(OOC: Background: ADT, as you probably know, is a megacorp. Started out producing weaponry/armour/etc., ate up lots of little companies, and ended up as one of the UN's big Reploid manufacturers. Known for ... being a bit shady, like all megacorps.)
GNN LIVE REPORT - 10/13/14
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Today's announcement from the Executive Chairman of Aegis Defensive Technologies, Dr. Torrici, was intended to be broadcast yesterday, but the tragic happenings in NeoTokyo have forced its postponement. And now, Dr. Torrici.
A middle-aged, or perhaps elderly, man stands on a stage in front of a massive gathering of press and public alike. He smiles a thin smile, and offers a bit of a wave. The roar of the crowd subsides to murmuring...
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
Behind him, in a neat row, stand several men and women in sharply tailored suits, complete with shades. They hold their hands neatly in front of them, all in the same pose. Even their breathing is almost simultaneous. In front of them stands a female human (?), wearing casual clothing - a t-shirt and jeans. On her sleeves, about her shoulders, are emblems of ADT, Medusa-heads drawn in vivid blood-red. Her eyes are pale blue, and her hair is medium length and glossy black. She wears a picture-perfect smile.
"For years, the 'Paladin' series of Reploid and battle armour has been under the most rigorous and involved development. We are proud to say that this series is one of the finest infantry models ever created. Thermal-cast titanium, bonded with magnetite gradients, makes the powered armour almost indestructible. The targeting systems in the Reploid itself are exemplary, outscoring the Earth Institute of Technologies' "Type 9" series by over 5 percent. The Series 16 Rapid Fire Anti-Personnel Plasma Cannon provides more output than any other present non-explosive hand-weapon."
He pauses a moment, rather smug about the situation.
"However, since the unveiling of the "Templar" prototype, this promising series has been refined even further. Every aspect of design and armnament, of both the reploid and the armour, has been reviewed and often revised. Here I have the next prototype, Sanctus."
The female nods and brightens her smile, waving measuredly to the crowd. She's zoomed in on for a moment, then the picture returns to the ADT Executive.
"Sanctus will shortly be submitted for preliminary training and evaluation by Repliforce. She will, of course, succeed with flying colours."
There is an obligatory round of applause.
"Without further ado, I give you Sanctus."
The Executive backpedals to the row of suited individuals, applauding as he goes. Sanctus approaches the edge of the stage. She looks out over the crowd, smiles dazzlingly once more, and opens her mouth to speak into the microphone ...
... and then her eyes widen a bit. She bites her lip, looking over all the people ... all of them ... so many ... targets? So many...
... suddenly she loses her confident expression, as it is replaced by that of a wild animal, caged and starved and mad. "...I..." she murmurs, before whirling around to face the Executive. Another camera focuses on her.
A look of pure hatred twists her features, as she shouts a single accusation:
"YOU!"
The howl is wracked with fury, loathing, and a desperate rage, as she begins to rush at him.
"SHOOT IT!" yells the startled executive, as he stumbles backwards.
In blurs of motion, the suited figures draw gauss pistols from their jackets and level the weapons at the charging prototype.
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
Five gauss spikes of gleaming alloy flash from the pistols at several times the speed of sound, lunging right into Sanctus' chest. The kinetic energy, more than enough to throw a human back several feet, doesn't stop her...and the bolts of metal don't shoot clean through her, as they are more than capable of doing to lighter-weight 'ploids. Streams of sparks hiss from the entry points, and mechfluid soaks her shirt, but she keeps going...
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
Another volley proves too much for her. The Paladin-series Reploid staggers and falls to her knees, mere feet from the Executive... Slowly, trembling, she lifts her face, as her wounds spark and bleed...lower lip shaking, posture a mockery of prayer, she indicts, "...hate...y-"
*WHIRRRRRR-SSSHTHUNK*
A final bolt shoots cleanly through her face, knocking her from her knees to her back. She's completely limp at this point...even her shaking has stopped.
Torrici stares stunned for only a moment. "Cameras! OFF!" he barks, losing his temper - he seems mostly furious with frustration. One of the guards taps a control on her pistol grip with a double-beep, lowering the strength of the weapon, levels the gun at the camera currently recording, pulls the trigger, and-
(Logo appears: "TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES")
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