>>25156376
"You saved us! You could have just moved a few of the explosive lenses out of alignment though."

>>25156376
"Okay, stay calm. You're irradiated really badly. We need to get you back to the station. They can cure it."

>>25156376
how abouts we get the gang away from the potentially unshielded malfunctioning nuclear bomb and get lin healed up?

>>25156376
"Dammit, I'm the only one allowed to have the threat of dying of radiation poisoning."
<Status report, Void Queen neutralised, Maximilian is K.O.'d, Lin has a bad case of radiation poisoning.>
"Drink lots of water."

>>25156376
"That was a nuclear core. You just saved everyone in a radius of several hundred miles. And you're probably so irradiated right now your DNA looks less like a helix and more like a plate of spaghetti."

>>25156422
>Maximilian, Alex and Isaac
fixed that for you

>>25156430
>DNA looks less like a helix and more like a plate of spaghetti

that would be a vast genetic improvement to a double helix

also not how radiation damage works, but heather does not know that, she should, but doesn't

>>25156376

"Lin, you're badly irradiated, stay calm."

<Status report, Lin is Irradiated, Isaac, Max and Alex are unconscious, Max and Lin need urgent medical attention>
<please be alright.>

>>25156376
"You grabbed the core, Lin? That is...insane. And insanely brave, but mostly just insane."

Broadcast (To everyone BUT Lin): <The Void Queen is dead, but Lin has something like forty-eight hours to live without Theta or Devourer. Help would be appreciated.>

""That was a nuclear core. You just saved everyone in a radius of several hundred miles." You say. "Okay, stay calm. You're irradiated really badly. We need to get you back to the station. They can cure it."
"I figure that we're so far down it just would've killed us. And killed us super hard." He said, and sat- almost fell- back at one of the chamber's walls, sitting down. The entire chamber shook, as if starting to crumble, but it stayed intact.

Jilly reached out again, and you were all connected once more. Whole.
<Status report. Void queen neutralized, Max, Alex, and Isaac are KO'd, and Lin has a bad case of radiation poisoning.>
<Shit.> Theta said, and a moment later, he appeared with Robin.
"Shit." Theta said again. "Give me your hand."
"Alright." Lin said, and raised it. Theta put his own hand on it, and started to focus.
"I'm going to need a lot of focus for this. Robin, take everyone topside." He said.
Robin nodded, and took your hand, and touched Isaac. Next thing you knew, you were sitting next to Summer, on top of Surya.
Next to Summer, and surrounded by knights, two trolls, and a dragon, complete with a rider.
"You're okay!" She said, and pulled you into a hug. A moment later, Max and Ellie appeared as well, Robin vanishing again quickly, and finally, Alex.

You looked around, and saw the remains of the fortress. It was almost more of a massive stone sinkhole, now, having caved in almost entirely when it collapse.
"Will he be okay?" Ellie asked, worried.

>>25156511
dropped you trips exabutt

>>25156511
>This is me, as you know.

>>25156511
"I'm not a biologist - I can't tell."

>>25156535
one day you should do a thread where you never wear your trips, and post as anon, but have anon post using your trips

"lets hope so, we need to figure out what the situation in orbit and everywhere else is right now, when theta is done with Lin he can check Alex"

>>25156511

>trip-off
>squad broken!

"I hope so, he saved the lives of everyone for a few hundreds of kilometers, Theta is working on it now."

<careful the 'fortress' is highly unstable right now, get him out of there as soon as you can.>

>>25156511
"Well, if I remember correctly, radiation damages cells, which is something Theta should be able to fix."

>>25156511
"Theta's good at what he does. I'm sure Lin'll be fine."

>>25156511
"I'm sure he will. Theta can fix stuff like that."

>>25156549
>>25156550
i think ellies comment was directed at Alex, robin has not pulled lin or theta out yet

>>25156511
"If anybody can fix it, Theta can.

In the meantime, though..."

<Everyone, role call. Say Aye if you're still breathing.>

>>25156511
"How's everyone doing? No casualties I hope."

>>25156564

we're again linked to Jilly's mental tree, they know now.

>>25156535
>!HUk9MogpO2
It may be you, but you're not the real Exabyte!
Or, you know, you made a typo in your trip.

>>25156575
>Whoops! Typo made, yep.
>!HUk9MogpO2 is me! As well!

>>25156564
Considering Alex is, to all appearances, simply unconscious, while Lin is horribly irradiated and has a matter of days to live without assistance....I'm going to respectfully disagree with you.

>>25156587
i call bullshit, its the VQ impersonating him

"Theta's good at what he does. I'm sure Lin'll be fine." You say. "We need to figure out what the situation in orbit and everywhere else is right now. When Theta is done with Lin, he can chek Alex."
"Okay." Ellie said.
<The situation in orbit is simple. The Demiurg and Kliktik have stopped fighting.> Jilly said. <Omnissiah has control of the skies, and he's helping them land.>
<Everyone, Role call. Say Aye if you're still breathing.>
You got Ayes from everyone, even an absentminded one from Theta and a fevered one from Lin... except for one from Devourer.

Far, far away was Devourer, a small, black creature, quaking and vibrating.
<I'm tired.> He said, quietly, and pulsed.

>>25156608

<Robin, can you retrieve my little Devi?>

>>25156608
<Requesting a teleport for Devourer, Robin.>

>>25156608
<Glad to hear it. Being tired is a lot better than being dead. We'll be over to pick you up in a minute.>

>>25156608
<Where are you?>

>>25156608
Quick! get bob to teleport into our arms, we shall rejuvenate our child with the power of HUGS!

With a spare thought to Robin, she teleported away, and then appeared again, a small black creature- looking almost like a bear cub- in her hands.
"He's kind of cold." Robin said, and handed him to you. He was cold, shivering, but the moment you held him close in a hug, his skin started to warm up again, quickly.

You close your eyes and relax, as the knights and dragon start making their way back into the rift. Summer's head bobbed, and then she shot you a grin.
"I did pretty good there, didn't I?"

>>25156637
>9
Amazing like always

>>25156637
"Yep, the army was very useful!"

>>25156637
"Yup!"

Closer hug for Devi.

>>25156637
"You were amazing!"
But still really unimaginative and just trying to brute force everything with Knights which was the only reason you were useless in the first place with such an amazing power.

>>25156661
we seriously need to start teaching this tiger theoretical physics

>>25156637

is she close enough to hug? no? do it anyway.

"you did fantastic, you kept so many of them at bay and you don't look tired at all!"

salute the manifested forces as they head out.

>>25156661
I agree, making a universe of nothing but photons and using it as a laser would have been more helpful.

>>25156678
Pretty sure that would just ignite the atmosphere and kill everyone.

I see your point though.

>>25156661
Personally, I think she did a damn good job. A bit stuck on Fantasy, admittedly, but still.

>>25156678
Is that even...yeah, no.

>>25156637
"Fantastic."
Nod off to snoozeland while huggles to Devvy-kun

>>25156637
"It was cool! I don't think we would have managed without you!"

>>25156661
we need to start watching sci fi movies with her, get those creative juices flowing

>>25156698
>Personally, I think she did a damn good job. A bit stuck on Fantasy, admittedly, but still.
fantasy is good if you have wizard support for your troops

>>25156698
>Personally, I think she did a damn good job.
Hey, I did say she was amazing. Her brute force almost matched the Void Queen's brute force and made things a lot easier.

Speaking of which, let's also reach out to the Klikik or however you spell it.

I'm sure they're all very confused right now.

You pull her in a hug as well. "You did fantastic! You kept so many of them at bay, and you don't look tired at all!"
"Well, I probably could've done some more things if I knew I had the energy to spare." She said. "I expected to have to fight the Void Queen personally, so I was saving most of my power up. Kind of a letdown, actually."

You hug Devourer more closely, and he grew warmer- and started to melt in your hands, losing cohesiveness. You started to worry- until he resolidified. Then you started saluting the manifested soldiers as they went back through the rift.

With a heavy thunk, Sarvesh landed down on the turf near. He was missing two limbs, and his plates were dented and cracked badly, but he was so heavily armored that it didn't seem to bother him.

"So, what do we do now?" Alex asked, his eyes fluttering open. "Void queen's dead, everyone should be fine... Just go back?"
"I guess." Ellie said.
"Damnit, more people are calling me." Robin said. "And since Theta and Anna are seperate I can't get a recharge."
She pamfed away, and came back again, with Theta and Lin.
"He'll be fine." Theta said.

>>25156744
we may want to inform the UPA of the events here so they can get someone to come along and deal with the whole "sentient species enslaved for evil but now released" thing sorted, probably after they deal with all the ships VQ sent at the other planets

we should check up with mom and dad, shoot them a msg and check up on everyone else whos not here

>>25156744
"That's fantastic. I guess that leaves ArmaTek and [That guy who poked Damien when he went to save Rose]."

>>25156744
"Good to hear. Can you recharge Robin if she picks up Anna next?"

>>25156744

"are we sure she's dead? I do not want to leave and some time later find out she's still out there."

so many things we need to take care of, I'm worried about what the Demiurg will do now that they're free and piloting some very advanced ships.

>>25156744
"There's also the issue of the thousands of ships whose crews are probably wondering just what the hell is happening right now.

Also a new race which will probably join the UPA, I guess? Now that they're out of the Void Queen's grasp, I mean.

But I think, at least until the next supervillains shows up, we're safe."

>>25156790
yea good point

>>25156744
can we use Knowledge to confirm that VQ is dead?

>>25156744
"I could probably recharge off the light now, if anyone needs a boost, that is."

>>25156775
We don't even know if Jabberwocky is an enemy or not. He's been a bit suspicious, but not to the point that we can confirm his allegiances.

>>25156744
Call parents.

Ask somebody to get the UPA higher ups on the phone, too. They kind of need to know what's gone down here.

>>25156801
I'm putting money on him being Damien from the future.

"Are we sure she's dead? I do not want to leave, and some time later find out she's still out there." You say, as Alex started climbing out of your suit. "There's also the issue of thousands of ships whose crews are probably wondering just what the hell is happening right now."
<They're beaming messages to Omnissiah about wanting to join under his banner. The demiurg, at least.> Jilly said. <The kliktik, though, just want to go back to the surface. They're thinking strangely.> She said.
Behind you, Ellie and Lin were talking, holding hands.
"How'd you even know how to do it?"
"But yeah, Damien sent this to me." Lin said, and paper rustled. "Some kind of sketch."

"Also a new race which will probably join the UPA, I guess? Now that they're out of the Void Queen's grasp, I mean." You say. "But I think, at least until the next supervillains shows up, we're safe."
<Someone put the UPA higher ups on the phone.> You say. <They need to know what's gone down here.>
<I'll do it.> Max growled, pushing himself up.

>>25156845
<I guess that'd make him Warlord Omnissiah.>

Rolled 84

>>25156845
<well Warlord omnisiah, I hope you saved a recording of the battle...>

>>25156845

we could try to soak up a few rays of sunlight to replenish our self and then use knowledge to look at the VQ corpse.

"I still remember when he was just a ships computer and now he's a warlord *sniff* they grow up so fast."

>>25156845
Maybe go check out those carvings on the wall?

>>25156845
"Well, I'm sure even the Demiurg can be salvaged with Omni as an example."

<I still remember when he was just a ship's computer, and now he's a warlord.> You say, and sniffle. <They grow up so fast.>
<Technically, he's the last remaining warlord that exists.> Jilly said- she sounded almost shaken. <With Devourer, Blackreach, and the Void Queen... The Demiurg are approaching extinction.>

After a moment's silence, you simply sit there, taking in the sunlight, and take a deep breath, and turn to Robin. She nodded without you having to say anything, and you were back underground. There was the Void Queen's body, the chittering bomb, and behind you were the pillars.
Robin huffed. "Gimme... a second." She said, and took a deep breath. "I mean, this isn't long range or anything, but I just keep on hopping around. At least I'm getting better."

>>25156936

ruffle her hair a bit "take as long as you need."

knowledge on corpse and pillars.

>>25156936
"Thanks. Couldn't have done it without you."

Knowledge the VQ. If she is still around, even as a vestige or a psychic remnant, wring her out of existence.

You ruffle her hair, and turn to the corpse. "Take as long as you need."
Robin closed her eyes, and leaned back, relaxing. You step closer to the corpse... And open yours.

>Roll Clairvoyance and Knowledge!

Rolled 12

>>25156993

i hope it works.

Rolled 2

>>25156993

Rolled 18

>>25156993
Last time we got Knowledge of her without even trying. Should be easy.

Rolled 66

>>25156993
I SHALL KNOW OF THIS PLACE

Rolled 44

>>25156993

>>25156997
>>25157015
>>25157019
Oh wow.

Rolled 2

>>25156997
>>25157015
>>25157019
We know nothing!

>>25156997
>>25157015
>>25157019

oh god.

>12
>I'm so sorry.

Rolled 9

>>25157026
At least there's no 1s

>>25156997
>>25157015
>>25157019
Holy fucking shit that's awful

Rolled 5

This is bullshit

Rolled 55

>>25156993
Be careful when ye gaze into the abyss....

Rolled 90

>>25156993
Shittitng

It's not like we're in a rush, right? And we have Theta+Anna for infinite cosmic power. We can just keep trying until we succeed.
Unless rolling badly makes the Void Queen alive again or something.

>>25156997
>>25157015
>>25157019
Hey we didn't fail so bad that she was revived at least.

Rolled 25

>>25156993
Ha

You reach for it, eyes open...
But nothing comes. You sense absolutely nothing from the emanation. You sense nothing from Robin, or from anything. Not even a slight vestige of ability.
Could...

Could those screeches have removed your Knowledge?
Your head pounded, and you shook it, dizzy.
"I know how we can make sure she's dead." Robin said. "That bomb's already set and active, right? Just that Lin took out the core?"
Jilly's branches gave her a yes.
"Then Sarvesh can teleport the core back in place, while we leave." She said. "Then boom. No more body at all. We're so far down that it shouldn't hurt the surface at all."

>>25157091
Be easier to singularity the body

Rolled 11

>>25157091
"Eh, we just need to atomize the body."

>>25157091
"Or I could just incinerate it with the ion cannon."

"Much cleaner that way."

>>25157105
Not with these rolls it wouldn't.
But yeah, I don't see why we need to use a fucking nuke to get rid of a corpse.

>>25157091

"I need to make a record of these pillars first."

>we might have lost Knowledge.
>I feel really awful about rolling now.

>>25157091
We didn't roll that badly, I doubt we lost it.
>>25157121

>>25157091
"I'm more worried that she's alive as some sort of psionic ghost or something.

Still, can't be too careful. Let me document these pillars and then we can nuke this place."

>>25157121
It's probably just temporary. Sigma got all her shit stolen by the Void Queen and she could still use her power afterwards.

>>25157091
"The core is fused with the bedrock, Robin. And even being close enough to see it is enough to give you a lethal dose of radiation. Why couldn't you just disintegrate it?"

"Eh, we just need to atomize the body."
"Right, good point." Robin said. She got to her feet again, and gave the Void Queen a touch.
The Queen- a powerful kliktik, nearly twice as large and powerful as a normal, with extra limbs... shivered, and roiled, twitching and headless- before disintegrating into smoke. She was gone.

"And I need to make a record of these pillars first-" You say, and turn back toward the entrance to the chamber, where the pillars were.

There was nothing but stone in the way, all caved in. That great chamber had been just below the fortress, while you were some distance away, through a long collapsed tunnel.
"Guess we can't look at those pillars, I guess." Robin said.
"I'm more worried that she's alive as some sort of psionic ghost or something."
<She isn't.> Devourer said, snuggled in your chest. He spoke in a private connection, kept isolated from Jilly somehow. <... I could feel her if she were. I'm... like... like that.>

Rolled 19

>>25157181
Hah, I bet we missed critical information when we didn't read those pillars last thread.

>>25157091
Take the body and throw it into the closest star, it's the only way to be sure

>>25157200
Turn your dice off.

>>25157181

<If you're certain.>

"I might be able to retrocog my memory of these pillars later."

>>25157181
"Whelp, tell me when you're ready to jump again Robin. Need to start repairs on Surya."

Rolled 51

>>25157181
>>25157200
we saw the pillars so we can retrocog them

>>25157181
<Have you met others like you before, then?>

>>25157200
Like we had time to stop. I'd rather not have the information and be alive.

>>25157249
Turn the dice off.

>>25157256
normally I remember to do that

>>25157181

Dice aside, >>25157200 and >>25157249 have a point. We probably should retrocog the pillars once we confirm that our clairsentience-derived powers aren't wonky anymore.

>>25157181
<Okay. I guess we're done here, then.>

>>25157181
>>25157200
Presumably since the Void Queen was a particularly potent kliktik, and she was insinuating that she was a god, there will probably be some surviving members of the species that would've been some sort of equivalent of the priesthood.

Could probably get more information about the ancient carvings by communicating with them, as they'd probably have passed down stories and/or information about the carvings in their leader/deity's chambers.

It's not going to be as reliable as actually Knowing the etchings themselves (in that it'll probably be super embellished, considering that it's probably some sort of prophecy the VQ used to get the ball rolling), but we can get at least somewhat of a better idea of what the deal was.

This might even be BETTER than Knowledge in some respects in that we would get the story they were operating off of, rather than the actual truth behind the pictures on the pillars. Help explain better what had the VQ so adamant about trying to get rid of all of us.

<Have you met others like you before, then?>
<No.> Devourer said, quietly. <... Yes. And no.>
"I might be able to retrocog my memory of those pillars later." You say, and turn to Robin. "Well, tell me when you're ready to jump again, Robin. Need to start repairs on Surya."
"Ready." She said, and grabbed your shoulder.
You appeared in front of Surya- and someone else was working on it, repairing it. Mech drones, it looked. Next to Surya was Defense Ship, a great, bulky steel thing, and Wyvern, with Sigma and Anna leaning on it. All around you, through the sky, ships were setting down, being helped by more drones so that they didn't burn up in the atmosphere despite not having shields. Kliktik climbed out, long distances off, silently staring at you and your group for a time.
Those eyes looked... awfully strange. All six sets were staring at you, of these creatures you'd fought, creatures who you'd seen kill Jilly...

And then one started approaching you, and made a low squealing noise.
"... Thank you." It said, and tapped your shoulder with a scythe.
Absentmindedly, you noticed the creature's teeth. They were rounded, not sharp. Herbivore teeth.

>>25157338
>six sets
>three sets, even. Six eyes.

>>25157338
"What are you going to do now?"

>>25157338
"I couldn't just let her go on."

I guess it's time to give Delta his due, as well.

>>25157338

"I've... killed many of your kind, they were controlled by the VQ but I don't feel like I deserve any kind of praise."

>>25157338
"I'm sorry we didn't come sooner."

>>25157338
"I'm not the one you need to be thanking. Everyone here had a part in this."

"I've... killed many of your kind. They were controlled by the Void Queen, but I don't feel like I deserve any kind of praise."
The creature's front paws dug into the ground.
"Thank you." It said again. The hooded, carapaced head tilted slightly.
"I'm not the one you need to be thanking. Everyone here had a part in this."
"We know." It said, and took a deep breath. "We have a request. Tell not your alliance where we are."

>>25157421
"I... Guess we can keep it secret.

Why, though?"

>>25157421
"Okay."

>>25157421

"If that's what you wish, may I ask why?"

>>25157421
"I can do that, but why?"

Better tell Max that now then.

>>25157421

<Max, did you get that?>

>>25157421
We should remember to ask if they'd be willing to accept us telling Newt where they are, though, as she was hoping to come and live here in exile.

Which is kind of fitting with the fact that these guys don't really want to be found either. Kindred spirits, sort of.

From back in thread 47:

>"Hey, we've got this for you. It's in a secret code and everything." You say, and hold out the scrap of paper. She took it. "Newt says hi!"
>[...]"You must tell us everything! So what did it say?"
>"She's looking for the world where we found those aliens." She said. "She's planning on exiling herself there."
>"Some world somewhere, when we were around your age. We crashed down there. These big... well, they look kind of like a centaur, except their lower body is more... pantherlike. We didn't have words for them, but they helped us as well they could with those scythe-arms."

>>25157447
Because they'd be hated for slaughtering people.

File: 1370028346575.jpg-(24 KB, 521x383, 517726454_3_521_383.jpg)

24 KB JPG

>>25157338
>Absentmindedly, you noticed the creature's teeth. They were rounded, not sharp. Herbivore teeth.
just because something isn't designed to eat meat doesn't mean it can't to terrible damage

<Max, did you get that?>
<Yeah, I did.> He responded.
"I... guess we can keep it secret." You say. "May I ask why?"
"We are primitives." It said. "This technology is not ours. It was stolen from your minds. What we do know is bleedthrough from our enslaver."
It paused. "For five hundred years, we have been enslaved. Only our eldest remember the time before. We wish to spend time remembering that. Them. We do not want our art to be eaten away by blinking lights and alien technology."

>>25157501
Hug it.
"Okay."

>>25157493
>>25157501
>We do not want our art to be eaten away by blinking lights and alien technology."
Though with THIS information, I'm not sure they'd be too happy about a tech junkie like Newt wanting to cohabitate.

>>25157519
lol, the UPA comes back in 500 years and the first thing their ambassador does is hug the human rep

Rolled 66

>>25157501
a reasonable request I suppose, a friend of mine who came here years ago wanted to come here to live alone, may I tell her? she found your folk pleasant.

>>25157501
"I can understand that."

Rolled 18

>>25157501
retrocog their past so they have all that they need to recover their former selves.

>>25157501
>For five hundred years, we have been enslaved. Only our eldest remember the time before.
So when Dragon, Newt, etc. crash landed it was the Void Queen who saved their lives and helped them get back to civilisation?

You pull it into a hug, and it returned the movement, facing the scythes away from your skin. Its carapace was warm to the touch, almost hot. It was much thinner than Sarvesh's chest, but much more rigid- save the shell on his back and pincers.
"Okay." You say. "A friend of mine who came here years ago, wanted to come here to live alone, may I tell her? She found your folk pleasant."
"One of the humans. The ones who woke our enslaver up from her slumber." It said. "... You look like one of them."
It shook it's head. "Yes, if they wish, they may live here."

>>25157501

"five hundred... I wish, something could have been done sooner."

"one of my parents and her friend crash landed on this planet, does any of you remember this?"

"May i give you a hug?"

>>25157570
Yeah, I was just thinking about this.

Well, shit, that's where she stole the information about our technology from.

Goddamnit, Mom. You and Newt almost got the whole universe killed.

Now you two just sit RIGHT there and think about what you've done, young ladies.

>>25157603
"Yeah, she's my dad."

>>25157615
Dad, even.

Fuckin' future babymaking making me mess up and attribute gender to words like some 21st century peasant.

>>25157603
"I'm sorry :("

>>25157603

"their ship captain was my father, how did they wake up the enslaver?"

>>25157615
She stole the information about our technology when she mind-controlled Sigma and took everything she knew. Before that she was clueless.

>>25157603
"What was the Void Queen, anyway?

I mean, how did she become like that?"

>>25157603
uhh, either they're units of time do not translate well or Dad crashed here 500 years ago...

Rolled 5

>>25157603
aye, the one I look like was one of my parents. I shall call my friend then...

message to newt by persacomm<hey newt, that planet you wanted the coordinates for, it's here, try not to have many friends over though the locals want a while without tech in their lives.>

>>25157675
Presumably she took over the whole planet 500 years ago and then went to sleep because there was nothing to do (they were stone age and didn't have spacecraft and shit).

"Yeah, she's my dad." You say. "I'm sorry. How did they wake up the enslaver?"
"We were to wait, and live, and eat, and breed more numbers. That is all she wished us to do for hundreds of years, so she could have more power, drained from our minds..." It said, and hugged you again. It's long, crested head nuzzled in the crook of your neck. "They arrived. A change. She awakened, and bid us to take care of them as we could. And when she left, she... meditated on the two-leg creatures."

It paused. "She found the existence of other beings like her, out in the starry sky. None were as strong as her. She saw all this world as a mote of dust, and... went... mad. Here she was, stewing in her madness... Until she met the unmaker's mind, far from here. And went... Angry. Saw the death of all she would ever do."

>>25157730
>and when THEY left, she... meditated

>>25157730
"What a silly bitch."

>>25157730
Every explanation makes more plot holes. If she didn't know things existed outside of the planet before Dad came then how the fuck did she attack Ishelda all those centuries ago?

>>25157730
"She wasn't ready to see the universe for what it is, and finding someone she couldn't understand was her breaking point?"

>>25157730
>And went... Angry. Saw the death of all she would ever do.
"...she saw the source of her undoing... so she went out and poked it with a stick until it came to get her? Not exactly great foresight."

"Not that I'm complaining about the fact that she didn't wait until she was even stronger or anything."

>>25157730
"Silly Voidy. Planets come and go. Stars perish. Matter disperses, coalesces, forms into other patterns, other worlds. Nothing can be eternal."
Sigh, hug it more.

>>25157730

"I wish I could lessen the load of so many years of domination but... my hugs aren't *that* good."

>>25157777

good question.

maybe there are more like her out there, somewhere?

>>25157777
Time Travel?
Trying to delay her death by preventing Heaven's Jewel from being colonised?

"She wasn't ready to see the universe for what it is, and finding someone she couldn't understand was her breaking point?"
"Yes." It said.
"I wish I could lessen the load of so many years of domination, but... my hugs aren't *that* good."
It simply hugged you again- you got the impression that the creatures hugged as well, for whatever reason.

<... Heather.> Jilly said. She sounded shaken, hesitant. <... They... they have Natalie's mind. Her memories. I... um, I could give them back to her. But... what if...>

<The call has been sent.> Max said. <Omnissiah said that he bid the demiurg to coalesce around some planet, somewhere, and he can talk with them later. So we can set off any time.>

>>25157777
Timedickery, perhaps? It'd make sense to want to wreck the source of the anti VQ device before it gets created.

>>25157862
Natalie? What? Who is that?

>>25157862
Natalie?

>>25157883
"Alex's old GF."

>>25157883
Alex's now-ex girlfriend.

>>25157862
Who's Natalie?

>>25157862
>>25157883
>>25157890
>Whoops! Another mistake. Nat's mind, even. Alex's ex.

>>25157862
<Talk to Alex about it, but I think that would just cause problems now.>

>>25157883
Alex's girlfriend from Burer's Glyph who tried to kill him and then forgot they'd ever met.

>>25157862
<Well, it wouldn't be fair of you to keep part of her memory from her. Don't worry, Alex really cares about you.?

>>25157905
ah, thats Alex's decision to make

>>25157862
"You should discuss this with Alex, but I'm going to go ahead and say that you should."
"Also have confidence in yourself, you're smart and sexy, I'm sure you can manage to keep Alex."

>>25157862
<What? Why are you asking me? I'm not the team leader.>

>>25157953
<Especially with those tongues. Siiiiigh.>

>>25157957
Because we're her friend, and she values our opinion, I would imagine.

>>25157862
<Right. The Kliktik have requested that the UPA not be informed of their existence for a few centuries.

Can we go back to the original station? I miss my workshop.>

>>25157862
<He's not going to drop you, Jilly. Look at what you've been through together. I doubt he'd drop you for some girl he went out with for a few nights.>

>>25157862

Alex's old girlfriend...

<You need to talk to Alex about that.>

>new smutbin idea
>Alex, Jilly and Nat work things out together.

Why are we telling them to leave this decision to Alex? I get that it's easy to see characters as just, well, characters, but surely no-one should have any say in it besides Nat herself.

>>25158088
It would look kind of terrible if we told Jilly to leave it to Alex to be honest.

"So alex, I found your ex-girlfriend's memories, but I'm not sure I want to give them back to her, because you might leave me."

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>>25158074

>>25158088
Because by asking we have to make Nat alive, which therefore voids the decision?

>>25158125
Nat isn't dead...

>>25158125

Nat IS alive, back on B.Glyph, can't remember her time with Alex though.

>>25157862
<Well, keeping memories from somebody isn't something we should really do, but at the same time I don't think you have anything to be worried about. That dummy isn't going to throw away something as good as what you've got going on over a girl he had for a few days.>

>>25158143
>>25158135
Ah, I misunderstood.
I think she'd be happier just forgetting.

<Well, it wouldn't be fair of you to keep part of her memory from her.> you say. <Don't worry, he's not going to drop you, Jilly. Look at what you've been through together. I doubt he'd drop you for some girl he went out with for a few nights.>
<... Alright, I'll keep her memories for now.> Jilly said. <And give them to her later.>

<Right.> You say again. <The Kliktik have requested that the UPA not be informed of their existence for a few centuries.>
<And I've told them that we've eradicated the anomaly, and implied that it was demiurg instead of these.> Max said.
<Can we go back to the original station? I miss my workshop.>
<Maybe by tonight.> Max said. <We still need to arrange things.>
You let go of the creature, and it paused a moment, rushing off. A moment later, it came back... With a fruit, skewered on its scythe.

"These are what your male parent consumed." It said, the telepathy aching slightly as it struggled to translate properly. "Your blinking lights may clone it, or you may eat it, if you wish."
And then, leaving the dark red fruit in your hands- which was a long, pear-shaped thing, with a strange texture and white speckles- it turned and ran away, as the rest of the kliktik started gathering in a group. The demiurg, meanwhile, lifted off, and shot into bubble drive, off into the remaining vestiges of demiurg space. More and more kliktik were arriving- apparently the ones headed to UPA worlds had to turn around- and started to land.

>>25158163
Woo, alien fruit to clone.

>>25158163
It is the fruit which gives Psionics.

>>25158163
Try some! And then give the rest to Theta/Devourer to clone.

>>25158163
<Should we, uh, head back?>

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>>25158163
Sniff it, then give a lick for taste.

>>25158163
Put the fruit in storage for a bit, we'll eat it and plant some seeds in hydroponics later.

Let's go check on people and make sure they're okay. We'll head home in a bit.

>>25158163
Huh.

Show it to the Devourer.
"They gave me this thing."
"I am rather hungry..."

>>25158163

Have Theta memorize the fruit, also ask him if it would have potentially weird effects on us.

not sure if we should eat it now but if there are no adverse effects, why not?

>>25158163
Yeah, put it in cryo storage or whatever. Or get Devi/Theta to look at it.

>>25158205
Psion quest was actually Space One Piece all along!

>>25158216
>>25158219
>>25158227
Eat it later, when we have a sample and some seeds.

>>25158257
Um, >>25158219
isnt' about eating it, silly.

>>25158163
Keep the fruit for now, so we can take samples or show it to Theta later.

I think it's about time to go.

>>25158163
The fruit turns you into a woman.

>>25158305
We must eat it immediately.

You sniff it, and lick- It was sweet, almost incredibly so. You show it to Devourer. "They gave me this thing. I am rather hungry..."
"The seeds are in the center of it." Devourer said. "You should be able to eat it fine."
"Are there any potentially weird effects?"
"Minor psychoactive effects, but none life threatening." Devourer said, looking at it. You nodded, and put it into storage.

<Should we, uh, head back?>
<Yeah, let's.> Sigma said. And then Jilly cut the connection proper.

Some time later, you were all in your ships again, except Omnissiah and Devourer were in Surya. Lin was asleep, as was Ellie and Isaac, all exhausted. Alex and Max were up, but max was talking on his personacom some more as you lifted off.
Alex shifted in his seat.
"I just thought of something." He said, and nodded to the clay on that pendant. "Now you can find out what that does. Maybe."
"I don't believe that's possible." Omnissiah said. "Not without putting me into another computer, far past the Klimeck limit."

>>25158305
>Dad was actually a dude before eating the fruit
I perfer space one piece.

Also its the void queens own fault we gained psionic powers.

lel.

>>25158311

we become double the woman we are.

>no loin is left dry.

>>25158327
"I'd rather you not go completely mad Omni."
"Besides, maybe I'll figure it out later."

>>25158327
Hug Omni.

"Yeah, that's probably a really bad idea. Maybe we'll figure it out some day far in the future!"

>>25158327
Then I would not worry about it, Omni.

We should go tripping. Eat the fruit.

>>25158327
"I could try Knowing it."

>>25158327

"I don't want to risk Omni. Whatever it is, it helped and for that i am grateful. Some things are better left unknown."

>>25158327
"I might be able to, I could try using Knowledge on it.

But that's for later if I ever do it, I've had enough excitement today to last me for a bit."

We've got two big things to take care of, first, hugging the hell out of Sarvesh and making sure he'll be alright after the damage from earlier, second, having that talk with Anna. Let's start with Sarvesh as the Anna talk is likely to be long and involved.

>>25158392

let's keep it for a while longer, at least until we're back on one of the stations and preferably after Anna talks to us.

>>25158327
>Minor psychoactive effects
Excellent, let's split it with Anna. It'll make our Real Talks™ go smoother

>>25158327
"Maybe just for safety-sake, we should keep this clay stuff around? As a memento, even."

>>25158327
"I almost Knew it once in the isolation chamber. I think it's you, somehow."

>>25158439
I can second this.

>>25158327
Let's taaaake a bite of the fruit.

Rolled 69

>>25158327
set the course and eat the fruit.

>>25158439
>>25158459

probably not a good idea to have it affect us during the conversation, afterwards I'm all for it, regardless of 'the talks' outcome.

"I might be able to." You say. "I could try using Knowledge on it. But that's for later, if I ever do it. I've had enough excitement today to last me for a bit."
"Good idea." Alex said, and leaned back. "I'm exhausted. Might take a nap."
"You can both rest. I can pilot." Omnissiah said. You nodded, and closed your eyes.


Some time later, you woke up as the ship shook, and something hissed. You were back at the second station again, a few hours before dinner. Max was awake, pacing, and Ellie and Lin were doing more talking, holding hands- And then they kissed.
"D'aw, those kids." Alex said, and chuckled, climbing out of his chair and stretching. "I'm off to go get something to eat. Then talk with Jilly. See you."

You sat there for a while, doing your best to wake up... And then realized.
You were free from the Void Queen.
Forever.
>What do?

>>25158475
>>25158493
Later.

>>25158439
Oh, right, I'd forgotten about that.

Let's not get high before we have that talk. Afterwards, sure. Given what we've just accomplished, I think getting high as a fucking kite and just kicking back is in order.

>>25158497
call newt give her the coordinates of the planet and the requested terms of the locals.

>>25158497
Time for Real Talks with Anna Ver.3 Rev.1 Slightly Less Drama Edition™.

>>25158497
Go to science room, split fruit, get genetic sample and extract seeds. Call in Anna and see if she wants to partake in the sweet flesh of victory.

>>25158497
Go see Lambda and Rose and whoever else was taken off to safety.

>>25158497
>this'll get boring
>better become the new void queen

>>25158497
Laugh.
Just a little, then suspiciously loudly.

Message mum and dad and tell them we took care of the inhuman problem, and now we've only got the human one left.

>>25158497
Celebrate with a party!

>>25158497
First, give Sarvesh some mega ultra hugs, then we'll have a long talk with Anna, have a talk with her, and get high as balls.

>>25158497
use Awakening on self

>>25158554
Seconded.
Try it.

>>25158497

try to contain the joy of not having a nearly omnipotent being breathing down our necks, then remember ArmaTek is still out there, plotting, planning.

contact Newt through VERY secure channels (Ask Anna?) and relay the coordinates to the Kliktik homeworld

we need to know if any of the VQ ships made it to one our home planets, and if they did, how bad was it.

>>25158497
Make sure everyone got back okay, other than checking that they were fine right after the blast, we don' know shit about the Wyvern crew (Anna, Isaac, etc).
Then, check up on the civvies. See if Rose got along with Damien's sisters.

>>25158497
wake up
it is all a dream

>>25158570
Oh, Isaac was here, I didn't even notice. Point stands anyway.

>>25158554
Thirding, absolutely nothing could possibly go wrong with this.

>>25158497
Message Newt with coordinates

Message parents, tell them we just saved the galaxy and killed a god.

Serious Talk™ with Anna.

>>25158497
Time for our Anna talk, I think.

>>25158554
>>25158566
>>25158588

probably won't work at all and will only drain us needlessly.

Don't forget about Armatek you guys.

They still need to be dealt with.

>>25158659
True, but we deserve a fucking break. We just killed god.

You laugh, for a long time, relaxing, and then get to your feet. You start making calls. Isaac was sleeping as well, Delta was waiting for the recabulator, Summer and Sigma were both gorging themselves on both pride and food... The innocents were safe, and let out of the station's heavily secure rooms, now roaming the halls- Robin and Rose both didn't answer, apparently busy...
You eventually find out where everyone is, and send your parents a short, secure message, encrypted with 'Dragon' about what happened... And then you contact Newt to give her the coordinates.

And finally, fruit under scans, you made your way to the Wyvern, where Anna was.
"... Hey." She said, with a wave. She was sitting in the open hatch, relaxing. "C'mon, sit down. I kind of wasn't looking forward to this, but..."

>>25158684
>The fruit being scanned by Omnissiah,

>>25158684
"Look on the bright side, we're still alive to have this conversation."

>>25158684
"Neither was I, but go on."

I'm not looking forward to the shitstorm.

>>25158684
Screw formality! Hug the girl!
"Everyone's alive, and you did great."

>>25158684
Give her a hug.

"At least we're alive to not look forward to it.

We have to do it sometime, and now that the Void Queen is gone it's a good opportunity.

So, how do you want to start this?"

>>25158684
Oh god things are gonna get emotinal aren't they?

>>25158684
"I'm not sure 'kind of' counts as 100%, so are you kind of looking forward to it as well?"

>>25158684
"We just saved the galaxy, this should be easy."

>>25158684

"I got that impression but first off, you did a great job out there and I'm glad we didn't lose anyone to that damn... you know what? She's gone and not worth the effort. please continue."

>>25158684
"What, you'd rather be fighting Voidy?"
Slight (civvy grade) pout

>>25158684
"Killing gods, saving galaxies? Easy.

Relationships? Very, very difficult."

"Look on the bright side." You say, sitting down next to her and pulling her into a hug. "We're still alive to have this conversation. Everyone's alive, and you did great."
"There is that." She said. "And more good news! Demiurg might actually start going extinct. Then again, I didn't actually get to use any of my combat powers. Just energy transfer."

You shrug, and tighten your hug.
"Killing gods, saving galaxies? Easy." You say. "Relationships? Very, very difficult."

"Alright, here goes." She said.
"... I'm, um... I'm not gay." She said, finally. "I- I mean... Um. Yeah."

>>25158785
Blink. "So... you're bisexual?"

>>25158785
"O...kay?"

>>25158785
>"... I'm, um... I'm not gay."
Interesting tactic, Exa.

>>25158785
"...Oh."

>>25158785
"Huh? You mean you and I can't..."
"Really?"

Hug her again.

>>25158785
"So you're saying it was a mistake?"

>>25158785
"So you're not attracted to me?"
if so, hug her and say "At least you know now. I'm glad for that much."

>>25158785
"But then why did you go out with me?"

>>25158785
"Eh, okay."

>>25158785
"Is this not being gay in a general sense but going gay for certain people or just completely not gay in the least?

Just so you know, I'm not even sure what label to put on myself, I'm attracted to pretty or handsome people, sometimes that includes aliens, tigers, men, and women."

>>25158785
"In other words, you like me, but experiment failed?"

>>25158785
Unless this is a stupid 'I'm bisexual' (no shit) copout, this isn't gonna work as a 'no shitstorm' tactic here.

>>25158785
"...Huh.

Really didn't see that one coming."

>>25158785

"I don't exactly swing one particular way myself."

"W-what now?"

>>25158785
"So that's why you did it?"

>>25158785
"So you want me to get a cock from Theta?"

>>25158785
"Neither am I..."

>>25158785
I figured as much or the hound incident would never of happened

Oh boy, I smell a shitstorm brewing.

>>25158785
"So I was a... mistake?"

>>25158785
B-but all the waifu choices are meant to be conveniently bisexual!

>>25158785
>"... I'm, um... I'm not gay." She said, finally. "I- I mean... Um. Yeah."
you say that like gender has any relevance

>>25158785
"...I could ask Theta."

>>25158905
In the future, everyone is bisexual!

You blink.
"So... you're not attracted to me?" You ask.
"... Not really."
"But then why did you go out with me?"
"When we started hanging out, I told you that from the very start, but then I started to think that maybe I... could... or should be attracted to you. Because you were there, and you were interested in me..."
She went quiet for a moment.
"It might even be something about psionic empathy, but we both know that would be a cop-out." She said. "I thought I was obligated to try. B-because you were there."
"So in other words, the experiment failed?" You ask.
She nodded, slightly.

>>25158932
Time for hugs, "Well, thanks for trying. I'm glad you know now at least."

>>25158932
Wow, as far as reasons to bang your ex go, that's a pretty lousy one.

>>25158932
"Okay. I wonder if Luna's interested..."

>Exabyte vetos Anna option

Fucking hell Exa.

>>25158932
"I'm not going to lie, that hurts a bit. But I appreciate your honesty."

Exa you are glorious motherfucker and I love how you screw with people.

>>25158932
"Oh well. Glad you made clear in it. I hope you will be well in future life and no hard feelings right? We still can be friends."

Fuck off Exa. THIS was your plan? 'I'm not gay ', really? Yeah, a sincere fuck you. I had almost prepared myself to accept Sarvesh winning, but this is the dumbest shit ever, in so many ways.

>>25158957
Hey, let's NOT say the worst possible thing to say in this situation!

>>25158967
Exa has made it clear that the other characters have their own stories.

>>25158932
Give her a pout.
"I'm going to have to go and think about things."

>>25158932
"...Alright, see you later!"

>>25158932

"I'm... sorry to hear that, I... didn't force it on you... did I?"

>>25158932
*Sigh*"Well, at least I had a chance."
"We still friends?"
"Can I still kick Hound in the dick?"

>>25158932
"Well, at least you can be sure you aren't attracted to girls, I mean if the bubbly, busty, fit, redheaded mechanic doesn't work for you than I'm pretty sure you're straight as an arrow."

Pull her into a hug.

"Still friends?"

>>25158997
>"Can I still kick Hound in the dick?"

This.

>>25158991
>Exa has made it clear that the other characters have their own stories.

Exabyte made this up a couple threads ago when he said he was going to think up a way to deal with the Anna situation.

This isn't really a long term plan.

>>25158932
Wow, I was annoyed back when the Hound incident happened due to lack of warning IMO, but mostly annoyed at anons causing shitstorms. This could work in a regular non-CYOA work (although honestly? 'I'm not gay' is about the worst possible plot convention ever), or if Anna didn't have a huge following and most readers were ready to turn her down anyway, but as is...yeah, this is retarded.

>>25158957
Luna's less interested in a long-term relationship than we are. She's a great lay and good for some flings, but wouldn't be a good girlfriend, especially with her work schedule.

>>25158932
"...Okay then. Want some weird alien fruit?"

>>25158932
So that leaves
Summer - craycray. Sticking your metaphorical dick in crazy is never a good idea.
Damien - Flingy, not really a "romantic" option
Sarvesh - Crabcake. Best husbando
Max - the knot

>>25158932
Holy fuck, this is your plan?

This is terrible.

>>25159011
>Actually believing that Exabyte has any kind of real plan
>listening to anything he says about 'the future'

SHIGGYDIGGY!

>>25159024
What it leaves is not enough time for another romantic option, because honestly, how much more have we got to do?

>>25158932
Well, we could always turn into a dude.

>>25158932
Hah, I bet this is happening because we didn't talk to her at some inconsequential time like when we didn't with Hound. Pretty boring as far as thing go.

>>25158932
Fuck this. If you hadn't presented her as an LI on the level of the others or obviously made this up as you went, I'd only be offended that you used the old shitty 'experimenting lol' trope, instead of pissed that you're vetoing Anna.

>>25159036
Well, I was trying to give him at least a little bit of benefit of the doubt.

You're probably right though.

>>25158932
"When theta messed with your brain you were begging for it from me, and if you weren't into girls you wouldn't have even considered me an option. If you don't have feelings for me anymore I can understand that, but don't give me this copout bullshit--you're better than that."

>>25159024
I vote we go and cry on our roommate's fuzzy belly.
because summer is the best.

>>25159024
Damien could work. I got the impression he wanted something more.
But really I doubt we'll have time to develop another romance.

>>25158932
Wow, this is a lousy way to end the Anna situation.

"Lol, not gay!"

Really Exabyte.

Really.

>>25158932
"I... figured you were just in denial or something. Never really cared for gender myself. Or species, for that matter."

Rest head on hands, look glum.

"Shame. I like you. Cute, funny, awkward in the best sort of way... But I guess if that's how you feel, I'm not going to try to change you."

Attempt to maintain composure, tear up, but keep smiling.

"Still want that apology, though. And before you mention, it doesn't even need saying that we can still be friends."

>>25159050
She's not being vetoed, more like in order to continue the relationship we need theta to make us into a dude.

>>25159024
Crabcake is best husbando.