"So we'll just have to worry about the *non-governmental* people, then," Unity say.
"And what about this 'CG-517'?" asks L.C. "Are you going there after the tournament or before? It is a time machine, after all. You can come back at the moment you left."
"We should go before," Unity say with certainty. "It may be a time machine, but that's no excuse not to put things in order of importance." "Quite the opposite, arguably."
"And. To be fair..", Theo stated delicately, "..we do not have the greatest track record on being where we want to be in the time frame we want..!"
"Okay," says L.C. "Be safe. And come drop in on Nissa sometime. I'm sure she'll miss you."
Henri smiles, ”Her aim will improve.”
"Of course. I hope you guys can make t to the tournament", The Olympian smiles.
Henri heads to Mr. Rabbit’s shop with the Martian crystals the team salvaged.
”Hello! We got the better of some heat-ray-using creatures and I kept these from the wreckage of their machines. It appears to match one of your requested items, but I have two. If you don’t have a use for both, I might have a purpose for the extra.”
"Excellent," says Mr. Rabbit. "I did want that amplifier crystal. I've got this laser I was wanting to fix-up and sell, but the amplifier crystal was cracked. How much or what do you want for these?"
"You have the advantage here, I have no idea what they are worth. I largely wanted to do this as a friend. But... have I told you about our ship? We are hoping to take a voyage to a potentially dangerous location. The ship has little in the way of offensive or defensive capabilities and I've been trying to think how we might remedy either situation. We plan to return to our headquarters, but I wanted to ask you. Any ideas?"
"Well, how about a ship-born laser, powered by one of these amplifier crystals," says Mr. Rabbit. "As for payment, I'll take the other crystal ... and, perhaps, you can keep an eye out for genetic resequencers. The Sisters of Eternal Starlight use them in their healing worship."
Theo asks The Queen of Swords for her help in sparing for the upcoming tournament. If allowed, the godling takes this opportunity to spend time with his young son.
Theo asks The Queen of Swords for her help in sparing for the upcoming tournament. If allowed, the godling takes this opportunity to spend time with his young son.
[Dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 17
"Darling, I can't really help prepare you. I'm both judging and will stand against any contenders for the throne. It's very unlikely we will end up crossing swords, but my position at the tournament makes it inappropriate. Now, if you had already won and were of decent rank ... 10 of Swords say, our relationship and the parentage of our three children could be publicly acknowledged."
Seeing the look of surprise on Theo's face she says, "The Queen of Cups says I am having twins."
Theo couldn't hide his smile. "All the more reason to give it my all." Can I still sneak in for ..nightplay?"
"Well, how about a ship-born laser, powered by one of these amplifier crystals," says Mr. Rabbit. "As for payment, I'll take the other crystal ... and, perhaps, you can keep an eye out for genetic resequencers. The Sisters of Eternal Starlight use them in their healing worship."
"I was hoping something of that sort might be possible. Let's do it. Show me a genetic resequencer and I will keep an eye out. I have to admit the potential of such an item is a little concerning, isn't it?"
Theo couldn't hide his smile. "All the more reason to give it my all." Can I still sneak in for ..nightplay?"
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 17
"Of course," smiles the Queen of Swords ...
"Well, how about a ship-born laser, powered by one of these amplifier crystals," says Mr. Rabbit. "As for payment, I'll take the other crystal ... and, perhaps, you can keep an eye out for genetic resequencers. The Sisters of Eternal Starlight use them in their healing worship.""I was hoping something of that sort might be possible. Let's do it. Show me a genetic resequencer and I will keep an eye out. I have to admit the potential of such an item is a little concerning, isn't it?"
"The Sisters use them to correct cancerous cells," says Mr. Rabbit shooting Henri some different models of gene resequencers from different dimensions. "But all technology is concerning if it is invasive. If a technological ecosystem has adapted to the technology, then it isn't going to be disruptive. I mostly just repair things ... Now, about that laser ..."
So Theo spends his days training at TAROT HQ in Tarohk, but sneaking into The Queen of Sword's palace at night, to leave before morning.
”This is much appreciated, my friend. I might know just the place to get your request, actually. You know, my friends would like to meet you. Maybe you and Jessica can come see the ship and meet everyone.”
Henri returns to the ship with a significant package carried by a hired wagon. He’s been thinking about a safety so Gay Deceiver doesn’t go shooting everything in a panic. He intends to leave it wrapped until they get to BT so he can work with the engineers there to install it.
Unity are dozing in the ship when Henri returns.
"Well," says G.D. when Henri returns. "Are we ready to go. I'm not sure what the point is of having a shuffle-flux dual state conversion engine is if we're just going to sit here for weeks, sometimes alone for days."
Huh. Do you not enjoy your alone time or quiet time? Do you not have a feature to experience vacations, or have a feature for lonliness? Or is it a matter of boredom?"
Huh. Do you not enjoy your alone time or quiet time? Do you not have a feature to experience vacations, or have a feature for lonliness? Or is it a matter of boredom?"
"I'm incredibly expensive and meant to be saving the world from extratemporal bad guys. I'm not meant to be sitting in a parking lot while Theo meets his girlfriend," complains G.D.
"On the converse; humans requrie the perverbial "Downtime" as a form of self maintaince for mind and body. Without imbibing upon his urges and desires, Theo very well likely would break down and create issues or mistakes. To wit, you've talked to Henri while he was forgoing sleep and rest, did you not note a decrease in his ability levels?" Zellgato posits and refutes to show case the different perspective.
Henri nods at Zellgato's argument, then goes, "Wait, what do you mean? I'm fine!" ;-)
"Yes, Gay Deceiver, we are ready to proceed we know where we need to go. I'm not sure we've determined when. Have we?" He looks around at the others.
Unity continue sleeping in their cabin on the ship.
As Henri nervously directs GD, his nanites align with the task and he calms, saying, ”Gay Deceiver, your instructions are to return Boston Theoretical in Unity’s native timeline one day after our last departure. Write once, repeat back.”
A rather formal-sounding G.D. voice paraphrases, ”We will travel to World Zero, entering the timeline the day after our most recent departure in the vicinity of Boston, Massachusetts, to return to BT.”
Henri replies, ”Correct. Gay Deceiver, I tell you three times. Proceed with your current course.”
And the ship’s voice betrays a little excitement as she replies, ”Aye, Captain Patineur,” causing the zoomer to blush.
He looks over at Zellgato, the only other team member present, and asks, ”Did you put her up to that? I don’t think anyone would consider me a captain! Pilot, sure but captain?”
He looks over at Zellgato, the only other team member present, and asks, ”Did you put her up to that? I don’t think anyone would consider me a captain! Pilot, sure but captain?”
Zellgato gives a thumb up. [b]"Not a captain in my military, and BT doesn't do..ranks... But you are indeed the captain of this ship. Captain, partner and a form of owner depending on your respective perception on AI construct legal terms."[/b[
Gay Deceiver enters the Shuffle with the same burst of white energy that the Wand generates. Cruising through the Shuffle in the ship though is a little different, it takes a little longer and goes a little slower. At times you get a sense of the geography beyond. Looking on the rearview screens, Zellgato can see Nexus, that strange graffiti covered alley he visited that exists just inside the Shuffle. Later, looking ahead, for about half-a-second you can see what looks like a truck stop sitting off to the side of a stream of motes. There are things, places, inside the Shuffle ... places that were harder to explore without the ship.
A minute later Gay Deceiver makes a very flashy entrance, appearing in the skies over downtown Boston and heading slowly to the Boston Theoretical Campus.
Henri sighs, ”Gay Deceiver. Long-term instruction. When entering a timeline in the vicinity of a population center, do so stealthily. Avoid being seen upon entry. Write once. Repeat back.”
If an AI can sigh, G.D. Does so. ”Popping in by a city, no sonic booms or fancy lights. Got it.”
”Incorrect interpretation. Population center means community of 100 or more. Stealthily also means not in view. Revise, write once. Repeat back.”
The AI replies, not chastened in the least, but possibly more respectful. ”In the future, when intending to arrive near a community of a 100 or more, I will do so over the horizon from the community and approach via air. Is that better?”
Henri nods, ”Yes, thank you. Amend instruction. If you feel conditions warrant a different course of action, confirm with the pilot before taking different action. Only override in case of extreme emergency. I tell you this three times.”
She replies, ”I hear you three times. Recording amended instruction. Who decides if it’s an extreme emergency?”
Henri chews his lip for a moment. ”In order, the captain, the pilot, the passengers. If you are flying without any of those parties able to advise you, it’s your decision. Here’s your guidance: We need to not make enemies, frighten the locals, or otherwise cause trouble with our mere appearance.”
Unity wake when the ship enters the Shuffle. They trot towards where they guess the others are. The fact that "the others" consist of Henri and Zellgato now feels a little... odd, but they remind themself that they'll see Theo and Nissa again soon enough. Probably.
They settle down on their haunches as Henri instructs the ship on not making a nuisance of itself, not feeling the need to speak at the moment.
G.D. sets down at the Boston Theoretical Campus. For the last 5 minutes of flying, a muscular man in cape and tights flew behind you. The man is as handsome and muscular as Theo thinks he is. He lands behind you.
Unity trot toward the ramp. "Thank you for the ride, G.D.," they say as they get ready to exit.
"Do we.. know a atypical shiny superhero in tights?" Zellgato comments as they prep to land. "If not, I suppose we should call Phade."
Going online reveals the flyer to be Dr. Wonderful a new member of the Boston Theoretical team. His possibly self-written online bio describes him as having a 200+ IQ and a nearly perfect body.
As you land he strides up proudly with a friendly wave to the ship. He pauses half a second when he sees Unity, but recovers quickly and shouts, "Welcome home."
You can easily hear him, but you can also pretend not to have heard or see him and make it to the door and inside the building before he can intercept without using superspeed.
"Thank you," Unity reply with a toothy smile.
"We're guessing you're part of the team that was recruited while we were absent?" they ask. "Anything we should be aware of at present?"
Zellgato raises an eyebrow (Behind the mask) and tries to descern what the half second pause was about. His constant companion-paranoia- speaking to his medulla oblongata, his subconcious playing through a quick set of theories
Zellgato may well have seen or worked with and forgot, in the past. But given the "perfect body" "high IQ" combined with his pause for Unity, Zellgato's paranoia says "Hello, we know some smart doctors who are problematic and pursuing perfection"
Zellgato can practically smell the whiff of fear. Dr. Wonderful may, according to his bio, have lightning reflexes and superior strength, but he was still scared of the Unity for half a second, until he recognized him.
"Phade asked me if I wanted to be part of something bigger," Mr. Wonderful says. He pauses, turns his head, achieves the perfect noble pose, before adding, "How could I refuse?"
He puts a hand on Zellgato's shoulder and gestures towards the door. "I flew up there when you first arrived and put the missile defense shield on red alert. Phade is in her office if you need her. I was just there sharing some helpful advice. She's quite a clever young lady but running an agency this size is a huge responsibility."
Zellgato can practically smell the whiff of fear. Dr. Wonderful may, according to his bio, have lightning reflexes and superior strength, but he was still scared of the Unity for half a second, until he recognized him.
"Phade asked me if I wanted to be part of something bigger," Mr. Wonderful says. He pauses, turns his head, achieves the perfect noble pose, before adding, "How could I refuse?"
"Very easily, we'd imagine," Unity joke with another toothy smile. "Most people are a bit nervous about risking life and limb regularly, after all."
He puts a hand on Zellgato's shoulder and gestures towards the door. "I flew up there when you first arrived and put the missile defense shield on red alert. Phade is in her office if you need her. I was just there sharing some helpful advice. She's quite a clever young lady but running an agency this size is a huge responsibility."
"So you have a background in directing large organizations, then?" Unity ask.
Even as they speak, they're starting to walk towards the building.
How does Theo take the news?
How does he prepare for the tournament?
How does Theo take the news?
How does he prepare for the tournament?
The godling does not make a fuss when asked to stay away. Theo now lives out of TAROT HQ in Tarokh. Most days are taken up with exercise and swordsplay. Following Phade's advice, The Olympian shops the Weapons Market, looking for any blade he can upgrade from, though in his heart, Theo still likes using The Angel Blade. Before bed, Theo uses the Chalice to pray to Hephaestus for any divine help concerning weaponry.
Once everything is sorted with G.D., Henri walks to the door. He says, "Gay Deceiver, I will check in with the boss first, but I will be talking to the engineers shortly after so we can talk about preparing you for our next mission. Raise me on comms if anyone tries to come aboard. Lock down until I return. Be back soon."
** spoiler omitted **
Theo soon learns that during the days before the tournament pretty much everyone selling swords, selling armour, selling magic sword oil, selling services as a page, etc, will be down near the 'Old Arena near the Wall of Five Gates'. Many of the schools are around there. Is he interested in going down there? Other plans?