| From: | "Mark A. Imbriaco" <mark@******.net> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Project Manchu: Matrix Log |
| Date: | Mon, 15 Apr 1996 14:29:51 -0400 (EDT) |
>>>>>[ Frag, have I got a headache .. I got a good chunk of data from the
Azzie databases, but I had to go through hell and back to get it. Sorry
it took so long, the data was triple-key encrypted, and I've been working
on decrypting it. Here's the log from the grab:
+++++ begin video sequence: Aztec.datasnatch
The sequence begins with a view of an androgynous humanoid figure that has
a highly reflective chromed 'skin'. The figure appears to be in a constant
state of motion, with waves and ripples moving beneath the surface of it's
skin.
In the distance, a large pyramid structure can be seen, with peasants
scurrying in and out of it, some leading mules and carts laden with all
manner of goods.
+++++ engage stealth mode
+++++ stealth mode engaged
+++++ activate doppleganger6.3 .. ready.
The silvery figure appears to shift and mutate until it has assumed the
shape of a peasant, and quickly slips into the line that is headed into
the pyramid. Two ceremonial guards stand at attention at the doorway to
the pyramid, and scrutinize each peasant that enters. Their gaze falls
upon the peasant that you know to be the silvery figure, but they do
not appear to penetrate his masking, as he enters the pyramid without
incident.
As the peasant enters the pyramid, he steps out of the line, and reverts
to his original form and surveys his surroundings. The area is modeled
after a traditional Cnetral American village. The peasants split up at
this point, heading either to individual huts within the village, or
following a sort of 'main path' through the village, exiting what you
assume to be the other side of the village.
The silvery figure raises his arms, and his hands flow together, creating
a flat display which he points at each of the huts. After a few seconds,
the figure shakes his head. Suddenly, the figure turns toward a well that
is at the center of the village, as if noticing it for the first time.
A smile creases his face as he aims the panel toward the well, and his hands
shift back to their normal shape as he darts toward the well at full speed.
+++++ engage bod mode
+++++ loading armor3.41a .. ready.
The figure seems to bulk up, becoming almost blocky, but with the telltale
ripples and waves still evident beneath the surface.
+++++ loading devastator0.4b .. ready.
The figure's right hand seems to be absorbed into the arm, and the forearm
becomes a perfectly round tube.
+++++ loading snoop12.1 .. ready.
The figures eyes seem to flow together, forming a large, central eye
that is reminiscent of the legendary cyclops.
+++++ bod mode engaged
+++++ ready drone: scavenger0.3a
+++++ define target: keywords --> BTL, Lynch, Interpol
+++++ reconfiguring drone ... 1 ... 2 ... 3.
+++++ drone ready for launch
+++++ comment: Subltlety flies out the window at this point. The fraggers
had a virtual machine running, with the real paydata a
level below. Sneaky. I almost missed it. Azzies have a
habit of laying the IC on thick, so I'm not even going to
-try- to sneak past this one .. I'd just lose time switching
to combat utilities when they found me out.
Seemingly satisfied with all of the preparations, the figure jumps feet-first
into the well. The scene seems to warp as the figure falls, finally settling
into the form of a large arena which the figure lands in the middle of.
The figure quickly looks around, assessing the dangers, and tosses a silvery
sphere straight up in the air. The sphere stretches, elongates, and
metamorphoses into a silver vulture that streaks away from the figure.
+++++ ALERT! ALERT! Black IC detected.
Almost as soon as the bird takes flight, a dragon appears over the horizon
and shoots toward it at a dizzying speed. The figure aims it's arm carefully
at the dragon, and an intense blast shoots forth, striking the dragon, and
evoking a bellow of rage. Seeing the rogue decker as the bigger threat, the
dragon changes course, and comes streaking through the sky at the figure.
The figure jumps to the left, but is caught by a raking talon as the beast
roars in fury.
+++++ persona integrity degraded. current level: 81%
+++++ increase devastator power level: +100%
The figure turns to face the beast, and his left arm joins with his right,
creating an even larger barrel for the energy weapon that he fired at the
creature, and a dazzling blast of energy streaks from the weapon, striking
the beast squarely in the torso. With a final cry the beast begins to
pixellate, eventually disappearing completely.
+++++ devastator overloaded. program inoperable.
+++++ persona integrity degraded. current level: 67%
The barrel of the weapon glows white hot, seeming to melt as the figure
wrenches free his arms, once again becoming a completely humanoid shape.
+++++ activate devastator.
+++++ loading devastator0.4b ... load failed. program corrupted.
+++++ ALERT! ALERT! Decker detected.
An Aztec warrior forms directly in front of the silvery figure, in full
battle regalia. The new warrior carries a vicious looking sword that has
a curved blade. He smiles ferally and charges the wounded intruder. The
intruder tries to dodge the attack, but the damage inflicted by the dragon
seems to have slowed him down a bit, and he is only able to throw up an
arm at the last second to stop the blade.
+++++ persona integrity degraded. current level: 61%
+++++ activate spurs.
+++++ loading spurs14.2a ... ready.
A large spur flows out from each of the intruders arms, and he backs away
from the new decker in a defensive crouch. Suddenly, without any warning,
the intruder launches himself at the new decker, feinting with his left
spur, and connecting with his right, inflicting a wound on the warrior's
left leg. The warrior pivots on his right leg, and uses both hands to
deliver a wicked slash to the intruder's back, causing the silver figure
to stumble forward.
+++++ persona integrity degraded. current level: 32%
The silvery intruder backs cautiously away from the decker, once again
returning to a defensive stance. As the warrior charges the intruder
once again, the vulture streaks from the sky, reverting to the silvery
blob that it originated as, and merging into the body of the intruder as
it strikes the surface of the persona. Just as the warrior is about to
deliver a crushing blow, the image dissolves into black nothingness.
+++++ persona disconnected.
+++++ probability of successful trace: 98%
+++++ end of video sequence.
Needless to say, I got the frag out of there post-haste. Luckily, I had
planned for this, so the owner of that coffin-motel was probably pissed when
the Azzie goon squad rolled up. Those guys had some serious drek in there.
If my frame hadn't returned with the data when it did, I'd have been hard
pressed to fight that Azzie decker off. He was damned good, and I was pretty
hurt from that fragging Black IC. It's an occupational hazard, so don't
think I'm bellyaching about it. I'll include the decrypted data in my next
message. ]<<<<<
-- Flux <**:**:**/**-**-**>
