003. Mr. Self-Destruct [VIDEO. OPEN.]
[Clu is perched on nondescript sidewalk steps in front of nondescript apartments, the same as any sidewalk steps in front of any apartments in every residential zone.
He stares off for a moment, like he's waiting for traffic that will never come. No cars, of course. No people, to drive them. In that eerie stillness, one might notice that his circuitry flickers, a little, though it's tough to tell with the sun pouring down on him like that.
Then he looks down at the wearable, blinking, and twitches his features into a smile.]
Greetings, Sacrosanct.
I know it's been crazy, recently. And I've seen so many new faces on the network, too.
[It's impossible to tell whether that's a grin or a grimace. Both? It's both.]
A while back, several of you were looking for work.
I have a task for you.
There's credits in it, for the first one who gets here with what I need. Contact me for a location ping.
[[This is Clu in failure mode and on a mission. IC replies may be delayed by minutes or hours, nonsensical, full of raving, or simply reject incoming messages from particular IDs. Trolling may or may not be super-successful! Feel free to try your luck.]]
Change of plans, buddy. Restrictions lifted on unit: Ram. Go and find him. Hang out. Catch up. And release unit: Ketojan. He's crowding up the living room, and we've already got a hat rack...You know what? Second thoughts. Countermand that. New directive: if you'd rather keep him, he's yours. I mean it. You gotta promise to feed and walk him, though.
And while you're at it, go ahead and open the windows.
Don't worry. I'll solve everything.
HERE is everything I have on the Stross job--as much as I know about the error cascade, how SHODAN tripped it, what we could and couldn't do once we were in--just pay attention to everything in the REM tags and you should do just fine. Enjoy.
You are an incredibly bright young lady, and if I were still in a position to hire architects, I have no doubt you'd make lead. With that in mind, HERE are relevant files from a recent venture of mine, in-system, in Zone 07. The documentation should explain everything. Good afternoon, and good luck.
Hey, kid! I know we never got a chance to talk in detail, before, and haven't really met, but. Look, if you're serious about taking on Hypatia, you'll need THESE FILES. Details from a decent job a few months back. Healthy starting base.
Heard a rumor you might be starting construction on a new club? Well. Did you check your account this morning?
Don't trust a word Zuse says. Listen to Flynn. It's important. I mean that. And hey, sorry about the shoes, babe.
You know something? You were right. You were right all along.
Your attention to this message is appreciated. Over, out.