Log_104.maf - Erstellt um 18:02 am 28.09.2080
Rosen told me about the next mission, that we'll be in Berlin by Thursday. I hope he's right, I'm not sure I can hold out much longer. I miss everyone, I still haven't spoken to Sun and Camel and Dakota still hasn't opened my messages... I should have taught him how to use his commlink beforehand... When I get back I'll buy him some trodes...
A right hand closes an ARO, the camera points to a tired-looking elf, even his threadbare clothes and harsh expression can't hide his charm. He is on all fours in a small metallic corridor of 1m by 1m but does not seem to be hampered in his movements. He finishes tying up his white hair before shouting directly at the camera, his voice echoing slightly.
Whitemane: …what are you doing Rosen?? This is not the time to play with your link!
Streit: I know. But we're in the tower, if we learn something I have to record it, otherwise the Johnson might cause problems. Just let me configure the backup, that all data is sent if my link goes down.
Another ORA appears, the human selects several matrix identifiers and confirms. The voice of the elf calms down, it takes on a softer tone, but also firmer.
Whitemane: You piss me off when you're right.
Streit: And don't use my first name in public please.
Whitemane: In public? We're in an air duct Streit, who's gonna hear us? And more importantly, who's gonna get it something to do now?
Streit: It's just a matter of principle… It inspires me to write a poem but…
Whitemane: Streit, I usually like your poems a lot, you know that, but this is really not the time.
Streit: My genius is misunderstood.
The camera turns around and begins to move forward, we see Streit's hands appear on screen from time to time, two mismatched cyber hands that ring lightly against the side of the conduit with each touch. 7 minutes pass before the camera pops out of an air vent, turning to help the elf. The runners are in an open space office. There is no sign of combat or destruction, but the chairs have not been put away. We hear a slight noise in the distance and the voice behind the camera begins to whisper.
Streit: What is that?
Whitemane: No idea, come on, better not stay here...
The camera moves slowly between the seats before entering another almost similar room, then another. The voice speaks slightly louder.
Streit: Looks like we're somewhat lost... Can you send a spirit to get an elevator or some stairs?
Whitemane: Mmm, not sure they enjoy hanging out here… But I can try
Slight image distortion is detectable around the individual's hands.
Whitemane: And there he went.
Streit: In those moments, the cinnamon smell is just too much, you know.
The elf's jaw twitches
Whitemane: I can't control it Streit, we've already talked about it twenty times.
Streit: Mmm.
Whitemane: …He just came back, he told me we need to move forward a few rooms. He also told me that he prefers not to be around too long, he has a history with the Invae.
Streit: I'm not surprised. We will try to bring spirits only if we really need them then. Come on, let's move.
The team moves forward and opens the door. On the other side a giant insect is visible, it turns towards the door while the camera sticks against the wall and the barrel of an assault rifle enters the frame. At the first shot a warning is displayed at the top of the screen: Schallpegel zu hoch, Mikrofon gesichert. A few bullets are fired before the cannon leaves the frame.
Streit: Shit, are they already inside??
Whitemane: Calm down Streit, if we shout we will attract more. Maybe it didn't get into the building, maybe it escaped from a lab.
Streit: Yeah, I'm not too sure about that. Shit ! Approaching !
Other insects come through the door. The camera takes cover and loses sight of the elf as several volleys of bullets are fired at the insects and hybrids. The enemy seems to be gaining ground until a fireball arrives from the right at several hundred km/h before exploding, sending much of the furniture in the room flying. Streit is knocked to the ground as a bug enters the frame and spit on the human's chest. A gun enters the frame and the insect is reduced to a pulp. Streit then gets up painfully.
Streit: Damn… Whitemane is everything fine, are you hit?
A voice is heard on the right, outside the frame.
Whitemane: Just a headache, it'll pass.
The elf comes out of his cover, his hair is slightly disheveled.
Streit: Be safe, okay?
Whitemane: I'll be careful. How are you ?
The camera points downwards, a puddle of acid can be seen stuck on the armor's torso piece. Streit grabs a napkin left next to a moldy meal on a desk and wipes himself.
Streit: My armor took a squirt of acid but it seems to be holding up, other than that no problem.
Whitemane: Well, we can continue then.
Streit: Alright, better not hang around anyway. We just need to find some data and we're looking for a way out. Come on, let's take the stairs.
The camera moves faster through the rooms before finding a stairwell, inside the number 3 can be seen. The steps are first climbed three by three, then from the 5th floor only two by two. The breath of the two runners becomes heavier and heavier, from the 15th floor, they begin to take breaks. The ascent takes 15 minutes.
Streit: Fucking…Hell…Floor…Sixty…Seven…Let's…take a break.
Whitemane: Phew… Yeah…
Whitemane pulls two canteens of water from his bag and hands one to the cyberhand outstretched in front of the camera.
Streit: Oh shit… I forgot… mine…
Whitemane: I know...
The two sit on a step side by side and slowly catch their breaths over 4 minutes.
Streit: You okay?
Whitemane: Yeah, I think it's okay. The headache is starting to go away, I should be fine.
Streit: So here we go. The levels above must be accessible by specific stairs, the kind that only lets in execs. If we have to, we'll enter with brute force, it won't make much more noise than the shots on the ground floor.
Streit opens the door slowly and finds himself face to face with a 1m-large fly at the withers.
Streit: Ah shit, contact!
The fly explodes under the first volley, before being replaced by another and a cockroach, then a very large flying ant. As soon as the opportunity arises the two runners come out of the stairwell and run to the offices, Streit knocks one down with a kick and the elf follows him to cover. The fight lasts 51 seconds, Streit reloaded twice.
Streit: There are really a lot of them, they must have flown there, there's no way there's a lab there, right? Shit, already spent 3 magazines… 130 bullets, roughly…
The camera turns to the floor behind the table, completely covered with remains.
Streit: We need to reach the executive staircase as soon as possible, these assault aren't stopping any time soon. You got my six?
Streit turns to the mage, he holds his temples and lets the question hover for a few seconds.
Whitemane: …Yes, yes, I'm right behind you.
There's a pause, the microphone picks up Streit's mouth opening for a moment, before closing and the camera heads towards the "Executive Stairs" signs. After a few minutes of checking each room methodically, Streit arrives in front of a large red armored door, barred horizontally and vertically with steel beams. The right cyberhand rests on a box: “Emergency Override”. Streit seems to hesitate again before turning to the elf.
Streit: Okay, Whitemane, can you cover me? I'll try to open the door without making too much noise.
Whitemane: I'll handle. Focus on you.
Streit turns back to the box and smashes the front with his knife, the latches preventing the mechanism from opening can be seen inside. Streit's hand lifts the latches and slides the deadbolts to release the steel bars. As he bends to lift the vertical bars, the camera falters.
Streit: Holy shit!
Whitemane: Streit? Streit, are you okay? What happened ?
Whitemane walks into the frame, he looks distraught.