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--V.S.
WAAPT@tropi.us Legacy → WAAPT: In-Universe → PEFE-B: The Part Where He Kills Us
Igneous: <Oh, right... I'm going to have to get Cornn for that.>
He closes the panel with the arena settings, and presses a button that says "Authoritative AI Attention Aquisition Apparatus"
A few seconds after Igneous presses the button, a certain idiot of an A.I opens contact with him and the Holoarena.
Corrn: "What? What's the matter? Nothings' exploded has it?"
He takes a few moments to survey the damage to the Holoarena.
"Oh, what? You actually managed to beat that Mewtwo? I thought I told you to wait until I got back first? That's why I chose the hardest opponent in the database, to avoid this from happening!"
Stratus: <...Er...>
Cornn: "You know what? Fine. It looks like we are going to have to do some more "traditional testing." Oh, but lucky for you, I just happen to have some brilliant tests lying around. Just give me a second to dock it onto the arena and I'll-"
The A.I is drowned out by the side of a module forcing itself through the wall of the arena, giving Stratus a start.
Stratus: <URK!>
Cornn: "There we go, seamless, isn't it? Just go on through and we'll get started."
Feeling slightly apprehensive, the Dragonite cautiously makes his way over to the doors, which open to reveal a testing chamber.
The first thing that Stratus noticed was that there was a square button on the floor next to the doorway suited for a cube, yet didn't appear to be connected to anything in-particular. Further along from that was a smaller press-able button connected to several dispensers on the ceiling, each filled with a different sort of cube (including one that seemed to be alive!
On a high platform that would be out of reach if he couldn't fly, there was another dispenser that seemed to contained a cube that didn't look any different from the standard variety, apart from having a pink heart symbol on each face. The was also yet another button mounted on the wall next to - this one round rather than square - that one would normally weight down with a cube, yet there seemed to be no means of doing so in this room.
The only other notable features in the room was a random tilted panel that one could place a portal on a high wall next to the high platform, and a rotating panel on another wall at ground level that could be swiveled around by pressing a button across from it.
"Ooh, tricky one, this. Bet you'll be thinking this one through for quite a while."
Igneous looks at the new room with joy
Igneous: <Awesome! This is the one I designed! Sorry, but I'm not gonna give you two any hints for this. All I will say is, nothing in here will kill you, so good luck!>
Stratus: <Oh, you designed this?>
The Dragonite wasn't sure what to say about that. On the one paw, it was quite the achievement that he had managed to conjure up a whole testing chamber. On the other, well...it didn't seem nearly as well put together as the ones that other A.I had designed...
Taking another few seconds to gaze around the room again, the Dragonite decides on the course of action of walking towards the exit...
...which opens with no fuss.
Cornn: "...What. WHAT?! HOW DID YOU FIGURE THAT OUT SO QUICKLY?!"
The Dragonite pauses to glance up at the chamber's security camera.
Stratus: <This door isn't linked to anything in here, so there's no point even messing around with anything. You just walk right on through!>
Corrn: "But that's not even a test!"
Stratus: <Now that's your problem.>
Igneous: <Drat. The point of it was to have the testers waste their time trying to solve a problem that didn't exist. Perhaps that wall button should have been rigged to lock the door when pressed... Oh, well, it was worth trying. Honestly, I didn't expect you two to be the ones who ended up in there. Sorry... It was a good concept, though, right?>
Human!Ammy: Good luck everyone!
Styx: Now let's get outa here.
Gravemind: About time...
-A certain pair of large death lizards happen to notice Maekrite and Silent passing by while lounging on the beach, blissfully unaware of the chaos going on deep inside the dome-
<Zoltan: "Oh! Nadia! It's those Nidos from the other day!">
<Nadia: "Nidos? What are you-">
-And notices Maekrite and Silent-
<Nadia: "Maekrite? How on earth did you-">
<Zoltan: "They were here the other day, I'm telling you!">
<Nadia: "... (How did I miss that?)">
<"Let's get going then...">
-And we proceed to pack ourselves into the elevator once more-
<Pepper: "If we survive this, remind me to see a chiropractor.">
-And we begin to ascend-
Human!Ammy: I don't know what a chiropractor is, but I hope it can help!
Nazz: You look funny squished, Skipper.
Skipper: Not as much as you, jerk!
-The elevator reaches its stop, and we tumble out onto a catwalk-
<@_@ "Why couldn't that stupid computer have let me keep my bag?">
<Lardna: "Oh great, we're back in one of those spheres again...">
<Toothless: "Let's just try and find a fast way out like we did last time.">
<AU!Tangent: "Thank you, surprisingly, for trying your best at this repair effort. You may not take this the right way, but humanity is grateful for your efforts. It's not your fault that these power generators were made so shoddily... We got the dome supports stabilized, and that's what counts-">
<Toothless: "'Generators'? What's he talking about?">
<Lardna: "They power these kinetic slugs that keep the roof up. Otherwise everything would collapse onto these parts below.">
<AU!Tangent: "No, that piece doesn't go in yet. You need another piece, seems we don't have it... There, that's perfect. Note to self: check the tape players, they seem to be playing past the end of tracks... that could lead to confusion or unintended playback...">
-The message abruptly cuts out-
<AU!Tangent: "Marrow Line, it's not that I'm not interested in this relationship... just, your tribe's elder is a bit intimidating to talk to, you know?">
<Riana: "Huh? Marrow Line?">
<"Oh, so that's who he wound up settling down with... Kind of a size mismatch there, though...">
-Seemingly distracted in thought-
<Teala: "Well... Sometimes sweet mons come in small packages...">
-In a jovial tone-
<Lardna: "Eh? So who'd you find back at PEFE?">
-In a flustered tone-
<Teala: "I-I- I wasn't implying anything! I was just saying!">
-And cuts out again-
<AU!Tangent: "As a bonus opportunity to get some productive work done, if you could retrieve the core of one of the reactors we couldn't fix, it will make a great water heater for the sauna hold. We're not banging rocks together here, we know how to contain a little radiation. So! Some debris removed from down here, and a doubling of the spa size. Frankly you should be owing us.">
<Pepper: "... That didn't sound remotely healthy...">
<Cleo: "Oh! Oh! And you could get taken apart and put back together with science stuff! Couldn't you?">
<"No. (Or at least I hope not...)">
<AU!Tangent: "'Charizard aren't afraid of a few beta particles', eh? I like your attitude! Also, if you are hearing this message, you seem to be taking a long time on the catwalks. Move it along; you don't want the spa we're building to cool off before you get there!">
<"... Eh. How bad could it be anyways?">
-And we walk into another plywood and sheet metal testing track. This one consisting of a spacious alcove with portalable floor panels and a portalable panel at the end. With two tubes for dispensing some sort of substance above grated portalabe. One for repulsion gel, and one for some sort of orange substance similar in consistency. Beyond this lies a massive drop into the abyss... A solitary platform ringed by two levels of intact catwalks with portalable floor panels, including portalable panels on the side facing us, and away from us. Beyond it is another elevator, with all but a short stretch of catwalk leading up to it lost to time-
<All of the More Flight-Challenged Party Members: O.O>
<Riana: (*chirp*) "That doesn't look so hard!">
A voice comes to life on the PA system.
???: Hey. Moron. Let me show you what a real test looks like.
The floor underneath Lake & Stratus opens up, dropping them into a chamber below; the lower half of the walls of the chamber are portalable, but not the (metal grate) floor or ceiling. In the center of the upper half of one wall is the exit door, which a repulsion gel spigot lies in front of, dropping a dollop of gel every few seconds. A light bridge crosses at floor level.
PEFeDOS: Let's see how you handle this one... and for the record, flying is cheating and will be grounds for termination.
Merle: <...I am beginning to regret this.>
Stratus: <...!>
Before he can even begin to say "Oh, MUK NO.", the floor gives way under Stratus, dropping him down to the chamber below. Of course, thanks to his wings, he was able to land gracefully, only to be told - by that evil A.I, no less - that he had to complete this next chamber without being able to fly.
Growling in annoyance, the Dragonite glances up through the hole he was just dropped through.
<HEY! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DO THIS WITHOUT A PORTAL GUN?!>
As if to answer him, a Portal Gun fall from the air and smacks him in the face, landing with a clatter to his side.
Grumbling obscenities under his breath, Stratus gently sets Lake's unconscious body down, picks up the gun, then starts trying to figure out how to progress.
Igneous: <What do you know, that ungrateful potato is back online. As if anymon cared about you. You couldn't even keep control of this place for a full month. What makes you think anybody would want you back?>
After Zoltan makes Nadia notice the Nidos, Maekrite roars a hello back, Silentran♂ on tow. The two Nidos go sit nearby the two dragons, and Maekrite gives a more or less "been here, seen that" gesture.
Maekrite: <Hey you, Zoltan…> -- to Nadia -- <I imagine then not only Toothless but also Lake are around?>
Silentran♂: <Would be around, didnt you happen to notice the cranes and turrets back at the center of the island?>
Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/tBnp2SJd
<Gene: "Eh, he's with Tracer, right? I'm sure he's fine...">
<Andre: "... Toothless? But what would he be doing out here? (And isn't he a doll?)">
<Nadia: "(Er... Not quite. At least not anymore...) And we haven't seen Lake... Why, did you meet him? Is he alright?">
Maekrite -waves a paw: <Eh, it's just… you know, it's Lake.>
Silentran♂: <Yeah, if he found out about PEFeDOS being alive again then surely he would go in without a second though but-> -- raises a finger -- <you can not punch an AI. And yeah, we were with Toothless back in Johto until not long ago… I'm a bit worried that Riana and Cleo are here too.>
Maekrite: <I wouldn't worry. If he finds out, he will just go and offer her a hug and friendship.> -- to Nadia, ears down -- <No offense.>
Silentran♂ -to Gene: <I thought we had disabled her again but no, something happened. We have to stop her.>
<Nadia: "(None take-) Wait a minute... Did you just say that that computer is alive? AGAIN? But then what was making that horrid screeching dying noise over the P.A.?!">
<Vlad: "Yeah, it got stuck in my head for days!" >_< >
-After some more traveling, we've reached another computer-
Another one of these things?
Pica: The more we listen to your other self's ramblings, the quicker we get out of this stupid place and find that AI.
Kids these days, no respect for their elders...
-Places my holotape inside the computer-
What stood out most in the chamber to Stratus was the pipe that was dripping a large dollop of some sort of blue gel ever few seconds, so he went over to examine it first.
Holding his arm out, he let a drop of the gel splatter on it (ending up getting some on his face, yuck), before raising it up to his sensitive nose to sniff it.
Stratus: <Ew!>
He cringed, pulling his face away and sticking his tongue out in disgust. Whatever this stuff was, it smelt rancid, and most definitely wasn't edible. Not that he really cared about his hunger right now, for once. He had bigger problems to deal with right now.
Turning his attention to the strange bridge of light, he tried to wave a paw through it to find out it was solid! Just like the holographic Mewtwo back in the arena. Curiously, he jumped on top of it to find that it could take his weight and could walk on top without any issues.
<...Hmm.>
Wanting to try something, the Dragonite places a portal on the wall where the bridge terminates, then fires another on the wall adjacent from the door to find, to his surprise, that the bridge continues through the Portal link, now extending right to the wall underneath the door.
<Ooh!>
But wait...there was no way he could place a bridge on the same level of the door...how would he be able to get up there?
SPLAT!
A large blob of gel landed on part of the newly extended bridge, leaving a rather large splotch on it. Yuck.
Ignoring it for now, Stratus goes over to the gel'd portion of the bridge to see if he could jump and reach the door with his claws. Standing in the blue liquid, the Dragonite bends down, then jumps...and to his shock, ends up leaping WAY above the height of the door without even flapping his wings!
<WAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!>
Trying to fight the instinct to use his wings to glide to safely, the Dragonite flails in panic as he falls towards the bridge, only to bounce high into the air again.
<...Wait, what?!>
What was causing this? It wasn't like he had place a trampoline on the bridge!
...Or had he?
Paying attention to where he fell, he noticed that he was somehow being flung high into the air every time he landed on the patch of blue gel. To confirm his suspicions, he bounced once more, then aimed for a non-gel'd portion of the bridge, landing with a hard thud...and falling over onto his front.
<[size=6]Ouch...[/size]>
He made a mental note that - like a trampoline, or one of Lake's Bubbles - he needed to stop bouncing before he got off, otherwise it would just end badly.
Now knowing what to do, Stratus holstered his Portal Gun, picked Lake's unconscious body back up, made his way over to the patch of gel on the bridge, then jumped, propelling himself up to the door, which automatically opened to let him through.
<Oh! Lake was right, this isn't that hard at all!>
Tangent: You ended up in Angela? Wonder what you ended up doing...
PEFeDOS: There is testing to be done. And I think my science is far more efficient than your elementary rocket science.
Igneous gets dropped into Stratus's test chamber.
Maekrite and Silentran♂ look at each other.
Maekrite -blinks: <Horrid noise?>
Silentran♂: <We wouldn't know, we arrived here recently. Which reminds me, we need to locate the [big box]! The Seers said it was an important gift.>
Maekrite -frowns: <…And we need to stop a certain AI?> -- to Nadia -- <Whatever happened, that thing is back. Tracer was this [ ] close to stop her, it seems, but we don't know anything after that.>
Silentran♂ -to Maekrite: <Point... we need to find some good equipment... armors... unfortunately my item bag is lost.> -- to Gene -- <Is there any place here we can acquire items?>
Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/u6YJVmYU
Merle: -sigh- <Note to self...don't trust talking potatoes.>
PEFeDOS: I am far more than a potato, little bird. Now I suggest you fly off, make some interesting conversation, or prepare for a nidotoxin dose.
Merle: (immediately) <What would you like to talk about? The weather? Your research? Got an itch in your...uh...motherboard I could scratch?>
-The holotape starts playing-
Well, there's good news and bad news. Good news is, we've finally acquired some allies. A ragtag bunch of former Angelan millitary personnel, some scientists, some mercs, and some random civilians. Despite our differences we united on one task, defeating the dragons. To that end, we ended up running a raid on a local dragon supply depot...
Cobalt: Makes sense, the dragons would need supplies.
WAAPT@tropi.us Legacy → WAAPT: In-Universe → PEFE-B: The Part Where He Kills Us
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