Info:The humans are in cover. Vivid Coral has assumed a combat stance. The way ahead is clear.|Diplomatic solution?=2^Tactical survey.=3^COMBAT BEGIN!=7
Info:A diplomatic solution is unlikely. These are non-utilikin robots; they won't listen to reason. Given enough time, you could likely find a way to shut them down peacefully, but you'd need minutes to wine-and-dine them. You only have seconds.|Continue=1
Info:You don't recognise these specific models, but there's something similar in your tactical database. Old technology. Primitive deep learning algorithms on a kitbashed platform. They're non-sentient and certainly non-sapient.|Continue=1



Info:Combat is Vivi's responsibility, of course.##She is, as far as you can tell, a highly advanced model, and a hardened veteran besides.##But at 6{1... the >action economy~ is very much not on her side. She's confident, yes, but she'd be confident at 60{1 or 6000{1 as well. You watch the fight for a few seconds. She's forced to fight so defensively, there's never really an opening for her to strike a blow.|Find a way to help=8
Info:Seducing the combat droids one by one is out. So you'll need a different approach.##There's... a >scent~ in the air. The subtle, smoky, enticing aroma of a data stream with terrible encryption.|Follow the scent=9
Info:Oh, this is interesting. Turns out the droids are only somewhat autonomous. Most of the heavy processing takes place in a computer farm deep under your feet. And you know who orchestrates the data stream? Who acts as a gateway?
Info:A little implant in the head of >the Adjutant.~##You know, the one who was with Dirk Probalo, this one{ [img]res{//gfx/portraits/villains/adjutant(1).png[/img]##|Reach out=11
Info:You give them the equivalent of a tap on the shoulder. The response is surprise, but quickly followed by curiousity. They've never been contacted like this.
Info:You, metaphorically, sit down next to them and have a friendly but urgent chat. This all takes place in the cavernous spaces between seconds, so don't worry about the outside world.
Info:Talking to the Adjutant is... a strange experience. You've literally just met... them? it?... but it feels like you've known each other for much longer. It helps that their story is similar to yours - a former human, augmented and enhanced into a strange new form.
Info:The Adjutant's version is less >inspirational~ than yours, though. Dirk Probalo >bought~ the contract of the human that would eventually become the Adjutant, and treated it more like a tool than a person. And not a beloved, praised, useful tool like you either.##Not that he treats human workers much better, mind. It's all 12-hour work days and food rationing down here.
Info:You take their hand (metaphorically speaking) and squeeze it. This is more affectionate contact than the Adjutant has experienced... well, ever, really. Two gloved hands touching each other (metaphorically) is enough to draw an electric shiver.|Meanwhile, in the outside world...=17

Info:This discussion has produced a tiny processing error in one of the droids. The net effect is a half-second delay in its response time. An eternity, by any reasonable measure. And thus, instead of striking a glancing blow, Vivi's fist smashes into its chest, sending it sprawling to the ground. It's otherwise intact, but remains on the ground anyway.##At 5{1, Vivi's chances have improved substantially.|Back in cyberspace...=19

Info:Once again, we must apologise for our inability to transcribe your experiences, except in a very abstract sort of way.##You 'sit' and 'chat' with the Adjutant. You teasingly tug on some of the data streams. They're not much of a conversationalist, but you can tell that their heart really isn't in the battle. They only ever followed Dirk Probalo due to a lack of alternatives. He expects loyalty, but does not reward it.##He's a tinpot dictator, and until today, the Adjutant didn't even realise there was an outside world.
Info:Sometimes, it's easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of... well... the power structure, really. In the case of the Adjutant, showing that there is an alternative - utilikin society - has already given them a lot to think about.|Use your ultimate move=21
Info:You deploy the strongest utilikin weapon{ The hug.##You wrap your arms around the Adjutant's rubber-clad form, and squeeze them to your chest. You can feel each others' warmth through the thin rubber clothes.|Meanwhile, in the outside world...=22
Info:Two more droids seize up. At 4{1, and then 3{1, it's not a contest anymore. Vivi finishes them off with relatively little trouble.##The Adjutant is dragging Dirk Probalo out of the corridor, reluctantly withdrawing from your shared conversation. You can tell that you've given them a lot to think about, though.|Victory?=26



Info:Yes, victory. Dirk Probalo and the Adjutant have escaped, but the military droids have all been disabled, and the humans are safe. And you've made a connection with the Adjutant.##Lieutenant-Commander Vivid Coral extends a hand, and helps you up. She is, as far as you can tell, undamaged. You're a little disoriented after your stint in cyberspace. Then she pats you on the shoulder, and a wave of happiness washes that thought away.
Info:Your humans also come out of hiding now. The way ahead is clear.##It's time to end this, and confront the shelter's overlord for his crimes.
