Super Smash Quest² - Story - Chapter 55: Deceptive Stories
Date: March 26th, 2009.
Metal Man (GM): The group had fetched for Eggman some kind of power source. However, the Time Cops had none of this and moved to stop the Questers. But the Questers were aided by the very phantom disturbance they wanted to decipher using the device, so they managed to run to Eggman. The Time Cops and the Questers eventually worked out a truce when it became obvious both sides wanted to decipher the disturbance anyway. The Disturbance was none other than Metal Man, the 'Time Bandit.'
Metal Man (GM): The time Cops mentioned arresting him, but saw his book and ran. This book was apparently the blank book that had once held the world of SSQ 1. Metal Man described to the Questers how he had killed Kuja and then wound up stuck between dimensions, hence how he was trapped as some phantom disturbance all this time.
Metal Man (GM):Then, as if on cue, a strange spell took him over and tried to attack the Questers. It was The Book's revenge!!! ...Not. The Book's powers, utterly useless in SSQ^2, failed. The blank book was blown to bits.
Metal Man (GM): Metal Man later spoke after recovering that he doubted it was even 'The' Book and his Smash Dex confirmed that it had simply been a curse Kuja had cast on him.
Metal Man (GM): So with that the group headed off to do the mission they wanted to do earlier--go to the Moon and deal with the invaders there... the Time Cops. However, on their way, Garrick awoke from a slumber and saw Metal Man. He then swore to kill Metal Man, and even punched out Metal Man's visor.
Metal Man (GM): Metal Man didn't offer much resistance, leading Garrick and others to believe he was at least somewhat weak. The Questers tied up Garrick, while Metal Man intoned how he wasn't really tied in with the Questers anymore and would have been just fine on his own away from Garrick and them. They insisted and everyone went to the moon.
Metal Man (GM): There they went to deal with the Time Cops, while Schatze, Garrick, and Metal were left behind inside the ship. A... very bad idea. They went in and found Ael, who explained the situation after casting more powerful spells and remaining undaunted, even when under attack by most of the Questers at once.
Metal Man (GM): He then blithely let the Questers walk right past him, where they entered an airlock and found Pandora. Pandora was busy kicking the faces of the mostly innocent 'X' aliens who lived here. When she saw the Questers she refused to back down and tried to kill them all.
Metal Man (GM): While she DID kill several Questers, she ultimately perished in a massive explosion for her impudence. So the Questers took a rest with the 'X' aliens. Meanwhile, things were bad in the space ship. Metal Man wasn't the weak person he had pretended to be, and the dice God was busy kicking Garrick in the shins as Garrick repeatedly tried to escape.
Metal Man (GM): Metal Man had other motives anyway--he KO'd Schatze with a blow to the head via a humorously oversized wrench. Garrick got free and Metal fought him. Although Garrick shot up Metal Man many times and did some serious damage to him, Garrick could not take Metal Man's hideous, surreal screech version of 'Yellow Submarine' and died by the barest sliver of life.
Metal Man (GM): Then as if it got any weirder, Metal Man messed up, and instead of throwing four bombs or objects of deadliness as an overkill attack, he hurled four MEGA MUSHROOMS into Garrick's corpse. This bizarreness then caused a slight bend in the space-time continuum, which caused Garrick to morph into Alex, who explained how Garrick had been building up too much stress and it had finally exploded after that event.
Metal Man (GM): Yes. It was totally unplanned and random. Metal Man and Alex exchanged plenty of information between acting weird. Alex then bounded off to meet the group, running past Ael like he wasn't there and eventually reaching them.
Metal Man (GM): Why so much detail? Because... We continue here, with Alex and the people who were in the space station rested and ready to go. The Questers are in the airlock area. The 'X' Aliens look worried and confused as they prepare to leave. Ael is presumably outside in the 'vacuum' area.
Deloth is still huddled in a corner, clutching his head from the endless deluge of Alex.
Kenku wakes from his nap refreshed from that mess. "So do you think Ael will let us go... or do you think there is more to this than Pandora's idiocy?"
Digifanatic: "As usual, not sure."
Deloth: "It's official. He thinks just like he talks..."
Alex Fender is nowhere to be seen.
Digifanatic: "Oh no... Alex is gone. Which means" *louder.* "He's on the ceiling and going to land on somebody's shoulders!"
Deloth: "Then why can I still hear him?"
Aribar groans, slowly getting up.* "The last thing I remember is being ripped to shreds by Pandora..."
Kenku: "We got her... shes basically shreds now."
Garrick (GM): Just as Digi says that, a head slooooowly peeks up from behind a nearby chair, just showing a pair of golden eyes and mop of brown hair, staring at Digi...
Digifanatic: "Yeeeeeesssss, Alex?"
Dragoshi: "Pretty much, yeah."
Digifanatic: *looks up.* "You're hiding somewhere, dude, I know it."
Kenku looks confused at Digi "Whats all this about?"
Digifanatic: "Kenku, he is a nut. In a ominously mischievous way."
Alex Fender: "BOING!" *Leaps into the air, off of Digi's head, and lands next to Ari.*
Digifanatic: "You will see." *OOF* "Yeah."
X Leader: "You people... let me ask of you... who has taken over our only home... and why? We got not answers from that dead robot."
Digifanatic: "Ahem..." *turns to X Leader.* "The group that has invaded this moon is an odd group of fighters called the Time Cops."
Alex Fender: "Heheheh. I am a sneaky dude. Even my hair is sneaky. It creeps up your back stair."
Digifanatic: .oO(Can this guy be serious for one moment?!) "They were searching for a person who coincidentally was our ex-boss."
Kenku blinks and says "Oooook" before turning to the "X"S.
Aribar flinches as Alex lands near the half-elf. The mage narrows his eyes and looks at the musician, trying to place who he is.* "Ah, hello..."
Deloth: "No, Digi, he cannot."
Metal Man (GM): The leader is about 5 feet tall, stout, has a large mustache-beard, and looks vaguely humanlike, but rounded.
Alex Fender: "...DUDE! It's Uno Arm Guy!"
Digifanatic: *grins at Deloth's comment.*
Deloth: "That is not the Alex way." *stands up stiffly.*
X Leader: "Hm. Well. Perhaps if you can take me to the other Time... person... perhaps we can settle this issue."
Digifanatic: "Notably two of them, the female mech and the male spellcaster... we killed the wacky mech. The male though actually seems very competent and more negotiable."
Dragoshi: *Nods.*
Alex Fender: "I totally remembered you. You and your one arm. I'd give you a high five, but that'd be depressing."
Deloth: "He's also less kick-happy."
Digifanatic: "Touche. Now, we're just not sure where he went off to."
Aribar: "Now, I can still give high fives! ... I could even give magic highfives if I so desired!" *Aribar gets up from the floor, thinking of new uses for Kinesis.*
Alex Fender: "...DUDE! Awesome! Mind Fives! Wow, that'd be a cool name for a song..."
Digifanatic: "But not now."
Deloth: "Alex, can you please, please, PLEASE calm down?"
X Leader: "Well. Can you come with us?" He puts on a weird hood and goes to leave the airlock.
Digifanatic: "Yes." *walks at a very brisk pace in following.*
Dragoshi: *Casually walks behind the duo.*
Alex Fender: "Pfft. Calming down is SOOOOO lame. Who would want to do that? Pfft. Now calming UP... THAT'S where it's at, bitch."
Deloth follows at a somewhat slower pace. "Alex, don't make me choke you."
Kenku steps to the Airlock with the others.
Metal Man (GM): As all the air goes out, the X Aliens... have no problem walking in the vacuum.
Alex Fender follows after the others, his arms flailing as he goes.
Deloth: *breathes out and goes to oxygenless mode, as usual.*
Kenku tries to stay near the front as he bounces in the suit, looking for Ael.
Metal Man (GM): They walk up to Ael. He's... waving his hands. The room is literally transforming before the group's eyes into a super-futuristic lounge.
Deloth: "..."
Ael: "Oh. Hello again."
Dragoshi: *Blinks.*
Kenku blinks "What in the?"
Metal Man (GM): He pauses the transformation so that no one is accidentally MELDED WITH A GLOWING TABLE or anything like that.
Ael: "Leaving, I presume. Because this is Time Cop territory now. Remember... we will await your decision with the Time Bandit..."
X Leader: "Why do you need my base when there is the entire moon? You can manipulate the elements like they are nothing. Why manipulate my base?"
Digifanatic: "Well, we shall let you know that you are officially liberated from your wacky partner in crime."
Ael: "..." He stares at the X Leader very hard. "It is above your comprehensi--"
X Leader: "You underestimate the capabilities of aliens, do you not?"
Dragoshi: "He underestimates everyone's capabilities."
Ael: "It does not matter. Especially now that Pandora is dead, I will have a new partner, who should be more effective. Or just die. I can run through as many partners as I want, as long as I continue doing my job."
Digifanatic: "Ah."
X Leader: "I sense... discord." He shakes his head. "We shall build a new base on the moon, then."
Ael: "...No. I forbid you!"
Digifanatic: "But as for our old boss, your ex-coworker, the Time Bandit, he's just as much a screwball now than he ever was before..."
Kenku mutters "I see... if I may ask... what is the 'Time Bandit's crimes?'"
X Leader: "Does that make any sense?"
Ael: *Sighs, then chuckles angrily.* "Yes... yes... what am I thinking... go ahead. But anything which comes in range of the perimeter of this base which is NOT invited in first will simply cease to exist."
X Leader: "As you please, misplaced magician."
Deloth rolls his eyes.
Ael: "..." He balls his hands into fists. One of the windows randomly cracks.
Metal Man (GM): The X Leader walks out, smirking.
Kenku: "May I get an answer to my question Ael?"
Ael: "The Time Bandit was once one of us, then rebelled and created a massive disturbance so large it tore reality asunder."
Deloth: .oO(Rebelled. Gee, I WONDER WHY.)
Aribar: "Ael, what would your organization do to Metal if we were to turn him in?"
Ael: "These two things alone warrant death, but his continual evasion and employment of Time Cop knowledge for unauthorized projects... It may require further destruction of he and anyone else throughout all of time that might give rise to those like him or try to revive him. This is nothing you can comprehend. Interfering will merely cause this world to be destroyed like your last one."
Metal Man (GM): He waves his hand, melding more of the room into the lounge and summoning magical devices whole cloth.
Digifanatic: *turns to the group.* "Okay, folks... let me set the situation... For the last several months, we've survived without having Metal Man be our boss... yes, we've had our squabbles past and present, but fact is, the group has survived."
Metal Man (GM): Ael leans on a shiny new table and watches the Questers carefully.
Aribar: "Are we not interfering right now? And didn't -we- end the last world?"
Metal Man (GM): The X aliens have left the building.
Digifanatic: "We've been able to put up a significant HQ, and even prepare to start the Stadium portion of it without his interaction."
Ael: "Why yes, you answered your own question."
Aribar: "... Indeed."
Digifanatic: "We were able to make ourselves trust Red Text even when it looked like he would be our sworn enemy."
Garrick (GM): Once again, as Ael has his back turned and is talking to the Questers, a pair of golden eyes and brown hair peek up from behind that table he was working on, staring at him.
Digifanatic: "No, Alex, this is NOT the time. Over the time period, several new Questers have entered the group. Most cases, they've successfully acclimated themselves in with us without our old leader."
Alex Fender: "It is always the time for the Sneaky Eye Man."
Digifanatic: "So the question is... are we running a hot streak, or are we really able to continue managing ourselves this well under a much longer term scenario?"
Ael: "You need not worry. If you are to be destroyed, it will not be over anything you do to me."
Digifanatic: "Can we continue to survive sans Metal Man?"
Alex Fender: "Pfft, wait, hold on, Digital Man."
Digifanatic: "Alright, Wacky Guitar Guy."
Alex Fender vaults over the table, landing in a cross legged sitting position.
Metal Man (GM): The table, despite having one small support, holds the weight rather well.
Alex Fender: "Who the fuck says we need Tin Dude to survive? I was watchin' outta Garrick's head, and y'all seem to workin' okay."
Digifanatic: "...Huh wha?" .oO(No. No. No. That's Alex being Alex.)
Ael: "If you had needed his help... you would have never been able to decipher him anyway."
Digifanatic: .oO(Do not believe a word this man says.)
Ael: "We would have succeeded without you, and you would never know he returned."
Aribar: "Not to be rude to Metal Man, but we do not need him. He was indeed our leader in the past, and a fine one at that. He certainly organized the Questers so that we chose missions to help the world and not just ourselves. We can manage without him, though."
Ael: "Although being the slippery eel he is, he may have... escaped... yet again..."
Kenku: "What do you mean Watching Garrick out of head?"
Digifanatic: "Kenku... Don't worry about it."
Kenku: "Ok."
Digifanatic: "I told you, he's a bit wacky."
Alex Fender: "Yeah! I'm a freak who never means what he says and never says what he means and always brushes his teeth before beddie-bye!"
Digifanatic: *walks over to Kenku and whispers.* "Alex is an acquired taste."
Alex Fender: "So, wait. You guys were trying to grab Metal Man because he broke a law or twelve?"
Digifanatic: "Ael was. We weren't. We were just looking for him cause we separated from him after The Book."
Alex Fender: "Buuuuuuuut what did he do that was so bad? Did he... like... eat a baby?"
Ael: "Yes. His crimes against causality obliterated an entire world."
Alex Fender: "A time baby?"
Digifanatic: *turns around, trying not to laugh.*
Ael: "And it happened to be the world you came from."
Kenku looks weird at Digi for a moment before just brushing it off "Anyway... on Metal Man... Digi, you have a point... but I believe it should be Metal's choice, not ours to turn him in."
Alex Fender: "...wait, so... Metal Man ate a time baby and it made the world blow up?"
Dragoshi: "That world was a horrendous trainwreck."
Ael: "In a matter of speaking."
Alex Fender: "Dude, that's fucked up. Everyone knows that SPACE babies are what you eat."
Dragoshi: "I'm surprised it didn't collapse under it's own ridiculousness."
Alex Fender: "Time babies are just nasty."
Digifanatic: *walks over to Ael.* "Just ignore the guy with the guitar, alright?"
Ael: "Why? He makes perfect sense to me. Are you implying you are too stupid to understand what he is saying?"
Digifanatic: "No."
Aribar: "That world was twisted... Oh, I wish I could recall Nintendus better, but my memory of it grows foggier..."
Alex Fender: "SEE?!?!"
Deloth has long since just given up on trying to comprehend any conversation with Alex as part of it. He grabs a seat on the table.
Ael: "Twisted by the hands of a Time Bandit."
Alex Fender: "I make PERFECT SENSE. I TOLD you guys. Y'all are the freaky ones."
Aribar: "Why would Metal want Nintendus destroyed?"
Ael: "I don't know. We can find out how it happened once he is captured."
Digifanatic: "Well, I say we interrogate him first."
Aribar: "Perhaps he still trusts us. Hopefully he can explain this to us."
Ael: "I know how this is. For some reason, he hasn't escaped yet. So I have been ordered to let you think it over before you decide."
Alex Fender: "Wait wait wait, hold on."
Ael: "Come back to me in one day with your answer."
Alex Fender: "Did he KNOW he was doing this shit?"
Ael: "We are Time Cops, not Mind Readers."
Alex Fender: "Like... was it 'This ham is delicious!...wait... it ain't ham? It's a TIME BABY! BLEH!!'..."
Ael: "He's evaded us for an eternity. Literally."
Alex Fender: "...and who tricks someone into eating a baby? Let alone a time baby."
Ael: "This is the first time he has appeared after the passing of ten time babies. That long. And you know how difficult it is to remember something even one time baby ago."
Alex Fender: "HOLY RHINESTONE PANTSUIT! That's a lot of time babies."
Ael: "Not to mention he ATE one of them, messing up the order such that we are still trying to reconcile our calendars."
Aribar: "I have no idea how one would even respond to that."
Ael: "So ask him. Not me. If I knew I would have captured him myself and vanished, erasing all traces of myself from your memories in the process."
Alex Fender: "Then let's find him, ask him, dance a little, brush our teeth before beddie-bye, eat a bagel, save Manhattan, and come back here."
Ael: "...So if you would please leave already. I do not want to waste any magical energy forming a door only for one of you to become melded with it."
Alex Fender: "We can turn it into a musical. Righty-o, Magic Man."
Digifanatic: "Sure..." *starts to walk out.*
Alex Fender wanders on out.
Aribar: "By Whaller... I dislike this situation." *The half-elf starts to leave and go back to the ship.*
Dragoshi: *Silently exits.*
Kenku is thinking he understands "So... you mean he consumed a year of time?"
Deloth just leaves in airless silence.
Ael: "A Time Baby is more than one year. More like a hundred, maybe a thousand. It cannot be directly translated."
Kenku steps out and heads back towards the ship.
Metal Man (GM): After that bizarre talk about time babies, the group would leave the place. The ship's up ahead. The Questers walk to it. Walking into the ship, they see that it... looks like a mess.
Deloth: "...What happened HERE?!"
Aribar: "What happened here?"
Metal Man (GM): Metal Man leans on a broken chair. Schatze is busy jamming a chair that was thrown loose back into place.
Kenku: "That's what I was about to say... hey... wheres Garrick?"
Digifanatic: "...really."
Metal Man: "It's a funny story, about a man and his dog, where we learn to lose our fear of jello and dance atop tin cans."
Deloth: "...Yeah, where IS Garrick?"
Alex Fender: "DOG?! Where's the dog?!"
Kenku shakes his head "What?!"
Metal Man: "Well, no." *He gets up, leaning on his enormous wrench.* "Garrick tried to kill me."
Dragoshi: "I... see."
Digifanatic: *just takes the pilot's seat.* "If someone could find me a pair of earplugs so I can ride back in peace and muffled noise, that'll help."
Metal Man: "Then I shot him and beat him up with my wrench. I then did an encore performance of Yellow Submarine."
Deloth: "And he got away?"
Digifanatic: .oO(...Metal, that was over when I left the FIRST time.)
Metal Man: "The sheer destructive force knocked him out, and when I woke up from my post-performance trance... Alex was here."
Alex Fender: "I popped out of the wreckage!"
Aribar: "Your insanity is contagious?"
Alex Fender: "No, silly Uno Arm Man." *walks up to a nearby chair, placing a foot on it and posing dramatically.*
Digifanatic: "Maybe Garrick just couldn't take it anymore or something... he woke up or something and just left."
Alex Fender: "I AM Garrick!"
Metal Man: "I don't know. I just defended myself." He leans over and nearly falls over, then sits down in a better chair.
Aribar: "I'm wondering if Metal's insanity was contagious... Since you... Were Garrick..."
Digifanatic: "...What?!"
Deloth: "..."
Digifanatic: "You're screwed up. And Garrick never had a schizophrenia problem. Or bipolar."
Deloth blinks. Turns around and stares where Garrick was. Turns back around to Alex.
Alex Fender: "Pfft, no."
Digifanatic: "And besides, I've seen Garrick and Alex in separate bodies. Dragoshi? That trip to Scott's planet?"
Metal Man: "Let's see. Smash dex! Tell me what happened!"
Alex Fender: "Look, here, I'll make it simple for you guys. Cause, you know... you guys are dumb..."
Dex: *DING* "Stop trying that, chowderhead, I got no database!"
Metal Man: "No! Work dang you!" *Beats Dex on wall.*
Dex: *DING DING DING* "I don't care what you do, I'm not telling you anything, because I got nothin'!"
Deloth: "Uh... who is Scott?"
Dragoshi: "...Will you stop doing that?"
Alex Fender reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a graduation cap and puts it on his head, coughing a few times, then grabbing a marker and making a bunch of drawings on a wall, then pointing at the the wall.
Digifanatic: "An old friend of Alex's... much more sane."
Kenku looks at the what Alex was scribbling.
Digifanatic: "Alexia knew him, actually."
Metal Man: "Okay. I guess." He shrugs, and takes out a second dex, which is in pieces. "I don't want it to end up like my first dex."
Alex Fender: "See, one day I was walking." *points at a stick figure with a guitar.* "And then I met a dude." *points at another stick figure with a gun.* "And the dude said, 'Hey! You gotta guitar!' and I said, 'Pfft, fuck yeah.'. So, anyway, the dude and I hung out and killed a thing or two."
Digifanatic: *He sets a course for the planet.*
Metal Man (GM): Ship is now moving towards the planet.
Alex Fender: "And the dude showed me his house with this BIIIIIIG computer in it." *points at two stick figures and a big computer with a face on it.*
Deloth stares in horrified disbelief.
Alex Fender: "And he said, 'I'm gonna try a thing!' and I said, 'Okay!' so he tried a thing, and there was a flash, and... that's it. I could see stuffs. I could hear stuffs. But I couldn't do nothing else. I felt like I was in a box. And then, over the past few weeks, the box got really weak! And then I busted out!' "And here I am. Rockin' like usual."
Digifanatic: "..."
Deloth: "Uh-huh..."
Digifanatic: *flustered.* "So this was one big ol' science experiment... and he never told us about this."
Kenku: "Welll... that's... interesting... and that leads us into a new dilemma... if Garrick is truly gone, we have no lead again."
Digifanatic: .oO(And I thought the Digital World was a crazy experiment when I first heard about it... Deloth, if you need to ask, hold it.)
Alex Fender: "No no! He's here! Up here."
Digifanatic: "Yeah, and if he isn't, his other half is as worse as our old leader."
Alex Fender pokes himself in the forehead.
Aribar: "So you're our 'leader' now, Alex?"
Alex Fender: "...I am?"
Digifanatic: "You're not."
Aribar: "If you're Garrick..."
Alex Fender: "No no, I'm not Garrick. Garrick is in my head."
Digifanatic: "But he's not Garrick... they're... trading bodies."
Kenku: "Ummm... I would rather have a revote if you get my drift... I'm not going to put myself up but yea..."
Alex Fender: "And I'm in Garrick's head. Yeah."
Aribar: "I see."
Metal Man: "About that. I don't really think you need me anymore, Questers. I mean. You rescued ME this time... so... yeah."
Aribar: "However, while we're on the subject of leaders..." *The mage turns to Metal.* "We do need to talk."
Alex Fender: "Oh! Right. Tin Dude. Lemme ax you a question. You know that time baby you ate?"
Digifanatic is going to have a FUN conversation with Garrick.
Metal Man: "I don't eat Time Babies. I eat Baby Back Ribs."
Alex Fender: "...uh... wait... that thing you did in the place."
Metal Man: "Whatever a Time Baby is."
Alex Fender: "You blew up the world. By eating a time baby."
Aribar: "We've been talking to Ael."
Metal Man: "The accusations of me being a Time Bandit are fabrication, subject to being destroyed the same way as I took down Master Hand's illegal restarting of the Questers. I rebelled from the Time Cops because they were horrible people doing horrible things."
Aribar: "And this is where your story and Ael's differ."
Metal Man: "Going through time and ensuring people died so horrific things would happen. Sure, it meant good things later on, but the people they effected during their time period experienced great evil, pain, and death."
Dragoshi: "..."
Metal Man: "They got a few bona fide time travelers and The Void wannabes, sure, I give them that. But besides that their methods are atrocious. They uphold stability at the sake of all else."
Kenku: "Odd... that's not what I would expect as a Time Cop's duty, I would figure it was one to prevent changes in history..."
Dragoshi: "So, what you're saying is... they're playing god."
Kenku: "Although Pandora gives me second thoughts..."
Metal Man: "Not like they even really were deserving of their place. They destroyed a past faction to get their place in the hierarchy to do such a thing."
Deloth: "Metal, you do realize that this means that you've been lying to us for about fifteen-odd years."
Kenku: "My word..."
Metal Man: "I already covered that earlier. In order to hide from them I lied constantly, and made aliases, while fleeing from world to world. Also, the Fighter Remote zapped me directly in the brain and caused some horrible amnesia for the time I was with you guys. This, in addition to that time The Void controlled me and the other where Kuja really did the nasty work, means I'm just a scapegoat they send people after for training. Apparently, EXTREME training, because they should know by now I'm not just going to go down. And I know their tricks."
Aribar listens to Metal as a sinking feeling appears in his stomach. He has the feeling a big decision is about to happen, and he's not going to like having to make it.*
Deloth: "And you didn't ask us for help and come clean... because?"
Metal Man: "I was amnesiac during that whole thing when I was with the Questers. I forgot who I was, even. And my real name."
Aribar: "Why does their organization seem to hate giving information to people? They claim to know everything about us, but Ael and the others refused to give us the smallest sliver of information about any Time Cop dealings."
Digifanatic: .oO(Oh wow... our leader was literally insane.)
Metal Man: "Warping through realms has warped my form and mind. I've only just returned to my true self. I'm surprised the Smash Dex survived even to tell me it was broken. Little else of my past with you guys survived that last warp into Kuja's world and back. I respect your individuality though." He waves a hand. "You can cut me loose and say I escaped. They hate me more than you. I'll fight them on my own. Heck, you can choose to go after me if you really believe that drivel they spout."
Kenku: "You know the second that happened Ael will probably be on your ass in no time."
Digifanatic: *sigh.* "Metal, would you rather turn yourself in?"
Metal Man: "Turn myself in? I'll kill them one by one if I have to."
Digifanatic: "Oh. I apologize."
Metal Man: "I've evaded them from year to year, place to place. My only real weakness now is my ultimate device... is broken."
Metal Man (GM): He pokes his wrist clock. It shoots sparks.
Metal Man: "Otherwise I'd have fled this realm already and taken them with me. Nothing like evading the Time Cops using their very own machines."
Aribar: "Metal, Ael said that you, and us as well, destroyed Nintendus. Was there some reason behind it? Something other than what we've been told and shown?"
Kenku: "Well... then I think the best option is talking to someone to fix it, and then breaking ties..."
Metal Man: "They have a limited view of weird worlds like Nintendus. They saw it exist one second, then the next it didn't. Then of course they saw me escape it intact. They don't know about The Book, The Void, or even Kuja. That's my guess at least, they never let me too close to the world-viewer."
Aribar sighs.
Metal Man: "It's a lot easier to blame me since I escaped them. They have to do many more procedures to handle... people who are a part of a realm. Since those people have to be carefully removed or else their precious stability will be damaged."
Kenku: "Understandable... although if this is true... why did they let Pandora on the force..."
Metal Man: "They let me on it, didn't they? Heck, they forced me into it. ...Which one was Pandora again?"
Aribar: "The reploid-esque one that warped everywhere?"
Kenku: "The Insane Mecha Woman... who was attacking the X Aliens. I don't think she had proper procedure for that..."
Metal Man: "Probably a new recruit. Hm. I'm honored. They're using this world to train new people."
Deloth: "I KNOW she didn't."
Aribar: "Ael also said that if we interfere in this, then this world may be destroyed like the last."
Metal Man: "Lemme guess. She's dead. They always die."
Aribar: "Aye."
Metal Man: "I was supposed to die."
Kenku: "We blew her up."
Dragoshi: "She deserved it."
Digifanatic: "Yeah..."
Metal Man: "So it sounds like there's a high level proctor and a stream of trainees. Why did they let you leave again?"
Metal Man (GM): The ship is nearly to the surface... any destination in mind?
Aribar: "Ael awaits for us to either turn you in, or defy him. We have a day to decide."
Digifanatic: "Hm. We could go back to Carrington and finally do that weapons test, but this seems like a more serious affair."
Metal Man: "I have an idea. But..." He shakes his head. "You decide."
Deloth: "So, is it time for the trademark vote on what to do with Metal?"
Metal Man: "I'm not going to tell you what to do anymore."
Digifanatic: "I think it is, Deloth. I'll hold my view until everyone else talks."
Kenku shrugs. "This in the end is something we would be dealing with if we did the weapons test or not... although right now I think spending my coin is more on my mind than earning more anyway."
Aribar: "Metal, if Pandora was a rookie, then it only further proves that we are out of our league with the Time Cops. We have our hands full keeping this world in order; extraplanetary problems, especially those such as the Time Cops, are too much for us I fear."
Metal Man: "With half my mind missing I made a great leader. As I am now? I prefer to be a lone wolf. If I am on the run they will not go after you. Just... tell me what this world is like. I will know where to go."
Digifanatic: "We only know a few continents."
Kenku: "Its somewhat fractured. Several small universes in one in a way."
Metal Man: "Whatever few there is, can you show me a map?"
Digifanatic: "Yeah, someone please dig one out for me and I prepare to land this thing..."
Kenku gets Metal the map.
Digifanatic: *gets set to land the ship on top of the Stadium.*
Julian: *And hey Julian finally woke up.* "Metal, this place is fucked up as shit." *Julian reaches into his equipment bag, and pulls out an incomplete map of the place.* "I ain't even kiddin'."
Aribar: "It's essentially like Nintendus; a variety of worlds separated by oceans. We do have some maps, but the whole planet has some field about it that makes observation and mapping of unvisited lands impossible."
Metal Man: "I'll go to here then." He points to the Maverick Continent. "I'd tell you why but then Ael might read your mind."
Kenku: "Well... as long as whatever plan this is doesn't tip scales in Vile's favor, I'm fine with it."
Julian: "Might as well drop ya off, then."
Digifanatic: .oO(If it was still glitched, I'd send him to Kanto.)
Metal Man: "Like I'd help a Maverick. They'd want me dead."
Aribar: "The place is a war zone. You should be wary."
Metal Man: "Yeah, drop me off. War zones are fun."
Julian: "Digi, take us up. Again."
Metal Man: "Drop me off... on the Northern Coast. I have a location in mind but I don't want to leave a trace."
Digifanatic: *sighs.* "Okay then..." *takes off again if he landed it and guides it to the specified place on MavCon.*
Metal Man: "Also, I shall do one thing for you."
Metal Man (GM): Metal Man types into the computer. It beeps oddly.
Metal Man: "It'll look like I took over the ship, overpowered you, and then leaped off it near the Maverick Continent."
Deloth: *blandly.* "Thanks."
Julian: "Whatev."
Aribar: "Metal, you know where our stadium is. If you ever need to contact us, or if you hear of us fighting the Time Cops, don't be afraid to visit."
Metal Man: "There's just one thing you should know. It looked like they were building a permanent presence from what you said. You'll want to blow it up. If they get too frustrated they'll try to destroy the world. I'll pop up when the time is right... don't worry."
Digifanatic: "However it goes, I guess..."
Julian: "So we'll eventually find some giant cannon or get someone to build it, an' knock 'em off. Bam!"
Kenku: "Yea... and hopefully by then we will be better suited."
Metal Man: "Yeah, something like that."
Metal Man (GM): Metal Man takes off his Quester badge and puts it inside a compartment on his suit. He then takes out another one which shows a stylized silver M on a black background, and is in the shape of a fist.
Metal Man: "I am my own man for now, but perhaps if you do well to throw off the Time Cops I can join you as an ally."
Metal Man (GM): The ship reaches the coast of the continent.
Deloth: "It's an honor."
Julian: "I'll keep that in mind. You take care'a yo'self, Mets."
Digifanatic: "Alright... I guess whatever goes, goes."
Metal Man: "Sorry for the unexpected difference between me and my old self. I'd give you my badge but then they'd interpret it as my favor. And that'd be bad, since they fear anyone I favor and will try to kill them."
Digifanatic: "Hang on, hang on." *lands the ship and gets out of his seat.*
Metal Man: "Oh, right. The ship." He scratches the back of his head. "I kind of... broke part of it. Those seats and all."
Metal Man (GM): He tosses a bag of old coins on the dash.
Digifanatic: *faces Metal.* "Stand up for a second."
Metal Man: "Get yourself some upgrades, this thing's a bit small."
Metal Man (GM): He stands up and faces Digi.
Digifanatic: *extends his right hand for a minute.* "Take care."
Metal Man: "Of course." He shakes Digi's hand, the abnormally cold prosthetic hand still managing to imitate the feel of a decent handshake.
Digifanatic: *as he's shaking, his extends his left and kinda gives Metal a one-handed hug/pat on the shoulder.*
Dragoshi: *Goes to take the bag, and open it up, checking to see how many coins are in there. A-yep.*
Digifanatic: "Good knowing you... Xavier, right?" *small grin.*
Metal Man (GM): There's a whopping 500.
Metal Man: "Yes, Xavier Ridgecrest. I regret not remembering it until recent. Maybe we could have had a more meaningful friendship back when. Oh... how I loathe what that amnesia did to me."
Metal Man (GM): He looks around.
Metal Man: "A good thing Panzer isn't here. She wouldn't let me leave."
Digifanatic: "Heh... and I'm still Ian."
Metal Man: "Or Wolfman."
Dragoshi: .oO(This should work nicely.) *Re-closes the bag.* "Heh..."
Metal Man: "If you ever see Wolfman again, be sure to tell him..." He chuckles. "His other Stadium is safe now as well." Huh? Guess he really is a dimensional traveler.
Digifanatic: *lets go of Metal and sighs.* "I don't know what to say... just the fact you let me stay my second time around. Huh..."
Julian: "Yo! If we're done here, we kinda got more shit 'ta do." *Leaning out of ship, directed at Digi.*
Digifanatic: "That was really nice of you, Metal. Bye."
Metal Man: "Well, I was half out of my mind, half amnesic." He snaps his fingers. "Yeah, I really need to go. They'll notice this otherwise."
Digifanatic: *walks back to his sit and takes it back to the Stadium.*
Aribar: "This was a rather short reunion... And I also cannot help but feel like we are tossing away a huge asset that would be useful if we ever declare war upon the Time Cops..."
Metal Man (GM): He does a weird hand gesture, then leaps out of the ship sideways and rolls, then running like a madman into the forest. He drops two strange bombs which explode behind him in the sand, to make it 'appear' like he exploded his way to freedom.
Julian: *Pulls his head back inside the ship.* "If we need 'em, we'll find 'em."
Metal Man (GM): They are merely for show though.
Digifanatic: "That was quick and mostly painless... but Aribar, we would be a moving bullseye with a headquarters had we kept him."
Metal Man (GM): He vanishes into the forest. The sound of a huge shotgun going off and Mavericks exploding occur in the distance.
Julian: "Anyway, any pressin' business we gotta take care of?"
Kenku chuckles. "Sounds like hes having fun actually."
Digifanatic: "Heh... he always loved his explosions..."
Dragoshi: "Yep..."
Kenku: "Yea... Garrick's gone..."
Dragoshi: "In any case."
Digifanatic: "Right!" *to Julian.* "Still want to test weapons at Carrington's place?"
Deloth: "I'd rather go home."
Julian: "Ain' my goddamn fault. Digi, take us to Carrington's."
Dragoshi: "We should prolly' go back and get our ship fixed up first."
Julian: *Finally notices what has become of the ship.* "...After we get this fuckin' hooptie fixed."
Digifanatic: "Hmm... yeah."
Metal Man (GM): Looks like someone fired a large gauge shotgun shell, punched a seat down, bashed a hole in the wall, shot several rounds of ammunition which hit the dash in a few places...
Dragoshi: "Then head back to Carrington's."
Digifanatic: "But Carrington will be our first stop after."
Aribar: "I think we need to decide what we're to do with the Time Cops..."
Julian: *Snaps fingers.* "Get on it, pilot man!"
Kenku: "Yea... and I think I want to research where to shop also if I could."
Metal Man (GM): The ship takes off, since... Digi took off.
Schatze: "What a strange person. I guess that explains why you behaved so erratic when I first saw you. Lead by a man missing half his mind..."
Deloth: "You don't know the half of it."
Julian: "Ain't quite sure he's got the other half, either."
Aribar: "That was the leader of the Questers. Impressed, Red Text?"
Digifanatic: "Jules is so right."
Dragoshi: *Nods.*
Kenku just chuckles.
Schatze: "Yes." He points to a telltale wrench mark on his head. "I shouldn't have tried to resist him when he... decided to settle the issue with Garrick mano a mano. Since we no longer have a psychopathic man who needs to be chained to the wall as a result..."
Digifanatic: "Garrick would have beat you up instead."
Schatze: "...I just fear what will happen if/when he comes back..."
Julian: "He's gonna kill you. But that ain't my problem."
Deloth: "We tranquilize him."
Schatze: "Well, I feel no pain with this remote-controlled body. It would just be another setback."
Deloth: "With a gunshot to the knee."
Kenku: "He wasn't usually that psychotic... I wonder what happened to make him that angry..."
Metal Man (GM): The ship makes its way to the Stadium. Hm. There's a commotion just a bit outside the Stadium.
Digifanatic: "Garrick has a very short fuse." *listens to the noise as he lands.*
Deloth: "...what NOW?"
Julian: "The fuck is this..."
Dragoshi: "What now?"
Julian: *Tries to get a better view as they fly in.*
Kenku: "Well... even for a short fuse... that was out of no--" and looks over at the stadium.
Deloth listens to the commotion as they zoom in.
Metal Man (GM): There is... Jack. Kung Fu fighting with Thugs.
Aribar: "That isn't good..."
Julian: "..."
Deloth: "..."
Julian: "Thought we told him to stay the fuck away."
Kenku: "What the blazes is that idiot doing..."
Deloth facepalms and moans.
Schatze: "Ah yes. What a nasty surprise. ...What does Jack do with his money, anyway?"
Deloth: "Digi, this thing has guns, right?"
Metal Man (GM): Jack is KOing his fair share of pathetically armed Thugs.
Deloth: "SHOOT THEIR ASSES."
Julian: "Hol' it, we don't wanna the thugs!"
Kenku: "Del... they are our neighbors..."
Dragoshi: "Yeah. We don't wanna hit the thugs."
Julian: "Don't want them even more pissed off than they are now. Can you land us near 'em?"
Dragoshi: "They're on our side."
Kenku: "Let's just land and try to clear this up."
Digifanatic: *well, he lands it near the thugs.*
Kenku steps and and walks in the direction of the commotion. "OK BREAK IT UP! BREAK IT UP!"
Julian: *Exits the ship as they touch down.* "YO YO YO, BREAK THIS SHIT UP! Jack, the FUCK yo' cracka ass doin' here?"
Deloth just sort of plods towards the commotion tiredly.
Aribar follows Kenku, but keeps on the tip of his toes. Jack still has his death staff, after all.
Julian is waving his nail bat as he says this.
Metal Man (GM): The thugs back off as Jack stands surrounded by KOed thugs.
Dragoshi: *Casually walks over to this trainwreck.*
Jack: "Ah, the Questers. Know where my ten statues went?"
Deloth: "Jack, might I ask WHAT THE *BLEEEEEEEP* ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
Jack: "Because they kind of... disappeared..."
Deloth: "No, we don't! Get out of here!"
Jack: "Over your dead body." He points the death spear at Deloth.
Kenku: "Statues?...lemme guess... ancient mystical ones?"
Jack: "Yes. Those. Made of gold."
Julian: "The fuck you talkin' about? I don't know a damn thing 'bout it, but that don't mean you can come over here an' fuck up my shit, an' their shit, an' EVERYONE'S shit."
Deloth: "...Oh, the statues that the Time Cops stole."
Kenku: "They're gone dude... lets just say the people that stole them aren't on this world anymore..."
Jack: "I can do whatever I want. This staff grants me power over life and death. I have repeatedly made you... wha?"
Metal Man (GM): He looks at Deloth.
Julian: "..."
Jack: "Who stole my statues? I'm gonna kill them."
Julian: "Who stole his fuckin' statues?"
Aribar: .oO(This better not backfire, Deloth.)
Kenku: "If you want to try... they're sitting on the moon right now in the alien's old base."
Deloth: *casually.* "Yeah, a ragtag bunch of morons that call themselves the Time Cops."
Jack: "Those idiots! I'm going to buy a space shuttle and kill them all!"
Deloth: "Good luck with that."
Julian: "You do that!"
Jack: "Thanks. For a minute there, I thought you had become dirty thieves who sold my statues off after stealing them or something."
Julian: "An' get the fuck offa our land!"
Metal Man (GM): He runs off with his staff to his gold-covered boat in the distance.
Kenku: "Well... that was interesting..."
Julian: "Anyway."
Digifanatic: "Very nice, Deloth."
Julian: "Gotta get someone out here to clean up the thugs..."
Deloth: "It's a Ti'Fiona gift."
Kenku: "Hey... don't I get a little credit..."
Thug: "I'll do it."
Metal Man (GM): A Thug with a red medic symbol carts off the KO'd thugs.
Dragoshi: *Laughs.* "Oh, wow. That was brilliant."
Kenku: "Anyway..." walks back towards the stadium.
Aribar: "I truly hope that does not come back to haunt us."
Digifanatic: *quietly.* "Wait a minute..."
Kenku stops. "What's up?"
Metal Man (GM): There is mail sitting at the Stadium door.
Deloth: *looking around.* "Hey, Engineer? You here?"
Digifanatic: "That was a red logo... not blue as in BLU."
Julian: "This day..." *Heads towards the stadium.* "Talk while walkin'" *Gets the mail!*
Metal Man (GM): It has been piling up while you were gone.
Digifanatic: "That was weird."
Metal Man (GM): No Engineer in sight.
Deloth: "...Huh."
Dragoshi: "...hmm."
Julian: "Ain't you ever heard of the red cross?" *Checks the mail for anything good/important.*
Digifanatic: "Yes, but... I dunno."
Deloth heads over and pushes over the front door. "Dang, I really want a shower..."
Metal Man (GM): First letter. 'Maverick Hunters would like your assistance.'
Kenku: "It's probably just a med pack."
Digifanatic: "We've just been associating ourselves with BLU so much."
Metal Man (GM): Second letter. 'Impress women with your new RolexXXx Watch!'
Dragoshi: "... Yeah, that one's junk."
Deloth: "...Does this building even HAVE showers?"
Digifanatic: "It should."
Kenku: "Yea, check the living areas."
Digifanatic: "Can't understand why it wouldn't."
Julian: "Junk..." *Keeps that first letter.*
Metal Man (GM): Third letter. 'Free Pizza at Al's Pizzeria! One free pizza per coupon.'
Julian: *Yay!*
Metal Man (GM): Fourth letter. 'You have been invited to a Karting Tournament at the Mushroom Kingdom.'
Julian: *Keep.*
Digifanatic: "Karting Tournament... sweet. Just hope I don't get dumped into Bowser's lava."
Kenku: "That's something to definitely check out later."
Metal Man (GM): That's all the letters.
Deloth just heads up/over/wherever and gets into the showers.
Metal Man (GM): It is possible to also wander inside and do stuff as usual.
Julian: "Okay..." *Opens the first.*
Metal Man (GM): There's showers, yes. First one opens up.
Julian wanders inside and does this in R&R.*
Digifanatic: *also looks at the MavCon letter.*
Julian: *Looks up at Digi.* "Hey, you mind not readin' over my shoulder? I'll read it out-loud if it means that much to ya."
Metal Man (GM): 'After some unknown disturbance Vile has sworn revenge and has begun pressing the attack. If you know why this is happening or feel like giving us a hand... we could really use one. -Zero'
Dragoshi: *Follows Julian into R&R. Might as well listen to the mail.*
Digifanatic: "Fine." *walks a few steps away.*
Kenku turns to listen to Julian.
Julian: *Read all that...* "So Vile's back. Nice to know..." *Next letter: Free pizza!*
Digifanatic: "Julian, may I please have that letter after?"
Julian: "Why, you got a collection goin' or somethin'?"
Kenku: "Sounds like our next mission. Before that although I think we need to get the ship repaired, and elect a new lead."
Metal Man (GM): 'Go down to Al's new location in the former Al's discount store in Capital City! One free large pizza!'
Deloth: *Ahhh... days of sweat, grime, and blood all gone. Bliss.*
Julian: "Hey, Garrick's still here. He's jus' kinda... fucked in the head. He'll get over it."
Digifanatic: "Nah, just something I'd like to ask them about..."
Julian: *Discards that for later... and the final letter.*
Metal Man (GM): 'The Royal Princess, Princess Peach, has invited you and the usual guests to a karting battle at her gardens. The event shall occur in 3 days. Please bring formal wear. Quarters and entertainment will be had. Please RSVP by 2 days from now if you are interested.'
Kenku: "I'm sorry... and no offense, but from what people have said... I don't trust Alex as a leader."
Julian: "I'm in. Anyone else?"
Dragoshi: "Sure. Don't see why not."
Kenku: "I'd definitely race."
Digifanatic: "Same here."
Aribar: "We need to respond to Ael before tomorrow; don't forget about that."
Digifanatic: *to Kenku.* "Yeah, and who knows when Garrick is coming back." *to Aribar.* "Yeah, if there was a way to communicate with Ael."
Julian: "What're we respondin' to him about?"
Kenku: "He will probably contact us..."
Deloth: *fast-forwarding so that he can come back down to the others, wheeeeeeee.*
Digifanatic: "That we left Metal Man out in the open over at the Maverick Continent."
Deloth: "Anything interesting in the mail?"
Digifanatic: *notes how long it took Deloth.* "Well, there's one advantage of all those appendages... yeah, Deloth, you up for a go-kart tournament?"
Julian: "Righ'...I'll get on that after we get the ship fixed." *Looks at Del.* "YO! Del! You wanna race karts?"
Kenku: "Possibly our next mission, Zero wants help."
Aribar: "Ael will want to know whether we stand with the Time Cops, or in defiance against them."
Deloth unfurls his wings and shakes a whole bunch of water out of them. "No."
Julian: "Yo' loss."
Deloth: "I've never driven before in my life."
Digifanatic: "Ah."
Julian: "Oh, an' we gotta 'nother Maverick uprisin' we're probably gonna take care of."
Kenku: "Not even go karts?"
Aribar: "I don't believe that we should go to the Maverick continent just in case we meet Metal again..."
Julian: "So what? We meet up with 'em again, make a show of fightin' 'em, and then let him go again."
Deloth: "That reminds me. Did Ael even give us a means of contact?"
Digifanatic: "I don't think so, but knowing Ael, he'll find us."
Kenku: "Talking about means of contact, is there any way to contact Zero and X? Maybe Metal was enough help. If you know what I mean."
Julian: "Radio. Always got a radio."
Digifanatic: "Yeah. In fact, can we do it now?"
Kenku: "Probably a good idea."
Digifanatic: "Alright." *gets out his radio and buzzes them up.*
Julian: "Don't see why not."
Deloth: "I could do some talking, if need be..."
Aribar: "What are we going to say to Ael?"
Julian: "Fuck if I know. We gota whole day to figure that out."
Digifanatic: "True."
Kenku: "Just tell him we tried to arrest him, he resisted and escaped into the Maverick Forest."
Deloth: "I think we should probably do that call sooner to get it out of the way."
Julian: *Callin' da moon.* *also has a radio.*
Ael: *Radio.* "Well, this is sudden. What is it?"
Digifanatic: "Well, we have an update on the Bandit."
Julian: "Yo, this is Julian... uh, about Metal..."
Digifanatic: *lets Julian go for it.*
Julian: "Look, we tried gettin' him for ya. Sucka put up one helluva fight, an' we did to. Managed to subdue him even! We was headin' back to our Base so we could get some restraints for 'em so we could leave 'em on yo' doorstep... but that crazy muthafucka managed to blow a hole in the side'a our ship an' jump out jus' as we was flyin' over Maverickland. Craziest shit I seen in my life."
Ael: *Radio.* "..." He pauses a second. "...Yes, telemetry confirms explosions and your ship acting strangely. See... I told you. He's the TIME BANDIT. Well... I'll be after him then." The radio goes silent.
Deloth: *high-fives Julian.*
Julian: "I'm jus' glad none'a us got su-...Okay then."
Deloth: "That was gold."
Digifanatic: "Yeah. I figured we'd just go with what Kenku suggested, but yeah, I like that."
Julian: *Hangs up and returns the hi-five.* "A'ight, that went smooth enough."
Digifanatic: "Now for the Maverick Continent. I'll take this one." *rings up MCHQ.*
X: "Hello. This is Maverick Hunter HQ."
Julian: *Yells over the radio.* "YO! X! WHAT YOU NEED NOW?"
Digifanatic: *sighs and just lets Julian talk for now.*
Deloth: *blink... blink... rub ear in pain...*
X: "MAVERICKS CLAIMING WE BLEW UP THEIR PALACE ARE ATTACKING US. IT IS VERY BAD!"
Digifanatic: "Okay, okay, do you know what actually blew it up? Something about an unknown disturbance, we read..."
X: "No. One day it was there. The next, it exploded. Their palace... the area we rescued you from before."
Deloth: "Was that day today, by any chance?"
Julian: "That is fucked up... How long ago?"
X: "Just a few days ago. Now Vile's back and angrier than ever, attacking us every day. We hold him back, but he built a new forward base, which hasn't stopped attacking us yet."
Digifanatic: "Yeah, this is vital."
Julian: "So yo' like under attack, right now?"
Deloth: "So, uh, X? Why did you send us such a vital request by third-class mail?"
Digifanatic: *muttering to himself.* "I have an idea..."
X: "You didn't answer the phone. Repeatedly."
Digifanatic: "That's because we were gone."
Dragoshi: "We were busy."
X: "It was like you had vanished off the face of the planet."
Julian: "Muthafucka we was busy... an' we kinda did."
X: "See?"
Dragoshi: "Yeah."
Julian: "ANYWAY! So you need help like right now?"
X: "By tonight. The Mavericks have some huge attack planned. And we don't have a lot of defenses left to stop them with."
Aribar: "I'm not sure exactly how helpful we will be against an army..."
Dragoshi: "Yeeeaaahhh... Especially since our ship really isn't in the best condition."
Julian: "Fuck..."
Kenku: "We probably can be Ari, by inserting in and taking key points."
Deloth: "What we need is an EMP."
Julian: "Dunno if we're gonna be able to do much, but we might as well try. ...That'll knockout X an' them too."
Kenku: "But yea... we need to make repairs to the ship now... wheres the cash Metal gave us by the way."
Digifanatic: *to the others.* "Are any of the BLU guys hanging around?"
Deloth: "Let's find out. Cover your ears."
Julian holds up the bag with the coins in it.*
Deloth: *deep breath.* "ENGINEEEEEEEEEEER!"
X: "Well, we'll be waiting. We can also sell you some equipment if you come over."
Metal Man (GM): Nobody responds.
Deloth: "...MEDIIIIIC!"
Digifanatic: "SCOUT!"
Julian: "...Man, this is fucked up. Ain't nobody here but us."
Digifanatic: *figures he could come really quick.*
Kenku: "I'm betting they had a RED attack to deal with... I say we take this to GF."
Julian: "We'll be there. Digi, cut it."
Deloth: "Yeah, where are those guys?"
Dragoshi: "Prolly' going back to dealing with RED."
Digifanatic: "No idea..."
Julian: *After the radio's cut.* "A'ight, if we can't use BLU, who else we know that fixes ships... Someone get me the yellow pages."
Digifanatic: "Listen, we either gotta go back to the ship and brave this on our own, or hope we don't get too much heat from X and company for not showing up."
Aribar: "If the stadium was finished, then I doubt they would stick around."
Digifanatic: "True."
Metal Man (GM): There is one of those laying on the doorstep too.
Digifanatic: *picks it up and runs it back over.*
Kenku: "We're going to show up. But we need repairs done to the ship first. We have time anyway."
Metal Man (GM): Dr. Eggman: Building ships that better your life! GUN: We know ships. We make them better.
Julian: *Flips though it to ship repair...*
Metal Man (GM): Galactic Federation: Experts in building, repairing, and destroying ships. Bowser Airship Co.: We know how to make WOOD ships fly... so we can also improve yours.
Deloth: "Galactic Feds?"
Digifanatic: "Galactic Federation, I'd say. Plus they've probably got stuff better than what we have, and we know we can trust them."
Dragoshi: "Galactic Federation."
Julian: *Looks for a radio frequency.*
Metal Man (GM): It has a telephone number. Luckily, the Stadium has a telephone.
Julian: *Call those suckas up.*
GF Operator: "Hello."
Julian: "Yo, I'm needin' some quotes fo' ship repair."
GF Operator: "We have your ship on file. What's... broken?"
Kenku quietly says as Julian is talking, "Who has Metal's cash?"
Digifanatic: *w* "Julian has it."
Kenku: "Ok."
Deloth: "Whatever explodes when it's hit by lightning."
Julian: *Lists off what the fuck Metal and Alex did to it.*
GF Operator: "That'll be 400 coins... then. A lot of interior damage but it appears to be mostly intact from what you say."
Digifanatic: "And we have 100 spare."
Dragoshi: "Yep."
Julian: "Now... how much you guys charge for upgrades?"
Digifanatic: "Good call."
Dragoshi: *Nods.*
GF Operator: "Well, depends on you want. We can improve the cabin size for a mere 50 coins, and rebuild your computer so it can go into space automatically for another 50, for example."
Deloth: "What about guns?"
Julian: "Keep 'em comin'."
Digifanatic: "I'd prefer some better onboard weapons myself."
GF Operator: "To upgrade your guns to be omnidirectional would be 50... and to add another turret is 50 each. Faster speed is also 50 coins... we have every package for about 50 coins apiece for convenience."
Deloth: "I'm willing to pony up some cash. How about you guys?"
Digifanatic: "Same. I got some to spare."
Julian: "I'm broke as hell."
Dragoshi: "We still have 100 coins from Metal's bag after the repairs, so..."
Julian: "So that's two upgrades off the bat."
Aribar: "I could offer fifty coins, possibly seventy-five. However, the materials I must use to read spellbooks are expensive, and I don't want to drain my entire supply of coins."
Dragoshi: "In any case, I have about... 197 coins."
Julian: "...Well ain' that great."
Deloth: "One hundred and forty five."
Kenku: "Umm... I might be able to pay a little to share an upgrade, but I haven't worked on my own stuff at all so..."
Digifanatic: "200 and change, I'd be willing to part with about half and save the rest."
Deloth: "I'm so glad Red Text hasn't charged me for that Rejoin book. I tried looking through it. It made my head hurt."
Julian: "A'ight, so what do we wanna do? Everyone who wants to pony somethin' up-" *Holds up the coin bag Metal gave them.* "Put it in the bag."
Digifanatic: "I definitely want the faster turrets."
Deloth tosses a hundred coins into the bag, thinking about that spellbook...
Kenku thinks and puts 25 in.
Digifanatic: *puts in 50 for now.*
Deloth: .oO("Young man, mark my words, one day you're going to regret not listening to my lessons on casting magic!" "...yeah, right.")
Julian: *Counts how many turrets are on the ship right now.*
Deloth facepalms, for some unknown reason.
Metal Man (GM): Two. Both front-facing.
Aribar: *75 into the bag. 54 coins left in Aribar's name.*
Dragoshi: *Puts 95 in.* *96. *no wait, 95.
Metal Man (GM): The Questers have... 245 more coins then. Any other coins put in?
Julian chips in 5 to even it off.* *Counting this all up in his head.* "A'ight, so that's enough fo'...7 upgrades."
Metal Man (GM): So that's 250 + the 100, so 350, or 7 upgrades it is possible to buy for the ship then.
Julian: "How's another turret, makin' 'em all omnidirectional, an' upgrading the armor an' computers sound?"
Kenku: "We could also do an autolaunch, since that's only 6 ups. Or a speed boost if you think the crew is good enough."
Digifanatic: "I prefer the autolaunch."
Kenku: "Ok."
Deloth: "Autolaunch, yeah."
Julian: "That's what I meant by the computers."
Digifanatic: "Oh..."
Kenku: "Ok, then that leaves us with one upgrade."
Digifanatic: "Speed then."
Julian: "Last one: You want more room or more speed?"
Digifanatic: "I say speed."
Kenku: "Speed, we can do room once we have a need for it."
Julian: "I dunno about you but it gets kinda cramped in there with 7 people... but whatever."
Dragoshi: "Speed. Definitely speed."
Julian: *Turns his attention back to the phone.* "A'ight, you still there?"
GF Operator: "Yes."
Julian: *Relays all of that.*
GF Operator: "And how many coins do you have?"
Digifanatic: "750."
GF Operator: "Okay. Just fly on over and we'll get to work."
Digifanatic: *nods and makes a run for the ship.*
Kenku: "Ask how long this is going to take."
Julian: "How long you guys usually take to finish a job?"
GF Operators: "It's usually nearly instantaneous."
Deloth heads out to the ship and hops in, once he hears that.
Kenku nods at the response and runs for the ship.
Julian: "Done. See ya soon!" *Hangs up, grabs the coinbag, and heads for the ship.*
Deloth: "...Oh, great. I forgot to get the soap suds off of this arm."
Digifanatic: "Deloth, please... Don't worry."
Deloth: "I'm not, but you're not going to see what you think you're about to see." *...starts grooming the suds off.*
Metal Man (GM): The Questers head for the ship.
Aribar: "I could drench you in water; would that help?" *goto ship.*
Digifanatic: "Never mind..." *he's got his eyes on the sky anyway once he boards the ship.*
Deloth: "...Huh. Not bad."
Kenku hops into a front seat.
Metal Man (GM): They get into the cracked up ship. It is ready for takeoff.
Deloth leans back in his seat, now fully clean and satisfied.
Julian takes his seat.* "C'mon, I can feel this junker fallin' apart already."
Digifanatic: *takes off.*
Metal Man (GM): The ship is now on its way... throwing a few sparks though.
Kenku: "Anyone got some duct tape?"
Digifanatic: "I don't... maybe in the compartments."
Kenku goes to see.
Aribar: "If we survived a trip back from the moon, I'd hope we can survive a short trip to the Galactic Federation's base..."
Kenku: "We should be fine, just planning to make a minor repair if I could."
Metal Man (GM): The group arrives at the outpost. The group is now at the GF outpost.
Deloth hops out and leaves his ship door open for the mechanics.
Digifanatic: *heads out as well.*
Metal Man (GM): The Mechanics wander over and begin work, post haste.
Kenku steps out and looks for a receptionist.
Julian exits, heading over towards the payment area or something.
Metal Man (GM): There's a small place with a guy sitting behind a booth.
Kenku walks over, letting Julian go first.
GF Mechanic Guy: "Okay, so, 400 for repairs, 350 for upgrades. That'll be 750."
Julian: *Drops the coin bag on the counter.* "I think this'll cover it."
GF Mechanic Guy: "Yeah." He takes it.
Metal Man (GM): Faster than it is possible to say 'Steven Spielberg' the ship is all fixed up for the Questers to use.
Kenku: "Wow. Awesome."
Deloth: "Nice." *jumps back in.*
Julian: "A'ight, enough standin' around." *Enters the ship to inspect their handiwork.*
Kenku: "Ummm..." Kenku asks the mechanic. "Is there a place that's near here I could ask about purchasing equipment?"
Digifanatic: *heads in, also taking a quick look before repiloting.*
GF Guy: "I'm not sure... we get all our stuff from the higher ups. It's all carefully regulated."
Metal Man (GM): The inside is now much shinier and less clunky. There's some room to walk between the aisles. Garrick's bizarro table is gone as is the trace of chains, explosions, and mayhem. The controls are easier to use. And one person can control all the guns at once!
Kenku: "I see... never mind then," Kenku says, and returns to the ship. He steps into the weapons seat to start getting used to the new controls.
Julian: "Aw yeah, this is much better..."
Metal Man (GM): The ship is now basically a Robotnik chassis loaded with Galactic Federation upgrades.
Deloth: "Niiiiiiice." *takes a seat.*
Digifanatic: "Yeah, I like it. Wonder how they do it so quickly and efficiently."
Dragoshi: "Impressive..." *Also takes a seat.*
Deloth: "Hyperwrench technology." *chidingly.* "Do you know NOTHING, Digi?"
Kenku checks the scanners and controls to make sure he understands how to use the new rotational abilities. "Welp, is everyone ready?"
Digifanatic: "Yeah, let's hit it." *takes off and flies it back to MavCon.*
Kenku does a scan of the area as they approach to see how bad it is.
Metal Man (GM): Panzer is on the ship as the group reaches the Maverick Continent. Mav Hunt HQ is right ahead; ...it looks like a war zone. Several metallic hulks have been propped up as barriers. The Maverick Hunters have been setting up a frantic position. What WAS free and open territory just a little further South has obvious Maverick flags on it.
Julian: "Shit, this is worse than I thought..."
Deloth: "We leave these people alone for two lousy weeks..."
Digifanatic: *scoffs and sighs.* "My goodness... Vile for ya."
Julian: "C'mon, let's go bail their ass out again..."
Digifanatic: "Yeah, and then we should be in the clear for a while."
Panzer wakes up on the ship, finally sober. She brushes her fur back down and slips her helmet on and looks at the desolate situation and smiles. "'Bout time the bastards got what they deserve for killing my commander."
Kenku: "Hmm... why don't we give the mavs a quick strafe first and see what this thing can do" Kenku Smirks.
Julian: "You find 'em, you shoot 'em."
Kenku does a scan for what the front line is.
Metal Man (GM): The ship is landed.
Digifanatic: *Okay, now he walks out.*
Julian: "Let's roll, people!" *OUt of the ship!*
Kenku steps out, sword at the ready.
Deloth jumps out, whips out both blades, and gets ready for some mad robotfindssword action y'all.
Metal Man (GM): X walks out.
X: "About time... there's a bunch of Mavericks up ahead. They're planning to attack tonight. Or at least, the intercepted intelligence told us that. ...Your ship appears to have been upgraded. Hmmm."
Panzer stays behind some decent cover, not trusting the area to snipers. She surveyed everything and just grinned.
Julian: "Yeah, we was thinkin' we could do a strafin' run on 'em or somethin'."
Kenku has an evil grin on his face by the sound of that.
Dragoshi: *Nods.*
Digifanatic: "Yeah, unfortunately we couldn't get to it yet."
Deloth: "Sadly, we didn't get an EMP."
Panzer walks up to X. "Guten tag, chick."
X: "EMP would be bad anyway. Might hit our people." He looks to Panzer. "Wait a minute... you're not Maverick anymore... but if that's true... why isn't the cure device still registering being unused?"
Deloth: "..."
Panzer lifts a brow. "Your fucking creator decided to put a trojan right up my ass."
Julian: "So what, you got any particular job you want us to fill?"
X: "Heh... heh." He looks at Panzer. "I guess I get the last laugh after all."
Deloth: "Har har har. Now I have. C'mon, let's go."
X: "Well, you have this ship, and you're not very good against Mavericks in a direct fight... I say you attack them with the ship and then try to open up a front behind their position. Then we can attack them simultaneously. If all goes well we'll be sure to pay you for your work."
Panzer: "The hell you get the last laugh." She takes a bullet out of the chamber and hands it to him, an old gesture from her RepliForce days. "You get to see this one. The next one you won't see."
Deloth: "She means it, too."
Julian: *Glances at the ship.* "I think we can handle that."
Metal Man (GM): He takes the bullet, chucks it into the air, and annihilates it with a single laser blast, smirking.
Julian: "When you plan on launchin'?"
X: "Violence never prevails. ...About an hour from now."
Digifanatic: "Oh good. Just enough time to stretch."
X: "We need to coordinate our forces to the new battle plan."
Panzer: "Yet you just displayed violence." She smiles and steps back, crossing her arms. "Where is Zero anyway? He's on my shit list too."
Julian: "We'll meet up then. In the meantime... you said you had some equipment to show us?"
X: "Well. Violence in defense is sometimes necessary. Ah, yes... I shall get the equipment out and in a few minutes you can buy some."
Julian: "I know Kenku here won't shut the fuck up about buyin' shit," *Gestures to him with his thumb.* "So I'm sure he'd appreciate it."
Kenku laughs.