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>POV: Electra

“Hector, my boy...”

You stand in the hospital room, looking to your friend since childhood standing over his mother’s bed, holding her hand tightly.

Hector grew up never knowing his father, the man having abandoned the young boy and his mother before his birth. You never understood his pain, your family was loving and together through your entire life… Hector would always appreciate being included in your family gatherings. Your own mother would often joke about the two of you being married so that he could officially be a son to them, and the man apparently took that to heart.

“Mother… has the time come?”

“Yes, I can feel it...” his mother sheds no tears while she lays back, peaceful and serene. Her sickness has spread over the last two years, she has long since resigned to her fate. “I’m… happy, Hector.”

“This isn’t a happy time, mom.”

His mother gives a small laugh. “You’re right, but I can choose to be happy. I’m happy knowing the brave strong man I’ve raised.”

Her eyes dart to you, then back to Hector. “Son… come closer.”

Hector’s mother whispers something in his ear, which causes Hector’s eyes to widen and tear up. He pulls away from his mother, still holding her hand.

Flatline.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXmrMMYpQL4

After some time waiting outside, you’re finally joined by Hector, leaving his mother’s room.

“Is she…?”

“Yes.”

You pause. “I’m sorry. What are you going to do?”

Hector clenches his fist. He doesn’t look to you, simply stares forward and begins to move. “We’re going to war.”


>POV: Gawain

“Turn that accursed music off, you’re flying a ship for goodness sake.”

Of course, the ace pilot Daizee Danger pays no heed to your commands. You aren’t HER general. As far as she’s concerned, you’re just a guest on her ship. Not to mention that since the incident with LB, it has been tough finding those that will listen to your orders.

“Not a fan of Jefferson Starship?”

“At least play something contemporary,” you reply. “I don’t know how you can listen to tripe from over a thousand years ago from a dead rock.”

Daizee scoffs. “It’s called Classical for a reason, get the stick out of your ass. Besides, what other songs welcomes in my new partner. Isn’t that right, Jane?”

The blue-haired woman gives a silent nod as she sits beside the pilot.

Jane Cassidy. Galaxy outlaw, a thief responsible for stealing over fifteen million credits in valuables over the span of five years. When she was finally caught, she took the opportunity to work off her debt in military service… a lifetime commitment in her position. She proved too much of an asset to work off her debt scrubbing floors though, and now Galahad has promoted her to the rank of major to replace the late Jon Windham.

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“And just what do you think of this music?” you ask the new major.

She doesn’t respond.

“Come on, Gawain-”

“GENERAL Gawain-”

“Gawain,” Daizee continues. “How is she supposed to answer that without a holopad on hand. You know she doesn’t speak Common. Only writes it.”

You roll your eyes. “Foolish, I have no idea why there’s some colony ships out there that stick to dead languages.”

“Is maith liom é,” Jane replies in an aloof tone.

“Don’t get a word of that, dear...” Daizee replies. “I’m assuming you like it?”

Major Cassidy gives a thumbs-up.

“Yet she can’t speak it...” you sigh.

“Hey, here’s an idea!” Daizee exclaims. “Instead of whining because you’re not wearing the big boy pants while on this ship, you let me do what I’m best at and pilot, and you can go back to your room and screw another of the rank and file. I hear ensign Hayter has been wearing extra short skirts to grab your attention.”

As you storm off, you’re stopped by your own major. Alexa Bates looks at you with concern. “General, are you okay? You look about ready to burst.”

You and the major haven’t shared the same bed in a while. She decided after what you’ve been through it would be healthier for you not to screw your problems away.

You tried that anyway, with different people.

“This is a less than ideal set-up, Major...” you explain. “Working as partners… subordinates even, of Galahad...”

“It could be worse,” Alexa tells in an attempt to comfort you. “We could have to spend time with General Percival as well.”

“We’re meeting and merging crews with him next week.”

“Oh… that’s shit.”

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>POV: Sun Chen

“This is a less than ideal set-up...”

Well, it didn’t take long for Zhu Kuang to find the two of you. He quickly grabs Langley by the hair and tugs at the top of her head. “You dummy! What did you think you were doing, keeping a pair of stowaways?! You really think you’re competent enough to keep it secret?!”

“I didn’t have a choice! They made me!” Langley replies. “And that devious monster Chen threatened me!”

“N-no I didn’t!” you reply.

“Not with words, but with your intimidating presence!” Langley replies.

Kuang sighs. “We share a sleeping quarters, you fool. Were they just going to stay in your closet? Whatever… I don’t think Jack would give a crap, but Amadeus Yu would definitely want to do something responsible and send you both back.”

“Well, are you planning to rat us out or no?” Mao gets in his face. “I’ll have you know we’re doing this for our sister!”

“Calm it, cutie,” Kuang explains. “I’m not gonna rat anybody out. Now you two have someone who isn’t braindead to cover for you both.”

Mao’s face lights up at that statement. “You mean it?”

Kuang smirks confidently. “Sure thing, babe. If it’s for your sister, I can help you out. No reward needed.”

Mao excitedly clasps his hands in hers and smiles. “Oh, thank you, thank you!”

“Why does his offer to help sound like flirting...” you pause in thought, before glaring suspiciously at Langley. “You aren’t going to rat us out, are you?”

“N-no!” Langley frantically waves her arms. “You may be a devious criminal, but Mao is my best… ONLY friend! I’d never betray her trust.”

“Keep it down, would you?!” Kuang barks at Langley. “You’ll give them away! Now, I don’t share my bed with dudes-”

“Hey!” you protest.

“So you’ll just have to take Langley’s bed.”

“HEY!”


>POV: Matt

“Hey...”

You’ve been travelling for a few days now. Si has holed herself up in the girl’s sleeping area, and seldom comes out.

This breakfast is one of those times. The young member of the Sun family takes her seat by the dining table in the ship’s kitchen, the ever vigilant Yu Qi standing behind her like a true guard dog.

“What are you making?”

“This is a lean week… so noodles with a side of noodles!” Krista explains.

Si pauses. “Well, I shouldn’t have expected a royal feast...”

“But you did?” Archie asks.

“That is… irrelevant.”

Si keeps her face down, as her food arrives, and remains silent.

“What’s wrong?” Dot asks. “You’re usually more chatty. Aren’t you going to call someone a peon or a worm, then flick your hair and laugh to yourself.”

“No… no...” Si mutters.

>Are you okay?
>You’re having doubts about the mission, aren’t you?
>Well, we’re almost there.

>>3932006
>>Are you okay?

>>3932006
>Are you okay?
Si's looking up all the hentai lines she'll need to learn for Dong

>>3932006
>>Are you okay?

Calling for
>Are you okay?

Writing now.

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>Are you okay?

"Perfectly fine," she responds in an indignant tone. "I'm simply a short while away from being shipped and sold off to a notorious crime lord as a bargaining chip and I have no idea what he'll do to me when I get there. Fine. Perfectly fine. My fine-ness is off the charts!"

"That's good!" Lacey smiles, not picking up on the sarcasm.

"Not good," Dot informs her. "Don't worry... our job here is to make sure he doesn't lay a hand on you."

"Indeed," Yu Qi. "I'd sooner die than let down Sun Boros."

Si pauses. "Then you might die. And you'll never get to marry my sister. We don't know what he'll do or what he's capable of. Your husband could already be-"

"Let's not entertain those thoughts," Dot replies. "Everything will be fine, I'm sure."

You place a comforting hand on Si's shoulder before making your way to the cockpit and speaking with Crooks. "How is it?"

"The NOAH is about an hour away..." he mutters. "I don't like this, Matt."

"Why?"

"Last time I was supposed to deliver a person..." Crooks points out. "I wasn't a big fan of the idea."

"This isn't like what happened with me," you reply. "This is just part of a plan. It's a ruse."

"A ruse, huh?" Crooks asks. "Dong has probably encountered a million ruses in his time."

That's true. Dong is the king of schemers... and that very mindset has granted him control of the NOAH.

In the time before making dock, you are approached in the engine room by Si.

"This is how you work?" she asks, a disgusted look on her face. "You're covered in dirt and oil! How grizzly!"

"You're quite sheltered, aren't you?" you point out. "I know you're a royal, but I figured Boros would have you getting your hands dirty."

Si shakes her head, patting her dress before hunkering down close to you, being sure not to touch and pipes and railing least she ruin her clothes. "No... he recognised fairly quickly that I was never cut out as a fighter like the others. Always having to rely on my siblings for any heavy lifting... I often felt embarrassed. I wanted to help, but was always placed aside..."

"And of all the ways to make myself useful..." she mutters to herself. "I chose this. I am quite the fool, aren't I?"

You shrug. "We're pretty different people, you and I. Careful, that pipe's about to let out a lot of steam, move your head back."

As the pipe releases steam suddenly, Si lets out a startled yelp, clutching her chest.

"Goodness... Matthew, you seem to be a clever sort."

"Eh, I'm more of a specialist."

"Well... you have a good head on your shoulders. I don't want to just be the bargaining chip."

>You want to kill Dong, don't you?
>You won't be. Just this once, Si.
>Let me guess, you've decided you want to elope with me instead?

>>3932065
>>Let me guess, you've decided you want to elope with me instead?

>>3932065
>>Let me guess, you've decided you want to elope with me instead?
Some snark to brighten up her mood.

>>3932065
>You want to kill Dong, don't you?
Instead of bargaining chip you can be the sacrificial lamb.

>>3932065
>Probably best to not offer to be the bargaining chip in the first place

>>3932065
>Let me guess, you've decided you want to elope with me instead?
And that's the story of how Matt found out you can fold a person in half 9 times courtesy of Boros

>>3932065
>You won't be. Just this once, Si.
She’s trying that’s what is important

Calling for
>Let me guess, you've decided you want to elope with me instead?

Writing now.

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>Let me guess, you've decided you want to elope with me instead?

Si's eyes widen as she strikes your shoulder with her palm. "I'm serious, darn it!"

"So am I," you joke. "That's totally what you were getting at, right?"

"No!" she yells. "I wouldn't marry you, not in a million years!"

You sigh. "And what's wrong with me? I'm insulted..."

Si pouts. "Oh, you know! I... don't want to marry anyone. I want to help Shinto... and if this is how I do it, then I will. But..."

She looks to you. "That's not all I want to be. I... might consider marrying someone like you someday, just so that I'm not a pawn."

"Really? Marry me? Cause I was joking," you reply.

Si turns red as she starts to smack your shoulder again. "S-stop! I'm opening my heart out! Anyone would be honoured to hear the thoughts of an upper class woman such as myself!"

"I'm just trying to lighten the mood."

Si sighs. "I know... thank you, Matthew. Can... can I ask something of you?"

"What?"

"It's not usual I would stoop to physical contact, but..."

"You need a hug?"

"Yes."

A few hours later, you're docked at the NOAH.

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"Oh, this is odd..."

Archie examines himself in the mirror after being touched by Sun Si, triggering her Biochip ability THE VIPER. You do the same, making note of your shifted facial features.

"Being able to change anything's appearance..." Crooks remarks. "You'd be a perfect smuggler. Have you ever considered-"

"I've been on the ship for a few days and I cannot stop washing my hands," Si turns her nose up. "No thank you."

"Consider it."

"No."

As you arrive in the docking bay, you're greeted by a few men lead by Akam Rezar, Dong's right hand man and strategist. He stands still and upright, staring directly ahead into the distance, never making eye contact with a specific individual through his darkened black sclera.

"He's scary..." Lacey mutters. "Is he a monster?"

"Shh..." Dot shushes her. "... Maybe."

"You are the contact, correct?" Akam asks in an emotionless monotone.

"Yes," Crooks responds. "We have the girl."

Si looks over the group, indignant. "Wait... where is the Kingpin?"

Akam doesn't turn his head to look at her. "He is busy. I have been sent to collect."

"Too busy to meet his wife?" Si scoffs. "Does the man have no decency-"

"You are not important," Akam simply states. "Make no pretence that you are."

Yu Qi grabs Si by the arm and whispers to her. "I would advise against the aggressive stance, my lady. We don't know what we're walking into here."

"Only two allowed," Akam explains. "The rest of you are free to remain, but cannot join."

Si nods. "Then I will take Yu Qi, my bodyguard, and..."

She places a hand on Dot's shoulder. "Dorothy, my handmaiden."

"Very well, come along."

"Dorothy?" Dot whispers.

"Just go with it..." Si mutters, before turning back to all of you. "Good luck. I'll see you all soon, I hope."

You nod. "You'll be fine, Si. I promise."

Si smiles. "Thank you... Maxwell."

Awful names, just awful.

As Si, Dot and Yu Qi are taken to the main palace, the rest of you turn to each-other.

"I hope they'll be okay..." Lacey mutters.

"Okay, we need to gather information," Crooks explains. "And keep a low profile. We may have our faces changed, but we still need to not draw any attention to ourselves. I'm looking at you, Lacey."

"Me? Why me?" Lacey asks.

"You're the least inconspicuous of all of us," Crooks explains. "Don't be singing or yelling about swearing or being super energetic and shouting, okay?"

Lacey's eyes widen. "None of that?! You might as well shut me off!"

"Okay, Matt. You and Krista take the east side, Archie and I will take the west... wait, Lacey. You're a spare. What do we do with you?"

>Take her with you. You can keep her reserved.
>She can come with me and Krista.
>Lacey, stay on the ship. In case we need a quick getaway.

>>3932153
>>Lacey, stay on the ship. In case we need a quick getaway.

>>3932153
>Lacey, stay on the ship. In case we need a quick getaway.
Pretty much the closest we can get to actually shutting her off, there's no way she'd be able to blend in

>>3932153
>>Lacey, stay on the ship. In case we need a quick getaway.

>>3932153
>Lacey, stay on the ship. In case we need a quick getaway.
She doesn't have the skillset for this kind of mission.

But seeing as how we don't either a getaway driver would be useful.

Calling for
>Lacey, stay on the ship. In case we need a quick getaway.

Writing now.

>>3932153
>>Lacey, stay on the ship. In case we need a quick getaway.

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>Lacey, stay on the ship. In case we need a quick getaway.

Lacey gives you a cheerful salute. "Aye-aye! I'll keep the Maribelle nice and warm and ready to fly!"

"Warm?" Crooks raises an eyebrow. "You better not be wasting money on the thermostat!"

"Can't hear you!" she yells as she turns around. "Lacey's home alone adventure!"

"You're a robot, you don't even get cold!"

As she returns to the ship, Crooks sighs and faces you. "Remember to keep in touch via our communicators. We don't know how dangerous it is around here, and we'll be asking lots of risky questions. So be on guard, and update every thirty minutes on the dot, okay?"

"Understood," you reply, as your two groups separate.

"Yep-yep!" Krista smiles as she stretches out. "It's Krista and Matt-Matt's detective hour, with your host... me! Tonight, we discover the mystery of the missing emperor! Pretty spooky, right?"

You shake your head. "Spooky isn't the word I'd use."

"The two of us are a real duo, yep-yep!" she exclaims as you walk. "We're like... Holmbug and Watsbot!"

"You mean Holmes and Watson?"

"I never read that version," Krista explains. "Only the one with the bug in the suit and his robot sidekick."

You pause. "Wait, which one am I?"

Krista shrugs, as the two of you begin asking around.

It proves more difficult than you'd think. While the vast majority aboard the NOAH are civilians unwilling to work under Dong... the vast majority are also frightened civilians, too scared of the Kingpin's power to say anything about what happened to Marco Shao or any of his men. Many dodge the question, others hurry along the street, and others hurry indoors, and slam the doors shut.

"Holmbug and Watsbot never had this trouble..." Krista points out.

"I think they had the benefit of being fictional characters," you reply. "It's now like we'll have the luxury of info falling into our lap."

"Oi!" a voice calls out to you, as you turn to find a man in a suit hiding by the alleyway. "I heard you were asking around about Marco Shao."

"... Or maybe we do..."

"Ha ha!" Krista smiles as she shakes you energetically. "Another win for the detectives!"

"This was dumb luck."

"No, we asked enough questions we started a buzz!" She smiles, before placing a finger to her chin. "Wait, that might be a bad thing... oh well!"

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The man rubs the back of his neck. "Look, keep it low. Marco Shao is being held in the palace dungeons, they haven't been used since the days of the last emperor. Him, his aunt, and his two men. Kilroy and Connery. Problem is, nobody knows how to gain access... but I know someone who might be able to help."

"You've got a lead?" you ask.

"Oh yeah," he replies. "They'll meet you at the Three Count. It's that pub two block from here. The place has rooms. Rent room 3, then head to the bar in about three hours. The contact will meet you there."

"And how do we know this isn't a trap?" you ask.

The man shrugs. "You don't."

As he takes off down the alley, you fill Crooks in on the info. He tells you to head there anyway, and he'll keep up his end of the search if this contact runs dry.

"Do you think it could be a trap?"

You think it over for a moment. "On the one hand... yeah. Can't trust anyone here. But on the other, I have no doubt that a good number of common folk want to help be rid of Dong. So... might as well take the chance, right?"

You head to the Three Count and book room 3. You arrive in the room and take a seat on the end of a small, dingy, dirty bed. "They charge 100 credits a night for this?" you ask.

Krista doesn't answer your question. Since your last comment, she's been thinking to herself. "Matt-Matt... you said you can't trust anyone here. I was just wondering... do you trust me?"

"What?" you ask. "What kind of question is that?"

"I know Crooks doesn't," she explains. "He always has eyes on me in case I do anything. I used to work for Dong... and Maribelle betrayed you to work with him, so..."

Krista lets out a sigh. "I want to know... do you fully trust me?"

>I'm a little biased, considering our relationship...
>Crooks might not, but I do. Fully.
>I... can't say for certain. I'm sorry.

>>3932214
>I... can't say for certain. I'm sorry.
Even if Krista is 100% trustworthy I still fully expect Dong to be playing Nth dimensional chess with everyone and this'll still be part of his plan

>>3932214
>>I'm a little biased, considering our relationship...
>I... can't say for certain. I'm sorry.
It's BECAUSE we're biased that we can't be certain.

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>>3932214
>>I'm a little biased, considering our relationship...
>>I... can't say for certain. I'm sorry.

>>3932214
>I... can't say for certain. I'm sorry.
At this point during the mission the only one we could trust is Crooks since we know that we'd be Crooks' bargaining chip, Krista has her mother, Dot has Marco and Archie has Marco/Dot. Crooks is the only one that Dong doesn't potentially have in his pocket.

Calling for
>I... can't say for certain. I'm sorry.

Writing now.

>>3932214
>I'm a little biased, considering our relationship...
Oh boy this is the part where she betray us right?

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>I... can't say for certain. I'm sorry.

Krista looks to you, as what little of a smile left she has fades away. "I understand."

You sigh. "Look... I look to you, and I see someone who has been my best friend and more for the last half year. You're a kind, fun, beautiful person... but that's why I can't trust myself to judge you in that way. And looking at it objectively, as paranoid as it may seem, I know there's a chance."

Krista sits on the bed, next to you. "It's okay, I don't blame you. I'm not the smartest, I know that. But even I wouldn't trust me. Dong... he has my mom. And, I know I would do anything to keep her safe. But with you..."

She pauses. "I've never had a home before. Never had a real family."

"I know."

She hangs her head low. "I used to think I was so alone... just a cog for some crime boss... but then I met you and Crooks! The two of you were exactly the same! I finally found people who understood! My own little Matt-Matt who I could..."

Krista hugs into you tight, toppling you over on the bed. She presses her face into your chest, as you both lie back. You stroke the back of her hair as she sniffles. "We have time. Let's stay like this, Matt-Matt."

"Okay, Krista."

When the time comes, the two of you make your way down to the bar of the public house. You sit in a stool by the counter, as every minute causes you to dart your eyes towards the door. "Dammit, the contact is late..." you mutter. "What if this is a trap? How the hell are they taking so long?"

"Matt-Matt..." Krista points your attention back to the door, as you see an all too familiar face walk through it.

Maribelle.

"So... a trap it was," you mutter to yourself, readying your plants in order to make a quick getaway if need be.

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The woman who helped raise you looks around the bar before spotting you. "She recognises us!" Krista whispers.

"She can't, remember?" you point out. "Our faces are different."

She makes her way to the counter and examines you. "Room 3?"

"That's me," you reply, attempting to mask your voice.

"My, you're a handsome one," Maribelle notes.

You scream internally.

"So..." she continues. "You want a way into the palace prisons? Planning a breakout?"

"Yeah," you reply.

She nods. "Good. Then I'm here to help you."

She... what? So it's not a trap?

"Why?" you blurt out, causing her to look at you suspiciously.

"Pretty doubtful for a stranger," she replies. "Is it my eyepatch that makes me so sketchy? It is, isn't it? Well... if you must ask, I have it out for Dong. Anything that can hurt his power here, I'm all for."

"But don't you work for him?" you ask.

She looks to you. "Now, how did you know that?"

"W-we got word of someone of your description being a worker for him," you lie, rather convincingly.

Maribelle nods. "Well, technically, I do. I don't consider myself a worker, but I've never been afraid of accepting a paycheck. Until... I saw a new detail on his bounty calling for a kid named Matt Millar. Changed his wanted status from "Alive" to "Dead"."

"... And?" you ask. "Who cares about some kid?"

Maribelle glares at you with her singular good eye. "Matt Millar's my son. He wants to kill my son. I say, fuck him."

With that comment, you can't help but smile.

That will be all for tonight! Session continues tomorrow, thanks for playing!

>>3932297
>"My, you're a handsome one," Maribelle notes.

>You scream internally.
It's time.....FOR /SS/.

>>3932297
Can mom make matt trust again?

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"What's with the gormless grin?"

You quickly wipe the smile from your face. "Nothing."

"Is it cause I called you handsome?" she asks.

"N-no!" you protest.

"Because now you just look stupid," she points out. "I was just being complimentary."

You shake your head. "Yeah, I know. I definitely wasn't worried about that!"

Maribelle eyes you suspiciously.

"Say more things."

"What?"

"Say more things," she replies. "Say a poem, sing a song, whatever."

You chuckle nervously. "Uhh... what?"

"Do it."

"Okay..." you mutter. "Uhh... hey, I am talking right now. Listen to me talk. Yipee..."

Maribelle raises an eyebrow as she begins to examine you. "That voice..."

Wait... of course. Si can change your appearance with her Biochip, but Maribelle is still able to pick up on your voice.

"You sound very familiar..." she thinks to herself. "Have you and I met before?"

>Uhh... can't say that I recognise you, sorry.
>Maribelle, it's me. Matt.
>Yeah, that one job on Camelot a few years back. You really don't remember me?

>>3933647
>>Yeah, that one job on Camelot a few years back. You really don't remember me?

>>3933647
>>Uhh... can't say that I recognise you, sorry.
To many details is the ultimate way to spot a liar, keep it simple

>>3933647
>Yeah, that one job on Camelot a few years back. You really don't remember me?
>That's why it's surprising to see you against Dong after the payoff he gave us.

Calling for
>Yeah, that one job on Camelot a few years back. You really don't remember me?

Writing now.

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>Yeah, that one job on Camelot a few years back. You really don't remember me?

"Huh?" Maribelle raises an eyebrow. "Look, I've taken a lot of jobs. Sorry that I don't remember everybody. What about you?"

She looks to Krista before continuing. "You, did we work together as well?"

Krista silently shakes her head, not wanting to be sussed out by her voice.

"Whatever," Maribelle turns back to you. "Back to business... if you want to break out Marco Shao, I can help you."

She turns back towards the bar, and you huddle closer, so that she can speak in more hushed whispers. "I have a keycode to the prisons, but we'll have to break in together if we hope to get through."

"Dong trusted you with a keycode?" you ask.

She shakes her head. "No, of course not. I just stole it."

"Ah, of course."

"Okay..." Maribelle notes. "First things first... Marco Shao isn't our real priority."

You pause. "What? Of course he is. He's the most important-"

"Politically, yeah..." Maribelle explains. "But when it comes to taking down Dong, Shao is no use in the face of the weapon of his. LB."

"LB..." you mutter. "Yeah, I've seen... heard of him."

"Do you know what he can do?" she asks. "I've seen it. His chip makes him completely indestructible, and he just sends out any damage he would have taken as a big destructive blast."

He... what? How can a Biochip lead to that much power? There's no way...

"So, you're saying he..."

"Can't be killed," Maribelle nods. "Except... Marco's bodyguard guy. Kilroy. He's got this black hole power that just sucks things in. Word is... he's probably the only counter to that Biochip of LB's. He's more important than Shao right now."

"Okay," you nod. "So, where will we meet?"

Maribelle looks around, before whispering again. "Behind the palace gardens. In... two hours. You got any back-up with you?"

"Yeah."

"Bring them, trust me..." she replies. "We're gonna need all hands we can get. I'll see you there."

>Okay. Thanks, Maribelle.
>You sure you don't want to stay for a drink?
>How dangerous could it be?

>>3933686
>How dangerous could it be?
Fuck you Dice Gods I'm not afraid of you

>>3933686
>>How dangerous could it be?

>>3933686
>>Okay. Got It.
YOU CANT FUCKING TRICK ME I CHECKED SHE NEVER SAID HER NAME THAT WAS A TRAP

>>3933686
>How dangerous could it be?
Definitely not falling for the "I didn't tell you my name" trick

Calling for
>How dangerous could it be?

Writing now.

>>3933686
>How dangerous could it be?
Haha... y-yeah an obvious trap, anyone could have noticed it...

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>How dangerous could it be?

"Well, let's put it this way," Maribelle explains. "Dong at the moment is perhaps the most powerful man in the galaxy, correct?"

"Yes."

"And the one thing stopping him from taking over the galaxy is if someone went and freed Marco Shao, right?"

You nod.

"Then do the maths on how hard it'll be to release him," she replies. "Good luck."

She takes off, as you turn around to an excited looking Krista. "We did it, Matt-Matt!" she exclaims. "First Marco and Kilroy, then we can save my mom! Yep-Yep!"

"Excuse me, darling..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSNKGcqf2YY

You hear the clacking of spurs accompanying the voice behind you. You spin around a mysterious looking youthful man with an androgynous face. Decked out in black, with a brimmed hat, he stares at you with unnatural yellow eyes. He looks like a feline.

"Did you just say yep-yep?"

"Why do you ask?" Krista replies, putting on a phony accent.

The man twirls his finger. "Must have misheard you. Just knew someone who used to work under Dong who would say that, it was... horrifically annoying."

"Hey, Gallows! I was talking to you!"

A drunkard at the bar stumbles back towards the man, pointing at him in an accusatory stance. Gallows shakes his head and laughs to himself. "Oh yes, how rude of me! Something about owing you credits from that poker game, right?"

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"Aye!" the man yells. "Cough up, you lout!"

Gallows clasps his hands together in an apologetic pose. "I'm afraid I don't have any money on hand at the moment! But if you give me ten minutes, I can grab some from the nearest teller. Shake on it?"

Gallows offers his hand for a shake of agreement, and the drunkard takes him up on it. As soon as their hands meet, the drunkard begins to cough violently. Blood spills from his mouth, as the man begins to shake and convulse, before his back begins to burst open, fissures of blood erupting until he collapses, in pieces.

"Oops," Gallows shakes his head. "It seems every single one of his organs collapsed at the exact same time just as we made that deal. How unfortunate."

What the... that was definitely the power of a Biochip. But what kind? Just how did he do that?

"Oh," he shakes his head. "I should have mentioned. The name's Gallows. I'm the Director of Chaos for Kingpin Dong's Bullet Club."

"His... what?" you ask.

Gallows tilts his head. "Never heard of us? The Elite squad? The baddest gang in the galaxy? The group who are just tooooooo sweeeeeet?"

"Nope."

"Interesting," he replies. "Considering you're sitting next to Krista Pepsi, I figured she'd fill you in."

Krista freezes in fear. "I... I..."

"You must have my friend mistaken for-"

"Face is different, but the voice and intonation is unmistakable," he explains. "That noise was the bane of my existence any time I was on a ship with her. Either way, I saw you both meet with Maribelle. You're planning on betraying Dong, right?"

"What? Well?"

Gallows casually pats the two of you on the shoulders. "Don't worry about it. I'm not gonna rat you out or anything. Have fun trying to bust out your people."

"You're... not?"

Gallows shrugs. "Nah."

"But aren't you Dong's Elite?"

Gallows smirks. "Yeah, but it's all in the name. Chaos is my game... and I want to see where this goes."

>And how can I believe you?
>That's it? What do you gain from this?
>I'm afraid you're still making a mistake. We aren't planning anything.

>>3933768
>>That's it? What do you gain from this?

>>3933768
Cool dude, but scary
>That's it? What do you gain from this?

>>3933768
>That's it? What do you gain from this?

>What the... that was definitely the power of a Biochip. But what kind? Just how did he do that?
The madman'll be chipless like Achilles, the drunk guy really did just have his organs explode as the deal was being made.

>>3933768
>>That's it? What do you gain from this?
Oh fuck Neutral Chaotic, the DM must be hating this
Wait and Hope

>>3933768
>That's it? What do you gain from this?
He's aiming to see Kilroy and LB tear reality in half when their Biochips cause a feedback loop isn't he?

Calling for
>That's it? What do you gain from this?

Writing now.

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>That's it? What do you gain from this?

"Nothing in particular," Gallows explains. "I'm just... curious, y'know?"

You pause. "No, I really don't."

"Don't take it for granted, kid."

Gallows adjusts his hat and makes his way out of the pub, as you look to Krista. She's breathing heavily, her eyes wide, as she tries to compose herself. You place a hand on her back and steady here. "Whoa... let me guess, those Bullet Club or whatever guys... they're bad news, huh?"

Krista looks you in the eye. "The worst."

Shortly after, you're on the line with Crooks for your update.

"Nothing on our end," Crooks explains. "A lot of loose trails and having to spend time with Archie."

"Hey!"

"Did get a pretty good seafood meal, though."

You sigh. "Well, we've got direct access through someone who wants to help us."

"Haha! Alright, Matty!"

"But you're not going to like it," you add.

"Why?"

"It's..." you mutter. "It's Maribelle."

"WHAT?!"

You shake your head. "Look, I get it-"

"Matt, we can't trust her-"

"She doesn't know it's us, we're in disguise-"

"I don't care!"

"Look, we're gonna have to trust her if we wanna get Marco, okay?"

"... Fine."

You and Krista meet up with Crooks and Archie at the designated area, and the look on Crooks' face is exactly what you expected. Even with a changed up appearance, that grumpy expression is one to behold. "This won't end well."

"We've got no choice," you reply.

Crooks grunts. "Do you honestly think that? Or do you just want to trust her because of who she is? You do trust her, don't you?"

>Yes... I do.
>I'm not sure.
>Not in the slightest. Keep your Biochip at the ready.

>>3933855
>Yes... I do.
She cares about us, and we haven’t been betrayed...yet. I might want to only for the suffering.

>>3933855
>>I'm not sure.
>Keep your Biochip at the ready.
Again, as with Krista, we WANT to trust her, but we can't be sure of anything with the Dongster.

>>3933855
>I'm not sure.
She and Crooks split before Matt could even develop the brainpower necessary to string a sentence together and our only "proper" meeting had her working on the side with Dong, her track record's far from spotless.

>>3933855
>>3933863
Backing, Dong'll turn out to be a rusemaster that planned everything that's happened in the quest

>>3933863
Ah fuck it I want to be sappy but you right
backing

Calling for
>I'm not sure.
>Keep your Biochip at the ready.

Writing now.

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>I'm not sure.
>Keep your Biochip at the ready.

You wish you could say that you could, but the words don't find their way out of you mouth. Because truthfully... you don't know. And you can never be to careful. Maribelle is simply not the most trustworthy person.

Crooks nods. "Yeah, I will."

You hear footsteps, as Maribelle rounds the corner to meet you all. She's alone, that's a surprise. A big part of you expected her to arrive with guards to stab you in the back with.

"Four of you?" she notes. "Not great, but a decent number. Okay... we can't just waltz in through the front, as you can imagine. But..."

She moves the the face of the wall and pull out a steel grate near the bottom. "There's a crawlspace through this vent. It's hot and cramped... but I've dealt with worse."

"Like what?" Archie asks.

Maribelle looks to her prosthetic arm, then points to her eyepatch. "Do you really want the full list, genius? Just look at me."

She motions for you to enter, before mentioning something about the ladies staying in the back. "Gotta avoid looks up our skirts," she points out to Krista.

Crooks lead the crawl, with you close behind, the two of your struggling and squeezing through a cramped vent.

"I feel like I'm being crushed," you remark, having to move on your belly like a caterpillar.

"It's preferable to the guns blazing method," Maribelle explains. "Or as it should be know, the instantly-gunned-down-by-several-dozen-armed-guards method."

"I hate that method," Crooks jokes.

Maribelle laughs, then pauses. "Heh... I've heard that one before."

"And here I thought I was original," Crooks plays it off.

You reach the end of the vent, and fall through into a storage room. Maribelle quickly grabs you and Crooks, pulling you behind a cabinet of supplies. She reaches into her eye socket and pulls out her Eye of Balor, as the green ball rolls along the ground.

"Wait for it..."

The janitor comes in through the door, takes a few steps, then instantly gets zapped.

"Bingo."

"I sure hope that's set to stun," Archie mutters.

"So do I!" Maribelle replies. No laugh from the crew, and she sighs. "Just a joke. of course it is."

Maribelle keeps her eye of Balor rolling ahead, keeping the coast out for any guards ahead of you. "From here, it's a straight line to Kilroy's cell," she points out. "Just gotta punch in the key code without getting caught, release him of the damp Biochip-dampening chains they've got him wrapped in, and our little nuke will be able to take us out of here."

"Uh oh..."

You turn your head to Krista. "What's wrong... huh?"

As you look to Krista you notice that she looks... like Krista.

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Turning your head again, you see the panicked Archie looking just like Archie.

Meaning that you look like you, no doubt.

Dammit, why is Si's Biochip wearing off now?! This is the worst possible time!

"Are any of you listening to me?!" Maribelle swings her head around... to see all of you. Her eyes widen in confusion. "M-Matt?! Crooks?!"

Crooks, without hesitation, points his finger at her with his Biochip activated. She looks at him and lets out a weary sigh.

"Crooks..."

"No sudden moves," Crooks replies. "I know you can't be trusted-"

"I can't be trusted?!" Maribelle argues in hushed tones. "You're the ones changing your faces for this operation! And I'm the one actually pulling weight!"

Crooks scoffs. "Pulling weight? Or leading us into a trap."

"Here we go again," Maribelle rolls her eyes. "How did you even change your faces? You trick me into thinking you were someone else, and now you're acting paranoid of me?! Dammit, what's wrong with you?"

"You've just suddenly had a change of heart about working for Dong, huh?" Crooks fires back. "Bullshit. You've always gone for the highest bidder-"

"Dong wants you dead!" she yells. "I wasn't going to let that happen! Right, Matt? Matt?"

>Let's just press on, okay? We don't have time for this.
>Yeah, Crooks. She's helping us.
>I... I don't know.
>Point your blaster at her.

>>3933939
>>I... I don't know.
>I want to believe you, but Dong, he's been two steps ahead of us this whole time.

>>3933947
>>I... I don't know.
>I want to believe you, but Dong, he's been two steps ahead of us this whole time.
>If he wants us dead that's just more reason to be careful

Also it wearing off now with no warnign is a very bad sign, either there's some kind of anti chip field, or Si's been knocked out or something.

>>3933939
>Let's just press on, okay? We don't have time for this.
We can sort out the lover's tiff when we have the guy that shits black holes back on our side.

>>3933939
>Point your blaster at her.
>I want to believe you, but Dong, he's been two steps ahead of us this whole time.
By the end of the day Dong's going to activate our trigger word and reveal that we're the sleeper agent all along isn't he?

>>3933939
>Let's just press on, okay? We don't have time for this.
We can have family drama after we are outside the Big Bad’s Castle.

Calling for
>I want to believe you, but Dong, he's been two steps ahead of us this whole time.

Writing now.

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>I want to believe you, but Dong, he's been two steps ahead of us this whole time.

Maribelle sighs. "You want to believe me, but you don't, huh?"

"I'm sorry," you reply. "But this sudden change of heart, and we're in Dong's territory... I can't afford to trust anyone."

Maribelle grunts. "Uh-huh. And what about your girlfriend there? Isn't she in Dong's pocket too?"

Krista puckers her lips nervously. "I'm not!"

"Sure, but can't afford to trust anyone, right?"

Crooks pushes past her. "You stay behind. I'm going ahead."

"Oh, please!" Maribelle fires back. "You're really going to ruin this when we're this close?"

"I'm not ruining anything," Crooks replies. "I'm just making sure you don't pull a fast one."

Maribelle throws her head back. "This is so stupid! You need me to-"

"I don't need you for anything," Crooks replies. "Never have, never will."

Maribelle goes silent. "Fine... do what you want. Just remember, Dong has that girl's mother, as well as your scientist's best friend, right? Don't they all have leverage to stab you in the back."

"Hang on, now!" Archie protests. "What's this about me being suspect?"

"The motive is there," you admit. "Marco and Dot are both in compromising positions now. You would have every reason to strike a deal for their safety."

Archie shakes his head. "Come on, Matt! We're buddies! We all are. We're supposed to trust each-other!"

Crooks keeps his finger pointed at Maribelle. "You're quick to deflect suspicion."

"I'm not deflecting anything," Maribelle fires back. "I'm pointing out the obvious."

"That we can't trust anyone?"

"You don't trust them either, do you Crooks?"

"Of course not!"

Everyone goes silent after that one.

"Let's... let's just try to work together..." you mutter.

"Right..." Maribelle solemnly replies. "That's what we should-"

Before she can finish, the lights above you go out.

"Whoa, what happened?!"

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You try to feel your way about in pitch black darkness, but you can't feel anything. You reach out and you think you grab an arm, but you can't tell who it belongs to.

"Crooks?"

That's when you feel a sharp blow to the side of your head, and you're out cold.

You have more strange, funky dreams. Barren wastelands, kicking up dust, dead planets... but with a tiny seed growing upon them.

"Hey, about time you started to wake."

Your eyes slowly open, and you see an all-too familiar face in front of you. That damned green-eyed stare, those curly blonde locks and the ever present smirk never cease, even when he's trapped in chains.

"Kilroy?" you groggily answer, as you fully awake and get a proper glimpse of your surroundings. You look down at the chains around your arms as you sit in a fortified cell with the man you intended to rescue. "Where... where are the others?"

"What others?" he asks. "You were the only one thrown in here."

"We came to rescue you and Marco," you explain.

Kilroy laughs. "Ah, of course! How perfect! Goes to show you that anyone can find themselves behind bars. Even the magnificent Kilroy!"

Does his ego ever take a backseat?

"We infiltrated the place, we had a disagreement..." you mutter. "Then the lights went out... then somebody knocked me out."

"What was your disagreement?" Kilroy asks. "I'm very curious as to what caused you to bungle something so important."

"Trust..." you reply. "We couldn't trust each-other."

Kilroy shrugs. "I wouldn't trust any of your crew, either. Though it seems you were right to be suspicious."

"Huh?"

"Well, you may not want to hear this, but based on what you just told me..."

"No..."

Kilroy nods. "Oh yes, no doubt about it."

You shake your head. "No, shut up. They didn't."

"One of your crew betrayed you."

END OF CHAPTER 22

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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! Mostly a set-up thread, but more KitS within the next week, follow the Twitter for any updates!

>Player Questions
Who did it, and why?

>>3933990
FUCKING OOOFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
>>3933996
Is it far far too optimistic to say that Si was captured, forced to face shift someone, and they had actual vocal training unlike the crew?

>>3933996
Thanks for running Booker.

>PQ
Obviously it was Dino that did it, he came back from the dead to collect Matt and Crooks' unpaid bar tab.

>>3934011
Hell of a long game.