*set nolucy true The best way to fight battles is at a distance. It's a common belief among people like me that if you're too close for bullets to work; you're too close. Even without a gun, the sentiment is the same. Looking around, the most suitable object would be my chair. Stopping briefly, I grab one and lift it. It takes some effort, but it's significantly lighter than what I've had to carry before. Back in the old days I'd frequently have to sprint while carrying a backpack that weighed as much as I did; compared to that, this chair was nothing. I get the attention of the room with my display but nobody tries to stop me; while they're busy trying to figure out what I'm doing, I throw the chair at the main aggressor. Upon impact, he immediately falls back, clearly hurt by the blow. Unfortunately, it appears that my attack may have worked a bit too well; after hitting the intended target, the chair fell and also collided with Stein. *page_break Next Both of them fall on the ground; the aggressor probably has some form of head injury due to it being a direct collision. Miss Stein's injury should be far less severe since she was the victim of a ricochet, but she is clearly hurt nonetheless. I suppose I should have chosen a more precise method, but there's never time for regrets. When it appears neither of them are getting up, the two remaining snap out of the trance of wondering why their spokesperson and intended victim have suddenly been knocked unconscious by a flying chair and focus their attention on me. Upon seeing me, they begin making threatening gestures in the forms of fists, expecting a melee confrontation. They appear to have forgotten that I have more chairs. *page_break Next The 'fight' lasts for less than ten seconds. The crowd of students that had been nervously watching from the beginning actually look somewhat disappointed at how I chose to handle things; unfortunately for them, the most effective method of combat is usually the one that's the most boring to watch. Unfortunately, while I was extremely effective at incapacitating the aggressors, I might have been a bit too effective... Miss Stein doesn't look as harmed as the others, but it's clear that she will likely have some discomfort upon awakening. At least she is no longer in danger, even if I doubt she will be particularly grateful; one can't expect a full victory every time. *if (destroyed_school_security =true) *page_break Next Moments pass, and I start to feel somewhat uneasy. It feels like something should be happening right now but isn't for some reason. And then it hits me; I just knocked out four students in the middle of a crowded classroom, and not a single member of faculty has stepped into the room. "Aren't one of you going to call the nurse?" I ask the crowd of dazed, unresponsive faces. It appears that by my actions, I also removed the only individuals in this classroom who displayed any degree of personality. Even the teacher continues to sleep as if none of this is occurring. Without the power bases to inspire them to act, the entire classroom has just settled into a state of complete apathy. They remain this way all the way until the bell rings, at which point something seems to wake them up and they all pick up their backpacks and leave as if they didn't just watch a fight break out right in front of them. It seems I only really have one option here, *fake_choice #Call the nurse myself *set humanity +1 *set incidents +1 *set fifth_incident true I am somewhat, if not fully responsible for this so it would only be right that I put some effort into patching things up. I'm not completely without morals, after all. There's some twinge of human empathy in me, as shriveled up and neglected as it is. *page_break Next "Are you insane?!" Unfortunately, that didn't stop them from sending me straight to the principal's office once the wounded were finally being tended to. This was probably the only logical conclusion that could occur from calling to report a situation that I caused. *if (incidents >=4) "Are you incapable of going through one class period without trying to kill someone?!" That's a bit harsh "That's a little harsh. If I wanted to actually kill someone, I'd think I would be able to do better than just try." *if (incidents <4) "What on earth were you thinking?!" "When I decided to help Miss Stein, or when I decided to call the nurse?" I thought I was being rather altruistic in both occasions. *page_break Next Principal Gardner sighs 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 the young substitute teacher 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. 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. #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 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. #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 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. #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. #Go to lunch It's not like they'll die, and I have places I need to go. Besides, taking care of people isn't what I was raised up to do. *if ((third_incident =false) and (female =true)) *goto_scene 1-9lunch-1 It appears I underestimated the power of human apathy; it appears not a single student turned me in. I was able to get all the way to the lunchroom without any further bother. *goto_scene 1-9fightlunch-1 It appears I underestimated the power of human apathy; it appears not a single student turned me in. I was able to get all the way to the lunchroom without any further bother. *if (destroyed_school_security =false) *set incidents +1 *set fifth_incident true Moments pass and I start to feel like something was missing. And then it hit me; this was the point in which security officers would be breaking down the door and taking me to the commanding officer. Sure enough, as if summoned by my thought patterns, officers start flooding into the room and shouting at me. "What took you guys so long?" *page_break Next "Are you insane?!" After apprehending me, the first place they took me was to Principal Gardner's office. *if (incidents >=4) "Are you incapable of going through one class period without trying to kill someone?!" That's a bit harsh "That's a little harsh. If I wanted to actually kill someone, I'd think I would be able to do better than just try." *if (incidents <4) "What on earth were you thinking?!" "When I decided to help Miss Stein, or when I decided to call the nurse?" I thought I was being rather altruistic in both occasions. *page_break Next Principal Gardner sighs 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.