Post by Teucrian on Apr 11, 2010 22:18:46 GMT -5
Day 1
"Are you worried?"
The man looked up from his notes with a raised eyebrow. The voice came from a nearby screen. Turning to it, he replied casually, "Of course not. The protests are ridiculous."
Onscreen, a woman walked about to and fro, inspecting various details of the world she was in and making adjustments on the fly with a wrist computer. She smirked, "It wasn't the protests I was referring to. I've heard some of our competitors have certain things planned. They'd loved to see us fail on the eve of our public release."
The man laughed, setting down his clipboard. "You worry too much. Are you seriously saying our competitors have some...industrial sabotage planned?" He paused, hearing something from his earpiece. "I've got to go. Looks like they're all here."
"Hmph. Well, I'll be here waiting for my turn once you get finished with them."
-------------------------
The group was assembled in the futuristic-looking lobby, surrounded by elegant displays extolling the virtues of the company's long anticipated product. Outside, separated by dual panes of bulletproof glass, a group of protesters yelled shrill chants and waved signs.
Inside, a few observed the protests with an interested eye. One pointed out a particularly colorful group. "Did you see their signs on the way in?" She quoted, "'God did not create reincarnations.' 'We only spend one life on Earth.'" Someone else chuckled, "That paper really stirred up the fundies, didn't it? Concrete, rock solid proof that humans have reincarnated throughout the ages and that it might be possible to find out about those lives."
Another walked up to join the conversation. "Yes, it's the promise that all of us here invested in. It should be enlightening to finally see the fruits of their labor."
At the edge of the room, leaning against a wall, a woman murmured to herself, "Be careful what you wish for."
The small talk continued a little while longer, until one of the doors at the far end opened. Emerging was a suited man, with a lab coat over top. He had a philosophical air about him and a fantastic mustache. "Gentlemen and Ladies, we're ready for you now. To those who I've met before, it's good to see you again. To all the rest, welcome to Ouroboros."
"If you'll follow me, we'll be underway shortly."
And so they went.
-------------------------
Meanwhile, the woman continued her work, putting the final touches on the world the investors would soon be visiting. Humming to herself, she manually removed or placed a few items, referencing the list of guests. "No...no one will be able to make use of this. Hmm...we'll need a couple more of these elsewhere...aaaaaand done." Satisfied, she tabbed a few more controls, switching menus, then pressed the big red button labeled "Start Simulation". Immediately, people sprang into existence around her, populating the town and going about their daily business. She tittered, "It's never quite right seeing that happen. Well, still cheaper and more accurate than hiring extras."
She checked her chronometer. "Looks like he should be wrapping up the introductions soon. Guess I better get ready." As she starting walking, she whistled and a small wolf darted out of the underbrush and started following at her heels. Giving him a quick scratch between the ears, she mused to herself, "Not ever having had any pets, it's weird to think that my past life was in charge of so many."
-------------------------
Elsewhere, a team of black garbed individuals stood guard while one of their number tinkered with something. Though security was tight, it was still a large complex, and with the floorplans and patrol timing they have been provided, it was trivial to get to where they were. If all of the information they had been provided was correct, they should be able to cause certain...interesting things to happen by placing a few toys here and there.
"Are you worried?"
The man looked up from his notes with a raised eyebrow. The voice came from a nearby screen. Turning to it, he replied casually, "Of course not. The protests are ridiculous."
Onscreen, a woman walked about to and fro, inspecting various details of the world she was in and making adjustments on the fly with a wrist computer. She smirked, "It wasn't the protests I was referring to. I've heard some of our competitors have certain things planned. They'd loved to see us fail on the eve of our public release."
The man laughed, setting down his clipboard. "You worry too much. Are you seriously saying our competitors have some...industrial sabotage planned?" He paused, hearing something from his earpiece. "I've got to go. Looks like they're all here."
"Hmph. Well, I'll be here waiting for my turn once you get finished with them."
-------------------------
The group was assembled in the futuristic-looking lobby, surrounded by elegant displays extolling the virtues of the company's long anticipated product. Outside, separated by dual panes of bulletproof glass, a group of protesters yelled shrill chants and waved signs.
Inside, a few observed the protests with an interested eye. One pointed out a particularly colorful group. "Did you see their signs on the way in?" She quoted, "'God did not create reincarnations.' 'We only spend one life on Earth.'" Someone else chuckled, "That paper really stirred up the fundies, didn't it? Concrete, rock solid proof that humans have reincarnated throughout the ages and that it might be possible to find out about those lives."
Another walked up to join the conversation. "Yes, it's the promise that all of us here invested in. It should be enlightening to finally see the fruits of their labor."
At the edge of the room, leaning against a wall, a woman murmured to herself, "Be careful what you wish for."
The small talk continued a little while longer, until one of the doors at the far end opened. Emerging was a suited man, with a lab coat over top. He had a philosophical air about him and a fantastic mustache. "Gentlemen and Ladies, we're ready for you now. To those who I've met before, it's good to see you again. To all the rest, welcome to Ouroboros."
"If you'll follow me, we'll be underway shortly."
And so they went.
-------------------------
Meanwhile, the woman continued her work, putting the final touches on the world the investors would soon be visiting. Humming to herself, she manually removed or placed a few items, referencing the list of guests. "No...no one will be able to make use of this. Hmm...we'll need a couple more of these elsewhere...aaaaaand done." Satisfied, she tabbed a few more controls, switching menus, then pressed the big red button labeled "Start Simulation". Immediately, people sprang into existence around her, populating the town and going about their daily business. She tittered, "It's never quite right seeing that happen. Well, still cheaper and more accurate than hiring extras."
She checked her chronometer. "Looks like he should be wrapping up the introductions soon. Guess I better get ready." As she starting walking, she whistled and a small wolf darted out of the underbrush and started following at her heels. Giving him a quick scratch between the ears, she mused to herself, "Not ever having had any pets, it's weird to think that my past life was in charge of so many."
-------------------------
Elsewhere, a team of black garbed individuals stood guard while one of their number tinkered with something. Though security was tight, it was still a large complex, and with the floorplans and patrol timing they have been provided, it was trivial to get to where they were. If all of the information they had been provided was correct, they should be able to cause certain...interesting things to happen by placing a few toys here and there.
