Scene #1562: A Bad Place to Tresspass

Owner	Pose
Kyra Hyral	Earth-planets were always somewhat of a wonder to the residents of Galianda. Enormous spheres of solid rock and dirt orbiting /around/ an immobile Bomb of a Sun was weird enough on its own. That there seem to be so many just like it lead to Kyra to suspect that it was some kind of 'default' for a planet in the multiverse. Although the physical construction of the rotating dirt-spheres were mostly exactly the same, the surface cultures of each possessed wide variations. In the small amount of time since Galianda Unified with the rest of the multiverse, Kyra has grown to appreciate those variations. While it would be easier (and likely safer) to read on each of the worlds, seeing as she had access to the Union's vast Infinite Library, Kyra Hyral preferred a much more hands-on approach. She enjoyed visiting these places personally, though sometimes for very brief times depending on the hostility of the environment. On occasion, such as today, she would even do so alone. In those cases, her approach to the target world was always a bit more measured such as how one might scout an uncharted dungeon. Not that Kyra's actually scouted an uncharted dungeon-such a dangerous job was left to the professionasl-but she had read many personal accounts of those that do and employed many of the tips and tricks they use. One such trick was to find out of the way or unconventional entrances to the place. It's probably more of luck on Kyra's part that she finds a more out of the way warp gate, depositing her in the shadows of several skyscrapers built over what was once an ocean. Right away she finds herself struck by the fact that there seems to be /nobody around/. A soft whistle escapes her as she pulls out her phone, recording the seemingly abandoned megacity.
Regina of Borg	Indeed, despite the heavy industrialization and towering skyscrapers, there does not seem to be anyone around. There is also no traffic and no weather. The planet is shrouded by some sort of greenish fog. It doesn't keep Kyra from seeing anything, it is just something she might notice. She might also notice thick power cables, nearly as thick as she is, running between the buildings. And the way that each building sends out a sickly green glow from its windows. All in all, it is a very spooky place. It probably feels much like a post-apocalyptic world decades after the event happened. But, if Kyra looks through a window or doorway, she would realize she is not alone here. The glowing comes from consoles and monitors, all being attended by strange-looking, grey-skinned, fully armored cyborgs with hoses connecting from their heads to their shoulders, and their upper arms to their lower arms. And only one arm is completely human-like. The other is a mass of tools and sensors, usually ending in a weapon of some kind. Blades, saws, plasma emitters...the type of weapon varies greatly.
Kyra Hyral	The place does ring vaguely postapocalyptic to Kyra...but at the same time, everything here seemed to immaculate for it to be a world completely devoid of inhabitants. Constructs decayed with time-well, usually, unless Kyra had stumbled upon the one world in which manmade materials were everlasting. So far there hadn't been any sign of organic life but this is still very early in the exploration. She doesn't call out in greeting, not yet, as she starts peering into buildings where she finally sees those inhabiting the world. "Well that's strange..." Kyra murmurs, turning her phone around to capture images of the Borg as she peers in through a window. She's no stranger to cyborgs or synthetic bodies, having met the likes of Kotone. "I wonder why they don't go outside." After a moment of thought, she moves away from the window and continues onward, now examining the enormous power cables that run between buildings. "...maybe the air is toxic here." she suddenly realizes, stowing her phone for a moment to search the contents of the pockets inside her hoodie. While she certainly wasn't dying of asphixiation quite yet, she certainly wanted to test the air for poisonous substances. Being a chemist, she is fortunately enough to keep a few strips of specially-prepared papers on her that, when exposed to a variety of airborne toxins, turn various colors. One of these strips of paper is removed and waved in the air for about a minute.
Regina of Borg	When Kyra looks in the window, several faces turn toward her. Faces that are mostly human, but at least an eye is augmented with scanners and a laser measuring system. Several red beams focus on her, then after a moment of staring they return to their work. Which seems to consist of pressing buttons. The paper shows no signs of toxins. At all. Even in a normal atmosphere there are toxins, but the air here is as immaculate as the buildings. And it is perfectly breathable. The only thing that might be unusual is how humid it is and how warm it is. Not unbearable, just above the usual human comfort zone.
Kyra Hyral	Stared at, Kyra stares back for a few moments, a little surprised. But after those moments of observation pass and the residents return to their work without much else, she doesn't seem to think very much of it and moves on with her own exploration. When she receives the results of her test and finds herself holding...a completely white strip of paper, Kyra tests again with a seperate piece, only to receive the same results. "Weird. A city of this extent should be generating some kind of pollutants." She lets her gaze shift to the enormous powerlines between the buildings. "Hmmm." All the energy must come from somewhere-but where? This place certainly wasn't covered with an infinite storm like back at home. At this point she elects to enter the nearest building. Judging by all the cables, this place had to have a network of some kind and likely its own form of internet.
Regina of Borg	Inside the building is not like a usual building. There are no desks, or reception areas, or anything that a standard human society would keep inside a building. The interior is divided by corridors of exactly four feet across and 8 feet high. And every four feet along the corridor is an alcove, many with a person inside. Behind their heads is a crystal-like circle with green electrical tendrils sparking through it. If she has the ability, she would easily notice the plethora of wireless signals bouncing back and forth between the people and the equipment, and from the building to some far off receiver. The people seem to ignore Kyra for the most part. One looks at her every now and then, but only takes note of her and does nothing to stop her.
Kyra Hyral	"...weird." Kyra mutters, expecting to find at least, well, a computer somewhere instead of...well. Kyra holds up her mPhone to record the people sitting in what looks a lot like recharging stations. They don't seem to really react to her presence either as she walks by each of them which results in Kyra waving her hand in front of the faces of a few. With no reactions, she concludes that it might be some kind of sleep mode for cyborgs. Kyra herself doesn't have the ability to sense wireless signals and her usual phone isn't compatible with non-Mognet signals. However, because of this current incompatibilty, Kyra did get a second phone just for interacting with extraversal technology that did not run on magic particles. Pulling out her second phone she's actually able to check the wireless signals in the area, noticing the far off receiver. "...hmm." As she wanders through the building looking for a regular console, she attempts to connect to the receiver's network via the 'normal' phone.
Regina of Borg	The phone might be able to detect signals, but they are heavily encrypted. The phone would not find an open network which it could use. And when it tests the waters, one of the drones looks toward Kyra. Although it shows no emotion, it is clear that is more than the casual stare the others have fixed on her. It does stare a moment, but then it turns its body toward her. "Unidentified signal detected." it says in a robotic yet human voice. Then...it starts toward Kyra, leading with that very threatening looking tool arm.
Kyra Hyral	"...hmph." Kyra grumbles as she sees plenty of networks but absolutely zero non-encrypted ones. To make matters worse, she doesn't recognize a single one of the encryption schemes so none of the wireless cracking programs she snuck onto the extraversal phone are going to work. She keeps at it for a few moments before she notices movement out of the corner of her eye. One of the people has started staring at her and thus started moving. It's even more surprising when it actually speaks. "Oh, so THAT'S how to get your attentions. Er-" Her green eyes flick down to the obvious weapon arm and she immediately starts backing away. First things first, she fumbles around with the phone and shuts off the wireless network search signal. Second, she starts reaching for one of her guns-specifically, an ornate-looking pistol at her hip.
Regina of Borg	When Kyra reaches toward that pistol, several more drones look up. That's another good way to get their attention. Those drones join the first, walking after Kyra. "Deactivate your weapons and your communication devices." they all say in unison, with the same sort of monotone electrically echoing voice. They attempt to surround Kyra, helped by drones that activate behind her and close off the exit. "Identify yourself." they demand in their creepy monotone.
Kyra Hyral	"Yeesh! It's off, it's off!" Kyra exclaims, waving the normal phone around before stuffing it into the front pocket of her hoodie. Continuing to back away, she makes no mention of the second phone, the mPhone, which functions entirely off of MP from herself. Privately, she's hoping that these cyborgs cannot detect it since they weren't really reacting to it earlier. She does not, however, seem very inclined to move her hand away from her gun. Angling her way to back towards the exit, she instead finds herself backing into a drone that has moved to block the exit. "-gah!" she steps away from the drone immediately upon realizing this. "The name is Kyra Hyral! I am a student of Alexander Academy!"
Regina of Borg	When Kyra bounces off the drone, it just stands there. And, since she hasn't taken her gun out, they do not respond with force. "Kyra Hyral. State your business here." they say in unison as they form that circle around Kyra. If Kyra wants out of here, she will either have to convince them to let her go...or start shooting. At least, that's the way it looks. "Why were you trying to access our systems?"
Kyra Hyral	For a few moments, her hand moves away from her gun and into her front pockets. This is so she can casually switch the recording device on her mPhone on. "Me? I'm just exploring. Looking around. People do that all the time on other worlds, right?" She speaks like wandering around like this is a totally natural thing and clearly doesn't really have any respect for boundaries. "And I figured that, like on most worlds, you had some kind of open Mognet-err, Internet. Buuuut I guess you don't work like that, right? You're all on some kind of giant private network. Why else would you all be speaking in perfect synchronization. Anyway, I was curious about the setup, you know?" She plays it off really casually though on the inside, she's actually rather frightened. Surrounded by anything this dangerous-looking was never a good place to be after all!
Regina of Borg	"Our information networks are heavily encrypted to prevent intruders. You are not the first to visit our world, but you are the first from the Multiverse who attempted to access our systems." they say, again in unison. "We are the Borg." they say in answer to her question, as if that explains their synchronization and everything. "We are also explorers, journeying toward a state of perfection." It seems like they are intent on holding her. Which is made even more clear when they say, "Surrender your technological devices. We are unfamiliar with the Mognet. We will integrate it into our systems."
Kyra Hyral	"...really? Nobody from the outside has tried to log on before? Huh." Kyra grins at that, like some kind of pioneer in tresspassing on other worlds. "How curious! They might already know about the encryption, though, and didn't even bother. I mean a phone isn't the most stealthy of things to use to search networks, you know?" They introduce themselves in perfect sync once more, though given what she's learned so far: "Hello Borg." she seems to greet them as a single entity-which they are by Kyra's standards. "...perfection, huh? A giant networked system of people. Kind of reminds me of something." It reminded her of the Grid, actually, and what Deelel told her about CLU-which is bad. "What? No, you can't have my mPhone, all my stuff is on it. Besides, I'm pretty sure it's completely incompatible with your systems." At that point she pulls her hands out of her pockets and unzips the front of her hoodie. The reason for this movement isn't entirely clear until some of the drones may see the two additional guns that were beneath it-plus scores of ammo and small flasks of strange liquid. "I wasn't able to get on your systems and I won't let you get on mine, so why don't we call it even?"
Regina of Borg	The Borg do not seem to like that response. "We are the Borg. We will adapt your technology to ours. No system is incompatible with us." they says. The display of power doesn't deter them, either. In fact, it makes all 8 of the drones raise their weapon arms in unison. "Surrender your 'mPhone' and you may leave unharmed." they says. They seem pretty serious about this. And judging by those emotionless faces and their response so far, they are unlikely to back down.
Kyra Hyral	Kyra pauses and looks thoughtful, weighing this offer. Leave without incident but without her phone. Or maybe she could try offering the regular phone up in its place. But with an entire network behind them such a ploy was unlikely to fool the Borg. "Hmmm." she drags out, her worry only vaulting forward as the weapons are raised in her direction. Then, without warning, she snatches one of the flasks off her belts and hurls it at the side of the Borg circle that's not necessarily between the exits but towards the side of the building that has the less wall between the inside and the outside. When the flask strikes the ground, it immediately explodes in a violent, firey explosion thanks to the Galiandan liquid napalm contained within. "No."
Regina of Borg	KABOOM! A few Borg are knocked off their feet and the wall is blown open as Kyra throws that bomb flask. The Borg need no more provocation than that to open fire. Unless Kyra moves, plasma bolts start flying through the air toward her from every Borg who is nearby. That's about 10 with more exiting their alcoves every second. The streets are still empty outside the building, but you can be sure that every building is full of Borg. Kyra better get moving!
Kyra Hyral	Perfect. If they thought she was going to escape through the actual exit of the building, which is blocked by a wall of Borg, they're going to be disappointed. Kyra herself is not completely spared by the flames of the napalm either thanks to the close quarters but, having anticipated the pain and blowback, she doesn't let it slow her down in the next part of her plan. She immediately takes advantage of the opening in the circle of surrounding Borg (and the building) and makes a run for it. She darts through the opening, going for a low leap since she expects any projectiles to be aimed at her center mass to start with. It works to start as plasma bolts sail overhead but as she hits the ground rolling in the street, one catches her on the back mid-roll, burning a hole through her hoodie and her skin. "Ychhh!" Assuming that the other buildings were also full of Borg, Kyra pointedly avoids going inside any of them, electing to flee for the gate that brought her in here. Without looking behind her too much, she tears another one of her napalm flasks free from her belt and tosses it over her back.
Regina of Borg	One good thing about the Borg. They are not fast by any means. They seem unable to run, only to walk at a brisk pace. But, the door of the building Kyra just exited opens, and Borg come pouring out. As she runs, there is a green glow nearby that materializes into a humanoid. One look and it is obvious this Borg is not like the others. She appears right in Kyra's path and holds up a hand. "Please, stop." she says in a calm tone. The Borg coming after Kyra also stop, then head back into the building. And, a little Shinki hops off of this new Borg. "Oh no! Did they shoot you?"
Kyra Hyral	Fortunately, Kyra does vaguely remember where the gate was. She's heading in the right direction until a different borg teleports right in front of her. She slows, but not enough, and collides awkwardly with the new Borg, sliding off of her right side with a stumble. She wheels around, wincing, and turning to face the Borg. She looks at the Shinki, this one being the first she has seen in person, though she's aware of what they are. Cringing, Kyra plucks another flask off of her belts, but this one she elects to drink instead of throw. It's just a potion after all. "Of course they did." she sounds less than surprised that she was attacked-they all seemed pretty hostile after all.
Regina of Borg	Smacking into a Borg is like hitting a slightly less solid brick wall. Luckily, it can move, so Kyra doesn't just fall down. The shinki floats closer, obviously a nurse-type judging by her clothes and the giant syringe she is holding. "Yes...the Borg are not exactly hospitable. That is why my Queen activated me!" the little shinki says, smiling brightly. "You refused our conditions and attacked us first after displaying your intent to use force. How would you have reacted?" the female borg says, her voice full of emotional fluctuations like a normal person, though still cold sounding. And without the mechanical echo.
Kyra Hyral	Kyra quits stumbling those few steps and finally stabilizes after the collision. She remains standing there, slightly hunched, but fascinated by the Shinki as she flies closer. It was kind of a shame, actually, because she'd love to get a closer look at one but now was clearly a bad time to do so. On her back, the wound starts to close as the potion takes effect. "I'm not surprised I got shot at, no. But if I had refused, like I did, I wouldn't have been allowed to leave. They said as much. Anyway, I think I was just on my way out." Kyra sticks the now empty potion flask back onto her blet.
Regina of Borg	The shinki looks disappointed, but neither she or the Borg woman moves to stop Kyra. "Aww...okay." the shinki says as she watches Kyra head for the gate.
Kyra Hyral	The reaction of the Shinki breaks Kyra's heart just a little-and confuses her. "Are you expecting me to stick around...?" she asks warily, still edging away for the gate, unsure what to really make of the friendly little nurse Shinki. At that moment she also makes the connection-this Borg seemed more independent than the others and the tiny robot called her 'her queen'. Clearly she is the leader, which accounts for the offense and her control over the others.
Regina of Borg	The shinki shakes her head. "No...I was not expecting you to stick around." the shinki says, then floats back over to the Borg Queen. "Britt is responsible for social interactions. I am Regina of Borg, queen of the Borg Collective. I will not apologize for our response, but you are free to go." she says, but stays there in case Kyra decides not to go after all.
Kyra Hyral	"Ah. You seemed a little disappointed." Kyra says, reaching a hand behind her to test the wounded spot on her back. There's a huge hole in her hoodie now where the diabolos patch was and she can feel it in the fabric. A frown crosses her face. Once Regina speaks, Kyra nods and shrugs, "Hm. I see...well. I think I should go. Maybe we'll meet again in the future under, uh, better circumstances?" She holds her empty palms out at the Borg Queen then turns to head for the gate.
Regina of Borg	Britt seems to perk up at that, then she smiles and waves goodbye to Kyra. "Okay! See you later!" Britt says happily. Then, that green glow appears around the Borg Queen and her shinki, and they fade away. "Next time you visit, you should alert me." the queen says before the disappear.