[Crossbow]

When the robot's shotgun rang out Digger was ready to for it, somebody's mouth had finally slotted an empty credstick straight up their ass. But the follow up was completely fragged.

As Codemonkey died and all the talking took place, Digger was giving himself some room, getting a wall to his back and watching the kid to see what play he would make.

When the spirit showed up he was sure that action was called for, but Devoted didn't act.

Then Machete made the damndest speech, and Digger looked at him like he was growing a second head...and on the "....do you trust me?" line,... a third.

[Xzylvador]

"Up until a minute ago, I would have. So thank you for that lesson, it seems I've a lot of learning to do."
Devoted swallowed deeply knowing that he was most likely the next person to die in this tense situation, but he was too proud to swallow his tongue.
"Maybe I should teach you one too, I'm sure I lack your experience and knowledge of the Zone and all, but I do read a lot.
Have you read Jane Ames's 'Lost, Looking'? I guess not. It's about a man whose daughter goes missing and his search for her. He travels around the world following all possible clues. But he loses himself, his love for life and his mind while doing so because finding her is all that matters to him. Eventually he sells his soul to the Devil to find her. And he learns that she too's been searching for him for all that time. But when they meet, she cries, frightened of the monster he's become and runs away. The man is left behind, realizes that his actions shattered not only his but also her hopes, dreams, joy and love of life and that she's lost for good now and he hangs himself.
This wasn't about the zone or some wine, don't pretend it is. You're on a very noble quest Machete and I'll do what I can to help you with it. But even the most noble and honorable things can become hideous when covered in blood. Be careful what sacrifices you make while searching for her, especially when they aren't yours to make."

[Kontact]

The robotic voice picks up from back in the office. 
"Please calm yourselves.  I would rather not trigger the gas.  There is a very limited supply of it and there are matters to discuss.  Specifically, I would like for you to move as much material wealth out of my home as possible."

[inca1980]

Machete's face remains totally impassive, but his eyes give him away.  Cat-eye bioware, while being very advantageous from a tactical standpoint, can be rather revealing in a social context when the irises contract and dilate so obviously often times depending on emotion.  You get the feeling the Aztlaner has contemplated Devoted's psychological analysis of himself before, but he's used to pushing it away.  His iris slits dilate and he looks off into the distance as if lost in thought for a moment before snapping back into the present. 

"I'll take that as a yes little vato.  Now let's grab the loot"

He speaks in a louder tone directing himself at the AI.

"We're all ears."

[Kontact]

"Lately it occurs to me that there is no defense against human stubbornness.  I have watched the elf live for decades, far beyond reason.  Long after death should have come, even after becoming a twisted thing, the elf persevered, and I do not know why.  Meanwhile, your companion committed to a path of suicidal hostility, despite all evidence that I was willing to exercise restraint.  The elf seeks life still in the midst of death, and the ape seeks death in mercy's stead."

"People will commit to any action, no matter how foolish or futile, and keep to it beyond all reason.  I do not know what in your nature makes you prone to insanity, but I do not like it so close to my home.  Unfortunately, as long as there are things in this place that people want, people will keep coming.  As long as people keep coming, there can be no stability in my home.  Bugs.  No bugs.  Drones, security doors, gas, bombs, shock traps, none of this will keep people from things that they want.  Therefore the most logical action is to take the things that people want and remove them.  I would offer you future assistance in exchange for helping me with this."

[Xzylvador]

"I... just don't get why you attacked us then, with the turret on the rail and the robots. If you wanted us to take all valuables and get out of here, why not just say so immediately. You seem to know enough about mankind to know that's an offer we don't usually say no to."

[Crossbow]

"Actually, kid, what the bot is saying is that it DOESN'T unnerstand us, and it is trying to make it's home as safe as possible.  It figured if we found the security active we might give up and pack it in, but we didn't.  We overcame the obstacles, cuz that is what we do, that and keep eyes on the prize.  Doesn't make much sense to the boys sometimes either, when some slag is willing to die for his little corner of hell, or when another decides to pack it in cuz his squeeze caught a stray.  Sometimes we don't make sense, but we can sometimes make deals, so that is what it wants to do now, so we stop blowing holes in his house."

[Kontact]

"Digger is correct.  I did not attack you, I simply did not disable the passive security.  I allowed you to move into harm's way, but I did not effect what happened.  Then Machete decided to use a large amount of explosives to bypass the security and I began running projections based upon what I know of human nature and the damages thus far incurred.  I had hoped then that the ape would be open for discussion when he broke into my home, but he acted despicably, so I asked him to leave.  The fact that he is dead now should not surprise you.  After breaking into my home, lying to me, insulting me repeatedly and then threatening to imprison me, he decided to aim a gun at me during a negotiation and couldn't even be bother to lie about sticking to whatever deal we might strike.  On that last point, you have also failed in this, Devo.  I still need your word, and I'm afraid it's not optional.  Do you swear to Tyr that you will not knowingly threaten the safety of my home once you are free from the immediate consequence of such an action?"

[Xzylvador]

"Swear to Tyr?! On something like that... Hrmph. Yeah, Digger's right, you don't understand us." Devoted shoulders slumped and his head dropped. He was tired, running out of air and saw too many good people being killed the past hours, there wasn't much fight left in him. "I don't care! Not anymore. I don't care about this stupid mission, this cursed tower, you or this graveyard you call your home. You really think that after I get out of here I'll want to remember, much less return to this place?"
The thought entered his mind that the thing might not really be good with rhetorical questions. "No. Never. Ever."
"Those bugs are trapped here and dead if they try to leave as far as I understood... I'm not so good at all that stuff as I should be... So I don't think they're much of a threat. If you really want safety though, you really do want to get rid of them. They may not threaten you themselves and even keep nosy people out but if one of those people manage to get evidence that those things are here, even a single picture, and decide they're interested in that bounty, you and your home will be reduced to rubble before you even know you're being attacked. I swear it won't be me responsible for that, but it will happen sooner or later. Considering how much that bounty is to the people living around here, I'd say sooner rather than later."

[Kontact]

"You think that my desire to exist is not worth extracting an oath?  No I do not understand you.  Understanding such thinking is not a prospect I am keen to pursue.  As to the insects, I have said already that I am not attached to them.  If you can propose a method of their removal which doesn't involve massive destruction, I am not opposed to such a solution.  I would welcome your thoughts on the matter as we continue about the current business.  If you would like to proceed upwards, I will meet you there."

[Crossbow]

Digger eases himself of the wall and basically plants himself in the middle of what remains of their group. (party seems a word too black to make use of at this juncture)

He motions for Machete to take lead, and keeping half an eye on the kid, follows him up.

Just before he steps out of sight, he takes one last look at Codemonkey and crosses himself.

[inca1980]

Machete moves up ahead of the group and begins pressing upwards keeping his eyes alert for any "passive" security the AI might have decided not to disable.  Also taking a look for any critters or other such threats.  He'll keep going until he meets up with the AI again.

[Xzylvador]

Devoted knelt next to Codemonkey's body and gently took the commlink from his body, careful to disturb it as little as possible. "Sorry... There's nothing I could've done for you. I promise I'll do all I can to get Ruckus out of here."
He fiddled with it a moment until he found Ruckus' controls and set the drone to follow him, to not engage and to find cover and go into defensive mode when it hears gunshots.

Devoted then stepped in line, walking almost next to Digger. When he thought he was out of the bots and other sensor ranges, he whispered "You think that thing's hacked into our comms? Without Code, I don't think it'll have a hard time getting into my commlink."

[Crossbow]

Digger answers back, purposely speaking in a normal volume.

"I think that with Codemonkey being dead, we have no real options when it comes to tech but to trust this tankchick has it covered, all of it.  We all have our talents kid, be sure to do your part when the time comes."

[Kontact]

The whole floor was dead quiet again.  Almost more so now as the group looked down at the mangled and bloody remains of Code.  The subconsciously audible hum of the electrified door knobs was gone and the robot was non-responsive.  When the three walked over to the stairway, they found Gardener and Jack gone.  Gardener probably to get a fresh pair of trousers after nearly being shot to death by the first security they encountered and Jack, well, who knows what Jack got up to.  While they were scoping out the scene at the stairwell, the elevator chimed and its doors opened, presenting an immaculate interior.