PT 012: Main

USS, 6:16 PM

So, last time...on Plane Trek

USS, 6:18 PM

After Theo accidentally summoned a flumph and Xho, Sage and the Captain convinced Mir to stay with them, you jumped to the next plane, a world covered in toxic waste.

USS, 6:20 PM

Heading down to the surface, you learned that one of the few survivors of this world was a hologram named Itsy, who was trapped in his own large illusion deck with no one there.

USS, 6:20 PM

In attempting to separate his program from the machine, you came across an otyugh feeding down there.

USS, 6:22 PM

After some investigating and telepathic discussion, you learned this otyugh was a mutated Planefleet officer who had been stationed on this world when it originally had a base with an interplanar portal (the original means of travel before your ship).  Thanks to help from your resident cleric Vlad, you were able to restore her.

USS, 6:22 PM

You were then lead to and able to restore the four other crewmen left behind.

USS, 6:23 PM

Which brings us to the present.  You and the other relevant staff are in a meeting going over the findings and results since your trip down.  You have remained in orbit around the toxic world, though, as per Captain Grax's orders.

USS, 6:23 PM

Currently Dr. Viex is presenting.

USS, 6:25 PM

Dr. Viex: "The restoration for the other crewmen has seemed successful.  I have run tests and found no further abnormalities in their genetic make-up.  I am, however, keeping them in isolation until I can be sure they're not emitting anything hazardous to the rest of the crew.  Whatever arcane materials may have been in that sludge that transformed them...we cannot be certain as of now."

Xho, 6:26 PM

Should we not also be in isolation, then?

USS, 6:28 PM

Dr. Viex: "You were wearing protective gear that should have kept you safe from the worst of it, and my tests on you upon your return have all been negative."

USS, 6:28 PM

Dr. Viex: "Under ideal circumstances, I would recommend isolation.  Unfortunately--"

USS, 6:29 PM

Grax: "These are not ideal circumstances.  Putting you four, Cleric Von Kemp, the recovery team, and the whole medical team who came in contact with the Hephaestus team is just...not feesible aboard this ship."

Xho, 6:30 PM

Xho nods.

USS, 6:30 PM

Dr. Viex: "...correct.  I will be doing further check-ups regularly, though.  As a precaution."

USS, 6:32 PM

Councilor Aevarnis: "With your permission, I do feel I should meet with them in isolation, though.  They've been through a recent trauma, I need to be able to do a thorough psychological exam."

USS, 6:32 PM

Grax: "Won't that break the quarantine?"

USS, 6:33 PM

Aevarnis: "I can wear the same protective gear that the ground team wore.  Take necessary precautions.  My only concern would be finding a protective means for Guest to join us in there."

Xho, 6:33 PM

Why Guest?

USS, 6:35 PM

Councilor Aevarnis: "Flumphs eat the thought energy beings produce, like mind flayers but in a harmless manner.  By doing so, he's able to pick up on stray thoughts and surface level emotions, making him a more effective means of gauging response than any other tools at my disposal.  If they allow it, and you do as well, Captain, Guest said he was more than willing to help me."

USS, 6:37 PM

Captain Grax: "...Is that even ethical?  The professor's child's only a few days old, are we even sure they are capable of understanding the situation?"

Forgewight, 6:37 PM

…. if people don't stop calling him my child I'm going to blow up the ship.

USS, 6:37 PM

Grax smiles, very satisfied.

Xho, 6:38 PM

I believe that is how Guest feels about it.

USS, 6:39 PM

Aevarnis: "We could run some trials first, if that'd put you more at ease.  I actually know of some crew members who are overdue for an evaluation, if you'd grant permission.  With their consent as well, of course."

Xho, 6:40 PM

I am sure you will find volunteers.

Forgewight, 6:41 PM

He only believes it because someone suggested it when he was freshy constituted and impressionable.  I'm sure he'll grow out of it.

Xho, 6:42 PM

Perhaps. I am sure he could use a mentor; perhaps a flumph would be useful in engineering?

USS, 6:42 PM

Grax: "...let's consider that on a trial basis for now.  Test it on some volunteers from the crew, but first do an evaluation of the rescued through your normal procedure please."

USS, 6:43 PM

Grax: "...the engineering bay is rather large.  Plenty of room for him to float around in the meantime, at least."

Forgewight, 6:44 PM

He spends most of his time down there anyway.

USS, 6:44 PM

Aevarnis: "...Mr. Sage...perhaps you'd like to volunteer as well.  I would be curious to see the effects on an inorganic mind."

USS, 6:45 PM

Grax smiles at Theo.  This time it's less sly and more warm.

Sage, 6:45 PM

Very well

Forgewight, 6:45 PM

Keep in mind that Guest is still pretty impressionable and eager to please.  And he might not be as good at reading emotions as you anticipate, doctor.

USS, 6:46 PM

Aevarnis: "Maybe so.  But I believe one can't truly know until one has tried, Dr. Forgewight."

Forgewight, 6:46 PM

Just saying, he still calls me 'father' even though I'm uncomfortable with it.

USS, 6:47 PM

For the record, throughout all of this, Aevarnis's tone has been very pleasant and consistently measured.

USS, 6:48 PM

Grax: "Professor.  If I may double back t engineering.  You informed me that you've managed to integrate Itsy into the smaller illusion chamber.  How is he faring?"

Forgewight, 6:49 PM

He hasn't generated evil versions of historical figures to try and murder us.  So far, so good.

USS, 6:50 PM

Grax: "Good.  Let's keep an eye on that situation as well, best we can.  I am concerned about this ship handling two independent AIs.  I am not sure if she's capable."

USS, 6:52 PM

Viex: "...there is another point of concern I have with the ship."

USS, 6:52 PM

Viex: "I understand we're circling close to the planet's surface to pick up any more life signs, but--"

USS, 6:53 PM

Grax: "Doctor, you handle the med bay, I handle the ship."

USS, 6:54 PM

Viex: "Even if we find people and cure them, we can't take on an entire plane's worth of people.  Assuming we can find them at all.  And in the meantime, we're exposing the ship to whatever is in this joke of an atmosphere."

USS, 6:54 PM

Grax: "With shields up and a sizable hull protecting us."

USS, 6:54 PM

Grax: "I'm not abandoning people to this place forever."

Xho, 6:55 PM

When we return we will tell the Fleet; likely they can send a medical mission that is better equipped.

Forgewight, 6:56 PM

We have the coordinates so that a proper rescue mission can be launched.  Being mutated into an otyaugh is not great, but it seemed to help these people survive long enough for rescue.

Forgewight, 6:58 PM

We have shields and armor but the shields are being taxed, and the minute there's a power disruption or failure the ship is exposed to whatever weirdness is in the atmosphere.

USS, 6:59 PM

Grax: "...we can check in with Duma.  See if he's picked up any findings.  We jump on my order and not a second sooner, though."

Xho, 7:00 PM

Xho nods.

USS, 7:01 PM

Grax: "In the meantime, I am calling this meeting adjourned."

Forgewight, 7:01 PM

Forgewight nods.

Xho, 7:01 PM

Xho nods as well.

USS, 7:02 PM

Everyone begins to file out.

USS, 7:02 PM

Aevarnis: "Commander...perhaps we can talk privately."

Forgewight, 7:03 PM

Forgewight leaves, heading back to engineering.

Xho, 7:03 PM

Of course.

Xho, 7:04 PM

Your office?

USS, 7:04 PM

Aevarnis: "If that's alright."

Xho, 7:04 PM

Of course.

USS, 7:05 PM

Duma's voice comes over the badges. "I need the main team to the bridge."

Forgewight, 7:05 PM

Forgewight goes to the bridge instead!

Xho, 7:05 PM

… it will have to wait.

USS, 7:06 PM

Aevarnis: "Understood."

Xho, 7:06 PM

At the earliest opportunity, however.

Xho, 7:06 PM

Xho heads up to the bridge as well.

USS, 7:06 PM

Aevarnis: "When you have the time.  My door is open."

Sage, 7:06 PM

Sage heads to the bridge as well

USS, 7:07 PM

Grax is already there.  As you arrive you see not just Duma and the standard crew, but also Duo who seems fixated on a monitor.

USS, 7:08 PM

Grax: "Officer Duo, you're still not cleared for active duty."

USS, 7:09 PM

Duma: "I called him up, sir.  I felt his experience could--"

USS, 7:09 PM

Duo: "The Legion is here.  My people."

Xho, 7:09 PM

Ah?

USS, 7:09 PM

Grax: "...I thought they didn't leave Voidspace anymore.  Their whole...isolationist policy."

USS, 7:11 PM

Duo: "We don't.  They don't.  Or...they shouldn't.  But I can sense them nearby.  I think.  It's strange feeling them through space and flesh and not as part of them.  ...except for the Dalarei part of me, it's all knew to him."

Xho, 7:12 PM

Can we hail them?

USS, 7:13 PM

Duma: "We've begun receiving hails from a nearby vessel.  The pattern of them didn't make sense.  I thought perhaps Officer Duo would be more knowledgable and he says the Legion has sometimes possessed vessels or machines left adrift in the void."

USS, 7:13 PM

Duma: "I can't from here.  Atmosphere is too dense to get a strong signal through."

USS, 7:13 PM

Grax: "...very well, let's take her up."

USS, 7:14 PM

Grax: "Commander, Lieutenant to your positions.  Professor be ready to jump in case of hostiles.  We are not combat ready right now."

Forgewight, 7:15 PM

Forgewight takes his station.

USS, 7:16 PM

The ship begins to rise out of the atmosphere.  As you do, you can see the green clouds break to the blackness of space...and a single metallic blip out in it.

Xho, 7:16 PM

Xho nods, and sits down.

USS, 7:16 PM

A very familiar blip.

USS, 7:16 PM

It's the USS Adventure.  Almost 100% exact.

Forgewight, 7:17 PM

…. hey, maybe they know how to get back.

USS, 7:17 PM

Grax: "...hail onscreen."

USS, 7:19 PM

The viewscreen is now taken up by, yes, another Captain Grax.  His uniform replaced with a dark blue one, more remniscient of a naval uniform from the early 20th century.  But he is otherwise an exact copy of your captain.

Xho, 7:20 PM

Xho frowns.

USS, 7:20 PM

Other Grax: "I am Arturo Grax of the Alliance, captain of this planeship the USS Adventure, requesting correspondence."

USS, 7:21 PM

Duma: "...I'll uh...return the hail, Captain."

USS, 7:21 PM

As he does, your Grax gives a similar response.  The other Grax seems rather put off.

Forgewight, 7:22 PM

I'm only surprised this didn't happen sooner.

Xho, 7:22 PM

What are the Forgewights, sir?

USS, 7:22 PM

The view widens and you see figures to his right and left.  But they are not as familiar to you, at least not to most of you.  To his right, where Xho would sit is a brown-skinned half-elven man, and to his left is another half-orc, but a woman.  Both are in similar uniforms to their captain.

USS, 7:24 PM

Grax: "It was our understanding that these planes were alternate worlds to our own.  I'm not a statistician, but I guess the odds were good some of them would have...alternate us-es.  And I guess we were bound to meet one eventually."

Xho, 7:24 PM

Xho nods.

Xho, 7:24 PM

I am likely dead in their continuity.

Forgewight, 7:25 PM

Mmmhmm.

USS, 7:26 PM

Other Grax: "...I feel like this is...a fairly unique circumstance."

Xho, 7:26 PM

Socially awkward, if nothing else, sir.

USS, 7:27 PM

Half-Elf: "...Captain...we do still have a mission."

USS, 7:28 PM

Other Grax: "Right, apologies.  We are seeking aid in the completion of Alliance business.  The Adventure is willing to offer payment of your choosing in return."

USS, 7:28 PM

Other Grax: "Within reason, of course."

Xho, 7:29 PM

What sort of aid?

Forgewight, 7:30 PM

Forgewight does a scan of the ship trying to discern differences in design.

USS, 7:30 PM

Other Grax: "We're attempting to track down a criminal.  A notorious pirate, whom we believe we last traced to this plane.  It's possible they were able to avoid your sensors, their vessel is small and is leaking a sort of energy that could be seen as similar to this world's atmosphere."

Xho, 7:31 PM

Xho carefully does not look at Theo.

Xho, 7:31 PM

Name or description?

USS, 7:32 PM

Other Grax: "Their name is Prometheus Forgewight."

Forgewight, 7:32 PM

Let's all pretend we're surprised.

Xho, 7:32 PM

Interesting. In our timeline that individual is a member of Planefleet and a highly-respected engineer.

USS, 7:34 PM

Other Grax: "They were in our timeline as well, originally.  But this one went rogue not long after our first launch.  Left with some important intel and has sadly been behind some major terrorist attacks on our home plane."

USS, 7:35 PM

Other Grax: "...I assume then that your Forgewight is somewhere off screen, then."

Xho, 7:35 PM

Very different paths, then.

Forgewight, 7:35 PM

Forgewight waves.

Xho, 7:35 PM

Yes.

Forgewight, 7:35 PM

Forgewight pokes his head up.

USS, 7:35 PM

Other Grax: "Oh...still missing an arm.  Weird."

Forgewight, 7:36 PM

You have an Alliance instead of a Federation.  Huh.

Xho, 7:36 PM

We have not encountered anyone of that description.

Forgewight, 7:37 PM

Forgewight looks over at Duo.  ".... still sensing the Legion?"

Forgewight, 7:37 PM

And are you sure it's 'your' legion?

USS, 7:37 PM

Duo whispers: "Yes...but it's...weaker than I thought."

USS, 7:37 PM

Duo: "...I think so?"

Xho, 7:37 PM

Perhaps you have a counterpart.

Xho, 7:38 PM

I would be extremely interested to learn more about your timeline.

Forgewight, 7:38 PM

Might not be a good idea.

Xho, 7:38 PM

What could possibly go wrong.

Forgewight, 7:39 PM

.... your sarcasm is invisible.

Xho, 7:39 PM

Xho is being so sarcastic here it might actually circle around back to sincerity and THEN back into heavy sarcasm.

USS, 7:40 PM

Other Grax: "Captain, would you mind terribly if we sent over a couple of crewmen to investigate.  Our Forgewight is a very dangerous individual.  ...we are all bringing along a very insistent special agent who gets antsy if they don't get to speak."

USS, 7:40 PM

Other Grax: "Maybe do some interviews, just in case someone has seen something."

Xho, 7:40 PM

As is ours, but he is fortunately on our side.

Forgewight, 7:41 PM

Thank you, Commander.

Xho, 7:41 PM

Xho nods.

Xho, 7:41 PM

Xho has expressed nothing but confidence in Forgewight from the very beginning and is not about to change tack now.

USS, 7:42 PM

At this point a figure steps forward.  He's not recognizable at first as his chassis is different.  But you eventually see the familiar face staring back through the less...cooking specific attire and design.

USS, 7:42 PM

"Hello, I am special agent Codename Sage of internal affairs at Alliance HQ."

Xho, 7:44 PM

Xho nods.

Forgewight, 7:44 PM

Hmmmm.

USS, 7:44 PM

Grax: "...I don't believe we can help you, Captain.  We've circling the planet and haven't been able to check for any incoming vessels.  We wish you well, though."

USS, 7:47 PM

((Apologies, I messed up.  The commander on their ship is half-drow, not half-elf.  So...he's VERY brown skinned. :) ))

Xho, 7:47 PM

Perhaps an exchange of nonclassified historical information?

Sage, 7:48 PM

Sage walks over to Duo

USS, 7:49 PM

Duo whispers in Sage's ear.

Sage, 7:50 PM

Sage stays off screen

USS, 7:51 PM

Grax: "Other intel could be useful.  Even just an exchange of ship's logs?  Could be what we need is in each other's records?"

USS, 7:51 PM

Agent Sage: "This is not the focus of our mission, Captain."

Forgewight, 7:52 PM

Forgewight moves offscreen.

Sage, 7:53 PM

Sage pulls out some paper and charcoal and quickly writes something out and holds it up so prime Grax can see it but not anyone on the other ship it reads “ legion moving not part of that ship”

Sage, 7:56 PM

Sage leaves the paper by Duo and steps into the screen area “ and focusing on the mission is the most important thing , isn’t it”

USS, 7:57 PM

The other Sage looks at you Sage, but doesn't seem to take full notice of you.

Forgewight, 7:58 PM

Forgewight moves to an off-screen console, looking at his arm and thinking.  He sends a text only message to every other console on the bridge so it's visible to everyone but the other ship.  'Calculating jump.  Doubles probably evil.'

USS, 7:59 PM

Grax: "...you know what, maybe we can help.  Just give us a moment to prepare the teleportation chamber and we'll bring you over.  Thank you."

USS, 7:59 PM

The call cuts out.

USS, 8:00 PM

Grax: "...ok, something is very clearly up."

Forgewight, 8:00 PM

They're probably evil.

Sage, 8:00 PM

Other me and other Grax definitely don’t get along

Forgewight, 8:00 PM

Or frustrated enough to capture or kill me and call the job done.

Xho, 8:00 PM

Possible, or perhaps there are factions there that do not exist here.

Xho, 8:01 PM

We are not allowing that, Doctor.

Sage, 8:01 PM

We don’t have enough information to know what we are walking into

Sage, 8:01 PM

Duo how far away is the legion now?

Forgewight, 8:01 PM

Didn't think you would.  Just saying, they're probably evil.  … Or we're the evil doubles, I suppose it's all in the perspective.

USS, 8:02 PM

Duo: "They're moving towards the planet.  It's a smaller cluster, I think.  But...big enough to do damage if they get close."

Xho, 8:03 PM

We are not the evil doubles.

Forgewight, 8:04 PM

Their ship clearly still uses my designs.  So I was a part of things, then I left for some reason.   Or my counterpart did.

Forgewight, 8:04 PM

The only reason I would leave is if I was forced to.  This is where all my work is.

Forgewight, 8:05 PM

I can't speak for my double, mind you.

Xho, 8:05 PM

The other you may be very different.

Forgewight, 8:05 PM

Maybe.

USS, 8:05 PM

Grax: "In any case, we're not being boarded again.  I don't want another situation like with the Bureaucracy."

Forgewight, 8:06 PM

Good call.

Xho, 8:06 PM

No. That was... awkward.

Xho, 8:06 PM

And they could try to take him by force.

Forgewight, 8:06 PM

Sage, are you a secret agent?

Forgewight, 8:06 PM

I'm not judging if you are, I just think it's neat.

Sage, 8:08 PM

No

USS, 8:08 PM

Duo: "...they're crashing."

Xho, 8:08 PM

… what?

USS, 8:09 PM

Duo: "The cluster.  I sense their fear.  They're in the atmosphere and...and they can't maintain their altitude."

Xho, 8:09 PM

What can we do to assist?

Forgewight, 8:10 PM

Forgewight eyes Sage but lets it go.  "... after the last time we ran into the Legion I designed a container for them that we didn't end up using.  If we can get to them we can bring them on board and bring them back to void space without them infecting our systems."

USS, 8:10 PM

Grax: "Duma, do you think you can man the teleportation chamber?  Sneak them in?"

USS, 8:11 PM

Duma: "...they're not typically a solid being but...I can try something."

Forgewight, 8:12 PM

Forgewight built an 'empty' homunculus with the intention of giving the Legion a place to go last time, but we didn't end up using it.   "I'll grab the container and join you, Duma."

USS, 8:13 PM

Duma nods.

Forgewight, 8:13 PM

Duo, you too.

USS, 8:13 PM

Grax: "Mr. Sage, Duo, Commander, I want all of you with Theo and Duma.  If things go sideways, you have the most experience."

USS, 8:13 PM

Grax: "I'll keep them distracted up here."

Xho, 8:14 PM

Xho nods.

Xho, 8:14 PM

Thank you, sir.

Xho, 8:14 PM

Xho follows Duma.

Forgewight, 8:14 PM

Captain.  I must implore you.  Do not challenge your double to a basketball game.

Forgewight, 8:14 PM

No matter how tempting it is or how good an idea it seems.

Xho, 8:14 PM

... for one thing, if he is evil he will cheat.

Sage, 8:14 PM

With all the differences other Grax probably hates basketball

USS, 8:14 PM

Grax: "Oh sure, don't let me have any fun."

Forgewight, 8:15 PM

Also don't make out with him.

Forgewight, 8:15 PM

Forgewight goes!

Sage, 8:15 PM

Sage heads out

USS, 8:16 PM

You guys rush out.  Running quickly, you're able to grab the homunculus from your lab and join Duma in the chamber.  As you do, you can actually feel the ship dip, like it's moving.

USS, 8:17 PM

Duma: "...whatever that was, it's probably not good."

Forgewight, 8:17 PM

No.

Forgewight, 8:18 PM

Forgewight puts the homunculus, which looks disconcertingly like the head of one of those big-eyed children statues put on the body of the mechanical owl from Clash of the Titans, on the transporter pad.

Xho, 8:19 PM

... unusual design.

USS, 8:19 PM

Duma: "I can't see through this atmosphere at all.  It'd be easier to find spit in the ocean."

Forgewight, 8:19 PM

My mom collects those things.

Forgewight, 8:20 PM

Duo, can you help guide Duma?

USS, 8:20 PM

Duo nods.  "I can hear them so loud.  ...panel three.  Forgewight, you put an additional power unit in panel three!  Can we use that to amplify the sensors?"

Forgewight, 8:21 PM

Forgewight nods.  "On it."

Xho, 8:21 PM

I hope they are the right Legion. Even if not, however, we cannot stand by and allow so many individuals or perhaps one gestalt individual to die.

Forgewight, 8:21 PM

Forgewight opens the panel and starts patching it into the sensors.

USS, 8:22 PM

Duo shoves Duma aside.  "Be ready...I can hear them!"

USS, 8:23 PM

Duma: "...commander...they're in...there's an organic."

USS, 8:23 PM

Duma: "Organic life around where Duo's focusing the spell."

Xho, 8:24 PM

Get him here, then.

Xho, 8:24 PM

Xho eyes Theo.

Forgewight, 8:24 PM

Hrm.

USS, 8:24 PM

Duo pulls a lever and a being of light starts to form as someone's beamed aboard.

USS, 8:24 PM

Then the light takes shape.  And yes, it's a familiar one.

Forgewight, 8:24 PM

Hello, Theo.

USS, 8:25 PM

Other Theo: "...we don't use that name anymore.  ...but nice to meet another genius."

Forgewight, 8:26 PM

So, this happened on the first flight out, didn't it?

Xho, 8:26 PM

Sage likely has cookies.

USS, 8:26 PM

The Theo you see, fyi, is in very different clothes.  A mismatch of worlds, cultures and identities.  And his eyes, like Duo's are a glowing gold color, much like his hair.

USS, 8:27 PM

Other Theo: "...Sage?"

Xho, 8:27 PM

Ours, not theirs.

USS, 8:27 PM

They look you over and then run over and give you a big hug, Sage.

USS, 8:27 PM

"I'm sorry!  I know you don't know why, but I'm still SO sorry!"

Forgewight, 8:27 PM

So why are you running?

Sage, 8:28 PM

Sage awkwardly hugs back “ it’s ok?”

USS, 8:29 PM

Other Theo: "Long story short, they want to cut out our brain.  My brain.  Your our brain."

Sage, 8:30 PM

That seems extreme

Forgewight, 8:30 PM

Hmmm.  Why?  Not just because of the joining.

Sage, 8:30 PM

Sage hands out cookies and pours tea if anyone wants it

Xho, 8:31 PM

Xho does seem a little surprised.

USS, 8:31 PM

Other Theo: "Partially.  Our brain contains the memories of 87 different ones.  It was REALLY crowded at first, but nothing I couldn't handle."

USS, 8:31 PM

Other Theo: "They'd like to know how that works."

Forgewight, 8:31 PM

Cutting it up seems extreme.

Xho, 8:31 PM

We would all like to know how it works, that does not mean we dissect personnel.

USS, 8:32 PM

Other Theo: "I am gonna assume your world doesn't have an Alliance.  Or, if they do, they haven't accepted the newest member.  ...accepted yet?  ...no, that's time travel.  This is alternate histories.  Causality is FUCKED."

Xho, 8:33 PM

I am extremely surprised Kevkas allowed it.

Xho, 8:33 PM

... the Bureaucracy?

USS, 8:33 PM

Other Theo nods.  "Yep!"

Xho, 8:33 PM

They are not a member, no.

USS, 8:34 PM

Other Theo: "Good.  ...also, who are you?"

Xho, 8:34 PM

Commander Jhael'xho Auvryndar.

Xho, 8:35 PM

In our world, Kevkas Carfine died some years ago.

USS, 8:35 PM

Other Theo: "Oh...bummer.  Also, what about the half-orc?  Can we trust him or should I kill him?"

USS, 8:35 PM

Duma: "You can try."

Forgewight, 8:35 PM

We're all fine.

Xho, 8:36 PM

Of course we can trust Mr. Duma.

Forgewight, 8:36 PM

Your universe is apparently the evil one.

USS, 8:36 PM

Other Theo: "THAT'S DUMA!  ...oh, you were different before the surgery!  Wizards work wonders."

Forgewight, 8:36 PM

Forgewight picks up the nightmare homunculus from the pad, patting it on its awful head.  "Someday."

USS, 8:36 PM

Duma: "...........what?"

USS, 8:37 PM

Other Theo: "...and Dalarei got joined in your timeline?  ...aw, that's adorable somehow.  ...oh hey, some of my guys know your guy!"

USS, 8:37 PM

Duo: "I know!  We've been chatting this whole time!"

USS, 8:37 PM

Other Theo: "NO WAY!"

USS, 8:37 PM

Duo: "WAY!"

Forgewight, 8:37 PM

….

Forgewight, 8:38 PM

.... Xho, you should check with the bridge and see if we're dying.

Xho, 8:38 PM

... I may need to rewrite our job descriptions. Perhaps "other duties as required" is not... expansive enough.

Xho, 8:38 PM

Yes.

Xho, 8:38 PM

Xho hails the bridge but doesn't say anything immediately, waiting to see if he's talking to someone first.

USS, 8:40 PM

Over the Comms you can hear the Captains chatting about basketball.  They're debating whether or not Michael Jordan deserves to be one of the all time greats.  Periodically other Sage tries to butt in.

USS, 8:40 PM

Other Theo: "...Sage...you don't happen to have any white chocolate macadamia nut cookies on you, do you?  Those were my favorite before I had to go on the run."

Xho, 8:40 PM

Sir, the coffee is done.

Sage, 8:41 PM

Sage pulls out a couple of macadamia cookies and passes them over

USS, 8:42 PM

Captain: "Good to hear, Commander.  Say, other me...would you also like some coffee?  I am betting our world makes it better than yours does."

USS, 8:42 PM

Other Theo takes some.

USS, 8:43 PM

Special Agent Sage: "Captain, we cannot waste time with--"

USS, 8:44 PM

Other Grax: "...you know what Captain.  That seems like a fine idea.  Me and the special agent will come over.  I'm sure he'd like to look at your files anyway."

USS, 8:44 PM

Captain: "Good.  Hear that, Commander?  Be ready in the teleportation chamber to give the Special Agent some \*coffee\*."

Xho, 8:44 PM

Yes, sir.

USS, 8:45 PM

Duma smiles.  "I do so love a good fight."

USS, 8:45 PM

Duma: "...let me know when you're ready."

Xho, 8:46 PM

Xho gets a phaser from storage and nods.

Forgewight, 8:46 PM

Oh, are we just doing this?

Forgewight, 8:46 PM

Great.

USS, 8:47 PM

Other Theo: "...I very much hope your captain's not selling us out."

Xho, 8:47 PM

He is not.

USS, 8:47 PM

Other Theo: "Being dissected would be a huge drag."

Forgewight, 8:47 PM

Forgewight sets down a crab-turret thing.  "He's not.  Ours is the good one."

Xho, 8:47 PM

Dissection of personnel is against regulations.

USS, 8:48 PM

As Duma begins beaming them in, I'd like people to roll initiative.

Xho, 8:48 PM

Dissection itself is not specified, but the subject is thoroughly covered in the chapters on bodily autonomy and the rights of personnel.

Forgewight, 8:48 PM

They told me that a lot.

Xho, 8:49 PM

((25, because  THAT's how I wanna use a 20 apparently. Oh well.))

Forgewight, 8:49 PM

((8.  >\_< ))

Sage, 8:49 PM

((19))

Xho, 8:50 PM

That section of the regulations was expanded after several cultures that honor their dead by consuming them joined, so that there would be no... misunderstandings.

USS, 8:51 PM

Ok, so The order for the surprise round is is Xho, Duma, Sage, Other Theo, Regular Theo, then Duo.

USS, 8:52 PM

So, Xho, the two figures pop in, Other Sage and other Grax.

USS, 8:52 PM

You get the first move.

Xho, 8:52 PM

Xho tries to phaser the other Sage.

USS, 8:53 PM

That hits!

Xho, 8:53 PM

((What'd we say the damage was on that? 3d8?))

USS, 8:53 PM

3d6

Xho, 8:55 PM

((20 for the crit Forgewight? Is that how that works? No, you don't confirm crits in this one, do you? ARGH.))

USS, 8:55 PM

((It doesn't matter.  You already hit him.))

USS, 8:56 PM

((Roll 3d6 for the attack and another 3d6 for sneak attack))

Xho, 8:57 PM

((27 damage!))

USS, 8:58 PM

You hit him in the side, causing sparks to fly and he yells in pain.

USS, 8:58 PM

Do you want to use bonus action at all?  Hide?  Dash? Etc?

Xho, 8:59 PM

((Um. I'll try to get behind him? I don't remember what you can do to get advantage.))

USS, 9:00 PM

((If you flank him, you do get adv.  So...there's that.))

Xho, 9:00 PM

Xho will set up to do that.

USS, 9:01 PM

Ok, that makes it Duma's turn.

USS, 9:01 PM

Duma, seeing you've got Other Sage is gonna tackle other Grax.

USS, 9:01 PM

He'll run right up, swing at him and try to pin him against the wall.

USS, 9:02 PM

He deals 6 points of bludgeoning damage to Grax and successfully pins him.

USS, 9:02 PM

Real Sage, you are up.

Sage, 9:04 PM

Sage will move up to other sage then cast bless on Theo , Other Theo , and Xho.

Sage, 9:04 PM

((You can add a d4 to attack rolls and saving throws))

Sage, 9:04 PM

((That’s it))

USS, 9:05 PM

Ok, so now it's other Theo's turn.

USS, 9:05 PM

Other Theo: "I'm sorry, man."

USS, 9:07 PM

Other Theo holds his hand out and lightning centers in his palm.  It then shoots out towards Sage.

USS, 9:07 PM

Other Sage.

USS, 9:07 PM

Not your Sage.

USS, 9:07 PM

Other Sage does sadly make the save, so it'll be half damage.

USS, 9:08 PM

So he only takes 14 points of damage.

USS, 9:08 PM

Other Sage is looking hurt, but still going.

USS, 9:08 PM

Regular Theo.

Forgewight, 9:11 PM

Forgewight has his turret fire a blast at Other Sage.

USS, 9:11 PM

Ok, does it roll?

Forgewight, 9:14 PM

Forgewight 's turret does 14 damage to Other Sage as a bonus action, then Theo himself casts Shock Bolt at him with his rifle.

Forgewight, 9:15 PM

(An additional 10 damage.)

USS, 9:15 PM

He takes the blows.  He's still standing, but barely.

USS, 9:15 PM

Duo's just shrinking away for his turn.

USS, 9:16 PM

Ok, so, surprise round is over.  Let me roll initiative for Other Grax and Other Sage

USS, 9:16 PM

Other Grax shouts out "Don't destroy him!  Just shut him down!"

USS, 9:16 PM

Xho, it's your turn.

Xho, 9:17 PM

... I do not know how to do that.

USS, 9:17 PM

Other Sage: "I know not to harm the subject, Captain."

USS, 9:17 PM

Other Grax: "Aim for the port on his back."

USS, 9:17 PM

Other Sage: "...what?!?"

USS, 9:18 PM

((You may roll to attack with adv.))

Xho, 9:18 PM

((27.))

USS, 9:18 PM

((The 27 hits.  Roll damage.))

Xho, 9:18 PM

((23 damage.))

USS, 9:19 PM

The blast hits and Other Sage freezes for a moment as smoke pours out the port...then you hear his gears stop...and he collapses.

USS, 9:19 PM

Other Grax: "Great.  Can you tell your friend to let me go now?  Same team."

Xho, 9:19 PM

Go ahead, Mr. Duma.

Forgewight, 9:19 PM

Is it, though?

Xho, 9:19 PM

I suspected so.

USS, 9:20 PM

Other Theo: "He is."

USS, 9:20 PM

Duma releases Other Grax who starts wheezing.  "You could've told them ahead of time!"

Xho, 9:20 PM

I was not sure.

Xho, 9:20 PM

Also, do you not have a regulation against dissecting crew members? What is wrong with your "alliance"?

Forgewight, 9:21 PM

Evil universe.

USS, 9:21 PM

Other Grax: "We're currently undergoing a schism now.  The Alliance wasn't like this before"

USS, 9:22 PM

Other Grax: "The Bureaucracy's gained a lot of influence within it."

Xho, 9:22 PM

And your Kevkas Carfine must be a very different person than the one I was admittedly only slightly acquainted with.

Forgewight, 9:22 PM

Who is Kevkas Carfine?

Sage, 9:22 PM

Sage goes over to other Sage

Xho, 9:22 PM

His first officer.

USS, 9:23 PM

Other Grax: "First Drow officer in AIM."

Xho, 9:24 PM

Extremely competent, and likely to abhor wasting resources.

USS, 9:24 PM

Other Grax: "That's him to a tee."

USS, 9:25 PM

Other Grax: "By the way, thank the Gods your captain is me!  Makes speaking in code so much easier."

USS, 9:25 PM

Other Grax: "Also...hello again, Professor."

USS, 9:26 PM

Other Theo: "Captain.  I assume Carfine's dealing with the crew."

USS, 9:27 PM

Other Grax: "We think we've sussed out all those still loyal to the Alliance brass.  With the help of the added security your Captain let our Duma beam over to our ship...we think we can subdue them."

Xho, 9:28 PM

You intend to start a rebellion?

USS, 9:28 PM

Other Theo: "Join one.  I have made contact with the Oni already."

Sage, 9:29 PM

That’s a step at least

USS, 9:29 PM

Other Grax: "Figure bringing one of the best designed plane ships in the fleet."

USS, 9:30 PM

Other Theo: "I still have some alterations to make.  Several ideas since I've been gone.  And a lot of voices to bounce them off of."

Xho, 9:30 PM

What are you going to do with the others?

USS, 9:31 PM

Other Grax: "Find a habitable plane to dump them on.  They're smart, should be able to find their way home."

Forgewight, 9:31 PM

I don't suggest the one below us.

Xho, 9:32 PM

No.

Xho, 9:32 PM

… though there would be a certain justice in turning them all into otyughs.

USS, 9:32 PM

Other Grax nods.  "Noted.  So...other Professor.  Are you good with constructs?  Cause our Sage needs help."

Forgewight, 9:32 PM

Yeah.  So what's the deal with him?

Sage, 9:33 PM

Yeah I am curious about that myself

USS, 9:33 PM

Other Theo: "He helped me escape, but got captured.  The Alliance was going to scrap him...but the Bureaucracy found a different use for him."

Xho, 9:34 PM

Re-education.

USS, 9:34 PM

Other Grax: "One Dr. Nido found ways to reprogram him.  Added a chip we don't know how to remove."

Forgewight, 9:34 PM

Wow, just... trampling over all the liberties.

Xho, 9:35 PM

... I am extremely glad we now have multiple illusion facilities.

Forgewight, 9:35 PM

…. you need to get us your historical records.  Give us something to show the Federation when we get back to discourage jumping into an alliance with the Bureaucracy.

Xho, 9:36 PM

Xho desperately needs to glass someone in the face right now.

Xho, 9:36 PM

Yes.

USS, 9:36 PM

Other Grax: "I'm sure our ARTI can do that for you."

USS, 9:36 PM

Other Grax: "...but what we need is someone who can save our cook."

Xho, 9:37 PM

... also, I feel your injunction for the captain not to play basketball against himself is not going to be agreed to.

Forgewight, 9:37 PM

Almost certainly.

Xho, 9:37 PM

Yes. Help him if you can, Dr. Forgewight...s. Doctors Forgewight.

Forgewight, 9:37 PM

There are two of us.

Forgewight, 9:38 PM

And Sage.

Forgewight, 9:38 PM

I think we should be able to do something.

Xho, 9:38 PM

... please do not take over the multiverse.

Sage, 9:38 PM

If I can help I will

Forgewight, 9:38 PM

Hmm.

Xho, 9:38 PM

You are likely not aware, but that is also against regulations.

Forgewight, 9:38 PM

Fiiine.

USS, 9:38 PM

Other Theo: "...ok, I'm acting all cool cause after 87 other lifetimes in your head this should be pretty basic...but we're all weirded out by this, right?"

Forgewight, 9:39 PM

Incredibly.

Sage, 9:39 PM

Yes

USS, 9:39 PM

Other Theo: "...we could start a Legion of Forgewights."

Forgewight, 9:39 PM

Sage, you'll be able to help, even if it's just to provide an example of what your components.

Forgewight, 9:39 PM

Would not work.

Forgewight, 9:39 PM

I'm already finding you irritating.

Xho, 9:39 PM

Not particularly, but my counterpart in this universe is likely dead, or... elsewhere.

USS, 9:39 PM

Other Theo: "...yeah...how do people stand me?"

Forgewight, 9:39 PM

I think we both know the answer to that.

Forgewight, 9:40 PM

You're fine.  You're from the evil universe, but clearly I'm the evil Theo.  Let's get Sage to the med bay.  …. just all the Sages.

USS, 9:41 PM

Other Theo: "It's cute how you assume there's only one evil universe."

Forgewight, 9:41 PM

I don't.  There's just two universe interacting here.

Forgewight, 9:41 PM

In the binary, one must be the evil, one is the good.

Forgewight, 9:42 PM

0s and 1s.

Xho, 9:42 PM

Perhaps neither is evil.

USS, 9:42 PM

Other Grax: "Uh...Commander.  I don't know you from our universe but...Carfine might, if you're curious."

Xho, 9:42 PM

I do not think it would be good to know.

USS, 9:43 PM

Other Grax: "You're choice."

USS, 9:43 PM

Ok, so you guys take Sage and...Other Sage to the medbay.

USS, 9:44 PM

At some point your Grax joins you.  He's accompanied by another figure.  Clearly their Williamson.  Although, this one has a metallic band over her eyes.

Forgewight, 9:44 PM

Commander, could you have both doctors join us?

Xho, 9:45 PM

Xho nods, and calls for Viex and Von Kemp.

Forgewight, 9:45 PM

Does your Bureaucracy also hate arcane magic?

USS, 9:46 PM

Williamson (who speaks...like...actually speaks): "They do.  I've been forced to become a cleric.  It's awful."

Forgewight, 9:46 PM

Ugh.  Sorry.

USS, 9:46 PM

Because it got very late, I'm not gonna make you roll.

USS, 9:47 PM

But I will say that the insides of Other Sage are...not as you expected.

USS, 9:47 PM

...actually, I am gonna make you roll.  Give me an investigation check.

Forgewight, 9:48 PM

((28!))

Forgewight, 9:48 PM

((Nat 20.))

USS, 9:50 PM

Despite the divine nature of the runes inside, versus your normal arcane understanding, you are able to safely and easily wipe them away and de-hex their Sage without messing with the runes that give him life.

USS, 9:50 PM

You're even able to restore a number of his old functions, such as his stove stomach.

USS, 9:52 PM

Eventually, their Sage powers back up and looks around.  "...wow...couldn't find anyone else to make your tea, huh?"

Xho, 9:52 PM

Xho smiles.

USS, 9:52 PM

Other Theo pats him.  "Glad to have you back!"

USS, 9:53 PM

Other Sage looks over at your Sage.  "...Qudhos appreciates the offerings."

Xho, 9:54 PM

I would like to meet your first officer.

Forgewight, 9:54 PM

Forgewight idly pats the head of his creepy empty homunculus.

Sage, 9:54 PM

Hopefully that’s a good thing

USS, 9:56 PM

Ok, so, because it's late I will sum up the highlights, but leave you guys open to squish and pursue your own goals.

USS, 9:56 PM

Their Williamson will provide as complete a history as they can for you to take with you.

USS, 9:56 PM

Duo and Other Theo exchange some...thoughts.  Duo says he'll explain later.

USS, 9:57 PM

And the Graxes definitely go and play one-on-one in the illusion suite.

Xho, 9:58 PM

Xho would bet on our Grax to win.

USS, 9:58 PM

I will let you know tomorrow how that turns out.

USS, 9:58 PM

Other Theo also asks if he can look at the additions your Theo has made.

Forgewight, 9:59 PM

Theo mumbles something about being worried about the universe of the winner r of the competition replacing the loser's universe in the multiversal stack, but is probably ignored.

Forgewight, 9:59 PM

Forgewight shows the other Theo around.

USS, 10:00 PM

And Carfine does come over.

USS, 10:01 PM

The Dumas seem extremely uncomfortable around each other.  You definitely pick up that their Duma was born male and is getting dysphoria just looking at him.  And your Duma...well...he hadn't considered a version of himself not being male.  So...deep discomfort.

USS, 10:01 PM

Their Dalarei does not come over.  He was apparently loyal to their Alliance and had to be detained.

USS, 10:01 PM

Anyway, we can RP with whomever you want.  Just let me know who you're talking to from either universe.

Xho, 10:02 PM

Xho wants to talk to Carfine for sure, and then probably Grax.

USS, 10:04 PM

Ok, do you wanna do the Carfine talk here or in private.

Xho, 10:04 PM

((Private's good!))

Forgewight, 10:32 PM

Forgewight , I think, avoids contact with the dopplegangers once the work is done and holes himself up in engineering.

USS, 10:32 PM

((Ok))