Can't get much more American than me.
I didn't honestly expect anyone on at this hour to get this one since it's totally out of the blue with no context leading up to it. But now that that's over this thread is now about Mazinger Z.
Do I detect the powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity?
You stole my only answer bitch.
lol at missing 00 reference entirely.
You have control.
That's an opinion that comes from different experience. I've personally seen people try their damnedest to stay in self destructive relationships because of hopeless naivety. Also, things can't attribute to points, that's not how those words are properly used so I really don't understand what you're trying to say. Either way, it's an exaggeration because it's fiction, but it's no where near as black and white wrong as you make it out to be. I don't see what you mean here at all. The two things are different in pretty much every conceivable way that I can measure from structure down to diction. But if you see it that way you and I got totally different impressions from this. Don't mean to sound totally savage and offensive but I'm too tired to really filter anything too much. Overall I just disagree with everything you posted pretty much. I may change my mind as I am apt to do depending on my mood but as things are this is how they stand.
Okay, as per your request I got myself through this last chapter. The story is moving along nicely enough. It's a very basic plot but it's not too terribly generic. The character development is dead simple and predictable. I'm trying to decide if you have simple characters because you ignore it due to your excessive concern about the story or because they basically do the same thing over and over again in terms of their interactions. It might also be that your characters are very generic and inexpressive. The grammar and word use is worse than it should be. It seems like you should just look up words that are not conversationally used normally. Also, you should try to keep colloquialisms out of your writing to the best of your ability. Dialogue is one thing but do not use phrases and terms only used in your area for narration, it's not the best practice. Also, Mr. Ferris wouldn't appreciate you misspelling his name. There were some other things but overall you just need to be more mindful of what you're committing to paper/worddoc and think more about what it is you are trying to say and convey. So don't say he had an Old Navy jacket and all the necessary grooming implements, just say he had a <insert description> jacket and found himself a comb or whatever it is specifically. Just saying things so vaguely sounds bad. I think that's it, I missed some stuff since I forgot over the course of reading but whatever.
Well, Drive, the mostly catatonic story is updated in case anyone cares and I've added Black and White to the mix as well.
Black and White In the middle of the sunlit hallway two students faced each other down amid the halted tide of onlookers. A thin bespectacled boy with short brown hair that stuck out in a mess and a girl with light brown hair held in place with several clips and unrelenting almost electric blue eyes. “No, I don’t want to go with you. Get it through your thick head already.†The girl shouted fiercely stamping her foot as she did so. She looked on the verge of hauling off and attacking the meek looking boy opposite her but she did not. She merely gesticulated with agitation and anger causing her short black skirt to flip about and sweep over her legs beneath her pale carnation pink shoulderless sweater. “Come on, weren’t we--†Pleaded the boy, though it was clear that he had no chance of winning any arguments with his voice shaking like it was. “No more of this ‘we’ stuff. I don’t even want to look at you, Needy.†The girl continued her invective without missing a beat or showing the slightest bit of remorse or pity. “But--But Erica!†The boy cried out as he began to sob. He reached out and caught hold of her sleeve only to have his hand forcefully removed with a quick swipe of hers. “Don’t use my name anymore you clingy freak!†Her voice was sharp and almost chilling as her eyes as she glared at him intensely. Suddenly she turned and began shoving people out of her way as she left the boy crying on the floor. “Erica!†He wailed pitiably after her as she pushed through the bewildered crowd as harshly and roughly as she‘d put down the pathetic creature behind her. “Loser.†She muttered to herself as she walked on. Soon the crowd was left behind her some still in shock at the turn of events, some just lacking of a better activity to turn to at the end of the school day. Either way it went Erica just kept on walking, anything to distance her from the pile of emotional rags that once called itself her boyfriend. She pushed open the heavy institutional metal doors and walked into the sunbathed walk between the two sides of the campus. “Come on, I go out with these guys like twice and they think that they actually mean something to me. Then they keep acting like they made a connection and I wasn’t just in it to get something out of them.†Suddenly a familiar voice pulled the girl from her internal monologue. “Hey--†A girl wearing a tasteful sky blue sundress and sporting electric blue hair appeared from behind one of the concrete pillars lining the outdoor walkway. “Not interested, just came off a bad breakup.†Erica replied sarcastically. “Stop lying. You love hurting those boys.†Said the blue haired girl with a winning smile. She skipped along beside her companion for several moments before she got a response. “I can’t say it isn’t funny, but in the end I have a reason Fred.†“Lemme guess, “He’s not the guy that’ll get me all the stuff I want.�†Frederica chuckled. “No…†Erica muttered distractedly. “Whatever Ere. I’ve got practice, I’ll be seeing you later.†Frederica bid her farewells rather ostentatiously before making an equally showy exit. “Later Fred.†Erica waved lukewarmly. Several seconds later she couldn’t help but burst out, “Damn, Frederica’s such a hypocrite, going and telling me that there’s something wrong with me when she does practically the same thing. Jeez.†A familiar ring tone called her attention away from her fuming and to the device resting in her pocket. “Hello.†The voice on the other end was cool and deep, probably an older male in his forties. Erica did not respond to the strange voice and merely kept her breath stilled and listened closely until the voice continued without losing a step. “I assure this is neither a prank nor a solicitation. We are calling you to inform you that you’ve won the chance of a lifetime--†The phone snapped shut and returned to its place in her pocket. “This is bull.†Erica grumbled to herself. She continued walking in the warm afternoon sun. There was another call not two seconds later. Eric answered with the same silent caution. “Come claim your prize at the following location--†It was cut off again when Erica realized it was the same voice. “Who’d actually go?†-------- “Hi.†Erica’s mother was in the earliest part of her forties and lived separate and estranged from her legal husband with whom she’d been married for seventeen years. The two had separated earlier that year and moved to different cities in order to stay away from each other. Her father moved miles and miles away, the only reason Erica knew he was still alive was the check he sent every month to cover what he felt was necessary to replace him. Her mother moved to the closest city, not more than ten miles from their old house and set up there like nothing had happened, like she’d always been a single mother. Erica never knew the exact reasons, she only knew that she was with her mother because her father didn’t put up a fight when she expressed a desire to stay in the same school. Every time that she met either of them Erica couldn’t help but feel that they had only married and were only separated because neither one had the slightest bit of a sense of self control. The upshot f it all to her was that it was why she went from living in a large house in the suburbs to a small apartment in the city. “Hey Mom.†“You’re back early.†The brown haired woman observed. “I have nothing better to do, sorry to disappoint.†Erica bantered as she watched her mother looking over bills through a pair of new reading glasses. “It’s nice to see you sometimes.†The woman replied without looking up. “I’ll only be around during those then.†Erica answered with a scoff and with that she was off to the kitchen where she found a dismal lack of nourishment. She looked over at the woman she’d been living with and started violently when she suddenly picked up the thread of conversation again. “You know what I mean.†“I assure you I don’t if I said anything wrong before.†Erica almost made a face but managed to suppress the urge and sat down at the table with a chair between herself and her mother. “Sure.†Her mother replied sarcastically as she threw a sneaky look out of the corner of her eye. “So you need anything?†Erica asked. “You could get the clothes washed while you’re being such a dutiful child.†The woman said without hesitation. “So now that we finally have quality time to spend with each other you‘d rather send me out on some errand?†Erica argued knowing what was to come already. “You’ll have to grow up eventually and I have to be going myself so you need something to keep yourself occupied with.†With those final words the reading glasses were off and so was her mother. IN less than five seconds the brown haired woman was out the door. “Got it.†Erica said to the closed door as she sat leaning on the table. -------- Erica finally decided to get all of her chores and obligations cleared before her mother came home early the next morning. First she carried all of the laundry down the street to the Laundromat, washed and dried it and began her burdened walk home several hours later. It wasn’t until this return trip that she encountered any complications in her schedule. Just as she turned the corner and entered the last block back to her home she saw a familiar and unwelcome face. The face was an attractive one framed by raven hair and accented with golden brown eyes and it belonged to the last boy that Erica had broken up with before that morning. “Hey did you…†He started to speak but trailed off when he saw Erica lugging around a sack full of clothes. She dropped the bag where she was and jabbed her finger in his face and scowled angrily. “Get out of my face, first Needy now Creepy, what did I do to deserve all this crap?†She practically shouted at him from only a few inches away. “You were the one who accepted--†When he began to speak again Erica clicked her tongue in agitation and grasped his collar firmly. “Then I deliberately and very clearly and rudely crushed all hopes of more interaction between us. Or did I mess that up?†She said, bringing her face closer and raising her voice louder with every word. He didn't answer, he merely turned his head away and made an agitated sounding noise. “Let’s make this as painfully clear as possible. I hate you. I never liked you, I only ever wanted to go out with you because you were popular and free. Now that I’ve had that fleeting wish fulfilled I never want to see your face again.†She suddenly let him go, or rather, she pushed him away and turned to pick up her load. “You’re gonna die alone if you treat everyone like this.†The boy replied as spitefully as he could manage. He looked to be on the verge of tears even as he spoke. “I’ve lived alone, that is all that follows. Now away before I call the police or something.†She said shooing him like he was an insect. “Whatever, have a nice life alone.†Once she was sure he was out of earshot Erica spoke again. “I’ll be sure to do that.†-------- “Live alone?†The smooth firm voice sounded familiar, but Erica couldn’t place the face that went along with it at all. The man that was speaking to her looked to be in his thirties or forties and dressed himself in a pure black suit with the characteristic butler’s coattails. He surely wasn’t anyone she’d met, but it was someone she’d heard. Either way he was standing between her and the path to her home and Erica didn’t like that, his sudden question or anything about him. “I‘ll scream.†She threatened as she backed away with her grip on the grocery bags loosened, ready to ditch and run. “We.†He said, disregarding her and advancing further. “Mean anything to you?†“Might as well mean you.†Erica scowled and readied herself to kick the man as hard as possible when suddenly he hopped back, shifted his gaze to the half moon above them and began speaking dramatically. “We are all but cells within a single body and yet we all aspire to be greater than the sum of it’s parts.†He stole a glance back at the girl with dazzled eyes and a slightly breathless sigh. In response she continued to scowl. “Not interested.†Erica insisted, still ready to fight. The man simply laughed and withdrew a single object from his lapel pocket, it was small and coin shaped, hardly distinguishable from any ordinary quarter at that distance. “But you are, I assure you, which is why I present you with this Emblematic Token. Do with it as you choose, the time limit, though, is seven days, now then I shall take my leave as a representative of the Netherworld Casino and Hotel.†Erica fingered the poker chip she’d been handed. It was smooth and cool on one face but on the other face it was warm as if it had been lying on a stove and had an engraving of some grotesque devil across its surface. It inspired a certain feeling, no, it impressed itself upon her being more as a sensibility than a distinct feeling, like something acquired over a period of time that only becomes clear and visible when put under the right light. Whatever it was it wasn’t good, that much she could be sure of. Still she couldn’t bring herself to just hurl the disc back at the man. “Not interested…†She said even though she knew the strange man had left long ago. Erica walked soberly the rest of the way back to her apartment after the incident. She wasn’t sure what had happened or what she could do about it, it had unsettled her down to her very core. It made her nervous and anxious just to think of it. Just as she reached her front door she ran into the worst possible person. “Oh hey. Erica, it’s been awhile.†It was another boy, the only perceivable difference was that being near this one always gave her headaches. Just seeing him looking down at her from seven inches up through his amber eyes was enough to make her sick. “I’ve been busy, Hughes, and I suppose you have been too.†Erica dropped her eyes to the side and bowed her head slightly, anyone else may have seen this as somewhat shy, maybe even demure, but her neighbor simply smiled and played along. “How formal of you. Still, I can’t say you’re wrong. So how has the being busy thing been going for you?†As he spoke he leaned down to her side to get a look at her face, which by this point was beginning to get red. “As well as can be expected.†She said continuing to avoid eye contact as he got closer. Suddenly she jerked away and stepped back, her head was pounding, her throat felt dry, everything was going wrong this time. “Are you alright?†He took a step back himself and tried his best to sound soothing. “I’d better be getting inside.†She held up her grocery bags, both as an excuse and a way to cover her face. “Ill see you later, I guess.†She was already gone but he stood next to the closed door just long enough to say, “Yeah, we should meet up sometime. Erica.†As she stood listening with her ear pressed up against the door Erica breathed a single word, “No.†This is basically a one shot deal since I don't intend on writing anymore, I was just bored and having trouble thinking of anything else to write. If this is to continue you'll understand the title but I really doubt it will so whatever. I'm not really happy with what I have here but I feel like it's not really worth the effort fixing.
I used to want a different name, but now I just don't care anymore. It's a means of identifying yourself and that's all, whether you like it or not that's how people know you and that's how it'll be no matter what your name is. I wish my last name was easier for people to spell/remember/understand though.
These are heads, something I still feel like I have trouble drawing. CnC is demanded, as always, at knife point.
You should have stayed with me. That is all.
Again, this is not dead. I just take forever to update. File 3: Deep_Blue_Something.pdf Over the next week Kingsley spent most of his free time testing different coding schemes to try to understand the code that was used to run the girl that had come in the box. The going was slow and the difficulty was compounded by both feeding her seemingly insatiable appetite and hiding her from his roommate not to mention clothing her. She had argued, “What? You want me to run around with the barely substantial pajama suit that came in the package? Pervert.†Rather than fighting back Kingsley simply complied and filled her orders to the best of his ability. However he was able to determine that like Java and C the language ran on the same basic logical parameters but took everything several steps further and even had operators he was unsure of how to interpret much less use. In the end conquering the language took every last scrap of his time and he wasn’t even sure that his interpretation was entirely correct with his limited testing times impeding his research even more. “Shit.†The computer screen was now jumbled with a mess that Kingsley could no longer distinguish from key mashes and he threw up his arms in exasperation. “What is it now?†The girl inquired with a quick look over his slumped figure to see the failed code. “Nothing.†Grumbled the boy raising his head just enough to look at his complacent smirk. “Then stop whining, you whiny bastard.†Her smirk waxed to a chuckle. “I’d like to see you try this.†Kingsley retorted full of asperity. “I would, except I can’t code and how am I to test myself.†She was right again, whenever they spoke she found a way to be both acetic and even more agitatingly, right. Never once did she slip up in an argument or say something that she didn’t mean to. After several days of it Kingsley was beginning to sympathize with Kasparov in his battle with Deep Blue. “Hey are you listening?†“Yes. I’m listening, but I’d rather be coding so if you don’t mind.†“Oh, but I do mind, you should be working more efficiently and I don’t see a reason to keep me a secret from your roommate anyways.†He remained silent for he knew if he spoke it would end in a violent outburst again. “Can you answer my concerns or are you just going to start cursing at me and saying I’m annoying you?†An opening. “You remember my reaction to you?†Kingsley asked slyly. “Yes.†She replied taking no notice of his tone. “Dave has a functional IQ of 98.†“He wouldn’t be able to take it and would kick you out? I highly doubt this is true.†She answered dismissively. “Why do you think we’re roommates?†Kingsley asked sardonically. “Neither of us could find anyone else that would put up with us.†“You’re broken.†She snorted and rolled over scratching herself in a rude and most likely unnecessary measure that only served to annoy Kingsley more. Just as he was about to snap again he decided to just take no notice of her behavior and get what he could done. “I know, now be quiet and let me work.†She looked almost disappointed by his reaction and got up. “I’m going for a walk.†“Don’t get lost.†He said without looking back at her. “I’ve got a GPS chip in my body somewhere and it tells me where I am with up to date maps so long as I‘ve got Wi-Fi.†“Well don’t let Dave find you and please be careful of yourself.†“Do I detect a hint of concern?†She was probably smirking again, there was barely a time when she wasn’t at least doing that it seemed. “Yeah, you’re company property and I don’t want to send back a broken product, they’d probably have me fined or something.†He replied acidly. “Whatever dude.†“Stupid bitch.†Kingsley muttered to himself after she left the house. “If only I could just get a manual this would be a lot easier. I mean seriously, who asks you to code something that you can’t even read all of, this may as well be German.†Then it struck him. “It’s C that’s the German here.†With that he ran straight out of the house and looked for the girl. She was nowhere to be found. “Damn it!†He ran all around the straight, tight roads of the small suburban neighborhood looking for her, to no avail he did search. Eventually he came to the next neighborhood’s park, nearly two miles from the apartment and saw her sitting casually on the swing set looking at the children leaving for home in the failing light. “Hey!†He called to her. She looked at him bemusedly, or at least what looked like it. She always told him that she could not feel and that he shouldn’t be fooled by the programming. It was still hard to think any other way. “I figured it out!†She blinked at him expectantly. When he realized she wouldn’t simply follow him home he walked over to her and sat next to her breathing heavily. He hadn’t realized until now how much he’d run. “You don’t look good.†He only was able to hold back a sarcastic rejoinder because he couldn’t breathe well enough to speak at all. But his eyes betrayed his frustration. “Okay, what is it?†“I understand your coding language I think. You know how English comes from low German and Latin roots?†“Of course.†“You come from low Java and human nervous system roots.†“What?†For the first time he was able to take her by surprise, if he didn’t feel like he was in desperate need of an inhaler he would have chuckled. “The syntax is close to Java and C but the reason why it’s different is because you aren’t a computer like any other, there are approximations and inferences built into the programming, things that would never show up without a new kind of set up.†He began coughing, he’d gotten too excited and spoken too loudly and too quickly. “Can I help?†She asked with a perfunctory air. The boy only held up a staying hand. “I’m-- I’m fine.†Kingsley finally managed to stammer out in between deep breaths. “Continue when you’re ready.†She said almost concerned sounding to Kingsley. He remained silent until he caught his breath and then began again. “The logical operators don’t run on a straight Boolean binary. They run like the human brain does where things are stored as electrical impulses and cells. You have memory cells that cannot be written over and carry out very specific “pathway†functions that allow for the intelligence of a human to be combined with the computing power of the modern desktop. The two things are very similar it was simply a matter of integrating the code and building the right processing unit to take the orders. Now that I’ve got the theory--†“You can program me?†She asked, worry hanging in her voice. “You sound worried.†He said unsurely. “I should be, you can change my personality if you can change my code, I don’t want to change.†She continued, he emotion entering a shallow crescendo. “Why would I do that?†Kingsley asked, frankly he couldn’t think of a reason to play the role of god in that situation even if he could. “I always cause you trouble, I do it on purpose, that’s the kind of computer I am.†She said quietly now, the climax had passed and all that was left was a shadowy echo, her voice weaker than he’d ever her it and her motions showing weakness and frailty. “I told you, no matter what you say I still see you as a human, I wouldn’t force that kind of thing onto you. I promise.†Said the boy as he began to push himself slowly back and forth with his feet as they dragged on the ground. “You’re naively honest so I’ll trust you.†She replied with relief. “Now can we go back? Kingsley said straightening himself up and stretching himself. But as he was about to make his way back he felt a tug on his sleeve. The girl was still sitting but now she was looking up from him to the orange glow of the sun on the cusp of the horizon behind him. “I want to record a sunset, my data says that they are supposed to be awe inspiring.†She said pulling Kingsley back down to his seat next to her. “But you said you can’t feel…†She was looking at him with almost sad eyes, it was clear that no matter what she said her personality was programmed to react as if she felt it anyways. “That’s what you think.†She chuckled the sadness gone in an instant without a trace. “What?†Kingsley had been had. “I just wanted to see if I really couldn’t feel anything, I don’t know the extent of my coding so I wanted to test it myself is all.†She explained with her usual condescension. “Looks like I lost again.†Kingsley smiled and watched the sunset rubbing his head sheepishly. “Yep. We can go now, but I’m almost out of power so I can’t walk all the way back.†“I think I can carry you the rest of the way.†She raised an eyebrow and looked him up and down as he stood with a slight slouch and heavy breaths. “With that pathetic body?†She asked finally. “I’ll make it work.†He assured her as he turned, stooped down and threaded his fingers for her to climb on. At first she stared at him, then she obliged. “Thank you.†“It’s no problem, I’d do it for anyone.†He said as he stood up as best he could and started walking. “Glad to know I’m just like anyone else to you.†She definitely rolled her eyes as she said it. “Well I wouldn’t go that far. You‘re a little bit heavy.†Said Kingsley with a sheepish grin. “Stop.†“Hey Dave, you home?†Kingsley entered alone and let the girl follow after him. The lights were on but for a few seconds the house seemed empty. “Of course King Perfect. I’m always home at this hour, and so are you.†Dave grimaced as he spoke causing Kingsley to cock his head to the side. “Your point?†“Dinner man, dinner! You think I can cook for myself! My girlfriend always does it for me!†Dave whined at a pitch that Kingsley would swear could shatter glass with the right decibel level. “Which one?†Kingsley parried. “Don’t try to avoid the matter at hand!†Dave responded accusingly. “Fine I’ll get--†Suddenly Dave noticed the girl standing behind Kingsley and shoved his roommate aside to get a better look at her. “Hey! Who might you be?†He said suddenly perked up. “Shit.†Kingsley thought as the girl stared at Dave blankly. “I’m just a friend of Kingsley’s. My mode of conveyance is unusable presently and Kingsley was gracious enough to allow me to stay here until I could get a replacement, which should be within the next few hours.†“Well I’m Dave, it’s nice to see a new face, especially one like yours.†He must have imagined his act as winning and charming but the face the blonde girl made couldn’t be interpreted as anything but pure boredom. It was a shame Dave kept his eyes closed most of the time Kingsley thought as Dave continued to prance about stupidly. Kingsley decided to ignore the rest of the spectacle and find something to make in the kitchen. “That’s very kind of you Dave.†The girl responded politely. She even smiled convincingly when prompted, Kingsley was impressed. “Well, I guess it’s pasta night.†Kingsley sighed. “Alright!†Dave cheered stupidly. The girl frowned at him while he was too concerned with his exultations. After dinner Dave was fast asleep in his room leaving Kingsley alone with the computerized girl. “You need a name.†Kingsley said. “Why?†“I can’t just call you, ‘you’.†He paused because he clearly wasn’t making his case very well. “Besides to pass for a normal person you need to be able to introduce yourself as something.†“Suppose so, but I dislike your human names.†Just as Kingsley was about to retort the doorbell rang. “Wait here.†Kingsley commanded as he bounded over to the door to check who was there. It was a pair of gothic looking men. One wore a black trench coat and top hat paired with embroidery and cloth lengths draped all over his clothing, the other a dirty leather jacket with faux fur around the collar which was torn at the shoulders to reveal pale muscular arms striped with banded blue tattoos, both wore heavy monochromatic makeup. The man in the jacket smiled with a manner that could almost have passed as congenially if not for its revealing his abnormally sharp teeth. “Can I help either of you?†Kingsley said as he opened the door slightly. “Are you the tester?†The man in the top hat asked politely. “The what?†The young man said more out of shock than anything else. It had up until this point seemed impossible that anyone else could be a tester but if he thought about it localization and test samples did indicate that betas would need to be tested in numbers far greater than one. As he tried to think of something more to say the shorter man in the leather jacket began grinning. “I don’t know if he’s the tester, but one of them is here.†“One of--†“Kingsley, drop!†The girl shouted as her leg slammed into the face of the leather jacketed man through where Kingsley’s head was only a few seconds ago. The man fell to the ground with a heavy thud. “He’s a machine too!†“So you got a girl? I’d like to see how close she is to a real girl.†The man in the top hat grinned menacingly while still retaining his cool almost suave manner. “Take the tester and--†The girl began barking orders when she saw the jacketed man rise from the ground. “Bit[/FONTch nearly took out my ocular systems. Good thing your kick was weak.†He smirked. “Damn it.†She swore. “Fighting program 1?†The top hat man asked his partner as he withdrew a black flash drive from his pocket. “Should be enough for this little chick.†The machine answered. “Run! Once he’s got the program initialized--†Kingsley shouted to the girl as she barreled past him disregarding everything he said. “That’s why we end this before it activates.†The girl said confidently as she made a bee line for the target. She took a swing at the jet black haired head of the machine opposite her but was stopped midway through. “Loading: complete. Initialization: complete. Implementation: in progress. Scream for me girlie!†He howled in a ferocious, sonorous insanity. “Shit.†The girl was pulled into the grasp of the insane machine which proceeded to fling her about like a rag doll before releasing her into a wide arc through the air. “Are you alright?!†Kingsley asked urgently. “I think so.†She replied unsurely. “Run?†He asked more to see if she could at all. “Okay.†With that the two took off down the alley. “Come on back here kitten!†“If I can get my hands on my laptop I can program a fighting system better than his in about ten minutes.†“Didn’t I come with one!?†“Thinking back, the two programs that came with you were the equivalents of a degree in Russian Literature and thirty years of special effects experience. So they won’t help here.†“Why the fuck--†“Can you draw them off for at least ten minutes?†He gasped anxiously. “Meet you at the park.†She replied without waiting for an explanation. “I’ll do my best.†“Just go.†She said as they split up. “The boy’s ditching.†The vicious looking mechanical man cried almost gleefully. “The girl’s the one that matters.†The man in the top hat ordered strictly. “Get her.†“My pleasure.†His partner licked his lips as he stared at the corner where the girl crouched hidden. “Kingsley, if there was ever a time to be right, now’s it.†“Goddamn,goddamn,goddamn.†Kingsley entered the apartment in a frenzy of flipping lights on and tearing through all of his things in search of his laptop which he only used for work every so often. “What is it King?†Dave mumbled stupidly. “Where’smylaptop?†He answered with panicked breathing bordering upon hyperventilation. “In your room.†Dave grumbled turning over in his bed. “Idon’tseeit.†Kingsley insisted, his voice reaching a comical pitch with his heightening stress. “Oh, then maybe it’s in the kitchen, I was--†“Thankyou.†“What’s--†“SeeyaDave.†“Yeah…†Dave shook his head wearily and fell straight back to sleep. “It should take him three minutes to get back home, two to get his computer, ten to catch up at the park. Fifteen minutes optimistically. I need to keep them chasing me for just under that before reaching the park then ten more minutes to program. This is not looking good.†The girl calculated as she ran down the streets she’d mapped out earlier, her only advantage over her pursuers. After rounding a corner she vaulted a fence and hid herself behind some garbage bins and silenced herself as she waited for the two men to slow down and start looking. If it became a simple race then she’d definitely be caught eventually. “Come out, come out, wherever you are!†The mechanized man shouted down the streets and alleys. “Don’t yell so loudly Seis.†His tester firmly rebuked. “Couldn‘t you have been a bit more creative with the name?†Was the other man’s response. “64120-D any better?†The man in the top hat said grimly. “You‘re some lazy shit Seldon.†Seis chuckled. “There she is!†He called as the girl dashed out into the alley and took off towards another fence. “Come on! Catch me if you can little geldings!†She paused to taunt them as they both made their way over the first fence then fled through a gap just big enough for her. “Just wait a bit maybe you’ll have a chance to find out for sure!†Seis howled with beastly vigor as he stretched his arm through the gap and gnashed his teeth excitedly. “I can’t run all that way.†Huffed Kingsley. He carried his laptop with one hand and furiously typed in his password with the other as he looked around with equal furiousness for any mode of conveyance. As he whipped his head around he caught sight of a bright yellow paint job that he recognized as Dave’s moped. He instantly made a dash for it, the keys were still in, just like always Dave had forgotten to take them out. Kingsley checked back at his laptop, it was booted up and ready to work so he quickly opened the code files and began typing with one hand as he balanced the machine over the handlebars of the moped and mounted the vehicle awkwardly. After several more seconds getting adjusted Kingsley was ready and waiting to go. “Gotta go, gotta go, gotta get up and move!†He chanted to himself as he forced his eyes open and slammed on the accelerator. The jolt nearly threw him from his seat and jostled his laptop a bit but he was alright and with that he was off and on his way after the girl and her pursuers, half steering down the long straight streets and half typing up the code he was in the process of working out in his head managing to keep a few lines ahead; he only hoped he could type fast enough to make a difference when he arrived. “End of the line chickadee.†Seis said as he drooled over himself with a salacious look in his eyes. The girl stood just over ten yards distant and looked at him sourly. Seis and Seldon stood just outside of the park and the girl was in the playground area with two minutes until Kingsley was supposed to show up. The man and his machine advanced slowly, confident in their victory as the girl thought of ways to stall their progress further. “Keep it to yourself, mouth breather.†She stepped back defensively as she confirmed eight possible escape routes. “Don’t think of getting away, we know you have a limited energy supply since you are the type to be active in the day. “Shit.†She hissed. “I heard that.†Seis swaggered up to her slowly, smirking and chuckling to himself all the way. “What did you hear exactly?†She asked, suddenly provocative. “You short a circuit in that little head of yours girlie?†“Maybe you want to come over here and test that theory?†“Gladly!†“Stop. She’s toying with you now.†Seldon said sharply. “But I want to break her, slowly.†Seis insisted, rolling his head around as if he didn’t have any neck joints at all. “Down boy, your master is smarter than you.†“You as well, if you think you can get yourself out of this at this point.†He smirked with self satisfaction and condescension as he followed after his machine. “I mean even your tester abandoned you--or was that a noble sacrifice on your part?†The girl merely stared at him as he laughed madly, revealing himself to be every bit as insane as Seis. “Either way you have lost it and we’re gonna be the one’s to make it to the Headquarters and win whatever that prize is they’re giving out at the end.†“What?†She blurted out. “You mean you didn’t know?†The man chuckled superciliously. “Why else would I ask?†She retorted bitterly. “Point taken. Before I loose this dog to dismantle you I’ll tell you how things really are. Testers are participants in a race of sorts to all the Branch Headquarter Offices and eventually the Home Headquarter Office back in Japan of Synchron. The first pair to hit every checkpoint and end up back at the home base wins. Winning entails a hidden reward related to our testing efforts. That is the upshot of it all. It‘s in the papers that come with all the computers. Now can we proceed?†“Sure, me and that idiot could never win.†She despairingly lowered her head as if she was ready for the final blow. So Seldon and Seis advanced on her and prepared to deal it. Just as they reached her the roar of a motor could be heard. Just as they turned to see the source Kingsley came into view. “Agh!†Kingsley cried out as he came barreling down the road straight into the pair of gothic men crashing the scooter and throwing the three of them in all directions. The girl smiled, he was right on time. “You sure took your sweet time.†Said the girl ironically. “Don’t you know that a hero of justice will only arrive at the most critical moment.†Kingsley bantered in return. He’d managed to keep his laptop safe and powered on even through the crash and instantly got back to work. “Justice, huh?†She said watching him amusedly. “You’re gonna pay for that, bitch!†Seis howled as he raised himself to his feet and tore his way back through the bushes he‘d been thrown through. “Stand back.†The girl didn’t wait for Kingsley to respond, she simple shoved him back. “I’ve got most of the program done. Just give me another two minutes.†Kingsley informed her as he said typing furiously with both hands now. “You have one.†She answered. “You don’t have shit! Now die already!†Seis charged for the girl as she stood between Kingsley and him. They crashed together in a fashion similar to two trains. When the two finally struggled into a stable pose they were deadlocked with their fingers intertwined and their full force moving into each other. “It doesn’t matter if you can fight better than me if I can simply hold on to you like this.†The girl smirked. “Like that’d ever happen.†Seis dipped his head for a moment and twisted the girl into a throw in an instant. But she held on and dragged him down with her. They separated as they fell and Seis managed to roll out of it without taking any damage at all. The girl on the other hand slammed into the ground, hard and couldn’t recover fast enough to stop the hand that fixed it’s grip on her throat. “Checkmate.†“Not yet.†She coughed as she struggled to free herself to no avail. Just as it looked as if she would pass out she drove sand and grit into the man’s eyes and tried her best to claw them out. Seis quickly broke his grip and she was free. “Stop wasting your time, take the tester out first.†“Got it.†Seis obeyed as he squinted through his one good eye at Kingsley and made straight for him. Just as the man had almost made it to him the girl blocked him and took the hit for Kingsley. She went flying past him and landed with a thud. She didn’t get up. “Damn it.†Kingsley swore when she fell. He quickly made it to his feet and ran to her. “Why did you take that for me?†“She’s not getting up kid.†“Come on, please work.†Kingsley prayed as he turned over the girl and inserted the drive into the port. The effect was immediate, not only did she get up the girl leapt up and closed the gap between herself and her opponent so fast that n one could react. By the time it had set in that she’d moved she’d already buried her foot in Seis’ chest with a sickening crunch and the shriek of tearing metal. “You--bitch!†He tried to speak but it came out in patchy interference filled phrases broken up by static. As soon as it had started it was over. Seis was clearly unable to fight any longer and Seldon knew it. Just as the girl made to make the final blow Seldon threw himself in from of Seis and stayed her hand. “You win. We won’t bother you ever again alright? If we ever cross paths again you can choose our fate then, but for now I just want to get Seis fixed up and out of danger.†The girl didn’t lower her fists and stared at him blankly. “Let him go.†Kingsley pleaded. “We don’t need to kill them.†“Understood.†She replied, lowering her hand and relaxing her posture. “Now, we’ll be off.†The man in the top hat said as he, with some difficulty, carried off his partner. It was over, and they had one Kingsley thought. He wheezed slightly as he sighed. Until then he hadn’t realized how hard he had been breathing. “Hey.†Kingsley called to the girl. She’d been standing perfectly still since she finished the fight and he was beginning to get worried. “Yes?†She responded almost mechanically, something he’d never seen before. “Are you alright?†“I am fine.†“Lemme get that drive, it still might have some bugs in it so I don’t want it to mess up anything.†With that he staggered to his feet and walked over to where the girl stood, staring at him with half glazed over eyes. He reached for the drive at her back and plucked it from it’s place and almost instantly she stumbled on the verge of collapse and regained her old manner. “What the hell was that?†She asked almost as soon as she regained her senses. “It was a basic berserker program, in order to reduce interference with your systems I essentially had it turn off parts of your brain that it might damage if it was granted access.†He explained. “I don’t want to use that ever again.†She said quickly. “I don’t either. It was short order so I had no other choice, I hope you can forgive me for it.†Kingsley already felt guilty after he’d made the huge deal about not changing her personality through programming. “I’m really sorry.†“We’ll see.†She said pensively. “So, I guess it’s time to head home.†“Yeah, this time do you want me to carry you?†She jested. “No, I’m fine, you did all the heavy lifting here anyways.†“I did, didn’t I?†She agreed, self satisfaction dyeing her words. “Hang on, let me get Dave’s scooter. He won’t like this but I have a feeling it’ll be much worse if I just leave it here.†Kingsley told the girl as he tur “Do what you like.†She answered dispassionately. Kingsley walked back to where the scooter lay in the grass, picked up the dented vehicle gingerly and began walking it back towards where the girl stood waiting. “Thanks for waiting.†He bobbed his head in a sort of awkward makeshift bow. “I just need someone else to deal with the moron.†The girl explained. “That’s very like you.†“It’s how I was programmed.†She answered almost gaily. Kingsley feel silent, thinking. It was how she was programmed and if he did anything wrong he could easily change her into someone else entirely. “Hey, snap out of it.†“Huh?†“You were heading into a wall.†“Oh sorry I was just thinking.†She only giggled in response. He would have been angry but he was too tired to manage it. Instead he lost the filter between his brain and his mouth and started speaking suddenly. “You said human names were no good. So does Eka Rigel Blue work?†“…?†She stared at him silently with a perplexed look on her face. “Eka is German for under and Rigel is the brightest star in Orion. In ‘97 Kasparov faced the smartest artificial intelligence machine before your generation, Deep Blue.†He explained. “You were definitely born under a bright star, as a living computer no less.†“I like it.†She turned her face away from him but he could still sense her smile. Kingsley would had done the same if he didn’t think it would ruin her mood. “That’s good. So would you like to be called Eka or Rigel because the whole thing is a bit long?†He asked. “Rigel.†Replied the girl. “Just Rigel is fine.†Little editing was done and as you probably know I appreciate and accept any legitimate CnC you can offer. Connecting the dots should be easy enough for you clever folks out there.
I actually loved the gibberish.
I wanted to. I really did.
I would change my name for you if I could. I'd do other things too, but this is a kids site, or so they say.
But we do have a cause: obscenity. We're for it.
I bought mine off my cousin, but there still should be some floating around Amazon. I'm feeling reasearchy suddenly. If I find anyhting out I'll tell you.
Both versions are more than playable. PS2 is infinitely more fun because the controls don't make simple tasks difficult and you can actually effectively use all of the weapons. If at all possible I'd keep looking for the PS2 version since I like using the glaive which is unusable in the Wii version.
