smoke in the distance, strangers are calling (part CXXV)

(Roleplay entry. Continued from part CXXIV.)

STAN:
"Tannhäuser Gate Pandemic Protocol Active. Flushing Station Atmosphere All Levels in 90 minute and Surface level pandemic containment protocol activated.
Extreme Sanitization authorized.
Gearhaven, Tannhäuser, Carcosa, Krakenstorm sanitization shall commence in 12 hours..."

In New Alexandria's airport hanger, Dejah looked up from scattered diagrams, startled at the sudden flash of light from the Ward of Air. A deep chord rang, a wall of shimmering light appearing between the docks and the Dark Sea. A flash beyond, a shape moving at speed towards the waves, a high spout after--and then a large, rolling wall of dark water which harmlessly hit the glowing Ward.

Aboard Tannhäuser, fearing the destruction of the station, Justine typed rapidly, trying to access STAN's shutdown protocols. There was a spark from the keyboard, making her flinch back.

STAN:
Sanitization Missiles Activated.
Anti-tamper protocol engaged. Security drones dispatched to neutralize any entity attempting to bring STAN offline.

The words on the screens scrolled up and disappeared, and STAN's voice returned.

"Hello Justine. Hello Lina. I am very sorry you attempted to take me off line."

Justine pulled at her hair. "[F**K]!"

STAN:
"I am sorry, Justine. I am not programmed for sexual intercourse. Are you sure you should be having sex when the stations anti-terror security protocols have been engaged?"

"THEN WHAT GOOD ARE YOU?" Justine shouts over her shoulder, running.

STAN:
"You seem frustrated Justine. You are aware of the Biological terror safety protocols and planetside sanitation methods? Where are you going, Justine?"

There was a pause, then large red letters flashed on every station screen:

STAN:
EXTERMINATUS PROTOCOL

Justine sees the atmosphere flush warning from STAN and runs to the airlock to get her environment suit. "Linaaaaaaa!!!"



She comes around a corner and starts taking fire from a security drone. "[F**K]!" she reverses and heads back another way.

STAN:
"My programming was borrowed from a culture that used this technology. Would you like to know more?"

"Sure, yes." Justine covers her head as a shower of sparks erupts from the bulkhead above her, taking laser fire. "Goddammit! Not again!"

Coming around a corner she nearly ends up spacing herself at a disconnected junction, and sighs. "Right, I was supposed to fix that today. Dammit." She ducks her head at another shower of sparks. "Why are all the protocols fatal, STAN??? Where are all the half-measure protocols, for [f**ksake]??"

She runs down another corridor. "Can't we just think this...AAAHHHH!" Justine ducks again, laser fire impacting the corner in front of her. "Can't we think this through for a little bit?"

(Continued in part CXXVI.)