The Alien Wars 6: Da Capo

Geyze: Record of Spirit War Session 6

Session Start: Wed Sep 28 00:00:01 2022
Session Ident: #TAW-Geyze
<DeathStar> 5
<DeathStar> 3
<DeathStar> 1
<DeathStar> -0-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-644.5.11
<DeathStar> Location; Kumen
<DeathStar> *Asarar sits at the bar, drinking and reading the news*
<Seraphna> **Luci sips a sunspot**
<DeathStar> <Asarar> That seems concerning
<DeathStar> *to be
<Jackieness> <Kira> "What is it this time?"
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Selena has been arrested and the Academy has been put under lockdown.
<Seraphna> Luci> Mmhmm.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> And is your bar okay?
<Seraphna> Luci> Max is watching it.
<Jackieness> <Kira> "She's not asking who is responsible. Is everything ok down there?"
<DeathStar> *Asarar clicks her tongue, then checks if the teleporter works and finds it not complying*
<Seraphna> Luci> That was a yes. Unfortunately I can’t get down there.
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Did they lock it down from the other side?"
<Seraphna> Luci> It’s a possibility. I figured it was getting maintained until that news report.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> But how does one arrest a Queen?
<Jackieness> <Kira> "By staging a coup."
<DeathStar> <Asarar> What could Selena have done---? *she pauses as someone looking offical from the Kumen City office and walks in, handing Asarar some paperwork*
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Luci, try to get a hold of Max. We need some eyes."
<Seraphna> Luci> Nothing, obviously, Celes wouldn’t do this.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> ... *eyes it, taking the paperwork slowly as the man goes to leave, opening it and reading over the paperwork*
<Seraphna> **Luci nods and feels out in the bond first**
<DeathStar> <Asarar> ... Son of a bitch. *She slams her fist down hard enough to make Bonnie leap up*
<Seraphna> Luci> What now?
<DeathStar> *The blue cat scrambling away*
<Jackieness> <Kira> "What is it now?"
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Ylva apparently is back - and stating that the city is making renovations to the lower city to help the homeless doing a major building project, whixh includes knocking down our building
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Our building? Seems suspect."
<DeathStar> <Asarar> I knew Ymir was up to no good.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Chelsea was right.
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Who is handling the demo and renovation project?"
<Seraphna> Luci> Erm… why are you blaming Ymir for a notice from Ylva?
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Because Ylva does whatever she wants.
<Seraphna> Luci> So blame Ylva and stop trying to leap to having an enemy you don’t need to have?
<DeathStar> *Asarar eyes the project* It seems to be being handled by the Kumen City Macross Building Project. It might be tied to those towers we've seen being built lately.
<Seraphna> Luci> Maybe we talk to Ymir and see what she can do to help us. If she even knows Ylva has done this.
<Jackieness> <Kira> "I don't know about you, but I'm going to go change, grab a bag of charges, and take out the construciton machinery to delay the project." *heads upstairs to change*
<DeathStar> *Bonnie poofs back to human form* I'll do whatever Chelsea decides.
<DeathStar> *she looks over what food there is on the bar*
<Seraphna> Luci> Also isn’t it more than a little suspect that the moment things go pear shaped on Geyze, this notice arrives?
<Seraphna> Luci> As if say, someone wanted to distract us from something else and take us out of the game?
<DeathStar> *Asarar drums her fingers*
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Fine, lets go investigate Ymir
<Jackieness> <Kira> *comes back down in her spy catsuit with a bag of explosive charges*
<Seraphna> **Luci muses and grabs her datapad, starting to send some messages** Checking contacts at PAX and hopefully Geyze to get more on what’s going on while we do.
<Seraphna> Luci> Kira can delay things for us while we investigate.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Well, thankfully they can't toss us out right away. We have rights.
<DeathStar> *she waves the paper*
<Seraphna> Luci> Assuming they follow them. People are arresting Queens.
<Jackieness> <Kira> "so wait on bombing the construction machinery?"
<DeathStar> <Asarar> ...Luci just threw that out
<DeathStar> <Asarar> They might go ahead and do it anywy.
<DeathStar> *Bonnie keeps cramming her face with food for now, not having orders8
<Seraphna> Luci> We’ve been through this shit before. Instead of going where they want, we attack every side they think they’ve plugged till we find who’s fucking with us. Then we kick them in the ass.
<Jackieness> <Kira> "/kira "in that case, I'm going to pay the Macross Building yards to throw a party."
<Jackieness> <Kira> "in that case, I'm going to pay the Macross Building yards a visit to throw a party."
<Seraphna> Luci> And mind you the teleporter down and that message means someone is fucking with us.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Alright, lets go see Ymir. *she pulls on her coat*
<Jackieness> <Kira> "anythign from your beau?"
<Seraphna> **Luci checks again** Sent him a message but a bond reaching Geyze is hard at best. Even with my telepathic ability.
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> *Asarar stands outside Ymir's office, the two getting past the lobby person easily for once*
<DeathStar> *Ymir looks up, Gale behind her, as she gathers paperwork*
<DeathStar> <Ymir> Something I can do for you?
<Seraphna> Luci> Are you aware Ylva’s demolishing the bar?
<DeathStar> <Ymir> *pauses* Excuse me?
<Seraphna> Luci> Show her the papers, Asa.
<DeathStar> *Asarar hands it to her and Ymir glances it over* I Think you been had. While this definitely offical - enough - by someone who knows the system and Ylva's wording, Ylva would not - could not - do this. I suppose I will be honest. She is up and about, but she is still not in the best of conditions. She needs lots of rest. So I've taken over both the duties of Corporations and the Presidental office until she feels better. *as she says this, there's an explosions in the Macross Building Project yards and Ymir's head whips back*
<Seraphna> Luci> Someone’s playing everyone then.
<Seraphna> **Luci quietly communicates for Kira to hold off from more**
<DeathStar> <Ymir> What the hell?
<DeathStar> *She motions Gale to get to the yards while she grabs her communication, sending her forces out*
<Seraphna> Luci> *and tips her off to run making it look like an accident*
<Seraphna> Luci> You got the news from Geyze right?
<DeathStar> <Asarar> What all is in the yards right now? <Ymir> Are you trying to tell me this is related to the Selena incident? *She looks ice cold, shaking with rage*
<Seraphna> Luci> We got cut off from the teleporters at the same time.
<DeathStar> *the papers in her hand being twisted and crumbled*
<Seraphna> Luci> I think someone’s making a move and they’re making it on everyone.
<Seraphna> **Luci eyes towards the yard** I hope to the spirits that’s just a coincidental accident though.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> What all was in the yards, Ymir? <Ymir> The equipment for the Spirit-Tech protection tower. We need a lot of building materials to make it happen.
<Seraphna> Luci> Could someone be making a move on the spirits?
<DeathStar> <Ymir> You'll have to excuse me. This has set me back a lot. *She seems distracted* I don't have time right now. I'll have my people look into it.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Of course. *She steps out*
<Seraphna> Luci> I’ll see if I can get you more spirit tech help when we can get to Geyze again. Be careful Ymir.
<Seraphna> Luci> Who knows what they’ll do next.
<DeathStar> *Asarar keeps quiet as she walks out of the building, waiting on Luci*
<Seraphna> **Luci turns and moves to join her** <Didn’t Kira go to the demolition equipment? She wouldn’t waste time with unrelated stuff.>
<DeathStar> <Asarar> <We'll have to ask her what all she found there>
<DeathStar> *moves to meet up with Kira*
<Seraphna> **Luci gives an affirmative thought, checking her messages as she goes** Someone’s got to have said something by now. I hope Kira’s alright…
<DeathStar> *Luci has one message so far - duplicates*
<DeathStar> *and that Max is hungry*
<Seraphna> Luci> Apparenly we’re dealing with… duplicate people. I guess alternate reality shit.
<Jackieness> <Kira> *is actually under her sun lamp on the roof when they get back*
<DeathStar> *Asarar finds Kira and as they return to the bar, Bonnie seems to be missing and the the bar looks a little messed up. Their famous bartender is slocuhed over*
<Seraphna> Luci> **checks the bartender**
<DeathStar> *Barry groans*
<DeathStar> <Asarar> It looks like someone went through the stuff and stole our cat
<DeathStar> *Asarar cheecks the files but finds their tapes taken*
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Good thing we don't keep a lot of important stuff at the bar.
<Seraphna> Luci> What was on the tapes?
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Our sexting logs." *said offhandedly*
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Camera footage.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> That too.
<Seraphna> Luci> I’m expecting we’ll now be framed for the construction thing. ‘
<Seraphna> Luci> A bit weird someone would plan on Kira wanting to blow shit up though.
<DeathStar> *Asarar checks her stuff* Logan is getting to me. He's reporting that the spirit-tech and other stuff is MIA when Ymir's forces got there.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> She's assuming that it was blown up
<Seraphna> Luci> …>Seriously?
<DeathStar> <Asarar> WAs it? *To Kira*
<Seraphna> Luci> This is Ymir right? She’s not questioning the lack of debris?
<Jackieness> <Kira> "I took out the engines from some wreckign balls and dozers. Didn't touch the spirit-tech, which should have been in a secure warehouse if they have any sense."
<DeathStar> <Asarar> I imagine after a search she'll figure out that it was taken. And when that happens, she'll probably suspect us. We show up the day of the attack?
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Suspicious
<Seraphna> Luci> So we head off this nonsense.
<Seraphna> Luci> I’ll tell her what we did.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> ...
<Seraphna> Luci> It’s stupid of us to even pretend to hope this isn’t going to blow up in our face if we do the usual.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Alright, you tell her.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> I'll go look for clues on Bonnie and who tried to rob us. *she quietly goes to activate the Net*
<DeathStar> *shuffling out the side door very suspiciously*
<Seraphna> **Luci taps away a message** “We had someone nearby, obviously we were planning to delay the demolition if it was real. But we didn’t touch that equipment. You got robbed.”
<Jackieness> <Kira> *watches Asarar go*
<DeathStar> *Asarar closes the door*
<Jackieness> <Kira> "...huh." *works on reviving Barry*
<DeathStar> *Barry wakes up and pours himself a drink* My, this job is ... a headache.
<Seraphna> **Luci sends pictures of the bar and Barry and notes their missing tapes** “Frame Job” she notes on it. “Let’s not let people screw with us again.
<DeathStar> -SCENE SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Geyze
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Watch that head, Barry. I need to go out." *grabs her jacket
<DeathStar> *Lumi bangs head on desk as she stares at the frozen Sasha, who remains defiant and requesting her afternoon tea and to have her hair combed*
<DeathStar> <Lumi> What the hell IS this?
<Seraphna> Thena> An alternate Sasha.
<DeathStar> <Gwen> I don't know how to make tea. *he peers out the window at the students becoming angry at Sasha being taken*
<DeathStar> <Gwen> The students are getting upset at us
<Sara> <Ellie> Can you blame them? They have no idea what's going on.
<Seraphna> Thena> They should return to their dorms if they are going to impede finding the real headmistress.
<DeathStar> <Death> Should I kill her?
<Sara> <Ellie> Great idea, thanks for contributing, but let's put in a pin in that one for now--
<Seraphna> Thena> No we need to know where they took Sasha, Celes and Liara.
<Seraphna> **Liana
<DeathStar> *Neekito pushes Death into the corner*
<Seraphna> **Thena leans in and looks into Sasha’s mind**
<DeathStar> *Sasha peers back, red eyes glowing a bit*
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I still want to know why you're doing this."
<Seraphna> **Thena hold up a glowing hand** I suppose you could just tell us. Because I am not the happy Thena you ruined a few hours ago.
* Ariel has joined #TAW-Geyze
<DeathStar> <Sasha> *looks rather peeved* This has all gone on quite enough
<DeathStar> *She uses her business voice* You will release me and I will forget about this
<Seraphna> Thena> Yes it has. You will tell us and I won’t get angry.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Ah, what? I still want to know first."
<DeathStar> <Lumi> Oh would you quit pretending to be Sasha.
<DeathStar> <Sasha> *lets out breath* I am simply aiding the people who helped us.
<DeathStar> <Sasha> Now would you kindly release me?
<Seraphna> Thena> By harming innocent people.
<Seraphna> Thena> Where are they.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Who were they, and why is that supposed to be an explanation?"
<DeathStar> <Sasha> Excuse me? How so? I simply ordered your version of my niece to be taken.
<Seraphna> Thena> And what did you do with Sasha?
<DeathStar> <Sasha> *lets out a breath* She should be at the castle too.
<DeathStar> <Lumi> Ceilidh is right, what kind of explanation is that? <Sasha> As I said, I was repaying debts.
<Seraphna> Thena> Better, you’ll be remanded here until this is done. Then we will return you to your people. Not that I know what kind of debt allows you to bring harm to other worlds.
<DeathStar> *Sasha eyes Thena, annoyed at her phrasing*
<Seraphna> **Thena has never had a look of death before, its present now**
<DeathStar> <Gwen> So. It all comes down to traveling to Hapian Castle.
<Seraphna> Thena> I will take us there. Some will need to be here to secure this deviant.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I suggest you avoid accruing debts such as those in future."
<DeathStar> *Sasha studies Ceilidh, looking perhaps bemused*
<DeathStar> <Lumi> We should also ship this one off to Taiga later to have her reality identified.
<DeathStar> <Gwen> You mean there might be more of them out there?
<Seraphna> **Thena muses and nods, sending for peacekeepers and pausing a moment, she touches Sasha’s forehead and then moves back, a mark visibly on her forehead**
<DeathStar> *Gwen shudders a the idea of more Sashas lurking about*
<Seraphna> Thena> At least two.
<Seraphna> Thena> With that no one will be fooled that she is our Sasha. And I can find her anywhere. Do behave.
<DeathStar> *Sasha stares at Thena*
<DeathStar> <Lumi> I'll remain here and keep organizing the Academy and keeping the students in the loop that this is not the headmistress.
<Seraphna> **The others would see that it’s distinctly a cat paw mark**
<Seraphna> **Thena sighs and fixes her glasses** Their first mistake was breaking my sister.
<DeathStar> *Lumi pauses, then eyes her communication* Hm, we might have another problem.
<Seraphna> Thena> More, of course.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Sister?"
<DeathStar> <Lumi> Ymir is not happy it seems.
<DeathStar> <Lumi> I'll try to calm her down while you all go rescue Selena.
<Seraphna> Thena> Am I to guess that the thieves have robbed Kumen?
<Seraphna> Thena> You should give her the report we got from the Earth group.
<DeathStar> <Ymir> More like Asarar and company blew up her stuff allowing thieves to steal.
<DeathStar> *Lumi
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Well... one thing at a time."
<Seraphna> Thena> So yes, but with more complications.
<Seraphna> Thena> It was technology stolen, correct?
<DeathStar> <Lumi> And a cat.
<DeathStar> *Neekito gasps*
<Seraphna> Thena> A Familiar?
<DeathStar> <Lumi> Anyway, like I said, I'll handle it. When you get back, I'll try to have the full report.
<Seraphna> Thena> Okay… please be careful Luci.
<Seraphna> **Lumi
<Seraphna> **Thena motions others to her** I can skip the nonsense of having to get into the castle. I’ve been there often enough to go directly in.
<DeathStar> <Gwen> *looks around for Lana*
<DeathStar> *then touches Thena*
<DeathStar> *Neekito touches her*
<Seraphna> **Talia does too, Alita having warped away to work on the spirits with Void**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh?"
<Sara> * Ellie does too
<DeathStar> <Gwne> Do you want to come?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "*hops up and goes to touch them*
<Ariel> * Nico joins the telecircle
<Seraphna> **When everyone with them does touch her, she teleports, aiming for the Gnome Garden Jaime started inside the castle**
<DeathStar> *the group gets a lucky roll and ends up inside the garden, but finds it has been turned into a massive cell of sorts; a type of unknown energy surrounds it, and behind that thorny vines and beyond that iron metal up the ceiling*
<DeathStar> <Gwen> I Think we are not welcome.
<Sara> <Ellie> This seems... bad.
<Seraphna> Thena> Here I thought the Queen’s chamber would be covered as we usually just go there.
<Seraphna> Thena> I am not sure this was meant for us.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...ummm..our situation has not improved."
<Seraphna> **Talia peers around**
<Ariel> <Nicolette> *checks the bars* "A spirit trap?"
<DeathStar> *the first energy bars stings and shocks Nicolette*
<DeathStar> <Gwen> Are they trying to think of every sort of power type?
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Can you teleport out, or are we stuck here now?"
<Seraphna> Thena> The thieves stole technology meant to protect the spirits, it may well be implemented to trap them.
<Ariel> <Nicolette> *shakes her hand* "Well... affective against people at least."
<Seraphna> **Talia looks at the floor**
<DeathStar> <Neekito> Should I attack the floor?
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "It would be ironic if they didn't cover the floor."
<Seraphna> Talia> Floor is dirt at least 10 feet down, would be hard for them to.
<Sara> <Ellie> I mean, you SAY that...
<Seraphna> **Talia forms her blade and tries digging**
<DeathStar> *she shuffles the dirt about*
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Is it really dirt that far down?" *tries to dig into the dirt*
<DeathStar> *I mean, she did say 10 feet*
<Seraphna> **Talia nods and puts her hand on the ground, then sends a small mana blast down to make a hole**
<Ariel> * Nicolette ponders a moment, then trys to create an earth wall under the bars, to lift the cage up
<DeathStar> *As Talia digs, Nicolete's earth wall manages to not quite lift the energy bars but make it so they're uneven enough that one can go under the first level of protection up to the throny wall*
<DeathStar> <Gwen> That works too
<DeathStar> *soon TAlia reaches the metallic floor that makes the third protection*
<Seraphna> **Thena muses and forms a hyper blade, cutting at the thorns**
<Alicia> * Ceilidh makes her way out of the cage, looking over the thorns
<DeathStar> *The thorns try to attack Thena, wrapping around her and trying to bind her*
<Sara> <Ellie> Be careful!
<Seraphna> **Sheathes her arm in energy and pulls back**
<DeathStar> *while that happens, it leaves areas of the wall less covered in thorns*
<DeathStar> *the thorns are damaged*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *looks at Gwen* "..maybe we should just wait for Talia?
<DeathStar> <Gwen> IT's hard to say. Both options look viable.
<DeathStar> *eyes floor and wall*
<Seraphna> **Talia taps her chin, then tries her sword against the metal**
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "At least they only attack when damaged..."
<DeathStar> *The metal of the floor glows with energy, trying to damage the sword*
<DeathStar> <Neekito> Maybe a massive attack will be enough?
<Seraphna> **Talia climbs back up** If a few of us attack once we can go through either way?
<DeathStar> *Neekito pushes Ellie up*
<DeathStar> <Neekito> Go forth!
<Jackieness> <Lana> "They're already working on the other wall."
<DeathStar> <Gwen> So we should attack the wall and floor all at the same time, or all at the floor?
<Seraphna> Talia> Next time I’m teleporting to a janitor closet or something.
<Seraphna> Thena> The floor passes the vibes entirely. It had the best chance.
<Seraphna> **vines
<DeathStar> *Gwen nods and pulls his dual weapons out*
<DeathStar> <Gwen> Alright, on 3 then
<DeathStar> <Gwen> Lana can cheer me on or something
<Seraphna> **Talia gathers mana and Thena forms an orb**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ummm...ok."
<DeathStar> <Gwen> 1..
<DeathStar> <Gwen> 2...
<DeathStar> *Gwen leaps and stabs at the same time as Neekito with her mimic sword* 3.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ummm...yay?"
<Seraphna> **Thena and Talia fire**
<DeathStar> *Lana's yay does massive mental damage*
<Alicia> * Ceilidh fires magic at the same time
<DeathStar> *the floor collapses on them and they fall through and land in the middle of a set of tables*
<DeathStar> *Gwen laying there, groaning*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhhhh!"
<DeathStar> *As servants stare at them in horror and flee and soldiers rush in*
<DeathStar> <Liana> ... *stands there holding her sword*
<Ariel> * Nicolette uses the wind to soften her fall, landing on her feet. "Maybe... that was a bit too strong."
<DeathStar> *Neekito rolls to her side and pushes up*
<DeathStar> *Liana points at them with her sword* Subdue them.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "What."
<DeathStar> <Gwen> Aah. She's one of them.
<Alicia> * Ceilidh scans Liana
<Jackieness> <Lana> "They are coming this way. With swords."
<DeathStar> *the other Liana has the same signature as Sasha*
<Seraphna> **Thena tch’s and holds out a hand** Belay that, on the authority of the Peacekeepers, this is an imposter.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Okay, how many of you otherworld imposters are there?"
<DeathStar> *The soldiers just stare at them as if they've heard it all before*
<Sara> <Ellie> As many as there are people in power, I imagine...
<DeathStar> *and proceed to lift Thena up easily and begin to bind her*
<Seraphna> **Theana goes hyperspace when they try**
<DeathStar> *The soldiers yelp and fall over, holding their hands*
<DeathStar> *smoking*
<Seraphna> Thena> Knights quick to support a coup.
<Seraphna> Thena> Pray when the rightful ruler is reinstated, you keep your places.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "They probably don't even know."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh... surrender, or are you thirsty for me?"
<Jackieness> thirsty for more
<Seraphna> Thena> Let’s try this again, Liana, do you submit to the authority of the Peacekeepers, or do you wish to resist and break the agreement?
<DeathStar> *The soldiers apparently are wondering if Lana is coming onto them*
<Seraphna> Thena> Your spy at the academy didn’t know the laws either. ‘
<DeathStar> *and have paused a moment in confusion*
<Sara> * Ellie looks at Lana
<DeathStar> <Liana> You are in the Hapian Castle and have invaded it.
<Seraphna> Thena> You invaded the academy when you illegally seized Selena on neutral territory.
<Seraphna> Thena> I will ask once more, then I stop playing games.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...who is your daughter, so its not really a good look for you as amother."
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Not to mention, as an out of world imposter, you are also invading the castle."
<DeathStar> <Liana> I believe your Headmistress handed her over.
<Seraphna> Thena> No, your spy did. She has been detained.
<DeathStar> <Liana> My spy? Whatever do you mean?
<Seraphna> Thena> We know how to identify people from other realities.
<DeathStar> *The soldiers meanwhile are still moving closer*
<DeathStar> *not pausing during this.*
<Seraphna> Thena> Fine, you chose this.
<Ariel> <Nicolette> *looks at the soldiers* "If any of you want to keep your jobs, back off."
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Did you really just wake up today and choose violence?"
<DeathStar> *The soldiers glance at each other*
<Seraphna> **Thena pulls out a datapad.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "If I didn't know better, I'd think Thena had been replaced too."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Even if you were our Liana, this transfer of power is completely illegal. 'Take backseys' doesn't have any legal standing."
<Seraphna> Thena> Whatever you owe Reality 25, I hope it was worth never leaving.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "She does this when she goes into serious business mode."
<DeathStar> <Liana> ... *peers at Nicolette, then turns to step out of the room, closing the door after her and locking it*
<DeathStar> <Soldier> ... I think we been fired.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Ah, I've never seen her serious then, I guess."
<DeathStar> <Soldier 2> Maybe if we arrest them now?
<DeathStar> <Soldier 3> Or stabs them some?
<Seraphna> Thena> You’re rehired as peacekeepers if you show the mental ability to see you’re being used in a coup.
<Seraphna> Thena> I will count to three, the opposite option is being arrested for aiding one.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "These guys are bottom of the barrel. You realize that Then here cna hurt all of you by herself, right?"
<Jackieness> Thena
<DeathStar> <Soldier> *hangs head* I'm going to go be a farmer.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Or at least, to stay calm and collected and wait until this is sorted out."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Technically, you've committed treason. But I can understand being fooled. You should be able to negotiate reassignment if you smarten up."
<Seraphna> Thena> Sir, I would make you a general for that choice.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "that's actually a more stable job than canon fodder anyway."
<DeathStar> *it looks like Lana has broken their faith in themselves
<Seraphna> Thena> Now if you’ll excuse me. **she blasts the door**
<DeathStar> *The wooden door shatters*
<DeathStar> <Neekito> *to Ellie* She does a lot of damage.
<Seraphna> Thena> I’m going to flay a doppelgänger.
<DeathStar> *eyes the ceiling, then the door
<Seraphna> **Thena begins moving, Talia blinking**
<Seraphna> Talia> Progenies are scary when mad.
<DeathStar> <Gwen> So where should we check first?
<Seraphna> **Talia muses, then feels out for Selena’s thoughts**
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I feel sorry for everyone here who didn't cause all this in the first place."
<Seraphna> Talia> Selena can rally the castle.
<Seraphna> **both of those were Thena
<Seraphna> **Talia meanwhile paws a guard** Where’s the Queen being held? Don’t make me Mew Mew!
<DeathStar> *she mainly gets a general - Selena is alive vibe in the castle. The guard eyes Talia, then tries to cuff her*
<Sara> * Ellie nods to Neekito
<DeathStar> <Guard> T-The intruders who are here to kill the queen!
<Seraphna> **Talia forms a sword and gently puts it under the guard’s chin**
<DeathStar> <Guard> AND me
<Seraphna> Talia> Selena.
<DeathStar> *he yelps*
<Seraphna> Talia> Where, or you get the Mew Mew.
<DeathStar> <Guard> The ship?
<Seraphna> Talia> …Ship?
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Do we really need to resort to violence? I'm sure we can resolve this peacefully... okay, the ship is new."
<Jackieness> <Lana> *pokes her head out* "Ahhhhh? Something is happening out here with Talia."
<Seraphna> **Thena muses and focuses outside the castle at the sound of the word Ship**
<Ariel> <Nicolette> *clears her throat* "Ahem. Royal official. Need to see Selena. Where is she?"
<DeathStar> <Guard> V-Very well. Follow me.
<DeathStar> *he walks stiffly down to the dungeons*
<Seraphna> **Thena follows, keeping a mind out, while Talia marches** Dat’s right, we saving Selena from the baddies.
<DeathStar> *suddenly, there's a shaking as they near the dungeons and he's about to pull the keys out*
<DeathStar> ,Gwen> I don't ike this...
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I don't like it either."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> *pulls her cane out* "Yeah..."
<Seraphna> **Thena feels out again to see if Selena is closer**
<DeathStar> *suddenly a massive man's man comes smashing through the ceiling and lands before Thena, rippling muscles - Liana's grandfather and lifts her up and Talia and hurls them through the hole he made; they make stars in the sky it seems like due to the distance they are hurled*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ummm...keep openign he door, please."
<DeathStar> *Brandr then turns to face Ellie and the others*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh! Is that the real giuy or another fake?!"
<DeathStar> <Brandr> ... *poses a bit as his posing makes Gwen go pale*
<DeathStar> <Gwen> Not HIM
<Seraphna> **Thena grabs Talia and teleports them back down behind the others**
<Sara> * Ellie's eyes go wide
<Sara> <Ellie> Do you think they even CAN fake that!?
<Seraphna> Thena> Baldr should be on the tree.
<DeathStar> ,Gwen> How can there be more than one of him?!
<DeathStar> <Gwen> HOW?!
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Ah... hey. Are you from this world?"
<Seraphna> Thena> Scan him.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Gwen, stop panicking and scna him!"
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I..." *scans*
<DeathStar> <Brandr> Hm? *he pauses at that question*
<DeathStar> *it seems...*
<DeathStar> *he is the real deal, and he is is angry as he lifts up Gwen*
<DeathStar> <Gwen> Not the back breaker, not the back breaker*
<Seraphna> Thena> Baldr, your graddaughter has been kidnapped.
<Sara> <Ellie> S-Sir Windrunner! Do you know they took your family and replaced them with imposters?
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "He's from our universe, but... how is he so strong?"
<DeathStar> *he pauses*
<Seraphna> Thena> He works out.
<DeathStar> <Brandr> Replaced?
<Seraphna> Thena> Yes, doppelgängers.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Please let Gwen go! We're here to save Selena and find our friends, including the real Liana."
<DeathStar> *he sets Gwen down, who is panting8
<Seraphna> Thena> They are keeping your great graddaughter in a dungeon.
<Sara> <Ellie> That's exactly right! Gwen, can you show him the scans or something?
<DeathStar> <Gwen> I saw little Gwen...
<DeathStar> <Gwen> *holds up his wrist watch*
<Seraphna> Thena> Surely that must be a hint.
<DeathStar> *Brandr studies it* <Brandr> I see! My apologies. ... Allow me to punish the fake Liana. *he storms the hallways, leaving them*
<Sara> * Ellie blinks several times, mouth open a bit as if in awe
<Seraphna> Thena> Spank hard.
<DeathStar> <Neekito> .... *has been quiet this entire time*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "..is it ok to let him rampage?"
<Ariel> <Nicolette> *waves*
<Seraphna> **Thena then moves on towards the cells**
<Seraphna> *Talia recovers finally and crawls on Gwen**
<Seraphna> Talia> Talia saw Kumen.
<DeathStar> *the guard shakily hands the keys and runs off*
<DeathStar> *never to be seen again*
<DeathStar> <Gwen> I know... it's okay..
<Seraphna> **Thena unlocks the door and moves forward** We can’t delay. Whatever the thieves are up to passes while we do this.
<DeathStar> *inside Selena, Liana, and Celes are sitting around, their cells surprisingly nice and pampered. They seem to be having their powers damped, and even Soren is in there*
<Sara> <Ellie> Neekito? You okay? *she looks at her*
<DeathStar> <Celes> ... are you all okay?
<DeathStar> <Neekito> ..... his aura continues to frighten even me.
<DeathStar> *she shakes her head, snapping out of it*
<Seraphna> **Thena works on releasing them, looking annoyed**
<Sara> <Ellie> Yes, we're fine, old man Windrunner showed up so I uh... gosh.
<Seraphna> Talia> Talia heard that Baldr bench presses dragons.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "... I'm... impressed."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Where is the headmistress?"
<DeathStar> <Soren> I demand retribution.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I could believe that."
<DeathStar> <Selena> Oh, Sasha is in the next cell. They had to gag her and tie her up
<DeathStar> *Selena points*
<Sara> <Ellie> Really? We had to do that to the fake one too
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "That... doesn't surprise me. You're all okay, right?" *despite the pampering*
<DeathStar> <Celes> Truly? But no, we are okay. They seemed to have gone out of their way to not do anything.
<DeathStar> <Celes> I'm not sure what they wanted in the castle though.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Thena's kind of... on edge, to put it nicely."
<DeathStar> *Selena helps free Sasha and brings her to the others*
<Seraphna> Thena> Were you working on any spirit tech?
<DeathStar> <Celes> The entire Kingdom runs on Spirit Technology
<Seraphna> Thena> Anything new or especially unique and steal-able.
<Seraphna> Thena> They are pirates. They stole much of the technology to build the spirit towers earlier.
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Their actions may have been just to keep you distracted."
<DeathStar> *Selena muses* Well, we are always looking to development new ways to push spirit-technology. We have been having our people look into magi-tech and spirit-tech combined, and Tora has been working on ships here. Like the Mew Mew and the Aquarius
<Seraphna> **Thena nods** It is true. But you had to be saved. Especially with a Spirit taken. Lady Soren.
<DeathStar> <Selena> Both of which are around right this second.
<Seraphna> **Thena frowns** They may be after one of them. Or a new one.
<DeathStar> <Soren> I think they just wanted me out of the way so I would not realize they were fake
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "A lot has happened."
<DeathStar> *upstairs, the castle can be felt shaking - probably from a certain Liana grandfather*
<DeathStar> *Celes takes her hand, eyeing her*
<DeathStar> <Celes> We should probably go to the throne room and take stock of everything then.
<Sara> <Liana> It seems that way...
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Oh, Liana's grandfather was rampaging."
<DeathStar> <Selena> My poor castle...
<DeathStar> *As they walk the hallways, the servants and what soldiers are still in the castle seem unsure who to bow to - Selena or Celes*
<Seraphna> **Thena nods, and finally smiles**
<DeathStar> *And opt to do it to both*
<Ariel> * Nicolette walks taller now that the royals are rescued.
<DeathStar> *As they arrive in the throne room, it looks like a chaotic mess, with a broken wall; there is a note left behind by Brandr*
<DeathStar> <Selena> ...this will definitely take a bit of time. *She eyes the wall and how high up they are*
<Seraphna> **Thena oddly walks… less tall, it’s as if the seriously scary version of her went away as soon as her friends were safe**
<Sara> <Liana> Oh! He left a note. *she checks it*
<Alicia> * Ceilidh checks the note
<DeathStar> *Gwen looks dizzy due to the height*
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Such a mess..."
<DeathStar> "The false duplicates did not put up much of a fight after I battles them, and began to crawl away after they called your men to protect them. A ship fired into the room and they boarded it. It looked liked like a cat. I believe it was called the Mew something. I think it belonged to a red head named Charleen? Charlotte. I think I saw her the other day at the tree. Will track them. Love. Grandfather
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Charlotte and the Mew Mew?"
<Seraphna> Thena> They stole the Mew Mew.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Could be an imposter Charlotte."
<DeathStar> <Selena> We should probably return to the Academy and verify some of this.
<DeathStar> <Celes> I will go in your place; you will need to stay here and make sure your rule is cemented, even if it's just a day or two. I can go and be your eyes.
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "And I need yo make sure my Academy is safe."
<Ariel> * Nicolette frowns as she ponders, "Find some men you're confident in. We'll cover this."
<DeathStar> <Selena> Right. I definitely need to take a look at the guard.
<DeathStar> <Selena> They locked way my female guard when this happened.
<Seraphna> Talia> Fiends!
<DeathStar> <Neekito> Alright, everyone ready to go back?
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "If it helps clear my head from everything happening too fast, yes."
<DeathStar> *Gwen looks around*
<DeathStar> <Gwen> As long as we don't run into...him
<DeathStar> <Celes> Liana. I think Gwen is afraid of your grandpa.
<Seraphna> **Thena nods** I will take you now.
<DeathStar> *Gwen sweats buckes*
<Seraphna> Talia> It’s okay Gwen. Talia will protect you.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Gwen suffered a traumatic expeirence!"
<DeathStar> <Gwen> One time... you all weren't there.
<DeathStar> <Gwen> He pulled me side and we had to train...train...
<DeathStar> <Gwen> ... *pales*
<Seraphna> **Talia hugs him**
<DeathStar> <Selena> Great grandfather is cuddly. *she tells Nico*
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "He's sweet, if a little intimidating."
<DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Kumen
<DeathStar> *The bar opens and Kumen security forces enter. They are led by a stern looking woman*
<DeathStar> <Woman> You are Luci who contacted Ymir an hour ago confessing your part in the bombing of the Macross Yards?
<Seraphna> **Luci sighs** Yes.
<Seraphna> Luci> I’d rather she catch the thieves then let them mislead her.
<DeathStar> *she shows her badge* <Zoë> I'd like you to come with me. *one officer goes to handcuff her, but she stops them* We'll see if we can work something out. Your group did something very bad, I hope you know. Even if it led to another group stealing the equipment, you still blew up stuff. But we know you lost a ... blue cat?
<DeathStar> <Zoë> Is there anyone else here? *she peers at Barry, who holds up his hands innocently*
<Seraphna> Luci> Yes, a Familiar. Barry just works here. The others went out.
<Seraphna> Luci> and yeah, no need for the cuffs, I’m trying to help.
<DeathStar> <Zoë> Did they? Alright. *She takes Luci by the arm* Alright, we're going downtown. Maybe you can work with us to clear up the matter and we'll see about a lesser charge for destruction of government property.
<Seraphna> **Luci gets up and nods** Lead the way.
<DeathStar> *they take her to the Macross vehicle and they fly off to the upper sections where Ymir is located. Asarar brings her and Kira out of the Net*
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Well that played about like I thought it would
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Well, this is still an inconvenience."
<DeathStar> <Asarar> I think we should look into these duplicates and who they are - since going back to the bar is going to be too much of a hassel for a bit
<DeathStar> *she nods at Ymir's men keeping an eye on the bar*
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Find out why they want this tech. Even if it just comes down to they want an army with the latest tech, you gotta want to aim it at someone
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Agreed. They don't take such drastic actions on a whim."
<DeathStar> *Asarar nods and moves off into the streets with Kira, fading into the crowds*
<DeathStar> -SCENE SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Geyze (Academy)
<DeathStar> *Celes looks around as the students eye Sasha and Rain looks her over*
<DeathStar> <Rain> That's her
<DeathStar> *The students nod, accepting that for the most part and move off. Meanwhile, the other Sasha remains in her cell*
<DeathStar> *moves for Cypher and Chelsea's house where the Mew Mew is kept*
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Rain, what orders were given?"
<DeathStar> <Gwen> ... *it looks like everything is normal, but the back door is opened slightly*
<DeathStar> *Ellie vanishes as they walk; Neekito freaking out until she sees her flying about*
<Seraphna> Talia> Poor Mew Mew girls
<DeathStar> <Rain> *Goes over it - it seems they are all orders she'd give until she was captured by the team outside the capture Selena order and an order to not patrol near Cypher's house*
<DeathStar> *Gwen creeps up to the door* <Gwen> Alright, I'm going inside.
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Cypher's house?"
<DeathStar> *Gwen slips into Cypher's house*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...I hope Gwen is alright..."
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Me too."
<DeathStar> <Rain> Yes. They live a bit off to the side since Chelsea needs privacy for her maintence of the MEw MEw Ship
<DeathStar> <Rain> And other loud creations. But she also lives close enough to Luci's bar to go visit Asarar.
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Well, the others were heading that way..."
<DeathStar> <Rain> She has an apartment in Asarar's place there as well and sometimes stays the night.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I like that place... and I could use a drink, to be honest."
<DeathStar> *Sylph lands with Ellie after a bit, her clothes all wind blown
<DeathStar> <Rain> We finally got the teleporters to it working finally
<DeathStar> *There is a scream inside Cypher's house*
<DeathStar> *Celes hurrying inside*
<Ariel> * Nicolette heads to the sound of the scream
<Seraphna> **Talia leaps in with her sword**
<Alicia> * Ceilidh takes a deep breath, then follows
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh!" *follows after the others*
<DeathStar> *it looks like there's been a fight or commotion - there's stuff thrown around. There's no sign of Aimée or Mélodie, but they do find Cypher topless and tied up, a wound in her shoulder from some sort of blaster. Gwen has his eyes covered and has tripped trying not to look*
<DeathStar> <Gwen> I saw nothing, nooooothing
<DeathStar> *in the back the hanger door is open and the Mew MEw has been stolen, probably along with the two spirits. Which means the spirits and Bonnie has likely been taken*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "They've been robbed too!"
<DeathStar> <Celes> *Tries to get Cypher down*
<DeathStar> <Celes> The Mew is a pretty tough ship. We can't let them steal it.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Were they really setting up all these alternate versions of people just to steal the ship?"
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Shipjacking is one thing, but kidnapping?"
<Jackieness> <Lana> "But its a ship...how do we find and catch up to it?"
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "We need our own ship."
<Seraphna> Talia> We need the Aquarius!
<Seraphna> Talia> Call Captain Boobie Lady!
<DeathStar> *As Celes gets Cypher down, she thinks*
<DeathStar> <Celes> They might have taken the two spirits because they're needed for the Mew Mew
<DeathStar> <Celes> Why take the little cat I have no idea.
<Seraphna> Talia> That easy!
<DeathStar> <Gwen> Easy? *Cypher stirs and sits up*
<Seraphna> Talia> They want to copy Talia’s amazingness.
<DeathStar> <Gwen> ... no doubt!
<Jackieness> <Lana> "....ahhhhh?"
<DeathStar> <Cypher> ...You!
<Seraphna> Talia> Talia is the source of all familiars.
<DeathStar> *points at Lana*
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Oh please, no..."
<DeathStar> <Cypher> Did you knock on my door and shoot me?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ah?"
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "They have an alternate Lana too..."
<DeathStar> <Celes> We cannot be certain. Cypher lost a lot of blood.
<Seraphna> **Talia starts healing Cypher**
<DeathStar> <Celes> IT could be another red head with giant breasts.
<DeathStar> <Gwen> Yeah sure right
<Seraphna> Talia> Talia’s pillows.
<DeathStar> *Cypher eyes Lana suspiciously
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Plus I don't even use guns!"
<Seraphna> Talia> She with us whole time.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Excluding those in video games, of course."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "So there's another Lana as well?"
<DeathStar> *Celes helps Cypher outside where she gets in touch with someone*
<Seraphna> Talia> Talia had excellent nap in them during wedding.
<DeathStar> <Celes> I mean, it's possible.
<DeathStar> *Lumi runs over out of breath* You all seen the news? Of course you haven't
<DeathStar> *Lumi holds up a datapad*
<DeathStar> *somehow someone leaked to the news Thena blowing up the passenger liner and killing most of the passengers, as well as Charlotte's face as the terrorist*
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I've been a bit busy... ah, of course."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "That was the other Charlotte! And I bet she was the one that shot Cypher!"
<DeathStar> <Cypher> Her?
<Seraphna> **Thena sighs** I’d warn my sister it’s out but she must know by now.
<DeathStar> <Lumi> This happened yesterday, so it's going to be all over the place by tonight and tomorrow.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "It...makes...sense! She's been plahying us like flying V guitars all day!"
<DeathStar> <Lumi> But I think our duplicates might be willing to show themselves to the public to hurt us
<DeathStar> <Lumi> So becareful going forward.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I wouldn't be surprised."
<DeathStar> *Celes muses* Oh no
<Seraphna> Thena> **blinks a little and gets an odd look**
<DeathStar> <Celes> You think "I'm" about to get leaked for my take over from Selena?
<DeathStar> *peers at Liana*
<Sara> <Liana> Seems like they might try to smear us, yeah...
<Seraphna> Thena> Selena can easily turn that one aside.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Yeah!"
<DeathStar> <Celes> It'll still cause some chaos even if she does. But you're right
<DeathStar> *She looks relieved*
<Seraphna> Thena> I need to make a call.
<DeathStar> *Celes nods as a ship begins to descend*
<DeathStar> *Sylph comedically flies up and "attacks" the ship*
<DeathStar> *To show it who's boss*
<DeathStar> *it turns out to be the Aquarius as it lands*
<DeathStar> <Neekito> It seems they have arrived.
<Seraphna> **Thena makes a call on the Suisen private channel and sends some data before joining the others**
<DeathStar> *The ramp lowers and Yuki walks down*
<DeathStar> <Yuki> I heard. *she puts on shades* You needed a ship
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Y-yes..."
<Seraphna> Talia> Operation Rescue Talia’s Cute Baby Bonnie begins!
<DeathStar> <Yuki> We'll catch up with everyone, learn what is going on, then take off.
<DeathStar> -SCENE SHIFT-
<DeathStar> Location: Earth
<DeathStar> *Taiga rubs face, looking like she is still up as she is gathering data. Ren is escorting Charlotte to the teleporters to go to the PAX*
<DeathStar> <Ren> I'll meet you at the PAX in a bit, but you should stay low there.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I know."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> *goes over the information they're getting from Geyze and Kumen* The pirates are definitely working angles on both worlds and on Earth
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I know I know.
<DeathStar> I can't help but think they're working their way toward the PAX.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Charlotte.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "We can no longer afford to play defensively."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> If anything suspicious with ANYone happens, let me know.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Obviously."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> I might return to the Asteroid and see if I can learn anything from the computers and formulate an offensive plan. And request this Sasha to interrogate.
<DeathStar> *Ren holds Charlotte's hand as the teleport winds up*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Noire. When/If we get this Sasha. I want you to handle her.
<Seraphna> Si> Fuuuuu.
<DeathStar> *Adeline turns to Noire* You think you can handle do it?
<DeathStar> <Adeline> If not I can rip the information out.
<Seraphna> Jaime> I like it when she’s confident~
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Oh, you need me to be the bad girl then?"
<DeathStar> <Taiga> From the reports, I think she's a reality that is helping them, so she might not have anything too useful
<DeathStar> <TAiga> But we can't afford to play nice anymore. We need to know what 25 did for them.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Then I'll deal with it."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> It'll help formulate a bigger picture of what 25 is
<DeathStar> <Ren> They're pirates. They probably do good and bad things for their end goal and expect deals returned
<DeathStar> <Ren> Right?
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Right."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...how far do you want me to go?"
<Seraphna> Si> But what is the end goal?
<DeathStar> <Taiga> If they're a bystander reality, don't go all the way. Just ... push her to the limit.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> But if I had Adeline or Charlotte here, I'd definitely would not put a limit
<DeathStar> <Ren> Guess that's what we gotta learn
<DeathStar> *Ren exits with Charlotte as Taiga prepares to head to ASteroid C*
<DeathStar> -Epilogue-
<DeathStar> *the mysterious people who were hanging around at the end of Part II meet up discussing Cran's death and the lights come up. It seems to be Warren, Zephyr, Ariel, and Darien*
<DeathStar> <Warren> With all these duplicates running around and what we learned at the hanger, we might have moles and others in our organizations. We need to look and verify each person and see if they can block Taiga's reality scans. Start trying to get in close
<DeathStar> <Darien> Ariel and I will handle the manor. <Zephyr> I'll handle the President and Stacey. <Warren> I'll follow up what we found at Repliforce. Also, someone has begun to hunt V.I personnel and kill them during all this
<DeathStar> <Warren> Killing them with no mercy. <Darien> All of them? <Warren> No hards back. The false V.I we handled a while back. The kids playing at war. I imagine Hodges and McCabe will need extra protection soon.
<DeathStar> <Warren> ... if I feel like I have time.
<DeathStar> *The group split up to their respective groups for now
<DeathStar> -To Be Continued-
<DeathStar> *Celes sets up things for when they go*
<DeathStar> *calling Tora to join them and other things while Yuki relaxes in the Aquarius parked outside*
<DeathStar> *Sylph looks for hard candy on people, searching Ellie first, then Neekito, then hunts others
Session Close: Thu Sep 29 00:00:00 2022

Session Start: Sat Oct 01 18:46:26 2022
Session Ident: #TAW-Charlotte
* Now talking in #TAW-Charlotte
* ipo.esper.net sets mode: +nt
* Retrieving #TAW-Charlotte modes...
* DeathStar sets mode: +ps
* Alicia has joined #TAW-Charlotte
<DeathStar> *Taking place after Geyze Session 6 but before Reality Strikers Session 62*
<DeathStar> *Charlotte has been brought to the PAX to keep her off the Earth for the time being, where she and Ren have a place; not that it keeps people from recognizing her. During all this, her datapad gets a message from a familiar number she was given a while back - one Venerator while Ren is playing with Akatsuki in the background*
<Alicia> * Charlotte responds, still a little uncertainly
<DeathStar> <Venerator> Hello, Charlotte. How are you? *his voice comes on the line, having been underground for sometime since the last time he helped against V.I*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Unpopular, due to the actions of an alternate version of myself."
<DeathStar> <Venerator> I've heard. And it's put you out of the game.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "It has, and I expect that was the intention."
<DeathStar> <Venerator> Do you want to get back at her, or let others handle it? I imagine your name will be cleared, but the red tape could last a while and you might still be slandered for some time - first impressions are long lasting and people rarely pay attention to the retractions.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I want to get back at her, but right now... that's going to be difficult."
<DeathStar> <Venerator> I have an offer then. Come join me temporarily and I can get it so your name is cleared that much faster and I will give you a shot at her. You can call it playing by the playbook that Warren plays by. I'm the one who helped teach him after all.
<Alicia> * Charlotte considers. This is probably a legitimate offer, but...
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "This isn't the sort of offer I can take without some thought on it."
<DeathStar> <Venerator> I understand. Just know that it does have a somewhat window on it. When your enemy begins to move again, I can't predict what they'll do next or how hard they'll make it for everyone. So take this brief moment to talk to who you trust. Just know if you talk to a lot of people, that'll possibly expose yourself to a duplicate.
<DeathStar> *Akatsuki looks innocent as Ren plays with her in the background*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I'm not the sort to talk about those things with many people anyway."
<DeathStar> <Venerator> Very well. If you accept my offer, simply call me back. I'll be waiting for a time. *the communicator goes dead*
<DeathStar> *Ren trots over, her tails holding Akatsuki as she swings her about* Everything okay?
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I got an offer from Venerator... about clearing my name, which I'd go for except... the idea of joining him, even temporarily still feels... suspect, to say the least."
<DeathStar> <Ren> *blinks, slowly rocking Akatsuki* Weird. I hope he's not taking advantage of you. I mean, I'm sure he could do what he's saying and maybe could even help you deal with this other Charlotte, but he's use you in some way too. It'd just be is it worth it?
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I have no doubt there's some degree of that, it's just... how much is a genuine offer, how much is taking advantage of the situation? If this is Warren's playbook like he said, what would he do?"
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Plus, working for Venerator isn't a good look itself."
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I could ask Warren, but I don't want to let him know, at least unless I agree... which means making it about Thena. Same situation, and closer to Warren..."
<DeathStar> *Ren muses*
<DeathStar> <Ren> If we don't trust Venerator
<DeathStar> <Ren> It might not hurt to find Warren. That would burn any chance with Venerator, but I mean, if we don't trust him...
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "That likely answers whether Warren would go for it."
<DeathStar> <Ren> I'll use my old EarthGov connections to try to find him if you want
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "If I make it about Thena, it should be fine. I can use his responses to work out whether this is a worthwhile deal."
<DeathStar> *Ren nods and sits a table and begins to talk to a few people that worked with Cran to try to locate Warren, learning he's undercover, etc etc*
<DeathStar> *Ren soon sets down a datapad in front of Charlotte*
<Alicia> * Charlotte takes the datapad and asks. "Do you have any plans for clearing Thena's name?"
<DeathStar> <Warren on comm> The fact is that Thena - or one of her dupes - actually fired the blast. I'm not sure how that will play out in the end or if charges will be filed. Dias in the end could even pardon her if it does come up - since she is a Princess of the Empress. My goal though is to locate these intruders that have been doing the chaos and bust them.
<DeathStar> <Warren on comm> Especially the ones who have been falsely impersonating and might still be hiding among you all
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "And you'd work with anyone not part of the conspiracy? I heard that was part of your playbook, is that correct?"
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "My name's been tarnished by them enough, so I'm all for busting them. I'm just not sure about the help I've been offered."
<DeathStar> *Warren on comm pauses at that* I suppose that depends. If I felt something was too big for me and I was unsure of who I could trust, I might turn to questionable help if my normal help might be .. let's say in question itself. I just will go in with eyes open and weigh how much they would offer versus the damage they would do
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Absolutely. Thanks for the advice, I'll do my best."
<DeathStar> <Warren on comms> I've heard you are stuck on the PAX due to being "outed". I would offer you a job myself, but I don't have the resources to clear your name. You'd just be stuck doing stuff in the background for me.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "That's right. I think I have it under control though... mostly. Thanks for the offer, at least. You're probably busy, so I'll leave you to it." *signs off*
<DeathStar> <Ren> So, *her tails bounce Akatuski* What's the plan?
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I'm probably going to work with Venerator... cautiously. I doubt they'd try to replace him, and I can both keep an eye on him and clear my name. The bad part is... working for Venerator."
<DeathStar> <Ren> Should I come along?
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Do you want to? You'd be working with Venerator, after all."
<DeathStar> <Ren> I mean, that's not a problem with me. I'm just worried about you. *she eyes her tail* I suppose I should stay here for Akatsuki and I can give you updates on the Striker situation to help you out and be here if you need a quick escape.
<DeathStar> <Ren> I wonder what the other Charlotte will think of this when she learns about it. I guess it'll be a surprise turn of events.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "No doubt she'll try to spin it into me being no better."
<DeathStar> <Ren> I'll be curious how he clears your name if Warren can't. That make me wonder if he's re-establishing himself.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I'm curious too."
<DeathStar> *Ren packs some food for Charlotte to take*
<DeathStar> *As well as a transcoder to use if she gets in trouble*
<DeathStar> <Ren> Stay safe out there.
<DeathStar> *After re-contacting Venerator, she would be told to go back to Earth in a remote location where she would be met with a contact; which turns out to be a strange looking girl*
<DeathStar> <Teenaged? Girl> This way. *leads her out to an abandoned base* There is a V.I killer lately, at least the latest group, so we do not want to remain out too long.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Even without them around I don't want to."
<DeathStar> *some crazed looking blonde lurks in the overgrowth - it could be Mem, but who knows, watching them continue their journey into the base, but no one tries to kill them. As they enter, there are various people moving about doing jobs and Venerator moves over to Charlotte* <Venerator> Welcome Charlotte.
<DeathStar> <Venerator> We will be moving locations soon to a more secure location. We are just here to pick you up.
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Understandable. Neither of us want to spend too long in the open right now."
<DeathStar> <Venerator> When we move, I'll explain how we're going to clear your name. The other you is running around, hijacking jets and doing who knows what else. I'll be forging documents explaining you've been working with me in addition to the Strikers, plus I imagine you were seen at the wedding when the jet was hijacked. I'll be using these things to expediate your name clearing with my sources to have you cleared by the time we take out the other Charlotte - we just need to capture or kill her.
<DeathStar> <Venerator> It always helps to have the target of the crime on hand.
<DeathStar> *Venerator's people begins to clear up all their stuff and pile it into their vehicles, which seems set up to go underground. The teenage girl hands Charlotte some equipment to help her go into cloak mode*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Mmm. May I ask what I'm supposed to have been doing?"
<DeathStar> <Venerator> We'll be wearing this when we go out from now on and when we go after her. *Turns to Charlotte* We've been monitoring things mostly past few months. Have you heard of PMC? Private Military Companies? I've essentially been aiding one with what remains of V.I personel that was loyal to me and not that Hodges and McCabe nonsense. We been helping EarthGov in our own way.
<DeathStar> <Venerator> So you been helping the ground work and you can say making sure we weren't doing anything illegal.
<DeathStar> *He steps into the underground vehicle*
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "Good. That's what I would've done anyway."
<DeathStar> <Venerator> I imagine so. *Their vehicles begin to dig into the ground TMNT style and head away; soon arriving at some underground base that has been constructed that seems to be monitoring all sorts of groups*
<DeathStar> <Venerator> Alright, this will be home while we try to get ahead of this pirates.
Session Close: Sun Oct 02 00:00:00 2022