ask-porthole

[ask-porthole]

<niko3> ok

<Emma> So, to touch base

<Emma> I believe I have a sense of Concept's security now. We can go investigate Akuma at any time.

<Emma> However, we should hold off and plan our defenses in case he catches wind and attempts a counter hack.

<Emma> What does everyone think?

<Coel> Crumbles security from the inside out, says "i have a sense of it" :sob:

<Pixxe> meh

<Pixxe> we don't really need to "up our defenses" unless kaguya has a zero-day like hacknet

<Coel> No they definetely have hacknet

<Pixxe> oh ffs

<Pixxe> okay how about this

<Pixxe> i'll go investigate whatever is happening with $niko3 (backread if you didn't)

<Pixxe> $channel do we have anything that counts as a defense system

<Coel> Theft?

<Pixxe> ..what

<Coel> Signalscrambler

<Coel> It's like TK but worse since it takes like an hour to start up

<Coel> Since we don't want to attack Kaguya, there's one more person ik that has it

<Pixxe> oh

<Pixxe> alright well. you lot go break into their pc and i figure out wherever our 1093182309th niko is

<Pixxe> $Emma i assume you're going with coel for the network jammer?

[ask-porthole]

Can confirm, meth gave me superpowers!

When in doubt! Do Meth!

[ask-porthole]

[ X-114's device is being... cat-bombed? Boop-bombed? ]

[ I don't know anymore... ]

[ Regardless, I'll take over this thing for the time being. Until I figure that out. ]

[ask-porthole]

A video, taken by god-knows-what. X-114 is on a phone, scrolling.

...

(Ding!)

Wha-

GAH--

The boopening begins.

Five cat legs shoot out of their device. Unsurprisingly, after a second of shock and boops, they frantically try to push each leg back in.

WHAT IS THIS-

The device shuts off, seemingly by itself. The legs and paws vanish along with it.

...

...um.

A quiet but noticeable voice can be heard tittering before the video feed shuts off.

[ask-porthole]

[ That's a lot of information to unpack.. ]

[ It doesn't sound like I can do anything about it, so... sure. ]

[ Just make sure Niko stays safe. That's all. ]

( @the-writer-machine )

<Emma> So, to touch base

<Emma> I believe I have a sense of Concept's security now. We can go investigate Akuma at any time.

<Emma> However, we should hold off and plan our defenses in case he catches wind and attempts a counter hack.

<Emma> What does everyone think?

<Coel> Crumbles security from the inside out, says "i have a sense of it" :sob:

<Pixxe> meh

<Pixxe> we don't really need to "up our defenses" unless kaguya has a zero-day like hacknet

<Coel> No they definetely have hacknet

<Pixxe> oh ffs

<Pixxe> okay how about this

<Pixxe> i'll go investigate whatever is happening with $niko3 (backread if you didn't)

<Pixxe> $channel do we have anything that counts as a defense system

<Coel> Theft?

<Pixxe> ..what

<Coel> Signalscrambler

<Coel> It's like TK but worse since it takes like an hour to start up

<Coel> Since we don't want to attack Kaguya, there's one more person ik that has it

<Pixxe> oh

<Pixxe> alright well. you lot go break into their pc and i figure out wherever our 1093182309th niko is

<Pixxe> $Emma i assume you're going with coel for the network jammer?

[ask-porthole]

( A view of the Refuge's observation deck, Rue and Niko watching from above the city. The light of the bulb shines throughout the city, brightening anything you or anyone else can see from outside. )

So, thoughts on Ling's pancakes?

They're nice!

But, like, it's all I ate this week, and now it tastes weird.

...Come again?

( Before the conversation can continue, the window begins to cut to static. )

( . . . )

( The screen of the World Machine appears, a reflection of the messiah looking through. )

[ How many times are you willing to break in here, Coel-- ]

( Oh, you're not Coel. )

[ . . . ]

[ Who's there? ]

( @the-writer-machine )

<Emma> So, to touch base

<Emma> I believe I have a sense of Concept's security now. We can go investigate Akuma at any time.

<Emma> However, we should hold off and plan our defenses in case he catches wind and attempts a counter hack.

<Emma> What does everyone think?

<Coel> Crumbles security from the inside out, says "i have a sense of it" :sob:

<Pixxe> meh

<Pixxe> we don't really need to "up our defenses" unless kaguya has a zero-day like hacknet

<Coel> No they definetely have hacknet

<Pixxe> oh ffs

<Pixxe> okay how about this

<Pixxe> i'll go investigate whatever is happening with $niko3 (backread if you didn't)

<Pixxe> $channel do we have anything that counts as a defense system

<Coel> Theft?

<Pixxe> ..what

<Coel> Signalscrambler

<Coel> It's like TK but worse since it takes like an hour to start up

<Coel> Since we don't want to attack Kaguya, there's one more person ik that has it

<Pixxe> oh

<Pixxe> alright well. you lot go break into their pc and i figure out wherever our 1093182309th niko is

<Pixxe> $Emma i assume you're going with coel for the network jammer?

[ask-porthole]

[ @os-hacknet ]

( A ping. )

<Pixxe> there's some interesting stuff in here

<Pixxe> $niko3 you're at concept site 04 right

<Pixxe> or whatever this place is called

<Pixxe> wya

<niko3> what

<niko3> im in the refuge

<niko3> not concept

[ask-porthole]

Have you ever met someone who looks exactly like you?

Uhh-

Oh, yeah--! There was some kinda.. mirror of me?

They were, like, exactly like me, but more robotic and wouldn't leave their computer and...

how do I even describe them?

...but it's been a while, so I dunno where they went.

[ask-porthole]

<niko3> yay i'm here !!!

<niko3> anyways

<niko3> you want kaguya's ip right

<niko3> he goes by akuma now for some reason

<niko3> here i'll just

[ LINK.TERMINAL // CPTAkuma ]

<niko3> problem is i've tried to get in before and like. it just doesn't work? it has FHimmunity and inviolability so like

<niko3> you might have to look around a bit

[ LINK.TERMINAL // CPT-LT8 ]

<niko3> here's a place to start

<niko3> it's my old computer which like. TECHNCIALLY belongs to the company so it's connected to the network

<niko3> do you need anything else or

( @os-hacknet )

<Emma> Alright bit of an update

<Emma> Turns out Writer isn't actually guilty for Naix's death. The gas was always there in the Barrens, his actions only made it leak into the Refuge.

<Emma> Still blows but he had been particularly distraught about possibly killing a Niko, even if indirectly.

<Coel> You say Niko like it's a species-

<N0va> I've seen into Testbuild's world before, so...

<N0va> Wait, the gas leaked into the Refuge?

<N0va> That's straight up gen

<N0va> I would much rather not talk about that, actually.

<Pixxe> dumbfucks we have a killer in our chat

<Pixxe> can we like. KICK THEM

<Pixxe> ???

<N0va> One, language. Two, yeah, actually.

<System> User 'Testbuild' removed from IRC.

<Pixxe> so is naix like fully dead now? no revives or anything?

<Pixxe> i wasn't that involved with all this but like. wow

[ask-porthole]

INCOMING CONNECTION

( @os-hacknet.coel )

Hey, guess who!

I assume you're not busy with the whole not-home stuff, so, just send a message and I'll add you to the chat for a sec.

-Coel (didn't have to guess lol)

[ . . . ]

[ Ah, this one's for Niko . . ]

{REDIRECT}

Huh?

Oh you have time, finally-

Yeah I'm here. This is about Kaguya, right?

..right you can't respond- Just- I'm waiting. Don't take a week this time please, that's why I got into this mess already.

[ask-porthole]

( A recording. )

( Sounds of a curtain opening. )

Status update- WOW that's bright-

( X-114 flips the camera, showing a view of the refuge from above. )

I got to the city. Living in the apartments for a bit.

( The camera pans to the ground, where a few squares are visible. Not much by any means, though. )

Entity is... probably still panicking and trying to get me out.

( They flip the camera back around. )

Oh- and I saw Cedric and Proto in the Glen! The mines caved in, so Proto's been in the Glen since I left.

I haven't seen Rue though. I wonder how they're doing.

Also the lightbulb is just... in my room. It's just a lightbulb I think.

I guess I'll just... be here?

...

(sigh) I miss mama.

( The video ends. )

[ask-porthole]

Hackmail: A few days worth of Leblanc curry.

Thank you--

(eating noises or something idk)

[ask-porthole]

Reblog this post to get some curry in your inbox

[ask-porthole]

Who're the worst Nikos and World Machines you've met so far?

Worst is definitely an overstatement-

Though I haven't had the best experiences with Naix and Testbuild...

[ask-porthole]

I've just been staying... here, for a few days.

I think this place is called the Barren?

I saw some kind of map, so I've just been going off of that...

It hasn't changed much, other than it looking a lot brighter because of the sun. And warmer.

The mines are still caved in, but Silver's still here so..

(sigh) I dunno.

I should probably go to the Glen soon.

I wonder if the rowbot's still here... ehh I'll check later.

[ask-porthole]

Me and the World Machine had a... conversation.

Long story short, since I saved the world last time, I can't go back.

The lightbulb here is...

actually I don't know why this is here I just have it.

....

Oh I haven't eaten in days--

(The recording stops.)

[ask-porthole]

fifh

...huh?

Like, fish?

Or is this something else...

Hehe, fifh.