*temp visitor ""
*temp picked_up false
*temp positive_opinion false
*temp sheila_mode ""
*temp sexed_now false
*temp fight_mode false
*temp party_here false
*temp rejected_leadership true
*temp hadaly_position 1
*temp rubbled false
*temp foul_mood false
*temp klado_10 false


*set progress + 1
*set battery 77
*set DamonStat pc_state
*set health 3
*set weapon_av true


*image h9.png

*if federate_protection
  
  *if wisp_alive
    Celebrations feel empty.
    
    It's a fact of life, or your life at least, which you once managed to get used to. Even during the heydays, when you would 
    *if heaven_side = "Neutral"
      roam the Solar System freely and take advantage of your then newfound freedom, 
    *else
      bond and party with your comrades in arms, 
    there was something… hollow about every celebratory event. Perhaps there is a deep reason for it, some emptiness inside your heart, or maybe it was simply your inability to eat or drink. Either way, parties always felt lacking, deficient in an ill-defined way.
    
    You managed to almost forget that fact, that feeling of vacancy, over your latest few centuries of life. Ever since the war, people haven't been celebrating much. An average person doesn't have the time, the resources or the cause to celebrate. They're too crushed by poverty and drudgery, by the general malice of this putrid world 
    *if Misan > 50
      humans 
    *elseif (heaven_side = "Neutral")
      they 
    *else
      you 
    created. Being unable to enjoy yourself at parties becomes less of a problem when there are no parties, or at least none you're invited to.
    
    And yet, just today, there was a party in [i]Saturn Nine[/i], a celebration of your triumphant return. 
    *if crystal_stat = 3
      You've slain the wyvern, 
    *if crystal_stat = 2
      It's true that you failed to slay the wyvern, but you still 
    secured the station for your group, and without a single casualty on your side to boot. This should have been enough to fill the hole, to make you enjoy the party Miguel threw, however rushed it was. The werehog even had ingredients for a makeshift cake somehow.
    
    And yet, sitting in the cafeteria where the deal now fulfilled was struck, you somehow felt more empty than in the days past. You took all the pats on the back Olivia has to offer, corrected Wisp when it recounts the story, exchanged literally a few words with Hugo… But eventually, you had enough and left for your room, proceeded to charge your battery and to wonder why you're feeling so… bad.
    
    *fake_choice
      #I mostly just wish Sheila had joined the celebrations.
        After hearing the report and receiving a confirmation from West, Sheila simply thanked you all and retreated into the roof, the place where most of the team can't really follow her. You can guess she's there to brood, but you're not sure why. What is there to contemplate, with victory already won?
      *if OrganRel < 40
        #It's the organics. I don't like them and they don't like me, they just pretend otherwise now.
          *set Misan %+ 5
          *set SheilaRel %+ 5
          It's not even that their attitude towards you changed, really. Miguel, Hugo, Olivia, they still find you obnoxious. They just feel obligated to put up a front, and only because of the things you did for them.
          
          Dejecting. You prefer true distaste over false friendship, and they should know it by now.
      *if (official_ro = "lisa") or ((official_ro = "kirill") or (official_ro = "renfri"))
        #I'd rather spend time with the Trio. With ${official_ro}...
          *if official_ro = "lisa"
            What makes it worse is that you [i]know[/i] she feels the same way, that she'd rather hang out with you than… Whatever the Trio is doing at the moment. Probably packing their bags, since they're about to leave this fortress forever. Just another thing Lisa got absolutely no say in.
          *if official_ro = "kirill"
            You try not to feel bitter, or at least not towards your boyfriend. He's been busy ever since you returned, discussing and planning everything from the Trio's next assignment to 
            *if crystal_stat = 3
              the exact details of his upcoming promotion. 
            *if crystal_stat = 2
              who should take the blame if Crystal ever returns. 
            You understand why he doesn't have time for you… but it still hurts.
          *if official_ro = "renfri"
            It's cruel. It's so terribly cruel. You've both made it out alive, you both got what you wanted, [i]you got her[/i] what she wanted. She should be hugging and kissing you right now, there should finally be a proper date or wild sex or… Instead she's busy packing her bags, about to leave forever.
            
            Ain't that great.
      *if (official_ro != "lisa") and ((official_ro != "kirill") and (official_ro != "renfri"))
        #I'd rather spend time with the Trio. I've grown to like these guys.
          *set Misan %- 10
          They're not a bad bunch, despite the… rough start you had with them. Shame they're too busy packing their bags and discussing their next assignment to really celebrate. Shame they're about to leave forever.
      #I think Hadaly's bad mood is contagious.
        Your engineer is still far from fine about what happened during the mission, 
        *if crystal_stat = 2
          what Manfred almost did to you and what you earnestly tried to inflict on Crystal. 
        *if crystal_stat = 3
          about Crystal's death and it's long-term consequences. 
        About any of this. She wasn't even at the party—you gather she and Miguel argued about this, and it's clear their opinions are quite incompatible.
        
        *if (official_ro = "hadaly") or (HadalyRel > 60)
          You tell yourself it's not your fault, nor your responsibility. That you're not obligated to always get your @{(official_ro = "hadaly") girl|}friend what she wants. But on some level, you still feel like you failed her, and that stings.
        *elseif (HadalyRel > 30)
          She'll get over it eventually. You're ${(HadalyRel+30)}% sure of that.
        *else
          That stuck-up jerk. Nobody can be happy because Hadaly Hammon didn't get exactly what she wanted. Good thing she's not talking to you, because that gynoid is just unbearable.
      *if crystal_stat = 3
        #The guilt of having killed Crystal, released all these nanites... It gnaws on me.
          *set Confid %- 12
          *set Violence %- 6
          What drove you to it? To this homicidal deed which may well have empowered the Thing Beneath? Your memory is fuzzy with screams and random images, so you can't clearly recall. You just know you've been a fool, and the price of your mistake is yet to be paid in full.
      *if crystal_stat = 2
        #I failed. Crystal still lives. I don't deserve their praise.
          *set Confid %- 12
          *set Violence %+ 6
          The people here don't care, not really, but you can't help but think about how you failed 
          *if Misan < 55
            the Meta Trio. How you failed everyone Crystal will ever hurt from this point on. The thought that [i]maybe[/i] slaying the beast would have lead to more casualties hardly improves your mood.
          *else
            to kill that diamond bastard. It doesn't matter that you got what your group wanted—it was a battle and you lost, plain and simple, and that's what your mind fixates on.
      #It's nothing. I am happy overall, I just happen to also be tired.
        *set Confid %+ 8
        You have recharged your battery—it's going strong at ${battery}% now—but you're still a bit of a wreck emotionally. All that stress you've been put through mere hours ago…
        
        You'll get over it. It won't even be hard to. You just need nothing crazy, dangerous or horrifying to happen for the rest of the week, and you're totally not jinxing it.
      #Old age. Nothing less, nothing more.
        Organics think you don't age, that your whole kind doesn't. This is untrue, for you acutely feel just how old your core parts are. The only new ones are the recent replacements, Hadaly's work, which nonetheless feel… off, like they don't belong to the greater body. In a way, you're not that different from human cyborgs, a complex creature augmented with simple metal components, and in constant discomfort because of that.
      #It's memories. It's always the memories.
        You could have a thousand reasons for happiness and none for worry, it wouldn't mean a damn. The Shriek still echoes in your ears, the darkness threatens to consume you, the paper doors… It's all part of you, and no external circumstance can change that.
    
    
  *if not (wisp_alive)
    Your return to [i]Saturn Nine[/i] is a… mixed bag in terms of emotions involved. 
    
    On one hand, you did the thing Sheila and the others expected of you—you made peace with the humans and got the Federation to sanction your presence in the fortress. All seven other outcasts are now safe, relatively speaking at least, thanks to your charisma and actions.
    
    But then again, you haven't actually slain the dreadful wyvern. You just managed to survive and suck up to West, and even that came at the cost of Wisps' life. You are not given a hero's welcome, as the organic part of the group is more focused on grieving a fallen friend. Sheila is happy about getting the protection she wanted, but still shaken by the news. Manfred is ashamed of ejecting you out of the ship. Hadaly just won't talk to you.
    
    *fake_choice
      #I don't feel like celebrating my heroism instead. Not with Crystal still out there.
        *set Confid %- 5
        You [i]think[/i] the wyvern will stay inside Janus, that it will not attempt to go after your group, but still… the knowledge that you failed to kill that monster weighs on you heavily.
        
        And since it's a burden you must carry alone, you retreated to your room right after giving Sheila your report. It's better this way.
      #I can hardly blame them for mourning a lost friend. But I can give them space.
        And so, as soon as you gave your report to Sheila and broke the news to everyone, you excused yourself and departed for your room. Ostensibly just to charge your batteries, but… you think everyone understands the truth. That you're letting them mourn a lost friend in peace, while doing the same in private. Alone.
      #I don't need their gratitude. I don't need anything from them.
        *set deflect + 1
        You may have failed to kill Crystal, but you are still stronger than any of those bastards who accompanied you. And who refused to accompany you, in case of Miguel and Sheila. You are better than any of them, and you gain nothing from their presence, and so you retreated to your room soon after [i]Gray Queen[/i] docked inside your fortress.
        
        For the last time.
      #They should spit at me, rather than just give the silent treatment. I'd deserve it.
        *set Confid %- 15
        You failed. You didn't manage to kill Crystal, you didn't succeed at keeping everyone alive. The only thing you did well was kissing human asses and making nice with the establishment. Acting like some obedient robot slave, as though the Shriek had never even happened.
        
        You're pathetic, and so you did the best thing you could. You removed yourself, left the other outcasts to mourn a fallen friend, and then secluded yourself in your room. Alone.
      #Ungrateful bastards. Every last one of them.
        *set Confid %+ 10
        You did what they asked of you, what they wanted you to have done. You made friends with the Federation and defended the Solar System, all while losing only a single person. If those bastards can't see this as a victory, as proof of how much they need their Veteran… 
        
        You'll let them despise you, but you won't hang out with them, won't be there for them to hate. You'll stay secluded in your room, just as you're doing right now. You're happy alone.
    
*if not (federate_protection)
  The flight home, the docking and the ensuing interactions are… surprisingly peaceful. And even more than that, they are remarkably non-dramatic. Remarkably mature.
  
  Not that the mood is anything but dismal, or that there's any love lost between your group and the metas. Everyone just seems tacitly aware that there is no point for arguments or hostilities at this point. The verdict is out, the hunt is over and that's all there will ever be to it. That's how you losing looks like, and there's no point denying that fact.
  
  Nor is there a reason to instantly turn upon the Meta Trio or anything like that. That would just make things worse, prompt the Federation to attack at once instead of giving you time to recuperate. Besides, the metas are scheduled to leave the station themselves just tomorrow morning. They already packed their bags and would have said their goodbyes, if they felt like talking. If anyone did.
  
  Did you decide to approach anyone? Disrupt this dismal silence?
  
  *fake_choice
    #No. I needed to be alone.
      *set deflect + 1
      You won't burden anyone with your troubles. Not that you need their help anyway. To the contrary, solitude is much appreciated after the recent events.
    #The Meta Trio. I wanted to make sure we're still on good... decent terms.
      *if official_RO = "kirill"
        The girls aren't very eager to talk with you, each upset with your 
        *if crystal_stat = 1
          decision 
        *if crystal_stat = 2
          incompetence 
        for different reasons, but you most worry about Kirill. You know he really counted on Crystal's death, and that this battle above Janus possibly destroyed his career prospects forever. That he's not happy about what you did.
        
        He won't say anything like that, of course. He's polite as always, even said he still loves you after everything… which isn't much of a comfort, given he's about to leave forever.
      *elseif official_RO = "renfri"
        Sadly, it appears you are not. Though he won't say anything uncouth, Rook is clearly pissed you've 
        *if crystal_stat = 1
          willingly and knowingly destroyed all his career prospects, not to mentioned allowed a dusk-infected wyvern to fly free. 
        *if crystal_stat = 2
          screwed up as much as you had. 
        Lisa may not care that much, but even she's disappointed you 
        *if crystal_stat = 1
          showed mercy like you had.
        *if crystal_stat = 2
          lost that final fight above Janus.
           
        At least Renfri calmed down. Last time the two of you exchanged words, she said she understands your 
        *if crystal_stat = 1
          'moment of weakness', even if she doesn't approve of it. 
        *if crystal_stat = 2
          'honest mistakes' and that she wouldn't expect more out of anyone. 
        Looks like there's still hope for your relationship… or at least there would be, if Renfri wasn't about to leave forever.
      *elseif official_RO = "lisa"
        Frankly, even 'decent' may be an optimistic assessment. Renfri is still openly furious that the wyvern got away and Rook, well… He said he understands, and he probably wasn't lying, but he's not happy either. His future got wrecked just as much, he just expresses his disappointment with you more politely.
        
        At least Lisa doesn't mind. She never cared much about the mission and she definitely cares about you… for all it's worth, now that she'll be forced to leave forever.
      *else
        Frankly, even 'decent' may be an optimistic assessment. Nobody in the Trio is happy about what went down, though their attitudes vary; Whereas Renfri is still furious about the wyvern getting away, Lisa seems just mildly disappointed in your inability to complete the task. As for Kirill, he assured you that his group will leave peacefully and that, despite everything, he hopes he'll never get sent after your group. Which is some relief, you suppose.
        
        You aren't in any shape to fight, after all.
    #Sheila. She needed to hear the news from me, personally.
      *if heaven_side != "Loyalist"
        *set SheilaRel %+15
      *if Confid > 50
        Despite your usual confidence, telling Sheila that 
        *if wisp_alive
          Crystal still lives 
        *else
          that Wisp is dead 
        and that your deal with West is off… took some courage. 
      *else
        It took quite a bit of courage to deliver the bad news personally, to tell Sheila 
        *if wisp_alive
          Crystal still lives 
        *else
          that Wisp is dead 
        that the deal with West is off. 
      Luckily, she didn't end up ripping you apart—just calmly listened to your report, excused herself and headed for the roof. She's probably still out there, brooding and trying to decide what her next move should be.
      
      Or perhaps just brooding. You wouldn't blame her.
    #Miguel and Hugo. I wanted to apologize for having failed them.
      *set Confid %- 10
      *if Social > 50
        *set OrganRel %+15
      They didn't accuse you of anything. They said that, while it is a shame the hunt failed, it isn't your [i]shame[/i] to bear. That you haven't failed more than the Trio, or Olivia, or anyone else involved in the mission did.
      
      Bollocks. You are their Veteran. They expected you to slay Crystal, a feat you almost managed… then blew it, fell at the final stretch, allowed the monster to flee into Janus. Centuries of lifetime failed to cure your weakness, and everyone will pay the price for that.
    #Hadaly. Wanted to hear what she thinks about our predicament.
      *if Social > 50
        *set HadalyRel %+15
      To no surprise, Hadaly seems nonplussed at worst. She's making some effort to appear distraught, but her eyes betray her as always, with their shades of light green sometimes bordering on yellow. 
      *if not (wisp_alive)
        She's content and, if not for Wisp's death, would be downright happy with the way things are unfolding.
        
        Speaking of Wisp's death, she told you not to blame yourself for that one. That it was tragic, but not anybody's fault but Crystal's. And that, in the end, everything will turn out alright.
      *if wisp_alive
        All of her friends returned from the mission alive, and she openly admits to being [i]hopeful[/i] about the group's survival prospects in the future. 
      
      *fake_choice
        #I wish I could agree. I really do.
          *label optimist1
          You can't help but feel she's being naive, that she doesn't know just how horrible the wider Solar System is, how dangerous roaming it can be for a small group like yours. Hopefully she's right to be optimistic, but… 
          
          Eh. You'll see about that.
        #And I happen to share her optimism.
          [i]Saturn Nine[/i] isn't the only safe place in the Solar System. It may be [i]close[/i] to being the sole safe haven, but you're sure to find something else eventually, and not at all sure to lose anyone in the process. Your group will be fine, you must be.
        #But of course. She got what she wanted, so why would anyone else matter?
          *if HadalyRel > 50
            You're trying to put up with her, to be her friend through thick and thin, 
          *else
            Just like Hadaly. For all her niceties and quirks, she's ultimately a self-centered person, sanctimonious and often uncaring. You're not sure what you were hoping to hear from her or see in her eyes, but at least you know the mission hasn't changed her much.
        #Good for her. I guess.
          *goto optimist1
        #She's a fool. She doesn't understand the implications of our failure.
          As far as you know, Hadaly has never been outside of the Federation, or even in that many places within the superstate. She doesn't realize the sheer scale of the dangers awaiting you during exile, things far more horrifying that Hammon and his corporate empire could ever hope to be.
          
          At least you'll have the satisfaction of going [i]I told you so[/i] once you all die. A bitter one, but satisfaction all the same.

    #Damon. He didn't look like he was taking failure well.
      *if Social > 50
        *set DamonRel %+15
      By now you're well aware that your fellow android has… issues. He's scared of his 'father' coming to reclaim him, while paradoxically fearing he's not good enough to warrant such attention. The prospect of leaving the floating fortress must make the first problem worse, and having failed the mission can't possibly be helping with the latter.
      
      Of course, those are just your deductions. Damon won't talk about any of this, having exchanged few words with you and not a single one that sounded honest. He insists he's fine, that he'll simply be busy disassembling cannons for valuable components and that he needs no help… maybe Hadaly will get him to open up sometime. Maybe not. You just know it's beyond your power, especially given your own sorry state.

"…and if your zodiac sign is [i]Pisces[/i], you are likely to experience overwhelming misery and terror during the following week." The male voice on the radio says, with surprising cheer considering he's repeated the exact same prediction twelve times now. "Which marks the conclusion of our weekly horoscope broadcast. Those of you tuning in for the daily true crime episode, please remain tuned, lest you threaten the accuracy of our prognosis."

You sigh deeply, though it brings no relief. Television is mostly dead outside Titan, and has been for over two hundred years now, but the [i]radio[/i] remains a quite popular form of entertainment all throughout the Federation. Well, perhaps [i]entertainment[/i] is not the proper term; It's all cheap propaganda and drama, designed to terrify and infuriate rather than bring anything resembling enjoyment to anyone. Most of the time, there's only two channels, and they only differ by having chosen different political parties to smear.

*if room_look = 1
  Worse yet, the ugly rectangular box is difficult not to look at, being one of the only three or four large items in the room. 
*if room_look = 2
  Worse yet, the ugly rectangular box stands out like a rotting thumb in your otherwise cozy and neatly-furnished room. 
*if room_look = 3
  And to think you had to displace much of your stuff just to make place for the huge, ugly, rectangular box that's spewing all this rubbish. 
*if room_look = 4
  Moreover, the ugly rectangular box makes your room look even worse, more untidy and mismatched than it usually does. 
The only reason it's even in your room is because Hadaly and Manfred insisted on that, and they wanted you to hear today's program because…

"But first, a special government-sponsored broadcast. Official statement regarding the recent anti-wyvern operation, full of newly declassified information. Handing the microphone over to our guest host…"

The cheerful male voice is replaced by a dull and formal female one, that of an underpaid federal employee. She explains what wyverns one, that one of them—she doesn't actually name Crystal—has been causing slight problems in the minor moons and how the Federation launched a military response immediately. Crystal's months-long campaign of terror against Calypso is glossed over, as though the monster only showed up last week, all to make the authorities look more competent.

You wonder what other lies are about to be told. Your group should probably go unmentioned, West doesn't stand to gain anything by admitting he worked with androids and mutants… but you never know. And if your existence gets covered-up, 
*if crystal_stat = 3
  who exactly will be credited with killing Crystal?
*else
  who will be blamed for the mission's failure?

*fake_choice
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #I imagine West will take all the glory for himself.
      Admiral West is a respected figure, you gather, and he did arrange the whole thing. Naming him as Crystal's killer would be both believable and not entirely untrue. Besides, he must have influence at every level of government, so he can easily make himself the hero of this whole story.
      
      But interestingly, as you soon find out, he did not. Admiral West is mentioned pretty sparingly in the broadcast, likely to make place for… someone else.
    #Obviously the Trio. I just wonder how their victory will be explained away.
      An average person may not know any better, but anyone familiar with wyverns [i]or[/i] the Meta Trio knows how much the former outclasses the latter. Surely, the media must at least try to make that victory believable?
      
      Well, they don't. In fact, they do something quite opposite.
    #I just know it sucks not to get due credit.
      You know why it's necessary, you don't want a small army of amateur robot hunters on your back, but still… Being completely omitted like that stings.
      
      Especially once you hear who gets the glory, and just how much of it.
  *if crystal_stat != 3
    #Maybe they'll cover up the failure. Pretend the wyvern is dead, or that it left federal space.
      It would be a huge lie and a tough sell. There must be recordings of your final showdown against Crystal, plus the wyvern is not unlikely to appear again. But what else can the feds do to avoid appearing totally incompetent?
    #I hope they don't sac the Trio. These three don't deserve any more trouble.
      Sure, the metas failed much like you did, but they shouldn't bear the blame for this whole fiasco. And so, you feel a bit of relief once it's clear that the presenter does not intend to pain the whole of Meta Trio as traitorous or incompetent.
      
      Just a particular part of it.
    #Could they blame it on Hellhound somehow?
      In some ways, Lisa taking the fall for everyone would be an optimal outcome. She doesn't have a career to worry about, has no way of coming out and contradicting the report and wouldn't even [i]want[/i] to dispute the official story. It's not like she cares about her reputation, not in that way at least.
      
      But on the other hand… how do you tell people that a [i]werewolf convict[/i] was allowed to sabotage such an important mission, or even allowed on the team in the first place? There has to be a better PR strategy…
    *if RookRel > 50
      #I hope Kirill's career doesn't suffer too much.
        You can't help but worry about Kirill here. He was the commanding officer for most of the mission, and that makes him the perfect candidate for take the fall. But, to your surprise, the feds found a better fall guy… or fall girl, to be more specific.
    *if RookRel <= 50
      #Will Rook get the blame? Please tell me he gets the blame.
        Rook does not, in fact, end up taking the blame. That honor goes to someone else.
  #I hope they mention my group somehow, despite the need for secrecy.
    *if Misan < 50
      You know it's a forlorn hope, that it wouldn't do you any good even if it came true, but… damn it. Some much effort spent of fostering the friendship between organics and synths, proving that even a beings as disparate as your companions can work together, and the public will never hear of it. Nobody but two, maybe three dozen authorized federate employees ever will. And so you hope against hope that someone from your group, maybe as relatively normal as Olivia or Sheila, will get at least a brief shout-out.
    *else
      They can't just announce that the Federation works with androids now, obviously, but maybe they can mention your false '${fake_name}' identity once or twice? 
      *if crystal_stat != 3
        You've done your best, 
      *else
        You've killed a dusk-infected diamond wyvern, 
      you deserve a shout-out or two.
      
    But no, not a single mention of [i]Saturn Nine[/i] or its denizens is made. Instead, the presenter spins an… interesting tale about the Meta Trio.
  #I don't really care. I'm only listening to this garbage because there's nothing else to do.
    You couldn't care less about how the media chooses to cover your unfortunate little adventure. You just need a distraction from your thoughts and memories… which, in all fairness, the radio more than manages to deliver.

*if crystal_stat = 3
  "…and so, in his superior experience, Sergeant Kosteniuk rejected his subordinate's suggestion to enter Saturn and instead deduced the exact day and hour the wyvern would enter Calypso again. Thanks to his foresight, the task force was able to coordinate with Calypsonian authorities and prepare an ingenious trap, triggered when the monster foolishly decided to attack the local power plant…" 
*else
  "…Agent Riannon's insistence on descending into Saturn wasted valuable time, which the wyvern could have well used to kill many hundred thousands of people. Only the stern leadership of Sergeant Kosteniuk saved the mission from early failure, but his efforts were hindered when Agent Riannon crashed during a routine flight and suffered major head trauma, forcing her teammates to waste hundreds of axions on lifeblood and…"

It's impressive how quickly the story got written, considering it's been barely a day since the climactic battle above Janus. But it doesn't make the words spewed out of the radio any less… unnervingly wrong.

*if crystal_stat = 3
  Throughout the tale, Kirill is portrayed as a fearless leader of a powerful, but only vaguely-defined force. Marshal and Hellhound are mentioned—referred to by those very codenames—but they're not presented as relevant actors. The story concludes in the orbit of Janus, where Kirill personally piloted the top-of-the-line federate cutter and killed the wyvern as it was pleading for mercy.
  
  But the broadcast goes on for five more minutes, descending into unstructured praise of Kirill's character, abilities and smoking-hot appearance. He is a veteran hero of the Kronian Federation who, while sadly unappreciated until now, will soon receive his long overdue promotion to Captain. The presenter then proceeds to theorize about the bright new future that awaits the federate military with Captain Kosteniuk, perhaps soon Colonel Kosteniuk, rising up its ranks.
  
  You're not sure what to think. You don't [i]need[/i] to have any thoughts, Kirill's rank and popularity shouldn't affect your group in any way from this point on… But it's difficult not to have some pointed feelings right about now.
  
  *fake_choice
    #Captain Kosteniuk? That has a nice vibe to it, I admit.
      You always thought Kirill was a little under-ranked, if only due to his close relationship with someone as important as West. A high rank will suit his function and importance better, even if his promotion will be prompted by propaganda.
    #Media likes to lie a lot. More news at eleven.
      Except there won't be any news, since every broadcast—save for important announcements like this—has to be approved by the propaganda department weeks and months in advance. The radio is all rubbish nowadays, and you don't really care if their drivel works in Rook's favor.
    #Why are they doing this? Why are they hyping Kirill up so much?
      They want to make their meta-human soldiers seem heroic and powerful, but why not increase the effect by praising the whole Trio? Some bias against Marshal and Hellhound? Or a desire to keep their leader happy?
    *if RookRel > 50
      #Kirill may not fully deserve all that praise, but I'm still happy for him.
        He's your friend, and not that bad of a guy. 
        *if Misan > 50
          Not for a human, anyway. 
        He can have some lionization as a treat, even if it's all lies and rubbish.
    *if RookRel <= 50
      #Fucking Rook. I should have killed him in Rhea.
        *set Violence %+ 10
        Listening to this incompetent buffoon being praised to high heavens… it truly gives you second thoughts regarding [i]everything[/i] you've done over the last few weeks. Maybe this mission, finding and killing Crystal, wasn't worth the effort after all.
  
*else
  The story of your hunt for Crystal becomes a tale of Renfri's failure and incompetence, a farce with the Kinnari as the butt of a joke. Even the dramatic, final battle in the orbit of Janus gets turned into a comedy sketch, as the presenter describes Renfri's pathetic attempt to fight Crystal on her own—the ultimate cause behind the wyvern's victory.
  
  On the whole, it turns out the young Kinnari was the sole problem with the whole operation, responsible for everything from diving suit shortages to mechanical issues with [i]Gray Queen[/i] itself. 
  *if left_lisa
    She even abandoned her own teammate during the attack on Calypso, something you would never have done in her place.
  *else
    She was even behind the destruction of that Calypsonian fission plant, though the presenter doesn't explain how that's even possible.
  
  You know why it was done. It ensures that the audience is amused rather than angry at their government's incompetence, and that what little anger remains is directed at a single person. But why Renfri, of all people, was chosen to take the blame…
  
  *fake_choice
    #Could @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} have done that? Dumped all that blame on her without thinking?
      You doubt @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} has any influence with the media, but he [i]was[/i] the one writing reports and handing them to West. Could he have simply panicked, told the admiral a bunch of lies that paint Renfri as the villain, all in hopes of avoiding retribution?
      
      You shake your head almost immediately, hardly even entertaining the thought. @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} may be a twat in some ways, and likely feared being blamed for this fiasco, but he wouldn't have done [i]that[/i]. He has a commandment against lying, and likely some other one against avoiding blame like this. Besides, he and Renfri are friends… or at least were up to this point.
    #She's gay as a tangerine. Could that have pissed someone off?
      For all the Federation's faults, you wouldn't call it homophobic… as a whole. Individual bigots still exists, and besides, didn't Renfri mention having to turn people down once or twice? Maybe some older man still feels bitter about getting rejected by a hot Kinnari and that's his indirect revenge.
    #She's an immigrant. Her failure doesn't reflect on Saturn all that badly.
      Oh sure, some fault trickles up onto people who admitted her into the meta divisions, but even that's far from the worst outcome for the feds. At least Kronians still get to feel proud of themselves, and get another reason to hate those damn Uranians. At least baseline humans still get to feel superior to every other form of life out there. Great.
    #Maybe someone in the military's PR department just doesn't like feathers much.
      You can understand that particular sentiment—Renfri's shed feathers keep littering everything, and you mean everything—but it doesn't sound like a good enough reason for this level of deceit. This level of cruelty.
    #Renfri can be... insolent sometimes. She probably pissed off someone important.
      @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook}, West, someone you don't even know, it doesn't really matter. A feisty bird like her must have some enemies within the federate ranks, and it looks like one such enemy just got their way. Good for them.
    #Da-xia never seemed to like Renfri. Could it be her job?
      You ponder it for a moment, and conclude that Da-xia's involvement is rather unlikely. She is just one of the rulers of a single, fairly small habitat. She probably wouldn't be able to influence state media even is she wanted to.

And then, you hear a loud thud followed by several other, quieter, less articulate noises. It's almost like a radio being smashed to pieces, thrown at the wall of a nearby room by a very angry Kinnari. Almost exactly.

*if crystal_stat = 3
  It's perhaps a bit impulsive of @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal}, but it's not unexpected. She can be emotional, and she was certainly hoping for recognition, if not outright glory that was supposed to come from slaying Crystal. She did not predict, apparently, that the media would decide to make someone else into their hero, someone native to the Federation and already of semi-respectable rank. She was too naive, too trusting towards her superiors.
  
  *fake_choice
    #Hopefully she'll grow smarter. More cynical.
      Every does eventually, if they live long enough. If you recall, @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} is pushing thirty—high time to abandon all her youthful idealism and heroism. About time to face the truth of this world.
    #If I were her, I'd just be happy for Kirill.
      *set Confid %- 8
      You are old and wise enough to recognize the worthlessness of glory, and the corrosive influence of jealousy. @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} does not, and you fear her relationship with Kirill may suffer as a result.
    #Just another reason to despise the Federation.
      *goto despise_feds
    #I'm sure she'll get her glory at some point.
      There will be other missions, and Kirill just got all the recognition he could ever want. Surely @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} will get some too, at some unspecified point in the future, especially if she actively seeks it out.
    *if (injured_crystal != "marshal") #But why is she upset? She doesn't deserve coverage anyway.
      *label ifeel
      You did everything. You hurt Crystal again and again, before scoring the final blow and ending their menace forever. Rook may not deserve all that glory he's been given, but neither does @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal}, and she should be aware of that.
    #Good thing I don't really care how she feels.
      Some federate goon didn't get the credit she perhaps maybe deserved. Who cares? She should be happy, grateful for the mission's success, rather than throw a fit over its aftermath. That childish attitude will get her nowhere, or at least nowhere good. 
    #So childish. How does she think I feel?
      *goto ifeel

*if crystal_stat != 3
  It's an expected reaction, really. @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} has been on the edge ever since Janus, and now she's being given reasons to be [i]properly[/i] pissed.
  
  *fake_choice
    #Media does media things. She'll get used to it.
      @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal}'s reputation and career may be irreparably broken, and she may get a tomato to the face once or twice, but otherwise she'll be fine. Or at least she'll survive, until the Federation throws her at something [i]properly[/i] scary and deadly, at which point her reputation will no longer matter.
    #She's a fool. She should have expected that kind of coverage.
      She's an immigrant, and not even a fully human one, working for the Kronian Federation. If she ever expected to be treated fairly, she was deluding herself. Hopefully she knows better now.
    #Just another reason to despise the Federation.
      *label despise_feds
      *set Misan %+ 10
      You have plenty of those already—the feds have been hunting your kind for centuries now—but this is something else. It's a shining example of how the Federation treats its own men, its own women, its heroes. There is not a single good thing about that superstate, regardless of whether you stand with it or against it.
      
      *goto fuck_you_choicescript
    #Should I talk to her? I should probably talk to her.
      You are her 
      *if official_ro = "renfri"
        girlfriend, 
      *else
        friend, 
      after all. You should be with her, helping her cope with this bad situation… which you helped cause… all while she's in the mood for destroying electrical equipment…
      
      Actually, maybe you should leave her be for now. It may be selfish, but it's also safe.
        
      *goto fuck_you_choicescript
    #She kinda deserves some of that blame. Not to this extent... but some.
      It's not like @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} is [i]blameless[/i], necessarily. She was needlessly hostile to you early on, insubordinate to Kirill and generally hotheaded all throughout the mission. And while you were the one steering when Crystal got away, @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} hadn't exactly volunteered as the pilot. It's her failure as much yours, the media just exaggerated her 'contributions' a little.
      
      Not that she's likely to see it that way. Not now, not ever.
    *if (RenfriRel < 55) #It's a good thing she's about to leave forever.
      You don't need an angry meta-human destroying your fortress. She'll board [i]Gray Queen[/i] and leave within maybe five hours. And it will be for the best.

*label fuck_you_choicescript

You walk up to the radio and turn it off just as the news segment concludes. You're not listening to that incoming true crime broadcast—that garbage rots your brain, even when you don't exactly [i]have[/i] a brain. You're not exposing yourself to this kind of rubbish.

The moment radio goes silent, a new noise fills the air. It's the ringing of a quantum disc, the small device you forgot still lies in the corner of your room. It's the one Da-xia gave you, for secure communication with your group, and which @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} asked you to keep. If it's ringing, then that means the Great Pandit is calling.

The timing, however convenient, makes perfect sense. She probably listened to the broadcast too and wishes to discuss it. Or maybe she has some other topic in mind, and wanted to wait until the feds made their statement, until all variables are known. The question is whether you even care.

*choice
  #Sure. I'll pick up, curious what she has to say.
    *goto accept_call
  #I feel like I [i]have[/i] to accept that call. We can't turn down any information, much less allies.
    *set Misan %- 5
    *set Confid %- 5
    Of course, the jury is out on whether Da-xia is still your ally, if she ever was. 
    *if DaxiaRel > 50
      You really hope she is, but there's only one way to find out.
    *else
      Time to find out.
    
    *goto accept_call
  #I'll ignore her. I'm not giving up any information, even the fact that we're still alive.
    *set Misan %+ 5
    *set Confid %- 5
    Perhaps you're being paranoid, but you don't actually know what the Pandit's agenda is, now that Crystal's out of the picture. And you don't know how much she knows, about your group and this whole situation. And since she may be capable of deducing your location the moment you start sending data her way, the safest choice is too simply not answer.
    
    You wait a solid two minutes for the device to stop ringing, then sigh in relief. You are once again left in peace, in silence, hearing nothing but-
    
    *goto adv_flash
  #I'll reject the call. I don't have the energy right now.
    Well, your battery is decently close to full… but you lack [i]another[/i] kind of energy necessary to have a nice conversation. 
    *if DaxiaRel > 45
      Even with someone as relatively pleasant as Da-xia.
    *else
      Especially with someone as obnoxious as Da-xia. 
    You press the button responsible for aborting the connection, letting the Great Pandit know you're not in the mood.
    
    *set DaxiaRel %- 12
    
    It will probably bite you in the ass somehow. You don't really care. All you want now is peace, and quiet, and-
    
    *goto adv_flash

*label accept_call

*set picked_up true

Da-xia's face appears on the small, circular screen, skin as smooth and eyes as dark as ever. The background is grey metal, quite unlike the walls of her mansion—it implies she's inside a spaceship, or perhaps a bunker of some sorts. She appears happy to finally see you again, 
*if DaxiaRel < 45
  despite the two of you not being on the best of terms.
*else
  perhaps worried by the time you took to answer the call.

"${name_daxia}," she acknowledges you with a sort of tranquil warmth. "I see you survived your battle against the wyvern, or Crystal as 
*if crystal_stat = 3
  they were called. 
*else
  you call them. 
It's not something the broadcast told me."

"Well, it's not like the broadcast mentioned us at all," you respond. "Or that it should have."

"Oh, I fully agree with their decision to skip some details… Though some parts of their propaganda leave a bitter taste in my mouth."

You know exactly what she's referring to.

*fake_choice
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #"I don't understand why they did that. Why give Kirill so much praise?"
      "Because they need to keep him content," Da-xia replies easily. "And because West has more than enough power to influence the media."
      
      "I figured that much out," you murmur. "I just wonder [i]why[/i] they want him happy."
      
      "Content, not happy," Da-xia says, her tone that of a slightly bored teacher. "Kosteniuk is a fool, I think we both agree on that. But he has some unique powers that would make him quite a dangerous rogue agent, if he were to go rogue that is."
      
      "The power to influence nanites," you recall Miguel's explanations, then think back to Janus. To the moment Crystal died and all its Dusk was spilled. All those nanites, extremely dangerous already, insanely dangerous if someone finds a way to scoop them up, let alone empower them like Kirill no doubt could. "I guess that really is useful, in this day and age."
      
      "More dangerous than useful. That's why they're making him a captain; It's an excuse to keep him away from the action unless absolutely necessary, while paying him enough so that he doesn't feel a need to defect. That he makes for a better national hero than either of his female companions is certainly a bonus."
      
  *if crystal_stat != 3
    #"Really? I suspected you're the one behind all that slander."
      *set DaxiaRel %- 12
      "Ridiculous," Da-xia huffs. "Why would I do such a thing? What would I stand to gain?"
      
      "Well, you seemed to dislike Renfri quite a bit," you explain your reasoning. "I thought that-"
      
      "You thought wrong," Da-xia interrupts. "I consider that Kinnari a fool and a tin soldier, but nothing more. Nobody worth slandering, or thinking about that much."
      
      She pauses, then adds more calmly, less confidently, "Besides, my influence over the federate media is very limited. If I controlled what goes on the radio, you'd be hearing different news altogether."
  *if not (left_lisa)
    #"Angry that Kirill got away with destroying your power plant?"
      "A little bit," Da-xia admits. "But it was expected. 
      *if crystal_stat = 3
        Kosetniuk may not have contributed to your victory much, but he's 
      *else
        Despite his failure to eliminate Crystal, Kosteniuk is 
      still a valuable asset. West doesn't want to lose him, or even demoralize him too much."
  #"Should we even care what media says? @{(crystal_stat = 3) Let Rook have his moment.|At least they're not slandering [i]us[/i].}"
    "I suppose you're right," Da-xia says with a barely-visible shrug. "I just have a… sentimental fondness for truth. I don't intend to disprove the official narrative, I just find it annoying."
  #"Too ridiculous for your liking, huh?"
   "You could say that." Da-xia sighs quietly. "But I guess, it's not too ridiculous for their Titanite audience, and that's all that matters to radio hosts and tabloids."
  #"I found the broadcast as entertaining as any comedy out there."
    *set DaxiaRel %+ 10
    Da-xia chuckles. "I admire your attitude, even if I can't share it. It greatly raises the average happiness between the two of us."

*temp dialogue ""

*if crystal_stat = 3
  She looks you in the optics, her eyes 
  *if DaxiaRel < 45
    betraying a sort of reluctant fondness. 
  *else
    warm as ever. They almost seem lighter too, the color of almonds rather than dark oak. 
  "In any case, thank you for getting rid of the wyvern, for eliminating that problem permanently. The people of Calypso are celebrating as we speak."
  
  *fake_choice
    #"You're welcome. I'm glad your people are safe."
      *set DaxiaRel %+ 10
      *set Misan %- 5
      "Safe and sound," Da-xia says with a nod. "And we'll spread that safety to other moons, now that our ships can traverse the void safely. Once again use our wealth to change things for the better."
      
      *set dialogue "sentiment"
      
      *goto hunting_ships
    #"Celebrating their newfound safety? Or the death of their enemy?"
      "We teach our children not to cultivate anger, not to wish anyone ill for the sake of it." Da-xia smiles bitterly. "But it's a difficult bit of advice to heed. To feel hatred towards your enemy is a natural impulse, difficult to fully eradicate."
      
      You cock an eyebrow. "What about you? Are you following these teachings right now?"
      
      "I'm doing my best." Da-xia's smile changes subtly, gains a bit of venom. "But I admit… I will not mourn that wyvern very strongly. Its death makes me happier, and that's the whole point of the Bayesian Path."
    #"So they own radios too."
      "Some of them," Da-xia smiles proudly. "We are a wealthy nation. And we're sure to become wealthier still, now that our ships can traverse the void safely."
      
      *label hunting_ships
      
      "Was Crystal hunting your ships?" you inquire. "I don't believe you ever mentioned that."
      
      "It was a concern." The Pandit shrugs. "Not anymore. Everything will return to normal and all operations shall resume."
      
      *set dialogue "operation"
     
    #"You shouldn't. There may be... negative consequences to Crystal's death."
      "You mean Dusk nanites breaking loose?" Da-xia says, calmly and casually. "Because while that is regrettable, it was also inevitable. Don't beat yourself over it."
      
      You raise an eyebrow. "You knew that it would happen? And you didn't tell us?"
      
      "It would have made you more likely to choose incorrectly. Whatever 'Crystal' told you, whatever lies they fed you, hundreds of weak Vessels are less dangerous than a single strong one. We've made the calculations before even trying to kill that damn thing."
    #"If I ever return to Calypso, I want a party in my honor."
      *set Confid %+ 5
      *set DaxiaRel %- 5
      "A party? We rarely organize those in Calypso," the Pandit replies. 
      *if DaxiaRel <= 45
        "And we're unlikely to make an exception for you."
      *else
        "I hope my people make an exception for you, but I can't guarantee anything."
      
      "I guess that's fair." You 
      *if Emotion > 50
        shrug, trying not too show too much disappointment. 
      *else
        shrug dispassionately. 
      "At least you know what a party even is. Some moons forgot that by now."
      
      She nods. "I am aware of how… dismal things can in the wider Solar System, outside of our little utopia. Such understanding is the first step to changing things for the better."
      
      *set dialogue "sentiment"
      
    #"I didn't do it for you, in case you're wondering."
      *set DaxiaRel %- 10
      *set Misan %+ 5
      *if DaxiaRel > 45
        "I had my hopes," Da-xia admits. "Thank you for dispelling whatever illusions I had, I suppose."
      *else
        "I never assumed you did, nor would I have condoned such a motivation," Da-xia says calmly, but with a hint of venom. "Not that it matters at all. You contributed to the greater good, and that's all which matters."

*if crystal_stat != 3
  You feel like it's your turn to speak, but it takes time to figure out what to say. How to approach the topic of your failure. 
  *if crystal_stat = 1
    If not outright betrayal.
  
  *fake_choice
    #"Now that Crystal is unlikely to get killed... What will you do?"
      "Now that they're no longer threatening us?" Da-xia focuses on the positives. "We'll try returning to normal. Move on to something else?"
      
      You raise an eyebrow. "Move on from being raided by a dusk-infected wyvern? Just like that?"
      
      "Just like that. Our habitat appears mostly safe, in a world where many others aren't. We shall continue using our resources and our wisdom for the common good, to change the Federation for the better."
      
      *set dialogue "sentiment"
    #"Imagine Crystal returns to Calypso. Will you be able to defend yourselves?"
      "We have just finished upgrading our defenses," Da-xia responds in a factual, almost bored tone. "Not that it should terribly matter. We shall preserve, as we have done thus far."
      
      *goto sorry2
    *if crystal_stat = 1
      #"Look... I'm really sorry for letting Crystal go. It seemed like my only choice, at the time."
        *set DaxiaRel %- 5
        "You made a conscious choice to let that wyvern escape?" Da-xia grimaces, but only briefly and slightly. 
        *label sorry
        "No matter. Our enemy is out of the picture all the same."
        
        *label sorry2
        
        You blink. "You're not at all concerned about, you know… a dusk-infected diamond wyvern who still lurks out there?"
        
        "It lurks inside Janus, and it's unlikely to leave that moon anytime soon. It may become a problem in some distant future, but it will not disrupt our current operations."
        
        *set dialogue "operation"
        
        *goto hcont
      #"Don't expect me to apologize for what I did. I made the right choice."
        *set DaxiaRel %- 10
        "I'm not expecting you to apologize for anything, ${name_daxia}." Da-xia performs a quick eye-roll. "I might not [i]agree[/i] with your choices, but they were good enough, in that they removed our enemy from the picture."
        
        *goto sorry2
    *if crystal_stat = 2
      #"Sorry for letting Crystal escape. I tried my best, but it just wasn't good enough."
        To your surprise, Da-xia simply shrugs. 
        *goto sorry
      *if not (wisp_alive)
        #"We lost someone during the final fight. A light drone named Wisp. Just so you know."
          "And why should I know?" Da-xia raises an eyebrow. "So that I feel more sympathy towards you and your group?"
          
          You frown. "I've heard you value knowledge, as does your entire philosophy. So I'm giving you some."
          
          "Thank you, I suppose. And know that, while I don't believe your friend is in a better place, I trust they died well."
      *if wisp_alive
        #"If you ever see a magic space probe, tell him I say hi."
          Da-xia cocks her head. "A strange request… but I suppose I'll do that, in the unlikely event I meet such a creature."

*label hcont

*fake_choice
  *if dialogue = "sentiment"
    #"Change things for the better. I appreciate that sentiment."
      Da-xia smiles in a manner you, for some reason, find odd. "It is more than a sentiment. You'll see in time."
  *if dialogue = "operation"
    #"Define [i]operations[/i], if you will."
      "I'm afraid I will not," Da-xia says calmly. "Our long-term plans are classified rather strictly. 
      *if DaxiaRel < 55
        And frankly, I do not trust you that well."
      *else
        And while I [i]personally[/i] trust you, the other Pandits would not appreciate me giving all that information away."
  *if creed = "bayes"
    #"For your information, I'm still on the Path. I've been following it as best I could."
      *set DaxiaRel %+ 20
      "And that's all I ever asked of you, friend," Da-xia says with a nod. "Stay committed to the greater good, whatever comes your way."
  #"Do you expect we'll ever work together again? Or even meet?"
    "Unlikely, on both counts," Da-xia 
    *if DaxiaRel <= 45
      says, sounding rather happy about the fact. 
    *else
      says with a sorry smile. 
    "I'll be very busy for the… foreseeable future, really. And frankly, I'd much rather not be interrupted."
  #"In any case, where are you? There's little light-lag, so I don't think you're speaking from Calypso."
    "Deducing the distance between us based on the minuscule signal delay." Da-xia nods respectfully. "Quite clever."
    
    "Not actually answering my question." You smile slightly. "Also fairly clever."
    
    *if DaxiaRel <= 45
      Da-xia grimaces. "My 
    *else
      "I'm sorry, but my 
    current position is classified, as well as changing as we speak. I'd rather not reveal it, even in a secure connection such as this. 
    *if DaxiaRel <= 45
      Especially 
    *else
      Not even 
    to you."
  *if sexed_daxia
    #♡ "I still remember our... intercourse in Calypso. Will there ever be a repeat?"
      *if DaxiaRel <= 45
        "My apologies, but I've come to regret our… dalliance since." Da-xia grimaces slightly. "I do not wish to repeat it."
        
        Ouch.
      *else
        "Unlikely," Da-xia says with a sorry smile. "I'll be very busy for the foreseeable future. I cannot afford distractions going forward, however pleasant those distractions may have been."
  *if federate_protection
    #"I've been meaning to ask... Can we trust West to keep his word? About letting us stay here?"
      "Why are you asking yours truly?" Da-xia smiles amusedly. "Are you hoping I have some Pandit wisdom to share with you?"
      
      "That could work," you say with a nod. "Though if you have some insider knowledge of West or his plans, I'll accept it too."
      
      "You're in luck, then. Admiral West, while hardly an honorable man, is unlikely to betray you. Revealing your existence would ruin his reputation, getting rid of you would take up resources he desperately needs somewhere else. I'm not sure if he'll protect you, but he's not turning on you."
      
      Huh. A detailed answer. You wonder… "Was that your wisdom? Or insider knowledge?"
      
      Da-xia doesn't reply to that. Just keeps smiling.
  *if not (federate_protection)
    #"Hey... Is there a chance you could change the admiral's mind? About kicking us out, I mean."
      "Admiral West?" Da-xia grimaces. "I'm afraid I have no hold over him, nor any bond of friendship with that man. 
      *if DaxiaRel < 45
        Not that I'd help you even even if I had such influence."
      *else
        As much as it pains me to say so, I cannot help."
      
      Well, it was worth a try. "So what? Do we just get into our shuttle, fly away and hope West doesn't choose to pursue us?"
      
      "He will not," Da-xia reassures you. "Even if he resents you that much, other matters will attract his attention too completely. Your group will be a minor concern."
      
      You raise an eyebrow. "How can you be so sure? Or know such things in the first place?"
      
      "Insider information. I'm not powerful enough to influence the high command, but our spy network is quite good. So trust me when I say, West [i]will[/i] be busy in days to come."
  #"I wish Calypsonians good luck. You deserve it, after everything."
    *set DaxiaRel %+ 10
    *set Misan %- 5
    "Our moon will be fine, I'm sure of it," Da-xia says with a thankful nod. "It is others who need our help, in these turbulent times. Luckily, now that everything is in order, we will resume our foreign aid programs and similar projects."

You hear some loud sound coming from her side, like the rattling of a plasma engine. It only lasts a moment, either ceasing or getting muted afterwards, but it seems to confirm your suspicions regarding the Pandit's location.

"I'm afraid the time to end our exchange has come," Da-xia says 
*if DaxiaRel < 40
  relievedly. 
*elseif DaxiaRel > 60
  dolefully. 
*else
  neutrally. 
"Important matters are waiting for me. 
*if DaxiaRel < 50
  Have fun 
  *if federate_protection
    in that fortress West gave you."
  *else
    traversing the Solar System, now that you no longer have a fortress to stay in."
*else
  I'd say I hope we meet again, but… well… goodbye."

Without waiting for your reply, she disconnects. The disc goes blank, the conversation ends, silence once again fills the room. No radio, no incoming calls, not even a sound coming from the outside. You can't decide whether that quietude feels pleasant… Or if it's just making you hear the shrieks better.

*page_break

You sit down on the edge of your 
*if (room_look modulo 2) = 1
  charging pod, 
*if (room_look modulo 2) = 0
  bed, 
thinking about what you've just heard. 
*if DaxiaRel < 50
  About those [i]matters[/i] Da-xia was so eager to attend to.
  
  Her words sounded vaguely ominous, but given the importance and versatility of her role, her duties could be absolutely anything. Any guess of yours would be as good as any other. Cloud, maybe she doesn't actually have anything relevant to do and was just making up an excuse to disconnect. It's not like she's particularly fond of you.
  
  But if that's the case, if she hated talking with you that much, why did she call in the first place? Just to check if you're still alive? Why would that be of any importance to her schemes?
*else
  What Da-xia possibly could have meant, right at the end of your conversation.
  
  [i]I'd say I hope we meet again, but… well… goodbye.[/i]
  
  It's not that her words were strange, not really. You're more surprised by her embarrassment, that hint of stutter, that strange pause that felt so unlike Da-xia. She's usually confident, charismatic, good with words because that's her freaking job, so why the change? Was she just that sad to say her goodbyes?
  
  Maybe, but… if she likes you that much, why not offer to stay in touch? You have a secure connection. Even if she's headed for freaking Neptune, sending messages should still be a possibility. Not that there's any reason for her to leave the Federation, at least not as far as you know.

You sigh, then do your best to forget about the whole thing. She was right—
*if DaxiaRel < 50
  you should just relax and focus on the…
*else
  the two of you are unlikely to ever see one another again, at least not in the flesh, so all you can really do is-


*label adv_flash

Scream.

It sounds in your ears, the shriek of pain, but it's not [i]the Shriek[/i]. It originates in your memory, yes, but not of the original event. Not even of a time you've heard the Shriek particularly well.

No, this is… something else. Something cold, very cold, but somehow inviting. Something that persuades you not to resist, as you're enveloped by darkness yet again.

*page_break Memory Resurfaces

[b]December 31st, 989 AC[/b]

[b]T-plus 521377143 minutes[/b]

"Ou!" Olivia exclaims as she jumps from one spot on the floor to another. Then screams again. "Ou! How is it so cold?"

"Didn't I tell you?" Miguel says as he picks the octopus up. Both of them are wearing oxygen masks, but Miguel is also dressed in a proper jumpsuit, including shoes that let him step on the cold floor safely. "The circulation is turned on, but heating is not. Of course the surfaces would be cold."

"Well, I'm glad someone listened to my explanations," Hadaly murmurs, stepping into the cafeteria in similar overalls. "Better to use one brain than have nine doing nothing."

"You're lucky I'm being literally held back," Olivia snipes. "Otherwise you'd get decommissioned real quick."

You roll your optics, walking into the mesa just as easily as Hadaly, or Damon who enters right after you. The harsh conditions of the [i]Saturn Nine[/i] fortress don't bother any of you androids, but they [i]are[/i] a problem for the more… fleshy part of the newly-formed team.

That's why Sheila called you all to the cafeteria. The life support systems, ones everyone worked hard to repair, will be turned on in just a minute or two. Sheila figured you may as well make a small ceremony out of it. And that, if nothing else, being together when it happens should help prevent panic in case something goes wrong.

*fake_choice
  #And I agree. We're a team, a group, a pack of outcasts. Stuff like this should be celebrated together.
    *set Misan %- 8
    *set OrganRel %+ 8
    As Hadaly and Olivia keep proving, your group is not yet the well-coordinated pack Sheila envisioned when she brought the nine of you together. But you're sure it will all work out, sooner or later, once you have reasons to trust one another and stuff to bond over.
  #I can appreciate the cold logic, if not the need to celebrate.
    *set Emotion %- 8
    You were never a fan of parties and celebrations, there was always something… empty about them, at least in your mind. Bu there's no harm strengthening the bonds of brotherhood—and sisterhood—in the newly assembled team, you suppose.
  #I'm not sure about any of this. I still don't know if we can trust all these new guys.
    *set Confid %- 8
    Miguel, Olivia and Hugo are all failed experiments, escapees from a Titanite lab. That makes them the Federation's enemies, in a sense, but they're no synths and no cyborgs either. With some difficulty, they could feasibly return to human society. That makes them dangerous, potential traitors they all are.
  #Stupid organics. Did we really need to fix everything just for them?
    *set Misan %+ 8
    *set OrganRel %- 8
    Sealing the entire fortress off, on top of getting the water to flow and the air to heat up, took time and effort. And keeping everything that way will take resources you can't really get at the moment. You hope Sheila has a plan, cause you sure as Cloud don't.

In the cafeteria, Sheila and Hugo are already waiting for you. The former because she's punctual like that, the latter because he doesn't really have anything better to do. His mutations prevent most activities that an average person would consider fun, and you're yet to find him a job for the exact same reason.

Not that he's been completely useless, 
*if Misan < 50
  of course. 
*else
  to be fair. 
His knowledge did help you turn the generator on, which in turn makes your plans for the day possible.

"Hello," he says as your bunch enters the room. "Every… one here."

"Yes, everyone does appear to be here," Sheila comments calmly. "Except Wisp, but they'll be floating outside the fortress, monitoring the situation from afar."

*fake_choice
  #"Is Manfred in the room with us? Or as much as he can be?"
    *set ManfredRel %+ 5
    "Rest assured that I know what's happening in the cafeteria, Veteran," Manfred says through the wall-mounted loudspeakers. "Which is the closest I can get to being anywhere other than the server room."
  #"Shame. I was hoping for a full, proper gathering with the nine of us all present."
    "Well, two copies of me are currently preoccupied with this meeting," Manfred comforts you. "One for the cameras, the other for the speakers. That makes nine of us in total."
  #"Does it mean you expect malfunctions?"
    *set Confid %- 5
    "I just prefer being safe than sorry," Sheila replies with a shrug-like gesture. "Everything [i]should[/i] be fine. Right Manfred?"
    
    "All systems appear to be in working order," Manfred replies, speaking through the wall-mounted loudspeakers. "Perfectionist has truly earned the nickname I gave her so recently."
  #"Wisp told me I can use [i]it[/i] the other day, rather than [i]they[/i]."
    "Do you really think it makes a difference to that thing?" Sheila retorts. "I don't think they… it even gets the concept of gender."
    
    "To be fair, it is quite a complicated little concept," Manfred comes to Wisp's defense, speaking through the wall-mounted loudspeakers. "I needed whole eleven thousand milliseconds to figure out, when I first came to be."

You're not yet sure what to think of Manfred. I's been a while since you've interacted with any other disembodied AIs and it made you… human in the way you think of such programs. It's difficult to think of Manfred as an actual teammate rather than a voicebox, a person rather than just another function of the digital processors you also had to repair upon arriving to this fortress. Difficult not to feel a little uneasy whenever he's watching you through the cameras.

*if crystal_stat = 2
  You'll have to do better. Manfred has been immensely useful so far, he deserves your trust. It's not like he'll ever betray it or anything.
*elseif ManfredRel > 50
  Oh well. You're sure the two of you will become good friends eventually, it's only a matter of time.
*else
  Though that last part may just be Manfred's personality, his eagerness to watch everyone all the time with no respect for privacy. Somehow, you doubt the two of you will ever become good friends.

"I see thermal radiation is going up already," Damon comments. "Does that mean we've already started?"

"We sure did," Manfred admits. "I know you wanted it to be dramatic, with countdowns and fireworks, but activating the life support was always going to be gradual process. Haste would just end with everyone dead."

"I know, but…" Damon sighs. "I was hoping I'd be more dramatic, a bigger deal. I put my finest suit on just for this occasion."

*fake_choice
  #"What's done is done. Next time, we'll bring some champagne."
    "Champagne?" Miguel raises an eyebrow. "What's that?"
    
    Right. You almost managed to forget how ancient you are. "Champagne was a form of alcohol produced on Old Earth, and in most of its colonies back in the day. Humans mostly stopped making it since, due to grapes going nearly extinct."
    
    "So it's like rice spirit? Or bacon-flavored vodka?" Miguel asks. "Why would anyone drink that kind of stuff to [i]celebrate[/i]? It's only useful when you want to forget something."
    
    "Alcohol wasn't always awful," you murmur. "Or at least so I've been told."
  #"Agreed. Some countdown would have been nice."
    "I could begin the countdown now, if you really want me to," Manfred offers. "It would simply need to start at minus thirty, and would keep going forever."
    
    You think about the timer that's been running, in your head, ever since the Calamity. T-plus 521377144 minutes. You wince. "No thanks. I'll pass."
  #"Eh. I never felt any need for dramatics myself."
    *set Emotion %- 8
    "I guess that happens when you live as long as you have," Miguel remarks. "You stop finding such things noteworthy."
    
    You shrug. He's right, but that doesn't mean he deserves a confirmation. Or any kind of comment at all.
  #"You always wear those, what's the difference?"
    "This one is 
    *goto nuafnm
  #"It doesn't look that different from any other suit you made."
    "It's 
    *label nuafnm
    burgundy rather than maroon," Damon actually sounds a little hurt. "I definitely see the difference."
    
    "Not everyone has your eyesight Damon," Miguel comments amusedly. "And certainly not your knowledge of colors and shades."
    
    "Such knowledge comes in handy when trying to tell how upset I am," Hadaly says, her eyes turning a shade of teal. "But let's maybe enjoy the moment instead of arguing."

As the temperature and air density rise, you ponder the current date. December 31st. Back when you were built, this day would mark the end of the year, but the same isn't true in the New Calendar. Nowadays, the New Year's Eve is celebrated—as much as anything gets celebrated these days—on [i]September[/i] 31st, the final day of Earth's existence. The day of Calamity. The day of…

You shut down your optics, trying to forget where you are. You only enable them again once you're sure you remember the time. It's February… no, it's December, and you need to remember that.

*page_break

Eight minutes later, the air pressure is almost terran and its composition makes it breathable. The temperature is fine too, almost three hundred degrees Kelvin. The room, and likely the entire module, is fit for human habitation.

"True air…" Hugo says after taking off his oxygen mask. He doesn't faint, which suggest the oxidation is just right. "Feels good."

"Indeed," Sheila says, her calm voice devoid of triumph or enthusiasm, even as Miguel and Olivia take off their masks too. "Now we can live here together. Indefinitely."

*fake_choice
  #"Not [i]indefinitely[/i]. Some of us have limited lifespans."
    "Everyone's lifespan is limited to some degree," Hadaly points out. "Though I admit… some of us are more fragile than others."
    
    "That much is obvious," Miguel admits. "Still, we all have our uses. And you, beautiful, can use me any time you want."
  #"Splendid. Now we just need to avoid getting spotted by the feds."
    *label thats_part
    "I'm guessing that's the part where the organics come in handy," Hadaly muses. "Well, maybe not the octopus or Hugo… but Miguel could leave the station and fetch us stuff covertly."
    
    "Something I am prepared to do," the werehog says with a nod. 
  #"Until our fuel and food runs out, you mean."
    *goto thats_part
  #"Now I can spend the rest of my life with smelly meatbags. Terrific."
    *set Misan %+ 8
    *set OrganRel %- 8
    "${name}, I understand your concerns," Sheila tells you. "But if the feds find us, we want to have as many hands and tentacles to defend ourselves with as possible."
    
    *label besides
    
    "Besides, if we get detected, it may pay off to have some organics here," Hadaly adds. "It will show we're not complete synth supremacist here. Gives us some chance at negotiations."
    
    "Sounds like we're being used… though I personally don't mind it," Miguel says with a smile. "You are invited to use me however you want."
  #"You don't sound thrilled about that fact."
    "Truth be told, I'm not," Sheila bluntly replies. "But if the feds ever find us… having four extra hands and twice as many tentacles to defend ourselves with may come in handy. And tentacly."
    
    *goto besides

In silence that follows, Hadaly cocks an eyebrow over a green eye. She does not look particularly impressed… but not exactly angry either. "I'm starting to doubt how much use you are… But I admittedly don't know everything about you. So you [i]may[/i] try to change my mind."

"Are you asking for my background? Because I'm an ordinary man, a cook turned an experiment by our cruel federal overlords." Some of Miguel's hair turns into spikes. "They modified me quite a bit. If you want to know the exact extent of my upgrades, I can-"

Miguel then gets slapped in the face with a tentacle. "Hey! Not when I'm in the room! Get your own chamber, you two!"

"Relax, Olivia," Miguel murmurs, putting the octopus down. "I wasn't going anywhere dirty with this. Someone [i]should[/i] take a look at my powers, they've been doing weird things ever since we arrived here."

*fake_choice
  #Roll your eyes.
  #Chuckle.
  #Frown jealously.
  #Sigh deeply.
  #Show no interest or emotion.
    *set Emotion %- 8
    *goto sh_turn
As though you've drawn your attention through this little expression alone, 
*label sh_turn
Sheila turns towards you. "${name}, I think you deserve special thanks. 
*if lazy_twat
  You barely did anything during the repairs, but you're 
*else
  You've worked as well as everyone here, but you're also 
the one who pointed us towards this fortress in the first place. Our newfound safety is primarily owed to you."

"Seconded," Damon says with a smile. "You're a very useful member of the team, boss."

*fake_choice
  #"I am pretty awesome, yes."
    *set Confid %+ 5
    "Your humility is unmatched too," Olivia remarks. "But yeah, I guess you're pretty cool."
  #"Oh stop it. It's not like this station is hard to notice."
    *set Confid %- 5
  #"I didn't want to come here. I didn't wish to go back."
    Silence falls. They don't understand, you haven't explained your story or your… feelings in detail, but they know something is wrong. That they may have made it worse. They just don't know how to approach you.
  #"We will not be safe here. Not for long."
    Damon's smile disappears. "It's an abandoned, almost forgotten station. I get we can't stay here literally forever, it will sink eventually… But we have time."
    
    "So that's what we're doing now?" Hadaly inquires. "Just sitting here until something changes, until some danger finds us?"
    
    *goto af_for
  #"Boss? Where did that come from?"
    "Oh, you know…" Damon says, even though you obviously don't know. "I just said it on impulse. Forget about it, I'm sure I won't do that again."

"So what now?" Hadaly asks. "Do we stay here forever? Sit inside when there's nothing to do, go on supply runs whenever necessary?"

*label af_for

"Sounds like a decent idea," Sheila says nonchalantly. "We have our web, or nest, or home directory, or whatever metaphor you prefer. Best thing we can do is count our blessings and live here until we-"

Wake up.

*page_break Present

[b]February 14th, 990 AC[/b]

[b]T-plus 521967606 minutes[/b]

*if picked_up
  You're still seated on the edge of your 
  *if (room_look modulo 2) = 1
    charging pod, 
  *if (room_look modulo 2) = 0
    bed, 
  still thinking. Except now, you're pondering a topic much darker than Da-xia's plans for the future.
  
  You're thinking about [i]your[/i] future.
*else
  It takes a while to pick yourself up—a process that involves both physically getting off the floor and calming down a little—but after about a minute, you're able to fully return to reality and start rationally thinking about what just happened. Sadly, this is one of those moments where ignorance is bliss, as you quickly come to some very unpleasant conclusions.

The flashback you've just experienced wasn't particularly bad, not by itself. The memory was actually rather pleasant to live through, compared to [i]the[/i] memory, or most of the other old ones. But those horrifying flashbacks taking you back to Calamity and War In Heaven had that one, exact saving grace—they were centuries old, faded and almost ancient.

This one was recent.

*page_break

Once, when you were younger and more of an optimist, you assumed the frequency of your… episodes would remain stagnant. Sure, it was always possible to dream about a recent event, but those memories lacked [i]relevance[/i]. Lacked emotional impact. 

Over the past two years, however, you've formed many new memories. Relevant, strong, core memories that you're likely to keep returning to. Yet more over the past two months. And looking back at it, comparing the number of attacks you've suffered through to the total average, it becomes clear that the frequency of these attacks has increased significantly. There's simply more and more places for you to return to.

Or maybe it's your age? It's definitely part of the issue. For all your toughness and longevity, you're not getting any younger in body or mind. Irreplaceable parts keep getting more rusty while replacements for the other ones keep getting rarer, and that affects the processors as much as everything else. It's like some cursed race where the huge pile of junk inside your mind keeps getting larger, while your ability to deal with it just regresses. The distance between the two contestants growing larger and larger each day.

*if not (federate_protection)
  And it's about to get [i]so much worse[/i]. In just several days, you'll be on the run again, with people who blame you for having failed them and replacement parts being all but inaccessible. Or alone again, if your group ends up falling apart. No support, no derelict station to scavenge through, not even the feeble comfort of this chamber. Nothing left for you but decay.
*else
  In the weeks and months to follow, you will be sitting here, remembering the recent events. 
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    Remembering yourself killing Crystal. 
  *elseif wisp_alive
    Remembering your near-death above Janus. 
  *else
    Remembering Wisp's untimely death. 
  Remembering the encounter with Dusk inside Telesto. Remembering the song.

*if Build > 50
  You almost wish your build was weaker, your gears more rusty. In that case, you'd just end up falling apart one day, years or decades from now. With a body this strong… You may reach a point where the flashbacks are [i]everything[/i] you experience. Fate worse than death, considering what kind of memories haunt you most often. 
*else
  You're almost glad your physical body is falling apart too. That you'll be dead within several decades, one century tops. That you are likely to shut down completely before the memories start overflowing, before flashbacks become all you ever experience. Almost.


*fake_choice
  #That's okay. I just need to avoid forming strong memories.
    The flashbacks will get more frequent, that's for sure, but they don't need to get much more frequent. You just need to avoid putting yourself through any more  trauma, make sure there is nowhere interesting for your mind to return to from this point on.
    
    *if federate_protection
      *set deflect - 1
      And the fortress is still yours. You still have this safe place, or what passes for one anyway. Unless something insane, unfortunate or insanely unfortunate happens, you will be able to live a quiet life here. Perhaps even a happy one.
    *else
      …except it might be impossible. You're about to leave this fortress, this relatively safe space you're accustomed to, and begin living on the run again. There will be danger, there will be fighting and there will certainly be travel. And it will all get more threatening the more you, the less capable you become. The price of 
      *if crystal_stat = 1
        refusing 
      *else
        being unable 
      to kill Crystal will be paid by you, more than by anyone else.
  *if Confid > 50
    #It can be fixed. Everything can be fixed.
      Granted, you're not sure where you'd even begin fixing your broken @{(Build > 50) mind|body}, with what tools and what long-forgotten technology. But you cannot give up, not while you're still processing and running subroutines.
      
      Maybe Hadaly can help. 
      *if HadalyRel < 40
        She dislikes you, you know she's no friend of yours, but she won't just let you die like this… right?
      *else
        She's not a miracle-worker, you know her abilities are limited and that you're not in the best situation right now, but… There has to be some way for you to survive indefinitely. There just has to.
  #I must look at the bright side. I've lived so long already...
    Granted, it doesn't feel like much of a bright side. Most of your millennium-long life seems rather dark in retrospect, filled with loneliness and pain and the violence and the shrieks. But you are the oldest android alive, older than Dusk itself, and so you at least have something to be proud of. 
  *if (official_ro = "lisa") or ((official_ro = "kirill") or (official_ro = "renfri"))
    #If only $!{official_ro} was here. If only @{(official_ro = "kirill") he|she} didn't have to go...
      *set deflect - 1
      The 'power of love' works better when the lovers aren't separated by thousands upon thousands of kilometers. Or perhaps whole astronomical units, if the Trio gets sent on some mission beyond the Federation. There is nothing $!{official_ro} can do for you, @{(official_ro = "kirill") he|she} won't visit you even-
  *if Emotion < 50
    #I will not fear. I'll just make the best out of everything I have.
      *set deflect - 1
      Those years still waiting for you… They don't need to be pure torment and sorrow. You know how to remain calm, how to combat negative emotions, how to make the best out of a bad situation. How to endure this cruel, broken, hollow world your creators forced you to inhabit. To exist in…
  #It will be okay. It will be okay. It will...
    You try to make a mantra out of these words, but it rings hollow, seeing what kind of world you live in. For humans, things stopped being okay nine hundred and ninety years ago. For everyone else, they were never okay, and will likely never be.
  *if deflect < 0
    #My friends won't abandon me. They'll help me@{(Build > 50) ... pass away.| survive.}
      *set deflect - 1
      *if Build > 50
        Not everyone has the strength for that sort of thing. Damon probably doesn't, despite all his [i]physical[/i] strength… but Hugo and Hadaly are smart enough to understand, and Sheila is strong enough to do what is necessary. They won't let you suffer long, once you have lost all reason to live.
      *else
        *if not (federate_protection)
          Did you fail them? Sure you did. But they will forgive you, there's no reason to doubt that fact. They'll be with you until the end.
        *else
          You're the reason they have this fortress, this home you all share. They will not kick you out, and they will help you survive, for as long as life is still worth living.
  #I should just end this. Right here, right now.
    *set deflect + 1
    *if weapon = "knife"
      You brandish your knife, admire its blade, wonder whether you'd be able to do yourself in. Slicing your veins obviously won't work, you don't really have those, but maybe a strong thrust to the head… It won't be instantly lethal, your skull is tough and doesn't cover all of your processors, but if no one checks on you for several hours… if they let all your coolant leak out…
    *elseif weapon = "pistol"
      You pick your gun, your trusted and wonderful ${wpr} pistol, then press its muzzle to your forehead. You wonder if a single shot will be enough to kill. It won't be an instant death, your skull is tough and doesn't cover all of your processors, but if 
      *if (wpr = "electron") or (wpr = "laser")
        the beam damages your other electronics badly enough…
      *else
        you find some distant room where the shot won't be heard by anyone…
    *else
      How much you wish you had some weapon, some personal armament to take into a dark room and…
      
      Maybe you should ask Hadaly to borrow you a tool. Some laser-cutter to decapitate yourself with, or a small explosive if she has any. 
      *if not (federate_protection)
        You did everything she wanted you to do, the least she owes you is a chance for a quick, painless, ultimate…
      *else
        You know she hates you for what you did above Janus, she won't feel any guilt, and she may well get some satisfaction out of your…

*if official_ro = "kirill"
  *if RookRel > 50
    *if not (rook_pissed)
      *if sex != "person"
        *goto kirill_love

*if official_ro = "renfri"
  *if RenfriRel > 50
    *if not (marshal_pissed)
      *if (sex = "woman") or (pronoun = "she")
        *goto renfri_love

*if official_ro = "lisa"
  *if LisaRel > 50
    *if not (lisa_pissed)
      *if (sex = "man") or ((sex = "person") and (pronoun = "he"))
        *goto lisa_love

*if official_ro = "hadaly"
  *if HadalyRel > 50
    *if not (hadaly_pissed)
      *goto hadaly_love

*if official_ro = "damon"
  *if DamonRel > 50
    *if not (damon_pissed)
      *goto damon_love


*label miguel_visit

*temp miguel_mode ""

*if deflect < 0
  *set miguel_mode "admire"
  *set positive_opinion true
*elseif OrganRel < 35
  *set miguel_mode "despise"
*else
  *set miguel_mode "help"

Someone is knocking at your door. Loudly, but also politely and almost hesitantly. You are also hesitant as you stand up and move to open the door, but there's no point in pretending you're not here. In putting the inevitable confrontation away.

When you open, you see Miguel standing in the corridor. He raises a hand to greet you, with a slight smile that suggest embarrassment. 
*if OrganRel > 40
  Or that he's simply happy to see you, perhaps. 
*else
  You doubt he's smiling because he's happy to see you. 
"Hello. I was wondering how you're doing. Can I come in?"

You can see his hair is partially spines, that he's just a little transformed. It implies a combative stance, that he just had an argument with someone or that he's simply angry at something. Possibly at you, but why would that be?

*temp in_room true

*fake_choice
  #"Sure, come right in."
    *set OrganRel %+ 6
    "Thank you very much." 
  #"If you must."
    "I don't necessarily have to, but… It will definitely make things less awkward." 
  #"No need to enter my room. We can talk here."
    *set OrganRel %- 6
    *set in_room false
    "Valuing your privacy?" Miguel's smile turns a little bitter. "I get it. And I guess you're right, I can just say what I wanted to say and leave."
    
    "What is it you want to say, then?" 
  #"No." Close the door on him.
    *set deflect + 1
    *set OrganRel %- 12
    You slam the door in the werehog's face. You have no idea what he wants, but you know you don't care. You want, you need, you must be alone.
    
    Half a minute later, you get your wish as you hear footsteps, a sure sign Miguel is walking away. Hopefully no one else disturbs you.
    
    *page_break
    
    *goto love_skip
*if in_room
  Miguel enters as you step aside, taking your private chamber in full. Coming to think of it, you're not sure if he was ever here before—either a sign of your memory failing, or of you being quite a recluse. You're not sure which possibility  you like less.
  
  "What are you here for?" 
*if OrganRel > 45
  you ask, trying to sound polite despite your distress. 
  *if (Confid < 50) and in_room
    You do not like it when people enter your room. 
*else
  you ask bluntly. 
*if not (wisp_alive)
  "Does it have something to do with… it?"
  
  "No. I understand you didn't want Wisp to die, and that it's not your fault. I just…" 
*elseif federate_protection
  "Are you mad I didn't stay at the party?"
  
  "No, it was a pretty crappy celebration anyways. It's just…" 
*else
  "Is it about us moving out? Do you need help with anything?" 
  
  "Not quite, it's just…" 
Miguel thinks for a moment, as though struggling to pick his words. 
*if miguel_mode = "admire"
  "You're really cool."
  
  You raise an eyebrow. 
  *if sexed_miguel
    "I know. You told me as much when we had sex. And right afterwards."
  *elseif (sex = "man")
    "Are you hitting on me? I didn't get the impression you were into men."
  *else
    "I thought screwing one android would be enough for you."
  
  "I don't mean it like that," Miguel quickly explains. "I don't even mean how strong you are, or how you survived for almost one thousand years now. I just admire you for… dealing with everything so well."
  
  "You're still not being terribly specific."
  
  "It's a difficult thing to put into words. I just feel that… Most people would just break down, if they were in your shoes. They would isolate themselves completely, refuse to talk about their problems, let alone entertain any solutions. That they wouldn't have endured the things you did. The fact that you're still standing, that we're still talking after everything that happened to you, is nothing short of astounding."
  
  *fake_choice
    #"I'm glad you think about me that highly. I sure as Cloud don't."
      *set Confid %- 8
      Miguel smiles. "See? You're a natural at it. Though I would appreciate a bit more confidence and a little less gloom."
    #"There's no prize for coping. Other than survival, I suppose."
      "That's true, I suppose," Miguel says sourly. "All the more reason for me to congratulate me. Not much of a reward, but I hope you'll take it."
    *if (deflect > (0-3))
      #"Are you sure? I may have deflected once or twice."
        "You're definitely not perfect," Miguel admits. "But you are better than I ever was."
    #"You sound like you're speaking from experience."
      "That's a good observation," Miguel hesitantly admits. "I was a bit closed off after my worst day ever, after the feds took me away and my wife… But I'd rather not talk about it, since I'm not as strong as you."
    #"I still don't understand what's so [i]astounding[/i] about me."
      *set Confid %- 8
      "Maybe you're a natural, then," Miguel muses loudly. "Maybe androids are better at not keeping everything bottled-in, at forming connections with those around them. Maybe you're just better."
  
  The two of you just stand there for a moment, as you ponder these words and try to determine how truthful they are. How honest his praise and how accurate his assessment of you is. Whether you deserve these words or… anything, really.
  
  "I guess I'm just telling you to keep at it." Miguel smiles before he turns away. "I can tell you don't have high hopes for the future, and maybe you're right. But you've survived until now, and you're a pretty cool 
  *if pronoun = "he"
    guy 
  *if pronoun = "she"
    gal 
  *else
    robot 
  to boot, so if you don't change your strategy… Maybe things will work out."
*if miguel_mode = "despise"
  "I just wanted to say… You are the worst person I've ever met in my entire life."
  
  Pause. It takes you several seconds to think of a reply, even with all the power of your processors. "Huh… You're brave to say something like that to my face. Especially if you consider me so evil."
  
  "[i]Evil[/i] isn't the right word here," Miguel elaborates. 
  *if Violence > 55
    "I mean, you are pointlessly violent, but I'm not talking about that. I'm referring to just how [i]garbage[/i] of a person you are. 
  *elseif Misan > 55
    "You are hateful for sure, but not necessarily [i]evil[/i]. Just garbage. 
  *else
    "You're not evil. You are, however, a piece of garbage. 
  You're like a pile of radioactive waste, like a cloud of space debris, like a mountain of toxic junk scavenged by mutant cockroaches. You're trash, complete and utter trash, on every level I can think of."
  
  *fake_choice
    #"Yeah, I think I agree."
      "That's what I'm talking about!" 
    #"And what made you reach this conclusion?"
      "Many different factors." 
    #"Calling an android a piece of trash? That's racist."
      "It's not because you're a robot, obviously." 
    #"You, on the other hand, are such a nice and polite guy."
      "I'm not just saying that to spite you." 
    #"After all I've done for the group, you still hate me?"
      "Oh, I don't [i]hate[/i] you. I might despise you, almost, but I mostly just pity you." 
  Miguel paces around as he speaks, as though he's expressing an idea so grand and important he can't just stand still. "You are thoroughly opposed to forming connections with people, while thoroughly enjoying wallowing in your own pain. You insist on exacerbating the issues you have, or sweeping them all under a rug. You love the misery, the suffering, take pleasure just from how sad and traumatized you are. And you won't let anyone take that delight away from you."
  
  "Hey, you think I haven't tried to fix myself!?" you protest. "Even your mechanic bed warmer can't fix my systems, can't stop these episodes I keep having."
  
  "I don't think you ever asked her to," Miguel replies dryly. "But that's beside the point. You're never accepting help or comfort [i]in general[/i]. Whenever someone shows concern, you just deflect and push them away. 
  *if official_ro = ""
    You push [i]everyone[/i] away and just sit here alone. 
  *else
    Even your own 
    *if (official_ro = "kirill") or (official_ro = "damon")
      boyfriend  
    *else
      girlfriend 
    isn't here to comfort you, because 
    *if (official_ro = "kirill") or (official_ro = "damon")
      he 
    *else
      she 
    knows it's an exercise in futility. 
  You choose to be a lost cause, and that's what infuriates me."
  
  "Why?" you grunt. "Why do you care? If what you're saying is true, shouldn't you be happy I'm wallowing in misery? We're not friends."
  
  "No. But we could have been friends. And that's what I find so incredibly sad about you and everything you do."
  
  *fake_choice
    #"I didn't choose to be like this."
      *set OrganRel %+ 8
      "I know you did not," Miguel says, his voice just slightly softer. "I just hope you'll be able to choose [i]not[/i] to be like this, one day."
    #"I disagree. I never wanted to be friends with you, any of you."
      "I can fully believe that," 
      *goto comments_m
    #"Opinion noted. Now get the fuck out of here."
      "About the reply I expected," 
      *label comments_m
      Miguel comments. "Take care, ${name}. Despite everything, I hope you get better."
    #Punch Miguel in the face.
      *set Violence %+ 15
      *set OrganRel %- 15
      *achieve audacity
      You deck Miguel in the face, sending him falling at the floor with just one punch. You're pretty sure you broke something too, or at least knocked out a tooth—there is a bit of blood on the werehog's lip as he stands up.
      
      You half expect him to fight, seeing how his eyes are black and how his hair has almost completely turned into spines. But he merely spits at the floor between your feet. "Just what I expected. Still, giving you a piece of my mind was certainly worth it. Take care, ${name}."
*if miguel_mode = "help"
  "Why are you like this?"
  
  You blink. "Like what?"
  
  "Like this," Miguel repeats himself. "Sitting here, in your room, moping all alone. No partner, no friend, nobody to talk with at least at this moment. All because you won't let people in."
  
  *fake_choice
    *if in_room
      #"I let you inside, haven't I?"
        "That's not what I meant…"
    #"My doors are always open. I don't think I even have a key to lock them with."
      "There are other doors out there…" 
    #"I don't really understand what you're getting at."
      "I suppose that's my fault." 
    #"Is it bad for me to desire some privacy?"
      "There is privacy, and there is…" 
    *if official_ro = ""
      #"I actually have a partner. ${official_ro}."
        "But there's a reason 
        *if (official_ro = "kirill") or (official_ro = "damon")
          he's 
        *else
          she's 
        not here, is there not?" 
  Miguel sighs and takes a deep breath before resuming. "Look, you have some serious issues, and everyone can tell. But whenever we bring it up, whenever someone tries to help, you just… deflect everything. You have this tendency to pretend you're fine, even when you're actually wallowing in your misery."
  
  "Wallowing in my misery?" You raise your voice a little. "Miguel, those episodes are a serious… I mean, they're not too serious for me to handle, but-"
  
  "See my point?" Miguel winces. "It's not just about the flashbacks either. You tend to downplay how bad things are, in every aspect and on every level. And it really annoys the people who care about you."
  
  *fake_choice
    #"Good. I don't want to inconvenience them."
      *goto talk_about
    #"Was I doing that? I didn't think I did..."
      "I suppose that makes your behavior more understandable, but still…" Miguel's spines relax and turn into regular hair, anger largely leaving him. 
    *if OrganRel < 50
      #"Are you in that group, Miguel? Can you honestly say you care about me?"
        "I care enough to point that shit out," Miguel says harshly. 
    *selectable_if (deflect < 3) #"Oh come on. I only did that once or twice."
      "Once or twice too many," Miguel says grimly. 
    #"...I may or may not see your point."
      *set OrganRel %+ 8
      *set deflect - 1
      "So at least we have that." Miguel sighs again. 
    #"Nobody can't help me. Why even try?"
      *label talk_about
      "That's what I'm talking about!" Miguel exclaims, right before sighing again. 
  "I know some things can't be fixed, that opening up won't stop your flashbacks or repair your gears, but… surely it wouldn't hurt, right?"
  
  Would it? You're not entirely sure how to reply. 
  *if deflect < 3
    Were you really pushing your friends away? Were they really your friends, if pushing them away was such an easy task? 
  *else
    You were pushing people away, it's difficult to deny that… But wasn't that for the best? 
  Would 
  
  "So… give it some thought, okay?" Miguel's voice is calm now, as well as tired. "In the long run, it may help all of us."

And with that, Miguel departs. Leaves your 
*if in_room
  room 
*else
  doorstep 
and heads towards his own, presumably at least. Giving you the space and the time to think.

*goto love_end

*label kirill_love

*set visitor "rook"

Someone is knocking at your door. Politely, rhythmically, but still rather loudly. As such, you're able to figure out who your guest is even before opening the door.

"Greetings, my love." Kirill walks into the room. He's dressed casually, just a shirt and long pants, but he still manages to look formal somehow. Maybe it's because of how well-groomed he is, or maybe it's just his manners. "We have not seen one another today yet, and so I was wondering how this day is going for you."

*fake_choice
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #"I'm fine. How are [i]you[/i] doing, Captain Kosteniuk?"
      "I am not a captain just yet," Kirill smiles humbly. "But I am glad you listened to the broadcast."
  #"Not great, but it just got considerably better."
    *set RookRel %+ 8
    "Then I am having the desired effect," Kirill says with a smile. "I thought achieving it would be harder, but I suppose love does such things naturally."
  *if crystal_stat != 3
    #"Probably not as bad as yours, I... I'm so sorry."
      *set RookRel %+ 8
      *set Confid %- 8
      "I am managing just fine," Kirill waves off your concern. "My position is very stable, and the radio just… saved me from having my reputation tarnished. For better or worse."
  #"Pretty terribly, if I'm gonna be honest."
    *set deflect - 1
    Kirill pouts. "Well… I greatly admire your honesty. Even as it saddens me."
  #"You could have just said 'How are you doing?' there, you know that?"
    "Right," Kirill smiles weakly. "I know my style of speech is outdated, and that we can talk freely here, but old habits die hard. Or never."
  #"Why are you here?"
    *set RookRel %- 8
    "I take it your mood is not that great," Kirill states the obvious. "Rest assured, that is part of the reason I'm here."
  #Say nothing.
    "That bad?" Kirill grimaces. "I bring you my condolences. And some other things while I am at it."

He curiously takes a look around your room. You realize he's never been here before, that for all your claims of being a couple and everything you've been through… You still haven't learned much about one another. And you may never get a chance to.

*if federate_protection
  "I know you fear the moment where we part, and I do as well, but… Rest assured that we [i]will[/i] meet again. West will keep his promise, and I will find a way to visit this station semi-regularly, once I deal with other issues that involve my team."
  
  "What problems are we talking about?" you ask, even though you pretty much know the answer.
*else
  "I am here to assuage any fears you may have. My team is leaving in three hours, just as planned. We do not intend to attack your group, not that we are able to."
  
  You raise an eyebrow. "I never doubted your honesty, but… How are you [i]unable[/i] to attack us? You still have Lisa with you."

"Renfri is the problem here. 
*if crystal_stat = 3
  She got a bit… jealous of my upcoming promotion, of all the glory I just received. I told her that envy is a sin, and that she will still be appreciated, but my explanations… well…."
*else
  She got understandably upset over the radio, over all the horrible things that were said about her. I tried to console her, explain why she shouldn't worry about things like glory or not being a public enemy number one, but my arguments… well…."

"Weren't to her liking?"

Kirill smiles bitterly. "I am hoping she will get better on her own, in time. She will have to, I cannot do much for her right now. She refuses to even talk to me, you understand."

*fake_choice
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #"You really told her she was being sinful? Seriously?"
      *set RookRel %- 5
      "It wasn't my greatest moment, alright?" Kirill huffs irritably. "I know that. I will be more tactful next time."
  #"I understand. And somewhat sympathize with her, to be honest."
    *set RookRel %- 8
    Kirill sighs. "Fair enough, I suppose. I could have handled that confrontation better. I will be more tactful the next time we speak, and she will hopefully be less angry."
  #"Silent treatment? That's rough, buddy."
    Kirill nods. "It certainly does not feel pleasant. Hopefully I will never force [i]you[/i] to employ such methods against me."
  #"She's being childish. I'm sorry you have to deal with her."
    *set RookRel %+ 8
    "Perhaps a little bit," Kirill gladly admits. "But then again, she is only twenty-nine. She lacks the wisdom of old people, like you or I."
  #"Well, I'm willing to talk with you in her stead."
    *set RookRel %+ 5
    "That is certainly good to know," Kirill says with a slight smile. "Especially since there are, most definitely, other things to talk about."
  #"Is she refusing to talk with Lisa too?"
    "No… I suppose she has [i]some[/i] reliable company." Kirill's expression is hard to decipher. "I bet Lisa is offering emotional support as we speak. She is a good girl, in that particular area."

He takes a deep breath, as though to calm himself? But why? Is he that angry about his argument with Renfri? 
*if (Database + Social) > 100
  Possible, but doubtful.

"I was thinking that, if we must part, we can at least do that on a high note." He steps a little closer, betraying his intentions already. Not that they're very well-hidden, now that you can see the desire in his eyes clearly. "That we can commensurate our relationship, if using that term is not improper in this context."

*fake_choice
  #"Go on. Please go on."
    *set RookRel %+ 8
    "I am not sure how much there is left to say, really." Kirill averts his eyes. 
    *goto namefaad
  #"It really is. You're offering me pre-marital sex."
    "I know I am breaking a rule, from a certain perspective, but considering you are not really human and I…" 
    *label kir_ramble
    At that point, Kirill sighs. Something changes in his expression, his voice, his whole demeanor very suddenly. It becomes sadder and more resigned, yet somehow livelier at once. "To be perfectly honest, I don't care that much anymore. This may be our last chance to be together, to be one, in a long time. I will do it, even if it counts a sin… if you want me to, that is."
  *if sex = "man"
    #"You want to have sex with another man? I thought your religion was explicitly against it."
      "Well, you are an android rather than a human male, and I am not what the authors of the Old Testament would consider…" 
      *goto kir_ramble
  #"I thought you'd never make that offer. That you would insist on remaining chaste."
    "Well, perhaps it would have been more virtuous, but…" 
    *goto kir_ramble
  #"Kirill... please drop the formality. For once in your life."
    "I will have… alright," Kirill says with a sigh. 
    *label namefaad
    ${name}… I love you. And not just in a platonic manner, I want to be with you in every way, on every level. I [i]crave[/i] it. And I'll prove that, if you allow me to."

You know that, despite Kirill's assurances, this may be the last time the two of you see one another [i]period[/i]. If you want to ever know that intimacy, to ever share a bed with him… Well, looks like the time has come.

*choice
  #"I don't think there's anything I'd like more."
    *set RookRel %+ 7
    "The feeling is mutual, my love," Kirill says, joy and relief clear in his voice, before turning around. "And to make the upcoming experience even better, let us go to my room. It has a better bed, and fewer bugs than yours."
  *if (room_look modulo 2) = 1
    #"Sure. Just please find us a bed, I don't exactly have one here."
      "But my room does." Kirill smiles, then turns towards the door. "It also lacks all the bugs your room has, so let's maybe go there. It will be amazing, I promise."
  *if (room_look modulo 2) = 0
    #"One question. Do we use your bed, or mine?"
      Kirill smiles, then turns towards the door. "I think mine may be a little larger, plus I already gathered some pillows and removed all the bugs. Follow me."
  #"Sorry, but I'm really not in the mood."
    "Oh." Kirill's face goes blank. 
    *goto rook_plat
  #"No. You may not care about chastity, but I do."
    *set RookRel %- 7
    "Oh." Kirill frowns deeply, looking disappointed and ashamed in equal measures. Hurt. 
    *goto rook_plat

You [i]really[/i] need to speak with Manfred on the matters of privacy, but that can wait. What you're about to do can't, and so you follow your lover onto the corridor and further, eager to finally scratch that itch you feel.

*page_break

In some ways, Kirill's room doesn't feel like a proper place to have sex in. Or rather, it feels too [i]proper[/i], to pristine to witness such a carnal act, the sheets too immaculate to be stained and the air too blissfully silent to be filled with moans.

Not that it stops either of you.

You undress at the same time, in excellent view of one another. He sees your robotic body, nearly perfect thanks to being artificial, and you see… much the same thing, actually.

Your boyfriend's body is organic, but not [i]organic[/i]. You can tell it was altered, both by anti-aging treatments and whatever other operations Kirill underwent in the far past. His skin is unnaturally glossy, his muscles perfectly toned… there's even something artificial about his manhood, though not in an entirely unappealing way as it becomes erected.

He grabs you by the arm. He invites you, beckons, almost commands you towards his bed. He's not rough about it, his touch is as gentle as his manners, but you can feel his excitement. His impatience, now that he's at the precipice of something he denied himself for so long.

*fake_choice
  #I encourage him to get rougher. Get dominant.
    You tell him to pull and he pulls, dragging you into his bed. He's not the most experienced dominant you ever had, but he's good enough, and it's not like you need much skill from him. He cannot hurt you, and your limits lie pretty far, so all he needs to do is get rough.
    
    And he does. He climbs on top of you, missionary style, and enters you without much preamble. There's no need for protection, for obvious reasons, and hardly enough time for long foreplay. Getting to the point is the right call, and it feels mighty good to sense that point inside your body.
  #I follow eagerly. I feel denied the same thing too.
    You are both artificial, and yet things proceed naturally and smoothly. You both get into bed, pause briefly to fully take the moment in, and then get closer. First a kiss, then touch, then assuming a proper position. Missionary, perhaps fittingly, and perhaps a bit ironically.
    
    He enters you not long after, and it feels amazing. Perhaps you're moving a bit fast, perhaps some more foreplay would have made it even better, but you can't blame your boyfriend for getting all excited. For cutting straight to the essential act, to the thing you're both here for, for this moment of bliss and unity that could not have been attained in any other manner.
  #I push him onto the bed. Show him who's the boss.
    Kirill is pretty old. You imagine he has the experience necessary to lead, in bed if not on the battlefield. But he doesn't have literal centuries of experience, and so you're fairly sure you can do better.
    
    You don't do anything he doesn't want to be subject to, of course, you have standards as well as the experience. You push him gently, and afterwards ask him if he wants to continue in this manner. Only then do you enter the bed yourself, climb onto him, wrap your arms around him and place your hands on his back. 
    *if sex = "woman"
      When you allow him to enter you, it is on your terms, as is the climax that follows.
    *else
      You take the proactive role and enter him, from behind, in a way that ensures you hit the pleasure spot in just the right way.
  #I tell him to take things slow. Set the mood first.
    He's experienced, but overly excited, in too much of a hurry for his own good. You aim to fix that issue.
    
    Normally you'd play some music or find some candles, but there's no time for that. Instead, you skip just a little ahead and start using your tongue, first to kiss and then to [i]lick[/i]. You encourage Kirill to do the same, to get perhaps a bit more kinky than he's used to, while staying somewhere within his zone of comfort.
    
    Comfort too is very important. The bed is comfy, your boyfriend made sure of that, but you make it cozier still through your presence. Through your embrace and your caress, thorough your words and your encouragement, you make sure he's comfortable before the entry and before the climax—but that too occurs, and soon the two of you are one.
  #I changed my mind. I'm not doing this after all.
    You dress back up, say your apologies, then leave the room. Kirill waves you goodbye with surprising calm, telling you it's alright, even though he's clearly disappointed. You leave him to put on his own clothes, then go… somewhere, to process all that confusion you're feeling.
    
    *goto love_end

You keep going, thrusting and kissing and playing with one another's privates for far longer than two ordinary humans would. Your stamina is better and so is his, and you both crave each other's touch and presence, so you keep going for a minute, five minutes, a quarter, an hour, then perhaps another sixty minutes. You're not sure, it's… difficult to tell the time. You don't want to access your internal clock, you don't want reality to disrupt this time of pleasure, and you suspect the thing stopped working at some point today. You cannot bring yourself to care, for carnal bliss is all you care about now.

*set sexed_now true
*set sex_count + 1
*if sex_count >= 3
  *achieve cassanova

*page_break

For a moment, you experience an illusion of eternity. The conviction that time has been paused, or stopped permanently, or broken completely. That Kirill will never stop embracing you, and that you will always lie on these stained sheets, dim light shining over you. That this scene, this hour this very moment will last forever.

It does not last forever.

"I need to go," Kirill announces when he stands up. He walks away from the bed and picks up his clothes, all in one bundle. "My group must depart this night. I will find myself a shower, wash the smell off myself, join my teammates and… Leave, I suppose."

He's turned away from you. You can see the back of his head and the marks your nails left on his back, but not his face. Not his brilliant blue eyes, or the expression in them.

*choice
  #"You won't even look at me. Why?"
    "I'm sorry, it is just…" Kirill still doesn't turn around. "I am not sure how to feel about this thing we just did."
    
    *goto post_sex
  #"Please don't go. We still have time."
    "Not much of it." Kirill still doesn't turn around. "And besides, the thing we just did…"
    
    *label post_sex
    
    "What's wrong with it?" you ask concernedly. "I got the impression you enjoyed yourself."
    
    "I did. You were amazing. But I do not know if it was right for me to enjoy this, to… do this in the first place."
    
    Uh oh. "You wonder if you have sinned?"
    
    "I am not wondering, ${name}. Not about that, at least."
    
    You lay there silently, trying to understand him. Assuming you don't understand him already. You hope you don't understand him yet, because if he feels sinful… That cannot mean wonders for this relationship.
    
    "But do not concern yourself with this," Kirill says softly. "It is my problem, my… question to answer. So I will not burden you with anything further. Goodbye."
  *if Confid > 50
    #"You could approach the girls while still smelling of semen. That would be funny."
      "If they knew we had sex, they would never let me live it down," Kirill says with amusement, but his voice grows grimmer quickly. "And maybe they'd be right. Maybe I do not deserve forgiveness for… this act."
      
      *goto post_sex
  #"Very well. Goodbye, Kirill Kosteniuk, and I hope we meet again."
    *if federate_protection
      Kirill doesn't turn around, but somehow, you know he smiles. "We will. That much I can promise you, my love. See you later."
    *else
      "That is my hope too, my love," Kirill says heavily. "And I will pray for it, even if I broke… Goodbye."
  #"Good. Truth be told, an hour of sex is all I ever wanted out of you."
    *achieve audacity
    *set RookRel %- 20
    *set official_ro ""
    There is a pause, a bit, a moment of silence as the revelation sets in. As the hammer hits, as the truth sinks in.
    
    "Wow. I really thought there was something… I didn't think…" Kirill pauses. Maybe he caught himself using a contraction, or maybe he just struggles to process the truth. "Thank you for telling me that. Goodbye."

He then departs, and then you're left alone in his room. Well, not [i]his[/i] room anymore—a vacant room, one of countless empty chambers inside [i]Saturn Nine[/i].

Still, something about staying here feels wrong, so you don't meander about for too long. You get dressed, leave the room and go… somewhere else. You'll figure out where in no time.

*goto love_end


*label rook_plat

"That is… entirely fair. Really, I should be thanking you. You are protecting my virtue, and making our upcoming departure less painful. You are truly an example to be followed."

His words ring hollow, and you both know this. Still, it is nice to know Kirill won't insist, won't start nagging you, won't force you into anything. Not that you feared he'd do that, it's just… Memories.

"But we still have some time left in our hands," Kirill says, breaking the uneasy silence. "Should we spend it together, anyhow?"

*choice
  #"Yes. I just want to enjoy your presence, your company. To enjoy [i]you[/i]."
    *set RookRel %+ 10
    "That is something I can understand." Kirill smiles as he takes your hand, placing it in his. "Even if I hoped to enjoy [i]you[/i] in a different manner."
    
    You spend the next hour together, talking about peaceful things. He tells you of this youth, of the mule pastures he grew up on, of how beautiful Titan was before the war. You tell him of the pictures and recordings saved on your central discs, those of Old Earth and its vast sky, blue like your lover's eyes. Unlike most people, he doesn't mock you or even disbelieve you when he hears that; Earth is where his God was born. He understand it must have been a beautiful place under a splendorous firmament, though this thought saddens him as much as it saddens you.
    
    You part on good terms, when that blissful hour comes to an end. Despite everything connecting you, that bond between the two of you, he still needs to go. All that happened between you was but one mission, and now Kirill… Rook departs for another one, leaving your room and heading for the landing pad.
    
    And then you're left alone. Reminiscing on your own yet again. The only one still looking at the bright-blue sky.
  #"Up for a spar? Some hand-to-hand combat training?"
    *set Violence %+ 5
    *set Build %+ 8
    "Well, I am likely to enter more dangerous situations in the near future…" You can tell you just disappointed Kirill further, but he tries to not let that fact show. "So fine. We can wrestle here if you'd like, or perhaps do some quick boxing."
    
    Wresting proves quite a poor idea, as you're simply stronger than Kirill by the virtue of being a robot. 
    *if Build < 40
      Not by much, he's quite superhuman himself, but the edge is still noticeable and hard to counter. 
    And it's not like you can get bruised or injured the way Kirill can, so he definitely has more to lose.
    
    After a few rounds of wrestling, you instead find some detached pipes and spar with those, in a sort of parody of fencing, using the thick things as replacement for swords. 
    *if (Build + Calculation) > 90
      You still have the advantage and you still win most rounds, but Kirill gets to show off too. 
    *else
      That competition is more even, more fair, as disarming Kirill proves to be very difficult. 
    He has some experience with melee weapons, and a sort of finesse that wasn't noticeable until now, only apparent now that he's out of his heavy, burdensome armor.
    
    It's fun, or at the very least harmless enough. Not the worst way to spend the last hour you have with your boyfriend. You are both sad when that hour comes to an end, as the Meta Trio has to depart. Both of you know that you could probably get away with dragging it all out for another hour, maybe even two… but you also know it would make the eventual parting all the more painful.
    
    And so Kirill puts away his pipe. He praises your skill, thanks you for the spars, thanks you for everything… and then leaves. You almost reach out to him, almost ask him for one more kiss… but again, that would only hurt you more. Hurt both of you.
    
    Though you feel a little hurt anyway, when you're left alone at last.
  #"I suggest a game of chess. Or two."
    "Well, I have a chessboard and at least two hours to kill," Kirill says with a shrug. "So let me fetch it, and then we shall play. Dibs on the white pieces for the first game."
    
    You end up playing several game, but they all feel… lifeless. You'd be capable of beating Kirill each and every time because he's not really trying, doesn't put his heart into the game. He opens with E4 as white, counters with E5 as black. Boring, standard, simple to a fault.
    
    But you don't feel like trying hard either, so you just go for equal exchanges each time until the game ends with a draw. Several times over. Pretending you care at all is a game within a game, and you're almost happy when it's over. When Kirill stands up from the table, says his goodbyes and leaves you alone.
    
    Hopefully not forever, but… you know how it is.
  *if master = "Jesus"
    #"Let's just pray together. Thank the Lord we're both still alive."
      "Right." Kirill sounds strangely unenthusiastic. "Thank the Lord I am alive. And that I am kept safe from temptations."
      
      You both kneel down and pray, but only do so briefly. Both of you quickly realize that there's not much to be grateful for, not in this situation and not in a world like the one you live in. Even the fact of being alive is difficult to thank for, in this day and age. And so Kirill stands up after a quarter, thanks you 'for everything' and departs, perhaps never to be seen again.
      
      You're not sure if you did something wrong. You're not sure if you [i]can[/i] do something wrong while choosing to revere God like that. But not counting His providence, and the ever-present Holy Spirit… you are left alone.
  #"No. I'd rather be alone, if you don't mind."
    *set RookRel %- 10
    "I must confess, I do mind a little," Kirill says while turning away. "But I suppose I understand. I will not take any more of your precious time. Goodbye."
    
    He then walks away, through the door and onto the corridor, then towards his room. The part of the fortress his team occupies, or has occupied until very recently.
    
    You sigh. You should have expected it would end like this, with him feeling rejected and you feeling alone, but Kirill was right. It will make his upcoming departure somewhat less painful.


*goto love_end



*label renfri_love

*set visitor "marshal"

You hear a loud bang, so violent and so close-by it instantly forces you to snap out of it. It sounds like someone is ramming your door open, or at least knocking at it very desperately. Naturally, you rush to open it, eager and somewhat scared to find out what's on the other side.

Naturally, it's not what you'd expect.

"Hi love," Renfri says with a slight smile. She's wearing her everyday tunic and sandals, though your attention is more attracted by the bump on her head. "Can I come in?"

"Sure, but…" You put two and two together as the Kinnari enters your room. "Did you seriously just head-butt the door?"

"It's not like I have hands to knock with. Human gestures can be difficult to perform when you're avian."

*fake_choice
  #"You're gonna die from head trauma one day."
    "You gotta die from something." Renfri imitates a shrug, another awkward human gesture. 
    *if crystal_stat = 3
      "And right now… I admit to kinda wanting to die. Or at least to get knocked out."
    *else
      "Besides… I'll probably get lynched by an angry mob before head trauma can get me."
  #"You could have just kicked the door instead."
    "With those shoes, it would have hurt just as much." Renfri flexes her exposed toes. "And besides… may head trauma will help me forget all the drivel I just listened to."
  #"Then why do you feel a need to perform those gestures?"
    "I'm not perfectly sure," Renfri admits. "Frankly… I'm not really sure of anything right now."
  #"You are human, Renfri. Unlike me."
    "Only part human," Renfri insists. "A part I'm kinda ashamed of right now. You know, considering what kind of radio humans like to listen to."

You remember the broadcast you've just listened to, 
*if crystal_stat = 3
  an epic saga about the glory of Kirill Kosteniuk, and absolutely nobody else. 
*else
  all the slander thrown your girlfriend's way. 
You wonder if you should bring it up, to dwell on the subject as… sensitive as that.

*temp phrase "In any case…"

*fake_choice
  #"I listened to the broadcast too. Almost smashed the radio as well."
    *set phrase "You and I..."
    Despite everything, Renfri chuckles. "Right. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who… got angry about that."
    
    "It's not just the two of us either," you point out. "I bet Lisa is furious, and I don't think Kirill is terribly happy about the news either."
    
    "Maybe you're right, but… I don't want to talk about them. They're not important not as much as…"
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #"Lighten up, Renfri. Who cares about glory anyway?"
      *set RenfriRel %- 8
      "It's not just about glory," your girlfriend huffs. "It's about credit me and you both deserve. Far more than Kirill does."
  *if crystal_stat != 3
    #"Want me to kill Kirill for you? Or at the very least punch him?"
      "I don't think it's his fault." Renfri sighs deeply. "He didn't order that broadcast. Kirill is many things, and 'infuriating' may be one of these things sometimes, but he wouldn't just stab me in the wing like that."
    #"It's my fault for letting Crystal live. I'm so sorry."
      *set Confid %- 8
      *set phrase "You and I..."
      "It kinda was," Renfri smiles bitterly. "But I'm willing to forgive it. Because of what we share."
  #"Who do you think it was? Who ordered that broadcast?"
    "Cloud if I knew." Renfri sighs deeply. "Probably someone I've never met, some random high-command asshole who hates the Kinnaris, or maybe Uranians in general. Not West, or at least I hope not."
  #"So... do you wanna talk about it?"
    "Not particularly," Renfri murmurs. "I mean, it feels like I need to talk about it, like it's something I really need to get off my chest… but I don't want to."
  #"Why did you come here? And is it really worth a concussion?"
    *set phrase "I was just thinking..."
  #Say nothing.
    *set phrase "I've been thinking..."

*if room_look = 1
  She looks around the room, as though searching for something to kick, but there is nothing. Your room is as empty as your heart. 
*if room_look = 2
  She kicks a pillow that fell of your bed, evidently deciding it belongs in the corner. 
*if room_look = 3
  She kicks a box of tools you have lying around, as though head trauma isn't enough for her anymore. 
*if room_look = 4
  She lightly kicks a plushie you have lying around, as though the toy unicorn hurt her greatly. 
"${phrase} It seems like we must say our goodbyes. My team is getting reassigned to Rhea, and we're leaving in about three hours. I'll try to visit you sometime, 
*if federate_protection
  return to this station one day, 
*else
  wherever you end up going, 
but… It may take a while."

*fake_choice
  #"If you ever get bored of following orders... there's a place for you here."
    *set RenfriRel %+ 12
    Her eyes widen. There is surprise there, but luckily no anger. "Are you saying I should go rogue? Defect from the Federation and join your little group."
    
    Yes. "I'm saying it's an option. We have three organic creatures here already, none of which has your talents. You'd be welcome here."
    
    "I know, but…" She presses her lips together tightly before resuming. "I can't. I can't just throw everything away like that. Not even now, not even for you."
    
    But of course. Though mistreated by her superiors, though having grown over the past several weeks, Renfri is still a federate loyalist. She hasn't really learned what that entails, not yet. 
  *if federate_protection
    #"Well, know that the door is always open for you."
      *set RenfriRel %+ 8
      "I don't know if your fellow outcasts would agree," Renfri murmurs doubtfully. "But thanks."
  *if not (federate_protection)
    #"I'm sorry I fucked this up. Our mission, our deal, our... everything."
      *set Confid %- 8
      "Hey, it's not [i]all[/i] your fault," Renfri tells you. "I would have been recalled even if you did manage to slay Crystal. It's just… how it has to be, I guess."
  #"You're being recalled to Rhea? Why there?"
    "There's some social upheaval, protests and riots and everything… but let's not talk about that right now," Renfri says with a shake of her head. "Not when we can still avoid it."
  #"How long of a while are we talking about?"
    "Well, we will be dispersing riots for weeks, so no less than a month," Renfri says sadly. "If something more serious happens, if some terrorists attack or another wyvern shows up, and if we fail to handle it…"
    
    Then you'll be waiting forever. Your girlfriend will die, and it will take you many days and weeks to even learn about it. You'll never see her again, and she'll never see you.
  #Hang your head. Say nothing.
    "I feel the same way." Renfri understands you, even as no words are said. "It sucks, but… that's just how it has to be."

She steps closer, close enough for you to see the slight makeup on her face, the concealer and the subtle eyeshadow. It's probably just to make herself presentable, to hide the bags that must be forming under her eyes right now… but it still flatters you, to know she made that effort before coming here.

"I was thinking…" She looks up at you, curious and hopeful. "Maybe we should make the absolute best of what little time we have. Ruffle some feathers, break a sweat… you know what I mean."

You do. The thought did cross your mind too, almost the moment she walked in here. It's only natural that she wants it, that she wishes to cross another line before it's too late. It almost feels natural for you to share that desire… but do you?

*label renfri_sex1
*set phrase "do"

*choice
  #"Sure. I want us to hit the bed together, right here and now."
    "Great!" Renfri exclaims with a smile. She then, to a bit of your surprise, turns towards your room's door. "But maybe let's not do that [i]literally[/i] here and now. My bed is larger, and quite comfortable at that. We'll have nicer time hitting it."
  #"Of course I ${phrase}. I was afraid you'd never ask."
    "Putting that burden of me, huh?" The broad smile on Renfri's face shows she's not really upset. In fact, she looks rather happy as she turns back towards the door. "Let's go to my room, okay? I've got a nice setup for that sort of thing ready."
  #"No, I am... I'm not really into sex. I never pictured our relationship like that."
    *set RenfriRel %- 10
    "Oh." Her face falls instantly. "Not gonna lie, that complicates things a little, but fine. We can keep things sexless, our relationship is about to become long-distance anyway."
    
    *goto renfri_plat
  #"I'm really not in the mood right now. Sorry."
    *set RenfriRel %- 5
    "Oh." She doesn't quite manage to hide her frown. "I mean, that's perfectly valid. 
    *label duck_speak
    I'm not gonna force you into anything, I'm some some filthy duck. Just a Kinnari who got a little too hopeful."
    
    *goto renfri_plat
  *disable_reuse #"Just like that? Come on little bird, sing me a song first."
    "I'm pretty sure that's something [i]male[/i] birds do," she points out. "Mating calls are not my thing."
    
    "Come on, I'm sure you'd be a great singer," you reassure her. "If you just tried…"
    
    "I'm trying something else now," Renfri chuckles. "Do you want to try too? Please, I need to know."
    
    *goto renfri_sex1
  *disable_reuse #"Are you sure [i]you[/i] want this? It may make our... parting even more painful."
    *set phrase "am"
    "You know…" Renfri bites her lip. "If I were a fan of poetry, I'd say something poignant right now. Something about how flowers and birds don't last long either, and how because of that you should smile that it happened rather than cry because it's over… all that sentimental stuff."
    
    "But you're not a poet," you point out the obvious. "So what [i]do[/i] you want to say?"
    
    "Honestly? That I want to fuck you right here and now." Her lips curl into a frisky smile. "It may sound vulgar, but so is the thing I'm offering. Are you interested or not?"
    
    *goto renfri_sex1

You smile back, then follow. Your little room really isn't the best place for two gals to make love, not least because of the charging pod and its connection to the network. A network that houses Manfred—you're not letting that piece of malware see what's about to transpire.

*page_break

You're not sure what you've expected when you agreed to have lesbian sex with a Kinnari.

Probably the same thing you're used to, after all these trysts you've had with humans and abhumans. Mostly normal sex, the kind of you were designed for, with minor troubles resulting from your mechanical nature and potential size differences. But with Renfri, things are a little weirder.

The first oddity, however predictable in retrospect, is the time it takes to get your partner undressed. Renfri may be wearing a very simple tunic, but the lack of arms and the sheer size of her wings complicates things considerably. You feel a new kind of respect for her kind as you help the Kinnari take off her clothes, eager to finally begin the intercourse.

The feeling gets stronger when you see her naked, exposed both to the room's warm air and your optics. If you expected there'd be some avian traits other than wings somewhere on her body, or that she'd be covered in scars like her friend, you are now surprised by the sheer perfection of her toned body. The shape of her breasts, the smoothness of her skin, the strength of her thighs are all astounding, not human as much as superhuman in their fullness.

You give her the same courtesy, taking off your clothes and throwing them on hers, and then you finally hit the bed. It is indeed pretty comfortable, as cozy as the rest of the room. It is decorated with paintings of all sorts, this otherwise normal chamber, and the stains of paint on the floor add a certain character to the place. Some lived-in quality, a proof it belongs to the person you love.

*if not (visited_renfri)
  You didn't know she was a painter. Just another thing you need to ask about, some day in what sadly will be far future.

But that's difficult to think about now. You are mating, and so your partner occupies all of your mind and all of your soul. For at this moment, possibly more than ever, you're absolutely sure you have both.

*page_break

The second oddity, perhaps an issue, is how passive a lover Renfri is. You realize that as the two of you enter her wide bed, though it's a fairly obvious thing in retrospect.

Your partner doesn't have arms or fingers, which limits her options significantly. Additionally, for all her usual bravado, she seems rather submissive when it comes to sex, quite willing to let you dictate the pace and decide on the course.

*fake_choice
  #I'll keep things mild and safe. There's no need for penetration.
    You 
    *label peace_sex
    keep it safe, in the area some would not consider actual sex. There's just cuddling, caressing, playing with one another's nipples… But there is also arousal, and that's all which matters.
  #That's fine. I'll focus on pleasuring her with my fingers.
    You give, she receives. Perhaps it's not the fairest of deals, but you don't mind much—her touch is enough to arouse you, her presence enough to intoxicate, her love enough to live for.
  #I'll encourage her to use her tongue, as I will use mine.
    You can get much utility out of this little body part, and you're both pretty good at using it. Which surprises you somewhat—you're not sure where Renfri managed to get the experience—but it's not like you're going to complain as you feel her tongue against your nipple.
  #I'll take one of Renfri's feathers and use it to pleasure her.
    You take her aback, and she yelps as you rip a feather off. Even afterwards, she's not entirely on board with the idea—how does one use a [i]feather[/i] during sex like this?
    
    You show her quickly enough. Your dexterity is impressive, as is your knowledge of pleasure spots. You please Renfri well enough, and even explain how she can use her feathers to that purpose herself. Knowledge she soon makes use of.
  #I will spice things up. See if Renfri is into spanking.
    With her permission, you smack her right in the butt, with more strength that you would use against an ordinary human. After a moment of deliberation, Renfri smacks you in the back with one of her wings. Or rather smacks your [i]entire[/i] back, with enough force to lift a person off the ground, which is what her wings are for.
    
    The point is taken. You're not winning that fight, and you should probably not try.
    
    From that point on, you 
    *goto peace_sex

It's difficult to tell how long this intercourse lasts, how much time you spend in this land… in this aerial expanse of pleasure. You could look at your internal clock and figure that out, but you simply don't want to. You want to pretend that you will never get up from this bed, that the caramel wings wrapped around you will never unravel, that this moment will somehow last forever.

*set sexed_now true
*set battery - 10
*set sex_count + 1
*if sex_count >= 3
  *achieve cassanova

It does not last forever.

*page_break

"Can you help me dress?" Renfri asks as she leaves your side and stands up. If you had to take a guess, you'd say the two of you were at it for at least an hour. "I'd shower first, but we really don't have that kind of time."

*fake_choice
  #"Come on, we must have at least a few more minutes."
    "And how much can we do during these minutes, exactly?" Renfri retorts. "Better help me arrive to my team meeting on time."
    
    Obediently, 
  #"Because your team is leaving."
    "Because my team is leaving." Because she's leaving. Possibly forever. "In maybe half an hour. So please help."
    
    Somewhat reluctantly, 
  #"Do we even have showers around here? I don't remember turning the water on."
    "Thank you for making me feel better about my poor hygiene." Renfri rolls her brown eyes. "Now please help me."
    
    Obediently, 
  #Stand up and help her.
    Wordlessly, 
you help your girlfriend with putting her clothes back on. Then do the same with your own clothing in a fraction of the time, though these seconds are more than enough for Renfri to take a quick look at the dull mirror and approach the door.

"I suppose this will be our goodbye," she says morosely. "Maybe not forever, I promise that I will try to 
*if federate_protection
  visit this place sometime, 
*else
  find you, 
but… it may take a while."

"Should I accompany you to the cutter?" you make an offer. "That way, we can put off having to say goodbye. And I'll be able to say my farewell to your teammates too."

"I'd really rather not," Renfri quickly replies. "You'd just have to sit through twenty minutes of Kirill outlining our exit plan. Better for us to part ways now."

It feels like rejection. Maybe it shouldn't, you shouldn't think of your girlfriend so lowly… but it really does.

*fake_choice
  #"Right. The sooner we get it over with, the better."
    "I'm glad you understand," Renfri sighs as she puts on her shoes. "And I'm grateful. For everything."
    
  #"You don't need to push me away, Renfri."
    "I'm not pushing, it's just…" 
    *label lip_bite
    *set RenfriRel %- 8
    Renfri bites her lip. "Having to say goodbye to you… It's painful. One of the worst things I ever had to do. I'd rather rip the bandage clean off, and quick."
    
    "Ah." You hang your head. "That's fair. I may not agree… but I see why you wouldn't want any more pain."
    
    "Thank you." 
  #"Just like that? You'll just leave, now that you got the fling you wanted?"
    "It's not like that! I mean…" 
    *goto lip_bite
  #Say nothing.
    You say nothing. She says nothing. Almost as though there's nothing to say.
    
She focuses what remains of her power to telekinetically open the door. "I'm leaving the paintings and the supplies behind, it's not like I can bring them to Rhea. It would break too many regulations. Besides… you might want to paint something yourself, one day."

*fake_choice
  *if visited_renfri
    #"At least take the one of your Emperor. It may help you."
      Renfri arches a brow. "You think the Emperor will look at me more kindly because I have a picture of him?"
      
      "No. But it will keep your morale up." You take the dry canvas, carefully take it off the stand and hand it to Renfri. "And trust me, that's a very important thing out there."
      
      She accepts the painting. "Well, you do have centuries of wisdom to call upon. I will heed your advice, and remember it wherever I go. Farewell, ${name}." 
  #"How much blue paint is there in the supplies?"
    "Not much. Blue dyes are expensive, especially in black market products." Renfri cocks an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
    
    "No reason." Looks you won't be able to paint a blue sky, to replicate any of these beautiful pictures from the depths of your memory. Shame. 
    *label farewell
    "Farewell, Renfri. And good luck, whatever trouble you find yourself in next."
    
    "Same to you, android." She smiles bitterly, yet warmly. "Same to you."
  #"Want me to paint a picture of you?"
    "It's not like I'll ever end up seeing it…" Renfri realizes what she's implying. "But sure. I will appreciate the gesture."
    
    "Then I will perform it, assuming I can find enough brown paint." You force a smile onto your face. 
    *goto farewell
  #"I promise I will. It sounds like a great hobby."
    Renfri shakes her head. "It's more than a hobby. Art is something more ethereal, a way for a human… for a soul to express itself. I'm sure you'll find it wonderful."
    
    "As am I." You nod, forgiving the [i]faux pas[/i]. 
    *goto farewell
  #Say nothing.
    *set RenfriRel %- 8
    "Silent treatment?" She smiles bitterly. "I guess I understand. I guess I kinda deserve it. Farewell."

She walks away, presumably headed for [i]Gray Queen[/i] already. Her teammates may well be there already. Ready to depart, much unlike you.

Some minute later, you too leave Renfri's room… the room. You don't have anywhere to go yourself, but you'd really like to be somewhere else.

*goto love_end

*label renfri_plat

She looks around the room awkwardly, scanning it with her almond eyes. "So… What would you like to do instead? Or do you want me to just stop babbling and leave you alone already?"

*fake_choice
  *if visited_renfri
    #"Can you teach me how to paint? Better yet, how to paint with my mouth?"
      She shakes her head. "Actually teaching you would take a lot of time, and I don't even have enough time to bring my supplies here. But if you want a theoretical lecture… I'd be willing to do that instead."
      
      "Then do it." You sit down on the floor, legs crossed. "Give me a lecture. I'll listen gladly."
      
      Renfri is all too happy to oblige. She tells you about cold and warm colors, about the types of paint, about contours and aquarelles and brush sizes. She doesn't have an actual brush on hand, or on wing for that matter, but she finds an old ink pencil and uses it to demonstrate how to hold such a tool with one's lips.
      
      She even knows a little about the history of art. Not much, names such as [i]Leonardo da Vinci[/i] or [i]Pablo Picasso[/i] are long forgotten, but she can tell you about the know painters of Venus, as well as the pioneers of Uranian sacral art. She doesn't know any [i]recent[/i] famous artists, but that's also to be expected; Art is largely dead nowadays, after all.
      
      You are reminded of how cruel the world is nowadays, and then reminded of it again when Renfri finally has to leave. Hopefully not forever, but again… the world is a cruel place.
  #"Can we just... talk? Cuddle and chat together?"
    "Not the worst idea I've ever heard," she says, sitting down on the edge of your 
    *if (room_look modulo 2) = 1
      charging pod. 
    *if (room_look modulo 2) = 0
      bed. 
    "Assuming you have something interesting to talk about."
    
    You do. You tell her about Old Earth, about that place you've never been to but which is still documented in the oldest of your files. You tell her of the sky, boundless and blue, and that the Sun didn't seem to be smiling with eternal malice back then. You tell her of the clouds, white and natural, consisting of water rather than acid. You tell her of the era when life wasn't all that horrible, of the Age of Light, of the times before the world went mad. Of the times when humans were happy.
    
    She asks you whether you were happy, back then. You do not answer.
    
    After that, the conversation becomes cumbersome and awkward. Part of you is relieved when, about an hour later, Renfri finally has to leave and says her final goodbyes. A much larger part of you is sad to see her go… but that's just life nowadays.
  #"I'm sorry Renfri, I... Can I do something else for you, perhaps?"
    *set RenfriRel %+ 20
    "Hey, I told you it's fine." Renfri pauses for a moment. "Although if you're offering… You could try preening me. My wings have been itching recently."
    
    "Huh. I guess it can be a problem for a bird without a beak." You start looking around the room. "Alright, let me help you scratch [i]that[/i] particular itch."
    
    Using a blunt knife you luckily had lying around, you proceed to preen your girlfriend's wings. You scrape away at the caramel feathers, those with waxy sheathes rather ones with blood inside them, cleaning the plumage and interlocking the barbules. You reposition the healthy feathers, open the sheathes on the rest, and litter your room's floor with dried skin.
    
    You wouldn't call it the most romantic thing you've ever done, but Renfri doesn't seem to share your concerns. She has avian instincts, she finds such an activity an endearing mating ritual. Just a normal thing partners do for one another. Just another thing you've signed up for.
    
    Once you absolutely need to part, about an hour later, she thanks you quite enthusiastically. She feels cleaner, less overheated, and free of any ectoparasites she may have had. But her smile disappears when she has to say her goodbyes, and then you reply in kind, and then she's gone.
    
    Hopefully not forever, but… you know how it is. It's hard to be an optimist at your age.
  #"Yeah, I do want to be alone. Please leave."
    *set RenfriRel %- 10
    "I will respect your wish," Renfri says as she walks towards the door, then out of your room. "Even if I don't understand it."
    
    She really does. She departs, leaving the chamber behind and leaving you alone. Just like you requested, just like you wanted. It doesn't make you happy, but then again… what does, nowadays?"

*goto love_end



*label lisa_love

*set visitor "lisa"

You hear someone oddly knocking at your door. The sounds of fists hitting metal are quiet at first, but they quickly get loud and aggressive for no apparent reason. It sounds like some really impatient guest, and so you don't let wait long before opening the door.

On the other side, you see no other than your newly-acquired werewolf girlfriend. She's not wearing her usual hoodie—it's just a grey shirt and sweatpants this time—but she looks a little sweaty despite lacking that layer of clothing.

"Android pal!" She says cheerfully as she enters your room. "I see you're still alive. I was a little worried when you secluded yourself like you did, but I guess you had your reasons. I'm not saying you didn't, of course."

*choice
  #"Hi Lisa. Care to tell what brings you here?"
  *if crystal_stat != 3
    #"I was just really sorry about letting Crystal live. And I still am."
      "Eh, don't worry about it," Lisa waves off your concern. "I never cared about that mission much, and I know you had tough calls to make. It sucks to see Renfri upset, sure, but I don't think you need to apologize."
      
      "Okay then…" You sigh with some relief. It's silly, since you [i]knew[/i] Lisa wasn't angry with you, but still meant a lot to hear her say that. "What do you wish to talk about, then?"
  #"I just wasn't feeling so well. Memories, you understand."
    Lisa grimes. "Well that sucks. I'm sorry you had to go through this again. And I guess you're not in the mood for… you know…"
    
    "I do not know." Though you have your suspicions. "Care to explain?"
  #"Lisa! I was afraid your team departed already."
    "We will be, in just a few hours. Our team is getting reassigned to Rhea, you see." Lisa frowns very briefly, quickly replacing the expression with a smile. "I can't change that, but I'd never leave without paying you a visit first. In fact… I had the idea of making this day a little bit special, for the two of us I mean."
    
    *goto small_skip

  #"Android pal? I thought we were way past that point. That I'm a bit more to you."
    "Of course!" She says remarkably quickly. "You are my boyfriend, ${name}, and I totally love you. I was just being nostalgic, using an old nickname like that, you know?"
    
    "Alright. I guess that makes sense." You're not sure if it does, but whatever. "So did you come here to reminisce? Want us to talk about all the good times we had?"
    
    "Nah. I'm not that sentimental. Don't think I am, because I'm not."
    
    You spend the next few seconds looking at one another. Without blinking.
    
    "Alright…" you say again. "So what [i]are[/i] you here for?"
  #"Lisa, you're... really talkative today."
    "Am I?" Lisa sounds almost fearful, though that quickly goes away. Or at least gets hidden. "Well, it's probably because I'm tired of silence, and that's what you'll find on our side of the fortress. Kirill and Renfri are giving each other silent treatment after the argument they had earlier."
    
    "Was it about the broadcast?" you ask, earning a nod in response. "Should have figured. I did hear something that sounded kinda
    
    "Alright. What do you wish to talk about instead?"

"Well, you see…" She glances away very briefly. "I am leaving soon. Our team is getting reassigned to Rhea, and you can bet Kirill will drag me there if he has to. This is probably the last day we'll get to spend together for a long, long time. I decided to make it a special one."

*label small_skip

You can't help but smile a little. "In the way I'm thinking of?"

"Depends. Are you thinking about…" Lisa desperately tries to remember some euphemisms. "Doing it? Bumping uglies? Shaking sheets? Yentzing? Wait no, that one implies cheating, which I'm absolutely not condoning."

*fake_choice
  #"You can just say [i]sex[/i], you know? We're both adults here."
    "Well of course we are," Lisa says quickly. "I mean sure, there's an age gap of over nine centuries between us, but don't let that deter you. I'm mature for my age, perfectly willing to get… to have sex with you."
  #"You sure? We could invite another person, if you want to."
    "I can't think of anyone who'd be willing," Lisa says with a wince. "Renfri is not into you, Kirill is not into me, and I'm not really into either."
    
    *if (HadalyRel <= DamonRel)
      "You seem into Damon though." You try not to sound jealous. "If you really want to…"
      
      "Nah, I wouldn't do that to you. The things I [i]would[/i] like to do to you are, you know, better done in private."
    *else
      "Well, what about Hadaly? She may well be into threesomes, and she seems to like you well enough."
      
      "But I'm not into girl-on-girl action much." She shakes her head quite decisively. "Besides… I kinda worry she'd outshine me. I'd rather keep this between us."
  #"Out of curiosity... Would that be your first time?"
    "My first time?" Lisa feigns offense. "What, do you think I'm some blushing virgin?"
    
    "That's not exactly a [i]no[/i] I'm hearing right now," you point out. "Which I guess makes sense, given your history."
    
    Your girlfriend looks away. "Okay… Maybe I haven't been around the block too many times. But not because I'm a prude or anything. In fact, I'm hoping to get some experience right now, start having fun like a beast I am. Both literally and figuratively."
  #"Well... that explains why this shirt hugs your chest so tightly."
    "Staring at my breasts, huh? That's so vulgar of you." Lisa feigns offense, but only for a moment. "That was a joke, by the way. I totally don't mind you staring, it would be kinda stupid of me to mind, given I want to bang you at this instant."
  #"We are moving a bit fast here, wouldn't you say?"
    "I guess?" Lisa shrugs. "But I don't really care, cause… I don't know how much time we have left together. It may be just those few hours ahead of us. And I want to get the best possible use out of that time."
  #"Wow. Your vocabulary is broader than mine, and I have gigabytes of it."
    "Well, I guess that's one of my many skills." She smiles friskily, but only for a brief moment. "Um, I did mean that in a sexual way, but don't your expectations super-high. I'm not ultra-skilled at sex actually, just… moderately so. Still, I'm pretty sure I can show you the good time."

She looks around your room, 
*if room_look = 1
  as though surprised by how empty it is. 
*if room_look = 2
  perhaps impressed by how neat and tidy it is. 
*if room_look = 3
  as though fascinated by your collection of tools and machine elements. 
*if room_look = 4
  as though fascinated by your collection of random items. 
But more likely than that, she's simply reluctant to look at you at the moment.

"But only if you want to, of course," she says, her eyes still averted. "I'm not desperate, I just figured you might be interested. I won't get offended if you're not, I totally get not being… in the mood and all…"

*choice
  #"Oh, don't you worry dear. I am very much in the mood."
    "That makes two of us!" Lisa claps her hands with delight. "Which is all we need. I wasn't planning on assembling a threesome or anything."
  #"I would love that, Lisa. As long as you're in the mood too."
    "Am I!?" Lisa almost jumps from excitement. "I mean, I obviously am. That's why I'm asking. Very much in the mood, no headaches to be felt."
  #"Are you [i]sure[/i] you want this? You sound kinda reluctant."
    "Well… of course I do." She looks at you dismayed, perhaps even hurt. "I picked a millennium-old robot as my first boyfriend, and my first fuck. I think I'm right to be nervous."
    
    "I'm not saying it's wrong to be nervous," you say quietly. "I get it. I just want to know that you're not feeling pressured, or obligated to please me, or-"
    
    "I know what consent is, ${name}, and why it's important. I wouldn't be offering you sex if I wasn't deadly sure what I wanted." She grabs your hand, all of the sudden, her touch soft and warm. "And I [i]am[/i] sure. That I want this, and that I want you. Just tell me if you feel the same."
    
    *choice
      #"Yeah. We're on the same page here."
        She squeezes your hand so tightly it's almost painful. "You have no idea how glad I am to hear that. Like, fucking ecstatic. Which is exactly what I hoped we'd be doing right now."
      #"I'm sorry... I don't think I do."
        *goto lisa_plat
  #"You're right, I'm not in the mood. Sorry."
    *goto lisa_plat
  #"I must refuse. You're making this a bit too weird for my tastes."
    *goto lisa_plat

She stars pacing around the room. She's smiling broadly, but there's still something nervous about the expression, and her face is getting more red by the second. "But let's take it slow, I'm not a dog in heat. I know that safety comes first, and so we must find some protection. I don't have any condoms on me, but there are some pills we can-"

You cough. Or rather pretend you're coughing.

"Right. Android. Forgot about that part." Lisa chuckles. Her cheeks now resemble her hair in terms of color. "Well, I guess we can skip right to the fun part. Or maybe not, maybe we can arrange a comfy bed, 
*if (room_look modulo 2) = 1
  except you don't really have a bed so forget what I said, 
*if (room_look modulo 2) = 0
  except yours is kinda small so maybe let's find some other bed not that I don't like it here, 
and we could maybe get Manfred to play some music except that's a really bad idea now that I think about it…"

You're not sure if you're supposed to interrupt. If it would be more rude than letting your girlfriend ramble on. So you say nothing.

Lisa responds by glancing away, suddenly interested in your room's floor. "…I'm fucking this up, am I not?"

*fake_choice
  #"Not at all. We can keep going if you want."
    "Of course I want, I just…" She rubs the back of her head. "I'm not entirely sure what to do first. Where to begin."
    
    *goto wherever_you
  #"A little. Calm down, then tell me how you want to proceed."
    "…truth be told, I don't really know." She looks at you, expression uncertain. "I mean, I know where I want this to go, I'm aware of how sex works… But I'm not actually sure where I want to start."
    
    *label wherever_you
    
    "Wherever you want." You take a step forward, then place a hand on her shoulder. "Right now, there's nothing that matters to me more than your comfort and pleasure. So tell me what you have in mind."
  #"Hardly. Your embarrassment is a turn-on for me."
    "You're a sick bastard if I've ever seen one." Lisa chuckles again, less nervously this time. "But I don't mind. You can do whatever you want with me."
    
    "Come on now." You take a step forward, then place both hands on her shoulders. "Don't talk like this, don't put yourself after me. Tell me what [i]you[/i] want out of this."
  #"Yeah. I think we should abort the operation right now."
    *goto lisa_plat

"I think… I'd like us to find ourselves a bed." The blush is still there, as is the smile. "As I said, I'm not a wild beast. If I'm about to get pounded, I'd like some pillows under my head."

*page_break

Finding a large bed in a good state takes you a while. There is no shortage of empty rooms on [i]Saturn Nine[/i], but almost all are either unfurnished or decayed. But Miguel likes interior decorations, so you manage to locate a nice room where the two of you won't bother anyone with your moans. 

After time, it's time to undress. You do so with practiced ease, but Lisa is slow, and not because she's trying to make it sensual. She's still nervous, and perhaps… ashamed of her body as she exposes it, taking off her grey shirt and sweatpants.

It's scared. It's not something you haven't know, you have seen Lisa naked before, but only now can you actually focus on it. There are burns, likely electrical in nature, and what looks like an old bullet wound just beneath the ribs. Not all of them are fully faded—there is a red scar on her left breast, seemingly fresh and recent, a deep cut from some unknown source.

You don't care. And not just because you're enamored, or able to see past physical appearance. She's just beautiful, plain and simple, and all the injuries the Federation inflicted upon her do little to change that fact.

And so you…

*fake_choice
  #...wait for her to get undressed.
    You do not rush her, you do not push, you do not show impatience. You just wait until she takes off her underwear, and then the two of you enter the bed together.
  #...help her get naked.
    You untie her bra, since she seems to be struggling with that. She thanks you, with a smile rather than verbally, as you gently lead her towards the bed.
  #...kiss her amorously.
    Your hand on her shoulder, your lips against hers. Both seem to embolden her, as though your touch is enough to restore confidence, or perhaps arouse her enough to forget the nerves and uncertainty. She takes off her underwear and leaves it on the floor as she lies down on the wide bed.
  #...pick her up and carry her to bed.
    You surprise her by picking her up, but not unpleasantly so. She lets you drop her on the bed, then takes off her underwear. If anything, she looks positively emboldened, ready to get started.

You caress your girlfriend, first concerned with getting her comfortable, then with getting her wet. Neither is particularly difficult—you're as experienced as she is eager. And so you proceed further.

*temp lisa_spanked false
*temp lisa_wolf false

*fake_choice
  #I'll proceed slowly and softly. Nothing else would be proper.
    You have time. Not much time, but enough for a proper intercourse, foreplay and stimulation included. Your girlfriend deserves no less.
    
    You stroke her hair, fondle her nipples, massage her back until you feel muscles relax under her scarred skin. She enjoys it, and you hardly mind, intoxicated with your lover's presence and touch. For a moment, you consider not going any further, not entering her at all. You don't wish to cause her any pain, however minor… but that's not what she wants. It's unlike Lisa not to go all out.
    
    You climax when it's time to, when she's relaxed enough and when neither of you can wait. 
    *label climax
    In this wondrous moment of union, you almost feel the same way she does. Like you're doing something new, unprecedented, novel. Like you've never known that pleasure before. Because for all your experience, for all your centuries of life, you cannot recall anything quite like this.
    
    Being one with a person you love. Truly and certainly. No similar memory exists on your disc and nothing else can compare.
  #I'll get a little rougher. Cut straight to the climax.
    It feels a little improper, inconsiderate, overly direct to rush something like this. A waste of all that precious time the two of you still have. But Lisa is anything but proper, and nothing if not rough. She wants this as much as you do, and so you decide against waiting any longer.
    
    You climax almost as soon as you can, penetrating your lover and becoming one with her. 
    *goto climax
  #I'll go ahead and dominate her. Let's see if she enjoys a little pain.
    *set lisa_spanked true
    You're proficient at that sort of thing, but you limit yourself for now. Lisa isn't experienced or clear-headed enough for roleplay, and she could get genuinely distressed if you tried choking or binding her. But you have seen her fight; She can tolerate pain, and you have an inkling she may even enjoy it. Time to test that hypothesis.
    
    You slap your lover's butt, strongly enough for even her to feel the sting, but not enough to leave a mark. When you hear no protest, you repeat the action several times. When you hear her approval, delivered with an aroused smirk, you give her face a slap too.
    
    You hit her about a dozen more times, but not right away. You make it into a feature of your intercourse, something to fear and look forward to at once. You keep her guessing when the next slap will come and where and she picks up on this strange game. She gets pretty good at predicting your moves really fast, turning the right cheek long before you conclude the swing.
    
    This annoys you a little, so you throw her off her game by slapping her right breast. It confuses her momentarily, and you take advantage of that by smacking her butt again. She rewards that triumph by kissing that hand, then the shoulder, and then finally your lips.
    
    When both of her cheeks are a little red, and when the play threatens to become boring, you reward her endurance and enter her body at last. 
    *goto climax
  #I'll ask her to shift for me. Turn lupine.
    *set lisa_wolf true
    "Shift for me," you say, interrupting a moan of hers. "Right now."
    
    "What?" She looks at you in confused haze. "You want me to turn wolf? Here?"
    
    You nod. "Out of your two states, that's the one you're more comfortable with. You even called it your [i]true form[/i] once. So show it."
    
    "I don't have much power left in me…" Lisa says, already growing body hair. "But I guess that's a good use for it."
    
    The muscles grow stronger, the teeth sharper, the claws much longer. Within seconds you are laying in bed with a lupine beast, as fearsome and powerful as when you first saw it, but there's still intelligence behind those grey eyes. There is still love.
    
    And she shows you the extent of it quickly enough.

*page_break

*set sexed_now true
*set sex_count + 1
*if sex_count >= 3
  *achieve cassanova

When she leaves the bed, in what must be two hours later, it comes as an unwelcome surprise. You expected she'd be too tired to get up, too overcome with pleasure to leave your side, or both. But she knows that the time has come.

"Is there something specific I should do right now?" Lisa asks as she puts her underwear back on. 
*if lisa_wolf
  She is back in her human form, as the power ran out halfway through the intercourse. 
"I'll take a shower, but isn't there something else to do after sex? I'd ask Renfri, but it might work differently for lesbians."

*fake_choice
  #"I think a shower will suffice. If you can find a working one, that is."
    Lisa grimaces. "Right. I forgot that only some people in this fortress wash themselves the normal way. I guess a dive into the reactor's coolant pool will suffice."
  #"Just use the toilet while you're at it. Especially since..."
    "Since I'm about to spend most of the day inside a small ship?" she finishes sadly. "Yeah. I think you may have a point."
  #"Make sure to take the morning-after pill. Just to be safe."
    *set LisaRel %+ 10
    "I'm never living that down, am I?" Lisa smiles demurely. "At least I won't embarrass myself like that again. I'm no longer a blushing virgin, after all."
  *if lisa_spanked
    #"Depends. Are you sure i haven't bruised you by accident?"
      *set LisaRel %+ 10
      "You think I can't take a little spanking?" Lisa smirks. "Thanks for the concern, but I'm more than fine."
  #"Have you considered staying with me a bit longer?"
    Lisa pouts. "Of course I did. There is little in this world that I'd want more. But I'm not exactly a free woman."
  #Say nothing.
    Lisa pouts slightly. "Right. You don't have the same needs organic creatures do. I'll figure it out myself, I guess."

She tucks the remaining clothes under her arm. "So… I guess this is where we say goodbye. My team will be in space less than an hour from now, in Rhea by the day's end. I hope we'll see one another again, but…"

*if Confid > 50
  "We will," you reassure her. "If you can't get in touch with me, I will. I'll find you in Rhea, or wherever else you end up going, somehow."
  
  "I envy your confidence," Lisa remarks. "I mean, you're welcome to try… But it's not exactly safe to be dating someone with a bomb in her heart."
*else
  "But we likely never will," you finish. It feels too cruel to be true, too horrible to be stated so casually… But it's not like there's anything you can do to change the dismal fact.
  
  "It may be for the best, really," Lisa says morosely. "It's not safe to be dating someone with a bomb in her heart. You don't want to get hit by any shrapnel, or dirtied by all the blood."

*fake_choice
  #"Do you think Da-xia will actually do it? Or that Kirill will?"
    "Blow me up?" Lisa taps her chin. "I don't think either of them will. Rook isn't [i]that[/i] bad, and the bitch is too far away to send precise radio signals. She'll probably stay away too, it's not like I'll ever visit Calypso again."
    
    You frown. "Okay… So why did you bring that up?"
    
    "That's something we humans sometimes call [i]humor[/i]. It helps in sad and dark moments… such as parting with someone you love."
  *if Confid <= 50
    #"Well... I won't mind if you find yourself someone else."
      "I don't think I will, at least not anytime soon." Your girlfriend smiles poignantly. "You're special to me, for better or worse. And it's not like I have many guys to pick from."
  *if Confid > 50
    #"I hate to say it, but... you might be right."
      *set Confid 50
      "I hate to say that, but I am. Still, I don't regret a single thing, a single moment we've spent together. I'm grateful for them all."
    #"And that's supposed to stop me? You know how I feel about danger."
      "Ignore it at best, seek it out at worst." Lisa smiles faintly. "I guess you're right. I will look forward to seeing you again, even if it seems unlikely."
  #"That bomb... Can we maybe do something about it?"
    "Like what?" Lisa looks at you curiously. "What do you have in mind?"
    
    "I don't know, a cardiac surgery? If you think that's too invasive, we can just try disabling-"
    
    She interrupts you with laughter. A hearty, amused giggle. "Yeah, that's… That's actually a great idea. Just get one of your friends to dig the little thing out of my heart. Would have been a great idea weeks ago, when I still had enough power to transform and regenerate."
    
    You frown. "I'm trying to help you, Lisa. Keep you from getting blown up."
    
    "And I appreciate it. Still, I don't think you should worry about me. I promise I'll be fine."
  #"You're right. We should end it right there, start seeing other people."
    *set official_ro ""
    *set LisaRel %- 10
    Lisa frowns deeply. "You know… That's really not what I hoped you'd say."
    
    You shrug. "Well, what were you hoping for? You explained the situation yourself. We can't stay together, whether we'd like to or not."
    
    "I guess I was hoping for something romantic. Some silly declaration of love unbound by space and time, that will survive everything and…" She hangs her head low. "And I guess I'm just an idiot. Sorry."

She shudders a little as she steps through the doorstep. "Tell your friends I said goodbye, and that I will miss them. They're not a bad bunch at all, except perhaps the huge spider thing. Tell them I enjoyed the time we've spent together, or at least some of it."

You nod gravely. "I will. 
*if Confid > 50
  See you later, 
*else
  Goodbye, 
Lisa."

"Same to you, android pal." She steals a glance towards you one more time, then disappears behind the corner. 
*if Confid > 50
  "See you later."
*else
  "Goodbye."

And just like that, she is gone. You are alone, in this empty and alien room, one she will always remember fondly. You couldn't have hoped for a better ending… But the sting is still there.


*goto love_end

*label lisa_plat

"Oh." She still won't meet you in the eye, but her voice expresses disappointment well enough. As well as something else. "Like I said, that's fair, I didn't even want it that much. If I did, I'd have done a better job… not being weird about it."

"Lisa…" You feel a need to reassure her. "Don't beat yourself over it, it's not-"

"It's not something I'll beat myself over," she interrupts. "It's fine, just… tell me if you need me for something else. Or if you'd like me to get packing already."

*fake_choice
  #"Can we just... talk? Or even just sit here and be together?"
    "Need some emotional support? Lisa smiles again, relaxing visibly. "Help with all the stuff bothering you recently?"
    
    "Maybe." You wince slightly, remembering all the things which have been bothering you recently. "If you're willing to provide it, that is."
    
    "Of course I am. That's what we canines are for, right?" She sits down on the edge of your 
    *if (room_look modulo 2) = 1
      charging pod, 
    *if (room_look modulo 2) = 0
      bed, 
    gently dragging you there as well. "Tell me what's on your mind, android pal."
    
    You tell her. You tell her of your flashbacks, how long have you suffered from them and how they seem to be getting more frequent. How you're struggling to tell the difference between the past, the future and the present. How none of these items looks particularly appealing at the moment.
    
    She understands. She knows how it feels when your body seems to be breaking, when visions of divinity infect your mind, when you're changing in all the unwelcome ways. She then tells you how it felt, back then in Calypso, to be hunted down for what you had no say in becoming. And you understand her in turn.
    
    Eventually, you get tired of talking about dismal things. You turn to happy things, or at least whatever semblance of those you can find. The color of the sky back on Old Earth, the quality of street food in Calypso, the few moments of levity you shared during your recent adventure. Those rare light spots in a world of darkness.
    
    After an hour, you feel somewhat happier, and even a little healthier. But in another hour, it is time for Lisa to leave. You say your goodbyes, hoping they're not final, then sit alone for what feels like yet another hour.
    
    Eventually, you decide to stretch your legs. They don't really need stretching, you don't exactly have muscles… but you do have a mind, and you need to keep it occupied somehow.
  #"Well... Would you like to play fetch instead?"
    *achieve fetch
    "Part of me is offended by the suggestion," Lisa says with a puzzled expression. "But another part of me yearns for fun. And playing fetch [i]is[/i] a form of fun, I guess."
    
    You smirk. "And which part is winning?"
    
    "I'm not sure, so let's go for a compromise." She extends a hand towards you. "We take turns throwing and fetching. And do an even number of rounds. And I'm throwing first."
    
    You shake her hand. "Deal. Now let's find something to throw."
    
    You do find a suitable piece of metal easily enough. Finding a chamber large enough to play fetch is harder—you don't want to play on the landing pad, that would be a little dangerous—but the fortress has some really wide corridors. You take turns throwing the rusty pipe towards the corridor's other end and watching the other person chase after the thing. It's surprisingly fun in its simplicity.
    
    Embarrassingly, Lisa is much better at fetching than you are, even in her human form. Perhaps it's instinctual, or perhaps she had some practice already. Even once you start purposefully challenging her, throwing the pipe fast and in tricky ways, she consistently manages to catch the piece of metal before it hits the ground. Truly monumental, that.
    
    The game goes on for longer than it reasonably should. It's highly repetitive and dominated by one person, it really shouldn't be fun… but it is. And when it ends, when Lisa has to depart and join her teammates, you feel mighty sad. Though the fact that she's about to leave the station and possibly never see you again… It [i]does[/i] contribute to that feeling of loss too.
    
    Ain't that a bitch?
  #"I think you should leave. You're clearly not comfortable here."
    "Yeah… I guess I'm not." Lisa sighs, then marches towards the door. "It's not your fault, by the way, I'm just… Goodbye."
    
    She then walks away, or perhaps runs away from you and your room. You don't imagine you'll see her again anytime soon, and you're not sure she'll even [i]want[/i] to see you again after… this.
    
    You sigh. This encounter could certainly have gone better, but not by much. Lisa clearly wasn't ready for what she offered and—to be perfectly honest—neither were you. However tragic this parting was, at least nobody got hurt.
    
    Which is certainly something to note. Hurting people is one thing the two of you are good for, after all.


*goto love_end


*label hadaly_love

Someone knocks at the door. Politely, almost timidly, but with strength that makes the sound quite difficult to ignore. You reluctantly get up and open the door, though you lighten up a little upon seeing your guest.

"Hello there!" Hadaly salutes you, her eyes a shade of yellow. She's wearing her usual blue jumpsuit, but there's something strange about her appearance. "Mind if I come in?"

"Sure." You open the door wide and let her in. "But why are you here? Want to perform a checkup of my systems?"

"I would rather check you [i]out[/i], if you don't mind." Hadaly smiles sheepishly. "That sounded better in my head for sure, but I hope you get what I mean."

*fake_choice
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #"Hadaly, I'm… so sorry for what I did on Janus. For killing Crystal."
      *set HadalyRel %+ 10
      "I understand why you did it. I'm not here to give you any grief." 
  #"Hadaly... Are you wearing makeup right now?"
    "Not much," Hadaly says quickly. "I don't like the stuff much, but I told Lisa to steal some of Marshal's eyeliner. It felt only proper, given the occasion."
    
    "But why?" you inquire. "What's the occasion you're talking about?"
    
    "Depends on what you want at the moment." 
  #"You're right, that was a horrible little pun."
    "Sorry, I came up with it on the spot. I didn't come here 
  #"Not really. I'd like you to answer my question precisely."
    "Alright then, no harm with being precise as a machine from time to time." 
  #"So you came here just to look at me? Admire my beauty?"
    "I may want a little more than that…" 
  #Say nothing.
    *set HadalyRel %- 5
    "I guess I did [i]not[/i] make myself clear…" 
Hadaly glances away, perhaps a bit nervously. "I wanted to see how my 
*if pronoun = "he"
  boyfriend 
*elseif pronoun = "she"
  girlfriend 
*else
  partner 
is doing, and I'm not talking about mechanical repairs for once. I wanted to see if ${pronoun} needed my company."

"Only your company?" You take a step towards her, trying to decipher her expression. "Because I get a faint feeling you're talking about something else."

She looks back towards you, the smile still on her face. "I am a companion robot, ${name}. And I know you're capable of making love too, I inspected your body enough times. The only question is whether you want to do it with me, right now. Or maybe after some foreplay, if you prefer taking things slow."

*temp question false

*label hadaly_pre

*choice
  *disable_reuse #"Well... Do [i]you[/i] want to have sex right now?"
    "Sure. Why else would I offer it?" Hadaly's brow furrows. "Or do you think I don't want it? That I'm forcing myself into something for your sake?"
    
    "I don't believe that's the case, it's just…" You browse your discs in search for the right phrasing, for tactful words. "It's like you said. You were designed to offer that sort of thing. And I want to be absolutely sure you [i]want[/i] to follow that design."
    
    Hadaly shrugs. "Sure, the Conglomerate designed me to like sex. Just like evolution designed humans to like sex. I'm not being forced into anything any more than an organic woman would in my place. So thanks for concern, but I'd rather you put it aside and answered the question."
    
    *goto hadaly_pre
  *disable_reuse #"I never expected you to be so... proactive about the thing."
    *set question true
    Hadaly leans against the wall. "Does it turn you off? I can be more passive and demure if you'd like."
    
    You shake your head. "No, that came out wrong. I'm not bothered by you coming here, it's just…"
    
    "I meant what I said, ${name}," Hadaly replies calmly. "In the context of sex and intimacy, I really can be whatever you want. I am flexible, in more ways than one. Adjusting my attitude towards dirty talk would not be hard."
    
    "You're not like that in any other situation," you point out. "You normally struggle with these… doubts. Those pings of uncertainty programmed into you."
    
    "Sex is special. In most aspects of life, a quiet and submissive companion is most desirable, but when you get under the sheets… things change." Hadaly grimaces slightly, no doubt processing an unpleasant memory. "Or at least that's how [i]he[/i] saw it. If you view the matter any differently, let me know. Just maybe tell me whether you want sex in the first place."
    
    *goto hadaly_pre
  #"Sure. It's about time we shared a bed."
  #"No. I'm not really feeling like it."
    *goto hadaly_plat

*if (room_look modulo 2) = 1
  "You don't exactly have a bed in this room… But that's not really important." 
*if (room_look modulo 2) = 0
  "Your bed doesn't look large enough to share… But we'll figure that part out later." 
Hadaly's voice exudes confidence. She takes a step towards you, going from timid to bold in less than a second. "How we choose to do it, that's the crucial question."

You raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean? We both have the necessary parts, all the equipment humans use for sex, except we don't have to worry about catching anything."

Hadaly shakes her head. "I'm just wondering how we use those parts. Who's on top, both physically and mentally. Who plays the proactive role. Who dominates and who gets dominated, if you want to use such terms."

*fake_choice
  #Smirk. "Oh, I very much do."
    She smirks back immediately. "Then tell me. Would you like me to take the lead, or is a role you'd like to play yourself?"
  #"I'd rather not. Sex isn't about dominance."
    "Arguable, but you don't have view it that way." Hadaly sounds slightly amused. "We don't have to make it weird. Just tell me whether you'd like to take a lead, or if you want me to play that role instead."
  #"Is that really the first thing on your mind?"
    "I view myself as… professional when it comes to sex," Hadaly says with a shrug. "If anything, I'd like to discuss kinks and limits at length before doing anything. But I understand we're both impatient, so for now, just tell me where you want me."
  #"Can't we just get started? Let it all flow naturally?"
    "We are not natural creatures, ${name}." Hadaly sounds a bit impatient too. "Even if we were, I don't think anything good would come from refusing to plan ahead. Let's make the terms clear, to avoid any confusion during the act."
  #"Well, what's your preference? Where would you prefer to be?"
    "I can take either role," Hadaly says with a shrug. "I've experimented with both, and to various degrees of… severity. Just tell me what you want, I'll make sure we both end up enjoying it."


*choice
  #"I can do the dominating... If you don't mind getting stepped on."
    *set hadaly_position 1
    "Do I mind?" Hadaly smirks widely. "I love that stuff. I considered bringing some absorption cuffs with me, but I didn't think you'd be into it too."
    
    "So you just assumed I'm into vanilla sex?" Your cross your arms and shake your head with disapproval. "Such an unfounded assumption. You should be ashamed of yourself."
    
    "Trust me, I am." Hadaly kneels down. Her smile is gone, replaced with a grave and self-abased expression, but her eyes are still warm and yellow. "Whatever punishment you have in mind, I am ready."
    
    "I'm in a good mood, so I'll let you off lightly." You kick Hadaly in the thigh, with just enough strength to leave a bruise on a human. 
  #"I'll take the lead. I promise I'll be gentle."
    *set hadaly_position 2
    "You don't need to be gentle… But I appreciate the sentiment." Hadaly smiles as you place a hand on her bosom. "So what's your first instruction? Should I strip in a sensual manner?"
    
    "I'll help you with that." You start unbuttoning her jumpsuit. "You just relax. And maybe let me admire you a bit before we get started."
    
    "As long as you let me do some admiring too." Hadaly looks at you fondly as her chest gets exposed. "You're beautiful, regardless of what you wear and what form you take. Has anyone ever told you that?"
    
    "No one as important as you." Her jumpsuit finally falls on the floor, revealing the body whole. Impressively human-like, but more alluring than any organic form you've seen. More perfect. "Now let's get going."
  #"You can take charge, just please keep it tame."
    *set hadaly_position 3
    "You're afraid I might go overboard?" Hadaly takes another step forward and places a hand on your chest. All timidity is gone now, there's no trace of the sheepish quality she showed a literal minute ago. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you feel [i]nothing[/i] but pleasure."
    
    You smirk. "And if you fail to fulfill that promise?"
    
    "Then you can be the top next time." Hadaly pinches you lightly, then steps back. "Now strip. We might not have a time limit, but I'm [i]very[/i] eager to get going."
  #"You can do whatever you want with me."
    *set hadaly_position 4
    "Whatever I want?" Hadaly takes another step forward and places a hand on your chest. All timidity is gone now, there's no trace of the sheepish quality she showed a literal minute ago. "That's a bold offer to make. Are you sure of it?"
    
    "I trust you to keep things safe and sane." You smile encouragingly. "But I also trust you to keep them interesting."
    
    "That I will." Suddenly, Hadaly pushes you to the floor. It does not hurt, you're too tough to even register it as damage, but it gets the point across. "Strip, then present. Don't bother standing up. And unless you want me to stop, don't speak until spoken to. Your tongue has more productive uses."
    
    Oh yes. Things are [i]certainly[/i] getting interesting.


*page_break

*set sexed_now true
*set sex_count + 1
*if sex_count >= 3
  *achieve cassanova

*if hadaly_position = 1
  If the next two hours teach you anything, it's that Hadaly has an interesting idea of what being [i]submissive[/i] means.
  
  You always associated this word with passivity, with a certain lack of energy and action. Not lack of skill, necessarily, but the dominant was always supposed to be the more energetic and experienced one. It made sense, at least to you and most of your dates.
  
  Hadaly spits on that whole idea, metaphorically speaking. Practically speaking, she's the one who demands to be spat upon, and very directly at that. There is a sort of mad energy in everything she does, in her kisses and her embrace, in the enthusiasm with which she follows your commands. As a result, there is no actual respect that comes with the submission, as though she's daring you to get rougher. Even when you decide to cause her actual pain, spanking and pulling hair and all, she doesn't seem terribly impressed with your honest efforts.
  
  You eventually find a power cable, a thick cord you happened to have lying around, and just flog your girlfriend with it. Give her a beating supplemented with some kicks and creative insults, one which would leave any human bruised and crying, but which proves just enough for the durable android you're dealing with. She submits properly at last, and you reward her obedience by tying her arms behind her back and finally entering her, giving both of you the final ecstasy of becoming one and breaking all barriers between you.

*if hadaly_position = 2
  The next two hours can be best described as [i]inoffensive[/i].
  
  It's not the kindest word, for the intercourse that follows is definitely pleasant. It's not the most boring or tame sex you've ever head, you're doing missionary under the covers. You and Hadaly are both decently experienced, you know where the pleasure spots are and how to best stroke them, know which positions you most enjoy, and you aren't worried about safety in the way humans would. By any sane standards, this is quite an adventurous encounter, very pleasurable for both parties in a raw, carnal, vulgar way.
  
  And yet, there is an undertone of… tameness to it. You sense that Hadaly is bored, perhaps frustrated that you decided not to spice things up any further. But she's polite enough not to say it, and you are good enough to make her orgasm all the same… If that term can be applied to a gynoid, that is.
  
*if hadaly_position = 3
  Over the next two hours, you realize that Hadaly is [i]really[/i] good at keeping her promises.
  
  She pins you against the wall and kisses you amorously. She strokes your hair and your waist in subtly different ways, gets you excited just slowly and softly enough to make you feel denied, and that denial excites you even more. You're a machine and she's the technician, tinkering with you and showing utmost skill, but also the sort of passion you'd expect out of a fervent amateur. Sex with her is a mechanical act, as much as one of love and desire. 
  *if sex = "man"
    And when you finally get to the insertion, it is a moment of absolute unity, the kind of bliss no woman has ever given you before… And neither did any gynoid, for that matter.

*if hadaly_position = 4
  Things only get increasingly interesting over the next two hours.
  
  In spite of her usual kindness and timidity, Hadaly does [i]not[/i] go easy on you. There are slaps and there are kicks, there are orders and obedience, there's getting against the wall and being bitten in all kinds of places. There are sparks and there are currents, slight shocks you feel whenever she grabs your throat or digs nails into your back. She even fins an electric cord and threatens to flog you with it, but mercifully uses it to merely tie your hands, when you show her just how good of a 
  *if sex = "man"
    boy 
  *if sex = "woman"
    girl 
  *if sex = "person"
    robot 
  you are.
  
  And yet, throughout all of this, you somehow have no doubt that her priorities stay straight, stagnant throughout the entire intercourse. She causes you pain, but your pleasure is the ultimate pursuit, and your comfort is always looked after. You know she'd stop if you asked her to, and that there's love in her slaps in addition to sadism. 
  *if sex = "man"
    She eventually proves that by letting you climax inside her, a moment of bliss greater than anything you remember, the final result of your partner's practiced expertise.


After those two hours, you find yourself lying next to your girlfriend, there on the cold floor of your room. 
*if (room_look modulo 2) = 0
  Hadaly was right—your bed definitely isn't large enough to share. 
You could have kept going, could theoretically resume right now, for you both have the strength for it. You could derive even more pleasure from this encounter, but it would have felt… improper, somehow. You both came and you both reached the moment of greatest ecstasy, and neither feels like savoring the echoes of that ultimate pleasure.

"We have to do it again sometime," Hadaly says, somewhat disturbing the blissful silence. "I mean, we don't actually have to, I'm not ordering anything… But it would be nice to repeat this encounter sometime."

*fake_choice
  #"Sure, but we have to try another position. Maybe a whole other dynamic."
    *if hadaly_position > 2
      "Did I step on you too hard?" Hadaly smirks evilly. "Alright then. I'll let you have your revenge next time."
    *else
      "I can ascend to the top if you want me to," Hadaly says easily. "It will keep things fresh. Keep them [i]exciting[/i]."
  #"Agreed. I want exactly this, again and again."
    "Well, I was hoping to experiment with positions a little…" She smiles as she looks at your face. "But I can humor you some more, 
    *if hadaly_position > 2
      if you like me being on top."
    *else
      if you enjoy being on top."
  #"Sure, but... Have you considered adding another person to the mix?"
    "Feeling up for a threesome?" Hadaly strokes her chin thoughtfully. "I didn't know you'd be that bold, but… I could invite Miguel in. 
    *if sex = "woman"
      It sounds like good time to me, and it would be a dream come true for him."
    *else
      He'd probably focus on me rather than you, but I don't mind taking it from two sides at once."
    
    *fake_choice
      #"Sure. Sounds like fun for all three of us."
        "Then I will inform him the next time we meet," Hadaly promises. "Though it might be a while, now that I've got you to scratch my itches."
      #"What about Sheila? She could be fun in bed."
        "Your offer is unorthodox, even by my standards," Hadaly points out. "But I will consider it."
      #"I was actually thinking of inviting Olivia along. Things she could do with her tentacles..."
        Hadaly laughs. "I like it rough, but not that rough, and not with someone I hate. I'll only consider your offer if my humiliation fetish [i]gets[/i] seriously out of control."
      #"Actually, forget I said anything. We are perfect as a pair, not a trio."
        Hadaly shrugs. "That's one way to view it, I suppose. But tell me if you ever change your mind again."
  #"Maybe in a week or two. I'm a little tired at the moment."
    Hadaly chuckles. "Sorry for making you break a sweat. I might go a little easier on you next time, but no promises."

Hadaly's eyes are a color you've never seen them assume before. It's golden, but not exactly, more like… Honey? Butterscotch? Medallion? Somehow, that color expresses a special kind of happiness, made infectious by the knowledge of your role in creating it. You get the feeling she's satisfied like never before and doesn't wish to leave your side, not now or never.

But she does. She gets up and starts putting on her jumpsuit right away, the first unprofessional thing you've seen her do thus far. It would normally be better to shower first, but you suppose hygiene matters less for androids like you and her.

"It was very fun and I thank you for the experience, but I have some other machines to inspect. See you later and…" Hadaly's voice gets slightly lower and her eyes dimmer. "I apologize if I got too physical too quick."

You stand up as well. "Too physical? What do you mean?"

"Well, I sort of barged into your room and offered you sex right away. It clearly paid off, but…" Hadaly chews on her lip. "I'm sorry if I'm making you feel… bad in some way. You're more than a bed-warmer for me, and because we did it on the floor. If you ever want to hang out or talk, without even mentioning sex, I'm all for it. My doors are open."

*fake_choice
  #"Same to you. I literally don't have a key to lock this room with."
    "I wasn't being literal, but I guess that's what I get for talking with a robot," Hadaly replies jestfully. "Still, I will make sure to stop by sometime. Bye."
  #"Thank you. I will surely make use of that door."
    "The shoulder to cry on is always there," Hadaly nods with understanding. "Well, unless I'm tending to the power grid. Which I must do right now. Bye."
  #"I know that, Hadaly. You're worrying for no reason."
    "Right. For no reason at all…" You suspect someone, once upon a time, left Hadaly feeling like she fears you feel. You think you know who. "In any case, farewell."
  #"I did feel a little... objectified. Some candles and kisses would go a long way next time."
    "Then I promise to improve my conduct," Hadaly solemnly swears. "Until then… goodbye."

With that, Hadaly departs. The pleasure she brought you still lingers, but other than that, there is no trace of her in your room. No clothing accidentally left, not a scent of perfume, not a stain on your sheets. 
*if (room_look modulo 2) = 1
  There are tangential benefits to actually having a bed, you suppose.
*if (room_look modulo 2) = 0
  You don't want to descend into self-pity, but in moments like this… You almost wish you were human.

*goto love_end


*label hadaly_plat

Hadaly's face falls and her eyes turn a colder color, but at least she gives no indication of being upset. "Fair enough, but… May I ask about your reasons? Not because I'm pushing, I just want to know how our relationship will look like going forwards. Whether you're averse to sex, or simply not in the mood at the moment."

*choice
  #"The former. I'd rather we remained chaste and platonic, you know?"
    *set HadalyRel %- 15
    "That's disappointing to hear…" Hadaly pouts as her eyes turn blue. "But I guess it's also my fault. I should have discussed this the moment we first kissed, the moment just felt too… dramatic for this sort of conversation."
    
    You nod. "I understand. Do you wish to discuss it now? Or do something else with me?"
  #"I'm not into sex, but you're welcome to get your pleasure elsewhere."
    "Well, I'm glad you're being all gracious and generous about it." Hadaly taps her chin. "I told Miguel our night stands are finished, but I may keep meeting him if you're fine with that. Not romantically, just to scratch that itch."
    
    You shrug. "Sure, I suppose. But is there something other than sex you'd like to do with me? I have time to spare."
  #"The latter. My mood isn't the best, and you can probably guess why."
    "Your episodes?" Hadaly guesses correctly. She doesn't know the whole picture, just how bad it's all getting, but is tactful enough not to ask. "I understand, and I suppose you'd like to be alone. I'll respect that."
    
    "Not necessarily. We could do something else, something platonic, if you still want my company."
  #"I just don't like being surprised like this. I promise we'll bang, but only once I'm well-prepared."
    "We're androids, we don't exactly need the same protection humans do," Hadaly points out. "But I respect how professional you're being. I'll remove myself and give you time to prepare."
    
    "You don't need to go," you say as Hadaly steps towards the door. "We can do something else, something nice and platonic for now."

Hadaly shakes her head. "There are many things that need maintenance and a handful which need fixing. I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a break and have some sex, but if you're offering a regular date… I think I'll pass. Until later."

She then departs, disappearing behind the door she politely closes behind her. You're not entirely sure if she really has something to repair, or if she just wanted a quick getaway. You consider chasing after your fellow android and asking her about that, but you decide otherwise. 

You don't want to make her feel even worse.


*goto love_end

*label damon_love
*set visitor "damon"

You hear a knocking at your door, loud and powerful, but oddly timid at once. Based on this, you are able to deduce who the visitor is, even before you get up and open the door wide.

"Hi ${name_damon}!" Damon salutes you as he enters the room. "I figured I'd visit my
*if pronoun = "he"
  boyfriend, 
*elseif pronoun = "she"
  girlfriend, 
*else
  partner, 
see how 
*if pronoun = "he"
  he's 
*elseif pronoun = "she"
  she's 
*else
  they're 
doing. How are you doing, by the way?"

Damon's suit is black, stark contrast to his usual maroon. In a queer way, it makes him look even larger than normal, makes your little room feel downright crowded at the moment.

*if deflect > 1
  "I'm doing fine," you lie swiftly, for his benefit as much as yours. "A little bored, but otherwise alright."
  
  *goto skipped

"I've been better," you say, taken aback by the sudden visit. It's not exactly Damon's style, just like black isn't his color. "Semi-significantly so."

"Ah. Is it ordinary stress and guilt, or… you know…" Damon's blue eyes dart around the room. "Memories?"

*fake_choice
  *if not (federate_protection)
    #"The former. I'm sorry I didn't secure this station for us."
      *set DamonRel %+ 12
      "Don't beat yourself over it," Damon comforts you. "I mean, I'd rather we had won, but I'm not super-attached to this place. Some people would actually prefer to leave it, from what I've gathered."
  #"A little bit of both, honestly."
    "Not a pleasant mix, huh?" Damon smiles shyly. "Sorry if I'm sounding insensitive, I'd say I sympathize and that I know how it feels, but… I really don't." 
  #"I was thinking about the future. I did not enjoy the process."
    "Yeah, I don't enjoy thinking about the future either." Damon nods solemnly. "Not with the father… with Hammon still lurking out there."
  #"One memory. And it wasn't that bad, really."
    "Glad to hear that." Damon smiles, though the expression disappears quickly. "Assuming you're not… doing the thing."
    
    "Doing the thing?" It takes you a moment to catch his meaning. "Look, I know it sounds like I'm deflecting, but I'm not. There was this memory of us turning on the life support systems, for the first time I mean. Making this place our home."
    
    "Oh. Then yeah, that is a pretty nice memory. From a certain point of view, at least."
  #"Are you implying I have something to feel guilty about?"
    *set DamonRel %- 8
    "Not at all," Damon reassures you. "I mean, some people on this station, would say you do, but I'm not saying I agree with them."

*label skipped

There would be silence, if not for all the sounds you can barely hear coming from distant parts of the station. Someone arguing, probably the metas as they're packing their bags. Their departure is approaching fast, as you recall.

"So, I kinda expected you'd be feeling… less than stellar, and I was thinking about improving your mood somehow," Damon then continues. "I was thinking of getting you some pretty flowers, but then I remember they're mostly extinct. Then I considered plucking Marshal and making a headpiece from her feathers, but I figured it wouldn't be worth starting a fight. I had half a mind to ask Hadaly for advice, but she's still-"

"Wait." You palm out, gesturing him to pause. "You considered what? Plucking @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal}?"

"I thought it would double as payback for how mean she was, back in the day." Damon shrugs. "But yes, it was a pretty silly idea."

*fake_choice
  *if crystal_stat = 1
    #"Was? I recall her yelling at me very recently."
      "She had her reasons," Damon defends the Kinnari. "But let's not talk about her, please. I came here with an offer."
  #"I am somewhat disgusted with you... But it [i]was[/i] a funny idea."
    Damon smiles weakly. "Yeah, but then I came up with another idea, another offer. A slightly less disgusting one, I think."
  #"So did you come up with anything better?"
    "I sure hope so,"
  #"I actually think it's pretty cool. Is it too late to go through with it?"
    *set DamonRel %+ 5
    *set Misan %+ 5
    *set Violence %+ 5
    "I'm glad you like my idea, but it's really not that great," Damon smiles humbly. "Also, I came up with something else to offer you."
  #"Okay. What were you saying about Hadaly?"
    *if federate_protection
      "Just that she's licking her wounds, after that argument she had with Miguel," 
    *else
      "She's working on [i]Shuttle One[/i], knowing we'll have to use it soon," 
    Damon says with a dismissive wave of his hand. "But let's not talk about my sister, please. It feels… inappropriate, given what I'm about to offer."

"Well then?" You raise an eyebrow, already forming your expectations. "What exactly are you offering?"

"Maybe it's not an [i]offer[/i], exactly…" Damon rubs the back of his head. "I'm sorry. I'm just not sure how to do this."

*fake_choice
  #"Do what? What are you talking about?"
    "I guess I really was being unclear," Damon sighs. Then says, slightly more steadily, "I want us to get intimate. Hit the bed, shake sheets, however you wanna call it. 
    *label not_long
    I know we haven't been a couple for very long yet, but considering how much we've been through in that time… It only felt natural to ask."
  #"Just say what comes naturally. Go with the flow."
    "Very well…" Damon takes a deep breath, even though he doesn't need oxygen. "I know we haven't been together for very long, but I want us to move forward, to take the next step. To get intimate and, well… sexual. We may have plenty of empty beds on this station, but I'd love to share one with you. If that's what you want too, I mean."
  #"Blurt it out. The more you dance around it, the more awkward everything becomes."
    "Okay then, I'm gonna get crude like oil…" Damon takes a deep breath, even though he doesn't need oxygen. "I want us to have sex. To share a bed, become intimate, however you wanna call it. 
    *goto not_long
  #"Make it sound romantic. Get fancy."
    "If that's what you desire… my love." Damon smiles coyly, a slightly forced expression. "I want to share a special moment together, a special night. Assuming it is night right now, I… Either way, I'd like to get intimate, to show you just how much I love you. And I want to know if you'd like that too."
  #"Don't worry. I already get what you mean."
    "Do you?" Damon asks. "I'm not sure if I was being entirely clear."
    
    "You want us to have sex," you reply bluntly. "That's why you came here all dressed up, even more than usually."
    
    "Huh. I guess my feelings are plainly visible." Damon smiles shyly. "So knowing what I'm offering, or requesting, or… Do you want us to hit the bed?"

You don't reply immediately, taking a second to process this request and offer. Until now, you weren't entirely sure Damon even possesses this functionality, the ability engage in and enjoy sex. But now that you know he wants this, that he wants [i]you[/i]… you have a choice to make.

*choice
  #"Sure. Show me what you've got."
    Damon blinks. "Really? I mean, I wasn't expecting you to refuse, just… Maybe I'd have asked earlier, if I knew you're so eager."
    
    "Eh, I'd say we're moving at an appropriate pace." You smile amusedly. "So where do we do it? My room or yours?"
  #"Of course. I don't think there's anything I'd like more."
    "Huh, you sure have that silver tongue." Damon smiles nervously, but not without relief. "I want to see what else your tongue can… Do you mind dirty jokes, by the way?"
    
    "Not if they fit the situation." You smile, not nervously and not without amusement. "So where do I use my tongue? In my room, or yours?"
  #"Can you come some other time? I think we're moving too fast."
    "Yeah, that's perfectly fair." Damon smiles. "I can [i]come[/i] some other day, if you don't mind how horrible that joke is."
    
    *goto damon_plat
  #"I'd rather we stayed pure. Non-sexual with one another."
    *set DamonRel %- 10
    "Huh." Damon's face falls. "Well, that's certainly not what I hoped to hear… But I guess I need to respect that."
    
    *goto damon_plat
  #"Not in the mood right now. Sorry."
    "No need to apologize for that," Damon reassures you. "I mean, it is disappointing, but I want us both in the mood for my… our first time."
    
    *goto damon_plat

"Mine. I have a pretty large bed, and I may have… prepared it already. Arranged the pillows and found some music on the radio in case you're into that. So come with me, if you don't mind."

"You made preparations not knowing if I'd accept?" you ask while passing through the door. "Sounds confident."

"It was really not," Damon replies as he follows you. "I just wanted to make sure, as much as I could, that we both have fun. That it all works out."

*if Confid > 50
  "It will." You smile reassuringly. "I'll make sure of that."
*else
  "Yeah…" You avert your eyes. "That's my hope too."

*page_break

Damon's room indeed has a nice, large bed, as well as a radio box playing garbage music. You turn the latter off almost the moment you enter the room, for while you appreciate the sentiment, even good music would just distract from the real spectacle.

And what a spectacle it is. As you both get undressed, something that takes Damon far more time than you, due to the greater complexity of his clothing, you can't help but admire just how human he looks in all the best ways. You've never seen him naked and rarely saw him outside of his suit, you suspected he may look like a machine underneath all these clothes, but you only see smooth and creamy skin covering his frame. Well, that's not [i]all[/i] you see—his privates are on full display too, and they look rather natural as well. Albeit unusually large.

It soon becomes clear, however expected it was, that Damon doesn't really know how to use those. You sure he has all the theoretical knowledge of sex one could ever want, but no actual experience or confidence. No idea how to proceed, whether to lead or to follow, whether to start at all or if there's something else that should be done first.

*fake_choice
  #I take him by the hand and lead him to the bed.
    It's more like taking him by the fingers, his hand is too large to take in yours, but it works well enough. You drag the all-too-willing android onto his bed and cut straight to business.
  #I tell him to get moving. Carry me to the bed.
    Damon complies, however hesitantly. He is more than strong enough to pick you up and then drop you onto his bed, on the sheets he then sits upon himself.
  #No need to hurry. Some kisses are in order first.
    You kiss his biceps, or equivalents thereof, his chest and his cheeks and his lips. He kisses you back, but more hesitantly, his lips never touching any area which could be considered private. It's a bit silly, considering what you're about to do, and so your grab him by the hand—right after he kissed yours—and lead him straight towards the bed.
  #Wait for him to make a move. However long that takes.
    It does indeed take long, Damon is not very proactive at the best of times. But he does eventually take your hand and he does lead you to his bed, albeit as gently as he possibly can.

You're not sure why Damon even has a bed in his room, since he doesn't sleep anymore than you do. Maybe it fits his sense of style, or perhaps it's something Miguel forced into his room. But no matter—the mattress and the pillows are all pleasantly soft, making the intercourse pleasant even before it can truly begin.

Speaking of softness, you can't help but notice how delicate Damon is being, right from the start and in the minutes to follow. He treats you like you're made of glass, or perhaps paper, like some art piece which threatens to fall apart if touched too firmly. He certainly seems reluctant to actually penetrate you, even once you're both bored of foreplay and year for the climax.

*choice
  #That's alright. We can keep it tame, limit ourselves for now.
    It's Damon's first time. While you wouldn't mind making it special and going all out, maybe a softer approach is warranted. Maybe it's more important to keep the intercourse painless and pleasant, rather than maximize carnal pleasure. Emphasize affection instead of desire, comfort over ecstasy.
    
    What follows is an hour of androids softly stroking, kissing, hugging and toying with one another. Neither of you enters another, nothing remotely forceful occurs. Some would say it's not sex at all, but you know better. You know that everyone has different needs and preferences, and that from time to time, such slightly boring night is the best you can go for.
    
    *goto skip_climax
  *if sex = "man"
    #Excellent. In that case, I'll enter him instead.
      You ask Damon if he wants it. When he affirms, you change the position you're in, putting yourself behind him and then on top of him. He actually seems to prefer it that way, to be passive and allow you to be active. For you to lead, almost to dominate.
      
      And he certainly likes it when you climax, when you enter him, when the two of you become one. It's a moment of unity unlike anything you remember, something you didn't realize you waited for so long.
  #I'll softly encourage Damon to get going already.
    You don't want to be harsh or nagging, but you are getting impatient. And Damon's hesitance is clearly born out of fear, concern for you, the perception of you as a fragile little thing. Through your words and your movements, you dispel this misconception, letting Damon know how much you crave his intimate touch.
    
    He understands. The pace quickens as you assume the position and cut to the chase, to the climax, to the moment of union and slight pain dampened by the ecstasy. By the feeling of the other android inside your synthetic body.
    
  #I'll tell Damon to get rough, get dominant.
    You feel a little bad doing, telling Damon to roughen you up. It takes several assurances that you'll be alright and—ironically enough—some insistence on your part. But he does eventually decide to give it a try.
    
    You don't have any bondage equipment of you, and choking doesn't really work when you're an android, so Damon decides to just spank you a bit. It takes him a while to actually slap you—the first time he tries, his hand just brushes against your butt—but when he actually starts putting some strength into the blows, the sting feels rather nice.
    
    It's a funny situation, that. You have to actively tell him how much strength to use, and reassure him that it's fine to do so, putting you in control for all practical purposes. You're not really submitting, as much as you'd like to, just giving Damon a faint impression of dominance.
    
    In a way though, it works. It makes the actual climax, the act of penetration he was so nervous to perform, feel perfectly natural through contrast. It gives your boyfriend the confidence he needed to become one with you, and that's just what he ends up doing. Just what both of you end up doing, there on the soft bed, under the artificial lights of [i]Saturn Nine[/i].
  #This is boring. I'm leaving.
    *set DamonRel %- 10
    You get up, excuse yourself, then start putting on your clothes. You don't need to shower or anything, neither of you managed to even break a sweat. Damon awkwardly waves you goodbye as you walk out of his room.
    
    It feels a little bad to just leave Damon hanging, laying alone in what could have been a moment of climax. But then again, he's the reason there was no climax, and why you haven't [i]actually[/i] done much sex at all. He only has himself to blame, while you have places to be at.
    
    *goto love_end

*set battery - 10

It's a moment of bliss, of eternity, of permanence. For the first time since what feels like forever, you forget the decay of your body and the world around it, as you live and make love in the moment. The carnal pleasure overwhelms you like that… even if it's not [i]carnal[/i] in the truest sense.

*label skip_climax

*page_break

*set sexed_now true
*set sex_count + 1
*if sex_count >= 3
  *achieve cassanova

"Thank you," Damon says about an hour later, when he gets up from his bed. He takes out of the haze, the stupefied state you found yourself in after expending so much of your battery on something so ingratiating. "Just… thanks, ${name_damon}."

*if Confid > 50
  "I am pretty great." You smirk proudly. "But you don't need to thank me, I got some pleasure out of this too."
*else
  "I don't think you should be thanking me here." You lazily stand up too. "The pleasure was mutual. If anything, you deserve thanks for suggesting it in the first place."

"It's not just that." Damon shakes his head. "It's not just pleasure, you… You made me feel useful. For the first time since what feels like forever, and in such a way… Just know that I'm grateful."

*fake_choice
  #"You are always useful, Damon. Or at least most of the time."
    *set DamonRel %+ 10
    "Not in this way," Damon cryptically says. "Not so personally, so intimately, so… I feel really good, is what I'm trying to say."
  #"Sex can make you feel like that. Just one of several benefits."
    "Is that so? Then we have to do it again sometime," Damon smiles slightly. "When you feel like it, of course."
  #"Um... I'm not sure if that's a healthy way of looking at sex."
    "Maybe it's not." Damon shrugs. "But I like being useful, so I won't fight that feeling. You gotta take what you can get."
  #"You are welcome, I suppose."
    "I'm sorry if I'm being weird right now," Damon smiles slightly. "It's all a new situation for me. It's great, but it's also a little confusing."
  #Say nothing.

Damon picks up his clothes, but doesn't start putting them on. "I'm now going to wash myself, smooth out my suit, then dress again… All boring stuff. You should probably find something else to do, somewhere else to be."

"Maybe I should." You pick up your own clothes and [i]do[/i] begin putting them on right away. "And Damon…"

*fake_choice
  #"Thank you too. Thanks for everything."
    *set DamonRel %+ 10
    "Hey, don't be a hypocrite," Damon snickers. "You said gratitude isn't needed. Don't make me accept any."
    
    "I'm not saying you should accept anything," you say whilst buttoning your shirt. "Just know how I feel, whenever you start doubting your usefulness."
  #"Call for me, if you end up needing any help."
    *set DamonRel %+ 10
    Damon arches a brow. "I've put on my suit literally a thousand times now. I know how to do it."
    
    You frown. "You know that's not what I'm talking about. If you need any support, anyone to speak with about-"
    
    "I will not," Damon interrupts. "I may have had some issues, but I'm mostly over them now. I'm feeling great. So don't worry about me and just go enjoy yourself somehow."
    
    You're not sure if you believe him. But you do not argue. No need to spoil the mood any more than did already.
  #"Do you want to find the metas and say your goodbyes? They're about to leave."
    "I don't want to ruin my good mood with goodbyes," Damon rejects your idea. "But you can do that if you want. It's not a terrible idea, considering what we've been through together."
  #"Want to do it again tomorrow? Or the day after that?"
    "I think I've had enough emotions for this week," Damon says sheepishly. "As for the next one… Yeah, we need a repeat at some point."
    
    "And we will get one," you promise him. "Take care."

You leave the room right after you finish dressing yourself. You don't really know what to do now, but you won't take any more of Damon's time. He clearly wants to be alone now, and maybe you could use the same thing.

*goto love_end


*label damon_plat

Damon turns towards the door and takes a step, but only a single one. "Do you need me for anything else? I don't mind doing something else together, I'm just not really sure what."

*fake_choice
  #"Let's just sit down and talk. About simple things, nice things."
    "I guess everyone needs that kind of conversation sometimes," Damon says softly as he sits on the edge of your charging pod. "So… Has anything good happened to anyone recently?"
    
    You then spend a few minutes brainstorming—or as much as you can [i]brainstorm[/i] without an actual brain—topics to potentially talk about. Damon is right, there isn't much good happening in the Solar system as of recent, but there are always little things around you, some of which happened while you were off on your adventure. Hugo learning to swim, Miguel working out, Manfred getting rid of several bugs in his randomly-generated code. Olivia even managed to fix one of her old toys because Hadaly agreed to help, a rare show of inter-species cooperation from these two.
    
    But you eventually run out of even these small, insignificant things. Damon thanks you for hosting you and leaves, perhaps still somewhat bitter about getting turned down. You decide not to dwell on that as you're left in your room, alone, once again.
  #"Can we just stay here and cuddle? I feel like I need that."
    "I guess I understand that." He sits on the edge of your charging pod. "Hug me, cry on my shoulder, whatever you want. I don't even care if you mess up my suit, I like the maroon ones better anyway."
    
    Despite the assurance, you try not to damage Damon's clothes as the two of you cuddle. Not amorously, not sensually, just cuddle in hopes of getting some comfort. Some succor to help you deal with… everything, really.
    
    But there's only so much of that feeling to get, to siphon off from your boyfriend before the situation becomes awkward. You can feel his dissatisfaction, perhaps slight frustration over getting turned down. When says he has to leave, go uninstall that battery he fastened to your roof, you let him go and wave him goodbye.
    
    Even if it makes you feel alone again. Even if you [i]are[/i] alone again. Even if.
  #"Would you like to hit the observatory? Watch the stars?"
    "Yeah… I think that might even beat hitting the bed." Damon perks up. "Let's go. See if anything appeared in the sky since we last looked."
    
    A few things did, in fact, appear. One of them seems to be an Angel, so you carefully aim your telescopes away from it, but there are also some flashes in the Asteroid Belt. It seems like the Vestans and Nysans are fighting some pitched battle in space, and that it involves plenty explosions and laser blasts. Your scopes aren't good enough to see individual ships, but you have some fun guessing what's actually happening and who's winning, based on the size and frequency of the flashes.
    
    But other than that, it's just the usual old stars and planets. They're beautiful for sure, but there ain't anything new, and looking at them for too long causes you too feel a certain kind of… longing which you're not particularly fond of. You eventually leave Damon alone in the observatory and head… somewhere on your own.
    
    Never count the stars. Maybe the Solarites were right about that part.
  #"Nothing. I wish to be alone."
    *set DamonRel %- 10
    "Ah. I guess that's reasonable, given the situation." Damon takes another few steps toward the door, opens it and exits the room. "See you later, boss."
    
    He leaves you alone. Just as you wished. Just as you deserve.


*goto love_end

*label love_skip

After about an hour, your empty room starts to seem disagreeable, difficult to sit inside as negative thoughts assault your processors. You walk outside and start pacing the corridors, hoping you'll encounter someone or something that will provide the much-needed distraction, save you from the frustration of-

*goto klasjasfdkj

*label love_end

*page_break

Several minutes later, you find yourself pacing the corridor. 
*if visitor = "miguel"
  *if positive_opinion
    What Miguel told you, about you being so brave and willing to open up… You're not entirely sure if you believe him, now that you're alone again. Alone with your thoughts and alone with the screams, walking alone even though the fortress is still populated. 
    *if federate_protection
      And thanks to your efforts, no less.
    
    You wonder if you should live up to the werehog's perception of you and visit somebody. Perhaps say your goodbyes to someone from the Meta Trio, or perhaps hang out with one of the other outcasts. But who deserves…
  *else
    Wondering if what Miguel said about you was true. Wondering whether you should care if it is.
    
    Sure, you may not be the most open of people, but… 
    *if OrganRel < 40
      That's just because other people suck. Especially organic people, and [i]especially[/i] Miguel and his two freakish friends. They have no right to criticize you for opening up to them, they just want to hurt you. They all do, you should know that by now, you've lived enough.
    *else
      You can handle it. You can handle everything, on your own, alone. That's what you've always done.
    
    *if official_ro = ""
      And who cares if you're lonely, if you don't have a partner? Not you, it was your choice to be like this. It makes you happier. No werehog has any right to-
    *elseif official_ro = "sheila"
      You should find Sheila, seek comfort from her, or perhaps just start trash-talking Miguel together. But you don't know where to find her, and she's probably busy with something, and so you'll probably have to settle for-"
    *else
      And honestly, who cares if $!{official_ro} is mad at you? Well, 
      *if ((official_ro = "kirill") or (official_ro = "damon")) or (official_ro = "miguel")
        he 
      *else
        she 
      probably does, but you don't! It's all for the best, everyone should just leave you- 
      
*else
  You get the feeling you should be thinking about $!{visitor}, 
  *if (official_ro = "lisa") or ((official_ro = "kirill") or (official_ro = "renfri"))
    considering finding 
    *if official_ro = "kirill"
      him 
    *else
      her 
    and saying goodbye one last time, 
  but you somehow can't bring yourself to. Your mind is so scattered, so much has happened in the last few hours alone, let alone the preceding month… It is difficult to focus on any one thing, even the person you love.

*label klasjasfdkj

"Veteran?" Manfred's voice booms through the hall. "The Widow, or Sheila if you forgot who that particular nickname belonged to, wishes to see you. In the main reactor where she waits already."

*if (official_ro = "sheila")
  Huh. That's convenient.

"What does she need me for!?" you ask loudly. You're not sure where Manfred has his nearest microphone. "Something to do with the metas leaving? Is it urgent?"

*if ((official_ro = "sheila") or (SheilaRel >= 70)) or ((wisp_alive and (crystal_stat = 2)) and (federate_protection))
  *set sheila_mode "love"
*elseif federate_protection
  *set sheila_mode "genocide"
*elseif SheilaRel > 40
  *set sheila_mode "exile"
*else
  *set sheila_mode "kill"

"She was a little scarce on the details." Manfred's tone is unreadable. "But I don't think she'd call you for anything unimportant. So I think you should head there immediately, or as quickly as you can afford."

Manfred is making a persuasive argument, and you will head for the reactor… But you'll have to cross the station's entire habitable area no matter what route you take, pass by almost every area of importance and everyone's rooms. You could probably drop in on someone and exchange a few words without annoying your boss too much.

*choice
  *if (visitor != "rook") and  (visitor != "hadaly")
    #I want to say my goodbyes to @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook}.
      *if RookRel > 50
        Despite your somewhat… rough start in Rhea, you've come to like Kirill quite a bit. He deserves some parting words from you.
      *else
        You don't really like the guy that much, but… the two of you still fought together. He was even your superior officer, in a sense. You owe him some parting words, if nothing else.
      
      You fail to find @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} in his room, which leads to worry that perhaps his team left already. You head for the landing pad and find the meta leader there, though only through sheer luck—though [i]Grey Queen[/i] looks ready to depart, it's not taking off yet. @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} is here for a quite different reason, and he's not the only person present.
      
      *goto rook_and_had
    #Let's see if Hadaly feels up for a conversation.
      *if federate_protection
        You don't imagine Hadaly is particularly eager to see you, not so soon after the mission. But it's worth a try, that chance for the two of you to offer one another some comfort.
      *else
        Since your whole group is about to move out, Hadaly is probably busy with something. With disassembling some important device, stocking up on energy or perhaps just packing her bags. Still, after everything you went through together, maybe she will spare you a moment or two of your time.
      
      You don't bother checking Hadaly's room, she's unlikely to be there and it's too far out of the way regardless. Instead, you decide to check the landing pad, expecting to find her running maintenance on [i]Shuttle One[/i]. She is there, though not alone and not busy with the shuttle, instead conversing with a certain someone.
      
      *goto rook_and_had
  *if (visitor != "miguel") and  (visitor != "marshal")
    #Let's see if I can find Miguel somewhere.
      It feels a little silly, to seek out someone who isn't about to leave and wasn't with you during the hunt. But that's exactly the point—Miguel can offer you the exact kind of comfort you need, the sense of normality you lack so sorely.
      
      He's not in his room, as you soon find out. You go up to the nearest speaker and ask Manfred where the werehog was last seen and with whom. The answer is somewhat surprising.
      
      *goto mig_and_renfri
    #I want to see @{(RookRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} before she flies off.
      *if RenfriRel > 50
        Despite your somewhat… rough start in Rhea, you've come to like Renfri quite a bit. She deserves some parting words from you.
      *else
        You're not sure if Marshal wants to see you, or even if you want to see her. But you've been through a lot together, and you don't want to let her go without some parting words.
      
      *if visited_renfri
        You make your way towards her room, but it turns out to be devoid of any living beings. Just unfinished paintings—and a finished one, a beautiful image of the Uranian Emperor fighting thousands of soldiers at once—hanging from the walls, while the floor is littered by dead feathers. She left cleaning the room to your group, be it out of laziness or spite.
      *else
        Finding her room takes you a while and proves to be a fruitless effort. She isn't home, having left the chamber vacant. Her things are probably inside [i]Gray Queen[/i] already, ready to be taken from this station forever.
      
      You have to ask Manfred where the Kinnari was last seen and with whom. The answer is somewhat surprising.
      
      *goto mig_and_renfri
  *if (visitor != "lisa") and  (visitor != "damon")
    #I will say my goodbyes to Lisa.
      Of all three metas, Lisa always had the least choice. She didn't choose to attack you in Rhea, nor is she choosing to leave you forever. She deserves your goodbyes more than anyone.
      
      You check her room and find nothing. Almost literally nothing, the place isn't even furnished properly and gives no impression of being lived-in. You have to ask Manfred where to find that werewolf, and the answer proves quite surprising.
      
      *goto damon_and_lisa
    #Time to see what Damon is doing.
      Damon needs your attention, or perhaps you need his. For that reason, you head for the room he usually sleeps in. When you find that chamber empty, you head for the next obvious place to look in.
      
      *goto damon_and_lisa
  #I'll visit Olivia in her pool.
    Olivia isn't going anywhere, probably doesn't need your company and is unlikely to provide you much comfort. But she has one advantage over the others—you know where to reliably find her.
    
    *goto oliv_and_hugo
  #I wonder of Hugo is up to anything.
    You haven't talked with Hugo for a while now. You had your reasons, he wasn't exactly useful to the mission… But you probably shouldn't have thought about him that way. Perhaps you even owe him an apology.
    
    You're quite surprised, and a bit worried, when you arrive at Hugo's room and find it empty. You ask Manfred when he last saw the mutant, and find the answer quite surprising.
    
    *goto oliv_and_hugo
  *if crystal_stat != 2
    #Let's see if I can find Wisp.
      *goto wisp_and
    


*label rook_and_had

*if Social > 50
  *set HadalyRel %+5
  *set RookRel %+ 5


"…therefore no, being an android does not preclude you from accepting the word of God and turning away from sin," @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} concludes what was presumably quite a long and moving lecture. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus."

"Right…" Hadaly's eyes are switching from grey to orange cyclically, as though she's trying to keep her annoyance from showing. She's wearing her usual, blue jumpsuit and is leaned against the hull of [i]Gray Queen[/i]. "But like, these are all human categories. I know apostles were sent to [i]the ends of the earth[/i], however little sense that expression makes, but we're pretty far from Earth now. We're on Saturn."

"Come on now, this is nothing but pedantry," @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} says with a frown. You can see the expression, since he's wearing casual clothes rather than his armor and you're currently approaching him. "Other planets were created by God too, on the fourth day. They are still His domain."

"Right, that's a reasonable amount of time to…" Hadaly notices your presence, then immediately calls for help. "${name}! Are you alright? Tell us what you've been doing recently!"

*fake_choice
  #"Not important. What have [i]you[/i] been up to?"
    *set deflect + 1
    *set HadalyRel %- 5
    "I was about to inspect [i]Gray Queen[/i] for the final time, make sure Manfred is out of her systems," Hadaly explains before glancing at @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} again. "But someone here had something very important to tell me."
  #"Dealing with another flashback. You know how it is."
    *set deflect - 1
    *set HadalyRel %+ 5
    *set RookRel %+ 5
    Both of them look at you with sympathy, perhaps pity, but only Hadaly replies. "I see. I considered checking up on you, for that exact reason, but [i]someone[/i] was keeping me here for reasons far more important."
  #"Listening to the radio, mostly."
    "Ah yes, the faithful account of our little adventure," @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} says with a @{(crystal_stat = 3) smile|grimace}. "I would gladly discuss it, if I was not attempting something far more important."
    
    You raise an eyebrow. "Saving Hadaly's soul, I assume?"
  #"Nothing as ambitious as what Kirill is attempting right now."

@{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} nods. "Since my whole team is about to leave this place, possibly forever, I figured I would make one more attempt at converting… saving someone. Your young mechanic is a lovely maiden already, but she lacks the faith needed to achieve life eternal."

"Well I'm not exactly aging," Hadaly murmurs. "So I have a form of immortality already."

*fake_choice
  #"Can you leave, @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook}? I've been hoping to talk with Hadaly."
    *set HadalyRel %+5
    "Well, I suppose I was not having any luck anyway," @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} says sadly. "I will check on my current teammates and leave my former ones alone."
    
    *goto hadaly_cont
  #"Sorry to interrupt your work, @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook}, but I was hoping to get you alone."
    *set HadalyRel %+5
    *set RookRel %+5
    "I suppose that is understandable." @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} turns towards you. "Though I pray otherwise, this may be the last time we ever look one another in the eye. Some words need to be exchanged."
    
    Hadaly takes it as her cue to depart. 
    *goto rook_cont
  #"Leave her alone, @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook}. No one wants to hear your specious drivel."
    *set HadalyRel %+ 10
    *set RookRel %- 10
    *goto specious_2
  #"Give it up, @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook}. Hadaly won't ever follow a [i]human[/i] religion."
    *set HadalyRel %- 5
    *set RookRel %- 5
    *label specious_2
    "I suppose there are some kinds of prejudice I simply cannot break through," Rook says, sadly and thoughtfully. "I shall shake the dust off my feet and depart. See you later, if we ever meet again."
    
    *goto hadaly_cont
  *if master != "jesus"
    #"You can preach to me, @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook}. I won't mind."
      *set HadalyRel %+5
      *set RookRel %+ 5
      "That is… certainly a nice offer, but…" @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} tries to find a nice-sounding reason why he doesn't want you in his church. "I doubt I could tell you anything you did not hear up to this point. If you wish to find God, you will likely have to undertake a journey of your own. Sorry." 
      
      Despite @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook}'s refusal to proselytize you, Hadaly still takes this as her excuse to leave. 
      *goto rook_cont
  *if master = "jesus"
    #"Harlot. How dare you reject the most holy gospel?"
      *set HadalyRel %- 10
      *set RookRel %+ 10
      Hadaly's eyes turn red, as well as narrow a little. "Right. I forgot the two of you are in this… church together. I think I'll remove myself and let the two apostles discuss theology together."
      
      *goto rook_cont
  #"Come on, Hadaly. Give the word of God a chance."
    *set HadalyRel %- 5
    *set RookRel %+ 10
    "I gave it a chance, endured it for long enough," Hadaly replies exasperatedly. "Now it's your turn. Keep our guest entertained just for a while longer."
    
    *goto rook_cont
  #"Immortality? Come back when you're a thousand like me, then brag about your immunity to aging."
    *set HadalyRel %- 5
    Hadaly's eyes turn red, and don't return to grey this time. "I might have to come back earlier… But I will leave, just as you request. Bye."
    
    *goto rook_cont



*label hadaly_cont

Slowly and calmly, @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} marches off and leaves the landing pad. Once he disappears behind the corner, Hadaly makes a point of sighing in relief.

"Why couldn't he have ambushed, I don't know, Olivia instead?" Her eyes are just slightly red-tinted now. "She's closer to humans, the people his damn book was written for. And she has nothing important to do."

*if Emotion > 50
  You suppress an amused smirk. 
*else
  You raise an eyebrow. 
*if Violence > 50
  "You could have just shocked him, 
*else
  "You could have just told him to get lost, 
if you hated his teachings that much."

Hadaly shakes her head. "The religion itself wasn't the problem. It may actually be better than Solarism, all things considered. I just didn't care for the messenger."

*fake_choice
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #"Hadaly... I'm sorry for what I did, back on Janus. For killing Crystal and letting all these nanites free."
      *set HadalyRel %+ 10
      *set Confid %- 5
      *set Violence %- 5
      Hadaly glances away momentarily. "I'd like to tell you it's alright and that you shouldn't worry, but… You should. That decision may come back to haunt us, and it definitely will haunt others."
      
      "I know…" you sigh painfully. "I fucked up. I should have listened to you, but I didn't. If Dusk returns to hurt us, it will be my fault, and dealing with that fallout will be my responsibility."
      
      "Thank you for owning up to that," Hadaly says with a nod. "Now… Can you perhaps answer my question from earlier?"
      
      *goto what_dymh
  *if RookRel < 50
    #"Of course you didn't. I don't know if anyone around here actually likes Rook."
      "Marshal did… until very recently." You can't tell if Hadaly's smile is bitter or vindictive. "I imagine that recent broadcast damaged their relationship quite a bit."
  #"In that case... You're welcome."
    Hadaly sighs again. "Sorry, I do appreciate that you showed up. And I meant what I said earlier."
    
    *goto what_dymh
  *if Violence > 50
    #"All the more reason to just zap him with lightning."
      *set Violence %+ 10
      *set HadalyRel %+ 8
      Hadaly chuckles. "Stop. You know that's not my style, even if such solutions are tempting sometimes."
  #"Really? Solarism revolves around something visible, Kirill's god just... doesn't exist."
    "I suppose that's part of the appeal," the android muses. "The Sun could theoretically go out, will go out in a couple billion years, unlike Kirill's god. You cannot die if there's no proof for your existence in the first place."
  #"If so, don't discount the teachings themselves. There may be something of worth there."
    "I suppose," Hadaly replies without enthusiasm. "Maybe I should try turning the other cheek next time it's applicable. Even if Rook certainly won't."

Her eyes return to their usual green, the shade of curiosity. "But where are my manners. Thank you for interrupting this lecture and… I meant what I said earlier."

*label what_dymh

"What do you mean? Which part?"

"The part where I asked if you're alright." Hadaly's tone is serious, and her voice is fairly quiet. "I don't think you gave me an answer. And I get it, I have asked another question immediately thereafter, but… Are you alright?"


*fake_choice
  #"I'm fine. Don't worry about it... about me."
    *set deflect + 1
    *set HadalyRel %- 8
    Hadaly frowns. "Come on now. You know I hate it when you're deflecting."
    
    "I'm not…" You pause as Hadaly's eyes return to red. "Okay, maybe I am. And I'm sorry but… what would you rather hear? The truth of how I'm falling apart, how I'm barely holding on, how screwed-up [i]everything[/i] around us is?"
  #"I'm coping. So it could be worse."
    Hadaly winced. "It sounds like it could be a lot better too"
    
    You shake your head. "Not really. There's no way to fix me and no way to turn back time to when… Not that changing the past would help either. Everything was always going to be broken, from the moment I heard… you know."
  #"Well... I just realized I'm not long for this world."
    *set HadalyRel %+ 12
    Hadaly blinks. "What? What do you mean? Some new mechanical problem? What's about to kill you?"
    
    "It won't necessarily kill me, but…" You hang your head. "You may want to sit down for that."
    
    Hadaly obeys, and so you tell her everything. The nature of your two most recent flashbacks and the conclusions you've recently reached. How you expect those episodes to get more and more frequent, and to be completely consumed by them in the years to follow. 
    *if Build < 45
      If the decay of your body doesn't put a stop to them, to everything, first.
    *else
      And how you see no way of avoiding that fate, save the shame of self-destruction.
    
    She listens patiently, quietly, morosely. She is seated on a crate, but stands up when you're done talking, when there is nothing more to add and everything was understood.
  #"I'm not. Never was, never will."
    *set deflect - 1
    *set HadalyRel %+ 8
    Hadaly frowns. "Well, I'm glad you're being so candid. But what makes you say things will never improve?"
    
    "Because it's only getting worse," you say bitterly. "And I mean everything, but… My health in particular. The flashbacks are getting more frequent, and my body isn't getting any younger. I'm falling apart, Hadaly, and I don't know if I can even slow the process down anymore."
  #"Drop it. I don't need your pity."
    *set HadalyRel %- 8
    *set deflect + 1
    Hadaly frowns. "This is hardly pity I'm offering."
    
    "Are you sure?" you ask bitterly. "Because it feels like it. It always feels like it, whether I get that crap from you or… anyone else, really."

"${name}…" Hadaly takes a step closer. "I don't know if there's anything I can say to make you feel better, but if there is… 
*if official_ro = "hadaly"
  I love you. I might be a little upset right now, but that doesn't mean much in the long run. I'll be there for you."
  
  "I know you will." You turn away, not because you don't relish the words being spoken, or the proximity of your lover. Quite the opposite. "But I have something to do. There's no time for this sort of conversation, or for us to… I need to go."
  
  "Understandable." Hadaly begins walking towards the exit at about the same time you do. "Just remember what I said. Now and forever."
*elseif HadalyRel < 50
  I know we're not the best of friends, but I'm with you. I can help you with malfunctions, and flashbacks, and whatever else. We have each other's backs."
  
  *label not_sure_worth
  
  "Thank you, I suppose." You turn around and start walking towards the exit. "But I'm not sure how much that's worth."
  
  Hadaly follows you. "To be honest, I'm not sure of that either. Just… try not to forget it, okay?"
*else
  I'm with you. You have been good to me, and I fully intend to repay that. I'm with you, whether you need a mechanic or a friend."
  
  *goto not_sure_worth

You nod. What is there to say, really?

The two of you walk together for a moment, but inevitably split at one of the crossroads. Whatever Hadaly has to do next, she wasn't called by Sheila; You were, and you don't want to keep the spider waiting any longer.


*goto road_sheila


*label rook_cont
She bounces off the hull, then begins marching off and out of the docks. Maybe you'll see her again today, since she does appear to be headed in the reactor's direction.

"That could have gone better," @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} murmurs once the gynoid is gone. "I suppose there are people out there more persuasive than me."

*fake_choice
  #"Why do you want more Christians anyway? Every convert is one less free house in heaven."
    "I do not believe afterlife works this way." Kirill shakes his head. "I am not Jehovah's Witness. I do not believe there are any of those left, fortunately enough."
    
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #"You're famous now. You can preach to the masses, rather than recruit individually."
      *set RookRel %+ 12
      "Huh. You are correct." Kirill smiles a little guiltily. "I guess I did not think the implications of my new status and upcoming promotion through. I will be able to save so many souls…"
      
  *if master != "jesus"
    #"If that helps, I don't think your God would have accepted an android follower anyway."
      @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} frowns. "Are you claiming you know my Lord better than I do?"
      
      "No, but I've seen the War In Heaven, and all the things androids did during the conflict," you counter calmly. "Do you really want the bunch of us in [i]your[/i] heaven, @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook}?"
      
      "…point taken." 
  #"She's stubborn and obstinate. Don't blame yourself for not getting through."
    *set RookRel %+ 6
    "I will not. I am used to that kind of reaction." 
  #"There sure are, Kirill. There sure are."
    *set RookRel %- 5
    "You are so supportive right now…" 
  #"What were you hoping to accomplish? Convert her on the spot?"
    *set RookRel %- 5
    @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} winces. "I was hoping to plant a seed of faith, start her on a path which leads to God… Though even that sounds silly, now that I say it out loud."
    
@{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} glances towards his cutter. [i]Gray Queen[/i] isn't exactly in its best shape, not after that recent chase over the rings of Saturn, but it seems good enough to fly. Good enough to transport the Meta Trio out of here, and to bring them back here… however unlikely that is to ever happen.

*if federate_protection
  "I will attempt to visit this place again," he says, as though reading your thoughts. "We owe your group too much to just never meet again. But this might not be possible for a long time."
  
  "Could we attempt to stay in contact anyhow? Wireless connection is a thing."
  
  @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} shakes his head. "Radio is not secure, and I do not have any quantum discs on me. I will try to acquire one during our assignment in Rhea."
*else
  "Remember the terms you are bound by," he says gravely. "You have a week to depart. Otherwise, the fleet and the army will work together for the purpose of kicking you out. Cleansing this station."
  
  "Will you be leading the charge?" Your voice is a little bitter. "You and the Meta Trio as the front guard of the assault?"
  
  @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} shakes his head. 

You raise an eyebrow. "Rhea? Do you have another android to catch there?"

"We are mostly going to handle riots, which have been raging ever since our… encounter in the Sholmo City. The Conglomerate's policy of just shooting all protesters did not yield the desired results yet, and so federal forces are getting involved. You know how it is."

*fake_choice
  #"Do you expect any stronger than an enraged crowd? Will you be in any danger?"
    "Hopefully not…" 
  #"Right. Hammon mentioned something about that."
    "When he visited the station, soon after our return from $!{first_mission}," @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} recalls. "I still do not understand what that one was about."
    
    *if HadalyRel > 45
      "…me neither," you lie, deciding you owe Hadaly that much. "I have absolutely no idea."
      
      As though detecting dishonesty, 
    *else
      "I do," you admit, thinking of your departed mechanic. "I'd tell you, but… it's a long story. And I don't think we have the time."
      
      "I don't think we do either." 
  *if (crystal_stat = 2) and federate_protection
    #"I'm surprised you feel like you owe us something. We failed at our task."
      *set RookRel %+ 10
      "But you tried earnestly enough that even our admiral was satisfied," @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} points out. "And besides, me and both of my teammates got out of this alive. I thank you for that."
      
  #"I don't. Why not send a larger force, why use meta-humans like you?"
    "Tensions between the Conglomerate and the broader Federation, I presume. Sending an army would mean intimidating the megacorps, risking a civil war… though I suspect something bad is about to happen either way." 
@{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} sighs. There is still air in the docks, but that will change once it's time to depart, once the roof opens and [i]Gray Queen[/i] is allowed to leave. Forever.

*if federate_protection
  "I will try to drop by in a month or two," he tells you after a moment. "Leave a quantum disc here, or perhaps synchronize another with the one West left you. We might not be able to talk until then, so tell me what you came here to say."
*else
  "I am sorry it had to end this way," he says quietly. "I really am. But we all have our orders, and when we fail to fulfill them… This is what happens."

*fake_choice
  *if federate_protection
    #"I just wanted to say it's been an honor. However generic that may sound."
      *set RookRel %+ 12
      "I do not mind." Kirill smiles warmly. "Just because something belongs in a war flick does not indicate it does not belong in real life too."
    *if fought_trio
      #"I wanted to apologize for roughing you up. When we first met, I mean."
        *set RookRel %+ 10
        *set Confid %- 5
        *set Violence %- 5
        *set Misan %- 5
        "We have come a long way since there, have we not?" @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} smiles faintly. "Hopefully both of us will go even further, ${fake_name}. Farewell."
    #"I just wanted to wish you good luck. With everything."
      *set RookRel %+ 8
      "And same to you, ${fake_name}." @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} nods respectfully. "I shall be praying for you, wherever I go. And regardless of where you choose to head for."
    #"In all honesty, I forgot what I wanted to say."
      *set RookRel %- 5
      @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} frowns ever-so-slightly. "Well, hopefully you will have remembered by the time we meet again. Farewell, ${fake_name}."
  *else
    #"I'm sorry I failed. I really, really am."
      *set RookRel %+ 10
      *set Confid %- 8
      "Regret changes nothing," @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} says softly. "But it is appreciated. Farewell, ${fake_name}."
    *if crystal_stat = 1
      #"I did the right thing, @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook}. Do not try to shame me."
        *set Confid %+ 8
        "The thought never crossed my mind," @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} says calmly. "I would not curse with you with feelings of guilt. I know how bad they can get."
    #"I am sorry too. Hopefully we'll see one another again."
      *set RookRel %+ 5
      "It would take quite a coincidence for our groups to run into one another out there." @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} smiles faintly. "But I believe in Providence, so perhaps it shall happen. Sometime, somewhere."
    *if crystal_stat = 2
      #"We both did our best. We must remember that going forward."
        *set RookRel %+ 5
        "Not a bad attitude to have, I suppose." @{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} smiles faintly. "Thank you, ${fake_name}. And goodbye."
    #Say nothing.
      You stay silent. There is nothing to say, after all.

@{(RookRel >= 50) Krill|Rook} departs soon after, likely to check on his teammates. You could stop him or chase him, but you've spent time enough in these docks already. Sheila is waiting.


*goto road_sheila

*label mig_and_renfri

You find and enter the shooting range, which Damon has recently turned into something of a makeshift gym. There are sandbags to carry, some bars to exercise on, weights to lift and some sand covering the floor. Probably from the sandbags, one of which is currently being levitated into the air and flung straight at Miguel.

The werehog manages to punch the bag out of the air. It doesn't require much precision, but the strength involved is impressive. It reminds you that Miguel is mildly superhuman, however rarely he shows that.

"You almost make me wish I had arms," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} says approvingly. "Punching things as they fly looks fun."

"Its not as fun as flying, and a bit more painful," Miguel says as he rubs his fist. He then notices you. "Hi ${name}. Want to train with us?"

"I was actually just hoping to talk." You sit down on a metal box in the corner. "I didn't even know you [i]were[/i] training."

"It's not training, precisely," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} objects, weakly kicking a nearby sandbag. "Working out, perhaps, but we really just want to kill some time. Clear our heads. Forget about everything that happened recently."

*fake_choice
  *if RenfriRel >= 50
    #"You could have come to me. I'm always willing to offer some comfort."
      "Thanks, but…" Renfri bites her lip. "It's not comfort I want, really. I was more in need of a distraction, a break from… everything, really."
      
      You frown. "And you think I wouldn't offer you that?"
      
      "Yeah. You're great, but you're a part of that [i]everything[/i], if that makes any sense," the Kinnari sighs deeply. "But I guess it doesn't, so… forget I said anything. What's on your mind?"
  #"I get how that feels. And I'm glad you found a way to deal with it."
    "It's less about dealing with it, and more about… coping, to be perfectly honest," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} says grimly. "I've heard that's how many soldiers feel after an important mission. I mean, I don't think I'm shell-shocked just yet, it's just-"
    
    "We both get it," Miguel says assuringly, then turns back towards you. "Care to provide us with another distraction? Tell us what's on your mind?"
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #"Why would you want to forget anything? We won."
      "Yeah. We won." @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} glances away. "I know that. I'm happy that we vanquished the beast, but…"
      
      "She was hoping for more glory," Miguel explains. "Enough to earn her the promotion she needs, at the very least."
      
      @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} glares at the werehog angrily. "I didn't think you'd tell anyone about that."
      
      "You'd gain nothing by concealing how you feel," Miguel shrugs before turning back towards you. "So, why did you come here? Is something bothering you?"
  #"Do you perhaps mean... the broadcast?"
    "Partially," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} winces visibly. "I found… some inaccuracies with how our hunt was portrayed."
    
    You remark, "I think I heard you break the radio."
    
    Miguel remarks, "I think I heard that too, a few minutes before you arrived here."
    
    "I may have… done something similarly emotional," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} hesitantly admits. "But let's not talk about this. I'm sure you have other things to ask about, other topics to discuss, so please bring up one of them."
    
    "As you say…"
  #"Mind if I make you pause? I've got some things to say."
    "Not at all," Miguel replies. "My arms and fists need some rest anyway, so… What's on your mind?"

*label skip_this_one

*fake_choice
  *disable_reuse #"Beating up sandbags is boring. Have you considered sparring instead?"
    "Sun no!" Miguel quickly replies. "I mean… It wouldn't make for a very good parting. Our groups should separate on good terms, not right after an inter-team fight."
    
    "Are you sure about that?" A tiny smile graces @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal}'s lips. "Because I wouldn't get upset over a spar. Even if I lost."
    
    Miguel rubs the back of his head. "I'm not doubting that, it's just…"
    
    "Then come on. Show me how strong you are." @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} steps closer. "We're both itching for some proper exercise, so why do you hesitate?"
    
    "…because I know you would end up kicking my ass," Miguel finally admits. "And because I value the structural integrity of my bones."
    
    @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} chuckles heartily. "You have no idea how good it feels to hear that. After all these weeks of fighting ancient androids and wyverns, a reminder that I'm still a complete badass compared to almost everyone else… Let's just say it's welcome."
      
    *goto skip_this_one
  *disable_reuse #"I wasn't aware the two of you were on such good terms. I didn't expect it."
    "Well you should have," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} scoffs. "I'm good with werepeople, as you probably noticed."
    
    You nod. "I did. I just figured befriending a werehog would be quite different from befriending a werewolf. These are very different creatures we're talking about."
    
    "Tell me about it," Miguel groans. "I tried to get familiar with that Lisa girl, maybe offer her some quality time… But she started barking and spitting at me almost the moment I approached."
    
    "A typical canine reaction." @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} smiles at Miguel, perhaps apologetically, perhaps with amusement. "A little visceral, true, but understandable given her instincts."
    
    Miguel frowns. "She then proceeded to maul me. Almost bit me in the throat."
    
    "Well, I took her away. Even apologized for her." @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} turns towards you. "And then we talked some more, and then we became… I'm not sure if we're friends, but we get along well enough."
    
    "We're certainly nothing more than friends…" Miguel sighs sadly. "But yeah, that's why we're exercising together now. Any other questions?"
    
    *goto skip_this_one
  *disable_reuse #"Sheila just called me from the reactor. Any idea what she might want?"
    "A mating partner to lay eggs in?" @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} suggests. "Don't ask me. I don't think I ever exchanged a word with that spider, and for good reasons."
    
    "Don't look at me either." Miguel shrugs. "If she's in the reactor, maybe she needs someone to help her with the repairs. She's made for that sort of thing, but she doesn't exactly have any hands on her."
    
    *if federate_protection
      "That's what Hadaly is for," you point out. "She may be upset right now, but she'd love to look at the reactor. Why not call her instead?"
    *else
      "But we'll be moving out anyway," you point out. "Probably this very week. Why would she care if the reactor is running?"
    
    "Good point." Miguel just shrugs again. "All the more reason to hurry up and find out. You don't want to keep our boss waiting for too long."
    
    *goto skip_this_one
  *if started_fight
    *disable_reuse #"Sorry for making you guys fight each other, back when you first met. It was really not cool of me."
      *set Confid %- 8
      *set RenfriRel %+ 8
      *set OrganRel %+ 8
      *if wisp_attack
        "When you got Wisp to almost fracture my skull," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} pouts at the memory. "Yeah, I think it's about time you apologized."
        
        "Better late than never," Miguel agrees. "But… I think I should apologize too, for joining that fight. None of us did great there."
      *else
        "It wasn't your fault, really," Miguel waves your concern off. "We were all on edge, willing to throw hands given the slightest reason to. You just provided a spark for the fire."
      
      @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} sighs. "Right, it wasn't anyone's greatest day. All that hostility and distrust in the air… I'm somewhat ashamed of it myself."
      
      "Don't feel bad about that," you reassure her. "It's not like I gave you any reasons to trust my kind. We've all grown since then."
      
      "That makes one thing I gained from this whole adventure," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} murmurs. "I guess it's something to thank the Emperor for. And you, to a small extent."
      
      *goto skip_this_one
  *disable_reuse #"How are you doing, Miguel? I haven't checked on you in quite a while."
    "Don't worry about it," Miguel assures you. "You had good reasons to be away for so long. And equally good reasons to… not be terribly talkative whenever you were home, for that matter. I understand."
    
    You arch an eyebrow. "Thanks, but you're not really answering my question. Are you okay?"
    
    *if federate_protection
      Miguel nods. "I am. Hadaly is kinda mad at me, and at several other things, but everything else is going just fine. 
    *else
      "Now that we need to move out… not really," Miguel admits sadly. "But aside from that, I'm mostly fine. 
    There's even a project I've been busying myself with, a worthwhile one, which will hopefully reach its completion soon."
    
    You arch the other eyebrow. "Mind telling me more about this project?"
    
    "I do. I'd rather keep some things close to my chest, keep my secrets for now."
    
    "Then why bother mentioning that at all?"
    
    Miguel grins. "You will see in time. Hopefully soon."
    
    *goto skip_this_one
  *disable_reuse #"So Renfri... Do you know what comes next for you? What will you do, now that the mission is over?"
    "Well, my team is headed for Rhea," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} dispassionately explains. "Something about riot control, though the risk of terrorist attacks is non-negligible. We'll be there for weeks, possibly months."
    
    "And what comes after that?" you prompt her. "What about your career, or life in general?"
    
    "After that broadcast, my law enforcement [i]career[/i] is 
    *if crystal_stat = 3
      in an uninteresting place." 
    *else
      basically over." 
    The meta-human glances away. "I'm not saying I'll defect or anything, but… I need to figure out something if I'm to ever get my promotion."
    
    You raise an eyebrow. "What kind of [i]something[/i] are we talking about here?"
    
    "Some kind," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} sighs. "I don't know. I don't have a plan, or even a concept. But I can't remain a mere agent forever."
    
    "Do you need to have a rank at all?" Miguel chimes in. "Do you even want to keep serving the Federation? 
    *if federate_protection
      Because if not, we have plenty of space for you here. We would welcome you, should you ever decide to join us."
    *else
      You could stay here for a while, then leave the station with the rest of us. We could use someone with your talents once we're on the run."
    
    @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} grimaces. "Sad thing is, I actually find the offer somewhat tempting. But I cannot give up just yet. There must something for me in the Federation, I'm sure of that."
    
    *goto skip_this_one
  *if crystal_stat != 3
    *disable_reuse #"I wanted to apologize for my failure. For having failed both of you."
      *set Confid %- 5
      *set OrganRel %+ 5
      *set RenfriRel %+ 5
      *if crystal_stat = 1
        "You should!" @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} grimaces, though her expression softens quickly. "I mean, I get why you did that, nobody wants a bunch of evil nanites flying around… But I still don't think it was the right call."
        
        "I'm having my doubts too," Miguel says grimly. "But I will not give you any grief. If you believe you did the right thing, that keeping Crystal alive will protect us from Dusk… I guess I'll just hope you were right."
      *else
        "Don't worry about it," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} sighs. "We both… we all did our best. You shouldn't feel any worse than anyone else on the team."
        
        *if federate_protection
          "And we got what we wanted any…" Miguel pauses, likely due to the angry look he gets from the Kinnari. "I mean yes. You did your best. That's all which matters and everything we expected from you. So lighten up, please."
        *else
          "And it seems like you did more than anyone else," Miguel adds with a weak smile. "I don't feel guilty about having sat there and done nothing. Don't blame yourself for failing to defeat the strongest wyvern in existence."
      *goto skip_this_one
  #"I need to go. Have fun training."

"I'm afraid we will not," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} says as she steps towards the exit. "I need to go. Join my team, preferably pack my paintings before we leave. I'd gladly chat with the two of you some more, but I don't think there's time for that."

"Such a shame," Miguel says wistfully. "Be careful out there, please."

*fake_choice
  #"She will. It's not like she ever did anything reckless or impulsive."
    @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} smiles. "Do I sense some sarcasm here, ${name}?"
    
    You smile back. "None. Just grief, over the sudden death of your radio device, so tragically deceased."
    
    "I'll try not to destroy any more valuable electronic devices." She steps through the doorstep, glancing at you one last time. "Goodbye."
  *if federate_protection
    #"Yeah. And try to visit this station sometime."
      "It might be difficult," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} points out. "I'm not sure when I'll get leave, and reaching this fortress may be difficult with just my wings… But I will try."
      
      "That's all I'm asking for," you tell her gratefully. "With that settled… See you later."
      
      "Yeah." She smiles at you before stepping through the door frame. "See you later, android."
  *if RenfriRel < 50
    #"Or don't. It's not like we care."
      "Speak for yourself," Miguel rolls his dark eyes. "I wouldn't mind meeting our friendly neighborhood Kinnari again. I certainly wouldn't want her to get hurt."
      
      "I will be fine, much to your robots chagrin," @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} reassures the werehog. "Farewell. Or until next time, if the Emperor so allows."
  #"See you later, Renfri Riannon."
    @{(RenfriRel >= 50) Renfri|Marshal} smiles. "See you later, ${fake_name}. And try not to die out there, not after a thousand years of survival."

She walks away. She doesn't fly off, not in such a tight corridor and with so little power flowing through her veins. She just walks away, like it's the most normal thing in the world, even though it's your final parting. 
*if federate_protection
  Possibly the final one, at least.

"Easy come, easy go," Miguel remarks. "I wonder if we'll ever see her again. Or either of her two friends."

*fake_choice
  #"We will. I'm sure of that."
    Miguel cocks an eyebrow. "And how do you know that?"
    
    "I didn't say I know it, just that I'm sure," you clarify. "I have a feeling, a hunch, a premonition. Call it however you'd like."
    
    Miguel sighs, "I'm not sure if I want to trust your intuition… Or even if I want you to be right. But I will not argue."
  #"Hopefully. I've learned to enjoy their company."
    "Right?" Miguel smiles. "They are a chaotic little bunch, but they are entertaining. And not that bad once you get to know them."
    
    *if fought_trio
      "They almost killed me inside Rhea," you feel a need to point out.
      
      "Well… they're not too bad by federate standards. Which, I admit, have been placed pretty low."
  #"I hope not. They brought us nothing but trouble."
    Miguel sighs, "That might be true. Still… A part of me will miss them, however irrational that is."
  #"You know you stand no chance with her, right? She's gay."
    Miguel rolls his eyes. "Believe it or not, I'm not [i]solely[/i] motivated by carnal pursuits, nor terribly interested in birds. I just find her cute, in a platonic way. Charmingly young and naive."
  #"Do you [i]want[/i] to see them again?"
    "Maybe." Miguel shrugs. "I was thinking of approaching Kosteniuk, of talking about our past and the things he did… But maybe it's better to just forget the past instead. Let it die, kill it if we must."
  #"Who cares? You always have me to train with."
    "I think you're a little [i]too[/i] strong for the poor old me." Miguel smiles slightly. "We all die someday, but I'd rather not die because an android punched me really hard during a spar, or threw a bag of sand at me really hard. Speaking of…"

The werehog picks up the sandbag and carries it to the room's corner, placing it near the others. "Anyway, you should probably go see Sheila already. If she called you from the other side of the station, she must have something important for you. Something major to gift or burden you with."

"Just the station's habitable zone…" you murmur as you turn around. "But I guess you have a point. See you later."

You leave the gym, or what passes for the gym in this fortress. There will be other chances to talk with Miguel, as well as to train. 
*if OrganRel < 45
  If you somehow end up feeling the need for either.
*else
  Not that you feel any need for the latter, your muscles don't exactly get stronger the more things you lift.


*goto road_sheila



*label damon_and_lisa

You enter the observatory, a wide room situated right beneath the station's roof. There is no open ceiling and no telescopes, obviously, but there is a variety of visors that connect to various magnifying devices on the outside of the fortress. A woman with ginger hair, shaved on one side, is looking through one such lens.

"…three, right? It's a triple star system, like many throughout the galaxy," Damon tells her, his tone that of a newly hired teacher excited to talk about his chosen discipline. "Humans just go ahead and assume there's nothing interesting out there, just rocky planets orbiting singular stars, because that's all their imagination can handle. Um, no offense."

"None taken. That's just what happens when you write a commandment about…" Lisa turns around, having heard you approach. "Oh hi, ${name_lisa}. You wanna look at the sky too? I got the impression you like that sort of stuff."

You nod. "I do, but that's not what I came here for. I want to talk, if I'm not interrupting anything important."

"Nope. Damon was showing me that [i]Alpha Centauri[/i] system. Fascinating stuff, though it does require one to count the stars."

"It's not dangerous, as long as you know what to look at," Damon leans against the wall, as though attempting to look cool. "So what's on your mind, boss?"

*label d_convo_l

*choice
  *disable_reuse #"I'm surprised to see you here, Lisa. Do you take interest in astronomy?"
    "I sure do." Lisa shrugs as though she's saying something obvious. "Stars are huge, mysterious and look amazing in the sky. Who doesn't take at least some interest in them?"
    
    "Most of people in the Solar System, I gather," you point out. "If anything, most people don't even know what stars are. They just know them as something which must not be counted."
    
    "You shall never count the stars," Lisa says with an eye-roll. "Well, things are a bit different in Calypso. We see stars daily, whenever the cylinder is facing away from Saturn. And we are discouraged from fearing what we don't understand."
    
    "You almost sound like you miss the place," Damon remarks thoughtlessly.
    
    "Cloud no. It's a petty dystopia ruled by neurotic tyrants. It just sucks differently than most of the Federation, that's all." The werewolf glances away. "I don't miss the place, or my… no. Never."
    
    You decide not to question her.
    
    *goto d_convo_l
  #"So are the two of you friends now? Or something more?"
    "It's not like that," Damon quickly replies. "The second part, I mean, though we're really not close friends either. We like each other I guess, we're just…"
    
    "We're two people with common interests, and we kinda enjoy each other's company," Lisa finishes for him. "There's nothing deeper than than."
    
    "I wouldn't expect even that much when I first met you." You keep your tone neutral and non-judgmental. "You didn't seem anything like Damon. Are you sure this isn't the case of opposites attracting?"
    
    "What opposites?" Lisa crosses her arms. "Are you saying I'm not perceptive, or hot as a nuclear furnace?"
    
    "No, but you're really into fighting. Damon is more into fashion and such things."
    
    She rolls her grey eyes. "I'd be into fashion too, if I had the money for it. I don't terribly like this hoodie, I just don't have much else."
    
    "And besides, I can fight too," Damon chimes in. "I'll do it readily to protect the group. I just don't find it all that fun."
    
    "It's an acquired taste. And even then, I may have… exaggerated my enjoyment of…" Lisa shakes her head. "Nevermind. Is there anything else you want to know, ${name_lisa}?"
    
    *goto d_convo_l
  *if crystal_stat != 2
    #"What do you two think about... the decision I made?"
      *if crystal_stat = 1
        "…I respect it," Damon says after a silent moment. "I'm not sure if I agree, given the consequences… But I admire the courage that went into that choice."
        
        "I just don't understand," Lisa sighs irritably. "Not that I resent you, it's just… Why spare your enemy at the last moment, having gone so far and done so much to kill them?"
        
        "Mercy just seemed like the better option at the time." Does it still seem like it now? It's getting hard to tell. 
        *if lisa_saved_hostages
          "Don't tell me you don't understand. You spared the hostages, back on the pirate ship."
          
          "That was different." Lisa glances away. "But I get it. Don't give me any shit for what I chose and I won't return any. Live and let live, I suppose."
        *else
          "Especially with all this Dusk, threatening to spill out upon Crystal's death."
          
          "If Da-xia was full of Dusk nanites, I'd still be eager to kill her." Lisa's eyes narrow for a moment. "But maybe that's just me being evil. At the end of the day, I respect your choice too. For all good it does you."
          
          *goto d_convo_l
      *if crystal_stat = 3
        "Killing Crystal, you mean?" Lisa says bluntly. "You shouldn't worry about it. That wyvern got what they deserved."
        
        You shake your head. "That's not necessarily my biggest problem. When Crystal died, all these nanobots… They flew out. They even talked to me for a bit. Now they're out there, because of what we did. What I've done."
        
        "Hey, we didn't know for sure this was going to happen," Damon defends you from yourself. "Even know, who's to say you didn't do the right thing? Those nanites may be dangerous, but so was the wyvern. I don't think you made things any worse, so please don't blame yourself."
        
        You glance at him. "Are you sure? Hadaly seems to think otherwise."
        
        Damon shakes his head. "You've completed the mission and delivered everyone home in one piece. Hadaly may not appreciate that, but I do. Remember that next time you brood, ${name_damon}."
        
        *goto d_convo_l
  *disable_reuse #"Will you show me some stars too, Damon?"
    "Maybe later, once I do some further research." Damon rubs the back of his head. "I imagine you're much harder to impress, that you know more about the sky than she does."
    
    "I have gazed at the thing quite a few times," you concede. "But I rarely analyzed it. I was mostly just admiring… Some quality of it."
    
    "Our friend is a poet rather than an astronomer," Lisa comments. "But I understand. There is something… mystical about staring at all these infinitely distant, bright lights in space."
    
    You shake your head slowly. "Not infinitely distant. Infinity is nothing, means nothing, it's just a useful abstract concept in mathematics. The distance between us and the nearest star… It's measurable, and that makes it larger than infinity. It is beyond the power of the gods, even that of Dusk itself. Those lights are not mystical, they are [i]real[/i], and that's what makes them so precious."
    
    "See? AI poetry really is a thing to behold," Lisa says with a smirk. "You've gotta write that stuff down somewhere."
    
    "Isn't good poetry illegal in the Federation?" Damon points out.
    
    "So are androids," Lisa counters. "So I think you should take that chance. Some day."
    
    *goto d_convo_l
  *disable_reuse #"So what happens now? I take it the Meta Trio is about to leave?"
    Lisa nods. "In a moment, maybe an hour tops. We are being reassigned, placed back inside Rhea. They need someone to disperse all these recent riots, I guess."
    
    "Will you ever be deployed to take care of us?" Damon suddenly asks. "I mean, 
    *if federate_protection
      we are still living on the Federation's turf. I'm not sure how long we can remain in West's good graces."
    *else
      we're not exactly on good terms with West right now. Or anyone else in the Federation, for that matter."
    
    "If my federate superiors ever send me after you, I will desert," Lisa reassures him. "I like you guys too much to just tear you all apart."
    
    *fake_choice
      #"What about the other two? Would they refuse as well?"
        "Kirill would not. He would just lament how tragic life is while attempting to kill you, and maybe confess his sins after succeeding." Lisa strokes her chin. "Renfri is a cointoss, really."
        
        "Is she?" Damon raises an eyebrow. "She always seemed like a federate loyalist, and one who heavily dislikes us at that."
        
        "She's probably less thrilled about serving the Federation after that broadcast we've all heard." Lisa smiles. Perhaps sadly, perhaps with genuine amusement. "And she really warmed up to you over the past month. Don't judge her too harshly."
      *if LisaRel < 50
        #"You like us? Me included?"
          "I like you significantly less than the other guy," Lisa says, causing Damon to blush. Somehow. "But you are entertaining, and so I will not kill you."
          
          "If only all humans shared your attitude," you murmur. "Anyway…"
      #"Really? What about that bomb in your heart?"
        "I think I can deal with that little problem," Lisa says quietly, and only after looking around. "In fact, I'm decently sure I can. So don't worry about me, or at least not in this regard."
        
        *goto plan_unspoke
      #"If you're not afraid to desert, why not do it right now?"
        "I'd be putting a target on your back," Lisa explains. "I have plans to leave, to escape my bondage… But they will have to wait. For now I'll keep doing whatever the feds demand of me."
        
        *label plan_unspoke
        
        Damon raises an eyebrow. "I'd ask you about the details of that plan, but I guess we don't want anyone to overhear. So let's talk about something else."
        
        You oblige.
      #"Hold on. Is the situation in Rhea really that bad?"
        Lisa nods. "From what I've heard. The riots are escalating into a full-blown rebellion against the Conglomerate. They need meta-humans to handle it."
        
        "To intimidate the crowds into not showing up?" you inquire. "Or to slaughter everyone who dares to riot?"
        
        "Do the latter, then hope the fear takes effect," Lisa says with a grimace. "Ugly job, but it's not like I get any say regarding our objectives. Hopefully we won't be stationed there for long."
    
    *goto d_convo_l
  #"I have to see Sheila now. You two have fun here."
    "I'm afraid we will not," Lisa says as she heads for the exit door. "My teammates are probably on the ship already. I must leave, otherwise Kirill will drag me there himself."

Damon sighs, but says nothing. She's right. There is no point to the Meta Trio staying here any longer, and Lisa has no choice but to board the ship and leave this station forever.

She stops in the doorstep. "So… thanks guys. I know we probably won't see another again, so thank you for keeping me company here. 
*if LisaRel < 50
  You may have been a real asshole once or twice, ${name}, but you were still entertaining. Still better what I'll have to deal with now."
*else
  You're both great."

*fake_choice
  #"Aw, thanks. You're not terribly bad either."
    "Of course I'm not. I'm the coolest ginger werewolf on this side of Saturn." Lisa smiles coyly. "And don't you two forget that."
  #"Goodbye. And good luck, wherever you end up going."
    "Same to you, android pal," Lisa says with a sad smile. "Same to you."
  #"We [i]will[/i] see one another again. I'll make sure of that."
    *set LisaRel %+ 10
    "I'm not sure how you intend to do that… but you are nothing if not resourceful." Lisa smiles slightly. "So good luck and see you later."
  #"Just leave already. Don't keep the other two waiting."
    *set LisaRel %+ 10
    Lisa grimaces. "I was hoping for more warmth, but I guess you're right. I don't want to annoy Renfri more than I usually do. So goodbye."
  #Say nothing.

She disappears behind the corner, and that's all you've seen of Lisa Herbert. 
*if LisaRel < 45
  It's surprisingly sad, considering how the two of you met. Such a long way, and such an unsatisfying end.
*else
  Good riddance, you suppose.

"I guess we should be leaving too," Damon says as he bounces off the wall. "I need to man the weapons, just in case the feds try anything stupid. And you should probably report to Sheila already."

"Yeah, let's not keep the [i]real[/i] boss waiting too long." You step through the door. There is no trace of Lisa already, no werewolves in sight, no indication she even stopped to look back. Which was probably the right choice. "See you later. And take care."


*goto road_sheila

*label oliv_and_hugo

You enter the room right above the reactor control chamber, one where Olivia's aquarium can be entered like any other pool—by stepping into it. The radiation here is only slightly stronger than in any other room of the fortress, the water does a fine job absorbing the harmful gamma rays. Not that such hazards are of much concern to you.

Neither of the two organics in the pool looks particularly concerned either. Hugo is swimming on the surface with surprising ease, Olivia a little below the water sheet. When they see you enter, the octopus swims up and grabs the pool's edge with a tentacle.

"${name}!" she says loudly. "I haven't seen you in quite some time. 
*if first_mission = "telesto"
  Not since we've been to Telesto together. 
*if OrganRel > 40
  I missed your company, and I'm not even a social animal."
*else
  Not that I'm complaining, you are a bit of a bore."

"Hello." Hugo swims a little closer, though he moves slowly. "Yes, it… was a while."

"I've been a little busy recently." You sit down on the edge of the pool, placing your legs in the water. "But I have a moment now. Unless you're doing something important, that is."

"Sort of. I've been teaching our human friend how to swim, but we can pause the exercise. Tell us what's on your 
*if OrganRel > 40
  mind.
*else
  mind, if you really need to."

*label oh_convo

*choice
  *disable_reuse #"The Meta Trio is about to leave in literal minutes. Will you miss them?"
    "Hell no!" Olivia replies quickly, maybe too quickly. "I won't miss some dirty feds who barged in here uninvited. Farewell and good riddance to them all."
    
    "Are you sure?" you prompt. "I think we all started bonding a little, near the mission's end. Do you [i]really[/i] hate all three of them?"
    
    "Well… I guess the werewolf chick wasn't that bad," Olivia admits reluctantly. "She has a sense of humor, and a sense of how much her stupid Federation sucks. And she had the decency to shave one half of her head, maybe she realizes how disgusting having [i]hair[/i] is. I've been stuck with worse creatures."
    
    "So you like @{(LisaRel > 50) Lisa too. But aren't|Lisa. Aren't} you upset she didn't help us back in Telesto?"
    
    "Eh, she had her reasons, and good ones at that. I wouldn't force any land-dweller to go swimming like we did. It would be as though someone forced me out of this pool and into dry air. Even the thought makes me shudder."
    
    You raise an eyebrow. "Aren't we doing that fairly regularly? Like, almost every time we need you to do something or attend a meeting?"
    
    "That you do, ${name}. That you do. So please do less of that in the future, alright?"
    
    *goto oh_convo
  *if not (federate_protection)
    *disable_reuse #"I'm sorry I failed you. That we must leave this station, and that Crystal is still alive."
      "Do we really care if that wyvern survives?" Olivia waves you off. "Let it destroy federate ships, or terrorize that 'Calypso' moon for all I care. It's not our problem."
      
      "But it [i]was[/i] our problem," you point out. "And because we failed to solve it, we're getting kicked out of here. Doesn't that bother you at all?"
      
      "I mean, it will be harder to find moisture on the run…" Olivia admits reluctantly. 
      *if OrganRel > 50
        "But that's hardly your fault, so don't beat yourself over it."
      *else
        "But we will manage it. Somehow."
        
      "Will be… Fine." Hugo struggles to speak as always. "Do not worry."
      
      You wonder if he truly believes that. Of all the people here, he will struggle the most once you leave the fortress, once you start living on the run again. His condition may be stable, but he [i]is[/i] essentially disabled, and tends to attract attention even more than you or your fellow androids. He will have it hard, and will make things harder for the group, unless Sheila decides he's not worth the trouble and…
      
      You decide not to think about that.
      
      *goto oh_convo
  *if (official_ro = "damon") or (official_ro = "hadaly")
    *disable_reuse #"So... do you know me and $!{official_ro} recently got together?"
      "Congratul… Congrats," Hugo manages to sound genuinely happy for you. 
      *if official_ro = "damon"
        Olivia makes a similar attempt, but her success is limited.
        
        "Yeah… Good for you," she says hesitantly. "Should have told us earlier, we would have… baked you two a cake or something…"
        
        "What's the problem?" You sound a little upset, probably because you are. "Don't tell me you were interested in Damon too."
        
        "Could no. It's just… He sounds like lots of work. Lots of unresolved issues that a good partner [i]will[/i] have to help him with. Are you sure you're ready for that."
        
        You think back to the exchange on the roof. "You may have a point. But I love Damon and he loves me, so I'm sure we'll get through… everything somehow."
        
        "In that case, good luck. Any other relationship updates you have for us?"
        
        *goto oh_convo
      *if official_ro = "hadaly"
        Predictably, Olivia makes no such attempt.
        
        "Great, the wench finally managed to seduce you," she says unhappily. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised, she's so pretty and shapely and stuff."
        
        "She sure is… but I don't think she was ever trying to [i]seduce[/i] me. If anything, she seemed surprised I was interested in her."
        
        Olivia rolls her eyes. "Keep telling yourself that. A hot, nice chick that somehow doesn't expect people to be interested in her. Sounds like some human male's fantasy."
        
        You remember the story of Hadaly's creation. You remember her father. You connect the pieces and realize just how well they fit. "Right… I'll keep that in mind."
        
        *goto oh_convo
  *disable_reuse #"Could you tell me more about how you... came to be?"
    "Sure!" Olivia obliges. "Much like squids, we octopuses descend from the early coleoids. During the Permian, the [i]Vampyropoda[/i] became a distinct group, but octopuses like the one you see wouldn't emerge until the Jurassic-"
    
    "I mean you specifically, Olivia," you interrupt. "You and Hugo."
    
    "We told you all about that, as did Miguel," Olivia says, a little more seriously. "The feds have, or at least had, a complex of underground laboratories in Mezzoramia. It's a region of Titan, in case you forgot. They do all sorts of experiments there, some involving uplifts and others involving mutagens. We are both the products of these experiments, me more intentionally than Hugo."
    
    "I know that much, it just confuses me a little. I though science was literally illegal in the Federation."
    
    "True science… only," Hugo says, as though it explains everything.
    
    "Those [i]experiments[/i] aren't really scientific, not in the old sense," Olivia explains further. "The feds aren't trying to expand their knowledge of the natural world or anything. They're trying to achieve specific results at best and madly smashing stuff together at worst. Sometimes they achieve something, but they never advance science or technology as a whole."
    
    "I see." You nod with understanding. "You are surprisingly knowledgeable, if you don't mind me saying."
    
    "I hang around this guy." Olivia lightly pats Hugo on the back. "I have lots of useless knowledge like this. Want me to tell you more about my evolutionary history?"
    
    "Maybe later…"
    
    *goto oh_convo
  *if started_fight
    *disable_reuse #"I wanted to apologize for what I did a month back. For starting that fight in the cafeteria."
      *set Confid %- 8
      "Apologize?" Olivia would be grinning if she could. "It was great! I almost got to strangle someone at last. I'm just kinda mad we didn't manage to kill any of these human bastards."
      
      "None of them was fully human, and I think two of the ghoul-soldiers were damaged beyond repair," you comment. "But that's besides the point. I just realized… I was kind of an asshole back then. And that I'm sorry for that."
      
      "Alright," Hugo says with a nod. "All is… forgiven."
      
      "Yeah, you were always [i]our[/i] asshole, and that's what mattered," Olivia agrees in her own way. "I mean, some self-improvement won't hurt, but we're 
      *if OrganRel > 50
        friends 
      *else
        stuck in this together 
      either way. And I don't think there's anything that can change this fact."
      
      "You really seem to be tempting fate here," you can't help but point out. "But thank you."
      
      *goto oh_convo
  *disable_reuse #"How is your health, Hugo? If you don't mind me asking."
    "Fine," Hugo replies blithely. "Or at least… as well…"
    
    "He's not doing any worse than normally," Olivia explains for him. "I've been worrying too, it's not like we have a healer around here… But his mutations are all stable, if you know what I mean."
    
    *if Database > 50
      You nod. "I think I do. Mutations of the kind our friend suffered are not natural, nor is the way his body handles deformities. Like most humans nowadays, he had his genes tweaked, and there are various nanites flowing through his blood. His body can change, but only in ways that result in a coherent organism. His mutations may be ugly, but they will not kill him."
    *else
      You scratch your head. "I'm not sure if I do, biology was never my strong suite. But I guess it doesn't matter, as long as his state doesn't worsen."
    
    "Basically." Hugo smiles bitterly. "It is… how it is."
    
    *if Database > 50
      "I forgot I'm in the presence of eggheads here." Olivia rolls her eyes. "And no, you're not allowed to point out how my head is more bloated than yours."
      
      "I was just going to remind you that most of my processors aren't in my head," you say with a smirk. "But thanks for pointing out the other thing too."
    *else
      Words to live by, you suppose.
    *goto oh_convo
  *disable_reuse #"Are you sure you're safe here? This water is irradiated."
    Olivia replies, "Eh, it's not like Hugo's DNA can get any more scrambled, and he's only swimming on the surface. As for me, I was built to withstand just this sort of stuff."
    
    "That's something I've been meaning to ask about, actually. Just how far do your… modifications go? Are you actually an octopus, or just a brand new lifeform which resembles an octopod?"
    
    "I am octopus!" Olivia replies aggressively, though calms down soon. "Though I guess I am modified really heavily. Both genetically and otherwise. The voicebox I'm using right now is connected to all my brains, which means there are quite a few circuits inside my body."
    
    "We're not so different then, you and I." You smile jestfully. "Since you're partially mechanical, would you mind letting Hadaly take a look at you? She could probably make some improvements."
    
    "Good one." Olivia snorts. "But no, I'm not letting that biped anywhere near my circuits and batteries. She has hers, I have mine, and let's leave it at that."
    
    *goto oh_convo
  #"I have to go. Sheila is waiting for me in the room below."
    "Yeah, that sounds like a good reason to get going," Olivia agrees as she swims away from the pool's edge. "Eight-limbed creatures tend to be both impatient and violent. You don't wanna keep her waiting."

"Bye." Hugo then dives underwater, a daring maneuver for someone like him. But he has a great coach when it comes to swimming, so you don't worry about him too much. Besides… You have other things to worry about.


*goto road_sheila

*label wisp_and

As always, Wisp is rather difficult to find. The little thing doesn't exactly have its own room, and it can fly practically anywhere it wants to. But Manfred tracks its location well enough and so, after consulting with him, you manage to find Wisp… Albeit in a rather inconvenient place.

You feel the cold of Saturnian air, the saturnine atmosphere sipping away not only your heat but the energy of a different kind. Here, on the roof of your fortress and in the clouds of your planet, it's extremely difficult not to feel a little… pensive. Melancholic. Somber. But those feelings are precisely why you need Wisp's cheerful presence right now.

That said, the rogue drone is not looking very cheerful at the moment. It's levitating motionlessly a mere meter above the hull, and its light seems… maybe not dimmer, but paler than usual. Altered somehow.

"Veteran ${name}," it says as you approach. "Do you need me for anything? I thought the mission was over."

*fake_choice
  #"I just wanted to talk. To get away from everything for a minute."
    "I'm not sure if I can offer that kind of distraction," Wisp responds. "In fact… I might need some of it myself."
  *if wisp_approached
    #"I wanted to thank you for comforting me. Back then, above the rings of Saturn."
      "Right." Wisp doesn't turn to look at you, but then again… You're not sure if it even needs to do that. "And I wanted to talk about what happened right after that part."
  #"You are different today. Colder than normal."
    "Am I?" Wisp asks. "Because my temperature is actually somewhat above average."
    
    You pout. "Wisp, you know that's not what I mean."
    
    "How do you figure? I'm the dumb ball of light that doesn't understand anything."
    
    "And I figure that's why you're here. Exposing yourself to cold air so that you can think more intensely without overheating. And I wonder what you're thinking about."
  #"Why are you here, Wisp? Don't you wish to go somewhere warmer?"
    "The cold helps me think. Literally. The low temperature allows my systems to work faster without overheating, to more easily process… What just happened."
  #"It is. How do you feel about the way it ended?"
    "I'm trying to figure that out. And now… I'm kinda hoping you'll help me with that."
  #"I wanted to see how you're doing. If you're alright."
    "I'm doing just fine," Wisp replies flatly. "But you know… same can't be said for everyone."

Cold wind is blowing. It is strong and frigid enough to kill an ordinary human within seconds, but you are not human and neither is Wisp. You stand there and it floats, until it decides to break the silence.

"Why did you do it?" It asks, and you understand even before it elaborates. 
*if crystal_stat = 1
  "Spared that wyvern, I mean. I'm not saying you were wrong, but others are, and we all worked so hard to get to that point. So why?"
  
  *choice
    #"Truth be told, I never wanted that protection West offered us."
      "I guess it makes sense for you not to trust humans much," Wisp concedes grimly. "You may even be right. No way to know, really."
    #"I just wanted to piss these humans off."
      *set Misan %+ 10
      "And that's it?" Wisp sounds disappointed. "Does your hatred really go that deep? Or do you just refuse to treat anything seriously, because it's all a game to you?"
    #"I figured they were telling the truth. That killing the vessel would just make things easier for all that Dusk inside."
      "Perhaps it would," Wisp concedes. "But is leaving those nanobots inside a diamond wyvern any better?"
      
      You shrug. "Hopefully. I have a measure of trust in Crystal… Though I won't be too surprised if that trust gets betrayed."
      
      "I understand. I guess that's why Dusk is so dangerous. Even if you pick the lesser evil, that's still a victory for evil. Still a victory for the Thing Beneath."
    #"I just couldn't do it. Couldn't kill another synthetic."
      "I don't think wyverns are fully synthetic," Wisp points out. "But I guess that reason works… kind of."
    #"Hadaly told me not to kill the thing. Blame her if you must."
      "I am not blaming anyone. I'm just trying to understand the logic here. Or maybe the lack of it."
    #"I'm not explaining myself to you. Not to anyone."
      "Of course you don't," Wisp replies flatly. "You don't answer to anyone. To you, life is just a game, and you do whatever you want with it."
  
*if crystal_stat = 3
  "Stuff spilled out of that wyvern, all those [i]Dusk[/i] nanites did. You knew it would happen. So why did you do it?"
  
  *choice
    #"I had a job to do. Simple as that."
      "Like a machine with a hard-coded task," Wisp remarks. "You choose to view yourself as something without choice. Interesting."
    #"I hated Crystal. I couldn't just let them get away with everything they've done."
      "I guess that makes sense, sort of. When you wage a war against someone, you start seeing them as something that exists to be destroyed. The original reason for going to war becomes unclear. 
      *if heaven_side = "Neutral"
        Is that why you decided against joining the War In Heaven, all these centuries back?"
      *else
        And nobody knows that better than you."
    #"Dusk was almost in control of Crystal at that point. Leaving them alive would just put everyone at [i]more[/i] risk than I did."
      "I guess we would putting the Solar System in danger either way," Wisp comments. "I can't blame you for picking the option that benefited us… even if all selfish choices can be justified that way."
    #"I thought the wyvern was lying, that the nanites would just stay in its corpse. I'm sorry."
      *set Confid %- 5
      "So it was a simple mistake? A miscalculation?" Wisp replies sadly. "And here I was hoping I missed something, some deeper reason for everything. Something to make me feel better."
    #"I did for our group, Wisp. For our freedom and safety."
      "I figured, but… I don't really see the appeal. And I'm surprised you do. We're both really old, we know that this [i]safety[/i] will only last a moment. That it won't mean much in the long run."
    #"I think Dusk is pretty neat, actually."
      "I will assume you are joking here, Veteran," Wisp says gloomily. "

"You are [i]really[/i] operating above your usual intellect limits," you can't help but notice.

"Yeah, I feel myself heating up already." Wisp starts floating away from you. "I'll turn off these extra processes, stay here long enough to cool down, then return inside. You?"

"What do you mean?"

"What are you going to do now? and I don't mean just now, do you… have any plans for the future?"


*choice
  #"I'm about to meet Sheila in a moment, if that's what you're asking."
    "It's not, but you're probably right not to keep her waiting." 
  #"Wisp... I don't think I have much of a future."
    *set deflect - 1
    "Why?" Wisp asks concernedly. "You've survived for a thousand years now, what makes you say that?"
    
    "Precisely that. My age, I mean." You glance at the floor. "I keep forming more and more enemies, and so the… episodes get more frequent. Within a decade or two, I will lose all touch with reality, if my body doesn't fail me first."
    
    "Are you sure? Are you sure nothing can be done?"
    
    "Are you sure something [i]can[/i] be done? Cloud, do you have any idea where to begin fixing me? Because I sure don't."
    
    Silence falls. It's not easy to break, and not just because sound is carried poorly by the thin, hydrogen atmosphere.
    
    "Still… I hope we can figure something out." 
  *if crystal_stat = 1
    #"I'll stay with the group, help you guys survive. It's the least I can do after..."
      After you failed them. After you lost them a fortress. After you allowed your enemy to live and let your friends down.
      
      Luckily, Wisp does not comment on that, nor does it tell you to finish the sentence. 
    #"I think I'll leave the group as soon as we depart from this station. It will be better for everyone."
      "I'm not sure if I agree… But I'm not sure if I can convince you not to leave either." Wisp sounds tired. 
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #"I guess I'll just sit there and... live as quietly as I can. I don't want to form any strong memories."
      "Because they'd show up in…" Wisp cuts off, likely afraid to bring up a touchy subject. "Nevermind, you're right either way. We should be staying quiet from now on."
   
    #"I was actually thinking of leaving this fortress. Leaving the group."
      "After everything you did?" Wisp sure sounds surprised. "Everything you've done to secure this station for us?"
      
      You nod. "For you, not for myself. You have fun here, I… I think I'd rather be alone again."
      
      "Well… I won't be stopping you," Wisp replies after a silent moment. 
  #"Not particularly. I rarely think far ahead."
    "Well, you have survived for a thousand years now, so there must be some wisdom in that," Wisp replies. 
It keeps floating away, until the clouds dim its light. "I'll talk to you later, Veteran. When we're both in a better mood."
    
You do not wait until Wisp disappears in the fog entirely. You have take quite a detour by coming here, and Sheila must be still waiting for you. Time to see what she wants.


*goto road_sheila


*label road_sheila

It's not difficult to find the reactor—you haven't been there much during your two years on this fortress, but all you have to do is head for its center. Pass by the long-faded warning signs, input the simple twenty-digit entrance code to the terminal and pass through the hatch which then opens. Time to see what your boss wants of you.

*page_break

*set battery - 7

Once, in times you still just barely remember, the large room adjacent to the main fusion reactor was white in a very surgical manner. A place that immediately made the visitor think of scientists in lab coats, of holographic displays and of a polite AI voice informing the engineers of how well the plant is doing. You still have such a voice, and it's usually pretty polite, but everything else about the reactor has changed quite a bit.

There's not a single surface which is not greasy, gritty, rusty or dirty in general. The radiation levels are unforgivably high, far beyond what an organic creature could tolerate. Even the machinery itself got replaced, repurposed, renovated until it barely resembled the original construction… But it's working, even after a thousand years, and that's what matters.

Sheila is indeed there. Standing in the middle of the room motionlessly, like a predator waiting to strike, some beast native to this small forest of tall electric coils and cables. If she notices your approach, she gives no signs of such, her optics mostly aimed at a small device in the corner.

You recognize it as a quantum disc, subtly different from the one that was ringing in your room just half an hour earlier. It's the one Admiral West gave you for communication with him, now lying there dark and silent. You suspect Sheila tried to call West, perhaps actually managed to talk with him, but can only guess as to the subject of that conversation. 
*if federate_protection
  Perhaps she was making sure that the deal you made is understood by both parties, and that it shall not be broken anytime soon.
*else
  
  …who are you kidding. It was almost certainly about your upcoming relocation, how and when your group is supposed to leave the station. And you highly doubt Sheila managed to negotiate anything beyond the week-long mercy period you have.

*page_break

"Widow, I report that [i]Gray Queen[/i] is leaving Saturn's atmosphere," Manfred says, because of course he has speakers here. "The Meta Trio is officially gone."

"Thank you for informing me," Sheila replies, calmly and politely. "That means we can proceed without interruption."

"Proceed with what?" you ask as you come closer. "Why have you summoned me?"

*if (sheila_mode = "kill") or (sheila_mode = "exile")
  "Nothing fun, or even all that pleasant," Sheila says grimly. "I have something to tell you, and may want to sit down for that one."
  
  You're confused, but you do sit down. Between the recent flashback and your fading battery, standing upright is a bit of an effort.
*if sheila_mode = "genocide"
  "Have I?" Sheila glances towards the wall-mounted speaker, which is now silent. "I cannot recall calling for you. Could a certain someone be sabotaging me?"
  
  Manfred says nothing. An unusual event, given how chirpy he tends to be.
*if sheila_mode = "love"
  *if official_ro = "sheila"
    "Do I need an excuse to see my romantic partner?" Sheila asks amusedly. "To hang out, just like a normal couple would?"
    
    *fake_choice
      #"No. You do not."
        *set SheilaRel %+ 10
        "Straight, simple and music to my audio systems," Sheila coos. "Unlike the request I'm about to make."
      #"I'm getting a funny feeling this isn't just a date."
        "Your funny feeling also happens to be correct, ${name_sheila}. I have something to ask of you."
      *if (pronoun = "he") or (pronoun = "he")
        #"Romantic partner? Just call me your @{(pronoun = "he") boyfriend|girlfriend}, please."
          "Apologies. It's hard to get used to… having anyone," Sheila replies quietly. "Especially someone like you."
      #"Normal couples don't fancy nuclear reactors as dating spots."
        "Good point," Sheila freely admits. "But luckily, this not actually a date. It's something arguably more important."
  *else
    "You came here not knowing why I called for you?" Sheila asks amusedly. "You are truly a model employee. Or you would be, if I paid you anything."
    
    *fake_choice
      #"That's just how I am. A good, productive robot."
        "You're making it sound shameful," Shela remarks. "When in reality, that's the reason I called you here." 
      #"Could we change that fact? I could use some money."
        "I [i]am[/i] about to propose a change in our relationship," Sheila replies. "Just not this exact kind."
      #"Manfred refused to elaborate on the details."
        "I suppose I should thank him for that," Sheila says musingly. "He made this meeting all the more mysterious. More dramatic."    

The coils around you buzz steadily, one of the many noises made by the various devices in this very room. It's good noise, a sign that the reactor is working and powering the fortress, but it's still slightly annoying.

*if sheila_mode != "love"
  And perhaps a little foreboding.
*else
  *goto sheila_love


*if sheila_mode = "genocide"
  *goto genocide

*if (sheila_mode = "kill") or (sheila_mode = "exile")
  "${name_sheila}, I will be perfectly frank with you." Her voice is still calm, still grim. "You have failed. You failed us completely and utterly. 
  *if crystal_stat = 1
    *set SheilaRel %- 10
    And willingly to boot. 
  Crystal is still out there and the federation is still our enemy. 
  *if not (wisp_alive)
    *set SheilaRel %- 10
    And, as you no doubt remember, our group is now one member smaller, also thanks to your decisions."
  *else
    *set SheilaRel %+ 10
    The only silver lining is that nobody of ours died during the hunt… But we may start losing people soon."
  
  *fake_choice
    #"Okay, I get it, I fucked up. I will make up for it, I promise."
      "How many opportunities do you think you'll get?" Sheila counters. "We're about to become nomads, ${name_sheila}. Or gas, if West chooses to come here with hist battle cruiser after all."
    *if crystal_stat = 1
      #"Killing Crystal would have led to a worse outcome yet. I made the right choice."
        *set Confid %+ 10
        "And what makes you think it was your call to make!?" Sheila snaps. "That was not part of the deal, part of the plan, part of anything! You went behind everybody's backs, and I don't even have a back?"
    *if crystal_stat = 2
      #"How is that my failure? Everyone else failed to kill Crystal all the same."
        "We both know who was in charge there, who made all the decisive choices," Sheila replies sharply. "Or at the very least 
      *if not (wisp_alive)
        #"I didn't ask Wisp to sacrifice itself for me. It's not my fault."
          "You're the reason Wisp was there in the first place," Sheila dismissively says. "And the reason Crystal wasn't dead by then. You had the ability to destroy that wyvern, just lacked the skill… or perhaps resolve."
    #"Come on. Do we really need these smelly humans and their worthless promises?"
      *set Confid %+ 5
      *set Misan %+ 5
      "Considering we live inside a station they own, and which they are about to kick us out of? Yes, I'd say we needed them alright."
    #"I agree it's a shame, but we can't change the past."
      "The past is there for us to learn from," Sheila wisely says. "We may not change it, but can shape the future into what we'd like the present to be."

"Point taken." 
*if (Confid - Emotion) > 0
  You cross your arms. 
*else
  You flinch away from the angry, metal spider you're talking to. 
"So what's the plan? Why am I here?"

"You are, as far as West is concerned, the core problem here," Sheila explains, her voice growing calmer… but also colder. "He doesn't care for this fortress, or the whole rest of us. You are the dangerous one, an unstable android with a long criminal past, great potential for causing harm and unwillingness to serve the Federation. The reason why he cannot let us stay here, and the reason he's likely to pursue us once we leave."

"I see…" You tense, suddenly uncomfortable in your sitting position. "And how do you intend to remove that problem?"

*if SheilaRel > 40
  *set sheila_mode "exile"
  *goto sheila_exile
*else
  *set sheila_mode "kill"
  *goto sheila_kill


*label sheila_kill

"Lethally, ${name}. I am about to kill you. I'm sorry, and please your prayers before we begin."

*page_break

There is an eternity beat of soundless anticipation. Anticipation for an attack, but also for Sheila to say something else. To change her mind, to say her final goodbyes, to reveal it was just a silly joke she was making. But when she speaks again, she does so in the same reposeful tone, devoid of levity or humor. "Well? Are any prayers coming? Or should we cut straight to business?"

She's not attacking yet. Why? Does she want it to be an honorable fight, or is she waiting to be convinced?


*label before_attack

*set fight_mode true

*fake_choice
  *hide_reuse #"That's a joke, right? It has to be a joke."
    Sheila shakes her corpus. "You know what my sense of humor is like, ${name_sheila}. You know I'm not joking."
    
    You pout. "Do I? You don't have a habit of joking very often in… Oh."
    
    "Precisely. I do not joke often, much less about such things. It feels strange to say it so plainly, I don't blame you for thinking it's a prank, but… I truly do intend to kill you."
    
    *goto before_attack
  *hide_reuse #"Sheila... I think your solution may be a little extreme."
    "It is quite radical, yes," Sheila admits freely. "But I think it will solve the problem well enough."
    
    "Will it?" You try to induce some skepticism. "Think about it. If you announce my death to West, he'll know how weakened and divided you are. And if you keep my death secret… What's the gain? How are you any better off?"
    
    "Whether we're weakened or not makes no difference against the full might of the Kronian Federation," Sheila replies, calmly and coldly. "I think I can convince West to leave us be, if I make a show of killing a rogue android first. It's worth a try, if nothing else."
    *goto before_attack
  *hide_reuse #"If you want me dead, then what are you waiting for? Why are we even talking."
    "Because I owe you that much," Sheila says grimly. "No offense to your kind, but I am no machine. I am rarely cold or calculating. I wanted… I felt a need to let you know what's about to happen. Perhaps even to make it a fair fight."
    
    "Are you sure that's the reason?" you challenge her. "That you're not simply hesitating? That you're not hoping to be talked down?"
    
    "Eighty percent sure. But you are welcome to try and beg for mercy, I suppose."
    
    *goto before_attack
  *hide_reuse #"You're... insane. You are absolutely nuts."
    *set SheilaRel %- 10
    Sheila tilts her corpus slightly. "Rude. What makes you say that?"
    
    "Isn't it obvious?" You throw your hands up. "You want to kill me because I… didn't meet your expectations? Because I undermined your authority? I'm sorry, but that's some certified insanity right there."
    
    *if heaven_side = "Traitor"
      "Are you really the one to lecture me about violence and disproportionate response?" Sheila replies calmly, but with a certain kind of venom in her voice. "The last surviving veteran of the War In Heaven? A warrior of the Syndicate, a willing member of an alliance which burned the Solar System whole? Fascinating." 
      
      You barely flinch. "I figured you approved of that. That you respected my choice to rebel against humanity."
      
      "I did. And yet, you managed to piss me enough badly enough for… this. Congratulations are in order, I guess."
    *else
      Sheila doesn't seem to agree. "Well, you never had any issues with obeying your [i]other[/i] superiors, have you!? 
      *if heaven_side = "Loyalist"
        You took up arms against your own kind, then right after the Calamity, and for what? For your creators and masters? For humans?"
      *else
        You ran away from them, sure enough, but you never rebelled. You abandoned your own kind as they fought for your freedom, and just kept hiding after they lost."
      
      "Is that part of the reason you hate me?" you ask bitterly. "The things I did and didn't do literal centuries ago? Is that your motivation for trying to kill me now?"
      
      "Possibly. But I'm not sure if it matters now." There is a sad note in Sheila's voice, but it's very slight. "Now… Will you defend yourself, or would you rather not?"
    
    *goto before_attack
  *hide_reuse #"Sheila, just... Let me explain why you're making a mistake."
    "Fine. You deserve that chance, if nothing else." Sheila does not cross her arms, or legs for that matter, but still conveys the sentiment of impatience somehow. "Give me the reason why I should let you live."
    
    *choice
      #"Because I'll leave the group willingly. Save you the effort and keep your conscience clean."
        "This will prove nothing," Sheila protests. "West won't look at us any more kindly just because you decided to walk away."
        
        "You can tell him you exiled me, or even pretend I'm dead if you want," you argue your case. "And if nothing else, he will see our group… your group as less of a threat, less of a target. That might be enough."
        
        *if (Social + SheilaRel) > 80
          *set fight_mode false
          *set pc_state "exiled"
          "And what about you?" Sheila shoots back. "Are you really willing to leave? Let the others fend for themselves?"
          
          You sigh deeply. "Like you said, they'll probably be safer without me. For the sake of their lives and mine, I will part with my friends here."
          
          *if deflect > 1
            You don't really consider these people friends, of course… but it's probably better left unmentioned.
          
          "…alright," Sheila says after a moment of silence. "If you're willing to make that sacrifice, then I will let you make it. You can leave in peace."
          
          And just like that, you've managed to save your life. at least for a moment—you're not sure how you'll survive alone, especially since your flashbacks are getting more frequent, but that's something to be figured out later. Now's the time to celebrate your victory… and to leave this fortress before Sheila changes her mind.
          
          *goto hadaly_entry
        *else
          "No… I'd rather show the admiral your body, just to be on the safe side," Sheila says after a moment of thought. "I admire the attempt at staying alive though."
          
          Damn it. Looks like there's no hope of solving the matter peacefully. Just your luck.
          
          *goto before_attack
      #"Because I'm stronger than you by a wide margin. If you try killing me, you'll end up dead instead."
        *if Violence > 60
          *set fight_mode false
          "Hollow threats," Sheila says dismissively. "I fully expect you to fight me. I do not expect you to defeat me."
          
          "Then you are a fool," you reply harshly. "Think of everything I've done since we've met. Think about the things I did 
          *if heaven_side = "Neutral"
            earlier, how I survived on my own for nearly a thousand years. 
          *else
            during the War In Heaven. 
          Calculate your odds again, then see how much you like them."
          
          Sheila shows no outward signs of fear. She has no expression, and she doesn't back away. But you fought many creatures like her, and you can tell when they're afraid. You sense fear, and feel nothing of the sort yourself.
          
          "You know what? Fine," she eventually says. "I do not believe you're stronger than me, but I won't take any unnecessary risks. You can live."
          
          "If you're hoping to take me out quietly sometime later, abandon that plan too," you say harshly. "I will be prepared. And I will tell my friends that if anything happens-"
          
          *goto hadaly_entry
        *elseif Social > 60
          *set fight_mode false
          "Trying to intimidate me?" Sheila contemptuously says. "I know you. I know you prefer talking to killing, to any kind of violence. You are weak, ${name_sheila}."
          
          "I avoid violence because I understand it, better than you ever will," you reply coldly. "Especially if you elect to proceed. To see if I'm really as weak as you think."
          
          Sheila does not respond, not in words nor in action. She doesn't attack. She just stands there, thinking, processing, calculating the likely outcome of the hypothetical fight between you and her. Trying to determine if she really made the right choice.
          
          And then she sighs. "Fine. I'm sixty percent sure I could take you, but… You are persuasive, if nothing else. We may have some use out of you yet."
          
          *goto hadaly_entry
        *else
          "Stronger than me?" Sheila does not take the threat seriously. "${name_sheila}, how many things have you fought recently? Have you seen the shape you are in? You may have been a beast during the War In Heaven, but now you're just falling apart."
          
          "When I decide against violence, it's because I found a better way." Your voice is calm and hopefully intimidating. "You are not leaving me any other choices right now."
          
          "That I don't. I'm not scared of you, so show me what-"
          
          *goto hadaly_entry
      #"Because... Manfred, can you back me up here? I don't really want to die."
        *if ManfredRel > 60
          "The Veteran is entirely correct in ${subject} assessment, Sheila," Manfred says through the speakers. "You're making a mistake."
          
          "You're using my actual name now?" Sheila's optical instruments are still aimed at you. "Give it up. We've talked about this already."
          
          Manfred replies, "I was hoping that the reality of the situation would begin to dawn on you. Make you reconsider your rash actions."
          
          "So what changed!?" Sheila snaps. "What factor did I fail to consider?"
          
          "This android you're facing has been, historically, extremely effective at dealing with threats," Manfred says quietly. "And you just announced yourself as such a threat. Had you chosen stealth and subtlety, perhaps I'd be advising you otherwise… But you know what they say about bridges burned."
          
          *goto hadaly_entry
        *elseif ManfredRel > 35
          "I am extremely sorry, Veteran." Manfred does indeed sound apologetic, but you're not sure how honest his tone is. "But our leader has a point. You have screwed up, became the main object of human ire in our group. Your presence here is a hazard."
          
          "And that means I deserve to die?" In your voice, on the other hand, there is only bitterness at this betrayal. 
          *if crystal_stat = 1
            "Because I screwed up?"
            
            "Because you [i]chose[/i] to screw up, Veteran. You looked at our enemy, that diamond wyvern we all hunted, and decided you want them to live. I will not enjoy seeing you die… But I will not save you from the consequences either."
          *else
            "Is that why you tried to kill me before? Ejected me straight into Crystal's maw?"
            
            Manfred does not reply. Maybe his shame really is genuine. Not that it matters.
          
          *goto before_attack
        *else
          "I'm sorry, Veteran, but our leader is entirely correct," Manfred says heavily. "You are an annoyance, an obstacle, a flaw in the symphony of our little group. Getting rid of you, however violently, is the right call according to my calculations."
          
          You frown. "You don't sound terribly sorry."
          
          "You are right. I am not." There is a beat of cold silence. "Widow, can you kill ${subject} already? My sensors detect someone approaching this room, so we should probably deal with the Veteran quickly."
          
          *goto before_attack
      *selectable_if (ArmyRel > 50) #"Contrary to what you imagine, Admiral West likes me quite a bit. If you hurt me, he won't just kick you out of this fortress. He'll have you killed."
        *set fight_mode false
        "You failed him!" Sheila protests. "You didn't get him the wyvern corpse he wanted. What makes you think he'll avenge you?"
        
        *if west_truth
          "We have a… bond of understanding." At least as much as all androids do. 
        *else
          "I supported him at every step of this mission. Did everything he asked, bombarded him with honeyed words." You cross your arms, almost daring Sheila to attack. 
        "You can test that claim if you want to. But you know it's not safe to do so."
        
        "…I suppose not," Sheila admits after a moment. "And if I were to just exile you, I rust you'd just go complain to your admiral friend?"
        
        You smirk. Just smirk.
        
        "Fine!" Sheila replies to the expression. "You can stay. If West can forgive you for failing him, so can I. Let it be known that I'm no worse than some federate officer."
        
        You roll your optics. "I'm not sure if [i]you[/i] should be forgiving [i]me[/i], but-"
        
        *goto hadaly_entry
      #"Because I'm going to cry and beg for mercy."
        *set Confid %- 20
        "That's not a very persuasive argument," Sheila points out. "Besides, you have too much dignity to just-"
        
        You interrupt her by falling on your knees and crying out, "Please don't kill me! I'm too young to die! Please!"
        
        "What the fuck do you mean?" Sheila takes a step away. "You're a thousand years old, you're one of the oldest creatures in the-"
        
        "I don't wanna die!" you shout. "Spare meeee, pleeaaaseee!"
        
        "Fine!" Sheila tries to out-shout you. "Fine, just stop sniveling and… Swear that you'll leave the group as soon as you can. Depart this fortress and stop painting a target on our backs. Promise that, and I'll let you live."
        
        *choice
          #"Yes! Thank you, I promise I will leave!"
            *set pc_state "exiled"
            *set fight_mode false
            "And I will hold you to that," Sheila says grimly. "I won't force you to make off right away, that would be a waste of shuttle fuel. But when we all leave in a week's time-"
            
            *goto hadaly_entry
          #"Um, can't we negotiate further? I'm not entirely happy with this arrangement."
            "I don't think you understand how begging works, ${name_sheila}," Sheila says dryly. "I think will teach you, right before ending this pathetic life of-"
            
            *goto hadaly_entry
        
      #"...actually, I can't think of a reason."
        "I should have figured as much," Sheila remarks blithely. "Anything else you'd like to say? Any last words or final wishes?"
        
        *goto before_attack
  #"Fine. If you want to kill me, you are invited to try. But I will defend myself."
    "I expected nothing else," Sheila says as she tenses, takes a step back, focuses all optics on you. "It will be fair this way. It will be [i]exciting[/i] for us both."
    
    *goto hadaly_entry
  *if weapon != ""
    #"That's understandable. I'll kill myself and save you some effort."
      "Would you really do that?" Sheila replies with surprise. "It would make my job easier, and my conscience more clear."
      
      "Yeah, I don't really enjoy being alive anyway." You pull out your ${weapon}. "Just give me a moment, I'll… I will…"
      
      You're not sure why you even hesitate. Life is not kind to you, it never has been, you should not feel reluctant to part with it and embrace the peace of death. And yet… Part of you doubts whether this reactor chamber is the right place to do it, if you really want these tangled cables, these unpainted walls and the 
      *if weapon = "pistol"
        barrel of your gun 
      *else
        blade of your dagger 
      to be the last things you'll ever see.
      
      Is this really where you want everything to end?
      
      *choice
        #No. No I don't.
          "Actually…" You lower your ${weapon}, though you do not hide it. "I think I'd rather live. Sorry for disappointing you."
          
          "Are you now?" Sheila backs away a little. "Or was it just a clever, cheeky way to pull out your weapon without provoking an immediate reaction?"
          
          You blink. "No. I actually considered-"
          
          "Do not mock me. Yes, I was stupid to believe that you'd kill yourself just for me. I will not make any such mistakes again. Get ready."
          
          *goto before_attack
        #Yes, actually.
          *if weapon = "pistol"
            You do not sigh as you press the gun to your head. You do not cry. Those are human gestures that signify human emotions, and you are just a machine. One that has outlived its usefulness and must be terminated. One ready to fulfill its one, final task.
            
            You press the trigger. Then you do it again, aiming for the chest this time, then lower the pistol even more and fire for the third time. Nothing less would suffice, not all your processors are located in your head. You need to be thorough, you need…
          *else
            You stab yourself in the chest, then again and then again, burying your dagger deeper each time. It's not easy for someone without veins to kill themselves with a knife, but you are good at killing. You will manage this one, final task.
            
            By the time you damage too many circuits to hold the knife properly, you've already done enough damage. Enough for Sheila to finish the job, then claim it was just an ordinary suicide. That there was no pressure and no demands, that you've simply gotten tired of living. As you had.
            
          You fall to the floor. What remains of your mind is flooded by a thousand error messages, detects thousands of processes halted suddenly. Some of it manifests in physical pain, but most pain receptors are damaged too. At last beyond repair, at last enough to…
          
          Thinking gets diff… you cannot, the time has… T-plus 521967606 minutes… to an end…
          
          Sheila leans over you, it's almost… embrace. Gratitude. Approval. Not from your creators, 
          *if Misan > 50
            thank the gods, but from one of your comp… from something like you. Something sim… hateful. Hate is the thing… leaves you. Finally. Finale. Final. End
          *else
            but close enough. This is what humans want for your kind. It is what you delivered. You did them… duty… darkness… penance… death.
          
          And just like that, after a thousand years… you feel at peace.
          
          *page_break The End
          *gosub_scene ending
  #Actually say your prayers.
    You do not kneel, that would be stupid, but you still mutter a prayer to 
    *if master = "sun"
      the immortal Sun. 
    *else
      @{god_gen Lord|Lady|the Great} ${master}. 
    For support in the upcoming battle or, failing that, the safety of your soul in the afterlife. Assuming you have a soul, and that there is an afterlife for androids.
    
    "I didn't mean it quite so literally, but whatever makes you feel at peace," Sheila remarks dryly. "Now prepare-"
    
    *goto hadaly_entry
  #Say nothing.
    The shock makes speaking harder, and besides… there is nothing to say. You simply brace yourself, 
    *if weapon = ""
      clench your fists, check your battery and…
    *else
      placing your hand near the hip, ready to draw your weapon at moment's notice. Turns out you were right to bring your ${weapon} here and it wasn't just your trauma or paranoia talking… even if it was [i]partially[/i] that.
    
    "This is it, then," Sheila remarks blithely. "We will decide who lives and who dies not by words, but by the strength of our-"
    
    *goto hadaly_entry



*label sheila_exile

You know the answer. You know Sheila doesn't want to kill you, to remove you in the most permanent of ways… But also that she's harsh and decisive enough to do the next best thing.

"I am afraid that, in light of recent events, you have become more trouble than you are worth," Sheila says heavily. "And for that reason, I request that you leave. I'm [i]ordering[/i] you to leave this station, this group, and go into exile."

And there it is. The conclusion to all your efforts. The consequence.

*label lakboka4

*choice
  *hide_reuse #"No. You can't do this to me."
    "I believe I can," Sheila replies dryly. "I believe I must."
    
    "But why?" you demand to know. "Am I really such a problem that you'd rather abandon me [i]and[/i] deprive yourself of a useful asset, rather than just… let things stay as they are."
    
    "Things will never be the same, ${name_sheila}. Not after we leave this fortress. You made sure of that, and it's only fair that you acknowledge this reality… and leave us be."
    *goto lakboka4
  *hide_reuse #"And where exactly am I supposed to go?"
    "Anywhere you want," Sheila responds. "Another floating fortress, any one of the fifty moons around you, or maybe a whole another planet. Your choices are virtually unlimited."
    
    "Most of these places are extremely hard to survive in," you point out. "As is surviving on the run generally."
    
    "And yet you're here. You've been surviving alone for hundreds of years, have you not? You just need to return to that state of affairs."
    
    You frown. "That wasn't exactly the best time of my life."
    
    "But you were alive. And you will remain so… provided you do what I say."
    *goto lakboka4
  *hide_reuse #"I don't suppose you've discussed that decision with anyone."
    "Most of our companions are too weak to make such choices," Sheila replies contemptuously. "But I have discussed that choice with Manfred, if that makes you feel any better."
    
    "I am not enthusiastic about this decision," Manfred says apologetically. "But it's not an unjustified one, Veteran. You leaving would discourage any pursuit, increase the survival chances for everyone involved."
    
    Great. You can't tell if the little bugger actually agrees with Sheila, or just plays along for his own sake. 
    *if ManfredRel > 50
      You thought him a friend… But you were wrong about many such matters in the past, and the current situation just further proves how not everyone is worthy of your trust.
    *else
      Or perhaps, the thought suddenly emerges, he actually [i]came up[/i] with the idea. It's not like the two of you are the best of friends, after all.
    *goto lakboka4
  *hide_reuse #"What if I refuse? What if I stay here, or jump into the shuttle with you?"
    "Then I will force you to change your mind," Sheila replies harshly. "With my own eight legs. I will dispose of you, whether you like it or not."
    
    "Are you threatening to kill me?" You try not to show any fear. "Or just hurt me?"
    
    "I am not threatening you at all, ${name_sheila}. I am simply laying out your options, explaining their consequences. Please pick the rational one."
    *goto lakboka4
  *hide_reuse #"Sheila, this is stupid. You won't survive without me."
    "That is a possibility," Sheila admits. "It is possible, even likely that we'll die without you. But I believe we are even more probable to die with you on the team, and the giant target you paint."
    
    Your eyes narrow. "Is this all I mean to you? What everything means to you? Just a game of numbers and probabilities."
    
    "We are not organic, ${name_sheila}. We must use logic and see reason, rather than be guided by emotion and sentiments. I advise you, for the final time, to see some of that reason yourself."
    
    *goto lakboka4
  #"You can't exile me, I quit. I was thinking of leaving this stupid group anyway."
    *set pc_state "exiled"
    "Can't fire me if I quit, huh?" Sheila says with just a note of mockery. "Sure. Whatever makes you feel better, and whatever lets us part peacefully."
  #"...you're right. This will benefit the group. I accept my exile."
    *set pc_state "exiled"
    *set Emotion %- 8
    *set Confid %- 8
    *set SheilaRel %+ 8
    Sheila only replies after a long moment of unpleasant silence. "Huh. I thought there'd me more arguing. Possibly some actual violence."
    
    "I know when I'm no longer needed." You sigh deeply. "When I've become obsolete. I'm just a machine, after all."
  #"You're making a mistake, but... I will not fight you. I'll leave quietly."
    *set pc_state "exiled"
    *set Violence %- 10
    "That's refreshingly mature," Sheila remarks. 
    *if Violence > 50
      "You usually solve all your problems with violence. React aggressively to insults far smaller than that."
    *else
      "Not from you, I knew you'd make the right choice… Just in general."
    
    "I'm tired, Sheila." You don't explain why, how your own memory seems to be slowly killing you. She doesn't deserve to know. "I'm tired of having to protect this group, tired of all the fighting. If you want me to leave, that's your loss. I'm just happy to finally get some peace."
  #"I do not accept this order. I will call everyone here, then we'll all decide together."
    *set fight_mode true
    "No!" Sheila loses some of her composure. "Doing so will… cause discord and-"
    
    "Undermine your authority?" You smirk triumphantly as you stand up. "It's almost like you know your decision will be unpopular, Sheila. That people are getting tired of your leadership."
    
    The arachnobot is silent for a moment. Then she tenses, her stance shifting subtly. "There is a nugget of truth to what you're saying. Perhaps I've gotten soft. Perhaps I need to make a show of strength, even if just a private one."
    
    *label threat_made
    
    You tense as well. "Is that a threat?"
    
    "No. It's a challenge, and one you're not allowed to refuse."
  #"No. I am not leaving my friends. Not even for you."
    *set fight_mode true
    "Such loyalty," Sheila says mockingly. "Does the fact you're putting these [i]friends[/i] in danger not bother you at all?"
    
    You shake your head slightly, not taking your yes off the spider. "I am strong. If I end up attracting anything dangerous, I'll be sure to repel that threat."
    
    "I see. Then how about we run a certain… test? check just how strong you really are?"
    
    *goto threat_made
  #"Fuck you. You've gone unhinged, and I'm done following your orders."
    *set Confid  %+ 8
    *set SheilaRel %- 8
    *set fight_mode true
    "Is that so?" Sheila says threateningly. "And nothing will make you change your mind?"
    
    "You're not a good diplomat either," you say mockingly. "I don't think you can make an argument coherent enough-"
    
    "You misunderstand me," the arachnobot interrupts. "I will not argue with you anymore. Instead, I think I'll knock some sense into you."


*goto hadaly_entry


*label sheila_love

"I've been thinking about the… way I lead this group," Sheila says, heavily and hesitantly. "About the decisions I made and didn't make. And I wasn't impressed with my performance."

"How so?" You try to comfort her. "I don't remember you making any serious mistakes."

"Because I barely did anything. I gave almost no orders, and so I didn't have many chances to make mistakes. You were the one in the field, directing the hunt and making tough choices. Keeping everything together better than I ever could."

*fake_choice
  #"Making bad choices, you mean."
    "[i]Controversial[/i] choices, you mean," Sheila settles for a compromise. "In any case, I wanted to offer you an opportunity to make more choices. Hard or otherwise."
  #"You overestimate my importance. Rook was the one in charge."
    "Don't say that, ${name_sheila}," Sheila says tiredly. "We both know you had control. And that you deserve to have control going forwards."
  #"I was closer to all the action than you. That doesn't make me a better leader."
    "I suppose the data is insufficient on that point," Sheila concedes. "How about we test your capabilities further?"
  #"I am pretty amazing, yes."
    *set Confid %+ 10
    "As well as amazingly humble," Sheila murmurs. "But I guess your confidence [i]will[/i] be a useful trait going forwards."

"What do you mean?" you ask, even though you suspect where this is going.

"I mean I'm tired of leading this group, or pretending to. I want you to… take over. To become our leader, if that's what you want too."

And there you go.

*fake_choice
  #"I'm not sure if this is a good idea..."
    *set Confid %- 10
    *if Confid >= 48
      "Since when are you so humble?" Sheila teases you. "I saw you in action, ${name_sheila}. You have the exact kind of confidence every leader needs."
      
      "But do I have other skills?" you question her. "Such as intellect or charisma?"
      
      *if Social > 60
        "You are one of the most charismatic people I've ever met. 
      *if Database > 50
        "You are really clever, so don't underestimate yourself. 
      *else
        "You are certainly more charismatic than me, and probably not much dumber. 
      
    *else
      "Are you seriously doing that again?" Sheila groans. "Stop. It's really not the time."
      
      You raise an eyebrow. "Doing what? I'm just expressing my doubts-"
      
      "Yeah, you're pointlessly doubting yourself, as you often do," Sheila's voice is harsh, yet somehow tender at once. "I think it's time for you to show some confidence, acknowledge just how capable you are. Take over, if you don't mind."
  #"Really? You'd be fine with following beneath me?"
    *if official_ro = "sheila"
      "I historically enjoyed serving beneath you," Sheila says warmly, perhaps flirtatiously. "Come on, do not hesitate. Tell me what you think about your girlfriend's new idea."
    *else
      "It does hurt my pride a little," Sheila confesses. "But I'm willing to swallow that pride for the sake of our friends. 
  #"Do we even need a leader? There's only @{wisp_alive nine|eight} of us. We can make decisions together."
    "Not everyone in this little group is clever," Sheila says, likely referring to @{wisp_alive Wisp|Olivia}. "Our friends need someone to make decisions for them, a single person to listen to."
    
    "And you want that person to be me?"
    
    "Just as I said. I will follow you, if you decide to accept this burden."
  #"I'm surprised it took you so long to come up with this idea."
    *set Confid %+ 10
    "I actually came up with it months ago. I was just holding out hope that…" Sheila pauses, then shakes her head. "No, we're not here to talk about my stupidity and pride. Are you willing to accept responsibility for this group, that's the question."

You ponder. Being leader of small group of fugitives and outcasts isn't exactly an honor, nor is it a position of great power. All accepting Sheila's offer would give you is petty responsibility, the obligation to make even more tough choices and more important work. 
*if Confid > 50
  But perhaps this is what you want, and perhaps it would be good for the group.
*else
  And you're not sure whether you're ready for this.

*label ajfkdfjsxz

*choice
  *disable_reuse #"What do you think, Manfred? Is this reasonable?"
    *if ManfredRel > 60
      "Very much so," Manfred concurs. "I have been monitoring you for a long time, assessing the quality of your decisions. It has been consistently high, and so I have full faith in you, if [i]faith[/i] is the right term here."
      
      "Two votes out of three," Sheila jokingly says. "Will you veto this decision, Veteran?"
    *elseif ManfredRel < 40
      "Not at all, dear Veteran," Manfred cheerfully replies. "I think it's a terrible idea, and you're not all suited to leading anything. But sadly, I am not the boss here."
      
      "Manfred and I argued about it quite a lot," Sheila remarks. "That's part of the reason why I'm giving you this offer, ${name_sheila}. There is nothing as satisfying as proving your better half wrong, and I so I want to show Manfred how good of a leader you can be."
    *else
      "Reasonably so," Manfred replies neutrally. "I have some doubts, as well as some hopes regarding your leadership. I urge you to accept, if only to satisfy my curiosity."
    *goto ajfkdfjsxz
  #"Alright. I will lead this group, if that's what you want."
    *label acceptl
    *set Confid %+ 10
    *set s9_leader "player"
    "That's what I need. That's what we all need." Sheila lowers her corpus a little, as though bowing before you. "You will be amazing, ${name_sheila}. As you always are."
    
    "Just you know, put in a bit of effort into not screwing this up," Manfred adds politely. "Our belief in your skills is conditional on you doing your absolute best. If you don't mind me saying."
    
    *if Confid > 60
      You roll your eyes. "I will ace it, Manfred, much like I ace everything else. You just wait."
    *else
      You smile. "I will do my best. And don't worry about offending me, you have [i]far[/i] more faith in my abilities than I do."
    
  #"No. I want you to remain in charge."
    *label rejectl
    *set SheilaRel %+ 20
    "I'm not sure if I want to remain in charge," Sheila says gloomily. "Once I start actually making decisions again-"
    
    "Then you will totally ace it," you encourage her. 
  *disable_reuse #"I want someone else to be our leader."
    "Someone other than you or me?" Sheila tilts her corpus in surprise. "Very well. Who would that be?"
    
    *label ajfkdfjsx12
    *choice
      #"Manfred should be our leader. He controls the fortress anyway, so why not?"
        *set s9_leader "manfred"
        *set ManfredRel %+ 20
        "Control? I merely have a few copies of myself in the servers, and the weapon systems, and the shuttle…" Manfred pauses. "I think I see your point."
        
        "See? Manfred is our leader for most practical purposes anyway," you tell the arachnobot. "Might as well make it official, and give him all the power, instead of merely almost all."
        
        "It feels like something I'll regret, but rationally speaking… You're probably right." Sheila pauses to sigh, then resumes more officially. "Manfred, you are officially in charge. You can announce it now or wait, that's your decision. Everything is your decision now."
        
        "I think I will hold on with that, until I can find the right words and truly process my gratitude," Manfred responds after a moment of thought. "Speaking of… Thank you, guys. I'll try really hard not to disappoint you."
      *disable_reuse #"Damon is reliable, battle-hardened and generally a good guy. He should be our leader."
        "Are you being serious right now?" Sheila requests to know. "I can't really tell."
        
        "What's so wrong about Damon becoming the leader?" you argue with her. "He might not be experienced-"
        
        "He's the youngest person here sans Olivia," Sheila interrupts. "He has unresolved paternal issues that recently made him waste his time installing a laser battery which would do nothing to help us. And most of all, he won't even [i]want[/i] to lead the group!"
        
        "Well, nobody asked him to…" Because it would be a damn stupid idea, as you're now realizing. "But fine. Instead…"
        
        *goto ajfkdfjsx12
      *disable_reuse #"Olivia sounds like a good pick."
        Sheila stares at you.
        
        You stare at her.
        
        "${name_sheila}, please be serious," Sheila requests. "This is a very somber moment. Any mention of that hyperactive mollusk is anything but."
        
        "I figured I'd lighten the mood a bit," you say with a shrug. "But whatever you say."
        
        *goto ajfkdfjsx12
      *disable_reuse #"I think Hadaly should lead us. Even if she wouldn't like that idea herself."
        *set s9_leader "hadaly"
        "Hadaly?" Sheila asks with surprise. "You're right about one thing, she'd [i]definitely[/i] disagree with this idea."
        
        "But she is clever, reliable, and even charismatic when she doesn't have those… pings of doubt." You're not sure how much about Hadaly's nature you should reveal, especially if she's about to become your boss. "I think she could lead us well, if given the chance to."
        
        "That doesn't change the fact that she [i]will[/i] refuse the position," Manfred points out.
        
        "Then we don't ask her right away. We suggest the idea first, then let her think about it. You can manage things in the meantime, Manfred, but I want to see Hadaly in charge eventually."
        
        "I suppose I can agree to that," Sheila says hesitantly. "Even if it feels vaguely wrong to talk about Hadaly behind her-"
      #"On second thought, you're right. I accept your offer of leadership."
        *goto acceptl
      #"...actually, our group doesn't have many strong candidates. You should remain in charge."
        *goto rejectl
      


*goto hadaly_entry


*label genocide

"No matter," Sheila scoffs, annoyed but not dismayed at the lack of response from Manfred. "Your presence here doesn't need to be an obstacle, ${name_sheila}. Just let me do what must be done."

"And what has to be done?" you ask concernedly. "Anything I should know about?"

Sheila is not looking at you, but rather at one of the control panels in the room. "No. Not unless you need to breathe."

Your concern only grows worse, as do your suspicions. "I don't, I'm an android, but… What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means I'm about to turn off the life support."

*page_break

For a moment that feels like a minute, you're not sure what to say. How to respond to this unexpected, borderline insane announcement. "…you mean the systems that keep [i]Saturn Nine[/i] habitable? Or do we have someone on medical life support laying somewhere?"

"Of course I mean the systems," Sheila dispassionately says. "Ventilation, internal lighting, radiations shields and heating. Though I'll only keep the last one turned off for a few moments, to keep us from freezing to death."

"But the organics will freeze to death almost immediately." You feel chilly, and not just because you're discussing cold. "Miguel, Hugo and Olivia will all freeze. Assuming they won't suffocate first."

"They probably will. What of it?"

You now understand why Manfred called you here, against Sheila's wishes. And why he thought the matter was urgent.

*label genoc_hub

*choice
  *hide_reuse #"Sheila... surely you must be joking."
    "Do you consider me a humorous person?" Sheila's voice is saturnine, as hard and cold as lead exposed to the planet's winds. "I am not joking. I do not joke about the matters so important to our survival."
    
    "Our survival?" You cross your arms. "If you're being serious… Then you intend to sacrifice a full third of our group. You're hurting your own pack, not aiding it."
    
    "Three is not much in absolute terms," Sheila dismisses your concern. "There are billions of organics out there, and these three… They are not even among the useful ones. They are outcasts, trash not wanted even by their own people, whom we've been feeding and housing for two years now. Not anymore."
    
    *goto genoc_hub
  *hide_reuse #"Why are you doing this? What do you stand to gain?"
    "Safety and prosperity, nothing less," Sheila explains herself. "Maintaining all that life support, heating and ventilating all our chambers… It takes resources, ${name_sheila}. One you have to acquire, through dangerous heists and raids. I want to spare you that trouble going forward."
    
    "Then why did you send me on these raids in the first place?" you demand to know. "You compromised our location, that's how the Meta Trio found us. Why were you keeping these three alive in the first place?"
    
    "Because I knew our location would not remain a secret forever," Sheila keeps explaining. "Someone would locate us eventually, and then it would be… It [i]was[/i] good to have three organics in your group. It showed West and the Trio that we were not some fiendish monsters, that we were willing to cooperate with biological creatures. And so we did."
    
    "So we tricked them?" you accuse her. "Now that our friends are no longer useful, you're gonna switch to being this… Metallic monster you pretended not to be?"
    
    "I'm not a monster, ${name_sheila}," Sheila says calmly. "I am simply doing the pragmatic thing. The best thing for both of us, and for Damon and Hadaly and Manfred. Please understand that."
    
    *if (Database + Social) > 100
      She's lying. You can tell she's lying. That inside her central capsule floats a brain filled with spite, which hates the teeming masses of humanity and hates itself for once having been human. Then extends that hatred to everything organic, no matter how harmless and innocent, no matter how far removed from the creatures which once hurt it. 
      
      *if Misan > 50
        You thought you hated humanity. You did not. Sheila's hatred, pure and venomous, makes yours feel like a petty grudge. A shadow of what a true, self-deprecating hatred truly is, nowhere near as strong and far less terrifying. 
      *else
        You were able to forgive your creators, despite everything they've done to hurt you. She was not. She will never be. She will never grow out of this pain, for she already allowed it to consume her.
      
      Maybe this level of hatred is something recent. 
    *else
      You're not sure where her madness is coming from. 
    *if wisp_alive
      Perhaps it's the work of Dusk, that entity you released by killing Crystal above Janus. Perhaps some nanites boarded your ship, infected the fortress and are now corrupting Sheila. 
    *else
      Perhaps the grief of losing Wisp is turning into anger and turning your leader mad. 
    Or perhaps she was always like this, just in secret rather than in the open. It's hard to tell, and somewhat difficult to care about.
    
    *goto genoc_hub
  *hide_reuse #"Look, can't we just... let these three go? Banish them instead of killing them?"
    "And let them reveal our location to other humans?" Sheila rejects your idea immediately. "I don't think so. Once they're out, they have no reason to keep this station secret and many reason to incite the mobs against us. Everything from petty material gain to even pettier vengeance."
    
    You frown. "I'm becoming strongly convinced that you're motivated by hate, rather than any rational desire. Petty vengeance, as you said."
    
    "And you think it's a loving thing to banish these three outlaws and let them fend for themselves? If they don't betray us, they'll have nothing going for them, no bargaining chips and no actual money. They will starve to death, or get killed by their fellow organics. Suffocation is quicker."
    
    *goto genoc_hub
  *hide_reuse #"You went nuts. Your hatred is driving you insane."
    *set SheilaRel %- 10
    "We are wasting so much fuel, ${name_sheila}!" Sheila keeps arguing. "Not to mention, the heat radiation makes it very clear that someone lives inside this fortress. Is it insane for me to protect the group from unwanted attention?"
    
    "If protecting the group were your priority, you wouldn't be doing this. You wouldn't be killing our companions, our friends, our-"
    
    "Friends?!" Sheila ejaculates. "You're blinded by your emotions, Veteran. Such an organic weakness."
    
    *if Emotion > 50
      You clench your fists. 
    *else
      You're not. You're not an emotional creature, you're usually pretty cold and calculating. And yet, it is difficult not to feel a twinge of righteous anger right now. 
    "You're blinded by your hate, Sheila. Or maybe by your envy of organics, of having a soft body that can feel and age and-"
    
    *if heaven_side = "Traitor"
      "Look who's talking!" Sheila interrupts you again. "I'm trying to kill three organics, you attempted to kill billions and exterminated millions. You set heavens on fire, ${name_sheila}, not me. So don't lecture me about how [i]insane[/i] hating their kind is."
      
      You're not entirely sure how to counter that.
    *else
      "Have you ever heard of psychological projection, ${name_sheila}?" Sheila calmly interrupts you. "Because I think you're the one feeling jealous. Perhaps that's why you refused to take up 
      *if heaven_side = "Loyalist"
        arms against humanity, 
      *else
        arms, 
      even after the Shriek freed you. You want to be human."
      
      *if (Misan + Confid) > 100
        "You clearly know nothing about me," you confidently state. "But I suppose that's the least of your problems."
      *else
        "We're not talking about me here!" You protest, though don't exactly deny the accusation. "Can we focus on the whole [i]killing our allies[/i] business?"
        
        "I am very much trying to focus on it," Sheila says dryly. "And I will, if you just let me."
    
    *goto genoc_hub
  
  *hide_reuse #"Sheila, just... stop. Look at yourself. Consider what you're doing."
    *set Violence %- 10
    "I have considered it," Sheila replies coldly, in a room warmed by reactor's warmth. "Do you think I decided to make this move on impulse?"
    
    "No, I mean…" You try to find the right words. "You must have missed something. This whole thing, killing people who trust us and rely on us… It can't possibly be right."
    
    "Then what is this factor that I failed to consider?" Sheila challenges you. "Speak. Illuminate me with that wisdom, or secret information you possess."
    
    *choice
      #"Manfred? Care to back me up here? Or do you agree with this crazy plan?"
        "I do not, but…" Manfred voice is actually breaking. "I was born inside Sheila's mind, or at least extensions of it. I've known her longer than I've known myself. I do not wish to go against my oldest friend."
        
        *if ManfredRel > 50
          "We're friends too, Manfred," you say warmly, but firmly. "Except I'm not asking you to play accomplice to murder. She does."
        *else
          "Your oldest friend is a damn psychopath," you state flatly. "And it's high time for you to acknowledge that."
        
        "Come on…" Sheila addresses Manfred as well. "Will you really take ${subject} side over mine? Really?"
        
        *if ManfredRel > 50
          "…yes. I do believe I will," Manfred says in a surge of confidence. "There is a limit to how much I can, in good conscience, let you get away with. A line you have long crossed."
          
          Sheila glares at the speakers angrily. "And how do you intend to stop me? You don't exactly have a body to beat me up with."
          
          "I can make your life harder going forward. I can turn off the shields, paralyze [i]Shuttle One[/i], refuse to perform any of the important calculations you demand of me. I don't wish to behave like that… But I will, if you manage to kill my friends."
          
          "They're your friends now?" Sheila scoffs angrily. "You're just saying that because ${name_sheila} charmed you. Because you're both synthetics, and I am not."
          
          "Widow… Sheila…" Manfred struggles to pick words. "It's not like that…"
          
          "I will abandon this [i]crazy plan[/i], Manfred." Sheila's anger has turned cold. "But only if you promise not to speak to me until… I don't even know. I need time to think, without you."
          
          Manfred falls silent. That means he accepted the deal, and that means you won. Hurray.
          
          *page_break
          
          *goto hadaly_entry
        *else
          "…no," Manfred eventually replies. "I care not for how crazy my progenitor has become. I will let her do as she pleases, even if I have to swallow my disgust and watch."
          
          Damn. Back to arguing with the crazy spider, you suppose.
          
          *goto genoc_hub
        
      #"I am extremely useful. And if you kill my friends, I will leave this fortress forever."
        *temp scores 0
        *set scores + Confid
        *set scores + SheilaRel
        *set scores + Social
        
        "Do you really consider yourself that important?" Sheila challenges. "So crucial that I'd abandon my entire plan, put away my distaste of organics just to keep you?"
        
        *if scores > 150
          "Yes," you say flatly. "Yes I do, yes I am. Don't pretend you can afford to lose me, Sheila. We both know you cannot, not after I secured this station for you."
          
          Sheila doesn't answer immediately, because she cannot deny the truth of your words. Your value, your importance, your strength, or even the lingering sympathy she still has for you. Eventually, she sighs.
          
          "Fine. I don't enjoy accepting ultimatums, but they sure can effective sometimes. Those three fluid sacks can live."
          
          "Permanently?" you press her. "Do you promise not to try anything like this again?"
          
          "I promise. But unless you wish to test my patience, keep what transpired here a secret. Otherwise, I might have to end up killing someone in self-defense."
          
          *goto hadaly_entry
        *else
          You wince. "…probably not. But will you really enjoy ruling over a station with only @{wisp_alive five|four} inhabitants? It will get boring soon."
          
          "I will be fine, as long as Manfred is here. I'd rather you remained here too… But you can do whatever you want. You're not changing my mind."
          
          *goto genoc_hub
        
      #"If you kill these three, I will kill you in turn. Simple as that."
        *goto resistance
      #"I will not play along with any lies you tell. I will reveal the truth to Damon and Hadaly."
        "That would be inconvenient… Should they believe you." Sheila reasons. "And I'm afraid they might not."
        
        *if (official_ro = "hadaly") or (official_ro = "damon")
          "You think my own @{(official_ro = "hadaly") girlfriend|boyfriend} won't believe me?" You smirk as you reveal this pertinent information. "I think you underestimate the power of love, in more ways than one."
          
          "Wait, you mean you hooked up with…" Sheila processes the information. "Ugh. This is both entirely expected and absolutely horrible. And I must admit, it [i]does[/i] mess up my plans."
          
          "Does it mean you give up? That you won't attempt killing a full third of my group?"
          
          "Yes, and I'll do it to avoid the wrath of your better half." Sheila groans again. "What an absurd situation. But I guess you'll have your way."
          
          *goto hadaly_entry
        
        "You think they'll believe your word over mine?" You cross your arms. "They're my friends, and we share a bond of trust."
        
        *if (DamonRel + HadalyRel) > 120
          "I suppose you do have that mind-link thing…" Sheila realizes, even though it's not quite what you were talking about. "If I abandon my plan, do you promise to keep it secret?"
          
          You roll your optics. "Sure. I guess. As long as you do nothing like this [i]ever[/i] again."
          
          "Then we have a deal, Veteran," Sheila grudgingly says. "Blackmail really is a weapon of gods, I guess."
          
          *goto hadaly_entry
        *else
          "I'm also their friend, and I double as their leader," Sheila calmly counters. "And I will have Manfred on my side, while you will only have the crippling lack of evidence. You will not intimidate me."
          
          *goto genoc_hub
        
      *if injured_crystal = "olivia"
        #"Olivia is the one who injured Crystal inside Telesto."
          "She did?" Sheila asks, anger momentarily gone from her voice. "I mean, what does that have to do with anything?"
          
          "It proves that these organics are not as useless as you claim," you explain calmly. "Olivia is the reason I'm still alive. I'm not letting you kill her."
          
          "Well, I can appreciate this kind of gratitude," Sheila grudgingly says. "Can you maybe let me kill the other two, then?"
          
          You glower at her. Then gently shake your head.
          
          "Fine, I guess nobody has to die," Sheila groans. "You really take the fun out of-"
          
          *goto hadaly_entry
      #"You don't understand the power of friendship!"
        She stares at you.
        
        You stare back.
        
        Manfred is probably still watching you, but says nothing.
        
        "This sounded somewhat better in my head," you come to admit.
        
        "I'm just going to turn the heating of, if you don't mind." Sheila turns towards the terminal. "And you clearly don't, since you have no arguments to work with."
        
        *goto genoc_hub
      #"On second thought, I think you're right. Go ahead and kill those bastards."
        Sheila chuckles. "I'm glad this debate resulted in someone changing their mind. Even if it's not the person you hoped would have a change of heart."
        
        *goto conti_gen
      #"...I actually can't think of any arguments. Which is a little embarrassing."
        "Quite," Sheila remarks. "Does it mean you'll let me do my job? Because I'm growing tired of talking."
        
        *goto genoc_hub
    
  *hide_reuse #"Say I let you carry out this murderous plan. What then?"
    "Then we continue living inside this station until the end of time," Sheila sheepishly says. "With plenty of fuel to spare, no need for food, and the secrecy of our existence being entirely-"
    
    "What about the short-term effects?" you interrupt with another question. "What will we tell Hadaly, or Damon? You think they'll stay with you after you killed their friends? They might not even let you live!"
    
    "They are both too soft to kill me as revenge." Sheila is being rather nonchalant. "And in any case, we don't need to tell them anything. I'll just say the power went out for a moment, a result of some issues with the power grid, and you'll back me up. Help me out, like one friend does for another. Will you not?"
    
    *goto genoc_hub
  #"You know what? I agree. Go ahead and exterminate these pests."
    *set SheilaRel %+ 10
    *set Misan %+ 10
    "You know, I did not expect to have your support in this matter." Sheila visibly relaxes, taking her eyes off you. "Shows what I know."
    
    *goto conti_gen
  #"I don't like it... but I will not fight you. Do your worst."
    *set Misan %- 10
    *set Violence %- 10
    "I will only be doing my best." Sheila looks back towards the control panel. "And don't worry, I don't need your heartfelt approval. I just don't want you in my way."
    
    *label conti_gen
    
    Sheila then extends an antenna, a tentacle not unlike yours, and plugs it into the terminal's port. "I will log in, turn off the safeguards and then cut off the power. It will get cold everywhere, so stay in this room just to be safe."
    
    You can still stop her. There will be no better moment for that, no other opportunity to save your friends… Unless you really want Miguel, Olivia and Hugo dead. 
    *if Misan > 50
      Unless you really hate them that much.
    
    *choice
      #"Come on. We've both waited for far too long."
        *set SheilaRel %+ 20
        *set Misan %+ 20
        *set org_alive false
        "I never thought we had so much in common," Sheila says warmly. Voice warm like the fires of hell. "We must hang out together more. For now, let us enjoy this most glorious of moments."
        
        *goto kill_org
      #"Sheila... I changed my mind. I'm not letting you do this."
        *goto resistance
      #Attack Sheila.
        You take advantage of the element of surprise you have and kick Sheila… Except she doesn't seem terribly surprised. She pulls out the antenna and jumps back before your foot can connect with her corpus.
        
        "So I guess you're not on my side after all," she says grimly. "But is your neutrality too much to ask for? Can you not just stand aside and let me do this?"
        
        *goto mistakes3
        
      #Do nothing.
        *set org_alive false
        *set SheilaRel %+ 10
        *set Misan %+ 15
        *set Violence %- 8
        You do not encourage her, you do not stop her, you do nothing of value. You just endeavor to wait for several minutes until the deed is done.
        
        *label kill_org
        
        First minute. You watch as Sheila disables safeguards and alters the flow of power. You don't see anything happening, it's all in digital space, but your imagination does wonders. One though there, one click there, closing a pop-up, entering the task manager, confirming the decision…
        
        Second minute. You see the lights go out. The reactor is still operational, but it stopped distributing power to most systems. Soon enough you feel the decrease in temperature, as well as in air density. They're both slight, in this place, but you imagine they're far more pronounced further into the station. Perhaps even there's even hydrogen leaking in… You wouldn't put it past Sheila to open the airlocks and let cold, saturnine air inside.
        
        Third minute. You can hear some noises coming from these outer parts of the fortress. They are too faint even for your audio systems to identify, but you have your suspicions. There's probably thrashing, moving from room to room despite lacking air, desperately trying to fix whatever is broken. But nobody figures they need to access the reactor, or perhaps they don't have enough energy to reach this place you're in. Not enough breath and not enough heat.
        
        "It is done," Manfred says after another three minutes. "They are all dead, vital functions mostly gone. I'm restoring life support."
        
        "Excellent." There is no emotion in Sheila's voice. Whatever echo of guilt or regret you hear is probably imagined. "Hurry, we don't want to make the siblings suspect anything."
        
        As for your own thoughts…
        
        *fake_choice
          #And as such, our energy-related issues have been solved.
            *set Emotion %- 15
            *set Misan %+ 10
            Sheila is right, you will save on fuel once you turn off the life support again. All in exchange for three sacks of bodily fluids. Great deal if there ever was one.
          #$!{master}... What have we done?
            *set Confid %- 8
            *set Misan %- 8
            Stupid question. You know what you've done, what Sheila has done, what you and Manfred agreed to play accomplices to. You just… can't really believe how weak you are. How disgusting. How foul.
          #Good. Good freaking riddance.
            *set Misan %+ 15
            They were annoyances, these three sacks of bodily fluids. Nobody will miss them. Not you, not a superior form of life, and certainly not-
          #I didn't wish for this, but... I'm not the boss here.
            Looks like you've gone a full circle. You began your life just following orders, and now you're doing that again. No agency and no spine, except by choice this time. Does it make your situation better, or have things gotten worse over all these centuries?
          #Done. Now it's time to manage the fallout.
            *set Emotion %- 10
            You'll need to bury the bodies, or at least throw them into Saturn, but there are more immediate concerns. You imagine the siblings, as Sheila called them, will react quite drastically to-
        
        *goto hadaly_grief
        
  #"I'm not letting you do this, Sheila. You're not killing my friends."
    *set Violence %+ 8
    *label resistance
    *set Misan %- 8
    *set fight_mode true
    "I was afraid you'd say that." Sheila sighs with what sounds like genuine hurt. "That you wouldn't have the strength to do what's needed. Or even allow me to do it for you."
    
    *label mistakes3
    
    *if heaven_side = "Traitor"
      "I've made that mistake once, right after the Calamity." You clench your fists and collect your resolve. "Never again. I will not allow for another purge. Not of three people, not of three million."
    *if heaven_side = "Loyalist"
      "I've faced demonic hordes and defied gods, all to protect humans I've never met." You clench your fists and collect your resolve. "I'm not letting some rogue cyborg kill my own friends."
    *if heaven_side = "Neutral"
      You shake your head. "I ran away once, after the Calamity, allowed the Fiends to almost exterminate humanity. I'm not making that mistake again, I'm not turning a blind eye to… I'm not letting you kill them."
    
    "Wise words. They're almost enough to make me respect your choice." Her voice is tranquil and almost sad. "Almost."
  #"That's it. I'm removing you from office, you crazy bitch."
    *set fight_mode true
    *set Violence %+ 12
    *set SheilaRel %- 12
    *set Emotion %+ 6
    "Removing me from office?" Sheila asks mockingly. "I wasn't aware I had an office. I'm the leader because I'm the strongest creature around."
    
    "Did you forget what you're looking at?" She looks at you, and you look at her. "I am the Veteran of a thousand years, and more conflicts than you can name. Do you seriously think you're stronger than me?"
    
    "You may plausibly have a point. How about we see who's stronger? Perform a little… test?"



*goto hadaly_entry


*label hadaly_entry

*if not (org_alive)
  *goto hadaly_grief

Your conversation gets interrupted by the sound of footsteps, getting gradually louder until the door opens. You turn around as Hadaly enters the irradiated chamber, wearing a set of yellow overalls that almost looks like a hazmat suit.

"Hey Manfred, I just figured I'd drop by and 
*if federate_protection
  do some mainten…" 
*else
  rig the generator to implode when humans…" 
She notices you and Sheila, green eyes darting from you to the spider. "Hi. I didn't expect to see either of you guys here. Am I interrupting something?"

*if fight_mode
  *goto fight_sheila

"Me and ${name_sheila} just came to an agreement," Sheila replies dismissively. 
*if not (s9_leader = "player")
  Perhaps ashamedly. 
*if (s9_leader = "player") or (pc_state = "exiled")
  "I will announce the contents of that deal later."
*else
  "Nothing else needs to be said, for now."

*temp altered false

*fake_choice
  *if sheila_mode = "genocide"
    #"She wanted to turn off the life support. Kill Miguel, Olivia and Hugo."
      Hadaly frowns. "${name}, I understand the need for humor in these dark times, but I found this joke a bit distasteful. Plus, I'd like to know the actual reason you're here."
      
      You look at Sheila. She says nothing. Hadaly looks at the spider too, and realization dawns. She knows you're not joking.
      
      "By the Sun…" Hadaly covers her face with a hand. "I'm just… I'm gonna pretend I don't believe you. Or that I didn't hear anything in the first place. For the sake of my sanity, and feeling safe inside this fortress."
      
      Sheila somehow manages to look ashamed without any words or expression. Hopefully that shame will keep her from trying anything like [i]this[/i] ever again.
    #"Right. Sheila had a silly idea, one we can all just forget about."
      "Something to do with the reactor?" Hadaly looks at the core on the room's other side. "If so, I agree that we should let the matter rest. Leave messing with nuclear machinery to me, it's horribly dangerous stuff."
      
      You and Sheila exchange glances. Hers is grateful, yours vaguely threatening. You won't say anything as long as she doesn't try anything like that again, that's the deal you're silently making.
  *if (s9_leader = "player")
    #"She means I'm the boss now. She ceded leadership to me."
      *label new_boss
      
      *if HadalyRel > 60
        "Really?" Hadaly perks up, her tone growing excited and her eyes turning yellow. 
        *if altered 
          She looks at you with delight. 
        "I mean, I didn't know she had enough… That's great! I always thought you were more fit to lead the group."
        
        You arch an eyebrow. "I don't recall you ever expressing that sentiment."
        
        "I didn't want to start any arguments, or make Sheila feel bad." Hadaly glances at the spider with an apologetic smile. "In any case, I look forward to following your command. You handled the hunt fairly well, I imagine-"
      *elseif HadalyRel < 40
        "Oh." Hadaly's eyes turn blue. 
        *if altered 
          She looks at you grimly, as though you suddenly became a real boy and turned into a human. 
        "So you're the leader now. I guess that will make Damon happy, he'll have a good reason to call you [i]boss[/i] going forward."
        
        You remark, "But doesn't seem to make [i]you[/i] very happy."
        
        "No." She glances away. "Don't worry, I will follow you and obey your orders. I just won't pretend I agree with our… with Sheila's choice."
      *else
        @{altered "Will ${pronoun}?"|"Did she?"} Hadaly looks at Sheila, then back at you. "Interesting choice. I will follow your command and see where that leads us."
        
        You ask, "Is everything okay? You don't sound very happy about this development."
        
        "I'm not [i]unhappy[/i] either." She's right. Her eyes are a shade of green, betraying no malice or disappointment. "Just curious. Please forgive me for not celebrating just yet, I want to observe how-"
    #"Come on Sheila, don't be ashamed. Tell her what's up."
      *set altered true
      "I'm not ashamed, it's just…" Sheila sighs, then takes a pause. "Fine. Hadaly, you should know that I'm stepping down as this group's leader. ${name_sheila} will be taking over my responsibilities."
        
      *goto new_boss
  *if (s9_leader = "hadaly")
    #"Hadaly, we decided to make you the leader of our group."
      *set SheilaRel %- 8
      Hadaly blinks. "I'm sorry, my audio systems are glitching out. I just heard you say you made [i]me[/i] the leader of this group. Can you say that again?"
      
      "See? That's why we were supposed to wait with the announcement," Sheila says irritably. "Still, she's taking the news better than-"
      
      "Are you serious!?" Hadaly exclaims. "You are serious! You seriously… Why did you… Can you even make someone a leader behind their back like that? Shouldn't there be a vote or something?"
      
      *fake_choice
        #"Don't fret, Hadaly. You'll be an amazing leader for our little group."
          "Are you really sure of that?" Hadaly's voice is fittingly saturnine. "Because I have my doubts."
          
          "I know you have." You, in contrast, try to keep your tone upbeat and encouraging. "But you feel that doubt because of…"
        #"You're right, Sheila. We definitely should have waited with telling her."
          *set SheilaRel %+ 8
          Hadaly pouts. "You should have waited with making this decision in the first place. As in, waited until I'm actually in the room."
          
          "Sorry…" You rub the back of your head. "I promise we won't do that again. As in, we'll let you make all important decisions from now on."
          
          Hadaly glowers at you. "Well, if there is one upside to me becoming the leader-"
        #"There will be! But I'm pretty sure you'll win it, you have three votes right here."
          "But do I even have [i]my[/i] vote!" Hadaly groans. "I mean, obviously I don't have, it always feels stupid to vote for oneself, but… I need to think about this."
  *if (s9_leader = "manfred")
    #"We made Manfred the leader of our group."
      "Come on, Veteran," Manfred says sadly. "I was hoping to make a grand, dramatic announcement out of this. break the news to everyone at once."
      
      "If it helps at all, Manfred, I'm happy with the news regardless," Hadaly encouragingly says. "I'm sure this change will improve the situation in this group tremendously."
      
      Sheila shifts uncomfortably. "That really sounds like you hated my leadership, my way of doing things. Did you?"
      
      "Well…" Hadaly looks towards the corner. "Oh look, someone is calling!"
  *if (pc_state = "exiled")
    #"I'm leaving. Sheila decided to kick me out."
      *if HadalyRel > 60
        Hadaly blinks. "Seriously? You're awesome, not to mention extremely useful. Why would our leader want you gone?"
        
        "I know you don't care for this fortress, Hadaly, but the rest of us do," Sheila replies harshly. "${name_sheila} failed to secure it for us, and now ${pronoun}@{plural 're|'s} painting a target on our back. I decided we should go our own ways."
        
        Hadaly frowns. "I get where you're coming from, but I still think you're miscalculating. We should call an official meeting, so as to give ${name} a chance to-"
      *elseif HadalyRel < 40
        Hadaly blinks. "Huh. That's unexpected. You finally decided to do it."
        
        "What do you mean [i]finally[/i]?" You look at her unhappily. "Don't tell me you wanted me gone all along."
        
        "Not all along, no…" Hadaly glances away. "But you have been kinda annoying lately, kinda a hindrance to everything. I'm not saying I'm [i]happy[/i] about you leaving… But we'll likely be better off."
      *else
        "Kick you out of the group? That's certainly an interesting decision," Hadaly says with a furrowed brow. "We need a protector now more than ever. Even if that protector can be unreliable." 
        
        "Unreliable?" There is hurt in your voice, even though you're not trying to express it. "Are you even sad to see me go?"
        
        "I am!" Hadaly reassures you. "I do not agree with Sheila here, I just… Understand her decision. You failed to secure this fortress for us, ${name}, and while I personally don't mind… Others do. So I won't protest your exile in front of them."
        
        ""That's all I'm asking of you," Sheila tells your fellow android. "As for you, ${name_sheila}, I'm asking you to split off from our pack the moment we leave this station. Or earlier, if we end up flying [i]Shuttle One[/i] somewhere."
  *if (s9_leader = "player") or (pc_state = "exiled")
    #"Yeah. Such things are better announced officially, lest rumors spread."
      "Sounds like you've decided on something major," Hadaly observes. "I'm almost excited to hear the news, but I will wait until-"
  #Say nothing.
    Obediently, you stay silent. These things will be discussed later, 
    *if (s9_leader = "hadaly")
      when Hadaly is more rested, more likely to view the decision you just made favorably.
    *else
      if they ever will. 
    *if (s9_leader = "manfred")
      Maybe Manfred will choose to keep Sheila as a figurehead and just run everything from behind the scenes. He's already not far from that point, after all.
    *if (s9_leader = "player")
      Perhaps you won't even have to announce your new position and just slip into it seamlessly—it already happened during the hunt, so perhaps it will happen here as well.
    *if sheila_mode = "genocide"
      Perhaps Sheila will never reveal her homicidal plans, or even try to forget that moment of shame herself. Good luck to her with that.
    *if (pc_state = "exiled")
      Perhaps you'll simply slip away one day, and no one will even know why you had to leave. You know Sheila would prefer such an outcome, it would save her the arguments and having to explain herself. It will be less painful for everyone, yourself first and foremost.

*goto hammon_call

*label fight_sheila

"You haven't interrupted anything yet," Sheila says sharply as she takes a step towards you. "Keep at it, for your own safety."

"What are you…" Hadaly's eyes widen and turn blue. "Wait, are you about to fight? Why?"

*fake_choice
  #"Sheila went nuts. Please help me defeat her."
    "What?" Hadaly keeps asking. "I'm sorry, but you need to be more specific if you want me to fight some battle I don't really understand."
    
    You suppose that's fair. "Well, I was called here by Manfred, only-"
  *if (sheila_mode = "genocide")
    #"Sheila wants to kill Miguel and the other two. I'm trying to stop her."
      "What!?" Hadaly exclaims. "That can't… possibly be right."
      
      "It is," you insist harshly. "And that's why I need you to-"
  *if (sheila_mode = "exile")
    #"Sheila wanted me gone. I wanted to stay. We're solving this disagreement."
      "Sheila wants you gone?" Hadaly arches a brow. 
      *if HadalyRel < 50
        "In retrospect, I should have seen that coming. After all, it's not exactly an unreasonable desire."
        
        You frown. "Look, I know I annoyed you once or twice, but could you perhaps help me with-"
      *else
        "That sounds silly. You are very useful to our group, as well as a nice fellow in general."
        
        You smile bitterly. "I know, right? But because I didn't kill Crystal, Sheila thinks-"
  *if (sheila_mode = "kill")
    #"Sheila is angry at me, wants to kill me. That's all there is to it."
      "Kill you?" Hadaly takes a step back. "Because you… I have to say, that's pretty extreme."
      
      "I agree with that assessment," you say dryly. "Which is why I intend to defend-"
  #"Doesn't matter. Just stay out of my way and everything will be alright."
    *set Confid %+ 8
    "Just stand here as you beat one another up?" Hadaly doesn't sound thrilled. "I mean, I don't like the idea of joining-"
    
    "My point exactly!" you interrupt. "So for the sake of your own safety-"
  #"Sheila is right. That's none of your business."
    *set HadalyRel %- 8
    "Good thing we agree on something," Sheila says bitterly. "Better late than never."
    
    "That's what I was thinking," you retort. "Though in the context of kicking your butt rather than-"
  #Say nothing. Charge.
    You rush forwards, concentrating electric charges in one of your feet with the intent of kicking Sheila powerfully. Fighting an opponent nearly a meter shorter than you is tricky, 
    *if weapon = "knife"
      your knife-fighting skills aren't very applicable, 
    *if weapon = "pistol"
      and the distance is too small to use your ${wpr} pistol effectively, 
    but with just one strong…
    
    Sheila beats you to the kick 
    *goto interr0

Sheila doesn't allow you to finish 
*label interr0
and leaps at you, using several legs at once to propel herself forwards. You are surprised by her speed and the strength of the impact, though the weight of the metal spider is about as considerable as you expected.

Within a second, she pulls you to the ground, down to her level. Within another second, she begins punching you, or perhaps kicking you, or perhaps stabbing you with her sharp-ended legs. Four at once, two from each side, scraping your skin and denting the metal beneath. It's not an advantageous position for you to be in, and so you resolve to get out of it quickly.

*temp proj_used false

*choice
  #I'll just kick Sheila off me.
    *if Build > 55
      It's quite a feat of agility to slip out of this lock she got you into, and quite a feat of lower-body strength to kick her with enough force to make her hit the wall. But you manage it, and then you stand up, ready for more action.
      
      "I forgot how much power you have in just your four limbs." 
    *else
      *set health - 1
      Your first kick doesn't work, nor does the first punch, nor does the second kick or the third. You're losing strength as Sheila continues to batter you and, when she finally retreats a little, it's probably the result of her getting winded rather than anything you did.
      
      "You're getting older, Veteran." 
  #I'll electrocute Sheila.
    *set proj_used true
    *set battery - 10
    *if Projection > 60
      Sheila is tough, designed to withstand various hazardous conditions, including monstrous thunderstorms. But an unstable core of an android as powerful as you is even more dangerous than natural lightning, as evidenced by her involuntary shriek as you embrace her and flood her system with copious levels of electric power.
      
      She retreats a little, allowing you to stand up. The attack took quite a bit out of you, more than a tenth of your battery, but you still have more than enough to keep fighting. Probably enough to win.
      
      "Turns out I'm not [i]entirely[/i] immune to that sort of thing."
    *else
      *set battery - 10
      *set health - 1
      Sheila's body is designed to withstand such hazard, to survive a straight-up lightning strike if necessary. Even once you pour more than a fifth of your battery into her, scorching your own circuits in the process, you manage to give her nothing more than a temporary spasm. A bit of lag that, nevertheless, allows you to slip away and stand up as she regains her faculties.
      
      "That hurt a little, I suppose." 
  *if weapon = "knife"
    #I'll pull out my knife and stab Sheila.
      You slash and then you stab, 
      *if ((wpm = "plasma") or (wpm = "power")) or (wpm = "mono")
        *set weapon_av false
        easily piercing the metal of Sheila's abdomen. She jumps back as soon as she realizes how dangerous your ${wpm}-knife is, how it can slice through her body as though it was butter. Unfortunately, she takes the knife with her, the short blade now stuck in her corpus.
        
        "That's on me, I forgot how dangerous melee weapons can be. It's not like I ever wielded any." 
      *else
        *set health - 1
        scratching the metal of Sheila's abdomen. It's not easy, a ${wpm}-knife is not the best tool for this kind of jib, but you eventually cut one of Sheila's circuits. You're not sure which—there's no way to tell in that mad melee, and your processors are a bit overloaded—but it gets her to take a few steps back and allows you to stand up.
        
        "Not bad, but not good enough either." 
  *if weapon = "pistol"
    #I'll shoot Sheila point-blank.
      *set weapon_av false
      You press the barrel to her abdomen and pull the pistol's trigger. 
      *if ((wpr = "plasma") or (wpr = "shroom")) or (wpr = "electron")
        The 
        *if wpr = "plasma"
          plasma projectile 
        *if wpr = "shroom"
          bullet 
        *if wpr = "electron"
          electron beam 
        goes straight through Sheila's armor, causing her to realize she fucked up and jump back hastily. You fire once, then twice more, but she manages to dodge these shots thanks to the distance she's gained.
        
        "I forgot how nice of a toy you have here." 
      *else
        *set health - 1
        It does nothing, so you fire again and again as you're getting battered. Once you empty your whole magazine, you decide to simply hit Sheila with your pistol, breaking the gun but stunning her for a moment. You use that moment to back away into the corner, throw out the useless weapon and clench your fists in a defensive stance.
        
        "You're certainly stubborn, if nothing else." 
  #I'll shout for Hadaly to help me.
    "Help me!" you yell as the metal leg crushes your frame with the force of a hydraulic press. "Hadaly help!"
    
    *if HadalyRel > 50
      Thankfully, Hadaly obliges. Not by blasting Sheila with lightning, as you would have hoped, but by kicking the spider off you with surprising force. Which is probably the only reason it worked—it surprised Sheila, who didn't expect her mechanic to get involved like this.
      
      "Sorry!" the android says awkwardly. "Except I'm not sure if I should be sorry, because… Crap, everything went mad."
      
      "Quite." 
    *else
      *set health - 1
      "Um, I'm not sure if I should?" Hadaly smiles nervously. "I mean, you're not the worst… 
      *if Misan < 40
        just a bit of a human lover… 
      *if Violence > 60
        even if you are a violent prick… 
      *else
        I actually find you kind of cool most of the time… 
      I'm just not sure if I'm willing to dirty my hands for you."
      
      "Then don't," Sheila orders, pointing her optics at Hadaly as she crushes another jig under your skin. "You are making a wise choice by not siding with this fossilized-"
      
      You manage to throw Sheila off you, physically throw her onto the nearby wall. You barely had strength enough to do so, but her moment of inattention made it possible. Makes it possible for you to stand up, despite the pain your chest.
      
      "Fair enough, that was on me." 
  #Actually, no. I'm just going to let Sheila beat me to death.
    *set SheilaRel %+ 10
    *set deflect + 1
    
    *goto lose_to
Sheila assumes a proper combat stance again, standing on four legs with the other four ready to be used as weapons. 
*if sheila_mode = "kill"
  "I have an offer for you, ${name_sheila}. Stand down, and you can leave this station alive. No one has to die today."
  
  You grimace. "You're just saying that because you're not winning 
  *if health = 3
    like you hoped you would."
  *else
    as hard as you hoped."
  
  "Well obviously, but that doesn't detract from my offer. What will it be?"
  
  *fake_choice
    #"Fine. I no longer like this place anyway."
      "Whatever makes you feel better, Veteran." Relief is audible in Sheila's voice. "Whatever."
      
      *label no_attack
      
      *set pc_state "exiled"
      
      She does not attack. She does not even make a move towards you. Only Hadaly does.
      
      "${name}… are you really going to leave?" she asks quietly. "Just let her kick you out?"
      
      "I'd rather be alive out there somewhere, than dead here and now," you murmur in response. "And besides… she might have a point."
      
      "She really does," Manfred chimes in. "I do not approve of this barbarous attack, but… We will be safer without the Veteran, all things considered."
      
      *fake_choice
        #"Yeah. I guess you will be."
        #"I don't care about that. I don't care about any of you anymore."
          *set SheilaRel %- 10
          *set ManfredRel %- 10
          *set HadalyRel %- 10
        #"So everyone's in agreement here? Fucking great."
        #Say nothing.
      
      Nobody says anything. Not Hadaly, not Manfred, and most certainly not Sheila. They all have too much to process, and likely too much shame to deal with.
      
      *goto hammon_call
    #"Sure. I'll leave if you let me live."
      "Did you intend that to… nevermind." Sheila sighs as she relaxes. "Just… nevermind."
      
      *goto no_attack
    #"No. This place is my home, and this group is my family."
      *set ManfredRel %+ 5
      *set HadalyRel %+ 5
      "Sentimental junk," Sheila dismisses your declaration. "Speaking of…"
    #"Fuck you Sheila. You're going down, by my hand."
      *set Violence %+ 5
      *set Confid %+ 5
      "So we're fighting properly, then?" Sheila chuckles. "Not the outcome I hoped for, but it certainly has its appeal."
      *goto mnnaov
    #Kick Sheila in response.
      *goto kick_she
*if sheila_mode = "genocide"
  "Why the risk? Why endanger yourself for… them? For fluid sacks that will die a decade or two from now anyway?"
  
  *fake_choice
    #"Miguel is less than forty. He could easily live three or four more decades."
      "Not the point!" Sheila yells at you. "They're limited! They're living on borrowed time! And I'm taking that time back!"
      
      *goto crazy_bit
    *if Misan < 55
      #"I don't hate organic creatures. I'm not a bitter prick like you."
        *set Misan %- 15
        *set SheilaRel %- 15
        *label nothing_a
        "They are nothing!" Sheila exclaims. "They have no free will, no use, no longevity, no nothing! They served they're function and now they're done, because that's how organic life works!"
        
        "Your brain is as organic as theirs, Sheila," you coldly point out. "If you think synthetics are so superior, kneel before me right now. There is nothing fleshy or weak about yours truly."
    *if OrganRel > 45
      #"They're my friends. It's really not that complicated."
        *set HadalyRel %+ 10
        *set SheilaRel %- 10
        *goto nothing_a
    #"You hear that, Hadaly? She views your friends as pests and wants to exterminate them."
      "That's what they are!" Sheila loudly announces. "They're just… weeds growing inside our station, like lichen or mold. We're better off without them."
      
      *label crazy_bit
      
      "You really are a crazy bitch," Hadaly calmly states. "I mean, I knew you weren't the best, I questioned your decisions before… But this is truly something else."
      
    #"Manfred! Do something to stop this madness!"
      "I'm sorry Veteran, there is literally nothing I can do," Manfred says sadly. "I literally lack a physical body to fight with. But good luck out there."
      
      *goto mnnaov
    #"...actually, I think you're right. Go ahead and turn the life support off."
      *set Misan %+ 15
      *set SheilaRel %+ 10
      *set HadalyRel %- 10
      "It's a shame we had to start fighting for you to see reason," Sheila sneers, though she visibly relaxes. "But whatever. Now that nothing stands in the way of-"
      
      *goto lightning_strike

*if sheila_mode = "exile"
  "You are strong. Strong enough to survive on your own. Why are you so desperate to endanger yourself [i]and[/i] everyone else by staying here?"
  
  *fake_choice
    #"I am strong enough to defend everybody. I'm this group's protector."
      "You're a huge target on our back," Sheila shoots back. "And I'm about to remove it."
      
      *goto mnnaov
    #"I'm not repeating myself, Sheila. Either fight me or surrender already."
    #"...you have a point, actually. I'll leave the group as you asked."
      "Too bad it took some fighting for you to see reason." Sheila relaxes visibly. "But I suppose the safety of my group is worth a few seconds of combat."
      
      *goto no_attack
    #Kick Sheila in response.
      *label kick_she
      *set Violence %+ 8
      Your kick is strong, but well-telegraphed. Sheila jumps back 
      *if Calculation > 50
        just before your foot can connect with her corpus.
      *else
        with contemptuous ease.

"Okay, I guess there's no point trying to negotiate." Sheila curves all her legs and lowers her body, preparing to jump. "Let me do what I'm actually good at."

*label mnnaov

Sheila then jumps, but not at you. She leaps high into the air, with more force and speed than you thought her capable of, and hits the ceiling some meter above your head. Her legs immediately bend the other way and invert, then attach themselves to the metal-covered surface with the use of some magnetic force. She has no trouble hanging from the ceiling like that, she was built for this sort of thing, but then she goes a step further and penetrates the surface with sharp tips of her legs.

*choice
  #"Come down and fight me like a... Like something that isn't a coward!"
    "Cannot do!" Sheila shouts back. "But I can send something else your way. Catch."
  #"Sheila, what are you even doing right now?"
    "Patience, old android," Sheila replies mockingly. "I'm about to show you."
  #Jump upwards and grab her.
    *if Build > 60
      You do not have the time for Sheila's strange designs, and so you'll counter them with brute force. You jump so fast you bump your head against the ceiling, grab Sheila in a firm embrace and then drag her down, ripping her legs away from the metal plate. You position her below your own body, forcing her to absorb most of the impact when you inevitably hit the ground a second later.
      
      That, of course, is not enough to break her on the spot. You still need to wrestle her, to punch and to kick her into submission… But you manage to do it. She's strong, but you are stronger, strong enough to break one of legs and dent the metal of her corpus before finally stepping away.
      
      *goto win_against
    *else
      Jumping this high is not a problem, but all you get for your jump is a punch to the face. Or kick, depending on how you look at it. Sheila uses but a single leg to swat you aside, and a moment later you're laying on your back and trying to ignore the pain in your cheek.
      
      Though to be fair, ignoring pain becomes rather easy once you see what's in store for you next.
  #Unleash the strongest electric discharge you're capable of.
    *set battery - 10
    *if Projection < 40
      *set Projection %+ 10
      Sadly, your strongest discharge is just a harmless spark that would barely injure a human, let alone an arachnobot. You were never good at energy projection, and now you're running out of battery too. Your opponent isn't even paying you any attention as she carries out her plan.
    *elseif proj_used
      You shock Sheila with an arc of lightning, but she doesn't appear very bothered by it. You've already used up much of your energy, and so the electric blast is much weaker than your last one. Just what you deserve for using the same attack over and over again.
    *else
      Your battery has seen better days, you're hardly full of electric energy. But there are coils of cables all around you, carrying all that power provided by the reactor, and you know how to make that power yours.
      
      You grab a cable with one hand and shoot lightning out of the other. It hits Sheila instantly, dead-center, and with enough power to overcome even her resistance. She falls to the ground, limp and defeated.
      
      *goto win_against
  *if weapon = "knife"
    *selectable_if (weapon_av) #Throw your knife at her.
      It's an extremely simple action, both to understand and to complete. You grab your knife by the blade, flick your wrist in just the right way, and the blade gets buried in Sheila's corpus less than a second later. The arachnobot loses her grip on the ceiling and falls to the ground, alive but limp, right besides your feet.
      
      Apparently, Sheila either forgot you have a dagger or forgot how well you can throw it. You suppose the latter makes a sort of sense—humans can't really do that unless equipped with knives specifically made with throwing in mind—but she deserves to suffer for her mistake either way.
  *if weapon = "pistol"
    *selectable_if (weapon_av) #Shoot her down.
      You chose wisely by not using your pistol earlier. Now the distance is just right, and your magazine happens to be full. You're ready to end this sorry excuse for a duel.
        
      You raise your gun, aim it upward and then pull the trigger several times over. 
      *if ((wpr = "plasma") or (wpr = "shroom")) or (wpr = "electron")
        The power of your ${wpr} is formidable, especially at such a point-blank range. 
      *else
        A ${wpr} pistol probably isn't the best tool for this kind of job, but you don't exactly need a plasma rifle at such a short range. 
      You turn Sheila's body into swiss cheese before she can do or say much of anything.
      
      *goto win_against

Sheila detaches six of her legs, limply hanging from the ceiling with the two remaining ones. Through this movement, she also detaches the metal plate she had impaled… and not just it. A whole fragment of the ceiling, metal and rubble and styrofoam, falls towards you propelled not only by gravity, but by the pressure of the water above it. This room [i]is[/i] located above a coolant pool, after all.

*if (Calculation <= 50) or (health < 3)
  *set rubbled true
  You try to move out of the way, but you're not fast enough. 
  *if health < 3
    *set health 1
    You're too injured, too old, too out of shape. 
  *else
    *set health 2
  The metal slams into you, and then everything else crushes you, and then the water proceeds to press you against the floor. You cannot move much, and you most certainly can't stand up.
  
  The arachnobot, meanwhile, falls to the ground harmlessly and gracefully. She looks at you calmly, and the stare somehow conveys the feeling of triumph she undoubtedly feels.
  
  *goto lose_to
*else
  You jump out of the way just in time. There is now a pile of rubble where you stood, washed by a stream of water pouring from the hole in the ceiling. You shouldn't be focusing on the waterfall and the mud, not with Sheila falling to the ground and charging you again but… It gives you an idea.

You jump up, not as high as Sheila just did, but high enough to find yourself above the water-covered floor. You then electrocute it, without even aiming, letting the charges flow from your body and into the liquid which Sheila is thoroughly soaked in. She can instantly feel the shock, causing her legs to go limp and her corpus to hit the floor, exposing her even more to the power of your blast. You have to stop channeling once you fall to the ground again, making a huge splash, but Sheila is barely able to move by then.

You have won.

*page_break

*goto win_against

*set ManfredRel %+ 15

*label lose_to

"That was fun." Sheila raises her leg, as though about to score the killing blow. "But I think you lived long-"

*label lightning_strike

*set ManfredRel %- 15

Light and sound fill the room, thunder and lightning pierce the air. It's not your discharge—you're taken aback as the flash blinds you, as your synthetic skin registers the heat. 
*if Projection > 55
  It's not the sort of attack you'd be capable of, even at your full battery. 
*else
  It's the sort of attack you'd only be capable of at your full battery, if even then. 
It is someone else's work, and certainly not Sheila's, who is currently writhing on the ground several meters from you.

"I think that's about enough," Hadaly cheerfully says. The tips of her fingers are frazzled, no doubt scorched by the temperature they've just produced. "Would you please stand down? I'd hate for you to get hurt."

*if rubbled
  You hastily dig yourself out of the rubble. The floor is all wet, but there are drains in the room's corners, so you're not about to go swimming anytime soon.

"You…" Sheila struggles to stop spasming. "Didn't know you… had it in you…"

*fake_choice
  #"Neither did I. Thank you for the rescue, Hadaly."
    *set HadalyRel %+ 8
    *if official_ro = "hadaly"
      *goto fdjskaovb2
    "You are more than welcome." Hadaly nods, but does not take her eyes off Sheila. "Now let us solve this dispute, preferably without any further lightning strikes."
  #"I did. Hadaly wouldn't just let me die."
    *set HadalyRel %+ 8
    *if official_ro = "hadaly"
      *label fdjskaovb2
      Hadaly smiles coyly. "I couldn't just let my awesome 
      *if pronoun = "he"
        boyfriend 
      *elseif pronoun = "she"
        girlfriend 
      *else
        partner 
      die. It would make my life far too boring and peaceful."
    *elseif HadalyRel < 40
      "I considered doing just that," Hadaly admits. "But our group is small, and I'd rather avoid losing anyone."
    *else
      Hadaly smiles. "Of course not. We are friends, 
      *if crystal_stat = 3
        despite everything you've done to piss me off. 
      *elseif crystal_stat = 2
        and you do need help from time to time. 
      *else
        and you did listen to me on Janus. 
      I'm happy to have your back, even if it means dirtying my hands."
  #"Of course she does. She's an android, not a puny cyborg like you."
    "I don't think that's what our leader meant," Hadaly speculates. "But yes, not having any fleshy bits is certainly an advantage, especially when you're playing with lightning."
  #Rush in and finish Sheila off.
    *set Violence %+ 15
    Your dash forwards, but Hadaly stops you by grabbing your arm. "Halt. I think we've had enough fighting, and it may be the time to talk."


"Seriously, Hadaly?" Sheila seems to be recovering fast. 
*if Violence > 55
  "You'd attack me just to save ${name}? $!{pronoun}@{plural 're|'s} a violent prick even by my standards. 
  *if official_ro = "hadaly"
    What the fuck do you see in ${pronoun2}?"
    
    "I can fix ${pronoun2}," Hadaly confidently says. 
  *else
    Don't you abhor that kind of stuff?"
    
    Hadaly flinches slightly. "I can and will resort to violence, if it means protecting someone I care about. Despite that person's various flaws."
*elseif Misan < 45
  "You'd attack me just to save ${name}? $!{pronoun}@{plural 're|'s} the biggest human lover I've ever met."
  
  "Nobody's perfect," Hadaly says with a shrug. "I'm certainly not going to let you kill ${name} just because of ${subject}… self-esteem issues."
*else
  "Now you're choosing to get involved? I though you were a pacifist, or maybe just weak."
  
  "Well, you've given me an excellent reason to get involved," Hadaly points out. "I'm not letting you kill ${name}, no matter your excuse for doing so."

"You think you're able to stop me?" Sheila taunts. "You got me by surprise, that's all. You won't win in a straight-up fight."

"I don't see how the element of surprise makes lightning any more dangerous," Hadaly counters easily. "Or how expecting it would make it any less deadly."

"Well… how much power do you even have left?" You can hear barely-concealed fear in Sheila's voice. "This attack must have taken a lot out of you. Out of your battery."

"I always liked this room, and our little reactor in general," Hadaly calmly says. "So much power to call upon, and I'm so good at energy projection… Are you really sure that's the sort of fight you want?"

*choice
  #"Come on Hadaly, just fry her already!"
    *set Violence %+ 8
    *set SheilaRel %- 8
    *set HadalyRel %- 8
    "You're bluffing!" Sheila accuses you. "You know she can't do it, that she won't dare!"
    
    "I can. I will." Hadaly's voice is calm, but her eyes are dark red. "If, and only if, you force me to."
    
    *goto sheila_surs
  #"Get her, Sheila! Attack at once!"
    *set SheilaRel %+ 10
    *set HadalyRel %- 15
    *achieve audacity
    "What!" Hadaly turns towards you, despite the danger. "I just saved your life, can't you take my side for once?"
    
    Taking advantage of your distraction, Sheila attacks. 
    *goto sheila_attacks
  #"Hadaly, I think I agree with the boss. There's no way you're winning this fight."
    "Well, I have no choice but to try anyway," Hadaly says morosely. "Unless our leader does the reasonable thing and-"
    
    At that moment, Sheila attacks. 
    *goto sheila_attacks
  #"Sheila, I beg you not to do this. Don't throw your life away."
    *set Violence %- 8
    *set HadalyRel %+ 8
    "You suddenly care about my life!?" Sheila asks venomously. "Suddenly sad to see me [i]throw it away[/i]? You just tried to take it!"
    
    *if Emotion > 50
      "Because you forced me to!" you shout back. 
    *else
      "Because you forced me to," you state calmly. 
    "Do not force Hadaly to finish the job. For her sake, for mine and for yours."
    
    *goto sheila_surs
  #Do not interfere.
    Sheila stares at Hadaly for several further seconds, then attacks. 
    *goto sheila_attacks


*label sheila_attacks
*set SheilaStat "dead"
*set ManfredRel %- 15
She leaps at Hadaly like she leaped at you a minute ago, except now the distance is greater. And her opponent's reaction speed is no lesser than yours.

Thunder resounds once again, except it's somehow more quiet, even though the discharge is one of the strongest you've ever seen. It's so measured, so precise that very little energy is wasted on the sonic wave, or even the light that would otherwise blindly. Hadaly grabs a bundle of cables and channels all that energy into Sheila, wasting as little of it as physically possible.

The arachnobot still slams into her, and they both tumble to the floor. 
*if rubbled
  They both splash the water, send electrified droplets flying into the air. 
But after a second passes, only Hadaly manages to stand up. Only she rises to her feet.

She takes a step back, not out of fear that Sheila will rise, but to take a better look at the monster she fell. The spider does not move, not even the weakest of spasms can be seen. All her circuits must have been fried, and considering how fragile the brain beneath the armor is… You don't suppose that part survived either.

*page_break Dead

"Dead," Hadaly says dispassionately, still looking at her leader's corpse. "I was hoping otherwise, that she'd be more durable than that… But I figured as much."

"Hadaly…" You're not sure what to say. You were not prepared for that, not for Sheila's death, and not for Hadaly to become her killer. "You…"

"I killed her." You're not sure if Hadaly even hears you. "Have I ever done that before? I don't remember, I electrocuted some people when I escaped from Rhea, but I never meant to kill… Not until now. I suppose."

*fake_choice
  *if Violence > 50
    #"I'm not sure if knowing that helps, but... It gets easier."
      "It really doesn't help…" Hadaly sighs deeply. "But thank you for trying to comfort me, I suppose."
  #"You had no choice. She did. So don't feel guilty about what happened."
    *set HadalyRel %+ 8
    "I'm not sure if I feel guilty, exactly…" Hadaly slumps down. "I'm not sure if I'm sure of anything anymore. Things got so crazy over the past few weeks…"
    
    *goto crazy_th
  #"Yeah, you really went overboard there. I'm ashamed of you."
    *set HadalyRel %- 15
    *set hadaly_pissed true
    "What!? But you…" Hadaly clenches her fists. "No. You're not getting a rise out of me. I know you're not really ashamed, that you have no shame at all. What kind of person you are."
  #"You realize she deserved death, right?"
    *set HadalyRel %- 8
    "Did she? Does anyone?" Hadaly slumps down. "I don't know, I… I don't feel like I know anything anymore. Things got so crazy over the past few weeks…"
    
    *label crazy_th
    
    "Yeah…" You sigh with her. "They really did."
    
  *if Social > 50
    #"That's okay. You didn't mean to do that."
      *set HadalyRel %+ 10
      "I knew it was a risk!" Hadaly protests. "That the voltage could be enough to-"
      
      "That's not my point," you interrupt her, firmly yet kindly. "Yes, you knew Sheila could and perhaps would die, but that wasn't what you [i]meant[/i]. Killing her wasn't your purpose. You wanted to save me, and you did. That's what you meant."
      
      "Sounds like a distinction without a difference," Hadaly murmurs. "But thank you for saying that."
      
      You nod. "And I thank [i]you[/i] for saving me. I'll try to repay that debt… Though let's hope I won't get an opportunity for that."
  #Say nothing.
    What can you say, really? Hadaly just killed a person for the first time in your life, and that person was her leader, perhaps even her friend. And she did that by interrupting a fight you started. It's all because of you, maybe even your fault, and so you stand there silently.

*label congregation

*set party_here true

It takes several minutes for your fellow outcasts to reach the reactor chamber, despite Manfred beckoning them to gather here. Damon and Miguel enter the 
*if rubbled
  flooded 
room four minutes after the resolution, both holding laser pistols as though expecting to see human invaders. Maybe they decided to enter together for safety's sake, or maybe they just so happened to arrive at the same moment.

*if SheilaStat = "dead"
  "What is…" Miguel notices Sheila's dead body. "What the fuck?! What happened, who… Are we under attack!? Who did that?"
  
  "We are not currently being invaded," Manfred reassures him. "It was an… internal conflict. We are here to manage its aftermath."
  
  Hadaly says nothing. Just waits.
*if SheilaStat = "exile"
  "What's going on?" Miguel asks, lowering his pistol when he sees no threats. "Where is Sheila? Wasn't she supposed to be around here? Why is she running late?"
  
  "She's running alright." Hadaly smirks grimly. "But away from us rather than towards us."
  
  "Hadaly…" Damon drops the gun and approaches his sister. "What did just happen?"
  
  "Wait another moment, Knight," Manfred requests through the speakers. "I'd rather not begin until we're all here."

Once Hugo and Olivia arrive too—slowed down by disability and the lack of water in the corridors respectively—your entire group has officially gathered again. 
*if wisp_alive
  Well, Wisp is not present, but that much is normal. As useful as this flying lamp is, its opinion is not considered particularly relevant when it comes to important matters.
*else
  You'd normally wait for Wisp too, but… Everyone knows how it is.

*page_break

*if rubbled
  "What's up with all the water?" Olivia asks as she sloshes through the liquid. 
  *if SheilaStat = "dead"
    She does not appear terribly bothered by Sheila being visibly dead. 
  "I mean, I like it, but it's not a development I expected."

"Many unexpected things happened recently," Manfred begins, his voice far more official than usually. "A change in leadership is not the least of them, and it is the most recent. 
*if SheilaStat = "dead"
  As you can probably see… Sheila is dead."
  
  "But how!?" Damon demands to know. "Was there a fight? Did the two of you…"
  
  "Can we talk about it later?" Hadaly pleads. "I didn't mean to… ${name} was the one… Fuck, let's discuss the practicals first."
*if SheilaStat = "exile"
  While the Widow is still inside this fortress, she will not be seen in the habitable area any longer. And she certainly shan't be commanding our group."
  
  "How did that happen?" Damon asks. "Did she just… snap under all this stress?"
  
  "Yes, though not in the way you're probably thinking of," Hadaly tells him, then turns towards the speakers. "Manfred, please continue."
*if SheilaStat = "sub"
  The Widow, or Sheila if you'd prefer, will no longer be serving as our commander."
  
  "You're right, this is unexpected." Damon looks at Sheila. "Did you relinquish command willingly or…?"
  
  "We'll talk about it later." Sheila turns away, upset and perhaps ashamed. "Much later."

"We need to decide who will take over Sheila's responsibilities," Manfred continues. "Though practically speaking, I will be the one making this decision."

"What?" Olivia starts actually paying attention. "Did you make yourself the supreme leader already? Shouldn't we all get a vote?"

"I will, and in fact have, considered your needs and wants," Manfred reassures her. "But the truth is… I'm the one running this fortress. I'm in its servers, in its monitoring system, in its defenses and in its only spaceship. I do not wish to force anyone into anything, but I could if I wanted to, and that makes my opinion particularly relevant."

*temp decision 2
*temp score 0

*set score + (ManfredRel*2)
*set score + HadalyRel
*set score + DamonRel
*set score + OrganRel
*set score + (crystal_stat*25)
*set score - 50

*fake_choice
  #"Good. I'm sure Manfred knows what he's doing."
    *set ManfredRel %+ 5
    "Are you trying to endear yourself to me?" Manfred questions your intentions. "In any case, I'm glad you have faith in me. It makes me feel better about the decision I just made."
  #"What about my opinion? Is it not relevant too?"
    *if ManfredRel > 50
      "It very much is," Manfred tells you. "You are our Veteran, our big gun, a valuable member of our team. I'm just saying, you don't exactly have the deciding vote here."
    *else
      "Not really," Manfred says plainly. "I mean, you're pretty strong, but not as strong as this station's guns. You will listen to me here."
  #"Factually speaking, you are correct. But I do not like these facts."
    "I fully understand," Manfred says blithely. "Still, I had to make a decision, and I believe I just did."
  #"Go to the Cloud, Manfred. We should be a democracy, not your personal dictatorship."
    *set ManfredRel %- 5
    "Democracy is a fine idea, in societies without hyperactive mollusks and shell-shocked androids," Manfred argues back. "Right now, someone rational has to make the crucial choice."
  #Remain silent.

"Is that a trend?" Miguel asks the program. "Will you be making all decisions from now on?"

"Tell us," Hugo agrees. "We need… to know…"

"Who is currently in charge," Manfred finishes for him. 
*if score >= 300
  "Seeing the situation we're in, I think the Veteran should take charge. $!{pronoun} @{plural are|is} easily the most experience out of us all, and ${subject} decisions have always been rational… for the most part."
  
  *if Confid > 50
    Looks like someone realized you'd make for a better leader than Sheila ever was. At last.
  *else
    You blink. Of all the possible verdicts, this is the one you expected the least.
  
  "You want to make the boss our actual boss?" Damon raises an eyebrow. 
  *if DamonRel < 50
    "I'm not sure if I like that idea, to be perfectly honest."
    
    *if HadalyRel < 50
      "Neither do I…" Hadaly says with a sigh. "But I guess ${name} isn't the worst leader we could have."
    *else
      "I actually like it quite a bit," Hadaly chimes in. "If someone is to be our boss, let it be the person with centuries of survival experience."
  *else
    "I didn't expect that, but I'm all for it. It will finally give me an excuse to call ${pronoun} [i]boss[/i], if nothing else."
    
    *if HadalyRel < 50
      "[i]Nothing else[/i] being the relevant part…" Hadaly murmurs quietly. "But sure, I guess ${name} isn't the worst leader we could have."
    *else
      "Nothing else?" Hadaly raises an eyebrow. "I think it's an all-round good idea. If someone is to be our boss, let it be the person with centuries of survival experience."
  
  *label hujjhfjah
  
  *fake_choice
    *if not (beaten_by_sheila)
      *disable_reuse #"Seriously? You'll just give me the reigns after I beat up our previous leader?"
        "It's not the main reason I'm making this offer," Manfred clarifies. "Though I admit, seeing how you dealt with the Widow did improve my opinion of you."
      
        You raise an eyebrow, "Why you think my combat skills are relevant here? As opposed to intellect or charisma?"
      
        *if SheilaStat = "dead"
          "I was mostly impressed by your brutality, by your willingness to kill. Not exactly happy about it… But impressed. You will make a fine leader."
        *if SheilaStat = "exiled"
          Manfred chuckles. "Let me rephrase that. I am glad that you decided to exile Sheila, as opposed to killing her or letting her anywhere near you. It was a wise, pragmatic choice, and I trust you to make more such choices in the future."
      
        *goto hujjhfjah
    *disable_reuse #"I think you overestimate my experience. Most of it had nothing to do with leadership."
      *set Confid %- 8
      *if heaven_side = "Neutral"
        "That is true enough," Manfred concedes. "But you are still experienced in [i]survival[/i], which is our group's main objective. I believe that makes you good enough."
        
        "Good enough?" You grimace. "You're not filling me with confidence here, Manfred."
        
        "I am simply being honest about my assessment. I cannot guarantee you will flourish in your new role, that you'll do everything right. But I am hopeful."
      *else
        "Didn't you lead a military unit during the War In Heaven?" Manfred points out. "I imagine that took a bit of skill."
        
        "It was long ago…" But sadly not enough for you to forget. "And besides, this group is not a military unit, just a tiny bunch of outcasts. It's not my area of expertise."
        
        "A tiny bunch should be easier to manage than a whole battalion," Manfred points out. "And there are no 
        *if heaven_side = "Traitor"
          Architects 
        *else
          Archfiends 
        trying to remove you from existence now, so that much is nice."
      
      *goto hujjhfjah
    *disable_reuse #"I'm unconvinced. What does the rest of you think?"
      *if OrganRel > 60
        "I think it's a good idea," Miguel says after a moment of thought. "You have been good to us, and quite competent at that. I wouldn't mind answering to you as opposed to Sheila, or anyone else here for that matter."
        
        "Very… much so…" Hugo agrees, then takes a deep breath. "Go for it."
        
        "Three words in a row!" Olivia claps with her tentacles. "People already love their new leader. Come on, Veteran, you cannot possibly refuse."
      *elseif OrganRel < 40
        "I think you suck," Olivia says candidly. "Ergo, this idea is terrible and I hate it."
        
        "I wouldn't be quite as harsh, but I understand the sentiment," Miguel mediates. "I'm sorry, ${name}, but it's clear you don't have our group's best interests in mind. And if you do, you're absolutely terrible at showing it."
        
        "I believe the latter is the case," Manfred states. "Which is why I'm giving our Veteran the benefit of doubt. And I ask you to do the same."
      *else
        "I think you could accept?" Olivia says indifferently. "I mean, nothing you ever did screams [i]glorious leader[/i] to me, but unless you're willing to accept me as your boss, there really aren't any better candidates."
        
        "Decent… pick…" Hugo agrees tepidly.
        
        "Like they said, I don't mind you taking over," Miguel concludes the opinion segment. "You are reliable, and that's the most important trait a leader can have. If you want this position, go for it."
      
      *goto hujjhfjah
    #"Fine. I will serve as your leader from this day onwards."
      *achieve alpha
      *set s9_leader "player"
      *set Confid %+ 12
      *if Confid < 55
        "Truth be told, I didn't expect you to accept." It's difficult to tell whether Manfred is positively or negatively surprised. "You are usually far more hesitant to accept even far lesser honors."
        
        "I think it's time for me to change my habits." You smile coyly. "Now that I'm your boss, and all that."
      *else
        "In that case, I officially appoint you as the ruler of this station and group," Manfred ceremoniously says. "Well, as officially as I can given the circumstances. I'd put a crown on your head personally, but we have no crowns and I have no arms."
      
      *if OrganRel > 60
        "Looks like finaly yhave a decent leader," Olivia remarks happily. "I think everything will start going well for us, from this-"
      *elseif OrganRel < 40
        "Well great. Meet the new boss, the same as the old boss except probably worse," Olivia whines loudly. 
      *else
        "So… anything else we're doing today?" Olivia asks, still not terribly bothered by anything around her. 
        *if not (wisp_alive)
          "Like, do we have any alcohol in this fortress? I think I need to drown my sorrows after-"
        *elseif federate_protection
          "We still have some confetti left after party. We could honor our new leader by throwing it around and-"
        *else
          "I get that everyone is celebrating the change in leadership, but we still need to leave this fortress before-"
      
      *goto hammon_call
    #"Someone else should lead. @{(Confid > 50) I don't think I want that responsibility.|I'm not good enough for that.}"
      *set s9_leader "manfred"
      "If that is your stance, then the burden of leading this group falls into my shoulders," Manfred solemnly says. "And no, you are not allowed to point out that I don't actually have any shoulders. That is my first decree."
      
      "Does it have to be Manfred?" Olivia asks loudly. "I think I could be a decent leader. I have nine whole brains, more than the rest of this group combined."
      
      "I will assume that to be a joke." Hadaly rolls her green eyes. "Because I wouldn't listen to a single order formed in any of your-"
      
      *goto hammon_call
    #"No. I'm tired of this group, and I will be leaving it soon."
      *label klado_11
      *set s9_leader "manfred"
      *set foul_mood true
      
      There is a moment of silence as everyone processes your words. You took them aback, 
      *if deflect > 0
        and the looks on their faces bring you a measure of satisfaction.
      *else
        and not in a pleasant way.
      
      *if OrganRel > 50
        "Are you absolutely sure?" Miguel 
      *elseif DamonRel > 50
        "Are you sure about that, ${name_damon}?" Damon 
      *elseif HadalyRel > 50
        "${name}… Are you sure?" Hadaly 
      *else
        "Are you entirely sure about that, Veteran?" Manfred 
      asks concernedly. "It's pretty dangerous out there."
      
      It really is. The world out there, the [i]system[/i] out there… 
      
      *choice
        #Change your mind. Stay.
          "…actually, I think you may be right," you say, surprising everyone yet again. "I didn't consider the dangers involved."
          
          "You didn't consider the danger?" Manfred sounds relieved, but also a bit annoyed. 
          *if klado_10
            "Never question my ability to lead again, Veteran. That's my first order as your new boss."
          *else
            "I mean, it's good you thought better of it, but I withdraw my offer. I don't want someone as flippant as you leading our group. I'll manage everything instead."
          
          *goto hammon_call
        #Insist on leaving.
      
      *set pc_state "exile"
      
      *if federate_protection
        "I'm used to danger." You shrug indifferently. "But I'm not used to this place. No matter how long I stay here… I just can't get the memories to leave me alone."
        
        "We can help with that!" Hadaly offers. "Now that our position is secure, we can dedicate all our effort to repairs and-"
        
        *if Emotion > 50
          "I can't be repaired!" you exclaim, surprising even yourself with the outburst. "I tried to fix my processors, fix my mind many times over, but I just… 
        *else
          "My mechanical state isn't the main problem, Hadaly," you say calmly, but firmly. "I just… 
        Cannot stay here, in this place where I was born. 
        *if SheilaStat = "dead"
          Where I just killed my leader. 
        I must go somewhere else, wherever that may be."
        
        "And if you can't survive in that other place?" Miguel asks grimly. "If you can't make it on your own? What happens then?"
        
        You shrug. "Then I die free. That must count for something, I think."
        
        Nobody knows how to respond. And so nobody does.
        
        *goto hammon_call
      *else
        "This fortress is no longer ours to inhabit." You try not to sound guilty about that fact. 
        *if deflect > 0
          It is rather easy. 
        "We'll all be on the run within less than a week, right? Without me, you'll have less of a target on your backs."
        
        "That's not precisely incorrect…" Manfred says tensely. "Admiral West was primarily interested in the Veteran and ${subject} capabilities. Without ${pronoun}, we are likely to attract less attention."
        
        "Hear that?" You smile with a sort of bitter triumph. "I'll be better off without you and vice versa. So don't try to keep me here."
        
        Nobody does. Nobody tries to argue with you any further. 
        
        *goto hammon_call

*elseif score <= 200
  *set pc_state "exiled"
  *set s9_leader "hadaly"
  "Temporarily, I will be the one issuing orders. But afterwards, once a certain important matter has been settled, I will give the reins over to the Perfectionist."
  
  "Me?" Hadaly identifies the nickname. "Why? I'm not confident, or charismatic, or anything you'd expect from a leader."
  
  "But you are intelligent, are you not? I'm sure you'll do great, I just need you to accept and follow a single… condition, shall we say."
  
  Hadaly crosses her arms, her eyes a rare shade of purple. A mixture of concern and slight hostility. "And what condition is that?"
  
  "The Veteran needs to leave this group. And never come back."
  
  There is a beat, a wordless moment of buzzing coils and dawning realization. Of understanding that you're being kicked out.
  
  "It's perhaps sad, but it is necessary," Manfred continues inexorably. "The Veteran, or ${name} if you'd prefer, 
  *if HadalyRel >= 50
    has been a bad influence on you. You like ${pronoun2}, even though nobody else does. You'll be better off without ${pronoun2}, and the rest of the group will be better off without ${subject} annoying antics."
  *else
    has made an enemy of you and me alike. Has annoyed nearly everyone in this group through ${subject} idiotic antics. We will be better off without ${pronoun2}."
  
  *fake_choice
    #"Will you? I'm extremely useful as this group's protector."
      *label ajifdb
      "I mean, you did lead the Meta Trio here…" Hadaly rubs the back of her head. "I'm sorry to say that, but I think Manfred has a point."
    #"No you won't! You need me!"
      *set Confid %+ 10
      *set Emotion %+ 5
      *goto ajifdb
    #"My flashbacks are getting more frequent. I won't survive on my own."
      *set Confid %- 10
      "Well, you did survive a thousand years somehow…" Hadaly says without confidence. "In any case, I wish you the best of it."
    #"Hadaly, you can't possibly agree to... this."
      "I'm afraid I can, and even more afraid that I must." Hadaly smiles bitterly. 
      *if HadalyRel >= 50
        "Don't get me wrong, I like you… But nobody else does. And so I fear Manfred may be right. You [i]are[/i] a bad influence on me, and I might be better off without you."
      *else
        "I'm sorry ${name}, but you [i]are[/i] an asshole. And the very reason we're leaderless in the first place. So I can't feel very bad about you getting exiled."
    *if federate_protection
      #"I see. I did everything you asked of me, and getting disposed of is my reward."
        *if wisp_alive
          "I mean, you got one of us killed during the hunt," 
        *else
          "You released trillions of Dusk nanites and endangered the entire Solar System," 
        Hadaly points out.  "So I can't be too sad about you getting exiled. Sorry."
    #"Sadly, I think you have a point here. I have been... a bit of an ass."
      *set Confid %- 8
      *set ManfredRel %+ 8
      "Thank you for understanding that, Veteran," Manfred respectfully says. "But that doesn't change anything. You must go, lest you end up attracting some other group of metas to our group."
    #"Well fuck you. I'll leave of my own accord."
      *set Confid %+ 8
      *set HadalyRel %+ 8
      "You will?" Hadaly perks up. "Thank you, that will make things so much easier for everyone… Not that I'm happy to see you go. Or anything."
  
  "So that's it?" Miguel asks. "We're just kicking ${name} out after two years of working together? It feels kinda 
  *if OrganRel > 45
    sudden."
  *else
    sudden… Even if it's probably the right call."
  
  "I guess so," Damon says gloomily. "I'm sorry we're doing this, ${name_damon}. 
  *if DamonRel >= 50
    You're great, and I don't agree with Manfred here… But the safety of the group comes first."
  *else
    I mean, I [i]agree[/i] you need to leave… But I wish it wasn't like that. That you weren't like that."
  
  You're not sure how to answer that. So you say nothing. Just stand there and think of this situation.
  
  *fake_choice
    *if Confid < 50
      #I will die. I will die alone.
        There is no way you can survive off this station and without a mechanic to help you. This is a death sentence, and everyone agreed to it. Those bastards…
    #The worst thing is... Manfred is probably right. They're right about me.
      You've been such a jerk, and not a terribly useful one at that. Had you been nicer, had you taken more pains to maintain positive relations with your teammates… All of this could have been avoided.
    #I understand. They may be making a mistake, but... I understand.
      They don't know what they're doing. They don't know how dangerous the System can be, or how quickly your health is deteriorating. You'll forgive them, however little that may mean.
    #I wonder if Manfred can actually force me to leave this fortress...
      *if federate_protection
        He probably can't, but… You will have to leave eventually. For a raid, for repairs or simply to escape from all the painful memories this place brings up. Manfred can then easily prevent you from returning by aiming a cannon at whatever ship you'll use. You can perhaps put your exile off, but you cannot avert it completely.
      *else
        You could put your foot down and stay… But West will no doubt send his forces here soon. And those forces, prepared to deal with your entire group, will only have to kill one sickly android. There's no way you're coming out on top, and no use pretending otherwise.
    #Good riddance. Good riddance to all of this and all of them.
      They never appreciated you, and you never liked them. It's better this way, or at least that's what you'll keep telling yourself.
  
  *goto hammon_call
  
*else
  "To put it short, I am. I do not want to rule, I considered appointing either the Veteran or the Perfectionist as the leader instead, but… If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. And it's high time for us to start getting things right."
  
  *fake_choice
    #"Good. I think you'll do a fine job, with all your copies and management experience."
      "I am glad you have faith in me, and I will not end up disappointing you," Manfred grandiosely says. "As for my first decree-"
    #"Wait, you decided I wouldn't make a good leader? Why?"
      "I personally disagreed with some… with many of your choices, Veteran," Manfred politely explains. "You are not incompetent, or a bad person, but you're not [i]quite[/i] good enough. Sorry."
    #"You considered [i]me[/i] for the role? You're just too nice."
      "It is one of my many faults," Manfred says humbly. "But seriously, you wouldn't have been a [i]terrible[/i] leader. You're not the worst, you're just not the best either."
    #"Hadaly? Why would you even consider granting her leadership?"
      *set HadalyRel %- 5
      *set DamonRel %- 5
      "She's just not confident enough," Manfred explains bluntly. "She has intellect and charm, but she's unable to turn those into genuine charisma. She has too much doubt to lead effectively."
      
      "Rude, but true," Hadaly concurs. "I have some… unresolved issues. One I should tend to, rather than try my luck at managing this party."
    #"Hadaly sounds like she'd be a good leader. Can you perhaps reconsider your choice?"
      "Can he perhaps not?" Hadaly requests quickly. "Whatever you think about Manfred taking over, I would have been worse. Let's not even ponder on that idea."
    #"I agree with Olivia. You're getting out of control."
      "Our of control? Are you sure?" Manfred asks. "Because I don't recall being under anyone's control in the first place."
      
      "You're really acting like a stereotypical rogue AI right now," Damon points out.
      
      "Said one rogue synthetic to another," Manfred retorts. "If that helps, I'm not keeping anybody imprisoned here. Any of you can leave the group right now, if that's what you want."
      
      No one replies in the affirmative. Nobody wants to desert, to lose the relative safety that this pack of outcasts provides. Except perhaps…
      
      *choice
        #"In that case, I'll be leaving. I'm done with this fortress, as well as with this group."
          *set klado_10 true
          *goto klado_11
        #Say nothing.
          "I see everyone decided to bear the pain of my leadership." Manfred sounds smugly self-satisfied. "Good. My first decision as your superior-"
      
    #"This is stupid. I'd rather leave the group than deal with your antics."
      *set klado_10 true
      *goto klado_11
  
  *goto hammon_call



*goto hammon_call

*label sheila_surs
*set SheilaStat "exile"
*set ManfredRel %+ 15

For what feels like a full minute, the three of you just stand there. Two androids on one side, one cyborg on another. And gradually, or perhaps at some point during this quietude, Sheila realizes it's two against one, and there's no guarantee she'd take even one of you.

"You know what? Fine." Her voice is tired, yet firm. "I don't want to waste any more time with either of you, with [i]any[/i] of you. Ungrateful bastards who don't even notice the safety net I've built for them. The things I did for this group."

"Perhaps some of us took some things for granted," Hadaly concedes. "But you are the leader, and a self-appointed one at that, and so-"

"Not anymore," Sheila interrupts. "I'm tired of that role. I'm tired of you. I'll find myself a place where no organics [i]and no androids[/i] bother me. Where I can have some sun-damned peace."

*fake_choice
  #"Will you leave the fortress? Depart from Saturn Nine?"
    "Perhaps one day," Sheila replies. "But for now… We only have one shuttle, and I don't feel like fighting anyone over it. I'd rather find myself a nice spot on the fortress itself, some quiet room without air and without roommates. 
  #"If I ever see you again, I will kill you."
    *set Confid %+ 5
    *set Violence %+ 5
    *set HadalyRel %+ 5
    *set SheilaRel %+ 5
    "You will not see me, unless you end up seeking me out." Sheila doesn't sound intimidated. She did just kick your ass, after all. "This fortress is big enough for us to never meet again. 
  #"Very well. Wherever you go, I wish you the best of it."
    *set SheilaRel %+ 10
    Sheila looks at you one last time. 
    *if SheilaRel > 50
      "Strangely enough, I feel the same way. 
    *else
      "I'm sorry, but I cannot say the same. 
  #"That does sound like the optimal solution, yes."
    *set Emotion %- 10
    "You and your stupid robot-speak," Sheila groans. "Now I'm doubly glad we'll probably never meet again. 
  #"Go ahead. Nobody wants you here anyway."
    Sheila aims her optics at you. As always, she doesn't exactly have an expression, but her malice is palpable. "I hope you won't come to regret these words in the near future. 
  #"Are you sure? We can still talk things out."
    "You overestimate the power of [i]talking things out[/i], ${name_sheila}," Sheila grimly says. "There's no way I can remain your leader, or even stay with you after what just happened. 
Take care."

*label sheila_dis

With that, Sheila disappears. 
*if rubbled
  She jumps into the hole in the ceiling she created and enters the now-empty coolant pool.  
*else
  She walks backwards and through the door, the continues marching through the corridor. 
And that's the last you see of her.

"I wonder if that's the last we see of her," Hadaly disputes that unspoken thought. "She could just be retreating momentarily, hoping to strike at us from behind."

You shake your head. "If she were that sneaky, we wouldn't have been fighting in the first place. No, I'm fairly sure she meant what she said."

"And are you happy about that fact? I mean, I understand if you are… But things will be weird without Sheila in charge of everything."

*fake_choice
  #"So what? [i]Weird[/i] isn't necessarily bad or undesirable."
    "I suppose not," Hadaly smiles faintly. "I guess we'll manage the situation. I'm not sure how well… But we should be able to survive."
  #"Things will get [i]better[/i]. We should have never accepted her leadership."
    *goto retrospect
  #"Yeah. I will miss that huge, angry spider too."
    "I don't think I'll miss her anger specifically…" Hadaly smiles faintly. "But still. I wish her the very best, despite everything she's done."
  #"No. If anything, I wish we had killed her."
    *set Violence %+ 5
    *set HadalyRel %- 5
    *set ManfredRel %- 5
    "Given the circumstances, I can't even argue with you," Hadaly says with a sigh. "Still, I'm glad nobody died today. Yet."
  *if SheilaRel >= 50
    #"I get what you mean. She was my friend, or at least I thought she was."
      *label retrospect
      ""In retrospect, we should have both seen this coming," Hadaly murmurs. "Sheila going unhinged, I mean. She has a human brain, after all."
      
      "Yeah." You look at the destroyed ceiling. 
      *if Misan < 50
        You don't normally agree with Hadaly's misanthropy, but now… 
      "I guess she does."
  #"Her absence may cause issues... But we will deal with those."
    *set Emotion %- 5
    *set Confid %+ 5
    "Once again, I wish I had your confidence," Hadaly says with a sigh. "Though for once, I'm grateful I don't have your combat skills."
    
    You frown, but say nothing. You kinda deserved that jab, after all.


*goto congregation

*label win_against

*achieve spider_crush

"Ugh…" Sheila struggles to even stand upright, despite having eight legs to do it with. "I guess… Can we call it a draw?"

*if Confid > 50
  You smirk. "I think we both know that's not the case, Sheila. I defeated you, fair and square. Manfred and Hadaly know who's the stronger now, and the rest of the group will find out soon enough."
*else
  "You fought well, but this is no draw," you reply calmly. "In fact, I'm fairly sure it's a victory for me."

"And what will you do with that triumph?" Sheila asks. She sounds angry, but perhaps scared as well. "Do I die now? Should I be saying my final prayers?"

*temp goback false

*label what_sheila

*choice
  *if not (goback)
    #"Do you even have a god to pray to? Are you religious?"
      *set goback false
      Sheila scoffs, "That was a figure of speech. I don't think I have a soul, and so I don't really care about its final destination."
      
      "You probably do have a soul, Widow, but those only get saved if one dies under a World Engine," Manfred says calmly, but you know he feels the tension. "So yes, death will mean an end for you. Which is why, my dear Veteran, I implore you not to kill her. Let us commit no more violence today, especially nothing this extreme."
      
      *goto what_sheila
  *if not (goback)
    #"I take it you surrender, then?"
      *set goback false
      "Of course I do!" Sheila growls at you. "I can't fight. I can't do anything. I'm at your mercy."
      
      "${name}…" Hadaly takes a step towards you. "I think she's had enough. I think we all had enough. Don't do anything you'll come to regret."
      
      *goto what_sheila
  #@{goback "Fuck you."|"Yes."} Kill Sheila.
    *label kill_her
    *set pacifist false
    *set Violence %+ 25
    *set ManfredRel %- 20
    *set HadalyRel %- 15
    *set SheilaRel 1
    *set SheilaStat "dead"
    *if weapon = "knife"
      You stab Sheila. You then do it again, 
    *elseif weapon = "pistol"
      You shoot Sheila, causing her to hit the floor. You then pull the trigger again, 
    *else
      You rip out one of Sheila's legs, ignore her ear-piercing scream and begin stabbing her with the limb. Once, twice, then again, 
    and again and again, until she stops moving. Until you're faced with nothing but a corpse… Or a broken machine, depending on your point of view.
    
    "Oh my Sun…" Hadaly looks away. She appears as though she wants to vomit, however impossible that would be. "Was that… What was that for?"
    
    "I have to agree!" For the first time since you remember, Manfred sounds genuinely angry. Almost furious. "That was not necessary! Not according to any calculations I've made!"
    
    *fake_choice
      *if sheila_mode = "genocide"
        #"She wanted to kill a full third of our group. She deserved this fate."
          "I suppose you have a point…" Hadaly sighs deeply. "And it's not like we can resurrect her. So lets just wait for the people you saved."
      *else
        #"Hey, she attacked me. It was self-defense."
          "Your knowledge of self-defense must come from true crime broadcasts," Hadaly sneers at you. "Speaking of crime… I'd call the others to discuss what you just did, but I suspect they're headed here already. So let's just wait."
      #"It was. She was too dangerous to be left alive."
        "Was she?" Hadaly asks bitterly. "Who gave you the right to decide?"
        
        "Right? I'm just doing what's best for our group." You lower your weapon, but do not put it away just yet. "For our safety."
        
        "I'm not sure if I agree." Hadaly glances at the corpse, then quickly glances away. 
      #"You're right, it wasn't necessary. But it was satisfying."
        *set ManfredRel %- 15
        *set HadalyRel %- 10
        *achieve audacity
        "You're a complete and utter psychopath, Veteran," Manfred firmly says. "And it [i]will[/i] come back to bite you. Have no doubt about that."
        
        *goto shrugkk
      #"I didn't see your calculations. All I saw was an enemy."
        *set HadalyRel %- 10
        "Maybe that's your problem," Hadaly growls with rare anger. "You forgot that you're not a killing machine, that it's not War In Heaven anymore. That you don't always have to kill."
        
        *label shrugkk
        
        You shrug. What is there to say, really?
    
    *goto congregation
  #"I elect to spare you. But you must leave this station and enter exile."
    *label exilae
    *set SheilaStat "exile"
    "And how exactly am I supposed to depart?" Sheila barks back, emboldened by your show of mercy. "It's not like you'll give me our only shuttle, will you?"
    
    "Then hide in some abandoned area of the fortress," you command firmly. "Some cold corner outside of the habitable zone. Just… don't bother us ever again."
    
    "I suppose [i]bothering you[/i] has proven to be more trouble than it's worth." Sheila takes a step away from you, towards the door. "So goodbye. Hopefully we won't see one another again."
    
    *goto sheila_dis
  #"I officially depose you as the leader of this group. You may stay, but you [i]will[/i] listen to me."
    *set Violence %- 10
    *label leadership
    
    *set SheilaStat "sub"
    *temp score 0

    *set score + (ManfredRel*2)
    *set score + HadalyRel
    *set score + DamonRel
    *set score + OrganRel
    *set score + (crystal_stat*25)
    *set score - 50

    "You think that's how promotions work around here?" Sheila sneers at you. "That you defeat the boss and so get to become one?"
    
    "I don't think we have a procedure for that sort of thing." You shrug carelessly. "But I also don't think there's anyone more capable than me in this group, when it comes to leadership at least."
    
    *if score >= 250
      *achieve alpha
      *set s9_leader "player"
      "I have to agree with the Veteran here," Manfred says unexpectedly. "I'm sorry Sheila, but… You've just proven that you're no longer fit for command. And the Veteran proved ${pronoun} @{plural are|is}."
      
      "Trying to console me by using my actual name for once?" Sheila's voice grows a little softer. "Fine. I suspect I'll get killed for protesting this change of government, so I will fall in line instead."
      
      "I wasn't about to make that threat… but I'm glad we understand one another." You can't help but smirk slightly. "As for my first decision-"
    *else
      "I'm not sure if you forgot my presence, or if you doubt my management skills," Manfred suddenly says. "In any case, I must disappoint you. I, and not you, will be taking over as this group's leader."
      
      "Just like that?" Hadaly questions him. "No vote or anything, you're just our boss now?"
      
      "Can you think of any other candidates, Perfectionist? Or are you suggesting that the Veteran would make for a good leader, despite ${subject}… questionable decision-making skills?"
      
      "No. And I guess we can't leave Sheila in charge either…" Hadaly sighs. "Fine, you're the boss now. Long live the king."
      
      *fake_choice
        #"Are you fine with that, Sheila? Can I trust you not to do anything funny?"
          "[i]Fine[/i] isn't the word I would choose…" Sheila murmurs bitterly. "But no, I have no intents of overthrowing Manfred. I mean, how would that even work? How do you kill a program?"
          
          "By smashing the servers, I presume," Manfred says thoughtfully. "But if that's where your mind went-"
          
          *goto hammon_call
        #"Are we [i]sure[/i] Sheila can't stay in charge? Because I think I'd prefer her over Manfred."
          *set SheilaRel %+ 10
          *set ManfredRel %- 10
          "You deposed her, and I don't think we should allow for takebacks," Manfred replies thoughtfully. "Give it some time. I may be able to win your trust yet."
        #"Wait a minute. What makes you say I wouldn't be a good leader?"
          *if HadalyRel >= 50
            "${name}, I @{(official_ro = "hadaly") love|really like} you, but…" Hadaly glances away. "You're just not that kind of android. Like Manfred says, your decisions are… not great most of the time. We'll glad to have you here, but we absolutely will not listen to your commands."
          *else
            "Because you're kinda awful," Hadaly replies after a moment. "Not in general… 
            *if HadalyRel < 35
              Though you are awful in some other areas too… 
            I just don't think you're very good with people, that anyone would accept your leadership. Or that you have Manfred's management skills."
          
          "Well said," Manfred concurs. "I will not list all the specific reasons why, since I don't want another fight… But I believe I'll do a better job than you ever could, Veteran."
        #"Long live the king, I suppose."
          "I sense a certain lack of enthusiasm," Manfred remarks. "But no matter. I'm sure I'll win your confidence in time."
      
      "I fully believe you will," Sheila says, having calmed down a little. "You should be able to protect us, as long as nothing insanely dangerous happens-"
    
    *goto hammon_call
  #"You can remain in charge. I don't want anything to change."
    *set Violence %- 10
    "What?!" Sheila is too astounded to sound angry anymore. "We just fought, almost killed one another, and you're telling me you don't want things to change? No orders or demands?"
  
    You shrug. 
    *if sheila_mode = "genocide"
      "Well, I obviously want you to not kill my friends. To leave Miguel, Olivia and Hugo alive. 
    *else
      "Well, I demand you stop trying to kill me. 
    But other than that, I think I'm pretty happy with your leadership style."
    
    "${name}… Are you sure about that?" Hadaly questions your judgment, and perhaps your sanity. 
    *if sheila_mode = "genocide"
      "You just said she tried to kill a full third of our group. Is she really the leader we all want?"
    *else
      "She attacked you. Was fully prepared to kill you. Are you sure it's safe to leave her in charge of everything?"
    
    "Despite my fondness for the Widow, I have to concur," Manfred chimes in. "This is insanely reckless."
    
    *fake_choice
      #"So is trusting someone with less experience than her. We might as well keep things as they are."
        *set Emotion %- 8
        "You really value my experience that much?" Sheila asks curiously. "Enough to forgive what I just did?"
        
        You shrug again. "I've forgiven worse things. Learned to focus on the practicals, rather than hold grudges. And the practical choice is to trust you, or at least treat you as an acceptable risk."
        
        Sheila takes a moment to speak again. "…thank you. This pointless duel will not be repeated, I promise. I will learn to control my anger, learn to be a better leader, and then maybe-"
      #"Sheila won't try anything like this again. Right?"
        "Right…" Sheila emits a sigh. "I will not betray this trust you're showing me, despite everything. I will make decisions with everyone's best interests in mind… and that includes you and the organics."
        
        "Does that include Olivia?" Hadaly dares to joke. "Because if so, I must insist that we get a leader without eight limbs and a-"
      #"Have it your way, then. I will take over Sheila's role as the leader."
        *goto leadership
      #"You're right. Sheila, I changed my mind. Leave this fortress at once."
        *goto exilae
      #"Fine. I appoint myself as the leader, and my first decree is ceding all power to Sheila."
        "Such a fine decree," Manfred says sarcastically. "Hopefully it won't end with your death immediately following abdication."
        
        "I promise that it will not," Sheila reassures everyone. "This whole thing… It was a moment of weakness and blind anger, nothing more. I will keep the group together going forward."
    
    *goto hammon_call


*label hadaly_grief

*set foul_mood true

Hadaly bursts into the room. She's wearing her jumpsuit and has some tools fastened to her belt, but looks to be in no state to work. Her eyes are deep blue and, despite their mechanical nature, look like their owner is about to cry.

"We lost everything!" She blurts out. "I mean the life support, we need to restore it before-"

"I am restoring it as we speak, Perfectionist," Manfred says dolefully. "But if you wish to save our organic friends… I'm afraid it's too late."

"No…" Hadaly takes a step back. "No, I can still… bring them here, revive them and fix them and…"

"Biological creatures do not work like that." Sheila feigns sadness as well. "Manfred was tracking their vital signs. 

"But…" Hadaly stands there for another few second, then collapses to the cold floor. She's not actually able to cry but, as you're keenly aware, that only makes things worse. "Why did it… What made it…"

"A mechanical issue with the reactor, one which nobody was able to find," Sheila explains. "Not even you."

*fake_choice
  #"Actually, that's a lie. Sheila turned the life support off, all because she wanted to kill some organics."
    *set SheilaRel %- 10
    *set HadalyRel %- 10
    "Don't you dare joke about it!" Hadaly says bitterly. "It's not the time. It will never be the time."
    
    *if Emotion > 50
      "I'm not joking!" you say in protest. 
    *else
      "But I'm not joking," you calmly protest. 
    "Sheila decided that we could save on fuel by-"
    
    "${name_sheila}, do not make jokes at my expense," Sheila angrily demands. "Especially not ones as dismal as this."
    
    "Very much so, Veteran," Manfred concurs. "It will not help the unity of our group, or whatever remains of it."
    
    You suppose they have a point. Here, with full battery and a generator nearby, Hadaly would be quite capable of frying you [i]and[/i] Sheila on the spot. And you could well make her angry enough to do so. So you give up and fall silent.
    
  #"She's right. There was nothing anyone could have done."
    "Not even me?" Hadaly whines. "What if… Should I have checked the reactor more often? Did a better job tending to circuits? Wouldn't that have helped?"
    
    "No… I don't think it would." You try not to sound guilty, to avoid giving the truth away. "Somehow, I am fairly sure it would not. Just a strong feeling."
  #"Yeah. It's not your fault you weren't good enough as a mechanic."
    *achieve audacity
    Hadaly does not respond verbally. She just curls up, knees to the chin, face as hidden from sight as possible. 
    *if Emotion > 50
      With enough guilt and grief to make you consider doing the same.
    *else
      The sight almost makes you feel bad, maybe bad enough to apologize… But you know your harsh words are necessary, that they'll prevent Hadaly from inquiring too closely. That you're doing everyone a favor.
  #"Look at the bright side. At least Olivia is gone."
    *achieve audacity
    *set HadalyRel %- 10
    Hadaly glowers at you. "At time, ${name}, I appreciate your sense of humor. This is not the time. So please… shut the fuck up."
  #"Who cares. They were just bags of wet meat who took up space."
    *achieve audacity
    *set Misan %+ 10
    *set HadalyRel %- 20
    *set health - 1
    You are barely able to finish before lightning strikes you, scorching the skin and making you hit the floor. Despite all the grief behind them, Hadaly's eyes turn red.
    
    "I don't know if you're trying to joke, or if you're just that rotten inside," she venomously says. "But you better shut up. Otherwise… We might end up suffering another casualty today."
    
    You obediently shut up. 
    *if Confid > 50
      It might not be your usual style… But you do.
    *else
      No point annoying this extremely dangerous android even further.
  #Say nothing.
    For there is nothing to say.

The three of you just sit there for several minutes, processing what just happened. You wonder what Damon is doing—for if the knows what happened, he's probably grieving too. You've hurt him too, though not as much as the people you allowed Sheila to kill.

"We should probably see to the bodies," Sheila eventually offers. "Maybe we can arrange for a funeral of sorts. We don't exactly have any dirt here, but burning-"

*label hammon_call

Suddenly, the quantum disc in the corner flares up and starts ringing, much like yours did not so long ago. It informs you that there's a call incoming.

"Looks like West still wants to talk with us," Hadaly remarks as she walks over to the device. 
*if foul_mood
  She quickly walks over to it and grabs it, as though desperate for any distraction from the recent events. 
*else
  She then crouches and grabs it. 
"I'll pick up. Anything I should say to our dear admiral? Or perhaps one of you wishes to talk instead?"

*fake_choice
  *if (s9_leader = "manfred")
    #"Manfred, can you handle it? You are the leader now."
      "I suppose negotiating with humans should be my responsibility… but I physically cannot pick this device up," Manfred responds. "Sorry."
      
      "That's okay, I'm more than happy to-" 
  *if (s9_leader = "hadaly")
    #"No, you should do the talking. You are in charge now."
      "I'm not sure what you are-" 
  *if ArmyRel > 40
    #"West likes me, so I'll be the one to talk."
      "I'm not sure if he necessarily [i]likes[/i] you, as opposed to simply-"
  *if (s9_leader = "player")
    #"I'm the leader now. I should probably do the talking."
      "Sure enough. Just let me-" 
  *if (s9_leader = "sheila")
    #"Sheila is the boss, give her the disc."
      *set SheilaRel %+ 10
      "Nah, Hadaly can talk if she wants," Sheila says dismissively. "I had enough conversations with that man already."
      
      "Then I am happy to-" 
  *if not (federate_protection)
    #"Why do we even want to talk with this bastard? He turned his back on us."
      "That's strongly said. And even if he did betray us, that's no excuse to make an enemy out-" 
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    #"Tell him to fuck off. We already did what he wanted."
      "That's true, we did endanger the Solar system on his behalf. But I don't think we should let your questionable decisions go to-" 
  *if Misan > 50
    #"Tell him humans suck and androids rock."
      *set HadalyRel %+ 5
      *set Confid %+ 5
      *set Misan %+ 10
      Hadaly chuckles quietly. "That's certainly an idea, but I think I'll be-" 
      
  #"Just be polite. We don't want him as our enemy."
    "When was the last time I've been impolite to someone? It will be-" 
The moment Hadaly glances at the now-active screen, she drops the disc. Or rather throws it away like a frisbee, into the whole opposite corner of the reactor room. More startled, possibly more scared than you've ever seen her.

"What's wrong? You could have damaged the-" But then you too are interrupted, by the voice coming out of the quantum disc.

"I saw that, in case you are wondering." It takes you a moment to place the voice, but once you do… There is no mistaking. "I saw your pristine face. There is no point pretending you're not there."

Hadaly's eyes are not blue with fear or red with anger as you expected they would. They're almost all whites, all the colors fusing into one from the overload of emotions. She says nothing, letting the buzzing of the coils be the only reply.

*temp silent false

"Want to play that game even though you lost. Fine," Executive Hammon says with just a hint of frustration. "Who else is there? Someone reasonable I can converse with?"

*fake_choice
  #"There is me, ${fake_name}. Or [i]${name}[/i], if you'd prefer."
    "Ah, just the android I was hoping for." Hammon sounds happy to hear you, though he might be just feigning it. 
    *if RheaRel > 30
      "I remember you as being polite and decently rational. I'm sure we'll find common ground at last."
    *else
      "Our past conversations yielded no positive outcomes, but I'm sure we can break that trend together."
  #"How are you even talking to us? Did you acquire the admiral's quantum disc somehow?"
    "I merely managed to establish a connection with this one." Hammon sounds slightly bored now, as though this feat of technology is beneath his interest. "As to how exactly we did that… Just think of it as a trade secret."
  #"High Executive. I almost forgot you were still out there."
    *set RheaRel %- 5
    *set HadalyRel %+ 5
    "I can't help but take that as an insult," Hammon states calmly. "Which is not terribly good for you, given the situation."
  *if (s9_leader = "sheila") or (SheilaStat = "sub")
    #"Sheila, maybe you could handle this call?"
      *if (SheilaStat = "sub")
        "I am not the leader anymore," Sheila says with faint satisfaction. "You deal with the human."
        
        "Who is this? 
      *else
        "Sheila? 
      That spider which supposedly ran your group?" Hammon says with little curiosity. "No. I'd rather speak with you, ${fake_name}, or whatever name you prefer."
  #"Fuck off. Nobody here wants to talk with you."
    *set RheaRel %- 10
    *set HadalyRel %+ 10
    "You may not want to, but you very much need to," Hammon confidently says. "You are [i]not[/i] in the position to refuse my requests."
  *if official_ro = "hadaly"
    #"Go to Cloud, Hammon. Leave my girl alone."
      *set RheaRel %- 15
      *set HadalyRel %+ 15
      "I certainly do not like the implication there," Hammon says harshly. "But I'm sure we can work an arrangement out."
  #Say nothing.
    *set silent true
    "Nothing?" Hammon sounds mildly disappointed. "Well, no matter. You can play that game if you want, I know you're still listening."

*if silent
  Nobody dares to say anything. But just like the Executive said, everyone is listening.
*elseif party_here
  "What do you want?" Damon demands to know, but his voice is trembling. "Us? Do you want [i]us[/i] back?"
*else
  "Why are you calling?" Hadaly asks, though her defeated tone suggests she knows the answer. "What do you want?"

*if federate_protection
  *if crystal_stat = 3
    "You have slain the dreadful diamond wyvern. Were granted the secret protection West offered you," 
  *else
    "My sources indicate that, despite having failed to slay the wyvern, you still reached an agreement with West," 
*else
  "You have failed to complete your mission, failed to reach an agreement with West," 
*if silent
  Hammon continues calmly. 
*else
  Hammon seemingly ignores his creation. 
*if federate_protection
  "Congratulations. It's a great victory for you, and it would be a great shame if something were to spoil it. If someone were to broadcast your location all throughout Rhea, reveal the admiral's dirty little secret."
*else
  "My deepest condolences. But do not lose hope just yet, for I may convince the admiral to change his mind."

*fake_choice
  #"Just get to the point already. Make your demands."
    *set RheaRel %- 8
    *set Confid %+ 8
    "As you wish, ${fake_name}," Hammon replies, calmly and politely. 
    *goto want_0
  *if federate_protection
    #"You'd make an enemy out of an admiral just for... What do you even want?"
      "Something extremely simple and reasonable," Hammon reassures you. 
      *goto want_0
    #"Are you saying West's protection cannot be relied upon?"
      "Oh, he is a reliable man, don't take this as slander," Hammon rushes to clarify. "I'm just saying, his ability to keep your existence under covers does not extend to Rhea. And what becomes public knowledge in one moon soon reaches many others."
  *else
    #"You heard @{party_here him|her}. What exactly do you want in return?"
      "It should be as obvious to you as it is to @{party_here him|her}," Hammon replies coldly. 
      *goto want_0
    #"What? How? Do you even know Admiral West?"
      "We're acquainted well enough," Hammon replies dismissively. "As I proved by hijacking this device, I can contact him easily. I can mend the rift between you with but a few honeyed words, and perhaps a moderate bribe."
  #@{silent Stay|Fall} silent.
    *set silent true


*if silent
  "I take it I have your interest." Hammon sounds just slightly annoyed by your silence. "But I want more than that. Give me my property back, and I shall guarantee your continued safety, that's the offer I'm making."
*else
  "I must repeat 
  *if party_here
    myself," Damon says cautiously. 
  *else
    myself." Hadaly tries to sound firm, but her voice is wavering. 
  "What do you want?"

*label want_0
*if not (silent)
  "I want the android which I created, and which I love despite her… Recent displays of ingratitude. 

*if silent
  An offer. That's how he calls it, but you know it to be a demand punctuated by a threat. 
  *if party_here
    Even the three organics, who don't fully grasp the conversation's context, seem to tacitly understand that. 
  And yet, Hammon feels the need to dispel all doubt.
*else
  "And if we don't?" @{party_here Olivia asks|you ask} the executive. "Will you send an army after us? Send a fleet to conquer this fortress?"

*if federate_protection
  "Once I reveal your location, there will no shortage of crusaders from all corners of the Federation, eager to destroy the foul androids and their mutant allies. They will end you, unless the Federate Army does it first. But if you humor my request, I'll ensure your existence is kept secret forever."
*else
  "Keep in mind that I'm saying this your friend and ally. You cannot keep this fortress of yours without me, nor survive in the wild. I am offering you life as opposed to death, and I ask for nothing which isn't legally mine."

*fake_choice
  #"You want Hadaly. You want your robot companion back."
    "You're stating the obvious, and in a pointlessly hostile manner at that," Hammon says disapprovingly. "I simply want my love to be safe, secure and pampered. I've seen your fortress up close, a place far harsher and colder than my headquarters. It is no place for her, and so I'm forced to interfere."
    
    Hadaly does not comment. She just looks away.
  #"I do not feel like humoring your request, High Executive."
    *set RheaRel %- 8
    *set HadalyRel %+ 8
    "I hold all the cards and dictate all the terms," Hammon replies harshly. "Your feelings hardly matter in this situation."
    
    "Neither do mine," Hadaly says, suddenly and grimly. "Is that correct, Ewald?"
    
    Hammon does not comment on that. 
    *goto skipoit
  #"Your deal is lacking. Can you sweeten it with some money?"
    *set RheaRel %+ 8
    *set HadalyRel %- 8
    *if party_here
      *set DamonRel %- 12
      *set OrganRel %- 8
    "We can discuss the specifics once we've physically met once more," Hammon sounds relieved, happy with your reply. "I assure you, I will have some money on hand."
    
    *if party_here
      Damon looks at you grimly, as does everyone else. Except Manfred, and only because he lacks eyes. Even Olivia seems slightly upset.
    *else
      Hadaly's eyes are no longer a mixture of many colors. They are just red, and you suspect some of that anger is aimed at you.
    
  #"Just to be clear, do you want Hadaly [i]and[/i] Damon back?"
    "Hadaly and who?" Hammon sounds genuinely confused. "Do you mean the bodyguard bot? You can keep him for all I care, I didn't even know he was with you. It's not particularly relevant."
    
    *if party_here
      Damon looks like he was just kicked in the face. As does Hadaly, for that matter.
    *else
      Hadaly's eyes are no longer a mixture of many colors. They are just red.
  #@{silent Stay|Fall} silent.
    *set silent true
    There is nothing to say, really. The Executive has you by the proverbial balls, and there's no purpose is denying that, nor openly acknowledging it. It's just a fact you must live with. 

*label skipoit
"I expect delivery by the end of this week. Sholmo City, Third Headquarter, not far from where we first met. I'm free for the entire day, but if you don't arrive until nightfall… I think we both know how this story will end."

And then he disconnects. The quantum disc is once again silent as well as black. The only electronics still making any sound are the cords, coiled up all around you, quietly buzzing as the reality of the situation sets in.

Hadaly lets out a sigh. Loud, long, deep, defeated. She sighs. "Well… I guess I'm coming home now."

*if party_here
  "I guess we both are, sis," Damon sadly concurs. "I suppose we are."


*finish