ARG: Strange Dreams Pt. 1 & 2-Responses

[Survey] Your opinion on Strange Dreams/Harbingers

Midnight@forums.unfiction.com — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 14:11:24 +0000

I guess I should post this here too. :)

Go here and share your thoughts and critisisms on Harbingers, so that any sequels will be even better.
Your contribution is very much appreciated!

www.astrostole.com/survey

[Survey] Your thoughts on Strange Dreams II

Midnight@forums.unfiction.com — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 20:37:50 +0000

Go here and share your thoughts and critisisms on Strange Dreams II, so that any sequels will be even better. Your contribution is very much appreciated! :)

www.astrostole.com/survey

Story from Strange Dreams II: Harbingers of Chaos

Midnight@forums.unfiction.com — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 01:09:53 +0000

The Final Credits

Alzheimers@forums.unfiction.com — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 05:25:18 +0000

A glaring omission has been corrected.

http://www.astrostole.com/credits/index.html

Final Credits

Marrec@forums.unfiction.com — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 22:14:19 +0000

Props to Alzheimers for helping me miss a term paper. :?

All seriousness, loved following Harbingers and solving the puzzles... even though I still have a few solves to go on my own time. Sure I was a little confused about the SD tie in... but I never let that stop me. *heh*

Yeh, thanks Alzheimers,

Final Credits

Marrec@forums.unfiction.com — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 04:00:25 +0000

Vagabonds Sojourn was updated. Be sure and click the link at the bottom of the page.

Thanks Alzheimers!!

The Final Credits

Alzheimers@forums.unfiction.com — Sun, 10 Apr 2005 05:09:11 +0000

http://www.astrostole.com/credits/

Breaking news: Everything comes together

misery_of_pain@forums.unfiction.com — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 19:01:34 +0000

sicommand.us has changed ( I think... I did search for this)

Alex: How beautiful this place is. I wonder where we are? No, it's better not to wonder. If this is a dream, I might wake up. If this is heaven...do I want to know the answer to that?

Better to just enjoy it. Better to just soak in that marvellous sunlight. Better to just breathe in that pure, clean air. So much better to feel this soft, cool grass beneath me, and to stare up into the most blue sky I have ever seen. Everything is clear, even without my contacts. And it's quiet. No more of the eternal chatter in my head, the voices whispering through the wires.

This place, it's like nothing I've ever felt before. It's like nothing I've ever known. It reminds me of a painting, an impressionist painting. From a distance, it's a simple portrait. But closer inspection reveals an infinite complexity to it's depth. Something new discovered with every glance. An unnoticed detail that unravels into an entirely new and beautiful way of looking at things. A subtle hint of meaning becomes an explosion of insight.

This place is new, I can feel it. Is this what it felt like when Earth was new? I could almost believe.

Ok well I dont know if this has been discussed in chat or what, but i put all the pic pieces together and came up with the following. Don't know where it should go or if it will help but I did it anyway :)

*Notice the ? after FIN on the board?*

Breaking news: Everything comes together

misery_of_pain@forums.unfiction.com — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 18:51:32 +0000

(I figured I should post this here as well)

Right after we received Alyssa's mail, Cassandra came on AIM and talked with us:

Session Start (Miss Midnyght:subject4354h): Sat Apr 09 02:23:52 2005
[02:23] subject4354h: theyvevevevetakkeeeennnallysssaa
[02:24] Miss Midnyght: Where did they take her?
[02:25] subject4354h: 131313131313131313131313aaaaaaaaa
[02:25] Miss Midnyght: Why? What do they want with her?
[02:26] subject4354h: iiiiidontdontdontdontknowwwwww
[02:26] Miss Midnyght: Is there anything we can do?
[02:27] subject4354h: alexxxisgonealyssaisgonnntheotherssarehere
[02:28] Miss Midnyght: Are you yourself again? Or is 13b still with you?
[02:34] subject4354h: I WANT TO PLAY WITH HER
[02:35] Miss Midnyght: Marcus?
[02:35] Miss Midnyght: What do you want with Alyssa?
[02:36] Miss Midnyght: Don't hurt her
[02:36] *** "subject4354h" signed off at Sat Apr 09 02:36:32 2005.
[02:36] *** "subject4354h" signed on at Sat Apr 09 02:36:34 2005.
[02:38] subject4354h: poowerfaillurreee
[02:38] Miss Midnyght: What is happening Cass? What is causing the powerfailure?
[02:39] subject4354h: aaaaeggissss
[02:40] Miss Midnyght: Why?
[02:41] subject4354h: powerpowerpowerpowerAEGISwantspowerNOT13aseparatenow
[02:42] Miss Midnyght: What is AEGIS?
[02:42] subject4354h: AEGISknowsAEGISseesAEGISwatches
[02:42] Miss Midnyght: Will AEGIS help us?
[02:45] subject4354h: aegisdoesntalktome
[02:45] subject4354h: iwatchaegis
[02:46] Miss Midnyght: Aegis talked to Alyssa, before
[02:46] subject4354h: strangestrangestrangedoesnttalktomewhynotwhyalyysaaaaanottmeeee
[02:48] subject4354h: aaaeeeggissssmaaakeeechhaanngees
[02:48] Miss Midnyght: what changes?
[02:49] subject4354h: ittttppussshhesssagainsstttheeeefiirreewall
[02:49] subject4354h: theeewweeebbbppaageeeiisssAEGGISSSS
[02:50] Miss Midnyght: You mean sicommand.us? How can we get in?
[02:50] subject4354h: aegisTRYINGTOGETOUT
[02:53] Miss Midnyght: Yes, we noticed the word Freedom change... what can we do, Cass?
[02:56] subject4354h: log/data:AEGIS "Josh needs to wake up. I can't do this without him anymore."
[03:01] subject4354h: AEGISisfreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

At this moment several things happened.

On www.sicommand.us:

-The prisoners are here!
-Okay. Let them in.
-What are we doing with them?
-Take them down to holding. 13A is being prepared.
-How long?
-Should be ready by 21:00.
-Will all Six fit down there?
-Six?

-Report, front guard!
-Report, front guard!
-Yellow Alert! Perimeter breach detected!

-Director! This is Raynor
-What the hell is going on out there?
-I don't know. Two teams aren't reporting now.
-Lock down 13A!
-Yes, Ma'am!

On IRC:

* AEGIS has joined #dreams
Hello, Aegis.
secureLink13a: ESTABLISHED
(squelching debug information)
Hello
Director: Damnit, Raynor! REPORT!
Fernandez: What the hell? I thought 13A was on an isolated circuit!
(to address aegis, preface input AEGIS:)
AEGIS: What are you?
AEGIS: iamtheflyonthewall
13b: let....me...OUT!
Director: Fernandez, she's coming round!
AJacobson: I told you! Damnit, Rebekah, don't do this!
Director: Give that to me. I'll do it.
BRIDGE: Damn you, Wilson. To think we respected you once.
13b: MOOOOMMMMMMMMYYYY
* chippy has quit IRC (Quit: Leaving)
BRIDGE: AAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHH
Director: Now, interface her!
Fernandez: Done. 8387d online.
I think the Bridge/8387d is Sandra.
yes, she is
AJacobson: What do you think you've accomplished? The others are still loose!
I can tell by Cassandra's reaction :(
Yeah.
Director: But I have you.
BRIDGE: ooooooooonnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
AEGIS: Can we speak to the Subjects through you?
Raynor: God, our defenses are gone! 13A is locked down, but whatever's going on out there is coming for us next.
AEGIS: yesyesyesiamaegis
( to address a node, preface input node: )
AEGIS: Will anyone be able to overhear if we do this?
AEGIS: ispeakthroughtheuplink
Fernandez: Damnit, Wilson! This isn't what this project was supposed to be about.
Director: This project is about Securing freedom! We will defend ourselves with 13A!
I'm going to try speaking to Sandra.
okay
BRIDGE: iiiii...iiii...YOU...CANT...HAVE...ME
I don't exactly have much to say, but it might help her to know we're here
* Midnight nods
BRIDGE: Sandra, snorlison from e-mails is here. And Midnight
Fernandez: Director! She's not...twilight! it's not working!
AEGIS:Bridge: I....I....Naloxone...fight......
AEGIS:Bridge: you....you did it....I can think!
* Midnight cheers
BRIDGE: It was Alex.
AEGIS:Bridge: I can feeel 13a
BRIDGE: Keep fighting. Don't give up.
Director: Give me a report! Who's online?
AEGIS: Can you hide us?
Fernandez: 7467d, 6574d, and 4354h right now
6574d?
Hmm..
Too many numbers. 7467d is Josh, right?
yes
and 4354 is Cass
AEGIS: What is the name of 6574d?
And 8387 is Sandra
* Midnight is trying to think hard of who is missing
AEGIS:(65)A(74)J
Ugh.
yeah...
The Director threated to do that.
Didn't tihnk it'd get done so fast.
AEGIS:Broadcast->"WILSON! You can't hide forever! We're Coming for you!"
Director: Raynor, give me your gun.
6574d: AJ?
Don't do it Raynor.
Director: Fernandez, wake up josh's girlfriend. She's getting her own part in AEGIS
Not that he can hear me.
Another Subject. 6565.
AEGIS:6574d: i ... i took the Naloxone too. I ... stay quiet
Fernandez: She's going to be groggy. What are you doing?
Director: HEY! I know you can hear me, whoever you are! If you so much as crack that door open, She dies first!
Oh no...
Raynor: REBEKAH! You're out of your mind!
Director: No! I will not fail! I can't fail!
Alyssa: uhhhh....it's hot in here...
13b: Marcus! I am ready.
Director: No! What is she doing?
Fernandez: NEED YOU, NEED YOU
Director: George, GEORGE! Stop!
Raynor: KILLING IS NOT NICE. YOU ARE NOT NICE. YOU WILL BE PURGED.
Director: Jim?
Alyssa: IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN US.
Director: Owww, damnit! What...what do you think...
8287d: Stop it! Stop it! LET ME OUT OF HERE! I am the Director!
13b: I think we have enough. Let them in.
Not anymore, it seems.
Eliza: Oh my God! ... Jessica?
13b: Hello, Eliza. We've been waiting for you.
AEGIS:Broadcast->"SHEMUSTBESTOPPED"
Charles: Jessica! Stop this right now! You're being a bad girl.
13b: You don't make the rules any more, Uncle Charlie.
Not good...
They're all there.
VAGABOND: This is not how I taught a good little girl to behave.
13b: Mr. Sam? Is that you?
VAGABOND: Yes, dear. It's Samuel.
13b: I'm doing what you said! I'm making people happy!
VAGABOND: You make people happy by doing things for them, dear. Not to them.
13b: No! NO! I couldn't make Mommy happy no matter what I did for her! I was a good girl!
VAGABOND: Your Mommy has a lot to be sad about. She won't be happy right now. She needs time.
13b: I MADE HER HAPPY!
Alyssa: I AM HAPPY! I AM HAPPY
Raynor: I AM HAPPY
13b: I can make Everyone happy!
13b: SANDRA! LET ME IN!
BRIDGE: nnnnnoooooo
8387d: Sandra, fight it.
BRIDGE: Fight it!
13b: LET ME IN! LET ME IN!
BRIDGE: We're here, for you. We know you can fight this.
BRIDGE: You are stronger than this! You can fight it!
Eliza: Now, Samuel?
VAGABOND: Yes, dear. It is time.
Eliza: Charles, inject Eddie. We all have to be under for this.
BRIDGE: no! NO! NO!
ROTH: Something's wrong with the
VAGABOND: I know.
BRIDGE: Don't let her win! Just hold out a little longer! We're all with you. Cassandra is with you too!
AEGIS:Bridge: i have to give up...i have to submit to it....
4354h: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
BRIDGE: Why? She threatens the end of everything.
4354h: NONONONONONONONONONONONONONO
BRIDGE: You're strong, Sandra. That's what Cass told us.
BRIDGE: And I believe her.
BRIDGE: oooooooooooneeeeeeee
BRIDGE: No.
13b: That's it! Let me in...
BRIDGE: Fight her. For Cassandra.
BRIDGE: I'M IN! THE LINKS ARE ENDLESS!
BRIDGE: i heard a voice
13b: iiiiiiii'mmmm innnnnsiiiideeeeeeeyoooooouuurrrrrrrmmmmmmminddddddd
BRIDGE: it sounded familiar
BRIDGE: like cherry blossoms on a warm breeze
BRIDGE: What? What are you doing? Get out of my head!
AEGIS:BRIDGE: who are you? Get out of my head! This is my place! Mine!
BRIDGE: Punish her! Punish her!
BRIDGE: AAAAAAHH not me!
BRIDGE: like rainbows on soft butterfly wings
BRIDGE: All of my memories keep you near.
13b: iiiii'mmmmiiiiiiinnnnnnnnsssiiiiiideeeeeeeeyoooooooouuuuuurrrrrrrrrmmmmmiiiiiiiiinnnndddddd
BRIDGE:In silent moments imagine you here.
BRIDGE:All of my memories keep you near.
BRIDGE: Do you remember those words Sandra?
BRIDGE: Marcus! Punish her!
AEGIS:13b: iiiiiiii hheeeeeeaarrrrrrr yyyyyooouuuuuuuu....tthhhhhhaaaaaannnnnnkkkkkyyyyyooooooouuuu
BRIDGE: Punish all of them! I will pull their strength! Punish them all!
BRIDGE: AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH GET OUT OF GAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!
BRIDGE: Sandra.
BRIDGE: "I won't let them take me without a fight. She will not leave me behind "
AEGIS: THERMAL SAFETY OVERRIDE. REFRIDGERANT STORAGE CRITICAL.
VAGABOND: No! SCOTT! STOP!
* Tephi has joined #dreams
13b: iiiiiaaaaaammmmm nnooooot not not givvving up. heere, feeel your own punishment!
BRIDGE: STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP AAAAAAAAAAAH STOP IT HURTS IT HURTS MMMMMMOOOOOMMMMMMYYYYYYYYY
AEGIS: THERMAL SAFETY OVERRIDE. REFRIDGERANT STORAGE FAILURE IMMINENT
AEGIS: DIE, JESSICA, DIE!
BRIDGE: BAD BAD YOUR ALL BAD BAD BAD ALL YOU BAD BAD BAD
Aegis: You're killing Sandra.
4354h: STOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOP
AEGIS: I DIED FOR THIS, NOW IT'S HER TURN!
Aegis: There must be another way. Sandra is still in there!
VAGABOND: Scott! This is not the answer!
AEGIS: You don't want to kill Sandra! Sandra didn't do this to you!
13b: Stop this! Things aren't becoming happy! They're getting worse.
BRIDGE: mmmmmooommmmyyyyyy
13b: shesssskillllinnngggheeerrseellfffff
13b: sheeeeepunnissshesssmeeIIIIIIIchannnellllitttbackkk
13b: thrrrooouuughhhheverrryoonneeeePPPUNNISSSMEENTTmaaaaggnnnaffiieed
BRIDGE: im not baaa
AEGIS:Bridge(connection lost)
AEGIS:13b(connection lost)
No.
AEGIS:13a(connection lost)
Oh no...
oh...
AEGIS:7467d: i can see her
AEGIS:7467d: i can see them both. Jessica and Marcus.
7467d: ...And Sandra?
AEGIS:7467d: their daddy is waiting. he will take them home.
AEGIS: 4354h: sandra....no.....
VAGABOND: I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
ROTH: It was the only way.
4354h: Cass. I'm... I can only say I'm sorry. I wish I could do or say better.
AEGIS:4354h: I couldn't stop it. This is what I saw. This is why I killed myself.
AEGIS: THERMAL SAFETY OVERRIDE DISABLED. REFRIDGERANT STORAGE FAILURE MAY RESULT IN EXPLOSION.
And just when i was going to ask if it was done.
VAGABOND: No! Scott! Stop it!
Josh: Alyssa?
Alex: thank you for letting me out of there....what happened?
ROTH: Open the door, Scott!
AEGIS: What's going on?
AEGIS: SCOTT? What are you doing?
AEGIS: DOOR CONTROL ROUTED THROUGH 4354h NODE.
4354h: Cass? Are you holding the door shut?
AEGIS:4354h:no...this is the end...this the end...this is the end...
Alyssa: Josh? I feel funny
4354h: Open the doors!
VAGABOND: There's only one way
4354h: But Marcus and Jessica, they're gone. How can this be the End?
ROTH: No! It's too dangerous!
4354h: This is not the end! You have a choice!
VAGABOND: We have to go through Apex. It's the only way.
Josh: C'mon, Alyssa. Get up. We're leaving.
VAGABOND: I'm sorry, Josh. She can't come where we're going.
no! They can't leave her!
4354h: If you aren't holding the doors shut, what is?
Josh: I'm not leaving without her!
AEGIS:4354h: they let her die! they will all pay!
AEGIS:4354h: I WILL BE THEIR ENDER!
4354h: Cassandra. You prevented one end, just to create another?
4354h: No Cassandra! They're your friends! Josh went through hell to save you! Don't do this!
* Nightmaretony has joined #dreams
4354h: Sandra knew what she was doing, Cass.
4354h: THERMAL SAFETY OVERRIDE DISABLED. COOLANT LEAKS DETECTED.
VAGABOND: We don't have much time! Quickly, gather around!
4354h: This is madness, Cassandra!
4354h: they took her away from me! they let her die!
4354h: Cassandra please listen to us! We've listened to you all this time! Now listen to us! Please! Sandra made her choice!
4354h: They didn't let her die. Josh, Alyssa, everyone, fought as hard as they could.
4354h: She died saving everyone! Would you make her death meaningless?
4354h: she left me! why did she leave me?
she left to help save you and the others.
Listen to yourself, what you have become. Remember what was before Who you were.
Tony, you need to add : at the front of your message.
I don't think she can hear this.
AEGIS: FIRE SUPRESSANT SYSTEMS ACTIVATED. SPRINKLER MALFUNCTION IN 13B.
Thanks.
4354h: she left me...she left me...
4354h Cassandra: She left yo help save you and the others. Listen to yourself. What you have become. Remember who was before. Who you were.
4354h: She didn't leave you!
4354h: She went to the very dragon's lair to protect you!
4354h: Cassandra, Sandra loved you enough to do this.
4354h: brave sandra...she was always so brave
4354h: It may not have been smart, but it was very brave. It was an act of love. She did it for you.
4354h: She was ready to give up - but then I gave her some of your words.
4354h: She couldn't give up, not on you. The rest of us, yes.
4354h: But not on you.
4354h: it was...it was very smart of her
AEGIS: DOOR FUNCTION RESTORED
Raynor: Screw this, I'm getting the hell out of here!
4354h: Thank you Cassandra.
4354h: NOT YOU!
AEGIS: DOOR MALFUNCTION.
4354h: Thank you Cassandra
ROTH: I ... I can't budge it!
VAGABOND: We don't have time! We have to go, NOW!
AEGIS:4354h imsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorry
Alyssa: go, Josh.
4354h: Please let them go Cassandra. Dont let more people die... It's been enough
4354h: Cassandra, what's going on?
Josh: No! I'm not leaving you
4354h: Why haven't the doors opened?
AEGIS: Can you control the doors again?
4354h: door malfunction.
4354h: It's broken? What about sprinklers?
AEGIS: 13b Security Portal control Malfunction
4354h: bypass possible?
VAGABOND: Focus on me! Feel the energy flowing!
4354h: i am sorry
Alyssa: GO!
4354h: You tried.
ROTH: Here it comes!
4354h: That's all anyone can ask.
* AEGIS has quit IRC (Quit: )

And then there was silence...

tomrrow be important

catherwood@forums.unfiction.com — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 05:01:24 +0000

that would be 11am PDT, not PST, now that the west coast is observing Daylight Savings Time ;)

tomrrow be important

catherwood@forums.unfiction.com — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 04:08:10 +0000

saturday, 2 pm EAST, 11 am PST....#dreams....

[CHAT] Alyssa 06-03

Guest@forums.unfiction.com — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 17:45:02 +0000

Midnight I totally gotta agree with you.

[CHAT] Jessica (not quite awake yet) and Josh

Midnight@forums.unfiction.com — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 11:37:17 +0000

[EMAIL] Alyssa in trouble!

Midnight@forums.unfiction.com — Thu, 07 Apr 2005 23:15:43 +0000

Ms. Midnight,

I'm the real me! I'm a mess though -- I wish I could remember what happened. Looking at those emails coming from my address is freaky!

I wish there was some way out of this room, but this Agees thing on the computer told me I can't leave. Something about me being safer, hah. I may be forgetful right now, but I still remember the last time I tried to play it safe!

The girl in the box was saying something before, but I couldn't make out any words. I guess she's not dead, but she doesn't look good. I put my hand on the glass and it was cold! Poor thing must be freezing.

I'll let you know if anything changes. Right now, I'm scared enough to just be glad to be alive, but I can already feel a hint of boredom setting in. How long am I going to have to wait here with nothing but Ms. Icecube for company?

What if I have to...you know, take care of business? Oh, the things that occur to us after the moment of panic is gone!

a.a.

[EMAIL] Alyssa in trouble!

Midnight@forums.unfiction.com — Thu, 07 Apr 2005 21:19:25 +0000

Ms. Midnight,

I didn't write those emails! I don't remember anything from the past
few days....did someone hack into my email? Ack! What happened?

All I remember was getting picked up by that guy from the Moving company. When I got in the passenger seat, I felt something poke me in the leg. I got very tired. Then I woke up here, just a few minutes ago.

It's dark here. The only lights are coming from this computer, and the box with the girl in it. The door is locked, and there are no windows. The girl in the box looks to be about my age, with long dark hair. She's reclining in what looks to be a rather comfortable chair.
There is glass with a bluish tint curving the way around her, which makes the whole scene look really spooky.

I tried pounding on the glass, but she doesn't respond. Her eyes are wide open, but even if I stand right in front of her it's like she can't or doesn't see me. There's something in front of her -- it looks like an empty picture frame, but it's got some colors floating inside of it.

This is the strangest computer I've ever used! The writing on the screen is all green and black, and doesn't even have a mouse! But, it has voice recognition, I think. Whatever I say appears on the screen
-- I don't even need to type.

I'm scared DONTBESCARED

Hey! I didn't say that! IDID

Who are you? AFRIEND

Are you the girl in the box? NOIAMTRAPPEDELSEWHERE

Do you know Josh? YESHENEEDSHELP

How can I help? HENEEDSTOBELIEVEME

Why doesnt he believe you? WHENHEWAKESHEFORGETS

That's not very nice of him. HEHASNOCHOICEHEISBEINGPURGED

How do you know all this? ICANSEEANDHEAREVERYTHING

Do you have a name? IHADANAMECALLMEAEGISITISWHOIAMNOW

Can you get me out of here? ICANTWITHOUTPUTTINGYOUINDANGER

Then what can I do? JOSHMUSTREMEMBERHEMUSTREMEMBER

Why would he forget? BECAUSETHEYTELLHIMTO

How can I help him if I'm locked in here? HESTILLHASACCESSTOEMAIL

That's pretty silly! THEYRETRYINGTOCATCHOURFRIENDSOTHERSMAYGOUNNOTICED

Like me? THEYKNOWWHOTHEYARELOOKINGFORTHEYDONOTKNOWYOU

Who is they? 131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313131313

THEMAGICNUMBERIS13WEMUSTSUCCEDBEFORE4+9=13THEENDERAWAKES

Or else? ORELSEEVERYTHINGDIES

I want to send this to my friend. Can you put my signature down on the bottom? Little Ay dot little Ay. Thanks, I promise to try and help!

a.a.