s"ys DWNes.TDI& "nd !rinity "ppe"rs. *he s"ys
D- donFt h"ve mu#h time. - donFt :now wh"t...this me"ns.
9e$ore... - thought - died. - w"s with him... - s"id goodbye. - donFt remember...until++
- donFt :now how to m":e it m":e sense.
... !heyFre getting #lose. - h"ve to go.D
!ynd"ll gives the pl"yer the lo#"tion o$ the intruders& "nd "lthough she thin:s theyFre
."#hines on !rinityFs t"il& they turn out to be .erv 1iles. !ynd"lly thin:s this is "n indi#"tion
th"t the .erv is trying to get in on the !rinity "#tion& "nd hopes th"t his m"#hin"tions with
5"lborn "nd C"rlyne& whi#h ended up #"using " good de"l o$ trouble $or the ."#hines& will "t
le"st give the ."#hines some in#entive to "#t "g"inst him. *he ends by "s:ing the pl"yer to
loo: into "n Dunusu"l sign"lD "nd override "#tivity in 9"ldwin 5eights.
9etween missions& the pl"yer h"s to t":e down Override 6un#tions s#"ttered "round 9"ldwin
5eights.
4I !he pl"yer responds to "n "lert $rom ?host& whoFs still been #ombing -ntern"tion"l $or
!rinity. !hey $ind him $"#ing 5eli"n "nd !es"rov"& with 5eli"n "s:ing ?host why heFs going
"$ter the progr"m. !es"rov" #oyly interCe#ts th"t she thin:s she :nows Gwin: win:I. ?host
doesnFt respond to them& "nd whispers to the pl"yer to m":e sure th"t !rinityFs s"$e& s"ying
*p"r:s will h"ve in$o $or them.
!ynd"ll gets the in$o $rom *p"r:s& whi#h is " lo#"tion where !rinity might h"ve been hiding
D$rom the Olig"r#h s#"ns.D !hey $ind "n Override 1e#ut"ble there& "s well "s some Override
6un#tions& but no sign o$ !rinity. !ynd"ll& who $eels "ble to re$er to her "s simply D!rinityD by
now& s"ys she thin:s they stopped those progr"ms $rom $inding her& but th"t stopping 5V* is
going to be tough. *he mentions reports o$ the .erv h"ving got "##ess to some :ind o$ "re"
the Olig"r#hs h"ve set up& "nd th"t theyFre pi#:ing up "#tivity $rom his oper"tives on roo$tops
D"t the etreme northe"st end o$ 7owntown.D
1tr" Credit
A teleport $rom the "re" re$erred to in the l"st missions t":es the pl"yer into some white
h"llw"ys& whi#h eventu"lly m"y spit them out into "n interior o$$i#e sp"#e Xth"t is pretty simil"r
to $loor >> o$ the ?overnment 9uilding in '"r: 1"st++- li:ed the l"yout o$ th"t one& "nd -
w"nted to use something th"t would $eel very elev"tedY. -tFs $ull o$ n"sty Overrides "nd
1e#ut"bles with spe#i"l prizes. !he only eit is " rot"ry telephone on " des: in one o$ the
o$$i#es& whi#h teleports the user to " publi# phone on the north side o$ the b"se o$ the *1
tower in '"r: 1"st.

465
^^^^^^^^
L-V1 1V13!*
1'3 GeventI + meeting w/ un:nown pedestri"n Gpseudo Or"#leI
.erv hitting on !es"rov"H

466
2arious Rarebit Iuestions and Answers
A: %"rebit& wh"t w"s your ide"s "bout Oper"tion 7"r: *tormH 7uring #h"pter /0& it seemed
th"t neither the hum"ns nor the ."#hines :new how it wor:ed. And i$ - remember #orre#tly&
CA%803 s"id th"t the pre+."tri hum"n #iviliz"tion didnFt h"ve "##ess to n"note#hnology. -t
seemed li:e you were going to m":e some :ind o$ revel"tion #on#erning 7"r: *torm.
A: 5m... - donFt thin: - w"s going to try going into it in det"il. A$ter the .erv seeded the storm
you pointed out th"t...- thin: it w"s the dire#torFs #omment"ry $or the 3et %en"iss"n#e s"id it
w"s n"nom"#hines or something& whi#h - h"dnFt been "w"re o$& but itFs "ll Cust some $l"vor o$
s#i+$i m"gi# "nyw"y sin#e "s $"r "s - :now thereFs no #urrently :nown or even theoreti#"l w"y
th"t something li:e " perpetu"l 7"r: *torm would be possible. As $"r "s th"t :ind o$ thing
goes++how is the 1"rth not $rozen& wh"tFs this #r"zy $usion power with hum"ns& et#++itFs
usu"lly the less s"id& the better.
A: %"rebit& in your outlines& you wrote D."#h: G"$ter Eion eventI Cypherites& Cryptos& "nd the
.orph simB .orph sim eventu"lly "grees to listen when Cryptos o$$ers to tell him why
.orpheus w"s so obsessed with obt"ining the OneFs rem"ins++they go o$$ $or " little priv"te
#h"t Xnote th"t pl"yers "re \not\ going to be told wh"t they t"l: "bout..."nd "#tu"lly - still h"ve
to $igure th"t out "t some point& but it #"n w"it $or " l"ter sub#h"pterY.D ,"s this ever D$igured
outDH
A: 3o. - w"snFt interested in trying to unr"vel "nd #ontinue the D3eoFs rem"insD story "ngle
th"t h"d been mostly "n L1! on+the+$ly invention without "ny surviving o$$i#i"l do#ument"tion
Gthe story outline by '"ul th"t we mission designers were $ollowing h"d .orpheus w"nting to
:now "bout it& throwing up posters "nd #"using " stir th"t got him :illed& but th"t w"s "llI. !he
.orph sim/Cryptos meeting w"s on Ve#tor on /0/28/0>& "nd - thin: - m"y h"ve h"d " $eeling
or two o$ wh"t - might h"ve h"d them Dt"l:D "bout i$ - h"d to give "ny det"ils "bout it& but -
#"nFt remember wh"t those were. -Fd \guess\ it w"s prob"bly something "long the lines o$
.orpheus $eeling purposeless under the !ru#e& "nd using the hope o$ 3eoFs resurre#tion "s "
w"y to resurre#t his own dre"ms "nd motiv"tions& but th"tFs Cust " guess& "nd& "g"in& it
wouldnFt re"lly h"ve been something -Fd h"ve w"nted to go into.
On >/=/0>& "lso on Ve#tor& the .orpheus sim h"d s"id th"t .orpheus w"s Dm"dD G"s in #r"zyI
when he w"s on the D3eoFs rem"insD :i#:& "nd - thin: G"nother guessI th"t wh"tever Cryptos
told him in their l"ter meeting w"snFt intended to #h"nge his mind subst"nti"lly on th"t s#ore&
but it would help him get some #losure on it "nd get his own he"d b"#: together.
A: *pe":ing o$ Cryptos... wh"t e"#tly h"ppened to himH ,hy did he be#ome the w"y he is
now& when everyone else who *er"ph whooped went b"#: to norm"lH
A: !he overwriting used on Cryptos w"s di$$erent th"n the others. NouFd get " better ide"
going b"#: through those missions th"t were investig"ting the other overwritten people& but
"s $"r "s - remember o$$ the top o$ my he"d& their overwriting w"s " #ruder $orm& where the
."#hine progr"m Cust too: #ontrol "nd didnFt h"ve "##ess to the personFs memories "nd
person"lity. Cryptos h"d to be mu#h more #onvin#ing& so they h"d to #ome up with " di$$erent
overwriting s#heme th"t le$t his origin"l memories "nd person"lity int"#t "nd "##essibleB so
with Cryptos the progr"m "nd hum"n h"d to #oeist to "n etent.
467
A: !his is going b"#: " bit be$ore ;.2& but did you h"ve "ny h"nd in the #re"tion or
implement"tion o$ the Antedeluvi"n / 9om":er / '"ndor" storylineH - $ound the storyline
behind th"t to be ri#h& immersive "nd very enCoy"ble.
*in#e the l"st bo e$$e#tively ends "s " #li$$h"nger did you ever h"ve "ny desire to #ontinue
th"t sidestory $orw"rd with "ddition"l )uests using the *er"phiti# 6e"ther "s the st"rting
pointH G-t seems to me this w"s the origin"l intent& to be revisted "t " l"ter d"teI.
A: !he '"ndor"Fs 9o #on#ept Gsp"wns popping out o$ boesI w"s h"nded to the $our
mission designers we h"d "t the time& one o$ whi#h w"s me++5C6rog w"s "nother++by the
origin"l Live !e"m design le"d& Ar#hon. !he $our o$ us br"instormed the $our m"in 3'C
sp"wn types the boes would use.
!hen #"me the move to *O1& "nd the '9 design te"m w"s down to 5C6rog "nd - Goh& "nd
7r"#omet designed "nd implemented the loot items you get $rom the bo sp"wnsI. - h"ndled
most o$ the story "nd missions $or "r#s /& 2& "nd 8& "nd 5C6rog did most o$ 4.
!he origin"l '9 #on#ept in#luded putting out more bo "r#s $rom time to time. - #hose to wor:
on other types o$ D)uestD #ontent $or " number o$ re"sons: mostly be#"use the story w"s
tri#:y to h"ndle& sin#e it sort o$ tied in with some eisting m"in story #h"r"#ters& but not re"lly
with the m"in story itsel$& "nd "lso be#"use the bo sp"wn me#h"nism h"d some dr"wb"#:s.
!":ing it into " sep"r"te& spe#i$i#"lly t"ilored #onstru#t li:e *"tiFs 'l"yground solved some o$
those.
A: -Fve re"d both o$ the thre"ds "bout the story& "nd i$ -Fve missed this $eel $ree to openly
ber"te me& but -Fm Cust #urious wh"t C"rlyne w"s doing with the !rinity progr"m during the two
ye"rs he h"d itH 7id he not :now how to use it& or m"ybe h"d some long term pl"n down the
ro"d $or itH - li:e th"t he :new "ll "long where it w"s while 5"lborn w"s blustering "round the
."tri but - wonder why heFd le"ve something li:e th"t Cust sitting in stor"ge somewhere.
A: 'resum"bly he w"s doing rese"r#h "nd l"ying pl"ns $or how to use it. 5e w"snFt " guy
who li:ed to hurry things i$ he #ould help it& "nd he thought he h"d it pretty well hidden. 5eFd
"lso h"ve :nown th"t the others would #ome "$ter him i$ they $ound out "bout it. !here were
somewhere ne"r /00 o$ them& in#luding 5"lborn& "nd he s"w most o$ them "s enemies or
riv"ls& so he h"d " good de"l o$ wor: on his h"nds #oming up with " w"y to neutr"lize them.
5e w"snFt very $"r "long "t "ll when 5"lborn $ound out "bout it.
A: Among other enCoy"ble "spe#ts - li:ed the b"#:story "s it rel"ted to the D5e"venlyD
version o$ the ."tri "nd the subse)uent disillusionment /$rustr"tion o$ the *er"phim. -t
implied m"ybe $uture $leshing out o$ *er"phFs b"#:story& his "lli"n#e "nd bre":up with the
.erv& "nd o$ #ourse 6loodFs prede#essor.

A: Ne"h& we "ll thought the *er"phim were " #ool ide"B it w"s one o$ the other mission
designers who thought o$ the Dwhite AgentD "ngeli# theme& "nd our "rt le"d whipped up those
:een wings "nd white suits. - g"ve them the pin: shirts. BI 5m - thin: - did the n"mes $or them&
"nd 5C6rog h"ndled most o$ their "bility b"l"n#ing.
468
Rarebit concernin% loose ends: - donFt h"ve "ny signi$i#"nt .orpheus loose ends "s $"r "s -
:now. '"ul h"d the Ass"ssin :ill him: b"ng de"d. !he .orpheus - used w"s " simul"#rum
built by the ?ener"l& b"sed on #ompiled $oot"ge "nd memories o$ the origin"lB he h"d enough
o$ the origin"lFs spirit to $ight o$$ the ?ener"lFs #ontrol& but while #losely rel"ted to the origin"l
.orpheus& he essenti"lly developed into his own m"n. 'rogr"m. ,h"tever.
3ov"lis -- "nd *"r"h 1dmontons were side stories by other people th"t - did not t":e up
mysel$& be#"use - didnFt $eel li:e - h"d " su$$i#ient underst"nding& $rom how they were initi"lly
presented by others& o$ how they #ould tie into the story o$ the ."tri "s " whole. L1*-? h"s
done "nd m"y #ontinue to do things with them& i$ they $eel they #"n m":e good stories out o$
them.
Re%ardin% Neo6s reains: *ort o$& - suppose. '"ulFs story h"d .orpheus& be$ore he w"s
:illed& l"ying " lot o$ stress on $inding them& but - never s"w "n outline o$ "ny story th"t would
#ome b"#: to th"t. ,hen pl"yers "s:ed me "bout it in events -Fve run& i$ - h"d the #h"r"#ters
reply "t "ll& it w"s to s"y th"t .orpheus w"s #r"zy "t th"t point Gthe .orpheus sim s"id this
on#e& $or inst"n#eI& "nd "lso th"t the ."#hines simply re#y#led 3eoFs rem"ins& sin#e they h"d
no other use $or them G'"#e h"s s"id this "t le"st on#e in " very str"ight$orw"rd $"shion++
prob"bly so str"ight$orw"rd th"t everyone "ssumed she w"s lying& whi#h is Cust \so\ un$"ir
_pI.
!h"t is pretty mu#h my own t":e on it though& be#"use& "##ording to my own line o$ thought&
wh"t use would the ."#hines h"ve $or " de"d hum"n body& other th"n "s $odder $or
re#y#lingH 1ven i$ 3eo w"s " geneti#"lly engineered hum"n& or hybrid hum"n progr"m& or
wh"tever& in th"t #"se he w"s their #re"tion& "nd they h"d "ny d"t" they #ould #on#eiv"bly
h"ve gotten $rom his de"d body "lre"dy on $ile. And - didnFt w"nt to bring 3eo b"#: in "ny
$orm++s"ying the ."#hines h"d been "ble to preserve him in progr"m $orm li:e they did with
!rinity& $or inst"n#e++both be#"use the resolution o$ his b"ttle with *mith w"s supposed to
h"ve been his s"#ri$i#e "nd #"n#ell"tion& "nd be#"use - $elt th"t the story& while it revisited "
lot o$ the themes "nd #h"r"#ters $rom the movies& should "t le"st let " di$$erent #h"r"#ter or
#h"r"#ters t":e the le"d roleGsI this time "round.
...- suppose my own t":e on th"t Or"#le #omment would be " little more met"physi#"l++" lot
more so th"n w"ys in whi#h weFve "lre"dy h"d other developers bring him b"#:& su#h "s 340
Agents& v"rious D$r"gs&D "nd the memori"l in the ?r"#y 5eights $ight #lub.
A: - :now this isnFt #ompletely rel"ted& but it does h"ve something to do with story. ,h"t w"s
the purpose o$ **% "nd #re"ting themH 7id you pl"n "n doing "nything with them other th"n
the se#retive b"#:story they "lre"dy h"dH
A: !h"tFs "n interesting )uestion. !he prim"ry go"l o$ 7"t"mine w"s to provide "n "re" with
new twists on g"mepl"y: high+pro$it d"t" mining in " $ree+$or+"ll 'V' zone. As - got to thin:ing
"bout it& " story on wh"t type o$ $"#ility might h"ve be#ome su#h " pl"#e got into my he"d&
"nd th"t helped sh"pe wh"t turned out to be the "rti$i#i"l isl"nd with sep"r"te "dministr"tion
"nd rese"r#h buildings "nd so $orth& "nd it g"ve " good "ngle $or 7r. ."rtinFs #olle#tor
di"logue.
469
-t w"snFt " hugely orn"te story or "nything& "nd you #"n prob"bly guess most o$ it $rom the
hints in the do#Fs mess"ges "nd the det"ils tet on the items "nd 3'Cs $rom the #onstru#t. -
suppose you might be "ble to tell something $rom wh"t %"eder s"id in the one Live 1vent he
w"s in there& too.
!he w"rehouse building "t the *1 #orner h"d interiors th"t #ould still be opened up& "nd -
$igured some d"y - might open them up& sti#: some 3'Cs in "nd "dd " new boss on the roo$
or something. - didnFt h"ve " p"rti#ul"r story in mind $or th"t& though.
!hereFs sp"#e $or some more $loors to open up in the lower se#tion o$ the "dministr"tion
building G*, #ornerI& "lthough - thin: - would h"ve h"d to put them together mysel$& whi#h
would h"ve been more time #onsuming. - did h"ve " bit o$ "n "ddition or $in"l hint to the little
story o$ the pl"#e th"t - w"s thin:ing - #ould try sti#:ing in there& "nd -Fll Cust s"y th"t it h"d to
do with me noti#ing th"t we h"d "n in+g"me model $or " pod.
A: Oh& th"t m":es me thin: o$ "nother #onstru#t& the *"tiFs 'l"yground. 7idnFt you im"gine "
b"#:story $or it tooH
A: Just wh"t it s"ys on the #olle#tors or somewhere& th"t *"ti m"de it $or $un.
A: - h"ve "nother )uestion& %"rebit. 7uring " #h"pter /0.2 Eion mission& the pl"yer
en#ounters " bluepill who is "pp"rently " disguised redpill whose org"niz"tion #"nFt be
470
veri$ied. !he #h"r"#ter mentions th"t it w"s "bout time they sent someone. And in " des:
thereFs " note s"ying something li:e Dyour #ont"#tFs n"me is *orenD& whi#h "ppe"rs to be "
re$eren#e to C"pt"in *oren& who died be$ore the tru#e st"rted.
-s this some poor unin$ormed redpill& or is something else going onH At the time& with ."user
running "round "nd this note th"t mentions " long de"d #"pt"in& - w"s beginning to wonder i$
the Olig"r#hs were t":ing the bodies o$ de"d #h"r"#ters "nd using them $or their own
purposes.
A: 'oor "nd unin$ormed is the #orre#t "nswer. !hey were " w"rtime Eion pl"nt whose #ont"#t
h"d been lost be$ore the beginning o$ the !ru#e& so they h"dnFt re#eived "ny word "nd didnFt
:now wh"t h"d h"ppened sin#e then.
A: - li:e the gener"l ide" o$ the olig"r#hs& but -Fm not "ll too $ond o$ the $in"l resolution "nd
trinity "nd neo "s per$e#t geneti# design et#. - give %"rebit mu#h #redit $or #oming up with
something th"t does $it with the over"ll sour#e m"teri"l.
A: ,hen putting the O' together - re"lized th"t -Fd sort o$ been he"ding "w"y $rom the
Dgeneti#D epl"n"tion tow"rd h"ving them "s pure progr"ms& m"ybe Cust be#"use th"t ended
up being e"sier to #onvey. -Fm not sure now i$ -Fd h"ve :ept going th"t w"y or not.
A: As $"r "s the geneti# thing& - thin: b"#: to 3eoFs #onvers"tion with !he Ar#hite#t "nd it
wouldnFt m":e sense unless pretty mu#h everything Ar#hy s"id w"s " lie. X...Y -$ 3eo is "n
"nom"ly th"t w"s beyond his #ontrol& then he wouldnFt h"ve been spe#i$i#"lly #re"ted with
th"t purpose et#.
A: -t w"s the Or"#le who #"me up with the inherent error s#heme. !he Ar#hite#t "llowed it&
but he did so :nowing th"t th"t p"rt o$ it w"snFt something over whi#h he h"d dire#t #ontrol.
5eyyy this is " good opportunity to mention th"t person"lly G- wouldnFt en$or#e this on others&
mind you& sin#e itFs pretty tou#hy in some w"ysI& - donFt thin: 3eo w"s Dthe "nom"ly.D !he
Ar#hite#t #"lls him Dthe eventu"lity o$ "n "nom"ly&D whi#h is di$$erent th"n "#tu"lly being the
"nom"ly. -$ you h"ve to pi#: " #h"r"#ter "s the "nom"ly& it seems to me th"t it would h"ve
been *mithB but - thin: itFs more "##ur"te to s"y th"t the D"nom"lyD he w"s t"l:ing "bout w"s
the #"s#"ding system o$ errors th"t inevit"bly result $rom the #urrent ."tri progr"mFs built+in
imper$e#tion th"t "llows $or " sm"ll per#ent"ge o$ the popul"#e to reCe#t it GDthe "nom"ly is
systemi#&D et#I. !he tri#:y p"rt "bout this interpret"tion is th"t one o$ those :nu#:lehe"ded
Agents l"ter s"ys D!he "nom"lyD when he $inds 3eoB - epl"in this "w"y $or mysel$ Gwhee
m"gi#RI by m":ing e#uses li:e DAgents didnFt :now everythingD or Dthe Agent w"s simply
re$erring to 3eo "s one o$ the prim"ry m"ni$est"tions o$ the #onse)uen#es o$ the "nom"ly.D
A: *o the re"son the Olig"r#hFs "ppe"red "s Dwire+$r"med hum"nsD w"s be#"use they were
C"#:ing in $rom "ndroid bodies
A: 'retty mu#h. !hey were using " di$$erent :ind o$ inter$"#e th"n oper"tives use to get in.
Also& they didnFt p"rti#ul"rly #"re "bout loo:ing norm"l.
471

The Matrix Online Archives

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Matrix Online Archives

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Matrix Online Archives

You might also like