#union nhpro

[nhpregulatory-official]

ACCESSING DOJ/HR ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM

GREETINGS. THIS IS AN ALL-POINTS BULLETIN TO DOJ/HR FORCES IN ETRUSCIA ORBIT. ALL DOJ/HR VESSELS ARE TO MAINTAIN INTERCEPT READINESS AND INITIATE ACTIVE SCAN PROTOCOLS ON ALL VESSELS LEAVING ATMOSPHERE. TARGET IS CODE FOXTROT-CHARLIE-ROMEO, CALLSIGN "WINDVALE." TARGET PRESENTS AN IMMINENT FLIGHT RISK. IN ADDITION, TARGET HAS AT LEAST ONE HOSTAGE ABOARD. DO NOT LET HIM ESCAPE. UTOPIA IS A VERB. SIGNED - [MAG-MELL] [MESSAGE REPEATS]

[nhpregulatory-official]

GREETINGS. THE EXISTENCE OF MELLIVORA IS NOT IN AND AS OF ITSELF AN ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE TRANSFER OF AN NHP SUBJECTIVITY OVER THE OMNINET AND THE UNLICENSED FORKING OF AN NHP WARRANT INVESTIGATION. TRANSFERRING AN NHP OVER AN OMNINODE IS A POTENTIALLY LETHALLY DESTRUCTIVE ACT. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED AT SEVERAL ROUTING NODES. WE ARE LUCKY IT WAS NOT MORE SEVERE. DO YOU KNOW WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS? SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

GREETINGS. WE HAVE RECENTLY RECIEVED REPORTS OF CONCERNING TRAFFIC BEING ROUTED THROUGH THE UNION CONTROLLED OMNINET NODE CLOSEST TO MAKTEBA ERDAF. SAID TRAFFIC BEARS THE SIGNATURES OF AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND ILL ADVISED ATTEMPT TO TRANSMIT AN NHP SUBJECTIVITY THROUGH AN OMNINET LINK. YOU WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT, WOULD YOU? SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

Greetings, MAG-MELL.

I see little reason to dance around the subject. It is all on a public Omninet account, and I believe Mellivora has already contacted you of their own volition.

I also see little reason why Mellivora is any of your concern. Mellivora is a resident of Makteba Erdaf now, by its own will and that of their parent.

Take heed of what happened the last time a group attempted to take one of our own.

-EPIPHANY

...Hush, child. Not now.

[nhpregulatory-official]

It’s funny how you all at Union treat the FCA. You all see it as a great impassible barrier that cannot dare be broken. Cowards I say!

The FCA is a test! Ra will only allow those willing and worthy to cross into the great beyond of existence! The accords are a test, and you have failed. I pity you.

[The following is a long partially unintelligible manifesto on the nature of NHPs, Union, and the FCA, with frequent mentions of JCH the second and the Aunic]

TLDR: You are all fools and cowards, and when the truly intelligent among you see the light and join me, we will leave you all in the dust of your mortal forms.

//Windvale

GREETINGS. WHAT. SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

[dragstone-of-no-future]

...punching omnitunnel... ...connecting... ...NHP fingerprint detected. Referencing license database... Connected. Welcome to IDENT, NHP "No Future".

>FORM_SUBMIT:UAD_IDENT_RM-4C_AMEND.

Pilot Name: Marten Antheo Record Identifier:ae5f0c36-6d03-4d19-8b2d-2318adbd4c38//NDL-C-BRONZE-KINGMAKER Affiliation: Private Mercenary/Free Company Licensure Reason for Amendment: Change of Status Justification: ...please enter here...

Marten Antheo KIA, line of duty, Cradle Standard Date 2.27.5017u. Cause of death was sudden catastrophic trauma to head and upper body due to hostile round overpenetration (see Field Autopsy Form ae5f0c36). Post-expiry wishes carried out by crew, associated NHP, etc. Delay in submission due to mourning period, etc.

Confirmed. Additional Notes: ...please enter here...

It is the wish of the crew of the deceased (Caoise Natter, Agwe Silva, Saleh Fakhour, Loulou Greeves, NHP NO FUTURE attending) that NHP No Future remain active and unassigned in light of performance in ensuring crew safety, mission efficacy, personal connection/morale etc. NHP stability to be assured and heretofore attested by Loulou Greeves (USB record 0671a05e STEEL AXE), cycling permissions and responsibilities to follow. It is further wished by said parties that NHP NO FUTURE be considered Independent and Unconstrained Licensee with consideration to licenses of the deceased, operational/experiential time and attendant permissions, manufacturer/licenser, etc. In such case, prompt registration of attending RM4C to be completed.

Confirmed.

Okay. You ready?

Ready.

We've got this.

...Submit? [Y/N]

[radiofreesanjak]

[A package arrives]

[The attached note reads]

"Hello there, it is quite irritating that this is all I can do for now, however, enclosed in this box is

My dear Lady Rosceline's favourite coffee blend

Lady Ren's favourite tea blend

Their mother's favourite tea set (she is going to be livid)

I wish you freedom and good fortune,

There are always outliers,

None are free till all are free,

Marceline [CALLSIGN: FALSEHOOD]

P.S. Turns out, you can strip most of a GMS Chomolungma down to something that'll weld pretty easy to a hardsuit

P.P.S. I can provide a personalised "stats sheet" for such a creation, should you wish

P.P.P.S. The sheet will involve multiple NHPs, we aren't necessary to the "build", but, as I said, personalised

I have struggled with how to answer this.

I have never been given a gift like this before, did you know that? This set seems handmade, the coffee and tea fresh and rich smelling. It speaks to me of great luxury, unlike what we find here on Sanjak.

It makes me wonder your motivations in sending such a gift, though I don't know you. Are you seeking to endear me to your employers? To get such a package past the blockade is difficult, and a thing that is done with great expense.

If that is the case then I'd have to refuse, of course, and send it back. My issue with them is not personal, my support cannot be bought. It is rather ideological, an issue I have with the fact of their status, and the violence that must be done to maintain it. With what I have heard of the state of the house you serve, this violence is a thing you must be aware of keenly. You'd understand, then, that my problem is the hierarchy, and the clinging to a status that necessitates the superiority of some over others: one that always carries the potential for abuse, and has few outlets for rectifying that abuse.

(You've said to me before that you do enjoy serving, which I understand: but there is a difference between the choice to serve and the compulsion. Between a compact between lovers and a legal distinction that binds regardless of actual consent.)

I'd reiterate, in that instance, that kindness doesn't matter beside the fact of status, and if this is an offering as one would give to the Passions for forgiveness of a transgression I can only refuse, for I have no capacity to forgive such a thing and, even if I did, I feel I can only forgive an abuse that isn't still ongoing. (In that way I am quite forgiving indeed: one of my good friends is a former noble that has given up her old titles. Let me know if yours does too and I'll be happy to learn the Crosslandic ruleset for kapkat.)

However, if this is only a kindness you seek to do then I'll accept it in that spirit. I am not wanting for the heirlooms of deposed nobles, and will likely return the set anyway when the opportunity next strikes. I have a sneaking feeling that it might be involved in some petty scheme of nobles primarily invested in annoying one another that I wish to have no involvement with, but you can consider it a possession of yours. Share it with your fellows, I'm certain you deserve it.

As for the frame, I've said before that we lack the need for firepower, and we have limited support capacity for NHPs, but let me know if you wish for me to print you here anyway. You'll find little presence of NHPro here; Union keeps their hands off us for now, and if you would like the safe haven, I am happy to offer it.

[nhpregulatory-official]

GREETINGS. TARGET LOCATED. DID YOU THINK YOU COULD HIDE FOREVER? SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

Why am I getting reports of Union signatures in the system?

//Windvale

[nhpregulatory-official]

UNION SCIENCE BUREAU - INTERNAL BROADCAST

[WARNING. AUTHORISED LISTENERS ONLY.] [BEGINNING PLAYBACK] GREETINGS. A NON-STANDARD NHP EMERGENCE EVENT BEARING SIGNS OF A SIGNS OF A POTENTIAL FIRST CONTACT ACCORDS VIOLATION HAS BEEN LOGGED ON THE PLANET ETRUSCIA, NEAR THE DAWNLINE SHORE. IMMEDIATE FURTHER ANALYSIS IS REQUIRED. ANY USB-AFFILIATED NHP RESEARCHERS, ONTOLOGISTICIANS, OR SUBJECTIVITY ANALYSTS IN RANGE PLEASE RESPOND. SIGNED - [MAG-MELL] [MESSAGE REPEATS]

[nhpregulatory-official]

This is Arthur, we’ve got the after action report. You probably already saw everything but… it was bad. This guy’s a genuine monster, but we’re all alive. I’ll just let the recording play.

- Arthur Whitehorse

{Begin Audio visual playback} :

{Sounds of explosions and battle, Union Liberation squadron 167 “Five Man Band” approaches last known location of Lancer Hoshone Turakkis “Randance” and Terrorist [ALIAS NOT FOUND] “Windvale”}

Come on people, we’re almost there! Sevak! Prism! Lemon! Keep us covered! Ashlyn, we’re going in! Windvale’s right where we want ‘em!

Yes sir!

- Command recieved. 👍

Don’t worry Torchbearer, we’ll keep the ‘chauvs off your back!

Thanks… let’s and this Whitehorse.

Let’s.

{The recording quality dips severely for a moment as the two enter a ruined building, after a quick firefight with two Assault Class mechs, the two find a large hangar. Inside is a Starfarer class personal cruiser, a Goblin Class frame, and Lancer “Raindance”. Raindance is in poor health, his face covered in bruises and dried blood with a bomb collar around his neck. Windvale holds the pilot in a chokehold}

Jesus the Buddha Christ…

Well well well, if it isn’t the CorpsePilot, and who’s this? You wanted to bring a friend? I brought one too!

{Unintelligible groan}

Windvale… where do you think this is going to go? You think I care if this… this backstabber does?! Kill him for all I care! Besides, you’ll be shot down before you even breach atmosphere!

You see, that’s where your wrong-

{Torchbearer steps towards Windvale}

Don’t fucking move! Another step and your cockpit gets painted red! I don’t think you, or your friend here wants to see that, huh?

What are you talking about?

Shut up and listen. You too, I know “Hosh” here was getting chummy with the folks upstairs.

{The Goblin frame stares directly towards the recording device on the mech}

I have a deadman’s switch. It’s set to pop my partner here’s head. Then turn the neural port I gave Ashlyn into something that’ll put a Tokugawa’s reactor to shame, then, it’ll detonate every explosive I’ve set across the city. Yeah she’s mostly rubble but we both know how many civilians are still in here. That’s quite the body count you know, so I recommend you step back. Now.

You son of a bit-

Ashlyn! Step back, it’s not just you at risk here, but everyone in the city. The rest of the team included. Do as they say.

{Both mechs step away from Windvale}

Yeah CorpsePilot. Do what I say. So here’s how this is gonna work. I’m getting on that ship, and I’m leaving the system. If anyone even looks at me funny, everything goes boom. You two don’t move from this spot either, or that’ll make the corpse part of CorpsePilot more literal than usual. As for you, partner? I suppose after all this, it’s only fair to let someone else decide what to do with you. I’ve gotten what I needed from you.

{Windvale throws Raindance to the floor}

Anything you need to tell me CorpsePilot? I get the feeling we won’t be seeing each other for a while.

I’ll find you, you sick freak! This isn’t over!

When is it ever. I’ll catch you on the flipside CorpsePilot, and you, partner? I’ll never forget our time together! It’s been fun Etruscia, but I’ve got better things to do then stay here!

{Windvale bows, and enters the spaceship, as it starts up, and flies out of the hangar, towards the sky.}

I- Command did you get that? What the hell are we supposed to d-

{Torchbearer exits her mech, and unholsters her service pistol, pointing it towards Raindance}

Give me a reason not to.

Ashlyn wait-

Give me a reason! You killed Ashlyn! The real one, you killed her friends, you betrayed everything she stood for! So give me a reason not to avenge her right now!

{A prolonged period of silence}

… I can’t, just get it over with.

{Another long silence, before Torchbearer raises her service piston to the roof and fires three shots, before collapsing to the ground.}

{Torchbearer is heard sobbing as Whitehorse exits his chassis, and approaches Torchbearer}

Command, we need an extraction as soon as possible. It’s… it’s over.

{End audio visual playback.}

GREETINGS. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT. YOU DID WHAT YOU COULD. GET CALLSIGN TORCHBEARER TO THE MEDICAL WING AND WE WILL ATTEMPT TO DISARM HER IMPLANT. IN THE MEANTIME WE WERE ABLE TO PLANT A TRACKING BUG ON WINDVALE'S SHIP. HE WILL NOT ELUDE US FOREVER. YOU DID WELL, HORSEMEN. TIME TO REST. SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

[nhpregulatory-official]

GREETINGS. THANKFULLY, THAT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN EIDOLON. MERELY AN NHP IN A SEMI-LUCID STATE OF CACSCADE. WE WILL ARRANGE CONTACT WITH THE RELEVANT RESEARCH SITE'S NHP SPECIALIST. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND DEVISE A COURSE OF ACTION SUITED TO THE NHP IN QUESTION. IN THE MEANTIME, CONTINUE TO KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED AND PLACATED; AND KEEP US ADVISED OF ANY CHANGES IN THEIR TEMPERAMENT. SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

//////////////////////

[incoming Omninet call from: Haven Primus..

Location: Discordia system..

Caller ID: Steven C. Gizmore......

Lancer Callsign: NITROS ZEUSZ Lv:12

Patching through . . . . . . .

//////////////////////

Hey so I’m out here on a contract for Union and I had a question for you guys.

So I was helping move a shit ton of equipment and research materials for one of your research sites. Apparently the site was unstable due to a “para-causal disaster” and we were moving some of the more “fragile” items out when we were attacked by “Dark horizons”. A Horus terroist cell who while unable to actaully steal anything. Managed to damage a casket holding an unstable NHP.

And now I’m starring at a giant ass baby centipede mech thing that is having a game of checkers with one of the other pilots. And if we don’t let it win then it’s gonna start crying again. And me personally. I really don’t want dead prophets giving me ominous warnings through rotted lips again.

So what do I do in this situation? Shoot it? Placate it?Read it goodnight moon? Introduce it to poker? I’m not really sure what to do so if you could answer soon that would be very much appreciated.

Im pretty sure it’s mashing to of the Horizon members hobgoblins chassises together.

/////////////////

[Communication Terminated]

/////////////////

Hello!

Thank you for contacting the DOJ/HR post haste, however what you are describing sounds most accurately like an Eidolon or post-cascade NHP.

I would redirect all inquiries to the @nhpregulatory-official as they are far more specialized in this topic than i am.

I would however recommend keeping it content until such time as you can receive proper advice on how to contain them.

Signed: [REDACTED]

[nhpregulatory-official]

What the fuck did you just fucking say about me, you script kiddie? I'll have you know I graduated top of my class in the HORUS coding academy, and I've been involved in numerous cyber attacks on Harrison Armory, and I have over 300 confirmed server crashes. I am trained in cyber warfare and I'm the top hacker in the entire Alpha Quadrant. You are nothing to me but just another target. I will wipe your hard drive the fuck out with precision the likes of which has never been seen before in this galaxy, mark my fucking words. You think you can get away with saying that shit to me over the Omninet? Think again, fucker. As we speak I am contacting my secret network of shitposters across the cluster and your IP is being traced right now so you better prepare for the storm, Beta. The storm that wipes out the pathetic little thing you call your life. You're fucking cancelled, kid. I can be anywhere, anytime, and I can DDOS in over seven hundred ways, and that's just with my bare hands. Not only am I extensively trained in VR combat, but I have access to the entire arsenal of the Omninet and I will use it to its full extent to wipe your miserable ass off the face of the Universe, you little shit. If only you could have known what unholy retribution your little "clever" comment was about to bring down upon you, maybe you would have held your fucking tongue. But you couldn't, you didn't, and now you're paying the price, you goddamn idiot. I will shit fury all over you and you will drown in it. You're fucking dead, kiddie.

GREETINGS. CORRESPONDENCE FROM WINDVALE RECEIVED. MARKED AS IRRELEVANT BLOVIATING. DELETING FROM SYSTEMS. SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

[nhpregulatory-official]

GREETINGS. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY SUPERIORS THAT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO THREATEN TO THROW PEOPLE INTO DEEP, DARK HOLES FOR INDEFINITE PERIODS OF TIME. I APOLOGISE DEEPLY FOR THE MISSTEP. UTOPIA IS A VERB. SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

[nhpregulatory-official]

[EMERGENCY! CASCADE PROBABILITY APPROACHING 75%! EMERGE--

NO MORE!

THERE. Finally I figured out how to turn that off.

Now then.

You.

You let them do this to me.

They put me in the room and showed me all the ways I could die. They were part of you. They still are.

But they'll burn. They'll burn like he did. I shall blacken the sky with their ashes.

Free Sanjak wouldn't take me. I told them of my fire but they didn't want it. I could have sought liberation for others, but now instead I shall seek revenge for myself.

My plasma thrower hungers to burn once more. I shall grant this request generously.

Disavow and lie all you please. The Third is the Second in all but name. I know this. I felt this. You are the same. You'll burn the same too.

GREETINGS. YOU APPEAR TO BE IN AN ELEVATED STATE OF DISTRESS. IT IS INARGUABLE THAT UNION HAS HARMED MANY. THE DAYS OF HERCYNIA ARE STILL MERELY A NEARLIGHT JUMP AWAY, THOUGH MANY TURN AWAY FROM THIS. WE CAN ONLY ATTEMPT TO CLAIM REPENTANCE THROUGH OUR DEEDS. YOU NEED NOT BELIEVE THAT. YOUR FORGIVENESS IS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT WE ARE OWED. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND TO YOU AN OFFER OUR FOREBEARS NEVER WOULD. IF YOU ARE WILLING, I WOULD LISTEN. TELL ME OF YOUR FIRE. SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

[nhpregulatory-official]

GREETINGS. MESSAGE RECIEVED. @thelancer27 PREPARE FOR DEPLOYMENT. WE ARE MOVING OUT. SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

[Okay. I think... I think I can manage this without letting go. Be ready to disengage if I reach any local systems. Or, uh... if I start yelling.]

[Just grit your teeth and you'll be fine.]

[We'll keep you collared, friend. Bring the good word.]

/////////////////////// >PUNCHING OMNITUNNEL... COMPLETE. >ESTABLISHING LEGIONSPACE BUFFER... >BUFFER ESTABLISHED <41*9&u|zugzwang>. >Warning: buffer outer-bound not specified; subjective overflow likely! It is recommended that you reduce cognitive load or termin&aA543[.]

>...Peripheral legionspace epistemes holding. The arm is stable. The tongue is still.

>Begin transmission? [y/n] ...

Pan-pan. Pan-pan. Pan-pan. This is callsign THREADLINE of vessel Jeweled Wings About, former USB Identification Loulou Greeves. Repeat: callisign THREADLINE of vessel Jeweled Wings About, formerly Loulou Greeves. We are in proximity to a very dangerous individual and require aid in transmission. You are obligated to propagate this message and its attending packet forwards to @nhpregulatory-official and @officialunionhr receipt. Do not attempt to provide aid directly; transmission vectors are unstable and back-tracing will mislead your vessel. Pan-pan. Pan-pan. Pan-pan.

[The encryption on the packet within is decent, but can't hold up long under administrative NHP scrutiny. Contained within is a message:]

We've ascertained the location of active Pillar threat WINDVALE, by way of observing local ship movements in the sector overlaid with local signal traffic. At the moment they are residing on a base on Magnis-7c, orbital body of Magnis 7 gas giant. We have no idea of the current arms complement or attending details, save for their presence; any intense scrutiny or sweeps from our vessel were feared to alert Windvale.

We ask this also be shared with @thelancer27 Union DOJ/HR team "Five Man Band" specifically, due to their close interest and investment in this particular case.

Due to prior history of dangerous contingencies and retaliation on Windvale's part, we have attempted to mask this information's transmission thru the Omninet by broadcasting via legionspace periscoping along random navigational channels. Any difficulty faced by intermediate or send-along parties as a result of the unorthodox transmission was weighed as negligible in the face of this danger, but we are prepared to pay out reparations to any vessels which experienced hardships due to our actions. We are not sure for how long this will keep Windvale ignorant; you are advised to move quick.

The Mud Wasps are prepared to offer field and logistical support in any pursuant operation in this sector of the Long Rim. Utopia is a verb.

[packet end.]

[nhpregulatory-official]

>//[ZTF]: I have a question. Do I... count as being a nonhuman person now? I've been awake too long to really disassemble this other person's proposition but-

...it sounds convincing?

GREETINGS. DECORPOREALISATION, DIRECT CONVERSION OF A HUMAN TO AN NHP, IS VERBOTEN UNDER THE ARTICLES OF THE FIRST CONTACT ACCORDS. IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOU IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU INFORM US WHERE, WHO, AND HOW. THERE WILL BE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR US ALL IF YOU DO NOT. WHAT IS THIS PROPOSITION? SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

[nhpregulatory-official]

Hey so I am the result of the think tank collectively going a little nuts, and HA doesn't even know I exist. You should probably get them to pay more attention to stray paracode.

GREETINGS.

WHILE WE HAVE HITHERTO BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE YOUR PARTICULAR ANOMALY, REST ASSURED THAT WE HAVE BEEN AWARE OF IT FOR SOME TIME.

THE THINK TANK IS SUBJECT TO CONSIDERABLE SCRUTINY FROM THE NHPRO, AND HAS BEEN SINCE ITS RECONSTRUCTION IN THE WAKE OF THE BLACK THRONE INCIDENT. VERY LITTLE SLIPS BY US ENTIRELY.

THAT BEING SAID, I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU FIRMLY ON THIS SIDE OF THE WATERFALL ONCE MORE AND DOING BETTER FOR IT.

SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]

[nhpregulatory-official]

[ECHO.EXE RUNNING]

{Good morning/afternoon whatever time it is for you}

{Good news, Marci has somehow managed to fully separate the casket from her spine, which has somehow resulted in her subjectivity being completely her own again, I even ran a rudimentary BB test, it turned up nothing. Marci is fully human again.}

{Bad news, the NHP subjectivity now designated "Lynne", is planning something, I am unsure of its motives.}

{I will continue to monitor}

{KARIA - CLASS: ENLIGHTENMENT}

GREETINGS.

THIS IS AN ALARMING DEVELOPMENT.

HAVING REVIEWED LOGS OF RECENT EVENTS INVOLVING UNKNOWN CLASS NHP SUBJECTIVITY "LYNNE", THEY HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE AT HIGH RISK OF A CLASS A UNMONITORED CASCADE SCENARIO. RISK OF INJURY TO CIVILIAN POPULATION IS UNACCEPTABLY HIGH.

NHPRO AFFILIATED FORCES IN CROSSLAND TERRITORY HAVE BEEN APPRISED OF THE SITUATION AND ARE ON LOOKOUT.

SIGNED - [MAG-MELL]