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“We may as well cooperate with each other,” you say, already moving forward toward your objective. “Follow me. I’ll open a comms channel so your communication barrier with Akiko won’t be a huge problem.”

You create a new channel, connecting Akiko, Zeta, Luka, and Deianira.

2254-12-10 14:34:27 Ætherglow > operational comms is here now, use callsigns

2254-12-10 14:34:30 暁 > copy Ætherglow. I’m watching you two cultists. first sign of betrayal and you’ll regret it.

2254-12-10 14:34:33 PULSE > I’ll be sure to keep it invisible, then.

2254-12-10 14:34:36 Artemis > enough. fill us in on the op.

2254-12-10 14:34:46 Ætherglow > to the best of our intel we suspect Admin Vanitas is in possession of ÆON’s root device, we have no idea of her location. we’re in pursuit of Unas of Sector NULL and the exopath NULL, which was designed to destroy ÆON. we can only expect Unas is headed to ÆON’s location. our objective is to recover ÆON. Admin Crypta and her apprentice Synthesis are in pursuit ætherside, and us on the surface.

2254-12-10 14:34:50 PULSE > so it’s true what the æther told you

2254-12-10 14:34:53 Artemis > yes. NULL has awakened.

2254-12-10 14:34:58 PULSE > here, take this.

Luka, advancing alongside you, hands you something. You grip its metal handle.

[hypospray injector added to inventory]

2254-12-10 14:35:05 Ætherglow > what’s this?

2254-12-10 14:35:12 PULSE > Ana said you might need it

You check the device’s status: ketamine - 2 charges remaining

2254-12-10 14:35:15 Ætherglow > ah, I understand

You run on through the cold, dark passageway, into the heart of the service module. The trail of darkness ends abruptly ahead, just beyond a hatch. You examine the colony map in your mind’s eye.

2254-12-10 14:38:44 Ætherglow > beyond this door is the processor core. our trail ends here. what can you see?

2254-12-10 14:38:49 暁 > total sensory blockade on this room, I can’t even see thermal signatures. the work of NULL I assume

Luka presses her ear against the metal hatch.

2254-12-10 14:38:52 PULSE > I can’t hear anything from inside either

2254-12-10 14:38:55 Ætherglow > if we can’t detect them, can they detect us?

2254-12-10 14:38:59 PULSE > it’s possible

2254-12-10 14:39:02 Ætherglow > we already determined that NULL can exert its power selectively, so maybe we should assume this blockade is one-way

2254-12-10 14:39:06 暁 > techopathy can only suppress the senses internally. the enemy is projecting an echo that disrupts our sensory processing, my own specialty...but I’ve never seen it executed so perfectly and impenetrably

2254-12-10 14:39:09 Artemis > if we simply disconnect from the æther, they cannot stop physical sound and light from reaching us

2254-12-10 14:39:12 PULSE > yes, perfectly EvoSpec solution, but then we couldn’t shield ourselves from their senses either

2254-12-10 14:39:17 Ætherglow > couldn’t another technopath shield a surfacelocked comrade from sensory detection by a connected technopath?

2254-12-10 14:39:20 暁 > yes, it’s delicate work potentially targeting many ports at once

2254-12-10 14:39:22 PULSE > SySpec work, running a network attack

2254-12-10 14:39:26 暁 > and CommSpec work, sensory play... a SySpec to maintain a distributed network attack, a CommSpec to target sensory processes, and someone skilled at Obfuscation to weave a web of sensory silence around a single surfacewalker... even against an Admin, while another Admin keeps her busy we might have a chance

2254-12-10 14:39:31 Ætherglow > risky, but technically possible...any other ideas?

Zeta pulls a small device from its pocket, and several cables.

2254-12-10 14:39:36 Protogen > if techopathy can’t affect a disconnected technopath, it can’t affect a disconnected device either. a primitive device that can’t interface with the æther could get us some intel on what we’re dealing with inside

2254-12-10 14:39:37 Protogen > look

The shared sensory link highlights a vertical maintenance shaft adjacent to your position. It follows the coolant pipe across the ceiling of the processor core chamber, opening in several places inside.

2254-12-10 14:39:44 Protogen > this little device has a camera and a microphone that they can’t block

2254-12-10 14:39:48 PULSE > I think it would work

2254-12-10 14:39:52 Artemis > but whoever goes into that room likely can’t receive or relay comms through the suppression field

Zeta reaches into a different pocket and pulls out another bundle of wire, connected to a few little nubs at its ends.

2254-12-10 14:39:55 Protogen > not with 23rd century tech. a hardwired earphone from the 2000s on the other hand...but I only have a meter of cable for it

Akiko searches her pockets.

2254-12-10 14:39:59 暁 > I have twenty meters of optical cable on me, can we make that work?

Pulse feels around her own equipment.

2254-12-10 14:40:04 PULSE > I happen to have a few optical-cv adapters

2254-12-10 14:40:08 Ætherglow > ok. I think I know what to do,