*temp kneecap false Often, when one is forced to realize that violence will only ever be met with more violence, that realization alone is enough to deter them from acting out. And being confronted with someone who actually knows how to fight is often a powerful motivator to keep the peace. I draw their attention the moment I've made my approach. "This ain't your business; buzz off." The main aggressor says, saliva spraying out and landing on my face. Both he and his allies look at me, expecting me to make a move of some sort. I know these types of people; they don't know how to solve their problems any way other than through violence, but they're too weak individually to make that a reliable method so they instead rely on group tactics and intimidation. There was always someone like this at any given time in my old workplace, though they usually didn't live very long. If the battlefield didn't kill them, their 'victims' usually did. Judging by how confidently these three marched into class and started grabbing at their superior, they have yet to learn the lesson that every abuser of power does eventually. Violence will only ever be met with more violence. Some embrace this, accept it, become stronger for it and all the more ruthless, like my former employers, and me; something tells me these three would react quite differently to the realization. Still, they don't have to specifically learn that lesson right now. I'd be happy with just getting out of this without a fight. "You're going to stop that." *page_break Next *set lucyrelationship "Worried" "I don't need your help," Stein scowls at me, but something tells me I couldn't pull out even if I tried; their attention has left Miss Stein and is now focused solely on me. "Quiet," the main aggressor finally lets go of her arm, albeit by pushing her. Miss Stein casts him a glance, more annoyed than intimidated, before sighing in exasperation, "Fine; if you're all going to kill each other then get it over with." Well, it's good to know I have authorization from the local authority, though lethal force would probably still get me in trouble with the higher ups. Besides, I'm still hesitant to allow this to escalate into a fight at all. A peaceful outcome is looking more and more distant, as my opponents continue to stare at me, as if waiting for me to make a move in a classic western-style showdown. Pretty stupid of them; if they are determined to fight, they should just go in right away. Still, I won't complain, since it gives me an opportunity to speak. *fake_choice #Try to be diplomatic I'm not one to do things halfway; if I'm going to kill someone, you can be sure that I'll be thorough about it. Likewise, if I'm going to go to the extra trouble of avoiding a fight, you can expect the same degree of determination. "I do not wish to kill you, or cause any other variety of bodily harm. I would prefer to avoid a fight with you." He grins at my facade of submission, perceiving it as having his authority recognized; unfortunately, this only appears to embolden him. "Maybe I don't. Maybe I might just take that out on you. What do you think of that?" "It would be a very bad idea." I say, but judging by the twitch in his hand that precedes a punch, it appears he's already made his decision. I see the punch coming from a mile away. *fake_choice #Don't retaliate *set hurt true *set hurtbybullies true *set reflex -1 The punch makes a solid connection with my jaw, but my face has suffered much worse than this and he wasn't trying to kill me in the first place so it doesn't to much other than knock me to the side. It hurts, but pain is irrelevant as long as nothing is damaged. If he'd been serious, I might have had to take more drastic action. Of course, very few people stop with one attack, so it's only a matter of seconds before he has grabbed onto my throat and is continually punching me in the face. This is slightly more problematic; the punches hurt like hell and I can probably expect some bruising, but the bigger problem is the restricted airway. I would normally be able to hold my breath for a few minutes, long enough to find a way out, but with the attacks on my face I am unable to keep from trying to breath. If this keeps up, I may actually fall unconscious. And then Miss Stein would be without protection; not to mention, I'd be unconscious. *fake_choice #I can endure in the name of peace *set reflex -1 *set lucy_stein +30 Resigning myself, I decide that if nothing else, my primary objective of protecting Stein was complete; my well-being is secondary to that. Besides, I won't die. Just as I feel myself slipping into unconsciousness, an arm comes to my rescue. "That's enough!" Miss Stein slaps him across the face, dazing him just enough for me to get air back in my lungs. "You are out of line, and I won't allow this! All three of you, to the office, now!" She could hit with a surprising amount of force, leaving a bright red mark on his face that is somewhat amusing to look at. He, of course, is somewhat less amused. "You nosy little cu-" He begins winding up a punch towards her, but she simply slaps him again while he is too busy building up force. "I said, that's enough!" She says, crossing her arms, "Do you really think you're the first pretty boy hot shot I've had to deal with? Ha! I pick bigger fish than you out of my teeth for breakfast!" *page_break Next "I can not-" He begins, but is cut off by another slap to the face, "Stop doing that!" "No, that's not how this works. You don't make commands, that's my job. Now; you are going to step back, and apologize right this minute, or I will make the rest of your year a living hell." "What, are you going to tell the teacher on us?" "Tell the teacher?" Miss Stein laughs, "What do I need a teacher's authority for? No, the only authority I need is mine. And I'll use the ammo you just gift-wrapped to me, with over a dozen witnesses." She gestures to the class, and speaks with the confidence of a veteran. "You think I'll call you out on bullying? Get you suspended for about a week? If so, you have no idea who you're dealing with. I have you for assault and battery, do you know what that means? That's a few weeks in the courtroom, getting the entire media focused on you, reporters at your door analyzing every embarrassing detail about your life, and your family's life; I'm sure they'll find plenty of things on your parents, if you're any indication of the home life. And then, just to top it off, I'll do everything in my power to get you behind bars for the rest of your sophomore year; I'll tell you right now, prison is not kind to pretty boy hot shots." Stein grins, "So, what's it going to be? Are you going to apologize to the nice man and scamper off like a good little dog, or am I going to have to put you in the kennel?" My old employers would love to get their hands on her. Her ruthlessness would have fit in well with us back in the day. Stein holds the pink slip from earlier out to him; he looks between it, her, me, and his friends (who have taken several steps back, leaving him without backup). Eventually, Miss Stein's will overtakes his and he meekly leaves the room with the slip in hand. With the leader neutralized, Stein turns her attention to his accomplices. "I can make both your lives very difficult," she explains to them, "A word of advice from a concerned party; find better friends." *page_break Next *set lucyrelationship "Grateful" If I'd known Miss Stein really could just intimidate her enemies into submission, I might have stayed out of it entirely. It would have saved me from my current headache induced from the blunt force trauma of repeated punches. "Are you alright?" Stein says while inspecting the patches of broken skin, "He hit you pretty hard." "I'll be fine." I respond; back home, experiences like this could be best summed up as 'Tuesday afternoon.' "Wow, you must be made of iron. You're not even breathing hard." Stein remarks, "Even so, do you want me to take you to the nurse?" Well, she appears to have changed her tune quite dramatically. *fake_choice #That probably isn't a bad idea There's probably no cause for alarm, but it would probably be best to go to the nurse anyway. Just in case. "Very well. You can lead the way." "Alright, and hey, try not to sound so grim. It's not like we're going to war." *page_break Lunch (in the nurse's office) *goto_scene 1-9lucylunch-1 The bell rings shortly after we leave the room, signalling the beginning of lunch. Nevertheless, Stein doesn't even consider leaving until we're at the nurse's office. #It'll heal on its own "There's no need; I've had much, much worse." "Well...fine, if you want to be tough," Stein said, "Just...try not to get into anymore trouble. I won't be bailing you out next time." *page_break Lunch... *if ((male =true) or (third_incident =true)) *goto_scene 1-9fightlunch-1 Compared to how the class started, I'm able to get out with relatively little bother. *goto_scene 1-9lunch-1 Stein makes good on her promise and refuses to leave me alone the rest of the hour, but once the bell rings we go our seperate ways. Other than that, I'm able to go to the lunchroom without any other bother. #This has gone too far This has gone beyond what I was expecting; it's time to re-establish control before I'm put in an actually dangerous position. Sorry Miss Stein. Given my position, I can't work up a tremendous amount of force to strike back; luckily, it doesn't take a whole lot of force to press your fingers into someone's neck, just above the adam's apple, and jab into their airway. He immediately jumps back, coughing the entire time, giving me time to get back on my feet. Now, as long as he is unable to breath properly, he serves more as an obstacle than a combatant and can form an effective wall between me and his allies. Once he's recovered, however, I'll be dealing with three opponents at once. Those are odds I would prefer to avoid, so I resolve to finish him off while before the others can interfere. He being in no state to effectively fight back, it is easy to close the distance once again and finish him with a quick kick to the kneecap, shattering the joint and leaving him unable to stand. *page_break Next Faced with actual resistance, the remaining two appear far less enthusiastic about their life choices. Still, they're holding onto their belief in the strength in numbers and thus not making the much smarter choice of simply running away; the fact that I'm still a little wobbly from the beating might be a contributing factor. *fake_choice #Attack while they're distracted *if violent =95 *set violent +5 *if violent <95 *set violent +10 Typically when you aren't completely sure what to do, violence is a good fall-back strategy. Upon seeing me move forward, they fall back on defending themselves. Two opponents, prideful, won't retreat unless faced with overwhelming force, untrained yet physically powerful. Their advantage is numbers and physical strength, my advantage is superior training and experience. I've had worse odds. *page_break Next By the time I'm close to melee range, they've resolved to be fight aggressively. Unlike in the Hollywood action movies, I can't rely on them attacking one at a time; right from the start I see them trying to get on either side of me to attack from both directions. It isn't too difficult to keep them both where I can see them at the moment, but that will change once I make contact. Once they've realized they won't be able to corner me so easily, they both charge forward. The one on the right appears to be trying to grab onto my arm while the other is settling for a punch toward the stomach. In either case, staying in one place is suicide. But luckily, I have advantage of terrain; making use of the desk behind me, I quickly vault over it. The one trying to grab me simply moves around, but the other one feels his punch make direct contact with the desk, likely breaking his hand or at least fracturing several fingers. A perfect example of why you should never throw a punch unless you know exactly where it is going to go. He takes a second to whine about his broken hand, a moment of hesitation that probably would have gotten him killed where I come from, and thus I'm able to focus on the one that went around the desk like a sensible person. He is still trying to tackle me, but there's too many obstacles for him to gain any momentum thus he is left in a stance leaving his legs wide open. One quick kick to the groin leaves him in a state of extreme pain, a move he obviously wasn't expecting; I still question the American habit of restricting themselves from using certain methods in combat. While he's concentrating on the pain, I move in quickly and, while his balanced is off due to the buckling of his knees, kick his legs out from under him and let his head collide with the ground. *page_break Next With one nursing a shattered kneecap and the other unconscious, I'm left with only one possible threat, and one of his hands have been rendered useless. The remaining assailant has clearly realized that he's lost this fight, his only problem is that I'm between him and the exit. *fake_choice #Give him a break *set lucy_stein +5 *set combat -1 *set explosives -1 *set humanity +1 *set lucyrelationship "Grateful" He obviously knows that this fight is over; no one ever said I couldn't have a little mercy every now and then. I step to the side to give him a clear run for the exit. After a moment of hesitation, he wisely accepts my generous offer and leaves the room as fast as his legs can take him. "I've never seen someone run so fast." I hear Miss Stein say. Clearly she's never had a live grenade fall at her feet. "Where did you learn to fight like that?" "I grew up in a rough neighborhood." #Never accept surrender *set kneecap true *set lucyrelationship "Grateful" I'm not going to make the mistake of letting an enemy go while they are still a threat. Especially when I'm so close to finishing; that's one of the worst times to make a mistake. He's stepping backward, trying to get what little distance he can; I'm able to easily close the gap. When he sees me approaching he finally commits to fighting, but it's too late. Aware of his disabled hand, I jab high on the side that he's weak on. His other arm extends around to block; the awkward block hinders his vision and puts all his energy high, allowing me to follow up with an attack low with a kick to his kneecap. He falls on top of his broken knee, though impressively he manages to keep himself from falling completely on the ground by supporting himself with one arm on a desk. Impressive reactions, though it does make his head at the perfect level for me to grab. Holding his head steady, I bring my knee up into his face. He's unconscious before he hits the ground. *page_break Next *if (male =true) "You don't think that was a tad bit overkill?" I hear Miss Stein ask behind me "Any tactic that works it to be considered valid." *if (female =true) "Are you alright?" I hear Miss Stein ask behind me "Better than them." "Well, in any case, you should go see the nurse." "Why is that?" "Because you just took a punch of smacks to the face." "I've had worse." "Look...I honestly don't care much about your face one way or the other, but I need your help to carry these kids to the nurse, *if (male =true) and seeing as how this is mostly your fault anyway, I won't take no as an answer." *if (female =true) and between them and those marks on your face, I won't take no as an answer." Well, I suppose I can't argue with rank. That always tends to end rather...painfully, where I'm from. *page_break Lunch (in the nurse's office) *goto_scene 1-9lucylunch-1 Miss Stein tries to keep eye contact between the two of us to a minimum; I suppose first impressions are hard to get over. I try not to be too overbearing, as I am still trying to move past those move past those first impressions, and I'm not very good at conversation in general. Still, I would have preferred if we had gotten someone else to help our recently wounded friends on their way with us. #Intimidate them into surrendering "Your friend...he hit me in the head." I tell them, "You are aware that blows to the head can easily kill someone. So I can easily make the assumption that you three were trying to kill me." I take a step forward to test the waters, and they instinctively take a step backward. "You know...I'm not from around here. I'm not sure how they handle cases like this here, but where I come from, we have a policy on how to deal with people that try to kill you. You see, we're really supportive of the 'eye-for-an-eye' culture that seems to be dying out in America lately. Some call it an archaic mindset, but I think it gets pretty good results." *page_break Next *if (male =true) "Alright, you made your point." Miss Stein walks between us with her arms crossed, "You boys had your fun, now it's time to wrap things up. We have a bell about to ring in just a few minutes and I want to get the both of you to the nurse before the hallways crowd up." She says the last part while gesturing to me and the kid with the currently shattered kneecap. I don't bother telling her that it will take a lot more than a visit to the nurse to fix that. "Why am I going?" Stein raises an eyebrow at me, "After what he just did to your face? There's no way in hell I'm leaving you alone to collapse. You're both coming with me." *page_break Lunch (in the nurse's office) *goto_scene 1-9lucylunch-1 Despite, or perhaps because of, my assurances that I have suffered way worse than a few punches to the face, Miss Stein doesn't relent and continues to order me to see the nurse. Seeing as how I already went through all this effort to keep her out of trouble, it would seem pretty dumb to start fighting her so I decide to go along. Though I would have preferred if we had gotten someone else to help our recently crippled friend limp his way over. #Defend myself I tried being nice for Miss Stein's sake, but I'm not about to let myself come to harm. I attack before he gets the chance; unlike him, I know better than to announce my attacks with long build up. I cut him off with a quick strike to his heart, the force of which causes him to cough and stop his attack. The delay is only for less than a quarter of a second, but I've taken away his momentum, removing the immediate threat. I imagine there's also a broken rib that he'll discover once his adrenaline wears off. In the meantime, I have less than a quarter of a second to take advantage of the break. I use my other hand to get a grip on his throat, pressing my thumb into the space just above his Adam's Apple and into the airway. He instinctively goes into full retreat, rapidly stepping backwards in the hope of recapturing his breath. I'm going with him as he does, delivering a knee to the groin with every step forward. Before too long, we run into a desk and he collapses from the cumulative pain. *page_break Next There's two left that I can see, and after my sudden outbreak of violence they appear visibly shaken. Faced with actual resistance, the remaining two appear far less enthusiastic about their life choices. Still, they're holding onto their belief in the strength in numbers and thus not making the much smarter choice of simply running away. *fake_choice #Attack while they're distracted *if violent =95 *set violent +5 *if violent <95 *set violent +10 Typically when you aren't completely sure what to do, violence is a good fall-back strategy. Upon seeing me move forward, they fall back on defending themselves. Two opponents, prideful, won't retreat unless faced with overwhelming force, untrained yet physically powerful. Their advantage is numbers and physical strength, my advantage is superior training and experience. I've had worse odds. *page_break Next By the time I'm close to melee range, they've resolved to be fight aggressively. Unlike in the Hollywood action movies, I can't rely on them attacking one at a time; right from the start I see them trying to get on either side of me to attack from both directions. It isn't too difficult to keep them both where I can see them at the moment, but that will change once I make contact. Once they've realized they won't be able to corner me so easily, they both charge forward. The one on the right appears to be trying to grab onto my arm while the other is settling for a punch toward the stomach. In either case, staying in one place is suicide. But luckily, I have advantage of terrain; making use of the desk behind me, I quickly vault over it. The one trying to grab me simply moves around, but the other one feels his punch make direct contact with the desk, likely breaking his hand or at least fracturing several fingers. A perfect example of why you should never throw a punch unless you know exactly where it is going to go. He takes a second to whine about his broken hand, a moment of hesitation that probably would have gotten him killed where I come from, and thus I'm able to focus on the one that went around the desk like a sensible person. He is still trying to tackle me, but there's too many obstacles for him to gain any momentum thus he is left in a stance leaving his legs wide open. One quick kick to the groin leaves him in a state of extreme pain, a move he obviously wasn't expecting; I still cuestion the American habit of restricting themselves from using certain methods in combat. While he's concentrating on the pain, I move in quickly and, while his balanced is off due to the buckling of his knees, kick his legs out from under him and let his head collide with the ground. *page_break Next With one nursing a shattered kneecap and the other unconscious, I'm left with only one possible threat, and one of his hands have been rendered useless. The remaining assailant has clearly realized that he's lost this fight, his only problem is that I'm between him and the exit. *fake_choice #Give him a break *set lucy_stein +5 *set combat -1 *set explosives -1 *set humanity +1 He obviously knows that this fight is over; no one ever said I couldn't have a little mercy every now and then. I step to the side to give him a clear run for the exit. After a moment of hesitation, he wisely accepts my generous offer and leaves the room as fast as his legs can take him. "I suppose your impressed with yourself," Miss Stein says, crossing her arms "Not particularly; I didn't really do anything spectacular." #Never accept surrender *set kneecap true *if (male =true) *set lucy_stein -5 I'm not going to make the mistake of letting an enemy go while they are still a threat. Especially when I'm so close to finishing; that's one of the worst times to make a mistake. He's stepping backward, trying to get what little distance he can; I'm able to easily close the gap. When he sees me approaching he finally commits to fighting, but it's too late. Aware of his disabled hand, I jab high on the side that he's weak on. His other arm extends around to block; the awkward block hinders his vision and puts all his energy high, allowing me to follow up with an attack low with a kick to his kneecap. He falls on top of his broken knee, though impressively he manages to keep himself from falling completely on the ground by supporting himself with one arm on a desk. Impressive reactions, though it does make his head at the perfect level for me to grab. Holding his head steady, I bring my knee up into his face. He's unconscious before he hits the ground. *page_break Next *if (male =true) "You don't think that was a tad bit overkill?" I hear Miss Stein ask behind me "Any tactic that works it to be considered valid." *if (female =true) "Are you alright?" I hear Miss Stein ask behind me "Better than them." *if (destroyed_school_security =true) "Well, in any case, I need to take these guys to the nurse." "Why is that?" "Because how else are they going to get there? Do you really expect anyone else to carry them?" "I meant why are you helping?" "Because I'm student council president, and I can't just ignore injured students." "I see." "Besides, you're the one who made this mess so it's only right that you help clean up. You can just go, I'll call in a few favors and make sure none of this gets back to you." *page_break Lunch... *if ((male =true) or (third_incident =true)) *goto_scene 1-9fightlunch-1 Compared to how the class started, I'm able to get out with relatively little bother. *goto_scene 1-9lunch-1 Compared to how the class started, I'm able to get out with relatively little bother. *if (destroyed_school_security =false) *set fifth_incident true *set incidents +1 "Well, in any case..." She never gets a chance to finish whatever she was about to say, because almost right away there's school faculty breaking through the door. I suppose it was only a matter of time. *page_break Next *if ((incidents >1) and ((third_incident =false) and (female =true))) So here I am, in the principal's office...again. *if (incidents >=2) Going to the principal's office is starting to become a habit today. *if (incidents =1) Before I know it, I'm in the principal's office; looking at a fairly upset Principal Gardner. "Are you insane?!" He bursts out at me "No, I'm a low functioning PTSD survivor with sociopathic tendencies. You were briefed, right?" Principal Gardner was somewhat unnerved after hearing that I had been hospitalizing his students; though, I think it helped that I was acting in self defense. Even Miss Stein stepped up to get the story straight, somewhat surprising given her open disdain for me on the scene. *page_break Next "Given Miss Stein's testimony...I suppose my report to Agent Decker will have to be a little less on the negative side..." Principal Gardner sighed, "You did assist a rather valued member of the student body, after all." It's good that they're focusing on that aspect of it. *page_break Next "I'm sure Miss Stein appreciates your intervention, even if it was a bit...messy," Principal Gardner sighed into his hands, "When they told me you'd be a piece of work, I figured I could handle anything you'd throw at me...I really wish I hadn't made any assumptions..." "Would you have made a different decision, if you had known?" "Honestly, I'm not sure; but as long as you're here, you're my responsibility as much as anyone else here is...tell me, did Agent Decker tell you why you were admitted to this school?" "No." "There were other candidates, you know, that being other schools. Now, not very many other principals wanted you in their school, and I uhm, suppose you can understand why...I was really the only one who volunteered. Do you know why?" *page_break Next When I don't respond, he continues. "Well, you may or may not have noticed, but this school has a history of accepting...problem children. Children who need a little more than an education out of their school. I accepted you into this school, because, well, I believe everyone deserves to have a childhood. Yes they offered donations, but that is beside the point. Us grown ups are supposed to protect children, but we fail so often...so many of you have been cheated, and...well, I want to help fix that, in any way I can." How sentimental... *fake_choice #Unfortunately for him, that kind of feeling is wasted on me; I don't need it I never asked for sympathy. I don't want it. I haven't gotten by out of the generosity of others; growing up, I had the whole world gunning for me from day one. I was starved and hounded everywhere I went. It was painful, and that pain made me strong. It made me ruthless. Others can feel sorry for me if they want, but they'd better not expect me to give a damn. And I only helped her at all because, *fake_choice #I saw an opportunity to fight It's not often I get to indulge in a little violence these days. When fighting is all you know how to do, you learn how to enjoy it. #Just because I don't care about people doesn't mean I like watching them get hurt *set combat -1 *set firearms -1 *set humanity +1 It's like when you see a dog hanging off a ledge; unless you're truly sadistic, then you're going to help it up whether you care about it or not. As long as it's not out of your way, there's no reason not to. Helping the girl was nothing to me, but it might be everything to her. #I see the value in making people think I care when I don't *set combat -1 *set firearms -1 Helping cost me very little, and it might have gained me an ally; tactical advantage is about more than just positioning and keeping weapons on hand. People can be the most useful resources on hand if you know how to set them up just right. #I don't know why; I just did, and I don't plan on thinking about it I've never been one for introspection. Other people can anguish over the why of things, I just do what feels natural. I continue to sit silently; no real reason to say anything when Principal Gardner can make up for both of us. He shifts, but other than that he seems to be adapting to me. I may want to consider changing my mannerisms at some point to keep from becoming predictable. "Anyway, I won't keep you any long...enjoy your lunch." *page_break Lunch... *if ((third_incident =false) and (female =true)) *goto_scene 1-9lunch-1 After he's finished, Principal Gardner sends me off to lunch without much bother. *goto_scene 1-9fightlunch-1 After he's finished, Principal Gardner sends me off to lunch without much bother. #It's too bad I'm not as optimistic as him *set combat -1 *set firearms -1 "I'm not a child; I never learned how. That's not something you can fix." It's not like I don't want what they're offering; a new life, new memories, a chance to begin again. But the past doesn't go away. I know I'm damaged goods. But knowing it isn't the same as being able to change it. "I hope you'll come to see differently, in time...well, speaking of time, I won't hold up any more of yours...have a nice lunch." *page_break Lunch... *if ((third_incident =false) and (female =true)) *goto_scene 1-9lunch-1 After he's finished, Principal Gardner sends me off to lunch without much bother. *goto_scene 1-9fightlunch-1 After he's finished, Principal Gardner sends me off to lunch without much bother. #Maybe I can be as hopeful as him someday *set combat -1 *set firearms -1 *set reflex -1 *set tactics -1 *set humanity +1 It's a pleasant dream; as far out of reach as it feels, I can't help but hope that maybe someday I can actually believe it. "...I guess we'll just have to see about that." "I suppose we will...well, I ah won't take up any more of your time...have a nice lunch." *page_break Lunch... *if ((third_incident =false) and (female =true)) *goto_scene 1-9lunch-1 After he's finished, Principal Gardner sends me off to lunch without much bother. *goto_scene 1-9fightlunch-1 After he's finished, Principal Gardner sends me off to lunch without much bother. #Intimidate them into surrendering "Your friend...he was aiming for my head." I tell them, "You are aware that blows to the head can easily kill someone. So I can easily make the assumption that you three were trying to kill me." I take a step forward to test the waters, and they instinctively take a step backward. "You know...I'm not from around here. I'm not sure how they handle cases like this here, but where I come from, we have a policy on how to deal with people that try to kill you. You see, we're really supportive of the 'eye-for-an-eye' culture that seems to be dying out in American lately. Some call it an archaic mindset, but I think it gets pretty good results." *if (male =true) "Alright, you made your point." Miss Stein walks between us with her arms crossed, "You boys had your fun, now it's time to wrap things up. We have a bell about to ring in just a few minutes and I want to get this sad sack to the nurse's office." She says the last part while gesturing to the kid with the currently shattered kneecap. I don't bother telling her that it will take a lot more than a visit to the nurse to fix that. "Why bother?" Miss Stein raises an eyebrow at me, "Does the title 'Student Council President' not mean anything to you? Don't answer that, just try not to be in the way while I clean up your mess." *page_break Lunch *if ((male =true) or (third_incident =true)) *goto_scene 1-9fightlunch-1 Compared to how the class started, I'm able to get out with relatively little bother. *goto_scene 1-9lunch-1 Compared to how class started, I'm able to get out with relatively little bother. *if (female =true) The two of them don't move, and for a second I wonder if I was sufficiently intimidating enough, or if they might just lack a fear of death. Then I finally realize the problem; I'm standing between them and the exit. Once I step aside, they make a swift retreat. "Well...ok, that was impressive, I'll admit." Miss Stein appears completely unharmed, after everything's said and done, so I suppose I can call this a complete success. "Still, I could have done it myself without anyone having to get hurt," she says to cover her pride, "I mean, just look at the poor kid. I need to make sure he gets checked out." "It's fine, I've had worse." "Look, I need to take him to the nurse anyway," she says, tilting her head to the kid lying on the floor with a shattered kneecap, "Student Council President is way more than just a title." I don't bother telling her that it will take a lot more than a trip to the nurse to fix him up. *page_break Lunch *if ((male =true) or (third_incident =true)) *goto_scene 1-9fightlunch-1 Compared to how the class started, I'm able to get out with relatively little bother. *goto_scene 1-9lunch-1 Compared to how class started, I'm able to get out with relatively little bother. #Threaten them into surrendering *set lucy_stein +30 These people aren't anything special, nor are they in any way particularly brave or talented. In a warzone you have to be on constant alert of people, cause everyone you meet is dangerous in some way; this isn't a warzone. Just three overpriviledged kids trying to get out anger issues. They've never lost anything, or ever experienced real fear for your life. Thinking about it actually makes me genuinely angry, the way people who have lived with everything their entire lives still find some excuse to want more and to take it from other people. If that's what you plan on doing with your life, then why are you even alive? "Why don't you just kill yourselves?" "Excuse me?" "I'm willing to bet you've never really been afraid, right? That desperation for life, the terror of losing everything in a single moment, that's something you've never had. I can tell; it made you weak, soft, and greedy. You've never had to work for what you have, so you don't see why you can't just have everything. Civilization pandered you, gave life to you gift wrapped. But you see, I'm not very civilized; I've never been given anything, I had to fight and claw for it, kill for it. For you fighting is fun, but I don't feel anything when I kill, just the satisfaction of living another day in an empty and meaningless life." "Yes, that's all very impressive..." "No, I'm not trying to impress you. I'm giving you a fair warning; I don't want there to be any miscommunication, or confusion," I make sure to look him straight in the eye as I speak, "Whenever I say 'I'll kill you,' I mean it." *page_break Next "Alright, geez," he expresses his willingness to surrender while still trying to save face, but I can see the trembling in his hand, "This shit just isn't worth it..." "I'm sure the principal will love to hear all about your magnificent change of heart," Stein adds while handing him the pink slip from earlier. With the rebellion successfully put down and its leaders sent off to deal with Miss Stein's authority, she finally focuses her full attention on me, "Well, that was fairly impressive...I'll be honest, when you stepped up, I expected the worst." She was probably right to worry; honestly, even I didn't expect for everyone to get through the ordeal without a scratch, "I'm glad you're satisfied." *if (male =true) "Well...I wouldn't say satisfied. I still would have preferred if you'd left it to me; I'm just glad you didn't resort to fists right from the start." "Unprovoked attacks just paint a target on you. I prefer to avoid that, when possible." "Right, sure, whatever...look, don't break your arm patting yourself on the back, I still haven't forgotten that creepy stunt you pulled in the girl's restroom," *page_break Next As if on cue, the bell rings almost immediately after. "Seems like it's time for lunch," said Stein, "I should go, I have stuff that I need to do during this...I guess thanks, for stepping in. I could have handled it myself and all but...yeah, thanks." I don't respond, partly because there's nothing for me to say and partly because she's already leaving the room to do whatever important thing she just mentioned. I suppose I should follow her example. *page_break Lunch... *if ((third_incident =false) and (female =true)) *goto_scene 1-9lunch-1 Compared to how the class started, I'm able to get out with relatively little bother. *goto_scene 1-9fightlunch-1 Compared to how the class started, I'm able to get out with relatively little bother.