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“You kids are really doing this?”

You fix the lapel of your shirt as you look towards a grumbling Crooks. “Of course. I've never been to a show like this. Have you?”

“I went to lots of concerts when I was your age,” he points out. “Not the concerts of a weird idol... but concerts.”

“Then what's your problem?” you ask.

Crooks hangs his head back. “It's gonna take me all of 20 minutes to make the spice delivery. I don't wanna wait around a damn Camelot ship for two hours because the rest of my crew are listening to music.”

Dot chuckles as she makes her was across the main hold. “You're 40 years old, captain. Yet you talk like you're eighty.”

Dot rushes up to Archie and fixes the lapel of his own shirt for him. “O-oh... thanks,” Archie chuckles nervously. “I'm pretty flustered, I guess.”

“Not surprised,” Dot smirks. “You've got such a crush on that Lacey Electronica character.”

“N-no I don't!” Archie laughs.

Dot shakes her head. “Come on, I've known you since we were what?”

“Babies.”

“Exactly!” Dot exclaims. “I know when you're crushing on a celebrity. Besides, you bought four tickets before even asking if the rest of us wanted to come.”

“Five, actually,” Archie explains. “Crooks said no. And then he smacked me over the head and called me a nerd.”

You and Dot look to Crooks unapprovingly. He simply shrugs it off. “What? I've got spice to smuggle! And I smacked him for spilling my coffee.”

Krista walks out of the cargo hold to hand a box over to Crooks for the delivery, having listened into the whole thing. “Who cares! Crooks can take care of the boring part where we get money! Us young bucks can enjoy ourselves on a night on the fleet, Yep-Yep!”

“The Vegas ship is the entertainment capital of Camelot,” you point out. “Never thought some spacerats like us would be here for any reason.”

“Everyone needs spice,” Crooks points out. “And our scientist blew all of his research funds on watching some young girl prance around on a stage.”

“Come on, it'll be fun!” Archie smiles.

Dot nods. “Of course, it'll be like a... a date night!”

As Archie blushes heavily at the mention, Dot looks to you with a smirk as her eyes dart between you and Krista.

>I don't know about that... but it's good to have a fun night out after that Yellow Turban business.
>Heh, I guess it is like that. We should have more of them!
>You should ask Marco to have a date night. Treat us with his riches.

>>3222761
>>Heh, I guess it is like that. We should have more of them!

>>3222761
>Heh, I guess it is like that. We should have more of them!
More fun times less terrorists.

>Heh, I guess it is like that. We should have more of them!

>>3222761
>You should ask Marco to have a date night. Treat us with his riches.
We save his fleet and we don't even get an ugly painting we can sell as thanks.

Calling for
>Heh, I guess it is like that. We should have more of them!

Writing now.

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>Heh, I guess it is like that. We should have more of them!

"Yes please!" Krista claps her hands together after handing the crate over to Crooks. "I'd love that!"

"Same here," Archie notes. "After working on the NOAH for so long, followed by travelling with smugglers... life can be pretty stressful."

Crooks grumbles. "Well, any luxury trips won't be coming out of the ship's finances, we have precious noodles to buy with those credits! Now, you can at least help me unload all of this."

You sigh as you move to help Crooks unload the cargo, while he moves to smooth talk the import officers of the ship with some honeyed words and falsified documents. Not that they'd check very hard, the Vegas ship has strong ties to Kingpin Dong's crime ring, and most officers here are willing to let that stuff fly under the radar as it pools credits back into the casinos and entertainment joints on the ship.

You send Crooks on his way to meet with the buyer while Archie pulls out his holopad. "Yep, four tickets... well, five. But four that we're using. I wonder if maybe we can provide some poor civilian with a way in..."

"If a random civilian is really hurting they'd want food, not a ticket to a music concert," you point out. "You're not so much of a fanboy that you think a Lacey Electronica show is better than food, right? Right?"

Archie shrugs. "Ehhhh..."

You shake your head. "You're a weird guy, you know that?"

You laugh and give Archie a small playful punch to the arm and he chuckles with you. Krista comes up from behind and leans forward, using your height difference to rest on your head. "Ahh, the sights and sounds of the high life, yep yep! So this is what I was missing... Did you know there's places where you can win money by drawing cards? What a system!"

"Yeah, it's not that easy..." you point out to the naive Krista, before you spot something out of the corner of your eye. Well, someone. "Oh for the love of... come on out, I know you're there."

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Metis steps out with authority and approaches your group. How long has she been tailing you? She's the second hand to the President of Athens, doesn't she have something more important to do?

"Matthew Millar," she responds. "You've had a lot of fun staying on the run from justice, but don't you think it's about time you lived up to your end of our agreement and came with me?"

"Hmm..." you pause in thought. "Nah."

"Nah?!" Metis begins to get flustered. "Y-you...! Grr, you should know that I truly mean you no harm. That Biochip that you illegally acquired is an important prototype, and I simply cannot allow it to roam free in the hands of a smuggler! You may have been protected by Marco Shao before, but we are now out of his jurisdiction."

"Nice try," Dot points out. "But we're not in your jurisdiction, either. How do you think it would look if the head general of Athens went enforcing her law on a Camelot ship?"

Metis pauses. "Why... well, you... very well. But do know that I will continue to trail you until the time is right."

"That's... kinda sad," you note.

"Yeah!" Krista remarks, holding into you. "Why are you so obsessed with my Matt-Matt!"

Archie shakes his head. "Metis, you know I have a lot of respect for you as a peer and a teacher, but do you really expect to keep following a small smuggler ship? And to follow us on foot wherever we go simply to keep tabs on us?"

"N-no..." Metis mutters. "As a matter of fact, I have business of my own to attend to here."

"On a Camelot ship?" Dot asks. "Really?"

Metis pauses. "... No."

>Then do you mind pissing off and letting us enjoy ourselves? I'm basically a war hero now, y'know.
>Well... we do have a fifth ticket to this show, if you're going to be stubborn about keeping an eye on us.

>>3222832
>Then do you mind pissing off and letting us enjoy ourselves? I'm basically a war hero now, y'know.
The next crew member slot is for the AI so begone thot

>>3222832
Damn it, I want the comedy of inviting her, but I dont think Matt would do it...
ah fuck it
>Well... we do have a fifth ticket to this show, if you're going to be stubborn about keeping an eye on us.

>>3222832
>Well... we do have a fifth ticket to this show, if you're going to be stubborn about keeping an eye on us.
She is going to overheat trying to figure out Matt’s mind games when it is just a good gesture.

>Well... we do have a fifth ticket to this show, if you're going to be stubborn about keeping an eye on us.
She a cute. Also better to befriend her and show her we mean no harm than be this hostile

>>3222832
>Then do you mind pissing off and letting us enjoy ourselves? I'm basically a war hero now, y'know.
Let's see which route she'll use to break into the concert. My money's on through the roof.

Calling for
>Well... we do have a fifth ticket to this show, if you're going to be stubborn about keeping an eye on us.

Writing now.

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>Well... we do have a fifth ticket to this show, if you're going to be stubborn about keeping an eye on us.

"W-w-what?!" Metis exclaims.

"WHAT?!" Krista exclaims in turn.

You shrug. "If you want to observe us, you can. We're going to a show, we have a spare ticket, you might as well take it."

Metis glares at you. "You... what's your angle?"

"No angle."

"What's your scheme?"

"No scheme."

"What's your-"

You throw up your hand. "I'm gonna stop you there. Schemes, scams, shenanigans, hoodwinks, bamboozles, ruses... none of them. Just offering you a ticket."

Metis' face turns the brightest of red as she stares at you, constant options and fears running through her head, desperately trying to figure out what you're playing at. "You... well, you... let me change first!"

Metis runs back to her ship, as Archie looks on in confusion. "Was that a... yes?"

"I think so?" Dot tilts her head. "You used to work for her. Was she always this weird?"

"Kinda," Archie notes. "But Matt especially is good at getting her goat."

Krista pouts as she looks to you. "Matt-Matt, I have a concern."

"Yes?" you ask.

"She suuuuuuuuuuucks!" Krista exclaims.

"Not really a concern..."

Krista folds her arms. "I just don't like her, she probably wants to put you on a slab and dissect you like a frog! Plus, she's so highstrung she probably can't even enjoy anything! Not even the sweetest of candyfloss of the bubbliest of soda... mmm, I need a soda... a-anyway! She's no good! Nope-nope!"

You sigh. "Nope-nope is a new one... Look, not like she can do anything. Dot pointed out, we're out of her jurisdiction. The most she can do to us is be a buzzkill. Now let's go."

"Aren't we going to wait for Metis to change?" Dot asks.

"Hell no!" you reply. "She's got feet, right? She can catch up."

With that, the four of you make your way to the concert venue... and are faced with a very long line in waiting to see the idol, Lacey Electronica. Damn, you never figured she'd be this popular...

"Don't worry," Archie explains. "I've splashed out for special VIP tickets. We get to express right on through... plus we get to meet Lacey after the show! Oh, I'm so excited!"

"I don't envy her..." you remark, as you push ahead of the line.

A voice calls out to the rest of you. "W-wait for me!"

You turn to see Metis running up to you and... wow. You don't know whether to be impress or laugh at the sight of the great and wise Metis dressed for a music concert in casual-wear... complete with shorts and a beret. Is this fashion on Athens?

"How inconsiderate to leave without waiting on me! N-not that I wanted you to wait on me, I'm not here for leisure... b-but still, it's the height of bad manners."

Archie laughs. "General Metis... ha, I don't think I've ever seen you out of your lab clothes!"

>Yeah, you look like you could be an idol yourself.
>Pft, is that what you usually wear? That's nuts.
>Why did you have that outfit change at the ready? Were you expecting something like this?

>>3222903
>Why did you have that outfit change at the ready? Were you expecting something like this?

hmmmmmmmm...

>>3222903
>Why did you have that outfit change at the ready? Were you expecting something like this?
She really has a plan for every situation.

>>3222903
>>Why did you have that outfit change at the ready? Were you expecting something like this?
Oh shit she was a super fan all along

>>3222903
>And here was me thinking crashing someone's night out was rude.

>>3222903
>Why did you have that outfit change at the ready? Were you expecting something like this?

>>3222903
>>Why did you have that outfit change at the ready? Were you expecting something like this?

Calling for
>Why did you have that outfit change at the ready? Were you expecting something like this?

Writing now.

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>Why did you have that outfit change at the ready? Were you expecting something like this?

"N-no!" Metis protests. "How could I be expecting something like this?"

"Well you are the smartest person in the galaxy," you point out. "Seems like you might have already wanted to go to this concert."

She shakes her head. "Well then you know it's not unreasonable of me to simply have a casual change of clothes prepared at all times. I certainly didn't expect to be attending a Lacey Electronica concert."

"So you know it's Lacey Electronica we're seeing?" Dot notes.

"Of course!" Metis exclaims. "She's only the most preppy and positive idol in the galaxy, and totally adorable to boot-I mean... s-shut up!"

Metis is flustered yet again as the five of you enter the concert hall. A crowd is already formed within the place, and it's hard to get around. Doesn't stop Archie from rushing to the merchandise stand to purchase a bunch of t-shirts and a bobblehead. If he expect to put that on Maribelle's dashboard, Crooks will have another headsmack waiting for him...

You wait around, getting pushed aside in the sea of people pooling in early on, almost getting lost in the crowd were it not for Krista rescuing you from being swallowed whole in the sea of humanity. After some time, the lights go out, and everyone in the crowd starts buzzing. A mist blows out onto the stage, and from a trap door leaps out a young woman with brown hair and a bright smile on her face, decked out in garish clothes. The crowd roars as Lacey Electronica, the galaxy's most beloved new pop idol holds a microphone steady.

"HELLO HUMANITY!" she exclaims as the crowd roars. "LACEY ELECTRONICA HERE, AND I... LOVE... YOU!"

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She points into the crowd with finger guns, as everyone around you argues that she levied her catchphrase at them specifically. With that, she breaks out into her first song as the music plays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4byaJ9w47uU

You look to the side and see Dot and Archie playfully dancing together, complete with Archie blushing wildly as she gets closer, hugging into him tight. Krista meanwhile practically jostles you into dancing yourself, though you have two left feet. She smiles at you as she holds your hands. As the song hits a chorus, Krista looks into your eyes before closing her own and leaning her face forward-only for Metis to cut in. She moves close to you, though you see she's much less interested in dancing when she leans in and speaks into your ear.

"Gunman."

"Huh?" you raise and eyebrow as a flustered Krista glares at Metis with murderous intent. "Did you say gunman?"

"Up in the rafters," Metis notes. "He's setting up and judging by the make of the weapon, he'll take his shot in the next twenty seconds."

You look to see she's right. A sniper... likely preparing to attack the idol. Metis' Stardust Genius ability really coming in handy... but why would Lacey Electronica of all people have enemies, even in a place like the Vegas ship? More importantly, you have to stop them quick, and preferably without causing a panic!

>I can fire cactus needles from this angle to take him out, though it's a tricky shot.
>Metis, you can use your weird calculations to take him out even in this crowd, right?

>>3222983
>>Metis, you can use your weird calculations to take him out even in this crowd, right?
LACEY NO GET DOWN!

>>3222983
>I can fire cactus needles from this angle to take him out, though it's a tricky shot.
FINGER GUNS

>>3222983
>run onto the stage and push Lady Electronica out of the way

>>3222983
>>Metis, you can use your weird calculations to take him out even in this crowd, right?
Let’s try not to cause mass panic by shooting something in the middle of a concert.

>>3222988
Now this could go so wrong I kind of want to support it... but I won’t.

>Metis, you can use your weird calculations to take him out even in this crowd, right?
Shooting something ourself could go very wrong and if we'd jump on her it would probably cause a mass lynching of us (and i assume there is some form of security?)

>>3222983
>I can fire cactus needles from this angle to take him out, though it's a tricky shot.

Calling for
>Metis, you can use your weird calculations to take him out even in this crowd, right?

Roll 1d20, BO3.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>3222998
SCIENCE POWER GO!

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>3222998
In other news Athens’ general Methis is found guilty of murdering popular space idoru Lacey Electronica.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3222998

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>20 [CRITICAL SUCCESS]

Metis looks around the hall and within a few seconds looks back to you. She hunkers down and removes her shoe, before throwing it at a nearby stage prop. The prop launches up and hits some wiring, which comes loose, triggering another chain of events that you can barely even follow, yet Metis had it planned perfectly. Eventually you notice a lighting rig just about the shooter come crashing down on top of him crushing him and pinning him down. Damn, she even timed it to the crescendo of the music so not a single person in the crowd heard it. You and Metis move into position, while you laugh at Metis hobbling and fluctuating height as she takes steps with only one shoe, as you use your vines to pull the shooter down.

Krista follows behind you, confused but going along with the whole thing. "You mind keeping him asleep?" you ask.

Krista lays a hand on the unconscious man to instil her Sweet N Sour biochip power, as Metis pulls out a pair of cuffs and chains him in the back of the hall while everyone is preoccupied with Lacey.

"Cuffs?" you ask. "Did you bring them to arrest me?"

"No..." Metis denies. "... Yes."

You keep the planned shooter locked up and pass him off to security while the concert continues. Metis keeps an eye out for any other planned gunmen, but none appear and the concert concludes without a hitch.

After the show, you head backstage thanks to your VIP pass, ready to inform Lacey of what happened if security haven't already.

An older man steps out of her dressing room, wiping his hands with a handkerchief. "Who are you?" you ask.

"Her doctor," he explains. "Lacey is prone to headaches, especially after shows. She always asks for a quick check-up, a typical hypochondriac."

You wait outside with the others, until the door creaks open and Lacey steps out. She looks to all of you with a smile. "Oh, Very Important Peoples!" she exclaims. "Lacey Electronica, the whiz of whizzes, the ayatollah of Rock n Rolla! The galaxy's next big thing, at your service!"

"Oh, it is so good to meet-" Archie presses forward excited to shake her hand, but Metis butts in by pushing him away.

"Miss Electronica, do you know who I am?" she asks.

"A big fan, no doubt!" she laughs. "Ruthless, competitive! Not how I would express my fandom, but you made it to the front first! Would you like a hug?"

"Yes," Metis notes, before shaking her head. "W-wait, no! I'm Metis, second in command of the Athens fleet, and I'm afraid tonight we witnessed an attempt on your life. We were able to stop it in the nick of time but I'm afraid you have enemies out there that want you dead."

"Enemy?" Lacey raises an eyebrow. "What's an enemy?"

She's kidding, right? She has that positive onstage persona, but she can't really be that naive, can she?

>Cut the idol crap, we're talking seriously here.
>Well, an enemy is someone who doesn't like you and would like to see you hurt. Are you following?
>Y'know, an enemy. You should be thanking us.

>>3223024
>>Well, an enemy is someone who doesn't like you and would like to see you hurt. Are you following?
I KNEW IT
SHES AN AI HOLOGRAM CYBORG DESIGNED TO BE THE ULTIMATE IDOL WAIFU

>>3223024

>Cut the idol crap, we're talking seriously here.

>>3223024
>Cut the idol crap, we're talking seriously here.

Calling for
>Cut the idol crap, we're talking seriously here.

Writing now.

>>3223024
>Cut the idol crap, we're talking seriously here.
She is either secretly a bitch or Sharon Apple.

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>Cut the idol crap, we're talking seriously here.

You push forward as you speak to Lacey, cutting straight to the chase.

"C-c-c-c-crap?!" Lacey blinks wildly. "Uh-oh, bad word!"

"What?" you raise an eyebrow. "Hey, listen to me, dammit!"

"TWO swears!" Lacey covers her ears. "Filthy mouth, cut it out, would'ya!"

You sigh. "Listen, you're probably in serious danger. Why are you acting so weird, anyway?"

Dot ponders. "She's likely really sheltered. The level of naivety she would need to perform in a place like this ship while not knowing about the crime ring is proof of that."

Lacey nods. "I don't understand. How many autographs do you want? Do you want a t-shirt? A hug?"

"Yes, yes and yes!" Archie exclaims. "Uhh... sorry, more important things."

Metis turns back to Lacey and addresses her. "Lacey, is there anything you may have done that may have upset anyone? Or made them want to hurt you?"

Lacey pauses. "Not at all! My job is to spread peace and love around the galaxy! I certainly hope I didn't upset anyone... oh no! What if I said a swear without realising?!"

"I doubt that's it..." you mutter. "But it's true that your image is completely harmless. Perhaps this lies more with your manager..."

Lacey nods. "Well, if it's so important, I'll take you right to him! But first, does anyone need a hug?"

You push Archie aside as he tries to volunteer, as Lacey begins leading you all in a march forward, still cheerful.

You stare at her in confusion as she looks back at you. "It's okay to be starstruck!" she smiles. "I get nervous looking at myself in a mirror!"

>How did you get involved in this whole idol scene, anyway?
>Why are you so cheerful? This isn't a cheerful situation.
>Maybe it's rude to ask, but are you... okay? Are you all there? Upstairs?

>>3223060
>>Maybe it's rude to ask, but are you... okay? Are you all there? Upstairs?
AI ROBO WIIIIIIIIIIIIIFEEEEEEEEE

>>3223060
>How did you get involved in this whole idol scene, anyway?

>>3223060
>Maybe it's rude to ask, but are you... okay? Are you all there? Upstairs?
There is genki genki and creepy genki.

>>3223060
>Why are you so cheerful? This isn't a cheerful situation.

>Archie buys everyone tickets to see Lacey and hang out with her backstage
>Lacey's actually cool with signing merch and shit
>Everyone is stopping Archie from actually getting what he paid for
Bit dickish guys, the dude bought the tickets for everyone to hang out and have fun

Calling for
>Maybe it's rude to ask, but are you... okay? Are you all there? Upstairs?

Writing now.

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>Maybe it's rude to ask, but are you... okay? Are you all there? Upstairs?

Lacey feels the top of her head. "Yeah, I think so. My hair still looks good, right? It's all still there, right?"

"Not what I meant..." you mutter. "I meant that you act weird."

"How so?" she asks. "I've been told I act perfectly appealing and relate-able, especially in the 6-25 age range demographics."

You sigh. "That's what I mean. You're overwhelmingly... idol-ly? That's not a word, and I guess it's dumb saying that TO an idol, but... ah forget it."

"Okay!" she smiles. "Already forgotten! What were we talking about?"

"Again, weird."

"Or a joke," she smirks, before nudging you with her elbow and running on.

You nod. "She can joke... still weird."

Lacey leads you to a room where you meet a man smoking on a cigar and walking with a cane. A rotund man, with small circular black tinted glasses. "Lacey!" he exclaims. "You got some fans with you?"

Lacey stands and does a pose for her manager. "Yes sir, Mr. Nishimura! They wanted to speak with you!"

"With me?" he asks. "Well, I'm a busy man. Especially after a little incident during your show."

"I didn't sing off-key, did I?" she asks in a worried voice.

"Nah, you were terrific as always," Nishimura explains. "It ain't nothing you need to worry your pretty little head over."

You step forward. "But it is something we need to worry about."

"Who are you, kid?" he asks.

"First off, I'm an adult," you reply. "My name's Matt Millar."

"Matt Millar...?" the man ponders, as he looks to the men in black suits, his security.

"Yeah, and we just want to get to the bottom of this inci-" you begin, before Metis cuts you off.

She looks closely at Nishimura. "I recognise you," she states. "You... you were at the alliance meeting during the Yellow Turban struggle. You were with the party of... Kingpin Dong."

"Well no shit-"

"Bad word!" Lacey exclaims. "Mr. Manager, how could you?"

Nishimura rolls his eyes. "No poopy, of course I work for Dong. Damn near everyone on this ship who's worth anything does. And looks like a rival group were trying to take out one of our most lucrative businesses tonight, and for that we thank you... but you said you were Matt Millar, right? Short guy, hell of a temper... and blondie who spoke, behind that stupid get-up it's not hard to recognise you..."

Your eyes widen as you catch on... if he works for Dong then he definitely recognises your name. Krista begins to pull you back cautiously as you note Nishimura's security detail reaching inside their pockets for blasters.

>Welp, time to make a break for it.
>Grab Lacey and use her as a bargaining chip before things get ugly.

>>3223119
>Welp, time to make a break for it.
Time to jump out the nearest window

>>3223119
>Welp, time to make a break for it.

>>3223119
>>Grab Lacey and use her as a bargaining chip before things get ugly.
>>3223119
TIME TO KIDNAP A ROBO IDOL CHILD WAIFU

>>3223119
>Welp, time to make a break for it.

>>3223119
>Welp, time to make a break for it.
We should really start carrying smoke bombs with us

Calling for
>Welp, time to make a break for it.

Writing now.

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>Welp, time to make a break for it.

Immediately you turn tail and start running, and the rest of your crew plus Metis follow in kind. You turn around the corner in the corridor as Nishimura's goons open fire upon you all. Dot uses her White Angel biochip to deflect the blasts before sprinting on herself.

You keep running forward until you see another figure sprint ahead of you, her arms outstretched with a smile on her face. "Woooooooooooo!" Lacey yells while running down the hallway.

"W-what?!" you exclaim. "Why are you following us?"

"Running seemed fun, that's why you're doing it, right?" she asks.

You shake your head as you turn into another room and the other follow. You shut the door and barricade it. You don't think they saw you enter, but they'll likely check anyway. Until then, you can buy some time to work out a strategy.

Lacey begins to stretch as she lets out a yawn. "Yikes, that got so crazy so fast. Mr. Nishimura seemed mad at you guys about something..."

"Lacey!" Archie calls out as he points to her shoulder. "You're bleeding!"

"Oh, I guess on of those blasts got me," she laughs.

Archie rushes forward despite not being the crew doctor to check on her. "A-are you okay? You're not woozy are you? Are you sure you're... this isn't blood."

Lacey raises an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? Of course it's blood. My blood! That I bleed!"

You stare at her, then at her wound. "It's not even blood. Lacey, I'm a mechanic, that's definitely... oil. Are... are you human?"

Lacey scoffs as she walks across the room. "Of course I'm human! I'm the most beloved little human idol in the entire galaxy! Why wouldn't I be-be-be..."

Lacey begins to twitch before sitting down. "Oof, guess I am a little dizzy."

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You cautiously step towards her, as Archie reaches out to check on the wound. "You're... a machine?"

Lacey suddenly reaches out and grabs the wrist of Archie's encroaching hand, and shoves it away. "I'm HUMAN," she states, before sinking further down, beginning to bury her face in her knees. "I... I was."

"They made her like this," Metis states, analysing her with her Biochip ability. "She's not robotic. A more accurate description would be a cyborg. Or perhaps an unwilling android. Her body makeup is mostly organic, and she has a functional human brain... only modified. She's not quite human, not quite robot. But she was made to be perfect for this role."

Lacey sniffles. "They... made me like this. I'm just eighteen!"

"Found a pretty young energetic girl, and altered her," Dot sighs. "Made her subservient, spout out everything they needed, and ensured that she'll always be eighteen. Disgusting."

Krista approaches Lacey, who seems to be more aware of the situation after being reminded of her condition. "Kingpin Dong and his people will hurt anyone to please themselves..." Krista explains. "I know that all too well. Lacey, do you want a hug."

"Y-yes..." Lacey sniffles, as she's held tight by Krista.

You stand, stoic and listening to the noise outside the room, as Dot turns to you. "You look determined. What are you thinking?"

"Me?"

"Without Crooks here you have most seniority," she points out. "And we're not listening to Metis. Either way, I know what you're thinking..."

That's right...

>This isn't right. Lacey, we're getting you out of here.
>Those scumbags are going to get taken down.
>We need to leave as soon as possible. This ship is a tar pit.

>>3223172
>We need to leave as soon as possible. This ship is a tar pit.
There's nothing we can do about Dong's men here, they're just a drop in the ocean. Getting the fuck out as quick as possible takes priority.

>>3223172
>Those scumbags are going to get taken down.
>Step one; we're outta here! This includes you, Lacey.

This is a thing we MAY be able to use to our advantage if we play our cards right. If Lacey's as popular as it seems, she could theoretically be a good source of PR for us...or something.

>>3223172
>>This isn't right. Lacey, we're getting you out of here.
FUCKING BIG YIKES
THE BIGGEST POSSIBLE YIKES

>>3223172
>Those scumbags are going to get taken down.

>>3223172
>We need to leave as soon as possible. This ship is a tar pit.

>>3223172
>We need to leave as soon as possible. This ship is a tar pit.

>>3223172
>This isn't right. Lacey, we're getting you out of here.

>>3223180
Within the hour the crew will be on the top of the most wanted space list for kidnapping the space idoru, don’t believe anything the idoru says she is probably being threatened.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3223176
>>3223188
>>3223199
>We need to leave as soon as possible. This ship is a tar pit.

>>3223180
>>3223182
>>3223211
>This isn't right. Lacey, we're getting you out of here.

Rolling to break the tie.

File: Lacey10.png (827 KB, 1000x1200)

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>This isn't right. Lacey, we're getting you out of here.

"What?" she asks. "Out of here... to where? Where else is there?"

You shake your head. "I don't know. Travelling, at least. We tend to go from place to place."

"And nobody stops you?" she asks.

"Nobody can," you reply, before smirking towards Metis.

Lacey pauses, as she thinks things over. "Mr Nishimura is a bad man, isn't he?"

"Took you long enough to realise," you reply.

"I knew..." she replies. "But when I can't see my blood... see what they did, I tend to forget that. I think they made it that way. Okay..."

Lacey stands up, before breaking into another pose. "I'm Lacey Electronica! I spread the message of peace and love around the galaxy! And those who don't believe in that message are people I don't want to work with! So, I'm getting you all out of here!"

"Uhh... I just said we were getting you out of here..." you point out. "Trust me, we're more equipped to defend you than a pop star like you is to defend us-"

"Don't be so sure," Metis smirks. "Remember when I said she was mostly organic?"

You raise an eyebrow. "What do you-"

"Her body is compatible with a Biochip," she notes. "And she has one, don't you Lacey?"

Lacey gives a wink and a smile. "Sure do! And I'm gonna show it off! See that holopad on the table? You don't mind playing my music, do you? At full volume?"

You look to the holopad and pick it up. "Uhh, sure? Is this for flair, or..."

"You'll see," she smiles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcmgjE4mBn8

You throw up the music on full volume, before Metis takes the holopad out of your hands. She seems to have a better idea of what's going on than you. She connects the pad to the room speakers so that the music plays even louder with incredible bass. If she's trying to deafen everyone it's a smart move.

Lacey steps out into the hall as you stand behind her, Nishimura and his men pointing blasters.

"Move aside, Lacey!" Nishimura yells over the music. "They're bad guys! They're gonna hurt you! Those bastards-"

"Ah, ah, no swearing!" Lacey wags her finger... as the noise begins to drown out. Is someone messing with the settings.

"Lacey... don't think about it," Nishimura mutters.

Lacey simply smiles and points at them with a finger gun, as the music strangely drowns out. "Goodbye... and Goodnight, BANG!"

File: Lacey08.jpg (598 KB, 1050x1400)

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And with that motion comes a massive wave of light that flashes down the hallway. Even through the sunglasses of the men, the flash is powerful to bring them to their knees.

"AAAAAAAGH!" Nishimura screams, as you see blood dripping down from beneath the circular sunglasses. "I'm BLIND! I'm BLIND! GET THEM!"

"What the...?" you mutter, as Lacey simply looks back at you and beams a smile.

Name: Lacey Electronica
Biochip Class: SHOWTIME

Lacey Electronica's Biochip allows her to transfer the vibration of the sound around her into focused light. The louder the sound, the more powerful the light she produces.

POWER: A
SPEED: D
DURABILITY: C
PRECISION: D
RANGE: A
POTENTIAL: A


With that, you and the rest of the group bolt from the venue, running until you reach the hanger bay of the Vegas ship, with Crooks waiting around for you.

"About time you..." Crooks mutters, before trailing off as he sees the group approach. "Explain."

"What's there to explain?" you ask. "We picked up an idol, blinded some of Kingpin Dong's men... a simple relaxing night out."

"And Metis too," he grimaces.

You shrug it off. "She joined ages ago, that's old news."

"I deliver one crate of spice..." he grumbles. "Let me guess, you want the girl to become a crew member too."

"Well, I was just suggesting we take her on for the time being," you explain. "We're kinda in the middle of a daring getaway."

Crooks sighs. "Is she of any use to the ship at all? I don't place music as a big priority for crewmates."

>Not really, but we have to bring her somewhere safe. I'll explain in a moment.
>Believe it or not... she might be the ship's muscle.

>>3223256
>>Believe it or not... she might be the ship's muscle.
YEAAAAAAAAAAA! GET FUCKING BLINDED CHODES

>>3223256
>>Believe it or not... she might be the ship's muscle.
>It's one of those things you don't want to see unless you have to, trust me.

>>3223256
>Believe it or not... she might be the ship's muscle.
Also
>Not wanting a musician in the space ship
>0/10 would not look for the Space One Piece with him.

>>3223256
>Believe it or not... she might be the ship's muscle.
WE'LL GET OUR AI CREW MEMBER ONE DAY

File: Lacey06.jpg (588 KB, 900x1271)

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>Believe it or not... she might be the ship's muscle.

"Ok...?" Crooks raises an eyebrow. "That's sure... something. I feel like I'm going to need to be filled in."

"You will," you reply.

You hop aboard Maribelle, as Metis hops aboard her own personal ship. After flying out of the hangar and moving on your way, Metis connects her ship to Maribelle and enters to examine Lacey with her expertise. You fill Crooks in on all that happened, while Metis and Archie take Lacey into another room to see what they can do about her situation.

"You're a real charitable guy, you know that?" Crooks tells you. "I sure as hell didn't raise you that way. Must have been your mother."

"My 'mother' is the ship," you reply. "For the last time, the ship can't raise me."

"I beg to differ," Crooks laughs. "The spirit of ol' Maribelle has done a lot to form the man you are now."

"... You aren't mad, are you?" you ask innocently.

"She ain't getting my room," Crooks notes. "And hopefully she doesn't need to eat much. But nah, I'm not mad. All you did was piss of Kingpin Dong even more. Shit, I'm proud."

After a while, Metis returns to the main hold with Archie and Lacey to explain. "Well... we were able to make some improvement," she explains. "At least being able to rewire her so that when she's no longer malfunctioning due to blaster wound she won't go back to being loyal to her manager. She has control over her actions. Unfortunately... we can't do much to restore her to a fully human body and consciousness. It's so firmly integrated that to remove the cybernetic portions of her body and mind would... well, kill her. She's stuck this way."

You let out a sigh. "Lacey... I'm so sorry to hear that..."

Lacey gives a small smile, before reverting back into an idol pose. "I'm going to look on the bright side! I've made six new friends who'll take me in! Real ones, who care!"

"Make it acquaintance for now," Crooks responds. "We'll see."

"Well... welcome aboard!" Archie smiles. "Wow, I didn't think I'd be saying that to Lacey Electronica!"

"No need to fanboy," you respond. "She's part of the crew now."

Archie's face lights up with excitement, as he reaches into his pocket. "And what better way to commemorate her joining our crew than placing this limited edition Lacey Electronica bobblehead on the ship dash-"

"Go to hell, nerd," Crooks replies.

"SWEARING!" Lacey wags her finger.

"Does she do that often?" Crooks asks.

"All the time," Archie replies with a smirk. "I think I'm really going to enjoy her being part of the crew!"

You shake your head as you turn to Metis. "Oh, dam-I mean, darn... I guess since we're out in independent space now you're going to try and arrest me again?"

Metis perks up. "O-oh, right... of course. Well... considering your heroic actions, I'll let you off the hook once. And JUST once, understood?"

>I've got a lot more second chances coming.
>Shame, I would have willingly gone this time.
>Understood... thanks for the help, by the way.

>>3223306
>>Understood... thanks for the help, by the way.

>>3223306
>>Shame, I would have willingly gone this time.
NEVER STOP FUCKING WITH HER!

>>3223306
>I've got a lot more second chances coming.

>>3223306
>Shame, I would have willingly gone this time
This is the tease option right.

>>3223306
>Shame, I would have willingly gone this time.

Calling for
>Shame, I would have willingly gone this time

Writing now.

Don't tease when Krista is right here.

File: Metis02.jpg (150 KB, 990x1029)

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>Shame, I would have willingly gone this time

"What?!" Metis exclaims. "Well then in that case-"

"Nah, moments passed," you shrug with a smirk. "Too late."

Her face turns bright red again. "Y-you... why you! Oh, this isn't the end!"

"I know."

With that Metis takes her leave for the time being, but you doubt it'll be long before you cross paths again. She also leaves behind a list of all the maintenance that you as the engineer will have to perform for the upkeep of... Lacey Electronica. Well... that's going to be weird.

Lacey gets bundled into Krista and Dot's room for the time being, though you'll really need to clear out enough space for another bedroom aboard the ship eventually.

The first few days with Lacey aboard the ship are strange to say the least. She's certainly a quirky person... and your sessions of repairs and upkeep are very awkward... at least on your part. She doesn't seem to care and will talk your ear off every time. The ship never talks so much, and you find it strange running repairs on a human, especially considering how... much of her you need to see every time you tinker on her parts. You suppose she's used to this being necessary for her upkeep.

Crooks complains about the noise of her singing every morning, but Lacey is yet to take a hint. It doesn't help that Krista and Archie are endlessly entertained by her. Eventually, Crooks was able to soften up. She's got that quality of simply being too likeable... you suppose that's what made her such a popular idol.

Days turn to a week, which turns into two, and Lacey has fully integrated into the ships crew. You learned that by hooking her up to the Maribelle control panel, that she actually is a more than capable co-pilot to Crooks.

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"What's the next shipment, Mr. Captain?" she asks Crooks one morning, almost three weeks after she first joined the crew. "I'm pulling into the Shinto ship now. They're about to get a taste of the Lacey Electronica experience featuring Crooks!"

"First, the shipment is banned holotapes, the kind someone as innocent as you should not be watching," Crooks begins. "Secondly, don't ever call the crew that again. Thirdly, this is my crew, I'm not the featuring act. If anything it's the Crooks experience featuring Lacey Electronica."

"You really think that name would sell?" Lacey ponders.

Crooks grumbles. "We'll we're about to meet our buyer! Or at least a representative of the buyer. They said they'll be meaning us at docking port 5."

Maribelle pulls into the station as you ready the crates of... illicit materials ready for unloading.

"Looks like the rep is here already," Archie notes. "She's outside waiting."

"She?" Crooks perks his head up, as Lacey instinctively licks her hand and pats down his cowlick hair so he looks more presentable. She's really integrated into the crew. "Well, lemme be the first out."

Krista lets out a laugh as she sends out the landing ramp for the ship and you all hop out of the ship to meet the buyer's rep. She looks up, a mysterious looking woman in a long-coat and an eyepatch... and your captain instantly freezes upon sight with her.

"Well, well, well!" she smirks as she approaches. "My eye can't believe it! And here I was, thinking you were dead all these years!"

"Crooks, you know her?" you ask.

She then takes a look at you. "This... couldn't be him, right? You're little Matt, right? All grown up."

"And you are?" you ask.

She tilts her head. "Oh, right... I suppose you wouldn't remember. You were just a baby back then, when I helped... well, come on! Aren't you going to introduce me to your crew?"

Crooks takes a gulp before turning to the rest of you. "Uhh... Matt. This is an old flame of mine... Maribelle."

END OF CHAPTER 15

>>3223450
>>3223450
THE BIGGEST FUCKING OOF BOOKER

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>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6_wBQKDJMI

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Kingdoms%20in%20the%20Stars

>Twitter
https://twitter.com/bookerman32

>Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/BookerMan

Thanks for playing! Good to be running again after a while! Follow the Twitter for any updates on the next session!

>Player Question
A much more relaxed thread, but not quite filler as we have a new crew member! What are your thoughts on Lacey Electronica? And how do you feel about this Maribelle newcomer?

>>3223468
Thanks for running Booker.

>PQ
Certainly wasn't expecting that for Lacey's backstory. When will we see her in different outfits after she removes her head and sticks it onto someone else's body?

As for the new Maribelle, I think I'd prefer the ship's cargo hold, I don't want to find out where this new one stores her cargo.