Into the Past part 2

From Soloralwiki

Current revision as of 08:30, 10 February 2008

• the party enters the hospital in Apolytown and talks to a girl at the desk*

Clerk: Goodness! She’s unconscious. What’s wrong with her?

Jason: We don’t know. She just collapsed.

Clerk: Get her into this chair. I’ll call for a doctor.

Jason: All right. Thank you.

• the party plops the unconscious Amy onto a chair in the waiting room*

Bill: I’m really worried here guys.

Jason: I wonder what’s wrong with her.

AI: It seems that affecting the future has done Amy some sort of physical harm.

Bill: Because we kidnap-

Matt: Shut up! We’re in public, idiot!

Bill: Oooh yeah. Because of what happened tonight?

Matt: Probably. Maybe because of other things too.

Jason: If something like that can hurt her, I don’t think the doctors will be able to help.

Bill: Don’t say that!

Matt: Yeah, we don’t know. They might be able to do something for her.

Nurse: *approaches* This is the girl? Sorry, we’re short-staffed right now because of the war, so can you guys help carry her to an examination room?

Jason: Right.

• the party carries Amy into a nearby room and places her on the table*

Doctor: Thanks for your help. We’ll examine her now. You can wait in the waiting area, but it might take some time.

Jason: Okay.

• the party returns to the waiting area*

Matt: Guys, I’m going to have AI do some medical scans of her. She should still be in range of the waiting room here.

AI: Affirmative. This will take most of the night though, so I suggest you find a hotel room to sleep the night in.

Jason: Okay. It’s been a really, really long day anyway.

Bill: I don’t want to leave her.

Matt: AI and I will be here watching over her.

Jason: Come on Bill. Let’s go rest up.

Bill: All right…

• Jason and Bill sleep the night in a hotel an return in the morning*

Clerk: Oh, you’re here to visit the blue-haired girl? She’s in one of the patient rooms down the hall.

• in the room, Amy’s still sleeping on a medical bed*

Matt: Mornin’.

Jason: Hey. What’s up with her?

AI: My sensors have detected no internal injuries or known germs or viruses. Nor in any of you.

Jason: You scanned us too?

Matt: I’ve had AI scan us since we arrived in the past. I wanted to make sure we didn’t pick up some plague that has been eradicated in our time or something. We’re all healthy, but…

Bill: But?

Matt: I don’t know to explain it, but Amy’s readings make me uneasy?

Bill: She’s sick or something?

Matt: No, no, everything’s fine. But there’s something about them that is nagging at my mind.

Jason: What is it?

Matt: I’m not sure. I’m not a doctor or a biologist or anything, but I’m getting a weird feeling.

Jason: And you can’t explain it better than that?

Matt: No.

AI: I do not agree with Matt’s “feeling”. All of Amy’s systems are perfectly normal.

Matt: Maybe I’m just really tired. I don’t know.

Doctor: *entering* Ah good, you’re here.

Bill: How is she?

Doctor: She’s fine. A few scrapes and minor bruises, but nothing that would hospitalize you. She was talking last night and seemed normal. I think she just needed a good night’s rest.

Jason: Huh.

Doctor: We don’t have the room to let her stay here though. I’m going to wake her up and get her into her normal clothes. Please wait outside.

• back in the waiting area*

Jason: *to the Clerk* So, what do we owe you?

Clerk: Huh? No, the clinics are free in wartime by decree of King Ming XIV. We’re funded by the royal treasury directly.

Matt: Really? That’s surprisingly progressive.

Clerk: Yeah? I guess it is.

Amy: *walking in dressed in normal clothes* Hey guys

Bill: You’re okay!

Amy: Of course! I’ve got a bit of a headache, but I can walk. I’ll be okay.

Matt: Any idea what happened?

Amy: Nothing like this has ever happened to me. If I had to guess, I’d say it had to do with what happened last night.

AI: We arrived at the same conclusion.

Amy: Please be more careful, for the future’s sake as well as my own.

Jason: I’ll try.

Matt: Let’s go meet up with the others in Epoli Town. We have to figure out what’s happening here.

• the party travels to Epoli*
• the safe house is empty except for Lori*

Jason: Hey, where is everyone?

Lori: Oh, you’re here.

Bill: Hey, how are things?

Lori: Bad. Evan von Christoph betrayed us. His men attacked our group en route to Epoli.

All: !!!!!

Matt: What! What happened?

Lori: They attacked us on the outskirts of town, but we fought them off. Stodlum and Mryin got away with the king. I stayed here to see if you’ve arrive.

Matt: Could this be part of the Imperials’ plot too?

Bill: We have to go after them!

Amy: Ugh, the time stream is getting more muddled. My head is aching.

Bill: Hang in there, Amy.

Amy: We really need to be more careful when dealing with past events, Jason. This is probably our fault.

Jason: Hindsight is 20/20.

Matt: Hindsight?! I warned you every step of the way.

Jason: Demsosian. Laser. Technology.

Matt: That was a mistake, but unlike you, I learned from it.

Jason: Get off my back.

Lori: Wait, stop fighting. You’re not making any sense. What are you talking about?

Bill: Wow, you really are dense, aren’t you?

Lori: Excuse me?

Bill: Don’t you get it yet? You haven’t figured out who we are?

Matt: Bill…

Bill: Bah, I’m telling her.

Matt: When time itself explodes from our meddling, I hope there’s a footnote that I tried to stop it.

Amy: I agree with your stance on these matters, Matt.

Matt: Thank you Amy! At least someone does.

Lori: Who you are… ?

AI: Try as we did, we were unable to properly fit in with your society at this time. My own self is entirely unmistakable, but even the rest of our group should have given our identity away.

Matt: Damnit AI, not you too.

AI: Her knowledge of our motives would do nothing but benefit us at this stage.

Amy: At the unknown cost of risking further timeline contamination. I can’t agree to that.

Lori: Excuse me.

Jason: AI’s right though. We’ve gone off of the history pages since we, like, changed history. We can’t do this all ourselves.

Amy: With the way things are going, we‘ve likely done more damage than the Imperials have.

Jason: Gee, I’m so glad you feel that way, after recruiting me on your little scheme to alter history. I don’t need this, you know. I could go home and forget about this far-off dreadful future.

Amy: Perhaps that would be for the best.

Lori: HEY! Will you guys shut up a moment!

Bill: What!

Lori: I‘m not as dumb as you guys think I am. I know who you are.

Matt: Then who are we?

Lori: You’re time travelers from the future fighting the Imperials here in our time. You’re from Pinkaria, except they call it Jasonia again, right? Does it fly in the sky like it used to?

All: !!!!!!!

Matt: How did you…?

Lori: I’m not deaf, hunny. You’ve been talking about the future like it’s already happened. I guess my future is your past.

Amy: And the Imperials?

Lori: Gee, you guys only have mentioned that name every five minutes for the past couple days. I wonder where I picked it up from?

Jason: And Jasonia?

Lori: You called it Pinkaria “Jasonia” when we first met. It hasn’t been called that since it lost the war to Audentior back when the kingdom was first being established. I’ve been thinking about that one for a long time.

Bill: And the flying?

Lori: That was a total guess. How’d I do?

Matt: I have to admit, that’s impressive.

Jason: Well, can you guess my next question?

Lori: You want to know if I’ll join you guys.

Jason: Will you?

Lori: Maybe. There is a lot you’re hiding from me. And you argue like children. We need to have a long talk. But not here and not now. We have to go after Evan before they get too far ahead of us.

Jason: So you do want to join up?

Lori: For now, at least. If the king is as important to history as you guys are making him out to be, you need my help. And I need you to save my friends. So we work together.

• Lori joins the party, despite what she says, permanently*

Lori: The Emperors have a second safe house in Elifantopoli. It’s a small town across in the United Demesos of Ultimatia. We’ll have to cross the border up north. Stodlum’s group probably bribed the border guard to get across. I don’t think we have enough money to do that, so it may get dicey.

Jason: Dicey is sort of what we do.

Empress: Right.

• leaving Epoli*

Matt: Jason… I want to apologize for some of the things I said back there.

Amy: Me too. As much as I’d like to blame the headaches, it is my fault and I’m sorry.

Jason: Some of the things you said were justified. We came into this far too blind and I’ll admit I haven’t exactly been stellar on making good decisions lately.

AI: At the moment, our primary concern is to determine the cause of the damage and if we can repair it.

Amy: I’m convinced that it can be repaired still. The timelines are strong; it takes major events to reshape them. The king lives, so he can still sign Lord Conglacio’s treaty.

Jason: Then our goal will be to find out information and not do anything major until we understand the repercussions of our actions.

Matt: That’s what I’m talkin about.

Bill: So we’re all good then? Because some of the stuff you guys said a bit ago was scaring me.

Jason: Meh, we’ll get over it.

Lori: What a wonderful little dysfunctional group you guys have here.

Jason: You have no idea.

• at the border crossing*

Lori: The border crossing is a series of buildings that house soldiers and supplies and stuff. Most travelers go down the center, but since we don’t have the papers or the money to bribe them, that would be suicide.

Jason: I’m not really in the mood for suicide at the moment.

Lori: Me either. The complex is well-guarded, but if I go ahead and sneak around, I might be able to help you guys through.

Matt: Isn’t it dangerous to go at this alone?

Lori: Absolutely. But I’m stealthy and you guys… aren’t. I’ll be okay.

Jason: If you run into major trouble, come find us and we’ll escape together.

Lori: Right. Watch for me.

The party will consist only of Lori. The player has to complete various stealthy activities such as climbing a wall and finding a rope to help the others get up, deactivating an alarm system, building a makeshift bridge from one building to another, etc. Each time she completes a task, the rest of the team advances a little bit to another safe hiding spot. Being spotted by a guard gives the option to fight or flee. They’re decently hard fights, but not impossible. The key to them is to use Lori’s abilities to weaken the enemy before she gets too beat up. If Lori wins a fight, the guard is knocked out for the remainder of the scenario. If she loses, her unconscious body is tossed off the walls and she has to start from the very beginning. Fleeing from the guard takes her back to the CoD team’s hiding spot and she can try the current objective again.

• Finally, on the other side*

Jason: Nice work, Lori!

Lori: All in a day’s work, sugar! We’re in the United Demesos now. The safe house is in Elifantopoli, a small town to the west. Let’s hurry.

The United Demesos consists of Elifantopoli, Alycon, and Ultimate Palace. The guards at the place deny entry. Trying to enter Alycon says it looks like a major naval battle is taking place there. The only accessable town at this point is Elifantopoli*

• at the safe house in Elifantopoli*

Lori: Stod, love!

Stodlum: Lori! Ah, and the hired help. You made it.

Lori: How was it?

Stodlum: … Evan’s men took the king. I was heavily outnumbered and escaped. I thought Myrin was with me, but I think they took her too.

Lori: Stodlum…

Stodlum: I know. I failed. As soon as I realized what happened, I went after them, but they didn’t wait around. They crossed into Blackrock. I

think they’re heading for Telsoun.

Bill: Telsoun? The small province to the far southwest?

Stodlum: Yeah. Technically it’s Ultimatia-controlled, but it’s so remote as to be neutral. If you want to set up a deal like ransoming a king, Telsoun is the place to do it.

Lori: At least you’re safe.

Stodlum: For what it’s worth. Lord Conglacio isn’t going to like this.

Jason: What?

Bill: Jason! He’s the one who negotiated the treaty that ended the war!

Jason: I know that, you idiot.

Stodlum: Treaty that ended the war? Not yet. It’s still a proposal. But he’s been pressuring the king to negotiate a peaceful end of the war. No luck yet.

Jason: Yes, well, but why won’t he like this?

Stodlum: Because Myrin’s a hostage with Evan’s group.

Jason: I’m lost. Lord Conglacio knows Myrin?

Lori: Know him? I’d say so, sugar. They’re engaged.

Bill: WHAT?!

Stodlum: Lord Conglacio knows of our group and Myrin’s role in it. He’s a silent supporter of ours. He worries greatly about her and wishes to have a quiet wedding, but Myrin won’t have it until the war is over.

Lori: That girl acts silly, but a heart like few others. She won’t give up what she believes in for anything.

Matt: And if something should happen to her…

Stodlum: He’d flip. He’d absolutely lose it. He’d throw himself into his work to try to avenge her.

Jason: I see. Stodlum, however you can, contact Lord Conglacio. Tell him that Myrin and the king are in Telsoun and to meet us there. We’ll find our own way there by following Evan’s footsteps and see what else we can learn.

Stodlum: With the king kidnapped, getting into Airosamente will be insanely difficult.

Lori: You’re the best, aren’t you?

Stodlum: I guess I am. All right, I’ll leave at once. Save Mryin. Rescue the king. Kill Evan.

Lori: Will do.

• Stodlum leaves*

Matt: Doesn’t this violate our plan of acting without information?

Jason: Don’t judge too quickly. We have information this time. Remember when we saved Myrin from being attacked in Epoli? Her death was the catalyst that ended the war.

Bill: Because Lord Conglacio, overcome with grief, redoubled his efforts to persuade the king to end this senseless war.

Jason: Exactly!

Lori: She told me about that attack. If she’d been injured or killed, we’d never have pulled off the kidnapping.

Matt: So our saving her life had far-reaching consequences.

Jason: Don’t say “I told you so.” I know you did. We need to get past that point and work on repairing it.

Matt: And your plan?

Jason: Lord Conglacio. If he helps rescue the king, that’s bound to win him some favor in the royal courts. Maybe enough favor to get a treaty signed.

Matt: Hmm… this is actually starting to make sense. I wish you'd talk it over with us before making decisions though.

AI: But we must make sure that is how events play out. We need to get to Telsoun ourselves.

Lori: That won’t be easy. Getting into the United Demesos was easy because their security sucks…

Bill: It’s true, I admit it.

Lori: … but getting into Blackrock and through Automatica is another matter. Both checkpoints will be well-defended for sure.

Jason: Well, what do you suggest? You’re the rebel here.

Lori: Blackrock is currently occupying Automatica. Their allies, the United Demesos, must be sending them supplies across the river. If we head to Alycon we might be able to find a way across the river directly into Automatica, bypassing both checkpoints.

Bill: Alycon is the United Demesos’s major shipyard and one of our largest cities. There should be an opportunity there.

Jason: It’s getting late. It’s been a long day of traveling. Let’s stay the night then worry about crossing the river in the morning.

• a good night’s sleep lets the party continue the quest*
• upon entering Alycon, it’s clear the town has taken battle damage*

Matt: Whoa, this place has seen better days.

Nearby man: Those Audente dogs bombed the town yesterday before the Demesosian navy managed to beat them off. We’ll make them pay tenfold for this!

Bill: Alycon was the pride of the United Demesos in this time period. Our navy, far than the Audente navy, has managed to defend Lake Christoph against nearly impossible odds. After the war, Alycon became a very powerful city later on until the UD collapsed.

Jason: Sounds like you have a little bit of hometown pride.

Bill: Absolutely. My ancestors got their start here as officers before my family became part of the upper class.

Lori: Anyway, let’s see if we can find a way to cross the river.

• Alycon, despite the damage, is large and fortified with many military posts. Most of these are impassable to civilians such as the party. It becomes clear all civilian ships aren’t running. Finally, they meet a middle-aged man in one of the merchant districts talking to another man*

Man: Damnit, man, you have to do this for me.

Other man: No way Garreth. I have a life here. I’m not running off into a war zone.

Garreth: It’s for my son!

Other man: I don’t care who it’s for! I’d never get to Temoe alive. We’re friends, but this is suicide!

Garreth: But-

Other man: Forget it! Things will be fine! I gotta go! *leaves in a hurry*

Garreth: Ugh. If this damn leg hadn’t crippled me, I’d go myself.

Jason: Excuse me…

Garreth: Mm?

Jason: You need someone to go to Temoe?

Garreth: Yees… ?

Jason: We want to head that way ourselves but it doesn’t look like civilian boats are open.

Garreth: They’re not. Temoe, you say?

Jason: Yeah.

Garreth: I need to run an errand of supplies down to a man in Temoe. If you do this errand for me, I’ll give you some merchant papers that will let you board a ship out of Alycon.

Jason: Seems fair.

Garreth: Here are the supplies. The man you’re going to give them to us Lachi Dusch. He should be easy to find there; he’s an officer in the occupying Blackrock army.

Bill: !!!

Matt: !!!

Jason: Ahh, okay. We’ll be sure he gets them.

• Garreth heads inside*

Bill: Lachi Dusch!

Jason: Relative of yours, I take it?

Matt: He’s a war hero! They actually renamed his birthplace town to Lachia in honor of him.

Amy: Than you’d better be careful when you meet him. We don’t want to change his history by saying anything unusual.

Matt: Hey, who do you take me for, Jason?

Jason: Cute. Let’s get on that boat.

• The military checkpoint guard accepts the team’s papers and they get on the boat. It’s full of soldiers and other people hauling supplies. It

sails partially down the river and lets the team off in the middle of Automatica.*

Lori: Automatica is a major war zone. Blackrock has occupied the plains but the Automatics of Djugagrad are fighting fiercely to reclaim it. We’d better be careful. Don‘t be afraid to run!*

• Even on the world map in Automatica, large numbers of troops are visible moving around and fighting. There are many random battles, some against

large numbers of powerful soldiers. Some of these are essentially certain death, so the party really has to run if they‘re heavily outnumbered*

• Finally, after some combat, the party reaches Temoe*

Lori: Why are we here? Telsoun is to the west. We need to meet the others there.

Jason: We agreed to deliver the supplies.

Lori: Who cares? It was a good way to get over the river.

Bill: He’s my ancestor and we’re giving him these supplies! Plus I want to meet him.

Amy: It won’t take long. But please be careful when talking to him.

• Temoe is heavily under Blackrockian martial law. The shops seem closed to civilians, but the party’s merchant papers give them access to a

military item supply shop. Soon they find Lachi Dusch*

Lachi: Hold there! Your business?

Jason: Garreth of Alycon sent us to deliver these supplies to you personally, sir.

Lachi: Hah. He did, did he? Crazy old coot should be watching after my brothers. Still… you’ve done good. How can I repay the favor?

Jason: Oh, well-

Lori: Can we get some sort of official document to get us past the Blackrock checkpoints? It will be very hard getting back to Alycon without some sort of military identification.

Lachi: Yes, you’re right. Here, take this. It expires in five days so be quick, but that should get you across the borders.

Lori: Thank you!

Lachi: Good luck to you all!

Bill: Good luck, Lachi.

• There’s not much else to do in Temoe*
• outside Temoe*

Jason: Why did you ask for that Lori? We don’t want to go to Blackrock.

Lori: But there may be Blackrock guards on the path to Telsoun. It’s technically a Ultimate Republic territory.

Jason: Wow. Good thinking.

Lori: So Bill, how was your hero? Everything you hoped he would be?

Bill: Yeah…

Amy: Bill? What’s wrong?

Bill: I really should have said something to him.

Jason: Didn’t you wish him good luck?

Bill: No, I mean…

Matt: He means… Lachi’s company held off a massive Audentior attack force at the bridge to Airosamente while the others retreated across the northern border. He’s a war hero because he died for the United Demesos.

Jason: Oh… I see…

Bill: It’ll happen in a few days too. Damnit, I should have warned him. Maybe I should go back.

Amy: No Bill, you did well to control yourself. Everyone has to die, and if people remember you as a hero, what better death can you hope for?

AI: Also, your bloodline clearly survived, as you are here today.

Bill: I know, but still! I thought we were doing this to help people, but I can’t even help my own damn family.

Amy: I know what you mean Bill. Some people seem to have a destiny though.

Bill: Shouldn’t we help them though, if their destiny is to die?!

Matt: Sometimes we shouldn’t, for the greater good.

Bill: But isn’t that what we’re doing with the whole Imperials thing? Making the future better?! Why can’t we make the past better too? Why can’t we… control our destiny.

Jason: We’re trying, we’re trying. But we’re new at this. Look how badly we’ve screwed things up with Myrin and the king. We’ll get better at helping people, but it will take time.

Bill: Grumble.

Lori: … if you guys are gone, Telsoun is through the forest to the west.

• The forest trail is blocked by a Blackrockian patrol, but the pass gets the party past*

Bill: Uh, the path kinda ends here.

Lori: This is why Telsoun is mostly independent. With the recent wars, nobody is maintaining the road and the path has been overgrown. Be wary, it may not be an easy trip.

• The forest is large and is the major dungeon of chapter 3. There are some minor cave sections too, and it should be decently large and confusing.

At the end*

Matt: Looks like we’re back on the path.

Lori: We should be out of the forest soon.

• Suddenly, three men attack from the trees*

Unknown man: Evan von Christoph sends his regards.

• three assassins attack of the variety that were killed in Epoli when the party saved Myrin, but they’re stronger this time around*

Lori: This is the uniform of the Truppen des Todes! That’s who’s backing Evan von Christoph!

Jason: Who?

Bill: Truppen des Todes. A fascist / extremist organization. They’re political terrorists.

AI: These uniforms were used by the men who attacked Myrin in Epoli.

Lori: That doesn’t make any sense. Why would Evan want to kill her? If we didn’t kidnap the king he couldn’t have abducted him himself.

• A nobleman approaches from in the forest*

Nobleman: Are you allright? I heard some fighting *he looks at the bodies* Oh!

Jason: We were jumped by these assassins.

Nobleman: Truppen des Todes agents, here? Then I must be getting close to von Christoph.

Lori: von Christoph? Hey, wait, I know you. You’re Lord Conglacio!

Lord Conglacio: Yes… do I know you?

Lori: I’m “Empress”, aka Lori Leos.

Lord Conglacio: Ah! The Emperors! Excellent. Stodlum told me you knew the whereabouts of where von Christoph is holding the king and my dear Myrin.

Matt: We’re pretty sure they’re in Telsoun.

Lord Conglacio: That’s what Stodlum said, and my intelligence networks confirm that von Christoph came this way. Stodlum himself is also on the way. Perhaps we should all work together?

Jason: By all means. What do you suggest?

• three men emerge from the forest*

Lord Conglacio: These are my bodyguards, exceptional fighters. We can hold off any more members of the Truppen des Todes while you search for the king and Myrin.

Jason: All right. Let’s see what the situation is at Telsoun before making any further plans.

• The rest of the woods are uneventful. Telsoun is a small town. At the entrance, Lord Conglacio is waiting with Stodlum.*

Lori: Long time no see, hunny.

Stodlum: Whew, finally caught up. Hey guys.

Lord Conglacio: My men have scouted the town. There is suspicious activity from the a house in the back. It must be von Christoph’s hideout.

Bill: All right! Let’s do this!

Stodlum: I‘ll go with Lord Conglacio‘s men and cause a disturbance at the front door. The Truppen des Todes will probably attack us there, but we’ll be okay. While that’s going on you need to find a way in from the back and free the prisoners.

Lori: Distraction; oldest trick in the book.

Lord Conglacio: Because it works. When you’re prepared, head around the back of the house. We’ll give you your distraction.

Jason: Got it.

• The party can do what they want in the town such as buy items and stuff. Before going behind the house they are given a confirmation message to make sure they want to. When they do, various sounds of conflict are heard from the front. The team finds a back window*

Lori: I think I can get this window open quietly… yep. Let’s hurry.

• The house is fairly normal and one story tall. Nobody seems to be inside. There is a locked door in the back.*

Lori: Locked, but I can open this.

• She does. Inside the room is Myrin tied up with rope*

Myrin: OH MY GOD!

Lori: Hun! Keep your voice down!

• Lori gets to work on Myrin’s rope*

Myrin: Sooorry! Took you guys long enough! Where is Stodlum and the king?

Lori: Stodlum’s outside busting heads. We’re still looking for the king.

Myrin: Did you try the basement?

Matt: There’s a basement?

Myrin: I could hear people stomping up and down steps somewhere in the house. I think the way down is in the kitchen.

Jason: Let’s take a look.

• Lori gets Myrin free. If the player wants, they can use Myrin as a party member for the last possible time*

AI: *in the kitchen* There is a secret passageway in one of these cabinets.

• There is. The stairs lead down to a dusty cellar. There’s a large area and a door in the back. Evan von Christoph and two members of the Truppen

des Todes are down there. The party confronts them.*

Evan: Lori. You’re still alive.

Lori: Evan. You’re still scum.

Myrin: Evan, what the hell! Why did you betray us?

Evan: You idiots. I was never really on your side. I was perfectly happy controlling the king from the shadows of his royal court and you had to go try to kidnap him to end the war.

Lori: The war needs to end, Evan.

Evan: Does it? I’m making quite the fortune during this war. We’d eventually crush the Ultimate Republic; they’re too unorganized to keep up a prolonged fight against the Grace Kingdom anyway. And when that war ended, I’d be in prime position to live out my days as the emperor behind the king. Less chance of assassination that way, you know.

Lori: You’re mad.

Evan: You’re damn right I’m mad! You actually managed to kidnap the stupid king! Worse, you could have traced my connection to the Truppen des Todes if you‘d gotten your head out of the sand. So I figured I’d make my fortune ransoming him to the Ultimate Republic and gain some favor over here.

Jason: The game’s up though. The war will end, and you won’t be around to see it.

Evan: Oh please. None of you are getting out of here alive. Normally I’d take you alive, but I don’t think anyone would pay money to get you back. Men, kill them all.

• Two Truppen des Todes and Evan von Christoph attack. Evan’s essentially a stronger member of the Truppen des Todes, so this battle can be pretty hard*

Evan: … it’s as if history itself has turned against me. *dies*

• Lord Conglacio and Stodlum enter*

Stodlum: Everything went okay upstairs. I see you killed Evan. Good.

Lori: I don‘t usually take satisfaction out of killing, but this time it was for the best.

Lord Conglacio: One of the men upstairs had this key. Let’s see if it fits.

• they open the door. King Ming XIV was locked in an old and mostly empty storage room at the back of the house*

Lord Conglacio: Your majesty! You’re safe!

King Ming XIV: Lord Conglacio! Your men and women fought bravely. Thank you so much for freeing me from the clutches of that vile traitor Evan von Christoph.

Bill: Happy to help! … err, your highness. Kingship. Yeah.

King Ming XIV: Wait, I know these men! You’re the ones that attacked my guard in Airosamente and abducted my person! What is the meaning of this!?

Jason: Eh…

Amy: Your highness, may I explain?

King Ming XIV: Explain at once!

Amy: You were correct in identifying von Christoph as the traitor. Though a noble lord in your own court, he has been supplying the Ultimate Republic with information and weapons since even before the war began.

King Ming XIV: He paid for his crimes with his life, as I see, but his guilt does not absolve you.

Amy: Please let me continue.

King Ming XIV: Go on!

Amy: von Christoph was a clever enemy. We could not lure him into the open without pretending to also be enemies of your throne and presenting him with an opportunity that was too good to be true. He showed his true colors as a member of the Truppen des Todes when he betrayed us and took you hostage for his own to bargain with the Ultimate Republic.

King Ming XIV: The Truppen des Todes! Wait… then you are?

Amy: Special division of the Grace Secret Police, your highness. This entire thing was a staged ploy to expose traitors such as von Christoph. Unfortunately von Christoph was very well prepared and he escaped us until we caught up with you here at Telsoun. For that, we humbly beg forgiveness.

• she kneels. The rest of the team follows her lead and kneel as well*

King Ming XIV: And those two women who broke into Grace Palace are with you?

Amy: Correct. As we could not inform your security directly of the plot without tipping off the traitors, we hired the Emperors to do the job for us. Though, as you saw, even with our information on how to abduct you, your security was strong enough to give them trouble.

Lori: Special agent Lori Leos, your highness.

Myrin: Eh?

• Lori smacks Myrin*

Myrin: Oh yes, we work for you!.

King Ming XIV: Well well. A bold maneuver, but a good one. Who came up with this plan?

Jason: Lord Conglacio, my lord.

Lord Conglacio: ?!

King Ming XIV: Indeed?

Lord Conglacio: Ah… yes, sire. An unfortunate but necessary ploy to reveal the traitors that are undermining the kingdom. All the more reason to end the war so we can focus on our internal foes.

King Ming XIV: I have been loathe to think on those terms, but with men like von Christoph in our midst, perhaps it’s time.

Stodlum: Your majesty, this dusty storehouse does not suit you. Let me escort you a place where we can wait for the royal guard to accompany us back to the capital.

King Ming XIV: Quite. Thank you, all. Lord Conglacio, we shall discuss your proposal on the way back to the capital, yes?

Lord Conglacio: Yes, your highness!

• Stodlum and King Ming XIV leave*

Lord Conglacio: I’m not sure what your angle is in all this, but thank you for your help. We’ll end this war yet.

Myrin: Let’s go negotiate a treaty!

Lord Conglacio: Hah, I will. And thank you for keeping my fiance safe as well. I’ll leave you be for now.

Myrin: See you guys back at Epoli!

• Myrin and Lord Conglacio leave*

Lori: Wow. That was an amazing lie. Grace Secret Police, eh?

Amy: I was afraid he wouldn’t believe that his secret police was so secret as to not tell him they planned to kidnap him for his own good. Apparently he’s not very bright.

Bill: Must be all that royal inbreeding.

Jason: And we managed to give Lord Conglacio all the credit. That treaty is as good as signed.

Matt: The Imperial operation must have been to disrupt Lord Conglacio’s signing of the treaty. But by killing Myrin of the Emperors, Lord Conglacio’s fiance, they only doubled his resolve to end the war peacefully. We almost stopped that, but managed to get things back on track.

Jason: And I'm sure Mryin likes this way better, since she's still alive and all.

Amy: My head has finally cleared. The time streams should sort everything out. The treaty will be signed after all.

Lori: But the treaty Lord Conglacio negotiated was meaningless! It didn’t change anything! It just put things back the way they were before the war!

Jason: I don’t think so. Audentior wasn’t ready for either side winning. Not like this anyway.

Lori: What do you mean?

Matt: If the Grace Kingdom won the war, they’d put the provinces under their iron fist harder than ever. They’d try to stamp out all opposition, but they’d end up making it stronger. Civil war would begin again, but that time it would probably totally destroy the country.

Lori: But our plan to kidnap the king would have made them agree not to do that!

Matt: Nah. Having the Grace king hostage would have given Ultimatia a huge bargaining chip. They’d demand almost total independence from the Grace Kingdom. They’d eventually use their freedom to declare war on their neighbors. The entire sector would collapse into petty little fights.

Amy: Either way, it leads to untold suffering of the people of the sector for generations to come. Humanity becomes weaker. Just what our enemies desire.

Jason: Right. The Grace Kingdom was too overconfident and provinces were too unorganized to lead themselves. This war taught them that, and they’re both better off because of it. They need each other, for now.

Lori: For now?

Bill: The provinces will grow stronger right under Audentior’s nose, and the next time war breaks out they will be able to survive on their own.

Lori: You seem awfully confident. I’m still not convinced anything changed.

Jason: We’ve seen it. Or, well, read about it.

Lori: I guess. It’s hard to remember that you’re from the future.

Jason: If you join up with us, you’ll see some of it firsthand.

Lori: I’m still undecided on that. We have problems in the present still too. We have to get the king back to Airosamete. With the Blackrock army controlling Automatica, that could be difficult.

Jason: Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that.

Lori: What?

Jason: Wait.

Lori: … what?

Jason: Wait!

Lori: What am I waiting for?

Stodlum: *entering* The royal guard is here, and they brought good news! The Automatica skirmishers have once again forced the Blackrockan army to abandon the plains and retreat north to Blackrock proper! Getting the king back to Airosamente will be a snap now that we control the route east to Apolytown.

Lori: … back when you met me, you also told me you could read minds. I think I’m getting interested in your offer.

Jason: Like you said, we need to have a long talk.

Amy: Well, I think we’re about done here. Let’s head back to Airosamente with the guard.

• fadeout to Temoe, early the next evening. The Blackrock army is gone. Everyone (the party + all the NPCs) are in at an inn except Stodlum. Sounds of rain are heard on the roof.*

Jason: … and that brings us here, looking for the Imperials. That’s pretty much it.

Mryin: What a great story! I like how you made us the main characters! Did you make all that up yourselves?

Lord Conglacio: I think I’ve heard that one before actually. Wasn’t it performed in Airosamente theater several years ago?

Matt: Maybe it’s for the best that they don’t understand that it’s true…

Lori: Don’t worry. The one who gets it understands the story. It’s all very overwhelming.

• Stodlum enters from outside*

Stodlum: Well, the reports were true. The bridge to Apolytown was totally wrecked by the retreating Blackrock army.

Bill: That would be the work of the now-late Lachi Dusch,

Stodlum: Oh, you heard the stories too? Apparently they’re saying he’s some sort of Demesos hero. Hmph. Anyway, they’ll have it patched up in a couple of days. But that means we’re stuck here until then.

Lori: How’s the king?

Lord Conglacio: He’s well. And he’s very warm to my proposals. It will take a while to negotiate with the Ultimate Republic and to bring the rest of the lords into argeement, but I think we can count on the war ending in a few short months.

Myrin: Finally, our dream come true. All thanks to my husband-to-be!

Lord Conglacio: I couldn’t have gotten this far if events had been different. Oh, speaking of, you’re all invited to the wedding. We don’t have a date yet, but we’re thinking next spring, after the war is becoming a distant memory.

Bill: We’d love to come.

Matt: *to Jason* Bitter about her being taken, Jason?

Jason: *to Matt* Meh. All the good ones are.

Amy: You know guys, I forgot with all this rewriting history, but we forgot our original purpose of coming here?

Jason: Eh?

Amy: The Imperials were behind the plot to kill Myrin, remember?

Matt: That’s right! How could I forget! We read about that in the present time.

Lori: Wait, the Imperials? You said they’re aliens or something. The Truppen des Todes are scum, but they’re human.

Bill: Maybe they’re in disguise!

Matt: … or maybe the Truppen des Todes are being paid by the Imperials.

Bill: Yeah, or that.

Jason: We need to find the Truppen des Todes’s base of operations.

Stodlum: HAH! Good luck! The authorities have been searching for years.

Bill: Um, it’s in Hau’oli ‘Ena, the island province just south of Temoe.

Stodlum: … what?

Bill: In ACS 245, after a Truppen des Todes bombing was foiled, a member of the gang confessed and told the Audentior authorities, and the base was raided. That was the end of the group.

Lori: How do you know that?

Bill: *shrug* Common knowledge really.

Jason: *I* didn’t know...

Lord Conglacio: What was that you said, ACS?

Bill: "Ab Sectora Condita” It means, “the founding of the sector.”

Lord Conglacio: That’s beautiful. And I've been thining. If this treaty passes, a new sector will be founded for all of Audentior. What better way to cement our friendships forever than to declare this the first of a new age? Ab Sectora Condita indeed.

Bill: Uhh…

Matt: GODDAMN IT BILL!

Bill: Well how was I supposed to know I was the one who named the year system...

Amy: This whole situation has time paradox written all over it.

Jason: ANYWAY, why don’t we go to Hau’oli ‘Ena and investigate?

Stodlum: No thanks. I’m personally making sure this treaty passes.

Myrin: Me too. The war will be over. I’ve earned some rest.

Jason: Well, Lori? It’s decision time.

Lori: All right. I’ll come with you to Hau’oli ‘Ena. Lord knows you need some help being stealthy. After that, we’ll see.

AI: If we’re going to go, we’d best go before the rest of the Truppen des Todes find that Evan is dead. We should leave in the morning.

Matt: Heck, let’s leave tonight if we can.

Bill: My brother, being impulsive for once. I’m so proud.

Matt: Hah.

Stodlum: You sure? It’s raining pretty hard out there.

Bill: It’s a short trip, so we should be okay.

Lord Conglacio: Then this is goodbye for now. Be safe. When you return to Airosamente, you are invited to be my guests as long as you’d like.

Myrin: Bye guys! You’d better come back Jason!

Jason: Goodbye. Keep the king safe. End the war.

• the party exits the inn*

Jason: Wouldn’t have worked out anyway…

Matt: I knew it! You are upset about her being engaged.

Jason: Meh. We have a mission. No time for stuff like that now anyway.

• the party finds a small boat abandoned at the edge of town*

Lori: This is a Blackrockian supply boat. They must have abandoned it when they left the town.

Jason: Can anyone sail?

AI: I have some knowledge of it.

Bill: So do I. I worked on a fishing boat for a time.

Lori: I know a little of everything.

Jason: I don’t know. It’s raining pretty hard, and none of you seem very confident.

Matt: Exactly. The Truppen des Todes won’t be expecting this. It’s almost too perfect.

Jason: … that… doesn‘t make a lot of sense. But I guess it’s a short trip to the island. Meh. Let’s get this thing ready.

• in the middle of the ocean, the rain has intensified and there’s lightning*

Jason: You picked a hell of a time to get impulsive, Matt.

Matt: That’ll teach me. If we live.

Jason: *to Bill* How we doing?

Bill: Um. Bad. We’re taking water and the mast doesn’t look too sturdy.

• there’s a lightning flash and the mast is blasted and broken*

Bill: Like I said, bad.

Jason: What a crock. I’ve faced down aliens and terrorists, and I’m going to die in a storm at sea.

Lori: *approaching the group* The ship is breaking apart. There isn’t much I can do anymore.

• the rest of the party approaches and gathers together. Some silence, and another lightning flash, close by*

Bill: Whoa, that was too close

Matt: Ack, the TimeTravel1000!

Jason: Eh? Can’t we only use that at areas of time energy, or something?

Matt: I know! But it’s reacting! There’s…

• on what remains of the ship, a red portal has materialized*

Lori: What the hell?!

Amy: A time portal. But, it’s red? And there’s no nexus of time energy nearby.

Jason: Everyone grab a piece of wood. We’re going through.

Matt: Into the middle of the ocean?!

Jason: We can float to shore on the wood.

Matt: Bad plan.

Jason: Hey, yeah, staying here in the middle of a storm is so much better.

Matt: … you have a point there.

Bill: Last one through is a smelly MagiGARP.

• the party piles through. The sea is calm on the other side and they float on small bits of wood. Fade out*

Part IV: A Ripple in Time