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>>5307214

Pulling your neck gaiter over your face, which had miraculously stayed fastened to your person, you waste no time in clambering on the boat. You receive a few stares for the state you’re in from the few passengers that are on deck– a few, young mutant stragglers– but otherwise no one says a word.

It’s not like you really care if you’re being honest, at least not at the moment, and, without really thinking, you let yourself slump down onto the deck with an ungraceful thud, until you’ve slid back far enough to see the night sky above.

Absently, you take note of the faint pinpricks of constellations that bob along with the boat– which are barely any, even for as far as you are from the shoreline.

The more prominent thought on your mind, however, is a huge, resounding shit… Because you really cut it close back there with John, but what’s done is done.

Next time… Well, you’re not quite ready to think about that yet– the night is not quite over yet.

You should probably join the others since, you know, this whole operation was your idea from the start.

>In any case, what to do now?
>Let the others know you’re back– you’ve been gone from the boat way longer than you should’ve been.
>Make yourself decent, dammit! You’re the city’s hero– present yourself as such!
>Someone’s bound to come to you– if not, just stay comfy until the boat ride’s over.
>Write-in

>(2/2)

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Welcome back, kings, to the greatest, most campiest capeshit quest that has ever walked the face of this planet! That's right-- it's back!!!

>Previous Threads:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?searchall=mutant%21quest

Pastebin: Now added: Berserker Mechanics (take a look at that one if you haven't already)!!!
https://pastebin.com/u/SiirenQM

Recap of thread #10:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kqH26Slk5vluh3geQraMqfLhsNk9ZoOR5tBLgA1ebOg/edit?usp=sharing

>QM Twitter for updates:
twitter.com/QmSiren

----------

>Dice:
>31d100 unless otherwise noted

>Other:
This thread might be slower for reasons. Namely work. Still working out how to work around the scheduling for that, but I'm just going to take that as it comes.

Oh, and this will probably be the first and last sets of posts of the night, if only for the fact I gotta roll tomorrow.

Until next time, kings!

>>5307225
>Let the others know you’re back– you’ve been gone from the boat way longer than you should’ve been.
I missed this girl like you would believe, you too OP. How’s it going ? Nice to see your progress in art.
>>5307241
Who did this fanart ?

>>5307225
>>Let the others know you’re back– you’ve been gone from the boat way longer than you should’ve been.

>>5307225
>Let the others know you’re back– you’ve been gone from the boat way longer than you should’ve been.

Speaking of letting people know you're back, hell yea, dude--glad you're finally back! Hope work's treating you well. Digging the new art, by the way.

>>5307386
Pretty sure Bathic from Drowned Quest whipped it up.

>>5307225
>Let the others know you’re back– you’ve been gone from the boat way longer than you should’ve been.
No time to flop around... yet...

>>5307386
>>5307403
>>5307495
>>5307672

Looks like it's unanimous! Calling now! Writing!

>>5307386
What >>5307495 said-- credit goes to Bathic from Drowned Quest!! I just forgot to give the credit in the image last night cause I was admittedly tired.

Aside from that, it definitely is good to be back!

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>>5307962

For as comfortable as the boat deck might be, you suppose the logical course of action is to find the others. Whatever else can come next.

Letting your proprioception guide you forwards, you make your way towards where you can sense the familiar heartbeats of your crew– somewhere below deck, to be exact.

On your way down, you pass more of the captives, some of them more familiar to you than others, like that seagull-harpy and earth kid. It seems like everyone for the most part is crowded below the deck, except for where the captain’s quarters are. Evidently, the yacht you’re on is way larger and nicer than the last one you were on, and it had to be with all the kids you were hauling.

It’s kind of a shame that you’re probably going to have to sink it when you’re done.

“Do I even bother asking?” Are Matt’s first words once you cross the threshold to the main lounge area, raising a brow at your half-naked state. In his hand is a tennis ball, while a troupe of mutant kids look at him expectantly.

“I might’ve gotten sidetracked…” You start, not really wanting to address the events that happened not even an hour prior.

“Sidetracked.” Your brother repeats, deadpan.

“Hey stick,” Bernard cuts the two of you off with a flash of green. “Didn’t I say it was your turn to throw the–” Whatever he was going to say next is cut off as glowing eyes land on you, the sight of your half-nakedness being enough to render him silent.

“Are you okay, mister Blink?” One of the younger mutants asks innocently.

“Never better…” He chokes out, finding some spot on the ceiling very fascinating. “If you don’t mind me askin,’ fish, what took you so long anyhow?”

>(1/2)

>>5307990

“I got lost in the bay.” It’s an obvious lie. Bernard knows it, and Matt knows it too; but you’d rather not cause panic among the captives when you’d just gotten home-free. They damn-well know you tell them the full scoop later on when you don’t have a million listening ears surrounding you.

“Fore!” Matt suddenly shouts, throwing the tennis ball at the other end of the room. It ricochets off of a wall and then a fancy-looking mantle before a long, translucent tendril reaches out to grab it, courtesy of a mutant that looks like an amoeba.

Just as quickly, the ball whizzes back to you, bouncing against a couple of pieces of furniture until Bernard teleports in midair to catch it, tossing it down to Matt before he reappears at the ground.

>So how much longer until you get to the rendezvous-point?
>Just what the heck are you going to do with all of these kids?
>Anything happen while you were gone?
>Write-in

>(2/2)

>>5307993
>Just what the heck are you going to do with all of these kids?

>>5307993
>Just what the heck are you going to do with all of these kids?

We might wanna think up a plan before more trouble shows up.

>>5307993
>Just what the heck are you going to do with all of these kids?

>>5308001
>>5308015
>>5308063

>Plan? Come again?
Writing!

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>>5308106

With another cry of, “Catch!,” the tennis ball is in midair once more, and you watch as another kid takes a turn at catching the ball–this time one with a raccoon mutation. She barely misses the couch, the ball bouncing off of her fingers and onto the ground below, but she plucks it up from the ground as if it were some lost treasure, disappearing with it into the throng of former captives just as quickly.

“Got another one.” Matt calls, pulling another tennis ball out of nowhere. Which reminds you…

“What are we going to do with all these kids?” You find yourself voicing your thoughts aloud.

“Weren’t we just gonna keep em’ at the warehouse for the night?” Bernard tilts his head. For that, you really don’t have a choice.

“I meant afterwards.” You clarify, because it’s a dangerous idea to keep your base-of-operations filled with mutants on a long-term basis– both for yourselves and for the other mutants.

“Ah.” Bernard’s face fills with realization. “I just kinda thought we’d figure that one out once we got em’ situated.” He looks kind of sheepish at the admission before he turns to Matt. “Stick, you got any ideas?”

“Well,” He starts, throwing the ball back to the other end of the room. “Our main goal was to get them back home. Their homes.” Matt corrects himself, stepping closer to the two of you before lowering his voice. “We can’t really do that tonight or in a single day for that matter, so we might be finding ourselves housing some of these guys longer than we expected.”

“Define long.” You return, just as quietly. From off to the side, you watch as Bernard continues the game of catch, making a show of catching the ball with a series of flashy teleports.

“A couple of days, maybe a week…” Matt shrugs. “It all really depends on how fast we can get them back home.”

“But I mean where,” You put extra emphasis on the ‘where’ so that he’s on the same page as you. “Where are we going to put them?”

>(1/?)

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>>5308221

“Honestly, I’ve been thinking about that all night. I was almost going to suggest the sewers, and, while I hate the idea of all my clothes smelling like shit, if it boils down to it…”

Well, he’s not wrong– there really is no shortage of tunnels in Konigsburg’s sewers. You’re bound to find one or even many that will fit your newly-acquired troupe of mutants. As much as you don’t like the smell of sewage, if it’s what you have to do, it’s what you have to do.

Still, the warehouse and the sewers can’t be your only options. Honestly.

As you struggle to find any other solutions to the problem at hand, amid the turning and grinding of gears in your skull, you can’t help but blurt out, “Is there anywhere outside of Konigsburg that we could possibly hide these kids?”

At first, Matt doesn’t seem to have a response to your question… that is, until brown eyes go wide, as if suddenly remembering something.

“Hey, I know that look.” You poke him in the chest. “ If you got something, spit it out.”

“I might.” He says, smoothing over his visible features, but he still doesn’t look like he wants to spill the beans.

>(2/3)

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>>5308223

However, Matt knows very-well just how stubborn you are and that you likely won’t relent until he gives in, which he does. “You know that girl with the gravity powers? Actually, let’s just call her Nova…” He mutters. ”Anyways, back on topic, Nova’s aunt and uncle own a big-ass farm.” Immediately, it clicks, and you realize your brother’s initial reluctance at the idea.

“I can call her tomorrow. Or not. Wherever we hide these kids, it’s up to you, Kelpie.”

Putting your hand to your chin, you take a quick moment to ponder on which of these places would be the best for your newest operation at-hand…

>Where to hide the captives?
>The warehouse! (Pros: Close by, Ermac monitoring 24/7; Cons: Base of operations = gigafucked)
>The sewers! (Pros: Close by, secluded, hard for normal trespassers to navigate; Cons: might smell, dodgy closed-quarter fights)
>Nova’s!/Jenna’s! (Pros: Far away from Konigsburg; Cons: Far away from Konigsburg)
>Write-in

>(3/3)

>>5308224
>>The sewers! (Pros: Close by, secluded, hard for normal trespassers to navigate; Cons: might smell, dodgy closed-quarter fights)

I figure close-quarters works in our favor if we take the time to get the lay of the land and set it up correctly. There's also bound to be a monitoring station or maintenance area that isn't as exposed to crap water.

As for the smell, well, it'll keep the Nosey Nellies away too. We could always stock up on, like, air fresheners and disinfectant, too. The sewers also allow easy travel around the city--that should make it easy to get the kiddos home.

Warehouse is a bit too close to home and the farm, while cool, might be bad if we have to rush over in the near future.

That's it for the night-- feeling tired as hell since it's a bit past my bedtime.

Other than that, I should mention that updates/new drawings *might* be a bit sluggish in the coming weeks, namely because I'm still recovering from having two episodes in the same nine-day span.The cure, thankfully, is none other than R&R, so I'll be doing just that in the meantime.

As always, thanks for playing, and see you next time, kings!

>>5308224
>Nova’s!/Jenna’s! (Pros: Far away from Konigsburg; Cons: Far away from Konigsburg)
Bruh I almost forgot Jenna herself was a mutant. How strong are her powers again ? like echoes act 3 or higher ?
>>5308235
damn, I wish you well my dude. btw what's R&R ?

>>5308224
>The sewers! (Pros: Close by, secluded, hard for normal trespassers to navigate; Cons: might smell, dodgy closed-quarter fights)
Pros: cool, sewers!
Cons: oh no, sewers...

>>5308224
>>Nova’s!/Jenna’s! (Pros: Far away from Konigsburg; Cons: Far away from Konigsburg)

>>5308238

R&R = rest and relaxation/rest and recuperation--and yeah that thread with Jenna in it seemed like forever ago.

>Jenna's powers
As for her powers, I'd say definitely higher than Echoes Act 3-- in thread #3, with negligible control over her powers at that time, she was able to negate the gravitational field around the entire bank and then some (if I'm remembering correctly). Since then, she's gotten a way better handle over her powers.

Gonna leave the vote until later, since there seems to be a bit of an impasse here.

Wew. Guess that vote really is a tough one, which is why I'm gonna call the vote in about a half-hour (probably with a dice roll or something), so until then!

>>5309037
Screw it--I'll change >>5308231 to
>Farm

>>5308238
>>5308485
>>5309071
>Goodbye, city life!

>>5308407
>Morlock ripoffs!

Congrats on taking advantage of my lateness--Looks like some mutants are going to get to discover the joys of country living in the near future!

Writing!

Sorry folks, I'm not feeling all that great, so I'm going to move the update to tomorrow-- hopefully sometime in the afternoon.

Thanks for the understanding, and see you next time, kings!

>>5309207
Take your time, OP. Get well and post your best fit fishes

>>5309207
You weak, wretched, SLIME of a QM... How DARE you?

Nah really dude, take care of yourself. And do what >>5309213 and get well enough to post more fit fish.

>>5309213
>>5309219

Thanks frens! Feeling a lot less funky after resting-- might not be in the 100% field quite yet, but I'm definitely feeling much better than last night!

Anyhow, enough procrastinating-- it's writing time!

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>>5309736

You take a moment to consider where exactly you should hide these kids.

On one hand, you have the sewers, which would have no shortage of tunnels and passages to hide in. Moreover, you’ve found that the sewers have kind-of grown on you if you’re being honest with yourself– aside from the very-distinctive smell, there’s something about the tunnels that you find almost welcoming, in a strange sort of way.

If your hiding place were to be found, particularly by FutureLabs or any of their affiliates, a closed-quarter fight could get dodgy pretty fast, and, with one wrong turn, any of the mutants here that you just saved would be good as captured.

This isn’t for you, however, and, the more you think about it, the more appeal you find in the idea of sending the captives off to Jenna’s farm. While you can’t quite recall how far said farm is from Konigsburg, there’s a lot more breathing room and room to run if need be. You’d think the kids would appreciate the prospect of open space much more than a cramped sewer as well.

It’s a no-brainer, really. And, with that, you declare your choice with a, “Let’s go with the farm!”

“Really?” Matt lifts a brow, looking slightly surprised. “Could’ve sworn you would’ve gone for the sewer if I’m being honest.”

“You said it yourself,” You tell him, giving Matt a nudge with your elbow. “Do you really think anyone here would honestly like going somewhere that smells like sewage of all things?”

“Touche.” Your brother finally concedes. “I’ll let Nova know tomorrow– getting them all out of Konigsburg will be an absolute cinch.”

“You already have a plan?” A smile pulls at your lips.

>(1/?)

>>5309806

“Do you remember who you’re talking to?” A hint of smug pride fills Matt’s voice. “Since when don’t I have a plan?” At that, he straightens up, nearly starting for the direction of the captain’s quarters, but then stops just as quickly, eyes training themselves back onto you.

“By the way,” Matt begins, his voice much lower than it was before, so that only you can hear. “What did take you so long?”

“Why is it so important?” You respond, voice suddenly becoming a hiss. It’s clear that you’re none-too-pleased that Matt brought up something you hoped he would’ve dropped for the time being. Sure, he might be asking in case there’s more of FutureLabs’ goons trailing you, but that last fight with John left a bad taste in your mouth.

“Well, for starters, you’ve been standing around in your underwear the whole damn time without giving a crap.” He points out. “Either A: you’ve completely forgotten where you are and what the hell you’re doing; or B: there’s something else that’s on your mind.”

“I destroyed all the boats and their backup.” You respond, crossing your arms.

“Good.” Matt finally nods after a beat. “Then that’s all I needed to know. Now let me make sure Pharos is charting the course correctly, or someone’s gonna get it...” And, with that, he swivels on his foot, throwing his bat over his shoulder and disappearing into the crowd.

From an outside point of view, it would appear that Matt’s curiosity had been sated. However, you know for a fact that he’ll want full details later, because he’s not stupid. Everyone will have to know you nearly got gutted in your fight with John, like… like a damn fish!

“Hey Kelpie!” Bernard’s voice rouses you from your thoughts. “I got a problem with one of the kids over here.” Turning around to face him, you find that the blonde is carrying a short, tawny-haired kid so that his arms are pinned to his sides– a familiar one, to be more precise.

>(2/3)

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>>5309812

“Stooooop!” Simon whines, kicking his feet at the air. “Put me down!”

“Not until you stop usin’ your power on the other kids without permission.” Is Bernard’s rebuttal.

“But they let me.” Simon insists, pausing his kicks for a brief moment.

“That’s a lie, and you know it.” Bernard doesn't believe him one bit, and, turning his focus back to you, the teleporter asks, “Any clue on what to do with the miniature psychic?”

“I’m not a psychic!” The small kid is more indignant at being called a psychic than the fact he’s being carried around like a toddler, and now his reddish eyes are on you. “Tell him, Kelpie!”

“No, Simon is not a psychic.” You shake your head, finding his insistence oddly amusing. “He just seems to really like using his power on people without their permission.”

While you thought you’d given Simon a good lesson on what happens to kids who use their powers on others without permission, it seems that he didn’t quite get the message. Still, you should see what he has to say for himself.

>Wat do?

>Give him a chance to plead his case. Figure out if he *really* got permission, or is he lying through his teeth?
>What kind of stories did he think he was going to find around here with everyone being a former-captive anyhow?
>What did you say about him keeping his freaky-deaky hands off of other people? Were you not clear enough back at the building?!
>Reluctantly give him the benefit of the doubt with a small warning on the side. You don’t see the big deal in him using his power on others if they let him.
>Write-in

>>5309819
>>Give him a chance to plead his case. Figure out if he *really* got permission, or is he lying through his teeth?
alright shitty tot, you get one freebie

>>5309819
>Give him a chance to plead his case. Figure out if he *really* got permission, or is he lying through his teeth?
You're on thin ice, kiddo!

>>5309889
+1

>>5309831
>>5309889
>>5309896

Time to see what Simon has to say for himself!
Writing!

>>5309819
>Give him a chance to plead his case. Figure out if he *really* got permission, or is he lying through his teeth?

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>>5309976

Kids are poor liars, and really obvious ones at that– even the mutant ones are no different than their normal-kid counterparts. Simon should be no different.

“Alright, Simon.” You address him, putting a hand on your hip. In Bernard’s hold, the small kid is nearly eye-level with you, but, on ground-level, he would barely come past your hips. “Give me one good reason why I should believe you.”

“Uh–” He stammers, reddish eyes bugging slightly. You feel his heart rate pick up just the slightest. “Um… I helped you guys find that stuff you wanted, didn’t I?” The Aurum Impulsum, you recall, although you could’ve easily found that on your own with a little extra time and searching.

Still, that’s not an actual reason, and, when Simon realizes that the two of you aren’t buying it, he tries for a different angle, one that has a bit more logic than his first attempt at a plea.

“Ask the seagull girl!” He exclaims, eyes lighting up with a new idea. “Let’s go see her– she’ll tell you I’m not a liar.”

No sooner does he say that then are the three of you taken to the seagull girl in a flash.

—----

“No?” Disbelief colors Bernard’s voice.

“That’s right. I let him.” The bird-girl affirms, who calls herself Delilah. At the moment, you don’t really care if it’s her real name or a codename.

“No offense, kid, but you looked kinda wonky when you were under his spell.” Having been at the tail-end of Valjean’s power, Bernard seems to be more cautious of Simon than either you or the seagull-harpy. “You sure you really let him do that to you?”

>(1/?)

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>>5310190

“...I wanted to.” She nods before digging her face into the crook of her shoulder in a very birdlike way. “I wanted to see if I made back– caw!” The end of that sentence is punctuated by a series of coughs.

Mind flitting back to your time at the compound, you do remember that she’d been coughing back there as well. In addition, the hard, cold stone likely hadn’t been too good for a mutant of her size and stature. Perhaps choosing the farm over the sewers was a good idea after all.

Finally, she says, “I wanted to see if I made it back home.”

“Did you?” You wonder aloud. Her lips quirk upwards in the faintest semblance of a smile, so you’ll take that as a yes in your book. At that, Delilah goes back to preening herself, not really paying attention to the three of you anymore.

“Case closed?” You fire the question off to Bernard, who still seems nonplussed about this whole thing.

“Looks like it’s your lucky day– you’re free to go, Simon.” Rather dubiously, Bernard lowers the younger kid to the ground. “Now don’t go doin’ your mind-stuff without permission, cause I’ll know.” He waggles a finger at Simon. “It’s not nice, ya hear?”

“I won’t.” Simon says earnestly. “See you soon!” He waves, dipping out from your view, and, with that you feel him disappear from your side of the room.

While you’re not in the mood to play ball yourself, you entertain yourself by watching Bernard resume the game of catch he was playing with the other kids, but it isn’t long before the game of catch comes to a close as the crackle of an intercom interrupts the game.

”Hello, this is your captain speaking, telling you that it is now time to disembark.” Valjean’s voice resounds throughout the room. “Please gather below deck in a calm and orderly fashion, where our complementary teleporter will take you to your next destination.” Stealing a glance around the room, you watch as the captives file into the room a little too calmly for your standards. No way that Valjean isn’t using his power there. “As always, your cooperation is appreciated. Thank you for sailing with the Pharos Cruise Line.”

“Looks like it’s my time to shine, fish.” At that, Bernard pulls another Super Vital Shot out of nowhere, tears the top off, and downs the whole thing in one go.

>(2/?)

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>>5310208

With renewed fervor, Bernard takes the captives from the ship in groups of twos, threes, and fours, stopping only to let more captives grab onto him. Next goes Valjean, Matt, and Julia, followed by the loot you took from the club.

All that’s left is you and the boat, and, without really even thinking about it, you drive your fist into the nearest wall a good several times until water is downright gushing into the lounging room.

As you watch the opulent space fill up with water, you’re vaguely reminded of that one movie with the giant boat, the R.M.S. Gigantes. You definitely didn’t cry at the end of it, and, even if you did (which you definitely did not), no one was around to see it.

So, yeah, it definitely did not happen, nor did you used to cry when you heard that stupid flute song on the radio. Anyone who says otherwise is a liar!

“Kelpie,” Bernard snaps you out of your musings, voice devoid of the energy that was present only minutes ago. “What? Did you think I was gonna let you swim back home?” That’s what you assumed since you’re the one sinking it.

”Well, I like a midnight swim as much as the next guy, but I’m feelin’ kinda tapped out.”

With the water nearly up to his shoulders, you make to close the distance between the two of you, and, the second your hand touches his, the sinking ship is replaced by the familiar walls of the warehouse.

>(3/?)

>>5310209

Since it’s usually only five of you at most, it throws you off for a split second to have so many extra people in the warehouse, but your focus is brought back to Bernard as he throws his arms around your neck, barely standing on his own two feet.

Carefully, wordlessly, you help the blonde to the ground, letting him lean on your shoulder for support.

“Nngghh… How far was that stupid boat from this place?” He grouses, but the complaint itself is half-hearted.

“I think Bludgeon got us as far as we could get to the warehouse without compromising it.” You tell Bernard, remembering the barest bones of Matt’s plan.

“...felt like a lot more than that…” Bernard mumbles, not seeming to care that he’s using your half-naked body as a pillow. Unaware, he slouches more, head lolling onto your shoulder. “But you gotta see the bat we got–” He stops, trying to hold onto the last threads of consciousness but to no avail. “...the bat we got stick… s’ the coolest thing…”

That’s the last thing he manages to say before he’s gone from the land of the wakeful, warm breaths brushing against your skin.

>Get Bernard somewhere comfy, stat. He’s earned it!
>Go find that loot Bernard was talking about– you might be tired, but now you wanna see that new bat for yourself!
>Stay where you are for now– you’re not going anywhere until Bernard wakes up, and it doesn’t look like he’s waking up any time soon. Plus, you deserve the rest.
>Write-in

>(4/4)

>>5310233
>>Get Bernard somewhere comfy, stat. He’s earned it!

Damn. It's way past my newly-established, functional human-being bedtime by a wide margin.

Good thing I get a day off tomorrow yeet yeet! I may have plans tomorrow, however, so updates will probably be like around 7-8 EST unless I say otherwise.

As always, thanks for playing, and see you next time, kings!

>>5310233
>Get Bernard somewhere comfy, stat. He’s earned it!
>>5310246
Sleep Tight OP

>>5310233
>Get Bernard somewhere comfy, stat. He’s earned it!

>>5310233
>Get Bernard somewhere comfy, stat. He’s earned it!

oh pog this is back

>>5310236
>>5310250
>>5310431
>>5310618

>Le unanimous vote
Writing!

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>>5310908

“Yo, B.” You lower Bernard so you can pat his cheek once, then twice to try to rouse him. However, the only response you get for your troubles is a loud, drawn-in snore.

If Bernard was teleporting as many people as you think he did at such a far distance from the warehouse, then it isn’t all-that surprising to you that he really is out for the count.

You should get him somewhere comfy, you think. Bernard pretty much earned it for all the heavy lifting he did, teleportation-wise.

Hefting the blonde up in a bridal carry, you make for the new loft at the end of the warehouse– the one that Bernard wanted to build by himself. On it, there’s already an old mattress with springs bursting out of its sides as well as a few of the blonde’s T-shirts.

However, you find that the loft is occupied by one of the captives: a kid who looks like he just stepped out of that Meinkraft game.

He’d been setting down new planks of wood on the half-finished platform, but your sudden arrival causes the kid to whip around, looking like he just got caught with his block-hand in the cubical cookie jar.

“No, keep doing what you’re doing! I’m just bringing Blink somewhere to sleep.” You tell the kid, who looks a whole lot less tense after those words.

>(1/?)

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>>5311119

Taking stock of block-kid’s handiwork, you find that, not only did he almost finish the platform, but he also added torches. Torches! Curiously, you put your finger to one, finding that it's just about as warm as a heated blanket. The crafting table, on the other hand, does nothing when you poke it or slap your hand down against it. Perhaps it’s something that only works for him? You wonder to yourself, which is most likely the case.

“Wanna see my diamond pickaxe?” The kid interrupts your examination of the crafting table, and you nod, because why the heck not? Proudly, the kid brandishes it, but, at the same time, he looks kind of sheepish for whatever reason.

“Uh…I got in a lot of trouble for making this. I took my grandma’s necklace to get the diamonds.” He scratches the back of his head. Before, you couldn't really tell how old this kid was with his mutation, but, after hearing him speak, it sounds as if he were just about high-school age, if not a little older.

“I enchanted the crap out of it though so it’d never break.” Block-kid continues, and, looking closer at the pickaxe, you note the glowing sheen that encompasses it.

“I took some of your wood too, if you don’t mind.”

“Yeah, go ahead–we’re not using anything here.” If the warehouse gets a long-overdue cleanup, you don’t really mind. “Got a name I can call you?”

He takes a second to consider your question before finally saying. “Ralph is fine.” From the tone of his voice, it sounds like he couldn’t really think of anything better, but you’re not one to judge.

“Well, nice to meet you, Ralph.” And, even though he can’t see it from beneath your covered face, you flash him a grin anyway. “Just hang tight, kid. We’ll get you home soon.”

>(2/3)

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>>5311125

There’s a newfound smile on Ralph’s cuboid features, and, with a couple of quick hand-chopping motions, you watch as he destroys the bed you were just about to put Bernard on.

While you're miffed about getting bed taken from you so suddenly, your gut says the block-kid’s up to something, and, true to your intuition, the dingy mattress is replaced with a brand-new bed in a matter of seconds.

“Try it.” Ralph’s prompts.

Leaning down to touch the new bed, Bernard’s lanky frame still in your hold, you find that it looks and feels like a regular bed, which is what you kind of expected here. Still, you have to wonder if it does anything special like the torches, or does it just do nothing for you like the crafting table.

At this point, you’re pretty sure that most of the stuff responds in a video-gamey way when only Ralph uses it, while everything else reacts normally for every other, non-cubic folk.

With that reasoning in mind, you’re pretty sure the bed is safe enough for Bernard– or anyone else for that matter– and, with that, you set the teleporter down on the bed, not wasting time in sitting on it yourself.

Sweet crap. you think. The bed really is comfy.

>(3/4)

>>5311130

While you don’t think anyone will disturb Bernard on the loft, you can’t find it in you to get up off the bed.

Ralph, meanwhile, seems content to keep to himself and his building, and you can’t really argue with that– there have been too many times where you’ve seen Matt lose entire days to the construction of Meinkraft monoliths.

The temptation to stay is indeed very real.

>What do you do?
>Call in the rest of your crew on your comms– make sure there's order with the rest of the captives (Who?)
>Go peep the loot you got at the Miller-Ford Building. Didn’t Bernard say something about a new bat?
>Stay here for now– there are a shitton of other mutants afoot, and it's comfy! You’ll stay for that reason and nothing else.
>Write-in

>(4/4)

That's it for the night! I gotta go to bed if I want any hope of not being a walking corpse in the morning.

Probably no update tomorrow, unless I feel sufficiently not-tired.
As always, thanks for playing, and see you next time, kings!

>>5311164
I can guess what Ralph was doing when the particle accelerator exploded. Is this a form or is he stuck like this forever? I guess there are worse physical mutations you could get... This
recent batch of mutants is pretty bullshit, but M-guard is also kinda bullshit so I can't complain.
>Go peep the loot you got at the Miller-Ford Building. Didn’t Bernard say something about a new bat?

>>5311178
So, on the topic of our loot... What do we do with the Aurum Impulsum? Do we risk drawbacks and maybe death in exchange for powerups?
Jewel is out on account of already having her dose, Ermac is out on account of not having a body, I don't trust Pharos with even more power.
And we already struggle with keeping Elise in check so I'm certanly not voting for us.
Blink has the most important power on the team for sure, he certainly could use the powerup. But no one could use a powerup more than Matt, tho we don't know IC that you can give normies powers with AuIm, he's the safer option. So, what do you guys think?

>>5311164
>Go peep the loot you got at the Miller-Ford Building. Didn’t Bernard say something about a new bat?
Meinkraft reminds me of that funny video of a German grandpa who mistakes the Minecraft his grandson wanted for a copy of Meinkampf

>>5311164
>Go peep the loot you got at the Miller-Ford Building. Didn’t Bernard say something about a new bat?

>>5311164
>Go peep the loot you got at the Miller-Ford Building. Didn’t Bernard say something about a new bat?
Where's the redstone?

>>5311164
>Stay here for now– there are a shitton of other mutants afoot, and it's comfy! You’ll stay for that reason and nothing else.
definitely no other reason

>>5311164
>>Go peep the loot you got at the Miller-Ford Building. Didn’t Bernard say something about a new bat?

>>5311178
>>5311225
>>5311242
>>5311417
>>5312387

>Peep that shit!

>>5311572
>Stay cause it's comfy, b-baka...

Looks like loot-check wins out! I'll start writing the update later in the afternoon.

But just to answer/respond to some stuff first:
>>5311178
Yes, Ralph is stuck as-is. Kind of sucks when you put it in perspective-- some mutants are less fortunate than others.

>>5311225
Saw that. Keked heartily.

>>5311417
Ralph can only take pre-existing materials and use them as 'blocks,' if you will. However, in a sort-of black-boxed way-- the same way he could take the junk bed and convert it into a new, Meinkrafty bed-- he is able to take certain gemstones (i.e. rubies to redstone) and convert them into their in-game equivalent. Does not work for all gems though. That, and it would take a heaping ton of rubies to accomplish anything of worth.

>>5313116

Forgot trip dammit.

>>5313116
So we can buy him several dozens of eggs, and have him throw them around until we get cute cubic chicken-ducks?

>>5313116
Somebody needs to get him pumpkins and saplings and a bucket and a portal to hell so he can mine in the Nether

>>5313179
>spoiler
if he has an enchanted diamond pickaxe he has obsidian, so he could make a portal if the nether actually exist.
Also, if he can get five diamonds out of one necklace surely it shouldn't be hard for him to get enough redstone for a perpetual motion machine to give us infinite clean energy.

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>>5313125
Odds are 1/8 kek. Would behave exactly like the in-game chicken. Edibility to normies is unknown as of yet.

>>5313322
>>5313179
At least for Ralph, the Nether *does* exist, kinda like in those comics where the MC can access video-game mechanics. Recall how Ralph was able to use the crafting table, but Elise wasn't. He doesn't and will not talk about it. Picrel.

>clean energy
Didn't even think of that-- I'm pretty piss poor when it comes to redstone mechanics. Had to google how that works myself. But it looks like Ralph has a very promising future as an energy tycoon.

>>5313374
I'm not knowledgable in redstone at all but i'm pretty sure all you need is a repeater and a red torch to make a piston go on and on infinitely. There you have it, infinite clean energy.

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>>5313116

Ah, the loot! That’s right– you picked up some pretty interesting stuff from the crates before you high-tailed it out of there.

For one, there was that bat that Bernard kept going on about, and, while you don’t have any need for a bat or any weapon for that matter, you’re sure Matt is over the moon for it.

More importantly, however, was the Aurum Impulsum; had it been left in the hands of the enemy, it wouldn’t have been long before someone learned how to synthesize it into some sort of street drug.

Now the nefarious serum is in your hands, and you need to figure out just what you’re going to do with it.

Sparing one last glance to Bernard, who continues to sleep without a care in the world, you hop right off the platform in the direction of where you sense the others.

Even before you reach them, you can hear the sounds of heated chatter. Over what, you’re not sure, but, once you near your teammates, the topic of debate soon becomes clear.

“Watch it!” That comes from Valjean.

“Don’t be such a wimp–” Is Matt’s retort, followed by the sound of a resounding crash. “You’re in a bullet-proof vest for crying out loud!”

“What’s the commotion?” Your arrival interrupts the squabble-in-progress.

“Got a new bat and am taking it for a spin.” Matt brandishes his new weapon proudly before driving it into the nearest crate, the force of his swing breaking right through the wood.

>(1/3)

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>>5313536

Compared to his old bat, while you’re not an expert on metals, the new bat seems far sturdier than his old one. However, the defining feature of the new bat is that it’s wrapped in barbed wire– that, and regular wire as well.

“It’s just a bat covered in barbed wire.” Julia points out the obvious. “What’s so special about that?”

Wordlessly, your brother presses a button on the side, causing small, electrical sparks to dance across the spikes. Looks, however, are very deceptive, and you know for a fact that any normal person that gets shocked by that is going to be down for the count. Neat!

Though, you have to wonder how Matt’s not getting shocked by the bat, until you notice the material wrapped around the handle. Whatever that’s made of is likely some sort of insulator, you reason.

“Where’s the other stuff?” You segue the conversation into more pressing matters, like the Aurum Impulsum. You know it’s on Matt, as you can feel that same, leaden aura that you felt back at the Miller-Ford Building emanating from somewhere on his person.

“The Yuan?” Matt throws a fat stack of foreign bills to the ground. “Don’t see why you guys took what’s basically funny money, but I’m not one to judge.”

>(2/3)

>>5313539

“She means the Aurum Impulsum, you obtuse midget.” A bolt of shock courses through you, and, in the darkness, you see Matt’s eyes widen just a fraction. Is Valjean able to feel it too?

You don’t spend long guessing, however, as the former Crux leader then adds, “Maranzano had plans to sell it before we busted down his little operation– that operative you fought said so herself.”

“Then shouldn’t it have been somewhere with the captives?” Julia questions, and the question is enough to have two sets of eyes on you.

>Wat do?
>Lie. You didn’t have enough time to search with Zeus blowing up the side of the building.
>Flip the topic of conversation. Shouldn’t there have been some on that Predator mutant you fought?
>Be transparent with your team. Tell them you have it, and that’s that.
>Write-in

>(3/3)

>>5313544
>>Be transparent with your team. Tell them you have it, and that’s that.
Thank Simon for that

>>5313544
>Be transparent with your team. Tell them you have it, and that’s that.
Did we end up using it ? Gotta check the archive real quick.

>>5313587

Nope. It hasn't been used. We gave it to Bernard, who handed it off to Matt.

Calling vote at about 9:30 EST cause I gotta wake up early.

>>5313549
>>5313587

Called! Writing!

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>>5313618

It’d be no use to hide this from your team, not when you’re going to be working together for as long as it takes to bring down FutureLabs.

“We have the Aurum Impulsum.” You direct your words at the two former Crux members. While both Valjean’s and Julia’s faces are unreadable, Matt gives you a look as if you just killed someone. The heck, Matt?

“So you did find it.” Valjean’s words are more of a statement than a question.

“Yes.” You affirm, wondering just what he has to say about the matter.

“Better you guys than Maranzano or FutureLabs, I guess. Asshole’s going to be running back to New York with his tail between his legs after this, that’s for sure.” Valjean says, a jeering grin spreading across his face. “So much for that so-called mafia pride.”

“Well, if FutureLabs didn’t have their eyes on them before, then they definitely do now.” Matt interjects. “This might work in our favor in the long run.”

With no one saying anything to that, your brother takes that as his cue to continue.

“So you know how Maranzano’s main headquarters is actually in New York, and FutureLabs was just given the go-ahead to deploy their forces there?” The question is mostly a rhetorical one. “What I’m thinking is that they’ll eventually go after Maranzano, possibly in the near future, and so they’ll be spreading their forces pretty damn thin if they decide some special intervention is needed.” Special as in mutant, your mind fills in.

“So if and when we finally extract Conduit, I was thinking we could coincide it with whenever they’re deployed.” Matt finishes.

>(1/?)

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>>5313720

“Not to be the bearer of bad news, genius, but it’s not like FutureLabs is especially forthcoming with their information.” Valjean crosses his arms.

“Are you kidding? That whole freaking group has been the talk of the Internet ever since the conference– they even got a Chitter hashtag. And merch!” Matt sounds almost jealous at that last part.

What did they call themselves again? The X-Force? True to Matt’s word, you get bombarded with those damn headlines every time you open a social media app, and you’re getting really tired of seeing John’s traitorous face plastered everywhere. Clyde’s too!

“Then there’s the MutantWatch station.” Matt’s voice interrupts your seething train-of-thought. You’ve been using that radio station to save other mutants for as long as you’ve known it existed. “Honestly, I’m surprised they still haven’t caught onto us.”

“That’s cause most people are too stupid to use the radio anymore.” Is Valjean’s remark.

“Damn right.”

“So when are we taking these kids out of Konigsburg?” You wonder aloud, mind flitting to another topic of importance. You hadn’t been really paying attention before, but, so far as the captives have been in the warehouse, they’d been acting a whole lot less raucous than they were on the boat. Almost unnaturally so.

You got a good idea as to who the culprit is, and, while you’d like to tell Valjean not to brainwash the captives, you think it’s better that they don’t act as rambunctious as they would be while they’re still in your main base of operations. For now, you’ll let the whole brainwashing-thing slide.

“Tomorrow night, when B’s ready for it of course.” Is Matt’s answer. “Gonna teleport them out of Konigsburg and drive them all to Nova’s. Not in our car, of course.”

>(2/3)

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>>5313721

“Who’s Nova?” Julia lifts an eyebrow. You watch your brother fidget a bit through the darkness.

“A friend.” Matt says and leaves it at that.

With that taken care of, all that’s left is to wait for Bernard to wake up so you can go home and catch some rest before you have to follow up with the plan Matt already concocted.

That is, if he wakes up anytime soon. He could very well sleep right into the next day if you let him.

>What do you do?
>Stay awake until Bernard’s up. That shouldn’t be long at all, right?
>Go find somewhere to sleep– the kids are sort-of taken care of and you’re very, very tired.
>Wait– you had something else to talk about (Who?/What?)!
>Write-in

>(3/3)

That's it for the night! Will try for an update tomorrow (at least one). If not, I'll let you guys know.

Also, for the third option there, I meant 'with whom.' Not 'about who.' Simple mistake on my part, and I don't feel like deleting.


Other than that, if you *have* noticed the absence of new drawings... I may have hit my hand on a ceiling fan. Wouldn't have admitted it otherwise, but it affects my drawing hand. And I like making new drawings :C

As always, thanks for playing, and see you next time, kings!

>>5313729
>Stay awake until Bernard’s up. That shouldn’t be long at all, right?
Not long at all! Obviously we should stick with him--I'm sure we won't conk out in the same room or anything weird like that! H-haha...

>>5313738
Sounds like you met your biggest fan, QM. Hope it feels better soon--we dig your drawings too.

>>5313729
>>Go find somewhere to sleep– the kids are sort-of taken care of and you’re very, very tired.

>>5313729
>Go find somewhere to sleep– the kids are sort-of taken care of and you’re very, very tired.

>>5313729
>Go find somewhere to sleep– the kids are sort-of taken care of and you’re very, very tired
Go sleep (literally) with Bernard

>>5313729
>Wait– you had something else to talk about (Who?/What?)!
Ask Matt why he was so freaked we admitted to owning the Impulsum

>>5313721
also that stuff makes it past the FutureLabs social media stranglehold? Must be because it isn't critical of them

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>>5313741
>Sleep is for the WEAAAKKKKKK
Keked at the pun way too hard.

>>5313762
>>5313780
>>5313787
>Good night, sweet prince(ss)

>>5314221
>Write-in!
If Lockheed Martin can market pride socks, why can't FutureLabs market their own superheroes? Picrel.
And pretty much as you said that stuff makes it past the stranglehold, at least within the bounds of Konigsburg, since it's not mission critical. I think I either mentioned or implied this in an earlier thread (pretty sure it was the one thread where Matt was trolling Eddie on Chitter), but FL pays social media companies grossly to keep Konigsburg-based trends or hashtags (i.e. muties) *within* Konigsburg. Even still, most non-Konigsburg natives who've managed to get a glimpse of mutant-based content are highly skeptical about the concept of mutants, though you have the occasional fanatic who wholeheartedly BELIEVES.

Anyways, just got back from work, so I'll start writing up the next update in a bit.

>>5314432
WAIT A SECOND. I just realized I'm stupid.
Julia is made out of diamonds. We could get our own diamond axe from Ralph right now!
Ah well, next vote for sure.

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>>5314432

The more you think about sleep, the more appealing the idea becomes– that is, the idea of going to sleep yourself. Thankfully for you, Valjean and Julia take their leave once it’s settled that you’ll be taking the kids out of Konigsburg tomorrow.

You’re pretty sure Matt’s got the specifics of that more-than handled.

Speaking of which, there was something you wanted to ask him once you got him on his own.

“Still here?” You address him, lowering your voice a notch.

“Mhmm…” Matt hums, making himself comfortable against the wall.

“Why’d you look so freaked that I told the others about the Aurum Impulsum?” You cut straight to the chase.

At that, he gives you a look– one that tells you he wasn’t quite expecting that question– and, for a good, long moment, he doesn’t say anything, opting to run a hand down the bridge of his nose.

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Matt huffs. “Don’t beat yourself up over that shit. I’m the one being stupid here.”

“Stupid how?” You shoot back, still wondering what Matt’s issue with the whole transparency thing is.

“I’m just… I dunno, I keep getting paranoid over every damn thing. It kinda feels like a force of habit not to trust anyone at all… even though the asshat knowing about the Aurum Impulsum doesn’t really make a bit of difference.” Your brother trails off, pulling at the hem of his sleeve.

“So what was the big deal then?” You ask, waiting patiently as Matt seems to wrack his brain for an answer.

>(1/?)

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>>5314620

“Just…” Matt starts, dithering a bit over his words. “I honestly feel fucked up over what John did to us.” He admits, and it becomes glaringly obvious what the root of your brother’s trepidation is. “You think that shit hasn’t been on my mind all day long? Just how much time until the next person comes and screws us over?”

You’re reminded that it hasn’t even been a day since John revealed himself as a mutant, and not even a few hours since you fought him yourself. “Sorry if I’m ranting, but all of this has really gotten to my head.”

While Matt isn’t one for useless platitudes or anything else of the sort, you think that listening to him is the best support you can give him for the time being. At the very least, you’re thankful he’s not asking about what happened before you got on the boat or back at the Miller-Ford Building in general, though you know he hasn’t forgotten.

>(2/3)

>>5314623

If anyone should know what happened back there, it’s Matt– because, while John has sworn himself as your enemy, he’s still your brother– which is why Matt has as much of a right to know as you.

You feel the words forming on the tip of your tongue. At the same time, however, a lump forms in your throat that prevents you from speaking, as the sensation of that brutal fight is still fresh in your mind.

>Tell him what happened. Get it over with.
>Drop it for now and get some rest. You’re not ready to talk about it quite yet-- plus, you think the others should definitely know.
>Write-in

>(3/3)

>>5314628
>Tell him what happened. Get it over with.
You think you feel bad? We're about to blow this poor child out of the water in these depression olympics.

>>5314628
>>Tell him what happened. Get it over with.
then tomorrow you'll wake up fresh and free of grievances

>>5314628
>Tell him what happened. Get it over with.
It's a shitty situation, but Matt needs to know. John clearly isn't going to pull his punches in the future, so we gotta make sure Matt won't either.

>>5314623
That john is looking fresh
>>5314628
>Tell him what happened. Get it over with.

>>5314630
>>5314632
>>5314643
>>5314689

Called! Writing!

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>>5314694

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6MdOmOelbM

Like the beat of a fervent rock tune, the weight of the night’s events relentlessly crash down upon you. All-too-quickly, Matt’s voice brings you back to the present. “What’s wrong?”

You bite your tongue until you taste blood, feeling a rush of warmth slide down your throat. The familiar taste does nothing to calm the buzzing tumult that is your mind, but, instead, you bite harder, as if to bite your own tongue from your mouth.

It’d be far easier to clam up and run away– to leave the problem to fester like a spot of mold until the next time you’re confronted about it. However, something within you is urging you to spill your guts to Matt here and now.

“I fought him tonight, you know, and do you want to know what happened?” Your tongue ultimately betrays you, the words tumbling helplessly from your mouth. Still, you let the words dangle in the air, as if they were hanging from a noose.

“He tried to kill me.” You finish, long and drawn-out. Matt doesn’t respond; the hollow look in his eyes is a mere echo of how you feel. What could he possibly say?

That’s all it takes for the rest to come pouring from your lips like a gushing waterfall– from the detour with Clyde, to the ambush, to the part where you confronted John about his wrongdoings.

Most importantly, however, is one thing you would have never imagined, not even in your wildest dreams. It’s that John…

John is just like you.

That same face you’ve seen for the past eighteen years of your life– one that’s been present in nearly every stepping stone of your life– shares a body with the scaled, hulking monstrosity you faced off against in the bay: Jacobson.

And, just like you, there's a roaring instinct that thrums beneath the surface of his skin, brutal and visceral and unforgiving in every sense. You saw that side of your older brother firsthand.

>(1/2)

>>5314924

As much as you wish to deny it, you could feel the killing intent for yourself, whether that stemmed from John’s own brutal instinct or a deep-seated desire for revenge over Eddie’s “death.” But your instinct, while savage and unpredictable, has hardly ever been wrong about that sort of thing.

“I wonder if we could have stopped this if we told him from the get-go…” Matt mutters, at as much of a loss as you are. Even retroactively, the mere idea of revealing your secret to anyone-- especially John-- makes your blood run cold.

>What do you say?
>You couldn’t have known this would’ve happened. Not whatsoever. Whatever happened has happened– nothing can change that.
>Maybe telling him would’ve been the better option back then– maybe you could’ve gotten some help (any help?)– but you were stupid and scared and didn’t have one ounce of control over your powers. It’s not your fault!
>Who’s to say he wouldn’t have taken you straight to FutureLabs if you revealed yourself? Even if it was out of misguided kindness, you’d be worse-off in the long-run.
>Telling him anything wouldn’t have changed a thing– he would’ve still hidden his powers from you anyways. Would've still hidden everything from you (wouldn't he have?).
>Write-in

>(2/2)

That's it. I'm dead for the night-- super dead actually, which is like dead but with a cape.

As always, thanks for playing, and see you next time, kings!

>>5314931
>He'd still be under Atticus' thumb and a mutant so...
>>Who’s to say he wouldn’t have taken you straight to FutureLabs if you revealed yourself? Even if it was out of misguided kindness, you’d be worse-off in the long-run.
>No M-Guard means lots of people enslaved or dead. Sucks to say that your conscience and John's wellbeing is a small sacrifice for the greater good.
>Telling the truth is suicide so long as FutureLabs exists, so we'll fix that problem first and deal with the fallout then.

>>5314931
>Who’s to say he wouldn’t have taken you straight to FutureLabs if you revealed yourself? Even if it was out of misguided kindness, you’d be worse-off in the long-run.

>>5314931
>Who’s to say he wouldn’t have taken you straight to FutureLabs if you revealed yourself? Even if it was out of misguided kindness, you’d be worse-off in the long-run.

>>5314969
+1

>>5314969
>>5314987
>>5315012
>>5315180

I can work with all of these. Writing!

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>>5315456

Matt might be speaking in the hypothetical sense, but he’s wrong all the same, which is why you tell him outright, “That wouldn’t have changed the fact that he’d still be a mutant, and he’d still be right under Atticus Charles’ thumb.”

Telling John your secret wouldn’t have changed a thing– at least for John himself, it wouldn’t have– whether or not he told you his own secret in kind.

“Maybe…” Matt mumbles, not quite looking you in the eye.

“Maybe what?” You echo, wondering what Matt has to say on the matter.

“Maybe he would’ve helped you with, you know…” He pauses, hesitating over his words. “...your instincts and… and everything else.” Like the hunger. “Even if he can barely control his powers himself, like you said, maybe it would’ve been easier to manage. For both of you.”

“Who’s to say he wouldn’t have taken me straight to FutureLabs if I told him?” You fire back. Even if it was out of misguided kindness, you can’t help but wonder if FutureLabs would’ve been John’s first go-to.

“He wouldn’t–”

“You don’t know that!” You cut him off heatedly. “What if he thought that’s what was best, and then I’d be no better off than… I don’t know– Conduit, Caesar?” At best, you’d become a prisoner, trapped in one of FutureLabs’ many containment cells with the occasional visitation from John and held over his head forevermore. Worst case scenario, you’d end up like Caesar– a plaything for the many scientists who roam the whitewashed halls.

“Then we’d have to think about all the people that’d be enslaved or dead without us. You like that idea?” And that would be between both the Crux and FutureLabs.

For someone who thrives off of counterpoints, Matt doesn’t have anything else to say. Because he knows you’re right.

>(1/?)

>>5315806

“As long as FutureLabs exists, telling John is suicide. We can deal with them, and then we can worry about John.” Whatever fallout you’ll face, you’ll deal with it afterwards.

For what feels like the longest time, you and Matt stand there in a tense sort of silence, both of you being equally frustrated at this whole thing.

Perhaps telling John could’ve prevented one thing or another, like you getting stabbed and shot the first time you faced him. However, in comparison to everything else that would’ve changed, those things are inconsequential because, all the same, John would still remain an unwilling prisoner to the whims of the mad doctor.

Eventually, Matt says, “I’m just gonna go. I’ll watch the kids– night.” Then he turns on his heel, wandering off and out of your sight.

You thought you’d feel much better if you told Matt about John, but, after that discussion with him, all you’ve earned is more aggravation for your troubles.

Now is a better time than ever to go to sleep, because you want nothing more but to dive into the nearest trench and never, ever come out; and, here and now, sleep is the next-best thing.

>(2/3)

>>5315808

Scouring the warehouse, you note the distinct absence of comfy spaces other than Bernard’s newly-finished platform, and, while you’d like to give the souped-up space an inspection, you’d rather end the day already.

The only thing you note so far is that the couches are just like how you’d make them yourself in Meinkraft. Fashioned from wooden stairs, in no way would they be comfortable for sleeping.

Which leaves you two options: the floor and the bed.

At the mere thought of the bed, heat rises to your cheeks– one that isn’t borne from the late summer weather. Sure, the space is big enough that it wouldn’t be a squeeze, but Bernard is there, and you– you spare a glance down to the rest of yourself– you’re half-naked for crying out loud!

You wish you told Matt to give you back your suit, but he’s likely very pissed at you; nor did he sound like he wanted to talk anymore after the discussion you had. Well, you don't want to talk to him either.

In any case, you’re sure you’ll feel better in the morning (at least you hope you will). You will have no choice but to win against John, or perhaps die trying.

But, for now, that can all wait for tomorrow– it’s finally time to get some rest.

>You choose to sleep:
>On the bed. B-Because it’s practical!
>On the floor. Save yourself the embarrassment!
>Write-in

>While you sleep:
>You dream.
>You don’t dream.

>(3/3)

>>5315828
>>On the bed. B-Because it’s practical!
>You don’t dream.

>>5315828
>>On the bed. B-Because it’s practical!
>You don’t dream.

>>5315828
>On the bed. B-Because it’s practical!
Isn't there anything in the room we can use to make us show less skin ?

>You dream.

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>>5315830
>>5315863
>>5315927

Looks like bed and no dreaming wins out.

And now that we dug our bed, we gotta lie in it too-- so let's see some 1d100s for how bad we embarrass ourselves!! Just to note: lower is worse in this case.
Best of 3!! Go!

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>5315938
Now is the time for our third Nat 100

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>5315938

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>5315938
Lucky third roll go

>>5315954
>>5315962
>>5315964

>Highest roll: 43!
Writing!

>>5315974

Of course you’re going to sleep on a bed, because you have standards!

Nonetheless, your mind flits to the very obvious issue of your half-nakedness, which is one that you really can’t rectify at the moment. You, however, are not one to let anything get in the way of your precious beauty rest– not even the prospect of eternal embarrassment.

Creeping right up to the bed, you test the digital-looking duvet by plucking it up with the tips of your fingers, pleasantly surprised to find it moves and feels like a regular cover.

Good. You smirk. You can definitely work with this.

While it would take no less than an airhorn to wake an over-exhausted Bernard, you take much care in moving him off the cover until you have enough for yourself, feeling a small rush of elation when the bulk of it is in your hands.

You wrap yourself in the red duvet like a cocoon, wriggling over as far to the edge as you can without falling off. Right now, you feel like a scaly, fishy butterfly, Bernard’s back to yours; while you thought you’d be hot beneath the blanket, you find the evident benefit to your lack of clothing.

One moment you’re awake… and the next, you’re gone to the world. It’s a deep, dreamless sleep– the kind that makes you feel as if you’d been asleep for ages.

Only when something nudges your head are you pulled back to the land of the living.

At first, you refuse to open your eyes, wanting to return to blissful nothingness.

But then you’re nudged again. And again. And again. Who dares?

>(1/3)

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>>5316107

You don’t spend long wondering because the first utterance of ”Fish” has you snapping your eyes wide open, straight into those of Bernard.

Moreover, what you had initially thought was a really comfy pillow was actually, well… him! The hell?!

Like your own face, whose burning is concealed by the color of your scale, the teleporter’s face has taken on a very deep shade of red.

As if time were frozen, the two of you lie there for the longest time, neither of you wishing to acknowledge the… current state of affairs.

Eventually, the awkward tension is too much to bear, Bernard being first to break the silence.

“Mind gettin’ off of me?” He says, and, in any other situation, you’d admire his ability to keep a straight face.

Deeply and truly mortified, however, you do the only thing you can think of doing and roll right off of the bed, tumbling to the ground with a thump.

“Fish, what the--?!” Bernard isn’t sure what to make of that display. “Where the hell are your clothes?”

“No one gave me back my suit.” You state, straightening yourself up off the ground in a vain attempt to regain your lost dignity. Though, you refuse to mention that you fought with Matt.

“It was either there or the floor, but I thought you wouldn’t wake up.” The last part almost sounds like an accusation because, by all means, the blonde should’ve stayed asleep for way longer.

“You’re kinda all over the place when you sleep, fish–and I thought I slept like the dead! Heh.” Again, he tries to lighten the situation with a joke, but an awkward silence overtakes the platform once more.

“...anyone else awake?” You would rather no one caught wind of this. Especially Matt.

>(2/3)

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>>5316112

To that, Bernard doesn’t respond, and, reaching out with your proprioception, you feel Matt somewhere on the ground, in motion. With the way he’s staying in one place, you think he’s exercising or something.

Valjean, too, seems to be in motion somewhere farther away. You can’t blame him either for wanting to keep training.

Strangest yet is that Julia’s heartbeat–which has a unique sort of quality to it when she’s in her crystalline form– is very close to you. Very close to you indeed.

Turning your head in the direction of the heartbeat, you confirm what you already know and find that Julia’s been standing right at the edge of the platform.

>What the hell? Has she been standing there the whole time?!
>Play it cool. Act like you were sitting there since she got there.
>Don’t say anything and see what she wants. Maybe she won’t acknowledge it if you don’t.
>Write-in

>(3/3)

That's it for the night! Gonna rest and stuff.

See you all next time, kings, and thanks for playing!

>>5316114
>wordlessly turn back to Bernard
>wordlessly turn back to Julia
>repeat once or twice
>end with looking back at Julia
>"Mind sparing me some clothes?"

>>5316114
>>Play it cool. Act like you were sitting there since she got there.

>>5316114
>Play it cool. Act like you were sitting there since she got there.
"Have you seen Ralph ?"

>>5316122
+1

>>5316114
>>Play it cool. Act like you were sitting there since she got there.

>>5316114
>Play it cool. Act like you were sitting there since she got there.
"Suuuuup."

>>5316459
>>5316401
>>5316175
>Cool as a freaking cucumber!

>>5316122
>>5316177
>Play it kewl!

Hope this doesn't step on anyone's toes, but I'm going to try and work all of these together! Writing!

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>>5316578

There’s a look in Julia’s crystalline eyes that you can’t quite discern, and it’s one that makes you feel oddly squirmy beneath her gaze.

“Hey… uh, Jewel.” You give a small wave. Stealing a glance back to Bernard, you note that his face is a tinge redder than it was before turning back to Julia and then back to Bernard again.

Finally, your eyes stop on Julia as an idea suddenly forms in your mind– an easy and obvious fix to the situation.

“Mind sparing me some clothes?” You ask, trying but failing to pay no mind to the very awkward atmosphere permeating the air. Something about the request has her quirking her lip to the side, but, as per the sacred rules of Girl Code, Julia is bound to oblige, disappearing from the platform in an instant.

It’s not even thirty seconds before one of your old Zed Leppelin tees and a pair of denim shorts that should have never seen the light of day again are unceremoniously thrown into your lap. For the moment, you’ve never been happier to see such ratty-looking clothes, wasting no time in donning them.

Giving yourself a quick once-over, you feel satisfied with your regained modesty.

Stealing a glance to the side, however, you note that Julia has yet to move from her place.

You honestly hoped she would have left right after that, but you suspect that the crystalline woman didn’t come here out of the goodness of her heart.

>(1/3)

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>>5316764

So,” You begin once more, as coolly as you can possibly manage. “What’s up?”

“The kids are hungry, FYI.” Julia states factually. “Pharos has them calm for the most part, but they do need to eat sooner rather than later.” With Bernard asleep, there was no way you were getting anything for them last night, and you’re pretty sure everyone else around here is hungry as well.

“Yeah, we’ll hop right to it!” Bernard sounds a little too eager to leave.

“Unless you’re still busy, of course.” She adds, putting a little extra emphasis on the ‘busy’ part. The smirk on her face is absolutely cattish. You’re never going to live that down, are you?

“Pizzaitisbye–” And, with that, Bernard makes his great escape.

“Anything else?” If Julia has any additional business with you, you think it’s best to get it addressed here and now.

“Well, maybe you could bring me more clothes.” Julia says, striding closer to you. Waitwaitwait. You can’t help but give her a look. Didn’t you just buy her clothes?

“Don’t get me wrong, I really like the dress you bought– and the one I got from yesterday. Did you know that was Piccante and Gabbana?” She trails off, looking oddly enthused about stealing someone’s designer dress.

>(2/3)

>>5316766

You can’t help but be surprised with just how talkative Julia’s been. Hell, this is probably the most she’s said to you in a single conversation since she got her brain-damage healed or after that fight for that matter– all for the cause of high-end couture!

“Anyways, I just did you a solid there.” Julia tells you, pointing a diamond finger at you. You know for a fact that she’s referring to the clothes– clothes which happened to be on-loan from you– though you refrain from pointing that out. “At least when you’re not busy… maybe think about it.”

>Wat do?
>Sure! Agree to it out of the goodness of your heart :DDD
>You’ll do it for her… she’s just gotta do something for you… (Diamondsdiamondsdiamonds)
>You got stuff to do, places to be… maybe later, but thanks a whole bunch, Jewel!
>Write-in

>(3/3)

>>5316771
>"Don't you worry, just need to get things in order and I'll make sure to get more soon." then turn 360 and leave (to get the food).

>>5316771
>>You’ll do it for her… she’s just gotta do something for you… (Diamondsdiamondsdiamonds)

>>5316771
>>You’ll do it for her… she’s just gotta do something for you… (Diamondsdiamondsdiamonds)
Diamond sword from minecraft boy? Gonna have to step up our game against the institutionalized enemy mutants.

>>5316771
>You’ll do it for her… she’s just gotta do something for you… (Diamondsdiamondsdiamonds)

>>5316786
>>5316802
>>5316861
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6j0RV8EXss

>>5316782
>Le Write-in

Pardon the long(ish) wait-- got cooking and it took longer than expected!
Writing!

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>>5316913

A trip to the Schönbrunn Mall or a couple of hours doing some online shopping is no big deal for you– what’s one more shopping trip out of all the others you’ve taken thus far?

There’s just no way in hell you’re going to blow your money on the really high-end stuff, though you’re not going to tell Julia that.

She’s gotta do a little something for you first, and, mind flitting back to a certain cuboid mutant, the perfect idea comes to mind.

“Give me diamonds!” You exclaim, and for a split second Julia looks a little taken aback, clearly not expecting that response. That’s how you end up introducing Julia to Ralph, who seems more than willing to give back to his saviors.

And you? You’re going to be the owner of some shiny, new diamond swords… or at least whoever can use them will be.

However, when Ralph frowns, you have a sneaking suspicion that getting your diamond swords won’t be as easy as you initially thought.

“Eh. What gives?” The look on Ralph’s face is one of consternation. “Why am I getting glass?” He holds up a glass block for emphasis.

“Aren’t you supposed to be made of diamonds?” You ask Julia, picking up one of the crystals she made so you can inspect it.

“I am, but Pharos told me my original power was glass control. That could have something to do with it.” She hums, pursing her lips at the crystals on her arms.

>(1/3)

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>>5317193

“Maybe they just need to be configured a little differently…” Ralph interjects, scratching his head with a blocky arm.

“What do you mean by configured?” You question, tilting your head at his turn-of-phrase.

“When I take stuff from the real world, my inventory turns it into the thing it’s most similar to,” He explains after a moment’s pause. Then he holds up one of Julia’s crystals to make it disappear, only for it to reemerge as a glass block.

“This really isn’t it, but I think we’ll be golden if she just makes our diamonds as close to the Meinkraft diamonds as possible.” Ralph seems very confident in his hypothesis.

“But I’ve never played Meinkraft before.” Julia objects, and, while you’re pretty sure that’s a lie (because what kid of your generation hasn’t played Meinkraft?), it’s far easier to explain than the amnesia. You can’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy at that.

“You don’t need to know– I got a diamond you can look at.” Ralph grins, tossing the diamond out of his hand.

“Pretty G.O.A.T., isn’t it?” He says, watching as Julia inspects the digitized diamond. “This is probably going to be a bit of trial-and-error, but I think we can get it– I’m not going home without a new diamond pickaxe.”

>(2/4)

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>>5317202

“I’ll take it from here.” Julia tells you, which you take as your cue to leave. You’re pretty sure she and Ralph got the whole thing covered.

You later find out that your escapade to the Miller-Ford Building got a lot of attention. The news had spun it as a three-way battle between you, Maranzano’s men, and the newly-crowned X-Force.

Of course, nothing positive was said about you or your efforts and you'd never expect anything less. But, come on! You saved a freaking school bus worth of mutants!

NooooOOOoooo, they just have to be in prison cells for anyone to be happy.

Consequently, the star of the show had ended up being Zeus–the guy with the shockwave powers, you recall. It’d make sense they chose that guy to be the face for the morning news, as opposed to any of the other members who barely took the spotlight.

Well, you certainly don't care who takes the spotlight so long as you win-- they can laud the X-Force all they want, but, at the end of the day, they were still on the losing end of the game!

>(3/4)

>>5317212

Other than that, you haven’t talked to Matt since you fought with him, which has basically been throughout the whole morning and afternoon, but as soon as night falls you’ll be moving the former-captives out of Konigsburg and to Jenna’s farm.

>Who’s going to Jenna’s/Nova’s farm with Matt (Bernard notwithstanding)? (Pick one/multiple)
>You!
>Valjean!
>Julia!
>None of you (except Bernard, of course)-- Matt and B totally got it covered!

>(4/4)

>>5317227
>Julia!
do her good to get out more

>>5317227
>>You!
>>Valjean!

Gonna leave the vote open for tonight-- not sure if I'll be updating tomorrow since I'm feeling a bit under the weather.

See you all next time, kings!

>>5317227
>Julia!

>>5317227
>Julia!
Stop being a shut-in, glass girl

>>5317227
>>Julia!

>>5317245
>>5317441
>>5317447
>>5317470
>Julia!

>>5317247
>You!
>Valjean!

Looks like our favorite diamond woman is going on a road-trip, whether she likes it or not! Writing!

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>>5318208

Sorry for the delay-- got suckered into watching the new Top Gun. Was gucci af.

Later in the afternoon, after you’ve fed and taken care of the captives, the five of you reconvene to discuss the finer details of Matt’s plan atop your newly-built platform.

It’s a simple plan: one that requires Bernard to teleport the kids somewhere outside Konigsburg, and, once all of the kids are out of the city, Matt will take them straight to the farm via a sizable moving truck.

You don’t think anyone will look twice at a moving truck rental, though you’re positive Matt would never rent one under his real name. FutureLabs is all-too-used to you operating within city limits, as opposed to outside of them.

“Jewel,” Matt addresses the crystal woman, breaking you from your thoughts. “Wanna come with us?”

“Me?!” Julia all-but sputters– an odd deviation from her usual, stony demeanor. “Why me?”

“We’d like a muscle with us in case things go sour.” Matt states, leaning on his bat. “They likely won’t, but you never know; so we’d rather play it safe than sorry.”

While you can tell that Julia’s trying not to let it show, you watch as her eyes flit back to Valjean multiple times, the discomfort at the idea of leaving plainly written across her face.

“I’m guessing I’ll be on house arrest for this one?” Valjean remarks, even though he knows the answer to that question.

“Pretty much.” Matt confirms, not really looking too repentant about that.

“Well, at least one of us will be getting some fresh air…” The former Crux leader grouses, rolling his eyes at the younger male.

>(1/4)

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>>5318561

“Hey– you got your fair share of fresh air last night,” Bernard cuts in, and, leaning down to your ear, he then whispers to you, “Sure you don’t wanna tag along, fish?”

“I’m good.” You wave him off, lowering your voice in kind. “You guys got it handled.”

“Somethin’ goin’ on with you and stick?” He questions lowly, eyes flitting to Matt before settling back on you. “You guys haven’t said a word to each other all day.”

“We’re… kind of mad at each other.” You admit, and Bernard looks a little surprised at that.

“Over what?” Bernard raises an eyebrow, clearly curious as to what caused the two of you to give each other the silent treatment.

“John.” You answer simply, and, although there’s a look on the blonde’s face that clearly indicates the need for more details, you’re thankful that he doesn’t press any further. You’d rather get back into that topic if you really don’t have to.

“Jewel will be fine.” You return your voice to a somewhat-normal volume. “I think she’s just nervous about being on her own.”

“Yeah, she and jerkface have been like peas and carrots lately.” Bernard grins. “Kinda funny cause I never would’ve expected that outta him– he was pretty good at keepin’ his personal life out of his Crux life. Lookin’ back on it though, the signs were always there.”

Fair enough, you think, because you wouldn’t have expected Matt to develop a thing for Jenna either.

“You guys can stop whispering about us any time now,” Valjean interrupts. “You realize we’re what? Two feet away from you?”

>(2/4)

>>5318563

“Yeahyeahyeah, big deal– it’s not like we’re sayin’ anythin’ you guys don’t already know.”

“Before or after the part where you spooned the local cannibal?” The former Crux leader sports a predatory grin, your face growing hot at his words.

“Come again?” There’s a murderous glint in Matt’s eyes, one that wasn’t present before. His hands tighten slightly around his bat. Angry at you or not, you suppose that brothers will always be brothers.

“Kidding.” Valjean backtracks, putting his hands up in a show of faux-geniality. “I’m just messing with you guys– get going now. I’ll gather the kids.”

With that, Valjean and Julia take their leave, but not before Julia tells you, “I’ll have the swords ready by the time we get back.” Then they’re off.

>(3/4)

>>5318565

“See ya, fish!” Bernard throws an arm around your shoulder, taking you by surprise, but he disappears before you can say anything back. You’re surprised he could even look you in the eyes after the embarrassing morning you had.

That leaves you with Matt who, instead of making to climb down the rafters, pulls a familiar, maroon box from his suit– the one containing the Aurum Impulsum.

“Here.” He says, shoving the box into your arms. Still, Matt isn’t quite looking at you, clearly still frustrated at either you or the whole situation. “Take it home for now. We’ll figure out what to do with it later– maybe we’ll keep it, use it, I dunno… this is all just freaking bullshit.”

>Wat do?
>Ask Matt if he’s still mad at you, because he’s clearly still *mad*
>Ask why you would ever need to use the Aurum Impulsum? Isn’t it dangerous?
>Leave him be. He’ll get over his funk– seek out someone else instead (Who?)
>Write-in

>(4/4)

>>5318574
>Leave him be. He’ll get over his funk– seek out someone else instead (Who?)
help wrangle kids

>>5318565
>“Kidding.” Valjean backtracks
Julia and her big mouth
>>5318578
>+1

>>5318574
>Ask Matt if he’s still mad at you, because he’s clearly still *mad*

>>5318574
>>5318578
+1 this. I feel like trying to talk to Matt right now is pointless... maybe when we've both cooled down?

>>5318574
>>5318578
Kid wrangling is exhausting and terrible, so we should probably do our fair share of work. Supporting.

>>5318578
+1

>>5318578
>>5318583
>>5318603
>>5318592
>>5318621
>Mutant wrangling time!

>>5318587
>Uh, we square or not?

Damn, that's some unanimity there! Writing!

>>5318628

Looking down at the box in your hands and back to Matt, you realize it won’t do either of you any good if you try to talk to him. Right now, both of you are equally as frustrated over this whole thing, and both of you know that things are only going to get harder from here on out.

“Oh, I forgot to give this back.” Matt mutters, pulling your suit from the backpack he’d been wearing. “See you later.” He says, leaving you alone on the platform.

Though you could spend the rest of your time for the night standing around and doing nothing, the entire main area of the warehouse is occupied by a bunch of rowdy mutant youths– youths who’ve been hopped up on the taste of freedom and copious amounts of fast food– and, in a warehouse with dubious lighting, who’s better-suited to wrangle them than you?

That darkness also plays in your favor; while you might get questions about the box that’s tucked in your arm, there’s really no one else around with night-vision to notice it.

Why Matt decided to pawn the Aurum Impulsum off on you instead of Bernard is beyond you when the teleporter could’ve easily brought it back to your apartment. Still, you keep it wrapped in your costume just for good measure because there’s no such thing as being too paranoid.

Wrangling the kids, on the other hand, is no laughing matter. You have runners, flyers, climbers, and all sorts of mutants who are more than eager to stretch their legs after days or even weeks in cages.

Briefly, you wonder if this is some sort of karmic retribution being such a rowdy kid yourself when you were growing up-- you certainly weren't a walk in the park for either John or your parents (or so you'd been told).

However, none of the captives are a match for your proprioception, and, between that and Valjean’s Les Misérables, you make steady work in gathering them.

>(1/3)

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>>5318821

Now it’s a matter of finding the final stragglers, as you have the bulk of them where you can have Bernard teleport them to the next rendezvous-point outside the city. You feel bad that he has to overexert himself for two nights in a row, but you’re hoping that the blonde will get plenty of rest once he’s at the farm.

“Hi Kelpie!” A familiar voice pipes up, and emerging from behind a crate is none-other than Simon. Following beside him is another, pale boy with button eyes and woolen hair.

“Making friends?” You ask the young mindbender, glad Simon’s not making trouble for anyone anymore.

“Mhmm.” Simon nods excitedly. “I’ve been watching their stories all day, but we were just playing hide-and-seek right now.” Button-eyes nods along with him.

>(2/3)

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>>5318828

“Well, now it’s time to go, you two– you’ll be able to play plenty of hide-and-seek when you get there.” You tell the two young mutants.

“Take her word for it, kid. Wherever you’re going is way better than this place, I’ll tell you that.” Valjean cuts in.

“You sure you guys don’t want to see any of your stories though?” Simon tilts his head. “It’ll only take a minute.”

“Not at all,” The former Crux leader refuses. “And, if my powers don’t work on you, I’m pretty sure yours don’t work on me either,” He points out, though Simon doesn’t look as downtrodden as you thought he would be.

>What about you? Do you take Simon’s offer?
>No. You’ve been over this already, you got your identity to think of. Plus, you have the Aurum Impulsum on hand– you’re not letting it out of sight for even a second until it’s somewhere safe.
>Eh, why not? Simon said he wouldn’t look at your identity– maybe you’ll see something cool.

While the others are gone, you’ll have a whole load of nothing to do as well.
>For now, where will you place your focus?
>You’ll get in contact with ERMAC, see if he’s any closer to finishing that program already-- maybe there's some extra information he can give you for your upcoming plan.
>Start planning the bare bones of your Conduit extraction plan with Valjean.
>Keep monitoring the news on the X-Force– any information you can get on them/their movements is invaluable.
>On nothing. Absolutely nothing– while the guys are away, you’re going to relax like there's no tomorrow.
>Write-in

>(3/3)

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That's it for the night. Time to sleep-- OP needs zzz's and stuff.

Should update tomorrow, unless I feel shittier (of course). On another note, here's a very shitty pic that didn't make the cut for the updates-- Julia definitely needs to touch more grass!

See you next time, kings, and thanks for playing!

>>5318834
>>Eh, why not? Simon said he wouldn’t look at your identity– maybe you’ll see something cool.
>You’ll get in contact with ERMAC, see if he’s any closer to finishing that program already-- maybe there's some extra information he can give you for your upcoming plan.
We haven't talked with Eddie in a while, you'd think he has something to say about the whole John dillema

>>5318834
>No. You’ve been over this already, you got your identity to think of. Plus, you have the Aurum Impulsum on hand– you’re not letting it out of sight for even a second until it’s somewhere safe.
Maybe later on

>You’ll get in contact with ERMAC, see if he’s any closer to finishing that program already-- maybe there's some extra information he can give you for your upcoming plan.

>>5318834
>>5318951
+1 this--we make our own destiny, damn it!

>>5318834
>>No. You’ve been over this already, you got your identity to think of. Plus, you have the Aurum Impulsum on hand– you’re not letting it out of sight for even a second until it’s somewhere safe.

>Start planning the bare bones of your Conduit extraction plan with Valjean.

>>5318951
+1

What would this quest's ERMAC/Eddie think of this Ermac?
https://mortalkombat.fandom.com/wiki/Ermac

>>5318834
>No. You’ve been over this already, you got your identity to think of. Plus, you have the Aurum Impulsum on hand– you’re not letting it out of sight for even a second until it’s somewhere safe.

>Keep monitoring the news on the X-Force– any information you can get on them/their movements is invaluable.

any planning should probably wait until big brain matt is back

>>5319340
>>5319156
>>5319112
>>5318951
>I make my own destiny!

>>5318845
>See your own 'story.'

>>5318845
>>5318951
>>5318959
>>5319156
>Are you finished with those errands-- er, I mean, program?

>>5319112
>What matters is our plan...

>>5319340
>Know thy enemy!

Looks like we're being the masters of our own destiny and getting in contact with Ermac again. Writing in a bit!

>>5319159
Didn't actually know who Ermac was myself until thread 6.5, wherein I had to do a web-search of who he was (the amount of gaming I've done since I started uni has been admittedly very dismal).

Unlike Mortal Kombat Ermac, Eddie is one individual inhabiting a computer (although he is very much capable of replicating his own consciousness infinitely across many different devices/programs). In addition, there are some things computer-bound Eddie can do that human Eddie can't and vice-versa-- transmitting/sensing electronic signals and handlessly tampering with devices are both a couple of examples that we saw in the prior threads.
Like Ermac, he has and can become adept at hand-to-hand combat scarily fast-- both via electronics and his increased intelligence. However, we *did* see Matt overpower him physically in thread 6.5... so he definitely has some ways to go in physical training.
This was a pretty quick, shorthand explanation I made by glossing over OG Ermac's wiki-- hope it's sufficient!

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>>5319541

Apologies for the wait-- had errands to run, and you all know how it goes...

“Nah, I think I’m good,” You tell Simon, once again denying his request to peek into your mind.

For a good, long moment, the young mutant is eerily silent, red eyes boring into you as if trying to unlock your stories with his mind.

“Okay,” He smiles genially, his face reverting back to a cheerful expression like the flip of a switch. “Bye, Kelpie!” And then he’s off, the button-eyed mutant following along with him.

One-by-one, the captives are spirited away from the warehouse, and it’s not long before they’re all gone.

Valjean, meanwhile, doesn’t seem to mind being left on his lonesome (and you know he won’t be going anywhere with all of Konigsburg out for his arrest). Though it seems like he’ll be missing Julia, you’re sure he’s glad to have the other mutant getting some fresh air for once.

As soon as you get home, you make a beeline for Matt’s room. His desk is far messier than it had been two days ago, a maze of wires and old computers all bound together, and the manner in which the screens pulsate with light, casting the ceiling aglow in blue, almost reminds you of a heartbeat of sorts. It makes you wonder what all of this stuff is for.

“Hello Elise,” Ermac greets in his digital voice. “We’ve been expecting you.”

The strange form of greeting makes you stop in your tracks. “What do you mean ‘we?’” You return, and, at that, the computer where the voice is coming from glows brighter than the rest.

>(1/?)

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>>5319856

“I replicated my consciousness using as much memory as I could afford so that I could work faster– not just on the program, but anything I want as it exists within these devices. They will all eventually self-terminate when their directives are completed.” He explains after a beat, and you realize those devices on Matt’s desk weren’t just for show.

“As of now… we are, indeed, many…” As Eddie says that, the rest of the screens flare to life.

Which begs the question…

“Then which one of you am I talking to now?” You can’t help but wonder as you take a seat at Matt’s desk.

“The real one. Which else?” Eddie responds, the computer letting out a fizzle that’s oddly akin to a huff. “I don’t give them more autonomy than they need unless it’s strictly necessary, like with the program. If I did, they would try to find a way to survive– either that, or they would eventually learn how to terminate me given enough time and effort.”

That sounds… dangerous. You sure hope Eddie seems to know what he’s doing.

“The odds of that are minimal. They will never have the same memories as I do. Not completely, anyways.” He continues, as if sensing the question you had, and that dispels a bit of your worries somewhat.

“Anyways… back to business…” The digitized mutant switches topic. “I’m assuming this is about the program?”

“Yeah.” You nod, and, if computers could glare, you’re certain Eddie would be glaring straight at you.

“You know I said I’d call you when it was ready, didn’t I?” He reminds you, tone almost rebuking. “But I’m well aware of the newest elephant in the room… or should I say reptile?”

>(2/?)

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>>5319867

“Do you know what the odds of John being a mutant were?” Eddie trails off, and, even before you stepped into Matt’s room, you knew that Eddie already knew about John revealing his mutation.

“Point zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-one with a standard deviation of a tenth of that.” Uh… you blink. Come again? All those zeros were said too fast for you to count.

“That’s essentially zero.” He states in simpler terms. Now why couldn’t he just say that in the first place?

You think that whatever means of calculation Eddie’s using is obviously wrong, but what is obvious is that Eddie’s supposed death was the tipping point for John. You’re positive that Eddie knows this as well.

>(3/4)

>>5319884

“Now, you’ll likely have to take John and the rest of the X-Force into account when you extract Ernst.” Eddie drones, voice not betraying any semblance of emotion. “They seem to be gunning after Maranzano next, and you might not even face them at all if you time it correctly– but do the mission as if you were facing the whole X-Force anyways.”

>Pick one/multiple:
>So wait a sec… Does Eddie have the program done or not?
>Can’t you just tell John Eddie’s alive? Even though you want nothing to do with your brother, that’d pretty much solve everything.
>Anything particularly dangerous you should look out for this time around? That, or anything else that's notable.
>Write-in

>(4/4)

>>5319903
>Can’t you just tell John Eddie’s alive? Even though you want nothing to do with your brother, that’d pretty much solve everything.
>Anything particularly dangerous you should look out for this time around? That, or anything else that's notable.

That's likely the only update I got in me for the night-- gotta wake up early and stuff.

Should be able to grind an update or two out tomorrow sometime at like 7-8 EST if I'm not completely dead.

So, as always, thanks for playing and see you all next time!

>>5319903
>Can’t you just tell John Eddie’s alive? Even though you want nothing to do with your brother, that’d pretty much solve everything.
We could even do it all 'secret hackery'-like to avoid him getting angry. Maybe via a text or some other overt means of communication?

>Anything particularly dangerous you should look out for this time around? That, or anything else that's notable.
Knowing is half the battle, or so I've read.

>>5319903
>Can’t you just tell John Eddie’s alive? Even though you want nothing to do with your brother, that’d pretty much solve everything.
>Anything particularly dangerous you should look out for this time around? That, or anything else that's notable.

>>5319903
>So wait a sec… Does Eddie have the program done or not?
>>Can’t you just tell John Eddie’s alive? Even though you want nothing to do with your brother, that’d pretty much solve everything.
>>Anything particularly dangerous you should look out for this time around? That, or anything else that's notable.

>>5319904
+1

>>5319904
>>5319930
>>5319940
>>5320164
>Fix your situation with this one simple trick!
>Achtung!

>>5319981
>Everything else in the above + program pestering

What's better than daytime television? Daytime updates, of course! And guess who got the damn meme flu again? :C Sucks cause I really liked my job.

Anyhow, might work the part about the program into the update, if only to save my coof-addled brain a little stress. Writing!

>>5320545
Damn, the curse is strong in you. At least it can't be as bad the second time, maybe, I dunno, never had it.

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>>5320545

I know I said 'Daytime.' My coof-riddled brain had other plans-- pardon the wait.

It really hadn’t been something you were considering with how mad you’ve been at John, but, mulling over Eddie’s words… if John’s willingness to work with FutureLabs hinges on whether or not Eddie’s alive, then the answer to this whole situation is simple!

“Ermac,” You address the other mutant, drawing his attention once more. “What if we told John you’re alive?” While you wholly intend to have Eddie back to his body sooner rather than later, perhaps the knowledge that Eddie is actually safe would be enough to have John on your side. Because even if John continued to work for FutureLabs for the foreseeable future, that could mean the difference between life and death.

“You’re being too naive about this whole thing– it’s not as easy as you think, Elise.” Eddie shoots down your idea without a moment’s thought. “If it were, I would’ve reached out to him myself.”

“Because you can’t, or because you don’t want to?” You frown at the screen, wondering if it’s a matter of ability.

“As of now, I am completely capable of reaching out to John. Most of the limitations I had upon first transferring my consciousness are no longer an issue for me.” Eddie clarifies. “I have far more freedom here than I would have ever had in my physical body. I just choose not to reach out to John for my own reasons.”

“But you could’ve stopped him before he turned himself in.” You argue to the screen before you. “Why didn’t you just do that?”

“Because telling him now would only increase the risk of Doctor Charles catching wind of my survival.” With the way the screen flickers, you think he’s growing a tad impatient. “If there were even the slightest chance that the doctor could find out, both Ernst and my physical body would be at risk, and then everything that we’ve done up until this point would be for nothing.”

You sort of knew Eddie would put Ernst before John, at least in this case. Because John can fend for himself to an extent– Ernst cannot.

>(1/?)

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>>5320769

“And who’s to say John hasn’t been overcome by his own powers?” Eddie then adds. “You heard for yourself what he said at the conference.”

As much as you don’t want to admit Eddie is right, John had not been stable– not when you last talked to him and not in the weeks leading up to the conference either. Especially with the way John reacted after you confronted him, you have to wonder if there’s at least a hint of truth to what Eddie’s saying.

“Are you saying he’s too far gone?” The question falls from your lips without much thought.

“It all depends…” The screen gives a faint whirr as Eddie leaves the cryptic statement in the air. “How far has he let himself go?”

And that’s not a question you can answer. The only information you have was what you had gotten from that fight.

“However–” Eddie’s electronic voice cuts off your train of thought. “There is a very miniscule chance he will listen to reason and not succumb to his inner lizard. I’m not saying you should contact him ASAP, but, once we recover Ernst, that option will be possible.”

“Okay, so what about when we actually get to FutureLabs?” While you’re still on the topic of Conduit, you should definitely address that matter. “Anything in-particular we should watch out for when we’re there?”

As your question hangs in the air, what you think is Eddie’s main monitor flashes a few times before he finally responds.

>(2/4)

>>5320777

“First and foremost, you’ll need to install my program at the data center– it’s in a separate facility from the main one, but that’s basically going to be the easy part.” The technopath seems confident about that.

“Those assholes have really beefed up their security since you broke in.” He continues, not missing a beat. “More armed guards patrolling the halls, extra arms training for staff members, more Ferro-Flex doors everywhere, new weapons and weapons systems designs, etcetera…” And it’s not like you didn’t see this coming from a mile away– you reap what you sow for breaking in the first time around.

Worth it.

>(3/4)

>>5320786

“Ernst is in the containment center, so you won’t encounter any of these things if you’re teleporting straight in. But you should be made aware of them in case things go south, which they won’t unless you’re purposefully being stupid, reckless, or impulsive, of course.” Something about the way he said those last words feels like a personal attack, and, while you’re no thin-skin, your lips end up pursing around a mouthful of sharpened teeth. Since when are you impulsive?

Whatever, you think. Eddie's just being overly-pragmatic. You guess it can't be helped since he's basically a human computer, and computers aren't always meant to be nice-- they're meant to be efficient.

While you got most of the information you needed out of Eddie and then some, you still feel like you have something else to say to him.

>Wat say?
>Wait a sec, Eddie still hasn’t told you if the program’s done dammit!
>Once you get Conduit, FutureLabs will probably try to kill Eddie, won’t they? Of course, you'll try to prevent that from happening, but isn’t he a little worried?
>So what if the whole thing *does* go sour for any reason? What's Eddie going to do then?
>Write-in

>(4/4)

>>5320802
>So what if the whole thing *does* go sour for any reason? What's Eddie going to do then?
Once he's installed what can he do?

also don't ask if the program is done yet, it isn't. he said he'd contact us when it was. trap option

>>5320802
>>Once you get Conduit, FutureLabs will probably try to kill Eddie, won’t they? Of course, you'll try to prevent that from happening, but isn’t he a little worried?

>>5320764

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping-- last time I was symptomatic for a whole month (think I was running thread #10 the whole time)-- but it basically feels like your body is one, giant ache.
Then again, it hits different for everyone.
Congrats on never getting it anyhow.

>>5320802
>Once you get Conduit, FutureLabs will probably try to kill Eddie, won’t they? Of course, you'll try to prevent that from happening, but isn’t he a little worried?
>So what if the whole thing *does* go sour for any reason? What's Eddie going to do then?

Feel better, man! Sucks that you picked up the COOF again, but I wish you a speedy recovery!

>>5320802
>Once you get Conduit, FutureLabs will probably try to kill Eddie, won’t they? Of course, you'll try to prevent that from happening, but isn’t he a little worried?

>>5320814
>>5320820
>Murphy's Lab

>>5320815
>>5320820
>>5320841
>About that body...

Called! Writing!

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>>5320874

Gonna be a slow-ish, piecewise-y update again cause formatting Ermac-speak is a bitch.

“Won’t FutureLabs know it’s you once your program infects their system?” He might as well have made a program that broadcasted “I’m alive, assholes!” onto each and every screen in the facility.

Because FutureLabs will definitely know, and, boy, will they be pissed once the dust settles…

“They will know. They just won’t be able to do anything about it unless they shut the whole thing down– even if they reboot it, most of their computing systems will end up getting either fried or deleted.” He reminds you of the secondary purpose of that mission, which is essentially to stick it to Atticus Charles.

“Aren’t you worried they’ll try to kill your real body?” The fact that you’ll try to stop that need not be said, because that’s a given.

“No. I don’t feel worried at all.” If Eddie had a head, you’re sure he’d be shaking it at you. “Maybe if I were in a human body with human-type responses, I would be, but you need to remember that this whole situation is a Catch 22, essentially: if I return to my body, Ernst will suffer greatly. If Ernst escapes, then I will be killed immediately.”

“Like I said before, you just have to time it correctly.” He reminds you. “Estimated time of program completion is up to seventy-two hours.” The way Eddie says that reminds you of an actual machine, but you can’t stop the small smile that forms on your face because that’s not much time at all!

“Damn… taking care of a body sucks, but I can’t wait to have a cold one again. Or five…” Eddie's emotionless facade breaks for the briefest moment, and the screen flashes a few times again in what you think might be slight embarrassment.

>(1/3)

>>5321105
>pic
what if futurelabs uses linux as default OS?

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>>5321105

In spite of all of the positives you’ve been given for this upcoming mission, there’s one question that’s been on your mind throughout this whole conversation: just how sure is he that Atticus Charles kept his promise to him in sparing Conduit?

The traitorous thought crosses your mind for the briefest fraction of a second, and, while that had been a lingering doubt in the back of your mind, Eddie is a human probability machine– the guy’s gotta know what he’s doing, otherwise he wouldn’t be setting you up for this.

Still, the last thing the technopath says before the screen dims again is, “Be ready for the extraction,” before he retreats back into the recesses of his code.

By now, you’re sure Matt made it to the farm or is at least close to it– from what you recall the farm was pretty close to the Delaware side of things. In any case, you’re sure he’ll be back in a day or two, depending on how much time he wants to spend with Jenna (and you know he’s going to be doing a lot of that).

>(2/3)

>>5321110

Again, you’re hit with the fact that you’re going to be doing a whole load of nothing while you wait for Matt and the rest of the crew to get back because there’s no way you’re going to get any planning done without the main brains of your operation.

Plopping yourself on the couch, you flip on the TV to your most-trusted news station (or as trustworthy as a news station can get in these times).

You feel your eyes droop on their own accord, and you have to wonder just how much rest you’ve gotten in these past few days.

>Wat do?
>Continue to watch the news– though there's nothing here that you *can't* already get on your cell phone, nothing's better than some mind-numbing television.
>Call up Matt or Bernard– sure, you’ll actually have to get up for that, but you should see that they made it.
>Screw it. You will do nothing and relax for once. If anyone deserves some rest and relaxation, it’s *you.* Cause, you know, all work and no play makes a dull fishgirl…
>Write-in

>(3/3)

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>>5321108
SIKE it's TempleOS! pic kinda related.

>>5320820
Missed this before-- thanks for the well-wishes!

Not sure if last update for the night. If there is, I'll let you guys know.

>>5321153
>>Continue to watch the news– though there's nothing here that you *can't* already get on your cell phone, nothing's better than some mind-numbing television.

>>5321153
>Continue to watch the news– though there's nothing here that you *can't* already get on your cell phone, nothing's better than some mind-numbing television.
We literally just got caught sleeping with Bernard, we can't sleep again
ever

>>5321169
>+1

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>>5321250
>>5321193
>>5321169

That sounds like a positive challenge, anons!

And, since I over-estimated my ability to stay cognizant, I'm gonna need some 1d100s-- STAT! Best of three, of course!

Will Elise manage to stay awake? Or will she succumb to the sweet song of slumber? Find out next time on Mutant!Quest!

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>5321296
Maybe it'd be better if we fail... We haven't talked to Conduit in a while

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>5321296
Watch THIS

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>5321296
>tfw too comfy to stay awake

>>5321299
>>5321309
>>5321425

>Highest roll: 87!!
Writing!

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>>5322110

You don’t put up much resistance against the exhaustion, letting your eyes continue to drift shut. In fact, you welcome the prospect of a good night’s rest, burrowing yourself deeper into the side of the couch.

And, with the firm back of the couch pressing into you, encompassing your back so comfortingly, it almost reminds you of the sensation of another body… right… next to you…

Instantly, your eyes snap open, face burning like a hot cinder. All at once, the desire to sleep disappears from your very being much like air rushes out of a balloon as the mortification from earlier this morning rears its ugly head once more.

Because with the thought of a body next to you, comes visions of a certain blonde as well.

Much to your dismay, said mortification doesn’t just go away for good– every time you shut your eyes for more than a blink, you see that exact, same scene from before, playing out beneath your eyelids against your will.

Son of a bitch. You grab another one of the couch pillows from next to you, clutching it to your chest as some of your fishlike features bloom across your face. You don’t know if it’s from the embarrassment, but you can hear your pulse thumping wildly in your ear. You can never sleep again, can you?

Now you actually have no choice but to pay attention to the news unless you want to keep reliving that same, compromising memory that you will likely never live down.

>(1/?)

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>>5322258

Taking hold of the remote, you louder the volume a tad, enough so that the television is no longer on mute.

“--funny you say that, Officer Meyers, because the M-Guard really did run like the dogs they are.” A cocky voice drawls, one that belongs to a familiar, suited-up mutant with black hair.

Ah, rats. Not this guy again, you think, frowning at the figure of Zeus that’s plastered on the screen (though you vaguely recognize that officer from… somewhere).

“If they really were as strong as they make themselves out to be, don’t you think they would’ve confronted us already? It’s clear that they’re scared of us, honestly…” When he says this, his eyes are centered on the camera in such a way that you know it’s a provocation to you and the rest of the M-Guard– one that you’ll never fall for. “Too bad they have that teleporter with them; really makes our jobs harder.”

A few people crowd around Zeus, all clamoring in to get a word from him, and then the screen goes back to the reporters who’d been running the channel.

Aside from Zeus and a few other, less-notable people spewing hot air about the Miller-Ford incident, like Matt had said, it seems like the X-Force is gunning after Maranzano next.

With you having taken down Maranzano’s strongest mutants like Gregor and Antonella, you see this upcoming fight being rather one-sided. Still, it baffles you that they’d waste all of that time and effort going all the way to New York, but if you put it in perspective the two parties are essentially fighting over the same thing, which is mutants.

>(2/?)

>>5322268

Speaking of mutants, you thought that the advent of the X-Force would only serve to make the mutants of Konigsburg more fearful.

However, in light of the blatant divide that has overcome the city, you note they have become more bold as the hammer comes crashing down upon them– perhaps it’s from the remaining inertia from all of that stuff you’ve done in the time leading up to the conference, but, all the same, it still surprises you that they have yet to back down.

Several different footages play from all across the city, each of them showing both mutants and humans alike going head-to-head with goons, and, while the fact of the matter is that most of those protesters will likely end up in a cell, you’d kind of been disillusioned for the longest while (even though you’d been quite the coward yourself at the beginning of your mutation).

What really catches your attention is the flash of green on one grainy video– so quick that the average viewer would’ve missed it, your eyes barely catch a winged silhouette passing over a small squad of goons.

Is that Boleski? You find yourself wondering. The only thing that comes to mind is that he’s returned to Konigsburg for more treatment from the healer mutant (or perhaps more medication if he ditched Maranzano Jr. for good).

Though the headline says ‘MUTANT ATTACK’ in big, bold letters, even a dimwit could see the two other people trying to duck for cover. People who are probably mutants themselves.

It’s not long before the remaining goons fall to the ground, and you can’t help the smile that spreads across your face. You don’t think Boleski will stick around Konigsburg for longer than he has to– not with FutureLabs still wanting him back in their hands– but good for him, you think.

>(3/4)

>>5322296

You don’t even realize what’s happening, but, sooner rather than later, the weight of your exhaustion becomes too much to bear.

You feel oddly… floaty… as your eyes slide shut, the insides of your eyelids tinged with gold.

“...e…lp…” The sound is a whisper, so faint that it barely catches on your ears.

“...elp…” Again, it repeats itself, this time a little louder. When you don’t hear the noise for a while, you let yourself relax and settle deeper into the silence.

If you could, you would sta…y like t..his

...f…orever…

...What?

>Roll 1d20… for absolutely no reason.

>(4/4)

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>5322330

Welp. No choice but to delete the reformatted post. Formatting errors are balls.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5322330
Alright that didn't happen.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5322330

>>5322330
what was the first roll for ? how long we could stay awake ?
>>5322341
was it the last post ?
>>5322337
>>5322390
good rolls as almost always, neat