>//UIB_CLEARANCE_ID_SORCERER
>//checking...
>//SORCERER_DENIED. >//UIB_CLEARANCE_ID_HORNET
>//checking...
...Fine. I guess I can part with a bit of my secrets.
>//HORNET_ACCEPTED >//PARTIAL_ACCESS_GRANTED
The Burning Signal: First Contact
TW: Mentions of child slavery
{Observation of #2576011
Callsign: N/A
Video file transcribed by: [REDACTED] Wouldn’t you like to know?}
2576011 (age 15) has just been discharged from the medical ward after a separate mining accident that resulted in the loss of his eye and left hand. For the sake of monitoring, ARC provided 2576011 with an ocular prosthesis that has a camera inside of it. The following recording is taken from that camera.
A perfect replica 2576011 (which will be referred to as 2576011-1 for the remainder of this recording) appears suddenly in view of 2576011. The camera shakes lightly as 2576011 jumps back. 2576011-1 speaks clearly and coldly. “You look like you could use some help.”
“What are-” During 2576011’s response, 2576011-1 abruptly cuts off his speech.
“Odd. Slaves typically aren’t used to asking questions. Are you a slave?” The words fall out of his mouth, as if he knows how the entire conversation will go from the beginning.
The camera tightens. The sound of a firearm being grabbed can be heard. “Identification number 2576011. What are you?”
“A terrible name. Let’s see…” 2576011-1 walks through the panels of the mining robot and begins sifting through its combat logs. They’re always bound to have something interesting. 2576011 readies the firearm and shoots it into 2576011-1’s head. The gun misfires and the barrel explodes, rendering it completely useless. “Add it to your scrap pile. They may accept it as part of your findings. Now… Your most recent kill was a man named Simon Dominguez. That’s you now. Understood?”
“What did you do to my gun?” 2576011 Simon seems threatened by this presence. “What are you? How did you get here?”
“Your current likelihood of dying a slave on this planet is 99.99999%. Not very good odds for you. But you’ve done nothing but question me, so I don’t believe you are SUPPOSED to be a slave. I can raise your chances of liberation from 0.00001% to 100%. So tell me, do you want my help?” There’s a significant pause from both. 2576011-1 looks expectantly towards the camera. Towards the person behind it, as if it already knows what he’ll answer.
“...What do I need to do?”
2576011-1 smiles. “Another question. Good. Follow my lead. As for those questions you asked before… ask me again when you hold the cards.”
>//UIB_CLEARANCE_ID_STALKER >//checking...
Haha! You wish!
>//STALKER_DENIED. >//UIB_CLEARANCE_ID_SUSPIRIA
>//checking...
>//SUSPIRIA_DENIED. >//UIB_CLEARANCE_ID_WINTER
>//checking...
>//WINTER_DENIED. >//UIB_CLEARANCE_ID_HARPY
>//checking...
>//HARPY_DENIED. >//UIB_CLEARANCE_ID_RETRIEVER
>//checking...
Hmm... no. Not yet. Don't worry, you're still my favorite.
>//RETRIEVER_DENIED. >//UIB_CLEARANCE_ID_HADES
>//checking...
>//HADES_DENIED.