trash bin PART TWO

[al2955]

the pygmalion. . . ??? OPENING PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . _PROGRAM CRASHED _PROGRAM REBOOT? >N >SCAN PROGRAM . . . _PROGRAM CRASHED . . . >EMERGENCY LEVEL . . . >EMERGENCY LEVEL . . . _EMERGENCY LEVEL LOADING LOADING. . . LOADING. . . LOADING TEXTURE-NIGHT-SKY, TEXTURE-FULL-MOON, TEXTURE-DIRT-PATH, TEXTURE-CAMPFIRE LOADING SOUND-CRICKETS, SOUND-GRAVEL, SOUND-WIND, SOUND-FIRE-CRACKLING UPLOADING USER UPLOADING USER UPLOADING USER UPLOAD SUCCESSFUL TRASH BIN It feels more like an electrical zap than dying. Dying might feel a little bit more like falling asleep, but this is harder, more painful. If you've ever been electrocuted, the feeling might seem familiar; the discovery you make when you open your eyes, too, is likely very familiar. It's the night sky. Stars twinkle, a fire cracks warmly. You sit up and observe the surrounding area, and it's like you've woken up in some sort of canyon. The fire burns brightly, the moon shines beautifully, the crickets sing, and it is ... peaceful. Mostly. You know you're dead. This must be, then, the after life? Or something like it, at least. The horizon stretches on forever, the dirt and gravel seemingly endless. The moon is so big and bright, it's like you could reach out and touch her. There's a shed not too far from the fire, only but a stone's throw away, as if someone else might have made it, and then went inside it. Approaching it, you can see the light glowing inside it through the dusty windows that are littered with fingerprints. A computer screen, so large and wide that it's baffling, sits, waiting. Turning knob reveals that the shed is unlocked, and stepping inside... it doesn't feel any different from the outside. A chair sits in the center of the room, a strange contraption strapped to the head of it. It looks like it would lower itself upon the head of whoever dares to sit on it, and wires from it's bottom curl up towards the machines attached to the screen. Several smaller desktop screens sit beneath the giant monitor. They, too, are hooked up to the machines scattered around the room, to the ominous one perched on top of the medical chair, and they blink, as if fighting to stay alive without use. Pressing the giant monitor on, it lights up, and displays, strangely enough... a security camera feed. You push the button. It switches to another room. Again, another room. Again, another room. So on and forth. You peeping tom! But no one can blame you, in the end. You might as well digitally haunt the rest of the ship until the game ends, and AL-2955 can clean out the trash bin. ...Right? rule book taken characters information cards

Comments

[mnasthai]

[ Kazuma hasn't forgotten about Totty ignoring his Furry Passing letters either but, at least they're gossiping so this is fine for now!]

What do they say about green haired people? [ Far be it from him to back down with Arumat approaching, and he just smiles.]

You can try if you want, but it was just a simple question wasn't it?~ [ Yeah he's the best to bring along for diplomacy missions!]

[todorable]

[WOW he did not ignore kazuma's letter at all, he just didn't write back because he was sulking like a completely mature adult okay]

They say green-haired guys have bigger pie holes than anyone ever asked for.

[Well, he couldn't hold in the snide comment, but he does refrain from stepping on Kazuma's foot, since it A) probably wouldn't work, why is everyone around here so OP, and B) "civilian intruders" (a term that stings more than expected) who haven't built up a history of harmless dickery should probably at least attempt to act their age. Machias seems to be heading down the right track and Todo doesn't want to mess it up and get thrown into space elf jail, that would definitely be a minus, Kazuma please don't get them thrown into space elf jail.]

...Anyway, like Machias said, we can explain what's going on if you've got a minute. It shouldn't take long!

[thanatosincarnate]

[ Arumat looks over at Machias, especially as he's one of those who steps forward first with none of that foolishness. }

They say lads with green hair sometimes make for good, well-behaved individuals. Yet, I see that maybe judging by the comment your friend has made there are some that would fit the description he's given...

{ Judging by the way his expression is fixing towards Kazuma as he's saying, Arumat is irritated still (and as usual). He's tempted to alert the whole crew if he needs to. Then again, this is something he can handle by himself.

He's considering Machias and Todomatsu's words carefully, but his patience is short as always. }

Hurry it up. I already asked for an explanation. It is up to you to give it... unless you're stalling for some sort of malicious reason. Hopefully not, seeing as I already helped with ridding the universe with a dire enough threat that'd I rather not waste my time.

{ After that, he's crossing his arms. He's listening. }

[breakshot]

[ Machias is just going to shoot an irritated look at Todomatsu for that comment. Even if it's technically directed at Kazuma, it seems it can also easily apply to him too. A fact which he's well aware. He mutters a silent word under his breath, and if Totty's good at lip reading: "Thanks." ]

You'll have to excuse them - especially Todomatsu. [ He carefully puts his hand to his chin, carefully considering his next words. ] My name is Machias. We're not here to harm you, Arumat, but... we do need your help.

[ He's paying enough attention to realize the subject of threats at hand might be the approach they want to take. He'll subtly glance back to Totty and Kazuma. You boys want to give him a hand in negotiating? ]

[mnasthai]

That's not very nice. [ But he just...sort of pouts and leaves it at that.

Oh but Machias is giving him a chance to speak, so he should take it.]

You're a man of honor and duty, right Arumat? There's an invasion of these weird demo-alien things attacking a space ship. It's kind of a mess- [ And he looks like he wants to laugh here but he doesn't thank god.], and we know how much of a good fighter you are~.

[todorable]

[Totty wrinkles his nose, being (deservedly) scolded, yuck. But it's a better approach than anything he can come up with himself--people who didn't respond to ego stroking were so troublesome--and he just nods along with Kazuma's addition, serious for once.]

That's pretty much it. You'd have to leave these guys for a bit... [he gestures at the ship, indicating the crew] But we'd could really use you, if you'd join us.

[thanatosincarnate]

{ Arumat's eyebrows furrow-- he could maybe see it... civilians desperate enough to stow away on the ship in an attempt to bid for a plea for help. }

Hmph, this is not the first time the 13th Independent Armored Division has been called in to save a civilian or more from their plight.

{ Yet, he hesitates...he seems concerned about something. His attention turns to Todomatsu, but after that his gaze looks over from Machias to Kazuma. }

Yet...why do I have to leave my crew behind? They should be able to all provide assistance in addition to my own. They've always been by my side, no matter what's happened. Wouldn't that be irresponsible of a Captain to not provide you the proper amount of assistance and to simply leave my own crew behind as well?

[mnasthai]

You have a second in command, right? You can just leave it up to them~. [ Which is probably not the right answer, but this is Kazuma here.]

[todorable]

[todomatsu had a feeling this would be the sticking point, and he hesitates, glances uncertainly at the others. but he's not the rip off the bandaid-type in situations like this, so even though situations like this basically never work out smoothly, he continues in the hopes it will work out smoothly, choosing his words carefully because (for once) he doesn't want to lie.]

It's--more of an infiltration type of thing against the aliens. So there's no need to put all your crew in danger. And we wouldn't want to mess up whatever mission you guys are in the middle of. Anyway, it--it shouldn't take long. Even if you slipped away for a bit, everyone should be right where you left them.

[thanatosincarnate]

{ Kazuma's answer is not the right one, judging by the expression on his face. }

I don't have a second in command.

{ Although, he doesn't know why -- the real reason is because his whole crew is dead, including most of the people here minus the blond-haired boy. This illusion... was showing of a strange world where none of his crew died, and the red-haired man who saved him was always with him. Crowe never had to sacrifice his life.

Guess what, though? There's progress being made here! }

... Hmph, I don't even know who you all are. Or ... where or what the name of this other spaceship is. Do you even have a name for the threat we're up against?

[breakshot]

You haven't named anyone? ... This is more for curiosity's sake, but if you don't mind me asking: how would your crew be able carry out their duties in the event you are not present?

[ Machias raises an eyebrow at that statement. That's a little odd, isn't it? Though naval warfare wasn't heavily touched upon during Neithardt's lectures, it goes without saying any military ship ought to have a functioning crew, including someone to take up the responsibilities should the one holding command be unable to do so. ]

I can understand your apprehension at leaving your crew behind, Arumat. However, surely you trust them to handle things on their own? ... For that matter, they surely have to trust you as well, being their captain.

[ ... Honestly, the best option here may be to take the truthful approach. Even if Arumat doesn't believe him. Aidios, why. He closes his eyes, his tone firm, level. ]

However, this matter... may be one far more personal to you. We're from a ship called the Pygmalion, and the threat in question is called the Souvlaki. As we speak, the crew there is fighting desperately to survive - among them someone who considers you a friend. And the longer we wait, the less time we have to help them.

[todorable]

[he nods in agreement]

We wouldn't be going this far to come for you unless it was really necessary. You could at least check it out, right? Worst case scenario, you just come back here, no harm, no foul. ...I mean, harm to everyone on the Pygmalion getting killed by aliens, but what can you do.

[thanatosincarnate]

{ The Pygmalion...the Souvlaki.

Something about that made his chest hurt, or maybe it was because even here his illness never went away because what he'd done to his body was irreversible. But now, even his head hurt as well, likely due to the memories being jumbled with the false world, trying to begin to overturn what had been written.

Todomatsu had said that it'd be an 'infiltration' mission and he didn't know why something about those things were familiar. But he knew as well somehow there was truth to what they said. }

...Then show me the way, all of you. But if you're lying ... or if you betray me, I won't forgive you.