>>1061611
Dang, what movies bro? Was it the Space Wars one?

No worries on the rifle, combat isn't where are specialties lie anyway. What's the status report on things?

>>1061611
Kiss him!

1/3 Axyl 2023/07/20(Thu)06:05 No. 1068280 ID: 60841b
File 168985834289.png - (14.99KB , 700x700 , AQ46.png )

>Kiss him!
Sorry but I save all my kisses for my wife.

"Oh, what movie? The space wars one?"
>"I think it was a spy movie - or a murder mystery movie - I forget... I like to watch a lot of movies! I got this job so I can buy a new TV after I dropped the old one off a giant bucket excavator by accident. I was actually an independent a week ago, but I kept watching stuff instead of scavenging. Oh, and by the way, Space Wars is good and all - but the originals have really begun to show their age, despite all the practical effects, and the sequels took a nosedive in writing quality."
"Now I'm curious. What's your favourite genre?"
>"Old human films, stuff produced on earth before FTL travel and all the uplifts. The writing and overall quality is way better than anything you see nowadays - know what I mean? Early science fiction is super fascinating as well - especially with aliens - or at least what humans thought aliens would be like."
"Before we continue with this line of conversation, mind bringing me to the signal? Don't worry about giving me a rifle, I can make do."
>"Oh! Right! right this way. Nobody is supposed to be allowed in there, so you must be important! ...Must be desperate if we need a guy from another company to crack that thing."

2/3 Axyl 2023/07/20(Thu)06:06 No. 1068281 ID: 60841b
File 168985836140.png - (277.43KB , 700x700 , AQ47.png )

He brings me outside and we walk over to the big white tent where the signal is supposedly coming from. I use the opportunity to get a good scan of my surroundings, seeing lots of vehicles I can use for a quick getaway, as well as what looks like plenty of caves to exit. Some might lead to dead ends; I might need to be careful.

>"And right over there are the bathroom stalls. I suggest leaving a little drawing on the walls, I'm told its tradition."
"Neat. So... what did humans think aliens looked like? According to their old movies."
>"Small, grey or green versions of themselves with big eyes and spaceships shaped like dinner plates. I bet humans never guessed that they would be the first ones to seek out intelligent life though! You ever hear about area fifty-one?"
"Is that a movie?"
>"Nah man, not a movie! It was this military base on earth where humans thought that the human government was hiding all the aliens! It comes up in a bunch of old alien movies. It must've been made up in the end, but I want to believe just as the humans did."
"You think there's more life out there that we just don't know about? Perhaps they want to be left alone."
>"So they can keep their movies for themselves? How terrible!"
This tobak is chatty, but I appreciate chat more than silence.

I hear golf tell me something through the radio frequency.
>"OK, I should be able to hack the piloted mech. Give me a signal so I know when to create a distraction - like a sneeze or something."

3/3 Axyl 2023/07/20(Thu)06:06 No. 1068282 ID: 60841b
File 168985838872.png - (132.37KB , 700x700 , AQ48.png )

Just as I am about to go inside the tent, an important looking pomi guy walks out.
>"... Hold it. I don't recognize you – are you with us?"

>"... Hold it. I don't recognize you – are you with us?"
"Yes?"
and give him a look like he just asked you what color snow is after all it's like they say, fake it till you make it.

"Yes I just arrived. I'm here for... hold on... something is is my nose... acho!"

"Oh, hi! Yeah, we're both new, though I'm newer. I'm Lyxa," then look to your friend to introduce himself without letting the fact that you don't know his name slip. "Man, it feels nice working for a guy who really makes a point of knowing all his employees, for once. It's like one big corporate family!"

Looks too high up the chain to know everyone by name, but high enough to demand ID badges and all. This is a good time for a distraction. With an open mic, say yes and claim you’re with mech support.

1/2 Axyl 2023/07/20(Thu)12:15 No. 1068315 ID: 60841b
File 168988052783.png - (184.77KB , 700x700 , AQ49.png )

"Yes, I just arrived for uh..." *mumble mumble* "ah - achoo!"

...

>"Excuse you. So, you just arrived?"

"Y-yeah, sorry about that, I've got allergies."
>"Allergies?... to what?"
"Ahhh CHOOO! Yep. Allergies. Sorry about that, hah hah! Can't... help..."
"Golf did you do the thing?"
"Just a sec - somethings not working"
"Hurry!"
"I am! something's... I think it's frozen. Literally. You might need to smooth talk your way through again."
"Ahhh darn it Lousy hacker!"
>"Hacker?"
"EEP!"
>"You're the hacker that Vulpes sent?"
"I... Yes? I'm uh... Lyxa - the famous... hacker."
>"Why didn't you just say so? I know you computer types aren't very social but... where's the rest of your team?
"I - um... I took a shortcut?"
>"How are you sweating? It's freezing. Regardless, it’s a good thing you came as early as you did - We aren't sure how much time we have before this site gets compromised."

2/2 Axyl 2023/07/20(Thu)12:15 No. 1068316 ID: 60841b
File 168988054102.png - (136.92KB , 700x700 , AQ50.png )

He puts his hand on my shoulder and leads me into a tent, past a bunch of equipment and other high-ranking officials and scientists into a smaller room in front of what seems to be a sealed vault door. He stands me in front of a computer.

>"Our own hackers have tried everything to get through, but the system won't budge. LuneCore tech is in a league of its own when it comes to cracking their systems, or so I'm told. What's Vulpes paying you, anyway? Once you open this, perhaps we can find a way to... renegotiate your contract for something fairer."

"I uh..."

>"You're the best of the best, or so I'm told. Armada has no more room for failures after the ongoing rogue research vessel situation. If you need anything - anything at all, let me know. Equipment, Assistants, Manuals, you name it."

I don't know anything about computers...

That's fine, you just need to be good at research. Ask for their documentation on this equipment.

Try talking to it like a person, because at LuneCore, it usually is.

First rule of hacking with Tobaks: The best Tobak hackers don't wear pants! Or so it's been said. Maybe with novelty shirts too. Documentation and novelty shirts om the double!

Don't panic; someone's been hacking it, without luck, and just spoon-fed you what the problem is.

"And you've ruled out the possibility of mechanical or electrical faults, I take it?" If he doesn't immediately answer in the absolute affirmative: "Dude! You didn't think to confirm whether the software froze up because the hardware has literally frozen over in this extreme weather?"

If that doesn't immediately produce fruit, demand to get their own tech guys in here to walk you through what they've tried so far, let Golf listen in and walk you through what to do.

can you hook Golf up to the computer or at least ask him to walk you through it? If anyone ask who you're talking to just tell them you talk to yourself when you work sometimes to help arrange your thoughts.

"Manuals would be nice, and um. Mind giving me some space? I ah, kind of talk to myself and it's easy to get self-conscious when people hear it. Hard to rubber-duck when the duck looks at you funny, eheh."

>>1068316
Yeah but your radio-buddy knows a lot. Ask him to give you a crash course. Covertly. Like read out the screen to him and "think out loud" about what you're trying to do.

1/2 Axyl 2023/07/21(Fri)12:16 No. 1068488 ID: 60841b
File 168996698125.png - (27.77KB , 700x700 , AQ51.png )

>First rule of hacking with Tobaks: The best Tobak hackers don't wear pants! Or so it's been said.
This is true!... however, I'm wearing a full body suit, and taking it off without being fully naked. Quite the predicament...

"Ok! Documentation! Please fetch me your finest documentation on this equipment!"
>"I'll let the assistants know. Anything else?"
"Novelty shirts. Documentation and novelty shirts on the double!"
>"would that help? I'll see what I can do."
"Oh, and make sure nobody comes in here! I need complete, and total privacy or else my concentration may slip, and I may have to start over. Just knock, ok?"
>"Understood."

A team of assistants bring in a bunch of books and boxes containing papers. No way I'm reading all of this.

Once I am certain that I am alone and this small room is all to myself, I start communication with Golf.

2/2 Axyl 2023/07/21(Fri)12:16 No. 1068489 ID: 60841b
File 168996699987.png - (64.55KB , 700x700 , AQ52.png )

"You get all that Golf? Tell me what to do! Is there a way you can get into this remotely?"
>"Maybe if you kept that hacking dart."
"Crud..."
>"It's fine. I probably wouldn't be able to crack it on my own anyway. The only ones who can consistently bypass LuneCore systems are mostly ex-employees of LuneCore."
"Double crud! What now?"
>"We're in luck Axyl. There is actually one Programmer in our organization who was an ex-employee of Lunecore. I've cracked into the relays in the area to boost our signal range so we can get in contact. In a few moments we should be in contact... in three... two...

I hear a sound notifying us that someone has entered our frequency.

"Ah, well if it isn't Golf. What'd you need? Finally decided to join up as my apprentice?"
That voice... I recognize it! Isn't that... Kellie! that weird tobak who doesn't wear pants!

>"It'll be a hot day where I am when I willingly let you strap a bomb collar around my neck."
"Silly bee. bomb collars are for silly neumono who try to run away with the CA-"
>"AHEM. We are in the call with someone else."
"Hey Kellie! It's me, remember?"
"Oh hey! Axyl! How're you doing? Is there something I can help with? I was in the middle of something, but I can set some time aside to pay you back for saving my bacon."
"Great! I need your help cracking into this terminal thing. It's luneCore tech, and it's used to open this door. The screen is all black with a bunch white text and lines - that mean anything to you?"
"Oh that's easy! Looks like some idiot was trying to get in through the debug menus or crack the password, but the programming is too smart and quick! I know a better way. Got any giant magnets near you?"
>"Oh, hell no! There's no way that's going to work! You'll just end up scrambling the system!"
"I'm sorry, who's the senior programmer here? Oh, also, take your pants off. Trust me on this one Axyl."

See? Take off the pants.

It's too cold to go pantless but I asked for a shirt like your. I hope that is enough clothing voodoo to get me through this.

Where should I position the magnet? Does the magnet need any specification? Does any model work? Can I improvise with a copper wire wrapped around a nail in short circuit?

You see? Master hacker, just remove pants! Off with the pants! And if you can't take off the body suit pants without being fully naked, then, you did say you had this small room all to yourself with complete privacy and you'd be notified if somebody was to enter through knocking, right? Surely you won't have to go through a wild and wacky naked escape run and you can trust Kellie! Because you'll have (a) novelty shirt(s)! You saved him, now he'll save you! Sans pants. It's perfect logic!

It’s a full body suit, which means they aren’t pants. Problem solved. Does your weapon have a magnetic component? Heck, your horns would be able to tell where a big magnet was.
…Honestly, these instructions are pretty suspect. Perhaps what he wants is to destroy any competition he might have in the LuneCore salvage business. Maybe you should tell him you’ve done the thingy with the magnet and see what his next instructions are, before actually doing them.

Pants off. Guess you're leaving the bodysuit on though?

>>1068489
Don't take anything off unless you want to freeze to death.

Tell him you are already pantless. It's technically true, probably ?

No pants, no fear, guts only.

1/3 Axyl 2023/07/22(Sat)04:29 No. 1068591 ID: 60841b
File 169002535555.png - (108.74KB , 700x700 , AQ53.png )

I take off my pants, which was also covering my whole body. I put on a novelty shirt and cap for decency. I should be glad my wife isn't around to see this.

>Don't take anything off unless you want to freeze to death.
At least I have fur...

"Do you feel the hacking power flow?"
"Not really"
"Let me guess, you're not wearing the socks? That'd explain it."
"What socks? I... How does this help me?"
"The magnet, did you get it yet?"
"I don't feel one in range of my horns. What do I do once I get it? How close does it need to be? What position? What strength?"
"It just needs to be close, and strong. A few seconds should do it, and when the screen begins to flicker, you can put in any password you'd like, and it should accept it. Do it quick though because you can only do this once."
"Wait, once? Why?"
>"Because it'll destroy the hardware forever!"
"Yeah what he said."
"Where am I supposed to get a magnet?"
>"I tracked one down. There is a construction crane on one of the vehicles outside with a magnet strong enough to pick things up, I can bring it over remotely and position it above you”.
"That's great!... oh, wait. My horns are magnetic, aren't they?"
"Probably. Don't worry, it shouldn't scramble your brain or anything - just might feel a little weird."

2/3 Axyl 2023/07/22(Sat)04:29 No. 1068592 ID: 60841b
File 169002537654.png - (74.04KB , 700x700 , AQ54.png )

I see a purple spark of electricity jump across the wall. What was that?

"Does a purple electric spark appearing on the wall mean anything to you guys?"
>"What? No.”
"Hahahah uh oh."
"What?"
"Oh it's nothing. Nope. Well, not really nothing, it might not be a good sign."
"What? Why? Tell me!"

3/3 Axyl 2023/07/22(Sat)04:29 No. 1068593 ID: 60841b
File 169002539489.png - (107.32KB , 700x700 , AQ55.png )

"Listen Axyl, I'm telling you this because I like you - you do not want to be there after ten minutes pass. Where you are standing will soon cease to exist."
"WHAT?! How?"
"LuneCore's Dual Orbital Satellites are close to position. The line between the two will have a powerful beam teleport somewhere in between two points of that line. Whatever you're standing in front of, Lunecore is trying to erase it."
>"So that's what happened to the other signals".
"What are our options?"
"I'd say cut your losses and get out of there. Can you move whatever is emitting the signal?"
"No way, it's some kind of huge bunker."
"That's a shame - the beam has a hard time hitting moving targets. I guess your only options are to hurry with that magnet or get out of there."
"Isn't there some way you can slow the satellites down and give us more time?"
"Sorry friend, my hands are tied! My assistant and I are very swamped with work right now."
"Well... Thanks for doing all you could."

Grab a magnet to unlock it, and then tell them that the site they weren't sure how long until it gets compromised was just compromised and it's time to evac before a satellite death beam obliterates it. Tell them you think you might have just enough time to unlock the terminal and maybe grab a smidgeon of data, so you'll stay as long as you can and rendezvous with your team to deliver what you can get to them, but at this point there's no reason for anyone else to be here, nobody's going to send troops to a site that's about to get blasted, so it's time to get everybody out.


It sounds like they already know that lunacore could be on them at any moment so hopefully since you're doing big hacker things and unlocking their terminal they'll take your word as an expert and nobody'll have to get laser dead'ed. Plus it might give you a slight bit of time to grab some interesting data and skedaddle before satellite beams strike.

Uh, brake into the terminal, get the info, tell the people one sight that the old owners of the system are about to erase this site and everything nearby, run like hell.

First, do you have some device on which you could set an alarm to warn you when 7 minutes have passed, so you can get out of here ? If not, ask Golf to do it on his computer.
Then get that magnet and try to open this thing.

>>1068593
So potentially crazy thoguht: can we turn our horns inot a magnet by wrapping them in wire with a current running through them?

ETA on that vehicle? If it's over like, 7 minutes we should just bail now. We have enough to complete the mission, either way.

If we're doing magnets, make sure your new friends know about the magnet, and tell them they forgot The Socks, and that you'll need them now more than ever

>>1068597
That would be nuts! His entire nervous systems is metallic. Who knows what that would do to his brain...

To improvise a magnet ideally we should use a long nail of common soft iron. A screwdriver or any other long rod magnetically interactive should work. If there is nothing like that a pencil kind of work.
Wrap a long wire along the thin rod and plug both ends of the wire in an electrical sock. This will only work for a few seconds because something will break and probable burn.
Don't stand near the thing when you plug in, if it get attracted to your horns you might be hit in the face with a high temperature wire.

They'll get you anything because they think you're a famous hacker, right? Ask for a magnet and explain the emergency. Say it's for an emergency bypass because you don't have time to fully hack the terminal because of the beam that's about to hit you. Get everyone in the bunker.
We can sort out the fact that you're not really the hacker later.

>>1068612
Oh, yeah, you need to warn the Armada people so they're not hurt by the beam.

>>1068612
>>1068620
If they ask why your company is trying to stop you from getting them into the bunker, maybe go full disclosure with: "I'm not really with the LuneCore guys you hired, but that's good for you because what I just saw implies they didn't have your best interests in mind and never planned to actually show up, now shut up and help me help you!"

Would your wife not appreciate the sight of her lovey hubby wubby bottomless with just a shirt on? And cap. A decency cap! Warning the guys outside immediately so they have maximum time to mobilize and evacuate and offering to stay as long as possible to grab as much data as you can would probably make you a hero in their books. Don't bother to put any pants back on! It's time spent that could be used for other things! I'm sure they'll understand the power of pantsless hacking. Everyone will, one day. Remember to save time for bailing out too!

>>1068593
Your best bet for completing the mission is to tell everyone here what's about to happen so they can get the magnet there as fast as possible, or evacuate. Letting them do it instead of you would also let you get your bodysuit back on.

Tell golf to set a timer for seven minuets for you. Order your helpers on site that they've got three minuets to get you a powerful magnet, and four more after that to get out of here before there isn't a here, to be at.

>>1068638
We could also say "Those LuneCore bastards lied to me and the rest of my team never showed up, I was meant to be the fall guy"

>>1068668
Also maybe you could try to convince Kellie to untie his hands by promising a novelty Armada shirt!

Suddenly remember Kelly's comment about neumonos "running away with the CA-" and put two and two together.

"Say, Kelly, I since we are about to leave and you are super busy anyway, you wouldn't mind me telling this fine folk here about your CAI, would you? They seem pretty willing to work with programmers from other companies, after all."

Get that vehicle here asap, hack the mainframe, and as a courtesy you might want to tell everybody to run.

find some programmer socks, they'll help you stay warm and focused. then do the magnet thing, quickly check for anything valuable and portable, and then think about warning the others.

also look for arm warmers and choker, gotta stay warm!