Rata Mall - Zombie Chat

[Primate]

Have I got a fun story for you if amb confirms I've kept my memory.

[Primate]

I'm very tired, so just the cliff notes.

CaptainMeme is a some kind of space cop. She has a Laser pistol, we were attacked by a guy dressed security in the bank and she vapourised him. She immediately asked us (me and groza) to show her the underside of our right upper arms. She's here to stop a AI hive mind that reproduces by gettings its members to drug people then implaning a small glowing green chip in their upper right arms. This wipes their memory as they get connected to the cloud. You are currently suspect #1 because you have the drugs. I was so tense becase I thought you were part of the *other* cult that drugs people. Neither the hive mind nor CaptainMeme's lot are the aliens that everyone's been talking about.

[Primate]

This was in the bank last phase by the way that this came out. We saw a picture of the aliens too, they've got big green heads.

[Primate]

So we should probably try and get you into the CaptainMeme+Groza+me group. No-one else knows I came here and we have passphrases to say to each other to prove we still have our memories.

Btw my original win condition was to have the most money at the end of the game, either winning with the good guys or an evil guy alone, hence this massive gold bar I'm lugging round.

As I say, I'm very tired, so I'm not going to try and come up with a plan now.

[Primate]

BM, In the book store, was there mention of copy of "Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus."

"Remember her who created what you are trying to do."

If the phrase was a clue left for me by Dr. Ben Nerrow (who owned a store in the mall), it might be referring to Mary Shelley, the Author and creator of Frankenstein's Monster. My flavor text indicated Nerrow owned a store in the Mall, it seems odd that there is a secret room hidden inside a cafe.

Victor Frankenstein builds the creature in the attic of his boarding house through an ambiguously described scientific method consisting of chemistry (from his time as a student at University of Ingolstadt) and alchemy

My role is also using science and chemistry to create undead.

"Zombies have a complex literary heritage, with antecedents ranging from Richard Matheson and H. P. Lovecraft to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein drawing on European folklore of the undead."

Zombie, -Wikipedia

Approximately 12 hours left until deadline.

There was by the way. A copy of "Dr Frankensteins Monster."

[Primate]

I'm just going through my game notes on the previous Eatery phase. Xavier (Porochaz) whispered to me ask if knew what your code was for.

Give me $1 for me to tell you what the number 3748 means.

I told him it was probably a joke.. Give you a $1 to find out 3748 means "Nothing."

This is basically accurate, it's a made up number.

In the bank there is a vault. The vault was locked. groza unlocked it using a working computer and some kind of supertech hacking device he'd said he'd picked up earlier in the hardware store. In the vault there were 4 security boxes, two locked by code, two locked by keys, and 3 ingots. The keys for one of the boxes were on the teslas keyring, and groza already had the keys to the other box, he emptied both (I presume, this was done in pm). Groza then hid one ingot somewhere in the bank, I took another, and the other I presume is still there in the vault.

The two numberlock boxes are still unopened, and they have a trigger where if the wrong code is entered too many times, it'll spray that person in ink. We had some legit numbers to try, but now we believe both boxes are down to their final "go". I was throwing it out there so if someone gets to the box they want to try that code. Groza and Jia also have made up numbers written on a piece of paper on them, in case they get pickpocketed.

Another thing. You may have seen, but pooky/casey was the one that drove the truck into the eatery. We were told it seemed like he was being persued.

[Primate]

In fairness he said he picked it in a previous phase, so it might have been phase 1 in the eatery, but eh.

[Primate]

His briefcase is either full of things or bulletproof. He used it to smash through the bank's tellers glass. He was coy about being a hacker when i asked directly, just denied making the specific thing he used.

[Primate]

yeah, I'm wrong then, he never said he was in the hardware store, just he picked it up in a previous phase, i don't know why i thought he was in the hardware store.

[Primate]

My suggestion for how we sell this is that we entered alone, I thought you were acting weird and trying to examine me to spike me with sedatives. I had a "moment" and cut my sleeves, saying "and I bet this screws up your plans" and you were like "I don't understand whats going on.". There was then a period of confusion, and eventually you let me examine you when I explained i wanted to check your upper arm for something. Finding it clear, I told you the basics, about the AI. You don't know about Jia yet, you don't know about Johannes being involved, but you know I learned it off another player and you know i was in the bank last phase. You kind of trust me about this because its so out of left field, but you don't trust me specifically because I'm obviously not telling you shit.

[Primate]

So then in your view, why would have I cut huge slits down my sleeves, something I only would have done if I was scared of being converted? I guarantee I'll be asked about it.

[Primate]

The exact wording was that pooky seemed "panicked" while driving the truck through the glass. He drove through the doors then got out and continued to run away from the doors taking no time to recover, despite being dazed. It's possible that I was projecting that he was driving away from someone if it's contradicted by someone at the scene.

[Primate]

I'd get groza's impression to make sure I'm not being weird. Also whisper me so it doesn't seem weird you know what I'm saying, if you need to.

I *think* I'm going to wait for jia or groza to whisper me because I think it'll give more weight to the rebuttal, but we'll see how it goes, if it takes too long.

[Primate]

Here we go then. I was going to try and deescalate and deny but I get your call.

[Primate]

Groza asked me the AI codeword btw and I responded with the correct phrase to "prove" I'm not AI.

[Primate]

That makes it sound very like a cult.

I'd say you stuck me with something that reduces my strength permanently but doesn't kill me because I was being a massive asshole. Possible you told me you were a mutant and I threatened to extort you for cash, telling you I was morally grey, then you reduced me to basically no combat power and made it so any damage kills me, then told me if I tell anyone else you'll finish me off.

[Primate]

Ok then.

[Primate]

Sorry, what, was that edited out/changed?

[Primate]

Oh well, it's done now, I was supporting you, I said it.

[Primate]

Eeeshhh. Yeah. Alright then, lets play this out then.

[Primate]

Is the absinthe the serum then?

[Primate]

Do you know whats in the for rent or is this just a hail mary?

[Primate]

Sent this to captainmeme to explain the conversion.

"Firstly, she did attack me, but I'm trying not to escalate things. "

"When I got into the barbers I was obviously incredibly concerned for my life"

"I kept telling her to get away from me, but she was running around like crazy investigating everything."

"She flicked the light switch, and it was off for a few seconds. I grew very paranoid that when the lights had gone off she had drugged me and I was going to fall unconcious."

"I went to go examine something, then I turned around and she had disappeared (as it turns out, down a secret passage that she discovered earlier)"

"That was when I cut up my sleeves and placed the note with Dr Lacey's name in my bag, so if I was converted, you could discover it and kill me."

"I thought that what she had injected me with had altered my perceptions in some way so she was invisible to me, and I began swinging around recklessly with a knife."

"I was trying to cover the whole room and when I turned my back to the secret passage she jumped me, beat me in a fight, and injected me."

"After I woke up and realised I still wasn't a drone we had the discussion about who the drones were and I checked her."

[Primate]

Any plans for where we're going?

[Primate]

I'm inclined to split up so we have a better idea what's going on, but I don't have a concrete goal. One of us at least should go to the cinema.

[Primate]

Do you want another one for any particular purpose? I think Ariel is offering me a camera? I was going to say i don't want it, but if you have a reason, I'll take it.

[Primate]

It's a trade for the gold she took from me, to stop me holding a grudge.

[Primate]

I was going to, just thought you might want the camera. Ok.

[Primate]

Do you even have another syringe to convert a zombie?

Also, why isn't groza telling anyone, did you square it with him?

[Primate]

Talitha just asked me about what happened in the barbers and I gave her the same description. If she did see what happened in there, it's broadly what actually happened, so unless amb gave her a super detailed view with the cameras it should be fine.

If anyone asks how you knew about the secret passage you can mention that it's a reference to the shawshank redemption, where there is famously a secret passage behind a raquel welch poster.

[Primate]

Tali says "She basically told me all the injection does is interrupt someone who is performing an action and stops them."

Is that accurate? Are you denying it's a cure now?

[Primate]

I'm going to go to the cinema or the office, I think, probably the cinema. I think it makes sense for the two of us to split up a little and get a bit of distance regardless, and you can probably take anyone in a 1v1 anyway.

I know Groza is going to the cinema, don't know where anyone else is going.

[Primate]

Ok, I've told her I received a role pm update from ambic that my win condition has changed. I can't entirely verify your story, but "there's something going on."

What I'm considering at the minute is that I tell groza that i believe that you're actually the AL recruiter and you just haven't activated the chip yet. This is both really plausible and has a really nice flipside for if the Actual AL recruiter turns up later. It's huge risk/reward.

[Primate]

I feel like this isn't going to land positively regardless. I'm not going to tell him before we split up regardless and I'll get confirmation from you it's acceptable before I do.

[Primate]

I'm literally in bed just about to go to sleep but I think that has very little chance of working.

I concede control of my actions to rubber duck if she wants to try it

So your call but I definitely wouldnt.

[Primate]

It wasn't. I suspect someone pickpocketed something

[Primate]

This is something coordinated imho. Multiple things will happen.

[Primate]

Either that or someone just thanked the unconcious mark

[Primate]

Shanked

[Primate]

I dont mind an aggressive maneuver I just think that's too many actions at once without it backfiring as others get input. I like mark dying at this point to be honest, it would be an interesting wrinkle.

[Primate]

Nah he's dead. I'm not going to accuse you I don't think. There were definitely people co-ordinating to turn the lights off, and hopefully this just put a big bit of mistrust in that group. I think you'll be a suspect, but I want to know who makes the accusation.

Also I think if *I* accuse you now, it may look like I'm actually the one that killed him and I'm just trying to get a second kill out of it.

[Primate]

I don't understand that comment sorry.

[Primate]

Tali said she *suspected* Zag was the clone. I was saying based on that quote I think he's definitely the clone.

[Primate]

Don't take it for granted, the suspicion will land at some point, the distractions have made it complicated.

Do you know that about xavier looking old in a mirror for sure or is that tali shit stirring?

Also I think Ben Nerrow is probably the mad scientist people are talking about? That's the most obvious reading. You could pm ambic and ask if it's the same guy, now you've seen the photo.

[Primate]

I just noticed Zag was 1d8+2 , oof.
Captmeme was 1d7 btw

[Primate]

I wonder the briefcase has uranium in it btw, would explain why it's so incredibly heavy and durable (radiation shielding).

[Primate]

It's me, Jia, and Groza btw, and the explosion wasn't us, we haven't even heard it.

[Primate]

Groza went into the lab secretly, I've joined him and left the cinema. I also told Jia about the entrance.

[Primate]

Suggest that she can pop through the window like sir leo did and look at the alley

YOU

DO NOT KNOW THIS

SO DON'T SUGGEST YOU DO, BUT WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE THE NPC WHO CAME INTO THE BANK CAME FROM, AND HE CAME FROM THAT SAME ALLEY

[Primate]

Found some "absinthe" in the brewery, have taken it.

[Primate]

Yeah I wouldn't mention anything about absinthe at all, certainly not say you told me anything.

I don't think he did see me although he might check the rack again and find it gone.

[Primate]

Smoke is coming out of the elevators, we're on fire babieeee.

[Primate]

Is Tali with you? Where are you?

[Primate]

I won't spoil you too much as to what's happening on my end but lets say "Spaceship" will be an accessible location next round, so keep those antirads handy.

[Primate]

I'm heading down some stairs (internal fire exit), don't have an indication where they lead as of yet.

[Primate]

Crashed Alien Spaceship, probably. Same type as the image of the one we found in the bank, the one with the aliens with the large green heads.

[Primate]

You could get that pc hooked up to the monitors in the bank or barbers if you bring it down with you.

[Primate]

mhmm. Fun times. Attacking is interesting, survival is key. So Terry was teleported, not vapourised.

[Primate]

I think this is going to lead to a confrontation eventually but people are just being cagey before things kick off. I'm trying to milk Xavier for info about the time machine/teleporter atm.

Give me the mirror and I'll take a look, see whether it's just some oddity with you. Maybe he looks like different things to different people.

[Primate]

Sure, I thought that was a bluff

[Primate]

I see it as the same person, the scientist, as in the photo.

[Primate]

Yeah, I fucked up. I'll try and square it with ambic. For now, proceed as if I only confirmed he's a man in his 60s-70s in the reflection.

[Primate]

I think Tali had it last so I'll check that and go to her first if that seems correct.

[Primate]

But then if you can't actually cure anyone, doesn't that mean you were lying about your win condition?

You said you can only cure 5 people. Your story is a little odd but it's not inconsistent. Don't try and make it inconsistent in order to make it more implausible. She probably thinks I'm lying and that's fine.

The things I'm currently going with as possibilities are
1. I am not actually cured and am lying to everyone because why wouldn't I.
2. I am cured, but I had multiple objectives that I have to achieve to achieve both good and bad win conditions, and your cure just removed one of them.
3. I was actually given the win condition that to win I needed to end the game with you alive (this one is more risky and I don't like it as much, but it's plausible).

I explicitly told tali that I had lied to you I was good now, but secretly, unknown to you, I can still potentially win as a bad guy (but don't want to).

[Primate]

Oh, ok, you're saying you actually did cure terry and achieved your win con so I might be lying and not be cured, but you can still actually cure people? Yeah you can run with that start suspecting I'm lying if you want.

The worst that can happen is they think I'm just lying and still want to get all the money in the world, which is probably a goal most people here can accept, with all the other shit going on.

[Primate]

Fun times.

[Primate]

Cant.. talk.. must concentrate. Fighting creature.. with knife.

[Primate]

Reminder I have the absinthe from the brewery for if I die.

[Primate]

That bottle groza just gave it was full of rat poison, fyi.

[Primate]

I went there and checked and it's closed already.

[Primate]

Are you in the lab or somewhere else?

[Primate]

Are you still alive?

[Primate]

"Do you have any evidence that this is an alien simulation specifically or is that supposition. I know something off is going on, I'm curious as to why you believe that that specifically is going on."

"Is Xavier there with you?"

[Primate]

I posted this in the eatery chat after you left and this is my suspicion atm.

"We are all clones, or at least plants. I asked in the cinema as to whether there any of us have any genuinely concrete memories from what came before. I don't. I wonder if we were created, then the laser in the time machine is actually a memory ray that will give us a certain perspective. We were mindwiped and teleported here, to this moment, for this event. I don't know what this event is, but it's clearly important. I believe the Time Machine is the device the aliens were asking about, and ask yourself this. 'If Xavier did not use the time machine to come here, what is the purpose of such a device?'"

"The second theory that I *was* considering and no longer consider likely, is that we are all clones and that this is not the first time this has happened, that all of us have been here before."

"I still feel like I'm missing huge pieces of the puzzle, but that is why I whispered Xavier. He was little use and repeated the same stories he told others, claiming ignorance when questioned on specifics."

[Primate]

See if you can get Xavier to agree to a hostage exchange. I think, regardless of whether the people here go for it, it'll be very interesting to see what their reaction is if they don't actually care about you and Xavier asks them to give up something actually important.

[Primate]

"If you're correct about this being a simulation, what if the serum is literally a virus? A Computer Virus. Johannes is wearing a suit and tie because he's a matrix style 'agent'". That's why it doesn't work like a conventional virus, it's overwriting our personalities, not our genes. Those it affects are the programs, those it doesn't effect are the ones actually plugged into the machine with brains. I'm spitballing here, ofc."

[Primate]

"I just took photos of the car park and hardware store, I was able to see into them from the eatery."

"It's interesting what you say though, maybe certain rooms can be taken out of phase for some purpose."

[Primate]

I'm not sure how much you saw but we dynamited frankenterry, blowing up the lower half of his body, then stabbed him to shit as he crawled towards Carla. He

might

still be alive but he's not in a good way if he is.

[Primate]

It's also worth noting that we could definitely see into the eatery from the bank when casey drove his truck through the window from the car park.

And oh god, I missed you said frankencasey, not frankenterry. Splendid.

I'm going to the spaceship next turn, so absolutely do not mention to xavier that that place exists. Remember that we want everyone to die, Xavier having a little bit of sucess is actually good for us.

[Primate]

I don't think I'm actually dead. It's described as I died and then came back to life again, so I imagine radiation would effect me the same way. It's worth noting by the way, I am not accessing the ship via the radiation tunnel, I am getting there via the highway, so I'm on top of the ship. The signet ring thing is a good shout that that's a key. I'm not going to try and do anything risky, although me being an idiot is a possibility.

[Primate]

Just turn the radio off.

[Primate]

You don't need to respond. We only have 24hrs to wait, then this is over.

You could also just say you're doing these things when you aren't. Just lie to Johannes, and justify it later by saying you were under pressure.

You could ask Johannes where they're going on the radio, be useful information for Xavier.

[Primate]

No worries, it's a tough spot, we just need to keep living.

Fwiw my plan for if frankencasey attacks and we are not in a position to defend ourselves properly is to fake a heart attack and play dead. It's very risky and might open us up to some questions, but it's better than fighting the thing.

Do you have the syringe atm by the way or does yvonne?

[Primate]

Why the carpark?

[Primate]

Lets not acknowledge we are allies in the thread.

[Primate]

I am not trusted, apparantly (fair).

[Primate]

Fine with me.

[Primate]

as in same thread is fine with me, as you say, nothing's happened yet.

[Primate]

I GOT A GUN PEW PEW

[Primate]

The two of us are here. We need to make sure Johannes doesn't leave this place alive this phase imho. This place is weird enough we can lie about why it happened. I'm still very scared of Xavier and FrankenCasey, but we need to remember our win condition.

[Primate]

It's a Pistol and it has a single bullet, I didn't test the aim.

[Primate]

We can't be too quick, we still need other people around to deal with Xavier.

[Primate]

So is this where we try and kill Groza? I don't think we'll get a better opportunity.

I try and shoot him, if he shoots me, rip. You claim ignorance. If it comes down to an actual fight, you support me and we take him, then we go into endgame.

We claim to everyone else frankencasey shot him with his crossbow when destroying the lab.

[Primate]

Can we actually fly the ship?

[Primate]

I think that's a cool plan though. At the very least it's a funny way to go out at this stage. Xavier could possibly be watching us from the window, but he's unlikely to care much if he thinks we're working with him.

[Primate]

So you ok with me shooting him now? Then we see how the fight goes. I'll try and give you a small amount of plausible deniability.

[Primate]

Is the radio push to talk?

[Primate]

I have two weapons actually, this confirms I still have that heavy trophy from the first phase, I wasn't sure.

I think if Groza doesn't come back and we've been seen we're going to be blamed regardless. At least if we beat him up here we can try the absinthe/serum and hope we get lucky.

@Ambic. Are we close enough where if we jump him now will he potentially have a chance to shoot us if he doesn't have a gun out? I would fear yes. I think we'd need to get him whilst he's distracted.

And yeah, I'm not going to be up at 2am my time.

[Primate]

If you want to take control, Rubberduck, I don't mind, it's your queenly prerogative.

[Primate]

@Amb: sure.

Fair. I assumed we could just make him drink it.

Yeah, this is where things could go many different ways and we just need to keep our heads.

[Primate]

Dude, you should just go back and get them. That's probably carla's win condition (unless you don't know that in character). Bit of a dick move to just leave them there when we can take them back for her.

[Primate]

She already has "given it back", it's apparantly in the trunk of the truck in the eatery, though I haven't checked.