Possible Story Ideas

[Noxton]

Praise first:

I like all of the ideas brought forth so far in this thread. It's obvious that we've all still got a deep connection to this game, but more importantly the mythos and the universe that we're all missing so much. I like everything I've read so far, and I don't see a reason why all of it can't be incorporated in one way or another. Slight adjustments here and there to fit everything together. More about that later.




Ideas second:

I'll try to keep this as concise as possible, but I have a hard time doing that, so bear with me. Also, this a rough outline. I know I've left details out, but that was for the sake of keeping this simple as a concept. I have many of the details in my head, but here's a pretty general idea of what I'm thinking.

In this thought, I'm considering the story as it was written by Rare right up until the end of the game. I have not considered anything that hasn't actually happened in-game. I realize that this might be a sticking point for many people, but this was just an idea bouncing around in my head since the announcement was made to kill MxO. The Machines reboot the Matrix to a new version with a different system protocol and encryption, thereby wiping anyone connected to it that wasn't connected to the source or specifically set to be saved (like the blues) and keeping those that survived from being able to jack in until the new encryption is broken. This explains the extended period of time that no one is able to get into the simulation. :-p (until emu completion!)



The two new Oligarchs... Teresova and Whoever, were running amock through the system. The Machines took advantage of this distraction to lure all of their enemies into one place, so to speak, and kill them all with one major effective blow. I figure that, like when you have an open text document but haven't saved it, rebooting the system will clear out everything in its RAM that hasn't already been backed up, thereby effectively removing anything connected to the system at that moment.

Since the time of the Truce, the Architect has been working on a new version of the simulation. This new system has updated protocols that modifies the hacks that human operatives use to gain access into the system. While the Oligarchs are making a mess of everything in their search for Trinity (BIP), they're being pursued by operatives of each of the branches. The Oligarchs unleash an all out assault on the system, stretching its stability to the absolute max. The Machines are even more inclined to force the reboot/new version in order to protect their assets.

Between hoping that high-ranking Zion/EPN operatives would be protecting Trinity and hoping to catch the Merv and the Oligarchs off-guard, and encouraging some of the Machine/Cyph operatives to jump into the fray to cause more confusion as well, the Machines quietly wait as everyone gathers in the simulation, and they hit the big reset button and fire off a new version of the simulation.


- Bluepills
Having been factored in by the Architect, and necessary to continue the simulation, they are updated to the new protocol, and to them, it's as easy as any other system reboot has been. No losses are accrued save for any that were harmed by the melee prior to the reboot.

- Machines (Programs & Humans)
Some programs and Machine Operatives were positioned like so many pawns to distract and cause as much damage as they could to the organizations. Any connected to the system during the reboot were terminated and considered "acceptable losses." The higher-ups / important operatives were provided upgrades to their hovercraft systems so that they could once again jack in to the simulation. Since they attacked conservatively in the simulation, they bolstered their forces in the real to hunt and destroy any and all Oligarchs they come across with a team of improved sentinels. The Machines deploy destroyer-class hoverbarges to clean up any rogue hovercraft they encounter.

- Merovingian (He, his loyal programs, and loyal humans)
This ain't the Merv's first rodeo. He always has an escape plan prepared. In fact, he had been strangely absent from the simulation leading up to the reboot. He knows things, and he was ready for this. He "saved" his loyal followers who already owe him their lives as it is. Their debt has only increased. While he doesn't have the ability to get everyone back into the system, he does have programs working non-stop to break the new encryption for his followers, human and program alike.

- Cypherites
I haven't really thought this out as thoroughly, but I assume the Machines would back some of the Cypherites, but use others as pawns at their leisure.

- EPN
Having all but evacuated Old Zion save for some major defensive appointments, EPN has sent a fair portion of its force to scout for the Oligarchs in the real. EPN is hurting as it is from their last foray into the real, so they're scouting, but not really engaging any enemy vessels they encounter.

- Zion
Zion aggressively protects Trinity (BIP) during the Oligarch raid, and sustains very heavy losses when the system is rebooted. Fortunately, many of the ships had very recently returned to Zion as part of a defense buff during the incoming Oligarch raid and to recharge their ships. While many are lost, not all captains are lost.

- Trinity (BIP)
The Machines managed to subdue Trinity during the reboot. She was allocated to a secure part of the system to extract information, subdue her, and eventually terminate her.

- The Oligarchs
Nearly all are gone. The Machines are out in the real wiping them out one by one as they encounter them. Their encampment is eventually destroyed, and due to the new protocols and encryption, those that have found a way to survive are unable to enter the system. Any left will soon meet their demise.



Every side has sustained heavy losses. The Machines have suffered the least and have free reign of the system.

A reconnaissance EPN vessel manages to overpower an unsuspecting Machine hoverbarge and finds the way back into the system. They share their find with the Kid who in turn shares this knowledge with Zion's top hovercraft captains.

The Merovingian's team finds their way back into the Matrix with brute-force hacking and because of a Machine program that is almost obsessively enfatuated with Persephone. The Merovingian basically pimps her out to this program in order to restore his kingdom, as it were. He fully intends to destroy the Machine program once he gets everything sorted, but Persephone intervenes causing even greater tension between them.


As everyone is slowly finding their way back into the simulation, the Machines attack any and all non-Machine/non-Cypherite operatives with extreme prejudice. There are no areas safe from random Agent attacks. The war is on once again full-scale.