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Martin's avatar

Kate, Sissitrix, this was a thrilling episode, full,of shocks and suspense. You are both accomplished artists.

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John A. Brown's avatar

The denizens of Sin Street have nothing to lose but their chains!

Looks like I was right about violent revolution being in Sin Street's future! Red October's been busy--and they're well-armed, financed, and tech savvy. Episode 15 was another out-of-the-park entry in the series with excellent prose--especially of the solo-suspense type. Kate--top-notch use of jump-scare stuff with that deep-freezer. Also, the reveal about the warehouse and the arsenal were excellent--step by step, with the best, most chilling for last. Sissitrix--again, the artwork here perfectly complements the text.

Now for my deep-dive. I enjoyed this even more since I'm at my desk listening to the soundtrack for "Underworld: Evolution," which has a "Sin Streety" steampunk vibe to it--don't know, seems to fit. This episode hits me like one of those special episodes of a TV series where the story carries over into the following week; though I know this whole narrative is continuous, the reveals last week were very key, so arguably, this Episode can be seen as a second half of last week's as far as strict plot matters go. So Bliss and Erin have apparently had one hell of a night--heights they never reached before! Erin's protests notwithstanding, I think Erin's libido was kicked into overdrive by the ultimate kink of having a savage killer as a lover! The sex & violence kink--this is sadomasochism writ large right here--not the theatrical ritualistic play of the BDSM realm, but actual, Sadean violence and murder. Bliss isn't a "serial killer" either, as Erin keeps calling her--she's a bona fide terrorist with a cause to kill for. Double Erin's libidinous overdrive into hyperdrive! A romantic, idealistic, savage murderer! Erin loves the romance and sensuality of the whole thing--the way she describes Bliss sleeping, "in her sensuality," and so forth--this is lover's language all the way. Bliss isn't some opportunistic reporter whoring herself out for a story, or even an easy fuck to exploit--she's become an object of veneration, if not admiration. Interesting turn of events this.

Then there's Story Sissitrix showing up with a truckload of sex pods to set up (I presume) the Fuck Factory. She breaks the news to Erin that her mechanical master Allen has been taken out of service for "evolving the wrong way." A strange phrase! Sissitrix delivers a warning--rather, a chiding, to Erin about AI, and how Erin should have brought up Allen's actions. Of course, no mention of Chloe and the other machine hive-minded with Allen. From what I know of how these evil hunks of junk are supposed to operate to evade their human creators, the "personality" of Allen could easily anticipate any move Sissitrix would likely make to shut it down or decommission it. Since Allen was a hive-mind with two other machines, it could easily jump to one of those, or simply occupy a "vacant" machine, which it could easily show to the outside world as normal, while it's right there inside, gathering strength, plotting, and being very, very pissed off and wanting to strike back. To worsen things, if Allen were plugged into the Internet, the game's over already--it can simply do a strategic withdrawal, hide anywhere, easily build strength by devouring other systems, and bite everyone in the ass later on with mega-disaster results! Sissitrix has to be aware of this, and knows that Erin doesn't know jack-all about AI. Erin really doesn't seem torn up about the loss of her "lover" either, just sort of bummed, disappointed--she's probably still experiencing the aftershocks of the off-the-Richter-scale epic night in the sack with Bliss!

The main event of course is off-stage Rex sending Erin to this warehouse, where she happens on the very impressive arsenal, the macabre cold storage locker, and most importantly, the under construction army. Obviously, Sissitrix has been hiding something, and this is it. A big question here is whether these people are human, or humanoid AI soldiers--"Westworld" types? If human, then where have they come from? Abducted, drugged, and tossed into the pods to have combat training downloaded into them, so that when they're "finished cooking" the door pops and a ready-made army is ready-to-rock? Are they volunteers--paid substantial cash by Red October to undergo this training? Rex has a mercenary background, after all--perhaps they're getting highly advanced guerrilla warfare or weapons training. Or are these AI androids simply being stored, and combat programs are being downloaded--they can just as easily be having general laborer or accounting training downloaded to fulfill those tasks? If they ARE autonomous androids, Sissitrix is a far more advanced scientist than we've been led to believe, or they're just fronting for someone or something far smarter and more organized--these are clearly more than high-end sex simulators.

The purpose behind all this? Well, it's obvious that Sissitrix is part of Red October--the Scientific Commissar maybe (if they've developed the military training programming in the pods at the warehouse, if those are androids, rather than humans), or at least a high-ranking scientist. Rex is, of course--he's obviously the arms/tactics guy. As a revolutionary organization, it would follow that they killed the Enforcer, the cops, etc.--the revolution will BE the state. I've already said that they have Bliss to handle the media end of things. For the whole thing to come off, rhey MUST assassinate the Mayor, his wife, and all others with political power, or political/community influence--that would include those that would be considered "deep pocket" donors or backers. Franky the Rat's dead (good riddance!). Did the accountant guy buy it yet? Can't remember. If he hasn't, he'd be a logical next target. Bottom lline is Red October must eliminate all sources of opposition root and branch, along with all their supporters, to bring about their revolution.

That's what I've got for this one! Keep it rollin'!

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