#dr.revolution

[projectsoleil]

Main Sequence || Cella || MM Trial 6.3 || Re: Angelbot, VegaBot,

"Drastic times call for drastic measures.  If you try to snuff the fuse when it's an inch from the explosive it's too late.  Action needs to be taken now, not later when we've already doomed ourselves."

She starts off talking to Angelbot by being reasonable.  Or at least what she thinks is reasonable.  

"...That's what I'm doing.  You all could've been anyone else, any other combination of powers, or people, it was nothing personal.  I'm just trying to help the world as a whole."

She sighed, why did Angelbot have to be so convincing.  So hopeful of a future that she personally doesn't believe in?

"Unfortunately I have to be pessimistic about the future.  I wish I could believe in a better future.  But I've seen the signs, it won't take much to spark an Armageddon.  Whether in my lifetime or ones in the distant future." 

Well she admittedly can't deny that Angelbot is correct.  She doesn't connect as well to other people, if this whole project has been any evidence of that fact she knows is true.  

"I'm not saying that we need to all leave the planet and head off to the moon or something to survive.  This was always meant to be a primarily solitary pursuit.  I'm happy that you felt these... 'present positive changes'.  Things that made you want to survive and enjoy the changes you saw in others.  But not everyone will be like that, there will always be exceptions to the rule.  People out there that in the present will do serious irrespirable harm to others no matter how much positivity or good you add to the world." 

Cowardice... running from her own humanity.  When did she give that up?  Right when the project started or perhaps sometime before that?

"I'm trying to do this for the good of the world.  This isn't some act of cowardice, I could easily just make a bunker and do nothing if I wanted to run.  But I want the earth to survive, I want us to survive, I was us to thrive and understand our place in this tiny fragment of existence."

She was getting riled up, maybe because there was a sort of passion being evoked from her.

"I understand wanting to live, this was just... an unfortunate fate that befell many of you.  Paint me as a villian if you must, but I can't rest knowing that I can change the world for the better even if it means I have to make it worse for a split second."

As composed as she was with Angelbot however, her anger flared up when she heard Vegabot speak up.  Even in death she was an annoying thorn in her side that would gleefully wriggle around and irritate her to no end.

"You're just as foolish and dimwitted as the person you're based on.  I can't believe I'm even responding to you."  But she imagines that others probably want answers.

"Can you think ahead by a year, or ten years, or fifty years, or one hundred or does the concept of the future not exist since you only think about the here and now?"

"Magnify the horrific tragedies that heroes AND villains cause on a daily basis by ten or a hundred, with powers getting stronger and more complex with each generation.  I don't care who gets powers, none of us should have them, we didn't evolve to have them, we can't barely control society enough as it is with them.  For god's sake we're basing a a whole industry on regulating them based on comics from the fucking 40's!  Where people with fucking suits and capes are supposed to be the people stopping the bad guys! You're telling me that this is how we're supposed to keep things normal!?"

Ignore the fact that she's wearing a very flashy villainess outfit right now.

"Given enough time, enough years... some disgruntled person or group of people will seek to end it all.  It could be a virus, or some cataclysmic power, maybe mind control, the point is there will be no way to stop it.  And we will be doomed, for no fault of our own except that these powers gives everyone a chance to be heroes and villain's and the problem is that someone's going to do something cataclysmic.  Either no purpose or by accident."

"How are you going to stop that?  Install some sort of surveillance state that knows every person's power and puts limiters on those particularly dangerous?  I can't imagine that will go well.  Or maybe we'll have to section people off with potentially dangerous powers, maybe we do extensive teaching in the responsible use of powers..."

"Don't you get it, there's no winning, there's no solution here that will prevent that!  Superpowers are fine in fiction but here... they're nothing but chaos!  There will always be heinous people aiming to hurt others, but at least the everyday person won't be able to decide to use a cataclysmic power to end the lives of others so easily."

Ah the bot question.  What are they really, what is their purpose, their point to that Cella says.

"I have no idea what you are, you were never part of the plan.  All you bots were never meant to have personalities or memories from the others, at first I thought it was just some quirk of Ivo's but instead it turns out you're the product of Sunscape Enterprises... Shoko programmed your AI's if you're asking for purpose why don't you ask them?  I didn't blow you up, as much as I would've liked to.  Go have your existential crises somewhere else."

[projectsoleil]

Supernova || Cella || MM Trial 6.6 || Re: Minbot,Gabibot ,Shougo

Cella can only stare as Minbot goes to give Red a hug and she can’t believe what she’s seeing.

She’s losing… to a stupid robot!?

She couldn’t even formulate an argument against Minbot because she was right!  Her teeth just grinded against themselves as her fists quivered by her side.

She could say something like ‘Ivo invited the people here not her’ or deflect blame in other ways.  But that wasn’t the point she was trying to emphasize.  She was just a twisted asshole, that’s really what it came down to wasn’t it?

“…The big picture is the only picture that matters to me.”

She knows the sunkey cost fallacy, she knows that realistically she should just quit while she’s… not as far down the hole as she could be.

But pride is often a bigger pull on one’s emotions than logic, even for someone like Cella.

Gabibot’s words seem to calm her down, or at least enough to the point where she doesn’t look like she’s ready to fling everyone into one another’s.  

Someone who understood!  Even if in a bittersweet way they were perhaps correct that any changes, observations, or conversations with alien life would be so far flung in the future that they’d all be dead most likely.

Gabibot’s been the most convincing thus far for allowing them all to live, and there’s a moment of hesitation where she’s considering it in full.  She could just live and let live, do her own thing and turn her back on this planet and move towards bigger and better things at this point. 

Why doesn’t she just get up and leave?  Is it paranoia?  An uncertainty that even if everyone were to promise to keep quiet that someone would foil her plans?

“…”

She’s been ominously quiet, maybe because all the points have continued to hammer home.  Or she doesn’t have the confidence in herself to refute them in full.  

“I don’t need to see it, I can imagine what the world will look like myself.  It’ll be better, it’ll be one without fear of catastrophe.  That’s all the motivation I’ll need to keep going.  I don’t need anyone else.  It’s fine if I go on this”

Now she’s even having her own words thrown at her.  A few minutes ago she was shouting at the top of her lungs to get her ideals through their thick skulls, maybe the shift to a somewhat more compassionate approach was having an affect on her.  Especially now that her two partners had turned on her.

“…You’re not making this easy you know.  I’m not… I’m not going to fall for the same traps that Leo and Red did.  I know what I have to do!  I can’t… I can’t falter now!”

[projectsoleil]

Collapsing Upon It's Own Pressure || Cella || MM Trial 6.5 || Re: Fergus, Leo & Pheo, Angelbot

“One must start with generalizations and observations if they are to make a proper hypothesis.  That’s what good science is based off of.  Give me just a glimpse at what the aliens can do we’ll be that much closer to have a reasonable society again.”

Why don’t they get it?  This isn’t normal, this isn’t how the world is supposed to be.  Don’t get that!?  Fergus of all people should understand how much better everyone’s lives could be!

“You’re telling me were meant to live in a society where someone could level a city because they were having a bad day?  That’s the kind of society you think is normal?  We don’t eve know what the aliens society is like.  Maybe only one of them has powers, or maybe they’ve millions of years to figure this out.  We’ve had it for what… a couple of generations.”

She’s not convinced, she’s been self assured time and time again the these powers are on the whole a net negative than a net positive.  Even if Fergus’ arguments are sound.

“At least back then the average layman wouldn’t have access to rocket batteries or nuclear warheads.  We have people who can conjure pseudo-black holes, make people fall to sleep by singing, and conjure cyber creatures.  You’re telling me that you’d rather a world where every person is a walking weapon than one where at least you’d have to get a weapon to be a legitimate threat?”

Change… they kept on repeating that phrase.  What was the point of it?  Sure in small scale it was great, wonderful, people should change.  But what would that matter on a ruined planet?

“I don’t care about their change, if they want to feel good about becoming better people than good for them.  Maybe in whatever afterlife there is they can talk about that in length.  You can change people, but do you know how hard and how long it would be to change a society of people?  A whole planet’s worth?  You’re all so tied down to your ideal happy-go-lucky solutions that you can’t think two steps ahead!  Like a heroic speech is going to change anything!  Where has that gotten us!?  Nowhere!  I’ll take something new, I’ll take this risk over your pointless and useless words anyday.  Your best isn’t good enough!  We need something better!  We need a workable solution!”

Her fuming is halted when Leo speaks up. She’s almost forgotten that she had lifted both him and Red up.

[♫♫♫]

“Well… I mean of course I didn’t do this all myself.  I don’t mean to lessen your impact on any of this either…”

Wait what was he reaching for?  His weapon?  Did he plan to cut the others down for speaking against her so sharply or…?

Again her thoughts were interrupted as she was completely caught off gaurd by Red’s words.  So much so that for a moment everyone feels that they fall for a split second before Rev unsteadily orients them back into her orbit once again.

“Is… now really the time for this!?”

For someone who thinks themselves highly as a genius, she can’t really see where all this is headed.  Even as Red pulls the remote out she’s unsure as to what she’s going to do.  Even if it’s obvious to everyone else, even if her inevitably betrayal is so clear and certain…

Cella can’t even fathom that as an outcome that can occour.

Until it happens, and her reality is shaken.

“…”

For once she’s without words, maybe because she was intently listening to Red, or maybe her head was still reeling from what she had just witnessed.

She’s sure that she’s misheard, or maybe in the high of all her explaining that her mind must’ve conjured some illusion before her.  That’s happened before to others hasn’t it?  The mania and excitement gets to them and their mind plays tricks upon them.

But when she blinked, when she repeated the words in her head it she couldn’t chalk it up to a mental mishap.  

“Why…?”

Surely it was a mistake.

“I don’t get it… why are you doing this?”

Maybe some fault of her own?

“Was it something that I said, or did?  Was I taking too much credit?  You both know how much I appreciate and value you don’t you?”

Had she not shown her appreciation enough?  Was she too cold to her partners?

“Red… we can still go to space together.  And Leo you could get all the support from me that you could ever ask for.”

Everything is unstable, people rise and fall, speed up and slow down, if you’re fast enough you can probably slip out of her field of control as she grapples with the betrayal before her.

“I just… you all knew what I was doing.  I never lied about my intentions, or my plans, or anything to you!  Why are you sudden against all this now!?”

Ah… it starts to dawn on her… why this is all happening.

“I warned you both against this,  told you time and time again not to get close to them.  Not to think of them anymore than lambs to the slaughter.  But no, you had to get attached, you had link yourselves to them.”

It was their fault.  All they were supposed to do was fight, murder, and die.  And somehow they ended up doing something much, much worse!

“I knew that this would happen.  I saw the signs, the warning, and I should’ve cut off those issues than let them fester into the infections that they’ve become now."  

Everything is obvious in hindsight, but she thought better of them.  She believed in them, she thought that they’d be able to stand by her side no matter what happened through and through.  

Do they think that they’re rats fleeing some sinking ship?  Did they never truly believe in her?

"What do you even hope to gain?  Forgiveness?  Redemption?  A second chance?  Where do you think you’re going to go after all this!?  You think that they won’t turn you in to the authorities, or beat the ever loving crap out of you for what we’ve done?  This show of comradery won’t get you what you think it will!  I’m offering you a way out!  Even if you don’t want to come with me I can help you…!”

Ah hubris, the slayer of kings and gods.  And now it has come to take Cella down.

“…Fine, you’ve made your choice.  And I hope you’re happy with it, and I hope you’re all happy with what you’ve done to them.  Give them the false hope that somehow this is better than what I can offer them!" 

They probably are if their words are any indication.  As for Cella she can’t help but ball up her fists as she glares between Leo and Red.

What use is a star with no orbiting bodies?

The point is further hammered home with Angelbot is quite content reminding her that she is in fact alone, outnumbered, and probably outmatched if it really came down to it.

"It’s… it’s fine.  I don’t need…”

She doesn’t need anyone, what difference does it make now?  Who cares if she’s alone… again.  She was prepared for that wasn’t she?

“I’m used to being alone, whether I’m surrounded by people or by asteroids it’ll be the same.  I know what I’m doing is for the greater good… I know it is!  So stop talking to me like… you know what’s wrong with me!  You think that everything is just going to end up being okay if you take me to some bar and show me a good time!?”

Though she’d be lying if she didn’t think that it would be fun to have one bar crawl before being off among the stars.

“That’s always been the burden of the wise.  To be hated and resented for bringing about radical change when no one will get their side of the story!  The people they’ll… they’ll thank me long after I’m gone!  I don’t need to consult them!  One day they’ll look up and see what’s around them and realize that I’ll have granted this all to them.  Even… even if it cost lives!”

She knew she was human, she could only dream of having immortality and being able to live eons and see what she always dreamed of.  But Angelbot was right she was human, for all it’s faults and benefits.  That was one fact that she couldn’t escape.

“Any rich madman…?" 

She figures that Angelbot has a decent point.  In fact she knows that there was another organization doing what she was doing before she could even get her foot in the same door.  And she knew that they were right in that humans were… annoyingly stubborn and hardy.  

She remembered when she was going things about her own pace.  Even before the murder games she was set to do this one way or another.  Sure it probably would’ve taken more years to get launched and even more years to properly function.  But it wouldn’t have been with bloodshed.  Had her passion taken away her humanity?  So eager to be among the stars that she failed to see her proper place on earth?

"I didn’t forget about them!  I gave them everything that I had, trust, respect, I would give them the world and everything on it if they asked.  But they clearly…”

She choked up for a moment.  She didn’t want to show weakness, or sorrow, or anything less than control.

“Clearly they let something else take hold of them.  What use is there in remorse!?  Regret and remorse are things that stop normal people from achieving greatness.  I won’t be stopped!  Not by you, not by them, not even by… the people I called my partners.”

She sniffled as she rubbed her hand across her nose, but kept her eyes dry.

Friends… she thought she had those.  Maybe she still does but her stubbornness and unwillingness to admit her own wrongdoings is pushing them further and further away.  Like a rouge planet flung from it’s star system.

“You want to revive the dead for some… ceremony…?" 

She’s actually unsure what to think at this point.

”…“

Does she even bother to stop this mad robots ramblings at this point?  She’s not even sure where she ought to start replying.  Maybe it was best to let them fantasize for a moment.

[projectsoleil]

Red Giant || Cella|| MM Trial 6.4||Re: Nate, Tsuki ,Roger

The irritation was speaking again.

"It's a generalization you fool.  Of course I'm trying to save people." 

Why did she think that Nate of all people would understand this? 

"You think that I'm doing this to save just some floating rock in space with water and trees?  Do you think that just because I'd let a microscopic amount of people die to help the greater good that I don't care?  That I don't want to help?  That I believe the entirety of the human race must be purged from the planet?"

She laughs, though it's mixed with anger as she listens more and more to Nate.  She never got along with him, could never understand his methods, or his means, or his simpleminded philosophy.  

"Do you think that I had some horrific trauma?  Some bad run in with a hero or villain like the rest of you?  I do this because I think it's the right and proper solution.  The only means of making sure things work out.  I'm sound of mind, spirit, and body.  I have the conviction and determination to do what needs to be done, unlike the rest of the cowardice world that would rather fester in this sinking society.  I care, and I don't need your approval to prove it."

She might not need their approval, but she sure does hate hearing some of the words coming out of their mouths. 

"Tch...!"  

That comment about her being nothing sure does trike a nerve though.

"What's worse then?  You think you all know better and what have you all attempted to do to remedy anything?  Go on, I want to hear it.  Is it property damage?  Beating up villains to near death?  Or maybe just enough so that they throw in the towel on villainy.  Better education?  Preventive services?  Surveillance?  Truly, I want to hear your soltuion, any solution reasonable long term solution.  I bet you can't though.  I bet that your simpleminded solutions are always what ends up getting someone hurt.  Please, tell me what you would do to stop the world from sinking further?  To stop villain's from destroying cities and killing innocents en masse.  I'll tell it to you straight.  What the fate is of people like you."

"You. Will. Be. NOTHING.  Another battered and ruined bulwark trying to hold off the endless tide of 'people' that you so generously care about that won't care for you.  You and every hero on this planet will either break, die, or turn sides to survive in our crumbling world.  A spent torch that once it's fire has been engulfed in blackness will be tossed away into the pile of refuse."

Now that she got that anger out of her system she's gone back to being sarcastic.

"Oh you're right Nate, when I think catastrophic world ending events I think of a small group of people being forced to kill one another on an island.  Truly, some upstart villian will learn from me and apply this across the entire world one day and I'll have no one to blame but myself.  Get real, the world won't end because someone looked to me and this project, in reality it will be something much simpler.  Someone will want power and they'll do anything to get it, they'll have the means, and then they'll tear the world apart to do it, and they won't have remorse."

"I'm not saying I'll stop crime in total, no one can do that short of literally killing every human on earth.  But I can at least minimize the type of damage done.  That should at least make sense to you don't you think?"

Why is she even asking?  She knows that they won't care, that they won't understand.  So few of them are choosing to understand and yet she still attempts time and time again.  Why bother at this point, these fools just want something to bash their fists and head against.

"Another horrific symptom of this society is the inflated sense of self importance.  Every person suddenly thinks they can take on the world.  For good or for evil.  But everyone meets their match someday, to someone, it's happened here enough times for you to know that as fact don't you think?  But fine, I'll oblige,  you know I've never really been the sadistic type.  But I think I'm going to take great pleasure in watching your futile struggle for awhile, if only so that I can watch you realize how little you matter in the grand scheme of things.  "  

She was already heated, but Tsuki's comments just give her a flashback to those inflammatory comments made by Artemis.

  "..."

She really hates these damn bots.  But she can't let herself lose her cool, even if she really wants to just vent.

"I'm starting to see a correlation between intelligence and how vocal some of you are choosing to be about my supposed failure.  You must think that you're funny, that's fine.  I'm no stranger to fools misunderstanding and mocking me."

"I've told you once, I'll tell you again.  Creating a first of it's kind self sustain space station meant for interstellar travel isn't something that you can just hash out on the first draft, or the first hundred drafts.  You learn how to fix, alter, and improve, as you do with any project as large as this one.  The money doesn't make me smarter, but it does expand the possibilities I can explore and speed up that process.  I'm certain that MHEC will also be helpful in that regard as well."

As for whether the aliens would see them as a threat or not...

"Maybe it was an experiment, maybe it was an accident, but I doubt that if they can give powers like these that they'd be afraid of us.  Chances are they can wield such powers themselves and have had ages to improve and perfect them, longer than we have.  They can't see us as threats, in the same way that you can't see a gnat as anything more than perhaps a small annoyance." 

At least she hopes, it'll be real awkward if her sudden introduction to the aliens leads to them wanting to burn their planet down.

For once he does make a decent point.

  "Well... there's always risk, but one can imagine that their reaction won't be one of fire and fury.  Not at first, and not if we don't give them a reason.  I'm willing to take that risk, after all no one else seems to be willing."

"There are many smart people in the world, and it's true that many of them probably could attempt what I'm doing with less money, more time, and less killing games and if they're truly wise they'll know that seldom can complex creations be made in such few attempts.  You try to shame me for my failures and revisions, but that's the tactic of someone who hasn't labored themselves on such things."

She got mad before, she's not going to get upset again.  She was the person in control here after all.

"You're right, many of the fools here are orbiting around me in cages of electricity.  Truly, there must be many vocal idiots here that must think they know better simply because they can shout rather loudly."

Now that... was the most unexpected question that she's gotten all day.  

"...Hmm, speaking from experience of having immense pressure on you  Well, I'll be honest.  I've never thought once about what the ULF might be feeling as a... 'person' if I dared to even call it that.  It's a tool to me, and a living organism second. I suppose you have a point, if it doesn't want to fight or follow my orders I certainly can't make it.  But I sure as hell can... 'convince' it to do so.  Even the most basic of creatures have a self preservation instincts after all."

"Still, color me impressed that you're more worried for the ULF while some others of you seem intent on fighting it.  Maybe you should try talking it out with it, I'd love to see what the results of that will look like."

[projectsoleil]

Second Stage || Cella || MM Trial 6.3 || Re: Gabibot, Abe, Shougo

"Hah."

She can't help but release a single arrogant laugh from her chest before raising an eyebrow at Gabibot.

"Oh I'm sure that many of them want to hurt me, I bet some of them want to kill me even.  But the difference between desires and action is what's keeping them alive right now.  If they so much as flinch in the wrong way I can and will eliminate you."

"Despite having everything planned it's not as though I have this space colony ready to go right away you know.  And if I were to let you all go what's to stop you from rattling to to the police, the media, or your super hero grandmother who could pose a serious risk to me and my plans?  Sure I'm fast and efficient but even having all this power and manufacturing at my disposal means I'm going to need to have to actually build it you know.  And in that period where it's under construction would be really, really, really, annoying to deal with people busting in and breaking all that I've worked on."

Her gaze shifts between Gabibot and Abe.  Again a cocky smile growing on her face.

"A more arrogant person would let you all vote and regardless of the outcome do whatever they wanted.  I'll do what a smart person does and simply not give you any control over that."

"The point was to round you all up and then execute you and add your data to the ULF, there's also the issue of that meddlesome Shoko but all problems will be dealt with in due time.  Still, some of you certainly have been more or less understanding of your current position and others still seem to be in need of proper convincing.  Maybe I really will release the ULF, let it stretch it's legs and arms.  After all I do need to ensure that it's in proper condition before I use it for my own means."

"Unless you're all fine with waiting here in some form of captivity, no contact with the outside world until I'm finished.  You know what that means right?  No other friends, no other family, none of that.  Though I might be able to make some sort of scheduled message you can send and receive that we'd have to vet through.  Sorry Abe, I can appreciate your enthusiasm, but you sadly don't fit in my current plans.  Survive all this though and I'll give you 10 million dollars for certain, surely you can wait a little longer for that no?"

"I chose nothing, this was Ivo's idea, I just streamlined everything once he had the base of the project all squared away.  Either way, from what I remember of Ivo's plan the idea was to supercharge your potential land DNA by putting you into this stressful situation.  And can you say it hasn't worked?  All of you have had amazing leaps in strength, speed, and potential with your powers and abilities.  Naturally this also extends to me as well... terrifying isn't it?  Did you need to be dead?  I believe so."

"Still I don't expect you to tuck away your emotions, but frankly I don't care about your feelings.  You can hate me and wish me dead, that won't stop me.  But maybe you can find some peace in knowing that this was all worth something."  

The last few questions are perhaps the most hard hitting and difficult questions for her to consider.  After all, she has had ample time to think them over.

What if they're eons away and nothing she could make to hope to reach them.  What if they're too well hidden to be found by any conventional technology?  What if they refuse to start a dialogue on the grounds that they think themselves so much mightier and more intellectual than us.  

It's there for a moment, but nevertheless it's there.

Hesitation and doubt.

The killers of ambition.

"There's never any guarantees in science, but if you saw a pile of ants suddenly able to communicate with humans, making technology or tools to facilitate travel and survival techniques just to speak with you I'd imagine you'd be at least a little more interested in them to do more than just passively observe.  Maybe you're right, maybe they want to see what we'll do with these powers and how they will affect our planet.  I've seen enough, we've all seen enough haven't we?  How many pointless deaths due to villainy have we seen?  Abuses in power simply because some person had the literal super power to control others or become a golden beacon of good even if they're corrupt as the lowest circle of hell?  We simply aren't meant to have these powers and damnit someone has to try and make that point.  I have to try!  I..."

She shook her head and tried to calm down.

"Look, whatever they are they chose not to wipe us out and exploit our planet for resources.  That's a good enough start to know that they at least see some form of reason.   It's simply a hypothesis, maybe they won't listen to me but maybe they'll at least show themselves to us and we can all talk to them, get them to understand what we're going through."

"As for why me?  Well why not?  As far as I know I'm the only person on this planet attempting something like... well not quite.  There was one other organization but they were met with... complications.  The only reason I'm special is because I'm attempting it, nothing more, nothing less.  If others wanted to try this out I'd be happy, but as it stands we're stuck rutting about with out own hero lifestyle and just trying to make it through each day without getting anything done."

She sighed, and tapped her foot insistently on the floor.

"...People thought I was wrong before, I'll prove them wrong again and when I do the world will be all the better for it."

[projectsoleil]

Valley of Fear | Oleander | Re: Celestial Revolution

Shougo can’t help looking a little bit surprised when Cella says she respects them. With the colossal arrogance she’s showing to their other friends, it’s hard to believe they could be someone respected in all of this.

“Hearing that means more than nothing, at least. It means that I wasn’t a complete sucker when you were nice to me.”

“The respect was mutual at the time. Though I don’t know if it means much to you either—if it did, we wouldn’t be here right now, would we?”

They can believe Leo meant some of the things he said, and they can believe Pheo really loved them. However, if Cella had cared about anyone genuinely, she would have stopped this a long time ago. 

“Of all things, you chose to make people kill each other one by one to create your lifeform. Why? Can you only harvest DNA from dead people? And if we needed to bond...why set it up like that in the first place? You can’t honestly expect people to throw their emotions aside after making them watch their friends die just because you said it’s for a greater good, do you?”

Their eyes briefly fall towards Pheo and Leo--there’s some sympathy, given Shougo likely would have bought some of these ideas themself early on. Who wouldn’t want to try and secure a better world, after all?

Still. Shougo can’t help but be the type to question what’s in front of them. Who knows if that’s paranoia or rightful skepticism.

“You aren’t completely wrong about the world--there are a lot of bad people who hurt others for selfish reasons...for reasons that they think are justified, too. Even if you eliminate powers, humanity’s gonna find another way to fuck itself over...not that the possibility of more problems is a good reason to not do anything about it, but…”

“What makes you so certain that your aliens are in reach and willing to give you what you want? You said that they must have given us these powers for a reason--what if the reason is just to see how we’d evolve and affect our planet? Why do you think they’d be willing to reverse that just because you managed to make your own personal servant lifeform--that they’ll think you’re right? Or are you gonna make them give you their secrets if they don't willingly? What's your plan then?” 

Their tone is relatively even, if a bit incredulous. There’s still some of Cella’s hand that Shougo needs to see. Cella Huck considers herself a well-intentioned extremist, of course, but there’s still the massive sense of ego that Shougo can’t completely respect or understand.

“I genuinely want to know. How are you so confident that you'll succeed? Why are you the one who gets to play god to save humanity? What gives you the impression that you’re special, Doctor?”

[projectsoleil]

Oh You Silly Plutonians || Cella || MM Trial 6.2 || Re: Riley, Papillon, & Shougo

“Would you like to find out?  I could bring them right on over right now if you’re so interested to see if I can control it.”

She stares at Papillion with villainous glee.  It shifts to confusion at the concept of mind placed being brought up.

“A mind palace?  You can upload into machines, but do you realize how complex the human brain is?  The number of neuron connections in a microscopic cube slice of the human brain?  The amount of processing power and data storage you’d need would trump anything that exists on earth."  

She seems pretty dismissive of the whole ordeal. 

"Still, I can agree that maybe some lingering fragments of memory or consciousness, whatever you call it might exist in them.  That’s not an issue though, do you really think I’d be foolish enough not to have some kind of plan or control mechanism just in case?  I won’t make the same mistakes as Dr. Frankenstien.  Granted, it was specifically made and engineered to be obedient to me… even so I imagine there might be a few act outs.”

She keeps her hands tucked behind her back as she looks skyward.

“If things truly do get out of hand, I have a means of ensuring my own safety that much I can assure you.  I’m glad to know that you’re concerned for my well being.”

“And again, I must repeat I’m not trying to get the aliens to ‘notice me senpai’ or whatever weird ideas you have in mind.  Though I guess you plutonian’s wouldn’t really understand the grander nature of contacting such being would amount to.”

Now onto Riley, another excellent question and a simple one that she could answer with confidence.

“The Sunscape Bots are physically based of Soleil aliens.  I’m sure some of you probably find the idea cute don’t you?  To think that our alien friends might have an appearance similar to these bots.  But likely their similarities stop at appearances only.”

Or so she hopes, or having adorable friendly aliens similar to Tyr will have destroyed her concept of what alien life might look like.

“Oh I’m sure that you had most of this figured out detective, what do you want?  A pat on the back?  An award?  Well I’ll give you the best give possible, my recognition of your intelligence and abilities.  From one genius to another, I respect you, that should be a proper gift right?”

“Still, you’re a little off with a few things.  I didn’t know Ivo personally until about a month before all this began.”

“A month prior to this whole project, I initially thought of using this whole little sunscape battle royale idea as an opportunity to steal more supplies from him.  I was prepared with a means of escape and communication, everything, so when I met with him alone and he informed of the true details of this plan well… I decided it would be better to join him.  The path of least resistance is sometimes the best option.  We both had something to gain, he’d have my expertise, intelligence, and connections to valuable and reliable helpers, and an assurance that his own dream would come true.  I’ve already stated what I get out of this, Sunscape Enterprises at my fingertips and unimaginable funds. So no point in repeating that.”

“Let me be clear, I find what Ivo did to be abhorrent and it’s only a stroke of luck that I didn’t end up being in the same situation as some other Sunrise Academy alumnus." 

She glances at Rina for a moment before turning back to Shougo.

"But regret has never been a useful tool for those who wish to make progress.  I only did this because to me, the benefits outweighed the loss of life.  If you hate me for that mentality, then you can curse me to the depths of hell.  I will never deny that what I’ve done is terrible, but I will also never say that it won’t be worth it.”

She perks back up at the mention of using Ivo’s power to bring the dead back to life.  She smiles, and puts a hand to her chin and seriously considers the idea.

“…What an interesting proposal, the idea of giving a second life to everyone that died.  From what I understand it’s certainly possible, but also unlikely.  Ivo’s powers from what I can tell has only been usable on the living, and when they die they get a second chance.  Does it work on the dead?  It’s possible… and yet at the same time it would be troublesome if all of you and all the dead came back and mouthed off on my plans while I was still getting everything setup.  Loose ends get lost in the wind, and I don’t want them to catch up to me easily.”

She pauses.

“But… I’ll at the very least entertain the idea.  Make this final trial worthwhile and perhaps I’ll at least see if it works well.”

After all there could be some use in reviving the dead using Ivo’s remains.  Maybe that old freak could be of more use to her after his death after all.

Ah finally, the questions that she’s wanted to answer for the longest time because she’s sure that people would not understand at all why she did this.

“You’re correct, I’m not an idiot.  And as lamentable as it is that we have lost lives there were will be countless more loss if we don’t make contact with the aliens that have altered our species for the worst.  I’ll put it to you this way, we find a way to make contact with the Soleil, we ask them how to control or remove, or alter our powers before we end up with a husk of a planet that has little to no life because of powers that we were never meant to have went wild and uncontrolled.”

We’re on a timer, and the loss of a few dozen lives to prevent the ultimate extinction and destruction of our planet seems preferable.  Even if the means and methods aren’t exactly pure as snow.

Finally she responds to the last question, the loved ones motive… was she really angry at people?  Was she really pretending to be scared and hurt and wanting to trust other people? 

“…Of course it was an act.”

“Though, Red did slap me pretty hard one time with I 'pressed her’ about her actions during that motive." 

She thought it was really good acting but now she’s not really sure.

"And yet at the same time I did trust you to some extent to make the 'right’ decision if it came down to it, I hope you can believe that much from me that I did have the utmost respect for you Detective.  I’m not the type that goes around making people feel better about themselves just for brownie points.  There are many, many, many people here that I absolutely do not respect or care about in the slightest.  But you were one of the exceptions, though I doubt you’ll value that much at the moment.”

She shrugs, it is what it was if they wanted to believe her or not was their choice now that she had laid it all out there.

[projectsoleil]

The Final Problem | Oleander | Re: Celestial Revolution

Shougo wants to hear Pheo and Leo say they’ll help them now. They want to think there’s a chance, maybe not completely, but at least part way, for the two to be forgiven. They look at the genuine tears from both of them in anticipation.

They don’t have much time to process before the robots return to help, and before they can even question where he is, Nate charges in with a sword in hand. 

Shougo looks happier than they have in a while to see him, even though the ensuing confrontation stresses them out considerably with not wanting anyone to die. Nate’s too good to lose though, and he’s not gonna kill them either. With all of them at a stalemate they can work things out to challenge the boss with everyone. At this rate, everything will be fine—

Then the ground is ripped out from under them. Quite literally.

There’s an uncomfortable sense of helplessness floating at the mercy of another person. They hesitate to even reach into their pockets to find some plant life to anchor themself, on the chance that the woman arriving before them sees it as a threat and pushes them into the electric field around them.

Speaking of her, it looks like Abe and Shougo were right. 

Funny, someone who’d reminded them of a mentor figure, that they’d genuinely enjoyed the insight and company of, set up every other crime in this place. Do they just have some sixth sense that draws them to bad or criminal people?

Maybe in the recesses of Shougo’s heart there’s a sense of relief to see her again, but they’ve somewhat exhausted their goodwill at this point. That entire last trial is starting to look more like a farce specifically to spite them now that everyone they mourned has come back.

Besides, Leo and Pheo had meant some things, or at least the important ones they’d said like caring about them or calling them a good friend. Looking at Doctor Cella Huck, all they can see is a woman who’s been testing them and likely making fun of their earnest attempts to understand what was going on here and try to look like an equal to her. 

And if there’s one thing Shougo can’t stand, it’s being made fun of. 

“Kihihi…took you long enough, Doctor. I’ve been trying to uncover what your big plan was from the moment I heard of you…and turns out it was this! Complete with thematic decor and an edgy speech…’cosmic understanding?’ That’s what the murder mystery battle royale and the stolen parts were for? I see, I see…well, you’re right about one thing: I have plenty of questions that I want your perspective on. Like old times, huh, Cella?”

There’s a challenging sarcasm to their words as they speak despite the fact that they’re awkwardly suspended in the air and trying to keep themself balanced.

Are they intimidated? Yeah, but they also have a role to play. They’re a fucking detective. If Cella wants to play Professor Moriarty, Shougo has to step up their Sherlock Holmes game.

They adjust their goggles, the feeling offering an anchor despite their suspension, replacing the tactile sensation of tapping their fingers on the podium. The most important thing is that they remain calm–even if the opposing force considers them inferior, Shougo can’t show an inkling of considering the same.

“There’s that shutdown notice, for one…Ivo mentioned it being a shame the island wouldn’t be used anymore in his diary and experimenting on the plant life, so I’m guessing that was real...but I also think that some point down the line, you met Ivo and Project Soleil gained a new life–probably three years after the shutdown considering that update. So you probably stole all that equipment to bring it here…am I right?” 

“Of course, I’m curious how you even met that freak anyway: what, did he read your thesis and tell you about how right you are? That where the new note in your essay and the note on his power comes from? Speaking of…” 

Their voice becomes a bit more subdued: not sympathetic, but testing for a heart nonetheless.

“You said you didn’t completely agree with his methods. It seems that those children were experimented on before you came into the picture anyway…and we have proof that his power transfers accurately with the fact that you and your associates are standing here right now. How willing are you to try the same on the people killed in your experiment?” 

It’s the same question they asked Pheo. Shougo’s also not the best in violent situations, so reason is the main weapon they have. Besides, knowing whether Cella Huck is willing to accept an olive branch extended out towards her will tell Shougo how far they need to go from here: whether Cella needs to be gone for the chance to save everyone else or not.

“It’d be a nice bit of dramatic irony, right? A man who threw innocent lives away for his experimentation having his body used to save some of the very lives he played with…if you’re capable of that, perhaps I’ll consider giving your plan to go to space and show the aliens you’re worthy of being given the same cosmic power or whatever a little more credit.”

“Because right now, I don’t think getting several people killed for your own advancement is worth it. What ‘greater good’ gives you the right to take people’s lives from them? And if you dare say some shit about how they did it to themselves…well. I hope I don’t need to explain to you how wrong that is. You’re not an idiot, right, Doctor?”

Shougo manages to keep an even voice despite how angry the entire thing makes them. Best they focus on something else for now. 

“Oh! But there’s also one self-indulgent personal question I have: you knew for sure the loved ones motive was fake, and you didn’t realize I was there at first, so you didn’t have a reason to pretend for me right away. So what really had you so pissed off after Pheo and Min pressed those buttons? Just acting for the camera? Or was there something else going on?“

"You vented to me and tried to make me feel important with that whole ‘take my phone so I don’t press the button, Shougo’ thing…how often do you use that tactic on people? I’m curious how much you were lying to me as well.”

 They may be a bit hurt by the fact that it worked on them for a while. Not that they’re telling her that.

[projectsoleil]

We Have Liftoff || Cella || MM Trial 6.1 ||Re: Nate, Abe, Gabibot

Cella took off her visor, shaking her head in disappointment as she glared at Nate.

"...You never did lose spirit did you?  It's admirable in a way, and at the same time extremely annoying.  That voice is like sandpaper rubbing against styrofoam." 

She raised her index finger up and motioned it in a circle and Nate began to spin in place faster, and faster, before slowing down to a stop.

"Shouting isn't going to get you any answers, but proper questions will."

And thus she took a moment to consider what he was asking.

"The reasons for this project were... I had my reasons and Ivo had his.  To start, Ivo invited me here to help facilitate this project.  Mainly because he wanted to see if he could push the potential of superpowers into an Ultimate Life Form.  You're all familiar with them now, as you've so kindly called them The Shadow the Hedgehog Gijinka There should be a document that you all saw, the purpose of Project Soleil.  I believe Red was kind enough to explain that when your bonds were amped up your DNA would meld to the Ultimate Life Form better and your powers would appropriately become stronger in the Ultimate Life Form."

She started pacing around the room, eyeing various people and scowling at some of the bots.

"That was ultimately, Ivo and his grandfather's Gerald's desires.  As for me, I was promised extensive financial compensation as well as the proper manufacturing needed to create a self sustaining space colony that would allow for long term livable conditions.  Which will be considerably easier now that I have the whole of Soleil Industries at my disposal as well as other financial backing.  Of course the primary focus on being able to find alien life, but not just any alien life... the alien life that granted us these powers."

She turned to Abe who seemed to be having troubles stabilizing his body.  To which she helped keep him somewhat steady so he didn't end up electrocuting himself.

"Ah right... I did promise that didn't I?  Don't worry, I didn't forget."

She reaches into her cape and pulls out a 20 dollar bill and floats it right on over to Abe, slipping it through the cage.

"Consider the extra a tip for being a delightful conversation partner through most of this.  Even though you had some rather choice insults for me leading up to this I can forgive you seeing as you were under some serious stress."

"Still you're smart enough to ask the right questions.  The purpose and use of the ULF is ultimately up to me.  Though I have no intentions of world domination.  You're somewhat close, I intend to bring the ULF with me into space on my search for aliens, mainly as a tool to help with everyday work and issues that may arise.  Space travel and maintaining a space colony would be hard enough and having the ULF as a steady pair of hands and utility would be preferable.  And if things do get dangerous... some handy defense would also be nice"

Yup, the ULF will be a glorified super maintenance worker/ space security guard.  

"But you're right, I wouldn't want to fight them.  In fact I can't imagine that we could fight them if we wanted to.  I imagine that their technology must surpass ours to such extents that we can't fathom it and that they likely have intelligence and powers so amazing that we also couldn't fathom it.  Ultimately I do hope to prove to them that we are worth help and that we don't deserve to be made an experiment of ourselves."

She grinned at Abe, nodding her head in approval before stepping back.

"Maybe, just maybe I'll consider bringing you along.  Assuming this isn't some kind of last ditch gambit to save yourself and the others."

She turns her head over to Gabibot, and has to stare for a few seconds.

"...Am I an alien?  No, though I can see why you might've thought that.  My fanaticism with the out realms of our universe might seem... more like the ramblings of some alien creature than the curiosity of a normal human.  Gabi's thoughts are definitely in there aren't they?  Well, I can tell you that I didn't lie.  I am very passionate about space, about what's out there, about the idea of other galactic civilizations that have had eons to develop and create wonders that we could only hope to dream of."

It's somewhat sad seeing the robot in a state like this, but she doesn't let the pity in her heart latch on.

"Still I must reiterate that I'm not trying to show off the ULF like a child showing a parent their grade school drawing.  Ideally... I'd be able to start some conversation or learn something from them.  What the purpose of giving humanity powers was, or what they think of us, their own history.  Isn't something like that fascinating?  To know that there's something out there that looks at us and see's a glimpse of what they used to be like... and wonder why they've chosen this particular means of first contact.  Do we just not understand?  Are they so beyond us that this is literally their only means of trying to tell us they're out there."

She reels in her enthusiasm and tries to calm herself just enough so she doesn't sound completely manic.

"...That is an example of what I hope to achieve by going out to find them.  To receive answers, and to hopefully get them before we end up dooming ourselves and our planet in the process."

[projectsoleil]

Foxglove | Oleander | Trial 4 | Re: All

They freeze for a second when Nate decides to check Ana. Why is he stalling?

Why is Angel stalling after narrowing it down? The answer is right in front of them! 

They’re almost grateful to Abe and Dr. Rev for actually saying it, until Abe addresses them like that.

“Prove it’s not me…Are you kidding me, Abe? Why do you guys have faith in me? You just said how I was the only person who could have done those things, don’t pretend otherwise! Who else but the guy named after a poison plant would use plants to spike someone’s drink?!”

“I also just admitted to being the last person to see one of our victims before the investigation started. Dr. Revolution’s right– there was kelp fucking sprawled out on the beach, I come here with my face covered when there was a face bandage in the garbage–honestly! Do I have to spell it out for you?!”

♫♫

Frustrated, Shougo digs his fingers to get a grip on the bandage, peeling it off with a wince, revealing a much nastier looking burn than they’d had before, one that looks almost like a scrape, along with what looks to be a few bits of singed hair.

“Ugh–well, it’s getting annoying waiting while you guys go in circles anyway, when…when I could be taking credit for my handiwork. Guess Mother’s nature was inside me the whole time after all.” 

They toss the bandage aside, electing to drum their fingers on the podium–no, they neglect that after a second to fold their arms. A killer is supposed to be more confident.

“Those ground up bits in the orange juice are golden poppies. They’re a sedative commonly used to help insomnia–we all know I’m not exactly a fighter, so I couldn’t have those two at the top of their game. It’s just common sense.” 

“…so yeah. I killed Min because I hated her, and I killed Haruki because I wanted revenge. I regret nothing except that I can’t kill them again. That’s the answer you’re all searching for, right?”

Their voice has a dull, rehearsed quality to it, as if they’re still trying to formulate the correct response even now.

“Congratulations. Now, should I wait to be voted for, or are you guys gonna get your asses killed trying to tear me limb from limb?”

[projectsoleil]

Dr. Rev the Science Gal || Rev || Trial 4.2 || Re: Angel, Abe || Attn: Oleander

Oh no someone asked Rev about science turn back now or-

"Well to answer your question it's not completely out of the question that this could be space related material.  There have been theories that black holes could contain what's known as a 'Perfect low viscosity fluid'. Meaning that it flows very well and has extremely low stickiness.  It's theorized that water is about 400 times more viscous that this kind of fluid.  So... it's possible that this mystery gunk is that, though I'd need my own testing materials."

Also I don't mean to power explain, but I should clarify that even if Haruki was making black holes they aren't real black holes.  Otherwise we'd be dead, even a nickel sized black hole in terms of diameter or weight would kill us.  Anyway, if Haruki's stars turned into say... pseudo black holes it's not like you'd be able to see it.  At best you'd see it's explosion from it's short lifetime, which I suppose still leads us back to the question of why you didn't see it.

She shrugs, she's done as best she can explaining the science of it all.

"What I'm more interested in is the idea that perhaps there was also a large amount of kelp left around the beach.  Which, normally wouldn't be that much of an eye raiser but plant powers do come to mind when you think of kelp.  Just throwing that out there.  Especially since Abe is right, it's unusual that someone would go out of their way use a mortal and pistol to create something with plants..."

[projectsoleil]

Breakfast for Your Brains || Rev || Trial 4.1 || Re: Angel, Oleander, Hawk

"I don't blame you for sleeping through the crime, I did the same thing after all.  The times of these murders are always at the worst times.  though I suppose there's never really a 'good' time to kill someone."

She waves a hand, honestly she couldn't care less about the emotional toil that Min and Haruki's death's had.  She didn't care much for Min, and Haruki was... well she didn't have a particularly bad experience with him, but he did scare her more times that she'd like.

"So you're suggesting that perhaps our mystery identifier is our departed Haruki then?  The message was sent about ten minutes before Min's death, so maybe he witnessed something or possibly was involved in her death.  Hard to say at this point..."

Thanks Rev.

"Not a sound at all?  Either she was sliding so well that she was essentially gliding on air that seems difficult to imagine. Still... landing in the sand can't possibility be all that comfortable even for Min's standards.  Honestly, I thought that she was sliding along and then just collapsed off into the beach, an accident like that would lead to some pretty painful injuries I'd imagine."  

Rev is going to use her power to try and float some breakfast over to her.  She's hungry, she can't think well on an empty stomach. 

"Thank you very much Angel, I'm getting tired of doing all these investigations without any food... so this is much appreciated."

[projectsoleil]

Helmets Off Gang || Rev || Trial 3.2 || Re: Angel

"You should consider getting a high tech mask, ventilation and proper tempature control will allow you to keep it on longer."

She stares for a few seconds at Angel, it's hard to tell what she's feeling considering the only indication has been the light coming from her helmet.  But she soon decides to take it off.

"Fine, it's not as though I have anything to hide.  Though you should be one of the people least suspicious of me." 

She rolls her eyes at Angel.

   "No need to sound so menacing.  I went to the souvenir shop at 9 AM after I split up meeting you and Plague.  I stayed for an hour and then went to the movie theatre to imagine a movie."

Imagine... a movie?

"I can already tell this is going to raise some eyebrows but I simply wanted to enjoy a movie.  Though without any power the best I could do was replay the scenes in my head while I imagined them on the big screen in silence.  It was calming, anyway, around... 11:10 AM I felt that someone was watching me.  I thought that it was either you or Plague.  Hence why I suggested that someone would speak up to corroborate my alibi.  I stay there until 11:52 AM, and then the body announcement occurred."

She flippantly waves a hand.

"To suggest that I'm playing a game I can't win is a silly notion here, as if I'm trying to pull some kind of scheme under your nose.  I simply don't have much of an alibi unless someone wants to say they saw me watching a blank movie screen.  Hence why I figured it would be best to simply say nothing..."  

[projectsoleil]

At Least It's Dry Now || Rev || Trial 3.1 || Re: Maxwell, Vega

Rev can't help but look over at Fenrir and his rather dramatic entrance into the trial.

So dramatic, was that really all necessary?  They were all going to try and find the killer weren't they?  Maybe that bond was too strong that he couldn't help but let his feelings be known. 

Still it was kind of annoying.

She would say that out loud if she wasn't concerned that Fenrir might thrust a sword through her heart or something, mockery wasn't the point of the trial right now anyway.  And hey, maybe he would motive some others to really give it their all in the trial.

"Vega is correct about the sword, I spoke with our departed Aphrodite before about how her hefty sword was more or less a stylistic sword meant mainly for cutting rubble than for combat.  Either way I'm in agreement with her notes."  

"That being said, I'm curious if perhaps the person who planted the sword was actually her killer or just someone who wanted to tamper with the crime scene.  After all, Aphrodite was found resting her head underneath a pillow along with that spray painted mark at the gift shop.  Not to say that's what happened but we should think for a moment about possibilities.  We do have someone who mysteriously discovered the body but wasn't involved in the murder itself.  Another case of an accomplice possibly?  Or someone who just wanted to screw around..."

She paused.

"Two Rovers?  Is this some sort of thing that Snapshot did as to keep a copy for himself?  Clever..." 

And annoying if it actually has a purpose for the point of the case.

"...I may or may not have an alibi depending on whether or not someone else may speak.  I can say that I was in the movie theater during the time of the crime, I have a feeling that someone knows I was there so I'll just wait for them to speak up.  But I'll leave that to be discussed later if it comes down to it."

She then turns to Maxwell wondering if she's fine poking the deadly speed demon that's got a sword right now.

"From the sounds of it you're describing some kind of fight that happened.  Still, it does make you wonder how one dies from organ failure while also fighting without any evidence of tampering with food or drink.  There was evidence of random slashes around the Mun-Mart..." 

She shrugs, they're to time no point in trying to bull rush a solution right at the start.

[projectsoleil]

Oh I Should Mention... || Rev || Trial 2.1 ||

"Gold... metallic sheen... those are some pretty specific tools that someone could use for killing."

  She almost wonders if it's too easy of a point to latch onto.  

She didn't have much to say but she figured she might as well speak up for a moment.

"...I suppose I should make mention that I happened to get near John-E-Cheese at 5 AM this morning, but I found that the doors were locked.  Of course, our victim was still alive by then and before you ask, I didn't run into anyone on the way back to the hotel.  So chances are that he was already in there, or something along that nature."

[projectsoleil]

Shoot It Down Now | Oleander | Trial 1 | Re: Vega mostly

Oleander looks over the voting screen, not really sure what to make of the pictures, when Vega says something that strikes a flare of anger in him right after he’d just calmed down.

“Min, shut up. Why do you keep insisting on being a fucking moron?”

“You’re saying Aiko could die if we vote for her--well, Hawk and Dr. Revolution are right, with that logic, what do you think happens if we get it wrong? At the worst, we all could be killed, and no one wants to take that risk. You have no right to put us on the same level as murderers just because you want to feel better about your own selfish choices. So shut up about how you’re ‘not judging, bro’--pretending you’re somehow above everyone here is shitty and...it's fucking lame.”