opnet [OpNet] Nova News

[N News Service]

Party to Start Back Up!!!

Boston's Quantum Fountain will be re-opening October 1st with a gala charity event to benefit the families of the attack by Terat Terrorist Charr on .

Owner Benjamin Foote had this to say, "We cannot let one random act of terror rule our lives. We have total confidence that this tragedy cannot and will not be repeated. People need to move on and get back to the important things in life, like have a great time."

Fans of the Quantum Fountain, one of the largest novaphile clubs on the East Coast, look forward to the re-opening. Former club goer, Thomas 'Fabulous' Meeks offered this explanation, "Yeah, it was horrifying, at the time. But you have to understand, Novas are like gods, just being near one can be pretty terrifying. Looking back at it I see it as a special occasion. Maybe if I had just hung around I would have erupted myself."

>>>more

Third Nova Centered Auction at Sotheby's

Sotheby's is holding another auction in which memorabilia of the Nova Age holds center stage. Included is the following:

-A set of tableware, place mat and a menu from the Quantum Fountain. Scientific tests verify it's presence at and close proximity to the attack of June 29th.

-A section of floor tile damaged during a battle by the deadly nova, Apep along with the security tape from the Target at which the attack occurred.

-A selection of masks (4) taken by former Elite Tellessia "BloodTide" Tefua. The masks belonged to : Iron Bull, Gino "HazMat" DeFranco, the original El Hombre Supremo, and the third mask taken from El Zorro.

[Sakurako Hino]

You know, I might have to stop by the Fountain now. If only to see what exactly these Otaku do.

[Wakinyan]

Oh now you shouldn't have went and said that. Now node wannabes from all around will start flocking there in the hope of popping their Nova Cherries.

I think we should either burn the place to the ground or just stay well away. I would guess Preston will go for the just stay away idea.

[Sakurako Hino]

I would only be there for scientific research. To study the baseline culture developed around us. To assess the damage we have caused to baseline society.

[Hugin]

By adding to it?

Good lord but it is no wonder you a considered such a poor scientist.

[Sakurako Hino]

James. I've already devised a few devices to seperate me from the "action" as it were. Not to mention Humans can't pick up on "dormed" individuals.

But, having a few well-placed micro-drones observing the place would be safer. So as not to contaminate the control.

[Lemmy Chillmeister]

They're opening that shit back up?

Jeezus. Buncha masochists I guess.

[Neil Preston]

It will be good to see you there Captain.

[Liam Stewart: TAG]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sakurako Hino:
To assess the damage we have caused to baseline society.

At one club of people that are very infatuated with the idea of novas? It seems a little optimistic, ma'am.

I understand there are lots of people interested in this question even if they argue about their results. Maybe they could help you in your work. I know the Project has been researching this for over a decade.

[Sakurako Hino]

Quite frankly, I don't want Utopia's help. They'll spin my research into some weird tangent that'd be compatible to their paradigm of the world.

As a scientist I can't allow that.

[Liam Stewart: TAG]

Quote:

Originally posted by Endeavor:
They'll spin my research into some weird tangent that'd be compatible to their paradigm of the world.

Really.

[kestrel404]

Tag: Utopia is a highly political corporation. They do good science there, and at Triton, but they have a tendancy to 'forget' unwanted results. Most corporation-funded science suffers from this, while private and government funded science is a bit more interested in the truth above all.

[Sakurako Hino]

Problem. The governement (most governments), is not very trustable either. Especially when it's their money involved, or it threatens their facade of power.

In order for my research to work, I have to personally oversee every facet of it and gather my results and take the data and share it with neutral colleagues and/or peers.

Not to mention by even announcing my intent, I may have tainted the results because those at the venue may be looking for my tech. Not to mention the legal ramifications since I would have to have everyone attending sign a release waiver BEFORE entering.

So, my scientific curiosity, while harmless, shall not be satisfied.

[Liam Stewart: TAG]

Quote:

Originally posted by Endeavor:
So, my scientific curiosity, while harmless, shall not be satisfied.

If its not something that satisfies you and the information is not useful... Why do you do it?

[Sakurako Hino]

You misunderstood me.

I said that because of all the hoops I have to jump through, while I'd like to do research, and my curiosity is there, I cannot satisfy it because of the trouble I have to go through to even start.

It's very hard to study baseline society using a stealth approach. If I got discovered I could get slammed with invasion of privacy lawsuits, or even a criminal case of some sort.

Baseline law sucks for a scientist like me.

Then again, how would you like it having someone secretly recording your every move?

[Liam Stewart: TAG]

That must be why you thought it was okay to talk smack about my work and the people I do it with.

[Sakurako Hino]

Eh? Talking smack about what?

[Liam Stewart: TAG]

Who, exactly, do you think Project Utopia is?

[Ghostwriter]

Project Utopia is a good employer for people who need to be guided, but Goddess help you if you fall by the side of the road.

Even with my enhanced stamina, it took me three days to be rid of the bruises and drugs, and my sprained wing took a week to heal.

Call me bitter if you want, Tag, but keep that in mind should you choose to explore and push your limits.

[Sakurako Hino]

Ah, now I get it, Liam. Your "colleagues", who betrayed Saimhe because of their closed view of the world?

I have respect for you Liam, but that is as far as it goes. I'm not taking back what I said about Utopia. They are closed minded folk who are only controlled by their need to be accepted in the public eye as some sort of angels, yet all they are are political demons. Only interested in their static views.

[Hugin]

Quote:

Originally posted by Endeavor:

Baseline law sucks for a scientist like me.

So why follow it?

[Sakurako Hino]

James, some laws exist for a reason. Privacy laws I do believe in. I can put myself in a human's shoes, and realize I wouldn't like it when a schoolgirl of a Nova is peering into my most personal moments.

Just as I would feel uncomfortable if I had people watching me.

Why you think I backed out on Interceptor's idea? This was one of the smaller reasons that made the whole.

[Liam Stewart: TAG]

"Project Utopia is a good employer for people who need to be guided, but Goddess help you if you fall by the side of the road."

Need to be guided? Really. I think there are two kinds of people that work with Project Utopia. There are the ones that are going to do the same thing anyway so putting them in the right place at the right time gets some good done. Then there's the ones that only want to help make their world a place where everyone has a chance to reach their potential.

I will remember the warning. It's more coherent than what you were screaming when you tried to rip an orderly's throat out.

"Ah, now I get it, Liam. Your "colleagues", who betrayed Saimhe because of their closed view of the world?"

*No* you aren't getting it. I'm Project Utopia. So is Dervish, Holocaust, Bomb, Atlas, Splash, Josey in Human Resources, Jeremy in Nova Medicine and even Philipa who has a job running 'bots to wax floors and probably a lot else besides. Paragon is Project Utopia along with Babylon, Planetary and Joyous Cry. We are Project Utopia. We are the ones you're looking down your nose and past your patronising sneer at.

Betrayed? The black op assault teams will be arriving in Ms. McLachlan's island paradise any moment now to recover her secret ice cream stash to further our dark plans. Do you people even listen to what you say? She quit Project Utopia a long time ago. She waited until she lost it completely before she signed the resignation letter but it was just a formality by then from what I hear. She quit, she left and now she eats ice cream and loops in her own private paradise bought with blood money. Project Utopia let her go.

Not much of conspiracy or a betrayal is it?

[The Paragon]

Thank you, TAG. It takes a special kind of courage to see beyond one's self and one's immediate world; to dream of a better tomorrow. To then take that dream into actions and to make it part of your daily life is a rare strength.

It is the realm of the peaceful believers.

Please do not be angry with Regan over her departure. She joined us when she was hurt and seeking shelter, and because a close personal friend chose to believe as you and I do. That friend is gone, and so now is Regan.

This sort of thing will happen a good deal, if you chose to remain.

I prefer to look at the good she did while she was among us, and be happy for the helping hand while it was offered instead of missing it now that she has left.

We should be proud that we at Utopia provide a shelter for those novas who feel the need for it, as Regan did. We can protect the world without prejudice, and without seeking a reward. We do it because it needs to be done.

Endeavor - really now? How do you know what motivates Project Utopia, or its employees?

[Lemmy Chillmeister]

Quote:

Originally posted by The Paragon:
Thank you, TAG. It takes a special kind of courage to see beyond one's self and one's immediate world; to dream of a better tomorrow.

Y'know something? I think today is actually pretty damn good already.

[Jager]

For you and me, maybe, Lemmy.

But, someone always wants more ... wants it better.

Damn them ... why should they get more than one meal today, or shelter from the elements, or get to go to sleep tonight without fearing someone will come in and do horrible, horrible things to them?

Selfish bitches, really.

Go back to slapping that bootie, Lemmy, and stop wasting your time worrying about anyone else. It just gets in the way.

[Singularity]

Quote:

Originally posted by Liam Stewart: TAG:
*No* you aren't getting it. I'm Project Utopia. So is Dervish, Holocaust, Bomb, Atlas, Splash, Josey in Human Resources, Jeremy in Nova Medicine and even Philipa who has a job running 'bots to wax floors and probably a lot else besides. Paragon is Project Utopia along with Babylon, Planetary and Joyous Cry. We are Project Utopia. We are the ones you're looking down your nose and past your patronising sneer at.

You are a nice kid, Liam, but I believe you are lacking some of the context and experience. Although I disagree on one or two philosophical points, I do find Utopia's motivations to be good ones. Curing diseases, helping the poor, dealing with recovery after natural disasters, all of those things are good things and we would be fools not to acknowledge that.

However, the Project has its downsides and its mistakes. As an organization gets larger, it becomes increasingly harder to deal with issues quickly and specifically. Good intentions are wonderul but can be stifled by a bureaucracy. Also, the Project still reacts to violent problems instead of trying to deal with the root of the issue. Or instead of truly educating the baselines in rural America, they merely try to put out the metaphorical fires started.

Quote:

Originally posted by Liam Stewart: TAG:
I will remember the warning. It's more coherent than what you were screaming when you tried to rip an orderly's throat out.

How quaint, you are referring to something out of context. You can read all the reports you want, you still will not understand everything that happen. What happened to Regan is exactly where Utopia's methods fails. The paraphysians did nothing to understand her changes, they only tried to suppress it. When faced by a problem, they tried to ignore it with drugs instead of trying to deal with it and preventing later problems. Like American psychologists of the past, they wrote a prescription to deal with the symptoms and ignored everything else. The only difference is Utopia's doctors were not charging her by the hour.

So instead of helping her to understand herself like the advertisements say, they drugged her into a stupor. Damnit, Liam, they turned the most beautiful and intelligent woman I know into a shadow of herself. They reacted only to the symptoms and forgot it was their job to help her. You might have had only good experiences, but that does not change the mistakes they made with Regan.

Quote:

Originally posted by The Paragon:
Thank you, TAG. It takes a special kind of courage to see beyond one's self and one's immediate world; to dream of a better tomorrow. To then take that dream into actions and to make it part of your daily life is a rare strength.
It is the realm of the peaceful believers.

...

We should be proud that we at Utopia provide a shelter for those novas who feel the need for it, as Regan did. We can protect the world without prejudice, and without seeking a reward. We do it because it needs to be done.

Listen to him, Liam. I told you once that it was your job to be a paragon, and it seems this man is living up to his name. If more people actually tried to do that in the Project, the issues I spoke of might not exist. Holding your views and moral status over everyone else is not leading by example.

Your choice to be a hero is admirable, it really is. But your job is a thankless one, and like the Paragon said, someone has to do it.

[Ghostwriter]

Quote:

Originally posted by Liam Stewart: TAG:
"Project Utopia is a good employer for people who need to be guided, but Goddess help you if you fall by the side of the road."

Need to be guided? Really. I think there are two kinds of people that work with Project Utopia. There are the ones that are going to do the same thing anyway so putting them in the right place at the right time gets some good done. Then there's the ones that only want to help make their world a place where everyone has a chance to reach their potential.

I will remember the warning. It's more coherent than what you were screaming when you tried to rip an orderly's throat out.

"Ah, now I get it, Liam. Your "colleagues", who betrayed Saimhe because of their closed view of the world?"

*No* you aren't getting it. I'm Project Utopia. So is Dervish, Holocaust, Bomb, Atlas, Splash, Josey in Human Resources, Jeremy in Nova Medicine and even Philipa who has a job running 'bots to wax floors and probably a lot else besides. Paragon is Project Utopia along with Babylon, Planetary and Joyous Cry. We are Project Utopia. We are the ones you're looking down your nose and past your patronising sneer at.

Betrayed? The black op assault teams will be arriving in Ms. McLachlan's island paradise any moment now to recover her secret ice cream stash to further our dark plans. Do you people even listen to what you say? She quit Project Utopia a long time ago. She waited until she lost it completely before she signed the resignation letter but it was just a formality by then from what I hear. She quit, she left and now she eats ice cream and loops in her own private paradise bought with blood money. Project Utopia let her go.

Not much of conspiracy or a betrayal is it?

Do you know why I tried to rip that orderly's throat out? He'd just twisted my wing as he slammed me down on a stretcher. I was under psychic backlash from what Franklin was going through in Kashmir. I won't deny that I was off the edge, but he suggested they take me to Bahrain! I know I have problems with my mood swings, but I'm learning to deal with it now, and should've got a lot more help from the Project than being drugged to the eyeballs.

I should have left the Project after Julie died, I now realise this. But if I had, I wouldn't have met Franklin.

I won't deny that my behaviour during my last month at the Project was bad. But tell me this, Tag...

Would you have the courage to stand where I did and risk your very sanity to save a friend?

Until you are in the position I was in, don't make a judgement call on me.

Yes, the Project does good work, but their ability to adapt to individual cases is woefully lacking.

[Liam Stewart: TAG]

Paragon: "Please do not be angry with Regan over her departure."

Its not Ms McLachlan's choice in leaving that I'm upset with.

Mr Alden: "You are a nice kid, Liam, but I believe you are lacking some of the context and experience."

And *maybe* you had the wrong 'experience' and can't see the right 'context'. Project Utopia is not the Devries Consortium, a company of cutthroats and killers, or a world government, Mr Alden. That means we have limitations and courtesies to observe just to be *allowed* to do our work. Ask yourself this; if Project Utopia were either of these would you or Miss McLachlan have ever been given the opportunity that you were?

I still owe you thanks for providing insight into the minds of killers and mercenaries. I will ignore your patronising attitude now just as I did then but thank you. You're right, I don't have the same attitudes or understanding you do towards Miss McLachlan's situation.

I'm not sleeping with her.

Miss McLachlan: "I should have left the Project after Julie died, I now realise this. But if I had, I wouldn't have met Franklin."

Congratulations on your coming nuptials, ma'am. I hope you have a happy and full life with your fiance. And I hope that in the happiness of marriage you find it within yourself to stop trying to blame me.

"Would you have the courage to stand where I did and risk your very sanity to save a friend?"

This much I know for sure, if our positions were reversed I wouldn't be blaming you for my mistakes. And you still talking about "*their* ability to adapt" tells me more about your role and participation in the Project than most of the words you type. I apologise for your wing being sprained by that orderly when he was trying to restrain you in your fit of madness. I'm sure he didn't want to hurt you or understand you were about to experience a psychotic episode but I'll check to be sure.

You want to see this in perpective? You're sitting on a tropical beach eating ice cream and trying to justify the fact it was you that almost killed an intervention team, not the other way around. I will undertand if I don't receive a wedding invitation.

[Singularity]

Quote:

Originally posted by Liam Stewart: TAG:
And *maybe* you had the wrong 'experience' and can't see the right 'context'. Project Utopia is not the Devries Consortium or a world government, Mr Alden. That means we have limitations and courtesies to observe just to be *allowed* to do our work. Ask yourself this; if Project Utopia were either of these would you or Miss McLachlan ever been given the opportunity that you were?

Yes, actually. Novas are a rare and highly prized commodity and both of us could be used by both types of organizations. While you and I have had different experiences with the Project, my point is that I experienced some of Utopia's failures first hand. If Utopia wants to live up to what it wants to be, then it should not be making those mistakes. I like your idealism, I just believe your employers are not utilizing it correctly.

Quote:

Originally posted by Liam Stewart: TAG:
I still owe you thanks for providing insight into the minds of killers and mercenaries. I will ignore your patronising attitude now just as I did then but thank you.

Do not thank me, pay attention to it. If you mean patronizing as in trying to protect you, then you are right. That threat Very Bad made to you in the other topic was serious: he does not care about Utopia's ideals and he will kill you in the field of battle. Ask Griffin about that some time.

Or ask Mendoza about the difference between Regan before she was drugged and after.

[Liam Stewart: TAG]

Mr Alden: "Yes, actually."

Then you do not understand Project Utopia because the degree of trust you were offered was something you would not see with either of those. Many novas could be of use to Project Utopia, a smaller number could very much benefit the goals while a tiny number can innovate and drive the effort. Did it ever occur to you that the top Elites are not contracted by the Project? Did you ever think about that in light of your experiences with killers and mercenaries?

,,

We're not the same. I'm sorry you don't see that more clearly.

Mr Alden: "Do not thank me, pay attention to it."

I do Mr Alden. We have different goals. We always had different goal and I am not you. We who are Utopia are making our way slowly looking to the long term and trying to decide how best to help humanity make choices and assist in the journey there.

This is not a war, of attrition or otherwise. That's the part you never understood. I wish you did. I really do.

I never doubted for a moment Mr Blakely was serious.

[Morninglight2]

This's so messy I ain't touchin' it with a ten-foot pole 'cept to say this:

They left Utopia, so deal with it already. We cop shit since Bahrain no matter what, so why should we care what a buncha negative people say?

[Singularity]

Quote:

Originally posted by Liam Stewart: TAG:
We're not the same. I'm sorry you don't see that more clearly.

Let me reference, what I said above:

Quote:

While you and I have had different experiences with the Project, my point is that I experienced some of Utopia's failures first hand. If Utopia wants to live up to what it wants to be, then it should not be making those mistakes.

I am not talking about us being the same, in fact I said we have experienced different things. This is not about who Utopia hires or why, this is about Utopia failing to live up to its potential and goals. That is a major reason why I parted ways with the Project. For me, it can be summed up like this: good intentions, poor execution. You might not agree, but I want to be clear.

Quote:

Originally posted by Liam Stewart: TAG:
I do Mr Alden. We have different goals. We always had different goal and I am not you. We who are Utopia are making our way slowly looking to the long term and trying to decide how best to help humanity make choices and assist in the journey there.

What is my goal then? Honestly and without rancor, I would like to know what you believe my goals are. I do not want to be misunderstood.

Quote:

Originally posted by Liam Stewart: TAG:
This is not a war, of attrition or otherwise. That's the part you never understood. I wish you did. I really do.

That statement makes it clear I am being misunderstood. It is not a war for me, nor am I treating it such, not anymore. Trick is, Liam, there are people out there who think it is a war, they could care less about your point of view, and by meeting them in the field (even as a disembodied form inside a machine like Wrench) you are playing by their rules. You do not always fight fire with fire (Salamander notwithstanding ).

[Liam Stewart: TAG]

I am not talking about us being the same, in fact I said we have experienced different things.

And those experience lead you to believe that:

- living

- winning

... are primary goals. Its what you lived, its what you taught and its what you preach. I am sure there are things you would choose to lay your life down for but I'm also sure they have more to do with you than with humanity. You told us how to act so we could live another day and I thank you for that. I still don't wear a mask because I'm not a mercenary, interested in rating and as far as merchandising how much do you really need before its enough and just embarrassing.

I don't intend to throw my life away but a month ago Paragon was the only one in the room willing to acknowledge that beliefs are worth the price. Or we're in the wrong line of work, aren't we?

For me, it can be summed up like this: good intentions, poor execution.

I understand and please hear when I say I don't like anything or everything just because it carries the Project logo. I also don't try to pretend its something else, someone else, not my problem or any of the other excuses people toss around here between their polite sneers.

I am the face of Project Utopia. So is Dervish, Joey Chan, Paragon... Do we really need to go through the list again? You see Project Utopia as something you allied with briefly for your own reasons and then left when it was no longer convenient or the most efficient means of obtaining what you desired. I don't begrudge you, or the shelter that Miss McLachlan needed and then abandoned.

We are not the same. This is not a job, a convenience or a means to an end for us. We are Project Utopia and I am sorry you cannot stand with us or understand what it is to be Project Utopia. I am sorry you saw yourself as an outsider because there's so much more that you could have done. You have to be willing to risk it all. Life is just the beginning.

No, Mr Alden. I am not playing by their rules and that makes all the difference in the world.

[The Paragon]

The life I have chosen is not the easiest and it can be rather frustrating at times. Yet there is that rare morning that I get to log on and see something like this and have my hope renewed.

[Singularity]

Quote:

Originally posted by Liam Stewart: TAG:
And those experience lead you to believe that:
- living
- winning

... are primary goals. Its what you lived, its what you taught and its what you preach.... I'm not a mercenary, interested in rating and as far as merchandising how much do you really need before its enough and just embarrassing...

...You see Project Utopia as something you allied with briefly for your own reasons and then left when it was no longer convenient or the most efficient means of obtaining what you desired...

...You have to be willing to risk it all. Life is just the beginning...

I picked these words out because it has made something rather clear to me. Liam, you have made various assumptions regarding me and those assumptions are flat out wrong. Admittedly, I am not that forthcoming with my deep down desires and motivations but I had hoped at least a few things were clear. Particularly my rejection of my former life or understanding the rather basic concept that some things are worth dying for.

If it is easier for you to look at me as simply wrong because I left, then feel free to do so; I do not require external affirmation to do what I believe is the right thing to do. But if you are going to call someone patronizing and state their motivations, at least take the time to find out the truth instead of relying and creating facts that support your point of view.

[Lemmy Chillmeister]

Quote:

Originally posted by The Paragon:
The life I have chosen is not the easiest and it can be rather frustrating at times. Yet there is that rare morning that I get to log on and see something like this and have my hope renewed.

Y'know, TAGs under age m'man. You can get in trouble trying to suck a minor's dick like that.

[Sakurako Hino]

Quote:

Originally posted by Lemmy Chillmeister:

Quote:

Originally posted by The Paragon:
The life I have chosen is not the easiest and it can be rather frustrating at times. Yet there is that rare morning that I get to log on and see something like this and have my hope renewed.

Y'know, TAGs under age m'man. You can get in trouble trying to suck a minor's dick like that.

ZING! Good one, Lemmy.

[Lemmy Chillmeister]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:
For you and me, maybe, Lemmy.

But, someone always wants more ... wants it better.
Damn them ... why should they get more than one meal today, or shelter from the elements, or get to go to sleep tonight without fearing someone will come in and do horrible, horrible things to them?
Selfish bitches, really.

Go back to slapping that bootie, Lemmy, and stop wasting your time worrying about anyone else. It just gets in the way.

Oh, I'm so fucking sorry Mother Teresa. I hate that you had to take some time out of your busy schedule of protecting the innocent and feeding the hungry to chastize me.

Fuck you, you smug little fucker.

Worlds ten times a better place for the monkeys now then it was before we showed up. It ain't our responsiblity to make things perfect. They fucked it up, how about they fix it?

[Wakinyan]

It's our world as well Lemmy does that mean we don't fix what humans messed up? When a dog shits on a sidewalk a human tends to pick it up. So what should we do, let them clean up their own mess when we know they can't?

You go keep indulging yourself. Let the people who want to make a difference make one. Don't bitch because you are breathing cleaner air courtesy of a Nova who would rather do something about the world than just go play stink finger with a Terat sex toy prom queen.