Our team arrived too late to the location we determined Devon was in. She was long gone. The little african port town was small, a few people saw her, but she left the town on foot, which limited how we could track her. The trail was a few days old, and she knows how to reduce her 'footprint'.
We just got another picture, though. No return address, unmarked. We're not sure how these are being delivered, because it's not by normal post.
Again, a picture of Devon, this time at... the great wall. She's looking at a newly acquired wristwatch, and obviously appears impatient. She's taunting me.
We're liasing with our IMPCOM-China representatives right now, and they're mobilizing teams. There's military units on station at the great wall, and there's not as much tourism. They'll find her fast, and our reaction time is much faster this time than the last time.
We're coming for you, hermana.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
- Surprise -
I received a letter today. No return address. I'm really not sure how the letter even found me, but... well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
Inside was a single photograph, recently taken. It was a picture of Devon, grinning her big Devon grin and staring into the camera with a look that said 'Come get me, pussy'.
Challenge Accepted.
R&D is analyzing the photograph. They're working on determining the location Devon sent the picture from, using the buildings in the background of the shot. I won't give it away here, just in case, but we're close to nailing down her location. I've already mobilized a team to go find her.
I have a feeling that my boys are off on a wild goose chase (or duck chase, as the case may be. QQQ and all that.) and when they get there, Devon will be long gone. But... we can start to track her, maybe determine where she's going next.
Big mistake, hermana. I'll find you soon enough. And hell, if you're just on vacation, I might join you.
Please, please, don't be up to anything stupid or illegal.
-
In other news, our hunt for #772 isn't going well. He's long gone, which isn't surprising. A focus like that can go ANYWHERE. A part of me is relieved, to be honest. He didn't hurt any of my men, and for that alone I owe him. But, it's my job to contain focuses. If he's cooperative and understanding, we can probably find a place for him to do some good, but... well, top brass is pretty firm on how we handle high-powered focuses. I'll put in a good word for our gentleman Focus, though.
Maybe it'll be enough.
Back to work.
Inside was a single photograph, recently taken. It was a picture of Devon, grinning her big Devon grin and staring into the camera with a look that said 'Come get me, pussy'.
Challenge Accepted.
R&D is analyzing the photograph. They're working on determining the location Devon sent the picture from, using the buildings in the background of the shot. I won't give it away here, just in case, but we're close to nailing down her location. I've already mobilized a team to go find her.
I have a feeling that my boys are off on a wild goose chase (or duck chase, as the case may be. QQQ and all that.) and when they get there, Devon will be long gone. But... we can start to track her, maybe determine where she's going next.
Big mistake, hermana. I'll find you soon enough. And hell, if you're just on vacation, I might join you.
Please, please, don't be up to anything stupid or illegal.
-
In other news, our hunt for #772 isn't going well. He's long gone, which isn't surprising. A focus like that can go ANYWHERE. A part of me is relieved, to be honest. He didn't hurt any of my men, and for that alone I owe him. But, it's my job to contain focuses. If he's cooperative and understanding, we can probably find a place for him to do some good, but... well, top brass is pretty firm on how we handle high-powered focuses. I'll put in a good word for our gentleman Focus, though.
Maybe it'll be enough.
Back to work.
Friday, November 4, 2011
- The Hardest Kind of Talk -
My daughter hasn't seen me, physically present, in real time, since she was nine years old, and she'll be turning nineteen soon.
I've made mistakes that I can't ever truly make up for, but I'll do my best.
That was hard.
R&D deserve a day off, after the PSU prototype is shipped, the whirlybird and holographic projection work perfectly. Gives me some hope.
EDIT:
To clarify, I used the newly installed Holographic Projection System to speak with Jara face-to-face, in a sense. The talk... well. It wasn't a happy reunion. Bittersweet, yes. It was so good to see her, to speak with her, but the situation is so bad, it was... hard.
I've got work to do.
EDIT:
To clarify, I used the newly installed Holographic Projection System to speak with Jara face-to-face, in a sense. The talk... well. It wasn't a happy reunion. Bittersweet, yes. It was so good to see her, to speak with her, but the situation is so bad, it was... hard.
I've got work to do.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
- Mission Report 2 -
USAIMPCOM MISSION REPORT #A8443/#C772
OPERATION OBJECTIVE: Target Observation/Focus Containment
DATE: [REDACTED]
OPERATION STATUS: Pending
A group of IMPCOM Operatives who were on a mission were attacked by the target they were observing. The target in question had been suspected of being a Focus, and those suspicions were confirmed upon contact. IMPCOM Operatives attempted to subdue the Focus (Designated #772) with no success. #772 was strong, fast, and showed the ability to pass through solid objects. The Focus also appeared to be able to transfer this ability to others. Almost all of the Operatives were half-phased into walls or other objects by their arms, and then left. #772 walked out of the combat zone unharmed after incapacatating all the operatives. None of the Operatives were seriously injured, beyond minor bruises.
Heavy equipment was required to remove all the operatives from the walls of the building they engaged #772 in. IMPCOM medical personel on scene were able to discern that the clothing and dermis layer of skin that was phased into the wall was incorporated into the wall's structure as well, which explains why the Operatives were unable to simply pull their arms out of the wall. Minor surgery will be needed to completely remove fragments of the wall material from their skin. The medical personel note that while this situation was bad, the alternative - that the phased operatives's limbs could have been wholly incorporated into the wall's structure, which would require surgical amputation of their limbs - would be worse.
The CO in charge of the operation commented on #772's mental state as 'chatty and jovial'. He apparently became aware of the Operatives as they were conducting surveilance through unknown means, and approached the CO and his team, saying, quote, "Not quite as sneaky as you think. I've seen lions hide better than you lot."
The CO ordered his team to detain #772 for questioning, at which point, when an Operative attempted to detain #772, #772 manifested the aforementioned insubstantial ability, which R&D has dubbed 'Phasing'. Operatives were unable to make physical contact with #772, who appeared amused by their attempts to subdue him. Only after the Operatives surrounded him did he begin "sticking my men into walls like they weren't even there". One Operative opened fire in self defense, but the bulletts passed through #772. While engaging the Operatives, #772 apparently continued to chat "as if nothing was amiss", and "commented mainly on the weather and how the local sport team was doing poorly". After subduing the Operatives and CO, #772 admonished them, saying, quote, "You'll have to be more careful next time, boys. You're lucky I'm not crazy!"
IMPCOM Strike Teams and Negotiators are currently searching the surrounding area for #772, who is being considered a 'non-hostile Class-8 Focus' at this time.
END REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS: Review CO and Operative's actions, determine if there was a breakdown in their surveilance training or stealth procedure that alerted #772. Have R&D further research the 'Phasing' ability, if possible, and determine countermeasures, if any exist.
OPERATION OBJECTIVE: Target Observation/Focus Containment
DATE: [REDACTED]
OPERATION STATUS: Pending
A group of IMPCOM Operatives who were on a mission were attacked by the target they were observing. The target in question had been suspected of being a Focus, and those suspicions were confirmed upon contact. IMPCOM Operatives attempted to subdue the Focus (Designated #772) with no success. #772 was strong, fast, and showed the ability to pass through solid objects. The Focus also appeared to be able to transfer this ability to others. Almost all of the Operatives were half-phased into walls or other objects by their arms, and then left. #772 walked out of the combat zone unharmed after incapacatating all the operatives. None of the Operatives were seriously injured, beyond minor bruises.
Heavy equipment was required to remove all the operatives from the walls of the building they engaged #772 in. IMPCOM medical personel on scene were able to discern that the clothing and dermis layer of skin that was phased into the wall was incorporated into the wall's structure as well, which explains why the Operatives were unable to simply pull their arms out of the wall. Minor surgery will be needed to completely remove fragments of the wall material from their skin. The medical personel note that while this situation was bad, the alternative - that the phased operatives's limbs could have been wholly incorporated into the wall's structure, which would require surgical amputation of their limbs - would be worse.
The CO in charge of the operation commented on #772's mental state as 'chatty and jovial'. He apparently became aware of the Operatives as they were conducting surveilance through unknown means, and approached the CO and his team, saying, quote, "Not quite as sneaky as you think. I've seen lions hide better than you lot."
The CO ordered his team to detain #772 for questioning, at which point, when an Operative attempted to detain #772, #772 manifested the aforementioned insubstantial ability, which R&D has dubbed 'Phasing'. Operatives were unable to make physical contact with #772, who appeared amused by their attempts to subdue him. Only after the Operatives surrounded him did he begin "sticking my men into walls like they weren't even there". One Operative opened fire in self defense, but the bulletts passed through #772. While engaging the Operatives, #772 apparently continued to chat "as if nothing was amiss", and "commented mainly on the weather and how the local sport team was doing poorly". After subduing the Operatives and CO, #772 admonished them, saying, quote, "You'll have to be more careful next time, boys. You're lucky I'm not crazy!"
IMPCOM Strike Teams and Negotiators are currently searching the surrounding area for #772, who is being considered a 'non-hostile Class-8 Focus' at this time.
END REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS: Review CO and Operative's actions, determine if there was a breakdown in their surveilance training or stealth procedure that alerted #772. Have R&D further research the 'Phasing' ability, if possible, and determine countermeasures, if any exist.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
- Jokerdom -
A quick note, here. Nothing new on the PSU, the second prototype is still being made. Just wanted to note that today, my daughter became a Joker.
I'm not sure if the island is ready. Hell, I'm not sure if SHE is ready. But here we are.
I've got to trust her, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried and scared. Not only is she a Joker, but she's now able to face down her mother...
I'll go light a fire under the guys and gals from R&D. We need that prototype ASAP.
I'm not sure if the island is ready. Hell, I'm not sure if SHE is ready. But here we are.
I've got to trust her, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried and scared. Not only is she a Joker, but she's now able to face down her mother...
I'll go light a fire under the guys and gals from R&D. We need that prototype ASAP.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
- Updates -
Devon's gone. She escaped from the island the other day, looks like, using a cannon. So very like her. A grand exit. She looks like she plans on going back, too, but who knows.
I'm not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, I'm happy. I'm glad she's escaped, like she always wanted. On the other hand, I'm worried. Not so much about her. She's capable of taking care of herself, especially now. Nothing outside the island poses much of a threat to her. And that's what worries me.
Devon's on the loose, and she's more dangerous than ever, and... well. She must have an agenda in mind. And that's even more worrisome.
I'm going to work on getting a team out in the field to start looking for her.
In other news, my daughter met The Stranger the other day. She nearly died. I nearly had a heart attack...
She's recovering, now, according to my camera feeds, and is being taken care of. I owe Sessine a pint, as well as a big, big favor.
There's another issue. Jara's mother was there. I haven't seen Silcatra on camera for months...
She's becoming a Stranger. It's obvious.
I'm sick with worry and dread. I've contacted Jara, and let her know that I'll do what I can to help her, which brings me to my next point:
My Research and Development team has been working on a 'weapon' that neutralizes Improbability. It's only been tested once or twice, but the results have been good. They've seen decreases in improbability fields in objects exposed to improbability. The idea behind it is that the field that is being emitted by an improbable entity can be matched by an opposite field...
Right, layman's terms.
Okay, you know how you can cancel sound waves by playing a harmonically opposite wave? It's like that. By sending out an improbability field that opposes the exact field being emitted by the target entity, it cancels the field.
The effects strengthen the longer the improbable field is exposed to the opposing field generated by the gun, which my boys are calling the PSU (Probability Stabilization Unit). They'd hate it if they knew I was calling their machine a 'gun', though since it looks like a gun and 'shoots' an emitted field, I'll call it a gun until they think up a better way to deliver directed probability fields.
Technically, this gun isn't using anti-improbability, just to clarify. It's using improbability, but it's just neutralizing a improbable field with its opposite field. If we can get this thing to work, it'd be very useful.
In the meantime, the R&D boys are working up a second prototype PSU to send to the Island for... let's call it 'field testing', though, knowing what it's going to be used for, that is a callous way of putting it.
I'm going to go have a drink. I need to unwind and get some more reports written up.
I'll write again when I get the chance.
I'm not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, I'm happy. I'm glad she's escaped, like she always wanted. On the other hand, I'm worried. Not so much about her. She's capable of taking care of herself, especially now. Nothing outside the island poses much of a threat to her. And that's what worries me.
Devon's on the loose, and she's more dangerous than ever, and... well. She must have an agenda in mind. And that's even more worrisome.
I'm going to work on getting a team out in the field to start looking for her.
In other news, my daughter met The Stranger the other day. She nearly died. I nearly had a heart attack...
She's recovering, now, according to my camera feeds, and is being taken care of. I owe Sessine a pint, as well as a big, big favor.
There's another issue. Jara's mother was there. I haven't seen Silcatra on camera for months...
She's becoming a Stranger. It's obvious.
I'm sick with worry and dread. I've contacted Jara, and let her know that I'll do what I can to help her, which brings me to my next point:
My Research and Development team has been working on a 'weapon' that neutralizes Improbability. It's only been tested once or twice, but the results have been good. They've seen decreases in improbability fields in objects exposed to improbability. The idea behind it is that the field that is being emitted by an improbable entity can be matched by an opposite field...
Right, layman's terms.
Okay, you know how you can cancel sound waves by playing a harmonically opposite wave? It's like that. By sending out an improbability field that opposes the exact field being emitted by the target entity, it cancels the field.
The effects strengthen the longer the improbable field is exposed to the opposing field generated by the gun, which my boys are calling the PSU (Probability Stabilization Unit). They'd hate it if they knew I was calling their machine a 'gun', though since it looks like a gun and 'shoots' an emitted field, I'll call it a gun until they think up a better way to deliver directed probability fields.
Technically, this gun isn't using anti-improbability, just to clarify. It's using improbability, but it's just neutralizing a improbable field with its opposite field. If we can get this thing to work, it'd be very useful.
In the meantime, the R&D boys are working up a second prototype PSU to send to the Island for... let's call it 'field testing', though, knowing what it's going to be used for, that is a callous way of putting it.
I'm going to go have a drink. I need to unwind and get some more reports written up.
I'll write again when I get the chance.
Monday, October 24, 2011
- Day Off 1 -
Forgot to write on my day off, but I'll update everyone now that I'm back home. Working again tomorrow, so I'll do this now.
Slept in, for starters, which is something I usually don't do, but I was exhausted. I've been joining the men for their morning P.T. and even though I'm faster and stronger than most of them, it's still an ass-kicking. Got up and made some breakfast, just some eggs and toast, nothing fancy, and some tea. Tea is expensive, but compared to coffee it's not too bad. I get paid pretty well, so I can afford it. I keep chickens, too, since it's important to be able to provide for yourself nowadays. Sometimes the grocery doesn't have eggs. It's all supply issues, mostly. Transportation is kinda tricky for civilians and companies. Not as many cars as there used to be. Most people ride bikes or take the trains and buses. "Local Grown" isn't just a fancy idea anymore, it's a way of life. I've got a neighbor down the road that bakes, so my bread comes from there, and the tea is imported from somewhere.
I enjoyed a pretty leisurely morning, did a little work around the yard. The grass was getting unruly. Oh, I guess I should explain. I've got a small house inside the military base I'm stationed at, so I've got a lawn and a yard with some bushes that I've never bothered to identify. All I'm missing is a white picket fence and... well. The wife and kids are obviously elsewhere.
Popped down to the local store to look for something for dinner. Got a cheap cut of steak (locally bred, of course) and some potatoes and carrots and other vegetables. As I was leaving, I noticed a new store in town that had just opened, which was attracting a lot of attention. I decided to take a look, and I was very surprised to find an Improbable Enterprises Store (run by our dear friends at the Network). I'd heard of these, of course. The Improbable Island Show is extremely popular, being one of the only shows on the television nowadays that was purely for entertainment purposes. I decided to take a peek inside, out of a sense of curiosity.
Let me tell you, it was a strange experience.
First, I knew that I.I. had merchandise and stuff, but this was... overwhelming. There were T-shirts with contestant's faces, or caricatures of contestants. Mugs with phrases associated with contestants. Island Monster plush dolls. Action figures. It was astounding and amazing. Oh, and then there were the episode tapes! They had footage of stuff like 'The Best of (Insert Contestant Name Here)". There were tapes of clan gatherings. Romance, action, comedy, and drama!
Did you know that there's an Island cooking show? No? I didn't either, but apparently whenever somebody cooks something that looks tasty on the show, they add it into this "Improbable Cooking" show. It's even got some professional chef host that explains steps and techniques. Micha is a favorite, and her test kitchen looks pretty amazing in post-production. Not sure how they're getting shots in the kitchen, I was pretty sure Micha was fairly camera-shy. Something to ponder.
Regardless, I looked into the "Classic Island" section and found the strangest thing of all. A section of tapes featuring me! They ranged over a variety of subjects, from sort of Emergency-Room Drama episodes to action and adventure. There was a lot of stuff with TYPES as well, there. I was... tempted to buy one, but I decided against it, for two reasons. First, I didn't want to support the Network. I think the whole show is wrong, and while I'm not the only one, we're a minority out here, mostly because people don't think the show is real. Second, the past is painful, and the last thing I wanted was to dredge up old memories.
Then I found an action figure of me. It had on my lab coat, and it was carrying my kukri and pistol and red medical bag.
God help me, but I bought the damn thing.
I went home and started cooking my steak and veggies, and perused my handy Improbable Network Watcher Device, looking in on old friends. Couldn't find everyone, but that's not too surprising. There aren't quite cameras EVERYWHERE. I spotted a few people, though. Shi and Makiwa were having a chat in the commons. Eben was filing things, I think, though the camera that was watching him was having issues. Z was tearing around with her Goggles on. Kolojang was around as well, being a mushroom. Drizzt was relaxing in his home.Arodang was goofing around in Kittania. NewHome was full of noobs (of course), along with a few old hands. I spotted Svergon in Improbable Central, and Sneaky too. As I write this, I'm peeking around for my family members, but nobody seems to be on camera at the moment.
Scratch that. Remember when I mentioned that Devon was up to something? I was right.
The ducks tipped me off. A whole ring of them. At first, I thought it was just something with QQQ. The angle on the camera is bad, and they're a little ways away, but it looks like they're surrounding Devon... and Devon's not looking to great.
This was a mistake, looking. It's too hard not to want to... DO something. But I can't. I can just sit here and hope for the best...
Is she leaking improbability?
Slept in, for starters, which is something I usually don't do, but I was exhausted. I've been joining the men for their morning P.T. and even though I'm faster and stronger than most of them, it's still an ass-kicking. Got up and made some breakfast, just some eggs and toast, nothing fancy, and some tea. Tea is expensive, but compared to coffee it's not too bad. I get paid pretty well, so I can afford it. I keep chickens, too, since it's important to be able to provide for yourself nowadays. Sometimes the grocery doesn't have eggs. It's all supply issues, mostly. Transportation is kinda tricky for civilians and companies. Not as many cars as there used to be. Most people ride bikes or take the trains and buses. "Local Grown" isn't just a fancy idea anymore, it's a way of life. I've got a neighbor down the road that bakes, so my bread comes from there, and the tea is imported from somewhere.
I enjoyed a pretty leisurely morning, did a little work around the yard. The grass was getting unruly. Oh, I guess I should explain. I've got a small house inside the military base I'm stationed at, so I've got a lawn and a yard with some bushes that I've never bothered to identify. All I'm missing is a white picket fence and... well. The wife and kids are obviously elsewhere.
Popped down to the local store to look for something for dinner. Got a cheap cut of steak (locally bred, of course) and some potatoes and carrots and other vegetables. As I was leaving, I noticed a new store in town that had just opened, which was attracting a lot of attention. I decided to take a look, and I was very surprised to find an Improbable Enterprises Store (run by our dear friends at the Network). I'd heard of these, of course. The Improbable Island Show is extremely popular, being one of the only shows on the television nowadays that was purely for entertainment purposes. I decided to take a peek inside, out of a sense of curiosity.
Let me tell you, it was a strange experience.
First, I knew that I.I. had merchandise and stuff, but this was... overwhelming. There were T-shirts with contestant's faces, or caricatures of contestants. Mugs with phrases associated with contestants. Island Monster plush dolls. Action figures. It was astounding and amazing. Oh, and then there were the episode tapes! They had footage of stuff like 'The Best of (Insert Contestant Name Here)". There were tapes of clan gatherings. Romance, action, comedy, and drama!
Did you know that there's an Island cooking show? No? I didn't either, but apparently whenever somebody cooks something that looks tasty on the show, they add it into this "Improbable Cooking" show. It's even got some professional chef host that explains steps and techniques. Micha is a favorite, and her test kitchen looks pretty amazing in post-production. Not sure how they're getting shots in the kitchen, I was pretty sure Micha was fairly camera-shy. Something to ponder.
Regardless, I looked into the "Classic Island" section and found the strangest thing of all. A section of tapes featuring me! They ranged over a variety of subjects, from sort of Emergency-Room Drama episodes to action and adventure. There was a lot of stuff with TYPES as well, there. I was... tempted to buy one, but I decided against it, for two reasons. First, I didn't want to support the Network. I think the whole show is wrong, and while I'm not the only one, we're a minority out here, mostly because people don't think the show is real. Second, the past is painful, and the last thing I wanted was to dredge up old memories.
Then I found an action figure of me. It had on my lab coat, and it was carrying my kukri and pistol and red medical bag.
God help me, but I bought the damn thing.
I went home and started cooking my steak and veggies, and perused my handy Improbable Network Watcher Device, looking in on old friends. Couldn't find everyone, but that's not too surprising. There aren't quite cameras EVERYWHERE. I spotted a few people, though. Shi and Makiwa were having a chat in the commons. Eben was filing things, I think, though the camera that was watching him was having issues. Z was tearing around with her Goggles on. Kolojang was around as well, being a mushroom. Drizzt was relaxing in his home.Arodang was goofing around in Kittania. NewHome was full of noobs (of course), along with a few old hands. I spotted Svergon in Improbable Central, and Sneaky too. As I write this, I'm peeking around for my family members, but nobody seems to be on camera at the moment.
Scratch that. Remember when I mentioned that Devon was up to something? I was right.
The ducks tipped me off. A whole ring of them. At first, I thought it was just something with QQQ. The angle on the camera is bad, and they're a little ways away, but it looks like they're surrounding Devon... and Devon's not looking to great.
This was a mistake, looking. It's too hard not to want to... DO something. But I can't. I can just sit here and hope for the best...
Is she leaking improbability?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)