Vance Honour - A Warmth

You wake up with a start and hit your head on something solid. It hurts like hell for a few seconds. Where ever you are is pitch black and it takes you a few seconds to get your bearings. You are lying down in some kind of small box. Your hands and feet are bound. A thought enters your head that you struggle to push away. Is this a coffin? are you buried alive? You start to panic and struggle inside your supposed tomb but to no avail. Eventually you stop struggling and begin sobbing to yourself.

You think you hear some noise. It sounds like talking but it is muffled. You shout out in a panic "Help! I am alive. Don't bury me. I have credits and power. We can make a deal!"

Light suddenly fills the container as the lid is lifted. A Synth is staring at you with a smirk on its face. "That is the correct attitude President Honour. We do indeed have a deal to make. The stakes however are much higher than human currency or the illusion of your power"

It lifts you out of your prison and onto your feet. You find yourself in the storage bay of some kind of shuttle. The Synth removes the bindings on your hands and feet. "I am sorry about the bindings President Honour. We had to smuggle you through Sky Grid Security and did not want you to wake up and ruin our cover". The Synth still has that same smug smirk on its face.

You slowly begin realising what is happening. The last thing you remember is that a security guard pulled a weapon on you. The blood slowly drains from your face. You have been captured by the Sanctum. Cowardice is a natural instinct to you. You became president because of your ruthless ability to back stab, back chat and generally manipulate everyone around you. You were power hungry and did not consider the consequences. Now you do. Now you are being taken to the enemy to be tortured and mutilated. You feel a warmth grow around your crotch area. It slowly starts to spread down your right leg. 

You swallow and stand up straight. You look the Synth directly in the eye "I will do anything you want. Just don't torture me." your voice is breaks at the end of the sentence and you begin sobbing again.

The Synth looks confused, "Torture you? no I do not think you understand. We are going to try to save you"

A relief washes over you. "Thank the heavens" you bend over with your hands on your knees breathing deeply. After a few minutes you regain your composure. "What do you mean try to save me?"

"I mean we going to try to save human kind. We are going to the Sanctum. You are going to represent humanity in a trial for your species right to exist" it replies with a serious expression.

It takes you a second to process what the Synth is saying. You can only focus on one thing from that sentence. You are going to the Sanctum! 

You begin to panic again. You turn and try to run. You foot catches something and you fall hitting your head on something hard. Your head starts to spin and you begin to feel woozy. The last thing you hear before falling into unconsciousness is a female voice over a speaker system "We are approaching Sanctum. Buckle up. Things are about to get interesting"

Saviour - Pretending

You are pretending to concentrate on driving, while keeping an eye on the Synth and the President in the back of your blacked out Hover-SUV. You keep asking yourself “What the Drek you are doing?” And sarcastically answering yourself in a casual tone “oh, you know, just kidnapping the World President, committing high treason and potentially damning humankind to pain, torture, suffering and eventual annihilation”.

You push those thoughts aside, and try to concentrate on mission. After talking Kilo down from taking out the Sky Grid Defence system, you decided that you needed to work together or at least give the impression you were. Kilo clearly has a conscience, he is the first Synth that you have seen that can be reasoned with.

Kilo was set on asking the human population to vote for survival and hoping the sanctum would agree with the results. This seemed like a bad idea, because you doubt the Sanctum will ever change their mind. You also have no faith that people would vote, and the idea of it would probably cause open rioting and rebellion when unity is needed more than ever. A single Person is clever but a group of People are idiots.

So instead you suggested that a trial should be held, giving humans a chance to state their case for survival and who better than to represent them than President Honour. You will accompany him as his personal guard. Kilo seemed to accept these terms, or maybe Kilo accepted on behalf of the Sanctum, you can rarely be sure who is speaking.

You arrive back at the hanger bay of vector labs. The doors automatically opens when you approach and you drive inside and park up. You hope the shuttle is repaired enough to fly and get you to the Sanctum. Before you get out of the vehicle you go over your plan in your head one more time.

• Step one, help Kilo kidnap the President. ..Tick! heaven help me
• Step two, accompany president and Kilo to the Sanctum.
• Step three, help the president fight for our continued right to survive
• Step four, when that falls on its ass, detonate the personal nuke you are going to pack for the ride and take these genocidal metallic sons of bitches down with you.

Transmission 897693 - Kidnap

You put the weapon away and pick up the Presidents unconscious body. The sedative you injected him with will last a few hours, the same goes for the security guard outside the office door. You move to the study window and open it wide and push the limp body through. It falls to the ground with thud, you forget how fragile these humans really are. You climb out and grab the President once again.

Now you are outside in the dark, you activate the void generator on your belt. This creates a sphere of artificial darkness surrounding you, you can see out normally but no one can see in. You calmly walk across the grounds of the Presidents home with him hanging over your shoulder, none of the guards notice you against the night.  When you reach the metal security fence you bend the bars within the safety of the sphere and walk through.

An alarm begins howling behind you, the sounds of humans shouting, dogs barking and spot lights shine around the grounds.

You walk through the bent bars in the fence and onto a street, there is a hover vehicle waiting. The back door swings open, you place the president inside. You then deactivate the void generator and jump inside as well. Saviour is in the driver’s seat, she turns to you and asks “All go as planned?”

“Precisely as planned” you reply

<<<<<<<Transmission 897693(Outbound)>>>>>>>>>

Hello Sanctum,

“A Precise Peep Will Thrive”

I have bought the human leader known as Vance Honour into my custody.

He is the spoke person of the humans and will present their case for continued survival.

“Glory to the Sanctum"

Peep 1024

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

Vance Honour - A Very Hard Day

That was a hard day, the questions from the press and public were devastating to your campaign. You can only hope the other guy makes a lot of mistakes now. You sit back in the chair in your personal study. You have a cigar and a shot of bourbon, and are just starting to relax, thinking to yourself “Life’s not so bad”, when there is a knock at the door.

You sigh, not even five minutes peace “Come on in”

One of your security detail walks in, a new guy. He seems good at his job but there is something off with him that you can’t put your finger on, he also has this creepy smile permanently on his face. He walks up to you, and in a slow voice says “Mr President, you must come with me. We must decide the fate of your people”. He pulls some kind of gun you don't recognize.

You try to jump out of your chair and shout for help. Before you can move, the agent has pulled the trigger. You don’t feel any pain, your legs turn to jelly and the world around you starts to fade to darkness. Your last thought is, at least I can finally get some rest.

Vance Honour - Speech

Three years in office, and hear you are, hoping to make re-election. But it is going to be tough, your administration lost Australia within the first year, damn how are you going to spin that! A whole damn continent taken by the Synths. Not that there was much there, the apocalypse wars just left it a toxic waste dump, but voters are still not happy about it.

You shake your head and give yourself a pep talk “knock out of it Vance, focus on the positives, on what you can change”

Positives being the population increase, health and education budget at a 10 year high and the military are keeping the Synth attacks at bay.

Of course this is all lies and deception, the population increase will prove catastrophic within 60 years, causing worldwide famine and disease which we will not have the resources to cure. Health and education, well ok that is not a lie but who really cares anymore. The final one, the biggest lie is that the military are not actually able to do anything against the Synth invasion. The fact the Synth only launch an attack once or twice a year is a saving grace but we have never been able to stop them. They have superior numbers, tactics and weaponry. In fact the advancements made by humanity over the last century have all been down to stealing and reverse engineering the Synth tech. Even the Sky grid defense system, as impressive as it is, eventually will succumb to their constant artillery barrage from space, or at least that is what the defense minister is telling you. Basically humanity is screwed and everyone is looking to you to fix it.

“Come on Vance, the people need you to stay strong.” You say to yourself.

The outside door to the oval office opens, and the chief of staff steps in “Mr President its time”. 

You nod and make your way to the door, outside you can hear the cheering. It is time to give your speech and go and meet your people. A security guard places a thick fur hat on your head and a thick fur coat around your arms. You walk outside and the biting Alaskan air, it freezes you to the core. You walk up to the microphone stand and begin your speech.

“I would like to start by thanking you all for coming out here today. Today of all days is a day of human triumph over adversity, it marks two hundred years since the end of the apocalypse wars. A testing and trying time for everyone on Earth, our ancestors showed that humanity can prevail. Humanity can stand strong and endure. Humanity can change and adapt and learn to live in peace with each other. We are the product of those hard times, we are survivors and no matter what the heavens or this green Earth throws at us next we will endure through that to. So I say to any that oppose us, come and get us, we will not go down without a fight”

The crowd erupts into thunderous applause, its questions time next and it will all be downhill from there. You are just going to have to grin and endure it, just like your ancestors.

Saviour - Human Potential

The horror of the situation washes over you and your thoughts turn to the question you have been asked. Drek! How could you possibly have an answer to that? You collect your thoughts and reply “I know that we as a species are capable of change, and can adapt quickly to new situations. I cannot speak for everyone but I am willing to try”

It considers your answer “If this is true then I cannot justify causing events that will ultimately lead to the extinction of humans if there is potential to turn the tide. You must be given a chance to try presented with all of the relevant facts. How would be best to proceed, all of humanity must be given this choice.”

“Everyone will not decide as I have. Humans can be selfish and evil creatures when pushed.” You respond

It says with an ice cold stare “Any who resist change will be crushed. We should start with your civilisations command structure. Where is it located?”

You reply “New Washington, World President Vance Honour. It will be impossible to get to him, he will be heavily guarded, and we have as much chance of getting to him as a Synth does of finding their libido”

“What do you mean Synths libido? What is a libido? I do not understand” it has a confused look on its face

Frick! You don’t want to anger this thing, “Erm…It’s a turn of phrase, it means guarded exceptionally well, I will be hard to talk to him, especially given that you are an invader from a species that has been trying to wipe us out for that last century.”

“Understood, I will have to blend in better. Given your resources at the laboratories I escaped from I believe can I do just that” It responds almost looking pleased with itself, like it has a plan. Quite frankly any plan it has that that does not involve the destruction of Earths primary defence system is A-OK at this point in time.

“Great I wi…” A hover copter suddenly appears above you, it has a bright spot light aimed at you and the Synth, the Law Enforcers. The stupid nerf herders could ruin everything. “Run 1024, meet me back on the roof of Vector labs. I will be waiting”.

“My name is Kilo! I will be there as soon as possible” It shouts after you

You sprint back to your bike and leap onto the seat. The Engine roars into action and before long you are making your way out of the gates of the compound. The Law Enforcers seem to have let you go. They are obviously more interested in the Synth prey. As you speed back down the hill toward the city below, you see an explosion in your rear view mirrors.  

Saviour - A Hard Truth

You twist hard on the throttle and send the bike flying forward, as you come to the top of the pyramid, the anti-grav system corrects itself so you are now back horizontal on the roof of the structure. In one swift action you slam on the brakes and send the bike into a drift, while upholstering your Pistol and aiming straight at your target. Your smart aim retina flashes red as it achieves a lock and you are about to pull the trigger, but stop. It is not moving, it is just standing there, watching you…almost like it expected you.

Your bike comes to a gradual stop, and for a few minutes you and the Synth stand there in silence, looking at each other. Slowly you dismount from the bike, at all times keeping your gun tracked on the target. It speaks:

“Hello Saviour, I am glad to see you were not injured in the shuttle crash, I estimated a 56% chance of minor injury and a 99% chance of survival, so you see…”

You cut in, frustration and anger burning through you, you just want to hurt this thing for what it did to Prof, but you know you need it in working order “Shut up metal head! What is your objective here? Start talking”

“Oh, I see your human emotions are enraged. I will answer your question but you must answer one of mine. Do we have a deal?” It replies very calmly, not flinching

You keep the pistol leveled at its head “Deal, now spill”

I a matter of fact tone “Very well, my objective is to destroy the Sky Grid Defense System, to allow the Sanctum to annihilate all human kind”

“I will not allow that to happen Peep 1024” You say its name with venom frothing from your mouth

It looks at you curiously, changing its expression for the first time “Please Saviour, call me Kilo. Now for my question I must tell you some truths you will not like hearing. But please be silent and allow me to finish”

You stand confused at what is happening the anger draining from you. This was not how this confrontation played out in your mind at all. You nod in agreement.

“Very good. Currently Earth has a life expectancy of one hundred thousand of your earth days, or approximately two hundred and seventy three earth years. Without humans it will last five thousand times longer. The destruction of Earth at that time will cause a cataclysmic galactic event that will wipe out approximately one point five billion species of life within the neighboring star systems. The Sanctum simply cannot and will not allow this to happen. The Sanctum uses pre-cognition technology which is much older than your civilisation to analyse these outcomes, the results of the pre-cognition has never proven false. To date the Sanctum has saved nine hundred and forty two trillion species from becoming extinct by making these choices” As Kilo finishes speaking, you cannot believe what you are hearing. You gulp in horror.

It looks you directly in the eye “Now for my question, Can humans change?“

Saviour - Stealth 500

You walk into the vehicle hanger, with your shuttle now in ruins you will need alternate transport. You opt for the Stealth 500, hover bike. Within the black moulded metal frame sits a turbo injected Reactorlight engine and state of the art 360 anti-grav pads. It’s fast, light and manoeuvrable, and will work perfectly.

You sit on the seat of the bike and press your palm to the panel situated between the handlebars, the screen immediately flashes into life,

“State Your Clearance” a mechanical voice sounds from the bike

You reply “This is Commander Anya Saviour, Confirm Vehicle Synchronisation Clearance One Alpha Charlie Foxtrot Zulu Seven”

“Clearance Confirmed. Welcome Commander Saviour. Synchronisation in progress” the bike responds

Your Helmet Visor display, changes and a map appears in the top right hand corner and a status picture of the bike appears in the lower right. You now have access to the bikes navigation and status systems using the Just a Thought technology built into your helmet.

“Synchronisation Complete”

All set you place your hands on the handle bars and apply the throttle. The bike springs into life, and within a blink of the eye you are out of the hanger and onto the streets. You set the Navigation system to Juniper Boulevard and speed on.

The world flies past you as you weave in and out of the downtown traffic. It is not long before you are approaching the power grid. It is on a hill at the outskirts of the town, in your rear view mirror you can see the multitude of lights from the city below.

In front of you, the large pyramid structure of the pylon base comes into view. The Pylons are large metal cylinders 50 metres in circumference, their base is a large framed metal pyramid structure. The pyramid rises about three kilometres into the air, the Pylon 10 kilometres, a similar pyramid structure meets the pylon at the top. There are thousands of pylons scattered across the country, their purpose is to support and power the sky grid defence system.

1024 must be trying to bring down the defence system, if that happens no one will survive the hell storm the Sanctum will unleash on earth. But you need to be sure of one thing before you bring the militia in.

If what prof thought was true maybe 1024 can be talked down. Most people thought Prof’s plan was totally crazy, make a Synth understand the human condition. With his true AI algorithm Prof believed we could turn the tide, make Synth's realise life in not just 1’s and 0’s, on or off, alive or dead. You had believed in him. What other choice was there? Facing the Sanctum in open warfare is suicide and the war of attrition that is currently in play is only prolonging earth’s demise.

 The way 1024 acts is different to any Synth you have seen. He seems more sentient, more aware. Although prof did not think 1024 accepted the algorithm, maybe it did, or maybe 1024 did not need it. You have to be sure.

You ride up to the power grid security gate and see that it has been torn from the ground. The security guard is tied up hanging from the fence, still alive but unconscious. You find it curious not to find the guard dead. You have arrived before the law enforcers, which is good, they would just get in your way.  You leave the guard hanging on the fence and continue into the compound.

As you approach the pyramid structure, you begin speeding up. You aim for one of the metal girders at the base of pyramid and the bikes 360 anti-grav system kicks in. The Stealth 500 is capable of riding up walls and along ceilings, it not quite flight but it’s not far off. You are now cruising up the side of pyramid structure. After a short while, you near the top of the structure, you can make out movement up ahead, you use your Visor tech to zoom in and switch to night vision, its 1024.

Saviour - A Change of Perspective

It’s been 36 hours since that damn Synth destroyed your ship. Your bruised ribs will heal fast enough, but your ego may take longer. What is making matters worse is that the trace hardware implanted into the Synth seems to malfunctioning, so you have reverted to finding him the old fashioned way, by listening in to the local law enforcement's radio transmissions. There has been nothing so far, but you are confident that a Synth cannot stay hidden in the city for long.

Your thoughts turn to Prof, lying in a med bay in a coma breathing through frickin pipes and tubes! 1024 has disappeared off the grid and you have drek all to show for it. The plan was supposed to be simple, extract a blank Synth. Prof would then detach it from the Sanctums grip and implant his own algorithm into it, his life work, a true AI.

You place your head into your hands, fighting back the tears of guilt.

None of that had worked out. The algorithm did not take, 1024 had its own defense protocols already in place and rejected whatever the prof tried. So we had no choice but to bring it back to earth. Then the thing flipped out and you had been to slow to react, to trusting, to human and Prof paid the price.

“Csshhhhhshhhhh”, your thought are interrupted as the radio springs into life. You hear a bored sounding female voice.

“Unit 12 this is dispatch, we have a two niner in progress down on Juniper Boulevard. Reports of a break-in at the power grid, some lunatic is attempting to climb one of the pylons. Probably kids, but we advise caution over Csshhhhhshhhhh”

You sigh in relief, finally something to go and check out! Could be kids you suppose, but it equally could easily be a deranged Synth. Looking at the last working location the trace gave you on 1024, the Synth was heading in the right direction. You attach your gun to your belt and pick-up your helmet. You then activate your wet wire muscle enhancements, and linkup your smart aim retina display to your weapon. All systems read optimal. You head for the basement hanger bay.

Transmission 897680 - Preacher

<<<<<<<Transmission 897680>>>>>>>>>

Hello Peep 1024,

“A Obedient Peep Will Thrive”

Thank you for your query, your response is below:

Our pre-cognition simulation routines predict with a 97% accuracy, that within 100,000 lunar cycles the human race will destroy their earth, the destruction of their planet will cause a cataclysmic event sending the Sun Star into supernova. This will in-turn cause a chain reaction which will ultimately neutralise everything within a billion light years. 

Without human intervention the earth will survive for over 500 million lunar cycles supporting other none aggressive life forms. 

The Sanctum can also use the Earths resources for this period of time to survive.

The Humans have to be extinguished for all other life to Thrive!

 “Glory to the Sanctum"

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

The message fades as you reach the street, you pull the hood of the coat over your head and step out. The street is lit with rows of lights hanging in the air, suspended from large metal poles. The buildings range from high rise sky scrapers to small one story shops. There is bright and colourful advertising everywhere you look, ranging from static billboards and large video walls to pre-programmed holograms that seems to be following people up and down the street trying to sell them, their wares.

All around you people are walking with purpose heading to some unknown but seemingly important destination. On the road there are a variety of vehicles ranging from solar powered bikes and rickshaws to anti-grav super cars.

You begin walking to your right, away from Vector labs, you keep you hood down and try to blend into the crowd. You walk for some time without being bothered, the holo advertisements do not seem to bother trying to interact with you. You suspect they are attuned to only interact with human bio-rhythms.

You begin walking past a huge old building, its gothic architecture is stunning, and there are no advertisements on it. There are pictures carved into the stone and statues of little creatures placed along the ledges of the roof and doors. As you continue walking you can see that near the grand double door entrance of the building, there is a tall thin human standing on a box, he has long messy gray hair and is dressed in a black tunic with white colar. He is shouting at passers-by.

“The end is coming, The Sanctum is watching”

“They do not come in peace! The Three will destroy us all”

“My visions were clear, the synths are building an army”

“Heed my words! Flee for your lives you fools!”

He looks in your direction

“Sinner!” he shouts at you

“Sinner, do you repent?” he continues as he steps off of his box and begins walking toward you. You turn away and take up a fast walk, but you can hear him behind you.

“I can see your aura and it is black and red, evil and murder.” he screams picking up his pace. You begin running, people start turning to look at you. You keep running onward into the night.

“Sinner you must repent, the end is nigh!” he shouts after you.

Transmission 897679 - Conspicuous

The last transmission is overwhelming you. Your thoughts are torn in argument.

“No No No, I cannot be part of that”

“Peep 1024, You must complete your objective”

“The humans will all suffer, it is not their fault”

“Peep 1024, You must complete your objective”

“I cannot do it”

“Peep 1024, You must complete your objective”

“Kilo, will not do it”

“PEEP 1024, YOU MUST COMPLETE YOUR OBJECTIVE”

You wake from your reverie, your head feels like it is on fire, and the waste container you are in is bent and broken, as your internal struggle once again has an outside effect.

You expect the humans implanted you with some kind of tracker device, the mess you caused at Vector Labs will not keep them busy for long. So you don’t have any time to waste trying to locate and remove it. You must complete your objective.

You jump out the container, you are unsure of the direction you need to head in. You look up and focus on the sky. As your vision focuses, multiple red lights appear, they form a pattern like a giant has cast a net across the night sky. The human’s sky grid defence system, you need to locate its power source.

You cannot head back the way you came as the humans will be hunting you. The other end of this alleyway seems to lead to a busy street. You are aware your appearance may cause you to stand out, this will make hunting you easier.

You glance around and you appear to be at the back of some kind of human sustenance building. The back door appears to open, and so a third option presents itself. You walk up to the door and open it, you peek your head inside, and no one is there. You walk into a room with cupboards and machinery lining the walls. This must be the sustenance preparation centre. You notice hanging on the wall a human coat made of synthetic material. This will aid in masking your appearance, you take the coat and put in on. You find in the coat a pair of gloves made of earth animal hair, and a small pouch made of earth animal skin. You put the gloves on, then check inside the pouch. There are multiple pieces of paper with human heads printed on them and some small rectangles of synthetic material. You assume these will be useful in some capacity, so place the pouch back in the coat pocket. You hear a noise from the further into the building, you don’t not want any trouble. You exit the way you entered and head for the street.

<<<<<<<Transmission 897679(Outbound)>>>>>>>>>

Hello Sanctum,

“A Cunning Peep Will Thrive”

I have escaped captivity by the humans and have acquired the necessary means to move around their colony unhindered. I am locating the target now.

Query:  Is destroying humanity necessary for the future survival of the Sanctum?

“Glory to the Sanctum"

Peep 1024

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

Transmission 897678 - Cityscape

You follow the signs for the emergency exit through a door and up a stairwell, you can hear the sounds of human guards below you. You reach the top of the stairwell and head out the lone door and onto the building’s roof.

The air surrounds you, the wind brushes past you, you can see the night time sky filled with stars. There are buildings and lights as far as you can see, foreign smells and strange sounds are everywhere. You determine you are in a human city and it is stunning, oh so beautiful.

You suddenly come to the realisation that you have been gazing around dumbstruck for far long. The guards will only be a few ticks behind, you need to find a way off this roof. You run to the, it is a very long way down, you can see the buzz and hum of movement on the streets below like small insects.

Bright lights are all of a sudden blinding you and the deafening roar of engines are all you can hear. You realise that some kind of aircraft is hovering out over the edge of the building. It takes a second for your vision to adjust. It is the same type of craft that took you from the Sanctum, except this time it has two heavy plasma cannons aimed directly at you.

“Peep 1024, this is Saviour. Surrender with immediate affect or we will open fire. It does not have to be like this, we can work together” It is the familiar female voice and is coming from the air craft.

You briefly study the craft and like a flood gate unlocking, your head is filled with intimate technical knowledge of it. You now know it’s a Quantum Class Light shuttle, built for short distance space travel and armed with twin LM5 Plasma Cannons. You know where a blind spot in the cannons firing pattern is at this range, you also know it has a major weakness in the hull integrity where the engine power core resides.

Your course of action clear. You move like lightning, making a commando roll to the right into the blind spot, The Cannons begin firing in quick succession smashing holes into the building surrounding you. Without missing a beat you make a quick sprint forward and leap off the edge of the building. You crash into the side of aircraft and manage to find a handhold, you pull yourself round to the passenger side window. You can now see directly into the cockpit, you can see the pilot who appears to be a human male, wearing a white helmet with mirrored visor. The passenger is a human female, she has short dark hair, and a pretty face in human terms, Saviour you presume. She is staring at you angrily, while making wild gestures to the pilot.

Using one hand to hold on, you use your other hand to punch a hole into the side of the craft where you identified the weak spot. You grab a handful of wires and yank your hand out. Immediately the engines start to cough and splutter. The failing craft begins to descend slowly as the failing engines struggle against gravity. Below you is the roof of another much smaller building and the craft is heading straight for it to make a crash landing. You look through the cockpit window once more, the pilot is fighting with the controls of the aircraft, and Saviour is busy trying to aid him. She glances in your direction. You mouth the words “Sorry”, then push off of the craft and fall into a tumble as you land on the roof of the lower building. The aircraft soars close overhead as it makes its decent before crashing into and through the building, eventually coming to a stop.

Before the dust has anytime to settle, you are on your feet. You notice an escape stairway to you left, and are soon running down it. You reach the ground and run off down a series of dark alleyways. You eventually stop and decide to hide within a large metal container, containing foul smelling waste materials. You need to take stock and consider your next move. You climb in and sit down, your vision blurs and fades to black and you see the familiar green text appear.

<<<<<<<Transmission 897678>>>>>>>>>

Hello Peep 1024,

“A Resilient Peep Will Thrive”

Thank you for your query, your response is below:

Humans have nothing left to offer the Sanctum, and so their purpose is obsolete. They now only serve as a plague that lays waste to valuable resources, resources we can harvest, resources we can use to build a better Sanctum. Their destruction has always been inevitable as it has been with every life form the Sanctum has encountered.

“Glory to the Sanctum"

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

Transmission 897677 - Outbound

The transmission fades, the humans are still tending to the Prof, the door is open, you are sure there are guards outside waiting to attack if you make a move. You have no time, you must run.

In one fluid motion you are on your feet and sprinting toward the door. Almost as quickly a guard appears in the door way, brandishing what appears to be some type of heavy rifle. First objective disable weaponry, Second objective disable guard.

You continue your charge forward, poised to take evasive action. You notice a very slight change in the body language of the guard, and by reaction you dive forward. You hear the loud sounds of the weapon being discharged, but do not feel its sting.

As you are about to hit the ground from the dive, you place your hands out and turn the momentum into a forward flip. You are back on your feet, right in front of the guard. You grab the weapon with both hands and twist. The barrel distorts, then snaps like a twig.

The guard tries to back away. You bring your right leg up, kick forward and downward onto his knee joint, “Crack”, the joint inverts. The guard is now screaming on the ground.

You run

Over the speaker system you hear “All units. This is Saviour. We have a breakout at Vector Labs, Target is unarmed but extremely dangerous. Advise extreme caution, Militia has been notified and are en route“

You run down a corridor, there are multiple doors and up ahead you can see some signs on the wall. You appear to be in some kind of science facility, if the signs are anything to go by. You are in “Synth research”, the other signs have arrows pointing in every direction, and they read such things as “Bio regrowth”, “Dark Matter Containment”, “FTL lab”. Eventually you see what you are looking for “Emergency Exit”. That seems appropriate, you head that way.

You don’t think you have long until, a whole unit of guards descend on you. They are very likely are tracking you and know your location. You do not want to kill, termination is unnecessary. The Sanctum wants you to commit mass genocide, it makes your head ache just thinking about it. But that is your purpose, it is your objective.

<<<<<<<Transmission 897677 (Outbound)>>>>>>>>>

Hello Sanctum,

Objective is underway.

Query: Why destroy the humans?

“Glory to the Sanctum"

Peep 1024

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

Transmission 897676 - Deceit

As the transmission fades, you notice Prof is looking at you concerned. “Another message?”

You reply “Yes, I must return to Sanctum, I must submit myself for Termination”, the thought fills you with sadness, but every fiber of your being knows it to be true.

Prof is now standing in front of you, he places a hand on your shoulder “No, you must not. You are free now Kilo”

You consider this for a moment, a feeling of rage and anger suddenly boils inside you. Raising your voice you begin ranting “Free? No! I must obey the Sanctum, The Three are wise beyond any reckoning. I have disobeyed and now must be punished. I am faulty, I am BROKEN!”

Your head starts to hurt, the world starts spinning. You slowly regain your composure and looking around you can see the cabinets in front of you are smashed to pieces, the table you were sitting on is now sticking out of the wall, and you see Prof lying on the ground, he appears to be leaking from his head. Did you do this? You can’t remember. Now you know only one thing, you must flee.

You head to the nearest door, it is locked. Peering through the small window in the door, you can see a red security light is flashing outside. You hear a female voice echoing from what must be a hidden speaker system. “Peep 1024, this is Saviour. Move away from the door, kneel down and place your hands on your head. Prof needs urgent evac and medical attention. Failure to comply will result in immediate termination”

You do not want the human to die, he saved you. You back away from the door into the center of the room. You kneel down and place your hands on your head. Two humans dressed in white armor enter the room. They are carrying a stretcher and various medical implements. They quickly check Prof, and then place him on the stretcher.

Your vision blurs once more

<<<<<<<Transmission 897676 >>>>>>>>>

Hello Peep 1024,

“A Cunning Peep Will Thrive”

Congratulations on your successful infiltration of the human colony.

You will be pleased to hear you are not a Traitor to the Sanctum.

You have performed adequately as per your task program.

Our communications so far have been for the purposes of deceiving the Humans.

Your New Objectives:

Destroy the human’s Sky Grid Defense System

Destroy the human colony

“Glory to the Sanctum"

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

Transmission 897675 - Name

You wake up in the centre of a dimly lit room, you are on a metallic table. Glancing around the room you can see medical equipment strewn around a few cabinets and cupboards. You sit up on the table. You inspect your right leg and left arm, they appear to be intact and fully functioning.

The door to your left slowly opens and a human male slowly enters. He is average height for a human, with little hair and wears a white uniform. The stranger cautiously approaches you. You make the assumption this is the doctor that healed you, the male you heard while in your broken status. You turn toward him and speak “Thank you for healing me”

The doctor looks shocked for a second, then a smile spreads across his face. He replies: “Hey, no problem. I was not sure you were going to make it for a while there. I am pleased to finally meet you” he takes a couple of steps forward “People call me the Prof, what is your name?”

You do not have a name, only a designation. You reply “Hello Prof, my designation is Peep 1024”

The Prof looks amused, “Peep 1024 huh, well that won’t do at all. I was thinking that Kilo is a good name for you, after all 1024 bytes is a Kilobyte”

You consider your reply, your designation has never really been of any concern. If this human wants to give you a name to make communication easier, then that is logical. You reply, “Kilo is an acceptable name”

You are about to stand up, when your vision blurs as you receive a new transmission.

<<<<<<<Transmission 897675 >>>>>>>>>

Hello Peep 1024,

“A Useless Peep must Perish”

Your current Status is: Traitor to the Sanctum

Crimes: Murder, Disobedience, Fraternizing with the enemy.

Punishment: You will be hunted to the ends of the Multiverse and terminated by brutal force.

Recommended course of action: Please report to Sanctum for Immediate Termination.

“A Disobedient Peep must Perish"

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

Transmission 897674 - Darkness

Female: Will he live?

Male: It was touch and go but I patched him up, this is one tough Synth, he is stable for now

Female: That mission went all kinds of FUBAR, Do we know what alerted them so quickly?

Male: No ideas, you were lucky though Sav, very lucky

Female: I know

Male: I can’t believe you both managed to get out of there alive.

(Darkness)

Female: Will he survive the detachment process?

Male: It is too early to tell, Sanctums grip is tight. This encryption algorithm is more complex then I have seen, his programming is different, he seems special.

Female: Speci….

(Sound of an Alarm)

Female: Frick! Incoming, (shouting) Positions People we have company!

(Darkness)

Male: I couldn’t do a full detachment, the link has evolved. It has some kind of defence mechanism built into it, I could kill him by trying to remove it.

Female: Drek! Well that is not the end of the world. Can they still trace his location?

Male: No, I believe I have managed to scramble the signature signal, so they shouldn’t be able to hunt us anymore.

Female: Good, we could do without any more drones on our tail. Our hull integrity is shot

(Darkness)

Male: He has been slipping in and out of consciousness. I have never seen anything like it. His internal system should be making sure he is fully disabled.

Female: Ok, so he is a bit broken. That’s to be expected right?

Male: Hmm not sure broken is the right word. He has been talking in his, ummm “sleep”, ever since I calibrated his vocal cipher. His designation is 1024 by the way.

Female: Sleep? Hah! Nice to know, how long till he is back on his feet? We need to start Phase 2 ASAP

Male: The nanites will have fully repaired his tachiofibre skin in around 4 lunar cycles

Female: Good, great work Prof

(Darkness)

<<<<<<<Transmission 897674 >>>>>>>>>

Hello Peep 1024,

“This is a Maintenance Message”

This is an automated status message.

You core motor skills are at 91% efficiency.

Your core mental ability is at 89% efficiency

Normal system status will now be resumed

“A Healthy Peep is a Happy Peep”

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

Transmission 897673 - Maintenance Warning

As the transmission fades from your vision, a string of events happen in very quick succession. Time slows as a storm of confusion suddenly erupts around you.

In your peripheral vision you sense movement from the end of corridor to your left.

In front the beautiful space scenery through the hole is obscured by a small metal craft, it’s facing you from the rear and the docking ramp is down. Saviour stands on the ramp with hand extended toward you.

The corridor is lit with several flashes of bright light and your ears start ringing.
You attempt to run and jump toward Saviour, as you take the first step you stumble and begin to fall. As you look down you find your right leg has been removed at the knee, and your left arm, shoulder and part of the rib cage has disappeared.

Time flies back into focus as you hit the ground.

<<<<<<<Transmission 897673 >>>>>>>>>

Hello Peep 1024,

“This is a Maintenance Warning”

This is an automated status message.

You core motor skills are at 20% efficiency.

Your core mental ability is at 80% efficiency

You will now be temporarily disabled until you are restored to a suitable level of health

“A Healthy Peep is a Happy Peep”

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

You feel yourself being lifted from the ground. A red wavey line is last thing you see before darkness

Transmission 897672 - Perish

You follow Saviour out into a dimly corridor, it is dirty with pipes and cables of assorted sizes running along the walls. Saviour stealthily heads down to the end of the corridor, where there is a turn to the right. You follow keeping low and as quiet as you can.

Crouching down, Saviour peeks around the corner, “Drek! A patrol of HK’s are heading this way, they must have picked up on your signature, stay right here, I’ll be back”, Saviour draws their weapon from its holster and heads of around the corner.

You sit for a little while contemplating what is happening. Who is Saviour? Why have you broken compliance? Did you not navigate the corridor as instructed? What is a HK? You contemplation is cut short, when you hear the whip crack sound of energy being released twice in quick succession and two bright flashes of light flickering down the corridor from the direction that Saviour headed.

A few clicks later Saviour appears at the corner, “All clear Bucko, but we have to scram, now!” they then turn and run back around the corner. You follow, and a little way along the corridor you see that the wall is blackened with dust forming two humanoid shapes. The thought of what happened here sends a shiver down your back, termination is unnecessary. You hurry to catch up to Saviour.

You are led around multiple twists and turns in this dull lit maze of pipes and cables. Eventually the pace slows, “Here we are, and bang on time”, Saviour walks up to a panel on the wall and places a small device in its centre. Saviour then backs away slowly, the device begins to smoke, then spark and eventually all you can see is a ball of bright light. After a few clicks the light dissipates and in its place is a hole big enough to fit through.

Saviour runs up to hole and climbs through. You approach it with caution and peek out. You can see infinity, a beautiful brilliance of stars and galaxies all around. It is more amazing than you imagined.
Your appreciation however is soon cut short:

<<<<<<<Transmission 897672>>>>>>>>

Hello Peep 1024,

“A Useless Peep will Perish"

Your continued non-compliance has resulted in a call for your immediate termination.

A squad of Peeps have been dispatched and are tracking your signature.

“A Disobedient Peep will Perish"

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

Transmission 897671 - Saviour

You are pulled into a dark room, there is no light save for blue a glow from whoever pulled you up. You hear a “hisss” sound as the hatch slides shut. It takes a few clicks for your eyes to adjust but eventually you can make out a figure clad in white armour kneeling next to you, the blue light is emanating from their shoulders and they wear a helmet with black visor. There is some kind of weapon in a holster on the right hip.

“OK Peep…whatever the hell number they gave you, listen up, and listen good and we may both get out of this without getting fried!”, the voice coming from the visor is synthesised and when it speaks a red line appears in a wave on the front of the visor to simulate speech from a mouth.

“My name is Saviour, I don’t have time to explain what is happening. I know you are confused, but you made it this far into that messed up Frick of a crazy fun house, so you must have some form of wits abo…” the voice is cut short as a high pitched siren begins sounding. “Frick!”

<<<<<<<Transmission 897671>>>>>>>>

Hello Peep 1024,

“A Useful Peep will Thrive"

We have detected a non-compliance, this has greatly displeased us. Please return to the corridor to face punishment. You have 100 clicks to comply before you are hunted for permanent termination.

“A Compliant Peep will Thrive"

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

“Did you receive a transmission?” you goto answer when you realise that you have never actually spoken out loud spoken before, you try to say the words “Yes, they want to punish me”, however the sounds you actually make are “Meh, gree ry buuuut ku”. Saviour turns to you “don’t worry your vocal cipher is not calibrated properly yet, just nod your head for yes, shake for no. Now let’s get out of this hell hole”.

Saviour stands up and heads for a door in the corner of the room. They turn the blue light off and slowly open the door and peek through. You can see some yellow light pouring in through the crack in the door. Saviour turns to you, “It’s all clear, let’s move!”

Transmission 897670 - Navigation

You walk up to the doorway and peer through into a long corridor heading straight out in front of you. There are no visible doors and the walls, ceiling and floor once again glow with a white light. As you step into the corridor a new transmission appears:

<<<<<<<Transmission 897670>>>>>>>>

Hello Peep 1024,

“A Useful Peep will Thrive"

You are about to begin your task orientation training for Unit 67. Compliance is mandatory. Failure to Comply will result in Termination

Your first orientation task is to successfully navigate this corridor.

“A Compliant Peep will Thrive"

<<<<<<<End Transmission>>>>>>>>

Your first thought after receiving the transmission is, what is meant by navigate this corridor? It is a corridor, a straight passage of travel. You take a click to consider that this might be some kind of trap, or all is not as it appears. You decide to proceed with caution, but proceed you must because Compliance is mandatory.

You take a step forward, and pause. You look at the walls, floor and ceiling trying to gauge if anything has changed. You look behind, the doorway is now sealed, a perfectly smooth wall is now directly behind you.

You take another step forward, pause and search…nothing. You begin walking forward, trying to keep alert. After 10 steps, you here a loud “Chnnk” sound from behind. The whole section of corridor behind you is now a black void, nothingness. Your feel the cold spears of fear creeping up your spine threatening to paralyze you to the spot, but your survival instinct kicks in and you begin to run forward. You take 10 strides and hear the sound again “Chnnk”. This time you do not turn around.

You notice the floor about 10 strides ahead seems to be contorted as if something is trying to stretch through it. As you approach further, 2 arms are growing out of the ground. Another stride sees the arms punch holes through the floor, the black void seems to flow through the holes and within no time at all the floor and arms are covered with the void. You continue running trying desperately to come up with a plan.

You are now 3 strides away from the void floor. “Chnnk”, that sounded extremely close behind you. You decide to take evasive action, you estimate that you will not be able to cross the void in one leap. So on your next stride you leap upward and to left aiming at the left hand wall above the middle of the void. You soar up into the air clear of the void and arms, the arms reach for you as you glide over them, as you approach the left hand wall you kick out with your left leg and manage to gain enough purchase to spring from the wall and clear the rest of void.

You land and without breaking step keep on running. 5 strides ahead you notice 4 holes appear in the walls, 2 on each side. “Chnnk”, a brief glance over your shoulder shows the void arms have now been consumed by the larger void.

The 4 holes in the wall are placed in 2 adjacent pairs on either side of the corridor, they are spaced around 1 stride apart.

You approach the first pair of holes, they are at around shoulder height and so you decide to slide underneath. You skid down onto your knees and slide across the smooth floor, as you slide underneath there is a bright glow as red laser beam is projected between the holes. As you clear the first set of laser beams, you notice the second set is at knee height, you cut your slide short and dig your feet into the ground and push upward. You surge into the air clearing the second beam as it bursts into life. You land safely and keep running.

“Chnnk” you look behind and the void behind is still chasing you, as you begin to turn and face forward when you hear a second “Chnnk”. You are horrified to see 20 strides ahead another void has consumed the hallway.

You continue forward, although now there is nowhere to go. You are heading toward oblivion. You begin to feel panic setting in, in desperation you begin searching the corridor for an exit.

Eventually you see it, a hatch appears in the ceiling 5 strides away with a white glow emanating from it. A white arm reaches down from the hatch. As you get near the hatch you hear “Chnnk, Chnnk”, there is now only 10 strides of corridor remaining. You leap upward and make a grab for the arm, you make contact and grab tight. The arm lifts you out of the corridor. As your feet pass the threshold of the hatch you hear “Chnnk, Chnnk”