[Dopple Effect Ver. 0.91] - Relaunched

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Update 1

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Initiating connection.

Settings minimal. 

Signal connection strong.

Injecting Diver_1 and Diver_2. 

Lifelines fully operational. 

Transporting now.



          These were the words that rang through the heads of those constructs who hooked up top the box and were shortly after plunged into what people dubbed "The Depths." There was always a drift, the sensation of the lightest you've ever been, and then the full force of gravity as your virtual form was dropped in the middle of the emulated subspace. You've done this only a handful of times in your life but you're very familiar with the subject from years of research and more than a dabbling in the supernatural.

You're not alone of course. Your operator is plenty experienced and you have the helpful hand of a somewhat recent friend who to your surprise volunteered without prompting.

Upload complete, generating now.



Your virtual body manifests rather quickly, a loose interpretation of your nerves and functions and sense of self with a certain extra flexibility. Your shape can be shifted around to accommodate for a variety of terrain and movement. Like a wispy octopus really. Whether it's your mind, soul, or the embodiment of muscle memory is something you rather not think about too much as the dread tends to seep in quickly when you do.

All you need to know is that you are Diane, and you are currently on a very important expedition. Your friend Dorothy is a rancher unit who often spends the night shift as security around the place you're currently both working and living at. You can hear the operator chime in. 

Operator: What's your status? Everything okay down there?

Diane: Mm. Landing appears to be smooth. Rendering seems a little... simple.

Operator: Settings are low to conserve processing power. You won't get much visual, just keep going up ahead. Not much in terms of landmarks but you're facing the right way.

Dorothy:  Noted. Is that why we're kind of just in the middle of nowhere?

Operator: Mmhmm! You spawned in completely fine?

Dorothy: Yeah, had a little prep and training before doing this. Read up on materials too. Still not used to how fuzzy things are in here though.. is fuzzy the right word? I feel fuzzy. 

Diane: Fuzzy is about right. You're kind of a loose mish mash of your inner workings or.. I guess at least how your mind thinks they work. 

Dorothy: Really weird.... so it's the me that's inside my head?

Diane: Sort of. There's a little more to it than that but it's kind of existential.

Dorothy: For you or me?

Diane: Both. 



Dorothy: Noted. Gotta say though if this is supposed to be the inner us, I didn't think you'd be a uh... cow? Or maybe a bat?

Diane: Kind of a ambiguous mammal really..

Dorothy:  The hearts are a cute touch.

Diane: I had a few modifications done... I would have offered to let you do something like that but I didn't want to miss the chance to do this particular job. It's time sensitive. 

Dorothy: Speaking of, what exactly are we going after here? Something that might revolutionize the world? This isn't a common thing for you as far as I know.

Diane: No, guess it's really not... like.... 

Dorothy: Has to be something pretty special for you to go in yourself. 

Diane: Well.... yes. Not really something as much as someone though.

Dorothy: A pretty important someone maybe? Do I know them?

Diane: Very special.

Dorothy: A friend or something more?

Diane: Yes. The friend part, a little bit of something more but...

Dorothy: A very special friend?

Diane: No, not like that... it's a bit complicated I guess....  you'd like them I think. You’ll meet them soon enough.

Dorothy: If things go well we can make a whole special occasion out of it. A day out with brunch. 

Diane: I wouldn't mind that... maybe invite Mori too, though they might be busy.

Dorothy: Invite away. Actually a quick question, you cook at all? 

Diane: Just a little, I've picked up things here and there. Why?

Dorothy: Thinking a little. If we get enough people we could have a nice potluck. Maybe. 

Diane: Honestly sounds pretty nice... like, we all bring food?

Dorothy: Yeah! Used to do them all the time with a bunch of friends on weekends. We'd go to the park and bring enough so that random people could join in fine. Hasn't happened much recently because uh....

Diane: Circumstances?

Dorothy: Yeah.  But if you wanted we could totally do that once things go back to normal. If they do anyway. 

Diane: I think I'd like that. 

Dorothy: Good! Good. Promise you it'll be a lot of fun. 

Diane: Don't you let me forget.

Dorothy: I won't. Honestly, I need something to look forward to. World got all screwy with the uh... weird orb in the sky.

Diane: I think we all do... 

Dorothy: Yeah. Anyway are we getting close to the target?

Diane: Think so. Operator?

Operator: Should be right in front of you right now, kind of overlapping actually. Radar must not be synced up with you uh.... give me a moment to fuss.

Dorothy: Is everything okay?

Operator: Yeah just step back please, don't want anybody getting clipped into.

Dorothy: Clipped? What's that supposed to mean?

Operator: Uh... Like..... 

Diane: I can explain. So getting clipped is like....

Diane made a twisting gesture with their wrist followed by a pained throat noise. 

Dorothy: That... doesn't tell me much.

Diane: Just trust me like.... you don't want it.

Operator: Yeah no listen to them for real, back up.

Dorothy shrugged and stepped back a few feet. Diane followed with zero hesitation. 

Operator: Loading in now, should be good.



A large sloped tower spawned directly in front of them, Dorothy's entire body hissed and crackled like a cat that'd been soaked. You do your best not to laugh.

Dorothy: That's not natural. I think I hate it.

Diane: None of this is.

Operator: Yeah just roll with the punches, you're about to see some shit. Anyway that should be the entrance. Next area should be loaded properly. You're going to have to dive a couple layers at most probably. Transport should get you to the zone you need. Should probably let you focus, feel free to ask you any questions though.

Diane: Thank you. I'm good for now. 

Dorothy: Mostly good, just got a quick question. Who's exactly up there right now? Don't think I ever asked. 

Operator: Papaya. Might've seen me around, maybe not. That all? I'll be listening in the entire time of course but.. you know.

Dorothy: Yeah that's it for now. 

Diane: Mm.

Operator: Alright then, just take the elevator ahead. I know it looks a little off but should be fine once you step inside. Only leaning on the outside, it's one of those illusions I guess. 

Dorothy: Noted. We'll be quick.

Dorothy pulls open the door with zero hesitation and crawls into the tower one leg at a time. She holds the door open for you.

Diane: Oh, thank you... you didn't have to. 

Dorothy: If I shave you a few seconds of trouble it's no issue.  



She closes the door behind the two of you. There's a series of clicking sounds as the exit locks in.  As the operator had mentioned, once you were both inside the slope was practically non-existent. A single screened panel was embedded into the wall in front of them with only one button. It's labeled "Far".

You press the button. The elevator begins moving. 

There's only a bit of rumble and tumble as you make your descent, at least you assume you're going down. It keeps going for a good while, longer than any real elevator you've been inside of but you eventually feel it slowing down. There's a click and a clunk as you reach your destination. The doors appear to have unlocked.  Dorothy has been staring at the wall the entire time without much of a word. 

Diane: We're here.

Dorothy: Yeah. 

Diane: You okay? You've been quiet.

Dorothy: A little motion sick. It'll pass. You can open the door whenever just... one sec. 

Can robots get motion sick? You suppose that if she can eat, nausea isn't that surprising. 

Diane: Take your time.

Dorothy: Actually, open it right now I think the air might help.

You nod and nudge open the door just the slightest. Light from the world outside pours inside. You get a peek of what's out there, a little bit of sand and a whole lot of sea breeze. You're pretty far from home but it's not that unfamiliar to you.

You make your first steps onto the sand. 

You look up at the sky. 



Something unearthly menaces you from above. Oh god.