The Alien Wars 6: Da Capo

Session 668

Session Start: Sun Aug 13 11:29:06 2023
Session Ident: #TAW-Session668
<DeathStar> 3]
<DeathStar> 2
<DeathStar> 1
<DeathStar> -0-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-654.8.7
<DeathStar> Location: Earth Colony
<DeathStar> *after re-stablizing things on the colony, retrieving the Beta parts, and more, the group has gained some knowledge - it looks like the data, however corrupted in them it may be, points toward Earth as their destintion. Thankfully, the 20% that was headed toward the Guardian Colony was intercepted by the PAX and the Guardians and dealt with successfully. And, it looks after getting rid of the infection in Zephyr, she's gotten worse somehow*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl has Zephyr tied down so she can't spread the new infection*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Avoid touching her, Hota
<Seraphna> **Angela grumbles** There was a secondary infection that piggybacked onto the first. And worse, I think we confirmed that Cran has used his wish.
<Seraphna> Angela> This other infection has eldritch energy to it.
<Dias`> *Chad rubs his face a bit* I wish you would've let me look in to it more before you made the decision to go with it. *He crosses his arms as he thinks a bit*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "I know, I know."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Eluere has Ben's DNA ready, but I somehow doubt it'll matter to this.
<Seraphna> Angela> Oh, and this infection has two targets, Dragoons AND Weapons.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> In any event, it's clear she's trying to touch us and spread it.
<Dias`> <Chad> It's doubtful. The best we can hope for is to get rid of the source now. Have we figured out where Cran went to yet?
<Seraphna> Angela> It all points back to Earth.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I've been studying his little riddle. And Eluere is on standby at the manor incase he's there, but the manor has all sorts of hidden pockets too.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "so what is his end goal?"
<Dias`> <Chad> That's where the Beta's went to. Cran may have chosen some other starting point. *He clicks his tongue*
<Seraphna> Angela> Well that’s the thing. Cran tends to be a creature of habit.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl grabs a comm as someone contacts her* Have you managed to locate anything?
<Seraphna> Angela> Even his chosen wish was him securing what he thinks is his legacy.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Have we gotten a warning to Andrea? Planetary defnses might buy us some time."
<Seraphna> Angela> I’d be super cautious, Chad and Cheryl, he seems obsessed with you and his virus would easily take you both.
<Dias`> <Chad> Technically it probably all began when he crash landed on that Famrit planet. But is that really where he see's it?
<DeathStar> *Cran glances up at Chad*
<Dias`> <Chad> I've ran through my list of all Cran bases I've raided over the years. None of them have shown any signs of entry.
<Seraphna> Angela> It’s that or Site 0 where he found Wind and Ariel I guess?
<DeathStar> <Cran> Lets head back to Earth. I might have some ideas, but we should secure the basics first.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Alright, this colony is stable but I'm afraid to move Zephyr
<Seraphna> Angel> We’ve got a sort of security pod for Zephyr.
<Dias`> *Chad glances at Cran then nods* Then let's get her secured and head to Earth.
<Seraphna> Angel> We could always freeze her.
<DeathStar> *Darien eyes Zephyr as she tries to stick her foot at him*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Any chance of evcuating remaining dragoons and weapons off of Earth?"
<Seraphna> Angela> **frowns and looks worriedly at Zephyr**
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "If it's going back to the beginning, I'd think Site 0."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> We've sent word to as many as we can. But with this Sin business
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Who knows how many are active right now
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Plus we just came off a big battle with the Serpent. We haven't even done a head count
<Dias`> <Chad> Id's already spread the information to the other original Weapons.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "We really need to get a headcount..."
<Dias`> <Chad> And my Weapons have taken the necessary precautions now.
<DeathStar> *Darien starts up the teleporter*
<DeathStar> <Darien> Everyone ready?
<Seraphna> Angela> We thankfully have a network to tell the NGDs stuff. So they got warnings.
<DeathStar> *Cran gets on while Cheryl gets the security pod on*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *steps on to the teleporter*
<Seraphna> **The Omega girls board**
<Dias`> *Chad moves to step on the teleporter*
<DeathStar> *Xvar quietly steps on with looks to be a ham, eating it*
<Alicia> * Hotaru steps onboard
<DeathStar> *Aya begins to program Earth as their destination, but when she hits to go, suddenly a hidden code springs up from the system at the destination Earth and begins to activate, making the teleporter start acting up*
<Seraphna> **Angela gives Xvar some mustard**
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Abort!"
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> ---shit! *she reaches to hit the button when they're warped*
<DeathStar> *The group suddenly finds themselves scattered across a beach somewhere with a purple sky*
<Dias`> *Chad falls to his knees, not liking what happened as he coughs a bit. He quickly looks around to try and orientate himself*
<DeathStar> *Xvar looks for the mustarded ham, while Cheryl has been buried in the sand*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "... I hate these villain cheat codes."
<Alicia> * Hotaru digs Cheryl out
<DeathStar> *Darien sits up* What happened?
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> ... Thanks. *She spits out sand*
<Seraphna> Angela> We got redirected somewhere…
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "They redirected the teleport. A simple but effective way of stopping us."
<DeathStar> *Aya hangs from a coconut tree* Someone messed with the teleported if Earth was selected
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *looks up and around* "...Dark One world?"
<Seraphna> Angel> A bit broad…
<Dias`> <Chad> Yeah but question is to where. Because we dont' have any easy way off here. *He pulls out his Idlet* Id, scan the skys and get us a location.
<Dias`> *The Idlet floats up and begins scanning to try and find out where they are*
<Seraphna> Angela> If it’s the Resort Planet we can just hop another teleporter.
<DeathStar> *based on the stars, it looks like they were flung somewhere into Cartel space*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "That's why it won't be."
<Seraphna> Angela> yeah… this is Cartel space.
<Dias`> <Idlet> Cartel space. Currently trying to access other Holonet sources.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Damn it Cran, my bank account is only finite!"
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Hah
<Seraphna> Angela> I could call Epsilon I guess. I hid it in Atlean space but that’s not too far from here.
<DeathStar> *Darien begins to wander the beach - a few minutes later he's already back*
<Dias`> <Idlet> Strange. I'm picking up no signs of Holonet activity.
<DeathStar> *Aya finally drops to the sand*
<Seraphna> Angel> You came back fast.
<DeathStar> <Darien> This is a very small island. *He eyes the center of it with some trees*
<DeathStar> <Darien> ... Hrm
<Dias`> <Chad> Which means long distance communications are screwed.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Of course."
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Can you at leats figure out the planet?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Inland it is then.
<Dias`> *Chad rubs the back of his neck* Id, scan the island. Look for anything off. *The Idlet begins to scan the ground beneath them now*
<Seraphna> Angela> I mean, we have one more option. But it’s a pain in the ass.
<Seraphna> Angel> Two if I can figure out a close enough teleport.
<Dias`> <Chad> Id keeps all known star maps on file. If he hasn't given us the planet than that might mean it's somewhere on the edge of Cartel Space.
<DeathStar> *Cran seems to be quiet, like he's trying to recall something*
<Dias`> <Id> Scan confirmed. I have found metal forming a pathway downwards.
<DeathStar> *And it's not coming to him, as he paces the island* This is familiar to me
<Dias`> *Chad looks at Cran* Seem's we were probably teleported to one of your old bases.
<DeathStar> <Cran> Not a base, something I found in my travels
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "How do we get down there?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Maybe we weren’t stranded then.
<Dias`> <Chad> Well when your memory catches up, feel free to let us know.
<DeathStar> <Cran> Hotaru, try to form a weapon or an ability
<Seraphna> **Angela checks Zephyr’s status**
<DeathStar> *Her virus status seems ot be spiking up faster*
<Alicia> * Hotaru summons her scythe
<DeathStar> *it tries to form, then cuts out*
<DeathStar> <Darien> Well. What does that mean?
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "... well, I had it for a moment."
<Seraphna> Angela> This area isn’t good for Zephyr either.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "...mind explaining that one?"
<Dias`> <Chad> A world that naturally blocks abilities? Or some ancient device.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "I'd say the latter."
<DeathStar> <Cran> Natural. I studied them and even used some for stuff before. Long ago.
<DeathStar> <Cran> Good for armor.
<Seraphna> Angel> If our powers are blocked then whatever defenses you are giving Zephyr are offline.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Starting to remember?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Fuuuck.
<Dias`> <Chad> Than that means we're in a race against the clock. Idlet, find us a way down that path you found. *The Idlet starts to lead them*
<DeathStar> <Darien> Aren't we just getting closer to the minerals then?
<Seraphna> Angela> Probably. Though at the same time no defense can’t get any less defensive.
<Dias`> <Chad> Waiting around here isn't going to fix our situation.
<DeathStar> *under the island is a cavern, precariously under the ocean. A small pocket where strangely colored stones fill the area. One can see where some of it has been already drilled as they walk along*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Maybe Cran left some gear down there." *looks v=over at their Cran*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl looks around at the stones* I'd grab some but then I'd handicap myself
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Is she at least still frozen?"
<Dias`> <Chad> We can grab some on the way out.
<DeathStar> <Cran> I think were sent here to be delayed.
<DeathStar> <Cran> So I doubt there is any transport out
<Seraphna> Angela> We didn’t hit cryo yet.
<Dias`> <Chad> That's a strong possibility. Unfortunately, it's our only option right now. Unless you have any ideas
<DeathStar> <Darien> We need to destroy the cavern then?
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Its a game to him... he probably wnats us to catch up to him, but only when he is ready."
<DeathStar> <Darien> See if their powers kick in afterward
<Seraphna> Angela> We could get away from the island. Or try to anyway.
<DeathStar> *at the very end of the cavern, it's not very large, is a whole nest of crystals*
<Dias`> <Chad> Well unless you have a boat that can fit everyone here on in your subspace. We're stuck.
<DeathStar> <Aya> This looks like the end.
<DeathStar> *Aya picks up some of them and studies*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Has to be more to it than just this."
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Oh, come on, we're just being delayed, not defeated."
<Seraphna> Angela> We could try making a raft?
<DeathStar> <Aya> I think, judging by the range.
<DeathStar> *she looks straight up* I'd normally would suggest swimming if not for Zephyr
<DeathStar> <Aya> If this is just a range proble
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Swim to where?"
<DeathStar> <Aya> According to Cran, these rocks are what is blocking our power. Id, have you figured out where we are?
<Dias`> <Id> I believe I'm narrowing it down.
<Dias`> <Id> ...I believe we are on Orelan II.
<Seraphna> Angela> Ore-Land. Hag.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Orelan II?"
<Seraphna> *Hah
<DeathStar> <Aya> All we need to is get out of range of the rocks and get something to us
<DeathStar> *Aya eyes Angela*
<Seraphna> Angela> If Cheryl and I or Angel and Cran get far enough we could mech up.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Alright. Come on Angela. Lets go for a swim
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> You all wait here
<Seraphna> Angela> Here’s to hoping for Krackenless waters.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl heads out*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Don't take too long."
<DeathStar> <Aya> I'm just curious why the delay.
<Seraphna> **Angela follows**
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "He must need to arrange things before we catch up."
<Dias`> <Chad> Id, scan what you can in here. *The Idlet begins scanning the Ore's* Well, based on how he mentions that we moved quicker than he expected...
<DeathStar> *Aya pockets some rocks, small enough not to crash Cheryl when they arive*
<DeathStar> <Darien> That means when we get to Earth, be prepared.
<DeathStar> -TIME HOP-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-654.8.9
<DeathStar> Location: Tokyo, Presidental Tower
<DeathStar> *Andrea looks up as the group arrives, dragging Zephyr in her box*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Well you all look like hell
<Dias`> <Chad> Thanks.
<DeathStar> *she has on her board missions slowly being completed*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Have any unscheduled freighters arrived en masse?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Or Dragoons and Weapons going AWOL?
<DeathStar> <Andrea> No, surprisingly. No sign of anything. We've been looking for Cran but not a thing. Spade has been dealt with - probably - and we're hoping the same can be said for his boss here. Eluere is suppose to be in the manor if you want to go there next
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Problem is thanks to the delay Zephyr is critical
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Well, the thing is we got a lot of Dragoons running about right now
<Dias`> <Chad> Which isn't a good thing.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> And we don't know where they all are, I'm sorry to say.
<DeathStar> *She motions at a large part of the Earth blown up*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "If there wasn't so much else to do, we should have gotten a headcount..."
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Yeah, those usually wait until after things die down..."
<Seraphna> Angela> Andrea, are one of the Tsuki’s free now?
<Seraphna> Angela> I note a distinct lack of tidal waves. And riding sea floors.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Well. We're keeping it on the downlow, but the other Tsukiyomi is taking our Tsukiyomi's place at the moon
<DeathStar> <Andrea> She's focused on trying to "step in"
<Dias`> *Chad looks over at Cran* So, what do you think?
<Seraphna> Angela> Zephyr’s condition is… eldritch.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "The eldritch experts are on Geyze."
<Seraphna> Angela> So I thought maybe Tsuki or one of her kind could cleanse her.
<DeathStar> *Cran muses* I did promise to direct you to where I thought he might be.
<Seraphna> Angela> They managed to cleanse an entire reality sphere after all.
<DeathStar> *Andrea lets out a breath* I suppose it can't hurt to go up there, but with her focus on being on the moon she might not respond
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Can she infect her?
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Probably not... probably."
<Dias`> <Chad> We're operating under the belief that it only affects Dragoons and Weapons.
<Seraphna> Angela> It put humans in a coma state.
<Dias`> <Chad> But I don't know if it's worth the risk if by some chance it does infect her.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Perfect. It'll be your call; just know the consequences will be yours as well
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "We also need to deal with the coming crisis."
<Seraphna> Angela> The other option is we kill Cran fast.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> You know where the shuttles are
<Seraphna> Angela> But that takes knowing where he is.
<DeathStar> <Cran> I see these potential locations where the other me is at
<Dias`> <Chad> I personally think we put Zephyr on ice for now and focus on removing Cran from the table.
<DeathStar> *He clears his throat*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "And Zephry would kick out collective asses if the Earth got wrecked while we were healing her."
<Seraphna> Angela> True…
<DeathStar> <Cran> He's at the Wind location as you all brought up, or the manor. But I also believe he might be at this location. Even if it's been destroyed. *He writes a set of coordinates down and places them on a table*
* Dias` glances down at the coordinates
<Seraphna> **Angela starts getting the cryo set up**
<Dias`> *Chad*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "What is this place?"
<DeathStar> <Cran> The lab where I helped bring about the projects for the first few Dragoons, specifically Cheryl. And then later began work on the concept of the Weapons.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Yeah, that makes as much, if not more, sense than Site 0."
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "The origin for both projects."
<DeathStar> *Cheryl makes a face*
<Dias`> <Chad> It's technically where "it" all began. But so is Site 0.
<DeathStar> <Darien> So which one is more likely?
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Cran, to you... this place is where it all began, right?"
<Seraphna> **Angela frowns a bit** I feel like I’m stepping on my own grave when you talk about that place.
<DeathStar> <Cran> Funny enough, they're fairly interlinked.
<Seraphna> Angel> Is that the facility where Zeraphna’s divergence began?
<Dias`> <Chad> I think those coordinates give us our best shot.
<DeathStar> <Cran> I was working on the concept the dragoons and weapons when I saw Wind fall
<Dias`> <Chad> I assume beside Cheryl, that's where you hatched your idea for me also?
<DeathStar> <Cran> And Ariel
<DeathStar> <Cran> Well.
<DeathStar> <Cran> Like I said, it was interlinked
<Seraphna> Angela> Damn this really is going back to the beginning.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Go ahead and get us a ride. We can't delay."
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "What were you expecting?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Dunno. An army of Chads giving us the stink eye?
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Ugh, here goes nothing
<DeathStar> *she preps a shuttle*
<Seraphna> Angel> Sounds like one of those chaos visions. Then again isn’t there a reality of Chads?
<Dias`> *Chad eyes the two and moves to help Cheryl prep*
<DeathStar> *Aya walks along with Chad*
<Seraphna> Angela> Plus side to that means tons of Ayas. She balances the equation.
<DeathStar> <Aya> I, for one, look forward to an army of Chads
<DeathStar> *Darien takes the pilot seat and starts the shuttle up while Cheryl takes a side seat. Aya relaxes with Xvar, who has a new ham*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *boards and straps in* "We should keep an eye out for surprises, like hidden AA guns or the like."
<Seraphna> **Angela sits next to Cheryl**
<DeathStar> *Cheryl talks on the comm with that person from earlier, giving them orders*
<DeathStar> <Aya> So are we leaving Zephyr behind with Andrea?
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "What else can we do?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Yeah I set up her Cryo.
<Dias`> <Chad> Make sure there's security on her just in case.
<DeathStar> *Andrea leaves the frozen Zephyr up as a statue in her collection*
<Seraphna> Angela> Little more we can do at the moment. I don’t even think augmenting my protocol would help now.
<DeathStar> *Han Solo style*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Tell me you haven't been connecting with her with your protocol have you
<DeathStar> *She eyes Angela*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Please don't have..."
<Dias`> *Chad slowly looks at Angela*
<Seraphna> Angela> No not yet.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> She has a raging virus in her, Angela. Do not connect
<Seraphna> Angela> We worked strictly on the bond and you were there with me.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Even with the bond, do not try the bond.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I saw it try to get you in the bond
<Seraphna> Angela> Oh of course.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Yes, we need to quarantine as much as possible."
<Seraphna> Angela> It’s killing me not being able to help her though.
<DeathStar> *Darien takes off*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "I know..."
<Dias`> *Chad glances at Cheryl for a moment*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl rubs face and scans Angela just to be safe
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Granted if it got you it's gotten me
<Seraphna> Angela> Figured you’d notice if we had.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> That tiny speck of a virus until it got engaged?
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Hardly
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Claims we're clear
<Dias`> *Chad sighs a bit* Well at this point, Angela got infected, we're screwed.
<Dias`> *if*
<Seraphna> Angela> So far no urge to infect anyone with eldritch power. Not even Chad.
<DeathStar> *Cran has leaned back during this, disussing with CAss*
<Dias`> <Chad> How long until we arrive?
<DeathStar> <Darien> We're headed back toward Mega City's side of the world. I'd be shocked if this thing is still standing
<Seraphna> Angel> Shouldn’t be much longer.
<Seraphna> Angela> It’s a Cran facility. There’s a bunker involved.
<DeathStar> <Cran> Well yes
<Seraphna> Angela> There’s always a bunker involved.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *listens and then nods* "...we've found alot of old facilities that have fallen through the cracks. I ordered an audit during my presidency, but I'm sure some fell through."
<DeathStar> *they soon fly over the burnt areas of the world and see a swarm of Betas up ahead over the mountain crest. Darien brings them down early*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "...that's a sign that we must be on the right track."
<DeathStar> *Cheryl hops off the shuttle and walks up the cliff to look at the ruins of something below where the Betas are carrying figures into some sort of base ruins*
<DeathStar> <Xvar> *finishes his meat and gets off while Aya holds up her binoculars*
<Seraphna> Angela> Could they form a giant arrow pointing disk?
<DeathStar> *Chii drops off the shuttle roof onto Angela*
<Seraphna> Angela> **pets her tails** Hey babe.
<DeathStar> <Chii> Ack?! I'm insecting you, not the other way around
<DeathStar> *Chii dust herself off and hands Cheryl her report*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "What?"
<Seraphna> Angela> I determine these tails to be fluffy.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl flips through it* It looks like they've been taking Dragoons in alright
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> And some Reploids
<Dias`> <Chad> Hmmm.
<DeathStar> *Cran frowns*
<Seraphna> Angela> Oh good. The whole root use of our tech to make the initial reploids bit back.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Reploids are based on us?"
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I wouldn't be shocked
<Dias`> *Chad sighs a bit at that as he glances at Aya* What do you see?
<Seraphna> Angela> Well the only one with Beta parts is Anyata. The rest though were a mix of Wind Reality tech and what we could cobble together.
<DeathStar> <Aya> A lot of Beta guards, but we could probably try to sneak past
<DeathStar> *Aya squints through the binoculars* Oh. And we got problem
<DeathStar> *she points at something and hands it to Chd*
<Dias`> *Chad takes them and looks through them at where she pointed*
<Seraphna> Angela> What is it?
<Dias`> *Chad clicks this tongue in annoyance* Should've killed them.
<DeathStar> <Aya> I guess we took long enough they've partialy healed
<Dias`> <Chad> Your new pet rescue is there.
<Dias`> *He looks at Angela*
<Seraphna> Angela> Oh. Well at least she lived.
<Dias`> <Chad> Best hope she doesn't kill any of us. *He hands Aya the binocs back* Aya is right though. We could try sneaking past
<DeathStar> <Darien> Is there a way to avoid the Betas?
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> If not we're going to have to destroy them all
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Cran, are there any boltholes that might have hatches outside the immediate security zone?"
<Dias`> <Chad> It's possible. But with as many of us here, it drops our chances.
<Seraphna> Angela> They have limitations. Sensor ranges, limited feedback without an Omega, other stuff.
<Dias`> <Chad> Who's to say the Hybrid can't use your Omega powers.
<DeathStar> *Cran considers* This way.
<DeathStar> *he moves away from the base*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *nods and follows Cran*
<Dias`> *Chad moves and follows Cass and Cran*
<Seraphna> Angela> Hmmm. **she moves along, Angel moving with Cran**
<DeathStar> *Cheryl walks along and they walk along the sandy desolate ground, as Cran kneels and brushes it along, looking for something, until his hand bumps a handle; he then tries to pull it up, but nothing*
<DeathStar> <Cran> It's will not move
<Dias`> <Chad> He probably secured it on the otherside.
<Seraphna> **Angel tries** Let’s see if I can pop the can dear.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Scan it for traps or alarms first."
<Seraphna> **Angel pauses**
<DeathStar> <Xvar> I could easily rip it off
<DeathStar> *he nods*
<Dias`> <Chad> Id, scan the hatch. *The Idlet floats over and begins scanning for any secondary power sources*
<Seraphna> **Angela gives Xvar a roast chicken**
<DeathStar> *there indeed seems to be something attached so that when removed, it will send some sort of alert out*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl eyes Angela* Where the hell did that come from? *As he eats it*
<Dias`> <Id> I am picking up something on the other side.
<Seraphna> Angela> My snack stash.
<Dias`> <Id> Seem's to be a sensor or sorts.
<DeathStar> <Darien> So what's the plan?
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Expect a trap."
<DeathStar> <Darien> Rip it off anyway or find another path?
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Any other ways in?"
<DeathStar> <Cran> The only other way is a tunnel and I imagine that will be heavily guarded
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Looks like its rigged afterall. If we had a laser drill... we could do a surgical incision then severe the new sensor before we ripped the hatch."
<Dias`> <Chad> Can't you teleport *He looks at Angel*
<Seraphna> Angel> I indeed can.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Oh boy, a blind jump
<DeathStar> *she makes a face*
<Seraphna> Angel> Pretty much why I didn’t suggest it. Unless we could get a sight inside.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Apart from Angel doing a teleport, the only ways in involve fighting our way in, most likely."
<DeathStar> *Cran muses, bringing it back from memory* You want to aim for about straight down and 20 feet down
<Seraphna> Angela> Camera feed would do. I can’t cheat using Precog like some Progenitors.
<Seraphna> Angela> Thay should work… I can get Akins if visual from Alex’s memories.
<Seraphna> *Angel for both
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Alright lets give this a try
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Everyone ready?
<Dias`> <Chad> I was suggesting Angel teleported in by themselves and disarmed the door sensor.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Ready."
<Seraphna> **Angela taps her datapad** Ready.
<Seraphna> Angel> Oh. Well I can do that too. Or bring Id with me.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl >Well that works
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Get in there
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "...if we're doing this, then do it."
<Dias`> *The Idlet floats over to Angel*
<Seraphna> **Angel takes him down, or tries to**
<DeathStar> *The two arrive in a dark corridor with very faint light sources from what looks to be torches*
<Dias`> *The Idlet reorientates itself and scans upwards back towards the door to make sure there's no other trip sensors*
<DeathStar> *vines and other stuff is growing along the walls and cameras have have been recently restarted, turning and looking around, with an alarm system going up to the hatch. A Beta patrols the area*
<DeathStar> *a ladder goes up to the hatch*
<Dias`> <Id> I need you to hook me up to the security system there.
<Seraphna> **Angel shifts for cover and keeps an eye on the Beta**
<Seraphna> **Angel nods and starts doing so**
<Dias`> *Id, once hooked up starts to work on disabling the security on the hatch*
<DeathStar> *it's actually fairly simple device, since it's an independent type security meant just for the hatch and not hooked up to anything else; it snaps unlock after a few moments*
<Dias`> *by tricking it into thinking it's still active even with the hatched unlocked and open*
<Dias`> <Id> Done. They should be able to join us soon.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Hatch is unlocked."
<DeathStar> *Xvar rips the hatch off*
<DeathStar> *Flinging it*
<DeathStar> *Then drops down*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *heads down*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Lets go!" *follows the pair down*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl and Aya follow; Chii appears behind Angel*
<Dias`> *Chad makes his way down*
<DeathStar> *The Beta begins to draw closer to them as Cran points ahead* That leads into the base - past that Beta
<Dias`> <Id> There's one Beta patrolling down the the path.
<Seraphna> Angela> Shoukd I try taking it or…?
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Can you telelprot the group past it?"
<Seraphna> Angel> I could.
<DeathStar> <Chii> Hm
<Dias`> <Chad> What you thinking Chii?
<DeathStar> *Chii tosses Cassandra something*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Have a thought, Chii?"
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *catches it*
<DeathStar> <Chii> Just thinking if I was Cran, that all this teleporting would be the highest on my list for detection.
<DeathStar> *it's a railgun*
<Dias`> <Chad> You're not wrong.
<DeathStar> <Chii> Even if no alarms are going off, keep it in mind as we skip over it
<Dias`> <Chad> Using our abilities at this point on should be kept to a minimum.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Oh, this is going to be fun. I cna snipe it... might be noisy though."
<DeathStar> <Aya> I'd use my take over method
<DeathStar> <Aya> If you want
<DeathStar> <Aya> But Angela should be able to, as well
<Seraphna> Angela> We didn’t get infected in any previous attempts at least.
<Dias`> <Chad> I'd rather you both didn't. Just in case it some how infects both of you.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *gets the railgun loaded*
<DeathStar> *They nod. Chii muses, then tries to creep around it in the shadows*
<DeathStar> <Chii> It's not well lit. Follow me
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *nods and goes stealth mode**
<Alicia> * Hotaru follows, keeping near the front
<Seraphna> **Angel and Angela use the ancient art of bunny stealth**
<DeathStar> *As they creep along and near the Beta, there's one particular that seems to light the area a bit too much. Chii tries to scoop up sand and put it out*
<Dias`> *Chad moves to follow, doing his best to stay hidden and quiet.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl softly* Mental note, put water in my subspace
<Seraphna> Angela> Will soda work? **softly**
<DeathStar> <Xvar> I got chicken
<DeathStar> *Darien eyes the two*
<Seraphna> **Angela hands Chii a bottle of Omega Coke Lite**
<Alicia> * Hotaru stares
<DeathStar> *Chii shrugs and flings it, putting out the light and leads them into the next room*
<DeathStar> <Darien> Why do you have that?
<DeathStar> <Aya> Contraband
<Seraphna> Angela> I have scary high metabolism.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "That stuff is illegal on several worlds and then entire Erus Ascendancy."
<DeathStar> *As they enter the next room, they are in the main part of the base where Cran looks around; Betas are dragging dragoons around.*
<DeathStar> <Cran> The main lab is ... this way. *he points at a hall way to the right*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "I never said she was smart."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> *Tchs*
<Dias`> <Chad> This is bad.
<DeathStar> <Darien> How many are infected I wonder
<Seraphna> Angela> Too many
<Dias`> <Chad> Anything more than one is too many.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "You're saying one isn't?"
<Dias`> <Chad> You can argue semantics with someone else, Hotaru.
<DeathStar> *As they walk along the hallway, a green haired Dragoon suddenly blurs and tries to body slam Angela and Hotaru as Cran gets them near a massive labatory door*
<DeathStar> <Xvar> *Grabs his xvash*
<Dias`> <Chad> Shit...It's Esmerelda.
<Alicia> * Hotaru shields Angela, trying to summon her scythe once she recovers from the initial body slam
<DeathStar> *Emeralda looks a little strange, clearly feverish and her body jerky like Zephyr, as she seems zoom and grab Cheryl now*
<Seraphna> **Angela grunts and manifests her armor, digging her heels in and then forming her sword**
<Dias`> *Chad sprints towards the massive labatory door, looking for a keypad in*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Avoid...being touched!
<DeathStar> *she forms her whip, trying to tangle Emeralda' hands*
<Seraphna> **Angel glows with hyperspace and blasts Esmy**
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "That's a bit difficult..."
<DeathStar> <Darien> Her speed is off the records. That's near impossible!
<DeathStar> *Emeralda is sent flying*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *then rushes and trie to hit th dragoon on the ehad with the butt of the railgun*
<DeathStar> *Emeralda's head snaps back*
<Seraphna> Angela> No she simply is ignoring her safety limits.
<DeathStar> *Chad would see such a pad*
<Alicia> * Hotaru scans herself for viruses once Emeralda is defeated
<DeathStar> *Aya joins Chad as Emeralda woozily stands*
<Dias`> *Chad quickly hooks up his Idlet to it as he begins to try and hack in to ti*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> She's not going down
<Dias`> <Chad> You're going to have to use more force.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *trie hitting her again before she cna recover*
<Seraphna> **Angel sighs, focusing energy and blasts Esmy at a wall**
<Dias`> <Chad> And try and take out her knees. It'll slow her down.
<DeathStar> 8the dragoon slides down the wall*
<DeathStar> *Twitching*
<DeathStar> <Hybrid> *behind Hotaru* Found. You.
<Seraphna> **Angela stabs at the Hybrid**
<DeathStar> *The Hybrid ducks behind Vodka, who she had with her*
<DeathStar> *using her as a shield*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Isn't that the wrong way around?" *doesn't attack yet*
<DeathStar> *The door begins to slowly open*
<Seraphna> **Angeka grunts shd turns her blade to snack her with the blunt side**
<DeathStar> *Vodka grabs the blade and struggles with Angela.*
<DeathStar> *pushing against her*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *takes the opportunity to try immobilizing Esmy while she's sitll down*
<Alicia> * Hotaru moves to attack the moment Vodka is out of the picture
<Dias`> <Chad> Come on.....
<Seraphna> **Angela bursts a holy shield out to knock her back**
<DeathStar> <Hybrid> *Curses and forms her scythe* You all stabbed me in the head! *She tries to best Hotaru*
<DeathStar> *Aya rolls under the door when it's high enough*
<DeathStar> *Chii leaps on Vodka after Angela does that* Go
<DeathStar> *Cheryl joins Chad*
<Alicia> * Hotaru struggles with the Hybrid. "If anyone has a way to take her down from afar... don't hold back."
<Seraphna> **Onega girls go
* Dias` rolls under and then aims his gun at the Hybrid, firing two shots for it's head before getting up and moving to look at the new area
<Dias`> *Chad*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "And... make sure Angela isn't infected."
<DeathStar> *Xvar lifts the hybrid up*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *then turns, landing on her knee and aims at the hybrid's head with her railgun, pulling the trigger*
<DeathStar> <Xvar> Tere
<DeathStar> *holds her as Cassandra fires*
<DeathStar> <Xvar> There. It is done
<DeathStar> *Tosses her aside*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "And... don't touch me..."
<DeathStar> *As those who enter the lab, they find Dragoons laying about in machines and Cran up front examining things in a lab coat*
* Dias` raises and and them aims his pistol at Cran.
<Dias`> *Chad*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "...can you disrupt the machines?"
<DeathStar> <Cran> Ah. Chad. Cheryl. You made it. *He seems to ignore the other Cran*
<DeathStar> *Younger Cran
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Are you going to come quietly?"
<Dias`> <Chad> And why shouldn't I put a bullet through your skull right now?
<Seraphna> Angela> What are you doing to them…
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> I'll let them go after I'm done. The speed of you all has proven to me that I'm a relic of the past in many ways. AS for the bullet. Please. Fire.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Clearly there is a 'but'."
<Dias`> *Chad pulls the trigger, the shot hitting the wall to his side*
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> After all, in many ways, you all have done more damage to others than I have. The young girl subject you all quite aptly killed rather aptly. I should have expected it'd be you, Cheryl, or Cassandra.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "And your plague doesn't count?"
<Seraphna> **Angela blinks and looks back at them** You what!?
<DeathStar> *He looks at Chad, then the wall, then back down at his results* The plague will subdued after the code runs it's course
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "...excuse me?"
<Seraphna> Angela> What is it doing to them? **she growls, angry for several reasons**
<Dias`> *Chad eyes him looking back down at his results and he moves towards Cran, keeping his gun trained on him*
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> Checking up on my Dragoons and Weapons, though the latter seems to have vanished. Leaving a little something for you all. So that in the future, when the time is right, *he leaves it open ended.* But, let us talk frankly. You wasted all your resources to find me, I am here.
<DeathStar> *the results seem to be how the dragoons are handling a new code he's putting in them*
<DeathStar> *trying to probably reinstate stuff Cheryl removed*
<Seraphna> Angela> They aren’t tools to be fucked with!
<DeathStar> *Cheryl has been slowly approaching, her whip out*
<Dias`> <Chad> You'll find I've kept the Weapons far safer than what you ever planned for them. *He nods to Cheryl* It appears he's trying to undue what you did.
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> So you took them under your wing. I approve.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Yeah, we really need a cure."
<DeathStar> *Cran has been quiet, studying the interaction*
<Seraphna> Angela> One of the things done to them was an expiration date! **she shakes and starts moving toward him**
<Dias`> <Chad> Far from it. But they're not your concern anymore. *He keeps eyes him*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Speaking of expiration dates..."
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> As for you, Serena, you seem the most vocal about all this
<Seraphna> Angela> I’m not Serena. Janus is dead. The Dragoons are free. You can’t just discard things like you did my parents.
<DeathStar> *Cran moves to Hotaru, examining her eyes*
<Seraphna> **Angel forms a hyper blade and shifts forward, trying to slice him**
<DeathStar> <Cran> Discard things. *Angel's hand shifts a bit and slices the machinary*
<Seraphna> Angel> What the fuck!?
<DeathStar> <Cran> I'm unaware of every discarding things I found useful or having a use.
<Dias`> <Chad> Seem's you've been infected.
<Seraphna> Angel> No it’s…
<DeathStar> *Cheryl reaches to strangle Cran finally, but her hands stop*
<DeathStar> *Straining to reach up to do it*
<Seraphna> Angela> He’s done something else.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "You might want to avoid touching me.... and... you know, if you can't actually find a cure... I don't trust him to not have compromised me too much... just..."
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *looks at their Cran* "...well?"
<Dias`> *Chad eyes them and he's shifts his aim for Cran's leg and he fires a shot for it*
<DeathStar> *Chad's shot goes off by a few inches*
<Seraphna> Angela> See he’s got you too.
<DeathStar> <Cran> Oh, when you entered, you all began to breathe something that made it so you didn't want to kill or hurt me. I assumed it was working when Chad missed me.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Hit the machines."
<Dias`> <Chad> ....It was a warning shot. *His eyes go grey and he fires another shot, aiming to adjust it for his leg*
<DeathStar> *Cran pulls Hotaru in front of himself*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "... really?"
<DeathStar> <Cran> If you want the cure really
<Alicia> * Hotaru moves to make sure both herself and Cran are hit.
<Dias`> *Chad arcs the shot up and into the ceiling*
<Alicia> * Or doesn't?
<Seraphna> **Angela grumbles** Do you know what you actually did to them? What you put inside them?
<Seraphna> Angela> Or did you as usual assume you were infallible while fucking people over?
<DeathStar> *The Younger Cran sets Hotaru aside* <Y. Cran> Hm. Quite hostile lo
<Dias`> <Chad> To think I let me guard down. Cass, it'll be up to you to take him down.
<DeathStar> *He moves to his lab area*
<Dias`> *Chad holsters his gun and he moves over to the console where Y. Cran was at and begins typing on it*
<Seraphna> Angela> Eldritch. You infected them with hell energy. We found it while healing Zephyr.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "You do have a cure, right?"
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> I do. *He taps his head*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "...what?"
<Dias`> <Chad> It's his trump card.
<DeathStar> *The other Cran has slowly been preparing something with Chii*
<Seraphna> Angela> He assumes that since it’s in his head we can’t kill him anyway.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *loads her railgun*
<Dias`> <Chad> Whatever he infected us with isn't infalliable, Angela. Him moving Hotaru infront of means it can be overwritten.
<Seraphna> Angela> Yes… though at what cost…
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> *Seems to check his watch*
<DeathStar> <Darien> Got somewhere to be?
<DeathStar> *At this point, Hotaru would feel slightly feverish*
<Seraphna> Angela> He needs the program to finish. We got here early.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Just finish us."
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *raises her railgun and aims for the power connections in the lab*
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> You sure you want to do that?
<DeathStar> *He asks CAssandra*
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "He's not going to cure anyone."
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> I don't have any guarentees to cure you now do I?
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> *he motions at how many wish to kill him*
<Dias`> <Chad> There's no saying he wants to cure you anyways.
<Seraphna> Angel> **places her hand on one of the consoles and starts to melt it** We can’t fight you so we have no choice.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Maybe I do."*slides her finger on the trigger*
<DeathStar> *The console explodes and what power was in the base goes out*
<DeathStar> *including lights*
<Seraphna> Angel> Let me update you on what you missed, Dad. **she forms a hyper ball to light the room up**
<Dias`> *Chad sighs as the terminal goes off* Son of a....Id, lights. *The Idlet lifts up and starts lighting the room up*
<DeathStar> *The younger Cran seems to have left*
<DeathStar> <Cran> Dammit
<DeathStar> <Cran> Chii, hurry
<DeathStar> *The two hurry out of the room*
<Seraphna> Angela> That blew way too easily.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "...I guess I need to go on ice now."
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Wake me up when you find a cure..."
<DeathStar> <Cran> I was hoping to unleash poison in the air vents and kil lhim that way
<DeathStar> <Cran> But the air flow would have stopped with that
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Start seeing to the Dragoons."
<Seraphna> **Angela frowns** That would have killed youZ
<Dias`> <Chad> Because there wasn't much to keep this place running. Id, power up this console and see what you can recover. *He looks around to see if there's any other ways out
<DeathStar> <Cran> If it took us both out so be it
<Seraphna> Angel> Dear, you really need to value your life more.
<Seraphna> **Angela checks the tanks**
<DeathStar> *Darien takes Hotaru off*
<DeathStar> *While Aya heads to the Dragoon rooms*
<DeathStar> *Chad would find a hidden passage slightly ajar*
<Dias`> *Chad eyes Cran briefly* Aya, becareful. *Chad starts moving then stops and moves towards the hidden passage and shifts to open it and climb inside*
<Seraphna> **Angela tosses something to Chad**
<DeathStar> *Cran follows Chad with Chii*
<Seraphna> Angela> Here. Hard to accidentally miss with grenades.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl goes to follow*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *shakes her head and follows Chas into the passageway*
<DeathStar> <Chii> I got the poisons on me if we can still unleash them somehow
<Dias`> *Chad starts taking off in a sprint down the passageway now
<Seraphna> **Angela helps Aya as the only Dragoon scientist around, Angel goes with the others**
<DeathStar> *she shows the vials*
<DeathStar> *at the end of the tunnel, Cran meets with Emeralda, Vodka, and a few of the Betas in front of a gunship*
<DeathStar> *it looks like he is getting into said ship*
<Seraphna> **Angel tries to turn the Betas on the compromised Dragoons**
<Dias`> *Chad raises his gun and fires several charged shots aimed for the gun ship engines themselves, his eyes shifting silver again*
<DeathStar> *The Younger Cran clicks his tongue*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl zooms in and whip flips Vodka onto her back*
<DeathStar> *Emeralda zooms in for Angel and CAss*
<DeathStar> *as the Betas fight amongst themselves*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *aims and fires at the engine of the gunship*
<DeathStar> *Cran and Chii get in close while Young Cran turns to aim the guns at the team and begins to fire as the engines smoke*
<Seraphna> **Angel stomps the ground and sends a wave of hyperspace at Esmy**
<Dias`> *Chad drops his aim and fires for cran's guns
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *then tries to roll out of the way of flying dragoons and gunfire*
<DeathStar> *Emeralda burns and vanishes*
<Seraphna> **Angel warps stop the guns and starts slicing**
<Seraphna> **atop
<DeathStar> *Y. Cran is forced to send a Beta to attack Angel while firing at Cass and Chad.*
<DeathStar> *Cran and Chii pour the poison into the gunship*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *takes up position once the gunfire and Esmy are stopped, then fires at the engines again to keep the gunship grounded*
<Dias`> *Chad pushes to the side to try and find cover*
<Seraphna> **Angel warps behind the beta and blasts at it’s back trying yo knock it into the ship and guns**
<Dias`> <Chad> Cass, I can't get any shots on the ship with those guns firing*
<DeathStar> *The guns at this point are smoking and Young Cran begins to try to fly off with the broken engines*
<DeathStar> *it studdering and knocking Chii and Cran off*
<Seraphna> **Angel warps to grab them to safety**
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Try to ground it!" *fires off another round for the enginers*
<DeathStar> *Vodka leaps on Angel and smashes her head into the ground*
<DeathStar> *as the ship smashes into the outside*
<Dias`> *Chad pushes up once the ship starts to take off and dashes to get outside so he can see everything better*
<Seraphna> Angel> Ow. Be glad your husband is a friend bitch. **she burns reflectively to keep the touch from fully connecting**
<DeathStar> *The ship is smoking outside*
<DeathStar> <Cran> ... *peers outside*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> *dashes past the remaining fighting, trying to get to the ship*
<DeathStar> <Chii> Becareful about going inside it
<Dias`> *Chad moves to follow Cass and nods to Chii* Id, scan to make sure no one tried teleporting away. *The Idlet moves for the ship, scanning*
<DeathStar> *there seems to be a lot of eldrich energy inside*
<DeathStar> *the side hatch breaks open and the Younger Cran falls out*
<DeathStar> *Gasping and spitting stuff out*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "...got him...and... he's looking really sick."
<DeathStar> *Holding what looks to be something, aiming it toward the base*
<Seraphna> **Angel warps to him and tries to grab it**
<Dias`> *Chad takes a deep breathe and fires, aiming for a point behind his arm holding the device*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl rushes forward after he fres*
<Dias`> <Id> I'm detecting high levels of Eldritch energy.
<DeathStar> *as Angel grabs it, Chad fires at the device*
<DeathStar> *which makes it overheat and explode*
<Seraphna> **Angel warps to try and save it**
<DeathStar> *the arm explodes instead as Angel warps*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl leaps to try to strangle but the power that be still seems to be working*
<DeathStar> *making a comedic scene*
<Seraphna> **Angel looks over the device**
<DeathStar> *it looks to be a strange dragoon bustah gun*
<Seraphna> Angel> I think this is some eldritch self destruct mode Gun?
<DeathStar> *Cheryl's eyes go dead and then she begins to strangle*
<DeathStar> <Cran> Does it help?
<Seraphna> Angel> We could give it to Angela to look over. I’m afraid it’ll make the Dragoons ho berserk.
<Dias`> *Chad slowly moakes his way down to Cheryl and the Y. Cran*
<Dias`> *Id moves to scan the device*
<DeathStar> <Younger Cran> ...Heh... You two...are my greatest...weapons... *He eyes something beyond his vision* No matter what you say... they'll live on...as my ... legacy... *He suddenly explodes in eldrich sludge all over*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> .... *deforms her whip*
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Gah! The hell?!"
<DeathStar> *it looks like some sort of wepaon made from the dragoons with a hint of eldrich energy*
<Dias`> <Chad> Cheryl.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Hm?
<Dias`> <Id> Interesting.
<Seraphna> Angel> Who was he talking to?
<Dias`> <Chad> You should get cleaned up. I don't want that stuff on you. *He pats her on the shoulder where it's clean*
<DeathStar> *Chii makes a face*
<DeathStar> <Cran> ... I need to start started on a cure
<DeathStar> *He moves off*
<DeathStar> *Get
<Dias`> <Chad> We can talk later about this.
<Seraphna> Angel> Let’s hope Aya and Angela discovered something helpful.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Maybe the devil he made a deal with just screwed him over."
<DeathStar> *Cheryl nods and moves off to get decontaminated*
<Dias`> <Chad> ....Something tells me he did this all for her and I. *He waits til Cheryl's a bit off and looks to Cass.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Care to elaborate, Chad?"
<Seraphna> Angel> Probably. I used to be that twisted.
<Dias`> <Chad> If I were to guess....Pride.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Seems to fit."
<DeathStar> <Chii> Cheryl had me do some tests as best I could on the side. This Cran was suppose to be an earlier version of himself, before all the clone abuse.
<Dias`> <Chad> Regardless, he's dead now. Now we just need to clean up the mess he left behind.
<Dias`> <Chad> So the one that started it all.
<DeathStar> <Chii> But our current Cran seems much less of a nut ball, no offense
<Seraphna> Angel> Other than his death wish. My burden to bear as his partner.
<DeathStar> <Chii> Well, they say the older you get, the less you care about pride.
<Dias`> <Chad> It's that or he found a way to to strip himself of that vice. *He looks at Angel briefly*
<DeathStar> *inside, Cran is studying the code in all the dragoons that have survived, including Vodka*
<DeathStar> *as well as Hotaru, since she's an early case*
<DeathStar> <Cran> ... dammit. What was I thinking.
<Seraphna> **Angela helps, able to give decades of extra insight** Well, it wasn’t you Alex.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Cran is having a moment." *looks voer to where the odler Cran is*
<DeathStar> *Aya is eyeing the code*
<Dias`> <Chad> We should head back to the others then, Cassandra. Chii, secure that weapon. Id let's go. *He moves to rejoin the otehrs back in the lab*
<Seraphna> Angela> He seemed oddly unaware that the Alpha protocol had the expiration code though.
<DeathStar> <Cran> On the surface level, it looks like he was doing a code that messed with the pilot code.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Let's wrap thing sup here then."
<DeathStar> <Cran> The Alpha Protocol expiration was not something I put in
<DeathStar> <Cran> It was VEnerator
<Seraphna> Angela> Vennie. Right.
<Seraphna> Angela> But why try to fuck with bonds?
<DeathStar> <Cran> It looks like he was attempting to use the bonds to his advantage, but at the same time there's some code here that strangely benefited Cheryl
<DeathStar> <Cran> I'm trying to figure that part out
<Seraphna> **Angela blinks** Sounds almost like the Omega protocol.
<Dias`> *Chad steps in to the room* Probably because he wanted to give her something similar to it.
<Seraphna> Angela> It is a kind of bond. And there are bonuses to forging connections in it. Though I was happy enough to not have that part anymore.
<Dias`> <Chad> I think he wanted to leave something behind for Cheryl and I to make it so we had the strength to deal with what's to come.
<Seraphna> Angela> Though I’ve been able to forge links of my own with Zephyr and Hotaru.
<DeathStar> *Cran looks into it* IT looks like you might be right; he wanted to leave him a backdoor in the infected dragoons
<DeathStar> <Cran> But also leave it to Cheryl too with a type of Omega setting
<DeathStar> <Cran> So ... do we infected Cheryl with this ability? *He turns to Chad*
<Seraphna> Angela> Ask her.
<Dias`> <Chad> Cheryl
<DeathStar> *Cheryl steps in a tight outfit*
<Dias`> <Chad> Cheryl's most likely already infected. But it's up to her to decide what she wants to do.
<DeathStar> *Aya muses*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Judging by your faces, have we figured it out?
<Seraphna> Angela> Cran was trying to basically make you the next Omega.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> ... Pfft
<Dias`> <Chad> Part of me is curious if our inability to harm him includes you. *His tone doesn't sound threathening, just of someone trying to map things out*
<Dias`> <Chad> I think it was a little more than that but on a base level, yes.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> So what was Chad going to become among the Weapons. The same thing?
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Again, to what end?"
<DeathStar> <Cran> I don't know. Perhaps.
<Seraphna> Angela> Question is… do you want the power ?
<DeathStar> <Cran> We'd have to find his notes on them
<DeathStar> *Cheryl muses*
<Dias`> <Chad> That is something I'm worried about also. Considering my Weapon abilities aren't....*He clicks his tongue a bit*
<Seraphna> Angela> Alex remind me to hard code the betas against this crap by the way.
<DeathStar> -SUDDEN TIME JUMP-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-654.8.10
<DeathStar> Location: Toyko Presidental Tower
<DeathStar> *Andrea studies Hotaru and Zephyr*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> How do you two feel?
<DeathStar> *Zephyr sits in her bed, recovering*
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> Blargh
<Seraphna> **Angela is doting on them**
<DeathStar> *Vodka looks just as weak*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Well, they seem to becoming along
<DeathStar> *Xvar eats a turkey*
<Dias`> <Chad> That's good. I've been combing over all the data we recovered. *He notes to Cheryl*
<DeathStar> *Darien goes through all the information they recovered off to the side with Aya* <Aya> You two seem like you have some color back at least
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> You find anything interesting?
<Seraphna> **Angela huffs a bit and slips Zephyr snacks**
<Dias`> <Chad> You could say that. *He hands her a hand written file*
<DeathStar> *Zephyr munches*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl glances at them while Andrea looks over the railgun Cass has* I see you've been having fun
<DeathStar> *Chii hands Hotaru a note* <Chii> Someone sent this over
<Dias`> <Chad> I've been monitoring my DNA since this all started also.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I don't blame you after all this.
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Like old times."
<Dias`> <Chad> It seems what he did took some root.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Did we ever confirm what his wish was?
<Dias`> <Chad> We're going with the theory that it was the virus under the virus.
<Dias`> <Chad> But it may well have been focused on just us two.
<Seraphna> Angela> Mostly due to the Eldritch.
<Seraphna> Angela> Did the colonists ever wake up?
<DeathStar> <Chii> They did
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "As for me... I'm feeling a lot better but... you know what it's like recovering from sickness."
<Seraphna> Angela> That’s good. I have a feeling I’ll be cleaning up the Betas for a while. That asshole.
<Alicia> * Hotaru looks at the note finally
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "So... I have a rival." *sighs a little*
<Dias`> <Chad> Unfortunately Cheryl. If he did use his Wish on us, I don't know if there's much we can do to undo it.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Tch. True
<DeathStar> <Zephyr> A rival? Like school rival type rival?
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "hort of reality powers, that is."
<Jackieness> Short
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "I have no idea how that girl's mind works."
<DeathStar> <Xvar> She has no mind at this point
<DeathStar> *pointing at the railgun blast*
<Dias`> <Chad> I'd rather not resort to that. We'll just be sure to monitor ourselves.
<Alicia> <Hotaru> "Maybe the point's moot then."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> We'll becareful. Make sure we don't fall into any traps. *She eyes the older Cran* And I loathe to ask him for help. So we'll play it by ear
<Jackieness> <Cassandra> "Its the soldier's dilemma. Them or us."
<DeathStar> <Chii> Well this note was postmarked after the battle
<DeathStar> <Chii> So ... Becareful either way
<Dias`> <Chad> Keep that file to yourself for now also, Cheryl.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl nods in agreement* I'll hold onto it until return to the base
<DeathStar> -END-

<DeathStar> -Mini Mode Active-
<DeathStar> *Aya studies the minerals*
<Dias`> <Chad> Any lingering affects on them? *He nods to the Zephyr and Hotaru*
<DeathStar> <Aya> They seem clear. I haven't noticed Hota trying to touch anyone or do anything weird to spread it
<DeathStar> <Aya> Hotaru, you feel any desire to touch me?
<DeathStar> *she asks as she looks up from her microscope*
<Dias`> *Chad looks over at Cheryl* Did you have any luck locating...
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> No, it's like she vanished from the face of the planet. I'm worried since she's a speedster, too
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> So it can only mean...
<DeathStar> *leaving off the two possibilities*
<Seraphna> Angel> My hyperspace shouldn’t have been enough to destroy her.
<Dias`> <Chad> Yeah. I'll try and task some of my Weapons to look for her. See if we can't get lucky. I'll have Id start combing through satellite feeds. Maybe catch something.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Hyperspace is a destructive force; it burns and melts things. If Emeralda supersped into it...
<Seraphna> Angel> Damn. That or it warped her somewhere.
<Dias`> <Chad> The best we can hope for is she tried to superspeed away from it and got send flying.
<Seraphna> Angel> Still that should be terrestrial. I didn’t put in enough power for a planetary jump… at least on my own.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> If a person jumped in hyperspace, that would be even more terrifying
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Without a shield..
<Dias`> <Chad> Hyperspace is still pretty unknown. It's hard to say how it would interact with something like super speed.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> You hyperspace users generate that shield
<Seraphna> Angel> Yeah I rarely even notice I’m doing it. I can still burn too. Unlike Erevis or Jaime. I need that trick.
<DeathStar> <Aya> So worst case, she's gone, best case, she survived burnt somewhere, and is still a carrier
<DeathStar> *Aya muses*
<Seraphna> Angel> Though we’re immunizing whoever we can.
<Dias`> <Chad> I'll have Id start with Earth scans of Hyperspace readings. And then check all hospital records.
<Dias`> <Chad> If Id comes up negative I'll have Id start expanding outwards. It's possible that she got sent to space.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Right. We'll find her
<Dias`> <Chad> It's the least we can do.
<DeathStar> *Aya gives Hotaru an examination*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I imagine John would be here if he hasn't vanished
<DeathStar> *To Hota*
<Dias`> *Chad moves over to Aya's microscope, looking at it and the minerals she was studying*
<DeathStar> *the mineral shows microsocopically how it absorbs powers when there's more of it* <Aya> If we mined all of it could be used on ships but its more practical for armor like Cran used it as
<Dias`> <Chad> Well, I already have someone getting me samples to work with. *He stands upright* But yeah, it could be very useful.
<DeathStar> <Aya> I'd love to get Erevis in and learn what all he knows and has forgotten over the years
<Dias`> <Chad> I think that's what concerns me the most. Everything that he's managed to forget about.
<DeathStar> <Aya> Well, you and Aunt Cheryl's memories are better than most. I'd rank it even higher than mine
<Dias`> <Chad> Probably a good thing I make sure I book end anything I work on so it doesn't come back to bite me in the ass.
<DeathStar> <Aya> I wouldn't be too shocked if most of his projects were done in the throes of clone insanity
<DeathStar> <Aya> Speaking of after watching all this the past few days, how are the other clones that we work with. Clone degradation usually happens over many years and multiple cloning of the same mind.
<Dias`> <Chad> That's a bet you'd win hands down.
<Dias`> <Chad> Well, that clone virus ended up ending most of them. The few that managed to get off planet and survive. *He crosses his arms as he thinks* I'd have to look in to it.
<DeathStar> <Aya> I meant more like clones like Adeline for example. I know she's probably fine, she seems more stable than most. But we have a surprising number like her working and I'd hate to have a time bomb go off as they get older. For example, imagine of Adeline was several clones down or something as she got older, I'd hate for her to become another Cran. Taiga has a clone.
<Dias`> *Chad nods* True. The question is if she'd ever plan on cloning herself to ad nauseum.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl examines some blood cultures*
Session Start: Mon Aug 14 00:00:00 2023
Session Ident: #TAW-Session668
<Dias`> <Chad> Which considering Jaime seemingly wanting to live forever....
<Dias`> <Chad> Let's hope she's smart enough to to not want to clone herself forever.
<Seraphna> Angela> Probably not a problem for that one, actually. She has one strange power we try not to make a big deal about. Age control.
<DeathStar> <Aya> *eyebrow raise*
<Seraphna> Angela> Remember the incident where we all got deaged? She aged herself back up.
<DeathStar> <Aya> Jaime is a strange one
<Dias`> <Chad> Living forever is a fools errand. It'll only lead to bad things.
<DeathStar> <Aya> I think even the primary spirits are on timers now since giving their powers up
<DeathStar> <Aya> It is the natural order of things
<Seraphna> Angela> Some extend their lives long enough simply to be with their loved ones more. I don’t see Jaime as the type to want to outlast Gnome and Adeline after losing them both once as is.
<Dias`> <Chad> And when does it end? Do I extend my life for Aya? Or until her girls hit a certain age. What bout their kids?
<Seraphna> Angela> Well none of us have that much control. Especially since we encounter mortality so often. I think letting people choose what they do with the time they get the best thing. Everyone’s earned it.
<DeathStar> <Aya> I mean, I get it, but when you have Dragoons that might live forever until they wear down, it can get sticky.
<DeathStar> <Aya> I heard Guardians can last 500 years
<Seraphna> Angela> We had a party, it got wild, I woke up in Fi’Thara’s lap with bunny ears. Sure, but why would I reject a gift?
<DeathStar> <Aya> ... I suppose I don't get parties anymore. If ever
<DeathStar> *Cheryl takes another vial of blood, squinting*
<Dias`> <Chad> I'll have to have a talk with your girls about that.
<DeathStar> *Chii leaps out like a fox and grabs the ears*
<DeathStar> *Then leaps away*
<Dias`> <Chad> I guess I looked at how Cran ended up after years of living beyond his normal life span and learned from it. *He sighs slightly at Cheryl*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I suppose we are all different. *She squints at the sample* That would explain Cran
<Seraphna> **Angela is bunny napped**
<Dias`> <Chad> I guess I decided I wouldn't want to unleash a me that outlived those he cared about. *He grabs the sample and sets it in the machine* 4x a day is enough to start with.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> So far eerything is looking clear
<Dias`> <Chad> Indeed. *He grabs a blood device and pulls his own sample* We'll figure this out, Cheryl. *He rubs his face a bit* Why did we have to be his favorite children.
<DeathStar> *Cheryl barks a harsh laugh*
<Dias`> *Chad let's out a quick smirk at that* Luckily if either of us go evil from this we'll have the other to stop them.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I definitely expect if I turn out like the old man to be put down. Chii has a list of things to do. *Chii can be heard picking on the rabbit somewhere*
<Dias`> <Chad> I have a protocol in case that happens to me.
<DeathStar> <Aya> You two
<DeathStar> <Aya> You just both need to go to older people's clubs and relax
<Dias`> <Chad> Clubs. Hard pass.
<DeathStar> *Aya looks amused*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> You know I don't physically age
<Dias`> <Chad> Oh to be forever young looking.
* Dias` has quit IRC (Remote host closed the connection)
Session Close: Mon Aug 14 04:44:14 2023