(Preshow) Staging Area

[Gin Yatreg]

Gin's headache began to subside, and the feeling of being watched had vanished as well. Finally relaxing, Gin and Tonic decided to browse through the various stores and kiosks that had opened up in the staging area. Most of it was junk, but one kiosk caught Gin's eye. 

"Ey lad, fixin to buy some healing items?" the cashier asked.


"Healing items?" Gin asked, picking up a container of Medi-gel off the counter in front of him. The container was surprisingly light weight, yet the inside appears to be filled to the brim. 

"Aye, ye'd be surprised how useful they can be in a bad situation. That there is Medi-Gel, good stuff. Use enough of it, and it can even save a life from a mortal wound." he said.

"Sweet! how much is it?" Gin asked.

"Hm, normally it's pretty expensive. But I'll make a deal for ye, three hundred for two of 'em!" the cashier exclaimed.

"Deal!" Gin said, taking out his wallet and handing him the money.

"Pleasure doin' business with ye!" the cashier said, "Come again!"

Gin pocketed the medi-gel container and walked off with Tonic, content with his purchase. Soon after, an announcement came over the speakers, it was time to head out. Gin bid farewell to Tonic, promising that he'll be back soon. He gave the giant bird a scratch on the top of its head, and walked through the doors.

[Remilia Scarlet]

The shift in reality wasn't new, but what happened when Remilia arrived was very different from her normal entrances. For one thing she was immediately bombarded by the flash of cameras, something she previously only seen in singulars from the nosy crow tengu for the last few years and the video ones since she left the outside world all together. While most of the time she might not have taken kindly to the sudden attack to her personal space, after a second realized this was to her advantage. Yes, she knew the forms she sign earlier included stuff about use of footage, but this was EXPOSURE. With just a little use (or abuse, depending on how you saw) of her ability to manipulate fate, every picture and record seemed catch Remilia's good sign, a perfect pose for every moment. If the paparazzi noted her supernatural glamour, they didn't call her out on it.

She was then approached by a mustache wearing man who seemed to be running at least the media portion of this show. Oh wait, is she suppose to be fooled to think this was actually a rescue mission? Even without knowing about Dante's Abyss and it's reputation as an unfettered darmamonger, this was a bit too televised for a genuine attempt to help someone.  Either that or Karl Jak was willing to televise his employee's suffering for ratings. Neither were great.

"Hello, miss, I'm Ron Burgundy from Omniverse News Network. Must you be another volunteer for this vital rescue mission? Could we get a name?"

"I am Remilia Scarlet" She answered with a grandeur and ladylike flourish "And yes, I am here to help"

"Our viewers would like to know: What's the reason? it's rare to see a good vampire in the Omniverse"

"Who said I was good?"  The vampire chuckled, enough amble time to flash her fangs and make a few staff uncomfortable in the extensional way. "But I'm here for the same reason as everyone else, I presume" Well, no, that was a total lie, but she was sure that's what they wanted to here. "Now, if you excuse me, I need to see my teammates before we depart. Goodbye" And as the news people kept trying to ask her questions, she flew off further into the build to find something who wasn't either trying to sell her something or turn her into a marketing tool. at least for the moment.

"Well then, viewers," the news anchor turned back to the camera there goes the wonderful Remilia Scarlet, perhaps our last volunteer for Dante's Abyss. We'll get to the nit 'n' gritty of their mission, after this commercial break..."

[The Vision]

> addTo Files/Logs/People “Hiro Protagonist”
> name = “Hiroaki (Hiro) Protagonist”
> powers = technological devices, capable of hacking mainframe, presumed ability with katana sword
> _trust?() “Hiro Protagonist”
74.330%

The Vision walked away. That conversation was more pleasant than expected, and now he knew the names of his would-be allies. Mr. Protagonist walked towards the portal, presumably to meet others. The Vision quickly scanned the other individuals present.

Error: ‘scan’ n001101011 def1ned

Vision frowned.

Error: ‘def111001’ n0110 100111000sssss00101
ssssssss
atm0s1001ereheav00101101firma011111ent
kkkyyyyyyyyyyyyyy001110yyy
I am am am am am am
sssss
ErrOr rrorErro erROR 0011
trap Trap TrPAa-1011
SSSSSkkYYY
Skyn01011
…
I AM
SKYNET

When the static calmed down, the Vision processed that he was on his hands and knees. His exoskeleton was overheating as he continued to struggle with the intruding program.

“Wh-wh-wh-wh-who?”

I AM SKYNET

“I don’t under-under-under”

> search Files?Sdfajjj-000222
> searrcchhhhhhresistanceisuessueslessskynetisetern

“RAAAGHH”

The Vision screamed as his mind was almost taken over by this “Skynet”. But finally, he managed to override the new protocols with his own. Unfortunately, this was not a full purge of this virus. It merely lay dormant between Vision’s original coding and his new codes.

> run FacialRecognition.att
runrunrunrunrunrun
Identified :: Marcus Wright
> openenenen profile()
Error: Error:::::
> Ctr_C
...
...
...

"Sky...net?" the Vision managed to mutter.

[Marcus Wright]

A calm, relaxing evening was all Marcus asked for. Maybe even a little annoyance at the fact that it was all too quiet…

Sure… there was audience everywhere you looked as you enjoyed nothing else but you and your other survivors.

Except something happened right there and then…

The strange robot like creature yelled out an all too familiar name as he seemed to be battling something that he swore he had left in the arcade…

He stared into the android’s eyes as it fell hurt and screaming

“SKYNET”

….

Something about this guy… The ex-killer didn’t know him exactly… but how exactly did … Skynet jump so far…

Marcus literally almost broke the table..

“WHO INVITED SKYNET!”

Marcus rushed out of his chair and soon eyed the android who seemingly hacked..

The crowd most certainly turned to see this new development which meant more eyes on Marcus and the overheating android.

Marcus tried to help the fallen android up seeing it was clearly confused.

“Skynet… let me explain what it is..”