CUTSCENE where you attempt to contact Coalition Warship Archer with NOID. PART OF THE MORALIST DREAM QUEST
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.
ID | Character | Dialogue | Conditions | Links |
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0 | None |
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1 | None |
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2 | Noid | "Just plug that in there, would you?" |
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3 | Noid |
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4 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
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5 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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6 | You | "Got it. Are we ready?" |
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7 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It's done. I believe we're ready." The lieutenant wipes his brow. |
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8 | Noid | "Yeah, as ready as we're going to be." He cracks his neck before putting on a pair of headphones. "Grab one of these can sets. I've got it rigged so that we can both listen, but only your cop-talk will broadcast..." |
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9 | Noid | "No idea what we're gonna hear when I turn this thing on, so be prepared for *anything*. Trick is to keep transmitting your request until the Big Bad acknowledges you. You got that?" |
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10 | You | "Wait, what if they *never* acknowledge me?" |
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11 | You | "Yes." |
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12 | You | "Hold on, I need a minute." |
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13 | Noid | "Honestly, that might be for the best. Like I said, the sines coming off this whole project are seriously uncharted..." |
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14 | Noid | "Good. We're live in two... one..." |
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15 | Noid | "No time. We're live in two... one..." |
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16 | Noid | "Don't know how much juice we've got, so we better get to it. You ready?" |
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17 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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18 | Noid |
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19 | Noid | Variable["auto.is_snowing"] |
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20 | Noid | (Variable["auto.is_snowing"]) == false |
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21 | Shivers | A soft rustling. The snow seems to have gotten between your ears somehow... |
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22 | Shivers | A soft rustling. Between your ears, a winterscape with fast falling snow... |
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23 | Noid |
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24 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_shivers_snow"] |
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25 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_shivers_snow"]) == false |
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26 | You | Where's the sound coming from? |
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27 | You | Ignore it. |
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28 | Noid | "That's your cue, lawman." |
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29 | Shivers | Every lightswitch, every motor carriage, every doorbell, tea kettle, and radio in Martinaise, all mingled with electrical interference caused by scattered thunderstorms over Ozonne. |
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30 | Noid | "Hey, lawman. We're waiting on you." |
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31 | None |
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32 | You | "Coalition Warship Archer, this is RCM Officer Firewalker. Please acknowledge." | Variable["plaza.kineema_i_am_firewalker"] == true or Variable["XP.confirm_name_harry"] == false |
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33 | You | "Coalition Warship Archer, this is RCM Officer Tequila Sunset. Please acknowledge." | Variable["tc.tequila_sunset"] == true |
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34 | You | "Coalition Warship Archer, this is Detective Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau of the RCM. Please acknowledge." | Variable["tc.raphael_ambrosius_costeau"] or IsTHCPresent("detective_costeau") |
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35 | You | "Coalition Warship Archer, this is Lieutenant Harrier du Bois of the RCM. Please acknowledge." | Variable["tc.name_full_harrier"] == true |
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36 | You | "What should I say?" |
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37 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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38 | Noid | "That's up to you. I don't know your *callsign*." |
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39 | None |
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40 | Inland Empire | You're all alone out there, wandering a blasted heath, calling out to the night, but there is no reply, except for the buzzing of invisible machines... |
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41 | Noid |
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42 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_inland_blasted_heath"] |
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43 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_inland_blasted_heath"]) == false |
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44 | Noid |
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45 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
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46 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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47 | Inland Empire | I-i-is there anybody th-th-there? |
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48 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant looks up at you with a nervous glance. |
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49 | Noid | "Give it another go." |
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50 | You | "Coalition Warship Archer, this is Firewalker. Please acknowledge." |
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51 | Esprit de Corps | He is nervous for your sake, of course, but also his own. |
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52 | Noid |
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53 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_esprit_kim_nervous"] |
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54 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_esprit_kim_nervous"]) == false |
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55 | Esprit de Corps | Looking at him now, with both hands on his headphones, you see very briefly what the lieutenant must have been like when he first joined the RCM... |
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56 | Esprit de Corps | Nervous for who, though, you cannot say. |
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57 | Noid |
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58 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] > 1 |
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59 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] > 1) == false |
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60 | Noid |
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61 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] > 5 |
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62 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] > 5) == false |
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63 | Esprit de Corps | Then he turns to you. He gives you a half smile along with an almost imperceptible nod of encouragement. |
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64 | Esprit de Corps | Then he turns to you. His expression seems to say, 'You'd better not leave this mess for me alone'. |
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65 | Esprit de Corps | Then he turns to you. He shakes his head slightly and looks back at the amplifier. |
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66 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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67 | Perception (Hearing) | Perhaps you're simply imagining it, but it seems as though you're learning to pull apart the fibres of this auditory felt. You focus on one strand in particular, one that sounds very nearly human... |
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68 | Noid |
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69 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_perc_sound_human"] |
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70 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_perc_sound_human"]) == false |
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71 | Horseback Antenna | "Nein, Liebling! Das lasse ich nicht zu … Wie kannst du unseren Jungen bloß auf einem dieser *Dinger* nach Vredefort schicken?" |
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72 | Horseback Antenna | "Nein, Liebling! ... unseren Jungen... nach Vredefort ... einem dieser *Dinger*..." |
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73 | You | "Hello... Archer? Do you acknowledge?" |
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74 | Horseback Antenna | "Marianne ... mir erzählt, dass Oskar nicht mehr ... seit er auf einem Luftschiff aus Graad zurückgekommen ... halten ihn die Psychologen für vollkommen normal ... aber sie hat das Gefühl ... seit seiner Rückkehr ... einem Fremden zusammenzuleben..." |
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75 | Rhetoric | Something about her son going to Vredefort on an aerostatic... to see some psychologists? Or maybe the psychologists are saying it's normal... to have feelings for strangers? Foreign languages were never your strong suit. |
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76 | Noid |
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77 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_rhetoric_walder"] |
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78 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_rhetoric_walder"]) == false |
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79 | None |
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80 | Rhetoric | You can't make out a word of this gibberish. |
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81 | Noid |
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82 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
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83 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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84 | Shivers | A slight frisson at the point where your neck meets your spine. Something about the lieutenant's words, directed at you, but not *you*... |
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85 | Shivers | A slight frisson at the point where your neck meets your spine. You can *feel* the lieutenant's presence, even though he's nowhere to be found... |
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86 | You | "Kim, don't clog my connection." |
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87 | You | "What are you talking about, Kim? It's perfectly nice out." | Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == false and Variable["auto.is_raining"] == false |
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88 | You | "It's really coming down, now that you mention it." | Variable["auto.is_raining"] == true or Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == true |
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89 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I didn't say anything, detective." |
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90 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Mention what?" |
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91 | You | "It's cold, like you just said." |
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92 | Kim Kitsuragi | "...someone has been maintaining it. The wiring has been repaired..." |
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93 | Horseback Antenna | An uncomfortable silence falls over the connection. |
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94 | Kim Kitsuragi | "... It's been a long winter... Long and cold..." |
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95 | You | "Are you going to tell me you didn't say *that*, either?" |
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96 | You | "Maybe it's your twin brother?" |
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97 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I promise you, I didn't, even though it certainly *sounds* like me..." The lieutenant seems to wince at the sound of his own voice. |
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98 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I can assure you, it's not my 'twin brother'. Though it certainly does *sound* like me..." The lieutenant seems to wince at the sound of his own voice. |
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99 | Noid |
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100 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_radio_ghost_intercom"] |
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101 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_radio_ghost_intercom"]) == false |
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102 | You | "It must be entroponetic crosstalk. It's the only explanation." |
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103 | You | "What is happening?" |
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104 | Noid | "So your partner's haunting himself. Trying to warn him off his current path, most like." |
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105 | Noid | "Sounds like your partner's being haunted by his past self. Or maybe he's trying to warn himself, from the future, most like. I don't know much about radios." |
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106 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It's eerie, for certain, but also harmless. I just wish I could remember what I was talking about..." |
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107 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It's just a little bit of pale interference, detective. A little *eerie*, perhaps, but perfectly explicable..." |
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108 | Composure | Outwardly, the lieutenant exudes reassurance, but you can sense a lingering doubt in his voice. |
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109 | None |
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110 | You | "Kim? How did you get on my connection?" |
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111 | Noid | "Whoa, the cop's *own partner* is a radio-spooker. That's some *other core* business right there..." |
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112 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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113 | Kim Kitsuragi | "...someone has been maintaining it. The wiring has been repaired..." |
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114 | You | "What is he talking about?" |
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115 | Noid | "There's no sense to it. It's just spooker-talk." |
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116 | Noid |
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117 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_radio_ghost_intercom"] |
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118 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_radio_ghost_intercom"]) == false |
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119 | You | "I've encountered this before. It's entroponetic crosstalk. This is a piece of the past mixing in with our signal." |
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120 | You | "Does that mean Kim's... *a ghost*?" |
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121 | Noid | "What..." |
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122 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It's been a long winter... Long and cold." |
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123 | Noid | "What have you gotten us into, lawman?" |
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124 | Horseback Antenna | "Natürlich halten ihn die Psychologen für vollkommen normal..." |
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125 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It's been a long winter... Long and cold." |
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126 | Noid | "No telling, lawman. You ever confirmed that he's, you know, *flesh and blood*?" |
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127 | You | "Yeah, we've gone for an Ace's High before." | IsTHCPresent("aces_high") or IsTHCPresent("aces_low") |
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128 | You | "I guess Kim's always had an *ethereal* quality to him." |
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129 | You | "I'm going to continue believing that Kim's just hanging out on our connection." |
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130 | Noid | "Sounds like some dark cop rituals. Don't think I want to hear any more..." |
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131 | Noid | "Could be he's your guardian spirit, your cop daemon..." |
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132 | Noid | "Yeah, shut your ears to the truth. That's the safest way forward..." |
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133 | None |
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134 | You | "Roy said this transceiver came with some kind of *signal purifier*. Maybe we should turn that on?" | Variable["ice.noid_used_expensive_transceiver"] == true |
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135 | You | "Maybe we should try again later?" |
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136 | You | "So what can we do about it?" |
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137 | Noid | "Is that what this switch does? I'll flip it now." |
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138 | Noid | "No can do. This is it. The only way forward is the hard core way, straight through. Now give it another go." |
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139 | Noid | "You just have to embrace the spookiness. Now give it another go." |
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140 | Kim Kitsuragi | "... someone has been maintaining it..." The lieutenant's voice suddenly grows faint and distant, as though he were speaking from a passing motor carriage... |
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141 | Noid | "Sounds like the de-spooker worked. Lucky break. Now give it another go." |
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142 | You | (Sigh.) "Coalition Warship Archer. Do you acknowledge? This is Firewalker." |
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143 | Kim Kitsuragi | "But someone has been maintaining it. The wiring has been repaired..." |
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144 | You | "Coalition Warship Archer. Do you acknowledge? This is Firewalker." |
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145 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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146 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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147 | Horseback Antenna | "... Warship Archer. Are you there, Firewalker? Please acknowledge." |
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148 | Horseback Antenna | "... Walker? Please acknowledge." |
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149 | You | "Archer! This is Firewalker. Can you hear me?" |
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150 | You | "Archer! This is Firewalker. Can you hear me?" |
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151 | Horseback Antenna | "Liebling, bitte… Er ist unser einziges Kind..." |
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152 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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153 | Horseback Antenna | "... Warship Archer. Please identify." |
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154 | Interfacing | The signals are getting increasingly mixed. Plucking Archer's signal from this will be like isolating a single strand from a tangle of hair... |
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155 | Noid | "This isn't looking good." The speedfreak removes his sweat-drenched headphones. "The radio-spookers are winning." |
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156 | Noid | "Bad news." The speedfreak removes his sweat-drenched headphones. "Even with the de-spooker flipped, the signal is still too weak to get down with..." |
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157 | None |
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158 | You | "What can we do?" |
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159 | You | "Okay, let's do this." (Climb the monument.) | Variable["jam.warship_need_to_climb"] == true |
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160 | Noid | "Don't know. If we can't get around the interference, we're in deep trouble. Hold on, I think Egg gave me some kind of checklist..." |
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161 | Noid | "Hmmm. Says here, 'MAIN STEP: VOLUME TO THE MAX'... That's not too helpful. Okay, it also says: 'INSPECT CONNECTIONS FOR HARD CORE CLARITY,' so let's try that..." |
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162 | None |
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163 | Noid |
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164 | Noid | CheckEquippedGroup("gloves") |
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165 | Noid | (CheckEquippedGroup("gloves")) == false |
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166 | Noid |
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167 | Noid | Variable["auto.is_raining"] == true or Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == true |
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168 | Noid | (Variable["auto.is_raining"] == true or Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == true) == false |
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169 | Horseback Antenna | You don't exactly cut a lithesome figure, but after several moments of scrambling you manage to hoist yourself atop the monument. |
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170 | Horseback Antenna | Your gloves give you a solid grip on the metal bar. This feels pleasingly familiar... |
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171 | Horseback Antenna | The metal bar is cold and slick with precipitation. For a moment it feels as though you're about to slip, but you concentrate all your attention on your pectoral muscles and squeeze... |
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172 | Horseback Antenna | The cold metal chills your bare hands. Some part of your brain tells you something is missing... |
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173 | Physical Instrument | Keep it together, champ! You've got this... |
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174 | Hand/Eye Coordination | Chalk powder. Absorbs moisture and keeps your grip firm. |
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175 | Noid |
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176 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_physint_chalk"] |
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177 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_physint_chalk"]) == false |
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178 | Horseback Antenna | ... and before you know it, you're safely perched atop the monument. |
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179 | Horseback Antenna | ... but before you can decide what, you find yourself safely perched atop the monument. |
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180 | None |
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181 | You | "Did you *see* that bar work?" | Variable["jam.warship_phys_inst_bar"] == true |
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182 | You | "That was pretty bad. I hope nobody saw it." | Variable["jam.warship_phys_inst_bar"] == false |
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183 | You | Examine the connections. |
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184 | Noid |
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185 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
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186 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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187 | Noid | "This cop's got serious crab-like properties. Must be some kind of *law-crab*." |
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188 | Horseback Antenna | The connection itself is nothing more than a little braid of exposed wire wrapped about the hoof of the horse, a copper fetter it cannot slip... |
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189 | Perception (Sight) | The whole monument is covered in a thin but durable layer of oil and grime. It's obvious no one has cleaned it in years. |
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190 | None |
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191 | You | "What good is that supposed to do?" |
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192 | You | "What are we supposed to use to bend the antenna?" |
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193 | Noid | "Hmmm. Good question. Maybe he's saying we're casting too wide a net, got to *narrow our receiving band*, so we pick up the Big Bad without the spookers." |
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194 | Noid | "It says here 'MUSCLE-STYLE'." |
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195 | Noid |
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196 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_why_bend"] == true and Variable["jam.warship_what_bend"] == true |
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197 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_why_bend"] == true and Variable["jam.warship_what_bend"] == true) == false |
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198 | Noid | "Since you're already up there, I say you should do it." |
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199 | None |
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200 | Empathy | The speedfreak is right. The responsibility is yours and yours alone. There's no turning back now. |
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201 | None |
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202 | You | Look at the horse. |
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203 | You | Attempt to narrow the receiving mode manually. |
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204 | Horseback Antenna | This faithful steed is in nearly as poor a condition as its rider. |
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205 | None |
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206 | None |
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207 | Noid |
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208 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"] |
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209 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"]) == false |
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210 | Interfacing | Your grip is firm, yet controlled. The swelling in your headset guides your hands as much as your hands guide the bronze horse head. It's almost like you're hearing *through* the horse itself... |
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211 | Interfacing | You allow the broken hunk of metal to clatter to the ground. It wasn't clear to you it did anything anyway... |
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212 | Noid | "Looks like it's working. Keep going, just a bit more..." |
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213 | Horseback Antenna | "... Nein, Liebling!" |
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214 | Interfacing | The signal is clear, the storm has passed. This is another voice, a live voice, on the other end of this invisible bridge you've established... |
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215 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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216 | Noid | "Try it now." |
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217 | You | "Coalition Warship Archer. This is RCM Officer Firewalker. Please acknowledge." |
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218 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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219 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, this is Coalition Warship Archer. We are acknowledging and accepting you." |
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220 | Noid | "There it is, the Big Bad. Now be quick. I'll keep us aligned as long as I can." |
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221 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Please be advised that you are speaking on the public frequency. What is your request?" |
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222 | Authority | This is it... you're finally getting to speak with those who hold *real* power. |
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223 | Noid |
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224 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_authority_power"] |
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225 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_authority_power"]) == false |
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226 | Noid |
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227 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"] |
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228 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"]) == false |
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229 | Rhetoric | And by that, we mean the ones with the guns and the warships. |
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230 | Empathy | There is so much you wish you could ask. Your efforts have bought you some time, but you can't forget what you're *really* here for... |
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231 | Empathy | There is so much you wish you could ask, but you probably only have time for one or two questions before the signal is lost... |
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232 | Noid |
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233 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_question_counter"] >= 2 |
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234 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_question_counter"] >= 2) == false |
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235 | None |
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236 | Horseback Antenna | "Nein, Liebling!" |
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237 | Noid | "Huh. Sounds like that was a false move. Signal's even worse now." |
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238 | Noid | "Probably because you broke it." |
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239 | Noid | "The thing is, trying's not enough. Now it's the results that count." |
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240 | Noid | "Look, I'm not a blame-layer. I'm just saying, things were bad, and now they're worse." |
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241 | Noid | "I'm going to turn all the dials to maximum. Probably gonna burn out our power supply, but that might be the only way..." |
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242 | You | "That piece of junk didn't even work!" |
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243 | You | "I'm sorry! I was trying to do good." |
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244 | You | "It's not *my* fault the statue broke." |
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245 | Horseback Antenna | A maelstrom of sound, swirling and swirling around an invisible point. It's mounting, mounting... |
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246 | Pain Threshold | It's too much! Your ear drums are throbbing, about to burst! |
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247 | Horseback Antenna | ... and then, nothing. |
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248 | Noid | "Try it now." |
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249 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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250 | Horseback Antenna | "... nicht mehr derselbe ist, seit er auf einem Luftschiff aus Graad zurückgekommen ist..." |
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251 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
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252 | Horseback Antenna | "... Firewalker? Please respond..." |
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253 | You | "Archer! Is that you?" |
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254 | Kim Kitsuragi | "... a long winter... Long and cold..." |
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255 | Coalition Warship Archer | "This is... Warship Archer. We are acknowledging and accepting you... though we're still getting quite a bit of interference..." |
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256 | Noid | "This is as good as it's going to get. I'll keep us aligned as long as I can, but this isn't a *social mission*, you got it?" |
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257 | You | "Who am I speaking with?" | Variable["jam.warship_signal_fail"] == false |
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258 | You | "What does Revachol look like from up there?" | Variable["jam.warship_signal_fail"] == false |
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259 | You | "What does the Moralintern *really* want?" | Variable["jam.warship_signal_fail"] == false |
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260 | You | "When is real democracy coming to Revachol?" | Variable["jam.warship_signal_fail"] == false |
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261 | You | "Hang on, Archer, I meant to ask you about the Committee of Responsibility." | Variable["jam.warship_signal_fail"] == true |
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262 | You | "Sorry, I messed up and we ran out of time." | Variable["jam.warship_signal_fail"] == true |
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263 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker... please repeat... your signal is *very* weak..." |
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264 | You | "I said there's no time. And now you're going to leave too..." |
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265 | Horseback Antenna | "Er kann doch auch nächstes Jahr zur Akademie gehen..." |
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266 | Coalition Warship Archer | "... nothing important, bad connection... Going to update the receiving frequency..." |
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267 | Coalition Warship Archer | "You are currently speaking with Coalition Warship Archer, flagship of INSURCOM forces in Revachol." |
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268 | You | "Are you the captain?" |
|
|
269 | You | "Sure, but who are *you*? I need to know your name." |
|
|
270 | Coalition Warship Archer | "No, the captain of the Archer is deeply classified intelligence. We are the second signaller." |
|
|
271 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Our name is not important. All you need to know is that we hold the position of second signaller aboard the Archer." |
|
|
272 | Inland Empire | Wait-wait, she's an *El-something*, you just know it. |
|
|
273 | Noid |
|
||
274 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_inland_el"] |
|
|
275 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_inland_el"]) == false |
|
|
276 | Inland Empire | You really don't have the faintest guess what her name could be. You were never very good at this sort of thing... |
|
|
277 | Rhetoric | There's something in the way she refers to herself, always with the first-person plural. A deliberate blurring of the boundary between herself and the institution she represents... |
|
|
278 | Noid |
|
||
279 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_rhetoric_plural"] |
|
|
280 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_rhetoric_plural"]) == false |
|
|
281 | Authority | Not to mention the airborne artillery platform she works on. Her every word is backed up by the most powerful ordnance available... |
|
|
282 | None |
|
||
283 | You | "Just one thing, why do you keep referring to yourself with the plural?" | Variable["jam.warship_rhetoric_plural"] == true |
|
284 | You | "I bet I can guess your name." | Variable["jam.warship_inland_el"] == true |
|
285 | You | "What's it like, being a second signaller?" |
|
|
286 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Because it's standard practice for signallers to use the *pluralis officialis* during the course of our duties. It's meant to serve as a reminder that we don't speak only for ourselves." |
|
|
287 | Coalition Warship Archer | "For instance, as second signaller we represent Coalition Warship Archer, which in turn represents INSURCOM and the Coalition more generally, which in turn represents the Moralist International, which itself represents the interests of 1.2 billion people across the world." |
|
|
288 | Inland Empire | Meaning she's the voice of all those living souls! |
|
|
289 | You | "So when I'm talking to you, it's like I'm talking to *all of humanity*?" | Variable["jam.warship_inland_embodiment_souls"] == true |
|
290 | You | "That sounds like an awesome responsibility." |
|
|
291 | You | "Sounds like kind of a hard job." |
|
|
292 | Coalition Warship Archer | "No, of course not. There are many nations outside the Moralintern's umbrella, in Seol, Samara, and elsewhere. At most you might say the Moralintern represents between a quarter and a third of humanity." |
|
|
293 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Perhaps you could say that we represent the interests and hopes of a great many people, but you could say just as easily that we are the assistant to the secretary of a factotum, no more remarkable than the lowest cashier of a common Frittte..." |
|
|
294 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It all depends on your perspective." |
|
|
295 | You | "Who is the secretary?" |
|
|
296 | You | "Who is the factotum?" |
|
|
297 | You | "The Moralintern is *nothing* like a Frittte -- you don't even sell the fun stuff!" | Variable["character.habit_smokes"] == true or Variable["character.habit_alcohol"] == true |
|
298 | Coalition Warship Archer | "The chief signaller, our superior. They are ultimately responsible for all communications aboard the Archer..." |
|
|
299 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Why, the Archer itself..." |
|
|
300 | Coalition Warship Archer | "If by 'fun stuff,' you mean alcohol and cigarettes, that's true. Actually, we don't even have Fritttes where we're from. In Messina they're called Averros..." |
|
|
301 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But now we've wandered quite far afield. What was your request?" |
|
|
302 | Encyclopedia | Averro, SRL, is a chain of high-end pharmacies found only in Vesper and Messina. They are *much* nicer than your average Frittte. |
|
|
303 | None |
|
||
304 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It's an important responsibility, but we don't consider it any greater than those borne by countless people all across the world..." |
|
|
305 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It may be a *demanding* job, but the Coalition is committed to ensuring those in its service maintain a healthy work-life balance..." |
|
|
306 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Now... your request?" |
|
|
307 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Really, it's not important. We would strongly prefer that you state your request." |
|
|
308 | None |
|
||
309 | You | "You sound like an Eloïse to me." |
|
|
310 | You | "You're an Elena, aren't you?" |
|
|
311 | You | "You're an Eleanora, I'm sure of it." |
|
|
312 | You | "You're 100% an Eliška." |
|
|
313 | Coalition Warship Archer | She laughs. "Do we sound like we're from Sur-la-Clef to you?" |
|
|
314 | Coalition Warship Archer | A moment of stunned silence. "How did you know that?" |
|
|
315 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We don't believe there is anyone younger than 70 named Eleanora..." |
|
|
316 | Coalition Warship Archer | "You are 100% wrong..." |
|
|
317 | You | "Just a lucky guess." |
|
|
318 | You | "It was obvious. No other name would fit you." |
|
|
319 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Now, please dispense with the games, Firewalker. This is a public frequency..." |
|
|
320 | Coalition Warship Archer | "I... We don't appreciate whatever game you're playing, Firewalker. Now, what is your request?" |
|
|
321 | Reaction Speed | Did you catch that? A crack in her otherwise solid edifice. |
|
|
322 | Suggestion | Is it possible to *hear* someone blush? Because you're sure that's what she's doing... |
|
|
323 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It's a great honour and responsibility. In addition to monitoring public frequencies, we are tasked with maintaining some of the most sensitive communications equipment aboard the Archer." |
|
|
324 | None |
|
||
325 | You | "How's the work-life balance?" |
|
|
326 | You | "How are the benefits?" |
|
|
327 | You | "Do you believe in the mission?" |
|
|
328 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Quite good. We enjoy all the standard benefits for Moralintern forces on active duty assignments: Excellent healthcare, foreign service pay, a fully funded pension system..." |
|
|
329 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Oh, it's fine..." |
|
|
330 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes, of course. There is no higher calling than serving humanity." |
|
|
331 | Coalition Warship Archer | "... six-weeks paid leave, bilingual childcare, vocational certification credits. Really, it's quite a good career." |
|
|
332 | Reaction Speed | Hold on, you can tell she has more to say... |
|
|
333 | None |
|
||
334 | You | "Me, I'm a workaholic. It's just what I do..." |
|
|
335 | You | "That's good, I wish the RCM gave me more time off..." |
|
|
336 | You | (Wait for her to continue.) | Variable["jam.warship_reaction_say_nothing"] == true |
|
337 | Noid |
|
||
338 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
339 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
340 | Kim Kitsuragi | A scoff from the lieutenant's channel. |
|
|
341 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Then you would like being on an aerostatic, there's always *something* that must be done..." |
|
|
342 | None |
|
||
343 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Oh, yes, we could always use more time off." She laughs politely, but doesn't elaborate. |
|
|
344 | Coalition Warship Archer | "... of course, serving on a Coalition warship does require some *personal* sacrifices, but we have to be willing to make them, if we believe in the mission..." |
|
|
345 | You | "What kind of sacrifices?" |
|
|
346 | You | "As long as you believe in the mission, it's all worth it." |
|
|
347 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Nothing remarkable. Really, we have been very fortunate. But we do sometimes wonder what we might be missing out on, back in Messina..." |
|
|
348 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes, of course. There is no higher calling than serving humanity." |
|
|
349 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But now we have gotten quite far afield. What was your request?" |
|
|
350 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Hmmm, that's difficult to say. We have a very particular view from our observation platform up here." |
|
|
351 | You | "Particular how?" |
|
|
352 | You | "What can you see?" |
|
|
353 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Perhaps the best way to describe it is to say we have a *very wide perspective*, but not an especially detailed one." |
|
|
354 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Oh, it looks quite lovely from here. From our porthole, we see rolling hillsides, a public park filled with grand oak trees, men and women going about on horses..." |
|
|
355 | Shivers | Le Jardin, Stella Maris, Saint-Batiste. She is looking down on the suburbs of Revachol East. |
|
|
356 | You | "You're above Revachol East then." | Variable["jam.warship_shivers_suburbs"] == true |
|
357 | You | "Where are you, exactly?" |
|
|
358 | You | (Look around.) "Huh, I don't see *any* of that stuff." |
|
|
359 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Ah, that must be. We have only recently been detailed to the Archer, so we are still learning the names of all the many districts..." |
|
|
360 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We cannot say for certain. East, it must be? We have only recently been detailed to the Archer, so we are still learning the names of all the many districts..." |
|
|
361 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Perhaps you are in a different part of the city? We have only recently been detailed to the Archer, so we are still learning the names of all the many districts..." |
|
|
362 | Savoir Faire | She needs to see *you*, down here. That's the only way she'll really *get* what you're about. |
|
|
363 | You | "Can you see Martinaise from where you are?" |
|
|
364 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Martinaise, Martinaise... That is to the west, yes?" |
|
|
365 | You | "Yes. Look across the River Esperance." | Variable["tc.that_in_revachol"] or Variable["tc.jamrock"] |
|
366 | You | "Uh, sure. Let's go with west." | Variable["tc.that_in_revachol"] == false and Variable["tc.jamrock"] == false |
|
367 | You | "I thought it was to the south?" |
|
|
368 | You | "Nope, it's to the north. Definitely north." |
|
|
369 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Stand by a moment... we are adjusting our viewfinder..." |
|
|
370 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Hold on. We're adjusting our viewfinder..." |
|
|
371 | Coalition Warship Archer | "To the south. Let us see..." |
|
|
372 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But to the north is all water..." |
|
|
373 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes, we are looking at the river now. There are small islands in the middle of it. It's very nice, actually..." |
|
|
374 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Ah, we are looking at a great river now. This must be the Esperance. It's very nice, actually..." |
|
|
375 | Coalition Warship Archer | "No, that cannot be right. That way is only sprawl. We were under the impression that Martinaise was nearer to the Bay..." |
|
|
376 | You | "That's right. Martinaise is a highly experimental *sub-aquatic* district." |
|
|
377 | You | "You're right. I just got turned around. It's probably to the south." |
|
|
378 | You | "Hmmm. Maybe it *is* to the west, then?" |
|
|
379 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Interesting. The west of the city looks *very* different from the east. There's a large motorway dividing it nearly in half. This must be the 8/81, no?" |
|
|
380 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Ah, we see. You are playing a practical joke. Very funny..." |
|
|
381 | None |
|
||
382 | None |
|
||
383 | None |
|
||
384 | Logic | If it's so funny, why isn't she laughing? |
|
|
385 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Enough jokes, then. What was your request?" |
|
|
386 | You | "A *motorway*? I have no idea what you're talking about." |
|
|
387 | You | "Maybe follow the motorway as far as it goes?" |
|
|
388 | You | "Exactly. Follow that west for a few kilometres, until you see the lake." | Variable["tc.motorway_881"] |
|
389 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Very well. Now we are looking at an area that seems to be in urgent need of *revitalisation*..." |
|
|
390 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It appears to go on for quite a while. There's a heavily industrialised district that seems to abut Monte-Martin..." |
|
|
391 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Really? It seems quite important. It may be the largest road in the city..." |
|
|
392 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But now we seem to be quite turned about. We'll have to consult a map in the future. Now, was there something else?" |
|
|
393 | Encyclopedia | She must be describing the Eminent Domain, the district under the shadow of the 8/81. It's heavily *working class*, with no municipal infrastructure to speak of. To your knowledge, no such revitalisation is forthcoming. |
|
|
394 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Now we see the lake, and around that a rather vibrant-looking city quarter. There are some large buildings, from the turn-of-the-century, we would guess. Yes, this must be the heart of the district." |
|
|
395 | You | "That's Jamrock. Now look to the north, toward the harbour." |
|
|
396 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Mhmmm... ah. So *that* is Martinaise..." |
|
|
397 | Composure | A distended pause. A slight chill of embarrassment. She isn't sure what to say. |
|
|
398 | You | "That bad, huh?" | Variable["jam.warship_empathy_embarrassment"] == true |
|
399 | You | "What do you see?" |
|
|
400 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It is quite striking, compared to where we're from. There are a great many destroyed buildings, *still*. And we don't see any horses... It's really *nothing* like the eastern side of the city..." |
|
|
401 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Ah, well, we see the many, hmmm, *historic* buildings, of course, and the snow gathering along the rim of the bay..." |
|
|
402 | Savoir Faire | You're reminded of something people used to say, that Revachol West is poor, but *sexy poor*. |
|
|
403 | Shivers | ... the old and irregular streets, like a grid drawn by a palsied hand. The open fires burning in oil drums, visible through blasted roofs... |
|
|
404 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But what's most striking are the people. They just... we don't even know how to say it..." |
|
|
405 | Coalition Warship Archer | "There are also a number of seabirds looping and twisting in the wind below us. No horses, though... And of course we can see some people, but they, oh, how to say it..." |
|
|
406 | You | "Look like a bunch of tiny apes dukin' it out on a great big ball?" | Variable["whirling.dreamone_apes"] == true |
|
407 | You | "Look like a bunch of lost souls, wandering about in *indescribable* pain?" |
|
|
408 | You | "Look happy and well adjusted?" |
|
|
409 | You | "Look like ants, isn't that what they say?" |
|
|
410 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We really couldn't say. That's one of the limits of this vantage. But the whole district does have a very *desperate* character." |
|
|
411 | Coalition Warship Archer | "There are people who say that, but we've never felt that way. To us they look like miniature figures, the kind you see in model train sets. But this... this is a *very sad* train set." |
|
|
412 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Perhaps? We do not generally reach for such *evocative imagery*, but there is something rather desperate about them." |
|
|
413 | Coalition Warship Archer | "And then there's all the *tare* lying about. It's very unpleasant to look at. We're going to widen our viewfinder a bit." |
|
|
414 | You | "There's a tare machine in the Frittte. It's one way to scrape by around here." | Variable["gates.fritte_tare_counter"] >=3 |
|
415 | You | "I guess they should install some recycling bins or something." | Variable["gates.fritte_tare_counter"] <3 |
|
416 | You | "Do you see a roundabout, with an equestrian statue?" (Proceed.) |
|
|
417 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Ah! What a difference a few well-designed market incentives can make. And, of course, it is important for the RCM to set an example." |
|
|
418 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes, recycling is very important. The Coalition always supports initiatives that promote civic responsibility and mindfulness." |
|
|
419 | Coalition Warship Archer | "A roundabout, a roundabout..." |
|
|
420 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Strange... we see the roundabout, and the monument, but... the horse seems to be *missing* its head... and there's a man *on top of it*?" |
|
|
421 | You | "Oh right, people climb on monuments all the time here. It's kind of a local tradition." |
|
|
422 | You | "That's me!" (Wave your hand.) |
|
|
423 | You | "Would you say he seems like a *handsome* man?" |
|
|
424 | Coalition Warship Archer | "To be completely honest, Firewalker, we are not in a position to say. We can't really make out *faces* from this distance..." |
|
|
425 | Noid |
|
||
426 | Noid | Variable["village.washbasin_shaved_after_pheromones"] |
|
|
427 | Noid | (Variable["village.washbasin_shaved_after_pheromones"]) == false |
|
|
428 | Coalition Warship Archer | "From here all we can really see are his enormous muttonchops. Perhaps he is some sort of motorcyclist?" |
|
|
429 | Coalition Warship Archer | "From here all we can really see are his pale cheeks. He looks like he hasn't slept in days." |
|
|
430 | Coalition Warship Archer | "In any event, thank you for this *tour* of Revachol West. It has certainly been... educational." |
|
|
431 | Coalition Warship Archer | "How curious. You learn the most interesting things on these sorts of assignments." |
|
|
432 | Coalition Warship Archer | "In any event, thank you for this *tour* of Revachol West. It has certainly been... educational." |
|
|
433 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That's *you*? We have to say, that's extremely irregular, Firewalker. What are you doing on top of that public monument?" |
|
|
434 | You | "Listen, Archer -- Martinaise is a *disco* town." | IsTHCPresent("superstar_cop") |
|
435 | You | "I guess you could say it's sort of a *performance piece*." | IsTHCPresent("art_cop") |
|
436 | You | "I'm singing the song of annihilation." | IsTHCPresent("apocalypse_cop") |
|
437 | You | "It's... kind of an involved story." |
|
|
438 | Coalition Warship Archer | "How interesting. In Messina, disco has been extinct for more than a decade. Funny how the past always seems more present in some parts of the world." |
|
|
439 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Interesting. We don't know much about Revacholian art, so you'll have to forgive our ignorance." |
|
|
440 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That must be a Martinaise custom. You'll have to forgive our ignorance. We are still relatively new here." |
|
|
441 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It must be. Unfortunately we do not have time to hear it just now." |
|
|
442 | Coalition Warship Archer | "In any event, it is certainly interesting to see you, even from afar. Most of the time, we signallers just have to *imagine* what our interlocutors look like." |
|
|
443 | Coalition Warship Archer | "A very important question with a very simple answer: We want humanity to endure." |
|
|
444 | Pain Threshold | Dolores Dei... so, *so* beautiful. |
|
|
445 | You | "Dolores Dei... she was really beautiful, right?" | Variable["jam.warship_painthresh_dolores"] == true |
|
446 | You | "Wait, people keep mentioning this Dolores Dei, but I have *no* clue who she is..." | Variable["tc.dolores_dei"] == false and Variable["tc.dolores_dei_full_church"] == false and Variable["church.stained_ency_this_is_dolores_dei"] == false |
|
447 | You | "Right, and that legacy is...?" |
|
|
448 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Immeasurable. It includes interisolary travel, three scientific revolutions, humanism, internationalism, the welfare state, and *balance of terror theory*. Nothing less than the intellectual foundation of our modern order." |
|
|
449 | Coalition Warship Archer | "She was the greatest innocence, the single most consequential being to have ever lived. Her legacy touches every aspect of modern life." |
|
|
450 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Oh, *incomparably* so, but that isn't what made her so remarkable." |
|
|
451 | Pain Threshold | Not true. Her beauty was like the glowing coil on a hot stove, and yet you felt *blessed* to touch it... |
|
|
452 | Empathy | Very odd that you've never heard of this person, perhaps even stranger that she seems unfazed by your ignorance. |
|
|
453 | Coalition Warship Archer | "The role of the Moralist International is two-fold, to buy humanity sufficient time to perfect itself, and to patiently guide it along the road while protecting it from ideological highwaymen and eschatologians." |
|
|
454 | You | "What awaits us at the end of the road?" (Proceed.) |
|
|
455 | Coalition Warship Archer | "She was the greatest innocence, the single most consequential being to have ever lived. Her legacy touches every aspect of modern life." |
|
|
456 | Hand/Eye Coordination | There's a word on the tip of your tongue, a name: 'Egret.' Don't ask us what it means, we're not sure. |
|
|
457 | Noid |
|
||
458 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_handeye_egret"] |
|
|
459 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_handeye_egret"]) == false |
|
|
460 | Encyclopedia | It's the name of a common bird, a heron with white plumage. At various times its feathers have been prised for ladies' hats. |
|
|
461 | None |
|
||
462 | You | "This might sound strange, but does the word 'egret' mean anything to you?" | Variable["jam.warship_handeye_egret"] == true |
|
463 | You | (Say nothing, just look around.) |
|
|
464 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes, it does..." She sounds taken aback. "It's the name of a bird, of course, but it's also the designation for the Archer's coordinated impact artillery system. Why do you ask?" |
|
|
465 | You | "I was just thinking about birds." |
|
|
466 | You | "I was just thinking about artillery systems." |
|
|
467 | You | "No reason, the name just came to mind." |
|
|
468 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Ah, yes. The birdwatching here is very lovely. We saw a pair of great skuas on the wing earlier today." |
|
|
469 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It is one of the most advanced currently in service. Capable of firing fifty rounds per minute along twenty co-aligned arcs..." |
|
|
470 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes, names tend to do that, don't they?" |
|
|
471 | Coalition Warship Archer | "However you feel about weaponry as such, it is one of the great technical achievements of the modern era." |
|
|
472 | Horseback Antenna | A moment of hissing static as the conversation lulls. |
|
|
473 | You | "Listen, I really need to reach the Committee of Responsibility." (Proceed.) | Variable["jam.warship_signal_fail"] == false |
|
474 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Acknowledged. To reach the Committee, all you need to do is fill out the appropriate request form and submit it to the liaison for public affairs." |
|
|
475 | Coalition Warship Archer | "If the liaison accepts your request, you will be invited to address the Committee at their next quarterly public hearing. We believe the next hearing is scheduled for July." She seems very satisfied by this answer. |
|
|
476 | Half Light | She's gotta be jerking your chain, right? You can't wait that long! |
|
|
477 | None |
|
||
478 | You | "What if I need to reach the Committee *a bit sooner*?" |
|
|
479 | You | "Actually, I was hoping you could patch me through to the Committee *directly*." |
|
|
480 | You | Convince her you need to address the Committee. |
|
|
481 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Not a problem. If this is a *time-sensitive* matter, you may file an emergency address request with the liaison for public affairs." |
|
|
482 | Coalition Warship Archer | "They typically respond within a few weeks." |
|
|
483 | None |
|
||
484 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're afraid that is quite impossible, Firewalker." |
|
|
485 | You | "What do you mean?" |
|
|
486 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We cannot transfer you to the Committee because we are not entrusted with that responsibility. We are simply the second signaller." |
|
|
487 | Authority | Then why are you wasting time with *her*? You should demand to speak with who's *really* in charge. |
|
|
488 | None |
|
||
489 | You | "I *demand* you transfer me to your superior -- immediately!" | Variable["jam.warship_authority_demand"] == true |
|
490 | You | "Listen, I'm begging you, *please* just let me through..." |
|
|
491 | You | "I get it. So the real power is even *higher* up." |
|
|
492 | Coalition Warship Archer | You think you hear a faint sigh coming from the other end of the connection... |
|
|
493 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That is the nature of the command pyramid, yes. Most modern organisations work in a similar way, even the RCM." |
|
|
494 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
495 | Coalition Warship Archer | "You know that is simply not how the command pyramid works. We can no more overrule our chief signaller than you could overrule your own precinct captain." |
|
|
496 | You | "Archer, are you there?" |
|
|
497 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're here, Firewalker. Though we have to say, this is all quite *out-of-sequence*..." |
|
|
498 | None |
|
||
499 | Noid |
|
||
500 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_empathy_rc_success"] |
|
|
501 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_empathy_rc_success"]) == false |
|
|
502 | Empathy | This isn't about you, not really. It may have been at a certain point, but you've let go of that perspective. This is about your responsibility to *all* of Revachol. |
|
|
503 | Empathy | What part of 'need to reach the Committee' doesn't she understand? Time to lay it all out. |
|
|
504 | Empathy | Now, take a deep breath... look upward... you don't have to bear the burden alone. |
|
|
505 | You | "Listen to me, the situation in Martinaise is a powderkeg. If the Coalition doesn't intervene, many people will die." |
|
|
506 | Coalition Warship Archer | "What? How do you know this?" |
|
|
507 | Composure | There's a hesitation in her voice now, a little catch that wasn't there before... |
|
|
508 | You | "I've uncovered things in the course of my investigation that lead me to believe we're headed to a violent confrontation between the Union and the Wild Pines..." | (Variable["pier.joyce_said_there_will_be_a_tribunal"] == true or Variable["XP.evrart_insider_information_is_better_than_money_or_pussy"] == true) and Variable["TASK.return_to_whirling_done"] == false |
|
509 | You | "Things are really bad down here. Like, *really* bad." |
|
|
510 | You | "Damn it, there's no time to explain! You better write this down..." |
|
|
511 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, this is a very serious claim. Please describe the situation as succinctly as possible. We will forward your summary to the Committee." |
|
|
512 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We need to know more than that. Now, please describe the situation in as much detail as you can. We will forward our summary to the Committee." |
|
|
513 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Watch your tone. Now, please describe the situation in as much detail as you can. We will forward our summary to the Committee." |
|
|
514 | Perception (Hearing) | There's papers rustling in the background. She's clearing her desk, preparing to take notes. |
|
|
515 | Empathy | There, you've wedged your foot in the door. Now, if you can show the Coalition how much they're *needed*, they'll have no choice but to intervene. |
|
|
516 | Noid |
|
||
517 | Noid | Variable["pier.joyce_said_there_will_be_a_tribunal"] or Variable["TASK.return_to_whirling_done"] |
|
|
518 | Noid | (Variable["pier.joyce_said_there_will_be_a_tribunal"] or Variable["TASK.return_to_whirling_done"]) == false |
|
|
519 | Noid |
|
||
520 | Noid | Variable["pier.joyce_strike_hub_reached"] |
|
|
521 | Noid | (Variable["pier.joyce_strike_hub_reached"]) == false |
|
|
522 | Logic | You have the facts. Just lay them out beneath the cold light of reason. |
|
|
523 | Logic | You may not have the *whole* story just yet, but you might still convey the seriousness of the situation. |
|
|
524 | Logic | There are still some *holes* in your theory of the case, so best just to be clear about what you know and what you don't. |
|
|
525 | You | "The Wild Pines has recently lost control of a paramilitary death squad called Krenel..." | Variable["pier.joyce_said_there_will_be_a_tribunal"] == true and Variable["TASK.return_to_whirling_done"] == false |
|
526 | You | "For one, the Wild Pines has been completely shut-out of the strike negotiations..." | Variable["pier.joyce_strike_hub_reached"] == true |
|
527 | You | "I haven't worked out the details yet, but there's something *weird* going on with the Wild Pines..." |
|
|
528 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Please continue. We're listening." You can hear her furiously scribbling notes... |
|
|
529 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes? Please continue." You can hear the sound of her scribbling some notes... |
|
|
530 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes? What else?" You can hear her impatiently tapping her pen against a metal desk... |
|
|
531 | You | "What's more, I believe the Union has been trying to escalate the situation so that they can *seize control of the entire harbour*." | Variable["XP.evrart_insider_information_is_better_than_money_or_pussy"] == true and Variable["TASK.return_to_whirling_done"] == false |
|
532 | You | "I've also uncovered evidence the Union may also be orchestrating a *takeover* of a local fishing village." | Variable["cargo.evrartdocument_logic_wc_to_see_whats_up_with_the_signatures"] == true |
|
533 | You | "And, well, the Union's demands for worker control of corporate boards seem completely unworkable!" |
|
|
534 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Good god. Is there anything else the Committee should know?" You hear the sound of a page turning, followed by fierce scribbling. |
|
|
535 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We have it. Is there anything else the Committee should know?" You hear the sound of her pen scratching against paper. |
|
|
536 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Hmmm. Was there anything else the Committee should know?" If she's writing, you can't hear anything. |
|
|
537 | Noid |
|
||
538 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
539 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
540 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Detective, before you answer that, I urge you to weigh your words *extremely* carefully." |
|
|
541 | Esprit de Corps | If the lieutenant were here, he would remind you that you don't speak only for yourself but the entire RCM. What you say now will reflect on all of your half-brothers and sisters. |
|
|
542 | Esprit de Corps | You're not only speaking for yourself, he means to tell you, you're speaking for all of the RCM. What you say now will reflect on all of your half-brothers and sisters. |
|
|
543 | Rhetoric | The lieutenant is afraid you're going to say something too *outré*. |
|
|
544 | None |
|
||
545 | You | "Now that you mention it, I learned something *very* strange about the victim in my murder investigation..." | Variable["yard.hanged_love_killed_him"] or Variable["yard.hanged_communism_killed_him"] or Variable["yard.hanged_love_did_in_communism_killed"] or Variable["yard.hanged_way_out_west"] |
|
546 | You | "This is going to sound crazy, but the City of Revachol told me the world is going to end in 22 years." | Variable["ice.andre_hyper_rc_succ_28"] == true |
|
547 | You | "No, those are the facts as I have them." |
|
|
548 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're listening. What did you learn about the victim?" |
|
|
549 | You | "He said it was *communism* that killed him." | Variable["yard.hanged_communism_killed_him"] == true or Variable["yard.hanged_love_did_in_communism_killed"] == true |
|
550 | You | "He said it was *love* that did him in." | Variable["yard.hanged_love_killed_him"] == true or Variable["yard.hanged_love_did_in_communism_killed"] == true |
|
551 | You | "I heard that something 'miraculous' was coming, from way out west." | Variable["yard.hanged_way_out_west"] |
|
552 | Empathy | Oh dear, you seem to be losing the thread... |
|
|
553 | Empathy | Oh dear, you seem to be losing the thread... |
|
|
554 | Empathy | Oh dear, you seem to be losing the thread... |
|
|
555 | Rhetoric | Don't listen to them, *everyone* loves a good political angle. |
|
|
556 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Come again, Firewalker? You're saying the victim was killed by communists? Was this a politically motivated homicide?" |
|
|
557 | You | "Yeah, that's my working hypothesis." |
|
|
558 | You | "It wasn't communists, it was *communism* itself that killed him." |
|
|
559 | You | "I want to be very precise: communism may have killed him, but it was *love* did him in." | Variable["yard.hanged_love_did_in_communism_killed"] == true |
|
560 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Acknowledged. But there's still something we don't understand: Did you speak with the victim *before* his death?" |
|
|
561 | None |
|
||
562 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're afraid we're not following. Did you speak with the victim *before* his death?" |
|
|
563 | Electrochemistry | No way. Sex and death is what it's *all* about. |
|
|
564 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Come again, Firewalker? You're saying that the victim was killed in some sort of... romantic imbroglio?" |
|
|
565 | You | "That's right. It was love, for sure. He told me himself." |
|
|
566 | You | "I don't know that love *killed* him, but it definitely did him in." |
|
|
567 | You | "I want to be very precise: it was love that did him in, but it was *communism* that killed him." | Variable["yard.hanged_love_did_in_communism_killed"] == true |
|
568 | Inland Empire | No, this is right. Who doesn't long to believe in *miracles*? |
|
|
569 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Come again? Something 'miraculous,' you say?" |
|
|
570 | You | "From the northwest, specifically." |
|
|
571 | You | "I don't understand it, either, but that's what I heard." |
|
|
572 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're afraid we aren't quite following. *Who* told you all this, exactly?" |
|
|
573 | You | "I'm not really sure. Maybe the hairs along my arm? I'm still trying to figure that part out." |
|
|
574 | You | "Listen, it's the miracle that matters. Did you write that part down at least?" |
|
|
575 | Coalition Warship Archer | "No, Firewalker, we did not." |
|
|
576 | You | "Uh, right, we spoke beforehand." |
|
|
577 | You | "Nope, after." |
|
|
578 | You | "Let's say I have my ways of knowing these things." |
|
|
579 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker... can you... what do you mean?" |
|
|
580 | Noid |
|
||
581 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
582 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
583 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Detective, what in god's name are you doing?" |
|
|
584 | You | (Whisper.) "They need to know the truth, Kim. We can't keep it a secret!" |
|
|
585 | You | (Whisper.) "Relax, Kim. I've *got* this." |
|
|
586 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Please acknowledge. What do you mean 'the world is going to end'?" |
|
|
587 | You | "I mean exactly what I said. The world is coming to an end. We have 22 years to prepare." |
|
|
588 | You | "Look, I was dancing in an abandoned church and the City of Revachol spoke to me." |
|
|
589 | You | "I'd really prefer to speak with the Committee directly." |
|
|
590 | Coalition Warship Archer | "And *what* did it say, exactly?" |
|
|
591 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're afraid that won't be possible, Firewalker." |
|
|
592 | Coalition Warship Archer | "And *how* do you know this?" |
|
|
593 | You | "Like I said, the genius loci of Revachol told me while I happened to be dancing in an abandoned church." |
|
|
594 | You | "It's actually a 'she,' and she said the world is going to end in 22 years." |
|
|
595 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We see..." |
|
|
596 | You | "So... when do I get to talk to the Committee?" |
|
|
597 | You | "Why not?" |
|
|
598 | Noid |
|
||
599 | Noid | Variable["character.habit_pyrholidon"] or Variable["character.habit_speed"] |
|
|
600 | Noid | (Variable["character.habit_pyrholidon"] or Variable["character.habit_speed"]) == false |
|
|
601 | Noid |
|
||
602 | Noid | Variable["character.habit_alcohol"] |
|
|
603 | Noid | (Variable["character.habit_alcohol"]) == false |
|
|
604 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, we must be perfectly honest with you: We cannot recommend that you address the Committee, not under the present circumstances, at least..." |
|
|
605 | None |
|
||
606 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Because you're speaking like someone in the throes of a serious drug addiction. Your words have no connection to reality. You don't need to speak with the Committee, you need to speak with your station lazareth, *immediately*..." |
|
|
607 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Because what you are saying makes no sense. From the sound of your voice, it appears that you have been under the influence of alcohol. It is our recommendation that you speak with your station lazareth *immediately* about treatment options..." |
|
|
608 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Because what you're saying suggests that you are experiencing an acute psychic break with reality. You don't need to speak with the Committee, you need to speak with your station lazareth, *immediately*..." |
|
|
609 | Electrochemistry | Get a load of Buzzkill FM over here. Are you really gonna give up the fun stuff just because some chick on the radio told you to? |
|
|
610 | Electrochemistry | Get a load of Buzzkill FM over here. Are you really gonna lay off the party sauce just because some chick on the radio told you to? |
|
|
611 | Inland Empire | No, no, no -- she's got it all backwards. It's reality that's *obscuring* what's real. You have never been closer to the dark truths of existence... |
|
|
612 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We will pass along a summary of your report, minus any *speculative or paranatural* elements. What the Committee does from there is beyond our control..." |
|
|
613 | None |
|
||
614 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Acknowledged. Please stand by while we transmit our summary to the Committee..." |
|
|
615 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
616 | Kim Kitsuragi | "... a long winter..." |
|
|
617 | Noid | "Signals are starting to misalign. Not sure how much longer I can hold them together..." |
|
|
618 | You | "You have to, Noid. Just a little longer..." |
|
|
619 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
620 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
621 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, this is Coalition Warship Archer, please acknowledge." |
|
|
622 | Noid |
|
||
623 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_told_archer_pale"] |
|
|
624 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_told_archer_pale"]) == false |
|
|
625 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We have transmitted our summary to the Committee of Responsibility. Please continue standing by..." |
|
|
626 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
627 | Horseback Antenna | "Wie kannst du... unseren Jungen... auf einem dieser *Dinger*..." |
|
|
628 | Noid | "Damn spookers. Can't keep 'em off our back..." |
|
|
629 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
630 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, this is Archer. Are you there?" |
|
|
631 | You | "Yes, I'm here!" |
|
|
632 | You | "Archer, I can't hold on much longer..." |
|
|
633 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Thank you for standing by. We are authorised to report the Committee of Responsibility for Revachol has acknowledged *and accepted* your request." |
|
|
634 | Coalition Warship Archer | "They would like you to address your matter to the Committee *directly*, at their earliest convenience." |
|
|
635 | You | "When is that?" |
|
|
636 | You | "Just tell me where to meet them." |
|
|
637 | You | "When is that? I'm kind of in the middle of a murder investigation..." |
|
|
638 | Coalition Warship Archer | "*Subito*. Coalition Shuttle Laurel is setting a course for your position. They will arrive momentarily. Stand by..." |
|
|
639 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Remain where you are. Coalition Shuttle Laurel is setting a course for your position. They will arrive momentarily. Stand by..." |
|
|
640 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Local matters can wait. Coalition Shuttle Laurel is setting a course for your position. They will arrive momentarily. Stand by..." |
|
|
641 | Noid |
|
||
642 | Noid | Variable["auto.is_raining"] == false and Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == false |
|
|
643 | Noid | (Variable["auto.is_raining"] == false and Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == false) == false |
|
|
644 | Noid |
|
||
645 | Noid | IsDaytime() |
|
|
646 | Noid | (IsDaytime()) == false |
|
|
647 | Horseback Antenna | The sky is grey and overcast. |
|
|
648 | Horseback Antenna | To the southwest, several stars begin to move in unison. The minor constellation of Coalition Shuttle Laurel begins executing a graceful turn, drawn by an invisible wire... |
|
|
649 | Horseback Antenna | To the southwest, one of the smaller aerostatics that hovers above the city breaks from its holding pattern. Coalition Shuttle Laurel begins executing a slow turn, drawn by an invisible wire... |
|
|
650 | Noid | "No way. Big Bad's coming here..." |
|
|
651 | Noid |
|
||
652 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
653 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
654 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant adjusts his microphone and slowly looks up toward you. |
|
|
655 | Noid | "Listen, no matter what happens when they get hold of you, don't you *dare* rat out the hard core underground..." |
|
|
656 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Well, what now?" |
|
|
657 | Kim Kitsuragi | "...someone has been maintaining it. The wiring has been repaired..." |
|
|
658 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
659 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're sorry, Firewalker. The Committee has declined your request for an emergency address..." |
|
|
660 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Specifically, they said that 'disputes of purely local concern' do not fall under their purview..." |
|
|
661 | Noid |
|
||
662 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_takeover"] == true and Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_krenel"] == true |
|
|
663 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_takeover"] == true and Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_krenel"] == true) == false |
|
|
664 | Coalition Warship Archer | "I... cannot say we agree, speaking for a moment in strictly personal terms. You have convinced us that the situation in Martinaise is untenable, but we are only the second signaller, and there is no appealing the Committee's decision..." |
|
|
665 | Coalition Warship Archer | "They added that they expect the RCM to fulfil its responsibilities 'to a high degree of satisfaction'..." |
|
|
666 | Empathy | Something has cracked in her foundation. Her faith in the Moralintern is no longer as firm as it had been... |
|
|
667 | You | "So... that's it?" |
|
|
668 | You | "Well, thank you for trying at least." |
|
|
669 | Noid |
|
||
670 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_takeover"] == true and Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_krenel"] == true |
|
|
671 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_takeover"] == true and Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_krenel"] == true) == false |
|
|
672 | Noid |
|
||
673 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_takeover"] == true and Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_krenel"] == true |
|
|
674 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_takeover"] == true and Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_krenel"] == true) == false |
|
|
675 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're afraid so. But we must say that it has been... *a privilege* to speak with you. You've shown yourself to be a credit to the RCM, and we wish you good fortune and safety during the course of your work." |
|
|
676 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That's correct. But we must say that it has been... *interesting* to speak with you. If nothing else, the RCM is frequently a source of curiosity to those of us aboard the Archer." |
|
|
677 | Coalition Warship Archer | "You're welcome. We must say that it has been... *interesting* to speak with you. If nothing else, the RCM is frequently a source of curiosity to those of us aboard the Archer." |
|
|
678 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Now, the first signaller has informed us that we must update the receiving frequency. This connection will be cleared in four... three..." |
|
|
679 | You | "Wait, is there no other way?" |
|
|
680 | You | Say nothing. |
|
|
681 | None |
|
||
682 | You | I wonder what Kim's up to now. |
|
|
683 | You | Pretend you're riding the horse. |
|
|
684 | You | Keep waiting. |
|
|
685 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
686 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
687 | Horseback Antenna | You kick your feet but the horse, strangely, does not move... |
|
|
688 | Horseback Antenna | The Whirling-in-Rags looms up to your right. The horseback monument is reflected vaguely in the grimy windows... |
|
|
689 | Horseback Antenna | The Whirling-in-Rags looms up to your right, a luminous cube against the nighttime... |
|
|
690 | Noid |
|
||
691 | Noid | IsDaytime() |
|
|
692 | Noid | (IsDaytime()) == false |
|
|
693 | Horseback Antenna | And yet, if you look up and squint just so, you can pretend that it's you who is approaching Coalition Shuttle Laurel, rather than the other way around... |
|
|
694 | Esprit de Corps | The lieutenant is not in his room. He's found a little 24-hour cafe southeast of the roundabout. He's taking a break and reading the newspaper, after his usual fashion. |
|
|
695 | Conceptualization | As though the whole plaza were a giant radiocomputer, and the hostel its glowing filament memory. |
|
|
696 | Noid |
|
||
697 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_esprit_wheres_kim"] |
|
|
698 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_esprit_wheres_kim"]) == false |
|
|
699 | Esprit de Corps | First he removes the games and puzzles page and sets that aside for later. He never does the crossword during work hours. |
|
|
700 | Esprit de Corps | You think he's in his room, but do you really know? No, you don't. You only know that he isn't here... |
|
|
701 | Esprit de Corps | He reads everything on the front page according to the size of the headline. Today, though, he only skims -- none of it seems very interesting. |
|
|
702 | Esprit de Corps | When he's finished with the front page, he scans the local box scores. The Stormers lost again, 17-32. He shakes his head and checks his watch. It's time to get back to it... |
|
|
703 | Noid | "Here they are." |
|
|
704 | Horseback Antenna | The speedfreak's words are nearly swallowed by the roar of the Laurel's main rotors... |
|
|
705 | You | "What do you mean?" |
|
|
706 | You | "I guess we wait." |
|
|
707 | Kim Kitsuragi | "You've accomplished your side task, you've contacted Coalition Warship Archer. I suppose what I'm asking..." |
|
|
708 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Yes, and then?" |
|
|
709 | Noid |
|
||
710 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] >1 |
|
|
711 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] >1) == false |
|
|
712 | Noid |
|
||
713 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] >5 |
|
|
714 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] >5) == false |
|
|
715 | Kim Kitsuragi | "... is whether we're about to lose you to the Moralintern." |
|
|
716 | Kim Kitsuragi | "... is how much further you plan to take... *whatever this is*." |
|
|
717 | Kim Kitsuragi | "... is when you're going to *drop this farce* and come back to work." |
|
|
718 | Esprit de Corps | Beneath that surface query, a touch of self-doubt. The lieutenant isn't sure he can solve the murder *without* you. |
|
|
719 | Esprit de Corps | The lieutenant is genuinely concerned. This is not a situation he ever thought he'd find himself in. |
|
|
720 | Esprit de Corps | Though you haven't exactly been a credit to the investigation so far, the lieutenant doesn't want to be left in the cold, either. |
|
|
721 | None |
|
||
722 | You | "Kim, this is bigger than the case. This is about finding *real* responsibility." |
|
|
723 | You | "It's too late to turn back now. Archer is on its way." |
|
|
724 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Listen, detective. I want you to consider, at least for a moment, the possibility that *your actual responsibility lies down here*..." |
|
|
725 | You | "But if I join the Moralintern, I can take on *more* responsibility." |
|
|
726 | You | "Kim, I'm tired of feeling like I don't have any *normal, reasonable* options." |
|
|
727 | You | "But I'm afraid, Kim." |
|
|
728 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Afraid of what, detective?" |
|
|
729 | Inland Empire | A little rhyme jingling in your mind's attic... "Of the future, of the past/ Of all that is not made to last"... |
|
|
730 | You | "I feel that something *very* bad is going to happen." |
|
|
731 | You | "It's my past... it's going to catch up with me." |
|
|
732 | You | "Kim, what if *this* is all there is?" |
|
|
733 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant takes a moment to compose his thoughts... |
|
|
734 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant takes a moment to compose his thoughts... |
|
|
735 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant takes a moment to compose his thoughts... |
|
|
736 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Because that's what it means to be an officer of the RCM!" |
|
|
737 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I don't know your history, detective, but I can say with great certainty that whatever you're running from won't disappear simply because you've abandoned your former life..." |
|
|
738 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Detective, each of us has our part to play in the world. My part is to solve crimes. I am under no illusion that my role isn't a minor one, in the scheme of things..." |
|
|
739 | Horseback Antenna | The lieutenant's final words are nearly swallowed by the roar of the aerostatic's main rotors... |
|
|
740 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, this is Coalition Warship Archer. We have been instructed to inform you that the Laurel arrived at your position. Please acknowledge." |
|
|
741 | Perception (Hearing) | No shit! How are they supposed to hear your acknowledgement over the thundering of their own rotors? |
|
|
742 | You | "Acknowledged, Archer. This is Firewalker." |
|
|
743 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Thank you. The Committee of Responsibility for Revachol has authorised us to offer you an immediate extraction. Do you accept?" |
|
|
744 | None |
|
||
745 | You | Look around, one last time. |
|
|
746 | You | "I accept, Archer. Get me out of here." (Board the aerostatic.) |
|
|
747 | You | "Hold on, I have a few questions first." |
|
|
748 | You | "I... can't do it." (Back out.) |
|
|
749 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Don't you think we should *finish our case* before you go taking on more responsibility?" |
|
|
750 | You | "Kim, have you ever considered that maybe our case isn't that important?" |
|
|
751 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I don't... what are you saying, detective?" |
|
|
752 | Esprit de Corps | What he means is, he can't believe you're about to renounce your half-brothers and sisters. |
|
|
753 | You | "That if we want to make *a real difference* in the world we have to look at *the real problems*." |
|
|
754 | You | "That maybe *no one really cares* about the hanged man." |
|
|
755 | You | "That maybe solving murders isn't worth the toll it takes on us, as people." |
|
|
756 | None |
|
||
757 | None |
|
||
758 | None |
|
||
759 | Kim Kitsuragi | "What 'options'? What in god's name are you talking about, detective?" |
|
|
760 | Volition | Just let it all out. This might be your last chance. |
|
|
761 | You | "Everything is so *messy* down there. It's much nicer up here." |
|
|
762 | You | "Haven't you noticed that things have only gotten *weirder* the longer we've been on this case?" |
|
|
763 | You | "Some days I feel like I'm *trapped*, trapped in some sick game that I can't possibly win, and I don't want to play it anymore, Kim!" | Variable["jam.warship_volition_let_out"] == true |
|
764 | None |
|
||
765 | Kim Kitsuragi | "But you see, detective, that feeling is simply an illusion caused by distance. Whether you choose to see it or not, the reality does not change." |
|
|
766 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Let me get this straight, detective: You're saying the only 'normal, reasonable' option available to you is to abandon your job and your life so you can fly away on a Moralintern warship?" |
|
|
767 | You | "You've got it backwards, Kim. Maybe it's only at a distance that you see things *as they really are*." |
|
|
768 | You | "Then I choose the illusion." |
|
|
769 | You | "*Yes*, exactly." |
|
|
770 | You | "Yes, *exactly*." |
|
|
771 | None |
|
||
772 | None |
|
||
773 | None |
|
||
774 | None |
|
||
775 | None |
|
||
776 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Repeat that, Firewalker? What do you mean 'you can't'? Are you being impeded in some way?" |
|
|
777 | Horseback Antenna | "Marianne hat mir erzählt, dass Oskar nicht mehr derselbe ist, seit er auf einem Luftschiff... zurückgekommen ist..." |
|
|
778 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We are far past that point, Firewalker. There is only one question now: Are you ready, or are you not?" |
|
|
779 | None |
|
||
780 | Horseback Antenna | The roundabout, Martinaise North, daytime. Across the plaza, a pair of seagulls fight over the remains of a chicken wing. |
|
|
781 | Perception (Sight) | It's the same plaza you've been looking at for days. What do you hope to see now that you haven't before? |
|
|
782 | Noid | The speedfreak eyes you with a curious blend of awe and contempt. |
|
|
783 | Empathy | He's torn. There's nothing more *soft core* than the Coalition, according to his worldview, and yet, having summoned an aerostatic with your voice is one of the most *hard core* feats imaginable... |
|
|
784 | Noid |
|
||
785 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
786 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
787 | Noid |
|
||
788 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] >5 |
|
|
789 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] >5) == false |
|
|
790 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant looks up toward you. He starts to open his mouth, then appears to think better of it. |
|
|
791 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant isn't looking at you or at the massive aerostatic hovering less than 20 metres above him. He appears to be concentrating on the braid of cables running from the amplifier. |
|
|
792 | Esprit de Corps | He's spoken his peace, he thinks. It's up to you now. |
|
|
793 | Esprit de Corps | He does not expect you to remain. And why should he? |
|
|
794 | Shivers | YOU CANNOT LEAVE. SO MUCH HANGS IN THE BALANCE. |
|
|
795 | Noid |
|
||
796 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_shivers_dont_leave"] |
|
|
797 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_shivers_dont_leave"]) == false |
|
|
798 | None |
|
||
799 | Shivers | There is something, a whisper, circulating among the city's footnoted alleyways and along its electrical wires, but what it's saying, you can't tell. It seems to be a message meant for someone else... |
|
|
800 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Acknowledged. Laurel has initiated the extraction procedure. Stand by..." |
|
|
801 | You | "It's my case, I've got to see it through." |
|
|
802 | You | "It's Kim, my partner, I can't abandon him." |
|
|
803 | You | "There's still some... personal business I have to sort out." |
|
|
804 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Your case? We aren't sure you understand. The Committee is waiting for you. You have to tell them what you've uncovered. The stakes here are *much* greater than any individual 'case'..." |
|
|
805 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We can assure you your partner will carry on just fine, that is his responsibility, just as this is yours. Now, there's no time to waste. The Committee is waiting to hear what you've uncovered..." |
|
|
806 | Coalition Warship Archer | "'Personal business'? We aren't sure you understand. The Committee is waiting for you. You have to tell them what you've uncovered about. The stakes here are *much* greater than any 'personal business' you may be working through..." |
|
|
807 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We ask you one more time. Are you prepared to accept your responsibility?" |
|
|
808 | Volition | This is it, there's no turning back, no more pussyfooting about. You have to choose, once and for all. |
|
|
809 | You | "Yes, I accept. Now, let's get me out of here." |
|
|
810 | You | "No. I can't do it, Archer. You'll have to leave without me." |
|
|
811 | None |
|
||
812 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
813 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We have to say, this is *extremely* disappointing to hear, Firewalker..." |
|
|
814 | Coalition Warship Archer | "What the consequences will be for your refusal to accept responsibility, we cannot say. For your sake, we pray they are not more than we all can bear." |
|
|
815 | Coalition Warship Archer | "And now, we are updating our frequencies. We will not speak again. This connection will be cleared in four... three..." |
|
|
816 | You | "I'm sorry, Archer." |
|
|
817 | You | "Wait! I've changed my--" |
|
|
818 | You | Say nothing. |
|
|
819 | None |
|
||
820 | You | "You aren't listening. I've got an *urgent personal matter* to discuss with the Committee." |
|
|
821 | Coalition Warship Archer | A loud sigh fills the channel. "We will hear your request, Firewalker, although we must inform you that the Committee does not typically intervene in *personal* matters..." |
|
|
822 | Empathy | That's only because they haven't heard about *your* problems yet. |
|
|
823 | You | "It's this partner of mine. He's *really* been riding my ass." | IsKimHere() |
|
824 | You | (Whisper.) "I'm investigating a murder *and I think I did it*." | (Variable["whirling.kim_mysterious_confessed"] == true or Variable["whirling.kim_mysterious_kept"] == true) and IsKimHere() |
|
825 | You | "I am the Foreteller of Ruin, and I’ve come to tell you that the end is very, very nigh." | IsTHCCookingOrFixed("apocalypse_cop") |
|
826 | You | "The thing is, I can't remember *anything*." |
|
|
827 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're not sure we heard that clearly. Are you suggesting that you may be responsible for the very murder you're investigating?" |
|
|
828 | You | "Yeah, I did it. And I need you to stop me before I do it again." |
|
|
829 | You | "I'm not *sure* it was me, it's more like a working hypothesis." |
|
|
830 | Noid |
|
||
831 | Noid | Variable["whirling.kim_mysterious_confessed"] |
|
|
832 | Noid | (Variable["whirling.kim_mysterious_confessed"]) == false |
|
|
833 | Kim Kitsuragi | "For the last time, detective. You. Did. Not. Commit. The. Murder. Archer, please disregard his nonsense." |
|
|
834 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Detective, what in god's name are you saying? Archer, please disregard that..." |
|
|
835 | Noid | "No use. The Big Bad can't hear us, just the main cop." |
|
|
836 | Noid |
|
||
837 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] >1 |
|
|
838 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] >1) == false |
|
|
839 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I don't understand. I thought he was making progress..." |
|
|
840 | Kim Kitsuragi | "This absolute lunatic! But why am I surprised?" |
|
|
841 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, surely you are aware that it is a civil offence to maliciously or frivolously obstruct a Coalition radio frequency..." |
|
|
842 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Please confirm. Are you saying your partner is somehow *impeding* your investigation?" |
|
|
843 | You | "Nah, he's a solid investigator. In fact, we get along great apart from the ass-riding." | Variable["reputation.kim"] >5 |
|
844 | You | "Totally. I would've solved this thing *days* ago if it weren't for the ass-riding." | Variable["reputation.kim"] >1 |
|
845 | You | "Just... all day, every day... I turn my head and there he is, on my ass, riding like there's no tomorrow." |
|
|
846 | Noid |
|
||
847 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
848 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
849 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Are you completely out of your mind, detective? Archer, please give us a moment!" |
|
|
850 | Noid | "No use. The Big Bad can't hear us, just the main cop." |
|
|
851 | Noid |
|
||
852 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] >1 |
|
|
853 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] >1) == false |
|
|
854 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I don't understand. I thought he was making progress..." |
|
|
855 | Kim Kitsuragi | "This absolute lunatic! But why am I surprised?" |
|
|
856 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Now, please excuse us while we update the receiving frequency. This connection will be cleared in four... three..." |
|
|
857 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're not sure we understand. To what 'end' are you referring?" |
|
|
858 | You | "The final seal has been broken, and the blood-dimmed tide is rising." |
|
|
859 | You | "I'm saying you and me and everyone we know is going to die, probably very soon." |
|
|
860 | You | "Technically, according to some cultures, it's less of an 'end' and more like a change in states of matter." |
|
|
861 | Noid |
|
||
862 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
863 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
864 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Enough with the apocalyptic drivel! Archer, please disregard, he's not in his right mind." |
|
|
865 | Noid | "No use. The Big Bad can't hear us, just the main cop." |
|
|
866 | Noid |
|
||
867 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] >1 |
|
|
868 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] >1) == false |
|
|
869 | Kim Kitsuragi | "This absolute lunatic! But why am I surprised?" |
|
|
870 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I don't understand. I thought he was making progress..." |
|
|
871 | Coalition Warship Archer | "So you're experiencing acute memory loss. We don't see how this is the Committee's business." |
|
|
872 | Noid |
|
||
873 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
874 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
875 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Good god, here we go..." |
|
|
876 | None |
|
||
877 | You | "I’m pretty sure it has to do with the prodigious quantities of drugs and alcohol I consumed." |
|
|
878 | You | "I’m pretty sure it all goes back to an *ex-something*." |
|
|
879 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're afraid we don't understand. Are you requesting medical attention?" |
|
|
880 | You | "Yes, I think I might be." |
|
|
881 | You | "No, we're *way* past that." |
|
|
882 | You | "I already talked to my station lazareth and he wasn't helpful *at all*." | Variable["TASK.call_station_lazareth_done"] == true |
|
883 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Then we are not sure what assistance can be rendered. This is quite beyond the purview of the Committee of Responsibility..." |
|
|
884 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Then we recommend you speak with your station lazareth. This has nothing to do with the Committee of Responsibility..." |
|
|
885 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're afraid we don't understand at all. What does this 'something' have to do with your lost memory?" |
|
|
886 | You | "If I knew that, I wouldn't *be* in this situation!" |
|
|
887 | You | "I'd really prefer to speak with the Committee directly." |
|
|
888 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We are sorry to hear of your loss, but personal tragedy is quite beyond the purview of the Committee of Responsibility..." |
|
|
889 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Unfortunately we cannot accept your request. We really have no idea what you are talking about, but we're quite sure it is beyond the purview of the Committee of Responsibility..." |
|
|
890 | Half Light | She can't treat you that way! Let her know what you *really think* of her! |
|
|
891 | Reaction Speed | Quick, hang up on her first! |
|
|
892 | You | "Go ahead and leave, you stupid whore!" | Variable["whirling.klaasjedoor_whore_yelled"] == true or Variable["whirling.garte_sylvie_whore"] == true or IsTHCPresent("revacholian_nationhood") or Variable["jam.warship_halflight_hangup"] == true or Variable["ice.acele_whore_lover"] == true |
|
893 | Horseback Antenna | ... and the line goes quiet. |
|
|
894 | Interfacing | She must have cleared the connection a few seconds early... |
|
|
895 | Volition | You didn't have to do that, you know. There were *other* options... |
|
|
896 | Noid |
|
||
897 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
898 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
899 | None |
|
||
900 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant slowly removes his headset and turns to you. |
|
|
901 | You | "Women, am I right?" |
|
|
902 | You | Say nothing. |
|
|
903 | You | "Kim, why did I call that woman a whore, just now?" | Variable["jam.warship_volition_options"] == true |
|
904 | Kim Kitsuragi | "You really don't know?" |
|
|
905 | You | "Maybe I *do* know, it's just... hard to talk about." | IsTHCPresent("caustic_echo") or IsTHCPresent("white_mourning") |
|
906 | You | "Probably I just misspoke. I meant to say something else." |
|
|
907 | You | "Nope, not a clue." |
|
|
908 | Noid |
|
||
909 | Noid | Variable["whirling.klaasjedoor_whore_yelled"] |
|
|
910 | Noid | (Variable["whirling.klaasjedoor_whore_yelled"]) == false |
|
|
911 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Really? I don't think this is the *first* time you've *misspoken* in that way." |
|
|
912 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I suppose that's possible..." |
|
|
913 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Yes, I imagine it must be." |
|
|
914 | Composure | ... but that's no excuse to unload on a bystander, he allows to remain unsaid... |
|
|
915 | Rhetoric | He means that it's becoming an unfortunate *fixture* in your vocabulary... |
|
|
916 | Logic | ... but not likely, he does not feel compelled to add. |
|
|
917 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Hmmm. Well, in that case..." |
|
|
918 | Kim Kitsuragi | "No, you ridiculous fool. You're *not* right. You're not even remotely right." |
|
|
919 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It's as though *right* is over here..." He holds up one hand. "... while *you're* over here..." He holds up his other hand, as far apart from the first as possible. |
|
|
920 | Noid |
|
||
921 | Noid | Variable["ice.kim_racism_not_your_fault"] |
|
|
922 | Noid | (Variable["ice.kim_racism_not_your_fault"]) == false |
|
|
923 | Volition | The last time you saw the lieutenant this upset was after that *thing you said in the church*... |
|
|
924 | Volition | Uh oh, you've never seen the lieutenant this wound up before... |
|
|
925 | Kim Kitsuragi | "In fact, if right were a country, you would be deported immediately. You would be *persona non grata* in the Country of Right." |
|
|
926 | You | "Okay, Kim, I got it." |
|
|
927 | You | Let him keep going. |
|
|
928 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Really? Because I'm not entirely sure that you *do*, detective." |
|
|
929 | Kim Kitsuragi | "What I'm trying to say, is that in your own twisted way, you're *almost a genius*, a genius who's dedicated his entire malignant existence to devising new and spectacular ways to be *wrong*." |
|
|
930 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant takes a deep breath, appearing to gather even more energy and rage, but when he opens his mouth to continue his fulmination, he just sighs... |
|
|
931 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Do you know what the worst part is, detective? The more time I spend with you, the more I feel myself *becoming* like you..." |
|
|
932 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Sorry, detective. That wasn't entirely justified. You're not *all* bad. It's just that sometimes, you, well..." |
|
|
933 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I apologise, detective. I let my emotions get the better of me just now. You can be a fine police officer, but sometimes you, well..." |
|
|
934 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Now, get down from there. We've got work to do." |
|
|
935 | Noid |
|
||
936 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] >1 |
|
|
937 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] >1) == false |
|
|
938 | Noid |
|
||
939 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] >5 |
|
|
940 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] >5) == false |
|
|
941 | Esprit de Corps | There's nothing to add, he thinks. The situation speaks for itself. |
|
|
942 | Esprit de Corps | Are there more terrible words to hear from your half-brother? |
|
|
943 | None |
|
||
944 | None |
|
||
945 | None |
|
||
946 | You | "No, no, no -- please don't go..." |
|
|
947 | You | Say nothing. |
|
|
948 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Two... one... 'Après le monde, le gris'..." |
|
|
949 | Noid |
|
||
950 | Noid | Variable["village.joyce_heard_joy_tal_about_the_discovery_of_insulinde"] or Variable["pier.joyce_blackc_concept_navigateur"] |
|
|
951 | Noid | (Variable["village.joyce_heard_joy_tal_about_the_discovery_of_insulinde"] or Variable["pier.joyce_blackc_concept_navigateur"]) == false |
|
|
952 | You | "'Après le gris, le monde encore'..." |
|
|
953 | You | Disconnect before she clears the line. | Variable["jam.warship_reaction_hangup"] == true |
|
954 | Horseback Antenna | ... and the line goes quiet. |
|
|
955 | Noid |
|
||
956 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_cleared_line_first"] |
|
|
957 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_cleared_line_first"]) == false |
|
|
958 | Reaction Speed | There, you really showed her. |
|
|
959 | Noid |
|
||
960 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
961 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
962 | Logic | Showed her *what*, though? |
|
|
963 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant gives a long sigh as he removes his headphones. He looks up at you. |
|
|
964 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I think it's best for you to climb off the statue now, detective. Your real work is down here." |
|
|
965 | Noid | "Took a dark turn there. Told you we shouldn't have gone and aligned ourselves with the Big Bad. Gonna need some seriously hard core ablutions to wash this shit off..." |
|
|
966 | Noid | "Now, come down here and give me a hand with this gear, would you?" |
|
|
967 | None |
|
||
968 | You | "Just give me a minute." |
|
|
969 | You | "I'm coming." (Climb down.) |
|
|
970 | Noid |
|
||
971 | Noid | IsHourBetween(7,22) |
|
|
972 | Noid | (IsHourBetween(7,22)) == false |
|
|
973 | Noid |
|
||
974 | Noid | Variable["auto.is_raining"] or Variable["auto.is_snowing"] |
|
|
975 | Noid | (Variable["auto.is_raining"] or Variable["auto.is_snowing"]) == false |
|
|
976 | Noid |
|
||
977 | Noid | Variable["auto.is_raining"] or Variable["auto.is_snowing"] |
|
|
978 | Noid | (Variable["auto.is_raining"] or Variable["auto.is_snowing"]) == false |
|
|
979 | Horseback Antenna | There's a damp cold running up the insides of your thighs. Your legs have grown stiff. You've been up here quite a while. |
|
|
980 | Horseback Antenna | The sun-warmed bronze tingles beneath your fingertips and between your thighs. Your legs have grown stiff. You've been up here quite a while. |
|
|
981 | Horseback Antenna | There's a damp cold running up the insides of your thighs. Your legs have grown stiff. You've been up here quite a while. |
|
|
982 | Horseback Antenna | The cold bronze tickles your inner thighs. Your legs have grown stiff. You've been up here quite a while. |
|
|
983 | Horseback Antenna | You look around. The strike breakers are still shouting their slogans and waving their hand-painted signs. Beneath you, the speedfreak has begun disconnecting a few cables... |
|
|
984 | Horseback Antenna | You look around. Most everyone has already gone home for the night. It's really just you and the speedfreak left... |
|
|
985 | Volition | You could stay a while longer, if you wanted. |
|
|
986 | Noid |
|
||
987 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_volition_little_longer"] |
|
|
988 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_volition_little_longer"]) == false |
|
|
989 | You | Wait a little longer. |
|
|
990 | You | Climb down. |
|
|
991 | Volition | There's really no point. You're beginning to feel like the little child who refuses to come down off the carousel. |
|
|
992 | You | Climb down. |
|
|
993 | Horseback Antenna | Out on the bay, a pair of dinghies bob and roll in the waves. The breeze drags the voices of the fisherman toward the plaza, faint and indecipherable. |
|
|
994 | Horseback Antenna | Further out, a few dirty icebergs drift to and fro. Further still, at the outer edge of your recognizance, the ancient ruins of the seafort lay piled on the horison... |
|
|
995 | Noid |
|
||
996 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
997 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
998 | Noid |
|
||
999 | Noid | Variable["reputation.kim"] >1 |
|
|
1000 | Noid | (Variable["reputation.kim"] >1) == false |
|
|
1001 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Everything alright, detective?" |
|
|
1002 | You | "I'm fine." |
|
|
1003 | You | "I don't know. Maybe." |
|
|
1004 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I'm not kidding, detective. It's time to come down." |
|
|
1005 | Noid | "Come on. My leg's starting to twitch. Means we've been here too long..." |
|
|
1006 | Horseback Antenna | The lieutenant is right. There's really nothing more for you up here. |
|
|
1007 | Horseback Antenna | He's right. There's really nothing more for you up here. |
|
|
1008 | You | Climb down. |
|
|
1009 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Listen, I understand that you're disappointed that things did not turn out how you might have hoped..." |
|
|
1010 | Noid |
|
||
1011 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_signal_fail"] |
|
|
1012 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_signal_fail"]) == false |
|
|
1013 | Noid |
|
||
1014 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_turned_down_archer"] |
|
|
1015 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_turned_down_archer"]) == false |
|
|
1016 | Kim Kitsuragi | "But you made the *right* decision, the more difficult decision, in my mind, at least." |
|
|
1017 | Kim Kitsuragi | "But you *did* accomplish your task. You reached the Coalition. I must admit, I didn't seriously think you could do it, but you've proved me wrong." |
|
|
1018 | Kim Kitsuragi | "But that's just how things go. We all must accept our own shortcomings and limitations." |
|
|
1019 | You | "I'm still not sure." |
|
|
1020 | You | "Yeah, you're right." |
|
|
1021 | You | "How do you know?" |
|
|
1022 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Because I can see you're still agonising over it. In my experience, when you make the wrong decision, you can tell right away. It's the right decisions that won't leave you alone..." |
|
|
1023 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Yes, I know..." The lieutenant allows himself a sheepish half-smile. "In my experience, when you make the wrong decision, you can tell right away. It's the right decisions that won't leave you alone..." |
|
|
1024 | Kim Kitsuragi | "You may feel that way for some time yet. In my experience, when you make the wrong decision, you can tell right away. It's the right decisions that won't leave you alone..." |
|
|
1025 | Esprit de Corps | Perhaps someday the lieutenant will tell you about some of the decisions that won't leave him alone, but it won't be this day. |
|
|
1026 | Noid |
|
||
1027 | Noid | IsDaytime() |
|
|
1028 | Noid | (IsDaytime()) == false |
|
|
1029 | None |
|
||
1030 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Now, come on. It's getting late." |
|
|
1031 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Now, come on. We still have a long day ahead of us." |
|
|
1032 | You | Climb down. |
|
|
1033 | None |
|
||
1034 | None |
|
||
1035 | None |
|
||
1036 | Noid | "About time. You grab that amp. Forget the cables. Need to leave some evidence of our antenna to inspire future generations..." |
|
|
1037 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant sighs. "What's *one more trip* across the waterlock?" |
|
|
1038 | None |
|
||
1039 | None |
External:
|
||
1040 | None |
External:
|
||
1041 | You | "Coalition Warship Archer. This is RCM Officer Firewalker. Please acknowledge." |
|
|
1042 | Noid |
|
||
1043 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_attached_sabre_horse"] |
|
|
1044 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_attached_sabre_horse"]) == false |
|
|
1045 | Horseback Antenna | This faithful steed cuts a dashing figure with the replica sabre between its teeth. |
|
|
1046 | None |
|
||
1047 | Noid |
|
||
1048 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_phys_int_dimly_familiar"] |
|
|
1049 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_phys_int_dimly_familiar"]) == false |
|
|
1050 | Physical Instrument | That performance was, frankly, an embarrassment. |
|
|
1051 | You | "What is this 'balance of terror theory'?" |
|
|
1052 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It's an elegant idea, one of the cornerstones of the modern era. In short, it holds that durable, lasting peace is possible when the major powers are capable of inflicting unacceptable and irreversible destruction upon one another..." |
|
|
1053 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Because no rational state is willing to accept the risk of such a calamity befalling its own people, all powers are incentivised to *de-escalate* conflicts before they reach the point of no return." |
|
|
1054 | You | "But what if states *aren't* rational?" |
|
|
1055 | You | "And has it worked?" |
|
|
1056 | Coalition Warship Archer | "A state is like any other living thing -- it wants to survive and grow. A state that doesn't value its own existence is not a state at all." |
|
|
1057 | You | "Yes, I've also discovered an entroponetic phenomenon here in Martinaise." | Variable["church.soona_talked_about_pale"] == true |
|
1058 | You | "I said, 'I've discovered an entroponetic phenomenon here in Martinaise'." |
|
|
1059 | You | "Yes." |
|
|
1060 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Good. First question: Are you currently in the vicinity of Sereglee, the North Arcade Islands, or Near Pale Offshore Platform 'Insulindico'?" |
|
|
1061 | You | "I've never heard of any of those places." |
|
|
1062 | You | "You already know exactly where I am." | Variable["jam.warship_archer_saw_you"] == true |
|
1063 | You | "No, I'm in Martinaise." |
|
|
1064 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Please answer the question." |
|
|
1065 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Very good. Next question: Would you describe the phenomenon as *internal* to the isola, or *external* to the isola?" |
|
|
1066 | You | "Internal." |
|
|
1067 | You | "External." |
|
|
1068 | You | "I have no idea what you're asking." |
|
|
1069 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Answer the question, please." |
|
|
1070 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Next question: At the time, did you experience *sense objects*?" |
|
|
1071 | You | "Uh... can you elaborate?" |
|
|
1072 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes. Examples may include sound, memory, light." |
|
|
1073 | You | "I can only describe it in terms of curdling milk." | Variable["church.soona_pale_curdling_milk"] == true |
|
1074 | You | "When the raver put the compressor through the other thing, it made the beat really hard core. Like, *too* hard core." | Variable["church.soona_heard_rumble_hum"] == true |
|
1075 | You | "I experienced nothing. A complete lack of phenomena." |
|
|
1076 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Final question: Were you alone?" |
|
|
1077 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Mhmm. Let's go on..." |
|
|
1078 | Coalition Warship Archer | ... |
|
|
1079 | Perception (Hearing) | You hear the sound of a page ripping. |
|
|
1080 | None |
|
||
1081 | Empathy | Her tone has shifted. She's no longer herself. |
|
|
1082 | Composure | She's reading from a script. Your words have activated some sort of *procedure*. |
|
|
1083 | You | "Wait, what's going on?" |
|
|
1084 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Never mind that. All you need to do is repeat what you just said..." |
|
|
1085 | Volition | Do as she says. There's no other option. |
|
|
1086 | Inland Empire | Yes. Unquestionably, *irrevocably* alone... |
|
|
1087 | Esprit de Corps | That reminds you, where has your half-brother gone? |
|
|
1088 | You | "Yes." |
|
|
1089 | You | "No." |
|
|
1090 | Empathy | There's no need to overthink this. |
|
|
1091 | Savoir Faire | How could you be alone? You're a *star*, man. You've got an *entourage* and adoring fans wherever you go... |
|
|
1092 | Shivers | You are the Doom-Speaker. It is your lot to ply these somnolent roads, declaring your lonely truth... |
|
|
1093 | Noid |
|
||
1094 | Noid | IsHighestCopotype("superstar_cop") |
|
|
1095 | Noid | (IsHighestCopotype("superstar_cop")) == false |
|
|
1096 | Noid |
|
||
1097 | Noid | IsHighestCopotype("apocalypse_cop") |
|
|
1098 | Noid | (IsHighestCopotype("apocalypse_cop")) == false |
|
|
1099 | Noid |
|
||
1100 | Noid | IsHighestCopotype("lawbringer") |
|
|
1101 | Noid | (IsHighestCopotype("lawbringer")) == false |
|
|
1102 | Authority | You don't need anybody else. You're the *lawbringer*... |
|
|
1103 | Noid |
|
||
1104 | Noid | IsHighestCopotype("art_cop") |
|
|
1105 | Noid | (IsHighestCopotype("art_cop")) == false |
|
|
1106 | Conceptualization | Your head is so full of colourful thoughts, you never *feel* alone... |
|
|
1107 | Noid |
|
||
1108 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1109 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1110 | Esprit de Corps | You are part of a large family. You are never alone... |
|
|
1111 | Logic | Of course not. The radio-programmer was there... |
|
|
1112 | Noid |
|
||
1113 | Noid | IsHighestCopotype("boring_cop") |
|
|
1114 | Noid | (IsHighestCopotype("boring_cop")) == false |
|
|
1115 | Drama | How could you expect anyone to stay around with all your *standard-issue* thoughts and opinions? |
|
|
1116 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Acknowledged. Listen very carefully, Firewalker. We are going to ask you a series of questions. It is imperative that you answer as directly and truthfully as you can. Do you understand?" |
|
|
1117 | Coalition Warship Archer | "... We're afraid we must ask you to repeat that, Firewalker." |
|
|
1118 | Inland Empire | A-a-afraid? What is she afraid of? |
|
|
1119 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Thank you, Firewalker. Please stand by while we transmit our summary..." |
|
|
1120 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I don't know where this case will lead us, detective, but in a sense that doesn't matter. Our job is to follow the evidence where it leads, consequences be damned..." |
|
|
1121 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Because the thing you're running from is *inside you*, detective!" |
|
|
1122 | Kim Kitsuragi | "But I embrace it *because* it's my role, and it's yours too, detective, whether you accept it or not!" |
|
|
1123 | Noid |
|
||
1124 | Noid | Variable["auto.is_snowing"] |
|
|
1125 | Noid | (Variable["auto.is_snowing"]) == false |
|
|
1126 | Noid |
|
||
1127 | Noid | Variable["auto.is_raining"] |
|
|
1128 | Noid | (Variable["auto.is_raining"]) == false |
|
|
1129 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Oh, it looks quite lovely from here, even with the rain. From our porthole, we see rolling hillsides, a public park filled with grand oak trees, men and women going about on horses..." |
|
|
1130 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Oh, it looks quite lovely from here. From our porthole, we see rolling hillsides covered with snow, a public park filled with grand oak trees, men and women going about on horses..." |
|
|
1131 | Conceptualization | What she means is... actually... you have no idea what those words could mean in this context... |
|
|
1132 | You | "It was a kind of gradient." | Variable["church.soona_pale_gradient"] == true |
|
1133 | Empathy | Her wishes are sincere. You can take heart from that, at least. |
|
|
1134 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're sorry we did not come bearing better news. But we must say that it has been... *a privilege* to speak with you. We believe you are a credit to the RCM, and we wish you good fortune and safety during the course of your work." |
|
|
1135 | Inland Empire | No, you *know* this tone of voice. You've heard it before. She's about to deliver some bad news... |
|
|
1136 | Noid |
|
||
1137 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_inland_news"] |
|
|
1138 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_inland_news"]) == false |
|
|
1139 | You | "I'm here, Archer! What's the news?" |
|
|
1140 | You | "Why do I feel like you're about to tell me something I don't want to hear?" |
|
|
1141 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, surely you are aware that it is a civil offence to maliciously or frivolously obstruct a Coalition radio frequency..." |
|
|
1142 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, surely you are aware that it is a civil offence to maliciously or frivolously obstruct a Coalition radio frequency..." |
|
|
1143 | You | "Kim! Answer me." |
|
|
1144 | Noid | "No use, man. Don't think he can hear you." |
|
|
1145 | Noid |
|
||
1146 | Noid | Variable["tc.pale"] |
|
|
1147 | Noid | (Variable["tc.pale"]) == false |
|
|
1148 | You | "I've got a feeling this is related to the pale, some piece of the past that's mixing in with our signal." |
|
|
1149 | Half Light | Just *run*. Unplug that headset and get as far away as you can. |
|
|
1150 | You | "Whoa, the Coalition has *talking* warships?" |
|
|
1151 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Of course not. It's simply a rhetorical convention, a common synecdoche. We are the second signaller." |
|
|
1152 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We can assure you, it is coming as soon as possible." |
|
|
1153 | You | "In a few months, then?" |
|
|
1154 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That's certainly possible. Though of course it depends on the contingencies." |
|
|
1155 | You | "What do you mean 'contingencies'?" |
|
|
1156 | Coalition Warship Archer | "You must understand, the Moralintern is responsible for ensuring the continuance and flourishing of mankind for the next 3,000 years. The planning division must account for a great many possible outcomes and chance events." |
|
|
1157 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Fortunately, we have contingency spreads to help guide our decision making." |
|
|
1158 | Encyclopedia | Originally developed by mechanical engineers at the Isherwood Branch of CZU Industries around the turn of the last century, contingency spreads are used to model complex events in a number of fields, including business, public health, radiocomputer science, insurance, and international diplomacy. |
|
|
1159 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Of course, there is no one spread that can reasonably account for all these possible events. But at least we're able to prepare for the most likely eventualities." |
|
|
1160 | None |
|
||
1161 | You | "Wait, how do these contingency spreads actually *work*?" |
|
|
1162 | Coalition Warship Archer | A sigh. "You are thinking about this metaphor too literally..." |
|
|
1163 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It's not really our area of expertise, but we can try to explain. Picture a smooth hill made from fresh dirt. Now, if you stand atop this hill and pour a glass of water over it, what will happen?" |
|
|
1164 | None |
|
||
1165 | You | "The dirt will get wet?" |
|
|
1166 | You | "I won't have any water?" |
|
|
1167 | You | "The water will run down the hill?" |
|
|
1168 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Precisamente. We know only that it will run down, but not what course it will take. If we place a rock in the water's path, will it divert to the left or the right? We cannot say, but we may predict which way it might run in either event..." |
|
|
1169 | Coalition Warship Archer | "The point is that we know only that the water will run down, but not what course it will take. If we place a rock in the water's path, will it divert to the left or the right? We cannot say, but we may predict which way it might run in either event..." |
|
|
1170 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That is the essence of the idea. You might also imagine these spreads as a kind of tree, with every juncture representing a different event, and every branch representing a different timeline." |
|
|
1171 | You | "You're saying the Moralintern uses contingency spreads to see the future?" | Variable["jam.warship_contingencies_explained"] == true |
|
1172 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Not exactly. No one can know the future. But with contingency spreads it is possible to predict what the future realities *might reasonably* look like." |
|
|
1173 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But we shouldn't overstate their importance. They are simply one of many tools used by the Moralintern to set policy." |
|
|
1174 | You | "Hold on, does that mean some realities are *less reasonable* than others?" | Variable["jam.warship_logic_probable"] == true |
|
1175 | Logic | Meaning there are more and less reasonable futures. You should follow up on that. |
|
|
1176 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Well, yes -- just as some events are less probable than others. While we expect the vast majority of realities will fall within a normal confidence interval, there must necessarily be some that fall *outside that range* as well." |
|
|
1177 | You | "This is... a lot to take in." |
|
|
1178 | You | "Would you say the reality we're living in is more or less reasonable than others?" |
|
|
1179 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Who are we to say? We're only a second signaller, not a metaphysician. This is the only reality we have ever known, so how can we judge how reasonable it might be compared to any other?" |
|
|
1180 | None |
|
||
1181 | None |
|
||
1182 | You | "So where does Revachol fit into these contingencies?" (Proceed.) |
|
|
1183 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That's impossible to say. It may be that Revachol has a great role to play, or no role at all. That is the nature of contingencies." |
|
|
1184 | Coalition Warship Archer | "You must understand, when we speak of contingency spreads, we are talking about *the most fantastically complex* data visualisations human beings are capable of producing, with thousands of events -- from elections and wars to natural disasters or scientific miracles -- and millions of possible outcomes." |
|
|
1185 | You | "Why does thinking about these contingencies make me feel so *bad*?" | Variable["jam.warship_painthresh_brain_swell"] == true |
|
1186 | Pain Threshold | *Hyyyngh!* It makes your brain swell just to think about... |
|
|
1187 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It's completely natural. Studies have shown that the untrained mind is only capable of considering so many possibilities in place at once, usually no more than three or four..." |
|
|
1188 | Inland Empire | But... didn't the Wild Pines representative say that Revachol would *resolve* history? |
|
|
1189 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Almost certainly. Not many realise this, but, the Moralintern is constantly reviewing and revising its contingency spreads in order to improve our own decision-making..." |
|
|
1190 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It may be the case that, under certain scenarios, Revachol is vitally important, as it was during the Coalition landings in '08. It may also be the case in many other equally plausible scenarios that Revachol is simply another once-great city, like countless others throughout history." |
|
|
1191 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Only in the sense that the entire world has to 'wing' its way through history. The Moralintern simply aims to 'wing it' as little as possible..." |
|
|
1192 | Reaction Speed | Did she... just admit that the Coalition invading Revachol was one of those 'contingencies'? |
|
|
1193 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes, we would say that is a fair and reasonable way to describe it..." |
|
|
1194 | Noid |
|
||
1195 | Noid | Variable["pier.joyce_reality_wheredone"] |
|
|
1196 | Noid | (Variable["pier.joyce_reality_wheredone"]) == false |
|
|
1197 | You | (Look around.) "Yeah, this is definitely a place whose time has passed." |
|
|
1198 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Perhaps, perhaps not. Could the Perikarnassians have foreseen the role Revachol would play in events to come? In truth, history only appears to rhyme because we cannot perceive events in their full complexity..." |
|
|
1199 | You | "Are you saying the Coalition invasion was one of these 'contingencies'?" | Variable["jam.warship_reaction_coalition_invasion"] == true |
|
1200 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But one must consider that the world was in the midst of a global catastrophe brought on by an unstoppable pandemic. No amount of contingency planning could account for *all of that*." |
|
|
1201 | You | "So you're saying the Moralintern just had to wing it?" | Variable["jam.warship_unreasonable_reality"] == false |
|
1202 | You | "History loves to rhyme. I'll bet Revachol has its day again." |
|
|
1203 | You | "I still feel like there had to have been a better way." |
|
|
1204 | You | "So you're saying the Moralintern had to make difficult decisions during an unprecedented situation." |
|
|
1205 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Impossible to say for certain. Human beings are notoriously bad at predicting all the different ways events might unravel..." |
|
|
1206 | Coalition Warship Archer | "For this reason, responsibility for developing contingency spreads is only assigned to highly trained analysts working with advanced radiocomputers and a steady supply of drouamine." |
|
|
1207 | You | "Okay, but I *still* want to know when real democracy is coming." |
|
|
1208 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Of course. While the content of individual contingency spreads is deeply classified, many degrees beyond our access, everything we have heard from the Provisional Commission indicates that the transition is proceeding according to the appropriate timetable." |
|
|
1209 | You | "What's this 'transitional advisory council'?" |
|
|
1210 | You | "Who picks the slates of candidates?" |
|
|
1211 | You | "Does that mean democracy is *here*?" (Look around.) |
|
|
1212 | You | "But what if some people want democracy to come *faster*?" |
|
|
1213 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That is extremely admirable. Of course, the Coalition supports the Revacholian people's desire for full democracy. We encourage you to contact the offices of the Provisional Commission if you are serious about getting involved." |
|
|
1214 | Coalition Warship Archer | "The first phase of democratisation." |
|
|
1215 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Well, not yet. Right now it's more like a simple seed, buried out of sight..." |
|
|
1216 | None |
|
||
1217 | You | "What are you talking about?" |
|
|
1218 | You | "I met a gardener earlier, but then she turned out to be a lawyer. Is she involved somehow?" | Variable["whirling.fixer_i_am_a_lawyer"] == true |
|
1219 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Oh, there are many things you can do. If you're interested in learning how to canvass for signatures, manage a polling place, or register voters, the Commission would be more than happy to direct you to a workshop..." |
|
|
1220 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Real democracy doesn't just happen. It requires the support of a great number of stable, interlocking institutions. *That* is the only way to channel popular sentiment into a legitimate mandate to govern. Otherwise, what are we left with?" |
|
|
1221 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Esattamente. But the Commission's hard and diligent work may soon be bearing fruit: Revachol is nearly ready to begin the first phase of democratisation." |
|
|
1222 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Well, that isn't very realistic, is it?" |
|
|
1223 | You | "An institutional crisis?" |
|
|
1224 | You | "How can I get involved?" |
|
|
1225 | You | "But what if I want real democracy, like, *right* now?" |
|
|
1226 | You | "How many of these 'phases' are there until we have real democracy?" (Conclude.) |
|
|
1227 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Gardeners and lawyers are both essential to a beautiful and well-functioning society, but we're referring to something else..." |
|
|
1228 | You | "Mob rule?" |
|
|
1229 | Coalition Warship Archer | "In most cases, the Provisional Council selects them from a cross-section of the local population to ensure the slates actually reflect the people they represent." |
|
|
1230 | Coalition Warship Archer | "The council is modelled after similar bodies developed in a number of transitional democracies. Its role is to devise and shape the future institutions of Revacholian democracy, according to local conditions..." |
|
|
1231 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Soon, the people of Revachol will vote for slates of candidates who will make up the transitional advisory council that will oversee the second phase of democratisation." |
|
|
1232 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Our best theoreticians believe that three to five phases are appropriate for states that lack strong democratic traditions, which would certainly apply to Revachol." |
|
|
1233 | Coalition Warship Archer | "In fact, you may have picked the perfect time to get involved: Revachol is nearly ready to begin the first phase of democratisation." |
|
|
1234 | You | "Within a couple of years, surely." |
|
|
1235 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That's... rather optimistic. Though of course it depends on the contingencies." |
|
|
1236 | You | "Within my lifetime?" |
|
|
1237 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Oh, most likely. Though of course it depends on the contingencies." |
|
|
1238 | Noid |
|
||
1239 | Noid | Variable["pier.joyce_reality_wheredone"] |
|
|
1240 | Noid | (Variable["pier.joyce_reality_wheredone"]) == false |
|
|
1241 | Encyclopedia | All major cities in EPIS-aligned nations, you can't help but notice. |
|
|
1242 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It's even possible the cities that will resolve the questions of the future have not been founded yet." |
|
|
1243 | You | "Enough of this. I have another question." |
|
|
1244 | None |
|
||
1245 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Acknowledged. We are at your disposal." |
|
|
1246 | None |
|
||
1247 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Once elected, council members will even have the opportunity to join one of several officially sanctioned political wings, depending on their ideological beliefs and policy preferences." |
|
|
1248 | Coalition Warship Archer | "A very important question. The wings are carefully selected to represent a wide spectrum of political thought." |
|
|
1249 | You | "What do these 'wings' represent?" | Variable["jam.warship_council_wings"] == true |
|
1250 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Of course, such a situation is not ideal. We would all prefer for Revacholians to nominate their representatives directly. But that is why it's a transitional council." |
|
|
1251 | None |
|
||
1252 | None |
|
||
1253 | You | "How do I access my *personal contingency spread*?" |
|
|
1254 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Even though we are only a second signaller, we can tell you with great certainty that there is no contingency spread for you, Firewalker." |
|
|
1255 | You | "You must be mistaken. I'm kind of a star around here." | IsTHCPresent("superstar_cop") |
|
1256 | You | "Is it because I'm a miserable failure?" | IsTHCPresent("sorry_cop") |
|
1257 | You | "That's impossible. I am the doomsinger, the herald of desolation." | IsTHCPresent("apocalypse_cop") |
|
1258 | Coalition Warship Archer | "What you are describing is the attitude of a child. The Moralintern is not 'humanity's stepmother', despite what some critics may allege. Responsibility and freedom are deeply entwined, and both are essential in a flourishing society." |
|
|
1259 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're sorry, we're not familiar with all the local offices in Martinaise..." |
|
|
1260 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It is a work-in-progress, but it is also the best way that humanity has found thus far." |
|
|
1261 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Our concerns exist on the scale of decades, centuries, and millennia. Sometimes we say the Moralintern worries about the future so that normal people may worry about today." |
|
|
1262 | None |
|
||
1263 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Perhaps you are confused as to the scale on which the contingency spreads function..." |
|
|
1264 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Please understand, we are not some totalitarian enterprise. We are committed to and bound by the highest values of individual freedom and opportunity." |
|
|
1265 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Of course not. The Moralintern is committed to giving every person the opportunity to flourish..." |
|
|
1266 | You | "That sounds like a moderate and reasonable way to organise a society." |
|
|
1267 | You | "But what if I *want* someone else to make all my decisions for me?" |
|
|
1268 | You | "Are you sure? I bet it's locked away in a vault somewhere..." | Variable["jam.warship_inland_labyrinth"] == true |
|
1269 | Coalition Warship Archer | "The Moralintern is not Seol. There is no secret vault of files beneath Isherwood or La Cherte or anywhere else, because that is not the Moralintern's purpose..." |
|
|
1270 | Inland Empire | S-s-s-she knows perfectly well where they are! They've got one for everybody, all coded and filed away in a vast labyrinth beneath Isherwood... |
|
|
1271 | You | "Someone told me we live in a precarious world, that every event is just a violent roll of the die." | IsTHCPresent("precarious_world") |
|
1272 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Of course. We're only a second signaller, not a metaphysician. We sometimes find it overwhelming also..." |
|
|
1273 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It may be. We're only a second signaller, not a metaphysician. It's a rather cold way to think about the world, isn't it?" |
|
|
1274 | Coalition Warship Archer | "The key, we believe, is to be open to meaning even amidst great uncertainty. But now we are only speaking for ourselves." |
|
|
1275 | You | "So you're saying we *are* living in an unreasonable reality!" | Variable["jam.warship_unreasonable_reality"] == true |
|
1276 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We are living in the only reality we know. Our task is to make the best of it that we can..." |
|
|
1277 | Rhetoric | 'Local conditions' in this case referring to incompetence, graft, and violence. |
|
|
1278 | None |
|
||
1279 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Typically, there's a liberal technocratic wing, a social democratic wing, and even a conservative populist wing. You wouldn't believe some of the ideas they express! But a vibrant and free political culture requires that all perspectives be given voice, even those many may find objectionable." |
|
|
1280 | You | "What do you mean?' |
|
|
1281 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Simply that there is no such thing as an individual contingency spread..." |
|
|
1282 | Noid |
|
||
1283 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1284 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1285 | None |
External:
|
||
1286 | None |
|
||
1287 | None |
|
||
1288 | None |
|
||
1289 | None |
|
||
1290 | None |
|
||
1291 | None |
|
||
1292 | None |
|
||
1293 | None |
|
||
1294 | None |
|
||
1295 | None |
|
||
1296 | None |
|
||
1297 | None |
|
||
1298 | None |
|
||
1299 | None |
|
||
1300 | Noid |
|
||
1301 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1302 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1303 | Noid |
|
||
1304 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1305 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1306 | Soona, the Programmer | "I'm not sure how much longer I can keep the signal clear, officer." |
|
|
1307 | You | "You have to, Soona. Just a little longer..." |
|
|
1308 | Soona, the Programmer | "Officer, I'm afraid the connection is beginning to collapse..." |
|
|
1309 | Noid |
|
||
1310 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1311 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1312 | Soona, the Programmer | "So... they're really coming..." |
|
|
1313 | Noid |
|
||
1314 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1315 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1316 | Soona, the Programmer | The programmer eyes you curiously. She does not understand why you're hesitating. |
|
|
1317 | Soona, the Programmer | "I'm still not certain whether this was a *good* idea or not, but there is something extraordinary about summoning an aerostatic with your voice..." |
|
|
1318 | Noid |
|
||
1319 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1320 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1321 | Noid |
|
||
1322 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1323 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1324 | Soona, the Programmer | "It's here." |
|
|
1325 | None |
|
||
1326 | Noid |
|
||
1327 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1328 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1329 | Soona, the Programmer | "Archer can't hear us, I'm afraid. Only his microphone is connected to the transceiver." |
|
|
1330 | Noid |
|
||
1331 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1332 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1333 | Soona, the Programmer | "They can't hear us, I'm afraid. Only his microphone is connected to the transceiver." |
|
|
1334 | Noid |
|
||
1335 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1336 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1337 | Soona, the Programmer | "They can't hear us, I'm afraid. Only his microphone is connected to the transceiver." |
|
|
1338 | Noid |
|
||
1339 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1340 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1341 | Soona, the Programmer | "Officer, we have a long walk back to the church. It's time to come down." |
|
|
1342 | Noid |
|
||
1343 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1344 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1345 | Soona, the Programmer | "Hmm, what a disappointment. I was almost sure something *truly* interesting was about to happen. Oh well." |
|
|
1346 | Soona, the Programmer | "You can come down now, officer. I'm going to begin packing my things up." |
|
|
1347 | Noid |
|
||
1348 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1349 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1350 | Soona, the Programmer | "Good. Now, give me a hand with these amplifiers. Leave the cables. I don't feel like making two trips..." |
|
|
1351 | None |
|
||
1352 | None |
|
||
1353 | You | "In what sense is the Moralintern the steward of Dolores Dei's legacy?" |
|
|
1354 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It was established by many of the same Founding Party members who elected Dolores Dei, and who, after her assassination, dedicated their lives to the continuation of her political and intellectual project." |
|
|
1355 | Encyclopedia | The *other* members of the Founding Party moved to Sur-la-Clef and invented modern corporate finance. Their names may still be found on the pediments of some of the largest investment banks in the world. |
|
|
1356 | Coalition Warship Archer | "There are many. The communists say they are the next dialectical step in an inexorable spiral of progress. They claim to have resolved the 'inherent contradictions' of moralism and believe they're just one revolution away from establishing a humanist paradise..." |
|
|
1357 | Coalition Warship Archer | "The fascists say they are *both* the ancestors of and the successors to Dolorianism. In other words, they believe that Dolores Dei's reign simply represents a glorious phase of expansion within a greater Franconigerian heritage. They criticise the Dolorian project for accepting and integrating new peoples rather than forcefully subjugating them..." |
|
|
1358 | Coalition Warship Archer | "And then there are our prodigal cousins, the Vaasan social democrats, who hold our same values and have even adopted many of our same rites and iconography, though they persist in rejecting the umbrella of moralism." |
|
|
1359 | Rhetoric | For some reason it's the social democrats she sounds most exasperated with. |
|
|
1360 | Coalition Warship Archer | "If you believe so strongly in your own destiny that the rest of reality exists only as a warped reflection of it, how can it be contradicted?" |
|
|
1361 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Many political theorists have argued that communism accepts the logic of Dolorian humanism while abandoning its spirit. They offer a cautionary tale, in other words, about attempting to found a paradise atop bones and ashes..." |
|
|
1362 | You | "Sometimes I wonder if the communists may have a point, at least intellectually speaking." | IsTHCPresent("communist") |
|
1363 | You | "What the fascists say makes a certain *gut-level* sense." | IsTHCPresent("revacholian_nationhood") |
|
1364 | You | "Why do you resent social democrats more than communists and fascists?" | Variable["jam.warship_rhetoric_socdems"] == true |
|
1365 | You | "Are there *non-ideological* threats to humanity's future?" |
|
|
1366 | Rhetoric | Whose bones and whose ashes, exactly? You don't think the Coalition pacified Revachol with *bonbons*, do you? |
|
|
1367 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes. Atomic war, environmental degradation, resource exhaustion, viral pandemic, super-volcanism, runaway entroponetic collapse..." |
|
|
1368 | Endurance | You know your people's history. You don't need some *foreign wöman* in a fancy airship to tell you what's what. |
|
|
1369 | Empathy | She speaks of them like a family member she's abandoned hope of ever maturing. |
|
|
1370 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We don't resent them. It's more that we are... *disappointed* that they have chosen to emphasise certain points of dispute over broad areas of accord..." |
|
|
1371 | Coalition Warship Archer | "And therein lies their danger. They 'feel' true without *being* true..." |
|
|
1372 | You | "Who are the highwaymen and eschatologians you mentioned?" |
|
|
1373 | None |
|
||
1374 | None |
|
||
1375 | None |
|
||
1376 | None |
|
||
1377 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But it's a delicate and very complicated subject. And of course every belief system has something to recommend it." |
|
|
1378 | None |
|
||
1379 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But of course, they also remain dependable partners in a number of centrist governing coalitions." |
|
|
1380 | None |
|
||
1381 | You | "How much time does humanity need to achieve its potential?" |
|
|
1382 | Coalition Warship Archer | "About 3,000 years." |
|
|
1383 | Reaction Speed | She... really had that on the tip of her tongue. It's like she has the timeline laid out *right* in front of her. |
|
|
1384 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Of course, the number 3,000 represents the average of a great number of projections. The actual number might be closer to 2,800 or even 2,750, depending on the contingencies..." |
|
|
1385 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It is in all senses the most moderate and reasonable projection possible based on current science." |
|
|
1386 | You | "That sounds about right, actually." |
|
|
1387 | You | "That sounds like a very long time." |
|
|
1388 | You | "That sounds like an *impossibly* long time." |
|
|
1389 | You | "Something tells me we have less time than that. Like, a *lot* less time." | Variable["ice.andre_hyper_rc_succ_28"] == true |
|
1390 | You | "Three-thousand years is just the blink of an eye. We need much more than that." | Variable["ice.andre_hyper_rc_succ_28"] == false |
|
1391 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It does, doesn't it? And yet there remains a great deal to be done in that span." |
|
|
1392 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Viewed from that perspective, we are nearly three-quarters of the way there." |
|
|
1393 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That depends on how you look at it. Since the Perikarnassian Incident, there have been nearly 8,000 years of recorded history..." |
|
|
1394 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Of course, the number 3,000 represents the average of a great number of projections. The actual number might be closer to 3,250 or even 3,300, depending on the contingencies..." |
|
|
1395 | None |
|
||
1396 | You | "Beautiful." |
|
|
1397 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It is possible. We grew up there. We have seen the lattice with our own eyes." |
|
|
1398 | Noid |
|
||
1399 | Noid | Variable["church.stained_encyclo_crowning"] |
|
|
1400 | Noid | (Variable["church.stained_encyclo_crowning"]) == false |
|
|
1401 | You | "Advesperascit... Dolores Dei was crowned there, wasn't she?" |
|
|
1402 | You | "Where is Advesperascit exactly?" |
|
|
1403 | Coalition Warship Archer | "In Messina, of course. Not only was it the site of Dolores Dei's crowning, it was also one of the great cities of the Dolorian era, a glorious expression of humanity's highest potential..." |
|
|
1404 | Coalition Warship Archer | "She was. There are even those who say that Advesperascit *summoned* Dolores Dei, or that it was built in preparation for her, centuries before her arrival..." |
|
|
1405 | You | "Impossible." |
|
|
1406 | Coalition Warship Archer | "That's why the old town is sometimes called 'The Ceremonial Heart of Humanity'..." |
|
|
1407 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Of course, such a city does not spring from nowhere, nor does it endure without effort. Its construction was the work of many generations, and its preservation is an equally monumental responsibility." |
|
|
1408 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Let us answer your question with a question: Have you ever seen evening fall over the old town of Advesperascit?" |
|
|
1409 | You | "No, I haven't." |
|
|
1410 | You | "Maybe? I've been forgetting things lately." |
|
|
1411 | Coalition Warship Archer | "If you had, then you would remember. It is one of the great wonders of the world, impossible to mistake or forget." |
|
|
1412 | Coalition Warship Archer | "The heart of the city, the old town, is a district composed of weathered marble, comprising thousands of columns and arcades arranged around a series of grand plazas. During the day it's a beautiful sight, equal to any of the great cities of Perikarnassis." |
|
|
1413 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But as the sun sets, the shadows cast by those columns and arcades weave together to form an intricate umbral lattice. When you see it, you suddenly understand: It was all built for you, for *this very moment*." |
|
|
1414 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Not only that, but you, you are also part of that centuries-long plan. When you cross one of the open plazas, your own shadow is effortlessly woven into the great latticework, a deliberate synthesis of humanity, art, and the natural world." |
|
|
1415 | Encyclopedia | The name Advesperascit means 'Evening Comes.' |
|
|
1416 | You | "Where does the RCM fit into all of this?" |
|
|
1417 | Coalition Warship Archer | "The RCM exists under the umbrella of the Coalition, just as the Coalition exists under the umbrella of the Moralintern..." |
|
|
1418 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, was there anything else?" |
|
|
1419 | Coalition Warship Archer | "At the same time, the RCM is not exactly *of* the Coalition." |
|
|
1420 | Rhetoric | She's got you there... |
|
|
1421 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We're not that familiar with RCM lore and practice, but we believe that may be the case. As we recall, the décomptage originated with the Revacholian Commune itself." |
|
|
1422 | Coalition Warship Archer | "It's our understanding that the RCM's organisational structure predates the Coalition. We believe it may even be modelled after the communard brigades themselves." |
|
|
1423 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Of course. This is history we're talking about." |
|
|
1424 | You | "What do you mean it's not *of* the Coalition?" |
|
|
1425 | You | "You mean because of the décomptage?" | Variable["tc.decomptage"] == true |
|
1426 | You | "That's confusing." |
|
|
1427 | Noid |
|
||
1428 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1429 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1430 | Kim Kitsuragi | "There is some truth to that," the lieutenant whispers into his headset. |
|
|
1431 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But in a practical sense, it's the responsibility of the Ethics Division to ensure that both organisations are working toward the same ends." |
|
|
1432 | Coalition Warship Archer | "History is a river coursing ever downward. Occasionally its course is redirected in mysterious and unexpected ways." |
|
|
1433 | None |
|
||
1434 | You | "Why bother with the RCM at all? Can't the Coalition just run everything itself?" |
|
|
1435 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I suppose I enjoy casework too much. But surely you have more interesting things to discuss with the Coalition than my career path." |
|
|
1436 | You | (Whisper.) "Hey, Kim. Why haven't you joined the Ethics Division?" | Variable["jam.warship_encyclo_ethics"] == true and IsKimHere() |
|
1437 | Empathy | In other words, it's a fundamental part of the RCM, so you probably shouldn't ask her any questions about it. |
|
|
1438 | Coalition Warship Archer | "One now committed to upholding moralist values. Strange, isn't it?" |
|
|
1439 | You | "So you're saying the RCM is a vestige of Revachol's communist past?" |
|
|
1440 | Noid |
|
||
1441 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_encyclo_ethics"] |
|
|
1442 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_encyclo_ethics"]) == false |
|
|
1443 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Because the Coalition has no interest in *running* Revachol. We'll succeed in our mission the moment Revachol rejoins the international community as a sovereign democracy. The RCM is an integral piece of that project." |
|
|
1444 | Encyclopedia | The Ethics Division is the branch of the RCM that coordinates activities with the Coalition. It's composed of high-ranking RCM officials and their medium-ranking Moralintern counterparts. It's considered a career-making assignment for elite RCM officers. |
|
|
1445 | None |
|
||
1446 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Firewalker, are you still there?" |
|
|
1447 | Horseback Antenna | The wind is pulling at the giant tarps that cover the blasted facade of the Capeside Apartments. |
|
|
1448 | Shivers | Air moving through what was once a row of apartments protected by walls and a roof. It sighs through the remains of bedrooms and parlours... |
|
|
1449 | Noid |
|
||
1450 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_shivers_responsibility"] |
|
|
1451 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_shivers_responsibility"]) == false |
|
|
1452 | Noid |
|
||
1453 | Noid | Variable["ice.andre_hyper_rc_succ_28"] |
|
|
1454 | Noid | (Variable["ice.andre_hyper_rc_succ_28"]) == false |
|
|
1455 | Shivers | THIS IS YOUR CITY. DEFEND IT AT ALL COSTS. |
|
|
1456 | Shivers | DON'T FORSAKE ME, OFFICER. I AM YOUR RESPONSIBILITY JUST AS YOU ARE MINE. |
|
|
1457 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Yes, it is. We grew up there. We have seen the lattice with our own eyes." |
|
|
1458 | Composure | A truth conveyed matter-of-factly, without pride or self-consciousness. |
|
|
1459 | Savoir Faire | That sounds *much* better than the 5,500 reál the RCM calls a 'salary.' |
|
|
1460 | Noid |
|
||
1461 | Noid | Variable["yard.hanged_encylco_yearly_wage"] |
|
|
1462 | Noid | (Variable["yard.hanged_encylco_yearly_wage"]) == false |
|
|
1463 | You | "Pretty different from Adversperascit, isn't it?" | Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_advesperascit"] == true |
|
1464 | Coalition Warship Archer | "*Extremely different*. We knew there were still parts of Revachol that have not fully recovered from the Revolution, but here the destruction is quite evident, even compared to the eastern side of the city..." |
|
|
1465 | Coalition Warship Archer | "For the most part, it has. The world is certainly not free of violent conflict, but in the modern era we have made great strides to reduce its frequency, duration, and severity." |
|
|
1466 | Coalition Warship Archer | "But we must stress that real democracy is an ongoing process and not simply an outcome. It must be cultivated and preserved if it is to endure." |
|
|
1467 | Noid |
|
||
1468 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_advesperascit"] |
|
|
1469 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_mentioned_advesperascit"]) == false |
|
|
1470 | You | "Like the city of Advesperascit, you mean." |
|
|
1471 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Esattamente." |
|
|
1472 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Beyond that, it may be said that we are the inheritors and stewards of Dolores Dei's legacy." |
|
|
1473 | Noid |
|
||
1474 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_two_mm_hole_known"] |
|
|
1475 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_two_mm_hole_known"]) == false |
|
|
1476 | Logic | If the opportunity presents itself, perhaps you should mention the two-millimetre hole you recently discovered. |
|
|
1477 | Coalition Warship Archer | "This is why it is critical for the international community to work toward peace and cooperation between nations. There's simply too much at stake." |
|
|
1478 | Horseback Antenna | She's right. There's really nothing more for you up here. |
|
|
1479 | None |
External:
|
||
1480 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant sighs. "What's *one more trip* across the waterlock?" |
|
|
1481 | None |
|
||
1482 | You | Keep listening. |
|
|
1483 | Horseback Antenna | "Liebling, bitte… Er ist unser einziges Kind. Er kann doch auch nächstes Jahr zur Akademie gehen." |
|
|
1484 | Noid | "Just radio-spookers. We get them all the time around here. Keep trying." |
|
|
1485 | Horseback Antenna | "Liebling, bitte… Er ist unser einziges Kind. Er kann doch auch nächstes Jahr zur Akademie gehen." |
|
|
1486 | You | "What's going on?" | Variable["jam.warship_inland_electronic_doorbell"] == false and Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_radio_ghost_intercom"] == false |
|
1487 | Noid | "Keep trying. We'll get through these radio-spookers eventually." |
|
|
1488 | You | What does this remind me of? | Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_radio_ghost_intercom"] == false |
|
1489 | Noid |
|
||
1490 | Noid | Variable["doomed.doorbell_whitecheck_success"] |
|
|
1491 | Noid | (Variable["doomed.doorbell_whitecheck_success"]) == false |
|
|
1492 | Noid | "Again." |
|
|
1493 | You | "I can't understand a word of this gibberish." | Variable["jam.warship_rhetoric_walder_gibberish"] == true |
|
1494 | Horseback Antenna | "Liebling, bitte… Er ist unser einziges Kind. Er kann doch auch nächstes Jahr zur Akademie gehen." |
|
|
1495 | Noid | "Me neither. Just keep trying. We'll get through these radio-spookers eventually." |
|
|
1496 | Horseback Antenna | "Liebling, bitte… Er ist unser einziges Kind. Er kann doch auch nächstes Jahr zur Akademie gehen." |
|
|
1497 | Inland Empire | It's strangely comforting to think of these voices travelling through the air, until you capture them, firefly-like, with your little metal antenna... |
|
|
1498 | You | "Noid, I think there are ghosts in this radio." | Variable["jam.warship_inland_electronic_doorbell"] and Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_radio_ghost_intercom"] == false |
|
1499 | Horseback Antenna | "Liebling, bitte… Er ist unser einziges Kind. Er kann doch auch nächstes Jahr zur Akademie gehen." |
|
|
1500 | Noid | "Yeah, sounds like some radio-spookers, alright. That's what happens when you get down in the mega-low range. You better keep trying anyway..." |
|
|
1501 | Noid |
|
||
1502 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_inland_electronic_doorbell"] |
|
|
1503 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_inland_electronic_doorbell"]) == false |
|
|
1504 | You | "Noid, I think we're getting some entroponetic crosstalk." | Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_radio_ghost_intercom"] == true |
|
1505 | Horseback Antenna | ... |
|
|
1506 | Noid | "Is that what you call those radio-spookers? Didn't know they had a *technical* name..." |
|
|
1507 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It's cold now..." |
|
|
1508 | Noid | "Either way, you gotta keep it up till we get through." |
|
|
1509 | You | "Coalition Warship Archer, this is Firewalker. If you're there, Archer, please acknowledge." |
|
|
1510 | Inland Empire | It's just like that woman in the electronic doorbell... the circuit ghost... |
|
|
1511 | You | "Coalition Warship Archer, this is Firewalker. Do you acknowledge?" |
|
|
1512 | Horseback Antenna | The rustling of dry autumn leaves. Waves breaking at a distance. A thousand wings beating at once. |
|
|
1513 | None |
|
||
1514 | Esprit de Corps | Something here is eating at the lieutenant, as much as he would like to move past it. |
|
|
1515 | Noid |
|
||
1516 | Noid | IsTaskActive("TASK.what_is_pale")--[[ Variable[ ]] |
|
|
1517 | Noid | (IsTaskActive("TASK.what_is_pale")--[[ Variable[ ]]) == false |
|
|
1518 | Encyclopedia | Here it is again, this pale... If only you knew more about it. |
|
|
1519 | Encyclopedia | Pale? Pale-pale-pale... Seems to be missing from your records. |
|
|
1520 | Noid |
|
||
1521 | Noid | Variable["tc.pale"] |
|
|
1522 | Noid | (Variable["tc.pale"]) == false |
|
|
1523 | Logic | Hold on, isn't the pale supposed to be thousands of kilometres from here? |
|
|
1524 | Noid |
|
||
1525 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_phys_inst_bar"] |
|
|
1526 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_phys_inst_bar"]) == false |
|
|
1527 | Physical Instrument | Don't forget the lats, champ! You've got this... |
|
|
1528 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Yes, you're a natural gymnast, detective. Now would you like to do what you got up there to do?" |
|
|
1529 | Noid |
|
||
1530 | Noid | Variable["jam.monument_perc_oils"] |
|
|
1531 | Noid | (Variable["jam.monument_perc_oils"]) == false |
|
|
1532 | You | Pour some alcohol over the connections. | CheckItemGroup("alcohol") |
|
1533 | Logic | If you had something *alcoholic*, you could dissolve the oils, creating a cleaner (and clearer) connection. |
|
|
1534 | Perception (Sight) | Truth be told, you have no idea what you're looking for. It just looks like a cord attached to a piece of metal. You pick at the colourful rubber jacketing, not sure what else to do... |
|
|
1535 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Is this really the time, detective?" |
|
|
1536 | Noid | "Wow, law-science comes through." |
|
|
1537 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Glad that stuff came in handy after all..." |
|
|
1538 | Noid | "Are you partying up there?" |
|
|
1539 | Noid | "Well? What's it look like?" |
|
|
1540 | None |
|
||
1541 | Noid | "That's not good. We should've cleaned the centaur-man first. Pretty rude that we didn't..." |
|
|
1542 | Noid | "It is, it's the time of desperate measures. He's using his party fuel to clean the connections..." |
|
|
1543 | You | "Did that help?" |
|
|
1544 | Horseback Antenna | Once the alcohol has had time to dissolve the oils, you wipe off the bar with your sleeve and reattach the cable. |
|
|
1545 | Noid | "Huh. I don't know what to do then..." |
|
|
1546 | You | Clean the connections with the ammonia. | CheckItem("ammonia_ampoule") |
|
1547 | Noid |
|
||
1548 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1549 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1550 | You | "The whole statue's covered in weird oils. I don't think it's good for the connections." | Variable["jam.monument_perc_oils"] == true and Variable["jam.monument_logic_cleaner"] == false |
|
1551 | You | "The connections are pretty dirty, but I don't have anything to clean them with." | Variable["jam.monument_perc_oils"] == true and Variable["jam.monument_logic_cleaner"] == true |
|
1552 | You | "The connections look fine to me." |
|
|
1553 | Electrochemistry | More than that, you're sacrificing something precious on the altar... |
|
|
1554 | Noid |
|
||
1555 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1556 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1557 | Noid |
|
||
1558 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_signal_purified"] |
|
|
1559 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_signal_purified"]) == false |
|
|
1560 | Noid | "Yeah... maybe some. Not enough though. Would've hoped between that and the de-spooker engaged that we'd be able to align with any frequency, but we're still just medium core, at best." |
|
|
1561 | Noid | "Yeah, maybe it helped *a little*, but the overall picture is still pretty soft core, at best." |
|
|
1562 | Horseback Antenna | "... unser einziges Kind. Er kann doch auch nächstes Jahr zur Akademie gehen..." |
|
|
1563 | Noid | "Hang on, I'm looking at Egg's checklist. He says: 'IF ALL FAILS, BEND ANTENNA. NARROW IS THE HARD CORE WAY'... That make any sense to you?" |
|
|
1564 | You | Look down. |
|
|
1565 | Horseback Antenna | A few of the idle lorry drivers and strike breakers gesture at you with their cigarettes, more out of curiosity than anything else. From the window of one of the adjacent apartment buildings, an older woman leans out, her heavy breasts sagging... |
|
|
1566 | Horseback Antenna | She yells a single word you can't make out, and then shuts the window with a violent *thunk*. |
|
|
1567 | Esprit de Corps | Down below a little doll-sized lieutenant is looking up, shielding his eyes. He's worried for you. |
|
|
1568 | Horseback Antenna | Across the river, you can see the lights of Coalition Warship Archer floating above Revachol East. |
|
|
1569 | Horseback Antenna | A clear sky. The kind of day where anything might happen... |
|
|
1570 | Horseback Antenna | The sky is gray and overcast. Somehow, the raindrops seem to fall more slowly from this angle... |
|
|
1571 | Noid |
|
||
1572 | Noid | Variable["auto.is_raining"] == false and Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == false |
|
|
1573 | Noid | (Variable["auto.is_raining"] == false and Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == false) == false |
|
|
1574 | Horseback Antenna | A clear night sky. The stars make for a brilliant display... |
|
|
1575 | Horseback Antenna | The sky is opaque with dark clouds. Somehow, the raindrops seem to fall more slowly from this angle... |
|
|
1576 | Horseback Antenna | Through the scrim, you can just make out the shadow of Coalition Warship Archer a few kilometres to the east. |
|
|
1577 | Noid |
|
||
1578 | Noid | Variable["auto.is_raining"] == false and Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == false |
|
|
1579 | Noid | (Variable["auto.is_raining"] == false and Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == false) == false |
|
|
1580 | Horseback Antenna | Across the river, you can see Coalition Warship Archer tracing its gradual circuit above Revachol East. |
|
|
1581 | You | Look up. |
|
|
1582 | Horseback Antenna | You turn to the east, but the visibility is quite poor. You see no sign of Coalition Warship Archer, though you know it can't be too far away. |
|
|
1583 | Noid |
|
||
1584 | Noid | IsDaytime() |
|
|
1585 | Noid | (IsDaytime()) == false |
|
|
1586 | None |
|
||
1587 | Noid |
|
||
1588 | Noid | CheckItem("sabre") |
|
|
1589 | Noid | (CheckItem("sabre")) == false |
|
|
1590 | Horseback Antenna | His imperious gaze leads you naturally to his outstretched hand, which for some reason strikes you as sadly empty... |
|
|
1591 | None |
|
||
1592 | You | Look at the rider. |
|
|
1593 | Horseback Antenna | You are face to face with Filippe III. The bronze king looks toward the west. Something about his features seems bizarrely distorted. |
|
|
1594 | Logic | Not intentionally. It’s a matter of perspective. The king was never meant to be seen from such an angle as you’ve attained. |
|
|
1595 | Endurance | He seems ill-equipped for wherever he’s going. A king should not go about unarmed. |
|
|
1596 | Savoir Faire | You can't help but feel that *sabre* you picked up might just give this old king a little more panache *and* better reception! |
|
|
1597 | Horseback Antenna | To your surprise, the sabre's hilt fits quite snugly in the statue's hand. The king cuts quite the triumphal figure now. |
|
|
1598 | You | Keep it to yourself. |
|
|
1599 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Everything in order, detective? You're really giving Filippe III a stare." |
|
|
1600 | Conceptualization | Come on! Kings and sabres are so *played out*. There's a *better* way... |
|
|
1601 | None |
|
||
1602 | You | That's brilliant! [Put the sabre between the horse's teeth.] |
|
|
1603 | You | That's a little *too* out there. [Put the sabre in the king's hand.] |
|
|
1604 | Noid |
|
||
1605 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1606 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1607 | Horseback Antenna | The king won't know what he's missing. He looks straight ahead, his expression defiant and verdigris. |
|
|
1608 | You | Wait, what's this 'better way'? | Variable["jam.warship_concept_horse_better"] == true |
|
1609 | Conceptualization | Why not arm the good king's valiant steed instead? There seems to be *just* enough room between its teeth there... |
|
|
1610 | Horseback Antenna | To your surprise, the sabre slides snugly between the horse's bared teeth. |
|
|
1611 | You | Attach the sabre. |
|
|
1612 | None |
|
||
1613 | You | Keep it to yourself. |
|
|
1614 | Noid |
|
||
1615 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1616 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1617 | Noid | "You alright up there?" |
|
|
1618 | Noid | "Wow, this is a huge leap forward for hard core style. Good work." |
|
|
1619 | Noid | "Nah, every bit helps. We need this antenna to be as hard core as humanly possible." |
|
|
1620 | Kim Kitsuragi | "There is no way *that* is going to make any difference..." |
|
|
1621 | None |
|
||
1622 | None |
|
||
1623 | None |
|
||
1624 | Empathy | He's right. This was your responsibility... |
|
|
1625 | Noid |
|
||
1626 | Noid | (CheckItemGroup("alcohol") or CheckItem("ammonia_ampoule")) and (Variable["jam.monument_logic_cleaner"]) |
|
|
1627 | Noid | ((CheckItemGroup("alcohol") or CheckItem("ammonia_ampoule")) and (Variable["jam.monument_logic_cleaner"])) == false |
|
|
1628 | Noid |
|
||
1629 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1630 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1631 | Noid | "You're getting out-tangled by the Big Bad. Time to try something else." |
|
|
1632 | Soona, the Programmer | "This line of argument is quite pointless. You should abandon it." |
|
|
1633 | Horseback Antenna | The programmer's words are nearly swallowed by the roar of the Laurel's main rotors... |
|
|
1634 | Empathy | Whatever her misgivings about the Coalition, the fact is that you've summoned an aerostatic with your voice. An achievement she never thought she'd witness... |
|
|
1635 | Esprit de Corps | But where is your half-brother, the lieutenant? He should be here... |
|
|
1636 | None |
|
||
1637 | None |
|
||
1638 | You | "How am I supposed to inspect the connections?" | Variable["jam.warship_antenna_physics"] |
|
1639 | Noid | "My guess, you climb up the centaur-man, see if there's anything obviously *interfering* with them. Maybe you've got some technical law-science?" |
|
|
1640 | Logic | This isn't exactly your area of expertise, though... |
|
|
1641 | Kim Kitsuragi | "... someone has been maintaining it..." |
|
|
1642 | Savoir Faire | No problem at all. You've already teleported up *way* greater heights. |
|
|
1643 | Noid |
|
||
1644 | Noid | Variable["boardwalk.feld_ladder_climb_succeeded"] |
|
|
1645 | Noid | (Variable["boardwalk.feld_ladder_climb_succeeded"]) == false |
|
|
1646 | You | "But what if I slip and fall..." | Variable["jam.warship_need_to_climb"] == true |
|
1647 | Noid |
|
||
1648 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1649 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1650 | Noid | "It's got to be you. I'm manning the decks down here." |
|
|
1651 | You | "But I don't know what I'm doing..." | Variable["jam.warship_logic_expertise"] == true |
|
1652 | You | "No problem. I've already mastered the art of teleportation." | Variable["jam.warship_savoir_teleported"] == true and Variable["jam.warship_need_to_climb"] == true |
|
1653 | Kim Kitsuragi | "You actually haven't. But you have proven that you're a relatively capable climber." |
|
|
1654 | Physical Instrument | Come on, son. This isn't anything but a common high bar! Just get a solid overhand grip and hoist yourself up! |
|
|
1655 | Inland Empire | Images of your body smashed against the pavement flood your mind -- this is *dangerous*. |
|
|
1656 | Noid |
|
||
1657 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_phys_inst_bar"] |
|
|
1658 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_phys_inst_bar"]) == false |
|
|
1659 | Noid | "Then there's no problem, is there?" |
|
|
1660 | Noid | "But that's what the invalids' fund is for, so don't worry about it for now." |
|
|
1661 | Physical Instrument | Something about this set-up seems dimly familiar, but you'll be damned if you know what you're supposed to do about it. |
|
|
1662 | Noid | "Maybe you break an arm, maybe you break your neck. Could go either way, honestly." |
|
|
1663 | Noid |
|
||
1664 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_logic_pale_whitecheck"] |
|
|
1665 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_logic_pale_whitecheck"]) == false |
|
|
1666 | Noid |
|
||
1667 | Noid | IsNighttime() |
|
|
1668 | Noid | (IsNighttime()) == false |
|
|
1669 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Well, it's rather dark now, but from our porthole, we can just make out the rolling hillsides. We can see the lanterns lining the walkways through a public park..." |
|
|
1670 | Noid |
|
||
1671 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"] |
|
|
1672 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"]) == false |
|
|
1673 | Noid |
|
||
1674 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"] |
|
|
1675 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"]) == false |
|
|
1676 | Noid |
|
||
1677 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_question_counter"] == 1 |
|
|
1678 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_question_counter"] == 1) == false |
|
|
1679 | Noid |
|
||
1680 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_question_counter"] >= 3 |
|
|
1681 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_question_counter"] >= 3) == false |
|
|
1682 | Noid |
|
||
1683 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_question_counter"] == 4 |
|
|
1684 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_question_counter"] == 4) == false |
|
|
1685 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Is everything alright? We lost the connection for a moment..." |
|
|
1686 | Coalition Warship Archer | "... Firewalker? Are you there?" |
|
|
1687 | Horseback Antenna | "Liebling, bitte... Er ist unser einziges Kind..." |
|
|
1688 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It's been a long winter... Long and cold." |
|
|
1689 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It's been a long winter... Long and cold." |
|
|
1690 | Coalition Warship Archer | "... Firewalker? Are you there?" |
|
|
1691 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Come again? We are picking up more interference..." |
|
|
1692 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Is everything alright?" |
|
|
1693 | Noid | "Bad news, lawman. Signal's going down. These waves are receding. Time to let go..." |
|
|
1694 | Noid | "This is it: Final question time. I can already feel our alignment getting shaky..." |
|
|
1695 | Noid | "Signal's weakening. I'd guess you've got about two questions left..." |
|
|
1696 | Noid | "Bad news, lawman. Signal's going down. These waves are receding. Time to let go..." |
|
|
1697 | Noid | "This is it: Final question time. I can already feel our alignment getting shaky..." |
|
|
1698 | Noid |
|
||
1699 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1700 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1701 | Horseback Antenna | You look around. Most everyone has already gone home for the night. It's really just you and the programmer left... |
|
|
1702 | Noid |
|
||
1703 | Noid | Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] |
|
|
1704 | Noid | (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false |
|
|
1705 | Horseback Antenna | You look around. The strike breakers are still shouting their slogans and waving their hand-painted signs. Beneath you, the programmer has begun disconnecting a few cables... |
|
|
1706 | None |
|
||
1707 | None |
|
||
1708 | None |
|
||
1709 | None |
|
||
1710 | Coalition Warship Archer | "There are a few people on horses by a small pond. The homes and gardens are quite beautiful, very near like those in certain areas of Messina." |
|
|
1711 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Ah, there are children building a snowman by a small pond. The homes and gardens are quite beautiful, very near like those in certain areas of Messina." |
|
|
1712 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Ah, there are children running home to get out of the rain. The homes and gardens are quite beautiful, very near like those in certain areas of Messina." |
|
|
1713 | Coalition Warship Archer | "Ah, there are children playing by a small pond. The homes and gardens are quite beautiful, very near like those in certain areas of Messina." |
|
|
1714 | Rhetoric | That's sarcasm, she's clearly Messinian. |
|
|
1715 | Coalition Warship Archer | "No -- well, not quite. The Moralintern never *intends* to violate another nation's sovereignty. That would be a serious violation of international law..." |
|
|
1716 | None |
|
||
1717 | None |
|
||
1718 | Coalition Warship Archer | "We repeat: Were you alone?" |
|
|
1719 | Noid |
|
||
1720 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_turned_down_archer"] |
|
|
1721 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_turned_down_archer"]) == false |
|
|
1722 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant gives a long sigh as he removes his headphones. There's relief on his face as he turns toward you. |
|
|
1723 | You | "Built by whom?" |
|
|
1724 | Coalition Warship Archer | "By thousands of people over many centuries, in keeping with a precise plan each believed in but never expected to see the final completion of..." |
|
|
1725 | You | (Say nothing.) |
|
|
1726 | You | "Built for *me*?" |
|
|
1727 | Coalition Warship Archer | "For you, for all of humanity..." |
|
|
1728 | Horseback Antenna | The cold metal chills your bare hands. Some part of your brain tells you something is missing... |
|
|
1729 | Hand/Eye Coordination | Chalk powder. Absorbs moisture and keeps your grip firm. |
|
|
1730 | Soona, the Programmer | "Good. Now, give me a hand with these amplifiers. Leave the cables. I don't feel like making two trips..." |
|
|
1731 | Noid | "About time. You grab that amp. Forget the cables. Need to leave some evidence of our antenna to inspire future generations..." |
|
|
1732 | Noid |
|
||
1733 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1734 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1735 | Noid |
|
||
1736 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1737 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1738 | None |
|
||
1739 | You | "I was recently caught in a violent confrontation between the Union and a group of mercenaries hired by the Wild Pines..." | Variable["TASK.return_to_whirling_done"] == true |
|
1740 | You | "The Wild Pines completely failed to control the paramilitary death squad they hired..." | Variable["TASK.return_to_whirling_done"] == true |
|
1741 | You | "And now there are multiple casualties on both sides of the conflict. The harbour is locked down, the Wild Pines rep is gone. It's... very bad." | Variable["TASK.return_to_whirling_done"] == true |
|
1742 | Noid |
|
||
1743 | Noid | CheckEquippedGroup("gloves") |
|
|
1744 | Noid | (CheckEquippedGroup("gloves")) == false |
|
|
1745 | Noid |
|
||
1746 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_phys_inst_bar"] |
|
|
1747 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_phys_inst_bar"]) == false |
|
|
1748 | Noid |
|
||
1749 | Noid |
|
||
1750 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_turned_down_archer"] |
|
|
1751 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_turned_down_archer"]) == false |
|
|
1752 | Noid |
|
||
1753 | Noid |
|
||
1754 | Noid | Variable["jam.warship_turned_down_archer"] |
|
|
1755 | Noid | (Variable["jam.warship_turned_down_archer"]) == false |
|
|
1756 | Noid |
|
||
1757 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1758 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1759 | Interfacing | You allow the broken hunk of metal to clatter to the ground. It wasn't clear to you it did anything anyway... |
|
|
1760 | Noid |
|
||
1761 | Noid | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1762 | Noid | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1763 | Coalition Warship Archer | "What the consequences will be for your refusal to accept responsibility, we cannot say. For your sake, we pray they are not more than we all can bear." |
|