Conversation 1221: WESTCOAST / GARY FASCHA DQ

Ask Gary if he knows how to turn back time.

How to use this page:

This is a listing of every "entry" in a given game conversation as scraped from the game files. Entries often contain written dialogue, as well as conditional logic governing their appearance to the player. They also link to other entries, sometimes automatically and sometimes through player action. This page is best used to search for a specific word or phrase, as following the links in this format can be difficult. For an experience that better accommodates the branching structure of these conversations, see the corresponding interactive page.

Column definitions:
  • ID: a numerical index for the entry within this conversation.
  • Character: the character speaking or acting.
  • Dialogue: prose containing spoken dialogue and other description.
  • Conditions: logical checks governing this entry appearing or occurring.
  • Links: entries that might follow this one, depending on conditions and player choice. Most links are internal to this conversation, external links to other conversations are marked with the format (conversation ID, entry ID).
ID Character Dialogue Conditions Links
0 None
  • 1
1 None
  • 2
2 You "Gary, do you know how to turn back time?" Variable["coast.fascha_dq_gary_endurance_conmfirms"] == true
  • 3
3 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Do I know how to turn back time...?" He gives you a sideways glance. "Is that a trick question?"
  • 9
4 None
  • 3
5 None
External:
  • (1211, 3)
6 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 7
  • 8
7 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 12
8 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 38
9 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 10
  • 11
10 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["plaza.fascha_dq_asked_someone_the_q"]
  • 6
11 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["plaza.fascha_dq_asked_someone_the_q"]) == false
  • 13
12 Kim Kitsuragi "Are you *still* pursuing this?" The lieutenant gives you a tired look.
  • 19
13 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 14
  • 15
14 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 16
15 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 38
16 Kim Kitsuragi The lieutenant crosses his arms and turns to look at you.
  • 17
17 Esprit de Corps You'd better be going somewhere case-related with this.
  • 39
18 You "What's wrong? Material not good enough to send back to your Seolite masters?" Variable["coast.gary_seolite_dont_trust"]
  • 22
19 None
  • 18
  • 20
  • 21
20 You "Yes. This is important."
  • 24
21 You "No...?"
  • 32
22 Kim Kitsuragi "I'm not going to dignify that with an answer." The lieutenant's voice is cold and official as he opens his notebook. "Make it quick, we're in the middle of a murder investigation."
  • 23
23 None
  • 36
24 Kim Kitsuragi "More important than our murder investigation?"
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
25 You "Now *that's* a trick question, right Gary?" (Wink at him.)
  • 28
26 You "Potentially more important than *anything* ever before."
  • 30
27 You "I guess not."
  • 31
28 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Ugh... yeah, yeah. I guess." He shrugs, looking confused.
  • 29
29 Kim Kitsuragi "Make it quick," remarks the lieutenant dryly and opens his notebook. "And the question was rhetorical, not a trick."
  • 23
30 Kim Kitsuragi "No," the lieutenant replies with a sigh and opens his notebook. "It really isn't. Just please make it quick, so we can get back to our low-priority murder case."
  • 23
31 Kim Kitsuragi "In that case please make it extra quick, so we can get back to it," says the lieutenant and opens his notebook. "I mean it."
  • 23
32 Kim Kitsuragi "No?" he asks, surprised. "Because I could've sworn that's what you're doing right now."
  • 33
  • 34
33 You "It *will* make sense, I promise."
  • 35
34 You "Just... please, Kim, trust me on this."
  • 35
35 Kim Kitsuragi "Fine." He opens his notebook and starts leafing through the pages. "Just make it quick. We need to get back to our case."
  • 23
36 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Make what quick?" He shrugs. "You're asking me about time travel. Is this some kind of a trick?"
  • 45
37 You "I'm all out of tricks, Gary. Tell me what you know."
  • 44
38 Rhetoric A question for an answer, huh? The answer must be really obvious.
  • 41
39 Rhetoric He gave you a question for an answer. Must mean the answer's obvious.
  • 41
40 None
  • 55
  • 56
  • 57
  • 58
  • 59
41 None
  • 37
  • 42
  • 43
42 You "Yes, Gary. A trick. Now humour me."
  • 44
43 You "I don't joke around about time, Gary." (Stare at him intently.)
  • 44
44 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Phew..." He scratches his head. "I don't know what to tell you. I mean of course there are *theories* out there..."
  • 46
45 None
  • 41
46 Inland Empire The further out, the better.
  • 285
47 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Well, there's a very interesting cryptid known as the Semper Maa. And a certain tribe of ancient kipts who practiced 'digital castigation,' though frankly I don't know how *compelling* you'll find that theory..."
  • 48
48 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 49
  • 50
49 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 51
50 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 52
51 Gary, the Cryptofascist "And then you hear rumours..." He flashes a quick side-glance at the lieutenant. "... that the Seolites possess technology that actually lets them move through time like it's a corridor. Back and forth, you see."
  • 53
52 Gary, the Cryptofascist "But then, there are rumours going around that the Seolites have developed a technology that allows them to move through time like it's a corridor. Back and forth, you see."
  • 54
53 Reaction Speed The lieutenant stops writing in his notebook for a moment. It's only a fraction of a second, but you catch it.
  • 40
54 Logic No. They haven't.
  • 40
55 You "What about something pale-related, any theories?" Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_asked_pale"] == false and Variable["gates.measurhead_fascha_dq_palehub_reach"] == true
  • 63
56 You "Tell me about this cryptid, the Semper Maa."
  • 64
57 You "You really think the Seolites can really move *through* time?"
  • 132
58 You "What's this 'digital castigation'?"
  • 247
59 You "I'm not sure these are realistic options." (Conclude.)
  • 60
60 Gary, the Cryptofascist "I don't know what to tell you, officer. I got all my information straight from 'Truth Hunt'. If you can't believe a radio programme called 'Truth Hunt', who *can* you believe?"
  • 61
61 Logic Anyone whose livelihood isn't predicated on creating and maintaining preposterous mysteries?
  • 62
62 Encyclopedia 'Truth Hunt' is a popular radio programme. Each week, its two eccentric hosts explore a variety of topics, from cryptids and conspiracy theories to ethnic warfare and the 'historical' Man from Hjelmdall. A radio counterpart to the Graadian fringe science magazine 'Paradox B'.
  • 282
63 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Pale-related..." he repeats and pauses to think. "An interesting idea, but I can't say anything really comes to mind, no."
  • 246
64 Gary, the Cryptofascist "*Cryptids*, actually. It's a so-called 'colonial animal', presenting as a large singular body, when in actuality, it's a congregation of tiny organisms working in unison."
  • 68
65 Gary, the Cryptofascist "It's found in the subtropical jungles of Samara. Extremely difficult to spot as it appears to the untrained eye like common mud. It's thought to be impossible to catch and *very* dangerous."
  • 66
  • 83
66 You "Wait, it looks like mud?"
  • 67
67 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Yes, it blends in with the jungle floor. Unsurprisingly, it's become the subject of many local myths -- some have even described it as an angry forest spirit or a manifestation of the forest itself."
  • 83
68 Inland Empire What if *you* only appear as a large singular body, are actually a congregation of tiny organisms working in unison?
  • 69
69 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 70
  • 71
70 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_inland_congregation_of_organisms"]
  • 72
71 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_inland_congregation_of_organisms"]) == false
  • 65
72 Physical Instrument Get out of here, dreamer! Don't you think we'd know about it?
  • 73
73 Volition If it were true those organisms would *not* be working *in unison*.
  • 76
74 Perception (Hearing) Shut up, we can't hear what he's saying!
  • 65
75 Endurance That's because some them just don't have the best interests of the colony in mind.
  • 79
76 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 77
  • 78
77 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_volition_unison"]
  • 75
78 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_volition_unison"]) == false
  • 65
79 Electrochemistry Hey, maybe if the rest of you took a chill-pill every now and then, they'd be more motivated?
  • 80
80 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 81
  • 82
81 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_electrochemistry_more_motivated"]
  • 74
82 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_electrochemistry_more_motivated"]) == false
  • 65
83 You "How dangerous is it?"
  • 84
84 Gary, the Cryptofascist "I once heard a story about a whole village disappearing overnight, without a trace. Can you imagine that?" He shakes his head. "Just a large patch of mud where the settlement was."
  • 86
  • 87
  • 88
  • 89
85 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Whole area is completely abandoned now. Locals won't even go near it. They swear the mud writhes and occasionally grows strange shapes."
  • 94
86 You "Yes, vividly."
  • 85
87 You "No, I'm sorry, but I can't."
  • 85
88 You "I don't *want* to imagine that."
  • 85
89 You (Scoff.) "I've seen the sky cry blood while everything turns to vapour. I think I can manage, Gary." IsTHCCookingOrFixed("apocalypse_cop")
  • 90
90 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Ahm..." He's so surprised he even forgets to close his mouth. "That's... yes, that's also horrible. I mean in a much grander scale. Exactly what happened to that village."
  • 91
91 Shivers This event will be beyond all scales.
  • 85
92 None
  • 349
  • 93
  • 95
93 You "I asked you about temporal manipulation, not mud."
  • 130
94 Authority Jungles, villages, mud... he better not be wasting your time.
  • 92
95 You "Gary, are you wasting my time right now?" Variable["coast.gary_faschist_dq_authority_hurry"] == true
  • 96
96 Gary, the Cryptofascist "No, no, not at all... You see, the Semper Maa has also evolved a curious defensive mechanism. When threatened, it has the ability to revert back to an earlier stage in its own lifecycle. It may even be able to do this *continually*, ad infinitium..."
  • 97
97 Half Light So the scary sentient mud is also immortal? That's good news.
  • 98
98 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Now, here's where it gets *really interesting*. It's believed that the mechanism by which the Semper Maa reverts actually reverses the flow of time itself..."
  • 109
99 None
  • 100
  • 101
  • 102
100 You "Hang on, I *still* don't see how this immortal mud monster is gonna help me turn back time."
  • 111
101 You "Okay, I'm convinced. What's our next step?"
  • 110
102 You "This sounds like a dead end to me, Gary."
  • 343
103 Esprit de Corps He seems to have an unrealistic idea of the RCM's budget and manpower...
  • 104
  • 105
  • 342
104 You "I don't think the RCM is gonna go for it, Gary." Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_esprit_not_feasiuble"] == true
  • 337
105 You "That would take forever! Isn't there just like a pill I could take or something...?"
  • 106
106 Gary, the Cryptofascist "I haven't really heard of any time-travel pills, officer..." He rubs his chin, thinking.
  • 336
107 Logic Oh, yes it can. Easily.
  • 322
108 Gary, the Cryptofascist "It's true that every expedition up to now has failed, and that several have *vanished* without a trace, but the potential is there, officer. It just can't be denied..."
  • 107
109 Conceptualization To be able to revert back to a previous version of yourself, to the one before all the mistakes... that's why we're here!
  • 286
110 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Well, first we'd need to secure funding for an expedition, then assemble a team, gather supplies... There's probably a million other little things, but with the resources of the RCM behind you..." He shrugs. "It could be feasible."
  • 103
111 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Well, you see, the fascinating thing about it is that this temporal reversion is said to extend to anything *touching* the Semper Maa at the moment of reversal."
  • 112
  • 113
112 You "So if I cover myself with this sentient mud..."
  • 124
113 You "So if I *attack* this sentient mud..."
  • 114
114 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Well, if you *cover yourself* in it first, *then* attack it, you could theoretically basically punch your way back to the Franconigerian era!"
  • 115
115 Pain Threshold Like a diving suit powered by pain.
  • 117
116 Conceptualization Like a submarine fuelled by suffering.
  • 120
117 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 118
  • 119
118 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_faschist_dq_pain_tresh_diving_suit_of_pain"]
  • 125
119 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_faschist_dq_pain_tresh_diving_suit_of_pain"]) == false
  • 116
120 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 121
  • 122
121 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_faschist_dq_pain_tresh_diving_suit_of_pain"]
  • 125
122 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_faschist_dq_pain_tresh_diving_suit_of_pain"]) == false
  • 123
123 Half Light Like an exo-skeleton powered by fear.
  • 125
124 Gary, the Cryptofascist "... and attack it over and over again, you could theoretically punch your way back to the Franconigerian era!"
  • 115
125 None
  • 126
  • 127
  • 128
126 You "Seems like a dick move."
  • 129
127 You "Very well. This Semper Maa will pull my ox-cart through the ages."
  • 129
128 You "There's balance in nature, Gary. Man was not meant to play god."
  • 129
129 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Assuming you survive the encounter... But that's way down the line of course..."
  • 101
  • 102
130 Gary, the Cryptofascist "I'm getting there, officer." He smiles. "You see, the Semper Maa has also evolved a curious defensive mechanism. When threatened, it has the ability to revert back to an earlier stage in its own lifecycle. It may even be able to do this *continually*, ad infinitum..."
  • 97
131 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Well..." His eyes instinctively dart to the lieutenant before he continues *sotto voce*: "How else did they get so far ahead of everyone in the tech-race?"
  • 136
132 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 133
  • 134
133 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 131
134 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 135
135 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Oh, definitely!" He nod and repeats. "Definitely. How else did they get so far ahead of everyone in the tech-race?"
  • 136
136 None
  • 145
  • 137
  • 138
  • 143
  • 139
  • 140
  • 141
  • 142
  • 144
  • 146
137 You "By working longer and harder than *everyone* else?"
  • 150
138 You "By funnelling a larger percentage of their country's budget to research?"
  • 153
139 You "By seeking answers from behind the veil, from the void?" IsTHCCookingOrFixed("remote_viewer")
  • 156
140 You "By letting the free market dictate the course of technological progress?" IsTHCCookingOrFixed("ultraliberal")
  • 159
141 You "I'm sure they have a strong central government keeping things running smoothly." IsTHCCookingOrFixed("moralist")
  • 162
142 You "Isolation obviously, keeping Seol for Seolites. Very motivating."
  • 165
143 You "By all joining in solidarity, everyone doing their part to keep the big machine moving?"
  • 153
144 You "By developing an aesthetics of pure functionality, separated from traditional notions of beauty?" IsTHCCookingOrFixed("art_cop")
  • 168
145 You "Yeah, how *did* you guys get so far ahead?" (Turn to the lieutenant.) IsKimHere()
  • 147
146 You "Strange, I don't have a clue."
  • 205
147 Kim Kitsuragi "No part of *me* is part of *this* conversation. Oh, no." The lieutenant keeps his eyes fixed on his notebook. "That's a special thing you two are enjoying. With each other."
  • 148
148 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Everything's cool. Nothing wrong with a little speculative inquiry." The man shrugs awkwardly. "But really, officer, how *do* you explain how the Seolites developed such a lead over the rest of us?"
  • 149
149 Composure He's *really* trying to convey how cool and natural this all is for him.
  • 137
  • 138
  • 143
  • 139
  • 140
  • 141
  • 142
  • 144
  • 146
150 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 151
  • 152
151 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 187
152 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 188
153 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 154
  • 155
154 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 189
155 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 190
156 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 157
  • 158
157 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 191
158 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 195
159 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 160
  • 161
160 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 197
161 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 198
162 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 163
  • 164
163 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 200
164 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 199
165 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 166
  • 167
166 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 201
167 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 171
168 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 169
  • 170
169 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 204
170 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 203
171 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Sure, they got the place locked down tighter than a Himean asshole, but that alone?" He's shaking his head. "No way, I don't buy it..."
  • 172
172 None
  • 173
  • 174
173 You "Wait, what kind of technological advantages are we talking about?"
  • 206
174 You "What's their secret, then?"
  • 175
175 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Isn't it obvious? *Someone's* been feeding them a little trickle of tech down from someplace *no-one* else can reach..."
  • 287
  • 176
  • 177
  • 178
176 You "From the blue door in the Whirling!?" IsTaskActive("TASK.enter_the_mysterious_door")--[[ Variable[ ]]
  • 179
177 You "From the pale?" Variable["tc.pale"]
  • 210
178 You "From the future?"
  • 211
179 Gary, the Cryptofascist "The blue...? No, *the future*. The Seolites are helping themselves from the future. And every little incremental improvement they receive in the present has *major* ripples all along the timeline..."
  • 180
180 Gary, the Cryptofascist "That creates a loop, right? The more advanced tech they send here, the more advanced they become in the future, which means that by smuggling ever more advanced tech down to the past... I'm sure you can see where this is heading."
  • 218
181 None
  • 186
  • 182
  • 185
  • 183
  • 184
182 You "Then we have already lost." (Look down at your clenched fist.)
  • 219
183 You "Gary, that's insane. You are an insane man, sick in the head."
  • 220
184 You "You lost me there with the loop.
  • 220
185 You "Yes, that's the only explanation that makes sense."
  • 224
186 You "Wait, so how did they start the loop in the first place?"
  • 221
187 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Sure, the Seolites are hard workers, everyone knows that..." He quickly glances at the lieutenant again. "But hard work alone? I don't buy it..."
  • 172
188 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Permission to laugh, officer?" He rolls his eyes. "No way, I don't buy it..."
  • 172
189 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Absolutely!" He nods enthusiastically, shooting a quick glance at the lieutenant. "That definitely *helps*, but that alone? I don't buy it..."
  • 172
190 Gary, the Cryptofascist The man forces out an unpleasant and artificial laugh. "C'mon, officer, you *know* that's not it. No way!"
  • 172
191 Gary, the Cryptofascist "I've personally never witnessed a Seolite commit corporate espionage," he says, determined not to glance at the lieutenant. "*However* there are rumours, articles, respected opinions..."
  • 192
192 Reaction Speed And he glanced!
  • 193
193 Gary, the Cryptofascist He clears his throat and continues. "That's actually peas, nothing, no amount of corporate espionage would ever would ever put them *so far* ahead of everyone else..."
  • 194
194 Logic You're underestimating corporate espionage, Gary.
  • 172
195 Gary, the Cryptofascist "From the void?" He gives you an intent look and crosses his arms. "I don't think that's it. I think there's a *much* more sinister explanation..."
  • 196
196 Half Light Cannibalism?
  • 172
197 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Could be, could easily be." He nods enthusiastically, shooting a quick glance at the lieutenant. "I mean it definitely *helps*, but the market alone? I don't buy it..."
  • 172
198 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Officer," he says with confidence, "the average consumer is a moron. Leave it to them and we'd all be living in fake-bamboo huts, burning carcinogenic incense and playing the bongos. No way that's the reason!"
  • 172
199 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Officer, wake up." The man snaps his fingers in front of your face. "No *way* that's the reason why they're winning the race!"
  • 172
200 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Like clockwork, I'm sure, no doubt about it. But is that *really* enough to take such an astronomical lead? I don't think so..."
  • 172
201 Gary, the Cryptofascist "I don't know... Sounds a bit *incestuous* to me, but sure -- none of my business, I'm not a Seolite." He quickly glances at the lieutenant. "But no way *that's* the reason they're winning the race..."
  • 202
202 Rhetoric Oh, trying to keep only one type of people around you is suddenly 'incestuous', Gary?
  • 172
203 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Save it for the phyrro-heads," he says with a dismissive hand-wave. "No *way* that's the reason!"
  • 172
204 Gary, the Cryptofascist "You know, I don't think that's it." He shakes his head. "I bet there's plenty of beauty over there, art and inspiration too, but that's not why they're winning..."
  • 172
205 Gary, the Cryptofascist "I can tell you it isn't something easy and immediately obvious, that's for sure. No way, that would be too easy..."
  • 172
206 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Come on, officer, everybody knows about it." He rubs the back of his head, looking down. "The stuff they've got, most people here can't even *dream* of it..."
  • 207
207 Drama He's just discovered that he can't think of any examples, though.
  • 212
  • 213
  • 208
208 You "That's crazy, man."
  • 209
209 Gary, the Cryptofascist "You think that's crazy, just wait till you learn *how* they've managed to get so far ahead of us..."
  • 347
210 Gary, the Cryptofascist "No, why would they be... No, I'm talking about *the future*! The Seolites are helping themselves from the future. And every little incremental improvement they receive in the present has *major* ripples all along the timeline..."
  • 180
211 Gary, the Cryptofascist "*Exactly*, officer." He leans in closer. "The Seolites are helping themselves from the future. And every little incremental improvement they receive in the present has *major* ripples all along the timeline..."
  • 180
212 You "Give me some examples, Gary." Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_drama_nothing_Comes_to_mind"] == true
  • 215
213 You "You're right, I can't even begin to imagine what you're talking about."
  • 214
214 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Believe me, it's there. Technology so advanced it defies description..." He's avoiding your gaze.
  • 346
215 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Oh, you know like... uhm..." He exhales loudly and continues to massage his neck. "Stealth aerostatics, blaasma-powered weaponry, all kinds of deep-secret projects..."
  • 217
216 Gary, the Cryptofascist "But that's nothing. Just wait till you learn *how* they've managed to get so far ahead of us..."
  • 347
217 Logic There's no such thing as blaasma-powered weaponry, because there's no such thing as 'blaasma.'
  • 216
218 Logic Within this self-contained logic-bubble, -- a loop -- he is not wrong.
  • 181
219 Gary, the Cryptofascist "I don't know officer... I think Future-Revachol might also have a few aces up its own sleeve. The people are starting to wake up, you see."
  • 238
220 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Hey man..." he spreads his arms wide. "No one likes to hear it, but I'm not here to give you a false sense of security. It is what it is. People are starting to wake up and take notice."
  • 230
221 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Now *that* is a paradox," he smiles an all-knowing smile, like he just explained everything.
  • 222
222 Encyclopedia A statement, seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense, and yet perhaps true. Or perhaps not.
  • 182
  • 185
  • 183
  • 223
223 You "You lost me there with the paradox."
  • 220
224 Gary, the Cryptofascist "I'm telling you," he nods confidently. "The truth can't be contained, people are starting to wake up and take notice."
  • 238
225 None
  • 40
226 Kim Kitsuragi A frustrated sigh. "I've been through this with you. I am *not*..." He changes his mind. "Just please make it quick, we're in the middle of a murder investigation, remember?"
227 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 228
  • 229
228 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_seolite_master_bad_material"]
  • 241
229 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_seolite_master_bad_material"]) == false
  • 236
230 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 231
  • 232
231 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 233
232 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 308
233 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 234
  • 235
234 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_seolite_master_bad_material"]
  • 241
235 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_seolite_master_bad_material"]) == false
  • 308
236 Reaction Speed You notice the lieutenant flinch and rub his forehead as if hit by a sudden migraine.
  • 237
237 Esprit de Corps God I hope he meant it sarcastically. If not, I don't really see how he can continue being a police detective.
  • 308
238 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 239
  • 240
239 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 227
240 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 308
241 Kim Kitsuragi "Oh, people *are* noticing, Gary. They've probably *dispatched* a team already." The pen in the lieutenant's hand glides on the rough paper of his notebook.
  • 242
242 Kim Kitsuragi "Not to the present, of course, to past-Gary. They prefer to deal with problems before they become *unmanageable*. Just something to think about."
  • 243
243 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Hahaha..." His laughter is quick and nervous. "I mean I'm basically just repeating what I heard on 'Truth Hunt' or read in 'Paradox B.' I'm just a messenger, and not even that, really!"
  • 244
244 Gary, the Cryptofascist "And I suppose none of this would help *you* manipulate time personally, in any case. So why don't we just forget this whole business?"
  • 245
245 Half Light Mmmm... the most beautiful smell in the world, fear.
  • 225
246 None
  • 40
247 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 248
  • 249
248 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 250
249 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 251
250 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Well," he glances at the lieutenant. "Essentially it's a grief ritual practiced by certain ancient Semenese tribes. Traditionally, after the death of a village leader, the bereaved are supposed to cut off a segment of their own fingers..."
  • 253
251 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Essentially it's a grief ritual practiced by some old kipt tribes. Traditionally, after the death of a village leader, the bereaved are supposed to cut off a segment of their own fingers..."
  • 252
252 Gary, the Cryptofascist "The really sick bit is that they bite off bits of their *children's* fingers too. Even babies." He frowns. "Imagine that."
  • 262
253 Gary, the Cryptofascist "What makes it really disturbing is the fact that they bite off bits of their *children's* fingers too. Even babies." He frowns. "Imagine that."
  • 262
254 Conceptualization Small hut, pregnant with screams of anguish and terror. The lowered head of the mother as she gnaws at the child's joint. Chewing, screams, agony. Finally there's a tiny crunch, followed by the sound of weeping.
  • 255
255 Pain Threshold Agonizing pain...
  • 284
256 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 257
  • 258
257 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_halflight_imagine_digicastigation"]
  • 254
258 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_halflight_imagine_digicastigation"]) == false
  • 284
259 None
  • 263
  • 289
  • 260
  • 261
260 You "What does any of this have to do with turning back time, Gary?"
  • 264
261 You "You know what? That's enough for me."
  • 295
262 Half Light Yes, *imagine* it!
  • 256
263 You "Gary, you're putting images in my head and I don't like it." Variable["coast.gary_fascha_dq_conze_digi_castigation"] == true
  • 280
264 Gary, the Cryptofascist "I'm getting there. See, the practice is derived from Semenese finger counting. Each segment of the finger represents one hour, so they count up to 12 with one hand, disregarding the thumb, of course."
  • 265
265 Reaction Speed Absolute nonsense across the board.
  • 266
266 Gary, the Cryptofascist "By removing one segment from their fingers, they remove the corresponding hour from their life -- that's what they believe, anyway."
  • 267
267 None
  • 269
  • 268
268 You "None of this is helpful, Gary."
  • 306
269 You "So you're saying if I cut off both my hands I can go back to yesterday?"
  • 271
270 Gary, the Cryptofascist "No-no..." He laughs nervously. "There's a discrepancy between how these Semenese tribes count and how they tell time."
  • 275
271 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 272
  • 273
272 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 270
273 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 274
274 Gary, the Cryptofascist "No-no..." He laughs nervously. "There's a discrepancy between how the kipts count and how they tell time."
  • 275
275 Gary, the Cryptofascist "As I explained, they count up to 12 on their fingers, but they divide the day into 15 parts. But that's a whole other discussion..."
  • 276
276 Logic One you absolutely don't have time for. Let's be done with this idiocy.
  • 277
  • 278
  • 279
277 You "This wouldn't help me even if it was *remotely* believable."
  • 307
278 You "Gary, you owe me at least a finger or two for all my time you've wasted."
  • 307
279 You "I guess I have to keep looking..."
  • 307
280 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Hey, don't blame me, officer." He puts his hands up. "These are barbaric people and barbaric times we're talking about. Dark magic."
  • 281
281 Conceptualization In truth, these sound more like scenes from some old fantastique novel, the product of the author's fevered imagination rather than reality.
  • 260
  • 261
282 Endurance This guy has proved to be a dead end. (A dissatisfied growl in you abdomen.) But the hard endure and the true kingsman keeps searching. 'Vaillance,' brööder, the night is darkest before the dawn.
  • 283
283 None
External:
  • (1211, 3)
284 Encyclopedia Please note: Tales of digital mutilation are a common trope of racist pseudo-histories, completely unsubstantiated by the archaeological record...
  • 259
285 You "What kind of theories are we talking about here?"
  • 47
286 Gary, the Cryptofascist "... by about 4.5 seconds."
  • 99
287 You "That secret inaccessible bunker near Land's End!?" IsTHCPresent("one_more_door")
  • 288
288 Gary, the Cryptofascist "That old thing...? No, *the future*. The Seolites are helping themselves from the future. And every little incremental improvement they receive in the present has *major* ripples all along the timeline..."
  • 180
289 You "I don't know, this sounds made up to me." Variable["coast.gary_encyclo_trope"] == true
  • 290
290 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Hey, you asked me, officer." He puts his hands up. "These are barbaric people and barbaric times we're talking about. Dark magic."
  • 291
291 Encyclopedia Tropes of fantastique literature combined with mundane racial prejudice -- this is what the term 'pseudo-history' was invented to describe.
  • 260
  • 261
292 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 293
  • 294
293 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"] == false and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] == true
  • 303
294 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"] == false and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] == true) == false
  • 304
295 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 296
  • 297
296 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"]
  • 301
297 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"]) == false
  • 298
298 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 299
  • 300
299 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"] == true and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] == false
  • 302
300 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"] == true and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] == false) == false
  • 292
301 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Oh..." He looks surprised. "Well, this is embarrassing, but I'm really not sure what else to tell you..."
  • 305
302 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Oh..." He looks surprised. "Well, I suppose there's still the deep-secret Seolite technology to consider."
  • 305
303 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Oh..." He looks surprised. "Well, there's still the Semper Maa to consider."
  • 305
304 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Listen, there's no problem, officer. There's still the Semper Maa to consider, as well as this advanced Seolite technology."
  • 305
305 None
  • 40
306 None
  • 295
307 None
  • 295
308 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 309
  • 310
309 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"] and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"]
  • 318
310 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"] and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"]) == false
  • 314
311 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 312
  • 313
312 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"] == false and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"] == true
  • 321
313 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"] == false and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"] == true) == false
  • 319
314 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 315
  • 316
315 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"] == true and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"] == false
  • 320
316 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_discussed_semper_maa"] == true and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"] == false) == false
  • 311
317 None
  • 40
318 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Unfortunately, I suppose this *still* doesn't help *you* manipulate time personally." He shrugs. "Sorry about that."
  • 317
319 Gary, the Cryptofascist "That said, if you're interested in manipulating time *personally*, I suggest you consider the Semper Maa or digial castigation."
  • 317
320 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Though I suppose this still doesn't help *you* manipulate time personally. Perhaps you should consider digital castigation?"
  • 317
321 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Though I suppose this still doesn't help *you* manipulate time personally. Perhaps you should consider the Semper Maa?"
  • 317
322 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 323
  • 324
323 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"]
  • 332
324 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"]) == false
  • 328
325 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 326
  • 327
326 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"] == false and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] == true
  • 335
327 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"] == false and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] == true) == false
  • 333
328 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 329
  • 330
329 Gary, the Cryptofascist Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"] == true and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] == false
  • 334
330 Gary, the Cryptofascist (Variable["coast.gary_discussed_castigation"] == true and Variable["coast.gary_discussed_seolite_tech"] == false) == false
  • 325
331 None
  • 40
332 Gary, the Cryptofascist "And speaking personally, arranging an expedition seems like the most promising option overall, so I'm not really sure what else to tell you..."
  • 331
333 Gary, the Cryptofascist "And personally, it seems easier than accessing deep-secret Seolite technology and more civilised than digital castigation, but to each his own."
  • 331
334 Gary, the Cryptofascist "And personally, it seems easier than, say, accessing deep-secret Seolite technology, but to each his own."
  • 331
335 Gary, the Cryptofascist "And personally, it seems more civilised than, say, digital castigation, but to each his own."
  • 331
336 None
  • 322
337 Gary, the Cryptofascist
  • 338
  • 339
338 Gary, the Cryptofascist IsKimHere()
  • 340
339 Gary, the Cryptofascist (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 108
340 Kim Kitsuragi "I concur, detective," the lieutenant interjects without looking up from his notes. "It's completely *unfeasible*."
  • 341
341 Empathy His voice betrays relief, he really didn't want to have to argue with you over this.
  • 108
342 You "Hmmm, what else have you got?"
  • 344
343 None
  • 108
344 Gary, the Cryptofascist "Listen, officer. I know it sounds like quite the task, but the potential, it just can't be denied..."
  • 345
345 None
  • 107
346 Composure Because he's only now discovering he has no idea what he's talking about.
  • 216
347 You "How, then?"
  • 348
348 None
  • 175
349 You "Terrifying..."
  • 350
350 Gary, the Cryptofascist "It gets even scarier. You see, the Semper Maa has also evolved a curious defensive mechanism. When threatened, it has the ability to revert back to an earlier stage in its own lifecycle. It may even be able to do this *continually*, ad infinitium..."
  • 97