Quixote

Okay. I need to make my own art for Clad. But I'm no artist, and I need motivation.

If this post gets 100 notes ill make (and post) my poor attempt of art of Clad.

The work they're doing, going beyond the printer to keep our brave liberators supplied, it can't be understated. I want to take a moment to thank the smart, hardworking, industrious people there designing the pacification strategies of the future.

Though out of curiosity, what VIP package did they set you up with? If it was just a quick trip I'm assuming Level 2 or Level 3?

Level 4 and up tends to be more involved than a quick visit will allow. Dinner with members of the board, yachting on Carina, a ride-along on a hypersonic Nelson, that kind of thing.

Are they still doing physical souvenir packages, or is it all digital printables now? Model kits are pretty common if you toured (or enjoy) something specific, but there's also the usual assortment of clothes, mugs, pins, stamps, writing utensils, utility tools, and anything else they can slap the IPS-N logo on.

>>Immediately starts talking about VIP packages just for visiting

>//::

>//:: it is rather odd isn't it

>//::

>//:: why would quixote say IPS-N doesn't bribe people

>//:: then list a lot of stuff that sounds suspiciously like bribery?

>//::

>//:: there's a lesson here

>//:: if you can find it

>//::

Does a dancer in the darkness truly dance?

[Access allowed, beginning encryption...]

I had to enter Eos because it's the most secure form to access the net I have, and I'd rather not be referring to things Quixote can't see if they don't have access to your messages.

I've never been good with riddles, is the lesson the fact that they're not even realising the irony of what they're saying? That they fully trust a company that does not care for it?

I suppose you won't answer anyways...

But as you said you're not like the others right?

Maybe we'll speak again, who knows.

>//::

>//:: for someone who deals in illusions you're quite bad at seeing through them

>//::

>//:: that quixote is an ignorant hypocrite is the obvious conclusion

>//:: and they are an ignorant hypocrite

>//::

>//:: but think deeper

>//::

>//:: what if this isn't a corpro shill post?

>//:: what if it's only designed to look like a corpro shill post?

>//::

>//:: if so, what is the post actually saying?

>//:: and why would quixote write it this way?

>//::

We don't always do what we're good at you know...

Though I think I got what you mean now.

...

They really sold their soul didn't they?..

...

If I may ask, why are you still with them?

You're much more critical of IPS-N and Quixote than the others, and it doesn't look like they even know you're doing this.

So why stay?

>//::

>//:: i'm critical of everyone and everything:

>//:: you

>//:: quixote

>//:: ips-n

>//:: union

>//:: everyone

>//::

>//:: nothing is perfect

>//:: you just need to decide which imperfections you're willing to tolerate

>//::

>//::

>//::

>//:: i'm right where i want to be.

>//::

Turns out, temporary marketing supervisors are not authorized to coordinate five-way joint operations involving freaky paracausal bullshit. They also aren't allowed to launch internal investigations over the public Omninet, "advise" DoJ/HR teams on how to do their jobs, defame DoJ/HR when they fail to follow said advice, give sketchy independent contractors access to classified operational data without approval, or bypass the chain of command to reroute an entire battlegroup.

This is apparently called "administrative overreach", and causes the Eye of Internal Security to gaze upon you. Warships are very expensive and have a lot of firepower, so NGC gets very worried when employees start giving orders to battlegroups without going through the official approval chain.

Thankfully most everyone agreed that I did the right thing in that situation, even if I might not have done it in the right way. They still had to do the audit to comply with the new "DoJ/HR compliant security policy", but they tried to sneak it in while I was on parental leave so I wouldn't notice and get worried.

I found out anyway, and got worried. You can't talk to the subject of a security audit about the ongoing audit, so they had to let me suffer in silence until the investigation finished.

It finally wrapped up, and Management explained what happened. I've been "strongly discouraged" from ever trying something like that again, but I still have my job and my apartment. I even got something like a promotion, though it doesn't kick in until my parental leave ends.

Hello! My name is T'nya Huxley, senior handler for Dynamic Solutions' Excelsior Group. I'm excited to introduce myself to the omninet in compliance with Dynamic Solutions' new transparency initiatives. For those not aware, the Excelsior Group is Dynamic Solutions premier mounted security unit. We've handled everything from insurrections, to worker's union disputes, and like all Dynam employees, we've never settled for compromise.

If you've seen footage of our company's operations in the past few years, it's likely we were in it! We pride ourselves on living by our founder's "first through the door" philosophy, and seek to resolve all client's requests swiftly and decisively. We pride ourselves on the level of autonomy we give our pilots, and this shows in our operational efficacy and client satisfaction rates. If you're interested in what we do, please feel free to reach out, as I'll be managing this account for the foreseeable future.

Graduated from the Honest Truth

Worked for Northstar Galactic Command

Lived on Lighthouse Station

Parent

Being a parent is a bit of a new situation for me, and I'm still adjusting to pseudo-retirement on Lighthouse.

...

[//: CONNECTION RESTORED]

//: harrison deployed some new toys along the frontline, so my old terminal got fried.

//: frankly im still alive despite being thrown at nelson and then dropkicked from a mountain by sun tzu.

Actually, 230 km/h isn't even their top speed.

A Nelson's perpetual momentum drive is based on spooling technology used in the nearlight leashes for starfighters. It can dump a .000001 light-second charge into the mobility system with the flick of a switch. Honestly, the hardest part was keeping the sudden acceleration from killing the pilot.

And that's not even getting into what happens if you can hit endless momentum.

I've logged hours on hours on hours in training sims and sims in general, meditation only makes me want to get back in Cascading Heart.

Tried drinking, tried smoking, but the itch remains.

The work they're doing, going beyond the printer to keep our brave liberators supplied, it can't be understated. I want to take a moment to thank the smart, hardworking, industrious people there designing the pacification strategies of the future.

Though out of curiosity, what VIP package did they set you up with? If it was just a quick trip I'm assuming Level 2 or Level 3?

Level 4 and up tends to be more involved than a quick visit will allow. Dinner with members of the board, yachting on Carina, a ride-along on a hypersonic Nelson, that kind of thing.

Are they still doing physical souvenir packages, or is it all digital printables now? Model kits are pretty common if you toured (or enjoy) something specific, but there's also the usual assortment of clothes, mugs, pins, stamps, writing utensils, utility tools, and anything else they can slap the IPS-N logo on.

>>Immediately starts talking about VIP packages just for visiting

>//::

>//:: it is rather odd isn't it

>//::

>//:: why would quixote say IPS-N doesn't bribe people

>//:: then list a lot of stuff that sounds suspiciously like bribery?

>//::

>//:: there's a lesson here

>//:: if you can find it

>//::

Does a dancer in the darkness truly dance?

[Access allowed, beginning encryption...]

I had to enter Eos because it's the most secure form to access the net I have, and I'd rather not be referring to things Quixote can't see if they don't have access to your messages.

I've never been good with riddles, is the lesson the fact that they're not even realising the irony of what they're saying? That they fully trust a company that does not care for it?

I suppose you won't answer anyways...

But as you said you're not like the others right?

Maybe we'll speak again, who knows.

>//::

>//:: for someone who deals in illusions you're quite bad at seeing through them

>//::

>//:: that quixote is an ignorant hypocrite is the obvious conclusion

>//:: and they are an ignorant hypocrite

>//::

>//:: but think deeper

>//::

>//:: what if this isn't a corpro shill post?

>//:: what if it's only designed to look like a corpro shill post?

>//::

>//:: if so, what is the post actually saying?

>//:: and why would quixote write it this way?

>//::

4 stars in this patch, and the next. 🙄

THE BAD NEWS IS THAT PHOTON SUCCUMBED TO CURIOSITY, AND IS LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY AFTER PULLING THE 0.000001% SIX STAR WITH THE FREE STARTING CURRENCY THE GAME GIVES YOU.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT PEOPLE ARE READY TO PAY TO GET ACCESS TO ACCOUNTS LIKE HERS. FOR WHAT REASON IS OUT OF MY UNDERSTANDING.

As for what to do with all that money...

The value of manna depends on where you are, but a ground car usually costs between 10 and 20 manna. On most worlds 500 manna would probably enough to live off for a few years if you're careful about your expenses.

If you don't want to just retire to a cheap apartment, do you have access to a printer? If yes, you can buy almost anything you want on the Omninet and print it. I recommend looking into combat, mechanical, or survival equipment.

If you don't have a printer, do the people where you are accept manna as a currency? Some places don't, especially if they don't do interstellar trade.

If you don't have a printer and the locals don't take manna, your only option is to save or invest. I recommend save, investing gets... corporate.

The work they're doing, going beyond the printer to keep our brave liberators supplied, it can't be understated. I want to take a moment to thank the smart, hardworking, industrious people there designing the pacification strategies of the future.

Though out of curiosity, what VIP package did they set you up with? If it was just a quick trip I'm assuming Level 2 or Level 3?

Level 4 and up tends to be more involved than a quick visit will allow. Dinner with members of the board, yachting on Carina, a ride-along on a hypersonic Nelson, that kind of thing.

Are they still doing physical souvenir packages, or is it all digital printables now? Model kits are pretty common if you toured (or enjoy) something specific, but there's also the usual assortment of clothes, mugs, pins, stamps, writing utensils, utility tools, and anything else they can slap the IPS-N logo on.

>>Immediately starts talking about VIP packages just for visiting

>//::

>//:: it is rather odd isn't it

>//::

>//:: why would quixote say IPS-N doesn't bribe people

>//:: then list a lot of stuff that sounds suspiciously like bribery?

>//::

>//:: there's a lesson here

>//:: if you can find it

>//::

The work they're doing, going beyond the printer to keep our brave liberators supplied, it can't be understated. I want to take a moment to thank the smart, hardworking, industrious people there designing the pacification strategies of the future.

Though out of curiosity, what VIP package did they set you up with? If it was just a quick trip I'm assuming Level 2 or Level 3?

Level 4 and up tends to be more involved than a quick visit will allow. Dinner with members of the board, yachting on Carina, a ride-along on a hypersonic Nelson, that kind of thing.

Are they still doing physical souvenir packages, or is it all digital printables now? Model kits are pretty common if you toured (or enjoy) something specific, but there's also the usual assortment of clothes, mugs, pins, stamps, writing utensils, utility tools, and anything else they can slap the IPS-N logo on.

4 stars in this patch, and the next. 🙄

Real... lancers... you say....

And if they gave me Haven's eye patch it's gonna be Three Candles Deep the sequel except we're aiming to destroy a goddamn dreadnaught.

YGGY GET DEUCES ON THE LINE WE'RE FUCKING SUING

I SURE AS FUCK DIDN'T CONSENT TO THIS SHIT

ur a public figure, they can do this for the same rsn ppl can post catgirl jch2 on main

Fuck! It's that stupid reference/parody clause where if you change things enough it stops being protected. It's probably why everyone is LIKE THAT in this stupid game.

Here's what else I found. Keep in mind that I've lost most of my corporate resources, so this is based on rumor. Some or all of it may be incorrect.

HA's apparently got a legion of fucking bots scraping official records for any pilot with a high enough profile or large enough mission/kill count to even remotely qualify as notable, and they're shoveling them in to pad the roster.

Most of the art and writing is being done by COMP/CONs, so the turnaround time on a new character is literally hours. No wonder everyone is complaining they're in this game: it's harder to find a successful pilot who isn't in this game!

You'd think that many characters would ruin the gatcha mechanic, but they've got this clever little localization algorithm hooked to the usual assortment of corporate trackers and spyware. You're more likely to see and pull characters affiliated with HA's data profile of you: ones associated with locations you've posted from, topics you talk about, groups you're affiliated with, etc.

"But no one has data on me! I'm an electronic ghost, sliding without a trace through the digital sea!"

Bullshit. If we can see your profile and your posts, HA definitely can. That's why you're in the stupid gatcha game.

...I'm probably in the stupid gatcha game, aren't I.

4 stars in this patch, and the next. 🙄

Y AM I IN THIS GAME I WAS A SECRET GIVERNEMT EXPIRMANT!!?!?!

MY VOICE HAS WAY MOR VOCAL FRY THAN THAT!!!!!

...

whar...

Hmmm.... OK... ctrl+f "interloper" is nothing... "Styx" just shows some legionarre lady with the absolute worst call... callsign who capt- who-

【Artemis subroutines engaged】

【Purging】

【Purging】

【Lock the door and throw away the key】

Bleh, can't find anyone in the list.

I personally have never had this problem (NGC is a subsidiary of IPS-N and nobody wants to fuck with a Big Four legal team), but I'm given to understand that this kind of contract scope creep is common for smaller units. The employer knows that the legal fight is much harder than just complying with their illegitimate requirements.

There's also just a general disdain for contract workers, but we don't have time to get into that.

As for next steps, does your HoH deal specify just not submitting anything to DoJ/HR, or would it also include no public posts or statements? If it includes no public statements, you're probably going to want to scrub this post.

I'm also on "investigative leave", and I can confirm it sucks. Literally my entire life, including the apartment I live in with my newborn child, is tied to my corporate contact. If the audit team decides I did something wrong, that's my whole future down the drain. I've still got my skills and there's no shortage of work in the Dawnline Shore, but it's not work that also allows you to raise a child.

It feels like the Sword of fucking Damocles. Your entire life hinges on dispassionate auditors who only know you as a case number and are more concerned with the bottom line than doing the right thing. I've been told I'm a bit of an antagonistic bitch lately, and this is probably why.

But this is about you, not me.

I'd suggest looking into alternatives if things go sideways. Anyone else hiring nearby, other places you can go, etc. Get whatever you can printed and under your personal control so you aren't screwed if they cut you off.

Anything that sounds like a great deal but requires you not to report misconduct is a bad sign. Depending on where you are and who you're working for, you may want to start collecting logs and set them up with a deadman that will submit everything to DoJ if they try to cut you off or sweep you under the rug.

I've done some training for some precision work, cutting carefully, grabbing stuff while they're out ect but...

As much as I wish I never have to use them for it, do you know how or where I could learn to use them for more of a combat situation?

I've got thinner longer ones, kinda like a cat if it can help.

Callsign : Photon

"The sun always comes back."

@dawn-will-break

The first rule of knife fighting (and this counts) is that you're probably gonna get stabbed. You don't have the reach or damage potential to take someone out before they can get a return hit on you, not unless you're very good and they aren't.