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Post by Raven8 on Apr 22, 2023 19:57:28 GMT -8
Out of the blue, somewhere on the edge of the remains of the Forest Network, two Navis suddenly appear alongside a 3rd unseen presence, as a feeling of fearful apprehension rises in the air. The unseen presence of Gamma seems to turn in place, changing its perspective away from the two Navis and towards Sharo, as if watching the sky.
Surprised at the sudden teleportation, Iris falls to her knees with a gasp, looking around confused as she appears in Electopia. Despite her questions, she can't find the words to speak, and instead looks up to Xion with a confused expression...
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Post by Genesis on Apr 22, 2023 20:19:40 GMT -8
*He would have to bring up phrasing for Gamma later on how that also served to paint the picture sometimes when his words and the reaction Iris gave to it more or less denoted one of those "not good" things. But being taken to Electopia, the feasting grounds of someone everyone should be familiar with, told him that the reason that they had to evacuate from Sharo was likely because someone had pulled the trigger when he hadn't done so. ...The diagnostic scan of the network, wasn't it? It had been sudden and abrupt, landing on one knee himself as he collected his bearings to ask the question that was on two of their minds now.*
"I can't exactly see to Sharo from here, but what did you find in your scan that necessitated immediate action, Gamma?"
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Post by Raven8 on Apr 22, 2023 20:59:07 GMT -8
Gamma's attention remains affixed, staring into the sky as if waiting for something to happen on the far-off horizon.
Gamma: ...something big, and it's been parasitizing Sharo for I don't know how long, building itself from the dying network... but that's not what scares me.
As if responding to Gamma's words, Xion and Iris would be able to see something in the distance; what appears to be a glowing, red comet falling towards the net in the direction of Sharo.
Gamma: ...Gate helped me run the diagnostic, and he's already made his move.
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Post by Genesis on Apr 22, 2023 21:32:30 GMT -8
*This must have been the egg that Iris was speaking of before. It must have been a far larger egg than the impression first led him to believe as well, but the move that was made in response to that discovery was that red comet that was falling towards Sharo. That was the play that Gate made on the board now that things had escalated with the discovery of exactly what it was they were dealing with. If nothing else this said that his baseline plan likely wasn't going to work out then, so he could say he avoided that potential failure.*
"He could have at least asked me before pressing the button."
*There was nothing to be upset about if it was a drastic enough revelation to demand an equally drastic measure. However, he wasn't going to simply leave it all entirely in the hands of Gate in the event that wasn't enough. It was an unknown element still, and while they all had to take their risks when combating the unknown, this involved all of them. ...He supposed he would have to alter the agreement to a degree with Iris then.*
"I know I said I wouldn't harm the network, and I won't. But I have to go back. I'm not expecting my tools to be the deal breaker in the encounter, but I am expecting them to make a difference in the encounter. Tell me what I need to know about that red comet and all that it entails so I can avoid that problem while I'm there. If it's more confidential than what's happening now, as in a lot more destruction on an already heavily destroyed playing field, that's fine. I'll wing it."
*If nothing else being elusive was something he did unlike anyone else. Normally he wouldn't go back to stick his nose in either, except if the things had escalated to this size, it was likely that Sharo wouldn't be the only casualty if this all went poorly. And as he already accepted before with the acquisition and explanation of his ultimate weapon as the Neo Underking, this was likely a case where it wouldn't indefinitely solve the problem. But that was only if it was used in a conventional manner. And he was all for being unconventional.*
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Post by Raven8 on Apr 22, 2023 21:54:30 GMT -8
Gamma looks on as the meteor disappears into a cloud, and a tremendous arm, easily the size of a normal country, rises from the depths towards it. He remains silent for several moments, until finally the sky above turns red, encoded with a new force. And yet still Gamma remains silent... until suddenly he doesn't.
Gamma: Entity designation: Nightmare Phenomenon. Highly adaptable viral environmental contagion. Primary purpose: data absorption, corruption, and deletion. The Nightmare Mother was ordered to begin the deletion of the unknown entity by any means necessary, and my assigned task is relegated to a supportive function. Nightmare has already begun its duties and will enter standby soon. Maoh the Giant has been activated and is preparing to vacate the network in preparation for the next step. Sleeper unit is still reporting full integration. Alzate has been fully integrated and is running within the parameters of the Third System. Crimson Virus remains unstable, full implementation not yet advised.
The words spoken from Gamma sound more like a report from a machine than the words of a soul, but soon the monotoned voice returns to normal and Gamma speaks up as if nothing had just happened.
Gamma: Xion, I really think that's a bad idea. That star is something called the Nightmare Phenomenon; it's a virus made by Gate in his OEL days and it's extremely dangerous. On top of that, it looks like Gate woke up whatever was living down there and it's starting to get up. It's trying to demolish entire networks, and it's taking all of my focus just to keep everyone safe from it!
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Post by Genesis on Apr 22, 2023 22:18:24 GMT -8
*The sight of that arm alone would cause a thought Xion kept to himself. Something about hating giants would be the summary of the extended thought that passed through then. And for the first time in a long time, Xion's eyes widened ever so briefly. It was one of the only tells of his facial expressions at any given time given his appearance, but it was something that he could catch on to right away. Normally, the attention was fully diverted until a name was said. The machine-like report must have happened due to the full attention required in order to stop their latest stirred adversary from wiping out the entire world around them in one fell swoop. Now was when the gears would begin to turn.*
"Highly adaptable viral environment that is currently doing its primary purpose of absorption, corruption, and deletion. Support it through "My", Maoh the other Giant vacate the network for its next step, Sleeper Unit fully integrated, Alzate fully integrated and within parameters of the Third System. Potentially the machine with the artificial soul known as Gamma. Crimson Virus is the last step then."
*These were related to the things that Gamma wouldn't openly vocalize then. Gamma speaking up as if that report didn't even happen told him further that the truth wasn't as plain and simple as others would think it to be. Of course, that had to be the case. Anything less would have been strange on Gate's behalf. So, this virus was what he created in order to ruin the Eon Project. Well, that was again only the surface layer. Clearly the report told of what it was designed to do, and it was simply in effect for a very long time until this moment. It meant he should expect to be a target in the battle when he walked in and try to elude them and whatever he woke up. What they woke up was already fighting a battle on multiple fronts to keep everyone safe, and staying safe himself wouldn't do anyone any favors if he rested on his laurels when he was needed.*
"...It's been parasitizing Sharo, correct? That makes this easier then. It certainly is a bad idea, but it's a bad idea with merits. This will be a war on three fronts."
*He wasn't fighting just a foreign entity. It was likely an amalgamation of various factors including the very digital plane of Sharo. And that was all he needed to begin operating his plan against it. It wasn't one that would last long, but it would simply need to be enough to bring the battle to a decisive finish in their favor.*
"I'm going to make your part in this fight easier for a time, Gamma. I'll slow it down so that you can focus on a task that isn't preventing it from demolish all of the networks. Judging from the size of it, it very likely has particular weak points that isn't its mass. I'm going to target those. If you can and while it isn't actively attacking, keep the Nightmare Phenomenon from engaging with me as I work. If we fail to utilize this opening, then we move to Plan B. What is Plan B? Be the good guy and keep everyone else safe."
*The last thing he needed was to be regaled as a hero. But he supposed desperate times called for desperate measures. He rolled his neck, running through his options and what he could utilize. He hadn't returned to finish polishing the piece to utilize the Giga Freeze in another facet, that was off the table. He had... at least those other three options to work alongside it. That would be enough then. This would be a great deal more difficult than putting down a bunch of feral Gods, but he never asked for life to come at him with kid gloves anyway. He would do a two-finger salute to denote some cheer in the face of the doom and gloom that was to follow.*
"See you in a moment."
*He would beam out in a standard fashion this time. And, if nothing else, he supposed this could also help serve as a good guy example. Reckless as it was, he acted because he knew his capabilities. He acted because he had the ability to do so. He acted because if he didn't, no one else would. And he acted because he would take action with his own hands. Now then... it was time to prove his mettle not even a day after getting the throne.*
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Post by Raven8 on Apr 23, 2023 7:47:07 GMT -8
Gamma listens to Xion, but soon a feeling of surprise rises within him and he yells out.
Gamma: Xion, wait!
...but it was no good. Gamma becomes frustrated at this move, but he can't stop the Underking; not at this point. Instead, he turns his attention to Iris, who still kneels on the ground silently.
Gamma: Iris, have you fully adapted your systems to running on me?
Iris, somewhat surprised as she's addressed, looks up to Gamma and gives a silent nod.
Gamma: ...good, then I have a plan.
Gamma forms a solid white mystery data that drifts over to Iris, who reaches out and takes it in silence.
Gamma: Sharo may be gone, but that doesn't mean it has to stay that way. While running on my operating system you should be able to work exponentially faster than you did on the beta servers. We're going to need to give Xion room, but in the end you might just be able to be the one to save us from this thing. Please, we need your help, Iris.
Iris' eyes widen as she moves her gaze from the Mystery Data to Gamma, and all that she can do is quietly nod her head. With that, the presence of Iris and Gamma disappears from the network, moving on to the next step.
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