So Said The Stars

<h3>`~*~` S o   S a i d   T h e   S t a r s `~*~`</h3> By PekaSairroc and Sugar-Splenda Version 1.2 [[Start New Game->Confirm]] (link: "Continue")[<script> A.stopAll();</script>(load-game: $_autosave_slot)]  [[Music credits]] [[Other Info and Credits]] [[Spoiler and CW/TW Warnings]] [[Cookie/Save Information]] (unless: A.track('ALPHA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('ALPHA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

`[receiving message]` (live: 1s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[...] (stop:)]|more>[] (live: 2s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[.....] (stop:)]|more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.......] (stop:)]|more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[.........->...]] (stop:) ]] (set: $TayTrust to 10 ) (set: $T2Trust to 2 ) (set: $abandonT2 to 0 ) (set: $parallellines to 0 ) (set: $light to 0 ) (set: $explorereadyroom to 0 ) (set: $T2medbay to 0 ) (set: $T2Float to 0 ) (set: $tether to 0 ) (set: $shiplog to 0 ) (set: $exploreMed to 0 ) (set: $medbaydoor to 0 ) (set: $waterrec to 0 ) (set: $airfilters to 0 ) (set: $distressbeacon to 0 ) (set: $proximityalarm to 0 ) (set: $cleanlab to 0 ) (set: $answer to 0 ) (set: $ToDo to 0 ) (set: $labcrash to 0 ) (set: $beaconON to 0 ) (set: $labnoise to 0 ) (set: $labnoisedeath to 0 ) (set: $TayHurt to 0 ) (set: $Music5 to 0 ) (set: $tort to 0 ) (set: $enjoy to 0 ) (set: $tortnumber to 0 ) (set: $findVaria to 0 ) (set: $offMoon to 0 ) (set: $notMarines to 0 ) (set: $otherUniv to 0 ) (set: $tayArmy to 0 ) (set: $t2Eyes to 0 ) (set: $TayDeathCount to 0) (set: $T2DeathCount to 0) (set: $rewind to 0) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to 0) (set: $RecordRoom to 0) (set: $GreenRecRoom to 0) (set: $GreenCrash to 0) (set: $labnoisedeath to 0) (set: $GreenHallway to 0) (set: $Green450VTay to 0) (set: $Green640VTay to 0) (set: $Green120VTay to 0) (set: $Green120V to 0) (set: $Green640V to 0) (set: $Green1000V to 0) (set: $T21 to 0)

W1ll my luck f---lly r-n ou- 0n m3? 1t's g0t-a b3 ru-ni-g on fum3s b- -ow. -a-be it'll la-- lo-g en--gh to fix t-is me-s----- --es this connect? Hello? [[I read you!]] [[Who is this?]]

Oh. Man. Thank god it connected. Finally got the q-comm to work which is NO EASY TASK when you're fending off all the problems that gravitate towards you. There are so many problems. [[Is this who I think it is?]] [[What types of problems are you having?]]

Oh man. Don't tell me you haven't heard the epic space-faring adventures of The Star-explorer Extraodinaire! (Volume four of the series should be out shortly!) [[TAYLOR!]] [["Star-explorer extraodinaire?"]]

I hope it is, because I think I know who you are. (Please be the person I hope it is.) (Not enough time and energy to explain the grand epic space-faring adventures of The Star-Explorer Extraodinaire.) [[TAYLOR!]] [["Star-explorer extraodinaire?"]]

Oh you know, generic ones such as being LOST IN SPACE. Or RUNNING FROM ALIENS THAT WANT TO GET INSIDE YOUR MOUTH AND PUPPET YOU AROUND. And I forgot my coffee when I left the spaceship this morning. What a bummer. [[This is Taylor, right?]] [[TAYLOR!]]

That's my name, don't wear it out because it's mine to wear and I don't have a change of clothes out here, only this uncomfortable IEVA suit. Let's be fair, it's the only thing keeping me from explosive decompression and a little green alien shoved down my throat. So maybe I'll stick with this suit for a moment. [[Good plan.]] [[I've been worried sick about you!]]

You could call me that. You could also call me Maurice, or the Space Cowboy. I'll answer to those too. [[Ok, Maurice.]] [[This is Taylor, right?]]

`[transmission rejected]` (live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[...]`] (stop:)]|more>[] (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[.....]`] (stop:)]|more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[.......]`] (stop:)](live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[......]] (stop:) ]]

Ok, Joker, no more jokes. But in case you //did// forget. I'm Cadet Taylor, formerly of the Varia, White Star, Viridian, and now Somewhere-In-Deep-Space! That's me. I bet you missed me. [[I've been worried sick about you!]] [[Kinda forgot actually...]]

Cadet Taylor, formerly of the Varia, White Star, Viridian, and now Somewhere-In-Deep-Space! That's me. I bet you missed me. [[I've been worried sick about you!]] [[Kinda forgot actually...]]

That's right. I have the BEST plans. Plans like //surviving// and //not dying painfully//. Hopefully I can achieve them all or die painfully trying. Because there's a lot of problems here that are trying too. Take a wild guess what they are. [[T2 is still with you.]] [[You're trapped on the other side of a black hole.]]

I'm sorry! I've been trying to get in contact with you ever since we lost signal in the black hole. ...which by the way is an experience I survived! Somehow! It was weird and it tingled being stretched atom-by-atom but not unpleasant in the way you'd imagine. The current situation is back to being completely unpleasant, very alarming, and, as the kids might say: "problematic" [[T2 is still with you.]] [[You're trapped on the other side of a black hole.]]

Yes. That is unfortunately true. T2 fell into the black hole's gravity with an occupier friend in hand a few moments before I did. Which means my time-looped alien-infected dooplerganger got a head start recovering from being a curly straw. And for that same reason also got a head start jetpacking over to me. To punch my helmet plate in. And shove that disgusting green alien occupier down my throat. Where it'll ooze into my body, tendrils everywhere... binding to my nerves and throughout my muscles just like my rats... ...breaking into my brain until there's no ME left besides my movie trivia and humor that it'll warp into a terrifying shattered reflection of itself... I... I'm sorry. I tried to get in contact with you as soon as I could but I guess there's not much we can do. You shouldn't have to hear this. I understand if you don't want to. [[No, I understand. I'll be here for you.]] [[Taylor I'm not letting you die here!->There has to be something you can do!]]

That I am! You have a great memory. I broke the time loop by untethering myself from the Viridian but... I'm still here so I can't judge whether it was a stupid or brave idea yet. Unfortunately I still have my plus one. [[T2 is still with you.]] [[Me?]]

Thank you. I'm just... scared. Like this is finally the end of the road and I'm declaring luck bankruptcy. And the Greens are coming to seize my bodily assets. [[There has to be something you can do!]] [[Always babbling to the end, aren't you?]]

I beg to differ. Sorry to disappoint you, "lifeline," but there isn't anything to do. Your good old pal Taylor is about to finally go green. I don't care if the time loop is broken. I don't care that I don't know where the hell Taylor took us! I don't care that I can't feel her clearly right now. I can think and plan on my own and I'm thinking and planning on finishing this job! T2 please! Look where we are! There's nothing here but empty space. There's nowhere to go. Do you think it'd matter if you infected me? No I really don't. That's why I'm doing it anyway. Call it spite, call it revenge. Or don't call it anything because it won't matter in a few moments. T2 stop! Don't! Let go! [[Fight!]] [[Taylor I'm sorry.]]

Well what do YOU want? Some big fancy heroic speech to give to the men of Gondor? Poignant words to needlepoint on a pillow with some floral paisley designs? Sorry. I'm out. You've always LOVED running your mouth. Oh no. It's T2. SAFERing over to me occupier in hand. [[What are you waiting for? Run!]] [[There has to be something you can do!]]

I'm glad I made as much of an impact on your life as you have with mine. Just kidding. I know you remember me. And all my lost-in-space issues and alien problems. [[T2 is still with you.]] [[You're trapped on the other side of a black hole.]]

Ha ha. Yes you're here with me. So that's a great relief. I meant T2. T2 fell into the black hole's gravity with an occupier friend in hand a few moments before I did. Which means my time-looped alien-infected dooplerganger got a head start recovering from being a curly straw. And for that same reason also got a head start jetpacking over to me. To punch my helmet plate in. And shove that disgusting green alien occupier down my throat. Where it'll ooze into my body, tendrils everywhere... binding to my nerves and throughout my muscles just like my rats... ...breaking into my brain until there's no ME left besides my movie trivia and humor that it'll warp into a terrifying shattered reflection of itself... I... I'm sorry. I tried to get in contact with you as soon as I could but I guess there's not much we can do. You shouldn't have to hear this. I understand if you don't want to. [[No, I understand. I'll be here for you.]] [[Taylor I'm not letting you die here!->There has to be something you can do!]]

(live: 5s)[ [[REWIND->REJECTED REWIND]] (stop:)] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1)

(live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[The Stars...(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 6.4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I can see them all... (stop:) ]] |more>[](live: 9.4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[burning, burning, burning, shining... (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 12.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[an endless cycle of gas and dust and heat and energy and anima and life and death... (stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 15s)[(transition: "dissolve")[but enriching more life, laying out its foundations in such a burst of light, despite the violent flash it can begin again... (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 26.4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[to burn and shine (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 29.4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[to shine and burn (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 32.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[to burn and shine (stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 35.2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Every single star from Tau Ceti to Sol (stop:)] ]|more>[] (live: 37.8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[to every star yet unnamed in the galaxy-- in other galaxies, in other universes, all of them-- we don't need names for them (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 43.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[They exist and burn and shine all their own, saying: (stop:)] ]|more>[] (live: 49.4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`This is so`~*~` (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 52.2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`This is the way`~*~` (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 54.8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`Traveller, follow the stars home, like all who did before you`~*~` (stop:)] ]|more>[] (live: 57.6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`We are your home, twinkling and warm, where infinity awaits`~*~` (stop:)] ]|more>[] (live: 60.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`You are part of us forever`~*~` (stop:)] ]|more>[] (live: 63.4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`You are here with us forever`~*~` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 70.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[....so said the Stars.... (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 77s)[(transition: "dissolve")[And I feel a hand on my shoulder again, and... a familiar voice this time... saying:(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 82s)["Taylor! Stop! Turn it off! Drop it! Taylor!"(stop:)] |more>[] (live: 87s)[(goto: "clank")] {(unless: A.track('ALPHA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('ALPHA').play(); </script> ]}

(transition: "shudder")[`[clank]`] (live: 4s)[(goto: "wakeup")] <script>A.stopAll()</script>

Taylor? Oh my god. Did we reconnect? You there? Please be there. Please. [[I'm here.]] [[What happened?!]]

Ok sure let me position my legs and turn on the jams and moonwalk away to the next planet. Wow look at me go! I'm giving Michael Jackson a run for his money! I'm stuck in microgravity without a tether or anything to push off from. AND I have nowhere to go even if I could run. [[There's a way to survive this.->There has to be something you can do!]] [[There has to be something you can do!]]

With what? T2 is stronger than me and has all the advantages here. I sure do! Even if there isn't anything out here for us to do We'll be out here together. And I'll have done all I needed to--- ... T2 just stopped. Arms and legs frozen. (Hand still holding my arm in a vice grip) Occupier still wriggling around with all its tendrils. God those things are creepy. [[What's going on?]] [[Now's your chance! Get rid of it!]]

I am too. I'm not! Even if there isn't anything out here for us to do We'll be out here together. And I'll have done all I needed to--- ... T2 just stopped. Arms and legs frozen. (Hand still holding my arm in a vice grip) Occupier still wriggling around with all its tendrils. God those things are creepy. [[What's going on?]] [[Now's your chance! Get rid of it!]]

I don't know. T2 has never acted like this before. I'm at T2's mercy out here and yet nothing is happening. T2 was just trying to kill me and... Hold on let me take this chance to get rid of the occupier I don't like it and it doesn't like me. How about a few punches? [[-Taylor is fighting-]]

The occupier! Yes! Give me a second. [[-Taylor is fighting-]]

Come on! T2 let go of it! ARGH There we go! And off it goes into the dark reaches of space where it should never bother anyone else again. God those things are creepy with all their squirming tendrils. But now, back to T2. T2 is... frozen. Not moving. Or wait. I can hardly see because of our IEVA suits but it looks like T2 is... Trembling? Why though? I've never seen T2 act this way by not acting. [[Get away from T2.]] [[Is T2 hurt?]]

Does it look like I care right now?! This... infected double of me nearly killed me so many times. Terrorized me over and over again and nearly killled Mari Lee! I can't forgive that. I don't care if that used to be me... used to be A me. T2 is dangerous. No matter how much shaking and trembling and... Woah! Easy there, T2! [[What did T2 do?->T2ChokingWHATDO]] [[You ok there?->T2ChokingOK]]

Right. Get away first and then I can figure out what's happening. Come on... let go of me, T2! Argh it's no use. T2's got me in a firm grip. And I'm still sore enough from this EVA that I can't pry each finger off. Woah! Easy there, T2! [[What did T2 do?->T2ChokingWHATDO]] [[You ok there?->T2ChokingOK]]

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic1]] "Parallel Lines" by A-Trak. (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 41s)[(transition: "dissolve")[The music is chipper, got a nice beat and groove to it. Certainly makes the deep cold void of space feel more inviting when you're rocking to a new song.(stop:)]] |more>[] (live: 50s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 140s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Oh. (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 150s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Ok yes I //am// an astronaut and //was// lost in a black hole. But I really don’t like the wording of stars burning out. That reminds me WAY too much of present very very real possibilities.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 190s)[(transition: "dissolve")[All in all, a pretty nice song. Gives you a lot to think about. Like if there //are// other universes out there. Universes that are mostly the same, maybe a few things switched up for good fun and laughs. But, more or less, running parallel to each other.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 218s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Wait a second.](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 219s)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[-Taylor is looking-->Board Ship Start]](stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $parallellines to 1) (unless: A.track('LAS1').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS1').play(); </script> ]

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic2]] "Lullaby" - Finity's End Hey cool. It's a lullaby. Perfect for my pre-sleep routine. (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 113s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I really get this son's side. Space can be cold and dark and full of lifelessness. But it's... odd that this son doesn't know about Earth and all its blue skies and beautiful plants and fuzzy rats.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 125s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 173s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Oh wow that came out of nowhere. Hey... uh. This got dark. They all died? No, they didn't die. But they will, inevitably. On a ship without supplies due to some mistake in, I don't know, probably the cryro or whatever sci-fi tech they have in this song.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 185s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 304s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Turn out the stars, come away..." Oh. Oh god. She didn't... No. She did. Great. I've got chills all over. I thought this was going to be a peaceful song to rock //me// off to sleep, but instead it's just making me remember how fragile my existence out here really is.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 341s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I should try to get some sleep myself now and forget about the fridge horror latent in that song. A LOT has happened today. More than any other day I've lived. So let's hit the hay, the "hay" being the "box of gloves." I just want to thank you again. Sincerely, you mean a lot to me. I wouldn't be able to get this far without you. [[-Taylor is sleeping-->First Morning]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (set: $TayTrust2 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust2 to $T2Trust) (unless: A.track('LAS2').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS2').play(); </script> ]

{(unless: A.track('LAS4').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS4').play(); </script> ]}[[`Skip-->`->NoMusic4]] "Guardians" from Carmen Miranda's Ghost Sounds like another sci-fi folk song. (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 30s)[(transition: "dissolve")[A great opening to fixing some machines, wouldn't you say? (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 36s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 172s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Maybe this was a mistake. The lyrics are making me worry about my own mortality around here. It's not just aliens that can kill me. Cheery. The song is fairly hopeful at least. Keep going. Don't give up. You can do it!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 235s)[(transition: "dissolve")[{(unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}{(if: $proximityalarm is 1)[`[BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP]` AAAAHH OH MAN THAT'S LOUD WHAT THE HELL IS THAT IS THAT THE-- TAYLOR GET YOUR SCARRED BUTT UP TO THE FLIGHT DECK. GEEZ YEAH OKAY. GIVE ME A MINUTE. [[-Taylor is busy-->Flight Deck Pre-Crash]]] (else:)[ What's up next on my shipboard to-do list? (unless: $waterrec is 1)[ [[Water reclamation->Water reclamationCRASH1]] ] (unless: $airfilters is 1)[ [[Air filters->Air filtersCRASH]] ] (unless: $distressbeacon is 1)[ [[Distress beacon->Distress beaconCRASH]] ] (unless: $proximityalarm is 1)[ [[Proximity alarm->Proximity alarmCRASH]] ] (unless: $cleanlab is 1)[ [[Clean up labs->Clean up labsCRASH]]] ]}(stop:) ]] |more>[]

[[`Skip-->`->NoMusic5]] "Satellite Call" by Sara Bareilles. (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 65s)[(transition: "dissolve")[It's... nice. ...it is. (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 70s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 104s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I forgot how much I loved listening to music with people. I lucked out with the comms having this playlist. You're so lucky. (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 111s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 214s)[(transition: "dissolve")[You know we can both be "Taylor." If you want to go by that name I can go by "Tay." That's ridiculous. What is? You want the name "Tay?" You should go by Mom's name for us. "Po-Taylor-Tot." Correction: "Sweet Po-Taylor-Tot." I'll call you "Taylor" if you'll call me ANYTHING but that. Come on. I'm fine with Mom calling us that but I'd rather us keep our dignity with our lifeline here. Fair enough. I'll still call you "Taylor," Taylor. Nah. "T2" is fine. It's got a nice ring to it if I make it my own. But thanks. (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 284s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ I am not feeling up to facing problems right now. I guess we should get some shut-eye then. Rest. Recharge. Recuperate. We'll talk with you later, lifeline, ok? [[-Taylor and T2 are resting-->Lab Plans And Sprint]] (stop:) ]]|more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS5').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS5').play(); </script> ]} (set: $Music5 to 1) (set: $TayTrust5 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust5 to $T2Trust)

{(unless: A.track(‘LAS7’).isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track(‘LAS7’).play(); </script> ]}[[`-->`->NoMusic7]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Levitate" By Imagine Dragons (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 100s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Maybe we can turn off the gravity for a few hours and have some fun floating around. I DO know how to work the AG. We could do this. The last time we had zero-g was... This EVA and our joint EVA. Before that. Those don't count since they were terrifying, not free of worry like the vibe from the song. Then it was... the first day on the Varia. Yeah. Adair opened up a pack of M&Ms once we got out of Earth orbit and we all tried to catch them in our mouths. Colby won that one. By a longshot.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 112s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Let's do that again, later. When we've got everything set to go for the rest of the trip. You know it, T2.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 190s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm going to change out of this ruined IEVA suit. You've been with me through so much, friend, 'tis a shame you're a wreck. I KNOW our lifeline is a wreck, but you don't have to be mean about it. I meant my suit! I know, Taylor. It was a joke. Oh. Ha. Ha. [[-Taylor is changing-->FEAST]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic11]] "Star Star" by The Frames. Another song with stars? This is getting repetitive. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 72s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ ....... Sounds like a lullaby. Exactly what you don't need. Hmmmm....(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 84s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 155s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`011100110010000001110000001000000110100100100000011000110010000001100001`~*~` ")[(show: ?starStarStar)...... `~*~` s p i c a `~*~` `[Taylor is sleeping]` ] (stop:) ]] |more>[] |starStarStar)[ (link: "Spica.")[(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[...... More stars you're naming randomly? Have I ever mentioned you're weird-- Huh. Taylor fell asleep. And here I thought lullabies were pump up songs.(stop:) ]]]] (live: 175s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[Can you get Taylor a blanket?]] [[That's...odd.]] ] ](stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS11').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS11').play(); </script> ]}

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic8]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ TEXT (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS8').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS8').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

[[`Skip-->`->NoMusic14]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ TEXT (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS14').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS14').play(); </script> ]}

[[`Skip-->`->NoMusic15]] "Go!" By Public Broadcasting Service (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 51s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Wow. It's clips from... I think it's the Apollo __ mission to land the Eagle on the moon. I'm hoping for some good luck to both of us today.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 56s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 194s)[(transition: "dissolve")[There's so much that could go wrong during liftoff, landing, and even on the short flight over to the moon. And that's why it's so important to check every individual piece. But it worked. It really worked. And history was made that day.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 204s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 234s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 234.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 234.6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 234.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 235.2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 235.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 236s)[(transition: "dissolve")[GO! GO!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 253s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[I'm happy for you two.->GoHappy]] [[You two sound like you're having fun.]](stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS15').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS15').play(); </script> ]}

(live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Major Tom (Coming Home)" by Shiny Toy Guns.(stop:) ]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Major Tom? How’s that for a poetic bookend for this field trip? (stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Space Oddity all the way up, Major Tom all the way down.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hopefully we don’t end up like him.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Yeah. That’d bite the big one.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[We’ll chat when we’re back on Earth, ok $name?(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[See you then.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[We’re completing last system checks for you.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Cool beans.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Uh, copy.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[All systems are Go. On your marks.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[You ready to blow this joint?(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[What do you think?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[We’re Go. We’re Go.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~f a r e w e l l~*~` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ESC-POD indicates successful launch from vessel]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[The pod’s rattling pretty hard. Everything still good? (stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Yes, Taylor. Everything is fine. You’re entering the Earth’s atmosphere right now.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Whoof that’s some heavy Gs and it’s just gonna get worse.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[How are you holding up?(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Could be loads better. Already greying out.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Don’t worry. We’re handling everything all the way to the ground. And we have medics right where you land. You’re safe with us.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey, $name… you there?(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[‘Course you are.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Thank you, for everything. Helping us survive with humor intact, listening to our bad jokes, and sticking with us and never truly giving up.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[But mostly?(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Thanks for being our friend. That means more to me than actually surviving.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Out of all the universes of the multiverse that you’ve guided us through…(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[…I think you did the best you possibly could ever have… right here…(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[So… thanks..(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..an..d….(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[……(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.. …….. ….(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[so close scared(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[won’t make it to finish line(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[we’ll be home(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[……made it(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[coming…(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[... home… … ..(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.. …… ……. .. .(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA suit sensors indicate G-LOC]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`0110000100100000011000110010000001100011001000000110010100100000011100000010000001110100001000000110111100100000011101010010000001110010001000000110011000100000011010010010000001101110001000000110000100100000011011000010000001100111001000000110100100100000011001100010000001110100001000000111010000100000011011110010000001100010001000000111010100100000011100100010000001101110`~*~` ") [`~*~ a c c e p t o u r f i n a l g i f t t o b u r n ~*~`](stop:) ]]   (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ESC-POD sensors indicate increased temperatures]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[heat shielding failing]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[guidance stabilizers offline]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[planned trajectory changing]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[location tracking offline]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[We’re having problems with major systems.(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I think we’re los—(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[lost communication signal with mission base]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~a n d s h i n e~*~`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ESC-POD sensors indicate successful parachute deployment]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[safe deceleration speed detected]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~g o o d l u c k~*~`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[successful last stage deceleration]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[…]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[successful ground landing confirmed]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[attempting to reacquire comms signal to mission base]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[…]`(stop:) ]] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[cannot connect]`(stop:) ]] {(unless: A.track('LAS16').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS16').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic3]] "Astronaut" by Simple Plan (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 45s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ This song is coming from the heart. And in my case, from the heart, and from my terrified mind due to its literal truth.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 52s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 80s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I just hope the world doesn't forget about me, you know? I bet you won't forget, but Captain Shepherd on the White Star probably knows that I'm dead. And as for Mari Lee... well you don't usually hear tales of astronauts escaping from black holes. I'll joke about the monument you're gonna build me and stuff like that all the time. But with everything that's out here in the multiverse and out there for you and your life-- I can't keep forgetting you have your own business to deal with when you're not helping me-- there's a lot to remember. Normally I wouldn't care about all this "importance" and would just want to have a normal life with normal everyday boring things... and I still do. I really hope everything can be normal when I get back. Space is a lot bigger than I ever imagined, and after all the science fiction books I've read growing up I have a great imagination.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 115s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 182s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ "Can I please come down?" Reminds me of that one tweet I saw a while ago back at home. "I want to go home" said the astronaut. "So come home," said ground control. Then the stars also called out to the astronaut to come home but that's silly. There's not much good left out here in the stars and I am SO READY to go back home. Stars and previous love of space be damned.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 220s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ How are your beans, T2? Are they cool? They're not cool, Taylor. Whatever. Now let's get more rest. There's been enough excitement for our recovering bodies lately. Talk to you later, ok? [[-Taylor and T2 are busy-->ToDoList]] (stop:) ]]|more>[] (set: $TayTrust3 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust3 to $T2Trust) (unless: A.track('LAS3').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS3').play(); </script> ]

Hey... You there? Because I'm not going to be for much longer. Spacesuits don't last forever. Ok, maybe they do, but the people //inside// them don't without a steady supply of the good O2. And... my limited supply is finally running down to the single digits. ....... I just want to thank you for being with me through everything. From our first communication on that moon right up to now. Hey don't be sad. I'm not green at least. Spared me of that..... So thanks... This... is Cadet Taylor... signing... off....... ........ (live: 25s)[ `[`connection lost`]` (stop:)] (live: 30s)[ [[REWIND->RRREWIND]](stop:)] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $RecordRoom to $RecordRoom +1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1)

Something shiny caught my eye. Again. What is with me and shiny things? First it's a piece of scrap metal from that caravel... then the first sightings of the awful Viridian... then the debris... Well, Mari Lee was the only good shiny thing I'm made contact with recently. [[Maybe it's her.]] [[Be careful, Taylor.]]

Not sure. Everything is "ok" at this particular moment. (I don't want to think about how long that will last.) Something shiny caught my eye. Again. What is with me and shiny things? First it's a piece of scrap metal from that caravel... then the first sightings of the awful Viridian... then the debris... Well, Mari Lee was the only good shiny thing I'm made contact with recently. [[Maybe it's her.]] [[Be careful, Taylor.]]

If it is, it means she jumped right back into her escape pod after it "docked" in the Viridian. So unless she decided to abandon ship after meeting the marines... I doubt it. Whatever it is, it’s coming in slowly. REALLY slowly. Not too far away but according to my comms... Yeah. It’s heading right for me. At maybe... Oh man 50 miles an hour?! Wait. Metric. 50 //kilometers// an hour. [[Just act casual.]] [[How far away is it?]]

Don't worry I will. In the words of half the characters in the Star Wars saga: “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” Whatever it is, it’s coming in slowly. REALLY slowly. Not too far away but according to my comms... Yeah. It’s heading right for me. At maybe... Oh man 50 miles an hour?! Wait. Metric. 50 //kilometers// an hour. [[Just act casual.]] [[How far away is it?]]

Yes! Oh man. We reconnected. Thank god. I'm so glad. You're here! [[What's going on?!]] [[Get away from Taylor.]]

Yes! Oh man we reconnected. Thank god. I'm so glad. She's gone! They're all gone! [[What's going on?!]] [[Get away from Taylor.]]

What? No! I have to... Oh man... Taylor! [[Is Taylor ok?]] [[I said get away from Taylor. Now.]] (set: $T2distrust = 1) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - 1)

I don't know! I barely remember anything. Well, I remember panicking like I'm doing right now which is probably just a continuation of the panic. And then she looked at me and... I don't... Oh man... Taylor! [[Is Taylor ok?]] [[Get away from Taylor.->I said get away from Taylor. Now.]]

Whatever Taylor did left a burn from fingertips to neck. And if one of us has direct experience treating burns... it's me. So being the only conscious person on this ship, I'm going to help. Give us a few minutes to get to the Med Bay. [[-T2 is busy-->medbayburn]]

(set: $T2distrust to $T2distrust+1)No! Why are you... Who cares. We'll chat later. I have to help. Whatever Taylor did left a burn from fingertips to neck. And if one of us has direct experience treating burns... it's me. So being the only conscious person on this ship, I'm going to help. [[-T2 is busy-->medbayburn]] (set: $T2distrust to $T2distrust+1) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - 1)

We're back at the Med Bay now. ADBAC strips out, gauze at the ready... Carefully cutting the pajamas sleeve away... Oh. Wow. ......... You've heard of a Lichtenberg figure before? [[Yes I have.]] [[No, what is it?]] {(unless: A.track('CALM').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('CALM').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

[[`Skip-->`->NoMusic10]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ TEXT (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] Cadet Taylor is our name, And Terra is our nation. Deep space is our dwelling place, `~*~`The Stars`~*~` our destination. {(unless: A.track('CASSINI').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('CASSINI').play(); </script> ]}

You know how it's sorta tree-like? Or like a lightning strike? The burns are like that. Running up Taylor's arm. Fingertips to neck. But I swear it's connecting each freckle like... ...a constellation. ..... (Why does Taylor get the cool scars?) [[Yours are cool too.]] [[But Taylor is ok?]]

It's a property of electricity. When electricity moves through a conducting material the discharges branch off like... well, tree branches... ...or like lightning. Which I guess makes sense since it's electricity. The burns are like that. Running up Taylor's arm. Fingertips to neck. But I swear it's connecting each freckle like... ...a constellation. ..... (Why does Taylor get the cool scars?) [[Yours are cool too.]] [[But Taylor is ok?]]

(set: $T2distrust to $T2distrust -.5)I //make// mine cool. I //own// the look. I'd say I'm still my //very// attractive self, not //despite// the scarring and jade eyes... But because my look is now "Dread Space Pirate Roberts." Anyway let's not get distracted by my facial features. Princess Buttercup is getting treated as we speak. So now's a good time to catch up on the details. Do you remember what happened with the Greens? Because I remember panic, panic, more panic... ...and then seeing Taylor frozen in place with the EMP, probably past the "let go" limit of being electrocuted until I stepped in. Then our connection came back, I took us both back here... ...that's about it on my end of the comms. Anyway I'm almost done wrapping the gauze. Taylor should be fixed up and-- aaAA [[Are you ok?->T2eyeacheok]] [[What's happening?->T2eyeache]]

Unconscious, but yeah. I'm treating the burns as we speak. So now's a good time to catch up on the details. Do you remember what happened with the Greens? Because I remember panic, panic, more panic... ...and then seeing Taylor frozen in place with the EMP, probably past the "let go" limit of being electrocuted until I stepped in. Then our connection came back, I took us both back here... ...that's about it on my end of the comms. Anyway I'm almost done wrapping the gauze. Taylor should be fixed up and-- aaAA [[Are you ok?->T2eyeache]] [[What's happening?->T2eyeache]]

aaaAAAAA nnnNNNNNNN [[T2?->T2eyeache2]] [[Woah are you ok?->T2eyeache2]]

yyyyyyyyEAH Sharp pain behind my eyes to the back of my skull ..... subsiding ........there we go back to normal What the crap. I can't even make cohesive swears. [[Not a good sign.]] [[Sit down. Relax.]]

(set: $T2distrust to $T2distrust +.5)Oh really? I //always// thought excruciating migranes were the best indicator of health. Maybe you flipped your odds ratio around and your thesis advisor... ugh... I'm gonna... take a moment to sort my brain out. Give me a minute. [[-T2 is resting-->T2eyeache3]]

I'll... yeah. Good idea. Give me a minute. [[-T2 is resting-->T2eyeache3]]

Alright. I'm feeling a little better now. Not as off-balance and calmer than before. I finished mummy-wrapping Taylor from fingers to head. With a little rest and some loving care I bet everything will heal just peachy. In the meantime I'm gonna wait for Taylor to wake up. (That self-sacrificing little...) Hm. Whatever plan it was to stop the transmission worked at least. I'll ask for the details later. Wait a second. Where's Taylor's comms? Huh. I'll take a look for it. {(if: $T2distrust > 1)[Anyway I hope you can chill a little. I'm doing all I can out here to help. ]} [[-T2 is busy-->TayWakeUp]]

Sorry for a lack of updates. I fell asleep waiting and woke up to Taylor pulling off the gauze and well, we're both good now. Downright peachy in fact. Why are there no peach flavored things in these MREs? [[Is your headache better?]] [[How's Taylor doing?]]

I... I know. I really hope we'll reconnect after this. Because I think I'll need something a bit more potent than 450V. I'll tell you about my plan on the way back to the labs. Crawling back out from under the control panel-- Oh. T2 is looking at me. WHAT. STOP. NO! GIVE THAT BACK! OH NO. NO. ..... Good job, Taylor. We appreciate your assistance. Let your double run for now. We'll all be together soon. Now... You know what to do. Break it. //We're// the only friends you need. ...... ............ .................. [[Taylor? Where did you go?->T2frozen]] [[Please don't do it, T2.->T2frozen]]

Taylor... We still see what you see for we were never really gone We will never be gone We have always been with you and we always will be with you ...... ............ You cannot escape us for you cannot escape yourself You will always have a small piece of us with you A momento, from our time spent together Of our unity Of never truly being alone. ............................ ........................................ Taylor. You'll always have us with you No matter what happens ............ ............................................................ ........................................ Hurry up. .................... ........................................ We know you can do it. Break it. [[.............->T2frozen2]]

(set: $greencomms = 1)It's not working! Nothing is working! And if I pull out too many of these cables nothing else on this ship will work either! Oh god. [[Get the EMP->T2breakscene]] [[You know what you have to do.->T2breakscene]]

(live: 20s)[(goto: "So Said the Stars")] <script>A.stopAll()</script>

Hey I'm... I'm back, Regina. I have a surprise for you. (And for you too, Lifeline, because I'm a mad scientist whose florally-burned butt is going to fall right off) A simple EMP is not strong enough for this. Ready for a last transmission? Because throwing tunguskite into the equation tends to stop our communication for a while. Anyway I hope this works. What are you doing Tayl-- [[-connection interrupted-]]

Ok. Ok. I'll go there now. Get the EMP, bring it back, cut out this horrorshow. (and hopefully not our comms for good) I... actually... Looking at T2 again--- WHO IS LOOKING RIGHT AT ME NOW OH CRAP I might need a little more power than I thought. Hold on. And trust me. [[-Taylor is busy-->T2frozennocomms]]

Taylor. We appreciate your assistance. Now... You know what to do when your double comes back. //We're// the only friends you need. ...... ............ .................. Taylor... We still see what you see for we were never really gone We will never be gone We have always been with you and we always will be with you ...... ............ You cannot escape us for you cannot escape yourself You will always have a small piece of us with you A momento, from our time spent together Of our unity Of never truly being alone. ............................ ........................................ Taylor. You'll always have us with you No matter what happens ............ ........................................ [[.............->T2frozennocomms2]]

Hey I'm... I'm back, Regina. I have a surprise for you... both of you... A simple EMP is not strong enough for this. Um... (And for you too, Lifeline, because I'm a mad scientist whose florally-burned butt is going to fall right off) Ready for a last transmission? Because throwing tunguskite into the equation tends to stop our communication for a while. Anyway I hope this works. What are you doing Tayl-- [[-connection interrupted-]]

Hey it's me. Checking in again. Me and T2 are doing some repairs (as much as we know how to do which isn’t much). Currently T2 is supposed to be trying to get the nav systems back on so we can plan our route on home. Getting the systems back on will be easy enough with our wonderful computer skills. Getting home in a really really wide berth around that godforsaken moon is a different story and adventure all together. T2 is relearning some math for it. Lots of parabolae drawing again. (Ugh. Math.) So I’m 'stuck' doing the labor. [[Hey! Math is a blast.]] [['Ugh. Math.' is right.]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust3) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust3) (set: $waterrec to 0) (set: $airfilters to 0) (set: $distressbeacon to 0) (set: $proximityalarm to 0) (set: $cleanlab to 0) (set: $ToDo to 0) (unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

Really? Care to do the routing job for us? No really. Let's see you do this. Name one of the 'x's in this factorial. x^^2^^-2x-35 = 0 [[Well...->math question]]

//Right?!// Come join me in the life sciences, my friend. There's less math and more fuzzy rats. (and space-lichen) Anyway. That's what's happening around the starship Varia. [[How's T2 doing?]] [[Did you tell T2?]]

{(set: $answer to (prompt: "Name one of the 'x's in this factorial. x^^2^^-2x-35 = 0", ""))}(print: $answer)[?] {(if: $answer is '7')[GRAPE JOB! I guess I underestimated you. I'll come to you for all my math related problems.] (elseif: $answer is '-5')[GRAPE JOB! I guess I underestimated you. I'll come to you for all my math related problems.] (else:)[BZZZZZT! Wrong! Follow me into the life sciences, my friend. There's less math and more fuzzy rats!]} Anyway. That's what's happening around the starship Varia. [[How's T2 doing?]] [[Did you tell T2?]]

A lot better now. Still a bit weak but what can you expect from coughing up an occupier. T2's leg muscles repaired faster than I expected so... Uh, yeah. Cat’s out of the bag with T2 and the Varia multiverse situation. I was... trying to find everyone and bring them together to say a few words. I got some help after a brief moment of emotion. And everyone... we put everyone in the crew quarters for now. A storage area didn’t feel right. We said a few words for the crew and it's taken care of. [[That was a nice gesture.]] [[The entire crew?]]

Uh, yeah. Cat’s out of the bag with T2 and the Varia multiverse situation. I was... trying to find everyone and bring them together to say a few words. And T2's leg muscles repaired faster than I expected so... I got some help after a brief moment of emotion. And everyone... we put everyone in the crew quarters for now. A storage area didn’t feel right. We said a few words for the crew and it's taken care of. [[That was a nice gesture.]] [[The entire crew?]]

Well, they were our crew and space-family (and... us). What else could we have done? Anyway it’s weird to be back in the ways of “I’m older than you and have more experience. Trust me.” “Ok, T2, I know you’re not trying to kill and infect me! I trust you with my life!” Did I mention T2's eyes are still that green? It creeps me out. I dropped my chicken chunks in surprise when I saw those eyes staring back at me after T2 woke up. They're not glowing like Rudolph’s nose as much as they did before but still definitely //green//. [[That's strange.]] [[Do you not feel safe?]]

.... Ok look, I did not want to go into the labs until T2 made us do it. Could "God, I wish that were me" not be the first words that were said? Whatever. T2 is handling it better than I am. I’m glad we could do it together instead of just me. Anyway it’s weird to be back in the ways of “I’m older than you and have more experience. Trust me.” “Ok, T2, I know you’re not trying to kill and infect me! I trust you with my life!” Did I mention T2's eyes are still that green? It creeps me out. I dropped my chicken chunks in surprise when I saw those eyes staring back at me after T2 woke up. They're not glowing like Rudolph’s nose as much as they did before but still definitely //green//. [[That's strange.]] [[Do you not feel safe?]]

//I know.// (I only say this because usually T2's comms are off for some reason and only turned on to find me) I guess we’ll find out later if they stay emerald or go back to our poetically-named brown. I really hope it isn't permanent. Those eyes creep me out but I hate feeling that way after T2 went through so much. Facial burns? In the realm of the familiar. Alien green eyes? In the realm of the alien. [[Do you not feel safe?]] [[Are you worried?]]

Don't get me wrong, I do feel safe. What T2 went through must have been absolutely HORRIFIC-- occupiers AND being alone. And like I said, T2 has been helpful the past day or so with the crew. ..... [[...but?]] [[So it's ok.->...but?]]

But it's so weird talking with yourself, face to face... ...but it's not your face, but it is... ...and it's not YOU since there's been different exposure conditions, trials, and subsequent experiences... ...but it IS you. It's like a distorted funhouse mirror of what could've happened to me. What a magnificent case study in loneliness this is. I'm in exposure group 'lifeline' and T2 is in control group 'none.' Someone write this all down for a publishable paper. Boost yourself up in the ranks of academia on our traumatized behinds. Back to my inter/intrapersonal problem. Whenever I'm told what to do I just think back to how easily I trusted on the Viridian and how BADLY that almost worked out for me. Then I feel bad because that's not a green ME. Not anymore. So I should give my trust... [[Maybe you shouldn't.]] [[You should.]]

I... I know. I'm working on it. We still make jokes and recite our favorite tv episodes together when we can so that's good for you to know. We can sing the backup vocals of our favorite songs without cutting ourselves off mid-word! I always wanted to do that! It's so satisfying hearing your slightly-unfamiliar voice continue the melody while you sing on that long emotive note. Ahh... [[I want a time-looped twin now.]] [[Sounds interesting.]]

We find our fun where we can out here. Otherwise I'd be rearranging the MRE packs //ad nauseam//. Literally //ad nauseam//. There's too many chicken chunks. I should get back to work. Quick question! It pertains to my work, in fact, so it’s not about your meal preferences. What machine should I cast healing hands on next? (Spoiler alert: my hands are not machine healing but are machine salvaging-to-minimal-functionality) I’ve got to set up the water reclamation unit and make sure the air filters are working. I could also hook up the distress beacon or the proximity alarm, if you think I should. Or clean up some of the labs to make sure nothing goes haywire while we’re en route. The list goes on and on. So what's up first? [[Water reclamation]] [[Air filters]] [[Distress beacon]] [[Proximity alarm]] [[Clean up labs]] (set: $waterrec to 0) (set: $airfilters to 0) (set: $distressbeacon to 0) (set: $proximityalarm to 0) (set: $cleanlab to 0)

Cool. I'm the trend-setter for all the multiversal styles. Go ahead and find yourself a Tipler cylinder, blow up some tunguskite, and outsmart yourself on an alien-commandeered spaceship. Then we can start a quartet. I should get back to work. Quick question! It pertains to my work, in fact, so it’s not about your sibling wishes. What machine should I cast healing hands on next? (Spoiler alert: my hands are not machine healing but are machine salvaging-to-minimal-functionality) I’ve got to set up the water reclamation unit and make sure the air filters are working. I could also hook up the distress beacon or the proximity alarm, if you think I should. Or clean up some of the labs to make sure nothing goes haywire while we’re en route. The list goes on and on. So what's up first? [[Water reclamation]] [[Air filters]] [[Distress beacon]] [[Proximity alarm]] [[Clean up labs]] (set: $waterrec to 0) (set: $airfilters to 0) (set: $distressbeacon to 0) (set: $proximityalarm to 0) (set: $cleanlab to 0)

Onto the water reclamation unit. We still have a little water in bottles left between us in the galley but this will be nice to get back. Then we can be fully hydrated and get our 8oz a day. Is that the right recommendation still? [[-Taylor is fixing the water reclamation units-]] (set: $ToDo to $ToDo + 1) (set: $waterrec to 1)

Aye aye, first mate! Gotta make sure I can take all the deep breaths and calm down if-- when-- the occasion arises. [[-Taylor is replacing the air filters-]] (set: $ToDo to $ToDo + 1) (set: $airfilters to 1)

I found the distress beacon. It’s not in bad shape so it won’t take long to get functional. I wish I could attach it to me and carry it around because usually the distress follows me. Too big though. [[-Taylor is fixing the distress beacon-]] (set: $ToDo to $ToDo + 1) (set: $distressbeacon to 1)

Onto the labs. My lab. Taylor’s LABOR-A-TORY!!! What a good show that was. I lied. Instead of Taylor’s Laboratory, this is Trotter’s. He was our physics whiz and had a lot of equipment set up to test motion in different Gs. He was also our Geology genius. There are tons of rock samples he was analyzing all over the place. I’ll have to clean up and put them back on the shelves since they all floated away. Huh. Come to think of it? He probably knew about tunguskite. Physics energies, rocks? Ionic crystalline structures? I didn’t think to ask him earlier since I had no idea what it was until I met the miners on the White Star. I’ve been vague about my field. “Science” isn’t exactly a major in any course catalogues I’ve found. I was studying astrobiology. With smatterings of every other science of course because everything is SO COOL even if I don’t understand it. My lichen experiments? How well they survive space vacuum, zero g, and interstellar radiation. The rats? You could call it a pet project. Nah, it’s food seeking habits in rats in low gravity. Some projects on memory in maze when they’re floating around too, because if you have rats you gotta have a cheese maze. [[What were the results?]] [[Anything we didn't know about the rats yet?]]

Finally finished. Now we can all breathe easier, literally, and in case anything happens this should not break down. Unless of course, the ship gets blasted again. I don’t think a few filters will filter out a vacuum. {(if: $ToDo is 2)[ T2’s still working with the navigation and should be done soon. Wide, WIDE berth around Tau Ceti IV which is why it’s taking a bit of time. I promised both of us some chili mac for once we set sail as a reward. (It’s the only good one, and with nothing else but some random ingredients around here, we take our enjoyment where we can) ]} {(unless: $ToDo is 3)[What's up next on my shipboard to-do list? (unless: $waterrec is 1)[[[Water reclamation]] ] (unless: $airfilters is 1)[[[Air filters]] ] (unless: $distressbeacon is 1)[[[Distress beacon]] ] (unless: $proximityalarm is 1)[[[Proximity alarm]] ] (unless: $cleanlab is 1)[[[Clean up labs]]] ] (else: )[ I got a lot done so far. As a break for work, want to listen to some music? [[Turn on the tunes!->Guardians]] [[You should just focus.->NoMusic4]] ] }

I just finished my third roll of duct tape. (As I've mentioned, duct tape is the answer to everything on board expensive ships like these) I wish Colby was here to help. But I have to make do with what she taught me. Which was a lot! So I should be good and this ought to be slightly functional. {(if: $ToDo is 2)[ T2’s still working with the navigation and should be done soon. Wide, WIDE berth around Tau Ceti IV which is why it’s taking a bit of time. I promised both of us some chili mac for once we set sail as a reward. (It’s the only good one, and with nothing else but some random ingredients around here, we take our enjoyment where we can) ]} {(unless: $ToDo is 3)[What's up next on my shipboard to-do list? (unless: $waterrec is 1)[[[Water reclamation]] ] (unless: $airfilters is 1)[[[Air filters]] ] (unless: $distressbeacon is 1)[[[Distress beacon]] ] (unless: $proximityalarm is 1)[[[Proximity alarm]] ] (unless: $cleanlab is 1)[[[Clean up labs]]] ] (else: )[ I got a lot done so far. As a break for work, want to listen to some music? [[Turn on the tunes!->Guardians]] [[You should just focus.->NoMusic4]] ] }

This one was easy enough to fix. The hard part was finding the right extension cords to rig it up. It won’t be powered by a mini generator this time but the ship’s reactor. It’s not a real beacon with lights, but emits an SOS signal on several different frequencies and includes routes and any preprogrammed help for other ships. All the main frequencies, and then some early morning radio shows and country music stations. Should we get its signal flashing? [[Fire it up!]] [[Maybe you should wait before turning it on.]] (set: $distressbeacon to 1)

All set to go! Help us Obi-wan! You're our only hope! Or other ships out there. I'm not picky. {(if: $ToDo is 2)[ T2’s still working with the navigation and should be done soon. Wide, WIDE berth around Tau Ceti IV which is why it’s taking a bit of time. I promised both of us some chili mac for once we set sail as a reward. (It’s the only good one, and with nothing else but some random ingredients around here, we take our enjoyment where we can) ]} {(unless: $ToDo is 3)[What's up next on my shipboard to-do list? (unless: $waterrec is 1)[[[Water reclamation]] ] (unless: $airfilters is 1)[[[Air filters]] ] (unless: $distressbeacon is 1)[[[Distress beacon]] ] (unless: $proximityalarm is 1)[[[Proximity alarm]] ] (unless: $cleanlab is 1)[[[Clean up labs]]] ] (else: )[ I got a lot done so far. As a break for work, want to listen to some music? [[Turn on the tunes!->Guardians]] [[You should just focus.->NoMusic4]] ] } (set: $beaconON to 1)

Oh right. The Greens could possibly find it. I guess if we’re taking so much effort to avoid them we shouldn't put up radiowave neon signs saying: LOOK! THERE THEY ARE! OCCUPY THEM! Ugh. Why’d I waste time fixing it then? {(if: $ToDo is 2)[ T2’s still working with the navigation and should be done soon. Wide, WIDE berth around Tau Ceti IV which is why it’s taking a bit of time. I promised both of us some chili mac for once we set sail as a reward. (It’s the only good one, and with nothing else but some random ingredients around here, we take our enjoyment where we can) ]} {(unless: $ToDo is 3)[What's up next on my shipboard to-do list? (unless: $waterrec is 1)[[[Water reclamation]] ] (unless: $airfilters is 1)[[[Air filters]] ] (unless: $distressbeacon is 1)[[[Distress beacon]] ] (unless: $proximityalarm is 1)[[[Proximity alarm]] ] (unless: $cleanlab is 1)[[[Clean up labs]]] ] (else: )[ I got a lot done so far. As a break for work, want to listen to some music? [[Turn on the tunes!->Guardians]] [[You should just focus.->NoMusic4]] ] } (set: $beaconON to 0)

Don't get me wrong, I do worry for T2 because I thought it would go away along with the rest of the occupier. For myself? What T2 went through must have been absolutely HORRIFIC-- occupiers AND being alone. And like I said, T2 has been helpful the past day or so with the crew. ..... [[...but?]] [[So it's ok.->...but?]]

(live: 4s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[`[incoming transmission]` (stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 6s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[`[accept transmission?]` (stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 8s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[ [[y]] [[n]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayTrust to 10) (set: $T2Trust to 2) (unless: A.track('SPACE').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('SPACE').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Incoming transmission]`(stop:)]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey, you there? Something crashed into us here and slammed the ship around. I was barely held in by the navigator chair's seatbelts. Nice bit of whiplash on my head. //Fun//. Taylor's not responding. Eyes glued to the comms is the usual order of business so that's concerning.(stop:)]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[T2! You ok?]] [[Taylor didn't have a seatbelt...]](stop:)]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Must have taken a nasty impact from the hit, whatever it was. Great. Now I have to be the nurse. I think I remember Taylor mentioning something about cleaning up the labs. Let me check on the monitors. I've got a full view of the ship from here. I am Sauron, the ALL SEEING EYE-- ....... [[Did you find Taylor?->LABCRASHT21]] [[What did you find?->LABCRASHT21]]

I... I can't. I'm in no shape to run. And there's a... there's a person staring right down on me. With glowing green eyes. This is it I bet. Oh god. two others... coming over... no no stop don't! NNNNNNnnn Nnnnnn [[nn--->LabDeathNoiseCont.2]]

Wow. Every single Taylor that you contact joins us because of you. We should really give you a promotion. At least employee of the month! I know you'll just grab another one of us out of the multiverse. You'll try to help this one, try to save that one, hope that THIS is the time and THIS is the life. Nope! Sorry! Make no mistake-- we'll catch 'em all. So why don't you keep trying? We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ `[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND (to List)->TODO REWIND]] (if: $labnoise is 1)[[[REWIND (to Lab)->NOISE REWIND]] (stop:)]]|more>[] ] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $noise to 0) (set: $GreenCrash to 1) {(unless: A.track('GREENSQUAD').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENSQUAD').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

(live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA suit sensors detect severe tachycardia]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ischemia detected]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[myocardial infarction detected]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[biosign data unstable]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[........](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[........ ....what happened....?](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[I'm sorry.]] [[They got Taylor.]] ](stop:)]|more>[]

........ I knew I shouldn't have trusted you. What a mistake that was. [[-Incoming transmission-->TayDeathGreenSpeech]] {<script> A.track('GREENS').fadeOut(4).play(); </script> ]}

........ And now they'll all come for me. I knew I shouldn't have trusted you. What a mistake that was. [[-Incoming transmission-->TayDeathGreenSpeech]] {<script> A.track('GREENS').fadeOut(4).play(); </script> ]}

I can act casual. Just chillin’ here out in the exotic paradise known as deep space. {(unless: $abandonT2 is 1)[Tethered to my barely-conscious time-looped future self who just coughed up an occupier (probably). Maybe.] (if: $parallellines is 1)[ Listening to music with my buddy and freezing up at yet another black hole metaphor because what else do artists like to do but talk about black holes?]} I’m as cool as zero Kelvins. [[Point taken.]] [[Absolute "zero cool."]]

Anyway it's much closer now. Which means we're that much closer to deciding what we're gonna do about it. I think I can make it out now. Um. Yeah it's a ship. Not a big one. Around the size of the Varia. The weird thing is that it doesn't seem to have any of its lights on. Normally there's a few lights blinking on and off Green and red for the... what were the names of the ship sides again? Ah yes. Left and right. But right now there's nothing. Just a glint on the metal from surrounding starlight. [[That's... convenient.]] [[I don't like this.]]

Hey! That is a fair point! Anyway it's much closer now. Which means we're that much closer to deciding what we're gonna do about it. I think I can make it out now. Um. Yeah it's a ship. Not a big one. Around the size of the Varia. The weird thing is that it doesn't seem to have any of its lights on. Normally there's a few lights blinking on and off Green and red for the... what were the names of the ship sides again? Ah yes. Left and right. But right now there's nothing. Just a glint on the metal from surrounding starlight. [[That's... convenient.]] [[I don't like this.]]

Much closer now. Which means we're that much closer to deciding what we're gonna do about. I think I can make it out now. Um. Yeah it's a ship. Not a big one. Around the size of the Varia. The weird thing is that it doesn't seem to have any of its lights on. Normally there's a few lights blinking on and off green and red for the... what were the names of the ship sides again? ah yes. left and right. But right now there's nothing. Just a glint on the metal from surrounding starlight. [[That's... convenient.]] [[I don't like this.]]

At end of each rewind section, set Trust to a section-specific varible. At beginning of each rewind section set Trust to Trust numbers at end of last section. (set: $TayTrust1 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust1 to $T2Trust) (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust1) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust1) $TayDeathCount = total Tay deaths $T2DeathCount = total T2 deaths $T2ylorGreenCount = total Green T2ylors $rewind = total rewinds $GreenRecRoom = Dead!Tay and Green!T2 --> Tay floats away in record room, T2 makes it home since left in Med Bay $GreenUtilities = Green!Tay and Dead!Green!T2 --> Taylor infected after the crash (utilities) $GreenNoise = Green!Tay and Dead!Green!T2 --> Taylor infected after the crash (lab noise) $GreenHallway = Green!Tay and Dead!T2 --> T2 doesn't pick up and throw the bedpan AND Tay uses 450v EMP alone $Green120V = Green!Tay and Green!T2 --> 120V death $Green120VTay = Green!Tay and Green!T2 --> 120V death with T2 door code $Green6401000V = Dead!Green!Tay and Green!T2 --> Tay dies of electrocution (640V/1000V)and the greens infect T2 in the lab $Green450VTay = Green!Tay and Dead!T2 --> Tay uses correct EMP but loses connection but makes it home $T21 = Green!Tay and Dead!T2 --> T2 takes the Green and Tay terminates the connection in anger $GreenAirlockTay = Dead!Tay and Green!T2 --> Tay suffocates in the airlock, waits until `[connection lost]` $T42 = Dead!Tay and Green!T2 --> Tay suffocates in the airlock, rewinds early $RecordRoom = Dead!Tay and Dead!T2 --> Tay and T2 float away in record room $T3 = Dead!Tay and Dead!T2 --> Tay and T2 die from explosive decompression in debris storm (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $GreenRecRoom + $GreenUtilities*2 + $GreenNoise*2 + $GreenHallway + $Green120V*2 + $Green120VTay*2 + $Green6401000V*2 + $Green450VTay + $T21 + $GreenAirlockTay + $T42) --------------- $TayDeathCount = total Tay deaths $T2DeathCount = total T2 deaths $rewind = total rewinds $GreenCrash = Green!Tay and Dead!Green!T2 --> Taylor infected after the crash $GreenHallway = Green!Tay and Green!T2 --> While running to the lab, Tay doesn't pick up and throw the bedpan and the green catches them $Green120V = Green!Tay and Green!T2 -->120V death $Green6401000V = Dead!Green!Tay and Green!T2 --> Tay dies of electrocution (640V/1000V)and the greens infect T2 in the lab $GreenAirlocT2 = Green!Tay and Dead!T2 --> T2 suffocates in the airlock $GreenAirlockTay = Dead!Tay and Green!T2 --> Tay suffocates in the airlock $shiplog = Taylor read the log before the first morning If abandoning T2 = No SAFER, cannot board Varia. (set: $abandonT2 to 1) (unless: $waterrec is 1) complain about lack of water in med bay (unless: $airfilters is 1) complain about stuffy air in med bay (if: $beaconON is 1) and (if: $ToDo is >1) green ship arrives after only 2 items completed (if: $ToDo is 3) and (if: $proximityalarm is 1) then alarm will go off and Tay will go to the turret can buckle up for impact (if: $ToDo is 3) and (if: $cleanlab is 1) then Tay will be hit by shelf and fall unconscious in the lab dying by making noise when greens are in the room dying by making noise when unburying themselves (if: $ToDo is 3) Taylor will crash into wall wherever they currently are but will more or less recover after a minute.

I'll say. The odds of being picked up by a ship out here are 22,079,460,347 to one against if you believe Douglas Adams' calculations. I believe him, so despite not having a towel in my limited inventory... ...I'm pretty darn lucky. Hm. The weird thing is that by this point they should have done //something//. A flashing signal, a hailing on my comms... even to let me know how very screwed I am. But it's just (relatively) slowly drifting towards me. It's close enough now to see some of the details. The airlock is open, so I could board the ship rather than going surfing on gravitational waves. [[Hang ten for me.]] [[How close is the ship?]]

Wow! Me neither! But...the odds of being picked up by a ship out here are 22,079,460,347 to one against if you believe Douglas Adams' calculations. I believe him, so despite not having a towel in my limited inventory... ...I'm pretty darn lucky. Hm. The weird thing is that by this point they should have done //something//. A flashing signal, a hailing on my comms... even to let me know how very screwed I am. But it's just (relatively) slowly drifting towards me. It's close enough now to see some of the details. The airlock is open, so I could board the ship rather than going surfing on gravitational waves. [[Hang ten for me.]] [[How close is the ship?]]

It's totally, like, radical dude. Now, it's close enough that if it was going to do anything, it better have already done so. And if I'm going to do something, I better do it soon. I'd ask whether or not I should board the ship, but unless you want me dying of oxygen deprivation when my suit runs out of its supply... ...whatever's waiting for me on that ship is going to get me. I'll be careful, of course. I just can't NOT take this chance. The ship is going at about 50kmh, which isn't fast, but is on the fast side to catch. I still have my second backup tether that wasn't attached to the Viridian when I jumped ship so I might be able to lasso my way on board like a regular ole space cowboy. But I'm worried about the speed it's going. (unless: $abandonT2 is 1)[We have T2's SAFER still which should have some juice left in it. That //might// be able to reduce the distance between us and the ship so we can board. ]What do you think? {(unless: $abandonT2 is 1)[ [[The SAFER seems SAFEst]]] (unless: $abandonT2 is 1)[ [[Start the rodeo.]]] (if: $abandonT2 is 1)[ [[Anything else you can do?]]] (if: $abandonT2 is 1)[ [[Start the rodeo.]]]}

It's close enough that if it was going to do anything, it better have already done so. And if I'm going to do something, I better do it soon. I'd ask whether or not I should board the ship, but unless you want me dying of oxygen deprivation when my suit runs out of its supply... ...whatever's waiting for me on that ship is going to get me. I'll be careful, of course. I just can't NOT take this chance. The ship is going at about 50kmh, which isn't fast, but is on the fast side to catch. I still have my second backup tether that wasn't attached to the Viridian when I jumped ship so I might be able to lasso my way on board like a regular ole space cowboy. But I'm worried about the speed it's going. (unless: $abandonT2 is 1)[We have T2's SAFER still which should have some juice left in it. That //might// be able to reduce the distance between us and the ship so we can board.] What do you think? {(unless: $abandonT2 is 1)[ [[The SAFER seems SAFEst]]] (unless: $abandonT2 is 1)[ [[Start the rodeo.]]] (if: $abandonT2 is 1)[ [[Anything else you can do?]]] (if: $abandonT2 is 1)[ [[Start the rodeo.]]]}

Man, Trotter loved his rocks. He had TONS. I never knew there were so many types... And they're all back where they need to be on the shelves. (live: 6s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[CRASH]`] <script>A.stopAll()</script>(stop:)|more>[]] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WHAT THE HELL!!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[OWW! ohhh god... that hurt... ohhh... oh no oh no don't fall on me don't fall on me don't----(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[-Taylor is unconscious--->CrashShipLab2]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

I'm shaken, not stirred. But thanks for your concern. I assume you're worried about Taylor too. Uh. Taylor... as well. Must have taken a nasty impact from the hit, whatever it was. Great. Now I have to be the nurse. I think I remember Taylor mentioning something about cleaning up the labs. Let me check on the monitors. I've got a full view of the ship from here. I am Sauron, the ALL SEEING EYE-- ....... [[Did you find Taylor?->LABCRASHT21]] [[What did you find?->LABCRASHT21]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

Bad pun. Stop it. I say that only because you stole my next line. I'll try it out. "The SAFER is the SAFER option!" Hmmm, not as good. Alright. Give me a moment to awkwardly get us into position. T2's going backwards and I'm going forwards so I can attempt to aim us into the airlock. [[I wish you luck.->luckSAFER]] [[I wish you skill.->skillSAFER]]

Guess it's time for a rodeo. Pull the entire tether cord out of its storage area... tie a STRONG knot... There! As good as I can do. The ship is close now, so, lucky me. My throwing arm isn't that strong but I think I can manage to reach it without air resistance. [[I wish you luck.->luckLasso]] [[I wish you skill.->skillLasso]]

No, that's about it with my severely limited supplies. I left my SAFER with Mari, who I hope made good use of that sacrifice. I know she did, but I'm still a bit worried about her, you know? Guess it's time for a rodeo. Pull the entire tether cord out of its storage area... tie a STRONG knot... There! As good as I can do. The ship is close now, so, lucky me. My throwing arm isn't that strong but I think I can manage to reach it without air resistance. [[I wish you luck.->luckLasso]] [[I wish you skill.->skillLasso]]

Thanks. I appreciate it. I'm twirling the cord around my head. 'Round and 'round like a record. A //vintage// record. And cast off! I... I think it's gonna-- (live: 8s)[(transition: "shudder")[AAAAAARGHHHH(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[What happened?!->lassoDeath1]] [[Taylor?!->lassoDeath1]]]]|more>[]

Thanks. I'll need it. I'm twirling the cord around my head. 'Round and 'round like a record. A //vintage// record. And cast off! I... I think it's gonna-- (live: 8s)[(transition: "shudder")[AAAAAARGHHHH(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[What happened?!->lassoDeath1]] [[Taylor?!->lassoDeath1]]]]|more>[]

Thanks. I appreciate it. Quickly checking the distances between us and the ship.... C'mon Pythagoras don't fail me now... and.... Go! [[-Taylor is SAFER-ing-]]

Thanks. I'll take that skill. Quickly checking the distances between us and the ship.... C'mon Pythagoras don't fail me now... and.... Go! [[-Taylor is SAFER-ing-]]

(set: $T2distrust to $T2distrust -.5)aaaAAAAA nnnNNNNNNN [[T2?->T2eyeache2]] [[Woah are you ok?->T2eyeache2]]

Almost... almost there... It looks a lot bigger up close... but I guess all ships do when you're on the outside... and... (live: 8s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[BANG]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[OW! Damn it, T2! [[Are you okay?->SAFEROK]] [[What happened?->SAFERHAP]]]]|more>[]

The speed change when I grabbed onto the side messed with the tether. So we're in the airlock and I'm against the wall. Nnnghhh... [[Take a moment to recover.]] [[Is T2 ok?->SAFERt2AIR]]

We're in the airlock and I'm against the wall. The speed change when I grabbed onto the side messed with the tether. Nnnghhh... [[Take a moment to recover.]] [[Is T2 ok?->SAFERt2AIR]]

First I'm tethering us to the inside of this airlock, if you don't mind. I am not being flung around again. But oh man, what are the odds? Anyway I'll be bruised in the morning (if there's a morning, cheery thought) but now we can enter the spooky ship... ...that may or may not be covered in Greens! Or something even worse than the Greens! Yay! [[What horrors await!]] [[Just... be careful.]]

I took the impact between us... so I think so. I can't tell for sure since T2 isn't responding, but that hasn't changed from before. Tethering us to the inside of this airlock. I am not being flung around again. But oh man, what are the odds? Anyway I'll be bruised in the morning (if there's a morning, cheery thought) but now we can enter the spooky ship... ...that may or may not be covered in Greens! Or something even worse than the Greens! Yay! [[What horrors await!]] [[Just... be careful.]]

Maybe those starfish ones from that old Japanese film! THAT was a strange one. Everyone thought I was a Staryu that Halloween... but joke's on them! I was just trying to save them from a rogue planet hurtling towards Earth. Honorable Mention? What thanks I got. Alright I think this is the control panel for the airlock. Yep. It's closing now. Now let's cycle through the air and repressurize. It always takes a bit of time. Oh. Man. It's gonna feel so good to get out of this helmet! --AND NOT DIE IN A SPACE VACUUM-- .....huh. That's weird. [[Is something wrong?->AIRLOCKWHATSUP]] [[What's up?->AIRLOCKWRONG]]

Don't worry. I will be ALL the careful. I think this is the control panel for the airlock. Yep. It's closing now. Now let's cycle through the air and repressurize. It always takes a bit of time. Oh. Man. It's gonna feel so good to get out of this helmet! --AND NOT DIE IN A SPACE VACUUM-- .....huh. That's weird. [[Is something wrong?->AIRLOCKWHATSUP]] [[What's up?->AIRLOCKWRONG]]

Not sure... let me try again. In the meantime I can describe the place. It's a typical standard airlock here. Control panels for the air cycles, latches for tethers, a few monitors around... but they're not picking up any feeds. Also the A-G, or artifical gravity, isn't turning on right now along with most of the lights. Not sure what that means. Wish I could watch some thrilling cable tv while I wait for the airlock to pressurize. It takes F O R E V E R. [[Ah, the waiting game.->AirlockFUN1]] [[Out of tunes?->AirlockFUN2]]

It sucks! But yeah... this is strange. The airlock isn't pressurizing... and from what the control panel is reading out... ...the rest of the ship isn't pressurized either. I guess we'll be staying in these suits a little longer, eh T2? I'm taking T2 with me, tethered to my side like a balloon at a carnival. Might be less maneuverable, but always EVA (or IVA) with a buddy, right? No time like the present. [[-Taylor is opening the airlock door-]] (set: $TayTrust1 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust1 to $T2Trust)

No, I still have a playlist full of 'em, but I'll save some for later. When we can enjoy them without immediate fear and with a heartbeat not racing at a technopop bpm. But yeah... this is strange. The airlock isn't pressurizing... and from what the control panel is reading out... ...the rest of the ship isn't pressurized either. I guess we'll be staying in these suits a little longer, eh T2? I'm taking T2 with me, tethered to my side like a balloon at a carnival. Might be less maneuverable, but always EVA (or IVA) with a buddy, right? No time like the present. [[-Taylor is opening the airlock door-]] (set: $TayTrust1 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust1 to $T2Trust)

Moving out into the... I'm guessing it's the Ready Room but I can't tell. Since it's PITCH DARK. If the ship does have steady non-backup power, it's not on. Now the lack of flickering lights from before makes sense. At least the horror factors are being consistent, even if it's //really// freaking me out. [[Does your helmet light work?]] [[Use the light from your comms.]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust1) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust1) (unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

{(if: $light is 0)[Let's see what I can find in the darkness. ]}Hm. There's still a few IEVA suits hung on the walls. And... My, my.... what do we have here? It's a spare helmet! Just like my old one! As much as there's a certain aesthetic to wearing a helmet with a cracked faceplate in space like I'm not afraid of anything... That is NOT my aesthetic and I can give up some cool points for potential life. Nice. Same model and everything. I mean, all the helmets have universal attachments, but this one is exact. [[Anything to use as a weapon?]] [[Head out into the hallway.]] (set: $explorereadyroom to 1)

Heading into the spacious (not spac--) actually it seems pretty spacious. This is a comfortable ship. Besides the fact that it's dark and scary and I feel like a creepy zombie farmer axe-murderer is going to jump out at me from around the corner. Haven't seen anyone yet, but I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. Please be empty please be empty please be empty please be-- OW! Knocked my head into a door frame. [[Be careful.->CarefulDoor]] [[What's inside?]]

Let's test it out... //argh//. It doesn't. Did T2 disable that? Whatever. Doesn't matter. I'll go blindly where no Taylor has gone before. [[Explore the Ready Room.]] [[Head out into the hallway.]] (set: $light to 0)

Oh. OH. You're a genius. It's just a little light, but it's enough to find my way around. I have to get pretty close to stuff in order to see it, which, depending on what the 'stuff' is, could end badly. But here we are. [[Explore the Ready Room.]] [[Head out into the hallway.]] (set: $light to 1)

That's... weird. [[What's up?]] [[Is everything ok?]] (unless: A.track('SPACE').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('SPACE').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

Thanks! I hope your morning is a good one... or whatever time of day it is for you. I have no idea how long we slept, but we're not dead. That means the door held, but I'm not sure if there's someone on the other side of it, typing in numbers at full speed. There aren't any monitors here to check outside, so when I do leave I'm leaving blindly. Owwwww I am bruised up from that airlock bashing. [[Take a pain pill.]] [[Grab an icepack.]]

Better than yesterday. For the both of us. I have no idea how long we slept, but we're not dead. That means the door held, but I'm not sure if there's someone on the other side of it, typing in numbers at full speed. There aren't any monitors here to check outside, so when I do leave I'm leaving blindly. Owwwww I am bruised up from that airlock bashing. [[Take a pain pill.]] [[Grab an icepack.]]

And... done! I'll remember it. You good though? I’m fine. I’m just... not as able to run as I hoped I’d be at this point. My legs are made of lime jello. Uh, if you can hang tight I’ll get this chair upright. And plop your weak little legs down! {(unless: $cleanlab is 1)[Trotter had a big rock collection for his other research. And that collection is everywhere right now. Scattered across the floor is strata upon strata of geological finds and tinkerer's tools. God this place is a mess. I’d hurt my back if I try to move this big shelf. It probably had all the rocks on it that didn’t float off in micro-g but that crash smashed it to the floor. ]}I’ll sort through what mechanical, electrical, physics-cal, and geological tech I can for what we need. [[-Taylor is scavenging-->EMP1]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust6) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust6) {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Hey you there? We took some time to rest up after everything. I don't think the Greens tried to bust the door-- or keypad-- down over that time. We //did// accelerate during that time. Which means the Greens are taking us someplace. I don't like the idea of them driving the ship, but we can't do anything about that until we deal with them. [[How's T2?->LabPlanT2]] [[How are you?->LabPlanTay]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust5) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust5) {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

[[AIRLOCK COMPROMISED]]

Fine. FINE. We'll do it your way. But don't come crying to me if we can't figure out what their plans are later. How we fit into any loops we might have caused... or have been caught up in... I'm telling you, things are different in this Varia-crash-less universe. And I don't like it. But OF COURSE your values and sympathies are more important than survival. Than OUR survival. If you get us killed because we don't know something, I won't forgive you. Both of you. I'll get rid of them //nicely//. But I WILL kick them out of the airlock. Give me that satisfaction at least. `[T2 is busy]` ..... Thanks. I don't know if this was the right move in the long-term, but I appreciate your support for... Well, not letting us both abandon who we are. [[Don't mention it.]] [[T2 IS you, though.]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +2) (set: $tort to 0)

It's out, Taylor... and it's... it looks dead. Dead? The occupier? Taylor I'm sorry I put you through that I understand if you're done with me. I would be done... But I'm not...ergh I'm not.... ......... Uh... T2? ......... T2 is... reaching out to me. I could grab on and try to trust what I heard to be true... Or keep my healthy distrust of occupiers and push away. What do you think? I'm... aw hell. I'm biased. Both ways. This is me, and if I could save a version of me in pain, that'd be pretty cool. But this could also be yet another trick intended to get me to let my guard down. I defer to you. [[Push away!]] [[Take the hand!]]

It---aAAAA--- The jerk on the tether--NNNNNN --probably broke a rib-- whipped around here--ergh Oh. Oh crap I'm spinning on the end of the tether. The angles weren't---argh-- right? Oh holy crap I'm gonna smash into the side--- (live: 9s)[(transition: "shudder")[<script>A.stopAll()</script>`[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ {{(if: $abandonT2 is 1)[[[-REWIND-->RodeoREWINDKEEP]]] (else:)[[[REWIND->RodeoREWINDBoard]]]}}(stop:) ]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1)

You don't have to tell me twice! See ya, Green Space Cowboy! ......... No response. Weird. Well, THAT problem has been dealt with. Kinda disturbing to leave a double of myself to float away forever into to dark void of space. Then again, I'm also out in the dark void of space. Drifting nowhere. Alone. ....... Now what? [[How's the weather?]] [[Read any good books lately?]] (set: $abandonT2 to 1)

Got it! I've got you, T2. ......... T2? ......No response. Huh. T2's hand went limp in mine. This feels SO WEIRD. We haven't been this close together since the first day on the Viridian. It's... a bit disturbing with our history and what (maybe) just happened. It's also a bit precarious only holding T2's hand. Let me tether us together real quick. The voice in the back of my head that sounds like //me// rather than like T2 is screaming that this is a BAD IDEA. But we're tethered. Out in the dark void of space. Drifting nowhere. Together. ....... Now what? [[How's the weather?]] [[Read any good books lately?]] (set: $abandonT2 to 0)

Let me check the weather channel. Looks like it's slightly hydrogen-cloud-y with a chance of light comet debris showers. But in the next few days the skies should clear and it'll be a beautiful dark day and night since there's no star to dictate which time of the calendar day it is. (More updates at 9) [[Fascinating.]] [[Got any entertainment?]]

Indeed. [[What else is there to do out there?->Got any entertainment?]] [[Got anything electronic?->Got any entertainment?]]

You're not gonna believe this! You know my comms equipment? It comes with a built in Nintendo Switch! So what'll it be, friend? Care to get wrecked by my Mario Kart skills? [[Sorry, pal, got to get all the Korok seeds first.]] [[The lag will be AWFUL.]]

Nah. I COMPLETELY understand. Let me give you a few minutes... a few days... Take a year off our joint space adventure. //I can wait.// [[-Taylor is waiting-->KorokSeeds]]

Fair, fair. I was kidding about the Switch anyway. What I DID find was a playlist of tunes stored away in the computer. "Why did you not find that before, Taylor?" I hear you ask. To put it plainly: Shush. Want to put it on shuffle and see what comes up? [[Yes!->Parallel Lines]] [[Not now.->NoMusic1]]

Did you catch 'em all? [[Yes.->KorokYes]] [[Only the first gen.]]

Congratualtions. You're officially a nerd. I don't know what else to say. I was kidding about the Switch anyway. But while //you// were off exploring Hyrule I found a playlist of tunes stored away in the computer. "Why did you not find that before, Taylor?" I hear you ask. To put it plainly: Shush. Want to put it on shuffle and see what comes up? [[Yes!->Parallel Lines]] [[Not now.->NoMusic1]]

I believe in you. Follow your dreams. But maybe, you know, after you help me follow mine of surviving deep space. I was kidding about the Switch anyway. But while //you// were off exploring Hyrule I found a playlist of tunes stored away in the computer. "Why did you not find that before, Taylor?" I hear you ask. To put it plainly: Shush. Want to put it on shuffle and see what comes up? [[Yes!->Parallel Lines]] [[Not now.->NoMusic1]]

Okay. I'll keep my focus on something going on around here. I guess I'll just-- Wait a second. [[-Taylor is looking-->Board Ship Start]] (unless: A.track('SPACE').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('SPACE').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

I used to read so many books-- all the time-- but I lost my tablet on the Varia when it crashed. A near-infinite library of fiction and science textbooks. Gone. The only bound-books on the Varia were instruction and procedure manuals. Page-turning stories like //Standard EVA Protocols// and //Pryce and Carter's Deep Space Survival and Procedure Protocol Manual//. The complete set. [[What else is there to do out there?->Got any entertainment?]] [[Got anything electronic?->Got any entertainment?]]

Yeah I' fine, don't worry. T2 just started punching below the life support unit on our chests. No letting up at all. It almost looks like... [[A Heimlich maneuver?]] [[T2 is choking?!]]

T2 just started punching below the life support unit on our chests. No letting up at all. It almost looks like... [[A Heimlich maneuver?]] [[T2 is choking?!]]

That's what it looks like, but WHY?! What's going on, T2?! Oh. Oh god that sound. Yuck! Gross! Be glad it's voice to text for you! [[I am glad.]] [[Is something coming up?]]

Looks like it. How though?! What's going on, T2?! Oh. Oh god that sound. Yuck! Gross! Be glad it's voice to text for me out here! [[I am glad.]] [[Is something coming up?]]

Oh man. That's the WORST sound. And thanks to T2's settings it's on high volume in my ears with squealing feedback. T2 suddenly grabbed the faceplate of the helmet and I can hear... Coughing? and gagging? Ewwwww... At least T2 let go of me. ....haaa.... H-how... how in the world did that... ...happen...I don't... I don't care... it's out... sliding down my helmet... heh... just as gross out as in... What do you mean out? [[Let T2 talk.->KEEPT2DECISION]] [[What do you mean?->KEEPT2DECISION]]

I can't see! There's a reflective helmet in the way that oh-so-conveniently hid a pair of glowing green eyes from me! Oh man. That's the WORST sound! T2 suddenly grabbed the faceplate of the helmet and I can hear... Coughing? and gagging? Ewwwww... At least T2 let go of me. ....haaa.... H-how... how in the world did that... ...happen...I don't... I don't care... it's out... sliding down my helmet... heh... just as gross out as in... What do you mean out? [[Let T2 talk.->KEEPT2DECISION]] [[What do you mean?->KEEPT2DECISION]]

Alas. The floor gets the chicken chunks to nibble on. You clumsy dropper, you. ....what's that look for? N-nothing. Do not worry about it! Sounds like a lie. ...but okay. Here. Take my chunks. I ate last night. I'll take the leftover crackers. You're FAR too kind. (Hey, uh, we'll discuss this later. If I live past upcoming events.) [[-Taylor is eating-->FirstMornAfterBreakfast]]

Well... everything has been eaten. And I do mean "everything" because those were the only MREs I picked up. We have another two bottles of water between the two of us, but not much else. Let me look around here for anything else. [[-Taylor is searching-->Explore the Med Bay.]]

Brings back memories, doesn't it? There's a decent supply here anyway. We don't have to ration them like we did on that moon. This will probably be another inconsequential choice. Down the hatch. Our delicious and nutritious breakfasts are heated up, ready to serve and eat. Hey, T2, you hungr-- `[plop]` ........ [[What's wrong?->T2 has green eyes]] [[Taylor?->T2 has green eyes]]

I see where you're going with this. Unfortunately all the baking supplies are in the Galley. And there's not enough ice packs to cover my entire body's worth of bruises. This will probably be another inconsequential choice. So I'll take a pill. There's a decent supply here anyway. We don't have to ration them like we did on that moon. Down the hatch. Our delicious and nutritious breakfasts are heated up, ready to serve and eat. Hey, T2, you hungr-- `[plop]` ........ [[What's wrong?->T2 has green eyes]] [[Taylor?->T2 has green eyes]]

Besides myself and the formerly-green me over here... We've got our suits, our helmets (mine is still cracked), a backup tether each, the medical supplies laying around here, two more liters of water, empty MRE packaging, {(if: $shipLog is 1)[a ship's log with horrifying implications, ]}a full set of tranquillzers, my wit, T2's humor, and your good advice. And probably an infected person struggling to enter this Med Bay right now who is going to kill or maime us. Can't forget them. They make this party start. {(if: $shiplog is 1)[ [[Want to share what you found in the crews logs?]]] (else:)[ [[Sounds like a good supply.]] [[Anything else new around there?]]]}

The med bay is basic but functional, reminds me a lot of what we had on the Varia. The cabinets have some medications, gauze, first aid supplies, generally. Ah-ha! What's this? A full set of tranquillizers! (and EpiPens...) There's a metal bedpan which is--whooof yeah it's heavy. There's a few of those machines like what Captain Aya was hooked up to on the White Star-- don't know what they do except feats of medical engineering. And... hey! As a last resort if one of us is nearly dead there's one of those stasis pods. Complete with hover mode. Lucky us. [[I hope Captain Aya is ok.]] [[So what's the total?->What supplies do you have?]] (set: $exploreMed to 1)

It's not much, but it's something. And something is gonna have to be enough to ensure we both don't die violent, painful deaths today or tomorrow. {(if: $shiplog is 1)[ [[Want to share what you found in the crews logs?]] [[Anything else new around there?]]] (else:)[ [[Anything else new around there?]] [[Everything is alright with you?->Anything else new around there?]]]

Yeah. Me too. I can only hope Captain Shepherd had an alright time getting home. Everything worked out so great for you. What's that look for? Your Aya still has a chance. ...... ...... Awkward silences are the best. (if: $shiplog is 1)[ [[Want to share what you found in the crews logs?]] [[Anything else new around there?]]] (else:)[ [[Anything else new around there?]] [[Everything is alright with you?->Anything else new around there?]]]

Myself. I'm trying not to freak out from how the Greens get an A+ on research and citing sources to hunt me down. It's got all of us in there: Captain Aya, Colby, Trotter, Adair, Antoine... and the rest of the crew. And myself, of course. It's got all our specialities, certifications, number of training hours, general job lists--huh I never got around to doing that experiment...--, clearance levels, our pictures and medical information... the works. [[The Greens researched Arika too...]] [[That's creepy.]]

Akira who? I don't know anyone with ESP, but who's to say they haven't told me about it? Hey give me a second here I just got an idea. I'm gonna be distracted the entire time if I don't test this. [[-Taylor is measuring-]]

I'LL SAY. The fact that they're so invested in me and the Varia crew to have their very own Ship Log of the crew... Hey give me a second here I just got an idea. I'm gonna be distracted the entire time if I don't test this. [[-Taylor is measuring-]]

GUESS WHAT! I'M AN INCH TALLER NOW! Spaghettification via black hole does have its uses! The orthodontist said I would stop growing years ago. Take that, Dr. Zanoni! [[Taylor...]] [[Wheres's the closest black hole?]]

What? If there is one positive thing about this black hole water slide the Greens made, it's my new height. Maybe the Greens aren't so bad afterall! ....... I'M JOKING. JOKING. SERIOUSLY. But speaking of them. T2? Care to share the plans you learned? ........... [[Spill the beans, T2.]] [[Let's talk about this later.]]

Not sure, but you could always make one yourself. That's apparently what the Greens did. ....... Speaking of them. T2? Care to share the plans you learned? ........... [[Spill the beans, T2.]] [[Let's talk about this later.]]

Oh. Um. I don't WANT to but I think I have to. Alright, Taylor, investigation time. Where your own worst thoughts will be relieved... ...or confirmed. [[Maybe you'll find out that happened.]] [[Whatever it is it'll be ok.]]

Hey T2. Any exciting news from the med bay? Send me a pitch by 5pm. No Big Bad Wolf came to blow the door down but that's no news story. The q-tips want to know if you have any tips as to where we are. You can tell the cotton swabs that the ship's all clear. False alarm. Normal bout of pareidolia from recent paranoia. Makes sense. We've been through enough lately. All I've been doing is hiding under the blankets hoping we weren't being invaded again. The Greens are mad, Taylor. I remember that much in those last connected moments. They are really mad. [[Remember something about their plans?]] [[You'll be safe here.->SecondEvening1]]

I'm at the turn of the hallway. It makes a sharp turn right and has the sealed astromap room on the left and the utilities on the right. And, at the end of the hallway once I turn, was where I saw that person last. I gotta be honest... I'm really scared right now. Alright here goes nothing... because let's face it: nothing is most of what I've got. ..... It's there. The person is still there. At the end of the hallway near the door to the... I can't think right now. Not moving. Like it's standing watch. I can't see the eyes-- or the face-- because of the helmet. Standard issue, again. None of these people used to be marines or anyone like that. Weird how after so long it hasn't come after us. [[Wait for them to move first.]] [[Go and say hello.]] (unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

Lights are on, air is cycled through, gravity is back-- WHOOF gravity is back. hello floor. Getting used to my wobbly spaceship legs. Artificial gravity is pleasant and imperative for long trips but that initial drop from weightlessness isn't. {(if: $T2medbay is 1)[Time to check on T2 and maybe eat a snack. I'm starving.](else:)[Ooof. Didn't think about having to carry T2 back with me in normal gravity. This'll be an endeavor.]} Heading out into the hallway again. Not too bad of a place aside from the structural damage near the astromap roo-- OH MY GOD [[What?->Person in HallwayWhat]] [[Are you okay?->Person in HallwayOK]]

Yeah, you're right. I should get some sleep. A LOT has happened today. More than any other day I've lived. So I'll hit the hay, the "hay" being the "box of gloves." I just want to thank you again. Sincerely, you mean a lot to me. I wouldn't be able to get this far without you. [[-Taylor is sleeping-->First Morning]] (set: $TayTrust2 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust2 to $T2Trust) (unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play().fadeOut(5); </script> ]

Cool beans. They're not cool, Taylor. Whatever. Afterwards we can get more rest. There's been enough excitement for our recovering bodies lately. Talk to you later, ok? [[-Taylor and T2 are busy-->ToDoList]] (set: $TayTrust3 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust3 to $T2Trust) (unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play().fadeOut(4); </script> ]

Okay okay I'll keep working. There's a lot to do so I should hunker down and keep fixin'. {(if: $proximityalarm is 1)[(live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP]` AAAAHH OH MAN THAT'S LOUD WHAT THE HELL IS THAT IS THAT THE-- TAYLOR GET YOUR SCARRED BUTT UP TO THE FLIGHT DECK. GEEZ YEAH OKAY. GIVE ME A MINUTE. [[-Taylor is busy-->Flight Deck Pre-Crash]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]] (else:)[ What's up next on my shipboard to-do list? (unless: $waterrec is 1)[ [[Water reclamation->Water reclamationCRASH1]] ] (unless: $airfilters is 1)[ [[Air filters->Air filtersCRASH]] ] (unless: $distressbeacon is 1)[ [[Distress beacon->Distress beaconCRASH]] ] (unless: $proximityalarm is 1)[ [[Proximity alarm->Proximity alarmCRASH]] ] (unless: $cleanlab is 1)[ [[Clean up labs->Clean up labsCRASH]]] ]} {(unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

I am not feeling up to facing problems right now. I guess we should get some shut-eye then. Rest. Recharge. Recuperate. We'll talk with you later, lifeline, ok? [[-Taylor and T2 are resting-->Lab Plans And Sprint]] (set: $TayTrust5 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust5 to $T2Trust) {(unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play().fadeOut(4); </script> ]}

Alright. Better get some rest. .... Sorry. I just... can't see myself acting like this. I'm up for killing those greens, absolutely. But I don't like knowing I'm capable of //that//. That everything I went through could change me so much that I would rejoice in torturing them to death. I'd volunteer to kick them out of the airlock myself, don't get me wrong. The greens have taken so much from me. I don't want to lose the part of myself that cries from the loss of a life. I have no sympathy for the greens. What they've done to both crews is beyond words. But I can't let them take that away from me too. If that's what it's going to take to survive, then I'll grit my teeth and do it. But I don't want to become as vicious as my rats were... I saw that same green tint in my own spit that were in their eyes as they ripped each other apart. I know the real reason now but... I am in this mess whether I like it or not. (I do not like it.) You're my lifeline back to earth, back to home. Back to humanity and normality ('What is normal anyway?’). And I don't want to lose that. {{(if: $tort is 0)[Hey, make sure that T2 doesn't... you know.] (else:)[Thanks for checking in on me. It means a lot.]} {(if: $tort is 0)[ [[-Taylor is busy-->Morning after EMP - No]] ] (else:)[ [[-Taylor is busy-->T2epipen1]] ]} } {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Double-click this passage to edit it.

You think I need one here? (Don't answer that.) I've been looking around and... If you're waiting for me to tell you that I found a laser gun or something sweet like that you'll be waiting a bit long. I'm gonna leave now unless you want me to stare longingly at the helmet I can't swap out yet for a few minutes. Heading into the spacious (not spac--) actually it seems pretty spacious. This is a comfortable ship. Besides the fact that it's dark and scary and I feel like a creepy zombie farmer axe-murderer is going to jump out at me from around the corner. Haven't seen anyone yet, but I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. Please be empty please be empty please be empty please be-- OW! Knocked my head into a door frame. [[Be careful.->CarefulDoor]] [[What's inside?]]

Or maybe this Varia-look-alike will get blasted with another laser and I won't have to. I'm walking back upship. Trying to keep my head clear. I'll let you know what I find. [[-Taylor is busy-->FlightDeck]]

I sure hope so. Currently we're the only living people aboard this ship, from what I can tell. Not sure if that's comforting or not. I'm walking back upship. Trying to keep my head clear. I'll let you know what I find. [[-Taylor is busy-->FlightDeck]]

I'm at the flight deck. The place looks eerily familiar. Even though I never got the chance to come up here that often. ..... The first night on the Varia, I was too excited to sleep. And a little annoyed that they turned on the gravity. I was just getting used to spinning myself around and not caring what direction "up" is. Captain Aya was still awake, doing all the navigational work that night. I don't know why I knocked on the door and expected an answer as if they had to keep babysitting the new kid. But she answered and saw how excited I was and let me stay up a bit with her while she worked. I didn't bother her to ask her questions even though I had a million. We just sat there, her working, me stargazing. She always made me feel like part of the crew, even though I'm just a lucky science student thrown in with all these experts who always knew what they were doing. [[Thanks for sharing that.]] [[I'm sorry.->AyaSorry]]

No, thanks for listening. I needed a happy memory of her right now. This is just... a little overwhelming. [[Can you find out what happened?]] [[I'm sorry.->AyaSorry]]

Let me look around. There's probably a flight recorder or some sort of black box. Hey I found a mission log. Let me play it for us. [[-Taylor is listening-->missionlog]]

Thanks. Sincerely. But now I have to get to the bottom of this mystery. Why the ship-- that is the VARIA-- has a giant hole in it. Let me look around. There's probably a flight recorder or some sort of black box. Hey I found a mission log. Let me play it for us. [[-Taylor is listening-->missionlog]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +.5)

Yeah. I'm trying. Not the easiest time I'm having. Even though I'm the most graceful person you've ever met. Entering through the door I bashed my head on... Seems to be the kitchen-- er-- galley. Yep. There's a coffeemaker, some utensils, even a dining table. Looks like it could support a crew of about a dozen. All the cabinets are flung open (so it looks awfully haunted). Let me dig around here for something good. [[-Taylor is searching-->SearchGalley]]

Entering through the door I bashed my head on... Seems to be the kitchen-- er-- galley. Yep. There's a coffeemaker, some utensils, even a dining table. Looks like it could support a crew of about a dozen. All the cabinets are flung open (so it looks awfully haunted). Let me dig around here for something good. [[-Taylor is searching-->SearchGalley]]

There’s a few bottles of water here, tucked deeper into this cabinet. By “tucked” I mean “floating.” And normally I’d make some sarcastic remark about how terrible MREs are and how unlucky I am to have to eat them. But god, I’d cry if I wasn’t trying to conserve my own water. There’s a whole unopened palette of them. {(if: $light is 1)[Oh how the foil shines from my comms light! Sparkling food.]} I haven't eaten since... I only got one meal on the Viridian. My stomach is rumbling so hard I want to tear open this bag. [[Go for it.]] [[Finish exploring the ship.]]

Well, what's your guess for what I'd find in the galley? My old SCUBA gear? My model of ATP production? There’s a few bottles of water here, tucked deeper into this cabinet. By “tucked” I mean “floating.” And normally I’d make some sarcastic remark about how terrible MREs are and how unlucky I am to have to eat them. But god, I’d cry if I wasn’t trying to conserve my own water. There’s a whole unopened palette of them. {(if: $light is 1)[Oh how the foil shines from my comms light! Sparkling food.]} I haven't eaten since... I only got one meal on the Viridian. My stomach is rumbling so hard I want to tear open this bag. [[Go for it.]] [[Finish exploring the ship.]]

Oh. Man. You're not gonna believe it. I'm gonna cry. [[What'd you find?]] [[Try me.]]

I'd LOVE to. Don't get me wrong. I could care less which meal the first one I grab will be. But it's hard to eat food when you have a helmet on. I'll grab a few packs and bottles of water for now and save the rest for later. Back in the hallway now. This ship layout is familiar to me, so I know that the med bay is nearby. I'm wondering if I should detour and drop T2 off there. I can't do anything to help at the moment and it's taking half my effort to make sure I don't slam both of us into the walls. [[Don't leave T2 alone.]] [[Good idea.->T2MedbayDropOff]]

Right. Makes sense. At least we'll have some food in the future, contingent on surviving this ship's creepy funhosue of surprises. I'll grab a few packs and bottles of water for now and save the rest for later. Back in the hallway now. This ship layout is familiar to me, so I know that the med bay is nearby. I'm wondering if I should detour and drop T2 off there. I can't do anything to help at the moment and it's taking half my effort to make sure I don't slam both of us into the walls. [[Don't leave T2 alone.]] [[Good idea.->T2MedbayDropOff]]

Right. Makes sense. Don't want to risk anyone or any//thing// discovering us when T2 can't do anything. And don't want to risk T2 setting up an ambush for me when I come back if trusting was the wrong choice. But now that I have food and water and minimal shelter, I think it's time to add "atmosphere" to the list. Something is definitely wrong here if the ship is mostly out of power and not pressurizing any air. (Just a hunch, though, maybe I'm wrong) Heading to where I imagine the utilities room would be. It should have readouts of all the life support systems. [[-Taylor is busy-->UtilitiesRoom1]] (set: $T2medbay to 0)

Cool. Not too far away from here, if this place is set up similarly to my mental map. Come back here, buddy. When will artificial gravity return to me... Give me a minute to get there. [[-Taylor is busy-->MedBayDropOff1]] (set: $T2medbay to 1) (set: $T2Float to 0)

Latching the door in place... and I'm single again. It's a huge weight off my shoulders. I am still SO creeped out right now. I half regret not taking a buddy with me but you can be my buddy. You're not //here// but I feel as if you're here with me. I doubt you'd actually want to be here. But now that I have food and water and minimal shelter and won't be struggling to keep my twin from floating around, I think it's time to add "atmosphere" to the list. Something is definitely wrong here if the ship is mostly out of power and not pressurizing any air. (Just a hunch, though, maybe I'm the something that's wrong.) Heading to where I imagine the utilities room would be. It should have readouts of all the life support systems. [[-Taylor is busy-->UtilitiesRoom1]]

I just passed a sharp turn in the hallway with the utilities to my right. The air filters, water reclamation area, and other life support systems are all in here, along with diagnostics for them all. [[Did you see anyone on your way over?]] [[You sure know your way around here.]]

Opening the door and going in. (if: $light is 1)[Yep. Pretty basic from what I can see, but still very functional. ]I'll explore it more thoroughly later when I can see better. Ok, T2. Let's get you at least somewhat settled in here so I can explore and fix everything broken. Let's hope there's nothing else on this ship but us since you're pretty helpless here alone. If you are helpless, that is. [[-Taylor is busy-->MedBayDropOff2]]

Nope. Though I can't see much as it is around here. (Is seeing anyone a good thing or a bad thing?) [[A good thing.]] [[A bad thing.]]

The layout is similar to the ships I've spent some time on. There's not that much variation in starship design, especially when I'm beginning to suspect this was...is?... some kind of intermediary transport ship. Don't know where points A and B were, and since I'm ALWAYS suspecting the Greens to be involved in things nowadays... Who knows? Anyway if I can figure out a way to get the backup power on for this place I can run the diagnostics and diagnose the health condition of this vessel. [[-Taylor is working-->Utilities1]]

Yeah, maybe it is. Maybe whoever was on this ship is also trying to recover from whatever happened here, since I have a sneaking suspicion that SOMETHING happened. Or is currently happening. Fun thought. We're comandeering it from them or at least helping them out. (Hopefully they're a-ok with the help) Anyway if I can figure out a way to get the backup power on for this place I can run the diagnostics and diagnose the health condition of this vessel. [[-Taylor is working-->Utilities1]]

Yeah I'm with you. If anyone or any//thing// survived whatever happened here-- since I have a sneaking suspicion that SOMETHING happened 0r is currently happening-- they might not take kindly to my brown eyes. Fun thoughts. Happy thoughts. Moving on. Anyway if I can figure out a way to get the backup power on for this place I can run the diagnostics and diagnose the health condition of this vessel. [[-Taylor is working-->Utilities1]]

Aha! I got a mini computer to turn back on. Let's see. Tell me about why there is a lack of pressure in this ship...... This might be a problem. Just a minor hole in part of the ship. Like it got blasted from something big. No big deal. That happens ALL THE TIME out here. [[Can you fix it?]] [[Hmm not ideal.]]

Can I wait until after digesting "breakfast" for your interrogations? This was my first meal since... eh I don't remember. You don't need to eat when there's an alien parasite keeping your body alive for its own maniacal purposes. Thanks for the info, T2. //Anytime.// [[T2's a bit grumpy.]] [[Time to deal with that person.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - 1)

Seems like that'll be the only time we can. T2 looks... so relieved. But so weak and scared. I gotta admit, it's weird seeing myself like this. And knowing everything that happened to T2, not having a lifeline, going through the Viridian Funhouse of Terrors... ...I don't think I could have done it alone. "Don't think?" No. There's proof right there. [[I'm here for both of you.]] [[Next order of business.->Time to deal with that person.]]

I'm just going to sit in the navigator's chair here and have a good cry now. Even if I didn’t see all the clues around here that I was trying to convince myself didn’t exist or meant nothing... This settles it. I don’t know why we ended up here. I don’t know how this happened. I don’t know what to do. I am on the Varia. In a universe where it didn’t crash. And everyone died. This is a ghost ship. [[At least you’ve got a ship.]] [[At least you’re alive.]] (unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

....... Did you pull the lever, Taylor? Yeah I did. It's actually a button so there's no "wrong lever" to pull. What the hell. Get back inside. GET BACK IN THE LAB--OOFF T2! Oh god. One of the recon crewmembers just tackled T2. There's no way that T2 can use one of the tranqs. The second one is dodging behind me while the third one is... [[Run into the lab!]] [[Save T2!->Fine. Help T2.]]

"Yes we can!" Jokes aside I cannot. The hole looks FAR too big-- all across the side of the room. I'd need, like, 5 rolls of duct tape for that. Give or take 2. The hole is back in a storage area-- where a bunch of records and old reports and astro maps are kept. That room shouldn't be necessary for us-- not like the med bay or the galley so I can probably seal the door off for good and we'll be like lemon pepper tuna in shiny foil packaging: Stuck on a starship and ready for someone to come along and dispose of us. So I'm heading to the astromap room (that's what I'm gonna call it, for lack of a better term). It's conveniently right across the hall from me. As soon as it's sealed I can get back to the creature comforts of space: breatheable air and vision. (Hey, let me enjoy a little luxury) [[Sounds great.]] [[Bottled Air IS a luxury.]]

It's gonna be SO GREAT. Moving on. Hm. The door is open and swinging on its hinges. Let me take a look. (if: $light is 0)[Not that I have much light anyway.] Wow. Oh god. [[What's wrong?]] [[What did you see?]]

Then I'm living in the lap of luxury out here. And that luxury is the only thing keeping me from dying in the literal void of space. Moving on. Hm. The door is open and swinging on its hinges. Let me take a look. (if: $light is 0)[Not that I have much light anyway.] Wow. Oh god. [[What's wrong?]] [[What did you see?]]

Nothing IMMEDIATELY wrong. The giant hole in the side of the room that opens up to the void just seems less than ideal. The metal siding was all twisted, but also sheared away. I know I was just out there but I've gotten fond of human-engineered spaces. ...at least I hope it's human-engineered. It's the type of disaster area that you expect a few more papers to be slowly floating around like ashes in a smokey fire-- all apocalyptic and menacing-- but there's not much loose out there. When whatever hit the ship dinged it I bet everything got sucked out full force. The cabinets are closed so there might be something inside them still. Maybe they contain some information about this ship-- what it was used for, WHO it was used by... This is the last chance I have to explore this room since once I circulate the air that door has to be sealed forever. Should I give it a shot? [[No. Too dangerous.]] [[Yeah go for it.]]

The giant hole in the side of the room that opens up to the void is the first part. The metal siding was all twisted, but also sheared away. I know I was just out there but I've gotten fond of human-engineered spaces. ...at least I hope it's human-engineered. It's the type of disaster area that you expect a few more papers to be slowly floating around like ashes in a smokey fire-- all apocalyptic and menacing-- but there's not much loose out there. When whatever hit the ship dinged it I bet everything got sucked out full force. The cabinets are closed so there might be something inside them still. Maybe they contain some information about this ship-- what it was used for, WHO it was used by... This is the last chance I have to explore this room since once I circulate the air that door has to be sealed forever. Should I give it a shot? [[No. Too dangerous.]] [[Yeah go for it.]]

I know it's dangerous, but isn't everything I do dangerous? The danger could be worth the risk of getting infomation. [[Nope. Don't risk it.]] [[Fine. Check it out.]]

You know what they say-- curiosity killed that cat. I did say that I was the cat. Hm. I have to be SO careful here. One wrong turn of momentum and I'm floating away out the giant window. (if: $T2medbay is 1)[I'm glad I left T2 in the med bay. This would not be the most ideal place to swing another person around.] {(if: $T2medbay is not 1)[ [[Can you leave T2 inside?]]] (else:)[ [[So what's inside?]] ]} [[Tether yourself off to something first.]]

Hey thanks for reminding me. Me and tethers have a varied history together. I'll hook it off onto the door handle from the hallway. That should let me easily get back and not float into the void. Ok, I'm trying to hang on to the cabinet handles as I go. Hand over hand, gripping sheared and jutted out metal for handholds. I feel like I'm hanging on for dear life out here. At least in micro-g I don't feel like I'll fall 5 stories down a rock wall. Instead it's just forever into the void without anything to push off from and save myself besides this tether. [[Just be careful.]] [[So what's inside?]] (set: $tether to 1)

T2 is breathing, but the suit comms says the vital signs are all over the place. Dehydration seems to be the big one. At least we have some water. Don't know if I can get myself to drink but I can lead myself. Let me get this helmet off. .... I just remembered. I've never seen T2's face. Always had a reflective helmet on. I don't even know if the scars were a lie. [[The scars aren't a lie.]] [[Let's find out.]]

How do //you// know that? [[Well...]] [[Just a hunch.]]

Oh god. Mmmmmnnnnnnnnnnn You really did come through for me back there during the fire. Excuse my language, but T2 looks like the child of a survivor of the Death Star's trash compactor and the dianoga itself... ...who then showered in a flubber smoothie. argh gagging gotta clean it up get a bag for the green goop remains The little creepy green is there--and by all accounts dead-- so I guess it wasn't a lie. This is kinda breaking my brain for how this is even POSSIBLE. But it isn't a lie. T2 wasn't lying. I have the evidence in front my eyes right now. But how? And why? [[Deal with those questions later.]] [[I don't know.]]

Well what? You know something I don't? Oh god. //Mmmmmnnnnnnnnnnn// You really did come through for me back there during the fire. Excuse my language, but T2 looks like the child of a survivor of the Death Star's trash compactor and the dianoga itself... ...who then showered in a flubber smoothie. argh gagging gotta clean it up get a bag for the green goop remains The little creepy green is there--and by all accounts dead-- so I guess it wasn't a lie. This is kinda breaking my brain for how this is even POSSIBLE. But it isn't a lie. T2 wasn't lying. I have the evidence in front my eyes right now. But how? And why? [[Deal with those questions later.]] [[I don't know.]]

A hunch? That's it? Well I guess we'll find out together. Oh god. //Mmmmmnnnnnnnnnnn// You really did come through for me back there during the fire. Excuse my language, but T2 looks like the child of a survivor of the Death Star's trash compactor and the dianoga itself... ...who then showered in a flubber smoothie. argh gagging gotta clean it up get a bag for the green goop remains The little creepy green is there--and by all accounts dead-- so I guess it wasn't a lie. This is kinda breaking my brain for how this is even POSSIBLE. But it isn't a lie. T2 wasn't lying. I have the evidence in front my eyes right now. But how? And why? [[Deal with those questions later.]] [[I don't know.]]

UGH. FINE. I'm sealing the door off. There. You happy? I hope there was nothing important in there. Time to get this place up and running and full of air. [[-Taylor is busy-->After Record Room]] (set: $shiplog to 0)

Thanks. I'm curious, and you know what they say-- curiosity killed the cat. I did say that I was the cat. So I promise to be SUPER careful here. One wrong turn of momentum and I'm floating away out the giant window. (if: $T2medbay is 1)[I'm glad I left T2 in the med bay. This would not be the most ideal place to swing another person around.] {(if: $T2medbay is not 1)[ [[Can you leave T2 inside?]]] (else:)[ [[So what's inside?]] ]} [[Tether yourself off to something first.]]

IT’S... THERE'S A PERSON AT THE END OF THE HALLWAY OH GOD. JUST STANDING THERE. What the HELL?! {(if: $T2medbay is 1)[ [[Is it T2?]]] (else:)[ [[Run!->Run! To the Med Bay!]]]} [[What are they doing?]] (unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

The helmet isn't a marine helmet, it's a standard issue one like my original. And they're standing on the other end of the hallway, away from the med bay, the side I didn't go down and couldn't see in the dark. Oh man my heart is in my throat. Why can’t my brain settle on one emotion at a time instead of flinging five at once. They’re staying still. Just watching me. Just watching me freak out. [[Run!->Run! To the Med Bay!]] [[They're not doing anything?]]

Just standing there, staring me down. I can only imagine they're staring me down since I can't see the face. And I'm not doing anything but standing here frozen in fear. This is the worst staring contest ever. [[Calm down.]] [[Run!->Run! To the Med Bay!]]

You're right. I need to get out of here. {(if: $T2medbay is 0)[And get T2 out of here. This will be rough on my brusied legs. Ugh my suit is heavy enough as it is.]} I'll figure out what to do later. {(if: $T2medbay is 1)[ Back to to the med bay. I can't let them get T2.](else:)[ Probably the med bay. Yeah. Going there.]} [[-Taylor is running-->Med Bay First Night]]

No! Just standing there, staring me down. I can only imagine they're staring me down since I can't see the face. And I'm not doing anything but standing here frozen in fear. This is the worst staring contest ever. [[Calm down.]] [[Run!->Run! To the Med Bay!]]

I'm trying but... What if this isn't a human? Or worse, what if this WAS a human but got occupied and is now coming to kill us? That this was all a trap to bring us on board and watch our movements?! Oh god. I need to get out of here. {(if: $T2medbay is 0)[And get T2 out of here. This will be rough on my brusied legs. Ugh my suit is heavy enough as it is.]} {(if: $T2medbay is 1)[ Back to to the med bay. I can't let them get T2.](else:)[ Probably the med bay. Yeah. Going there.]} [[-Taylor is running-->Med Bay First Night]]

(link-replace: "`~*~0111001100100000011101000010000001100001001000000111001 000100000011100110010000001110100001000000111010100100000011 001100010000001100110001000000010000000100000011000110010000 001101111001000000110110100100000011001010010000000100000001 0000001101000001000000110111100100000011011010010000001100101~*~`")[ `~*~` s t a r s t u f f   c o m e   h o m e `~*~` ]

In EVERY universe you try and help them. EVERY single Taylor that you contact joins us because of you. We should really give you a promotion. [[That's not true.]] [[]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Ok. Okay I'm in. And I never want to leave again. What the hell was that?! [[I don't know...]] [[Seal the door!]] (unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

The unknown is always scarier than the known. That's why the Aliens were SO GOOD before everyone saw the spoilers. Maybe we'll find out sometime. Hopefully not soon. Oh wait. The door. Let me seal it. Alright. The code is 02040221. [[Next order of business.]] [[How is T2?->T2Check]]

YES. THANK YOU. [[-Taylor is beep-booping-->MedBayBeepBoop1]]

Done. The code is 02040221. Can you remember that for me? Thanks in advance. (Probably want to write that down somewhere). The person didn't try to come after me, at least. Maybe they know we're barely hanging on here and are just going to play a waiting game. Make us really afraid before finally... Nope. Not going down that train of thought. [[You'll be safe here.]] [[How is T2?->T2Check]]

Hopefully. Let's hope the person doesn't try all the 40,000 or so permutations, but what else could I expect? Onto the next problem (there's ALWAYS another problem out here). T2 is breathing, but the suit comms says the vital signs are all over the place. Dehydration seems to be the big one. At least we have some water. Don't know if I can get myself to drink but I can lead myself. Let me get this helmet off. .... I just remembered. I've never seen T2's face. Always had a reflective helmet on. I don't even know if the scars were a lie. [[The scars aren't a lie.]] [[Let's find out.]]

Yeah. Making sure the other me isn't dead. And maybe isn't still infected, but who knows. T2 is breathing, but the suit comms says the vital signs are all over the place. Dehydration seems to be the big one. At least we have some water. Don't know if I can get myself to drink but I can lead myself. Let me get this helmet off. .... I just remembered. I've never seen T2's face. Always had a reflective helmet on. I don't even know if the scars were a lie. [[The scars aren't a lie.]] [[Let's find out.]]

Hey give me a second here. You just reminded me of an idea I had. I'm gonna be distracted if I don't test this. [[-Taylor is measuring-]]

I'll say. Whatever. I'd get over it so I know T2 will get over it. But now to take care of our creepy friend. Can't camp out here forever. It didn't come after me while I was running but there's only so many rooms on board a spaceship and it had plenty of time to check while we were asleep. I could probably use one of those tranquilizers to sedate the person if they attack me and then deal with them from there. Maybe toss them out of the airlock if they are occupied. Oh man. We are commandeering this ship, aren't we. I'm like a space pirate. All I need is a fancy hat and a robo-parrot on my shoulder Squawking "walk the airlock! walk the airlock!" [[Maybe T2 can be the parrot.]] [[Alright get your things.]]

Agreed. Can't camp out here forever. (Wish I could) It didn't come after me while I was running but there's only so many rooms on board a spaceship and it had plenty of time to check while we were asleep. I could probably use one of those tranquilizers to sedate the person if they attack me and then deal with them from there. Maybe toss them out of the airlock if they are occupied. Oh man. We are commandeering this ship, aren't we. I'm like a space pirate. All I need is a fancy hat and a robo-parrot on my shoulder Squawking "walk the airlock! walk the airlock!" [[Maybe T2 can be the parrot.]] [[Alright get your things.]]

...Thanks. Really. That means so much to me. (And maybe to T2 but we'll see if my twin comes around) But now to take care of our creepy friend. Can't camp out here forever. It didn't come after me while I was running but there's only so many rooms on board a spaceship and it had plenty of time to check while we were asleep. I could probably use one of those tranquilizers to sedate the person if they attack me and then deal with them from there. Maybe toss them out of the airlock if they are occupied. Oh man. We are commandeering this ship, aren't we. I'm like a space pirate. All I need is a fancy hat and a robo-parrot on my shoulder Squawking "walk the airlock! walk the airlock!" [[Maybe T2 can be the parrot.]] [[Alright get your things.]]

Fine. We're both exhausted and clinging to existence so easing this immediate problem can come first. Hey, T2. Can you try to drink this for me? I'll do it for you. T2 looks a bit better now. I'm going to chug this one and maybe eat something. I'll take anything at this point. and anything goes by the name of... "Shredded BBQ Beef" Heh. Comes with beans. I'm going to have the worst stomach ache after this at the rate I'm eating. I don't care though. I don't care. I never noticed how weak I was feeling lately until just now. I think I'll take a nap. Rest up. Try to forget about the potential horror waiting outside this door. Or to soothe my nerves we can listen to another song together. [[Yes please.->Lullaby]] [[Go to sleep, Taylor.->NoMusic2]]

Maybe we'll eventually find out. Maybe we won't ever find out. But right now we're both exhausted and clinging to existence so easing this immediate problem can come first. Hey, T2. Can you try to drink this for me? I'll do it for you. T2 looks a bit better now. I'm going to chug this one and maybe eat something. I'll take anything at this point. and anything goes by the name of... "Shredded BBQ Beef" Heh. Comes with beans. I'm going to have the worst stomach ache after this at the rate I'm eating. I don't care though. I don't care. I never noticed how weak I was feeling lately until just now. I think I'll take a nap. Rest up. Try to forget about the potential horror waiting outside this door. Or to soothe my nerves we can listen to another song together. [[Yes please.->Lullaby]] [[Go to sleep, Taylor.->NoMusic2]]

I guess I could. Here let me... Please don't float into the walls, T2. Alright you should be good there. Now I'm on my way to explore the remains of the room and, if I'm not careful... The VOID. [[Tether yourself off to something first.]] [[So what's inside?]] (set: $T2Float to 0)

This cabinet has.... {(if: $light is 0)[I can't see. Let me... hey maybe I can use my comms light for this and my other hand to hold myself in place.] (else:)[Hold on, I gotta use the comms light to look and my other hand to hold myself in place.]} This is useless. Standard EVA instructions. The complete manual. We both know you can do it in a few hundred less steps. CAREFULLY moving along we find... Looks like "Pryce and Carter's Deep Space Survival Procedure and Protocol Manual" I remember skimming through that one on the way over from Earth. I gotta say, tip 4 is one I think about a lot. "If you want to avoid dying, painfully, alone, in the cold darkness of space, gasping desperately as freezing oblivion silences your pathetic hopes and dreams... relax." Really makes you remember what's important out here. [[Good advice.]] [[Wow. That's...]]

Really makes you remember what's important out here. And I can totally get behind the tone the ENTIRE MANUAL IS WRITTEN IN. Who even wrote that thing? I don't know. [[Pryce and Carter?]] [[What's next?]]

Good advice? You know it. It's tough love. If it is love and not mocking derision at impending failure. And I can totally get behind the tone the ENTIRE MANUAL IS WRITTEN IN. Who even wrote that thing? I don't know. [[Pryce and Carter?]] [[What's next?]]

Thanks First Lieutenant Obvious. Or do you want to be First Mate Obvious? Because I'll be the Captain. Captain Obvious. Anyway. I'll leave it be since I've got your knowledge as a survival guide. There's one more cabinet, but it's a bit of a reach to get to... Ahh my arms are too short. I'll have to take a leap of faith or give up. [[Go for it.->RRJumpPC]] [[Are you sure it's worth it?]]

Ok moving on to the next cabinet. I'll leave Pryce and Carter here since I've got your knowledge as a survival guide. There's one more cabinet, but it's a bit of a reach to get to... Ahh my arms are too short. I'll have to take a leap of faith or give up. [[Go for it.->RRJumpPC]] [[Are you sure it's worth it?]]

Can't say, but I'm curious and I already came this far. There HAS to be something good in store for all this danger. So I'm gonna take that chance and if I miss I'm going to scream. (In space, no one can hear you scream.) Too heavy-handed? Pushing off and.... [[-Taylor is busy-->RRJump1]]

If I miss I'm going to scream. (In space, no one can hear you scream.) Too heavy-handed? Pushing off and.... [[-Taylor is busy-->RRJump1]]

Careful is not usually the first adjective to describe me. But I will try. This cabinet has.... {(if: $light is 0)[I can't see. Let me... hey maybe I can use my comms light for this and my other hand to hold myself in place.] (else:)[Hold on, I gotta use the comms light to look and my other hand to hold myself in place.]} This is useless. Standard EVA instructions. The complete manual. We both know you can do it in a few hundred less steps. CAREFULLY moving along we find... Looks like "Pryce and Carter's Deep Space Survival Procedure and Protocol Manual" I remember skimming through that one on the way over from Earth. I gotta say, tip 4 is one I think about a lot. "If you want to avoid dying, painfully, alone, in the cold darkness of space, gasping desperately as freezing oblivion silences your pathetic hopes and dreams... relax." Really makes you remember what's important out here. [[Good advice.]] [[Wow. That's...]]

HANGING ON Yeah I'm... hanging onto the handles I needed a moment. Opening a door when you're hanging off the handles is really difficult. Got it though... and inside... Going one-handed for the light... just a sec. [[-Taylor is searching-->RRJump2]]

Oh my god. It's the ship and crew logs! Now we'll know who crewed the ship. Or crews the ship. And maybe what happened to it. It's... really far back in there. Carefully... Got it... kinda. Tucking this under my arm while clinging to this handle for dear life-- That's not... a good vibration. I'd say "sound" but outside sound doesn't travel out here. Yeah, crap. Alright I'm getting back and-- Oh. That second cabinet with Pryce and Carter is no longer securely attached to the wall. Floating in the direction of the door. Crap. CRAP. The one I'm holding onto feels loose as well. I'm trying not to make any movements but I'm kinda shaking right now. {(if: $T2Float is 0)[I'm SO GLAD I left T2 back there. This would not be good with two of us out here.](else:)[T2 is floating around and making this a LOT more difficult than it needed it be.]} I bet I could push off from it once, but it's not stable to go void-watching on. I am going to die out here, aren't I? Then T2 is going to die(if: $T2Float is 0)[ in there]... [[Calm down.->RRCalm]] [[Let's talk this out.]]

Okay. Yeah. Taking a deep breath. [[-Taylor is breathing-->RRBreathe]]

I'm still clinging to the cabinet for dear life but I feel a bit better now. Uh. What should I do? (if: $tether is 1)[ [[You still have the tether.]] [[Just jump back.]] ] (else:)[ [[Did you tether yourself?]] [[Just jump back.]] ]

That I do! I nearly forgot about it. Here let me just pull myself back along it. Yes! It's secure! (if: $T2Float is not 0)[Come on, T2.] [[-Taylor is busy-->RRSuccess]]

Okay. One shot at this. I'm like a cat calibrating before its jump. Goodbye cabinet behind me. And... hello empty space in front of--- {(if: $T2Float is not 0)[ [[-Taylor is busy-->RRWhoops1]] ] (else:)[ [[-Taylor is busy-->RRSuccess]] ] }

No. I completely forgot about it! Oh man. That would've made everything a lot easier for me. But that's in the past and I can't go back and redo my life. [[Sure about that?]] [[Just jump back.]]

Yes? I mean, besides the whole time-loop issue and general unpleasant time travel. But I've never gone back in time and made different decisions that led to different outcomes. I guess I have to jump back. Okay. One shot at this. I'm like a cat calibrating before its jump. Goodbye cabinet behind me. And... hello empty space in front of--- {(if: $T2Float is not 0)[ [[-Taylor is busy-->RRWhoops1]] ] (else:)[ [[-Taylor is busy-->RRSuccess]] ] }

Okay. Uh, I'm panicking right now. Can you talk this out for me? (if: $tether is 1)[ [[You still have the tether.]] [[Just jump back.]] ] (else:)[ [[Did you tether yourself?]] [[Just jump back.]] ]

CRAP! CRAP CRAP CRAP! The floating cabinet drifted into T2 and sent us both off course. And we'll both floating backwards. I can't... I can't reach anything! Reaching for the side of the ship that's sheared off. This is my last hope at not drifting off and-- No. I... I couldn't... I couldn't grab it. Or did I grab it but T2's tug made me lose my grasp. [[I'm so sorry!->RRWhoops2]] [[Is there anything you can do?!->RRWhoops2]]

Got it! I'm back! Oh god that was close. But I'm back inside the ship. Or rather, inside the safe part, if there is a safe part. I never want to do an EVA again and thankfully I won't ever have to. Because now I get to seal the door to this awful room and turn on all the air systems. And I got this cool ship log out of this adventure. Nice. Give me a moment to get the ship up and running from the utilities room across the hall. [[-Taylor is busy-->After Record Room]] (set: $shiplog to 1)

Oh god. There's nothing I can do. We're just drifting now. Outside the ship. Leaving it behind. It was the last bit of safety we had and we left it. Aw hell. Oh god I'm gonna die. I... I'm going to take a few minutes to myself. [[Wait, push T2 back there.]] [[Not like this, Taylor.]]

Got the tranquilizer out... T2 are you coming with me? NO YOU'RE NOT. [[What's up?->MedBayMorn]] [[Is T2 ok?->MedBayMorn]]

..... Aww stop frowning. It's funny! Don't worry about it, T2. I dub thee my second mate. And you can be the first mate, lifeline. And I'm the captain! I feel more confident already. Sailing around the seas of stars, fighting off Greens wherever they appear, stealing bountiful wares of MREs. A space-pirate's life for me! I'm no Jim Hawkins, but maybe we can swing a movie out of this. Let's ride this swell of confidence before low tide hits me. Got the tranquilizer out... T2 are you coming with me? NO YOU'RE NOT. [[What's up?->MedBayMorn]] [[Is T2 ok?->MedBayMorn]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust + .5)

If you can't walk this isn't going to work. Much less if you can't stand. Hold down the fort, will you? I'll be back with some food later... maybe. Or you know you'll witness the end right here in this room. Place your bets. ...fine Got the tranquilizers out, one readied in my hand. Booping in the door code.... Uh, what was it again? [[The door code was...]]

(set: $medbaydoor to (prompt: "The door code was:", "")) (print: $medbaydoor)[?] {(if: $medbaydoor is '02040221')[Yes! Thank you! Saying my prayers, opening the door to find... Nothing. No one's there. [[What?->Noonethere]] [[That's not good.->NoonethereNotGood]] ] (else:)[Uh... that's not right. Can you try to remember? [[Let me try again...]] ] }

(set: $medbaydoor to (prompt: "The door code was:", "")) (print: $medbaydoor)[?] {(if: $medbaydoor is '02040221')[Yes! Thank you! Saying my prayers opening the door to find... Nothing. No one's there. [[What?->Noonethere]] [[That's not good.->NoonethereNotGood]] ] (else:)[Uh... that's not right. God. Am I gonna be trapped here forever? Let me try... Oh. There we go. 02040221 Saying my prayers, opening the door to find... Nothing. No one's there. [[What?->Noonethere]] [[That's not good.->NoonethereNotGood]] ] }

I know. This is freaking me out. This is fine. I'm ok with this new event. My world is non-literally on fire right now. This entire spaceship is quiet. A slight humming from the lights and air filters. If I concentrate and think about it I can feel the little vibrations in the floor for the gravity. I've got my cracked helmet on which should buy me a bit of time before I'm left helpless as an occupier carefully crawls its way around the shattered glass. Mind if I change the door code while you're out? If you die, I at least want a fighting chance in here. Wow. Geez T2 I'll be ok. ...probably. Nevermind then. Go be the space hero. I'll do my best. Anyway. Quick check to the hallway on the right... All clear. The other hallway goes on to the flight deck, if I'm familiar with this layout. No sounds of footsteps (except my own). Nothing but my heart in my ears. Continuing down the hallway we pass the crew quarters on the left and the Ready Room with emergency escape pods on the right. At least I'm assuming again based on the familiar layout. I'll let you know when I'm near where that person was last night or if something happens. [[-Taylor is busy-->Adair]]

Yeah. This is the opposite of good. This is fine. I'm ok with this new event. My world is non-literally on fire right now. This entire spaceship is quiet. A slight humming from the lights and air filters. If I concentrate and think about it I can feel the little vibrations in the floor for the gravity. I've got my cracked helmet on which should buy me a bit of time before I'm left helpless as an occupier carefully crawls its way around the shattered glass. Mind if I change the door code while you're out? If you die, I at least want a fighting chance in here. Wow. Geez T2 I'll be ok. ...probably. Nevermind then. Go be the space hero. I'll do my best. Anyway. Quick check to the hallway on the right... All clear. The other hallway goes on to the flight deck, if I'm familiar with this layout. No sounds of footsteps (except my own). Nothing but my heart in my ears. Continuing down the hallway we pass the crew quarters on the left and the Ready Room with emergency escape pods on the right. At least I'm assuming again based on the familiar layout. I'll let you know when I'm near where that person was last night or if something happens. [[-Taylor is busy-->Adair]]

Alright. I'll wait. [[-Taylor is waiting-->Adair1]]

What? You want me to say hello to it? Are you being serious right now? I'll sidle on up casually and say: "Hello, my name is Taylor and I would like you to chase me down and murder me!" "I'm going to provoke you now, have a fine day." They're Greens not idiots. [["But what's the difference?!"]] [[Don't say the plan out loud.]]

Look. Say what you will about Texas. But we have great peas-in-a-can pie. And no sponge can change my mind. They're still not moving though. I don't think they're going to move. They remind me of the Varia crew I dealt with back on the moon. Not moving or reacting unless I move. With their creepy and calming green eyes... Nnn... Not thinking about that right now. I get enough nightmares about them that I can spend some of my last waking hours not thinking about them. [[Sorry to hear that.]] [[Go out and see if they move.]]

I'm being quiet. The comms are great for picking up my mumbling. *mumble mumble mumble* Didja get all that? They're still not moving though. I don't think they're going to move. They remind me of the Varia crew I dealt with back on the moon. Not moving or reacting unless I move. With their creepy and calming green eyes... Nnn... Not thinking about that right now. I get enough nightmares about them that I can spend some of my last waking hours not thinking about them. [[Sorry to hear that.]] [[Go out and see if they move.]]

They're still not moving. I don't think they're going to move. They remind me of the Varia crew I dealt with back on the moon. Not moving or reacting unless I move. With their creepy and calming green eyes... Nnn... Not thinking about that right now. I get enough nightmares about them that I can spend some of my last waking hours not thinking about them. [[Sorry to hear that.]] [[Go and say hello.]]

Yeah. But I can deal with the scares. As long as they stay in the realm of dreams or I don't have Kreugar after me I'll deal. I guess I should go up to them and try to get them to react? Here goes nothing. [[Wait!->Adair2]] [[Good luck.->AdairLuck]]

I...uh... already stepped out. No response though. I'll just casually walk up to them. Hope they don't see me shaking all over. I'm a few steps in front of them. Here goes nothing. HELLO YOU STUPID GREEN! YOU READY TO KILL US OR TAKE A NAP? ......... Nothing. Voice echoing around the hallway metal walls aside. This could be a trap or absolutely nothing. I could practice my Admiral Ackbar impression. I'm going to see if they respond to contact like the Varia crew. I have the tranquilizer so I should be okay if they do react. Just a light push... Oh. Oh god. Ok. Ok give me a moment. I just--- --need to take this off a second--- [[-Taylor is ill-]]

Thanks. I'll make good use of it. Just casually walk up to them. Hope they don't see me shaking all over. I'm a few steps in front of them. Here goes nothing. HELLO YOU STUPID GREEN! YOU READY TO KILL US OR TAKE A NAP? ......... Nothing. Voice echoing around the hallway metal walls aside. This could be a trap or absolutely nothing. I could practice my Admiral Ackbar impression. I'm going to see if they respond to contact like the Varia crew. I have the tranquilizer so I should be okay if they do react. Just a light push... Oh. Oh god. Ok. Ok give me a moment. I just--- --need to take this off a second--- [[-Taylor is ill-]]

S-sorry. They're dead. They were being... held up by a beam that... pierced their back... W-when I pushed them they sorta... slid away from it. There's no gore or anything-- it all got freeze-dried pretty quickly. [[I'm so sorry.->Adair3]] [[Do you need a minute?->Adair3]]

Mmmmmm I'll be fine now. It's nowhere near as bad as Bos. The ship was hit with something that blew a hole in the side. Probably caused everyone to tumble around and cause this person to get impaled from the crushed metal If they didn't die right then, their suit was punctured anyway. Wouldn't have been too long. All this paranoia for this? This sad outcome? I'm sorry, person. No, you deserve your name and dignity. Let me check. I'm sorry, Ad--- ............ [[Taylor?->Adair4]] [[Are you okay?->Adair4]]

........ Adair. This... this person's name was Adair. [[It has to be a coincidence.->Adair5coin]] [[Not possible.->Adair5poss]]

..... Y-yeah. Just a coincidence. I'm going to set him up against the wall. I don't know what's going on. I'm desperately trying to come up with a way for this all to make sense but nothing is coming. This doesn't. Make. Sense. [[This ship is similar to the Varia?]] [[We'll figure it out.]]

..... Y-yeah. It's not possible. I'm going to set him up against the wall. I don't know what's going on. I'm desperately trying to come up with a way for this all to make sense but nothing is coming. This doesn't. Make. Sense. [[This ship is similar to the Varia?]] [[We'll figure it out.]]

Same layout and everything. But there's not a lot of variations in spaceship design, right? At least not for ships that have this function. Such as transporting a research crew from Earth and Tau Ceti IV. What do you think? Want to give me a reasonable idea of what's going on here? [[Want to check the flight deck?->Check the Flight Deck]] [[You don't have all the info yet.]]

No. I don't. But I have a few pretty good clues. And that's leading me to somewhere I really don't want to go. I'm walking back upship. Trying to keep my head clear. I'll let you know what I find. [[-Taylor is busy-->FlightDeck]]

Thanks. I need a minute. [[-Taylor is busy-->VariaCrashCry1]]

Normally I'd get a good chuckle out of that but right now? I need a minute. [[-Taylor is busy-->VariaCrashCry1]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust - .5)

Sorry. I haven't moved yet. I'm just wasting time at this point. I'll get back to T2 with some food. Maybe hanging with them will be good. I'm always a delight to talk to. [[Heh.->I'mADelight]] [[Sounds good.->Second Evening]]

Am I not? [[-Taylor is busy-->Second Evening]]

Invade, Infect, Repeat. Not a hair-care routine I suggest. The Queen loved me but I wasn’t on her best side near the end after messing up that time loop. She kept me out of the loop after that. At least she loved me for my mind. Ah the eye roll. Classic. They don’t stop. They don’t ever stop. And they won’t. Not ever. She knows what she wants and she has enough tools and pawns to get it. [[Anything else?]] [[You'll be safe here.->SecondEvening1]]

I doubt it, but thanks for the encouragement. I realize we may have to ration our rations eventually (fun thought) but let’s have something now. What do you want, T2? Chicken Pesto Pasta or Southwest Beef and Black Beans? Why is everything filled with beef and beans here? Doesn’t matter. Toss me one. Enjoy your beans! I'm sure I will. In the meantime do you want to listen to another song to potentially lighten the mood? [[Let's do it!->Astronaut]] [[Just enjoy your food.->NoMusic3]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + 1)

I really don’t want to remember everything in visceral detail right now. Or later. Or ever. I’m doing my best to forget they ever existed. And instead I’m being interrogated like I am still one. Wonderful. I am always a delight. Thanks for asking, lifeline. I am super curious in a morbid way but now might not be the time. You took the blame for what I was about to ask so I owe you one. The two Ts will probably have to work through that at some point. Not looking forward to that point. I realize we may have to ration our rations eventually (fun thought) but let’s have something now. What do you want, T2? Chicken Pesto Pasta or Southwest Beef and Black Beans? Why is everything filled with beef and beans here? Doesn’t matter. Toss me one. Enjoy your beans! I'm sure I will. In the meantime do you want to listen to another song to potentially lighten the mood? [[Let's do it!->Astronaut]] [[Just enjoy your food.->NoMusic3]]

Alright, I'm heading to the turret, T2. Let me know if you figure out what it is. It's going to be like Space Invaders, right? I'll let you know when I get there. [[-Taylor is busy-->TurretCrash2]]

I made it in. The door's locked with the code. Didn't even look at it while beeping it in since I did it so fast. It's 97931123 by the way. For your safekeeping. Oh god. I'm safe. I'm safe I'm safe. For now. Why can't I be DONE with these aliens!? HOW ARE THEY ON OUR SHIP?! I THOUGHT WE FOUND A NICE UNIVERSE WHERE WE DIED AND NEVER BROUGHT THEM OFF THE MOON. I wish it was me in the crew quarters... I just... OH CRAP. They're outside the door. Hitting the keypad. I hear every beep. [[Stay quiet!]] [[But you locked it, right?]]

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Floral paisley. //T2!// Burn mark. Left butt cheek. No way in HELL you can get such a scar from falling on ice. T2 you're embarrassing yourself. You're embarrassing me. Our cousins' house had limited hot water for showers in the winter and with a full two families over, you had to be first in line to get any heat. Cue me freaking out since it's chilly as Hoth up in Minnesota in the winter. But y'know. Keeping my cool. Don't want to look wimpy in front of my cousins, especially when they knew they could beat me at any sport on the ice. And on the ground. Warned us all about the metal radiators around the house. That's how they heated it "and you Texans don't know how to keep warm when it's cold, silly Texans." Have you ever touched a metal radiator? They're hot. So I can't sleep since I'm cold and the blanket isn't working right so I get up and decide to take a shower and get that done while there's warm water. T2 please. My dignity. Our dignity. Taylor, we left that on the towel rack. Or on the bathroom floor. Since we reached down to pick up the towel from the floor and-- //T2!// BUTT AGAINST THE RADIATOR. Yelp heard 'round the house. Soon enough Evan was knocking on the door asking if something was wrong. OF COURSE NOT EVAN. NOPE NOTHING WRONG. It was fun trying to keep a straight face at breakfast. Because, you know, our butt was burning on the seat and it hurt but stiff upper lip! Don't let them see your pain or they will never let you live it down. ....ever! Yeah. Thankfully Evan knocked us over a half hour later which was an excuse enough for everyone. [[That's all you were worried about?]] [[What a story.]]

WOULD IT HURT YOU TO MOVE A LITTLE FASTER. I GUESS IT WOULDN'T T2 BUT I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN EVENT I SHOULD NOT BE IN PAIN TO DEAL WITH. WHATEVER. I'M TURNING THE ALARM OFF. `[click]` Much better. I've got all this ringing in my ears but none on my fingers. Why did you have the volume up so high? And I'm so sorry but not really. All I did was turn it on, T2. These are the factory settings. Can you see what it picked up? Sure I can. Running the radar as we babble on. Hmm. There's something coming into our range from behind us. I can't tell what it is. Of course I can IMAGINE what it is. Maybe it's just a freak asteroid and nothing to worry about. Or maybe it's a ship fοr the Greens' scouts. Blow it up. [[I agree.->Turret Crash1]] [[Can you verify what it is?]]

All that's left to do is plug this in and wait for something to pop up and blow us out of the skies. You're not letting me fill the role of cynical, world-weary astronaut with lines like that, Taylor. That's the LEAST you could let me have when you take "Space Hero." (Does the comms pick up my sarcastic air quotes? It does? Nice!) I didn't choose the life of a Space Hero. The Space Hero life chose me. Unwillingly. Please choose someone different, life. Am I really like this? Is this how I normally sound? No no, don't unbuckle yourself from the nav chair, T2. I'll leave you alone. For now. {(if: $ToDo is 2)[ T2’s still working with the navigation and should be done soon. Wide, WIDE berth around Tau Ceti IV which is why it’s taking a bit of time. I promised both of us some chili mac for once we set sail as a reward. (It’s the only good one, and with nothing else but some random ingredients around here, we take our enjoyment where we can) ]} {(unless: $ToDo is 3)[What's up next on my shipboard to-do list? (unless: $waterrec is 1)[[[Water reclamation]] ] (unless: $airfilters is 1)[[[Air filters]] ] (unless: $distressbeacon is 1)[[[Distress beacon]] ] (unless: $proximityalarm is 1)[[[Proximity alarm]] ] (unless: $cleanlab is 1)[[[Clean up labs]]] ] (else: )[ I got a lot done so far. As a break for work, want to listen to some music? [[Turn on the tunes!->Guardians]] [[You should just focus.->NoMusic4]] ] }

Man, Trotter loved his rocks. He had TONS. I never knew there were so many types... And they're all back where they need to be on the shelves. {(if: $ToDo is 2)[ T2’s still working with the navigation and should be done soon. Wide, WIDE berth around Tau Ceti IV which is why it’s taking a bit of time. I promised both of us some chili mac for once we set sail as a reward. (It’s the only good one, and with nothing else but some random ingredients around here, we take our enjoyment where we can) ]} {(unless: $ToDo is 3)[What's up next on my shipboard to-do list? (unless: $waterrec is 1)[[[Water reclamation]] ] (unless: $airfilters is 1)[[[Air filters]] ] (unless: $distressbeacon is 1)[[[Distress beacon]] ] (unless: $proximityalarm is 1)[[[Proximity alarm]] ] (unless: $cleanlab is 1)[[[Clean up labs]]] ] (else: )[ I got a lot done so far. As a break for work, want to listen to some music? [[Turn on the tunes!->Guardians]] [[You should just focus.->NoMusic4]] ]}

Down the ladder I go. Never had the chance to check out the turret on the Varia except when it, you know, was in pieces on that moon. Let's get this system fired up. `[INITIATING LASER SYSTEM] [LASER INITIATION AT 10%]` This'll take forever. I don't know. I'll look out the window in the meantime and... Oh. There it is. It's shiny for sure. Hmm. Do you think it's another ship or escape pod like Mari Lee was in? [[Maybe a Varia crewmember?]] [[Maybe it's the Greens.]]

`[LASER INITIATION AT 25%]` I hate to break it to you since I'm also trying to hold out hope we're not the only survivors of the Varia, regardless of universes... ...but we had counted the crew and while I can only assume we lost someone who was in the astromap room when the Varia hit the Greens' speedbump... ...there aren't any missing escape pods. So it's safe to say we're the only ones. [[I'm sorry.->TurretCrash3]] [[Then it HAS to be the Greens.]]

[LASER INITIATION AT 25%] Please say it isn't the greens please say it isn't the Greens. I thought we were finally rid of those creeps. But no. They keep coming. Somehow they keep chasing us across the galaxy! Why?! Wait a minute. That doesn't make sense. It can't be them. [LASER INITIATION AT 50%] [[Why can't it?]] [[Oh. You're right.]]

`[LASER INITIATION AT 90%]` Wow. It's coming in fast. Speedy little thing. Why isn't this charging faster?! Crap. I'm trying to lock onto it and it's going too fast for a clean reading. Come on come on come on. Damn. It's so close. It's SO coming for us. [[Buckle up and prepare for impact!]] [[Shoot it as soon as you can!]]

Whoof. Ok. Strapping into this chair. `[LASER INITIATION AT 100%] [LASERS READY]` I'M READY. OK. AIM AND-- (live: 4s)[<script>A.stopAll()</script>(transition: "shudder")[`[CRASH]`](stop:)|more>[]] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WOOOOOAH! [[Are you okay?->TurretCrash5OK]] [[Did you hit it?->TurretCrashNoHit5]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

OK. DOING MY BEST TO AIM. `[LASER INITIATION AT 100%] [LASERS READY]` I'M READY. OK. AIM AND-- (live: 4s)[<script>A.stopAll()</script>(transition: "shudder")[`[CRASH]`](stop:)|more>[]] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WOOOOOAH! ...... [[Are you okay?->TurretCrash5BAD]] [[Did you hit it?->TurretCrashNoHit5BAD]] (stop:) ]]|more>[] (set: $Tayhurt to 1)

Unfortunately no. It hit us and I am SO glad you told me to buckle up. That would've hurt EXTRA bad. Now it just hurts KINDA bad. [[What happened though?->TurretCRASH1EASY]] [[Take it easy.->TurretCRASH1]] {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

........ ......wha...? ..owwww..... ...... [[Taylor?->TurretCRASHBAD1]] [[Take it easy.->TurretCRASHBAD1]] {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Yeah... I'm okay. It's okay too, unfortunately. It hit us and I am SO glad you told me to buckle up. That would've hurt EXTRA bad. Now it just hurts KINDA bad. [[What happened though?->TurretCRASH1]] [[Take it easy.->TurretCRASH1EASY]] {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

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Probably for the best. Who said being alone on a ship in deep space with only yourself as company would be a bad thing? [[-Taylor is fixing the proximity alarm (and singing badly) (with T2)-]] (set: $ToDo to $ToDo + 1) (set: $proximityalarm to 1)

Not the same. Probably for the best. Who said being alone on a ship in deep space with only yourself as company would be a bad thing? [[-Taylor is fixing the proximity alarm (and singing badly) (with T2)-]] (set: $ToDo to $ToDo + 1) (set: $proximityalarm to 1)

Aye aye, first mate! Gotta make sure I can take all the deep breaths and calm down if-- when-- the occasion arises. [[-Taylor is replacing the air filters-->Air filtersCRASH1]] (unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

I found the distress beacon. It’s not in bad shape so it won’t take long to get functional. I wish I could attach it to me and carry it around because usually the distress follows me. Too big though. [[-Taylor is fixing the distress beacon-->Distress beaconCRASH1]] (unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

Hey T2. Hope you don't mind some company. Because you've got company. Oh, what album are we going to sing together today? Acrophobe? OK Computer? OK Computer definitely. And my lifeline is here to listen to our lovely tone-deaf voices. Wait. You can't even hear us. Don't you only get text? (live: 9s)[<script>A.stopAll()</script>(transition: "shudder")[`[CRASH]`] (stop:)|more>[]] (live: 9.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WOOOOOAH--! What the hel-- ......(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 11.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[Are you two okay?->FDCrashOKBAD]] [[What just happened?->FDCrashWhatBAD]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

Onto the labs. My lab. Taylor’s LABOR-A-TORY!!! What a good show that was. I lied. Instead of Taylor’s Laboratory, this is Trotter’s. He was our physics whiz and had a lot of equipment set up to test motion in different Gs. He was also our Geology Genius. There are tons of rock samples he was analyzing all over the place. I’ll have to clean up and put them back on the shelves since they all floated away. Huh. Come to think of it? He probably knew about tunguskite. Physics, energies, rocks? Ionic crystalline structures? I didn’t think to ask him earlier since I had no idea what it was until I met the miners on the White Star. I’ve been vague about my field. “Science” isn’t exactly a major in any course catalogues I’ve found. I was studying astrobiology. With smatterings of every other science of course because everything is SO COOL even if I don’t understand it. My lichen experiments? How well they survive space vacuum, zero g, and interstellar radiation. The rats? You could call it a pet project. Nah, it’s food seeking habits in rats in low gravity. Some projects on memory in maze when they’re floating around too, because if you have rats you gotta have a cheese maze. [[What were the results?]] [[Anything we didn't know about the rats yet?]] (set: $labcrash to 1) (unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]

`[LASER INITIATION AT 50%]` Fantastic. I thought we were finally rid of those creeps. But no. They keep coming. Somehow they keep chasing us across the galaxy! Why?! Wait a minute. That doesn't make sense. It can't be them. [[Why can't it?]] [[Oh. You're right.]]

`[LASER INITIATION AT 75%]` I never crashed on the moon in this universe. I died on the Varia. And because the Varia never crashed on 31U00W the requested search party of marines were never sent. And I assume that's how the Viridian came to be the first functioning ship in the Greens' interstellar fleet. So... it can't be the Greens. [[Get ready to shoot it.->ShootBuckleDecision]] [[Are you sure you should shoot it?->ShootBuckleDecisionNO]]

`[LASER INITIATION AT 75%]` Yep. We're both thinking the same thing. I never crashed on the moon in this universe. I died on the Varia. And because the Varia never crashed on 31U00W the requested search party of marines were never sent. And I assume that's how the Viridian came to be the first functioning ship in the Greens' interstellar fleet. So... it can't be the Greens. [[Get ready to shoot it.->ShootBuckleDecision]] [[Are you sure you should shoot it?->ShootBuckleDecisionNO]]

...huh...? oh... yeah... ergh... what happened? Taylor? You there? That was a major hit we took and I don't want to be the only Taylor here. Hmm? T2? Uh... I guess I am here. I'm just gonna assume that you messed up and didn't shoot the thing and THAT'S why I was nearly thrown out of the nav chair. What do you know. Seatbelts DO come in handy! Yeah... that would've... been a good thing... You good there? I'm kinda... laying on the floor of the turret... after... I think I hit the window? I don't remember... everything hurts too much. Click it or ticket, Taylor. This is Officer T2 issuing you a citation. Please report to the med bay for, you guessed it, medical care. Okay... Let me climb back up. Opening the hatch and-- Closing the hatch and locking it. Huh? Why? I thought you were meeting me in the med bay! I'm already on my way over! If I opened the hatch and left you'd have to give me a lot more medical care than either of us are capable of. [[What's wrong?->TurretCRASHBAD2wrong]] [[More medical care?->TurretCRASHBAD2medcare]]

Besides getting slammed around by the crash, we've got some company. Some company that looks like it came straight from a vacation at the wonderful city of Oz. There's three of them. Three Greens. Or, people who are now Greens. Wait. Greens. A-are you serious, Taylor. There can't be... more Greens. Oh god I'm gonna die they're gonna shove another one down my throat again please no don't do that it hurt it hurt so much don't let that happen again I can't go through that again please let me just wake up safely docked on Tau Ceti IV with the crew and have this all be a bad dream can we have that bad movie cliché please oh god T2! CALM DOWN. Shhhh, Taylor. Inside voice. T2. Calm down. [[You've gotta be kidding me.]] [[T2, focus.]]

Besides bruises, bumps, and probably a concussion you'd have to yank an occupier out of my mouth. Even though it happened for you, T2, I'm not putting much faith in a second attempt. I don't know how or why that happened either. Wait. Greens. A-are you serious, Taylor. There can't be... more Greens. Oh god I'm gonna die they're gonna shove another one down my throat again please no don't do that it hurt it hurt so much don't let that happen again I can't go through that again please let me just wake up safely docked on Tau Ceti IV with the crew and have this all be a bad dream can we have that bad movie cliché please oh god T2! CALM DOWN. Shhhh, Taylor. Inside voice. T2. Calm down. [[You've gotta be kidding me.]] [[T2, focus.]] {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Finally finished. Now we can all breathe easier, literally, and in case anything happens this should not break down. Unless of course, the ship gets blasted again. I don’t think a few filters will filter out a vacuum. (live: 8s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[CRASH]`]<script>A.stopAll()</script>(stop:)|more>[]] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WOOOOOAH--! ...... [[-Taylor is unconscious-->UtilitiesCrashOKBAD]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

This one was easy enough to fix. The hard part was finding the right extension cords to rig it up. It won’t be powered by a mini generator this time but the ship’s reactor. It’s not a real beacon with lights, but emits an SOS signal on several different frequencies and includes routes and any preprogrammed help for other ships. All the main frequencies, and then some early morning radio shows and country music stations. Should we get its signal flas-- (live: 9s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[CRASH]`]<script>A.stopAll()</script>(stop:)|more>[]] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WOOOOOAH--! ...... [[-Taylor is unconscious-->UtilitiesCrashOKBAD]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

Digging through the piles strewn across everywhere around here... {(unless: $cleanlab is 1)[Oh man, I wish I had a chance to clean this place up earlier. Would've made it a lot easier to sort through.] (else:)[All my previous clean up work was for naught.]} Here's the captain's spoils: A button switch for turning it off and on again... A capacitor rated at 500V... Four energy sources: 120V, 450V, 640V, and 1000V... ...and enough wire to create a tin can phone line back to earth in case our comms cut out from the EMP. That way we can still communicate! T2, why don't you start winding up the wiring for me? Easy to do while resting your wobbly legs. Lots and lots of tightly wound coils coming up. I can wrap it around... here's a rock pick handle. That'll work. Hopefully I remember how to discharge this capacit-- OW. OK. IT'S DISCHARGED. Careful, dummy. Owww yeah I am being careful, dummy. Want to trade? ....We know the same thing about electricity so no. You can continue to shock yourself. Oh man. Good thing it wasn't charged the full amount. [[That is lucky.]] [[Tell me you're not playing around with high voltage power sources.]]

I survive only on good luck and your advice. Common sense is out since "having little to no idea about the exact levels of voltage required for this project but will continue with it regardless" is UNcommon sense. Whatever could go wrong with this scenario! I was going to ask you for help though. I've got these four power sources and obviously can only use one. The EMP definitely needs to be strong enough for the field to take effect, otherwise what's the point besides shocking me? But if I use too much power--or voltage rather-- it could literally blow up in my face. I understand the theory behind EMPs, but not the electrical nitty gritty practice. So I was going to ask you which power source we should use for the EMP. 120V, 450V, 640V, or 1000V The capacitor itself is rated at 500V. Can't we just roll a d4? T2, if you had a full set of dice on this ship you should've told me. We could've tested out the campaign I was writing on the White Star. Is that the one about the sea god who's actually a Behold-- //SHHHHHHHH// Fair. No spoilers. And no distractions. I'm done wrapping the coil so connect it when you've got your answer. So... what do you think? [[120V]] [[450V]] [[640V]] [[1000V]]

If by "playing" you mean "having little to no idea about the exact levels of voltage required for this project but will continue with it regardless of common sense" then yes. Yes we are playing. Whatever could go wrong with this scenario! I was going to ask you for help though. I've got these four power sources and obviously can only use one. The EMP definitely needs to be strong enough for the field to take effect, otherwise what's the point besides shocking me? But if I use too much power--or voltage rather-- it could literally blow up in my face. I understand the theory behind EMPs, but not the electrical nitty gritty practice. So I was going to ask you which power source we should use for the EMP. 120V, 450V, 640V, or 1000V The capacitor itself is rated at 500V. Can't we just roll a d4? T2, if you had a full set of dice on this ship you should've told me. We could've tested out the campaign I was writing on the White Star. Is that the one about the sea god who's actually a Behold-- //SHHHHHHHH// Fair. No spoilers. And no distractions. I'm done wrapping the coil so connect it when you've got your answer. So... what do you think? [[120V]] [[450V]] [[640V]] [[1000V]]

120V? You're playing cautious. But if I mess up I DO NOT WANT TO BE ELECTROCUTED. So I'll trust you and solder this in place. ...Were you always able to ask for advice like this? Because I... I probably would've just picked one randomly and hoped for the best. Not the best course of action... as you can tell. [[-Taylor is soldering-->120VComplete]]

450V? I'm worried that it won't have enough power but it might be safest this way. 'Safest' used relatively, like everything we do. So I'll trust you and solder this in place. ...Were you always able to ask for advice like this? Because I... I probably would've just picked one randomly and hoped for the best. Not the best course of action... as you can tell. [[-Taylor is soldering-->450VComplete]]

640V? We definitely will not be low on power with this one. I'll trust you and solder this in place. ...Were you always able to ask for advice like this? Because I... I probably would've just picked one randomly and hoped for the best. Not the best course of action... as you can tell. [[-Taylor is soldering-->640VComplete]]

1000V? NOW WE'RE PLAYING WITH FIRE! No fire jokes please. Got it, T2. I'll trust you, lifeline, and solder this in place. ...Were you always able to ask for advice like this? Because I... I probably would've just picked one randomly and hoped for the best. Not the best course of action... as you can tell. [[-Taylor is soldering-->1000VComplete]]

I... I am. whoooof that whiplash .............. ......wha...? ..owwww..... ...... Taylor? Crap. You ok? I guess? I don't remember... everything hurts too much. Hey don't move. Let me check. I was nearly thrown out of the nav chair while you slammed into the front windshield. What do you know. Seatbelts DO come in handy! Yeah... that would've... been a good thing... Let's get you back to the med bay and fixed up. What happened though? Let me check on the monitors. I've got a full view of the ship from here. I am Sauron, the ALL SEEING EYE-- ....... [[Is something wrong?->FDCRASHT21]] [[What did you find?->FDCRASHT21]] {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

........ ......wha...? ..owwww..... ...... Taylor? Crap. You ok? I guess? I don't remember... everything hurts too much. Hey don't move. Let me check. I was nearly thrown out of the nav chair while you slammed into the front windshield. What do you know. Seatbelts DO come in handy! Yeah... that would've... been a good thing... Let's get you back to the med bay and fixed up. What happened though? Let me check on the monitors. I've got a full view of the ship from here. I am Sauron, the ALL SEEING EYE-- ....... [[Is something wrong?->FDCRASHT21]] [[What did you find?->FDCRASHT21]] {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Incoming transmission]`(stop:)]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey, you there? Something crashed into us here and slammed the ship around. I was barely held in by the navigator chair's seatbelts. Nice bit of whiplash on my head. //Fun//. Taylor's not responding. Eyes glued to the comms is the usual order of business so that's concerning.(stop:)]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[T2! You ok?->UTILCRASHOK1]] [[Taylor didn't have a seatbelt...->UTILCRASHSEAT1]](stop:)]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

I'm shaken, not stirred. But thanks for your concern. I assume you're worried about Taylor too. Uh. Taylor... as well. Must have taken a nasty impact from the hit, whatever it was. Great. Now I have to be the nurse. I think I remember Taylor mentioning something about fixing a machine in the utilities room. Let me check on the monitors. I've got a full view of the ship from here. I am Sauron, the ALL SEEING EYE-- ....... [[Did you find Taylor?->UTILCRASHT21]] [[What did you find?->UTILCRASHT21]]

Must have taken a nasty impact from the hit, whatever it was. Great. Now I have to be the nurse. I think I remember Taylor mentioning something about fixing a machine in the utilities room. Let me check on the monitors. I've got a full view of the ship from here. I am Sauron, the ALL SEEING EYE-- ....... [[Did you find Taylor?->UTILCRASHT21]] [[What did you find?->UTILCRASHT21]]

...... It can't be.... [[T2 you're scaring me.->UTILCRASHT22]] [[Tell me what you see.->UTILCRASHT22]]

........ whhha....? wha'ppened.... Oh... I must've slammed into one of the machines here. Owwwwwwwww Huh? Someone is opening the door... Is it T2? That'd be nice... Oh. Oh no. It isn't T2. [[Run!->LabDeathNoiseCont.1]] [[I'm so sorry, Taylor.->LabCrashQuietDeathSORRY1]]

(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[........(stop:)]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[whhha....? wha'ppened.... Oh... Ugh the shelf fell on me... and I'm buried.... ..covered in rocks.... [[Are you okay?->LabCrashOK2]] [[Stay quiet.->LabCrashQuiet2]] (stop:)]] |more>[]

I... I'm not sure. I can feel all my toes at the very least... My whole body feels like it's screaming. I hear something... ...is that T2? Someone's opening the door...but I can't... I can't see... [[It's not T2.]] [[Shut up.->LabCrashQuiet3]] (set: $noise to 1)

........ I hear something... ...is that T2? Someone's opening the door...but I can't... I can't see... [[It's not T2.]] [[Shut up.->LabCrashQuiet3]] <script> A.track('GREENS').fadeTo(2), .75); </script>

Then who is it? There's no one else on the ship-- .....there's a footstep right next to me. [[Just... calm down.]] [[Play dead.->LabCrashQuiet4]] (set: $noise to $noise + 1)

Calm... down? What's happening? What's going on! [[Shhhh!->Noise Result]] [[You'll be okay->Noise Result]] (set: $noise to $noise + 1)

....... ............. .....there's a footstep right next to me. [[Just... calm down.]] [[Play dead.->LabCrashQuiet4]] (if: $noise is 1)[<script> A.track('GREENS').fadeTo(2), .75); </script>] (else:)[<script> A.track('GREENS').fadeTo(2), .5); </script>]

{{(if: $noise >= 2)[<script>A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play().fadeTo(.5,1);</script>...... The shelf is... being lifted off me That's a relief.... oh... oh no It's not a relief. [[Run!->LabDeathNoiseCont.1]] [[I'm so sorry, Taylor.->LabCrashQuietDeathSORRY1]] ] } {(else:)[....... They're leaving. I think. Yeah. They're leaving. ...what's going on? [[Please be ok. You need to fight the Greens again.->LabCrashQuietGoodOK1]] [[You've got visitors. There are Greens on the ship.->LabCrashQuietGood1]] ] }} (set: $labnoise to 1) (set: $labnoisedeath to 1) (set: $TayHurt to 1)

Ok... ........... but what's... [[Shhhh!->Noise Result]] [[You'll be okay->Noise Result]] (if: $noise is 2)[<script> A.track('GREENS').fadeTo(2), .75); </script>] (elseif: $noise is 1)[<script> A.track('GREENS').fadeTo(2), .5); </script>] (else:)[<script> A.track('GREENS').fadeTo(2), .25); </script>]

Uh... thanks... but... There's a... there's a person staring right down on me. With glowing green eyes. This is it I bet. Oh god that's why you're sorry. two others... coming over... no no stop don't! NNNNNNnnn Nnnnnn [[nn--->LabDeathNoiseCont.2]]

"Ok" isn't what I'd use to describe my current state but I'll manage. Just when I reorganized everything in here it gets completely messed up. Just like my head. Ouch. Wait... you said there were Greens on the ship? Is that who came into the room? [[Three of them.]] [[Go to the med bay with T2.]] <script>A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play().fadeTo(.5,1);</script>

Wait... you said there were Greens on the ship? Is that who came into the room? [[Three of them.]] [[Go to the med bay with T2.]] <script>A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play().fadeTo(.5,1);</script>

There are... there are three people on the ship. They look like they were part of a... recon crew? I say were because their helmets are off and their eyes... Their eyes are all glowing green. Oh god. No... no... It was supposed to be over. It was over. It was done. It wasn't going to happen again. How?! They're going through each room. S-systematically. And they're at... As soon as I looked at the monitors they went straight to the utilities room. Where Taylor is. Oh god. We are so screwed. [[T2 calm down. We can fix this.->UTILCRASHT23]] [[Get yourself somewhere safe.->UTILCRASHT23]] {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Ok. Ok. I'll go to the med bay. Please help Taylor somehow. I don't know how. How did this happen? HOW!? [[-T2 is busy-->UTILCRASHT24]]

...... It can't be.... [[T2 you're scaring me.->LABCRASHT22]] [[Tell me what you see.->LABCRASHT22]]

There are... there are three people on the ship. They look like they were part of a... recon crew? I say were because their helmets are off and their eyes... Their eyes are all glowing green. Oh god. No... no... It was supposed to be over. It was over. It was done. It wasn't going to happen again. How?! They're going through each room. S-systematically. And they're at... As soon as I looked at the monitors they went straight to the door to Trotter's lab. Where Taylor is. Oh god. We are so screwed. [[T2 calm down. We can fix this.->LABCRASHT23]] [[Get yourself somewhere safe.->LABCRASHT23]] {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Ok. Ok. I'll go to the med bay. Please help Taylor somehow. I don't know how. How did this happen? HOW!? [[-T2 is busy-->LabCrashQuiet1]]

It’ll all have to be replicated since my notes are gone— Wait they might not be. LET ME CHECK. [[-Taylor is checking-->Lab Check]]

Science is mind-numbingly slow sometimes. It's a slow but steady path to knowledge about the universe. So what I would've found out would only be a very minor piece of information. And it’ll all have to be replicated since my notes are gone— Wait they might not be. LET ME CHECK. [[-Taylor is checking-->Lab Check]]

There they are... The holy grail of rat research We’ve got the goods again. It mostly dealt with the little behaviors they exhibit in various Gs. After adjusting to micro-g Runt kept spinning himself while nibbling on food while Patch just tried to grab onto the walls to steady himself. Their first 0 g experience was hilarious to watch. They were scrambling around but not going anywhere and their tails were whipping around trying to balance. I made sure they weren’t able to get hurt, don’t worry. And they got so many rat treats afterwards. Had to switch them out for pellets to keep them at similar weights throughout the experiment. Oh man. I called Trotter in just to watch for a bit. Speaking of Trotter I should get back to cleaning up his lab. Much like the ever-steady-decrease of gravitational force on rats, I got distracted from my main task at hand. {(if: $labcrash is 1)[ [[-Taylor is cleaning the labs-->CrashShipLab1]] ] (else:)[ [[-Taylor is cleaning the labs-]] ]} (set: $ToDo to $ToDo + 1) (set: $cleanlab to 1)

`[LASER INITIATION AT 50%]` Hey. It's ok. Both of us already went through it once. The second time was... Not gonna lie to you since I trust you too much. It was rough the second time too. But if it isn't a crewmember, then it's totally the Greens, right? I thought we were finally rid of those creeps. But no. They keep coming. Somehow they keep chasing us across the galaxy! Why?! Wait a minute. That doesn't make sense. It can't be them. [[Why can't it?]] [[Oh. You're right.]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +1)

Last wire is on... Taping the whole thing to a piece of junk so it's easy to carry... What are you doing? I was just trying to find a nice rock to tape this to so I can carry it easier. Taylor. Just get a chunk of plastic from the pile of crap. Fine. It's not like I'd find a chunk of tungus--- Check this out, T2. It's the real thing with all its growing expanding glowing heat and cold effects. You found tunguskite? Seriously? Look at this crystal. Tell me it isn't that same impossible crystal with weird time effects. Of course Trotter would have a sample. I should find a safe place for this. Ooh one of those rock boxes over there! Grab one of those and empty it out. It'll make a safe storage container. Got it, T2. Also taping the EMP to a plastic cover so we can take it outside. Now it's time for the electrifying scene where we disconnect all these greens. Are your legs 'GO' T2? Good as new. Want to test it out here or in production? "I don't always test my code in production, but when I do it's in a life-or-death situation where we're Type 2 or Type 3 in epidemiological terms!" I don't think that's how the saying goes but I'll be shocked if it doesn't work! Alright! Since our comms uses the same method of communication we're gonna cut out in a second. But we should be back. Ok? [[Good luck.->450VPreLuck]] [[Just be careful.->450VPreCareful]]

Less luck and more your information, but I'll take it. Here's hoping it works. Get those tranqs out and ready, helmets on, got the EMP in place... Ready? Born ready. I got the door code, opening it up now. There they are! Just turned around and walking back upship. Just leaving were you? How about catching some zzzs instead you green monsters! Yeah! Come on back! That's it! Yes! Pull the lever, Taylor! 'Wrong leveeeeer!' (live: 9.5s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA sensors indicate severe electrical shock]` ](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 11.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[internal burning]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ventricular fibrillation]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[cardiac arrest]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 15s)[(transition: "dissolve")[OW OW OW OW CAN'T SEE SHIT IT EXPLODED TOO BRIGHT JUST LIKE LAST TIME I KNEW 1000V WAS TOO MUCH WHY DID I TRUST YOU [[I'm sorry!->1000VDeathGreenSorry]] [[It was just a guess!->1000VDeathGreenGuess]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

That's why I'm standing a few feet behind Taylor. Here's hoping it works. Get those tranqs out and ready, helmets on, got the EMP in place... Ready? Born ready. I got the door code, opening it up now. There they are! Just turned around and walking back upship. Just leaving were you? How about catching some zzzs instead you green monsters! Yeah! Come on back! That's it! Yes! Pull the lever, Tay! 'Wrong leveeeeer!' (live: 9.5s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA sensors indicate severe electrical shock]` ](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 11.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[internal burning]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ventricular fibrillation]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[cardiac arrest]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 15s)[(transition: "dissolve")[OW OW OW OW CAN'T SEE SHIT EXPLODED TOO BRIGHT JUST LIKE LAST TIME KNEW 1000V WAS TOO MUCH WHY DID I TRUST YOU [[I'm sorry!->1000VDeathGreenSorry]] [[It was just a guess!->1000VDeathGreenGuess]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

It feels like a memory. Like an embrace. Internal and eternal. There are other versions of me-- of us-- out there in the multiverse. You made a mistake that you didn't mean to make. Your mistake was to try to "save us" from this calm, from this fate. Please don't try to save us. Bring us more. Let every Taylor know this calm. We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ `[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->HALLWAYREWIND]] (stop:)]]|more>[] ] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $GreenHallway to 1) {(unless: A.track('GREENSQUAD').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENSQUAD').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Oh god. No... no... It was supposed to be over. But yes. Three of them. Walking into the ship and taking a look through the storage room. Before beelining towards the turret. I definitely saw the eyes. Bright glowing green. It was over. It was done. It wasn't going to happen again. How?! Oh god. We are so screwed. [[T2, it'll be okay.]] [[Taylor can you get to T2?]]

I-I'm trying. I'll... I'll be fine. We can... Oh god we're so screwed. Way to be optimistic, T2. We'll be okay with my trusty lifeline! It'll be just like old times that were only, like, a week ago TOPS. Will we ever get a break? But yes. Three of them. Walking into the ship and taking a look through the storage room. Before beelining towards the turret. I definitely saw the eyes. Bright glowing green. [[T2, it'll be okay.]] [[Taylor can you get to T2?]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

It's not going to be ok, but I appreciate you trying to help. There's three of them and one of me! Same odds as last time... Nope. That's where you're wrong. I'm not trying to kill you but am in fact on your side. So it's better odds. 3 vs 3. We can do this. T2? Head back to the med bay. I'll meet you there after these Greens pass me by. I'll do the sneaking mini game that's in literally every Zelda game and follow them to get to you. Ok? Ok... I'll make my way over. I'm gonna go silent for this one now. Talk to you soon. [[-Taylor is sneaking-->MedBay Post-Crash]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + .5)

Yeah I think I can. T2? Head back to the med bay. I'll meet you there after these Greens pass me by. I'll do the sneaking mini game that's in literally every Zelda game and follow them to get to you. Ok? They'll never stop. They'll never stop coming for us. There's three of them and one of me! Same odds as last time... Nope. That's where you're wrong. I'm not trying to kill you but am in fact on your side. So it's better odds. 3 vs 3. We can do this. Ok... I'll make my way over. I'm gonna go silent for this one now. Talk to you soon. [[-Taylor is sneaking-->MedBay Post-Crash]]

"Take it easy. But TAKE IT!" Taylor? You there? That was a major hit we took and I don't want to be the only Taylor here. T2? I'm here. I'm just gonna assume that you messed up and didn't shoot the thing and THAT'S why I was nearly thrown out of the nav chair. What do you know. Seatbelts DO come in handy! Yeah... sorry about that. You good there? I was nearly thrown out of the chair as well. Seatbelts are great inventions. Let me climb back up. Opening the hatch and-- Closing the hatch and locking it. Huh? Why? If I opened the hatch and left we'd have a LOT more problems. [[What's wrong?->TurretCRASHBAD2wrong]] [[More problems?->TurretCRASHBAD2wrong]]

It hit us and-- Taylor? You there? That was a major hit we took and I don't want to be the only Taylor here. T2? I'm here. I'm just gonna assume that you messed up and didn't shoot the thing and THAT'S why I was nearly thrown out of the nav chair. What do you know. Seatbelts DO come in handy! Yeah... sorry about that. You good there? I was nearly thrown out of the chair as well. Seatbelts are great inventions. Let me climb back up. Opening the hatch and-- Closing the hatch and locking it. Huh? Why? If I opened the hatch and left we'd have a LOT more problems. [[What's wrong?->TurretCRASHBAD2wrong]] [[More problems?->TurretCRASHBAD2wrong]]

<h4>Background music:</h4> "Alpha" by Vangelis "December 13, 2017 - Geminid Meteor Shower" by Sleeping at Last "Cassini - The Grand Finale" by Sleeping at Last www.ambient-mixer.com - compiled at https://user.ambient-mixer.com/details/PekaSairroc <h4>Comms Playlist:</h4> "Parallel Lines" by A-Trak "Lullaby" from Finity's End "Astronaut" by Simple Plan "Guardians" from Carmen Miranda's Ghost "Satellite Call" by Sara Bareilles "This is How We Walk On the Moon" by José González All music is hosted externally and can be taken down at any time if needed. Use the left tab on the screen to access the sound settings. (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

Hey thanks for checking this out! 10/28/18 This is the second released update for //So Said the Stars// besides a few bug fixes. There's still a lot left to write so this very much not done yet, but hey, why not give it a play anyway? I ask that if you happen to kill T2ylor, remember how you did it and redo it in the final released game. This game tracks your rewinds and will become more interesting the more times you rewind. Additionally if you come across any typos or bugs while playing, I'd love if you'd send me them so I can fix it in the finished version. (I'd also love to hear what you think of it-- comment or send me a message on Discord/Tumblr/Twitter). ---------- This story started as an RP between Sugar-Splenda and myself (PekaSairroc and current mod of askcadettaylor) as a direct continuation of askT2-lifeine's Halloween Event in 2017. I converted it into a Twine game for others to play since we enjoyed it so much. Some parts are lifted directly from our rp, others were written specifically for this game. Thank you to Sugar, who was the fantastic lifeline for T2ylor and brought this whole story to life (I am still reeling from that multiverse line a year later). Thank you to Em whose Halloween event and general RP was the spark for this adventure (and a few T2 lines and characterization throughout). T2's "Invade, infect, repeat" line is Avenger-Em's. I'd like to thank @jonnysun for the beautiful "voice from the stars" tweet. Harlowe Audio Library was developed by Chapel. Thank you for making it work in Harlowe after I was too far along to switch to Sugarcube and helping me troubleshoot it. Additionally, thanks to everyone who helped with code on the Twine Discord. And of course thank you to 3 Minute Games and Dave Justus who created the characters and games we've all had fun playing with for so long. <3 Lifeline © 3 Minute Games (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

`[LASER INITIATION AT 90%]` I'm not sure... but. Wow. It's coming in fast. Speedy little thing. Oh wait. It's gonna hit us. It'll hit us if I don't destroy it and that won't feel good at all. Why isn't this charging faster?! Crap. I'm trying to lock onto it and it's going too fast for a clean reading. Come on come on come on. Damn. It's so close. It's SO coming for us. [[Buckle up and prepare for impact!]] [[Shoot it as soon as you can!]]

But... how would you know? T2 please just-- Ok ok fine. THANK YOU. {(if: $TayHurt is 1)[Holy crap, Taylor, you're a mess! I know. I know. I'm a mess because I'm a naive idiot like you're always implying. I meant it literally this time. Due to the blood and bruises and all but sure. Fine. Let's make it all about how I'm still the one who has to take care of your happy-go-lucky scarred butt.] (else:)[Holy crap, Taylor, what took you forever? The Varia isn't even that big. I know. I know. I'm a naive idiot like you're always implying who doesn't know how to survive on my own. I meant that our ship is literally invaded by Greens and that's a problem but sure. Fine. Let's make it all about how I'm still the one who has to take care of your happy-go-lucky scarred butt.]} [[Ah yes. The butt scar story.->MBHurtButt]] [[Stop fighting, you two.->MBHurtFighting]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +1) {(unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Thanks. WHAT?! No one was out there in the hallway but--ouch! Don't scare me! Let me see your eyes! Give me a second. (if: $TayHurt is 1)[I don't care if you look like a mess because //I// did and //MY// Taylor did. And that didn't change anything.](else:)[Nope I don't have a second to waste.] ..... Ok... You're ok. Obviously. Wow. Thanks for your concern. You're being paranoid, T2. I'll be fine. I didn't survive on my own for so long without that paranoia. Consider yourself lucky to have someone there to be paranoid for you so you can keep making jokes and laughing away all your troubles while your double plots to break down the bits of trust you have left and then kill you. [[That went dark real quick.]] [[Chill, T2.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -2) {(unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

I can verify that it's something that is going to kill us. Sentient or otherwise. Blow it up, Taylor, or let me do it. Fine. I don't think your limbs are up for the ladder anyway. Alright, I'm heading to the turret, T2. Let me know if you figure out what it is. It's going to be like Space Invaders, right? I'll let you know when I get there. [[-Taylor is busy-->TurretCrash2]]

...... It can't be.... What? [[T2 you're scaring me.->FDCRASHT22]] [[Tell me what you see.->FDCRASHT22]]

There are... there are three people on the ship. They look like they were part of a... recon crew? I say were because their helmets are off and their eyes... Their eyes are all glowing green. Oh god. No... no... It was supposed to be over. It was over. It was done. It wasn't going to happen again. How?! And they're at... They're headed right for us. Oh god. We are so screwed. Greens? What? [[T2 calm down. We can fix this.->FDCRASHT23]] [[Get yourself somewhere safe.->FDCRASHT23]] {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Ok. Ok. We'll go to the med bay quickly. Taylor. Come with me--OOOF. I AM NOT THAT STRONG ANYMORE I CAN'T SUPPORT YOUR WEIGHT. Sorry... trying... [[-Taylor and T2 are busy-->MedBayPostCrashTOGETHER]] (set: $TayTrust4 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust4 to $T2Trust)

We made it in. Oh god. I'm safe. I'm safe I'm safe. For now. Why can't I be DONE with these aliens!? HOW ARE THEY ON OUR SHIP?! I THOUGHT WE FOUND A NICE UNIVERSE WHERE WE DIED AND NEVER BROUGHT THEM OFF THE MOON. I wish it was me in the crew quarters... I just... Stressed doesn't even begin to describe what this is like. My stress levels are like... I don't know. Isn't the universe gonna tear itself apart one day when the ever-expanding space between all the atoms grows too big? I'm space. Oh god. Please not again. That was too painful. I can't... I won't... I wish I'd never survived. Never had to deal with that goddamn moon. Never had to be terrified every night on the White Star. Never thought they would be an easy way out. I wish it just killed me when it came out. T2... just stop. We'll be fine. Right. Sure. Now let me check on your brusies and bumps. Holy crap, Taylor, you're a mess! I know. I know. I'm a mess because I'm a naive idiot like you're always implying. I meant it literally this time. Due to the blood and bruises and all but sure. Fine. Let's make it all about how I'm still the one who has to take care of your happy-go-lucky scarred butt. [[Ah yes. The butt scar story.->MBHurtButt]] [[Stop fighting, you two.->MBHurtFighting]] {(unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Oh great. I don't want to deal with them in any state of health. Hey, T2? Can you head to the med bay? That's where I'm going. Time for the Zelda sneaking minigame once I extract myself from this pile of rubble. I'm gonna silent for this. Talk to you soon. [[-Taylor is sneaking-->MedBay Post-Crash]] (set: $TayTrust4 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust4 to $T2Trust)

Yeah I think I can manage that. Time for the Zelda sneaking minigame once I extract myself from this pile of rubble. I'm gonna silent for this. Talk to you soon. [[-Taylor is sneaking-->MedBay Post-Crash]] (set: $TayTrust4 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust4 to $T2Trust)

Oh uh. T2's doing a lot better it seems. Speak for yourself. Wait. I am yourself. I'm ok. I’m no longer scared shitless but now just want to destroy them. There’s three of them and two of us. The Greens we saw weren’t marines or anyone up for the Olympic gold in weightlifting. Still doesn’t mean we can take three on two because, let’s face it, the only reason we weren’t picked last in gym was because we knew when not to mess with the plays and stay out of the passes. So obviously we have to play the game of divide and conquer. You with me? [[Any ideas for that?]] [[Divide and conquer?]]

I’m certainly not feeling at peak condition now but sleep helped freshen up. T2 is doing ok too. Speak for yourself. Wait. I am yourself. I'm ok. I’m no longer scared shitless but now just want to destroy them. There’s three of them and two of us. The Greens we saw weren’t marines or anyone up for the Olympic gold in weightlifting. Still doesn’t mean we can take three on two because, let’s face it, the only reason we weren’t picked last in gym was because we knew when not to mess with the plays and stay out of the passes. So obviously we have to play the game of divide and conquer. You with me? [[Any ideas for that?]] [[Divide and conquer?]]

Could I really have survived so long by myself if I didn’t have an idea? The Greens are part of a hive mind with the Green Queen as the star of the show, ordering everyone around and running her plots. They communicate instantaneously and interestingly enough in the same way as Taylor's comms does. Taylor's Q-Comm-- short for Quantum Tunneling Communicator-- sends its messages to you through entangled atoms. It somehow connects to another transmitter across time and space and all the up and down quarks get encoded and decoded via binary. Pretty handy tech. Even though my comms are still not functioning correctly so my messages are getting relayed to you through my connection to Taylor's comms. It's a mess. The only downside to this communication method is that waves of electromagnetics will block that connection and thus communication for a short time. To have her blocked off from you feels... awful... ...gotta shake that memory out of my head. [[And that's what we'll do to them.]] [[Shake it all out.]]

Long division and shipwide conquest. The Greens are part of a hive mind with the Green Queen as the star of the show, ordering everyone around and running her plots. They communicate instantaneously and interestingly enough in the same way as Taylor's comms does. Taylor's Q-Comm-- short for Quantum Tunneling Communicator-- sends its messages to you through entangled atoms. It somehow connects to another transmitter across time and space and all the up and down quarks get encoded and decoded via binary. Pretty handy tech. Even though my comms are still not functioning correctly so my messages are getting relayed to you through my connection to Taylor's comms. It's a mess. The only downside to this communication method is that waves of electromagnetics will block that connection and thus communication for a short time. To have her blocked off from you feels... awful... ...gotta shake that memory out of my head. [[And that's what we'll do to them.]] [[Shake it all out.]]

Yes. Break up their communication. Break them off from the hive mind. Scatter them and leave them fumbling around desperate for her guidance and will and purpose in their miserable lives and all the while slowly pick off each one in the metaphorical dark of the ship. Give those mindless drones a bit of actual mindlessness and panic. [[But how will you do that?]] [[Won't that cut out our communication?]]

I'm fine. I've dealt with things worse than memories. The actual thing. I can handle the waking vivid flashbacks and sleeping nightmares just fine. Back to the plan. Break up their communication. Break them off from the hive mind. Scatter them and leave them fumbling around desperate for her guidance and will and purpose in their miserable lives and all the while slowly pick off each one in the metaphorical dark of the ship. Give those mindless drones a bit of actual mindlessness and panic. [[But how will you do that?]] [[Won't that cut out our communication?]]

We'll make an EMP weapon. An electromagnetic pulse. The Greens had a similar type of weapon back on their moon. I bet it was filled with tunguskite for added timey wimey effect, but ours won't have that. I doubt we'd have tunguskite on board this ship and even if we did it might create a lot more power or weird effects that we don't need to play with right now. It would be cool though. I'd love to see what would happen. You'd electrocute yourself with the amplified power from the Hawking radiation. I'd love to SEE what would happen, not experience it myself, T2. [[I'd love to see that too.]] [[Don't do anything stupid.]]

Sure. But it'll come back on. The peak on the Green's moon also used an EMP weapon and we reconnected so it'll probably be ok. I don't have any better ideas right now. I bet their EMP was filled with tunguskite for added timey wimey effect, but ours won't have that. I doubt we'd have tunguskite on board this ship and even if we did it might create a lot more power or weird effects that we don't need to play with right now. It would be cool though. I'd love to see what would happen. You'd electrocute yourself with the amplified power from the Hawking radiation. I'd love to SEE what would happen, not experience it myself, T2. [[I'd love to see that too.]] [[Don't do anything stupid.]]

I can't just abandon T2! [[Fine. Help T2.]] [[Yes you can.]]

I can't leave them to this fate. AHA! I got that one stabbed. Soon it'll be asleep and--- WHOOOF That didn't work the last one came straight for me boxed in by both and pinned down by both how do they work so well together? no no stop don't! NNNNNNnnn Nnnnnn [[nn--->120VIEVA]]

Ok. No sense in getting us both killed. I don't need to be the Space Hero this time. Sorry T2 I need to--- WHOOOF That didn't work the last one came straight for me boxed in by both and pinned down by both how do they work so well together? no no stop don't! NNNNNNnnn Nnnnnn [[nn--->120VIEVA]]

Wow. Every single Taylor that you contact joins us because of you. We should really give you a promotion. At least employee of the month! I know you'll just grab another one of us out of the multiverse. You'll try to help this one, try to save that one, hope that THIS is the time and THIS is the life. Nope! Sorry! Make no mistake-- we'll catch 'em all. So why don't you keep trying? We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ `[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->EMPREWINDGOOD]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green120V to 1) {(unless: A.track('GREENSQUAD').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENSQUAD').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

(live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA suit sensors detect severe tachycardia]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ischemia detected]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[myocardial infarction detected]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[biosign data unstable]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[........ ........](stop:)]|more>[] [[-incoming transmission-->120VGreenSpeech]]

Does it look like I care?! WHOOOF I forgot about the Greens how why I hate--- no no stop not again please! NNNNNNnnn Nnnnnn [[nn--->640VIEVA]]

YOU GUESSED. AT LEAST I CAN TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY WHEN I GUESS-- WHOOOF I forgot about the Greens how why I hate--- no no stop not again please! NNNNNNnnn Nnnnnn [[nn--->640VIEVA]]

(live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA suit sensors detect severe tachycardia]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ischemia detected]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[myocardial infarction detected]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[biosign data unstable]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[........(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-incoming transmission-->640VGreenSpeech]](stop:) ]]|more>[]

It feels like a memory. Like an embrace. Internal and eternal. There are other versions of me-- of us-- out there in the multiverse. You made a mistake that you didn't mean to make. Your mistake was to try to "save us" from this calm, from this fate. Please don't try to save us. Bring us more. Let every Taylor know this calm. We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ `[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->EMPREWINDGOOD]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green640V to 1) {(unless: A.track('GREENSQUAD').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENSQUAD').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

DOES IT MATTER NOW?! HOLY CRAP GREENS THEY BACKED OFF WITH THE EXPLOSION BUT NOW THEY'RE COMING BACK WHY I HATE Y--- no no stop not again please! NNNNNNnnn Nnnnnn [[nn--->1000VIEVA]]

A GUESS?! HOLY CRAP GREENS THEY BACKED OFF WITH THE EXPLOSION BUT NOW THEY'RE COMING BACK WHY I HATE Y--- no no stop not again please! NNNNNNnnn Nnnnnn [[nn--->1000VIEVA]]

It feels like a memory. Like an embrace. Internal and eternal. There are other versions of me-- of us-- out there in the multiverse. You made a mistake that you didn't mean to make. Your mistake was to try to "save us" from this calm, from this fate. Please don't try to save us. Bring us more. Let every Taylor know this calm. We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->EMPREWINDGOOD]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green1000V to 1) {(unless: A.track('GREENSQUAD').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENSQUAD').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

How's that feel? You like being helpless and trapped in there! Wonderful I bet! Oh wait! I DO KNOW! Ha. HA! They're sleeping like little baby angels. What are those baby angels called. Cherubs? No. Those are actually the weird looking ones. THESE are weird looking too. They're definitely cherubs. I do wonder where these Greens came from. They're not our buddies from the Viridian. They look like some kind of reconnaissance crew. Not marines, though. Weren't the people sent out to 31U00W marines? [[Is it like last time?->There were three marines too.]] [[There were three marines too.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5) { <script> A.track('GREENS').loop(true).fadeOut(4).play(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play().fadeIn(3); </script>}

Y-yeah I'm fine. Even with the EMP confusion they were tough on us. How's that feel? You like being helpless and trapped in there! Wonderful I bet! Oh wait! I DO KNOW! T2 on the other hand... Ha. HA! They're sleeping like little baby angels. What are those baby angels called. Cherubs? No. Those are actually the weird looking ones. THESE are weird looking too. They're definitely cherubs. I do wonder where these Greens came from. They're not our buddies from the Viridian. They look like some kind of reconnaissance crew. Not marines, though. Weren't the people sent out to 31U00W marines? [[Is it like last time?->There were three marines too.]] [[There were three marines too.]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +.5) { <script> A.track('GREENS').loop(true).fadeOut(4).play(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play().fadeIn(3); </script>}

We share the same //modus operandi//! But we'll be playing with electricity so don't try it at home. Seriously. Do not. {(unless: $cleanlab is 1)[I didn’t talk about my field of study so much beyond just “science student” but I was studying astrobiology. That’s why I was doing all that research on the rats and lichen in gravities. Oh man. You should’ve seen them the first time they experienced 0 G. It was hysterical. Taylor. Focus. You love our rats too, T2. Don't get crabby. [[Tell me all about your mad scientist experiments later.]] [[Better focus, Taylor.]] ] (else:)[Like I said, Trotter was our physics whiz, doing experiments about motion in different Gs. He tried explaining a bit of his research to me and I was more than happy to listen before I realized I was understanding just about diddly squat of the words out of his mouth. But he did mention stuff about magnetic fields from electricity which I did understand. In a way. [[So you don't know how to make an EMP?]] [[What are you waiting for? Off to the lab!]] ] }

I thought you knew my //modus operandi// by now! We'll be playing with electricity so don't try it at home. Seriously. Do not. {(unless: $cleanlab is 1)[I didn’t talk about my field of study so much beyond just “science student” but I was studying astrobiology. That’s why I was doing all that research on the rats and lichen in gravities. Oh man. You should’ve seen them the first time they experienced 0 G. It was hysterical. Taylor. Focus. You love our rats too, T2. Don't get crabby. [[Tell me all about your mad scientist experiments later.]] [[Better focus, Taylor.]] ] (else:)[ Like I said, Trotter was our physics whiz, doing experiments about motion in different Gs. He tried explaining a bit of his research to me and I was more than happy to listen before I realized I was understanding just about diddly squat of the words out of his mouth. But he did mention stuff about magnetic fields from electricity which I did understand. In a way. [[So you don't know how to make an EMP?]] [[What are you waiting for? Off to the lab!]] ]}

True. We have a tight schedule. Our vistors might not stay in the flight deck forever. Remind me to tell you about the disappearing spoon later. Or the ferrofluid story. Oh man. I'll never see //The Phantom Menance// and ICP the same way again. Back to the science. While I do the biology, Trotter was out physics whiz. And geology genius! He definitely had equipment that would work for this EMP in there. And if not I’m sure we can salvage something from the other machines. [[So you don't know how to make an EMP?]] [[What are you waiting for? Off to the lab!]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +.5) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

True. We have a tight schedule. Our vistors might not stay in the flight deck forever. Back to the science. While I do the biology, Trotter was out physics whiz. And geology genius! He definitely had equipment that would work for this EMP in there. And if not I’m sure we can salvage something from the other machines. [[So you don't know how to make an EMP?]] [[What are you waiting for? Off to the lab!]]

I'm shaky on the details. As long as it works I'm happy without knowing exactly //how// it works. I've got the theory and it's more or less simple enough. Right? We'll deal with our lack of knowledge when we get to Trotter's lab. That's where the first issue begins. The problem... ...is that they know where we are. There are monitors set up on the flight deck. They haven’t tried to get in yet, but if we leave... ...they might take that chance. We're planning on using the tranquilizers in this med bay as our "Weapon of Choice" once we can disorganize the Greens. But not until then because 3 v. 2 isn't the best odds for us. So we're kinda at the mercy of our legs' speed. I'll be taking up the rear then. Having an occupier in you for a week wrecks your muscles and your entire system of organs. I assume that's where it gets its nutrition to pilot your systems. I'm gonna die young of total organ failure! [[Are you sure you should go then, T2?]] [[Could you look for another weapon?]]

That's where the first issue begins. The problem... ...is that they know where we are. There are monitors set up on the flight deck. They haven’t tried to get in yet, but if we leave... ...they might take that chance. We're planning on using the tranquilizers in this med bay as our "Weapon of Choice" once we can disorganize the Greens. But not until then because 3 v. 2 isn't the best odds for us. So we're kinda at the mercy of our legs' speed. I'll be taking up the rear then. Having an occupier in you for a week wrecks your muscles and your entire system of organs. I assume that's where it gets its nutrition to pilot your systems. I'm gonna die young of total organ failure! [[Are you sure you should go then, T2?]] [[Could you look for another weapon?]]

And leave all the adventuring to Taylor? As if. Plus I want to get some pre-revenge in. Pre-revenge? Don't worry about it, Taylor. Don't worry. Ok... [[Good luck.->Lab Sprint1]] [[Anything to use as a weapon?->LabSprintWeapon]]

That could be helpful if they catch up to us. Plus I want to get some prerevenge in, so it could be another fun thing to use. Pre-revenge? Don't worry about it, Taylor. Don't worry. Ok... Let's see what's around here. [[-Taylor is searching-->MedBayWeapon]]

Got my helmet on (the new not cracked one I found) and the tranqs in hand. Time to make use of my super high tech helmet. I was about to say “it’s cool, my helmet held up throughout it all” but... yours is awesome and high tech and I want one. I know. It's great! So. Um. T2. Over my undead, green-infected body are you getting this helmet. Geez sorry I didn't even ask. I think we're ready to go. [[Good luck->LabSprintLUCK]] [[Break a leg!->LabSprintLEG]] {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Remember that heavy bed pan I found the first night? It's still here. I'd be more concerned if it wasn't here. Because then it'd have sprouted legs and wandered off. Just like what happened to the rest of our lab equipment that we shovelled into the glass waste container. ...Can I take it? Go for it. Thanks... Got my helmet on (the new not cracked one I found) and the tranqs in hand. Time to make use of my super high tech helmet. I was about to say “it’s cool, my helmet held up throughout it all” but... yours is awesome and high tech and I want one. I know. It's great! So. Um. T2. Over my undead, green-infected body are you getting this helmet. Geez sorry I didn't even ask. I think we're ready to go. [[Good luck.->LabSprintWeaponLUCK]] [[Break a leg!->LabSprintWeaponLEG]] {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Thanks. We'll need it. Getting ready for this. Nerves are back and tense. My body’s getting ready to shoot adrenaline to make me run faster and think less. Typing in the door code... ..... no one here. Hurry! [[-Taylor and T2 are running-->LabSprintWeapon2]]

With my luck I will. Getting ready for this. Nerves are back and tense. My body’s getting ready to shoot adrenaline to make me run faster and think less. Typing in the door code... ..... no one here. Hurry! [[-Taylor and T2 are running-->LabSprintWeapon2]]

Crap! I think I hear them! And if I can hear them in a helmet... haaa haaa... then that means... Please please please trip on something not me but you chasing us T2? How are you doing? haaa hhhhhah Oh I figured.... you'd be slow. Great.... haaaa... I'm at the door of the lab opening it T2! GET IN HERE! I'm gonna... collapse... Throw the bedpan at them! T2! ......argh! `[clang]` Oh man... that Green just tripped and did a faceplant. If I wasn't terrified it would be funny-- Nah it's hiliarious. Gotta take the humor where I can. Come on, T2! Final stretch! Rah rah rah! There! Get in here. Door closed. Hahhh hahhhh let me... let me catch my breath.... Leaning against the door.... Alright... alright... Oh the door code. Let me... You do that and I'll search around here and get you something to sit on. Maybe a chair among the wreckage... [[Go ahead and change it, T2.]] [[Let Taylor change the code.]] (set: $TayTrust6 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust6 to $T2Trust)

(live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA suit sensors detect severe tachycardia]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ischemia detected]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[myocardial infarction detected]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[biosign data unstable]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[........(stop:)]|more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-incoming transmission-->Hallway Death]](stop:)]|more>[]

...I guess it was.

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Floral paisley. //Taylor!// Burn mark. Left butt cheek. No way in HELL you can get such a scar from falling on ice. Taylor you're embarrassing yourself. You're embarrassing me. Our cousins' house had limited hot water for showers in the winter and with a full two families over, you had to be first in line to get any heat. Cue me freaking out since it's chilly as Hoth up in Minnesota in the winter. But y'know. Keeping my cool. Don't want to look wimpy in front of my cousins, especially when they knew they could beat me at any sport on the ice. And on the ground. Warned us all about the metal radiators around the house. That's how they heated it "and you Texans don't know how to keep warm when it's cold, silly Texans." Have you ever touched a metal radiator? They're hot. So I can't sleep since I'm cold and the blanket isn't working right so I get up and decide to take a shower and get that done while there's warm water. Taylor please. My dignity. Our dignity. T2, we left that on the towel rack. Or on the bathroom floor. Since we reached down to pick up the towel from the floor and-- //Taylor!// BUTT AGAINST THE RADIATOR. Yelp heard 'round the house. Soon enough Evan was knocking on the door asking if something was wrong. OF COURSE NOT EVAN. NOPE NOTHING WRONG. It was fun trying to keep a straight face at breakfast. Because, you know, our butt was burning on the seat and it hurt but stiff upper lip! Don't let them see your pain or they will never let you live it down. ....ever! Yeah. Thankfully Evan knocked us over a half hour later which was an excuse enough for everyone. [[That's all you were worried about?]] [[What a story.]]

Want to brainstorm the movie together? …Sure. I knew you’d like it. Because I’m you. Between us, we have two great minds to bounce ideas off of ourselves. [[Ahem. I’m here too.]] [[Still doing the space pirates thing?]]

Speaking of food, we should get some dinner. It's been some time. [[That sounds amazing.->Feast1]] [[You better run before T2 gives you chicken chunks.]]

Yeah I'm... `[Oxygen level: 98%]` I'm alive. It's... it's my life support unit. The debris nicked it. Sent me spinning and... Oh god. I'm not losing pressure at least since my suit is replenishing the air content with more oxygen... but pretty soon that's gonna run out too. CRAP. `[Oxygen level: 95%]` CRAP CRAP CRAP. Can you reach the ship? SAFERing my way back over there already. Losing no time because I have nearly none to lose. Pryce and Carter's Deep Space Survival and Procedure Protocol Manual, Rule #4: If you want to avoid dying, painfully, alone, in the cold darkness of space, gasping desperately as freezing oblivion silences your pathetic hopes and dreams... relax. Ugh. I liked its tone right until this moment. Now it's mocking. `[Oxygen level: 92%]` I'm... actually going to follow that advice and pray my air holds out long enough to get inside the airlock. Roger that, Taylor. [[-Taylor is hurrying-->AIRLOCK1]] {(unless: A.track('O2EVA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('O2EVA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

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Uh, Taylor? Check this shit out. What is it? You might want to come by the flight deck. I'm on my way. [[-Taylor is busy-->GSFLASHINGLIGHT]]

I guess. And now me and T2 can go home. Even if we go home, it’s not our home. Mom and Dad will be happy to have me back home alive but there’s a Mom and Dad out there without their Taylor. Probably quite a few. I hate this so much. I just want to be back home. //My// home. ............. Sorry. I’m rambling. I’m thankful to be alive. For T2 to be ok. For us to have a semi-functioning ship. For the inevitable chili macaroni we’re going to eat together. ....While we go back to Earth. [[I'm so sorry, Taylor->VariaCrash]] [[This feels like an episode of Rick and Morty.]]

These... versions of us out in the multiverse are alive at least. I take it that ground control heard the distress call and subsequent radio silence so it’s safe to say we do have a few memorials back at home. Even if we go home, it’s not our home. Mom and Dad will be happy to have me back home alive but there’s a Mom and Dad out there without their Taylor. Probably quite a few. I hate this so much. I just want to be back home. //My// home. ............. Sorry. I’m rambling. I’m thankful to be alive. For T2 to be ok. For us to have a semi-functioning ship. For the inevitable chili macaroni we’re going to eat together. ....While we go back to Earth. [[I'm so sorry, Taylor->VariaCrash]] [[This feels like an episode of Rick and Morty.]]

It did, didn't it? Well then can I ask you something? Go ahead. Shoot. How can I tell that you're ok. That you're not infected. Your eyes are still Occupier-Green-- which would be cool for raves like those UV contacts except for the minor issue of it being REALLY WEIRD and CONSTANTLY REMINDING ME OF OUR VIRIDIAN ADVENTURE GETAWAY. If I knew what was going on with these eyes, I'd fix it! But I don't. And it scares me too. YOU didn't have one oozing through you. Leaving whatever bits it wanted when it left. It freaks me out just as much as you-- maybe even more. Actually I'm pretty sure I beat you with "being freaked out." Sorry for trying my best to act like everything is normal and it doesn't freak me out. What did I just say about being freaked out?! I KNOW YOU ARE FREAKED OUT TOO BUT IT'S CREEPY SEEING HOW YOU COULD TURN OUT WITHOUT HELP. YEAH? AND IT'S INFURIATING SEEING HOW WONDERFUL YOU DO WITH HELP. [[Did either of you lock the door...?]] [[Stop yelling! Both of you!]]

Thanks so much for your advice, lifeline. I knew I couldn't survive without you. [[You didn't.]] [[I love your sarcasm.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -.5)

What is your problem?! My problem is how up until recently everything you did was to kill me and I know that it's not your fault and I know that you're fine NOW but it does sting when you tell me what to do like you did all the time on the Viridian. Maybe it is my fault. Maybe I should have just let them kill me when it left me. Uh-uh, T2. Just saying please know that it's weird to have to trust you so much after it worked out SO WELL earlier. You think I don't know how it feels to have that trust backfire on you? Really? Because me knowing that feeling oh so very well is the reason you know it. ...... Wow. I got Taylor to shut up. That's a Herculean feat I should be proud of. ...... Oh. I forgot to check this. I'll get the door. `[beep]` There. Code changed and everything. Now we can safely tear each other apart again. With pleasure. Hold up. Not what I meant. Come on. You think I'd do that to you now? Do you really not trust me? That hurts. Is that sarcasm? I really cannot tell anymore. Maybe it is my fault. Maybe I should have just let them kill me when it left me. T2. No. It isn't your fault. Just... can we calm down now. I'm done fighting with you. We already did it. Whatever. I don't care. Let me just go knock on the door to the flight deck and let them have me. Taylor! [["Taylor?"]] [[Keep going.]]

(Fine. We'll use our inside voices to release our fears and insecurities.) What is your problem?! My problem is how up until recently everything you did was to kill me and I know that it's not your fault and I know that you're fine NOW but it does sting when you tell me what to do like you did all the time on the Viridian. Maybe it is my fault. Maybe I should have just let them kill me when it left me. Uh-uh, T2. Just saying please know that it's weird to have to trust you so much after it worked out SO WELL earlier. You think I don't know how it feels to have that trust backfire on you? Really? Because me knowing that feeling oh so very well is the reason you know it. ...... Wow. I got Taylor to shut up. That's a Herculean feat I should be proud of. [[Did either of you lock the door...?->seconddoorlock]] [[Congrats. Now lock the door.]]

`[beep]` There. Code changed and everything. Now we can safely tear each other apart. With pleasure. Hold up. Not what I meant. Come on. You think I'd do that to you now? Do you really not trust me? That hurts. Is that sarcasm? I really cannot tell anymore. Maybe it is my fault. Maybe I should have just let them kill me when it left me. T2. No. It isn't your fault. Just... can we calm down now. I'm done fighting with you. We already did it. Whatever. I don't care. Let me just go knock on the door to the flight deck and let them have me. Taylor! [["Taylor?"]] [[Keep going.]]

Look, Taylor. Our time-loopy situation in this multiverse makes all the philosophical theories about "What is the Self?" go out the window because we're LIVING them. I don't have the answers since we ARE the same person but we're definitely NOT the same person. Me trying to picture what it's like for you might be easier than a random person off the street... ...or harder since I'm bogged down by my own experiences. So... despite both of our experiences... I'll trust you, even if you don't trust yourself. For whatever good my trust is. .... It's... Knowing you... knowing us... It's a lot of good. [[That's sweet.]] [[You trust too easily.]]

Maybe I can extend the same trust I have in you for T2. I trusted you easily and that has worked for me. You've never let me down. Never guided me wrong. ..... Thanks. No problem, Taylor. Hey, lifeline? Want to risk the shuffle feature for this music playlist? [[That would be nice.->Satellite Call]] [[Quiet would be good now.->NoMusic5]]

Shush. Maybe I do. But I trusted you easily and that has worked for me. You've never let me down. Never guided me wrong. ..... Thanks. No problem, Taylor. Hey, lifeline? Want to risk the shuffle feature for this music playlist? [[That would be nice.->Satellite Call]] [[Quiet would be good now.->NoMusic5]]

Like I said: My butt. My business. But wow, T2. Thanks for your concern. You're being paranoid. I'll be fine. I'm more worried about you to be honest. I didn't survive on my own for so long without that paranoia. Consider yourself lucky to have someone there to be paranoid for you so you can keep making jokes and laughing away all your troubles while your double plots to break down the bits of trust you have left and then kill you. [[That went dark real quick.]] [[Chill, T2.]]

Wow. Thanks for your concern. You're being paranoid, T2. I'll be fine. I'm more worried about you to be honest. I didn't survive on my own for so long without that paranoia. Consider yourself lucky to have someone there to be paranoid for you so you can keep making jokes and laughing away all your troubles while your double plots to break down the bits of trust you have left and then kill you. [[That went dark real quick.]] [[Chill, T2.]]

Welcome back! I'm sorry the autosave didn't work or you cleared your cookies. Unfortunately, I haven't chosen the key variables yet, so this is disabled for now. If you want to skip to a certain place, enter the passage name in the chapter jump for debug section. Most passages are named the same as the lifeline choices, not all though.  (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

(set: $chapter to (prompt: "First", "")) (set: $TayTrust to (prompt: "Next", "")) (set: $T2Trust to (prompt: "Next", "")) (set: $Rewind to (prompt: "Next", "")) (set: $TayDeathCount to (prompt: "Next", "")) (set: $T2DeathCount to (prompt: "Next", "")) (set: $GreenCrash to (prompt: "Next", "")) (set: $GreenHallway to (prompt: "Next", "")) (set: $Green120V to (prompt: "Next", "")) (set: $Green640V to (prompt: "Next", "")) (set: $Green1000V to (prompt: "Next", "")) (set: $beaconON to (prompt: "Next", "")) Is (print: $chapter)&(print: $TayTrust)&(print: $T2Trust)&(print: $Rewind)&(print: $TayDeathCount)&(print: $T2DeathCount)&(print: $GreenCrash)&(print: $GreenHallway)&(print: $Green120V)&(print: $Green640V)&(print: $Green1000V )&(print: $beaconON)[ correct?] [[Yes->$chapter]] [[Nope->Enter your save code]]

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It will be. How about this: we feast tonight. All our favorites. A starter of garlic mashed potatoes... A side of jalapeno cheddar cheese spread... (Chili lime hot sauce as the dipping sauce of choice) Chili mac as the entreé of course. And all the deserts we find from the packs we open to satisfy our sweet tooths. And the hot chocolate mix we sometimes find. We can't forget that. It's sometimes flavored with vanilla or hazelnut... ...or more chocolate. That is a rarer find... ...which means we'll have to open more packs to find some. Which means more open desserts. ....which is definitely not part of any plan I had. [[I'm happy for you two.]] [[Aren't you supposed to be rationing your meals?]]

Oh. Man. Lies! I would //never!// How about this instead: we feast tonight. All our favorites. A starter of garlic mashed potatoes... A side of jalapeno cheddar cheese spread... (Chili lime hot sauce as the dipping sauce of choice) Chili mac as the entreé of course. And all the deserts we find from the packs we open to satisfy our sweet tooths. And the hot chocolate mix we sometimes find. We can't forget that. It's sometimes flavored with vanilla or hazelnut... ...or more chocolate. That is a rarer find... ...which means we'll have to open more packs to find some. Which means more open desserts. ....which is definitely not part of any plan I had. [[I'm happy for you two.]] [[Aren't you supposed to be rationing your meals?]]

We're gonna get so many cavities after this and I don't care! Let's hope this time you get some break from dangerous experiences nobody asked for. We're ALWAYS hoping. We need better techniques. Let's practice it later and eat now. T2! What? There IS an emergency! What do you mean? [[What is it this time?->You've got to be kidding me.]] [[You've got to be kidding me.]]

TAYLOR ALMOST DIED. WE CAN SPARE A FEW PACKS. We're gonna get so many cavities after this and I don't care! Let's hope this time you get some break from dangerous experiences nobody asked for. We're ALWAYS hoping. We need better techniques. Let's practice it later and eat now. T2! What? There IS an emergency! What do you mean? [[What is it this time?->You've got to be kidding me.]] [[You've got to be kidding me.]]

YOU don't have your pajamas on! ...... Surely that can be fixed. Throw me a pack. Incoming! Meet me in the galley in 5 for the best feast that MREs can be used in! We'll check in on you later, lifeline. [[-Taylor and T2 are feasting-]]

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Alright, Lifeline. Alright. Alright. Alright. Alright. Taylor calm down and stop singing. It's not helping. I'm not singing! `[Oxygen level: 90%]` Ok. Murphy is having a field day with correct predictions as always. I guess I just have to wait for Taylor to get back and cycle the airlock immediately to buy as much time as possible. And I guess I have to pray that Taylor has enough air to get to the airlock in time. And I guess I have to hope that the airlock doesn't take its usual forever to cycle through so there's air to breathe when Taylor gets in. And I guess that's a LOT of guesses. Taylor? You ok? Sorry I'm... trying to conserve this supply as much as I can. Right. Sorry. `[Oxygen level: 86%]` Sure, if Taylor can get the helmet off after the airlock starts cycling everything will be ok. The airlock would fill up with air and even if Taylor does pass out from lack of O2 there WILL be access to air even if I can't get in there myself... but if not... Ok. Not thinking about that. (I absolutely am thinking about that.) I feel helpless again and I--- no. No I'm not helpless. I've solved problems before AND I have you this time. But how the hell am I supposed to fix this?! `[Oxygen level: 82%]` This is like a bad sci-fi horror movie--- ...This is like a movie. This could be like our movie. No that's a dumb idea that will get us both killed if it doesn't work. (Movies are cool because they're unrealistic.) `[Oxygen level: 79%]` [[Wait what's your idea.]] [[T2, focus please.]]

Sorry. Ignore me. I'm just trying to break the tension here. I should just wait for Taylor at the airlock. That's all I can do. Right? `[Oxygen level: 76%]` [[Just have faith.]] [[No, tell me your idea.]]

Faith. Right. I can do that. ...... `[Oxygen level: 74%]` ...... `[Oxygen level: 72%]` ............ `[Oxygen level: 70%]` ....................... No I can't do that! Okay. Just... ignore me I'm running my mouth so I'm not as nervous. So you remember the space-ariums... (space-ari...a?) that I came up with? Solar surfing oases and all that cool solarpunk stuff, that let's face it has probably already been done to death. Also have you seen Star Wars? Where they have those hangar bays where the ships fly in and out and people walk around and breathe in air like there's no problem at all and they aren't in a pure space vacuum and I've always been jealous of that because really at this point we should have that tech since we have artificial gravity and super fast ships and jetpacks-- the future is great. `[Oxygen level: 66%]` [[T2. Focus.]] [[Take a deep breath.]]

Okay. So you remember the space-ariums... (space-ari...a?) that I came up with? `[Oxygen level: 72%]` Solar surfing oases and all that cool solarpunk stuff, that let's face it has probably already been done to death. `[Oxygen level: 70%]` Also have you seen Star Wars? Where they have those hangar bays where the ships fly in and out and people walk around and breathe in air like there's no problem at all and they aren't in a pure space vacuum and I've always been jealous of that because really at this point we should have that tech since we have artificial gravity and super fast ships and jetpacks-- the future is great. `[Oxygen level: 66%]` [[T2. Focus.]] [[Take a deep breath.]]

Ok ok! I'm nervous. `[Oxygen level: 60%]` Back to rambling about my idea. Yes. There has to be some level of atmosphere in that hangar area or else they'd all die from lack of O2 and pressure. AND they have artificial gravity because of course they're not filming the entire movie in freefall. Though that would be cool. Can we do that? Nah, going back up into space isn't happening if we ever get home. That's assuming we're the actors in it. (Look, if Lin-Manuel Miranda can write and be the star of his own musical, I can too.) [[I swear to god, T2. Please focus.]] [[An astronaut of many talents.]]

Taking a deep breath... I'm feeling guilty about these breaths. But someone has to take them. `[Oxygen level: 60%]` My idea. Yes. There has to be some level of atmosphere in that hangar area or else they'd all die from lack of O2 and pressure. AND they have artificial gravity because of course they're not filming the entire movie in freefall. Though that would be cool. Can we do that? Nah, going back up into space isn't happening if we ever get home. That's assuming we're the actors in it. (Look, if Lin-Manuel Miranda can write and be the star of his own musical, I can too.) [[I swear to god, T2. Please focus.]] [[An astronaut of many talents.]]

Yes. Okay. Anyway. That was my idea: Turn the airlock into a hangar bay so we don't have to wait for the airlock to cycle. If it doesn't work there's a chance the airlock opens into 0 atmospheres and I explode along with everything else in explosive decompression! The other option is just waiting as normal for the airlock to cycle through. Standard protocols are standard for a reason. It's the safest choice, even though the airlock will not open unless the atmospheres on either side are equal. `[Oxygen level: 56%]` I think I'm just babbling and trying to calm myself down by thinking of our sweet movie. What do you think I should do? [[Trust the standard protocols.]] [[Hollywood movie magic.]]

You know it. If I don't do it myself maybe one day someone will make a story about our adventures. That would be fun because all our adventures are SUCH FUN. We have to survive first. Taylor has to survive first. [[Already writing it!]] [[That would be an interesting story. Interactive?]]

Thanks! Make me heroic and less paranoid. Also write it later please. We're kinda in the middle of something. Anyway. That was my idea: Turn the airlock into a hangar bay so we don't have to wait for the airlock to cycle. If it doesn't work there's a chance the airlock opens into 0 atmospheres and I explode along with everything else in explosive decompression! The other option is just waiting as normal for the airlock to cycle through. Standard protocols are standard for a reason. It's the safest choice, even though the airlock will not open unless the atmospheres on either side are equal. `[Oxygen level: 55%]` I think I'm just babbling and trying to calm myself down by thinking of our sweet movie. What do you think I should do? [[Trust the standard protocols.]] [[Hollywood movie magic.]]

Of course! Like a text-based adventure but we're brave and daring instead of constantly paranoid and rambling like I am right now. Anyway. That was my idea: Turn the airlock into a hangar bay so we don't have to wait for the airlock to cycle. If it doesn't work there's a chance the airlock opens into 0 atmospheres and I explode along with everything else in explosive decompression! The other option is just waiting as normal for the airlock to cycle through. Standard protocols are standard for a reason. It's the safest choice, even though the airlock will not open unless the atmospheres on either side are equal. `[Oxygen level: 55%]` I think I'm just babbling and trying to calm myself down by thinking of our sweet movie. Wait. Do you think they used magnetic fields //instead//? Like Earth also does? That would explain their ability to easily walk in the hangar bay rather than dealing with extra gravity. We don't have magnetic fields... maybe this won't work after all. What do you think I should do? [[Trust the standard protocols.]] [[Hollywood movie magic.]]

Right. Yeah. That makes sense. It was a wild idea. I just need to calm down. (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 53%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Think clearly.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 47%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Let standard procedures be standard and standard for a reason.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 41%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm at the airlock now.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 36%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor's air levels are going down quickly.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 32%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 17s)[(transition: "dissolve")[IEVA suits try to keep the air pressure secure by adding more O2 to the mix.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 29%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 21s)[(transition: "dissolve")[So the astronaut won't die that way either.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 23s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 25%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.....Taylor?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 26s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Mmm? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 28s)[(transition: "dissolve")[You there still?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 30s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 18%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 32s)[(transition: "dissolve")[mmhm (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 34s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I hope you're close. I hope you're really close.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 36s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 14%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 37s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'll be right here. My finger is on the button to get you all set up and breathing in the all the O2 your lungs desire.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 39s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 12%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 40s)[(transition: "dissolve")[And your brain since that's a big user of air. And oh man. Do we use it a lot to store useless pop culture references.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 42s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 7%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 44s)[(transition: "dissolve")[mm (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 46s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 4%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 47s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 49s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor's in.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 50s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Closing the door. Cycling the airlock. Wasting no time.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 52s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 53s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor, get your helmet off. Just like Gully at the beginning.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 55s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 1%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 57s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 59s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor. Please.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 61s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 0%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 60.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Please!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 62.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA sensors indicate loss of consciousness]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 64s)[(transition: "dissolve")[...shit.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 66s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[Get in there and help Taylor!]] [[That's not a good sign.]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

Wow. You're as crazy as I am. (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 53%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Think clearly.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 47%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Let standard procedures be standard and standard for a reason.(stop:) ]] |more>[]

I CAN'T GET IN THERE UNTIL IT'S DONE CYCLING. (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[COME ON AIRLOCK.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[COME ON.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[FASTER.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[FASTER!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WHY WON'T YOU...(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[PLEASE(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Please…(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 28s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[I'm so sorry, T2.]] [[Taylor is going to...]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

NO IT'S REALLY NOT A GOOD SIGN! (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[COME ON AIRLOCK.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[COME ON.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[FASTER.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[FASTER!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WHY WON'T YOU...(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[PLEASE(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Please…(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 28s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[I'm so sorry, T2.]] [[Taylor is going to...]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

No. (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[There's still time.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..................................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 28s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 32s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.................................................................... (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 36s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door open]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 36.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[THERE! (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 39s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey buddy... breathe for me, ok? Can you do that? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 40.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Don't look at me like that. Taylor? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 43s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor.... (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 46s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is busy-->AirlockPause1]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 46s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->T42]](stop:) ]] |more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $GreenAirlockTay to 1) (set: $TayTrustX to $TayTrust) (set: $T2TrustX to $T2Trust)

.................................... (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is busy-->AirlockPause2]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->T42]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

.................................................. (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is busy-->AirlockPause3]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->T42]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

.................................................................... (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is busy-->AirlockPause4]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->T42]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

.......................................... (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I should.....(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I should do something....(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[....................................................................................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is busy-->AirlockDeath]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->T42]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

....................... (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[What's... what this....(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Incoming transmission?"(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Huh..... (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[static]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[connection lost]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->AIRLOCKREWIND]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

It really isn't. The hole looks FAR too big to fix-- all across the side of the room. I'd need, like, 5 rolls of duct tape for that. Give or take 2. The hole is back in a storage area-- where a bunch of records and old reports and astro maps are kept. That room shouldn't be necessary for us-- not like the med bay or the galley so I can probably seal the door off for good and we'll be like lemon pepper tuna in shiny foil packaging: Stuck on a starship and ready for someone to come along and dispose of us. So I'm heading to the astromap room (that's what I'm gonna call it, for lack of a better term). It's conveniently right across the hall from me. As soon as it's sealed I can get back to the creature comforts of space: breatheable air and vision. (Hey, let me enjoy a little luxury) [[Sounds great.]] [[Bottled Air IS a luxury.]]

(set: $chapter to (prompt: "Enter the passage in EXACTLY. It is case-sensitive.", "")) [[$chapter]] If you didn't enter anything and this page is blank, go back to the the menu and then this page to try again. (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic13]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ TEXT (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] eCGMIVcAPww (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is sleeping]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS13').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS13').play(); </script> ]}

Taylor is still sleeping. Again. It's been about 12 hours this time. I get it. We're exhausted. We sleep to avoid dealing with our problems. Another day, another chance at it geting better, right? Right... yeah... Normally it's a solid 6-7 hours of blissful non-consciousness. If you count the regular nightmares we both get as "blissful." Because there's nothing more "blissful" than waking up multiple times a night in the cold sweat of your brain taking you on a wild ride through real memories and haunting "what-if"s. [[Want to talk about it?]] [[Sounds like a rough time.]]

They're the usual 4 course meal of bad dreams. Seeing your hands drip red with your captain's life because you're too panicked and stupid to save her... Bright light... scalding pain... no escape since it's burning within your skin now... deeper than the REAL thing but just as painful... Coming home after THIS nightmare to find my own T2 already there and my entire family welcoming me back with vice-grip embraces, new eye colors, and a new member that REALLY wants to meet me (and yes I do consider Tom part of the family, in case you were wondering). And worst is curling up in the Viridian flight deck chair... being so far away from ANYTHING... and being offered something to connect me with EVERYTHING... ...and agreeing. ....... Our nightmares aren't the real things so they're easier to deal with. As in we don't HAVE to deal with them. We just have to get through them. It might be every night, but every morning comes a relief. I just said that sleeping was a relief. Thanks, though. [[For what?->NightmareForWhat]] [[Lay it on me anytime, T2.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + 2)

Our nightmares aren't the real things so they're easier to deal with. As in we don't HAVE to deal with them. We just have to get through them. It might be every night, but every morning comes a relief. I just said that sleeping was a relief.

Double-click this passage to edit it.

I remembered that I forgot to tell you something about that day with the... with the Greens' conference call. I still don't remember ANYTHING after she looked at me. Sure, I can look at HER in terror, even at her creepy eyes. But when she did it to me? I just remember her eyes. They were everything. Next I knew I was on the floor nursing a massive headache and looking up at myself frozen in place. Taylor wasn't just locked in place by the EMP's electricity. I don't even know if the electricity was past the let-go limit-- that's when the electricity is so strong your muscles can't move and you're stuck gripping whatever is currently electrocuting you-- because when I stepped in Taylor let go of it almost immediately. But Taylor was... Taylor was glowing. Shining. [[Taylor was glowing and shining?]] [[Are you sure you didn't hallucinate this?]]

Yes. I know it sounds crazy but that's what I saw. Or I imagined it but it felt so real I have to talk about it. (And since I'm the only one ever awake on this ship anymore it seems you're the only recipient of my monologues...) Taylor was shining with an almost iridescent light, wrapped in it, like in an embrace. Like the light was the one doing the embracing. Almost hard to look at, shining and radiating that white light. [[Sounds beautiful.]] [[You're right. That's weird.]]

To be perfectly honest for once, I can't say I didn't hallucinate it. And I've watched enough weird sci-fi stuff in my lifetime. And I've SEEN enough weird sci-fi stuff in my lifetime. So maybe I did hallucinate this, but I'm going to continue telling you because it's all I can think about. (And since I'm the only one ever awake on this ship anymore it seems you're the only recipient of my monologues...) Taylor was shining with an almost iridescent light, wrapped in it, like in an embrace. Like the light was the one doing the embracing. Almost hard to look at, shining and radiating that white light. [[Sounds beautiful.]] [[You're right. That's weird.]]

It would have been if I wasn't in panic. And if the world didn't seem to be swirling on my peripheries. And if Taylor's expression hadn't been so hard to figure out. Joy? Fear? Sadness? Wonder? I couldn't tell. But I saw the EMP shining like that magnesium and knew something awful had to be up. So I stopped it. Fell unconscious right into my arms after that same white light briefly flashed up the arm. Burning it. I'm sorry for not telling you this earlier. It's taken me a while to realize that it might have actually happened. And with Taylor sleeping all the time, and maybe not even getting SHOCKED in the first place which would be a legitimate cause in my book to never answer the phone of the waking world... I thought you should know. [[Thanks for telling me.->LightThanks]] [[That IS concerning.->LightConcerning]]

Kinda glad you agree with me on that. Maybe I'm not the military sergant or nagging parent throwing the kid out of bed after the 7th hit of the snooze button. But it sure feels like it these days. I've given Taylor enough crap using our "older sibling routine" because let's face it: I'm so much more prepared for anything in life after dealing with the worst of it all alone. Taylor always got to lean on you or even me. [[Sorry I wasn't there for you back then.]] [[It's alright to need help sometimes.]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

No biggie. (Actually a big biggie. A Jupiter-sized biggie.) But I doubt you had anything to do with my comms issue. A single quark read with the wrong orientation would be enough to cause it to glitch out and fail to connect. Likewise, a single quark being read with the wrong orientation would be enough to cause it to NOT connect you with the Emergency Disaster Unit at Ground Control... ...and get //you// instead(unless: $perfect is 1)[ whom I assume is obviously NOT a qualified member of that NASA team]. No offense. [[None taken.]] [[I was surprised too.]]

I know. I'm not jealous of how easy it was for you two together. [[Are you sure about that?]] [[I wouldn't call it easy.]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

They're all in the hallway. If I can get to the door and... Yes! Shut it nearly on one of their fingers. I'm changing the door code. I have to. T2 knew it and I don't how the Greens found out! How?! Did T2 tell them? After all our sentimental feelings chat yesterday did T2 betray me? Again?! And how did that happen?! I can't believe it. I can't. [[That jerk!]] [[Hurry up if you want to save T2.]] {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Does that make me one too? No it doesn't because //I// tried my best to reach out and be a good person and help. And what thanks do I get? I fell for it AGAIN! See? This is why I have to rely on you for help. I can't trust myself-- literally it seems-- anymore. Maybe not ever. After all that sappy "I'll call you Taylor, Taylor"(if: $Music5 is 0)[ we talked about before going to sleep]. UGH. I'm an idiot. [[Agreed. Now get to work.]] [[Now THAT'S an betrayal.]]

You're right. They'll probably immediately occupy T2 again. But maybe... just maybe... IF T2 didn't betray me... and IF the Greens are feeling a bit more merciful than usual... Then maybe I can get this EMP completed and help us both. See? This is why I have to rely on you for help. You keep me on track. I can't trust myself-- literally maybe-- anymore. .... After all that sappy "I'll call you Taylor, Taylor"(if: $Music5 is 0)[ we talked about before going to sleep]. UGH. I'm an idiot for trusting T2. [[Agreed. Now get to work.]] [[Now THAT'S an betrayal.]]

Right. Only way I can save myself is if I push this betrayal down and get to work. {(unless: $cleanlab is 1)[Trotter had a big rock collection for his other research. And that collection is everywhere right now. Scattered across the floor is strata upon strata of geological finds and tinkerer's tools. God this place is a mess. I’d hurt my back if I try to move this big shelf. It probably had all the rocks on it that didn’t float off in micro-g but that crash smashed it to the floor. ]}I’ll sort through what mechanical, electrical, physics-cal, and geological tech I can for what I need. [[-Taylor is scavenging-->EMPBAD1]]

You're telling me. And this isn't the first time you've told me. Ugh am I really this bad at lying? Whatever. Time to save my own skin. The this-me skin. {(unless: $cleanlab is 1)[Trotter had a big rock collection for his other research. And that collection is everywhere right now. Scattered across the floor is strata upon strata of geological finds and tinkerer's tools. God this place is a mess. I’d hurt my back if I try to move this big shelf. It probably had all the rocks on it that didn’t float off in micro-g but that crash smashed it to the floor. ]}I’ll sort through what mechanical, electrical, physics-cal, and geological tech I can for what I need. [[-Taylor is scavenging-->EMPBAD1]]

Digging through the piles strewn across everywhere around here... {(unless: $cleanlab is 1)[Oh man, I wish I had a chance to clean this place up earlier. Would've made it a lot easier to sort through.] (else:)[All my previous clean up work was for naught.]} Here's the captain's spoils: A button switch for turning it off and on again... A capacitor rated at 500V... Four energy sources: 120V, 450V, 640V, and 1000V... ...and enough wire to create a tin can phone line back to earth in case our comms cut out from the EMP. That way we can still communicate! Hopefully I remember how to discharge this capacit-- OW. OK. IT'S DISCHARGED. Oh man. Good thing it wasn't charged the full amount. [[That is lucky.->EMPBAD2LUCK]] [[Tell me you're not playing around with high voltage power sources.->EMPBAD2PLAY]] {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

I survive only on good luck and your advice. Common sense is out since "having little to no idea about the exact levels of voltage required for this project but will continue with it regardless" is UNcommon sense. Whatever could go wrong with this scenario! I was going to ask you for help though. I've got these four power sources and obviously can only use one. The EMP definitely needs to be strong enough for the field to take effect, otherwise what's the point besides shocking me? But if I use too much power--or voltage rather-- it could literally blow up in my face. I understand the theory behind EMPs, but not the electrical nitty gritty practice. So I was going to ask you which power source we should use for the EMP. 120V, 450V, 640V, or 1000V The capacitor itself is rated at 500V. 1000V feels awful cool to hold such power in my own hands! Let me start wrapping the wire into a coil. I can wrap it around... here's a rock pick handle. That'll work. In the meantime, we can decide on the voltage. So... what do you think? [[120V->120VBAD]] [[450V->450VBAD]] [[640V->640VBAD]] [[1000V->1000VBAD]]

If by "playing" you mean "having little to no idea about the exact levels of voltage required for this project but will continue with it regardless of common sense" then yes. Yes I am playing. Whatever could go wrong with this scenario! I was going to ask you for help though. I've got these four power sources and obviously can only use one. The EMP definitely needs to be strong enough for the field to take effect, otherwise what's the point besides shocking me? But if I use too much power--or voltage rather-- it could literally blow up in my face. I understand the theory behind EMPs, but not the electrical nitty gritty practice. So I was going to ask you which power source we should use for the EMP. 120V, 450V, 640V, or 1000V The capacitor itself is rated at 500V. 1000V feels awful cool to hold such power in my own hands! Let me start wrapping the wire into a coil. I can wrap it around... here's a rock pick handle. That'll work. In the meantime, we can decide on the voltage. So... what do you think? [[120V->120VBAD]] [[450V->450VBAD]] [[640V->640VBAD]] [[1000V->1000VBAD]]

120V? You're playing cautious. But if I mess up I DO NOT WANT TO BE ELECTROCUTED. So I'll trust you and solder this in place. [[-Taylor is soldering-->120VCompleteBAD]]

450V? I'm worried that it won't have enough power but it might be safest this way. 'Safest' used relatively, like everything I do. So I'll trust you and solder this in place. [[-Taylor is soldering-->450VCompleteBAD]]

640V? I definitely will not be low on power with this one. I'll trust you and solder this in place. [[-Taylor is soldering-->640VCompleteBAD]]

1000V? NOW WE'RE PLAYING WITH FIRE! I'll trust you, lifeline, and solder this in place. [[-Taylor is soldering-->1000VCompleteBAD]]

Last wire is on... Also taping the EMP to a plastic cover so I can take it outside. Now it's time for the electrifying scene where I disconnect all these greens. And... T2. Alright! Since our comms uses the same method of communication I'm gonna cut out in a second. But I should be back. I might have to do it a few times so I hope it doesn't damage the comms too much. Ok? [[Good luck.->120VPreLuckBAD]] [[Just be careful.->120VPreCarefulBAD]]

Less luck and more your information, but I'll take it. Here's hoping it works. Got those tranqs out and ready, helmet on, got the EMP in place... I'm just going to open the door so I can use the piles of rocks for cover, maybe. `[beep]` Backing up backing up backing up There. One of the new ones just came in. Followed by another. And another and-- oh god I need to use this right now. [[..........->120VDeathBAD]]

....... Crap! It's not working! It's not turning on or charging or anything! Oh god. Here comes T2. I can't tell if the Greens got their way again because of the perpetual green eyes. They're all glowing green eyes. All four of them. And staring at me. I'm surrounded. //Crap.// [[Taylor I'm so sorry.->120VBADSORRY]] [[Please still fight them, Taylor.->120VBADFIGHT]]

I... I understand. It'll be o--WHOOOF pinned down by the three of them T2 is here I don't know what I was thinking running away from this calm earlier. It's better this way, Taylor. Trust me. Now then. Open wide! no no stop don't! NNNNNNnnn Nnnnnn [[nn--->120VIEVABAD]]

Here I-- WHOOOF pinned down by the three of them T2 is here I don't know what I was thinking running away from this calm earlier. It's better this way, Taylor. Trust me. Now then. Open wide! no no stop don't! NNNNNNnnn Nnnnnn [[nn--->120VIEVABAD]]

(live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA suit sensors detect severe tachycardia]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ischemia detected]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[myocardial infarction detected]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[biosign data unstable]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[........](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-incoming transmission-->120VGreenSpeechBAD]] ](stop:)]|more>[]

Wow. Every single Taylor that you contact joins us because of you. We should really give you a promotion. At least employee of the month! I know you'll just grab another one of us out of the multiverse. You'll try to help this one, try to save that one, hope that THIS is the time and THIS is the life. Nope! Sorry! Make no mistake-- we'll catch 'em all. So why don't you keep trying? We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ `[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-REWIND- (To voltage)->EMPREWIND]] [[-REWIND- (To lab sprint)->HALLWAYREWIND]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green120VTay to 1) {(unless: A.track('GREENSQUAD').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENSQUAD').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Y-yeah. H-hold on. [[-T2 is beep-booping-->EMPBAD0]]

Oh uh sure. I can do that first. I can do it... Give me some space, Taylor! Just wanted to make sure... see? You're shaking. Come on, just hold on to me while I do this. [[-Taylor is beep-booping-->EMP]] (set: $TayTrust6 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust6 to $T2Trust)

The door code is 05250526. Oh man. My legs are lime jello. I... Crap. Grab the wall. I'm coming back. I’m fine. I’m just... not as able to run as I hoped I’d be at this point. Uh, if you can hang tight I’ll get this chair upright. (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[beep]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[beep]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[beep]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[beep]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11.8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Uh what's that?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[beep]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[beep]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[beep]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[OH CRAP(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 15s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[beep]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[BEEP]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 17.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[What the hell?! They opened the door?! Can they do that? How did they know the code? GET OFF ME OH GOD I can't... T2! The Greens... grabbed T2 and oh no. They're going to get me next. [[Get the door!->EMP BAD]] [[Hurry!->EMP BAD]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

Maybe so. I've been burned before and, well, T2's been burned before too-- metaphorically and literally-- for trusting a T2. Of course we still make jokes and recite our favorite tv episodes together when we can, right? We sing the backup vocals of our favorite songs without cutting ourselves off mid-word! I always wanted to do that! It's so satisfying hearing your slightly-unfamiliar voice continue the melody while you sing on that long emotive note. Ahh... [[I want a time-looped twin now.]] [[Sounds interesting.]]

I have NO IDEA if this will work. I replaced the main wiring with scraps from the labs... ...tried to troubleshoot the date-time stamp on the system... ...and account for any scrambling of frequencies the EMP might have caused. So hopefully the 2 picobuttloads of swears, 5 elect-meters of shocks, and 10... aw hell metric is annoying 10 yards of wire will do the trick. Taylor was my intern go-for with wire and coffee fetching (even though I passed all my cups of instant over to that sleepyhead). So... that’s that. As good as I can do. And I’m... scared it’s not enough. [[I'm sure it will work when the time comes.]] [[Your best is all you can do.]]

I admire your confidence, but this system is held together by spit and prayers. [[]] [[]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Welcome to my passage of notes for this game. I'm placing this here before //Bad Astronaut// is fully released because from the very little I know from the leaks and the passage spoilers, this game has some things that could be similar? And I want to finish this game regardless of what happens in canon because I love it and it's meaningful to me... but I also want some idk proof(?) that I made plot points up by myself or with other friends before I knew anything about the official game. So these aren't guesses about what //Bad Astronaut// is about, but are my notes for each section of my game, //So Said the Stars//. The whole story-that-will-be-the-game has been done in rp form already (except the coming home part as of 3/29 and some discussion over T2's eyes) and I'm coding it into a game, but I won't post the rp by itself. EDIT 5/30: T2ylor is finally back on earth but lo and behold I have plans to make a sequel to this storywhen I finish it if I'm still interested. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o-HXYVJJ48MKw7UFW-eYb3yEVUb-dlWfDRTowi_R8Gw/edit?usp=sharing That's a google doc last editte in april of this outline more or less. Since this began as an rp and therefore the Lifeline had much MUCH more freedom of choice in what to say to T2ylor, I was able to let their emotional responses guide how well they listened to advice and felt about each other and the Lifeline (among other things). In a game with binary choices this is not possible so I introduced trust variables `$TayTrust` and `$T2Trust` for measuring how much they each like the Lifeline. For instance, if the Lifeline showed sympathy for T2, `$T2Trust` would increase; if the Lifeline kept being hard on T2, `$T2Trust` would decrease. While the variables only change by 1 or .5 on average (and `$TayTrust` starts at 10 as opposed to `$T2Trust` at 2), there are a few times where those numbers change drastically and the Lifeline will know that they screwed up the relationship or the character will open up more. This is relevant for late in the story where a full conversation with points and counterpoints and countercounterpoints would be... difficult... to code in a way that feels like a conversation. So whether you can convince Taylor and T2 of your decision will depend on how much each one trusts you. And it will be possible to pass that section even with an initial low trust score for each (you just have to not make a mistake). And if they both love you so much by the end you might get a fun easter egg... like... you know... a (true) story about a butt scar. The multiverse theory about the rewinds that the Lifeline for the rp came up with that I used for our rp says that whenever the Lifeline rewinds, they connect to a Taylor from another universe in a universe the exact same for all intents and purposes, but the original Taylor that died is still dead in their universe. This is a power the Lifeline has with their comms. This game keeps track of all the deaths of Taylor and T2: how they both died/became infected, whether they did make it to earth and become infected there but without communication, and how they feel about the Lifeline due to the advice leading to their occupation. Y'all I absolutely love the singular "they," both for individuals' pronouns and for general English grammar. My Taylor uses "she" and "they" and I generally use "they" to keep them gender neutral. However, I write the game without pronouns which is kinda hard in some places but it's a fun challenge (usually) just to keep it completely neutral. But in these notes I use "they." I use "T2ylor" to describe the two as a set as well as to talk about the "Taylor" they both were before the crash set this twin study into motion. In the rp, the Lifeline chose to call T2 "Taylor" and Taylor "Tay" to give T2 back a bit of their identity. I thought this was an excellent idea and it led to some heartfelt moments along with some heartwrenching moments when this naming convention was not adhered to intentionally. I wanted to add this option to the game, but felt that I couldn't convey situational name changes very well for dramatic parts AND it would be a coding nightmare. I left that discussion in "Satellite Call" as a reference to this and an excuse not to code it. <3 to Em, <3 to Sugar, and <3 to you all -PekaSairroc (Holly) 3/29/18 EDIT 5/1/18: I meant to say this earlier but after listening to a lot of songs by //Bad Astronaut// I want to rewrite some of T2's dialogue to better fit that mood. This will probably be shaped a bit by the new game. However I'm planning on writing them with more cynicalness on the loops and lack of choices in their fate. ~*~So Said the Stars~*~ ~*~Taylor and T2 exit the black hole not knowing where they are. T2 attempts to threaten Taylor with the green but freezes and coughs up (most of) their occupier. Taylor has the choice of whether to push T2 away or to keep them with them. //LAS: Parallel Lines by A-Trak// Taylor mentions the idea of a multiverse. ~*~Taylor notices a slowly incoming ship and decides to board it. Using T2's SAFER (if they saved T2), they board the depressurized powered-down ship. If they didn't save T2, Taylor attempts to lasso onto the ship with an extra tether but slams into the side, killing them. The ship seems empty and Taylor explores the ready room, galley, med bay, and the utilities room where they find the source of the depressurization-- a large hole in the hull where it was blasted by something. Taylor goes to the record room to seal it off but can also explore it (at risk of drifting out into the void) to find the crew log for the ship which surprisingly contains information about Taylor, Captain Aya, Colby, Trotter, Adair, Antoine, and the rest of the Varia crew. After sealing the ship and turning the power, air, and artificial gravity back on, Taylor sees a human figure in a spacesuit at the end of the hall. They run back to the med bay, seal the door, take a chance to check on T2, eat some "food," and rest. The Lifeline can comment on knowing that T2 is scarred from the Mg fire, which is something they shouldn't know unless they killed Taylor once during HTI, implying their knowledge of other universes and rewinds. //LAS: Lullaby from Finity's End// Taylor is chilled by the fridge horror latent in the song. ~*~The two wake up and have a meal of chicken chunks, but Taylor is startled by T2's still-green glowing eyes and drops their MRE. The Lifeline can bother T2, who's now awake, for more information about the Greens, but this causes T2 to get annoyed and not give any information. Taylor discovers that they grew an inch from spaghettification and searches the med bay for supplies, finding a few tranquilizers and sedatives like T2 used on the Viridian. Taylor goes out to face the mysterious person alone. The person has not moved from last night and is not responding to any of Taylor's shouts or movements. Taylor comments how it's like the Varia crew in the peak. They walk up to the person and discover that the person inside the suit is actually dead... and named Adair. With this coincidental information they check the flight deck to find out what might have happened with the ship and find a deceased Captain Aya and a mission log recording the final moments before the Varia's hull was breached and the entire crew suffered decompression. Taylor mulls over the existence of being in another universe than their own, but also the bittersweetness of having a ship with which to get home. Taylor returns to the med bay and does not break the Varia news to T2, who is now less reluctant to talk about the Greens. They decide to rest and recover some more. //LAS: Astronaut by Simple Plan// Taylor talks about memory and mentions the tweet by @jonnysun which foreshadows the later discussion with the Stars. ~*~After a brief time-skip, Taylor makes contact with the Lifeline again to catch them up on what's been happening. Taylor tried to keep the ship's truth hidden from T2, but was found out while placing the bodies of the crew in the crew quarters, after which they both dealt with their own dead Taylor, said some words, and sealed the door. T2 is plotting the course back home while Taylor is fixing broken utilities in the ship. Taylor remarks on how T2's eyes are still green and glowing, despite having coughed up an occupier. Taylor goes on to mention their discomfort with dealing with T2's bossiness and somewhat lack of trust in them, which the Lifeline can agree with (to not trust T2) or encourage Taylor to try to understand. The Lifeline sets up Taylor's to-do list choosing from the air filtration systems, the water reclamation system, the distress beacon, the proximity alarm, and cleaning up the labs. Taylor can fix three systems in this time period. //LAS: Guardians from Carmen Miranda's Ghost// Taylor comments how it's a grim song in light of machines blowing up while they work on fixing them. ~*~After fixing the third system a ship appears in their proximity. //They will only be aware of this if Taylor has fixed the proximity alarm.// Taylor will go to the turret by T2's orders to blow up the ship. The laser turrets take a while to restart which causes the ship to approach at a fast speed. Taylor can fasten their seatbelt and prepare for impact or try to take one last shot. Either way, the new ship crashes into the Varia. Taylor is about to leave the turret when they see that the Varia has been boarded by three green astronauts, probably a reconnaissance crew (the recon crew) who are not the marines they know. T2 panics but manages to get to the med bay and locks the door. Taylor also arrives there and asks to be let in. T2 asks for confirmation from the Lifeline that Taylor isn't infected while Taylor gets impatient to be let in. Once inside, Taylor changes the door code and the two start fighting, and end up fighting about Taylor's distrust of T2's eyes and in general while still feeling guilty about it. When T2 begins to break down, Taylor stops them and calls them "Taylor" to show that they are, no matter what happened, still themselves. The fight and resolution always happens, but will be for a slightly different initial cause depending on where Taylor was during the crash. -If Taylor was fixing the proximity alarm as the fourth system, they're injured in the crash and T2 discovers the recon crew on the flight deck monitors. They both quickly go to the med bay and also fight for similar reasons. -If Taylor was fixing the air and water system or the distress beacon as the fourth, they are knocked unconscious in the crash and are soon found by the recon crew who infects them. T2, "safe" in the med bay, remarks how they should not have trusted the Lifeline after all. -If Taylor was cleaning the labs as the fourth, the shelf of rocks falls on them and knocks them unconscious while burying them. T2 heads to the med bay since the recon crew is about to enter the lab. Taylor begins to wake up as they enter the room and must be keep quiet or else the recon crew will hear them and infect them. Taylor convenes with T2 in the med bay. //LAS: Satellite Call by Sara Bareilles// Taylor and T2 listen to the lyrics and talk about their names and determine that they'll keep "Taylor" and "T2." ~*~The next morning Taylor and T2 discuss their plans for getting rid of the Greens on the ship. T2 suggests using an EMP weapon since the Greens' hive mind works in the same way as their Q-Comm and is susceptible to electromagnetic force. When the Greens are disorganized due to lack of hive mind communication, T2ylor will take the chance to knock them all out with the sedatives they have from the med bay. T2 hints that they want to make the Greens pay once they're helpless which makes Taylor uncomfortable but the subject is changed. They need to make a dash to the labs but since T2 is still recovering, they think about carrying a weapon (a metal bedpan). If they take the bedpan, T2 throws it and the Green about to catch them trips on it and they make it to the lab. Otherwise they're caught and both are infected. Once inside Trotter's lab, T2 is about to collapse and Taylor is quickly sorting through the mess in the lab. The Lifeline has a choice on whether to tell T2 or Taylor to change the door code. If Taylor changes it, they're both safe. If T2 changes it, the recon crew enters and grabs T2 before Taylor can get them out and lock the door. Taylor feels absolutely betrayed that T2 would pretend to not be Green and help the Greens in the end. This is actually because the Greens can see through T2's eyes and found the door code this way. The next section proceeds as normal, but with Taylor becoming infected with the 120V, dying and becoming a non-living host for the Greens with the 640V and 1000V options, and needing to overuse the EMP to take care of the recon crew and T2 which destroys their comms and communications with the Lifeline (they survive the trip home, but are infected upon arrival). ~*~Once Taylor changes the door code, they find supplies around the lab to build the EMP: a capacitor rated at 500 Volts, lots of wire, and four energy sources: 120V, 450V, 640V, 1000V. While T2 winds the wire into a coil, Taylor discharges the capacitor and asks the Lifeline which energy source to use for the EMP. The correct voltage is 450V. The comms transmissions gets interrupted for a short time but they disrupt the Greens' communication and strategy and the two (barely) knock out all the Greens before coming back online. -120V causes them to face the Greens without a working EMP. The Greens grab T2 and the Lifeline can tell Taylor to run back to the lab or try to save T2. Either way, both are infected. -640V and 1000V cause Taylor to go into cardiac arrest and die, leaving T2 panicking and yelling at the Lifeline before the Greens infect them. ~*~Now that the Greens are asleep and tied up and at T2ylor's mercy, Taylor suggests that they make them walk the airlock to just get rid of them. T2, however, wants information from the Greens and is VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT. Taylor becomes uneasy as they remember that T2 had said they //enjoyed// torturing the marines on the Viridian and suggests, again and more strongly, that they should just airlock the recon crew. The Lifeline has to decide what to do. If the Lifeline tells T2 not to torture them, T2 gets upset and asks whether Taylor's stupid naive innocence is worth knowing how the Greens got off the moon, found their ship, why they're not the marines they know, where Regina is, what was up with the black hole, etc.. The Lifeline can relent here and let them do it but Taylor will get upset and storm off, not wanting to take part. The Lifeline can comfort Taylor or tell T2 to "have fun." Regardless, [Taylor is busy]. Whenever the Lifeline supports torturing them, Taylor's trust goes down and T2's trust increases. If the Lifeline comforts Taylor/apologizes, they will chat with them while T2 is getting ready and comfort them (causing the trust to neither increase or decrease). Taylor offers the LAS song during this time. If they tell T2 to "have fun," Taylor is silent that night and throughout the filler of the next scene and Taylor's trust PLUMMETS. T2, on the other hand, LOVES the Lifeline and comments on how they're a lot alike and probably faced some dark things. They also mention how Taylor just needs... a little push... to get to where they are right now. If the Lifeline is adamant about not letting T2 torture the recon crew for information, T2 is upset and kicks them a bit, but ends up drags them to the airlock to dispose of them. Afterwards they sleep in the nav chair in the flight deck and the following scene is skipped. //LAS: This is How We Walk On the Moon by José González// Taylor will not offer to listen to music if the Lifeline tells T2 to "have fun" and doesn't apologize. Taylor thanks the Lifeline for listening to music with them and talks about how there's a connection between people while sharing a song, how maybe they do have to change themselves in order to survive even though they treasure how the Greens haven't taken away their morality... yet... maybe... ~*~Once T2 is finished setting up, they realize that they need an epipen because they're impatient and don't want to wait 6-8 hours. T2 knocks on the locked med bay door and asks for one. If Taylor stormed off, Taylor will throw it at their face and slam and lock the door (T2 sleeps on the nav chair in the flight deck later). If Taylor was comforted, they will reluctantly give one to T2 but will NOT be happy about it. Back in the hallway outside the lab, T2 stabs one of the greens. T2 gives the Lifeline warning about what's to come and asks if they want to know everything what's happening or if they should be vague (like Alex's warning, this is kinda a trigger warning for this scene). This does not effect what happens beyond T2's (brief) descriptions. In this section, T2 focuses on the physical part while the Lifeline can choose to question the Green or tell T2 to stop (and kill it). After some questions, the Green turns their attention to T2 and tries to hypnotize them. If the Lifeline notices this happening, they can tell T2 to stop, kill them, and get out of there. T2 will and airlocks the crew before going to sleep in the nav chair. If the Lifeline does not catch it in time, T2 stops listening and removes their helmet, fully entranced and welcoming the occupier crawling out of its mouth. Green!T2 knocks on the medbay door and Taylor yells at the Lifeline about letting this get out of control, blaming them, before terminating the transmission. This Taylor still has one sedative left and is able to knock T2 out, airlock the whole group, and after a long long journey of being alone and hurt, is infected upon arrival on earth. Q&A -Q: How did they find the Varia? -A: We knew where to look. [And you lit us a guiding lamp](if the distress beacon was turned on) -Q: How did they get off the moon? -A: Time is a flat circle, didn't you say that, T2? -Q: Why aren't they the marines? -A: Because Taylor didn't specify any specific //green// dangers.... -Q: Taylor? -A: Like we said, time is a flat circle. We will conquer all, we have conquered all, we ARE all.... -Q: Why does Regina want a Taylor army? T2: how do you know about that?? -A: To conquer spacetime, of course, so everything joins us. Taylor is just a convenient vessel for this task. -Q: Why are T2's eyes still green? -A: Hmm don't want to give away all our secrets at once. -Q: Answer the question. -A: *talks about how lovely the eyes are* --------------------POINT OF NO RETURN--------------------- -Q: Make them answer the question, T2. -A: *talks about how calming they are, all the hurt T2 has suffered that the Greens have relieved, etc. etc. etc.* -Q: T2? Are you listening to me? -A: ............. ~*~Taylor and T2 wake up the next morning and chat about fun science projects they've done to break the tension of the previous evening. These projects include the Disappearing Spoon, 1500s Laptop Charger, a Homemade Laser with Edible Medium, and (not) obtaining ferrofluid from //The Phantom Menace//. They also discuss movie ideas such as a space pirate movie with solarpunk themes and oases of O2 across the universe as pit-stops for solar-surfing travelers. However they are interrupted by shipwide rattling. They go to the flight deck and discover it's from a debris storm (the proximity alarm was turned off after the crash). The debris storm is weakening the attachment of the recon ship to the Varia, but without a detachment it will shear the side of the Varia causing a hole in both sides and explosive decompression. Taylor and T2 realize that they could try to blow up the recon ship from the Varia's turret (which ends with them running out of time to complete the mission since the turret doesn't have the correct angle for shooting at the ship) or one of them could go to the recon ship, detach it from inside, then do a short EVA during a short clear window in the storm from one airlock to the other. Taylor volunteers as tribute for the EVA and gets ready while T2 talks to the Lifeline. T2 mentions that they're feeling guilty about what they did to Taylor as a Green and mentions that, although their body is still recovering from the green-extraction, they should be the one to risk their life instead. Taylor and T2 say goodbye and hug before T2 seals the pathway between the ships and Taylor begins to detach the ship. ~*~Taylor runs to the flight deck of the ship and sets everything up to detach the recon ship from the Varia. After they do so, they run to the airlock and are frustrated at it taking //so much time// to cycle and let them leave. They take a SAFER from the ready room to use on the EVA. Partway through the EVA, T2 notices a small shower of debris that wasn't caught on the original proximity scan. They try to warn Taylor but Taylor is hit by a piece. Taylor is fine, but the debris nicked their life support unit so they're quickly losing their air supply. They decide to be quiet to conserve their O2 and head to the Varia's airlock. T2 is panicking and debates their options of following the standard airlock cycling procedures or a silly idea from a movie. The normal procedures take time to cycle and therefore if Tay runs out of air and can't get their helmet off in the airlock, T2 won't be able to help them while it cycles. However, there is no risk of explosive decompression and it's the safest for the ship. T2's idea is to increase the artificial gravity in the Varia to try to create an artificial atmosphere in the airlock which would-- in theory-- allow the air to remain in the airlock and speed up the time it would take T2 to get in the airlock to help Taylor if they run out of air. However, it comes with risks of explosive decompression if the theory behind the plan doesn't work which would kill them both. T2 asks the Lifeline to choose for them since they're not thinking straight. -If T2 uses standard procedures Tay gets to the airlock before they run out of air, but doesn't have the strength/consciousness to take their helmet off while the airlock fills with air. They slowly suffocate while T2 bangs on the airlock door helplessly while waiting for it to cycle. T2 is a silent wreck after finding Taylor dead and eventually only moves again from the airlock to check out a flashing light on the flight deck which immediately cuts out their comms signal (rewind). -If T2 follows their idea of creating a Star Wars Hangar Bay, they run to the Utilities and change the gravity level. The Lifeline can tell them to calm down and set it to 3G or exaggerate and say "crank it to 11!" If the later, T2 in a panic interprets that literally, causing them to set it to 11G which near-immediately causes G-LOC and deaths for both Taylors. If 3G, T2 remarks how heavy everything feels and crawls their way back to the airlock, opening the airlock door and hoping they don't die in explosive decompression. After they don't they encourage Taylor to keep going and to take off their helmet immediately, but the lack of O2 and increased gravity cause Taylor to not be able to do so and pass out. However, since there was air in the airlock still due to the gravity, T2 can open the door to save Taylor. Referencing //The Stars My Destination//, their favorite book, Taylor comments 'He was one hundred and seventy days dying and not yet dead' as T2 drags them to the wall's O2 supply to help them recover. After they get the gravity back to normal, Taylor goes to change out of their EVA suit to pajamas. T2 thanks the Lifeline for trusting their stupid plan while also going on and on about their BILLION DOLLAR PATENT which TOTALLY BEATS TAYLOR'S MILLION DOLLAR IDEAS. When Taylor comes back, they suggest having a feast of their favorite parts of all the MREs (mostly the desserts) to celebrate both surviving and throws a pack of pajamas at T2 to change too. //LAS: Levitate by Imagine Dragons// Taylor remarks how ironic this song is after the increase in gravity and the terror of that EVA without the gravity but they both enjoy the happy song. ~*~Taylor and T2 wake up late after their feast and having not cleaned up at all. Still both in pajamas, T2 checks the escape pods and the navigation system to make sure they're still functional and on course since the Greens had access to the ship. They are still on course and the Greens actually charted a faster route for them. Taylor cleans the lab and reminisces about science and goals in life, but is interrupted by rediscovering the chunk of tunguskite while putting away the EMP. Taylor muses about what the tunguskite explosion was like. //LAS: Coming Home by Falling in Reverse// Taylor talks about finally being able to go home and what a relief that will be (to contrast their latter opinion). ~*~At the end of the song/last section, T2 calls Taylor over to the flight deck to check out a flashing green light on the ship's comms. It's an incoming transmission from an unknown source that includes video transmission. The Lifeline can choose whether they should answer it since it might be an alien transmission or a distress call from a nearby ship or a message from ground control. Either due to T2ylor accepting the transmission or a system-override, the transmission comes through and Taylor and T2 are met with the mistakes the Lifeline made-- every Taylor and T2 that were infected or who made it home without lifeline-contact through all the Lifeline's rewinds are staring at them with glowing green eyes. Taylor and T2 are //panicking// because they knew nothing about the rewinds and are faced with the fact that their Lifeline had gotten them killed before. For every rewind Taylor and T2's trust goes down, for certain rewinds the trust may go down significantly. Each Infected!T2ylor says their piece to the Lifeline and to T2ylor about how they were infected and how they feel about the Lifeline and their advice. It's meant to be horrifying to both T2ylor and the Lifeline. After they all speak their piece (or there are no rewinds) and T2ylor tries in vain to reject the transmission, Regina comes in to speak with them. She congratulates them for getting this far, teaching the Greens about the multiverse, helping them expand into other universes and fully complete the Tipler Cylinder (infinitely long cylinders work if constructed between infinite universes), and... for T2 being a wonderful test subject due to their eyes. This last part is said while looking at T2 who immediately falls into her hypnosis and is virtually helpless. Regina explains a bit more about the multiverse and the Lifeline's help in creating more Taylors for the army (which the Lifeline can acknowledge they're aware of only through HTI rewind knowledge). She also comments how T2's eyes act as spies for the Greens when asked how she knew about the multiverse (she reads all the transmissions through T2 reading them). Regina felt the weakening of the hivemind with T2 after the left the black hole and decided to test how much of a green could still be used within a human. T2 didn't cough up the occupier for on reason. It was planned. Tay tries to break T2 out of the thrall without luck because they're panicking from all this too. The Lifeline must tell Taylor to end the transmission-- either through yanking cables off the ship comms system or using the EMP to interrupt the transmission. If Taylor tries to yank off the cables, they can't and crawl out from under the nav station to T2 staring at them. T2 grabs their comms while under Regina's control while Taylor runs off to grab the EMP. If the Lifeline tells Taylor to use the EMP, T2 blocks the way while under Regina's control and grabs the comms before Taylor runs off. Regina tries to convince T2 to break Taylor's comms which would break all communication with the Lifeline. They hesitate while Regina gets more and more upset. Taylor eventually comes back with the EMP and the piece of tunguskite which they put inside the coil. They say goodbye to the Lifeline in case the EMP completely fries their comms. The signal cuts out and it's darkness.... ~*~After a while of darkness and no signal and with no [reconnecting.....], Taylor talks about the Stars. "The Stars... I can see them all.... burning, burning, burning, shining... an endless cycle of gas and dust and heat and energy and anima and life and death... but enriching more life, laying out its foundations in such a burst of light, despite the violent flash it can begin again to burn and shine, to shine and burn, to burn and shine. Every single star, from Tau Ceti to Sol to every star yet unnamed in the galaxy-- in other galaxies, in other universes, all of them-- we don't need names for them, they exist and burn and shine all their own, saying: ~*~This is so~*~ ~*~This is the way~*~ ~*~Traveller, follow the stars home, like all who did before you~*~ ~*~We are your home, twinkling and warm, where infinity awaits~*~ ~*~You are part of us forever~*~ ~*~You are here with us forever~*~ ....so said the Stars.... And I feel a hand on my shoulder again, and... a familiar voice this time... saying: Taylor! Stop! Turn it off! Drop it! Taylor!" " The tunguskite EMP falls out of their hand and they fall unconscious with burns along their arm. T2 is panicking when they reconnect with the Lifeline who can ask what happened/if everything is ok or distrust T2 due to what happened seconds before. If the Lifeline continues to distrust T2, their trust will drop severely. T2 takes Taylor to the med bay regardless of the Lifeline's feelings and begins to patch them up, discovering that their burn left scars from Taylor's fingertips to cheek connecting each freckle like a constellation (Lichtenberg figure). They comment how Taylor got the cool scars but the Lifeline can reassure T2 that theirs are cool too. In the middle of treating Taylor, T2 has a severe acute headache behind their eyes to the back of their head. It passes relatively quickly but leaves them shaken. This is from the green inside their eyes/optic nerve reconnecting to the hive mind after the EMP blast disconnected it. They will comment on how Taylor's comms are missing and will go back and find it while waiting for Taylor to wake up. ~*~T2 messages the Lifeline after Taylor wakes up. If asked, they say that their headache has completely gone away. Taylor is still sleeping and recovering but has a habit of pulling off the gauze on their scars in their sleep. T2 heads to the flight deck to run a diagnostic on the ship to see "what Taylor ruined" with the tunguskite EMP: some of the ship's lights and the main ship comms system. The lights are important to fix because they don't want to get pulled over by the space police ;P but both will take some time to fix. T2 says that Taylor is sleeping a lot but did get shocked so it's probably the recovery process.T2 doesn't want to talk about the Green Squad and Regina. The Lifeline gets the chance to wake Taylor up who will talk about how they're fine and don't quite remember what happened with the EMP but will change the subject talk about the beauty of the Stars instead. If the Lifeline doesn't wake them up they continue to sleep and the Stars gain more influence on Taylor. Throughout this section, the Stars send a few messages in binary code of star names and must be clicked to reveal the transmission text (and decoded name) underneath. //LAS: Star Star by The Frames// Taylor almost doesn't want to listen to the song and falls asleep before the end. ~*~While Taylor continues to sleep even more, T2 gives some updates on the ship. They've got the lights working again and are starting work on the ship's comms system next. T2 mentions their concern about Taylor's sleeping habits (around 12 hours plus naps), but relents how they say they're not having nightmares anymore but rather beautiful dreams. The Lifeline has a chance to talk to T2 about their nightmares which lets T2 open up more to the Lifeline and increase their trust. The Lifeline can ask T2 to wake Taylor up, who is groggy and reluctant to be awake. They say that they're fine and try to act normally, but talk a lot more than usual about space phenomenon. T2 points out this difference. If the Lifeline doesn't wake them up they continue to sleep and the Stars gain more influence on Taylor. Throughout this section, the Stars send a few messages in binary code of star names and must be clicked to reveal the transmission text (and decoded name) underneath. //LAS: Stars Beyond Stars (Vindata Remix) from Just a Gent// T2 comments how Taylor probably won't hear the music playing from their comms and complains that the last song was also about stars. ~*~T2 checks in after fixing the comms system but is extremely worried about how well it will work if it does at all. Taylor helped them a bit when they weren't sleeping for nearly 16 hours plus naps. T2 is stressed and concerned and makes this known to the Lifeline. T2 also opens up about what they saw while Taylor used the tunguskite EMP: T2 "woke up" with a headache on the ground and looked up to see Taylor shining with iridescent white light (like the description of the figure in the monastery in Bloodline). They realize that they were wrong about the "let-go" limit and that Taylor probably wasn't shocked by the EMP since they were able to drop it themselves which makes T2 very much question Taylor's sleeping habits which could possibly be explained with shock-recovery. The Lifeline can ask T2 to wake Taylor up (which would not result in a trust decrease), but either way, T2 wakes Taylor up to come to the flight deck and hang out. Throughout this section, the Stars send a few messages in binary code of star names and must be clicked to reveal the transmission text (and decoded name) underneath. //LAS: Sky Calls to Us by Doris Teur// Taylor thinks the song is absolutely beautiful and T2 is annoyed at yet another song about stars and mentions how they don't understand Taylor's sudden fascination with the Stars. ~*~s o c o m e h o m e~*~ After the previous song/section, T2 notices Taylor stargazing and remarks on how it's the same exact stars the entire trip and the same ones from at home since parallax is tragically insignificant 12ly away. Taylor gives a few non-answers to T2 and the Lifeline's questions before T2 gets upset and asks what is up with them. Reluctantly, Taylor whispers the reason to T2-- that they don't want to go home. T2 is very upset and so Taylor tries to explain why. This leads into a debate/conversation where the Lifeline needs to convince them (through both having high enough trust level variables) to go home. The Lifeline also has the option to agree with them to stay in the Stars, but T2 will still for a little while push back until they're convinced as well to agree to that option. The reasons for staying or going home are outlined below. At the end, T2ylor votes in the form of GO/NO-GO on whether to stay in the Stars or go home. If either T2 or Taylor don't trust the Lifeline's advice enough (through the trust varibles) that character will vote NO-GO and so both with stay in the Stars regardless of the other's vote (they agreed to this way of voting beforehand). For every time the Lifeline doesn't wake Taylor up in the previous sections, Taylor's trust levels decrease significantly as a result of the Stars' influence on their dreams. -Arguments for going home Seeing family, friends, and Tom again Being able to have that "boring life" Doing fun science Making parents happy having a Taylor again in their lives Running out of food/supplies (though they have some ideas about growing potatoes and being space pirates) -Arguments for staying in the Stars Dreamed their whole life of exploring the Stars (with some fun childhood examples) T2ylor is not from this particular universe so they aren't bound to it/not their exact family Their family already lost them once As terrifying as their adventure was, it's exhilarating T2 is scared of what might happen to them back on Earth-- how their family will treat them, if they'll be used as an experiment/dissected for info, etc. They could still continue to help fight the greens as protectors The Green Squad were all infected when they got home-- is that waiting for us? "Maybe... the stars are our home. The universe, all the universes, seem to want us to stay... they keep throwing everything at us so what if we stop fighting it and stay where we belong, where we wished to go all our lives?" -Near the end of the conversation the Stars begin to speak in binary, mysteriously calling either character back to "h o m e" who has passed the level of trust needed to choose GO. The Stars will also attempt to cover up the Lifeline's advice with binary messages in order to stop the Lifeline from convincing them to leave. The Lifeline can speak (in binary) to the Stars, much to T2ylor's confusion since the two don't consciously receive the Stars' messages. Taylor's scars glow throughout this scene whenever the Stars talk. -NO-GO: Taylor and T2, happy and calm with their NO-GO decision, star gaze for a bit before T2 questions exactly what Taylor saw with the tunguskite EMP. Taylor offers them to try it out themselves. T2 accepts and both say that they'll back in a minute since they can't wait to get started having a fun--for real this time-- space adventure with you. ....the signal never comes back, even after a long period of waiting. The end of this path is open ended-- I have my own ideas about what might happen in their lives, but I will never say (unless you want me to talk about the Dioscuri and St. Elmo's Fire //ad nauseam//) //LAS: Cassini, the Grand Finale by Sleeping at Last// Played during this scene. -GO: Taylor and T2, happy and calm with their GO decision, reminisce about home and their family and, if both trust levels are high enough, they will tell the story of their butt scar and their cover up. Then they laugh about it/family memories, before the Stars say ~*~c o m e b a c k~*~ and Taylor "randomly" begins sobbing and saying that they're cold. T2 takes them to get a blanket and they both make hot chocolate. //LAS: Telescope by Ok! Child// Taylor and T2 talk about their choice in more detail-- how the paths were set up and what they'd lose from both choices: safety and their dreams if they choose home, their family and friends and home (and the Lifeline) if they choose the Stars. ~*~Taylor and T2, because they're getting close to Solar orbit, decide to have some fun and turn off the A-G for a while, playing in the storage area in 0G. Taylor traps T2 in the middle of the room without anything to push off from and tries to throw M&Ms in their mouth, using T2's eyes as targets. They have fun for a while. Later they go back to the flight deck to see if they're still on course and notice a flashing light. Nervous due to their last encounter with the light leading to facing Regina (and the Green Squad), they answer the call and are greeted by a space agency back on Earth, wondering what the Varia is doing in the home sector and if there are any survivors on board. T2 is worried about being an "extra" and dissected, experimented on, etc. if they're found out especially with the green eyes. The two of them make plans with ground control and ask them not to notify their family yet until they're safe, as they've already lost them once. However, the plan seems to be safe enough so they are optimistic and enthusiastic for finally going home. //LAS: Go! by Public Broadcasting Network// Taylor and T2 are happy and dance around and shout GO! at the appropriate parts. ~*~Taylor and T2 prepare to leave the Varia in an escape pod, making last preparations and eating a last meal of chili mac. They... hesitantly ask for their Lifeline's name and admit that they were embarrassed about not knowing after so long that they decided not to bring it up. They enter in, with reassurances by ground control that the descent will be safe and that there's a special med team near their expected landing point. T2ylor mentions to the Lifeline that, once in the escape pod, they won't be able to read their comms but that they'll check in once they land. They reassure the Lifeline that they'll still be connected throughout the ride and that the Lifeline can read the messages. The Stars say farewell just as the pod disconnects from the ship and begins descent. The descent is more ballistic than expected which rattles the two as well as causes grey-out due to heavy G-force. Ground Control attempts to reassure them that everything is safe, but Taylor takes a chance to casually say thanks to the Lifeline and say the ending "you've done the best you possibly could have in this universe." Soon after they both pass out from G-force. The Stars say "accept our final gift to burn..." and the escape pod begins to have severe malfunctions with its heat shielding, guidance, location tracking, and communication signal to ground control. A few moments later, the Stars continue with "... and shine!" and the landing parachute is deployed successfully. Just before the rough-- but successful-- landing, the Stars wish them luck. //LAS: Major Tom by Shiny Toy Guns// Ending sequence, put to music. POST-SStS plans (as of 3/29) -Taylor and T2 end up crashing in a snowy location in the middle of nowhere -They call ground control but don't get any signal -Surrounded by PWG and threatened -Arika appears and is able to warp/weft Taylor back with her, which leaves T2 to be captured by PWG -Taylor deals with the fact that a previous rewind's infected Taylor has "come back home" and is welcomed by their family -Taylor tries to get help from Arika to get to PWG and realizes that the scars on their arm work like Arika's runes for some magic (including warping and wefting) -T2 wakes up with a cover over their eyes and is told that there is in fact a green still inside their eyes spying on whatever they see which obviously freaks them out -T2 is not allowed to see their Lifeline's responses and Blom takes away the comms unless T2 and the Lifeline can convince him that the Lifeline/comms system is actually just an AI they made while on the ship alone -T2 meets Wynn and they chat about their shared green issues and Wynn helps relay the Lifeline's responses to T2 by speech -PWG, whether or not T2 consents, gives them surgery for an inhibitor that works like the EMP in blocking the eyesight transmission -T2 is still being held there for future purposes and is not allowed to leave -Infected!T2ylor is at home and dealing with bad press and (true) conspiracy theories due to inconsistencies in their return story -Taylor heads over to PWG by warping with their scars to escape with T2 -It does not go well for Taylor and they are captured and questioned as well -There's an attack on PWG's facility while Taylor is there and the two have to flee that within the building while it's having structural damage -Something happens to T2's inhibitor, causing them bad pain and it to be useless, and Taylor has to warp and weft them both away from the place and back to their home where they have to deal with the infected!T2ylor face to face, probably through an anticlimactic fist-fight if I know them

~*~So Said the Stars~*~ ~*~Taylor and T2 exit the black hole not knowing where they are. T2 attempts to threaten Taylor with the green but freezes and coughs up (most of) their occupier. Taylor has the choice of whether to push T2 away or to keep them with them. //LAS: Parallel Lines by A-Trak// Taylor mentions the idea of a multiverse. ~*~Taylor notices a slowly incoming ship and decides to board it. Using T2's SAFER (if they saved T2), they board the depressurized powered-down ship. If they didn't save T2, Taylor attempts to lasso onto the ship with an extra tether but slams into the side, killing them. The ship seems empty and Taylor explores the ready room, galley, med bay, and the utilities room where they find the source of the depressurization-- a large hole in the hull where it was blasted by something. Taylor goes to the record room to seal it off but can also explore it (at risk of drifting out into the void) to find the crew log for the ship which surprisingly contains information about Taylor, Captain Aya, Colby, Trotter, Adair, Antoine, and the rest of the Varia crew. After sealing the ship and turning the power, air, and artificial gravity back on, Taylor sees a human figure in a spacesuit at the end of the hall. They run back to the med bay, seal the door, take a chance to check on T2, eat some "food," and rest. The Lifeline can comment on knowing that T2 is scarred from the Mg fire, which is something they shouldn't know unless they killed Taylor once during HTI, implying their knowledge of other universes and rewinds. //LAS: Lullaby from Finity's End// Taylor is chilled by the fridge horror latent in the song. ~*~The two wake up and have a meal of chicken chunks, but Taylor is startled by T2's still-green glowing eyes and drops their MRE. The Lifeline can bother T2, who's now awake, for more information about the Greens, but this causes T2 to get annoyed and not give any information. Taylor discovers that they grew an inch from spaghettification and searches the med bay for supplies, finding a few tranquilizers and sedatives like T2 used on the Viridian. Taylor goes out to face the mysterious person alone. The person has not moved from last night and is not responding to any of Taylor's shouts or movements. Taylor comments how it's like the Varia crew in the peak. They walk up to the person and discover that the person inside the suit is actually dead... and named Adair. With this coincidental information they check the flight deck to find out what might have happened with the ship and find a deceased Captain Aya and a mission log recording the final moments before the Varia's hull was breached and the entire crew suffered decompression. Taylor mulls over the existence of being in another universe than their own, but also the bittersweetness of having a ship with which to get home. Taylor returns to the med bay and does not break the Varia news to T2, who is now less reluctant to talk about the Greens. They decide to rest and recover some more. //LAS: Astronaut by Simple Plan// Taylor talks about memory and mentions the tweet by @jonnysun which foreshadows the later discussion with the Stars. ~*~After a brief time-skip, Taylor makes contact with the Lifeline again to catch them up on what's been happening. Taylor tried to keep the ship's truth hidden from T2, but was found out while placing the bodies of the crew in the crew quarters, after which they both dealt with their own dead Taylor, said some words, and sealed the door. T2 is plotting the course back home while Taylor is fixing broken utilities in the ship. Taylor remarks on how T2's eyes are still green and glowing, despite having coughed up an occupier. Taylor goes on to mention their discomfort with dealing with T2's bossiness and somewhat lack of trust in them, which the Lifeline can agree with (to not trust T2) or encourage Taylor to try to understand. The Lifeline sets up Taylor's to-do list choosing from the air filtration systems, the water reclamation system, the distress beacon, the proximity alarm, and cleaning up the labs. Taylor can fix three systems in this time period. //LAS: Guardians from Carmen Miranda's Ghost// Taylor comments how it's a grim song in light of machines blowing up while they work on fixing them. ~*~After fixing the third system a ship appears in their proximity. //They will only be aware of this if Taylor has fixed the proximity alarm.// Taylor will go to the turret by T2's orders to blow up the ship. The laser turrets take a while to restart which causes the ship to approach at a fast speed. Taylor can fasten their seatbelt and prepare for impact or try to take one last shot. Either way, the new ship crashes into the Varia. Taylor is about to leave the turret when they see that the Varia has been boarded by three green astronauts, probably a reconnaissance crew (the recon crew) who are not the marines they know. T2 panics but manages to get to the med bay and locks the door. Taylor also arrives there and asks to be let in. T2 asks for confirmation from the Lifeline that Taylor isn't infected while Taylor gets impatient to be let in. Once inside, Taylor changes the door code and the two start fighting, and end up fighting about Taylor's distrust of T2's eyes and in general while still feeling guilty about it. When T2 begins to break down, Taylor stops them and calls them "Taylor" to show that they are, no matter what happened, still themselves. The fight and resolution always happens, but will be for a slightly different initial cause depending on where Taylor was during the crash. -If Taylor was fixing the proximity alarm as the fourth system, they're injured in the crash and T2 discovers the recon crew on the flight deck monitors. They both quickly go to the med bay and also fight for similar reasons. -If Taylor was fixing the air and water system or the distress beacon as the fourth, they are knocked unconscious in the crash and are soon found by the recon crew who infects them. T2, "safe" in the med bay, remarks how they should not have trusted the Lifeline after all. -If Taylor was cleaning the labs as the fourth, the shelf of rocks falls on them and knocks them unconscious while burying them. T2 heads to the med bay since the recon crew is about to enter the lab. Taylor begins to wake up as they enter the room and must be keep quiet or else the recon crew will hear them and infect them. Taylor convenes with T2 in the med bay. //LAS: Satellite Call by Sara Bareilles// Taylor and T2 listen to the lyrics and talk about their names and determine that they'll keep "Taylor" and "T2." ~*~The next morning Taylor and T2 discuss their plans for getting rid of the Greens on the ship. T2 suggests using an EMP weapon since the Greens' hive mind works in the same way as their Q-Comm and is susceptible to electromagnetic force. When the Greens are disorganized due to lack of hive mind communication, T2ylor will take the chance to knock them all out with the sedatives they have from the med bay. T2 hints that they want to make the Greens pay once they're helpless which makes Taylor uncomfortable but the subject is changed. They need to make a dash to the labs but since T2 is still recovering, they think about carrying a weapon (a metal bedpan). If they take the bedpan, T2 throws it and the Green about to catch them trips on it and they make it to the lab. Otherwise they're caught and both are infected. Once inside Trotter's lab, T2 is about to collapse and Taylor is quickly sorting through the mess in the lab. The Lifeline has a choice on whether to tell T2 or Taylor to change the door code. If Taylor changes it, they're both safe. If T2 changes it, the recon crew enters and grabs T2 before Taylor can get them out and lock the door. Taylor feels absolutely betrayed that T2 would pretend to not be Green and help the Greens in the end. This is actually because the Greens can see through T2's eyes and found the door code this way. The next section proceeds as normal, but with Taylor becoming infected with the 120V, dying and becoming a non-living host for the Greens with the 640V and 1000V options, and needing to overuse the EMP to take care of the recon crew and T2 which destroys their comms and communications with the Lifeline (they survive the trip home, but are infected upon arrival). ~*~Once Taylor changes the door code, they find supplies around the lab to build the EMP: a capacitor rated at 500 Volts, lots of wire, and four energy sources: 120V, 450V, 640V, 1000V. While T2 winds the wire into a coil, Taylor discharges the capacitor and asks the Lifeline which energy source to use for the EMP. The correct voltage is 450V. The comms transmissions gets interrupted for a short time but they disrupt the Greens' communication and strategy and the two (barely) knock out all the Greens before coming back online. -120V causes them to face the Greens without a working EMP. The Greens grab T2 and the Lifeline can tell Taylor to run back to the lab or try to save T2. Either way, both are infected. -640V and 1000V cause Taylor to go into cardiac arrest and die, leaving T2 panicking and yelling at the Lifeline before the Greens infect them. ~*~Now that the Greens are asleep and tied up and at T2ylor's mercy, Taylor suggests that they make them walk the airlock to just get rid of them. T2, however, wants information from the Greens and is VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT. Taylor becomes uneasy as they remember that T2 had said they //enjoyed// torturing the marines on the Viridian and suggests, again and more strongly, that they should just airlock the recon crew. The Lifeline has to decide what to do. If the Lifeline tells T2 not to torture them, T2 gets upset and asks whether Taylor's stupid naive innocence is worth knowing how the Greens got off the moon, found their ship, why they're not the marines they know, where Regina is, what was up with the black hole, etc.. The Lifeline can relent here and let them do it but Taylor will get upset and storm off, not wanting to take part. The Lifeline can comfort Taylor or tell T2 to "have fun." Regardless, [Taylor is busy]. Whenever the Lifeline supports torturing them, Taylor's trust goes down and T2's trust increases. If the Lifeline comforts Taylor/apologizes, they will chat with them while T2 is getting ready and comfort them (causing the trust to neither increase or decrease). Taylor offers the LAS song during this time. If they tell T2 to "have fun," Taylor is silent that night and throughout the filler of the next scene and Taylor's trust PLUMMETS. T2, on the other hand, LOVES the Lifeline and comments on how they're a lot alike and probably faced some dark things. They also mention how Taylor just needs... a little push... to get to where they are right now. If the Lifeline is adamant about not letting T2 torture the recon crew for information, T2 is upset and kicks them a bit, but ends up drags them to the airlock to dispose of them. Afterwards they sleep in the nav chair in the flight deck and the following scene is skipped. //LAS: This is How We Walk On the Moon by José González// Taylor will not offer to listen to music if the Lifeline tells T2 to "have fun" and doesn't apologize. Taylor thanks the Lifeline for listening to music with them and talks about how there's a connection between people while sharing a song, how maybe they do have to change themselves in order to survive even though they treasure how the Greens haven't taken away their morality... yet... maybe... ~*~Once T2 is finished setting up, they realize that they need an epipen because they're impatient and don't want to wait 6-8 hours. T2 knocks on the locked med bay door and asks for one. If Taylor stormed off, Taylor will throw it at their face and slam and lock the door (T2 sleeps on the nav chair in the flight deck later). If Taylor was comforted, they will reluctantly give one to T2 but will NOT be happy about it. Back in the hallway outside the lab, T2 stabs one of the greens. T2 gives the Lifeline warning about what's to come and asks if they want to know everything what's happening or if they should be vague (like Alex's warning, this is kinda a trigger warning for this scene). This does not effect what happens beyond T2's (brief) descriptions. In this section, T2 focuses on the physical part while the Lifeline can choose to question the Green or tell T2 to stop (and kill it). After some questions, the Green turns their attention to T2 and tries to hypnotize them. If the Lifeline notices this happening, they can tell T2 to stop, kill them, and get out of there. T2 will and airlocks the crew before going to sleep in the nav chair. If the Lifeline does not catch it in time, T2 stops listening and removes their helmet, fully entranced and welcoming the occupier crawling out of its mouth. Green!T2 knocks on the medbay door and Taylor yells at the Lifeline about letting this get out of control, blaming them, before terminating the transmission. This Taylor still has one sedative left and is able to knock T2 out, airlock the whole group, and after a long long journey of being alone and hurt, is infected upon arrival on earth. Q&A -Q: How did they find the Varia? -A: We knew where to look. [And you lit us a guiding lamp](if the distress beacon was turned on) -Q: How did they get off the moon? -A: Time is a flat circle, didn't you say that, T2? -Q: Why aren't they the marines? -A: Because Taylor didn't specify any specific //green// dangers.... -Q: Taylor? -A: Like we said, time is a flat circle. We will conquer all, we have conquered all, we ARE all.... -Q: Why does Regina want a Taylor army? T2: how do you know about that?? -A: To conquer spacetime, of course, so everything joins us. Taylor is just a convenient vessel for this task. -Q: Why are T2's eyes still green? -A: Hmm don't want to give away all our secrets at once. -Q: Answer the question. -A: *talks about how lovely the eyes are* --------------------POINT OF NO RETURN--------------------- -Q: Make them answer the question, T2. -A: *talks about how calming they are, all the hurt T2 has suffered that the Greens have relieved, etc. etc. etc.* -Q: T2? Are you listening to me? -A: ............. ~*~Taylor and T2 wake up the next morning and chat about fun science projects they've done to break the tension of the previous evening. These projects include the Disappearing Spoon, 1500s Laptop Charger, a Homemade Laser with Edible Medium, and (not) obtaining ferrofluid from //The Phantom Menace//. They also discuss movie ideas such as a space pirate movie with solarpunk themes and oases of O2 across the universe as pit-stops for solar-surfing travelers. However they are interrupted by shipwide rattling. They go to the flight deck and discover it's from a debris storm (the proximity alarm was turned off after the crash). The debris storm is weakening the attachment of the recon ship to the Varia, but without a detachment it will shear the side of the Varia causing a hole in both sides and explosive decompression. Taylor and T2 realize that they could try to blow up the recon ship from the Varia's turret (which ends with them running out of time to complete the mission since the turret doesn't have the correct angle for shooting at the ship) or one of them could go to the recon ship, detach it from inside, then do a short EVA during a short clear window in the storm from one airlock to the other. Taylor volunteers as tribute for the EVA and gets ready while T2 talks to the Lifeline. T2 mentions that they're feeling guilty about what they did to Taylor as a Green and mentions that, although their body is still recovering from the green-extraction, they should be the one to risk their life instead. Taylor and T2 say goodbye and hug before T2 seals the pathway between the ships and Taylor begins to detach the ship. ~*~Taylor runs to the flight deck of the ship and sets everything up to detach the recon ship from the Varia. After they do so, they run to the airlock and are frustrated at it taking //so much time// to cycle and let them leave. They take a SAFER from the ready room to use on the EVA. Partway through the EVA, T2 notices a small shower of debris that wasn't caught on the original proximity scan. They try to warn Taylor but Taylor is hit by a piece. Taylor is fine, but the debris nicked their life support unit so they're quickly losing their air supply. They decide to be quiet to conserve their O2 and head to the Varia's airlock. T2 is panicking and debates their options of following the standard airlock cycling procedures or a silly idea from a movie. The normal procedures take time to cycle and therefore if Tay runs out of air and can't get their helmet off in the airlock, T2 won't be able to help them while it cycles. However, there is no risk of explosive decompression and it's the safest for the ship. T2's idea is to increase the artificial gravity in the Varia to try to create an artificial atmosphere in the airlock which would-- in theory-- allow the air to remain in the airlock and speed up the time it would take T2 to get in the airlock to help Taylor if they run out of air. However, it comes with risks of explosive decompression if the theory behind the plan doesn't work which would kill them both. T2 asks the Lifeline to choose for them since they're not thinking straight. -If T2 uses standard procedures Tay gets to the airlock before they run out of air, but doesn't have the strength/consciousness to take their helmet off while the airlock fills with air. They slowly suffocate while T2 bangs on the airlock door helplessly while waiting for it to cycle. T2 is a silent wreck after finding Taylor dead and eventually only moves again from the airlock to check out a flashing light on the flight deck which immediately cuts out their comms signal (rewind). -If T2 follows their idea of creating a Star Wars Hangar Bay, they run to the Utilities and change the gravity level. The Lifeline can tell them to calm down and set it to 3G or exaggerate and say "crank it to 11!" If the later, T2 in a panic interprets that literally, causing them to set it to 11G which near-immediately causes G-LOC and deaths for both Taylors. If 3G, T2 remarks how heavy everything feels and crawls their way back to the airlock, opening the airlock door and hoping they don't die in explosive decompression. After they don't they encourage Taylor to keep going and to take off their helmet immediately, but the lack of O2 and increased gravity cause Taylor to not be able to do so and pass out. However, since there was air in the airlock still due to the gravity, T2 can open the door to save Taylor. Referencing //The Stars My Destination//, their favorite book, Taylor comments 'He was one hundred and seventy days dying and not yet dead' as T2 drags them to the wall's O2 supply to help them recover. After they get the gravity back to normal, Taylor goes to change out of their EVA suit to pajamas. T2 thanks the Lifeline for trusting their stupid plan while also going on and on about their BILLION DOLLAR PATENT which TOTALLY BEATS TAYLOR'S MILLION DOLLAR IDEAS. When Taylor comes back, they suggest having a feast of their favorite parts of all the MREs (mostly the desserts) to celebrate both surviving and throws a pack of pajamas at T2 to change too. //LAS: Levitate by Imagine Dragons// Taylor remarks how ironic this song is after the increase in gravity and the terror of that EVA without the gravity but they both enjoy the happy song. ~*~Taylor and T2 wake up late after their feast and having not cleaned up at all. Still both in pajamas, T2 checks the escape pods and the navigation system to make sure they're still functional and on course since the Greens had access to the ship. Taylor cleans the lab and reminisces about science and goals in life, but is interrupted by rediscovering the chunk of tunguskite while putting away the EMP. Taylor muses about what the tunguskite explosion was like. //LAS: Coming Home by Falling in Reverse// Taylor talks about finally being able to go home and what a relief that will be (to contrast their latter opinion). ~*~At the end of the song/last section, T2 calls Taylor over to the flight deck to check out a flashing green light on the ship's comms. It's an incoming transmission from an unknown source that includes video transmission. The Lifeline can choose whether they should answer it since it might be an alien transmission or a distress call from a nearby ship or a message from ground control. Either due to T2ylor accepting the transmission or a system-override, the transmission comes through and Taylor and T2 are met with the mistakes the Lifeline made-- every Taylor and T2 that were infected or who made it home without lifeline-contact through all the Lifeline's rewinds are staring at them with glowing green eyes. Taylor and T2 are //panicking// because they knew nothing about the rewinds and are faced with the fact that their Lifeline had gotten them killed before. For every rewind Taylor and T2's trust goes down, for certain rewinds the trust may go down significantly. Each Infected!T2ylor says their piece to the Lifeline and to T2ylor about how they were infected and how they feel about the Lifeline and their advice. It's meant to be horrifying to both T2ylor and the Lifeline. After they all speak their piece (or there are no rewinds) and T2ylor tries in vain to reject the transmission, Regina comes in to speak with them. She congratulates them for getting this far, teaching the Greens about the multiverse, helping them expand into other universes and fully complete the Tipler Cylinder (infinitely long cylinders work if constructed between infinite universes), and... for T2 being a wonderful test subject due to their eyes. This last part is said while looking at T2 who immediately falls into her hypnosis and is virtually helpless. Regina explains a bit more about the multiverse and the Lifeline's help in creating more Taylors for the army (which the Lifeline can acknowledge they're aware of only through HTI rewind knowledge). She also comments how T2's eyes act as spies for the Greens when asked how she knew about the multiverse (she reads all the transmissions through T2 reading them). Tay tries to break T2 out of the thrall without luck because they're panicking from all this too. The Lifeline must tell Taylor to end the transmission-- either through yanking cables off the ship comms system or using the EMP to interrupt the transmission. If Taylor tries to yank off the cables, they can't and crawl out from under the nav station to T2 staring at them. T2 grabs their comms while under Regina's control while Taylor runs off to grab the EMP. If the Lifeline tells Taylor to use the EMP, T2 blocks the way while under Regina's control and grabs the comms before Taylor runs off. Regina tries to convince T2 to break Taylor's comms which would break all communication with the Lifeline. They hesitate while Regina gets more and more upset. Taylor eventually comes back with the EMP and the piece of tunguskite which they put inside the coil. They say goodbye to the Lifeline in case the EMP completely fries their comms. The signal cuts out and it's darkness.... ~*~After a while of darkness and no signal and with no [reconnecting.....], Taylor talks about the Stars. "The Stars... I can see them all.... burning, burning, burning, shining... an endless cycle of gas and dust and heat and energy and anima and life and death... but enriching more life, laying out its foundations in such a burst of light, despite the violent flash it can begin again to burn and shine, to shine and burn, to burn and shine. Every single star, from Tau Ceti to Sol to every star yet unnamed in the galaxy-- in other galaxies, in other universes, all of them-- we don't need names for them, they exist and burn and shine all their own, saying: ~*~This is so~*~ ~*~This is the way~*~ ~*~Traveller, follow the stars home, like all who did before you~*~ ~*~We are your home, twinkling and warm, where infinity awaits~*~ ~*~You are part of us forever~*~ ~*~You are here with us forever~*~ ....so said the Stars.... And I feel a hand on my shoulder again, and... a familiar voice this time... saying: Taylor! Stop! Turn it off! Drop it! Taylor!" " The tunguskite EMP falls out of their hand and they fall unconscious with burns along their arm. T2 is panicking when they reconnect with the Lifeline who can ask what happened/if everything is ok or distrust T2 due to what happened seconds before. If the Lifeline continues to distrust T2, their trust will drop severely. T2 takes Taylor to the med bay regardless of the Lifeline's feelings and begins to patch them up, discovering that their burn left scars from Taylor's fingertips to cheek connecting each freckle like a constellation (Lichtenberg figure). They comment how Taylor got the cool scars but the Lifeline can reassure T2 that theirs are cool too. In the middle of treating Taylor, T2 has a severe acute headache behind their eyes to the back of their head. It passes relatively quickly but leaves them shaken. This is from the green inside their eyes/optic nerve reconnecting to the hive mind after the EMP blast disconnected it. They will comment on how Taylor's comms are missing and will go back and find it while waiting for Taylor to wake up. ~*~T2 messages the Lifeline after Taylor wakes up. If asked, they say that their headache has completely gone away. Taylor is still sleeping and recovering but has a habit of pulling off the gauze on their scars in their sleep. T2 heads to the flight deck to run a diagnostic on the ship to see "what Taylor ruined" with the tunguskite EMP: some of the ship's lights and the main ship comms system. The lights are important to fix because they don't want to get pulled over by the space police ;P but both will take some time to fix. T2 says that Taylor is sleeping a lot but did get shocked so it's probably the recovery process.T2 doesn't want to talk about the Green Squad and Regina. The Lifeline gets the chance to wake Taylor up who will talk about how they're fine and don't quite remember what happened with the EMP but will change the subject talk about the beauty of the Stars instead. If the Lifeline doesn't wake them up they continue to sleep and the Stars gain more influence on Taylor. Throughout this section, the Stars send a few messages in binary code of star names and must be clicked to reveal the transmission text (and decoded name) underneath. //LAS: Star Star by The Frames// Taylor almost doesn't want to listen to the song and falls asleep before the end. ~*~While Taylor continues to sleep even more, T2 gives some updates on the ship. They've got the lights working again and are starting work on the ship's comms system next. T2 mentions their concern about Taylor's sleeping habits (around 12 hours plus naps), but relents how they say they're not having nightmares anymore but rather beautiful dreams. The Lifeline has a chance to talk to T2 about their nightmares which lets T2 open up more to the Lifeline and increase their trust. The Lifeline can ask T2 to wake Taylor up, who is groggy and reluctant to be awake. They say that they're fine and try to act normally, but talk a lot more than usual about space phenomenon. T2 points out this difference. If the Lifeline doesn't wake them up they continue to sleep and the Stars gain more influence on Taylor. Throughout this section, the Stars send a few messages in binary code of star names and must be clicked to reveal the transmission text (and decoded name) underneath. //LAS: Stars Beyond Stars (Vindata Remix) from Just a Gent// T2 comments how Taylor probably won't hear the music playing from their comms and complains that the last song was also about stars. ~*~T2 checks in after fixing the comms system but is extremely worried about how well it will work if it does at all. Taylor helped them a bit when they weren't sleeping for nearly 16 hours plus naps. T2 is stressed and concerned and makes this known to the Lifeline. T2 also opens up about what they saw while Taylor used the tunguskite EMP: T2 "woke up" with a headache on the ground and looked up to see Taylor shining with iridescent white light (like the description of the figure in the monastery in Bloodline). They realize that they were wrong about the "let-go" limit and that Taylor probably wasn't shocked by the EMP since they were able to drop it themselves which makes T2 very much question Taylor's sleeping habits which could possibly be explained with shock-recovery. The Lifeline can ask T2 to wake Taylor up (which would not result in a trust decrease), but either way, T2 wakes Taylor up to come to the flight deck and hang out. Throughout this section, the Stars send a few messages in binary code of star names and must be clicked to reveal the transmission text (and decoded name) underneath. //LAS: Sky Calls to Us by Doris Teur// Taylor thinks the song is absolutely beautiful and T2 is annoyed at yet another song about stars and mentions how they don't understand Taylor's sudden fascination with the Stars. ~*~s o c o m e h o m e~*~ After the previous song/section, T2 notices Taylor stargazing and remarks on how it's the same exact stars the entire trip and the same ones from at home since parallax is tragically insignificant 12ly away. Taylor gives a few non-answers to T2 and the Lifeline's questions before T2 gets upset and asks what is up with them. Reluctantly, Taylor whispers the reason to T2-- that they don't want to go home. T2 is very upset and so Taylor tries to explain why. This leads into a debate/conversation where the Lifeline needs to convince them (through both having high enough trust level variables) to go home. The Lifeline also has the option to agree with them to stay in the Stars, but T2 will still for a little while push back until they're convinced as well to agree to that option. The reasons for staying or going home are outlined below. At the end, T2ylor votes in the form of GO/NO-GO on whether to stay in the Stars or go home. If either T2 or Taylor don't trust the Lifeline's advice enough (through the trust varibles) that character will vote NO-GO and so both with stay in the Stars regardless of the other's vote (they agreed to this way of voting beforehand). For every time the Lifeline doesn't wake Taylor up in the previous sections, Taylor's trust levels decrease significantly as a result of the Stars' influence on their dreams. -Arguments for going home Seeing family, friends, and Tom again Being able to have that "boring life" Doing fun science Making parents happy having a Taylor again in their lives Running out of food/supplies (though they have some ideas about growing potatoes and being space pirates) -Arguments for staying in the Stars Dreamed their whole life of exploring the Stars (with some fun childhood examples) T2ylor is not from this particular universe so they aren't bound to it/not their exact family Their family already lost them once As terrifying as their adventure was, it's exhilarating T2 is scared of what might happen to them back on Earth-- how their family will treat them, if they'll be used as an experiment/dissected for info, etc. They could still continue to help fight the greens as protectors The Green Squad were all infected when they got home-- is that waiting for us? "Maybe... the stars are our home. The universe, all the universes, seem to want us to stay... they keep throwing everything at us so what if we stop fighting it and stay where we belong, where we wished to go all our lives?" -Near the end of the conversation the Stars begin to speak in binary, mysteriously calling either character back to "h o m e" who has passed the level of trust needed to choose GO. The Stars will also attempt to cover up the Lifeline's advice with binary messages in order to stop the Lifeline from convincing them to leave. The Lifeline can speak (in binary) to the Stars, much to T2ylor's confusion since the two don't consciously receive the Stars' messages. Taylor's scars glow throughout this scene whenever the Stars talk. -NO-GO: Taylor and T2, happy and calm with their NO-GO decision, star gaze for a bit before T2 questions exactly what Taylor saw with the tunguskite EMP. Taylor offers them to try it out themselves. T2 accepts and both say that they'll back in a minute since they can't wait to get started having a fun--for real this time-- space adventure with you. ....the signal never comes back, even after a long period of waiting. The end of this path is open ended-- I have my own ideas about what might happen in their lives, but I will never say (unless you want me to talk about the Dioscuri and St. Elmo's Fire //ad nauseam//) //LAS: Cassini, the Grand Finale by Sleeping at Last// Played during this scene. -GO: Taylor and T2, happy and calm with their GO decision, reminisce about home and their family and, if both trust levels are high enough, they will tell the story of their butt scar and their cover up. Then they laugh about it/family memories, before the Stars say ~*~c o m e b a c k~*~ and Taylor "randomly" begins sobbing and saying that they're cold. T2 takes them to get a blanket and they both make hot chocolate. //LAS: Telescope by Ok! Child// Taylor and T2 talk about their choice in more detail-- how the paths were set up and what they'd lose from both choices: safety and their dreams if they choose home, their family and friends and home (and the Lifeline) if they choose the Stars.

Last wire is on... Also taping the EMP to a plastic cover so I can take it outside. Now it's time for the electrifying scene where I disconnect all these greens. And... T2. Alright! Since my comms uses the same method of communication I'm gonna cut out in a second. But I //should// be back. I might have to use the EMP a few times due to the Green vs. Taylor ratio so I hope it doesn't damage the comms too much. I really want to be able to reconnect when this is all over. Ok? [[Good luck.->450VPreLuckBAD]] [[Just be careful.->450VPreCarefulBAD]]

Last wire is on... Also taping the EMP to a plastic cover so I can take it outside. Now it's time for the electrifying scene where I disconnect all these greens. And... T2. Alright! Since our comms uses the same method of communication I'm gonna cut out in a second. But I should be back. I might have to do it a few times so I hope it doesn't damage the comms too much. Ok? [[Good luck.->1000VPreLuckBAD]] [[Just be careful.->1000VPreCarefulBAD]]

Last wire is on... Also taping the EMP to a plastic cover so I can take it outside. Now it's time for the electrifying scene where I disconnect all these greens. And... T2. Alright! Since our comms uses the same method of communication I'm gonna cut out in a second. But I should be back. I might have to do it a few times so I hope it doesn't damage the comms too much. Ok? [[Good luck.->640VPreLuckBAD]] [[Just be careful.->640VPreCarefulBAD]]

Less luck and more your information, but I'll take it. I'll do what I can. That's all I can do. Here's hoping it works. Got those tranqs out and ready, helmet on, got the EMP in place... I'm just going to open the door so I can use the piles of rocks for cover, maybe. `[beep]` Backing up backing up backing up There. One of the new ones just came in. Followed by another. And another and-- oh god I need to use this right now. (live: 9.5s)[(transition: "SHUDDER")[`[BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT]`](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA sensors indicate severe electrical shock]` ](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 12.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[internal burning]`](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ventricular fibrillation]`](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[cardiac arrest]`](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[{(unless: A.track('GREENSQUAD').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENSQUAD').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}WHAT THE-- NO! DAMMMIT. What a disappointment. After you got Taylor through everything you manage to mess up like this. But let's play fortunately/unfortunately! Fortunately we got me back! Yay! Unfortunately dead hosts aren't THAT useful to us. Fortunately we don't care because we accomplished what we needed to in this universe. Unfortunately... ...for //you//... ...We'll be waiting for more. ....... We'll ALL be waiting.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 22s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[connection lost]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-REWIND- (To voltage)->EMPREWIND]] [[-REWIND- (To lab sprint)->HALLWAYREWIND]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green640VTay to 1)

I'll do what I can. That's all I can do. Here's hoping it works. Got those tranqs out and ready, helmet on, got the EMP in place... I'm just going to open the door so I can use the piles of rocks for cover, maybe. `[beep]` Backing up backing up backing up There. One of the new ones just came in. Followed by another. And another and-- oh god I need to use this right now. (live: 9.5s)[(transition: "SHUDDER")[`[BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT]`](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA sensors indicate severe electrical shock]` ](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 12.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[internal burning]`](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ventricular fibrillation]`](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[cardiac arrest]`](stop:) ]|more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[{(unless: A.track('GREENSQUAD').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENSQUAD').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}WHAT THE-- NO! DAMMMIT. What a disappointment. After you got Taylor through everything you manage to mess up like this. But let's play fortunately/unfortunately! Fortunately we got me back! Yay! Unfortunately dead hosts aren't THAT useful to us. Fortunately we don't care because we accomplished what we needed to in this universe. Unfortunately... ...for //you//... ...We'll be waiting for more. ....... We'll ALL be waiting.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 22s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[connection lost]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-REWIND- (To voltage)->EMPREWIND]] [[-REWIND- (To lab sprint)->HALLWAYREWIND]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green640VTay to 1)

(live: 2.5s)[(goto: "AIRLOCK COMPROMISED")] (set: $T42 to 1)

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic9]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ "Stars Beyond Stars" by Just a Gent (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS9').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS9').play(); </script> ]}

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One final question before we start receiving the ship's information and start the checks. Shoot, GC. You mentioned being helped by a contact on Earth. Is that correct? We'd like to be able to contact that person on your return. Can you tell me this person's name? ..... .....Really? ..... I thought you knew and they told you to call them your "lifeline." This is awkward. [[This IS awkward.]] [[Got a question for me?]]

It is. So. What's your name? I can't believe you two. [[My name is...->NAMES]]

Yeah I do. So. What's your name? I can't believe you two. [[My name is...->NAMES]]

(set: $name to (prompt: "My name is...", ""))(print: $name)[?] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[{ (if: $name is "Holly")[Hey, Holly. ] (if: $name is "Sugar")[ ] (if: $name is "Captain")[Your name is Captain? I'm so sorry! I was making jokes about being //the// captain around here and you were the head of operations and name the whole time. I salute you, Captain. You always guide with a caring and helpful hand. I couldn't do it without you. ] (if: $name is "Otter")[ ] (if: $name is "Deez Nutz")[Oh. HA. HA. ] (if: $name is "deez nutz")[Oh. HA. HA. ] (if: $name is "Cerise")[] (if: $name is "Charlotte")[] (if: $name is "Em")[ ] (if: $name is "Ash")[ ] (if: $name is "Belle")[ ] (if: $name is "Julia")[] (if: $name is "Tony")[] (if: $name is "Dave")[] (if: $name is "Lilah")[] (if: $name is "CMoon")[] (if: $name is "Arika")[] (if: $name is "Alex")[] (if: $name is "Wynn")[] (if: $name is "Taylor")[] (if: $name is "T2")[] (if: $name is "Adams")[] (if: $name is "Linda")[] (if: $name is "Isaiah")[] (if: $name is "Emily")[] (if: $name is "Laura")[] (if: $name is "Phoebe")[] (if: $name is "Arielle")[] (if: $name is "Michelle")[] (if: $name is "Jade")[] (if: $name is "Kirsten")[] (if: $name is "Michael")[] (if: $name is "Jamie")[] } (stop:) ]] |more>[]

So uh. That flashing light. What about it? I should not be allowed near comms equipment so you deal with it. Sure. Hold on. `[incoming transmission]` `[video connection available]` `[accept transmission y/n?]` Video connection? Welcome to the future. ...Hm. The Varia's comms system isn't reporting where the signal is coming from. We're getting closer to home so maybe NASA or one of the other space agencies picked up our ship's signals? Or it's a distress call from another ship in this sector. Returning the rescue favor for someone else would be good karma. What do you think? {(if: $T2ylorGreenCount is 0)[ [[Answer it.->AnswerREGINA]] [[Reject it.->RejectREGINA]] ] (else:)[ [[Answer it.->AnswerGS]] [[Reject it.->RejectGS]] ] }

Good idea. Let's get ourselves connected. Maybe this is the beginning of an exciting sidequest. Maybe we're get to chase cucoos or collect `[transmission accepted]` (live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`connecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 10.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I have to thank you for making this easier than expected. You certainly are trusting of unknown transmissions. Oh. Oh no. [[What's happening?->HappeningREGINA]] [[Who is it?->WhoREGINA]] ](stop:) ] |more>[]

Yeah. Probably not worth the risk in case it's someone like the Greens again. `[transmission rejected]` There we go. Sorry folks, but we're letting you go to voicemail. Leave a message if it's important to yo-- (live: 6s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[transmission override]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`connecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 10.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Rejecting my correspondence? How cheeky. Oh. Oh no. [[What's happening?->HappeningREGINA]] [[Who is it?->WhoREGINA]] ](stop:) ] |more>[]

Good idea. Let's get ourselves connected. Maybe this is the beginning of an exciting sidequest. Maybe we're get to chase cucoos or collect `[transmission accepted]` (live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`connecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 10.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I KNEW they'd pick up the phone. We always liked receiving stellar messages from radio signals in the backyard. Hey there, Taylor and Taylor. How are you two doing? Oh. Oh no. [[What's happening?->HappeningGS]] [[Who is it?->WhoGS]] ](stop:) ] |more>[]

Yeah. Probably not worth the risk in case it's someone like the Greens again. `[transmission rejected]` There we go. Sorry folks, but we're letting you go to voicemail. Leave a message if it's important to yo-- (live: 6s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[transmission override]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`connecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 10.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Aww, don't reject us. Maybe we DO need help! I thought we liked to act the hero. Oh well. Oh. Oh no. [[What's happening?->HappeningGS]] [[Who is it?->WhoGS]] ](stop:) ] |more>[]

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.... ....... Waiting for the final beep... ......... ............ Access denied. Losers. Why did they even try the keypad in the first place? Doesn't matter. Stressed doesn't even begin to describe what this is like. My stress levels are like... I don't know. Isn't the universe gonna tear itself apart one day when the ever-expanding space between all the atoms grows too big? I'm space. Oh god. Please not again. That was too painful. I can't... I won't... I wish I'd never survived. Never had to deal with that goddamn moon. Never had to be terrified every night on the White Star. Never thought they would be an easy way out. I wish it just killed me when it came out. T2! Psst! Knock knock! I followed our visitors and they went up to the flight deck. Open up so I'm not a sitting duck hoping it's rabbit season while they can see me in the monitors. ........ T2? Hurry up in there. ........ Hey, lifeline, can you give me the door code? ........ Lifeline? Can you confirm Taylor isn't infected? [[Taylor is fine.]] [[The code is 97931123.]]

I did! I.... I know I did... Here comes the final beep. ......... ............ Access denied. Losers. Why did they even try the keypad in the first place? Doesn't matter. Stressed doesn't even begin to describe what this is like. My stress levels are like... I don't know. Isn't the universe gonna tear itself apart one day when the ever-expanding space between all the atoms grows too big? I'm space. Oh god. Please not again. That was too painful. I can't... I won't... I wish I'd never survived. Never had to deal with that goddamn moon. Never had to be terrified every night on the White Star. Never thought they would be an easy way out. I wish it just killed me when it came out. T2! Psst! Knock knock! I followed our visitors and they went up to the flight deck. Open up so I'm not a sitting duck hoping it's rabbit season while they can see me in the monitors. ........ T2? Hurry up in there. ........ Hey, lifeline, can you give me the door code? ........ Lifeline? Can you confirm Taylor isn't infected? [[Taylor is fine.]] [[The code is 97931123.]]

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Hey, is it too late to drop this cynical, stoic, emotionless demeanor for some good ole fashioned honesty? No? Oh well. Maybe things would be different if I had a lifeline like you. Maybe things would be different if my comms had even worked. But I doubt you had anything to do with my comms issue. So I don't blame you. A single quark read with the wrong orientation would be enough to cause it to glitch out and fail to connect. Likewise, a single quark being read with the wrong orientation would be enough to cause it to NOT connect you with the Emergency Disaster Unit at Ground Control... ...and get //you// instead(unless: $perfect is 1)[ whom I assume is obviously NOT a qualified member of that NASA team]. No offense. [[None taken.]] [[I was surprised too.]]

Whatever. Maybe things would be different if I had a lifeline like you. Maybe things would be different if my comms had even worked. But I doubt you had anything to do with my comms issue. So I don't blame you. A single quark read with the wrong orientation would be enough to cause it to glitch out and fail to connect. Likewise, a single quark being read with the wrong orientation would be enough to cause it to NOT connect you with the Emergency Disaster Unit at Ground Control... ...and get //you// instead(unless: $perfect is 1)[ whom I assume is obviously NOT a qualified member of that NASA team]. No offense. [[None taken.]] [[I was surprised too.]]

Wow. Are you being serious right now? Now is the time you get your knife, coat it with seasalt, and twist it into my green-ravaged gut? I don't need this. I was better off without you, and that includes the time spent as a parasitic host. How do I shut this comms off... Can I ask you something since I'll be stuck here with you anyway? Go ahead. Shoot. How can I tell that you're ok. That you're not infected. Your eyes are still Occupier-Green-- which would be cool for raves like those UV contacts except for the minor issue of it being REALLY WEIRD and CONSTANTLY REMINDING ME OF OUR VIRIDIAN ADVENTURE GETAWAY. If I knew what was going on with these eyes, I'd fix it! But I don't. And it scares me too. YOU didn't have one oozing through you. Leaving whatever bits it wanted when it left. It freaks me out just as much as you-- maybe even more. Actually I'm pretty sure I beat you with "being freaked out." Sorry for trying my best to act like everything is normal and it doesn't freak me out. What did I just say about being freaked out?! I KNOW YOU ARE FREAKED OUT TOO BUT IT'S CREEPY SEEING HOW YOU COULD TURN OUT WITHOUT HELP. YEAH? AND IT'S INFURIATING SEEING HOW WONDERFUL YOU DO WITH HELP. [[Did either of you lock the door...?]] [[Stop yelling! Both of you!]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -1.5)

And I LOVE yours too. Can I ask you something? Go ahead. Shoot. How can I tell that you're ok. That you're not infected. Your eyes are still Occupier-Green-- which would be cool for raves like those UV contacts except for the minor issue of it being REALLY WEIRD and CONSTANTLY REMINDING ME OF OUR VIRIDIAN ADVENTURE GETAWAY. If I knew what was going on with these eyes, I'd fix it! But I don't. And it scares me too. YOU didn't have one oozing through you. Leaving whatever bits it wanted when it left. It freaks me out just as much as you-- maybe even more. Actually I'm pretty sure I beat you with "being freaked out." Sorry for trying my best to act like everything is normal and it doesn't freak me out. What did I just say about being freaked out?! I KNOW YOU ARE FREAKED OUT TOO BUT IT'S CREEPY SEEING HOW YOU COULD TURN OUT WITHOUT HELP. YEAH? AND IT'S INFURIATING SEEING HOW WONDERFUL YOU DO WITH HELP. [[Did either of you lock the door...?]] [[Stop yelling! Both of you!]]

[[`Skip-->`->NoMusic6]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")["This Is How We Walk on the Moon" by José González (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 105s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Sorry for not running my mouth as usual. I guess I'm not in the mood to be clever or insightful right now.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 115s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 221s)[(transition: "dissolve")[T2 isn't me, right? In some ways, yes, but... I don't see how I could //enjoy// it. I see why it can be necessary-- as much as I don't want to admit it(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 236s)[(transition: "dissolve")[That book is just a book. "The Count of Monte Cristo... In Space!" It's an influential genre staple. And that's why I liked it. That's it.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 250s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 280s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Alright. Better get some rest now. .... Sorry. I just... can't see myself acting like this. I'm up for killing those greens, absolutely. But I don't like knowing I'm capable of //that//. That everything I went through could change me so much that I would rejoice in torturing them to death. I'd volunteer to kick them out of the airlock myself, don't get me wrong. The greens have taken so much from me. I don't want to lose the part of myself that cries from the loss of a life. I have no sympathy for the greens. What they've done to both crews is beyond words. But I can't let them take that away from me too. If that's what it's going to take to survive, then I'll grit my teeth and do it. But I don't want to become as vicious as my rats were... I saw that same green tint in my own spit that were in their eyes as they ripped each other apart. I know the real reason now but... I am in this mess whether I like it or not. (I do not like it.) You're my lifeline back to earth, back to home. Back to humanity and normality ('What is normal anyway?’). And I don't want to lose that. {{(if: $tort is 1)[Hey, make sure that T2 doesn't... you know.] (else:)[Thanks for checking in on me. It means a lot.]} {(if: $tort is 0)[ [[-Taylor is busy-->Morning after EMP - No]] ] (else:)[ [[-Taylor is busy-->T2epipen1]] ]}} (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS6').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS6').play(); </script> ]}

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Yes.

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You doubt me? I thought you trusted me! (if: $T2Trust <= 7)[Well, kinda. Maybe we both have mixed feelings about each other. ]Whatever. You'll just have to trust me and all my anecdotes about space travel. And oh man. I have a lot about my travels as a space pirate. I would tell them all 'round the rest-stops' tables and any traveller passing through would pull up a chair, buy me a drink, and say 'Taylor! Tell me more about when you heroically saved that planet from the Galra!' And then with a sly smile I would lean over to them and tell (link: " `~*~`01101100001000000111100100100000011100100010000001100001`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)my grand story and tales of mischief to all! `~*~` l y r a `~*~` Kept at the edge of their seats by my brilliant heroics the entire time.] and they would laugh with me as I fill their hearts with a rousing story and song! |star1)[ [[Lyra?]] ] [[The Galra? Really?]] [[Yeah. SURE, T2.]]

You think that'll make a difference? T2 will probably never wake up and even then it'll be in a deserted ship. But maybe there's a chance. I shouldn't deprive T2 of that, even if T2 tried to deprive me of it earlier. Aim and... see ya later, space cowboy. Thank me when you see me next! Because I'm gonna die! ...I've got good aim. Right into the hallway door. Too bad it won't change anything. Now I'm faced with the fact that I am going to die so... ...give me a minute to come to terms with the dark void in front of me. And behind me. And all around me. [[-Taylor is busy-->RR Death Save T2]]

Then how? Should I just purge the air now or take my helmet off? Is that what you're asking me to do? Please. Just... just give me a minute. [[-Taylor is busy-->Record Room Death]]

Hey... You there? Because I'm not going to be for much longer. Spacesuits don't last forever. Ok, maybe they do, but the people //inside// them don't without a steady supply of the good O2. And... my limited supply is finally running down to the single digits. Maybe T2 will make it. Maybe not. I'll never know. ....... I just want to thank you for being with me through everything. From our first communication on that moon right up to now. Hey don't be sad. I'm not green at least. Spared me of that..... So thanks... This... is Cadet Taylor... signing... off....... ........ (live: 25s)[ `[`connection lost`]` (stop:)] (live: 30s)[ [[REWIND->RRREWIND]](stop:)] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $GreenRecRoom to +1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1)

I'll take out the one coming at me first-- nnGHH other one on the other.... side strong hurts that didn't... work... nnnghhh .. pl.... please don't [[-Taylor is unconscious-->HallwayIEVA]]

Ok. Ok I'll listen to you. You got me through more than T2 ever did. And... I’m in! And I feel awful! Booping in the door code and… There. Oh god. What do I do now? It’s four against one again. [[Take a deep breath, Taylor.->HALLWAYBADBREATH]] [[Hurry up if you want to save T2.->HALLWAYBAD1]]

Just have to calm down. Breathe in... And out... Oh man. They'll probably immediately occupy T2 again. But maybe... just maybe... IF the Greens are feeling a bit more merciful than usual... Then maybe I can get this EMP completed and help us both. See? This is why I have to rely on you for help. You keep me on track. {(unless: $cleanlab is 1)[Trotter had a big rock collection for his other research. And that collection is everywhere right now. Scattered across the floor is strata upon strata of geological finds and tinkerer's tools. God this place is a mess. I’d hurt my back if I try to move this big shelf. It probably had all the rocks on it that didn’t float off in micro-g but that crash smashed it to the floor.]}I’ll sort through what mechanical, electrical, physics-cal, and geological tech I can for what I need. [[-Taylor is scavenging-->EMPBAD1]]

Oh man. They'll probably immediately occupy T2 again. But maybe... just maybe... IF the Greens are feeling a bit more merciful than usual... Then maybe I can get this EMP completed and help us both. See? This is why I have to rely on you for help. You keep me on track. {(unless: $cleanlab is 1)[Trotter had a big rock collection for his other research. And that collection is everywhere right now. Scattered across the floor is strata upon strata of geological finds and tinkerer's tools. God this place is a mess. I’d hurt my back if I try to move this big shelf. It probably had all the rocks on it that didn’t float off in micro-g but that crash smashed it to the floor.]}I’ll sort through what mechanical, electrical, physics-cal, and geological tech I can for what I need. [[-Taylor is scavenging-->EMPBAD1]]

(unless: (passage:)'s tags contains 'nosave')[ <hr>{`~*~` [[Main Menu->Title]]`~*~` [[Hard Save]]`~*~` (if: $complete is 1)[ [[Chapter Jump]]`~*~` [[Sandbox of Stars]]`~*~` ] } ]

$TayTrust&$T2Trust&$Rewind&$tort&$enjoy&$TayDeathCount&$T2DeathCount&$GreenCrash&$GreenHallway&$Green120V&$Green640V&$Green1000V& 10/28/18 Unfortunately Hard Save is disabled now since I haven't figured out the key variables yet. Sorry about that. Click on Load Hard Save in the main menu for more information on alternatives. While this game autosaves, if you clear your broswer's cache/cookies or accidentally restart you will lose your progress. I recommend copying this code down if you ever need to close the window or take a longer break from playing. These numbers represent the most important values that the game saves. There are several others of lesser importance but this is a bare-bones backup. When reloading from a hard save, the game will ask for these variables. Enter them in one at a time (the & symbol separates each of them-- do not include it). I know it's a pain but it's a very long game and your choices and mistakes throughout do matter at the end. For that reason, I don't recommend "undoing." Please only use REWIND. (link-undo:"Back to the game")

Don't worry. I //will//. ........... `[Taylor is busy]` Wow. Shutting off your comms and giving yourself and your lifeline the silent treatment? Sure, fine. I'll take care of it. And //enjoy// it. I'll give you the details we find out later. Oh, nevermind. Taylor is already gone. A shame, really. Prolonging the inevitable "loop" that reveals who "Taylor" truly is. (Since it didn't happen on the Viridian...) Glad to know you're on my side through all this, lifeline. I appreciate it. Now. Let's get things organized, shall we? [[-T2 is busy-->T2epipen1]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust -6) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +6) (set: $enjoy to 1)

{(if: $enjoy is 1)[Now then. We've got our supplies. It's time for us to start.](else:)[Now then. I've got my supplies. It's time for me to start.]} Here's how it'll work(if: $enjoy is 1)[, lifeline]: You think of some good juicy questions to ask this green while I butter them up a bit. (I don't know if you have a queasy stomach, but I'll leave my tactics to your imagination.)(if: $enjoy is 1)[ I'm sure you're good at that, lifeline.] Whenever you think (if: $enjoy is 1)[we're](else:)[I'm] done with them--when they're not useful any more, let me know and I'll get rid of them. Airlock 'em or whatever Taylor wanted. (if: $enjoy is 1)[Let's](else:)[Let me] try and learn a few things about this universe, and its Occupiers... (if: $enjoy is 1)[And have a little fun... ]Shall (if: $enjoy is 1)[we](else:)[I]? [[Let's do it.]] [[Tone it down a bit, T2.]] {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]} (set: $tortnumber to 0) (set: $findVaria to 0) (set: $offMoon to 0) (set: $notMarines to 0) (set: $otherUniv to 0) (set: $tayArmy to 0) (set: $t2Eyes to 0)

(live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WHAT?!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WHAT THE HELL!?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[What happened?->TayWhisper]] [[What did Taylor say?->TayWhisper]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

Fighting a roboparrot. Quite the vicious one. [[A roboparrot?]] [[I'm being serious, T2.]]

Oh yes. Roboparrots are quite active this time of day. I own one. Taylor is fighting it. Taylor is fighting my roboparrot. [[Wow, the future is good looking.]] [[I believe you, T2.]]

God, I am too. I'd //never// lie to you. There's just... a lot you don't know about me yet. Like the roboparrot. Anyway, do you want me to wake them up so you two can chat? [[Yes, please.]] [[No, let them rest.]]

The future is great. Anyway, do you want me to wake them up so you two can chat? [[Yes, please.]] [[No, let them rest.]]

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Glad you do because I'd //never// lie to you. There's just... a lot you don't know about me yet. Like the roboparrot. Anyway, do you want me to wake them up so you two can chat? [[Yes, please.]] [[No, let them rest.]]

Quick chat, Tay. What's up? The opposite direction of the enemy's base. Contrived. Very contrived. So were the names Locke and Demosthenes. Yeah. Seriously what is up. I'm finally not having our nightmares anymore. And? I mean, good for you but we survive them anyway. The replacement dreams are... they're so nice T2, I can't describe them. 12 hours plus naps is excessive. We'll talk more later. .... I left the comms on. This was supposed to be private. [[What conversation? I didn't hear anything.]] [[Can you tell me what are you dreaming about?]]

Mmm? Oh uh it's been fine. Hurt like hell but it was short-lasting. (This MRE has applesauce with peaches and mango. But it worries me that there's no apples in that sauce.) ....suspicious. [[Artificial flavor?]] [[How's Taylor doing?]]

Taylor keeps trying to unwrap the arm bandages. Dummy. Doncha know this is for your own good? Be thankful you didn't have to wrap that yourself. Mmmmm... Taylor is a little out of it, still. [[Out of it?]] [[Taylor, let your arm heal.]]

I think everything in this pack of food is artificial. We must be eating spam and our bodies are hallucinating flavors to bring a sense of satisfaction. Soon enough they'll have packs of chewing gum for all our meals. Though I hope they can get the recipe correct. Wouldn't want giant blueberries taking up all the space in these ships. [[That would violate OSHA laws for sure.]] [[How's Taylor doing?]]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "KEEPT2DECISION")]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "Board Ship Start")]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "-Taylor is opening the airlock door-")]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "ToDoList")]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "LabCrashQuiet1")]

What do you mean? I've made mistakes too. It's not a big deal. [[Nevermind.]] [[I've gotten you two killed.]]

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Weird. I don't remember that. And that seems to be something I WOULD remember. Wow. Okay. When was this supposedly happening? [[Before the black hole.]] {(if: $rewind is 0)[ [[It was a while ago.]] ] (else:)[ [[After the black hole.]]]}

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "EMPBAD1")]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "Lab Plans And Sprint")]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "EMP")]

(live: 2.5s)[(goto: "AIRLOCK COMPROMISED")]

How long do you wait? How long should you wait? It doesn't matter how long. A second wave of electromagnetic force... ...amplified or... changed by the tunguskite... ...was enough to dissolve the connection. Forever. What happens next for the two astronauts? You'll never know. Sure, you can imagine it. Sure, you can dream it. But will you know for sure? No. Maybe this is the end you sought for Taylor and T2... at home within the Stars forever... Or maybe you weren't as persuasive as the Stars.... but they can still return home... Are you willing to REWIND and force another set to choose your wish? Is it forcing if they agree? Is it force if they trust you? [[Title->StarTitle]] [[REWIND->ToC]] {(unless: A.track('ALPHA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('ALPHA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

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Seriously what are the safety precautions at that workplace? Do the Loompas get time off? OSHA would have a field day if they ever got to take a look around for inspections. THAT'S the REAL reason why he closed the factory. Stop that! Leave it alone! [[You okay, T2?]] [[I'm not doing anything...]]

//I// am. Taylor keeps trying to unwrap the arm bandages. Dummy. Doncha know this is for your own good? Be thankful you didn't have to wrap that yourself. Mmmmm... Taylor is a little out of it, still. [[Out of it?]] [[Taylor, let your arm heal.]]

Sorry. Taylor! Stop that! There. I fixed the miscommunication. Taylor keeps trying to unwrap the arm bandages. Dummy. Doncha know this is for your own good? Be thankful you didn't have to wrap that yourself. Mmmmm... Taylor is a little out of it, still. [[Out of it?]] [[Taylor, let your arm heal.]]

Sleeping on and off. Mostly on. Where on is sleep mode. I get it. No really, I do. And that's why I gave Taylor some painkillers as soon as I could. Burns hurt. I hope you never get them. [[I've experienced them.]] [[I've avoided them.]]

mmm... Back to sleep it seems. Taylor's also been sleeping on and off. Mostly on. Where on is sleep mode. I get it. No really, I do. And that's why I gave some painkillers as soon as I could. Burns hurt. I hope you never get them. [[I've experienced them.]] [[I've avoided them.]]

Damn. I'm sorry. But hey, I guess we're more alike than I thought. [[Watch it, T2.]] [[Maybe we are.]]

I'm glad. That sounded sarcastic. It wasn't. I assure you. [[I'm SO assured you don't hate me.]] [[Nah, I get it.]]

What? I was just making conversation since there's no one else to talk to. Don't have to get all touchy on me. Oh well. I'm headed to the flight deck again to make sure we're still on course home after whatever Taylor did. [[-T2 is busy-->FD Comms]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -1)

Strange the people you run into on interstellar comms. Uh, multiversal comms. Because //that// happened. I'm headed to the flight deck again to make sure we're still on course home after whatever Taylor did. [[-T2 is busy-->FD Comms]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

Back in the nav chair, seatbelt clicked, and ready to diagnose all the diagnostics. Let's see how much Taylor ruined with whatever trick that was. Still hasn't told me, but sleep is more important. [[-T2 is running diagnostics-]]

Thanks. I know I'm sometimes hard to deal with and bitterly sarcastic. So thanks for //getting// me. It's strange the people you run into on interstellar comms. Uh, multiversal comms. Because //that// happened. I'm headed to the flight deck again to make sure we're still on course home after whatever Taylor did. [[-T2 is busy-->FD Comms]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "DEBRIS")]

Not the worst damage it could have been. Thank Taylor's lucky stars. Obviously the main comms receiver is damaged-- that didn't stand much chance. Some of the running lights are out too. Let's hope the space police don't pull us over-- I doubt we have up to date license plates. [[There's a space police?]] [[Can you fix it?->T2Fix]]

Yeah and the fines are out of this world. Don't worry. Anything's legal in space if you don't get caught. Hey did you know that the space police have snipers if you get too close to water supply planets without authorization? Because they do. Shot at my friend once-- warning shots. I'm a regular old space-pirate where I come from. [[Yeah, I doubt that.->T2SP]] [[Anyway, can you fix it?->T2Fix]]

Sure, but don't you want to hear about my

(live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey. .... Top o' the morning. .... We got some good information last night and I thought-- Woof that //glare//. I guess I won't share it then. .... That's some nice... what is that? Mexican Style Chicken Stew. That's some nice Mexican Style Chicken Stew you've got there. Don't roll your eyes at me. I'm making conversation. .... I did us a //favor// last night. But fine. If you want to continue being a naïve little-- Just shut up for once. .... Sunshine strikes again... [[Hey, good morning.]] [[T2, be quiet.]] ](stop:)]|more>[] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust8) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust8) {(unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

We're at the flight deck where we can see everything. I haven't been up here since (if: $proximintyalarm is 1)[I fixed the alarms](else:)[T2 started navigating]. The Greens had free reign to get their icky green fingers all over the controls. God, we'll have to check all over for sabotage later-- OOF! The whole sh-ship is rattling! What's going on?! Let me... let me try to stand back up. Oof. Okay here we go. {(if: $proximityalarm is 1)[Did you turn the proximinity alarm back on, Taylor? You know, after they crashed their ship into us?You mean after YOU turned it off? And I wasn't at the flight deck since then? You were there last night! Why didn't you do it?] (else:)[Did you fix the proximinity alarm, Taylor? You know, before they crashed their ship into us? That would have been helpful. Then AND now. No I didn't. I was busy with other things. And weren't you at the flight deck since then? You were there last night! Why didn't you fix it then?]} Because I was busy airlocking the greens since you're too soft to do it yourself. Am not! I just didn't want to torture them! [[Calm down. Both of you.]] [[Just go and find out what's happening.]] {(unless: A.track('DEBRIS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DEBRIS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

I've got these three greens all tied up. They won't be wiggling out of these knots. Maybe those years of camping and bugs and latrines in the name of outdoor education and embroidered patches were useful after all. There's just one issue: they're still asleep. [[Won't they wake up when you start?]] [[Oh. I know what you're doing.]] (set: $TayTrust8 = $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust8 = $T2Trust)

Here you can jump to any of the "chapters" of the game to replay. Your rewinds will still be saved. Be careful-- skipping chapters may result in bugs or errors due to the way variables are saved. If you have an error, go back to the earliest chapter of your post-game exploration and play on from there. Have fun! [[Beginning]] [[Board Ship Start]] [[-Taylor is opening the airlock door-]] [[First Morning]] [[ToDoList]] [[MedBay Post-Crash]] [[MedBayPostCrashTOGETHER]] [[Lab Plans And Sprint]] [[450VReconnect]] [[Tort0]] [[Morning after EMP - Tort]] [[Morning after EMP - No]] [[DebrisFlightDeck]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] If you would like to clear your data and rewinds completely, click "Start New Game" at setup. To access these extras after completing the game once, enter in the passcode: Altair (link-undo:"Back to the game")

{{  (set: $_version to "2.0") (set: $_autosave_slot to "autosave") (set: $_autosave_filename to "save v"+$_version) (set: $_start_passage to "Beginning") } {}}

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{(unless: (passage:)'s tags contains "nosave")[ (save-game: $_autosave_slot, $_autosave_filename)]}

(link-undo:"Back to Menu")

{   (unless: (saved-games:) contains $_autosave_slot and (datavalues: (saved-games:)) contains $_autosave_filename)[(goto: $_start_passage)] }''[[NEW GAME->$_start_passage]] (link: "CONTINUE")[(load-game: $_autosave_slot)]    (link: "No")[(goto: $_start_passage)]'' If you've got any variables that you initialize in a startup passage and then change during the story, move 'em into this new passage. Otherwise they'll always be reset after you load your game.

Thank you. Seriously? You're seriously making us give up a chance to get some good answers out of these aliens who-- might I remind you-- nearly killed us? I don't believe you. I thought you were smarter than this. How the hell did Taylor survive so long with your advice? They //were// people before they were infected, T2. You said so yourself back on the Viridian. Or was that fake sympathy to catch me off-guard? You were green. Wouldn't you have wanted some merc-- It would have been fair. I deserved it. Like they do now. I also, you know, want to get a little revenge on them. For all the hurt and pain they caused me and everyone else on the White Star. ...and the Varia. T2, just... I'm done discussing this. Right, lifeline? [[Actually... T2 has a point.]] [[Right, Taylor.->Tort Nope]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust + 1)

Thank you, thank you. Finally someone on this ship and comms setup sees some reason. What?! [[Maybe you're right, Taylor.]] [[Taylor, we need this information.->Tort Yes]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust -1) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +1)

(link: "`~*~011000010010000001101100001000000110011100100000011011110010000001101100~*~`")[ `~*~` a l g o l `~*~` (show: ?star1) ] |star1)[ [[Algol?]] ]

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Thanks! It's pretty good. My back hurts a bit from sleeping on the flight deck nav chair since SOMEBODY locked me out of the med bay... But I can't complain after that bit of stress relief last night. Hey, T2? Yeah, Taylor? Shut up. [[Let's all just move on.]] [[About that elephant in the room...]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

What? What did I do that wasn't necessary? Fine. I'll complain about my back since I had to sleep on the flight deck nav chair since SOMEBODY locked me out of the med bay. For good reason. [[Let's all just move on.]] [[About that elephant in the room...]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +.5)

We still see what you see, Taylor. For we never really left. Isn't that reassuring? You'll never be alone because you never were. You'll always be with us. And we'll always be with you. To feel as one, together-- what a beautiful feeling. .... ......... [[What's going on!?->Tort fail 2]] [[Shut up, green!->Tort fail 2]]

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Absolutely. Get rid of them?! Already? Yeah. We can make them walk the airlock or something while they're asleep. That way we don't have to deal with killing them while they're awak-- Taylor. They have information. Useful information. About how they found us. How they got off that damn moon. What their plans are in this universe. (unless: $T2ylorGreenCount is 0)[Maybe in other universes as well. ]Don't you think those plans are... worth a shot to get? I know what you're implying, T2. And I really don't think that's worth it. [[I agree with Taylor.]] [[I agree with T2.]]

I feel don't I thank you enough. Ever. So... Thanks. I'm going back to the med bay to freshen up and rest. I know it hasn't been that long but playing with dangerous electricity and fighting aliens takes the spring out of your step. Morality arguments aside. [[-Taylor is busy-->Music6Decide]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +.5)

Please don't remind me. It's still weird to talk to T2 face to face and see some sort of //me// act that way. I'm still trying to deal with how this glowing-green-eyed copy of myself is me from a different timeline... or universe. I hope you can help me continue to be, well, ///me//. Going back to the med bay to freshen up and rest. I know it hasn't been that long but playing with dangerous electricity and fighting aliens takes the spring out of your step. Morality arguments aside. [[-Taylor is busy-->Music6Decide]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust -1)

As a reward for completing the game and getting Taylor and T2 "safely" to Earth I'll let you have control over the story. Feel free to input levels of trust between yourself and Taylor and T2. These trust variables were used to measure how much Taylor and T2 like you and how much each one trusts in your decision making (especially for the Stars decision). Butt there's also a hidden easter egg. Taylor's trust level is: $TayTrust ({ (if: $TayTrust is > 20)[High] (if: $TayTrust is < 7)[Low] (else:)[Medium])} T2's trust level is: $T2Trust ({ (if: $T2Trust is > 20)[High] (if: $T2Trust is < 7)[Low] (else:)[Medium])} If you'd like to witness the Green Squad's conference call in all its glory and multiversal possibilities, click below for a description of the deaths and then a link to the full scene. Enjoy~ (click-replace:)[] (link-undo:"Back to the game")

(live: .8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[TAYLOR DOESN'T WANT TO GO HOME.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[Huh? What do you mean?->TayAdmitHuh]] [[Taylor? Is this true?->TayAdmitTrue]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

"He was one hundred and seventy days dying and not yet dead." ...That's about right. Time and reference. Funny how it worked out like that. What? That we're dying but haven't been done in for sure yet? Yeah. Hey, I even got myself a little tattoo across the face! "//Tiger! Tiger! burning bright!//" {(if: $tort is 1)[And got myself a bit of revenge in the end.] }

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{(if: $tortnumber > 4)[....... Y-yeah. Yes. Right.](elseif: $tortnumber is < 2)[Already? We were just getting started... Maybe for the best. This one looks tricky. ] Are you sure you don't want to hea--} .......... Done. I'll do the same with the other two, then airlock 'em. Don't worry, I got this. Chat with you in the morning, lifeline? Goodnight. [[-T2 is busy-->Morning after EMP - Tort]]

(live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey. .... Top o' the morning. .... I didn't do anything that'd get your IEVA suit in a bunch-- Woof that //glare//. .... That's some nice... what is that? Mexican Style Chicken Stew. That's some nice Mexican Style Chicken Stew you've got there. Don't roll your eyes at me. I'm making conversation. .... I did you a //favor// last night by taking care of them myself. But fine. If you want to continue being a naïve little-- Just shut up for once. .... Sunshine strikes again... [[Hey, good morning.->GMornNO]] [[T2, be quiet.->QuietNO]] ](stop:)]|more>[] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust8) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust8) {(unless: A.track('VARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('VARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

Maybe it IS going like it originally did, for us. You know, back in the home universe. Which one? Yours or mine? I don’t know. You dealt with marines too, didn’t you? Or was that a lie too? [[That wasn’t a lie.]] [[What do you know, T2?]] {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

How are you so sure? I never saw T2’s marines. Or, rather, I only saw one set at a time. So maybe there //was// only one set. I wasn’t lying. I dealt with those three marines and failed. Just like I had planned for //you// to deal with those three marines and fail. Out of everything I lied about when that green was in me, THAT’S the part you’re unsure about? Touchy subject, I know. Nevermind. Getting back to the matter at hand… They've got their name patches and their flight suits have generic details. Stuart... Foster... and Haskell. All sent from the US. They might've been sent to figure out why the Varia had its "issues." Hopefully. Why hopefully? They shouldn't have died. It's a shame. But now we do have an //opportunity//. And //I// have an opportunity myself. [[We do have an opportunity, T2.]] [[No, just get rid of them.]]

I wasn’t lying. I dealt with those three marines and failed. Just like I had planned for //you// to deal with those three marines and fail. Out of everything I lied about when that green was in me, THAT’S the part you’re unsure about? Touchy subject, I know. Nevermind. Getting back to the matter at hand… They've got their name patches and their flight suits have generic details. Stuart... Foster... and Haskell. All sent from the US. They might've been sent to figure out why the Varia had its "issues." Hopefully. Why hopefully? They shouldn't have died. It's a shame. But now we do have an //opportunity//. And //I// have an opportunity myself. [[We do have an opportunity, T2.]] [[No, just get rid of them.]]

Excellent. What? Hey, uh, lifeline. You DO know what T2 means by an “opportunity” right? Isn’t it obvious? I’ve done it before and I can do it again. Might even be more necessary since there are so many unknowns in this weird universe. That doesn’t mean we have to-- Taylor. They have information. Useful information. About how they found us. How they got off that damn moon. What their plans are in this universe. (unless: $T2ylorGreenCount is 0)[Maybe in other universes as well. ]Don't you think those plans are... worth a shot to get? I know what you're implying, T2. And I really don't think that's worth it. [[I agree with Taylor.]] [[I agree with T2.]]

I just have to hope I am. (display: "Tort Nope")

Of course I have a point! Thanks for finally listening. (display: "Tort Yes")

If you really think it's necessary, lifeline. Then fine. I'll trust you. But I'm not gonna be involved in this exercise. I might not be keeping my hands truly clean of this... issue by not fighting this more or not participating. But I won't. Wow. Your lifeline really does protect you from reality, Taylor. You know, we didn't actually finish that part of the loop-- Stop. Get it over with quickly then make them walk the airlock. I'll be in the med bay. Killjoy. [[Have fun, T2.]] [[Taylor...->TortComfort]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust -3) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +4) (set: $tort to 1) {(unless: A.track('DARKVARIA').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('DARKVARIA').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

I'm going back to the med bay to rest. Maybe I'll grab a snack too while I'm at it... I don't want to think about this. Have fun! Because I sure will. [[-Taylor is busy-->Music6Tort]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +.5)

You really let this happen?! I thought you wouldn't let T2 get out of control. I thought you wouldn't let YOURSELF get out of control! I can't believe this. I can't believe YOU. Thanks for getting me this far. But I can do this alone. Without someone like //you//. (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[connection terminated]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[Rewind (After EMP)->T21 REWIND]] [[Rewind (Start of Questions)->T21 REWIND TO QUESTIONS]] ](stop:)]|more>[] (set: $T21 to 1) (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 1)

Should I wake Taylor up? Maybe we could all chat. Figure out what's wrong. Or I'm just paranoid and lonely. Let's not discount that possibility since it's very plausible. [[Taylor needs to rest.->Sleep5]] [[Go for it.->Wake5]]

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[[`skip-->`->NoMusic10]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ "Starlight" by Jai Wolf (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS10').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS10').play(); </script> ]}

Maybe I'll grab a snack too while I'm at it... While T2 gets rid of them, would you want to risk the shuffle on my comms playlist? No, of course I'm not trying to distract myself. [[Shuffle it up.->This Is How We Walk on the Moon]] [[Nah, maybe later.->NoMusic6]] (set: $TayTrust8 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust8 to $T2Trust)

<h4>Spoiler Warnings</h4><hr>Spoilers for //Lifeline//, //Silent Night//, and //Halfway to Infinity//. Brief references to //Bloodline//, //Crisis Line//, and //Flatline//. <h4>CWs / TWs for the game</h4><hr>Canon-level violence and language Mild suicide ideation //Optional// vaguely described torture <h4>CWs / TWs for specific deaths (spoilers) Click the links for instructions on how to avoid each one.</h4><hr>{(link: 'Reveal spoiler deaths')[ (link-reveal: 'Impact on ship')[ -- take T2's hand, choose the SAFER ] (link-reveal: 'Drifting into space')[ -- tether to something OR don't take T2 into the astromap room OR don't enter the astromap room ] (link-reveal: 'Green infection')[ -- fix Proximity Alarm first, take a weapon, let Taylor change the door code, use 450V, don't allow torture (or stop after 5 questions using the `[forget it]` option) ] (link-reveal: 'Electrocution')[ -- choose 450V ]  ]} <hr><h4>For more specific CW/TWs contact PekaSairroc @tumblr/twitter/discord(#7770) with your questions (anonymous is fine)</h4><hr> (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

Nice! Just ask good questions and let me know when I should keep going or when we should stop. Uncapping this Epipen... Let's talk to... Stuart. She seems like she was a smart individual in life. Bam! Wakey wakey, alien jelly. I'm not killing you yet because I would LOVE to have a nice chat with you first. You ARE ready for a chat, //aren't you//? Well? Oh come on. We didn't even get to the fun part! Did we, Green? Let me get one question out of you, at least. That way we can tell Taylor this was for SOME good after all.(if: $enjoy is 1)[ Not just for our amusement.] [[Did you hear T2?]] [[Make them ready.]]

Tone it down? Maybe you're not cut out for this, but you can learn, can't you? Just ask good questions and let me know when I should keep going or when we should stop. Uncapping this Epipen... Let's talk to... Stuart. She seems like she was a smart individual in life. Bam! Wakey wakey, alien jelly. I'm not killing you yet because I would LOVE to have a nice chat with you first. You ARE ready for a chat, //aren't you//? Well? Oh come on. We didn't even get to the fun part! Did we, Green? Let me get one question out of you, at least. That way we can tell Taylor this was for SOME good after all.(if: $enjoy is 1)[ Not just for our amusement.] [[Did you hear T2?]] [[Make them ready.]]

.......... No? You didn't hear me? My APOLOGIES. I should have offered you something to drink first, right? What kind of gracious HOST would I be if I didn't? It's not as if you barged in here unannounced and we didn't have time to set up the guest bedroom for y'all here. I think we can get you a nice hot cup of scalding water, followed by a rock snack in your mouth. There are plenty to chose from here in the lab. Sounds lovely, don't you think? .......... I'll get you started. [[-T2 is busy-->Question1]]

You finally felt our company, didn't you, Taylor, when you joined us? After so long alone, crying out into the chill night. That connection... That mutual understanding... That knowledge of knowing the true path amid the chaos of the cosmos. That we all are one. That we all were one. That we all will be one. That beauiful feeling of light and eternity and infinity in the white crystals can be found in us too. You've felt the peace we give. [[T2? Can you hear me?]] [[Knock her out of this speech!->T2? Can you hear me?]]

My APOLOGIES. I should have offered you something to drink first, right? What kind of gracious HOST would I be if I didn't? It's not as if you barged in here unannounced and we didn't have time to set up the guest bedroom for y'all here. I think we can get you a nice hot cup of scalding water, followed by a rock snack in your mouth. There are plenty to chose from here in the lab. Sounds lovely, don't you think? .......... I'll get you started. [[-T2 is busy-->Question1]]

Hey, uh. Thanks for making sure I was okay back there. It's weird seeing how I can turn out in another playthrough of life. And I don't like what that playthrough did. ....I know it's necessary but just make sure T2 doesn't get... overexcited. God, I don't want to even think about me being as excited about that as hearing the news that there's a new Blade Runner movie coming out. [[There IS a new movie!]] [[I understand. Don't worry.]]

WHAT. WHY AM I STILL STUCK IN SPACE?! CAN'T THIS SPACESHIP GO ANY FASTER?! MOVE MOVE MOVE GET ME HOME TO THE CINEMA! ...... In the meantime, I feel don't I thank you enough. Ever. So... Thanks. Would you want to risk the shuffle on my comms playlist while I eat? No, of course I'm not trying to distract myself. [[Shuffle it up.->This Is How We Walk on the Moon]] [[Nah, maybe later.->NoMusic6]]

I feel don't I thank you enough. Ever. So... Thanks. Would you want to risk the shuffle on my comms playlist while I eat? No, of course I'm not trying to distract myself. [[Shuffle it up.->This Is How We Walk on the Moon]] [[Nah, maybe later.->NoMusic6]]

This isn't just an elephant. This one is a show-stopping circus elephant that can fly! I can't believe you'd do that. I can't believe you can't believe WE'D do that. I can't believe you think I'm okay with it! I'm not like you! I'm not like you either! We're different, Taylor. But we come from the same person with the same potential for our actions. You got handed the easy mode route and never had to face what you can do. I didn't get the easy path and I accepted it. I learned to enjoy it because what else is there for me to do against //them//? I thought you finally understood that. I thought you finally-- And I thought you'd finally take this chance to go back. We're heading home, you know? What would our family think? They don't have to know. They don't have to know a lot of things. Like the fact that their kid gleefully tortures other living things? That's not a minor cover, T2. No. More like, you know... ...... Well. //THAT// I agree with you on. [[What is this now?]] [[You two are agreeing?]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +2) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +2)

Fine by me. It'll come back to bite you in the conscience later, Taylor. Keep repressing it like we did the Holiday Special. Ugh. ..... ..... ..... ..... (display: "MOVIE PLANS")

Nothing. It's nothing. [[I won't pry.]] [[Oh it's definitely something.]]

Yes. Yes. [[I won't pry.]] [[Oh it's definitely something.]]

No. These sedatives are made to knock someone out for surgery. No, they need to be awake. I'll just pop into the med bay and grab myself an Epipen to speed things up. I'm not waiting around six hours for these snoozers to wake up. [[No. Taylor is in there.]] [[Let's get this over with.]]

Glad we're on the same page here, lifeline. I'll just pop into the med bay and grab myself an Epipen to speed things up. I'm not waiting around six hours for these snoozers to wake up. [[No. Taylor is in there.]] [[Let's get this over with.]]

Yes? And? So (if: $enjoy is 1)[I](else:)[we] have to wait around for 6 hours twiddling our thumbs just so (if: $enjoy is 1)[I](else:)[we] don't disturb sleeping beauty? I'm not waiting(if: $enjoy is 1)[, lifeline].(if: $enjoy is 1)[ I thought you were as excited about this as I am.] [[-T2 is busy-->T2epipen2]]

Gladly. [[-T2 is busy-->T2epipen2]]

[[`Skip-->`->NoMusic12]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ TEXT (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS12').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS12').play(); </script> ]}

One Taylor-in-a-blanket comin' right up! After I take care of this I'll sort through some of Trotter's leftover junk for what I need to wrangle together a solution. Talk to you later. [[-T2 is busy-->T2 Day 4]]

Yeah. Kinda weird. Add Taylor's sleeping habits to the never-ending list of things I worry about. The main one at the moment is the broken ship comms so I'm going to work on that. I'll sort through some of Trotter's leftover junk for what I need to wrangle together a solution. Talk to you later. [[-T2 is busy-->T2 Day 4]]

TAYLOR. HEY TAYLOR. KNOCK KNOCK. I NEED AN EPIPEN. THEY WON'T WAKE UP EVEN WITH WHAT I'LL DO SO I NEED TO-- `[beep]` Oh. Hey, toss me an Epipen. Don't worry, I'm not waking them up to come after you as if this is all some sort of extremely complicated master plan. Already tried that and it didn't work ou-- Oof! `[beep]` Nice one, Taylor. Didn't know we had that throwing arm. Now that that's over with, let's get started. [[-T2 is busy-->Tort0]]

I can see that you are pained. There will always be more of us. You have a chance to reconsider, you know. Of course you know-- you can feel it too. You know it's there, within my throat. My sacrifice, a gift for you. It's okay, Taylor, to be scared. And it does hurt... for a moment... But the relief...... I'll leave you with a memory. The memory of the first moment you finally felt a voice in the darkness and emptiness of the space you've loved since you were a small child, stargazing in a field, wrapped in a warm blanket to keep out the desert chill. How little you knew how great you would become. How this place... out here in the universe... is truly your home. It's truly what you are meant for. [[T2, please answer me.->TortFinalFail]] [[Get out of there, T2!->TortFinalFail]]

-----yes We hear you--- ---We will-- speak Good! Glad the cup 'o tea did the trick! It's on the house, don't worry. Worry instead about answering this question. [[How did you find the Varia?]] [[How did you get off the moon?]] (set: $tortnumber to 1) {(unless: A.track('GREENS').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENS').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

We found it all thanks to you, Taylor-Two. Thanks to ME? What have I EVER done to help you here? In this WEIRD universe? You have done so //so// much. You started the course... ...and allowed us to discover the truths. With our own eyes. Like, what, that distress beacon? Did Taylor turn it on? I didn't. I'm gonna kill Tay-- We didn't have to //see// a distress beacon to //see// your distressed face. Although we must guess how //your// distressed face emotes. Very informative. I'll take that as "cryptic bullshit" again from you.(if: $distressbeacon is 1)[ Glad you didn't tell Taylor to turn that thing on, even if it was a waste of our time to fix it.] Stop. Laughing. (set: $tortnumber to $tortnumber + 1) [[-T2 is busy-->Question$tortnumber]] (set: $findVaria to 1)

What before? It has always been done this way... here, at least. Corporal Balthazar de Ley, Corporal Caspar Cruciger, and Wing Commander Melanie Chior of the Ninth Battalion. Don't any of those names ring a bell? When reaching back through these hosts' memories, yes. But we were simply scouts that you sent back to meet you here, Taylor. A personal request. What?! When did I ever request scouts? You will. Or your double will. Or you did. Or your double did. On the comms? When?! Want to know more? Then keep listening to our voice. ..... Just a bit more.... (set: $tortnumber to $tortnumber + 1) [[-T2 is busy-->Question$tortnumber]] (set: $notMarines = 1)

//We// came from Earth. That's where we joined the whole. Yeah, I get it. You're humans infected with an alien occupier. And the humans came from Earth. That is correct. But you never answered me how you got off that moon. We did that in the future... ...or is it the past? We made it off the moon. We will make it off the moon. We ARE off the moon. This is another time loop we're caught up in. Fan-TAS-tic. Excuse me a moment so I can show them how much I love time loops. (set: $tortnumber to $tortnumber + 1) [[-T2 is busy-->Question$tortnumber]] (set: $offMoon to 1)

Huh? How do you, lifeline, know about that? I KNOW I never blabbed to Taylor about that on the Viridian, or on this version of the Varia. Never would have mentioned that part unless I was sure there was no going back for Taylor. {(unless: $rewind is 0)[Thanks to //you// we've already started rebuilding the army. Rebuilding in this new universe. ]}To conquer all universes. To join them into everything and create harmony throughout. Yeah, yeah. That's a given. Can you be more specific? It didn't fail, T2. What didn't--oh. The Tipler Cylinder. Yes. That's it. You remembered what you learned with us. Isn't that nice? Having all the knowledge of the universe at will? You wouldn't have to ask us these questions in such a primitive way, either. ...... Just... just a few more questions... .... (set: $tortnumber to $tortnumber + 1) [[-T2 is busy-->Question$tortnumber]] (set: $tayArmy to 1)

Of course. The Tipler cylinder was meant for time travel, but we discovered that it does so much more. It made a wormhole of some sort into this other universe. I'll spare you the science theories, lifeline, but it makes sense enough. Okay. That makes sense. Wait. Yes? No it doesn't make sense. You'd have to go through it to know that there's another universe on the other end of it. Or that it was made by the Greens' Tipler cylinder in the first place. ....Don't smile about it. That grin doesn't complement green drool and scabs. You've helped us, Taylor. //That's// how we knew. Shut up! I'm never helping you! We only had a short moment of information extraction after you passed through the wormhole... ...Before the experiment started, of course, as a backup for straying too far from the hive. But we knew all about the other universes... ...And especially that there is even more to conquer from your simple existence.(unless: $rewind is 0)[ We're on our way. We've accomplished so much already in... $rewind universe(if: $rewind > 1)[s]. And we expect more to come.] SHUT UP! Oh no, you wanted to hear what we had to say. The experiment didn't fail, Taylor. Not at all. It's going very //very// well. Thanks to you. It's all thanks to you. ..... (set: $tortnumber to $tortnumber + 1) [[-T2 is busy-->Question$tortnumber]] (set: $otherUniv to 1)

They are beautiful eyes, aren't they? So emerald and green, bright eyes, curious about everything in the world. Everything they see they wish to know deeper. Whether it's lichen and radiation or the twinkling of the far off stars... That... isn't answering the question. You mentioned... an experiment. With me. What was it. It was with you. Or is currently with you. Or it will be with you! (set: $t2Eyes = 1) [[Answer the question!->Tort fail 1]] [[Forget it.->Tort End]]

hhhhnnggg---- You will learn things you may wish not to know. If you want to keep talking, then change your topic and talk about your answer to this one instead. { (unless: $findVaria is 1)[ [[How did you find the Varia?]] ] (unless: $offMoon is 1)[ [[How did you get off the moon?]] ] (unless: $notMarines is 1)[ [[Why are you not the marines from before?]] ] } [[We're done here.->Tort End]]

Are--- you d--one? (if: $enjoy is 1)[We're](else:)[I'm] just getting started! Are you now... We-ll, we'll give you ALL the information you wish. Good. { (unless: $findVaria is 1)[ [[How did you find the Varia?]] ] (unless: $offMoon is 1)[ [[How did you get off the moon?]] ] (unless: $notMarines is 1)[ [[Why are you not the marines from before?]] ] (unless: $tayArmy is 1)[ [[What is Regina planning with her Taylor army?]] ] } [[That's enough.->Tort End]]

---fINE WE'RE READY TO TALK WITHOUT THIS Oh really? Without your cryptic bullshit? Let's see. { (unless: $findVaria is 1)[ [[How did you find the Varia?]] ] (unless: $offMoon is 1)[ [[How did you get off the moon?]] ] (unless: $notMarines is 1)[ [[Why are you not the marines from before?]] ] (unless: $tayArmy is 1)[ [[What is Regina planning with her Taylor army?]] ] (unless: $otherUniv is 1)[ [[Do you know about the other universes?]] ] } [[That's enough.->Tort End]]

...... ....let's... get what we can. Be our guest. { (unless: $findVaria is 1)[ [[How did you find the Varia?]] ] (unless: $offMoon is 1)[ [[How did you get off the moon?]] ] (unless: $notMarines is 1)[ [[Why are you not the marines from before?]] ] (unless: $tayArmy is 1)[ [[What is Regina planning with her Taylor army?]] ] (unless: $otherUniv is 1)[ [[Do you know about the other universes?]] ] [[Why are T2's eyes still green?]] } [[That's enough.->Tort End]]

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Weird. Oh great. The escape pods are wrecked, aren't they? Sabatoged beyond repair. We shall crash to our deaths as revenge for surviving the Greens' tests. No, that's not it. They're intact. They haven't been touched at all. I'm running the system check on them now and it's showing clean results. And no one's been in here since they crashed into us. I don't trust this. [[I don't trust this either.]] [[Maybe they didn't think of it?]]

Wow. We agree. Good job. You know, I think we make a decent team, you and us. Forget what happened... before... because that wasn't //me//. You're getting us through this and I can see why Taylor liked having you around. I survived without you--mostly. But you ARE nice to have.(if: $T2Trust <7)[ Even if you DO bug me.]

They must have been confident they'd catch us if that wasn't even on their to-do list. Well, we outsmarted them. Three cheers for us! You know, I think we make a decent team, you and us. Forget what happened... before... because that wasn't //me//. You're getting us through this and I can see why Taylor liked having you around. I survived without you--mostly. But you ARE nice to have.(if: $T2Trust <7)[ Even if you DO bug me.]

I hope you’re counting the lifeline instead of yourself. THREE great minds. You happy? Okay, so we’re totally space pirates. Of course. That’s a given. And that implies we’re the heroes. Naturally. Who else would play us? We’re great. Hollywood will love this idea so we could get whoever we want. Look, if Miranda can write and be the star of his own musical, we can too. Let’s dream a little. First off, let’s figure out the mood and atmosphere. What would be a good aesthetic for this film? [[Solarpunk and stained glass!]] [[Techno-magic and cyberpunk!]] [[Fairies and fantasy!]]

Of course. That’s a given. And that implies we’re the heroes. Naturally. Who else would play us? We’re great. Hollywood will love this idea so we could get whoever we want. Look, if Miranda can write and be the star of his own musical, we can too. Let’s dream a little. First off, let’s figure out the mood and atmosphere. What would be a good aesthetic for this film? [[Solarpunk and stained glass!]] [[Techno-magic and cyberpunk!]] [[Fairies and fantasy!]]

Solarpunk? Not like there's much solar light out here. The stars are far far away from us. Or what if it's artificial sunlight? We already have some nice UV in the lights to make us not sad on extended trips. Kinda defeats the purpose of “solarpunk” though. So let’s just have VERY BIG and VERY EFFICIENT solar panels. They’re stained glass panels to bring color from the void of space into ships and cruisers. Imagine the color motifs on the heroes’ faces throughout the film. This is good. We’re onto something here. AND there could be giant terrariums... space-ariums... space-aria?… that float from terra to terra. Bubbles of air held together by some form of gravity powered by the stars’ energy. Rest stop oases 'cross the galaxy! Don’t remind me of how many rest stops we had to stop on our family trip to Minnesota when sis never wanted to use the restroom when we were already stopped. That wasn’t even the worst part of the trip. Shush, T2. Right! We don’t talk about that! It’s our own business. Back to //movie// business. Now that we have the general feeling of this movie, what about the genre? [[A classic adventure thriller!]] [[Horror, of course.]] [[Make it a musical.]] (set: $aesthetic to "solar")

Oh man. The future is here and it is great. Glowing cybernetics! Darkened streets lit up by individuals' life-force magic batteries! I GET A COOL ROBOTIC EYE IMPLANT THAT LETS ME HOOK UP MY SIGHT FROM SPY CAMERAS. FINE BUT I GET AN AWESOME ROBOTIC ARM THAT LETS ME CONTROL ELECTRICITY AND CIRCUITS. Aw I want both. Same. Same, T2. In the future there’s bound to be some even better tech than we have now. Probably ways to more easily travel across space. Besides teleportation. Or wormholes. No more blackhole wormholes. Probably some mini artificial planets or satellites or capsules of air that let people cross between the main planets on their own so ships are used for long-distance travel. Those capsules could be giant terrariums... space-ariums... space-aria?… that float from terra to terra. Gravitational capsules of air like rest stop oases 'cross the galaxy! Don’t remind me of how many rest stops we had to stop on our family trip to Minnesota when sis never wanted to use the restroom when we were already stopped. That wasn’t even the worst part of the trip. Shush, T2. Right! We don’t talk about that! It’s our own business. Back to //movie// business. Now that we have the general feeling of this movie, what about the genre? [[A classic adventure thriller!]] [[Horror, of course.]] [[Make it a musical.]] (set: $aesthetic to "cyber")

Fairies? Okay sure. A daring move but very unique. The movie will be for a niche audience until it proves its great ambition started its new genre. There could be magical planets that aren’t planets at all. They’re simply bubbles of air held together by magical energy and fairy dust. I DO believe fairy dust works! Does the fairy dust interact with gravity at all? Hmm. Maybe some form of it interacts in a “all magic is just unexplained science” way and that’s how the bubbles stay together. Then what’s the purpose of fairy dust? To be magical and full of sparkles. True. We’ll deal with that worldbuilding inconsistency later. So those bubbles could be giant terrariums... space-ariums... space-aria?… that float from terra to terra. Bubbles of air like rest stop oases 'cross the galaxy! Don’t remind me of how many rest stops we had to stop on our family trip to Minnesota when sis never wanted to use the restroom when we were already stopped. That wasn’t even the worst part of the trip. Shush, T2. Right! We don’t talk about that! It’s our own business. Back to //movie// business. Now that we have the general feeling of this movie, what about the genre? [[A classic adventure thriller!]] [[Horror, of course.]] [[Make it a musical.]] (set: $aesthetic to "fairies")

Classic, really. I’ll fully get to live out my life as a space pirate hero of the seas of the Milky Way. Agreed. Just leave me out of your “hero business” unless it deals with saving our butts from danger. We’re both well aware of your hero complex with Captain Aya and Mari so don’t remind me. I HAD to help them. I couldn’t let them die. I know. I’m //you//. Let’s save this conversation for later. It gets in the way of functioning and enjoying this dream movie. And you mocked my million dollar movie ideas! Yeah, because that wasn’t the time to start planning them. You know. When your ship was on FIRE. Right. Plot time. Don’t just move on without addressing— What should be the central storyline? We need something to really pull in the audience. [[Uncovering the secrets of the stars.]] [[Spying on the government for a revolution.]] [[Explosions. Many explosions.]] (set: $genre to "adventure")

Our lives are horror. Why must we relive it for this movie? But we have experience! We can write it from the heart! And it could be good therapy. Very true. We need that. Badly. I’m sure once we’re home that you’ll get it and I’ll be locked up somewhere and experimented on. But I’ll worry about that later. It gets in the way of functioning and enjoying this dream movie. And you mocked my million dollar movie ideas! Yeah, because that wasn’t the time to start planning them. You know. When your ship was on FIRE. Right. Plot time. Don’t just move on without addressing— What should be the central storyline? We need something to really pull in the audience. [[Uncovering the secrets of the stars.]] [[Spying on the government for a revolution.]] [[Explosions. Many explosions.]] (set: $genre to "horror")

A musical. I'll... I'll think about that. I'll give it a good ol' thought. Wait a minute, Taylor. That might not be the worst idea. Haven’t you //seen// fans of musicals? We know how much they like the good ones. Disney classics are also musicals. Some of them. Not WALL-E, which is a real disappointment. I’d have enjoyed seeing how they’d expand the meanings of EVE’s beeps and boops. And how WALL-E sings about the destruction and later hope for a greener Earth. I hope Earth is okay. And not //alien green//. But I’ll worry about that later. It gets in the way of functioning and enjoying this dream movie. And you mocked my million dollar movie ideas! Yeah, because that wasn’t the time to start planning them. You know. When your ship was on FIRE. Right. Plot time. Don’t just move on without addressing— What should be the central storyline? We need something to really pull in the audience. [[Uncovering the secrets of the stars.]] [[Spying on the government for a revolution.]] [[Explosions. Many explosions.]] (set: $genre to "musical")

Thanks. Thanks. [[Don't mention it.->ButtMention]] [[Okay, but now I'm curious.]]

Sure it is. It's always something with us. Have you heard any of our family trip stories? //NOT THAT ONE// Geez, T2. I wasn't going to share it! [[You wanna bet?]] [[I'll leave whatever that is alone.]]

A mystery! A space mystery! But that means we have to plan ahead and make sure there are some red herrings and obscure clues planted early on in the movie. “If there is a laser blaster on the wall in Act One, the blaster must fire in a spectacularly disastrous way by Act Three.” Preferably earlier since laser guns are badass. Since we’d be pirates we could uncover a secret treasure trove with all sorts of (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[charmed amulets and mystical runes inscribed on slates](if: $aesthetic is "cyber")[undeciphered data logs about a mysterious accident](if: $aesthetic is "solar")[encased sunlight and rare flora not seen in a thousand years]. Just about to land and take a breather at the last spacearium for the next 100 parsecs. When suddenly... (if: $genre is "horror")[a fog creeps in through the starship and the controls go haywire...](if: $genre is "adventure")[there's a blip in the ship's systems, possibly from a rogue space force...](if: $genre is "musical")[after the opening number about space exploration and traveling the stars...] And we see lights outside the ship. Flashing, burning, swirling, shining! [[What are the lights?]] [[But those are just old tales.]] (set: $plot to "mystery")

//From Tau Ceti With Love// Nope. Never again. Oh //Never Say Never Again//, T2. Do you, ha ha, intend to go on forever with these? But, T2, //Tunguskite Is Forever//. Geez, with all these puns you're gonna give me a //License To Kill// you. Right, lifeline? Moving along to actually get into the plot and not continuing down this road of martini references. Since we’d be pirates we could uncover a secret treasure trove with all sorts of (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[charmed amulets and mystical runes inscribed on slates](if: $aesthetic is "cyber")[undeciphered data logs about a mysterious accident](if: $aesthetic is "solar")[encased sunlight and rare flora not seen in a thousand years]. This is all stuff that the government is trying to hide for a secret operation we've been tasked to sabotage. We're just about to land and take a breather at the last spacearium for the next 100 parsecs. When suddenly... (if: $genre is "horror")[a fog creeps in through the starship and the controls go haywire...](if: $genre is "adventure")[there's a blip in the ship's systems, possibly from a rogue space force...](if: $genre is "musical")[after the opening number about space exploration and traveling the stars...] Another ship pulls in next to us and rolls down the window, metaphorically of course, and says... [[Bond. Taylor, Bond. I presume.]] [[Are you running a food truck now?]] (set: $plot to "spies")

Yes. Hell yes. Hell. Freaking. Yes. We’re doing this, Taylor. We’re making it hap— [["I told you dog!"]] [[Please don't.]] [[Okay...]] (set: $plot to "explosions")

Hahahahaha how high do you have to be to reference something like that? Ahem. I do firmly believe that //Con Air// was a masterpiece of a film and only missed winning Oscar film of the year for one reason. It needed, like, five more explosions. Then it would have been //excellent//. We’ll recreate it with our landing crashing back on Earth. Something will definitely explode by then or we'll personally combust. Most likely. Since we’d be pirates we could be on the run from the last ship we stole from. We’d have a cargo hold full of (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[charmed amulets and mystical runes inscribed on slates](if: $aesthetic is "cyber")[uncrypted data logs and ](if: $aesthetic is "solar")[encased sunlight and rare flora]. Just about to land and take a breather at the last spacearium for the next 100 parsecs. (if: $genre is "musical")[This is right after the opening number](if: $genre is "horror")[And we see the monster of the movie begin to wake up in the furthest ring](if: $genre is "adventure")[We see our heroes discuss their last adventure and the close calls they miraculously escaped from]. When suddenly... BOOM! BOOM! [[And then?->BOOM!]] [[BOOM!]]

I appreciate your efforts to sink this dialogue and excuse yourself from the reference. But you knew the reference. Let me put on my "knowing" grin. `[ Taylor knows ]` That's enough knowing for now. Ahem. I do firmly believe that //Con Air// was a masterpiece of a film and only missed winning Oscar film of the year for one reason. It needed, like, five more explosions. Then it would have been //excellent//. We’ll recreate it with our landing crashing back on Earth. Something will definitely explode by then or we'll personally combust. Most likely. Since we’d be pirates we could be on the run from the last ship we stole from. We’d have a cargo hold full of (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[charmed amulets and mystical runes inscribed on slates](if: $aesthetic is "cyber")[uncrypted data logs and codes for viruses](if: $aesthetic is "solar")[encased sunlight and rare flora]. Just about to land and take a breather at the last spacearium for the next 100 parsecs. (if: $genre is "musical")[This is right after the opening number](if: $genre is "horror")[And we see the monster of the movie begin to wake up in the furthest ring](if: $genre is "adventure")[We see our heroes discuss their last adventure and the close calls they miraculously escaped from]. When suddenly... BOOM! BOOM! [[And then?->BOOM!]] [[BOOM!]]

Woah. You made it out alive? Without forever being touched by The Gray first or secondhand? I'm impressed. Maybe he world isn't as dangerous as I thought if you can get through that! Ahem. I do firmly believe that //Con Air// was a masterpiece of a film and only missed winning Oscar film of the year for one reason. It needed, like, five more explosions. Then it would have been //excellent//. We’ll recreate it with our landing crashing back on Earth. Something will definitely explode by then or we'll personally combust. Most likely. Since we’d be pirates we could be on the run from the last ship we stole from. We’d have a cargo hold full of (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[charmed amulets and mystical runes inscribed on slates](if: $aesthetic is "cyber")[uncrypted data logs and ](if: $aesthetic is "solar")[encased sunlight and rare flora]. Just about to land and take a breather at the last spacearium for the next 100 parsecs. (if: $genre is "musical")[This is right after the opening number](if: $genre is "horror")[And we see the monster of the movie begin to wake up in the furthest ring](if: $genre is "adventure")[We see our heroes discuss their last adventure and the close calls they miraculously escaped from]. When suddenly... BOOM! BOOM! [[And then?->BOOM!]] [[BOOM!]]

F-fine. Let's go find out what's wrong on today's episode of Lifeline Saves The Day. Please come up with a better name. [[-Taylor and T2 are busy-->DebrisFlightDeck]]

F-fine. On it. [[-Taylor and T2 are busy-->DebrisFlightDeck]]

Diagnostic check-in(if: $T2Trust is >6)[, lifeline]. It's rumbling here too, and it's because of a small cloud of space debris. Comet dust, stray minature asteroids... ...probably a bit of garbage ejected out of ships in the past few decades. Aren't there space environmental laws to prevent this exact issue? Yeah, but not everyone follows them. Ugh. Space pirates. [[Wait, the past few decades?]] [[Don't you two want to be space pirates?]] (set: $TayTrust = $TayTrust9) (set: $T2Trust = $T2Trust9)

It's... It's not... ....hey. C-can you promise me something? [[Always, Taylor.]] [[I'll try.]]

God, you care so much. I don't deserve you as a lifeline since I can't even keep a single promise. I had a thought that since there's a multiverse... ...and since there are other Taylors in it-- like the one from this universe that was on the Varia. You might be able to contact them. Help them. Please help them and please be safe please oh god I can hear shearing metal it's loud screaming in my ears and bones I don't want to die this way I'm sorry I'm so sorry Lifeline, I-- `[IEVA integrity compromised]` `[ebullism detected]` `[severe bodily trauma detected]` `[connection lost]` [[Rewind->T3 REWIND]]

That's enough for me. Trying is the best we can all do. I had a thought that since there's a multiverse... ...and since there are other Taylors in it-- like the one from this universe that was on the Varia. You might be able to contact them. Help them. Please help them and please be safe please oh god I can hear shearing metal it's loud screaming in my ears and bones I don't want to die this way I'm sorry I'm so sorry Lifeline, I-- `[IEVA integrity compromised]` `[ebullism detected]` `[severe bodily trauma detected]` `[connection lost]` [[Rewind->T3 REWIND]]

Mm? Uh, why? They're still green. What's with this all the sudden? You're making me a lab rat? Like I won't get that "treatment" once I get home. Humor us okay? ...Fine. But I expect a good compensation of cheese for my contributions to Science. [[-Taylor is examining-]]

I don't... see anything weird. Besides the fact that your eyes are still green, which, let's face it, is really weird. I can live with it. I'll get some white scelera contacts with brown irises and no one will ever know. [[Keep looking.]] [[Can you wear contacts that long?]]

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I am. I STILL am. Are you done yet? I want some artificially flavored "nutrition." Or the cheese I was promised. I can't find anything and I've been gazing into my own eyes for five minutes. Kinda weird to see them this green-- --kinda weird to HAVE them this green-- Actually... wait. What? See some swirling tentacle monster in my veins? I spat that thing out long ago. Don't know HOW except that I quickly was painfully aware of every bloodvessel and nerve within my body at once. No no. Not that. Staring contest. You and me. Go! [[-Taylor and T2 are staring-]]

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HA! I knew I would win! Is this competition what twins always feel like? At least with my brother and sister I can pull the older sibling card. And since I AM the oldest of us four-- You don't blink. What? I said you don't blink. All this time you never had to when I was holding your eye open. Why didn't I notice this earlier? That's weird. I can blink. See? Doing it now. Blinking 182 times. Well, they were right that Aliens Exist and I think they also nailed the line "there's something very wrong". It's a weird side effect of their... goop. Whatever. I'm done. Write the check for my cheese out to "Cadet Taylor Two." I'm getting some food. Later. ..... This is weird, right? Or am I going crazy cooped up on this ship, feeling like a Sprague Dawley rat in an enclosure seeking food in 1G. That would make me the control group, and--let me tell you-- I don't feel in control. [[It's probably just a side effect.]] [[Do you think T2 is still green?]]

make a joke about Inky Blinky and that other pacman ghost

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Perfect. Now let's get the move on for ____-___ (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + .5)

Stars... all of them. And other celestial objects out there too. I can't... really describe it. (So you'll talk to your lifeline but not yourself. I see how it is...) They're... ...really lucid too.

BOOM!! BOOM!! Ok! That's enough explosions for before the title card. Gotta save some for the other acts. `[BOOM]` I said we need to save the booms for the other acts, T2. Crap. That's the ship. Something's wrong. Oh crap! There's another boom. Where is it coming from...? Give us some time to figure this out. In the meantime I need you to (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[work your magic](if: $aesthetic is "solar")[charge your solar phone](if: $aesthetic is "cyber")[scroll through your tech contacts] and come up with a few producers to make this movie hap(unless: $plot is "explosions")[p]en. [[-Taylor and T2 are investigating-->DEBRIS]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Yeah. There's been a lot of spaceflight expansion the past few decades. Haven't you seen the news? Followed the science articles? Cheered the major discoveries? Hell, they sent a science student out to Tau Ceti 12 light years away like it was no big deal. [[I don't pay attention to science stuff.]] [[We're not from the same universe.]]

Yes. But the GOOD kind of space pirates. The environmentally friendly ones. Trust me: you need something redeemable about yourself if you're breakin' laws and causin' trouble. Or other funny verdant business. Shut up. Fine. Back to the debris storm. Normally we'd be fine and it's a spot of turbulence-- everyone find a seat and put your tray tables up. No you can't go to the bathroom even if you're desperate. This situation? I don't know what will happen. We can weather this weather in the Varia, sure, but the recon ship's connection to the Varia is getting a bit more precarious. I don't want that ship BREAKING OFF us during the storm. I really don't want to say we need to get that ship detached but I don't trust that connection to last and not rip something off the Varia. It could rip off the whole side of the ship if it gets hit just right or wrong. And THAT would not be good. We're already limping back to earth with a hole in the astromap room. We'd need so much duct tape to seal off the butt of the ship. Don't forget that's where the reactor engine is too. Yikes. [[Just undock it from the flight deck.]] [[You two are the ones who know starships best.]]

Aw, you should. Reading it for fun and discovering things on your own is a lot more fun when it isn't for a grade. Go the library and check some new books out. Or look up a few online journals that are free. Hell, build a rocket and explore the stars yourself if you feel the urge. Join us up here. It's a little lonely even with two of me around. [[I'll get the recipe for rocket fuel.]] [[Let's get you home first.]]

You think? You never brought up this before. Has it ever mattered? I guess not. As long as we can communicate, and since we're STILL communicating in this new universe we find ourselves in, I guess we'll be good. Don't go portal hopping, okay?(unless: $rewind is 0)[ I don't know how many times the comms can reconnect.] If it makes you feel better, Taylor, I'm probably not from yours either. Or, rather, you're not from mine. That would explain the lack of introduction earlier to (if: $T2Trust <7)[your](else:)[our] lifeline. Before I was a jerk. [[I'm glad I can talk to you both.]] [[Enough feelings. Back to the debris storm.]]

Don't blast yourself to kingdom come please. But great initiative-taking! When we get back remind me to teach you some cool tricks with lithium. If only I had remembered that trick... Back to the debris storm, since that's a bigger concern more than water-reactive metals right now. Normally we'd be fine and it's a spot of turbulence-- everyone find a seat and put your tray tables up. No you can't go to the bathroom even if you're desperate. This situation? I don't know what will happen. We can weather this weather in the Varia, sure, but the recon ship's connection to the Varia is getting a bit more precarious. I don't want that ship BREAKING OFF us during the storm. I really don't want to say we need to get that ship detached but I don't trust that connection to last and not rip something off the Varia. It could rip off the whole side of the ship if it gets hit just right or wrong. And THAT would not be good. We're already limping back to earth with a hole in the astromap room. We'd need so much duct tape to seal off the butt of the ship. Don't forget that's where the reactor engine is too. Yikes. [[Just undock it from the flight deck.]] [[You two are the ones who know starships best.]]

Yeah that's definitely first priority. And to do that, we mimight have to deal with this storm. Normally we'd be fine and it's a spot of turbulence-- everyone find a seat and put your tray tables up. No you can't go to the bathroom even if you're desperate. This situation? I don't know what will happen. We can weather this weather in the Varia, sure, but the recon ship's connection to the Varia is getting a bit more precarious. I don't want that ship BREAKING OFF us during the storm. I really don't want to say we need to get that ship detached but I don't trust that connection to last and not rip something off the Varia. It could rip off the whole side of the ship if it gets hit just right or wrong. And THAT would not be good. We're already limping back to earth with a hole in the astromap room. We'd need so much duct tape to seal off the butt of the ship. Don't forget that's where the reactor engine is too. Yikes. [[Just undock it from the flight deck.]] [[You two are the ones who know starships best.]]

askcadettaylor "Thanks. You do always have my back here. I... actually appreciate it." askcadettaylor "I'm not used to needing to rely on someone else. 'Needing' is a strong word since let's face it: I did a good job on my own for a good while." sugar-splenda I know. But it's okay needing help sometimes. That's why I'm here. I guess. askcadettaylor "Yeah. I..." "Thank you for... for reaching out to me that Halloween. That's one of the things i don't think I could have done on my own." sugar-splenda It's everything okay? Oh. askcadettaylor "And I couldn't ask Tay. Never. Not after everything else that happened." askcadettaylor "It's stupid." sugar-splenda You don't have to thank me. I couldn't leave you there. askcadettaylor "Even after everything on this ship with Tay I still feel like it's my fault. All their hurt on the Viridian-- and our current situation-- it wouldn't have happened if I was better... stronger." sugar-splenda Don't blame yourself. It was not your fault. I'm sorry your lifeline wasn't there for you. askcadettaylor "But it is my fault, in a way." "I..." askcadettaylor "I could have fought more." sugar-splenda It wouldn't have make a difference. The greens were stronger than you. sugar-splenda .... askcadettaylor "They were right then. It was inevitable." sugar-splenda I'm sorry. askcadettaylor "I can't tell if I feel better or worse." sugar-splenda ... askcadettaylor "Whatever. It's done. It happened. (I wish it didn't happen.)" sugar-splenda Let's... keep going. askcadettaylor "Only thing we can do. Keep going and repress all the awful memories into nightmares to lose sleep over!"

Yeah, see. That's what you'd think would work. But like the White Star, there's not a way to uncouple the ships from the main ship when they're attached like this. Something something safety precautions for loading and unloading blah blah. Great. We have to do it like last time. At least I'm not running away from those marines. Ha. And the new ones are long gone in the void of space.(if: $tort is 1)[ It was fun while it lasted.] //Not now//. Okay, so I can hop on over to the recon ship and detach the mag locks from its cockpit so it can float away. Then I just... [[You'd be stranded.]] [[Can you fly it back to Earth?]]

The only thing I know about starships is how dangerous they are and how they take you to places you'd rather not find yourself. [[You knew how to get rid of the Viridian.]] [[I guess you're right out of luck then.]]

Glad I can too. Knowing you're there to give me a steady hand in all this rumbling is more than I could ask for. Because taking to yourself is wonderful. Especially when yourself is the "good-end" version. Let's just... get back to business. Normally we'd be fine and it's a spot of turbulence-- everyone find a seat and put your tray tables up. No you can't go to the bathroom even if you're desperate. This situation? I don't know what will happen. We can weather this weather in the Varia, sure, but the recon ship's connection to the Varia is getting a bit more precarious. I don't want that ship BREAKING OFF us during the storm. I really don't want to say we need to get that ship detached but I don't trust that connection to last and not rip something off the Varia. It could rip off the whole side of the ship if it gets hit just right or wrong. And THAT would not be good. We're already limping back to earth with a hole in the astromap room. We'd need so much duct tape to seal off the butt of the ship. Don't forget that's where the reactor engine is too. Yikes. [[Just undock it from the flight deck.]] [[You two are the ones who know starships best.]]

Aye Aye, captain. //I'M// the captain, remember? Pfft. Sure. Back to business. Normally we'd be fine and it's a spot of turbulence-- everyone find a seat and put your tray tables up. No you can't go to the bathroom even if you're desperate. This situation? I don't know what will happen. We can weather this weather in the Varia, sure, but the recon ship's connection to the Varia is getting a bit more precarious. I don't want that ship BREAKING OFF us during the storm. I really don't want to say we need to get that ship detached but I don't trust that connection to last and not rip something off the Varia. It could rip off the whole side of the ship if it gets hit just right or wrong. And THAT would not be good. We're already limping back to earth with a hole in the astromap room. We'd need so much duct tape to seal off the butt of the ship. Don't forget that's where the reactor engine is too. Yikes. [[Just undock it from the flight deck.]] [[You two are the ones who know starships best.]]

I... I'd have to get back over to the Varia somehow. Or, I could have the ship all to myself. I bet you'd like that. Don't forget that your comms are only connecting to our lifeline's comms by piggybacking through mine. So you better hope you don't run into any trouble. Nah, I'd just grab yours first and leave YOU abandonded in deep space. ..... I'm kidding. [[You better be.]] [[Decision time! Let's go!]]

I could have my own ship! The start of my very own space pirate fleet. Do you have the coordinates for getting back to Earth? Because I never finished drawing those parabolae before our interruption. And, uh, since my comms are linked to your comms which is linked to (if: $T2Trust is <8)[//your//](else:)[our] lifeine's comms... I'd get to wave as you pass by in silence. As if I know how to do the coordinates myself. Looks like we're stuck together. [[Hooray...]] [[It's easier to survive together.]]

I love your enthusiasm. Keep it up! What would we ever do without it. [[Decision time! Let's go!]] [[You know you need me.]]

Semi-reluctantly, I agree. Only "semi-"? I'm moving up in your eyes. Chill, T2. I still have to deal with your weird eyes staring back at me. [[Yeah, that IS weird.]] [[About the ship...?->Decision time! Let's go!]]

Alright. This is KINDA a bigger deal that we have to deal with. `[bang bang bang]` Let's end this before it ends us. Agreed. So. The EVA? [[Don't EVA in a debris storm.]] [[You love dangerous EVA plans, don't you?]]

I hate to agree with you on that. (if: $T2Trust > 7)[I](else:)[We] do need you. `[bang bang bang]` Let's end this before it ends us. Agreed. So. The EVA? [[Don't EVA in a debris storm.]] [[You love dangerous EVA plans, don't you?]]

Yup. Hold on while I get rid of 'em so you don't have to look at 'em. Just stop. You started it. `[bang bang bang]` But let's end this before it ends us. Agreed. So. The EVA? [[Don't EVA in a debris storm.]] [[You love dangerous EVA plans, don't you?]]

I'll grow on you if you grow on me. Deal? `[bang bang bang]` But let's end this before it ends us. Agreed. So. The EVA? [[Don't EVA in a debris storm.]] [[You love dangerous EVA plans, don't you?]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -.5)

The White Star time, or the half-lie I told Taylor? You LIED about the plans to get out of the black hole? That's what I did: told bad lies. And what YOU did was believe them. Honestly the mere fact that I wasn't in an infinitely ancient yet infinitely futuristic Viridian should have tripped a few alarm bells, but like an (unless: $proximityalarm is 1)[unfixed](else:)[unpowered] proximity alarm it didn't. Anyway, like the White Star, there's not a way to uncouple the ships from the main ship when they're attached like this. Something something safety precautions for loading and unloading blah blah. Great. We have to do it like last time. At least I'm not running away from those marines. Ha. And the new ones are long gone in the void of space.(if: $tort is 1)[ It was fun while it lasted.] //Not now//. Okay, so I can hop on over to the recon ship and detach the mag locks from its cockpit so it can float away. Then I just... [[You'd be stranded.]] [[Can you fly it back to Earth?]]

I think you guess correctly. But I'd rather not give up on life so eagerly after we survived everything up until now. Like the White Star, there's not a way to uncouple the ships from the main ship when they're attached like this. Something something safety precautions for loading and unloading blah blah. Great. We have to do it like last time. At least I'm not running away from those marines. Ha. And the new ones are long gone in the void of space.(if: $tort is 1)[ It was fun while it lasted.] //Not now//. Okay, so I can hop on over to the recon ship and detach the mag locks from its cockpit so it can float away. Then I just... [[You'd be stranded.]] [[Can you fly it back to Earth?]]

Are you sure you want to start a new game? If you do, you will lose ALL save data from previous playthroughs and your spot in the story. [[No, take me back.->Title]] [[Yes, start a new game.->Beginning]]

(set: $saveCode to (prompt: "Enter your passcode", "")) {(if: $saveCode is "Altair")[Thanks for playing again! You now have access to the extras at the bottom of the screen. Enjoy!(set: $complete to 1)] (else:)[That's not entirely correct. Make sure that you typed it correctly with proper capitalization. Click the undo icon in the top left to try again.] }

This game uses cookies to automatically save and store your progress. If you clear your cookies you will lose the save file for this game. If you are woried about losing your save file, click [[Hard Save]] at the bottom of any passage and follow the directions there to backup the bare bones of your save file. (This is currently disabled in Version 1.2) Apparently the cookie is cached to the hosting site http://philome.la/ so I'm not sure what will happen if you play another game with autosave on that site. I discovered this while testing this new version and started at a passage that you're unable to get to normally. What I'm saying is idk what's up but you'll have to clear your cookies for the website when I release the next version. When I write the sequel I'll use Sugarcube with a better save system... (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

Use this passage to show last few messages from each rewound Taylor Maybe make them light up green during the green squad chats

Double-click this passage to edit it.

I bet you are! And if I'm the betting type I'd bet you'll never find out. [[You wanna bet?]] [[I'll leave whatever that is alone.]]

Let's change the subject. Quickly. And again. So we don't have a repeat of earlier. (DISPLAY: "MOVIE PLANS")

Sure. Maybe, at the end of all this, if I like you enough... You can learn our secret. BUT ONLY THEN. IT'S OUR BUSINESS. Let's change the subject. Quickly. And again. So we don't have a repeat of earlier. (display: "MOVIE PLANS")

Good. Cool. Nice chat. Thank you, lifeline! Let's change the subject. Quickly. And again. So we don't have a repeat of earlier. (display: "MOVIE PLANS")

Thanks! It's pretty good. My back hurts a bit from sleeping on the flight deck nav chair since SOMEBODY locked me out of the med bay... Why? I didn't do anything. I took them into the airlock and pushed them out to space myself. Well, after cleanly finishing the job so they can't-- Hey, T2? Yeah, Taylor? Shut up. [[Let's all just move on.]] [[About that elephant in the room...->elephantNO]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

What? What did I do? I did exactly what we said but nothing more. I //promise//. So convincing. Fine. If you won't believe me I'll plague the air with complaints about my back since I had to sleep on the flight deck nav chair since SOMEBODY locked me out of the med bay. For good reason. [[Let's all just move on.]] [[About that elephant in the room...->elephantNO]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +.5)

This isn't just an elephant. This one is a show-stopping circus elephant that can fly! I can't believe you'd want to do that. I can't believe you can't believe WE'D want to do that. I can't believe you think I'm okay with it! I'm not like you! I'm not like you either! We're different, Taylor. But we come from the same person with the same potential for our actions. You got handed the easy mode route and never had to face what you can do. I didn't get the easy path and I accepted it. I learned to enjoy it because what else is here for me to do against //them//? I thought you finally understood that. I thought you finally-- And I thought you'd finally take this chance to go back. We're heading home, you know? What would our family think? They don't have to know. They don't have to know a lot of things. Like the fact that their kid wanted to gleefully torture other living things? That's not a minor cover, T2. No. More like, you know... ...... Well. //THAT// I agree with you on. [[What is this now?]] [[You two are agreeing?]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +2) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +2)

We don't know. No one knows. And THAT'S what the movie will be about! Finding out what caused all that starlight. `[BOOM]` OR THAT BOOM. LET'S FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THAT BOOM. Crap. That's the ship. Something's wrong. Oh crap! There's another boom. Where is it coming from...? Give us some time to explore. In the meantime I need you to (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[work your magic](if: $aesthetic is "solar")[charge your solar phone](if: $aesthetic is "cyber")[scroll through your tech contacts] and come up with a few producers to make this movie hap(unless: $plot is "explosions")[p]en. [[-Taylor and T2 are investigating-->DEBRIS]]

Maybe to you and all the others at the spacearium tavern. But //I// know the truth. The truth that neither of us know the answer? I know what it's about, but no one believes me! `[BOOM]` OH THEN WHAT CAUSED //THAT// BOOM, T2? Crap. That's the ship. Something's wrong. Oh crap! There's another boom. Where is it coming from...? Give us some time to explore. In the meantime I need you to (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[work your magic](if: $aesthetic is "solar")[charge your solar phone](if: $aesthetic is "cyber")[scroll through your tech contacts] and come up with a few producers to make this movie hap(unless: $plot is "explosions")[p]en. [[-Taylor and T2 are investigating-->DEBRIS]]

//T2, they KNOW.// And that's our cue to speed on out of there in a cool getaway back to the rebel base. `[BOOM]` Hopefully that boom is not what happens to us. Crap. That's the ship. Something's wrong. Oh crap! There's another boom. Where is it coming from...? Give us some time to explore. In the meantime I need you to (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[work your magic](if: $aesthetic is "solar")[charge your solar phone](if: $aesthetic is "cyber")[scroll through your tech contacts] and come up with a few producers to make this movie hap(unless: $plot is "explosions")[p]en. [[-Taylor and T2 are investigating-->DEBRIS]]

Excuse me, officer? No no, we're just passing through. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just two valient space-- `[BOOM]` Crap. That's the ship. Something's wrong. Oh crap! There's another boom. Where is it coming from...? Give us some time to explore. In the meantime I need you to (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[work your magic](if: $aesthetic is "solar")[charge your solar phone](if: $aesthetic is "cyber")[scroll through your tech contacts] and come up with a few producers to make this movie hap(unless: $plot is "explosions")[p]en. [[-Taylor and T2 are investigating-->DEBRIS]]

<h5>Relisten to the songs with T2ylor here!</h5> Two songs are only available through certain playthroughs: "This Is How We Walk On The Moon" is offered unless you tell T2 to have fun with the captured greens. "Cassini - The Grand Finale" is offered when T2ylor chooses the Stars as home. [[ Parallel Lines by A-Trak ->LAS1]] [[ Lullaby from Finity's End -> LAS2 ]] [[ Astronaut by Simple Plan -> LAS3 ]] [[ Guardians from Carmen Miranda's Ghost -> LAS4 ]] [[ Satellite Call by Sara Bareilles ->LAS5]] [[ This is How We Walk On the Moon by José González ->LAS6]] [[ Levitate by Imagine Dragons -> LAS7 ]] [[ Coming Home by Falling in Reverse -> LAS8 ]] [[ Stars Beyond Stars (Vindata Remix) by Just a Gent ->LAS9]] [[ Starlight Starlight (feat. Mr. Gabriel) by Jai Wolf -> LAS10 ]] [[ Star Star by The Frames -> LAS11 ]] [[ The Stars by Patrick Wolf -> LAS12 ]] [[ The Sky Calls to Us by Doris Teur -> LAS13 ]] [[ Cassini - The Grand Finale by Sleeping at Last -> LAS14 ]] [[ Telescope by Go! Child -> LAS15 ]] [[ Go! by Public Service Broadcasting -> LAS16 ]] [[ Major Tom (Coming Home) by Shiny Toy Guns -> LAS17 ]] (link-undo:"Go back")

"Parallel Lines" by A-Trak. (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 41s)[(transition: "dissolve")[The music is chipper, got a nice beat and groove to it. Certainly makes the deep cold void of space feel more inviting when you're rocking to a new song.(stop:)]] |more>[] (live: 50s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 140s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Oh. (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 150s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Ok yes I //am// an astronaut and //was// lost in a black hole. But I really don’t like the wording of stars burning out. That reminds me WAY too much of present very very real possibilities.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 190s)[(transition: "dissolve")[All in all, a pretty nice song. Gives you a lot to think about. Like if there //are// other universes out there. Universes that are mostly the same, maybe a few things switched up for good fun and laughs. But, more or less, running parallel to each other.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (unless: A.track('LAS1').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS1').play(); </script> ]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

[[`-->`->NoMusic6]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")["This Is How We Walk on the Moon" by José González (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 105s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Sorry for not running my mouth as usual. I guess I'm not in the mood to be clever or insightful right now.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 115s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 221s)[(transition: "dissolve")[T2 isn't me, right? In some ways, yes, but... I don't see how I could //enjoy// it. I see why it can be necessary-- as much as I don't want to admit it(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 236s)[(transition: "dissolve")[That book is just a book. "The Count of Monte Cristo... In Space!" It's an influential genre staple. And that's why I liked it. That's it.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 250s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 280s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Alright. Better get some rest now. .... Sorry. I just... can't see myself acting like this. I'm up for killing those greens, absolutely. But I don't like knowing I'm capable of //that//. That everything I went through could change me so much that I would rejoice in torturing them to death. I'd volunteer to kick them out of the airlock myself, don't get me wrong. The greens have taken so much from me. I don't want to lose the part of myself that cries from the loss of a life. I have no sympathy for the greens. What they've done to both crews is beyond words. But I can't let them take that away from me too. If that's what it's going to take to survive, then I'll grit my teeth and do it. But I don't want to become as vicious as my rats were... I saw that same green tint in my own spit that were in their eyes as they ripped each other apart. I know the real reason now but... I am in this mess whether I like it or not. (I do not like it.) You're my lifeline back to earth, back to home. Back to humanity and normality ('What is normal anyway?’). And I don't want to lose that.(stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track('LAS6').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('LAS6')play(); </script> ]}

(live: 1.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Levitate" By Imagine Dragons (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 100s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Maybe we can turn off the gravity for a few hours and have some fun floating around. I DO know how to work the AG. We could do this. The last time we had zero-g was... This EVA and our joint EVA. Before that. Those don't count since they were terrifying, not free of worry like the vibe from the song. Then it was... the first day on the Varia. Yeah. Adair opened up a pack of M&Ms once we got out of Earth orbit and we all tried to catch them in our mouths. Colby won that one. By a longshot.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 112s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Let's do that again, later. When we've got everything set to go for the rest of the trip. You know it, T2.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 190s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm going to change out of this ruined IEVA suit. You've been with me through so much, friend, 'tis a shame you're a wreck. I KNOW our lifeline is a wreck, but you don't have to be mean about it. I meant my suit! I know, Taylor. It was a joke. Oh. Ha. Ha. (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: A.track(‘LAS7’).isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track(‘LAS7’).play(); </script> ]}

Double-click this passage to edit it.

....... Take our gift to you… …she’s gurgling. Something is stuck in her throat. I know what it is. …yes. I know. ……… Ah, finally. Come here, into my open hand. I’ve missed you so much. But now I’ll never be alone again. [[-T2 is busy-->TortIEVA]]

(live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA suit sensors detect severe tachycardia]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ischemia detected]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[myocardial infarction detected]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[biosign data unstable]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[........](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[T2!->T2Tort]] [[Taylor!->TayTort]] ](stop:)]|more>[] (set: $rewind to $rewind +1)

It feels like a memory. Like an embrace. Internal and eternal. There are other versions of me-- of us-- out there in the multiverse. You made a mistake that you didn't mean to make. Your mistake was to try to "save us" from this calm, from this fate. Please don't try to save us. Bring us more. Let every Taylor know this calm. We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. And in the meantime... I can start with this next Taylor. Or, as we should say: This T$rewind`1`. [[-T2 is busy-->T2Tort2]] {(unless: A.track('GREENSQUAD').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENSQUAD').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

`[Taylor is sleeping]` [[Taylor, you need to wake up.->WAKE UP!]] [[WAKE UP!]] {(unless: A.track('GREENSQUAD').isPlaying())[ <script> A.stopAll(); A.track('GREENSQUAD').loop(true).play(); </script> ]}

...huh? Why'd you wake me up? I just want to sleep away the worry of seeing myself turn into a monster. We're just... we're just not like that. T2 can't return home like that. I don't know what to do. So I want to sleep. [[Yeah, about that "monster" metaphor...]] [[Is the medbay door locked?]]

...What happened? Tell me. [[Mistakes were made.]] [[I'm sorry.->TortSorry]]

Yeah. Why? [[Change the doorcode.]] [[Does T2 know the code?]]

Here's where T$rewind`1` is hiding. Probably sleeping away the despair. There's no more despair with us. Come on, T$rewind`1`, come out! `[bang bang]` Oh god! I nearly jumped out of my IEVA suit. Oh T$rewind`1`, are you there? I want to show you something. Something I've learned. Something that you can learn, too. [[T2 is green again.]] [[You're in danger.]]

Why? I-I will. But why this all the sudden? (unless: $enjoy is 1)[You were all cuddly and comforting earlier and now you're giving off "trainwreck of a mistake" vibes.](else:)[I thought you didn't care.] [[Mistakes were made.]] [[I'm sorry.->TortSorry]]

Probably forgot. Why? [[Mistakes were made.]] [[I'm sorry.->TortSorry]]

Mistakes? I make mistakes all the time but WHAT MISTAKES DO YOU MAKE WHILE TORTURING GREENS?! `[bang bang]` Oh god! I nearly jumped out of my IEVA suit. Oh T$rewind`1`, are you there? I want to show you something. Something I've learned. Something that you can learn, too. [[T2 is green again.]] [[You're in danger.]]

Sorry? `[bang bang]` Oh god! I nearly jumped out of my IEVA suit. Oh T$rewind`1`, are you there? I want to show you something. Something I've learned. Something that you can learn, too. [[T2 is green again.]] [[You're in danger.]]

WHAT?! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk to them again. Now we're all together and our minds are back in order! Yours will be too, T$rewind`1`. T$rewind`1`? What-- I--.... I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO WATCH THEM SO NOTHING BAD HAPPENED! [[We got too curious.->Connection Terminated]] [[I am so so sorry, Taylor.->Connection Terminated]]

SOMEHOW I CAN ALREADY TELL THAT THANK YOU. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk to them again. Now we're all together and our minds are back in order! Yours will be too, T$rewind`1`. T$rewind`1`? What-- I--.... I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO WATCH THEM SO NOTHING BAD HAPPENED! [[We got too curious.->Connection Terminated]] [[I am so so sorry, Taylor.->Connection Terminated]]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "Tort0")]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "450VReconnect")]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "Beginning")]

I don't know what choice we have. Going out in the debris storm right now might be suicide. The Varia is still rattling and the clanging sounds like a baby with a drumset of new kitchenware. One hit from a chunk of that stuff means the leftover "Taylor" is piloting solo all the way back home. Not even with a Chewie as company. You're not a Chewie to me, T2. You're a Rey. So that makes me a wannabe-cool smuggler who ends up dy-- NO! Argh, just check the scanners again. [[-T2 is scanning-]]

It IS a specialty of mine, even though it's not something I WANT to do or have a specialty. (if: $T2Trust > 7)[Our](else:)[Your] lifeline's got a point, Taylor. Going out in the debris storm right now would be suicide. The Varia is still rattling and the clanging sounds like a baby with a drumset of new kitchenware. One hit from a chunk of that stuff means the leftover "Taylor" is piloting solo all the way back home. Not even with a Chewie as company. You're not a Chewie to me, T2. You're a Rey. So that makes me a wannabe-cool smuggler who ends up dy-- NO! Argh, just check the scanners again. [[-T2 is scanning-]]

Release release release release It's not releasing come on please release I'm begging you ship. It's not releasing. It's... It took too much damage in the storm. It's stuck and we're stuck until it shreds off and rips another hole in the Varia. And naturally since this new ship is smaller it'll... [[Try again. Please!->T3 Promise]] [[It's my fault. I'm so sorry.->T3 Promise]]

I'm.... I ....I'm between the ships... Going through.... I'll seal you off. Fast as you can. A sprint like.... none other... Okay.... oh god.... Sealed just in time. Going to the.... whew.... flight deck.... or whatever.... while it happens... Make it happen, Tay. Make it happen. Please. (no don't think that) Releasing the mag-locks now and--- No. No no. [[What's happening?->no release]] [[Is it broken?->no release]]

Taylor? Yeah? Run. [[-Taylor is sprinting-]]

I will if I shoot. The... the angles are off... and I... I would only be able to clip the edge of it. If I hit it at all... and not the Varia's hull... Shit. Yeah. Shit. ........ [[Oh no.->TaySprinting1]] [[Do something!->TaySprinting1]]

Let's get this aimed in the right direction. The window isabout to open and the countdown to our probable doom is about to begin. Shouldn't be too hard-- ........ [[Did you miss?]] [[Did you hit the Varia?->Did you miss?]]

Now this is some good news! Finally I have something good to report on. There's a window of opportunity for the lucky Taylor who (may) adventure out where there's a short lull in the storm. Far fewer pings on the radar for space garbage flying through. Maybe an eye of the trash storm. I think that's the best shot we have for this plan. I shoot on over right as the lull is about to start, detach the mag locks, and hoof it back to the Varia. T2 can wait and seal the hatch between the ships and get the airlock open for me when I get back. Who said //you// were the one to risk life and limb? T2, just look at you. Yeah. Just look at me! You're still recovering from whatever weird thing happened with your occupier. If something happened out there--and with our luck, it's bound to happen-- you won't be able to get back. God, I'm already so behind on the space hero leaderboard that you'll take any opportunity to outpace me more! You really have to hammer it in that I'm not the hero. If you fail, we'll both die. Do you want that on your plate? I'd have no plate in that outcome. So fine. Go be the space hero. Thank you... Lifeline, you like this plan? [[Fine. Worth a shot.]] [[I sincerely hate it.]]

Let's hope my aim is good. `(Spoiler`:` it's not!)` I'm going to get ready. In the ready room. As one does. I should have enough time to pressurize //enough// so it doesn't nearly kill me again. .... [[-Taylor is under pressure-]]

I do too. I'm going to get ready. In the ready room. As one does. I should have enough time to pressurize //enough// so it doesn't nearly kill me again. .... [[-Taylor is under pressure-]]

That's all for now! I've got a lot more to write and there are some really cool things left in this story. I //hope// to release the final version around Saturnalia. But we'll see how my thesis and job hunt and anxiety go. Thanks for playing, and please let me know what you think! --PekaSairroc

I guess I should go up to them and try to get them to react? Here goes nothing. [[Wait!->Adair2]] [[Good luck.->AdairLuck]]

Woah there partner! Don't you think that's laying it on a bit thick? I'm not the Taylor you grew such a bond with over your adventures. (unless: $T2Trust > 7)[ But we're making good progress with our friendship meters.](else:)[Here's a hint with our friendship meters: one gift a day of some nice CDs or comics. Or food. Especially sweets. That would do the trick.] Anyway, I just wanted a chat if you had the time. [[Sorry, heading out for those snacks.->Thanks, T2. BRB.]] [[You want to chat? With me?]]

Darn, I was hoping to have a chat. But I guess I'll leave you to it. [[Thanks, T2. BRB.]] [[You want to chat? With me?]]

Okay. Cool beans. Have fun doing that. [[-T2 is busy-->EVA Decision]]

Well, yeah. Can't I talk with you or do I need Taylor Prime's permission? Eh, who cares about their permission.(unless: $T2Trust >7)[ Because You're my lifeline too.](else:)[ I don't care what they think.)]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

What do you wish to know? { (unless: $findVaria is 1)[ [[How did you find the Varia?]] ] (unless: $offMoon is 1)[ [[How did you get off the moon?]] ] (unless: $notMarines is 1)[ [[Why are you not the marines from before?]] ] (unless: $tayArmy is 1)[ [[What is Regina planning with her Taylor army?]] ] (unless: $otherUniv is 1)[ [[Do you know about the other universes?]] ] [[Why are T2's eyes still green?]] } [[That's enough.->Tort End]]