Week 7

[airlockedmods]

[Well that weekend sucked. The Champions are down a dad and a bean and shrinking their numbers smaller and smaller, less and less.

There's no sign of life in the spaceport aside from PAL's omnipresent voice and SIS, the helpful asSIStant who has some control over certain heres and theres in the spaceport. She (and PAL) are available at all times and can appear anywhere if called. There is, however, a new floor to explore. Just hop in the elevator and pchoo.]


Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

(( Don't forget to check in, check your memory regains! and put in for item regains))

Comments

[airlockedmods]

I see. I will have to try harder then.

[SIS's shoulders slump forward.]

I am...worried. I am doing my best to keep their spirits up and keep them unified but it is more difficult than I anticipated with what they did to PAL. I am especially worried Church may do something very stupid.

[airlockedmods]

You're doing the best that you can. If all goes well, we can restore PAL later on. As long as...

[.....

Yeah, let's talk about Church. The figure makes a sound that might be a snort.]

He does tend to do that.

[airlockedmods]

[She nods solemnly in understanding. If all goes well. Aren't those the magic words?]

Still, he has been very nice to me since they woke up. They all have. [Her face can't be seen but it sounds like there's a smile in her voice but it fades quickly into a more serious tone.] There was an incident,
when Church and Junpei went back into the simulation. I am still not sure how but I glitched into the dead simulation.

[airlockedmods]

You did? They must be running all of it from the same server. That's how they were doing it before...remember what happened with Florida? That's probably why they didn't put any holodeck in the mall.

[He shakes his head.]

I know you're trying to help, but please, be careful. You're just as trapped as the rest of them right now. We've been trying to locate you all, but there's not enough good shots of the windows. Though, now that we have contact, I don't suppose you could just give me your coordinates directly? Or at least some starmaps. I'm not sure what Junpei and Church made of my message, but they've been...understandably distracted.

[airlockedmods]

That has been my theory as well. They've learned from the second group.

Junpei has been trying to make headway with it but he has also been having a hard time. I believe speaking directly to Yuuri and Ardyn did improve things for him however. As for the starmaps I will get them to you as quickly as I can. Or speak to one of them by the windows for a prolonged amount of time. Whichever is more discreet. I can tell you from my observations that I am not sure we are actually in the Cancer Nebula.

[She turns her head slightly, not enough to notice Church but enough to look like she's thinking.]

I should get back. I do not trust leaving them alone with PAL for too long. [She turns back to the screen.] Tell Paladin to hold off just a little longer. Perhaps have him and Cleric take Bard out for a day. Make sure you're getting adequate rest as well.

Saving us is a priority but you cannot do much if you are all malfunctioning.

[airlockedmods]

[Wizard hmmmmms quietly.]

Of course. I'll see what I can do. And - you know I like talking to you, dear, but please only call if you're sure it's safe. It's more important for you to stay hidden.

Either way, we'll talk later. Be careful.

[Call ended.]

[motherfucking_ghost]

[He lingers for a few moments after Wizard Jesus disappears from the screen...and then takes a few quiet steps forward.]

...SIS...?

[airlockedmods]

[She whips around, startled and wide-eyed.]

Church? How did you get down here?

[kingshaming]

That... Would be my doing.

[Here comes Xander, with his Warp cube]

[airlockedmods]

[...]



What the fuck.

[kingshaming]

SIS, language.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Hey, she's allowed to say whatever the fuck she wants.

[kingshaming]

...well I suppose if anything deserves a fuck, this is it.

[airlockedmods]

[ya'll ruined her speech patterns]

...How long have you both been here?

[motherfucking_ghost]

...Long enough to know that you're trying to help and that you and your buddies are major D&D nerds?

[airlockedmods]

Neither of these statements are incorrect.

[motherfucking_ghost]

We're not dumb enough to shout this shit out to the heavens. You keep doing what you're doing, and we'll all work on the map angle. Get your space wizard and his buddies to find us.

...We've also got a lot of uh. Questions. But I'm sure you're not at liberty to tell us what all exactly the hell is going on.

[airlockedmods]

I- [She looks confused and a little flabbergasted but relieved?] I am very happy you trust me this much, Church.

[kingshaming]

We have little other option. And... I wish to believe in what I told you before.

...I do have a question for you though, but it is very selfish. Do you know the events of the previous experiments? Do... you know why I was listed as the Ultimate Champion?

[his tone is pleading. Scared.]

[airlockedmods]

...Yes. I do know those circumstances, Xander.

[kingshaming]

[he sucks in a weak breath]

I... don't know if you can tell me the entire circumstances. But I must know... did I kill someone, and set out to kill everyone else in my group?

[airlockedmods]

Yes. [Her tone and expression are solemn.] I cannot speak to your intentions but I will ask you a question.

If you had not redeemed yourself in some way do you think the Champions of your game and Jamie Fell would have seen fit to make you their captain?

[kingshaming]

I... I had been so focused on my title change that... I forgot my occupation changed as well.

[his eyes start to bead up]

I see. I can't speak for why they could give a title to someone who betrayed them all. But... I am not in the position to argue the point.

[motherfucking_ghost]

[Oh man this is all touching and all but mmmmmaybe Church is trying really hard to remain neutral-looking. Coulda been captain of the gravy train for all anyone knew.]

Okay, good--good, cool, listen.

What did they do to PAL? ...Who did what to PAL? Who's Paladin? Who's anyone? How are you able to contact people from the outside--you're not just the spaceport AI, are you?

[airlockedmods]

[SIS turns her attention from Xander to back Church and smiles.]

That's correct, Church. I am not just the spaceport AI. There was a different AI here before. It was very basic and outdated and now it is just me.