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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: Perplex City » PXC: General/Updates
[UPDATE] Path of least time 4th May 2006 Update 3
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brat-sampson
Decorated


Joined: 25 Jul 2004
Posts: 289
Location: Stark

 		[UPDATE] Path of least time 4th May 2006 Update 3
Quote:
The Actor
Thursday, May 4 2006, 10:28 PM

Miranda killed Cymbalisty. I can't believe it. I can't believe that she managed to fool me for so long.

This morning, I said that I had figured out a way to log into Cognivia's systems. That way was through Miranda.

Let me explain.

After we started going out, Miranda told me she had Barrow-Feld Syndrome; it's a disease that degrades your brain's ethical decision-making centres, and anyone who suffers from it is practically shunned from society. When she told me the news, at first I was almost horrified, but it only made me care more about her. It made sense that she hadn't told anyone about it yet; there's no way she would've been able to become a scribe at the Academy if people knew she suffered from Barrow-Feld, and even her job at the library would be at risk. There didn't seem any point mentioning it here either - it's not like it affects you.

Miranda said she'd gotten onto a trial at Cognivia for a drug that might be able to halt the progress of Barrow-Feld, or even cure it. I didn't see any reason to doubt her, especially with the news about Veritana. Veritana's for older patients, but it still made sense that Cognivia might be working on something for younger people. In fact, I remember celebrating with her when we received the news that she'd been accepted for the trial; we went out to a restaurant in the Mobius Strip and went drinking...

As part of the trial, Miranda said that she had to visit Cognivia a lot for checkups and monitoring; that's why she was away so often. It was easy for me to cover for her or give a backup story when she claimed she had to leave work early to get some more pills. When Cymbalisty was killed, I had no problem with telling the police - and all of you - that she was with me, on the way to a hotel in the country, instead of at Cognivia being treated for Barrow-Feld. It hardly seemed like it made a difference where she was. After all, it didn't even occur to me that she might be involved in his murder.

I never really suspected that Miranda was lying about Barrow-Feld because she was a perfect actor. She always carried her 'pills' around with her, she always would have some generic box from Cognivia lying around her bathroom, she'd always have some story about the grumpy doctors at the testing division or her fellow testing volunteers. I suppose that part wasn't too hard to make up, since she really had been going to Cognivia - to take part in the Ceretin 6 trials though. I still have no idea how she managed to get herself onto those trials; she must have hacked in or something, but that sort of thing isn't easy.

Anyway, when Miranda was working at home one day, I remember seeing a note from Cognivia hiding underneath a book. I sneaked a glance and saw that it contained some login details for the testing website, presumably so she could monitor when she was supposed to take the pills and come in for visits. I didn't think much of it at the time, but when we needed a way to find out who took part in the Ceretin 6 trials, I figured that I might be able to log in as Miranda and then find my way through their system to the other trials; it's always easier to hack something once you're already inside.

I went over to Miranda's apartment in the Old Town this afternoon and let myself in. The place was a bit of a mess because she was unpacking from her conference - clothes all over the place, that sort of thing. It took me a little while to find the note from Cognivia, but it was still hiding behind the same book. I settled myself down on her bed and logged into Cognivia using her details. Details of the Ceretin 6 trial flashed up in front of me.

I looked at them, bemused. I'd expected to see something about drug schedules for a Veritana-derivative, not the exact data I was looking for. I scanned around the page, thinking that Cognivia's system had somehow hiccuped and I'd just been incredibly lucky to be deposited in the exact page I'd intended to hack into. A name was on the page: 'Helen Gale'. Patient HG. Amazing! This was the outlier, the person who looked like they were hoarding the Ceretin 6.

I clicked through to Helen Gale's personal details, and saw Miranda. She was smiling and wearing a patient's gown, somewhere in the confines of Cognivia. I reloaded the page, just to make sure I wasn't imagining things. The photo was still there, and so was her address, height, eye colour, place of work and everything else. Miranda was the outlier. She had the Ceretin 6, and I was only the alibi she had for her whereabouts during Cymbalisty's death. As for motive, the fact that he was murdered while looking at the final page of the Granier diary is hardly coincidental. Given that the diary was linked to the Third Power, I didn't even want to think about what this meant about Miranda...

I lay back on the bed, figuring out what to do. I couldn't go to the police; they wouldn't believe me and I would likely be locked up for covering for her. In any case, I didn't trust the police and Helena Frye had been incommunicado for weeks. This was something I had to do myself.

What I had to do was talk to her, and find out what she was doing; maybe there was some sort of explanation. I initiated a trace on her key, which showed her on the subway heading towards Grand Frederik's station. It looked like she'd get there within a few minutes, but if I ran, I might be able to get to take the subway from Caldera and intercept her. While I was waiting for a train at Caldera (and sending the first text message to you guys), it became painfully clear that this just wasn't going to happen. The only thing I could do was to call her up, but what do you say to your girlfriend, after you've discovered that she's a murderer?

"Hey, Miranda," I said, in a painfully light tone, "what are you up to after work?"

"I'm a bit busy tonight, sorry," she replied, sounding preoccupied.

"I'd really like to meet up. Where are you?" I asked.

She went silent for a few seconds.

"Look, I just want to talk to you," I said urgently.

"Kurt. Don't try to follow me, you're smarter than that. You don't want to get hurt." The call ended.

After a couple of minutes frantic thinking on the train to Grand Frederik's, I notified the police that Miranda had officially 'gone missing' and used my Cube Retrieval Team status so that they'd take me seriously. When I got to Grand Frederik's, there was no sign of her, and I found her key inside a waste bin. That was seven hours ago. She could be anywhere in Perplex City now - but not much further. She can't use public transport or the Missing Persons system will spot her, and so will I. She has to know this.

I've told Violet everything. She seemed sympathetic, but I know she was disappointed. At the same time though, she almost seemed excited about hunting for Miranda. Incredible.

I'm still trying to figure out how much of what Miranda told me over the last few months was true. Someone told me that the best lies always contain a kernel of truth. There's no way that you can spend months with a person and not let any of your own personality show. Miranda might know how to play me, but I know her as well. I'll find her, and I'll need your help.

_________________
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PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 6:35 pm
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Riiick
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Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 82
Location: Canterbury, Kent, UK

 		I can't believe Kurt lied to us Sad
He should learn to be more cynical like us!

PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 6:49 pm
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Tintintin
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Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 137
Location: London

 		So Miranda covered for her lack of moral fibre by... saying she had a syndrome that interferes with her ethical judgement.

Hmmmm.

(but seriously: Cor. And Kurt, you silly sod.)

PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:12 pm
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maniacfive
Kl00


Joined: 31 Jan 2006
Posts: 42
Location: Sittingbourne, Kent, UK

 		He was blinded by a good looking woman!

Of course, thats no excuse, anyone who watches the Boosh knows that all women are "Strange, and evil." Very Happy I guess BBC 3 hasn't made it to Perplex City yet.

How did Miranda know that Kurt was suddenly on to her? The phone call wouldn't have been enough surely? I wonder if she had seen him enter the apartment? or was it being watched, or was Kurt already being watched?
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PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:15 pm
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European Chris
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Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 1264
Location: London's trendy Whitechapel
Miranda

Evil
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PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:29 pm
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Ashin
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Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 140

 		lol, well that was a short search

PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:36 pm
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duckiemonster
Unfettered


Joined: 10 Dec 2005
Posts: 554
Location: Oxford, UK

 		DARN IT! My sneeky cover is blown!

/me absconds, trailing ceretin 6 behind her...

EDIT: Although on second thoughts, this is a good thing, as it means that I am enough of a HAWT chick to ensnare Kurt. Huzzah and w00t.
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PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:36 pm
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GasparLewis
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Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 474
Location: vicinty of NYC

 		Now that I'm past the whiplash of all this happening in the 10 hours between my log-ons:

Miranda first started going out with Kurt December 16th.
Today, the sky caved in on May 4th.

Everyone who was suspicious since the beginning has known something was fishy for an entire 140 days.

Poor Kurt; he must have some serious damage, after being fooled into love and protection for so long.

We can worry about him and Violet or whoever's next later; now we should just make sure he's alright now, and he stays alright as long as is in our power.

*looks at the photo*

Maybe she's quite a bit like Duckie, but is it too far a stretch to say:
= ?

Lets her gair grow long, gets some summer clothes, a closer picture of her face, a little (more) identity forgery and possible mild facial surgery courtesy of 3P... see where I'm going? Would explain where Sandy's been for the last year or so: rubbing elbows with and killing drug-addled old librarian for a secret, clandestine organization of murderous criminals. Wink

As for our course of action? Get Anna, Kurt, Violet, and maybe Scarlett together in a secluded place, make sure everyone we're working with is on the same page, and work quick; she could turn into somebody totally different in a matter of days. This isn't a cut-and-run situtation with a normal civilian. This is 3P rearing its ugly head again, and that means she has access to faculties we cannot factor out.

PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 8:59 pm
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jcane86
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Joined: 21 Apr 2006
Posts: 25
Location: Argentina

 		maniacfive: what i read from violets last post is that miranda left her office in a hurry without a word to anyone, so I'm guessing he knew something was going on some time before Kurt's call. I'm not too shure on how the timeline goes for todays events though, what with kurt's cryptic posts and my-whole-life-in-a-single-post kinda vibe from Violets side.

PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 9:48 pm
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Kirjava
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Joined: 19 Apr 2005
Posts: 41
Location: Oxford, UK

 		Errr, Gaspar...
Quote:
Sandy went missing on 29/10/268 - just a week after her 16th birthday.

You'd *think* someone would have remarked about Kurt going out with a 16 year old librarian... I'm sure (at least I sincerely hope) we can safely dismiss any links between Miranda and Sandy- the Duckiemonster one is probably more likely Twisted Evil But then everyone knows that PXC pictures don't necessarily resemble the person they represent. Very Happy
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PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2006 10:12 pm
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GasparLewis nli
Guest


 		Well... oops. Embarassed

Related, possibly still, but yeah.
...
...

PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 12:20 am
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cecilbdemented
Boot


Joined: 14 Apr 2006
Posts: 34
Location: Three feet to your left. No, your other left

 		It's always the ones you least expect. So, for all we know, I stole the cube. I mean, I don't suspect me, and you probably don't either, so I'm least expected to have done it, so I obviously did it.

We're sorry. cecilbdemented has thoroughly and utterly confused himself. In order to alleviate his condition, he is now going to watch several hours of Beavis and Butt-head to bring his mental activity back down. Again, we apologize for the inconvienence

PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 1:11 am
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kizandtango
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Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 108

 		im still thinking that maybe Miranda isnt 3P like we have been saying in chat, but is infact part of the group that actualy stole the cube. Maybe she is our first link to the real culprits...

Sandy
Miranda
Duckiemonster..

ALL THE SAME PERSON I TELLS YA !
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PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 7:35 am
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maniacfive
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Joined: 31 Jan 2006
Posts: 42
Location: Sittingbourne, Kent, UK
jcane86 wrote:
maniacfive: what i read from violets last post is that miranda left her office in a hurry without a word to anyone, so I'm guessing he knew something was going on some time before Kurt's call. I'm not too shure on how the timeline goes for todays events though, what with kurt's cryptic posts and my-whole-life-in-a-single-post kinda vibe from Violets side.


It would be nice to a know a timeline. Its difficult to judge from Kurts blog how long was he laying there wondering what to do when Miranda was already on her way to the Station.

I'm wondering whether it was directly Kurts intrusion onto the Cognivia site that alerted her. (did she have some sort of software/hardware alarm set?, or i'm picturing Partiot Games, when Harrison Ford is trying to keep the bad guy talking so he doesn't notice someone else logged into his system)

Now if kurt would just speak to Violet and get an exact time on when she left the office, compared to his exact time he entered her partment, we'd know whether he was being watched.

Probably a software alarm, but unlike Kurt, I'm a paranoid suspicious chap and i like to cover all the angles! Very Happy
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ManiacFive does not solve puzzle cards. He stares them down until he gets the answer he needs.

"Baby, I'm tied to a tree in a jungle of mystery."

PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 7:56 am
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Ramazel
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Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 59
Location: Guildford, UK
jcane86 wrote:
maniacfive: what i read from violets last post is that miranda left her office in a hurry without a word to anyone, so I'm guessing he knew something was going on some time before Kurt's call. I'm not too shure on how the timeline goes for todays events though, what with kurt's cryptic posts and my-whole-life-in-a-single-post kinda vibe from Violets side.


My take on the timeline:
Violet's post is timestamped 3:26PM and she said (emphasis mine)
Quote:
In any case, she dashed out just now without a word to anyone.


At about 4:00PM people started receiving Kurt's SMS saying he had just put a trace on her key and he needed to find her.
Then there's his 2nd SMS at around 4.30 and his blog update at 4.31 where he tells us what happened: To recap, he found out she was in the subway heading toward Grand Frederik's Station, called her, notified the police she was missing, looked for her in the station and found her abandoned key.

So my guess is that as soon as Kurt accessed Miranda's file on the Cognivia website she became aware of it. There must have been some sort of trace on her Cognivia data to warn her if anybody but her was accessing it. Probably set up by some 3P techie... Then it took Kurt about half an hour to take in the implications of his discovery, set up the trace on Miranda's key and text us. By that time she was already in the subway.

There's just one thing I'm wondering. Why go to Grand Frederik's Station if she's not headed out of town? She had to cross the whole of the town to get there from the Library. I'd say unless she intended to use the Cerulean line northbound, she could have gone anywhere in PerplexCity a lot quicker. So, was she meeting someone there, or is she now hiding somewhere in the North of PerplexCity?

Also, while checking the subway lines, I came across the following question: Kurt says he went to Miranda's place and that he accessed Cognivia's files from there. Miranda's appartment in the Artists' Quarter in the Old Town. I think the closest subway Station is Amandier, which is direct to Grand Frederik's. How the hell did he manage to find himself in Caldera, which again is on the opposite side of town? Or did I miss something? He talks about running, but surely he can't run that fast...
[EDIT] My mistake, she moved out of that appartment in February. I got the old address from the Wiki. Looks like she moved in the vicinity of the Caldera station. I'll bet anything that's the appartment that just exploded...

PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2006 8:04 am
Last edited by Ramazel on Fri May 05, 2006 12:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
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