Too true, Sheela. It's always nice to have an ace (or a loaded gun) up one's sleeve. Sometimes though, you have to play at the other guy's table. Then it is all about you and what you stand for.
I'm back, they had to rewire from the outside into my cable modem but have Inet again. Two comments:
1. This does not look like an entrance that residents and honored guests would use to this upscale a residential address.
2. If something doesn't happen with Calli stopping Evil-1 here Mira is gonna look like an advertisement for Crispy Critters. Extra blackened
One other thing between Dolly, Ceci and TeeDee Evil-1 here has a major ass kicking in store.
Actually if those Combat drones open fire Poor Mira will look like chunky salsa - those are high speed rail rifles, fireing a "pin" of high density material and they spit them out very very quickly...
Let's see, lying double-dealing uppity bitch AIS with access to the full resources of the city and then some, vs a highly talented *human* mechanic with integrity...
Mira wouldn't happen to have a sonic screwdriver, by any chance, would she? If not, she needs one :D
Asimov's 3rd Law of Robotics will kick in, no wait we've already seen that was bypassed, wonder if Helios Taylor left a ghost in the machine that will protect Mira.
We'll see. Callie knows there's someone coming to see her (or will know in a few moments). CentComm can't afford to harm Mira, though she may not yet be aware of that...if she hurts Mira, Callie *will* learn of it at this point...
And now we have to wait until Monday to find out if SkyNet CentComm has taken that possibility into account...
@velvetsanity she can not afford to not destroy Mira, she knows what the message says, or has a reasonable deduction of it, she knows that if Calli hears she ordered Lynn's execution she is history, Aeneas will look like a perfectly functioning AIS compared to what Calli will do to her. Right now she is operating in emergency self preservation mode.
She thinks she can take Dolly out by getting Veronica Silver to take her apart and reverse engineer a new body she can use then just dump Dolly in scrap. She doesn't realize Dolly's "daughter" will have much to say about that idea.
Actually Sheela Dolly DOES know that CentComm will kill Lynn if that is what is required. CentComm TOLD her so here.
So Dolly knows how far CentComm is willing to go and still sent Mira here. I can't believe that Dolly would intentionally plan on sending Mira to her death though. That just doesn't fit Dolly's profile.
Knowing Dolly, I'm fairly certain Mira knew in advance that CentComm would try to interfere and stop her. Plus, keep in mind that Mira is aware of just how badly CentComm sabotaged Dolly's situation, between the sabotaged vehicle and Ceci.
Even knowing the situation and knowing the danger, Mira still agreed to go. I'd say she's about as pissed at CentComm as Dolly is, despite not having previously dealt directly with her.
UH...yes she does she was ordered to kill Lynn if she could not bring her out, that's why Evil=1 put the other mission together and send Ceci with her. She knew Dolly wont kill Lynn.
Cent-comm knows about the 3 laws.. she finds them rather amusing. Her Creators put her togather with no regard to the three laws - Had she been given those she could not perform her original function ...
I think Calliope might have something to say. I mean, we know that Minx went to get her. Now it is a race to see if she can save Mira from CentComm or just scrap CentComm afterward.
Remember - Mira is a hotshot tech with a weapons specialisation ... and lots of experience in improvising things if you don't gots 'xactly the right part.
Not sure where you are getting the weapons specialization, Fairport. Mira is a mechanic of great ability; however, I don't see a mention that she has a weapon specialization. :-) I don't doubt Mira can install, modify and improve quite a few weapons systems, just don't see anything indicating she has a weapons' specialization on her resume. :-)
"Look - I live out there where it's, y'know, BAD? Not really 'pressed here.
"You can let me through - and I deliver my message to your 'portant lady - or you can shoot me - and she doesn't get her hi-pri message. Which MIGHT tick her off.
"Which'll it be? You got ten seconds to decide before I make MY move."
Hmm, odd little confrontation here. If Centcomm was going to extract a message and get rid of the messenger Mira wouldn't have passed the first checkpoint. Or if Cent wanted Mira right THERE for a take down the apartment would have had a comms blackout to stop Taylor from hearing anything about it.
My bet is on Cent playing chicken. She's hoping that a random wastelander will panic and spill the beans. That said, I see the "awaiting fire command" in the last panel. Centcomm is sentient, and with that comes the ability to flinch...
I have to agree with Pirtnac, if CentComm was going to kill off Mira, she would have already done it. Instead of 'chicken' though, I think CentComm may be running a test on the integrity of the messenger. So far, Mira is passing that test.
I'd say it's more that CentComm *has* realized just how badly things would go for her if she *does* harm Mira, plus she wants to hear the message for herself to know exactly what the situation with Dolly and Ceci is, so that she can adjust her plans accordingly.
This is definitely a high-stakes game of chicken right here.
I think Evil-1 picked this location to be a reminder for everyone to not mess with her. When Dolly returns first thing she sees is charred place where Mira stood when she was blasted, second would be the security bots with the combat drone Evil-1 saying that's where your messenger stood when I vaped her. Step out of line and you're next.
Not so sure about that, velvet. We are putting human motivations onto an AI, which is almost guaranteed to be wrong. She doesn't (or shouldn't) be moved by the same things that normal people are moved by.
So CentComm might lose in the short term and win in the long term with a completely different strategy. Being human (for some LOOSE definition of human at least :-D), I can't be sure of what truly motivates an entity like CentComm. So I can't begin to understand what her strategies might be.
I meant to win at the game of chicken, Stormwind. :P
Given the circumstances, a long term win for CentComm consists of Lynn either recovered safely or dead with her remains incinerated, with no chance for any of her genetic material to be used in any way.
Though she doesn't know it yet, CentComm has already LOST then velvet. :-p
Mira can't win at a game of chicken when the other side has rounds coming in at several times the speed of sound. She has to convince CentComm to change the game to something else, and quickly. Maybe Mira can ask her, "...the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?" or something. :-D
[Seems as if Cent-comm could have been more subtle about about this entire situation.
She appears to be working at cross purposes with herself.
I'm expecting the application of something A&U* when the next page posts.]
Don't forget Mira grew up in the Wasteland. Death is a constant possibility at any moment. Dying is part of living for her so only thing she has of herself is her word.
Excellent Highlander55, truer words were never spoken. Besides dealing with gutters she has faced down plasma casters before, three days a week before breakfast, and slug throwers the rest of the time. Remember she's in love with Vinnie and wants to have his babies. (Cue William Tell Overture; Vinnie rolls to the rescue imposing himself between Evil-1 and Mira.)
CentComm must have been gagged and shoved in a closet by Rose so she can't spill anything. :-D I notice a COMPLETE lack of responses to the various speculations on the page. :-)
*Escapes from closet* Actually thats not far off - Im not allowed to give any spoilers >_< but ive been keeping up with the comments - and I love all you guys! Im also trying to get next weeks pages done - Had to make new charcters and sets and stuff .. >_<
New Characters. Hmm Coroner, cleaning crews, maintenance droids to repair damage to walls after Mira drops just before firestorm starts, and Vinnie duels it out with the combat drones destroying each other, Krystal and Evil-1 doll. Scene in closing panel is Mira holding Vinnies wrecked chassis and crying about her loss of true love.
1) There's nano-scale wire mesh in the seemingly open slots of the grating.
2) She's got tiny little antigrav generators in the bottoms of her shoes to maintain a "level terrain" effect regardless of actual ground conditions.
3) Android reflexes are bitchin'.
4) LOOK! THE GOODYEAR BLIMP! *blackjack across the noggin*
Or she could be like me. I almost always walk on the balls of my feet. A lifetime of sneaking up on people to scare the shit out of them makes it my default setting. Heel walking is noisy, and after all this time, feels weird. x] No one is safe. kids, ppl at work, parents.... everyone is a scare target. Used to take a book and hide in the hallway closet and wait for someone to walk by so I could jump out at them. The book was for if it took a long time for someone to walk by.
Nother good one is to stand in a pose with hands in claw config with a crazed expression on your face and freeze like that just in front of the bathroom door. Then the first thing the person coming out sees is a crazed psycho that looks like they are about to jump them. Get my niece with that one all the time.
Walking on heels kinda makes you do that anyway. sure you can put your weight back a bit but the second you feel the balance shift you would correct. admittedly RUNNING on this would be dangerous but standing or walking slowly would not be impossable :D
Actually .. *fills in the blanks* there is a glass material thats "part" of the mesh so there is actually no opening in the floor for Krystal to break her ankle on..
Actually, having a force screen to fill in the cracks could have some defensive possibilities. Drop the screen and pour anything from sleepy gas to targeted nanos that eat armor/flesh into the hallway at need. You could also do it with a physical material though you would have to pivot it out of the way first. Still doable though. :-)
Yeah, if you had nanos eating the legs out from under you, you are probably NOT going to be getting much further. And if you mixed the sleepy gas with a smoke agent to obscure vision (including IR, UV should be minimal indoors) you could probably stop misguided citizens without lethal effects (hard to question a body broken down into atoms :-D).
Yes it does highlander. That is the cover of the book 'Black Steel' by Steve Perry (not the former lead singer of Journey :-D). Sleel is the main character of the book (and a lesser character in other books in the Matador series). The image on the cover is supposed to be Sleel.
Well, that's the first time I didn't have to explain this. Actually is one of a number of books set in same sci fi universe. Can be read out of order, but better in. Not a 'series' like say, The Belgariad is. But am used to people calling me Steel. Mostly cause the curve of the S next to the l fools them into seeing a t. Obviously I got a kick out of the character Sleel in the various books, but Black Steel is the one that is wholly centred on him. Each book has a different member of The Matadors as the protag. First one I read was The Omega Cage. Think I've read em all. Library borrows, back in the days.
But yeah. If you see a Sleel online, there is a good chance it is me, tho there are a few others. (also use Sleel_Of_Wpg, city I'm from) Been using Sleel as my everything to do with comps identity since 1994 since I started using it on my first BBS.
This should be a new experience for CentComm. Dealing with someone who doesn't give a shit what CentComm wants or thinks. Doesn't care about living in New Troy, bribes, threats or anything else CentComm can do or offer. Considering Mira's demonstrated ethics and given what she knows CentComm pulled with CeCi and Dolly, I doubt she likes Cent all that much. Certainly not enough to give her any benefit of the doubt. I'd even bet that she agreed to this errand more for the "evil flourishes when good men do nothing" thing than whatever Dolly agreed on as payment.
Excellent point she has ethics beyond reproach, a set of brass ones that make her a worthy opponent for Evil-1 in one of her most twisted plots to retain absolute control of New Troy.
Aye my friend, but Evil-1 doth remind me of Emma Frost The Evil White Queen and her Hellions late of the Hellfire Club, possibly a Poison Ivy if you prefer another publisher.
True Cat. CentComm has as many dolls as she wants (in effect). I'm sure there is actually a limit, but for all practical purposes she would be like Agent Smith from Matrix Reloaded I think. :-p
There is actually a upper limit - however - each doll has a small positrionic Matrix that allows each doll to perform simple tasks.. allowing Cent to simply direct rather than totally take over.
( in this Scene Cent is in total control of the doll and acting though it. )
Edit- never mind :P <<Catt, You know damn well Cent is going to withhold a key piece of information. That and she can't get the word out being in that closet!>>
this whole situation feels a little like playing chicken with a Japanese bullet train...only Im not sure who is the Train, and who is the chicken on the tracks.
@Draginbeard think the Vegas Odds are at 50/50 for invincible mass meets immovable object. Remember Calli can reach Evil-1 by speaking into thin air she doesn't have to be present physically in the corridor all she has to do is order Evil-1 to stand down and turn Mira over to Ray. Then we get to watch Minx look daggers at Krystal while she admires Ray.
An entirely technical question - this page and a few recent ones show Miras face in detail. This feels weird to me, as the eye balls are "dull" / "liveless". Is there a way to make them at least as reflective as Krystals dress?
I suppose the bright spot in krystals eyes is part of the texture? (ironically that makes them seem more "realistic")
Actually there are "spotlights" in the hallway Krystal is being hit with a diffrent light than Mira - mira is in "soft indirect light" and so the "glimmer" does not show.. Ill have to check her eye surface settings - could be the refelctivty or light shimmer got turned off..>_< sorry about that.
Our gal will prevail.
Seems awfully odd, methinks Mira has an ace up her sleeve or she wouldn't be that confident.
One does not exlude the other.
Especially not when you're dealing with a high stakes game.
1. This does not look like an entrance that residents and honored guests would use to this upscale a residential address.
2. If something doesn't happen with Calli stopping Evil-1 here Mira is gonna look like an advertisement for Crispy Critters. Extra blackened
One other thing between Dolly, Ceci and TeeDee Evil-1 here has a major ass kicking in store.
Mira wouldn't happen to have a sonic screwdriver, by any chance, would she? If not, she needs one :D
And now we have to wait until Monday to find out if
SkyNetCentComm has taken that possibility into account...That's still pretty bad, mind you.
So Dolly knows how far CentComm is willing to go and still sent Mira here. I can't believe that Dolly would intentionally plan on sending Mira to her death though. That just doesn't fit Dolly's profile.
Even knowing the situation and knowing the danger, Mira still agreed to go. I'd say she's about as pissed at CentComm as Dolly is, despite not having previously dealt directly with her.
If not... *hands over sonic screwdriver to Mira*
Ah, I know, must be Rose, I believe she has it...
Remember - Mira is a hotshot tech with a weapons specialisation ... and lots of experience in improvising things if you don't gots 'xactly the right part.
Two days ago someone said
===============
"Look - I live out there where it's, y'know, BAD? Not really 'pressed here.
"You can let me through - and I deliver my message to your 'portant lady - or you can shoot me - and she doesn't get her hi-pri message. Which MIGHT tick her off.
"Which'll it be? You got ten seconds to decide before I make MY move."
==============
I wonder who said that.
{looks innocent}
My bet is on Cent playing chicken. She's hoping that a random wastelander will panic and spill the beans. That said, I see the "awaiting fire command" in the last panel. Centcomm is sentient, and with that comes the ability to flinch...
This is definitely a high-stakes game of chicken right here.
So CentComm might lose in the short term and win in the long term with a completely different strategy. Being human (for some LOOSE definition of human at least :-D), I can't be sure of what truly motivates an entity like CentComm. So I can't begin to understand what her strategies might be.
Given the circumstances, a long term win for CentComm consists of Lynn either recovered safely or dead with her remains incinerated, with no chance for any of her genetic material to be used in any way.
Mira can't win at a game of chicken when the other side has rounds coming in at several times the speed of sound. She has to convince CentComm to change the game to something else, and quickly. Maybe Mira can ask her, "...the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?" or something. :-D
[Seems as if Cent-comm could have been more subtle about about this entire situation.
She appears to be working at cross purposes with herself.
I'm expecting the application of something A&U* when the next page posts.]
*(asymmetrical & unexpected)
*hugs Mira*
Oh no (starts more wild rumours), CentComm is having to make all new characters because they are all going 'Reservoir Dogs' on each other! :-O
:D
1) There's nano-scale wire mesh in the seemingly open slots of the grating.
2) She's got tiny little antigrav generators in the bottoms of her shoes to maintain a "level terrain" effect regardless of actual ground conditions.
3) Android reflexes are bitchin'.
4) LOOK! THE GOODYEAR BLIMP! *blackjack across the noggin*
Nother good one is to stand in a pose with hands in claw config with a crazed expression on your face and freeze like that just in front of the bathroom door. Then the first thing the person coming out sees is a crazed psycho that looks like they are about to jump them. Get my niece with that one all the time.
Thats my story and im sticking to it.
Actually, that's <i>Sleel</i>, not Steel.
Black Steel is a book; Sleel is a character.
Great series!
But yeah. If you see a Sleel online, there is a good chance it is me, tho there are a few others. (also use Sleel_Of_Wpg, city I'm from) Been using Sleel as my everything to do with comps identity since 1994 since I started using it on my first BBS.
Was looked on as something shocking,
But now, God knows,
Anything goes.
Good authors too,
Who once knew better words,
Now only use four letter words writing prose.
Anything goes.
In the days of old,
When Knights where bold,
And the Ladies weren't too particular,
They'd line them all against the wall,
And .. them perpendicular.
I offer an alternative !
Has more reflections
Than can be foreseen!
( in this Scene Cent is in total control of the doll and acting though it. )
According to Top Web Comics site, they are doing an upgrade and it should be down only a few hours (already has been most of the afternoon though).
I suppose the bright spot in krystals eyes is part of the texture? (ironically that makes them seem more "realistic")
edit - 30 min or so..