- Location
- St. Petersburg
Last edited:
Sorry, Your Time-Traveling Privileges Have Been Revoked
- Thread starter Chandagnac
- Start date
- Original
165. Not as Planned
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Well, all right. 
Most of the high-ranking robots in the tent observe you silently, showing you an array of shiny red-light stares. Oswald Grey regards you with tolerant amusement. 'And did you?' he asks.
'Well… we destroyed several of his host bodies. And we discovered that he's uploaded his consciousness to an… uh, ethereal network made up of arcane runes and magical artefacts. Sort of like a magical computer, you know?'
'Yes, I'm aware of what a computer is,' says Grey.
'We did our best to disrupt his network, damaged it as much as we could, destroyed as many of his meat puppets as we could – some of the more advanced ones are part of the network, used to spread his influence – and we were doing very well, I must say. However, we were forced to flee when the Vault began to collapse.'
Closing his eyes for a moment, holding his head in his hands, Grey says nothing for a few moments. Then: 'How did this happen?' he asks.
'He had a time machine, the same time machine he used to travel to this city, and he threatened to blow it up and kill all of us. We managed to disarm it safely.'
'And that caused the Vault to collapse?'
'No, it happened when…' You realise that it might be a bad idea to reveal to this company that you destabilized the Vault by playing a medley of some of your favourite Rock songs and using the high-powered sound waves to scrub away Lothangrim's arcane runes. Mister Grey looks irritated with you already; he might not see the funny side. 'We tried to disrupt his network by severing the connections between the different nodes. Our plan seemed to work, to an extent: Lothangrim was greatly weakened. It'll take him a long time to recover. But there was some collateral damage as well: the entrance to the Vault has caved in.'
Mister Grey stares at you: his gaze seems as hard, glassy and unblinking as that of any of his robot buddies. 'Do you mean to tell me that you and your friends – your gaggle of enthusiastic amateurs – bungled an assassination attempt, left behind a terrible mess for the proper authorities to sort out, and put an enormous obstacle in the way of their being able to do so? Have I understood, Frida Bolevidar?'
'I object to the term "enthusiastic amateurs",' you joke. 'I prefer to think of us as an "Insane Clown Posse".'
'Yes, and I'd prefer to think of you as "under arrest". Or, better than that, "under lock and key". Or "behind bars",' Grey snaps at you. 'Anywhere you can't do any more harm with your reckless vigilante actions.'
'Hey, hey, there's no need for that,' you say, raising your hands placatingly as the robots surrounding you suddenly bristle with built-in weaponry. 'I want to help! We need something to clear away the rubble, some heavy machinery or something. I've heard that the museum up in the Belly has some surviving examples of the construction vehicles that were used to build this city, so–'
'I don't want to hear it,' Grey interjects.
You carry on regardless. '–if we could restore one of them, we could use it to gain entry to Vault Six!'
'We wouldn't need to "gain entry to Vault Six" if you hadn't blocked the entrance. Haven't you done enough damage already?'
'No! Lothangrim is still out there! Yeah, he's badly hurt – and maybe he'll never be able to rebuild his horde back to what it once was – but I won't have done "enough damage" until he's properly dead!' you declare. 'I've done most of the work already. We just need to finish him off!'
'I see.' Glancing around at his robot colleagues, Mister Grey looks intently at you for a moment. Then, in an icy calm voice like a frozen lake in winter, he says, 'You're under arrest, Frida.'
What will you do? (Choose one)
[] Attempt to confuse him.
-[] "Nuh uh, I'm not under arrest: you're under arrest!"
OR
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Attempt to reason with him.
-[] "Wait, what gives you the authority to arrest me, or anyone?"
--[] "You're angry with me for being a vigilante. Isn't that a bit hypocritical? You and your ticktockmen are basically an entire army of vigilantes, isn't that right?"
OR
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Attempt to persuade him.
-[] "You're going to arrest me? You and what army?"
--[] "Oh, right..."
OR
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Attempt to seduce him.
-[] "You know, Oswald... until this moment, I never realised what an attractive man you are."
--[] "I've been a very bad girl. I need to be punished. Whips and chains and so on. Grrr."
OR
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Threaten him.
-[] "Earlier today, I destroyed a Vault that was built to survive hundreds of years and a nuclear apocalypse. Think about how much easier it would be for me to destroy you and all of your robot minions."
OR
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Blast your way out!
[] Run away!
[] Do something else (write in).
*
Not as Planned
Not as Planned
'I've fought Lothangrim,' you say. 'Earlier today, me and my colleagues – the Time Travellers' Society – we sneaked past his undead legions, into his headquarters in Vault Three, intending to put an end to his evil once and for all!'
Most of the high-ranking robots in the tent observe you silently, showing you an array of shiny red-light stares. Oswald Grey regards you with tolerant amusement. 'And did you?' he asks.
'Well… we destroyed several of his host bodies. And we discovered that he's uploaded his consciousness to an… uh, ethereal network made up of arcane runes and magical artefacts. Sort of like a magical computer, you know?'
'Yes, I'm aware of what a computer is,' says Grey.
'We did our best to disrupt his network, damaged it as much as we could, destroyed as many of his meat puppets as we could – some of the more advanced ones are part of the network, used to spread his influence – and we were doing very well, I must say. However, we were forced to flee when the Vault began to collapse.'
Closing his eyes for a moment, holding his head in his hands, Grey says nothing for a few moments. Then: 'How did this happen?' he asks.
'He had a time machine, the same time machine he used to travel to this city, and he threatened to blow it up and kill all of us. We managed to disarm it safely.'
'And that caused the Vault to collapse?'
'No, it happened when…' You realise that it might be a bad idea to reveal to this company that you destabilized the Vault by playing a medley of some of your favourite Rock songs and using the high-powered sound waves to scrub away Lothangrim's arcane runes. Mister Grey looks irritated with you already; he might not see the funny side. 'We tried to disrupt his network by severing the connections between the different nodes. Our plan seemed to work, to an extent: Lothangrim was greatly weakened. It'll take him a long time to recover. But there was some collateral damage as well: the entrance to the Vault has caved in.'
Mister Grey stares at you: his gaze seems as hard, glassy and unblinking as that of any of his robot buddies. 'Do you mean to tell me that you and your friends – your gaggle of enthusiastic amateurs – bungled an assassination attempt, left behind a terrible mess for the proper authorities to sort out, and put an enormous obstacle in the way of their being able to do so? Have I understood, Frida Bolevidar?'
'I object to the term "enthusiastic amateurs",' you joke. 'I prefer to think of us as an "Insane Clown Posse".'
'Yes, and I'd prefer to think of you as "under arrest". Or, better than that, "under lock and key". Or "behind bars",' Grey snaps at you. 'Anywhere you can't do any more harm with your reckless vigilante actions.'
'Hey, hey, there's no need for that,' you say, raising your hands placatingly as the robots surrounding you suddenly bristle with built-in weaponry. 'I want to help! We need something to clear away the rubble, some heavy machinery or something. I've heard that the museum up in the Belly has some surviving examples of the construction vehicles that were used to build this city, so–'
'I don't want to hear it,' Grey interjects.
You carry on regardless. '–if we could restore one of them, we could use it to gain entry to Vault Six!'
'We wouldn't need to "gain entry to Vault Six" if you hadn't blocked the entrance. Haven't you done enough damage already?'
'No! Lothangrim is still out there! Yeah, he's badly hurt – and maybe he'll never be able to rebuild his horde back to what it once was – but I won't have done "enough damage" until he's properly dead!' you declare. 'I've done most of the work already. We just need to finish him off!'
'I see.' Glancing around at his robot colleagues, Mister Grey looks intently at you for a moment. Then, in an icy calm voice like a frozen lake in winter, he says, 'You're under arrest, Frida.'
What will you do? (Choose one)
[] Attempt to confuse him.
-[] "Nuh uh, I'm not under arrest: you're under arrest!"
OR
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Attempt to reason with him.
-[] "Wait, what gives you the authority to arrest me, or anyone?"
--[] "You're angry with me for being a vigilante. Isn't that a bit hypocritical? You and your ticktockmen are basically an entire army of vigilantes, isn't that right?"
OR
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Attempt to persuade him.
-[] "You're going to arrest me? You and what army?"
--[] "Oh, right..."
OR
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Attempt to seduce him.
-[] "You know, Oswald... until this moment, I never realised what an attractive man you are."
--[] "I've been a very bad girl. I need to be punished. Whips and chains and so on. Grrr."
OR
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Threaten him.
-[] "Earlier today, I destroyed a Vault that was built to survive hundreds of years and a nuclear apocalypse. Think about how much easier it would be for me to destroy you and all of your robot minions."
OR
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Blast your way out!
[] Run away!
[] Do something else (write in).
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Can I just say that your pre-written responses are perfect?
Raiseth
I Find Your Lack of Memes Disturbing
- Location
- Russia
Fucking Gray, he's just cheapskating out of giving us the quest reward.
I'd see how he would have done better, hmph.
I'm actually... quite salty about this, like, priorities? An evil necromancer who wanted to drown the lower levels in undead bodies versus... a dingy old vault that we didn't even properly destroy, so all it takes to access it again is to drag their metallic asses to the entrance and clear the rubble.
I mean, what exactly was he expecting a full-scale war would do not only to the Vault, but to everything surrounding it in a two-mile radius?
I would've understood him being unhappy with us, but, like, we did his job for him, so I guess it's time to nitpick and hog the credit for detaining a dangerous criminal who against his explicit wishes stopped the goddamn Robots Vs Zombies2: Time-Traveling Boogaloo.
Nope.
Too angry to write a proper vote.
Maybe will try again later.
I'd see how he would have done better, hmph.
I'm actually... quite salty about this, like, priorities? An evil necromancer who wanted to drown the lower levels in undead bodies versus... a dingy old vault that we didn't even properly destroy, so all it takes to access it again is to drag their metallic asses to the entrance and clear the rubble.
I mean, what exactly was he expecting a full-scale war would do not only to the Vault, but to everything surrounding it in a two-mile radius?
I would've understood him being unhappy with us, but, like, we did his job for him, so I guess it's time to nitpick and hog the credit for detaining a dangerous criminal who against his explicit wishes stopped the goddamn Robots Vs Zombies2: Time-Traveling Boogaloo.
Nope.
Too angry to write a proper vote.
Maybe will try again later.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
That wasn't what he said before:
Perhaps we could lie through our teeth and make up something about some kind of threat that is more important than us, and make us indispensable to him somehow. Maybe tell him about a portal in the Maze, and that it is the only way to reach it. He'd need us to navigate the Maze. If he buys it and follows us along, he would try to restrain us, but I think the doors are individual experiences, and we may lose them there if we go through one.
We'd make an enemy of him though, and possibly lose access to much of the Dung Village and parts of the Belly.
In hindsight, meeting Mr. Grey after defeating Lothangrim is about as sound as meeting Lothangrim after disposing of the robot army and making a request of him. Sure he could help us, but why would he? He is either a player, or works for one.
Perhaps we could lie through our teeth and make up something about some kind of threat that is more important than us, and make us indispensable to him somehow. Maybe tell him about a portal in the Maze, and that it is the only way to reach it. He'd need us to navigate the Maze. If he buys it and follows us along, he would try to restrain us, but I think the doors are individual experiences, and we may lose them there if we go through one.
We'd make an enemy of him though, and possibly lose access to much of the Dung Village and parts of the Belly.
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Raiseth
I Find Your Lack of Memes Disturbing
- Location
- Russia
Yeeeeeeah. By my reading, now that he has what he wants and a ready excuse, he's getting rid of us. Points for acting tho, I guess? Makes me feel appreciated, like he actually needs to somehow justify himself instead of just grabbing us and throwing us in prison.
I was banking on us telling him that no, Lothangrim isn't dead, and is behind a fortified position working towards restoring himself to, like, provide an extended value to Frida's help.
Like, he didn't do anything and the problem is almost solved for him, now he has to do a little something to permanently resolve it. But eh, he probably had orders to take the Vault intact and he decided that he can finish Lothangrim off without us.
I'm still angry, so, you know, I'm leaning towards threatening him, but that sounds like a really awful idea if he calls our bluff, cuz I won't be bluffing and will actually vote to murder him, lol. Nice to meet you, I'm Frida's sociopathic tendencies, don't believe we've been introduced.
I was banking on us telling him that no, Lothangrim isn't dead, and is behind a fortified position working towards restoring himself to, like, provide an extended value to Frida's help.
Like, he didn't do anything and the problem is almost solved for him, now he has to do a little something to permanently resolve it. But eh, he probably had orders to take the Vault intact and he decided that he can finish Lothangrim off without us.
I'm still angry, so, you know, I'm leaning towards threatening him, but that sounds like a really awful idea if he calls our bluff, cuz I won't be bluffing and will actually vote to murder him, lol. Nice to meet you, I'm Frida's sociopathic tendencies, don't believe we've been introduced.
Lealope
Not yet invincible
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Seriously, they're amazing.
[X] Attempt to reason with him.
-[X] "Wait, what gives you the authority to arrest me, or anyone?"
--[X] "You're angry with me for being a vigilante. Isn't that a bit hypocritical? You and your ticktockmen are basically an entire army of vigilantes, isn't that right?"
-[X] If reason fails, do something extremely unreasonable (murder)
Raiseth
I Find Your Lack of Memes Disturbing
- Location
- Russia
I mean
Okay
[X] runeblue360
Unless someone suggests something reasonable that would agree with.
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Heh, I'm glad you like them.
Previously, he was hoping that you and the other powerful time travellers would sign on with him and follow his instructions. He wanted your help, but only on his terms. You'd have been a useful ally if he could get you to obey orders. But since you've turned out to be a dangerous loose cannon, he's decided to lock you away before you can cause any more chaos.
Basically, he wanted you under his control. But Frida is too much of a free spirit: a shooting star who'll never stop, even when she's reached the top, yeah!
Exactly.
Interesting plan. Would you like to try it?
That is certainly a viable plan.
Frida: "I'll kill you! I'll kill you to death!"
Mister Grey: "Argh, she knows my one weakness: murder!"
(Frida uses Murder. It's super effective!)
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- Location
- St. Petersburg
[x] Plan: An A-maze-ing Escape!
-[x] Very well. But first, can I report a missing person and an existential threat to the city?
--[x] Well, not missing any longer. We found Vikentiy aka Vincent aka Old Vince. He's dead. Remember how he had a venomous insect following him? We found it as well. And... it's been multiplying!
---[x] Can you imagine a swarm of teleporting locusts nibbling on everything in its path and making everyone a time-and-space traveler? Everyone can teleport anywhere, in and out, however they please! What would become of the public order? The permits? The caste, er, the level system? It'll be anarchy in the streets!
----[x] Only the brave robots immune to the dangerous venom could save the city from the insectoid invasion. But the path to their breeding grounds lies through the Maze, and only I know the way to its heart. Look into my eyes, Mr. Grey, and you will know my words hold no falsehoods!
-[x] ...try to give him the slip in the Maze. You know how to navigate it, he doesn't. Perhaps, lead him through one of the doors and hope he gets lost there?
Technically true, the best kind of true.
-[x] Very well. But first, can I report a missing person and an existential threat to the city?
--[x] Well, not missing any longer. We found Vikentiy aka Vincent aka Old Vince. He's dead. Remember how he had a venomous insect following him? We found it as well. And... it's been multiplying!
---[x] Can you imagine a swarm of teleporting locusts nibbling on everything in its path and making everyone a time-and-space traveler? Everyone can teleport anywhere, in and out, however they please! What would become of the public order? The permits? The caste, er, the level system? It'll be anarchy in the streets!
----[x] Only the brave robots immune to the dangerous venom could save the city from the insectoid invasion. But the path to their breeding grounds lies through the Maze, and only I know the way to its heart. Look into my eyes, Mr. Grey, and you will know my words hold no falsehoods!
-[x] ...try to give him the slip in the Maze. You know how to navigate it, he doesn't. Perhaps, lead him through one of the doors and hope he gets lost there?
Technically true, the best kind of true.
Last edited:
- Location
- St. Petersburg
It's impossible to give him information on how to navigate the Maze. It's constantly shifting.
And the portal there is currently the only way to get to the insects (assuming it was only parts of the Vault that caved in, and not the entire structure), so...
Of course, this ends with our direct rival having access to the magical portal... eventually, after many hours of wandering through the Maze. Which could be used against us anytime. Not sure he could pull his entire army through there, though...
We should probably try to sabotage the leaderless robots somehow during his absense.
...robot revolution. We need a robot revolution. Somebody dig up Glitch ASAP!! Why did he have to be buried there?
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xa na xa
A.E.I.O.U. - Antarticae est imperare orbi universo
- Location
- σ Octantis
[x] Plan: An A-maze-ing Escape!
-[x] Very well. But first, can I report a missing person and an existential threat to the city?
--[x] Well, not missing any longer. We found Vikentiy aka Vincent aka Old Vince. He's dead. Remember how he had a venomous insect following him? We found it as well. And... it's been multiplying!
---[x] Can you imagine a swarm of teleporting locusts nibbling on everything in its path and making everyone a time-and-space traveler? Everyone can teleport anywhere, in and out, however they please! What would become of the public order? The permits? The caste, er, the level system? It'll be anarchy in the streets!
----[x] Only the brave robots immune to the dangerous venom could save the city from the insectoid invasion. But the path to their breeding grounds lies through the Maze, and only I know the way to its heart. Look into my eyes, Mr. Grey, and you will know my words hold no falsehoods!
-[x] ...try to give him the slip in the Maze. You know how to navigate it, he doesn't. Perhaps, lead him through one of the doors and hope he gets lost there?
I like using the maze.
START PROGRAM
IF RoboRevolution=true THEN digup(GLITCH)
IF robot(GLITCH)=dugup THEN initiate.RoboRevolution
GOTO START
As a cybernetic creature, I'm sure Glitch appreciates recursivity and infinite loops.
-[x] Very well. But first, can I report a missing person and an existential threat to the city?
--[x] Well, not missing any longer. We found Vikentiy aka Vincent aka Old Vince. He's dead. Remember how he had a venomous insect following him? We found it as well. And... it's been multiplying!
---[x] Can you imagine a swarm of teleporting locusts nibbling on everything in its path and making everyone a time-and-space traveler? Everyone can teleport anywhere, in and out, however they please! What would become of the public order? The permits? The caste, er, the level system? It'll be anarchy in the streets!
----[x] Only the brave robots immune to the dangerous venom could save the city from the insectoid invasion. But the path to their breeding grounds lies through the Maze, and only I know the way to its heart. Look into my eyes, Mr. Grey, and you will know my words hold no falsehoods!
-[x] ...try to give him the slip in the Maze. You know how to navigate it, he doesn't. Perhaps, lead him through one of the doors and hope he gets lost there?
I like using the maze.
START PROGRAM
IF RoboRevolution=true THEN digup(GLITCH)
IF robot(GLITCH)=dugup THEN initiate.RoboRevolution
GOTO START
As a cybernetic creature, I'm sure Glitch appreciates recursivity and infinite loops.
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Hmm. The vote is now tied.
If anyone else would like to vote, please do so.
(Alternatively, if anyone would like to change their vote, that would work too.)
Lealope
Not yet invincible
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Y'know, I really like your sense of humour.
Yeah, this guy can eat a whole bag of shit. That said, allow me to offer a compromise.
[ ] Plan: An A-maze-ing Escape!
-[ ] Very well. But first, can I report a missing person and an existential threat to the city?
--[ ] Well, not missing any longer. We found Vikentiy aka Vincent aka Old Vince. He's dead. Remember how he had a venomous insect following him? We found it as well. And... it's been multiplying!
---[ ] Can you imagine a swarm of teleporting locusts nibbling on everything in its path and making everyone a time-and-space traveler? Everyone can teleport anywhere, in and out, however they please! What would become of the public order? The permits? The caste, er, the level system? It'll be anarchy in the streets!
----[ ] Only the brave robots immune to the dangerous venom could save the city from the insectoid invasion. But the path to their breeding grounds lies through the Maze, and only I know the way to its heart. Look into my eyes, Mr. Grey, and you will know my words hold no falsehoods!
-[ ] ...try to give him the slip in the Maze. You know how to navigate it, he doesn't. Perhaps, lead him through one of the doors and hope he gets lost there?
-[ ] If he doesn't believe you, kill him.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
I am not particularly certain in our capability of killing a robot-general in front of his army when we were very cautious of a couple of Seraph sentries (who, might I add, are armed with automatic weapons). I think we have better odds coming quietly and them making a daring escape. Or being carried out of prison in Evie's arms, I am not picky.
166. An A-maze-ing Plan!
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
All right, thanks.
Mister Grey gives a reptilian blink. He seems taken aback.
Pressing your advantage, you continue, 'You're angry with me for being a vigilante. Isn't that a bit hypocritical? You and your ticktockmen are basically an entire army of vigilantes, isn't that right?'
'I have the authority invested in me by the rulers of this city. I am their representative,' he says sternly. 'The mayor, Augusta Bergson, gave me command of the ticktockmen. We were sent us to bring law and order to the Bowels: we are the closest thing this forsaken place has to a police force.'
'In that case, I need to report to you that I've found the body of a missing person. Also, an existential threat to the city,' you say, changing tack.
'You're not telling me anything I don't already know. Lothangrim is responsible for the disappearances of hundreds of people–'
'I wasn't talking about Lothangrim.'
'Oh?' Mister Grey pauses. 'What, then?'
'A member of the Time Travellers' Society, Vikentiy. Also known as "Vincent" or "Old Vince". You've heard of him, right? He's dead. We found his body in the centre of the Maze.'
'I'm happy for you. Another loose end tied up,' Mister Grey says sarcastically. 'Now, stop trying to distract me, put your hands behind your back and–'
One of the nearby robots, a rotund giant with a shiny brass exterior, chirrups something in the peculiar language of the ticktockmen, which you don't understand. Hearing that, Mister Grey looks stunned. His voice trails off into silence. Then, leaning on the map table to steady himself, he says, 'You've been to the centre of the Maze? Is that true?'
'Yes. Remember how Vikentiy had a venomous flying insect following him around? Whenever it bit him, he was teleported into a different time and space. Well, we found it. More than one of it,' you say. 'It's been multiplying!'
'I don't care about that.'
'Can you imagine a swarm of teleporting locusts nibbling on everything in their path, making everyone a time-and-space traveller? When everyone can teleport anywhere, in and out, however they please, what will become of the public order? The caste… I mean, uh… level system? It'll be anarchy in the streets!'
Mister Grey waves a dismissive hand. 'Yes, yes. But let's focus on what's really important here: you've been to the centre of the Maze. Could you make your way back there, if you had to?'
'Uh… I suppose so. I know my way around the Maze. It's a skill I've learnt.' You frown at him, feeling rather disconcerted. 'But don't you care about the swarm of teleporting locusts?'
'Of course I care. That's why I want you to show me to the centre of the Maze, where you found the dead body and the… hmm… teleporting insect. We'll go now, if that's all right with you,' says Mister Grey.
'Uh, yeah. Sure, that's fine.' Everything seems to be going your way, which makes you suspicious. As soon as you mentioned the centre of the Maze, he seemed to want to follow you there; you didn't even have to persuade him very much.
'Excellent.' Mister Grey turns his attention to the other robots in the command tent. 'I'll need to take a couple of squads with me for backup. You won't need them here. Not now.'
Each of them clicks and squeaks their acquiescence at him in turn. Before long, he's ready to depart, with twenty well-armed ticktockmen in tow. He insists on putting you in handcuffs, which you allow, figuring that so long as you can run away it shouldn't be too difficult to break out of them. However, he puts you in the middle of the group, surrounded by unfriendly robots on all sides, which should mean that it'll be very difficult to escape. You'll just have to wait for an opportune moment.
You set off towards the Maze, in the middle of a much larger group than you're used to working with. It makes you feel kinda overcrowded. You're not sure why Mister Grey felt the need to bring so many of his robots with him: is he just being cautious? Does he think they'd all be needed to restrain you if you decided to fight your way out? Is he wary of Lothangrim's zombies, if any of them are still wandering about? Or is there another reason?
Along the way, you see more battle damage: broken robots and mushed meat puppets, still in the process of being cleaned up. But the Maze isn't very far away. It's a journey of only a few minutes. You guide Mister Grey and his robots through the shifting, ever-changing corridors, pointing your manacled arms in the right direction of where they need to go. It's weird – you're not entirely sure that you're not imagining it – but the atmosphere inside the Maze seems quite different from when you've been here before. It feels tense, unwelcoming, almost hostile, as if you're an intruder here. The lights keep flickering, growing dimmer and dimmer and then bright again. Shadows on the wall form into frightening, monstrous shapes. You see a sudden movement up ahead – a flutter of black wings – is that a raven you espy? But then it's gone again.
'I thought you knew the way,' says Mister Grey, glancing wildly around. He looks angry.
'I do,' you insist. 'We're nearly there.'
He looks disbelievingly at you. Without any of them having moved away that you've seen, the ranks formed up around you seem to have been mysteriously thinning. Whereas you started this mission with twenty robot guards, now you only have sixteen. You're not sure where the others went. You didn't see them fall behind.
Around the next corner, the passage widens into an enormous cavern in the ceiling is supported by Grecian pillars, with decorated buttresses around the walls, and a bottomless chasm which splits the room in two. To one side, rising up out of the depths, there is a tall statue of a man wearing a long cloak and conical helmet. The only way to cross over the chasm is by means of a slender bridge made of silvery metal.
'What is this?' Mister Grey frowns. 'This isn't the centre of the Maze.'
What do you say to him? (Choose one)
[] "Oops. Sorry, I must have made a wrong turning."
-[] Turn around and keep walking, searching for one of the other locations within the Maze.
[] "Hmm. Something strange is going on here. I never had this problem before."
-[] Warn Mister Grey that the so-called "Master of the Maze" is playing tricks on you.
[] "Hey, where did the other ticktockmen go? You started off with two full squads, right? So where are the rest of them?'
-[] Draw Mister Grey's attention to the fact that you now only have twelve robot guards remaining.
[] "You have to cross over the bridge before you can reach the centre of the Maze. It's en route."
-[] Assure him that you're heading in the right direction and you'll reach your intended destination soon.
--[] Watch with interest when Mister Grey is confronted by his "greatest enemy".
[] Say something else (write in).
Sometimes, the anticipation makes it all the sweeter...
*
An A-maze-ing Plan!
'Wait, what gives you the authority to arrest me, or anyone?' you ask.An A-maze-ing Plan!
Mister Grey gives a reptilian blink. He seems taken aback.
Pressing your advantage, you continue, 'You're angry with me for being a vigilante. Isn't that a bit hypocritical? You and your ticktockmen are basically an entire army of vigilantes, isn't that right?'
'I have the authority invested in me by the rulers of this city. I am their representative,' he says sternly. 'The mayor, Augusta Bergson, gave me command of the ticktockmen. We were sent us to bring law and order to the Bowels: we are the closest thing this forsaken place has to a police force.'
'In that case, I need to report to you that I've found the body of a missing person. Also, an existential threat to the city,' you say, changing tack.
'You're not telling me anything I don't already know. Lothangrim is responsible for the disappearances of hundreds of people–'
'I wasn't talking about Lothangrim.'
'Oh?' Mister Grey pauses. 'What, then?'
'A member of the Time Travellers' Society, Vikentiy. Also known as "Vincent" or "Old Vince". You've heard of him, right? He's dead. We found his body in the centre of the Maze.'
'I'm happy for you. Another loose end tied up,' Mister Grey says sarcastically. 'Now, stop trying to distract me, put your hands behind your back and–'
One of the nearby robots, a rotund giant with a shiny brass exterior, chirrups something in the peculiar language of the ticktockmen, which you don't understand. Hearing that, Mister Grey looks stunned. His voice trails off into silence. Then, leaning on the map table to steady himself, he says, 'You've been to the centre of the Maze? Is that true?'
'Yes. Remember how Vikentiy had a venomous flying insect following him around? Whenever it bit him, he was teleported into a different time and space. Well, we found it. More than one of it,' you say. 'It's been multiplying!'
'I don't care about that.'
'Can you imagine a swarm of teleporting locusts nibbling on everything in their path, making everyone a time-and-space traveller? When everyone can teleport anywhere, in and out, however they please, what will become of the public order? The caste… I mean, uh… level system? It'll be anarchy in the streets!'
Mister Grey waves a dismissive hand. 'Yes, yes. But let's focus on what's really important here: you've been to the centre of the Maze. Could you make your way back there, if you had to?'
'Uh… I suppose so. I know my way around the Maze. It's a skill I've learnt.' You frown at him, feeling rather disconcerted. 'But don't you care about the swarm of teleporting locusts?'
'Of course I care. That's why I want you to show me to the centre of the Maze, where you found the dead body and the… hmm… teleporting insect. We'll go now, if that's all right with you,' says Mister Grey.
'Uh, yeah. Sure, that's fine.' Everything seems to be going your way, which makes you suspicious. As soon as you mentioned the centre of the Maze, he seemed to want to follow you there; you didn't even have to persuade him very much.
'Excellent.' Mister Grey turns his attention to the other robots in the command tent. 'I'll need to take a couple of squads with me for backup. You won't need them here. Not now.'
Each of them clicks and squeaks their acquiescence at him in turn. Before long, he's ready to depart, with twenty well-armed ticktockmen in tow. He insists on putting you in handcuffs, which you allow, figuring that so long as you can run away it shouldn't be too difficult to break out of them. However, he puts you in the middle of the group, surrounded by unfriendly robots on all sides, which should mean that it'll be very difficult to escape. You'll just have to wait for an opportune moment.
You set off towards the Maze, in the middle of a much larger group than you're used to working with. It makes you feel kinda overcrowded. You're not sure why Mister Grey felt the need to bring so many of his robots with him: is he just being cautious? Does he think they'd all be needed to restrain you if you decided to fight your way out? Is he wary of Lothangrim's zombies, if any of them are still wandering about? Or is there another reason?
Along the way, you see more battle damage: broken robots and mushed meat puppets, still in the process of being cleaned up. But the Maze isn't very far away. It's a journey of only a few minutes. You guide Mister Grey and his robots through the shifting, ever-changing corridors, pointing your manacled arms in the right direction of where they need to go. It's weird – you're not entirely sure that you're not imagining it – but the atmosphere inside the Maze seems quite different from when you've been here before. It feels tense, unwelcoming, almost hostile, as if you're an intruder here. The lights keep flickering, growing dimmer and dimmer and then bright again. Shadows on the wall form into frightening, monstrous shapes. You see a sudden movement up ahead – a flutter of black wings – is that a raven you espy? But then it's gone again.
'I thought you knew the way,' says Mister Grey, glancing wildly around. He looks angry.
'I do,' you insist. 'We're nearly there.'
He looks disbelievingly at you. Without any of them having moved away that you've seen, the ranks formed up around you seem to have been mysteriously thinning. Whereas you started this mission with twenty robot guards, now you only have sixteen. You're not sure where the others went. You didn't see them fall behind.
Around the next corner, the passage widens into an enormous cavern in the ceiling is supported by Grecian pillars, with decorated buttresses around the walls, and a bottomless chasm which splits the room in two. To one side, rising up out of the depths, there is a tall statue of a man wearing a long cloak and conical helmet. The only way to cross over the chasm is by means of a slender bridge made of silvery metal.
'What is this?' Mister Grey frowns. 'This isn't the centre of the Maze.'
What do you say to him? (Choose one)
[] "Oops. Sorry, I must have made a wrong turning."
-[] Turn around and keep walking, searching for one of the other locations within the Maze.
[] "Hmm. Something strange is going on here. I never had this problem before."
-[] Warn Mister Grey that the so-called "Master of the Maze" is playing tricks on you.
[] "Hey, where did the other ticktockmen go? You started off with two full squads, right? So where are the rest of them?'
-[] Draw Mister Grey's attention to the fact that you now only have twelve robot guards remaining.
[] "You have to cross over the bridge before you can reach the centre of the Maze. It's en route."
-[] Assure him that you're heading in the right direction and you'll reach your intended destination soon.
--[] Watch with interest when Mister Grey is confronted by his "greatest enemy".
[] Say something else (write in).
Oh, it's still quite likely to result in murder.
Sometimes, the anticipation makes it all the sweeter...
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Raiseth
I Find Your Lack of Memes Disturbing
- Location
- Russia
Ah, you know how to cater to the audience, I'll give you that.
[X] "You have to cross over the bridge before you can reach the centre of the Maze. It's en route."
-[X] Assure him that you're heading in the right direction and you'll reach your intended destination soon.
--[X] Watch with interest when Mister Grey is confronted by his "greatest enemy".
Raven, huh? The same one that follows Evie around?
Soooo, I guess we know without doubt who Master of the Maze is.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
I wish we could walk until more robots get lost... but I suppose that might be as auspicious a start as it comes. But what if Oswald passes the test? I do not want him to really arrive to the center...
Maybe we can work of out handcuffs while he is occupied, just in case.
Maybe we can work of out handcuffs while he is occupied, just in case.
What do you mean?
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