REVELATION - Story - Chapter 17: Decisions About Diamond Walls

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Date: 5:21:31 PM, April 26th; 7:20:28 PM, April 28th, 2015.
Metal Man (GM): (((((( Last Time on REVELATION (Recap) )))))) [KitRedgrave] "Jewelers... after an apocalypse. I don't think so." The Questers were wondering how to craft SOLID DIAMOND WALLS they had lifted from the ruins of Jack's castle. The plan was simple:
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Let's regroup at the Mushroom Kingdom."
Rel Tavis: "You want jewelers, huh? ...I don't deal in jewelry, but the city I like to hang out in has it. You're welcome to my ship parts if you can help me get off this planet."
Metal Man (GM): On that note, the group has returned to the Mushroom Kingdom. No further hijinks have occurred. Everything is mostly safe and sound. The area doesn't seem to have anyone nasty around it, either. Continuation. The group is there, on the island, by the villa the group had earlier. It's a calm, blue day, under the force field. Xavier would awaken and casually walk outside, staring at the sky.
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Ah... it's weird to not have to think of being exploded in my sleep anymore..."
Metal Man (GM): Others: You can join in as you wish, be it your character waking up or such... also I almost forgot, best I highlight everyone one last time.
Gelato: -w- *He would be asleep on a head. Whose head is up to the group.*
Valron: "I know, right? Certainly makes for a good change of pace, all things considered."
Metal Man (GM): Or at least the ones not already here.
Xavier Ridgecrest: "I'd say we should have the field down, but this is Alsa... best it stay up."
Valron: "Yeah, might be best to keep it up just to make sure things really are stable, in any case. Wouldn't want to mess up a good thing."
Xavier Ridgecrest pets Gelato, who's been sleeping atop his helmet.
Metal Man (GM): Aye, Nonna would be with the group, either having slept in the ship or the villa, as the group is over at the Mushroom Kingdom.
Nonna: "Good morning."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "So. Anything here in the Mushroom Republic you want to do, Valron? Or shall we be headed back? Oh... Hi Nonna."
Valron: "No, there's... not really anything I could think of that's coming to mind, to be honest."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "It's gonna be fun, trying to determine what to do with the bling, er, diamond walls. Maybe I can have a desk made out of diamond. And then... make my visor out of diamond."
Valron: "Yeah, that's... going to be interesting to try and figure out."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "And have a diamond mug, full of diamond-kettle-heated biamond water. Diabiamond. Certainly is a far cry from those days when Garrick and Julian had all the cash, eh? On that note, you have anything here on Alsa that's pressing, Nonna?"
Nonna: "I think we've done enough here for now. Unless you want to stick around with the... cleanup of the city."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Hm. I would, but I worry a little about whether Time Cops will find our hideout, since if they discover that, the Wing Fortress is in danger..."
Valron: "Yeah, I have to agree with Xavier, to be honest..."
Ederick?: "So I don't have to fake myself being the person who wanted me dead? Sounds good."
Nonna: "Very well."
Ederick?: "Next time I think I'll just stay, unless things get really messed up... again..."
Commander Borne: "...Which they probably will..."
Metal Man (GM): He turns back, casually, since this area is fairly isolated.
Gelato: ^O^ *Yaaaawn.*
Valron: "Invariably."
Commander Borne: "Can't say I liked that disguise. Here, let's just save me the trouble." *Puts on a black hood that covers his face and uniform* "At least this way people can claim it was some weird cultist or something."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Right... let's go run over some cakes with space ships again."
Metal Man (GM): Xavier walks over and notices they have literally built a runway that faces the Stargate.
Xavier Ridgecrest: "...I see they learned from last time."
Valron: "That's handy, in any case."
Metal Man (GM): The plaza has been restructured to even have a force field device around it (using the Stars) as well as some uniformed Toads watching it. One of them salutes, even.
A.C.: "Hello, I am A.C., Air Traffic Controller. After the cake incident, we have reclassified this as a strictly vehicle flying and takeoff zone. No foot traffic is permitted unless necessary."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Right, I won't walk by the portal, even though we are the main people who use it..." *Grumbles He pets Gelato some more.*
A.C.: "Strictly for your safety, you know. Some sort of plume that annihilates matter comes out of that portal when it's turned on!"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "You mean the sploosh noise thing it does? Huh."
Valron: "Makes sense. Wouldn't want anyone to accidentally go careening into that somehow."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Well, let's get this over with, then." *Walks over to his limo to start it up.*
Nonna: "Just... why does this planet find itself in these situations so often?"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Ah... a good question. Unfortunately, I'm not a scientist. That guy is, but nobody ever talks to him." *Absent-mindedly points at Tails, who is... here for some reason, talking to somebody else.*
Nonna: "I'd... like to spare us from a PTSD-fueled ramble."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Don't blame you."
Valron: *And into the ship he goes. Gettin' it started up and whatnot.*
Xavier Ridgecrest gets into the limo and starts the gas.
Nonna gets into her smartassed ship.
Gelato: *He sits in the limo, still perched on Xavier's head.*
Metal Man (GM): The ship appears to have randomly decided to proclaim your 'quest' complete and changes its name as you wanted. Huh. Apparently, 'Jackamillion' was your 'ultimate quest enemy' that you had to defeat 'to gain great wisdom' ...Or perhaps you just needed to blow up a thing made out of magitek energy to fuel the crystals that let it change itself. Who knows? Xavier holds his dex out the window and clicks a button. A.C. clicks another button. The Stargate spins up.
Nonna: "Uh... okay. Milesian, prepare for takeoff!"
Metal Man (GM): It auto-preps itself on command. Magitek... it does everything. Meanwhile, you can peek outside and see Xavier clicking buttons and turning levers on his vehicle like it's some sort of Steam Engine.
Nonna: "Weren't we supposed to give that Solarian a ride somewhere?"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Maximum rev counter incremented... now to turn on both batteries and three overrides..." *Console dimly says 'NOT AUTHORIZED' in Wolfman's voice* "Ah right... and the override since I don't have a Quester badge from... oh right, him." *Leans out the window* "Hey Rel Tavis! Get in this limo or don't!"
Valron: *And Valron just seems to be looking rather pleased that his ship actually starts up normally and doesn't need like twenty different start-up checks* "Oh, yeah. We do need to pick that guy up, huh?"
Rel Tavis: *Walks over, carrying some small bags* "Yes, yes... I was just getting some goods on my way out. Weren't you going to pillage the ships for parts?"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "We kinda have... an excess of diamond walls on us. Can't really... carry much else, you know?"
Rel Tavis: "Hopefully that area remains dead when you return, then..." *Enters the limo.*
Valron: "Hopefully, yes."
Nonna: "So where is it that you want to go?"
Rel Tavis: "The Port of Onta-Vis, naturally. One of the Trading Planets' Trading Cities. You want jewelers, you go there."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "It's a little snazzy for my tastes, but, I guess the last time we went to one of my planets, we nearly got exploded."
Rel Tavis: "Security is much better in an Incorporated Zone, I assure you. As long as you don't steal any trade secrets. Anything is allowed... for a fee."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "We have giant diamond walls!"
Rel Tavis: "Exactly."
Valron: "Pretty much."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Anyway, my fuel gauge is red, and it's not joking, so time to return before I have to get out and push." *Steps on the gas, burning rubber as the vehicle flies into the portal.*
A.C.: "Burning rubber is not fly--" *WHOOSH* "...Too late for him to hear."
Nonna: "I guess that depends on what counts as trade secrets. I don't want to be charged with trafficking myself, if there's a human slave trade going on there."
Metal Man (GM): Xavier, Gelato, and Rel Tavis have gone inside the portal. A.C. adjusts his hat, after it got blown around by Xavier's car hauling through there.
Valron: *And through the portal he goes!*
Nonna: "Or any of you for... trafficking yourselves." *She shrugs and gets the Milesian ready, and then she's also through the portal!*
Metal Man (GM): Everyone returns to the Wing Fortress. The ships land and Borne is first to get out, casually walking off. Xavier gets out and stretches, while Rel Tavis stares at the inside of the Wing Fortress.
Rel Tavis: "What kind of antiquarian ship is this? This should be in a museum!"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "I stole it from Robotnik."
Rel Tavis: "What, is this some sort of riddle? I've never heard of a Robotnik!"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Think ancient Earth technology combined with Mad Science."
Rel Tavis: "The things I have to put up with to go back to civilization..."
Nonna: "And It Just Works. ...Sometimes. Maybe."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Well, on the plus side, most people don't actually detect us as a normal ship."
Rel Tavis: "Of course! You don't even have most of the amenities of one... ...but enough complaining. I can already tell that you most likely have a functioning kitchen, and I haven't eaten much." *Runs off to said kitchen.*
Nonna: "On the negative side, if you fly any non-standard, poor quality ship around these parts you'll probably be mistaken for us and fired on."
Rel Tavis: *From hallway* "Luckily that's not a problem for Solarians!"
Metal Man (GM): Illian would walk in and stare at the ships, then you, then put a hand to his suit's chin.
Illian MacGregor: "While you were out having fun, I intercepted a number of messages. Time Cop factions are at war and have begun to take out nonaligned planets for not sticking to a side. Many have died. Not to rain on your parade, but both sides have the ability to destroy worlds like I once did."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Aw man, don't throw a wet blanket on things now... Hasn't that always been happening?"
Nonna: *She gets the Milesian settled in, and goes to Illian.* "Hey, know anything about transforming this style of ship into some kind of dreadnought configuration?"
Valron: "I'm going to guess it's been happening even moreso."
Illian MacGregor: "Transforming that ship?" *He looks at it.* "It's Solarian. If you go on a quest it should listen."
Nonna: "I have a feeling it'll see use real soon."
Illian MacGregor: "I can always bribe it with some coins. You know, everyone thinks you can only use coins to upgrade Magitek weapons. The coins came about because nobody had time for quests."
Nonna: "Thanks."
Illian MacGregor: "It's the problem of having sentient artifacts... They want something in return, and in fact by the law of equivalent exchange, you have to give something anyway. They can't get the energy from nowhere. One insane man gave up his ability to spell anything... it was horrible. ...In any case, I see you picked up a Solarian... is he by any chance related to one of mine?"
Valron: "...And I'll also probably be messing about with my ship some. Mind, my first priority is more focused towards upgrading the lightning guns. They're already pretty effective as it is, but I want to get them up to proper, working order."
Xavier Ridgecrest pets Gelato.
Illian MacGregor: "Hah, your ship though, is just the Alsan Quester ship. All you have to do is avoid mentioning tables around it!"
Valron: "It's also a lot better considering I don't need to waste five minutes starting it up. ...Lot better than it was, I mean."
Illian MacGregor: "No landing in the ocean, then?"
Valron: *Nods* "No landing in the ocean."
Illian MacGregor: *Grins a bit too much* "I made it do that specifically to tick Garrick off."
Valron: "...Absolutely amazing."
Illian MacGregor: "When I had the Book... it was so fun. All those annoying people. I just wrote things to wipe the smug grins off their faces."
Valron: "I can still ruin the day of every casino in the area, regardless."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "And then you lost your mind. Which is why we gave the book to a fuzzy person who seems very big on not being mean to people..."
Illian MacGregor: "Yes, yes, I know. I'm not touching that book again. And if they know what's good for them, neither will they..."
Valron: "Just... need to get some proper crew. As nice as it is to know that I can run the thing on my own, actually having some other people fill in the other spots would be nice."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "They turned off all the god mode thingies."
Valron: "We shut down your stupid darkness machine."
Illian MacGregor: "Good... good..." .oO(Damn. There goes my chances to make a new mountain range in the shape of the words 'SUCK IT JULIAN')
Nonna: "So... we got any idea who the main players are in this little war?"
Illian MacGregor: "Yes."
Metal Man (GM): He holds out his arm, with its fancy wrist mounted light beam shooter. It projects the universe out into the air in a 3D hologram.
Illian MacGregor: "You'd be surprised at how bored I got waiting here... since I don't plan on shooting you to death with my arm light beams and all..."
Metal Man (GM): He points to several clusters of planets.
Illian MacGregor: "This set of planets is a bunch of alternate realities, including an alternate reality Alsa, and 'Also' if anyone knows what that is still. It's controlled by the 'Old Time Cops', or the OTC for short. The OTC, consisting of Arbiter, Autumnus, etc, are vastly more powerful than the New Time Cops, or NTC for short, but due to what you did last time... they are slowly fading from reality."
Valron: "...Why is the recycling bin of the universe clustered with a bunch of alternate realities again?"
Illian MacGregor: "It only stopped at the edges of a bunch of alternate realities that they manifested in this dimension." *He holds his helmet.* "They put them there. They basically are trying to stop what you did last time from sticking."
Nonna: "Does this push on the OTC's part appear to be the big one?"
Illian MacGregor: "Currently, no. For some mysterious reason, despite their overwhelming firepower, they have only done two things:. First, all New Time Cop incursions at this planet have been systematically exploded by them. Second, they have been spotted sending out bounty hunters and all manner of allies to acquire various artifacts. I think they're building something. The Old Time Cops can't exist for too much longer without some means of protecting their alternate universe from evaporating."
Nonna: "Or at least trying real hard to give that impression."
Illian MacGregor: "They have the firepower advantage, but every day, reports of entire ships of theirs vanishing into mist are given... On a whim, I even engaged one of the ones on the edge of their domain in a conversation. They didn't understand what was happening, or how I could be on your side. Many of their people are time-wise locked into the old existence."
Nonna: "Could they be at war with another unknown faction?"
Illian MacGregor: "It is possible. There are more factions than just NTC and OTC."
Valron: "I'd be more surprised if there weren't."
Illian MacGregor: "NTC, despite being outgunned, nominally rules most of the universe, and actively rules the 'core' of the universe. Over here..." *He points really REALLY far away.* "There's these Time Knight fellows, who consider us outside their turf. Then there's these other people." *He points at a planet near Alsa.* "Called Anthon Tark, a split off from Alsa. They have some system that isolates them... ...the last people to get too close exploded. Given he was working with Borne BEFORE Borne was defeated... I wouldn't tread there. ...Then there's Sloan. I don't know where the hell he is, because nobody knows. Everyone wants to kill him, but he's never anywhere for long. ...And yes, around the planet Celia and in the ruins of Erastia, I've heard rumors of some low level people there that could be some sort of neo-Erastians or something, but they are kept in check by the Celians, who in turn basically do whatever the other factions outside their planetary area do. It's all very big and confusing, so basically the main issues are the Time Cops, old and new, and I guess Sloan. I want to kill him myself, after all, and I bet all of you do too. He does a thing where he ticks everyone off."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "All I know is that I was going to do something back when until all his ships flew away mysteriously and I forgot he existed."
Nonna: "...Sloan will make an appearance soon."
Illian MacGregor: "Hm, got any specific initial?"
Metal Man (GM): Illian stares at the map.
Illian MacGregor: "I'd love for us to just ambush the little creep and blow him up, already."
Nonna: "And in that instant, we must focus everything on eradicating him before he has a chance to escape."
Illian MacGregor: "He's personally involved in a number of heinous scams and cartels. They say he basically is the enabler of evil. And yet also of good. But only if it means more chaos. So basically, multiple planets have been lost to destructive WMDs because of him."
Nonna: "He seeks war. He encourages it... and then steps in to enforce his own twisted version of order and balance upon them."
Gelato: "..." *His mind seems to have been short-circuited by all of this.*
Xavier Ridgecrest: *Is busy playing Kirby (Gameboy) on his Dex while this is going on.*
Nonna: "Which means, where there's a big war, he is sure to be near."
Valron: "Sounds about right..."
Illian MacGregor: "If you wanted my bet, he's probably partially related to the Old Time Cops holding on so long. They're supposed to be gone already, but somebody keeps tipping them off as to all kinds of rare artifacts."
Nonna: "Maybe, maybe not. But we've hypothesized that he is able to escape so easily and can appear or disappear at will due to having his own personal dimension to escape to."
Illian MacGregor: "If they were gone, the New Time Cops and Omnus are... well... terrible people... but honestly, they could probably get a mood adjustment a LOT easier than... well. The Arbiter, AKA 'I don't think so.'"
Nonna: "Sloan is not someone you chase after or pursue. You bait a trap and wait for him to come to you. I think that's why many have failed."
Valron: "Yeah... I mean, I s'pose while a mood adjustment wouldn't be as satisfying as using his head as a soccer ball, I don't particularly mind if it means more stability in the universe. ...And, well. Less terrible goings-on."
Illian MacGregor: "We can always accidentally use Omnus' head as a soccer ball and blame it on Sloan. Sloan has been useful in that aspect for me before."
Xavier Ridgecrest: *Looks up from his Game Boy* "Hey! No morally sketchy things! ...We just arrest or kill Omnus outright for Omnicide."
Illian MacGregor: "...I guess that is true. These aren't subtle people we're dealing with."
Gelato: '...so what do we do? I'm confused now.' :<
Xavier Ridgecrest: "So what I'm getting from all of this is Sloan wants to steal artifacts, or give them to the Old Time Cops. So we make a trap. But do we have a trap making component with us?"
Illian MacGregor: "Well, I would suggest the Chaos Emeralds, except those are so dangerous that they don't really count as an anything."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Anyone here know of anything, or should we ask Rel Tavis and his market buddies? I mean, since we gotta sell the giant walls of diamond anyway. I'm sure somebody can give us some trap bait in return for, like, one corner of one of the walls."
Nonna: "Who says we need to have a real or functioning artifact to bait the trap with?"
Illian MacGregor: "Ah, something fake. That's right... we could make an E Li Three trap!"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Oh my God you did not just say that."
Nonna: "Aren't we in possession of that so-called Solarian doomsday device that isn't an actual doomsday device?"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Yes."
Illian MacGregor: "It helps that Sloan doesn't have the ability to do Magitek, either. Show it to me and I could see it. Show it to even a mid-level magitek person and it looks legit."
Nonna: "Okay, good. Now, all we need to do is travel to that trade place and have someone start spreading a rumor about it."
Illian MacGregor: "I'm too obvious."
Nonna: "It will reach Sloan's ears, guaranteed. There's no way he doesn't have people watching and listening for him on such an important trade hub."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "There was the time Locos found the ancient door of doom underneath the Stadium. I hear there's a temple under there, but others say it's a broom closet with a secret... ...well you get the idea. Valron would be too obvious too, I think. Anyone tied to the Defenders or Illian is too dangerous for Sloan to probably want to trust."
Valron: "That, and I'm pretty sure Sloan outright hates me given that I had given him something of a black eye once."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "I guess your seeming naivete would be a good fit for spreading rumors too. More than one of us should tell slightly different rumors. Hm. That's right, Sloan's in a bit of a corner about this one too. With the OTC keeping the NTC away from here, if he comes here he can't conveniently cause someone to back him up. Though that might scream 'trap' a bit too much to him... not sure."
Nonna: "Hm, how would he react if the rumor goes that you guys are the ones who have it? Would he stay away, or lose himself in jealousy and anger, and then come storming here right into our trap?"
Illian MacGregor: "As long as he has no clue that I'm involved..."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "He considered me and the others with me to be terminally stupid. And thus, like stealing from babies."
Valron: "That's about what I figured, yeah."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "I mean, he did kinda fool me into not killing him that last time, but hey, I didn't even get a chance to figure out what he was doing before Illian went psycho killer on him."
Illian MacGregor: "To our advantage, he doesn't know you ever had any clue what he was doing. As long as I stay cloistered on the ship nobody will know I'm involved, and Valron won't be spreading the rumor. As far as he's concerned it's you and your people who are easily 'fooled'... and then we can re-enact the last time, only with all of us attacking him at once."
Nonna: "I didn't suggest the plan only to not be willing to spread the rumors myself. I will do it."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Ah, yes. He doesn't really know much about you, so I'm certain he will want to find out more anyway. We'll take care of this... diamond wall business, then we can lure him back here. Time Cops are too busy fighting eachother to hit us as long as we remain low key."
Valron: "Sounds good."
Nonna: *Suddenly has a mischievous grin* "I... got it. Is he one to try and detect life signs? If so, then we're at an advantage."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Not as much as Red Text was, but it's always something he'd probably try for if approaching a planet from a distance."
Illian MacGregor: "For full disclosure, I don't count as a life sign anymore."
Nonna: "Remember this?"
Metal Man (GM): Illian casually sticks a fist through his own gut, revealing how he's made out of nanites. Then takes it out again.
Nonna: *She uses the Othala rune on herself. She disappears and re-appears.*
Illian MacGregor: "As much as I kind of miss being able to feel emotions like a human..."
Nonna: "This instantly takes you back to the Wing Fortress."
Illian MacGregor: "Hm, yes, it does. That rune... so what will you do with it, then?"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "I'm getting an idea, myself. Once we get him here, one team tries to destroy him. Me and Gelato... we can wreck his ship and steal things off of it."
Nonna: "Sloan will only see that Xavier is here with the artifact he so desperately wants."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Remember that incident with Space Grandpa, Gelato? Ah... yes. He thinks of me as an absolute moron."
Nonna: "When you give the signal Xavier, Valron and I can use the rune to warp here instantly, surround him, and blindside him. As well as others who latch on to us when we use it."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Sounds good. Then to add further confusion, Gelato and then eventually me can wreck his ship so he can't run away."
Valron: "I rather like that idea."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Because I just know he's gonna try to warp onto a ship or something. So I basically surf atop his controls with my Star Board, smashing objects with my golf club. He's too busy trying to figure out where I went and where you came from, so he really doesn't have any clue what's going on. Maybe if I wanted to be a real jerk, I can cause his ship to fly into the sun."
Illian MacGregor: "Too bad we couldn't trust it to fly Sloan and his force field into the sun."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "If we get a hold of his force field, it is DEFINITELY going into the su..."
Metal Man (GM): Xavier pauses.
Xavier Ridgecrest: "We have our own cheap force field..."
Valron: "Why would we throw that into the sun?"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "What happens if we try to fight his force field with the Charles Force Field?"
Valron: "...Oh right, because we have our own cheap force field."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Like, turn on the infini force field and try to just land the Wing Fortress on him."
Valron: "I was going to say we double up on nasty force field technology, but."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "It'd be one of Sloan's force fields. I'd only trust it if he was dead."
Illian MacGregor: "I'm fairly certain he didn't invent it."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Still!"
Illian MacGregor: "I mean, you didn't invent the Charles one."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "...Still."
Valron: "Could always just take his apart and see how it ticks, anyways. Sloan's, I mean."
Nonna: "Is one of us capable of disrupting his energy and speech, so he isn't allowed a chance to get away to his dimension while fighting?"
Valron: "I heard about what happened with the Charles one." *He shakes his head* "Only he could think of powering it with a bacon sandwich, I swear."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Well, I can sing... really badly... and Gelato can break things."
Valron: "Illian can monologue him to death, clearly."
Illian MacGregor: "Yes, my monologues are... unspeakable."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Didn't Red Text have some sort of anti warp device?"
Illian MacGregor: "...And why do you mention that?"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "You made him, right?"
Illian MacGregor: "...Bah. Yes, he did. Yes, I made him. But with The Book. The Book can't control the warp space out here. Only inside Alsa and... Nintendus... where we wouldn't want him anyway."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Ah well, worth a try."
Illian MacGregor: "I think monologuing or singing him unconscious or at least to distraction would be a good thing to try. If I had all the magical powers I had on Alsa, I wouldn't be discussing this. Sloan would just explode yet again, this time for good."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Yes, I get the picture."
Valron: "Agreed. Then I can catch him by surprise with nightmarishly powerful death fire."
Metal Man (GM): Borne walks over, casually setting a device down with a 'CH-CHUNK'
Commander Borne: "You want to get rid of him, right? Forever, right?"
Nonna: "...What do you think of my idea, Borne?"
Commander Borne: "I think it's fine. I just have been fixated on killing that bastard ever since he betrayed me."
Valron: "...Or maybe I can see if I can get that one Smash/Alsan Energy-melding trick back in working or-... Yeah."
Commander Borne: "I wish it wasn't too obvious, otherwise I'd say get an Antimatter core, then we could use the Anti-Reality device on him. Then it really wouldn't matter whatever he did. It would just... dematerialize him. Out here it's expensive to fire though. You need as much contained antimatter as what you're going to kill. And so, obviously, if he sees us purchasing that he'll never come close to us until he's certain he's had another agent rid us of it. He knows me too well. Partially why I didn't want to contaminate your brainstorming."
Illian MacGregor: "Yes, and because of how I defeated him, he most likely would know if it had too many hallmarks of MY thinking either..."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "What's the idea? Since we just ruled out those two people giving too many ideas. Hm, well, that is sort of a giant... matter destroying vortex..."
Valron: "Well, it's not like you two can't pop in and help once we're sure he can't run free, anyways."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "It could work."
Commander Borne: "The device he has comes from the same world as the device that 'swoosh'es. He might know of it. ...So by that I mean, it might work. You'd just have to surprise him. And... ...best you jam all his escape devices first. Maybe beat him senseless to be certain. He's a slippery bastard."
Valron: "Yeah, that's what we're doing first."
Commander Borne: "He can turn invisible, you know. And it's really deeply integrated into him, so don't think it'll go away after just one or two EMP blasts."
Nonna: "Being invisible doesn't mean anything if he has nowhere to go."
Valron: "Best find a way to neutralize that as well."
Commander Borne: "True, but the Swoosh has a very specific aiming radius, and Sloan has managed to hide under my nose for months at a time. I had him cornered and he just kept hiding... literally under the water near the coasts of the continent!"
Nonna: "Then we need to be able to pin him down. Physically, if need be."
Commander Borne: "No life signs easily detectable, not visible by satellite, lived off of sea life, had some weird rebreathing device... Too close to shore to appear on sonar... He's mental with regards to stealth. Once you find him... you better f@#k him up. Otherwise you'll have this invisible plague hiding in your shoes for the next months."
Valron: "I can handle that easily enough."
Illian MacGregor: "Heh, don't worry! We handled that once before by simply plotting to destroy his things."
Commander Borne: "...Yes, I forget, I am merely one who had 'normal' technology."
Valron: "Or has no one been paying attention to the excessive amounts of horrifying green fire I've been dispensing?"
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Basically we need to just be careful... Otherwise, even if we don't nuke him, we can cause him to run away for a very long time."
Illian MacGregor: "Yes, as you might notice, he most likely isn't here because he can't be certain of whether you're me or not."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Why would he think I'm you again?"
Nonna: "It's fine. We should only do this once we're ready. It's not as though we're on borrowed time."
Illian MacGregor: "I was able to pass as you for several months undetected."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "...Ah, right."
Valron: "Speaking of, maybe you could get the drop by spontaneously appearing above him and stomping him or something?"
Nonna: "We should only proceed if we're absolutely certain it will defeat him."
Commander Borne: "If you can get his field down, I can most likely keep him busy. Every single combat technique he has can be countered by me, because I taught him them to begin with. And he's... kinda fat. I mean, seriously. He's not an athlete."
Valron: "It's all those rubbish cookies."
Nonna: "...I'd be careful about making assumptions. Those can be more deadly than bullets."
Commander Borne: "The handful of times somebody nuked his field, he ended up desperately fleeing and getting injured... He does have nasty weapons though. Hope everyone isn't too afraid of being hit by stunning fields."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Pffft, really? A stupid stunner isn't going to scare me."
Commander Borne: "Too many hits and your body is annihilated, though."
Valron: "Might be best to disarm him as well, then."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Are you serious? I've been blown to bits with a giant V.W. bug shaped shell and still came back! Then a demonic ninja ripped me apart and I still came back, and--"
Nonna: "If all goes according to plan, he won't have the chance to attack at all."
Illian MacGregor: *Whispering* "Xavier is sort of a special case... we don't talk about mortality to him."
Nonna: "Preparing to deal with attacks will be our plan B."
Valron: "...But still. I can disarm him easily enough. My aim is especially good when it comes to that."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "...And then Zio used his Dark Energy Wave and I told him it was too dim to kill me, and then..." *Shrugs* "Anyway. We can get our diamond wall thing dealt with first, I think. Use what we learn to help plan our trap. And buy anything we need for it. Like... a giant cake Gelato can hide in! That we can then drop on Sloan from above!"
Illian MacGregor: "...Maybe a bit too E Li Three for my taste."
Nonna: "Don't forget my share. While you're out doing that, I'll be getting ready for my own task."
Valron: "Don't worry, Nonna. We'll be sure to split it evenly."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Ah, right... ...what's your task again? Sorry, my mind wandered a moment there. Had another acid trip flashback to that time Charles Magellean whinnied at computer consoles."
Illian MacGregor: *Facepalms.*
Commander Borne: "When Kit's around, they can probably help with some spells, too. The more spells, the better. Sloan hates magic."
Nonna: "...I'll be going around spreading a rumor about how you have a Solarian doomsday artifact, Xavier."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Right... right... it reminded me a little too much of how Charles Magellean hated Solarians and... stuff." *Bonks his helmet* "Sounds good, then!"
Illian MacGregor: "You should really stop staring at that device so much, Xavier. Those old logs can warp your mind."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "But... you were in them too."
Commander Borne: "We were all in them. Now to focus on this current task."
Nonna: "If something goes south, I'll warp back here and contact you immediately."
Illian MacGregor: "And I'll be here, because the last thing we need is Sloan to see me and suspect I'm out to kill him. Again."
Nonna: "I'll also ask Asgard to join in on the blindside. Either as an additional attacker, or providing barriers for us."
Commander Borne: "I will keep a low profile and ensure nobody else gets in here except people we intend to go here. That reminds me, my... Deathguard is here too."
Valron: "In any case, I guess I'll be helping to sell off the diamo- Oh. Right. I forgot about him."
Nonna: "If all goes well, I'll contact you guys and we'll arrange for Xavier to be here alone, or seemingly alone."
Commander Borne: "His name... Ted, I think? He can assist in the blindside."
Nonna: "Then we'll warp ourselves in when Xavier gives the signal. Sound good?"
Commander Borne: "It sounds good to me."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Right, I'll be the mysterious artifact haver... so OK."
Illian MacGregor: "I already saw the world end a couple times and then died to a massed attack on me, so I'm ready for anything."
Valron: "Pretty sure most of us have seen the former before."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "It was orange the last time I saw it end."
Commander Borne: "Green the time I saw it end."
Xavier Ridgecrest: "Orange is better."
Commander Borne: "Bah."
Valron: "I stopped paying attention to the colors after a while."
Metal Man (GM): Hmmm... so now, how shall we do this... Nonna would go by herself, and the others would split up, right? Since then I might do this a new way, since it gives me... ideas. We'd do each group separately for their parts in mini-sessions, then coalesce again next Sunday, I'd think. If that sounds good to everybody. Since then it also adds a little mystery as to how it resolves.
Metal Man (GM): The diamond wall, hmmm... Depends on whether Valron would rather deal with the diamond wall or perhaps try to find information himself. So yeah, Valron would handle the diamond walls. Meanwhile I think Xavier's role would be to hang out with the Solarian artifact, while Kit and Gelato and/or Walther or similar could probably do some separate things while they wait (and/or, Kit might add something when they're around.) Interesting you mention that. I'm sure on a giant Trade Planet you could figure something out.
Metal Man (GM): The diamond walls will sort of represent a means to help begin choosing investments beyond a mere "Let's give ourselves bling" one, anyway. I will have to sort of regroup and decide how many walls you have and things you can buy with it, anyway. Since this will also be the beginning of the 'you can build a base and/or faction' thing. Since this will be the start of something a bit bigger than just "Let's adventure around blowing stuff up hey-hey BOOM BOOM"
Metal Man (GM): Though for Gelato and Xavier sort I"ll be sure to have them pop up when the explosions are goin'." Sorry if it's a little ad-hoc ish, but Revelation is intended to sorta bust up the usual grind and fight dudes monotony there used to be. We'll probably have more grind Exp and blow up dudes after this sort of segment finishes, I think. Since too much of one or the other without some separation would be boring. Indeed... this will probably involve some gesturing and plot stuff, followed by explosions.
Metal Man (GM): Sorry if it's a bit dry for you, Deloth. I want to add in the stuff you want, but like Confrontation, seems like it'll take a leeettle bit more before we get to that point. (...Sorta like any long running arc, I guess. See: Stargate having several episodes of talking before all the violence goes down.) Hm, time to give EXP. I think I shall give 2 to Xavier, Violet, Gelato, Valron for this chapter. Let you guys discuss things further, I think I'll write up some rules later today/tomorrow on things to buy and ask during the week, and do some smaller pieces ad hoc during the week based on our availability.
Metal Man (GM): And now for the whole sub-section, starting with the first portion: Violet's (at least up until it needs others, although in cases where people are here we can have them put in their 2 cents) Mini-Recap The Questers were basically trying to figure out how to smoke out Sloan. They also wanted to sell a bunch of diamond walls of doom. A nearby trade planet Rel Tavis noted existed was chosen as the location to smoke out Sloan as well as to sell the walls at.
Metal Man (GM): Nonna decided to go there more or less alone to try and spread rumors that Xavier had some sort of super artifact, so as to lure in Sloan. We continue back on the Wing Fortress at the resort planet, with Nonna wherever she would be shortly after that meeting. Continuation
Nonna: *She checks to see if there's any device which will generate a new outfit for her.*
Metal Man (GM): Bizarrely, you would find the best materials for that in a storage room near a horribly misspelled "XAVIERZ LAB." Fabrics of many colors. Sewing machines. ...No magic devices, unfortunately. You see a 1960's wing backed chair in the process of having multiple clashing fabrics used to reupholster it in the 'lab.'
Nonna: *She puts something together, anyway. Enough to cover her up somewhat, so she won't be recognized. When she's done, she heads to the hangar to get the Milesian ready.*
Metal Man (GM): It is easy enough to get it ready. The others seem fairly busy, or at least they don't really bother to interrupt you.
Nonna: "Well, I'm off. Anything I should know about this place first?"
Metal Man (GM): Rel Tavis, who would be there, would glance to you.
Rel Tavis: "Anything is for sale. Stereotypes about commerce planets apply: safety is only equal to how much money you may have and your ability to harm others who might disagree... to a limited extent. Every place is recorded publicly, but it's all privatized, so only the corporations who own the throughways have cameras. And they tend to keep those solely for their own things, so... just don't do anything that a place you're in would consider bad. But feel free to do whatever you want otherwise. Too many different cultures visit for them to be too restrictive."
Nonna: "Will you be going with me, or waiting until everyone else goes?"
Rel Tavis: "I leave that up to you. Just that I will probably be considered to be related to whatever you do, so it wouldn't look right if I resurfaced with people you wouldn't want them to figure out the connection to."
Nonna: "Very well. I'll see you again sometime in the future, then." *She waves and boards the Milesian: Destination: The Commerce Planet!*
Metal Man (GM): Rel Tavis nods. The Milesian then easily flies off towards the planet. You are able to fly towards the Port of Onta-Vis easily enough. It's a trade lane. As you enter it, a vast horde of other ships are there with you--it's like a freeway of sorts. Some ships go one way, other ships go another. The Port of Onta-Vis is one of the more popular ones, though, with large invisible but easily detectable (by the ship's 'navigation network reader') 'lanes' Hence it displaying them on the HUD.
Nonna: *She keeps a low profile and proceeds like she belongs there.*
Metal Man (GM): There's no real special means to go visit it either. You would see that once you get close enough, an automated system gives you a place to land and everything for free. Although an advertisement for hunting rifles does flash by for a moment on the screen. Apparently they switched to an ad-based model a couple years ago. You can easily land, 'lock' the vehicle and go walk down the ground floor promenade, which has an exquisite blue and white tile mosaic floor.
Nonna does so, and looks around, particularly for places where people tend to congregate.
Metal Man (GM): The area seems fairly placid. Several people seem to be up ahead, at the local bar. Other people are at some sort of technology shack, where a ton of elaborate technology is on display and some sort of new device is being pre-ordered. There's also a fountain by which a bunch of people are eating lunch. There's also a nice digital director which shows the many thousands of stores everywhere and transportation services to reach them--all of them costing some money, though.
Nonna: "Hmm..." *She heads toward the bar first. It was a tad cliche, but it was a start.*
Metal Man (GM): In the bar, you see mostly an older, grizzled clientele. The bar itself is a little run down, several older style fluorescent lights that have yellowed that blink. The barkeep looks to be a bear... but no, he's just a guy with an incredibly shaggy beard. The drinks are still high tech, though--the bottles literally keep themselves refrigerated. You can see some mist coming off of some of them. They come from all over the place, although given the state of this planet, most of the drinks seem pretty advanced. It's mostly just that only the older people seem to still religiously drink here. Others look more like tourists. And occasionally some extremely shady people who are either businessmen/women trying to do deals or other people who appear to be up to some or no good. Just standing for a short moment, you hear of at least 20 different plots to destroy the universe, and 50 different odd jobs that will probably escalate way out of control if you take them. And a lot of complaining about taxes, and almost as much complaining about governments about the place. The barkeep is also kind of a funny thing... It's a person, right? But there's also an ordering computer next to him.
Nonna: *She sits confidently down at the bar, and continues to listen in.*
Metal Man (GM): And most of the well to do people totally ignore the bartender. The only people that talk to him tend to be a bit older, or look like his friends. You see one wizard guy sitting in the corner too. He laments that "Since the anti-magic revolution, fewer and fewer people are willing to help research this ancient tome I've been looking for..." to a strange looking guy in a red mask, who only responds "If you pay me enough money, I'll find it." And then he just laments how "Everybody just wants money..." Meanwhile a politician type sits at a table by himself, sipping an extremely expensive martini. He has a briefcase on the table next to him, and seems satisfied with himself. The Bartender seems to be rather bored. He idly mixes some strange liquids up and drinks some himself.
Nonna: "Say, barkeep." *She says this in a faux hushed way. Quiet, but not enough so that others can't listen in.* "I heard something interesting, but I lack some information. Could you help out?"
Barkeep: "Ah, you still do that? I was afraid most people had switched to smartphones and fancy devices to get their quests." *He would chuckle to himself.* "Sure, what d'ya have in mind?"
Nonna: "Well, some notorious person is headed here. I'm looking to collect on a bounty, but apparently he carries some powerful artifact with him. So before he arrives, I'd like to get a sort of understanding about his reputation before moving forward... I'll share the reward money in exchange for information, of course."
Barkeep: "Powerful artifact person, huh. There's a million of those. A lot of the time they are just made up, though. Except other ones, who'll kill ya for daring. Anything identifying about this person other than being notorious?"
Nonna: "Well, they call him the Time Bandit or something like that. A lot of the information they posted on him makes no sense, and since he carries a doomsday artifact, I'd rather not tangle with him unless I know I can do it, you know?"
Barkeep: "Time... Bandit..." *He thinks.* "Time... there's a lot of Time Cops. Is this some sort of rogue Time Cop or something? It's pretty dangerous to have a Time Cop thing. And if you're not a Time Cop, and you have one, that makes you double dangerous..."
Nonna: "Well, that's just what I'm wondering. The reward posted was huge, and I think he's planning to come here to sell off that artifact. Well, if you hear anything, let me know." *She'd produce a small photo of Xavier she took earlier and handed it to him.* "If this guy shows up here, keep him busy for me, and some of that money will be yours."
Barkeep: "Might want to be careful then. Politically motivated, maybe..." *He looks at it.* "Oh... you found the Time Hobo? That makes him quite a rare bird." *He stares at the image.* "Yeah, that happened sometime recently. Amazing... the rumors about him blowing up the blockade were true. No wonder. Well. Yeah. I'll go ahead and help if I hear or see that man. You don't even want to know what the Time Hobo's done... it defies reason."
Nonna: "Thanks. Hehe... looks like I've picked quite a thorny person to take on. No wonder the pay is so high."
Barkeep: "Yeah... the problem is catching him, really. They say he's made out of grease, because nobody can keep him imprisoned for more than 2 days. Timecops once made a threat and he vanished for a couple years, and literally nobody could find him... then he shows up and blows up one of their stations for no reason."
Nonna: "Someone like that, with a doomsday artifact is frightening to think about."
Barkeep: "I know, right? He'll either sell it to a lunatic to buy those drugs I hear he uses, or detonate it at the Time Cops and take us all with it..."
Nonna: "I-I'd better not screw this up then. Know any good hotels around here? I need to get my rest. He'll be here tomorrow..." *She looked nervous.*
Barkeep: "The Avon Place is the one we're affiliated with. Good for business to send drunk people there. I can get you 10% off just for referring you. ...Since I don't really make a lot of money off of tips anymore." *Stares accusingly at the auto-order computer.*
Nonna: "Ahaha... okay, I'll take your offer."
Metal Man (GM): He gives you a slip with a serial number on it.
Barkeep: "Of course, if you change your mind I won't mind. Seeing a picture of a person featured on Universe's Most Wanted is always a bit exciting."
Nonna: "I don't know any other places, so it's as good as any. Thanks."
Metal Man (GM): The Barkeep nods, and continues to organize the increasingly fantastic and artificial chemical-sounding name drinks on a shelf behind him.
Nonna: *She'd get up, and head out, taking the scenic route to the hotel in order to allow for any would-be interested parties to follow her around.*
Metal Man (GM): You don't find many, but some sort of auto-drones take surveillance snaps of you as you walk around. Eventually you'd reach the hotel, which has a lobby full of various people, some unloading and others loading luggage.
Nonna: *She'd go to the desk and present the slip to the person there.* "I'd like a room, please."
Attendant: "All right... that will be 83 Cronikos. How will you be paying today? Additionally, each additional day costs 54 Cronikos."
Nonna: "Just one day. I will pay with... these." *She'd get out some coins.*
Attendant: "Ah... someone from the unconverted areas."
Metal Man (GM): They take out some sort of scanner and set it over the coins.
Attendant: "I must tell you that unconverted coins are taken at a premium rate, if you wish to save money you get it converted first, but at the premium rate I will take 1 coin at a rate of 2 Cronikos per coin... rounding where appropriate."
Nonna: "And if I get it converted first?"
Attendant: "You can usually get double that rate in your favor..." *They sigh.* "Most people are in such a hurry they don't do it, for whatever reason. Of course, Cronikos are not used on any planet other than here, so don't go... going crazy with it... some people do that too."
Nonna: "Then I will go and get these converted. Thank you."
Metal Man (GM): The Attendant nods, casually leaning back. They deal with another customer as you're able to go on your way... conversion places seem to be just down the way from here.
Nonna: *She heads there right away and sees about converting precisely the amount she'd need to get a room.*
Metal Man (GM): The Convertor looks at you, wearing his sleek green visor.
Convertor: "Ah... gold coins... fine vintage, these are. We never see these, you know. I'll take... enh... 3 of them to the Croniko... these are a little strange..." *He stares at the little image of a Toad from Nintendus on one.* "I swear these are from a video game or something... but real gold? What kind of maniac would make them out of real gold?"
Nonna: "Oh? and here I heard you could get 4 cronikos per coin."
Convertor: "Yes, some people will take anything for that rate, but usually they're in on something. If you want me to take that rate, it'd better go along with some sort of governmental authority I can contact to be certain what these coins are. Anyone can use a portable scanner, but I and most others like me can tell something is funny about these coins with strange people on them..."
Nonna: "There'll be lots more business from me once I get that reward on the time hobo tomorrow... surely there's more money to be had in that than getting slightly more gold out of the conversion process."
Convertor: "I don't deny you probably have something you can get me in on... everyone does. So if I give you the sky high rate of 5 Cronikos for 1 of these funky coins, would you perhaps ensure anyone else carrying them only uses my services? Mind you, if I find out you or others connected to your funny coins ignore this, I probably won't bother doing business with you again... and others will probably give you even worse service." *He grins greasily.*
Nonna: "Of course. In these troubled economic times, we need to stick together."
Convertor: "I hope so. I've had others burn me on this. Not that they ever got to spend much coin here anymore. Heh heh..." *He would flip a switch.* "So, how many of the funny coins are you going to trade for Cronikos?"
Nonna: "I'll give you 17 coins at that exchange rate."
Metal Man (GM): He nods, then returns you 85 Cronikos for said 17 coins, once you hand them over. The Cronikos are fancy C-stamped plastic coins with RFID chips that glow on them.
Convertor: "Must be a load off of your back, to not have to carry as much clunky gold... I still wonder how people get around with giant wallets loaded with literal pounds of currency..."
Nonna: "Thank you. Are things really going that badly here, though?"
Convertor: "No, we have a fairly strong economy. We just prefer not to waste weight on clunky physical currency unless we have to."
Nonna: "Right, right..." .oO(That must be why you and the hotel manager wanted to charge a premium to get as much gold as you could for your cronikos. That's definitely a sign of a strong, stable currency.) "Ahem, anyway, thank you. I will redirect as much business your way as I can manage."
Metal Man (GM): The Convertor seems fairly meh on the whole affair.
Convertor: "Yeah, sure, we'll see how it goes."
Nonna heads back to the desk and hands in the cronikos.
Attendant: "Thank you, your room is 108-C." *She gives you a card.* "The card will help you get there. The minibar costs an extra 200 Cronikos per drink. Also please keep in mind we close our doors after 27 o'clock on weekends."
Nonna: "Thank you." *She'd head to the room with the help of the card.*
Metal Man (GM): You get to the room, with the help of a speedy elevator, and arrows that point you your way over there without issue. You get to the room, with the help of a speedy elevator, and arrows that point you your way over there without issue.
Nonna: *Once she's in the room, she'd check around to make sure there weren't any cameras, recording devices, and the like.*
Metal Man (GM): Many signs say your privacy is respected. Your actual detection indicates while the hallways are highly non-private, the inside of the room is devoid of spying devices. Given the highly mercantile nature of the planet, it would appear cameras in hotel suites would probably lose them all their business. Somebody else would offer them without it. Many ads even point out things as ridiculous as car companies competing on having LESS safety features than others sold on the same planet.
Nonna: *She'd then take out her communicator and call the Wing Fortress.* "...Enough people heard about your arrival tomorrow, so that would probably be a good time to show up. Better get your shopping done before then."
Xavier Ridgecrest: *C* "I'll send Valron over, anything else he needs to know? It's been a while since I've been over there... maybe never been there, my memory is fuzzy... Also, yes, this is encrypted. Nobody will see our conversation. I went to pick up the call without enabling it and Illian literally smacked me with a record player."
Illian MacGregor: *Background yelling about 'NEVER PICK UP WITHOUT ENCRYPTION'*
Nonna: *C* "Ah, yes. They have their own currency, you will need to convert coins to these... cronikos, but they appear to be willing to haggle. Also, in the Avon hotel lobby, there's a converter I made a deal with. Tell him the girl with white hair sent you to do business and he'll be happy."
Xavier Ridgecrest: *C* "I didn't use to have encryption. Then Illian and Borne snuck it into the panel. I would almost feel angry, except it has a funny looking padlock icon to reassure me it's on... and they even made a weird light bulb with the weird vacuum tube filament so it complements everything else in here..." *He hears what you say.* "Damn, they're lucky I wasn't there. When it came time for me to convert, I would just ask them how many 'lost shipments' their companies could tolerate before they went out of business, and they would give me awesome rates. I'll send Valron to that person... ...but if they give you any trouble, I can always put the fear of The Void in them."
Nonna: *C* "Anyway, I'm staying the night to maintain the charade. If it looks like nobody's going for it, I'll call you again to tell you to abort the plan."
Xavier Ridgecrest: *C* "Okay. It should be easy to abort, anyway. All I have to do is... not go anywhere."
Nonna: *C* "You'll hear from me again soon. Nonna out."
Xavier Ridgecrest: *C* "Aaand Xavier out."
Nonna: *However, she then dialed another, more complicated number.*
???: "Hello."
Nonna: *C* "Nonna reporting in. Grandfather, we're on our way to finally dealing with Sloan. If it's successful, he may be rendered a non-threat permanently, and my mission will be complete."
Grandfather?: "Yes, that will be good. Do the people you've been working with look like they will be a problem? They had some sketchy characters with them the last time I encountered them. It led to... unpleasantness. They... seem different now, if only because it is the first time I've received reports back from Alsa that... the Questers didn't massacre people for disagreeing with their political beliefs, for once."
Nonna: "They have from what I've seen, gone away from the old ways. And actively talk about the past and their actions in the past in a negative, regretful way."
Grandfather?: "Hm. That would make sense. Their leader, from what I could tell, used to be their enemy--that is, the enemy of the Questers who attacked us long ago." *He would cough some more.* "This line... I do not entirely trust the security of the line we're talking on. The planet you're on is fairly... problematic. Be cautious. They do not interfere in you until they decide you have something of value. Then they will strike without warning. If you have any trouble, send a signal to me... ... or the Questers. Even the Questers who committed the Alsan atrocities would be of use in that situation--if only because, there is no sin in using an excess of violence against Onta-Vis people who've gone evil on you. They don't usually learn until they've been given a good SMACK, as you might already have thought up..." *He coughs some more.*
Nonna: "...Don't worry, I can take care of myself. And are you okay? Is your cough getting worse?"
Grandfather?: "The... the things you did on Alsa... I will have to explain another time... they were good things but..." *He coughs some more.* "The things Marleson did... he stirred up... a side effect... was its effect on my cough..." *He coughs even harder.* "As you may be aware, I am... much older than I appear... but... ...that was because of..." *He trails off for a moment, as he sometimes does.* "...The... statues, the powers... ...when those were shut down... well, it takes a while for my body to get used to it. Didn't use... to have to fend for itself... ...can't say more. Sensitive information. Onta-Vis profiteers would destroy our currency if they heard the news. Even if the news wouldn't be--" *More coughing* "...reason to do that."
Nonna: "You're stronger than that, Grandpa. The great Anthon Tark, defeated by some capitalists? Well, regardless, if this mission is successful, I should be able to return home soon to pay a visit and we can talk about... what happened."
Anthon Tark: *Coughs some more* "Ahhh... well... it has more to do with old... problems on Alsa than capitalist annoyances..." *He would breathe in some more.* "Anyway, I have to go now... there's more reports on that Alsa thing... I see that the government is no longer in shambles there, and I have to make a statement on our continued committance to non-interference in Alsa until 'the temporary emergency is resolved' which, as you know, this is sort of... the reason you're out there in the first place... be careful, Nonna."
Nonna: "Take care Grandpa. Nonna Tark out."
Anthon Tark: "And... Anthon out." *Click.*
Nonna: *She would then get comfortable in the provided bed, her grandfather's words and mysterious situation weighing on her mind. Plus, would this plan she cooked up actually succeed in taking out Sloan?*
Metal Man (GM): All this and more... on the next sessions of REVELATION. Session Conclusion. +3 Exp to Nonna. *Adds to counter* Note to self: Put the results online somehow. It's so convenient to use this, all I need is just a button to "Push to the outside world" data-wise... Also I'll be looking around to do Valron side story next, probably also a side of KitRedgrave and/or others too as convenient. Once Valron is done we'll see the weirdness of Xavier's part in it and perhaps link up Sunday for the nitty gritty. I may also use this time to try again to get Walther in the spotlight doing... something. Gelato will probably also benefit from the Xavier subportion as he doesn't get too... complicated with anything.

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