Lisa's Last Case

In this Our World story, Lisa's investigation of MeteoTech goes very wrong.

This is a transcript from Discord.

We now travel back in time eleven years ago... It was late March, and the Dash family was going through their day as if it were any other...

Dr. Dash:
*Is at the dinner table reading the news with a cup of tea.*

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Lisa:
*Lisa Dash: Wife, mother, expert journalist. She comes into the dining room and kisses the top of her husband's head.* "Morning, darling. Did you read the one about the gems they found on South Island? It's written by yours truly!"

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Dr. Dash:
*Flips through the paper.* "Hm... It doesn't seem to be here, dear... Oh, that's right." *Points to where the article is hanging on the fridge.*

Lisa:
"Oh? Well, you know how to make a girl feel special..."

Hannah:
*Is standing in front of the fridge with a bowl of cereal, attempting to read the article.*

Lisa:
*She walks over to the fridge.*
"Hannah, my little spark... Are you ready for school?"

Hannah:
"Um..."
*Stares down at bowl.*
"I gotta eat this first."
*Goes to the table to do so.*

Lisa:
*Lisa pats her daughter on the head as she walks away, then she turns to read her own article.* "They've been saying that those gems--"

Dr. Dash:
"They're the Chaos Emeralds, right?"

Lisa:
"Right. You already read it."

Dr. Dash:
"With intense interest."

Lisa:
*She grabs an apple and sits down with her family.* "It's no prize-winner, but I'm proud of it. But speaking of prize-winners... I've got quite the scoop today. What do you know about MeteoTech, dear?"

Dr. Dash:
"The security company? I know they're on the cutting edge, but just about everyone knows that."

Lisa:
"Yeah? Well, some former employees claim it's... Well..." *She covers Hannah's ears.* "They claim it's a front for something a lot more sinister..."

Hannah:
"What is it??"

Dr. Dash:
*Smiles at Hannah.* "You don't have to protect her, you know. What is it?"

Lisa:
"I don't want her growing up thinking the worst about people, that's all... Supposedly, they're making robots for that terrorist Ivo Robotnik... Some even claim the company is owned by him."

Dr. Dash:
"Robotnik, huh...?"
*Frowns.* "Honey... Where are you going with this?"

Lisa:
"I plan to go investigate. If I find proof of it, Robotnik is done for. Don't worry, I'm not going alone. I'll have Perry with me."

Dr. Dash:
"No offense towards the kid, but that only worries me further..."

Lisa:
*She removes her hands from Hannah's ears.* "Darling, you know I'm strong. I can take care of both of us!" *She smirks at him.*

Hannah:
*Glances between her parents, silently hoping for more information.*

Dr. Dash:
*Glances at Hannah.* "I'm concerned for more than you, is all..."

Hannah:
*Concern.* "Why are you concerned?"

Lisa:
*She turns to her daughter and gives her a big hug.*
"We just love you a lot. You know that, right?"

Hannah:
"Yeah." *Smiles.*

Dr. Dash:
"We were just talking about how you're having issues at school."

Hannah:
*Trying to figure out what that has to do with her mom's article.*

Lisa:
"Have you made any friends, honey?"

Hannah:
*Shrugs.*

Lisa:
"Not a one? Hmm... Well, I'll tell you what... Next time you see someone in need of a friend, you be there for them, okay?"

Hannah:
*Nods and smiles.*

Perry:
*Knocks at the door and peers through the window.*

Lisa:
"Oh, Perry must be here!"
*She walks over to the door and opens it.*

Perry:
"Uh, hey. I'm here."

Lisa:
"Good morning, my faithful sidekick! Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

Perry:
"I mean, I wouldn't be here if I hadn't. Heh."

Hannah:
*Smiles and waves from the table.*

Perry:
*Waves back.*

Lisa:
"Did you remember your camera today?"

Perry:
"You really think I'd forget after last time?"
"..."
"Don't answer that. Got it right here."

Lisa:
"Alrighty! Let's get this show on the road!"
*She walks back over to the table and gives her family hugs and kisses.*

Perry:
*Awkwardly stands there and waits.*

Hannah:
"Bye, Mom!"

Lisa:
"Bye, my little spark. I love you!"

Hannah:
"Love you too!"

Lisa:
"See you two tonight!"

Dr. Dash:
"See ya. Be safe out there. That goes for you too, Winkle!"

Perry:
"Uh, yes... sir?"

Lisa:
*Lisa winks at her husband as she leaves the house.*

Dr. Dash:
(She'll be fine...)

Later, a car pulls up into the MeteoTech Central City Plant parking lot. Out step our journalists, eager for a story.

Lisa:
"This place is certainly bigger in person..."

Perry:
"When you talked about it you never mentioned it being so..." *Gulp* "Intimidating."

Lisa:
"Well. Here goes nothing!" *She pops the collar of her jacket and puts on her sunglasses.* "We should probably try and sneak in through a bay door in the back. That might be our best bet."

Perry:
*Nods.* "What could possibly go wrong..."

Lisa:
*The two reach the docking area at the back of the building...* "Doesn't look like anyone's here. The intel was right, then... Ready?"

Perry:
"I think you know the answer to that..."

Lisa:
*She puts a hand on his shoulder.* "Hey. Get your head in the game. You're a journalist, right? You gotta take some risks..."

Perry:
"Am I really, though? Most of the time it feels like I'm just pretending."

Lisa:
"Yeah? I've been doing this for over fifteen years at this point and I still don't feel qualified... You're a bright kid, Perry. I know you'll go far."

Perry:
"..."

Lisa:
"So, believe in yourself. Even if you think you're grossly underqualified!"

Perry:
"Good, 'cause I am... Alright, let's do this."

Lisa:
"That's the spirit!"

Making their way inside, Lisa and Perry find themselves in a long corridor.

Perry:
"Oh wow, it's even creepier on the inside. Great."

Lisa:
"Feels like a ghost town... Most of our sources were laid off employees, so I think it's safe to assume MeteoTech is thinning its herd... That just makes it even more suspicious..."

Perry:
"Maybe the employees are being replaced with robots or something..."

Lisa:
"...You have a point. They are 'cutting edge' after all."

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the building...

Starline:
*A young platypus scientist is observing the journalists over a camera feed.* "This is not good... This facility is crucial to the doctor's plan. I cannot allow it to be compromised! What to do?! What do I do?!"

Suddenly, all of the doctor's screens begin to flash with red and black static.

Starline:
"Huh?! W-What is this?!"

Mystery Voice:
*Another flash then darkness. A voice comes from the black screen.*
"...How did I arrive here? What is here?"

Starline:
"Who are you? One of the interlopers?!"

Mystery Voice:
"I know not anymore... I suppose you could say I am a prophet..."

Starline:
"You sound like a crackpot."

Mystery Voice:
"I do not believe I am familiar... Allow me to introduce myself, or rather, what is left of me... My name is Polybius. Servant of Order."

Lisa and Perry have made it to the end of the hall, where a large door awaits them...

Lisa:
"What do you suppose they could be hiding in there?"

Perry:
"I'm not sure I wanna know... But, we did come all this way."

Lisa:
"..."
"I can take a quick look inside if you don't feel comfortable."

Perry:
"I can keep watch?"

Lisa:
"Yeah! I trust you to have my back."
*She takes a deep breath.* "Alright. I'm going in."

Perry:
"Wait."

Lisa:
"Yeah?"

Perry:
"Should you... take the camera?"

Lisa:
"Oh yeah... See? Even I slip up sometimes!"
*She takes the camera from him, throws him a salute then walks through the door, shutting it behind her.*

Perry:
"She'll be fine..."

Lisa:
*Walking lightly, she steps into a massive factory area... Sleek white robots and egg-shaped drones line the walls...* "These don't look like security robots..."
*She snaps a picture of the room.*
"What do we have here?" *Lisa walks over to a cart in the middle of the room with a stack of papers.* "A notice?"

<-As of today, you are all fired. Go home. You're useless to me now. -Future Emperor Robotnik>

Lisa:
"Score."
*She snaps a picture of the notice.*

At that moment, several dozen red lights turn on... The robots are activating.

Lisa:
"Hmm?"

The robots do not move... Instead, black and red static starts to wrap around them before dissipating, leaving only their red eyes glowing...

Lisa:
"Hold on... W-What's happening?"

Polybius:
*A voice surrounds her, coming from all the robots at once...*
"You... shall be the beginning. The first step on our path to a free world..."

Lisa:
"Who's there?! Show yourself!"

Rather than answer her, the robots begin to move in, deploying their weapons.

Lisa:
"...No. Please, no. I can't die here. Please let me live!"

Polybius:
"Apologies. Sacrifices must be made."

Lisa:
(I'm sorry, Hannah... Bradley... Please don't be mad at me...)

The robots fire their weapons. The blasts light up the once dark room... until all that's left is silence, and the machines deactivate...

Perry:
(What was that noise?! I need to get in there...) *Moves his hand to the door before hesitating.* (But what if... I can't.) *Runs out.*

Several minutes later, the platypus enters the factory...

Starline:
"...What have you done? I... did not want this..."

Polybius:
*His handheld device speaks to him.* "The things I have shown you shall surely come to pass. You must be willing to sacrifice for your ends."

Starline:
"I... can save her."

Polybius:
"..."

Starline:
"I will do what I must to save this world from destruction. But fixing what is broken is what I am meant to do... To that end, I shall do everything in my power to make sure this woman lives. Perhaps she may be of use to us..."

Polybius:
"Very well... Remember, you shall have until the dusk of the eleventh year to prevent this calamity. What will you do?"

Starline:
"I will become... the World's Savior..."

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### Part 2: Perry

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Back in the present day... Following the major events that transpired recently, a familiar investigator arrives at GLACIA HQ.

Perry:
(Man, I hope I don't run into Flame...)
*Quickly finds himself lost in the compound.* "Great..."

Flame:
*Happens to be walking down this hall.*

Perry:
"Hey do you know where I can find Admiral B--" *Realizes who he's talking to.* "Buh... Uh..."

Flame:
*Pauses.* "I don't know where he is."
*Keeps walking.*

Perry:
"..."
"I suppose that could've gone worse."
*Keeps looking around for something familiar until he comes across something all too familiar. A door with the name Dr. Bradley Dash.*
(I could just keep walking... This isn't what I'm here for...)
*He takes a deep breath and shakes his head before knocking on the door.*
*Half a second passes.* (Well! No answer. Can't say I didn't try! Time to go.)

Hannah:
*Opens the door.*

Perry:
(Too late.) "Uh, hi. Long time no see."

Hannah:
*Trying to figure out who this guy is.*

Perry:
"Okay, that long of a time... I guess you don't remember me but I'm Perry." *Almost goes for a handshake, but decides it'd be weird and ends up weirdly moving his hand up and down again.*

Hannah:
"Oh! Good to see you! You been doing alright?"

Perry:
*Gestures vaguely.* "Ehhh..."

Dr. Dash:
*From inside the room where he's busy looking into a microscope.* "Who is it Hannah?"

Perry:
*Gulp.*

Hannah:
"It's Perry. Mom's--...uh..."
*Expression slowly saddens.*

Perry:
*Looks down.* "May I come in, sir?"

Dr. Dash:
*Is silent for a moment.* "Come on in."

One:
*Inside the lab, Perry immediately notices a figure in a cryogenic stasis chamber... She looks familiar.*

Perry:
"What's with...?"

Dr. Dash:
"I can trust you, right?"

Perry:
"Huh?"

Dr. Dash:
"To keep this to yourself."

Perry:
"Okay, I was already nervous coming in here could you just tell me what's going and why you have a lady in a tube?"

Dr. Dash:
"It's Lisa."

Perry:
"?!"
"She's alive? ...She is alive, right?"

Dr. Dash:
"She's holding on. We're doing what we can but she's been put through quite a lot..."

Perry:
"Oh."

Hannah:
*Wringing hands.*
"I'm gonna go..."

Perry:
"Wait, I uh..."

Hannah:
"Hm?"

Perry:
"I..." *Is trying to find the words to say but is too focused on holding back tears.*
*Breaks down and starts babbling between sobs.* "I'm sorry! You were trusting me to protect her and I couldn't... Or I didn't... She went in and I stayed behind and... and..."

Hannah:
*Hugs Perry.*
*Starts crying too.*

Dr. Dash:
*Also puts an arm around Perry.* "It's okay... None of us were ready."

They stay like this for awhile before Perry finally wipes his eyes.

Perry:
"That's some" *Sniff.* "much-needed closure... I don't suppose either of you can help me find Admiral Beauregard?"

Hannah:
"Yeah, I can help."

Perry:
*Takes a deep breath.* "Thanks. I guess I'll... see ya later, sir..."

Dr. Dash:
"Goodbye, Perry. Let's try not to wait so long before getting back together, okay?"

Perry:
*Manages a smile and nods.*

Hannah:
*Exits with Perry.*

The two walk in an awkward silence through the halls, before running into some familiar faces...

Perry:
*Nervous smile.* (Maybe if I ignore her she won't talk to me...)

Hannah:
"Oh, hey!"

Elk:
"Hannah! Hi..."

Penny:
"And look who it is... Whatcha doing here?"

Perry:
"I was coming to see Beauregard, actually."

Hannah:
"You guys know each other?"

Perry:
"Uh-huh..."

Elk:
"Yeah, you could say that. He used to work here... until Flame fired him."

Hannah:
"..." (Oh dear...)

Perry:
"I take a little too long on one case..."

Penny:
"We took over his position. No hard feelings on either side, though! We just like to play with him sometimes..."

Hannah:
(Is that so...?)

Perry:
*Glares.*

Hannah:
"Don't be a jerk about it..."

Perry:
*Is shocked to have someone defend him.*

Elk:
"..."
*Sigh.*
*He extends his hand toward Perry.* "I... uh... want to apologize... Good job back at the lodge."

Penny:
*Nervous.*
"Uh yeah... Sorry!"

Perry:
*Perry blinks incredulously.*
*Shakes Elk's hand.* (Didn't really feel like I did a good job but...) "Thanks..."

Elk:
"If you're looking for the Admiral, he's in the Naval Office. But I'm sure Hannah was taking you there already, right?"

Hannah:
"Yep."

Perry:
*Nods.*

Penny:
"Come on, Elk. We have places to be..."

Elk:
"I know. See you later Hannah... Perry."

Perry:
"See ya."

Penny:
"Byeeeeee!"

Hannah:
*Waves.*

Elk:
*As the Seraphinas walk away, Elk glances back one more time...*

Penny:
"Something bothering you?"

Elk:
"...Since when do you care?"

Penny:
"I don't. But that apology came out of nowhere..."

Elk:
"..."
"We can't afford to get on Hannah's bad side... That's all..."

Perry:
"That was... weird."

Hannah:
"Huh. I didn't realize you used to work here."

Perry:
"Yeah, well, that little experience was pretty short-lived..."

Hannah:
"I don't think Flame really understood what was going on with the Druids case... He just felt the need to do *something*."

Perry:
"And he went with something that ruined my career..."

Hannah:
*Sigh.*
"If it makes you feel any better... he does blame himself for how that mess ended."

Perry:
"Huh."

As Hannah leads Perry to the Admiral's office, things seem to be in motion...

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## Characters

*In order of appearance:*

* Bradley Dash
* Lisa Dash
* Hannah Dash
* Perry Winkle
* Elijah Starline
* Polybius
* Sonny Flame
* Elmer "Elk" Seraphina
* Penelope "Penny" Seraphina

## Participants

* Pip9766
* Captainclay55
* HannahDash