Spectrum's Comments: The identity of the killer has been revealed to be none other than Black Tarantula! Now the Lost Heroes try to capture their blood crazed comrade.
Lost Heroes #41 - "The Web Closes"
Once more, our band of displaced paranormals attempt to capture Tarantula. Unaware of their presence, Tarantula continues to wrestle with the illusion conjured by Rem. The struggle is a fierce one and incredibly real.
Lord Lunatic is first into the fray. Aided by his sword, he closes the sword distance to BT. Then he produces a blast of fire from his sword that definitely catches Tarantula's attention.
Tarantula leaps at Lord Lunatic with incredible speed. He swings savagely, connecting Lunatic's chest and knocking him down. Seeing the opening, Beth fires her stun gun, but is wide.
Doug concentrates, utilizing his force field generating talent. A sphere of energy now surrounds Tarantula. Without thinking, Tarantula slams his fists into the energy surrounding him. The sphere doesn't give in the least.
Beth - "Good work, Doug!"
Lord Lunatic - "Verily... Thy companion is trapped, but still dangerous."
Doug - "I don't know how long I can hold him inside, guys."
Beth - "Do you think you can open up a small hole in the sphere, Doug? Just large enough for my stunner to fire through?"
Doug - "I can try..."
Doug concentrates further and meets with success. A small hole appears in the surface of the force sphere.
Beth - "Forgive me, Tarantula. This is for your own good..."
Beth fires into the sphere, hitting Tarantula. It takes three shots, but finally, Tarantula goes down. Doug removes his sphere, and Tarantula falls to the floor.
Rem rushes to BT's side.
Rem - "Is he gonna be alright?"
Beth - "It's too soon to tell, Rem. We've got to get him to the medical area."
Several days pass after Tarantula's capture. BT is currently in the sick bay under heavy medication. All the new arrivals have been given their own quarters and shown about the base. Number 6 is no longer bed ridden, but is still weak. He appears most frequently in a wheelchair. He can walk, but is easily fatigued. Over the last several days, he has been working on some sort of project in the machine shop.
At Beth's request, everyone gather's together in one of the meeting areas.
Beth - "I've completed my examination of Tarantula. I haven't learned anything new. The computer hit it right on the head earlier. There is an unknown mutagen in Tarantula's DNA. He is slowly being transformed into a spider. It is possible to use the Mendelson Process to cure Tarantula, but this x-factor in his system worries me. I'm not sure what the outcome will be. Basically, that's why I asked you to come here. What should we do with Tarantula?
GM Notes:
Now what? Will you try to cure Tarantula?
If there is anything else you wish to do during the time that passed, include it in your post. I'll update as necessary.
Number 6, looks like it's time to unveil your pet project!
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 01/21/90 S#: 794020
REM has spent the past few days at Tarantula's bedside. She rarely sleeps and it is only when Beth has to threaten her with locking her up that she finally relents to eating something. When Beth tells of the results of her examination, the strain of the last few days finally cracks REM. Tears roll freely down her face as she gets up and speaks, "Please Beth you have to help him. I can sense his thoughts even now through the link we share. He didn't ask for that to happen to him, and I know he didn't want to hurt anyone especially me. If you need anything just tell me. I'll do anything you say to help. But you've got to save him. You and Number Six are his... my only hope."
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 01/21/90 S#: 84861
"I think we should start the Mendelson rewrite process as soon as possible, to nip this transformation in the bud. There is a danger, in that there is already a genetic transformation taking place within Tarantula, but we should be able to take that into account in the process. Also, we have very little choice at this juncture."
"Oh, while we're all here, I might as well introduce my latest project."
"Fred, you may come in now."
"People, meet Fred. He'll be taking over the bulk of the maintenance duties around here, as well as getting this place up and running properly. He also has some anti-intruder capability, but this is limited. All of you, as well as the sisters, have been programmed in as inhabitants, so there are no problems on that front."
SUBJ: Beth
Seeing Rem break down, I draw the young woman into my arms.
'Everything's gonna work out, Rem. You can count on it, kiddo.'
Beth will continue to hold onto Rem for as long as she wishes to be held.
'If there is no object, we should get started right away. Nice to meet you, Fred.'
Beth is slightly startled to see Fred, but quickly recovers.
'Excellent idea, Number 6! That should help make things run smoother around here.'
BTW: What does he look like, Number 6?
SUBJ: Doug Ballant FROM: Shadeblade 01/22/90 S#: 418749
The few days after the battle are not easy on Doug. At first he seemed almost hopeful about something. Then, as time dragged on, slow depression starts to set in. Most of his time he spends in his room, working on his strange synthesizer. Some drop by, even if just outside the door, to hear the playing, but it becomes steadily more despondent. He isn't a happy camper.
At the meeting, he isn't too much better. Something is eating at him like a disease. He doesn't, however, remain silent.
"Tarantula IS going to need help, but what is this "rewrite" thing? It sounds nasty. You might also keep in mind that messing around with his genes might do permanent damage. I can't think of any better solution, but we should at least take it REAL careful."
At the introduction to Number 6's new creation, Doug wipes a silent tear from his eye.
"Damn, not now..."
Then he quickly gets up with an apology and makes to leave.
SUBJ: Number 6 (R) FROM: Deslock 01/22/90 S#: 92370
(Oops... Yes, a description is in order. Rereading my post, it's not entirely clear what Fred is.)
Fred is a utility robot/assistant. He's approximately human height, but all resemblance to a human ends there. Fred is roughly cylindrical, tapered somewhat and rounded at top and bottom. He moves about on a tripod of tracked legs. The legs are extendable and can negotiate over areas unsuitable to rolling movement. There are a variety of retractable appendages about Fred's upper torso with which he performs his assigned tasks. Fred possesses sight and hearing, but lacks a voice. At this point, he does not respond to voice commands, only to his programming.
SUBJ: TARANTULA FROM: AREION 01/22/90 S#: 507457
Back in the med lab TARANTULA tosses and turns deep within his personal nightmares, subconsciously straining against the straps holding him down from time to time. Periodically, REM receives quick jumbled images, produced by her lovers' delirium. The messages are mostly incoherent babbling and swirls of emotion. One thing is clearly discernable from the however, his condition is worsening, he still hasn't fed and he's starving to DEATH!
SUBJ: LORD LUNATIC - Victor Feury FROM: NightStlkr 01/24/90 S#: 94491
Over the past few days, LORD LUNATIC gets settled into his new quarters. He spends most of his spare time meditating and studying (mostly about Magic, Swordplay, etc.). The rest of the time, he spends getting to know his new comrades better.
At the meeting, Victor stands silently listening to the discussions around him; only speaking when directly spoken to. As Beth explains how the 'Re-write' functions, he finds it difficult to understand; after all, Magic and Science ARE opposing forces in nature.
"I am not certain if I fully comprehend thy means of resolving Black Tarantula's ailment, M'lady. Though I do trust that thou knowest what ye are doing..."
As Number Six introduces Fred, the violent flicker in Vic's eyes is replaced by one of intrigue.
"Fascinating...truly fascinating, indeed..."
He examines the android with the same curiosity as a child would examine a new toy. He seems to be amusingly overwhelmed by it.
Lost Heroes #42 - "The Cure"
The recent past was a blank to her. There were memories of terrible pain, but they were just that now. A memory. She flew through the base totally free. It was the sound she heard first that drew her to that particular section of the base. It somehow entranced her. Without realizing it, her senses reached out...
Tarantula, still under heavy medication, is taken into the main laboratory in the Medical Sphere. The preparations for the task ahead take a full day in themselves.
At last everything is ready. Beth and Number 6 begin the laborious process. Monitoring from the waiting area, a hopeful Rem can only watch. The process itself takes 15 hours to complete. A weary Beth makes her way out to an equally weary Rem.
Rem - "How'd it go?"
Beth - "Pretty good, I think. We'll know better in the morning. Let's get some rest ourselves."
Depressed, Doug played his harmonizer for hours on end. Unexpectedly a voice called out to him.
"Doug?"
Turning, he was in for the surprise of his young life.
"Tricia?! How did you get here?!"
Later, Tarantula is starting to come around.
Number 6 - "Readings are appear to be normal. Looks like you're batting 1000, doctor."
Beth - "Hopefully, we won't have to use this treatment again. Rem, you can come in now."
Cautiously, the young woman entered the room. Tarantula slowly opened his eyes.
Tarantula - "Boy, did I have a funky dream... What happened?
Beth - "You've been sick. We've taken care of it."
Number 6 - "Let's leave them alone."
Beth - "Buy you a cup of coffee?"
Number 6 - "You're on."
But, as the doctor's start to leave the medical section, they notice something strange.
Number 6 - "Wait a minute, Beth... Something's missing..."
Beth - "I don't... You're right! Solitaire is gone!"
GM Notes:
Well, one story line has come to an end and another begins. Time to give out XP's once more. The following totals are all the unused XP's I have for characters.
Number 6 - 17*
Tarantula - -2
Doug - 3
Lord Lunatic - 2*
Slade - 1*
Both Rem and Beth have used their XP's and have yet to gain 1 full XP.
Spectrum's Comments: Any guesses as to who Tricia really is?
Mail From: Deslock Date: Sunday 28-Jan-90 18:59 EST
Well, here's how Number 6 is going to spend his XPs. For 5 pts, he'll reduce his 'Usefulness of others' psych lim from Strong to Moderate. For a total of 5 pts, he will increase STR, CON, and BODY from 7 to 8. This results in PD & ED going from 1 to 2, REC from 2 to 4, STUN from 15 to 16, and END from 14 to 16. For 2 pts, in COM from 3 to 6 (post op recovery has done wonders). For a total of 5 pts, buy Fred 1 pt of English, an English program (1 pt), KS: English (2 pts). The last point covers the increase in cost of Fred's computer brain to the automaton.
(It's not too hard to spend, is it?)
SUBJ: Doug Ballant (R) FROM: Shadeblade 01/29/90 S#: 130582
"Tricia?! How did you get here?!"
Doug nearly knocks over the Harmonizer as he jumps to his feet. Countless hours had been spent on what he would say when he found Tricia again. The speeches are all lost from his stunned mind. More had happened to him since they had last held each other that one last time, an eternity ago. Visions came back as he remembered fading in her arms, and her final words rang clear.
"Don't forget me 'till we meet again."
The building tears of emotion, held for so long, finally find release. All he can do is stand and let joy clean his darkened soul to white. After what seemed to be a century, he finally speaks.
"How? Please, let it be really you! I've seen too much, done too much since we were separated. It's too much to be real."
Suddenly, he turns to his bedside. He grasps the fine handle of the long sword once more. The strong, cold-forged steel blade as well kept as a surgeon's scalpel. As if in ceremony, Doug kneels before Tricia, lifting up the blade for her to take.
"M'Lady. I, having vowed to do so, do return your blade. You trained me in its use, and gave it to me when we parted. Since then, it has been the center of my valor, strength, virtue, and soul. With it, I give you all the honor it has given me."
Spectrum's Comments: Doug didn't take this particularly well when who this was really was revealed.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 01/29/90 S#: 823944
"What the ... I should have expected this. Nothing strange has happened around here for days, we were overdue."
"Computer, subject Solitaire is no longer in the medical center. Please scan the base and report her location, if found."
"We'd best warn the others, she wreaked quite a bit of havoc when last she was loose."
Heading over to the nearest intercom, I'll key in a base wide announcement.
"We seem to have a prisoner on the loose. The prisoner is the insane spirit of the 20th century heroine Solitaire, in possession of an alien energy being called Sh're. The base is being scanned for her. If any of you note any strange presences, please report it immediately. Solitaire is a powerful psychic, and in her present state is highly dangerous."
"Well, Beth, we'd better get prepared. Our troubles never seem to come one at a time. I have a feeling more is on the way."
SUBJ: Beth
'Right behind you, Number 6. We had best watch Rem, that's who Solitaire went after before Sh're was around. Speaking of Sh're...'
Beth will add another announcement, just in case something else has happened.
'Just in case that Solitaire and Sh're have separated from each other, then you'll have to be on the look out for two entities. The first, Solitaire is, for lack of a better term, a ghost. But as Number 6 said, she is a powerful psychic. Sh're is a benevolent entity, with almost a child-like curiosity. Her natural state is a sphere of energy. However, she has the ability to draw images out of people's minds, and transform herself into that image. Thus if any of you are being 'visited' by someone from your past, more than likely this is Sh're. She will behave precisely the same as the form she has taken. Perhaps we should all rendezvous to better deal with this matter?'
Spectrum's Comments: The older players have pretty much guessed who it was, but poor Doug had yet to encounter Sh're before.
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 02/01/90 S#: 404429
REM slowly moves to Tarantula's side, not knowing how he will react to her presence. She will slowly try and talk through the link they share. **Hi remember me? How are you feeling? Boy did you have me scared back there. I almost thought that you weren't gonna make it.** Vaguely out of the corner of her mind, REM hears the mention of Solitaire's name and is startled. As more and more of her tunes into the conversation at hand, inside REM feels more and more afraid. "Uh Beth, I'll stay here with Tarantula. He's still weak from the operation so someone should be here in case Solitaire shows up here." REM will then activate her mind shields as if on instinct.
Lost Heroes #43 - "False Faces"
Solitaire is on the loose again!
Near the entrance of Medical Sphere, Beth and Number 6 have just recent discovered this fact. After make a few announcements over the loudspeakers, they get to work.
Number 6 - "Computer: Scan to determine the locations of Solitaire and Sh're."
"Working..."
Beth - "I've just heard from Rem. She's going to stay with BT."
"Scan complete. Entity designated as Sh're is currently in the living area. Location of Solitaire is currently unknown."
Number 6 - "Blast! Perhaps she's possessed someone else?"
Beth - "That could explain why the computer didn't detect her. Let's go find out from Sh're."
And in Doug's quarters, the reunion continues. For a long time not word is spoken. Finally, Doug produces Tricia's sword. He kneels before her and holds the blade for her to take.
Doug - "Milady. I, having vowed to do so, now return your blade. You trained me in its use, and gave it to me when we parted. Since then, it has been the center of my valor, strength, virtue, and soul. With it, I give you all the honor it has given me."
As Tricia takes the sword, there is a knock at the door.
Beth - "Doug? Can we come in? It's very important."
After a momentary pause, Doug opens the door.
Doug - "What is it?"
Number 6 - "According to the computer, Sh're is in here."
The three at the door glance towards Tricia...
Back in the Medical Area, Rem turns as the door to the sickbay slides open. A person that appears to be Solitaire stumbles in. She is oddly silver in color.
Solitaire - "I-- You're the mentalist--- Aren't you... Mind stabilized... She was a help... Too alien... He fights me... Help me... Need to stabilize..."
Solitaire's movement is unsteady, as if she is drunk. She tries to move closer, but falls to the floor.
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 02/02/90 S#: 514117
Telepathically REM calls out for Beth, **Beth, Solitaire has just come in the sick bay. I think you should come here; she doesn't look at all good. It may be a trick, but she seems to want my help somehow? I'm gonna try and make contact with her. Tarantula is here to help me if she is trying to trick me.**
"Ok Solitaire this had better not be a trick." REM will then grab Tarantula's hand for moral support as she tries to enter Solitaire's mind and find out what is going on. She will be EXTREMELY cautious and is ready to snap up her shields at the first sign of trouble.
SUBJ: Beth
Upon seeing the strange woman, I can only assume that it is Sh're in the form of someone known to Doug.
'Doug, I know that you want her to be real, but she isn't. That can only be Sh're... Perhaps she sensed your need and turned into what you desired most. Believe me, she meant you no harm.'
I'll turn to the woman and say:
'You are Sh're, aren't you? If it is, please return to your normal form. There are a few things that we'd like to know.'
After hearing Rem's mental message, Beth will relate what she hears to Number 6 and Doug.
'Be very careful, Rem! We'll be there shortly!'
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 02/03/90 S#: 462728
"Hello Sh'Re, it's been a while. How are you feeling? No ill effects from Solitaire's possession?"
"Doug, I don't know whether you heard our announcements or not. In brief, Sh're here is an alien energy being. She tends to assume the form most desired by the person she is near."
SUBJ: Doug FROM: Shadeblade 02/04/90 S#: 828764
The messages that Doug hears puts him on instant edge. How can it be!?!
"But... But... But..."
His mouth works, but his confused mind refuses to give it direction. The facts begin fall fatalistically into place.
1. These people have all been here for a while, and they know what's around here better than I.
2. I can now never see Tricia again. Not only distance separates us, but time as well... My GOD! She's DEAD by now... In that instant of realization, Doug saw what the facts pointed at. His heart, however, could not allow him to shut out the possibilities. His voice becomes strained with tension as he tries to hold back violence.
"Fine. I guess you could be right. I guess that my needs blind me. Forgive me. God help you if you are wrong."
Then he turns to... Tricia? Hurt confusion fills him as he tries to speak understandably.
"If you ARE Tricia, I beg forgiveness. Life has stolen my innocence, and my trust with it. I will need time and proof. God, I can't believe I said that... Well, it stands. I can't blind myself to these people here. They know what I do not. If the feeling is still strong, you will understand."
"If you AREN'T Tricia, then I do not ask for any apology. No apology could ever cut it. Tricia has probably... passed away many years ago. You stab me in the back with your masquerade, hitting me in the only soft place I have allowed in my heart. Do not expect forgiveness, and keep away from me."
Doug then gingerly retrieves his sword. No emotions left for his face, he can only feel the gnawing of rage. He places the sword back in its place beside the bed and turns to his visitors.
"Please leave now. I need to be alone for a while."
When he gains the solitude he needs, frustration brews tears in his eyes. His strikes the wall with his fist, sending a wave of pain up his arm. The hand, knuckles bleeding, twitches like a burning spider. The impassive wall stands unchanged, save for the small stains of blood.
SUBJ: Beth
Assuming that Tricia is really Sh're, after we leave, I'll return a few moments later, alarmed at the pounding sound going on in Doug's quarters. Entering, I see the blood on his hands and the wall.
'I know that there are no words that I can say that will make feel better. But beating up walls is only going to hurt yourself in the end. Let me take a look at them.'
If permitted, I'll examine the damage done to his hands. I'll clean the wounds and bandage them.
'Doug, we have all lost everything that we held dear. You might think that we are cold, tough. Not me anyway... You have no idea how many nights I have cried myself to sleep. I just recently got to know my sister-- myself, after denying her existence for years. Just before you and the others arrived here she disappeared....'
'Life is not fair... I've never been in love like you obviously were with Tricia. I envy you for that...'
'I don't know why we are here... I don' know what force made this happen, but there are we things we can guess at. It is highly possible that we are among the last humans... An awesome prospect isn't it? The fate of humanity itself could lie in our hands. Will the human race continue on and be great, or will it simply fade away with a whimper... Our choice. Frankly that idea terrifies me. I never wanted such a responsibility... We simply have no choice.'
Turning Beth will start to leave.
'I do not wish to preach to you. We are all responsible adults. It's just that our individual problems seem small in comparison to the large picture. If you will excuse me, I'm needed elsewhere.'
Spectrum's Comments: Sometimes you just have to put things in their proper perspective.
SUBJ: BLACK TARANTULA FROM: AREION 02/06/90 S#: 445675
Tarantula remains in his sickbed long after the need for it has passed. When he was first coming around, REM's loving presence was a comfort to him, now it makes him tense.
She knows...she knows what I did, the monster I had become! My God, she was almost my next victim when all I ever wanted to do was protect her. Why wouldn't she listen to me...why wouldn't she stay away! Now, everything's changed. How can I EVER hold her in my arms again?!?!
For long periods of time TARANTULA sits staring of into space, as though catatonic. He must get REM to leave... the guilt is crushing him! But he can't just ask her to go...after all she's endured for him...she deserves BETTER than that!! So he sits as though unaware, hoping that she'll get tired of his silence...to no avail.
When SOLITAIRE lumbers into the room, the immediacy of REM's need overrides his self-pity. He returns the pressure of her grip.
>> REM... Leave your mind open to me, if Solitaire does anything at all suspicious, PULL OUT! <<
TARANTULA tenses ready to throw himself at this nightmarish wraith at the slightest hint of trouble.
Lost Heroes #44 - "Meeting of the Minds"
In the living area, Doug has just started to realize the truth about Tricia....
As the sight of Beth and Number 6, 'Tricia's form changes into a glowing sphere of energy.
Sh're - "Friends!!"
Sh're flies towards the two, circling them enthusiastically.
Number 6 - "Hello Sh're, it's been a while. How are you feeling?"
Sh're - "Me okay!"
Number 6 - "No ill effects from Solitaire's possession?"
Sh're - "No... Is that why me can't remember?"
Doug stands still, shocked at what he sees.
Doug - "I want to be alone."
Beth - "Come on, we best do as he says."
Sh're - "Me no understand... Me made him happy... Now why he sad?"
Doug - "Just leave me alone... Please!"
Sh're - "Did me do something bad? Just trying to help..."
There is a hint of sadness is Sh're's music-like voice. Quietly, the trio leaves Doug. After a moment, Beth heads back to Doug's quarters as Number 6 and Sh're continue on.
In the Medical Sphere, Rem and Tarantula have encountered Solitaire.
Rem - "Ok Solitaire, this had better not be a trick."
Rem grabs Tarantula's hand for moral support. Via their mindlink, he replies.
Tarantula - "Leave your mind open to me. If Solitaire does anything funny, pull out!"
Silently, Rem reaches out with her mind. Her thoughts touch those of Solitaire...
Chaos! Rem falls into the memories of Solitaire. Images flash past in rapid succession... Solitaire's 'death' at the hands of the Genocidians... The crisis with the parasite... The abandoning of Alpha Base...
Another mentality is felt... Somewhere down below... Lost... Hidden... Slade's mind is being suppressed by the will of Solitaire... She is now possessing him...
"That explains why she is silver", Tarantula adds.
The thoughts of Slade fade away... Falling into an ocean of... Loneliness, intense loneliness... Centuries pass... Rem feels herself drowning in this ocean of loneliness...
"No wonder she's so messed up" Rem thinks to herself. "No one could endure such loneliness."
Suddenly there is an island in this sea of despair. The chaos seems to fade... Reality seems to take hold... Like the eye of this mental storm...
Images appear before Rem's and Tarantula's mental eye. A man. After an incalculable time, a man appeared in Alpha Base. There was nothing special in his appearance. However, she could not penetrate his thoughts. He worked in the Biosphere for a time. Before her eyes, six cryogenic tubes appeared. There were bodies inside them.
He turned to her. 'Ah, ah, no peeking', he said.
The storm raged anew, the calm of the eye having passed. The next thing Rem knew, she was back where she belonged.
Number 6, Sh're, and Beth had arrived since Rem had gone into Solitaire's thoughts.
Rem - "I believe that she is telling the truth. Her mind is a mess."
Tarantula - "She did mention something about trying to 'stabilize' herself."
Solitaire forces herself to her feet. She looks at Beth.
Solitaire - "You... You have what I need... Your mind... It is perfect for helping me re-align... Let me join with you... Follow your pattern to heal myself...
GM Notes:
Some interesting things, this week out! Several new players will be joining next week. But until then, what will you do about Solitaire?
Spectrum's Comments: For the curious, the 'man' that Solitaire spotted is the same guy who has been talking to himself in the various elsewhere prologues over the last few posts. He's the true bad guy of the series.
SUBJ: Doug Ballant FROM: Shadeblade 02/10/90 S#: 803127
When Beth returns, Doug makes a poor attempt to hide his wounded hand. Her initial chiding brings a tinge of embarrassment at his actions. The rest of her speech, however, brings in a deeper shame.
Times haven't been easy on any of the people here. Tarantula's recent state is case and point. No one wants to be here. The choice was made by a higher fate.
And what if fate proved Beth right? What if we ARE the last humans? Our every action determines if the race lives on. Tricia is long-gone. She can only live on in me. That is the least, but the best, I can give her.
"I'm sorry, Beth. It's just that sometimes things seem too unfair, and I forget about others. I guess I've been a bit of a jerk, lately. Not too hot for one of the last humans left, 'eh? Tricia is beyond my reach, now. I will learn to accept that, after it finally sinks in. She wouldn't want me to be like this. She would tell me to get back on my feet. I'll do it, if only in her memory.
"By the way, thanks. I guess I need someone to point me back in the right direction. Don't worry about you're wall, either. It'll heal... This kind of interrupts my practice for a bit, though. Hard to play a board with swollen knuckles."
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 02/11/90 S#: 517751
"Beth, I believe her. I know it is very dangerous and all, but you didn't see what her mind is like in there. It's a real mess, and if we can do anything to help her straighten out that mess, then I say we try. Such pain,.... Such loneliness....I know that she has been a problem for us in the past, and I know that she tried to take over me and did take over Sh're, but we have all done things in the past that we wished we didn't, but were in no control to stop them. While I was being brought up by PSI, I too felt the loneliness and pain that Solitaire felt. I too felt the chaos as my mind was slowly stripped away from me. .....I too have killed innocents because of what those animals did to me...." As REM speaks these words, she seems to loose sight of who she is talking about and is slowly turning her head towards Tarantula. It is only after their eyes meet that REM comes out of it and looks back at the others.
"It is your choice Beth, as I think you are the only one in jeopardy here. I'll help you all I can if you decide to try and help her, but it won't be easy.
SUBJ: Beth
'Doug, don't be so hard on yourself. You're just being human... And your welcome. I'm always available for conversation.'
After hearig Solitaire's request, I am unsure what to do. Rem helps make the decision, but there never really was a choice after all.
'As a doctor, I am sworn to safe lives. If by following my brain patterns Solitaire can heal her own wounds, so be it. I will allow her to do so. Don't worry everyone everything will be all right. And even if the worse does come to happen, you'll carry on. I have no special powers. I won't be missed.'
'Okay Solitaire, let's get this over with...'
SUBJ: Number 6 (R) FROM: Deslock 02/14/90 S#: 850343
"Beth, you may not have any special powers, but, were it not for you, I would still be a prisoner in my armor, and Tarantula might well be dead now. I doubt this is a trap; it's far too complicated to be worthwhile as such. The danger here is of a passive sort."
I'll move to one of the computer consoles to begin an inquiry on some of the information REM obtained from Solitaire.
"Computer, I would like all information available on the six cryotubes. In particular, when were they placed here, and who placed them. Information on that individual is also required."
- I like this place less and less... There's little rhyme or reason to our presence here, and this new information only muddies the waters further. What is really going on? -
SUBJ: LORD LUNATIC - Victor Feury FROM: NightStlkr 02/14/90 S#: 483868
All Vic does is stand in silence, observing what is transpiring around him.
I am not certain I trust this fair maiden. But I suppose that my new comrades in arms know her better than I. T'would be best if THEY handle this situation. Ne'er the less, if battle doest rage this day, I shall indeed be ready!!
Lord Lunatic clutches at the hilt of his mighty Phoenix Sword; violence seems to flicker in his eyes once more. But he shall only draw the sword should a skirmish begin. For now he listens, and observes.
Spectrum's Comments: Next Time: Can Beth help heal Solitaire's mind? Will Number 6 figure out what is really going on? Who are the new arrivals? Stay tuned!