Session Start: Thu Jun 12 21:23:24 2008
Session Ident: #lunar-iog2
* Storen changes topic to '-= Chapter 75.1: Road to Nowhere | Location: Jerusalem, Outer City | Pool: 9 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/'
<Storen> == Interlude Begin ==
<Storen> As the effects of the teleportation sputter and fade, the transmission across the world had also managed to become distorted and fractured. The target of the ominous black skyscraper that was Zophar's temple shifted and the party managed to land haphazardly in the outskirts of the ruiend circular city that surrounds the evil monument.
<Storen> Even some of the tight knit group in the final moments broke away and landed in seperate places over a small area. One such fragment of light reforms into the exhausted Vytor and feinted Trune, as both find themselves laying in a broken residential building, partially collapsed.
<Storen> outside, shadows of both inhuman fiends and robotic terrors of the Old World patrol the streets, but they are hidden from sight for the moment.
* Vytor shakes his head a few times to get rid of the cobwebs, and looks around to get his bearings.
* Trune is huddled against a wall in somewhat of a fetal position. He 's beginning to stir, groaning softly.
* Vytor snaps his attention in the direction of the voice. After realizing who it is, he goes to check on his friend.
<Vytor> Hey? Trune? You there?
<Trune> Uhhh...what...?
* Trune sounds slightly out of it. He puts a hand to his head, trying to come to his senses.
<Vytor> Easy now.
* Trune hoists himself slowly to a sitting position, one hand still on his head, "Vytor? That you? You're ok-"
<Vytor> Seems like it, thanks to you guys.
* Trune then suddenly stops, a hand flying towards his throat and a wave of alarm crossing his face, "(w) I'm talking..."
<Vytor> You just noticed? And I thought I'd been through a lot.
<Trune> No...that means...oh damn it...damn it...!
<Vytor> Calm down.
<Vytor> Getting excited won't help way out here.
* Vytor looks around, "Wherever this is."
* Trune swallows thickly and forces himself to calm down, though admittedly it doesn't look like he's calmed down all that much, "I think we're in Zophar's happy home. Or near it."
* Vytor sneaks a quick peek outside, "Lots of sentries out there. We'd best stay put for a bit and hope they move on."
<Trune> Splendid. Out of one shitty situation and into another.
<Trune> ...Seriously, you okay?
<Vytor> I'm tried, and I'm wrung out, and I've got  huge gaps in my memory, but I think I'm OK.
<Storen> They noises indeed move on, and the two are left alone for the moment, but the atmosphere here is no less ominous. All around the ruin lie charred remnants of families that once inhabited this place in ancient times.
<Storen> Their effects are all that remains to indicate who could've been ehre once.
<Storen> There is the vague traces that both can feel of a familiar sacred power, that one time must have scourged this place in the name of Althena... it would seem not even in the pit of darkness at the seat of the world government of old is light and hope completely extinguished.
<Trune> I'm just glad you're okay...we were really close to losing you for good. 
<Vytor> It sounds like it.
* Vytor sits down again.
<Vytor> So what happened?
* Trune leans against a wall, rubbing at his eyes, which have pretty dark circles under them, "Short version is you were taken to Lazurus because Zophar wanted your body."
<Vytor> I heard that much from the Director. So you guys stopped it?
<Trune> Sort of...I mean, we got there but Zophar couldn't use you because of the way you're...configured I guess.
<Vytor> Eh?
<Trune> Rogar spat some codes at you and told you to erase your command codes and persona shells. You deleted your command codes...but apparently you don't have Persona shells or something. Well, you DO, but it's like...part of your entire operational system or something. It'd make you useless if it got deleted. So Zophar left you alone and made Rogar his boytoy instead.
<Vytor> ...oh.
<Vytor> Good for me, I suppose.
* Trune smiles a genuine smile, "Yeah, I honestly thought we lost you. I kinda...lost it. I wanted Rogar to pay."
<Vytor> Well, if Zophar's taking his body instead of mine, then you can get a two-fer-one deal on that.
* Trune looks a little distracted at the mention of Zophar's name, as if a thought has suddenly occured to him, "Yeah, guess you have a point there."
<Vytor> So what happened after I got taken away? How long was I gone?
<Trune> A couple of days. We mounted a rescue mission like, the day after you were taken.
* Trune looks down at his boots, not divulguing much more than that.
<Vytor> You're doing it again.
<Trune> ...Heh. Transparent as always.
* Trune is quiet for a moment, still staring at his shoes. His voice is soft, "She chose someone else."
* Vytor doesn't need to ask for a clarification on that. "I see."
<Trune> I also...got really desperate. I did something really stupid.
<Vytor> What was it?
<Trune> When my Dad realized I couldn't speak, he told me that I might try to communicate telepathically. He even demonstrated it to me to show it works, though he kind of sucks at it. It's not his forte. So I thought, maybe I could use it in an emergency, you know? The whiteboard is kind of inconvient in battle and...I didn't wanna be useless.
* Vytor nods.
<Trune> I asked Niri if she could help me, and...well, first I found out about her liking someone else, and we didn't do it because I realized it might be dangerous and she did too. 
<Trune> Then she must have told Tanan. Or Ryllan, or both of them.
* Vytor listens carefully.
<Trune> They were really angry about it. Like, really angry.
<Vytor> Did they say why?
<Trune> They thought I was doing it as an obvious escape plan for the virus...to get it into Niri or something. 
<Vytor> For what purpose?
<Trune> They thought maybe my dad mentioned all of this to me just to pass it off...least that's what I got out of the conversation.
* Vytor raises an eyebrow, "That sounds a little far-fetched to me."
<Trune> I dunno...even just telepathically talking to her could pass it on. Who knows I guess...I think that's what they were thinking. They think I was reckless and not really acting like someone who's infected and should be careful. 
<Vytor> How do they know that?
<Vytor> The conditions in which you got it weren't that cut-and-dry, from what I remember.
* Trune looks out towards the devestated city, and sighs, "I could have infected her. I...maybe it really was the virus telling me what to do. I don't know anymore."
<Vytor> Or maybe it was just the honest impulse of a lonely young man trying to reach out to a friend.
<Trune> It doesn't matter. I'll keep away from her. I have to protect her.
<Vytor> From what?
<Trune> Me.
<Vytor> So...because you're a potential threat that we have no active proof of...you are a threat.
<Vytor> That's pretty draconian.
<Trune> I...I can't risk it! I can't risk people getting hurt because of this!
<Vytor> Hurt how?
<Trune> ...Infecting them, killing them! I don't know!
* Vytor frowns.
<Vytor> You don't know. They don't know. Nobody knows.
<Vytor> And since we don't know for sure, its classified as dangerous by default.
<Vytor> I'm sensing a trend here.
<Trune> ...It is dangerous. I...I might have another mission after this. After Zophar.
<Vytor> Is there any way to find out more?
* Trune laughs, without much mirth in it, "Guess we can go after Zophar and see what happens."
<Vytor> If there isn't an alternative, then why get hung up about it?
<Trune> ...But I won't...I shouldn't do that. I shouldn't even BE here. There is an alternantive. I told the others...I'd go back to the academy.
<Vytor> And then what?
<Trune> ....I don't know.
<Trune> Go into the infirmary maybe. They have some willforce containment areas. Maybe I can...
<Vytor> Is that what you want?
<Vytor> Locl yourself in a room and hope the problem goes away?
<Trune> It's a prison. Do I personally want it? Hell no. Do I want to keep everyone safe? Yes.
<Vytor> And how do you know that will keep everyone safe?
<Trune> I don't...but going after Zophar right now is probably the most selfish thing I could do.
<Vytor> Wanting to live? That's hardly what I'd call selfish.
* Trune buries his head in his arms, "What's the point if going after Zophar if I may be the next Big Bad lurking around the corner? If I could prevent it somehow, stop this..."
<Vytor> What have you tried?
<Trune> I went to my dad, I've researched stuff in my books until I've felt like my eyes were gonna bleed. When I first suspected I had it I tried a lot of weird potions and remedies in China. Suffice to say nothing's worked. 
<Vytor> No, I mean what have you done...in here? *prods Trune's forehead*
<Vytor> All your efforts have involved looking for exterior aid. What about tackling it yourself?
<Trune> I've tried meditation, trying to get control of my thoughts...but admittedly lately I'm doing a shitty job of it...
* Trune stops, "Oh man, no wonder they hate my guts. Heh."
<Vytor> Well, there you go.
<Vytor> There's your answer.
<Vytor> If that virus is in your head, that's where you have to fight it.
<Trune> How? I don't think a lot of nature music and yoga is going to solve this.
<Vytor> Why?
* Trune blinks several times, "I...don't really know...Just...l can't see fighting a freaking brain virus that's programmed to turn me into an elementlor with yoga and a cup of camomille tea."
<Vytor> Do you think the people who created it considered that a possibility?
<Trune> I'm sure they did. I...I admit I'm not entirely sure, but I think this virus ...eventually will get rid of me. And if that happens, Tanan'll...
* Trune stops, realizing he said something that probably shouldn't have been said.
* Vytor looks at Trune, "Will what?"
<Trune> ...This is going to end in a bad place, I know it. 
* Vytor raises an eyebrow.
<Trune> He said if I hurt Niri or got this to infect her, he'd kill me and everyone I love.
<Vytor> ...did he now?
<Trune> Well, he said end everything I love but same difference.
<Vytor> What did Niri have to say when he said that?
<Trune> She doesn't know. At least, I don't think she does.
<Trune> He was on his own, though Ryllan was with him.
<Vytor> How could she not know? She wears...
<Vytor> On his own? *said very slowly, very dangerously*
* Trune finally glances upwards, staring at Vytor, "Yeah."
<Vytor> ...I see.
<Vytor> Good to know.
<Trune> Look...I shouldn't have said anything. We don't need this right now, we're about to go against a God. I shouldn't have mentioned anything."
<Vytor> Did Ryllan also threaten you that way?
<Trune> He said he'd probably stop Tanan from blasting everything else, but he wouldn't stop me, per say.
<Trune> «ooc: er wouldn't stop Tanan from getting me, even »
* Vytor nods curtly, "That's about his speed."
<Trune> ...I need to protect her, though...So I need to ask you a favor, okay?
<Vytor> What is it?
<Trune> If I'm forced to go along with this, we need a backup plan.
* Trune reaches over to his left, picking up the Eightfold Spire that was resting on the ground not too far away, "The ECC. Remove it. I'll teach you how to work it so that if something happens to me...you can stop me."
<Vytor> All right. But only if I have to.
* Trune smiles a sad little smile, "I think you have to."
* Vytor reaches into his pocket for his worktools with one hand, and the ECC with the other.
* Trune looks a little sad, but perhaps more relieved, "It worked with Leah. Maybe it'd work with me, too."
* Vytor starts to work, expertly severing the connections between the ECC and the Eightfold Spire.
* Vytor finishes, and returns Trune's weapon.
<Trune> ...Thank you.
<Vytor> I'm only doing this because I still have faith in you.
* Trune points to a lever, then a dial on the ECC, "Flip that switch, and turn the frequency to this number...here. If that doesn't work turn the knob higher...and thanks. You're the only one who does."
<Vytor> If that's true, this group's in a sorry state.
<Trune> It's warranted, but it's...still hard. I understand it...it's just hard.
<Vytor> Don't give up yet. Its not over.
<Vytor> You guys saved me because you didn't give up. If you turn that determination into saving yourself, you can save yourself too.
* Trune nods, letting out a breath, "I'll do my best. I...you know what I want to do when this is over? Promise not to laugh at me."
<Vytor> I promise.
<Trune> I never celebrated Niri's birthday, really. I felt kinda bad about it. So I thought, "Fuck, when this is all over I'll take Niri and Mikel out and we'll go to a bar and get really drunk and do stupid teenager things. We'll be loud and obnoxious and it'll be awesome."
<Vytor> I agree.
<Trune> I'll send you a postcard of a really embarrasing picture of us that we'll never want shown in public. 
<Trune> Since that kind of stuff always happens to me.
<Vytor> I'd like that. I have a great scrapbook I can put it in.
<Trune> As long as it doesn't have like, cute little doilie picture frames and pastel pages hilighted in gold pen. My mom does that. It drives me nuts.
* Vytor laughs.
* Trune laughs too, and unlike before it actually sounds geniune. No bitterness at all.
<Trune> ...We'd better go. Everyone's probably looking for us.
<Vytor> True enough. Someone has to keep them out of trouble.
* Vytor stands and dusts himself off, then helps Trune to his feet.
<Vytor> Ready?
* Trune takes Vytor's hand as he hauls himself up, nodding in thanks, "Ready. Let's do this."
<Vytor> OK, stay low and follow my lead. With a little luck, we can avoid getting spotted.
* Zack is now known as ZackDinner
* Trune nods, ducking down low, "Right."
* Vytor checks the area once, then dashes off towards a nearby ruin.
* Trune follows closely behind, his face determined as he weaves in and out of ruins in the devestated city.
<Trune> ==LUDE ENDS==
Session Close: Fri Jun 13 23:29:25 2008