We didn't have forever to search this massive trash pile, so splitting up was the only practical option. "Hello there, Divine Maiden." Hermit's voice comes through well enough on the terminal. "You remember our goal?" Kind of, it was some kinda car thing. "Uh, yeah, of course I remember it, the uh..." "We are after UX-M9-871. Needed by larger vehicles." Right, that... whatever that is. It had wires I think? "They are labeled such." Oh, then that'll make it easier. "Yeah, the M9." I can at least remember that part. "I'll let you know if I find it." "Don't go too deep." Hermit's tone suddenly shifts to warning. "Why not? Afraid I'll get lost?" "There are many stories. Survivors don't dig deeply." "Any idea what it might be?" "Survivors never see it. So something very deadly." That doesn't really narrow it down. But if no one survives even seeing it, it's likely some kind of theological weapon. "Well, I'll try to avoid dropping down anywhere suspicious. I'll call again later." "Good fortune to you." And then the line shuts off.
You know how we haven't been able to get any of those fancy anti-undead handcannons? Well, since machine guns are only for the military I figured out something just as good. I'm calling it the Chatterbox. Getting it all working was a pain in the ass, but we have plenty of discarded assault rifles since one of them on their own doesn't do much against the monsters. We get this baby set up somewhere good, get a bunch of bags of ammo, and we'll be just fine. I already tested this one and it doesn't jam or anything! I even took apart a pitching machine and managed to fit enough in so that it can launch hand grenades too! Just don't try to shoot it while carrying it, I couldn't hit a damn thing when I tried.
We've all heard about the evacuations going on, and I'm sure you're all wondering when it's coming for us. Our facility has been classified as vital. What this means is that we are to stay here and work as ordered until we are told otherwise. I've been assured that as long as we keep operations going, they'll make sure we're alright to keep staying here. I don't want to hear any talk of some unstoppable Night or whatever coming for us. They wouldn't have us stay here if they couldn't keep whatever it is off of us.
Let's see if I can reach Hermit. You can usually reach every nearby terminal from one of these.
"Are you there, Hermit? Please respond." I guess I can wait a few minutes to see if she just needs to get to one. After that-
There's been reports of big worms with teeth around here. Those aren't some weird animal, they're the larval form of those undead "Spitters." Fortunately, they're not that hard to kill, but for the love of all that's holy, don't try to stomp them. Use something that keeps them out of arm's reach because those teeth aren't just for show. If you don't catch'em before they get into a body, then it's best to get out of there and get security. They take a bit of time to change the bodies they infect, but you have to be damn thorough to actually stop it at that point.
The idea of the noosphere, what is effectively a field around the earth that is created and shaped by human thought, is not a new one, but even now no direct evidence of its existence has been found. Still, it is undeniable that certain rituals and gods have greater effect in regions where belief in them is dominant. Discovering the means and mechanism that allows thought and belief to shape reality brings with it the inevitability of being able to more precisely manipulate these forces. The Empire has already achieved so much with only extremely limited and indirect means to influence belief, so the possibility of more direct control drives many research teams.
interlevel teleports
