Super Smash Quest - Story - Chapter 345: Trevor's Treachery
Date: 6:46:48 PM, November 4th to 10:50:05 PM, November 4th, 2006.
Metal Man (GM): (((((( Continuation with old style (For comparison) ))))))
The Questers are aboard the Kuja ship, preparing to go after Charles. Digi (and Scott) have somehow caught up, and been told the simple situation; Gerald and his virus are history, but another possible enemy, Trevor, may be on his way to the Second Moon w/Charles and planning something evil.
Aetos badgers Julian to call the Businessman still.
Metal Man (GM): All the ones who are here.
Scott Gibson: "We've really gotta stop using AI's..."
Editor's Note: Here in the future, I can't help but agree.
Metal Man (GM): The Questers being informed that, attempts to interfere short of instant destruction of Trevor by the Kujan ship's lasers may fail, due to Trevor's predicted toughness.
Ah, and to refresh;
The Questers inadvertently stole a Kuja ship with help of some aliens.
Digifanatic: "You know, this is just way too screwed up..."
Metal Man (GM): Which they are on, and it is apparently their only hope of stopping Trevor.
Digifanatic: "But it's what we have to do."
Metal Man (GM): Trevor and Charles slowly flying to the Second Moon on the Valhalla, a ship with unknown capacity for violence.
Alexia: "Well, this situation just gets bleaker every twelve seconds or so..."
Aetos snaps at Julian, then turns back. "Computer, time until we get into range and fire at Valhalla?"
Scott Gibson: "Speaking from experience... robots, AI's, and overly enhanced cyborgs are nothing but trouble."
Julian Sawyer: "Thank God you're here, Captain Obvious." *Julian's just standing on the bridge, waiting for them to get in range...*
Aetos: "JULIAN! CALL HIM!"
Julian Sawyer: "CALL HIM YOURSELF! I ain't your messenger!"
Aetos: "I don't have his number!"
Alexia doesn't respond. She got used to Julian's badgering a long time back.
Julian Sawyer: "EVERYBODY got his number!"
Scott Gibson: "BOTH'A YA SHU'IT! We need a better plan than yelling at each other."
Editor's Note: No! This is pre-CONFRONTATION era SSQ! No such thing is possible!
Julian Sawyer: "We already got a better plan. Namely blowin' Valhalla up."
Aetos mutters at Scott, who doesn't know anything.
Julian Sawyer: "Case you missed it the FIRST TIME."
Aetos: "We still have to save Charles! And since Quester's can't interfere, according to you, I can't even call Metal for a teleport."
Digifanatic: "Wait, Julian, for what did you want to speak with the Businessman for?"
Julian Sawyer: "Gerald said if Charles survives, Trevor still has a vessel."
Alexia: "Can't interfere? Who made up that dumb law?"
Aetos: "Does that matter, if Trevor is dead? Charles did."
Metal Man (GM): Aetos: You can, of course, check to see if your dex has his number.
Julian Sawyer: "How we know this is gonna kill Trevor?"
Alexia: "...Screw the laws. We have laser cannons, let's use them."
Aetos: "We're really wasting time here." *Wields his spear and tries contacting the Businessman.*
Julian Sawyer: "He may have some backups on the Second Moon or somethin'."
Aetos: "Then we'll search the moon."
Julian Sawyer: "We ain't ALLOWED on the Moon."
Computer: "If Charles is killed, he cannot succeed."
Aetos: "Then I'LL search the moon."
Computer: "As your leader said."
Julian Sawyer: "YOU ain't allowed on the Moon. THANK YOU, Computer."
Computer: "That said, I can't really make a comment; my loyalties are... a bit outdated."
Aetos: "Have you not witnessed me going to the moon several times lately?"
Julian Sawyer: "No."
Metal Man (GM): You have some time to decide; the ship moves slowly, and has not seen your ship yet. Heck, they probably wouldn't think ill of it.
Aetos: "You're blind. Computer, killing Charles can't be the only way to stop an insane AI from dominating the universe."
Computer: "It is the path of least resistance, according to these documents."
Scott Gibson: "Not to be an ass but seems to me like the rules in general are fucked up. This's a war... fuck the rules, man."
Aetos: "Scott, the war is OVER. This is a new mission."
Julian Sawyer: "We FINISHED it. Me in particular."
Aetos: "A new target, as well."
*He points to Valhalla.*
Computer: "...Please warrant, not everyone knows of exactly how complete Gerald lost."
Digifanatic: "So, what exactly should we do before we fight this other ship?"
Julian Sawyer: "Which we gonna blow up."
Scott Gibson: "...Oh for chrissakes... Lemme know when you're done being assholes." *Goes and finds a seat.*
Alexia: "Look, what options do we have?"
Julian Sawyer: "We ain't gonna fight it. We gonna blow it up 'fore they even know we firin'."
Metal Man (GM): You have... laser cannons... teleporters... holograms...
Hyperspace engines... a small variety of ships on Nintendus... Gunicard...
Aetos: "Why didn't we see teleporters before?"
Julian Sawyer: "Does it matter? I doubt we gonna jus' be able to teleport onto Valhalla."
Computer: "Did you think Gerald would let you teleport freely between his ships? The controls were locked, as were I, before those brutish aliens hacked my systems."
Aetos: "Can we at least teleport OTHER PEOPLE to the ship?"
Computer: "Only from unshielded or friendly ones. The Valhalla remains covered by an X-zone shield."
Aetos: "And heck, Julian, if you wanted, you can chain Charles up forever so he wont help Trevor... I just don't want him dead."
Alexia: "Why can't we just whip around, blast it with our laser cannons and turn it into bite-sized pieces?"
Computer: "One that is easily disabled to allow instant destruction, but not so easily disabled and teleported."
Julian Sawyer: "...Alexia, that's what we're gonna DO! Jeez, no one listens..."
Aetos nods at Julian.
Computer: "As the disabling would trigger all their alarms."
Digifanatic: "Well, then let's pull this off."
Aetos: "None of you seem to care about Charles, do you?"
Julian Sawyer: "We're better off with him 6 feet under."
Alexia: "We're not killing Charles, Julian."
Aetos: "That's what you just suggested, Alexia!"
Julian Sawyer: *Facepalm.*
Aetos onds to Julian again. "You are right."
Metal Man (GM): You hear a warp, and Metal Man himself appears aboard.
Alexia: "How was I supposed to know he was on that ship?"
Digifanatic: "Hey..."
Metal Man: "Okay, okay, I've become sick of this bickering."
Julian Sawyer: "...Iunno, maybe 'cause we mentioned it 5 TIMES?!"
Scott Gibson: "Thank God!"
Metal Man: "Well... not so much bickering as confusion. I don't AIM to kill Charles. It's just that he's on the ship we need to destroy."
Julian Sawyer: "AN' there's no way to get him off without tippin' him off to the plan.'"
Metal Man: "Although killing him would prevent this mess Gerald spoke of... there's that."
Digifanatic: "So what should we do about him?"
Metal Man: "Thus if you want to save him, we need an extra plan on top of the destruction one."
Julian Sawyer: "Do what we been talkin' abut for the last 5 minutes."
Metal Man: "I would say the Businessman, but he hasn't returned my calls. Something about a 'Quester wasting his time'."
Alexia takes a coin out of her pack and flips it.
Aetos: "He didn't answer my dex, either."
Alexia: "Tails. He dies."
Digifanatic: "Oh, no--ah, too late. Can't we just do this democratically?"
Metal Man shoots the coin out of Alexia's hand.
Scott Gibson: "I dunno about you guys but c'mon."
Digifanatic: "Thank you, Metal."
Alexia: "..."
Metal Man: "That coin cannot usurp my position."
Scott Gibson: "Finally someone talks sense." *To Metal and Digi.*
Metal Man: "It is unable to defend itself against me."
Aetos: "Sure... let's vote to kill someone, Digi... that's moral."
Metal Man shoots it a couple more times to totally destroy it.
Scott gets up and walks over to them.
Metal Man: "Now, uh, here is the thing. You all have ideas, perhaps we could use all the good ones instead of winner-take-all."
Digifanatic: "Smart move."
Metal Man: "Charles may be of use in FIGHTING Trevor."
Digifanatic: "Right."
Julian Sawyer: "How so?"
Scott Gibson: *Mutters* "For a change..."
Metal Man: "Even without Charles, Trevor could continue to fight us to a standstill. Machines don't get tired. Charles designed Valhalla."
Digifanatic: "And he was once one of us and shouldn't be killed."
Metal Man: "Valhalla's computers had Trevor programmed for them. He indirectly was involved in that project."
Julian Sawyer: "Digi, so was Zio."
Digifanatic: "True."
Metal Man: "So... we must somehow stop Trevor and save him."
Scott Gibson: "Charles is the linchpin. If we have him we can have vital intel. We kill him we're going to have a hell of a time with this whole deal."
Metal Man: "EMP would stop Trevor only temporarily, unfortunately."
Julian Sawyer: "Charles' made it clear he don't want nothin' to DO with us. What makes you think he's gonna believe us?"
Metal Man: "And he'd have the two bases... wait..."
Scott Gibson: "Long enough to grab Charles is all we need."
Metal Man looks over the plans
"..."
"We do NOT want to directly destroy Valhalla... because of this."
*He brings up a map.*
Digifanatic: "Well, it's obvious that we can't have him fight with us and then ditch him."
Aetos looks at the teleporter, or at least the button.
Metal Man (GM): It shows three things: The First moon, Second Moon, and Valhalla.
Metal Man points at the space behind Valhalla.
Digifanatic: "That'll make us look horrible."
Julian Sawyer: "Why not? He's done it plenty of times to us."
Roxy motors up and beeps to Scott.
Metal Man: "If we destroy Valhalla, then both of the moons... can open fire on us. From both sides."
"With deathrays capable of destroying Kuja ships."
Scott Gibson: "Yeah, I know what you mean, kiddo."
Metal Man: "Trevor obviously would have a hand in it. We need to do something better."
"As much as it'd be difficult... you're going to need something more... traditional."
Julian Sawyer: "I seriously doubt the Second Moon's got that kinda power. I had to take out one'a those little UFOs for 'em."
Metal Man makes a diagram of the ship moving around to the side and shoving into the Valhalla, knocking it towards Nintendus.
"We stall it with this, come aboard, and fight Trevor directly."
Digifanatic: "And how big is the impact going to be when it hits Nintendus?"
Metal Man: "It's hard, but it's not predictable."
Aetos: "Cancel firing at Valhalla with the lasers, ship."
Julian Sawyer: "...An' this is gonna help how? He's still got control of the Second Moon an' First Moon."
Metal Man: "I don't intend it to crash into Nintendus."
Digifanatic: "Oh."
Alexia: "Sounds good, but can we defeat Trevor in a hand-to-hand battle?"
Metal Man: "We have Valhalla in the way of fire."
Digifanatic: "I apologize. but it looked like it was going to..."
Scott Gibson: "Now we're talkin'."
Metal Man: "If they shoot at us, they risk hitting Valhalla, and jeopardizing whatever crazy plan they have."
Digifanatic: "Riiiiight."
Julian Sawyer: "This is only gonna take out his presence on Valhalla, is what I meant."
Metal Man: "Ah. Well, we'll have to do three missions."
Julian Sawyer: "An' then Charles is gonna bitch at us for invadin' his 'domain' an' killin' Trevor."
Metal Man: "One to stop him on Valhalla, another on the Second Moon... and..." *Gulp* "On the first one for the last one."
Scott Gibson: *Mutters* "Ka-ching..."
Metal Man: "Who cares? He doesn't have the power to stop us. You can arrest him for his own good if he tries anything dumb."
Julian Sawyer: "An' all the while we got lasers shootin' at u-...I like the sound of that."
Metal Man: "We can let him loose once we've deleted all traces of megalomaniac dictator AI peoples."
Scott Gibson: "Throw em' in a cell until things are over with. Sounds like the best plan so far."
Alexia: "So. We have a plan, we have the travel and we have the advantage. Let's move."
Digifanatic: "Alright."
Metal Man: "The only thing is this means we're likely to encounter three Trevors... that'll be a pain to fight. You guys better stock up here before you go."
Julian Sawyer: "We've taken out worse."
Scott Gibson: "Amen to that. Let's rock!"
Metal Man (GM): *All lives refreshed You can access the store from here*
*+20,000 coins to all.*
Scott goes to grab some stuff from the store.
Metal Man (GM): *I suggest stocking up in case of ANYTHING, for things go nuts from here.*
Those 20,000 coins may be the difference between success and failure.
Alexia heads to the store as well.
Julian Sawyer reaches into his back pocket, pulls out a cell phone (non-item), and starts ordering.
Scott grabs two ultra shrooms and four EMP Grenades. Then tosses down the 20k for them.
"Now we're in business."
Julian Sawyer: "Hey, this is me... You too... I don-...Right... No, big order this time." *Julian lays down an order for 4 EMP grenades, 3 Smokebombs, 5 cans of Metal Cola, 5 Ultra Shrooms, and 3 Phoenix Downs.*
Scott Gibson: "I shall sing a prayer for good luck and Godspeed on this mission. *Ahem* We ride tonight... to the guitar bite. Heads will roll and rock tonight... For those about to rock... we salute you!"
Digifanatic: *Here we go...4 Recovery Vials, 3 Ultra Shrooms, 2 Grenades and 2 Metal Colas. That took a hit out of his wallet.*
Scott goes over and preps Roxy for a long haul mission and plenty of explosions.
Digifanatic: *87K worth.*
Aetos: *104k.*
Julian Sawyer: "Clear? Pleasure doin' business with you. Take care now." *Julian clicks the cell phone closed, places it back in his back pocket... along with the rest of his items when the miraculously appear in front of him. 368k spent.*
Alexia buys two Ultra Shrooms, two EMP grenades, one Metal Cola, a can of Saturn Coffee, 2 C-4s, and a Flash Grenade.
She takes a deep, long breath
"Here we go."
Digifanatic also seems to take a heavy sigh...
Scott decides to go ahead and throw down another 10k on a cell phone. May come in handy. It appears before him and he pockets it.
Digifanatic: "This just may be the most crazy thing we've ever done... And with Charles' situation at hand... I know this may be a heavy deal to some..."
Julian Sawyer: "Do you EVER stop sayin' that."
Digifanatic: "I admit, I don't. But, to be honest, the longer I've been here... the more twisted some of this becomes. I'm not afraid to say that."
"At least, in my opinion, it gets more twisted..."
Alexia: "Let me add something to that. HELL YES."
Digifanatic: "Yes to what?"
Alexia: "It gets more screwed up... what? Every thirty minutes or so?"
Digifanatic: "Yup."
Metal Man (GM): Okay then.
Metal Man finishes his work on the computer, switching it into the planned operation.
"The ship is moving to intercept the Valhalla."
Metal Man (GM): The ship moves; you soon see Nintendus on one side, and Valhalla on the other.
Digifanatic: .oO(Annnnnnnnd here we go.)
Scott Gibson: "Showtime!"
The Wraith: *As if summoned to the scene, everyone's phavorite phantom appears in a whirlwind of shadows.*
Metal Man: "Get into position there." *Points to the side-hatch*
"Computer, prepare for impact."
Julian Sawyer moves on over.
Scott Gibson: "Welcome to the party, man."
Computer: "Affirmative."
Alexia silently walks over to the hatch and takes out her gun.
Julian Sawyer: .oO(I've crashed into alotta things today...)
Scott moves on over to the hatch and gets on Roxy to ride her out with guitar in his free hand.
Metal Man (GM): The ship moves in for the final thrust, using Gunicard as cover until it has to make the final move.
Alexia: *Thinking* "Final mission here. Get ready..."
Metal Man: "3... 2... 1... begin."
Julian Sawyer: *Cracks his knuckles* "Let's end this."
Metal Man (GM): *BLAM* The ship shakes as it thrusts into the Valhalla. The X-zone shield is exploded by one of Gerald's rays, and before Valhalla can act, the Kuja ship blasts a hole in the side of its bridge, linking to it there. Noting that the Questers are now a couple hallways away and above from the bridge of the Kuja ship, as it is, naturally, recessed.
Charles and Trevor would be standing right there, not having suspected such.
Alexia: "Here we go!"
Scott revvs Roxy's engine a couple times and steels himself "YEE-HAW! On the Highway to Hellll!!!"
Digifanatic: .oO(And this is the showtime I've been looking for.)
Metal Man (GM): You can begin now; the Questers you see coming right into your ship. Just after this one comment by Trevor.
Trevor: "Oh, dear. It appears they wanted in so badly, they crashed a space ship into us."
Metal Man (GM): The Questers walk into full view of Charles and Trevor; Trevor turns to face them.
Charles Magellean: "..."
Scott Gibson: "Honey I'm home! Heh... Heh..."
Trevor: "This is... unwanted interference, isn't it, Charles?"
Charles Magellean: "...What... blasphemy is this." *He turns to face them as well.*
Alexia: "Charles, I wouldn't recommend interfering here. This ends now, Trevor."
Julian Sawyer: "'Sup? We got word your AI over here's plottin' to destroy the world an' all."
Charles Magellean focuses one of his eyes onto Trevor.
The Wraith: *The spirit is hanging toward the back of the group, moving as quickly as the rest, but simply cautious and observant for now.*
Charles Magellean: "You had best be silent while I sort this out."
Alexia: "Blasphemy? Like allying with a homicidal AI who wants to turn the world into a smoking crater?"
Charles Magellean looks to the Questers.
Trevor: "Destroy... the world." *He begins laughing.* "That is a good one."
Charles Magellean looks to Trevor.
"I GAVE YOU A DIRECT ORDER!"
Digifanatic starts drumming his fingers on the opposite wrist...
Alexia: "It'd be even better if it wasn't true, hmm?"
Trevor: "Uh. Oh. I didn't hear you."
Scott shuts up and lets the Lunarian and AI slug it out.
Metal Man (GM): He makes a gesture, the one of 'zipping his lips' and goes silent.
Julian Sawyer: "An' before you go into how we breakin' our agreement, Savin' the world from YOUR AI kinda demands our interference, ya?"
Charles Magellean: "...That's better."
*He looks to the Questers. *
"Because you have personally interfered into my business, the verbal contract is in abeyance."
Scott shrugs.
Charles Magellean: "Why are you here, Questers?"
Alexia: "To save the world. Again."
Scott Gibson: "It's our job, man."
Julian Sawyer: .oO(He don't listen either.) "To stop Trevor from blowin' the world up."
Digifanatic: "Why else?"
Charles Magellean: "Other than the response Julian said, all of your answers are vague. What reason do you have to believe that Trevor is a threat?"
Scott Gibson: "You expected more?"
Metal Man (GM): Trevor raises his hand.
Julian Sawyer: "Intel I pumped outta Gerald."
Charles Magellean: "And all of you... actually believe what the virus said?"
Roxy revvs slightly.
Digifanatic: "When it's as apocalyptic as it sounds... you just may have no choice but to."
The Wraith: .oO(Okay, so Julian encountered Gerald... Hopefully took him out first. Well, we were on one of his old ships... And before, I assume, he died, he said that Charles' AI buddy is going to destroy the world...)
Julian Sawyer: "It seemed believable."
Charles Magellean: "Julian! You, of all people, should have more skepticism than that."
Julian Sawyer: "He was about to die. People don't usually lie when you holdin' 'em by the throat, about to slam 'em into a wall."
Metal Man (GM): Trevor puts down his hand and crosses his. He has something to say; but what?
The Wraith: The spirit nods slightly as Charles says this, still silent, thinking... .oO(It does sound kinda far-fetched, especially coming from the greatest of a line of notorious liars... But there's a lot at stake, so it's probably best to at least look into it...)
Digifanatic: "Julian, how true that is."
Charles Magellean: "You would trust the words of a dying, manipulative enemy?"
*He looks to the side.* "Well, trust is no longer between us, I suppose."
Julian Sawyer: "More than someone who's got control of THREE bases of mass destruction."
The Wraith: *The spirit finally opens his mouth, speaking softly, calmly.* "...I'd like to hear what Trevor has to say about himself."
Charles Magellean looks to the Questers, raising his arm to the side with his palm opened. "Could you at least say the details of how Trevor plans to do this?"
The Wraith: *He returns to silence and looks to Julian.*
Julian Sawyer: "He's plannin' to go to the Second Moon, use YOU to summon Zemus, an' then use him on US!"
Scott just lets the bureaucrats talk it out... there'll be plenty of time to kick ass and take names soon enough.
Charles Magellean: "Absurd." *Looks to Trevor* "You may speak now."
Julian Sawyer: "Now I don't exactly know who Zemus IS, but he sounds bad."
Charles Magellean: "Trevor, what in the world would possess you to do something like that?"
Trevor: "If I may speak..." *He steps forwards a bit, putting out a hand in the traditional 'speech' pose.* "This is just more Quester paranoia... they are angry we saved the world, you see... and wish to destroy us so that they can take all the credit. I would not take this lying down; but that is your choice."
Charles Magellean: "..."
The Wraith: He lofts an eyebrow at this. .oO(Now that was a suspicious retort if I ever heard one...)
Charles Magellean: "Why would you piss them off?"
Trevor: "The writing is on the wall, Charles. I am interested in your safety... do you really think Julian cares for your life? He has brutally attacked you!"
Julian Sawyer: "An' THAT's a lie! He's tryin' to trick you, Charles! You trust him, you're doomin' the entire PLANET."
Charles Magellean: "..." *He looks to Julian, then to Trevor.*
The Wraith: "If that were the matter, I wouldn't bother coming out here... I care not -who- saves the place, as long as my well-being on this realm as well as my home is preserved..."
Trevor: "You trust him, you're dooming the entire UNIVERSE."
Editor's Note: Given Julian DID click the button that erased the universe several seasons from now, there is a sort of foreshadowing in that statement...
Charles Magellean: "The Wraith is the voice of logic now. You say it's Gerald that said this to you?"
.oO(Gerald is somehow behind this fiasco. There must be a way of exposing him... somehow.)
Julian Sawyer: "Yeah. Apparently he was a pawn of Trevor in the first place. Much like he's doin' to YOU now."
Trevor: "Gerald is attempting to frame me. He is too tough to be killed so easily, Charles. I cannot but expect him to appear the minute the Questers have fallen into his trap."
Charles Magellean: "Trevor, be on standby and do not speak again. I will not have you invoke tensions any further."
The Wraith: *The spirit starts drifting to the side of the group, toward nothing in particular, his gaze smoothly sliding between Charles and the AI every few seconds... His left hand is holding his right elbow up as his right hand is up near his mouth, touching his chin...*
Metal Man (GM): He looks angrily at Julian before resigning to silence.
Julian Sawyer: "If he's so tough, how come you got control of the First Moon now?"
Charles Magellean: "You may... not like what you hear. Trevor, explain to them what happened to Valhalla after Gerald hijacked this place."
The Wraith: *His gaze shifts between each of the speakers in turn, and now rests demurely upon Trevor as he waits, gathering every bit of info he can on the situation...*
Charles Magellean: "...Uhm, you can speak again, of course." *He scratches his head, forgetting that tiny tidbit.*
Trevor: "...Whatever you say. ..." *He growls a bit.* "I tricked the idiotic Gerald hologram. He threatened destruction on this very ship."
"So, instead of letting it be destroyed, I surrendered... but made him agree never to use the ship except as a last resort."
"Fully intending to escape while you Questers defeated him, and if things got dire, even coming to your aid."
Charles Magellean: "If I may interject?"
Trevor: "Yes, you may."
Charles Magellean: "When Gerald delivered first strike by unleashing a barrage of blue lasers on my homeworld, it was the first act of war. As you are aware, some of my former 'friends' still owed me some favors. This explains the arrival of Jeff Maxwell in his MTA and the Halberd."
"I was bound to my base until the Dauntless attacked the UFO that was striking against me hit it with some kind of... ray."
"Upon giving that Dauntless fuel as soon as possible, I took this chance to bum a ride on Maxwell's hunk of junk while the white ships were attempting to attack Nintendus."
"Somehow, the shields on Gerald's base were deactivated, the gunfire didn't shoot at us, and another white ship was able to be used to send another UFO hurtling toward a crater."
"I departed from Jeff and walked to the bridge here where I got the same explanation that Trevor told you."
Trevor: "As you can see, destroying the Earth is out of the question... there is nothing to see here, Questers."
Charles Magellean: "Do not interrupt me again, please."
The Wraith: *He lofts an eyebrow again at Trevor's rather... eager defense.*
Scott Gibson: .oO(Guilty conscience?)
Charles Magellean: "You realize by now that my colleagues have a... nasty disposition towards your organization. I digress, though."
"Before I wanted to depart, I hesitated."
"I was beginning to think at *This* time that this was a trap set by Gerald, that Gerald was disguised as Trevor."
"It seemed too easy, so I had to be cautious."
"With little choice, I took the gamble."
"Indeed, what Trevor said was true. He reprogrammed the base on Nintendus's Moon, and Valhalla was able to set a course for my homeworld."
"You see, Gerald had stolen this whole base from me, and I wanted it back. I had no further reason to stay in this conflict because of your presence there."
"The base is merely an unforeseen gift, but maybe also a curse."
"Trevor had said that Project Prometheus was done, but there's something else that not even he's going to touch."
The Wraith: *The spirit now drifts back toward the Quester group in a bit of an arc, his gaze never leaving the half-Lunarian save for when another interrupts...*
Charles Magellean: "Rather than let something loose, I will keep that base under lockdown like he wanted. Trevor, that is." *He clears his throat*
"I have given you the reason of why I control the base, Julian."
The Wraith: *The spirit politely lofts one finger into the air...*
Charles Magellean doesn't see it.
Trevor: "As you can see, there is nothing to save. I have absolutely no plans, especially those as crazy as you spectated."
The Wraith: *Seeing he hasn't gained any attention through the minute gesture, he speaks up.* "If I may..."
Metal Man (GM): Trevor impatiently taps his foot, waiting for Charles' response.
Charles Magellean: "Sadly, it's inadequate information, Trevor. That isn't enough to change their minds---yes, John?"
Julian Sawyer lets the Ghost speak. Lord knows he's better at this than Julian is...
The Wraith: "How, exactly, was Trevor able to override Gerald's virus so thoroughly?" *He looks to Trevor as he asks this.*
Charles Magellean: "Good question!"
*He looks to Trevor with puzzlement.* "How did you? You never did explain that part."
Julian Sawyer: "That's what I meant. If Gerald was so tough, like you said, how come some little punk-ass AI like Trevor was able to take over so easily?"
Trevor: "He is a hologram; I am an AI. He had programming flaws which had been left in from the work done... at least three years ago. I had access to all the documentation, after all."
Scott Gibson: "Still sounds fishy if you ask me."
The Wraith: *He narrows his eyes slightly.* "The virus was more than a hologram... The hologram was merely his 'avatar', if you will..."
Julian Sawyer: "So was NOVA, but he got taken over too."
Scott Gibson: .oO(Not just because I have a burning hatred for robots, AI's, and some cyborgs.)
Charles Magellean: "This isn't why you're here and intruding on my property, though."
Julian Sawyer: "An' NOVA ran the whole PLANET. You're just controllin' a SPACESHIP."
Charles Magellean: "You're here because you've made the assumption Trevor is the next big villain."
Trevor: "If I was evil, I would have struck while you were inside the base I controlled, wouldn't I?"
The Wraith: "And lost your comrade's trust before you could carry out the rest of your plans...?"
Julian Sawyer: "That woulda tipped you off too soon. Like you said, trickery's your style."
Aetos snaps back into it.
Trevor: "I have nothing to gain. You see the bases with the code on it, and I use them not. If anything, I've managed to prevent some sort of catastrophe. Gerald's programming doesn't know how to give up; that wasn't programmed."
Julian Sawyer: "He gave up rather easily, if you ask me."
Charles Magellean: "There is delusion in the air, and I'm not the one making it."
Aetos now waits for any reaction from Charles about his existence.
Trevor: "The Questers are probably behind it. I haven't barged onto their ship, after all."
Charles Magellean: "Do any of you have a visual or manuscript of what Gerald said? Trevor, activate your modesty mode."
*Facepalms*
"I forgot, you're WITHOUT one."
Julian Sawyer: *The Dex records all, right?*
Trevor: "I am happy to know I didn't have to remind you of that." *He chuckles.*
Metal Man (GM): The dex does.
Charles Magellean snaps his left finger.
"Your dexes."
"One of you... put it on the floor and slide it to me."
Julian Sawyer, being the only one who's Dex would have a recording of Gerald's confession, takes his out and slides it across the floor.
The Wraith: *The spirit simply remains silent and motionless, his arms still in the same position as before... His wouldn't do any good in this case.*
Charles Magellean begins reading through all of it very fast.
"By the way... is Aetos here?"
Aetos lifts and eyebrow at Charles.
"Have you gone blind?..."
Charles Magellean can't see Aetos as his eyes are glued to the dex.
Aetos steps forward 3 paces.
Charles Magellean: "Aetos of the Wind, have you been successful in your quest to the Old World?"
The Wraith: *The spirit glances to his right as Aetos steps forward, but he soon looks back to Trevor, his gaze unwaveringly locked upon the AI...*
Aetos: "Yes I have. Only thanks to the Questers, as usual."
Charles Magellean: "You have done well, my Young Ward. The final rites will have to be done later after this 'crisis' is dealt with. For now..."
*He closes the dex.
"I believe I have gotten everything I have received."
*He puts the dex on the floor and slides it back to Julian.
Scott still sits on Roxy, waiting.
Charles Magellean: .oO(I have found the hole in Gerald's plan.)
The Wraith: *He casually drifts forward, by only a pace, eyes still locked on Trevor...*
Charles Magellean: "Questers, no fight will happen. I am confident in saying: There is no bigger threat here."
*He gives that look of normalcy he rarely gives.*
Scott Gibson: "..." *Narrows his eyes.*
Digifanatic just keeps standing there, saying nothing now...
Julian Sawyer: "I'm waitin'."
Charles Magellean: "The Prime Directive. Gerald had said to you that a second fleet is to be attacking the Astral Realm and that it is commanded by Trevor."
"Allow me to ask you this."
"Have you bothered to verify this information?"
Julian Sawyer: *Snap* "Ghost, check it out."
Scott mutters some curses under his breath. This is getting annoyingly complex.
Aetos: "Yes, we have bothered."
Charles Magellean: "I doubt you have, Young Ward. The Businessman would most likely be aware of this as we speak."
Aetos: "I have bothered, at least. The Businessman did not answer."
Charles Magellean: "...I see. Well, have John verify then."
Julian Sawyer: "An' sense when does the Businessman help us out wit'out some kinda payment?"
Charles Magellean: "Ahh, you bring up a fine point. That fact slipped my mind. My apologies."
The Wraith: "I do not have those channels, unfortunately... The ethereal realm is my domain, not the Astral..."
Charles Magellean: "..."
.oO(This constitutes a problem.)
Trevor: "If there really were ships in there doing stuff, one would know it already. I know that whatever strikes there adversely effects this realm, too."
Charles Magellean: "I will say this much. The control of this situation has switched."
.oO(Without proof, they will act like thugs and bring even more destruction to me.)
Trevor: "Hasn't this wild goose chase gone on long enough? We're wasting fuel out here, and the planet threatens to drag both our ships to their doom..."
Digifanatic: "Yeah... So now what?"
The Wraith: *He lofts one finger again, speaking as he does so this time. His gaze still has not left Trevor, and he approaches just another foot or so, moving at the same slow pace.* "...If I may..."
Charles Magellean: "Why not? I've little to gain now."
Julian Sawyer just lets the Ghost do his work...
The Wraith: *He approaches at this pace to within three feet of Trevor.* "...Why do you so eagerly want rid of us...?"
Aetos's eyes begin glowing as he uses his vision to make sure Trevor is what he seems to be.
Metal Man (GM): Trevor is Trevor, from all angles, dimensions.
Trevor: "I believe our discussion has concluded. No real problems, except from Gerald, exist. If you want access to the astral realm, I will arrange such."
Charles Magellean looks to Trevor with one eye and a scowl on his face.
The Wraith: *The spirit narrows his eyes slightly as Trevor speaks, watching him very closely still...*
Charles Magellean: "It's no wonder why I don't invite you to company."
.oO(High-resourceful sonova...)
Metal Man (GM): He bows and points to the way the Questers came in.
The Wraith: *He continues staring the AI down for a while, before... finally, relaxing his gaze and slowly turning his back.* "Very well, then... Let us hope that our next meeting will be on more friendly terms." *He begins floating back toward the ship.*
Charles Magellean: "Will this procedure strand any of us there?"
Trevor: "No. Not at all."
The Wraith: *The spirit stops short of the ship, though does not turn around.* "...You said you could grant us access to the Astral realm, yes?"
Trevor: "Yes. Do you want it?"
The Wraith: *He slowly turns back around.* "...By what means?"
Scott Gibson: "Excuse me for not being all that trusting. But I believe Trevor about as far as I can throw em' on this whole business."
Trevor: "This ship can do the job. I programmed it off of some... ancient devices."
Metal Man (GM): He gestures and a holy portal appears to his left.
Trevor: "All it took was cracking those... primitive encryption blocks. Kairah Mardeneigh? Hah. More like Admiral Mayonnaise."
Julian Sawyer: "Now that just reeks of suspicion. How we know this ain't some kind of crazy doom portal that warps us to the center of a star or somethin'?"
Trevor: "I'll walk into it for you."
Metal Man (GM): He walks into it.
And vanishes. You may follow.
The Wraith: *He simply turns his head to Scott and shakes his head slightly, then looks back to Trevor.* "...I will take this access, then. The others may stay if they wish."
Digifanatic: "Alright then..."
*He heads through. *
"Come on, folks."
The Wraith: *The spirit holds a hand up to the others as he drifts on through. He speaks once more before passing through.* "...Should there be any more deceit afoot, it may be best for the rest to remain on this plane..."
Aetos will go if Charles does... thus... he's awaiting Charles' next action before he does anything more.
Charles Magellean: "You still hold the words of a great virus against mine?"
Scott Gibson sees the others heading out. He grinds his teeth. "I'm holding back. I don't trust anything without a soul."
Charles Magellean: "The trust of your organization has definitely declined, John. You disappoint me."
The Wraith: *Assuming that was spoken before he passed through... He stops and turns.* "...I do not doubt that you are telling us all the truth you know, Charles."
Charles Magellean: "Go on ahead."
Julian Sawyer, still full of suspicion, stays right where he is...
Scott sits there and doesn't budge an inch. No way he's going on that trip to the Astral realm.
The Wraith: "I will, however, remain suspicious of any possibilities from Trevor until all have been exhausted. I do not hope to find any deceit; however, I similarly do not wish to discover too late that he shouldn't have been trusted. We will meet again soon, hopefully."
*If not given any more cause to halt, he proceeds on through the portal.*
Metal Man (GM): *WARP* *WARP* Slight pause on the people in the Valhalla.
Meanwhile, the people who go into the portal arrive amongst the peaceful town of the Astral realm.
Trevor stands there, looking around.
Trevor: "So, do you want to buy an astral doughnut? Or speak to the Businessman? Or perhaps dance a jig?"
Digifanatic: "Well, I know Aetos and Julian wanted to speak to the Businessman... But I do not know their cause."
"Least not off the top of my head..."
"Because of that, it is useless to speak..."
Roxy sits there defiantly with Scott perched on her seat, she whines her engine a bit showing her discontent matching Scott's.
Trevor: "I see no ships of death. I see no destruction."
Digifanatic: "It's just more screwing around."
The Wraith: *He looks around calmly as he drifts on forward... He hasn't grown angry in the least bit or raised his voice once. Or become excited in any manner. Nor does he seem to be inclined to do so now, either.* "All seems well... I see no ships, I see no attacking. Nor destruction..."
Digifanatic: "What else can we do?"
The Wraith: "...You may return and tell the others what you see, Digi."
Trevor: "Gerald wishes for you to inherit his paranoia. I wish only to exist."
Digifanatic: "Alright, not a problem..."
*He walks back through the portal.*
Trevor: "Would you mind if I also return, Johnny Appleseed?"
The Wraith: "While I have had my doubts for you, Trevor, that is also a possibility that has been in my mind during this encounter. Do know that I simply pursue all avenues available to me until I have singled out the truth to the best of my abilities... You may go. Tell the others that I have business of my own to attend to."
Trevor: "Oh. Okay... I'll leave this portal for you." *He leaves.*
Metal Man (GM): *Back on the Valhalla.*
Digifanatic: "There's nothing wrong over there... everything looks fine."
Julian Sawyer: "How much you check?"
Digifanatic: "Admittingly, just the immediate part after we warped. But there was nothing ominous, no ships, no explosions, nothing."
Julian Sawyer: "...It ever occur to you that there's an entire REALM?"
Digifanatic: "Yes."
Charles Magellean: "Trevor, you're not this incompetent. I expected a more thorough job than this."
Trevor: "Don't worry, John is still looking."
Julian Sawyer: "So what'd stop there from being a fleet on the OTHER side of it? Outta your range of vision?"
Digifanatic: "It's probably just Gerald screwing with our minds again. But I wouldn't be surprised if that fleet is there, though."
Scott Gibson: "One more reason for me not to trust him."
Julian Sawyer: "...You're some kind of idiot, y'know that?"
Charles Magellean knew this would happen.
Digifanatic: "I imagine I am."
Trevor: "Is there any point in continual drilling of this issue to death? I am about as evil as hydrogen monoxide."
Charles Magellean: "Yes. I am not satisfied until the Questers have been cleared of their doubts. That INCLUDES Julian's."
Julian Sawyer: "Nintendus' safety is in question. I'm not droppin' this UNTIL I'm satisfied you ain't plottin' its downfall."
Scott Gibson: "You've got about as much chance of shaking my doubts as a flea has a chance of moving an asteroid."
Trevor: "I shall go out and procure a flea. Which asteroid needs to be moved?"
Scott Gibson: "FUCK OFF ASSHOLE!"
Charles Magellean: "Remember that you chose to stay here instead of investigating yourself, Scott."
Scott glares at Trevor with rage burning in his eyes.
Digifanatic stands back from this.
Trevor: "Now, now, that wasn't needed; I can make a flea move an asteroid."
Scott Gibson: "Excuse me for not trusting soulless bits of software."
Aetos clears his throat, his eyes glow again as he eyes Digi with a truth revealing vision.
Metal Man (GM): You discover... Digi is really Ian! GASP! Oh... wait... that's also Digi's name.
Charles Magellean: .oO(...Hmm, Trevor's the personification of my colleagues' hatred for Questers. I never knew this until now.)
Digifanatic (GM): Aetos: All you would seriously get is someone who doesn't want to be involved in arguments.
He realizes that this may be a difficult situation to stop and that all he could do is just make it worse by enlarging the number of people involved.
Charles Magellean: "Trevor, did John say how long he would be in there still?"
Trevor: "He said he had business. Only an evil person would ask his motives."
Digifanatic: "Honestly, I almost feel like going back just to protect the guy in case something does happen..."
Trevor: *Continues to look annoyed* "Dust is beginning to collect on my shoes."
Digifanatic: "But everything is so deceiving regardless of which side of this here portal you're on."
Julian Sawyer: "Digi, I don't remember you sounding this stupid. You sure you weren't brainwashed or somethin' comin' back?"
Charles Magellean: "I would ask about the motives, but I don't give a damn. The Questers that are here are giving me enough anguish as it is just by being here..." *He starts to walk to the portal* "...but I will not stand for some random individual to drag this whole matter down!"
Digifanatic: "Honestly, no. I'm giving the full truth. I saw nothing that would cause any harm."
"Trevor can back that up."
Charles Magellean stops in-between Julian and Scott.
"Do either of you have anything ectoplasmic, by any chance?"
Julian Sawyer: "Yeah, an' I trust Trevor about as far as I can throw him. Which I can't, 'cause he's a hologram."
Digifanatic: "But that's besides the point. There was nothing that I saw that showed any sign of concern."
"It's too bad you can't get a hold of John in the other realm through the Dexes--everything would be scrambled."
Charles Magellean: "You checked ONE spot, Ian. That isn't exactly proof enough."
Digifanatic: "I know, and I understand."
Julian Sawyer: "I just SAID that!"
Digifanatic: "Geez, we're going in circles here!'"
Trevor: "Exactly."
Charles Magellean: "Excuse me while I attempt to put an end to this fiasco."
Julian Sawyer: "Maybe if you'd stop bein' an IDIOT an' realize that Trevor ain't proven NOTHIN', we'd break the link."
Charles Magellean walks to inches before the portal. "Suggest to Ivan to make ecto grenades so you won't have a hard time hitting ghosts."
Aetos steps behind Charles.
Digifanatic: "Yes, yes, yes. Fine, I will go back. It's not like any of you guys forced me to go in the first place--it was my interest and I realize I shouldn't be screwing around like this."
Charles Magellean goes into the portal. That ghost's business is done as far as he is concerned.
Digifanatic: "I understand that I shouldn't be going on first impressions alone and... My, my, my."
Aetos silently follows.
Scott Gibson: "..."
Trevor: "I can make ectoplasmic grenades."
Digifanatic walks back... circles, indeed.
Metal Man (GM): Charles walks into the portal... as does Digi.
And Aetos.
Does that leave... Julian?
And Trevor, right.
The portal cuts.
*BAM* The ship breaks free from the Kuja ship.
Trevor: "It appears I have won this round. Charles was... never good at chess."
Julian Sawyer: "...I fuckin' KNEW IT."
Trevor: "If you had, you would have stopped them. Gerald nearly did me in."
"But then he mentioned the prediction of my attack up there... and I called it off."
Metal Man (GM): The ship begins moving towards the Second Moon.
Julian Sawyer: "I've learned that most of the Questers are easily swayed by fancy words and optimistic statements." *Julian begins to move over to the control console* "Thankfully, I ain't one of 'em."
Trevor: "Go ahead. Press the buttons, Gibby."
Scott Gibson: "You two bit piece of shit!"
Trevor: *Raises his fists* "I can take booooth of you at once."
Scott Gibson: "Julian... Up for some tag team?"
Trevor: "Let me simplify this matter; the Questers are dumb; Charles is loyal. And the world... is MINE! ...But Zemus? No. I hate Zemus. He is garbage. Only I am fit to fight."
Julian Sawyer: "Oh, so you wanna throw down? A lil' handicap match?" *Puts up his dukes* "Let's bounce, muthafucka."
Metal Man (GM): He turns corporeal. Hm. How many of those ancient devices did he TAKE?
MEGA BATTLE: Julian and Scott vs. Trevor
Scott Gibson: "Rock'n'roll!"
Metal Man (GM): Roll Init.
Trevor: "I need not fancy devices to win THIS match... I shall see how good you two are at chess, now. Are you rooks, or bishops, or pawns? I will see."
Scott Gibson kicks up Roxy's kickstand, gets off, and gets ready to fight.
Metal Man (GM): Order: Scott, Trevor, Julian
1 unit.
Scott Gibson opens up by conserving his TP this round steeling himself for this fight. EoT.
Trevor: "Hit me with all your punches; I have reduced your tactics to program code."
Metal Man (GM): He walks up to Scott and starts throwing punches and kicks at him.
25 damage per hit, as his punches hit you like a freight train.
He then tries to smash Scott in the temples with one of his shoes.
Julian Sawyer quickly scans the room. Is Trevor being supported by projectors of any kind?
Metal Man (GM): No projectors. He is made out of solid... flesh?
Julian Sawyer ... conserves for once in his life! No actions, EoT.
Scott Gibson leaps at Trevor with all speed to unleash two quick overhead jumping strikes.
Metal Man (GM): Miss, miss.
Scott Gibson jumps back and curses to himself ending his turn. "You're up, Julian." EoT
Metal Man (GM): Trevor walks up to Scott and makes a furious kick at his midsection, trying to knock the wind out of him.
10 damage, Daze.
Then he goes for a powerful headbutt.
50 damage if that hit...
Scott Gibson goes down after that last hit.
Julian Sawyer rolls his shoulders, then lashes out at Trevor with a thundering Haymaker!
Metal Man (GM): Hit.
Any more, Julian?
Julian Sawyer: *And another! And another! And another!*
Metal Man (GM): Hit, hit, hit.
Julian Sawyer then tries to gauge how much that hurt Trevor...
Metal Man (GM): You appear to have somewhat harmed him, but he appears ready for some more fighting... a lot more.
Nooooooooooo
Trevor cracks his knuckles and goes to punch Julian in the right cheek.
Julian Sawyer: *Oof!*
Metal Man (GM): 15 damage.
Then he grabs Julian's left arm... or tries to.
Julian Sawyer's able wrest his arm away from Trevor's grasp
He instead tries his OWN grab! With Blood-red glowing gloves!
He success! The burning energy flows into Trevor as Julian whirls around and Focus Slams him into the ground!
Metal Man (GM): Hit.
Julian Sawyer then reaches into his Vest O' Harmful Items and pulls out...
He 's got a Pipe! He tries to bring it down on Trevor's exposed midsection...
Metal Man (GM): Miss. He blocks.
Julian Sawyer throws away the dented pipe and backs off. EoT.
Scott Gibson gets up slowly... He raises his eyes to level with Trevor. He's WAY beyond pissed. "First of all I HATE AI's... Second of all, when one socks me like that...Don't expect a quick shuffle off the coil. I'm gonna enjoy ripping your skin off... slowly... while shoving salt in your wounds."
Julian Sawyer: *Facepalm* "Scott! Time to focus! Not on how you gonna torture someone!"
Scott Gibson jets forward quickly and unleashes a quadruple strike of forward slams, his shoes skidding into four lines on the deckplate in the four directions around Trevor.
Metal Man (GM): He blocks most of them, but is caught by surprise by the last one.
Scott Gibson returns to the line having burned all his TP. EoT.
Trevor: "Come and get some. I've all the punches Julian's got, and more!"
Metal Man (GM): He walks over to Scott and swings a mean right hook.
*SMACK* 15 damage, 2 knockback.
He turns around, then, and tries to kick Julian in the shin.
20 damage.
Julian Sawyer: *But Julian's shin isn't there! It's about 5 feet away, where Julian's tuning up the band... then shooting forward with a Big Boot, aimed right for Trevor's face! BAH.*
Metal Man (GM): Miss.
Julian Sawyer: *EoT.*
Scott Gibson whips up his dex to get a readout on Trevor.
Smash Dex: "...Unable to gain data. Try again later."
Trevor: "I'm not going to let you have it THAT easily."
Scott Gibson: "Oh for chrissake! Will you just shut up!"
*He leaps at Trevor for a swing-fest swinging his guitar like a berserk psycho from hell.*
Metal Man (GM): Lesse... 2 hits. 6 damage.
Oops. 3 hits, not 2.
He's a tough jerk... but do not fear!
...Another portal appears, this one... back from the astral realm.
But who made it? Who's coming through it? What happens? *PAUSE*
To be continue!
Scott Gibson jumps back having burned his TP again and huffs. "Slow the hell down and die like a copy of Windows M.E. you piece of shit!" EoT