A vendor displays a sign for a Citizen Omni-Chronicle. What could his story tell?
Level: 17
Start: Gaius Saladin, Market, The House of Syria
Introduction
The marketplace seems particularly hectic. Hawkers seem to ply their wares just a little louder than usual, buyers jostle that much more obstinately, trying to get their items. A strange electricity seems to charge the air, putting everyone a little on edge.
As you peruse the vendors, you notice that one of them has a CORETECHS notification floating above their head. It reads,”Citizen Omni-Chronicle Available.”
You have accepted the "Citizen Omni-Chronicle: Settled Dust" mission.
- Ask your CORETECHS what a Citizen Omni-Chronicle is.
- Ask the Vendor what the Citizen Omni-Chronicle is.
Ask your CORETECHS what a Citizen Omni-Chronicle is.:
Your CORETECHS quickly retrieves your answer from the mesh. It states: Citizen Omni-Chronicles are experiential nodes of collective perception surrounding a significant event. Citizens have expressed a desire to chronicle said event that others may relive it via Omni-reality. A viewer experiences the memory in a simulated, digital environment that has been curated via the collected perceptions of various individuals who have granted viewing rights to their CORETECH’s visual data from the event.
The experience is crafted for the viewer who perceives the event as if they were there. Experiences may differ as outcomes are created based on the viewer’s choice, with deep learning software aiding in filling in potentially unknown segments of reality.
Ask the Vendor what the Citizen Omni-Chronicle is.:
The Vendor, identified as Gaius Saladin by your CORETECHS, shuts his eyes for a moment, as if trying to stifle an unpleasant memory. He ignores you for a moment, finishing a sale with a customer and smilingly bidding them a good day. Finally, he turns to you and speaks with a thick, husk brogue.
Gaius Saladin What it is, is a memory I ain’t keen on re’livin. Buuut, seein’ as I was a ‘focal experiential node’ as them governments tofs put it, being that I was in the thick of it all, and as they paid a pretty credit, the data from me CORETECHS is used to craft a memory for them as wants to relive it. It ain’t all me, mind, but it triggers off’ve me as my visual and auditory data were the prime buildin’ blocks of the simulation.
Gaius Saladin Go ahead and initialize it if you fancy a gander. I think there’s even a credit reward for those as want to experience it. Sort of incentive to create public awareness of certain events or summat.
You decide to leave the Vendor's memories to himself for the moment. Perhaps another time.
You have failed the "Citizen Omni-Chronicle: Settled Dust" mission. You can retake this mission and try again.
Trigger the Citizen Omni-Chronicle:
You reach towards the floating notice, visible via your CORETECHS, and initiate the sequence. A pleasant chime and translucent ripples indicate success.
The marketplace fades out of focus around you for a moment as the Omni Reality experience wraps around your senses. Words form in your field of vision:
Omni-Chronicle, “Settled Dust” Initializing. Architect: Xierumeng
After a moment, the marketplace comes back into focus. Sounds and sights rushing in with a sudden crescendo, albeit one that is strangely hushed. You see the vendor you were speaking to before you, though now he looks younger. You suddenly realize this is not the same marketplace. Or rather, it is, but at some other time, likely quite some cycles previous to your own. A galactic time stamp blinks in the corner of your view as if to confirm this.
The market on this day, apparently some 23 cycles prior to your own, is quiet. People move about and take care of their business in an oddly hushed manner, as if there is a collective conscience aware of a lull before some oncoming storm.
Glimmering luminescence filters down through opaque view-ports that show a distant reddish sun drifting by as the station orbits the planetoid below. Dust motes catch the light in tiny scarlet novas and lend a strange, foreboding ambiance to the surroundings. Surroundings, you can’t help but notice, that are in significantly better condition than how they appear in your own time.
The younger version of your vendor seems to be in conversation with a customer. She herself appears to be perusing his wares while trying to keep an eye on what appears to be a mischievous and giggling little girl.
Talk to one of the simulated individuals in the Market on the House of Syria.
Next NPC: Younger Gaius Saladin, Market, The House of Syria
- Talk to Gaius
OR
Next NPC: Mariela Dasopoulos, Market, The House of Syria
- Talk to the Mother
OR
Next NPC: Young Octavia Dasopoulos, Market, The House of Syria
- Talk to Octavia
You approach the vendor, noting that even in this artificially crafted reality, your CORETECHS continues to provide information such as people’s names. The younger version of Gaius Saladin looks up and smiles. His features and mannerisms seem flawless, designed as they are by Omni-Reality software drawing on footage, bio-metrics, and other data of the actual person to create a realistic amalgam.
Gaius Saladin Evenin’ Ser, How can I help ye today? Fancy a fancy new plasma coil? Just got a shipment fresh from salvage! Or how about the latest haptic visor, really give ye that edge in the war-games eh?
Oddly, though you know this Gaius is a simulation, you are nonetheless driven to respond, as if you might offend him otherwise. However, before you can form your reply, a dull and distant thud reverberates around the room, followed by a single but palpable lurch of the entire area. Gaius stares at you for that brief moment, his eyes wide with surprise and confusion. He begins to mouth a word…
Gaius Saladin Wha…
His word and all other sounds are suddenly cut off, interrupted by an explosion of enormous magnitude! Fire, smoke, and grinding metal are everywhere, replacing the serene moment that seems unreal in the face of this sudden chaos. Though the simulation surely holds safety features to prevent actual damage, your ears ring with the force of the blast.
You try and blink through the sudden haze, noting that the tears in your eyes seem very real. You note a number of prone figures around the area, others crying or screaming in shock. Ash and debris rain down from above while the scene is illuminated by hellish flickering flames and glowing, melted metal girders.
Suddenly, like some behemoth beast from a nightmare, a large metallic beam looms out of the smoke and fire behind Gaius, blackened metal twisted and glowing red hot in places. It rears its monstrous form for a moment, teetering above you, before falling forward with a terrible, screeching groan.
You approach the Mother who was perusing the vendor's wares, noting that even in this artificially crafted reality, your CORETECHS continues to provide information such as people’s names. The young mother looks up and smiles. Her features and mannerisms seem flawless, designed as they are by Omni-Reality software drawing on footage, bio-metrics, and other data of the actual person to create a realistic amalgam.
Mariela Dasopoulos Hullo, do you know Gaius? I always visit his shop when I come to the market, he has the very best in haptic devices!
You note her kind eyes and ready smile. Though the station has been hit just as hard as anywhere else by the Catastrophe, you are happy to see that some folks always seem to find a way to remain positive.
Before you can form your reply, a dull and distant thud reverberates around the room, followed by a single but palpable lurch of the entire area. Mariela stares at you for that brief moment, her eyes widening with sudden fear.
Suddenly, all sounds are cut off, interrupted by an explosion of enormous magnitude! Fire, smoke, and grinding metal are everywhere, replacing the serene moment that seems unreal in the face of this sudden chaos. Though the simulation surely holds safety features to prevent actual damage, your ears ring with the force of the blast.
You try and blink through the sudden haze, noting that the tears in your eyes seem very real. You note a number of prone figures around the area, others crying or screaming in shock. Ash and debris rain down from above while the scene is illuminated by hellish flickering flames and glowing, melted metal girders.
Suddenly, you notice in the corner of your eye, like some behemoth beast from a nightmare, a large metallic beam looming out of the smoke and fire, blackened metal twisted and glowing red hot in places. It rears its monstrous form for a moment, teetering above you, before falling forward with a terrible, screeching groan.
You turn to the young girl giggling by her mothers side. She looks up at you and offers a large, gap toothed grin. Her features and mannerisms seem flawless, designed as they are by Omni-Reality software drawing on footage, bio-metrics, and other data of the real person to create a realistic amalgam.
Young Octavia Dasopoulos Hi! Are you here for the games? My Ma loves Mister Gaius's haptic tech, she says it always gives her an edge. I'm gonna be a champ, just like her when I get bigger.
You cannot help but smile at this little girl's happy innocence. Her wide grin is infectious and, though this is all occurring in Omni Reality, you feel glad for the reminder that the Catastrophe did not drain all joy from us.
Before you can form your reply, a dull and distant thud reverberates around the room, followed by a single but palpable lurch of the entire area. Octavia stares at you for that brief moment, her happy grin quickly metamorphosing into a wide 'O' of shock and confusion.
Suddenly, all sounds are cut off, interrupted by an explosion of enormous magnitude! Fire, smoke, and grinding metal are everywhere, replacing the serene moment that seems unreal in the face of this sudden chaos. Though the simulation surely holds safety features to prevent actual damage, your ears ring with the force of the blast.
You try and blink through the sudden haze, noting that the tears in your eyes seem very real. You note a number of prone figures around the area, others crying or screaming in shock. Ash and debris rain down from above while the scene is illuminated by hellish flickering flames and glowing, melted metal girders.
Suddenly, Octavia screams at something behind you. You spin around to see a large metallic beam looming out of the smoke and fire like some behemoth beast from a nightmare, blackened metal twisted and glowing red hot in places. It rears its monstrous form for a moment, teetering above you, before falling forward with a terrible, screeching groan.
All paths continue:
React to the plummeting metal beam in the Market on The House of Syria.
Next area: Market, The House of Syria
You grab the little girl, Octavia, and hoist her up. Determining the safest direction you quickly leap out of the way of the smashing girder. An anguished cry from your shoulder coupled with Octavia suddenly clutching you tight cause you to turn around. You see her mother standing, trapped by a piece of metal skewered through her abdomen.
She gives you a weak and grateful smile as she begins to drift away…
You clear your lungs and shout at everyone to get away and move to safety. The beam slowly topples down, causing dust and debris to explode upwards, monetarily blinding you.
Once the dust settles, you cannot see who might have made it away, but you are hopeful that many did.
Dive out of the way:
(Agility check)
Failure
You want to dive for cover but can't determine in which direction lies safety. Hurry! The Beam is falling…
Success
After a moment's indecision you finally pick a direction and leap away from the falling beam. Hearing a tiny scream, you turn around and see that the little girl's mother jumped in front of her. She clutches at a shard of metal protruding from her abdomen as her daughter stares up at her in horror.
All choices continue:
Survey the scene of destruction in the Market on The House of Syria.
You take a moment to take stock of the situation around you.
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, you can now see that a building directly behind the Market area seems to have gone up in flames. Ash and smoke billow down and around you and other bystanders as station systems kick in and begin trying to neutralize the blaze.
You note that many people in the immediate area, those that are unharmed, are sitting down, ashen faces sporting dazed, frightened, and confused expressions. You also observe an influx of new people running towards the area. Some appear to be station personnel, rushing to aid folks. Others, shadowy figures further back in the debris, nay even be looters.
You join station security as they begin to try and move people to safety.
As you do what you can to help the injured and confused to move away and to safety, one theme seems prevalent. Many folks, as you help lift them up or bring them emergency medical stims look up at you with scared and confused eyes. The same question seems to be on most of their lips.
"Has the Catastrophe returned?" or "Is it a new Catastrophe?" You realize that, while you are in the unique position to know this is not the case, it makes complete sense given humanity's ongoing feelings of collective shock and trauma born of our recent, near extinction level event.
You continue to help as best you can, this thought weighing heavily in your mind. After a long number of segments, you look up to see that most of the injured have been moved away. There are several bodies covered in sheets. You note that in the distance, security have moved off to accost the looters among the smoking detritus. The site of the explosion itself seems momentarily unguarded however.
You duck past station security as they begin to arrive on the scene and head towards the looters among the broken, smoking buildings.
Frenzied faces and blurred bodies dart among the smoke and debris, eagerly grabbing what they can. Eager to partake or perhaps just to witness the phenomenon close hand, you rush to join them. Nobody tries to stop you as you join the frenzy. Suddenly, however, everyone freezes as a loud rumble groans from the broken edifice around you.
The broken debris shifts and tumbles, causing the entire building you and several others were running through to collapse. You experience a brief moment of existential panic before you see the words:
CORETECHS DON'T PANIC! Omni-Reality Experience Terminated. Returning you to your own, less terminal, reality now.
You blink as the simulation ends and you once again see today's market around you. Gaius, looking a little older again, is there and occasionally glancing in your direction. You also notice a young woman with a haggard expression and haunted eyes. With a start, you realize it is Octavia Dasopoulos, the little girl from the Omni Chronicle all grown up.
Talk to Octavia or Gaius in the Market on The House of Syria.
Next NPC: Gaius Saladin, Market, The House of Syria
OR
Next NPC: Octavia Dasopoulos, Market, The House of Syria
Me I'm so sorry, Octavia.
Octavia's eyes remain glazed for a moment before they focus on you. She looks at you without any recognition. It takes you a moment to realize that this makes sense, as you only ever met a simulation of her.
She does seem to know what you are referring to, however, and nods in appreciation. You suspect this may even be why she hangs around here, at the scene of her loss and trauma. Perhaps she is able to glean some small comfort from strangers who, like you, come to witness the events of the Citizen Omni-Chronicle at this location.
Your heart heavy, you turn and walk away. A small chime in your CORETECHS alerts you to a small fund having been uploaded to your CORETECHS. A message reads:
Me Gaius, that was…tough.
Gaius looks at you and nods, his expression appreciative of your empathy. He finishes up with his customer before replying.
Gaius Saladin Aye, truth. Smog but the memory never gets any easier… Relive it every time I close my eyes…folks screamin', some…dyin'.
He pauses for a moment and casts a sympathetic eye at the young woman standing off to the side, Octavia Dasopoulos. He shakes his head and continues.
Gaius Saladin But no gettin' around it I reckon. These things will happen, and they will leave their scares on those what they happen to. I suppose it's something that they found a way to let folks relive these events, so's we don't forget what came before, so's we appreciate where we're going maybe.
Gaius seems thoughtful for a moment, then smiles at you and turns to a new customer, seemingly having said his piece on the matter. Your heart heavy, you turn and walk away. A small chime in your CORETECHS alerts you to a small fund having been uploaded to your CORETECHS. A message reads:
Investigate the site of the explosion:
(Stamina check)
Failure
You search the rubble for long segments but don't find much of value.
Success
As you search, you suddenly notice mechanical parts that, while as blackened and charred as the rest of the area, do not feel like they belong. This looks like some part of a machine that was recently placed here, not matching the rubble and debris around it. You shift some of the detritus and are suddenly met with a jarring sight!
Something beneath the rubble seems to shift and waver like a feverish, digital nightmare. Thousands of fragmented bits of hazy imagery seem to blink and blur, hiding whatever this is. With a start, you realize this may be something that has been digitally hidden!
- Hack through the digital blockage
(Intelligence check)
Finally, after many grueling slices and CORETECHS manipulations, you break through the blocker! The hazy, fragmented image before you wavers one last time before coalescing into a person!
A man, an engineer by the look of him, sits against the wall. Several grisly wounds that gape across his abdomen and the way two of his limbs are bent indicate he will not be walking away. Half of his face seems to have been caught in a blast. He focuses on you with his one, remaining good eye.
Unknown engineer Hey, whoever you are, whenever you are, please listen. Yeah, I am the simulation of a fairly clever engineer, so I've worked out what I am. That said, I wasn't clever enough to spot the fuel lines below where we set the charges. We were paid off to clear this area for a corporate building. HWT wanted to set up shop, see?
The man tries to indicate the area but neither of his arms seem to move. He grunts at this development before continuing.
Unknown engineer As you can imagine, this ain't exactly the kind of info folks up top want getting around. But hey, smog them right? Left me to die and then fire-walled my digital leftovers! So you go, tell someone…something!
You listen for awhile longer as the dying simulation rambles on about the corporate cover up and how these type of accidents happen all the time. After some time, he seems to loop and start over. You decide this might be a good time to leave the simulation. A CORETECHS notification lets you know you are doing so.
CORETECHS DON'T PANIC! Omni-Reality Experience Terminated. Returning you to your own, less terminal, reality now.
You blink as the simulation ends and you once again see today's market around you. Gaius, looking a little older again, is there and occasionally glancing in your direction. You also notice a young woman with a haggard expression and haunted eyes. With a start, you realize it is Octavia Dasopoulos, the little girl from the Omni Chronicle all grown up.
Tell Octavia Dasopoulos in the Market on The House of Syria what you discovered.
Next NPC: Octavia Dasopoulos, Market, The House of Syria
You approach Octavia and reach out to her. It takes her awhile to register you and she blinks as if coming back from somewhere far away. You note her eyes are tired and haunted, and something tells you they are subject to tears on a routine basis.
You realize, with a start, that she has no idea who you are. This makes sense as you only ever met a simulation of her past self. You wait for a moment and then begin talking. You explain what you saw, and what you found. She listens intently, her eyes unblinking, her attention unwavering.
Once you have finished your tale, her eyes water up as if she is about to cry. This time, however, she blinks the moisture away. This time, she pushes those feelings aside, replacing them with anger, replacing them with righteous wrath. She pushes herself up, standing tall. She places a hand on your arm in thanks and wordlessly walks away.
Unsure of what you have just put into motion, but feeling it will be well deserved, you turn and walk away. Gaius catches your eye, his eyebrows raised in an unspoken question. You smile and nod at him. A small chime in your CORETECHS alerts you to a small fund having been uploaded to your CORETECHS. A message reads:
All paths continue:
CORETECHS Thank you for participating in this Citizen Omni-Chronicle by architect Xierumeng. Please enjoy a small stipend from the Heritage Protection Collective.
You have received 250.00 credits.
You have completed the "Citizen Omni-Chronicle: Settled Dust" mission.
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