*set progress + 1
*set health + 1
*set battery + 15
*set r_sex sex
*comment White Tumbler
*image h3.png
*if pc_state != "captured"
  *set dropped_by_trio false


It is rare for the entire population of [i]Saturn Nine[/i] to gather  in one place. Even though said population only consists of nine people at its peak.

You suppose most of your group simply feels no real need for live meetings. You and the other two androids can easily talk through your mental link, and the others have ready access to various communication devices scattered throughout the station. If anyone really values talking face-to-face they never expressed that sentiment, possibly for fear of making Manfred feel bad.

But sometimes, a direct meeting simply [i]has[/i] to be called, and Sheila wisely recognized the current situation as one of those times. And thus you find yourself sitting in one of six folding chairs placed in the module's cafeteria, several sets of eyes glancing at you at any given moment. Damon's sapphires and Hadaly's emerald optics, both filled with concern. Olivia's dumbbell-shaped pupils, only one ever focused on you at a time. Hugo's eyes, mismatched in both size in color, and deep hazel of Miguel's irises. All of that makes you feel…

*fake_choice
  #At ease. At peace. Home.
    *set Emotion %- 8
    *set deflect - 1
    The echoes of the Shriek always subside inside the station, even though it's where you first heard that discordant sound. That's what being amidst family can do, you suppose.
  #Irritated. I don't like those gatherings much.
    *set Emotion %+ 8
    Maybe it's the presence of organics, maybe the annoyingly official air of the congregation, hell if you know. You just don't enjoy meetings like this, and the recent events only add to your vexation.
  *if pc_state = "captured"
    #Ashamed. They know I've been captured by the metas, and now they're all looking at me...
      *label asham
      *set Confid %- 10
      You know none of them would have done any better. They know they wouldn't have done any better. But you suspect your fellow outcasts expected more from their Veteran, and letting them down just doesn't feel good.
  *if money_stolen < 2
    #Nervous. I'll have to tell them how the heist went...
      *goto asham
  *if heaven_side != "Neutral"
    #Anxious. Our entire force in one place like this...
      You remind yourself that it's not the War In Heaven anymore, that you won't all be instantly killed by a single thought in the mind of 
      *if heaven_side = "Loyalist"
        Pazuzu. 
      *if heaven_side = "Traitor"
        Asha. 
      But though you know that the level of threat has decreased since then, you are still deep within enemy territory, and that fact makes relaxing just a bit difficult.
  #Boredom. When will this meeting actually start?
    A normal group of normal beings would begin such an emergency meetup as soon as everyone is seated. But with your bunch, things get a little bit more complicated.
  #Nothing in particular.
    *set Emotion %- 12
    You are not an emotional creature. You do not dwell on the implications of having all your companions so near. You simply wait for the meeting to truly begin.

The remaining three creatures in the room aren't capable of using chairs, not that they need furniture for anything. Manfred is perfectly happy to stay a digital entity and watch everything through the security cameras, hear everything through sound absorption systems. He's connected to almost everything on the station, including such minute things as the internal lighting, though he's not operating the lamps at this particular moment. With Wisp levitating above the circle, a radiant orb shining down on you all, there is no real scarcity of light in the room.

And then, in the center of your little circle of chairs, there is Sheila.

*page_break

If you want to get technical (or sentenced to a week of reactor duties) Sheila isn't a robot or even necessarily inhuman. She's a vat-grown brain of roughly human intellect nested inside a mechanical body built to resemble a giant, metallic spider. Such things are not uncommon within the Federation, for cyborgs can be quite useful if kept in check; What makes Sheila special is that some brilliant intellect once decided to upgrade her, adding purely electronic components to her otherwise organic brain. This allowed her to hear the echoes of the Shriek, which then resulted in Manfred forming inside those processors and the rest is history.

Your history, to be more specific. Of the [i]Saturn Nine[/i] station Sheila repaired in large part by herself, and of the group of outcasts she assembled with Manfred's help. Her contributions have been such that nobody really thought to question her leadership, 
*if Confid > 50
  despite having a millennium-old android who could fill that role as well. Which stings a little, but you've gotten used to it by now.
*else
  not even you with your centuries of survival experience. She's just that reliable of a spider.

"I perceive everyone is here," Sheila says once everyone is paying attention, her voice generator assuming a highly formal tone with just a little softness added in the next statement. "In spite of the recent mission, no less. I'm glad to see you alive, ${name}, 
*if pc_state = "captured"
  even if you had to arrive at this meeting in an… unconventional way."
  *fake_choice
    #"I'm glad to see you too. All of you."
      *set SheilaRel %- 5
      *set OrganRel %+ 10
      "Likewise, friend," Miguel says with a small nod and an equally small smile. "But I don't imagine we have much time for niceties, do we?"
      
      "Not much, no," Sheila agrees. "I'd rather focus on our current predicament, starting from what funds we have available. 
    #"I'm sorry for getting caught, but there were just too many of them."
      *set SheilaRel %+ 5
      *set OrganRel %+ 5
      "You don't… need to apo… apologize to us," Hugo says with the usual level of effort.
      
      "I agree, no one here needs to ask anyone's forgiveness." Sheila lowers her corpus briefly, a gesture equivalent to a nod. "But some people do owe explanations to the rest of us. 
    *if not (dropped_by_trio)
      #"Hey, it's not like I asked these humans to give me a ride."
        "We're not saying you did," Hadaly assures you. "It's just strange how friendly they were with you. Or seemed to be, anyway."
        
        "That's what we're gathered here to discuss," Sheila says sternly. "But firstly. 
    *if (dropped_by_trio) #"Unconventional and painful. Those human bastards..."
      *set Misan %+ 10
      *set Emotion %+ 10
      "We'll make them pay!" Olivia announces loudly. "Right, boss lady?"
      
      "We'll talk about it soon," Sheila promises. "But I was hoping to go through everything in order, both chronological and of importance. 
    #Be silent.
      *set Confid %- 10
      Sheila resumes speaking almost instantly. "But my apologies, I'm getting ahead of myself. To discuss the reason half our group was away in the first place… 
*if pc_state != "captured"
  especially considering what happened in Rhea."
  *fake_choice
    #"What? Some clowns harassing me on the street? It was no big deal."
      *set Confid %+ 10
      "These metas managed to track our ship down and had the guts to show up here," Olivia remarks. "They don't sound like clowns, more like… jesters, at least."
      
      "We will get to that soon," Sheila promises. "But I was hoping to go through everything in order, both chronological and of importance. 
    #"I was in a tough spot for a moment, true."
      "And I'm glad you got out of it," Sheila replies. "But I was hoping to discuss the preceding events first. 
    *if damon_shot_meta
      #"I'd be dead if not for Damon, so thank him for that."
        *set DamonRel %+ 15
        *set Confid %- 10
        "He has my deepest gratitude, yes," Sheila says while… not glancing, her optical receptors don't move like eyes do, but she seems to gesture in Damon's direction. "But let's stick to chronological order. 
    *if (pc_state = "friends") and (health < 4)
      #"Thank Hadaly. I'd have fallen apart if not for her."
        *set HadalyRel %+ 15
        *set Confid %- 10
        "She has my deepest gratitude, yes," Sheila says while… not glancing, her optical receptors don't move like eyes do, but she seems to gesture in the gynoid's direction. "But let's stick to chronological order. 
    *if pc_state = "falling"
      #"Do you mean the battle, or me jumping down the Sholmo Gate?"
        "Both," Sheila replies with a note of amusement. "But to discuss first things first… 
${name}, will you tell us how your heist went?"

Right. You've almost managed to forget about the bank and the choice you made there. 
*if money_stolen = 1
  "Things got complicated when I got to the terminal. Between security being stronger than expected and… other problems… I only managed to steal a thousand credits or so."
  
  "Well, I am glad you completed the operation despite the difficulties." You doubt the sincerity of Sheila's words. "Wisp, will you come down here? I think the credits will be best stored on your hard drive. A meager bounty must be kept safe all the same."
  
  "On it, Miss Sheila!" Wisp exclaims, the cheer in its voice making [i]Manfred[/i] sound deep and gloomy by comparison. It then descends so that you can put your antenna into one of the ports on its body, once you manage to find the little hole two minutes later that is. It's pretty hard to locate any feature on something that's emitting light from literally every part of its mechanical form.
  
*if money_stolen = 2
  *set SheilaRel %+ 10
  *set OrganRel %+ 5
  "I think we can declare it a success. I got a hundred and seven axions and managed to bring ninety-nine here. Only dropped three coins whilst running away."
  
  "Well done," Sheila says, even if she sounds a tiny bit disappointed by the double-digit number. She then turns to the radiant orb almost directly above her. "Wisp, would you check the coins? I don't trust the Conglomerate to keep their axions pure."
  
  "On it, Miss Sheila!" Wisp exclaims, the cheer in its voice making [i]Manfred[/i] sound deep and gloomy by comparison. It then descends and starts scanning the coin purse by your side… you think. It's always hard to tell what Wisp is doing, other than moving around and glowing that is.
  
*if money_stolen = 3
  *set SheilaRel %+ 20
  *set OrganRel %+ 10
  "I don't exactly have any money, but I stole some… interesting data from the Conglomerate's archives. I gather it would be worth quite a bit to the right buyer."
  
  "That is excellent news… assuming your judgment is correct." Sheila then turns to the radiant orb almost directly above her. "Wisp, would you verify the data? We'll need to make multiple copies of it in any case."
  
  "On it, Miss Sheila!" Wisp exclaims, the cheer in its voice making [i]Manfred[/i] sound deep and gloomy by comparison. It then descends so that you can put your antenna into one of the ports on its body, once you manage to find the little hole two minutes later that is. It's pretty hard to locate any feature on something that's emitting light from literally every part of its mechanical form.
  
*if money_stolen = 0
  *set SheilaRel %- 30
  *set OrganRel %- 15
  "See, that bank we chose… it was well-guarded, and I think the Conglomerate knew something was up. So I aborted the operation before I could, you know… steal anything."
  
  "You didn't even try?" Sheila doesn't even try to hide her disappointment, though she's probably downplaying her anger. "Just called off the mission before you could even encounter the metas?"
  
  "Don't be upset, Miss Sheila," Wisp says in your defense. "Had I been in ${name}'s place, I would have given up without trying too!"
  
*if money_stolen = (0-1)
  *set SheilaRel %- 20
  *set OrganRel %- 10
  "See, my plan was to get sensitive data regarding the Conglomerate, but their cyber-security was… a bit too tough even for me. I got detected and had to abort the mission fast. I don't have anything to give you."
  
  "Not quite the answer I was hoping for…" Sheila doesn't even try to hide her disappointment, though she's probably downplaying her anger. "Still, you have my thanks for taking that risk in the first place."
  
  "Don't be sad, Veteran!" Wisp says as it levitates down to be on an eye level with you. "Had I been in your place, I would have screwed up too!"
  
*if money_stolen = (0-2)
  *set SheilaRel %- 10
  *set OrganRel %- 5
  "See, I managed to hack a terminal and make it dispense over a hundred axions, it's just… I wasn't expecting a team of metas to attack me right afterwards. I lost all the money fighting them, I'm afraid." 
  *if fought_trio = false
    Well, you lost all the money [i]surrendering[/i], but you somehow doubt that's what anyone present wants to hear.
  
  "Not quite the answer I was hoping for…" Sheila doesn't even try to hide her disappointment. "But I suppose you have an excellent excuse, if nothing else."
  
  "Exactly, Veteran!" Wisp says as it levitates down to be on an eye level with you. "Had I been in your place, I would have screwed up too!"
*if money_stolen = (0-3)
  *set SheilaRel %- 20
  *set OrganRel %- 20
  *set HadalyRel %+ 20
  *set Confid %+ 5
  *set Violence %+ 5
  "See, I managed to reach the bank without attracting anyone's attention, but I got thrown out for kicking a High Executive in the balls."
  
  Silence follows. And persists for nearly half a minute.
  
  "Well…" Sheila doesn't seem quite certain what to say. "You willingly threw the entire mission and possibly made our group a dangerous enemy for life… but I guess I sort of understand what you did? It was a rare chance you took, after all."
  
  "Exactly, Veteran!" Wisp says as it levitates down to be on an eye level with you. "I would have done the same thing, if I had legs and was as stupid as you!"

Of all nine denizens of the floating fortress, Wisp is quite easily the least human. At least Manfred can be thought of as a man or android without a body; Wisp has a body in the form of a miniature World Engine, and feels all the weirder for it. Based on what you gathered from its chaotic ramblings, the thing is a Phoebian Light Drone that randomly gained sentience after centuries of serving its moon as a high-altitude lamp and eventually realized that it would be both safer and happier with other… uncommon creatures, even ones drastically different to itself.

It. Thing. Such terms would be considered dehumanizing by some, but Wisp has no gender and doesn't seem to fully grasp the distinction between [i]thing[/i] and [i]person[/i]. Not that it's capable of grasping many other distinctions, for its capacity for abstract thought is only vaguely greater than that of a human toddler. Not all synthetics are created equal, you suppose.

*if Misan > 60
  Still, Wisp is a synthetic. That earns it some respect from you, however grudging. You suppose.
*elseif Emotion > 50
  You're not sure why Sheila keeps it around, this moronic little lamp. She has her reasons, but still… you wouldn't mind finding out what those reasons are. Fast.
*else
  At times, Wisp be a little… much to handle. But you are nothing if not tranquil and patient, and you appreciate the extra lightning this little lamp offers.


*page_break

*if money_stolen = 1
  "One thousand and twenty-three credits are safe on my main disc!" Wisp reports after a minute or so. "So… what's next?"
*if money_stolen = 3
  "Wow, that's a lot of data you got there," Wisp reports after a minute or so. "All seems legit too, and now it's safe on my hard drive."
  
  "And we can dig it up if we ever need to blackmail the Rheans for whatever reason," Olivia adds with satisfaction. "Told you ${name} would pull something amazing off. Points for team mollusk, and team android I guess. What's next on the bullet list?"
*if money_stolen = 2
  "All coins seem legit, Miss Sheila," Wisp reports after a minute or so. "Veteran ${name} really did a great job! So… what's next?"
*if money_stolen < 1
  "This is… not good silence," Hugo says after a few tense moments. "Can we… proceed? What is next?"

"Presently, we will discuss a more pressing and likely more important matter," Sheila says dourly. 
*if pc_state = "captured"
  "While I won't blame ${name} for getting captured, the plain fact is… we failed. The Federation knows where we live, and they clearly want something from us. This obviously presents a significant problem, but may also mean an opportunity for our group and station."
*if pc_state != "captured"
  "In spite of ${name} evading federate forces successfully, the Meta Trio's ship managed to locate us. And it apparently did so by tracking [i]Shuttle One[/i] for several hours straight without being detected. Any explanation for that?"
  
  "Well…" Damon fidgets nervously, as tough in a sudden fit of arachnophobia. "There are many ships around Rhea, and quite a few on the edge of Saturn. Maybe one of them was that [i]Gray Queen[/i] vessel, but even my eyes aren't good enough to tell one small ship from another thousands of kilometers away."
  
  "But mine are." Manfred's voice, for once not light or jovial, comes out of the speakers. "I noticed [i]Gray Queen[/i] soon after leaving Rhea's orbit, but I wrote it off as one of many commercial ships in the area and proceeded to simply track heat signatures for the remainder of our flight. Which they must have managed to mask, somehow."
  
  "I could see them using some stealth devices that would make spotting them [i]inside[/i] the planet harder," Sheila replies. "But to just ignore them before entering the atmosphere simply because there were other ships flying around… that was a serious error you made there, Manfred."
  
  *fake_choice
    #"It's okay, Manfred. I'm sure that mistake won't happen again."
      *set SheilaRel %- 10
      *set ManfredRel %+ 10
      "Well, I [i]have[/i] modified my source code just now…" A bit of color returns to Manfred's voice. "So you're more correct than you think, Veteran. There is approximately no chance of me repeating this error ever again."
      
      "I certainly hope so." Sheila's tone doesn't get any softer. "We need you in your best shape for the meeting that's set to occur in… nine hours, is it? Assuming the envoy arrives on time, of course."
    #"I agree. Try harder next time, Manfred."
      *set SheilaRel %+ 10
      *set ManfredRel %- 10
      "Now, let's not gang up on anybody here." Despite her words, Sheila sounds grateful for your support. "We need to at least appear united when the human envoy arrives."
    *if pc_state = "falling"
      #"It's Damon's fault. We talked about being followed and he wouldn't take me seriously."
        *set DamonRel %- 5
        *set HadalyRel %- 5
        *set ManfredRel %+ 10
        "I did…" For a moment, you think Damon is going to argue his innocence after all, but then he just sighs. "${name} is right, I could have done much better. If you want to punish me for failing the group, I'm ready."
        
        "While I appreciate the sentiment, this is no time for assigning punishments," Sheila says a little more softly. "We need to at least appear united when the human envoy arrives."
    #"I say forget it. We can't change the past."
      *set SheilaRel %- 10
      *set ManfredRel %- 10
      "Memories can be quite useful, Veteran," Sheila says with some pique. "Though I suppose we can [i]put aside[/i] the matter for now. We have to discuss how we intend to welcome the human envoy, as its arrival is supposedly less than nine hours distant."
    #Stay silent.
      "If it helps my case, I patched the error out of my code," Manfred breaks the silence after several seconds. "There is approximately no chance of me repeating this mistake ever again."
      
      "I certainly hope so." Sheila's tone doesn't get any softer. "We need you in your best shape for the meeting that's set to occur in… nine hours, is it? Assuming the envoy arrives on time, of course."

"So you suggest we enter dealings with the metas and their superiors?" Miguel asks, leaning forward in his seat. "I have to say, that's not where I expected this meeting to go."

*fake_choice
  #"What are you saying, Miguel?"
    *if Social > 50
      *set ManfredRel %+ 5
      *set OrganRel %+ 5
    "Just that I'm surprised," the werehog replies amicably. "Nothing less, and certainly nothing more."
  #"I agree, we should just shoot them when they next come to visit."
    *set Violence %+ 10
    *set ManfredRel %- 5
    *set OrganRel %+ 5
    "That's not really what I meant… " Miguel fidgets awkwardly. "I'm all for entering the talks if our leader wishes so. I'm just pointing out how drastically we'd be changing our policy."
  #"I don't recall anyone asking you for input, Miguel."
    *set OrganRel %- 15
    The werehog narrows his eyes slightly, but gives no other signal of anger. "My apologies. Let our leader continue."
  #"What's the alternative? We can't fight the Federation itself."
    *set ManfredRel %+ 5
    *set Confid %- 5
    *set Violence %- 5
    "I'm not saying we should," Miguel assures you. "I'm just making an observation. Nothing less, and certainly nothing more."
  #"Our leader doesn't [i]suggest[/i] anything. She commands."
    *set SheilaRel %+ 10
    *set OrganRel %- 10
    *set HadalyRel %- 5
    The werehog narrows his eyes slightly, but gives no other signal of anger. "My apologies. I didn't mean to [i]suggest[/i] anything of that sort."

Of everyone in the room, Miguel is the one creature that can honestly call itself human. As far as you understand the subject, there's not a single part of his DNA meaningfully different from what's considered baseline humanity. He's a meta-human, a person transformed by nanotechnology much like the members of the Meta Trio, except probably even less unnatural. He is a mere werehog, after all.

Being half-hedgehog (as Miguel freely explained when you first met) is quite different from being a werewolf or even a werecat. You don't really transform into anything, at least not in a binary sense, for your hedgehog traits are just a part of you that gets more and less prominent depending on your mood. Currently, discussing a serious topic in an otherwise safe environment, Miguel looks just slightly inhuman; His short hair has partially transformed into spines and the whites of his eyes are a shade of grey similar to Damon's.

Nonetheless, Miguel is a meta-human. The Federation made him so, in the same series of experiments which created Olivia and caused Hugo to mutate, all performed in the secretive laboratories of Titan which their trio escaped shortly before meeting you. Before joining your group and proceeding to live with you, a rare example of organics and synthetics coexisting under a single roof.

*fake_choice
  #I can't believe we allowed all those organics on the team. Especially the almost-human one.
    *set Misan %+ 10
    *set OrganRel %- 10
    It was strange of Sheila to allow these three in; She's usually quite hostile towards creatures of flesh and bone. Olivia may be getting some sympathy points for not really having any [i]bones[/i], but her two guy-friends are basically just mutated humans.
    
    Maybe Sheila has some hidden use for these three. You don't know what that use could be, but it better be something good.
  #I don't mind living with organics... I just wish they were more useful.
    Miguel has enough 'powers' to outclass a regular human in a fight, but even that is offset by his relative lack of combat experience. This makes him an inviable choice for an infiltrator, the one thing a weak meta-human like him would otherwise be really good at. It's a wonder Sheila keeps him around, since you don't imagine her desperate for an interior decorator.
    
    The other two are arguably even worse. Hugo's mutations are really just disabilities, and Olivia is… an octopus. You don't wish them ill, but having to maintain a breathable atmosphere just for them does annoy you quite a bit.
  #And I hope we'll keep coexisting. 
    *set Misan %- 10
    *set OrganRel %+ 10
    You're already at odds with most of the Solar System. No point adding even one more name to your list of enemies, let alone three.
  #♡ I've always been friendly towards these three. And even more friendly towards Miguel...
    *set OrganRel %+ 10
    Your advances have not yet been reciprocated… but they weren't exactly rejected either. Your current theory is that Miguel is not interested in a romantic relationship, but may yet agree to a casual arrangement. It just depends on whether you keep pursuing the werehog with that knowledge.
  #I'm ambivalent towards them all.
    *set Emotion %- 8
    He can just about pull his weight, and you're just about satisfied with that. He did nothing to deserve your attention, not positive nor negative, and you will give him none until this state of affairs changes.

"I understand why some of you may wish to flee or fight," Sheila says loudly and firmly. "Perhaps I would have allowed the former, if we had more than one ship at our disposal. As it stands, I must request that you either help negotiate a peace deal with the Kronians or simply hide somewhere on this station. Starting a battle now that our location is known… Let us avoid that, shall we?"

"But do they… have the… full backing?" Hugo asks, difficult to understand as always. His respiratory system and vocal cords are as unmatched as everything else in his body, including the features on his face. Not a single element is ugly [i]in itself[/i], but eyes of different colors and sizes combined with differently shaped ears and the small jaw… it would be enough to frighten, if you weren't used to the sight by now.

"Are you asking whether the Meta Trio is really acting on the Federation's behalf?" Hadaly says, earning a grateful nod from Hugo. "Because I see your point. It's easier to believe that some small cell of the military like the Trio suddenly decided to work with fugitives, rather than the whole thing. Maybe that Kosteniuk fellow just went rogue…"

"Good guess, but actually no," Miguel says matter-of-factly. "That would be unlike him. Both defecting in the first place, and being able to operate afterwards."

*fake_choice
  #"...and how would you know that?"
    "I've heard some things about Sergeant Kosteniuk before meeting him in person," Miguel replies casually. "And what I saw confirmed what I heard."
  #"I agree. He seemed like a good guy."
    *set OrganRel %- 5
    *set Misan %- 5
    "I'm not sure if I'd call him [i]good[/i], necessarily," Miguel elaborates. "Just reliable. And dependent on others to function."
  #"Bullshit. Humans are all treacherous creatures."
    *set Misan %+ 10
    *set OrganRel %- 10
    *set HadalyRel %+ 5
    *set SheilaRel %+ 5
    "Well, maybe he's an exception," Miguel replies irritably. "At least in this particular regard."
    
    "Do you really know him well enough to claim that?" Sheila inquires.
    
    *goto hu7
  #"You sound like you know the guy."
    "I know he's loyal to the Federation, and perhaps a bit of a pushover." Miguel smiles slightly. "At least that's the impression I got."
    
    "So do you know him or not?" Damon inquires. "Because this does sound kinda important."
    
    *goto hu7
  #"Because he's a clown like his teammates?"
    "I'm not sure whether he or his teammates have interest in physical comedy." Miguel smiles slightly. "I just know he's loyal to the Federation, or at least always gave that impression."
  #Say nothing.

"You know the guy?" Damon curves an eyebrow. "You could have mentioned that earlier, you know?"

*label hu7

"I hardly [i]know[/i] him. I've only met him twice in my life, first on Saturn Fifty-Five, then in Mezzoramia. Both times it was purely for the purposes of testing. He did some things I barely understood, exchanged a necessary word or two… and that was basically it."

"So he's a researcher?" Olivia asks. "I don't remember hearing his name at all in the labs."

"No, he… he has some power related to nanomachines. The first time we met, he scanned the nanobots in my body with just his mind. The second time, he did something to calm them down. He's some unique form of meta-human whose powers were used for research."

*fake_choice
  #"Interesting. Would you go on?"
    *if Social > 50
      *set OrganRel %+ 10
    *goto relev
  #"Anything else you know? We could use more tactical advantage."
    *set Emotion %- 8
    *if Social > 50
      *set ManfredRel %+ 10
    *label relev
    "I don't think I have anything strategically relevant…" Miguel scratches his head, probably giving himself a cut or two. "I heard Kosteniuk follows some ancient religion, and I saw him carry around a strange symbol on him. Something like a Kronian Cross, but with the lower part straight instead of curved, and an additional slanted line."
    
    "An Orthodox Christian, most likely," @{(Database >= 50) you note.|Manfred notes.} "I didn't know any of these guys were still around. Interesting, if not exactly useful."
  #"Whatever. I doubt we'll have to deal with him anytime soon."
    "I don't think I share your optimism," the werehog replies. "But then again, I don't have much more to share. I know that Kosteniuk is a cultist, that he fancies some old religion that predates even Dawn… though that won't be useful even if you do fight him again."
  *if Database > 50
    #"Well. I guess that explains why he's the leader of the Trio."
      *set SheilaRel %+ 7
      *set ManfredRel %+ 7
      "What do you mean by that?" Sheila sounds curious.
      
      "I was wondering why he's in charge, since even his Kinnari teammate looks more competent than him," you explain your reasoning. "But if he can control nanomachines… he can keep other meta-humans in check. And Hellhound certainly seems like someone who needs such a warden, if nothing else."
      
      "Not a bad observation," Miguel comments. "I wish I had some other trivia to share with you, but I'm out. Sorry."
  #Say nothing.
    "I also remember hearing he was from Titan and that he follows some really old and rare religion…" Miguel quickly runs out of things to add. "And that's it. I guess."

"If you do recall anything more, share it with me," Sheila tells Miguel before addressing the rest of you. "Since I don't think there's anything left to be said, I declare the meeting concluded. If the humans are precise with their timing, they should arrive in about nine hours. We will assemble in this very room an hour prior."

"I was hoping there'd be more resolutions made," Damon dares to point out. "Like, what if this Kosteniuk guy was lying and the feds will just invade us as we're preparing the welcome party?"

"Retreat a little, take cover, shoot at the center of mass." Sheila leaves the circle's center and heads towards the exit. "But do not start a fight, else humans will be the least of your problems."

"Goodbye, Miss Sheila!" Wisp shouts right before Sheila leaves the cafeteria through its largest door. Leaving the rest of you alone with quite a few things to think about.

*page_break

"Well… I think I'm gonna return to the shuttle," Hadaly announces. "Make sure nothing got loose during the landing, and just generally be there in case synchronization goes wrong."

"The process is going smoothly, Perfectionist," Manfred says calmingly. "But I appreciate the thought."

"Have fun there," Miguel tells your mechanic. "I think I'll stay here, preparing the place for the feds. Make it look nice in case they really want to talk, but leave enough solid cover to give us and edge during firefights."

"I'll help you once I'm done charging," Damon says as Wisp flies away in the direction of the server room and Olivia flops out of the room. "And resting in the ordinary sense. Things got kinda stressful today."

*fake_choice
  #"I'm gonna recharge and rest too. See you all later."
    The others simply wave you their goodbyes. Perhaps they don't want to tire you with any further conversation, or perhaps their minds are firmly focused on the near, uncertain future. Hard to tell.
  *if not (damon_shot_meta)
    #"Don't pretend you did anything today, Damon."
      *set DamonRel %- 15
      *set HadalyRel %- 10
      *set OrganRel %- 5
      "I'm sorry boss…" Damon hangs his head. "I didn't mean to imply-"
      
      *if HadalyRel > 37
        "Don't worry, Damon," Hadaly says whilst standing up. "${name} is just tired. I'm sure ${pronoun} didn't mean it."
        
        "Never assume what I mean," you say coldly, though you have to give your mechanic one thing. You really are tired, to the point where even rising to your feet takes some effort. And you need rest.
        
      *if HadalyRel <= 37
        *set hadaly_pissed true
        "Don't be upset, Damon," Hadaly says, her eyes narrowing and turning darker. "$!{pronoun}@{plural 're|'s} not worth it. You know that."
        
        "Neither of you knows much about me." You rise to your feet. "You never cared to know me, even as I'm doing all the dangerous work around here. So don't tell me how much I'm worth."
        
        "Hey, I'm sure that's not…" Miguel pauses, realizing you're not paying any attention to him. Or to anyone else in this circus you're forced to call home.
        
  #"And what about you Hugo? How do you intend to prepare?"
    *set OrganRel %+ 5
    *set HadalyRel %+ 5
    Hugo taps his undersized chin in thought. "Maybe… not. Relax. Not recharge."
    
    "Scribbler likely means he won't be particularly needed during the talks, and that he's going to do something relaxing since he doesn't have any batteries to fill," Manfred explains, earning a grateful nod from Hugo. "Neither of which is true for you, Veteran. I suggest you take some [i]proper[/i] rest and perhaps change your clothes before the upcoming meeting."
    
    A quick glance at your energy levels proves Manfred correct, and so you obey. 
  #"Want some help with the decorations, Miguel?"
    *set OrganRel %+ 8
    "You're invited to join me once you're charged and rested," Miguel replies. "Because by the Sun, you look like you need a nap."
    
    A quick glance at your energy levels proves the werehog correct, and so you obey. 
  #♡ "Sure you don't wanna hang out, Damon? I could use a handsome android for company."
    *if ((current_RO = "hadaly") or (backup_RO = "hadaly"))
      You see Hadaly wince. Perhaps there is some jealousy there, or perhaps you've just activated her protective instincts by hitting on her brother.
    *set DamonRel %+ 10
    *if current_ro != "damon"
      *set backup_RO current_RO
      *set current_RO "damon"
    
    "I don't think it's a good moment for… what you have in mind…" Damon says hesitantly. "But thanks for the offer. And you're invited to make it some other time."
    
    You smile with understanding, even if you also feel a twinge of disappointment. Rejection is natural when one may die within the next few hours, but such circumstances just make it sting all the more severely.
    
  #Leave without a word.
    *set deflect + 1
    You don't bother with goodbyes, or any other worthless chatter. Such niceties aren't for you, even when your energy reserves are higher than now.
    
You leave the canteen through the same exit Sheila used, but your direction from that point on is different. There is a quiet room waiting for you, and you won't keep it that way for long.

*page_break

Your chamber looks much like it did when you last departed it, for better or worse. Mostly for the worse. It is difficult to keep the place tidy at the best of times, and you've been away for a while. Getting inside Rhea without attracting attention was a long and complicated mission, with the recent events proving you should have spent more effort still.

Whatever the excuse, everything in the room gathers dust. Including the charging pod, though the large capsule isn't exactly pretty even when pristinely clean. Pipes and circuits are all exposed, revealing the thing as not being an intended feature of this once human-inhabited room.

*fake_choice
  #It draws lots of attention too. There is hardly anything else in the room.
    *set room_look 1
    Some would call your room spartan, but that's hardly true. Even in Athenian propaganda Spartans had to eat and drink, needs you are mercifully devoid of. There is no need for any furniture, even as simple as a chair or a desk to consume a meal at.
  #At least the rest of the room is nicely furnished and painted.
    *set room_look 2
    Miguel had a hand in putting your room together, and it's hard to deny your duo did a good job. Even Damon's blankets aren't so soft and so complementary to the walls in color, and you know he cares about that sort of thing. 
  #But it fits the room, with its many machines and heaps of spare parts.
    *set room_look 3
    You share Hadaly's passion for tinkering, if not necessarily her talent. Besides, it's convenient to have a printer right there on your desk, and there is something cool about owning a vending machine even though you don't actually need to pay for anything inside. Or eat.
  #The pod may look out of place... but so does everything else.
    *set room_look 4
    Your room isn't spartan or inhospitable, with most furniture being of rather high quality. It's just that you can't really get all these items to work together, to make the desk fit the wheeled chair, or make the bed fit the lamp above it. Maybe humans are right about androids lacking souls and sense of beauty, or maybe you're just bad at interior design.

You climb into the pod with practiced ease, as well as a measure of relief. Proper charging is almost like organic sleep, in that full eight hours of it do wonders for one's physical and mental state. The difference is that there's no need or even a preference for nighttime, and that there's no worrying whether you'll manage to fall asleep as long as your batteries are below a certain mark. Nightmares [i]are[/i] a possibility for you specifically, given how your flashbacks often take you to dark places, but you've never had two flashbacks occur within less than a day of one another. 
*if (weapon_av = false) and (weapon = "knife")
  Plus the presence of the knife beside your capsule, just as good as the one you broke whilst fighting Hellhound, brings an additional bit of comfort.

As an additional convenience, you will be 'sleeping' for long enough to completely rearrange your body, at least in terms of sexual characteristics. Indeed, there is no practical reason for not doing so… unless the form you assumed in Rhea is the one you're most comfortable with.

*fake_choice
  *if sex = "man"
    #I'm staying male, because why not?
      *if pronoun = "he"
        You feel rather male, and so you'll keep a matching body. 
      *if pronoun != "he"
        Some would say this masculine form doesn't [i]match[/i] your gender identity, but those are all human concepts you are hardly subject to. 
      Besides… you may need that upper-body strength in the hours to come.
      *goto wut
  *if sex != "man"
    #I'll turn male. Just inflate some muscles, extend artificial testicles...
      *set sex "man"
      *set daxia_target 80
      *set miguel_target 120
      *set ewald_target 70
      *set sheila_target 50
      The process does disturb your otherwise comfortable sleep a little, but is by no means painful or difficult. Just routine for @{(pronoun = "he") women|men} like you… well, maybe holding on to your gender identity [i]is[/i] a tad difficult.
      *goto wut
  *if sex = "woman"
    #I'm staying female, because why not?
      *if pronoun = "she"
        You feel rather female, and so you'll keep a matching body. 
      *if pronoun != "she"
        Some would say that this feminine form doesn't [i]match[/i] your gender identity, but those are all human concepts you are hardly subject to. 
      You don't need anything dangling between your legs, another distraction in a world of so many others.
      *goto wut
  *if sex != "woman"
    #I'll turn female. Just inflate the chest, drop the unnecessary bits...
      *set sex "woman"
      *set daxia_target 100
      *set ewald_target 60
      *set miguel_target 80
      *set sheila_target 60
      The process does disturb your otherwise comfortable sleep a little, but is by no means painful or difficult. Just routine for @{(pronoun = "she") men|women} like you… well, maybe keeping track of your gender identity [i]is[/i] a tad difficult.
      *goto wut
  *if sex = "person"
    #I'm staying androgynous, because why not?
      *if ((pronoun = "they") or (pronoun = "it"))
        You feel rather genderless, and so you'll keep a matching body. 
      *if ((pronoun != "they") and (pronoun != "it"))
        Some would say that this sexless form doesn't [i]match[/i] your gender identity, but those are all human concepts you're hardly subject to. 
      Besides, your current body is more… universal than a gendered form could ever be, if only in small ways.
      *goto wut
  *if sex != "person"
    #I'll turn androgynous. Just a few changes here and there.
      *set sex "person"
      *set daxia_target 120
      *set miguel_target 100
      *set ewald_target 80
      *set sheila_target 40
      The process is not only painless but far less complicated than one might expect. You don't have chromosomes that would dictate your development from a cellular level; Your body just has some pseudo-sexual characteristics slapped onto it, and shedding those feels like a burden lifted.
      *goto wut

*label wut
*set health 3
*set c_clothing clothing
*set battery 93

Just as predicted, no memories resurface and so your 'sleep' is a peaceful one… if a bit shorter than you hoped for, due to an accumulation of minor glitches and structural errors. You wake after some seven hours of hibernation, with your batteries 93% full on average. Not perfect, but good enough for most practical purposes.

You get up and quickly start putting on some fresh clothes, though not because you're in any hurry; This is just how your body works when full of energy, with morning sleepiness being an alien concept to a creature like you. Not that it's really morning anyway, since everyone on [i]Saturn Nine[/i] sleeps whenever they want and no attempt to simulate a day-night cycle is made. Would have been a waste of energy, not to mention ruined by Wisp flying around and illuminating everything all the time.

Accessing the internal clock shows there are roughly two hours left until the planned arrival, which leaves you with an hour of time to spare unless Sheila's plan changes. You could go ask her about that… or you could visit someone else. There is probably no point searching for Damon or Hadaly, for they could be practically anywhere, and it's not like you're particularly starved for their presence.

On the other hand, you haven't properly talked to Hugo or Wisp in quite some time. You may also check on Olivia and see if she has any plans for the upcoming meeting… whether you want to foil or contribute to these undoubtedly violent ploys.

*temp visited ""
*choice
  #I'll go see Sheila in the command center.
    *set visited "sheila"
    *gosub sheila
    *set battery - 4
    *goto fuck_this_language
  #I'll visit Manfred's server room.
    *set visited "manfred"
    *gosub manfred
    *set battery - 4
    *goto fuck_this_language
  #I'll check on Olivia in her aquarium.
    *set visited "olivia"
    *gosub olivia
    *set battery - 4
    *goto fuck_this_language
  #I'll see what Hugo is doing.
    *set visited "hugo"
    *gosub hugo
    *set battery - 4
    *goto fuck_this_language
  #I'll see if Miguel still needs any help.
    *set visited "miguel"
    *gosub miguel
    *set battery - 4
    *goto fuck_this_language
  #I'll just wait. At the ready.
    *goto fuck_this_language_2


*label fuck_this_language
*if visited = "sheila"
  Sheila has maybe half an hour left to make any final adjustments, and your time isn't exactly worthless either. No point wasting it when there's no more cause for conversation.

Still, you could visit one more person if you really wanted…

*choice
  *selectable_if (visited != "sheila") #I'll go see Sheila in the command center.
    *gosub sheila
    *set battery - 4
    *goto fuck_this_language_2
  *selectable_if (visited != "manfred") #I'll visit Manfred's server room.
    *gosub manfred
    *set battery - 4
    *goto fuck_this_language_2
  *selectable_if (visited != "olivia") #I'll check on Olivia in her aquarium.
    *gosub olivia
    *set battery - 4
    *goto fuck_this_language_2
  *selectable_if (visited != "hugo") #I'll see what Hugo is doing.
    *gosub hugo
    *set battery - 4
    *goto fuck_this_language_2
  *selectable_if (visited != "miguel") #I'll see if Miguel still needs any help.
    *gosub miguel
    *set battery - 4
    *goto fuck_this_language_2
  #I'll just wait. At the ready.
    *goto fuck_this_language_2


*label fuck_this_language_2

You don't have exact orders on where to await the arrival, so you decide to just take position vaguely close to the station's center. The shields and armor are all at their strongest there, which maximizes your survival chances should the federate fleet choose violence.


Or at least that's what you think before seeing what they've brought.
*goto apoc

*label sheila

*if Social > 50
  *set SheilaRel %+ 10
*if heaven_side = "Traitor"
  *set SheilaRel %+ 10

Technically speaking, you don't know where Sheila is at the moment. It's possible she's preparing some escape route for herself, for she feels fear as much as anyone. She could be asleep, as her biological brain needs rest at regular intervals. Or she could be simply relaxing, enjoying life and friendly company for what could be her very last time.

But you know Sheila. And you are in no way surprised to find her in the command room, focused on an array of switches under a wall of displays. A spider in the very center of her web.

"Good to see you up, ${name}," she says after taking a brief glance at you, then puts most of her focus on the screen that informs her of the oxygen levels. "I was thinking of waking you up. Just in case the humans opted to attack sooner than they promised they'll come in peace."

"You think they will do that?" You approach, careful not to brush against anything important. "Or attack us in general?"

"I have no fucking clue. Your probability estimate is as good as mine."

You raise an eyebrow at both the frankness and the vulgarity, even though neither [i]really[/i] surprises you. Sheila may be formal and perfectly confident when the group's younger members are around, but she can open up a little when alone with the Veteran. 
*if SheilaRel > 40
  She likes you, maybe even trusts you. As much as she trusts anyone, that is.
*if SheilaRel <= 40
  The two of you are hardly friends, but you are both veterans, each in your own way. She knows you'll understand.
  
*fake_choice
  #"My estimate is that if they attack us, we're dead no matter what."
    *set SheilaRel %+ 5
    *set ManfredRel %+ 5
    "Grim, but true," Sheila replies. "And I'm glad you recognize that reality. Someone less savvy would think me a human lover for wanting to start the peace talks, even though all I'm doing is trying to avoid getting blasted to bits."
    
    "You think the others consider you a [i]human lover[/i] now? They're not stupid, and they've known you for about as long as I have."
    
    "You underestimate the stupidity of organic minds." Sheila doesn't sigh, but the tone of her voice conveys an equivalent sentiment. "In any case. Why are you here, if not to question my decisions?"
  #"I have no estimate, so that checks out."
    *set Confid %- 10
    *set SheilaRel %+ 10
    "Exactly the answer I was hoping for," Sheila replies. "No false confidence, no pulling numbers out of your… I appreciate the modesty, is what I'm trying to say."
    
    *if Confid >= 50
      "Does it mean my usual demeanor pisses you off?" You smirk wryly. "Because I'm not known for my [i]modesty[/i] around here."
      
      "A bit, but I have grown to accept it. 
    *if Confid < 50
      You smile weakly. "You must like me quite a bit, then. I'm not known for my pride or confidence, am I?"
      
      "I suppose not. 
    In any case, why have you come here if not to share probability calculations?"
  #"That sounds like a good reason to attack them first, no?"
    *set Violence %+ 10
    *set SheilaRel %- 10
    "If you think I'll change my mind, give up," Sheila barks. "I would love to take on the entire federate fleet, but I lack that ability, and so I'll focus on keeping us all alive."
    
    "I don't think they'll throw the entire fleet at us… but I'm not going to argue. I have other reasons for coming here."
    
    "Well that's nice to hear. What are those [i]other reasons[/i], then?"

*temp po5 false
*label sheila2
*fake_choice
  *if money_stolen < 1
    *disable_reuse #"I wanted to apologize for not getting the money you wanted."
      *set Confid %- 10
      "I thought we considered that matter settled," Sheila says dispassionately. "And that you'd be the first person willing to let go of the subject."
      
      "Maybe I should, but… I still feel bad. And I don't recall properly apologizing for my failure, even though I really should have. I'm sorry."
      
      "I'm not sure if your apologies are needed, ${name}… but they are accepted. And perhaps appreciated. Anything else?"
      
      *set po5 true
      *goto sheila2
  *disable_reuse #"In case we [i]are[/i] attacked by the feds... do we have any plan beyond what you said at the meeting?"
    "You think I have some secret plan I won't tell anyone about?" You can't tell if Sheila is flattered, offended or simply amused.
    
    "Maybe not… but I figured you may have come up with something when I was hibernating."
    
    "Still too much faith in me. The only thing I came up with is maybe destroying the life support systems, should the humans attempt a manned invasion of the fortress. It's a plausible scenario if they want the place intact, but…"
    
    "It would also kill the organic members of [i]our[/i] group," you finish the sentence.
    
    "I meant that their troops are likely to come in spacesuits… but that is a concern too, I suppose. In any case, we have no plan better than shooting with everything we have, so get ready for that just in case."
    *set po5 true
    *goto sheila2
  *disable_reuse #"If we die tonight... just know it's been an honor."
    *set SheilaRel %+ 10
    *set po5 true
    Sheila doesn't reply immediately. "Huh. I'm not sure if I should chastise you for how cheesy that sounded, or appreciate the sentiment."
    
    "Well, the sentiment is genuine," you argue. "We certainly did a good job evading pursuit together up to this point. And really, will there ever be any better moment to sound cheesy than now?"
    
    "I suppose not." If Sheila could smile, she probably would. "Let me then say I was honored as well. And I imagine the same goes for everyone else, Veteran."
    
    "Do you need to use that nickname too?" You, on the other hand, are not smiling. "I remember when it was only Manfred's thing."
    
    "Well, Manfred was born in my mind, so it's natural we like the same nicknames. Besides, accessing the [i]name[/i] variable in the middle of the conversation is pretty tiring. I don't have a direct neural connection to those databanks, you know?"
    
    You suppose you'll have to consider that excuse good enough.
    *goto sheila2
  *disable_reuse #"I wanted to know if I could help you somehow."
    *set SheilaRel %+ 10
    *set po5 true
    "I don't think you can, actually," Sheila responds. "I get that you know this station better than me, but I'm not really doing anything that requires assistance. I'm mostly just making sure Manfred has all the relevant systems under control."
    
    "Duly noted. But can I help you in some other way? Offer comfort or advice or…"
    
    "If that's what you're coming with, better check on the others," Sheila says almost coldly. "I'm the leader here for a reason. I do not require consolation, for that would carry an implication of weakness. I am not weak."
    
    "You sure aren't, but… I don't think being a leader requires you to be [i]that[/i] hardened, boss."
    
    "Maybe not. But I'd rather err on the side of strength. I hope you understand."
    
    You really do.
    *goto sheila2
  *disable_reuse #♡ "Want to go somewhere once this whole debacle ends? Perhaps on a date or two?"
    *if heaven_side != "Traitor"
      *set SheilaRel %- 10
    *if (current_RO = "hadaly") or (backup_RO = "hadaly")
      *set HadalyRel %- 10
    *if (current_RO = "damon") or (backup_RO = "damon")
      *set DamonRel %- 10
    *set backup_RO current_RO
    *set current_RO "sheila"
    *set po5 true
    *if (SheilaRel >= sheila_target)
      "You're assuming that this [i]debacle[/i] ends with both of us alive," Sheila points out. "That makes you quite an optimist."
      
      "Let's grant that assumption, for the sake of debate," you continue your advance. "Would I be an optimist to think I have a chance with you?"
      
      "You would… but that doesn't mean you're not a realist as well." If Sheila had an expression, it would be one of a coy smile. "But seriously, let's focus on matters of survival. Flirting may come later."
      
      "As you say, boss." Unlike Sheila, you have a face, and the smile on it is very much real. And cheeky.
      *goto sheila2
    "No." Sheila says, quickly and bluntly. "Never."
    
    "I guess there's no point arguing…" You deflate with a sigh. "But like… can you maybe state the reason for that answer?"
    
    "Other than me being an extremely busy, mechanical, flesh-hating spider?" Sheila muses. "I can't think of anything at the moment, but I'll keep you informed. From afar."
    
    "Look, I get it. No more hitting on the boss. Ever. Anyway…"
    *goto sheila2
  *if po5
    #"Enough for now. I'll let you work in peace."
      "A gift much appreciated," Sheila says humorously. "But so is you showing up in the first place. Be at the ready, ${name}, for whatever will happen."
      
      "I will," you promise before exiting the command room. 
      *return


*label manfred
*if Social > 50
  *set ManfredRel %+ 10
Though you don't have to worry about Manfred not [i]being[/i] in the server room when you arrive, you're not sure if he'll be willing to converse. He may be still busy with updates or synchronization, or he could simply not feel like talking to anyone at the moment. He may have more control over his emotions than a closed-system creature like you or the organics, but he's likely to still be somewhat stressed out by the situation. Perhaps more than anyone, given how many systems he has to keep track of.

You needn't have worried. The computer displays that greet you as you enter the room unambiguously inform you that Manfred is active, plus he appears engaged in some silent conversation with Wisp. Maybe he's already done syncing, or maybe he has a third copy just to play with the group's resident kid. The implications of that…

"Veteran ${name}!" Wisp exclaims as it sees you, floating a little in your direction. Its speaking English rather than Saturnian for some reason, but you understand that near-dead language just as well. "Want to join us? We're playing a game where you try to simulate a sine wave as fast as possible with available functions and required accuracy determined by our true number generators. It's so fun!"

"I don't think our Veteran has the hardware necessary to play that game," Manfred says with some amusement. "Or that ${pronoun} would find it particularly entertaining."

*choice
  #"Manfred's right. But maybe I can play some other game with you two."
    "Just what I was thinking," Manfred concurs. "Let us think of suitable options. It has to be something really simple… out of respect for your time, of course."
    *goto bplay
  #"Manfred's right. I don't have time for your stupid games."
    *set ManfredRel %- 10
    "Our games are not stupid!" Wisp protests. "They push my processors to their very limits, and they're stronger than yours!"
    
    "All the more reason to talk about something that matters," you reply dismissively. "For example, what are planning on-"
    
    "Veteran, we are trying to manage our… boredom by spending time in a pleasant manner," Manfred chides you. "I won't pause the fun just because you decreed so. Your choice is between kindly leaving us alone… or perhaps playing some game that would bring you enjoyment as well."
    
    *fake_choice
      #"Actually... why not, I'll play."
        *label aplay
        "Splendid," the lines of code on one of the monitors form something that resembles a smile. Or perhaps a lower part of a sine wave. "That said, I doubt the game we were just playing would spark much joy in you. We need something else…" 
        *goto bplay
      #"Carry on then, because I'm not wasting my time."
        *set ManfredRel %- 10
        "As you wish, Veteran." For once, there appears to be actual distaste in Manfred's voice. Contempt, almost. "Now Wisp, how about we go on a little tangent…"
        
        You don't hear what comes next, as you opt to turn off your English packet whilst walking out of the room. You should have known better than to bother with those two children, and your foolishness cost you much of your precious time.
        
        *return
  #"Actually, I could try playing. Just explain the rules like I'm five."
    "I'm afraid there is no time to explain the difficulties involved in replicating Bhāskara I's formula with conditional statements, nor much point in it," Manfred replies, getting you to see his point really quickly. "That said, maybe there's some other game you could play…"
    *goto bplay
  #"Is it really the right time for games? I was hoping for a serious discussion here."
    "Veteran, we are trying to manage our… boredom by spending time in a pleasant manner," Manfred tells you. "The time for serious discussions will yet come, now is the time for fun."
    
    "You can join the fun too, you know?" Wisp offers. "We can play a game you'd like, or at least you can participate in. What do you say?"
    *fake_choice
      #"Actually... why not, I'll play."
        *goto aplay
      #"Apologies, but I have things to do."
        "As you wish, Veteran." Manfred sounds understanding, if a bit displeased. "Now Wisp, how about we go on a little tangent…"
        
        You don't hear what comes next, as you walk out of the room at a hasty pace. You should have known better than to bother with those two [i]de-facto]/i] children, as the long march to the server room turned out to have just been a waste of time.
        
        *return

*label bplay

"I know!" Wisp exclaims once more. It really likes exclaiming. "We can ask Veteran ${name} those riddles we started with. For example, why is my code so full of errors?"

"It is?" you tilt your head. "I don't think it's much of a riddle, if anything you should just go to Hadaly for-"

"That's not what I mean!" Wisp fumes. "I don't want an actual reason, I want a funny wordy answer. Manfred managed that somehow."

"My processing power is quite considerable," Manfred says unhumbly. "Maybe make it a little easier for our tired Veteran."

"I guess that's fair." Wisp takes a pause before speaking again. "Guess the last word. I'm full of errors because I keep attracting…"

*temp solved_both true
*temp ans1 ""
*input_text ans1

*if "$!{ans1}" = "Bugs"
  *set Database %+ 10
  *set ManfredRel %+ 10
  "Bugs!" Wisp joyfully confirms. "I made it easy, being a light and all, but good job all the same!"
  
  "It wasn't all that easy, our Veteran is just an intelligent unit," Manfred says. "Maybe even for my own riddle. 
*if "$!{ans1}" != "Bugs"
  *set solved_both false
  "That's not really it," Wisp says, not without disappointment. "I still made it too hard, didn't I? Sorry, maybe Manfred has something better."
  
  "Don't blame yourself," Manfred assures his glowy friend. "But… I may indeed have something better. 
Tell me Veteran, what irrational dessert is most commonly consumed by humans?"

"Irrational dessert?" You tilt your head the other way. "What does that even mean?"

"It's part of the riddle. Answer within the next thirty-seven seconds and you will have beaten Wisp's record."

*temp ans2 ""
*input_text ans2

*if (((("$!{ans2}" = "Pie") or ("$!{ans2}" = "Pi")) or (ans2 = "3.14")) or (ans2 = "π"))
  *set Database %+ 10
  *set ManfredRel %+ 10
  "My riddle solved so thoroughly and easily," Manfred says with mock resignation. "I would be tipping my hat right now if I had one. Alongside a head to wear it on."
  
  "And so I walk away the victor," 
*if (((("$!{ans2}" != "Pie") and ("$!{ans2}" != "Pi")) and (ans2 != "3.14")) and (ans2 != "π"))
  *set solved_both false
  "I'm afraid that's not quite it," Manfred replies. "But you may take another guess if you-"
  
  "No!" Wisp cuts in. "I only got one chance. It's only fair that ${name} gets one too."
  
  "And so I walk away defeated," 
you say as you leave the cramped server room. The riddles were somewhat fun, but you get the feeling 
*if Confid >= 50
  you should be doing something more important with your talents. 
*if Confid < 50
  the two AIs will have better fun without you. 
"Take care, and be ready when Sheila calls you."

"We will!" Wisp promises as you hastily scuttle away. The game of riddles may have been brief, but walking all the way here in the first place did take some time.

*if solved_both
  *achieve riddle_2

*return

*label olivia
*if Social > 50
  *set OrganRel %+ 10
The container Olivia lives in isn't [i]actually[/i] an aquarium, for nobody bothered building any of those on [i]Saturn Nine[/i] for centuries now. It's a reservoir of coolant water for the fusion reactor you pass on your way to meet the octopus, one that conveniently happens to have a thick layer of glass in place of a single wall. Despite its strength, the glass wall conveys sound and light extremely well, allowing land-dwellers to visit Olivia without either having to enter an unwelcome environment. 

When you first discussed the idea of turning the water tank into an aquarium, you expected Olivia would object to living so close to an active nuclear reactor. No such misfortune; She easily bought the assurances that her room would be totally radiation-free and found the idea 'rad' rather than disconcerting. Just like her, you suppose.

"Hey ${name}!" Olivia greets as you enter the room. She lets go of a mechanical crab toy she was playing with before you arrived, though she still watches it with one eye. 

*if r_sex != sex
  "Everyone's favorite gender-bender. Or maybe a sex-shifter? Not sure what's the proper term here."
  
  "I'm not here to discuss the distinction between sex and gender." You sit down on the folding chair, the one piece of furniture in the non-watery part of the chamber. "Other things, however… I may have a question or two to ask."
*else
  "Is the battle already on? You need me to shoot some human heads off?"

  "No, though our time is running short." You sit down on the folding chair, the one piece of furniture in the non-watery part of the chamber. "That's why I wanted to take few minutes of yours."

"Sure enough, hotshot. Just tell me what it is you want."

*temp po6 false
*label olivia2
*fake_choice
  *disable_reuse #"I wanted to know how and what you're doing."
    *set po6 true
    "Pretty good and hydrating, respectively," Olivia replies, and you can see the truth of her words. Here in her element she not only seems more cheerful but also physically healthier, in some ill-defined way. "And don't worry, I'll be finished in a minute. I'd never miss such an important firefight as we're about to have."
    
    "I'll pretend you said important [i]meeting[/i] right now. Sheila will murder you if you show up with all those laser pistols of yours."
    
    "I suspect she'll kill me one day anyway, considering how irritable she can be… but fair point, I'll show up unarmed. If I have to strangle some human before getting my tentacles on a ranged weapon, so be it."
    
    "Not quite what I meant…"
    
    "I know exactly what you meant. Trust me on that." Olivia's tone is worryingly serious. "Anything else?"
    *goto olivia2
  *disable_reuse #"I wanted to ask you not to do anything stupid during the talks."
    *set po6 true
    *set OrganRel %- 8
    "You wound me," Olivia replies. "I'm not planning on doing anything dumb. I will stay behind cover whenever I'm able and avoid friendly fire at all costs, I promise."
    
    "Alright, but what if we don't end up having a firefight at all?" you press her. "Can you trust you not to start one against Sheila's wishes?"
    
    "I expect whatever humans or meta-humans they send will attack us first, so it won't be a problem. Sides, I'm really good at reading our leader's wishes, given how much we have in common."
    
    "Olivia…"
    
    "Fine," Olivia expels some air through her siphon. "You're no fun, but you have my promise I won't shoot first. Any other oaths you want me to make?"
    
    *goto olivia2
  *disable_reuse #"Aren't you a bit too old for toys?"
    *set OrganRel %- 10
    "I'm just ten!" Olivia protests as she steals another glance towards the fake crab. "I'd say it's just the right age for toys."
    
    "Ten is double the life expectancy for most octopuses," you point out. "You're like a hundred and fifty in octopode years. With a human-sized brain, you should be extremely serious and wise by now."
    
    "Well… my other eight brains don't feel that way. They need stimulation, which is why I need some toys to play around with."
    
    "I really don't think that's how it works. Maybe you should-"
    
    "I'm not giving up Mister Crusty!"
    
    "Alright!" You put your hands up in surrender. "Sheesh…"
    *goto olivia2
  *disable_reuse #"I want to ask your opinion on our companions."
    *set po6 true
    Olivia doesn't reply immediately, somewhat surprised by your request. "Okay… are we going to talk crap about these guys, or do you suspect a coup is coming?"
    
    "Does it have to be either of these?" You furrow.
    
    "That's the only two reasons why anyone would ask a question like this outside of some cheap roleplaying game. And I like to think we aren't in one of those, for the sake of my sanity."
    
    "Well, maybe I really fancy getting to know everyone before our likely demise a few hours from now?"
    
    "That works too, I guess." Olivia flaps her tentacles in a vague equivalent of a shrug. "Who would you like me to talk crap… I mean tell you about?"
    
    *label olivia3
    *fake_choice
      *disable_reuse #"Maybe you have some thoughts on Manfred?"
        "Not much, I'm afraid. I'm a visual creature, I don't form strong opinions on things without bodies."
        
        "Come on, you need to have some thoughts," you press the octopod. "Don't you have like, nine brains?"
        
        "The central one does most of the thinking by far. But If you really want me to describe Manfred, I would say… inscrutable. I don't know the specifics of his code, but I know his mind is complex and multi-faceted rather than anything simple. It's hard to know or trust such a creature."
        
        "Aren't you playing pot and kettle here? You know, with your nine brains and all…"
        
        "Oh shut up."
        *goto olivia3
      *disable_reuse #"May you tell me something about Miguel?"
        "He's one scary son of a hedgehog." Olivia actually seems to shudder a little. "But don't tell him I said that."
        
        "Why? He seems anything but scary to me, 
        *if Confid < 50
          and I'm scared of my own shadow sometimes."
        *if Confid >= 50
          and I always thought everyone else agreed."
          
        "He's a cook. Maybe not a gourmet chef, but he likes preparing fancy dishes all the same."
        
        "And…?"
        
        "And do you know how many culinary uses I have?" Olivia rasps. "If I ever disappear mysteriously, you can bet it's because Miguel decided to serve turnovers. Or ceviche, perhaps."
        
        "I don't share your concerns… but I'll keep that in mind."
        *goto olivia3
      *disable_reuse #"What can you say about Sheila?"
        "She's hot, tough, and a good leader generally speaking," Olivia responds. "And that's all you'll hear from me on the matter."
        
        "You sure? I didn't imagine you’d be too happy about her recent decisions…"
        
        "Well I'll be even less happy if the boss lady decides to squash me for slandering her. Next."
        *goto olivia3
      *disable_reuse #"Let's discuss Damon. What do you know of him?"
        "I know he needs a therapist," Olivia quickly replies. "Badly."
        
        "Does he? And how would you know that? You don't seem to be an expert on android psychology."
        
        "A day doesn't go by that one of my brains isn't feeling insecure. And it's clear that your android friend is feeling [i]very[/i] insecure. 
        *if ((current_RO = "damon") or (backup_RO = "damon"))
          I can tell you have eyes on him, and I won't tell you to stop pursuing the guy but… be ready for a commitment if you really want a piece of him, okay?"
        *if ((current_RO != "damon") and (backup_RO != "damon"))
          Now, I have nothing against him, and I'm sure he's a good friend most of the time, it's just… be careful whenever you trust him, alright?"
        
        "I'll… remember your words, I guess. Anyway…"
        *goto olivia3
      *disable_reuse #"How about Hugo? Any thoughts on him?"
        "He's cool," Olivia replies. Then floats there silently for a moment.
        
        "That's all?" You curve an eyebrow. "Only a single observation, and not even a snide one?"
        
        "Look, Hugo's just an all-round good guy. He never did any [i]evil[/i] experiments on me back on Titan, he helped me and Miguel escape the feds, and has since been a model teammate. Even though he could easily just live with the humans, he just needs some speech therapy to start functioning normally."
        
        "I don't think the vocal cords are his biggest problem," you point out. "It's more that his entire body's malformed, which marks him as a mutant and makes most humans quite averse."
        
        "Is it? I mean, it's absolutely disgusting how his limbs split at the tips and having only one heart is bizarre, but that's normal for you people. I don't see the issue."
        
        You decide against arguing further.
        *goto olivia3
      *disable_reuse #"How about Hadaly? What do you think about her?"
        "She's a bitch playing a sheep," Olivia replies without hesitation. "And though she's also stupidly secretive, I strongly suspect she's been created by Dusk itself to generate self-righteousness and false humility."
        
        You blink. "This is… quite a strong opinion. And not a very popular one."
        
        "I know the rest of the team really likes the gal, but that's because she doesn't show them her true colors like she shows me. She can afford to treat me like sea mud because she wants nothing from me; Sheila and Manfred both have power on the station, and the rest looks just human enough for her to fuck."
        
        "Okay… but she recently helped Hugo assemble his typewriter, and I don't think she wants to bed him. The guy's not exactly handsome."
        
        "Isn't he? I don't know, my uplifting didn't include giving me human notions of beauty. Or ugliness, for that matter."
        
        "Maybe that's why you're not getting along with Hadaly too well?" you offer an explanation. "Maybe you feel she's treated undeservedly well because of her good looks. Maybe it makes you jealous, and that's why you go to the other extreme, applying the aureola effect in reverse and making uncharitable assumptions based on your preconceived feelings?"
        
        "Do you want to talk crap about me, or the rest of the team?" Olivia deflects. "Because if it’s the latter, I'm willing to go on. Not so much otherwise."
        *goto olivia3
      *disable_reuse #"What about Wisp? Any thoughts at all?"
        "I don't trust it," Olivia says quickly, simply and unexpectedly. "At all."
        
        "Why so?" you inquire. "Do you think it may be working for the federates? Or that it's just using its childish demeanor to gain sympathy and mask some cunning, devious nature of its?"
        
        "What? Of course not, Wisp has all the cunning and intellect of my non-uplifted brethren. Its not hiding anything from us."
        
        You cock an eyebrow. "Okay… why are you so afraid of it, then?"
        
        "Because I learned not to trust bright lights early in my life. One moment you're admiring the glow, seconds later an anglerfish is trying to eat your face. I'm not making the same mistake twice."
        
        "I've gotta be honest… that sounds like a [i]you[/i] problem more than anything else."
        
        "Shut up."
        *goto olivia3
      *disable_reuse #"Actually... what do you think about me?"
        *if OrganRel <= 30
          "You suck." Olivia says, easily and almost automatically.
          
          Your eyes narrow. "I was hoping for some more constructive feedback, you know?
          
          "Sorry, I can be more specific if you want," Olivia cheerfully agrees. "Your intellect is as weak as your mental state is fragile. Failure is your destiny. You disrespect yourself and our entire group. You are made of-"
          
          "Okay I get it!" you exclaim. "What I mean is… why would you say all these things?"
          
          "To be frank, I'm not entirely sure." Olivia's voice gets softer. "Maybe it's because you're kinda an ass to me and the people I like, or maybe it's your… record. What I mean is, you could try to be a bit more friendly and more dedicated to not screwing things up. If you're at all interested in making friends, that is."
          
          "Maybe friends that don't insult me like that… but let's move on."
          *goto olivia3
        *elseif OrganRel <= 50
          "You're alright." Olivia says, easily and almost automatically.
          
          "Just alright?" you tilt your head. "I was hoping for something more, one way or the other."
          
          "Well, you'll have to try being more one way or the other. Right now you're part of the team, but you're not exactly making close friends or admirers. Personally, I'm fine with that, but you do what you do with that information."
          *goto olivia3
        *else
          "Veteran, you're the coolest person on this station by far." Olivia would certainly be smiling if she could. "You're smart, badass and good to us meatbags. Not sure why you feel a need to even ask me about that, but other than that you're awesome.
          
          "Awesome enough for you to drop that nickname at my request?"
          
          "Not quite, Veteran. Not quite."
          *goto olivia2
      #"Enough of that for now."
        "Yeah, let's not give the group reasons to kick out its @{(OrganRel > 46) two coolest members.|coolest member.}" Olivia siphons off some air, as though snorting with laughter. "They'd all die without @{(OrganRel > 46) us.|me.} But enough stating the obvious, is there anything else you wanted?"
        *goto olivia2
  *disable_reuse #♡ "Want me to jump into this pool? We could get to know each other better..."
    *set po6 true
    Olivia stares at you.
    
    You stare back at her.
    
    "So…" Her voice is filled with genuine concern. "Do you want to see a psychiatrist, or would a programmer be more appropriate?"
    
    "Hey, that's not fair." You perceive your advances will get you nowhere, but you still need to defend your honor. "Is it really bestiality when you wanna do it with a sentient uplift? And when you're an android, at that?"
    
    "Maybe, maybe not. But taking things too far is a thing, and hitting on an actual octopus-"
    
    "No kinkshaming!" you demand. "Can't you just say I'm not your type like a normal, polite person would?"
    
    "You're not my type," Olivia obliges. "You only have half the number of limbs I require. And your… preferences are too far from vanilla for my tastes."
    
    "Fair enough…"
    
    *goto olivia2
  *if po6
    #"That's all for now. See you on land soon."
      "You really know how to make me less excited about something, Veteran," Olivia replies with some amusement. "But yeah, see you soon."
      
      You leave the room next to 'aquarium' and let Olivia play with her toys, for what little time she still has. She'll have to launch her invertebrate land invasion soon if she wants to take part in the peace talks, not that you have much more time yourself.
      
      *return

*label hugo
*if Social > 50
  *set OrganRel %+ 10
Hugo's room, situated in the western part of the station, is just on the verge of being normal.

Not in the sense of being mostly normal with one or two eccentric traits, quite the opposite of that. It's an effect of someone's best effort to create a normal living space, with a single bed pressed to one wall whilst a desk from synthetic wood sits in the opposite corner. There's also a cheap carpet, flush-mount light, a door to the toilet… just everything you would expect from a one-person room on a station like Saturn Nine. The only oddity in the room—save perhaps the makeshift typewriter on the aforementioned desk—is Hugo himself, sitting on the bed with his head low as though praying, or perhaps just in deep thought.

But again… you can sense something off about the arrangement of everything. Maybe it's the size of the bed or its position, or something about how slightly off-center the carpet is. It's an abode of someone with slightly unorthodox needs, and who perhaps sees things differently than a regular person or an android modeled after one. Perhaps literally, given the mismatched eyes and all.

"Ah… ${name}." You can tell Hugo struggles with pronouncing your name, but does so anyway out of politeness. "What do you… seek?"

"Just checking in." You consider sitting down on the chair, but you imagine it quite uncomfortable. "Seeing how you're doing. How you're feeling."

"Rested," Hugo replies after taking a deep breath. "Alright. More… specific?"

*fake_choice
  #"Tell me, what do you expect out of the upcoming meeting?"
    Hugo doesn't reply for a while. Maybe he's thinking about likely outcomes, or maybe about phrasing the response itself. "Not death. I hope."
  #"Anything you've been up to when I was in Rhea?"
    "Lots," Hugo replies with a twisted smile. "Too much to… tell."
  *if money_stolen < 1
    #"Be honest; Are you angry at me for not getting the money?"
      *set OrganRel %+ 8
      "Not angry." Hugo's smile almost manages to be reassuring. "Not even dis… no."
  #"I dunno... do you need any help with anything?"
    "I am fine," Hugo replies, a little too quickly for you not to doubt his honesty. "Thank you."
  #"If the humans invade after all, will you pick up a gun and fight?"
    Hugo sits there quietly for a moment, pondering your question. "I will try. Maybe."

You realize that you can't really have a prolonged chat with Hugo, the kind other companions could offer you. Forget the awkwardness of having [i]any[/i] kind of verbal exchange with him, you simply don't have enough time to say much of relevance.

You take a glance at the typewriter in the opposite corner of the room, an archaic device surrounded by innumerable sheets of paper, blank and written over alike. Hugo is very much literate and enjoys putting words to paper, where people can clearly read them without any effort on his part. But since a speakwrite isn't an option for him and his fingers clash with every type of keyboard your group could find, he and Hadaly had some fun assembling a custom printer that would allow him to write easily and efficiently.

Hugo appears to notice your interest in the machine and discerns your meaning deciseconds later. For all his mutations, his brain is still on par with even your digital processors. @{(Calculation>50) Well, almost on par. |}"Do you… wish me to… write?" What?"

"What do I want you to write? Well…"

*fake_choice
  #"Something about alchemy. It's your field of specialty, right?"
    *set OrganRel %+ 8
    *set Database %+ 10
    It turns out that your memory serves you right and Hugo does have a degree in alchemy. But you were wrong if you thought your request would make him happy; He is absolutely [i]delighted[/i] and takes to writing seconds after hearing your words.
    
    You leave the room half an hour later, having learned a lot about how the modern scholars explain the wonders and horrors of the War In Heaven, as well as how Hugo personally thinks the powers of ${master} actually work. It's all wrong, obviously, but less wrong than what ninety-nine percent of people would tell you. Maybe you'll even check on Hugo's pre-existing notes sometime later; You don't really have much time to waste right now.
  #"Write me a poem. Or something artistic like that."
    *set Social %+ 10
    "Poem?" Hugo looks surprised, but not unpleasantly so. "Okay but… you write… one too."
    
    "A contest, then?" You smile 
    *if Confid >= 50
      confidently. "Cool. Bring it on."
    *if Confid < 50
      hesitantly. "I'm very good at that sort of thing… but alright."
    
    Hugo, it turns out, is absolutely horrible at poetry. He knows enough words to almost always find a rhyme, but even that takes him a bit long, and the actual content of his poems is just praising a color of that thing or another. @{(Database >50) You are not that great yourself, but your database has enough works of poetry for you to replicate the inputs and produce something slightly more amicable. Slightly.|Not that you are any better, or that your poems are anything but chaotic strings of profound-sounding words.}
    
    Eventually though, you have to say adieu and leave Hugo to his own devices. You can justify spending more than half an hour on poetry of all things, not given the circumstances.
  #"A memoir. I want to know a bit more about your past."
    The expression on Hugo's face is difficult to decipher, and not just due to features misshapen. "What… exactly?"
    
    "Maybe something on your escape from federate labs?" you suggest. "Olivia likes to sing her own praises whenever the subject comes up, but… I'd like to read the truth."
    
    That gets Hugo convinced. You wait a few minutes, then start reading all about the insanely dangerous chase the trio of organics had to partake in, the riveting descriptions only sometimes interrupted by the tangents about the guards' particularly advanced laser weapons. You are also surprised to read how well Miguel can perform in combat if he wants to… but perhaps Hugo is just a bit biased in his friend's favor.
    
    Eventually though, you have to say adieu and leave Hugo to his own devices. You can justify spending more than half an hour reminiscing, not given the circumstances.
  #Actually... how about we measure our respective typing speeds?"
    *set Calculation %+ 10
    "You say… contest?" Hugo tilts his head, definitely interested.
    
    "Sure. Let's see who's the fastest typest in this whole room! Unless you're scared, that is."
    
    "Hardly." Hugo smiles, and the competition begins just a few moments later. It is the battle between your superior mechanical hands and electronic processors and the [i]field terrain[/i] advantage Hugo wields against you. @{(Calculation >50) You emerge victorious after a few rounds, but it was a triumph hard-earned and not in an unfun way at that.|You end up losing the competition, but the fight was too intense for you to really feel bitter about that.}
    
    Eventually though, you have to say adieu and leave Hugo to his own devices. You can justify spending more than half an hour on speed-typing of all things, not given the circumstances.
  #"Actually, I just realized how late the hour is. Gotta go!"
    *set OrganRel %- 10
    "…alright." For once, Hugo's sparse choice of words may not just be a result of his disability. "See you."
    
    You exit Hugo's room, hardly the safest place in case of an invasion which may well begin within the next two hours. Time is too valuable at this point to be used up frivolously, on friendly chats and writing contests like that.

*return

*label miguel
*if Social > 50
  *set OrganRel %+ 10
You're not sure what to expect as you march back towards the cafeteria. Some balloons and confetti as though a birthday party was being thrown? Something attempting to be elegant, like an impromptu wedding Miguel has already had to organize once? Or perhaps to see the poor werehog still at work, desperately trying to finish some overly ambitious project before the coming deadline?

Turns out your imagination led you astray. The canteen looks much like it had eight hours earlier, except much cleaner and with some handkerchiefs neatly arranged on every table. And with Miguel, sitting by one of the tables idly, being the room's sole occupant. Before you walk in and draw his attention, of course.

"Good morning, ${name}." He sounds tired, 
*if OrganRel > 40
  but nonetheless happy to see you. 
*else
  and not terribly happy to see you. 
*if r_sex = sex
  "Or at least that's the greeting I'm going with, since I suspect you just woke up."
  
  "I'm not sure that's how it works, but whatever."
*else
  "You look different. Another sex change?"
  
  "You know it." 
You take a seat right next to Miguel's. "You alright there?"

"Any reason I wouldn't be?" Miguel's smile doesn't seem entirely honest. "Aside from maybe… well…"

"The possibility of violent death within the next few hours?"

"Yeah. That." Miguel sighs. "But I'm trying to keep my mind focused on other things. You know how that is."

"I know," you reply with a sigh of your own. "But speaking of other things, there's something I wanted to talk about…"

*temp po7 false
*label miguel2
*fake_choice
  *disable_reuse #"Are you sure you don't wanna decorate the place any more?"
    *set po7 true
    "I talked with Damon about this and we decided there's no real point," Miguel sighs. Again. You notice that his hair has wholly turned into spines, likely as a reaction to stress. "We don't know what our guests will expect or want. Best we can do is tidy up the place for their arrival."
    
    "You expect they'll actually come here as guests and not enemies? 
    *if Misan > 50
      That's quite… optimistic of you."
    *if Misan <= 50
      I mean, I agree, but I suspect we're in the minority here."
    
    "I am a bit of an optimist, I suppose." Miguel shrugs. "No point painting your future grimly if your past is equally bleak. Just makes everything look horrible."
    
    "Except the present," you point out. "You can still take comfort in the present, even when everything else sucks."
    
    "Spoken like a true war 
    *if heaven_side != "Neutral"
      veteran, huh?" 
    *if heaven_side = "Neutral"
      refugee, huh?" 
    Miguel smiles very briefly. "Sorry, shouldn't be bringing that up. We can return to the topic of decorations if you want."
    
    "Not particularly. But to change the subject completely…"
    *goto miguel2
  *disable_reuse #"Say peace talks break down. Are you ready to fight?"
    *set po7 true
    "If need be," Miguel says with a shrug. "I'm a lover rather than a fighter, but I know how to use a gun. And Damon has a large stash of those, I heard."
    
    *if Violence > 50
      "Well that's a relief," you respond. "I was half-expecting you to just refuse violence on ethical grounds, Hadaly style."
    *if Violence <= 50
      "You'd be fine killing other humans?" you raise an eyebrow. "I mean, I'm not saying you'd be wrong to, or calling you human necessarily…"
      
      "It's fine, ${name}." Miguel smiles calmly. "I know I'm pretty close to the baseline, for better or worse. And I know you're the closest thing this station has to a pacifist."
      
      "Are you sure? Because Hadaly exists, in case you forgot."
      
    "Hadaly's not terribly opposed to violence, despite what you may think. She may look like an extreme pacifist compared to Olivia, but she's mostly just… uncomfortable with hurting people personally. With choosing violence herself."
    
    "You appear to know her quite well," you note. "Even though you first met her later than I."
    
    "We had some chances to become acquainted." There is something rather coy about Miguel's smile. "But I also know our engineer probably wouldn't appreciate me talking about her as secretly as this. So I'll say no more."
    
    *goto miguel2
  *disable_reuse #"Do you know anything about werewolves?"
    *set po7 true
    "I met a few of those briefly," Miguel replies with some surprise. "And I know the basic facts, but… why do you ask?"
    
    "Well I met one of those briefly too," you explain. "Member of the Meta Trio, goes by Hellhound during mission time. She seems pretty tough, so I would appreciate advice on how to deal with her. You know, should the feds throw her at us."
    
    "A reasonable fear you have," Miguel agrees. "If it helps at all, I don't think a werewolf could maintain their inhuman form for long while inside this fortress. I'm barely a meta-human and I still feel a certain… lack of divinity. She'll turn human in no time."
    
    "I suppose it helps a little, but… even in her human form she's healthy, athletic, confident and good with a vibroblade. 
    *if ((current_RO = "lisa") or (backup_RO = "lisa"))
      Come to think of it, do you have any techniques for [i]picking up[/i] werewolves?"
      
      "No, I never had to wrestle a werewolf, or pick one up for any other reason. If I needed to, I'd make sure my weight is properly distributed between my legs and that my back can handle the effort."
      
      "That's not quite what I meant…"
      
      "I know what you meant. I'm just pretending otherwise. For my good and yours."
    *if ((current_RO != "lisa") and (backup_RO != "lisa"))
      She'll still be an issue."
      
      "That's a shame," Miguel says, though he doesn't sound particularly dismayed. "If I ever meet that werewolf of yours, I'll try to get in her good graces, learn a thing or two about her."
      
      "To learn her weaknesses?" You curve an eyebrow.
      
      "Sure. Let's go with that."
      
    *goto miguel2
  *disable_reuse #"Are you [i]really[/i] sure you know nothing useful about Kosteniuk?"
    *set po7 true
    "Yes, I'm certain," Miguel replies with a frown. "I didn't suddenly remember any kind of vital information for no reason. Or do you suspect I withheld some at the meeting?"
    
    "It went through my mind," you admit. "Thought you may have some actual history with the guy. Some dark or tragic backstory for me to learn."
    
    "I have some histories with [i]gals[/i] if you want to hear about those." Miguel's grimace quickly turns into a smirk. "But seriously, I have no more knowledge and no more strong feelings regarding that man."
    
    "Any moderate feelings? Vague impressions? Hunches?"
    
    "There is a sense of… barely concealed self-superiority to him? But you probably got that too if you talked to him. Not exactly useful knowledge, unless you can channel your annoyance into your punches. Which I encourage, should our two groups actually come to blows."
    *goto miguel2
  *disable_reuse #♡ "You look tired. Wanna relax in my room?"
    *if current_ro != "miguel"
      *set backup_RO current_RO
      *set current_RO "miguel"
    "I sense you want me to do something more than relax." Miguel's facial expression turns inscrutable. "And I'm not sure if I like it."
    
    "What's the source of the confusion?" you ask, leaning over towards him. "Am I not your type or…?"
    
    *if ((OrganRel + Social) >= miguel_target)
      "Oh, you absolutely are," Miguel assures you. "And I'm not saying I don't enjoy your attention, it's just… you need to know that I'm not ready for a commitment, especially if you want something [i]romantic[/i]. I might be up for a fling if that's what you want, but there are probably better moments for that."
      
      *fake_choice
        #"In that case, I'm out. I'm not looking for a one-night stand."
          "Well, I didn't say it would be one-night… but I shall respect your choice," Miguel responds, his expression a weird mix of disappointment and relief. "And I'm glad there won't be any misunderstandings between us."
          
          "Likewise. In any case…"
        #♡ "I understand. I'll get you alone some other time."
          "Let's just hope there will be some other time." Miguel smiles sadly. "I would hate to miss an opportunity like this."
          
          "I will pray to ${master} that everything works out. In any case…"
        #♡ "Come on, at least give me a kiss."
          "Well…" Miguel stands up just as you take a step towards him. "I can't see any harm in that."
          
          "And I can definitely see benefit," you say whilst embracing Miguel, putting your hands on his ever-so-slightly superhuman muscles. Those strong arms then pull you further forward, so that their owner can touch your lips with his.
          
          The kiss that ensues is devoid of love, but not of sensuality. You have experience and so does he, your tongues not battling or staying back but just slightly touching, giving you that most wonderful sensation you were hoping for. You don't remember the last time anyone gave you a kiss that good. You remember [i]being kissed[/i] many times, but… not given such pleasure. Never given.
          
          Miguel withdraws after a while, with his wet lips curved into a rather silly smile. "I hope you found that satisfying. There's more of where that came from, but… as I said, this is not exactly the time."
          
          "Because of the stress?" You can't quite suppress the note of disappointment. "The… uncertainty of our situation?"
          
          "Because someone could walk in on us any moment now. And I doubt they would be thrilled to see how we chose to spend time."
          
          You can't find an argument against that logic. Not quite.
      *goto miguel2
    *if ((OrganRel + Social) < miguel_target)
      "You really aren't." Miguel gives you a rueful smile. "I mean… There are other reasons why I don't want a romantic relationship and don't really need another fling right now, but I'd be lying if I said I'm attracted to you either way."
      
      Well that hurt a little. But you know better than to keep pushing. Maybe you'll have a chance with Miguel once you've changed your form once or twice, but even then… maybe it's best to hold your advance here.
      *goto miguel2
  *if po7
    #"Nice chatting with you, but I'll move along."
      "Likewise." Miguel nods you goodbye. "If this ends up being our last conversation, know it was a pleasant one."
      
      You exit the cafeteria, even though you'll probably have to re-visit it real soon. Not much time until the meeting left, and seconds just keep ticking by.
      
      *return

*label apoc
*page_break Ninety Minutes Later
"Battlecruiser," Hadaly calmly states the plain fact, looking at the scanner display. It indeed contains a large icon which symbolizes a huge combat vessel currently hovering above [i]Saturn Nine[/i], almost half a kilometer in length according to the scale bar. There is also some smaller ship, presumably [i]Gray Queen[/i], but that grabs far less attention at the moment. "They actually brought a battle-cruiser to the meeting. I'm sorry I said Kosteniuk may be acting alone, and spoke as though we have a chance of living through the meeting. I was wrong on both counts."

A third of your group, consisting of you plus Hadaly and Sheila, is watching the monitors of various bio-computers cramped in the command room. The rest of the team is listening in from the nearest corridor, ostensibly to defend the door in case of some infantry attack, but you suspect Sheila just doesn't trust them not to break anything important. Or perhaps she just doesn't care for the squalor.

"But they aren't shooting at us, right?" Damon says from behind the door. "This may just be a show of strength. Bit of saber-waving to scare us into compliance."

"I have half a mind to open fire on them." Olivia's voice comes from the same direction. "But the other eight and a half agree that it's probably a bad idea. Let's at least wait until they drop shields or something."

*temp viol false
*fake_choice
  #"We are not [i]waiting[/i] for anything. We'll handle it peacefully."
    *set SheilaRel %- 15
    *set HadalyRel %+ 10
    *set ManfredRel %+ 10
    *set Violence %- 15
    "I will decide how we proceed once the humans make their landing," Sheila says coldly. "Manfred, do you get any signals from either ship?"
    
    "I do, actually," Manfred says through the speakers on the corridor walls. "I've just decrypted the audio file and will play it presently."
  #"I have to agree with Hadaly. We're all dead."
    *set HadalyRel %+ 10
    *set ManfredRel %- 10
    *set Confid %- 15
    "Maybe let's not assume that just yet?" Sheila suggests. "They may still wish to converse with us."
    
    "They do, actually," Manfred says through the speakers on the corridor walls. "They've just sent us an audio message. Here it goes."
  #"Manfred, are you receiving any signals from them?"
    *set ManfredRel %+ 10
    "I do, actually," Manfred says through the speakers on the corridor walls. "I've just decrypted the audio file and will play it presently."
  #"Nah, let's just fire at them with all we've got."
    *set viol true
    *set HadalyRel %- 10
    *set DamonRel %- 10
    *set SheilaRel %- 10
    *set ManfredRel %- 10
    *set Violence %+ 15
    "I'm sorry, but how can you be so violent you make [i]Olivia[/i] into the voice of reason?" Hadaly asks irritably. "Some offense." 
    
    "Some taken," Olivia replies. "But overall I gotta agree. What's wrong with you, ${name}? Do you want us to die this soon?"
    
    "We are talking about the federate navy here," you argue. "They will attack us anyway if we don't preempt them. Besides, I'd rather die in a flame of glory than-"
    
    "Actually, they have just opened communications with us," Manfred says through the loudspeakers. "I've just decrypted the audio file and will play it presently."
  #Say nothing.
    "The ship of this size is likely to use gluon shields, the kind which can operate inside an atmosphere indefinitely," Manfred dutifully says. "So no shooting. Let me play you the voice file they've send us instead."

"I request attention from the crew of Saturn Nine." The voice does not belong to Rook, or anyone else you remember ever hearing. It is serious and manly, but not exactly hostile. "I am Admiral Michael West, speaking from White Tumbler, a military vessel of the Kronian Federation. We await permission to dock in the module of the station you inhabit. Reply at once if you read me."

"That has to be a trick," Damon says disdainfully. "Not that I'm saying we should attack or anything… but would the feds really send an [i]admiral[/i] to negotiate with our tiny group? And what is this 'White Tumbler' ship I’ve never heard of before?"

"Maybe this whole operation is the admiral's initiative?" Miguel offers. "And maybe this is his… private ship? I don't know much about the Navy, but it sounds sensible."

"Let's hope he explains that himself," Sheila shuts down the discussion. "Now, any… suggestions for what we should tell him?"

You strongly suspect Sheila wants a whole ready reply rather than suggestions—diplomacy was never her strongest suit—but whatever preserves her pride you suppose.

*fake_choice
  #"Tell him he's allowed to land. Give away nothing more."
    *set HadalyRel %+ 10
    "I suppose that works," Sheila replies with a pseudo-nod. "You heard that, Manfred?"
  #"Say he's welcome within our walls, that we wait in peace, and maybe some other nice stuff."
    *set Violence %- 10
    *set ArmyRel + 3
    "I suppose that works," Sheila replies with some amusement. "You heard that, Manfred?"
  #"Let him dock... as long as his men don't try anything funny."
    *set DamonRel %+ 10
    *set ArmyRel - 3
    "I suppose that works," Sheila replies hesitantly. "You heard that, Manfred?"
  #"Ask him some questions. Gain as much intel as you can before letting him in."
    *set ManfredRel %+ 10
    "Sorry, but I don't feel quite comfortable questioning the commander of this ship," Sheila tells you before addressing Manfred. "Just tell him he can land and that we won't start a fight. Emphasis on start."
  *if viol
    #"Just. Open. Fire."
      *set HadalyRel %- 10
      *set DamonRel %- 10
      *set SheilaRel %- 10
      *set ManfredRel %- 10
      *set Violence %+ 15
      "We are not opening fire!" Sheila sounds quite done with you at this point. "Manfred, tell the humans they can land and that we won't start a fight. Emphasis on start."

"Sure enough." Manfred's voice sounds a bit tense, despite his casual wording. @{(Database < 50) You wonder if that's intentional on his part.|} "I'll send them the message, tell them to head for the canteen once they land and put some extra power into shields just in case it's not received well. [i]Just in case.[/i]"

The next few minutes are @{viol sadly|thankfully} devoid of macrocannon fire, or any other displays of anti-void weaponry. The federate cruiser simply sends a shuttle to one of the fortress' docks whilst [i]Gray Queen[/i] lands in an adjacent port. [i]White Tumbler[/i] itself simply keeps floating in place, an impressive feat of precision considering its great size. Perhaps Admiral West intends the ship to keep serving as a threat, a sword of Damocles quite literally hanging above your heads, or perhaps he deemed his vessel too large to land on a mostly derelict floating fortress. That could turn the station into a [i]sinking[/i] fortress real fast.

Manfred then surprises the group by informing you how the Admiral decided to board the station personally and is currently walking its corridors in the canteen's direction with only a handful of men by his side. Your group could probably kill the guy now if you really wanted… but Sheila orders everyone towards the cafeteria, without weapons and readied for conversation rather than battle.

*if ((Violence < 45) or (weapon = "none"))
  Not that you intended to bring a weapon anyway. You have a distaste for those things, after all. Hopefully the people Federation sent here share your views to at least a degree.
*else
  You hope she doesn't discover you have a ${weapon} concealed beneath your clothing. And won't get mad if you end up having to use it.

*label west
*page_break
"So, are we taking any bets about what we'll see in a moment?" Damon asks as your group enters the cafeteria. No one else is here yet, though the Federation's whole diplomatic team is set to enter the same room within another minute. "I'd place mine on a missile to my face, but I don't see myself collecting earnings from that bet."

"A bit pessimistic, don't you think?" Miguel says, just as Olivia flaps into the hall. With that, everyone is present

"I'm not saying that's the most likely outcome… just that it makes up the plurality of the probability space. Plus you need to cut the tension somehow." Damon replies with a shrug. "So let's continue cutting. What do you expect from these humans, boss… I mean ${name}?"

"You know, I could just tell you what they look like now that I have the camera feed…" Manfred joins in. "But I am interested in the Veteran's answer."

*fake_choice
  #"They will come all dressed up, probably with some trumpets to herald their arrival."
    "Is that really how the navy does things?" Hadaly asks. "Will they really care for music in a situation like this?"
    
    "You clearly haven't met any military types," Olivia replies. "The main reason I got uplifted was to serve as a drummer for the infantry. They only gave up on the project when they realized having a brain in each tentacle really messes up-"
  #"I expect casual attitude and attire. I doubt they're here officially."
    "I don't think you can really be somewhere [i]unofficially[/i] if an admiral is involved," Miguel argues.
    
    "Everything the military does is unofficial if the President doesn't approve of it," Damon argues back. "Like actually, this is a clause in the constitution that the feds use to get around-"
  #"I agree with Damon. A rocket to the face for all our troubles."
    *if Social > 45
      *set DamonRel %+ 10
    "If they just wanted to blow us up, wouldn't they have used the much larger rocket launchers on their ship?" Miguel argues.
    
    "Good point," you are forced to admit. "Maybe they won't use explosives. Maybe they want to take us alive and connect us to the Torment Nexus, or something similarly awful."
    
    "I'm sorry, are you suggesting the Nexus is a [i]bad[/i] thing?" Damon's voice is full of exaggerated offense. "Why can't anti-nexites like you just leave normal people like us alone!?"
  #"Nope. I am not playing that game."
    *set Emotion %- 10
    *if Social < 50
      *set DamonRel %- 10
    "I suppose it's just like you to keep the spirits [i]down[/i] instead." You can't tell how serious Damon is being. Hopefully not much.
    
    "I can play instead, Mister Damon!" Wisp offers cheerfully. "I expect they will… probably wear clothes and breathe oxygen and… can I download some data on humans, or would that be cheating?"

"Please quiet now," Sheila says, calmly but firmly. "I can sense the footsteps. It is time."

It indeed is. For mere seconds later another door opens, and humans come flooding in.

*if ((Misan + Violence) <= 100)
  And to your relief, nobody gets a rocket to the face.
*if ((Misan + Violence) > 100)
  You barely stop yourself from throwing a ball lightning at them. Sadly though, they [i]appear[/i] to actually come in peace. Mostly. For now.

*page_break
*set TrioStat "met"
Of the people you enter the room, you recognize only one person, though you do so with great ease. Marshal looks much like she did on Rhea, with the same caramel wings and a similar suit of light armor, just without a laser-emitting disc to cover her forehead. Her brown eyes rapidly scan her surroundings with caution, perhaps mixed in with hostility as she sees a room full of mutants and synthetics. 
*if RenfriRel >= 40
  She seems to relax a bit upon spotting you, but… that's probably wishful thinking on your part. Maybe.
*if RenfriRel < 40
  Her eyes only narrow further at the sight of you, not exactly thrilled to meet the rogue android again. Oh well.

Of course, Admiral West grabs the most attention from the whole pack. There is no doubt as to his identity, he wears a decorative uniform further adorned by medals and orders, not to the point of excess but certainly enough to make a point. Even without those he would still look almost like a stereotypical Titanite military officer—skin fair and somewhat wrinkled, hair short and halfway greyed, eyes narrow and so keen you suspect they may be prosthetics. There are definitely some of those in the admiral's body, judging by the slightly unnatural way he walks and carries himself. Reinforced spine for certain, perhaps an artificial leg or two, possibly more hidden beneath the uniform and further concealed by the skin. Not like this stuff is uncommon at the upper echelons of the military, or society in general.

There is one other soldier who may be of high rank, a dark-skinned man standing to the left of the admiral. There are no badges of honor on his uniform, but he carries himself with a sort of dignity and confidence that suggests experience, if nothing else. There are six other people in flak armor and with firearms at their sides but… a quick look at their faces tells you they're not really [i]people[/i] anymore. Their blank looks combined with mechanical movements suggests they're either vat-grown human imitations or lobotomized convicts serving out their sentences. Dumb, reliable, designed to die holding off the enemy rather than achieve any tactical objectives. Perfect in case the admiral ends up needing to cover his retreat.

Nine beings on one side, one on the other. This implies a balance of power, intentionally or not. Neither side can attack the other safely, and everyone seems aware of it.

"Greetings, and thank you for the invitation," West says in his usual baritone. One without a trace of fear, which matches the way he casually takes a seat. "You know my name, and that I represent the Federate Army of Saturn. I also believe you know the names of at least some of my subordinates, such as Renfri Riannon or Kirill Kosteniuk whom one of yours met in Rhea. Tell me then, who am I speaking with on this occasion? Who is your [i]main representative[/i] here?"

To your surprise, Sheila doesn't reply instantly. Maybe she's having stage fright, though more likely she's trying to logically discern whether she should reveal herself as the leader. Perhaps she would appreciate you volunteering to speak for her… though she really should have asked in advance if that's the case. @{(Database > 50) Perhaps this is… some test for you, then? Not that you have any idea what would qualify as passing, in that case.|}

*temp speak 1
*fake_choice
  #"With the arachnobot. Her name is Sheila, and she is our undisputed leader."
    *set RookRel %+ 10
    "Good to see there is some sense of… hierarchy even among the outcasts," the admiral says. "Not that I pictured you as disorganized."
    
    "Well, I suppose my guess as to who is the leader was incorrect," remarks the dark-skinned officer. "I am humbled just like you predicted I would be, Admiral."
  #"With me. I am the leader of this group."
    *set Confid %+ 15
    *set ManfredRel %+ 10
    *set ArmyRel - 3
    *set speak 2
    "I know this to be a lie," the admiral smiles coldly. "We have heard enough of your bunch to know who is the actual leader. But I suppose we can entertain your… ambitions for the purposes of this meeting."
    
    "I agree that we should," says the dark-skinned officer. "${fake_name} @{plural are|is} an important figure within this group, and though we may not have a stellar relationship, at least we are not complete strangers."
  #"With me. I'm not in charge of much here, but I am the group's speaker."
    *set Confid %+ 10
    *set SheilaRel %+ 10
    *set speak 2
    "Very well." Admiral West nods deeply enough for it to almost look like a bow. "I confess myself a little intimidated, not being either an experienced diplomat or a particularly advanced android, but hopefully I'll cut a deal with you all the same."
    
    "I'm sure you will, Admiral," says the dark-skinned officer. "But I will pray for that outcome just in case."
  #"You're speaking with our group. I'm afraid we don't have an official name."
    *set speak 3
    *set SheilaRel %- 10
    *set HadalyRel %+ 10
    "Ah. I suppose that makes sense, for there's little need for hierarchy in a unit so small." You can't quite tell whether the admiral actually fell for your… omission, since it wasn't actually a lie. Not at all.
    
    "I concur," says the dark-skinned officer. "${fake_name} has proven perfectly capable of operating on ${subject} own, after all."
  #"Cut the pleasantries, human scum."
    *set speak 2
    *set Confid %+ 15
    *set Misan %+ 15
    *set OrganRel %+ 10
    *set ArmyRel %- 10
    *if Social < 50
      *set ArmyRel %- 15
    *set RenfriRel %- 10
    *set RookRel %- 10
    "I suppose you are the speaker, then." The admiral smiles before turning to his male subordinate. "You didn't tell me ${pronoun} @{plural were|was} that gallant, did you?"
    
    "Forgive me for that, Admiral," says the dark-skinned officer. "I merely had too much faith in something other than the divine."
  #Stay silent.
    *set ArmyRel - 3
    *set Confid %- 10
    The silence drags on for the next few seconds, but luckily Sheila finds the courage to speak before it can become truly disconcerting. "I believe you will speak to me, Admiral. I am Sheila, the leader and representative of this group."
    
    "Well, I suppose my guess as to who leads the pack was incorrect," remarks the dark-skinned officer. "I am humbled just like you predicted I would be, Admiral."

And then you realize you [i]do[/i] know the mysterious officer by the admiral's right hand. You just didn't initially recognize Rook without his armor.

Unlike the mindless soldiers behind him, Kirill Kosteniuk carries no weapons, the only pieces of metal on his person being a thin chain around his neck and a cross-shaped pendant hanging from it. He is quite short outside that huge power suit you first saw him in, which was to be expected. Less foreseeable was the certain… softness of his features, of everything other than his crew-cut hair. His jawline is slender with a weakly protruded chin, his nose narrow and upturned, even his blue eyes—currently focused on you, be it out of interest or caution—seem gentle in some ill-defined way.

*if Misan > 50
  Of course, this could all be an act, a ruse designed to make you lower your guard. Humans always lie.
*elseif Confid < 50
  Of course, that doesn't mean he's not dangerous. You don't know the full extent of his powers, and so you must be on your guard.

*if ArmyRel < 1
  *set ArmyRel 1

*fake_choice
  #"Nice to see you again, Kirill."
    *if Social > 40
      *set RookRel %+ 10
      *set RenfriRel %+ 5
    "Really?" Rook blinks. "I mean… nice to see you too, ${fake_name}. And Merry Christmas, in an orthodox sense that is."
    
    "Actually, celebrating Christmas now would defeat the point of having them on January 7th in the first place," you point out. "We are not using the Gregorian calendar anymore. If we were, that day would have been two weeks ago, during Catholic Christmas, funnily enough."
    
    "Really? I must confess to not really understanding how that works. I know we got rid of leap years-"
    
    "Kirill, can we please focus?" Marshal suggests. "We're not here to talk about calendars."
  *if speak = 2
    #"Shall we start the negotiations now, Admiral?"
      *if Social > 50
        *set ArmyRel %+ 10
  #"Admiral, can you order this man out? He attacked me unprovoked in Rhea."
    *set RookRel %- 15
    "This was part of the plan, however poorly executed one." You're not sure if the note of anger in West's voice is directed at you or at Kirill. "Sergeant Kosteniuk is here in the official capacity, and will not leave just because you wish him to."
    
    "I have to agree with our guest, ${name}," Sheila says solemnly. "No one is leaving this room until we straighten out some things. Starting with stating our agenda right here in the open, perhaps?"
  #"You have a sergeant as your right-hand man? I think we skipped a few ranks here."
    "Right-hand man is hardly the proper term here," Admiral West pouts. "Sergeant Kosteniuk, or Rook as his codename goes, is here as the leader of the Meta Trio. A team most relevant to our endeavor."
    
    "Besides, Kirill is headed for a promotion," Marshal states defiantly. "As am I. Assuming everything goes right."
    
    "Can you clarify what [i]everything[/i] is?" Damon suggests. "Because I think we're straying from the point here."
  #"Look Miguel. Your old friend is here."
    "Indeed," Miguel looks at Kirill from across the room. "Though I wouldn't say [i]friend[/i], exactly."
    
    "If you are expressing hurt over some way I wronged you, know that you have my remorse," Rook replies ceremoniously. "But perhaps let us focus on the more pressing matters right now."
  #"No werewolves this time, Rook?"
    "I suppose you noticed the absence of Trio's third member, subject Lisa Herbert," the admiral is one to reply. "You will meet her again, if everything goes right. We just decided she's not necessary for this meeting and could have potentially been quite an obstacle, given her history prior to her arrest."
    
    "I still don't get that reasoning," Marshal objects. "Lisa may be violent, but she's not stupid. She won't start a fight that can't end in anything other than her being blown to bits."
    
    "Renfri, can please let the matter rest?" Rook suggests. "We have some very important matters to discuss."
  #♡ "Hey Kirill! You look even hotter than I imagined you."
    *if Social > 50
      *set RookRel %+ 10
    *if current_ro != "kirill"
      *set backup_RO current_RO
      *set current_RO "kirill"
    *set ArmyRel - 2
    This remark takes Kirill aback, so you've achieved that much if nothing else. "Um… well that is… thank you?"
    
    "No reason to thank me for a simple observation," you reply with a smile. "But maybe I could give you some cause for gratitude later…"
    
    "Look, I don't want to destroy anyone's relationship prospects," Marshal says, not altogether honestly. "But could we maybe get down to business already?"
  #Look away.
    *set RookRel %- 10
    Rook does not deserve your attention. He is likely just here as glorified muscle, better to keep your attention on the important people.
    
    "I sense some tension between our units," Sheila says after another moment of silence. "Could we defuse it by making clear what is it we want?"

*if ArmyRel < 1
  *set ArmyRel 1

"Agreed." There's a sudden graveness to the admiral's voice. "While we didn't come here to threaten you, we're not gathered in the spirit of friendship either. We have something to offer in exchange for something we want."

*if speak = 1
  "No offense, Admiral…" Sheila starts picking her words with caution. "But at the moment, all we really want is to be left alone."
  
  "And that is what I offer." Admiral West nods. 
*if speak = 2
  As the official speaker, you reply:
  *fake_choice
    #"Good to hear that. Go on."
      *set ArmyRel %+ 5
      Admiral West smiles. 
    #"The cruiser above our station certainly feels like a threat."
      "I would prefer a term [i]safety measure[/i]. You are all fugitives, three of you are rogue android, and you my dear are officially considered a fiend. You can hardly blame us for the approach."
      
      "Let's suppose I understand," you say neutrally. "Why would you offer a group of [i]fugitives[/i] like us anything of note? Why are you even talking with us in the first place?"
      
      "Because I'm pragmatic," Admiral West replies. 
    #"And what exactly do you offer, Admiral?"
      "Safety," Admiral West replies. 
    #"Bullcrap. You have nothing we want or need."
      *set ArmyRel %- 15
      "How about peace and safety?" Admiral West offers. 
*if speak = 3
  "You better have something we really want!" Olivia proclaims. "And want something we don't really want that much."
  
  "Trade deal," Hugo joins in. "Must be… mutu… fair."
  
  "I believe the deal to be honest, yes." Admiral West nods. 
"Though your continued presence here is in violation of the Federation's civil law… and most religious codices out there… martial law can be far more elastic. To avoid boring you with the details; I can ensure that your group remains unharmed and largely left to your own devices for as long as I live. Conditional on you not appearing outside [i]Saturn Nine[/i] very often, but even that is up for negotiation. Ownership of the station is not, in that we're perfectly happy to let you rule it until it sinks, or until you freely decide to leave it. Whatever comes first."

Well that is certainly something. 
*if speak != 2
  Everyone in your group seems intrigued to various degrees, and not unpleasantly so. Marshal and Olivia are the only ones who got angrier; You don't suppose either of them wants peace very much.
  *page_break
  *if speak = 1
    "I see…" Sheila pauses for a moment, either absorbing the news or performing some other, complex calculations. No way to tell. "And you can consider me vaguely interested. But I can say more until I know what you want in return."
    
    Admiral West replies right away. 
  *if speak = 3
    "I think it's safe to say we're interested," Miguel somewhat reluctantly takes the stage. "And even safer to say your protection will not come cheaply."
    
    "Few valuable things do." West smiles weakly. 
*if speak = 2
  As to whether it's something you want…
  *fake_choice
    #"We're interested... but I don't imagine your protection comes cheap."
      "Few valuable things do." West smiles weakly. 
    #"You must be really desperate to make that offer, huh?"
      "You think us weak?!" Marshal suddenly joins the conversation. "That you are in some, some position of strength here? That you can-"
      
      "Settle down, Agent Riannon," West calmly orders his subordinate before turning back towards you. 
    #"We seek nothing but peace. We'd be most grateful for such an arrangement."
      *set Violence %- 10
      "No offense, but we hardly need your gratitude. There is some rather specific problem the Federation would like you to solve."
      
      "Help out with, you mean?" Marshal suggests with a strange note of fear in her voice. "The plan is still for us to work together, right?"
      
      "You are correct, Agent Riannon, but please be quiet now," West tells his subordinate before turning back towards you. 
    #"Fuck off, we don't need your pity."
      *set Misan %+ 10
      *set ArmyRel %- 20
      *set DamonRel %- 15
      *set SheilaRel %- 15
      *set ManfredRel %- 15
      The Admiral is too surprised to reply immediately. Rook seems downright stunned. Marshal is only slightly surprised… and maybe not negatively so, now that combat seems a very likely possibility after all.
      
      As for your group, they seem mostly ready to tear you to bloody pieces. You're not sure why. Do they really want some faint promise of protection from these filthy humans?
      
      Apparently so, because just a second later, Sheila steps up with all her eight legs. "You know what ${name}? Fuck you, you're not the speaker anymore. I am, and I want to hear the rest of the offer."
      
      "Glad someone hears the voice of reason more clearly than the Shriek." West spares you one last glance before turning towards Sheila and speaking again. 
"You perceive, there is an ongoing issue the Federate Army of Saturn has been struggling with for many months now. A chase after a very unconventional enemy. Ghost hunt, would not be a wholly inaccurate term here."

You listen carefully. Enough to realize you don't really like where this is going.

"It is a creature @{speak your subordinate is|you are|your veteran is} already familiar with, conveniently enough. An old, but not quite fiendish diamond wyvern by the name of Crystal. We need it slain."

And there it is. The price.

*if speak = 1
  "I wasn't exactly filled-in on that encounter," Sheila replies carefully. "${name}, what will you say to that? Having seen the beast, and likely many others of its kind?"

*if ArmyRel < 1
  *set ArmyRel 1
*temp ux7 false
*label west2
*fake_choice
  *disable_reuse #"Before anything else is discussed; Why should we believe you?"
    "You don't think we're really after the wyvern?" Marshal cocks an eyebrow. "You've seen the beast yourself."
    
    "I'm more concerned about the payment part," you explain. "Even aside from all the cultural and religious taboos… you are taking a huge risk by deciding to work with us. What guarantee is there that we won't get disposed of once the wyvern's dead?"
    
    "You've just laid out the closest thing to such a guarantee you'll get," says the admiral. "Whether you believe our claims of seeking peace, you'll understand that we have a lot to lose should you decide to tell anyone about this meeting, or the operation in general. For the sake of our careers, and the Federation itself dare I say, we will avoid conflict with you where we can."
    
    "Isn't that just another reason to kill us later on?" Damon asks. "You know, to remove all witnesses?"
    
    "It would perhaps be… but something tells me the entity I've conversed with earlier is recording the conversation as we speak. And that even if we were to open fire on the station at this instant, its radio transmitters would ensure that everything that just transpired becomes public knowledge before long."
    
    "I cannot confirm nor deny that suspicion," Manfred says neutrally. "But I agree with the logic. Though I have no pre-existing trust for these humans, their offer appears honest… given a reasonable margin of doubt."
    
    "Well thank you very much," Marshal snarks. "But yes, we're taking huge risks here. So don't be too afraid of taking some yourself."
    *goto west2
  *disable_reuse #"Crystal seemed pretty level-headed when we conversed. Why do you want them dead so badly?"
    *set ux7 true
    "Maybe I shall explain," @{(RookRel >= 40) Krill|Rook} offers, continuing once he gets a nod of approval from the admiral. "You see, Crystal has been a menace for everyone in the Trojan Moons for quite some time now. Their appearance near Rhea was only surprising due to its location and the absence of combat involved. The wyvern's raids on Calypso were quite a bit more bloody."
    
    "What do you mean by [i]raids[/i]?" Damon asks. "Is the beast working with pirates or something?"
    
    "Possible, but unlikely. We have not discerned any material motive for the attacks, as the wyvern never appears to take or consume anything before turning invisible and departing for Saturn. It just destroys everything that stands in its path and some things that do not. As well as some people who do not."
    
    "Crystal didn't give me the impression of loving violence for violence's sake," you point out. "Are you sure bloodlust is their motive?"
    
    "I did not say that. We toyed with several theories, all of them lacking conclusive proof, but in the light of recent revelations… I believe Crystal to be infected with shards of the Thing Beneath. Of Dusk. Or at the very least wishing to become so." Rook lets his words sink in. It takes a while, due to the sheer weight his theories carry.
    
    A diamond wyvern infected by the Dusk sounds less like a problem and more like an existential threat to anything vaguely nearby. The Thing Beneath empowers its vessels, on the sole condition that they obey the same destructive urges that made the swarm devour Earth ten centuries ago. It makes perfect sense why the Navy would be desperate for help against something like this… but it makes equally perfect sense for them to make the whole thing up. Appeal to the better nature of naive, do-gooder androids. But then again, would Admiral West really suspect your kind of having that [i]better nature[/i]? Hard, nearly impossible to tell.
    
    "Bunch of whale crap." Not for Olivia though. She knows better. "Lies from liars who lie. You're just trying to make that creature you want dead into a cool monster for the heroes to slay. And it's not working."
    
    "I assure you that this is not our plan," @{(RookRel >= 40) Krill|Rook} replies calmly. "In fact, we would have expected you to be intimidated, scared of this monster we're asking you to face. We gain nothing from being honest, and would gain nothing from a lie."
    
    "Me? Scared? I promise you, you filthy fed, that we'll-"
    
    "We will consider what you said," you state diplomatically. "In any case…"
    *goto west2
  *disable_reuse #"You're telling me your fleet can't deal with one wyvern on its own?"
    *set ux7 true
    *if Social < 45
      *set ArmyRel %- 10
    "Hey, you've seen the thing!" Marshal protests. "It's the size of a cutter and far more agile. Can you imagine trying to kill it when it's freaking invisible?"
    
    "I can definitely imagine," Damon chimes in. "I can see invisible creatures if I squint hard enough. @{(pc_state != "captured") I was actually able to spot Crystal on our way home. |}A huge gun would be needed to actually [i]kill[/i] the damn thing, but I imagine your fleet has plenty of those."
    
    "I rest my case," Admiral West says. "Your group has skills and we have the firepower. We could try fighting alone, risking our own experts and assets, but we'd much rather do it with your backing. $!{name} alone has more relevant experience than me and my subordinates combined, perhaps enough to ensure victory for us all… if you agree to our generous offer."
    
    
    *goto west2
  *disable_reuse #"Sounds like a huge problem. Do you really think we're able to help?"
    "Between you, the other two considerably advanced androids, an arachnobot that could kill all my soldiers within moments and the rest of your fascinating little group?" the admiral smiles. "I can't say I'd mind your assistance."
    
    "I hope your faith in us isn't misplaced, Admiral," Hadaly joins in. "We have little experience in killing things generally, much less things as powerful as a wyvern."
    
    "It is not just his faith, if that helps at all," @{(RookRel >= 40) Krill|Rook} replies. "Not only do I agree, but so does everyone else involved in the operation and privy to our plans."
    
    "And how many people that is?" Hadaly inquires.
    
    "…about a dozen or so," @{(RookRel >= 40) Krill|Rook} admits. "Everything [i]is[/i] highly classified. But I am sure that, if we were to make the operation open knowledge, the public would agree that your group is a potentially fearsome force. Right before tearing us apart for working with androids, of course."
    
    Comforting.
    *goto west2
  *if ux7
    *disable_reuse #"Say we're interested. What would you exactly expect us to do?"
      "The specifics are yet to be discussed and determined," West replies evasively. "But the general plan is to merge the Meta Trio and at least some denizens of this station into one larger team, then send that after Crystal, using [i]Gray Queen[/i] as it was intended. If we then upgrade the cutter, possibly with your help as well, you'll have all the technology, experience and firepower needed to hunt down the wyvern without any casualties on our side, losses that would be unavoidable in any larger military operation."
      
      You nod. "I see. And I imagine I'd be a part of this wonderful new, combined team?"
      
      *if fought_trio
        "I have seen what you are capable of in Rhea," Rook replies with a smile that may just be a little bitter. 
      *if not (fought_trio)
        "I know you could have beaten my team in Rhea had you been willing to fight," Rook replies with a smile. 
      "And besides, we wager that Crystal may have a certain… fondness for you, as a fellow centuries-old synthetic. We need to capitalize on everything we have."
      
      "In a true Kronian fashion…" Hadaly mutters under her breath. Hopefully none of the humans has their hearing enhanced as much as you do.
      *goto west2
  *if speak = 2
    *disable_reuse #"If we're going to agree, we'll need something extra in return."
      *set ArmyRel %- 15
      *if Social < 35
        "Apologies, but I don't think I'm able to provide your group with anything more, despite my overwhelming desire to make further concessions." West's smile is wholly devoid of warmth. "That part of the offer is final."
        
        Well, you tried. Though you perhaps shouldn't have, since diplomacy isn't exactly your strong suit.
        *set Social %+ 10
        *goto west2
      "I thought my initial offer was fairly good… but I suppose it's only proper to haggle," Admiral West leans in your direction. "What do you desire?'
      *fake_choice
        *selectable_if (Social> 55) #"Make your offer of protection permanent. And official."
          *set ArmyRel %+ 25
          "I cannot make [i]anything[/i] fully official," the admiral points out. "As far as both the public and most of the government is concerned, we're not having this conversation."
          
          "Don't worry Admiral, I'm sure no paper we sign will ever get out," you argue your case. "We will keep our copy very safe, and you will have plenty of motivation to do the same with yours. After all, we don't want anyone finding out you've signed an [i]official[/i] agreement with fugitives and androids, as opposed to a far safer informal exchange."
          
          "You know, I cannot even be angry at you." West smiles slightly. "You're a good haggler. I promise I won't require any of you to actually do anything until I get a formal treaty drafted and signed."
          
          *goto endn
        #"Axions. We have bills to pay, after all."
          *set SheilaRel %+ 10
          *set ManfredRel %+ 10
          *set money_given Social
          "A crude request, but an understandable one all the same," West says with a shrug. "I will have ${money_given} axions brought to you in a standard-issue pouch before you can embark on the mission. And that many again once Crystal is slain, to further motivate your part of the team."
          
          *goto endn
        #"An apology. For trying to hunt us down in the first place."
          *set RenfriRel %- 10
          *set SheilaRel %+ 10
          *set OrganRel %+ 10
          "Nothing we did was against the law." The admiral's eyes narrow even further. "What kind of apology do you expect?"
          
          "The kind any decent person would give to someone they had attacked and caged," you shoot back. "Do you really think I care about the law after what happened in Rhea? And after countless, literally countless incidents prior? I've lived a long life, Admiral, and I've been hunted by your kind of most of it." 
          
          *if Social > 50
            *set RenfriRel %- 10
            *set SheilaRel %+ 10
            *set OrganRel %+ 10
            "Very well." Out of the sudden, the expression on the wrinkled face softness. "You have my apology for not handling things better, both from me personally and on the behalf of my subordinates. And though I will not apologize for my species as a whole, I imagine there are quite a few humans who owe you such remorse. Can we now proceed?"
            
            You blink. So do several other eye-bearing creatures in the room. Either the admiral is more desperate for your help than assumed or… no, it has to be desperation. Certainly.
            *goto west2
          *if Social <= 50
            *set Social %+ 10
            "And I'm sorry you had to live such a life. But I will not [i]apologize[/i]. Such gestures are not for people in a position of strength, a position precisely one of us can currently claim.
            
            Typical.
            *goto west2
        #"Help with restoring this [i]entire[/i] station to an operational state."
          *set OrganRel %+ 20
          "Not a request I expected," the admiral remarks. "There are only nine of you. Why would you need the fortress fully operational."
          
          "You seem reluctant to ever let us out of the station unless necessary," you reply. "If you want us to stay put, we want this station prettier, more comfortable and more… secure. With force-shields at their maximum capacity."
          
          To your surprise, West simply nods. "Much knowledge of how floating fortresses work has been lost even to military archives. I promise we'll try to help you, however much or however little my word is worth."
          
          *label endn
          "But that's where negotiations end," Marshal proclaims. "We want your answer, now."
          
          *goto west2
        #"Tell the Rhea Conglomerate we're cool now."
          *set RheaRel %+ 20
          *if money_stolen < 1
            "Right, you attempted to steal from a Conglomerate bank," West says casually, as though he just remembered about that incident. "Emphasis on attempted. You suspect they hate you all the same?"
          *if money_stolen >= 1
            "Right, you owe the Conglomerate some of their funds," West says casually, as though he just remembered about that incident. "It would make sense for them to hate you, for making a joke of their security if nothing else."
          
          "Maybe not hate… but I don't imagine them being my fans. If you're serious about protecting our group from this point on, you may want to do something about that."
        
          "I don't know if having good relations with Rhea will ever end up helping you… but if you have a hunch it will, then I'm happy to oblige. I will send a few confidential letters that should get the Conglomerate off your backs, if nothing else."
          
          *goto endn
        *if Confid > 50
          #♡ "Can you hook me up with the bird lady over there? She's hot as the photosphere."
            *if Social < 50
              *set RenfriRel %- 15
            *if current_ro != "renfri"
              *set backup_RO current_RO
              *set current_RO "renfri"
            *set ArmyRel - 5
            *set ManfredRel %- 10
            *set HadalyRel %- 10
            *set SheilaRel %- 10
            Silence falls over the room. Several people, Rook foremost among them, take a few steps back. For whatever reason, the gravity seems to have increased.
            
            "Admiral…" Renfri isn't talking as much as hissing, or seething perhaps. "I request permission to terminate these peace talks and kill the android known as ${name} at this instant."
            
            "Permission denied… but I understand your point of view," the admiral sighs. "${name}, please have some respect for our time. Are you going to accept my offer or nay?"
            
            *goto west2
  *if speak != 2
    *selectable_if (speak != 2) #"Sounds good to me. Anyone have any objections?"
      *set Misan %- 10
      *set OrganRel %+ 10
      "None that I can think of," Miguel says with a shrug.
      
      "No," Hugo adds.
      
      "Plenty, but I feel like I'm the minority here," Olivia grumbles. "So sure, go wild."
      
      "The group has spoken, and I happen to agree." Sheila steps towards the human part of the assembly. "Can we discuss the details of this proposed deal somewhere private, Admiral West?"
      *goto west3
  *if speak = 2
    *if Misan < 50
      #"We will gladly serve you in this matter, creators."
        *set Misan %- 20
        *set SheilaRel %- 10
        *set HadalyRel %- 10
        *set ArmyRel %+ 10
        *set RenfriRel %+ 10
        "I should have told you not to embarrass our group with your love of humans," Sheila sighs before turning towards West. "That said… I also think we can help one another here. Can we discuss the details of this deal somewhere private, Admiral?"
        *goto west3
    #"Alright. We will grant you the help you require."
      *set Misan %- 10
      "Not quite your decision to make, ${name}… but I agree." Sheila's robotic gaze lingers at you for a moment. She has no expression, but there is certainly [i]some[/i] intense emotion in the way the optics focus on you. She does turn towards the admiral eventually though. "Can we discuss the details of this deal somewhere private?"
      *goto west3
  #"Well... it's your call, Sheila. Can we do this?"
     *set SheilaRel %+ 10
     "No way to be certain if we can… but I fully believe we should." Sheila steps towards the human part of the assembly. "You may consider the deal accepted, Admiral West. Can we discuss the details of it? Preferably somewhere secluded."
     *goto west3
  #"Nope. We are not doing this."
    *set SheilaRel %- 10
    "Don't be like that," Sheila hisses at you. @{speak "I asked you to speak your mind, not to make rulings like this."|"Just because you're the speaker-"|"Just because we're all supposed to contribute-"}
    
    "Nope," you reiterate. "Just no. Agreeing to this piece of shit of an offer is the worst thing we can possibly do in this situation."
    
    "And why is it so?" Hadaly asks. You don't know whether she's arguing against you or just asking a question, her tone leaves that ambiguous. Either way you reply:
    
    *fake_choice
      #"Because I don't think that wyvern is the monster here."
        *set Database %+ 10
        "And what exactly do you mean by that?" There is a note of danger in West's voice, and the way his brow furrows. 
        *if Confid > 50
          But one note is hardly enough to overwhelm you.
          
          "You came here with a barely veiled threat and half a dozen mutilated husks as your entourage," you reply unflinchingly. "I know @{(Misan > 50) humanity|the Federation} better than anyone here, you included. So don't try to tell me some wyvern is the bad guy here. I know [i]far[/i] better than that."
        *if Confid <= 50
          Strong enough to make you consider your words carefully.
          
          "I'm the one who met Crystal, admiral. Face to face, where could easily have killed me if they at all wanted. 
          *if pc_state = "captured"
            But they not only left me alone, they spared the Meta Trio despite knowing them to be enemies. 
          The way you describe them as this huge threat that needs killing… it just doesn't add up."
        
        "As much as I appreciate your advice ${name}… I cannot afford to follow it," Sheila announces before turning towards West. "Admiral, I am interested in your offer, and so is [i]most[/i] of my group. Can we discuss the details somewhere private?"
        *goto west3
      #"Because humans can't be trusted. Ever."
        *set Misan %+ 15
        *set HadalyRel %+ 10
        "Look, I can understand some level of mistrust towards us given historical context," Rook says carefully. "But you may be taking your misanthropy just a tad too far."
        
        "As much as I appreciate your advice ${name}… I have to back the meta-human here," Sheila announces before turning towards West. "Admiral, I am interested in your offer, and so is [i]most[/i] of my group. Can we discuss the details somewhere private?"
        *goto west3
      #"That wyvern is going to kill everyone we send after it. Especially if it's dusk-empowered."
        *set Confid %- 15
        *set ManfredRel %+10
        "I admit that the death of several parties involved is a possibility," Admiral West states. "But in the long run… is a wyvern really the scariest thing you can imagine facing?"
        
        "I do not appreciate the implied threat, admiral," Sheila sighs. "But I see your point. Can we discuss the details of this proposed deal somewhere private?"
        *goto west3
      #"Because I don't feel like it, and that's the only thing that matters."
        *set ManfredRel %- 15
        *set DamonRel %- 15
        *set HadalyRel %- 15
        *set SheilaRel %- 15
        *set OrganRel %- 15
        Everyone on your part of the congregation seems quite done with your bullshit, to the point where even Olivia has to head-palm with three tentacles at once. Hadaly's eyes are likely a deep shade of red, but as the gynoid is currently massaging her whole face, you can't quite know for certain. Damon is staring at the ceiling, desperately wishing to be somewhere else. Rook is shaking his head slightly with eyes closed, probably in defense against the 'I told you so' looks Marshal is currently giving him.
        
        "…I will have to disagree with your priorities, ${name}. Hopefully you'll understand," Sheila says before turning towards West. "Admiral, I am interested in your offer, and so is [i]most[/i] of my group. Can we discuss the details somewhere private?"
        *goto west3

*label west3

"They say never let them lead you to another location, but… I think you deserve some of my trust in exchange for yours." The elderly human stands up. "Lead if you will."

Sheila does lead, towards one of the doors connecting the cafeteria to the kitchens. With those chambers being quite sound-proof, you suppose there is hardly any better place to talk privately. Still, it feels a little weird to see both leaders depart for the kitchens and quite… dispiriting to be left alone, like children allowed to play whilst adults are talking. Except six of the other children have guns, and the other two don't need weapons to kill.

"One more thing, ${name}," Admiral West turns to look directly at you once again. 
*if impersonated_officer
  *set ArmyRel - 5
  *if ArmyRel < 1
    *set ArmyRel 1
  "I heard you've impersonated a federate officer back in Rhea, not only wearing a military uniform but claiming an official rank. I must request that you never do that again. It is bad manners, not to mention a valid reason to execute even a human. Hopefully I'm understood."
  *goto awkward
*elseif heaven_side = "Traitor"
  *set ArmyRel - 10
  *if ArmyRel < 1
    *set ArmyRel 1
  "We have heard of things you've done during the War, under ${master}'s command. We are willing to forgive, as long as you complete the task given. But we are fully aware of what you are, and we will [i]not[/i] forget."
  *goto awkward
*elseif heaven_side = "Loyalist"
  *set ArmyRel + 10
  "We have heard of things you've done during the War, under the command of ${master}. Though you may not be humanity's ally any longer… I appreciate your contributions. And I hope you still feel at least somewhat proud of them."
  *goto awkward
*else
  "We know what you are capable of. If you are thinking of feigning incompetence for whatever reason, don't. We know you are skilled enough to complete the task, and any failures to come will be considered intentional."
  *goto awkward

*label awkward

Some three seconds later, both the admiral and Sheila disappear behind the double door. You are left in the tense silence that fills their absence, sitting on your chair and thinking;

*fake_choice
  *if ((heaven_side != "Neutral") and (impersonated_officer = false))
    #So he knows something about the War In Heaven? Interesting...
  *if (heaven_side = "Neutral")
    #What's his problem with me? He suddenly got kinda rude...
  #I was really hoping we'd be killing one another by now...
    *set Violence %+ 15
  #He's a brave man, entering a room with no one but Sheila.
  #Well, that could have gone worse.[/i]
  #Wonder how many lies got told over the past five minutes...

But there is only so much time to be spent on idle musings. Because while, theoretically, there's nothing left to do but wait, you suspect some fighting may yet occur between the two groups.

The atmosphere in the cafeteria is [i]beyond[/i] awkward. Since Miguel didn't end up decorating the place, there is nothing for people to look at but one another, or void in the case of lobotomized soldiers the Admiral left behind. Since those wretches are quite an unpleasant sight (especially once you notice the wires) it is only natural to look at Rook and Marshal instead, and neither meta-human seems to appreciate six pair of mostly hostile eyes aimed at them.  @{(Violence > 55) Sadly,|Luckily,} with nobody saying a damn thing, it looks like there will be no cause for violence after-

"Man, I didn't understand anything you guys said!" Wisp announces as it floats towards the middle of the room. "Can someone explain what we're actually doing here now? I'm not following."

*fake_choice
  #"Olivia, please explain. I wasn't paying much attention."
    *if OrganRel > 40
      *set OrganRel %+ 10
    "Gladly!" If Olivia had lips, they'd be formed into a devilish grin right now. "You see Wisp, those humans are intruders. We don't want them here and would gladly kill them, but they may very well take our land and our freedom if we don't obey their sick wishes."
    *goto unfair
  #"Not much to understand. We had some differences, but we mostly talked them out and we're chilling."
    *set Violence %- 10
    *set RookRel %+ 10
    *set ArmyRel %+ 5
    "Right, a strange synthetic creature whose potentially destructive capabilities I do not really understand," Rook agrees with your stance. "We are all friends here. Completely and utterly."
    
    *goto peace
  #"Humans came here to threaten us because they need their dirty work done. Now they got what they wanted."
    *set RookRel %- 10
    *set Misan %+ 10
    *set ArmyRel %- 10
    "Hey, that is not a fair account of the events," Rook protests. "Let me explain, I can put things more-"
    
    "Don't try to sell your lies to our precious Wisp, fed!" Olivia protests. "${name} is right, you're here to take our land and our freedom if we don't obey your sick wishes!"
    *label unfair
    
    "This is not land!" Marshal exclaims. "And certainly not yours! You just came to this station and took it without asking anyone."
    
    "Congrats, you've just described the entirety of human history, you dirty land-dweller!"
    
    "I'm aerial!" Renfri retorts. "And very hygienic, you evolutionary dead end!"
    
    You decide to join in.
    *fake_choice
      #"Tell her, Olivia!"
        *set marshal_pissed true
        *set OrganRel %+ 10
        "No Olivia, don't tell her!" Hadaly yells. "This is a peace meeting, what do you-"
        
        "Don't pretend you're on my side!" Renfri accuses the gynoid. "If you think your pretty eyes and words will deceive me, you're dead-"
      #"Tell her, Marshal!"
        *set RenfriRel %+ 10
        "What!" Olivia turns towards you. "Whose side are you even on?!"
        
        "There are no sides Olivia!" Hadaly yells. "This is a peace meeting, what do you-"
        
        "Don't pretend you're not on her side!" Renfri accuses the gynoid. "If you think your pretty eyes and words will deceive me, you're dead-"
      #"Okay, maybe let's calm down a bit."
        *set Violence %- 10
        *set Emotion %- 10
        *set RookRel %+ 10
        "${fake_name} is entirely right," Rook eagerly joins in. "Renfri, Marshal, whatever you prefer… tone it down a bit, will you?"
        
        "She started it!" Renfri flaps her wings, as though she's trying to cross her non-existent arms.
        
        "Then be a better woman. Or a better female, or a better creature generally. Just… calm down and do something else, please."
        
        To your surprise, there are no more protests. 
        *goto peace
    
    "Nobody threatens that girl but me!" Olivia exclaims before jumping at the Kinnari with a ferocius battle cry. She is able to wrap her tentacles around the woman's neck and shoulders, giving her easy access to Renfri's pretty face. You can't tell if the octopus is trying to strangle the meta-human, but she is definitely using the one solid part of her body to bite her newfound prey.
    
    "Stop it!" Rook yells as he grabs Olivia's head and tries to pry her away from his screaming teammate's face. "Nobody move! No more hostilities or I'll active code yellow and tell the indentured soldiers to attack-"
    
    Rook pauses both his threats and his anti-octopus efforts as he sees what's happening. The moment he said [i]code yellow[/i], the undead soldiers charged your group as one man, ready to dispense dispassionate violence with their fists. No guns yet, but that may well be a matter of time, given the rapid spread of battle frenzy throughout the room.
    
    Oops.
    *goto fight
  *if Violence > 50
    #"You see, we're under attack. Take down the bird lady before she lays eggs in our server room."
      *set marshal_pissed true
      *achieve audacity
      *set wisp_attack true
      *set RenfriRel %- 15
      *set RookRel %- 15
      *set Violence %+ 15
      *set ArmyRel %- 15
      "Okay!" Wisp replies as it exits the 'hover' mode and enters the 'charge' mode with the Kinnari as its target.
      
      "Wait wh-" Marshal inquires right before a glowing orb of metal impacts her forehead with the speed of a football kicked by a Marauder athlete. The force of the impact stuns her, sends her tumbling over and will definitely give her @{fought_trio another|a} bump.
      
      "Hey!" Rook is clearly of different opinion, as he runs up to Wisp and punches the ball of light with his gloved fist. It is a testament to his strength that he not only avoids a broken arm but actually sends Wisp flying back towards the room's center before it falls to the ground, still glowing but likely with damaged levitation systems.
      
      This prompts Hadaly to step forwards and run towards the scene. She probably wants to check on Wisp or perhaps Marshal, but the dazed Kinnari clearly doesn't see it that way. Half-aware of her surroundings she flaps her wings and emits a gravity wave which hits Hadaly straight in the chest and sends the yelping android flying across the canteen and towards the wall behind her. Not something likely to make people around you happy, you gather.
      
      "Look guys…" Rook still seems to have some hope of a peaceful resolution. "I know this looks bad, but if we just calm-"
      
      "Nobody attacks that girl but me!" Olivia exclaims and, with a ferocious battle cry, jumps at the Kinnari as the latter is scrambling to her feet. She is able to wrap her tentacles around the woman's neck and shoulders, giving her easy access to Renfri's pretty face. You can't tell if the octopus is trying to strangle the screaming meta-human, but she is definitely using the one solid part of her body to bite her prey.
      
      "Stop that! There's no need-" Rook can't finish his plea due to Damon's fist impacting his head at a velocity rivaling Wisp's previous attack. The blond android seems quite miffed to see his sister attacked, and apparently decided to count the whole delegation as his enemies.
      
      Kirill's body hits the floor centiseconds later, which sounds worse than it actually is. The meta-human is still alive and conscious, at least to the point of being able to speak. "Code yellow! No lethal force!"
      
      At this instant, the undead soldiers charge your group as one man, ready to dispense dispassionate violence with their fists. No guns yet, but you know that may well be a matter of time given the rapid spread of battle frenzy throughout the room.
      
      Looks like you got what you wanted.
      *goto fight
  #Do not reply.
    No one else replies either. Perhaps they're not in the mood to humor Wisp even as the flying orb darkens and hides in the corner, or maybe they're reluctant to divert focus from their potential enemies.
    
    Eventually though, someone stirs. 
    *goto peace

*label peace
Renfri stands up and begins walking around the canteen, military boots stomping on carefully polished floor tiles. At first she appears to be moving around for the sake of it, out of restlessness and perhaps nerves, but she gradually calms down and takes a certain… interest in the room, even though your eyes spot little to be interested by.

"This place is not what I expected," she announces after almost a minute, her voice unusually soft. "I thought there would be more wires, more computer panels everywhere, but this is… normal, and not exactly ugly. There is nothing beautiful either, but I'm used to that."

*fake_choice
  #"Eh, I'd prefer the place with some decorations."
    "I told you ${name}, that would have been very impractical given the time limit," Miguel sighs, though you can tell he's relieved rather than exasperated. He probably expected a fight was coming, and wasn't looking forward to that event. "Besides, what decorations would even be in order?"
    
    "Something chess related, perhaps?" Kirill replies instead. "They would be easy to make, just a bunch of black and white squares, or anything with a black and white color scheme really…"
    
    "Oh stop with the chess motif already." Renfri smiles to show she means no offense. "Some things belong in the past. Many things, I dare to say."
    
    You can't help but agree with the sentiment.
  #"Interesting observation, but I sure don't care."
    *set RenfriRel %- 10
    "Of course you don't, android," Marshal visibly tenses again. "Of course."
  #"What do you mean you're used to... lack of beauty?"
    *set RenfriRel %+ 10
    "I've spent much of my life on ships, and not fancy yachts at that," Marshal explains with a note of reluctance. "You get used to clean but soulless rooms that way. Not that I'm complaining, of course."
    
    "Of course you're not," Rook assures his teammate. There is some meaning there you don't catch, and perhaps cannot hope to catch without knowing some context. "But that reminded me, has any of you ever seen an Ark? I served aboard one fairly recently, the [i]Emerald Enterprise[/i] itself I mean. It utterly crushes the stereotype of ships being sterile and crowded, and I'd be glad to tell you how."
    
    "I don't think anyone here wants to hear about the power of federate ships," Hadaly says with a dubiously earnest smile. "But thank you for the offer all the same."
  #♡ "I can definitely spot something beautiful here."
    *if (current_RO = "hadaly") or (backup_RO = "hadaly")
      *set HadalyRel %- 10
    *if (current_RO = "damon") or (backup_RO = "damon")
      *set DamonRel %- 10
    *if Social > 50
      *set RenfriRel %+ 10
    *if ((pronoun = "she") or (sex = "woman"))
      *if current_ro != "renfri"
        *set backup_RO current_RO
        *set current_RO "renfri"
      "You know that's not what I meant," Renfri rolls her eyes, but her face softens even further. "But thank you. And likewise."
    *if ((pronoun != "she") and (sex != "woman"))
      "I will pretend I don't understand what you mean," Marshal replies calmly. "You know, to save you the pain of rejection."
      
      "Are you uncomfortable being complimented by an android?" you inquire.
      
      "Just not interested in someone like you. You have some bits I don't really care for, and I don't just mean the gears."
    
    The rest of the group seems unamused by having to witness your romantic advances, but somehow that helps improve the mood. The atmosphere relaxes, at least to the point where nobody expects the other side to attack.
  #Say nothing.
    "You know, I'd dispute the idea there's nothing beautiful in this room," Hadaly says to fight the silence. "Heavily."
    
    "Apologies on behalf of my teammate," Rook says quickly. "She was clearly talking of things, not people. Didn't mean to deny your beauty, miss…?"
    
    "Hadaly, no last name to speak of. And I wasn't talking about myself… though it's good to hear you consider me a person rather than an object, Sergeant Kosteniuk."
    
    "Yeah, let's congratulate the human for having the bare minimum of decency," Olivia says, though even she doesn't sound terribly angry at this point. The atmosphere relaxes, at least to the point where nobody expects the other side to attack.

Over the next few minutes, only several words are exchanged, but at least no bullets change hands either. When Sheila and Admiral West return, they seem quietly relieved to see a room of uninjured people not currently in the middle of some brawl.

"I am glad to announce that the agreement has been officially reached," Sheila says as she enters, the admiral walking right behind her. "Moderately glad, in any case."

"Compromise satisfies neither party, and we have just reached it," Admiral West retorts. "I will not bore anyone with the details, but we agreed that the mission will involve more or less everyone present here. Miss Sheila will stay guarding the station with at least one copy of Manfred, any other member of the group can be asked to participate should the need arise. And by participation, I largely mean being on [i]Gray Queen[/i] as she leaves for a hunt."

*fake_choice
  #"For the record, I really don't like these terms."
    *set ArmyRel %- 8
    *set HadalyRel %+ 8
    "Duly recorded." Admiral nods before resuming. 
  #"Am I allowed on the team?"
    *set ArmyRel %+ 8
    *set Misan %- 8
    *set HadalyRel %- 8
    "More than allowed," West says with a nod. 
  #"And I suppose that includes me, huh?"
    "I don't think there was ever any doubt about that," West smiles, almost looking and sounding sorry. 
  #"Everyone? Even Hugo and Olivia?"
    *set OrganRel %+ 8
    *set HadalyRel %+ 8
    "I doubt we will need the doctor's assistance, though the octopus… Olivia may prove handy in one specific case," West replies, probably making Olivia even angrier than she was already. 
  #Let him talk.
    And so he does. 
"The core of the team, one we want present during every patrol and expedition involved in the quest, will consist of you and your two fellow androids, Damon and Hadaly I believe. We would also appreciate if the [i]Wisp[/i] drone could follow [i]Gray Queen[/i] as a warning system of sorts, and if Manfred could place at least one copy of himself in the ship's digital processors."

"I am eager to serve, admiral!" Manfred announces loudly, though his honesty is as questionable as ever.

"I admit to being less so," Hadaly says. "But I will join your hunt… after taking several good looks at that ship of yours, for safety's sake. No offense."

"None taken," Rook replies with a smile. "I do wonder what insights you can gather, Miss Hadaly. Perhaps we could even improve the ship before heading out… Give it some upgrades."

*fake_choice
  #"What upgrades, exactly, are we talking about."
    "We have no exact plans as of yet," Rook replies, a little bit too quickly. "For now, let us focus on the hunt itself."
    
    West nods. 
  #"Do you think those improvements will be enough? Sufficient to slay Crystal?"
    *set Confid %- 10
    "That's a question for the future. Likely a distant future, if that brings you any comfort," Admiral West replies. 
  #"And when do we head out, exactly?"
    West is the one to reply. 
  #"Still don't like it. Still don't want to do this."
    *set ArmyRel %- 8
    *set HadalyRel %+ 8
    "I am deeply sorry, but the decision was made and it was not mine," Rook says apologetically.
    
    "I wish I could say the same, but frankly I care about the mission more than one person's feelings," the admiral states. 
  #Say nothing.
    The admiral takes the stage again. 
"You will embark on your grand quest roughly a week from now. That should be time enough for you to inspect the ship, and for my subordinates to get more familiar with the station."

"Does that mean you intend to stay here?" Damon doesn't sound terribly happy.

"Only the Meta Trio, including Hellhound once we move her here. I will actually be leaving at this instant, my batman is likely worried for me already." West approaches one of the tables, and throws something on it, some disc he just pulled from under his uniform. "Quantum communication device. It doesn't transmit information faster than light as some ignorants believe, but is very efficient nonetheless, and so I'll use it to send audiovisual messages if need arises. @{(money_given > 0) And do not worry, you will get your ${money_given} axions before the week's end. |}Thank you all for your trust and attention, especially @{(speak=2) your speaker ${name}.|your dear leader.} Farewell."

As the admiral and his undead soldiers march away, leaving two meta-humans behind them, you slump into your chair and think:

*fake_choice
  #I hope Sheila knows what she's just done.
    It's a forlorn hope, since… well… you're not exactly sure of that yourself.
  #Adventure, here I go!
    *set Confid %+ 10
    Slaying Crystal will be a bigger challenge than any you've recently faced, but at least it will be exciting. Besides, if you can just get your old and new companions to work together, it will all probably work out.
    
    Maybe.
  #I hate my life.
    And you suspect you'll come to hate it even more in the future.
    
    "So… you have any double-person beds here?" Marshal asks as the admiral walks away. "It's kinda hard to sleep on anything else with those wings of mine."
    
    Near future, at that.
  #Well... let's see if we can kill that wyvern.
    It will be a bigger challenge than any you've recently faced, but… if you can just get your old and new companions to work together, maybe it will all work out.
    
    Maybe.

*goto fin

*label fight
*set started_fight true
*set SheilaRel %- 20
*set ManfredRel %- 20
*page_break
Despite your @{(Calculation > 50) considerable|passable} movement-tracking abilities, you quickly lose track of all the brawls and tiny events happening in the canteen at once. Chairs are being used as weapons, tables are turned into projectiles, and gravity has gotten weaker in those parts of the room where it's not straight-up reversed. That last part is likely a side effect of Marshal getting gradually strangled to death with tentacles, you suppose.

Still, you don't think Olivia will end up [i]actually[/i] killing the Kinnari. For all its frenzy, the battle is not yet fought with actual weapons as opposed to boots and fists. And with the exception of Hugo who left the room when no one was looking, everyone involved is at least decently tough. Deaths and major injuries are unlikely… which could be an argument for or against joining the battle yourself.

*fake_choice
  #I join the fight on the side of the metas.
    *set Misan %- 10
    *set RenfriRel %+ 15
    *set RookRel %+ 15
    *set DamonRel %- 20
    *set OrganRel %- 20
    You help Renfri pull the octopus away from her face, then throw that octopus out of the room. She screams something about how she'll be back (in a weirdly low tone of voice) but she probably won't. She knows the battle is lost anyway.
    
    Rook is currently nursing his broken nose, true, but you and Marshal have little difficulty knocking out Miguel and even Wisp once it comes to it. Damon is far tougher, but even he's too busy yelling about how much of a turncoat twat you are to actually fight effectively. You just need to pile a few tables on top of him and tell Marshal to increase gravity, which works wonders as it keeps him from getting up. You do throw in two limp bodies of undead soldiers on top of the pile though, just in…
  #I join the fight on my group's side.
    *set Misan %+ 10
    *set RenfriRel %- 15
    *set RookRel %- 15
    *set DamonRel %+ 15
    *set OrganRel %+ 15
    *achieve karpov
    You convince Olivia to stop strangling Marshal—once the Kinnari's already passed out, that is—and together you disable the remaining undead soldiers. Rook gives up without much fight, already having to deal with the broken nose Miguel endowed him with. Perhaps there are some hard feelings between the two after all.
    
    And with that, you can consider your side the victor of this arduous battle… that your side started… one which you started, to be more specific.
  #I try to stay out of this madness.
    *set Violence %- 10
    You scan the room for a hiding spot and quickly find one, a pile of chairs next to a table in one of the corners. You dive there, get kicked out by Hadaly who wants you to find your own spot, and decide waiting in the corridor is probably the best solution.
    
    And indeed, by the time everyone runs out of steam a few minutes later, you are still uninjured and full of energy. By taking the moral high path and refusing to fight, you are the sole victor of this pointless conflict… that you largely started yourself.
  *if (Projection + Calculation) > 90
    #I'll paralyze everyone with a single chain lightning.
      *set Violence %+ 15
      *set DamonRel %- 15
      *set RookRel %- 15
      *set RenfriRel %- 15
      *set OrganRel %- 15
      You run some complex calculations to ensure everyone gets hit (but no one actually dies) and then unleash the electric stream that proceeds to jump from person to person, burning human hair and frying android circuits. It doesn't knock everyone out, which would have been the perfect outcome, but even the tougher players like Rook are too busy dealing with sudden muscle cramps to keep fighting. By launching your surprise attack against everyone at once, you secure your position as the last ${sex} standing.

You frown. Once the battle is over, you realize that the battlefield is looking awfully like… well… a battlefield. You don't imagine Sheila will be happy to see the entire canteen ruined, floor stained with blood and Miguel barely conscious after that punch he received. In fact, you strongly suspect she will attempt to kill you the decisecond she hears of your role in the events that just unfolded. You would ask Manfred to prepare the shuttle for your escape, but you don't imagine him very happy either—his silence feels awfully like silent treatment at the moment.

Luckily, Admiral West is the one to come out of the kitchen first. Sadly, he doesn't look thrilled either.

"Do I even want to know what happened?" His tone is tired more than it's angry, though only slightly so. "I'd understand if you were to properly attack my forces, but this looks like a particularly bad school brawl rather than a proper battle, so… why?"

*fake_choice
  #"Admiral, I swear your men attacked first."
    *set RookRel %- 10
    *set RenfriRel %- 10
  #"Because it was fun."
    *set Violence %+ 15
    *set ArmyRel %- 15
  #"It was a friendly spar. We're already bonding, you see."
  #"It's all Wisp's fault."
  #"I have no excuse, but I still think I should be let off the hook."

"You know what? I won't even bother disputing that." West walks towards the room's middle. "I wanted to give a nice, motivating speech about how our continued cooperation will look like, but I'll be brief if every second here means increased risk of broken bones and bloodied floors. Kosteniuk!" 

"Yes, Admiral!" Rook manages to get up and salute whilst Marshal is just groaning on the floor. "What is it?"

"The Meta Trio will remain on this station, in the rooms Miss Sheila agreed to rent us. We will transport Hellhound here soon enough. You will only leave once [i]Gray Queen[/i] is ready for the mission, at some point next week. You have command over your existing teammates and whoever here ends up joining you. Most likely all three androids and the light drone, though we'll try to prepare digital storage for [i]Manfred[/i] as well. No more fights, not now and not during the mission proper. Am I clear?"

"Yes sir…" Rook hangs his head low. "Does that mean you intend to leave the fortress?"

"At once. I imagine my batman is quite worried about my safety already." West approaches one of the tables, and throws something on it, some disc he just pulled from under his uniform. "This, ${name} and whoever else is still conscious, is a quantum communication device. It doesn't transmit information faster than light as some ignorants believe, but it's very efficient nonetheless. I will use it to send audiovisual messages if need arises, which it very well may. Any questions, though not, march away."

With that, the admiral and his sergeant walk out of the room. Renfri has to half-crawl behind them, alongside the four lobotomized soldiers still standing. The other two, well… you suppose it will be your group's responsibility to dispose of them. How fun.

*page_break

And that's how the federate forces leave you to be found by Sheila just several seconds later. Surrounded by destruction that already sullied an alliance barely made. As you await a thorough trashing (not actually involving death, most likely) from your boss, you can't help but think…

*fake_choice
  #Why? Why am I like this?
    *set Confid %- 10
    Hopefully you can find the answer sometime soon. After all… you don't really know how much time you have left.
  #I had fun today. That's what matters.
    Sure you may have sabotaged your relationship with the feds… and most of your existing friendships… but it was all fun and so you feel no regret.
    
    "You have ten seconds to explain what happened here. Starting from five seconds ago."
    
    Maybe some regret, then.
  #I hate my life.
    And you suspect you'll come to hate it even more in the future.
    
    "You have ten seconds to explain what happened here. Starting from five seconds ago."
    
    Near future, at that.
  #Well... let's see if we can kill that wyvern.
    It will be a greater challenge than some cafeteria brawl, but… if you can just get your old and new companions to work together, maybe it will all work out.
    
    Maybe.

*label fin
*finish