[21:21] <> [21:24] <> [21:24] <> [21:24] (Roll for initiative, monkeyboy.) [21:24] -herring.sandwich.net:@#atc- Chamelaeon invited Dicesuke into channel #atc. [21:24] *** Dicesuke (dice@12-213-43-67.client.attbi.com) has joined #atc [21:25] d6+7 [21:25] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (d6+7) and gets 13. [21:25] (Yay!) [21:25] (Real initiative!) [21:25] d6+8 [21:25] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (d6+8) and gets 10. [21:25] d6+9 [21:25] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tim (d6+9) and gets 10. [21:25] d6+6 [21:25] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Vernon (d6+6) and gets 7. [21:26] *** Charlie (Moogle@AC887082.ipt.aol.com) Quit (Ping timeout) [21:26] (>_<) [21:26] (Pause) [21:31] *** Moogle (Moogle@AC9593D0.ipt.aol.com) has joined #atc [21:31] *** Moogle is now known as Charlie [21:31] (Gimp on, mighty computer! Gimp on..) [21:31] (Unpause. Roll Init, Charlie.) [21:32] d6+9 [21:32] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Charlie (d6+9) and gets 12. [21:32] (I tried to get to my A drive and my computer wonked out, then froze.) [21:33] <> [21:33] <> [21:33] ( ...Cube? ) [21:34] (Cloud.) [21:35] * Chako grins, and a sword forms in her hand. Go Nanites. "Have at ya? I think I will!" She puts both hands to the sword and stabs straight up into the falling Masterson. [21:36] 2d6-4 [21:36] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6-4) and gets -1. [21:36] (Looks hitty.) [21:37] <> [21:37] <> [21:37] <> [21:37] * Charlie fires off a round! [21:37] 2d6-3 [21:37] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Charlie (2d6-3) and gets 8. [21:38] (whiff) [21:38] 2d6-2 [21:38] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6-2) and gets 6. [21:38] (Not quite.) [21:39] <> [21:39] (Cloud.) [21:39] (Cloud.) [21:39] (Dammit.) [21:40] (We know you want us to kill the Cube. One AI at a time, though. ~_^) [21:41] * Chako doesn't even seem to react to the blow. She is beefy. [21:41] <> [21:42] * Taluun`tzo raises his shield as he moves forward, bringing his tail around for a sweep, then stopping after the sweep for a kick intending to send Masterson nice and high into the ceiling. [21:42] (Shield = force field) [21:42] 2d6-2 [21:42] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2d6-2) and gets 4. [21:42] 2d6-3 [21:42] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2d6-3) and gets 6. [21:42] (Made both.) [21:43] * Tim frowns, and decides to use his more accurate weapon for this one, after moving to the side so as to avoid accidentally shooting the big lizard. [21:43] 2d6-5 [21:43] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tim (2d6-5) and gets 5. [21:43] ( ...made by one. I hate you, Dicey. ) [21:45] <> "Is that it, then?" [21:45] <> [21:45] * Vernon lunges at Masterson, slashing with his wakizashi. [21:45] 2d6-3 [21:45] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Vernon (2d6-3) and gets 5. [21:46] Eh? Uh, no. We're just warming up. Honest. [21:46] (Made by one.) [21:46] * Chako snorts. "I haven't noticed ya doin' much to us, Cloudy." [21:47] <> "That's because I needed to test you, first." [21:47] <> [21:47] ...you're being cliche' on purpose, right? [21:48] ...cliche? Whatever do you mean? [21:49] * Chako brings her left arm up right at Masterson, and a green beam flies from it, then a blue one. "He means dumb." [21:49] 2d6-4 [21:49] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6-4) and gets 3. [21:49] 2d6-4 [21:49] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6-4) and gets 4. [21:49] (Hits.) [21:50] <> [21:50] <> [21:51] * Charlie fires off another set. [21:51] 2d6-3 [21:51] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Charlie (2d6-3) and gets 5. [21:51] <> [21:51] (2 hits) [21:51] (What kind?) [21:51] Cliche'. You know, 'Have at you', 'I must test your strength', all that stuff. Next thing you know you'll tell us you're not right-handed. [21:51] <> [21:51] 2d6-2 [21:51] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6-2) and gets 9. [21:51] 2d6 [21:51] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6) and gets 7. [21:52] (Can't make one to save my life. Ah well.) [21:52] 2d6-3 [21:52] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2d6-3) and gets 6. [21:52] (Yes.) [21:52] 2d6 [21:52] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Charlie (2d6) and gets 6. [21:52] (And...) [21:52] 2d6-3 [21:52] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2d6-3) and gets 4. [21:52] (Made that one too.) [21:52] (I believe I made that) [21:53] <> [21:53] <> [21:54] * Tim frowns and takes another shot! [21:54] 2d6-5 [21:54] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tim (2d6-5) and gets 5. [21:54] ( ... ) [21:55] * Taluun`tzo ducks and swerves between the attacks, and charges a section on his tail as he slowly brings it around, trying to smack the cloud BUTT good. [21:55] 2d6-2 [21:55] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2d6-2) and gets 3. [21:55] (Made it.) [21:55] ( Again, made by one. ) [21:55] (By... 5.) [21:56] * Chako doesn't seem to react to the damage except to bring her sword around into a more defensive stance. "Damn piece of junk." [21:57] <> [21:57] <> [21:58] * Vernon frowns, and extends his suit's antennas towards the Cloud. [21:58] 2d6 [21:58] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Vernon (2d6) and gets 9. [21:58] (Damnation.) [21:58] <> [21:58] <> [21:58] (Normal behavior.) [22:00] * Chako takes two slashes, one right across the neck (called), and one back diagonal across the torso. [22:00] 2d6-3 [22:00] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6-3) and gets 4. [22:00] 2d6-4 [22:00] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6-4) and gets 2. [22:00] (Yeahs.) [22:01] <> [22:01] <> [22:02] <> "SEE?" <> [22:02] * Charlie shimmers out as he moves away from the spot where he just was. (And that's all) [22:02] 2d6-16 [22:02] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2d6-16) and gets -12. [22:02] (By... 21.) [22:04] <> [22:05] (Um... don't I get a defense roll in the first place to avoid getting grabbed?) [22:06] (Right. +3 penalty.) [22:06] 2d6 [22:06] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2d6) and gets 7. [22:06] (Okay, I failed it anyways.) [22:06] (You're a mean, mean wombat. >_>) [22:07] (I am.) [22:07] * Taluun`tzo gets slammed against the wall and lands on his feet. His field flickered from the hit, and his armor obviously hit, but his suit doesn't looked like it was dinged. "Is that all?" [22:07] <> [22:07] (Hrmm? Oh, well, then.) [22:08] <> [22:09] * Taluun`tzo swings his tail up, trying to bring Masterson up so he can kick the bagezus out of him with his rear feet. [22:09] (What do I need to roll to do that?) [22:11] <> [22:11] (Super Strength apply?) [22:11] (Yup.) [22:11] 2d6-12 [22:11] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2d6-12) and gets -5. [22:12] (Made by 14.) [22:12] 2 2d6-2 [22:12] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2 2d6-2) and gets 1 0. [22:12] (...) [22:12] (And those both succeeded.) [22:12] (Daaamn.) [22:12] (One crit-success.) [22:12] (Good round for you.) [22:13] (Can't be a crit. Dicey'd have said it.) [22:13] (Not if you roll two at once.) [22:13] (Ah.) [22:14] <> [22:14] * Tim shoots for the general area Taluun kicked! [22:14] Let him have it! [22:14] * Taluun`tzo leaves him dangling like a pinyada. [22:14] (sp.) [22:15] 2d6-5 [22:15] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tim (2d6-5) and gets -2. [22:15] ( XD ) [22:15] (+2 to that roll, but you still make it.) [22:15] *** Ardweden (arwen@12-213-43-67.client.attbi.com) has joined #atc [22:15] (I figure, why not. Watching. ^^) [22:15] (Piñata) [22:15] (Can I smash it for points!) [22:15] (Chako wants to smash it for blood. >.<) [22:16] (Chako needs to work out some issues.. ^_~) [22:16] (I can't work out any issues if he won't stand STILL.) [22:17] ( Maybe if you ask real nice? ) [22:17] (very true) [22:17] (Let me grab him and MAKE him stand still...) [22:17] <> [22:17] < [22:18] * Vernon points antennas at Masterson again. ~Hold still, dammit...~ [22:18] 2d6 [22:18] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Vernon (2d6) and gets 6. [22:18] (Ha HA.) [22:19] <> [22:19] (Oh well. x_x) [22:20] (*briefly envisions Taluun using Bangaa Cry. Too much FFTA.) [22:20] <> [22:21] (Bangaa Cry?) [22:22] (A Defender ability. I have no idea what it does because I stopped playing the rom once I got the actual game.) [22:22] (Spread breath-style attack. It's crap.) [22:23] * Chako frowns, and tries to take advantage of Masterson being grabbed by firing a green and red laser from each arm, and then another one from her left arm. [22:23] 2 2d6-3 [22:23] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2 2d6-3) and gets 5 2. [22:23] 2d6-4 [22:23] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6-4) and gets 3. [22:23] (All made. Med, Shield pierce, Armor Pierce, in order.) [22:23] (Shiney. *_*) [22:25] <> [22:25] (I'm running out of options.) [22:25] (I'm not going to be pulling a Zero, so you'd better think of some. :P) [22:25] There must be some way to keep him from healing. [22:25] <> [22:25] (Fire or acid.) [22:26] (Poison him!) [22:26] (um...) [22:26] (Or just obliterating him off the face of the Mars.) [22:26] <> [22:26] (Learn the reverse regeneration spell Lina used in Slayers TV 2.) [22:26] (Damn, I left my magic book at home.) [22:27] * Charlie a decent sized slug is fired from somewhere off to the left of the scene. [22:27] 2d6-2 [22:27] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Charlie (2d6-2) and gets 9. [22:27] (but it misses ;_;) [22:27] <> [22:27] * Vernon gets slicey! [22:27] (Yeah, really. <.<) [22:27] 2d6-3 [22:27] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Vernon (2d6-3) and gets 3. [22:28] (Wait!) [22:28] <<'s taluun/tim turn. Sorry.>> [22:28] (Whoops, 'kay.) [22:29] * Taluun`tzo swings his tail around to slam Masterson really hard into the wall, and then again into the ground. "Let's see how you like it." [22:29] (That just two attack rolls?) [22:29] (Yup.) [22:30] 2 2d6-2 [22:30] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2 2d6-2) and gets 5 4. [22:30] (Made both.) [22:31] * Tim aims, waiting for Taluun to finish before shooting, this time with his gratuigun. [22:31] 2d6-3 [22:31] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tim (2d6-3) and gets 2. [22:31] ( Made by... five. ) [22:31] (Autofire attacks, eh, who needs'em?) [22:31] <> [22:32] (Is he healing completly? @_@) [22:32] <> [22:33] ~ I'd like to note how much I wish I had a nice explosive to stick into his chest cavity while he's healing. ~ [22:33] ~Chako, I'm going to try to throw him straight up. Hit him while he's in the air with that fire-cannon. Maybe it'll do the trick." [22:33] (Second one: ~_ [22:33] ) [22:33] ~ This thing is all energy. If I had my old suit, maybe.... Got it.~ [22:36] (Is... anything going to happen? ^^;) [22:36] <> [22:36] * Vernon gets dicey! [22:36] 2d6-3 [22:36] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Vernon (2d6-3) and gets 2. [22:36] (Thank you, Dicey!) [22:36] (* Vernon grabs Dicesuke and smacks Matterson over the head with him.) [22:36] (Or however you spell that. :P) [22:37] (...what did you DO?) [22:37] (I think he just tried to hit it with his sword.) [22:37] (I slashed at him with the big pointy thing!) [22:37] (Ah.) [22:37] <> [22:37] (And then I laughed.) [22:37] (Bastard. ;_;) [22:38] <> [22:39] * Chako holds action. Why not? It's fun! [22:39] <> [22:39] <> [22:39] <> [22:39] 2d6-2 [22:39] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Charlie (2d6-2) and gets 1. [22:40] * Tim blinks! [22:40] * Charlie runs up and smacks 'im! (concussion attack) [22:40] 2d6 [22:40] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tim (2d6) and gets 7. [22:40] ( ...barely made it. ) [22:41] <> [22:41] <> [22:42] * Isis pops up in Chako's HUD. "Hello." [22:42] * Tim aims at Masterson while he's still nearby and fires! [22:42] 2d6-3 [22:42] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tim (2d6-3) and gets 8. [22:42] ( ...I really, REALLY hate you, Dicey. ) [22:42] * Chako frowns, and responds, ~Yo. Masterson's having his way with us because he won't take any damn damage. Where are you now?~ [22:42] * Taluun`tzo grabs Masterson with his two rear-legs, then throws him straight up. [22:43] (What do I need, Cham?) [22:43] * Isis shrugs. "Abandoning the Fruitcake. ATC invaded. I have Bethany and Ronnie safe on a skimmer. Once I get Prag, we're leaving." [22:44] *** Chako (mikey44@dan0419.urh.uiuc.edu) Quit (Read error: Connection reset by peer) [22:44] (Body roll, SS counts.) [22:44] (pause) [22:44] ('kay.) [22:44] *** Chako (mikey44@dan0419.urh.uiuc.edu) has joined #atc [22:45] (*Unpause( [22:45] (I said ~Where to? Did you finish that Cloud killer?~ and... um... saw nothing after Isis's Abandonging.) [22:45] (I didn't see that, so I didn't respond.) [22:45] ~Where to? Did you finish that Cloud killer?~ [22:45] (There!) [22:46] * Isis shrugs. She looks like she's running. "Anywhere. The Cube wants Ronnie so he sent heavy exos. I told the men to flee or surrender. We can always join up with you. And what CLoud killer?" [22:46] 2d6-16 [22:46] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Taluun`tzo (2d6-16) and gets -8. [22:46] (Made by 17.) [22:47] ~Damn... wait, shit.~ [22:48] <> [22:48] (Take holding action!) [22:48] ( ...HA. ) [22:49] (Gimmegimmegimme.) [22:49] * Isis suddenly laughs at something, then clears her throat. "Ronnie says *you* have it, Chako." [22:49] * Vernon drops back, and starts looking around the area for anything that might be helpful combat-wise. [22:49] <> [22:49] (LET ME TAKE ACTION.) [22:50] <> [22:50] (Excellent.) [22:50] (Thank you. :P) [22:50] (Who made Margie the GM?) [22:50] * Chako grimaces... ~Ronnie was working on more of that stuff we got, wasn't she... aw, I'm a dumb shit.~ She brings up her right arm, and fires the Blast Cone into the air, happily doing damage to the ground below/behind her in the process.. [22:51] * Chako then fires it AGAIN. [22:51] 2d6-4 [22:51] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6-4) and gets 4. [22:51] 2d6-4 [22:51] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chako (2d6-4) and gets 7. [22:51] (Made them BOTH. Dodge that! >.<) [22:51] * Isis raises an eyebrow. "Glad I could clear that up for you." [22:52] "WHAT? NO! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" <> [22:52] <> [22:53] * Chako curses. ~Dammit. Who the fuck has the vacceine? I forgot all about it until Isis commed in.~ [22:53] * Tim checks his storage for the vacceine. [22:53] ~I think Vernon or Tim had it.~ [22:53] * Vernon checks his, as well. [22:54] * Chako starts pumping lasers into the puddle, to try to slow it down. [22:55] <> [22:55] <> [22:55] ~maybe this'll do somethin.~ *he fires another slug into the puddle* [22:55] * Vernon grabs the hypo. ~Right here!~ [22:56] <> [22:56] * Taluun`tzo unloads focused plasma into it as well. [22:56] ( Quick, Vernon! go for the spleen! ) [22:56] (Spleeeeeeeeen!) [22:56] * Vernon steps forward and, wrinkling his nose, injects the spleen. [22:56] (Thankfully not the liver. I like opera.) [22:57] (Or is that kidney? One of the sort-of-essential organs. *bursts into flame*) [22:58] <> [22:58] Ugghhh. [22:58] Ew. [22:59] Ah well. At least he's finally dead. [22:59] ...who's up for a retaliatory strike against the Cube, while we're at it? [22:59] * Vernon opens the The Orange. "I wonder what this thing is." [22:59] d6+9 [22:59] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Isis (d6+9) and gets 13. [22:59] * Chako grimaces, stops firing, and says, open line, ~Hell yeah! Isis, we're clear here. We need to meet up." She grins at Tim's statement. ~One last AI to pulp, it seems.~ [23:00] <> [23:00] * Isis has a sort of narrow-eyed expression. "I'm going silent. Hopefully talk to you soon." *her comm window blinks out* [23:00] * Taluun`tzo eyes the puddle. "Revolting, is it not?" [23:01] * Charlie shimmers back into view. "Very" [23:01] 2 2d6-4 [23:01] * Dicesuke throws the bones for Isis (2 2d6-4) and gets 5 2. [23:01] It certainly is. But hell, *I'm* not cleaning it up. [23:01] ...'mostly because I don't think I could get anything useful from a sample. But still. [23:01] (So what is this orange? >_>) [23:02] <> [23:02] (Oh, it's empty? Bah. ;_;) [23:02] * Chako mutters. "Yeah. And a hearty fuck you to you and the Cube." She looks down, brings her right arm down, and Blasting Cones the puddle. [23:03] <> [23:03] * Isis pops up again, this time in everyone's HUDs. And she's out of breath, too. "If any of you can think of a rendevous point, I'd love to hear it." [23:03] ~We are done here. I am not familiar with the area, otherwise I would suggest a location.~ [23:04] Isis? You at the fruitcake? [23:04] * Isis looks behind her and whistles. "WHAT Fruitcake?" [23:04] * Isis is clearly in the cockpit of a skimmer. Bethany and Prag are there. [23:05] ...wow. Irritable bastard, that Cube. [23:05] ~Perhaps the Cube requires a... brain cleaning?~ [23:05] Okay. Somone figure out a good meeting place while I call Vlad and tell him to start the car. [23:06] * Tim does that little thing. Mr. Accent will no doubt be delighted. [23:06] * Isis looks around the cockpit a moment, then back at the 'camera'. "There's always Twilight City. ATC won't come looking there." [23:06] <> [23:06] * Tim listens to Vlad and mentally takes notes. This is good stuff! [23:07] Alright. Vlad says the ship's ready. More or less. [23:07] (*snicker* I've had "Hurry" from FFX playing in the background all this time. It's amusing.) [23:07] ~Amazing. I did not know you had words for that in your language.~ [23:07] ( Ronnie: "Sin ec rana!" Isis: "Say what?" ) [23:08] * Chako hrms, and nods. ~Good enough. Twilight City it is, then. Make it...~ she frowns for a sec, and says, ~Greg's Pad's. S'a landing area in the northeast part of the city.~ [23:09] * Isis nods. "Good enough for me." She looks behind her. "You get that?" [23:09] (I figure I can spare Cham the horrible double channel issue now) [23:09] <> "Got it, boss." [23:09] (Shame about the faceless minions, but at least Ronnie took care of the 'burial'.) [23:10] ~Alright. See you there. You can't miss the place, trust me.~ [23:10] * Chako grins. [23:10] * Isis raises an eyebrow. "If Greg is anything like Stan, I'll kill you. Skimmer out." *ting* [23:11] * Charlie nods. "Let's get outta here. This place creeps me out now." [23:11] I'll drink to that. [23:11] * Chako chuckles. "Not last time I checked, Isis." She turns to everyone. "Right. To Twilight City, and then,.. Red Atlanta." [23:11] (Okay. Want to do more tonight, or leave it all for next session?) [23:11] Agreed. Where is our.. 'ride'? [23:11] * Tim nods. "Yay." [23:12] <> [23:12] (Shrug. I have nowhere to be. Can't speak for everyone else.) [23:12] (I'm fine with either.) [23:12] * Tim gets in the ship. [23:12] * Chako jogs to the ship, and gets in. She peers at her abdomen, to see if the armor's back. [23:12] (Vernon gets in the Eva!) [23:13] * Vernon hops into the ship. [23:13] <> [23:14] <> [23:14] ( In other words, it supports the weight of the ship without crumbling? ) [23:14] (Hey, don't knock the Gregster.) [23:14] <> [23:15] (The Gregsteerrr! Makin' some cop-piieees!) [23:15] (._.) [23:16] (._.) [23:16] <> [23:17] * Taluun`tzo has since had his armor de-activated. He's sitting down and looking around the place. "How long will we be spending here?" [23:17] * Isis is unsuited and leaning against the skimmer, looking up at the sky. [23:17] * Vernon is out of his suit, too, and is drinking some water. [23:17] * Chako ... uh... steps out of the ship, and lets her suit recede. "Not long, I hope. Just have to iron out where the civvies are gonna stay." [23:18] * Tim nods, and walks over to Beth to make sure she's okay. [23:18] <> [23:19] * Tim is thankful. ^_^ [23:19] <> [23:20] You think the ol' cube is following us? [23:20] * Taluun`tzo suits up then, to conserve water. His head is not covered, as aren't his hands. "I would not be surprised." [23:21] * Chako runs her fingers through her hair, walks to Isis and says, "So. The Cube. Do we skim in, or take the Brick?" [23:22] I think the Brick would have an easier time of it. And we might find be able to rig up a bomb to drop from it, too. That'd be nice. [23:22] * Isis sighs and finally looks down. "Where does this stop, though? I have to ask that." [23:23] * Isis puts a hand to her forehead. "It's my fault. I suggested entering the 'game'. All this because of me." [23:24] It was the best course of action. There is no shame in that. [23:24] I think we've gone through all the shapes but the Cube. Which, I think, humanity will be better off without. [23:24] It hasn't really done anything against humanity though, has it? [23:24] * Chako frowns. "It sure wasn't very busy helping humanity, either." [23:25] Hmm. [23:25] * Taluun`tzo hmms as he skims some data. "Did it push humanity in an undesirable direction?" [23:26] On the one hand, I don't see the Cube doing anything to hurt humanity. It may do some strange things, but that's life. But we do have Ronnie to think of, here. [23:26] That's the thing. I don't really KNOW if it did or not. I'm not sure I can. Maybe Ronnie can find out, but I don't know enough to know for sure if it's hurt us, and I don't think I ever could. [23:27] * Chako growls. "It just killed off its own soldiers, just because it didn't like us anymore It's been jerking us around from the beginning. It won't get any better." [23:27] * Isis looks up. "There's the Egg to consider. And 'shapes' we might not know about. But you realize..." [23:27] It's had, what, a hundered years or more to toy with the solar system? There's no telling how much of this mess is it's fault. [23:28] * Isis sighs. "Think about how Ronnie described the game. If we take down the Cube, it's just us and the Egg. And it may seem more benign, but the Egg will fight us to win. And what if we do win? That leaves Rondure the only 'god' in the pantheon." Her face takes on a dark expression. [23:29] * Taluun`tzo shakes his head. "Why would the Egg fight you? It only looks for the well-being of us." [23:29] <> "I don't know about that. The Egg never put much importance on the Game." [23:30] I think the Egg can be convinced to leave well enough alone. That goes double for Rondure. Hell, she prolly thinks she's got better things to do than lord it over humanity. [23:30] ( I mean, really. Who wants *that* job? ) [23:30] * Isis glances at Tim. "I bet people said that about the Cube, too." [23:31] Five'll getcha ten they didn't. I think that's what the Cube was made for. [23:31] Plus, the Cube doesn't have a significant backing in ethics and philosophy... [23:31] * Chako shakes her head. "The Cube's doing things wrong. If he wanted to help out humanity, he wouldn't have sat on his ass, or tried to build Rondure." [23:32] Yeah. It's got... ancient television. That can't be healthy. [23:32] * Chako bares her teeth again. "Or wiped out a whole damn base. What the unholy fuck?" [23:32] Similar to what I said before. Perhaps the Cube needs a brain cleaning. [23:33] * Tim shakes his head. "Shit. I don't even know how many people were in there." [23:33] * Vernon nods. [23:33] * Isis raises an eyebrow. "Ronnie detonated it." [23:33] The Cube did send in his men, and they did kill most of the grunts. But it was Rondure who blew it up, although admittedly, at my unknowing request. [23:34] The collapse of ATC would cause significant problems...but I'm thinking that Ronnie could handle things. [23:34] Hmm... [23:34] * Chako grits her teeth, and then turns away. "Shit." [23:34] Great. [23:34] * Vernon sighs. "Yeah, that's a problem." [23:35] * Tim sighs. [23:35] * Charlie shakes his head and turns to Prag. "I never was much for politics. I just do my own thing.. You look a little burnt there, Prag." [23:35] ( "Ronnie? What have we told you about listening to Isis?" "Sorry. I don't know what came over me." ) [23:35] ( I had her at swordspoint. ) [23:35] ( Somewhat literally. ) [23:35] "There wasn't anyone but ATC troopers inside the place." [23:36] "Alive, anywyas." [23:36] * Taluun`tzo bears his teeth angrily, then speaks. "Were you sure of that?" [23:36] * Isis gets up from leaning on the skimmer. "I suppose we can decide on the ramifications of it afterward, but I agree. The Cube's been playing God too long, and it has to stop." [23:37] So. Does ATC headquarters suffer an unfortunate accident, or can we sneak in there far enough to replace the Cube more carefully? [23:37] "Actually, I was." [23:37] Eh? [23:38] * Chako rubs her head, "Well, that's a good thing, at least. Poor sons of bitches." [23:38] ... Oh. I suppose I cannot put it past you to be sure of something like that. [23:39] All those people killed, just for the sake of an AI having a temper tantrum. [23:39] "Heat sensing, radar signatures, and I counted people on the way out." <> "I mean, you guys DID train me to respect human life. Well, life that's not trying kill me." [23:40] Time out. Replace the Cube? [23:40] Self preservation. It was the surest path to get out, and into relative safety. [23:40] I had always just assumed Ronnie would retire to the tropics, so to speak, once this were over. [23:40] * Vernon nods. "Well done." [23:41] Well, if Ronnie doesn't mind...I'm worried about the effect a total collapse of ATC might have. [23:41] * Tim nods. "Right. I'm... kinda' sorry you had to see that, really." [23:41] (This conversation confuses me. I'm glad my back is turned. ^^;) [23:41]