Scenario:Home Sweet Moon - Processing... Overclocked - Chapter 2: Point of No Return - Episode 1
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Home Sweet Moon - Processing... Overclocked - Chapter 2: Point of No Return - Episode 1
While wondering if emotion might be the key to releasing seal weapons, the contractors discuss how they'll need to instantaneously fry the giant mass of machine cells that make up Diaspora. Flamek would be the perfect weapon for that, making its release imperative.
Ronan: Flamek, huh...
Eustace: Disappointed?
Ronan: Oh, no, no. I meant to congratulate you on your contract with the seal weapon.
Eustace: I didn't mean to ask for your blessing.
Ronan: You succeeded in making this contract through your tireless dedication and hard work. You couldn't be more deserving of my congratulations.
Eustace: ...
Ronan: Don't give me that look.
Eustace: Tell me what you really think.
Ronan: Well...
Ronan: As a commanding officer of the Society, I'm glad to have a talented weapon contractor join our ranks.
Ronan: But I'm also your mentor.
Eustace: And as such, it bothers you to see me with a seal weapon?
Ronan: No, the fact that it's Flamek is what bothers me.
Eustace: What's wrong with Flamek?
Eustace takes a good look at his newly acquired seal weapon.
Ronan: There's a lot we still don't know about seal weapons, but we do know that Flamek's always been one of solitude.
Eustace: Solitude, eh? Suits me to a tee.
Eustace: I could always use more peace and quiet.
Ronan: I know. But there were other paths open to you.
Ronan: I've taught you all types of combat styles, as you wished. You're proficient in so much more than guns.
Eustace: I can hold my own in close-quarters combat just fine. But an impairment is still an impairment.
Eustace brushes aside the tuft of hair covering his right eye.
Ronan: Yeah, I thought you might say that.
Ronan: Besides, it's not like a contractor gets to pick and choose their favorite seal weapon.
Ronan: It has to choose you too, just as Flamek has.
Ronan: But I've said enough. It's been a pleasure being your mentor, but that ends today.
Ronan: With your new status as an esteemed seal weapon contractor, you no longer need someone watching over you all the time.
Eustace: Never needed one since the day I joined as a trainee...
Ronan: Heh, as endearing as ever.
Ronan: Our relationship is now officially that of officer and soldier...
Ronan: But I'll be watching you, Eustace.
Eustace: No worries...
Eustace: I have my reasons for committing to the Society.
Strapping Flamek over his shoulder, Eustace leaves the room.
Ronan: Eustace...
Ronan: Is the peace and quiet you seek really the same as solitude?
Zeta: Man, what a grump.
With Eustace out of the war room, Zeta shrugs her shoulders.
Beatrix: Eustace being cold and antisocial is nothing new, but something struck me as a bit odd.
Gwynne: Isn't he always like that?
Beatrix: Don't let him get to you, Gwynne. Arguing with him is a one-way trip to Frustrationville.
Zeta: You're one to talk, Bea.
Beatrix: Oh, shut it!
Gwynne: Putting Bea aside...
Beatrix: Hey, what's that supposed to mean!
Gwynne: Seems like Eustace acts a bit differently whenever it comes to Flamek.
Vaseraga: He must be getting desperate too.
Ilsa: That goes for me too, even if I don't want to admit it.
Ilsa: Emotion being the release trigger makes it troublesome...
Vaseraga: After all, Ilsa and Eustace are expected to suppress their emotions as part of their jobs.
Zeta: I can see how that'd get in the way of releasing the seal weapons.
Ilsa: Armored Chicken, Pupper... That's enough pity out of you two.
Vaseraga: Who said anything about showing pity?
Beatrix: Their rank is one thing, but for Eustace, his personality probably plays the bigger part.
Zeta: He's not the type to be true to his feelings.
Ilsa: This is no time for us to be making excuses.
Ilsa: I have no intention of giving up on Nybeth's release, but Flamek's the real key here.
Ilsa: We need to get Eustace to unleash Flamek's full power, no matter what it takes.
Beatrix: Why's that? I know Flamek is more suited for attacking than Nybeth, but...
Ilsa: This is not just about our two seal weapons.
Ilsa: Flamek has to play a special role that no other weapon can.
Vyrn: Something that only Sourpuss's gun can do? What could that be?
Ilsa: Armored Chicken, Gwynne, (Captain).
Ilsa: Though it was by way of automagod, you've experienced battle on the moon and even faced off against Diaspora. Answer me this...
Ilsa: Suppose we cut Diaspora in two or blow a giant hole in it. What do you think would happen?
Choose: It'd still be standing.
Gwynne: Right. I think that'd work to an extent...
Gwynne: But the nanomachines for its other parts would quickly kick in and patch up Diaspora.
Vaseraga: Essentially rendering all that damage null.
Choose: It'd be down for the count.
Vaseraga: Ever the optimist, (Captain). That would be ideal, but I don't think it'd be so easy.
Vaseraga: We saw for ourselves something resembling a gleaming cascade of water moving on its own and attacking us.
Vaseraga: I just assumed that its machine cells can bond and separate at will, taking on any form it pleases.
Gwynne: Diaspora is essentially formless; any damage to it is quickly patched up.
Continue 1
Vyrn: Sounds like one heck of a baddie!
Zeta: Isn't it really big too?
Beatrix: How are we supposed to go up against something like that!
Ilsa: To defeat a giant mass of nanomachines that can take on any shape...
Ilsa: Our only option is to torch the thing across its entire length so fast and so hard that it won't be able to recover.
Beatrix: Instant burn over a wide radius? Sounds like a job for Flamek.
Ilsa: That's what I've been trying to say.
Zeta: Arvess can dish out some serious heat too, but I'd have trouble spreading the flames...
Ilsa: Not to mention the enemy will be coming in from the skies, making Flamek's anti-air capabilities perfect.
Ilsa: The strategy that Pupper and Armored Chicken once employed that forced an automagod to retreat to the skies proved rather effective, but...
Zeta: Vaseraga. If you toss me with all your might, can you get me onto it?
Vaseraga: To do what?
Zeta: You know what! To save Vyrn!
Vaseraga: ...!
Zeta: It's up to you. This is our last chance.
Vaseraga: Mm.
Zeta: Wait until the next bombardment ends.
Zeta: ...
Zeta: Now!
Vaseraga: Raaah!
Zeta: Arvess!
Vaseraga: Our enemy this time is much more formidable. Using that strategy again would be too risky.
Ilsa: That's why the rest of us will be keeping the nanomachines at bay, making sure they don't scatter so that Eustace can fire off a clean shot.
Ilsa: Given the situation, that seems to be our best option.
Zeta: I hate to admit it, but Ilsa's right.
Lyria: Um, is there anything we can do?
Ilsa: Your crew is a powerful force that we are always glad to work with.
Ilsa: But this latest threat is a moon weapon using technology the likes of which we've never seen before.
Vaseraga: Using seal weapons against it is our surest and safest bet.
Ilsa: But this plan is as good as dust in the wind if we can't trigger Flamek's release.
Beatrix: A lot's riding on Eustace, huh...