Refractions [∞ Enigma ∞ - Hacker Event]

As Enigma approached the head of the second dock and the dockmaster located there, a booming voice came out of the ether. “Attention valued players, there appears to be a malfunction of one of the guardian NPCs. Please move away from the location and rejoin other queues until further notice is given.”

Enigma spat out a silent curse and jabbed his hand quickly into the dockmaster, dispensing with any kind of banter with the player characters that were waiting in line this time. The voice came again, but this time it was closer to where Enigma was, and had a direction. “Stop whatever you’re doing and step away from the dock.”

Very slowly and deliberately, Enigma twisted his body around to face where Skultone was. "Oh, hello officer. What's going on, did I jaywalk? Or perhaps..." He raised his voice slightly, trying to talk over the din of the crowd, getting their attention. "Perhaps I broke some previously unknown rule that the SC.CO is going to make up on the spot so they can silence any voice that disagrees with them."

Enigma removed his hand from the NPC's forehead and crossed his arms in front of himself, now fully facing the security officer. "You all heard that, right?" The NPC behind Enigma began ushering players through the line, presenting each one with a potion as a 'welcome to Eathelin' gift. However a portion of the crowd was now intent on the conversation going on. "The content is free for all, but all the Silver Circle Corporation can do is tell you to stay away till they can fix it and make you pay for something that should be rightfully yours."

"How about, we play a little game." Enigma called out to the docks. "Players versus security. If the players win, I get to continue my efforts and everyone here gets the new content free of charge. If security wins, they kick everyone off the game and no-one gets to enjoy the new content until they think they've caught everyone who got in without having to pay. Though I assure you they will have a very difficult time telling the difference. What say you all?"

A cheer went up across the dock. Not everyone was into playing the game that Enigma proposed, but it appeared to be enough to cause some serious trouble. As those players who were supporting the hacker began their attacks on SC.CO personnel and NPC's Enigma's eyes sparkled, still staring at Skultone. "Just make sure you leave the dockmasters, they're key to my plan."

Looking back from the vendors screen, Artemis attempted to make out what was happening. Waves of people rushed over each other, attempting to get the now free content. She tapped the sell button before running out onto the streets, pushing her way past the swarm of people, she could just barely make out the happenings over by the hacker. She dashed forward, knocking people aside as she sprinted. As she ran, the weapon on her side began blossoming, becoming larger and more full as her Growth ability took ahold of the flail. The bright red flower was now twice the size, the metal petals still scuffed with obvious lack of care. As the green chain sprouted thorny vines from the handle, Artemis could hear the neon man's deal.

Taking the side of the man who had assisted her earlier, she readied to swing, attempting to hit the figure with the metal mask and arm, but taking no notice to the bodyguard that he had picked up.

The hacker’s deal was broadcast to the people watching Skultone and the hacker, and the security officer glared as the sea of people began to shift and take sides. There were always going to be people who wanted to push the limits and see if a game could be broken, it seemed. Those players were many, the idea of accessing the content unimpeded a temptation to great to resist.

“This is your last chance. Tampering with the game’s code is against the Terms and Services and by breaking them you create the possibility of corrupting not just the map but also the player characters that are currently trying to engage in the new content.” Skultone found he couldn’t get more than that single warning out before a female orc player rushed forwards and swung her weapon at him. Reflex brought his metal arm up to soak the hit before firing a warning shot between her feet.

The appearance of a ferret lamian sliding in front of him as if to protect him surprised Skultone, but the moment gave him a chance to switch his broadcast voice back on and stare down the players that had inched forwards after the orc’s brazen strike. “Attacking a member of the SC. CO staff is also against ToS, and any players attempting to disarm and injure staff will be subject to action taken against their accounts.” The message there was clear. If you decided to play by the hacker’s games you’d be judged as an accomplice.

And then fish began raining from the sky. And following that, a dragon.

Skultone wasn’t entirely sure what to make of the little dragon as she spoke. Perhaps she was an npc for the area? He cleared his throat and tried not to stare, instead keeping his eyes on the hacker. “Hello.”

Enigma tisked and shook his head. "My good fellow, the terms of service have already been breached, but your superiors have seen to it that nobody has the financial wherewithal to call the corporation on it." The psychedelic figure looked up into the sky and stepped neatly to the side to avoid a particularly large rainbow trout that splatted into the deck where he had just been.

"Jellybaby, if you don't mind. A bit of peace and quiet." The sky distorted as the large sphere hovering above Enigma finally snapped back into it's familiar cube shape and let the technicolor light play across it's surface. It landed in the street in front of Enigma with a sticky schlurp sound. The lessening crowds meant nobody was caught in it's landing, but a few fish that were on the ground underneath it started dissolving once inside.

Enigma glanced at Shizin and tilted his head before turning and running away from Skultone, the tiny dragon, Artemis and Shizin. One might have thought him fleeing but for the him skidding to a halt in front of one of the last two dockmasters who had not been effected by him yet and shoving his hand into the construct's forehead.

Artemis was having no luck reaching the staff member. With Hikio in her way, all of the blows were glancing off the ferret's armor. As the additional metal petals on her mace began folding under the blows, she began considering other options. She took a step back, hands on her waist. A couple of players that were making attempts to attack the SC.CO member began backing down. Skultone's threat was harsh but raised no suspicion. Artemis, however, was still on her one train of thought, not paying any attention to the world around her.

Seeing the clearing crowds, Artemis smiled. She stood back further, giving herself plenty of space. Holding her arms at her side, she activated her Acrobatic feat, knowing that she would need a boost. Starting into a sprint, Artemis rapidly approached the swarm around the staff. Taking a massive leap, the orc reached the shoulders of another player. Jumping from their shoulders, she sent the poor player face-first into the gravel-like pavement on the pier.

With the added boost from the unwilling player, Artemis was able to reach extraordinary heights, tumbling in the air. With a nimble grace, Artemis landed behind her target. Turning with flair, she swung at the staff.  Her first attack was aimed at the head, in an attempt to disorient her foe. Her flail came back up from the first swing and attempted a strike at her target's midsection. The bulbous flower swung from behind her, striking a fish rather than her original target.

Dropping the rose, she outstretched her arms, and grasped at Skultone, hoping to restrain them long enough for the hacker to accomplish their task.