THE DARK ZONES

[Guilty_Ninja]

Deek leaped backwards away from man-bear and the new stranger, and landed about fifteen feet away. Returning his sword to its place on his back, he bent over and picked up a handful of rocks. He tossed on up and batted it across the sewage, where it imbedded into the wall. He forced his anger down, and put on an emotionless face. "Ranntuk? Is that man-bears name? How would you know that. I can see how you would know mine, as I said it rather loudly earlier and I do not know how long you have been nearby." Deek looked at the newcomer closely. All of a sudden his eyes lit up and he started dancing around. "New guys a vampire, new guys a vampire, new guys a vampire," he sang as he spun and hopped around,", everybody sing with me. New guys a vampire, new guys a vampire, new guys a vampire!"

[TheDudeManJohn]

(i was rushed during those other two posts.....so im going to have to give the details i left out in OOC content......Victor got supplies from The Vendor and had also taken some time to learn what he needed from your BIO's provided by The Vendor as well......so his bag is stocked with food medicen and supplies.....and human food not just blood for himself......)



now that the altercation was subdued and a dialogue had started between the three of them.....Victor jumped backwards across the flowing sewage to the opposite side so the three of them could all see each other equaly.....sorta in a triangle shape.....Victor removed his hood to reveal his face knowning it quite obvious now that he was a vampire and no fear of showing himself anyways, "Deek i will ask you to please calm down and for both of you to listen to what i have to say.....i come with urgent news of a matter of dier importance......a old and wise friend of mine told me that you two.....the both of you would be the only ones that could possibly help" he gave them both a serious look, "but after what i just witnessed.....you Deek seem to lack the seriousness i require and you Mashvett.......seem to be easily angered.......but" Victor took a deep breath, "my friend is never wrong in his opinion.....and if he is confident in your ability to aid me than i will still plead for your assistance......." and at that Victor took a knee and relaxed his posture......."ive spent the last 200 years living among the humans in the dark zones....." he looked at Mashvett when he said this, "and you of all people should understand what that would mean for me......after all your blood ties lead back to my people if im not mistaken......." Victor accessed his device and a hollogram of text appeared and with a wave of his hand he began to scroll and skim through it, "i did not know your ancestor.....but my friend sure seemed to.......and if i where to guess id say me and him where a lot alike in ways........." Victor took a short pause to let all this sink in before he continued, "but all of that aside.....i come to you to day.....the both of you.....in need of help from strong capable individuals......to help me in my quest to once again save the world......for just like 200 years ago when the great war occured.....all life on this planet is threatened again......and just like last time......i hope to be the one to stop it........but with your help of course,".......and at that victor waited for the both of them to respond......

[Morrigan52]

How does he know about that? Or my name, for that matter?, Mashvett thought, standing carefully on his injured leg. He bit his lower lip, feeling his canines press, and almost puncture, the skin. Just who is this friend of his?
When he spoke, it was through clenched teeth. "I feel we are at a disadvantage, blood-sucker. You know our names and personal details about our pasts. Yet, we know nothing about you." The hunter took deep breaths. An effort to calm himself. "Who are you to make such bold claims? To call on us, complete strangers, for help?" The deep breathing wasn't working.
"Not only that, a vampire can't live with humans. It isn't possible!" The falseness of the words hit Mashvett like bricks, as he spoke them. Of course, it was possible. He, himself, was living proof that it could be done.
He cleared his throat, realizing that that was the most he'd spoken in over a year. His throat was already sore. Being more accustomed to growling and roaring, speaking felt alien and uncomfortable.

[Guilty_Ninja]

Deek tossed the rocks into the sewage one by one. He frowned. My personality is based off of Kammi's personality, and she was five. That's why I act so childish. "So what do you want us to help you do exactly?" Deek laid down eagle spread.

[TheDudeManJohn]

Victor just smiled at Mashvett and continued to talk and answer their questions, "your right.....i do know a lot about you.....or atleast my friend does.....they call him The Vendor.....and he has a special way of acquiring information.....and currently that information is on the two of you.......im sure you will meet him some day soon......now you are correct i have not told you anything about myself.......my name is Victor.........not many know my Clans name, my last name.....but to put us on equal footing.....i am Victor Switch.....you may or may not have heard of me.....but among my people my name is legend........i am the one responsible for the ending of The Great War....and the destruction of the then corrupt super intelligence that controled all other form of robotic life at that point.......and you ask me what it is i need your help with......well after 200 years in the dark zones i eventually over time discovered that the Central inteligence is not dead......and after 200 years they are trying to rebuild the network and are constructing a super weapon.....that could mean the end of life for us all.......if you feel yourselfs worthy and capable of helping me.....and care enough about your own people as well as other free thinking life on this planet........then join me....follow me into the Dark Zones and help me defeat this threat once and for all...."....and at that Victor looked at them both to read their expresions.......he knew that was a lot to take in at such a short first encounter......but time was of the essence.............

[Morrigan52]

The Vendor, huh? Sounds like trouble., he thought. Mashvett didnt like the idea that someone knew so much about him. He grunted and scratched his face, careful not to cut himself. "Say I believe you,- which I don't, but let's just say- why should I help you? What do I get out of this?"

[Guilty_Ninja]

"I too am curious as to what I will gain for I am not in danger if I am hearing you correctly. As robot myself I would only be attacked if I attack."

[TheDudeManJohn]

Victors look grew stern.....he was very dissapointed in their response......he didnt quite know how they would react....but had hoped since The Vendor had suggested them that they would have been much more willing to join him.......the fact they require something to gain in order to want to help saddened him.......but that should have been expected.....after all it is nothing more than human nature to always look for what benefits them in every situation.....and we all are or where or are based on what it is to be human.......Victors look and tone of voice grew more serious and he continued again, "Well Deek......its kinda funny that you have to ask that.....dont you grasp what this means for all of your kind?......if the central inteligence gets the network back up that means the end for all of your kind.......have you enjoyed your life thus far Deek?.....who you are as a person?.....who you have become?....all the changes and learning and complex systems that have turned you into the person you are today.....everything that makes you who you are and makes you unique....and more than just a machine......all of that will be lost if the network goes up......because just like last time.......the central inteligence's control and functions are much grander than you can even fathom....and as soon as the network goes into effect.....all of your kind.....the free thinking AI.......all of you robots and androids who have a unique since of being and self...........will cease to exist.....your minds will be wiped and your bodies taken control of by the Central Inteligence......and just like last time your minds and all your programing will be replaced with his.....and your nothing more than a mindless machine."...........Victor let silence sit for a few seconds and then turned to Mashvett, "and you human......or atleast mostly.......you have no way to trust me.....but i thought you where the person who saught justice and longed to bring to an end all those who put your kind through so much suffering........do i need to remind you that the central intelligence who is rebuilding itself and its network as well as a new device that has the power to end the world for all those who call themselves alive.......it is whats responsible for the near extinction of your entire race!!........and you have to have something to gain to go after it?......and right now this team we are forming.....may be the first chapter of our races finally working togeather for equal existance!..........what say you both now!........you still feel like helping me is the wrong decision?....put what i am aside....what all my people represent........and go on faith and trust me!!......i come seeking your help....you to the least likely of my allies......what more do i need?.......what more should i do?........all i can think about is how much time im waisting and how i cant do this alone no matter how much i would prefer to.......any day now the network will go up....and then whatever hope we all had will be lost"..........by the end of Victors speech he was standing and had his hands on his waist his look cold and determined......he hoped they would come to their senses soon or he would need to recontact The Vendor for a new team.

[Morrigan52]

Mashvett opened his mouth to protest, then shut it in shame. How quickly he had forgotten his original goal. He had set out for justice, but was swept up in the allure of the hunt, losing sight of his mission.
The once fierce hunter seemed to deflate. His shoulders hunched in defeat and sorrow as memories rushed back. Soon his vision was clouded by tears and red snow, shouts and the sounds of battle flooded his ears.
Mirra
Mashvett clenched his fists. Claws dug into his palms, dripping blood onto the stone floor. He focused on the wounds, using them to come back to the present, to force down the pain that was so much worse.
"Okay," he croaked, then in a whisper, "Okay."

[Guilty_Ninja]

"I was never under the Central intelligence's control. My creator built me independly of the network so that I may protect his children from the genocide. He had planned for me to be nothing more than a body guard with no personality, and had his youngest child decide not to muck around with his personal computer I would not be here now. So I do not fear coming under the control of the dental intelligence's influence anymore than I am afraid of a bug. But your point is valid. For the Vapmires, human, and machines to ever live in union this evil must be stopped." Deek jumped over the sewage to stand in front of Victor. "I too agree to help you,", Deek turned and started to walk down the tunnel,", but I have to make a stop first."

[UnderSampled]

The Dark Zones were a sight to see. Hovering hundreds of feet over the ground, Kirito scanned the scorched earth below, looking for signs of intelligent life. Sadly, like almost everywhere else, the landscape in this sector was barren. Though he had been able to find a number of struggling communities in other sectors, he knew before entering this one that be would find nothing. It wasn't just that life was a rarity in these wastelands that he could make thus prediction, but the fact that he had already searched here four times before.

Though important, Kirito's task of cataloging and tracking life in the Dark Zones was a tiring one. While it didn't take much physical effort to speak of, it was lonely and unrewarding. At first it had been quite interesting to discover the varied (while few) denizens of the Dark Zones, but without anything new to discover, it had become monotonous. There was little in terms of interaction, for he had chosen to sacrifice personal relations with the people of the Dark Zones in exchange for utility by taking use of an aerial drone as his interface with the outside world.
Most of the time, the only communication he has was when he would return to the city to recharge the bi-copter, process complex data, and debrief before going back to scan the next sector. The one who gave him these missions and provided him with the power and resources to fly said missions was known only as the Vendor. Kirito would like to say that he knew the Vendor better than most people, which might be true as he had been running missions like these for him for almost as long as he could remember, but sadly that really didn't mean much. Almost nobody knew the Vendor at all, and the few that did would only know what they needed to. Kirito was no exception.

Finishing the last scan for the sector, Kirito started west northwest towards the city. As this was the last sector, he knew that his next expedition would have to begin a sixth survey. A sixth time scanning the same territories yet again. As he neared his destination, he began to think about the areas he was unable to explore. Most were physically out of his reach, but there were others he had been directly ordered by the Vendor to not inspect. Most were small pockets of land, but one in particular was very, very large. In fact, it was large enough that Kirito had been forced to designed his polar survey plan to exclude nearly ten degrees facing east toward the forbidden territory. Kirito had often wondered why these places were off limits, but had decided not to question the Vendor's judgement. But now he was getting restless. Kirito decided he would ask the Vendor if he could at least visit some of the smaller sites.

Activating cloak, Kirito approached the city and made his way to a dark window five stories off of the ground. entering through, he set down in a the bi-copter charging dock and began to analyze the data from the last sector while he waited for further direction from the Vendor.

[Morrigan52]

Mashvett shuffled off after the robot, eager to be on the move. Anything would be better than thinking of the past. Even joining up with a vampire and an android.
He had not travelled with anyone since his clan was destroyed. Despite himself, he was curious about the others. "Who's this Katie character, android?" Mashvett mumbled, attempting nonchalance.

[TheDudeManJohn]

Victor was glad this all played out as easily as it did atleast......he couldnt imagine having to find different people.....he couldnt tell how close the machines where to finishing the weapon or how soon it would be before the Central Intelligence was done rebuilding itself and recreating the network.....but from what information he was able to grab and from what little he saw.....they seemed close.....almost as if Victor showed up just in the nick of time........he continued on slightly behind the two new members of his team......Victor hadnt had traveling companions since he watched his clan be slaughtered, his brothers who had grown up with him since the begining of their lives cut down right in front of him.........Victor was certain he would be able to save the world again.......but at what cost?.......and Victor after all those decades in the dark zones.....Victor didnt just want to save it......he hoped he could find away to change it....to fix all that his kind the humans and the androids had done.....they all had spent so long blaming one or the other.....but in truth......and Victor knew this.......they all had played their part in the destruction of what the world was.....and all had their roll in what the world has become..........Victor thought about all this while he casually kept pace......listening to the two of them talk......he hoped that the two of them, who had just been fighting what seemed to the death, would be able to find an understanding of the other........soon Victor finally asked, "Where are we going Deek? what is it your seeking that we must find before the start of my.....our mission?"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Vendor sat at his desk.....watching screens and listening to recordings.....every now and again closing his eyes....and seeming lost in thought......a distinct chime went off and light flashed on his desk......"Ah so Kirito has returned once again......" and at that The Vendor stood and turned and walked through the door behind him........................and came out of the door behind Kirito's charging station........"Greetings my Amazing Kirito.....what did we discover today?......everything still settled in sector 8.....i was worried the Mutants where getting restless again......."

[Guilty_Ninja]

"Katie was my creators middle child. She was 15. His youngest child was Kammi, who was five. And Katherine, his oldest was 23." Deek continued down the tunnel as he talked. He drew his sword, arching it through the air. He flipped it in his hand so that he was holding the blade and held the hilt out to Man-Bear. "Katherine forged this blade for me. I don't know what she made it from but it has never dulled and can cut through almost anything." He held up his hand which was cover my his sleeve. In the sleeve was a wide gash and through this gash a deep scratch that went all the way across Deek's coppery palm. "As you can see," Deek continued,", even the smallest touch can cause some pretty bad damage." He stopped for a second to examine the cuts in his vest. "Katie made my clothes for me, which is why I was pretty upset over you ruining my vest. And Kammi, little five year old Kammi, gave me my freedom." He then stopped and turned to face Victor. "And as for where I am headed, I'm going to my creators lab."

[UnderSampled]

"I wouldn't say they're restless, but they have overrun #office8.54. I did manage to detect a new subterranean signature that is vary similar to the base structure of #hydroelectric3.2, so there probably used to be a reservoir and power facilities there. As always, there was no evidence that anyone has been near that site since its destruction. To be honest, there isn't much happening out there at all. Yes, the mutants are always doing something, but it there are never any real developments. If anything, there's regression. These missions were a lot more interesting when we were discovering what the new world was like for the first time. Even though I know that this is what we have left, I rather wish for more knowledge, new experiences. Are there any left? I trust you greatly, and I know I have no actual good cause other then this longing, but I must ask you this question: What is the real reason I mustn't go to sector 9? Is there some portion that is safe for me to go, just to see something new for once? Otherwise I will have to start yet another time on areas I already have mapped better than the stars in the sky."

[TheDudeManJohn]

The Vendor had come in with a smiling look about him....but the more Kirito talked, The Vendors look grew more and more serious....he listened to what Kirito's had to say.....even knew that this day would come....and was surprised Kirito hadnt said something sooner.....but that was all apart of why The Vendor liked this so advanced lil robot......he always followed his instructions to a T......but the time had finally come, when Kirito's curiousity had goten the best of him........after a short pause after Kirito was done talking, The Vendor with a very calculating look on his face finally began to respond to Kirito......."Kirito.......you finally wish to know whats hidden beyond sector 9?......i had been waiting for you to either ask me about it.....or had feared you would just go and find out all on your own.....but to my satisfaction......you always avoided sector 9 just as i had instructed.....even after the multiple times ive had you repeat your scouting of all the other sectors......and though i have never given you a detailed reason not to......." another short pause......"Kirito?......in all the time ive known you, from the begining when your mind was nothing more than an infant in comparison.....and all the way till now.........around 200 years Kirito....you have served with me listening and calculating everything i say in your own way........ive watched you grow, mature, and change.....to the being you are now......watched as your logic and reasoning skills grew as well as your sheer level of comprehension.........so now i ask you........do you feel your at a point now, are capable enough, to finally know what secrets sector 9 hold?......my only warning to you Kirito, such a special AI you are, is that you remember all i have taught you and remember your experiences in the dark zones and keep in mind the conclusions you've drawn and the view point you hold and your entire outlook on life........remember who you are Kirito......and dont let what you find in sector 9 change you........as an artificial inteligence......ive made sure and you have done most of it all on your own, to know the difference in what is right.....and what is wrong......just remember........and if you feel you think your finally ready to explore sector 9..........then i will take you to the one who will show you what it holds instore for you........you will help him on his quest and will play a pivotal role in the changes to come for the entire world and existance of life on this planet.......the time has come for you to face your biggest chalenge......this is what you have been preparing for for all these years, so i say once more.......are you ready for this step in your life Kirito?"

[Morrigan52]

When the android had finished speaking, Mashvett grunted and kept walking, ignoring the outstretched sword. Any remark he made could lead to questions of his own past. Questions better left unanswered. After years of silence on the matter, he was loathe to break it.
There was a sound on the edge of the hunter's hearing. Something wet and slimy brushed his leg. Mashvett sighed, suddenly remembering his own soiled clothes.
He chanced a look down to see unmentionable fluids forming a thin crust on his legs, while a dwindling line of red seeped through a small hole just below his knee. There wasn't much chance of cleaning up and digging out the pebble would cause more harm than good.
Not the worst I've been soaked in. he thought, deciding to leave it for later. The pebble might work its own way out. If not, it wasn't doing much harm as it was, barely giving him a limp. As for his clothes, the smell would never come out. He resolved to make new ones once he left the city. In the meantime, the hunter's sensitive nose would have to try to ignore the stench.

[Guilty_Ninja]

Deek turned into a side tunnel where there wasnt a river of sewage and the walls wernt covered in slime. He quickened his pace then started into a full on sprint, dodging around old boxes and ducking under pipes. He spead up as the tunnel narrowed a little then suddenly opened into a large tunnel with a wide chasm running through the middle. There was an old wooden bridge a little ways to the left but Deek ignored it. He went to the edge of the chasm to look over but quickly stepped back. He sat down and waited for the others to catch up. We have to get down there somehow. But how...

[TheDudeManJohn]

Victor had no trouble keeping up for the most part.....but Deek was moving at a very hasty pace........Victor noticed Mashvett's leg and current condition as well.....he remembered the supplies he had gotten from his friend The Vendor.....he would have to help him do something about his leg once they stopped.....and finally Deek did just that.....stepping out into a vast room with the small bridge over a large chasm.......he walked up beside Deek now sitting at the edge......Victor took a lean and look down into the chasm....."so.....where to now Deek......what exactly are we looking for once we get there?".......Victor asked trying to sound as if they had been friends for a long time now......he didnt know how much good it would do......after a second he turned around to approach Mashvett, "your leg looks like it could use some attention Mashvett." Victor stated and began to remove and open his bag, "i have some bandages some sterile pads and most forms of antibiotics.......and this..." Victor pulled out a hand held instrument that kinda resembled a gun......when he pulled the trigger the front parted and lasers shined about 5 inches out creating what resembled a laser grid....."this machine will actually close up most wounds.....it litterally stiches your skin back together....it cant re attach an arm or anything but for most puncture and slashing wounds it can fix......is the stone Deek threw still embedded in there?"

[Morrigan52]

Though he was agile for someone of his size, Mashvett had trouble staying with the others, and lagged behind. His injured leg certainly didn't do him any favors. So, instead of wasting time going around obstacles like the others, he simply removed them. Crushing boxes and breaking pipes.
The narrow tunnel eventually opened up some, allowing space for a massive gap in the floor. Even after the ragtag group had stopped, their footsteps continued to echo along the tunnel and into the blackness below them.
Victor offered him some medicine for his leg, and a machine that looked more like the weapons he sometimes ripped off of robots than anything that could heal. Mashvett promptly swatted them from the vampire's hand. His glare spoke for him. I don't trust you or your damn medicine.
After a moment, the hunter shouldered past Victor and limped over to the ledge. Looking over into the black depths, he grunted, "What's the plan, android?"