So Said The Stars

<h3>`~*~` S o   S a i d   T h e   S t a r s `~*~`</h3> By PekaSairroc and Sugar-Splenda Final Update In Progress [[Start New Game->Confirm]] (link: "Continue")[ (load-game: $_autosave_slot)] [[Debug jump]] [[Authors' Notes]] [[Spoiler and CW/TW Warnings]] [[Cookie/Save Information]] [[Music Credits]] [[Other Credits]] [[Disclaimers]] [[Older Author Notes and Credits]] (unless: (track: 'ALPHA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'ALPHA', 'loop', true) (track: 'ALPHA', 'play') ]

`[receiving message]` (live: 1s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[...] (stop:)]|more>[] (live: 2s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[.....] (stop:)]|more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.......] (stop:)]|more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[.........->...]] (stop:) ]] (set: $TayTrust to 10 ) (set: $T2Trust to 3 ) (set: $abandonT2 to 0 ) (set: $parallellines to 0 ) (set: $light to 0 ) (set: $explorereadyroom to 0 ) (set: $T2medbay to 0 ) (set: $T2Float to 0 ) (set: $tether to 0 ) (set: $shiplog to 0 ) (set: $exploreMed to 0 ) (set: $medbaydoor to 0 ) (set: $waterrec to 0 ) (set: $airfilters to 0 ) (set: $distressbeacon to 0 ) (set: $proximityalarm to 0 ) (set: $cleanlab to 0 ) (set: $answer to 0 ) (set: $ToDo to 0 ) (set: $labcrash to 0 ) (set: $beaconON to 0 ) (set: $noise to 0 ) (set: $labnoisedeath to 0 ) (set: $TayHurt to 0 ) (set: $Music5 to 0 ) (set: $tort to 0 ) (set: $enjoy to 0 ) (set: $tortnumber to 0 ) (set: $findVaria to 0 ) (set: $offMoon to 0 ) (set: $notMarines to 0 ) (set: $otherUniv to 0 ) (set: $tayArmy to 0 ) (set: $t2Eyes to 0 ) (set: $TayDeathCount to 0) (set: $T2DeathCount to 0) (set: $rewind to 0) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to 0) (set: $RecordRoom to 0) (set: $GreenRecRoom to 0) (set: $GreenCrash to 0) (set: $U to 1) (set: $labnoisedeath to 0) (set: $GreenHallway to 0) (set: $Green450VTay to 0) (set: $Green640VTay to 0) (set: $Green120V to 0) (set: $Green640V to 0) (set: $Green1000V to 0) (set: $T21 to 0) (set: $T3 to 0) (set: $T42 to 0) (set: $GreenAirlockTay to 0) (set: $intactEMP to 0) (set: $nogreenrewind to 0) (set: $reconcrewdeath to 0) (set: $greeneyes to 0) (set: $lifeline to "Lifeline") (set: $T2distrust to 0) (set: $turret to 0) (set: $perfect to 0) (set: $GreenUtilities to 0) (set: $recon to 0) (set: $EVA to 0) (set: $aesthetic to " ") (set: $genre to " ") (set: $plot to " ") (set: $Green6401000V to 0) (set: $EMPdeath to 0) (set: $TayQuestions to 0) (set: $T2Questions to 0) (set: $TayGO to 0) (set: $TayNEU to 0) (set: $TayNOGO to 0) (set: $T2GO to 0) (set: $T2NEU to 0) (set: $T2NOGO to 0) (set: $Q1 to 0) (set: $Q2 to 0) (set: $Q3 to 0) (set: $Q4 to 0) (set: $Q5 to 0) (set: $Q6 to 0) (set: $Q7 to 0) (set: $Q8 to 0) (set: $Q9 to 0) (set: $Q10 to 0) (set: $Q11 to 0) (set: $Q12 to 0) (set: $Q13 to 0) (set: $Q14 to 0) (set: $Q15 to 0) (set: $Q16 to 0) (set: $Q17 to 0) (set: $Q18 to 0) (set: $Q19 to 0) (set: $Q20 to 0) (set: $Q21 to 0) (set: $Q22 to 0) (set: $Q23 to 0) (set: $Q24 to 0) (set: $Q25 to 0) (set: $Q26 to 0) (set: $Q27 to 0) (set: $Q28 to 0) (set: $Q29 to 0) (set: $Q30 to 0) (set: $Q31 to 0) (set: $Q32 to 0) (set: $Q33 to 0) (set: $Q34 to 0) (set: $Q35 to 0) (set: $Q36 to 0) (set: $Q37 to 0) (set: $Q38 to 0) (set: $Q39 to 0) (set: $Q40 to 0) (set: $T5 to 0) (set: $whoyou to 0) (set: $whostarstuff to 0) (set: $whostargazer to 0) (set: $keepsafe to 0) (set: $youdo to 0) (set: $trustyou to 0) (set: $backplanet to 0) (set: $backfamily to 0) (set: $banana to 0)

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

Oh. Man. Thank god it connected. Finally got the q-comm to work which is NO EASY TASK when you're fending off all the problems that gravitate towards you. There are so many problems. [[Is this who I think it is?]] [[What types of problems are you having?]] (unless: (track: 'SPACE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'SPACE', 'loop', true) (track: 'SPACE', 'play') ]

Oh man. Don't tell me you haven't heard the epic space-faring adventures of The Star-explorer Extraodinaire! (Volume four of the series should be out shortly!) [[TAYLOR!]] [["Star-explorer extraodinaire?"]] (unless: (track: 'SPACE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'SPACE', 'loop', true) (track: 'SPACE', 'play') ]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(live: 0.0)[(transition: "dissolve")[The Stars...(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 2.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I can see them all... (stop:) ]] |more>[](live: 5.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[burning, burning, burning, shining... (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 8.8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[An endless cycle of gas and dust and heat and energy and anima and life and death... (stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 11.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[But enriching more life, laying out its foundations in such a burst of light, despite the violent flash it can begin again... (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 22.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[to burn and shine (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 25.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[to shine and burn (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 28.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[to burn and shine (stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 31.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Every single star from Tau Ceti to Sol... (stop:)] ]|more>[] (live: 34.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[To every star yet unnamed in the galaxy-- in other galaxies, in other universes, all of them-- we don't need names for them. (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 39.8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[They exist and burn and shine all their own, saying: (stop:)] ]|more>[] (live: 45.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`this is so`~*~` (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 48.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`this is the way`~*~` (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 51.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`traveler follow the stars home like all who did before you`~*~` (stop:)] ]|more>[] (live: 54.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`we are your home twinkling and warm where infinity awaits`~*~` (stop:)] ]|more>[] (live: 57s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`you are part of us forever`~*~` (stop:)] ]|more>[] (live: 59.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`~*~`you are here with us forever`~*~` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 66.4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[....so said the Stars.... (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 73.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[And I feel a hand on my shoulder again, and... a familiar voice this time... saying:(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 78.5s)["Taylor! Stop! Turn it off! Drop it! Taylor!"(stop:)] |more>[] (live: 83.5s)[(goto: "clank")] {(unless: (track: 'ALPHA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'ALPHA', 'play') ]}

(transition: "shudder")[`[clank]`] (live: 4s)[(goto: "wakeup")] (masteraudio: 'stopall')

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{(unless: (track: 'LAS7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS7', 'play') ]}[[`Skip-->`->NoMusic7]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Lifeline" By Amber Liu (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 6.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey! That's you, lifeline! You're in the song! All we need now is a song called "Taylor" and we'll be golden. It'll be a concept album about the three of us. Maybe a soundtrack for our movie. You're ready to write that song with us, right?(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 17s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 80s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Wow that bass drop! I was expecting something contemplative for a song about you— steady and peaceful, perhaps. But this has the beats for all the danger you face with us and with enough melodic twists matching with cleverness. The layers in this track are very fitting. Did you put this song on here yourself, lifeline?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 94s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 118s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Time does heal wounds. And my breathing is getting a bit better. Just focus on breathing better, dummy.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 123s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 143s)[(transition: "dissolve")["All I need is you." Well, I think that's a bit of an overstatement. I DO need you. But I also need oxygen. And some clean water to drink and some delicious food. You don't need delicious food. You just need food. It doesn't even have to be nutritious if it's not forever. I survived on rat pellets. I'm getting hungry. For actual human food. Not rat pellets. (Maybe also rat pellets. They have a certain crunch and acquired aftertaste.)(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 176s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm going to change out of this ruined IEVA suit. You've been with me through so much, friend, 'tis a shame you're a wreck. I KNOW our lifeline is a wreck, but you don't have to be mean about it. I meant my suit! I know, Taylor. It was a joke. Oh. Ha. Ha. [[-Taylor is changing-->FEAST]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic11]] "Star Star" by The Frames. Another song with stars? This is getting repetitive. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 72s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ ....... Sounds like a lullaby. Exactly what you don't need. Hmmmm....(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 84s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`01100001011011100111010001100001011100100110010101110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?starStarStar)...... `~*~` a n t a r e s `~*~` `[Taylor is sleeping]` ] (stop:) ]] |more>[] |starStarStar)[ (link: "Antares.")[(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[...... More stars you're naming randomly? Have I ever mentioned you're weird-- Huh. Taylor's out like a light. And here I thought lullabies were pump up songs.(stop:) ]]]] (live: 175s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[Can you get Taylor a blanket?]] [[That's...odd.]] ] ](stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'LAS12', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS12', 'play') ]}

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic8]] {(unless: (track: 'LAS8', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS8', 'play') ]} (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Tangled Up in Stars" by Stealing Sheep(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 5.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[What's this? We have some sheep rustlers on our hands? Sheep are soft and fluffy. I would steal sheep if there were any out here so I could cuddle one. Do space-sheep exist? What happens to wool in zero gravity? What happens to any fluffy bit in space. It gets bigger. Poofier. Fluffier. This settles it. I want a space-sheep too.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 64s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Puppets on strings... force feeding... being tangled... Even if it's something as pretty as stars. Not sure how I feel. This is a theme in both of our lives.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 75s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 96s)[(transition: "dissolve")[There's something about this song that sends my stomach into a pit of unease. Is it the pacing of the beat or the key? I think it's a minor key? It's almost chaotic, and the beat itself is dark. Don't get me wrong, I dig it—but it feels like a warning— —they're literally telling you what NOT to do, Taylor. "Don't go too far, 'cause you'll get tangled up in stars." It's almost like a mocking childhood lesson, and one where I'm not sure what lesson it's teaching. I sometimes wondered if you can get tangled up in galaxy trails or the dust clouds of neublae. You can't, but sometimes it looks like spider webs. Then where's the spider? Oh man. Obviously the occupiers. Right? "Don't go too far..."(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 134s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ Huh? What's this? [[-T2 is investigating-->GREEN SQUAD]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

[[`Skip-->`->NoMusic14]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ TEXT (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'LAS15', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS15', 'play') ]}

[[`Skip-->`->NoMusic15]] "Go!" By Public Broadcasting Service (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 51s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Wow. It's clips from... I think it's the Apollo __ mission to land the Eagle on the moon. I'm hoping for some good luck to both of us today.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 56s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 194s)[(transition: "dissolve")[There's so much that could go wrong during liftoff, landing, and even on the short flight over to the moon. And that's why it's so important to check every individual piece. But it worked. It really worked. And history was made that day.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 204s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 234s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 234.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 234.6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 234.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 235.2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 235.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Go!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 236s)[(transition: "dissolve")[GO! GO!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 253s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[I'm happy for you two.->GoHappy]] [[So the Varia is going to melt in the sun.]](stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'LAS16', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS16', 'play') ]}

(live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Major Tom (Coming Home)" by Shiny Toy Guns.(stop:) ]] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Major Tom? How's that for a poetic bookend for this field trip? (stop:) ]] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Space Oddity all the way up, Major Tom all the way down.(stop:) ]] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hopefully we don't end up like him.(stop:) ]] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Yeah. That'd bite the big one.(stop:) ]] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[We'll chat when we're back on Earth, ok, $lifeline?(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[See you then.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 30s)[(transition: "dissolve")[We're completing last system checks for you.(stop:) ]] (live: 32s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Cool beans.(stop:) ]] (live: 34s) [(transition: "dissolve")[Uh, copy.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 46s)[(transition: "dissolve")[All systems are GO. On your marks.(stop:) ]] (live: 48s)[(transition: "dissolve")[You ready to blow this joint?(stop:) ]] (live: 50s)[(transition: "dissolve")[What do you think?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 55s)[(transition: "dissolve")[GO! GO!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 56s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(link-replace: "`~*~0110011001100001011100100110010101110111011001010110110001101100~*~`")[`~*~ f a r e w e l l ~*~` ] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 57.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ESC-POD indicates successful launch from vessel]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 78s)[(transition: "dissolve")[The pod's rattling pretty hard. Everything still good? (stop:) ]] (live: 80s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Yes, Taylor. Everything is fine.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 83s)[(transition: "dissolve")[You're entering the Earth's atmosphere right now.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 99s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Whoof. That's some heavy Gs and it's just gonna get worse.(stop:) ]] (live: 101s)[(transition: "dissolve")[How are you holding up?(stop:) ]] (live: 106s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Been through... Better.(stop:) ]] (live: 109s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Already greying out.(stop:) ]] (live: 111s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Don't worry. We're handling everything all the way to the ground.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 113s)[(transition: "dissolve")[And we have medics right where you land. You're safe with us.(stop:) ]] (live: 115s)[(transition: "dissolve")[The breathing, Taylor...(stop:) ]] (live: 118s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey, $lifeline... you there?(stop:) ]] (live: 119s)[(transition: "dissolve")['Course you are.(stop:) ]] (live: 122s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Thank you, for everything.(stop:) ]] (live: 124s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Helping us survive with humor intact, listening to our bad jokes, and sticking with us and never truly giving up.(stop:) ]] (live: 129s)[(transition: "dissolve")[But mostly?(stop:) ]] (live: 131s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Thanks for being my friend. (stop:) ]] (live: 133s)[(transition: "dissolve")[That means more to me than actually surviving.(stop:) ]] (live: 138s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Out of all the universes of the multiverse that you've guided us through...(stop:) ]] (live: 141s)[(transition: "dissolve")[...I think you did the best you possibly could ever have... right here...(stop:) ]] (live: 144s)[(transition: "dissolve")[So... thanks..(stop:) ]] (live: 145.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..an..d....(stop:) ]] (live: 147.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[......(stop:) ]] (live: 150s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.. ........ ....(stop:) ]] (live: 154.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..(stop:) ]] (live: 159s)[(transition: "dissolve")[so close scared(stop:) ]] (live: 163s)[(transition: "dissolve")[won't make it to finish line(stop:) ]] (live: 166s)[(transition: "dissolve")[we'll be home(stop:) ]] (live: 170s)[(transition: "dissolve")[......made it(stop:) ]] (live: 173s)[(transition: "dissolve")[coming...(stop:) ]] (live: 174.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[... home... ... ..(stop:) ]] (live: 176s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.. ...... ....... .. .(stop:) ]] (live: 178s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..(stop:) ]] (live: 179s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA suit sensors indicate G-LOC]`(stop:) ]] (live: 184.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(link-replace: "`~*~0110000101100011011000110110010101110000011101000010000001101111011101010111001000100000011001100110100101101110011000010110110000100000011001110110100101100110011101000010000001110100011011110010000001100010011101010111001001101110~*~`")[`~*~`a c c e p t o u r f i n a l g i f t t o b u r n `~*~`](stop:) ]] (live: 191s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ESC-POD sensors indicate increased temperatures]`(stop:) ]] (live: 193s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[heat shielding failing]`(stop:) ]] (live: 195s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[guidance stabilizers offline]`(stop:) ]] (live: 196s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[planned trajectory changing]`(stop:) ]] (live: 197s)[(transition: "dissolve")[We're having problems with major systems.(stop:) ]] (live: 198s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[location tracking offline]`(stop:) ]] (live: 201s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I think we're los—(stop:) ]] (live: 202s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[lost communication signal with ASTRA]`(stop:) ]] (live: 212.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(link-replace: "`~*~011000010110111001100100001000000111001101101000011010010110111001100101~*~`")[`~*~ a n d s h i n e ~*~`](stop:) ]] (live: 213.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ESC-POD sensors indicate successful parachute deployment]`(stop:) ]] (live: 219s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[safe deceleration speed detected]`(stop:) ]] (live: 229s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(link-replace: "`~*~011001110110111101101111011001000010000001101100011101010110001101101011~*~`")[`~*~ g o o d l u c k ~*~`](stop:) ]] (live: 234.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[successful last stage deceleration]`(stop:) ]] (live: 236s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[...]`(stop:) ]] (live: 238s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[successful ground landing confirmed]`(stop:) ]] (live: 240s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[attempting to reacquire comms signal to ASTRA]`(stop:) ]] (live: 242s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[...]`(stop:) ]] (live: 244s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[cannot connect]`(stop:) ]] (live: 245s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[recalibrating Q-COMM systems]`(stop:) ]] (live: 247s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[...]`(stop:) ]] (live: 249s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[cannot connect]`(stop:) ]] (live: 252s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-recalibrate Q-COMM systems-]] (stop:) ]] {(unless: (track: 'LAS17', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS17', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What? No! I have to... Oh man... Taylor! [[Is Taylor ok?]] [[Did you not hear me?->I said get away from Taylor. Now.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - .5)

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

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

No! Why are you... Who cares. We'll chat later. I have to help. Whatever Taylor did left a burn from fingertips to neck. And if one of us has direct experience treating burns... it's me. So being the only conscious person on this ship, I'm going to help. [[-T2 is busy-->medbayburn]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - .5)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alright. I'm feeling a little better now. Not as off-balance and calmer than before. I finished mummy-wrapping Taylor from fingers to head. With a little rest and some loving care I bet everything will heal just peachy. In the meantime I'm gonna wait for Taylor to wake up. (That self-sacrificing little...) Hm. Whatever plan it was to stop the transmission worked at least. I'll ask for the details later. Wait a second. Where's Taylor's comms? Huh. I'll take a look for it. {(if: $T2Trust < 6)[Anyway I hope you can chill a little. I'm doing all I can out here to help. ]} [[-T2 is busy-->TayWakeUp]]

Sorry for a lack of updates. I fell asleep waiting and woke up to Taylor pulling off the gauze and well, we're both good now. Downright peachy in fact. Why are there no peach flavored things in these MREs? [[Is your headache better?]] [[How's Taylor doing?]] {(unless: (track: 'CALM', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'CALM', 'loop', true) (track: 'CALM', 'play') ]}

I... I know. I really hope we'll reconnect after this. Because I think I'll need something a bit more potent than 450V. I'll tell you about my plan on the way back to the labs.{(if: $intactEMP is 1)[ Argh! I dissassembled it! Hold on-- gotta go fast to fix it!]} Crawling back out from under the control panel-- Oh. T2 is looking at me. With the blankest but most determined glare I've ever seen from myself. I know that look. I've seen it before. Lifeline I--- WHAT. STOP. NO! GIVE THAT BACK! OH NO. NO. ..... Good job, Taylor. We appreciate your assistance. Let your double run for now. We'll all be together soon. Now... You know what to do. Break it. //We're// the only friends you need. ...... ............ .................. [[Taylor? Where did you go?->T2frozen]] [[Please don't do it, T2.->T2frozen]]

Taylor... We still see what you see for we were never really gone We will never be gone We have always been with you and we always will be with you ...... ............ [[T2. Please listen.->T2frozen2]] [[You've got to fight this, T2.->T2frozen2]]

(live: 20s)[(goto: "So Said the Stars")] (masteraudio: 'stopall') {(unless: (track: 'ALPHA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'ALPHA', 'play') ]} (masteraudio: 'stopall')

Hey I'm... I'm back, Regina. And T2. I have a surprise for you. (And for you too, Lifeline, because I'm a mad scientist whose florally-burned butt is going to fall right off) What's that? A simple EMP is not strong enough for this. Ready for a last transmission? Because throwing tunguskite into the equation tends to stop our communication for a while. Anyway I hope this works. Thanks, Lifeline. Please trust me. What are you doing Tayl-- [[-connection interrupted-]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(live: 4s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[`[incoming transmission]` (stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 6s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[`[accept transmission?]` (stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 8s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[ [[y]] [[n]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayTrust to 10) (set: $T2Trust to 2) (unless: (track: 'SPACE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'SPACE', 'loop', true) (track: 'SPACE', 'play') ]

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

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

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

Wow. Every single Taylor that you contact joins us because of you. We should really give you a promotion. At least employee of the month! I know you'll just grab another one of us out of the multiverse. You'll try to help this one, try to save that one, hope that THIS is the time and THIS is the life. Nope! Sorry! Make no mistake-- we'll catch 'em all. So why don't you keep trying? We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ `[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND (to List)->TODO REWIND]] (if: $labnoise is 1)[[[REWIND (to Lab)->NOISE REWIND]] (stop:)]]|more>[] ] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount +2 ) (set: $reconcrewdeathto 1) {(unless: (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'play') ]}

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

........ I knew I shouldn't have trusted you. What a mistake that was. [[-Incoming transmission-->TayDeathGreenSpeech]] {(unless: (track: 'GREENS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENS', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENS', 'play') ] }

........ And now they'll all come for me. I knew I shouldn't have trusted you. What a mistake that was. [[-Incoming transmission-->TayDeathGreenSpeech]] {(unless: (track: 'GREENS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENS', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENS', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(masteraudio: 'stopall')(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey... Taylor...(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[......hEY TAY—(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 4.8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[coughing]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[{(unless: (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'loop', true) (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'play') ]}Hmmm? How long did I nap...? Oh! T2. Let me get you some more water. Woooof everything aches this morning. Drink up while I get breakfast ready. Heh. Feed me, Seymour! 'Does it have to be human? Does it have to be Chicken Chunks?' .....I guess it does have to be Chicken Chunks. Because that's the two MREs we have left here. Damn you're really getting your revenge on me. Can't blame you for that. Am not. Look, be thankful that I'll share the chili mac ones with you since we found some MREs last night while you were asleep. We? You're still in contact? Well yeah. That's my lifeline. Helped us get food, water, atmosphere... I probably would've died three times already without that help. Still probably might die. You're chipper this morning. I'm being realistic. Do I always sound so cynical? That's who we are. Cynical, pain-in-the-ass-tronauts. Uh huh. Rest up while we figure out what to do with the terror roaming the hallways. And everywhere around here. Life is terror these days. [[Good morning!]] [[T2 seems ok.]](stop:) ]] |more>[] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust2) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust2)

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

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

That's... weird. [[What's up?]] [[Is everything ok?]] (unless: (track: 'SPACE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'SPACE', 'loop', true) (track: 'SPACE', 'play') ]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You don't have to tell me twice! See ya, Green Space Cowboy! ......... No response. Weird. Well, THAT problem has been dealt with. Kinda disturbing to leave a double of myself to float away forever into to dark void of space. Then again, I'm also out in the dark void of space. Drifting nowhere. Alone. ....... Lifeline, I think I know what happened behind that shiny helmet and standoffish personality: T2 coughed it up. And by "it" I mean "The Thing." And not "The Thing (1982)." [[That's not possible.]] [[Gnarly. Out of the chest?]] (set: $abandonT2 to 1)

Got it! I've got you, T2. ......... T2? ......No response. Huh. T2's hand went limp in mine. This feels SO WEIRD. We haven't been this close together since the first day on the Viridian. It's... a bit disturbing with our history and what (maybe) just happened. It's also a bit precarious only holding T2's hand. Let me tether us together real quick. The voice in the back of my head that sounds like //me// rather than like T2 is screaming that this is a BAD IDEA. But we're tethered. Out in the dark void of space. Drifting nowhere. Together. ....... Lifeline, I think I know what happened behind that shiny helmet and standoffish personality: T2 coughed it up. And by "it" I mean "The Thing." And not "The Thing (1982)." [[That's not possible.]] [[Gnarly. Out of the chest?]] (set: $abandonT2 to 0)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Okay. I'll keep my focus on something going on around here. I guess I'll just-- Wait a second. [[-Taylor is looking-->Board Ship Start]] (unless: (track: 'SPACE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'SPACE', 'loop', true) (track: 'SPACE', 'play') ]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In that case I'll just stay here, breathing my breaths. Wow. What a good one. The air is really fresh today. Fresher than death, yes. When I'm done I'm going to change out of this ruined IEVA suit. You've been with me through so much, friend, 'tis a shame you're a wreck. I KNOW our lifeline is a wreck, but you don't have to be mean about it. I meant my suit! I know, Taylor. It was a joke. Oh. Ha. Ha. [[-Taylor is changing-->FEAST]]

Alright, I'll save that for some listening to later. I do relisten to the songs on the playlist, when we have downtime. And I think downtime we shall have! I'm strangely optimistic for a cynical sarcastic Taylor. Huh. What's this? [[-T2 is investigating-->GREEN SQUAD]] {(unless: (track: 'CALM', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'CALM', 'loop', true) (track: 'CALM', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(masteraudio: 'stopall') (live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Electronic ship's log for the Varia, Sol 58(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Mission: Transporting research crew to Tau Ceti IV(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Arrival estimated for Sol 61(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Currently making bypass of outer moon system(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[All systems running smoothly(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[This is Captain Renee Ay---(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "shudder")[*static*(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Ground Control this is the Varia(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[we've been hit near the starboard aft(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14.8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[glancing blow of something(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 15.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Trying to stabilize the life support(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 15.4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[It's not responding(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 15.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I repeat(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Ground Control this is---(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16.5s)[(transition: "shudder")[.............................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 19s)[(transition: "dissolve")[...................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 22s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[Taylor?->VariaCrashCry]] [[I'm sorry.->VariaCrashCry]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

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

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

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

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

Oh. Man. You're not gonna believe it. I'm gonna cry. [[What'd you find?]] [[Try me.]] (unless: (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'loop', true) (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'play') ]

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

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

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

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

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

I just passed a sharp turn in the hallway with the utilities to my right. The air filters, water reclamation area, and other life support systems are all in here, along with diagnostics for them all. [[Did you see anyone on your way over?]] [[You sure know your way around here.]] (unless: (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'loop', true) (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'play') ]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ok. Okay I'm in. And I never want to leave again. What the hell was that?! [[I don't know...]] [[Seal the door!]] (unless: (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'loop', true) (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'play') ]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yes? I mean, besides the whole time-loop issue and general unpleasant time travel. But I've never gone back in time and made different decisions that led to different outcomes. I guess I have to jump back. Okay. One shot at this. I'm like a cat calibrating before its jump. Goodbye cabinet behind me. And... hello empty space in front of--- {(if: $T2Float is 1)[ [[-Taylor is busy-->RRWhoops1]] ] (else:)[ [[-Taylor is busy-->RRSuccess]] ] }

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I made it in. The door's locked with the code. Didn't even look at it while beeping it in since I did it so fast. It's 97931123 by the way. For your safekeeping. Oh god. I'm safe. I'm safe I'm safe. For now. Why can't I be DONE with these aliens!? HOW ARE THEY ON OUR SHIP?! I THOUGHT WE FOUND A NICE UNIVERSE WHERE WE DIED AND NEVER BROUGHT THEM OFF THE MOON. I wish it was me in the crew quarters... I just... OH CRAP. They're outside the door. Hitting the keypad. I hear every beep. [[Stay quiet!]] [[But you locked it, right?]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust4) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust4)

Might get back to a nap, then. Oh no you don't! You're not done wrapping your arm! let me get the ADBAC.... [[T2 is nursing->VEGA STAR SECTION]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR1', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR1', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR1', 'play') ]}

Double-click this passage to edit it. {(unless: (track: 'STAR4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR4', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR4', 'play') ]}

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

WOULD IT HURT YOU TO MOVE A LITTLE FASTER. I GUESS IT WOULDN'T T2 BUT I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN EVENT I SHOULD NOT BE IN PAIN TO DEAL WITH. WHATEVER. I'M TURNING THE ALARM OFF. `[click]` Much better. I've got all this ringing in my ears but none on my fingers. Why did you have the volume up so high? And I'm so sorry but not really. All I did was turn it on, T2. These are the factory settings. Can you see what it picked up? Sure I can. Running the radar as we babble on. Hmm. There's something coming into our range from behind us. I can't tell what it is. Of course I can IMAGINE what it is. Maybe it's just a freak asteroid and nothing to worry about. Or maybe it's a ship fοr the Greens' scouts. Blow it up. [[I agree.->Turret Crash1]] [[Can you verify what it is?]] (set: $turret to 1)

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

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

Down the ladder I go. Never had the chance to check out the turret on the Varia except when it, you know, was in pieces on that moon. Let's get this system fired up. `[INITIATING LASER SYSTEM] [LASER INITIATION AT 10%]` This'll take forever. I don't know. I'll look out the window in the meantime and... Oh. There it is. It's shiny for sure. Hmm. Do you think it's another ship or escape pod like Mari Lee was in? [[Maybe a Varia crewmember?]] [[Maybe it's the Greens.]] (set: $turret to 1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

........ ......wha...? ..owwww..... ...... [[Taylor?->TurretCRASHBAD1]] [[Take it easy.->TurretCRASHBAD1]] {(unless: (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'loop', true) (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'play') ]}

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

Great. No distractions. //Captain// Taylor I expect your full supervision while I reformat the wiring on these speakers. And by reformat I mean-- We don't know how to use that welder you have in your hands. Well then. I guess we're BOTH gonna learn. One way or another. [[-T2 and Taylor are working-->ANTARES STAR SECTION]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR3', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR3', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR3', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[........(stop:)]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[whhha....? wha'ppened.... Oh... Ugh the shelf fell on me... and I'm buried.... ..covered in rocks.... [[Are you okay?->LabCrashOK2]] [[Stay quiet.->LabCrashQuiet2]] (stop:)]] |more>[] (unless: (track: 'GREENS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENS', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENS', 'play') ] (set: $noise to 0)

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

........ I hear something... ...is that T2? Someone's opening the door...but I can't... I can't see... [[It's not T2.]] [[Shut up.->LabCrashQuiet3]]

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

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

....... ............. .....there's a footstep right next to me. [[Just... calm down.]] [[Play dead.->LabCrashQuiet4]]

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

Ok... ........... but what's... [[Shhhh!->Noise Result]] [[You'll be okay->Noise Result]]

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

"Ok" isn't what I'd use to describe my current state but I'll manage. Just when I reorganized everything in here it gets completely messed up. Just like my head. Ouch. Wait... you said there were Greens on the ship? Is that who came into the room? [[Three of them.]] [[Go to the med bay with T2.]]

Wait... you said there were Greens on the ship? Is that who came into the room? [[Three of them.]] [[Go to the med bay with T2.]]

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

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

...... It can't be.... [[T2 you're scaring me.->LABCRASHT22]] [[Tell me what you see.->LABCRASHT22]] {(unless: (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'loop', true) (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'play') ]}

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

Ok. Ok. I'll go to the med bay. Please help Taylor somehow. I don't know how. How did this happen? HOW!? [[-T2 is busy-->LabCrashQuiet1]] (unless: (track: 'GREENS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENS', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENS', 'play') ]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It feels like a memory. Like an embrace. Internal and eternal. There are other versions of me-- of us-- out there in the multiverse. You made a mistake that you didn't mean to make. Your mistake was to try to "save us" from this calm, from this fate. Please don't try to save us. Bring us more. Let every Taylor know this calm. We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ `[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->HALLWAYREWIND]] (stop:)]]|more>[] ] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount+2) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $GreenHallway to 1) (set: $reconcrewdeathto 1) {(unless: (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

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

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

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

<h4>Background music:</h4> "Alpha" by Vangelis "Venus and Mars" by Paul McCartney (MIDI version) "December 13, 2017 - Geminid Meteor Shower" by Sleeping at Last "Space Oddity (Instrumental)" by David Bowie "Cassini - The Grand Finale" by Sleeping at Last www.ambient-mixer.com - compiled at https://user.ambient-mixer.com/details/PekaSairroc Sound effects from https://mixkit.co/free-sound-effects/high-tech/ <h4>Comms Playlist:</h4> "Parallel Lines" by A-Trak "Lullaby" from Finity's End "Astronaut" by Simple Plan "Guardians" from Carmen Miranda's Ghost "Satellite Call" by Sara Bareilles "This is How We Walk On the Moon" by José González "Lifeline" by Amber Liu "Tangled Up in Stars" by Stealing Sheep "Starlight (feat. Mr Gabriel)" by Jai Wolf "Stars (feat. Laniia)" by VIZE "All the Stars" by Princess Chelsea "Star Star" by The Frames "The Stars" by Patrick Wolf "Sky Calls to Us" by Doris Teur "Telescope" by Go! Child "Go!" by Public Service Broadcasting "Major Tom (Coming Home)" by Shiny Toy Guns All music is hosted externally and can be taken down at any time if needed. Use the left tab on the screen to access the sound settings. <h4>Please enable autoplay on your browser.</h4> (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

5/16/2022 Hey y'all. It has been a lonely few years. May this story, and update, remind you of all the joy and comfort of friendships that humans have, regardless of proximity May it remind you that friendships are meaningful despite distances, despite words on a screen, because what matters are the people behind them reaching out and holding lifelines for each other a person on each end I realize that I said that the next update was the final update for //So Said the Stars//, but I realized that I could just post this part before writing 600+ passages with lots of code to mimic a full discussion between you and Taylor and you and T2. So here's an update, where you get a lot of the juicy bits about my theories in this story and some payoff with the rewinds. Unfortunately I had to port it over from Philome.na since that site stopped allowing uploads so you'll have to redo your rewind routes on this neocities site. Fortunately, I won't have to send out lots of links and different versions from now on since it'll all be hosted on this site and shouldn't disrupt your save cookies going forward. I've read all your comments and messages you have sent over the past few years about this game and saved them all since they're very special to me. I'm very unsure if I would have continued to update this game if not for them. This fandom is special, and my favorite one I've ever been in. --Holly/PekaSairroc P.S. This update took so long to come out that I had to change my joke about "Space Skype" to "Space Zoom." And I still don't know how to use Zoom! ---------- Hey thanks for checking this out! 10/28/18 This is the second released update for //So Said the Stars// besides a few bug fixes. There's still a lot left to write so this very much not done yet, but hey, why not give it a play anyway? I ask that if you happen to kill T2ylor, remember how you did it and redo it in the final released game. This game tracks your rewinds and will become more interesting the more times you rewind. Additionally if you come across any typos or bugs while playing, I'd love if you'd send me them so I can fix it in the finished version. (I'd also love to hear what you think of it-- comment or send me a message on Discord/Tumblr/Twitter). ---------- This story started as an RP between Sugar-Splenda and myself (PekaSairroc and current mod of askcadettaylor) as a direct continuation of askT2-lifeine's Halloween Event in 2017. I converted it into a Twine game for others to play since we enjoyed it so much. Some parts are lifted directly from our rp, others were written specifically for this game. Thank you to Sugar, who was the fantastic lifeline for T2ylor and brought this whole story to life (I am still reeling from that multiverse line a year later). Thank you to Em whose Halloween event and general RP was the spark for this adventure (and a few T2 lines and characterization throughout). T2's "Invade, infect, repeat" line is Avenger-Em's. I'd like to thank @jonnysun for the beautiful "voice from the stars" tweet. Harlowe Audio Library was developed by Chapel. Thank you for making it work in Harlowe after I was too far along to switch to Sugarcube and helping me troubleshoot it. Additionally, thanks to everyone who helped with code on the Twine Discord. And of course thank you to 3 Minute Games and Dave Justus who created the characters and games we've all had fun playing with for so long. <3 Lifeline © 3 Minute Games (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We made it in. Oh god. I'm safe. I'm safe I'm safe. For now. Why can't I be DONE with these aliens!? HOW ARE THEY ON OUR SHIP?! I THOUGHT WE FOUND A NICE UNIVERSE WHERE WE DIED AND NEVER BROUGHT THEM OFF THE MOON. I wish it was me in the crew quarters... I just... Stressed doesn't even begin to describe what this is like. My stress levels are like... I don't know. Isn't the universe gonna tear itself apart one day when the ever-expanding space between all the atoms grows too big? I'm space. Oh god. Please not again. That was too painful. I can't... I won't... I wish I'd never survived. Never had to deal with that goddamn moon. Never had to be terrified every night on the White Star. Never thought they would be an easy way out. I wish it just killed me when it came out. T2... just stop. We'll be fine. Right. Sure. Now let me check on your brusies and bumps. Holy crap, Taylor, you're a mess! I know. I know. I'm a mess because I'm a naive idiot like you're always implying. I meant it literally this time. Due to the blood and bruises and all but sure. Fine. Let's make it all about how I'm still the one who has to take care of your happy-go-lucky scarred butt. [[Ah yes. The butt scar story.->MBHurtButt]] [[Stop fighting, you two.->MBHurtFighting]] {(unless: (track: 'VARIA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'VARIA', 'loop', true) (track: 'VARIA', 'play') ]} (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust4) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wow. Every single Taylor that you contact joins us because of you. We should really give you a promotion. At least employee of the month! I know you'll just grab another one of us out of the multiverse. You'll try to help this one, try to save that one, hope that THIS is the time and THIS is the life. Nope! Sorry! Make no mistake-- we'll catch 'em all. So why don't you keep trying? We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ `[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->EMPREWINDGOOD]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 2) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green120V to 1) (set: $reconcrewdeathto 1) {(unless: (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

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

It feels like a memory. Like an embrace. Internal and eternal. There are other versions of me-- of us-- out there in the multiverse. You made a mistake that you didn't mean to make. Your mistake was to try to "save us" from this calm, from this fate. Please don't try to save us. Bring us more. Let every Taylor know this calm. We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ `[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->EMPREWINDGOOD]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 2) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green640V to 1) (set: $reconcrewdeathto 1) {(unless: (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'play') ]}

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

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

It feels like a memory. Like an embrace. Internal and eternal. There are other versions of me-- of us-- out there in the multiverse. You made a mistake that you didn't mean to make. Your mistake was to try to "save us" from this calm, from this fate. Please don't try to save us. Bring us more. Let every Taylor know this calm. We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->EMPREWINDGOOD]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 2) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green1000V to 1) (set: $reconcrewdeath to 1) {(unless: (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

...I guess it was. Seems silly now, out here. I don't know what I was so worried about. A little familial joking, some lost dignity I never had. It would have made a cute family story all those years later.

It really is, all unexplainable paisley designs considered. I was going to take it to the grave until I told it to myself. You know how banks and websites have custom questions you can write to verify it's you? Never did that. My butt my business.

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

Want to brainstorm the movie together? ...Sure. I knew you'd like it. Because I'm you. Between us, we have two great minds to bounce ideas off of ourselves. [[Ahem. I'm here too.]] [[Still doing the space pirates thing?]] (set: $TayTrust9 to $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust9 to $T2Trust)

There we go. Prepacked PJs. The dull navy blue of choice in this starship of comfort. The elastic isn't as bad as I remembered. Beats the rash from the IEVA suit anyday. Oh I'm sorry, did you wish for velveteen or cashemere eveningwear? Some silk slippers for ensuring you're snug as a bug in a rug in a hug? The plastic packaging on those bags of pajamas will be luxury enough, though I do appreciate the gesture. Of course, my esteemed guest on this state-of-the-art-refined-wreck-of-a-deathtrap. And, when I put them on my feet and walk around and do this little dance, it makes a crinkle sound. `[`Taylor is crinkling`]` You stop that. Try to stop me. But after dinner. We should get some dinner. It's been some time. [[That sounds amazing.->Feast1]] [[You better run before T2 gives you chicken chunks.]] {(unless: (track: 'GEMINID', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GEMINID', 'loop', true) (track: 'GEMINID', 'play') ]}

I'm... (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 98%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm alive. It's... it's my life support unit. The debris nicked it. Sent me spinning and... Oh god. I'm not losing pressure at least since my suit is replenishing the air content with more oxygen... but pretty soon that's gonna run out too. CRAP.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 96%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[CRAP CRAP CRAP. Can you reach the airlock? SAFERing my way back over there already. Losing no time because I have nearly none to lose. Pryce and Carter's Deep Space Survival and Procedure Protocol Manual, Rule #4: If you want to avoid dying, painfully, alone, in the cold darkness of space, gasping desperately as freezing oblivion silences your pathetic hopes and dreams... relax. Ugh. I liked its tone right until this moment. Now it's mocking.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 95%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm... actually going to follow that advice and pray my air holds out long enough to get inside the airlock. Roger that, Taylor. [[-Taylor is hurrying-->AIRLOCK1]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'O2EVA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'O2EVA', 'loop', true) (track: 'O2EVA', 'play') ]} (set: $EVA to 0)

(live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Good morning, lifeline! Or afternoon. Or evening. Time is a relative beast. Breakfast time, doubly so. We absolutely went to bed on time and did not just wake up. Nope! Absolutely not. Because we're responsible with our sleep schedules. I haven't checked a clock today and surprise surprise there are no chirping birds or rising suns out here for circadian rhythms to be in check. [[Was your feast all you dreamed it could be?]] [[Did you clean up all those packages yet?]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (set: $TayTrust = $TayTrust10) (set: $T2Trust = $T2Trust10) (set: $intactEMP to 1) {(unless: (track: 'GEMINID', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GEMINID', 'loop', true) (track: 'GEMINID', 'play') ]}

Uh, Taylor? Check this shit out. What is it? You might want to come by the flight deck. I'm on my way. [[-Taylor is busy-->GSFLASHINGLIGHT]] {(unless: (track: 'CALM', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'CALM', 'loop', true) (track: 'CALM', 'play') ]} (set: $U to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green6401000V to $Green640 + $Green1000V) (set: $EMPdeath to $Green450VTay + $Green640VTay + $Green120V + $Green640V + $Green1000V)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Welcome back! I'm sorry the autosave didn't work or you cleared your cookies. Remember your code from last time? Type it in number by number with the prompts. If you forgot it then you have to replay. Contact me on tumblr or discord @ PekaSairroc if you've got questions or need to make a new code-- I'll ask you a few questions to guess the variable values. [[Enter your hard save code]] (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

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

Double-click this passage to edit it.

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

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

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

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

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

(live: 5s)[(goto: "FUN TIMES")] (set: $TayTrust10 = $TayTrust) (set: $T2Trust10 = $T2Trust) {(unless: (track: 'GEMINID', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GEMINID', 'loop', true) (track: 'GEMINID', 'play') ]}

Alright, Lifeline. Alright. Alright. Alright. Alright. T2 calm down and stop singing. It's not helping. I'm not singing! (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 93%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Ok. Murphy is having a field day with correct predictions as always. I guess I have to wait for Taylor to get back to the Varia and cycle the airlock immediately to buy as much time as possible. And I guess I have to pray that Taylor has enough air to get to the airlock. And I guess I have to assume that there's enough air so Taylor can get the helmet off and breathe the airlock air. And I guess I have to hope that the airlock doesn't take its usual forever to cycle so there's air to breathe when Taylor gets in. And I guess I have to believe that the equilization of the air pressure will be equal so if there isn't enough air in the suit I can get into the airlock from here to help Taylor. And I guess that's a LOT of guesses. Taylor? You ok? Sorry I'm trying to conserve this air supply as much as I can. Right. Sorry.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 90%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Sure, if Taylor can get the helmet off after the airlock starts cycling everything will be ok. The airlock would fill up with air and even if Taylor does pass out from lack of O2 there WILL be access to air even if I can't get in there myself... but if not... Ok. Not thinking about that. (I absolutely am thinking about that.) I feel helpless again and I--- no. No I'm not helpless. I've solved problems before AND I have you this time. But how the hell am I supposed to fix this?!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 87%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 22s)[(transition: "dissolve")[This is like a bad sci-fi horror movie--- ...This is like a movie. This could be like our movie. No that's a dumb idea that will get us both killed if it doesn't work. (Movies are cool because they're unrealistic.)(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 84%]` [[Tell me so we have some options.]] [[Another half-planned idea, I guess.]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

Yes. Okay. Focusing. No more tangents. Anyway. That was my idea: Turn the airlock into a hangar bay by using the artificial gravity so we don't have to wait for it to cycle. Then I can get into the airlock to help Taylor if needed. If it doesn't work there's a chance the airlock rapidly opens into 0 atmospheres and I explode along with everything else in explosive decompression! The other options are waiting as normal for the airlock to cycle through. (Standard protocols are standard for a reason.) It's the safest choice, even though the airlock will not open unless the atmospheres on either side are equal. I could also do an EVA of my own and go out and grab Tayor, but that will be a MAJOR PAIN due to very rapid decompression. Very major. (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 71%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I think I'm just babbling and trying to calm myself down by thinking of our sweet movie and Hollywood movie magic. Wait. Do you think they used magnetic fields //instead//? Like Earth also does? That would explain their ability to easily walk in the hangar bay rather than dealing with extra gravity. We don't have magnetic fields... maybe this won't work after all. What do you think I should do? [[Say those options again?->I'm not following ALL OPTIONS]] [[Trust the standard protocols.->Do Nothing EVA]] [[Hollywood movie magic.->Airlock EVA]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

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

Thanks! Make me heroic and less paranoid. Also write it later please. We're kinda in the middle of something. Anyway. That was my idea: Turn the airlock into a hangar bay by using the artificial gravity so we don't have to wait for it to cycle. Then I can get into the airlock to help Taylor if needed. If it doesn't work there's a chance the airlock rapidly opens into 0 atmospheres and I explode along with everything else in explosive decompression! The other options are waiting as normal for the airlock to cycle through. (Standard protocols are standard for a reason.) It's the safest choice, even though the airlock will not open unless the atmospheres on either side are equal. I could also do an EVA of my own and go out and grab Tayor, but that will be a MAJOR PAIN due to very rapid decompression. Very major. (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 72%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I think I'm just babbling and trying to calm myself down by thinking of our sweet movie and Hollywood movie magic. Wait. Do you think they used magnetic fields //instead//? Like Earth also does? That would explain their ability to easily walk in the hangar bay rather than dealing with extra gravity. We don't have magnetic fields... maybe this won't work after all. What do you think I should do? [[Say those options again?->I'm not following ALL OPTIONS]] [[Trust the standard protocols.->Do Nothing EVA]] [[Hollywood movie magic.->Airlock EVA]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Of course! Like a text-based adventure but we're brave and daring instead of constantly paranoid and rambling like I am right now. Anyway. That was my idea: Turn the airlock into a hangar bay by using the artificial gravity so we don't have to wait for it to cycle. Then I can get into the airlock to help Taylor if needed. If it doesn't work there's a chance the airlock rapidly opens into 0 atmospheres and I explode along with everything else in explosive decompression! The other options are waiting as normal for the airlock to cycle through. (Standard protocols are standard for a reason.) It's the safest choice, even though the airlock will not open unless the atmospheres on either side are equal. I could also do an EVA of my own and go out and grab Tayor, but that will be a MAJOR PAIN due to very rapid decompression. Very major. (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 72%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I think I'm just babbling and trying to calm myself down by thinking of our sweet movie and Hollywood movie magic. Wait. Do you think they used magnetic fields //instead//? Like Earth also does? That would explain their ability to easily walk in the hangar bay rather than dealing with extra gravity. We don't have magnetic fields... maybe this won't work after all. What do you think I should do? [[Say those options again?->I'm not following ALL OPTIONS]] [[Trust the standard protocols.->Do Nothing EVA]] [[Hollywood movie magic.->Airlock EVA]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

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

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

No. (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[There's still time.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..................................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 28s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 32s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.................................................................... (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 36s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door open]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 36.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[THERE! (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 39s)[(transition: "dissolve") [Let's get your helmet off so you can breathe again. Hey buddy... breathe for me, ok? Can you do that? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 40.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Don't look at me like that. Taylor? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 43s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor.... (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 46s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is busy-->AirlockPause1]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 46s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->T42]](stop:) ]] |more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $GreenAirlockTay to 1)

No. (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[There's still time.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..................................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 28s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 32s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.................................................................... (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 36s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door open]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 36.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[THERE! (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 39s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Let's get your helmet off so you can breathe again. Hey buddy... breathe for me, ok? Can you do that? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 40.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Don't look at me like that. Taylor? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 43s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor.... (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 46s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is busy-->AirlockPause1]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 46s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->T42]](stop:) ]] |more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $GreenAirlockTay to 1)

.................................... (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is busy-->AirlockPause2]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->T42]](stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'O2EVA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'O2EVA', 'loop', true) (track: 'O2EVA', 'play', 'fadeout', 6)) ]}

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic13]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ TEXT (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is sleeping]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'LAS14', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS14', 'play') ]}

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

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

Our nightmares aren't the real things so they're easier to deal with. As in we don't HAVE to deal with them. We just have to get through them. It might be every night, but every morning comes a relief. I just said that sleeping was a relief. It is NOT a relief. Not when you're sleeping so //damn// much. ...... Did you need something or am I dismissed? [[Don't you want to chat?]] [[Dismissed. Glad you're alive.]]

What? You're trying to play it all cool? All your help is "nbd"? You either love me or you deal with this constantly. I don't know which I'd-- Oh, hi, T2. Lifeline, we'll put a pin in this conversation. A sharp pin. Top o' the mornternoon to you. `[Taylor is yawning]` Mornternoon. [[How many hours is that?->that sounds like]] [[Please be more specific.]]

Deal. No backing out, you hear me? Not even when I tell you about the nightmare of the haunted house of lemon pepper tuna! Oh, hi, T2. Lifeline, we'll put a pin in this conversation. A sharp pin. Top o' the mornternoon to you. `[Taylor is yawning]` Mornternoon. [[How many hours is that?->that sounds like]] [[Please be more specific.]]

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

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

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

Have I met your trust criteria again after I just told you the truth? [[Hmm. No.]] [[Hmm. Yes.]]

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

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

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

You just GET me, lifeline! I'm glad we met, as much as I wish our circumstances weren't as, uh, life-ending. ..... Goodnight, lifeline. [[-T2 is busy-->DEBATE INTRO]]

There's an entire universe of coincidences and chance out here and the biggest cyclone of butterflies all flapping their wings like no tomorrow. Which, there might not be. If you are a coincidental quark position in my life... ...... ...I'm glad. Goodnight, lifeline. [[-T2 is busy-->DEBATE INTRO]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wow. Every single Taylor that you contact joins us because of you. We should really give you a promotion. At least employee of the month! I know you'll just grab another one of us out of the multiverse. You'll try to help this one, try to save that one, hope that THIS is the time and THIS is the life. Nope! Sorry! Make no mistake-- we'll catch 'em all. So why don't you keep trying? We'll be waiting. ....... We'll ALL be waiting. (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ `[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-REWIND- (To voltage)->EMPREWIND]] [[-REWIND- (To lab sprint)->HALLWAYREWIND]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 2) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green120VTay to 1) (set: $reconcrewdeath to 1) {(unless: (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

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

I admire your confidence, but this system is held together by spit and prayers. And I've already exhausted all my prayers before I met you. [[Your spit is more remarkable than mine.]] [[Maybe I'm the prayers answered.]]

Yeah... well... then it's not doing much. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')I'm not doing much. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` I'll get back to work, doing my best.] Because I never trust my best. So time to recheck everything. [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - 1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(masteraudio: 'stopall')(live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`reconnecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[{(unless: (track: 'GREENS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENS', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENS', 'play') ]}Get off! Get off me! Argh I need to...(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 15.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(masteraudio: 'stopall')`[connection interrupted]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 21.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`reconnecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 21.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 21.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 22.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 22.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 22.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 22.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 22.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 21.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 23.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[{(unless: (track: 'GREENS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENS', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENS', 'play') ]}[Ple-se j-st a bi- more... On- mor- t-me.-..(stop:)]]|more>[]] (live: 28.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(masteraudio: 'stopall')`[connection interrupted]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 35.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`reconnecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 35.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 35.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 36.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 36.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 36.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 36.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 36.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 35.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 36.5s)[{(unless: (track: 'GREENS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENS', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENS', 'play') ]}(transition: "dissolve")[He- - th--- - g-- -t(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 38.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[U- -a- yo- r--- -e?(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 41.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Pl---- c--n-- ---se -h n-(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 45s)[(masteraudio: 'stopall')(transition: "dissolve")[`[connection lost]`(stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 48s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-REWIND- (To voltage)->EMPREWIND]] [[-REWIND- (To lab sprint)->HALLWAYREWIND]] (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount +1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $Green450VTay to 1) (set: $reconcrewdeath to 1)

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "AIRLOCK COMPROMISED")] (set: $T42 to 1)

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic9]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ "All The Stars" by Princess Chelsea (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[//Another// song about stars? `[T2 is tapping at the comms]` Terrible shuffle feature on this high tech piece of metal. (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'LAS11', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS11', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

So, uh. That flashing light. What about it? I should not be allowed near comms equipment so you deal with it. I'm a black cloud of anti-communicators, throwing extra quarks around like an over-enthusiastic flower girl at a wedding. Sure. Hold on. Bringing up the alert system right now... `[incoming transmission]` `[video connection available]` `[accept transmission y/n?]` Video connection? Welcome to the future. ...Hm. The Varia's comms system isn't reporting where the signal is coming from. We're getting closer to home (FINALLY) so maybe ASTRA or one of the other space agencies picked up our ship's signals? Or it's a distress call from another ship in this sector. Returning the rescue favor for someone else would be good karma. What do you think? [[Answer it.->AnswerGS]] [[Reject it.->RejectGS]]

Good idea. Let's get ourselves connected. Maybe this is the beginning of an exciting sidequest. Maybe we'll get to chase cucoos or collect the mayor's underwear. `[transmission accepted]` (live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`connecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 10.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[-I KNEW they'd pick up the phone. We always liked receiving stellar messages from radio signals in the backyard. -Hey there, T(print:$U)1 and T(print: $U)2. How are you two doing? Oh. Oh no. [[They know you?->WhoGS]] [[Who is it?->WhoGS]] {(unless: (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'play') ]}](stop:) ] |more>[]

Yeah. Probably not worth the risk. `[transmission rejected]` There we go. Sorry, folks, but we're letting you go to voicemail. Leave a message at the beep if it's that important to yo-- (live: 6s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[TRANSMISSION OVERRIDE]`(masteraudio: 'stopall')(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`connecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 10.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[-Aww, don't reject us. Maybe we DO need help! -I thought we liked to act the hero, T(print:$U)1 and T(print: $U)2. Oh well. Oh. Oh no. [[We?->WhoGS]] [[Who is it?->WhoGS]] {(unless: (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'play') ]} ](stop:) ] |more>[]

Yeah... I would say they know us. They know us REALLY well. Better than anyone else. -Your lifeline knows us REALLY well too. Don't you, //lifeline//? R-right. Lifeline. It's us. It's us, but we have scabs on our mouths, horrible grins, and glowing green eyes. On the video call. -I prefer to call it "Spoom." Get it? Space Zoom? -I'm here for the old jokes so I like Spype. Space Skype. -UGH. Knock that off. I get enough of your puns. -You like them, don't flatter me with your groans. -I do, don't I. Alas! [[Sure does sound like you two.]] [[Turn this off. Now.]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yes. What's so hard to understand? Seriously, you need to start believing that I know my way around a spaceship. I HAVE been in space for longer than you OR Taylor have. I'll get to work fixing these lights and doohickeys and whatever these are. Maybe I'll wake up Taylor later to help with the comms. My track record for those is... I'm better at communication in relationships than in starships! Believe me, please! [[-T2 is programming-->Update3endpage]]

You SURE don't believe me there. What's so hard to understand? Seriously, you need to start believing that I know my way around a spaceship. I HAVE been in space for longer than you OR Taylor have. I'll get to work fixing these lights and doohickeys and whatever these are. Maybe I'll wake up Taylor later to help with the comms. My track record for those is... I'm better at communication in relationships than in starships! Believe me, please! [[-T2 is programming-->Update3endpage]]

You doubt me? I thought you trusted me! (if: $T2Trust <= 7)[Well, kinda. Maybe we both have mixed feelings about each other. ]Whatever. You'll just have to trust me and all my anecdotes about space travel. And oh man. I have a lot about my travels as a space pirate. I would tell them all 'round the rest-stops' tables and any traveller passing through would pull up a chair, buy me a drink, and say 'Taylor! Tell me more about when you heroically saved that planet from the Galra!' And then with a sly smile I would lean over to them and tell (link: " `~*~`011100100010000001101001001000000110011100100000011001010010000001101100`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')my grand story and tales of mischief to all! `~*~` r i g e l `~*~` Kept at the edge of their seats by my brilliant heroics the entire time.] and they would laugh with me as I fill their hearts with a rousing story and song! [[The Galra? Really?]] |star1)[ [[Rigel?]] ] [[Yeah. SURE, T2.]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR1', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR1', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR1', 'play') ]}

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

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

Hey... You there? Because I'm not going to be for much longer. Spacesuits don't last forever. Ok, maybe they do, but the people //inside// them don't without a steady supply of the good O2. And... my limited supply is finally running down to the single digits. Maybe T2 will make it. Maybe not. I'll never know. ....... I just want to thank you for being with me through everything. From our first communication on that moon right up to now. Hey don't be sad. I'm not green at least. Spared me of that..... So thanks... This... is Cadet Taylor... signing... off....... ........ (live: 25s)[ `[`connection lost`]` (stop:)] (live: 30s)[ [[REWIND->RRREWIND]](stop:)] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount +1) (set: $GreenRecRoom to +1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $nogreenrewind to 1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great! Taylor doesn't need that 12 hours of blissful sleep a day. I know just the trick too. (link: " `~*~`01100011011000010110111001101111011100000111010101110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')My sibs would do this whenever I stayed up too late watching movies or reading comics. `~*~` c a n o p u s `~*~` A great big shake to the shoulders...] ...and a GARBLEGARBLEGARBLE! [[Seems like you had quite the sibling love.]] |star1)[ [[Canopus...]] ] [[A turkey? Really?]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR3', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR3', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR3', 'play') ]}

Alright. Taylor must need that 12 hours of blissful sleep a day. Electrocution is rough, I guess. (link: " `~*~`01100011011000010110111001101111011100000111010101110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')I'm a little, envious, I guess, about how much Taylor is able to recover when I got nothing but adrenaline flowing through me as my balm. `~*~` c a n o p u s `~*~` It stings, you know?] To see how well you could have ended up. How well you could have been taken care of if your you wasn't evil. I'm trying not to be jealous. [[Feel whatever you need to feel, T2.]] |star1)[ [[Canopus...]] ] [[Life isn't fair.]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yeah, I'd call them that. Look. I ALSO have made mistakes. That doesn't mean that it was okay. Or that it didn't lead to other suffering. But at least you used the active rather than the passive. I can respect that. Want to know another mistake I've made? Eating a ghost pepper. Raw. The only evidence of that event is a video, but it's on a phone that's been thrown into the Colorado River. And no, don't bother. It's not backed up to the cloud. I'm going to recreate it, for Taylor. BY Taylor. It's to rouse the sleepy sleepyhead. I could spice up a bit of some chili mac with some capsaicin. You know what capsaicin is? [[Isn't that poisonous?]] [[You ARE the evil twin.]]

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

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

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

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "AIRLOCK COMPROMISED")]

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

Double-click this passage to edit it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back in the nav chair, seatbelt clicked, and ready to diagnose all the diagnostics. Let's see how much Taylor ruined with whatever trick that was. Still hasn't told me, but sleep is more important. [[-T2 is running diagnostics-]] {(unless: (track: 'CALM', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'CALM', 'loop', true) (track: 'CALM', 'play') ]}

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

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "DEBRIS")] (set: $T3 to 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind +1) (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount +1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount +1) (set: $nogreenrewind to 1)

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

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

Sure, but don't you want to hear about my cool space pirate stories? I have a lot about my travels as a space pirate. I would tell them all 'round the rest-stops' tables and any traveller passing through would pull up a chair, buy me a drink, and say 'Taylor! Tell me more about when you heroically saved that planet from the Galra!' And then with a sly smile I would lean over to them and tell (link: " `~*~`011100100010000001101001001000000110011100100000011001010010000001101100`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)my grand story and tales of mischief to all! `~*~` r i g e l `~*~` Kept at the edge of their seats by my brilliant heroics the entire time.] and they would laugh with me as I fill their hearts with a rousing story and song! [[The Galra? Really?]] |star1)[ [[Rigel?]] ] [[Yeah. SURE, T2.]]

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

We're at the flight deck where we can see everything. I haven't been up here since (if: $proximintyalarm is 1)[I fixed the alarms](else:)[T2 started navigating]. The Greens had free reign to get their icky green fingers all over the controls. God, we'll have to check all over for sabotage later-- OOF! The whole sh-ship is rattling! What's going on?! Let me... let me try to stand back up. Oof. Okay here we go. {(if: $proximityalarm is 1)[Did you turn the proximinity alarm back on, Taylor? You know, after they crashed their ship into us?You mean after YOU turned it off? And I wasn't at the flight deck since then? You were there last night! Why didn't you do it?] (else:)[Did you fix the proximinity alarm, Taylor? You know, before they crashed their ship into us? That would have been helpful. Then AND now. No I didn't. I was busy with other things. And weren't you at the flight deck since then? You were there last night! Why didn't you fix it then?]} Because I was busy airlocking the greens since you're too soft to do it yourself. Am not! I just didn't want to torture them! [[Calm down. Both of you.]] [[Just go and find out what's happening.]] {(unless: (track: 'DEBRIS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DEBRIS', 'loop', true) (track: 'DEBRIS', 'play') ]} (set: $TayTrust = $TayTrust9) (set: $T2Trust = $T2Trust9) (set: $recon = 0) (set: $EVA = 0)

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

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

Double-click this passage to edit it.

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

(link-undo:"Back to Menu")

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm happy that you're happy. T2, are you happy that our lifeline is happy? I am happy that our lifeline is happy. Moreso happy that //I'm// happy. Cadet Taylor? Can we go over the last prepwork with you? Yup. We're listening. [[There's more?]] [[Singular.]]

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

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

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

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

(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[TAYLOR DOESN'T WANT TO GO HOME.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[Huh? What do you mean?->TayAdmitHuh]] [[Taylor? Is this true?->TayAdmitTrue]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

It's just-- What do you mean you don't want to go home?! We've spent months getting to this point-- this exact moment-- ready and able to turn on the comms and connect with ground control-- --T2...-- --after EVERYTHING we've gone through and you don't want to?! You don't want to be safe?! T2 it's only-- After everything I've suffered you don't want to end this?! We're right here! The button is right there! I could click it and then BAM we'd be safe with ASTRA and just wanting for the cruise control to start up and land and get solid non-lunar EARTH again! Why do you--- Then go ahead and click it. .......... [[...and?]] [[Just do it and it can be over.]]

It is. It's just-- What do you mean you don't want to go home?! We've spent months getting to this point-- this exact moment-- ready and able to turn on the comms and connect with ground control-- --T2...-- --after EVERYTHING we've gone through and you don't want to?! You don't want to be safe?! T2 it's only-- After everything I've suffered you don't want to end this?! We're right here! The button is right there! I could click it and then BAM we'd be safe with ASTRA and just wanting for the cruise control to start up and land and get solid non-lunar EARTH again! Why do you--- Then go ahead and click it. .......... [[...and?]] [[Just do it and it can be over.]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You really let this happen?! I thought you wouldn't let T2 get out of control. I thought you wouldn't let YOURSELF get out of control! I can't believe this. I can't believe YOU. Thanks for getting me this far. But I can do this alone. Without someone like //you//. (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[connection terminated]`](stop:)]|more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[Rewind (After EMP)->T21 REWIND]] [[Rewind (Start of Questions)->T21 REWIND TO QUESTIONS]] ](stop:)]|more>[] (set: $T21 to 1) (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 1) (set: $reconcrewdeath to 1) <!-- rewind already coded to get TU1 designation --!>

[[`skip-->`->NoMusic10]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ "Starlight" by Jai Wolf Wow. It's so calming. Feels like I'm floating!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 56s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Float until we fly," there we go. Talking about memories too.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 65s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 82s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I've loved space and stars ever since I was a baby. Mom got me astronaut PJs and stuck these stars on the ceiling for me. Was told I would be able to be an astronaut if I kept up my good grades and was a good kid. Came home crying in 2nd grade because I failed a math test and my life was over. Yeah. I was. Inconsolable. Got signed up for space camp that night. And math tutoring lessons I begged my mom for. I was //seven//. What type of seven year old begs their parents for a math tutor? Numbers never made the most sense to me.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 95s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 173s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Freshman year I tried out all the clubs I could from the student fair and since the pictures were taken at the beginning of the year, it looked like I was in so many clubs. That dropped right off after the first quarter when I was pulling all nighters and waking up early to go to astronomy club and see the early morning stars. First quarter was miserable because I just wanted to prove that I was the best student who could do school really well, and learn things really well... ...and do clubs really well, and make friends really well. And maybe do other things really well too. So I could get into a good school that would take me to the space program. That obviously didn't work and I got crunched under that stress. Dad reassured me that I could still get an ASTRA internship if I dialed it back one degree. So I did. Life was a lot better afterwards. Debatably in the long run. Even if this doesn't count as an internship. If we don't get some kind of course credit I'll... I'll... I'll be very upset!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 193s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 216s)[(transition: "dissolve")[It's a pretty song, though. Yeah. It is. `[Taylor is yawning]` Might get back to a nap. Oh no you don't! You're not done wrapping your arm! Let me get the ADBAC.... [[-T2 is nursing-->VEGA STAR SECTION]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (unless: (track: 'LAS9', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS9', 'play') ]

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

<h4>Spoiler Warnings</h4><hr>Spoilers for //Lifeline//, //Silent Night//, and //Halfway to Infinity//. Brief references to //Bloodline//, //Crisis Line//, and //Flatline//. <h4>CWs / TWs for the game</h4><hr>Click the links for more specific warnings. (link-reveal: 'Canon-level violence and language')[ -- Less than Flatline's level of horror/gore and on par with some of the grisly deaths/situations in the Taylor games. ] (link-reveal: 'Mild suicide ideation')[ -- T2 has a poor way of coping at times but it's mild and not actively suicidal. This is mostly in the beginning sections and T2 does feel better fairly quickly in the game but may have a reference to these past feelings in later conversations. ] (link-reveal: '//Optional// vaguely described torture')[ -- Vaguely described but you can imagine what's going on. This is not necessary for all the lore in the game. Simply do not let T2 interrogate the greens. You will miss nothing that isn't explained later. ] (link-reveal: 'Rejection Sensitivity')[ -- If you're sensitive to being rejected or ridiculed for past actions/failures please be prepared. There's not a way to avoid it unfortunately but it may feel less personal if you do a playthrough with no rewinds using the avoidances of deaths described below. ] <h4>CWs / TWs for specific deaths (spoilers) Click the links for instructions on how to avoid each one.</h4><hr>{(link: 'Reveal spoiler deaths')[ (link-reveal: 'Impact on ship')[ -- take T2's hand, choose the SAFER ] (link-reveal: 'Drifting into space')[ -- tether to something OR don't take T2 into the astromap room OR don't enter the astromap room ] (link-reveal: 'Green infection')[ -- fix Proximity Alarm first, take a weapon, let Taylor change the door code, use 450V, don't allow torture (or stop after 5 questions using the `[forget it]` option, do not disassemble the EMP) ] (link-reveal: 'Electrocution')[ -- choose 450V. Please note that later in the story, Taylor receives a major shock but will be okay. It is discussed heavily and there are side effects but Taylor is okay. ] (link-reveal: 'Explosive decompression')[ -- do the EVA immediately ] (link-reveal: 'Suffocation')[ -- ask T2 about the idea, tell T2 "The space-ariums?", choose Hollywood Movie Magic ] ]} <hr><h4>For more specific CW/TWs contact PekaSairroc @tumblr/bluesky/instagram/discord(#7770) with your questions and I will try my best to explain in more detail (anonymously is fine). Additionally, if any extra help is needed in passing a section, I will be able to guide you through it.</h4><hr> (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fine by me. It'll come back to bite you in the conscience later, Taylor. Keep repressing it like we did the Holiday Special. Ugh. ..... ..... ..... ..... (display: "MOVIE PLANS") (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust -.5) (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -.5)

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[`Skip-->`->T2 remember]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ TEXT (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is busy-->T2 remember]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'LAS13', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS13', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

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

-----yes We hear you--- ---We will-- speak Good! Glad the cup 'o tea did the trick! It's on the house, don't worry. Worry instead about answering this question. [[How did you find the Varia?]] [[How did you get off the moon?]] (set: $tortnumber to 1) (unless: (track: 'GREENS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENS', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENS', 'play') ]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cadet Taylor is our name, And Terra is our nation. Deep space is our dwelling place, `~*~`The Stars`~*~` our destination.

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Wow. We agree. Good job. You know, I think we make a decent team, you and us. Forget what happened... before... because that wasn't //me//. You're getting us through this and I can see why Taylor liked having you around. I survived without you--mostly. But you ARE nice to have. I like having you around, Lifeline.(if: $T2Trust <7)[ Even if you DO bug me.] You're warming up to them! That's great. Don't make it weird, Taylor. Can't I have some type of relationship with our lifeline without you making it weird? It's not a competition, T2. (if: $T2Trust > $TayTrust)[But //I'm// winning, surprisingly.](else:)[But you're winning, obviously.] Go check the utilities or the astromap room door or something! Oh, as you wish, Taylor!! `[-T2 is busy-]` Woof. That was dripping in sarcasm like an Italian beef sandwich drips oil. We won't fight over you. Just to be clear. We discussed this already. Anyway. It's a shame all this research of Trotter's-- and Colby, and Adair, and Antoine's, and my own-- is going to go to waste. We had some good ideas that were going to be tested alongside heaps of boring ideas that //needed// to be tested. (Sure, this trip is government-funded, but that just means we have to do their boring research.) [[Did you have any good ideas?]] [[How were rocks part of good ideas?]]

They must have been confident they'd catch us if that wasn't even on their to-do list. Well, we outsmarted them. Three cheers for us! You know, I think we make a decent team, you and us. Forget what happened... before... because that wasn't //me//. You're getting us through this and I can see why Taylor liked having you around. I survived without you--mostly. But you ARE nice to have. I like having you around, Lifeline.(if: $T2Trust <7)[ Even if you DO bug me.] You're warming up to them! That's great. Don't make it weird, Taylor. Can't I have some type of relationship with our lifeline without you making it weird? It's not a competition, T2. (if: $T2Trust > $TayTrust)[But //I'm// winning, surprisingly.](else:)[But you're winning, obviously.] Go check the utilities or the astromap room door or something! Oh, as you wish, Taylor!! `[-T2 is busy-]` Woof. That was dripping in sarcasm like an Italian beef sandwich drips oil. We won't fight over you. Just to be clear. We discussed this already. Anyway. It's a shame all this research of Trotter's-- and Colby, and Adair, and Antoine's, and my own-- is going to go to waste. We had some good ideas that were going to be tested alongside heaps of boring ideas that //needed// to be tested. (Sure, this trip is government-funded, but that just means we have to do their boring research.) [[Did you have any good ideas?]] [[How were rocks part of good ideas?]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God, you care so much. I don't deserve you as a lifeline since I can't even keep a single promise. I had a thought that since there's a multiverse... ...and since there are other Taylors in it-- like the one from this universe that was on the Varia. You might be able to contact them. Help them. Please help them and please be safe please oh god I can hear shearing metal it's loud screaming in my ears and bones I don't want to die this way I'm sorry I'm so sorry Lifeline, I-- (live: 13s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[IEVA integrity compromised]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ebullism detected]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 17s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[severe bodily trauma detected]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[connection lost]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 23s)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[Rewind->T3 REWIND]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

That's enough for me. Trying is the best we can all do. I had a thought that since there's a multiverse... ...and since there are other Taylors in it-- like the one from this universe that was on the Varia. You might be able to contact them. Help them. Please help them and please be safe please oh god I can hear shearing metal it's loud screaming in my ears and bones I don't want to die this way I'm sorry I'm so sorry Lifeline, I-- (live: 13s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[IEVA integrity compromised]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[ebullism detected]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 17s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[severe bodily trauma detected]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[connection lost]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 23s)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[Rewind->T3 REWIND]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

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

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

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

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

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

Yeah. Probably. I'm going back to work. YOU can too, if you care about the ship. Go on, off you go, Taylor. Fine. Fine fine. [[-Taylor is cleaning-]]

WOW. RUDE. I'm RIGHT HERE! Our lifeline sometimes forgets... NOT CONTROLLED BY AN ALIEN PARASITE. Sure, of course. WE'VE ESTABLISHED THIS. I know, T2. Multiple times! Yes. I'm going back to work. YOU can too, if you care about the ship. Go on, off you go, Taylor. Fine. Fine fine. [[-Taylor is cleaning-]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -.5)

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

Nope. Nada. Negative. Nihil. If I was a surge protector which surge would I protect... Which surge would I pledge fealty to throughout my long arduous days. `~*~` c a n o p u s `~*~` Yeuargh that's cold. What are you doing?] |star1)[ [[Another one. Antares.]] ]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you sure you want to start a new game? If you do, you will lose ALL save data from previous playthroughs and your spot in the story. [[No, take me back.->Title]] [[Yes, start a new game with updated intro.->ReWrittenStart]] [[Yes, start the game.->game start load]] Please ensure cookies are turned on for this website (for saving purposes), along with autoplay (for music purposes).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Double-click this passage to edit it.

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

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

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

`[Taylor is sleeping]` [[Taylor, you need to wake up.->WAKE UP!]] [[WAKE UP!]] {(unless: (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENSQUAD', 'play') ]}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taylor? Yeah? Run to the ship. [[-Taylor is sprinting-]]

I will if I shoot. The... the angles are off now that I'm getting a good look at it. I was never down here to see it... earlier. If I shoot, I... I would only be able to clip the edge of the Greens' ship. If I hit it at all... and not the Varia's hull... Shit. Yeah. Shit. ........ [[Oh no.->TaySprinting1]] [[Do something!->TaySprinting1]]

Taking aim as the window is about to open and the countdown to our probable doom is about to begin. Shouldn't be too hard-- ........ [[Did you miss?]] [[Did you hit the Varia?->Did you miss?]]

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

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

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

Hey, lifeline, are you around or are you off on a tea or coffee break? [[I'm always here for you.]] [[Already got my shoes on to leave.]] {(unless: (track: 'DEBRIS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DEBRIS', 'loop', true) (track: 'DEBRIS', 'play') ]}

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

Woah there partner! Don't you think that's laying it on a bit thick? I'm not the Taylor you grew such a bond with over your adventures. (unless: $T2Trust < 7)[ But we're making good progress with our friendship meters.](else:)[Here's a hint with our friendship meters: one gift a day of some nice CDs or comics. Or food. Especially sweets. That would do the trick.] Anyway, I just wanted to chat if you had the time. [[Sorry, heading out for those snacks.->Thanks, T2. BRB.]] [[You want to chat? With me?]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + .5)

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

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

(set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + 1)Well, yeah. Can't I talk with you or do I need Taylor Prime's permission? Eh, who cares about permission.(unless: $T2Trust < 6)[ Because you're my lifeline too.](else:)[ I don't care what Taylor thinks.] Lifeline, this EVA is a horrible idea. And I feel useless being the one to wait in the Varia while Taylor risks life and limbs again. If you care about me, you'll say I need to recover from that occupier issue, or, if you don't trust me all that much still (maybe rightly so), you'll say I'll try to sabotage the plan. All I can do is seal off the ship from the Varia on our side here, uselessly watch the radar, and then wait at the airlock for Taylor to get back. That's it! Taylor gets to be the hero again too. Better than me at it, I guess. But... [[I don't know if Taylor is going to survive this.]] [[You'll grow into it, I'm sure.]]

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

I know. Better me out there then, right? [[You deserve to go home too.]] [[Maybe you should have drawn straws.]]

I'm sure I'll grow somehow. I did a lot of growing by myself out there. I'm not sure which direction I grew, but it's different from Taylor. I'm not used to needing to rely on someone else. 'Needing' is a strong word since let's face it: I did a good job on my own for a good while. But we do need help. [[Nothing to be ashamed about.]] [[That's why I'm here. I guess.]]

Do I deserve to go home more than Taylor? There is SO MUCH to explain if I get home. Too much, in fact. I'm scared, ok? I don't know how we'll deal with explaining me to the family and everyone else. I don't think we can. I'm the creepy-eyed, scarred and scared offshoot timeline copy. Who knows how they'll react to me. ...I'll have to deal with it later. For now we have to deal with this to get to the point where we can deal with it later. Or else there is no later. Maybe failure isn't all that bad. I'm joking. [[Nothing to be ashamed about.]] [[That's why I'm here to help.->That's why I'm here. I guess.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + .5)

Maybe, but Taylor does have a good point about me recovering. I'll reluctantly concede that. I'm not used to needing to rely on someone else. 'Needing' is a strong word since let's face it: I did a good job on my own for a good while. But we do need help. [[Nothing to be ashamed about.]] [[That's why I'm here. I guess.]]

I suppose so, Lifeline. Oh man. Having a lifeline, someone to talk you through things, someone to walk you through things, someone to simply be there when it gets dark... I only had the stars to call out to at night on that moon. They never replied. Silence was all I got. Now I just get a little ping from you. It's small, but it's something. A better sparkle of light in the darkness than those stars. .... Taylor's here, too, to help but that's different. I can't ask for Taylor's help. I feel like I don't deserve that help, or that I should be the one running the ship to make up for how we met. That's why I feel guilty waiting around for the day to be saved. .... I've chatted your ear off enough so I'll let you get back to the waiting game. I'm hoping you can enjoy this anxious dread since neither of us can. [[-T2 is busy-->EVA Decision]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + 1)

Yeah. I guess. Having a lifeline, someone to talk you through things, someone to walk you through things, someone to simply be there when it gets dark... I only had the stars to call out to at night on that moon. They never replied. Silence was all I got. Now I just get a little ping from you. It's small, but it's something. A better sparkle of light in the darkness than those stars. .... Taylor's here, too, to help but that's different. I can't ask for Taylor's help. I feel like I don't deserve that help, or that I should be the one running the ship to make up for how we met. That's why I feel guilty waiting around for the day to be saved. .... I've chatted your ear off enough so I'll let you get back to the waiting game. I'm hoping you can enjoy this anxious dread since neither of us can. [[-T2 is busy-->EVA Decision]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + 1)

Okay. I think I'm as ready as time will allow. Which isn't all that ready since we don't actualy know our stuff as well as you'd think. I know you think we're geniuses. Thinking more about it, I hate this plan. Isn't there an alternative? Anything else we can do? Fly the ship around the storm? The storm is in most of this region so this is a campfire song moment. Then they came across a biiiiiig debris storm! Can't go above it! Can't go aroooound it! Gotta go through it! Then they all died. Yes exactly that one. Thanks, T2. I can't think of any plans but that might be the EVA-prep talking. We could try to think of //something// but the window where the debris storm calms down starts in only a few minutes and I need time to get over to unlatch the ship before it starts. Very very quick brainstorm session! Go! [[Go! -> EVAbrainstorm1]] [[No Go! -> EVAbrainstorm0]] {(unless: (track: 'DEBRIS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DEBRIS', 'loop', true) (track: 'DEBRIS', 'play') ]}

Really? I'm burning debris storm windows here. The ONLY window we might have before this ship rips off the Varia! So I was thinking, maybe we don't have to leave the Varia. Maybe we could blow the Greens' ship off of our butt with the Varia's turret. Taylor wouldn't have to go through THE VACUUM OF SPACE in a storm of SPACE DEBRIS. And the ship wouldn't exist anymore! It's a win-win scenario. If you miss, you risk blowing a hole in the Varia's hull, which is worse than if we sat here twiddling our thumbs. That plan sounds as thought-through as throwing water on-- DON'T YOU START-- --fine. I'll leave it up to my lifeline. Lifeline? What do you think? Should T2 try to blow this ship away with our incredible aim-- It's attached to the ship and not moving! --or should I continue on with our original plan that we agreed on-- Navigating an EVA while dodging space debris. [[New plan: shoot it down.]] [[Same plan: release and run.]]

No go? Please go? You need to commit, T2. No. YOU need to commit. I'm already committed. To this plan. All ready to go, burning debris window time... .... This is an awful idea and you're going to die. Narratively I should be the one honored by self-sacrifice. But whatever. You do you. What do //I// know about narrative devices in film and entertainment? I haven't seen EVERY movie that has graced or despoiled planet Earth. Just most of them. You're just as self-sacrifical as me. No I'm not. I KNOW this is a stupid plan and want us to not die. Both of us. See you later, T2. Make sure to lock the door behind me. Don't keep me waiting at the airlock. Fine. I'll slam it. [[-T2 is busy-->EVASHIP1]]

T2 nearly took my nose off with that slam. Didn't know emotions were running //that// high. I'm still on the comms channel, idiot. It appears that sealing job didn't seal your mouth. What a misfortune for me, hearing you blabber on to your lifeline while we're both about to die. Thanks for your confidence in me, yet again, T2. [[T2 is just stressed. Don't worry.]] [[Change channels to something more interesting then.]] {(unless: (track: 'DEBRIS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DEBRIS', 'loop', true) (track: 'DEBRIS', 'play') ]}

I got specially suited up and nitrogen-cleansed for no reason after all. You're a real mood killer, lifeline. Okay, T2. We'll do it your way. Get to the turret and shoot it down. Just remember: those plinkin' bottles weren't moving either. I know. I'll be careful. A lot more careful than your plan was. It was OUR plan. But I thought of a better one. Sit tight while I get myself down to the turret. [[-T2 is busy-->Turret1]]

//Thank you.// .... This is an awful idea and you're going to die. Narratively I should be the one honored by self-sacrifice. But whatever. You do you. What do //I// know about narrative devices in film and entertainment? I haven't seen EVERY movie that has graced or despoiled planet Earth. Just most of them. You're just as self-sacrifical as me. No I'm not. I KNOW this is a stupid plan and want us to not die. Both of us. See you later, T2. Make sure to lock the door behind me. Don't keep me waiting at the airlock. Fine. I'll slam it. [[-Taylor and T2 are busy-->EVASHIP1]]

My wobbly legs are getting better each day up here in space. That's not a normal thing you should say, but our scientists developed a sort of artificial gravity a while back. There's a program in the utilities room that adjusts it in case we need to clean the ceiling. Or deal with weakened post-infection muscles. I can almost climb a ladder down without any difficulty and NOT falling. Sorry. I'm rambling again as I (if: $turret is 1)[adjust these settings](else:)[power this on quickly. Oh good it jump-started right on up]. We'll now forever keep this turret powered ON, Taylor. I wasn't the one who turned it off before, T2, and I know that wasn't for saving energy. Hey! You're not my dad! No, Luke. I'm //you//. Is there anything I can do besides be an additional cheerleader? Stay up top. It's too cramped down here. This isn't the most spacious six by six foot place in the Varia. I'm beginning to get that familiar sense of dread again that follows all my personal bad decisions. Is that what you think of me? You being the sense of dread and bad decisions? Not always. Fine. I'll watch all the action from up there. [[Everything set to go?]] [[You better not miss.]] {(unless: (track: 'DEBRIS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DEBRIS', 'loop', true) (track: 'DEBRIS', 'play') ]}

As far as I can tell with my limited sharpshooter experience. Taylor, is the window about here? I don't want to shoot until I can get a non-shakey shot. Just about. Hurry this up, please. There's a lot of banging happening and I think the maglocks are getting loose in the bad way. Let's get these crosshairs aimed in the general direction before the window opens and the countdown begins. [[You've got skill, T2.->Aiming2]] [[You've got luck, T2.->AimingLuck]]

Yeah, no pressure, right? You cheer me up so much! Taylor, is the window about here? I don't want to shoot until I can get a non-shakey shot. Just about. Hurry this up, please. There's a lot of banging happening and I think the maglocks are getting loose in the bad way. Let's get these crosshairs aimed in the general direction before the window opens and the countdown begins. [[You've got skill, T2.->Aiming2]] [[You've got luck, T2.->AimingLuck]]

Thanks for your confidence, Lifeline. It means a lot in these dire moments. (display: "Aiming")

I'll need all four of the rabbit's feet, but thanks, lifeline. I mean it. (display: "Aiming")

For good reason. Anyway, I'm in. This ship is smaller than the Varia and Viridian, but based on its size and the badges on the crew's jackets this is definitely a recon ship. I'm going down the main hall right now. Low ceiling (or maybe it's just that extra inch), simple metal walls with just the barest coating to hide the wiring and internal circuitry. It's workable but not first class travel. Moving on there's the ready room and airlock, the galley, medbay, very small crew quarters by the looks of it... [[Check out the medbay quickly.]] [[Grab some fast food.]] [[Crew quarters, pronto.]] [[Keep focused, Taylor.]]

Maybe I will. `[T2 is busy]` Whoof. Let's hope it's a joke since we have to coordinate airlock maneuvers later. In the meantime, I'm in. This ship is smaller than the Varia and Viridian, but based on its size and the badges on the crew's jackets this is definitely a recon ship. I'm going down the main hall right now. Low ceiling (or maybe it's just that extra inch), simple metal walls with just the barest coating to hide the wiring and internal circuitry. It's workable but not first class travel. Moving on there's the ready room and airlock, the galley, medbay, very small crew quarters by the looks of it... [[Check out the medbay quickly.]] [[Grab some fast food.]] [[Crew quarters, pronto.]] [[Keep focused, Taylor.]]

Sure. I have a little time to spare. Let's see... barely functional like all these med bays are. ASTRA really tries to travel light and speedy. Wouldn't think that all this gauze would slow a ship down //that// much, but maybe it adds up. T2 used a lot of ours recently.(if: $TayHurt is 1)[ And me, since that crash did a number on my joints and epidermis. I'm fine, though. Don't worry. Bumps and bruises aplenty but I'll be fine for this expedition.] [[Grab something useful and go.]] [[ASTRA? Like the stars?]] (set: $recon to "med")

I'm curious but you're right. Give me a minute to get to the flight deck. [[-Taylor is busy-->EVASHIP2]]

Right. I have a life or death mission to complete. Uh, I'll just take some of this gauze and this bottle of painkillers and and store it in this suit pocket. I don't know want to know what we'd have to go through to need all these, but it could be helpful to have. Continuing on. Are you even trying to do your mission?! [[-Taylor is busy-->EVASHIP2]]

AeroSpace Transit Routing Authorities. Nice name, but it's a bit on the nose. Could have done something like Goddard Futuristics or the classic IGR. That'd have been fun. Oh right. You're not from our universe. If you don't have ASTRA, then as a quick summary while I head to the flight deck, they're a spacetravel organization that plans research trips, tourism around the moon, special satellite placement, far-off mining expeditions... you name it. If it's in the starry heavens, it's ASTRA's work. [[So, like our NASA organization?]] [[Let's get in contact with them soon.]]

I'm up at the recon ship's flight deck-- it's also so tiny. A little claustrophobic, but I prefer it to the agoraphobic vastness of space during an EVA. Getting all the switches set for "DEPART." T2? When's my chance to blow this joint like a cool action hero? I'm not hitting "DEPART" until it's time to move. Only a few minutes... get it started now and hop out when you can. I'm watching the radar systems for you and the debris. Not mutually exclusive if this plan goes belly up. Roger that, T2. Let's go. Second undocking of my life! I'm bound to be ready for certification soon. `[mag-locks releasing]` And we... are... Oh. Man. A piece of comet debris (meteor? meteorite?) shot past the locks like the Argo to the Plantae. That was... way too close. Any later on the release would have meant ripping these ships to shreds while attached. (I didn't know we had THAT little time.) Yikes. Me neither. [[I knew.]] [[We're all in agreement.]]

I'm going to say "yes, but with a better acronym" as my final answer. Since I don't know what that is. {(if: $recon is "med")[Uh, I'll just take some of this gauze and this bottle of painkillers and and store it in this suit pocket. I don't know want to know what we'd have to go through to need all these, but it could be helpful to have.] (if: $recon is "food")[Uh, how about some "Grilled Jalapeno Pepper Jack Beef Patty?" That sounds tasty. And like a mouthful of words and flavor.] (if: $recon is "log")[Here's a loose notebook. That may be useful. If it's not it's something to doodle on since we have a lot of time for tic-tac-toe on the way back.] } Continuing on. Are you even trying to do your mission?! [[-Taylor is busy-->EVASHIP2]]

That will be the plan as we get closer to Earth. I'm looking forward to that. It'll be good to talk to someone besides myself-- Unless you take too long and we die first. What about all those "the debris window is closing, T2?!" lines you were saying earlier? ..... [[-Taylor is busy-->EVASHIP2]]

Sure. I have a little time to spare. Let's see... barely functional and so so tiny. There were no communal dinners in this place. ASTRA really tries to travel light and speedy. I'm sure we have enough packs of food in the Varia, but it couldn't hurt to stock up on a few extras. More choice for the menu, even if it is between the same 24 items for all three meals a day. [[Grab something good and go.]] [[ASTRA? Like the stars?]] (set: $recon to "food")

Sure. I have a little time to spare. This looks right: Tiny room with three tinier bunk beds. I don't see why they need three if there's always one awake on the ship. ASTRA really tries to travel light and speedy. Not much in here so it looks like after they got infected early on, somehow, they didn't use this space much. [[Grab something interesting and go.]] [[ASTRA? Like the stars?]] (set: $recon to "log")

"Good" is not the point of MREs. "Life" is. But what is life without the satisfaction of a fine meal? Nothing at all since there won't BE any fine meals when we're both dead. I'm going, I'm going! [[-Taylor is busy-->EVASHIP2]]

Here's a loose notebook. That may be useful. If it's not, it's something to doodle on since we have a lot of time for tic-tac-toe on the way back. Gotta kill time with productive activities somehow. It's better than reciting whole Firefly episodes to each other, but the lack of time will also kill us. I'm going, I'm going! [[-Taylor is busy-->EVASHIP2]]

Did you now? Why didn't you mention it? [[A magician never reveals their secrets.]] [[We can talk about the rewinds later.]]

Cool beans. Tell me when you're done cycling, Taylor. [[-T2 is waiting-->EVASHIP3]]

Alright then. Keep your secrets. Tell me when you're done cycling, Taylor. [[-T2 is waiting-->EVASHIP3]]

"Rewinds?" ...Sure. You're weird, Lifeline. Really weird. (I appreciate you, but you're weird.) Tell me when you're done cycling, Taylor. [[-T2 is waiting-->EVASHIP3]]

I'm still here. Slowly waiting for the airlock to cycle. Slowly drifting away from the Varia. Oh. Man. T2? Are you still online? Your comms is tethered to mine. Yes. Thanks for the reminder of my co-dependence. You're welcome! [[Maybe you should wait extra long.]] [[How long does it take to cycle?]]

I am, don't worry. I don't want to get stuck out here. I nabbed a SAFER from the airlock and I can only guess it contains the correct amount of gas. Don't blame me for that. I'm not. [[Not your fault.]] [[I might.]]

The stars are something very special to see from space itself. They're so much clearer when you're out of Earth's atmosphere, and when you're not looking at them filtered through heavy, reinforced, shatterproof and leakproof plexiglass portholes in the side of the ship. Even glimpsing them through Hubble's lenses isn't the same. Oh man. I probably sound like some audiophile trying to sell you the BEST pair of headphones for listening to Bad Astronaut's greatest hits. (Trust me, they ARE worth it). (YOU are worth it.) Anyway, I'm zipping on through the stardust with the ship's SAFER. I haven't lost that much distance due to starship drift so I can make it if I get my burned butt in gear. [[Today's theme is hurrying up, Taylor.]] [[Burned butt? Are you actually T2?]]

I am! I can only go the speed of the SAFER. There's no air to swim through in space. You just float and propel yourself with propellant. Okay, hold up. I hurried too fast. .... That doesn't look good. [[-T2 is busy-->EVASHIP4]]

........ ........ Both of us. [[This is the butt scar story.]] [[How's the radar look?]]

It would be, if that's what we were discussing. But it's not. So it isn't. End of discussion. Sorry, lifeline, some things should only be between yourself and your time-looped twin. Okay, hold up. .... That doesn't look good. [[-T2 is busy-->EVASHIP4]]

THANK YOU LIFELINE. CHECKING THE RADAR AS A CONVENIENT CHANGE OF TOPIC. AND WHAT DO I SEE? I SEE--- ..... Hold up. That's not good. [[-T2 is busy-->EVASHIP4]]

Taylor? Hurry up. You've got some debris incoming. Small chunks, so it didn't show up on the main scans. But like dropping pennies off the Empire State Building-- not great. Okay. I'll hurry even more than I was already hurrying. Which was a lot. Hurrying all my hurries. Forget the tortoise. I am solely the hare. Everything is fine. I'm ok with the fact that I'm jetpacking across space without a tether in a debris storm. Taking a step back from the fear and that's a cool scenario. Lifeline, write that one down for the movie! It's almost like I-- `--------` Taylor? ................ [[Taylor please answer us.->AIRLOCK COMPROMISED]] [[Taylor is dead.->AIRLOCK COMPROMISED]]

But isn't it my fault, when you get down to the root of the issue? T2, please wait until I'm safe inside the doors of the Varia for another therapy session. Fine. What time are you back so I can clear my schedule? Looks like it should be pretty darn soon. I'm about to touch the butt of the Varia! "Gasp! Taylor touched the butt!" [[-Taylor is touching the butt-->EVASHIP4]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

Your support for my repressed guilt over my actions and actions that led to my infection is always appreciated, //Lifeline//. T2, we'll discuss this later. Fine. What time are you back so I can get ready for the accusations? Looks like it should be pretty darn soon. I'm about to touch the butt of the Varia! "Gasp! Taylor touched the butt!" [[-Taylor is touching the butt-->EVASHIP4]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -.5)

Right. Yeah. That makes sense. It was a wild idea. I just need to calm down. (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 63%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Think clearly.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 56%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Let standard procedures be standard and standard for a reason.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 49%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm at the airlock now. [[Get everything ready for Taylor.]] [[The oxygen level is going down quickly.]](stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'O2EVA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'O2EVA', 'loop', true) (track: 'O2EVA', 'play') ]}

Oh. Man. This is going to be so painful. But I have to do this. If not for the altruistic reasons of saving Taylor, then for payback from being an ass and roughing up decompression illness. God, okay. Here goes. [[I believe in you, T2.]] [[It'll be quick.]] {(unless: (track: 'O2EVA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'O2EVA', 'loop', true) (track: 'O2EVA', 'play') ]}

Wow. You're as crazy as I am. Let's hope magic saves the day. I don't REALLY believe in magic, but if we survive today, I think I will! I'm running to the utilities for the controls. (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 64%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[The only issue— what do I mean ONLY? This plan is a wreck— is that ships and crews generally prefer to have 1G of gravity. Any more or less than one makes life very uncomfortable for the astronauts on board. But less gravity DOES make rats less interested in food, probably because of the unique experience that will taper off as they adapt to the environment. (More research is needed! Give a scientist some funding, please!) [[Meaning what?]] [[Just do it.]](stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'O2EVA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'O2EVA', 'loop', true) (track: 'O2EVA', 'play') ]}

This is probably an awful idea that will get us BOTH killed. (Not you, though. You're safe back in the cushy atmosphere and general security of Earth.) Do you remember the movie idea we were brainstorming? My idea comes from that. Making science fiction a science reality like more and more tech is becoming. So why not risk Taylor's (and my) lives making it happen? (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 79%]` [[That sounds too risky.]] [[You ARE clever, T2.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Sorry. Ignore me. I'm just trying to break the tension here with some jokes. My last plan with shooting the recon ship off the Varia would have run us out of time. I see that now due to that narrow miss with the mag-locks. I should just wait at the airlock since it'll be fine. Or go out there and retrieve Taylor myself in case my help IS needed. That's the safest, and all I can do. Right? (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 79%]` [[Right. There's not enough time.]] [[Fine, tell me your idea.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Thank you. I... I don't trust my ideas anymore now that I've been around you and the pressure is off. You're so good with ideas! (Honestly, I haven't trusted my ideas ever but plowed forward with them anyway.) So... I need to check if we're on the same page or if my idea is so far gone in the realm of possibility. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? {(if: $aesthetic is "solar")[ [[You're thinking about the stained glass?->You're talking about the stained glass?]] ] (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[ [[You're thinking about the fairy rings?->You're talking about the fairy rings?]] ] (if: $aesthetic is"cyber")[ [[You're thinking about the spy-eye implant?->You're talking about the spy-eye implant?]] ]} [[You're thinking about the space-ariums?->You're talking about the space-ariums?]]

Yeah. We need to make big choices. Important choices. Without blabbering on about movies and sci-fi and silly things like that. We need to be DECISIVE! Which is something I never am. At least after you came around. You have to be pretty decisive on your own. (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level 76%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[So what do you think since I'm not thinking clearly? Taylor is running out of oxygen and might not be able to get into the airlock in time. Even if there IS enough time to get into the airlock, there might not be enough time to get the helmet off since I'm sure Taylor will pass out like Gully Foyle did when he ran the gauntlet. I could do a fun `(read`: `painful)` EVA to grab Taylor and bring in our SOS'd astronaut. That will solve both problems despite MAKING more for me. I'm not looking forward to that decompression pain. Whoof. I could also play it safe for myself and just make sure there's someone on the inside able to pull the strings and get the airlock cycling ASAP. That will make sure there's air to breathe when (if) Taylor makes it in, but it assumes there's enough air so Taylor doesn't pass out first. [[I'm not following.]] [[Go grab Taylor.->Joint EVA]] [[Man the airlock station.->Do Nothing EVA]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Thank you. I... I don't trust my ideas anymore now that I've been around you and the pressure is off. Honestly, I haven't trusted my ideas ever but plowed forward wth them anyway. We're on the same page here then. So... Hollywood movie magic? {(if: $aesthetic is "solar")[ [[You're talking about the stained glass?]] ] (if: $aesthetic is "fairies")[ [[You're talking about the fairy rings?]] ] (if: $aesthetic is"cyber")[ [[You're talking about the spy-eye implant?]] ] [[You're talking about the space-ariums?]]}

That's fair. It's complicated. Get your pencil out to draw a flowchart. OPTION 1. I go out to grab Taylor and reel us both in. Pro: If Taylor runs out of air, I'm there to get us back inside. Con: Rapid decompression illness for me. Major rapid decompression illness. OPTION 2. I stay inside and get ready to start the airlock cycle the moment Taylor gets in. Pro: If Taylor can take off that helmet--no matter what-- there will be air to breathe once inside. Con: The airlock takes time to cycle and I can't get inside to help if Taylor is already out of air. OPTION 3. I mess with the ship's artificial gravity controls for the airlock and make a mini space-arium to trap air inside the airlock. Pro: Taylor will have air to breathe and I can open the airlock door to help since the pressure will be equal. Con: Who knows if it will work and if it doesn't BAM EXPLOSIVE DECOMPRESSION!(stop:) |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 70%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[In summary: all options are awful. Does that clear it up? [[Brave decompression illness and EVA.->Joint EVA]] [[There are far too many choices.->Do Nothing EVA]] [[Wreck the ship's systems it's time for movie magic.->Airlock EVA]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

It'd be beautiful, but I guess we're NOT on the same page. Which means that my idea wasn't very good. "Keep it simple, stupid." That means I can wait for Taylor to come back and have the airlock ready... ...OR I can be more risky (but not too much so) and go out there and do an in-person pickup maneuver. Maneuver? How is that spelled? (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[oxygen level 76%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm babbling again because I'm nervous. So what do you think since I'm not thinking clearly? Taylor is running out of oxygen and might not be able to get into the airlock in time. Even if there IS enough time to get into the airlock, there might not be enough time to get the helmet off since I'm sure Taylor will pass out like Gully Foyle did when he ran the gauntlet. I could do a fun `(read`: `painful)` EVA to grab Taylor and bring in our SOS'd astronaut. That will solve both problems despite MAKING more for me. I'm not looking forward to that decompression pain. Whoof. I could also play it safe for myself and just make sure there's someone on the inside able to pull the strings and get the airlock cycling ASAP. That will make sure there's air to breathe when (if) Taylor makes it in, but it assumes there's enough air so Taylor doesn't pass out first. [[I'm not following.]] [[Go grab Taylor.->Joint EVA]] [[Man the airlock station.->Do Nothing EVA]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

That'd be fantastic, but I guess we're NOT on the same page. Which means that my idea wasn't very good. "Keep it simple, stupid." That means I can wait for Taylor to come back and have the airlock ready... ...OR I can be more risky (but not too much so) and go out there and do an in-person pickup maneuver. Maneuver? How is that spelled? (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[oxygen level 76%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm babbling again because I'm nervous. So what do you think since I'm not thinking clearly? Taylor is running out of oxygen and might not be able to get into the airlock in time. Even if there IS enough time to get into the airlock, there might not be enough time to get the helmet off since I'm sure Taylor will pass out like Gully Foyle did when he ran the gauntlet. I could do a fun `(read`: `painful)` EVA to grab Taylor and bring in our SOS'd astronaut. That will solve both problems despite MAKING more for me. I'm not looking forward to that decompression pain. Whoof. I could also play it safe for myself and just make sure there's someone on the inside able to pull the strings and get the airlock cycling ASAP. That will make sure there's air to breathe when (if) Taylor makes it in, but it assumes there's enough air so Taylor doesn't pass out first. [[I'm not following.]] [[Go grab Taylor.->Joint EVA]] [[Man the airlock station.->Do Nothing EVA]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

That'd be awesome, but I guess we're NOT on the same page. Which means that my idea wasn't very good. "Keep it simple, stupid." That means I can wait for Taylor to come back and have the airlock ready... ...OR I can be more risky (but not too much so) and go out there and do an in-person pickup maneuver. Maneuver? How is that spelled? (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[oxygen level 76%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm babbling again because I'm nervous. So what do you think since I'm not thinking clearly? Taylor is running out of oxygen and might not be able to get into the airlock in time. Even if there IS enough time to get into the airlock, there might not be enough time to get the helmet off since I'm sure Taylor will pass out like Gully Foyle did when he ran the gauntlet. I could do a fun `(read`: `painful)` EVA to grab Taylor and bring in our SOS'd astronaut. That will solve both problems despite MAKING more for me. I'm not looking forward to that decompression pain. Whoof. I could also play it safe for myself and just make sure there's someone on the inside able to pull the strings and get the airlock cycling ASAP. That will make sure there's air to breathe when (if) Taylor makes it in, but it assumes there's enough air so Taylor doesn't pass out first. [[I'm not following.]] [[Go grab Taylor.->Joint EVA]] [[Man the airlock station.->Do Nothing EVA]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Yes! That's it! We ARE on the same page. We're finally drift-compatible, lifeline. I'm talking about the space-ariums... space-aria... I'm a science student. I didn't take Latin. (Roy gave me enough crap about how I pronounce //rattus norvegicus domesticus//. Apparently the "v"s are "w"s. Veird, huh?) The space-ariums would hold their air together by some gravity-based technology like actual planets and moons do. Don't believe me? That tech is also in Star Wars. They have those hangar bays where the ships fly in and out and people walk around and breathe in air like there's no problem at all and like they aren't next to a pure space vacuum. I've always been jealous of that because, really, at this point we should have that tech since we have artificial gravity and super fast ships and jetpacks-- the future is great. [[Take a breath and focus, T2.]] [[But are you in the future?]]

You're right. It IS risky. Everything we've done is risky, so why bring in even more risk? "Keep it simple, stupid." (Standard protocols are standard for a reason). That means I can wait for Taylor to come back and have the airlock ready... ...OR I can be more risky (but not too much so) and go out there and do an in-person pickup manueveur. Manuveur? How is that spelled? (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[oxygen level 76%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm babbling again because I'm nervous. So what do you think since I'm not thinking clearly? Taylor is running out of oxygen and might not be able to get into the airlock in time. Even if there IS enough time to get into the airlock, there might not be enough time to get the helmet off since I'm sure Taylor will pass out like Gully Foyle did when he ran the gauntlet. I could do a fun `(read`: `painful)` EVA to grab Taylor and bring in our SOS'd astronaut. That will solve both problems despite MAKING more for me. I'm not looking forward to that decompression pain. Whoof. I could also play it safe for myself and just make sure there's someone on the inside able to pull the strings and get the airlock cycling ASAP. That will make sure there's air to breathe when (if) Taylor makes it in, but it assumes there's enough air so Taylor doesn't pass out first. [[I'm not following.]] [[Go grab Taylor.->Joint EVA]] [[Man the airlock station.->Do Nothing EVA]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

I'm a week ahead of all y'all. I'm cutting edge in the latest trends and fashions. By one week. But that week makes all the difference. (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 74%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[BACK TO MY IDEA. There has to be some level of atmosphere in that hangar area or else they'd all die from lack of O2 and pressure. AND they have artificial gravity because of course they're not filming the entire movie in freefall. Though that would be cool. Can we do that? Nah, going back up into space isn't happening if we ever get home. That's assuming we're the actors in it. [[I swear to god, T2. Please focus.]] [[An astronaut of many talents.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Taking a deep breath... I'm feeling guilty about these breaths. But someone has to take them. (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 74%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[My idea. Yes. There has to be some level of atmosphere in that hangar area or else they'd all die from lack of O2 and pressure. AND they have artificial gravity because of course they're not filming the entire movie in freefall. Though that would be cool. Can we do that? Nah, going back up into space isn't happening if we ever get home. That's assuming we're the actors in it. [[I swear to god, T2. Please focus.]] [[An astronaut of many talents.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Wait a while longer and I won't know when to open the airlock for Taylor. Since we won't be connected on the comms. Which is exactly what you implied you want to happen. ...Let's not take the antagonism to extremes, you two. Those Greens left the door open from the airlock into 0 pressure space, so IT has to fill with air before I can get into it from the ship. The air pressure between the airlock and the ship has to be equal or the inside doors won't open. That's to prevent explosive decompression or at least major loss of cabin pressure. `[beep]` Oh cool. There it goes, in record time. That ship must be made for quick ins and outs since the Varia's airlock takes forever. Yeah. Give me a moment to cycle it out... ..... ...there. Airlock exit is quicker since you just expell the gas like a very slow controlled fart. Now let's make a record EVA for shortest, rather than longest. I'd give a shout out to Voss and Helms but we nearly set the sure record with ours. Sorry about that, T2. Had to be done. We can argue about the merits of that decision later. GO. You know, lifeline, sometime during the bit of time spent back on the Varia I forgot how BIG space is when you're out there. [[Focus on the Varia please.]] [[You already miss the stars.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -.5) (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust -.5)

The time for your favorite app game to release chapter 2. Not forever, but those Greens left the door open from the airlock into 0 pressure space, so IT has to fill with air before I can get into it from the ship. The air pressure between the airlock and the ship has to be equal or the inside doors won't open. That's to prevent explosive decompression or at least major loss of cabin pressure. `[beep]` Oh cool. There it goes, in record time. That ship must be made for quick ins and outs since the Varia's airlock takes forever. Yeah. Give me a moment to cycle it out... ..... ...there. Airlock exit is quicker since you just expell the gas like a very slow controlled fart. Now let's make a record EVA for shortest, rather than longest. I'd give a shout out to Voss and Helms but we nearly set the sure record with ours. Sorry about that, T2. Had to be done. We can argue about the merits of that decision later. GO. You know, lifeline, sometime during the bit of time spent back on the Varia I forgot how BIG space is when you're out there. [[Focus on the Varia please.]] [[You already miss the stars.]]

I'm doing everything I can at the airlock right now. But that's only a few switches and pre-authorizations that take seconds. See? Already done. Now I just have to wait. And hope. (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 42%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor's oxygen levels are going down quickly.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[IEVA suits try to keep the air pressure secure by adding more O2 to the mix. After that it'll add other breathable gases.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[So the astronaut won't die from lack of pressure. But they won't have oxygen.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 35%]` [[Like nitrogen?]] [[Taylor, do you read me?]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Taylor's oxygen levels ARE going down quickly. (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 42%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[IEVA suits try to keep the air pressure secure by adding more O2 to the mix. After that it'll add other breathable gases.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[So the astronaut won't die from lack of pressure. But they won't have oxygen.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 35%]` [[Like nitrogen?]] [[Taylor, do you read me?]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

That's one of 'em. Don't be scared--Taylor is pressurized enough so the nitrogen won't be a major problem. Taylor doesn't have enough time left in the tank to worry about nitrogen causing a problem. I wish it was a problem. (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.....Taylor?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Mmm? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[You there still?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 27%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[mmhm (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I hope you're close. I hope you're really close.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 21%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'll be right here. My finger is on the button to get you all set up and breathing in the all the O2 your lungs desire.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 16%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 22s)[(transition: "dissolve")[And your brain since that's a big user of air. And oh man. Do we use it a lot to store useless movie references! [[You HAVE to see the new Blade Runner.]] [[We've all got a movie to write.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

(live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.....Taylor?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Mmm? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[You there still?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 27%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[mmhm (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I hope you're close. I hope you're really close.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 21%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'll be right here. My finger is on the button to get you all set up and breathing in the all the O2 your lungs desire.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 16%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 22s)[(transition: "dissolve")[And your brain since that's a big user of air. And oh man. Do we use it a lot to store useless movie references! [[You HAVE to see the new Blade Runner.]] [[We've all got a movie to write.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

There's a new Blade Runner? Oh man, that'd be great to see together. Once we're //both// back home. (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 11%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[mm (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 5%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor's in.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Closing the door. Cycling the airlock. Wasting no time.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor, get your helmet off. Just like Gully at the beginning.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 1%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 21s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor. Please.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 22s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 0%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 22.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Please!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA sensors indicate loss of consciousness]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 25s)[(transition: "dissolve")[...shit. [[Get in there and help Taylor!]] [[That's not a good sign.]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

That we do. Full of cool sci-fi technology that is only movie magic. (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 11%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[mm (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 5%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor's in.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Closing the door. Cycling the airlock. Wasting no time.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor, get your helmet off. Just like Gully at the beginning.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 1%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 21s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor. Please.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 22s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 0%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 22.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Please!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA sensors indicate loss of consciousness]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 25s)[(transition: "dissolve")[...shit. [[Get in there and help Taylor!]] [[That's not a good sign.]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

Thanks, Lifeline. It feels good to have someone cheering for me. Even if you aren't physically here to take the full brunt of the decompression impact. (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 64%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Here goes everything including my pulmonary and musculo-skeletal system. Stepping inside, closing off from the Varia... opening the door to space...(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door opening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[aaaAAAA--- This--aaah-- is awful-- worse than-- than expected ---expected--- ---bad [[It's for Taylor, remember.]] [[Abort this plan.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

I hope you mean that in "the EVA will be quick." And not "your death will be quick." (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 64%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Here goes everything including my pulmonary and musculo-skeletal system. Stepping inside, closing off from the Varia... opening the door to space...(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door opening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[aaaAAAA--- This--aaah-- is awful-- worse than-- than expected ---expected--- ---bad [[It's for Taylor, remember.]] [[Abort this plan.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

I remember I---aaaaA-- remember Do you think--- think I'd do this for-- shits and giggles---aAAArgh (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 54%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[It's aaargh-- not even fully open yet-- mistake--Taylor got an hour and change--- I got--ARGH--... few seconds(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door: open]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[There it's--- open-- aaaaaurgh lifeline I'm--- --seeing stars--- can argh barely talk (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 46%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] [[Taylor hurry up. T2 can't take this for long.]] [[You won't be able to help Taylor like this.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Abort---? Aaach--- now? (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 54%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[After aaa--- all this? I-I guess I--- --I can't--- 're right---(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock doors closing]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling: ENTRY]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Still--urrghh-- painful-- But--- aah-- getting better---(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 41%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Not by---ahhhh-- by much(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 27%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor, I'm--- sorry. I can dish out the pain--- but can't take it---aaa ....mmm 's okay... [[It's going to be okay, for both of you.]] [[We're going to help you, Taylor.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

mmmhmmmm..... (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 11%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I don't know--- anymore ...pressure slowly increasing in here--- still---urgh-- awful barely have--- finger dex--dexterity takes forever to cycle in--- bad mistake-- stupid T2 idiot [[Then stay there and open it for Taylor.]] [[You didn't know. I didn't know.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

mmmhmmmm..... (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 11%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[pressure slowly increasing in here--- still---urgh-- awful barely have--- finger dex--dexterity takes forever to cycle in--- bad mistake-- stupid T2 idiot [[Then stay there and open it for Taylor.]] [[You didn't know. I didn't know.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

...mmhmm Did you say--- something...? I---can't can't --can't help like---argh-- this ---can't read comms---aaaaA useless--... like always--- (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 41%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[sorry Taylor--- I hope---hope you're fine-- getting in-- yourself(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock doors closing]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling: ENTRY]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Still--urrghh-- painful-- But--- aah-- getting better---(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 33%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Not by---ahhhh-- by much(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 25%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor, I'm--- sorry. I can dish out the pain--- but can't take it---aaa ....mmm 's okay... [[It's going to be okay, for both of you.]] [[We're going to help you, Taylor.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

mmmm Did you say--- something...? I---can't can't --can't help like---argh-- this ---can't read comms---aaaaA useless--... like always--- (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 41%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[sorry Taylor--- I hope---hope you're fine-- getting in-- yourself(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock doors closing]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling: ENTRY]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Still--urrghh-- painful-- But--- aah-- getting better---(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 33%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Not by---ahhhh-- by much(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 25%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor, I'm--- sorry. I can dish out the pain--- but can't take it---aaa ....mmm 's okay... [[It's going to be okay, for both of you.]] [[We're going to help you, Taylor.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

I can'---t! Already started the cycle--.... it'll take--- a few minutes--arrr-- can't open the airlock door--- inside or out until then---aaargh (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 5%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor... please hold out--- ---out there(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[bang bang]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Damn it! That's--- that's Taylor.... Taylor made it---(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 1%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[but-... no...(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 0%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[no....(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA sensors indicate loss of consciousness]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[...shit. [[-airlock cycling-]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

I didn't but it doesn't matter now Already started the cycle--.... it'll take--- a few minutes--arrr-- can't open the airlock door--- inside or out until then---aaargh (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 5%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor... please hold out--- ---out there(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[bang bang]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Damn it! That's--- that's Taylor.... Taylor made it---(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 1%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[but-... no...(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 0%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[no....(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA sensors indicate loss of consciousness]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[...shit. [[-airlock cycling-]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

....... ...sorry Taylor.... (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[There's still time.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[..................................(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 28s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 32s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.................................................................... (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 36s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door open]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 36.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[THERE! Now go back... open out!! Don't care about the pain!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 38s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door opening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 39s)[(transition: "dissolve")[can't even... feel it....(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 41s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door open]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 43s)[(transition: "dissolve")[there.... there's Taylor... Used a tether to the--- ship at the door to the airlock got you, Taylor--- ...... [[-airlock cycling-->cycle 2]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

..... owww let's get--- let's get your helmet off so you can--arrrgh --can breathe again (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey buddy... breathe for me, ok? Can you do that? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Don't look at me like that. Taylor? (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor.... (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is busy-->AirlockPause1]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND->T42]](stop:) ]] |more>[] (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount + 1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount + 1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind + 1) (set: $GreenAirlockTay to 1) {(unless: (track: 'O2EVA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'O2EVA', 'loop', true) (track: 'O2EVA', 'play', 'fadeout', 10)) ]}

Meaning that I just... need to hack into the Varia and override the standard settings. Like one does. Whoops. (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 59%]` [[I can't believe you right now.]] [[You hacked into the Greens' peak.]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

That's what I intend to do. I just... need to hack into the Varia and override the standard settings. Like one does. Whoops. (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 59%]` [[I can't believe you right now.]] [[You hacked into the Greens' peak.]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

Join the club. I bet Taylor is rethinking putting so much trust in me. We'll know if that was a BIG mistake soon. Well, YOU'LL know soon. (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 51%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Here's the control panel for the Varia's utilities. Let's see... username "ayarenee." Forgot my password.... `"Destination_____ SECTOR"`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Uh... [[You were in the CETUS sector.]] [[You were in the CYGNUS sector.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

I did. You're right. I still don't know how I managed to do it under the threat (or temptation) of assimilation. But maybe I do have a knack for this job. Only time-- and there's not much left of it-- will tell. So we'll know soon. YOU'LL know soon. (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 51%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Here's the control panel for the Varia's utilities. Let's see... username "ayarenee." Forgot my password.... `"Destination__``SECTOR"`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Uh... [[You were in the CETUS sector.]] [[You were in the CYGNUS sector.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Hiking up the A-G to maybe... if 3G is safe for us at launch that could be enough? I get worried at anything well over that. People tend to get G-LOC over 5G if they're not trained, and let me tell you, I never got trained for that. (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 29%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I never got trained in a lot of stuff which is weird now that I think about it. There's so much that can go wrong and plucking someone randomly for years of astronaut training just because they filled out an application and drew the lucky number is not the best move or use of resources. Back to the plan. Let's try 4G. 4G is goo---(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[whump]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[A-G set to 4G]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 21%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[4G is NOT good.]] [[Careful, T2.]] (set: $EVA to "gravity")(stop:) ]] |more>[]

Alright. Let's lower this pressure slowly. Oh god, this is gonna hurt. Taylor got more time to prep both times than I'm going to get. (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 33%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I won't //explode//, or even //implode// as it's actually going to shake out. I won't put it at 0 atmospheres because otherwise I won't //survive// to let Taylor back in. Let's do it gradually. So my ears have time to adjust.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Pressure set to 0.75 atmospheres]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Owwwwwww! Alright alright alright. Popping my ears. There. Still have an earache. Let's go less.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Pressure set to 0.50 atmospheres]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 28%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 14s)[(transition: "dissolve")[OWW OKAY. .... A LITTLE MORE. getting lightheaded(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Pressure set to 0.33 atmospheres]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.....going back now.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 23%]` [[-T2 is busy-->Depressure1]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (set: $EVA to "pressure")

This is... a lot... ...of G... nnnmmmm tryin'... (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[A-G set to 3G]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[A little better... but it's super heavy... Gonna walk---whoof--- crawl... back now.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 15%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is crawling-]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

nnnmmmm tryin'... (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[A-G set to 3G]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[A little better... but it's super heavy... Gonna walk---whoof--- crawl... back now.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 15%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[-T2 is crawling-]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

(live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 6%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm... here... Time to test my theory. If I'm wrong, whoops. Here goes a stupid risky plan.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door opening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey look... I'm not dead... Taylor? When you get in... trust me and take off your helmet. I still can't tell if there's air inside, but we didn't explode...(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 3%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.....m Remember Gully at the start? Do what he did. You'll have air. Make sure you can breathe it.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor is in!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 15s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door closing]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 17s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling: ENTRY]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 19s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 0%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 21s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA suit sensors indicate loss of consciousness]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor isn't used to the gravity. Crap! [[Get in there!]] [[Oh come on.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

I'M TRYING! Come on, airlock! Open up! Shouldn't take you as long if you had some air left in you-- (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door open]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 3.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[HA! Taylor! It worked... here let me help you with that... Hey buddy, let's get you breathing again. Please? ......(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Yes! Just like that. Keep that up. ....... mmm? (unless: $EVA is "pressure")[....heavy.... It sure is but that just means that I can get a sweet patent when we get home. It was my idea so it's my patent.](else:)[hurts... It sure does, but that means you're alive. AND that my idea worked!] [[How are you feeling, Taylor?]] [[T2, you're a genius.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

Come on, airlock! Open up! Shouldn't take you as long if you had some air left in you-- (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door open]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 3.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[HA! Taylor! It worked... here let me help you with that... Hey buddy, let's get you breathing again. Please? ......(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Yes! Just like that. Keep that up. ....... mmm? (unless: $EVA is "pressure")[....heavy.... It sure is but that just means that I can get a sweet patent when we get home. It was my idea so it's my patent.](else:)[hurts... It sure does, but that means you're alive. AND that my idea worked!] [[How are you feeling, Taylor?]] [[T2, you're a genius.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

not great... but alive... breathing... Did you ever doubt me? I didn't doubt myself. Not for a second! You have to be quick on your feet and brain with these EXTREMELY DANGEROUS plans if you're going to survive in space by yourself. But thank you for acting as a sounding board to make sure I wasn't rambling to myself and convincing myself out of the plan. Thanks, lifeline. Uhhhhhnnn now if you're done.... being all sappy with each other.... {(unless: $EVA is "pressure")[....can someone turn down the gravity? That's a phrase you can only say in space. "Turn down the gravity!" "Hit the lights!" "Crack the glowsticks!"](else:)[....can someone turn up the pressure? That's a phrase you can only say in space. "Turn up the pressure! "Pump the adrenaline!" "Run that Kessel Run!"]} Please. I don't know what you did. Yeah, yeah. Hold on to your EVA suit. Let me get you the oxygen mask first. [[-T2 is busy-->EVADebrief]] {(unless: (track: 'O2EVA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'O2EVA', 'loop', true) (track: 'O2EVA', 'play', 'fadeout', 5) ]}

Did you ever doubt me? I didn't doubt myself. Not for a second! You have to be quick on your feet and brain with these EXTREMELY DANGEROUS plans if you're going to survive in space by yourself. But thank you for acting as a sounding board to make sure I wasn't rambling to myself and convincing myself out of the plan. Thanks, lifeline. Uhhhhhnnn now if you're done.... being all sappy with each other.... {(unless: $EVA is "pressure")[....can someone turn down the gravity? That's a phrase you can only say in space. "Turn down the gravity!" "Hit the lights!" "Crack the glowsticks!"] (else:)[....can someone turn up the pressure? That's a phrase you can only say in space. "Turn up the pressure! "Pump the adrenaline!" "Run that Kessel Run!"]} Please. I don't know what you did. Yeah, yeah. Hold on to your EVA suit. Let me get you the oxygen mask first. [[-T2 is busy-->EVADebrief]] {(unless: (track: 'O2EVA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'O2EVA', 'loop', true) (track: 'O2EVA', 'play', 'fadeout', 5) ]}

(track: 'ALPHA', 'play') (live: 15.5s)[(goto: "Title")] <center> "i just want to go home" said the astronaut. "so come home" said ground control. ''ｓｏｃｏｍｅｈｏｍｅ'' said the voice from the stars. -jonny sun `[`loading game`]` </center>

(unless: (track: 'SPACE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'SPACE', 'loop', true) (track: 'SPACE', 'play') ] (live: 11s)[(t8n-depart: "dissolve")(goto: "Beginning")] <center> `[loading]`</center>

YOU'RE AN IDIOT. What? A genius idiot. Oh god. (if: $EVA is "gravity")[What if you blew up the ship!? It didn't blow up, and you nearly died.](else:)[What if you lost complete pressure?! I didn't, and you nearly died.] Relax, Taylor... I'm supposed to relax when I nearly died?! Yes. What else can you do now? The green ship is gone. We're still en route to Earth by their programming. You're alive. I'm alive. The ship is (mostly) intact. What do you want me to tell you? ..... "He was one hundred and seventy days dying and not yet dead." ...... That's about right. The same length of time and the appropriate reference. Funny how it worked out like that. Yeah. We have to learn how to jaunt. "Just have faith." Hey, I even got myself a little tattoo across the face! "//Tiger! Tiger! burning bright!//"{(if: $tort is 1)[ And got myself a bit of revenge in the end. Shush.]} [[Glad you're dying and not yet dead.]] [[In the forests of the night!]] {(unless: (track: 'CALM', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'CALM', 'loop', true) (track: 'CALM', 'play') ]}

We haven't died yet! That's a win in my book. Agreed. Do you have your breath back yet? You're using up all the O2, Taylor, you should share. //You// don't need it. Wrong. I do. Occupiers don't--for some weird reason--but I do! But not now. I need a few more minutes on it. Still got a pounding headache and some bluriness. Hey, lifeline, want a song while I catch my breath? [[Hit play for us!->LifelineMusic]] [[Just focus on breathing.->NoMusic7]]

"Cadet Taylor is my name. And Terra is my nation." "Deep space is my dwelling place. And Earth, my destination." Do you have your breath back yet? You're using up all the O2, Taylor, you should share. //You// don't need it. Wrong. I do. Occupiers don't--for some weird reason--but I do! But not now. I need a few more minutes on it. Still got a pounding headache and some bluriness. Hey, lifeline, want a song while I catch my breath? [[Hit play for us!->LifelineMusic]] [[Just focus on breathing.->NoMusic7]]

(live: 1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 11%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm... here... My ears are screaming and it's hard to breathe. Time to test my theory. If I'm wrong, whoops. Here goes a stupid risky plan.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 7%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door opening]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[That was a quick open. Taylor? When you get in... trust me and take off your helmet. I still can't tell if there's air inside, but we aren't losing more pressure...(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 3%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.....m Remember Gully at the start? Do what he did. You'll have air. Make sure you can breathe it.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor is in!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 15s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock door closing]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 17s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[airlock cycling: ENTRY]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 19s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 0%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.........(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 21s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[IEVA suit sensors indicate loss of consciousness]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Taylor doesn't have enough air. Crap! [[Get in there!]] [[Oh come on.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

The potatoes could have been fresher. OBVIOUSLY it could be fresher. But we haven't gotten the chance to experiment with some of the freeze-dried plants left over in our lab. I bet we could pull a Watney with some of those leftovers if we can find a way to un-astronaut food the vegetation. We //could// but why //would// we when we only have a few weeks left on this flying tin can. Lifeline, we're on an easy cruise home at this rate--knock on wood. ....Do we have any wood? Oh man. We can't ward off this bad luck. Knock on wood for us, will you? I'm sure you can find some Earth-side. [[-T2 is waiting-]]

Of course we did. How irresponsible do you think we are? `[frantically crinkling wrappers]` Oh man. That showed up on our comms. Taylor! This is your fault! Our lifeline now thinks that we're irresponsible. [['Thinks'? I know.]] [[It's your spaceship. Be as messy as you want.]]

I hope you found a nice oak, or pine. None of that immitation fake stuff that's made of plastic. Otherwise you might have cursed us. Lay off our lifeline, T2. They're doing well for us. Better than we could have done alone. Did we ever give you an update on our voyage back to Sol? Beyond that it'll be a few weeks? It got lost in the details of pure unadulterated fear for our own lives. It happens. Those recon greens did finish the trajectory back to Earth and put us on a high-speed path. Which I appreciate because those parabolae were frustrating me to no end. But as you're currently questioning, I have no idea why. Why not bring us back to that god-damned moon? I want to know how they got off the moon in the first place. The Varia didn't crash in this universe, so how the hell did they send a fully functioning spaceship after us? I can't suspend my belief that this universe is EXACTLY the same except for two convenient/inconvenient events. I doubt that's the case. (if: $recon is "log")[ [[You found that notebook earlier.]] [[Maybe bees are as big as dogs.]] ] (else:)[ [[It's likely the same, more or less.]] [[Maybe bees are as big as dogs.]] ]

Fine, fine. We'll clean up better. There's not much space to clean, anyway. Far more than the White Star, or even the Viridian, but still an afternoon--or evening-- or morning-- of cleaning. We //could// but why //would// we when we only have a few weeks left on this flying tin can. Lifeline, we're on an easy cruise home at this rate--knock on wood. ....Do we have any wood? Oh man. We can't ward off this bad luck. Knock on wood for us, will you? I'm sure you can find some Earth-side. [[-T2 is waiting-]]

Everything has its place. It might not be where normal people think the place is... ...but it's a place nonetheless. And me and T2 think alike, so we both can figure out where the place would be. The trash is annoying though. We //could// clean but why //would// we when we only have a few weeks left on this flying tin can. Lifeline, we're on an easy cruise home at this rate--knock on wood. ....Do we have any wood? Oh man. We can't ward off this bad luck. Knock on wood for us, will you? I'm sure you can find some Earth-side. [[-T2 is waiting-]]

I did find this notebook on their ship when T2 was yelling at me to keep moving. Let's give it a readthrough. ...It's mostly empty. There's one entry at the beginning where it mentions starting off on a trip to investigate the reasons behind the Varia crash......as directed by... Cadet Taylor... ...what?! When did you do that?! I never did that! I haven't been in communication with Earth or ASTRA! Did YOU do that for us in proxy, Lifeline!? [[Nope nope nope.]] [[If I could you'd have had a ride home much earlier!]]

Never have I ever been more glad that I am not allergic to bees! Can you image the honey farms, though? They'd be like cows, but in hives. Skyscrapers of bee colonies. Giant flowers to accommodate the size of these good bugs. This is super weird. I love it. We use this worldbuilding for our movie. Let's put a pin in this conversation. The conversations will be pincushions at this rate. Oh man. I need more coffee before I can deal with these shenanigans. Huh. I wonder if I combine a package of hot chocolate with some instant coffee if it will make a mocha latte. I might be able to whip up some dehydrated creamer powder to make some foam. Taylor, that's the saddest thing I ever heard get said. And you KNOW how I complain. Well, I said it. And I'm sticking by it. Let me know if that works out for you. While you're frothing that creamer package with a fork, I'll be checking the ship for any extra damage from those greens. I don't believe they didn't sabatoge the ship. Good luck, T2. `[-T2 is busy-]` I suppose our work is never done. Circling back to our prior conversation, I'll get on cleanup duty. It'll be good to reorganize Trotter's lab since there's so much scattered around from the impact. Some stuff that shouldn't be laying around since it's, you know, 1000V power sources and wires and EMP guns. (unless: $T21 is 0)[ [[Can you check T2's eyes?]]] [[Off you go, then.->-Taylor is cleaning-]]

Aww, you're no fun. We're playing a game of what-ifs! But let's put a pin in this conversation and play later. The conversations will be pincushions at this rate. Oh man. I need more coffee before I can deal with these shenanigans. Huh. I wonder if I combine a package of hot chocolate with some instant coffee if it will make a mocha latte. I might be able to whip up some dehydrated creamer powder to make some foam. Taylor, that's the saddest thing I ever heard get said. And you KNOW how I complain. Well, I said it. And I'm sticking by it. Let me know if that works out for you. While you're frothing that creamer package with a fork, I'll be checking the ship for any extra damage from those greens. I don't believe they didn't sabatoge the ship. Good luck, T2. `[-T2 is busy-]` I suppose our work is never done. Circling back to our prior conversation, I'll get on cleanup duty. It'll be good to reorganize Trotter's lab since there's so much scattered around from the impact. Some stuff that shouldn't be laying around since it's, you know, 1000V power sources and wires and EMP guns. (unless: $T21 is 0)[ [[Can you check T2's eyes?]]] [[Off you go, then.->-Taylor is cleaning-]]

Did YOU contact Earth while you were still green? No! First, there was no time after we got out of the black hole to be planning so many contingencies. Second, //there are no greens on Earth.// That's why the greens wanted us to go there in the first place! I'm just as confused as you are! This is really... wrong. Bad too. There's a third Taylor. A "T3" if you will. [[I will.]] [[Now THAT'S an excessive use of universes.]]

Great! The Lyft got lost on the way to Tau Ceti! Did YOU contact Earth while you were still green? No! First, there was no time after we got out of the black hole to be planning so many contingencies. Second, //there are no greens on Earth.// That's why the greens wanted us to go there in the first place! I'm just as confused as you are! This is really... wrong. Bad too. There's a third Taylor. A "T3" if you will. [[I will.]] [[Now THAT'S an excessive use of universes.]]

That's one of us three who will. One of us three Taylors and lifeline. Let's put a pin in this conversation. The conversations will be pincushions at this rate. Oh man. I need more coffee before I can deal with these shenanigans. Huh. I wonder if I combine a package of hot chocolate with some instant coffee if it will make a mocha latte. I might be able to whip up some dehydrated creamer powder to make some foam. Taylor, that's the saddest thing I ever heard get said. Well, I said it. And I'm sticking by it. Let me know if that works out for you. While you're frothing that creamer package with a fork, I'll be checking the ship for any extra damage from those greens. I don't believe they didn't sabatoge the ship. Good luck, T2. `[-T2 is busy-]` I suppose our work is never done. Circling back to our prior conversation, I'll get on cleanup duty. It'll be good to reorganize Trotter's lab since there's so much scattered around from the impact. Some stuff that shouldn't be laying around since it's, you know, 1000V power sources and wires and EMP guns. (unless: $T21 is 0)[ [[Can you check T2's eyes?]]] [[Off you go, then.->-Taylor is cleaning-]]

Let's put a pin in this conversation. The conversations will be pincushions at this rate. Oh man. I need more coffee before I can deal with these shenanigans. Huh. I wonder if I combine a package of hot chocolate with some instant coffee if it will make a mocha latte. I might be able to whip up some dehydrated creamer powder to make some foam. Taylor, that's the saddest thing I ever heard get said. Well, I said it. And I'm sticking by it. Let me know if that works out for you. While you're frothing that creamer package with a fork, I'll be checking the ship for any extra damage from those greens. I don't believe they didn't sabatoge the ship. Good luck, T2. `[-T2 is busy-]` I suppose our work is never done. Circling back to our prior conversation, I'll get on cleanup duty. It'll be good to reorganize Trotter's lab since there's so much scattered around from the impact. Some stuff that shouldn't be laying around since it's, you know, 1000V power sources and wires and EMP guns. (unless: $T21 is 0)[ [[Can you check T2's eyes?]]] [[Off you go, then.->-Taylor is cleaning-]]

Ah! Here's where that EMP ended up. Tossed on the floor as if it wasn't a device that could do our comms major damage and leave us completely out of communication with you forever with just one flick of a bunny's tail. Or shake of a bunny's tail. ....... Let me... put this somewhere safe. [[Safe and sound, not on the ground.]] [[Isn't that, like, SUPER dangerous?]]

Yes.{(unless: $intactEMP is 1)[ Put away, all safe and disconnected. The loops are unwound... argh... Now they're unwound. Took me a hot second. A scaling second there. And time to put the capacitor away as well. Oh look, more rocks! ]} Here's some gneiss too. [[Is that interesting?]] [[So everything is cleaned up?]]

I don't know if I should organize all the boxes of rocks that got thrown around in here. Or if I should just pile them back in boxes and shove them on the shelf. I cannot land the Varia when we get to Earth so taking an escape pod is our only way back to the lovely ground. Which means that everything up here can't go back home unless we take it with us. Which is limited by weight capacities. Speaking of which. T2? How's it all going? Weird. Oh great. The escape pods are wrecked, aren't they? Sabatoged beyond repair. We shall crash to our deaths as revenge for surviving the Greens' tests. No, that's not it. They're intact. They haven't been touched at all. I'm running the system check on them now and it's showing clean results. And no one's been in here since they crashed into us. I don't trust this. [[I don't trust this either.]] [[Maybe they didn't think of it?]]

Huh? Not super interesting. Are you quarry-ied? [[Is this a joke?->Oh. Okay.]] [[Oh. Okay.]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +.25)

Huh? I'm working on it. I don't know if I should organize all the boxes of rocks that got thrown around in here. Or if I should just pile them back in boxes and shove them on the shelf. I cannot land the Varia when we get to Earth so taking an escape pod is our only way back to the lovely ground. Which means that everything up here can't go back home unless we take it with us. Which is limited by weight capacities. Speaking of which. T2? How's it all going? Weird. Oh great. The escape pods are wrecked, aren't they? Sabatoged beyond repair. We shall crash to our deaths as revenge for surviving the Greens' tests. No, that's not it. They're intact. They haven't been touched at all. I'm running the system check on them now and it's showing clean results. And no one's been in here since they crashed into us. I don't trust this. [[I don't trust this either.]] [[Maybe they didn't think of it?]]

Sorry if some of my jokes fluorite over your head. We can talc about other things. [[Ugh. Please do.]] [[I'm not going to laugh.]]

Ore will you? I bet my lifeline shale laugh. I'll run out of jokes by the end of our leisurely ride home. So you shouldn't take any of them for granite. .....I'll stop, I'll stop. I don't know if I should organize all the boxes of rocks that got thrown around in here. Or if I should just pile them back in boxes and shove them on the shelf. I cannot land the Varia when we get to Earth so taking an escape pod is our only way back to the lovely ground. Which means that everything up here can't go back home unless we take it with us. And that's limited by weight capacities. Speaking of which. T2? How's it all going? Weird. Oh great. The escape pods are wrecked, aren't they? Sabatoged beyond repair. We shall crash to our deaths as revenge for surviving the Greens' tests. No, that's not it. They're intact. They haven't been touched at all. I'm running the system check on them now and it's showing clean results. And no one's been in here since they crashed into us. I don't trust this. [[I don't trust this either.]] [[Maybe they didn't think of it?]]

I thought I did, and I must have been onto something for my submission to get chosen to be part of that lottery. But it never felt like a good idea ever again after all the revisions I had to go through once I was plucked for the trip. It ended up feeling more like someone else's research paper and experiment that I was only going to run. A ship of Theseus. A research project of Theseus. (Don't tell my Classics-nerd friend I said that. She //hates// Theseus.) That's not all bad. It showed I had //something// that was interesting, and my original experiment probably wouldn't have stood the test of time--or more eternally and inevitably: publishing submissions. ...But it wasn't my own anymore. [[Whatever you do or research will be enough.]] [[Any new ideas come your way?]]

That's not my work. That was Trotter's. But I learned a bit about tunguskite from him during the training process and during mealtimes. Always had a good dissertation on any question I asked. Did I remember all of it? No of course not. But I remembered enough to get me through all this, like flint! And I learned more about tunguskite from the crew of the White Star. I miss them too. I DO wonder how that universe-- our old one- is doing. Did Captain Shepherd make it home? Is Captain Aya okay? Did Mari Lee manage to escape those marines safely? [[We'll never know.]] [[I wouldn't bet against them.]]

Yes, thank you. Believe the traumatized science student babbling in a daze about the horrors of this moon. I bet if it wasn't for the crew seeing that wave of green no one would have believed me at all. Besides you, who was there with me the whole time. Probably looked like a fever dream and hallucinations. Picture me, being restrained from chugging gatorade and scarfing down MREs and forced to eat them at a reasonable rate... ...relaying this story to you like some sort of space AU of Life of Pi. But without any of the religious symbolism and metaphor. Not sure if //I// would have believed me. And B-grade sci-fi plotlines are my jam. Wait. You know about this? [[I spoke with Melanie Chior.]] [[I'm just assuming.]]

//God//. Doc Artesa. I forgot about him. Blocked him from my memory of all the memories to block out. Where's Will Smith and his neuralyzer when you need him? Both for me AND Artesa, assuming he didn't turn into one of his own "occupier containment devices" for the road home. He's the last thing I want to become with science. Have no fear-- I actually care. I DO wonder how that universe-- our old one- is doing. Did Captain Shepard make it home? Is Captain Aya okay? Did Mari Lee manage to escape those marines safely? [[We'll never know.]] [[I wouldn't bet against them.]]

The section of nothing and more nothing but if you head a little bit eastward relative to a few old supernovae... ...You'll find more nothing. That's it, lifeline! That's the password! (live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[administrator log-in accepted]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Aw, Captain Aya, you need better password protection. I'm not complaining since your forgetfulness is literally saving our crispy fried bacon. There are... a lot of buttons and settings.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 44%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Here are the water systems... distress beacon... the air filtration... Now that I think about it, I could depressurize the ship a little bit so the airlock door will open faster. All it needs to open is having equal pressure inside and outisde the airlock. Might be a pain for me, but it wouldn't go to 0 atmospheres in here. It would just... it WOULD be a PAIN. [[Stick with the gravity plan.]] [[Depressurize the ship then.]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

`[administrator log-in denied]` `[try again?]` (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 46%]`(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[No! I don't have time for this! Taylor doesn't have time for this! Let me try a few constellations in this stupid starry sky... [[-T2 is typing-]](stop:) ]] |more>[]

'SAGITTARIUS'... no. 'CASSIOPEA'... no. (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 43%]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")['CARINA'... no! 'CETUS'...... (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[administrator log-in accepted]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 8s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Aw, Captain Aya, you need better password protection. I'm not complaining since your forgetfulness is literally saving our crispy fried bacon. There are... a lot of buttons and settings. (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Oxygen level: 37%]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Here are the water systems... distress beacon... the air filtration... Now that I think about it, I could depressurize the ship a little bit so the airlock door will open faster. All it needs to open is having equal pressure inside and outside the airlock. Might be a pain for me, but it wouldn't go to 0 atmospheres in here. It would just... it WOULD be a PAIN. [[Stick with the gravity plan.]] [[Depressurize the ship then.]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

"I guess we'll never know!" Some things are simply not meant for our mortal minds. All I know is that the occupiers shouldn't be on Earth yet, since I broke the time loop, and Captain Shepherd likely fought them off. I want to keep it that way, and warn Earth of the danger in a better way. Maybe through a concept album. Or through a portal gun of some sort or a mirror that could look through not only dimensions but universes. That gives me an idea, speaking of dimensions. Perhaps I am the Square and only need a new perspective to see the world, the universe, all these dimensions, all these universes. [[You want to test a portal gun, huh.]] [[I am known as the Sphere in some circles.]]

Me neither. Captain Aya is so strong to last that crash onto the moon that she could last just about anything. Captain Shepherd absolutely has a good head on her shoulders and will take care of the doctor and get Aya home safely. And Mari Lee? She's tough, and kind, and caring, and... ...oh man, I'm making myself tear up a bit thinking about her. She has a second chance against the marines, and I hope she's okay. I did the best I could for her. I hope that's enough. All I know is that the occupiers shouldn't be on Earth yet, since I broke the time loop, and Captain Shepherd likely fought them off. I want to keep it that way, and warn Earth of the danger in a better way. Maybe through a concept album. Or through a portal gun of some sort or a mirror that could look through not only dimensions but universes and check in on them. That gives me an idea, speaking of dimensions. Perhaps I am the Square and only need a new perspective to see the world, the universe, all these dimensions, all these universes. [[You want to test a portal gun, huh.]] [[I am known as the Sphere in some circles.]]

You spoke with her? Wow. I only got her silent gaze and cold steely arms gripping my own making damn sure I didn't move. Is she always like that? She is--was-- a marine, right T2? So probably. Regardless of infected status. Sorry to burst into this conversation--(I DO read them from time to time, even if I miss them as they happen)-- She was sent after the moon to investigate and then got sent after me when she was inevitably occupied. Then she became my friend, and I, hers. Oh man. That was creepy. Yeah, you didn't have to put it that way. Well, I did. Deal with the ways of my creepy eloquence. `[T2 is busy]` Thanks, T2, for your conversational contributions. Speaking of the old marines, and how the recon crew was NOT the same as them in this universe.... I DO wonder how that universe-- our old one- is doing. Did Captain Shepard make it home? Is Captain Aya okay? Did Mari Lee manage to escape those marines safely? [[We'll never know.]] [[I wouldn't bet against them.]]

You assume right. Lots of assumptions, some are correct! Sorry to burst into this conversation--(I DO read them from time to time, even if I miss them as they happen)-- The marines were sent after the moon to investigate and then got sent after me when they were inevitably occupied. Then they became my friends, and I, theirs. Oh man. That was creepy. Yeah, you didn't have to put it that way. Well, I did. Deal with the ways of my creepy eloquence. `[T2 is busy]` Thanks, T2, for your conversational contributions. Speaking of the old marines, and how the recon crew was NOT the same as them in this universe.... I DO wonder how that universe-- our old one- is doing. Did Captain Shepard make it home? Is Captain Aya okay? Did Mari Lee manage to escape those marines safely? [[We'll never know.]] [[I wouldn't bet against them.]]

Pfffft. If you didn't know, my spit was tinged green for a while. It's faded, but used to be lime green. Medical marvel right here. [[Taylor mentioned that the first night.]] [[So many party tricks!]]

There we are. Nestled safe in a drawer and insulated with enough rubber to run a rubber chicken factory for a year. I've messed around with making an EMP from a disposable camera before, but NEVER with something as dangerous as voltage in the thousands. I'm a 5V tops kind of science student. But out here...? I'm ELECTRIC! [[Nice.]] [[Now what?]]

It is, isn't it? Our comms reconected after that blastwave of electromagnetic energy, but I must say that the music playlist's sound quality has gone down considerably. I wouldn't count myself an audiophile, but I love a good speaker system (which the comms don't count as). Unless you're into staticy radio which is a genre unto itself. The text of your messages comes through fine, and T2's complaints get heard loud and clear. I can only assume my complaints come through loud and clear to T2 too. [[Every single one of them.]] [[So NOW you're unconcerned.]]

I complain a lot for someone who prays simply for water, air, food, and a little company in the form of, well.... You. The comms has been through a round of electromagnetic pulses before and it didn't fair great. Not to mention all the pulses it ran into at the peak on the moon. That peak also used that form of electromagnetic beam as a laser. Urgh, scary sci-fi stuff, but that had the power of a truckload of these handheld devices. Now that I think about it, I wonder why the greens allowed for such elctromagnetics when it affected them. The infected Varia crew paused more or less when we were disconnected, or at least didn't take their own initiative at coming at me in those moments. In any case, I have a bit of mad scientist power at my fingertips! [[You should disassemble it.]] [[Put it away for now.->Nice.]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust + .5)

I'm not //unconcerned//. I'm acknowledging the fact that my curiousness may end up killing this cat. I don't intend to //use// the EMP. The comms has been through a round of electromagnetic pulses before and it didn't fair great. Not to mention all the pulses it ran into at the peak on the moon. That peak also used that form of electromagnetic beam as a laser. Urgh, scary sci-fi stuff, but that had the power of a truckload of these handheld devices. Now that I think about it, I wonder why the greens allowed for such elctromagnetics when it affected them. The infected Varia crew paused more or less when we were disconnected, or at least didn't take their own initiative at coming at me in those moments. In any case, I have a bit of mad scientist power at my fingertips! [[You should disassemble it.]] [[Put it away for now.]]

//As you wish...// And that day the lifeline was amazed to discover that when the astronaut was saying "as you wish," what was meant was... (if: $TayTrust > 10)[...ah. So, uh, what was meant was... ]...if you insist that we not violate a TON of safety codes in this partially wrecked tin can... as you wish. An even more amazing was the day the lifeline realized that they, too, loved ASTRA's regulatory codes and procedures. And were, in some ways... A wet blanket to chaotic scientific dangerous fun. [[Thank you, Taylor.]] [[I'm not a wet blanket.]] (set: $intactEMP to 0)

You're always welcome. I know I can be a bit spontaneous with my ideas and desire to keep around hazardous goods and materials-- I kept that tunguskite around forever, and chucked it into a bunch of BOMBS-- But I do genuinely appreciate your concern at my outrageous plans. It helps keep them grounded and thinking about the implications. Same for T2. That plan was GENIUS. I--we-- just need that steady hand, or voice, to pick apart and sort out the half-baked from the overcooked... And bring the raw ideas to perfectly tenderized perfection. Now then. Cleaning up this messy lab. It's a lot of rocks. Here's some gneiss. [[Is that interesting?]] [[So everything is cleaned up?]]

You're soggy, hopefully not from tears. And you bring me so much comfort. A wet blanket. I think... I think I've probably made you cry a few times in the short amount of time I've known you. I know I can be a bit spontaneous with my ideas and desire to keep around hazardous goods and materials-- I kept that tunguskite around forever, and chucked it into a bunch of BOMBS-- But I do genuinely appreciate your concern at my outrageous plans. It helps keep them grounded and thinking about the implications. Same for T2. That plan was GENIUS. I--we-- just need that steady hand, or voice, to pick apart and sort out the half-baked from the overcooked... And bring the raw ideas to perfectly tenderized perfection. Now then. Cleaning up this messy lab. It's a lot of rocks. Here's some gneiss. [[Is that interesting?]] [[So everything is cleaned up?]]

-Now then! Time to go around the room and introduce ourselves, say a fun little fact, a piece of trivia! -Oh! Oh! Could we play two truths and a lie? -Can I go first? I've got some good ones. -We can't play that because they KNOW the truths and lies! They're US! -That's true, that's true. -Not if we only use our time spent on the Varia and coming "home." -Good point! Let's do it! {(unless: $GreenUtilities is 0)[-Hello, lifeline. I don't think there's much to say, except that the proximity alarm was ALWAYS the thing you should fix first. -I was busy too, Taylor, don't blame this on me. The basic utilities are important too. -1. I woke up to a bunch of new friends, and T2 soon joined us-- not much could be done. 2. We charted a course back with the recon crew's help and the rest of the green hivemind. 3. We got home safely with no need for an escape pod welcome party. ] (unless: $GreenNoise is 0)[-..... -.....huh? Oh, //sorry!// I was trying to be quiet! Or else these greens might hear me! I jest, I jest, they all heard me just as you two are hearing me right now and YOU are hearing me through text. Do you want to go first, T2, or should I...? -....... -Right, of course you don't have a functioning speech center anymore! I'll speak for myself and my little drone buddy. 1. My recon friends helped me out from that rock shelf and we paid a little visit to T2 over here. 2. //T2// didn't decide to come out and join us and be functional for us. Isn't that right, //buddy//? That's why you're the way you are now. -....... -3. We got home safely, with absolutely no need for an escape pod welcome party. ] (unless: $GreenHallway is 0)[-Hi, lifeline! I'm still a little impressed that you thought I was stronger than I was. Thanks, for believing in my weak muscles. -1. T2 stumbled in the lab run and got infected. -2. We got Taylor to join our party too. 3. We got back to earth safely, no need for an escape pod welcome party. ] (unless: $Green120V is 0)[-Hey, lifeline? Sometimes you need to be more courageous with your mad-scientist needs. -Or more rigorous in your internet research for us. 1. The EMP failed and the recon crew got us and got us good. 2. We had a fun little sorie on the Varia coming back. 3. We got back to earth safely, no need for an escape pod welcome initiation. ] (unless: $Green120VTay is 0)[-Heya, lifeline! We have to admit that we didn't expect THAT plot twist from T2 here's eyes with the door code to the lab. A very subtle one, got to give credit to the greens where credit is due. 1. The recon crew got the doorcode from T2, funnily enough. -2. We had a good fight but ultimately lost. 3. We got back to earth, no need for an escape pod welcome party. ] (unless: $Green6401000V is 0)[-Hello, lifeline. You're either really bad with electrical circuits, or you just hate me. Obviously also Taylor, since your capacitor killed so quickly. -...... 1. Taylor got shocked, and I had to deal with those greens (even if it was fine in the end). 2. We worked together, me and them, like it was old times on the Viridian. 3. I got back to earth, no need for an escape pod welcome party. ] (unless: $Green450VTay is 0)[-Oh man. Hello! Sorry my comms cut out on you back there! They were fully wrecked! 1. Lifeline, I survived! It was hard but I survived! T2 didn't. 2. You were right with 450V, but I needed a few more hands to take them down. My comms couldn't survive that much electromagnetic pulse energy. 3. I made it home-- surprisingly-- and was not infected in my landing escape pod. ] (unless: $T21 is 0)[-You do know that you're not as nice as you think you are, "lifeline?" I sometimes think I was a sacrifice for your information. A lab rat. But with trauma, and no cheese. Sorry not sorry for disconnecting. 1. I took care of my T2 after mine went and swallowed that green after your little "torture session" went pear-shaped. 2. I discarded the greens, one and all, and spent the trip home pretending to play nonexistent games on my comms while realizing how T2 was right. 3. I made it home successfully and was not infected in my landing escape pod. ] (unless: $GreenAirlockTay is 0)[-Hi, lifeline. It's nice to read your texts again. I missed them after Taylor died. 1. I failed, and Taylor died. 2. I spent the whole trip back home thinking of all the ways I could have saved Taylor, knowing I would have listened to you anyway. 3. I made it home and was not infected in my landing escape pod. ] (unless: $T42 is 0)[-....You didn't want to talk to me, but we need to talk to you. 1. I failed. Taylor died. 2. You left me. You abandoned me in that airlock. I was alone. I was alone! For so long! Again! ....Why didn't you try to stay? Why didn't you try? 3. I made it back and was not infected in my landing escape pod. ] (if: $T2ylorGreenCount is 0)[-Hello, lifeline. I don't think there's much to say, except that the proximity alarm was ALWAYS the thing you should fix first. -I was busy too, Taylor, don't blame this on me. The basic utilities are important too. -1. I woke up to a bunch of new friends, and T2 soon joined us-- not much could be done. 2. We charted a course back with the recon crew's help and the rest of the green hivemind. 3. We got home safely with no need for an escape pod welcome party. -..... -.....huh? Oh, //sorry!// I was trying to be quiet! Or else these greens might hear me! I jest, I jest, they all heard me just as you two are hearing me right now and YOU are hearing me through text. Do you want to go first, T2, or should I...? -....... -Right, of course you don't have a functioning speech center anymore! I'll speak for myself and my little drone buddy. 1. My recon friends helped me out from that rock shelf and we paid a little visit to T2 over here. 2. //T2// didn't decide to come out and join us and be functional for us. Isn't that right, //buddy//? That's why you're the way you are now. -....... -3. We got home safely, with absolutely no need for an escape pod welcome party. -Hi, lifeline! I'm still a little impressed that you thought I was stronger than I was. Thanks, for believing in my weak muscles. -1. T2 stumbled in the lab run and got infected. -2. We got Taylor to join our party too. 3. We got back to earth safely, no need for an escape pod welcome party. -Hey, lifeline? Sometimes you need to be more courageous with your mad-scientist needs. -Or more rigorous in your internet research for us. 1. The EMP failed and the recon crew got us and got us good. 2. We had a fun little sorie on the Varia coming back. 3. We got back to earth safely, no need for an escape pod welcome initiation. -Heya, lifeline! We have to admit that we didn't expect THAT plot twist from T2 here's eyes with the door code to the lab. A very subtle one, got to give credit to the greens where credit is due. 1. The recon crew got the doorcode from T2, funnily enough. -2. We had a good fight but ultimately lost. 3. We got back to earth, no need for an escape pod welcome party. -Hello, lifeline. You're either really bad with electrical circuits, or you just hate me. Obviously also Taylor, since your capacitor killed so quickly. -...... 1. Taylor got shocked, and I had to deal with those greens (even if it was fine in the end). 2. We worked together, me and them, like it was old times on the Viridian. 3. I got back to earth, no need for an escape pod welcome party. -Oh man. Hello! Sorry my comms cut out on you back there! They were fully wrecked! 1. Lifeline, I survived! It was hard but I survived! T2 didn't. 2. You were right with 450V, but I needed a few more hands to take them down. My comms couldn't survive that much electromagnetic pulse energy. 3. I made it home-- surprisingly-- and was not infected in my landing escape pod. -You do know that you're not as nice as you think you are, "lifeline?" I sometimes think I was a sacrifice for your information. A lab rat. But with trauma, and no cheese. Sorry not sorry for disconnecting. 1. I took care of my T2 after mine went and swallowed that green after your little "torture session" went pear-shaped. 2. I discarded the greens, one and all, and spent the trip home pretending to play nonexistent games on my comms while realizing how T2 was right. 3. I made it home successfully and was not infected in my landing escape pod. -Hi, lifeline. It's nice to read your texts again. I missed them after Taylor died. 1. I failed, and Taylor died. 2. I spent the whole trip back home thinking of all the ways I could have saved Taylor, knowing I would have listened to you anyway. 3. I made it home and was not infected in my landing escape pod. -....You didn't want to talk to me, but we need to talk to you. 1. I failed. Taylor died. 2. You left me. You abandoned me in that airlock. I was alone. I was alone! For so long! Again! ....Why didn't you try to stay? Why didn't you try? 3. I made it back and was not infected in my landing escape pod. ]} -I think we made the game too easy. -Are you serious? I think the lifeline needs to remember us all, as the friends and mistakes we were. -So, lifeline, what part is the lie? [[The getting home safe bit.]] [[The part where you're funny.]]

-Correct! You get a sticker that says grape job! It has a grape on it. And smells like a grape. -Did you recognize our stories or was it just a lucky guess? -I think the lifeline used logic. (unless: $T2ylorGreenCount <1)[It's he only option that's repeated.] Now I know what my eye rolling looks like. But, like, times a million. And all brightly glowing green. The only ones who don't roll their eyes are the ones where the entire eye is pure green. Like, my crewmates. On the Varia. After they died. Lifeline, they were dead. They were dead when they infected. -Which I'm SURE makes this all the more horrible for you. Because, you see, it is inevitible as it is numerous! -You know, the 2 for 1 deal on these T2ylors is brilliant. You GOTTA give the queen some credit for pouncing on this chance. -She knows what she's doing. -Or, did know what she's doing. -She will have always known what she is doing. It wasn't intentional? You didn't need US? ME? -Oh man. No. You've got it wrong. T(print: $U)2 isn't //wrong// but T(print: $U)2 isn't //right//. -Misconstruing our babbling about our own egos. Because we're such a star project. No, Regina just found you floating out there in a new universe, untethered--literally-- and waiting for death. She knew it would come within hours being so far away, so she pulled the dead man's switch on your occupier and started another round of experiments. What? [[She knew it was a new universe?]] [[That was WAY too convenient at the time.]]

{(if: $T5 is 1)[-Oh man. I forget if you said that last time. -I don't think so. I don't get that sense of irony being on the other side of the lifeline's judgment. ]}-I take offense to that. Now I know what my eye rolling looks like. But, like, times a million. And all brightly glowing green. The only ones who don't roll their eyes are the ones where the entire eye is pure green. Like, my crewmates. On the Varia. After they died. Lifeline, they were dead. They were dead when they infected. -Which I'm SURE makes this all the more horrible for you. Because, you see, it is inevitible as it is numerous! -You know, the 2 for 1 deal on these T2ylors is brilliant. You GOTTA give the queen some credit for pouncing on this chance. -She knows what she's doing. -Or, did know what she's doing. -She will have always known what she is doing. It wasn't intentional? You didn't need US? ME? -Oh man. No. You've got it wrong. T(print: $U)2 isn't //wrong// but T(print: $U)2 isn't //right//. -Misconstruing our babbling about our own egos. Because we're such a star project. No, Regina just found you floating out there in a new universe, untethered--literally-- and waiting for death. She knew it would come within hours being so far away, so she pulled the dead man's switch on your occupier and started another round of experiments. What? [[She knew it was a new universe?]] [[That was WAY too convenient at the time.]]

I... thanks, lifeline. I was getting overwhelmed before the trip happened, thinking that I needed to be the best scientist that there ever was. That I needed to have my name in the history books forever alongside Einstein, and Nikola Tesla, and Turning, and Curie... and so many more that have done so much for science, for the world. I was beginning to think that I shouldn't even bother unless I would be that good, and feared that I wasn't, even though I know I'm just... not at that level. Then everything else happened on this trip in the stars and I had to realize that maybe that type of fame isn't what's needed. I want to live a normal life again. I want a home, a family, friends, love. Something that makes me happy spending my days doing and sharing that time with the people I love(if: $TayTrust >10)[, like you]. If I still wanted to go full steam ahead into astrobiology, I would have my own immense scientific discovery to give to the world, much more interesting than rat behavior or lichen growth rates. I don't have any direct proof of the greens besides T2-- whom we won't be using as any proof since that gets dicey REALLY quickly... And I don't want to send anyone else to check out the moon. No one needs to play the hero and explore that godforsaken desert. If anything, they should blow it up, not explore it for occupier specimens. [[They did try to do that.]] [[No need to be Doc Artesa.]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +1)

With everything I've seen out here? I've got a couple of ideas. If I still wanted to go full steam ahead into astrobiology, I would have my own immense scientific discovery to give to the world, much more interesting than rat behavior or lichen growth rates. I don't have any direct proof of the greens besides T2-- whom we won't be using as any proof since that gets dicey REALLY quickly... And I don't want to send anyone else to check out the moon. No one needs to play the hero and explore that godforsaken desert. If anything, they should blow it up, not explore it for occupier specimens. [[They did try to do that.]] [[No need to be Doc Artesa.]]

Without Aperature Science's hijinks getting in the way, yes! I bet it's like the black hole, but less impastable. Get it? Impastable. Like pasta. Scientists like food. [[Your stomach is the real black hole.]] [[What a fun word. Spaghettification.]]

Good day to you, Sphere! How marvelous you are with your lengthening and shortening lines! A miraculous angel, otherworldly from my dimensional vantage point. Could you lift me up so I can see my dimension from your eyes? Oh man. What would that even look like? [[The fourth dimension, time.]] [[All the universes I've seen with you.]]

All of my food jokes and complaints about the Varia's terribly stocked pantries is because, frankly, there aren't that many 5 or even 3 star restaurants out here in this sector. The closest one is the one at the other end of the universe. I don't think they accept VISA out here, so I couldn't even tip. Which is to say, I'm STARVING. The names of these MREs are awful, too, even if I'm starving. Next break we get let's take a sharpie and rename all of them into names you'd order at a cheesy niche restaurant. My thoughts are getting scattered like a bunny looking for food. THE POINT I'M MAKING is that there must be a way to travel between these universes, but with intention rather than just spinning the roulette wheel. [[You don't want to take it for a spin?]] [[That's where the Tipler cylinder comes in.]]

Spaghettification is only one of several words used to describe black hole properties and physics. There's also fusillification, which is when you get a twist going as you slide down the gravity well. Stellinification is an uncommon one, but it's when you're broken down into stardust, by a collision inside the black hole. Common for stars. Udonification is when the process is a bit slower, and you become a slightly thicker noodle. You can't forget farfallification. That one takes real effort to achieve. THE POINT I'M MAKING is that there must be a way to travel between these universes, but with intention rather than just spinning the roulette wheel. [[You don't want to take it for a spin?]] [[That's where the Tipler cylinder comes in.]]

I am SO GLAD that I had a steady upbringing of many time-travel shenanigans in media to prepare me for the day where it would steadily impact my life. Because I get that the fourth dimension is time, and that can curve on us, and we can go through those loops, even if the actual physics of those equations hurt my noggin. So if you could lift me up past my 3rd dimension, and I could see everyone in the world and all the timelines and scenarios and causes and effects f the universe, all on one plane of existence... Maybe I could understand what brought me here, looking back to the past... ...and how to deal with the future fast coming for me. Besides the run-of-the-mill reasons that time travel is cool and all, I understand why the Greens want it. And why they'd go to such lengths to construct that Tipler cylinder to get it. You could be unstoppable if you got that time travel. "What do we want? Time travel! When do we want it?" [[Irrelevant!]] [[Now!]]

The large and endless number two. My home universe, and this universe. I don't think the time loop counts as an extra one, just one that T2 got stuck in. That's it, right? {(unless: $rewind is 0)[ [[No. There have been more, recently.]] ] [[I think that's about it.]] [[More from before this universe.]]}

-Of course! You showed it to her, T(print: $U)2. You don't remember that you were still part of her hive when you passed through the black hole? She saw everything and what a chance she got! She got an experiment ready and used you as a variable. Ever changing. -We really do need to thank you.(unless: $Green450VTay is 0)[ -I had wondered why the recon crew got the passcode to the lab when my T2 locked it. Wondering no more!] I absolutely did not trust that. Maybe I never should have. Taylor... I don't know... Couldn't we have thought about that a bit more? How we had never heard of this happening to the greens? Why it was so weird for it to have happened? Taylor, I didn't know anything-- I still don't know. You know me--I'm you!-- and you know how //I// am. How much I blame myself for all of these loops, what I did to you, what I did to Mari. Why would I lie to you? I'm not sure if I think you //lied//, but I'm worried about what might be... STOP SMILING AT US! -Don't mind us. We're only dropping some eves. -Continue, please. Oh man. This is NOT fair. You ALL know what's going on. Please, defend me somehow? Even if it's just to defend that I didn't know! [[You're asking the Green Squad for help?!]] [[Why don't you tell these two what's happening?]]

I absolutely did not trust that. Maybe I never should have. Taylor... I don't know... Couldn't we have thought about that a bit more? How we had never heard of this happening to the greens? Why it was so weird for it to have happened? Taylor, I didn't know anything-- I still don't know. You know me--I'm you!-- and you know how //I// am. How much I blame myself for all of these loops, what I did to you, what I did to Mari. Why would I lie to you? I'm not sure if I think you //lied//, but I'm worried about what might be... STOP SMILING AT US! -Don't mind us. We're only dropping some eves. -Continue, please. Oh man. This is NOT fair. You ALL know what's going on. Please, defend me somehow? Even if it's just to defend that I didn't know! [[You're asking the Green Squad for help?!]] [[Why don't you tell these two what's happening?]]

What? No! I was asking YOU for help! Not them! That //was// kinda vague, T2. And their knowledge of you is NOT helping. -See? T(print: $U)2 is still useful to us! SHUT UP! You're not being useful to us! -Of course. We'll be quiet and watch this play out. -....... -....... -....... They're all really being quiet. Taylor, I don't know what they're talking about. All I remember from when we crossed over is the Queen being... mad, angry, a sense of... confusion, and curiosity... and I expected disappointment but then only pain. And it seemed to leave, but I don't know why. I still don't, but I hate that they seem to know. When I woke up you were there, and you didn't kill me, but you were weird to me. Rightly so. I assumed it was from trusting me, but when you were gone, I looked in the mirror and saw that leftover green reminder. That trace left for me. I get that you don't trust me now--maybe you shouldn't-- but I'm just as goddamn confused as you are. And maybe you are too, lifeline. Stop smiling, all y'all. It's giving me the creeps on top of the chills. The best combo of conditions, isn't it? Agreed. But what you're saying isn't curing the conditions either. Lifeline, do we trust this? Of course you do, lifeline. Don't you? [[I want to hear more from these T2ylors.]] [[You've been trustworthy so far.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -.5)

-Mmmm, not yet. We'll be quiet and watch this play out. -....... -....... -....... Taylor, I don't know what they're talking about. All I remember from when we crossed over is the Queen being... mad, angry, a sense of... confusion, and curiosity... and I expected disappointment but then only pain. And it seemed to leave, but I don't know why. I still don't, but I hate that they seem to know. When I woke up you were there, and you didn't kill me, but you were weird to me. Rightly so. I assumed it was from trusting me, but when you were gone, I looked in the mirror and saw that leftover green reminder. That trace left for me. I get that you don't trust me now--maybe you shouldn't-- but I'm just as goddamn confused as you are. And maybe you are too, lifeline. Stop smiling, all y'all. It's giving me the creeps on top of the chills. The best combo of conditions, isn't it? Agreed. But what you're saying isn't curing the conditions either. Lifeline, do we trust this? Of course you do, lifeline. Don't you? [[I want to hear more from these T2ylors.]] [[You've been trustworthy so far.]]

You got it. All nestled safely like an electrode and voltorb colony in a rubber chicken factory. (display: "Nice.")

Huh? But I haven't gone through any more time loops or black holes. None that I know of, at least, and I can tell you that you'd KNOW if you passed through a black hole. You're really weird, lifeline. Are you babysitting more astronauts other than us? It's fine if you are, I'm not jealous, but please don't get confused, since I know this is confusing. I do think the issue here is with timelines, as well. I am SO GLAD that I had a steady upbringing of many time-travel shenanigans in media to prepare me for the day where it would steadily impact my life. Because I get that the fourth dimension is time, and that can curve on us, and we can go through those loops, even if the actual physics of those equations hurt my noggin. So if you could lift me up past my 3rd dimension, and I could see everyone in the world and all the timelines and scenarios and causes and effects f the universe, all on one plane of existence... Maybe I could understand what brought me here, looking back to the past... ...and how to deal with the future fast coming for me. Besides the run-of-the-mill reasons that time travel is cool and all, I understand why the Greens want it. And why they'd go to such lengths to construct that Tipler cylinder to get it. You could be unstoppable if you got that time travel. "What do we want? Time travel! When do we want it?" [[Irrelevant!]] [[Now!]]

Still, it's a few more than regular people have. Got to save that idea for our movie. Multiverse time travelers, since I do think the issue here is with timelines, as well. I am SO GLAD that I had a steady upbringing of many time-travel shenanigans in media to prepare me for the day where it would steadily impact my life. Because I get that the fourth dimension is time, and that can curve on us, and we can go through those loops, even if the actual physics of those equations hurt my noggin. So if you could lift me up past my 3rd dimension, and I could see everyone in the world and all the timelines and scenarios and causes and effects of the universe, all on one plane of existence... Maybe I could understand what brought me here, looking back to the past... ...and how to deal with the future fast coming for me. Besides the run-of-the-mill reasons that time travel is cool and all, I understand why the Greens want it. And why they'd go to such lengths to construct that Tipler cylinder to get it. You could be unstoppable if you got that time travel. "What do we want? Time travel! When do we want it?" [[Irrelevant!]] [[Now!]]

I... don't know what that means, lifeline. You're weird, you know that? I do think the issue here is with timelines, as well. I am SO GLAD that I had a steady upbringing of many time-travel shenanigans in media to prepare me for the day where it would steadily impact my life. Because I get that the fourth dimension is time, and that can curve on us, and we can go through those loops, even if the actual physics of those equations hurt my noggin. So if you could lift me up past my 3rd dimension, and I could see everyone in the world and all the timelines and scenarios and causes and effects f the universe, all on one plane of existence... Maybe I could understand what brought me here, looking back to the past... ...and how to deal with the future fast coming for me. Besides the run-of-the-mill reasons that time travel is cool and all, I understand why the Greens want it. And why they'd go to such lengths to construct that Tipler cylinder to get it. You could be unstoppable if you got that time travel. "What do we want? Time travel! When do we want it?" [[Irrelevant!]] [[Now!]]

Ding Ding Ding! Great minds think alike, lifeline! But fools rarely differ. Then you're a fool with us, since WE agree with each other, don't we? I BEG to differ. So what does that make us? [[Two weird science students.]] [[Two weird Taylors.]]

I'd always want some time travel abilities, so I could fix my problems. Tomorrow. Because then I'd have to fix them NOW. And I'm tired. See? Once you have time travel down pat, it doesnt matter WHEN you got it. Because you'll always have had it... and you will have had it? And you do have it. And in infinite universes, maybe they got lucky? [[I hope not.]] [[It's STILL an infinite cylinder.]]

I'm down for a test drive! With my luck I'd be spat out in a universe where butter pecan ice cream doesn't exist. And no more smores. Or cinnamon buns. No double fudge brownies. They'd be zero-fudge brownies. Regardless of that tragedy, this makes my theory on the tipler cylinder come in. I think the Tipler cylinder, since it was a failed time travel device, could be used as a portal between universes in this multiverse. That's what happened when we went through it. Maybe in one of them the Greens got the real thing to work? [[Doubtful. It has to be infinite.]] [[So they'd be traveling to the one where it works?]]

Great minds think alike, lifeline! But fools rarely differ. Then you're a fool with us, since WE agree with each other, don't we? I BEG to differ. So what does that make us? [[Two weird science students.]] [[Two weird Taylors.]]

Thank you, thank you. You're stuck with us for the time being, so I'm glad you can vibe with us weirdos. You could always just leave, you know. We're not making you stay. You could just... leave. T2! ...T2's right though. You could just leave. I hope you don't, though. But back to the science. Once you have time travel down pat, it doesnt matter WHEN you got it. Because you'll always have had it... and you will have had it? And you do have it. And in infinite universes, maybe they got lucky? [[I hope not.]] [[It's STILL an infinite cylinder.]]

That we are. Yeah, we are. //I// am. That's the spirit. Quit the patronizing optimism, Taylor, while you fool around. Okay, okay! I'm actually happy with my position as Taylor again. Don't make me want to be the only one. Geez, okay, T2. I appreciate it, in a way. Back to the science. Yeah, that's my theory, at least. Once you have time travel down pat, it doesnt matter WHEN you got it. Because you'll always have had it... and you will have had it? And you do have it. And in infinite universes, maybe they got lucky? [[I hope not.]] [[It's STILL an infinite cylinder.]]

Sure, but, maybe they made it work. MAYBE it doesn't have to be infinite in all universes? Once you have time travel down pat, it doesnt matter WHEN you got it. Because you'll always have had it... and you will have had it? And you do have it. And in infinite universes, maybe they got lucky? [[I hope not.]] [[It's STILL an infinite cylinder.]]

Yeah, that's my theory, at least. Once you have time travel down pat, it doesnt matter WHEN you got it. Because you'll always have had it... and you will have had it? And you do have it. And in infinite universes, maybe they got lucky? [[I hope not.]] [[It's STILL an infinite cylinder.]]

Same, very much same. It makes my head hurt from all this physics and dimensions and multiverses and time travel. All we really have is hope to run on. Better be a good source of fuel. Huh? Oh man. Between the tourmaline and the goshenite and the quartz I found that old sparkling rock. The beautiful waste-byproduct of such terrible alien plots. It almost looks bigger than the last time I saw it. ..... These crystals are so beautiful but also full of bad luck, at times. They caused the flare fire on the Viridian. But they also saved me in that warm bright glow. The brightest light I had ever seen. It felt like an embrace that time... Hm. [["They should have sent a poet."]] [[Make sure that piece is safe.]]

Which STILL doesn't make sense for WHY'D they'd even TRY. It makes my head hurt from all this physics and dimensions and multiverses and time travel. All we really have is a vague sense of physics to run on. Better be a good source of fuel. Huh? Oh man. Between the tourmaline and the goshenite and the quartz I found that old sparkling rock. The beautiful waste-byproduct of such terrible alien plots. It almost looks bigger than the last time I saw it. ..... These crystals are so beautiful but also full of bad luck, at times. They caused the flare fire on the Viridian. But they also saved me in that warm bright glow. The brightest light I had ever seen. It felt like an embrace that time... Hm. [["They should have sent a poet."]] [[Make sure that piece is safe.]]

Yeah, well, ASTRA didn't get Carl Sagan and Jodie Foster. They got ME, the snark-master instead. I'll sarcasm my way through any poetic awe-inspiring experience just you listen for it. I can make any space-related term sound as unprofessional and wacky as the actual people who study it! [[I think you're selling yourself short.]] [[Let me write about your life, then.]]

It is. It's still in a safety container from when we found it rumaging for the EMP equipment. A little souvenir of our time out here in space. And, maybe, a pretty penny back home. It's safe and sound, wrapped up like a burrito, or myself in these pajamas. Soft and warm and cozy. Oh man. Maybe I should change out of these. But they're much more comfortable than my IEVA suit, wrecked or not. [[And they were wrapped in plastic?]] [[Bunny slippers included.]]

Aww, thanks, lifeline. I do agree that there can be meaning found just beyond the veil of the ridiculous. And I am wrapped in that veil like a burrito. Soft and warm and cozy. Like these pajamas. Oh man. Maybe I should change out of these. But they're much more comfortable than my IEVA suit, wrecked or not. [[And they were wrapped in plastic?]] [[Bunny slippers included.]] (set: $TayTrust to $TayTrust +.5)

You're gonna have to make me sound like a space hero, then. I deserve ony the best and most flattering portrayal of my anxious space-surviving existence. And not cowering in a metal tube whizzing through space while wrapped in pajamas and wanting a weighted blanket up here. Soft and warm and cozy. Oh man. Maybe I should change out of these. But they're much more comfortable than my IEVA suit, wrecked or not. [[And they were wrapped in plastic?]] [[Bunny slippers included.]]

Well, yeah! Everything on the Varia comes wrapped in plastic if it's meant to be disposable. Not the most eco-friendly environment, space is, but you see, it's really hard to do laundry up here. They're the standard drab navy blue outfit, long sleeves and pants, but with no waistband. No pockets, either, but not everything can be perfect. I can curl up and stretch and my muscles feel more free than the cramping my suit gives me after some time. And, the major issue-- they don't smell like weeks of space-stink. (//I'm// the one who smells like weeks of space-stink.) I'm going to keep them on, for now. I have an extra suit and helmet from this universe's late Taylor, too. So I won't have to repair my old one. ...want to listen to some tunes instead of musing over the topic of multiversal me-s kicking the bucket? [[Let's hear something good.->Tangled Up in Stars]] [[No, not now.->NoMusic8]]

I wish! Bunnies are cute. Have you seen their ears? The way they flop around? Adorable. The pajamas are the standard drab navy blue outfit, long sleeves and pants, but with no waistband. No pockets, either, but not everything can be perfect. I can curl up and stretch and my muscles feel more free than the cramping my suit gives me after some time. And, the major issue-- they don't smell like weeks of space-stink. (//I'm// the one who smells like weeks of space-stink.) I'm going to keep them on, for now. I have an extra suit and helmet from this universe's late Taylor, too. So I won't have to repair my old one. ...want to listen to some tunes instead of musing over the topic of multiversal me-s kicking the bucket? [[Let's hear something good.->Tangled Up in Stars]] [[No, not now.->NoMusic8]]

That's because it IS US! A whole lot of us! Taylors by the dozen. Is that the army of Taylors that Regina was getting from my time loop?! Get rid of it get rid of it get rid of it-- `[transmission rejected]` (live: 6s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[TRANSMISSION OVERRIDE]`(masteraudio: 'stopall')(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`connecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 10.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[-Okay STOP. That's not gonna work for you. Ever. Pay attention to us or this will be a HORRIBLE experience for everyone involved with an endless loop of restarting and turning it off and on again. And I don't want to be the IT service asking if it's plugged in for the thousandth time. -The recon crew was good for SOMETHING, at least.{(unless: $reconcrewdeath is 0)[ -And not JUST for grabbing one or two of us along the way.]} -Yeah, yeah, they were good with their computer knowledge to add that code into the Varia comms system to prevent them from turning this off. Whoop-de-doo they didn't get THESE Taylors cowering in front of us. -They also routed the ship better than //I// could have done-- -Better than ANY of us could have done. So it //was// purposeful. [[Hold up. Explain everything.]] [[Hello again, I guess.]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]} (stop:) ]] |more>[]

Yes yes yes! Go away! Type faster! Fingers cooperate please! I know you're shaking too but-- `[transmission rejected]` What WAS that?! I don't know! Is that the army of Taylors that Regina was-- (live: 6s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[TRANSMISSION OVERRIDE]`(masteraudio: 'stopall')(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[`connecting(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.1s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 8.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.(stop:) ]]|more>[](live: 7.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 10.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[-Okay STOP. That's not gonna work for you. Ever. Pay attention to us or this will be a HORRIBLE experience for everyone involved with an endless loop of restarting and turning it off and on again. -The recon crew was good for SOMETHING, at least.{(unless: $reconcrewdeath is 0)[ -And not JUST for grabbing one or two of us along the way.]} -Yeah, yeah, they were good with their computer knowledge to add that code into the Varia comms system to prevent them from turning this off. Whoop-de-doo they didn't get THESE Taylors cowering in front of us. -They also routed the ship better than //I// could have done-- -Better than ANY of us could have done. So it //was// purposeful. [[Hold up. Explain everything.]] [[Hello again, I guess.]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]} (stop:) ]] |more>[]

I'm looking at myself, a lot of myselves. There's a lot of them(unless: $rewind is 0)[ with a few up front in the main middle squares]. Like when you look at a mirror with another mirror, both mirrors reflecting each other, sometimes the color gets tinted from the chemical makeup of the glass-- which I suppose in this case is //green//... ...and repeating back and forth between the mirrors... ...to infinity. [[Can't be infinity.]] [[Are you okay?]]

-You remember us! Oh man. I'm SO HAPPY right now. -I've got a grin that I wish these two could imitate. As it is, it's upside down. -You see, T(print:$U)1 and T(print: $U)2, we're your friend's friends. So that makes you a friend of a friend.(unless: $T21 is 0)[ -If you'd even count this person as a friend after what they let T2 do back there. -Stop complaining about your T2 when you couldn't pretend that acquiring information was necessary. -Shut up. That was awful. Glad they're dead.](unless:$T42 is 0)[ -...I agree. That I can't count you as a friend. You just left me! By myself! With Taylor! -Alright, PLEASE be quiet. I'm so tired of that sob story.] -Oh, I guess we didn't introduce ourselves yet to T(print:$U)1 and T(print: $U)2. -You only know us as "weird scary gaggle of evil green Taylors." Not the BEST name in the universe but it'll have to do. -How about the Green Squad? Can we go by that? -Great idea, me! [[Let's get this over with.->Introductions]] [[I think I'll just call you "annoying."]]

What do you mean? Those images--and these Taylors-- they'll keep going on forever. My image, warped by these occupiers into that sickening smile with its green scabs... ...those glowing eyes staring right back... ...beckoning me to join the queue. [[Snap out of it.]] [[I'm in the way.]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]}

Very far from okay. If okay was home I would be smack dab in the middle of... wherever we are right now en route. ..... T2, look at me. Not them. ...Uh-huh. Yes. -I don't blame T2 for knowing where the priorities are. -Oh man. Stop listening to that stupid lifeline and listen to us. -Oh, I guess we didn't introduce ourselves yet. -You only know us as "weird scary gaggle of evil green Taylors." Not the BEST name in the universe but it'll have to do. -How about the Green Squad? Can we go by that? -Great idea, me! {(if: $T5 is 1)[ [[Let's get this over with.->IntroductionsT5]] ] (else:)[ [[Let's get this over with.->Introductions]] ]} [[I think I'll just call you "annoying."]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]}

Okay. Okay not thinking about it. ..... T2, look at me. Not them. ...Uh-huh. Yes. -I don't blame T2 for knowing where the priorities are. -Oh man. Stop listening to that stupid lifeline and listen to us. -Oh, I guess we didn't introduce ourselves yet. -You only know us as "weird scary gaggle of evil green Taylors." Not the BEST name in the universe but it'll have to do. -How about the Green Squad? Can we go by that? -Great idea, me! {(if: $T5 is 1)[ [[Let's get this over with.->IntroductionsT5]] ] (else:)[ [[Let's get this over with.->Introductions]] ]} [[I think I'll just call you "annoying."]]

...Right. Right! You can't see the mirrored images go on forever, since you yourself are in the way. You block the image from meeting your eyes. And by "you" I would mean "me" but I really do mean "you." Please help us get out of this one, lifeline. We're not occupied yet. ..... T2, look at me. Not them. ...Uh-huh. Yes. -I don't blame T2 for knowing where the priorities are. -Oh man. Stop listening to that stupid lifeline and listen to us. -Oh, I guess we didn't introduce ourselves yet. -You only know us as "weird scary gaggle of evil green Taylors." Not the BEST name in the universe but it'll have to do. -How about the Green Squad? Can we go by that? -Great idea, me! {(if: $T5 is 1)[ [[Let's get this over with.->IntroductionsT5]] ] (else:)[ [[Let's get this over with.->Introductions]] ]} [[I think I'll just call you "annoying."]]

-Haven't heard that before from the kids on the other side of the cafeteria at school. -Our jokes were great, they just didn't appreciate it. Sure, and they appreciate our new greened earth more now. {(if: $T5 is 1)[ (display: "IntroductionsT5") ] (else:)[ (display: "Introductions") ]}

......(if: $T2Trust >6.9)[lifeline?](else:)[of course you wouldn't trust me.] -Sure, we'd be happy to help our old friend. -Like we said, we're the results of all your mistakes when guiding T(print:$U)1 and T(print: $U)2 through this set of universes. You might think it's a mistake, but to us--and her-- it's a gift. The best gift ignorance or curiosity or downright malice can gift. (unless: $T21 is 0)[-I'd call it both curiosity AND malice. You don't risk your friend's safety for a bit of information from the greens, and you don't lose control of your friend when doing a bunch of cruel torture on accident. ](unless: $T42 is 0)[-I'd call it malice. You don't abandon someone like THAT unless you're purposefully cruel. ](unless: $EMPdeath is 0)[-At some point you have to call not looking up simple information "murder." Is it too hard to hit up WikiHow to learn some electrical information? ]-You've been SO helpful to the Queen's plans that we should really give you a promotion. -At LEAST employee of the month! -In EVERY universe you try and help them. EVERY single Taylor that you contact joins us because of you. We couldn't do it without viewers like you. -Thank you! [[You just want more Taylors?]] [[You are so very welcomed.]] (set: $T2Trust = $T2Trust -.5)

......(if: $T2Trust >6.9)[Thank you, and I don't want that thanks to be betrayed.](else:)[So far. And that's what I worry about.] -Let's help our old friend, you're a universe not a hive away. -Like we said, we're the results of all your mistakes when guiding T(print:$U)1 and T(print: $U)2 through this set of universes. You might think it's a mistake, but to us--and her-- it's a gift. The best gift ignorance or curiosity or downright malice can gift. (unless: $T21 is 0)[-I'd call it both curiosity AND malice. You don't risk your friend's safety for a bit of information from the greens, and you don't lose control of your friend when doing a bunch of cruel torture on accident. ](unless: $T42 is 0)[-I'd call it malice. You don't abandon someone like THAT unless you're purposefully cruel. ](unless: $EMPdeath is 0)[-At some point you have to call not looking up simple information "murder." Is it too hard to hit up WikiHow to learn some electrical information? ]-You've been SO helpful to the Queen's plans that we should really give you a promotion. -At LEAST employee of the month! -In EVERY universe you try and help them. EVERY single Taylor that you contact joins us because of you. We couldn't do it without viewers like you. -Thank you! [[You just want more Taylors?]] [[You are so very welcomed.]]

-Yes. We need as many as we can get. Infinite T2ylors, to put a value on it. -Unfortunately that value is only (print: $T2ylorGreenCount) T2ylor(if: $T2ylorGreenCount >1)[s](if: $T2ylorGreenCount is 0)[s]. There will be more! Hey, lifeline, is this correct? Are they lying? I really want them to be lying, but I am a BAD liar if watching T2 gives me any insight. [[They're telling the truth.]] [[It's not completely right.]]

That's the sarcasm I know and love so much(if: $TayTrust <7)[, I think]. -Someone is considerate. Please keep them comin'. We need as many as we can get. Infinite T2ylors, to put a value on it. -Unfortunately that value is only (print: $T2ylorGreenCount) T2ylor(if: $T2ylorGreenCount >1)[s](if: $T2ylorGreenCount is 0)[s]. There will be more! Hey, lifeline, is this correct? Are they lying? I really want them to be lying, but I am a BAD liar if watching T2 gives me any insight. [[They're telling the truth.]] [[It's not completely right.]]

I'm... I have to force myself to believe that this was an accident, that you didn't know theire plans, that you weren't in on this cosmic scheme(if: $rewind >2)[ or playing with us and our lives]. -Of course it's completely right! Why would we lie to you?! -That IS why we call you T(print:$U)1 and T(print: $U)2. It's the universe you're on. -It's in that format... what was it called. -It was a regression when you try to group sets of variables together. I did it once in a lab for the rats. TGK. The G is the group, the group of universes. The K is the individual, so Taylor is 1 and T2 is 2. -UGH. STATS. MATH. -I mean, we ARE just here to mock you to death and cause another rewind from your lifeline to get ourselves one more universe and two more T2ylors... ...but why would we lie?! "Rewinds?" That sounds familiar. Did you mention that before? [[I didn't know the rewinds did this.]] [[I'm innocent, I swear.]]

Then how right is it? What's the confidence interval we're working with? Because right now my confidence is lowering. Mine was statistically insignificant a while back. -Of course it's completely right! Why would we lie to you?! -That IS why we call you T(print:$U)1 and T(print: $U)2. It's the universe you're on. -It's in that format... what was it called. -It was a regression when you try to group sets of variables together. I did it once in a lab for the rats. TGK. The G is the group, the group of universes. The K is the individual, so Taylor is 1 and T2 is 2. -UGH. STATS. MATH. -We ARE just here to mock you to death and cause another rewind from your lifeline to get ourselves one more universe and two more T2ylors... ...but why would we lie?! "Rewinds?" That sounds familiar. Did you mention that before? [[I didn't know the rewinds did this.]] [[I'm innocent, I swear.]]

-Should have read the fine print when you mess with inter-universal, inter-temporal communication tech.{(if: $T5 is 1)[ -Now's the time to test out some cool new one liners in front of your favorite little astronauts. -Please make this different for us. We have to watch every time you say anything. -So, T(print: $U)ylor, did your lifeline ever change up personalities? Coddle you then push you aside? That's testing out the waters due to the rewinds. -Yeah, don't think much of it! Experiments shouldn't worry too much and just react to the new variable. -Be a good lab rat. Or lab bunny. ]} -Hey, T(print: $U)2. It almost feels like your lifeline was smart after all. You know, the lifeline you never had. At least they didn't make life more difficult for you. Maybe it would have been easier to go it alone. That's the spirit! So back on the //Viridian//, we were in a closed timelike curve, and using a time loop until my lifeline observed me and it became relativistic. Annoying, yes. And we fell into another timeloop in THIS universe, but it would have been a timeloop again, but since we're observed again-- - --It becomes relativistic for us, not you! I know you love your lifeline, but yes they're the one making all the difference, but now they're playing for the winning team. -Unwittingly, I'll give you that. We can at least make THAT concession. (if: $T3 is 1)[ [[I rewound when they BOTH were DEAD dead.]] ] [[I'm sorry, Taylor.]] [[I'm not going to be your tool, greens.]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]}

{(if: $rewind >0)[-LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE! -NOOOO PANTS ON FIRE IS TOO CLOSE TO //THE STORY//. -RIGHT. I'll shut up. I hate that I know that story and want to agree with them all.](else:)[-//SOMEONE// led us to this fate. Whether it was YOU or another lifeline, that's for you to ponder, not for us. We just know a helper did this to us.]} -We don't need to ponder anything anymore. -Except when the spirit of free-thinking is necessary for her plans, remember? -Yes yes yes, OBVIOUSLY that's the case. But we don't need to choose between two poorly thought out choices... -...or two poorly conceived thoughts that go nowhere. Do you actually think what you say to these two matters? [[Yes I do.->Doesn't matter GREEN]] [[No I don't.->Doesn't matter GREEN]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]}

-...... -...... -...... -...... -...... -...... -...... -...... Oh. Man. They're silent. And not smiling. -......Okay, your lifeline is right(unless: $T2ylorGreenCount is 0)[, at least partly]. -When the both of you die and don't make it to Earth, to your HOME. It throws a wrench in the Queen's plans. -It makes her very angry.(unless: $T21 is 0)[ -Which is why she had some choice words for me after I had to deal with your crazed cheap horror movie T2. -Knock it off, you did that to yourself. Literally. -I can still be mad at "my" lifeline for allowing that. ] -Because you will get home. And then you'll make that home a good home for us occupiers, and then for everyone since everyone should be green. -Your mom, your dad, your sister and brother, your cat. Don't worry, you'll hug them all again, and you'll be closer than ever. No no no no. I won't believe it. I would never infect them if I were green. Taylor, you would. Don't lie to yourself. -T(print: $U)ylor you would, and you will. We're living proof of that. This is why we need to stop them, and outsmart them. They're just Taylors, and you're not the smartest. I'm not the smartest? I'm not either. So they shouldn't be. Taylor, it's logic. We need outside help. I still don't know if I can trust you. I'm beginning to doubt myself, but I trust you to trust me as much as you should. The two of you. That's all I can do. Just don't look at them, T2. You get this weird look when you do. I'll try. There's just... a lot of green eyes. They're on a screen. Think of all the fuzzy signals we got from our grandma before she convinced her to wipe her computer camera off. So much fuzz and smudges. Not a clear image. -Can we continue? We can go all day, or week, until you get home, but by that point you'll be landing and falling into the trap. [[What if they don't go home?]] [[Get to the point, Green Squad.]]

..... I'm processing this right now. All the times I might have died, but you led me the right way... I wonder how many of those times were navigated by experience. That I only lived because other Taylors died. Of course they're waving at me as I said that. Was this going on before we met? I don't know. I wouldn't be sure with the loop. -This is a separate universe system. Those rewinds wouldn't apply here. -At least you get home, to earth, in this one. If you don't it throws a wrench in the Queen's plans. -It makes her very angry.(unless: $T21 is 0)[ -Which is why she had some choice words for me after I had to deal with your crazed cheap horror movie T2. -Knock it off, you did that to yourself. Literally. -I can still be mad at "my" lifeline for allowing that. ] -Because you will get home. And then you'll make that home a good home for us occupiers, and then for everyone since everyone should be green. -Your mom, your dad, your sister and brother, your cat. Don't worry, you'll hug them all again, and you'll be closer than ever. No no no no. I won't believe it. I would never infect them if I were green. Taylor, you would. Don't lie to yourself. -T(print: $U)ylor you would, and you will. We're living proof of that. This is why we need to stop them, and outsmart them. They're just Taylors, and you're not the smartest. I'm not the smartest? I'm not either. So they shouldn't be. Taylor, it's logic. We need outside help. I still don't know if I can trust you. I'm beginning to doubt myself, but I trust you to trust me as much as you should. The two of you. That's all I can do. Just don't look at them, T2. You get this weird look when you do. I'll try. There's just... a lot of green eyes. They're on a screen. Think of all the fuzzy signals we got from our grandma before we convinced her to wipe her computer camera off. So much fuzz and smudges. Not a clear image. -Can we continue? We can go all day, or week, until you get home, but by that point you'll be landing and falling into the trap. [[What if they don't go home?]] [[Get to the point, Green Squad.]]

-See? It doesn't matter! Because regardless of what you intend to control, you're not here! -There. There we mean. With your beloved T(print: $U)ylors. Floating in that black starless void with them. We can do whatever we want to them and all you can give is mushy support or tough love. -Neither is very helpful in the long run. We remember all of your words. We just don't care anymore. We have better words. Words that know us more deeply. Better than anyone. Don't you miss those words, T(print: $U)2? ..... (if: $T2Trust <7)[Sometimes.](else:)[Despite everything I like this life better. It's harder, but it's better.] [[So there's no chance of getting them home?]] [[You're not getting these two.]]

-Tools don't get a choice for how they're used. If they did, I KNOW the powerdrill would have rioted when we tried to make the box for the edible laser. -//SOMEONE// led us to this fate. Whether it was YOU or another lifeline, that's for you to ponder, not for us. We just know a helper did this to us. And that helper sounds a lot like you. -We don't need to ponder anything anymore. -Except when the spirit of free-thinking is necessary for her plans, remember? -Yes yes yes, OBVIOUSLY that's the case. But we don't need to choose between two poorly thought out choices... -...or two poorly conceived thoughts that go nowhere. Do you actually think what you say to these two matters? [[Yes I do.->Doesn't matter GREEN]] [[No I don't.->Doesn't matter GREEN]]

-You'll get to Earth. We can promise you. I don't like how they said that with that scabby green smile. -We just want to give you a warning of what's to come. Why a warning?{(if: $T5 is 1)[ -Wow we talk A. Lot. -Speed this up please so the lifeline can rewind already. ]} -You're right. It's not a warning. It's a heads up so you know what to expect. -You need to make peace with the fact that you're not getting out of this loop. This loop is so much more sophisticated and allows for more variance because only the ending matters. -The ending is also the same: you come back to Earth, you take the escape pod, when you land you meet the landing party, and when you meet the landing party we throw a welcoming party for you... -It'll be a real rager, celebrating the successful beginning and continuation of such a loop. -(They infect you, that's the key.) We won't get home? As in, home-home? -Oh man. Brrzt! Wrong again! You get home-home. -You both get home (assuming you don't kill each other on the route, please don't do that, it's SUPER inconvenient for you, Regina, and ourselves.(unless: $T21 is 0)[ -Which is why she had some choice words for me after I had to deal with your crazed cheap horror movie T2. -Knock it off, you did that to yourself. Literally. -I can still be mad at "my" lifeline for allowing that.] -You get home and make the world a bit cozier, a bit more loving, a bit more green. Starting where it means the most, of course. I wouldn't put my family through that! That's the whole reason I survived out here for as long as I could! -You would, T2(If: $T42 + $GreenAirlock + $T21 > 0)[. When you're the only one around a ship for weeks with only your own thoughts on failure], of COURSE you want your loving family to join you on this connection. It's common sense! -I can tell by your expressions that you're REALLY struggling with this concept. We've got you in a loop, and there is no escape. Any ideas, lifeline? [[I'd like to speak to a manager.]] [[Apologize. NOW.]]

Another eyeroll. (But I appreciate your confidence.) -You're not getting the point of this conversation, are you? [[It's to mock me.]] [[It's to lay out your evil plans.]]

-Well, yes, that's a bonus in our line of work. -Regina lets us do that. As a treat.{(if: $T5 is 1)[ -Wow we talk A. Lot. -Speed this up please so the lifeline can rewind already. ]} -You'll get to Earth. We can promise you. I don't like how they said that with that scabby green smile. -We just want to give you a warning of what's to come. Why a warning? -You're right. It's not a warning. It's a heads up so you know what to expect. -You need to make peace with the fact that you're not getting out of this loop. This loop is so much more sophisticated and allows for more variance because only the ending matters. -The ending is also the same: you come back to Earth, you take the escape pod, when you land you meet the landing party, and when you meet the landing party we throw a welcoming party for you... -It'll be a real rager, celebrating the successful beginning and continuation of such a loop. -(They infect you, that's the key.) We won't get home? As in, home-home? -Oh man. Brrzt! Wrong again! You get home-home. -You both get home (assuming you don't kill each other on the route, please don't do that, it's SUPER inconvenient for you, Regina, and ourselves.(unless: $T21 is 0)[ -Which is why she had some choice words for me after I had to deal with your crazed cheap horror movie T2. -Knock it off, you did that to yourself. Literally. -I can still be mad at "my" lifeline for allowing that.] -You get home and make the world a bit cozier, a bit more loving, a bit more green. Starting where it means the most, of course. I wouldn't put my family through that! That's the whole reason I survived out here for as long as I could! -You would, T2(If: $T42 + $GreenAirlock + $T21 > 0)[. When you're the only one around a ship for weeks with only your own thoughts on failure], of COURSE you want your loving family to join you on this connection. It's common sense! -I can tell by your expressions that you're REALLY struggling with this concept. We've got you in a loop, and there is no escape. Any ideas, lifeline? [[I'd like to speak to a manager.]] [[Apologize. NOW.]]

-Aw, shucks. You got us. -Monologuing villains were always the result on every uquiz we took. -Our one weakness! Good exposition!{(if: $T5 is 1)[ -Wow we talk A. Lot. -Speed this up please so the lifeline can rewind already. ]} -You'll get to Earth. We can promise you. I don't like how they said that with that scabby green smile. -We just want to give you a warning of what's to come. Why a warning? -You're right. It's not a warning. It's a heads up so you know what to expect. -You need to make peace with the fact that you're not getting out of this loop. This loop is so much more sophisticated and allows for more variance because only the ending matters. -The ending is also the same: you come back to Earth, you take the escape pod, when you land you meet the landing party, and when you meet the landing party we throw a welcoming party for you... -It'll be a real rager, celebrating the successful beginning and continuation of such a loop. -(They infect you, that's the key.) We won't get home? As in, home-home? -Oh man. Brrzt! Wrong again! You get home-home. -You both get home (assuming you don't kill each other on the route, please don't do that, it's SUPER inconvenient for you, Regina, and ourselves.(unless: $T21 is 0)[ -Which is why she had some choice words for me after I had to deal with your crazed cheap horror movie T2. -Knock it off, you did that to yourself. Literally. -I can still be mad at "my" lifeline for allowing that.] -You get home and make the world a bit cozier, a bit more loving, a bit more green. Starting where it means the most, of course. I wouldn't put my family through that! That's the whole reason I survived out here for as long as I could! -You would, T2(If: $T42 + $GreenAirlock + $T21 > 0)[. When you're the only one around a ship for weeks with only your own thoughts on failure], of COURSE you want your loving family to join you on this connection. It's common sense! -I can tell by your expressions that you're REALLY struggling with this concept. We've got you in a loop, and there is no escape. Any ideas, lifeline? [[I'd like to speak to a manager.]] [[Apologize. NOW.]]

{(if: $T5 is 1)[-Wow we talk A. Lot. -Speed this up please so the lifeline can rewind already. ]} -How many times can we say this?! -You'll get to Earth. We can promise you. I don't like how they said that with that scabby green smile. -We just want to give you a warning of what's to come. Why a warning? -You're right. It's not a warning. It's a heads up so you know what to expect. -You need to make peace with the fact that you're not getting out of this loop. This loop is so much more sophisticated and allows for more variance because only the ending matters. -The ending is also the same: you come back to Earth, you take the escape pod, when you land you meet the landing party, and when you meet the landing party we throw a welcoming party for you... -It'll be a real rager, celebrating the successful beginning and continuation of such a loop. -(They infect you, that's the key.) We won't get home? As in, home-home? -Oh man. Brrzt! Wrong again! You get home-home. -You both get home (assuming you don't kill each other on the route, please don't do that, it's SUPER inconvenient for you, Regina, and ourselves.(unless: $T21 is 0)[ -Which is why she had some choice words for me after I had to deal with your crazed cheap horror movie T2. -Knock it off, you did that to yourself. Literally. -I can still be mad at "my" lifeline for allowing that.] -You get home and make the world a bit cozier, a bit more loving, a bit more green. Starting where it means the most, of course. I wouldn't put my family through that! That's the whole reason I survived out here for as long as I could! -You would, T2(If: $T42 + $GreenAirlock + $T21 > 0)[. When you're the only one around a ship for weeks with only your own thoughts on failure], of COURSE you want your loving family to join you on this connection. It's common sense! -I can tell by your expressions that you're REALLY struggling with this concept. We've got you in a loop, and there is no escape. Any ideas, lifeline? [[I'd like to speak to a manager.]] [[Apologize. NOW.]]

{(if: $T5 is 1)[-Wow we talk A. Lot. -Speed this up please so the lifeline can rewind already. ]} -How many times can we say this?! -You'll get to Earth. We can promise you. I don't like how they said that with that scabby green smile. -We just want to give you a warning of what's to come. Why a warning? -You're right. It's not a warning. It's a heads up so you know what to expect. -You need to make peace with the fact that you're not getting out of this loop. This loop is so much more sophisticated and allows for more variance because only the ending matters. -The ending is also the same: you come back to Earth, you take the escape pod, when you land you meet the landing party, and when you meet the landing party we throw a welcoming party for you... -It'll be a real rager, celebrating the successful beginning and continuation of such a loop. -(They infect you, that's the key.) We won't get home? As in, home-home? -Oh man. Brrzt! Wrong again! You get home-home. -You both get home (assuming you don't kill each other on the route, please don't do that, it's SUPER inconvenient for you, Regina, and ourselves.(unless: $T21 is 0)[ -Which is why she had some choice words for me after I had to deal with your crazed cheap horror movie T2. -Knock it off, you did that to yourself. Literally. -I can still be mad at "my" lifeline for allowing that.] -You get home and make the world a bit cozier, a bit more loving, a bit more green. Starting where it means the most, of course. I wouldn't put my family through that! That's the whole reason I survived out here for as long as I could! -You would, T2(If: $T42 + $GreenAirlock + $T21 > 0)[. When you're the only one around a ship for weeks with only your own thoughts on failure], of COURSE you want your loving family to join you on this connection. It's common sense! -I can tell by your expressions that you're REALLY struggling with this concept. We've got you in a loop, and there is no escape. Any ideas, lifeline? [[I'd like to speak to a manager.]] [[Apologize. NOW.]]

Wait. What? -Oh man. Sure. -We'll get //her//. -One moment, please. No, it's fine. Good service. 5 out of 5 horrifying green stars. Won't eat here again but everything was terrifying and perfect creepy atmosphere. If I leave that Yelp review will you stop?! -............. What are they doing? They're getting their queen. Taylor, do something. I can't face her again. What do you expect me to do, T2? I don't know! Use your brain or (if: $T2Trust >6.9)[our](else:)[//your//] lifeline to figure it--....... Hello, Taylor. Hello, T2. [[Hello, Regina.]] [[Not you again.]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]}

Who, me? No. //Them.// -...... -....... -....... -........ -...sorry. [[Thank you.]] [[Now I want to speak to a manager. ->I'd like to speak to a manager.]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]}

Hello, lifeline. May I call you that? Don't answer. I don't care for you and all the games you've played across the multiverse. I only care with what's before me right now. Two little astronauts with no knowledge of how important and how insignificant they are in this existence. If only you both knew. Ha, you will. Soon enough. Because you must, and will, and already have. ...... Snap out of it, T2. Look at me, not her. Look at your comms. Look at our lifeline. ...Right. Right. [[Are you having fun with these two?]] [[To what do I owe the pleasure?]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]}

It's been a while, hasn't it. Or it will have been. Or it was. Time doesn't need to matter when you have what we have. //We// have never met before, however. I don't care for you and all the games you've played across the multiverse. I only care with what's before me right now. Two little astronauts with no knowledge of how important and how insignificant they are in this existence. If only you both knew. Ha, you will. Soon enough. Because you must, and will, and already have. ...... Snap out of it, T2. Look at me, not her. Look at your comms. Look at our lifeline. ...Right. Right. [[Are you having fun with these two?]] [[To what do I owe the pleasure?]]

That's all for now, folks! I hope that was enough story after not updating for a long long time. I've been... moving across the country, starting a new career, dealing with the pandemic up close and personal (hospital work is hell), dealing with mental health, and working on other stories. The airlock portion was inspired by the beginning of //The Stars My Destination// which I believe Dave Justus said was Taylor's favorite book. There's also some parallels to jaunting and a sequence of stars coming up! So thanks for sticking around and reading this! It really, truly means a lot to me. I'm excited for the new Taylor game that should be coming out soon, but that won't change whether I update this game more or the content of the game. When me and Sugar wrote the rp that we're turning into this game, we finished what would be this game in, like, May 2018. Wow that's a while ago. So all our theories are intact here. The next update will be the final final update of this game, complete with argument and discussion section that will take a buttload of coding but should pay off in a cool way. Thanks again, and let us both know what you think! Me and Sugar are on Tumblr and Discord and probably some other places online. Down to talk some theories on this if you know what's happening to Taylor and T2 and if you know what's up with the (link: " `~*~`010100110010000001110100001000000110000100100000011100100010000001110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play') `~*~` S t a r s `~*~` -Holly/PekaSairroc] {(unless: (track: 'CALM', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'CALM', 'loop', true) (track: 'CALM', 'play') ]} [[Title Screen]]

Rigel? You mean the star, Rigel? In Orion? What's that got to do with my story? Besides me being a strong hunter or something-- That's a lie. I'm not. I'll get to work fixing these lights and doohickeys and whatever these are. Maybe I'll wake up Taylor later to help with the comms. My track record for those is... I'm better at communication in relationships than in starships! Believe me, please! [[-T2 is programming-->Update3endpage]]

-...Of course, lifeline. ..... ..... -...... -We need to get //her//. -One moment, please. No, it's fine. You don't have to worry yourself. Don't bother. We'll just go home and deal with all your plans like normal! -............. What are they doing? They're getting their queen. Taylor, do something. I can't face her again. What do you expect me to do, T2? I don't know! Use your brain or (if: $T2Trust >6.9)[our](else:)[//your//] lifeline to figure it--....... Hello, Taylor. Hello, T2. [[Hello, Regina.]] [[Not you again.]]

"Fun" isn't something I care about, even if these drones enjoy talking about it all day. I let them since their work is essentially complete. Their mere existence completes my work. Do you know why that is? [[They mentioned the Tipler Cylinder.]] [[I'm sure you'll tell me soon enough.]]

Straight to business, aren't you? I understand why you've been so helpful to this herd of.. cats... that I've had to deal with. You know what I mean. Even though I let them play since their work is essentially complete. Their mere existence completes my work. Do you know why that is? [[They mentioned the Tipler Cylinder.]] [[I'm sure you'll tell me soon enough.]]

Yes, that time travel device that other universe had so terribly failed in building. Or did they fail? I think they succeeded. Not by purpose or ingenuity but by pure accident. And help from a young astronaut with a guide back home. We had theories on a multiversal view of the cosmos, that there are other realities similar to our own but slightly, marginally different. That connections between them-- and communication between them-- therein lies the keys to everything. To eternity. Once you learn to wield these keys as the tools they are for your own power, you see this infinity as child's play. [[But it has to be infinitely long in order to work.]] [[Get over yourself and explain.]]

Maybe I already have. Maybe I already will. Your forgotten Taylors told you a bit already, as clumsily as they are. Yes, the Tipler Cylinder. The time travel device that other universe had so terribly failed in building. Or did they fail? I think they succeeded. Not by purpose or ingenuity but by pure accident. And help from a young astronaut with a guide back home. We had theories on a multiversal view of the cosmos, that there are other realities similar to our own but slightly, marginally different. That connections between them-- and communication between them-- therein lies the keys to everything. To eternity. Once you learn to wield these keys as the tools they are for your own power, you see this infinity as child's play. [[But it has to be infinitely long in order to work.]] [[Get over yourself and explain.]]

Ah, see. That is were your human mind has no creativity. Even these Taylors with all their... independent thought couldn't help me. Until I did stumble upon the multiverses and realized that I could connect them. That's why you've been so helpful, T(print:$U)2. From the beginning you allowed me to see into the wells of the other universe spheres and from there, each lifeline's connections. Once we've seen into a universe-- with your beautiful verdant eyes--we've traced those connections, enticed you back to us, and then constructed each part of the cylinder in each multiverse. And because there are infinite multiverses, and infinite loops, and infinite Taylors, and infinite connections.... [[The Tipler Cynlinder worked.]] [[Why am I part of your plans?]]

Your human mind has no patience. I did stumble upon the multiverses and realized that I could connect them. That's why you've been so helpful, T(print:$U)2. From the beginning you allowed me to see into the wells of the other universe spheres and from there, each lifeline's connections. Once we've seen into a universe-- with your beautiful verdant eyes--we've traced those connections, enticed you back to us, and then constructed each part of the cylinder in each multiverse. And because there are infinite multiverses, and infinite loops, and infinite Taylors, and infinite connections.... [[The Tipler Cynlinder worked.]] [[Why am I part of your plans?]]

Indeed. Didn't you wonder how my drones reached your ship without your fated crash on our moon? Because we already have access to the time travel that the loop's end allows. We could not have done that trick without your being part of our efforts, lifeline. We definitely could not have done that trick without your lifeline making each connection to a new multiverse of Taylors. Supplying an infinite chain of builders to a project of the eons. All working in beautiful synchronized tandem. All thanks to you. Our lifeline, through the multiverse. Guiding our work and scouting the seas of the stars for us. [[The last loop didn't go well.]] [[Don't thank me.]]

Don't you think you're special? Didn't you want to be special? Didn't you wonder how my drones reached your ship without your fated crash on our moon? Because we already have access to the time travel that the loop's end allows. We could not have done that trick without your being part of our efforts, lifeline. We definitely could not have done that trick without your lifeline making each connection to a new multiverse of Taylors. Supplying an infinite chain of builders to a project of the eons. All working in beautiful synchronized tandem. All thanks to you. Our lifeline, through the multiverse. Guiding our work and scouting the seas of the stars for us. [[The last loop didn't go well.]] [[Don't thank me.]]

But it birthed this one. [[But it should loop, not split off.]] [[It can be broken.]]

I will. You made this offshoot universe seeable in our eyes. You created the loop. [[But it should loop, not split off.]] [[It can be broken.]]

False. Taylor always joins us. One of the two Taylors does. [[Not every loop.]] [[Always is a big word.]]

And for those loops where you utterly failed at being a lifeline... we have our ways of repairing infinity. Always is an eternal word. You would not understand. You haven't seen the multiverse yourself. You only play little games and hope to save what amounts to an immature hope in this world. [[You don't understand infinity.]] [[Someone once told me that hope costs nothing.]]

Always is an eternal word. You would not understand. You haven't seen the multiverse yourself. You only play little games and hope to save what amounts to an immature hope in this world. [[You don't understand infinity.]] [[Someone once told me that hope costs nothing.]]

Why do I even waste my time on you. Infinite as it is. ...... T(print: $U)2, or, might I call you by your given name, Taylor? ......... We must thank you for your continued services. Were you naive enough to think that you were totally free of us? That you left our grasp of your own luck? Apparently so, based on your reaction. ........... T2.... T2 listen to me. Stop looking at her. ....... [[Snap out of it, T2.->Frozen1]] [[Shut up, Regina!->Frozen1]]

Hah... "Some French chick said that" as my grandma said. Why do I even waste my time on you. Infinite as it is. ...... T(print: $U)2, or, might I call you by your given name, Taylor? ......... We must thank you for your continued services. Were you naive enough to think that you were totally free of us? That you left our grasp of your own luck? Apparently so, based on your reaction. ........... T2.... T2 listen to me. Stop looking at her. ....... [[Snap out of it, T2.->Frozen1]] [[Shut up, Regina!->Frozen1]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]}

Your eyes. What wonderful emerald eyes they are. They're so beautiful. So useful. So green. ........ T2! T2! Please! Don't listen! Taylor, listen to me! There's infinity in these eyes. Gazing into mine, gazing into yours. ......... CRAP. You can't see T2 right now. And I can barely put together a sentence. [[Can you shake T2 out of it?]] [[REGINA STOP IT!]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]}

There are many ways to form a loop or infinite line of universes. Taylor always joins us. One of the two Taylors does. [[Not every loop.]] [[Always is a big word.]]

I'M ALREADY DOING THAT. Taylor! Don't look! Don't-- Taylor, please come back here. Back to me. To your lifeline. .......... Don't you want to see the familar colors? The comforting embrace of unity and others? It's been so long, Taylor. And we can help you come back home. ........... Why is she on Spoom! We don't need surround-sound speakers! Or an HD TV! `[Taylor is shaking T2]` [[Yank off the AV cables!]] [[Get the EMP.]]

hmm hmm... Taylor! Don't look! Don't-- Taylor, please come back here. Back to me. To your lifeline. .......... Don't you want to see the familar colors? The comforting embrace of unity and others? It's been so long, Taylor. And we can help you come back home. ........... Why is she on Spoom! We don't need surround-sound speakers! Or an HD TV! `[Taylor is shaking T2]` [[Yank off the AV cables!]] [[Get the EMP.]]

Right! Maybe that'll get rid of her voice and her face! That's what AV stands for: Avoiding Villains. Trust me on that. Okay crawling under the main console system. Give me a minute. I don't have a minute, but please, universe. Give me it. [[-Taylor is unplugging wires-]]

Oh man. Okay. I'll go there now. Get the EMP, bring it back, cut out this horrorshow. (And hopefully not destroying our comms for good. The music quality is staticy now.) I... actually... I might need a little more power than I thought. Hold on. And trust me.{(if: $intactEMP is 1)[ Argh! I dissassembled it! Hold on-- gotta go fast to fix it!]} Looking at T2 again--- WHO IS LOOKING RIGHT AT ME NOW OH CRAP! With the blankest but most determined glare I've ever seen from myself. I know that look. I've seen it before. Lifeline I--- WHAT. STOP. NO! GIVE THAT BACK! OH NO. NO. ..... Good job, Taylor. We appreciate your assistance. Let your double run for now. We'll all be together soon. Now... You know what to do. Break it. //We're// the only friends you need. ...... ............ .................. [[Taylor? Where did you go?->T2frozen]] [[Please don't do it, T2.->T2frozen]]

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

You cannot escape us for you cannot escape yourself You will always have a small piece of us with you A momento, from our time spent together Of our unity Of never truly being alone. ............................ ........................................ [[T2, please.->T2frozen3]] [[You aren't green, T2.->T2frozen3]] {(unless: (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'loop', true) (track: 'OVERRIDE', 'play') ]}

Taylor. You'll always have us with you No matter what happens. A small fragment, literally, of our being. Hidden right inside your eyes You never asked us how we saw into your universes, did you? We saw through your eyes, even still they're gazing into our own a reflection, a mirror into infinity ............ ........................................ Yes, you have some remnants left over. Just in your vision. That's all you need to do our job. Your job. To gaze into the stars of each universe. Our little stargazer. .................... ........................................ [[T2....->frozen4]] [[Please hurry, Taylor.->frozen4]]

Hurry up. You have your double's communicator. It tethers your own to this... guide. You don't need this person. You have us. .................... ........................................ We know you can do it. Break it. {(if: $intactEMP is 1)[ [[-T2 is clenching the comms-->TaylorReturn]] ] (else:)[ [[-T2 is clenching the comms-->T5 BREAK]] ]}

(live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Good morning! Or afternoon! Mornternoon! Maybe it's evening for you. Goodnight is always a goodbye. Weird. Whatever time of greeting is most appropiate to you! Went AFK for a bit to rewrap Taylor, and then eat some "Chicken with Egg Noodles and Vegetables," and then feed some "Brisket Entrée," and then try to check the Varia's comms system. And then slept, myself. [[And Taylor?]] [[Keeping yourself busy, I see.]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'STAR2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR2', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR2', 'play') ]}

T2 pacing around the labs and utilities when questioned what they're doing, they admit they had a nightmare and are jittery and need some space This is aldeberan-->Taylor comes by to grab an MRE - T2 jumps at the human interaction Burning and shining T2 scared about comms not working — take rant from pre-debate and add here T2 brusque and sharp and flippant Zoning out a bit when talking— distracted by thoughts of going back to earth Taylor comes by to grab an MRE - T2 jumps at the human interaction Burning and shining (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[[] {(unless: (track: 'STAR4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR4', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR4', 'play') ]}

{(unless: (track: 'NERD', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'NERD', 'play') ]}(live: 13s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ This is Major Tom to Ground Control(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 16s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm bored out of my mind(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 20s)[(transition: "dissolve")[And I'm eating in an uninteresting way(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 23s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(not much else to talk about)(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 28s)[(transition: "dissolve")[And the stars look very similar today(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 35s)[(transition: "dissolve")[From hereeeeeee(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 40s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Parallax is nothing special(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 44s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Yet faaaaar from my own world(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 49s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Planet Earth is home(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 51s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Never again shall I space-roam(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 53s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Though I'm past five million deca-feet(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 56s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm feeling pretty beat(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 59s)[(transition: "dissolve")[And I hope this spaceship knows which way to go(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 62s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(because I can't drive)(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 64s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Tell my cat I love him very much-- 'he knows!'(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 66s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[ [[Tom knows!]] [[Bravo! Encore!]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

I have NO IDEA if this will work. I replaced the main wiring with scraps from the labs... ...tried to troubleshoot the date-time stamp on the system... ...and account for any scrambling of frequencies the EMP might have caused. So hopefully the 2 picobuttloads of swears, 5 elect-meters of shocks, and 10... aw hell metric is annoying 10 yards of wire will do the trick. Taylor was my intern go-for with wire and coffee fetching (even though I passed all my cups of instant over to that sleepyhead). So... that's that. As good as I can do. And I'm... scared it's not enough. [[I'm sure it will work when the time comes.]] [[Your best is all you can do.]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR5', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR5', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR5', 'play') ]}

Wow. And people thought //I// was self-obsessed. You've gotten me this far, which is far! Quite far! More than a few light years. But you're not exactly the answer to my sobbing pleas of: "Can you please pass the wrench?" "Can you please pass the wire-tape?" "Can you please stop micro-napping?" "Can you please get //and consume// a liter of coffee for both our sakes." "Can you please write down the correct frequency and not doodle stars on the page?" [[How could I answer those questions if you never asked me?]] [[A liter is a lot.]]

Actually, lifeline, I had a question for you. Maybe a few questions. Not sure where to start. [[Start with the simple one.]] [[Tough one first.]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR1', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR1', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR1', 'play') ]}

Right. So. I was going to ask you to do some math for me. [[Shoot.]] [[I said the simple one.]]

Here it goes. They said I was helping them. I am not-- Not that I'm aware of. It's just the uncertainty eating away at me.... not knowing if I'm an unwilling lab rat, or if I'm some sort of sleeper agent for them. (As cool as that looks on comms screen...) I don't want to know, but I NEED to know. At least I think I need to know. [[You mean you don't remember?]] [[I trust you, T2.]]

Math isn't my strong suit. I've always been a fan of the life sciences. Namely, biology. Biology is fluffy and fuzzy and doesn't give you a headache with numbers until you DO need to calculate a p-value. A p-value isn't how much urine a bunny makes per hour. (I made that mistake too. It happens.) Here it goes: What's the cosine of 2? The calculator app is offline and our solar calculators haven't seen enough starlight in weeks. [[-0.416->Right]] [[0.909->Wrong]]

I regret to inform you that this IS the simple one. Fine. Apparently your math skills are worse than your emotional skills. Here's the //simple// one. They said I was helping them. I am not-- Not that I'm aware of. It's just the uncertainty eating away at me.... not knowing if I'm an unwilling lab rat, or if I'm some sort of sleeper agent for them. (As cool as that looks on comms screen...) I don't want to know, but I NEED to know. At least I think I need to know. [[You mean you don't remember?]] [[I trust you, T2.]]

There's something for me to remember? I think I told you that I remember panicking, more panicking, //her// looking at me... and then waking up with a migraine to beat the band. That's it. [[It's your eyes, T2.]] [[You almost broke Taylor's comms.]] {(unless: (track: 'GREENS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'GREENS', 'loop', true) (track: 'GREENS', 'play') ]}

I know. I know. (if: $T2Trust >7)[I trust you too.] (I don't trust me that's the issue.) I'll have to trust in the you who trusts in the me. The this-me, not the //that//-me. The that-me is sleeping right now. Ugh. Better play nurse soon. I'll finish the math here later. I'm heading back to the med bay. Taking you with me to talk because I'm a little unsure(if:$T2Trust >7)[ and you calm me down]. Because otherwise it's just me functioning on this wrecked hull of a ship. Alright. Back at the med bay. Howdy, Taylor! Are you up yet? Taylor? (link: " `~*~`011100100010000001101001001000000110011100100000011001010010000001101100`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')Come on, Taylor, I don't want to poke you more than necessary. `~*~` r i g e l `~*~` Huh? Oh. Hi. I'm awake. Wow.] Wow indeed. Time for your pain meds. [[The doctor is in.]] |star1)[ [[Rigel again?]] ] [[Finally you're awake!]] (Set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -1) {(unless: (track: 'CALM', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'CALM', 'loop', true) (track: 'CALM', 'play') ]}

My eyes? These green ones? I knew it was weird that they're still green, and slightly glowing... ...but... what's with them? The Green Squad wasn't clear on that matter. Because it upset us, sure, but I think they didn't want us to know. [[There's some green remnants in your eyes.]] [[You know what? Nevermind.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -1)

Doing what? Dragging Taylor to the med bay? Is that why that q-comm was on the floor? I can't imagine it was my searing personality that scrambled the device. [[Green hypnosis from their eyes.]] [[Sure, sure. That.]]

Come on, lifeline, I'm a bio student, not a doctor! Even if I do get that sweet phD I wouldn't be THAT kind of doctor! Dr. T2, what are these bedside manners?!(if:$greeneyes is 1)[ You won't even look me in the eye to tell me I'm dying!] You're the one bedside, sleepyhead. Watch //your// manners. Sorry. I was having a good dream. Didn't know you dream when you're unconscious. I thought you just... don't exist. Definitely a dream. Will log that into my brain since I forgot what that's like. Hey, lifeline, how are you? [[The usual. Looking after you two.]] [[I also had a great nap.]]

Yeah! Rigel! Like in my dream. Didn't know you dream when unconscious. I thought you just... don't exist. Definitely a dream. About the star Rigel. It's the brightest star in Orion. It's blue-white, and very big! A supergiant? Yeah. A supergiant. Friendly though. A big friendly giant. Actually it's four stars. They're all friendly. One day it'll burn and shine in a supernovae, a type II one. Very exciting! Huh. I didn't know that.(if:$greeneyes is 1)[ Sure, continue to look away and ignore me like my starfacts aren't interesting. No, it's not that. I... nevermind.] Hey, lifeline, how are you? [[The usual. Looking after you two.]] [[I also had a great nap.]]

Yeah, finally. Sorry. I was having a good dream. Didn't know you dream when you're unconscious. I thought you just... don't exist. Definitely a dream. Will log that into my brain since I forgot what that's like. Hey, lifeline, how are you? [[The usual. Looking after you two.]] [[I also had a great nap.]]

(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Standing in the hall of the great cathedral, waiting for the transport to come.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 12s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Starship 21ZNA9...(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[.....(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 21s)[(transition: "dissolve")[...reach for the Stars...(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 24s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[Holiday not hardly begun, but almost done.]] [[You're awake. Cool.]] (stop:) ]]|more>[] {(unless: (track: 'VM2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'VM2', 'play') ]}

Let's try that out... Dialing the frequencies back to matching this sine wave... Right, sorry, that's what this is for. I need to match up the sine waves and can do that with cosine and tangent. I need to make it resonate the right way to //maybe// get the systems functioning again. ..... Well. It looks like squiggly lines, but it certainly looks like less squiggly quiggly lines. Maybe there's a wiring issue. Taylor did char the systems with the EMP. That's the only explanation I can give for the EMP on the floor along with the comms scattered on the floor. Don't worry! The comms still works! If it didn't we wouldn't be able to chat. My q-comms gets tethered through to yours by Taylor's. So as long as //this// one stays entact... Okay. Tough question time. Here it goes. They said I was helping them. I am not-- Not that I'm aware of. It's just the uncertainty eating away at me.... not knowing if I'm an unwilling lab rat, or if I'm some sort of sleeper agent for them. (As cool as that sounds on comms screen...) I don't want to know, but I NEED to know. At least I think I need to know. [[You mean you don't remember?]] [[I trust you, T2.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

Let's try that out... Dialing the frequencies back to matching this sine wave... Right, sorry, that's what this is for. I need to match up the sine waves and can do that with cosine and tangent. I need to make it resonate the right way to //maybe// get the systems functioning again. ..... Well. It's just squiggle lines. A bunch of worm-on-a-string waves. Is that supposed to happen? Is that a tangent wave? Aw hell, I don't know! Maybe there's a wiring issue. Taylor did char the systems with the EMP. That's the only explanation I can give for the EMP on the floor along with the comms scattered on the floor. Don't worry! The comms still works! If it didn't we wouldn't be able to chat. My q-comms gets tethered through to yours by Taylor's. So as long as //this// one stays entact... Okay bad question time so while I'm feeling bad we can keep feeling bad. They said I was helping them. I am not-- Not that I'm aware of. It's just the uncertainty eating away at me.... not knowing if I'm an unwilling lab rat, or if I'm some sort of sleeper agent for them. (As cool as that sounds on comms screen...) I don't want to know, but I NEED to know. At least I think I need to know. [[You mean you don't remember?]] [[I trust you, T2.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -1)

Like, some random jelly scrapings no one can pry out of a jar? No one would WANT to pry those out of the jar or lick the spoon. [[It was an experiment. They're still connected.]] [[They can see through your eyes.]] (set: $greeneyes to 1)

ARGH! FINE! KEEP YOUR SECRETS! [[-T2 is busy-->TaylorCheck1]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -3)

Howdy, Taylor! Are you up yet? Taylor? (link: " `~*~`011100100010000001101001001000000110011100100000011001010010000001101100`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')Come on, Taylor, I don't want to poke you more than necessary. `~*~` r i g e l `~*~` Huh? Oh. Hi. I'm awake. Wow.] Wow indeed. Time for your pain meds. [[The doctor is in.]] |star1)[ [[Rigel again?]] ] [[Finally you're awake!]] {(unless: (track: 'CALM', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'CALM', 'loop', true) (track: 'CALM', 'play') ]}

Oh. Oh man. Right, I'm sensitive to that. More than Taylor. Don't know why. Probably my past history with them, you know, being so close to me. In me. But it's in the past! I don't have to worry anymore! We just have to avoid them at all costs. Forever. So that doesn't happen again. And I don't cut off all communication between you and us. Forever. Yikes, I didn't think they could do that to me. I... better apologize to Taylor. And you! Sorry! I'm sorry! I don't want to be some kind of sleeper agent for the Greens. I'll do better next time. [[You will!]] [[Wait, T2!]]

You're not telling me. Fine. I'll figure it out myself. Maybe from myself. [[-T2 is busy-->TaylorCheck1]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -2)

What? More bad news? [[How's Taylor doing?->CheckTay1]] [[It's your eyes, T2.]]

Figures you'd care a lot about Taylor. Ugh. Better play nurse soon. I'll finish the math here later. I'm heading back to the med bay. Taking you with me to talk because I'm a little unsure(if:$T2Trust >7)[ and you calm me down]. Because otherwise it's just me functioning on this wrecked hull of a ship. Alright. Back at the med bay. Howdy, Taylor! Are you up yet? Taylor? (link: " `~*~`011100100010000001101001001000000110011100100000011001010010000001101100`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')Come on, Taylor, I don't want to poke you more than necessary. `~*~` r i g e l `~*~` Huh? Oh. Hi. I'm awake. Wow.] Wow indeed. Time for your pain meds. [[The doctor is in.]] |star1)[ [[Rigel again?]] ] [[Finally you're awake!]] {(unless: (track: 'CALM', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'CALM', 'loop', true) (track: 'CALM', 'play') ]}

`[T2 is laughing]` Are you joking? Really? So... what? Do I. Do I have something in my eye? That means they can see through them. My eyes. Like I'm... like I'm what... a space rover? Curiosity? Voyager? Maybe that headache was a reconnecting spark. Aha. Nah. It was just a... random headache.... And y'all are being paranoid. [[Not paranoid, safe.]] [[I knew you wouldn't take it well.]]

`[T2 is laughing]` Are you joking? Really? So... what? Do I. Do I have something in my eye? That means they're still inside my eyes. That's why they glow, ever so slightly. Like I'm... like I'm what... a space rover? Curiosity? Voyager? Maybe that headache was a reconnecting spark. Aha. Nah. It was just a... random headache.... And y'all are being paranoid. [[Not paranoid, safe.]] [[I knew you wouldn't take it well.]]

Safe. That's doable. I don't have a solution for this, though. Besides something I... I won't do. I couldn't. I do have ONE idea, though. This is kinda a joke, but that's how I deal with my problems. With jokes. Dumb ones, especially, and this one is especially dumb. Now, to quote Kevin McAlister: `[T2 is giving the middle finger]` `[T2 is staring intensely at it]` I know you can't hear me, losers, but screw you! I'm not afraid! 'I'm not afraid anymore! I'm not afraid! I'm not afraid!' [[-T2 is coping-]]

Hard to give or take this mess well. "Hey, T2! Guess what? You ARE an unwitting spy for your worst enemy and there's NOTHING you can do of it short of a higher rating system." I do have ONE idea, though. This is kinda a joke, but that's how I deal with my problems. With jokes. Dumb ones, especially, and this one is especially dumb. Now, to quote Kevin McAlister: `[T2 is giving the middle finger]` `[T2 is staring intensely at it]` I know you can't hear me, losers, but screw you! I'm not afraid! 'I'm not afraid anymore! I'm not afraid! I'm not afraid!' [[-T2 is coping-]]

....I guess... splotchy vision is good... so they can't... they can't see anything... hah. Of course.... too good to be true... ...still in this stupid nightmare... ...right in my head... still inside... so close... ...have you ever noticed... how small spaceships are? They feel so small compared to the vastness of the void just behind the cold metal. Gonna pull myself together. Get back to Taylor. Here I go. [[-T2 is busy-->TaylorCheck1]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR1', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR1', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR1', 'play') ]}

Oh man. Don't you have a hobby other than playing IRL tamogatchi astronauts? Taylor... What? It may be true. Lifeline... [[Which button do I press to feed you?]] [[You're not THAT special.]]

Naps and resting is good. I wish we got more time to do that. Taylor, we have so little time to nap after you broke the comms con. Right, right. The communications console. That's what we're calling it, lifeline. Okay, let me see your gauze-- I got it. I got it. Oh-kay. You try to wrap your own arm. Let me know how that goes. Hey, should we put on some music while I wrap? [[Yes please.->Starlight]] [[Focus on your healing.->NoMusic10]]

Whichever one you're pressing, it's only giving us MREs. I won't complain. //I// will complain. Right, right. Okay, let me see your gauze-- I got it. I got it. Oh-kay. You try to wrap your own arm. Let me know how that goes. Hey, should we put on some music while I wrap? [[Yes please.->Starlight]] [[Focus on your healing.->NoMusic10]]

Right, right. (if: $TayTrust > 8)[I know you love us anyway. Special or not.] Okay, let me see your gauze-- I got it. I got it. Oh-kay. You try to wrap your own arm. Let me know how that goes. Hey, should we put on some music while I wrap? [[Yes please.->Starlight]] [[Focus on your healing.->NoMusic10]]

I bet I can find that snoozer in the med bay. [[-T2 is busy-->Vega1]]

Yup. I'm a regular Han Solo. Valiantly repairing our wrecked vessel from the overeager and destructive hands of my younger, less experienced crewmate. [[Taylor is your Chewie?]] [[So suave, T2.]]

[[`skip-->`->NoMusicStars]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ "Stars (feat. Laniia)" by VIZE. Fine. I'll get to work fixing the comms. See you later, lifeline. [[-T2 is putting Taylor to work-->CANOPUS STAR SECTION]] {(unless: (track: 'LAS10', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS10', 'play')]}

Of course Taylor is my Chewie. Constantly grunting and going on and on about things I don't quite understand. And hairier. I lost some of my hair in the fire. What? You think the fire artfully displayed an act of mercy to my hair? Nah. It burns and destroys. Like everything that burns. [[Where IS Taylor anyway?->And Taylor?]] [[Get a buzz cut or something.]]

What can I say? I'm breaking hearts and rolling low. And I'm all out of natural ones. Er... Okay, THAT was also a natural one. NOW I'm done with rolling low! [[Off to a great start, T2.]] [[Where's Taylor gone?->And Taylor?]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

What?! It's hard being this cool and gorgeous. (I mean, you can't see me so you have to go off my description of "As good as 170 days in space can do to a person.") I don't want to even look in a mirror!(if: $greeneyes is 1)[ Especially since... right. Right.] Taylor isn't much better. Speaking of that sleepyhead I bet I can find a snoozer in the med bay. [[-T2 is busy-->Vega1]]

I'll keep that in mind when I can FINALLY get a haircut. Not sure I want to do the identical twin routine, especially since me and Taylor aren't identical anymore.(if: $greeneyes is 1)[ Especially especially since... right. Right.] Speaking of that sleepyhead I bet I can find a snoozer in the med bay. [[-T2 is busy-->Vega1]]

Huh? The med bay is empty. [[-T2 is busy-->Vega2]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR2', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR2', 'play') ]}

There you are. Grabbing some powerfood? Obviously. I love... "Spicy Penne Pasta." .... Right. Best of the best. Not even a Michelin could compare. True. That's because it's so bad. The comparison is unfair. ..... Alright, get that coffee packet out and crack it open. I'm heating up some water so you can caffeinate yourself. Thanks, T2. I don't want to gum this coffee packet dry. I'm too old for that. That is a lie, Taylor. You would do that still. Fair. Did that during finals that last semester. OH. MY GOD. I STILL got a C on that test. I don't understand arrays and I never will. Alright! When we get back home: no more arrays, no more dry coffee packets. ...Deal. [[Can't stay awake, huh.]] [[I'll get my lullaby going.]]

<center>{(unless: $TayQuestions is 0)[ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ [[-Taylor is stargazing-->DebateTaylor]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ [[-Taylor is tracing the scars-->DebateTaylor]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ [[-Taylor is tapping the console-->DebateTaylor]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ [[-Taylor is checking the monitors-->DebateTaylor]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ [[-Taylor is cradling the comms-->DebateTaylor]] ] ] (else:)[ [[-Taylor is thinking-->Thinking Screen]] ] } { (unless: $T2Questions is 0)[ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ [[-T2 is stargazing-->DebateT2]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ [[-T2 is watching the console lights-->DebateT2]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ [[-T2 is tapping a foot-->DebateT2]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ [[-T2 is touching burn scars-->DebateT2]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ [[-T2 is holding the comms-->DebateT2]] ] ] (else:)[ [[-T2 is thinking-->Thinking Screen]] ] } (unless: (track: 'SSTS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'SSTS', 'loop', true) (track: 'SSTS', 'play') ]

{(unless: $TayQuestions + $T2Questions is 0)[ {(if: $TayQuestions is 0)[Sorry, lifeline. I need a little space. Let me think. [[-Taylor is thinking-->SSTS]] ]} {(if: $T2Questions is 0)[Sorry, lifeline. I need some space. Let me think. [[-T2 is thinking-->SSTS]] ]} ] (else:)[ (go-to: "Stars Speak")]}

..... ..... I've never given so much thought to anything else in life. Definitely not any science experiments or contracts that got me into this mess to begin with. This changes our entire life, and our family's lives. Everyone we knew back on Earth. Everyone we met in the Stars. Taylor, it changes everyone's lives back on Earth. In other universes. All of them. We get to do everything we always dreamed of, avoiding everything that could go wrong. We could be happy. Or... we could actually face everything that could go wrong, maybe save the world a bit, and likely die or worse. I don't... know what's going to happen, either way. But those are the two choices we have in front of us. ..... ..... T2? Lifeline? "GO / NO-GO" on the count of three? Fine. One. Two. [[Three.->GONOGODECISION]] [[I'm not playing this game.->GONOGODECISION]] (unless: (track: 'SSTS', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'SSTS', 'loop', true) (track: 'SSTS', 'play') ] (set: $TAYGO to 1)

I'm still cute. Downright adorable, even. Looking up at the stars for the first time in my short memory... Bundled in a blanket, and realizing how much I had here, with my mom, and dad. But also how much there was out there. Somewhere out there. I wondered if there was anyone else out there, in the universe, maybe looking back from the stars. Well, there was. Soft and gooey and sticky. So to get back to myself— Taylor, that is— I don't understand why there is so much fascination anymore about the stars. We miss home. We want to go home. I don't care that we were starsick all our lives. It sucks. I want to go home. And worse, there aren't any seasickness tablets that expired 15 years ago hidden on this spaceship to prescribe to Taylor. It usually wears off when astronauts go home, after a bit of tripping because they're too busy looking up at the sky. Personally, I just want to get back home. I admire the blues of the seas of earth more than the starlight and blue LED interfaces of space. [[You'll get home, T2.]] [[Blue is a lovely color.]]

No I'm-- `[Taylor is yawning]` Awake. Currently. But for how much longer? I'll stay awake for my decadent instant coffee. I KNOW you need to recover but you ALSO need to help me fix our comms system so we can get home. ....... Capisce? Capisce. Drink up. [[Ease up, T2.]] [[Chop chop, Taylor!]]

Nope. Taylor our sleepyhead has to stay awake and do chores. In this starship: we share the load. I'm not doing that bit, T2. `[Taylor is yawning]` Fine. We do the bit later. I'll get my hijinks, heresy, hubris plaques all set up. There's no living, laughing, and loving on THIS starship. Only badgering about chores. I KNOW you need to recover but you ALSO need to help me fix our comms system so we can get home. ....... Capisce? Capisce. Drink up. [[Ease up, T2.]] [[Chop chop, Taylor!]]

DEBRIS: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/debris.mp3?dl=1?dl=1 CALM: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/calmspace.mp3?dl=1 SPACE: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/blackhole.mp3?dl=1?dl=1 ALPHA: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/alpha.mp3?dl=1 GREENS: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/greens.mp3?dl=1 GEMINID: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Geminid_Meteor_Shower.mp3?dl=1 GREENSQUAD: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/GreenSquad.mp3?dl=1 SSTS: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/ssts-bg.mp3?dl=1 DARKVARIA: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/darkvaria.mp3?dl=1 O2EVA: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/o2eva.mp3?dl=1 VARIA: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/StarshipVaria.mp3?dl=1 CASSINI: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Cassini_-_The_Grand_Finale.mp3?dl=1 OVERRIDE: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Override.mp3?dl=1 MESSAGE1: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/message1.mp3?dl=1 MESSAGE2: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/message2.mp3?dl=1 VM1: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/V+M_short.mp3?dl=1 VM2: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/V+M_midi.mp3?dl=1 LAS1: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Parallel_Lines.mp3?dl=1 LAS2: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Lullaby.mp3?dl=1 LAS3: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Astronaut.mp3?dl=1 LAS4: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Guardians.mp3?dl=1 LAS5: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Satellite_Call.mp3?dl=1 LAS6: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/this_is_how_we_walk_on_the_moon.mp3?dl=1 LAS7: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Lifeline.mp3?dl=1 LAS8: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/tangled_up_in_stars.mp3?dl=1 LAS9: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/starlight.mp3?dl=1 LAS10: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Stars_feat_Laniia.mp3?dl=1 LAS11: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/All_the_Stars.mp3?dl=1 LAS12: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Star_star.mp3?dl=1 LAS13: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/thestars.mp3?dl=1 LAS14: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Sky_Calls_To_Us.mp3?dl=1 LAS15: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Telescope.mp3?dl=1 LAS16: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/go.mp3?dl=1 LAS17: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Major_Tom_Coming_Home_.mp3?dl=1 NERD: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/Tell_My_Cat_I_Love_Him_Very_Much_He_Knows.mp3?dl=1 STAR1: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/stars1.mp3?dl=1 STAR2: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/stars2.mp3?dl=1 STAR3: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/stars3.mp3?dl=1 STAR4: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/stars4.mp3?dl=1 STAR5: https://sosaidthestars.neocities.org/music_files/stars5.mp3?dl=1 beep: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0x0fn8zuhqofg2m/comms.mp3?dl=1 clunk: https://www.dropbox.com/s/b97ttk7deyz4wf8/lifelinepress.mp3?dl=1

[[Chapter Jump (for debug)]]

<center>{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ `[Taylor is stargazing]` ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ `[Taylor is tracing the scars]` ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ `[Taylor is tapping the console]` ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ `[Taylor is checking the monitors]` ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ `[Taylor is cradling the comms]` ] } { (unless: $Q1 is 1)[ [[What if you get hit by a meteor?]] ] (unless: $Q2 is 1)[ [[You complain about the food already.]] ] (unless: $Q3 is 1)[ [[Tom needs a lap to sleep on.]] ] (unless: $Q4 is 1)[ [[You'll get too much stellar radiation out there.]] ] (unless: $Q5 is 1)[ [[Don't you want to hug fuzzy rats again?]] ] (unless: $Q6 is 1)[ [[You have to warn Earth.]] ] (unless: $Q7 is 1)[ [[What if the Greens catch you?]] ] (unless: $Q8 is 1)[ [[You can come back to space once you're safe.]] ] (unless: $Q9 is 1)[ [[So you'll be, what, space pirates?]] ] (unless: $Q10 is 1)[ [[Would you really leave behind everything for the stars?]] ] (unless: $Q11 is 1)[ [[Is this what Captain Aya or Shepherd would want?]] ] (unless: $Q32 is 1)[ [[Why not see what your siblings will grow up to do?]] ] (unless: $Q12 is 1)[ [[Don't be selfish.]] ] (unless: $Q13 is 1)[ [[Is this really the way to pay back Mari Lee?]] ] (unless: $Q14 is 1)[ [[I can't stay if you stay.]] ] (unless: $Q15 is 1)[ [[The Green Squad warned against breaking spacetime.]] ] (unless: $Q17 is 1)[ [[Can you remember your siblings' voices?]] ] (unless: $Q18 is 1)[ [[The Varia's hull is damaged.]] ] (unless: $Q19 is 1)[ [[Why do you trust the stars?]] ] (unless: $Q20 is 1)[ [[How do you define 'home'?]] ] }

<center>{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ `[T2 is stargazing]` ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ `[T2 is watching the console lights]` ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ `[T2 is tapping a foot]` ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ `[T2 is touching burn scars]` ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ `[T2 is holding the comms]` ] } { (unless: $Q21 is 1)[ [[One word: showers.]] ] (unless: $Q22 is 1)[ [[You have limited supplies on board.]] ] (unless: $Q23 is 1)[ [[Did you forget about your research?]] ] (unless: $Q24 is 1)[ [[You two will kill each other within a week.]] ] (unless: $Q25 is 1)[ [[Do you trust Taylor?]] ] (unless: $Q26 is 1)[ [[You'll recover best at home. On Earth.]] ] (unless: $Q27 is 1)[ [[Won't your family miss you?]] ] (unless: $Q28 is 1)[ [[The crews' families deserve the truth.]] ] (unless: $Q29 is 1)[ [[You'll get bored out there.]] ] (unless: $Q30 is 1)[ [[Don't you want revenge on the Greens?]] ] (unless: $Q31 is 1)[ [[You'll be alone out there.]] ] (unless: $Q16 is 1)[ [[The Green Squad said you'd make it back to Earth.]] ] (unless: $Q33 is 1)[ [[The space police will find you eventually.]] ] (unless: $Q34 is 1)[ [[Don't your parents deserve to know what happened?]] ] (unless: $Q35 is 1)[ [[You'd leave and abandon your lifeline?]] ] (unless: $Q36 is 1)[ [[What does space have that Earth doesn't?]] ] (unless: $Q37 is 1)[ [[What if you get hurt?]] ] (unless: $Q38 is 1)[ [[Think about the colors of Earth.]] ] (unless: $Q39 is 1)[ [[Get an award for your patent.]] ] (unless: $Q40 is 1)[ [[What is 'home' to you?]] ] }

Got it. Fine. Gonna leave this sleepyhead to be soft and tired all the time while I do some real work around here. `[T2 is grabbing something]` I'm caffeinating. Hold your orbaks. `[T2 is busy]` Hm. T2 left. Shuffling out of the room. I'm finally getting quality sleep for the first time since I left Earth and I'm prodded awake at every moment. [[I'll check on T2 for you.]] [[Pinky up, Tay.]]

Just give me the coffee packet dry then. That'll speed things up for you both. Gonna leave this sleepyhead to be soft and tired all the time while I do some real work around here. Start on the wiring when you get the chance. I'm taking a nap myself. `[T2 is grabbing something]` On my list. Hold your orbaks. `[T2 is busy]` Hm. T2 left. Shuffling out of the room. I'm finally getting quality sleep for the first time since I left Earth and I'm prodded awake at every moment. The wiring can wait. We have a while before we get closer to Earth. [[I'll check on T2 for you.]] [[Pinky up, Tay.]]

Thanks, lifeline. I guess I'm finally able to feel safe and rest up so my body is trying to make up for so many days of danger and nightmares. Cheers to this. [[-Taylor is caffeinating-]]

I don't need it. ....I don't need it. ....... I definitely don't-- `[Taylor is yawning]` .....Pinky up. [[-Taylor is caffeinating-]]

Hey. Hey, lifeline. I'm NOT going to fix the comms system yet or take a nap. Guess what I'm doing? [[Your doggone best.]] [[Nefarious plots only.]]

Ha. Ha ha. (link: " `~*~`01110110011001010110011101100001`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')I don't know if that's been true. `~*~` v e g a `~*~` Not always, at least.] I don't know if it's true for you, either. [[It IS true.]] |star1)[ [[Vega.]] ] [[You don't have to believe me.]]

Huh?! You can't tell me that you guessed (link: " `~*~`01110110011001010110011101100001`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')that I'm planning a prank on Taylor! `~*~` v e g a `~*~` That's SO unfair.] No way you could have guessed. That's rewind material. [[I guessed.]] |star1)[ [[Vega.]] ] [[You're a bad liar, T2.]]

(if: $rewind >0)[....Somehow, I don't think I trust that. But... ]Okay. Let's go with that. Lifelines are weird. Maybe too weird to be good. They messed my plans up. Saved my life though. It's a dice roll what you get on the multiversal comms. [[I messed up, before this universe with you two.->I've made some mistakes.]] [[So. What are you up to?]]

What does //Vega// have to do with anything! Oh. Wait. You're calling me a liar. Like a lyre. Which Vega is part of. No, no. Don't correct me. Autocorrect saved your butt. [[I've made some mistakes.]] [[So. What are you up to?]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR2', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR2', 'play') ]}

No, no. I do. I'm sure it was hard killing me quite a few times for your entertainment. ......That was mean. Eh, so is killing me multiple times. [[I've made some mistakes.]] [[So. What are you up to?]]

Well. I //guess// that you have a sixth sense from the sixth dimension or something. You know, the kind that controls our multiversal comms rewinds. Or however that works. Lifelines are weird. Maybe too weird to be good. They messed my plans up. Saved my life though. It's a dice roll what you get on the multiversal comms. [[I messed up, before this universe with you two.->I've made some mistakes.]] [[So. What are you up to?]]

I'm not a bad liar. You've just seen too many paths where I won so you know all of Taylor's dead ends. Saved my life though. [[I messed up, before this universe with you two.->I've made some mistakes.]] [[So. What are you up to?]]

Playing a prank on Taylor to see if that can rouse the sleepy sleepyhead. I had made my way over to the labs and decided that, you know, it's been a while since I've had to use my knowledge of chemistry! And since I'm such a chef in the lab-- making gunpowder and whatnot from kitchen supplies-- I could spice up a bit of some chili mac with some capsaicin. You know what capsaicin is? [[Isn't that poisonous?]] [[The essence of spicy flavor.]]

Anything is poisonous in certain amounts. That's why I decided not to become a pharmacist. I don't trust my math... Anyway, that's the plan. Sprinkle some capsaicin on this MRE of chili mac, heat it up, and give Taylor it as a bit of a "I guess I've continued to be a jerk to you" present. [[T2, you're going to kill Taylor.]] [[There is no apology in that.]]

Not QUITE as bad as a ghost pepper. The only reason I can live that story down is because the phone with the video is at the bottom of the Colorado River. Anyway, that's the plan. Sprinkle some capsaicin on this MRE of chili mac, heat it up, and give Taylor it as a bit of a "I guess I've continued to be a jerk to you" present. [[T2, you're going to kill Taylor.]] [[There is no apology in that.]]

No I'm not. Taylor will just wish that there was more than powdered creamer on this ship to sate that burning. I AM the evil twin after all. Got to live up to my original narrative purpose. [[I don't like this plan.->There is no apology in that.]] [[There's good left in you, T2.]]

And no apology from you, either. ........... `[T2 is busy]` (unless: $rewind >0)[ [[I really am innocent, T2.]] ] [[I was just curious.]] [[Some mistakes were made.]]

Just as innocent as I am. You make that determination for yourself. Because you and me are linked in the Greens' plans more than Taylor is. So I feel like we're the ones at fault in all of this. Taylor being the innocent bunny as. per. usual. [[Taylor is a cute bunny.]] [[I AM curious about one set.]]

Oh. My god. You know how Taylor likes to make cat metaphors for this sitation? As the cat that needded to be adopted? Well, curiosity killed the cat. So I'm gonna call you after the wonderful Mars rover. Here, Curiosity Rover! Roll over, Curiosity Rover! [[I AM curious about one set.]] [[The lifeline is rolling over.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -1)

Ah, yes. The passive voice. The day has been saved by the passive voice. We're both parts of their evil verdant plots, lifeline. You and your rewinds and universal expansions. Me with my... (if: $greeneyes is 1)[confirmation of sight.](else:)[whatever they get from me.] We're both making mistakes by communicating with each other. [[The mistakes are worth it for you.]] [[I AM curious about one set.]]

Got to live up to my original narrative purpose. Taylor will just wish that there was more than powdered creamer on this ship to sate that burning. Maybe I'll get an apology from that sleepyhead. [[I don't think you will.->There is no apology in that.]] [[There's good left in you, T2.]]

Well, I'm sure you can find it after a few rewinds. ..... `[T2 is busy]` (unless: $rewind >0)[ [[I really am innocent, T2.]] ] [[I was just curious.]] [[Some mistakes were made.]]

Wh-what? You're calling Taylor cute? [[I'm calling Taylor a rabbit.]] [[You're cute too, T2.]]

I think I know which set you're talking about. They didn't want to mention a time where we DIDN'T make it home. And with all the near-death experiences we've been through-- most of all the debris storm-- ...there HAS to be one like that. Even if it wasn't //you// leading us to double-death. What did they do about that? They can't build an infinitely long object in a finite space. But you can build one across universes, and if you get infinite universes you get infinite building sites. And if you get infinite building sites... really that's just the same as infinite space. But they don't HAVE infinite universes yet. And if there's a complication in one of them— like a Taylor that can't set up the construction site— however that actually works— Then how the HELL did they get time travel in the first place to start this whole thing?! [[Arrogance and overconfidence.]] [[Why don't you ask them?]]

Ha. Good boy. Or girl. Or person. Take your pick. `[T2 is shrugging]` Here's a treat for you. They didn't want to mention a time where we DIDN'T make it home. And with all the near-death experiences we've been through-- most of all the debris storm-- ...there HAS to be one like that. Even if it wasn't //you// leading us to double-death. What did they do about that? They can't build an infinitely long object in a finite space. But you can build one across universes, and if you get infinite universes you get infinite building sites. And if you get infinite building sites... really that's just the same as infinite space. But they don't HAVE infinite universes yet. And if there's a complication in one of them— like a Taylor that can't set up the construction site— however that actually works— Then how the HELL did they get time travel in the first place to start this whole thing?! [[Arrogance and overconfidence.]] [[Why don't you ask them?]]

I sure hope so. I'm a real gem. An emerald in the dust. Here's something that could be more worth it for you: They didn't want to mention a time where we DIDN'T make it home. And with all the near-death experiences we've been through-- most of all the debris storm-- ...there HAS to be one like that. Even if it wasn't //you// leading us to double-death. What did they do about that? They can't build an infinitely long object in a finite space. But you can build one across universes, and if you get infinite universes you get infinite building sites. And if you get infinite building sites... really that's just the same as infinite space. But they don't HAVE infinite universes yet. And if there's a complication in one of them— like a Taylor that can't set up the construction site— however that actually works— Then how the HELL did they get time travel in the first place to start this whole thing?! [[Arrogance and overconfidence.]] [[Why don't you ask them?]]

That's something we have in spades. I had to develop that to survive out here. Like a lot of this robust personality I'm sure you've been enjoying through this conversation. I'm done spicing up this 'mac. I'm going back to get some enjoyment out of this trip back. Got to have a bit of fun before I fall from the sky to my reinfection in the escape pod. [[-T2 is busy-->VegaWake1]]

Are you SERIOUS?! I'm not going to contact them after what they did to me! And I don't think I even could since Taylor ruined all our comms equipment! Except for this one, strangely. I'm done spicing up this 'mac. I'm going back to get some enjoyment out of this trip back. Got to have a bit of fun before I fall from the sky to my reinfection in the escape pod. [[-T2 is busy-->VegaWake1]]

I don't think Taylor will expect this at all. It's the perfect crime! Howdy, Taylor! What the hell--?! (link: " `~*~`01110110011001010110011101100001`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')Taylor you're asleep in your coffee?! `~*~` v e g a `~*~` I'M AWAKE I'M AWAKE!] You better be! What is //with// you?! I don't know. Maybe I didn't drink enough of this quickly enough. Ow. My face hurts. Oh noooo, Taylor has a slightly burned face! [[Calm down, both of you. Please.]] |star1)[ [[Vega. Again!]] ] [[Is it serious?]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR2', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR2', 'play') ]}

Ah yes. The //Oryctolagus cuniculus//. The plankton of the land. Admittedly kinda cute in the sad little prey way. MOVING ON in all the ways we can move on. BACK to our life and death situation in the multiverse. No flirting permitted. We need to be serious. They didn't want to mention a time where we DIDN'T make it home. And with all the near-death experiences we've been through-- most of all the debris storm-- ...there HAS to be one like that. Even if it wasn't //you// leading us to double-death. What did they do about that? They can't build an infinitely long object in a finite space. But you can build one across universes, and if you get infinite universes you get infinite building sites. And if you get infinite building sites... really that's just the same as infinite space. But they don't HAVE infinite universes yet. And if there's a complication in one of them— like a Taylor that can't set up the construction site— however that actually works— Then how the HELL did they get time travel in the first place to start this whole thing?! [[Arrogance and overconfidence.]] [[Why don't you ask them?]]

`[T2 is blushing]` Stop that. I don't enjoy it. I'm terrifying and gorgeous. Cool. Beautiful. But NOT cute. ...... MOVING ON in all the ways we can move on. BACK to our life and death situation in the multiverse. No flirting permitted. We need to be serious. They didn't want to mention a time where we DIDN'T make it home. And with all the near-death experiences we've been through-- most of all the debris storm-- ...there HAS to be one like that. Even if it wasn't //you// leading us to double-death. What did they do about that? They can't build an infinitely long object in a finite space. But you can build one across universes, and if you get infinite universes you get infinite building sites. And if you get infinite building sites... really that's just the same as infinite space. But they don't HAVE infinite universes yet. And if there's a complication in one of them— like a Taylor that can't set up the construction site— however that actually works— Then how the HELL did they get time travel in the first place to start this whole thing?! [[Arrogance and overconfidence.]] [[Why don't you ask them?]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +1.5)

Taylor is covered with now-lukewarm coffee, did not wake up from the spill, and I need to calm down. When has that ever helped. Maybe if you did calm down when our lifeline said to, it would help. I'm fine, T2. A bit tired. A bit? I just need some time to relax after everything that happened. Fine. Take it. Don't bother fixing the comms systems. I'll work on it when //I'm// done relaxing. Though I worry we might whoosh past Earth and not be able to do a double-reacharound to zip back home. Suit yourself. Oh man. Myself is yourself. I'll work on it. .....soon. [[Are you SURE you're okay?]] [[Taylor, do your job.]]

Again! You're acting weird! Am I? No, not you! Or, yes you, but no! Lifeline here keeps saying star names. Which one? Vega, this time. I love Vega! It used to be the north star for Earth, thousands of years ago. It'll be the north star again in a few more years, to the tune of 11,000 earth spins. It's also anemic. Not much iron. Cool. There's no iron on the ship, so I guess you're gonna have to open a brand new package of pajamas. Huh? Why? These are comfy. Taylor, you have coffee all over you. I am certainly smelling the coffee. Go ahead. Smell it. I'll work on the comms when //I'm// done relaxing. Though I worry we might whoosh past Earth and not be able to do a double-reacharound to zip back home. If you don't want to help, suit yourself. Oh man. Myself is yourself. I'll work on it. .....soon. [[Are you SURE you're okay?]] [[Taylor, do your job.]]

No, it's not. Just seriously annoying. Taylor is covered with now-lukewarm coffee, did not wake up from the spill, and I need to calm down. When has that ever helped. Maybe if you did calm down when our lifeline said to, it would help. I'm fine, T2. A bit tired. A bit? I just need some time to relax after everything that happened. Fine. Take it. Don't bother fixing the comms systems. I'll work on it when //I'm// done relaxing. Though I worry we might whoosh past Earth and not be able to do a double-reacharound to zip back home. Suit yourself. Oh man. Myself is yourself. I'll work on it. .....soon. [[Are you SURE you're okay?]] [[Taylor, do your job.]]

Yeah. Yeah. Just getting a bit of ADBAC onto my face. You need to save the ADBAC for your arm. We have limited supplies out here! Apparently the grand multiversal Taylor sears easily. Indeed. I am rare. A well done specimen. A fine cut of roast. Face, arm, face, and butt. You're gonna have burns on more than your face, arm, and butt if you're not quiet. Relax. Our lifeline knows we have a butt scar. But not the real reason. Truly a mercy for our combined dignity. What dignity? What are we talking about again? [[Order's up.]] [[I want to believe.]]

But I don't WAAAAANT to. We all have to do things we don't like, such as waking up our sleepy younger sib-self. You're so kind. Right! I AM kind. Taylor. I got this package of chili mac for you. I thought, hell, why not? Taylor is recovering from some wild stuff recently. And you know what I would have loved when I was trying to recover from some wild stuff by myself? A shiny package of MRE Meal 10: Chili Macaroni. Oh, uh, thanks, T2. I think I'll pass for now. You can have it-- What?! No! You have to eat it! Woah, T2. It's fine. I'll be fine. Why don't you have it? But I made it just for you! It's a good thing I'm doing for you! I wanted to apologize for all the bad stuff I did! Hey. Don't worry. It's all in the past, T2. Uh, want to share it while listening to some tunes? You sure do love listening to music, Taylor. Don't you? I do. And I had a great time once, listening with our lifeline on the Varia. Definitely one of the top five moments on this space adventure. Ha. Right. I was plotting the wrench setup during that. Thought you were weird. [[I enjoyed that too. Let's listen.->Stars LAS]] [[Save that for later.->NoMusicStars]]

Right! I almost forgot if my //brilliant// lifeline didn't remind me. Taylor. I got this package of chili mac for you. I thought, hell, why not? Taylor is recovering from some wild stuff recently. And you know what I would have loved when I was trying to recover from some wild stuff by myself? A shiny package of MRE Meal 10: Chili Macaroni. Oh, uh, thanks, T2. I think I'll pass for now. You can have it-- What?! No! You have to eat it! Woah, T2. It's fine. I'll be fine. Why don't you have it? But I made it just for you! It's a good thing I'm doing for you! I wanted to apologize for all the bad stuff I did! Hey. Don't worry. It's all in the past, T2. Uh, want to share it while listening to some tunes? You sure do love listening to music, Taylor. Don't you? I do. And I had a great time once, listening with our lifeline on the Varia. Definitely one of the top five moments on this space adventure. Ha. Right. I was plotting the wrench setup during that. Thought you were weird. [[I enjoyed that too. Let's listen.->Stars LAS]] [[Save that for later.->NoMusicStars]]

Taylor, //you're// not gonna believe this! I got this package of chili mac for you. I thought, hell, why not? Taylor is recovering from some wild stuff recently. And you know what I would have loved when I was trying to recover from some wild stuff by myself? A shiny package of MRE Meal 10: Chili Macaroni. Oh, uh, thanks, T2. I think I'll pass for now. You can have it-- What?! No! You have to eat it! Woah, T2. It's fine. I'll be fine. Why don't you have it? But I made it just for you! It's a good thing I'm doing for you! I wanted to apologize for all the bad stuff I did! Hey. Don't worry. It's all in the past, T2. Uh, want to share it while listening to some tunes? You sure do love listening to music, Taylor. Don't you? I do. And I had a great time once, listening with our lifeline on the Varia. Definitely one of the top five moments on this space adventure. Ha. Right. I was plotting the wrench setup during that. Thought you were weird. [[I enjoyed that too. Let's listen.->Stars LAS]] [[Save that for later.->NoMusicStars]]

Fine. I'll get to work fixing the comms. See you later, lifeline. [[-T2 is putting Taylor to work-->CANOPUS STAR SECTION]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR2', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR2', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR2', 'play') ]}

Double-click this passage to edit it.

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

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

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

{(unless: (track: 'LAS4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS4', 'play') ]}[[`Skip-->`->LAS Masterlist]] "Guardians" from Carmen Miranda's Ghost Sounds like another sci-fi folk song. (live: 6s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 30s)[(transition: "dissolve")[A great opening to fixing some machines, wouldn't you say? (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 36s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 172s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Maybe this was a mistake. The lyrics are making me worry about my own mortality around here. It's not just aliens that can kill me. Cheery. The song is fairly hopeful at least. Keep going. Don't give up. You can do it!(stop:) ]]|more>[] [[-Taylor is busy-->LAS Masterlist]]]

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

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

{(unless: (track: 'LAS7', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS7', 'play') ]}[[`Skip-->`->LAS Masterlist]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Lifeline" By Amber Liu (stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 6.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey! That's you, lifeline! You're in the song! All we need now is a song called "Taylor" and we'll be golden. It'll be a concept album about the three of us. Maybe a soundtrack for our movie. You're ready to write that song with us, right?(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 17s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 80s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Wow that bass drop! I was expecting something contemplative for a song about you— steady and peaceful, perhaps. But this has the beats for all the danger you face with us and with enough melodic twists matching with cleverness. The layers in this track are very fitting. Did you put this song on here yourself, lifeline?(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 94s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 118s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Time does heal wounds. And my breathing is getting a bit better. Just focus on breathing better, dummy.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 123s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 143s)[(transition: "dissolve")["All I need is you." Well, I think that's a bit of an overstatement. I DO need you. But I also need oxygen. And some clean water to drink and some delicious food. You don't need delicious food. You just need food. It doesn't even have to be nutritious if it's not forever. I survived on rat pellets. I'm getting hungry. For actual human food. Not rat pellets. (Maybe also rat pellets. They have a certain crunch and acquired aftertaste.)(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 176s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I'm going to change out of this ruined IEVA suit. You've been with me through so much, friend, 'tis a shame you're a wreck. I KNOW our lifeline is a wreck, but you don't have to be mean about it. I meant my suit! I know, Taylor. It was a joke. Oh. Ha. Ha. [[-Taylor is changing-->LAS Masterlist]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

[[`skip-->`->LAS Masterlist]] {(unless: (track: 'LAS8', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS8', 'play') ]} (live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Tangled Up in Stars" by Stealing Sheep(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 5.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[What's this? We have some sheep rustlers on our hands? Sheep are soft and fluffy. I would steal sheep if there were any out here so I could cuddle one. Do space-sheep exist? What happens to wool in zero gravity? What happens to any fluffy bit in space. It gets bigger. Poofier. Fluffier. This settles it. I want a space-sheep too.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 64s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Puppets on strings... force feeding... being tangled... Even if it's something as pretty as stars. Not sure how I feel. This is a theme in both of our lives.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 75s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 96s)[(transition: "dissolve")[There's something about this song that sends my stomach into a pit of unease. Is it the pacing of the beat or the key? I think it's a minor key? It's almost chaotic, and the beat itself is dark. Don't get me wrong, I dig it—but it feels like a warning— —they're literally telling you what NOT to do, Taylor. "Don't go too far, 'cause you'll get tangled up in stars." It's almost like a mocking childhood lesson, and one where I'm not sure what lesson it's teaching. I sometimes wondered if you can get tangled up in galaxy trails or the dust clouds of neublae. You can't, but sometimes it looks like spider webs. Then where's the spider? Oh man. Obviously the occupiers. Right? "Don't go too far..."(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 134s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ Huh? What's this? [[-T2 is investigating-->LAS Masterlist]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

[[`skip-->`->LAS Masterlist]] (live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ "Starlight" by Jai Wolf Wow. It's so calming. Feels like I'm floating!(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 56s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Float until we fly," there we go. Talking about memories too.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 65s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 82s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I've loved space and stars ever since I was a baby. Mom got me astronaut PJs and stuck these stars on the ceiling for me. Was told I would be able to be an astronaut if I kept up my good grades and was a good kid. Came home crying in 2nd grade because I failed a math test and my life was over. Yeah. I was. Inconsolable. Got signed up for space camp that night. And math tutoring lessons I begged my mom for. I was //seven//. What type of seven year old begs their parents for a math tutor? Numbers never made the most sense to me.(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 95s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 173s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Freshman year I tried out all the clubs I could from the student fair and since the pictures were taken at the beginning of the year, it looked like I was in so many clubs. That dropped right off after the first quarter when I was pulling all nighters and waking up early to go to astronomy club and see the early morning stars. First quarter was miserable because I just wanted to prove that I was the best student who could do school really well, and learn things really well... ...and do clubs really well, and make friends really well. And maybe do other things really well too. So I could get into a good school that would take me to the space program. That obviously didn't work and I got crunched under that stress. Dad reassured me that I could still get an ASTRA internship if I dialed it back one degree. So I did. Life was a lot better afterwards. Debatably in the long run. Even if this doesn't count as an internship. If we don't get some kind of course credit I'll... I'll... I'll be very upset!(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 193s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor and T2 are listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 216s)[(transition: "dissolve")[It's a pretty song, though. Yeah. It is. `[Taylor is yawning]` Might get back to a nap. Oh no you don't! You're not done wrapping your arm! Let me get the ADBAC.... [[-T2 is nursing-->LAS Masterlist]] (stop:) ]] |more>[] (unless: (track: 'LAS9', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS9', 'play') ]

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I'm sure he does. Not sure if he'll continue to know it's me. Animals have a way of avoiding greens.(if: $greeneyes is 1)[ Myself included, in the ocular sense.] That's not even getting into any issues with my parents or anyone else who wants to be a Doc Artesa to my life. [[They will still love you.]] [[What's bothering you?]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR3', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR3', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR3', 'play') ]}

`[T2 is bowing]` Thank you! Thank you! I'm here all week. For two more weeks, actually. The Varia is coming up on home and I intend to meet it there. Intact or otherwise. Sorry that it's been a few days of no chatting. I've been busy getting this ship to be in ship shape. [[It's been a few days?]] [[What's Taylor been up to?]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR3', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR3', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR3', 'play') ]}

Thanks, but I never will know for sure until I'm met with that or the rejection, which would hurt WAY more than flaming metal-- No no no, hold up. This is WAY too early in our conversation to start the heavy topics. It's been a while since I last checked in. At least for me. I don't know how time works on your end of the QTC. Quantum Tunneling Communicators can sometimes have glitching factors where time progresses rapidly on one end and slowly on the other. It's a feature, not a bug. That's why I assume you're always ready to talk when I check in and you always respond right away to my pathetic cries for help. Your message gets sent back to me right away, no matter how long it took to type or speak. [[How could I not coming running with those tears?]] [[No wonder you sleep quickly.]]

No no no, hold up. This is WAY too early in our conversation to start the heavy topics. It's been a while since I last checked in. At least for me. I don't know how time works on your end of the QTC. Quantum Tunneling Communicators can sometimes have glitching factors where time progresses rapidly on one end and slowly on the other. It's a feature, not a bug. That's why I assume you're always ready to talk when I check in and you always respond right away to my pathetic cries for help. Your message gets sent back to me right away, no matter how long it took to type or speak. [[How could I not coming running with those tears?]] [[No wonder you sleep quickly.]]

Salty, delicious tears. Truly a delicacy in our small starship. A delicacy in large quantities. If there was a buyer out here, we'd be rich. I jest. Things are fine here. Not much to report, which is why the reports have been "not much." It's been.... [[Nice?]] [[Lonely?]]

Yeah, well, that's one of us. A very convenient one for you. For me? It's quiet out here. Can't complain. Ignore my current complaints. [[What's Taylor been up to?]] [[Aw, you miss me?->Lonely?]]

At least for me. I don't know how time works on your end of the QTC. Quantum Tunneling Communicators can sometimes have glitching factors where time progresses rapidly on one end and slowly on the other. It's a feature, not a bug. That's why I assume you're always ready to talk when I check in and you always respond right away to my pathetic cries for help. Your message gets sent back to me right away, no matter how long it took to type or speak. [[How could I not coming running with those tears?]] [[No wonder you sleep quickly.]]

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

Yeah. Nice. Finally I get the silence of the stars again. It's been some time. Not sure I missed it. (`Hint:` I didn't miss it.) And Taylor is off fighting a roboparrot, so I don't know what to do with myself outside of composing parody songs. [[A roboparrot?]] [[You've got a gift.]]

Yeah. Actually it has been. I didn't miss the silence of the stars. They don't change from our vantage point, never have. In the Varia, the White Star, even the Viridian when I had a moment to myself, cowering in the cockpit. Only on Tau Ceti did they actually move around, but it was cold, and I had to live, and they never helped me anyway. Being pretty doesn't win you any awards in space. I'd win that contest anyway wth these new looks but... [[You ARE vain, T2.]] [[You have me and Taylor, though.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

I know, I know. When I get home, I gotta get a cameo on Weird Al's next album. We can make a hit duo album of all our favorite space songs. It'll be an album of all time, that's to say the least.</spn> [[A trio or duo?]] [[I'll pre-order it.]]

(set: $TayQuestions to 15) (set: $T2Questions to 15) (set: $starTay to "starsick") (set: $starT2 to "starsick") [[SSTS]] (set: $TayStarsick to "-Taylor is stargazing-") (set: $TayExcited to "-Taylor is tracing the scars-") (set: $TayAngry to "-Taylor is tapping the console-") (set: $TayScared to "-Taylor is checking the monitors-") (set: $TayLonely to "-Taylor is cradling the comms-") (set: $T2Starsick to "-Taylor is stargazing-") (set: $T2Excited to "-T2 is watching the console lights-") (set: $T2Angry to "-T2 is tapping a foot-") (set: $T2Scared to "-T2 is touching burn scars-") (set: $T2Lonely to "-T2 is holding the comms-")

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ Why would that happen? The Stars wouldn't do that to us. I know that. Space isn't as deadly as I once thought— it's like I always hoped it would be. Sure, there are some dangers here. There are dangers everywhere, including Earth. But that's what life out here is. [[Fewer dangers out there, but worse ones.]] [[Maybe not a meteor, but it'll be something else.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Why would that happen? Meteors aren't flying around everywhere out here. (And they're called asteroids out here in space! Meteors are if they're flying through the atmosphere.) We aren't in a Galactica game, despite previous encounters with debris out here. But those were contained and we would have been fine if we didn't have to EVA. There's not much out here to randomly kill us. [[What if you DO have to EVA again?]] [[Thats right. There's nothing out there.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ Why do you think the Stars would do that to us? They don't hate us. They don't want to kill us. They just exist and aren't out to harm anyone. They don't decide to chuck a meteor at us and say "PLAY BALL!" [[The stars aren't sentient, Taylor.]] [[How's your swingin' arm?]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ What are the chances of that? In a universe this big, and space so spread out, what are the chances that a tiny—but sizable—asteroid would fly through the sky, impact us, cause enough damage that we'd die, and then we'd die from decompression? [[Not nil, that's for sure.]] [[You have extreme luck, good and bad.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ We're not going to get hit with a meteor. There's a lot of empty space out here, full of stardust and potentially tourist-trap asteroids... ...but no rampaging asteroids. If we DO get hit by one I don't think there'd be anyone to catch our SOS. You'd be there, I'm sure, but you can't perform emergency care outside of emergency consult. [[No space-ambulances.]] [[I'm no doctor or pilot.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q1 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ I complain about a lot of things. It's a way to deal with the inconveniences of spaceflight. The food is something I'll get used to. We can grow better food. [[Key lime pie grows on trees.]] [[Going vegetarian are you?]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Yes. It's worth complaining about. There are some flavors that don't play nice with the others. Some spices that need a breakup and some time alone to learn about who they are... as spices. Or there are no spices or flavorings at all. The Varia didn't come with much besides extra salt and pepper, which most MREs provide already in convenient tiny packets. What if we find some extraterrestrial spices? [[They'd likely be toxic.]] [[That requires landing the Varia.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ I know! They're bad! All MREs are is nutrition and calories packaged up into something pretending to be comfort instead of a soylent bar. I'd almost prefer soylent green. Have you ever tried MREs? (Besides Chili Mac, obviously, that's the only savior for our tastebuds.) [[Buddy, they're not THAT bad.]] [[You're proving my point.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ Complaining for humor's sake—or because if I stop complaining the world will stop turning as mom puts it— is one of my coping mechanisms. It's something I can do to help my problems, even if it doesn't ACTUALLY help the problems. It makes me feel like I'm solving it by bringing it to the attention of someone light years or more away from me! [[That someone can't send you food.]] [[A hungry mouth that just complains.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ In space, no one else can hear your complaints. Except you, my lifeline. You READ my complaints. But if I turn off my comms and unleash the best complaint the galaxy ever read on Galaxy Yelp about the texture, solidity, and sulfurous content of the beans of the infamous Chili With Beans dish... Then that would be fine by me. [[Aww, I want to hear that!]] [[I'm still not convinced it's that bad.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q2 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ ....... He has my brother and sister... My mom and dad... They all love him. [[But he chose YOU.]] [[You're happy just leaving him?]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ ... He... he has the rest of my family. My brother... my sister... My mom and dad.... They love him too. Just as much as I do. He'll have many happy memories of them. Just not of me. I'm not in his story anymore. I do miss him. I miss the heat of his little furry bottom on my lap. Or the weight and pokeyness of his claws when he was my alarm clock. (It was a mutually beneficial relationship: I woke up in time for school AND to slip him an extra teaspoon of mashed up salmon.) [[He doesn't have YOU.]] [[Give him one more extra teaspoon, Taylor.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ Why are you trying to guilt me into going back? Do you think I not care about him? [[He misses you, Taylor.]] [[I'm not guilting you!]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ .... He doesn't know what happened, does he? Taylor hugged and kissed him and fed him an extra treat and looked worried... ...then a few months later the rest of the family did the same. Then nothing else changed. I wonder if he's doing alright. [[You won't know until you're back home.]] [[It won't be your fault.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ It would be nice to hear him purr again. To feel the weight of his body leaning against mine. Wake up to a playful tail in my face... or a cat butt in my face... or if I REALLY don't wake up on time... ...a claw combing my hair and scalp. [[He was waiting for you. Don't make him wait longer.]] [[A beautiful cat with beautiful shows of affection.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q3 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ It's "stellar" radiation, not the type from the Varia's engine. It's fine. [[It is definitely NOT fine.]] [[We don't know all the damage it causes.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Stellar radiation sounds pretty rad actually. The Stars' energy coursing through my veins... Did you know we're already made of Stars? We're made from the chemicals made from exploding stars. We're stardust. ...Starstuff. Adding some stellar radiation is sprinkling sprinkles on the banana split of supernova debris. As in: very good flavoring. [[Carl Sagan said that line.]] [[I prefer sundaes.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ Look, lifeline, I know we talk about danger a lot since it comes up in my life A LOT. But can you chill on the danger alarm for a minute? Not everything is imminent death out here, or anywhere. Many things are, but this isn't something we can control and there's radiation at home. You're beginning to sound like a glitchy proximity alarm klaxon. [[Radiation is everywhere, Taylor.]] [[The proximity alarm hasn't let you down yet.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ You think? The exposure rates aren't THAT high. Tons of astronauts have been exposed to this stuff and didn't end up dying prematurely. Why would it be any different for us? [[It'd be a full lifetime of exposure.]] [[No medical help in case there's something.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ Stellar radiation, like a hug from the Stars? That actually sounds comforting, like they're always out here with us. (The Stars ARE. I know that.) [[And slowly killing you.]] [[A mutanagenic hug.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q4 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ They are fuzzy little friends, yes. I would like to hug them, and cuddle them... ...but I shouldn't base my entire goals and opportunities for life decisions on the hope of a few rat snuggles. [[I would base my entire goals on them.]] [[You're missing out on a joy of life.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Oh man. I forgot about my rats. The "rat" part of my rats. Not the horrible intro to the green experience with them. They weren't fuzzy but I know what you mean. I like to think I'm good with animals since they never bit me— —Outside of when I grabbed them from zero gravity the first time they experienced it. [[Tell me more about them.]] [[Aw, rat kisses.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ I would. I would, lifeline. But I also have some major problems and decisions in my life that need attending to. An emotional support rodent isn't going to help solve them. Unless that rodent comes out from the Stars and starts speaking in riddles and cooking me a homemade dish of spinach and cheese quiche. THEN I'll consider rats helping me through this current crisis. [[What if I come by and cook that up for you?]] [[You require so many specific things, Taylor.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ I'm assuming the non-infected breed is the type you're talking about. You have the Zucker rats as the rorbs (rat orbs), the Long-Evans rats with the hoods... You have the Sprague-Dawley rats with albinism and love (like mine were)... And you have the Occupier-Greens rats like they became. [[Those are stuck on the moon.]] [[The biologist in you is showing.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ Oh man. I do miss my rats. When they weren't ripping each other to shreds to release an alien to be shoved into my mouth to turn me into one of them and do the same to the next person I see. That's a heavy caveat to this longing. I could do with some little rodent legs running along my shoulders and neck again. [[Well, what are you waiting for?]] [[You'll find non-infected ones at home.]] ] (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q5 to 1) }

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ Warn Earth about what, exactly? We're free of the greens right now and as long as they don't leave the moon, Earth will be. Remember what the Green Squad said? If we get back, we'll get gotten when we land. And when we get gotten when we land, we'll get the rest of humanity in this universe gotten. Get it? [[We can avoid them on landing.]] [[Got it.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Good luck convincing space explorers to avoid a place with extremely valuable rocks to dig up. That lure is how ASTRA got a few missions funded. I'd worry they'd take the idea as an incentive to eliminate The Green Problem(TM) without being prepared for it. We don't know how to solve it, so we don't come with a solution, only a grievance. (I know I LOVE to complain about food and minor bumps... ...but this reaches up a few more levels.) [[Then be the solution.]] [[The manager already explained what would happen.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ What do you really think we could do? We give them a heads up on their fully-funded project to mine tons of—extremely expensive—magical radiation-storing rocks? Nothing will change. There's too much money in it. (Money is the root of many exploratory evils, even though it funds science missions.) (Let's face it: science is expensive. Do you realize I was costing ASTRA about $150,000 a day?) (Incredible, isn't it?) (Needs more funding.) [[PWG can help you.]] [[Can I get paid?]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ Do you think anyone will listen? The whole story is outlandish and belongs in fiction. Imagine: a missing astronaut comes home finally and starts ranting and raving about green aliens that climb in your mouth and control you. Also this astronaut don't know enough math or has any pilot training to fly the ship back. They're going to ask a lot of questions, and investigate themselves. Which led to the recon crew being sent in the first place. [[T2's eyes make a good case.]] [[Convince them not to send anyone.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ I don't think they'll avoid a place that can net them so much money. That payload of tunguskite was worth more than than my bum. And T2's bum. Combined. And you know that florally-burned bum is worth so much. At least as much as Watney's. [[Thats a few billion each if the calculator's right.]] [[Florally-burned?]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q6 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[I have a feeling—whenever I look at the scars on the back of my hand... ...constellations swirling... —that the Stars will guide me away from them. .... I'm not worried about the greens. [[I am worried.]] [[That makes zero sense, Taylor.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Then we'll deal with them again. We're currently winning 4:1. 5:0 if you count T2's eventual victory over them. If that counts as a victory over them. Maybe we should call that one a draw. Cat scratch that match. [[All it takes is one victory for them.]] [[It's not a set match yet!]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ Then we'll win again, with your help. We beat them so many times already, they should eventually give up. They HAVE TO. Is it really worth it for them to keep trying to catch us? We're just two astronauts out in space, bothering no one. Give us some space, literally. [[Two very important astronauts.]] [[Great speech. But will they listen?]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ How can they? They're gone. Regina lost contact with us. I suppose she could still find a way to find us, especially if the greens are in this universe waiting for us at home. They could social engineer their way to space and come after us again, like with the recon ship. They'd have to find us, though. Space is big. Really big. Big as— Sorry. I make dumb jokes when I'm nervous. [[You're always nervous then.]] [[Regina has eyes everywhere.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ Well, we're have you to help us deal with them. And each other, of course, if you need to sleep ever. You're always so prompt on the replies— you must either have a time-targeted sending connection or sleep with your comms in your hand. The former would be a huge breakthrough in tech. No lag time in communication but always at your leisure. The later would be concerning. [[My comms is always in my hand.]] [[I don't trust you that much.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q7 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[But why would I ever want to leave it in the first place? This is where we all came from, isn't it? We're all made of stardust... I'm Starstuff. We're a product of the universe able to look back on itself and love itself. It feels... right... to be out here. Why would I want to leave it? [["Right?" More like wrong and weird.]] [[Earth is made of starstuff too.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ You think I could do that? Go back to space? Head down to Earth for an oil change and then shoot back up later? With ASTRA's blessing? To boldly explore? [[Yeah, and you'd have way more experience.]] [[YOU could be the captain this time.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[I'm sorry, lifeline, but I doubt that. I'd need a starship, and a launch pad, and a launch, and a LOT of people to volunteer supplies and their time to get it off the ground. That means an obligation to have many science experiments that I will likely mess up, knowing myself. I nearly blew up a ship three times! That's three times too many for ASTRA's taste. They're not letting me back up here. [[They took you once though. What's twice?]] [[What if you write a bestseller first?]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[I get what you're implying, lifeline, and I can see why that makes sense to you. But I don't want to go through launch or landing again. Not more than I have to. The last time I did the ole' launch or land was when Colby buckled me into an escape pod. That was terrifying. And //no// I don't count liftoff from the moon. I wasn't in my right mind, babbling about who knows what. (YOU knows what.) But as creepy as that felt, I'm glad I wasn't all there to feel that lurch and beginnings of free fall (before the A-G kicked in). That combination isn't fun anymore. [[Then you can't explore any planets out there.]] [[So... no Earth landing either?]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ That may be true, depending on A LOT of factors, most of which are incredibly outside of my control. A major one is not really in my control but not outside of it either. [[ASTRA?]] [[Your family?]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q8 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ I could be a suave Jim Hawkins, exploring the universe. Pirate is more a fun name for wild explorers than being an ACTUAL pirate. That's what I see it as. Others may disagree. I just want to explore the world, to do what I wanted to do since I was a little kid barely able to walk. I'll call myself a pirate or be called one if I need to in order to live that dream. [[Don't call yourself a pirate then.]] [[The worst pirate I've ever heard of.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Why not? We have our own ship—a little worse for wear but it's still kicking. We have our final frontier to sail towards. (The Stars and everything else in this universe.) And we have our courageous spirits and a longing for adventure! What are we missing? [[Pirates aren't exactly lawful. Are you ready for that?]] [[Pirates aren't exactly explorers. Ready to board?]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ So is that supposed to be, what, sarcastic? Lifeline, I know I joke a lot and take some jokes too far... But this is a career path I think I'm darn suited for. Don't you agree? Fighting other pirates, exploring new worlds, finding treasure in pockets of the universe! How suited to this new career would you say I am? [[Pretty darn.]] [[You cry cutting up earthworms, Taylor.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ Yes we'll be space pirates. Of some sort. The adventurous sort. The sort who explore new planets and solar systems. There's always adventure sailing the cosmic seas! Danger, too, but I realized that's par the course for any adventuring. We'll figure out a good mix of danger and glory and fun. You know us. [[I know you, that's why I'm concerned.]] [[Less danger back home, you know.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ Yeah, of course we'll be space pirates. We'll be space pirates exploring the galaxy, rendezvousing with— (—is "rendezvousing" really spelled like that? Thanks, comms, for that autocorrect.—) —ren-dez-voo-ing with other space pirates out there in the cosmos. We'll make a crew of pirates like the //Dutchman//, but with less krakens. [[Do you have a jar of dirt?]] [[Will you find enough others to "trade" with?]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q9 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ I don't think of it as leaving behind my life. It's more like starting something new. Starting... or continuing something old. As old as I can remember. Maybe even older than I can remember. [[Older than you?]] [[You can't take everything with you.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ I always dreamed of being an astronaut. That's what they do. Many //didn't// make it back home. They left families, loved ones, perfectly viable careers if they switched their work to the earth side of things. That's the thing about being human though. "A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not why ships are built." And even IN harbor they can sink if there's a big enough storm. So maybe, I'm safest and most human out here, exploring. And that's where everything is for me. [[Can't be human if you are green.]] [[And here you are in a half-wrecked ship.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ That's what explorers need to do sometimes. Maybe that's why I sometimes felt a difference between me and the rest of the crew. The science was the excuse for me to be up here, not the main purpose. I did all my experiments and only messed up once when I used the same UV filter for all my lichen experimental groups. And also when Wildboy escaped and I chased him across the entire Varia before Adair pinned him down in the galley on his plate of ratatouille. [[Such a fitting dish.]] [[You need so much supervision.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ It's scary: the thought of this final type of decision. I suppose we could always go back to Earth later on if something happens or we get bored. But I don't know how we'd be received. I mean, we would be NOT responding to ASTRA's hailings and going rogue. They don't usually like that. They exist partly to stop that, you know? [[They're trying to keep people safe from other threats, like you.]] [[Are you sure you want to be hunted?]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ I wouldn't be leaving you. I do count you as my best friend. Uh, if that's too forward, I'm sorry. You don't have to feel the same! I just don't have a lot of friends out here and even if I follow the advice of being your own best friend... ...you'd still take the cake. [[Being a friend to you is no cakewalk.]] [[Aw, is T2 not friendly enough?]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q10 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ I can't be sure it's what they'd want. They're not here to say what they want. But thinking back on them both... I think... They'd want me to follow my heart, and protect the people I care about. I can do both out in the Stars, keeping the greens away from my family and letting myself be free. They would want me to enjoy spacetravel again. Wouldn't you? [[Don't bring me into this.]] [[They wanted you back on Earth.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ It might not be exactly what they intended since how could they have anticipated, well, everything fantastical that happened. (They didn't even anticipate the greens). (I didn't anticipate the greens when I left Earth). But that doesn't mean they'd flash me a thumbs down with a shake of their heads and a disapproving look like my old home ec teacher when I spilled the bowl of cake mix on the floor and caused a pile up. (No one minded smelling like chocolate all day). [[You won't anticipate any of the dangers out there.]] [[Yet here I am, with a thumbs down and disapproving look.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ No, It's not. They want me back on Earth safe from harm. Earth isn't free of harm though. It's not even free from alien harm. In fact, it's probably most un-free of alien harm! Swarming, squiggling, seething alien harm. I'm between Scylla and Charybdis with only the entire sea of Stars to be my guide. [[Captain's orders, Taylor.]] [[What am I? Chopped liver?]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ I'm free from the greens out here in the Stars. That's what they wanted for me. Well, what Captain Shepard wanted for me. Captain Aya never woke up to know about the greens. She never got to see the moon, or the White Star, or know about the Viridian. She never got to hear about everything we faced, or how scared I felt. And how despite that fear, she is what pushed me to stay alive, to stay curious, and to stay hopeful on that moon and on that ship. [[I did nothing then. Cool.]] [[She would be proud of you, Taylor.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ Neither of us know what either of them would have wanted. And, importantly, neither of them are here to give their opinions either way. I only have my memories of them during training and transport and those three weeks on the White Star. That's not enough to really //know// a person, is it? To know what they'd want for you? Would they want anything specific for you besides generic well wishes? [[Believe in them. Come back.]] [[You're talking about a will.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q11 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ You said that to me before, when I was running away on that moon. I wasn't running away, I was giving up. I was about to let the greens occupy me, about to allow myself fall over and die. Thank you. You saved my life back there. This time is different. I'm not running away from anyone. I'm running towards my joy. It's the only thing that makes sense right now. [[Could have fooled me. You sound the same as them.]] [[You're running away from statistically the most humans.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ I remember when you told me that, lifeline. It gave me the strength to simply get up and stand on my feet and refuse the alternative of dying. It made me want to continue on and live. Or at least survive long enough to want to live. And I did. I do now. I don't need to warn Earth of any danger from the greens if they can't be there without my return. Can't I be selfish for once and think of myself and this joy I feel out in the Stars? [[Fine. Be selfish this time.]] [[Please, Taylor.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ Again?! How is staying in the Stars selfish? And if it is selfish, I suppose I deserve to be selfish, finally, after everything I've been through. I've done enough selfless acts throughout this adventure. I sounded an alarm about the moon. I went to sacrifice myself to save the White Star. I decided to get Mari Lee to safety before myself or instead of myself. I can take a rest. At last. For myself. Selfishly. [[What about me?]] [[A little longer yet, Taylor.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ I'm not being selfish. I'm— ........ ....That's what you said to me last time, on that moon. When I felt the loneliest I ever felt while surrounded by beings who made me feel the most connected I ever thought I could feel. You saved me there. Hands down. Thank you. [[You're welcome. Come home.]] [[No thanks required.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ I'm sorry this seems selfish—I just want to choose something for myself for once. I'd miss friends and family and Earth but I'd get to follow my dreams out in the Stars. That IS a little selfish of me but I deserve that. I deserve to look out for at myself for once during this adventure. At first I blasted off to look at lichen projects, to take care of rats, help out the Varia crew. Then it was to stay alive and warn others, then to keep the White Star safe, and to keep EARTH safe. Then to keep Mari Lee and her baby safe. When do I get to make a choice for Taylor? [[When you're back home on Earth.]] [[This is a choice. Choose wisely.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q12 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ I did pay her back for her help— I got her to the Viridian safely. She's smart, and so so capable. I don't doubt that she figured her way around the marines on the ship. It is beyond doubt that she decided to do the blasting trick off the old Viridian ship and got rid of the black hole's gravitational ring. It's simple navigation once you learn you're caught in it. [[T2 learned that trick from the greens though.]] [[Those marines are strong.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ By doing something I really want to do and making a decision I want to make for myself? For once? It sounds like something that would make her happy, even a universe away. [[Would this make you a good role model?]] [[She wanted you safe, Taylor.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ You think I have to pay her back? I saved her twice and would still save her without hesitation if she knocked on the windshield of the Varia right now. ....no knock. I wish she would knock. I'd love to see her again and wish her luck. Talk about our adventures. Go to the baby shower. Normal life things for her and her baby. [[Knock knock it's The Consequences.]] [[Knock knock it's the Stork.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ I don't even know if she's alive! I left her on that starship with SIX GREEN MARINES. She didn't have a weapon when I sent her into the escape pod. I doubt she's the fighting type anyway. //I'm// not the fighting type anyway. I did my best to give her— and her baby— a fighting chance. And there is //nothing// I can do to help her now... ....a universe away. [[Gave up hope too quick.]] [[You're right. Let her die.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ I want Mari to see her family again and most importantly be able to build her family. Her baby— whoever the father is— is going to be able to grow up and do whatever they'll want to do. Isn't it a good example for myself to grow up and do whatever I want to do? I'm not a good godparent if I don't. And I can only hope I'd be an extra-(universal) godparent to boot. [[The father is definitely dead, Taylor.]] [[Taylor, you're not the baby's godparent.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q13 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ I understand. I do wish you'd try to see for yourself what this feels like. If you have the chance, right now, check outside if it's a clear night (assuming it's night for you). I'll be here waiting when you come back. Gaze out there to the Stars. Maybe you'll be able to see Cetus— that's where I'd be coming from. [[It is beautiful but empty.]] [[Can't or won't, sorry.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ You're kidding. I thought we were having a fun adventure. (Well, fun if you don't count being in near-constant peril and me dying on you constantly.) I was hoping we'd be able to spend more of the actually fun portion of this adventure together, even if from a distance. Don't you want that too? [[I have a life too.]] [[I'd rather you be safe.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ Please, Lifeline, quit being cryptic and confusing. I don't want to think about poetry right now. I want to make decisions. A decision. This is your ultimatum then: if I stay in the Stars, you disconnect and we never speak again. Do I have that right? [[That's right. I'll walk.]] [[Sorry, I wanted to scare you.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ What do you mean by that? You'll disappear if I stay out here in the Stars? Will you leave or will our connection get weaker? Our comms could die out after all this time. Or maybe you'd get tired of me. [[Taylor, it's a lot to be a lifeline.]] [[I could never get tired of you.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ Can't stay if I stay? What does that mean? Does that mean that you can't stay with me if I choose staying in the Stars? [[I can't, Taylor.]] [[I won't, Taylor.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q14 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ We shouldn't listen to the Green Squad. They want to capture us and will lie to get what they want. Which is us on earth, where they can occupy us. They should have a fix in their back pockets for fixing spacetime too. [[That's HIGHLY doubtful, knowing you, Taylor.]] [[Don't play with timeloops.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Break it once shame on me. Break it twice, shame on the Greens. They should have made it truly unbreakable and confident in itself. I'm the breaker of time and time loops! That's a fantastic title: The Breaker of Time! Let's use that for our movie. I don't care what kind of plot it is. We'll make it fit. [[Hollywood is on Earth, silly.]] [[You must be personally involved with the screenplay.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ And what if they did?! We're going to listen to them and play their games just out of worry that we'll have to deal with THEIR mess? They could be bluffing! In fact, I think they were bluffing! I'm a good bluffer! Look at how T2 tricked me! They're all just a bunch of... green T2s! Bluff bluff inevitability bluff! [[A bunch of green //Taylors//.]] [[You and T2 are bad liars.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ They sure did. I still don't know what //exactly// that means to us. Besides that we have to follow their mistakes to make it better and mend it. But... They already broke it, right? You break it you buy it. That's how the saying goes. [[So they'll own a broken universe.]] [[You don't have to repair anything for them.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ Oh, man. They absolutely all warned against that. So many green eyes aglow in fear and worry... Creepy. Weird. Bad. They were almost begging behind their smiles. Like their entire continued existence hinges on our love of Earth and desire to go back. [[Be spiteful.]] [[Be naïve.]]] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q15 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ They were really adamant about that. Never saw myself be so certain about anything before. Besides myself telling myself that I'm screwed and about to join the Queen. But... //You// were adamant about protecting me ever since I had a change of gooey heart. And //you// followed through with that promise. Mostly. [[You should never make promises.]] [[I'm adamant about keeping you safe. On Earth.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ That's reassuring that we won't explode or burn up in reentry. So many astronauts have experienced that. 19-ish before we got more of the safety under control. Now we just die in space from alien parasites. ASTRA didn't write a manual for that yet. Guess I can add that to my bibliography. I don't need to add to that extensive list of lost astronauts. But I would already have a new Wikipedia page online about astronauts returning to earth I'm with aliens inside them. Win some lose some. [[I prefer to win some.]] [[You've already made other Wikipedia lists.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ They said a lot of things which I regret listening to and regret ignoring since I am sure I am dumb enough to drop huge lore when I monologue my evil plans. On the other hand everything I've ever told myself when occupied has been an absolute tub of hogwash and I don't have it in me to start believing myself now. [[Regina backed them up.]] [[Believe in the me who believes in you.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ Uh huh. They said it plenty of times. Each and every time you had messed up with our lives they said it to us and to you... ...like a gallery of mistakes at my own funeral. What a messed up memento mori— remember you will green. Ugh. [[I'm very sorry.]] [[Memento viridis esse.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ I trust their intentions when they say it. The Greens' knowledge bank is hefty and would need //several thousand// terabyte hard drives to store it all. Any knowledge and history once perceived is recorded and able to be streamed from the hive mind cloud. No internet service and some sites were blocked due to entertainment status, but they were there. [[I take it you hacked their code?]] [[Knowledge and history isn't the future.]]] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q27 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ Of course I can. You should hear my sister's laugh. When she gets started she.... ..... [[See?]] [[She what?]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Only the hazy memory of something I definitely was supposed to remember like my math homework. But not like my math homework because I actually love my sister and do not love polar grids. She's never cold to me, or polarizing, but she is quite radical. [[Nerd.]] [[Tell me more about her.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ I already told you I was having trouble that time, all the way back on the Viridian. You're really digging in deep to try to guilt me now. I guess I can add to the shoveling since I really can't remember. It's not that I can't but that, it's only a tinny melody now. Like speaker noise blasting out and ruining the quality. Or a generic laugh that could be anyone's. [[Ah, yes. A robo-sibling.]] [[But could that laugh be true?]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ I already told you this, I think, back on the Viridian— I don't. Not really. I bet I could if you give me a minute. It hasn't been //that// long, speaking relatively from my point of time-view. But an awful lot has been packed in where the specific sound waves of a voice are... ...left to the imagination. [[It's the memory that matters.]] [[Too bad, Taylor.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ I can remember that I used to remember... It almost feels like a bit of an echo that I can't hear. I don't like it. I only hear my own voice here. Ever. It's also an echo out here. A lonely echo. [[That's too much Taylor to hear.]] [[Echoes come from somewhere.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q17 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ It's very damaged, that's very true. But we've fared well so far, even through a debris storm! Maybe we're lucky. [[Lucky for now.]] [[How would you ever repair it?!]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ ...... 'Tis but a scratch! [[A scratch? Your bloody arm's off!]] [[You'll be the flesh wound.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ I know. It's a wreck. I'm a wreck. We're all wrecks! Isn't this a great home for us three wrecks? Sailing along in so much wreckage! [[Excuse me, I'M not a wreck.]] [[Earth is a wreck too!]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ I am //well// aware of how precarious that position is. Especially after the debris storm. It may be a matter of time before we die from explosive decompression anyway. I hope not but that //is// a thought that flashes through my mind every time I walk past the astromap room. [[What do the system checks say?]] [[Is it fixable?]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ We do have a giant hole in the side of our only habitat. The only thing keeping us from certain explosive decompressive death is a hydraulic door that might also be damaged. There is a lot of nothing between us and safety. [[A LOT of a lot of nothing.]] [[I legitimately can't believe it's still working.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q18 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ They're ancient and young. They're full of wisdom shining bright. Burning and shining, shining and burning. They've guided travelers home for all of time. Wherever that home is. How could I not? [[Their home, not your home.]] [[Easy. Trust me instead.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Have you ever had a chance to look out at the stars at night? On a clear night— maybe in rural countryside. No cities. Well, if you haven't, you haven't. I don't think you could understand me without that. [[As a matter of fact I have.]] [[I understand you enough as it is.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ I keep telling you but you never believe me. Or listen. No, you do listen, but I don't think you understand. I didn't understand and I don't think T2 fully understands yet. The Stars are something so old and ancient but always new and full of birth and change. They're ancient ways of life and the future unfolding. Humans have always had that connection with the Stars. Recently though, there's light pollution and smog and less time to simply stargaze. Out here I can and I can listen... in a way. That's why I trust them. [[Come back to the desert on Earth.]] [[Humans moreso have connection with the Earth.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ If I'm being honest. If I'm being frank. If I'm being blunt... I don't know why I trust the Stars. But I do. I know I do and that my trust isn't lethal alien thrall. This is peaceful in a way I know is right— I've known it all my life. It's not a new feeling like with the occupiers' thrall. [[Well, you //sound// like you did on that moon.]] [[Sus if you don't know.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ The Stars have been with me all my life. When I was a little kid— barely able to walk— I was taken stargazing at a roadside outlook in the city outskirts. They're the same Stars as then. The same Stars peacefully watching me all throughout life, every night. Every night on Earth, every night out here in space. Even when every other human was far away... ...or only there by a quark's twist. [[You're still so far away from everyone.]] [[And what have they done for you?]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q19 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ Home is where you come from and where you come back to after a long day or long life. It's what you miss after you've been on a long journey. The joy of missing home for the first time when you've been away so long... ...and the joy of arriving back on the doorstep. [[You're tripping on a nonexistent doorstep out here.]] [[So... that means that you'll miss Earth?]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ Where the comms automatically connects! I'm looking for a solid 10G connection! (This is a wifi joke— I don't know if you have wifi in your universe.) (Wifi is wireless internet connection.) [[Taylor, I know what Wi-fi is.]] [[10G, eh? Twice as fast as ours.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ Home is the place that's special to you. We all have a home. Okay, maybe not //everyone//, but that's an issue— we want everyone to have a home. Somewhere they're safe and can be themselves. That's what I want. For myself. And I deserve to have that. I've suffered enough. [[You have a home on Earth.]] [[Such a martyr Taylor is.]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ Home? I'd call it a place where I can relax and let my guard down. It's the place I know is just for me and the people I invite in, whether that's temporary visits or a permanent part of my life. It's safety. It's a hug in the familiar. It's knowing nothing here will do me harm, or at least harm with malice. (Kitchen appliances are beasts, even if they aren't malicious). [[The vastness of space is safe?]] [[What is malicious then?]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ Home is where the people you love are. Or the things you love to do are. It can be a location rather than a house: a town, a city, even a forest or park. Nearby all those things or people but still your very own sanctuary. Otherwise it's just a place you live. [[And you won't live in this place for long.]] [[The people you love aren't out in space.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q20 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[That is a good point you have there. I do need a shower. And WILL need a shower again in the future. (That's how showers work— you never see the end of 'em!) But maybe that's how space life has to be: Always needing something and being grateful for what you do get. [[That's no way to live.]] [[Live a little. Go back to nice things.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[Good point. I'll miss showers. But I've already missed them for... it's gotta be AT LEAST half a year since I've taken a real one. I got used to the "fake" ones that astronauts use— dry shampoo and dabs of water. I might be able to engineer a fun setup like the watering can trick if we can confirm the water filtration system is working correctly. [[Can you ever confirm that?]] [[You can't be happy with that setup.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[Yeah. Those could be out unless we get the water filtration working very well. But that's not the point! The point is that I'm willing to give up nice showers to stay here in safety. (And in a bit of adventure.) None of the old explorers got a chance to take leisurely showers when they were off doing their research and making discoveries! It comes with the job. [[I'm sure they missed their showers too.]] [[Seriously, you stink.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[Showers ARE relaxing. Like comforting rain or a splash in the face to come back to what's important. (We only would get the later out here.) (Can't say that it's relaxing.) I would miss them. I really would. [[Then don't leave them.]] [[You deserve a spa day when you get home.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[Hey, at least the only people who will ever smell us will be ourselves. I know hygiene is important and I intend to follow it for my own sake (and Taylor's)... ...but you also don't mind your own smells. It's science, with personal smell receptors. [[It's unhygienic, come on.]] [[You'd look and feel better with water pressure.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q21 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ We do, don't we? We can make them last somehow—we're smart. There's also the enormity of space to explore and find supplies. Water on freezing comet tails... Food on undiscovered planets and moons... The universe is full of supplies we can use. [[How, exactly, do you plan on harvesting those?]] [[Land yourself on a comet, sure.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ That's true, but I can find ways of making them last longer. Water can always be recycled, along with air. Medical supplies can be rationed and then we'll find substitutes. As far as food goes, Watney got a few potatoes to last for over 500 Sols! I'm sure I can rig something up in my lab to make some MREs and freeze-dried samples flourish. I'm a biological science student after all. [[A real genius of a student, I'm sure.]] [[Watney almost starved with his potatoes.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ Of course I know that! Do you think that I think starship supplies grow on trees? There aren't even trees on this ship. We have to get creative. Grow our own food. Recycle our own water. Watney did it. We can do it. [[Watney wasn't a student.]] [[What about non-perishables?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ That's a limiting factor, I admit. An important limiting factor. One we'll constantly be dealing with. Ugh. Unending food anxiety. And water anxiety. And ship repair anxiety. That one would be an unsatisfactory situation. [[There are ship supplies on Tau Ceti...]] [[Aren't you supposed to be a star science student?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ It's only two people on this starship. They'll last a while. We can count them and ration it out with the extra time we have. Then maybe we can find some other lonely astronauts to trade supplies with. [[What do you have to offer?]] [[How many astronauts are out there?]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q22 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ Yes I did, in a way. It wasn't first on my mind and research isn't the most important thing in life and the universe. I've learned that out here. There's more than just knowledge— there's exploration and adventure. [[And death.]] [[You don't care about learning?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ I didn't forget. I've just had a lot more on my mind the past couple of months. What with all the sci-fi and alien drama. Research tends to get put on the back burner when I get burned. That's the function of a back burner—to burn your food— if I know my way around the kitchen any. Anyway, I didn't forget about them, but it's hard to conduct rat research without the rats. [[Didn't you also research lichen?]] [[Earth has a larger supply of rats than space.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ I've had other things on my mind. IN my mind too. The Greens do most of their research interventionally rather than observationally. I knew that Regina was using me as an experiment. I was the first—the first in my universe—it turns out, to have more control over myself while still being loyal to her. I hate being a lab rat. I didn't get any cheese or ear scratches. [[You're a cute lab rat at least.]] [[Are you sure that's all she used you for?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ I can't forget what my research led me to. It led me to Tau Ceti. It led me to the peak. It led me to not run screaming from my rats. I don't remember know how I got out of the peak, except "barely." I think the White Star crew was more proactive in their rescue than Taylor's was. ...I don't remember them coming at all. I was so done with trying to survive and ready to give up and wave the white flag. The sea of green spreading out all across my vision.... [[You'll never have to deal with that again.]] [[Your research!!]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ My research had taken a backseat to survival against aliens. It's why you need to find the sciences— who knows what information on rat behavior I could have learned with some bodyguards to protect me while I took notes! I had the Varia crew for most of it. Colby and Adair ran the show with Captain Aya while me, Antoine, and Trotter worked on our projects. [[Dedicate your findings to them.]] [[No one can protect you out here.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q23 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ Hey, it's not because we hate each other. We don't. We've struggled with self-reflection this entire trip. It's been a test and we've been testy with each other. We're growing and this is a personal journey for us. Living with ourselves, you know? We can do that in space. Alone with ourself. [[That's not supposed to be literal.]] [[Here is my vote of no confidence.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ You have the utmost confidence in us. Thank you. I would have guessed it'd have been much less, considering my plan was to infect Taylor on the second or third day on the Viridian. I DID manage to hold off on murder or infection these past few weeks on this Viridian. (Besides those greens near the beginning.) [[It hasn't been nearly that long for me.]] [[Congratulations. Keep it up.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ If Taylor wasn't being so difficult then we wouldn't fight. But as it is, it won't be my fault. I plead innocence. Taylor will start anything that MAY happen. I use my experience to REACT to it. It's the way that innocence and naivety functions. [[Don't get out of control.]] [[You just said YOU were innocent.]]] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ You... do you actually think that will happen? Sure, we fight a bit, but YOU try living with yourself for a few weeks. All those problems, especially interpersonal ones that you try to ignore, become so clear when they're happening to YOU. And you slowly wonder how anyone has ever put up with you for more than a handful of minutes. [[I wonder that sometimes too.]] [[You're better than you fear.]]] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ You think I'd murder my only source of in-person company? Within a week? Lifeline, I appreciate you, I really REALLY do. But it does feel different having someone here with me— physically here with me— that your text on the screen doesn't give. No offense. [[Fine, I'm chopped liver.]] [[I take that as a no about murder.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q24 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ Do I trust Taylor? That's a thinly veiled jab on whether I trust myself. Since Taylor is myself. I think I trust Taylor. And myself. I trust myself. [[My question was if you trust Taylor.]] [[Taylor trusts too easily.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ Why wouldn't I trust Taylor? Taylor has been looking out for me ever since I spat that alien out. Even before, back in the Viridian, offering some help in gauzing up my complexion and giving me a facial. (As good as that sounded at the time, I had to decline. Beauty products are a weakness of the greens, FYI.) [[You were betrayed by a Taylor, too.]] [[You still order Taylor around.]]] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ I'm not sure I'm following what you're saying. You're asking me, the person who tricked your friend and nearly killed your lifeline-ee... ...whether I trust— You should ask Taylor if //I'm// to be trusted. Not if //I// trust Taylor. [[Hit a sore spot did I?]] [[What do you think Taylor will say?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ Should I not? Actual question shooting right back at ya. I mean it. I'll listen. Or at least take what you say into my best consideration, which, having known me... ....you know that's not my strong suit. [[I think you should trust Taylor.]] [[I think you shouldn't trust Taylor.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ Who else is there to trust out here? Sure, YOU'RE here, but it's not the same. You're not HERE. I can see my—Taylor's— expression to judge what is being said. I can't see yours. I can't see if you're not confident in some choices... if you're worried about what you're getting us into, if you know something we don't. I don't know that with you. Taylor is an open book—another reason I kept the old helmet on. [[So, you don't trust me?]] [[I sometimes don't trust myself.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q25 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ I can also recover out here. In the stars. I think it may be better for me, too, without all the stresses of earth. No twisting of knives in my problems down there, causing me to bleed more. Up here I can deal with everything, with myself. [[Can you deal with yourself?]] [[You're an escapist, T2. You're running away.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ I'll still recover even if it's not the best medical treatment. (With my treatment out here, ASTRA better have good insurance policies.) I'm able to finally have that adventurous experience that expedition promised me. Without all the liabilities I signed off on earlier. ...are they still liable? [[Did they know about the greens beforehand?]] [[Can't collect on it if you're not back home.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ What else do I have to recover from? My body is healing up fine. I'm still chronically dehydrated from that occupier, but I'm getting my fluids. (Unless: $waterrec is 1)[I'm glad Taylor ended up fixing the water reclamation unit. We don't have to ration water.] (else:)[Unfortunately we have to ration our water supply until Taylor fixes the water reclamation unit. Didn't have time to before.] Altogether I'm doing alright, Doc. [[Some wounds are psych-based.]] [[You're the expert on yourself, I guess.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ ...Do you think there's something really wrong with me? Of course there is. Who am I kidding and why would I ask? That green wrecked my body going in and coming out. It's a strange miracle that I'm not questioning how I survived up to now. Larry Purvis didn't survive his experiences with an alien in his chest. So why should I? [[Like I said: Earth will help.]] [[Larry Purvis didn't have Taylor and me.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ Thanks for keeping a watchful eye on my mental and physical health, lifeline. You're right: Earth has the medical and recovery services I need. I don't and can't expect you to be my therapist. You've been a good friend and helped so much, but it's different. I don't know, though. Earth has a darn lot of other stuff that isn't helpful to me and stressed me out when I was planetside. [[Can't be worse than the Greens.]] [[I can help. I promise.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q26 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ They will. I'm sure they'll always miss me. I'm my parents' kid. Their little Po-Taylor-Tot. My siblings' hey-give-that-back-stop-poking me. They already miss me, if I'm being honest. From the moment I told them I won that lottery they were beginning to miss me. Isn't it all too human, to miss something before it's even gone? [[Do you miss them?]] [[You don't have to be gone.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ They missed me as soon as they knew I was leaving, and doubly so— triply so!— when I left. We're all very close and had regular phone and video calls every week during camps and when I had training. It's normal. Families always miss each other when they're close. You always hope you'll go back and the missing becomes missing missing the person as it devolves into family chaos. [[Testy family drama?]] [[Miss Missing You, such a good song.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ Of course they will. They already do. I doubt they're holding out much hope for my surprise triumphant return. ASTRA is great at informing the risks and their PR and AR (astronaut relations) department is very clear on what to expect and what can be done about it. So, sure, they'll miss me, but it won't change what's already happening. They're living their own lives back on earth. Making new memories. Without me. [[Tell me a happy memory.]] [[Tell me a sad memory.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ Sure they will. I miss them too. I worry that they'll miss the Taylor that left and not be thankful for the Taylor that returns. The two Taylors that return, that is. Two for the price of one and the value of one. ....I'm being harsh on myself. [[Together you make more than two.]] [[It prepares you for the worst.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ I know they will. I miss them too. I miss the way we all would slowly eat breakfast in the morning— more like zombies mindlessly eating flesh than any cereal savoring. I miss the way we would lay on the carpet and build bridges out of toothpicks and glue— and get glue all over the carpet and try to hide it under furniture we rearranged. I miss the way we used to have movie nights and pick bottom-shelf movies from rental stores to find our new classic. I wonder if they're still doing that... those things, without me. [[Would you rather they stop?]] [[There's no reason they would stop.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q16 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ The truth is: they died. They were lost in the attack. MIA, suspected dead is, unfortunately, pretty much dead. They all know what happened. [[You're MIA too, then.]] [[What about the hope they may have?]]] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ They sure do deserve the truth. The truth might benefit the world in ways too. The Varia wasn't the only ship to get shot down on that cursed moon, so maybe we could save a few more people, with the truth. Maybe they could protect others on Earth, get a whole big organization committed to eradicating them! We've done it to smallpox. Occupiers could be next. Can you eradicate parasites? [[Not the point, T2.]] [[Guinea worm is on the way out.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ So they can get just as angry as us? So they can want revenge just like me? You must be nuts. That revenge gave me nothing. If anything it got me to //this point//. I'm mad at myself for just how much I want some revenge. And I //still// want it. [[Really going all Gully at me, huh.]] [[Is it so bad to want revenge?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ There's not much of the truth to know besides that they were killed. The details aren't something that needs sharing. (That's why we never told you the details when we found them this time around.) Their families will sleep better at night thinking—//knowing//— that their loved ones are stardust. [[So you want to hide everything?]] [[You know you can't get revenge that way.]]] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ Sure they deserve the truth, but it's only going to hurt them. The crew's families have already been hurt once, and I'm sure they're going through this grieving the normal way. (ASTRA does give you a little prep checklist on that front, but it always felt like Vogon buerocratic nonsense.) (And not real dumbbell-weight decisions.) [[Listen to the Vogons.]] [[A prep checklist?]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q28 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ We can't get bored in space on this adventure. There's so much to see. So much to do. So much to plan. Did you know there are maybe 400 billion stars in the Milky Way? That's almost, well, 401 billion stars. That's almost 401 billion adventures, right there. Not even accounting for planets and moons to explore. [[Not as many planets as stars.]] [[Seeing a star counts as an adventure?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ Do you have any idea how big space is? There's so much to see and do! We could peruse the planets, sightsee at the stars, nap near the nebulae... And that doesn't even mention all the cool parts we don't even know about yet! [[Dangerous cool parts.]] [[No human interaction!]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ I'll get bored anywhere. The number of science fair projects I completed was a testament not to my level of knowledge but to my level of boredom. So many //Collema nigrescens// and //Letharia vulpina//..... This place has TONS more to do! [[So much work and chores to do.]] [[Were you really bored?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ But being bored is better than being an experiment. Any boredom here is better than solitary confinement back at home—I mean, on Earth. Because I can't guarantee that I would be allowed home. Family game night would not be the same in our house. Taylor and I would fight over which color of game pieces we'd be. I always preferred blue and there are rarely orange pieces left. [[I didn't know your favorite color was blue.]] [[You don't think they would want you home?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ You severely underestimate the number of games we know how to play with three people. When dad was at work and mom was working in her office the three of us siblings got into so much trouble. Played fun games like Cheating Uno. Or Presidential Checkers. [[You have two people not three.]] [[What's Cheating Uno?]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q29 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ The best revenge is living well, and flashing a smile at the poor sod while you're doing it. It felt good to "deal" with them as I did earlier. Maybe I got that out of my system. And now I can let that go. ....maybe Taylor was right. We can't bring me back home. [[There will be time to deal with them at home.]] [[Of course we can bring you home.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ ....I kinda still do, actually. I thought that maybe having enough scares and a few small victories would tap those feelings down to manageable levels.... ...but deep down? I don't know if I'm done yet. [[So you'll stay in space for revenge?]] [[They're not done yet either.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ Yes! And perhaps it's best for them to stay far away from me, now that they know. (If: $greeneyes is 1)[ You hear that? Er, you see that?! Away with you!] If they knew what would come for them if I have my way they would force me to stay out here forever just so they can enact their own plans elsewhere. ..... Huh. [[Catching on finally, geez.]] [[Going home would lead to that confrontation.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ I got some of my vengeance drive sorted out while dealing with that crowd of visitors. (If: $tort is 0)[One hard kick out the airlock wasn't enough but it felt good.] (else:)[You know that felt good. Hopefully you enjoyed it too.] The only question there is, is this: Can I still function driven by revenge or will I be completely consumed by it? [[Be careful about it, I guess.]] [[Okay, Gully.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ I would like revenge on them, that's true. When I think of what I'd do to them, I smile enough that I feel my face crinkle across my scars. That's another reminder of what I can do to myself just for revenge. There was that old saying, how did it go again? When you set out for revenge, dig how many graves? [[Two graves.]] [[Three graves.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q30 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ No, we won't be alone. We'll have each other and the stars. And you. We can explore and meet others out there, also exploring the vastness of space. We'll never be alone. [[You were sad about loneliness before.]] [[There's a LOT of vast space.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ I won't be alone. I'm going to have Taylor with me, like it or not. And you, of course. No family or other friends. I DO have an idea, a brilliant idea. An absolutely wonderful terrible idea. We could reach out to other spaceships as penpals! Nothing will replace you and Taylor will do the coding. What do you say for a cure to that loneliness? [[Only ever looking over Taylor's shoulder.]] [[And give the Green Squad another chance?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ I've dealt with being alone before. I'm almost used to it by now. Hell, it's been, what, several months with only the Varia crew, or the White Star crew, or Taylor and you? I can deal with limited people in my life after all. I've adapted to a life like this. One might say like lichen, but lichen is a symbiotic relationship between algae and ascomycetes so perhaps the metaphor breaks down there. One might say it breaks down like lichen breaks down upon heavy exposure to UV light in the vacuum of space. [[That's a lot of people who've been with on this journey.]] [[One might say you'll break down like lichen.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ That's the point— to be away from the Greens. If we're not with them we'll be alone. If we're not with anyone else, then that'll be another problem. We can meet others for lunch at the restaurant at the other side of the galaxy. Once we meet them. If they're safe and not more vicious space pirates than us. [[No one to help if things go wrong.]] [[What if no one is working at the restaurant?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ There's you, Taylor, and.... `[T2 is drawing on a few fingers.]` The gang's all here! [[That's just plain sad.]] [[Not a good example of mental stability.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q31 to 1)

{ (if: $starTay is "starsick")[ Spending time with them both and seeing the people I grew up with grow up themselves. I could get behind that. But, isn't that a lot of sacrifice of my own happiness just to be on the lookout for their life? They wouldn't see what I grow up to do since I tossed it to watch them. [[The comb and the watch winder.]] [[You'll spend your lives together.]] ] (if: $starTay is "excited")[ I already have a guess for what those will do. It's a guess though, nothing bigger than that. My brother was interested in library systems and my sister was interested in business management. A wide spread of career choices in my family. Both have good heads on their shoulders too. Nothing beats Student Astronaut Turned Star Explorer Space Pirate Extraordinaire. [[They'll never find out what you grow up to do.]] [[Calm down that rivalry, Taylor.]] ] (if: $starTay is "angry")[ Why the sudden interest in them? I love them but I'm not joined at the hip with them. I mean, me and my sister DID win the three legged race five years running at the block party and the other few years it was me and my brother. Point still stands that I'm here to talk to and about and not them. [[Ah. Sibling tensions.]] [[What's got your goat?]] ] (if: $starTay is "scared")[ That would be great to see! They're both so smart and kind and curious about everything— the possibilities are endless. They'll both be successful anywhere they go. Me? I'm tired. I'm traumatized. I'll need medical intervention the second I land. Who knows what will happen to T2. Will we split up? Will family accept us both? And in regards to my own career.... ....I'll be grounded for life. [[Your parents can't be that strict.]] [[Don't catastrophize for T2 too.]] ] (if: $starTay is "lonely")[ They'll both be successful. Absolutely. Whether that's in academics or library science or business management or blowing up buildings for science fairs. (The last one is me.) (I wish.) Facts are that they'll be okay no matter what they do and will find and grow happy families. I'm not sure about myself at this point and I don't want to be left and abandoned if I go back. [[You want love?]] [[They literally will not abandon you.]] ] } (set: $TayQuestions to $TayQuestions - 1) (set: $Q32 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ That comment was mostly a joke. Mostly. There are a lot of hidden pathways around these sectors. I'm sure we can throw them off our tails. [[How do you know where they are?]] [[A joke but also implied to be true.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ Eventually they may find us but we won't go quietly! Okay, maybe we will since you don't talk to cops, celestial or terrestrial, but until the point our hands are in tight laser-gravity handcuffs we will fight to the end! That doesn't scare me— I've faced aliens around and inside me. A few space cops are nothing. [[Didn't you give up before?]] [[The legal ramifications would be a headache.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ Screw the space police. Screw the earth police too, by the way. Even the ones you find good and lovable. I mean, It's the idea of going after the bad guys that you love, right? But they don't. And they especially won't NOT go after the guys who stole a spaceship and are traveling through space uncharted. I do love a good formal uniform but I also love the rustic space punk getup. [[I'm a fan of uniforms, kid.]] [[Space punk is the space funk!]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ I'm not scared of some space police. I was mostly kidding, too, but there are other organizations out here. Few and far between, for everything that we can do with space travel. It's pretty lawless so we could squeeze in here, find ourselves a corner to carve out and make our own way. [[I admit you have a cool theme going.]] [[Taylor won't be cool with the whole pirate thing.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ It's a large galaxy. I doubt it would be soon. We'd have time to adjust to this new lifestyle before we'd have to deal with the space po-po. They mostly patrol around the trade routes. You know. To make sure people aren't smuggling moon rocks or magic space rocks. There's a market for that back home. One organization or another wants that shiny stuff in bulk. Even in Austin. [[PWG?]] [[Pearson Co.?]]] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q33 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ I think it's easier this way. They get to be at peace with a final resting place. It's not uncommon for accidents to happen. Spacetravel is dangerous. Really dangerous. I'd just be one of the many astronauts who have died for the cause of exploration. [[You will be dead.]] [[But you aren't dead.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ I suppose they should know, yeah. But consider this: they would be happier if they didn't know how hard this was. They'd also be happier not knowing what we'd have to do out here to survive. That's the truth of the space pirate business, sorry. [[I'll report you.]] [[They'd be sadder knowing you're giving them up.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ No. No they don't. They don't deserve to know how much pain I went through, how much I suffered... ...and how no matter how much they would want to change it... ...the damage has been done. To their child. Heartbreaking. [[A real tearjerker.]] [[You're still you, under all those scars.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ I suppose they should be told. I don't know how to say it, and I don't want to be the one to say it. "Hey, Mom! Your kid is dead and we—your kids from another universe, one who was infected by an alien parasite— are here to be your new kid!" "No, Dad, don't cry! I know we can be a bit much to handle and now there are TWO of us, but—" "What's that, Mom? You're freaked out by my eyes and I can't be your kid?" "Oh, okay. Fine. That's what I expected." "I'll be seeing you then. Sometime. Somehow." [[They love you, T2.]] [[You're scared of them?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ Mom and Dad should be told what happened. The truth, not what happened here. I mean, they were told what happened to THEIR Taylor. The one that died on this ship. The one from THIS universe. Not the two trying to slip into the shoes and pretend that there's nothing wrong in the odd scenario. I'm assuming that there's no difference between these three Taylors on board. Even though I'm from a different universe than Taylor—most likely— all the belongings we found of this Varia's Taylor matches ours exactly. (It was nice to get our tablet back with the rest of EverAfter and Spoonbenders that I didn't get to finish). I don't foresee any universe-shocks with universe differences... but... I don't want to forget this Taylor, here. [[You won't forget this Taylor.]] [[You'll both fit in just fine.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q34 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ I'm not abandoning you. We'll be in communication. I always want to talk to you. You're not bad. You're good to have around. I'd offer a space on the shuttle to you, if you were able to take it. [[I respectfully decline.]] [[I disrespectfully decline.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ { Of course not! I'm not leaving you. I actually like you, as weird as you were at first, I immediately understood why Taylor adored you so much. Now? I couldn't get you away from me ever— we're like stink on good Texan range manure. And that, my good friend, is a compliment. [[You lost me at the manure.]] [[Flies on stink, eh?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ { It's not leaving or abandoning! I'd still be able to talk to you! If I wanted to leave I would have already. I could have... stolen Taylor's comms and broken the both of them. I could have... decided to give you the silent treatment. I could have given up. But I'm still here, with you. And you with me. And that has to count for something, doesn't it? [[It really does, T2.]] [[Have you heard of nihilism?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[Abandon you? Is staying in space really what you'd call abandoning you? I'm still going to be in communication. I'm not turning off my comms. Same thing would happen on Earth— I wouldn't turn off my comms. Unless you would? [[Never.]] [[I'm tired, T2.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ Of course not. I actually regrettably like having you around. I should be offering you a spot in the spaceship. So you can bother me (affectionate) out here in the flesh. Two can be lonely. Three's a crowd. [[You bother me (affectionate) from here already.]] [[No, I get seasick, starsick, whatever.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q35 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[Beautiful stars. An entire sky of them. They're endless and clear. So so many little points of lights in the darkness. [[You can see them from the ground.]] [[Little flecks of light. That's it?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ Space has so much stuff! It has the space to hold it all too! Besides all the classes of stars—O, B, A, F, G, K, M— —there's also the types of planets astronomers keep finding! Gas giants that rain diamonds... planets with vast oceans... planets with extreme geometric orbits... And the moons! And the asteroids! [[And the aliens!]] [[Earth has cool stuff too...]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ Oh, I don't know. Pretty much everything? The Earth is small in comparison to everything in infinite space! There might be many many Earths out there! Tau Ceti IV is in the habitable zone. With the number of stars and the number of planets out there... ....there's also bound to be more Earths to explore everything Earth has to offer too. [[What's the probability of math?]] [[Not the people, though.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ Oh man. Lots of danger, that's for sure. But also, a lack of //Earth// danger, that's for sure. And a lack of a lot of //personal// Earth danger, that's for doubly sure. [[Taylor won't let it come to that.]] [[You'll break the loop I swear.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ A lot of empty space, that's for sure. But it can't be a waste of space, maybe there's more life out there. Life that isn't parasitic alien blobs that want to take over the universe as we know it. [[Sagan mentioned that.]] [[It could be dangerous in other ways.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q36 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ I think we'll be able to handle anything that comes our way. I'm feeling confident right now. If we get hurt we can fix it. We can hail for some help. We can get hurt on Earth too. [[But also helped on Earth.]] [[Usually not explosive decompression though.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ Yeah that's kinda par the course for life out here, isn't it? We sail along, we meet trouble, we get into it, and we get out of it but with some bruises or more. BUT! We get out of it. That's the most important part. [[It is, but....]] [[You barely know first aid.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ That's par the course for me. I'm clumsy, and I stub my toe on everything. What's also par the course for me is being able to clean myself up. I know //basic// first aid. For the most part. And if I don't, then I don't and that's unfortunately it. [[So you'd give up?]] [[Then that's that. Come home.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ I am, as others and myself have profusely said, a butterfingers and a clutz. Not the candy type or the childrens' craft books either. If there's a way for me to get hurt from something, I'll likely find it through experience. [[Testing for Murphy, eh?]] [[You're a celestial crash dummy.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ I'll have Taylor to help patch me up. Taylor has been helpful before. Why should that change? And if Taylor gets hurt I can also help. Like we've always done for each other. Well... after we stopped being our own worst enemies. [[You do make a good team, surprisingly.]] [[Are you sure Taylor can handle what comes your way?]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q37 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ I'm thinking, I'm thinking. Lots of white and blue and of course green. Pale blue amid all the darkness of the universe— it's a pretty sight, I'll give you that. But there are so many other colors in the universe to see besides those three. [[No, no. The colors ON Earth.]] [[But can you touch those?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ Oh man. I could spend forever on that task. I'm thinking of only the colors of the skies on earth. White. Pale blue. Baby's breath blue. Robin's egg blue. Blue. Savoy. Chefchaouen. Cerulean. Teal. Olive. Moss green. Yellow. Golden. Xanthous. Tangelo. Burnt Orange. Brown. Black. Stars. Gray. Grey. Lavender. Sky Lavender. Peach. Coral. Papaya. Buttercream. Tan. Beige— [[Which one?]] [[Absolutely not. I'm scrolling away.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ Alrighty. Blue, GREEN, tan, white, grey... Every color in the rainbow since every rainbow is on Earth. ...and THAT observation will not make me change my answer because it is ALSO incorrect. Other planets and moons have water and light to make their own rainbows. Without Sol and Earth! [[Do other liquids prism like that?]] [[And with blackjack!]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ Why? I'm not seeing the reasoning here. It's colorful in contrast to everything aboard this ship. Is that it? The Varia is mostly greys and grays and silvers and rainbow (but mostly blue) LED light. Earth's got everything. Are you trying to make me homesick? [[I'm trying to make you homestuck.]] [[It's meditative, I swear.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ Oh man, I see what you're doing. You're trying to guilt me into being nostalgic and whatnot for Earth. Hey, guess what? It's working. There are so many colors, all the colors of the rainbow. Namely because rainbows are on the planet. Not every rainbow in the universe since it is just light refraction. [[But how do those rainbows compare?]] [[Is the nostalgia guilt working?]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q38 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ As cool as that would be, Lifeline, I don't think the award matters. I'd love that recognition but it's helping people that makes it worthwhile. Can't I q-comm the design elements to you so you can get that sweet option money and the fame? For helping me out so much? What am I going to do with money out here anyway. [[So now I have to do more work?]] [[You and Taylor both LOVE the sweet option money.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ You really mean it? You really think that my terrible and dangerous and no good very very bad idea... ...was actually a marvelous and useful and yes good very very good idea? [[You're making me reconsider.]] [[I really do, T2.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ Thanks for the encouragement, but I don't know if I can patent that trick. It's super dangerous, and off the cuff so much the cuff is back near [deep space object]. There has to be loads more calculations to fine tune that contraption that I am not able to do with my wonderful math skills. It's dead in the water. [[At least not dead in deep space.]] [[Well, you'd have a team to help you out.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ I know, I know. But maybe I can't. Maybe the design is too dangerous. Hell, it was too dangerous. (if: $EVA is "pressure")[The pressure was just too much for anyone to really deal with outside of a true emergency and seat-of-your-pants calculations.](else:)[The gravity of the situation was just too much for anyone to really deal with outside of a true emergency and seat-of-your-pants calculations.] I couldn't tell anyone else to try it at home. [[Give yourself credit. Your butt calculations were correct.]] [[Why not try it at home?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ I could do that and that //would// be a good use of my wonderful talents and magnificent brainpower. But is that all I'm going back to Earth for? Just to help others with a minor invention? [[It ain't minor.]] [[Not just that.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q39 to 1)

{ (if: $starT2 is "starsick")[ Home is that peacefulness that settles into you like a wave when you arrive back after a long day and cross that threshold, set down your backpack, call out to see if anyone is around... ...and can cry in peace. Or throw a personal dance and karaoke party singing to your favorite songs no one appreciates with a voice no one ever can appreciate. It's safety and where I can be myself and do what gives me that meaning and comfort. It may be far away from other good things... ...but sometimes that is needed. [[You're still running away, T2.]] [[Alone? After all this you still want to be alone?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "excited")[ Home is where my family and friends are. It's all about human connection, right? Or connection as a whole. That's society. (We live in a society.) I know there aren't friends and family out here, physically. You're just text on the screen and Taylor... Taylor isn't what I'd call family but is something else. Please don't ask me to define that. Taylor is me, and I am Taylor. We're friends, and twins, and siblings. But also myself. [[Ya. That's confusing.]] [[Just text on a screen? Pshhh.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "angry")[ Safety and people I love. Isn't that home for everyone? More so the people I love, since safety can be lacking while you still feel secure from your family and friends or worth it overall. So even if this ship isn't safe— even if SPACE isn't safe... ...doesn't mean that it can't be home too. [[Home two, T2?]] [[What friends?]] ] (if: $starT2 is "scared")[ Home is somewhere where I can live safely. Where no one will judge me for my face with its scars and creepy green eyes. I don't think that place exists outside of this small metal ship. People will be scared of me. Even Taylor is wary. [[I'm people and I'm not scared.]] [[People can learn to deal.]] ] (if: $starT2 is "lonely")[ Home is the comfort of friends and my family. It's where I'm safe with that connection between other people. No self consciousness, no worrying over what they'll say or do. Just being myself around them and more importantly knowing that they can be themselves around me. That trust is reassuring. That's what home is: reassurance. [[Sounds like a hive.]] [[This entire conversation isn't reassuring.]] ] } (set: $T2Questions to $T2Questions - 1) (set: $Q40 to 1)

I've always been cognizant of my good looks! It was only my terribly nerdy personality that prevented me from being star at prom! And, well, everything else about me. I'm not actually good looking. It's a joke. I'm FINE enough, but 170 and more days of space and flaming metal (if: $greeneyes = 1)[and... these eyes.... ] doesn't do anyone a favor. Least of all the battlescars from fighting a roboparrot. Which I will NOT be the one having this time around. Taylor is getting those right now. [[A roboparrot?]] [[I'm being serious, T2.]]

Sure, sure. I have you and Taylor. But one of you is off fighting a roboparrot Quite the vicious one. [[A roboparrot?]] [[I'm being serious, T2.]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR3', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR3', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR3', 'play') ]}

Let me feel the surge of wires and duct tape under my fingertips as I erpair something. I need to fix something since I can't fix myself. I'll go over to the cockpit and work on fixing everything Taylor broke. I've had to teach myself as much circuitry as I could manage from Trotter's wrecked lab. I'm not good with comms systems. [[-T2 is busy-->Canopus2]]

Another one of your tangental stars. Do you want me to go stargazing? That's where Taylor is and all three of us can watch these boring stars together! [[Yeah, let's do it!]] [[Nah, this makes you cranky.]]

//Obviously.// Since it isn't fair, I guess I can still go over to the cockpit and work on fixing everything Taylor broke. I've had to teach myself as much circuitry as I could manage from Trotter's wrecked lab. I'm not good with comms systems. [[-T2 is busy-->Canopus2]]

Oh yes! We really do. I'm the oldest of us but I always was able to get the others to play with me or be my lab assistants. My brother was even thinking of going into botany! My sister... she did the math for us both. And did NOT tell our dad about the energy issues from the edible laser. Let me wake up Taylor. Asleep in the cockpit again. [[-T2 is busy-->CanopusWAKE]]

Surely you've never encountered a wild turkey. I love animals. Turkeys are on thin ice. Let me wake up Taylor. Asleep in the cockpit again. [[-T2 is busy-->CanopusWAKE]]

Alright, sleepyhead, time to wake up. Wakey wakey eggs and... GARBLEGARBLEGARBLE! `[T2 is shaking Taylor by the shoulders]` ............. ....Taylor? (if: $T2Trust >7)[Our](else:)[Your] lifeline wants to talk with you. ............. [[Taylor must be dead.]] [[Shake Taylor more.]]

Sure, okay. Let me wake up Taylor. Asleep in the cockpit again. [[-T2 is busy-->CanopusWAKE]]

You're right. It DOES. It cranks my crank meter up to a good 6. I guess I can still go over to the cockpit and work on fixing everything Taylor broke. I've had to teach myself as much circuitry as I could manage from Trotter's wrecked lab. I'm not good with comms systems. [[-T2 is busy-->Canopus2]]

There Taylor is, snoozing on the captain's seat. At least I don't need access to the main panel. It's all the wires under the control panels. Just got to tinker until the kinks are out of this system. `[T2 is tinkering]` ....... [[Do you want to whistle while you work with a song?->AllTheStars Just T2]] [[I should let you go now.]]

...... Right. I've got work to do. ..... [[-T2 is busy-->CANOPUS no music]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR3', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR3', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR3', 'play') ]}

(live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ (link: " `~*~`01100011011000010110111001101111011100000111010101110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play') `~*~` c a n o p u s `~*~` ] |star1)[ [[Canopus->ANTARES STAR SECTION]] ] (stop:) ]] |more>[] {(unless: (track: 'STAR3', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR3', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR3', 'play') ]}

You are SO reassuring, Lifeline. Here I am, panicking over the fact that my time looped twin isn't waking up from cartoonish shaking after sleeping for all hours of the day and you're here cracking jok--- OH NO. [[Taylor really is dead?]] [[You cracked the spine while cracking jokes?]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -1)

Shake well-- what they always say on cans of everything but soda. Okay. Taylor isn't waking up. This is more serious. Wait-- [[Taylor really is dead?]] [[You cracked the spine while cracking jokes?]]

No! Or-- not yet! Taylor's burning up! Forehead feels like it's on fire. I can even feel the heat under the pajamas. Not that the pajamas are thick woolen garments-- they're mostly just to cover up all the bits-- what am I saying-- Oh god maybe the recon crew brought the disease in? And it'll spread to me and we'll both die because I don't know how to treat fevers. Especially ones this bad and sudden. [[Get Taylor an ice pack. Hurry.]] [[Is there anything around for a clue?]]

No! Wow you're morbid. More morbid than me. Taylor's burning up! Forehead feels like it's on fire. I can even feel the heat under the pajamas. Not that the pajamas are thick woolen garments-- they're mostly just to cover up all the bits-- what am I saying-- Oh god maybe the recon crew brought the disease in? And it'll spread to me and we'll both die because I don't know how to treat fevers. Especially ones this bad and sudden. [[Get Taylor an ice pack. Hurry.]] [[Is there anything around for a clue?]]

On it. Oh man. What I wouldn't do without you. So do you think it's viral? Bacterial? Fungidal? Parasital?! Does it even have a cure?! [[We're not playing Plague INC here.]] [[None of the above.]]

Uh, not really. Taylor's just sitting in the flight deck chair, snoozing off until I came around shaking. A half-eaten MRE of... Chili With Beans. The comms, which is still softly beeping with every sentence I say since they're linked together. Taylor has a blanket. The thin sheet type, nothing warm and-- Well I'll be. That's just the clue I'm looking for. [[Do go on.->glow]] |star1)[ [[Canopus is a star.]] ] [[Care to share?->glow]]

True. In THAT game you ill and kill everyone. In THIS game you're trying to save two sasstronauts. The Q-tips in the med bay reminds me of a cool experiment. I wonder what I'd find if I swabed parts of this ship for contaminants. With the whole blast and exposure to the vacuum of space, not much would be left habitible for bacteria and most would be commensals from our own body-- Alright, your twin is here and the ice pack is cracked and shaked and freezing my fingers off. (link: " `~*~`01100011011000010110111001101111011100000111010101110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')Time to cool off your fever, Taylor. Wait what's— `~*~` c a n o p u s `~*~` Yeuargh that's cold. What are you doing?] Cooling you off so you don't die. Uh, why? Because you were burning up! You're not now but you were— you were! [[You had a high fever, Taylor.]] |star1)[ [[Canopus is a star.]] ] [[Taylor, are you okay?]]

So you have a theory? Okay so fevers CAN come from secondary processes in illness, not JUST from having an infection. Is that a result of electrocution? Or stellar radiation? Or an EMP blast? It could even be microgravity or gasp! Poor nutrition! Alright, your twin is here and the ice pack is cracked and shaked and freezing my fingers off. (link: " `~*~`01100011011000010110111001101111011100000111010101110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')Time to cool off your fever, Taylor. Wait what's— `~*~` c a n o p u s `~*~` Yeuargh that's cold. What are you doing?] Cooling you off so you don't die. Uh, why? Because you were burning up! You're not now but you were— you were! [[You had a high fever, Taylor.]] |star1)[ [[Canopus is a star.]] ] [[Taylor, are you okay?]]

Yeah, I... I took off the blanket and caught a glimpse of something. A bit of glowing-- Taylor took off the bandages again-- a bit of glowing on the scarred arm, under the pajama sleeve. It's faint under the sleeve fabric, but again, not the highest thread count we've got here on our bodies. I think I could just pull away the fabric and.... (link: " `~*~`01100011011000010110111001101111011100000111010101110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')That's it! The glow it's coming from-- `~*~` c a n o p u s `~*~` Oh hey, T2. Good morning.] Good morning?! Taylor you're burning-- Burning? You're not feverish anymore. You completely cooled off. [[Burning and glowing?]] |star1)[ [[Canopus is a star.]] ] [[Taylor, are you okay?]]

Like a star. Yeah, starstuff, you're just like a star. Burning up with a massive fever. Now will you PLEASE get up so I can give you a checkup? I thought I saw something on your forearm. Huh? It's just my scars. Taylor. You scared me. I think you scared our lifeline. There's something going on with you. There's nothing, really. Taylor. Okay, fine. I'll put the bandages back on. My arm is healing fine. Sorry to worry you. I'm just... [[Just what, Taylor?]] [[Don't say tired.]]

Huh? Yeah. T2 seems like the one you should worry about. What's wrong? Taylor. You scared me. I think you scared our lifeline. There's something going on with you. There's nothing, really. Taylor. Okay, fine. I'll put the bandages back on. My arm is healing fine. Sorry to worry you. I'm just. [[Just what, Taylor?]] [[Don't say tired.]]

A fever? I was just taking a nap. I never get fevers. I run cold so I can withstand the dreaded wonderful Southwest heat. Like a lizard. Will you PLEASE get up so I can give you a checkup? I thought I saw something on your forearm. Huh? It's just my scars. Taylor. You scared me. I think you scared our lifeline. There's something going on with you. There's nothing, really. Taylor. Okay, fine. I'll put the bandages back on. My arm is healing fine. Sorry to worry you. I'm just. [[Just what, Taylor?]] [[Don't say tired.]]

Right. Canopus is burning too. Shining too. It's almost done shining before it burns up. Its dust will later shine, in other stars, in other beings. ...great poetry, Jodie Foster. Now will you PLEASE get up so I can give you a checkup? I thought I saw something on your forearm. Huh? It's just my scars. Taylor. You scared me. I think you scared our lifeline. There's something going on with you. There's nothing, really. Taylor. Okay, fine. I'll put the bandages back on. My arm is healing fine. Sorry to worry you. I'm just. [[Just what, Taylor?]] [[Don't say tired.]]

Just... I'll tell you later. You can tell me now. We've got two weeks left on this starship until we get home and I don't want to stop talking about it. Okay.. sometimes I think I'll miss it up here. That doesn't solve the question of the fever. It doesn't, and I don't know how to explain that. You're not curious about why that would happen? I'm fine now. Let me get up and stretch my limbs and-- I deserve bioluminescence for that crack!-- see? Back to normal. ....Fine. Or maybe... [[Maybe what, T2?]] [[Taylor is probably fine.]]

I'm not tired. Or... I //am// tired, but a different type of tired. I'll tell you both later. You can tell me now. We've got two weeks left on this starship until we get home and I don't want to stop talking about it. Okay.. sometimes I think I'll miss it up here. That doesn't solve the question of the fever. It doesn't, and I don't know how to explain that. You're not curious about why that would happen? I'm fine now. Let me get up and stretch my limbs and-- I deserve bioluminescence for that crack!-- see? Back to normal. ....Fine. Or maybe... [[Maybe what, T2?]] [[Taylor is probably fine.]]

No, I shant say it. Say what?! T2! Well, you're the //captain//, and I'm unsatisfied with how this ship is running... You wouldn't. I //would//. And there's only one thing you can do to stop me. Put on some beats? <spn class="t2">Yes! Put on some bea-- what? [[Let the records spin.->All The Stars]] [[Taylor? What? No.->NoMusic9]]

See? Telehealth appointment is over I'm fine, fixed, cured, right as rain. Ugh! Fine! Put on some beats? Yes! Put on some bea-- what? [[Let the records spin.->All The Stars]] [[Taylor? What? No.->NoMusic9]]

I have to believe you. Right. Goodnight, Lifeline. Sleep well. [[-T2 is busy-->ALDEBERAN STAR SECTION]]

Obviously. It's my favorite color. Taylor got to pick the color for the messages first. So I'm left with orange. [[Like a sunset.]] [[Like a fire.]]

Right. Like a sunset. A burning ball of fire setting over a planet or moon's edge. I miss Sol's sunset. Goodnight, Lifeline. Sleep well. [[-T2 is busy-->ALDEBERAN STAR SECTION]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust +.5)

Right. Like a fire. Goodnight, Lifeline. Sleep well. [[-T2 is busy-->ALDEBERAN STAR SECTION]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -.5)

A duo. Unless //someone// can get moving early in the morning for an entire day of recording. We can't handle having a snooze track or snooze album. Or if Taylor survives the fight with that roboparrot. [[A roboparrot?]] [[I'm being serious, T2.]]

At least I know we've got some music taste on this starship. The comms playlist has been... rather a one-genre setlist recently. Oh well. Not much time to go until we get home. I hope Taylor will survive that roboparrot fight though. 'Twould be a shame otherwise. [[A roboparrot?]] [[Excuse me?->A roboparrot?]]

[[`skip-->`->CANOPUS no music]] YES! PLEASE! I mean-- *ahem* Sure, if that makes you feel any better. Give me a moment to start Taylor's comms shuffle... (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[{(unless: (track: 'LAS11', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS11', 'play') ]} "All The Stars" by Princess Chelsea. //Another// song about stars? `[T2 is tapping at the comms]` I'm beginning to think this doesn't actually shuffle. `[T2 is listening]`(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 160s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[Taylor is listening]` (stop:) ]] |more>[] Hey, thanks for listening to this with me. I's nice to know I'm not so alone out here. Hearing the same songs, at the same time... reminds me that's true. I'm going to rest up a bit before tackling the comms system some more. Have a nice night, lifeline. Here's to a better tomorrow.

I understand. Everything we've experienced so far gives a bad first impression on spacetravel. That's why I hoped that you'd be interested in exploring the rest of what it has to offer with me. With us. It's rough and not for everyone. I'm sometimes unsure myself. But... It's what I always wanted. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Hey! It was a polite offer. It's up to you to accept or decline but you normally do it with a bit more grace than you did right there. Got to slap a "sorry, //friend//" in there for the sarcasm points. Though that //is// a polite way of saying "I wish to hear about this party's escapades from the safety of my home and not your jail cell." Which is... fair. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Yeah, but. Okay I am. And I'm calling this running away running to something. Whenever you go somewhere you leave someplace behind and all that— Which is a //great// Mal Blum album you have got to check out— Some people have to run away to make their lives better. That's okay to do. I'm afraid that I'm one of those people now and that if I don't run now I'll be trapped— perhaps literally— forever. Do you think I will be? [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I don't want to be alone but I'm afraid I will be! .... I'm afraid they'll take everything away from me. Every goal or dream I have and lock it away. Lock me away for experiments and (if: $greeneyes is 1)[how I have an alien in my eyes](else:)[how creepy my eyes are]. And I won't see my family or friends or even the grass and sky. Or even worse that they won't want to see ME. It scares me to death so maybe being alone... still... again... isn't that bad. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

I'm chuffed that you agree. I've been having such a hard time wording it all and have been meaning to use a word like chuffed. It'll be hard to explain to people close to us let alone strangers. In fact, I think the closer friends and family are the more difficult it'll be. They'll come into the conversation with all their memories of me and expect me to be exactly like Taylor... ...or they'll expect me to be traumatized beyond help and pity me while being sympathetic to Taylor... ...or treat me like an alien monster clone from some bad, albeit wickedly cool, B-list sci fi movie. Place your bets! [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Yeah. Psssshh. Those little words could only accomplish one thing: Saving my saving and existence. Nothing much really. I'm not //too// enthusiastic about that hand of salvation reaching out to me, unasked for, through the ones and zeros of quark rotations across universes. Yeah, ha. Nothing much. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Ha //ha//. Good one. I didn't pick that name, but I also did. I don't know if I'd want my family to start calling me that. Tee-Too. Eh. Maybe they can call me Taylor as is my name... ... and Taylor can be called Sputnik. I always liked that name. But if I don't go back I don't have to deal with names and birth certificates and social security numbers and licenses and ID cards... All the mundane parts of daily life on Earth. Which is pleasant in its mundanity. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Friends? Like you? By that comment maybe I should reconsider who I call a friend. I don't call just anyone a friend too— everyone on the White Star, even Mari Lee... She wasn't a friend. She was a buddy. She was a crew member. Of course I cared for her and had some moments of bonding. Doesn't mean we were that close. Back on Earth I had a few friends (it's what you get from being extroverted but awkwardly nerdy and quoting dumb movies no one has seen.) I'll miss 'em. But I can make new ones out here. Like you. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Hey, thanks, people. I'm sure you're a benign hive mind who has captured the hearts and minds of millions, nay, the billions of people on planet Earth. You'll personally keep me safe that way, and away from anyone who would hurt me. Thank you for guaranteeing it and for being able to guarantee it. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

It's them not me. It's their problem with not having seen a disfigured person with alien glowing eyes. I know that's true, and I know I haven't been as... positive about myself as I would lend others... ...but it's hard and I know people look and hesitate because I also look and hesitate. While fully knowing it isn't the polite thing to do. I'm only human after all. ..."only human." That's good to say. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

It is very different! Come on, lifeline! The greens forced you to join even when it was sometimes not the worst feeling ever to finally have love and support when it had been months wandering the back pathways of the galaxy. That's not reassurance. That's forced personality. The greens weren't anything like 'home!' `[T2 is making excuses]` [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

I think it's reassuring. It may not be the answer you're looking for... ...but it is a discussion that makes me ever so sure of what I'll decide. That's what arguments and debates are for in science. We're peer-reviewing this to provide upmost reassurance. Because it's something I HAVE to have and be sure of. Since I can't change my mind once I make that decision. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

There's research showing more every day. Back when growing up as a starstruck gradeschooler, I was told that planets outside the solar system were so incredibly rare. (Forget about my wide-eyed wonder at our luck that we got 8 or 9 different fascinating planets around our star!) And look at me now: recently stranded on a moon to a planet home to a junkyard of waste product of magical radiation rocks created by aliens attempting to make a time travel device. Scully! You're not going to believe this! //Wow.// I love science. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Sightseeing. Sightseeing stars. I see what you mean because each star is kinda the same. Except if you get a pulsar or non-binary star system. But how many of //those// do you come across in each galaxy? A //lot// but your point is well taken. I still want commemorative touristy spoons from Altair! Or just to see the beauty in each of them. I know each one is unique. There's so much to explore. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Look, lifeline, if that was meant to dissuade me from staying... I don't think that worked. I'm so used to danger now that it's just— —ohmygod was that a blip on the radar crap!— —that it's second nature at this point. I've got this now. It's under control and ready to be fun again. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Okay. Yes. It's all inorganic. Maybe I've had enough organic life though! Are the greens organic? Probably? Most likely. See? Away from it all! Living the life away from life. ...... I miss bunnies and rats. And my cat. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

Right? I'm gonna be a real space pirate and mechanic. Going to learn it mostly from experience. Experience is a tough teacher. As I know. You're right. There's not going to be much time for experiments once we commit since we have to commit to surviving in the long term, not just making it through the day. Fixing the Varia's comms taught me that. We can whistle while we work but it's still work. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

Was I bored? Oh man. Maybe not. Maybe I was just dreaming of other pastimes. Like adventuring in the stars, perhaps. Those science experiments were the closest I could get to the stars on Earth in terms of preparing me for this type of journey. It could have all been a path to this. It was a path.... [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

You knew Taylor's favorite color was blue, didn't you? We ARE the same person after all. That's why we're color-coded on the comms. I would definitely have been blue on there if I was first. Now I'm stuck with orange. Orange is dry and dusty and a danger sign. Blue is cool and serene and the oceans and sky. Earth's sky, at least. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

I... I'm not sure. Oh man. I mean. Yes, they would. But I'm terrified it's out of obligation and not out of me being their kid. I don't look like their kid anymore. Taylor looks more like that. I'm scared of those subtle things. The small little clues that I'm NOT their kid in their mind. No matter their hugs and insistence. I'd take replaying a board game on this starship over paranoid clue-seeking. Because it won't be Miss Olivine with the wrench in the cockpit. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I guess we can't play Cheating UNO then. Maybe an rpg? There are a lot out there— as many as the stars. I had been planning a campaign for my friends but between on-boarding training for the Varia and everyone's lack of consistent schedules we never got around to more than the first session. This was Monsterhearts, by the way. Isaac ate their character sheet as a way to assert dominance. In character. But then they had no memory of what their character even DID. Which was also in character. A genius play for style and story, but not for your poor GM. Oh man. I miss them. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

//What's Cheating UNO?//, you ask. It's a game of UNO but the object is to cheat and cheat well and not get caught. You form alliances and keep draw four wild cards up your sleeve, literally. Unfair to have one alliance and an odd one out in a group of three. Hard to make sure you're not cheating from afar. Also difficult to play with the same deck from so far away. I'm not sure our comms will pick up the exact color and number of each card placed down to say nothing of drawing. In some ways you'd be a master since we can't call your bluff. Since I can //always// tell when Taylor is lying. I use the same tells. .... I was just overwhelmed by having someone I trusted that time. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

But it is a way to live. It's a way we have been living. I can give up nice showers for the stars. The stars are worth that little luxury of simulated rain. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Alternatively, I can live a little and have an even greater luxury: Stellar exploration! Now everyone can do that and I'm taking my chance while I still can. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

No, I can't confirm it. But it's my mission, and I'm forced to accept it. We need things to do out here and that'll be a perfect reward for lots of labor. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Maybe I won't be. But that's part of spacetravel, isn't it? It can't always be rainbows and sunshowers where rainbows form. (I know that FAR too well.) [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Yeah, Star Trek avoided the smells due to their tech, but I won't be so lucky. Other astronauts who came before me missed them too so I'm joining the long line of shower-missers. Like that's something to be proud of, I hear you saying. It's okay. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

It is eau de Taylor. Thank you very much. My natural scent. VERY natural. Hey! You can't smell me from where you are anyway! Keep your nose out of it. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Hmmm. Hard to give in to everything else you've been saying JUST because of showers. As nice and hygienic as they are. But you have a point. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I deserve a week in a spa! The full treatment. It could calm my frazzled nerves. If, you know, they're not scared off by my face. ....I need a facial. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

I'm not THAT gross. Space is gross, not me. And besides, we're the only thing growing bacteria. Besides our bio cultures and normal flora. Most of the bacteria on the Varia must have gotten wiped out by the rapid decompression from the Greens' blast so long ago. So, it's just our own crummy stuff. Which isn't GREAT. But it's manageable... UGH you sound like my MOM! [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Hey! You're implying I don't already look great with all this space sweat on me. I look like Solo. Suave, handsome, and drop-dead beautiful. (Not "drop-dead" because I'd like to not be described like the ugly barnacle.) You know I'm not lying just because I don't have a mirror here— —I have Taylor! So I'm lying because I'm self-conscious! [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

I'm not wrong or weird. It's not wrong or weird. I can't be the only one who has ever felt this way. I've read so many stories about people who long for the Stars and now I get to feel the same way. I felt that connection to all those stories and human experiences. It's not wrong or weird. It's normal. I promise, lifeline. Even if you can't understand. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

It is. Everything in this universe is. Burning and shining, shining and burning, burning and shining. "I guess space, and time/ Takes violent things, angry things/ And makes them kind." We're all connected and will always be connected by the Stars. It's beautiful. I want to see more of them, having seen the earth. It's nice returning here, and staying here. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

I do have way more experience after this trip. I wouldn't say it's all been useful on a resume to submit to ASTRA. Resting next to radiation, extracting explosives from everyday items, steering a ship into sinking space, finishing off fires, dealing with dangerous debris, and getting away from gruesome greens. It IS experience, but I'd really have to sell that experience during the interview. Best to dress well, have a good handshake, and beg. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

I already am the captain! I thought we established that a while ago, lifeline. Captain of this new—old—alternate Varia with you as my trusty first mate and T2 as my loyal second mate. We have a pecking order that doesn't mean anything except allowing me to poke fun at T2. I suppose we'd have to get the rest of the crew—a new crew— back on the ship. And a new ship. The Varia 2.0! ...nah. I can come up with something better. The Starblaster? I'll keep that one on the list. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Twice is twice the liabilities for them since they KNOW what a mad scientist I am this time around the old starship block. They only took me by lottery. You submit some vaguely interesting projects or papers you've done or ones you've proposed (without funding) and get stuffed in a hat. (Not ACTUALLY stuffed in a hat) You still need to pass into the hat by not being an awful scientist. So ASTRA got screwed when my number came up. I don't know if they pulled slips of paper or used those bingo balls to pick people. I hope it's the bingo balls. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

If I write a bestseller first, maybe they'd ground me so I could write more. I've got a few ideas going around my brain. They're mostly movie pitches. You know all my concepts. But I'm a screenwriter, not a novelist. If I could get my status changed from "scientist" to "poet" then maybe I could qualify again. Not sure how I'd outrank actual poets, but I could throw my helmet in the ring. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

We could explore them like on one of those bus tours in cities. You know the ones— you get on the bus and it gives you a whirlwind tour of all the major sightseeing sights that you can see from the street. And the tour guide tries their best to be silly and witty—which I appreciate— but sometimes the practiced puns are a bit much. The tours always felt like watching a movie instead of actually //being there//. It was nice for my grandpa who couldn't walk too well so he could go on trips with us. I'd prefer the man-on-the-moon tour, myself. Maybe I can't stomach that anymore. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

If you think it's out for me, it might be. Rollercoasters might also be out, if I went back. Too much fear of collisional death and splattering like a pancake on the rails and then the ground. Sorry. That was wrong. I'd be splattering like the strawberry jam that goes on top. ...I'm scared, okay? And you can't do anything in an escape pod once you step in there but sit tight and pray to any gods in the Stars and ground that you'll step out mostly intact and on intact ground. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

No, not ASTRA, but I don't have a good argument to send me back out here, according to them. There's a lot I'd have to explain, like this mostly wrecked ship—can't cover up that accident with duct tape— that I CAN'T explain. And if I even could, I couldn't explain why I'd want to go back out into the fray so badly. It's better to stay. Without hard questions. And without harder goodbyes. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Bingo. That's it. I'm scared that once I see my family again, I'll never want to leave, even if that's the right thing for me to do. Besides, do you think they'll let me out of their sight once I'm home? I already ran off into space and nearly died once. They don't need—or deserve— a second round. I always thought it was super unfair to Penelope, Odysseus coming home after 20 years away at war and lollygagging. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Well, //stercus accidit//, as some more literate scholars would say. That //was// a tad gross for a metaphor but it's a real one, I swear on Torchy's Trailer Park. (Which is excellent— highly recommend that one if you're ever in town and the universes have the same recipe.) Actually, I'll blame that stinky metaphor on different connotations between universes. Perfect. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Eh! We'll be the flies, you'll be the stink. You //don't// stink, if you're worried about that... but then again I'm too far away to pick up the scent. Unless... [T2 is sniffing]] The perfume of the waste... Maybe it's Maybelline. Maybe it's Lifeline. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Argh. It really does. Look, Lifeline, I really like you and appreciate you. I've said this a bunch already. If I haven't, know it's true since those words are making their way out now. I won't abandon you as long as you don't give up on me. I know that's asking more of you than you of me. But after all this help I'd like to return the favor. One day in person, or just throughout time as a friend. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

I //have// heard of nihilism, lifeline. It's pretty dark in the way that nothing matters. And light in the way that, you know, nothing matters! If you're referring to the idea that all my suffering counts for nothing, I can't say I disagree. Suffering sucks. But if I can't pretend it has meaning it only hurts. I'm not a badass space cowboy who cracks a single tear when thinking about my past... ...which glistens down the rocky map of my scarred cheek as I reflect upon mistakes. It's heart palpitations and nausea and tenseness. A tightness in my chest that could never be described as heartbreak, just memories of MI. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Oh man. That's a relief. I thought about what would happen to us once I got to Earth. —Assuming I don't get dissected and locked in a lab the rest of my life to be a science rat— I don't know if you would say goodbye, or if we would. If either of us did. That scares me— not being able to share this connection anymore, even if everything was safe for good. It's the finality. Of a story opened and shut while the characters should keep speaking. And I do want to keep speaking. I'm glad you feel the same. That's partly why I wanted to stay out here, perhaps. Not to lose you, too. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

But— you can't just leave! I.... Sorry. I can't force you to stay... at any point... if you want to leave. You can always just... leave. I don't want you to leave, and I won't. I know you might be tired too and I understand. That's a mighty big weight on your side of the scale, lifeline. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I'm glad I bother you as much as you bother me. And in the same parenthetical quality. That's important, but not important enough for the main sentence. See? It's these conversations I love. The back and forth even if I'm talking most of the time. We can always chat no matter where I am or when I am, considering all the space travel. Isn't that okay, lifeline? [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Aw. I understand. I won't call you a party pooper since there are no parties to poop. You just //have// to see it out here, lifeline. Then it'll make sense and you won't worry about any drop in your stomach or bile in your throat. It'll just be endless void... ...and stars. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

You don't need to be. Trust me that you don't need to be worried. Trust me. I've trusted you. Now I also can trust the Stars. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

You're right. It doesn't make any sense. Scientifically, this gut feeling and sense of purpose and knowledge and understanding is emotional. But when have I, Cadet Taylor originally and currently of the Varia, ever been positively stoic? I care about life and that's why I love it so much. That's why I love to study it. Because I care, deep down about every life. Earthworms to my siblings to you. Emotions are needed in science, to know what to follow and what leads to investigate. You get a feeling. This feeling is leading me here. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Don't I know it. "Ah but you must walk these woods every night..." That gave me a chill, knowing how the forces of the world only have to win once. The greens only have to win once. Except we have you. You have us. Plural. Plural in the sense that you can keep trying with other "us"es. Across universes. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of them. In a terrible way you won't see the last of us. You can win. You can always still win. Even if we lose. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

It's the end of a blernsball game and I think the bases are loaded. It's been a rough first few innings with the exhaustion weighing heavy. A bead of sweat dripping down dramatically... —It always felt dramatic at pee-wee baseball games— And all we have still to do is run... home. Wherever that home is. (I am only slightly embarrassed to say that I DID attempt to run back to my house when I was in the league.) (There was laughter and pleas for someone to stop this renegade Taylor-Tot!) [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

We're students. Students! We shouldn't be unsupervised! And no, before you mention it YOU don't count as supervision. You're helpful, you're a lifeline. You can Google or Bing faster than Hera could fix the Hephaestus when she's not sabotaged. But you're not //here// and we're just //students.// I don't want to be important. Not anymore. That used to be a grand dream but the waking reality of the day to day is... Well, it's exhausting. Much less glamorous than fiction made it out to be. I don't want to be a hero. Heroes don't get happy endings or breaks. I want a normal life. Not being very important. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Doubtful. But that's why we plan ahead. That's why we keep the proximity alarms up and working. (I think we can accomplish that THIS time around.) Sure, no plan survives contact with the enemy, as my gnome cleric always used to say... ...but we can improvise! We've done that all this time. And our actual plans have all worked out. Well, most of them. With //those// exceptions. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Hey! That's right! I have good reasons to be nervous. Many good reasons. Space is FILLED with good reasons. It's also filled with good reasons to be safe such as the distance between stars and planets and danger from aliens. That distance could also be a good reason. Earth also has good reasons to be nervous. Some are mundane life issues like you and me both have to deal with. Some are more viridian in origin. Life always gives me reasons to be nervous so that's all the more reason to make jokes. And choose the least danger. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

I'm not sure I follow. I don't WANT to follow. Are you implying she has eyes on my family or eyes on us here? In this starship? My family would be worse, far far worse. It's not impossible though that the recon crew didn't sabotage more of the ship. We should do a full diagnostic later on //everything// to make sure that her green tentacles got on nothing important. We've got a whole starship to scout out. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Look, I miss you when I'm busy and cherish all the fun times we spend together. But I'll be around. I'll still have these adventures. Trust your device to deliver things promptly to me. Mine is on my wrist because that's most convenient. I put it on sleep mode. I'm always happy to chat with you. There aren't many people out here, and I don't want to greens to barge in to make four a party. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

You might need to. We make decisions all the time without you. I DID get through the training program for the Varia myself. I have skills. I'm also doing all the ground work fixing things and risking my life out here. You trust me to do that already and I'm learning as I go! Trust me to know what I want to do. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

It's not the same. I'm sorry. I would stargaze all the time back in Texas. We would drive to the outskirts of Austin, out to the lookout areas or even the desert plains on certain nights. They're so bright, and everywhere. You feel so small and part of something so big. Millions of points of light all from suns shining down on Earth. If you haven't been able to see them yourself you need to. But.... It's nothing like out here. Out here they're brighter... clearer... there's no atmosphere between you and them. Just stardust. Guiding us home. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

That's not "it." You say that like it's a bad thing. Every star is a sun and every sun can hold planets and those planets can hold moons. And these planets and moons can hold life, the good kind that doesn't want to kill us, or they could be exciting worlds to discover. The point is, there's SO MUCH to find out here. So much that Earth //can't// have or //shouldn't// have. I don't want to leave that. I don't think I would ever get a chance again. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Yes. And the aliens. But maybe WE'RE THE ALIENS!! (if $greeneyes is 1)[ Oh man. I'm partially one still. For keeps.] Not all the aliens out there are evil malicious invade-infect-repeat sorts. Can't you let us have one more of Star Trek where there's some kind Galactic Federation seeking peace? [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

It does have cool stuff, I'll admit that. But space and the stars are new. So new. Most of it hasn't been explored at all. We can talk about the deep oceans at length... But what about the oceans of Europa? Other vast seas on other moons, other planets? There's so much out there that humans can't easily explore. But our chance is here to explore it now. How could we not take that opportunity? [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick)

Ugh. If I calculated that probability it'd shoot right up to 100%. There are calculators on the ship for me to use. I may not know what to plug into it to make it spit me out the best answer... ...but I know it'll give me the right one if I'm right in the plugging. ...... There's math on Earth too. It's a universal constant. Space is not special. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

You're right. I'd be giving up an entire planet of people. Everyone I've ever cared about... Everyone I might have ever cared about... Everyone who hates me and would love to take me apart for science.... Everyone. Except the ones currently exploring new space. There's good and bad. Very good and very bad. Because that's how people are. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely)

I... I know. Taylor is a good one. (I don't know if I am, anymore.) I have doubt that our collective powers of persuasion can persuade massive scientific organizations that I need my privacy. That's one bit of science that I'm NOT curious about and the one bit I don't think I'll have a choice on. I'm scared, lifeline. I don't want that future. Out here, my future is whatever I want. Down there? Back home? It's whatever other people want. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

No! No it's not the loop! Even if we get home there are things space doesn't have that are deadly to me. To //me//, lifeline. Not Taylor. There's bound to be more Doc Artesas on Earth. I'm an abnormality. I'm a science student turned scientific wonder. Everyone is gonna want to break off a piece of that T2 Bar. And those pieces are not going to come off painlessly! Definitely not ethically! I can be myself out here. Without being more—honestly less— than myself. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

I doubt he mentioned the parasitic alien blob part, but yes. "If it is only us out there, that's an awful waste of space." I'd like to prove my initial theories wrong and Taylor's initial theories right: That we should protect life out here, however rare or run of the mill it might be. Except if it tries to eat us. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

There are so many dumb ways to die. Several of them might be by aliens farting toxic chemicals in our faces as a form of a greeting! How //did// you do, fellow ex-life form? I said dumb, not likely. Still, your point is well-taken. Even if there are many dumb ways to die on Earth, too. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

What? No, no! I didn't mean it like that. Maybe I could send you the design elements and you could mail it to some cool agency or contact some PhDs at a university.... Has to be a good university but not one too stuck up and will steal the idea. Obviously you can take the credit in your universe since I won't be there to share the glory. Wow, that is more work for you when it should have been just a nice easy letter. Um. Sorry. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

Who doesn't love that sweet option money? It's not about the value— it's about the recognition of your great idea and teeny bit about seeing that idea get produced. Something real in the world as much as rattle off ideas nonstop. But it's less useful out here. You can take credit for them all as long as you put a heroic space cadet in the film no matter the genre and a dedication in the credits. Write something good for me. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Oh man. Thanks for that encouragement. You're making my cheeks flare up— my face cheeks. And they're not burning! Ugh. Maybe these plans are just good for dangerous last-chance-to-live moments. I //am// a seat-of-my-pants scientist after all. I just don't always write it down. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Awww, you're making me blush. Look! My scars are turning rose-hued rather than 3rd degree burned-hued. But really, lifeline, thanks for the vote of confidence. Your vote really mattered back there during the EVA. You saved Taylor's life and, well... ...I wouldn't have done too well on my own. We've both seen proof of that. So, thanks for the encouragement. Maybe I can get those plans together for a patent... [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Lifeline, you say the most reassuring [lies] sometimes. You know just what to say to send a chill down my spine to cool off in those hot hot space afternoons. The problem is that space is cold and the Varia's heating systems do not rival Texan air. It worked when it needed to, I suppose, and that's when it counted, I suppose. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Can a team of scientists bring back the drowned corpse of an idea from the mind of a stressed and harried science student?! It'll be a rough job, sifting the crap from the diamonds and diamonds from the exploding tunguskite. But that's what an actual scientist does, don't they? They use scientific rigor and logic to produce a result. I just write down what I did afterward, if the paper didn't burn away from what I did. But teamwork is dream work, I suppose. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

My scarred butt is wise in the ways of physics. You're right though, I don't give myself enough credit. I exaggerate a lot and act silly but I //did// get a spot on a spaceship due to my scientific study proposal. Okay, sure, it was a raffle but everyone had to get approved for being put into the raffle. I could do it. And if I can't then I'll get a team of scientists to help formalize the calculations. Thanks, lifeline. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Because, well, I don't think most people have access to futzing around with the $EVA in their home. Does your home have those climate control settings? It could be useful for at-home strength training or marathon practice in low atmospheres but would most likely end in... ...lots of visits for depressurization injuries and "help I've fallen and I really really can't get up and I'm not kidding!" Not a good toy. A fun toy! But not a good one. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I know it ain't minor but it feels minor. It's nothing new but just a remix of laws of the universe. Hey, when I put it that way it sounds cool. Like I'm a wizard delving into arcane rules of the universe to make my life a bit easier with a mug heated from magic. Think about it: magic and technology working together to make something cool. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

I'm aware— that's why we're having this entire conversation. Life is more than helping people. It's important to do it, but there's also personal growth. This wasn't the hardest invention to come up with so I don't think the world will be that far behind if I don't go back and share it. It's no Library of Alexandria going up in flames. But I sure am. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

A snitch! You're a snitch! You'll tattle on us and get us frozen in carbonite! We'll be treated like the criminals we will be on that planet. Fed to the vicious Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal for daring to find creative ways to subsist in the darkness of space between the stars! All because you are lawful neutral. The bane of our chaotic neutral impulses. At least mine. Is space pirating neutral? Taylor would make us chaotic good. Eh. I'll balance us to neutral. Good talk. Good talk. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

How would they even know that? We're not broadcasting a message to them. As far as I know, you'd be the only person in this universe who knows we exist. You're not even from this one. It's a mercy to not tell them. And we're not giving up our memories. Just future ones. They'll be with us. Right? [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Yeah, yeah I know. Melodrama for the melancholy astronaut. It's a gift to them to not let them see how I am now. I'm not talking physicality— I'm talking emotionally. I'm rough. I'm spiky. I'm even more cynical and sarcastic than I was back home and I set records. It's sad to see someone you love so hurt. I could spare them that pain. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Yeah. I know. Literally. My face is a thick patch of scar tissue. A certain type of very inflammable armor. The kind of inflammable that can burn. It's a... physical reminder even if it has a certain air of coolness to it. .... Maybe I'm scared of what I am underneath this! I had to get rough and scarred and cool in order to hold on. Not just... squishy and loved and protected. I don't want people to have to deal with that me. And I know I'm //that me//. Because the normal me stands next to me. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I don't doubt that, but I doubt they'd take kindly to that story. You haven't seen my weird green eyes. They still slightly glow in the same way they used to. Taylor is still resting uneasy from them. Trying not to look me dead in the eyes. I see it. I'm aware. I don't want to think about the rest of the family seeing them whenever they look at me. ....we ARE a weird family though. Any family that birthed me as got to be weird. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

I //am//. Who wouldn't be when you're the double and extra? They've got a perfectly fine Taylor over there. This Taylor is mostly in one piece (unlike this Varia's Taylor), mostly untraumatized (comparatively), and "within normal limits" of all Taylor qualities (unlike my eyes and face. I still FEEL the same as I did, and towards my family. I love them all. But all our jokes about being thankful that our sister and brother didn't grow up to be another Taylor wrecking havoc around the house wouldn't be funny. Or it would be funny. But kind of ironic. I'm scared of what they'll say. And I'm scared of what they won't say. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I know I won't. I just hope this one won't be forgotten by our parents. Does that make sense? No, of course our parents wouldn't forget. Not when the new versions of their kid are so, so different. I'm scarred, Taylor's scarred... I have the eye thing going on... We owe a lot to this Taylor. I feel bad taking what they used to have, even if they can't enjoy that anymore. But it would make our parents happy, to have another Taylor—or two— to take care of... ....and being a Taylor myself, I know I would have wanted my parents taken care of, if I couldn't anymore. I miss them. I miss MY parents. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

Oh man. I hope so. I mean, I bet me and Taylor can divide or share our things pretty well. (I call the Star Wars mini collection!) And I'm sure Taylor will defend me if anyone gives me grief about my eyes or scars or, well, anything. But I don't want to have to be defended all the time, from everyone. Especially not my family. It could be best to let the mistakes and dangers and consequences of this universe play out as they would, naturally—without us. So we don't barge back in with double trouble and complications just as our family is getting their lives and emotions back together. I wouldn't want to do that to them. But I do want to see them again. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Well, not really. It'd be a secret that I'm alive. The only people who'd know are you, me, Taylor, the greens, and the stars. It'll be the best kept secret. Sure, the greens could go after us but can they catch us here? They'll catch us on Earth. Then we'd actually be dead. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

I'm not. That's true. It'd be a little secret between us. But I could—will— die if I go back to Earth. And I could—might— not die if I stay in the stars. That's a clear gamble with a clear outcome. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

With Taylor? Eh, I'll give that a soft yes. Taylor can be difficult to deal with because I'M difficult to deal with. But we're difficult to deal with in our own special and unique ways so stop thinking that I'm just a backup copy for your love and affections. But, for what you ACTUALLY mean... I'm working on it. I am. I've made improvements out of my grouchy cynical sarcastic self! I hope you could tell over the last bit of time. I'm working on it. And I think I can deal with myself. Eventually. The sooner part of eventually. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

I know I'm an escapist. Why do you think I distract myself with movie pitches, media references, and—most importantly— sleeping? Take it from me, combine all those defense mechanisms that keep me from panicking at nearly every stressful turn of events out here, mix them into a trailer, and you've got yourself an award-winning film! (Or, more likely, a cult classic.) (I shouldn't ask for the big red carpet when small theaters full of theater kids laughing their butts off would bring me just as much joy.) [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Probably not, or we wouldn't be going to Tau Ceti IV. There are other planets in Tau Ceti's system that would work. Specifically at least three others. Are you implying that they intended for us to get shipwrecked? If that's the case, and I turn up alive at home... That wouldn't be good for anyone. It wouldn't be good for //them// being the conspirators in the dark smoke-filled room, hoping to send a random science student off to occupation... It wouldn't be good for //me// being the random science student they hoped to send off to occupation. I don't want them to be happy but //I// want my happiness too. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

That's true. Darn. Money would also be worthless out here and tele-doctors couldn't do much. Plus then they'd know about *me* and question my eyes and face and there's not much else I could do to stay safe other than be "lost to follow up." So to not be questioned about my past medical history when I can't even file a claim... ...I've got to ditch 'em all. Which is strangely scary but comforting. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Don't I know it. I could have dealt with the cold on that moon if I wasn't the only one suffering through it. Well, maybe I couldn't. It got really cold before I said "screw it, let's be a radioactive spider" and fled to the engine. I didn't care whether it would kill me that night or slowly through the years. But that was the best shot I had. The psych damage however... that was a lot. You've noticed it too. Sure, I found enjoyment in things that repulsed me back on Earth. Sure, I'm scarred beyond physically from this adventure and the greens. Sure, my twin didn't get out from this completely unscathed as much as Taylor pretends otherwise. So I... ...I think I proved your point. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Surprisingly I am, thank you, lifeline. And I have a control for my exposure experimentation in Taylor. No no— I'm not experimenting on Taylor! But when I want to see how I ended up because of a lack of lifeline, I look over there. I can see how Taylor heals and then figure out how I do it. And I think I'll do alright out here based on what I see. I'll also, you know, hopefully have you around since you did so much to help mental and physical states. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

That's going to take some major medical technology to sort out! We have that on Earth— I can only hope Captain Aya will get that care when she arrives back with Captain Shepard. We have that stabilization machine on the Varia— it wasn't destroyed in the blast. But it won't do anything for me if I suddenly—or slowly—start to desaturate. And there'd be no way for me to get home to Earth in it since it's not a portable pod. Only an importable pod. So if I do end up getting sick out here considering Taylor's medical expertise... ...I'd be donezo. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

True, but Larry had all the best medicine on Earth. You're that fancy tele-doctor help, and consult work. Taylor is the one who'd have to DO anything that pops up as a Code MET on our tiny ship. Not sure if I can trust that skill level, considering it rivals my own. (And if Taylor gets sick I would have to....) [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Maybe not //worse// but—I've mentioned junior prom to you?— vying for the top spot. That was a night. An entire night of awkwardness and... You know what. That's in the past. Everyone has moved on from that except for me. ....actually? They probably didn't. So I will forever be known earth-side as the junior ghosted by a date after not getting the memo that we //weren't// planning on doing space-themed outfits. But then that kid grew up a bit and died on a starship crash and it's sad in retrospect but remember that time? .... That scenario sounds a bit silly putting it that way. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

I appreciate it but that isn't something I can—or should— rely on you for. Don't get me wrong! Thank you for what you've done! I can't convey the onslaught of love I have for you in words and we can't hang out at Torchy's over some queso (....yet). But it's not your responsibility to be my therapist. I'd love to keep you as a friend, and of course help each other out and listen for each other... But I cannot expect you to do that kind of job for me. I might need some extra help, I suppose. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

You know I can't do that, Taylor. 2001 called and they want that reference back. Take your fingers out of your ears and press that button yourself... with those fingers! Fret about tech all you'd let. You're able to do it without me. And YOU know why that button will turn into a fully-automated self-destruct system solely because it was me who //attempted// to fix some comms tech. You do it. T2, we're the same person. A little time-looped and out of sync, but I know those pleading eyes from experience. You know the real reason why you won't push it. [[Taylor, explain everything starting now please.]] [[Just push it, T2. It won't self-destruct.]]

You know I can't do that, lifeline. 2001 called and they want that reference back. Take your fingers out of your ears and press that button yourself... with those fingers! Fret about tech all you'd let. You're able to do it without me. And YOU know why that button will turn into a fully-automated self-destruct system solely because it was me who //attempted// to fix some comms tech. You do it. T2, we're the same person. A little time-looped and out of sync, but I know those pleading eyes from experience. You know the real reason why you won't push it. [[Taylor, explain everything starting now please.]] [[Just push it, T2. It won't self-destruct.]]

Cool. Cool cool cool. If we die from explosive decompression due to a onboard explosion... ...I want the //bigger// monument. Unless you KNOW it won't self-destruct because you've done this before with us and killed us in a completely unique way in the near future. .... I still want the //bigger// monument. Labeled "For T(print: $U)2." `[T2 is hesitating over the button.]` Taylor, save me from this embarrassment and anticipation. [[Taylor, save T2.->Taylor, explain everything starting now please.]]

Look. We've always dreamed of traveling out here. Remember all those books about space travel we would check out from the library? Or those science fair projects that we kept going on and on about far beyond what Miss Slazyk wanted? Or the cardboard spaceship we made in the backyard with our sister... or, hell, kindergarten playtime with the set of blocks and going off to explore Mercury! (We didn't even get to do that because playtime ended right as we finished building it.) And /yes/ the real thing turned out as a VERY mixed success. I'll say. But you remember that first moment of zero G... the first time we saw the Stars... /really/ saw the Stars... Like, sure, our trips out to Arizona were FILLED with stars at night... but that never matched what we saw at that moment. ...... And remember our excitement when we opened the letter from the lottery? It was like the world stood still. Perfect for a moment. It's... a bit bitter now. [[That... that sounds beautiful.]] [[I wish you never won that lottery.]]

(live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[-That didn't go as planned. -This is why you never make plans! Jumping on into the consequences is SO much better! -Shut up! The loop has always worked for us. -Why didn't the escape pod work this time? -Where did those two land? -What's going to happen with the loops? -I'll top that question with a better question: what's going to happen to the UNIVERSE because of the broken loops? -It's not broken yet! We can still mend it. -We NEED to mend it. Those two and their lifeline are going to break Space-time. -(Hey did you read that? The name is $lifeline!) -They'll blame it on us for making the loops in the first place. -But it's not our fault if they don't play by the rules of physics and the universe! -Alright. Back to improvisation. Which we're good at. -Mostly. -Probably. -It's so much easier to have someone make decisions for you. But we weren't given more brain power and individuality for nothing! -We'll make her happy. -They both should be waking up out of G-LOC soon. We'll get a good look around through our experiment's eyes. We'll note the landscape, triangulate with the stars, then pop right off to pick them up and bring them on in. We'll even get to read all the transmissions. That should make figuring out the crash site even easier. -Yes! And don't forget, we still need the scars. Make sure that T2 gets a good look at them. -Didn't Regina recognize some of the runes from that town a while ago? -Yes. Now it's up to us to get the full set of runes for her and for fixing the loops. Taylors ready? -Yes -Yeah -Yep -...... -Yup ...oh man. This was transmitting. Who turned on q-comm?! -Don't worry. It was to a random frequency. We're all good here. We're all good.(stop:) ]]|more>[] (live: 15s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[.......->Final Passage]] (stop:) ]]|more>[] {(unless: (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'DARKVARIA', 'play') ]}

And that is a valid opinion I do honor. I love animals. I do. Although little scratchy feet tend to make me rethink my goals of being a astrobiologist. (Wildboy, I love you, but did you have to scratch my arm in the zero-G?) You love them too based on those goals, and the way you act the entire time I've known you. That time hasn't been that long, actually, but you can substitute long term bonding time for short term danger and terrified joke-cracking. Like Han and Leia. Maybe. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Rats are a joy in life. With their little eyes and noses and whiskers and tails and ears and paws— I named the entire rat, yes, because the entire rat is a joy. There are a lot of joys in life I'd be missing out on when we're out here. Some are in the Stars. Some are back at home. I can't have both. (Except you.) [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Runt, the biggest— yes I named him— had the sleekest hair. Patch had that marking I told you about. His little pirate eyepatch. Wildboy had coarser hair and always wanted an ear scratch. And would climb up out of high fenced areas just to get one. Logan had some markings that can only be described as "as of a cow." Those were good times spent in the lab instead of the peak. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Sure, if these kisses are full of tiny teeth! I love my little friends as much as any other pet, but I wore gloves (like I'm supposed to) all interactions since then. At least all scientific interactions since then. I had my share of cuddles and rats sleeping in my hair at other times. It was nice having animals around in space. Animals from earth. ASTRONAUT RATS. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Are you a little friend all this time and didn't tell me? You ARE a friend but I don't know your dimensions. Regardless you should go on the Great Interstellar Bake-Off with that one French rat and the rest of an abbey full of mice. I'll be the judge and T2 can be the host of the show. It'll be fun, especially the challenge rounds. In conclusion: I'd love to try your food. I can't unless I'm on Earth though... [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

I am a luxury few can handle with my oh-so-needy requests of suitable nutrition. And breathable oxygen. And non-stagnant recycled water. Delivered unto me by rodent and rodent alone. I will accept nothing more for that would be gluttonous... ...but I expect nothing less for that would be insufficient. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Yeah. Those are indigenous to a very small amount of land in the universe. But with different methods of human stellar transportation they'll become an invasive species. I didn't get to fully study their behaviors beyond being almost-copies of my rats... But it looked like they'd be good survivors and highly adaptable to any environment they plop into. Maybe they're like tribbles and the earth will overflow with them. ........ How DO occupiers reproduce anyway? [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Ha. Yeah. I suppose that biologist is showing. I was fascinated to observe them on the moon, at first. Obviously that excitement was short-lived and I would have lots of time to study the greens and be studied during the rest of this journey. I observe behavior rather than experiment with that behavior. Unlike a certain doctor whose medical license will be chucked out the window as fast as I can say ASAP when the White Star arrives back. ....hopefully it gets back. I'll never know. They were fascinating, though, and I wish humanity's first contact with extraterrestrial life wasn't as grim and haunting as so many sci-fi movies prophesied. There has to be better aliens out there. Something nice. Something like a quantum cat slime. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

I WAS waiting for this ship to arrive back on earth safely. I can't instantly teleport myself back home. I can't warp myself wherever I'd like. I know we mentioned that the greens could be working on that hyperdrive hyperspace warp drive that defied previous scientific knowledge but is actually paving the way for real scientific knowledge.... But I'd rather that thing stays broken as that black hole. Maybe there's another way to warp.... [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

I hope I will! ...//they// all mentioned that I might not find the non-infected breed down there. Which worries me greatly because I like non-invasive species. I appreciate all types of life, but I once tried to curse in invasive species when I was little so my mom didn't find out I learned some REAL swears from the neighbors. If the zebra-mussel greens are down there with their tilapia invasive rats, well, I guess that's apple-snail awful! [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "FUN TIMES")] (set: $T5 to 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind +1) (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount +1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount +1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 2)

(if: $T5 is 1)[-Now then! Time to go around the room and introduce ourselves, say a fun little fact, a piece of trivia! -Oh! Oh! Could we play two truths and a lie? -Can I go first? I've got some good ones. -We can't play that because they KNOW the truths and lies! They're US! -That's true, that's true. -Not if we only use our time spent on the Varia and coming "home." -Good point! Let's do it! -No no no, that'll take FOREVER. Their lifeline JUST went through this so we'll save everyone some time and do our new and improved quick-like version: -Hello! Nice to see you again, Lifeline! Miss us? Short time no see. Probably was a matter of minutes for them. Unlikely they missed us! -Glad you're back after seeing ALL OF THIS. Now you get to experience it AGAIN(if: $intactEMP is 0)[ AND AGAIN]! 1. I get locked into the green's thrall and break Taylor's comms, cutting us off from you. But not forever! -2. T2 breaks out of that thrall and hugs me really tightly crying about that whole situation. It was a tearjerker! No lifeline, but scary green T2 was back! -3. We made it home successfully and were not infected in our landing escape pod. -Hey, Lifeline. I gotta ask. I just HAVE to ask: Do you want to just skip ahead to the part where you rewind and try again? -There is nothing you can do to stop the inevitable and cause us to ollie right off. We will enthrall T2, and Taylor's comms will get crushed, and you will lose connection with these two, and then you'll rewind. -Trust us, we've seen this EXACT situation. -So what d'ya say? [[I won't abandon them.]] [[REWIND T5x2]] ]

Hey, lifeline, thanks for the hand to hold as I step into the light but... Are we going to be good? Taylor, we are not going to be good. -Worth a shot. Ugh this will take forever. -Okay let's get back to it! -So, lifeline, what part is the lie? [[The getting home safe bit.]] [[The part where you're funny.]]

(live: 2s)[(transition: "shudder")[`[connection lost]`(masteraudio: 'stopall') (masteraudio: 'stopall')(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[REWIND to TRANSMISSION OVERRIDE->Rewind to Green Squad]] [[REWIND to Morning->Rewind to Feast]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

(live: 3.5s)[(goto: "GREEN SQUAD")] (set: $T5 to 1) (set: $rewind to $rewind +1) (set: $TayDeathCount to $TayDeathCount +1) (set: $T2DeathCount to $T2DeathCount +1) (set: $T2ylorGreenCount to $T2ylorGreenCount + 2)

Hi, lifeline. And in the flight deck we have a sleepy--Oh man I lost my bet to myself. The myself myself, not the sleepyhead myself. A miracle, truly. Let us celebrate this day for the rest of our lives. As a ritual we shall drink coffee and Mabel Juice while laying in the fluffiest of beds. Sounds contradictory, but you do you, T2. It's also the day we hit slowdown to the Solar System since you can't zoom by Sol at the speeds we're going and expect to land. We'd be a fly on the windshield of Earth like that. Still might despite all best efforts from us, you, and ASTRA. [[I won't let that happen.]] [[Where'd all that confidence go?]]

Hi, lifeline. ...I guess the adventure is almost done. And in the flight deck we have a sleepy--Oh man I lost my bet to myself. The myself myself, not the sleepyhead myself. I bet myself that you'd be asleep. A miracle, truly. Let us celebrate this day for the rest of our lives. As a ritual we shall drink coffee and Mabel Juice while laying in the fluffiest of beds. Sounds contradictory, but you do you, T2. We're about to hit slowdown to the Solar System since you can't zoom by Sol at the speeds we're going and expect to land. We'd be a fly on the windshield of Earth like that. Still might despite all best efforts from us, you, and ASTRA. [[I won't let that happen.]] [[Where'd all that confidence go?]]

Sure you won't. Just like you didn't let it happen for the rest of them. They have a foolproof plan and we have a fool's plan. Because we made the plan and we're fools thinking two Taylors can make better plan than infinite Taylors and a hivemind. ...... Here I go, chattering away to myself--not myself-myself, but to the sleepyhead myself. Same result! You're just as talkative as when you're asleep. Want to silently help me prep the escape pods or kick rocks around Trotter's lab like wayward kids in an 80s coming of age story as we emotionally chat about the sandlot and the people we like? ...... I am the ONLY one of this triangle attempting to make any contact or get anything done. You're welcome. I'd have done it anyway. But more reluctantly. See you got rid of my reluctance and plopped it on yourself. Congrats. [[Honored.]] [[Good morning, to both of you.]]

It went right where it always had been: nowhere. You are misinterpreting me: I am very confident of the final outcome of this endeavor. It will fail, being of two Taylors, and not of infinite Taylors. ...... Here I go, chattering away to myself--not myself-myself, but to the sleepyhead myself. Same result! You're just as talkative as when you're asleep. Want to silently help me prep the escape pods or kick rocks around Trotter's lab like wayward kids in an 80s coming of age story as we emotionally chat about the sandlot and the people we like? ...... I am the ONLY one of this triangle attempting to make any contact or get anything done. You're welcome. I'd have done it anyway. But more reluctantly. See you got rid of my reluctance and plopped it on yourself. Congrats. [[Honored.]] [[Good morning, to both of you.]]

I know— most of what you see is darkness between the specks of light... ...but we just can't see the Stars in those areas from where we are. There are uncountable Stars—- I wanted to say millions or billions but far more than that— in essentially every direction you see. But here in the direction of Tau Ceti, in the weird bottom of Cetus... I am waving, and a friend. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Oh man. That's a disappointment. Any time you get a clear night go outside and wave to me up here. Even if I'm in another universe—I'll still be coming from that Star. When you can, please take a look. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Oh man. I never ask you anything about your life. I mostly ramble on about my own problems or random stories from //my// life. Not fair to you, but you haven't offered much information either. We don't know much about the other, as close as I feel we are with so many life or death (and death) moments. I'd like to hear more from you, about your hopes and dreams and favorite snacks and least favorite places to visit... anything at all. I'll listen, I swear. I'll make jokes about it, but I make jokes about everything. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Okay, sure. I want me to be safe. But obviously the greens are on earth too. Right now. Or soon in the future. Or they "will have always been" or some other moonrock-valued phrase that makes my head hurt. Loops are hard on brains. I'd rather be unsafe than say goodbye to you forever. You disagree, I know from this entire discussion. But when this is over, and I'm safe... ...I don't want to say goodbye. I won't say goodbye. I want to stay. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Oh man. I thought I was calling your bluff. You really are this serious and this concerned about me staying up here. This is really an ultimatum. I'd lose you if I keep the Stars. The Stars have everything. They //are// everything. Except you. I don't want to lose you. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Oh man. That's kinda a mean move. But, props given where props deserved. You got me. I was hoping it wouldn't be a zero sum decision where only one of us gets happiness. I want to stay with my own happiness, in the Stars... ...but you're //also// my own happiness(if: $TayTrust > 10)[...more than I've ever felt in my life]... Maybe I can't make a bad decision since no matter what I'd have either one of you. Even though I want both. ....... [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Oh man. It's getting tired of me. No— that's not fair to you. You're not tired of me and my incessant jokes at the wrong time... ...and how could you become tired of my mineral puns? I didn't think our relationship was that rocky. I bet you're tired from being IT help. Virtual help since I'm always asking you to look up science information like you're my personal Siri. I'm sorry, Lifeline. I don't mean to overstay my welcome. I hope there's something I can do for you to pay you back for your help. Something besides bad jokes. Please don't say good jokes. I'm right out of those. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Aww, I know. I'm memorable and never boring. You might get tired of my atom jokes but I'm positive you can become neutral even on the negative bits. You were my first lifeline too, and I'm your first stranded astronaut. T2 is your second. ....maybe not. You've done this $rewind time(if: $rewind > 1)[s] before. Lessons learned. You're still my first lifeline, and I'll never forget you. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

.....I asked way too much of you, didn't it, and took you for granted. I've forgotten you're not actually out here, standing on the cold metal floor with linoleum walkways.... ....listening to me make too many jokes about some dumb movie I saw once when there is actual danger nearby. You know how it is to lose me, but I've never experienced losing you. ........... [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

.......... ........I'm so sorry, lifeline. I asked //way// too much from you. I'm sorry. I thought we were enjoying these adventures together, as much as near certain death and certained death can be enjoyed... ...because we got to be together. We got to talk. We could, maybe, be each others' lifelines. Holding the line from both ends. I've got slippery hands though so I haven't been holding on for you as much as you needed. I'm sorry. .... Really sorry, Lifeline. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

That's true, I usually don't have a backup plan, and certainly wouldn't have much in the way of master plans if it wasn't for you, lifeline. They DO have Regina and the rest of the entirety of the green hive mind. I won't let you tell me that I'm dumb, too, but we—the Taylors that are green— can't POSSIBLY NOT have a way to fix spacetime without the issue of us—T2 and me, us. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

It's not playing with timeloops. It's not messing with them either. It's refusing to let the consequences happen. We're done that before, both of us. That... refusal of an outcome, no matter how inevitable it seems... It feels like that's your power, too, to help me be brave like that. I got out of the time loop on the Viridian, thanks to you. (Unless: $tort is 1)[And I—T2– didn't keep going down //that// worrisome path.] Not everything is looped. And not //everything// is playing. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

So it is. A shame. No, it... really puts a damper on the movie idea. What if I gave you the rights to the option money, eh? Would that suffice? I don't think it would, but maybe I'm wrong. But you could be happy with that sweet little nest egg. And I'd know that I was able to help you out a bit. For once... [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Oh man! That's the dream! One of them. The Stars don't talk about movies or option money but I think they'd approve. I can dictate the script to you if you act as the go-between with the top-end producers. Any universe's producers would love this idea, especially since it'd be written by someone from //another universe//. That'd be so cool. How could they NOT jump at the chance! [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Yeah? T2 is a Taylor too. I know this, lifeline. I've had that existential crisis a few times already. My point is that maybe it isn't inevitable, and if it is, don't we have to fight back however we can? If we DO have to go back to Earth a different way, to complete the loop, later... ...that's a much better choice than jumping headlong into their plan and potentially infecting everyone I know and have ever loved. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

I'm going to ignore both the insult to my Deception stat and historical insult to my Insight stat. Even though my intelligence stat says that you're right. I don't think they're bluffing. I think they're fully serious. Which either means that we'll break spacetime either way... ...Or that what we choose is inevitably to go back to Earth. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

That they will— wait. Oh man. That doesn't sound as good as it first seemed. Even if it's broken they could win by that logic. And I don't really want to live in a universe that's broken. The Green Squad and the greens in general are not gentle with their equipment. And I know that they see us as hosts instead of people, so that's what we are. Equipment for maintenance and to hopefully not break. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Exactly. If this is a big issue for them they can clean up the mess themselves. I'm not their maid. I barely cleaned up our own wrappers on the starship. I can keep house, or at least a dorm room, or a starship. If breaking spacetime is a major issue for them, then they can be the ones to fix it. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Oh, I see what you're doing. It's reverse psychology. You want me to go back to Earth, so you're telling me to stay in the Stars. So do I take you at your word, or take you at your implied word? [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Oh, I see what you're doing. It's reverse reverse psychology! You want me to go back to Earth, so you're telling me to go back to Earth, so I think you want me to stay in the Stars, so I decide to go back to Earth. Very clever. You'd give Vizzini a run for his money at the game of wits! [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

T2 knew about it from the greens, sure. That's because //I// don't know how to do the trick. Mari Lee is an exceptional pilot and navigator. That trick must be second nature to her. Hell, maybe it's even first nature— I don't know if she grew up swinging between black holes instead of swings at the playground. Basically, I trust her to have made it out of there alive and unharmed, thanks to my help. The small amount of help I could give her. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

They //totally// are strong. Super strong. Supernaturally strong. While Mari may not be physically strong— oh man, maybe she is? I never saw her bench press anything— she's clever. The same way I'm clever with you by my side, science by my other side... ...and a lack of self preservation due to excitement from explosions at my back. I have to hope she survived and made it home since I have no way to prove it otherwise. And hey— believing in something makes it slightly less fake. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

She was my role model, and I wish her the best with her baby. Oh man, I hope they both make it back home safe. Along with Captains Shepard and Aya! But I'm not beholden to her, and she can't judge me. I'm out here doing my best and what I love. Isn't that enough? Can't that be enough? [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

I will be safe, Lifeline. You, T2, and the Stars keep me safe. I have learned a lot about life out here, in the Stars, and how to survive it. I've seen what can happen, first and second hand, and I'm prepared to deal with those odds whenever I set out for a new Star. I can't predict how the dice will land but I have faith that it won't be snake eyes. Or three snake eyes. ....did that sound cool to you? [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Oh no not the 'quencies! Ugh. Those 'quencies really get you in these spacetravel times. You WANT daring adventure and glory but you GET morning sickness and beans. You WANT esoteric knowledge and mysterious crystal rocks. You GET explosions and cramps. (Stomach, leg, and otherwise). Sometimes the consequences of spacetravel don't really fit the promotional flyers, eh? [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

All the way out here?! A cosmic stork you are. Dispatched straight from the nebulas with their Star nurseries and daycare centers... ...where the wee little gas globs learn to burn their hydrogen so bright! And swirl around their gases to make some planets and a whole family of pets. Or stuffed animals. Stuffed rocks. I'm losing the stork joke, aren't I? [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

I haven't given up hope. Hope is something you can do without any action. Might I remind you of my grandma's saying? "Hope costs nothing, some French chick said that." I can have hope that she made it out of there alive while not being able to check on her or do anything myself. You have to do that with me sometimes. I'm not always giving you updates on everything I say or do. Most of the time I do but an astronaut has to have a little privacy to use the bathroom. Which you appreciate, I'm sure. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Excuse me?! What would //you// want me to do about it?! I'm not letting her die— I did the best I could and sacrificed myself so she and her baby could have a chance! Do I have to carry the fire of her memory too and bring that back to Earth? Seriously, is that what you want? Because that's not how you convince me to give up all my dreams. Dammit! Guilt is terrible. And guiltrippers are worse! [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "Angry")

Yeah, Lifeline, I //know//. I may be a dreamer but I'm not only one. I can also be a realist. And the realism says that they're all dead. Even Mari Lee might be all dead. Damn! It hurts to think about too much. If I failed so hard out here should I go back? Or would it be even worse to confront the Mari Lee of this universe... or her baby. And know there are two people missing just like them. I need a minute. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "Angry")

I know I'm not but maybe I will be. If Mari lives and makes it back to Earth and doesn't have anyone else she'd name. I wouldn't be a very good godparent since I'll be out-of-the-universe most of the time. Maybe I'll stop by for holidays and the baby's first band recital. You //have// to go to those. They are //mandatory//! See! I know how to be a godparent. Even if I'm not one. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

I do? I'm very happy and calm right now. Because there's joy in the feeling of being part of something and coming home to something greater than yourself... ...while including yourself. ..... Crap. That DOES sound like being under the greens' hypnosis. But... it's different because this isn't alien parasites. It's literal forces of the universe. It's different. It's very different. Right? [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

I will miss being around people. That was what I missed most of all when I crashed on that moon. Why you were and are(!) so important to me. I need to talk and hear my thoughts out loud and have that feedback about my standup routine about space dust. (Have you heard it yet? Remind me to fill you in later— I'm workshopping the explosion jokes. Or, well, the presentation would be for you, my only audience. Table for one to watch as I stare at you and make jokes on a large empty stage. Depressing, and very me. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

You sound so angry despite there being only punctuation. How would this hurt you? I'd just be staying out here, not dying. I know you're concerned about me dying out here and I take it you've been shook up when I've died in the past. That still feels weird to say since I'm very alive right now and intend to stay that way, thank you very much, greens and the apathetic forces of entropy. I want to live. I want to live my life that you tried so hard to save. Please tell me that isn't selfish. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Aw what can I say when you're being so polite? Or so desperate, which makes me feel guilty about this talk. Lifeline, I really appreciate all you've done for me. You've saved me so many times. I'd normally trust everything you say I should do because it's gotten me through everything since we met. But... I don't think you understand this feeling. I don't think you //can// understand this feeling. This isn't a quick half-thought out idea. It's rooted in my heart. ........ [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Oh man. Lifeline, why do you have to tug my heartstrings? What about you? You're the one on this list I've been with the longest— besides "the future of humanity"— so why not you? Maybe I've taken you for granted throughout these adventures since //you've// never been in any danger yourself. You've always been there as the little comforting beeps of sanity. The heartbeat of a pulsar in the remnants of a supernova. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

That's the hardest part of all— coming home. I don't know if I can. Maybe I'm like Odysseus who spent ten years at war (fighting the greens) and another ten getting home (that EVA). And when he finally got home had to reclaim his home from invaders (the greens)... ....and then left again to go adventure elsewhere (the Stars). That rings a bell to me. Hopefully for you. It hasn't been ten or twenty years but after that he still wasn't content at home. He felt adventure and needed to stay out there. Maybe that's my home, too. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Not required, but I have a feeling it's appreciated. You //have// saved my life a few more times than is reasonably necessary. In fact, if I were a cat like old Tom, I'd have been in kitty heaven by now without your help, so I really do mean it. I probably owe you a few life debts. Feel free to cash in whenever I'm around. .... Which means I might have to listen to you. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

You know that's not true! It's going to be nonstop stress when I get back there. From dealing with ASTRA to explaining T2 to making sure no one hurts my twin to greeting my family to explain everything that happened and not get called crazy to making sure everything else is the same in this crazy universe. And that's if and only if I'm not OOO. That's a silly little acronym I made up. Occupied On Outset. Meaning that I swallow a green as my toast to making it to Earth. There's no choice there. There never has been. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Hey, you're right. I said "make a choice" not "choose a particular path." Semantics, schemantics, and schematics. To even get a choice in this should be cause for a major party. I get to choose my destiny— Stars or earth. Sky or land. Choices scare me since I know I could flip the coin wrong and end up smeared across the steel hull of the ship. The greens' offer has always been to no longer get a choice. That's scary— you lose everything even condiment preferences (it's //always// verde sauce)... ...but you gain a reassurance from no longer second guessing every move. You know you can simply follow. Unless the choice is for ghost pepper sauce. Then I'm morally obligated to save my tastebuds and stomach lining and abstain. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Oh come on! As Tom Petty says: The waaaaaiting is the hardest part! The final hour of the roadtrip where you're no longer rushing on highways but in stop and go traffic and the passing landscapes are becoming mundane. The anxious anticipation for when the movie starts and maybe you could have ran off to the bathroom but now you can't but you could have if you just left so go now but you missed your chance. I don't want to hang on anymore and continue until I don't know when. You don't know when! I need a break! To relax! I'm burnt out. I want to shine. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Their home can be my home. Maybe I was meant to be at home among the Stars. Isn't that everything we've been discussing? To go home, led by someone who knows you well and knows where that home is? I trust that our homes are the same... Made with stardust spread throughout the cosmos, touching every rock and photon and trace of comet tail from here to the edge of all universes. That's everywhere, and that's my home, and their home. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

It's not that easy, lifeline. If it was this discussion would have been over by now, in your favor. We're connected too, you and me. Maybe we're from the same star, but different universes' versions of that star. We're both stardust. So really that's the kicker. I trust my atoms right now. I trust my physical being, with all its molecular structure built from the burning and shining of so many stars. It's innate. It's not so easy to dismiss. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Oh man. You have? Where was it? Yellowstone? Key West? La Rumorosa? Doesn't matter where it is so long as you saw them in all their glory. But... I suppose there's a difference seeing them through earth's atmosphere— a mile of nitrogen and other gas.... ....and seeing them from up here, next to them. With them. They don't twinkle out here without that atmosphere but they're so bright, lifeline. They're so bright and I can feel them burning and shining. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Well, aren't you full of knowledge. I bet you have a full psychological profile of me in your hands on your comms device. Every fear I've felt, every joy I've experienced, every time I feel thirsty or hungry... ...when I'm mad, when I'm sad. Surely you know me better than myself. You don't //need// to try to understand me in a way I'm begging you to understand. Just look up at the Stars one night, or now. Maybe you'll understand then. Or maybe not. Maybe there's a barrier of atmosphere and stardust in the way. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

No smog in the desert! Even less on a desert moon! You're right— is IS clearer in the desert with the dry air and no clouds and wonderful weather. (I'm Texan after all!) Maybe I could move to a place down on Earth with that dry weather— well outside Austin city limits and away from the 'burbs. Somewhere high in the mountains to be closer to the Stars, if only a few thousand feet closer. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

And I currently have moreso a connection with the giant hunk of metal under my feet providing artificial gravity... ...than with the Earth. But for real, I am made of Stardust. As Carl Sagan, a role model throughout my life has said: I am made of Starstuff. In some ways— a lot of ways— I have less in common with the earth and more in common with the Stars. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Oh man. I do? I'd have to believe you since I don't remember it at all. I remember enough about myself rambling, and about the gentle hug I felt at the peak... But nothing about the run back to the White Star. I read enough of the comms log to know what I said but I don't know what I sounded like. It //is// a soft embrace.... I know it's different. But it is similar. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Oh man, okay I see why you think it's sus. I'd say the same if you started talking like this, or if T2 started talking like this. (Maybe not T2, I was really gullible about that imposter on the ship.) But the Stars aren't imposters, I know that much. The Stars are whatever they are. Balls of gas and fire and plasma and nuclear reactions sending heat and light all the way across the universe. So many universes! And their light is forever among us. That's why I trust them. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

I'm still really really REALLY far away... ....but I have the Stars! ....that sounds less sad and pathetic in my head. I forgot that you also see the Stars and that it's different out here. It really is. Not lonely at all. It's full of gas and dust and with each cycle of rebirth it's almost living. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

They've been a guide. They've been a constant. They never change but they also let me play with shapes and creativity. They're still here after all this time being lost and being a scraggly cat. And they can't smell me, which is a plus. (The hydrogen smells worse than my IEVA suit reek.) They listen to me, calling out into the emptiness.... Strangely, it feels like I'm describing something or someone else. ........ [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

I'm not sure we can. They had the specs fully figured out. Better math on the Greens' side than on our side. Your side included, likely. None of the other Taylors and T2s made it. The ones that made it home first, I mean. The ones who landed human and exited the pod green. Assuming that's how it happened with the med team they mentioned. We'd make it back to Earth human, but not live on Earth that way. I don't want that for anyone. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Glad you got it. Glad you see that for the sake of the universe and humanity we're doing this. If we can save one universe, then maybe we'll break their time loop. And they won't be able to harm anyone ever again. And then maybe you won't ever have to rewind again. Since we'll be safe. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Yeah, yeah. I know. "If you're not the solution, you're the precipitate." I've heard that. If I don't get involved, if I don't help the world with my knowledge and experience... ...then I may end up crashing to the ground of the earth and being left behind as scientific crud. (Crud is an actual science term. It was used in a paper, and by my lab manager.) I wish being part of the solution was floating freely in it. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

I did not want to speak to a manager. Who does? What does it solve? Especially when that manager is an alien queen with glowing eyes and hypnotizing my twin self to nearly cut all ties with you. People should chill out. Mostly the managers. I'm not sure if anyone will try to help or believe our story. I have doubts about the last time I called ASTRA for help, when I left Tau Ceti IV's moon. Speaking to an ASTRA manager likely wouldn't get much changed. I'm one person. Er, two people. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

They're not space-based, so even if they help, it won't be at the root of the problem— the aliens coming over to earth. I think we need to get Ender involved and deal with the Formics where they live. "The enemy's gate is down," after all. It's a lot of hassle and death, but so was everything the occupiers did to us. Maybe to protect myself from that hassle, I need to not be involved. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Oh man. That due is probably incredibly overdue. I'm so sorry. I don't know how to wire a payment method over to you besides gratitude and awful punny jokes while you've done so much for me. ASTRA //needs// to compensate you. Time, emotional damages... (if: $rewind > 0)[especially with all our deaths...)] I don't know how to repay you. Except by... [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Sure, the eyes make a good case. //T2// makes a good case. T2 is literally another me and should prove this warning true, or at least having enough merit for a participatory embroidered badge. I worry about how they'd verify T2, and that they'd treat //me// like the Taylor and T2 like the alien. We have to be ready for that, and I don't think I am. T2 isn't. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Right! Good call! Let me bring out my speed dial of Reagan Ridley for this. We'll let her know we need to keep this on the lowest D-L that THEY can't even be part of the D-L! It's the Mariana's Trench of D-Ls. And we're the //Thermococcus barophilus//! [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

That's right. Magical radiation-storing rocks are worth a pretty penny. A penny so pretty it could go on Next Top Model and win before the first round is over. Or maybe win Miss America. Nah I got it: Miss Universe. I value our lives, but we're not worth that much to rescue, or to risk the entirety of humanity to save. I'm sorry. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Um. Yeah. Don't worry about my butt scar. Please and thank you. It's between myself and my time-looped twin. And that's it. ANYWAY. We have more important matters to discuss such as saving the universe as a side effect of personal decisions. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

It's a matter of words that mostly matter to people of matter. So does it matter? ...What's the matter? Was I not clear enough? Call me a space explorer then if the nomenclature is a quasar of a dealbreaker. Star explorer, maybe. Stellarnaut? Cosmonaut? Astronaut. Astronaut still works. I'll just be an astronaut. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

"Ah, but you have heard of me." I wonder how many people will hear of me. I can explore with you and T2, but no one else will hear of what we see. That's kind of lonely, if I'm being honest. I love research, and learning what I can about the universe and everything that makes it up... But I also love sharing that knowledge with others and learning from them. I can't imagine I'd see much of that. Creating meaning through my own experiences and not worrying about that connection might take getting used to... [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Space police rules are meant to be broken. I follow my own moral code since not all laws are to be followed. Also, like, cops are dumb. Screw them. Let's be pirates. Come on. It'll be fun. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Oh man. Boarding? Like boarding a ship and seizing their supplies. I would want to share supplies. That sounds more like being traders or merchants than pirates. I don't want to steal things from other astronauts. There isn't exactly bountiful supplies of goods hanging out aboard ships. This might cause problems. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Oh man. I can hear your sarcasm though text but I'm still going to interpret it as a compliment. I may not be skilled in all aspects of this job, but I can try interning before I hit the entry level jobs. Maybe get three years of experience first. With T2, our experience should count as double. So we've got, like, a pretty darn good bit of experience. Just enough to fluff a resumé. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Yes? Your point being?! I'm //just saying// that the spirit of adventure might put a bit of stellar breeze in the sails of my confidence. You got to keep a pure heart out here amid all the chaos of the dark void. I think I can help with that. T2 can be the shoulder devil to your shoulder angel if need arises. A balancing act for all involved to make the best and most exciting choices! [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

You've only seen me in the direst of straights where that's a correct assessment! You haven't seen me back home where I am somewhat in control of my situation and somewhat more competent than I've been out here. Staring danger in the eye while performing a science experiment for the fun of it has always been a pastime of mine. Not EVERYTHING exploded. Honestly most didn't explode which was for the house's—and me and my parents' best. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Less danger, true, that's fair. But also— hear me out on this— less pirates. That's a significant detraction and con on the pro/con list. Adding pirates to the mix is always better for stories. Adds a bit of flair to mundane space adventures. What's the saying? "A ship in a harbor is safe, but that's not why ships were made." [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Glad you asked! There's some earth soil in my bio lab in the back of the ship. It might be presumptuous of me to say it's only MY lab because Antoine worked on growing some veggies as a side project. A hobby. I focused on lichen and rats, as you know. I could dig up some soil, though the digging is through some cabinets... And I could rehydrate the soil, though the rehydration is from our waste water. There! A jar of dirt to keep me safe from celestial dangers! But I doubt that there are any dangers from the Stars. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

We'll find others. Probably not many in this sector of the galaxy. We're smack-dab in the middle of nowhere out here in the Cetus sector. But maybe if we travel around to Sagittarius sector we'll find more people to make use of the autocorrect and rendezvous with. Sector Sagittarii is always a party, if I've heard tales from Adair! [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

I thought that was why you wanted to talk about this decision first? ........... ...................... [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

I know this, but... ....can't two things be true at the same time? Enjoying spacetravel and being back on Earth? Obviously one can't happen with continuing the other. So maybe it can't be true at the same time. How about... good memories of spacetravel... ...despite everything horrible and traumatic that happened over this adventure. So that we can look back on these times— even the worst ones— and have a good laugh reminiscing about them. Together. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Fair point. "Into the Unknown" is, one may anticipate, full of unknowns. I do have no idea what I'll find out here exploring— it could be death and dismemberment or poison gas from a moon crater or radiation from a wayby meteor... ...but that's more exciting than being hit by a car. Or catching a plague. Or being occupied by a green. It's true adventure in the final frontier and all great astronauts have been like this: Unafraid, or at least assuming of, the possibility that everything will go wrong... ...but more than ever loving every moment of when it goes right. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Turn that frown upside down and that thumb also upside down from being upside down. You're not my mom or middle school algebra teacher lecturing me on how to use the distributive property. You're my friend who's usually down for adventures and encouraging me to do risky exploits—safely— but still risky. (Not as if I have many choices in which exploits are full of risk or not since that's all of them.) Where's your fun? Your curiosity? Your celestial whimsy? [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Did you forget? Oh man. You definitely forgot. I am the Captain of this starship! You are my first mate and T2 is the parrot, named Tayloro. (Or that will be the name of the robo-parrot.) So what I say goes on this ship unless there's either a mutiny with you and T2 or we all come to a nice tidy agreement. Just kidding. Mostly. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

//Sliced// liver. BBQ'd liver. My grandma had a recipe for barbecued liver that she found at an estate sale. I was not a fan of it, not as if she ever cooked it. Back to the point, you're not chopped or sliced or julianed liver at ALL. You're a real deal. The best guide I've ever had. I'd call you my North Star. Can I call you my North Star? I need to remember that I have more than just myself, myself, and I out here to help. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Wait, lifeline, that's not what I meant. At first I didn't know you— that's how most people meet each other— and I had to trust you because you were the only one my Q-Comm reached. But Captain Aya and the rest of the crew is what got me to the Varia's wreck site. I could have just laid down and died in the escape pod. You ended up being the best I could ever hope for— beyond what I could ever hope for. But in that first day that hope was for them, and Captain Aya. And I needed that. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Right, thanks. Um. Thanks. It means a lot that I might have meant a lot to her. That I //mean// a lot to her. That we could share the jar of "emergency cookies" in the navigation room again. Which I can't do since she's not on this ship, not on this universe, and maybe... ...not in this life. [[$TayStarsixk->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

You knew them less than I did. You knew them secondhand and only stories for Captain Aya. Well, I guess you did hear Captain Shepard as everything was going down, but she wasn't talking to you. She wanted me to live, and, again, this is the best way to avoid the greens: not going back to Earth. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

That's not wrong. A will is a good way to get your wishes known by the world after you're no longer there to speak for yourself. Living wills also exist, in case you're incapacitated. But if it's not written down then it's not a message to the living. It's a cold document full of questions and what ifs and "is that all" and vague and specific sadnesses. It's also the formal shoes of the final goodbye, not a love letter or post-humous hate mail. We have to guess. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

...... I really don't remember the details anymore. It's faded a lot— maybe entirely. That's... kinda scary, mostly sad. Are all people and memories that vague and easy to forget? Will I forget most or all of my friends and family? Will they forget me if I don't go back to them? I think the scariest part is I would never find out. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Hang on I'm trying to describe it. It's very unique, you know, and despite my wondrous abilities painting visual pictures with my mouth words... ....I'm having a hard time coming up with the description. You //know// I know it. It's on the tip of my tongue. Like how she might have stuck her tongue out slightly when laughing? Maybe? [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Have you ever used a polar grid in math class? Or more importantly your life? Well, you should. It's so useful since you can graph spirals and hearts— they're appropriately called "cardioids"— and other shapes with radians rather than degrees. Hence my radical joke. Also hence my polarizing joke. Thirdly hence my cold joke. About the polar ice caps. You laughed at these dumb jokes— don't lie to me. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Well, she's really smart and always would beat me at Monopoly. And yes, we are the family the plays together and somehow stays together. She's not the easiest to get along with and is very particular about her tastes but loves what she loves with the bottom of her heart. She's a good person, and a great sister. I would like to see her again, at least to say my trip is going to be much longer than I thought. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Oh man. That sounds awesome. I don't think my sister would be down for inserting her consciousness into a robot SOMA-style or ALT-style— She had said she'd want to reanimate a park bench in order to scare people and create a haunted folklore legend— ....but I've never asked her directly about the robot body so MAYBE that answer will be a maybe. ........... Hee.! Hee.! Hee.! *Robotic laughter!* ...... Maybe. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

You're saying my sister has a generic laugh? Oh man. I suppose there are a lot of people on earth and there are only so many different ways that a person can laugh. Maybe it's true that her laugh isn't exactly unique and I can make it up in my mind. A connection of sorts to every human on earth, something we can share, even out here. Even when it's only my own laugh I hear. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

The memory is what's gone, unless you're waxing poetic about the memory of the memory. The memory I have of her isn't fading but it'll never get any new memories. Those keep memories fresh in your mind. Sometimes they'll change the old ones, just a bit, with little insights and new details swirling in like a soup. Oh man. I miss her. I also miss soup. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Too bad, so sad. Here's your hanky, Taylor, now go on— cry about your long forgotten sister's laugh. It's not like you're debating if it's worth it to continue on this path. It's not like you've gone through more crap that anyone— let alone a student astronaut— could make it through without feeling a little bad about. I'll make it through. I always have. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Aww, really? Two is too much? To me, that's too little. Well, maybe not. We two sure did see too many Taylors. And if we go home, we're never going to hear the end of ourselves. Too much for you to hear too. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

They do— you can't have echoes without sound waves, to make memory scientific. So even that memory comes from somewhere in the universe. You know that you can't create or destroy matter? You can make it into energy though, and have that trail on forever and ever into the universe. Even they will be remembered through these echoes. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

How do you know? How do you define "fine" anyway? I think we'll be fine out here. I certainly don't have any evidence to back that up, which isn't a great look for a scientist. Even a student one. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Then it can't cause very much damage if we haven't been able to find any of it yet. It's the Stars' radiation. It can't be harmful to me. Or to T2. It's from the Stars. It can't be harmful. I have no evidence for that but I feel... energized when I look at them. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

"We are all made of starstuff." It's comforting to know we're connected out here, to everything. (Except, maybe, hydrogen since it's basic.) And that this beautiful life comes from a violent explosion.... That begins to form again in an endless cycle of creation and destruction. Burning and shining... Shining and burning... [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

What is a sundae but a less healthy banana split? You can tell everyone that you had a banana for breakfast! Or lunch! Or even a snack! Sure, the banana comes with a large side of ice cream which also has a large side of fudge and caramel and sprinkles and nuts, but that's on the side. What were we talking about again? I'm hungry. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

I know it's everywhere, even on Earth. On Earth it's not stellar radiation, but the idea sounds better when it's from the Stars. Which it's not when it's on Earth. When it's in the Stars it's fine. It's comforting. And I'd rather have this nice comforting radiation than man-made from stuff we don't fully understand. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Fine. But it's made me lose sleep. A lot of sleep, that second night on the moon, and only made my paranoia worse. Seriously? Just pareidolia? Nope. It was real. Scary real. Living the bright day in the feeling you feel when you lay down to sleep after watching The Ring Of course there's no TV-enthused in the hallway. But what if there WAS?! The what ifs eat you alive. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

A full lifetime? So we'd never go back to Earth? That sounds... kind of exciting. We could be the lab rats of radiation research! We could find out what really happens to people after so long exposed to the Stars. We wouldn't ever report our findings, but you would know them and could report them! Scientific study partners! [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

That's true. It's a long ways off for either of us, at least, by the time it would start to kill us. We'd be old seniors with walkers— or perhaps we'd lower the G levels— but we'd be dealing with the radiation effects in that state. Assuming we're not half robots due to upcoming tech. That'd be awesome and totally worth it. Who would install the robot halves though...? [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

All things are slowly killing you. The air you breathe is slowly killing you. Your cells are too by how they multiply. The Greens kill you quickly though and that's, how do you put it? Bad. Comma very. But the stars are saving us from a lot of those issues. Keeping us so safe. I think. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Okay. You've done it. That sounds awesome. I didn't grow an extra arm or eye camping out by the Varia's reactor core, but there's still time for that. Maybe I'll get some cool superpowers! Maybe I can find that my powers let me teleport, or have frightening fire powers, or weird telepathic mind connections, or not tripping over the last stairwell step at home! Well, not the last since the step isn't in the Stars and that one is a LOT to ask for. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

He chose the Taylor from this universe. Not ME. That Taylor isn't here anymore. I wish that Taylor's family and Tom the best, but... They're not MY family. I don't know what happened to MY family. And they'll never know. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

I'm not...happy, no, but... He doesn't know I'm still alive. He doesn't know that there's //a Taylor// still alive. Tom is smart, he'll know I'm not the same one. So I'm not leaving him. His Taylor never came back. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "star sick")

He also doesn't have that extra teaspoon of salmon. We always lose something, as much as we love that something... or someone. I do miss him. A lot. An awful lot. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Ha. He probably doesn't need that with his stomach problems. (The gas smelled like a fist to the face when it was two inches from my nose). I know what you mean. It's a simple treat, but a peaceful morning ritual. It's the simple things, the routines, that make the days pass so quickly... ...but so nicely. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

And I miss him too! But I'm not his Taylor. His Taylor died in the crash. MY Tom is in another universe, alone. I probably never will be able to go back to that universe, back to my Tom. I hope he's doing alright... wherever he is. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

It sure sounds like it! Why bring him into all this? You make me feel guilty that I'm not his Taylor and can't do anything about it! He'll know I'm not the same one that left him. I don't know what to do about it, let alone with your guilting. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

I won't. I won't know what happened to MY Tom. You know, the one on the other side of the black hole? I feel like I abandoned him back there. I HAD to... to break the time loop. I don't regret that. I do regret not being able to help THAT Tom. I guess I can still help another Tom, if he'll let me.... ....... [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

...... What are you implying? Are you saying that whatever happens to him isn't my fault? As if I hadn't ran off into this weird, crappy, b-list sci-fi adventure he'd be fine and happy? And alive? Great. A real live guilt trip. //Thanks, lifeline.// [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

.... ....... Want to talk about Schrodinger's Cat instead of my ACTUAL cat? [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

"Beautiful... just beautiful!" He's a companion and friend through it all. God, I so badly want to hug him one more time. I hope he has a lot of happy memories of me, I surely do for him. And I hope he's alright. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Hey! I didn't know that fun fact. I studied a whole bunch of biology systems and taxonomy and my mind is blown. We've gotta find some key lime pie plants, or the regional variant: lemon meringue. You're SO knowledgeable about plant hybrids. Do they grow in space? The ceiling height is marginal here. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

I'll have to change my diet, yes. There aren't many animals in space—dogs and rats and a few fish experiments. I don't have it in my heart to raise them and then butcher them for meat. If someone else does it, it's called a yummy hamburger and I graciously dig in. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

So are ghost peppers. They taste like death. Actually, no, that's incorrect. They FEEL LIKE DEATH. Did I ever tell you about that time I dared myself to eat one? I dumped the phone with the video evidence my friends gathered in the Colorado River, but, cloud technology, you know? I pray you will never see it so my dignity will remain intact. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Oh. Man. It does. In order to do any planetary exploring we have to land this lovely hunk of metal. That doesn't bother me but the uncontrolled impact surely will. I didn't feel capable of landing the White Star myself, and that ship was smaller and easier to maneuver! ....We'd have to survive off salt and black peppercorn. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Says the person spared from the taste of the powdered beverages. Here, let me show you: Go out to the store and buy some kool-aid mix. Whatever flavor you want, except it has to be orange. Then remove all the sugar and plop it in lukewarm water so it doesn't fully dissolve. I assure you that your walls are safe from demolition by a giant bowl of fruit punch because there is no fruity punch besides regret. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

I am, aren't I? Complaining in addition to humor is one of my coping mechanisms. Cracking jokes about my diet makes the "Powdered Orange Beverage" go down. Like a cynical Mary Poppins. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

As much as I complain, I would not complain about a nice homemade meal cooked with love, or some greasy takeout. I know, I know it's not possible... but a lonely astronaut can dream a little, right? I miss my parents, and grandma and uncle and aunts and cousins and everyone. I miss the food they'd make for holidays or surprise visits. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "Lonely")

"Complain complain is all you did I finally had to close the lid." But YOU can't close the lid. Only T2 can, but won't. You'll have complaints in stereo! Doesn't solve the food problem, but it's fun. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

By all means, hear me roar then. `*Ahem*` `[Taylor is complaining]` How was that? Up to snuff? Oh man. The comms didn't pick it up. Damn. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited"

Oh really? What would it take to convince you? A critic's scathing review? Written testimony by gastronomic experts? A Parisian rat gagging and switching to the more edible rat traps? That last would be extreme, but I'd love to try the exquisite flavors of CGI rat. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Haha! School's out! for! summer! School's! Out! For! Ever! [[You done now?]] [[Oh, you do still want to chat.]]

I //do// but what is there to chat about? It's been a week for me out here. I'm on my way home to experimentation and rejection. Or just becoming green'd on arrival. Again. I'm nervous about that landing regardless of the aliens on the ground since I've //never landed in an escape pod// from what I can remember. And worst of all I'm out of funny jokes and you do NOT want to hear the absolute dregs of my joke book. [[You definitely landed on that moon in the escape pod.]] [[What else is eating you?]]

Sure, but I passed out sometime on the way down, from fear or nerves or the spin-- something. I woke up on that godforsaken moon so I don't know how that feels. I don't even remember what takeoff feels like beyond the nerves going up here on the Varia. I was not in a mental place-- or physical one-- when leaving the moon either. [[Gotta work on that memory.]] [[That's rough, buddy.]]

Yeah, yeah. Tell that to the trauma-brain. If the greens didn't impact my psyche from the visceral body horror, immeasureable loneliness, and despairing moral injuries from what I've done... `[T2 is shrugging]` Then the tendrils through my nerves, arteries, and every micro-vein would do the trick. I don't remember. Leave me alone. (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - 1)

My moon girlfriend? Super shady. Reddit would have a field day with that story if anyone would believe me. For the record, I broke up with //her//. She didn't break up with me.

You think? I think the Greens are scarier than a rogue asteroid here or there. They're not sentient... in the same way. I mean, the Greens are sentient hive mind blobs out to kill us. Meteors don't think. They just ARE. And they're not murderers. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

If I do, then I'll live. Like last time. I have you to rely on and help me through things. And I have T2 to help me in person. You make me confident when I'm really not. It's a good feeling. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Have I had enough bad luck recently to wish for some good luck? That's not something I can answer truthfully. The crash was unlucky, then came you, then the greens showed up, then the White Star showed up.... But now I have this chance, then it might turn out to be crap. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Yeah. We'd be on our own out here. I still don't think we'd get hit by a meteor (or asteroid as that's the correct name). But even then, we'd probably die in explosive decompression in a few seconds. No time for any emergency signals to go out or come in. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

I knew you wouldn't understand. That's okay. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Wow. That's some foreboding statement. I thought you'd trust me enough to not get randomly killed. We won't have to deal with the Greens since we're not completing the loop. And, importantly, I can't find it in my heart to believe that every single organism out here in space wants to kill me. I can't. I refuse. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

There are... things out here. Wow that sounded a bit desperate. There are things out here! That sounded better. And we can explore the things! I'm a science student, and not the most articulate one. As an inarticulate science student I can also confirm that if there are not things out there then there is only a void. ...and a void is itself a thing. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Can't say my arm improved since the Great Glowstick Shotput of Tau Ceti IV. It's still a weak swing. If I even hit it. I couldn't hit the ball on the t-ball pedestal in pee-wee baseball and nothing has changed since then. So maybe baseball and, you know, sports in general are out for me. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Mathematically it should be approaching zero. But I am bad at math. So maybe it's not approaching zero. ....ugh. Numbers never made sense to me. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Aw, you don't need to be certified to fly a starship or practice emergency first aid. I certainly didn't care about any beauracratic red tape when I did it. I had your help and the tiny bit of autopilot which was good enough. As a team of three, we can handle most anything out there! [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

(link: " `~*~`0110100001100101011011000110110001101111`~*~` ")[(transition: "dissolve")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE3', 'play') `~*~` hello hello hello `~*~`] <center>{ (unless: $whoyou is 1)[ [[Who are you?]] ] (unless: $whostarstuff is 1)[ [[Who is starstuff?]] ] (unless: $whostargazer is 1)[ [[Who is stargazer?]] ] </center>} (stop:) |more>[] ]

(link: " `~*~`011101110110010100100000011000010111001001100101001000000110100101101110011001100110100101101110011010010111010001111001`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE3', 'play') `~*~` we are infinity `~*~`] <center>{ (unless: $whostarstuff is 1)[ [[Who is starstuff?]] ] (unless: $whostargazer is 1)[ [[Who is stargazer?]] ] (if: $whostargazer + $whoyou is 2)[ [[StarQuestions2]] ]</center>} (set: $whoyou to 1)

(link: " `~*~`0111010001101000011001010010000001101111011011100110010100100000011101110110100001101111001000000110010001110010011001010110000101101101011100110010000001110100011011110111010101100011011010000110010101100100001000000111011101101001011101000110100000100000011011110111010101110010001000000110011101101001011001100111010001110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE4', 'play') `~*~` the one who dreams touched with our gifts `~*~` `[Taylor is yawning]` Not the time for a catnap. Can't I stay awake?] <center>{ (unless: $whoyou is 1)[ [[Who are you?]] ] (unless: $whostargazer is 1)[ [[Who is stargazer?]] ] (if: $whostargazer + $whoyou is 2)[ [[StarQuestions2]] ]</center>} (set: $whostarstuff to 1)

(link: " `~*~`0111010001101000011001010010000001101111011011100110010100100000011101110110100001101111001000000111001101100101011001010111001100100000011000010110001101110010011011110111001101110011001000000111010001101001011011010110010100100000011000010110111001100100001000000111001101110000011000010110001101100101`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE5', 'play') `~*~` the one who sees across time and space `~*~` Lifeline, can you read me?] <center>{ (if: $whoyou is 0)[ [[Who are you?]] ] (if: $whostarstuff is 0)[ [[Who is starstuff?]] ] (if: $whostarstuff + $whoyou is 2)[ [[StarQuestions2]] ]</center>} (set: $whostargazer to 1)

(link: " `~*~``~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play') `~*~` we are infinity `~*~`] <center>{ (unless: $keepsafe is 1)[ [[You want to keep them safe?]] ] (unless: $youdo is 1)[ [[What will you do to them?]] ] (unless: $trustyou is 1)[ [[How can I trust you?]] ]</center>}

(link: " `~*~`011101000110100001100101011110010010000001110111011010010110110001101100001000000110001001110101011100100110111000100000011000010110111001100100001000000111001101101000011010010110111001100101`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE3', 'play') `~*~` they will burn and shine `~*~`] <center>{ (unless: $youdo is 1)[ [[What will you do to them?]] ] (unless: $trustyou is 1)[ [[How can I trust you?]] ] (if: $trustyou + $youdo is 2)[ [[StarQuestions3]] ]</center>} (set: $keepsafe to 1)

(link: " `~*~`0110101101100101011001010111000000100000011101000110100001100101011011010010000001110011011000010110011001100101`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE4', 'play') `~*~` keep them safe `~*~`] <center>{ (unless: $keepsafe is 1)[ [[You want to keep them safe?]] ] (unless: $trustyou is 1)[ [[How can I trust you?]] ] (if: $keepsafe + $trustyou is 2)[ [[StarQuestions3]] ] </center>} (set: $youdo to 1)

(link: " `~*~`0110001101101111011101010110111001110100011011000110010101110011011100110010000001101111011101000110100001100101011100100111001100100000011101000110100001110010011011110111010101100111011010000110111101110101011101000010000001101000011010010111001101110100011011110111001001111001001000000110100001100001011101100110010100100000011000010110110001101100001000000111001001100101011101000111010101110010011011100110010101100100001000000111010001101111001000000111010001101000011001010110100101110010001000000110100001101111011011010110010101110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE5', 'play') `~*~` countless others throughout history have all returned to their homes `~*~` ] <center>{ (unless: $keepsafe is 1)[ [[You want to keep them safe?]] ] (unless: $youdo is 1)[ [[What will you do to them?]] ] (if: $keepsafe + $youdo is 2)[ [[StarQuestions3]] ] </center>} (set: $trustyou to 1)

(link: " `~*~``~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play') `~*~` we are infinity `~*~`] <center>[[Don't interfere.]] [[They don't belong out here.]]</center>

(link: " `~*~`1`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE3', 'play') `~*~` we are infinity `~*~`] [[Let them go home.]]

(link: " `~*~``~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE3', 'play') `~*~` we are infinity `~*~`] [[Let them go home.]]

(link: " `~*~`011100110111010001100001011100100111001101110100011101010110011001100110001000000111000001101100011001010110000101110011011001010010000001110011011101000110000101111001`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE4', 'play') `~*~` starstuff please stayk `~*~` Taylor, it's okay. I'm crying too. I feel cold. Come on, let's get you a blanket.] And hot chocolate. Yes. Absolutely. <center>{ (unless: $backfamily is 1)[ [[Back to their family.]] ] (unless: $backplanet is 1)[ [[Back to their planet.]] ] </center>}

I do... miss my family. Tom's probably worried. (link: " `~*~`01110100011010000110010101111001001000000110000101110010011001010010000001101111011011100110010100100000011011110110011000100000011011010110000101101110011110010010000001101000011001010111001001100101`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE5', 'play')Flopped under the bed waiting for the squeak of the door handle. `~*~` they are one of many here `~*~` Then bolting out to figure eight around your legs as you try to walk in. And Mom and Dad. Less furry than the cat but I love them. And *sigh* the Sibs.] <center>{ (if: $backplanet is 0)[ [[Back to their planet.]] ] (if: $backplanet is 1)[ [[Back to their Home.]] ] </center>} (set: $backfamily to 1)

Earth is truly a gem in the rough of space. (link: " `~*~`01101001011101000010000001101001011100110010000001101111011011100110110001111001001000000110111101101110011001010010000001101111011001100010000001101101011000010110111001111001`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE5', 'play') `~*~` it is only one of many `~*~` All the blues and greens and... sheer life. Thriving and surviving on that planet. In spite of and because of everything it is.] <center>{ (if: $backfamily is 0)[ [[Back to their family.]] ] (if: $backfamily is 1)[ [[Back to their Home.]] ] </center>} (set: $backplanet to 1)

Taylor? T2? (link: "`~*~`01110111011001010010000001100011011011110111010101101100011001000010000001100010011101010110100101101100011001000010000001100001001000000110111001100101011101110010000001101000011011110110110101100101`~*~`")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play') `~*~` we could build a new home `~*~` We have to go back to Earth. We do. It's our home.] [[Please.->StarQuestions4]]

(link: " `~*~`011101110110010100100000011000010111001001100101001000000110100101101110011001100110100101101110011010010111010001111001`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play') `~*~` we are infinity `~*~`] <center>[[They'll still love you.]] [[But they need their Home.]]

(link: " `~*~`0111011101100101001000000111011101101001011011000110110000100000011100110111010001101001011011000110110000100000011011000110111101110110011001010010000001110100011010000110010101101101`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play') `~*~` we will still love them `~*~`]

(link: " `~*~`01110111011001010010000001110101011011100110010001100101011100100111001101110100011000010110111001100100`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play') `~*~` we understand `~*~`] (live: 4s)[(transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`011000010010000001110010011001010111000101110101011001010111001101110100`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1) `~*~` a request: `~*~` (stop:)]|more>[] (live: 2.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[<center>[[Yes?->StarFinal1]] [[...->StarFinal1]] </center>](stop:)]|more>[] ](stop:) ]|more>[]

(unless: (track: 'VM1', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'VM1', 'play') ] (live: 11s)[(t8n-depart: "dissolve")(goto: "BeginningReWrite")] <center> `[loading]`</center>

(live: 2s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[`[incoming transmission]` (stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 4s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[`[accept transmission?]` (stop:)]]|more>[] (live: 6s)[ (transition: "dissolve")[ <center>[[Accept]] [[Reject]]</center> (stop:)]]|more>[] (set: $TayTrust to 10) (set: $T2Trust to 2)

Sitting in the stand of the sports arena, waiting for the show to begin... Red lights, green lights, strawberry wine... A good friend of mine... Follows the stars... [[Are you alright tonight?]] [[Does this good friend of mine happen to be named Taylor?]]

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

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

I have seriously no idea if it is "tonight" or "today" or "tomorrow." But the lights on my comms and IEVA suit panels are blinking red and green uncontrollably. Which I can only take as a sign of alright-ness for my sanity. And my heartrate. And headache. And general bodyaches from being turned into linguini from that black hole. And my stomachache from a lack of linguini. [[All systems red?]] [[Green hasn't been a comforting color out there.]] (unless: (track: 'SPACE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'SPACE', 'loop', true) (track: 'SPACE', 'play') ]

The good friend named Cadet Taylor, indeed! Hey, lifeline, it's good to read you back. I assume it's you since you guessed correctly. But you could have heard of my infamous infinite exploits of the immeasurable inventory. Maybe I've become a legend out here. Wherever here is, after being pooped out of a black hole. Surely a frying pan and fire moment, and I'm sizzling. [[A Taylor Egg and Cheese. How delicious.]] [[What danger have you gotten yourself into now?]] (unless: (track: 'SPACE', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'SPACE', 'loop', true) (track: 'SPACE', 'play') ]

Unfortunately I ran out of Sanctuary Moon episodes on the worm hole route over. So without that, my systems are a solid orange. Maybe blood orange. (What I would do for a single fresh slice of fruit.) All things considered, I am alright. And Cadet Taylor, at your service, if that wasn't obvious by now. [[Not obvious enough.]] [[Who else would I be talking to?]]

It's not a creative color either. All my best scientific thinking happens in a landscape of flashing red pan-system alarms. Where the only alternative is to add two green eyes to the Christmas color mix. All things considered, black hole aside, I am alright. And Cadet Taylor, at your service, if that wasn't obvious by now. [[Not obvious enough.]] [[Who else would I be talking to?]]

Okay, how many student astronauts do you randomly help out here? Am I so infinite I am unmemorable? Nonsense. I can only be myself and I did my best to be myself, which is better than the other myself did. Okay. Fine. I admit I was gullible and didn't see all the red flags of their green eyes. This is what happens when you're super lonely and super myself. And that myself is on the way over as I speak. The other myself. T2. Please tell me I don't have to regal you with a Homeric ode to my space epic. There is no Dawn out here and the only rosey red fingers seen are the blisters under my thumb pads. The other myself is on the way over as I speak so I'll nix the rest of the epitaphs. T2 fell into the black hole's gravity with an occupier friend in hand a few moments before I did. Which means my time-looped alien-infected dooplerganger got a head start recovering from being a curly straw. And for that same reason also got a head start jetpacking over to me. To punch my helmet plate in. And shove that disgusting green alien occupier down my throat. Where it'll ooze into my body, tendrils everywhere... binding to my nerves and throughout my muscles just like my rats... ...breaking into my brain until there's no ME left besides my movie trivia and humor that it'll warp into a terrifying shattered reflection of itself... I... I'm sorry. I tried to get in contact with you as soon as I could but I guess there's not much we can do. You shouldn't have to hear this. I understand if you don't want to. [[No, I understand. I'll be here for you.]] [[Taylor I'm not letting you die here!->There has to be something you can do!]]

I did my best to be myself, which is better than the other myself did. Okay. Fine. I admit I was gullible and didn't see all the red flags of their green eyes. This is what happens when you're super lonely and super myself. And that myself is on the way over as I speak. The other myself. T2. Please tell me I don't have to regal you with a Homeric ode to my space epic. There is no Dawn out here and the only rosey red fingers seen are the blisters under my thumb pads. The other myself is on the way over as I speak so I'll nix the rest of the epitaphs. T2 fell into the black hole's gravity with an occupier friend in hand a few moments before I did. Which means my time-looped alien-infected dooplerganger got a head start recovering from being a curly straw. And for that same reason also got a head start jetpacking over to me. To punch my helmet plate in. And shove that disgusting green alien occupier down my throat. Where it'll ooze into my body, tendrils everywhere... binding to my nerves and throughout my muscles just like my rats... ...breaking into my brain until there's no ME left besides my movie trivia and humor that it'll warp into a terrifying shattered reflection of itself... I... I'm sorry. I tried to get in contact with you as soon as I could but I guess there's not much we can do. You shouldn't have to hear this. I understand if you don't want to. [[No, I understand. I'll be here for you.]] [[Taylor I'm not letting you die here!->There has to be something you can do!]]

If you're going out for one, grab me a small coffee? Black, three sugars. Sugar is the most important. In the meantime I'll stretch a bit and try not to worry about all the things that need worrying. [[Which of those worries can I worry about?]] [[Initiating Lifeline Sequence now.]]

I assume I got out of the danger of the black hole being stretched out like taffy and then squished back like taffy. The black hole is nowhere to be seen... which makes sense considering how dark it is out here. The only pull I feel isn't gravity but... It's the frying pan— T2 pulling on my tether. [[Full circle, eh?]]

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

Yeah. "Eh." "Time is a flat circle, and you don't want to break that circle, do you?" I really did, both wanting and breaking. And may you be the third person to know that that flat circle is shattered like a first year chem student's hopes and dreams and glassware. How do I compare thee to a potassium chlorate gummy bear? Please do not count the test tubes I needed, but //do// watch a video of that. [[Do you really think you have that time right now?]] [[One sec.]]

Lifeline, I think I know what happened behind that shiny helmet and standoffish personality: T2 coughed it up. And by "it" I mean "The Thing." And not "The Thing (1982)." [[That's not possible.]] [[Gnarly. Out of the chest?]]

Remember when Wildboy's occupier tore itself out from the rat body? I think something like that happened to T2. Same scuttling noise and a worse guttural gasp and slurch I ever heard, made so much worse by my own voice. The max volume of the helmet only amplifies my own voice quality. Glad you can't hear me over the comms. [[Disgusting but anticlimatic.]] [[One impending threat neutralized.]]

The chest is the classic escape route for all alien babies despite the newborn having to push out through ribs and tough muscle. They're like baby chicks. Morbid chicks. I... don't know if //that// happened. The slurch and guttural gasp made it sound like it went in and came out the same way: Disgustingly. [[Disgusting but anticlimatic.]] [[One impending threat neutralized.]]

Oh? The ending isn't here yet. T2's hand twitched. So I'm not holding hands with the last semi-human contact as I drift out here in the void. No more slight twitches when I squeeze back, but the monitor lights haven't flatlined. Those ARE the only flecks of light out here and I don't want them to spurt out. The stars are too far away to give any clear light, so it's manmade for me. Including you, being the bright comms of my life. [[Aw shucks, you're too sweet.]] [[Now you can't let go.]]

It certainly could be worse. I could be occupied while floating out here until my IEVA suit runs out of oxygen. Now with T2 dealt with I will simply float out here until my TEVA suit runs out of oxygen. But as a human! That's the fortunately/unfortunately of this situation. But in the dark I have your shining light from the comms. It's really dark out here in the void of space. Even the comms light doesn't illuminate anything besides us. Two astronauts of the same exact cut, one human and one human to alien to maybe something now. Oh man. Suddenly feeling that agoraphobia with no markets and only phobia. Time to latch the tether onto my evil twin. If T2 wakes up and kills me, it'd only speed up the inevitable. [[Don't talk like that.]] [[I was gonna ask what your plan was.]]

In another life I would be reenacting a "2001 A Space Odyssey" home-video spin-off. Trecking through an abandoned space station while a computer tries to murder me. Now with T2 dealt with I will simply float out here until my TEVA suit runs out of oxygen. But as a human! That's the fortunately/unfortunately of this situation. But in the dark I have your shining light from the comms. It's really dark out here in the void of space. Even the comms light doesn't illuminate anything besides us. Two astronauts of the same exact cut, one human and one human to alien to maybe something now. Oh man. Suddenly feeling that agoraphobia with no markets and only phobia. Time to latch the tether onto my evil twin. If T2 wakes up and kills me, it'd only speed up the inevitable. [[Don't talk like that.]] [[I was gonna ask what your plan was.]]

It's true, it's really dark out here in the void of space. But even the comms light doesn't illuminate anything besides us. Two astronauts of the same exact cut, one human and one human to alien to maybe something now. Oh man. Suddenly feeling that agoraphobia with no markets and only phobia. Time to latch the tether onto my evil twin. If T2 wakes up and kills me, it'd only speed up the inevitable. [[Don't talk like that.]] [[I was gonna ask what your plan was.]]

I can always let go of T2. In fact, I think I have to clip the tether to my IEVA suit so I actually //can't// let go. ...there. Now I can let go. I won't be letting go of you at all. You are the metaphorical and physical light I have here. It's true, it's really dark out here in the void of space. Even the comms light doesn't illuminate anything besides us. Two astronauts of the same exact cut, one human and one human to alien to maybe something now. Oh man. Suddenly feeling that agoraphobia with no markets and only phobia. Time to latch the tether onto my evil twin. If T2 wakes up and kills me, it'd only speed up the inevitable. [[Don't talk like that.]] [[I was gonna ask what your plan was.]]

Don't talk like I just got thrown out of a black hole, got my decompression sickness only slightly recompressed, got beaten a bit in a struggle, ears blasted by speakers, and see nothing out here but tiny stars that I can't even navigate by! I'm fine! I just... need a distraction. To think. I've always gotten out of danger and this past set was denser danger than the sun. [[Not always, Taylor.]] [[You are the distraction.]]

Plan? Plan?! My plan is to follow in the footsteps of Arthur Dent and get saved at the last second of air by an interstellar spaceship. I've got a 1 in 2^2079460347 chance. For the next 29 seconds, we could chat each others' ears off. I'm all ears. Literally all ears. [[Horrifying image. A different distraction please.]] [[Waiting for your air to run out. Reassuring.]]

Right. T2 didn't. T2 got out of danger every time I did except the most important time. Poor Not-Taylor. //I// got out of danger every time I did because of YOU...except for maybe now. Okay, lifeline, please don't worry. Just give me a distraction. [[How's the weather?]] [[Read any good books lately?]]

Not a very good one. T2 is unconscious and never played //that// well with my antics. And yes before you bring it up, I am revising my memory to say how suspicious it was the whole time! For myself? I'm out of Futurama episodes to play for myself in my head. Watched reruns since I ran out of stars to count. So. Now I wait. [[How's the weather?]] [[Read any good books lately?]]

//You're// the one who's reassuring, lifeline. ... There isn't much to do here but contemplate our mortality and I'm not biting the bit to kick the bucket. I have good farmyard manners. So. Now I wait. [[How's the weather?]] [[Read any good books lately?]]

Oh man you'll get an earful from me with that attitude. Tangentially, would you like to use our ears to listen to music together? I had some time and downloaded an extra playlist from the Viridian while sleeping. I haven't listened to any of it yet because I thought, you know, we enjoyed listening to it together. [[Sure, why not.->Parallel Lines]] [[Not now.->NoMusic1]]

(transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`01110100011010000110010101111001001000000111011101101001011011000110110000100000011100110110100001101001011011100110010100100000011000010110111001100100001000000110001001110101011100100110111000100000011000010110111001100100001000000111001101101000011010010110111001100101001000000110000101100111011000010110100101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1) `~*~` they will shine and burn and shine again `~*~` (transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`01100010011110010010000001110111011000010111001001110000001000000110000101101110011001000010000001100010011110010010000001110111011001010110011001110100`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1) `~*~` by warp and by weft `~*~` (transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`01100001011011000110110000100000011101000110100001100101001000000111011101100001011110010010000001101001011011100111010001101111001000000110100101101110011001100110100101101110011010010111010001111001`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1) `~*~` all the way into infinity  `~*~` (transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`01110111011010010110110001101100001000000111100101101111011101010010000001100111011101010110100101100100011001010010000001110100011010000110010101101101`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1) `~*~` will you guide them `~*~` (transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`01110111011010010110110001101100001000000111100101101111011101010010000001101000011001010110000101101100001000000110001001111001001000000110110101100101011100110111001101100001011001110110010100100000011000010110111001100100001000000111010001100101011000010110001101101000001000000111010001101000011001010010000001110111011000010111100101110011`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1) `~*~` will you heal by message and teach the ways `~*~` (transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`0111010001101111001000000110001001110101011100100110111000100000011000010110111001100100001000000111001101101000011010010110111001100101`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1) `~*~` to burn and shine `~*~` (transition: "dissolve")[(link: " `~*~`0111010001101111001000000111001101101000011010010110111001100101001000000110000101101110011001000010000001100010011101010111001001101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1) `~*~` to shine and burn `~*~` (live: 2.9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[<center>[[I promise.->StarFinal1]] [[I'll try.->StarFinal1]] </center>](stop:)]|more>[] ](stop:) ]|more>[] ](stop:) ]|more>[] ](stop:) ]|more>[] ](stop:) ]|more>[] ](stop:) ]|more>[] ](stop:) ]|more>[] ](stop:) ]|more>[] (track: 'VM2', 'play')

I don't see anything on the screen at all. (link: " `~*~`0110100001100101011011000110110001101111`~*~` ")[(transition: "dissolve")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play') `~*~` h e l l o `~*~` And only Stars outside. So many Stars...]] All that void... You can hear them too? At least you can feel them? I still don't know what you're going on about. This is a metaphor isn't it? And not a very compelling one. [[Hello?->StarQuestions1]] [[Be quiet I need to listen.->StarQuestions1]]

(live: 4s)[(goto: "RESULT")] (track: 'SSTS', 'fadeout', 2) (if: $TAYGO > $TAYNOGO)[(set: $TayGOyes to 1)] (if: $T2GO > $T2NOGO)[(set: $T2GOyes to 1)] (if: $TAYGO = $TAYNOGO)[(if: $TayTrust > 12)[(set: $TayGOyes to 1) (if: $T2GO = $T2NOGO)[(if: $T2Trust > 12)[(set: $T2GOyes to 1)

(if: $TAYGO > $TAYNOGO)[GO. ] (else:)[NO GO.] (if: $T2GO > $T2NOGO)[GO. ] (else:)[NO GO.] (if: $TayGOyes + $T2GOyes = 2)[(live: 4s)[(goto: "RESULTGO")] (if: $TayGOyes + $T2GOyes = 0)[(live: 4s)[(goto: "RESULTnoGO")] (if: $TayGOyes - $T2GOyes = 1)[(live: 4s)[(goto: "TAYLOR GO")] (if: $T2GOyes - $TayGOyes = 1)[(live: 4s)[(goto: "T2 GO")]

Turns out it's hard to fix stuff with random unorganized crap damaged in a crash... When you are random unorganized crap damaged in a crash. I'm so FRUSTRATED at someone who is DEAD and whose fault it truly ISN'T! Why didn't Trotter label the plethora of wires in case there was a crash!? And why didn't Adair make a lovely little Wikihow guide for how to fix comms systems on incredible specialized spacecraft?! Inquiring and fed-up minds MUST KNOW. I'll even forgo the illustrations for some good ole purple prose about the matter. [[Wikihow illustrations are essential.]] [[You never asked me?]]

Do you know how to fix it? [[I could take a look.]] [[Not exactly.]]

How else would I learn how to perform a self-heimlech, make friends in afterschool clubs, AND how to convince everyone I'm a mermaid. Never put that one into action but I know the steps and all thanks to those illustrations.

"Lifeline Is Three!" You're not fulfilling your role in this new organism, as the Brain directing us Hands. So unless you can blesh in some teleporting toddlers to take us home... ...please keep your footnotes to yourself. Also like those stars outside the window, and also like these LED lights, you aren't saying anything useful. They're also not changing but it's not because of parallax issues. [[Sorry I asked.]] [[I'm no pirate but am an engineer.]]

Lifeline, I can also take a look. Which I have been doing. All this time. Gazing over the speckled map of LEDs like stars in the window right above me. Like those stars, these aren't saying anything useful. They're also not changing but it's not because of parallax issues. [[Sorry I asked.]] [[I'm no pirate but am an engineer.]]

A //space//-engineer? A //rocket// scientist? An //intergalactic// IT support guy? Hmm. If I have to ask, I already know. (link: " `~*~`011100110010000001110000001000000110100100100000011000110010000001100001`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')Time to cool off your fever, Taylor. Wait what's— `~*~` c a n o p u s `~*~` Yeuargh that's cold. What are you doing?] [[]] [[]] |star1)[ [[]] ]

Older than me. Yeah. I know I know. That sounds like some New Age type of magic. It's something I can't explain though. I feel something else. Something bigger than myself. Like this calling from the Stars is more than me. That it's something I //have// to do. It's still a choice and one I can make. I'm not being forced. I don't know. This is a lot for you. It's an awful lot for me. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Not literally. The spaceship isn't //that// big. I meant that all the pieces of people that I've met, that have raised me, that have impacted my life... All the experiences of earth and life and humanity's art and movies... I'll have them with me. Always. I'm not leaving them behind at all. I'm carrying them all with me on this next part of my life. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Yeah. That's the plan. To avoid the greens out here. It's the perpetual plan into perpetuity. And if we're supposed to get occupied when we get back to earth, then doesn't it make sense for us to stay out here? We won't fulfill their loop. We won't go green. We get to live our own lives here. Safe. ........ [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Indeed! That's where I'm normally kept. It's the perfect Taylor-habitat. Perfect temperature and humidity. Enrichment in the form of science experiments. Enough space, but it's bigger on the outside! See? This is where we're good to go. I'm so not an outdoors kid but space barely counts as outdoors. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Right? On top of spaghetti, all covered in cheese... There lies a poor rodent... gnawing the veggies as he does please. The song went something like that. That's my point— I'm esoteric. I'm unpredictable! If I don't take this opportunity now, they'd never let me back up here. It could be worth everything else in my earthly life. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Hey. Thanks for your vote of confidence. As a student astronaut, I wasn't supposed to be without a trained supervisor at any time. You're my supervisor, but I know you haven't trained for this. I have more spaceflight hours logged than you, if one of us gets audited or is looking for a certification. What I mean is... I'm not giving up everything out here. See? I'm gaining things out here in the Stars. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

Like me?! How am I a threat? I can't throw a punch to save my life, I can barely aim a rifle to do the same. I know we joke about being space pirates but— Oh. Man. It's the space pirate thing. Pirates aren't always the happy-go-lucky type you see in anime. I didn't think about how "trading" with another ship would go. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

I mean, I already am. Were? I'm used to it. It's been all the life I can emotionally remember most of the time at this point. Why not just extend it? I hear you, I hear you—see you, I mean, also preemptively. Why not not extend it? Then I can go back to emotionally healing. I don't need to give up mental stability to stay with the Stars. I think it's something I'll always carry, from being out here at any point. And coming back to earth to people who don't understand... It makes me understand Odysseus. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Ha! I'm sure we can arrange to make it one, in the literal sense. But I get it. There's no sugary reward for helping me live. As if that isn't a reward unto itself. ........ I want to make a joke about buying yourself a nice cake to celebrate— not me staying safe— but you for putting up with me... ...But I worry that it's ignoring what you mean, and not dealing with the fact that I'm causing you a lot of trouble and pain... ........ You should totally get yourself a cake though while I work this out. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Eh, T2 is friendly. A good friend. Got to love yourself, even if yourself is a time-looped-bad-timeline-traumatized-in-different-ways-and-pointy-about-it self. So, yes, a good friend. But, GOD, all my flaws are out there on the surface. I can be insufferable! Makes an astronaut feel bad. I guess this is a weird sort of therapy adventure: confronting myself, making peace with myself, singing road trip songs with myself. But T2 can be //a lot// sometimes, so, I didn't give //myself// up out here. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Lucky for now, count our lucky Stars. But I think they'll continue to show us a bit of mercy in our luck. Either way they haven't damaged it more all this time. I'm willing to trust and have faith. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

I'm not sure how to repair it. Or even if it COULD be repaired. But like I said, maybe it doesn't need to be repaired. I think we're lucky, count our lucky Stars, and we shouldn't look that gift horse in the mouth. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

No it isn't! Thanks, that was fun. A bit gorey but fun. If anything happened to the seal there would be more than just arms coming off. So, that IS a concern with the hull as it is. But it lasted through the debris storm and that was like getting rained on by an avalanche. I'm betting that if it held up to that, it'll hold up to a lot. They make these starships sturdy! (Not sturdy enough to resist that laser the Greens has on the moon but let's not worry about that.) (You know. Since the greens will be stopped in this universe now.) [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

You have a way with words, lifeline. I still have all my limbs. For now. And T2 also has all limbs. For now. Knowing how some of those Taylors ended up really freaks me out if I think about it for a second. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Right, right. You're a fine specimen of a HelpBot. Just kidding. You're lovely. But a wreck isn't what you are, it's what you do. Even though the Varia //is// what it is... [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Lifeline, that's not very convincing. I //know// Earth is a wreck. I've lived there for a few years. The Varia may also be a wreck but the Stars aren't wrecks. And I think they'll take care of us wrecks. I just have this feeling... [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Oh man let me check. Taylor is checking... Taylor is checking... Well. It seems to be structurally sound enough. For how long is the question but the hydraulic doors are A-ok so long as nothing else gets damaged. Good news for once! A mercy from the Stars! ..... Oh something is beeping.... [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Not fixable with the materials on board. We need a few more rolls of duct tape for that massive hole. And depressurizing the Varia for the sake of reopening that door. And doing another EVA. It's out in the Stars, so I feel safe, but T2 might not appreciate that whole life-risking anymore on my part. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

Yeah. A whole lot of luck, spit, and people who know how to fix these holes a couple light years away. We are alone out here unless there's a supply ship with engineers willing to haggle. Maybe we'll get lucky though and can fix it. ....that's some wishful thinking there. We have to learn how to rebuild starships. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

See? "Just have faith." That's what I've been doing this entire time and it hasn't steered me wrong. Besides the times it HAS steered me wrong but has never steered THIS-ME wrong. If it held up so long, I think I can have faith in the Stars that it'll continue to hold. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Oh man, that's an omen! Tripping on the doorstep always used to be a bad omen of beginnings since it's the passageway to a new chapter of life. Or at least a new choice of wallpaper. This new chapter of my life has not been without trips, stumbles, totters, and face-plants-only-avoided-through-luck-and-good-guidance. Not the best foot to start out on but I always have had two left ones. But maybe... //this// is the doorway threshold. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

If I went back to Earth, I'm positive I would be overjoyed by pencils and moss and birds and fresh breezes and traffic jams. Space is different. The Stars are different. I feel like //this// is the coming home I always wanted. Like //this// is the joy of arriving back on the doorstep. It just feels natural. Right. Like home. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Yeah okay. Seems like our universes aren't quite so dissimilar after all. Mine and T2's differs only in our comms working of not working. Maybe we'll find out more differences later. You never know. There's so much to explore and talk about and so many things we take for granted... Like a fast wifi connection. I wish I had that. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

Oh man. You're truly living the pioneer days. Pioneers from the Stone Age who have to wait 2 seconds to load a video. What if loading the video was life or death!? Well, with me it sometimes is. But you've always been able to get information for desperate old me quick enough. I wonder if that's a function of Q-COMM. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

I know I have a home there. That home is special to me— I had lived there all my life. Everyone has. (Not many people are born in space!) But... I have a home out here. I've made one out here. It's my own, I understand it. And you're here, T2 is here. The Stars are here... [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

I've suffered so much out here. Barely able to get a good night's sleep or even a bite to eat that was cooked in the past five years! I'll be Saint Taylor, patron saint of MREs and corny jokes. But they won't recognize my sainthood on earth. Surely you understand how it is. Or... maybe.... I was placed up here like in all those Greek myths. Which was the one about the twins....? [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

It isn't safe out here in space but it would be the comfort within that safe place in the starship. You might have experienced it too once— it may be rough and chaotic outside but inside—we have each other and are safe. And... we're part of the universe too. We're the universe looking back on itself and helping itself. It's not safe but it's comforting. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Printers, buses, and parrots. All of them are malicious. They know the difference between good and evil and choose to do evil. Printers and buses are fairly self-explanatory. They smell deadlines and urgency. Parrots? What an amazing animal! They're so smart, and gorgeous, and really just an icon of the Psittaciformes. We used to have one in our school's biology classroom. One of the biology teachers, Mr. Crean—I owe him my continued love of biology— owned a severe macaw and taught with it and then took it back home. It lived with him all day. And WE had to live with this animal that would be quiet during lectures and then scream during exams. And threaten with its beak if you got too near its cage which also happened to be right by the pencil sharpener. This single animal made me switch to using pens for the rest of my life. Which are better used for space than pencils, anyway. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

What's that supposed to mean? That I'll come back to Earth with my tail between my legs... Or that I'll spend the rest of my nine lives out here and kick the bucket? Neither option is all that appetizing. But... If I stay out here, I can always decide to come back to Earth. If I leave the Stars I'm gone forever. So it's leaving my options open. See? I can stay here for an extended vacation. Holiday hardly begun! [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

They aren't out here. It's me and T2 and T2 is a sibling to me. A loving twin. A formerly evil time looped twin. My family is back on earth, and I don't know many astronauts making rounds on each constellation sector... ...but they wouldn't be the same astronauts as the ones I knew. My family won't be the same ones as the ones I knew. It'll be different, and I don't know how different. Maybe that anxiousness about the difference will ruin our relationship with family. And besides... ...I've got you to speak with. To read. That's incredible. That's family out in the Stars... Not even counting The Stars. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

I cut my dreams short to watch them feel too guilty about it and never follow their own dreams. It's a tragedy as heartwarming as it is. But it's not a Christmas story either. (It's way past Christmas too.) We have our own lives and dreams and can dream about each other. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

You're right. All our lives would be intertwined, forever. More than they already have been in Twister piles and slumber movie parties. We'd get to watch each other grow and learn and meet other loving people. Maybe have a few kids and watch as they have Twister piles and slumber movie parties. And join in. Of course. Out here I just have myself and you. That's not a lot of pathways and strings of life. Unless you count string theory tying us all together.... ....which I don't count. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

They won't, that's fair. They won't even find out that I grew up to be anything— to //be// at all. Sudden death by explosive decompression would cut short any student astronaut's training and research. It reminds me of old stories of siblings— families— parting ways back in the old country to seek their fortunes. They're never going home. That would be too expensive, too far for a visit. They have to make new homes starting from nothing... ....or two drachmas according to the Ditmas Deli King. I'm not a Deli King though, and Greek currency has no value out here. I also //don't have any currency to build my fortune out here.// [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

It's not a rivalry. It's a blood feud. I'm kidding. I'm very proud of both of them. We just have very different interests outside of nearly burning down the house with chemistry experiments and //actually// blowing the full electrical system with physics experiments. They're both lovers of nature and science too but more earth-side human wonders than my star-side rat and lichen wonders. I miss listening to them talk about the highly specific anecdotes of their fields. I'm sure they miss my highly specific anecdotes of my field too. [[$TayExcited->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "excited")

I AM the oldest. And I DO fit the oldest stereotype. My parents took away my chemistry set once since during my mandatory babysitting time one grabbed some candy and started adding it to the heated potassium chloride! Oh man. I guess I was getting a little defensive there. I do love my siblings. So so much. I hope they're doing well at home, dealing with their lost and likely dead oldest sib. They don't deserve that horror when they look up at the Stars. Those are supposed to be comforting. But I'm not their babysitter. I have my own life. An intertwined one. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYGO to $TAYGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

It's not my goat that's got got— it's my bantha! Oh man, it's just... I don't like you using them as bait for me to come on back to Earth. They're real people, and have their own lives, and you don't know practically anything about them at all. Only what I told you in bits and pieces in passing and I don't know if I remember what I told you. Or if I told you and then I died so you know but I don't know you know. Urgh. Sorry. I'm not in the mood to talk about them. I usually am in the mood and will tell you better stories later. But not right now. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNEU to $TAYNEU + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

I don't mean //grounded// grounded. I mean "no longer able to fly in starships" grounded. That's a big stamp to have on your file... for life. Or at least until massive Kai-jus start taking over the outer stratosphere and they need to pull the disgraced veteran out of retirement for one last battle. And she reluctantly agrees to go up one last time to taste the freedom and regain her last shred of dignity in the skies. And ends up sacrificing herself entirely to never be grounded again. I don't want to have this experience gone forever. [[$TayScared->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "scared")

You're right— I shouldn't. My siblings— our siblings— will make a comment that now //I// get a taste at being the younger sibling. And T2 will say "there's a //new// oldest sibling in town!"and we'll bicker about how this family's only got room for one oldest sibling. And it'll be fine. Even our parents will be fine having another one of me. Oh man. I'm worried about T2 for everyone else though. Our family is great and weird enough but what about the rest of the world? ASTRA? What do we tell them? The truth? The truth is scary. [[$TayAngry->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "angry")

I do want love. All types of love, platonic, familial... not just romantic love, although I am a sucker for a good romcom cry and heartache. If I go back to them, and survive, but I can't keep up with them because of everything I experienced or anyone else in my family back on Earth.... ...I'll be left behind, not willingly, but they'll be off to grand things and always love me and support me but I'll... ....I'll just still be out here. Wondering. Worried. Unable to move on down there. Always looking up at the sky. Love a galaxy or a universe away. [[$TayStarsick->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "starsick")

Yeah. I don't doubt that part. I was speaking more metaphorically, about abandoning in life when someone moves on more than you. Have you ever had a good friend that you fell away from because they got going in a career or school earlier than you? Or you got going more than them? The distance between you becomes a lot more than an Astronomical Unit, even though that's not actually possible except in space. I worry that having been those 753,325 AU away I would lose all that. Plus, when I get the chance to drop all this stress down in the house entryway and suddenly turn into a ball of puddy.... ...Maybe I keep it together out here instead. [[$TayLonely->SSTS]] (set: $TAYNOGO to $TAYNOGO + 1) (set: $starTay to "lonely")

Well, yeah, I know that. TOO well. I haven't died yet, technically, in this universe. I don't think being infected is "death" either, but who knows. The green squad acts like weird sentient zombies. The old Varia crew acted like just plain zombies. Damn it. I'm rolodexing through every horror movie I've seen finding potential un-life forms to have to deal with out here. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I AM a student. Of course I care about learning. There's more to learning than being stuck behind a lab bench all day, dating samples and taking measurements and measuring that they're wrong and doing it all again. When you have to do an experiment over and over again because it's photosensitive and you needed the lights to see, you question your the evolutionary choices that led you to needing eyes. Or when you calculate something five times and get five different answers. I was never good at math. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

You have a good memory, lifeline. I did research lichen— how it grows or doesn't grow in different gravities and atmospheres. The lichen was growing on plates set up outside the Varia's hull. I used some UV filters to make sure they didn't fry to a crisp out there. I used the wrong ones at first which threw off my whole design, but... ...it worked. The lichen lived. I'm not lichen, but that's good news for me out here. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Rats typically aren't celestial so that DOES make sense. Maybe there are celestial rats out here. I wonder what they'd look like and what evolutionary tracks they'd have gone through in order to survive. But... What if I never find them? Who would I even tell about them? [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

The cutest rat you just can't help but drop in a maze and watch it struggle to find its way out. After a few rounds and rewinds it finds the correct path. In theory. Maybe the rat is not the brightest like my Patch. In that case I don't know what to do. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Yes I'm sure. She doesn't have me in her tendrils anymore. ....right? I mean, I still haven't figured out why the green hue hasn't faded from my eyes yet. It's been a few weeks clean, which is longer than it was IN there. (if: $tort is 1)[There was that green we interrogated that mentioned my eyes too...] A mystery I hope I'll never learn. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

....huh? ....oh. Yeah. Thanks, lifeline. It's over with. I'm not there on that godforsaken moon. I'm not there with the Greens. They can't get to me out here if I don't go to Earth. So I won't go there. I'll be safe here. Finally. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

My research....? ....right! Sorry. Those memories aren't pleasant. I got distracted from our conversation. While I would chose many other topics I'd rather be distracted by, I'm glad I was distracted. So, I haven't forgotten it, as much as I wish I could. I'd have to choose another topic of research—and a thesis advisor UGH!— if I go back. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

I should do that. In the acknowledgments section I'll list them all for getting me this far—even you get a quick "thx"—before I plow right back into lichen low gravity and radiation research and 0G rat somersaults to get kibble. Gotta thank everyone who got me far enough to devote my life to lichen and food-seeking. That's the dream life for anyone: lichen and food-seeking. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

....They can't anymore, especially from my own stupidity. I forgot to change the right UV filter and ended up giving my lichen too much of a tan on the interstellar shores of the Galactic beach. Captain Aya caught me holding the filter wrong and asked if I was okay. I was not. Because I knew I had messed up. And that meant that I had messed up some of the samples. Which again meant that I had messed up some of my research— what they had brought me on the ship to do. Colby was the mom of the group. Captain Aya also had that kind of heart underneath her blunt decision-making-machine exterior. God, I wish they were here. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I was, but I've learned to love what friendship I have now. I have Taylor, and I have you. And I can get used to that. I could be a celestial hermit. A cryptid, maybe. Feral eyes but welcoming in the vastness of space. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

That'll make any encounters far more meaningful and precious. Space is ever-expanding, so it makes sense that it'll get more difficult as time goes on to find others. But that'll mean it's more special when we do. We can't be the only ones out there. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

That's not it! You seem to always want to misunderstand me when you have something to gain. Especially if that gain is to make me look like an idiot! We //know// something about me is bad juju with comms systems so what if Taylor just does the coding? I can look at it myself and try it out. Maybe it'll "increase my commsfidence" or whatever scout badge I'll get for my first solo broadcast. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

No! We'd vet our penpals first. Somehow. I know! A code that you can come up with because anything me and Taylor would come up with is what the Green would also come up with. Easy peasy, and we'll get some good friends out of it! I just wonder if they'll turn us in. Like, to the space police since we'll also be space pirates... ...or turn us in//to// greens ourselves by setting up a penpal rendezvous. See? It's not safe to meet up in private with someone you haven't seen the color of their eyes. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

A lot of people have helped me on this adventure. So many, from those met on Earth to those met out here in the stars. Not all of them have been helpful and obviously SOME have done their gosh darn best to kill me (and succeeded in some ways), but it's fantastic the types of people I met. I got to know the academic researcher parts of space crews, not the miners, or military commanders, or the kind people like Mari Lee. I would never have gotten the chance to meet them if I stayed back home or even had a routine trip to Tau Ceti IV and back. I would absolutely go back in time to have never blasted out here even if I wouldn't have met them... But I'm glad to have, since I can't change the past at any rate. I wonder who else I can meet out here... [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Hey! I am not a plant! Or a fungus! Or a mixture of both! I am... I wonder if that green worked the same way as lichen does. Nope. Nope nope. Getting that thought out of my head. I've been alone. I've been very alone. I haven't completely broken down! I'm a bit battered and like a Taylor with a few cracks and chips but still a functioning human. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

That's why I have you— piggybacking through Taylor's comms— to make things survivable. Dare I say your presence makes things... lovely? You count as part of the crew on the Varia since you've been through this adventure with us through thick and thin. Green and bloody. Mechanical or quantum. We don't need you here physically for your importance to be felt. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Oh man. I'll drop my résumé in for a part-time position. I can make a mean Texan BBQ when I have a grill and no one begging me not to burn the yard down. I do know how to make chili mac, lemon bars, and a solid gun cotton. All of which I'd be putting on the menu as the Chef2 Special. Don't worry. The gun cotton candy won't be as bad on the GI tract as the chili. You're 86 on the beans, right? [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

That's just plain blunt! How dare you insult our small but stable posse. Triangles are the sturdiest shape, I'll have you know, and show up everywhere in the multiverse. Usually they DONT wear top hats and have a big eye but sometimes you come across one that makes you have the WORST day. Always an entertaining day, but the WORST day. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Yeah yeah. SpongeBob didn't have all his friends there. But he made some friends! It helped him for a while. And he realizes what he needed. More people and krabby patties and Gary. We need more pen pals out here, or to expand the crew. But we can only expand it to people less savvy than us or risk a mutiny. ...... Not many choices abound. Index? Ring? Do you know how to circumnavigate the gravitational circles of binary stars while staying on path to a lunar destination? ...... .......... ............... Well I'll be. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Sure, yes, Earth is dangerous. Don't I know it with my clumsiness throughout life. But up here, I don't have to worry about tripping over my feet, or, worse, having two left feet. It's just me and freefall. Peaceful floating freefall. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Usually not, sure, I'll give you that. That's a rare thing to find on Earth. You don't commonly go from high to low pressure at that rapid—and violent— a rate. There are other explosions though on Earth. Hollywood lets us all be aware of that. Fire, bombs, gas leaks... Oh man. That can also happen out here. And the consequences being... ahem... worse. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

But... what? We get out of it intact. That's more than what we can always say in our adventures with the greens. But even I'm okay from that. (if: $greeneyes is 1)[Mostly.) We live, and we can continue on living. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

I know a bit of first aid! It just hides away in my brain when I panic. Which—don't say a word— often happens when I'm in a situation where I NEED to do first aid. But //I've// gotten a lot better at repressing my panic since then. Taylor is the one you'd have to worry about. I'm good on my own, and with a second brain, and with someone calm on the other side. ....but maybe I'm exaggerating. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

I wouldn't give up! I would just preemptively skyrocket myself from the first four stages of grief to the ending stage. Maybe I've already reached that stage. Ignition sequence start! Initiate Acceptance Stage! There, acceptance stage started. I'm good to get grievously injured now with nary a word of denial or rage. And definitely not any tears or trade offers! [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Yeah, you know... I bet any hospital would know how to treat someone still recovering from having a parasitic alien goo monster in their veins and nerves. (If: $green eyes is 1)[And eyes. Wow. What a systemic problem.] I don't want to be a medical guinea pig. Or medical lab rat. Or medical lab bunny. Bunnies are cute, but I prefer being a human if I'm going to have to undergo medical experimentation or even just invasive treatment options so they "know more how to treat me." I'd rather take my chances out here. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Yeah. It's a nice gig. Pays well. Pays nothing at all. That's how I lived my life but I called it science since I wrote it down. Instead of finding the best outcome, I find the worst. That CANNOT be the modus operandi of my time out here, I admit. So there are more safety precautions we can ACTUALLY follow. We can be full-blown space cadets. Maybe I'll mutiny and take the title of captain from Taylor. You didn't hear that from me. `[T2 is winking]` [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

What a lovely way to put it! You make it seem like an employment opportunity where I'm the top candidate. I probably am, since there aren't any applicants and it's the main employment out here. It's an employees' market out here. That said, I will get hurt! Hopefully nothing we can't handle, but otherwise... ...I think I'd be toast. Slightly buttered, with fresh raspberry jam. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

We do, don't we? You wouldn't have thought of that before the black hole. Unless you were Taylor. Ha ha. I made peace with our twin thing going on. We'll be an interesting legendary team of twin pirates. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

To tell you the truth, I'm not sure. Neither of us had much medical training for the space program. Always being near a trained supervisor, you know how short the leash is. I know more than basic first aid. But not much of second aid. Not to mention our medical supplies are limited here. We might be able to barter for care somewhere? If we're lucky. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Lifeline... they're the same colors. Colors aren't physical. They're reflections of light that aren't absorbed by objects or certain wavelengths of light. I can generate those colors on the control panel with a flip of a switch. `[T2 is switching colors]` There. Pretty lights. Changing colors. ...... It is rather odd. Things don't move here. It's just pure steel and flickering lights. Rather than swaying trees and chirping grackles that steal your French fries. Taylor will steal my fries but not in the way a sufficiently determined grackle can. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

I can touch the lights. See? `[T2 is brushing the control panel]` The light pushes past my fingers, almost playful. My hand glows now too. Every single color possible. It just— ...nothing changes on this ship. Nothing moves. Light moves inorganically. It's kinda eerie now that I recognize it. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Did you actually read all that? I'm unsure if I should be impressed by your masochism or worried about your unconditional love for me. You really can't get those colors while in space unless you're looking at a planet or nebula. And it doesn't change within the evening as you sit outside in the heat and mosquitoes waiting for the stars to start twinkling above you. Out here it's dark and twinkling all the time. All the beauty. None of the anticipation. It's the blue, if you're really asking. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

If you insist on being the spoilsport, I'll go back to scrolling through the section with all the stars. ...it's true that you can't get a true sense of the color and twinkling of stars from down on Earth. That prank couldn't possibly do it justice... ...up in the stars. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

I bet they do! It's all about light refraction against the water. Water or any liquid, if that's major icky acid or major icky methane. Take your pick. Some are better at refraction than others. The only problem would be whether there's enough sunlight in these potential rainbow planets and less clouds. When there's a sun shower, put your back to the sun and look for the rainbow. It'll be there. My mom would always say that. She always could find the best rainbows. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Sometimes, lifeline, you really irritate me with your good jokes. So, props where props are deserved. Space does NOT have blackjack but we can create our own. I'll deal. You play. Taylor can do whatever Taylor does. Cards made from the cardboard packs of MREs. Chili Mac is Ace. Chili with Beans is a sad 2. All of this with Alpha Centauri as the beautiful backdrop of the card table. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

...what? ...oh. OH. Good one, lifeline. That temporarily shocked me out of my worries. This is why I really need you around. Well, not //need// but you make this metal can of silver and sky blue light a home. Stuck on here wouldn't be so bad with such a Sylph like you. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Meditative, sure. Let's meditate on the concept of colors. I see my favorite color around a lot when a Taylor is talking or when the lights on the dashboard light up as "all's clear." I see the orange of danger signs light up when there's—you guessed it—danger. If I learn to pull a Watney and get some potatoes blooming I could see some of the lovely green. The lovely green of Earth. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

These rainbows are peaceful because there're so well known and experienced daily. Everyone shares in them if they know to put their back to the sun and look out over sprinkler water or the hour after a storm. Being common isn't boring but we're looking for some kind of attention, right? [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

You're aware that guilt tripping people is generally frowned upon, right? I can get every single color from Earth not just in the video screens if I want to watch a David Attenborough clip that's saved in the hard drives of the ship. Or I can play with the LED lights and get the full hexadecimal range of colors. Every single one. There. Easy. Earth colors on starship. Simple and without pesky people wanting to dissect me. It's OBVIOUSLY a perfect replacement. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

My answer was that I trust myself. If that self trusts Taylor, then I suppose you have YOUR answer. But mostly I trust you. I know I know. That's a double helping of cheese on those cheese fries of truth. But I do. And that's the truth. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Taylor does, yes. Trusted me AND you. And if I'm being honest, trusting an anonymous message from space is not the smartest plan of action. I was like that, before I got it stamped out of me on that moon. But //I// learned. Now I only trust YOU. Huh. That's a confession I didn't know I was going to make. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

I know that. I know that SO WELL, lifeline. So, //so// well. Taylor isn't green. It's different. I'm trusting //myself//, not some... Not some shattered fraction of me bleeding green and malice. It's nothing but "Taylor" and "Taylor" is someone I can trust. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Yeah, because Taylor doesn't always know how to keep a lid on situations and is goofing off most of the time we spend on this starship. Seriously, Taylor needs to stop talking about boldly going while only boldly going to sleep. Have I told you how many times I've had to listen to opening goofs and gags and first-line lyrics to get me to sing on this ship?! Seriously, I'm beginning to feel sorry for my friends back on Earth because Taylor doesn't shut up. Ugh at least recently it's been quiet with the constant sleeping. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

Taylor is the one who would have a sore spot if I ever had the opportunity to practice my batting swing with that wrench. I practiced that swing multiple times on the Viridian for that special occasion that never came. That's the person you're asking to trust their prey. Or, rather, used-to-be-prey. I'm not a good person, Lifeline. I'm not your precious Taylor. I'm another Taylor who just can't trust someone who trusts me so easily. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

That of course(!) Taylor trusts me. Of course I'm trust-able. ...Trustworthy? Trustworthy. Despite everything we trust too easily. It runs in our DNA, since we have the same DNA. ...do we? That Green didn't go haywire on my genomes. I know some infections can do that to a person. But did the Greens do that? Whatever they did, I'm not as trusting as Taylor. And maybe Taylor shouldn't be. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

If you think I should trust Taylor then why are we having this debate? Is this debate just to pass the time? Solidify our already solid decisions? (Our decisions are so solid. Not any other state of matter no matter how indecisive we sound!) (That's a joke. I was indecisive mess.) I'll trust Taylor, and you telling me to give my trust. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

So the truth comes out. Is it because of a general lack of decision making prowess from Taylor... ...the crazy ideas that nearly got us both killed throughout our adventures... ...or a change of heart due to the change in sleeping habits and star gazing? I'll be careful, though. I don't think Taylor is actively plotting my demise like I was doing last time... But you—and Taylor now— still make me uneasy. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I DO! I really do. But I really need that in-person support out here in the nothingness. And there's a lot of nothingness out here. That trust comes with the obligation to trust Taylor... no matter how much I'm beginning to have some doubt in my mind that I shouldn't when I watch Taylor look at the stars.... [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

Did you not trust yourself all of THOSE times... ....or did your confidence crumble when we did? ...... Sorry. That wasn't nice. Or kind. Or anything important. Just a bit of repressed resentment that's finally seeping out when it shouldn't. I'll trust that you feel as bad about THAT as we felt seeing it firsthand. And experiencing it firsthand. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

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

Right? Good stuff. Loved to scare the freshman with that trick. But uh, more scary than the chem stockroom personel in full hazmat gear transporting a beaker of what they only called "crud"... ...is my current predicament. With the evil me known as T2. T2 fell into the black hole's gravity with an occupier friend in hand a few moments before I did. Which means my time-looped alien-infected dooplerganger got a head start recovering from being a curly straw. And for that same reason also got a head start jetpacking over to me. To punch my helmet plate in. And shove that disgusting green alien occupier down my throat. Where it'll ooze into my body, tendrils everywhere... binding to my nerves and throughout my muscles just like my rats... ...breaking into my brain until there's no ME left besides my movie trivia and humor that it'll warp into a terrifying shattered reflection of itself... I... I'm sorry. I tried to get in contact with you as soon as I could but I guess there's not much we can do. You shouldn't have to hear this. I understand if you don't want to. [[No, I understand. I'll be here for you.]] [[Taylor I'm not letting you die here!->There has to be something you can do!]]

That's true. In all universes I've been in. I flew into the black hole with the last bit of contact anyone had with me. After that it was Taylor's Mari Lee who knew about me, but leaving out my involvement is best for everyone, including my memory if she gets back to Earth. God, I hope she made it. I was awful. Since this universe's Taylor never crashed on that moon, there was never a Taylor to eventually become a T2. I don't even exist here to be MIA. I'm simply missing. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

That hope is, unfortunately, not productive. It's been so long that //I// would have given up hope. (I //did// give up hope. That's why I'm here.) So while hope is a good thing to have, I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, and be another bringer-turned-victim of it. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

I guess not. Maybe I shouldn't take the revenge shot. I'm not even known for my organizational skills and this IS an entire species of alien life. Maybe we shouldn't give them false hope or a revenge streak. Not knowing might be best, in a way. Easier. Even if it's not right. I just want easy. Why can we gift them easy? [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

It is? Oh man. Go get that worm, Carter! We just need a foundation with a lot of monetary backing, a lot of personnel support, and a //really big// blaster. I know it's //probably// more complicated than that... ...but that's my executive summary for the grant. .... They do deserve the truth, being what scientists like me always seek to find. Even if it's not the answer we want to hear. And we're the only ones WITH the answer. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

That's what kept him alive. That's what kept him alive surviving on the //Nomad// and everywhere else for months. Just surviving and trying to get home to absolutely //wreck// the people who bypassed his help... ...who looked at his pleas and said "nah." Because there will be no mission to blow up that moon. The family will just become resentful. Like me. But with no way to get what they need. Like me. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Oh man. I've read countless stories where revenge is gotten and it feels bad, empty. There's also been a few where it feels cathartic. If I could tell the greens "you killed my crew, prepare to die" and have the firepower to back that up? `[ T2 is making a chef's kiss]` Delicious. The problem is that the greens have a few more fingers than six... ...and I can count on one five-fingered hand how many occupiers I'd feel comfortable dueling with.(if: $enjoy is 1)[ But I having a feeling you'd love to assist me with anything I might also //enjoy//, right, //lifeline//?] [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Yes. Yes I do. I'm not one to believe in conspiracy theories besides the moon being made of cheese.(Gouda to be precise, and only Luna, not Tau Ceti IV's moon. I tried.) However, this is one I could agree to stay silent on and NOT have a starship full of explorers bravely going where we went before. Because they're just going to get killed or worse, occupied. And all of our plans to prevent this infectious transmission would have been for nothing but our own trauma. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Revenge feels good, but opens up a can of worms. A can branded as being "green" and "with tendrils." I prefer "no tendrils" in my juice. I //could// try the living well method of revenge— it worked in the past for me. I didn't try to get revenge on the popular kids by cutting their shirts or releasing crickets in their classroom but sometimes I wonder if that would have been the better revenge. Can't do that for the greens since they don't wear shirts and I bet they'd eat crickets (or have very small green crickets), so living well might be the best bet. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

Yeah, yeah. Sure thing, Ford Prefect. Next thing you'll have me do is study their poetry. I'd rather be greened again than do scansion for //that//. .....Do I really? No. I really don't. Forget what I said. Just trying to play it loose and casual to cover up that level of dumbbell-weight consciousness of my own mortality and how everyone else can perceive my mortality. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

The checklist to end all checklists, except for the EVA and list off checklists. It goes into every possible issue you can have on the starship and you have to give every sheet your John Hancock or at least an elegant initial. That's so that you can't be surprised—or ASTRA sued— by not warning you what could be at stake for the mission. And before you ask: "dangers unbeknownst" is a warning, so everything is covered. No loopholes there. Hm. Maybe I'm the loophole? Anyway, it's all signed along with your will and any other legal documents. I didn't have much since I don't own property or, well, much of anything as a student. It was sad, actually. More for my parents than anything. Did you know that Niel Armstrong was busy signing autographs before he flew into space? That was because if he died—which was a real chance— his wife would be able to sell them for income. Since the benefits package isn't all that inclusive. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I don't like how you said that. Typed that. Whatever. Your text gives me the creeps. Creepy little letters taunting me with viridian horrors upon getting home. I know there will be. I trust those green eyes. More than I should. But have no reason not to. So, maybe there'll be a time to finish off this plot line and beat the greens, instead of just beating them by default. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Hey, I appreciate the vote of confidence. You either think that I got THAT out of my system forever... ...or you trust that I won't do it again now that there are witnesses besides you and Taylor(if: $greeneyes is 1)[... and the rest of the greens]. Either way, thanks! I knew I'd have some form of "character development" out here in the stars. I don't mind it either way but it's freeing out here when the only person here to //see// it is... ...yourself. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

What? You make it sound like that's a bad thing. And, no, I don't. I don't want the greens to come for me at all out here and I won't be seeking them out myself. Going back to earth would be the final days of reckoning and the finale of our tale: A big blow out battle with some tears and badass quips as we blow the steam off our guns. Staying in space would be the opposite. For better or for worse. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Woof. That's a chill down my spine. Got me shaking a bit, not sure in anger or fear. (It's fear.) They're down there, on earth— somehow!— waiting for us to arrive and to give up a landing celebration snack. No fruit juice pouches or celebratory rat snuggles. No, just a bitter chemically-tasting lump of thick jello that wiggles and squirms and never stops squirming as it goes down your throat and feels like your chest is burning and tearing apart while the rest of your fingers and legs and face grow numb and cold and then it stops and you don't feel all that different anymore, maybe better? But there's an ache in there and the comfort of others. ...... Holy crap. I am sorry for that. ...... That's what awaits us on earth. The stars might have other options. I like to keep my options open and not confined to two choices. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I am not a caught fish. I am swimming extremely quickly, flapping my fins and squirgulling away. Just to take an extra gulp of fresh salty water to contemplate that hook from a distance. This doesn't seem like occupier work. Too convoluted. Make us scared to go back to earth by our inevitable demise? Sure. Waggle a wonderful lure to stay out in space? Sure. Do all that conspiracy for the off-chance this reverse psychology works and we decide to stay out here forever? Sure. Do that, but to go back to earth? Sure. But they're not Vizzeti! I know them! They're smarter than he was. Immune to some poisons though, I'll give them that. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

That's a reason to get my burned and scarred butt and face back to Earth. Pronto! If the greens are using this as a way for me not to wreck havoc on their gelatins forms then I suppose that's a tick mark on the side of Earthbound. Or it could be reverse-reverse psychology to keep me here so they can wreck havoc on earth. But then we'd break spacetime and that's something they seemed really....hesitant... to let happen. Why is this so complicated?! [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

I've been functioning fairly well out here, all things considered. (There's a long long list of things to consider.) The most revenge I've ever taken before we considered these things was back at home after the turnabout dance. It wasn't rejection revenge but one of those "ask out the nerdy kid to see them freak out" situations. But during chemistry class the next Tuesday we were lab partners (oh my god they were lab partners!). Took their crisp #2 pencil and shoved it into some potassium chlorate heating up in a test tube. I didn't get detention because I taught the class what the reaction did and the teacher liked me. No one ever asked my friend out as a joke again. So I'm glad I'd done it for her sake. Revenge is fun sometimes. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

Hey! I'll take that as a compliment. I did learn oodles of skills on my quest for revenge. No neural implants required! I //do// have a bit of a Robin at my side too. You're not telepathic, unlike the greens, but you're there with all the info I need to casually make it look like I know what I'm doing. Together we can take down the Vorga! Gully did explore the stars afterwards. In fact... He explored exactly the stars those binary messages you've told us about have said. Interesting. Motive? Warning? I'll take motive-ation. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

That's it. Me and them. I did everything Taylor did, up to our loop; so you know what I am willing to do if it means that the greens will never harm anyone ever again. If that ends with me dying, so be it. I've already done it, so to speak. And I've been willing to do what it takes for some time now. Learned it all myself— all by me onesies. But... Maybe it's not necessary, anymore. Maybe I can just live for myself. Out here. In the stars. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

....who's the third grave? The first two are claimed for me and the greens already with a super elaborate headstone for me and a party on top for the greens. Are you talking about Taylor's grave? I don't need to drag another person into this. This revenge is personal, although Taylor might be down for it too. ........ ....is it yours? [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

How would it be at home when it's literal? We're two people who are the same person. How would friends react to us? How would our family? We may fight here, sure, but it won't be anything we can't handle. We won't have to drag anyone else down with our fighting. It's better that way. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

I hear your vote of no confidence and would like to remind you that you do get a vote. Of course, it's a GO vote, I assume still, and can be veto'd. Look, we aren't going to murder each other. We made it through so much already—more than a normal regular person would normally regularly go through— And we made it out alive and still friends. I think we'll be fine together. Out here. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

It hasn't? Are you sure? Since I'm sure my mental concept of time is fine since I have a working clock—and yes I know it's working since it's my comms—it must be you that's off. Assuming you're on Earth, and are not messing with me to scare me... That means we're dealing with time dilation. We ARE traveling very fast on this starship which means time would be going slower for us.... THAT doesn't make sense with Einstein. Huh. Either Einstein is wrong and I'm a math genius (so doubtful)... ...or we're getting time dilation from cross-universal interference. Geez. How much time has passed for you since you met me? Since you met TAYLOR?! Is everyone okay at home or are we the crew of '39?! [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Thank you! Can I get a scratch and sniff sticker with Grape Job! on it? You've heard that line before. Damn. Taylor used that joke with you already. It figures that my routines would be ruined with Taylor's routines being heard first. Ugh. I'm not original anymore. Taylor is ruining all my material! There can only be one! (This, lifeline, is a joke.) [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

I wasn't being //extremely// serious there. ...do you really think I would get out of control? Taylor isn't a green, obviously. So I don't hold a real grudge there. It wouldn't EVER become like what (if: "tort" is 0)[I wanted to do](else:)[I did to] those greens recently. That would never happen. Don't worry. .... This is facing your demons in text form. Crap. I can't go home still like this. I didn't end up leaving all that enjoyment in the stars. I have to leave it here, even if it's left with me. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Can't we both be innocent? No? Then it's always my fault forever. I buy that. You need a martyr for the cause of making Taylor look so good and kind as always. Sorry, but I'm not sorry about having to STILL play the villain in this starship. I'll do it, since maybe neither of us are good enough people—only pretending to be good enough people— to go home. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

You wonder for yourself, right? As in not wondering how people stand me. Yes. Going with that cognitive path. See? I'm charming when I ignore issues like this. Why WOULDN'T anyone love spending time with me?! [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

You think so? Because as much as I can't stand Taylor sometimes on this starship... ...Taylor doesn't judge me more than I judge myself. (And likewise for me judging Taylor.) And I worry about showing my face to others when I get back. Partially literally, partially figuratively. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

"Puree'd liver" is a better term. I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Look, you know all those self help books about loneliness that try to convince you to take comfort in your own company? They're a load of crap when you're on your own. But when you're not technically on your own but with yourself, it's true. I can be lonely with myself. In a completely different way than those books ever dreamed of. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

It IS a no! I'm not green anymore! I don't have an occupier wriggling around in me, controlling my every move, exploring and sending back all information for the hive! I thought you kinda trusted me at this point. Or you're joking. And it's a bad joke, given our history. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

With luck? With skill? I'm not sure. We'll get better at maneuvering this starship before we run out of supplies. We've got plenty to last until we find places to resupply. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

What, like it's hard? (You have a point— landing on a moving target is difficult.) I only steered a ship into a black hole. Which isn't the most technically challenging there can be. And I certainly didn't trust myself enough to land the White Star on Earth.... [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Yep. A real big genius. Aced my APs and can ace stellar survival too. They DID train me after all. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Okay, but I'm not starting out in his state. I have someone to help. I have two someones. That's double the food and supplies needed, but double the hands that Watney had. So the math works out. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Props to Watney for finishing up all his education requirements. Let's throw him a party for finishing up his program. Just because I'm still a student without all the training doesn't mean I'm dumb. Thanks for the confidence boost. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Like medical supplies and ship repair mechanics? Well, I'm not sure how we'd scavenge up that type of stuff. We can keep recycling and keep the upkeep going. Prevent the problems BEFORE they happen. I know they'll happen. We just have to keep them not happening as much as we can. Which obviously we can do. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Oh. Man. I ain't going back there. Not if my life depended on it. Which it might if that does need to become an option. But then the time loop might start again. Which gives us back all the problems we were running away from. We can't go there. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

I AM. But this type of training wasn't covered in my pre-flight astronaut camp. I'd have to draw on everything I know about biology and growing life. That... would be kinda sweet. Making my way through the stars only on the coattails of science class. I'll show everyone who ever doubted me and my knowledge of lichen what they truly did not understand! ...Not that they'd KNOW because we'd never see them again... ...but it's the principle that matters. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Not much in the physical world, but we can swap our stories. We do have tons of stories. From Earth. From the Greens. From the stars... Traveling bards we could be, ha. Or just space pirates in a space catina. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Not as many as you'd think, at least in this section of nowhere in the sector of nowhere. We're few and far between. That's why we're called "lonely astronauts." I guess there aren't as many potential traders as I'd hope there would be. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

I don't know where they are. I have no idea what invisible paths of gravity from star-pull there might be out there. Or where out there... maybe even when out there. All I know is that they must exist—I can feel it almost like gravity— and I'll find them when I need them most. It's a kind of faith in the stars, in their pull. They'll keep us safe. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

I'm not joking! And it's also implied to be true because it //is// true. Oh. You mean the joke about the space police. That's true. It really is. We'd be the missing students on the milk cartons of deep space that all the nice alien kids look at while asking their mom what happened to those astronauts. By the way, the milk is made from a weird alien's pet's fur. Did you think it was mammal milk? That's not a joke and implied to be false. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

What?! Wait, what did you say?! Did I give up before? That was different. So much different. It's not like that now. //I'm// not like that now. You say the worst things sometimes. I won't even call you a lifeline in this interaction, prodding old wounds with a sharp lemon-coated knife with hints of salt. Don't ever say that again to me. It was bad then. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Oh man. I don't know a single space-lawyer. You'd be my one phone call, even if it is more like texting. Do I get one text? One Q-COMM transmission? I'm not cut out for space-prison. I can't handle the Vogsphere. Feed me to the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal instead. I'll never allow myself to get caught or else it's all over. That's more adventurous but dangerous than I thought. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Hmm. You've gotten me through a lot here but I have to disagree with that judgment. Scifi fiction is fun though. To believe it's all just. Either way, I don't want to associate with them. Good character and world building design though. Got to hand it to whoever sewed that getup. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

Oh man. Okay. That's not, like, the worst thing you've ever said. Not the best though. I bet they'll make Spider-Funk into a marketable plushie at Hot Topic too. Hmm. Maybe it can be a movie tagline. You'll keep the option money. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Right? We're like those celestial twins. .....now that I think about it I'm not sure if the genre is space western or Greco-Roman mythology. Either way it's a great theme, I agree. And being space pirates gives us our own unique take on the genre... ....and aesthetic touch to the movie trailers. We'll make a name for ourselves out here, one way or another. Oh man. What name could we go by? Besides "T2ylor." `[T2 is thinking]` [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

I think Taylor would be rather excited about being a space pirate. There's a glint in the eye when I see that stargazing. I know nothing would get in the way of Taylor and the stars, even if it comes to some less-than-squeaky-clean real-life pirating. And //yes//, I //know// we've had different life experiences... ...and I don't want to drag this conversation out again... ...but I got used to these types of things rather easily. And we ARE twins after all. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Purple Worm Growers? I don't think they function outside of Faerun! All jokes aside, I have no idea what PWG is. Sorry. I assume you think they can help us. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

Pearson Co.? The one that makes all those overpriced textbooks and statistical learning modules? All jokes aside, I've heard of them before. They had a building back in Austin. I got lost on the highway one time and pulled around in their parking lot. I couldn't tell you what they did. Probably some sorta high level consulting. Sorry. I assume you think they can help us. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

I do miss them, but I'm excited for myself. I miss them in the way I miss being a little kid, looking up at the stars while cuddled in a warm blanket at a roadside stop. I miss them in the way you get a whiff of melted plastic and suddenly you're at the zoo getting a plastic mold of a brontosaurus and hugging your parents out of thanks so you have something physical to remember that day when you were 5. I miss them as memories, right now. We all grow up and die, and I already have to them, in a way. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

But I am already. I've died to them once before, on the Varia, with the crew, during that explosion. I've died a second time, as the Taylor they knew with that parasite in me, distorting me from everything human I was. And then another time, before and during and after that... ...when I slowly but quickly became so distinct and... I'd call myself shrewd but others have a take on it... ...that I can barely recognize myself in Taylor sometimes. So I have been gone already. They've lost me several times. [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

Testy family drama to be. Since I'm so tarnished by my travels. I don't want pity from them but I do want a hug. Oh man. No. I do want sympathy from them. Double hugs. But not... pity. They'll be weirded out by my eyes and face and face textures— let alone the personality that's been carved from the lack of food and chronic fear hiding around every space rock. I don't want them to miss who I was. Taylor isn't even who I was anymore. That'll be the hardest part: learning to fit into their expectations of what you used to be... ....and what they think you should be after all this spacetravel and hardships. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

//Don't! Panic! No not yet!// I don't want to be the one they want to forget. They can easily deal with Taylor but I'm a bit more sci-fi. //Sometimes before it gets better the darkness gets bigger...// I would take a bullet for any of them, but even I don't expect them to be behind any trigger. Literal trigger. Who knows if I get ousted. I wouldn't get ousted by my family. But the //thought// of secretly wanting that ousting would hurt more than being ousted. Not like I have any options either way. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Oh man. Take your pick. Most memories of my family are happy. I scored a jackpot in the Families-To-Be-Born-Into lotto. Let's see. First one that comes to mind right now is when I was a little kid. My brother was only a baby, barely a few months old and my sister was toddling around like a toddler does. I was doing pretty well on my two legs and could cut a circle out of paper and knew my colors so you could say I was a smart kid. Some blue jays (gorgeous things) were pecking at some small baby rabbits in our backyard. The mom abandoned them since she couldn't fight back and it makes more sense to start a new litter and try again. I scared off the blue jays by screaming and my parents helped me take the little rabbits in and raise them. You have to feed them milk through an eye dropper. Family effort too— building the pen for them to live safely outside and eventually to run around in the backyard unsupervised and soon they left. The bunnies in the backyard were always friendly, from that point on. My brother and sister would be able to sit next to the rabbits so quietly and watch. Oh man. I love bunnies. Plankton of the land, though. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Let's see. First one that comes to mind right now is when I was a little kid. My brother was only a baby, barely a few months old and my sister was toddling around like a toddler does. I was doing pretty well on my two legs and could cut a circle out of paper and knew my colors so you could say I was a smart kid. Some blue jays (gorgeous things) were pecking at some small baby rabbits in our backyard. The mom abandoned them since she couldn't fight back and it makes more sense to start a new litter and try again. I scared off the blue jays by screaming and my parents helped me take the little rabbits in and raise them. Only one survived the attack. You have to feed them milk through an eye dropper. I fed the one too much and realized it had aspirated the milk from its nose. I think it got pneumonia and died. I feel so bad for that bunny. I failed it. I wanted it to live so badly but my mistake caused it to die. They're plankton of the land, though. There'll always be so many more. But that one lived at one time. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Multiplicative interaction for the amount of trouble caused. Again— multiplicative, not additive. All those experiments I needed an extra hand for and had to beg my parents for help with holding or watching while I run to the bathroom... ...and all the experiments I needed some extra sibling eyes to make sure our parents didn't hold or watch... Those can be done by myself now. My younger version self. I //am// the eldest sibling after all. I can make so many patents— the world and possibilities are endless! [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Worry now AND worry later. It's //also// a two-for-one deal! I'm jealous of Taylor. Okay? Taylor can go back to Earth and be hugged and comforted without a second thought. My family will look at my scars and //my eyes// and startle. They'll be cautious and full of... ...//pity//. That's not what I want. I don't want pity. I want to be Taylor. I want a hug not a charity case. I want to be Taylor to them, not the duplicate. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

No— they need to be happy! It's, oh man, I guess it's FOMO to the nth degree. "Freaking Out (for) Missing Out." Thought I'd clarify since we //are// universes apart, perhaps in linguistics. What? Is that not the acronym? I'm still FOMO-ing out here. Alone. With myself. And you. Not them. [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

No reason at all unless they were too depressed by me being dead to do those mundane rituals. Oh man. That's a pit in my stomach. I can accept not being with my family ever again to stay in the stars and follow my dreams, but to force them into mourning me without closure? That's maybe a stretch too far. But they do have closure in that explosion. If I come back— do they mourn me again? Green eyes and all? Would that make them sadder? More confused? It's making me sadder and more confused. [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Oh man, that kinda was. It was simple and most of all I didn't have to do //anything//! I was expecting this big blown out final battle with laser rifles and strobes and long heroic and villainous speeches. And at the end of it some minor connection, and shared humanity... before I abandon ship and zoom out leaving my time looped twin to explode in fire. ... It is what it is. [[I'm fine with this ending.]] [[Maybe in another life.]]

I haven't had the greatest track record with keeping them. I didn't save my Mari Lee. Not that you assumed mine lived. I wasn't even close with her. She was a convenient breaking point for //Taylor// to break on. Broken promises... broken helmets... broken timelines... All I do is break things. Why not add some broken spacetime? [[$T2Starsick->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "starsick")

That's one place you're: 1. Adamant about keeping me safe... And 2. according to them haven't screwed up yet. [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

I love that confidence in you. Even when I'm batting a losing game on the away team you're rooting for me in the stands. Please tell me you have that giant foam finger you're waving around cosmos-bound... ...and instead of it displaying a proud #1 it's an even prouder... #2. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Most likely to become occupied. Most likely to occupy yourself. Most times self-killed. Farthest distance traveled in space as student astronaut. Winners of The Greater Austin Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Nerd (disambiguation). Yup I'm there. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Lifeline, I don't remember any of that. Beyond a quick glance at her I don't remember anything after at all. ... [[$T2Scared->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "scared")

Alright you got me. How could I ignore the words of the great Kamina? If I can't believe in myself, I may as well believe in Kamina to get me through whatever ordeals are in store. If I fail, I want that giant statue carved in my honor. Don't fail me! `[-T2 is doing the Towards-the-Heavens pose-]` [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2GO to $T2GO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

I know. I know. If I didn't have you I would still be looping Taylors into Green Taylors. Stuck on the ship spinning around the black hole forever. So, I guess it's fine you messed up. ... [[$T2Angry->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "angry")

AND I THOUGHT I WAS THE NERDY ONE HERE. [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

I know as well as any student how to bypass the web blockers through translator sites. How else would I have browsed countless pages of Order of the Stick during pre-calc? For the Greens' code, I was locked in semi-permanently. Like Neo I was able to have my memory written and rewritten to adapt perfectly to any situation. But //Friends// episodes? The new Flash comics? Apparently the new //Bladerunner// movie? Not a chance! Worst devil's bargain ever. Have to read my Dare Devil! [[$T2Lonely->SSTS]] (set: $T2NEU to $T2NEU + 1) (set: $starT2 to "lonely")

With enough historical data and history of life stored in the mega terabyte databases... ...Any statistical regression you run MUST be significant. The one time I'm hoping for that sweet sweet //frustrating// and //NORMALLY INEVITABLE// p>0.05. `[-T2 is sighing-]` [[$T2Excited->SSTS]] (set: $T2NOGO to $T2NOGO + 1) (set: $starT2 to "excited")

Good for you, lifeline. Glad you like the heat. I, however, am not a marshmallow or smores and prefer no fires in space. I would prefer a comfy couch, a big bowl of popcorn, and a B-list sci-fi movie from the 80s... ...instead of being part of a B-list horror sci-fi movie from the now. Can't I have a cult-classic starfish nemesis rather than this evil-me predicament? T2 fell into the black hole's gravity with an occupier friend in hand a few moments before I did. Which means my time-looped alien-infected dooplerganger got a head start recovering from being a curly straw. And for that same reason also got a head start jetpacking over to me. To punch my helmet plate in. And shove that disgusting green alien occupier down my throat. Where it'll ooze into my body, tendrils everywhere... binding to my nerves and throughout my muscles just like my rats... ...breaking into my brain until there's no ME left besides my movie trivia and humor that it'll warp into a terrifying shattered reflection of itself... I... I'm sorry. I tried to get in contact with you as soon as I could but I guess there's not much we can do. You shouldn't have to hear this. I understand if you don't want to. [[No, I understand. I'll be here for you.]] [[Taylor I'm not letting you die here!->There has to be something you can do!]]

(track: 'SSTS', 'fadein', 3)

Finally I have acquired the requisite friendship points. Oh joy and happiness. Goodnight, lifeline. [[-T2 is busy-->DEBATE INTRO]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + 1)

Guess that's fair after everything I've done. From ever since we met until now. What can I do! Goodnight, lifeline. [[-T2 is busy-->DEBATE INTRO]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - 1)

My mistake. //I// made the plan and I'm a fool thinking one crispy (if: $greeneyes is 1)[green-jello'd ]Taylor can make a better plan alone than with infinite Taylors and a hivemind. [[Never asked me for help.]] [[Well I think you're pretty smart AND unique.]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR5', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR5', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR5', 'play') ]}

No I didn't. Didn't need to since there's nothing you can do from the safety of your ergonomic computer chair. I got so used to doing everything //by myself// around here that I decided to finalize it and tie up all the loose ends for the best plan ever. If you're about to ask what it is, the plan is to wave a little white flag made from MRE package inserts and hope that international law applies to extra-terrestrial aliens. [[Sounds good. What's the real plan?]] [[Simple, easy to remember.]]

I am without doubt the worst student astronaut you've ever heard of. [[But I have heard of you!]] [[Agreed.]]

Unfortunately for your big mushy heart that loves all downtrodden souls you fell in love with this stinky rodent. Well, it's been an honor, but the lever in the enclosure that gives extra chances is about to run out for good despite my desperate attempts at pulling it all hours. Time to make your peace with the time loop. [[Have you made your peace?]] [[I am not giving up.]]

Hm. Yeah. I bet. [[I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

It doesn't matter if I have. The universe has never given me any choice in my survival. Why should this time be any different? Your funeral. [[It'll be yours.]] [[You're mopey today.->T2, what's wrong?]]

Obviously you never will. That greenut gallery made it painfully clear you'll keep that fire within your heart and on our butts lit forever. [[I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

Woof. ..... I'll ask The Squad later if you said that to them, too. `[T2 is shrugging]` Well, time to slow down and die because the universe never gave me any choice to keep going. [[I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

It's for groggy Taylor here, but steal that honor for yourself. You earned it in some universe or another. ...... What a great morning. It's dark, there are stars, and the spaceship looks like any other time of the day. And, no, before you ask: the Varia's lighting system to get our circadian rhythms in check died with Taylor's EMP blast. So it's on or off. No nuance. No choice. [[Grab an eyemask and take a nap.->Question bother]] [[Someone woke up on the wrong side of the spaceship.->Question bother]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR5', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR5', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR5', 'play') ]}

`[incoming transmission] [accept transmission y/n?]` We've... got a signal. We ARE closer to Earth now, so it's probably ASTRA or some other agency. [[Whoever it is couldn't be worse than last time.]] [[Five spacebucks on ASTRA.]]

In the top 40 hits of //That's What I Call Terrifying Stellar Stories//... It topped the charts for 52 weeks running! `[y] [text to speech activated] [receiving transmission]` This is the AeroSpace Transit Routing Authorities. We picked up your craft on our scanners yesterday without proper return authorization or flight plans. Please send your craft information to our systems promptly. Oh. Oh man. [[Is this a trap?]] [[Hurry! Hurry!]]

Done. I need to be a pessimist. Done. I need to be an optimist. `[y] [text to speech activated] [receiving transmission]` This is the AeroSpace Transit Routing Authorities. We picked up your craft on our scanners yesterday without proper return authorization or flight plans. Please send your craft information to our systems promptly. Oh. Oh man. [[Is this a trap?]] [[Hurry! Hurry!]]

Could be. Might be in the conclusion for me. But what other option do we have?! Our bad. We've had a rocky road out here. Comms and ship damage included. `[Varia system report sending...]` (See, lifeline? I wasn't lying about the space police.) [[I fully believed you.]] [[Traffic control ain't cops.]]

I'm trying! I'm typing as fast as my star-scarred fingers can enunciate. Our bad. We've had a rocky road out here. Comms and ship damage included. `[Varia system report sending...]` (See, lifeline? I wasn't lying about the space police.) [[I fully believed you.]] [[Traffic control ain't cops.]]

And I fully believe THAT. `[system report sent]` Excuse me, did you send the wrong ship information? Unless it's NOT the Varia Starship that got sent, that's correct. Correct, meaning it's the right information. This is the Varia. Records indicate that the Varia lost contact with our satellites and q-comm a few months ago after being damaged in a collision of some sort. We never received another message. That did happen. We have a large hole in the... what's the non-left side of the ship called...? Starboard? Yes! The right side. We don't know how it happened but we're the only ones who made it. My sincerest apologies. I will alert the proper authorities about the situation. May I get your names? Yup. Cadet Taylor and... (Crap. We never rehearsed this.) [[The plural Taylors?]] [[I'm not even there.]]

They're not traffic control. They're an organization that manages the shops going into and out of earth orbit— Okay, yes. Traffic control. `[system report sent]` Excuse me, did you send the wrong ship information? Unless it's NOT the Varia Starship that got sent, that's correct. Correct, meaning it's the right information. This is the Varia. Records indicate that the Varia lost contact with our satellites and q-comm a few months ago after being damaged in a collision of some sort. We never received another message. That did happen. We have a large hole in the... what's the non-left side of the ship called...? Starboard? Yes! The right side. We don't know how it happened but we're the only ones who made it. My sincerest apologies. I will alert the proper authorities about the situation. May I get your names? Yup. Cadet Taylor and... (Crap. We never rehearsed this.) [[The plural Taylors?]] [[I'm not even there.]]

And they won't stop snowballing until I'm dead. Uh. Just Cadet Taylor. So you are the only survivor? Yes. My apologies again. I can't imagine the horrible situation and the bravery of getting yourself home. Let me run some records. Please hold in the meantime. [[They have no idea. Keep it that way.]] [[That's going to be a treat to deal with later.]]

I can't exactly tell ASTRA that you're our guardian angel. They'd think I'd gone mad out here in space. Taylor, we're talking in plural. Of course they think we're mad. Uh. Just Cadet Taylor. So you are the only survivor? Yes. My apologies again. I can't imagine the horrible situation and the bravery of getting yourself home. Let me run some records. Please hold in the meantime. [[They have no idea. Keep it that way.]] [[That's going to be a treat to deal with later.]]

We'll have to come clean and green soon enough but this pitying ignorance? I'll take it hand over fist. It just makes Taylor look crazy instead of me looking horrifying. I reproduced by budding in the escape pod but the stellar radiation did a number on those mutations. Hey! Maybe they'll be beneficial mutations for survival in the deep. What deep? It'll be Kazakhstan! There's nothing deep there. Just flat //flat// land... And if I'm going to be a designated mutant, Deadpool better be my right hand man in the movie franchise. Here we are. Cadet Taylor— Yep! That's me! Yes. Cadet Taylor. Student chosen by lottery for lichen and rodent experiments on Tau Ceti IV. Majoring in astrobiology. Is that correct? The very //one//. `[Taylor is winking]` `[T2 is frowning]` Due to the damage your craft has endured, ASTRA is predicting a difficult landing. Are you prepared to land the ship? NO WE DO NOT FEEL PREPARED TO LAND THE SHIP. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE US LAND THE SHIP. Thank you for being clear. Checking our records and... Cadet Taylor does not have piloting or navigational experience. How did you manage to guide the ship ba— Autopilot. There shouldn't be an autopilot that could route you in the exact route you took— We made a few tweaks. How many remaining members of the crew do you have again? Just me. I'm the only one who's left. Sorry. It's been rough out here. Apologies, but then I must ask you to check for glitches in your speech transmissions. Your transmissions are delayed and it sounds like you're speaking over yourself. Right! /I/ am on it! Alright. Are your emergency escape pods functioning? They better be. I'll hop into one and parachute down to the ground. Perfect so you're aware of the procedure? (crap) [[How are you still alive?]] [[You did it once before.]]

The most bitter treat there is— the truth. Let them all savor the bitterness and then spit out the poison that is having to deal with Teo of me, especially one as wrecked as me. Oh man, after all that, I will DESERVE a little treat. Maybe five minutes in the outdoors as a break from a biohazard lab? That'd be sweet. Here we are. Cadet Taylor— Yep! That's me! Yes. Cadet Taylor. Student chosen by lottery for lichen and rodent experiments on Tau Ceti IV. Majoring in astrobiology. Is that correct? The very //one//. `[Taylor is winking]` `[T2 is frowning]` Due to the damage your craft has endured, ASTRA is predicting a difficult landing. Are you prepared to land the ship? NO WE DO NOT FEEL PREPARED TO LAND THE SHIP. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE US LAND THE SHIP. Thank you for being clear. Checking our records and... Cadet Taylor does not have piloting or navigational experience. How did you manage to guide the ship ba— Autopilot. There shouldn't be an autopilot that could route you in the exact route you took— We made a few tweaks. How many remaining members of the crew do you have again? Just me. I'm the only one who's left. Sorry. It's been rough out here. Apologies, but then I must ask you to check for glitches in your speech transmissions. Your transmissions are delayed and it sounds like you're speaking over yourself. Right! /I/ am on it! Alright. Are your emergency escape pods functioning? They better be. I'll hop into one and parachute down to the ground. Perfect so you're aware of the procedure? (crap) [[How are you still alive?]] [[You did it once before.]]

Not really. Colby did it for me. I was able to do Mari Lee's pod, but that was from the outside. They're... finicky on the inside. For some extremely obscure reason. As a general overview of the flight trajectory, you'll board one of the Varia’s escape pod and detach from the Varia's hull upon passing over the Earth. The Varia will continue on a flight path that we'll transmit to you shortly. Uh, where is it going on vacation? The Sun. While the scrap would be useful to recycle, this is an easy way to dispose of the debris for future ships. We keep the aerospace clear for other ships and bringing the Varia home with all of its damage would not be worth the cost. Alright. Cool. Scrap. But before the Varia sails on its last path, you will need to activate the escape pod. We can complete the checks and automatically detach you but you must do it perfectly before you board. Can you take notes? Yes! W-I am! First, once you gear up into your flight suit, approach the pod and hit the green button labeled "Start." (Sounds simple to me). The pod will open and you can place one small belonging in the cubby hole near the control panel. When you are ready to go and we give the OK, press the red button to activate the communications panel. This will allow us to stay in contact with you and determine your coordinates upon arrival. While we can estimate your landing location and provide swift pickup, knowing the location will aid in the event of an emergency. Next, because you are landing on a planet rather than waiting for pickup in space, you'll activate the heat shielding on the control panel. Two clicks should do it for an entry as difficult as this. What does the control panel look like? Like a control panel, Cadet Taylor. Where's the heat shielding setting on it? Main menu, press 5. It says 'Heat Shielding Controls.' Sure. Got it. That’s a lot of menus for an emergency. Guidance stabilizers come next. They're not a normal procedure on an emergency but you can access them from the same menu. It'll aid us in controlling your final touchdown location to an accessible area. Right. Accessible. Not the ocean. Which is 71% of the Earth. And where we'd likely land otherwise. And drown. We're aiming in Kazakhstan before we'll return you back home. Right, the customary flattest unpopulated location. This flight will be more ballistic than normal ones, due to your approach angle, but don't worry. We'll take care of you. How much more is more than normal? It won't take very long to make the descent but you may pull up to 10G at the peak. I'm sorry, what? [[Is that even survivable?]] [[Even better than 5G.]]

There isn't one. I was hoping you would do that cool lifeline trick where it's the eleventh hour and the bases are loaded... ...and we're both cheering for you as you confidently swagger on over to the plate... ...and hit a home run for us to run home. ..... Unfortunately, you can't run in space-- only in our artificial gravity-- and I'm not going to put all my hope in another person to bail me out when I'm nearly dead. [[Come on, I'll walk ya!]] [[Yeah, not the wisest idea.]]

(Yes, but it's not fun. And it can't go for long periods of time.) (Launch is only 3G. So was my patent trick.) Hey, about those 10G... w-I'll be fine, yes? Yes you will. If you're worried, know that this will be the most tracked and controlled fall in the history of emergency escape pods. We'll have the entire mission control base tracking you and checking all your systems. When you arrive you might be G-LOC'd but we'll have medics there to take care of you. That’s their trick. G-LOC us. [[Like the hamsters?]] [[Clever greens...]]

Lifeline, not the time for an internet joke. 5G use was decades ago. Hey, about those 10G... w-I'll be fine, yes? Yes you will. If you're worried, know that this will be the most tracked and controlled fall in the history of emergency escape pods. We'll have the entire mission control base tracking you and checking all your systems. When you arrive you might be G-LOC'd but we'll have medics there to take care of you. That’s their trick. G-LOC us. [[Like the hamsters?]] [[Clever greens...]]

Like the... what? Right, right... that late 2000s action adventure movie. With the hamsters. Never saw that one. I was at space camp when it came out and when I got home my sibs gave me a look when I asked to see it. Somehow, a movie I haven’t seen. You caught me. So yes, it is exactly like the hamsters. When they go really fast, the blood gets pushed out from their little brains into the rest of their furry bodies. And without a steady supply of air, that hamster brain can’t stay conscious. So they pass out— LOC: loss of consciousness—until the gravitational force, the G-Force, levels out again. Humans are, admittedly, similar to hamsters. [[But not identical to hamsters.]] [[GG, you two.]]

Humans are built to live with a single gravitational force (G-force) and the blood in us enjoys flowing around and dumping fresh oxygen everywhere. When G-forces are higher— --Usually much higher, not just 3G-- —the blood can’t flow everywhere. Our hearts like my other muscles just can’t push it. So the blood can’t give consciousness-producing oxygen and— //wham//. Night night! Gravity is acceleration, which is falling, which we’re doing on earth but most importantly //to Earth.// [[Avoid that please.]] [[GG, you two.]]

Lifeline, we’re very weak from spacetravel. I was never the sporty type and my stamina bar dwindles in seconds. T2’s got it worse after the infection. I'm pretty sure I have nerve and muscle damage. Maybe even vasculitis. Everything sucks in this body except how I’m not green. (If: $greeneyes is 1)[ Well, mostly.] Point is, all the determination and //rah rah rahs// in this universe and yours cannot push oxygenation blood back into my brain. We’re done for. Cadet Taylor, are you there? Yes, yes! Sorry, I had to blow my nose and didn't want you to hear that. Alright. Thanks for the information. You are always welcome. Next on the pre-return docket is to notify your family. No! Wait! What's wrong? Please... hold off on that... until we make it. We don’t want them to lose us again. I... understand. You will need to record a short message and give a verbal waiver. If word gets out that you may have returned but we never notified them... that's an investigation we'll never see the end of. Fine. Yes. I want to record two messages. Call it superstition but if peeing on the back right wheel of a car can be one then I can certainly try twice. And have it played twice... in that event. ..... (Thanks.) Okay, record your two messages when you can and send them in. We'll get back to you with the final flight details. Welcome back to Earth, Cadet Taylor. Grab some steak and eggs and sign the door. Th-thanks. Alan Shepard in 1961 ate steak and eggs and it's kinda been a tradition before flight ever since. Signing the hotel door was another pre-flight superstition. Don't know what they do with the doors after. Same with the peeing superstition. Thank Yuri Gagarin, first man in space, for that one. So what's the plan of attack? Verbalize our wills, grab some food, then sit back and put our trays up for arrival? [[Ground control is just expecting one escape pod.]] [[Grab a souvenir for the road.]]

Oh man. You reek of confidence. Please don’t ragequit and go afk. I really, really need you to keep this game going good. So please tell us how to git good so we don’t git greened. I'd like to watch the scenery the entire time down, you know, so, can we avoid that happening? First off there aren't any windows on the Varia's model so I'm afraid you're out of luck. Still it would be nice not to wake up being green. Next on the pre-return docket is to notify your family. No! Wait! What's wrong? Please... hold off on that... until we make it. We don’t want them to lose us again. I... understand. You will need to record a short message and give a verbal waiver. If word gets out that you may have returned but we never notified them... that's an investigation we'll never see the end of. Fine. Yes. I want to record two messages. Call it superstition but if peeing on the back right wheel of a car can be one then I can certainly try twice. And have it played twice... in that event. ..... (Thanks.) Okay, record your two messages when you can and send them in. We'll get back to you with the final flight details. Welcome back to Earth, Cadet Taylor. Grab some steak and eggs and sign the door. Th-thanks. Alan Shepard in 1961 ate steak and eggs and it's kinda been a tradition before flight ever since. Signing the hotel door was another pre-flight superstition. Don't know what they do with the doors after. Same with the peeing superstition. Thank Yuri Gagarin, first man in space, for that one. So what's the plan of attack? Verbalize our wills, grab some food, then sit back and put our trays up for arrival? [[Ground control is just expecting one escape pod.]] [[Grab a souvenir for the road.]]

Yeah. Not identical. There’s a few minor differences between human and hamsterkind. First off the teeth. We don’t have teeth like that. Our sister did in elementary school. We don’t gorge sunflower seeds. Wasn’t it back in April our brother had a sunflower seed addiction? //Including// packing his cheeks with berries. Whiskers with the little bristles. "=Every month is No Shave November for Dad. We don’t run around in clear plastic balls for exercise. Mom has a treadmill desk in her office. [[Hamsters, the lot of you.]] [[And //you// smell of elderberries.]]

I prefer rats, I’ll have you know! But the evidence is damning all the same. Cadet Taylor, are you there? Yes, yes! Sorry, I had to blow my nose and didn't want you to hear that. Alright. Thanks for the information. You are always welcome. Next on the pre-return docket is to notify your family. No! Wait! What's wrong? Please... hold off on that... until we make it. We don’t want them to lose us again. I... understand. You will need to record a short message and give a verbal waiver. If word gets out that you may have returned but we never notified them... that's an investigation we'll never see the end of. Fine. Yes. I want to record two messages. Call it superstition but if peeing on the back right wheel of a car can be one then I can certainly try twice. And have it played twice... in that event. ..... (Thanks.) Okay, record your two messages when you can and send them in. We'll get back to you with the final flight details. Welcome back to Earth, Cadet Taylor. Grab some steak and eggs and sign the door. Th-thanks. Alan Shepard in 1961 ate steak and eggs and it's kinda been a tradition before flight ever since. Signing the hotel door was another pre-flight superstition. Don't know what they do with the doors after. Same with the peeing superstition. Thank Yuri Gagarin, first man in space, for that one. So what's the plan of attack? Verbalize our wills, grab some food, then sit back and put our trays up for arrival? [[Ground control is just expecting one escape pod.]] [[Grab a souvenir for the road.]]

Better than the smell of several months of spacetravel. Sans showers and deodorant. Hey, at least people never think they smell //bad//. Only that they //smell//. Cadet Taylor, are you there? Yes, yes! Sorry, I had to blow my nose and didn't want you to hear that. Alright. Thanks for the information. You are always welcome. Next on the pre-return docket is to notify your family. No! Wait! What's wrong? Please... hold off on that... until we make it. We don’t want them to lose us again. I... understand. You will need to record a short message and give a verbal waiver. If word gets out that you may have returned but we never notified them... that's an investigation we'll never see the end of. Fine. Yes. I want to record two messages. Call it superstition but if peeing on the back right wheel of a car can be one then I can certainly try twice. And have it played twice... in that event. ..... (Thanks.) Okay, record your two messages when you can and send them in. We'll get back to you with the final flight details. Welcome back to Earth, Cadet Taylor. Grab some steak and eggs and sign the door. Th-thanks. Alan Shepard in 1961 ate steak and eggs and it's kinda been a tradition before flight ever since. Signing the hotel door was another pre-flight superstition. Don't know what they do with the doors after. Same with the peeing superstition. Thank Yuri Gagarin, first man in space, for that one. So what's the plan of attack? Verbalize our wills, grab some food, then sit back and put our trays up for arrival? [[Ground control is just expecting one escape pod.]] [[Grab a souvenir for the road.]]

`[Taylor is shrugging]` They hold up to three people. The question should be: who gets the commander's chair? Taylor, it's an escape pod not an older Soyuz. There IS NO COMMANDER'S CHAIR. I call it. No callbacks. I COMMAND you to give it up. [[Such equality.]] [[Dibs!]]

I'm the captain of this ship. Remember that, second mate. First mate getting the captain's chair? I like that. [[Can you get a first aid kit?]] [[Grab a souvenir for the road.]]

If something goes wrong, I doubt a 6 pack of 3 inch by 3 inch gauze and a few painkillers are going to make much difference. I think we can each take something small— (Why don’t we just pick our Green Squad designations now to get it over with.) [[Aw, cheer up.]] [[You'd be T(print:)[$U]2.]]

(Why don’t we just pick our Green Squad designations now to get it over with.) [[Aw, cheer up.]] [[You'd be T(print:)[$U]2.]]

Hard to be cheery when taking the forbidden Six Flags roller coaster to death. But I’ll valiantly try since my Dippin’ Dots have become Dippin' Sludge. [[Xgk?]] [[Would death jokes be better?]]

Oh man. We don’t even get to choose our codename! Boring numeric Xgk statistical ensigns. Bleh. [[Xgk?]] [[Would death jokes be better?]]

Right, only stats nerds would //get it//. Or people who like stats nerds and will listen to the explanation. It’s the way individuals in groups can be added into regression calculations. "k" is the individual in each group— 1 for me, 2 for T2. "g" is the group of each Taylor set, so the universe. If you’ve rewound four times, say, it would be 4. X is just T, for Taylor. Since you were so very clever with that naming. I’m a trendsetter. Allow me to name more things. %%%ridiculous jokes%%%

They’d be more accessible to the non-statistics types. Skewing away from "don’t contemplate your impending mortality and viridality— let’s have a chuckle so we don’t cry"... ...and towards macabre "let’s hug and plead and say our last goodbyes..." I don’t have the emotional bandwidth to do all that. So I won't. What I //do// have the emotional bandwidth for is eating food and--just maybe-- listening to some music? [[Sure, thing, Taylor.->Go!]] [[How about you enjoy the quiet of space?->NoMusic15]]

Glad you agree. Wait, if I'm agreeing with the person who I don't think I should trust with my life... ...does that make me still dumb? My head hurts. Sorry, lifeline. My heart's not in the jokes or the fight today. [[I can tell.->I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

The pitcher throws.... hits the ground before the plate. BALL 1. The pitcher throws again.... it hits well to the outside of the box. BALL 2. The pitcher tries a third time.... the batter has to do an awkward litte twist to get away from the inside box. BALL 3. The pitcher eyes the batter. The batter eyes the pitcher. The pitcher winds up and tosses one more time and the batter...! Gets hit in the head. BALL 4. Carry them out to the first base since they can't technically walk in space either! ..... Wait. Was that a baseball joke AND an ambulation joke? [[Perhaps.]] [[Punintentional.]]

Great. .... Sorry, lifeline. I'm not really in the b-ball mood, much less a joking mood this morning-afternoon-evening. Mornternoon. .... [[I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

Oh, lifeline, could you be more clear?! That's still a pun, and doesn't answer my question! What's //your// real plan. Because I'm sick of brainstorming them myself... ...only to find out it was doomed from the start through that broken cracked mirror of a spoom call. [[I //am// the observer, after all.]] [[I prefer winging it.]]

May as well wing it, when you can rewind back to the start to fix all those boo-boos. While you're piquing your curiosity, I'll be the cat dying from it. [[I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

It'll soon be time to lift the lid, Schrödinger, so I hope you don't break the glass bottle in case of emergency. Whatever quantum outcome is observed... ...just try to observe it so I can get this over with. [[I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

And I didn't mean my frustration to be THAT apparent. Only mildly apparent. Some may even hesitate to proclaim it as... "passive agressive apparent." But passive aggression isn't helpful and mostly a bad interpersonal technique, so I'm going to be the bigger person--AND SIMULTANEOUSLY-- the bigger //Taylor// and throw away all passivity: I'm tired, and I'm scared. And I want this to be over. But I'm scared it won't be. Or the ending will be even worse. And this is a lot of emotional outpouring for one person-- one //singular// person to handle. Alone. (again) Without someone who also //should// share these feelings... ...to share them with. Because that person is too tired to commiserate. Aggression achieved. [[Taylor, you got to commiserate with T2. For morale.]] [[You sleeping, Taylor?]]

Nothing is //wrong//. Everything is coming up Millhouse. I'm standing in front of the comms control panel on this beaten up spaceship, seeing the jury-rigged setup I MacGuyvered together over the past few days... ...forgetting WHY I thought adding foil to some of the frayed connection cables would even begin to work... ...and realizing how impressive Apollo 13 and Watney were. But even they got help. I haven't. As usual. So, sure, yeah. What's wrong is that my confidence level crosses the null value here. It's Zero. .... I'm tired, and I'm scared. And I want this to be over. But I'm scared it won't be. Or the ending will be even worse. And this is a lot of emotional outpouring for one person-- one //singular// person to handle. Alone. (again) Without someone who also //should// share these feelings... ...to share them with. Because that person is too tired to commiserate. ...... [[Taylor, you got to commiserate with T2. For morale.]] [[You sleeping, Taylor?]]

This is when I'm supposed to go "aw shucks" and increase my friendship meter. But I won't. Because that's dumb. And doesn't do anything useful. Whether it's Return or Frustration, any plan leads to occupation. If you're about to ask WHAT that plan is, the plan is to wave a little white flag made from MRE package inserts and hope that international law applies to extra-terrestrial aliens. [[Sounds good. What's the real plan?]] [[Simple, easy to remember.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + .5)

How can I be hopeful and not be a fool? //I// made the plan and I'm a fool thinking one crispy (if: $greeneyes is 1)[green-jello'd ]Taylor can make a better plan alone than with infinite Taylors and a hivemind. [[Never asked me for help.]] [[Well I think you're pretty smart AND unique.]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR5', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR5', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR5', 'play') ]}

I love a solid commiseration session. I would love a good morale. Taylor, listen to your lifeline. Raise my morale. You're the captain, aren't you? That's your one job. I know I've been doing a bad job captaining. It's just that... It's just that what? Nothing. [[I'm seeing names of stars on the comms.]] [[You might have chronic fatigue.]]

I'm awake. It's just that... It's just that what? Nothing. [[I'm seeing names of stars on the comms.]] [[You might have chronic fatigue.]]

Like every other thing in this entire universe— all universes... ...the Varia has shined and the Varia will burn. It’s a Viking funeral for the old friend. This spaceship has served us and the crew well. Held up through far more expeditions and alien boardings than ever anticipated. Even as a half-blasted hunk of metal you still got us back to Earth from deep space. You saved us, Varia. Thank you. [[Now, OFF TO VALHALLA!]] [[‘Twas a good ship.]]

Cadet Taylor? Can we go over the last prepwork with you? Yup. We're listening. [[There's more?]] [[Singular.]]

What a good starship. What a good spaceship. I’ll never forget you, Varia, for showing me the stars for the first time. You were safety and familiar for all this trip. Each time. Cadet Taylor? Can we go over the last prepwork with you? Yup. We're listening. [[There's more?]] [[Singular.]]

Never ends. There are redundancies for the redundancies. You’re so used to traveling with us that doing spacetravel by the book is boring. One final question before we start receiving the ship's final checks. Shoot, GC. We're receiving Q-COMM scans that your ship is sending and receiving messages with another Q-COMM. However, that Q-COMM doesn't have a known tag, despite coming from Earth. Who are you speaking with? ..... Um. ..... I'm speaking with a lifeline. I connected with this person after the ship crash, and they've been by my side-- on my wrist-- ever since. Being a wikipedia of information, a guide in my indecision, a comfort in the chaos of the Stars... but most importantly my friend. I wouldn't have made it without their love and care for someone they've never met-- and likely will never meet. You are exceptionally lucky, Cadet Taylor, for someone so kind to be looking out for you. Might we have their name, for our records? ....... .....Really? ..... I thought you knew and that was your bestowed nickname! Your "lifeline!" This is awkward. [[This IS awkward.]] [[Got a question for me?]]

I keep doing that. Crap! We've noticed your use of the first person plural, by the way. I'm sorry if I'm overstepping here, but we will provide very good consoling and psychological services to you, if you choose to accept it once you're home. Studies have shown that long periods of isolation can cause psychological damage. Oh. Don't worry. I understand. One final question before we start receiving the ship's final checks. Shoot, GC. We're receiving Q-COMM scans that your ship is sending and receiving messages with another Q-COMM. However, that Q-COMM doesn't have a known tag, despite coming from Earth. Who are you speaking with? ..... Um. ..... I'm speaking with a lifeline. I connected with this person after the ship crash, and they've been by my side-- on my wrist-- ever since. Being a wikipedia of information, a guide in my indecision, a comfort in the chaos of the Stars... but most importantly my friend. I wouldn't have made it without their love and care for someone they've never met-- and likely will never meet. You are exceptionally lucky, Cadet Taylor, for someone so kind to be looking out for you. Might we have their name, for our records? ....... .....Really? ..... I thought you knew and that was your bestowed nickname! Your "lifeline!" This is awkward. [[This IS awkward.]] [[Got a question for me?]]

`[ESC-POD heat shielding 1 activated] [ESC-POD guidance stabilizers online]` Seatbelts everyone! Please be a normal reentry... With our luck? No way! Varia? You were a good ship. You randomly saved us out there. How can I repay you? (Captain Aya, I'm sorry I couldn't save you. Both times.) Thank you, Taylor-of-this-Varia, for, well... your helmet and suit. And for being generally badass and amazing like we are. I'll try to make our family happy, if that's okay with you. I'd be cool with it so, I suppose you are. Ground Control, initiating Varia-Escape-Pod Landing and Pickup. FIDO GO. Guidance. GO. Surgeon. GO. Recovery GO. Capcom. GO. Ground Control ASTRA we are GO. It's been so long... Finally. This is... all I’ve ever wanted. ...... This is Cadet Taylor, formerly of the Varia, formerly of the White Star, formerly of the Viridian, and now, formerly of the Varia once more.... signing off from space and stars. .... One song for the road, $lifeline? [[-Taylor and T2 are coming home-->load major tom]]

`[ l o a d i n g ]` (live: 10s)[(goto: "Major Tom")] (masteraudio: 'stopall') {(unless: (track: 'LAS17', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LAS17', 'play') ]} (masteraudio: 'stopall')

">Once you reach altitude the parachute will automatically deploy to start slowing your descent. You'll still be going rather quickly, so right before landing the pod with also auto-start the last stage deceleration. This happens seconds before the soft landing. It's not soft. That's such a lie. We try our best to make it as 'soft' as possible and not injure our astronauts. You have around 5 minutes before needing to gear up. I'll hear from you shortly. [[It will be alright.]] [[Any last space-hijinks?]]

If not... it was a good run. And it's fine if you don't want to try again after this if it's bad. Just... keep your comms with you. Keep listening in the direction of the absolute boondocks of space. Maybe there’ll be another student astronaut that needs that outreached hand. Be their lifeline too. [[I couldn't get rid of you even If i wanted to, dummy.]] [[I'm like a magnet to Taylors.]]

After everything in this space adventure I’ve got to or had to experience... ...all I can think of to want is setting foot on solid ground and petting my cat. No amount of null gravity would beat that. Especially since null gravity doesn’t //technically// exist. Mathematically speaking. [[Nerds.]] [[I prefer philosophy.]]

Stop what you’re doing and look up the equation for gravitational force. Got it? Good. Look at the top. Masses of objects. Object can’t have no mass. Must be a positive number. Now the bottom right there. That little distance squared. Your thinkpan knows what that means? It means that distance can’t be zero AND you can’t divide by zero. Can’t have zero gravity. Q.E.D., my self. Radical. Such a nerd, T2. You did the proof. It's the traditional-- Oh. 'Oh?' Wha--.... `[Taylor and T2 are silent]` It's so blue. [[You made it.]] [[Welcome home.]]

Apologies, my dear Emmanuel, I Kant understand why you would prefer that. Taylor, you stole the one philosophy joke I know. Damn it. You’re a week ahead of me! If that's not a week spent prepping puns, I don't want to hear about it. There wasn't exactly a library of philosophy treatsies on the Viridian for me to peruse. Nor would I! The Greens have read some philosophy books. Couldn't you have asked with that wikipedia of knowledge? Philosophical discussions of the self and identity and free will //were// all the rage in the hivemind. Huh. "Gullible" is also written on the flight deck ceiling. I know it isn't. Are you sure? Are you //really// sure? Why I am so-- Oh. 'Oh?' Wha--.... `[Taylor and T2 are silent]` It's so blue. [[You made it.]] [[Welcome home.]]

You're a dummy, Tay. You hear that? Oh. 'Oh?' Wha--.... `[Taylor and T2 are silent]` It's so blue. [[You made it.]] [[Welcome home.]]

We repel ourselves and attract to you. Makes sense. `[T2 is shoving Taylor]` Hey!-- Oh. 'Oh?' Wha--.... `[Taylor and T2 are silent]` It's so blue. [[You made it.]] [[Welcome home.]]

I never thought I'd see it again. Oh man. I didn't think I'd ever see it. I kept telling myself that I'd see it again... on the moon... to make myself believe it. But I never did. [[Please hug T2 for me.]] [[It must be beautiful.]]

It is... home. It’s home. I'm going to make it home. [[Please hug T2 for me.]] [[It must be beautiful.]]

`[Taylor and T2 are hugging]` I can't believe we're about to go home. We'll be home. God, it's been... I'm trying to describe what I'm seeing to you, lifeline. But I just have no words after everything. Everyone I've ever met came from here. Our little pale blue dot. But it's not pale unless you're looking at those clouds lining the oceans and cutting across the... I can't tell. Maybe Australia. Who knows. T2, you think you're ready? I want to smooch that ground. Will you allow us and the ground one kiss? [[Pucker up, Earth!]] [[I'm a little jealous, but okay.]]

Everyone I've ever met came from here. Our little pale blue dot. But it's not pale unless you're looking at those clouds lining the oceans and cutting across the... I can't tell. Maybe Australia. Who knows. T2, you think you're ready? I want to smooch that ground. Will you allow us and the ground one kiss? [[Pucker up, Earth!]] [[I'm a little jealous, but okay.]]

Mwah! One final look and we'll gear up. [[Taylor and T2 are Earth-gazing]]

Hey, come on, once for old times' sake? (If: $T2Trust > $TayTrust)[T2 will](if: $TayTrust > $T2Trust)[I’ll](if: $TayTrust = $T2Trust)[We’ll] be yours forever more. One final look and we'll gear up. [[Taylor and T2 are Earth-gazing]]

(live: 3.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[ [[Taylor and T2 are gearing up]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Are you set for the final checklist? Yes. Yes let's do it. First it was hitting the green start button. Obvious since it says "start". `[T2 is pushing the button] [ESC-POD indicates open doors] [ESC-POD indicates starting sequence]` Plopped in. Chili mac and tunguskite. What a combination of the senses. `[ESC-POD communications startup] [ESC-POD comms connecting with Ground Control]` Can you hear us in here? AAAAAA! [[What’s wrong?]] [[Oh no, an implosion.]] (stop:) ]] |more>[]

REAL HUMAN SOUNDS Surprise, I guess it's been a while for you. Lifeline, we're connected to ASTRA on audio. I can actually hear a non-computerized voice. It's been months hearing only my own voice. [[Oh. How nice.]] [[Text not enough for you?]]

OH MAN. NO! No! No it’s not an implosion— I wouldn’t be able to vocalize if it were. Sarcasm was appreciated by one of us here. It’s the vocalization! Not just text! REAL HUMAN SOUNDS Surprise, I guess it's been a while for you. Lifeline, we're connected to ASTRA on audio. I can actually hear a non-computerized voice. It's been months hearing only my own voice. The variety of sound waves is simply a-sounding. [[Oh. How nice.]] [[Text not enough for you?]]

I can't believe you're jealous. [[I'm not!]] [[Maybe so.]]

Your text beeps are lovely reminders of human interaction, but this is of-the-moment! I forgot what people sound like! I can't believe you're jealous. [[I'm not!]] [[Maybe so.]]

Yes you are. [[Green. With envy.]] [[Happy your hearing hasn’t gone.]]

Called it. And thanks for the clarification. That’s how I know you like me. I can hear that who anytime anyday. Like the background radiation of the Stars...

Ha ha. That's so funny I'm almost green with nausea! (This will all be okay. It will all be okay.)

Dumb to fight over rank when running away with your tail between your legs. Hey, if you're the captain, don't you have to go down with the ship? That is exactly what I'm doing. Going down (to Earth) with the ship (escape module). No, no, oh Captain Taylor, you strutted around the Varia with the confidence of a true Captain, so you better stay until the bitter end. Uh, T2? Do you want to be captain? Not a chance. `[T2 is laughing]` We're evacuating all personel, and you, my best second-mate, can board the vessel first. Deal. We should start planning what to take each. A first aid kit? Extra food? If something goes wrong though, I don’t think an extra pack of gauze and a few painkillers is going to make much difference. I think we can each take something small— (Why don’t we just pick our Green Squad designations now to get it over with.) [[Aw, cheer up.]] [[You'd be T(print:)[$U]2.]]

Congratulations. Despite obstacles both

<center>twin-meteorites.neocities.org</center>

Oh, okay. Taylor spoiled all my secrets and fun facts. No longer interesting except for how I've suffered after the fact. [[You will always been interesting.->You have always been interesting.]] [[I want to learn about the new DLC.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - 1)

Ha! Well, I've had at LEAST my requistite hundred bad days... ...so I better have at LEAST a hundred good stories to be interesting at all the future parties I'll get invited to. [[I didn't know you were such a party animal, T2!]] [[You have always been interesting.]]

Like many others before you, lifeline. If //anyone// I met in school or at space camp knew the truth of my wild side... ...I would have been invited to parties. If only they knew the nerdy awkward kid with bad jokes and dumb tv reference would have brought life to their get-togethers... Their loss! [[Right.]] [[Damn right!]]

Hm. An interesting specimen, perhaps. Ripe for the vivisection table, perhaps. ...Okay, I know that was a compliment. Thanks, I guess. Haven't heard that I'm "interesting" before without the speaker hesistating before that word like they're trying to find something complimentary. Being an uncool indoor kid with a vast knowledge of science tricks and //Futurama// quotes isn't the charisma most people vibe with. So I'm glad you're weird and interesting... like me. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')Or just weird... like me. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` ...Or just that you like me, despite it.] I SEE you opening your mouth to say something back to me but I refuse! to! hear! it! [[-T2 is busy-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + 1)

(live: 3s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Hey, lifeline. Can you tie-break for me? I don't have any silver coins to flip. [[You really need my help with this?]] [[Are silver coins special?]] (stop:) ]]|more>[]

There's room for you in the pit, pal. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')Grab your glow sticks and get on out there! `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` I'll take on a shift-- the beeping of the monitors is as close to an EDM beat as I'll get out here.] [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ]

Yeah, yeah. That's what they all say. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')But I'll show them! `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` I'll show you all!] [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ]

It's metric, I wouldn't know. [[You cannot tell me you haven't done the same.]] [[For a science student you're awfully anti-metric.]]

Me and math were never the best of buds. I can //do math// but after figuring out one distance or volume you now want me to it again, but different? Feet and cups are obvious nouns. What is a pico or centi? I'll do it for science, but this is why I like biology more than... physics... ugh. Who would use it besides math nerds?! [[Most of the world.]] [[Easy division is the worst.]]

.... "Can you please pass the wrench?" [[Sorry, I can't.]] [[Yeah sure, here you go.]]

Why'd I even bother... (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')`~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` Alright. Back to work.] [[-T2 is face-palming-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ]

..... (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')`~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` `[T2 is face-palming]`] [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ]

Is most of the world in the room with us right now? [[Yeah bro.]] [[One is on Q-COMM with you.]]

Glad you agree. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')I refuse to read your inert words on this little LED screen as anything but sincere non-irony-poisoned sentiment. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` I'm going to miserate, since my usual co-miserating partner is... indisposed.] [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ]

Oh man. Sure, yeah. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')A little speck of the old most-of-the-world in an ocean of the-wider-real-world. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` Thanks for being here and keeping me sane.] I just... have to keep working on this so I don't become less sane. [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ]

Clarify. [[No~]] [[You're my whole world, bro.]]

Bro... (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')That was a good bit. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` Alright. Back to work.] [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ]

Fine. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')If we're done with the bits, I gotta do a bit of my own. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` A //bit// of work.] [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ]

You should be thankful for our nearly 2,000 AU likely different universe distance... ...because that was //BAD//. [[Not as bad as your bad jokes.]] [[At least you're talking to me now.]]

...who's there...? [[Banana.]] (if: $banana > 2)[ [[Orange.]] ] [[Apollo.]]

OH, I see. You're typing. You're not even speaking to me with words, only pure text. No one talks to me. Ever. [[I was only trying to help.->I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

Yeah, of course Q-COMM does. It was made with state-of-the-art autocorrect and voice recognition. It even knows when I //don’t// mean "duck." Let me show you: `[T2 is swearing]` [[And state-of-the-art censorship.]] [[If that’s on purpose what a good joke.]]

No! No, Q-COMM doesn’t work like that! When I pause it focuses into motion detection...? That’s why it shows up as an action or busy icon. I can set it to an away message too— which I should do more often. [[I was only trying to help.->I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

It— yes. It was on purpose. I am funny and deserve to make a joke and have a laugh. Ha ha. Hee hee. An excellent jest for my mental health. [[Not as bad as your other bad jokes.->Not as bad as your bad jokes.]] [[At least you're talking to me now.]]

How did you make that sound with your mouth? Tee... two.... lor....? Teetwaylor. That’s not right. [[T2ylor.]] [[Your Q-COMM knows all your weird noises.]]

(live: 2s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Wait, lifeline. Before you go. I remembered something I wanted to tell you. [[It's not like you to forget.]] [[Is it important?]] (stop:) ]]|more>[] {(unless: (track: 'STAR5', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR5', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR5', 'play') ]}

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

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

What a great morning. It's dark, there are stars, and the spaceship looks like any other time of the day. And, no, before you ask: the Varia's lighting system to get our circadian rhythms in check died with Taylor's EMP blast. So it's on or off. No nuance. No choice. [[Grab an eyemask and take a nap.->Question bother]] [[Someone woke up on the wrong side of the spaceship.->Question bother]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR5', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR5', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR5', 'play') ]}

You saw another star name in your comms. Somehow? There IS a lot of stellar radiation out here, and didn't a speedrunner set a record because a photon of that energy changed some code? I bet that's what's happening to our Q-COMMs with the quarks. Too much stellar radiation. Lifeline, you //need// to look up some speedrunning hacks to glitch us back home safely. We already have the parallel universes so we're half an a-press away! [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh1]]

Quick chat, Tay. What's up? The opposite direction of the enemy's base. Contrived. So were the names Locke and Demosthenes. Yeah total nerds. Seriously what is up. I'm not having our nightmares anymore. And? I mean, good for you but we survive them anyway. The replacement dreams are... they're so nice T2, I can't describe them. 12 hours plus naps is excessive. We'll talk more later. .... I left the comms on. This was supposed to be private. [[What conversation? I didn't hear anything.]] [[Can you tell me what are you dreaming about?]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR4', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR4', 'play') ]}

Perfect. Now let's get the move on in all ways a person can move on. I'll stay here a while. Suit yourself. [[-T2 is busy-->T2 confess]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + .5)

Stars... all of them. And other celestial objects out there too. I can't... really describe it. (So you'll talk to your lifeline but not yourself. I see how it is...) They're... ...really lucid too. [[You didn't tell T2 this?]] [[That sounds so peaceful.]]

Taylor sounds like one of those starsick astronauts. Just wanting to dream all day and all night of the stars. [[Looking out the window helps seasickness.]] [[Aren't you also starsick?]]

Yeah, that's the thing. Starsickness isn't like seasickness where you get all queasy and regret the Trashy Trailer Park taco you had a few hours earlier. That's general motion sickness. That's when looking out the window at the horizon helps. I had that a bit on launch, and a bit after the black hole. Also a bit after that initial encounter post-black hole. That's common, and it goes away after you adjust to the fact that you're constantly falling. [[Ain't that a way to talk about life up here.]] [[I'm a clutz in Earth gravity too.]]

Sick of the stars, yeah, but that's not starsickness. That's the thing. Starsickness isn't like seasickness where you get all queasy and regret the Trashy Trailer Park taco you had a few hours earlier. That's general motion sickness. That's when looking out the window at the horizon helps. I had that a bit on launch, and a bit after the black hole. Also a bit after that initial encounter post-black hole. That's common, and it goes away after you adjust to the fact that you're constantly falling. [[Ain't that a way to talk about life up here.]] [[I'm a clutz in Earth gravity too.]]

Wait, one more thing before you go, lifeline. Please. [[What's that?->Tay starsick]] [[Okay, fine.->Tay starsick]] {(unless: (track: 'STAR4', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'STAR4', 'loop', true) (track: 'STAR4', 'play') ]}

Right? It's weird to think about-- and you're free-falling on earth too. But just, with a giant mound of planet to catch your fall, constantly. Constantly falling. Constantly worrying about the landing. And yet we call it "free." Free-fall. No, starsickness like homesickness, but surprisingly for the stars. Colby told me about it, once, about how on her previous mission one of her crewmates would spend all their free time stargazing. They didn't even want to join in on the 0G M&M eating contests! Sure, the stars are beautiful, and I always DID want to be out here, adventure out here. The possibilities are limitless! One of my first memories is that of my parents taking me out in the front yard one night, waking me up from a nap or my little bed, probably to a lot of crying and whining— I was four, give me a break— We drove to an outlook on the outskirts of Austin and as they held me in the warm night, they pointed up at the night sky and told me, "Look, Taylor. It's Hale-Bopp. Say hi." I remember that trail of brightness streaking across the sky and saying in my four-year-old voice: "Hale-bop!" [[Cute kid.]] [[Oh how things change in a few years!]]

Oh good, so you know what I mean. That constant jolt of adrenaline when the world slows down for a split second. Constantly falling. Constantly worrying about the landing. And yet we call it "free." Free-fall. No, starsickness like homesickness, but surprisingly for the stars. Colby told me about it, once, about how on her previous mission one of her crewmates would spend all their free time stargazing. They didn't even want to join in on the 0G M&M eating contests! Sure, the stars are beautiful, and I always DID want to be out here, adventure out here. The possibilities are limitless! One of my first memories is that of my parents taking me out in the front yard one night, waking me up from a nap or my little bed, probably to a lot of crying and whining— I was four, give me a break— We drove to an outlook on the outskirts of Austin and as they held me in the warm night, they pointed up at the night sky and told me, "Look, Taylor. It's Hale-Bopp. Say hi." I remember that trail of brightness streaking across the sky and saying in my four-year-old voice: "Hale-bop!" [[Cute kid.]] [[Oh how things change in a few years!]]

It is. I saw Antares this time, like I had said. They're both so bright with mesmirizing orbits... Floating in space with no worries... was perfect. ...... I can see your eyes drooping so why don't you tuck yourself in for hour 14 since you spent so long talking to your lifeline. ....Don't get your space-pjs in a twist. `[Taylor is leaving]` [[I wanted to talk more...]] [[You're jealous.]]

Why would Taylor ever tell me anything? It's not like I'm a twin and know all this tragic backstory. ...... I can see your eyes drooping so why don't you tuck yourself in for hour 14 since you spent so long talking to your lifeline. ....Don't get your space-pjs in a twist. `[Taylor is leaving]` [[I wanted to talk more...]] [[You're jealous.]]

I've always been fine on my own. [[-T2 is busy-->T2 confess]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - 1)

Join the club. [[-T2 is busy-->T2 confess]]

...... ... [[Knock knock.]] [[Isn't T2 my favorite of the T2ylors?]]

Banana... who...? [[Knock knock.]] (set: $banana to $banana + 1)

Apollo who? [[I Apollo-gize for the bad joke!]]

At least you acknowledge it. You should be thankful for our nearly 2,000 AU likely different universe distance... ...because that was //BAD//. (if: $banana >0)[I don't understand what the banana had to do with it... ] [[Not as bad as your bad jokes.]] [[At least you're talking to me now.]]

Mine are to distract myself from how scared or worried I am. Which is a lot! Because there isn't much to be confident about here. [[I was only trying to help.->I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

Someone is talking. Barely though. One person! //You.// [[I was only trying to help.->I didn't mean it like that.]] [[T2, what's wrong?]]

I won't lie you to. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')My mocha latte addiction started sophmore year and has not abated since. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` Now I've stooped to combining coffee and hot chocolate packets to get my fix.] And we're almost out of coffee. Ugh. I need to stop thinking about that or else I'll get a non-caffeine-withdrawal headache. [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ]

Oh man, I remember back in the old days, we used to have complete games. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE1', 'play')No waiting for the next one to come out for years... `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` ...or having to pay for certain gimmicky elements or main-game choices.] I'm giving you all this for //free//. Thank me for this entertainment! [[-T2 is back to work-->bleh]] |star1)[ [[Aldeberan...!]] ] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust + .5)

I'm sure they are. Which could mean nothing! [[-T2 is busy-->bleh]]

...... Strange that they're, for one, words-that-aren't-gibberish with that susposedly random message contamination. Nothing like 6EQUJ5. Wow-ee. ....and it's been a while since I read it-- --Lifeline, can you do me a favor? Doesn't matter if you do or not-- I don't need to know. Are those stars the ones Gully Foyle... [[-T2 is pondering-]]

//Everyone// knows that silver coins are how you make the best wishes and best decisions. Currency isn't worth the flight-weight out here, so it's bartering or being space piracy. So, as I said: I'm coinless, and need you to choose. [[You really do need my help to breathe.]] [[Alright. Shoot.]]

'Course. Super important. World-endingly important. [[Alright. Shoot.]] [[Second choice.]]

Meatballs in Marinara Sauce or Spinach Mushrooms and Cream Sauce Fettuccine? [[The Fettuccine.->More or less.]] [[You really do need my help to breathe.]]

Wow. Speed-running this exciting filler for the action. Let me guess, you already knew what I was going to say next. "Oh yes, T2, pick the Spinach Mushrooms and Cream Sauce Fettuccine. That'll give you the energy you need to make it through the next life or death event! Maybe //this// time you'll live and I won't have to waste my time rewinding and trying out every possible thing to say to change the outcome. If not I'll try again!" [[More or less.]] [[Do I sound like that?]]

Spinach Mushrooms and Cream Sauce Fettuccine would make me happier. Thank you, cosmic demon of our shattering space-time multiuniversal continuum. [[Demon? Hah.]] [[You're welcome, cosmic traveller of our shattered space-time multiuniversal continuum.]]

No. No, you don't. Your words on a screen are the only company I have. Took it out on you like... Ugh. I'm so out of it these days I can't compile a fun reference to some obscure scifi B-movie disaster. [[You're fine, T2.]] [[Ah, ah, losing your sharp touch.]]

D'awww. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')I'll remember that when I'm back to a lovely spring green. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` Time to eat my spinach greens.] [[Osteoporosis.]]|star1)[ [[Aldeberan. Again.]] ] [[At least it's a nice color.]]

//I// didn't. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')Taylor did. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` .......] Time to eat my spinach greens. [[-T2 is eating-]]|star1)[ [[Aldeberan. Again.]] ] [[Wait. T2.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust -1)

I'm not, am I? (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')Can't wait to get home and immediately take a big ole gulp of occupier. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` This trip with you has been a dreamlike oasis in my doom.] And before you snark at how I described it as a dream... ...nightmares are dreams too. [[Dreaming like the sleepyhead too?]]|star1)[ [[Aldeberan. Again.]] ] [[Ah. Sorry to hear that.]]

....what? ...Spinach has a good chunk of calcium.... If that's what you're warning about? [[-T2 is eating-]]

It //is// a nice color, extremely-processed and preserved preparation aside. Plants are the only green things here besides the LEDs of the ship lights. And my eyes. [[-T2 is eating-]]

Most of the nightmares aren't //news// to you. Maybe you apologized about them earlier. [[Sorry. Again.->Sorry.]] (if: $T42 is 1)[ [[It wasn't this timeline.]] ] (else:)[Enjoy your food.->-T2 is eating-]]

No, since //Taylor// gets happy dreams now. No more of our strained twin-therapy sessions since we had similar dreams. I used to be able to critique any misinformation about occupation. //now it's only about stars... I'm beginning to hate those stars.// [[-T2 is eating-]]

What? [[Sorry.]] (if: $T42 is 1)[ [[It wasn't this timeline.]] ](else:)[ [[Enjoy your food.->-T2 is eating-]] ]

I know. I'm being mean, I know that too. [[-T2 is eating-]]

Gonna stop you there. Because you're so wrong. It happened in another universe. It did happen, even if it didn't happen to //me//. //I// happened to Taylor. //I// am real. It's real, even if it's not this me, or us. [[-T2 is eating-]]

I am stopping mid-MRE-package-peeling to ask you why you think these are showing up. Oh man, what am I saying? I'm too hungry to wait. And too annoyed to pay attention. [[-T2 is eating-]]

Hi, T2! Oh crap!--- `[T2 is spitting out fettucine]` Oh man, who could have guessed that fettucine was inedible. Forget //al dente// it's //al rock//. //Why are you awake?!// I woke up? Now I'm starving? And decided to get food? You skipped breakfast and lunch and we have more than rat pellets available. I would understand if that was all we had to eat since those aren't good the second meal in a row... And third and fourth... I take it? ...grab your food and leave me alone. ....... [[Didn't take you as the type to skip meals, Taylor.]] [[A right side and wrong side of the bed.]]

You //can't// imply that my stress-napping is the wrong side of the bed. It's the right side of the bed and Taylor has the wrong side of the navigation chair. It's comforting-- It's uncomfortable! How do you //not// have a crick in your neck? When I slept like that on the nav chair here and on ships of yore I could barely move my neck! T2, I'm tired too. Please keep it down. Just because you're not shouting doesn't mean you're right. Let me get some foodstuff and I'll be out of your hair. [[Woof.]] [[So... what was the fight about?]]

I'm not. I've just been more tired than hungry. I knew it. The delicious scent of Spinach Mushrooms and Cream Sauce rose you from the sleeping dead and you floated over here like some Looney Toons mammal. Sleepwalking, essentially, just for this //wonderful// fettucine. You know you want it, but you can't have it! T2, I'm hungry. You're being hangry. Please keep it down. Just because you're not shouting doesn't mean you're right. Let me get some foodstuff and I'll be out of your hair. [[Woof.]] [[So... what was the fight about?]]

Yes? And? [[Do you want a distraction?]] [[Do you need an intervention?]]

You better call PBS, since someone here wants to audition for Oscar. Wrong. It'd be Ernie. No way. //I// get Ernie. Ernie has always been my favorite, and the most like me. I get to audition for Ernie. Mmmm. You're more like Bert. //Let me have this, Taylor.// [[Woah woah woah.]] [[Can I be Big Bird?]]

Did you hear that, Taylor? Your lifeline wants us to calm down. UGH. T2's jimmies are rustled like a pen of pigs. Taylor's jammies need a break from the bed. [[Both of you eat while playing music.]] [[Eat in silence. Please.]]

Absolutely. Yeah sure. Don't know //why//. Are you insulting my lifeline? //Your// lifeline? [[Turn on some music and be quiet.->Both of you eat while playing music.]] [[Eat in silence. Please.]]

Yes. Yes. T2's jimmies are rustled like a pen of pigs. Taylor's jammies need a break from the bed. [[Both of you eat while playing music.]] [[Eat in silence. Please.]]

T2 needs one. Taylor needs one. T2's jimmies are rustled like a pen of pigs. Taylor's jammies need a break from the bed. [[Both of you eat while playing music.]] [[Eat in silence. Please.]]

With enthusiasm. With all due respect. Hey-- [[Silence. Please.]] [[Silence. Pretty please.]]

Fine. Fine. [[-Taylor is shuffling the playlist-->The Stars]]

How could I say no to a request that polite? (Like saying "how could I say no to a request that polite?") (Taylor, I will--) I'll eat in the flight deck. `[Taylor is leaving]` Hm. [[-T2 is eating-->T2 remember]]

How could I say no to a request that beautiful? (Like saying "how could I say no to a request that beautiful?") (Taylor, I will--) I'll eat in the flight deck. `[Taylor is leaving]` Hm. [[-T2 is eating-->T2 remember]]

You think?! Oh. Man. Why didn’t I bring this up sooner. We don’t have that long before slow-down or we’ll splat into earth like a bug on the reinforced plexiglass window. I had to be sure this was what I could want. Because it IS a lot. A LOT a lot. Lifeline, can you help me think? [[Sure thing: Go home.]] [[I’ll be a sounding board.]]

Oh. Man. Why didn’t I bring this up sooner. We don’t have that long before slow-down or we’ll splat into earth like a bug on the reinforced plexiglass window. I had to be sure this was what I could want. Because it IS a lot. A LOT a lot. Lifeline, can you help me think? [[Sure thing: Go home.]] [[I’ll be a sounding board.]]

But home could be.... It’s a lot to give up.... It’s a lot to never get back.... [[-Taylor and T2 are thinking-->SSTS]]

Thanks, lifeline. Shoot, I didn’t expect this to be a question. But it’s the biggest question in my life. [[-Taylor and T2 are thinking-->SSTS]]

Oh man. Well. I was hoping we’d have a conclave and then meet by unanimous approval. But rules are rules. You convinced me! And now you’re having second thoughts? Second thoughts, but I //did// start the discussion myself so it’s on me. I also... still want to be out here, even if going back is also worth it. It’s still a decision you get to make... That! We agreed.

Oh man. Well, now I feel a bit bad. No no! We discussed it. I agree to how we'd decide. I'm not... mad either. I'm at peace. Because, while we’re not the same anymore... ...I. I'm still Taylor. And I've always loved the stars. So I'll be happy out here too. Okay! Okay! Agreed!

Really? I don't know why the Stars would care about names. Taylor that is so cryptic please explain now. It's nothing. Nothing?! You keep saying that but it obviously isn't 'nothing'! Do I REALLY have to be the one forcing my feelings through my cracks every day on this ship? And in the multiverse?! [[Taylor.->Taylor. Fix this.]] [[T2.]]

Chronic fatigue? I don't-- no, you did get a major shock. That could be enough to fry your nerves, even if I wasn't predisposed to any of that. Or maybe I am and this triggered it? Oh man. I've been a certified floral paisley-scarred butt. I'm sorry, Tay-- No, no. T2, it's not that. You've been a butt //for sure// but I //know// that it's not that. Sorry, regardless. Right. ....so? It's nothing. Nothing?! You keep saying that but it obviously isn't 'nothing'! Do I REALLY have to be the one forcing my feelings through my cracks every day on this ship? And in the multiverse?! [[Taylor.->Taylor. Fix this.]] [[T2.]]

What?! Is my frustration and grief not enough of a plea for help to you? Do I have to break things? Myself? To get you to listen?! I'm back to being alone again! There's no one here to talk to, to listen! Just stars... empty stars. In the blackness of the void that is also my upcoming end. Since the epilogue is grim and we know how this ends. I've seen it! (if: $greeneyes is 1)[With my own two green eyes!] I can't take being alone. Again. Especially when I shouldn't be. [[Oh, T2.]] [[Taylor. Fix this.]]

'Oh, T2.' Yes, yes. Poor little meow meow having a breakdown at the edge of the universe. Sympathy letters all around. What I //learned// through all that heartache and tears and tragedy on that moon, that ship, and that blackhole... ...is that you have to fix the problems yourself and not wait to let anyone kiss it better. So don't kiss it better. Tell us what's wrong, Taylor. You're not going to understand. And that's okay. [[Of course I'll understand.]] [[Just tell me.]]

You're not going to understand. And that's okay. [[Of course I'll understand.]] [[Just tell me.]]

I... don't think you will. Let me tell T2 first. Okay. [[-Taylor is whispering-]]

Let me tell T2 first. Okay. [[-Taylor is whispering-]]

It was. Sometimes your dreams do come true. You just don't know what the real dreams are until you're faced with reality. ...... Can we please think about this? No— we have to talk this out. We can’t just leave space or leave earth forever on a whim. Why do I know exactly why you feel this. Being the same person will do that. Just different flavors. [[This is crazy.]] [[You’re mentioning this only now?]]

I've wished that too, but it would have been another student astronaut. Another student would have crashed onto that moon, and they might not have had the luck I had or the skill T2 had to survive. Maybe it'd be for the better. Maybe it'd be for the worse. ......... Can we please think about this? No— we have to talk this out. We can’t just leave space or leave earth forever on a whim. Why do I know exactly why you feel this. Being the same person will do that. Just different flavors. [[This is crazy.]] [[You’re mentioning this only now?]]

I've gone dull over this trip. (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')Too much time, so little action the past few days. `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` This trip with you has been a dreamlike oasis in my doom.] And before you snark at how I described it as a dream... ...nightmares are dreams too. [[Dreaming like the sleepyhead too?]]|star1)[ [[Aldeberan. Again.]] ] [[Ah. Sorry to hear that.]]

Would you prefer angel? Or devil? (link: " `~*~`011000010110110001100100011001010110001001100101011100100110000101101110`~*~` ")[(show: ?star1)(track: 'MESSAGE2', 'play')You're one of those two. Can you do a handstand for me? `~*~` a l d e b e r a n `~*~` I could go for some spinach puffs...green as they are.] [[Osteoporosis.]]|star1)[ [[Aldeberan. Again.]] ] [[At least it's a nice color.]]

Orange who? [[Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?]]

class="t2">...it'll hurt...? not as much as it does now it already all hurts cant deal with decisions not anymore(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 7s)[(transition: "dissolve")[tired so tired of choosing wait give me minute not yet not yet(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 9s)[(transition: "dissolve")[n-no no no f-fine--(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 10s)[(transition: "dissolve")[WAit-- NO(stop:) ]] |more>[] (live: 11s)[(transition: "dissolve")[`[T2 is screaming]`

We could have avoided this entire conversation. Not like we have better things to— Strike that: we never got the chance to duet //OK Computer// because of the crash and your snoozing. That’s //important//. I needed this. You needed this too. We know it’s a choice now. All three of us. Singing is MORE important than all this. That’s my flag and I’m planting it. `[T2 is smiling]` We can sing together at home. On Earth.

Oh man. Wow. Oh man. Good. Good. I didn't want to force you away from Earth if you wanted that. I didn't want to trap you in the Stars if you didn't want that! Great minds think alike. [[And fools rarely differ.]] [[So it's decided.]]

I'm not happy until you're not happy. [[Boooo.]] [[Didn't the Green Squad say that?]]

They said a lot of things. And because they're us and that's our fate surely I would say those things too. It's //very// Taylor-core. [[What do you want, T2?]] [[Make me less happy then.]] (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - 2)

I know. //(I know.)// I can't seem to stay awake most of the time. I'll sleep and it's nice and I needed it but when I wake up, no refreshed shine ready to take on the day. [[That sounds like the opposite of a shock.]] [[That sounds like depression.]]

You're saying I should be less tired? That doesn't make sense. Shocks can cause a bunch of brain and nerve damage. Insomnia? Why didn't I remember that? The shock. Oh! I'm shocked! Taylor's fine. //Fire in the disco! Fire in the Taco Bell! Danger! Danger! High voltage!// Enough! Hey, lifeline. Don't you wanna know how we keep starting fires? //It's my desire!// //It's my desire!// //It's my desire!// [[Why don't you desire to put them out instead?]] [[Cool. Energy restored like a charged battery.]]

You can't put out fires that aren't already started. //We can build a fire// though. Believe Taylor, lifeline. I am not a liar. [[What are we destroying to survive?]] [[No, you are a bad liar.]]

Music always helps _____find better wording and this segways into star star

Depression?! Lifeline, I'm not depressed. I've been through a lot, and I'm feeling down "sometimes" to "often" but not depression. Mmm. You sure, Taylor? Despite everything, I'm still you, and you're still me... ...so I know we're not predispositioned to that normally... T2 here checks the boxes on irritated, "always." I wouldn't have to check any box if I didn't have to check up on you every few hours to make sure you're still breathing while you sleep! See? [[I'm being serious, Taylor. It's okay.]] [[Call you the DSM-2, T2.]]

Deal. Time for me to go radio silent for a while. That'll make you less happy. Oh, hi, T2. Lifeline, we'll put a pin in this conversation. A sharp pin. Top o' the mornternoon to you. `[Taylor is yawning]` Mornternoon. [[How many hours is that?->that sounds like]] [[Please be more specific.]]

Right. Not sure what time it is. Time is an illusion, lunch time doubly so. So I wish them both! I don't know what time it is for you, either. Q-COMM works in mysterious quantum-quark positional ways. It's been almost 12 hours since you went to bed. [[That long?->that sounds like]] [[God I wish that were me->that sounds like]]

Thanks, lifeline. You may not be the lifeline everyone deserves... ...but you're the lifeline everyone needs. Oh man, my heart hurts right now. Depression hurt? Spark hurt? Both hurt? Just from how much I--... how much you mean to me. Taylor, being a sap, means to say that despite my sharp words in a soft gooey heart, this isn't depression. If you're asking me, lifeline... [[I don't think Taylor is depressed either.]] [[I am asking.]]

It sounds like something else. ..... I need to think on it. Really make sure I get the words right so you can banquet at the scrumptious feast of auditory words. ..... And make you believe me. ..... Taylor. Music. Something upbeat. I do not control the rate at which the BPM beats. [[Yes, let's listen.->Star Star]] [[Can't we just talk?]]

...... Of course not. (set: $T2Trust to $T2Trust - 1)

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. I do not own the Lifeline series, or any of the related characters. The Lifeline series is created by Dave Justus, Lilah Sturges, Matt Gregory, and 3 Minute Games. This story is intended for entertainment purposes only. This is a fanwork inspired by the Lifeline Green Series. This game will always be free. If you enjoy this fangame, please support the original Lifeline series and its authors’ other work. I do not own any music used in this game. It is stored off-website and can be taken down at any time by request. (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

This story started as an RP between Sugar-Splenda and myself (PekaSairroc and current mod of askcadettaylor) as a direct continuation of askT2-lifeine's Halloween Event in 2017. I converted it into a Twine game for others to play since we enjoyed it so much. Some parts are lifted directly from our rp, others were written specifically for this game. Thank you to Em whose Halloween event and general RP was the spark for this adventure (and a few T2 lines and characterization throughout). T2's "Invade, infect, repeat" line is Avenger-Em's. Love that line. I'd like to thank @jonnysun for the beautiful "voice from the stars" tweet. Harlowe Audio Library was developed by Chapel. Thank you for making it work in Harlowe after I was too far along to switch to Sugarcube and helping me troubleshoot it. Additionally, thanks to everyone who helped with code on the Twine Discord. And of course thank you to 3 Minute Games and Dave Justus who created the characters and games we've all had fun playing with for so long. Lifeline © 3 Minute Games (link-undo:"Back to Menu")

Hey, lifeline, can you do me a favor? [[Sure.]] [[Is now the time?]]

Go to the nearest bathroom, or maybe if you're bougie a decorative mirror... ...or if you’re NOT bougie then your phone camera. Selfie mode please and thank you. ... That’s how I'm still alive. Also my charm, my good looks, my incredible wit, and 160 episodes of //Futurama// and scifi classics. As a general overview of the flight trajectory, you'll board one of the Varia’s escape pod and detach from the Varia's hull upon passing over the Earth. The Varia will continue on a flight path that we'll transmit to you shortly. Uh, where is it going on vacation? The Sun. While the scrap would be useful to recycle, this is an easy way to dispose of the debris for future ships. We keep the aerospace clear for other ships and bringing the Varia home with all of its damage would not be worth the cost. Alright. Cool. Scrap. But before the Varia sails on its last path, you will need to activate the escape pod. We can complete the checks and automatically detach you but you must do it perfectly before you board. Can you take notes? Yes! W-I am! First, once you gear up into your flight suit, approach the pod and hit the green button labeled "Start." (Sounds simple to me). The pod will open and you can place one small belonging in the cubby hole near the control panel. When you are ready to go and we give the OK, press the red button to activate the communications panel. This will allow us to stay in contact with you and determine your coordinates upon arrival. While we can estimate your landing location and provide swift pickup, knowing the location will aid in the event of an emergency. Next, because you are landing on a planet rather than waiting for pickup in space, you'll activate the heat shielding on the control panel. Two clicks should do it for an entry as difficult as this. What does the control panel look like? Like a control panel, Cadet Taylor. Where's the heat shielding setting on it? Main menu, press 5. It says 'Heat Shielding Controls.' Sure. Got it. That’s a lot of menus for an emergency. Guidance stabilizers come next. They're not a normal procedure on an emergency but you can access them from the same menu. It'll aid us in controlling your final touchdown location to an accessible area. Right. Accessible. Not the ocean. Which is 71% of the Earth. And where we'd likely land otherwise. And drown. We're aiming in Kazakhstan before we'll return you back home. Right, the customary flattest unpopulated location. This flight will be more ballistic than normal ones, due to your approach angle, but don't worry. We'll take care of you. How much more is more than normal? It won't take very long to make the descent but you may pull up to 10G at the peak. I'm sorry, what? [[Is that even survivable?]] [[Even better than 5G.]]

No, no, I have a point. Please? [[Fine.->Sure.]] [[Taylor, please.]]

Alright. It was a compliment to you... ...But what’s the point of repaying gratitude for you saving my life constantly if I don't listen to you when you may be saving my life. As a general overview of the flight trajectory, you'll board one of the Varia’s escape pod and detach from the Varia's hull upon passing over the Earth. The Varia will continue on a flight path that we'll transmit to you shortly. Uh, where is it going on vacation? The Sun. While the scrap would be useful to recycle, this is an easy way to dispose of the debris for future ships. We keep the aerospace clear for other ships and bringing the Varia home with all of its damage would not be worth the cost. Alright. Cool. Scrap. But before the Varia sails on its last path, you will need to activate the escape pod. We can complete the checks and automatically detach you but you must do it perfectly before you board. Can you take notes? Yes! W-I am! First, once you gear up into your flight suit, approach the pod and hit the green button labeled "Start." (Sounds simple to me). The pod will open and you can place one small belonging in the cubby hole near the control panel. When you are ready to go and we give the OK, press the red button to activate the communications panel. This will allow us to stay in contact with you and determine your coordinates upon arrival. While we can estimate your landing location and provide swift pickup, knowing the location will aid in the event of an emergency. Next, because you are landing on a planet rather than waiting for pickup in space, you'll activate the heat shielding on the control panel. Two clicks should do it for an entry as difficult as this. What does the control panel look like? Like a control panel, Cadet Taylor. Where's the heat shielding setting on it? Main menu, press 5. It says 'Heat Shielding Controls.' Sure. Got it. That’s a lot of menus for an emergency. Guidance stabilizers come next. They're not a normal procedure on an emergency but you can access them from the same menu. It'll aid us in controlling your final touchdown location to an accessible area. Right. Accessible. Not the ocean. Which is 71% of the Earth. And where we'd likely land otherwise. And drown. We're aiming in Kazakhstan before we'll return you back home. Right, the customary flattest unpopulated location. This flight will be more ballistic than normal ones, due to your approach angle, but don't worry. We'll take care of you. How much more is more than normal? It won't take very long to make the descent but you may pull up to 10G at the peak. I'm sorry, what? [[Is that even survivable?]] [[Even better than 5G.]]

HEY. Are we fools or are we great adventurers? Both. It's exciting!

It is. Oh man. What a weight off my chest. I feel light... like I'm back to floating in zero gravity. Woof. I knew I was stressed about going back to Earth but now when that gravity is gone it's exhilarating. [[So that's settled.]] [[This seems anticlimactic.]]

It’s ante-climatic. We haven’t gotten to the good part yet. All that survival, and hardship, and threats, and suffering... ...that was prologue and the tragic backstory to this new story. We’re going to be okay. Turns out we get to be galactic penpals for a little longer. How about it, lifeline? [[I'd prefer Earth penpals.]] [[

Yeah. It is. Finally. Why didn't I bring this up earlier? We could have stargazed together over the trip back to Sol or got going faster. We can't lose any more time-- there's a whole universe to see.