- Joined
- Aug 12, 2010
- Messages
- 7,070
- Reputation score
- 192
The digital clock in your shared apartment with the five other newly promoted Trouble Shooters flips over to 7:18 AM, and the built in alarm system blares loudly, waking you all from your restful sleep cycle. It's so strange not being required to down a Wakey-Wakey pill anymore like your former Infra-Red comrades in your various service firm jobs. Though certainly capable of waking a person up, the pills can have the side effect of making one unable to multi-task. A relatively unimportant ability for the life of an IR drone, but Trouble Shooters must be vigilant, and ever watchful, so today begins with a completely natural waking.
The problem is, the red alarm clock seems to not have an off button, and it's REALLY loud.
***
This is your new life in Alpha Complex - the giant, expansive, massive-to-the-point-of-being-unmappable complex of interconnected corridors, side chambers, tubeway tunnels and the occassional wide space assigned for markets, FunBall pitches, and low yield TacNuke testing facilities. This place was made necessary 214 years ago when something bad happened to the surface of the Earth, making it uninhabitable. The Computer blames some strange and not-quite-understood group called the Commies. Even now, these Commie elements have infiltrated Alpha Complex, hoping to subvert this glorious paradise of yours and finish the job of ruining the world forever. At least that's what the Computer says.
Oh yes. The Computer. An ever present eyeball that can show up on every monitor in Alpha Complex, including the small one located on your Series 1300 PDC wrist communicators. It's been here since the beginning of Alpha Complex and it's in charge of everything, along with the council of Ultra Violet High Programmers - the only citizens important and wise enough to be trusted to know the inner workings of the Computer itself. The Computer wants the best for humans in Alpha Complex, and is convinced that it is running this place so well, that anything that goes against its directives is treason and part of the subversive, Commie Mutant Traitor conspiracy to overthrow it. As such, it has an intense paranoia against anyone or anything that tries to inquire about the Outdoors, or the Time Before Alpha Complex.
A few things to point out. The Computer finds the old method of human reproduction to be filled with problems, especially the idea of human relationships between members of the opposite sex. In order to relieve humans of the burden of breeding, all records of sex or romance have been eliminated, and the job of producing new humans for Alpha complex is regulated to the Cloning Vats. Every citizen of Alpha Complex is a clone, and they are each guaranteed six clones during their template's lifetime. When a clone dies in an accident (or otherwise), a replacement clone with the same memories and personality of the prior clone up to the point of its demise, is decanted directly into sector of its predecessor.
Another thing to remember, all citizens begin their lives as an Infra Red citizen. This is a rigid caste system that the Computer considers optimized for the running of Alpha Complex. You all have just been promoted from IR status because you snitched on one of your fellow IR co-workers. They were all up to some sort of traitorous activity, and the Computer rewards any loyal citizen who is willing to do the right thing and reveal Traitors amongst them. Citizens like you, who have been rewarded with Red clearance and been given the additional mandatory bonus job of being a Trouble Shooter.
It is your honor and duty to find trouble in Alpha Complex and shoot it. From time to time, you will be given a mission assignment. When you receive this assignment, you are expected to rush to your briefing point, receive your assignment details, pick up any extra tasks and gear from R&D, complete your mission, and then return for debriefing. Only you as Loyal Troubleshooters, can be the thin RED line that keeps this entire complex safe from subversive elements.
This is quite a good position for you, being a card carrying member of a subversive secret society! You've been recruited during your time as an Infra Red citizen into a secret society who has an agenda that is not in line with the Computer's official image of the ideal Alpha Complex society. But you know the truth. The Computer is insane and doing things wrong and now that you're a trouble shooter, your contacts want to use you to advance your goals. If you can prove your worth to your secret society, they'll help you rise through the ranks and clearances before you reach your sixth clone's termination. It's your best chance to get ahead, because complacency will get you nowhere in this society.
It's important though that you not let yourself be discovered by these five other Trouble Shooters who will only be too happy to disintegrate you with their lasers. And not just for being a traitor! You're also an unregistered mutant, and that in and of itself is grounds for execution.
Whew! You've got a lot of reasons to be paranoid! But hey! Look on the bright side: this is the first day of your glorious rise! Maybe you'll be the clone to make a difference for Alpha Complex?
***
The alarm clock continues to blare and its now starting to hurt your ears. Is that thing actually getting louder? You're all desperate to turn it off, but what can you do? Breaking Alpha Complex equipment is a fineable offense.
Just then, you each get a buzz on your PDC and examine your wrists as a message appears on your screens.
Troubleshooters! Congratulations on being chosen to assist the Computer on a matter of critical importance! Your combined skill sets have been determined appropriate for this duty. Said duty will require one shift of security and defense for a classified research project ULMF2619, the prototype Mutant Gene Converter and Chromatic Identifier. You are designated security outfit 000345D. You are to report to tubeway station SC45, Level 8, Platform A/B where you will relieve security outfit 000345C, taking over security from 08:00 until 16:00. Upon relieving security outfit 000345C, your team leader must contact your mission handler at Troubleshooter Central.
Since this is your first mission, the following Mandatory Bonus Duties have been assigned to you, and may be adjusted after examining your performance:
Team Leader: Jason-R-VAS-1 (The mission's success or failure depends on your leadership!)
Loyalty Officer: Reiko-R-HAV-1 (Keep track of your fellow troubleshooters and record instances of potential minor and major treason, and ensure that they are adhering to the responsibilities of their Mandatory Bonus Duties.)
Happiness Officer: Willow-R-MLY-1 (It's vitally important to keep morale up! Make sure to entertain and keep your troubleshooters smiling! 89% of failed missions are due to low morale.)
Hygiene Officer: Vendretta-R-FTA-1 (It's vitally important to keep your mission team looking sharp. Dirty hands can misfire a laser. Bad breath can alert enemies to your presence. Remember the motto of the Scrubbing Helmet: a clean team is a mean team!)
Communications and Recording Officer: Nikki-R-APP-1 (It's your job to record every detail of this mission in exquisite quality so that it can be reviewed by the Computer at mission debriefing. Your selection of camera angle can be the difference between promotion and termination. Make everyone look good, and get them to pose properly and speak with good diction! Your PDC's mutli-recorder device has been switched on for your vital task!)
Equipment Guy (Gal): Jane-R-NAK-1 (You are responsible for the care and treatment of all Computer property assigned to the Troubleshooter team. When it comes to repair or equipment knowledge, you're the expert!)
Having read your mission and bonus assignments you look at each other apprehensively while the alarm clock continues to blare...
Time to shoot some trouble!
The problem is, the red alarm clock seems to not have an off button, and it's REALLY loud.
***
This is your new life in Alpha Complex - the giant, expansive, massive-to-the-point-of-being-unmappable complex of interconnected corridors, side chambers, tubeway tunnels and the occassional wide space assigned for markets, FunBall pitches, and low yield TacNuke testing facilities. This place was made necessary 214 years ago when something bad happened to the surface of the Earth, making it uninhabitable. The Computer blames some strange and not-quite-understood group called the Commies. Even now, these Commie elements have infiltrated Alpha Complex, hoping to subvert this glorious paradise of yours and finish the job of ruining the world forever. At least that's what the Computer says.
Oh yes. The Computer. An ever present eyeball that can show up on every monitor in Alpha Complex, including the small one located on your Series 1300 PDC wrist communicators. It's been here since the beginning of Alpha Complex and it's in charge of everything, along with the council of Ultra Violet High Programmers - the only citizens important and wise enough to be trusted to know the inner workings of the Computer itself. The Computer wants the best for humans in Alpha Complex, and is convinced that it is running this place so well, that anything that goes against its directives is treason and part of the subversive, Commie Mutant Traitor conspiracy to overthrow it. As such, it has an intense paranoia against anyone or anything that tries to inquire about the Outdoors, or the Time Before Alpha Complex.
A few things to point out. The Computer finds the old method of human reproduction to be filled with problems, especially the idea of human relationships between members of the opposite sex. In order to relieve humans of the burden of breeding, all records of sex or romance have been eliminated, and the job of producing new humans for Alpha complex is regulated to the Cloning Vats. Every citizen of Alpha Complex is a clone, and they are each guaranteed six clones during their template's lifetime. When a clone dies in an accident (or otherwise), a replacement clone with the same memories and personality of the prior clone up to the point of its demise, is decanted directly into sector of its predecessor.
Another thing to remember, all citizens begin their lives as an Infra Red citizen. This is a rigid caste system that the Computer considers optimized for the running of Alpha Complex. You all have just been promoted from IR status because you snitched on one of your fellow IR co-workers. They were all up to some sort of traitorous activity, and the Computer rewards any loyal citizen who is willing to do the right thing and reveal Traitors amongst them. Citizens like you, who have been rewarded with Red clearance and been given the additional mandatory bonus job of being a Trouble Shooter.
It is your honor and duty to find trouble in Alpha Complex and shoot it. From time to time, you will be given a mission assignment. When you receive this assignment, you are expected to rush to your briefing point, receive your assignment details, pick up any extra tasks and gear from R&D, complete your mission, and then return for debriefing. Only you as Loyal Troubleshooters, can be the thin RED line that keeps this entire complex safe from subversive elements.
This is quite a good position for you, being a card carrying member of a subversive secret society! You've been recruited during your time as an Infra Red citizen into a secret society who has an agenda that is not in line with the Computer's official image of the ideal Alpha Complex society. But you know the truth. The Computer is insane and doing things wrong and now that you're a trouble shooter, your contacts want to use you to advance your goals. If you can prove your worth to your secret society, they'll help you rise through the ranks and clearances before you reach your sixth clone's termination. It's your best chance to get ahead, because complacency will get you nowhere in this society.
It's important though that you not let yourself be discovered by these five other Trouble Shooters who will only be too happy to disintegrate you with their lasers. And not just for being a traitor! You're also an unregistered mutant, and that in and of itself is grounds for execution.
Whew! You've got a lot of reasons to be paranoid! But hey! Look on the bright side: this is the first day of your glorious rise! Maybe you'll be the clone to make a difference for Alpha Complex?
***
The alarm clock continues to blare and its now starting to hurt your ears. Is that thing actually getting louder? You're all desperate to turn it off, but what can you do? Breaking Alpha Complex equipment is a fineable offense.
Just then, you each get a buzz on your PDC and examine your wrists as a message appears on your screens.
Troubleshooters! Congratulations on being chosen to assist the Computer on a matter of critical importance! Your combined skill sets have been determined appropriate for this duty. Said duty will require one shift of security and defense for a classified research project ULMF2619, the prototype Mutant Gene Converter and Chromatic Identifier. You are designated security outfit 000345D. You are to report to tubeway station SC45, Level 8, Platform A/B where you will relieve security outfit 000345C, taking over security from 08:00 until 16:00. Upon relieving security outfit 000345C, your team leader must contact your mission handler at Troubleshooter Central.
Since this is your first mission, the following Mandatory Bonus Duties have been assigned to you, and may be adjusted after examining your performance:
Team Leader: Jason-R-VAS-1 (The mission's success or failure depends on your leadership!)
Loyalty Officer: Reiko-R-HAV-1 (Keep track of your fellow troubleshooters and record instances of potential minor and major treason, and ensure that they are adhering to the responsibilities of their Mandatory Bonus Duties.)
Happiness Officer: Willow-R-MLY-1 (It's vitally important to keep morale up! Make sure to entertain and keep your troubleshooters smiling! 89% of failed missions are due to low morale.)
Hygiene Officer: Vendretta-R-FTA-1 (It's vitally important to keep your mission team looking sharp. Dirty hands can misfire a laser. Bad breath can alert enemies to your presence. Remember the motto of the Scrubbing Helmet: a clean team is a mean team!)
Communications and Recording Officer: Nikki-R-APP-1 (It's your job to record every detail of this mission in exquisite quality so that it can be reviewed by the Computer at mission debriefing. Your selection of camera angle can be the difference between promotion and termination. Make everyone look good, and get them to pose properly and speak with good diction! Your PDC's mutli-recorder device has been switched on for your vital task!)
Equipment Guy (Gal): Jane-R-NAK-1 (You are responsible for the care and treatment of all Computer property assigned to the Troubleshooter team. When it comes to repair or equipment knowledge, you're the expert!)
Having read your mission and bonus assignments you look at each other apprehensively while the alarm clock continues to blare...
Time to shoot some trouble!