[h2][u]Thomas Franklin[/u][/h2]

[i]You are doing humanity a great service by accepting this mission, Mr. Franklin. You're quite sure you want to go through with it?[/i]

'Absolutely. If it is necessary to help protect our world...'

[i]You of course understand the risks. Sidestepping an entire faction's trust in you is something few are forgiving about, and I cannot imagine that you will be let off easily if you are discovered.[/i]

'But it won't really be me, after all, will it? The [i]real[/i] me would be piloting my body from afar, when I'm even needed to do so.'

[i]Your personality would be controlling it remotely whilst the protocols are active. You are aware of the possible risks of such.[/i]

'Yeah, I know how it works, "the backdoor could be an open wound into the Protectorate's databanks" and all that about exposing my mind, but I can just destroy the backdoor if I need to.'

[i]It should not matter regardless. You are fully aware of capture prevention protocols.[/i]

'Yep, yep, blow up my own soul for the cause if I must.'

[i]The moment a battle or situation appears to be unwinnable. Gauge power, gauge strategy, calculate whether they hold an advantage over you-[/i]

'Etcetera etcetera so they don't get any information from me ever. I'm not in the higher echelons of the Protectorate because I'm stupid, you know.'

[i]Very well. For the final time, Thomas: do you consent to this procedure?[/i]

'One hundred percent.'

[i]Then sleep, loyal and earnest warrior. May you be rewarded with the sound of the last spirit's demise.[/i]

[hr]

'How's the agent, professor?'

[i]He is quite well. His personality is interred in our systems, and his DNA has been recorded for restoration of his physical form if necessary, as has his mantle for the purposes of personality restoration.[/i]

'Excellent. All precautions... in place...'

[i]I still feel the notebook is unnecessary.[/i]

'Well, I like having words on paper in front of me. It's... soothing, if you will? As is speaking with one's mouth, rather than one's mind...'

[i]I'll take your word for that.[/i]

'...ahem. Well, what of his partner?'

[i]A suitable candidate spirit has been captured, and is in the process of conversion as we speak. Nietzsche will soon come into being as a new member of our ranks, albeit under similar conditions to Thomas.[/i]

'Ah, I see. So...'

[i]Nietzsche's personality will be contained within our servers, whilst the donor's personality will be copied and modified, and subsequently replicated on to the new body. For all intents and purposes, this AI will be its original self, save for Nietzsche's capacity to take over when desired.[/i]

'Alright... hold on half a tick... and the data transfers?'

[i]Both parties will run large-scale transfer protocols under private conditions only. In other words, when they are entirely alone.[/i]

'Peeeerfect! I have high hopes for all this, you know.'

[i]As do we all. If the project is successful, we may ultimately see the end of one of the most virulent opponents we face. One step closer to spiritual annihilation.[/i]

'Ah, don't spoil it just yet. We've still got to [i]succeed,[/i] after all, and then deal with the other factions too at that!'

[i]I imagine this feat could be replicated many times, should initial tests prove successful. If the agent can be infiltrated past one of the most stringent entry requirements in the world, other factions should be exceptionally simple to acquire information from.[/i]

'I like your style, old chap.'

[i]It is a logical progression of events.[/i]

'Ahh, well, you know what it signifies. This is the next step in our conquest, after all... and perhaps, if we're lucky, the first true indicator of our final victory.'

[i]One can only hope.[/i]