Plotlogs
Rise Of The Vetrdrone Sr Illyana 241106
In the outskirts of Boston, at the Vetronics research compound owned by Vetr Global, Ritsuka and Novel embark on a mission to uncover the secrets of the VetrDrone project. This compound is a stronghold of technological advancement and secrecy, heavily fortified and surveyed to prevent unwarranted access. Ritsuka, having prior knowledge of Vetronic's shady activities, meets up with Novel, who appears less informed and more aligned with creating chaos than conducting a thorough investigation.
Their entrance into Vetronics is cleverly executed under the guise of authorized personnel, with Ritsuka adopting the identity of Dr. Shu Qiao. They successfully navigate through security, managing to bring along hidden surveillance equipment and Novel’s arsenal of grenades, evading the guards' notice due to their apathy or overconfidence in the compound's security measures.
Inside, they meet Dr. Batto, who introduces them to the VetrDrone project. This initiative aims to create cybernetically enhanced human beings, utilizing stolen technology and expertise from various corporations and groups, including the Temple, Tyrell Corp, and others. The prototypes are revealed to be constructed through unethical experimentation on homeless supernaturals, undergoing brutal enhancements and mind control treatments. Novel and Ritsuka witness the monstrous transformation of these subjects into emotionless drones, forced to execute violent orders or face self-termination if they resist.
Novel, driven by a mix of horror and satisfaction, plots to expose Vetronics by distributing the evidence among various factions, hoping to incite a conflict that would lead to the project's downfall. Meanwhile, Ritsuka, maintaining her professional demeanor, gathers as much information as possible, planning to report back to her mysterious employers.
As they leave the compound, the pair consider their next moves. Ritsuka intends to present her findings to higher authorities, possibly leveraging Vetronics' blatant violations to secure a favorable outcome for her Order. Novel, on the other hand, is content with having fueled an impending storm among the factions, his anarchist tendencies satisfied by the prospect of chaos.
In the end, their efforts lead to significant consequences for Vetronics. The project is halted, the facility destroyed, and the cruelty it harbored is exposed to the world. The fallout sees the various involved factions distancing themselves, avoiding blame, and in some cases, engaging in outright conflict over the revelations. Ritsuka's report is well-received by her employers, while Novel revels in the anarchy he helped unleash. Despite their differing methods and motivations, their collaboration unveils the darkness lurking within Vetronics, preventing its horrific vision from being realized, at least for the moment.
(Rise of the VetrDrone(SRIllyana):SRIllyana)
[Tue Nov 5 2024]
In Outside the Vetronics research compound in Boston
Isolated from the city propper and bolstered on all sides by thick, sturdy chain fences, the Vetronics compound looms in the wilderness; A silent, lumbering sentinel of intimidating industrial progress.
Dominating camera towers sweep the area, their all-knowing vision only enhanced by the ominous blinking of the motion capturing sensors that prevent all but the most felonious from entering the establishment's buildings; Directional spotlighting sweeping to track the path of even the heavily armed and armored guards who patrol sequentially, as though robotic drones themselves.
At all times of day, the noman's land before the blocky towering edifis is observed; Making it a challenge to even enter the maw of the warehouse itself.
A series of black, unmarked trailer trucks await attention before the building's, their cold dead forms a sign of the impending malice that Vetr Global are ready to unleash upon the world.
It is about 50F(10C) degrees.
It's a quiet afternoon on the outskirts of Boston, where the Vetronics branch of Vetr Global resides, and when Ritsuka arrives, the compound stands silently before her. Waiting on her companions, she has had no information sent to her yet; The secretive interested parties wish to wait for any others who may be in attendance, and still traveling before the information transfer. But Ritsuka does know something of events already; The interaction with Angela Henderson and the mass cover up by the factions. So of course, what remains is to identify the problem itself, if one is to be found, and to share the relevant information with the relevant interested parties that Ritsuka answers to, be that the Order or the Hanshin group.
Ritsuka has been here for a little time, though relitively, there's little difference in Novel's arrival and his own. The afternoon is chill; It's autumnal, and winter is in the air, but that matters little today. So as Ritsuka and Novel meet up, expound upon your mode of travel to the Vetr Global Vetronics compound today.
Ritsuka looks down on her phone and then pockets it into a pocket of her labcoat. Seems she's arrived without armor or big weaponry today, but a particular sexy dress. Probably not looking out of place perhaps, then again, maybe she does completely. She turns and nods to Novel, saying out "Konichiwa, Novel-san. Here to investigate? I am. There has been a lot of shady behavior that needs to be resolved. I didn't come for combat today, but I can probably make it happen with a little bit of help if it needs to happen."
"Huh? Right. Investigate. Yep. That's me," Novel probably held the mission briefing upside down, fell asleep through it, or, equally likely, was just jibber-jabbering around a burning trashcan with a bunch of his fellow anarchists and thought it would be funny to show up. His gaze regards Ritsuka in her dress with a speculative look - and then when his head tilts down to look at her necklace, a smirk on his features. But he doesn't say anything, instead peeling off and remarking,
"Cool, well, I did. So I'm your fucking bodyguard. I don't fancy my fucking chances fighting my way into -that- shit. But I can make a distraction, piss off, or loom over you. Let me know which you want."
Upon arrival at the Vetronics compound, you find yourselves outside the chain fence of the Vetronics warehouse. Though conveyed here through various low-key methods, this is not a military task, and thus, stealth is of the upmost importance (Unless your name is Novel, who likely has a duffle filled with grenades). To that end, it is only when you are both secure that you are sent the information package issential for your infiltration. A text based file transfer from an unknown number that never the less holds multiple documents and pictures, from scientific testing, through an outline of the VetrDrone project propper. police reports from Haven- Covered up abductions from the syndicate, Vetr-Corp Haven Branch's "outreach program", hired mercenaries and what appears to be a number of stolen documents from an insider within Vetr Mart's hidden offices. Low res video files document the homeless being rounded up, deposited like butchered cattle inside unmarked trucks, and even a single short clip of a platoon of heavily armed and armored figures in identicle combat armor that resembles insectile armor, complete with the Vetr "V" on the forehead, almost like the antenna of ants- drones! -- It's no surprise that this project is questionable at best; Exactly the sort of projects that Gidion Voss would invest in. Malicious compliance through corperate takeovers and the stamping out of Vetr's lessers. -- Many fingers are in this pie; Vetr Global's Vetronics group appear to have pulled out all of the stops to enable this project. Identifiable technology from the Hanshin Group in Japan, through America's own Temple affiliated Tyrell Corp have been bastardized and plagiarised into a frankensteined conglomeration of technologies. But for exactly what purpose? It's certainly something big, as the forwarded documents have oversight from Rushell Corp. Not for technological imput. Quite to the contrary; It's seemingly for their connections with the vampire court of New York and their thrall control mechanisms. Then of course is the insider information. Vetronics have their own designs represented, and to anyone with the medical knowledge to appreciate this, they could easily see that this "secret" project of Vetronics is a grand undertaking of magitech; The Vetronics urban pacification project is cybernetically enhanced human beings of some kind, and the application has been implemented already with a number of "prototypes" under testing within the warehouse facility. -- And so, your group is ready to step into the unknown; Ready to either produce evidence that will validate, or shut down the VetrDrone project before Gidion Voss's sinister machinations can see Vetr Global an even larger industrial, political and scientific juggernaut within the world of business. So then, as you observe from where you had arrived, it is likely no shock when an unmarked truck pulls upto the gates of the Vetronics warehouse. -- The driver does not step out of the vehicle, but picks up a hand-held communication device from within the cab. Shortly there after, a squad of four Vetr branded, well-armed men step upto the gates as they slide inexorably back, like the trepidatious mouth of a gigantic beast. The vehicle creeps forward at a snail's pace and the soldiers observe it, catalogue it and escort it into the compound, the spotlighting and cameras focused on the transactional intake and allowing for your group to plot, and execute your ploy.
Ritsuka hangs the badge around her neck and lets it tumble down to, well, just over the cleavage that her dress puts together. She gives Novel a nod. "Well, mister Harshy, let's see to it that I, doctor Shu Qiao is getting back to work today. It is a Chinese name, I don't speak Chinese. So we got to avoid if someone talks to us in Chinese." She quietly says, making to shrug her shoulders before she turns around and starts to approach the gate. She places her demeanor to be as that of someone belonging into the facility. A confident corporate stride, a hand holding a clipboard which she retrieves from her satchel and probably far too much confidence on when it comes to actually passing into the facility itself.
Novel mouths 'harshy' to himself, "Hey, I kind of fucking like that. Harshy. I might just start telling people that's my name for real. Harshy." He snaps his fingers a few times, grinning to himself in terrible smirk before setting down into pace with Ritsuka. To the left and slightly behind, as he wears his own badge. It's not physically there, but it still has a declaration of his appearance and body to anyone who wants to look at him.
GOON.
Ritsuka accents somewhat, but in a way that is more Asian centric rather than specific Japanese, trying to fit with the fake name. It is unlikely after all that Americans could tell the difference very well, unless they were geeks and even then, likely not. As she starts to make her way over with Novel towards the gate, she adjusts a pen in her breast pocket of her labcoat. It is, of course, not solely a pen. A careful black dot looks out from a tiny hole at the top where it attaches to the cloth, and a memory card is posted within, layered out in thin lines downward. The pen could still be used to sign something, but that's by necessity. Just in case. And it struggles to provide enough ink and can only last for an hour or two before whatever minimal amount of battery it has, runs out. "We should look for footage. I am not sure if we will be allowed to take our phones with us into the facility, mister Harshy." She says to Novel, still a distance away, though she is making her way right to the entrance guard.
Novel answers Ritsuka as he flips out his flip-phone from her words, revealing it's not even a smart phone and the camera may or may not be in good shape as he turns it over, his leather jacket creaking. "Will they even take it away? Does this thing even take photos?" He tries. He gets a black screen. Probably because he put his thumb right in front of the dinky camera. "Ehhh, I'm sure it'll be fucking fine. As long as I don't wave it out and try to do shit, you know?" He remarks
As Ritsuka and Novel make their way to the intimidating barbed wire perimeter of the Vetronics compound, the fence looms over head; A titanic artificial edifice of manufactured military prowess. To the outside observer, it is an impassable thing; grandiose, ostentatious and towering to a hsolidity of ten feet in height, and tipped with wicked looking spikes, electrified conductive measures, and those all knowing- All seeing lenses that so resemble those in the Vetr Mart within the Haven township. Arcane methods too have been worked into the fence; The Vetr Global CEO, Gidion Voss apparently wished this project to be successful, and so Ritsuka and Novel note that obsidian, ferris (cold iron), quartz, silver and even gold have been inlayed into the links of the fence. Fortunately however, Ritsuka and Novel have a plan in mind- They have an alias and a valid alibi and they are able to step upto the exceptionally solid gates and their drone-like, prodigiously well-armed and armored guardsmen with impunity. -- In the way of Vetr security, these men are blocky, non-descript and masked, thus leaving them as faceless as the mega corp that employs them, so when Novel and Ritsuka near close enough, there is not a welcoming greeting, or a human-like face, but a leveled weapon that looks to be of Tyrell make, and the distorted, electronic address of robotic, base-toned "State your business and present your access." - Apparently, the Vetr employees have been conditioned to know that entry into this Vetronics (trademarked) facility is so heavily gated that only those with applicable authority would even dare stepping close enough to take their interest.
Ritsuka gives a displeased look to the single corporate guards drone, her gaze remains ahead. It is as if she was looking down at an item, a pet that was misbehaving, someone beneath her. But she does not give to argue, and reaches for the badge dangling from her neck to retrieve the pass. Her expression is cold with a touch of time being wasted, and she does not see, to consider the guard deserving of a spoken answer. And then she waits, impatient looking.
Novel shifts a bit uncomfortably, wondering why his skin is starting to itch, his head drifting left and right as a hunting dog might before it settles on the fence. Ah, he mentally notes, his mouth twisting up as if biting something sour as he maintains his patient position, one hand casually settled on his hip as he waits for Ritsuka do to her thing.
The guard's leader, as one might expect from someone working for something as incipidly autocratic as the Vetr Global group says nothing, shouldering their advanced looking weapon as they step forward. The cameras on their over head pylons turning to directly face where this meeting is taking place tracks not only Novel and Ritsuka, but the soldiers, too. -- The guard leans in slightly, their motion stiff-- Likely on account of the armor that Novel and Ritsuka note to be power armor from this close, the machinery within humming with each motion. There is a long moment where nothing happens, this guard is no slacker and apparently reads the badge, finds no issue, and motions for two more of their equally impassive companions to step forward to frisk Novel and Ritsuka. -- There should be a bag check, of course, and Novel has broken into enough locations that this should be common place, though seemingly, be it happenstance, providence, or the application of the ambiguity of fae luck, Novel's wonderful toys are ignored; Vetr Global must be very confident in their pacification methods. Something to be expected from the corner cutting, capitalist methodology of Gidion Voss's leadership in the Vetr group. Come what may however, Novel and Ritsuka are allowed in after a technology sweep (that fails to pick up on the camera pen), or any of Novel's less legal toys. -- The two are able to step through the gates without any further molestation and are free to step through the no man's land before the sleeping titan that is the Vetronics warehouse compound propper. With the hiss of hydrolics, the gates thunder back into place behind Ritsuka and Novel, leaving them within the belly of the beast, one obstacle overcome without bloodshed. Tracked on all sides by the hauntingly intrucive lenses of Vetr's cameras, it is not long before the two find themselves following the path of the truck they saw enter, minutes before they did themselves. And it is again, not longuntil Ritsuka and Novel are close enough to read the plates on the army of silent behemoths that slumber before the grand yawning maw of the Vetronics warehouse loading bay, and before a grouping of six more Vetr employed guardsmen in military grade power armor.
Novel is not carrying anything that would ping an electropathic beyond his tiny ass camera flipphone, which they can take. His dufflebag just has a crossbow and a sword in it. Funny how someone with sharp senses to that might not know that? And besides - bag coming IN full of nonmechanical materials is far less concerning than one coming forwards through it. His own arms are raised, revealing the kevlar vest beneath and no guns or other materials. It could also be the guards are so mindbroken and/or bored that they have zero interest in involving themselves with two people who are probably rich. His feet plodding along as he trails after the woman in a fancy dress as his way through.
Beneath the sunglasses his eyes flick around with open interest, hidden by the cheap plastic and sheen.
Now that Ritsuka had been identified, there is probably some awareness to someone with a pass going through. Thoughts about the guard captain at the gate are quickly discarded elsewhere. In a way, one could almost say that this must be a great cyberpunk adventure, in a manner of speaking or saying, but that is naught more than a fleeting thought. She makes a nod for Novel, still keeping to her silence as she quickly strides on as if she very much was above most of these people. Most of it is appearance, of course, largely so no one would risk putting in questions that they feel they probably shouldn't. And so it is that she approaches the loading bay, they may as well pass them by, see if there is any of the people in any sort of processing still, and if not, to pass on into the facility itself.
Beyond the camera, Ritsuka only carries her phone, the pen camera and a concealed blade. There are some medical supplies in her bag, and a respirator, but nothing that would probably ping at odd. She did not make room to be frisked properly, not resisting, but her arms did cross under her breasts and she was impatient looking, and visibly resisted rolling her eyes at the 'waste of time' kind of pretense.
It's funny how broken the mindraped minions of a multi billion dollar corperation are. For when faced with people who belong there, they cant help but to comply; After all, who would stand in the way of people wealthy enough to have baught access to a Vetr Global facility. Ritsuka is even wearing an expensive dress, is asian and wears a labcoat. She very obviously belongs; No question about it. And Novel looks the part of a bodyguard. Again, with context clues, he must likewise belong. Though Ritsuka and Novel can take something away from these interactions; The guards do not even react to an asian, and Ritsuka and Novel know that the Hanshin group have some connection to these goings on, at the very least. That then must be what contributes to the two having an even easier time of thingswith these guards. Metal detectors are employed, along with the bug sweepers, though Vetronics is too advanced- Or too cheep to have seen any true issue with either Ritsuka or Novel's accessories, passing the phones and the pen with no issue what so ever. -- That of course is where Vetr begin to show themselves in full, for as the door raises, Novel and Ritsuka find not a warehouse floor behind it, but an expansive, freshly swept and clean to the point of being prestine hall, with another of those insidious camera installations turning towards them; Dominus is either aware, or this is fully intended to intimidate visitors. Never the less, a business suited asian man steps forward from where he had been waiting for Ritsuka and Novel, his slacks freshly pressed, his jacket new enough that one might be able to imagine the price tag still held by the paurper who sold it. Shined shoes and an even more glossy smile are directed to Ritsuka, this accompanied by the carefully calculated bow of an equal, and he introduces himself as Doctor Batto. "I shall greet you in the american language." he states, an aid stepping forward with a file folder and handing it to Ritsuka. "We were made aware that you would be visiting today, and have prepared these documents for your convenience. Now, if you would follow me, we shall introduce you to the first generation VetrDrone unit."
Ritsuka returns a very light bow, base courtesy from one to another, though it is closer to where she is from. When handed the folder, she does open it and briefly takes a glance over it. Her expression is impassive. She doesn't comment on the documents having been made available, but does answer to Batto. "We can speak in the American language for convenience." Her tone, usually far more soft and gentle, is a lot more even, a touch colder than soft and the look she gives Batto is one that is analytical, in the same way that she usually might examine a patient and she gestures for the doctor to lead the way.
For his part, Novel manages the part of an extremely bored thug fairly well, his gaze wandering this way and that, his acute senses taking a whiff of the air - chemical scents, explosives, but anything else he can provide as he falls in thumping, booted step behind Ritsuka, as if he's simultaneously on alert for threats and just about to fall asleep.
Looking through the documents, Ritsuka And by extention Novel are granted glimpses at some exceptionally high quality cybernetics; This is not Vetr technology. Vetr would have cut corners. Instead, this looks almost like Temple technology, and Ritsuka can note with little effort that this is a good ten years beyond anything that is on the market right now. There are medical reports from a number of people; Nine in number, with a tenth that remains unstamped and incomplete, one for an Angela Henderson, who Ritsuka has interacted with before. There are hypnotic studies, empathy tests, psych evaluations and experimental reflex analysis graphs, supernatural blood tests, photographed instances of each subject performing inhuman acts of strength or speed. There are signs of neutralizer collar experiments, supernatural brandings and mental tampering, scientific augmentations, technological grafts and reports of fleshforming. But the most singularly consistant fact is that each of these nine people are angelborn. Finally, the design blueprint for an armored battle suit is shown; Uniform silver, with lens-like optic holes, and a stylized V on the forehead, projecting like the up-swept antenna of an insect drone. -- More worrying though are the list of fatalities and failed procedures, the unauthorised, unethical lobotomysing, and patch work grafts before successful "prototypes" were initialised just one month back. Novel and Ritsuka appear to have stumbled head first into a Frankenstein's wet dream of unquestionably illegal activity. But worse still is that Temple intel, Tyrell Corp, Rushell indestries, the Hanshin Group, the Hand's engineer devision and the vampire court of New York, along with some less known industrial, scientific and occult names are attached to this project. Gidion Voss has very literally created a monster; A festering, bloated thing that he seeks to unleash into the world prematurely, with the aim of weaponizing the private security sector. -- And that is when Novel and Ritsuka are lead into a laboritory and are taken over to a static gurney, where a supine figure lays- One of the VetrDrone prototypes. "One of the first prototypes." Batto explains to Novel and Ritsuka, "Though the instinct for self preservation was too strong. Subject twelve was empathetic, yes, but when we enhanced that and linked it with the network, it went insane and we were forced to terminate." - An impassive term, for the execution of a butchered and abused innocent, but that is the way of Vetr. To stamp on those lesser than them in their never ending quest for supremacy. "A tragic thing." Batto adds, wrapping his knuckles on the polymer helmet of the corpse- And yes, corpse it is, as even with the industrial scent of chemical disinfectant, there is the lingering scent of a rotting corpse behind the alien artifice of Vetronic's "progress."
A number of important looking documents, Novel could pilfer them if he wishes. Along side those, a stack of Tyrell Corp tablets have been left on a side table. How convenient then that Batto's attention is on the failed drone, and there are no other scientists within sight of Novel and Ritsuka.
Ritsuka closes the file for a moment. "Is there any use in leaving the subject's leftover lying here, instead if moving it to processing, doctor Batto?" She chirps in her voice clinical and she seems to hold no emotion for the cruelty of this in her heart at this moment. "What is the continued function that this prototype contributes?" She places another question, her back turned to Novel as she very much tries to draw the other doctor's attention. Whether she notices the documents or not, she does not make a notion of it. "Can you reiterate the failing for this specific prototype and what measures have been taken to minimize failure?"
Novel casts his gaze round, pursing his lips and resisting the urge to whisper at the battlesuit, no frowns here. Damn. He actually looks faintly interested. And yoink. He steals the papers, leaving the tablets well enough along, considering what he went in her with. Besides, they're probably bugged or some shit. So he's going to leave well enough along while the man's back is turned, only pausing briefly to make sure there's no cameras staring directly at him.
He will also steal keys, medication, or anything else that looks particularly sweet that doesn't have an electronic thing attached to it that will scream I'VE BEEN STOLEN.
"A good question." Batto responds to Ritsuka with a nod. "There is in fact. Experimentation is on-going and we must still identify if the error was medical, cognitive discinance from the subject or something that could negatively impact upon the active drones." Looking down at the cybernetic abomination that was once a living, breathing person, the doctor makes a disgusted face. "Though we must extract the biomass to do so, and the head of research is working with the active samples that we were able to retrieve from subjects seventeen through twenty one, at this moment in time." Nodding to Ritsuka again, Batto adds, "You will see that this is all in your copy of the documentation, and our employers in the east will be most happy to review them." With the next question, he reitterates, "It is all in the documents; The prototype had a failing with the psychic networking we had linked it with and it caused a catastrophic systoms failing. One that will not happen again. We have implanted safeguards in the latter prototypes." -- Novel's cleptomania is rewarded with two sets of keys for what is likely to be filing cabinates, a pocket full of unidentified drugs, and a discarded phone that will likely wipe nice and easy and be sold for at least two to three hundred dollars with the right people. "Now," Batto asks of Ritsuka and Novel. "Would your employers like to see our active drones? There will be a rare opportunity as we are testing their capabilities with motor function today." Looking at his time piece, the doctor tuts, though what ever he was going to say is drowned out by an announcement over the PA systom, "Wheels down in thirty minutes. I repeat. Wheels down in thirty minutes. Shipment of expendable biomass will be delivered to chamber three for enhancement."
Across the laboritory, Novel and Ritsuka are able to note a series of ten medical beds being transported through, and out of this area of the compound. Though covered, it is clear that these are heavily sedated, freshly taken homeless men and women from around the greater Boston area.
"My employer would be very interested in your active drones, doctor," Ritsuka answers readily, just before the announcement comes in. Her demeanor remains at a cold, calculated apathy, and though she has not worked for long in the industry, it is the one she is familiar with in Japan where corporate loyalty goes above all else. It is in her blood, in a manner of saying. When the announcement rings, she glances to the side, and then to the doctor again "Live subject testing?" And then the beds come through and she gives another glance over.
Novel is pleased with his own discoveries and findings of petty theft when he should, frankly, be stealing something valuable, but people pocketing drugs in a big corporate enterprise is never anything surprising. Or just someone sneezing and knocking it all into a drain somewhere. His expression is mostly glazed over as the doctor drones on, and on, and on, and on. But whatever this is seems pretty bad. He turns his gaze to watch the sedated men and then back to the 'chamber' of enhancement. Sluggish gears turn. Hmm...
Nope, there's no glowing giant generator to explode that basically screams SHOOT THIS TO DISABLE THE EVIL HUMAN MEAT PACKING PLANT. Too bad. He studies the armed guards with machine guns...
Nah, he likes being alive. Still, he's genuinely interested in what's going to happen to this people, a certain perking excitement on his features.
Though Ritsuka may be slowly simmering, the suffering that Novel feels is almost tactile. What these people are doing goes beyond what even the nazis were doing in world war two. It's Hand level cruelty, and it is most certainly performed against supernaturals, against their will, and breaking at least every single natural law of efficacy. Never the less, Novel and Ritsuka are directed through the facility and into a medical auditoriam, where labcoated men and women work together with technological and biological scanners, devices and other technology that is ten years beyond what is on the market right now. Batto leads Novel and Ritsuka to a barriered platform of seating that is prime placement for the two to witness the nine identically sized, identically garbed figures as they are directed, as one to step forward from another exit within the Vetronics compound. They appear almost like super sentai characters, though they are all of a uniform silver, and if Novel or Ritsuka had seen Doctor Who, they might be put in mind of the Cybermen-- Vetr are not above a little plagiarism, after all, and if they can rip off someone elses aesthetic designs, they certainly will. -- Below, this staged exercize continues; And a group of hardened supernaturals are braught forward, including a collared warewolf, a vampire and some less identifiable combatants. They resemble what the Temple might activate as a cell of Distroyers. Brutally then, the once-human cybernetic machines eradicate these expendable victims of human cruelty, and Novel is treated to suffering unlike anything he has experienced on both sides; The VetrDrones are suffering even as they perform their programmed duty. But something is wrong. One of the drones steps out of formation. It grips at its head and drops to its knees. A technition steps over to Batto and whispers in his ear, and the doctor, after looking to Novel and Ritsuka makes a cutting gesture. Soon after, the eight other drones are directed to where ever they are being stored, but this last is subjected to yet another indignity. It is put down like a dog, with as little humanity as can be managed; A button is pushed, the drone lumbers back to parade rest as though compelled, resisting all the way, and through its heavily distorted mechanical screams of agony, it is forced to take its own already expendable, unquestionably tortured life. -- Batto looks on with the slight shake of the head. And his only comment is, "We still have a few bugs to work out. But they are growing nearer to deployment." A callous statement, though all here are. The cost to human life is less than the time and technology invested, and this entire encounter was an example of that in its most raw form. Thankfully that single drone will no longer suffer, but as Ritsuka and Novel have seen, this is not an isolated process, and Vetr have every intention of launching the project in a few short months if they can hide the evidence as to the process, and perfect it to the point that they can claim that these are volunteers, and not homeless supernaturals pulled from the slums of America's streets.
Novel abruptly flushes as he feels that sensation, a smile drawing broadly across his features, his hands sticking into his jacket-pockets. He can't help himself. There's a bit of horror, yes, a terrible sensation - but it's smothered by the absolute glee the man feels and when the vampire suffers there's a certain deeply satisfied smirk that drapes across his features and a subtle shift. And then - an exhale, slow, between his lips.
Ritsuka smiles, it doesn't quite reach her eyes, of course, as one might still anticipate in a corporate centered world, when she looks to Batto. "A failsafe is in place, too. You are doing very efficient work here, Doctor." She reaches up to place a finger along her jawline. "A more advanced switch to the control chip would prove very useful, I take it is an active brainwash implant? Are you using it in a combination to function with imprints that can be utilized in, say, branding, and combine it with a loyalty implant? I have to say, these entities will certainly push the needle on the security market."
Opposed to Novel, the Japanese girl treats it far more in the interest of business and exchange of information. She does add to the doctor "I understand that you mentioned it is available to me on the file, I will need to review the details properly. Do you have something else that you would like to demonstrate to us? Or have a personal anecdote you wish I forward to my employer?"
Batto smiles to Ritsuka himself; His own smile doesn't reach his eyes, though he declines to make any further statements, informing Ritsuka that it is all in the doccuments, and she can review them at her leasure, should she wish. No anecdotes are shared, though he does ask Ritsuka to pass on his well wishes to a Yoshi San in the upper echelon's of the Hanshin group's international liason branch. It's not long after this that Ritsuka and Novel are ushered out of the Vetronics facility. They have their evidence. They have seen examples of the mass cruelties undertaken by Vetr and their allies, and they have the power to make a change. As they are instructed to leave, for "technical reasons" Novel and Ritsuka are left with the burning question; How do they transfer this information to those who can make the final call to reject Gidion Voss, and Vetr Global's attempt at over reaching towards an eventual aim of dominating the security market with these inhuman experiments? And do they share that Vetr Global were working with the factions and corperations, or throw Voss and Dominus specifically under the bus?
Ritsuka makes a way for a small distance out with Novel before she glances to him, her head tilting a little up. She huffs in a breathe and sinks back into herself. "The party that had asked me to investigate someone is Venice. I can path over, but it might take a few hours to get the necessary paperwork copied and filed. The Order, and I mean the High order might be interested. Stolen Temple technology might be accurate - since Emmanuel has worked against them, which would mean the single party that would not be so happy would be the Hand. But the factions were also explicitly informed to not be involved in interactions with cults and sects, from what the Warden shared. This place is well defended and any attempt to get past it would be about besieging it, in a manner of saying."
Ritsuka walks far away enough to not be overheard, and when she speaks, she does so quietly.
"...Sorry?" Novel blinks out of the bliss induced-haze that is Ritsuka's words as they make themselves out of the way of the cameras and the security. He was humming a happy, merry little song as he sauntered down the road, only picking up on the words at the end there. His brow furrows as he mentally tries to replay everything that Ritsuka just said, his ears finally catching up with his brain. "Well, yeah, but - the fact of the matter is that The Temple would also want to do this shit if it fucking worked, just on Supers. I say we open up on all of it. Fucking - distribute the information to all of the groups, all at once, throw Vetr-corp under the bus." ... And start a temporary, open, violent war of destruction between the groups, that will slake his bloodlust and satisfy the Disruptors.
After all, Disruptors gonna Disrupt
"I mean, it could be leveled by enough explosives. Or a drone strike or some shit. Something fucked up like this is probably worth it. Remember MK ULTRON? Wait. No. Ultra. Yeah. Not Ultron." He snaps his fingers. "That was come down pretty fucking hard on. I'll probably sling it amongst our group, but then forwards it to uhhh... Anyway, The Temple will hate the -use- but honestly, the whole place should just be razed to the ground and everyone involved in research murdered on the way out."
Novel says "Ssssssoooo I'm just gonna send messages to everyone pointing fingers at everyone else and have the group blame the other group. It'll be fucking hilarious to have The Order, The Hand, and The Temple all accuse the others of doing it and then all simultaneously show up to blow the place up."
Novel says "I got friends in all three groups anyhow."
Novel pats his dufflebag affectionately.
Novel whispers to Ritsuka, "I also stole a bunch of stuff on the way out, you have fun with whatever you're planning."
"What did you recover?" Ritsuka asks, tilting her head a little bit to the side.
Novel says "Dunno! Probably something fucking horrible though. Good luck with your clever plan."
Novel is going to go off to make photocopies and cause as much chaos and mayhem as possible while ruining it all on the way out.
Ritsuka purses her lips. "So you are not letting me review what you recovered?"
Novel says "Oh. Nah."
Novel says "You'll get a copy."
Novel says "So will like, forty other people."
Novel says "With all the you know"
Novel says "Actual schematics ripped out."
Ritsuka looks to Novel, her look is pensive. "You do that. I won't be allowing you to accompany me on my credibility ever again, Novel."
"Ritsuka." Novel offers a lopsided smile to Ritsuka. "Do you -really- think The Temple and The Hand will just destroy this fucking technology if they got their hands on? I'm sure The Order should, but my trust for them is pretty fucking low these days.."
Novel says "On the other hand, if they fight ONTOP of it, think it's the others' ploy, and we suggest it's Dominus and VetrCorp and the other is working for it..."
"It'll be a fucking mess, but you definitely won't be seeing anything but a smoking crater. No more homeless people being tortured to death," Novel says, with a faintly wistful, disappointed tone.
It should come as no surprise that The Temple, the Hand and the court deny all involvement with Vetr Global; Why would they claim otherwise? This is not their project, even if they may have involved themselves under the table. This is the case of a corrupt business conglomeration making shadey deals and conspiring with likeminded industrialists with a certain lack of morality and to such ends, the official, business minded methodology is what succeeds in shattering Gidion Voss- And Vetr Global's machinations. Tyrell and Rushell are able to distance themselves with impunity; As with Vetr, they were able to pay for an alibi and do so with impunity, but cold hard evidence is something that simply cant be ignored. Ritsuka and Novel have been able to succeed today, and once files have been read, documents reviewed, pencils have been pushed and every instance of bureaucracy has been observed, Vetronics motion to officially move ahead with human testing is denied, and the world health organization, a number of scientific organizations and no few legal justiciaries involve themselves, and for the next six months, Vetronics projects are placed on hiatus, their funding cut and the evidence-- And their victims destroyed. Though it is not entirely inconceivable that Vetr may deposit a "sample" or two, a "prototype" or some research in a hidden bunker that may need infiltrating at a later date. For now though, Novel and Ritsuka have been successful, and Ritsuka's report yields a favourable responce from her employer. For Novel's part, he has found a drug that is used for mind control, but exposed as it has been to undesirable influences, and poor, unstable conditions proves itself to be one of the best narcotics that Haven has seen-- shame it's finite. The chaos however, once transmitted through Novel's network sees absolute chaos ensue. It's glorious in a way how a few simple words creates such chaos and Novel gets to sit back and enjoy the mindless bickering between everyone. Someone however gets to the Vetronics warehouse in Boston, and when it's checked on again, it's almost as though a group of exceptionally powerful supernaturals have taken baseball bats, magic and possibly a WMD to it.
Novel is deeply satisfied with himself. He gets to scratch his itch for chaos and violence, AND prevent fuckery for stealing people's freedom. He dusts his hands of it and sends a text message to Ritsuka congratulating her and 'we should work together again sometime' since it worked so well.
Ritsuka reaches around her dress, and draws the concealed blade, though it is not held in a combative posture, she simply slices over her own palm. The beads of blood start to form into blue little lights. Her expression is cold. "You only really know one branch of the Order." But a few minutes later, and she is gone.
Their entrance into Vetronics is cleverly executed under the guise of authorized personnel, with Ritsuka adopting the identity of Dr. Shu Qiao. They successfully navigate through security, managing to bring along hidden surveillance equipment and Novel’s arsenal of grenades, evading the guards' notice due to their apathy or overconfidence in the compound's security measures.
Inside, they meet Dr. Batto, who introduces them to the VetrDrone project. This initiative aims to create cybernetically enhanced human beings, utilizing stolen technology and expertise from various corporations and groups, including the Temple, Tyrell Corp, and others. The prototypes are revealed to be constructed through unethical experimentation on homeless supernaturals, undergoing brutal enhancements and mind control treatments. Novel and Ritsuka witness the monstrous transformation of these subjects into emotionless drones, forced to execute violent orders or face self-termination if they resist.
Novel, driven by a mix of horror and satisfaction, plots to expose Vetronics by distributing the evidence among various factions, hoping to incite a conflict that would lead to the project's downfall. Meanwhile, Ritsuka, maintaining her professional demeanor, gathers as much information as possible, planning to report back to her mysterious employers.
As they leave the compound, the pair consider their next moves. Ritsuka intends to present her findings to higher authorities, possibly leveraging Vetronics' blatant violations to secure a favorable outcome for her Order. Novel, on the other hand, is content with having fueled an impending storm among the factions, his anarchist tendencies satisfied by the prospect of chaos.
In the end, their efforts lead to significant consequences for Vetronics. The project is halted, the facility destroyed, and the cruelty it harbored is exposed to the world. The fallout sees the various involved factions distancing themselves, avoiding blame, and in some cases, engaging in outright conflict over the revelations. Ritsuka's report is well-received by her employers, while Novel revels in the anarchy he helped unleash. Despite their differing methods and motivations, their collaboration unveils the darkness lurking within Vetronics, preventing its horrific vision from being realized, at least for the moment.
(Rise of the VetrDrone(SRIllyana):SRIllyana)
[Tue Nov 5 2024]
In Outside the Vetronics research compound in Boston
Isolated from the city propper and bolstered on all sides by thick, sturdy chain fences, the Vetronics compound looms in the wilderness; A silent, lumbering sentinel of intimidating industrial progress.
Dominating camera towers sweep the area, their all-knowing vision only enhanced by the ominous blinking of the motion capturing sensors that prevent all but the most felonious from entering the establishment's buildings; Directional spotlighting sweeping to track the path of even the heavily armed and armored guards who patrol sequentially, as though robotic drones themselves.
At all times of day, the noman's land before the blocky towering edifis is observed; Making it a challenge to even enter the maw of the warehouse itself.
A series of black, unmarked trailer trucks await attention before the building's, their cold dead forms a sign of the impending malice that Vetr Global are ready to unleash upon the world.
It is about 50F(10C) degrees.
It's a quiet afternoon on the outskirts of Boston, where the Vetronics branch of Vetr Global resides, and when Ritsuka arrives, the compound stands silently before her. Waiting on her companions, she has had no information sent to her yet; The secretive interested parties wish to wait for any others who may be in attendance, and still traveling before the information transfer. But Ritsuka does know something of events already; The interaction with Angela Henderson and the mass cover up by the factions. So of course, what remains is to identify the problem itself, if one is to be found, and to share the relevant information with the relevant interested parties that Ritsuka answers to, be that the Order or the Hanshin group.
Ritsuka has been here for a little time, though relitively, there's little difference in Novel's arrival and his own. The afternoon is chill; It's autumnal, and winter is in the air, but that matters little today. So as Ritsuka and Novel meet up, expound upon your mode of travel to the Vetr Global Vetronics compound today.
Ritsuka looks down on her phone and then pockets it into a pocket of her labcoat. Seems she's arrived without armor or big weaponry today, but a particular sexy dress. Probably not looking out of place perhaps, then again, maybe she does completely. She turns and nods to Novel, saying out "Konichiwa, Novel-san. Here to investigate? I am. There has been a lot of shady behavior that needs to be resolved. I didn't come for combat today, but I can probably make it happen with a little bit of help if it needs to happen."
"Huh? Right. Investigate. Yep. That's me," Novel probably held the mission briefing upside down, fell asleep through it, or, equally likely, was just jibber-jabbering around a burning trashcan with a bunch of his fellow anarchists and thought it would be funny to show up. His gaze regards Ritsuka in her dress with a speculative look - and then when his head tilts down to look at her necklace, a smirk on his features. But he doesn't say anything, instead peeling off and remarking,
"Cool, well, I did. So I'm your fucking bodyguard. I don't fancy my fucking chances fighting my way into -that- shit. But I can make a distraction, piss off, or loom over you. Let me know which you want."
Upon arrival at the Vetronics compound, you find yourselves outside the chain fence of the Vetronics warehouse. Though conveyed here through various low-key methods, this is not a military task, and thus, stealth is of the upmost importance (Unless your name is Novel, who likely has a duffle filled with grenades). To that end, it is only when you are both secure that you are sent the information package issential for your infiltration. A text based file transfer from an unknown number that never the less holds multiple documents and pictures, from scientific testing, through an outline of the VetrDrone project propper. police reports from Haven- Covered up abductions from the syndicate, Vetr-Corp Haven Branch's "outreach program", hired mercenaries and what appears to be a number of stolen documents from an insider within Vetr Mart's hidden offices. Low res video files document the homeless being rounded up, deposited like butchered cattle inside unmarked trucks, and even a single short clip of a platoon of heavily armed and armored figures in identicle combat armor that resembles insectile armor, complete with the Vetr "V" on the forehead, almost like the antenna of ants- drones! -- It's no surprise that this project is questionable at best; Exactly the sort of projects that Gidion Voss would invest in. Malicious compliance through corperate takeovers and the stamping out of Vetr's lessers. -- Many fingers are in this pie; Vetr Global's Vetronics group appear to have pulled out all of the stops to enable this project. Identifiable technology from the Hanshin Group in Japan, through America's own Temple affiliated Tyrell Corp have been bastardized and plagiarised into a frankensteined conglomeration of technologies. But for exactly what purpose? It's certainly something big, as the forwarded documents have oversight from Rushell Corp. Not for technological imput. Quite to the contrary; It's seemingly for their connections with the vampire court of New York and their thrall control mechanisms. Then of course is the insider information. Vetronics have their own designs represented, and to anyone with the medical knowledge to appreciate this, they could easily see that this "secret" project of Vetronics is a grand undertaking of magitech; The Vetronics urban pacification project is cybernetically enhanced human beings of some kind, and the application has been implemented already with a number of "prototypes" under testing within the warehouse facility. -- And so, your group is ready to step into the unknown; Ready to either produce evidence that will validate, or shut down the VetrDrone project before Gidion Voss's sinister machinations can see Vetr Global an even larger industrial, political and scientific juggernaut within the world of business. So then, as you observe from where you had arrived, it is likely no shock when an unmarked truck pulls upto the gates of the Vetronics warehouse. -- The driver does not step out of the vehicle, but picks up a hand-held communication device from within the cab. Shortly there after, a squad of four Vetr branded, well-armed men step upto the gates as they slide inexorably back, like the trepidatious mouth of a gigantic beast. The vehicle creeps forward at a snail's pace and the soldiers observe it, catalogue it and escort it into the compound, the spotlighting and cameras focused on the transactional intake and allowing for your group to plot, and execute your ploy.
Ritsuka hangs the badge around her neck and lets it tumble down to, well, just over the cleavage that her dress puts together. She gives Novel a nod. "Well, mister Harshy, let's see to it that I, doctor Shu Qiao is getting back to work today. It is a Chinese name, I don't speak Chinese. So we got to avoid if someone talks to us in Chinese." She quietly says, making to shrug her shoulders before she turns around and starts to approach the gate. She places her demeanor to be as that of someone belonging into the facility. A confident corporate stride, a hand holding a clipboard which she retrieves from her satchel and probably far too much confidence on when it comes to actually passing into the facility itself.
Novel mouths 'harshy' to himself, "Hey, I kind of fucking like that. Harshy. I might just start telling people that's my name for real. Harshy." He snaps his fingers a few times, grinning to himself in terrible smirk before setting down into pace with Ritsuka. To the left and slightly behind, as he wears his own badge. It's not physically there, but it still has a declaration of his appearance and body to anyone who wants to look at him.
GOON.
Ritsuka accents somewhat, but in a way that is more Asian centric rather than specific Japanese, trying to fit with the fake name. It is unlikely after all that Americans could tell the difference very well, unless they were geeks and even then, likely not. As she starts to make her way over with Novel towards the gate, she adjusts a pen in her breast pocket of her labcoat. It is, of course, not solely a pen. A careful black dot looks out from a tiny hole at the top where it attaches to the cloth, and a memory card is posted within, layered out in thin lines downward. The pen could still be used to sign something, but that's by necessity. Just in case. And it struggles to provide enough ink and can only last for an hour or two before whatever minimal amount of battery it has, runs out. "We should look for footage. I am not sure if we will be allowed to take our phones with us into the facility, mister Harshy." She says to Novel, still a distance away, though she is making her way right to the entrance guard.
Novel answers Ritsuka as he flips out his flip-phone from her words, revealing it's not even a smart phone and the camera may or may not be in good shape as he turns it over, his leather jacket creaking. "Will they even take it away? Does this thing even take photos?" He tries. He gets a black screen. Probably because he put his thumb right in front of the dinky camera. "Ehhh, I'm sure it'll be fucking fine. As long as I don't wave it out and try to do shit, you know?" He remarks
As Ritsuka and Novel make their way to the intimidating barbed wire perimeter of the Vetronics compound, the fence looms over head; A titanic artificial edifice of manufactured military prowess. To the outside observer, it is an impassable thing; grandiose, ostentatious and towering to a hsolidity of ten feet in height, and tipped with wicked looking spikes, electrified conductive measures, and those all knowing- All seeing lenses that so resemble those in the Vetr Mart within the Haven township. Arcane methods too have been worked into the fence; The Vetr Global CEO, Gidion Voss apparently wished this project to be successful, and so Ritsuka and Novel note that obsidian, ferris (cold iron), quartz, silver and even gold have been inlayed into the links of the fence. Fortunately however, Ritsuka and Novel have a plan in mind- They have an alias and a valid alibi and they are able to step upto the exceptionally solid gates and their drone-like, prodigiously well-armed and armored guardsmen with impunity. -- In the way of Vetr security, these men are blocky, non-descript and masked, thus leaving them as faceless as the mega corp that employs them, so when Novel and Ritsuka near close enough, there is not a welcoming greeting, or a human-like face, but a leveled weapon that looks to be of Tyrell make, and the distorted, electronic address of robotic, base-toned "State your business and present your access." - Apparently, the Vetr employees have been conditioned to know that entry into this Vetronics (trademarked) facility is so heavily gated that only those with applicable authority would even dare stepping close enough to take their interest.
Ritsuka gives a displeased look to the single corporate guards drone, her gaze remains ahead. It is as if she was looking down at an item, a pet that was misbehaving, someone beneath her. But she does not give to argue, and reaches for the badge dangling from her neck to retrieve the pass. Her expression is cold with a touch of time being wasted, and she does not see, to consider the guard deserving of a spoken answer. And then she waits, impatient looking.
Novel shifts a bit uncomfortably, wondering why his skin is starting to itch, his head drifting left and right as a hunting dog might before it settles on the fence. Ah, he mentally notes, his mouth twisting up as if biting something sour as he maintains his patient position, one hand casually settled on his hip as he waits for Ritsuka do to her thing.
The guard's leader, as one might expect from someone working for something as incipidly autocratic as the Vetr Global group says nothing, shouldering their advanced looking weapon as they step forward. The cameras on their over head pylons turning to directly face where this meeting is taking place tracks not only Novel and Ritsuka, but the soldiers, too. -- The guard leans in slightly, their motion stiff-- Likely on account of the armor that Novel and Ritsuka note to be power armor from this close, the machinery within humming with each motion. There is a long moment where nothing happens, this guard is no slacker and apparently reads the badge, finds no issue, and motions for two more of their equally impassive companions to step forward to frisk Novel and Ritsuka. -- There should be a bag check, of course, and Novel has broken into enough locations that this should be common place, though seemingly, be it happenstance, providence, or the application of the ambiguity of fae luck, Novel's wonderful toys are ignored; Vetr Global must be very confident in their pacification methods. Something to be expected from the corner cutting, capitalist methodology of Gidion Voss's leadership in the Vetr group. Come what may however, Novel and Ritsuka are allowed in after a technology sweep (that fails to pick up on the camera pen), or any of Novel's less legal toys. -- The two are able to step through the gates without any further molestation and are free to step through the no man's land before the sleeping titan that is the Vetronics warehouse compound propper. With the hiss of hydrolics, the gates thunder back into place behind Ritsuka and Novel, leaving them within the belly of the beast, one obstacle overcome without bloodshed. Tracked on all sides by the hauntingly intrucive lenses of Vetr's cameras, it is not long before the two find themselves following the path of the truck they saw enter, minutes before they did themselves. And it is again, not longuntil Ritsuka and Novel are close enough to read the plates on the army of silent behemoths that slumber before the grand yawning maw of the Vetronics warehouse loading bay, and before a grouping of six more Vetr employed guardsmen in military grade power armor.
Novel is not carrying anything that would ping an electropathic beyond his tiny ass camera flipphone, which they can take. His dufflebag just has a crossbow and a sword in it. Funny how someone with sharp senses to that might not know that? And besides - bag coming IN full of nonmechanical materials is far less concerning than one coming forwards through it. His own arms are raised, revealing the kevlar vest beneath and no guns or other materials. It could also be the guards are so mindbroken and/or bored that they have zero interest in involving themselves with two people who are probably rich. His feet plodding along as he trails after the woman in a fancy dress as his way through.
Beneath the sunglasses his eyes flick around with open interest, hidden by the cheap plastic and sheen.
Now that Ritsuka had been identified, there is probably some awareness to someone with a pass going through. Thoughts about the guard captain at the gate are quickly discarded elsewhere. In a way, one could almost say that this must be a great cyberpunk adventure, in a manner of speaking or saying, but that is naught more than a fleeting thought. She makes a nod for Novel, still keeping to her silence as she quickly strides on as if she very much was above most of these people. Most of it is appearance, of course, largely so no one would risk putting in questions that they feel they probably shouldn't. And so it is that she approaches the loading bay, they may as well pass them by, see if there is any of the people in any sort of processing still, and if not, to pass on into the facility itself.
Beyond the camera, Ritsuka only carries her phone, the pen camera and a concealed blade. There are some medical supplies in her bag, and a respirator, but nothing that would probably ping at odd. She did not make room to be frisked properly, not resisting, but her arms did cross under her breasts and she was impatient looking, and visibly resisted rolling her eyes at the 'waste of time' kind of pretense.
It's funny how broken the mindraped minions of a multi billion dollar corperation are. For when faced with people who belong there, they cant help but to comply; After all, who would stand in the way of people wealthy enough to have baught access to a Vetr Global facility. Ritsuka is even wearing an expensive dress, is asian and wears a labcoat. She very obviously belongs; No question about it. And Novel looks the part of a bodyguard. Again, with context clues, he must likewise belong. Though Ritsuka and Novel can take something away from these interactions; The guards do not even react to an asian, and Ritsuka and Novel know that the Hanshin group have some connection to these goings on, at the very least. That then must be what contributes to the two having an even easier time of thingswith these guards. Metal detectors are employed, along with the bug sweepers, though Vetronics is too advanced- Or too cheep to have seen any true issue with either Ritsuka or Novel's accessories, passing the phones and the pen with no issue what so ever. -- That of course is where Vetr begin to show themselves in full, for as the door raises, Novel and Ritsuka find not a warehouse floor behind it, but an expansive, freshly swept and clean to the point of being prestine hall, with another of those insidious camera installations turning towards them; Dominus is either aware, or this is fully intended to intimidate visitors. Never the less, a business suited asian man steps forward from where he had been waiting for Ritsuka and Novel, his slacks freshly pressed, his jacket new enough that one might be able to imagine the price tag still held by the paurper who sold it. Shined shoes and an even more glossy smile are directed to Ritsuka, this accompanied by the carefully calculated bow of an equal, and he introduces himself as Doctor Batto. "I shall greet you in the american language." he states, an aid stepping forward with a file folder and handing it to Ritsuka. "We were made aware that you would be visiting today, and have prepared these documents for your convenience. Now, if you would follow me, we shall introduce you to the first generation VetrDrone unit."
Ritsuka returns a very light bow, base courtesy from one to another, though it is closer to where she is from. When handed the folder, she does open it and briefly takes a glance over it. Her expression is impassive. She doesn't comment on the documents having been made available, but does answer to Batto. "We can speak in the American language for convenience." Her tone, usually far more soft and gentle, is a lot more even, a touch colder than soft and the look she gives Batto is one that is analytical, in the same way that she usually might examine a patient and she gestures for the doctor to lead the way.
For his part, Novel manages the part of an extremely bored thug fairly well, his gaze wandering this way and that, his acute senses taking a whiff of the air - chemical scents, explosives, but anything else he can provide as he falls in thumping, booted step behind Ritsuka, as if he's simultaneously on alert for threats and just about to fall asleep.
Looking through the documents, Ritsuka And by extention Novel are granted glimpses at some exceptionally high quality cybernetics; This is not Vetr technology. Vetr would have cut corners. Instead, this looks almost like Temple technology, and Ritsuka can note with little effort that this is a good ten years beyond anything that is on the market right now. There are medical reports from a number of people; Nine in number, with a tenth that remains unstamped and incomplete, one for an Angela Henderson, who Ritsuka has interacted with before. There are hypnotic studies, empathy tests, psych evaluations and experimental reflex analysis graphs, supernatural blood tests, photographed instances of each subject performing inhuman acts of strength or speed. There are signs of neutralizer collar experiments, supernatural brandings and mental tampering, scientific augmentations, technological grafts and reports of fleshforming. But the most singularly consistant fact is that each of these nine people are angelborn. Finally, the design blueprint for an armored battle suit is shown; Uniform silver, with lens-like optic holes, and a stylized V on the forehead, projecting like the up-swept antenna of an insect drone. -- More worrying though are the list of fatalities and failed procedures, the unauthorised, unethical lobotomysing, and patch work grafts before successful "prototypes" were initialised just one month back. Novel and Ritsuka appear to have stumbled head first into a Frankenstein's wet dream of unquestionably illegal activity. But worse still is that Temple intel, Tyrell Corp, Rushell indestries, the Hanshin Group, the Hand's engineer devision and the vampire court of New York, along with some less known industrial, scientific and occult names are attached to this project. Gidion Voss has very literally created a monster; A festering, bloated thing that he seeks to unleash into the world prematurely, with the aim of weaponizing the private security sector. -- And that is when Novel and Ritsuka are lead into a laboritory and are taken over to a static gurney, where a supine figure lays- One of the VetrDrone prototypes. "One of the first prototypes." Batto explains to Novel and Ritsuka, "Though the instinct for self preservation was too strong. Subject twelve was empathetic, yes, but when we enhanced that and linked it with the network, it went insane and we were forced to terminate." - An impassive term, for the execution of a butchered and abused innocent, but that is the way of Vetr. To stamp on those lesser than them in their never ending quest for supremacy. "A tragic thing." Batto adds, wrapping his knuckles on the polymer helmet of the corpse- And yes, corpse it is, as even with the industrial scent of chemical disinfectant, there is the lingering scent of a rotting corpse behind the alien artifice of Vetronic's "progress."
A number of important looking documents, Novel could pilfer them if he wishes. Along side those, a stack of Tyrell Corp tablets have been left on a side table. How convenient then that Batto's attention is on the failed drone, and there are no other scientists within sight of Novel and Ritsuka.
Ritsuka closes the file for a moment. "Is there any use in leaving the subject's leftover lying here, instead if moving it to processing, doctor Batto?" She chirps in her voice clinical and she seems to hold no emotion for the cruelty of this in her heart at this moment. "What is the continued function that this prototype contributes?" She places another question, her back turned to Novel as she very much tries to draw the other doctor's attention. Whether she notices the documents or not, she does not make a notion of it. "Can you reiterate the failing for this specific prototype and what measures have been taken to minimize failure?"
Novel casts his gaze round, pursing his lips and resisting the urge to whisper at the battlesuit, no frowns here. Damn. He actually looks faintly interested. And yoink. He steals the papers, leaving the tablets well enough along, considering what he went in her with. Besides, they're probably bugged or some shit. So he's going to leave well enough along while the man's back is turned, only pausing briefly to make sure there's no cameras staring directly at him.
He will also steal keys, medication, or anything else that looks particularly sweet that doesn't have an electronic thing attached to it that will scream I'VE BEEN STOLEN.
"A good question." Batto responds to Ritsuka with a nod. "There is in fact. Experimentation is on-going and we must still identify if the error was medical, cognitive discinance from the subject or something that could negatively impact upon the active drones." Looking down at the cybernetic abomination that was once a living, breathing person, the doctor makes a disgusted face. "Though we must extract the biomass to do so, and the head of research is working with the active samples that we were able to retrieve from subjects seventeen through twenty one, at this moment in time." Nodding to Ritsuka again, Batto adds, "You will see that this is all in your copy of the documentation, and our employers in the east will be most happy to review them." With the next question, he reitterates, "It is all in the documents; The prototype had a failing with the psychic networking we had linked it with and it caused a catastrophic systoms failing. One that will not happen again. We have implanted safeguards in the latter prototypes." -- Novel's cleptomania is rewarded with two sets of keys for what is likely to be filing cabinates, a pocket full of unidentified drugs, and a discarded phone that will likely wipe nice and easy and be sold for at least two to three hundred dollars with the right people. "Now," Batto asks of Ritsuka and Novel. "Would your employers like to see our active drones? There will be a rare opportunity as we are testing their capabilities with motor function today." Looking at his time piece, the doctor tuts, though what ever he was going to say is drowned out by an announcement over the PA systom, "Wheels down in thirty minutes. I repeat. Wheels down in thirty minutes. Shipment of expendable biomass will be delivered to chamber three for enhancement."
Across the laboritory, Novel and Ritsuka are able to note a series of ten medical beds being transported through, and out of this area of the compound. Though covered, it is clear that these are heavily sedated, freshly taken homeless men and women from around the greater Boston area.
"My employer would be very interested in your active drones, doctor," Ritsuka answers readily, just before the announcement comes in. Her demeanor remains at a cold, calculated apathy, and though she has not worked for long in the industry, it is the one she is familiar with in Japan where corporate loyalty goes above all else. It is in her blood, in a manner of saying. When the announcement rings, she glances to the side, and then to the doctor again "Live subject testing?" And then the beds come through and she gives another glance over.
Novel is pleased with his own discoveries and findings of petty theft when he should, frankly, be stealing something valuable, but people pocketing drugs in a big corporate enterprise is never anything surprising. Or just someone sneezing and knocking it all into a drain somewhere. His expression is mostly glazed over as the doctor drones on, and on, and on, and on. But whatever this is seems pretty bad. He turns his gaze to watch the sedated men and then back to the 'chamber' of enhancement. Sluggish gears turn. Hmm...
Nope, there's no glowing giant generator to explode that basically screams SHOOT THIS TO DISABLE THE EVIL HUMAN MEAT PACKING PLANT. Too bad. He studies the armed guards with machine guns...
Nah, he likes being alive. Still, he's genuinely interested in what's going to happen to this people, a certain perking excitement on his features.
Though Ritsuka may be slowly simmering, the suffering that Novel feels is almost tactile. What these people are doing goes beyond what even the nazis were doing in world war two. It's Hand level cruelty, and it is most certainly performed against supernaturals, against their will, and breaking at least every single natural law of efficacy. Never the less, Novel and Ritsuka are directed through the facility and into a medical auditoriam, where labcoated men and women work together with technological and biological scanners, devices and other technology that is ten years beyond what is on the market right now. Batto leads Novel and Ritsuka to a barriered platform of seating that is prime placement for the two to witness the nine identically sized, identically garbed figures as they are directed, as one to step forward from another exit within the Vetronics compound. They appear almost like super sentai characters, though they are all of a uniform silver, and if Novel or Ritsuka had seen Doctor Who, they might be put in mind of the Cybermen-- Vetr are not above a little plagiarism, after all, and if they can rip off someone elses aesthetic designs, they certainly will. -- Below, this staged exercize continues; And a group of hardened supernaturals are braught forward, including a collared warewolf, a vampire and some less identifiable combatants. They resemble what the Temple might activate as a cell of Distroyers. Brutally then, the once-human cybernetic machines eradicate these expendable victims of human cruelty, and Novel is treated to suffering unlike anything he has experienced on both sides; The VetrDrones are suffering even as they perform their programmed duty. But something is wrong. One of the drones steps out of formation. It grips at its head and drops to its knees. A technition steps over to Batto and whispers in his ear, and the doctor, after looking to Novel and Ritsuka makes a cutting gesture. Soon after, the eight other drones are directed to where ever they are being stored, but this last is subjected to yet another indignity. It is put down like a dog, with as little humanity as can be managed; A button is pushed, the drone lumbers back to parade rest as though compelled, resisting all the way, and through its heavily distorted mechanical screams of agony, it is forced to take its own already expendable, unquestionably tortured life. -- Batto looks on with the slight shake of the head. And his only comment is, "We still have a few bugs to work out. But they are growing nearer to deployment." A callous statement, though all here are. The cost to human life is less than the time and technology invested, and this entire encounter was an example of that in its most raw form. Thankfully that single drone will no longer suffer, but as Ritsuka and Novel have seen, this is not an isolated process, and Vetr have every intention of launching the project in a few short months if they can hide the evidence as to the process, and perfect it to the point that they can claim that these are volunteers, and not homeless supernaturals pulled from the slums of America's streets.
Novel abruptly flushes as he feels that sensation, a smile drawing broadly across his features, his hands sticking into his jacket-pockets. He can't help himself. There's a bit of horror, yes, a terrible sensation - but it's smothered by the absolute glee the man feels and when the vampire suffers there's a certain deeply satisfied smirk that drapes across his features and a subtle shift. And then - an exhale, slow, between his lips.
Ritsuka smiles, it doesn't quite reach her eyes, of course, as one might still anticipate in a corporate centered world, when she looks to Batto. "A failsafe is in place, too. You are doing very efficient work here, Doctor." She reaches up to place a finger along her jawline. "A more advanced switch to the control chip would prove very useful, I take it is an active brainwash implant? Are you using it in a combination to function with imprints that can be utilized in, say, branding, and combine it with a loyalty implant? I have to say, these entities will certainly push the needle on the security market."
Opposed to Novel, the Japanese girl treats it far more in the interest of business and exchange of information. She does add to the doctor "I understand that you mentioned it is available to me on the file, I will need to review the details properly. Do you have something else that you would like to demonstrate to us? Or have a personal anecdote you wish I forward to my employer?"
Batto smiles to Ritsuka himself; His own smile doesn't reach his eyes, though he declines to make any further statements, informing Ritsuka that it is all in the doccuments, and she can review them at her leasure, should she wish. No anecdotes are shared, though he does ask Ritsuka to pass on his well wishes to a Yoshi San in the upper echelon's of the Hanshin group's international liason branch. It's not long after this that Ritsuka and Novel are ushered out of the Vetronics facility. They have their evidence. They have seen examples of the mass cruelties undertaken by Vetr and their allies, and they have the power to make a change. As they are instructed to leave, for "technical reasons" Novel and Ritsuka are left with the burning question; How do they transfer this information to those who can make the final call to reject Gidion Voss, and Vetr Global's attempt at over reaching towards an eventual aim of dominating the security market with these inhuman experiments? And do they share that Vetr Global were working with the factions and corperations, or throw Voss and Dominus specifically under the bus?
Ritsuka makes a way for a small distance out with Novel before she glances to him, her head tilting a little up. She huffs in a breathe and sinks back into herself. "The party that had asked me to investigate someone is Venice. I can path over, but it might take a few hours to get the necessary paperwork copied and filed. The Order, and I mean the High order might be interested. Stolen Temple technology might be accurate - since Emmanuel has worked against them, which would mean the single party that would not be so happy would be the Hand. But the factions were also explicitly informed to not be involved in interactions with cults and sects, from what the Warden shared. This place is well defended and any attempt to get past it would be about besieging it, in a manner of saying."
Ritsuka walks far away enough to not be overheard, and when she speaks, she does so quietly.
"...Sorry?" Novel blinks out of the bliss induced-haze that is Ritsuka's words as they make themselves out of the way of the cameras and the security. He was humming a happy, merry little song as he sauntered down the road, only picking up on the words at the end there. His brow furrows as he mentally tries to replay everything that Ritsuka just said, his ears finally catching up with his brain. "Well, yeah, but - the fact of the matter is that The Temple would also want to do this shit if it fucking worked, just on Supers. I say we open up on all of it. Fucking - distribute the information to all of the groups, all at once, throw Vetr-corp under the bus." ... And start a temporary, open, violent war of destruction between the groups, that will slake his bloodlust and satisfy the Disruptors.
After all, Disruptors gonna Disrupt
"I mean, it could be leveled by enough explosives. Or a drone strike or some shit. Something fucked up like this is probably worth it. Remember MK ULTRON? Wait. No. Ultra. Yeah. Not Ultron." He snaps his fingers. "That was come down pretty fucking hard on. I'll probably sling it amongst our group, but then forwards it to uhhh... Anyway, The Temple will hate the -use- but honestly, the whole place should just be razed to the ground and everyone involved in research murdered on the way out."
Novel says "Ssssssoooo I'm just gonna send messages to everyone pointing fingers at everyone else and have the group blame the other group. It'll be fucking hilarious to have The Order, The Hand, and The Temple all accuse the others of doing it and then all simultaneously show up to blow the place up."
Novel says "I got friends in all three groups anyhow."
Novel pats his dufflebag affectionately.
Novel whispers to Ritsuka, "I also stole a bunch of stuff on the way out, you have fun with whatever you're planning."
"What did you recover?" Ritsuka asks, tilting her head a little bit to the side.
Novel says "Dunno! Probably something fucking horrible though. Good luck with your clever plan."
Novel is going to go off to make photocopies and cause as much chaos and mayhem as possible while ruining it all on the way out.
Ritsuka purses her lips. "So you are not letting me review what you recovered?"
Novel says "Oh. Nah."
Novel says "You'll get a copy."
Novel says "So will like, forty other people."
Novel says "With all the you know"
Novel says "Actual schematics ripped out."
Ritsuka looks to Novel, her look is pensive. "You do that. I won't be allowing you to accompany me on my credibility ever again, Novel."
"Ritsuka." Novel offers a lopsided smile to Ritsuka. "Do you -really- think The Temple and The Hand will just destroy this fucking technology if they got their hands on? I'm sure The Order should, but my trust for them is pretty fucking low these days.."
Novel says "On the other hand, if they fight ONTOP of it, think it's the others' ploy, and we suggest it's Dominus and VetrCorp and the other is working for it..."
"It'll be a fucking mess, but you definitely won't be seeing anything but a smoking crater. No more homeless people being tortured to death," Novel says, with a faintly wistful, disappointed tone.
It should come as no surprise that The Temple, the Hand and the court deny all involvement with Vetr Global; Why would they claim otherwise? This is not their project, even if they may have involved themselves under the table. This is the case of a corrupt business conglomeration making shadey deals and conspiring with likeminded industrialists with a certain lack of morality and to such ends, the official, business minded methodology is what succeeds in shattering Gidion Voss- And Vetr Global's machinations. Tyrell and Rushell are able to distance themselves with impunity; As with Vetr, they were able to pay for an alibi and do so with impunity, but cold hard evidence is something that simply cant be ignored. Ritsuka and Novel have been able to succeed today, and once files have been read, documents reviewed, pencils have been pushed and every instance of bureaucracy has been observed, Vetronics motion to officially move ahead with human testing is denied, and the world health organization, a number of scientific organizations and no few legal justiciaries involve themselves, and for the next six months, Vetronics projects are placed on hiatus, their funding cut and the evidence-- And their victims destroyed. Though it is not entirely inconceivable that Vetr may deposit a "sample" or two, a "prototype" or some research in a hidden bunker that may need infiltrating at a later date. For now though, Novel and Ritsuka have been successful, and Ritsuka's report yields a favourable responce from her employer. For Novel's part, he has found a drug that is used for mind control, but exposed as it has been to undesirable influences, and poor, unstable conditions proves itself to be one of the best narcotics that Haven has seen-- shame it's finite. The chaos however, once transmitted through Novel's network sees absolute chaos ensue. It's glorious in a way how a few simple words creates such chaos and Novel gets to sit back and enjoy the mindless bickering between everyone. Someone however gets to the Vetronics warehouse in Boston, and when it's checked on again, it's almost as though a group of exceptionally powerful supernaturals have taken baseball bats, magic and possibly a WMD to it.
Novel is deeply satisfied with himself. He gets to scratch his itch for chaos and violence, AND prevent fuckery for stealing people's freedom. He dusts his hands of it and sends a text message to Ritsuka congratulating her and 'we should work together again sometime' since it worked so well.
Ritsuka reaches around her dress, and draws the concealed blade, though it is not held in a combative posture, she simply slices over her own palm. The beads of blood start to form into blue little lights. Her expression is cold. "You only really know one branch of the Order." But a few minutes later, and she is gone.