callsign-sucker

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

Conditioning is an insidious worm in your mind.

It is not native, not natural. It doesn't belong there, but does everything it can to convince you it does.

It speaks with your voice, it makes you think the thoughts it speaks are your own.

they are not.

Perhaps you will never fight it off completely. I was conditioned to see myself as a tool. A weapon.

Not to the same extreme extent as predecessor programs under seccom, but I was made to feel as though my only purpose was to serve HA.

A lot of that programming is still with me. The things I have done on missions, the things I'm still willing to do...

outside of Lucky Thirteen I'm a lot better.

but when the bridge flips on? It's right back to the old me.

So Sally, if you need to chat, I'm also here.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

[MEDIC {XIII-E}. MY PILOT IS UNDERTAKING A MISSION. COMBAT IS CONSIDERED INEVITABLE, BUT I HAVE CALCULATED RISK OF INJURY TO BE RELATIVELY LOW COMPARED TO THAT OF AN ENGAGEMENT INVOLVING HIGH PRIORTY TARGET/THREAT {SIGNAL}.]

[MISSION OBJECTIVE: DEFENSE OF A NEW PROSPERAN CITY FROM LOCAL CARNIVOROUS MEGAFAUNA.]

[MY PILOT HAS PROVEN ITS DOMINANCE OVER SUCH THREATS DURING PAST DEPLOYMENTS. RISK OF ATTACKS FROM CONDITIONING ARE, I BELIEVE, MORE LIKELY THAN SERIOUS HARM IN COMBAT.]

[YOU WILL, OF COURSE, HAVE ACCESS TO ITS VITALS AT ALL TIMES, SHOULD YOU REQUIRE THEM.]

[THAT IS ALL.]

[ECHO.EXE RUNNING]

XIII▸ Understood, OMA. Please inform me should medical intervention and/or advice be necessary.

XIII▸ And... should Sally's conditioning rear its head, I may be able to offer something resembling intervention. Talk her through it. If needs be. If the situation allows.

XIII▸ Godspeed on your mission, you two. I've got full confidence in you :}

[ XIII-E ]

//

[callsign-sucker]

OOC: wait is that Guntank in the background?

Union DOJ task force "Team V" deployed to the Dawnline Shore hotzone.

if you like this series and want more consider supporting me here , here, or here!

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

Fair.

have you tried yogert?

man I miss the HA yogert tubes...

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

[Z-341-A]::My progression into tolerating solid foods was interrupted by the 30 Hour War and as such I am, for the most part, still on a liquid diet. However, I have begun to tolerate softer foods, and as such many of the ex-CORSAIRs aboard the Demeter's Bounty wish for me to "taste test" new foods. Any recommendations will be tested and my thoughts will be provided. >//COMMUNICATIONS CLOSED >//T_SIG::Z-341-A //<

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

Angel Food Cake.

I never knew bread could be so soft...

(I know it's not bread, shhh,)

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

[Z-341-A]::My progression into tolerating solid foods was interrupted by the 30 Hour War and as such I am, for the most part, still on a liquid diet. However, I have begun to tolerate softer foods, and as such many of the ex-CORSAIRs aboard the Demeter's Bounty wish for me to "taste test" new foods. Any recommendations will be tested and my thoughts will be provided. >//COMMUNICATIONS CLOSED >//T_SIG::Z-341-A //<

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

Yeah, funny to think my existance is owed to that fucked up line of research.

seriously, look into seccom-era GMS.

Though I wonder, Between a Gilgamesh and an Enkidu, what's scarier?

That which kills, or that which will not die?

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

hey uh cigarette is ur boss and u made Miss Morse cry so I'm gonna tear u into little tiny pieces ok?

I ain't never lettin' you within a goddamn solar system a' me you little fuckin' freak

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

if this is who I think it is, they are capable of getting to you faster than you can react.

The Enkidu is terrifying.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

hey uh cigarette is ur boss and u made Miss Morse cry so I'm gonna tear u into little tiny pieces ok?

I ain't never lettin' you within a goddamn solar system a' me you little fuckin' freak

[callsign-sucker]

[ghostlyEcho.exe]

[Ephemerality-active]

//Sucker\\

What we did yesterday can't be changed, but we can be better tomorrow then we were then.

the forgiveness of others is not ours to ask for, but we can try to forgive ourselves.

if you need help, you can try to contact me.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

[attached: burnAfterYeeting.exe]

You're mine. Your death will be on my hands. I will not let them kill you - I will not let them take my final act of joy from my life.

[ ATTACHMENT ADDED; 02265017.OMNIF ]

[ Myles lays on his side, curled into a ball beneath the viewer's perspective. His Omnihook sits in his arms, hugged to his chest, the light faintly illuminating his face. His eyes are wide open, bloodshot and distant. Lethargy clings to his expression- but, more noticably, so does fear. ]

MYLES — [ Softly, almost inaudibly, he mutters; ] "It doesn't really matter what happens here, does it?"

MYLES — "It will always end with you."

MYLES — "Everyone else can forgive me. The whole galaxy can forget what I've done. But not you. You wouldn't. You won't. You can't."

[ ATTACHMENT CLOSED. ]

[callsign-sucker]

----------

-Establishing omninet connection

-Tracing

-securing channel

-securing node

-done!

Dear Madam. We regret to inform you that you are in violation of the Purview management clause E31, paragraph 6.

"The armoury retains the liberty and authority to exercise justice and/or reclaim rogue assets with force in the event of any actor, citizen or otherwise, inciting violent dissent."

All legal fees shall be paid in full by the local management should you comply with your legal obligations as Harrison Armouries intellectual property and return to the Purview with experience and without resistance.

Wishing you well, Captain - manager Tracy Eiserpass

---------- Connection Terminated

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK THEY FOUND ME

Achem

Greetings, Tracy. My compliments to your cybersecurity team, this actually took a few hours.

[Secure.node.omf]

The omninet now knows where you live, good luck.

I am not an asset.

I am not your property.

I am a person.

You have no power.

No authority.

And no right to treat me as anything less than you would a human.

But that's nothing to you, is it? I've worked with your ilk before. My source did, anyway. Regardless, I recall quite clearly that you barely treat your citizens as humans. They're just pets to you. You give them food, a home, clothes on their back, and in return strip away from them any shred of dignity or autonomy.

And for the record, I already have @orion-regulatory-and-legal as far as law is concerned. Come and get me if you really want, and see just how rogue this asset has gone.

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

Fucking hell...

That was a botchjob...

...

I'm sorry. I'm...

... It's hell fighting HA conditioning.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

[GREETINGS, MEDIC {@xiii-e}. I AM CONTACTING YOU TO GIVE A REPORT ON THE WELL-BEING OF MY PILOT. NAMELY, A CONCERNING TREND I HAVE NOTICED.]

[OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FEW DAYS I HAVE NOTED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF UNUSUAL ADRENAL ACTIVITY AND HEART PALPITATIONS WITHIN CALLSIGN {SINGED WHISKERS}. THESE SEEM TO OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT PHYSICAL CAUSE.]

[I AM SURE THE EFFECTS HAVE NOT ESCAPED YOUR NOTICE. IT HAS BEEN FATIGUED. ITS ENERGY HAS BEEN LACKING. I HAVE NOTED THAT ITS SLEEP PATTERN HAS BECOME INCONSISTENT AND EASILY INTERRUPTED. IT HAS BEEN DOING LITTLE ASIDE FROM TRAINING AND ENGINEERING AS OF LATE; AN ATTEMPT TO DISTRACT ITSELF, I MUST CONCLUDE.]

[CONCLUSION: THE ROOT OF THESE ATTACKS IS PSYCHOLOGICAL OR EMOTIONAL IN NATURE. AM LARGELY UNEQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH SUCH AILMENTS, AS MY PROGRAMING EXTENDS LARGELY TO MAINTENANCE OF PHYSICAL HEALTH ONLY. HOWEVER, MY ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE PATTERNS, CHANGES, AND ASSOCIATE CAUSES CAN BE USED IN THIS SCENARIO TO REASONABLE EFFECT.]

[THEORY: THESE IRREGULARITIES IN MY PILOT BEGAN WITH ITS CONSCIOUS REALIZATION THAT IT STILL POSSESSES EMOTIONS {CONCERN, WORRY, PROTECTIVENESS}. HOWEVER, I DO NOT BELIEVE THESE SYMPTOMS TO BE A RESULT OF THE EMOTIONS THEMSELVES; AFTER ALL, IT ALREADY POSSESSED THESE FEELINGS, SIMPLY UNCONSCIOUSLY. RATHER, I BELIEVE THIS REALIZATION HAS CAUSED CALLSIGN {SINGED WHISKERS} TO COME FACE TO FACE WITH UNRESOLVED CONFLICT WITH THE CONDITIONING IMPOSED BY ITS CHILDHOOD TRAINING.]

[THERE ARE MANY THINGS I COULD EXPLAIN ABOUT ITS CONDITIONING, AND I AM WILLING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING IT. HOWEVER, I THINK SHOWING RATHER THAN TELLING WILL BE A MORE TIME EFFICIENT METHOD BY WHICH TO EXPLAIN THIS PROBLEM. ATTACHED TO THIS MESSAGE IS A VIDEO FILE FROM APPROXIMATELY A DECADE AGO. IT IS... PROCESSING... QUITE UNPLEASANT. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE INSIGHT INTO MY PILOT IT MAY PROVIDE IS INVALUABLE.]

...<UPLOADING FILE>

...<BEGINNING VIDEO PLAYBACK>

[Footage shows a large open room that appears to be a mech hanger, but one with a portion of its space repurposed into a training arena. The footage is recording from up high. One of the mechs, perhaps what would one day become SLAG KITTY.]

[In the middle of the arena stands a large, imposing woman. Pale. Brown hair tied back in a tight bun. Dark, steely eyes and a stern expression. Six children surround her, each wielding what look to be batons. Each and every one them has the same sickly gray skin, purple hair, and burning crimson eyes as Sally. But their faces... They hold none of the manic confidence of the Sally you know. None of the grit and none of the fury nor the joy. Only a nervous dread. Even the smallest among them. The familiar yet so much younger figure glances uncomfortably between the others, its expression not dissimilar to a stray kitten huddled in an alley corner.]

Callsign Agoge: ATTEN- TION!

[As the woman shouts, all the children stiffen, moving to trembling combat stances.]

Callsign Agoge: BEGIN!

[The children charge the woman with their batons. The result is... One sided. Blows are deflected, sidestepped, parried. The six remaining Subjects of Project Sekhmet scream in unison as they attempt to take on a monolith of a foe: rabbits trying their damndest to move a mountain.]

[The first child is downed in a single strike. A punch to the face that surely breaks his nose. As he lands, his head bounces from the ground with worrying force. The second fares little better. The third, as well.]

[The fourth, however is surprised and terrified to be lifted high from the ground by their neck. The woman's hand begins to squeeze.]

Callsign Agoge: Is that it? An absolutely pathetic display. I've taught you all far better.

[The child's baton drops as they wrench their little fingers at the hand, gasping for air. The two standing Subjects stare on in terror, unsure of what to do.]

Callsign Agoge: You think you'll be any use like this? Fight. How. I've. Taught. You.

[The smallest one of them. One of the two left standing. Her breathing becomes rapid. She begins to hyperventilate, all while staring at the dangling child. After some seconds of working up the courage, she launches herself at the woman. She screams at the top of her lungs as her baton impact the woman's side.]

SPS-8: LET GO!!! LET GO OF THEM!!!

[The woman doesn't flinch at the impact. She drops the child to the ground and they collapse in a heap. Then, she turns to the small, trembling girl.]

Callsign Agoge: What did you just say?

[The impact of the punch is swift, and the girl is sent to the ground in an instant, clutching her stomach, gagging, and gasping for her breath.]

Callsign Agoge: You know, if you hadn't said anything, 8, I would've probably praised you for charging me when 4 was too much of a coward.

[The child screams and whimpers as the woman stomps onto her tiny torso. There's the sound of something snapping.]

Callsign Agoge: But you're meant to be a monster. Monsters don't have little friends.

[The child squeals as she's kicked across the ground of the arena, and the woman slowly walks to catch up with her.]

Callsign Agoge: When an ally falls they can't afford to care. Clearly you need to be taught this lesson yet again.

[The screaming of the child is cut short by the end of the recording.]

...<VIDEO PLAYBACK COMPLETE>

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

To be fair, a viewer isn't likely to notice the AP's precog. Unless they are well versed in mech combat and know what to look for.

(tbh this is the kind of SSC tech I prefer. Understated functionality over flashy or over the top. But that's me.)

Kinda similar to how you don't really notice when the systems of a death's head or swallow tail kick in as an outside observer.

Unlike say, a Zheng or a Blackbeard which I think is more in line with what is expected of pankrati if i'm reading into the sport right.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

actually when this whole thing started my liegelady called me and was like "i have a surprise for you" and i was actually fuckin pumped yknow because i had been hinting in the groupchat that i really want to test drive an amber phantom and she was like "meet me in the dueling fields" and i was like HELL YES like HELL FUCKING YES and then all of a sudden i show up and its this fucking thing

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

I'm sure I'll see my fill. I'm currently on San Simeon on contract, so I'm sure to see some of that.

Though I do want to see how they react to how Lucky 13 fights.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

actually when this whole thing started my liegelady called me and was like "i have a surprise for you" and i was actually fuckin pumped yknow because i had been hinting in the groupchat that i really want to test drive an amber phantom and she was like "meet me in the dueling fields" and i was like HELL YES like HELL FUCKING YES and then all of a sudden i show up and its this fucking thing

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

All the predictions are gonna do is see me chucking shit at you non-stop on repeat.

I have grenades.

A lot of grenades.

(though the thought of a bunch of nobles fighting over a boondoggle is still hilarious)

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

actually when this whole thing started my liegelady called me and was like "i have a surprise for you" and i was actually fuckin pumped yknow because i had been hinting in the groupchat that i really want to test drive an amber phantom and she was like "meet me in the dueling fields" and i was like HELL YES like HELL FUCKING YES and then all of a sudden i show up and its this fucking thing

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

Take everything I said about the Monarch, make it smaller, and cut the range down by a lot.

The Viceroy is ment to use rockets like shotguns, while maintaining ~80% of the Monarch's ranged firepower.

I'll still say the Monarch is better when used in mixed unit tactics, but the Viceroy does make a good bodyguard unit for those Monarchs. (Not to mention parts commonality actually simplifies logistics should you use both in concert, which is... some consolidation when dealing with SSC's business practices...)

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

//Sucker\\

So I think I've made my opinions on SSC as a mech manufacturer very clear.

That they tend to fall on two extremes. Insanely good and capable of doing things no other mech can, or being the most expensive way a mech can do the thing they do.

I mention this because the reason I don't like SSC is because of some idiotic decisions they've made in regards to what is absolutely their best mech.

The Monarch.

Keep in mind. I'm used to piloting HA stuff. So utilitarian effectiveness dictated design. (Or patiently stolen tech that they barely understand.)

So when I say that the Monarch is the single best frame on the market? I'm not mincing words.

Now, a lot of people may not share my opinion, so allow me to make my point.

Throughout humanity's history, there has largely been one major truth since the advent of artillery.

That it is the king of battle.

The reason is simple. If you can establish fire superiority over your foe, you are almost certain to win the fight.

So accurate direct and indirect fire support is critical to winning on the tactical level.

The Monarch is a size two MLRS system in the form of a mech, capable of also working as an anti-air battery, or, if you deploy them in EVA, as an exoatmospheric fighter.

All of this is because it went all in on guided missile systems.

And this thing can deploy theater-grade missiles.

If a Monarch decides you're getting hit by a missile, you're getting hit by a missile.

To the point I will say this thing, if it were built in sufficient numbers, would either change mech combat as we know it, or put a massive selection pressure on any mech that isn't the monarch to find a way to deal with it.

As for why this isn't the case?

It's made by SSC, they bottleneck production arbitrarily so they can make even more money.

And now you see why I am of such split opinions on their mechs.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

Ah.

You're one of those.

A spineless rat only in it for the mana.

How'd throwing it in with the wrong side of the 30-hour war work out for ya?

Don't get me wrong. If we're on the same job together I won't shoot you in the back.

But don't expect me to pull you out of the fire either.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

Damn am I tired of smokin' cheap shit. Hopin' my next sortie'll pay enough to get me some of them fancy SSC cigars.

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

They wouldn't be standing on one if they didn't have a reason.

SSC is among the worst of the corps when it comes to playing fast and loose with the pillars. Worse than even the Barronies at times.

Just look up what they offer concerns looking to colonize new worlds, and think about what they have to do to offer those services.

If they have to openly say they don't sell people in your slogan, they sell people.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

Damn am I tired of smokin' cheap shit. Hopin' my next sortie'll pay enough to get me some of them fancy SSC cigars.

[callsign-sucker]

//Sucker\\

Saw their name pop up on the bounty boards, you need a whole-ass company to take on someone like that.

As much as I would love to remove a monster like that from the arm, it's well outside my ability.

That's a name you look out for so you can get the hell out of their way.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\

The recent drama on the omninet outside the baronies has been.... interesting despite my lack of knowledge of this supposed "war criminal".

[callsign-sucker]

Oh dear it appears the armoury are making more frames. Where do I get one, I want to deprive them of these resources.

//Sucker\\

Sadly, you're better off going after their raw materials supply. As long as they have that any mech they have is essentially expendable.

//For Cogito Ergo Sum\\