Ex Machina; Infiltration

[animusmods]

Characters: Riki and the infiltration team
Setting: administrative levels
Format: any
Summary: Riki's efforts must be sabotaged. Stealth is the name of the game and time is of the essence.
Warnings: psychological horror

Though the chipped unit does not follow, he sees to it that the team advances the rest of the way. At the end of the lit corridor is a set of double doors, heavy-duty polished metal with small windows set into each one.

Through the windows, a massive machine is visible, connected to thousands of holographic screens that are hard to make out at the speed at which they're being manipulated. The machine sits in the center of the room and is networked to four elaborate terminals stationed along the walls via a complex tangle of panels, wires, and towers. Each of these terminals controls its own set of floating screens; the sheer amount of holographic monitors in the room is disorienting, and really, it's hard to tell what's connected to what.

In the chair in the middle of the enormous set-up is Riki, maneuvering all of the screens with the same ease with which most people breathe. His back is to the doors that lead into the room, and for the moment, he is utterly engrossed in his work.

Comments

[animusnpcs]

[Immediately, the red light stops blinking.

The lights around them flicker out first - then back on. Then off again.

There is a whirring sound as the screens flicker out of life, as well; finally, the terminal's primary screen's glow darkens slowly before it goes pitch-black, leaving the group in darkness and silence.]

[attheclocktower]

[It's off. The computer is shut down, accomplishing their primary objective. And yet with it had gone her only real chance of figuring out what Riki was doing. Maybe even how to save the Tower itself.

Diarmuid had been right on one count, at least for this particular point. This choice, at least, had been crystal clear. That doesn't mean she likes the results though.

Her fingers slide off the keyboard and onto her lap, where she stares at them.]

I'm sorry.

[notayoungkitten]

[She doesn't respond right away, not sure what to do.

They were still in the dark about Riki and that was not a good thing at all. They couldn't confront him without and proof at all.]

You did everything that you could.

[If only Ocelot would have had some clue as to what the hidden commands could have been, but it's too late now.

They can only hope that one of the groups managed to find out information now.]

[the_white_rider]

[ Gandalf stood guard the entire time, sparing a glance once in a while to the terminal--

It was a bit disappointing, but at the same time Gandalf wasn't so worried about facing Riki. As far as he was concerned, if they just stood there, the confrontation would come to them and there would be little for them to do. ]

If everything is done, let us not linger here. [He gave another quick look around.] By now it makes no doubt our presence has been noticed.

[ It was surprising no one was here already. Very... Not Riki-like. ]

[midgarhorizon]

[Reno doesn't make any noise as he motions for a retreat; they got the objective done, in his mind there's no reason to stand around talking even if they have been noticed. He's still a Turk at his core.

Giving Xion another quick, comforting pat to her shoulder, his eyes are on their surroundings.]

[attheclocktower]

[Xion looks up at him, eyes still worried and sad. She's done all she can though. Reno told her to not engage Riki.

Silently sliding out of the chair, she follows the others as they begin to make their way back.]

[notayoungkitten]

[With that, Ocelot brings up the rear, once in a while glancing behind her as if half expecting something to emerge from the terminal.]